Hong Kong: Education chief visits UK

Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin wrapped up the London leg of her trip where she met various representatives from the education sector and exchanged views on the latest education developments.

Her visit to the capital of the UK took place between January 21 and 25 and on the first day she met Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Consultant Martin Ripley to explore the latest developments in curriculum design and assessment methods, and how PISA data can be better used for enhancing learning and teaching effectiveness.

On the second day, Ms Choi visited the Imperial College Londons Centre for Continuing Professional Development to learn about its professional development resources and related training programmes for teachers.

She also called on Minister of State for Schools at the Department for Education Damian Hinds to discuss the education developments in Hong Kong and the UK. She then met Hong Kong students in the UK to stay informed about their studies.

On the third day, Ms Choi visited the Times Higher Education (THE), the organisation that publishes the World University Rankings, to understand the international higher-education sector's developments and challenges and study the advantages and features of Hong Kong's higher education.

Additionally, the education chief visited a local girls' secondary school where she observed its class activities, listened to an introduction of its promotion of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and shared Hong Kong's experience in implementing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) education.

On January 24, Ms Choi visited the Institution of Engineering & Technology to learn about the latest developments of curriculum design for STEM education and explore the opportunities to further enhance collaboration.

She then paid a courtesy call to the Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang and briefed him on Hong Kong's latest education developments.

Ms Choi also met University Grants Committee (UGC) member Prof David Cardwell, UGCs Quality Assurance Council member Prof Chris Husbands, and UGCs Research Grants Council member Prof Miles Padgett, to thank them for their continuous concerns about and valuable advice on Hong Kong's higher education.

Ms Choi talked about the latest developments in building Hong Kong into an international education hub and discussed with them further exchanges and co-operation between higher-education institutions in Hong Kong and the UK.

On the last day of her trip in London, Ms Choi toured the British Educational Training & Technology Show by invitation, where more than 200 students and teachers from some 30 secondary and primary schools in Hong Kong showcased their exhibits of STEAM and coding education.

Afterwards, Ms Choi spoke in a panel session about the latest developments and edges of Hong Kong's education.

The education chief began her visit to Helsinki, Finland, today.

This story has been published on: 2024-01-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Xi delivers video speech to reception celebrating 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations

Xinhua) 08:04, January 26, 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a video speech to a reception celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday delivered a video speech to a reception in Beijing celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France.

The establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and France 60 years ago was a major event in the history of international relations. With extraordinary wisdom and courage, Chairman Mao Zedong and General Charles de Gaulle opened the door for exchanges and cooperation between China and the West, bringing hope to the world amid the Cold War, Xi noted.

Over the past 60 years, China-France relations have always been at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries, bringing benefits to the two peoples and contributing to world peace, stability and development, Xi said.

The unique history of the China-France relations has shaped the "China-France spirit" featuring independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, Xi stressed, adding that in the face of the new era, China and France should uphold the original aspiration of the establishment of the diplomatic relations, look forward to the future, and dare to make greater progress.

The two sides should unswervingly develop bilateral relations and respond to world uncertainties with the stability of China-France relations. The two sides can take the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism and the Paris Olympic Games as opportunities to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges and promote closer people-to-people ties, Xi said.

He called on the two sides to jointly advocate an equal and orderly multi-polar world and economic globalization that is inclusive and beneficial to all, and continue to contribute to maintaining world peace and stability and addressing global challenges.

While deepening traditional cooperation, the two sides need to actively tap the potential of cooperation in emerging areas such as green industries and clean energy, make the "pie" bigger for mutual benefit, and pool cooperation forces and share development opportunities through openness, Xi said.

Facing the next 60 years, China and France will work together to create greater glories, he added.

French President Emmanuel Macron also delivered a video speech.

Macron said that 60 years ago, General Charles de Gaulle went beyond the logic of camp confrontation and made the historic decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Today, the two sides have the responsibility to build on the ambitious goals set in 1964 and continue to work together to build a partnership that not only meets the needs of the two peoples, but also contributes to world peace and stability.

France is willing to join hands with China to address global challenges and promote the resolution of international crises, he said.

Noting that the year 2024 is the France-China Year of Culture and Tourism, and the two sides will hold a variety of activities, Macron said the two sides should take this opportunity to enhance the exchanges between the two peoples, especially the youth, and lay a more solid foundation for the future of France-China relations.

The two countries will also hold an event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of the Cultural Tourism Year at the Palace of Versailles in Paris on Jan. 31, and broadcast video speeches from the two heads of state.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Moscow is well aware that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is conducting its large-scale "Steadfast Defender 2024" drills to counter Russia, local media reported Thursday, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

"The exercises are quite unprecedented," said Peskov, adding that NATO is not trying to hide the fact that the exercises are postured against Russia.

"Actually, we have never worn rose-colored glasses. We know what NATO's military infrastructure is," he added.

On Wednesday, NATO kicked off the "Steadfast Defender 2024" exercises, its largest military drills in decades, which will take place in several locations, with associated exercises running until May 31.

"It will show that NATO can conduct and sustain complex multi-domain operations over several months, across thousands of kilometers, from the High North to Central and Eastern Europe, and in any conditions," NATO noted.
ATHENS, Pa. (WETM)  An Athens man faces up to 18 months in prison after being sentenced on two charges following an arrest from July to August of 2023.

According to the Bradford County District Attorneys Office, 37-year-old Wayne Talada was sentenced to one month to 12 months for the offense of simple assault, a misdemeanor in the second degree. Talada was also sentenced to 72 hours to six months in prison for driving under the influence of alcohol, both sentences will be served consecutively to one another.

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The district attorneys office added that Talada is facing other charges, including multiple counts of child rape, statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors, and other charges from a situation that took place from February 2023 to April 2023.

Talada is expected back in court for further action on those crimes on March 26, 2024.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The highly anticipated atmospheric river brings soaking rains and warmer temperatures to the Portland, Vancouver area Friday.

This latest atmospheric river comes just a week after much of western Oregon and Washington experienced a harsh blast of winter weather. Last weeks wind and ice has left many trees vulnerable to the impact of heavy rains over an already saturated landscape.

Timing, impacts of Oregons latest atmospheric river

Leaning trees could fall victim to added rain, making the soil soft. This comes as nearly two to four inches of rain is possible from Friday to Sunday. Warmer valley temperatures will push snow elevation levels to nearly 6,000  7,000 ft. High elevation rain could melt snow rapidly, leading to the threat of minor flooding in addition to the inches of rain expected.

Portlands temperatures will remain in the upper 40s Friday before climbing into the low to mid 50s Saturday. Easterly winds will help keep temperatures in the 40s Friday, but arent expected to gust any higher than 20 mph.





The wet weather soggy begins to slow later in the day Saturday. However, scattered showers remain in the forecast through Sunday. Portlands skies arent expected to dry until the start of next week.

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Temperatures will climb into the upper 50s and possibility to the low 60s in some locations by Monday and Tuesday. Another round of rain will help cool conditions back to average conditions by the middle and end of next week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
The aftermath of Russian missile attacks on Kharkiv on 23 January 2024. Photo: Viktor Dvornikov

During one of the largest-scale Russian missile attacks on Kharkiv on 23 January 2024, the Russians bombarded, among other things, the city's historical area. As a result, 62 historic buildings were damaged.

The HeMo: Ukrainian Heritage Monitoring Lab organisation stated that 20 of the damaged buildings are architectural monuments and sites recommended for inclusion in the list of architectural monuments. Around 50 sites were damaged for the first time since the start of the full-scale invasion.

"These statistics make this attack the most extensive in terms of damage of all that our team has documented during the full-scale invasion," said Ivan Shchurko, Head of Expeditionary Unit at HeMo Lab.

Two districts of the city with dense historical buildings were hit:

Zalopan district, where houses dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries are located;

the central part of Kharkiv, with buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The building of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, built in 1896 by Serhii Zahoskin for the merchant Hermann Helferich, brother of the famous industrialist Maximilian Helferich, sustained the most damage.

"The explosion resulted in the collapse of the roof, attic floor structures, floors of the first and second floors, the collapse of walls and partitions of the central part of the first and second floors, as well as fragments of the walls of the first floor.

A fire broke out. The collapses destroyed the interior decoration," says Viktor Dvornikov, regional coordinator of Heritage Monitoring Lab expeditions in Kharkiv and Kharkiv Oblast.

In total, 62 cultural heritage sites have damaged glazing, and more than 35 have damaged interior decoration, roofs, and structural cracks, which will have an impact on the further destruction of these sites due to the progression of cracking and the impact of rainfall.

The damaged buildings also include facilities important for the social and cultural life of the city, such as the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, the Annunciation Cathedral, the Regional Organisational and Methodological Centre for Culture and Art, the Kharkiv Medical Society, etc.

Background: The Russian missile attack on Kharkiv on 23 January claimed the lives of ten people.

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MILTON  Attorney General Andrea Campbell says the town will face the consequences if it fails to comply with the MBTA Communities Act.

Town meeting on Dec. 11 passed zoning changes that would allow the construction of multifamily housing in some areas of town, many within a half-mile of stops on the trolley line, a plan meeting the law's requirements.

A group of residents collected 3,000 signatures in a week to put the question to the voters, who can either accept or reject town meeting's decision. The decision will be made at a Feb. 13 special election.

"The law is crystal clear as to whether municipalities must comply: They must," Campbell wrote in a Jan. 9 letter to the town's select board and Town Administrator Nicholas Milano.

Milton is the only one of the 12 so-called rapid transit communities which did not comply with requirement to have an approved plan to submit to the state by Dec. 31. The group includes Quincy and Braintree.

The so-called commuter rail communities, which include many communities south of Boston, have until this Dec. 31 to submit their plans for similar zoning changes to the state. More than 100 communities are subject to the law, Campbell wrote.

"Milton's eligibility for a wide variety of state funds will be impacted if the town rejects compliance with the MBTA Communities Act," the attorney general wrote.

Attorney General Andrea Campbell speaks at Law Day at Quincy District Court, which celebrated the 100th birthday of former Massachusetts Attorney General Francis X. Bellotti, the courthouse's namesake, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

Campbell said her office's "strong preference is for cooperation and collaboration, within the bounds of the law."

"Should the Town of Milton chart a course in contradiction of state law, however, the attorney general's office will carry out its responsibility to enforce the law, without hesitation," she said in the letter.

At Tuesday night's select board meeting, Town Counsel Peter Mello was asked his opinion on the letter.

"It's a diplomatic threat of legal action," Mello replied.

Select board member Roxanne Musto said she hopes the town can go to the attorney general's office and work with them on compliance. She said the town is misclassified as a rapid transit community, since ridership of the Mattapan trolley line, which runs through Milton, is much lower.

"There are a lot of other municipalities that are watching what happens here," Musto said.

Select board member Benjamin Zoll said voters have "a clear and obvious choice."

"The town has an obligation to follow the law," he said.

Otherwise, it will face a loss of revenue, lawsuits and the possibility of court-drawn zoning maps, Zoll said.

Select board member Richard Wells noted that opponents of the plan feel they are not being treated fairly, since much of the areas that would be zoned for multifamily development are in East Milton. He said the potential for 500 new units of housing on Granite Avenue is "crazy." He said the plan adopted by town meeting needs to be refined.

Select board member Erin Bradley said she wants to make sure voters "are well aware of the consequences" of a no vote.

Select board Chair Michael Zullas said the board's responsibility is to tell voters what the consequences would be if the town does not comply with the law.

"It will be a big mess if there is a no vote," Zullas said.

Milano will compile a list of grants that would be jeopardized if the town rejects the town meeting vote.

Opponents of the zoning changes adopted by town meeting say the areas for multifamily development should be more fairly distributed around town.

Reach Fred Hanson at fhanson@patriotledger.com.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Warning to Milton on failure to comply with MBTA zoning
NEW YORK - The family attorney of a professional dancer is calling out the dangers of mislabeled food items after the young woman died from an allergic reaction to a cookie containing peanuts.

It was purchased at a Stew Leonard's grocery store.

Orla Baxendale, 25, moved to New York City from the United Kingdom six years ago to pursue her professional dance dreams. On Jan. 11, she had a fatal allergic reaction to a cookie containing peanuts.

"Her death was completely, 100% preventable and avoidable. It's why packaging is so important," attorney Marijo Adimey said.

Adimey said Baxendale was performing in Connecticut where she ate a cookie purchased from a Stew Leonard's grocery store. Adimey told CBS2 Baxendale's friends said she checked the ingredients first.

"Made sure there wasn't anything in terms of peanuts on the label. There wasn't, so safely, she thought, she had a bite or two of the cookie, and within a minute started to go into anaphylactic shock," Adimey said.

The cookies were mislabeled and did not indicate that they contained nuts. / Credit: Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection

Stew Leonard's grocery chain issued a recall for roughly 500 Florentine wafers sold und the store's brand name at locations in Newington and Danbury, and posted a video about the tragedy on their website.

"We're just devastated, very sad," Stew Leonard, Jr. said. "It was a holiday cookie... we bought it from an outside supplier, and unfortunately this supplier changed the recipe and started going from soy nuts to peanuts."

An attorney representing the manufacturer Cookies United told CBS New York they sent multiple emails to Stew Leonard's alerting employees about the change in ingredients.

The company said in July 2023 they sent Stew Leonard's an updated label, adding the word peanuts. They said in a statement "This product is sold under the Stew Leonard's brand and repackaged at their facilities. The incorrect label was created by, and applied to, their product by Stew Leonard's."

The family attorney said Baxendale was very cautious and did everything right.

"She carried EpiPens wherever she went," Adimey said.

CBS New York medical contributor Dr. Nidhi Kumar said in some cases even an EpiPen can't prevent anaphylactic shock.

"For people who have very severe allergies, they may need multiple doses," Kumar said. "With anaphylaxis, our blood vessels dilate, so what an EpiPen is doing it counteracts having your blood vessels constrict."

Tributes to Baxendale have poured in on social media, including from her brother, who wrote "You truly lived your dreams in New York... . Your graceful moves on the dancefloor will remain in our hearts.

Family members added it is incomprehensible that allergies can still take lives in 2024, and hope more people will learn about anaphylaxis to help save someone's life one day.

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The trial of Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students, is unlikely to start for at least another year, with attorneys on both sides of the high-profile capital murder case targeting summer 2025.

Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd Judicial District on Friday denied the defenses request that he reconsider his prior ruling to uphold the grand jury indictment and emphasized his goal of moving the case to trial. Judge held off from setting an updated schedule, including a trial date, while also acknowledging the court needed to conduct the legal process properly to avoid potential mistakes that could lead to future appeals.

Id really like to do this sooner than later, Judge said at the pretrial hearing Friday. Im not going to just let it hang for too long, but its really hard for me right now to set something in 2025, even though that might be the reality, and I know that theres lots of other issues to be addressed.

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said the state could be prepared for trial as soon as this summer. He stated the prosecutions preference for a time of year for the case to proceed while students at the U of I, nearby Washington State University and Moscow public schools are out of session.

Anne Taylor, Kohbergers lead public defender, meanwhile said a summer 2024 trial would be impossible for the defense to effectively represent its client. Volumes of evidence, expert testimony, hours of video footage, and 13,000 photographs still need to be closely reviewed, and a date at least a year from that time frame would be the soonest she could reasonably imagine for a trial  a 12- to 15-week trial at that, she said, not the previously discussed six weeks.

Im nervous telling you Ill be ready by summer 2025, Taylor told Judge on Friday, standing to the right of a seated Kohberger, who attended in a blue suit and yellow plaid tie.

The defense also intends to request a change of venue away from Latah County for the trial, ahead of a date being set, Taylor said.

The state would oppose taking the case out of Latah County, Thompson said, and believed that an appropriate jury could be selected in the community where the crime occurred.

I dont think its going to change anything, Judge, when this case has national if not international attention, Thompson said Friday. But we think we at least owe the people of Latah County the attempt to seat a jury here first and not just rely on, Theres been a lot of publicity. Theres been a lot of publicity everywhere.

Bryan Kohberger, 29, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder stemming from the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students in November 2022. A trial date has not been set.

Kohberger, 29, is accused of killing four U of I students at an off-campus home in Moscow in November 2022. The victims were seniors Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, junior Xana Kernodle and freshman Ethan Chapin, both 20.

Kohberger, a graduate student at WSU in Pullman, Washington, at the time, was arrested about seven weeks later in December 2022 at his parents eastern Pennsylvania home. He waived extradition and agreed to go to Idaho in January 2023 to face the charges.

Judge denies request to appeal indictment ruling

Friday afternoons hearing was the last of three hearings for the day concerning Kohberger but the only one of them open to the public. The two hearings scheduled for the morning were held behind closed doors, and Judge offered no information about what transpired at them during the public portion.

The closed sessions were held to first decide whether the previously scheduled closed hearing should be opened to the public, and second to discuss sensitive information about the grand jury indictment, which the defense requested Judge reconsider dismissing on several legal grounds. Judge ruled last month against all four of the defenses efforts to throw out the grand jury indictment.

During the public hearing, defense attorney Jay Logsdon asked Judge to grant the defense permission to file an appeal on behalf of Kohberger with the Idaho Supreme Court. He again argued the legal threshold in the state for a grand jury to indict a defendant should be based on the higher standard of beyond on a reasonable doubt  the same as at trial  instead of the lower standard of probable cause.

Whether or not theres a valid indictment in this case is going to decide whether or not he sits here and whether or not a trial should occur, Logsdon said. This isnt our attempt to achieve some delay. This is our attempt to make sure that our client is getting due process at every step in this case and that  no stone (is) left unturned.

Idaho Deputy Attorney General Jeff Nye argued to oppose the prosecutions request. Judge agreed with Nye that such an appeal threatened to further delay an already lengthy legal process that could still be more than a year away from going to trial. He added that he did not err in his prior ruling and would not change his mind now.

Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd Judicial District oversees a September 2023 hearing in Moscow, Idaho, for Bryan Kohberger, who is accused to murdering four University of Idaho students in November 2022.

That decision was put out quite a while ago, its rooted in well-settled law and I think it was correct, Judge said. If I deny it, the Supreme Court can still pick up the appeal. Thats up to them. But they do look at what the district judges opinion (was) and that may have some bearing on that. I hope so.

Kohberger lockup passes one-year mark

On hand Friday were Kaylee Goncalvess parents, Steve and Kristi Goncalves, their attorney Shanon Gray, and other members of their family. Judge said he recognized the impact of pushing out the murder trial  especially for the victims family members  but he aims to put on a trial only once.

Its demoralizing to think that we have to have a case so far in the future, but if thats what is the right thing for everybody to do it correctly, maybe we only have to do it one time, he said. So my heart goes out to the victims. I cant even imagine the pain, the grief because you cant really go forward with your life with this hanging over your head. So, sorry.

After the hearing, the Goncalveses posted to a Facebook page with 61,000 followers and managed by the family related to the death of their daughter: We have no words, adding a crying emoji, and #GoncalvesArmyofLove #JusticeSomeday.

Fridays hearing was the first streamed live online after Judge removed all cameras controlled by the media from the courtroom. At its peak, more than 6,300 people tuned into the nearly one-hour hearing.

Kohberger has remained at the Latah County Jail in the basement beneath the courthouse in Moscow since he was brought to Idaho, which passed the one-year mark earlier this month. Prosecutors seated a grand jury in the case, which indicted Kohberger on four charges of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary in May.

Kohberger was arraigned and stood silent when asked for his plea on each of the five charges. Judge in turn entered a not guilty plea on Kohbergers behalf.

Kohbergers trial date was postponed after he waived his right to a speedy trial, which granted his publicly provided attorneys time to build his defense. Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty for Kohberger if a jury finds him guilty at trial.

Thompson took umbrage Friday with defense attorney Logsdons assertion at the hearing that the states decided that it wants to try to kill someone by seeking a trial on an expedited timeline and in pursuing the death penalty.

Frankly, I find that offensive, Thompson said. We are simply trying to fulfill our responsibilities under the law. To characterize it as, The state is trying to kill someone, its just simply appealing to raw emotion and it has no place in this courtroom.
Augusta University's Summerville campus will host a speaking event on the societal impact of the death penalty as part of the Journey of Hope: From Violence to Healing Speakers Tour.

The event, which will be held 4:30-6 p.m. Monday in the JSAC Ballroom, is part of a collaborative effort between Journey of Hope and its sponsors  Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, Conservatives Concerned About The Death Penalty and Faith Leaders Of Color Coalition, according to a news release.

The Journey of Hope Speakers Tour brings together the family members of murder victims, family members of those on death row and others to speak against capital punishment, according to the release.

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"This years tour will offer Augusta the opportunity to engage in an enriching educational experience, one that will help facilitate conversations about the death penalty with our community members and with students and faculty at Augusta University," said event coordinator Daniel Mulherin.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Reverend Jack Sullivan Jr., will tell his story of overcoming trauma from the murder of his sister, Jennifer, in Cleveland, Ohio in 1997, according to the release.

The event is free and open to the public, according to the release.

Register for the event at docs.google.com/forms/d/1rI-u46XyVr3rFxPvS8EBAO8yEVPVeA-_monIRQDIX2s/viewform?edit_requested=true.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta University to host death penalty awareness event
Australia Day is Dead! Indigenous activist Gwenda Stanley chants into the loudspeaker, as a crowd of thousands breaks into applause.

Its Australias national day, but the crowd in central Sydney seethes in anger and cheers in solidarity with Indigenous Australians, many of whom view January 26 as nothing but the anniversary of their colonial dispossession, 236 years ago this Friday.

Australia is stolen land and we need to be united and firm in our resistance and sustain that resistance until justice is achieved under our terms, protest organizer Lynda-June Coe, a Wiradjuri woman, told CNN.

The Sydney crowd is diverse, and its replicated in Australian cities nationwide.

Each year an increasing number of non-Indigenous Australians find it impossible to celebrate Australia Day, in the knowledge that many of their Indigenous fellow citizens treat it as a day of mourning.

Protesters carry the Aboriginal flag as Indigenous leaders speak about the injustices inflicted through colonization. - Jenny Evans/Getty Images

I think its important to show up for the First Nations people in this country, says Grace, from the crowd on a hot, humid morning in Belmore Park near Sydneys Central Station.

I think that there are plenty of other times that you can party if you want to celebrate the lots of good things about this country, she says.

Elise wears the black, red and yellow of the Aboriginal flag on her earrings, as her friends hold a sign saying said: Put down ya beer, pick up a banner. This is not a day to celebrate.

Nearby, Kevin Shaw-Taylor agrees January 26 is absolutely not an appropriate day for national celebrations.

On the other side of the city, the Australia Day party was in full swing. The public holiday gives Australians a three-day weekend in the height of summer just a month after Christmas. Millions took full advantage.

Nowhere are the celebrations more colorful than Sydney Harbor. The citys iconic yellow and green ferries were decked out in Australia Day regalia to take part in the annual race across the very same water that British Royal Navy officer Arthur Phillip crossed in 1788, planting the British flag at Sydney Cove to proclaim the new colony on January 26.

A yacht sails in Sydney Harbor to mark Australia Day on January 16, 2024. - Dan Himbrechts/EFE/Zuma Press

Frank Bongiorno, a history professor at the Australian National University (ANU), says its pretty creative to connect that colonial date to the modern state of Australia  which was founded on January 1, 1901.

Thats why many of Australias Indigenous peoples, and an increasing number of the non-Indigenous or settler population, have long dubbed the national holiday Invasion Day or Survival Day  acknowledging British settlement as first and foremost an act of Indigenous dispossession.

This year, the often toxic argument over the colonial past and continued disadvantage for Indigenous people has taken on a new dimension  its the first Australia Day since voters rejected a proposal to acknowledge the nations first people in its constitution.

Last October, Australians were asked in a referendum whether the countrys constitution should be amended to recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders through the creation of an Indigenous advisory body  the Voice to Parliament  to advise on matters directly impacting Indigenous people.

Voters cast their referendum ballots in Melbourne on October 14, 2023. - Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Supporters said the Voice to Parliament would give First Nations people a say in efforts to remedy issues such as the eight-to-nine year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians or disproportionately high Indigenous incarceration rates.

But more than 60% of voters said no.

A study by the ANU found that most voted against the proposal because they didnt want division and were wary of giving some Australians rights not held by others  arguments promoted by the referendums most vocal critics.

Professor Chelsea Watego, executive director of Queensland University of Technologys Curumba Institute for Indigenous research, says the result reflected the Australian publics attitude toward Indigenous people, who make up just under 3% of the population.

It was a test for the Australian people to finally come clean and maybe have an honest conversation about racism in this country. But they cant and they wont. They will never let go of it because it enables them to occupy stolen land and not feel guilty about it, says Watego, a Munanjahli and South Sea Islander woman.

Instead of guilt on Australia Day, a vast number of Australians associate it with summer fun, says Bongiorno, from the ANU. Its particular cultural and political implications for many people are rather muted.

But that is changing, according to both professors, who see an increasing number of non-Indigenous Australians choosing to use the day to mourn Indigenous loss and advocate for better outcomes.

Bongiorno says one ramification of a bitterly fought debate over the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which descended into a swirl of misinformation and ugly rhetoric, is a sense that political capital can be won by stoking the culture war.

The main impact has been on the domestic politics, he said.

Clearly the (center-right) Coalition parties (led by) Peter Dutton believes they got an advantage from their opposition to the Voice and now they are attempting to squeeze further advantage out of controversies around Australia Day.

Dutton, who serves as federal opposition leader, this month called on Australians to boycott the countrys largest supermarket chain, Woolworths, over its decision not to sell cheap Australia Day paraphernalia ahead of the holiday. Dutton labeled the firms decision an outrage and against the national interest.

A Woolworths store in Queensland was vandalized in the wake of Duttons comments  spray-painted with curses and the nationalistic sporting catchphrase: Aussie Oi Oi Oi.

Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci took out full-page advertisements in national newspapers explaining the decision was a commercial one and appealing for the companys staff to be kept safe.

One prominent commercial television breakfast host goaded Banducci for serving up wokeness on aisle 3.

They are proud, hardworking Australians, Banducci said of the Woolworths workforce. For them to be seen as anti-Australian or woke is fundamentally unfair. Fair to address it to me but not to them.

As emotions run high, vandalism has gone both ways. A century-old statue of Captain Cook was found face down in the grass in Melbourne on Thursday, his severed feet still attached to the plinth that celebrates his charting of Australias east coast and his proclamation of the land as British in 1770, almost two decades before the colony was established. Red paint was also splashed over a monument to Queen Victoria.

A Queen Victoria monument in Melbourne, Australia, is doused with red paint on January 25, 2024. - Diego Fedele/AAP/AP

With all the toxic rhetoric, the hurt feelings and damaged pride  there has been little room in the mainstream post-referendum debate for new initiatives to remedy the tangible problem of Indigenous disadvantage.

Instead, the notion of the Blak Sovereign Movement has gained traction among Indigenous people who do not want to have to ask the settler population for their rights, instead vowing to empower themselves to control their own affairs.

Many proponents of Blak Sovereignty voted no in the referendum for that reason.

Im always excited about the way in which Blakfullas clap back, often under the most oppressive circumstances, said Watego, using a term by which many Indigenous Australians self identify.

The 26th of January is when we come together each year, to remember not just what weve lost, but to make a powerful statement to settlers that were not going anywhere, were not a dying race and were not going to be absorbed into the general population.

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Its Australia Day, a moment of national celebration which inevitably brings thoughts as to my countrys future, including whether it should become a republic. But its not going to happen. At least, not anytime soon. Given recent developments, such an event would be decades, not years away.

The collapse of political momentum for an Australian republic stems directly from the comprehensive defeat of the Voice constitutional referendum last October. Less than 40 per cent supported it. It lost in every state. While Australians continue to debate the reasons for its failure  the vagueness of the proposal, legitimate concerns about formalising a racial division in the constitution, the hectoring tone of so many Yes advocates  there is little disagreement over its political consequences.

The Labor government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese invested huge political capital in the referendum, which has now been squandered. The governments long honeymoon has come to an abrupt end. Australians judged that, in the middle of a cost of living crisis, the governments priorities were not theirs. Polling indicates Albaneses vision of a long-term Labor government is looking shaky.

It has since announced it would rescind its promise to hold, if re-elected for a second term, a referendum on whether Australia should become a republic. The junior minister who had been designated, among other roles, as assistant minister for the republic, has been told to get on with other things. While Australian Labor remains formally committed to a republic, the chastening experience of the failure of the Voice has eliminated appetite for another referendum anytime soon.

Earlier this month, in an important further development, the final nail was hammered into the republican coffin by the Australian Republic Movement itself. The newly-appointed head of the ARM, Nova Peris, an indigenous woman from the Northern Territory who served as a Labor senator but is better known as a former champion Olympic athlete, conceded that there should not be a referendum until it had bipartisan support. This is a different stance to Albanese, who has just kicked the issue into the long grass.

Periss sensible caution  which attracted predictable criticism from some other republican advocates  has taken whatever wind was left out of the sails of republicanism. Labors support for a republic might be a given, but on the other side of politics the position isnt as simple. The centre-right parties in Australia are a coalition of the Liberal Party (analogous to the Conservative Party) and the National Party, which represents rural and regional interests.

Like the Tories, the Australian Liberals embrace a spectrum of views: the last time Australia had a referendum on becoming a republic, in 1999, liberal moderate Malcolm Turnbull led the Yes campaign and his Right-wing predecessor Tony Abbott led the successful No campaign. Recognising these divisions, the government did not take a formal position on the referendum, though the former prime minister John Howard himself strongly opposed it. The much more conservative National Party, meanwhile, remains overwhelmingly anti-republican.

Which means that bipartisanship on the issue is unlikely ever to occur. At best for republicans, as was the case in 1999, there would be a split between Labor and pro-republican Liberals on the one side, and anti-republican Liberals and almost all Nationals on the other. No referendum proposal put forward against the backdrop of such partisan division has ever succeeded.

Recognition of that reality means that neither side of Australian politics is going to promote a republic referendum for the foreseeable future. Labor will remain committed to the cause, emotionally and philosophically, but it will not let its republican heart rule its pragmatic head. On the other side, I foresee no circumstances in which a future Liberal-National government would promote the issue. Even those Liberals who favour a republic (and there are many) would see that it would be too divisive on the conservative side of politics. Given that division, it would fail anyway. Just as for Labor, though for different reasons, they would calculate that it was not worth the political risk.

Later this year Charles III will make his 18th visit to my homeland, but his first as King of Australia. In decades to come, I expect we will welcome, in the same capacity, William V and, in all likelihood, George VII as well.

George Brandis is the former Australian High Commissioner to the UK. He served as a minister in the Howard, Abbott and Turnbull governments

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F16 fighter jets of the Turkish Air Force are seen participating in the International Anatolian Phoenix Exercise hosted by Turkiye, in Konya, Turkiye, on June 15, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has approved the ratification of Sweden's membership in NATO, according to a protocol published in the country's official gazette on Thursday.

Erdogan published the law two days after the Turkish parliament passed the bill to approve Sweden's bid to join the Western military alliance.

Erdogan "decided to publish the law adopted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly regarding Sweden's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty, and signed the presidential decree regarding Sweden's accession protocol to NATO and approved the relevant protocol," his office said.

The Turkish parliament voted on the bill after a debate in the Grand National Assembly on Tuesday night. A total of 346 lawmakers participated in the voting, with 287 votes in favor, 55 against, and four abstentions.

With Turkiye's ratification, Hungary remains the only NATO member country that hasn't approved Sweden's application for NATO membership.

Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO after Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine in 2022. Their accession requires the unanimous approval of all members of NATO.

Turkiye approved Finland's NATO bid in March last year but has slow-walked Sweden's accession, demanding the Nordic country further address Ankara's security concerns.

In October last year, Erdogan signed Sweden's NATO accession protocol and submitted it to the parliament for ratification.

The foreign affairs committee of the Turkish parliament approved Sweden's NATO bid following deliberation in December last year, in a key step to put it to a full parliamentary vote.

Turkiye has been under pressure from the United States to approve Sweden's accession to NATO, but Ankara was holding up its ratification to press Washington to allow the sale of F-16 fighter jets.
Karl Nehammer, Austria's Chancellor and Austrian People's Party (OeVP) Chairman, reacts during the party's presentation of the "Austria Plan". Helmut Fohringer/APA/dpa

The conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP) of Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Friday announced an election program focused on tax cuts, a plan to fight irregular migration and better support for families.

Nehammer rang in the campaign for the upcoming elections this year with a speech, saying: "This year 2024 is the year of decision."

He made his announcement in front of around 1,500 party supporters at the exhibition hall in Wels, a small town at the foot of the Austrian Alps.

The chancellor outlined his ideas in an 82-page "Austria Plan." They include lowering the starting tax rate from 20% to 15%, abolishing all taxes on overtime and a 4.5 billion ($4.9 billion) programme to expand childcare across the country by 2030.

OVP suggested grandparents should be able to take time off work to look after their grandchildren, according to the proposal.

This is a big year for elections in Austria, as voters go to the polls to elect

In Austria, citizens will elect the National Council, the lower house of parliament, two regional parliaments, local leaders and the European Parliament.

The OVP has still not come to terms with the resignation of former chancellor Sebastian Kurz in autumn 2021, polls say. They show the struggling conservative party with only 23% of the vote. Under Kurz it was backed by around 35% of voters.

This is about even with the Social Democrats, but behind the leading right-wing FPO, which polls at almost 30%.

The OVP used the meeting to distance itself from FPO leader Herbert Kickl.

"He is a failure," OVP Secretary-General Christian Stocker said, referring to Kickl's record as former interior minister.

With a video, the OVP recalled that Kickl was the first politician in Austria to call for a lockdown at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, while the right-wing populists later positioned themselves as opponents of the coronavirus measures.

The fight against irregular migration also plays an important role in the conservative party's plan.

It states that new overall solutions are needed in the European asylum management system by 2030. In addition to deportation and processing centres abroad, the party wants to investigate whether correctional facilities abroad could be used.
Authorities this week arrested four people suspected of being members of a San Fernando Valley drug ring that trafficked in cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Search warrants were executed Wednesday at five locations in the valley, during which authorities found more than 14 firearms, 2 pounds of methamphetamine and $153,000 in cash and narcotics.

Throughout their investigation, authorities have seized 42 pounds of methamphetamine, 128 pounds of cocaine and 6.6 pounds of fentanyl  along with two firearms and more than $150,000 in cash. The value of those drugs exceeds $1 million, according to law enforcement estimates.

Read more: Authorities bust cocaine delivery service operation in Los Angeles, Ventura counties

Arrested Wednesday morning were 23-year-old Van Nuys resident Giselle Buraye, 35-year-old Sylmar resident Efren Meraz Jr., 41-year-old Sunland resident Max Roman-Betancourt and 36-year-old Panorama City resident Esteban Armas, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney's office for the Central District of California.

Two others, Oscar Alejandro Melendez, 50, of Van Nuys and Robert Carlton Lavilette, 68, of Ventura, are expected to be arraigned in the next few days. A seventh suspect  Sarkis Kyurkchian, 40, of North Hollywood  remains at large.

Sarkis Kyurkchian, 40, aka "Z," aka "Sam," of North Hollywood. (ATF)

Powerfully addictive drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamine devastate families and communities, U.S. Atty. Martin Estrada said in a statement. With these charges we have dismantled a drug trafficking organization that put profits over peoples lives."

All seven suspects have been charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, according to the U.S. attorney's office. Buraye has also been charged with possession and intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as distribution of fentanyl.

According to the indictment, Buraye, Melendez and Meraz procured fentanyl pills, meth and cocaine that they, along with Kyurkchian, gave to Lavilette and Betancourt, who then sold them on the street.

Authorities allege Buraye and Melendez would also sell drugs to customers.

On April 14, 2021, the two sold about 1,000 fentanyl pills, according to officials.

Authorities also say Buraye sold more than 700 fentanyl pills in March 2022.

Read more: 3 arrested, 1 million fentanyl pills seized in undercover sting, authorities say

Buraye and Melendez have been charged with aiding and abetting, as well as distributing fentanyl.

Armas stored the drugs, authorities say. During a search at Armas' house in May 2022, law enforcement seized approximately 5.5 pounds of fentanyl powder, 125 pounds of cocaine, 24 pounds of methamphetamine and $152,602, according to court documents.

If convicted, each defendant would face a maximum sentence of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis arrives at a campaign event in New Hampshire on Jan. 17. He quit the race for the GOP presidential nomination Jan. 21.

Does anyone of sound mind and body believe Gov. Ron DeSantis ever had a chance at the national level? The guy has a likability rating of a creepy uncle.

His fake smile, or smirk, is irritating.

Heck, even turncoat Charlie Crist schooled DeSantis during the only gubernatorial debate in 2022.

Look, a candidate who wants to take his Florida Miracle national first must understand that few people in the country take Florida governance as being a serious exercise in democracy. Want proof?

Write to us: How to send a letter to the editor

In a recent poll conducted by the McClatchy news service, the good people of Iowa and New Hampshire rated woke and cultural issues dead last in importance of leading the nation. In fact, those good folks pretty much affirmed they thought the whole idea is nonsense.

So much for the credibility of the Florida Miracle and the DeSantis followers.

Ron is back where he started, surrounded by those just as lost as he is. Good riddance.

Robert OBrien, Holmes Beach

Nation rejects governors Florida platform

Florida voters take heed:

Voters in the Iowa caucuses overwhelmingly rejected the platform of Gov. Ron "Desanctimonious" DeSantis (and also his platform boots). Woke, "Don't Say Gay," book banning, controlling Disney, transgender bathrooms, etc., were not issues of priority to them.

Maybe Florida voters will wake up and see that the insurance crisis, Medicaid expansion and taxes are among the top priority issues that politicians in this state have failed to address.

Instead, they spin their wheels on the failed Desanctimonious platform.

Florida is not where woke comes to die, as the governor said. But it is where DeSantis has been sent back by primary voters after the death of his presidential campaign.

Kevin Kidd, Sarasota

After loss, expect more draconian laws

When the history of the 2024 presidential campaign is written, I am sure there will be at least a footnote regarding the campaign Gov. Ron DeSantis ran.

It will credit him with running one of the worst, if not the worst, campaign in modern political history. It was a total waste of time, resources and money.

My excitement at DeSantis' demise is tempered by the fact that he will return to Florida as a bitter and defeated loser and take his anger out on the state's residents by pushing even more draconian laws.

Inside Florida Politics: What's next for DeSantis?

Particularly galling to me was DeSantis' speech ending his campaign; he had to get in one last shot at Dr. Anthony Fauci. Here is a man who has devoted his entire life to protecting the health of the citizens of the United States, starting while DeSantis was still in diapers.

DeSantis chose an unqualified quack  who also peddles conspiracy theories  to serve as Florida's surgeon general. In addition, there have been 90,000-plus COVID deaths in Florida. Both of these realities attest to the fact that neither DeSantis nor the surgeon general is qualified to comment on anyone elses action or make any medical decisions themselves.

DeSantis ongoing disparaging comments about Fauci, a great public servant, are disgusting and despicable.

Felton Marans, Lakewood Ranch

Dont let DeSantis destroy state

The role of government is to protect, defend, encourage and help all of its citizens.

Governments role is not to tell citizens:

What religion to believe.

What concealed weapons to carry without a license or training.

What books they and their children can read.

What nicknames their kids should be called.

What bathrooms they can use.

What schools they should attend.

What history lessons children can be taught (for example, teaching that slavery was a "valuable job-training opportunity" for the Black community).

Furthermore, the role of government is not to exclude certain specific groups like the LGBTQ+ community from much-needed social and health services.

Government shouldnt limit specific health care options for women in their private lives, nor should government be threatening physicians with lawsuits and incarceration for providing those services.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has returned to Florida after his failed bid for president, wants the state to be his personal fiefdom  and he wants to act like he's a dictator.

Please dont let DeSantis use these tenets to destroy the Florida grew up in during the 1950s, 60s and 70s!

Colin Moore, Venice

Governor too dull to replace Trump

After a gutless campaign destined to fail, Gov. Ron DeSantis is now back in the Sunshine State.

How can you hope to win when you cant speak clearly and directly about the dramatic faults of your main competitor, or fire back at the insults and lies thrown your way?

President Donald Trump stands behind gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis at a Pensacola rally in 2018. DeSantis returned the favor, supporting Trump until he decided to run for president himself. Now that DeSantis has dropped out, he is backing Trump once again.

DeSantis wasn't running against President Joe Biden. But his hope that former President Donald Trump's supporters would see him as capable of achieving conservative goals, without the drama and bureaucratic incompetence, was hopeless from the start.

Chaos and drama are why they love Trump.

Bruce Robinson, Sarasota

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: DeSantis wasted time, money by ignoring Florida for presidential race
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The United States on Thursday announced sanctions against four high-ranking leaders of the Houthi militant group in Yemen, alleging that they lent support to the militia's recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

The sanctions were imposed together with Britain, according to a press release by the Department of the Treasury.

Those targeted by the sanctions, the release said, were the Houthi "minister of defense," "commander" of the Houthi maritime forces, the Houthi "coastal defense forces chief," and the "director of procurement" for the Houthi forces.

The Houthis' attacks "on merchant vessels and their civilian crews lawfully transitting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden threaten to disrupt international supply chains and the freedom of navigation, which is critical to global security, stability, and prosperity," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson.

On Jan. 17, the United States re-designated the Houthis as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist," reversing the Joe Biden administration's move at the outset of its term in February 2021 to revoke the designation in view of the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen at the time.

The United States has since Jan. 12 launched multiple strikes against targets in Houthi-controlled areas Yemen, with Britain directly participating in some of them and other allies providing support.
A Beaver County farm operator and his employee were found guilty on three counts of unlawful killing of migratory birds.

Robert Yost, 52, of New Galilee, and Jacob Reese, 27, of Enon Valley, conspired to kill migratory birds that were on leased farmland operated by Yost Farms in June 2020, the Department of Justice said.

In total, Yost and Reese were responsible for killing around 17 Canada geese, 10 red-winged blackbirds and one mallard duck, officials said.

Investigators said Yost, the operator of the business, and Reese, one of his employees, conspired to kill the birds with carbofuran, which is a registered restricted-use pesticide.

Yost told Reese to spread whole kernel corn covered in carbofuran in and around the field, which was used for soybean cultivation and accessible to children, investigators said. The corn attracted the protected birds, which were found dead a short distance from where they ingested the food.

Robert Yost and Jacob Reese used corn laced with an extremely toxic, banned pesticide to poison over two dozen migratory birds, said U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan. The defendants indiscriminate criminal conduct also put the safety and health of the farms neighborsincluding small children and a man suffering from Alzheimers diseaseat risk. Protecting wildlife and the people who live in our communities from the illicit use of dangerous chemicals is, and will remain, a priority of this office and our dedicated partners in state and local law enforcement.

The Department of Justice said Yost and Reese then concealed their efforts to poison and kill the birds, including destroying the feed bag with the tainted corn. They also lied about their use of the corn to kill the birds to the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The deliberate application of a highly toxic pesticide, whose use is restricted due to the unreasonable risks to public health and the environment, threatened the health and well-being of the community and the children who played in the poison area, and resulted in the intentional killing of numerous migratory birds, said EPA-CID Acting Special Agent in Charge Allison Landsman. The conviction of Robert Yost and Jacob Reese demonstrates EPAs resolve to vigorously, with its federal and state partners, investigate, prosecute, and hold accountable those who criminally apply toxic pesticides and target species protected under federal law.

Sentencing hearings for both Yost and Reese are scheduled for May 29.

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Belarus amends its military doctrine, permitting the use of nuclear weapons, while Europe grows increasingly apprehensive over potential for wider war in Europe.

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania sign an agreement to establish a Baltic defense zone on their eastern border with Russia and Belarus, reflecting growing security concerns.

Belarusian law enforcers conduct nationwide searches targeting 84 individuals  families of political prisoners and former detainees.

The in absentia trial of six exiled former members of Belarusian law enforcement, who supported the popular uprising against the Lukashenko regime and founded an organization to resist it, has started.

Ukraines draft bill on multiple citizenship extends eligibility to people of Ukrainian origin, their global descendants, and foreign volunteer soldiers  including Belarusians serving in the Ukrainian army who are struggling to obtain residence permits in the country.

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Belarus amends military doctrine, allowing for use of nuclear weapons

Belarusian Defense Minister Viktar Khrenin has announced that Belarus is to update its military doctrine, allowing it for the first time to provide for the use of nuclear weapons.

Following a meeting of the Belarusian Security Council led by dictator Alexander Lukashenko on Jan. 16, Belarusian Defense Ministry officials disclosed details of the updated military doctrine that deepen the countrys ties to Russia.

We have clearly defined and conveyed Belarus views on the use of tactical nuclear weapons deployed on our territory, Khrenin told state-owned news agency BelTA.

During a subsequent briefing on Jan. 19, the Defense Minister said that the new doctrine views nuclear weapons as a deterrence against armed provocations and incidents along the countrys southern and western borders.

Russia and Belarus signed an agreement on placing Russian non-strategic nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory on May 25, 2023, initially planning to finish the transfer by July 1.

In December 2023, Lukashenko claimed that the Russian nuclear weapons had arrived in Belarus, but no evidence was provided to support the claim.

Lukashenko repeatedly asserted that the Belarusian military would have control of all weapons in the country, whereas Russia has maintained that it remains in control of the nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory, in compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Read also: Russias use of North Korean ballistic missiles not a sign of Moscows depleted domestic capacity

NATO and the EU condemned the deployment. However, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the White House did not see any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture... nor (see) any indications Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons for Belarus, but that the United States would continue to monitor the situation.

While ramping up rhetoric about hostile neighbors, Khrenin also claimed that Belarus was ready to resume a pragmatic dialog with NATO states, provided they stop their aggressive rhetoric and actions against us.

The head of the Belarusian Army General Staff Information and Analytical Department, Artsiom Butorin, also stated that the doctrine brings together provisions from international treaties that Belarus has signed. Belarus will consider an attack on its allies as aggression against itself, Butorin told a state-owned broadcaster.

The document containing the new doctrine has not been made public. Its expected to receive approval from the All-Belarusian Peoples Assembly, the newly established extra-parliamentary organization that will be formed after the Feb. 25 parliamentary and regional elections in Belarus.

Russias staunch ally, Belarus, has served as a launchpad for Russian aggression against Ukraine and as a supplier of the Russian army. While abstaining from sending Belarusian troops to the battlefield, Lukashenko has hosted Russian troops and military bases, as well as Russian Wagner company mercenaries after their short-lived mutiny in June 2023.

Despite the growing militarization of the country and a 53% increase in military spending in 2023, Belarus has dropped four positions in the Global Firepower Military Strength ranking, and is now in 64th position.

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur (L) and Boris Pistorius, his German counterpart, attend the annual Baltic Defense Conference in Tallinn, Estonia, on Sept. 21, 2023. (Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Baltic states to establish defense zone along Belarus, Russia borders

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania say they plan to build a Baltic defense zone  a chain of linked deterrence fortifications on their borders with Russia and Belarus.

The defense ministers of the three Baltic states signed an agreement on Jan. 19 in Riga, approving the establishment of the defense zone on their eastern borders, as well as signing a memorandum on developing rocket artillery capabilities.

Estonia plans to build 600 bunkers along its border with Russia within the Baltic defense zone by early 2025. The project cost is estimated at 60 million euros, according to Estonian media EER.

Russias war in Ukraine has shown that, in addition to equipment, ammunition and manpower, we also need physical defense facilities on the border to protect Estonia from the first meter, said Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.

Lithuania and Latvia have yet to share their plans for the defense zone.

Lithuanias Arvydas Anusauskas, Latvias Andris Spruds, and Estonias Hanno Pevkur also signed a declaration of intent agreement on the joint deployment of HIMARS multiple rocket launchers in both peacetime and wartime.

The agreement was signed amid growing concerns over Europes security. Swedens Minister for Civil Defense, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, and armed forces commander Micael Byden urged the nation to prepare mentally for war.

Meanwhile, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius claimed on Jan. 19 that Russia might attack NATO within five to eight years.

The creation of a Baltic defense zone stems from the 2022 NATO summit agreement that the alliance is to be protected from the first meter of NATO territory.

Read also: New Belarusian poetry collection explores revolution, exile, war

Belarusian KGB launches mass raids on political prisoners families

The Belarusian KGB security service has conducted nationwide raids targeting family members of at least 84 political prisoners, as well as former detainees who chose to stay in Belarus, the Viasna Human Rights Center.

A 76-year-old former political prisoner from Vitsebsk, Barys Khamaida, and Maryna Adamovich, the wife of politician Mikalai Statkevich, sentenced to 14 years in prison, appeared to be among those who were detained. The searches started in the morning of Jan. 23, not all of the raids resulted in a person being detained.

Human rights activists suggest that the charges against the detainees include financing extremist formations and participating in an extremist formation. The regime of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko routinely brands any opposition organization extremist.

The activists link the mass raids to the emergency food assistance project INeedHelpBY, which was supporting those who have lost their income due to political repression in Belarus. The Belarusian KGB earlier designated the project an extremist formation.

Lukashenkos regime currently holds around 1,500 political prisoners, with new detentions occurring daily. The duty of supporting a prisoner, which falls upon the family, is not only emotionally devastating but also financially draining. With the officially reported average salary in Belarus being roughly $582 a month, families say they spend at least $60-100 on a lawyer for each visit, which are numerous, and $158 per package of food and personal belongings for a prisoner in pre-trial detention.

Supporting a convicted prisoner can cost families over $2,000 a year.

In absentia trials of exiled former Belarusian police start in Minsk

The in absentia trials of six former members of Belarusian law enforcement officers who joined in the public protests against contested presidential elections in 2020 started in Minsk on Jan. 22.

All of the defendants  Aliaksandr Azarau, Matsvey Kupreychyk, Ihar Loban, Andrey Astapovich, Uladzimir Zhyhar, and Aleh Talerchyk  now reside abroad. If found guilty, they face being sentenced to dozens of years in prison for inciting social hatred, plotting to forcibly seize power, and creating an extremist group called BYPOL, an organization of former Belarusian law enforcers in exile.

In addition, the leader of BYPOL, Aliaksandr Azarau, was charged with organizing a terrorist attack, which is punishable by the death penalty.

In 2020, the defendants supported the democratic opposition in Belarus and formed BYPOL. With the aim of restoring the rule of law in Belarus, the group has been forming an independent union of law enforcement agencies, drafting law enforcement reforms, and collecting evidence of law enforcers crimes against peaceful protesters.

BYPOL also established the Pieramoha plan  a clandestine network of people in Belarus, ready to act on the organizations command once the opportunity to seize power arises.

Meanwhile, in February 2023, the group took responsibility for a sabotage attack on one of Russias A-50 long-range radar aircraft at a military airfield in Belarus.

Following disagreements within the organization, the group split into two formations: BYPOL and BELPOL. Both are engaged in activities to oppose the regime of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko.

In November 2021, BYPOL was labeled as an extremist formation. The Belarusian Supreme Court designated it a terrorist organization in August 2022.

The law providing for in absentia trial of Lukashenkos political opponents came into effect in July 2022. Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, was charged with 15 years of imprisonment in absentia along with other opposition members. Stsiapan Putsila and Jan Rudzik, the creators of the NEXTA Telegram channel, which became a mouthpiece of the protests in 2020, were charged with 20 and 19 years of imprisonment, respectively.

Read also: Zelensky to submit bill on multiple citizenship to parliament

Zelensky to submit bill on multiple citizenship to Ukraines parliament

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he plans to submit to Ukraines parliament a bill on multiple citizenship that would allow foreign volunteers fighting for Ukraine to apply for a Ukrainian passport.

Zelensky announced the planned extension of citizenship eligibility on Jan. 22 in a video address dedicated to Ukrainian Unity Day.

All people of Ukrainian origin and their descendants from different countries will be allowed to have our citizenship, (but) of course, (this does not include) citizens of the aggressor state, Zelensky said.

He added that the bill also concerns foreign fighters who volunteered to defend Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also said he supported making it legal for Ukrainians to hold multiple citizenships  excluding the citizenships of Russia or other unfriendly countries.

The bills text is yet to be published. The policy on Belarusian fighters, who are the citizens of a co-aggressor state, remains unknown.

Since the start of the full-scale war, hundreds of Belarusians have joined the Ukrainian army, creating the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, Terror Battalion, and other smaller formations.

In Belarus, the volunteer fighters risk imprisonment for three to seven years for either participating in the Kalinouski Regiment, which was designated an extremist formation by the regime of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, or for being mercenaries. At least 37 Belarusians have been killed in combat.

However, after leaving the Ukrainian army, Belarusian volunteers find themselves in legal limbo: They have experienced legal difficulties in obtaining residence permits in Ukraine.

Neighboring Poland and Lithuania, which have provided refuge for the Belarusian opposition, often consider that former combatants have no proof they were persecuted in Belarus.

A representative of the veteran organization Association of Belarusian Volunteers, Andrei Kushnerau, told DW that the problems faced by Belarusians a year ago remained the same. He added that some fighters had been banned from entering the country.

While Belarusian volunteers are in a precarious position in Ukraine, the Belarusian regime continues to crack down on any display of support for Ukraine. The Viasna Human Rights Center reports that 1,630 Belarusians were detained for demonstrating an anti-war stance and that at least 25 Belarusians have been convicted for financially supporting the Kalinousky Regiment.

Thirteen other people have been arrested for expressing the intention to join the regiment.

Polish President Andrzej Duda and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda attended a ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the beginning of the failed 1863 January Uprising against Russian rule, in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Jan. 21, 2024. (Gitanas Nauseda/ X)

January Uprising. Birth of Belarus' nation

The Spotlight segment provides readers with the historical context of contemporary events in Belarus.

On Jan. 21, Polands President Andrzej Duda, Lithuanias President Gitanas Nauseda, and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the democratic leader of Belarus, attended a ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the 1863 uprising that historians view as the political birth of the Belarusian nation.

In Poland, the events of 1863-1864 are known as the January Uprising, Russians call it the Polish rebellion, and in Belarus it was named after its leader, Kastus Kalinouski, an iconic historical figure, and after whom Belarusian fighters in Ukraine have also named their military unit.

The uprising against the Russian Empire, which spread over contemporary Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine, demanded the restoration of the PolishLithuanian Commonwealth, which had been torn apart by Austria, Prussia, and Russia.

The uprising was declared by the underground Provisional National Government in Warsaw in a manifesto dated Jan. 22, 1863. The Partisan Committee headed by Kastus Kalinouski in Vilnius announced it was joining the fight against the Russian Empire on Feb. 1.

But while united by the idea of restoring their country, the representatives of the uprising were divided on the issue of involving the peasantry in the revolt. While landowners  representatives of the haute bourgeoisie dominating the uprising in Poland  were hoping to succeed without them through negotiating with the tsarist government and with the help of diplomatic support from the Western powers, Kalinouski believed there was only any prospect of victory if the mass of the peasantry participated in the revolt as well.

After a year of armed clashes, the uprising was suppressed. Kalinouski attempted to organize a new uprising in the spring of 1864, but was betrayed by his supporter Vitold Parfianovich.

The 26-year-old Kalinousky was caught and sentenced to death. On March 10, 1864, he was hanged. Over 12,400 people in Belarus were accused of participating in or sympathizing with the uprising, and were repressed.

The young rebel has become a cornerstone of the Belarusian idea. Kalinouski started publishing in the Belarusian language, issuing the illegal newspaper Muzhytskaya Prauda.

Portraying himself as one of the peasants, he wrote about land ownership, protecting Belarusians religious rights and language from the tsarist government, and liberating the country from the Russian Empire.

In his famous Letters from under the gallows, written before his execution, Kalinouski addressed his people in Belarusian, urging them not to stay behind if you hear that your brothers from Warsaw are fighting for truth and freedom.

His devotion to the Belarusian idea is highlighted by the code phrase used under his command. According to the traitor Parfianovichs testimony, it goes as follows:

Who do you love?

Belarus.

Thats reciprocal.

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The Benton County Sheriffs Office wants to become the first agency in Washington to deploy facial recognition software.

Before signing off on it, the public and county commissioners should demand strict accountability that safeguards the rights and well-being of residents.

Problems with facial recognition systems have been especially acute when they target people of color. The systems notoriously struggle to correctly identify people with brown or black skin.

In a law enforcement setting, incorrect identifications can lead to no end of trouble for innocent people and can perpetuate systemic inequalities within the justice system.

Another risk is that the sheriffs office will use the technology not just to find the worst of the worst offenders but also to identify people suspected of committing routine offenses or no offense at all. Stories abound of law enforcement officers in other places checking photos to stalk a love interest or harass homeless residents.

Companies like Apple, Google and Facebook, all of which had researched facial recognition technology, never deployed those systems because of such concerns. The civil rights dangers were too great in their estimation.

Yet, if Benton County minimizes risks, facial recognition systems might become a useful law enforcement tool.

A 2020 law signed by Gov. Jay Inslee puts some guardrails on whats allowed. The sheriffs office must follow a state-mandated approval process that includes a report on how the office would manage use of the technology to protect peoples privacy. The law warns, Unconstrained use of facial recognition services by state and local government agencies poses broad social ramifications that should be considered and addressed.

Lawmakers worried that without proper oversight and regulation, facial recognition could threaten our democratic freedoms and put our civil liberties at risk.

In addition to the 2020 law, at least King County, the city of Bellingham and the Port of Seattle have banned facial recognition for law enforcement.

Benton County Sheriff Tom Croskrey will release the required report after a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26, in Room 303 of the Benton County Administration Building in Kennewick. It would have been better had he released the report in advance so that people could make informed comments. At least the public will have 90 days to weigh in before commissioners decide whether to move forward.

Croskrey wants to contract with a company called Clearview AI. The company provides facial recognition technology to clients, many of them law enforcement, around the world. It has even provided its identification tools for free to the Ukrainian government, which has used the system to identify almost a quarter million Russian soldiers, Russian officials and members of aligned militias.

Clearview has taken heat for how invasive its system is. It matches images of faces against a database rumored to contain tens of billions of photos scraped from publicly accessible social media and other online sites without anyones consent. Let that fact serve as one more reminder that people should think twice before posting their latest vacation pics for all to see. Your friends arent the only ones looking.

The sheriffs office says that two investigators would review any matches to ensure accuracy and reduce false positives. Thats a good idea, but it cant be the only check on the system.

Strong public oversight will be the best defense for the public. That should take the form of an annual, independent audit of how the sheriffs office used facial recognition tools, how effective its been at identifying alleged perpetrators and how well it has avoided bias against communities of color. That report, its methodology and its data all should be made public.

If Clearview pushes back against such review, if it cites proprietary technology as reason to keep the public in the dark, then that should worry Tri-Cities residents and leaders about the worth of the entire endeavor.

Give law enforcement the tools they need to keep communities safe but require independent oversight that makes sure those tools dont erode privacy and civil rights.
A Berklee College of Music student was convicted by a federal jury on Thursday of stalking and threatening a classmate who posted fliers supporting Democracy in China.

26-year-old Xiaolei Wu, who is a citizen of the Peoples Republic of China, was convicted of one count of cyberstalking and one count of interstate transmissions of threatening communication after a four-day jury trial, according to the U.S. Attorneys District of Massachusetts Office.

On October 22, 2022, the victim was posting fliers near the Berklee College of Music campus that said, Stand with Chinese People, We Want Freedom, and We Want Democracy. For two days, Wu made a series of threatening messages to the victim, saying in part, Post more, I will chop your bastard hands off. Wu also reportedly encouraged others to abuse the victim online by posting their email address.

Among other things, Wu also reported the victims information back to a member of the Chinese government and told the victim that the public security agency in China would greet the victims family, according to authorities.

No one in this country should ever be subjected to threats of violence or a cyberstalking harassment campaign for expressing their political views, said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. The Department of Justice is committed to safeguarding the fundamental right to free speech for all. This type of conduct will never be tolerated.

Wu will be sentenced in federal court on April 24, 2024.

What Xiaolei Wu did in attempting to silence and intimidate an activist who expressed dissension with the ruling Communist Party of China is not only criminal, but completely against our countrys democratic values, said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. Todays conviction upholds one of our most fundamental rights freedom of speech and the FBI will ensure that anyone who tries to infringe on this right using threats or harassment will face the same fate as Mr. Wu.

The charge of cyberstalking provides for a sentence up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of interstate transmissions of threatening communication provides for a sentence up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

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Mr Ecclestone was given a two-year suspended sentence and 330m fine after admitting to tax fraud - Klaus Pressberger/Getty

Bernie Ecclestone has become Britains second-highest taxpayer after admitting fraud and paying out hundreds of millions of pounds in a settlement with HMRC.

The former Formula One boss handed the taxman a record 650m in back taxes and penalties after pleading guilty to tax fraud and failing to declare 400m overseas trust last year.

Mr Ecclestone, 93, was given a 17-month sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to pay a 330m fine on top of unpaid tax and interest in October.

The payment means Mr Ecclestone has become the countrys second-highest taxpayer, according to the Sunday Times Tax List for 2024. It is the first time he has appeared on the list since it started six years ago.

His lawyer, Clare Montgomery KC, told the newspaper he bitterly regrets the events leading up to his criminal prosecution.

The racing tycoons lawyers successfully argued the billionaire should not serve prison time because of his frail health and substantial tax payout, thought to be the largest in British history.

Speaking in an interview with The Sunday Times, Mr Ecclestone said: I have always paid tax in the UK, every year I always have. The issue was about the tax I earned overseas that the (UK) taxman thought I should pay UK tax on. It was an honest mistake and I think everyone knew that.

Mr Ecclestone began his career as a racing driver in 1958 and later managed drivers Stuart Lewis-Evans and Jochen Rindt, before buying British car manufacturer and racing team Brabham.

In 1978 he became chief executive of Formula One Constructors Association, battling with rival Federation Internationale du Sport Automobile for the sports lucrative TV rights.

He managed the worlds most prestigious motor racing tournament until 2017 and kept an advisory role with its board until 2020.

The controversial racing boss was estimated to have amassed a 2.5bn fortune prior to the ruling last year.

He was beaten to the top spot by the billionaire Alex Gerko, a Russian-born City financier who has paid the most tax for two years running.

Russian billionaire Alex Gerko has topped the tax list for the previous two years

Mr Gerko, who holds British citizenship and renounced his Russian citizenship last year, is the founder of robot trading firm XTX Markets and has an estimated fortune of $6.2bn (5bn).

Born and educated in Moscow, Mr Gerko was granted British citizenship in 2016 and has heavily criticised Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine.

He tweeted Nuremberg is waiting for you alongside a story about Sergei Lavrov, Russias foreign minister attempting to justify the bombing of Mariupols maternity hospital in 2022.

He jumped from 10th biggest tax payer in 2022 to the number one spot in 2023. He contributed tax in excess of 650m to the Exchequer over the past 12 months, according to the tax list.

The list compiles 100 of the UKs largest taxpayers, with individuals and families paying a total of 5.353bn of tax, 3pc more than a year ago.

JK Rowling and Ed Sheeran, 31st and 32nd on the list respectively, paid significantly more tax than last year, with bills of 40m and 39.6m.

Over two thirds, 68, of the taxpayers on the list were said to have paid less tax than last year.

Excluding the top two, Gerko and Ecclestone, the total sum of the remaining 98 entries is down by 200m on last years figures.

The rankings are determined by corporation tax, dividend tax, capital gains tax, income tax, employers national insurance tax as well as gambling and alcohol duties, according to the most recently filed company accounts by January 16.

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Dating back to the early 19th century, Australias winemaking journey has blossomed into a dynamic tapesty of over 65 wine regions, each with its own unique terroir and grape varietals.

What distinguishes Australian wines is the absence of stringent regulations, allowing winemakers the freedom to experiment and innovate. From the sun-drenched valleys of Barossa to the cool, coastal regions of Margaret River, Australian wines offer a kaleidoscope of flavours and styles.

Why not raise a glass of Australian wine and discover the bold flavours and distinctive character that have captivated wine enthusiasts worldwide?

And for Independent readers, theres an extra reason to rejoice with an exclusive 25 per cent discount on all Australian wines from our esteemed wine partner Perfect Cellar using the cody INDYAUSSIE.

Heres our selection of the finest Australian wines from Perfect Cellar, catering to both newcomers and connoisseurs alike.

The white made to last

Briar Ridge Dairy Hill Semillon 2022 - 28.84 with code INDYAUSSIE

(Perfect Cellar)

Grape: Semillon

Alcohol: 12%

Awards: 97 Points - Halliday Wine Companion; Halliday 5 Red Star Winery

The Briar Ridge Dairy Hill Semillon 2022 stands as a pinnacle of Australian winemaking, earning a remarkable 97 points from the Halliday Wine Companion and a spot in Matthew Jukes 100 Best Australian Wines. From the esteemed Halliday 5 Red Star Winery, this Semillon is a pure expression of its terroir, boasting aromas of kaffir lime leaf and lemongrass followed by a crisp palate of citrus fruits and savoury thyme notes. With its delicate hue and bracing acidity, it pairs beautifully with oysters or promises to age gracefully for up to 20 years. Located in the scenic Mount View region of the Hunter Valley, Briar Ridge Winery embraces tradition while pushing boundaries under the guidance of award-winning winemaker Alex Beckett. This wine encapsulates the essence of Australian craftsmanship and innovation, making it a true standout in the world of wine.

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Rhone-like experience

Grove Estate Kingsvale Vineyard Shirax 2013 - 30.71 with code INDYAUSSIE

(Perfect Cellar)

Grape: Shiraz

Alcohol: 14.5%

The Grove Estate Kingsvale Vineyard Shiraz 2013 is a rare gem that captivates the senses with its sweet fruity flavours and structured finish. Representing the final harvest from the esteemed Kingsvale Vineyard, this Shiraz embodies the richness and full-bodied character reminiscent of Barossa-style wines. Despite its age, the wine maintains a remarkable freshness, showcasing notes of leather, oak and earthiness complemented by jammy strawberry undertones. With soft tannins and a hint of spice, it offers a well-balanced and complex palate experience, making it a versatile choice for any occasion. Produced by Grove Estate, nestled within the scenic Hilltops Region of New South Wales, this wine is a testament to the estate's commitment to excellence and innovation. Whether enjoyed now or aged for another decade, the Kingsvale Vineyard Shiraz 2013 is sure to delight wine enthusiasts with its timeless charm and impeccable craftsmanship.

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Bobar Viognier 2022 - 33.94 with code INDYAUSSIE

(Perfect Cellar)

Grape: Viognier

Alcohol: 11%

Awards: 91 Points - The Wine Front

The Bobar Viognier 2022, awarded 91 points by The Wine Front, is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of Sally and Tom Belford, pioneers of the natural wine movement in Yarra Glen. Grown in the Homestead vineyard at the base of Christmas Hills, this Viognier captures the essence of the Yarra Valley floor with its full expression and restrained elegance. Delicate notes of poached pear, quince, jasmine blossom and lemon rind dance on the palate, complemented by subtle hints of pastry and creme patissiere. With its beautiful weight and structure, enhanced by time on lees and old barrels, this wine offers both complexity and drinkability. Fresh, creamy and effortlessly enjoyable, it showcases the purity of handcrafted winemaking and sustainable practices, inviting wine enthusiasts to savour every sip of its vibrant charm and authenticity.

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Everyday Chardonnay

Fowles Wine Are You Game? Chardonnay 2020 - 14.06 with code INDYAUSSIE

(Perfect Cellar)

Grape: Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13.5%

Awards: Bronze Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards

The Fowles Wine Are You Game? Chardonnay 2020, awarded a Bronze Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards, is a delightful expression of cool climate winemaking from Victoria, Australia. Blending Chardonnay with a dash of Sauvignon Blanc, it presents a medium-bodied palate bursting with flavours of fresh nectarine, grapefruit and pear, complemented by a soft, creamy texture and subtle hints of oak. With vineyards situated in the picturesque Strathbogie Ranges region, Fowles Wine benefits from a unique terroir akin to renowned wine regions worldwide. Pale gold in colour, this Chardonnay exudes aromas of tropical fruits and subtle oak, leading to a palate brimming with tropical fruit acidity and a fresh, slightly chalky texture. With its refreshing profile and nuanced complexity, its a true testament to Fowles Wine's commitment to crafting exceptional cool climate wines that capture the essence of their remarkable terroir.

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Everyday Cab

McWilliams MCW 660 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 - 13.46 with code INDYAUSSIE

(Perfect Cellar)

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol: 14%

The McWilliams MCW 660 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 exemplifies the pinnacle of Australian winemaking, drawing upon the rich diversity of climates across the nations renowned wine regions. Sourced from the cool-climate and high-altitude vineyards of the Hilltops wine region in New South Wales, this Cabernet Sauvignon boasts a distinctly varietal nose of ripe plum, fruitcake and bay leaf, underscored by notes of dark chocolate fruits and sophisticated graphite oak. On the palate, it delivers a classically structured, medium-bodied profile, with silky cassis depth of fruit leading to a finish adorned with fine-grained varietal tannins. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail by McWilliam's Wines, a historic winery with roots dating back to 1877, this Reserve Cabernet stands as a testament to their unwavering commitment to quality and excellence in every bottle.

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Affordable fine wine

DArenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2018 - 34.46 with code INDYAUSSIE

(Perfect Cellar)

Grape: Shiraz

Alcohol: 14.5%

The DArenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2018, lauded with an impressive 96 Points by James Suckling, stands as a beacon of excellence in Australian winemaking. Named after the vine disease Eutypa Lata, this Shiraz paradoxically represents the pinnacle of its craft. Exhibiting a pronounced savoury character, it offers a luxurious, full-bodied experience with notes of dark fruits, damson plum and intriguing fennel seed nuances. Layers of complexity unfold with rich balsamic glazed beets, roasted meats and jus, culminating in an unparalleled sensory journey. Robust tannins and impeccable balance characterise this world-class wine, offering a palate of ripe black fruits, vanilla and hints of spice. Crafted from selected parcels of premium fruit, dArenberg showcases its century-long legacy of winemaking expertise. With a commitment to environmental sustainability and traditional methods, this wine exemplifies the harmony between tradition and innovation at dArenberg, securing its status as one of Australias premier Shiraz offerings.

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Audacious (and delicious) creations

Briar Ridge Albarino 2022 - 23.96 with code INDYAUSSIE

(Perfect Cellar)

Grape: Albarino

Alcohol: 13%

Awards: 95 Points - James Halliday / Halliday 5 Red Star Winery

The Briar Ridge Albarino 2022, awarded an impressive 95 Points by James Halliday and hailing from the esteemed Halliday 5 Red Star Winery, embodies the epitome of excellence in winemaking. With its lush and rich profile, this Albarino tantalises the senses with ripe apricot and peach aromas accented by hints of gingerbread spice. Its beautifully rounded finish boasts balanced acidity and a long, richly textured aftertaste, offering a truly indulgent experience.

Praised by critics and enthusiasts alike, this wine showcases vibrant notes of honey, guava, grapefruit and minerals, with a refreshing character perfect for pairing with oysters. Its vibrant hue and aromas of green apple, lime, and pear underscore its elegance and complexity. Crafted by the award-winning team at Briar Ridge, this Albarino is a testament to their commitment to tradition and innovation, setting them apart as a hallmark of excellence in the Hunter Valley wine region.

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Briar Ridge Fiano 2022 - 23.96 with code INDYAUSSIE

(Perfect Cellar)

Grape: Fiano

Alcohol: 12.5%

Awards: 92 Points - The Wine Front / Halliday 5 Red Star Winery

The Briar Ridge Fiano 2022, a limited release from the esteemed Halliday 5 Red Star Winery, epitomises excellence in winemaking with its traditional style and superb quality. Awarded an impressive 92 Points by The Wine Front, this Fiano showcases aromatic notes of honeysuckle and orange blossom, leading to an intensely flavoured palate rich with ginger spice, Nashi pear and subtle nutty characters. Its rich and textured mid-palate, combined with a crisp, persistent finish, offers a truly delightful sensory experience.

With tasting notes of lemon, honey and apricot, this wine delights the palate with its medium-bodied profile and medium plus acidity. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail by Briar Ridges award-winning winemaker, Alex Beckett, this Fiano exemplifies the winerys commitment to tradition and innovation. From its pale straw colour to its vibrant aromas and complex flavours, it stands as a shining example of Hunter Valley winemaking at its finest.

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Visit perfectcellar.com to embark on a journey of discovery, where innovation meets tradition, and every sip tells a unique story.

In association with Perfect Cellar: The Independent works with Perfect Cellar to bring readers wine choices and will earn commission if readers choose to buy their wines via a link from this independent.co.uk article
 Flash

China was shocked by another attack on the UN facility in Gaza and saddened by the civilian casualties caused by the attack, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Thursday, adding that China condemns all acts against civilians.

According to reports, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East stated on Wednesday that its training center was hit by two tank rounds in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, and nine people were killed and 75 others injured.

In response to a related query, spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily news briefing that China condemns all acts against civilians and opposes all moves that violate international law.

"The safety of UN facilities must be protected. The use of force does not bring true security and ceasefire is the overriding priority," he said.

China urges parties to the conflict to earnestly implement relevant resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, realize a comprehensive ceasefire at once, and prevent an even worse humanitarian disaster from happening, Wang said.
President Biden marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Friday, saying in a statement that it was more pressing than ever for Americans to bear in mind the atrocities committed by and evil of the Nazis, and the dangers of antisemitism.

Biden mourned the deaths of millions of Jews during the Holocaust, as well as the killings of people with disabilities, Romani people, LGBTQ individuals and other groups targeted by the Nazis. He said this years day of remembrance was particularly poignant because of the Hamas attacks against Israel in October that left more than 1,000 Israelis dead.

This year, the charge to remember the Holocaust, the evil of the Nazis, and the scourge of antisemitism is more pressing than ever, Biden said, noting the Hamas attack was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.

In the aftermath of Hamass vicious massacre, we have witnessed an alarming rise of despicable antisemitism at home and abroad that has surfaced painful scars from millennia of hate and genocide of Jewish people, Biden said. It is unacceptable. We cannot remember all that Jewish survivors of the Holocaust experienced and then stand silently by when Jews are attacked and targeted again today.

Without equivocation or exception, we must also forcefully push back against attempts to ignore, deny, distort, and revise history, he continued. This includes Holocaust denialism and efforts to minimize the horrors that Hamas perpetrated on October 7, especially its appalling and unforgivable use of rape and sexual violence to terrorize victims.

Biden vowed to continue fighting antisemitism and all forms of hate-fueled violence, and to bring home those still being held hostage by Hamas.

The Anti-Defamation League has reported an enormous spike in antisemitic incidents in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attacks, and the Biden administration has taken steps to try to mitigate the resulting threats against Jews.

The White House last year also outlined a first of its kind national strategy to combat antisemitism, which included recommendations for state and local governments, as well as for social media platforms.

Biden has been steadfast in his support of Israel and the Jewish people following the Oct. 7 attacks, but he has faced sustained protests from pro-Palestinian activists as Israeli forces carried out military campaigns in Gaza.

The White House has repeatedly said it does not support a full cease-fire between Hamas and Israel because it would give Hamas a change to reorganize, but it has called for Israel to minimize civilian casualties and to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Biden administration will pause approvals of some natural gas export facilities as it considers changing how to evaluate them, the administration announced Friday.

The current analyses the Energy Department uses to decide whether to authorize exports of liquified natural gas (LNG) do not adequately account for factors such as domestic energy costs or planet-warming emissions, the White House said in a fact sheet.

As a result, the administration is temporarily pausing pending decisions on whether to approve exports to countries with which the U.S. does not have a free trade agreement.

The pause will be in effect until the Energy Department can update how it conducts underlying analyses. An administration official told reporters that an update would take a few months, followed by a public comment period before it is final.

President Biden, in a written statement, invoked climate change as he discussed the pause.

During this period, we will take a hard look at the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs, Americas energy security, and our environment, he said.

This pause on new LNG approvals sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time, he added.

The pause only applies to new export projects and is not expected to impact existing exports. There will also be exceptions for emergencies.

An administration official told reporters that four projects  two large and two small  currently have applications before the department and would be affected by the pause.

A controversial pending project, known as CP2, is not expected to immediately be impacted as its approval is not yet before the Biden administration, the official said.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told reporters Thursday that the update was coming due to a dramatic increase in U.S. natural gas exports.

U.S. capacity to export LNG has more than tripled since 2018 and is on track to triple again based on projects that are already under construction, she said.

As our exports increase, we must review export applications using the most comprehensive, up-to-date analysis of the economic, environmental and national security considerations, Granholm added.

The announcement comes as progressives and environmental activists have shone a spotlight on the natural gas export projects  lamenting the climate implications of increased fossil fuel shipments.

Politically, the move comes as at least some progressives have expressed disappointment in the administration over issues, including the war in Gaza. And while Biden has signed significant climate legislation, progressives have also pushed back on his approval of the Willow Project  a major oil project in Alaska.

Progressives and environmental organizations cheered the pause.

This decision is a major win for communities and advocates that have long spoken out about the dangers of LNG, and makes it clear that the Biden administration is listening to the calls to break Americas reliance on dirty fossil fuels and secure a livable future for us all, Sierra Club executive director Ben Jealous said in a written statement.

Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), a vice chair of the progressive caucus, cheered the move in a written statement but also called for more action.

Pausing new export approvals is a huge deal that will keep our energy bills lower, our communities healthier, and our country safer, he said. But let me be clear: this is not mission accomplished. In order to save an inhabitable planet for future generations, we need to work with our allies to completely transition off of fossil fuels for good.

On the other hand, the oil and gas industry criticized the move, saying it hampers global energy security, among other critiques.

This is a win for Russia and a loss for American allies, U.S. jobs and global climate progress, Mike Sommers, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, said in a written statement.

There is no review needed to understand the clear benefits of U.S. LNG for stabilizing global energy markets, supporting thousands of American jobs and reducing emissions, he added.

This is not the first time the Biden administration has issued a pause as it looked to evaluate the future of fossil fuels.

During Bidens first few days in office, he paused new oil and gas leasing on public lands while the administration considered changes to the leasing program, though leasing has resumed following a series of court actions.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
 Flash

This photo taken on Sept. 13, 2023 shows the race track of Singapore Formula One Grand Prix in Singapore. [Photo/Xinhua]

China and Singapore signed a mutual visa exemption agreement in Beijing on Thursday, which will come into effect from Feb. 9, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

Chinese and Singaporean citizens holding ordinary passports will be allowed to enter and stay in each other's countries visa-free for up to 30 days, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin at a daily press briefing.

Wang said that the agreement, to take effect on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon, is undoubtedly a New Year gift for the people of the two countries. It will further boost people-to-people exchanges and advance China-Singapore relations and cooperation in various fields, he added.
By Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday paused approvals for pending and future applications to export liquefied natural gas (LNG)from new projects, a move cheered by climate activists that could delay decisions on new plants until after the Nov. 5 election.

The Department of Energy (DOE) will conduct a review during the pause that will look at the economic and environmental impacts of projects seeking approval to export LNG to Europe and Asia where the fuel is in hot demand.

The review will take months and then will be open to public comment which will take more time, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told reporters in a teleconference.

Biden said in a statement: "During this period, we will take a hard look at the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs, America's energy security, and our environment."

The pause "sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time," said Biden, a Democrat.

Administration officials vowed that the pause would not hurt allies, as it has an exemption for national security should they need more LNG.

Companies and countries in Europe rely on steady supplies of LNG from the U.S., which became world's top LNG exporter last year, as the region tries to wean itself off pipelined gas from Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. U.S. allies in Asia also covet LNG as they seek to slow coal consumption.

A spokesperson for the European Commission, noting the exemption for national security emergencies, told Reuters, "This pause will not have any short- to medium-term impacts on the EU's security of supply."

Karoline Leavitt, a campaign spokesperson for former President Donald Trump, a Republican, said the decision was "one more disastrous self-inflicted wound that will further undermine Americas economic and national security."

The last review of LNG export projects was in 2018 when export capacity was 4 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd). That capacity has tripled and is set to shoot higher by 2030 with projects under construction.

The growth has set off protests from environmentalists and youth groups, part of Biden's base. Activists say new LNG projects can harm local communities with pollution, lock in global reliance on fossil fuels for decades, and lead to emissions from burning gas and from leaks of the powerful greenhouse gas methane.

Environmentalists hailed the move and canceled sit-in protest planned at DOE headquarters next month.

"This is a milestone," said Roishetta Ozane, founder and director of The Vessel Project of Louisiana and a leading voice in the opposition to the LNG build-out, who said her family's health is affected by these terminals. "It sets the stage for potential rejections and slows down progress of these projects."

Michelle Weindling, political director of the youth-based Sunrise Movement said the pause would help Biden get support from young voters in November.

"It needs to be seen that leaders are leading boldly and unapologetically to solve this crisis," she said.

Swaths of U.S. industry, ranging from chemicals, steel, food and agriculture, also oppose unrestricted exports of U.S. gas, saying it raises risks for fuel prices and reliability.

Only four projects with export approvals pending at the DOE would be affected by the pause, an administration official said without naming them. The projects could include ones by Sempra Infrastructure, Commonwealth LNG and Energy Transfer, the DOE's website showed.

Sempra is confident its projects would help displace more carbon-intense fossil fuels, including coal, and provide gas to allies, a spokesperson said. The other companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

LOUISIANA PROJECT CP2

Upset with Biden's approvals last year of oil and gas projects in Alaska, climate activists have focused on stopping Venture Global's Calcasieu Pass 2 (CP2) pending LNG project in Louisiana, which would be the nation's largest.

CP2 first needs approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which could consider it as soon as February, before its exports are considered by the DOE.

The DOE said the pause applies to all current and future pending applications until the review is complete. That means the pause could include projects like CP2 if approved by FERC, which only voted down an LNG project once, a move it later reversed.

An administration official said in the call that "projects like CP2 really speak to this question of are we over-building?"

A Venture Global spokesperson could not be immediately reached but the person said this week that a pause could send a "devastating signal to our allies that they can no longer rely on the United States." Germany accounts for nearly half of CP2's current contracted capacity of LNG.

(Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Additional reporting by Curtis Williams in Houston, Julia Payne in Brussels and Valerie Volcovici in Washington; Editing by Edwina Gibbs, Louise Heavens, Mark Porter and Marguerita Choy)
This undated aerial file photo shows a Liquified Natural Gas facility in Cove Point, Md. President Joe Biden is under pressure from environmental groups about carbon emissions from LNG processing plants. | Matt Houston, Associated Press

A huge liquified natural gas, or LNG, export terminal slated for construction in Louisiana is now on hold after President Joe Biden received pressure from environmental groups regarding its carbon emissions.

Venture Global LNGs Calcasieu Pass 2, or CP2, project would be twice the size of the companys present CP plant. If it is built, it would make Venture Global one of the largest liquified natural gas companies in the world. It would have an export capacity of around 20 million metric tons per year, making it the largest in the United States and further solidify the United States as the leading exporter of liquified natural gas.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration says liquified natural gas export capacity jumped from about one billion cubic feet per day in 2016 to an average of about 10.59 cubic feet per day in 2022. Exports involved 34 countries and accounted for about 56% of total natural gas exports. The war between Russia and Ukraine is largely credited with the increased exports as European countries were cut off from Russian fuel.

Venture Global said Bidens actions are worrying.

Such an action would shock the global energy market, having the impact of an economic sanction, and send a devastating signal to our allies that they can no longer rely on the United States, said Shaylyn Hynes, a company spokesperson, quoted in The New York Times.

Environmental groups, however, are praising the pause by the Biden administration in which the permitting would be reviewed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Before deciding whether the public would be well served by CP2 and other LNG export terminals, the administration needs to sharpen its tools. In particular, and at a minimum, these decisions must take into account the projects impact on the climate crisis, environmental justice and consumer utility bills, the Natural Resources Defense Council said.

It takes an enormous amount of energy  and coughs up vast amounts of the carbon pollution driving the climate crisis  to extract, transport and process, it said, stressing that LNG terminals cover hundreds of acres and require miles of pipeline.

Multiple industry groups urged Biden to resist the pause on liquified natural gas export terminals.

Our nations abundant supply of natural gas is an impactful geopolitical tool, helping insulate American consumers from increasing global instability while advancing American national interests and ensuring the energy security of key U.S. allies, the groups wrote in a letter to U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

Moving forward with a pause on new U.S. LNG export approvals would only bolster Russian influence and undercut President Bidens own commitment to supply our allies with reliable energy, undermining American credibility and threatening American jobs.

The letter added: Nearly eight years of operating experience and DOEs own studies have demonstrated that LNG exports are squarely within the public interest. Throttling down U.S. LNG exports will eliminate an important tool in reducing global emissions and force quickly developing nations  specifically in Asia  to abandon plans to reduce emissions and increase coal consumption.

Utah produces its own liquified natural gas and at one point forged an alliance with other states, the Ute Tribe and the Consumer Energy Alliance to solidify an export terminal in Oregon. In addition, Dominion Energy operates a liquified natural gas storage facility in Magna.

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SUPERIOR, Wis.  Looking to shore up his support in the upper Midwest, President Joe Biden visited the Wisconsin-Minnesota border Thursday to showcase the sort of road and bridge improvements he said his predecessor never accomplished in office.

Biden spoke at a brewery here that stands to benefit from a planned $1 billion project to replace the more than 60-year-old Blatnik Bridge connecting Superior to Duluth, Minnesota.

His visit was a two-for-one proposition, putting him at the junction of two crucial states that he captured in 2020 and will need to win again if hes to prevail in an expected rematch with former President Donald Trump in November.

The Midwest is coming back, Biden said at Earth Rider Brewery, standing in front of a row of stainless steel cylinders used to ferment beer.

As the presidential race barrels toward another Biden-Trump showdown, Democrats are scrambling to address a stubborn reality: Polls show that many voters are dimly aware of Biden's accomplishments thus far.

Bidens appearance was part of a broader attempt to remind voters that he has made more progress than they may realize. Funding for the bridge is coming from an infrastructure spending package he signed in 2021. With 33,000 vehicles crossing the Blatnik Bridge every day, Biden said, local businesses like the brewery are depending on the upgrade to retain customers and accommodate workers.

Its outdated in design, Biden said, mentioning the bridges tight curves and higher-than-average car accident rate and traffic congestion.

For decades, people talked about replacing this bridge. But it never got done  until today, Biden added.

Joel Heller, 47, a Duluth resident who attended the speech, is well aware of the bridges failings. Heller, a disabled veteran, said he uses it to reach a veterans health care facility in Superior.

Image: President Joe Biden speaks with iron workers (Alex Brandon / AP)

Im watching a billion-dollar bridge being built that is important to both towns, Heller said in an interview. I have to take that bridge. Theres no pullover spot if you get a flat tire.

The bridge project is among infrastructure investments in Minnesota and Wisconsin totaling nearly $12 billion, Biden said. Mocking his predecessor, he said Trumps infrastructure weeks fizzled so often that the phrase became a punchline.

On my watch, instead of infrastructure week, America is having an infrastructure decade, Biden said.

Before he arrived in Wisconsin, the pro-Trump Make America Great Again political action committee said in a statement that Bidens economic policies have failed.

The harsh reality of Bidenomics is all too clear every time Wisconsinites go to the gas station, the grocery store, or try to heat their homes, the statement said.

Biden wore a blue half-zip pullover over a collared shirt, reflecting a more relaxed look that some of his advisers believe may help allay concerns about his age, 81, and vigor. He chose a friendly spot for his appearance: The city is in Douglas County, which he won 54% to 44% in the 2020 election.

With a small audience of invited guests, no protesters got into the event, as theyve managed to do in some of Biden's recent public appearances. On a sidewalk across the street from the brewery, though, protesters held signs and denounced Israels military offensive in Gaza. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, they chanted.

Biden used the speech to take a few other swipes at Trump. He mentioned an interview in which Trump said that he expected the economy to crash and that he hoped it happened in the next 12 months.

Can you believe it? Biden said. He said hes hoping it would happen soon while Im still president.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Joe Bidens top adviser on migration issues will leave the White House next week amid escalating tensions between states and the feds over the border, and ongoing chaos around border restrictions, according to NBC News. The departure of Katie Tobin, the senior director of transborder matters to the National Security Council, had been planned for months. Over her three years in the position, Tobin was integral to developing the White House's immigration strategy, including working through the end of Title 42, a highly restrictive pandemic-era migration policy from the Trump administration. We will miss Katies positivity and thoughtful contributions on an incredibly complex portfolio, but wish her well, national security advisor Jake Sullivan told NBC News. A National Security Council spokesperson said that it is still unclear who will replace Tobin.

Read it at NBC News

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Joe Biden, left, told Benjamin Netanyahu that he did not understand the end state the Israeli leader hopes for - Miriam Alster/Pool /reuters

Joe Biden has reportedly urged Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza before the US election as he fears he may lose the votes of young Americans who disagree with his support for Israel.

The US president is understood to have told the Israeli leader during a telephone call last week that he must start scaling back his countrys operation in Gaza.

As Mr Biden prepares for what will most likely be a rematch with Donald Trump, a White House source told Axios, the American news website, that Mr Biden could not risk the growing Palestinian death toll dominating the headlines.

Nearly three-quarters of voters aged 18 to 29 said they disagreed with the way Mr Biden was handling the conflict, according to last months New York Times/Siena College poll.

At least a third of the 40-minute phone call between Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu on January 19 was spent discussing Israels strategy, two US officials said.

Reduce civilian casualties

The Democrat leader is said to have urged Mr Netanyahu to transition to low-intensity operations to reduce civilian casualties.

Mr Biden pressed Mr Netanyahu about his plan several times and told him he did not understand the end state the Israeli leader hoped for, the sources added.

Mr Netanyahu reportedly replied that Israel had transitioned to low-intensity fighting in northern Gaza, but it was not ready to do so in the south and if the Israeli military left now Hamas would return.

Meanwhile, Mr Netanyahu agreed to Mr Bidens requests to allow a UN mission into northern Gaza to assess the conditions and flour to be moved into the enclave via the Israeli port of Ashdod.

He is also understood to have agreed to help improve the delivery of aid from Jordan through the Kerem Shalom border.

The leaders last held a call on Dec 23, when Mr Biden reportedly put down the phone in frustration, saying the conversation is over.

Christopher Galdieri, professor of politics at Saint Anselms College, said it doesnt surprise him that Mr Biden was pressing for the war to end ahead of November 2024.

Weve seen that this is partly an issue that really divides Democrats along generational lines, he told The Telegraph.

Biden was elected in no small part because of such a high turnout amongst young voters in 2020 and because they broke decisively for him, if either of those things changes that could definitely be damaging.

The Telegraph has approached the White House for comment.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day, warning against what he called an alarming rise in antisemitism after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and efforts to minimize what happened that day.

Biden, who launched the first U.S. national strategy to counter antisemitism in May 2023, said the need to remember the Holocaust and the "scourge of antisemitism" was more pressing than ever after the Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people, the biggest loss of life on a single day since Israel's founding in 1948.

"In the aftermath of Hamass vicious massacre, we have witnessed an alarming rise of despicable antisemitism at home and abroad that has surfaced painful scars from millennia of hate and genocide of Jewish people. It is unacceptable," Biden said in a statement.

"We cannot remember all that Jewish survivors of the Holocaust experienced and then stand silently by when Jews are attacked and targeted again today," he said, calling for forceful pushback against Holocaust denialism and "efforts to minimize the horrors that Hamas perpetrated on October 7, especially its appalling and unforgivable use of rape and sexual violence to terrorize victims."

U.N. experts this month demanded accountability for sexual violence against Israeli civilians during the Oct. 7 attacks, including allegations of rape, mutilations and gunshots to genital areas. Hamas denies the abuses.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in November said the rise in antisemitism since the start of the Israel-Hamas war was a "five-alarm fire" that threatened the safety of Jews worldwide and the future of Israel.

Biden said his administration was continuing to condemn and fight antisemitism, while working to ensure the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas, which kidnapped about 240 people on Oct. 7. He urged Americans to do their part to combat hate in all its forms.

"It is our shared moral responsibility to stand up to antisemitism and hate-fueled violence at home and abroad and to make real the promise of 'Never Again,'" Biden said.

Biden, a devout Catholic who was born in the middle of World War Two, said he had taken his own children and grandchildren to a German concentration camp to show them "the depth of this antisemitic evil and the complicity of silence or indifference."

Rights groups have reported sharp increases in both antisemitic and anti-Arab and anti-Muslim incidents since Oct. 7.

The White House in November said it is also developing a national strategy to combat Islamophobia.

The effort has faced skepticism from some Muslim-Americans who are furious about Biden's continued political and financial support for Israel's assault on Gaza, which has killed over 25,000 Palestinians, and his failure to call for a ceasefire.

The Biden administration has rejected calls for a ceasefirebut is urging Israel and Hamas to pause the fighting to allow the release of hostages and humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
Opinion editor's note: Editorials represent the opinions of the Star Tribune Editorial Board, which operates independently from the newsroom.



There is a commonsense appeal to the idea that cities should require developers to include ample parking in every project they build. A bowling alley, for example, should have a certain number of spaces per lane to accommodate its bowlers. An apartment building should provide adequate parking for its prospective tenants. To do otherwise would mean snarled traffic on city streets, with parked cars lining the curb and not-yet-parked cars jockeying for position near spots that look as if they might be about to open.

As is sometimes the case with apparently commonsense ideas, though, this one may be mistaken. An effort to do away with mandatory minimum parking requirements is underway at the Minnesota Legislature and in other policymaking bodies around the country. The state legislation, called the "Minnesota People Over Parking Act," was announced at a news conference Tuesday by Sen. Omar Fateh, DFL-Minneapolis. He made a good case.

"These mandates often force people to build far more parking than they need," Fateh said. "According to the census, 48% of renter households in Minnesota have one car. And 19% of renter households in Minnesota have no car at all.  But the large majority of cities in Minnesota have mandates that require between one-and-a-half and two-and-a-half spots per unit."

Fateh added that "the average parking spot in Minneapolis costs well over $40,000 to build, and that cost gets passed on in the form of higher costs in goods, services, food and rent." If tenants could decline to pay for spots they don't need, he said, they could save hundreds of dollars per month in lower rent.

Fateh and others stressed that nothing in the proposed law would prevent builders from including as much parking as they like. But removing the obligation to build spaces has a number of benefits, they said, besides the lower rent he mentioned.

"Eliminating these mandatory minimums not only makes housing cheaper, but it makes it possible to build more housing on that same amount of land," said U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who is a cosponsor of similar legislation in Congress. That bill would do away with minimum parking requirements near transit stations.

Minneapolis took that step in 2015 and followed up with a general ban on mandated minimums in 2021. Duluth and St. Paul did the same. Tony Jordan, president of the Parking Reform Network, told an editorial writer that Minnesota was leading the way in proposing the first statewide ban on the practice.

"You can't wait for more transit or fewer cars or any other contrived precondition to act, because parking mandates prevent quality transit and reinforce car dependency," he said at the news conference.

The minimums can also impede the establishment of small businesses. "Often, our favorite places exist only because they were built before these mandates were in place," Jordan said. "Great places with opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs can't exist if it's illegal to open a coffee shop without a parking lot that's three to five times bigger than the building the coffee shop is in."

Jordan said his organization is launching a nationwide campaign to pass legislation in all 50 states. He described the present time as "a watershed moment."

Not everyone agrees. The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, which represents 62 municipalities in the state, denounced the proposed legislation as an unwarranted intrusion on local authority. "Let the folks in Mountain Lake, Moorhead, and Mahnomen decide for themselves," it said.

That argument would have appeal if Fateh's legislation imposed a requirement on the people of those communities. In fact, though, it merely lifts the obligation on developers to build more parking than they think is necessary. The initiative does not remove any parking; nor does it discourage the construction of new parking.

The coalition will have ample opportunity to expand on its objections as the bill wends its way through the legislative process. Lawmakers should pay attention. But if this simple initiative can help make housing more affordable, or reduce society's reliance on cars, it's worth serious consideration.
Water planning has been a major topic in Indiana in recent months, driven largely by concerns over the LEAP District project and plans to pipe millions of gallons of water dozens of miles for the manufacturing development.

Two bills were filed this legislative session that would address those concerns. Advocates and local groups such as Stop the Water Steal out of Lafayette have thrown their support behind them, claiming that the legislation would improve water policy and management throughout the state.

Neither bill, however, has received a hearing. And neither is currently scheduled for one as the deadline for bills to be heard fast approaches.

That means both of these bills are likely dead in the water, advocates worry.

Rep. Sharon Negele, R-Attica, listens to speakers at the Indiana Statehouse. She has proposed a bill that would improve water policy and management in Indiana amid concerns raised over plans to pipe millions of gallons of water from the Lafayette area for the LEAP District.

"This legislation would provide a clear next step for those looking to move large amounts of water through a pipeline to serve an industrial complex," said Rep. Sharon Negele, R-Attica, who authored the House Bill. Her district includes Lafayette, where the Indiana Economic Development Corporation plans to withdraw up to 100 million gallons of water a day to feed the LEAP District near Lebanon, so she's been knee-deep in residents' concerns about accountability.

"My goal is for this legislation to serve as a strong starting point as discussions on this issue move forward," she added in a statement about her bill.

Water shortage: Water isn't only a Western problem. Here's why some Hoosiers are worried about running out

For years, studies have revealed the need for a statewide plan to manage the states water resources. They have warned that water supply in certain areas  particularly Central Indiana, where population and economic growth is most concentrated  may not be able to support the projected expansion.

But Indiana has no comprehensive plan or policy.

Our water policy right now is fairly non-existent, said Indra Frank, director of environmental health and water policy with the Hoosier Environmental Council.

The lack of an overarching plan gives utilities, businesses and even regular citizens a virtual carte-blanche to withdraw, move and use water whenever and wherever they want.

The two bills filed this session  House Bill 1305 and Senate Bill 249  would change that. They would first establish a clear definition of what constitutes a major water withdrawal. Negele's bill also sets prerequisites for feasibility studies of the proposed withdrawal to ensure no negative impacts, along with a peer review of the findings.

Construction is under way at the new LEAP District in Lebanon, Ind. Plans to pipe millions of gallons of water from the Lafayette area to this site have raised serious concerns and calls for better water management in the state.

Lastly, the bills would require a permitting process and approval with the Indiana Natural Resources Commission before a significant water withdrawal of certain amounts. Right now, big withdrawers only need to notify the state after theyve already started pumping, just as a heads up.

Proponents such as Stop the Water Steal  a group that has formed in response to and opposition of the plans to pipe water from the Lafayette area down to the LEAP District in Lebanon  describe these bills as crucial in advancing the protection of Indianas water resources.

Call IndyStar reporter Sarah Bowman at 317-444-6129 or email at sarah.bowman@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @IndyStarSarah. Connect with IndyStars environmental reporters: Join The Scrub on Facebook.

IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Bills to address LEAP District concerns might be dead in the water
A Black man who was wrongfully convicted for more than four decades received a multi-million settlement from officials in Concord, North Carolina.

The city awarded Ronnie Long $22 million, and he received $3 million from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for spending just over 44 years behind bars. Long was convicted in 1976 and given two life sentences after being accused of burglary and raping a well-known white woman. He was only 21 years old at the time.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Jan. 9, the city acknowledged the significant errors in judgment and willful misconduct by former employees and apologized to Longs loved ones for his lengthy, unjustified prison stint.

Ronnie Long was wrongfully convicted of raping a white woman in the 1970s. (Photos: NBC News Youtube screenshot)

We are deeply remorseful for the past wrongs that caused tremendous harm to Mr. Long, his family, friends, and our community, the statement said. Mr. Long suffered the extraordinary loss of his freedom and a substantial portion of his life because of this conviction.

Jamie Lau, an attorney of Duke Law School Wrongful Convictions Clinic who represented Long, told the New York Times that the formal public apology was essential for his client.

One of the biggest things for him, even through those 44 years, was to clear not only his name, but his familys name, to make it known that he was not involved in the assault that led to his conviction and to make it known that he came from a good, working-class family in Concord, Lau said.

In a news release obtained by WBTV, Longs conviction was handed down by an all-white jury, although there was no evidence connecting him to the crimes. Mostly, all potential Black jurors were withdrawn from the jury pool by local law enforcement.

According to The Times, three people who were on the jury had ties to Cannon Mills, a city textile business, where the womans deceased husband was a prominent executive. The company notably offered $10,000 for tips to help solve the case.

Long also did not match the womans original description of the suspect: a yellow or really light-skinned Black male. She only claimed that Long a dark-skinned man  was the suspect when police escorted her to court, where he was facing an unrelated phony charge for trespassing in a park.

While in the courthouse, she was in disguise, donning a wig and sunglasses. The move was a suggestive identification procedure used to target Long, per the news release.

A slew of evidence could have helped keep Long out of prison, including a missing rape kit and 43 fingerprints and a suspect hair collected at the crime scene. None of it was from Long. It was tested by investigators but not disclosed, and officers with the Concord Police Department gave false testimony about the evidence at trial.

Long was released, and his sentence was vacated in 2020 after a federal court of appeals determined that his due process rights were violated during his trial. He received a pardon from Gov. Roy Cooper and a $750,00 check from the state.

Hopefully, incidents like this can be avoided, Long said in 2020, per WBTV. If you see injustice being done against somebody, then speak out against it. Speak out; if you dont, then hate it, hate it with all your heart.

Heres What a Black Man Demanded from a North Carolina City After Spending More Than 44 Years In Prison for a Bogus Rape Conviction
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  Zan Ahmed, MD, from USA Health, joined WKRG on The Doctor is In to discuss the current need for blood donations.

Dr. Ahmed answers the following questions in the video above:

Why should I give blood?

What type of blood is needed?

What is the process of giving blood?

Who is eligible?

How can I give blood?

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
The American Red Cross continues to encourage blood donations amidst a nationwide shortage.

>>Person trapped under vehicle after it crashes into Harrison Twp. home

Severe winter weather has impacted the ability of the Red Cross to rebuild its blood supply and its urging for more blood and platelet donors, a spokesperson said.

The national blood supply remains at critically low levels and blood drives were canceled in every state where the Red Cross collects blood.

Nearly 15,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected this month alone, said Don Hawkins, of the American Red Cross. In addition to dangerous road conditions, many Americans have dealt with flight and shipping delays, and the Red Cross is no different.

He added that snow, ice, and very cold temperatures have made it tougher to move blood products across the Red Cross network.

The nation is currently facing the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years, according to Hawkins.

For information on how to donate blood, visit this website.
The European Union is preparing to rule out a renewal of a deal between Kyiv and Moscow that has allowed Europe to receive Russian gas through Ukraine when it expires at the end of the year, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 26, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter.

The European Commission argues that even countries most dependent on Russian gas supplies, such as Austria and Slovakia, would be able to find alternative sources in the event of a cutoff, the sources said.

The EU has not imposed sanctions on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), and EU nations bought record amounts of LNG from Russia in 2023. Ukraine still remains a key transportation route, even though actual flows on the transit pipeline have been less than 40% of contracted volumes since May 2022, according to Bloomberg.

The EU's executive arm has reportedly conducted a preliminary analysis of potential scenarios that could arise from a termination of the transit deal, including modeling the capacities of other pipelines, such as TurkStream, to help make up for any deficit.

The European Commission will discuss the issue with member states in February before formally presenting the plan to energy ministers at a meeting in Brussels on March 4, the sources told Bloomberg.

Kyiv reportedly denied earlier this week that it would be ready to renegotiate the transit deal with Russia after Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico raised such a possibility.

The EU has called on member states to reduce their gas dependencies on Moscow and reached a deal on Dec. 8 that allowed individual countries to effectively ban Russian shipments of LNG.

One issue is that some European companies have long-term contracts with Russian companies, meaning that stopping imports would require paying compensation to Russia.

Some countries, such as the U.K., Latvia, and Lithuania, have already stopped buying LNG from Russia.

Read also: Opinion: Why the Russia sanctions are failing

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
EAST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM)  Police in Lancaster County say a bomb threat was called into a business on Friday morning.

East Hempfield Township Police responded to Shanks Extracts on Richardson Drive after a phone message was left claiming the building was going to explode.

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Police arrived, evacuated the building, and notified neighbors of the incident. Canine explosive detection dogs were requested and the business was evacuated as police searched the area.

Police said the the search revealed no explosive device or any other potential hazard to the public.

The source of the phone call is being investigated.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Former President Donald Trump delivered commanding victories in both the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary, resulting in all but one of his opponents dropping out of the race.

The sole remaining candidate, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, faces an uphill battle to become the nominee and is already receiving calls from party leadership to end her campaign.

As the race quickly becomes a general election fight against U.S. President Joe Biden, Republican leadership is closing ranks behind Trump.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell referred to Trump behind closed doors as the "nominee" and privately signaled he was willing to abandon a potential deal on border security issues on the grounds that it could undermine Trump's campaign.

While these domestic political fights should not, in theory, impact the U.S.'s support for Ukraine, the border and Ukraine aid have become linked. Broadly, negotiations so far have been centered around the proposal that Democrats will make concessions on stricter border security measures in exchange for Republican support on aid for Ukraine.

Senate Republicans blocked a bill in December that contained $61 billion in aid for Ukraine, and U.S. funding for Ukraine has effectively run dry since then.

Read also: Pentagon: Lack of funding prevents US from meeting Ukraines most urgent battlefield needs

It was unclear how an agreement could be made on even these tenuous grounds, as a substantial deal on border and immigration policy has eluded Congress for years.

Trump's decisive victory over Haley, who is a proponent of the U.S.'s continued support of Ukraine, has changed the equation further.

The former president has made it clear he intends to run on a platform centered around immigration, and a deal by Congress to resolve (at least temporarily) the issue could upend his electoral strategy. Trump wrote on social media that no bill should be passed "unless we get EVERYTHING needed to shut down the INVASION of Millions & Millions of people."

Republican lawmakers have said that a bipartisan agreement would effectively hand Biden a much-needed win ahead of the general election. Senator Ted Cruz accused those in his party in favor of a deal of prioritizing Ukraine over the border.

Cruz said that Republicans should not accept what he perceives as incomplete border measures just so that a deal can be reached on Ukraine aid.

Even if a combined border security-Ukraine aid bill passes the Senate, House Republicans have clearly indicated that they will not support it.

"This border bill, if you send it to us, is dead on arrival. Dead," reportedly said Brett Horton, the chief of staff of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.

Senator Mitt Romney, one of the few Republican senators openly opposed to Trump, explicitly said that the former president was trying to prevent any potential deal in order to keep the issue active in his electoral campaign.

"Hes contacted members of Congress telling them that he doesnt want a border deal because he wants to run on this issue. Appalling," said Romney.

Political commentator Matthew Yglesias wrote on Jan. 25 that "Republicans are deliberately sowing chaos at the border because they think it will help Trump, and Ukraine is just going to be randomly sacrificed to Russia as a side effect."

Read also: US Congress continues to fight over border security, stalling Ukraine aid

McConnell said on Jan. 25 that he still supports a proposed border security-Ukraine aid bill, pushing back against the assertion that the measure was dead. The Senate minority leader has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to Ukraine, saying in October 2023 that he would go "all out" to try and convince his colleagues to follow suit.

In light of Trump's primary victories and subsequent narrowing of the field, McConnell said on Jan. 24 that the "politics have changed."

There are still some pathways forward for Ukraine aid to be passed.

It is possible, as McConnell suggested, that decoupling the aid from the more contentious border and immigration issues may lower the temperature on the issue.

Republican Senator Dan Sullivan proposed that non-military aid be shaved off the package, potentially letting the EU and other allies of Ukraine provide economic aid. Such a strategy "could help get the Ukraine aid over the goal line with a lot of Republican support," he said.

An unnamed Republican Senator told The Hill that McConnell may try to include military aid for Ukraine as part of funding packages that must be passed in March in order to avoid a government shutdown.

As Republicans have doubled down on the primacy of border and immigration issues, it is unclear how these strategies would work when others have failed. The majority of Republican lawmakers still support continuing to provide aid to Ukraine, but they have also said that border and immigration measures must be passed first.

After Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the third leading candidate, dropped out of the presidential race following his loss in the Iowa caucus, the race narrowed to just two: Haley and Trump. Voters were thus presented with a clear choice when it came to aid for Ukraine.

Haley has often mentioned the need to support Ukraine, saying that defending the country was in the U.S.'s national interest.

"This is a war about freedom, and it's one we have to win," she said in June 2023.

Read also: Zelensky invites Trump to Ukraine

In comparison, Trump's campaign website illustrates his views on the issue succinctly.

"If I were president, the Russia-Ukraine War would never have happened, he said. "But even now, if I were president, Id be able to negotiate an end to this horrible and rapidly escalating war in 24 hours."

"We must end this ridiculous war and demand peace in Ukraine now before it gets worse," he concluded.

There is no mention of Ukraine's right to defend itself, to protect its citizens and territorial sovereignty, or the fact that Russia started the war and has committed widespread war crimes. Trump has previously called Russia's war a "genocide" but primarily emphasizes the need for immediate peace when discussing the war on the campaign trail.

Although Trump has already notched two decisive victories, the Republican primary is not yet over, and he won the New Hampshire primary by a smaller margin than expected. Haley has vowed to stay in the race despite the odds. A deal in Congress may still be reached.

Republicans have nonetheless made it clear that continuing to support Ukraine is not a top priority; a view echoed by polls of the Republican electorate.

Read also: Opinion: Why supporting Ukraine enhances US national security

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Migrants walk along the highway through Arriaga, Chiapas state in southern Mexico, on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, during their journey north toward the U.S. border. | Edgar H. Clemente, Associated Press

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in a private GOP meeting Wednesday that his conference is in a quandary with the proposed supplemental funding that links foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel with border security.

Neither House Republicans nor former President Donald Trump, who is the likely GOP presidential nominee after his wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, back the border reforms negotiated in the last few months. McConnells suggested solution? Split up the two funding agendas.

Related

But this proposition has fueled infighting among Republicans who want stricter border reform versus those who want to stick to the $1.66 trillion deal congressional leaders shook hands on earlier in January. Sen. Mitt Romney falls in the latter camp.

What did Romney say about Trump and the border deal?

After the closed-door meeting, Romney, a Utah Republican, blamed Trump for dividing Republicans.

I think the border is a very important issue for Donald Trump. And the fact that he would communicate to Republican senators and congresspeople that he doesnt want us to solve the border problem because he wants to blame Biden for it is really appalling, he told reporters, as posted on X by CNNs Manu Raju.

But the reality is that we have a crisis at the border, the American people are suffering as a result of whats happening at the border, he said, adding, that Trumps strategy is to allow the Republicans to save that problem, and let him take credit for solving it later.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told Politico that this issue is all about politics and not having the courage to respectfully disagree with President Trump.

I didnt come here to have a president as a boss or a candidate as a boss, he added.

Will Trump not support the border deal?

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday night, said he and Trump have been talking about the deal pretty frequently, and it doesnt sound good at the outset.

Meanwhile, Trump in a post on Truth Social Wednesday did not hold back. He said he is against the package unless we get EVERYTHING needed to shut down the INVASION, while giving Johnson a shout-out for only making a deal that is PERFECT ON THE BORDER.

Senate Republican Policy Committee Chair Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, reportedly appealed to his backers, asking those who endorsed Trump to ask him to not slash the deal, per The Hill.

But more conservative lawmakers, like Utah Sen. Mike Lee, point fingers at McConnell, and not Trump, for agreeing to the deal in the first place when all it did was sharply divide Republicans while uniting Democrats.
A Church of England primary school allowed a four-year-old boy to join as a girl, The Telegraph can reveal.

The childs sex was hidden from classmates, who were described by parents as traumatised when they found out.

One of the parents of a child who was friends with the trans girl, told The Telegraph that the school has robbed her daughter of her childhood, as she struggles to come to terms with learning her friend is not a girl and that teachers lied to her about it.

Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, and Kemi Badenoch, the Women and Equalities minister, are both understood to be concerned by the situation and have pledged to intervene.

Mrs Badenoch told The Telegraph she was very concerned, and suggested that the schools actions would be in breach of new government guidance.

She said: Government guidance is clear that social transitioning is not a neutral act and is certainly unsuitable for primary school aged children. I will be making sure that the school is aware of government policy and the law when it comes to gender questioning children.

The primary school in the south east of England allowed the boy to join the school as a girl three years ago, when he was four years old.

He is now in Year 3, which is for children aged between seven and eight.

A parent at the school has told The Telegraph how the trans-identifying child formed a friendship group with her daughter and some other girls in the same class, and she welcomed him to playdates. The mother, who was formerly a non-teaching staff member, had been told by the school not to disclose the childs biological sex to anyone.

The parent said her daughter started behaving strangely last term, including by refusing to talk or listen to the radio on the way home, hiding under the table, and suffering from stress-induced insomnia and constipation.

Distraught she had been holding hands with a boy

She said that after repeatedly asking her child if something was wrong, her child told her earlier this month that she knew the secret that her classmate was really a boy.

The mother said her daughter was distraught that her friend had lied to her and that she had been holding hands with a boy.

She said the trans-identifying child had been flashing their willy at the girls. He is believed to have told them in the toilets about dark spirits that will suck their souls out and said it is a deep secret that she is actually a boy, but they mustnt tell anybody.

The mother and other members of her family have repeatedly raised concerns about the safeguarding of children at the school in the past two months.

However, they say that after correspondence and meetings with the school and its governors they believe they have been stonewalled.

Robbed of her childhood

The parent said: The fact that a boy was being enrolled as a girl aged four, that alone for me is a massive red flag. Because I dont see how a child of that age can make that decisionto actually go through a social transition.

She said: I just want my daughter to be a child. The schools actions have robbed her of this and that can never be given back.

The mother said she has withdrawn her daughter from the school this week, after the school refused to allow her to learn from home while her mental health recovered.

In December, the Government published draft guidance for schools on how to handle claims that children are trans.

The guidance, which is now subject to a consultation, was drawn up in response to fears that pupils were being allowed to change their gender in school regardless of safety concerns or parents views.

It faced a series of delays before it was published, amid rows in government over whether a law change would be needed to ban children from changing their gender pronouns at school.

Schools had previously been setting their own policies on how to respond to the rise in the number of children who say they are questioning their gender.

The Church of Englands guidance for schools on bullying, titled Valuing All Gods Children, which includes a foreword by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, states: The protected characteristic of gender reassignment only works one way  not being transgender is not a protected characteristic.

Adjustments to meet needs of trans pupil

Consequently schools can make adjustments to meet the needs of a trans pupil without being accused of discriminating against non-trans pupils.

When The Telegraph asked the Church of England about the case of the four-year-old, it said that this was still its advice to their schools, pending an update in the wake of the Governments draft guidance.

A spokesman said the guidance was to help prevent homophobic, transphobic and biphobic bullying in schools and claimed it was not guidance for schools to help them provide for gender questioning children.

The draft government guidance states that primary school aged children should not have different pronouns to their sex-based pronouns used about them.

It says that requests from younger children in primary schools to change their gender should be treated with greater caution and refers to an NHS-commissioned report by Dr Hilary Cass, a paediatrician, who has warned that allowing children to socially transition to their preferred gender was not a neutral act and could have a significant impact on their psychological functioning.

Schools can ignore guidance

Some MPs are concerned that schools could ignore the guidance because it is non-statutory.

Miriam Cates, Conservative MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said: This is exactly what happens when you dont treat a child as their biological sex in all circumstances and it shows why treating a child as the opposite sex is a safety risk.

Although the guidance is headed in the right direction, because it isnt statutory and it does include exceptions, it doesnt necessarily stop another case like this happening.

The school told the concerned parent that its response to the transgender child was in line with the Church of England guidance and Department for Education guidance.

There are 4,630 Church of England schools.

A spokesman for the school said: We are aware of the concerns raised and are already looking into them. We are in contact with relevant authorities and have an ongoing open dialogue with all parents involved.

The safety and wellbeing of all of our pupils is our utmost priority and we take any reports of bullying and safeguarding concerns extremely seriously. All are dealt with in line with statutory and local guidance, and our policies and procedures.

We are unable to comment on individual pupils. We are proud we are an inclusive school and welcome all children to join our school family.

A Department for Education spokesman said: The protection and safeguarding of children should always be the absolute first priority of any school and its teachers.

Required to record a childs sex in the admissions register

It is a legal requirement to accurately record a childs sex in the admissions register, as our guidance on gender questioning children makes clear.

The guidance is also clear about the importance of biological sex in the context of safeguarding, and we expect that in the vast majority of cases schools will not support the social transition of primary aged children, including using pronouns that do not align with the childs sex.

We are now urgently engaging with the academy trust and the local authority to make sure every child is appropriately supported and safeguarded.

A spokesman for Ofsted said: We dont comment on individual schools, but we take all concerns seriously and any complaints will be available to inspectors during inspection. If we have concerns we may bring our inspection forward.

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A Yanomami child is fed a mix of rice and farofa by his mother in Yanomami Indigenous land, Roraima state, Brazil

A Yanomami child is fed a mix of rice and farofa by his mother in Yanomami Indigenous land, Roraima state, Brazil

By Anthony Boadle

BRASILIA (Reuters) - The Brazilian government's effort to evict illegal gold miners from the Yanomami Indigenous reservation in the northern Amazon has stalled with outsiders increasingly invading the vast territory, Yanomami leaders said on Friday.

The Hutukara Yanomami Association released a report on the year since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared a humanitarian emergency and sent military and police to expel the miners. It said the situation remains bleak for the 30,000 Yanomami nation who live in the rainforest on the border with Venezuela, with malnutrition, disease and violence plaguing their communities.

The report said 308 Yanomami died in 2023, of which 129 deaths were due to infectious diseases and parasitic and respiratory diseases. At least seven Indigenous people died from gunshot wounds in clashes with wildcat miners, it said.

"Authorities must do more. I ask them to go after and jail the bosses behind the illegal mining who have never been arrested," said Yanomami chief and shaman Davi Kopenawa.

"They must be put in prison, because the miners leave but then come back. Their machines destroy everything, knock down the forest and poison the river and the fish we live off," he said in a video issued with the report. "Enough is enough."

The report said illegal mining and deforestation have slowed, but the continued presence of armed miners makes it impossible for intimidated health workers to care for the Yanomami who have not been vaccinated properly.

The presence of security forces in the first half of last year reduced the number of invaders by 80%, according to the report, but after the military scaled back operations, the miners soon started returning.

An elite special forces unit of the environmental protection agency Ibama told Reuters in December they have been left to chase the miners on their own with no military support.

In a meeting with environmental and Indigenous protection agencies and the commander of the armed forces earlier this month, Lula decided on a renewed task-force operation with the military involved again to restore the presence of the state.

The Federal Police have reinforced investigations to track the financial backers and suppliers of precursor substances like mercury, after 13 such operations in 2023 that seized 590 million reais ($120 million) worth of goods, mainly gold, Humberto Freire, director of the police's Environment and Amazon department, told Reuters.

($1 = 4.9240 reais)

(Reporting by Anthony Boadle in Brasilia; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
A bridge in Fayette County is shut down for the time being after damage was reported.

The Fayette County Sheriffs Office said that the southbound lanes of Morning Creek Bridge on Hwy. 85 are closed.

They say the bridge will closed at least through Saturday afternoon. Barriers will be placed to block off the area.

NewsChopper 2 is on its way to the area. Get the latest details on Channel 2 Action News at 5 p.m.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The bridge is located near Fun Spot America and Corinth Road.

Triple Team Traffic suggests taking Hwy. 54 as an alternate route.

Crash cleanup in Fayette Co. blocks Hwy. 85/sb s. of Corinth Rd. and only right lane open Hwy. 85/nb. Take Hwy. 54. #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/DVRdL7717E  Triple Team Traffic (@WSBTraffic) January 26, 2024

TRENDING STORIES:

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Deputies did not comment on what caused the damage or how extensive it may be.

There is no time frame on when it might reopen.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Bedlam

Valdo Calocane, the man sentenced today for the brutal killing of three people in Nottingham last year, will probably spend the rest of his life in a secure hospital. The question is why he wasnt there already.

His story is almost a case study in why this country should never have committed so completely to getting rid of asylums.

Before killing his victims last year, Calocane was already wanted by the police in connection with a previous assault on an emergency worker. He had been previously sectioned four times in the past three years, and reportedly regularly lied to his doctor about taking his anti-psychotic medication.

The word asylums conjures images of institutional abuse and societal neglect, with the mentally ill locked away, out of sight and out of mind.

Yet while there were certainly problems with the previous system that needed correcting, the ideological fervour with which we moved towards a complete care-in-the-community approach was woefully misjudged.

Such is the ideological antipathy to asylums in much of the profession that few are prepared to speak publicly in their defence. But privately, some mental health professionals are clear-eyed about the problem: some people are simply not equipped to live independently.

Commit them, and they will recover. They have the certainty of food and a roof over their head, constant supervision, and are cut off from temptations such as drugs or alcohol. Then, because they are recovered, they will be released  at which point, for some people, they begin an inevitable relapse.

Sometimes, as in Nottingham, this can have the most horrific consequences. But even when it doesnt, the cost  both for the patient and society  can be much steeper than many people suppose.

Individuals are left to indulge in self-destructive behaviour until they reach whatever tipping point gets them back into care. Their neighbours (and they have to be housed somewhere) have to ensure the disruption, anti-social behaviour, or worse.

Ask the Treasury, and they will point out that providing someone indefinite bed and board in a secure hospital is expensive, and so it is.

But all that the alternative does is spread the costs around. How much money was spent not keeping Calocane in a secure hospital, over the years? On police time, on emergency services call-outs, on NHS resources squandered because nobody was able to make sure he took his medicine, or council assets used to house or support him rather than someone else.

But the cost is hidden, spread around different budgets, not attached to an individual name. Theres no one, big line-item to upset the bean counters. So it persists.

All that, and he ends up facing a lifetime in a secure institution anyway. It just took the lives of three innocent people to pay his passage.

It isnt the only problem raised by this case, of course. That he got a manslaughter charge testifies to the weakness of our current, all-or-nothing approach to the crime of murder. Had we first- and second-degree murder, as in the United States, his victims families might feel they got a greater measure of justice.

But if there is one systemic problem this tragedy should put a cold spotlight on, its the British states insistence that everyone, no matter how incapable, must if at all excusable be left to try and live in society  even if they pose a serious danger to others, or themselves.

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Rishi Sunak should consider increasing spending on defence, says official - Corporal Rebecca Brown, RLC

Britain should reassess the size of its armed forces in response to threats from Russia and the crisis in the Middle East, one of Joe Bidens defence ministers has said.

Carlos Del Toro, the US Navy Secretary, said that given the threats that exist today the UK should reassess the size of its military, in a rare direct criticism of British defence policy.

In a question and answer session at the Royal United Services Institute in London on Thursday, Mr Del Toro said the US was grateful for ongoing cooperation with the UK, including on recent air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

He also welcomed the Royal Navys increased presence in the Indian and Pacific oceans, and the UKs involvement in the AUKUS submarine partnership with Australia.

However, asked about the size of the UKs armed forces, Mr Del Toro suggested that Rishi Sunak should consider increasing spending on defence to counter new threats and the prospect of ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

I think its important for the United Kingdom to reassess where they are today, given the threats that exist today, he said, adding that Britain should make a decision around whether the army needs to be strengthened.

His comments, first reported by the Guardian, come after Gen Patrick Saunders, the head of the British Army, suggested that citizens could face being called up to fight if there was a conflict with Russia, given low troop numbers.

General Sir Patrick Sanders said more troops are needed

Gen Saunders said that a land war would be a whole-of-nation undertaking, and called for the Army to increase from 75,000 troops to 120,000 within the next three years.

But this is not enough, he said during a speech at the International Armored Vehicles conference. Taking preparatory steps to enable placing our societies on a war footing when needed are now not merely desirable but essential.

His comments forced Downing Street to clarify that the Government is not planning to introduce conscription.

Mr Del Toro is not the first American official to complain about inadequate defence spending from Nato allies. The US has consistently called for other countries in the alliance to reach Natos spending target of two per cent of GDP.

Mr Sunak has announced plans to increase UK defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP, but has not set a timeframe for that goal. Last years Spring Budget allocated an extra 5 billion to the Ministry of Defence, on top of a four-year funding settlement agreed for the department in 2020.

A white paper published by the Government last year said that ministers acknowledged the growing importance of deterrence and defence to keep the British people safe and our alliances strong, in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

However, the Government has faced persistent calls to reverse a planned cut to troop numbers, which will bring the total headcount from 82,000 to 73,000 by 2025  its smallest size since the Napoleonic era. The Navy has been forced to retire two frigates, HMS Westminster and HMS Argyll, because of a shortage of sailors.

Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, defended the cuts earlier this month, arguing that the additional funds would be spent on new technology to increase the firepower of the armed forces, and noting that British troops are very much can-do in attitude.

The comments were criticised by former military officers including Lord Dannett, who said: The bottom line is, numbers do matter.

On Thursday night Mr Del Toro said that he could not rule out the US and its allies taking direct military action against Iran, following dozens of attacks by the Tehran-backed Houthi rebels against commercial and military ships in the Red Sea.

The UK has joined the US in two air strikes against Houthi targets, most recently on Monday evening, but have not succeeded in stopping the attacks. Both Washington and London have said that they will not hesitate to strike again if they continue.

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By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's King Charles is doing well after having planned treatment to address an enlarged prostate on Friday, a royal source said after he was admitted to the same hospital where his daughter-in-law Kate is recovering from surgery.

The king was accompanied by his wife Queen Camilla to the private London Clinic in west London, where Kate, the Princess of Wales, is also having treatment after undergoing abdominal surgery last week.

A smiling Camilla said Charles was "fine" when she left some hours later, and a royal source confirmed the procedure had taken place and that he was doing well.

"His majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness," Buckingham Palace said in an earlier statement.

Last week the palace that Charles, 75, would undergo a "corrective procedure" for a benign condition which was common among men over 50. Royal aides have declined to say how long the king would stay in hospital but his upcoming public engagements have been postponed to allow a short period of recuperation.

Britain's royals usually do not disclose details of illnesses, regarding all medical issues as a private matter, but Charles was keen to share details of his condition to encourage other men experiencing symptoms to have a medical check.

The state-run National Health Service said there had been a 1,000% increase in visits to its webpage giving advice on prostate enlargement since Charles' diagnosis was revealed.

His treatment is one of a series of health blows for the royals over the past week.

Kate, 42, is recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery for a non-specified, but non-cancerous, condition and Charles paid her a visit before being admitted for his own treatment.

A royal source has said she was "doing well" but there has been no further information about her since she was admitted to the London Clinic last week.

She was due to spend up to two weeks in hospital and is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter. Her husband Prince William, the heir-to-the-throne, has postponed his engagements to look after their three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.

Meanwhile, Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Charles' younger brother Prince Andrew, said on Monday she was in shock after being diagnosed with a malignant form of skin cancer.

It was the second cancer diagnosis for the duchess, often just referred to as "Fergie", after she underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery following the discovery she had breast cancer last summer.

(Reporting by William James and Michael Holden; editing by Sarah Young and Mark Heinrich)
Orla Baxendale had moved to New York to further her career - Instagram

A radiant British ballet dancer with a severe peanut allergy died after eating a mislabelled biscuit in the US.

Orla Baxendale, 25, suffered a severe allergic reaction after eating a Vanilla Florentine Cookie which did not list nuts among its ingredients.

Ms Baxendale, who moved from East Lancashire to New York to pursue her dancing career, carried an EpiPen but it was ineffective due to the severity of her allergy, her familys lawyer said.

She died of anaphylactic shock on Jan 11 2024.

Ms Baxendale was very careful and hyper-vigilant about everything she ate, and always thoroughly checked the ingredients on all packaging, the lawyer said.

Paying tribute, Ms Baxendales sister Ciara Baxendale, an actress, said: I will never ever, as long as I am on this earth, stop talking about how radiant, how beautiful, how kind, how cool, how hilarious, how witty, how vibrant she was.

She had a golden touch. Everything about her was magical, she was just so other-worldly. She looks just like an angel and I just cannot believe that she has gone.

Gift for lighting up any room

Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham, where Ms Baxendale trained, described her as a radiant force.

The school said: Her authenticity and ability to stay true to herself resonated with all who had the privilege of knowing her, and she had a remarkable gift for lighting up any room she entered.

Niamh Robinson, a close friend of Ms Baxendales who also trained at Elmhurst, said: Orla was one of my very best friends and I honestly lack the words to express how special she was.

She was utterly unfazed by others opinions and it was this authenticity that made her just pure magic to be around.

Ms Robinson, an apprentice at The Telegraph, added: She was an unbelievably gifted dancer, and the impact she had on this world in 25 years was greater than many achieve in a lifetime.

My thoughts are with her family everyday, and while the pain of missing her is so great the joy of having had her in our lives for the time that we did is even greater.

Ms Baxendale, who was cast in the world premiere of Matthew Bournes Romeo and Juliet, bought the biscuits from a branch of Stew Leonards in Connecticut.

The cookies are understood to have been made by wholesaler Cookies United and labelled with Stew Leonards brand name.

The firms CEO, Stew Leonard Jr, said in a video that the supplier had changed soy nuts to peanuts in the recipe without notifying their chief safety officer.

Cookies United said it had notified Stew Leonards in July 2023 that the product contained peanuts and that all products shipped to the retailer had been labelled accordingly.

Stew Leonards has recalled all the mislabelled biscuits in partnership with the US Food and Drug Administration.

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Ian Stones (right) featured in an advertisement for Bejing's Lido Hotel Business Center in 1986 - china daily

A British businessman has been quietly detained in China since 2018 on charges of illegally selling intelligence to overseas parties.

The case of Ian Stones, who worked major US firms in the country for four decades before setting up his own consultancy, has been revealed by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

News of his incarceration has not been mentioned by Chinese or British authorities and is likely to stoke fears about the risks of working in China, which has an opaque legal system and recently dramatically expanded its counter-espionage laws.

It also raises the possibility that other foreign workers may be behind bars in China with little attention being paid to their plight.

Mr Stones, who is believed to be about 70 and from the Greater Manchester area, worked in China for companies such as General Motors and Pfizer. He was jailed for five years in 2022.

He appealed against his conviction but it was rejected in September, the Chinese foreign ministry told the WSJ.

Legal documents under wraps

Laura Stones, his daughter, said neither the family nor the British embassy had been allowed to see the legal documents related to the case and she could not comment further.

There has been no confession to the alleged crime. However, my father has stoically accepted and respects that under Chinese law he must serve out the remainder of his sentence, she told the newspaper.

According to a report in the Financial Times, Mr Stones is believed to have studied at the University of Manchester and Ealing College of Higher Education in the 1970s, before completing a Chinese language studies course at Beijing Language and Culture University.

He founded the Beijing-based investment management consulting firm Navisino Partners about 15 years ago and was also a senior adviser to the Conference Board, a New York-based business research firm.

Records of charges against him or his company are not publicly available and the silence around his case demonstrates how foreigners can simply disappear into Chinas byzantine Communist party-controlled legal system.

Mr Stones is believed to have contributed to the book My Thirty Years in China which is described on Amazon as a collection of autobiographies of select foreign pioneers of business and industry in China.

In an excerpt published on ChinaDaily.com in 2008, Mr Stones wrote about the difficulties of dealing with Customs in China 30 years earlier.

Story of my bad attitude had spread

He cites the bureaucracy of trying to collect and pay for a cabinet from Beijing customs, listing five lessons he learned in the process.

I was told that my name and the story of my bad attitude had spread all over Beijing Customs, he wrote.

The lady who told me advised I shouldnt upset anyone if I needed to get help from Customs in future. It was good advice.

Revelations about Mr Stoness case follow separate Chinese accusations earlier this month that MI6 recruited and trained a spy, identified only as Mr Huang, to steal secret government documents.

Chinas ministry of state security alleged Mr Huang was recruited by MI6 in 2015 and had used his position in an unnamed overseas consulting agency to gather intelligence in China.

It claimed he provided nine classified state secret documents, five secret level state secret documents, and three intelligence documents to the British Government.

Last year, China revised its espionage laws to give the authorities more control over data, electronic equipment and information on personal property.

Chinas crackdown on spies has left foreign executives concerned and impacts advisory and due diligence firms that conduct research for clients mulling investments in China. Several US consultancy giants were raided last year, and their staff questioned.

The Telegraph has contacted the British Foreign Office for comment.

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A British-linked container ship caught fire in the Gulf of Aden after it was hit by a missile fired by Houthi rebels.

Photographs released by the Indian navy on Saturday showed smoke billowing from the Martin Luanda tanker as its crew battled to control a fire in a fuel compartment.

The Houthis said the attack was revenge for British and American strikes on their positions in Yemen in what was the terror groups latest attack on international shipping in the region.

Brig Gen Yahya Saree, a Houthi spokesman, said: In vindication of the oppressed Palestinian people, and in response to the American-British aggression against our country, Yemen naval forces targeted the British oil ship in the Gulf of Aden.

The Marlin Luanda container ship can be seen on fire

The Marlin Luanda was transporting naphtha, a highly flammable fuel used in cigarette lighters and the production of plastics, when it was struck 60 nautical miles south of the Yemeni coast late on Friday.

This is Marlin Luanda. We are hit by a missile. We are hit by a missile. We are on fire. We are on fire. Starboard-side deck is on fire, a crew member can be heard saying in an apparent recording of the vessels mayday distress signal.

Trafigura, the Singapore-based multinational trading firm that owns the ship, said the naphtha cargo originated from Russia but was bought in line with G7 sanctions.

Indian navy pictures show smoke billowing from the Martin Luanda tanker, hit by a Houthi missile

Firefighting equipment on board is being deployed to suppress and control the fire caused in one cargo tank on the starboard side, it said in a statement.

No injuries reported

The crew on board the ship, which is operated by British-registered Oceonix Services, suffered no injuries and initially boarded lifeboats as a precaution.

Trafigura said shortly after midday on Saturday that the fire in the vessels cargo tank had been fully extinguished and it is sailing towards a safe harbour.

It praised the exceptional dedication and bravery of the ships master and crew, who brought the fire under control in highly difficult circumstances.

Images from the French Navy showing firefighting efforts aboard the Marlin Luanda

The United States Central Command said it had launched a self-defence air strike on a Houthi missile launch site eight hours after the attack on the Marlin Luanda.

This action will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy vessels and merchant vessels, it said in a statement.

U.S. Conducts Self-Defense Strike Against Houthi Anti-Ship Missile



On Jan. 27 at approximately 3:45 a.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command Forces conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed into the Red Sea and which was prepared to launch. U.S. Forces pic.twitter.com/UcHqDiyT1I  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 27, 2024

Al-Masira, a Yemeni Houthi-ran broadcaster, said two air strikes had targeted the port of Issa, which is Yemens largest oil export terminal.

The USS Carney, a French frigate and the Indian missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam responded to the Marlin Luandas mayday signal.

The Indian Navy said 22 Indians and one Bangladeshi national were on board.

Attacks completely unacceptable

A British government spokesman said on Friday night: We are aware of reports that the motor vessel Marlin Luanda, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, has sustained damage from attack in the Gulf of Aden. Current reports suggest no casualties and nearby coalition vessels are on the scene.

We have been clear that any attacks on commercial shipping are completely unacceptable and that the UK and our allies reserve the right to respond appropriately.

Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, condemned the intolerable and illegal attack on innocent people and global trade.

It is our duty to protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and we remain as committed to that cause as ever, he said.

A close-up of the blaze on the Martin Luanda, which was later put out

The Houthis have repeatedly launched attacks on ships in the Red Sea since November in protest against Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

They have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, endangering shipping on a key route for global trade.

Alongside numerous air strikes on key Houthi targets, the UK and US are also targeting key figures in the Iran-backed militant group with sanctions.

A second series of UK and US air strikes carried out at the start of the week, appears to have done little to deter Houthi action.

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A song by pop star Britney Spears is back in the charts almost 15 years after it was first released, thanks to a fan joke about her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlakes new single.

Timberlake, 42, is preparing to release his first studio album since 2018s Man of the Woods. Titled Everything I Thought It Was, the project was announced along with the release of lead single Selfish on Thursday 25 January.

Fans of Spears quickly began discussing her own song, also called Selfish, which featured on the deluxe version of her 2011 album Femme Fatale.

It is now riding high in the US iTunes charts after a Spears fan account on X/Twitter joked that she was the one releasing Selfish this week.

At the time of writing, the track was in the top 10 on iTunes, after entering the top 40 on Thursday evening.

The fan behind the X account said it started as a joke when Timberlake announced his song: Then we all joined in, saying that Britney Spears was coming back with a brand new song, BritneyxYtube told Entertainment Weekly.

I still cant believe that it became so big, and we see the results we see now.

They added: We are all so happy to see her song make a comeback after all these years!

Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, pictured while they were dating in 2002 (Getty Images)

Timberlake came under renewed scrutiny after Spears was freed from her conservatorship and released a memoir, in which she shared details of their three-year relationship that ended in 2002.

In The Woman in Me, Spears alleged that the media portrayed her as a harlot whod broken the heart of Americas golden boy, when she was in fact left comatose in Louisiana while Timberlake was happily running around Hollywood.

Timberlake released Cry Me a River the same year they split up, with the songs music video  which featured a blonde woman  fuelled rumours that Spears had been unfaithful during their relationship.

In her memoir, Spears confirmed these rumours, explaining she had kissed her choreographer Wade Robson, but that Timberlake had been unfaithful to her first.

Timberlake apologised to Spears in 2021, following the release of the New York Timess Framing Britney Spears documentary.

I am deeply sorry for the times in my life where my actions contributed to the problem, where I spoke out of turn, or did not speak up for what was right, he wrote in part in an Instagram post on Friday. I understand that I fell short in these moments and in many others and benefited from a system that condones misogyny and racism.

Spears recently debunked rumours that she was planning to come back to the music industry, instead declaring that she would never return.
The Broadway Theatre League of Utica announced Monday it had received a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), which the organization will use to support their youth and educational programming.

Carrie Logalbo-Klepadlo, the Leagues director of development and communications, said while the national touring productions of Broadway shows that the League brings in are important, the League is ultimately not about ticket sales and profit.

It is a nonprofit with the goal of providing educational opportunities to local youth.

The organization is experiencing a period of rapid growth with programs such as Students on Broadway and the Youth Ambassador Program, both of which allow Mohawk Valley students to experience and learn about theater.

A school bus transporting Students on Broadway participants pulls up in front of the Stanley Theatre.

The $40,000 grant from NYSCA provides crucial funding to support these efforts.

All of our programming has something to do with an educational value or a lesson to be learned, Logalbo-Klepadlo said. Now, with all of these programs coming into place, Broadway Utica is focusing a lot on yes, the theater, but also the education.

NYSCA chairperson Katherine Nicholls expressed the councils pride in assisting New York State arts organizations with their goals.

Thanks to the unwavering support of Gov. [Kathy] Hochul and our Legislature, NYSCA is so proud to support the work of organizations and artists from all across New York, Nicholls said in a statement.

Spanning the entire breadth of the arts and culture sector  from world-renowned performers to after-school programs, from long established museums to community arts collectives  these organizations and artists together are a powerful driver of health, tourism, economy and education for our residents and visitors. On behalf of Council and staff, congratulations to Broadway Utica and thank you for your perseverance, your creativity and your tireless service to New York State.

An actor from the 2023 national tour of "Dear Evan Hansen" taught an acting masterclass to Students on Broadway participants.

A theatrical education

Students on Broadway provides tickets at low or no cost to local students of all ages to touring Broadway shows, which are mounted at the Stanley Theatre. These children also have access to workshops and master classes taught by touring cast and crew members.

Last year, a cast member from the tour of Tony-winning musical "Dear Evan Hansen" taught an acting masterclass.

The League generally relies on community support from individuals and organizations to offset the costs of providing these experiences for students, and the NYSAC grant will go a long way towards those costs.

The theater is a place with no boundaries, full of acceptance, powerful messaging and hope, Logalbo-Klepadlo said. We believe every child in our city and the surrounding communities should have the opportunity to experience theater and all it has to offer.

While Students on Broadway is open to all ages, the Youth Ambassador Program is specifically for high school juniors and seniors who are interested in any and all aspects of theater. These students attend every show in the Leagues season (upcoming productions include Tony award winners Shrek the Musical and The Cher Show: A New Musical in February).

The Youth Ambassadors connect with cast and crew members, help with the Leagues fundraising and marketing efforts and are eligible to apply for a college scholarship. Over 30 Mohawk Valley teens are currently enrolled in the program.

Logalbo-Klepadlo said that the Leagues youth programming aims to introduce students to the multiple facets of theater, from actors to electricians to instrumentalists in the pit orchestra.

We try to be very diverse and pick different roles, Logalbo-Klepadlo said. We have them come in and do a pre-talk before the show with the Youth Ambassadors. They interact with the kids, who have the chance to ask questions about each different side of the theater. Its not just song and dance  we expose them to all sides of theater.

Students on Broadway participants learn choreography from the national touring production of "Annie."

Techonomic impact

One unique aspect of the Broadway Theatre League of Utica is that some of the national touring productions it brings in hold their tech and dress rehearsals in the Stanley Theatre. Shrek: The Musical will be one such show.

A tech rehearsal focuses on preparing the technical elements of a show, such as lighting and sets. These productions then kick off their national tours right here in Utica.

Logalbo-Klepadlo said that not only do these rehearsals create opportunities for students to learn more about different aspects of theater, but that having the cast and crew in town for two weeks before the production commences is a major contributor to the local economy. Last year, the companies contributed over $750,000 to the area.

Theyre coming into our town, where theyre eating at our restaurants, theyre staying in our hotels, theyre reading our newspapers and listening to our radio stations, Logalbo-Klepadlo said. They hire local labor and union workers, so thats creating jobs. They come in and become a part of downtown Utica, and the economic impact is outstanding.

In announcing the NYSCA grant, Hochul also touted the positive economic benefits of the arts.

Research confirms what weve always known here in New York: arts and culture are a powerhouse, with a staggering return on investment for our economy and our communities, Hochul said in a statement. Nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences generated $151.7 billion in economic activity nationwide in 2022, and New Yorks unparalleled arts and culture sector is leading the way to benefit our residents, our students and our visitors every day. I commend these grantees on their achievements and look forward to their contributions in the coming year."

Logalbo-Klepadlo said the League is thrilled to be awarded the grant. The organization strives to continue to provide students of all backgrounds with access to the magic of theater.

We are moving so fast in this direction, Logalbo-Klepadlo said. We are so excited about the outcomes that we have had in the past with all of these youth programs. So were so relieved and happy that we can at least extend them another year and keep these programs growing, and really share our mission with the community and show them what were doing.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Broadway Theatre League of Utica receives $40K NYSCA grant
BUDA, TEXAS (KXAN)  The Buda Public library is putting an emphasis on the communitys mental health.

Buda Public Library patrons will be able to meet with two peer support specialists at the library, as part of St. Davids Foundations Libraries for Health initiative and grant.

Specialists Emma Dixon and Victoria Alaniz came to the library through Via Hope with the aim to provide care for the community.

We are focused on providing support in the community and being an easily accessible resource, Alaniz said.

Alaniz and Dixon have both personally experienced the mental challenges they are now helping support.

I experienced my own struggle with mental health and want to be there for the community and provide a minimal barrier for people to get the support and assistance they need, Dixon said.

Although the specialists do not have a mental health license, they are supervised by TaKisha N. Moore, RSPS, MHPS, PSS.

These specialists are available generally on Mondays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and twice a month during the Anxiety and Depression Peer Support Group program. They also host Calm Crafting sessions on Tuesdays at 46 p.m. and the Mental Health Book Club monthly.

This is a free resource for the community, Dixon said. And I want people to know we are here for them.

The library received the $75,000 grant in 2022 and is dispersed over the fiscal years of 2022, 2023 and 2024.

The following are some items and programs also funded by the grant:

PsychHub Mental Health Ally Training for patrons and staff.

Presentations on various mental health and wellness topics.

Art and mental wellness classes.

Music therapy classes.

Classes on mental wellness tools and coping strategies such as journaling, crafting, improv for resiliency, meditation, life organization, and more.

Literature on mental health and wellness topics.

Software to organize online resources, calendars, and newsletters.

Support group for anxiety and depression.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  The U.S. Postal Services proposal to transfer some mail operations to Rochester has letter carriers and local officials concerned about the future of mail processing in Buffalo, despite the USPS saying it will improve mail services.

Letter carriers are concerned whether jobs could be at stake and whether mail delivery could be slowed down. They also say the postal service isnt helping matters and has not been transparent.

A rally was held Friday in support of the facility.

Local, state leaders oppose USPS proposal to move mail services to Rochester

The USPS says its looking to become financially stable, after posting an annual net loss of $6.5 billion at the end of last year. The Postal Service says its evaluating how the William Street distribution center could be used in the future and has proposed possibly transferring some mail operations to Rochester.

But exactly what mail services, the USPS hasnt said.

Part of the problem is the lack of transparency by the postal service, said Frank Resetarits, the president of the American Postal Workers Union Buffalo & New York.

The National Association of Letter Carriers suspects mail delivery in Buffalo will be affected. Letter carriers are especially concerned about certain machinery being moved elsewhere, which would mean local mail would initially go to Rochester and then come back to Buffalo.

What the public needs to understand is that overall degradation of service to the American public has been happening for 10 years, said David Grosskopf, Jr., the president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 3. This plan that the Postmaster General has to move your processing out of Western New York will even further degrade that delivery.

Local officials fear this could be a prelude to the Postal Service trying to close the William Street facility like it tried to do in 2012.

Changes coming to US Postal Service prices in 2024

Any iteration that you hear, Were going to keep this open, well have partial services, thats nonsense, its a first step toward the total elimination of that and its not going to happen here, Congressman Brian Higgins said.

The Post Office says delivery services and jobs wont be affected during this review, but does not say what could happen after the review is done.

A public meeting on the future of the William Street Distribution Center was scheduled for Wednesday at 3 p.m., but the USPS announced Friday night that the meeting will be rescheduled within the next several weeks. A summary of the mail processing review in Buffalo was set to be released Friday; the USPS said it would postpone the release as further time is needed to finalize any specific improvements we may undertake at the Buffalo Processing and Distribution Center.

Latest Local News

Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Buffalo mayor Byron Brown said Thursday that there will be no major changes to next years city snow plan following the two recent snowstorms.

Two back-to-back storms earlier this month dumped several feet of snow on the city of Buffalo and Western New York.

Brown and the city had been previously criticized for the citys response to the Christmas blizzard in 2022, which left dozens dead across the city.

The deadline for the city to submit a plan to the Buffalo Common Council for next years snow season is April 1. Brown said that there wont be any major changes to the snow plan for this winter, citing an improvement in communication between Brown and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, along with a quicker response in residential areas with snow being cleared.

We planned together over the course of an entire year, so not only did the three governments plan individually, but we planned together over the course of the year, which is helpful, Brown said. We ramped up communication in every conceivable way.

That included the use of emergency alert systems to cell phones in the area and getting critical information out the public before the storm began.

We used so many more channels of communication this time, Brown said. The system gives the ability to push out messages to cell phones and mobile devices. That got information to a lot more people about storm conditions.

Brown noted that one change that was made was putting information on the nine emergency warming shelters across the city out early. He said that around 100 residents used the shelters used the shelters.

Brown said that he will work with the Common Council this spring to ensure that the plan is the correct one, but thinks the city is in a better place when it comes to snow response.

This plan is very comprehensive, he said. It deals with storms of different magnitudes, so normal snowfall, snowfall that might be considered historic, and blizzard-level snowfall, so I dont think there are many changes we need to make.

You can watch Thursdays full Ask The Mayor segment with News 4s Jacquie Walker in the video player above.

Latest Local News

Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
BATTLE CREEK  Government leaders in Calhoun County will update the community about work and successes in 2023 and look ahead at what they expect in 2024 during a State of the Community address next week.

The event will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 2 inside the Kool Family Community Center, 200 W. Michigan Ave. The presentation is free and open to the public.

The event will not be livestreamed this year; however, AccessVision will record the presentation for broadcast at a later date.

Confirmed speakers for the State of the Community address include:

Albion City Manager Haley Snyder

Battle Creek City Manager Rebecca Fleury

Marshall City Manager Derek Perry

Springfield City Manager Vester Davis Jr.

Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott.

A Spanish interpreter will be on hand to relay the information to Spanish-speaking residents, and local leaders are seeking the same for American Sign Language and Burmese-speaking residents.

"Please join us to celebrate our successes as local governments and a broader community, continued teamwork on a variety of projects, and our plans to keep providing top customer service this year," local leaders said in a press release.

For more information, contact Calhoun County Communications Manager Lucy Blair at (269) 781-0926 or lblair@calhouncountymi.gov.

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Calhoun County leaders to give State of the Community address next week
(FOX40.COM)  Californians have a few days left to submit their idea for a new monument at the California and Oregon border in Del Norte County, according to Caltrans.

Those interested in providing input on what the new monument should look like are invited to fill out a 14-question multiple-choice survey by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.

Free Valentines Day wedding services in iconic California landscape

Some of the questions include:

 Who do you think the monument will be important to?

 What are the most important features of the monument?

 What theme would you like to see the monument have?

 Would you like the monument to be lit after dark?

The monument is proposed to be constructed along Highway 199 in Del Norte County. The highway is located in the far northwest corner of California.

Another Northern California county says no to new concealed carry law

Also known as the Redwood Highway, Hwy 199 stretches from its junction with Highway 101, north of Crescent City, into Oregon where it flows into Interstate 5, near Grant Pass, Oregon.

The current signage is the well-known blue sign with Welcome to California written in gold text and an artists depiction of three California poppies.

According to Caltrans, the proposed monument project is a part of Governor Newsoms Clean California initiative, which aims to enhance public spaces throughout California.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
After last years budget of $300 million in down payment assistance was devoured in 11 days, California has relaunched its program with stricter guidelines to target a niche group of first-time homebuyers.

In its second year, the California Housing Finance Agencys Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan program will continue to award down payments that dont have to be repaid until the property is sold, refinanced, transferred or paid off. Whether or not you are chosen for a loan will be based purely on luck  and your parents.

Last year, the CalHFA dished out money on a first-come, first-served basis to people who had not owned a home in the past three years, among other requirements.

This time, aspiring homeowners must match the states description of a first-generation homebuyer to qualify. A lucky bunch of borrowers will pull from a slightly lesser pot of $220 million for their new home.

Spokesman Eric Johnson with the CalHFA said between 1,600 and 2,000 loans will be awarded this round.

With the multi-million dollar budget came strict instructions from the state legislature to limit this years loans to first-generation homebuyers. This ensures the programs funds are distributed equitably, Johnson told The Sacramento Bee on Wednesday afternoon in a phone interview.

According to the CalHFA, a first-generation homebuyer is classified as someone who has not owned a home in the past seven years and whose parents do not currently own a home in the U.S. or at the time of their death.

People who were placed in foster care would also qualify.

When the new guidelines were announced, many people had questions about whether or not someone would be eligible to apply if only one of their parents is a homeowner.

Johnson made it clear: Neither parent (biological or adoptive) should be a homeowner.

A rigorous audit process will be used to verify if an applicants parents are homeowners or not, but Johnson said the details havent been ironed out yet.

Dont give up hope, he added its still possible to buy your first home in California.

Does Gen Z stand a chance of owning a home in California? Not really, study says

The application portal opens in April and will close sometime later in the month or in early May. Then, CalFHA will determine if applicants meet the requirements of the program before winners are pulled.

It wont be like the lottery with big number balls coming out of the chute, Johnson said, adding the picking system will include a digitally randomized component.

An audit firm will make sure the process is completely random and fair he said.

The maximum shared appreciation loan is capped at $150,000 or 20% of the sales price or the propertys estimated value, whichever is less, according to the state housing finance department.

Johnson said borrowers will have 90 days to find a home once theyre picked from the lottery.

Am I eligible to apply to Californias Dream For All loan program?

Californias Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan program is geared toward first-generation homebuyers interested in purchasing an owner-occupied property in California, according to the CalHFA. Meaning you dont plan to rent it out.

To qualify, your income must be less than or equal to the programs limit for your county. For example, residents of Sacramento, Placer, Yolo and El Dorado counties who make more than $180,000 a year are not eligible to participate in the lottery.

According to CalHFA, each borrower must:

 Be a first-time homebuyer

 Be a U.S. citizen or a qualified resident

 Meet financial and loan requirements

At least one borrower must:

 Meet the states definition of a first-generation homebuyer

 Be a current resident of California

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
Chinese premier chairs symposium to hear opinions on draft gov't work report

Xinhua) 08:05, January 26, 2024

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, chairs a symposium to hear opinions and suggestions from leaders of non-CPC political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), and representatives of persons without party affiliation on the draft government work report in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 24, 2024. Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese Vice Premier, also attended the symposium. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Wednesday chaired a symposium to hear opinions and suggestions from leaders of non-CPC political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), and representatives of persons without party affiliation on the draft government work report.

Noting China's solid steps over the past year in building a modern socialist country in all respects, the personages attending the event raised suggestions and voiced opinions on topics including government work related to macro-control, scientific and technological innovation, fostering emerging industries, invigorating market dynamism, and advancing green development.

Li expressed gratitude to non-CPC parties, the ACFIC, as well as people without party affiliation for their support for government work, saying that the opinions and suggestions were of great value both for the improvement of the draft government work report and for the government to improve its work.

Li said that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and a crucial year for realizing the goals and tasks for the 2021-2025 period.

The premier called on people to scientifically grasp the situations both at home and abroad while remaining cool-headed, and to make concentrated efforts in advancing the country's causes.

The premier said that the policies and work arrangements of the CPC Central Committee will be fully implemented and that the government strives to effectively achieve concrete results on major economic and social development tasks.

Li urged non-CPC political parties, the ACFIC, as well as people without party affiliation to continue to provide support in the government's democratic and scientific decision-making, the building of broad consensuses, and the contribution of wisdom, paving the way for the nation to achieve this year's economic and social development goals.

Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese Vice Premier, also attended the symposium.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Business and city representatives vehemently opposed a newly passed limitation for four new Clark County School Board trustees Thursday night, accusing the board of segregating those members.

The regular board meeting of trustees met at Northeast Career Technical Academy to vote and discuss agenda items, but members of government and commercial entities rose to oppose an item that wasnt allowed to be discussed by trustees due to it being on the consent agenda, instead of the regular agenda where it can be discussed.

A move that some opponents felt was done so to undermine the ability of discussion.

Paul Moradkhan, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce vice president, attended the CCSD board meeting on Jan. 25, 2024. (KLAS)

Our intent was to add additional voices and expertise to the school board and from our local governments and community members and they want their voices heard at the school board, said Paul Moradkhan, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Vice President. I think from the chamber perspective we are disappointed.

CCSD-Board-Members-Principles-of-OperationsDownload

The policy amendment lists that, A motion may only be made by a member with voting rights. A member with voting rights is defined by NRS 386.165 (2).

CCSD Board President Evelyn Garcia Morales speaking during the Jan. 25, 2024 meeting. (KLAS)

I am disappointed that there is general concern about our newest members having a voice, said School Board President Evelyn Garcia Morales. They have already contributed positively to our board, and they are going to continue to contribute positively to our board.

Morales denied Trustee Linda Cavazos a motion to move the item from the consent agenda leading to it passing in a 5-2 vote with no discussion from members, including the four new members who now cannot afford that same motion.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
U.S. health officials are warning clinicians to be alert for cases of measles following several outbreaks, largely among children who were eligible for the vaccine but did not receive it.

In an email Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged vigilance among health providers across the U.S. following reports of nearly two dozen cases of the preventable virus since December. Health providers should look for patients with rash and fever, symptoms of measles, and pay attention to patients who have recently traveled internationally, the alert said.

Officials have tracked seven cases of measles being brought into the country and two U.S. outbreaks with more than five cases each, the CDC said. Most cases were in young children and adolescents who had not received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine even though they were eligible. There have been similar upticks in measles rates around the world. CDC spokesperson Jasmine Reed confirmed this was the first nationwide alert to clinicians about the latest cases.

The U.S. is at a canary in the coal mine moment with rising cases among children of the highly infectious, vaccine-preventable disease, said Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesotas Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. Federal data has shown a large drop in vaccinations and record levels of vaccine exemptions among kindergartners.

Measles outbreaks: Are you at risk of measles amid outbreaks in pockets of US? What you need to know.

We're going to start seeing more and more of these outbreaks, Osterholm told USA TODAY. We're going to see more kids seriously ill, hospitalized and even die. And what's so tragic about this, these are all preventable.

About a fifth of people who get measles will be hospitalized, according to the CDC. About one in 1,000 people who get the virus develop brain swelling that can lead to brain damage, while one to three in a thousand will die.

The U.S. is seeing a growing body of parents who dont want to comply with vaccine recommendations, coupled with lagging access to health care to get vaccinated amid the pandemic, Osterholm said. The latest measles cases appear to show the risk of foregoing the safe and effective vaccine.

Since Dec. 1, the U.S. has seen outbreaks in Philadelphia, at a childrens hospital and later at a day care facility, and a family that had six cases in Washington state. Officials have also documented measles exposures at two international airports in the Washington, D.C. area, a separate case in the Atlanta area, of an unvaccinated person who had traveled out of the country. New Jersey recently reported a case, as well.

Between Dec. 1 and Jan. 23, there were 23 cases in the U.S., the CDC said. There were 56 cases in all of 2023 and 121 cases in 2022.

Global rise seen in U.S.

After years of declining vaccination rates, researchers from the CDC and the World Health Organization issued a report in November highlighting increases in global measles cases and deaths the previous year. There were 9 million cases and 136,000 deaths, mostly among children, in 2022, signaling rises compared to the previous year.

Europe has seen an exponential increase in recent measles cases, the WHO said.

Vaccination rates have dropped in the U.S., according to a CDC report. It found the U.S. reached its highest level ever for vaccine exemptions in the 2022-23 school year, with about a quarter-million kindergartners at risk of measles.

The CDC said recent measles cases often originate from unvaccinated U.S. residents who travel internationally and transmit the disease to others who arent immune.

"The increased number of measles importations seen in recent weeks is reflective of a rise in global measles cases and a growing global threat from the disease," the CDC said Thursday.

How you can get measles

Measles is highly contagious for people who are not vaccinated or immune. Older people tend to be either vaccinated or immune. The virus spreads via droplets usually after a person coughs or sneezes. It lingers long after a person has left a room. Health providers typically wait two hours before they enter where an infected patient has been.

Symptoms appear a week or two after exposure. They can include runny nose, cough and high fever, with a reddish or hyper-pigmented rash that develops first at the hairline before spreading to the neck and downward.

The MMR vaccine is typically administered in two doses beginning after a baby turns 1. The child receives a second dose when they are between 4 and 6. The full regimen provides near-complete immunity.

Eduardo Cuevas covers health and breaking news for USA TODAY. He can be reached at EMCuevas1@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Measles alert, U.S. and global cases rising
State prison officials are investigating after a correctional officer shot and killed an inmate whos accused of repeatedly stabbing another man Thursday at the High Desert State Prison in Northern California.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation prison guards saw Albaro Amaral, 33, stabbing another inmate around 1:40 p.m. and officers ordered him to stop. Amaral didnt listen, so a warning shot was fired from a lightweight, semi-automatic rifle called a Mini-14, CDCR officials said in a news release.

CDCR officials said Amaral continued his attack at the Susanville prison facility, prompting an officer to fire multiple rounds from the rifle, which struck Amaral. It was unclear why Amaral began attacking the inmate.

Amaral was taken an onsite medical facility and was pronounced deceased at 2:09 p.m. The inmate enduring Amarals stabbing was taken to a hospital where the CDCR said hes in fair condition.

No one else was injured. CDCR officials said an inmate-manufactured weapon was found at the scene.

The CDCR didnt disclose the name of the officer who killed Amaral due to the ongoing investigation, the news release said. The officer is on administrative leave.

Amaral was sentenced to life with parole in Santa Cruz County for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree, carjacking, possession or ownership of a firearm by a felon or addict and having ammunition as a felon, CDCR said. His charges were enhanced by intentionally discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury or death and using a firearm.

Amaral murdered Kevin Medina-Lopez, 27, near Highway 17 in the Santa Cruz Mountains, shooting him in the back of his head and chest, according to the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Witnesses testified the Amaral and Medina-Lopez were members of the same San Jose gang, the newspaper reported.

The High Desert State Prison investigative services unit, the CDCR deadly force investigation team and the Lassen County District Attorneys Office are investigating the incident.
BROOKS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  A West Michigan couple is suing Brooks Township near Newaygo after it passed a ban on new cemeteries.

Peter and Annica Quakenbush have been working to bring a green conservation cemetery to Michigan for a few years. In a green burial, a body is not embalmed and is buried in a casket or shroud that is biodegradable, rather than inside a metal vault. A conservational cemetery protects the land and keeps it natural.

Peter Quakenbush had heard about green burials when he read The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, a forester in Germany.

They take care of one of their forests by letting people be buried there, Peter Quakenbush explained. So instead of having to cut down the trees and extract the value that way, let people be buried there and it is far more valuable in that way. So that was a beautiful concept that I felt like I could bring to Michigan.

According to the state, Michigan law does not require a body be embalmed in most circumstances, but a body typically cannot be transported more than 48 hours after death unless it has been embalmed.

The couple set out to start Michigans first green conservation cemetery, hoping to create a space that was both a cemetery and a nature preserve. They wanted to find a property that was somewhat close to Grand Rapids, could be accessed in the winter and was big enough for the Green Burial Council. They also wanted land that had a community of native flora and fauna. It took them some time to find land that was within their price range and checked all the boxes.

Peter and Annica Quakenbush. (Courtesy Institute for Justice)

Theres a lot of available properties that are swamps, Annica Quakenbush said. It needed to be a dry plot of land where we could actually do what we want to do.

About two years ago, they bought property in Brooks Township, located along 72nd Street near Spruce Avenue. The 20 acres is all forest, and they plan on keeping it that way.

The project had overwhelming support, the couple says. The West Michigan Burial Forest has a growing waitlist, which their attorney says has hundreds of people. The Quakenbushes didnt market the project, aside from an occasional social media post. They say people learned about it mostly by word of mouth or Google searches.

Weve been shocked by how many people know about it and how much momentum there has been and how much support that weve gotten just from simply existing, Annica Quakenbush said.

Peter and Annica Quakenbush are working to create a green conservation cemetery. (Jan. 25, 2024)

CEMETERY BAN

The couple and their attorney say after buying the land, they approached the township about what they needed to do.

We were given a list of things to fulfill that would help the township feel better about entertaining our proposal, and one of those was establishing a relationship with the Land Conservancy, Peter Quakenbush said. That type of relationship takes a long time. And we have been working on that and we have gotten to that point.

Katrin Marquez, an attorney at Institute for Justice, which is representing the couple, says they complied with all the requirements. They also got approval from the health department, and are working towards getting certification from the Green Burial Council and getting an easement donated to them from a conservation group.

Marquez says a small group of activists who she described as very influential in the town advocated against the cemetery.

According to the lawsuit, some were concerned about water contamination. The suit refuted that concern by saying that all gravesites will be more than 1,100 feet away from the Muskegon River and more than 250 feet from the closest Newaygo city wells. Peter Quakenbush said the health department cleared water contamination concerns, and the soil will act as a natural filter.

Another concern is parking. While around 18 cars were parked along the street during an August 2023 forest bathing event, the lawsuit says, site plans include a circle drive with 26 parking spots.

Peter and Annica Quakenbush are working to create a green conservation cemetery. (Jan. 25, 2024)

At a June 20 meeting, the Brooks Township Board passed an ordinance banning any new cemeteries. Minutes from that meeting say two people spoke in support of the ordinance during public comment. According to the lawsuit, a neighbor said they were concerned about the proximity to the Muskegon River and Newaygo Citys water supply.

Later, township supervisor and boards chairman, Cory Nelson, provided background on the ordinance during the meeting.

The ordinance is designed to protect public health, safety and general welfare by prohibiting cemeteries, the meetings minutes say.

The ordinance passed unanimously.

ATTORNEY: ORDINANCE UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Katrin Marquez, an attorney at Institute for Justice, which is representing the couple, says the cemetery ordinance was targeted at the couple.

Thats not just wrong, but its also unconstitutional, she said. The Michigan Constitution doesnt allow a municipality to use targeted zoning just to prevent someone from opening a business because they think its weird.

She said the couple was not included in the townships discussions.

The Quakenbushes say they thought the township was just waiting for them to finalize a conservancy commitment.

We were waiting  and were very close  to having what we needed to come back to the township and officially make our proposal for the special use permit based on the zoning that were in, Annica Quakenbush said. Weeks before we were ready to do that, we received a letter that a couple months prior there had been an ordinance passed  that we were not told about. So that was really devastating.

In an email to News 8, Brooks Township Supervisor Cory Nelson declined to comment on the case, citing the ongoing legal matter.

Although I have alot to say on behalf of the people of Brooks Township it will have to wait, he wrote.

Peter and Annica Quakenbush are working to create a green conservation cemetery. (Jan. 25, 2024)

Peter and Annica Quakenbush are working to create a green conservation cemetery. (Jan. 25, 2024)

LAWSUIT SURREAL

Having to file a lawsuit has brought mixed emotion, the couple says. They were hoping to depend on the project financially soon because they were getting ready to sell plots.

It feels kind of surreal, Annica Quakenbush said. This is not what we wanted. We wanted to be able to work amicably with the township and work in partnership with them to bring this.  Its not the way that we wanted it to be, but we also feel strongly that what they did was not constitutional.

She said they also feel overwhelmingly supported.

As people have learned more about our story and learned how we were specifically targeted with this ordinance, she said. Theres been a lot of support and that has been really wonderful and affirming that this is certainly something people want and we are going to keep working to bring it.

They say they are confident they will be successful.

Victory in this case will reaffirm that a local government cant use targeted zoning to stop people from using their own property to operate a legitimate business here, Marquez said. Its very clear that the cemetery ordinance was passed to target Peter and Annica to prevent them from building their cemetery, just because some people thought it was a little bit weird or a little bit creepy. That is not a basis on which one can ban a legitimate land use, which this is.

Peter and Annica Quakenbush are working to create a green conservation cemetery. (Jan. 25, 2024)

DUST TO DUST

The lawsuit was filed earlier this month. Marquez said the township will have several weeks to respond. The case could take several months, if not more than a year.

But the couple says they have people on their waitlist who may not have time to wait.

There are people waiting who want this to be the way that they are buried, who maybe dont have long time horizons, maybe they have late stage cancers, Peter Quakenbush said. Of we dont do this then people will miss out on that opportunity.

That part is really sobering to me, but its true, Annica Quakenbush said. We have a number of people that I can think of specifically who are in the area and have been in contact with us since we first made our idea known, and  they ask frequently, Any idea on the timeline? Because they have illnesses that will end in death sometime relatively soon and they very much want to be buried in this way. Their loved ones want them to be buried in this way. So we really hope that we can move through this process and offer that service to them.

She said people who have added their names to the waitlist typically fall into one of two categories: Theyre interested in the conservation and environmental aspect or they are simply drawn to the aesthetic of being buried in a forest or visiting a loved one in the forest. There are even people who want to be cremated who are interested in the project.

They feel like its such a beautiful place to have a memorial and to invite loved ones to be as theyre grieving, she said.

The dust to dust concept is very widely held and valued, Peter Quakenbush said. And this is a simple way to do that.

CARING FOR THE FOREST THROUGH DEATH

Peter Quakenbush says he has always valued nature and views the project is a way to help connect people with it.

Peter is getting his Ph.D. in biology, their attorney said. He cares deeply about nature and is an expert in this field. He is committed to making sure that the forest is taken care of in the best possible way. This is not the Quakenbushes running in and deciding to do a weird project, they have studied this for years. They care deeply about it. Both of them have a commitment to nature preservation and they are going about this project in the best possible way.

He recently spent time digging a mock grave. The process of digging the grave and filling it again took about four hours  though he did it while watching the couples 3-year-old.

A mock gravesite on Peter and Annica Quakenbushs property. (Jan. 25, 2024)

The couple explained theyll be strategic about where the graves are placed so that they dont hurt major roots of the propertys trees. The soil would also be dug by hand in layers, and would be returned in the right order.

We love the simplicity of it, but also theres the component of needing to be really careful where we put graves to create the least amount of disturbance as possible in the forest, Annica Quakenbush said.

Gravestones can be marked by a native, engraved stone. The area has lots of glacial boulders, which will eventually be covered in lichens and moss. Trees can also be designated as living memorials.

The long-term hope is to continue to buy land as they sell plots so they can grow the conservatory. Money from the plots will go into a perpetual care endowment so the cemetery will continue to be cared for once its full.

Essentially, the land can retire and be that nature preserve. So its a really good way to take care of the land in the long term, Peter Quakenbush said.

Peter and Annica Quakenbush are working to create a green conservation cemetery. (Jan. 25, 2024)

FROM BIRTH TO DEATH

The couple says green burials are often very intimate and there are lots of opportunities for loved ones to be involved in the process.

That closeness to the process of death is really healing for the people that are grieving, Annica Quakenbush said. Its something that is just really meaningful and can be a really beautiful way of celebrating the life that is lost.

And placing that in the context of nature, where we have the circles of life and life goes on, is a very wonderful place to put that, her husband added.

As the couple works on a project surrounding death, Annica Quakenbush is applying her experiences working with new life. She has worked as a birthing doula for about seven years and has now been trained to be a death doula.

Theres so much in common between birth work and death work, she said. Theyre both these big transitional times for both the person being born or the person dying, but also the people around them.

She said she feels passionate about supporting people through that transition  be it new life or death  and making sure they have the resources they need.

Empowering people to think about their choices and make decisions based on good information, based on whats right for them as an individual, is something Im really passionate about too, she said. Informed consent in birth, informed consent in death plans and death wishes for people that are anticipating death, but also for family members  those are all important things to me.

She plans on working with families and people as they plan for burials and death. There are more choices than some may realize, even for funerals. She said many dont realize that a home funeral is an option.

Death isnt something our culture talks about, she said, and it makes many uncomfortable.

Its often a very painful experience when someone passes away and its something we dont like to think about for ourselves, she said. However, we feel like were seeing that shift in our culture and that more people are talking about the importance of understanding the natural death process and taking ownership over their choices and knowing that they have choices.

Peter and Annica Quakenbush are working to create a green conservation cemetery. (Jan. 25, 2024)

Making choices about what you want to happen to you have you die is empowering, she said.

Its something that lowers, I think, the fear of death and  encourages us to confront the reality, she said. Anytime were opening our eyes and confronting the reality of something, it takes some of the fear away.

The Quakenbushes say they dont expect to fully stop people from fearing death, but rather want to help people see it as a normal part of life.

Its something that every single one of us experiences, Annica Quakenbush said. The more we can integrate it into our understanding of what life is, the more supported we can feel going through the process, the more we know how to support each other in grief. And those are things that I believe could change the world. If we felt that way about life and death, I think theres just a real inherent natural beauty to that.

 Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly said the couple already has a certification from the Green Burial Council and an easement from a conservation group. We regret the error, which has been fixed.

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As sunny skies and warmer temps usher in the weekend, forecasters are tracking an active weather pattern of several storms that could bring the potential for heavy rain and mountain snow in Southern California next week.

Expect your temperatures to go up over the weekend and once we come out of the weekend, they will begin to fall, KTLA Meteorologist Vera Jimenez said. We could see rain next week, which is good because February is typically our wettest month.

In the immediate forecast, light Santa Ana winds gusting between 30-35 miles per hour are likely through Monday, with temperatures that may rise to as high as 80 in valley and inland coastal areas by Sunday.

KTLA 5 Weather Page and Live Interactive Radar

Beachgoers can expect temps in the upper 60s over the weekend.

Hazardous surf is forecast through Friday afternoon, with peak swells of 3-6 feet at some L.A. County beaches and 5-8 feet at beaches in Ventura County.

Much cooler weather [is] expected next Wednesday with increasing chances of rain as early as Wednesday afternoon and certainly by Thursday, the weather service said.

While forecasters are unsure which areas will see the heaviest precipitation, valley and coastal areas could get between 1-2 inches of rain and as much as 2-4 inches in the foothills and mountains.

Only elevations of 6,500 feet or more are likely to see snowfall next week, though NWS said much lower elevations could see snow from storms with the potential to follow.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A Kennewick detective who threatened his wife and son with a pistol is having his case moved to the countys therapeutic court system.

That includes an agreement with prosecutors to lessen the charges against Joshua S. Riley, 42, to two counts of felony harassment. He initially was charged with second-degree assault.

Riley will enter Benton Countys Veterans Court program which will put the charges on hold while he participates in the program that can involve counseling, substance use treatment and monitoring for compliance.

If he is successful, the criminal charge could be dismissed or amended. If he doesnt complete the program, a judge would use the police reports to determine if he is guilty of harassment.

He gives up his right to a jury trial and to call witnesses by agreeing to divert to the therapy court.

Riley is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served three tours in Iraq and an 11-year employee of the Kennewick Police Department.

He was arrested in September and has spent several weeks in mental health and alcohol use treatment, according to court records. He has been out of jail on a $25,000 bond since Sept. 27.

Special Deputy Prosecutor Rob Lehman is handling the case. He works for the Adams County Prosecutors Office, which took over to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest since Riley works on cases with the Benton County Prosecutors Office.

Lehman said the victims, investigators and prosecutors agreed on allowing Riley to move to veterans court.

Judge David Petersen told Riley at a recent hearing that veterans court is a phenomenal program and that he is giving up substantial rights for a substantial benefit.

When Riley was charged, he was ordered to stay away from his wife and five children. His attorney, Deric Orr, said the court orders will be lifted under the new agreement.

Riley continues to be on paid leave from the Kennewick Police Department while the Yakima County Sheriffs Office conducts an investigation into whether he violated police department policies, Chief Chris Guerrero told the Tri-City Herald.

Once (the investigation) is completed, it will be turned back over to our agency for determination of policy violations, Guerrero said. We hope to receive their completed investigation by mid-February.

Riley and his wife are presently in the middle of divorce proceedings, according to court records.

Veterans court started in 2019 and took the model from the already successful drug and mental health courts and applied it to veterans. The aim is to treat the underlying issues that lead to criminal behavior and break the cycle.

The participants are required to have mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, regular drug testing, perform community service and are monitored for their compliance.

Assault investigation

Rileys charges stem from an incident at his home on Sept. 23.

The affidavit of probable cause filed in court said Rileys wife told investigators he suffers from alcoholism and suicidal thoughts linked to his military and law enforcement service.

His drinking that day turned into an argument.

According to his teen son, Riley was so intoxicated he could barely stand.

At one point, he tried to leave the house, but was stopped at the door by the teen, according to the affidavit. After his son went to the bedroom door to talk with his mother, Riley came in and allegedly pointed a laser-sighted gun at his wife. He also pointed the gun at his sons head, said the documents.

His wife was able to get the gun away and hide it.

While Riley was asleep, his children left for a friends home where they told an adult what happened and the police were called.
A Charlotte-based chiropractor will spend 25 years in a Texas prison for felony child sexual abuse.

Stuart White was sentenced this week in Harris County, our partners at The Charlotte Observer reported.

Charlotte man accused of watching, sharing child sex abuse videos

A criminal complaint accused him of sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl.

Whites attorney told The Observer they plan to appeal.

White worked at Synergy Holistic Health in Cotswold.
TAHLEQUAH, Okla.  Cherokee Nation is pumping $95,000 into educating the tribes youngest residents by developing new merit scholarships.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. signed the new Comprehensive Cherokee Nation Education Act of 2024 on Jan. 23. The new law combines two existing laws governing the tribes higher education program and authorizes new merit-based scholarships for students living both at large and within the tribes 14-county reservation.

We are building on the progress we made last year, where we lifted all scholarship recipients, Hoskin said in a prepared statement. This new proposal embraces some of the ideas that have been under consideration in recent years in a way that expands opportunities in higher education.

The new merit-based Leadership scholarships will be administered by the tribes education foundation which is separate from the tribes primary scholarship program. The Cherokee Nation Foundation also administers scholarships for behavioral health careers through a $5 million Public Health and Wellness Fund Act endowment funded by part of the tribes opioid settlement funds.

The new law also adds opportunities for undergraduate Cherokee students, including:

$5,000 Cherokee Nation Council Leadership Scholarship awarded to students in each of 15 on-reservation Council districts and two for at-large citizen students.

$5,000 Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Leadership Scholarship with nationwide eligibility.

$5,000 Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Leadership Scholarship with nationwide eligibility.

Opportunities for scholarship recipients in the tribes primary scholarship program in the Education Department to meet community service requirements through Cherokee language learning or participating in the tribes new program.

The new Leadership merit scholarships will be available for the fall 2024 semester but will be announced and made available jointly by the Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Foundation within the next few months.

Under the new law, students can also meet those requirements by participating in the tribes new Gadugi Corps program for volunteer and national service or through Cherokee language study. The new community service options will be available to students no later than the fall 2024 semester.

Currently, the tribes scholarship is now $2,250 per semester and will increase to $2,500 per semester in the fall of 2024.

For more information on Cherokee Nation scholarship programs click here.

This year alone the tribe will commit over $19 million to its primary college scholarship program and over $428,000 in scholarships through the Cherokee Nation Foundation.

For more information on the Cherokee Nation Foundation, including information on college scholarships and making tax-deductible donations, click here.

The legislation also incentivizes Cherokee Nation government employees to make a payroll deduction contribution to the Cherokee Nation Foundation, with the tribe matching the first $50,000 in contributions across the workforce to support scholarships.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
CHICAGO  More than a dozen Chicago aldermen on Thursday called on Mayor Brandon Johnson to scrap his 60-day shelter limit policy for migrants, the latest sign the City Councils recent streak of independence has swelled with the citys controversial responses to the humanitarian crisis.

Johnson allies such as Alds. Daniel La Spata and Byron Sigcho-Lopez are among the 16 aldermen who joined migrant response mutual aid groups in signing the letter to the mayor, along with more moderate council members like Ald. Matt OShea, 19th.

Their protest comes on the heels of a bloc of 27 aldermen signing on to co-sponsor legislation from Ald. Bill Conway, 34th, to add more City Council oversight to how federal stimulus dollars are used in the wake of the Johnson administration allocating $95 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to cover the costs of the migrant mission.

Though sponsors of either item differ on how much to blame Johnsons administration for the current predicament  where there are no shelter beds left in Chicago, but migrants continue coming  their dissent signals a City Council attempting to flex more influence on how resources are spent and decisions are made.

The aldermen and volunteer groups writing to Johnson Thursday demanded the city rescind his 60-day limit for how long migrants can stay at city-run shelters ahead of the next deadline on Feb. 1, citing grave concerns with the asylum-seekers well-being during the harsh winter.

The 60-day eviction policy poses a significant threat to the health and safety of new arrivals, a copy of the letter reads. To put it simply: the City should not be in the business of handing out eviction notices. While the 60-day limit has been temporarily extended to avoid the worst of the weather, these extensions do not address the systemic issues that prevent new arrivals from being able to leave shelters and find alternative housing.

The letter also demands food, medical care and other conditions be improved in the shelters, that more housing stock be built for all Chicagoans and for Johnson to appoint someone to the chief homelessness officer position he created in October but has not filled.

Johnsons press office did not immediately comment on the letter, but the mayor has said in previous moments of opposition from City Council or other governments that he is not a dictator and hopes to lead with collaboration. In a post-council news conference Wednesday, Johnson did not directly respond to questions about the fate of the 60-day shelter policy come Feb. 1 but said were going to continue to review. This is an evolving crisis.

The mayor announced a 60-day shelter limit policy in November, but he delayed enforcing it ahead of the first eviction date on Jan. 22 as heavy snowfall and low wind chills pummeled the city. A second extension was announced until Feb. 1, but temperatures are again expected to dip below freezing then. Johnson has recently attributed the bumpy implementation of his evictions policy to the Gov. J.B. Pritzker administration not building enough state shelters.

Previously, aldermen have expressed frustrations with city contracts for vendors such as the costly Favorite Healthcare Staffing and GardaWorld Federal Services, which has done migrant detention work. Ald. Andre Vasquez, 40th, Johnsons hand-picked Immigration Committee chair who helped organize the letter with mutual aid volunteer groups, said the latest pushback is a sign of a healthy democracy.

This is an understanding of whats been happening as far as there being a more independent Council, and so its not about necessarily this administration, Vasquez said. What this says is, we believe this is a matter of important discussion that needs to be had with the Council.

Ald. Felix Cardona, 31st, had harsher words. He signed on to both the letter and Conways legislation.

There has to be oversight on that because at one point in the budget we had no money. Now we found $95 million. So something is definitely wrong there, Cardona said.  ... Youre gonna see our colleagues, more and more, be very discontent with the administration. And theyre going to be very vocal.

Conways ordinance was introduced at the City Council Wednesday and promptly pushed by Johnsons vice mayor, Ald. Walter Burnett, 27th, to the Rules Committee, putting the legislations future in question.

Asked later about Conways effort, Johnson said he values transparency, but doesnt think the additional oversight is needed. Aldermen allocated the federal money to the citys 2023 budget and gave the mayor and the citys budget director spending authority, he said.

There is oversight, Johnson said. In fact, I took it one step further. I actually went to the City Council and explained to them and told them what our intentions were, even though the process didnt require that.

But Conway said the maneuvers to sideline the ordinance seem like a willful evasion of some oversight. The downtown aldermans ordinance would force the mayor to get City Council approval every time he plans to spend over $1 million in stimulus funds.

If a big chunk of money comes, it needs to be budgeted out, Conway said. I dont think the mayors office should just have a $400 million piggy bank they can spend on whatever they want.

One Johnson ally, Ald. Jeanette Taylor, 20th, said she joined Conway because she has always supported granting City Council more power on budgeting. She voted against former Mayor Lori Lightfoot having the same spending powers on federal stimulus dollars.

Its about us being held accountable to the money we spend and the way we spend it, period, Taylor said.

How many more damn migrants do we need? How many more shelters and spaces do we have? she asked.

Meanwhile, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said Thursday she was not privy to any of the back-and-forth between Johnson and Pritzker this week, and has no idea about the interests or intentions or willingness of mayors in suburban Cook County to help meet this challenge.

The county has previously acknowledged it was very closely coordinating with the city to at least identify locations for housing in the city and in suburban Cook. But when she previously asked suburban mayors to step up, Preckwinkle said Thursday those conversations didnt result in offers of assistance.

The countys emergency funding includes $20 million that municipal or local governments can tap for migrant mission response. Ted Berger, the executive director of the countys Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, acknowledged his team has assessed suburban locations and whether they met American Red Cross standards for shelter viability

Asked whether any suburban sites were viable, he said he Cant answer that question at this time, and referred further questions back to the city.

____
Chinese equities are a screaming contrarian buy. Investor revulsion has become indiscriminate, a sign that the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets are close to touching bottom.

All the stars are aligned for a catch-up rally this year. Xi Jinping appears sufficiently worried about capital flight at home, and loss of confidence abroad, to start throwing the kitchen sink at the immediate problem.

One trillion here, one trillion there. Since November, Chinese policymakers have been ramping up easing at an accelerating pace. Every drop is now several hundred billion to one trillion yuan ($140bn), said Wei Yao and Michelle Lam from Societe Generale.

It is not the shock and awe bazooka of 2009 but it is starting to add up to serious fiscal, monetary, and regulatory stimulus, and is probably enough to head off a deflationary spiral for now. Are we there yet? No. Are we getting close? Bit by bit, they said.

My old colleague Tom Stevenson, now at Fidelity, wrote on Thursday that Chinese equities look irresistible at a price to earnings ratio below 10, and I agree.

In rapid succession, the authorities have added an extra one trillion of fiscal stimulus for social housing and water projects, with another trillion flagged for March; the central bank (PBOC) is adding quasi-fiscal money through special loans, and this week announced another trillion of liquidity by cutting the reserve ratio for banks.

The regime is preparing a two trillion fund to prop up the stock market directly, drawing on the offshore cash piles of state companies (SOEs). The heads of listed SOEs will henceforth be judged on share price performance. Short-selling by traders is to be restricted. The State Council on Monday pledged to stabilise the market. Journalists, bloggers, and academics have been told to talk up equities.

These are potent signals, and Chinese investors act on signals from the state, though you can also interpret this ferment as a warning sign. Marshalling so much capital smacks of desperation, and makes me wonder if policymakers are worried [that] perhaps some big institutions are at risk of huge losses, said Bill Bishop from Sinocism, a prominent Substack newsletter about China.

Chinese equities have been a value trap for an eternity. The Shanghai Composite index has halved since 2007 even in nominal terms. Xi Jinpings erratic political assaults on Chinas wealth producers have been calamitous. Debt-deflation has done the rest. The market has decoupled drastically from US, Japanese, and European equities.

But the catalysts for a short-term rebound are coming into view. Beijing wants a truce with Washington, and with global capital. The US Federal Reserve will be cutting rates within months, allowing the PBOC to loosen without risking capital outflows and a repeat of Chinas currency crisis in 2015.

Chinas reversion to stimulus-as-usual can fuel an equity boom, but it does nothing to lift the country out of a structural dead-end. Societe Generale says it will take a TARP-style programme comparable to the US Treasurys emergency measures in 2008 to clear property losses in the banking system.

The state will have to swallow the bad debts one way or another, and the longer it delays, the worse it will be. But that alone is not enough either.

Former premier Wen Jiabao famously described Chinas economy in 2007 as unstable, unbalanced, uncoordinated and unsustainable. It is in even worse trouble now.

A study by Capital Economics found that all the key indicators of economic deformity are as bad today as they were 15 years ago, and must be tackled in far less auspicious circumstances: the debt ratio has doubled to 300pc of GDP; the world is less willing to tolerate predatory Chinese mercantilism; the demographic dividend has been spent. The workforce contracted by 6.6m in 2023, and will shed 7.9m on average each year through to 2030.

The regime has backed away from tough love reform every time it hits trouble, launching fresh bursts of infrastructure spending by Pavlovian reflex.

Investment was 43pc of GDP in 2023, higher than it was when Wen Jiabao deemed it a dangerous addiction. No major country in modern history has been close to this. It is a formula for grotesque over-capacity.

The state sectors share of fixed investment has risen from 32pc to 39pc over the last decade as the state companies gobble up credit and misuse it for Party patronage or ideological objectives.

Real estate and construction are still taking 46pc of the pie, just as they did in 2007. Cement output per capita remains three times higher than in most societies.

The incremental capital output rate (ICOR), measuring how much investment is needed to generate each extra unit of GDP, was two in the 1990s, three in the early 2000s, and is now nine. Government credit policy has lost all traction.

The proclaimed switch to a mature consumer-driven economy never happened. Xi Jinping talks of high-quality development and self-sufficiency, but 57pc of Chinas manufacturing activity was dependent on foreign demand last year, close to where it was in 2007.

The upshot is that China is still due for a painful structural adjustment. The hangover from years of imbalanced growth will probably be costly and long-lasting, knocking China off the path of rapid income convergence. We think the countrys trend growth rate will be just 2pc by the end of this decade, said Capital Economics.

This failure to grasp the nettle has large global consequences. The true current account surplus (including exports from bonded trade zones) is back to the most extreme levels of the post-WTO accession boom as a share of world GDP.

It was such levels that led to the seminal China Shock paper concluding that Chinas entry into the international trading system had compressed manufacturing wages in the US through labour arbitrage, caused the loss of 2m US jobs, and pauperised blue collar workers (Trumps base).

We may now be in the midst of another China trade shock, possibly on a comparable scale to the first one, said Capital Economics.

China has stellar success stories  solar panels, EVs, batteries  but these perpetuate the pathologies of extreme excess capacity and dependency on foreign markets. They do not lift China out of the middle income trap. They push it further into the trap.

Some of us have been arguing for a decade that China mania was a naive extrapolation of untenable past growth rates, and that the country would not displace the US as the worlds economic superpower by mid-century as long as the Party clung to Leninist control and allocation of credit. The failure is now beyond doubt.

That said, the stock market is not the economy, ever, anywhere. The Tokyo bourse saw torrid boomlets all through its post-bubble deflation and its two lost decades.

If the Chinese Communist Party wants to use all levers of state control to engineer a stock market rally this year, there will be a rally.

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China accused the United States military of abusing international law and continuing a pattern of dangerous provocations in East Asia Thursday, after a US Navy destroyer made the services first transit of the Taiwan Strait of 2024.

The movement on Wednesday of the USS John Finn through the waterway that separates democratically governed Taiwan from communist mainland China was also the first transit of a US warship through the strait since elections on the island two weeks ago.

The vote gave Taiwans ruling Democratic Progressive Party a historic third consecutive presidential victory, with the islands voters shrugging off warnings from Beijing that its reelection would increase the risk of conflict.

Chinas ruling Communist Party views Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled it, and leader Xi Jinping has not ruled out the use of military force to reunify the island with the mainland.

The US meanwhile is obligated under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with the military means to defend itself, something Beijing regards as interference in its internal affairs.

The USS John Finn (DDG 113) conducts routine operations in the East China Sea, on January 24, 2024. - Mass Communication Specialist Justin Stack/U.S. Navy

US Navy 7th Fleet spokesperson Cmdr. Meagan Greene said in a statement Wednesday that the transit of the USS John Finn through the strait was made in accordance with international law.

The ship transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal State. John Finns transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle, Greene said.

While the John Finns transit of the Taiwan Strait was the first of 2024, US warships and warplanes regularly travel through and over the waterway. In 2023, US Navy and Coast Guard ships and Navy reconnaissance planes made 11 transits of the strait, according to a database kept by Collin Koh, research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

On Thursday, Chinas Defense Ministry said Washington was courting danger with its military activities in the region, saying a change in behavior is needed to avoid maritime and air accidents, according to the state-run Xinhua news agencys English-language website.

The root cause of the China-U.S. maritime and air security issues lies in the U.S. militarys harassment and provocations on Chinas doorstep, engaging in prolonged, extensive and high-frequency activities in the maritime and aerial areas surrounding China, the Xinhua story said, citing Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian.

He urged the U.S. side to stop abusing international law, cease all dangerous provocations, and strictly discipline its troops on the ground, the story said.

Earlier this month, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. John Aquilino, accused Beijing of ramping up tensions.

Aquilino told a defense forum in Hawaii that he expected a show of force from China against Taiwan in the wake of the election result.

When something occurs that they dont like, they tend to take actions, Aquilino told the Pacific Forums Operationalizing Integration in the Indo-Pacific conference in Honolulu.

Koh, the Singaporean analyst, said Beijing may be a bit miffed at Washington at the moment, especially after agreeing to restart military-to-military talks in December.

Given that Beijing very likely believes that it extended the olive branch by agreeing to reopen military-to-military communications and other high-level exchanges, it might have perceived a lack of reciprocity from the US, Koh said.

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China's defense ministry rips NATO and says it's 'like a walking war machine'

China's defense ministry called NATO "a walking war machine."

Spokesperson Wu Qian didn't mince his words when journalists raised questions about NATO.

NATO has invited Japan and South Korea to its annual summit since 2022.

China's defense ministry has accused NATO of being a warmonger.

"It's fair to say NATO is like a walking war machine, wherever it goes, there will be instability," defense ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said of the military alliance during a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.

Wu's comments came in response to journalists' questions about NATO's ongoing military exercise, Steadfast Defender 2024. Roughly 90,000 troops are slated to participate in the exercise  the largest NATO has conducted since the Cold War.

The exercise kicked off on Wednesday and is slated to take place across the transatlantic region over the next six months.

"In recent years, NATO has been inching closer to the Asia Pacific and using the non-existent 'China threat' as an excuse to advance bloc confrontation, which poses a threat to regional security," Wu told journalists.

NATO has been stepping up its outreach to Asia. Since 2022, Japan and South Korea have been attending NATO's annual summits.

The military alliance reportedly considered setting up a liaison office in Japan last year. The plan fell through after French President Emmanuel Macron opposed the move. Macron has long been against NATO confronting China.

"NATO is a military organization, the issue of our relationship with China isn't just a military issue," Macron said after a NATO meeting in 2021. "NATO is an organization that concerns the North Atlantic, China has little to do with the North Atlantic."

Representatives for NATO did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Lyft driver was pulled over and detained by police while they verified he hadn't abducted anyone.

A Lyft driver is suing Cincinnatis Christ Hospital after he says an employee there called 911 and wrongly reported that he had abducted a patient he was hired to drive to Wilmington, Ohio.

The driver, C. William Harper II, ended up being pulled over by Ohio State Highway Patrol during the January 2023 ride. Harper  an ordained minister who the lawsuit describes as a large Black man  was handcuffed and forced to stand in the cold and rain, the lawsuit says, while police verified that he hadnt abducted anyone.

Heres what happened, according to the lawsuit:

At about 5 p.m. Jan. 18, 2023, a female social worker at Christ Hospital sought a Lyft ride for a patient.

The request went to Harper, and when Harper arrived at the hospital, he learned that the patients destination was Wilmington, about 50 miles away. Because of the distance and the fact that Harper would not likely get a return ride to Cincinnati, making it unprofitable, Harper immediately declined it, the lawsuit says.

The social worker then asked Harper how much additional money he would need to drive the patient to Wilmington, and Harper said $20. According to the lawsuit, she agreed to pay using the online payment system, Cash App.

Harper didnt use Cash App, so he arranged for his daughter to receive the $20 transfer.

While driving the patient north on Interstate 71, Harper called his daughter to confirm that the money had been transferred, and she told him she hadnt received the $20.

Harper said he then called the hospital, but the social worker wanted Harper to talk to her supervisor.

Lawsuit: Driver accused of extortion, abduction

According to the lawsuit, the supervisor was immediately belligerent, loud and verbally abusive toward Harper, accusing him of blackmail, extortion  and abduction. Harper said he ended the call after the supervisor directed numerous profanities at him.

Harper continued to drive the patient toward Wilmington, and after taking some time to cool off, he called the supervisor.

The lawsuit says the second conversation also deteriorated, with the supervisor calling him a kidnapper and accusing him of holding the patient hostage. The supervisor told him to return the patient to the hospital.

But the lawsuit says Harper felt sympathy for the patient, who wasnt responsible for the dispute with the hospital, and ultimately decided to drive the patient to Wilmington.

The supervisor, however, called 911, telling a call-taker that the Lyft driver had refused to drive the patient back to the hospital or to the patient's home.

"The driver was basically, like, trying to exploit us for money. ... Were, like, 'Were not going to pay you,'" the supervisor said in the 911 call, adding that he didn't know where the driver was taking the patient.

The Lyft driver, he said, kept calling back, trying to explain himself.

"Were in a situation, we cant make this guy drop him off and, like, were not going to pay him more money," the supervisor said. "Hes refusing to bring him back to the hospital."

When Harper reached the Wilmington exit, he was pulled over by State Highway Patrol, handcuffed and detained for at least 45 minutes before being released, the lawsuit says.

Lawsuit alleges defamation, fraud

A spokesman for Christ Hospital said the hospital does not comment on pending litigation.

Harpers attorney, Tom Condit, told The Enquirer: Social workers have too much power in our society, and they need to be held accountable.

The lawsuit, which was filed Jan. 9 in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, is seeking damages in excess of $25,000. It alleges defamation, fraud and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Christ Hospital sued over 911 call alleging abduction by Lyft driver
UC undocumented students and their supporters rallied at UCLA to urge university officials to hire them even without work authorization. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

University of California regents declined Thursday to move forward on a bold plan to hire immigrant students who lack legal work authorization, crushing the hopes of thousands of young people seeking to escape precarious futures without adequate access to jobs and research opportunities.

UC President Michael V. Drake told regents he would not recommend a plan to challenge federal law barring employment of those without legal status because the potential consequences would be too risky to UC students, families and staff. UC students could be subject to deportation, employees could risk civil and criminal prosecution if they knowingly participate in hiring practices deemed impermissible under federal law, and the university could lose federal contracts and grants, he said.

A novel theory developed by UCLA legal scholars asserted that the 1986 federal law in question does not apply to states  or state entities such as UC  because the statute's language does not explicitly mention them. Drake said UC would not test that theory at this time, although regents voted to reconsider the policy in one year.

"We have concluded that the proposed legal pathway is not viable at this time, and in fact carries significant risk for the institution and for those we serve," Drake said. "I know that many in our community will be disappointed that we are unable to take immediate action. ... I would like nothing more than to do so, right here, right now, because it is the right thing to do."

He said that UC would expand support for such students and continue to advocate for legal changes to allow them to legally work.

Regent John A. Perez, in an emotional dissent, said he had never been "more disappointed" as a board member, and called on his colleagues to lead with courage. Students in the audience, some with mouths taped shut to symbolize their hunger strike over the issue, reacted with fury, calling out, "Cowards!" and other epithets after the 10 to 6 vote, with one abstention.

Read more: UC enrolls record number of California undergrads in fall 2023, cuts out-of-state students

"I am very, very angry and disappointed," said Jeffry Umana Munoz, a fourth-year student at UCLA who was illegally brought to the United States from El Salvador at age 2 and had a campus job lined up if the regents had approved the plan. He said he has suffered from financial hardship  with a $3,000 unpaid campus bill that could block him from receiving his degree  but vowed to keep fighting.

"We have not been defeated," he said. "This attempt to kill this movement has just lit a fire under it."

About 580,000 students without legal status obtained work permits and other benefits under the Obama administration policy Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA, but a 2021 Texas court ruling bars federal officials from processing any new applications.

Today, about 44,000 students without DACA protections attend California colleges; about 4,000 of them attend UC. In 2023, an estimated 100,000 immigrant youths graduated from high school without legal status or DACA benefits  including about 27,000 in California. The state is home to about 1 in 5 of the nations college students who lack legal authorization.

UC regents agreed unanimously last May to find a pathway to hire such students but said Thursday they have not yet been able to do so.

Rich Leib, chair of the UC Board of Regents, said he had been "absolutely determined to get something done on this issue" but concluded that it was not the right time to move forward. "I'm just very disappointed we were not able to find a pathway. ... I'm going to pledge myself to get this resolved."

Ahilan Arulanantham, co-director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law, said outside legal experts and human resources specialists assessed the legal risk and implementation challenges and found them to be relatively minor.

"We answered every question, but they kept moving the goalposts," he said of UC officials. "Ultimately the university has to decide whether it wants to eliminate this inequity or not."

Regents delay decision on website opinion expressions

The UC system's governing board also delayed action until March on a controversial move to ban most opinion, such as criticism of Israel, on university websites and other official "channels of communication." Perez and others said more input is needed.

In public comment during the regents' three-day meeting, scores of students demanded that UC divest from companies profiting from the Israel-Hamas war and condemn what they describe as Israel's "genocide" of Palestinians in Gaza. On Oct. 7, Hamas militants unleashed the worst attack in Israel's history, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping about 250 others. Israel has retaliated with massive airstrikes on Gaza and a ground invasion that local health officials say have killed 26,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

Some students and faculty members also denounced the effort by some regents to ban most opinion on university websites as a blow against free speech and academic freedom  primarily fueled by a desire to silence criticism of Israel.

Read more: Pro-Palestinian UC students feel they are not supported. Some on the faculty are organizing to change that

Regent Jay Sures, vice chairman at United Talent Agency, has pushed for a ban, saying he has been troubled by "abuse" and "misuse" of departmental websites featuring anti-Israel sentiment and other opinions that do not reflect official university views. He said he supports free expression on UC website spaces clearly marked as "opinion pages," but not on landing pages, which should display official information such as course offerings and campus events.

Some faculty members have told regents that they disagree with political statements posted on campus websites, but keep quiet to avoid potential negative impacts on their careers.

"The last thing that I or any of my fellow regents want to do is quash free speech or academic freedom," Sures said.

Christine Hong and Sean Malloy of the UC Ethnic Studies Council, however, said the proposed website policy was one of several moves by Israel supporters to silence pro-Palestinian views.

"The farcical regents debate over website policy can only be understood as part of their larger campaign to repress Palestinian solidarity," Malloy said. "Whether it is attacks on ethnic studies, disciplining faculty members, or gagging speech, the regents have made it clear that they will use their power to support Israels genocidal assault on Gaza and attack students, faculty, and staff who are mobilizing for Palestinian human rights."

Last year, Sures excoriated the ethnic studies council for criticizing a statement by UC leaders condemning Hamas "terrorism" in the Oct. 7 attack. Sures said the council's letter was full of falsehoods, inaccuracies, and antisemitic innuendos and seeks to legitimize and defend the horrific savagery of the Hamas massacre of October 7.

The UC San Diego ethnic studies department, for instance, posted a statement grieving the loss of lives on both sides and supporting calls to end Israels occupation and dismantle the apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance. UC Santa Cruzs critical race and ethnic studies department posted a call for academic institutions to act now to end Israels genocidal attack on Gaza.

The UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies also posted a statement condemning the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas and mourning deaths on both sides.

James Steintrager, UC Academic Senate chair, said a systemwide faculty committee reviewed the website issue in 2021 and concluded, in consultation with university attorneys, that departments had the right to weigh in on political and social issues, although they cannot endorse candidates. The Academic Senate provided guidelines, such as making clear the statement represented faculty members or groups and not the university itself and ensuring that minority or dissenting views are not squelched.

Steintrager urged regents this week to delay action until any website proposal could be reviewed by faculty leaders across the UC system.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The raft of iOS changes Apple dropped in the European Union yesterday, as it prepares for enforcement of the bloc's Digital Markets Act (DMA) to kick in March 7, include some big developments around browsers that look set to shake up a pretty stale market.

The goal for the EU regulation is exactly that: To force digital markets that are dominated by a handful of powerful intermediaries, which the DMA calls "gatekeepers", to be more open and welcoming to competition. Apple is one of six designated gatekeepers, with its iOS App Store and Safari browser listed as "core platform services" under the regulation -- meaning Apple is subject to set of obligations and restrictions on how it can operate these services.

Currently, Apple sets its Safari browser as the default on iOS -- and while users of its mobile platform can dig into settings and specify another default browser (if they've downloaded one) Apple's platform does not exactly make it obvious to iOS users that this is a possibility.

A lot of people will, inevitably, stick with iOS defaults -- just because it's less effort and hassle; aka, one less tech-related decision to make. But the upshot is the owner and operator of a dominant mobile platform can also dominate in mobile browsing software on their platform which isn't great news for competition. This is the sort of lock-in EU regulators hope the DMA will change.

Default browser choice screen

Article 6(3) of the pan-EU regulation puts obligations on gatekeepers to let users "easily un-install" their own apps (with some narrow restrictions for apps that are "essential for the functioning of the operating system or of the device and which cannot technically be offered on a standalone basis by third parties"). Furthermore, the text states gatekeepers must let users "easily change default settings".

The regulation then essentially stipulates that gatekeepers must show a choice screen at users' first use of a core platform service -- letting them choose from a list of "main" rival service providers.

So it's no surprise that Apple's DMA-related changes include the provision of a choice screen.

In a briefing the journalists yesterday, Apple representatives said that when users in the European Union open Safari for the first time after they update to iOS 17.4 they will be prompted to choose a default browser from a list of the most downloaded browsers in their market.

Apple's reps said the screen will also provide an opportunity for users to learn more about each browser before making a decision. So how exactly Apple will present information about rival browsers remains to be seen. The deadline for gatekeepers' compliance with the DMA is March 7 so the changes are expected to be operational by then.

The iPhone maker is clearly unhappy about the obligation to display a browser choice screen. In a press release it claims the enforced change "means that EU users will be confronted with a list of default browsers before they have the opportunity to understand the options available to them".

"The screen also interrupts EU users experience the first time they open Safari intending to navigate to a webpage," it further warns, suggesting Apple may be hoping to lean into the risk of iOS users getting irritated by a choice screen popping up in place of the webpage they were trying to get to.

Irritated, choice-fatigued iOS users might be more likely to affirm Safari as their default browser just to make the screen go away. So European Commission regulators are likely to be watching and carefully assessing exactly how Apple presents these choices to decide whether or not they comply.

It's worth noting Google's Android platform has, for years, been offering choice screens to users in the EU -- following an earlier EU competition intervention -- that lets users pick between its own search engine and a list of rival search engines. However the impact of the measure has been muted.

Initially, because Google devised an auction model that require rivals to bid for slots on the choice screens. There has also been frustration from search engine competitors that the choice screen model Google deployed still creates too much friction for users to switch. Meanwhile Google continues to command a 90%+ market share of search in Europe...

Non-WebKit-based browsers incoming to iOS

Another huge change the DMA is driving on Apple will see the tech giant open up the underlying code-base browsers running on iOS can use. Currently Apple mandates third party browsers use WebKit, the same browser engine that underpins its own Safari browser. Which is why, even if you do make the effort to download and use a rival browser on iOS, the software experience can feel rather same-y.

This, too, is set to change after Apple announced yesterday it will start letting developers submit non-WebKit-based browsers -- both for full web browser apps, which offer an alternative to using Safari, and for developers offering in-app browsers for displaying webpages within their iOS apps.

Apple's restriction on browsers on iOS has been a long-standing bone of contention, with the tech giant accused of blocking innovation in the browser market by restricting user choice and developer opportunity to differentiate compared to Safari -- akin to putting a pace car on a motorway.

"Apple never allowed external web browser engines to be used in iOS," explains Lukasz Olejnik, independent researcher and consultant, and author of a cybersecurity handbook called Philosophy of Cybersecurity. "When users used other web browser apps, like Firefox or Chrome, this was still Safari's WebKit engine. No cutting-edge features could be delivered fast. There was no competition here. The whole web community complained on this for years."

The effect of Apple mandating WebKit's use has been to limit the delivery of "cutting-edge features fast", he tells TechCrunch. "The frequent complaint in the web community was the inhibition of web development in general."

iOS users should expect to see browsers with richer features as a result of the change, per Olejnik.

Article 6(4) of the DMA contains interoperability provisions that are likely the driving force for Apple to open up to non-WebKit-based browsers, as the regulation demands gatekeepers "allow and technically enable" third party apps to work with and be accessible via their platforms.

The law does not require a free-for-all, though -- with the text stipulating gatekeepers may take "strictly necessary and proportionate" measures to ensure third party software doesn't "endanger the integrity" of their hardware or software, provided any such measures are "duly justified".

Unsurprisingly, then, Apple is intending to impose a number of conditions on developers wanting to tap the chance to use non-WebKit browser engines -- including performance standards and privacy and security requirements. For example, Apple, warns developers they must: "Prioritize resolving reported [security] vulnerabilities with expedience, over new feature development." (Olejnik generally sums up the standards Apple is requiring here as "sane".)

The iPhone maker will surely be making the case to EU regulators that the standards it plans to impose on developers wanting to access the non-WebKit entitlements are "strictly necessary and proportionate" to protect the "integrity" of its platforms -- in line with what the DMA allows gatekeepers to do (provided they justify their conditions and criteria).

On the privacy side, a notable demand Apple is imposing stipulates that developers tapping the chance to offer non-WebKit-based browsers on iOS must: "Block cross-site cookies (i.e., third-party cookies) by default unless the user expressly opts to allow such cookies with informed consent".

Apple, via Safari, has long been invested in combating privacy-hostile web tracking. So, again, it's not surprising to see it making tracking-cookie-blocking a condition for the new browser entitlements. But it is notable.

The stipulation could have the effect of helping Google -- which happens to be another DMA gatekeeper; and the operator of the (also EU-designated "core platform service") Chrome browser -- as it could nudge developers towards adopting an alternative adtech stack for targeted ads that Google has been brewing for several years.

Privacy Sandbox, as Google brands the initiative -- which it's in the process of rolling out to Chrome (including on Android); meaning it's also in the process of switching off support for third party tracking-cookies -- offers a Google-devised alternative to third party cookie-based tracking and targeting, developed by Google under UK competition and privacy authority scrutiny. Its ambition is to push the revised approach to monetizing web users' attention via interest-based ad targeting across as much of the web ecosystem as it can reach.

Apple maintaining iOS as a cookie-free-tracking zone, therefore, looks helpful to Google's prospects of getting its Sandbox more widely adopted -- and unhelpful for rival adtech players who may be trying, against the odds (and with zero respect for web users' privacy), to keep tracking cookies alive.

Asked what implications there could be for Chrome in light of Apple allowing non-WebKit browsers, Olejnik suggests the move looks like a "huge" deal for Google.

"Chrome is known for fast-paced development of web and web browsers, so they have a significant leverage over Apple. This means that Apple will have to expand on web development teams," he predicts. "Otherwise they will lose on being competitive because users will change from Safari."

"Of another consequence is that should Apple decide against adopting Privacy Sandbox in its web browsing experience. It will be available on iOS anyway," he also points out. "We're speaking about multi-billion dollar market here. That's pretty significant, and I don't see this point as being properly read in public comments about this change."

EU-specific apps

A big, general limit on the browser changes from Apple is that it's stipulating developers taking advantage of the non-Webkit browser entitlements can only do so for apps available in the EU. So the new choices for browser developers are not being allowed to bleed outside the region where the DMA does not apply.

It means, for example, that a non-WebKit-based version of Chrome on iOS will be limited in terms of its growth potential to scaling within the EU market -- at least pending other laws, elsewhere, also forcing Apple to open up this element of its managed ecosystem.

The EU-only restriction also requires browser developers to, most likely, have to maintain multiple app binaries if they want to tap into the new entitlements -- generating overhead.

There's no doubt Cupertino is not going willingly into this shake-up of iOS. It's being made to enact changes because the EU passed a law. So the simple message here is that regulation works. (Or, well, that it can work. How exactly the DMA will work -- and whether or not it will really deliver the competitive boost the EU hopes -- remains to be seen.)

It could also be the case, as Apple contends, that the law ends up reducing the level of security and privacy for iOS users. (On this topic Olejnik emphasizes that "the details matter". "Questions may remain about other forms of tracking [i.e. non-cookie-based]," he warns. "Now such considerations will be mediated through the DMA competition law/policy structures, though.")

But, equally, some reduction in Apple's controlled protections may be considered a price worth paying to boost choice and competition -- provided users have real agency to choose and are properly (and fairly) informed of any risks.

"I think that the web browser change is unequivocally for the better," Olejnik also tells us. "The problem is having other in-app browsers, since many such apps lack security and privacy. But in case of legitimate web browsers, this is a change for the better. I don't see any security or privacy risks of allowing Mozilla or other legitimate web browser engines."

Beyond all that, the wider point stands -- that reigning in platform power is possible if lawmakers have a will (plus courage and grit) to get it done.

"Apple could not refuse to abide by the EU law. The biggest change in this move is certainly web browsers," says Olejnik, adding: "It turns out that all that was needed was a few years of work of Brussels policymakers and lawmakers.

"The DMA is working here. No question about it. There's more. It not only works. It would be one of the most successful technology/competition based regulations in EU history."

In one early industry reaction to Apple's moves, browser maker Opera welcomed confirmation of the incoming choice screen which it said will make it easier for iOS users to "choose their favorite browser as default also on their mobile devices". The Norway-based browser developer also indicated it plans to take advantage of a more open ecosystem for browser development on iOS by revamping its app -- announcing that it would be bringing its "AI-centric" Opera One approach to iOS.

"Beyond the new frameworks and APIs for alternative browser engines, we are also very excited about the new interoperability request form Apple announced, that will allow developers to submit additional requests for interoperability with iPhone and iOS hardware and software features, added Jrgen Arnesen, EVP mobile at Opera, in a statement. We applaud the directional changes and cant wait to showcase the new Opera One for iOS that will put AI in focus.

Reached for comment, Mozilla also shared an early reaction that's rather less welcoming. The Firefox developer told TechCrunch it's disappointed with Apple's decision to restrict the new browser entitlements to "EU-specific apps".

Here's Mozilla's statement:

We are still reviewing the technical details but are extremely disappointed with Apples proposed plan to restrict the newly-announced BrowserEngineKit to EU-specific apps. The effect of this would be to force an independent browser like Firefox to build and maintain two separate browser implementations -- a burden Apple themselves will not have to bear. Apples proposals fail to give consumers viable choices by making it as painful as possible for others to provide competitive alternatives to Safari. This is another example of Apple creating barriers to prevent true browser competition on iOS.

What the EU will make of Apple's changes also remains to be seen come early March. But, in one ominous signal for Apple today, the bloc's internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton -- when asked about the iOS maker's plans overall -- told the Reuters news agency that while "change is already happening... if the proposed solutions are not good enough, we will not hesitate to take strong action."

The DMA empowers the European Commission to levy fines of up to 10% of gatekeepers' global annual turnover for confirmed breaches, or even more in the case of repeat violations.

This report was updated with reactions to Apple's changes from browser makers, Opera, and Mozilla. We also noted Breton's remarks to Reuters. Additionally we made a minor correction: Our original report stated that the browser choice screen would be shown to users in the European Economic Area when they open Safari for the first time after they update to iOS 17.4; actually it will only be shown to users in the EU, per Apple
Donald Trump abruptly stormed out of court during closing arguments in the E. Jean Carroll damages trial Friday as her attorney was telling jurors the former president is a liar who thinks "the rules don't apply to him."

Carroll's attorney Roberta Kaplan had told the jury that Trump spent the "entire trial continuing to engage in defamation" against Carroll by calling her sexual abuse allegations against him a "con job."

"Ms. Carroll did not make it up, the sexual assault happened and his denials were all complete lies," Kaplan said.

The jury ultimately found that Carroll suffered considerable damages as a result of Trump's attacks on her and ordered that he pay her $83.3 million.

Trump returned to the courtroom for his own attorney's closing about an hour after he first walked out. He was not in the courtroom when the verdict was read.

After Trump's exit during her closing, Kaplan told the jury "he thinks with his wealth and power he can treat Ms. Carroll how he wants and will suffer no consequences." Trump, who's called Carroll "sick" and a "wack job" among other insults "can't attack her just because he feels like it," Kaplan said.

This trial was one of several that Trump, who returned to the courtroom on Thursday two days after his victory in the New Hampshire primary, is facing this year as he campaigns for re-election. And the stakes are high. In addition to Friday's verdict, Trump is all but certain to face verdicts in his New York fraud trial plus an appellate decision on his claims that presidential immunity protects him from prosecution over Jan. 6 all before the Feb. 24 South Carolina primary.

The trial got off to a rocky start Friday for the former president after he and his lawyer Alina Habba arrived in the courtroom around 10 minutes late. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan admonished her tardiness and then later threatened to place her in the lockup after she objected to his decision not to allow her to use tweets she wanted to display. Kaplan had said he couldnt read the tweets. This is entirely illegible, he said.

He also issued a not-so-veiled warning to her client, whom he reprimanded last week for making loud comments during Carrolls testimony, saying, no one is to say anything other than opposing counsel during closings. He also warned there are to be no interruptions during the proceedings.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump departs Trump Tower in New York (Eduardo Munoz / Reuters)

In her argument, Roberta Kaplan urged the jury to hit Trump with a massive punitive damages award to stop him from continuing to defame Carroll and pointed to testimony at his 2022 deposition where he bragged that his Mar-a-Lago estate was worth $1.5 billion and his Doral property was worth over $2 billion.

Trump has repeatedly offered similar values in his own defense in his New York civil fraud trial, where New York Attorney General Letitia James has sought to prove he inflated his net worth and the value of his assets.

The attorney noted that Trump has testified that he's "worth billions of dollars." "He could pay a million dollars a day for ten years and still have money in the bank," she said.

He doesnt care about the law or truth but does care about money and your decision on punitive damages is the only hope that he stops, Kaplan said, asking the jury to make him pay lots and lots of money.

Kaplan echoed one of the defamatory statements from June 2019 that Carroll sued Trump over  his contention that her allegation "is a disgrace and people should pay dearly for such false accusations." "Now is the time to make him pay for it dearly," she said.

In her closing, Habba said Trump was telling "the truth" when he denied her allegations  a claim the judge ordered stricken from the record because the former president had already been found liable for the attack.

After Habba started talking about another topic the judge had previously said was off-limits, he warned her that if she continued to violate orders there would be "consequences."

Despite the warning, Habba repeatedly cast doubt on Carroll's accusation. Habba also told the jury that Carroll "has failed to show she is entitled to any damages at all" because Trump is not to blame for the number of threats she received online after she went public. "He has as much control of social media users as he does the weather," she said.

"President Trump should not have to pay for their threats. He does not condone them. All he did was tell his truth," Habba said, leading to another objection that was sustained by the judge.

She also disputed that Carroll had suffered any emotional damages, saying "she was happy to have the support, the fame and the praise that she always craved" after she went public with her accusation.

"She actively sought the comments and the attention," Habba said.

In a rebuttal argument, Carroll's attorney Shawn Crowley said Habba had "completely misstated the facts" and made it sound like her client had asked to be abused.

Trump, she said, "lied and defamed her over and over again and that has been proven. He did those things and yet his attorney says it is her fault." Crowley said Habba argued that Trump "had a right to lie in order to defend himself."

"His truth was a lie and he has no right to say it," she continued. "That may be how Donald Trump lives his life but thats not how it works under the law."

Closing arguments concluded around 12:40 p.m. ET and the jury began deliberations around an hour later. They came to a verdict in just under three hours.

Trump delivered a dramatic but brief testimony on Thursday. Kaplan had placed strict limits on what Trump could say on the stand given that he'd already been found liable, a finding he could not contest. Nevertheless, after Habba asked whether he'd made the comments to defend himself, Trump said: "Yes. I consider it a false accusation."

The judge had indicated before Trump's testimony that he would tell the jury to ignore such declarations before it begins deliberating. "The jury will be instructed to say regardless of what he says today, it did occur, and that is the law," Kaplan said.

A different jury found Trump liable last year for sexually abusing Carroll in a New York department store in the 1990s and for defaming her by calling her a "wack job" and her claims a hoax. Kaplan used that verdict to find Trump liable in the current case, which centers on similar remarks he made about her while he was president in 2019. The jury was tasked only with determining how much or little the writer should be paid.

Trump didnt attend last year's trial and backed out of testifying, but he has been in court almost every day of the current trial. The trial was postponed for three days at the beginning of the week after a juror fell ill and Habba told the judge shed been exposed to the coronavirus and was feeling sick. She tested negative for the virus.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A female dog was rescued from the icy waters of Lake Michigan on Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The U.S. Coast Guard in Kenosha rescued a dog Thursday from the icy waters of Lake Michigan.

The Coast Guard said the incident happened near the Great Lakes Yacht Club in Kenosha Harbor at about 1:40 p.m.

Petty Officer Liam Bartram saw the dog fall off the pier near the yacht club. "Sounding the alarm, Station Kenoshas ice rescue team immediately donned their personal protective equipment and assembled their ice rescue gear," a statement from the Coast Guard reads.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Christopher Skala, Station Kenoshas Officer-in-Charge and Petty Officer Andrew Brewster rushed over to the pier and attempted to call the dog closer to the pier.

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a dog from icy Lake Michigan Thursday.

She was struggling to swim between the ice floes in the harbor and couldnt climb onto any of them," Skala said.

Skala then leaned over the edge and stretched out as far as possible as Brewster anchored his legs to the pier.

She was in the water about 15 minutes before she was able to make it close enough for us to grab her, Skala said.

Coast Guard Kenosha ice rescue team

The ice rescue team wrapped the dog in a wool warming blanket and checked for injuries before transporting her back to Station Kenosha. The dog is currently at Station Kenosha following a brief trip to the Kenosha Humane Society where she was cared for.

Anyone who believes this is their dog, should contact Station Kenosha at (262) 657-4620. As of 7:15 p.m. Thursday, the Coast Guard said no one has claimed ownership.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Coast Guard rescues dog in Kenosha from icy Lake Michigan
The Codington County Board of Commissioners took its first steps Tuesday toward exploring a new detention center.

The commissioners passed a motion to hire national jail consultant Bill Garnos, a Watertown native, to determine jail population trends for the county. Garnos study will cost $4,760.

The ensuing motion hired Tegra Group of St. Louis Park, MN as a construction consultant/county representative for the pre-design phase and potential subsequent phases if voters would approve a new jail for the county. The initial cost to the county is $19,880. If a vote is approved Tegra will receive 3% of a new jails total cost.

Both expenditures are from the $70,000 the county budgeted in 2024 for exploration of a new jail.

More: County Commission seeking designs and potential costs for new jail

Proposals to fund a new facility that would have included a jail and courtroom were defeated in 2014 and 2017. Renovating the courthouse in 2019 provided an additional courtroom.

Nate Pearson of Tegra Group answered a few commissioners questions. He said his company handles 15-25 projects a year with one-third involving South Dakota clients.

The Codington County Justice Advisory Committee, in consultation with Tegra, will review the six pre-design submissions from architectural firms. The committee will then recommend one design to the commissioners.

Both motions passed unanimously but only after an unusually long wait for a second to each motion. Commissioner Lee Gabel put forth the motion to hire Garnos, and after Chairman Randall Schweer asked for a second there was a 12-second silence before Commissioner Myron Johnson provided the second. The process was repeated on the vote to hire Tegra.

It still frustrates me that we give this individual (Garnos) in the neighborhood $5,000 for work youve already done, said Johnson, referring to 2023 jail statistics Sheriff Brad Howell and Chief Corrections Officer Matt Blackwelder had supplied earlier in the meeting.

Were able to track history. We dont have the expertise to project it, replied Gabel, referring to the need to have Garnos projections for the correct sized jail.

Howell agreed with Gabel.

I think this data could be good thing whether youre looking at a jail or not, said the sheriff. Just for future planning and future projecting for what we do in our facility. It is due diligence whether were looking at a new jail facility or not.

Both Howell and Blackwelder are concerned over an increase in violence against staff and prisoners at the jail in 2023. Blackwelder said the jails design, now 50 years old, makes it more difficult to monitor inmates when compared to newer facilities.

According to Blackwelder, the checking of inmates every 15 minutes requires each staff member to take 20,000 steps a day. He is fully confident in his staffs ability, saying 90% have had crisis training.

Earlier in the meeting the commissioners approved advertising and the eventual hiring of two more correctional officers for the jail. The additions, part of the 2024 budget, will assure that three officers are on duty at all times. Previously only two may have been working due to scheduled time off or illness.

Commissioner Troy VanDusen did not attend the meeting. The director of the Watertown 911 Center was in Pierre testifying on a bill to raise the 911 fee for telephone users from $1.25 to $2.

In other actions during the 90-minute meeting, the commissioners:

Approved workers compensation insurance for volunteer weather spotters and volunteer members of Codington County Search Rescue.

Approved members to the Local Emergency Planning Committee.

Declared a pontoon boat, motor and trailer as surplus for the purpose of being traded for new equipment.

Approved a grant application for Homeland Security funds.

Approved a payment of $16,188 for a new file server and network switches purchased from Connecting Point of Watertown. The cost will be shared among the Sheriffs Office, the Detention Center and Emergency Management.

Approved declaring a Wrangler floor scrubber as surplus to be traded for a new model.

Approved declaring as surplus for the purpose of destruction four Hewlett Packard computers, a DR grass trimmer with attachment, a Wrangler floor scrubber and a Fisher Trim-Rite sidewalk edger.

Approved the 2024 wage scale for all county employees.

The commission also heard from Todd Kays, executive director of the First District Association of Local Governments, which provides services to counties throughout the state. Kays reviewed First Districts history, funding sources and values to the 11 northeast counties it serves.

 J.T. Fey is a freelance reporter for the Watertown Public Opinion.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Codington County takes first step towards building new jail
A rendering showing the planned College of the Desert west campus in Palm Springs, as viewed looking west. The rendering was shown during a presentation given by College of the Desert President Laura Hope to the Palm Springs City Council on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024.

When College of The Deserts president was asked by Palm Springs mayor Thursday how confident she was the long-delayed Palm Springs campus will open in 2027 as scheduled, she replied with one word.

Very, said Laura Hope, the interim president and superintendent, who started at the school last year.

Hope provided that timeline near the end of a lengthy presentation she and the colleges director of West Valley education centers gave to the city council. The two discussed both the current state of plans for the campus and how COD plans to make them a reality.The timeline given by Hope, which calls for the project to go out to bid this fall with construction to begin in the winter, appeared to match the she gave during a presentation in October that was open to the community and attended by multiple city council members.

During Thursday's presentation, Hope also showed several renderings of the planned campus, which is set to take up 167,000 square feet on the southwest side of the intersection of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Farrell Drive north of Palm Springs High School. It's the former site of Palm Springs Mall.

A site plan for College of the Desert's planned west campus in Palm Springs. An "accelerator" building is shown in purple, the culinary institute in green, the event center in blue and the operations facility in orange.

Among the several slides was a site plan that showed the campus will consist of four main sections. The largest, which will be called the Accelerator and located on the southeast side of the campus, will be a multifunctional space that Hope said will be both the hub of instruction and learning on the campus and the most flexible space.

To the north of the Accelerator will be the schools Culinary Institute, which will house both culinary instructional areas and a showcase kitchen for cooking demonstrations. Hope said that area could eventually be the home of a unique bachelors degree program in casino management, the first outside of Nevada.

On the northeast corner would be a 7,000-square-foot event center. Much of the western portion of the campus, meanwhile, would be taken up by 841 parking spaces with the fourth structure, which will be used for maintenance and operations facilities, in the middle of the parking area. The director of West Valley education centers, Scott Adkins, said the number of parking spaces has been reduced from previous plans because the school believes shared transportation options will become more popular in the future.

A rendering showing the events center that is planned for College of the Desert's west campus in Palm Springs as viewed from the corner of Farrell Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way. The rendering was shown during a presentation given by College of the Desert President Laura Hope to the Palm Springs City Council on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024.

A portion of the northern section of the site fronting Tahquitz Drive would initially be developed into an open lawn area. However, the director of west valley education centers said the colleges intention was for that section to be open for future development with the addition of a learning hotel that has been dropped from current plans being one option for it.

Council praises plans, progress

Overall, the city council appeared to like what they saw from the COD leaders, with multiple members expressing support for the process and gratitude for the leaders.

Thank you, said Councilmember Lisa Middleton. This has been a long time coming and there have been some detours along the way. But what we are seeing today is I think reflective of what was promised to the community and what the community wanted to see happen.

Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein echoed Middletons comments, thanking Hope and saying that while it had taken a long time, it was great to see the campus becoming a reality.

A rendering showing the interior of the Accelerator building on the planned Palm Springs campus of College of the Desert.

Those comments presented a marked shift from the frostiness that has defined much of the councils dialogue with college leaders over the past few years, which saw councilmembers question and, at times, criticize the colleges leadership over the failure go break ground nearly two decades after Palm Springs residents first voted to provide nearly $350 million in funding to build a campus in Palm Springs.

Those tensions reached a zenith in September 2022 when the council sued the college for failing to provide public records related to decision making around the campus.

Councilmember Christy Holstege directly invoked some of the issues Thursday, saying that she and Middleton had served on the council since 2017 and had previously been assured that shovels would be in the ground by 2022 and the campus completed by 2024. However, she too praised the recent progress.

Yes, weve been on some detours and some difficult places and Im just grateful for the college and the board of trustees commitment to this campus, she said.

Middleton also praised the involvement of Ron Oden, a former Palm Springs mayor who was elected to represent Palm Springs and a sliver of Cathedral City on the colleges board of trustees in May 2023.

During the presentation, Hope said the college has committed $405.7 million to the project and has already spent $56 million. She said that in the past week, the board had unanimously approved the issuance of $200 million in bonds. She then said a lot of things are going to start happening, including the submission of plans for the campus to the state for its approval and then the start of planning for construction.

She noted that in November, the college had completed the design development process which involve the determination of specific materials in the project and the creation of scale drawings. She sad the final most detailed drawings that will be used to guide construction will be finished this spring.

She also added that she is confident in the timeline she gave in part because the school has already been in touch with the state about how to expedite the approval process, which she said can sometimes be the longest part of a state campus project.

Once we get that feedback and we get any direction from them, we can start moving very quickly, she said. And I think the $200 million bond sale is indicative of the board's confidence in that timeline as well, because we need access to that cash in order to move forward.

Paul Albani-Burgio covers growth, development and business in the Coachella Valley. Follow him on Twitter at @albaniburgiop and email him at paul.albani-burgio@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: COD president says she is confident in 2027 opening of new campus
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Construction has begun on Wichitas first Culvers.

Nick Campe, the franchisee, held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning.

The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce says Campe is looking forward to sharing his passion for Culvers with the community by creating a family-friendly environment while supporting local schools.

Which foreign countries are buying Kansas farmland? How to know

The first Culvers in Wichita will be at 3204 N. Maize Rd., near West 29th Street North and North Maize Road.

Culvers is known for their butterburgers and frozen custard, which has a flavor of the day. You can sign up for a monthly forecast online.

The west Wichita Culvers is expected to be opening this summer.

To read more about Culvers, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Update on the construction at Summers County Comprehensive High School

HINTON, WV (WVNS)  More than 6 months ago, 59News got a first look at the current construction at Summers County Comprehensive High School.

Back then, workers had just started to lay out the foundation and plans of the extension.

Since then, construction workers and planners have made considerable progress.

David Warvel, Superintendent for Summers County Schools, said the progress has been smooth so far despite the recent winter weather.

Now theyre going to be dealing with all that snow melt and rain so that means more wet weather and wet ground. It makes it a little tough on the guys that are working there. But I havent heard them complain, they kind of act like no big deal and theyve done this before, Warvel said.

Local first responder warns about rockslides in Summers County

In the past 6 months, the workers have updated the interior to the new classrooms.

This includes adding roofing, wire work, and even the new lockers. They also painted the interior, though extra coats of paint are expected.

Its been an exciting time for both teachers and students interested in the new construction.

Kids can see bureaucracy at its best but they can also see the different types of people who put together a building to make it all work. If youre interested in electrical, theyre a job for you. If youre interested in concrete, a job for you and so on and so forth. Its pretty exciting for kids to come and check that out, Warvel said.

When asked about what hes most excited for, Warvel said its individual identity.

Winter months hit tourism-dependent businesses hard

Since 2020, middle schoolers students have needed to share the same building with the high schoolers.

Warvel hopes the middle school extension will give students and teachers a sense of pride and accomplishment.

They want their own place and I get that. Thats the thing Im most excited about for them because I feel the same way. Are we almost there yet and I know were not but we are, Warvel said.

Warvel said construction is at least 70% completed. The projected time of completion is June of this year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper was in Concord Thursday to tour C.C. Griffin STEM Middle School.

Cooper discusses importance of having the arts in the curriculum

The governor plans to visit schools across the state after announcing Wednesday that his final year in office will be the year of public schools.

The future of our state goes to classes in a public school, and we must invest in that future, Cooper said.

Cooper highlighted the Cabarrus County school districts 89% graduation rate, which is higher than the statewide rate of 87%.

VIDEO: INTERVIEW: Cooper discusses strides made in 2023 and what to expect this year
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Federal health officials say a brand of cough syrup sold nationally is being recalled due to contamination concerns.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Haleon is voluntarily recalling eight lots of its Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult and Robitussin Honey CF Max Nighttime Adult due to microbial contamination. The concern primarily lies with immunocompromised people as taking the recalled products could result in life-threatening events such as fungemia or disseminated fungal infection.

Those who are not immunocompromised are not likely to encounter life-threatening issues. However, the FDA warns that use of the recalled product may still result in a dangerous infection.

The product was sold to consumers nationally, including in Kansas, according to the FDA. Haleon has yet to receive any reports of illness attached to the recalled products which include:

Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult 4 oz Lot number  T10810 Expiry date  Oct. 31, 2025

Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult 8 oz Lot numbers  T08730, T08731, T08732, T07833 and T10808 Expiry dates  Are May 31, 2025 for all of the above lot numbers except for T10808 which is Sept. 30, 2025.

Robitussin Honey CF Max Nighttime Adult 8 oz Lot numbers  T08740 and T08742 Expiry dates  June 30, 2026



(Photo Courtesy/FDA)

(Photo Courtesy/FDA)

(Photo Courtesy/FDA)

State of Kansas to turn 163-years-old, heres how to help celebrate

If you purchased any of the recalled products, you are encouraged to avoid using them immediately. You can call Haleon at 1-800-245-1040 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST Monday through Friday or send an email to mystory.us@haleon.com.

The FDA urges those who have experienced health problems after coming into contact with the recalled products to reach out to their healthcare provider. You can make reports of adverse reactions to the recalled products by contacting the FDAs MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
The demise of Oakland's only In-N-Out restaurant due to increasing crime could be the last straw for community members  and possibly a blessing in disguise for local leaders who've been pleading for help.

This week, In-N-Out announced that the burger joint near Hegenberger Road, a main route to and from the Oakland International Airport, would close its doors in March.

"Despite taking repeated steps to create safer conditions, our customers and associates are regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft and armed robberies," Denny Warnick, chief operating officer for the company, said in a statement.

Some Oakland residents believe the crime problem persists at least in part because of Mayor Sheng Thao.

The group Oakland United to Recall Sheng Thao, led by a former Alameda County Superior Court judge whom Thao removed from the city's Police Commission in June, has faulted the mayor for not declaring a state of emergency on crime, not replacing the police chief she fired in February, and missing the application deadline last year when Gov. Gavin Newsom's office offered more than $276 million to cities and counties to fight retail thefts.

On Friday, the group published a notice of intent to recall and plans to start collecting signatures in early February for a petition to put a recall on the ballot. The mayor did not respond to the notice by the legal deadline, the group said on X, formerly Twitter, so the recall petition won't include any response from Thao to the group's criticisms.

"After missing the deadline to apply for a retail theft grant worth millions of dollars to assist Oakland in battling crime, she has now failed once again to respond to voters as to why she should not be recalled," Seneca Scott, spokesperson for the group, said on X. "Mayor Thao must realize that there is no defense for the indefensible. The current state of Oakland is deplorable, and she is directly at fault."

In a statement to The Times, Thao said, "As mayor, I have prioritized this critical gateway to Oakland and surged police presence and employed technology to deter and respond to criminal behavior."

Thao said the added public safety resources have led to a reduction in property crimes along the Hegenberger corridor.

"However, more is necessary, and I will be working with regional and state leaders to protect this tourist gateway into Oakland," she said.

Others in the city believe the current situation is largely the result of state or local laws that they believe impede enforcement, such as Proposition 47 from 2014 and Proposition 57 from 2016. In a statement, the Oakland Latino Chamber of Commerce said In-N-Out's decision to close its Oakland outlet is sad, but departures like that are happening more and more in their communities.

"Many businesses small and large in the state are suffering from ongoing crime, and a lot of times the police have their hands tied and can't do much because of a city ordinance or laws that end up protecting criminals instead of the victims," the statement said.

The chamber said,"when the city, state leaders and prosecutors do very little to stop crime, this is the end result, businesses close and people start giving up."

Several In-N-Out restaurants have been relocated over the course of its 75-year history. But the Oakland location will be the first the company has had to close.

"We feel the frequency and severity of the crimes being encountered by our customers and associates leave us no alternative," Warnick said, despite the location being "busy and profitable." The company can't ask its customers or employees "to visit or work in an unsafe environment," Warnick said.

The move drew headlines across the country, in part because it reinforced the argument by some conservative pundits that the liberal Bay Area is being destroyed by crime. The politics surrounding the closure became so intense, the largest group of In-N-Out aficionados on Facebook decided to ban posts about the Oakland closure, SFGate reported.

In an interview, Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid conceded that her district is reeling from rampant crime, but said she regrets that this caused the company to close its doors. It wasn't the first, as many local businesses have had to close their operations.

Reid has been dealing with the problem since she took office in January 2021.

What should be a welcoming economic hub for locals and tourists coming into the city from the airport is instead a place where "you have to look all around you when you're pumping gas," Reid said.

The community "lives in the midst of all the disparities that you can imagine [and] we carry the weight of that in this district," she said.

For the last two years the councilmember has been calling on local, regional and state partners to create a regional interagency public safety task force because the current siloed approach isn't addressing the problem.

The councilmember's office has been wrestling with the issue from different angles, including adding more foot patrols, securing a commitment from the California Highway Patrol to dedicate overtime hours to the area, increasing efforts to suppress burglaries, and obtaining $1 million for community safety ambassadors.

Reid said the district saw a 40% reduction in crime, and yet "you'll hear from businesses that it's not enough." The councilmember doesn't contradict them.

"People are showing up in this corridor like [committing crimes] is their everyday job," she said. "They're clocking in and clocking out and wreaking havoc in between."

In bimonthly meetings, Reid gets about 75 business owners at the table with department leaders, faith leaders, the neighborhood council, the police department and the sheriff's department to figure out what can be done.

"We are a force multiplier of advocacy, to put a demand on our city and county local leaders to get the resources into this corridor to make it look clean and beautiful ... and tackle this crime issue," she said.

In 2023, auto burglaries in the area dropped 23% from the previous year's total due in part to additional resources deployed by the Oakland Police Department from July through December.

While progress has been made in one section of the city, the Oakland Police Department's crime analysis of gunfire show that reports of violence throughout Oakland have risen 21% last year compared with 2022.

Against this backdrop, Oakland's 700-person police department has been operating with a vacuum at the top since last February, when Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong was fired for mishandling police misconduct cases. At the end of 2023, the Oakland Police Commission presented Thao with three potential candidates, and she rejected all of them.

Tim Gardner, co-founder of the online publication Oakland Report, criticized the decision to fire Armstrong, saying Armstrong fostered relationships and trust with the community. Thao, he said, has lost that trust.

He's appealed to the City Council to establish a task force dedicated to improving public safety, with regular reports to the community to track its progress. The council didn't bite.

"[Councilmember Reid] was the most engaged and responsive of the council members, all the others kind of wanted to avoid it," he said. "Because to put together a task force that is dedicated to the safety problem, would kind of be an admission that you have a problem."

Even though Gardner doesn't live in Reid's district, he said residents throughout the city need to hold their local leaders accountable to do more to ensure public safety. He said what affects one district, affects them all.

Reid is trying to create a different kind of task force, a regional one that would be held accountable for the situation in her community. In the short term, she said, many people are reaching out to help.

She said she hopes they'll stay long after the spotlight cast by In-N-Out's departure fades.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
FALL RIVER  Its been debated in Government Center and by the public for the past six months, but Tuesday the City Council finally made the decision to reject the sale of the Bank Street Armory to a local developer who would have created market rate housing in the historic structure.

With a 6-3 vote to not sell the former armory building to Alan Macomber, the principal in the development company Main Street Projects, the councilors had varying reasons for their votes.

Some councilors, like Michelle Dionne and Council President Joseph Camara, have all along wanted the armory to stay in the hands of the city and be renovated to serve organizations supporting veterans and youth, once again.

City Councilor Cliff Ponte said he isnt opposed to selling off the property, but he doesnt approve of Macombers plan to turn the more than 125-year-old castle-like structure into market rate housing.

Market rate housing plan The Bank Street Armory sale is paused after objections.

City Council Vice President Linda Pereira, a vocal opponent of the sale, wants to work with the citys Historical Commission to acquire grants to fund repairs at the armory and use the space for things like office space and cultural events.

The Bank Street Armory in Fall River.

Big plans 'Thats what we need, people downtown': Mayor eyes redevelopment of Armory into event center

How much would it cost to renovate the Bank Street Armory?

The administration has estimated it would cost $10 million to $12 million to renovate the armory and more than $500,000 annually to maintain it if the city was to keep the property.

I would like to see it get under the control of the Historic Commission, said Pereira. And apply for Community Preservation Act money. The Community Preservation Committee has money, but they want to know what the plan is, and I agree. They arent going to give money and not have a plan.

A plastic garbage can is full of water dripping from the exposed brick in an upper floor at the Bank Street Armory in Fall River is seen in this Herald News file photo from February 2023.

Pereira acknowledged that it would take time to secure funding to renovate the armory, generating money through renting space would help pay for its operation.

Bank Street Armory redevelopment A plan to turn the Bank Street Armory into new apartments has collapsed. Here's why.

All those rooms on the top floors can certainly be rented, the veterans can go there, you could have a community space. It would pay for itself, said Pereira.

Mayor set to meet with Historic Commission

Macomber was the lone respondent to a request for proposals to purchase the armory and redevelop it. Macomber offered the minimum bid of $200,000 to purchase the property and create a $13 million market rate development.

Mayor Paul Coogan had been negotiating with another developer with experience in converting old armories into event centers, like the one in Pawtucket, Rhode Island since early 2020. Talks stalled and the developer pulled out of the project in late 2022.

Coogan, said the Council made its decision and he respects it, and go forward and work on it.

He has plans to meet with members of the Historical Commission to discuss the armory.

Were going to talk about what their plans are, what theyre looking for and see how they plan to fund it, said Coogan.

What kind of repairs does the Bank Street Armory need?

Members of the Council have discussed securing $600,000 in CPA funding to button up the armory from the elements so that the building isnt further compromised.

The administration already used $400,000 in CPA funding to repair the roof and chimney.

The armory was completed in 1897, built for $150,000 to house the citys 1st Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Militia and the Company F Naval Brigade Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.

A new armory was built by the state on Dwelly Street in the mid-1950's and later the city purchased the property for $1 in 1976.

It was home to several non-profits, veterans and a civic center until 2015 when the city building inspector shut it down due to structural issues. Its been used as storage since then.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: City Council in a 6-3 vote rejects the sale of the Bank Street Armory
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The Ottawa County commissioners accused in a lawsuit of violating Michigans Open Meetings Act are in the clear, the Court of Appeals ruled this week.

The three county residents who filed the suit in March argued that members of the conservative Ottawa Impact political action violated the law when they decided secretly on several extra agenda items, including ousting the county administrator and health officer and closing the diversity, equity and inclusion office, before they voted in their first public meeting on Jan. 3.

Appeal filed in Open Meetings Act suit against Ottawa County commissioners

In July, a judge threw out the lawsuit, agreeing with the commissioners lawyer that the commissioners were not bound by the Open Meetings Act until they were sworn in on Jan. 3.

The ruling this week upholds a decision by a Muskegon County judge that the commissioners were not bound by the Open Meetings Act until they were sworn in.

In February, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said she could not file criminal charges against members of the board, saying that she did not find actionable violation, though she said she believes the commissioners violated the spirit of the Open Meetings Act.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
A New Jersey appellate court Thursday rejected an appeal by serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, who was convicted of the murders of three women in 2016 and the attempted murder of a fourth woman. He was sentenced in 2021 to 160 years in prison.

In his appeal, Wheeler-Weaver, of Orange, claimed there were errors by the judge during the trial and that the sentence was "excessive." However, the appeals court wrote, "the enormity of the sentence is amply justified by the horrific nature of defendant's crimes."

Wheeler-Weaver's appeal contended that each victim's case should have been tried separately, that the "judge improperly instructed the jury on how to consider the evidence of the multiple criminal episodes," that police violated his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and that the judge erred when informing the jury of the Miranda warning.

The appeals court rejected each claim, although it did take issue with the judge's instructions regarding Miranda rights. The court said "the error does not rise to the level of plain error warranting reversal of defendant's trial convictions."

While serving his sentence, Wheeler-Weaver was charged in 2022 in the death of a 15-year-old Newark girl who went missing in 2016. Prosecutors said he was convicted of the other killings before he was linked to the death of Mawa Doumbia, who was last seen leaving her home in Newark by her father and sister on Oct. 7, 2016.

Past coverage: The system didn't care when Robin West disappeared. Now, her murderer faces justice again.

Over 84 days in 2016, Wheeler-Weaver killed three women: Sarah Butler of Montclair, Robin West of Philadelphia, and Joanne Brown of Newark. Another victim, Tiffany Taylor, escaped. In addition to three murder counts and attempted murder, he was convicted of kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, desecration of human remains and aggravated arson.

The stories of Wheeler-Weaver's victims and their families were explored in a special report from NorthJersey.com after the trial ended in December 2019.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver has appeal rejected
When the COVID-19 vaccines first hit the market, there was little to no vaccine safety data for pregnant women. Thats because the manufacturers didnt test the vaccines on this population, a move that spoke to a long-lived trend in America's healthcare system in which pregnant women are actively excluded from the clinical vaccine trials and critical research in healthcare.

At the time, experts told Salon that the move blatantly failed to protect pregnant women, especially those who were frontline workers. It also fueled vaccine hesitancy, which was already a problem within the pregnant and non-pregnant community.

But since then, multiple studies including hundreds of thousands of people have effectively demonstrated that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe for pregnant women both before and after pregnancy. In contrast, COVID-19 infection during pregnancy appears to be much more dangerous. Several studies have found that those who have COVID-19 during pregnancy are more likely to be at risk of preterm birth, stillbirth, preeclampsia and other pregnancy complications.

This week, a new study published in the journal Nature Communications found that infants born full-term to mothers who were infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy were three times more likely to have trouble breathing immediately after birth compared to infants whose mothers weren't infected with the virus. The study had 221 mothers who were enrolled; 68 percent of which were unvaccinated prior to their COVID-19 infection. Of the 34 infants who were born with respiratory issues, only 5 were born to mothers who had been vaccinated  indicating that COVID-19 vaccines have a protective effect.

Babies who had been born to mothers who had received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine in pregnancy before they got sick, actually had no respiratory distress, senior author Dr. Karin Nielsen, a professor of pediatrics in the division of pediatric infectious diseases at University of California-Los Angeles, told Salon. There was a three-chance higher risk of having respiratory distress for the babies born to unimmunized mothers.

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The study went beyond identifying this association and dug deeper into the potential mechanism as to why this could be happening. Importantly, the infants who had respiratory distress werent infected with COVID-19 themselves, but something was going on that made it difficult for them to breathe. Nielsen and her colleagues proceeded to do a molecular analysis called proteomics which looks at markers of inflammation in the blood. They found that the infants who experienced respiratory distress had malfunctioning cilia in their airways, which refers to the hair-like structures that cleanse the airways of inhaled particles and pathogens.

Babies that had the respiratory distress, at least at the molecular level, it seemed that the cilia weren't functioning very well, she said. They also had much higher inflammation in their blood markers, and they also had higher IgE levels, an immunoglobulin associated with reactive airway disease, asthma and other breathing problems.

Nielsen said that the inflammation caused by COVID-19 leads to an inflammatory response in the infants as well.

Its not like the inflammation of the mother crosses the placenta and reaches the baby, those proteins in the mother's blood don't cross the placenta, but the baby develops an inflammatory response of their own developing in the womb in the presence of ongoing inflammation, she said. Its important because this is a serious condition, a newborn that can't breathe is a life-threatening condition.

The COVID-19 vaccine doesnt entirely protect against infection, but it decreases the likelihood of someone having a severe case of the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible. Long COVID, a condition in which the symptoms of COVID last for months or never resolve, is uncommon in infants, but it does happen and it can be very debilitating in children. The symptoms can also look different from adults, according to the National Institutes of Health.

A study published this month in The Lancet reported "Vaccination against COVID-19 consistently reduced the risk of long COVID symptoms." The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists strongly recommends COVID vaccines for pregnant individuals, no matter what trimester. Unfortunately, only about 1 in 5 people over age 18 have gotten the latest COVID vaccines, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The way the vaccines help, according to Nielsen, is it primes the immune system by potentially reducing the inflammatory response, which could be why it helps decrease the chances of an infant being born with breathing issues. Nielsen said the potential impact can extend beyond the first few days of an infants life, too.In fact, the researchers are looking ahead to doing another analysis to see if these infants have breathing issues or asthma.

They could have problems later in terms of more recurrent respiratory infections she said. This could trigger more reactive airway disease or even damage to the lung tissue, so we are going to look at that.
Fewer than 4 in 10 nursing home residents have received the latest Covid shot  despite the carnage in the facilities since the disease first swept through in 2020.

The Biden administration and the care industry agree they share responsibility  but that hasnt stopped them from blaming each other.

Xavier Becerra, the secretary of Health and Human Services, has held two meetings with representatives of the facilities since Dec. 21 to remind them that they must offer residents the shots. But nursing homes say the federal government needs to pay them more to administer the jabs  and Becerra needs to do a better job persuading people to get vaccinated.

Americans look to you as the highest public health official in the land; it would speak volumes if, in addition to other actions, you appealed directly to residents and their family members, Katie Smith Sloan, president of industry group LeadingAge, wrote in a Dec. 22 letter to Becerra.

More than 170,000 nursing home residents have died since Covid arrived four years ago. But after the all-hands-on-deck effort to vaccinate elderly people in 2020 and 2021, Americas most vulnerable citizens are now largely on their own.

Sloan gave Becerra a to-do list to help the homes: allow them to make small vaccine orders that fit slackening demand, enlist hospitals in the vaccination campaign, permit the industry to bill Medicare more for administering the shots, and come up with a message that works.

A day later, at the second meeting, Becerra didnt offer new aid, but did reiterate the federal rules requiring homes to offer vaccines.

We've chased down all these to-do items for three years running  I don't think they've had the impact, one senior administration official, granted anonymity to discuss the administrations response, said of the nursing homes demands. The person said the agency would examine the latest requests and continue to work with the industry, but was skeptical it would radically change the outcome even if the administration acceded to them.

I don't think this letter with the items in it, even if we checked off every box, would all of a sudden, magically change the vaccination rate, the official said.

'We know they can do it'

Nursing home residents, because of their age and underlying conditions, are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19.

When the first Covid shots arrived in nursing homes late in 2020 in government-run clinics, almost every resident chose vaccination  a massive relief, given the outsize death toll in the homes to that point.

[The administration] had the major pharmacies that were on board. They brought the clinics to the nursing homes and by and large, the residents received their vaccines, David Grabowski, professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School, recalled.

But that success has faded along with the broader vaccination campaign.

Theres no clear answer why, but two shifts have likely contributed, according to industry and government leaders.

First, interest in vaccination has declined as they proved unable to halt transmission, as have disagreements over who needs an annual shot  even as theres consensus among experts that elderly people do.

Second, the administration stopped buying and managing distribution of the shots starting with the rollout of the updated vaccine last September.

The move coincided with the administrations decision to end the public health emergency, which justified the move to shift responsibility to insurers, pharmacies, doctors offices and the other private health care organizations that manage other vaccinations.

For nursing homes, that means they have to source the shots and manage how theyre given, creating logistical and reimbursement challenges.

Though government and industry leaders agree that a number of other factors could also be at play, the result is clear: Only 38 percent of nursing home residents have gotten the most recent shot  a significant drop from the initial vaccination campaign.

Theres a wide variation among states. Both North and South Dakota report more than 60 percent of nursing home residents are vaccinated whereas only 20.1 percent of Arizona nursing home residents are.

And Covid continues to claim lives in the homes  nearly 600 residents died in the first two weeks of 2024. As of Jan. 14, more than 14,700 Covid-19 cases were confirmed among nursing home residents since the start of winter  a much lower rate of cases than in previous years.

People in the administration point to discrepancies across states as reason to believe providers could do more.

At some homes, most residents are vaccinated, at others almost no one, leading Becerra to remind nursing home executives that they are legally required to at least offer shots to their residents.

We know they can do it, the administration official said. Better is possible.

And the administration can point to facilities, such as those in the Dakotas, that have vaccinated most of their residents.

Its absolutely about that trust, said Dr. Jeremy Cauwels, who oversees the Good Samaritan Society, South Dakota-based Sanford Healths long-term care provider.

He said yearslong relationships with patients were powerful enough to overcome vaccine skepticism. In some Sanford-owned facilities, he said uptake is over 90 percent.

'Bully pulpit'

Sloan acknowledged that some homes are doing a better job than others in vaccinating residents  more than half of residents at LeadingAge facilities have had the latest shot  indicating that the facilities can help boost trust.

But she also said she has noticed the administration doing less to persuade Americans to get vaccinated than it did in the past.

One of the things that we talked to the secretary about was really the role that HHS in particular can play in using its bully pulpit as the primary public health communicator in the country, Sloan said. That, to me, is a huge, huge role.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Mandy Cohen told POLITICO in October that getting nursing home residents vaccinated was a top priority for her agency given the risk they face.

Leading up to this virus season, and throughout the fall, CDC worked with other federal agencies, state and local health departments, and health care partners to address vaccine access issues and encourage uptake. We expect to see improvement, an agency spokesperson wrote in an email.

But some in the administration also said that its appropriate that the shift from a government-run distribution system to one managed by the private sector should also mean a shift away from the governments pandemic role promoting vaccination.

There was some thought that maybe it might be better if the messaging came from the manufacturers and from private entities, the senior official said, believing that the hard sell from the administration was merely reinforcing vaccine skepticism in some communities.
"The United Kingdom will fully support an expanded Chinese role in international financial institutions."

"The UK wanted to see China occupy a rightful place in both the IMF and the World Bank."

"It's a signal we have been waiting for and very much welcome."



--Duncan Sparkes, counselor for trade and economic policy of the British Embassy in Beijing
The Fort Worth of the 1800s, a hub of livestock trading and a living monument to cowboy culture, hasnt died.

While it may have faded and can be overshadowed by the urban sprawl that has expanded over much of North Texas, the citys history and culture take center stage each year during the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Ranchers, farmers, horse trainers and livestock traders flock to the city where the west begins for 23 days of competitions, auctions and education.

They come from all across the country, from just down the road to driving for days from places like Oregon, Wisconsin, Montana and the Dakotas.

JANUARY 18, 2:10 p.m.

Megean Pretre of Paris, TX shears Sunshine, a Southdown breeding sheep, for her daughter, Sarea, 12.. The sheep are shorn once they arrive at the barns in order for the judges to see the anatomy of the sheep better.

Junior Heifers

One building was filled with the almost deafening hum of high-power hair dryers and the occasional moo. A steady stream of trucks with trailers flowed into parking spots outside as parents and their teenage children unloaded cattle.

Among them, 17-year-old Kilye Winge and 18-year-old Kaylan Kiser were getting ready for the junior heifer competition. This would be the girls last years competing. Both brought Angus heifers they hoped would show off their ability to recognize sound structure, balance and stoutness.

For Winge and Kiser, who grew up with cattle and around livestock competitions, the best part of showing heifers is the community and friendships theyve built.

JANUARY 18, 2:26 p.m.

Raelin Musgrove, 17, from Detroit, Texas, walks her Red Angus heifer Zuzu into the cattle barn. Musgrove owns her own cattle company after starting with two cows bought from her grandmother. Its a small little herd, but its a herd, said Musgrove. She now has a herd of seven.

Community and friendships also have played a big role in 17-year-old Braden Roehlings time participating in junior heifer competitions. But more than that, he said he has learned skills he can use in his future career in agriculture.

Roehling has been involved in rodeos and livestock competitions since he was a young child. He started off with mutton busting, like so many others who found a place in this world. He tried team roping and even bull riding, but a few years back found himself interested in raising and showing junior longhorns.

It started off as just an interest but I raise and sell cattle now, Roehling said.

JANUARY 18, 2:49 p.m.

Ashlyn Leyva, 17, right, helps set up the pens for Aledo FFA at Cattle Barn 1 at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Leyva said that setting up usually takes a couple hours, but the real wait is in the trailer line. The group began the process at 6 a.m.

Like Winge and Kiser, 2024 would be his last year showing junior heifers at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. He brought his simmental, Karrie, with hopes of finishing his career in junior heifers proud of what hes accomplished.

For Roehling, one of the best parts of competing at the stock show in Fort Worth is the ability to style Karries hair. Its not something that is commonly accepted in Texas competitions, but he said he enjoys adding another aspect.

Roehling came to Fort Worth from Hempstead, near Houston, with a blow dryer and a can of cattle hair spray. The goal is to highlight Karries features that will hopefully impress the judges and even have an opportunity to lessen the impact of anything that might lower his score.

Its also just fun, Roehling said.

JANUARY 18, 4:14 p.m.

Bode Halamiek, 8, of Mason, right, tries to rope a toy steer while playing with Kaden Klepac, 5, of Fredericksburg, top left, and Hayden Hohertz, 6, of Zephyr at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

While he placed fourth of six in his class, Roehling isnt ending his career with cattle there. He starts at Texas Tech in the fall, where hell be double majoring in agricultural business and agricultural economics. Roehling said his time raising heifers and showing them has left him with skills he knows will be useful not just in his future career but also in college. Hes had to learn confidence in public speaking and self discipline.

The cows dont care if its cold or hot or raining or anything, they need food and water and someone to make sure theyre safe and have what they need, Roehling told the Star-Telegram. You wake up early to take care of your cattle. You go to bed late after making sure theyre safe and have what they need. It teaches you a good work ethic.

JANUARY 18, 5:03 p.m.

Participants in the Jr. Beef Heifer Show of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo walk their cows by the sheep barn after arriving to the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo for a weekend of competition.

JANUARY 18, 6:20 p.m.

Marcelo Aguilar watches his daughter ride on the Big Kahuna ride in the carnival midway area of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

Mustangs

Other competitors, like Jessica Flaherty, came to show off different skills. The 23-year-old drove from Maine with Waffles, a buckskin horse she bought in Oregon, for the mustang competition.

About four months ago, Waffles was a wild, untrained horse. By the time Flaherty showed up at the stock show, she was confident in the training she and the horse had been through together.

You have to build a bond quickly, Flaherty told the Star-Telegram. You get 120 days to break and train the mustangs, and thats not a lot of time. You have to get comfortable with each other. You have to learn how to train them, the best methods. You have to learn to trust these horses that have never been handled by a human, and show them they can trust you.

JANUARY 18, 7:48 p.m.

Eliot Holtzman of Versatile Horsemanship takes care of his show horse Cuban over night in their stalls at the Burnett Building in the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Holtzman and his wife Catie compete in the Mustang Champions Freestyle competition where they impress the judges with tricks and creativity.

JANUARY 18, 8:07 p.m.

Show horse Mocha Bay Latte gets ready to warm up for the Mustang Magic Freestyle competition held on Friday with his owner Chris Phillips in the Exercise Arena in the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

Flaherty first started training mustangs in 2015, but shes been riding horses since she was 3 years old. She grew up around horses and has loved them her whole life. Wearing chaps and a brimmed hat, she stood in the stalls Jan. 18 brushing and tacking Waffles. The smell of dirt, hay and horse manure permeated the building. Waffles, patient and unbothered as onlookers walked around and stopped to gaze, nickered as another horse on the other side of the massive stalls whinnied.

Flaherty and Waffles didnt win the mustang competitions  made up of the hands on, pattern riding, trail and for the top 10 finishes the freestyle classes. They placed fifth. But the hard work paid off. An auction that followed the competition saw Waffles go to a new owner for $14,000, the highest price of the night.

Chris Phillips won the competition. His mustang, WFR Mocha Bay Latte, sold for the second highest price. It was $3,500 less than Waffles sold for.

JANUARY 18, 9:32 p.m.

Landon, 10, and Faithlynn Ziegler, 8, exchange friendly competitive banter about who has won more competitions while shearing their sheep Minnie Mouse in the sheep stables at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. The Ziegler family comes from San Antonio where they are competing in the Dorper Sheep Show Youth Division. Although they have competed and won in multiple regional competitions, this is their first one competing on this large of a scale.

JANUARY 19, 12:17 a.m.

Nate Stoesser, 15, unloads his steer Charlene out of her trailer with the help of his mother Meredith in the Cattle 2 barn over night at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

JANUARY 19, 6:33 a.m.

Marisa Sutton, 12, rests with her heifer after a long day of unloading and setting up her pen at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

JANUARY 19, 6:49 a.m.

James Milam, 64, prepares a bottle to feed kid goats at the the photo stand at the entrance of the Sheep Barn at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. The photo stand, operated by LBR Ranch for 39 years, offers photos with goat kids or ponies. Milam says he prefers then Nigerian goats with their pointy ears.

JANUARY 19, 7:50 a.m.

The sun rises as participants in the Jr. Beef Heifer Show of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo bring in their cows from being tied up outside for the night.

JANUARY 19, 8:35 a.m.

Lauren Krenek, 15, feeds her short horn show cow Lulu in the morning at their stall at the Cattle 2 barn in the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

JANUARY 19, 10:41 a.m.

A baby piglet wake up from a morning nap in the FFA Childrens Barnyard area at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

JANUARY 19, 11:13 a.m.

Cousins Tripp Jones, 8, and Riggin Purcell, 8, take their cow Goldilocks on a walk in the morning behind the Cattle 2 barn at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

JANUARY 19, 11:57 a.m.

Kayler Campbell, a mobile dairy classroom instructor, begins to milk Buttercup with a milking machine for a cow milking demonstration for elementary school students in the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

Ally the cow walks into her stable to prepare for a cow milking demonstration for elementary school students in the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

JANUARY 19, 12:31 p.m.

Abigail Leylands cow Tiana feeds her newborn twins in her pen in Cattle 2 at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

JANUARY 19, 1:13 p.m.

The Ziegler family walk their competition sheep into the arena for The Flock competition at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

JANUARY 19, 1:30 p.m.

Jevin Gonce left, and Abigail Neyland attempt to move one of the newborn twins into their outside pen in the Cattle 2 barn at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

JANUARY 19, 2:15 p.m.

A show bull is auctioned off in the West Arena at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
The Canadian government's use of emergency powers against the Freedom Convoy protest of restrictive COVID-19 policies was unreasonable and led to the infringement of individual rights, a federal judge ruled this week. The case was brought by two protesters whose bank accounts were frozen, with support from civil liberties groups. While the plaintiffs will receive some compensation for legal costs, the main result of the decision, which the government plans to appeal, is to limit the power of the state to treat political opposition as an "emergency." It also further hobbles the prospects of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is wildly unpopular among Canadians.

Pandemic Policy and Pushback

While Americans argued over pandemic restrictions from the beginning, with opponents taking to the streets and the courts, lockdowns were more draconian in many other countriesincluding Canada.

"The onset of COVID-19 in March 2020 brought restrictions on personal activities and business activities across the country," notes Statistics Canada. "The policies and mandates put in place to address the spread of COVID-19 were adapted as successive waves of the pandemic provided more data and insight on how the disease was affecting Canadian society."

As elsewhere, such measures initially won compliance. But as business closures and other restrictions took their toll on people's livelihoods and their sanity, angry Canadians sued, agitated, and protested against vaccine mandates and lingering restrictions. In January 2022, the Freedom Convoy, which started with truckers, converged on Ottawa so participants could voice their concerns to the federal government. Compared to demonstrations pretty much anywhere else, the convoy was only mildly disruptive. But Canada isn't accustomed to large displays of dissent.

"By the standards of mass protests around the world, the 'Freedom Convoy' snarling Downtown Ottawa ranks as a nuisance," The New York Times editorialized on February 10, 2022. "The number of protesters, about 8,000 at their peak, is modest."

Four days later, panicked by the modest nuisance, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the never-before-used Emergencies Act to authorize extraordinary measures against the protest. In particular, the government froze the bank accounts of over 250 people and businesses linked to the protest, without due process, and compelled reluctant towing companies to remove protesters' trucks.

The move understandably proved controversial. The resulting court challenge by two people whose accounts were frozen, supported by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Constitution Foundation, resulted in a federal court decision this week against the government.

Protest Is Not an Emergency

"I have concluded that the decision to issue the Proclamation does not bear the hallmarks of reasonableness  justification, transparency and intelligibility  and was not justified in relation to the relevant factual and legal constraints that were required to be taken into consideration," wrote Justice Richard Mosley.

Mosley found that, while the protest "reflected an unacceptable breakdown of public order," it didn't satisfy legal requirements for declaring a national emergency in terms of dangers to national security and threats of violence.

"Parliament's intent in enacting the legislation was to ensure the Act would be a measure of last resort and, in particular, only where the provisions of existing Federal law could not handle the situation," Mosley observed. "I conclude that there was no national emergency justifying the invocation of the Emergencies Act and the decision to do so was therefore unreasonable and ultra vires," a Latin phrase meaning "outside the law."

As a result, he added, "the decision to issue the Proclamation was unreasonable and led to infringement of Charter rights."

Surprise Victory for Liberty

The ruling that the Trudeau government's actions violated Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms may surprise some Canadians, since it hasn't provided much protection in the past. The charter's protections are, well, squishier than those of the U.S. Bill of Rights.

"The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society," the document hedges in Section 1.

"The existence of Canada's limitations provision was controversial back when Canadians were actually debating what the charter ought to look like," the National Post's Tyler Dawson observed two years ago in a piece on failed attempts to challenge pandemic restrictions by citing the Charter. "Peter Hogg, one of the leading authorities on Canadian constitutional law, wrote that of the 46 groups that addressed Section 1 in their discussions of how to improve the charter, 38 of them said it had to go."

Under Charter protections, Dawson noted, "it's relatively clear the courts have not been sympathetic to the idea that public-health measures have unreasonably infringed upon Canadians' rights."

Given the Charter's weaknesses and coming after a mandatory government review of the use of the Emergencies Act that hemmed and hawed its way through signing off on the proclamation, Mosley's decision represents a welcome surprise for both opponents of restrictive public health policies and for advocates of free and open dissent.

"The invocation of the Emergencies Act is one of the worst examples of government overreach during the pandemic and we are very pleased to see Justice Mosley recognize that Charter rights were breached and that Cabinet must follow the law and only use the Act as a tool of last resort," commented Canadian Constitution Foundation Executive Director Joanna Baron.

A Big Decision with Political Implications

The decision comes as Canadians grow disenchanted with restrictive government policies as well as with the guy behind them.

"Lockdowns and vaccine mandates hit a nerve and mobilized populists who denounced it all as an encroachment on personal freedom," Politico's Zi-Ann Lum wrote earlier this month. "The 'Freedom Convoy' showdown demonstrated that Trudeau could win a fight over substance  he prevailed in a legal battle over his emergency crackdown  but lose in a war of sentiments."

Since then, Trudeau appears to have lost the legal battle too, with this week's court ruling. As the decision sinks in, his approval sits at a sub-Biden-esque 32 percent, with 64 percent disapproval, according to Angus Reid Institute.

Even lawmakers from Trudeau's own Liberal party are flirting with the idea that he should step down.

The Canadian government immediately announced that it plans to appeal Mosley's ruling against the use of the Emergency Act. Officials may ultimately save face in court, but it looks like tolerance for authoritarianism, and for the creatures who wield it, is waning north of the border.

The post Crackdown on Freedom Convoy Violated Canadians' Rights, Says Court appeared first on Reason.com.
A lurking coyote frightens a golden eagle away from snacking on a carcass in California, making the moment look like a modern Renaissance painting, but make it nature.

The scene was captured by The Condor Cave at the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge in Kern County, California, according to a Jan. 24 post by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Can you spot the coyote creeping up in the background? The Condor Cave said in a Facebook post.

A golden eagle stretches its wings as ravens fly around it in the dramatic scene. To the left of the eagle, a coyote appears to skulk in the background, waiting for its turn with the carcass.

Social media users agreed the photo looked unreal.

Fantastic photograph! It is like a painting - the coloring, the capture of the clouds , and perfect composition, one person posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

OMG, I thought this was photoshopped or something!! someone commented on Facebook.

The Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge is also home to California condors, which are endangered species.

Beloved bald eagle Jackie lays first egg of season in California nest. Amazing moment

A venomous snake is lurking in this photo from Australia. Can you find it?

Large-mouthed river creature  with unique coloring  discovered as new species
Two Norwegian Cruise Line passengers have been accused of bringing more than 100 bags of marijuana on board a ship heading from Miami to England.

Michael Quesenberry and Savannah Rose Minami allegedly brought 71.9 kilograms of marijuana on board the liner that was set to depart from Miami for Southampton, England, on 11 January, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida.

According to the affidavit, authorities initially found Mr Quesenberry and Ms Minami in a passenger room together.

However, Ms Minami claimed that she had never met Mr Quesenberry before they met at a bar on the ship. Based on her statements, law enforcement officers let her board the ship.

The criminal complaint added that a drug-sniffing dog alerted authorities to find 56 vacuum-sealed bags of a green, leafy substance in Mr Quesenberrys luggage.

Mr Quesenberry claimed that this marijuana was for personal use and that he had a medical marijuana card back in California, the affidavit said.

Following the discovery, Homeland Security officers were permitted to board the ship to find Ms Minami.

Finding her at a bar on board the ship, officers searched her luggage and found a further 56 bags of cannabis.

Investigators said the packaging and quantity of marijuana found was consistent with drug trafficking and distribution.

Based on my training and experience, the packaging and quantity of marijuana in the luggage belonging to each of Quesenberry and Minami is consistent with drug trafficking and distribution, the affidavit reads.

Further, based on my training and experience, drug traffickers are increasingly turning to exportation of marijuana from the United States to England, due to the higher price of marijuana in England.

Both suspects are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Two Norwegian Cruise Line passengers have been accused of bringing more than 100 bags of marijuana on board (Getty)

Cruise lines prohibit passengers from bringing marijuana on board, even in medicinal form.

Norwegian Cruise Line also prohibits all products containing CBD, oils, candies, and gummies or any product containing THC.

The safety and security of our guests is, as always, our top priority, the cruise line told USA Today in a statement.

As such, Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right to confiscate any items on the prohibited items list, and may notify authorities when necessary.

Despite cannabis being legal across 38 US states in varying degrees, possession, use and sale of cannabis remains illegal in Florida.

Cruise ships in the US are also required to follow federal law, which prohibits the possession and use of marijuana and other illegal substances.
UPDATE: Friday 1/26/2024 2:10 p.m.

(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The Colorado Springs Police Department said as of around 1 p.m. the shelter-in-place had been lifted.

ORIGINAL STORY: CSPD issues shelter-in-place in southeast Colorado Springs

Friday 1/26/2024 8:36 a.m.

The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) has issued a shelter-in-place for a neighborhood in southeast Colorado Springs on the morning of Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

According to CSPD, on Friday at around 6:45 a.m. police issued an alert on Peak Alerts for the area of Kodiak Drive and Carmel Drive near Monterey Road related to a barricaded suspect in the area.

Courtesy: FOX21 News Field Host Krista Witiak

Courtesy: FOX21 News Field Host Krista Witiak

Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Mike Duran

Courtesy: FOX21 News Field Host Krista Witiak

Courtesy: FOX21 News Field Host Krista Witiak

Police are asking the public in the area to stay indoors, lock and stay away from windows and doors, and stay out of the immediate area at this time. CSPD said it would send an all-clear message when appropriate.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
VIENTIANE, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Ministers and senior officials from Laos and Malaysia have discussed ways to strengthen their cooperation in the tourism sector, as well as other fields of mutual interest.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers' Meeting, which is being held in Lao capital Vientiane from Jan. 22 to Jan. 27, Lao national radio reported on Friday.

The Lao delegation was led by Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket, while the Malaysian delegation was headed by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Tiong King Sing.

Speaking at the meeting, Suanesavanh said the two ministries will work closely together to strengthen cooperation and their strategic partnership in tourism, which is one of the important components of the ASEAN framework.

"Laos, as the ASEAN chair for 2024, and Malaysia, as the ASEAN chair for 2025, will work together to promote the three pillars of ASEAN," she added.

The Lao minister expressed her appreciation for the support and assistance that Malaysia has provided to Laos in developing human resources, especially in the tourism sector.

Meanwhile, Tiong said Malaysia highly values its relations with Laos and is keen to expand cooperation in tourism and other fields.

The Malaysian minister said he hoped that cooperation between the two ministries would help to increase the number of tourists and enhance the quality of tourism services in both countries.

Malaysia is one of the major sources of tourists from the ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region to Laos, with 14,990 Malaysian nationals visiting Laos in 2023.

The two ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest and reaffirmed their commitment to working together for the benefit of their citizens and the development of the region, according to the report. 
DAYTONA BEACH  Daytona Beach has been selected to receive a $125,000 grant as a part of the 2024 Childhood Obesity Prevention & Environmental Health and Sustainability Awards, it was announced Friday.

The grant will allow more children to take part in The Mayor's Math & Fitness Bootcamp program in Daytona Beach. About 400 underprivileged children from ages five to 14 will be able to participate in summer session programs that use exercise and dance to teach mathematics.

The funds come from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America. To date, the groups have jointly awarded $6.5 million to 73 cities in support of programs that enhance health, wellness and environmental quality of life for children and families.

Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry said in a release that the funds from the grant "will be instrumental in positively impacting the children participating in the city's summer programs. With a focus on math and fitness strategies, the grant funds will help improve our youngest residents' academic, physical, and emotional well-being."

Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry was elated to hear that Daytona Beach is receiving a $125,000 grant for the Mayor's Math & Fitness Bootcamp Program. Henry is pictured last year at an event involving Brown & Brown subsidiary Proctor Loan Protector.

The 2024 Childhood Obesity Prevention & Environmental Health and Sustainability Awards were presented last week at the 92nd Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Established in 2012, the awards support community-based programs that promote positive changes in the categories of childhood obesity prevention, environmental health and sustainability, or both.

Elizabeth DeWitt, president and chief executive officer of the Florida Beverage Association, said "Were excited to support the great work being done in Daytona Beach, furthering the mission of The Mayors Math & Fitness Bootcamp to improve the quality of life for Daytona Beachs residents."

You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com

"

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach receives $125,000 grant for math and fitness program
Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Dean Phillips (Minn.) said President Biden has experienced a physical and communication decline, as fears of the presidents age swarm his reelection efforts.

Look: Im an American, I want to respect my presidents. I do respect President Biden, Phillips told Fox Newss Sean Hannity.

Im not seeing cognitive decline. Of course, were seeing physical and communication decline. I think thats self-evident by any video, but I dont think that is fair, Phillips continued. But hes an 81-year-old man. Hes a human being. Donald Trumps 77.

Biden would be 86 by the end of a second term. His age is frequently discussed on the 2024 presidential campaign, as people claim it is time for a younger leader and have concerns over his well-being.

Former President Trump has hit Biden over his age, recently trolling the incumbent in an ad that refers to the White House as a senior living facility. Trump will turn 78 in June.

In his interview Thursday, Phillips reiterated a point hes made throughout his campaign: Much of the country is looking for change and doesnt want either Biden or Trump as president again, the Minnesota Democrat said.

Look: Im running for change. I think we can do this so much better. I love my Republican colleagues; I love my Democratic colleagues, he said.

Phillips continued, saying were handing the keys to this country to both the far right and the far left, and called himself part of the exhausted majority in the middle.

Phillips came in second behind Biden in Tuesdays primary in New Hampshire, a state where Biden wasnt on the ballot. According to The Hill/Decision Desk HQ, he earned 19.6 percent in the Democratic Primary.

He recently backtracked from his original plan of suspending his campaign by March 5 if he did not gain traction, saying as of Tuesday morning he plans to stay in the race as long as it takes to have a match-up against Trump.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The aftermath of the 23 January missile attack on Kharkiv. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

A woman, who was injured during Russia's missile attack on Kharkiv on the morning of 23 January, died in hospital on the night of 25-26 January. The death toll from the strike has therefore increased to 11.

Source: Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office on Telegram

Quote: "A 61-year-old woman died in hospital tonight, despite doctors' best efforts.

As of now, 11 people have died as a result of a missile strike on Kharkiv."

Background:

On 23 January, at 04:00, the Russian army launched a missile strike on the Kyivskyi district of Kharkiv, and at 7:00, they carried out another missile attack on the city's Kyivskyi and Saltivskyi districts. That day, the Russians struck Kharkiv three times.

Earlier, the death toll stood at ten. The city marked 25 January as a day of mourning.

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MEXICO CITY, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's development and expertise offer great opportunities to Suriname, government officials have said.

"The knowledge that I gained in China ... will definitely be of added value for my work and Suriname because of the progress China has made on the elimination of Malaria in China," said Pascual Zeegelaar, chief medical official of the Surinamese Ministry of Defense, during a reunion and reception held on Wednesday in the capital of Paramaribo.

The event was held by the Chinese Embassy in Suriname for those like Zeegelaar who joined training and inspection programs in China last year.

China, with its advanced technology and expertise in agriculture, presents invaluable opportunities to enhance farming practices, improve productivity, and ensure food security for Suriname, said Anand Ramkisoensing, permanent secretary of the Surinamese Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, at the event.

The two countries have immense potential for advancing mutually beneficial cooperation, especially in the field of agriculture, Ramkisoensing added.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Suriname Han Jing said China stands ready to provide more opportunities for studying in China in line with Suriname's needs, promoting diverse forms of personnel exchanges to lay a more solid foundation for the continuous deepening of practical cooperation between the two sides.

According to Han, more than 300 Surinamese officials, experts and scholars participated in training programs in China in 2023, which covered agriculture, natural resources, health care, infrastructure, poverty reduction and other key areas. 
Deep below the surface of the South China Sea, a glow-in-the-dark creature swam through shadowy waters. Suddenly, something enveloped the sea creature and pulled it upward.

On the surface, trawlers hauled in their fishing nets  and caught a new species.

Scientists in Taiwan wanted to study a specific group of deep-sea sharks, according to a study published Jan. 24 in the journal Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. To do this, they worked with commercial fishermen and gathered unwanted or unusual fish that got dragged to the surface.

While bottom trawling in the South China Sea between 2022 and 2023, fishermen caught 23 relatively small sharks they didnt recognize, the study said. The trawlers froze the animals and gave them to researchers.

Researchers took a closer look at the sharks and realized theyd discovered a new species: Etmopterus lii, or Lis lantern shark.

Lis lantern sharks are considered medium-sized, reaching about 15 inches in length, researchers said. They have moderately long snouts, large gills and broad mouths with lots of teeth. Dotting their body and fins, the sharks have luminescent markings, indicating they can glow in the dark.

Lantern sharks are named for their ability to produce blue-green light, known as bioluminescence, the study said.

A photo shared by Shark-references on Facebook shows two frozen Lis lantern sharks with a torpedo-like body shape and dark brownish-black coloring.

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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Lantern sharks use their bioluminescence for camouflage, scaring away predators and communicating with other lantern sharks, National Geographic reported. These uses vary by species, and much about the sharks glow remains a mystery.

Researchers said they named the new species after Yong-Tai Li, the captain of the fishing vessel Xin Yong Tai, who helped catch these lantern sharks and many other deep-sea organisms.

So far, Lis lantern sharks have only been found in the northern South China Sea where they live at a depth of about 1,600 feet, the study said.

The South China Sea is a highly contested body of water in southeastern Asia that borders Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The new species was identified by its teeth, skin texture, markings, body shape and bone structure, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had between 3.5% and about 21% genetic divergence from other lantern sharks.

The research team included Shing-Lai Ng, Kwang-Ming Liu and Shoou-Jeng Joung.

Large-eyed creature lurking near a cave in China turns out to be a new species

Pregnant creature  with glossy belly  found on road in India. Its a new species

Large golden creature  carrying eggs  seen basking in sun. Its a new species
New court documents revealed a lengthy collection of racist text messages showing a former San Jose officer candidly using the N-word and condemning a civil rights lawsuit brought against him by a Black man he shot last year.

Former officer Mark McNamara was sued for shooting college football player KAun Green last March after Green had broken up a fight inside a restaurant. Three drunken men reportedly jumped him and one of them pulled out a ghost gun. Green wrestled the gun away from the man and tried to back out of the restaurant to keep other customers safe while keeping the gun away from the men who attacked him.

McNamara shot 22-year-old Green four times after officers arrived. Police initially thought he was connected to a homicide that happened less than a mile from the restaurant that they were investigating when they got the call about the fight.

Former San Jose police officer Mark McNamara (left) reportedly sent texts casually using the N-word and making disparaging remarks about the Black man he shot in 2023. (Photos: Getty Images/NBC Bay Area/YouTube screenshot)

Green survived the shooting, but it took months for him to recover from his injuries. He filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the San Jose Police Department and the city of San Jose last year.

McNamara ended up resigning from the department last November just days before a text conversation he had with another officer came to light in which he bragged about the shooting and made disparaging, racist remarks about Green and violent threats against Greens attorneys.

That conversation, which happened last June, included McNamara saying of Green, N***a wanted to carry a gun in the Wild West. Not on my watch haha, and I hate black people more than I hate being a cop.

He also sent this racist text message about Greens attorney, Adante Pointer, after a deposition about the shooting: The other day this n lawyer is like Mr. McNamara, you know we can still find you guilty of excessive force right? Im like, hmmm yeah then (what) happens??  Think I give a f what yall n think?!???? Ill shoot you too!!!!!

The identity of the officer McNamara was texting hasnt been released by police officials, but that person has reportedly been on administrative leave for months.

Police Chief Anthony Mata described the texts as disgusting and said that the police department has zero tolerance for even a single expression of racial bias.

Newly Revealed Text Messages

A federal judge recently ordered the city to release a set of texts to Greens attorneys that hadnt previously been disclosed. Greens attorneys included them in new court documents filed this month.

In that newly-released chain of messages that were exchanged between June 2023 and July 2023, McNamara is seen sending more texts about Green, the civil rights case, and making rampant, casual use of the N-word throughout several conversations.

I dont give a s**t about this case. Im white, hes black, hes gonna win. AND I DONT CARE. Its like b**ch whatever they decide has no bearing on me what so ever. Its basically kangaroo court, one text reads.

In another set of texts, he asks, Yo n***a, what are your pronouns????, before saying, Mine are n***a and n****r.

Another text reads, Youd have to put a gun to my head to get me to pull over a call full of n*gs.

These messages were exchanged with an officer who left the San Jose police force in 2020 and joined another police department in a different state. He no longer works at that department after the San Jose Police Department notified the force about its investigation into the text messages.

Defiant Ex-California Cop Who Shot Black Man Makes It Clear He Doesnt Care About Lawsuit, New Court Filings Reveal Dozens More Racist Texts
A Democratic lawmaker said that artificial intelligence (AI) deepfakes are a bipartisan issue in the wake of reports of the recent spread of AI-generated graphic images of pop superstar Taylor Swift on social media.

Whats happened to Taylor Swift is nothing new, Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) said Thursday in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. For yrs, women have been targets of deepfakes w/o their consent. And w/ advancements in AI, creating deepfakes is easier & cheaper.

This is an issue both sides of the aisle & even Swifties should be able to come together to solve, Clarke continued.

Clarkes New York colleague, Rep. Joseph Morelle (D), unveiled a bill last May to make sharing deepfake pornography illegal. In a release, his office said that advancement in technology has let deepfakes grow quickly.

The spread of A.I.-generated and altered images can cause irrevocable emotional, financial, and reputational harm  and unfortunately, women are disproportionately impacted, Morelle said. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve and permeate our society, its critical that we take proactive steps to combat the spread of disinformation and protect individuals from compromising situations online.

Fran Drescher, president of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, praised the New York congressman in the release and said the bill will assist in protecting personal privacy, safety and autonomy.

Sexual abuse, whether occurring physically or digitally, should never be excused or permitted as personal expression, and it should never be tolerated, Drescher said. Deepfakes are violations, objectification and exploitation, and must be made illegal and punishable by law. This bill is a powerful step to ensure that this technology is not used to cause harm.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A pair of Texas Democrats are calling on Joe Biden to seize control of the Texas National Guard and make it comply with a recent Supreme Court order allowing the presidents administration to remove razor wire set up by Texas along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Texas officials, with the support of top Republicans in Congress, are refusing to allow the U.S. Border Patrol to access a park on the banks of the Rio Grande despite the 5-4 ruling by the high court Monday. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has pushed back and added even more wire fencing, claiming that he has the authority to defend his state from what he called an invasion of migrants coming from Mexico.

Governor Greg Abbott is using the Texas National Guard to obstruct and create chaos at the border, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) wrote in a social media post Tuesday.

If Abbott is defying yesterdays Supreme Court ruling ... [Biden] needs to establish sole federal control of the Texas National Guard now.

Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) said that he agreed with Castro on federal control, and accused Abbott of using political stunts and inflammatory language to advance his own agenda, violating the Constitution and endangering both U.S. citizens and asylum seekers.

The White House, for the moment, is keeping its distance. National Security adviser John Kirby on Thursday sidestepped questions about Democrats calls to federalize the Texas National Guard.

We talked about this the other day, Kirby told reporters. I dont have any decisions to speak to for the president. I dont have anything on that.

The growing border dispute in Texas is taking place as Congress struggles to pass reforms to U.S. immigration law and toughen border policies. Former President Donald Trump and other Republicans are urging their party to reject any deal with Democrats until Trump, the GOPs likely 2024 presidential nominee, is back in the White House.

On Thursday, Trump fueled the flames by calling on other states to send their National Guard troops to the border to aid Texas, accusing Biden in a post on his website Truth Social of seeking to make it so that the invasion continues unchecked.

In Mondays unsigned order, the Supreme Court lifted a prior federal appeals order barring Border Patrol agents from interfering with the wire except in medical emergencies. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was nominated by Trump, joined Chief Justice John Roberts and the three liberals on the court in ruling in favor of the Biden administration. The high courts order followed the death of three migrants  a woman and two children  who drowned near the disputed area earlier this month.

But Republicans are claiming that Texas has the authority to flout the Supreme Court and the U.S. Constitution, which established that federal courts take precedence over state courts, because of a separate provision of the Constitution that limits the power of states except when engaging in war or being invaded. The rationale, of course, hinges on the semantics of whether illegal crossings by migrants, many of whom are fleeing violence, constitute an invasion.

Whatever you think of immigration, whatever you think of the influx of unauthorized immigrants along the Texas border, thats obviously not an invasion as the Founders intended it, legal scholar Steve Vladeck told CNN on Thursday.

The real problem with Gov. Abbotts position here is that its basically just a 21st century version of whats called nullification, of the argument that every state can decide for itself which federal laws are and are not constitutional, which federal rules they are and are not bound by, he added.

Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) said, There is nothing in the Constitution that allows a state to take on a federal role in the way Greg Abbott has.

Federalizing National Guard troops wouldnt be unprecedented. In 1957, during the segregation era, President Dwight Eisenhower seized control of the Arkansas National Guard to ensure that a group of Black students, the Little Rock Nine, could attend Little Rock Central High School after Arkansas officials refused to do so.

Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) said that Biden would be making a huge mistake if he decided to federalize the Texas National Guard.

The last time any National Guard troops were federalized was under the Eisenhower administration, Fallon said during an interview with Fox Business.

If Joe Biden does this, he may go down in history as the Mexican Drug Cartel 9 Million, because almost 9 million people have crossed illegally under his administration, he added, appearing to cite a figure for the number of border encounters between immigration officials and migrants.
WAYNE  Wrecking crews have started to bulldoze two office buildings in the 5th Ward, where a developer will construct one of the largest housing complexes in the township.

AvalonBay Communities Inc. will build 473 units at the 17-acre property, at 1445 Valley Road and 1455 Valley Road. The site was the longtime headquarters of Valley National Bank before it moved 600 employees to central Morristown three months ago.

Two former Valley National Bank buildings is being demolished to make way for a 473-unit development of apartments and townhouses in Wayne, NJ on Wednesday Jan. 24, 2024.

The project has been subject to years of fierce litigation between the developer and the township, mostly due to a perception that officials stalled negotiations.

However, the court battle raged even after the bargaining sessions were finished, and after a settlement was reached and a proposal approved by the Planning Board. A question over the need for an elevator in one of the new buildings was at the center of the latest dust-up.

On Friday, it appeared that nearly half of the demolition was complete.

Story continues below gallery.

The building on the south side of Barbour Pond Road was leveled to the ground as an excavator scooped up piles of debris to fill a dumpster. Meanwhile, there was a huge hole, like a crater, smashed in the rear facade of the building on the opposite side of the street. Crews were inside gutting the former cubicles and workstations to prepare for the imminent teardown.

Ronald Ladell, the senior vice president of AvalonBay, said the demolition will take up to 2 months. Residents will begin to move into the housing complex by July 2025, he said.

Virginia-based AvalonBay owns or has an interest in 296 apartment complexes in 12 states and in Washington, D.C. Twenty-two of those developments are in New Jersey, including one about 8 miles away, off Union Avenue in Bloomingdale.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Wayne Valley swimmer blossomed into a star at a young age

The housing complex in Wayne will have 55 townhouses in 11 buildings, plus 418 apartments in four buildings. Amenities will include a clubhouse, a playground and a swimming pool.

Seventy-one apartments will be for low-income households; 25 units will have three bedrooms and 46 will have two.

Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: devencentis@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Valley Bank HQ in Wayne demolished to make way for affordable housing
ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Djibouti's investments in logistics during the last decade have delivered efficiency and growth, a team of International Monetary Fund (IMF) experts have said.

The IMF team of experts made the statement in a preliminary finding issued Thursday after a visit to the Red Sea nation from Jan. 14 to 25.

With Djibouti's concerted investments in logistics during the last decade and as the country became the main port of transit to Ethiopia, its gross domestic product growth averaged over 6 percent between 2013 and 2019, and port performance increased significantly, the IMF statement quoted Joyce Wong, head of the team, as saying.

Wong, however, said the growth was financed by debt, which reached 68 percent at the end of 2022. The combined shocks of the pandemic, the conflict in neighboring Ethiopia, and commodity price increases revealed the need for a more resilient growth model as revenues decreased and fiscal space shrunk.

The IMF staff projected that the recovery will continue in 2024, albeit at a slower pace, and is subject to significant risks stemming from the situation in the Red Sea and developments in Ethiopia.

"The uncertain regional context stresses the need for Djibouti to strengthen its resilience by overhauling its growth model, building fiscal buffers and enhancing governance. In this regard, the authorities have progressed in some key reforms," Wong said.

The IMF experts' team advised a clear medium-term vision for fiscal policy, backed by the highest authorities and directed towards the government's growth and job creation goals, which would ensure policy coherence and consistency while supporting revenues.

"The authorities are cognizant that key constraints to increasing employment include high telecom and energy costs, weak private sector job creation, and informality in employment," Wong said. "They are committed to lowering telecoms costs, including by further liberalizing the sector." 
Denmark has opened an embassy office in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen reported on Jan. 26.

The opening of the office took place during Rasmussens visit to Mykolaiv. He was joined by his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba.

"In addition to the embassy in Kyiv, we are now also permanently present in Mykolaiv, for which Denmark has taken a special responsibility in reconstruction," the minister wrote on his Instagram.

As part of reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, Denmark has taken on the responsibility for the restoration of Mykolaiv, which has suffered from numerous Russian attacks since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion. Part of Mykolaiv Oblast was occupied by Russia in the early stage of the all-out war.

Denmark and Mykolaiv signed a memorandum on reconstruction in March 2023, Mykolaiv Oblast Council head Hanna Zamazieieva reported.

"The opening of the Danish embassy's office in Ukraine is, without exaggeration, a historic event," Kuleba said.

"It is not only Denmark's focus on assisting Mykolaiv but also an example for all other countries that want to support Ukraine on a systemic basis."

During the press conference, Rasmussen also discussed with Kuleba the organization of a Danish-Ukrainian forum on defense industries.

"We will make a special focus on the development of joint projects in drone production," Kuleba said.

According to the Danish Forreign Ministry, Copenhagen has allocated 4.3 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine and nearly 408 million euros in humanitarian and other assistance since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Read also: We cant wait for peace: Reluctant at first, Denmark takes on rebuilding war-torn Mykolaiv Oblast

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen, who arrived on a visit to Ukraine on Friday (26 January), has announced the opening of the Danish Embassy's office in Mykolaiv.

Source: Lars Lkke Rasmussen on Instagram, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "Official opening of the Danish Embassy office in Mykolaiv together with my counterpart and friend Dmytro Kuleba. In addition to the embassy in Kyiv, we now also have a permanent presence in Mykolaiv, for which Denmark has taken on a special responsibility in the recovery," the minister noted.

Details: Rasmussen added, "It is fantastic to see the Danish and Ukrainian flags flying together," commenting on the flags raised outside the newly opened office.

    Instagram ,  Lars Lkke Rasmussen (@larsloekke)

Background:

The Danish Foreign Minister arrived in Ukraine and went to a shelter in the middle of the night because of an air raid.

Denmark and Mykolaiv Oblast signed a memorandum on the recovery of the latter in March this year.

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A man wanted in Arkansas for allegedly violating his probation in a 2017 murder case has twice been arrested and jailed in Denver since 2021, and both times, Denver authorities have had to release him from custody. In the most recent case in 2023, an Arkansas sheriff refused to have Raffiel Walker, 35, extradited to his state.

As a result of Walker remaining free in Denver, a mother believes Walker sold her son fentanyl in 2023, contributing to her son's overdose death.

"If Mr. Walker had been extradited to Arkansas and given the sentence they're requesting, he would not have been trolling the streets of Denver passing out poison," said the mother, who asked that her name not be used.

According to Arkansas records, Raffiel Walker was arrested in 2016 for residential burglary and terroristic threatening in Marianna, Arkansas. He allegedly robbed a woman in her home and brandished a weapon during the robbery.

Raffiel Walker is wanted in Arkansas for allegedly violating his probation in a 2017 murder case. He has twice been arrested and jailed in Denver since 2021, and both times, Denver authorities have had to release him from custody. / Credit: CBS

The following year, Walker was arrested and initially charged with capital murder for participating in a Jan. 30, 2017 robbery and murder. Court documents indicate Walker later agreed to a plea bargain, pleading guilty in 2018 to second-degree murder and accepting a sentence of 20 years probation.

But in 2019, in Phillips County Arkansas, Walker was charged with allegedly dealing methamphetamines and cocaine and brandishing weapons. In 2021, Prosecutors in Arkansas' First Judicial District sought and obtained a nationwide warrant for Walker's arrest for violating the terms of his probation. According to court documents, they said his violating probation should result in him being sent to prison.

Arkansas authorities said they believed Walker had fled their state.

But in April of 2021, Denver police arrested Walker after he allegedly pointed a gun at another man during a drug sale. Police located Walker in a car at Colfax and Josephine and "Officers discovered that Walker had an outstanding nationwide full extradition warrant out of Arkansas for a parole violation from a capital murder/robbery case," according to police documents. They say at that point, Walker ran from them but he was located hiding on the roof of a nearby building and was taken into custody.

Police say they found a loaded handgun in Walker's car. They say Walker's backpack contained a large amount of methamphetamine and other drugs. He was charged with drug possession with intent to distribute, possession of a weapon by a previous offender along with his nationwide parole violation for capital murder/robbery.

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann told CBS News Colorado that Arkansas authorities were notified that their wanted fugitive was being held in Denver. But she said Arkansas authorities failed to meet a legal deadline to file paperwork to extradite Walker to Arkansas.

"They were too late so we couldn't process the extradition," said McCann. "Obviously, we felt this is a person who should not be out in public. We felt he was a dangerous person."

Denver prosecutors agreed to a plea bargain with Walker on his Denver charges, but say they asked that he be imprisoned for three years. Instead, court records show a judge gave Walker three years of probation and no additional jail time. Walker was a free man.

In 2023, Walker again got on the radar screen of Colorado law enforcement authorities following the April death of Calvin Grace from a drug overdose. Grace was found dead in his Englewood home. When police searched Grace's cellphone, they found before his death, he had exchanged text messages with a suspected drug dealer. Englewood police said the cellphone texting with Grace was linked to Raffiel Walker.

Arapahoe County District Attorney John Kellner said, "This case is part of an active, ongoing criminal investigation. I currently have a dedicated criminal investigator reviewing the facts surrounding Calvin's death."

Walker has not been charged in connection with Calvin Grace's death and Kellner said he would provide additional information at the end of his office's review of the case.

Grace's mother is convinced Walker sold her son the fentanyl that contributed to his death. She says the fact Walker was not extradited to Arkansas after his 2021 Denver arrest is "absolutely unacceptable. I'm just at a loss and mind blown by what is happening."

That was not the end of the attempts to have Walker extradited to Arkansas.

In September 2023, Denver police again arrested Walker according to police and court records on his fugitive warrant. The Denver District Attorney's Office says it again contacted the Lee County sheriff to come get Raffiel Walker. This time, they say current Lee County Sheriff Corey Wilson, refused. Wilson did not respond to numerous phone calls and emails from CBS News Colorado asking why he would not pick up Walker. Denver authorities say they had no choice but to release Walker from jail.

"What kind of message does this send to Mr. Walker?" asked Grace's mother. "That he can just run away, he can just hide in another state and he's safe and never going to jail and never being held accountable for his prior crimes?"

"It's unfortunate Arkansas decided not to extradite him given the seriousness of their case. I can say it is unusual and our expectation was that they would pursue extradition," said McCann.

Walker isn't exactly hiding in Denver. CBS News Colorado found him living in a house just south of downtown Denver. He has lived in the home for nearly a year and even registered a catering business with the Colorado Secretary of State using his name and his home address.

In a phone call with CBS News Colorado, Walker said, "I got in a little trouble. I know that." But he said it was "none of your business. I don't have to explain it to you. I'm in trouble already." He went on to say he did not consent to having his name and picture on TV. "Do what you're gonna do bro," said Walker.

Calvin Grace's mother said what happened with Raffiel Walker is "an absolute failure of our system, an absolute failure. Apprehending him and putting him in custody will not bring my son back but it will save other lives."

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GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  The Georgetown County Sheriffs Office is warning residents of a scam where a caller is impersonating a lieutenant from the Georgetown County Sheriffs Office demanding $1250 to prevent a warrant arrest.

The scammer is claiming that he is following up on a federal warrant for failure to appear for jury duty, the sheriffs office said.

Sheriff Carter Weaver with the Georgetown County Sheriffs Office said the department will never telephone residents threatening arrest or demanding money to stop warrants from being served.

Anyone receiving such calls are asked to report them to the Georgetown County Sheriffs Office at 843-546-5102.

Taylor Ford is a digital journalist for News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2023. Taylor is a Florence native and covers the Pee Dee out of News13s Florence Bureau. Read more of Taylors work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  A new Deputy Chief of the Harrisburg Bureau of Police was sworn in on Thursday.

Kenny Young served the City of Harrisburg since January 2001 and is now the Deputy Chief. Young is replacing Dennis Sorensen who retired on Jan. 10.

The promotion was held at the Martin Luther King Jr. City Government Center and was announced by Commissioner Thomas Carter and Mayor Wanda Williams.

[Deputy Chief Youngs] demeanor, the way he cares about people, and his commitment to the

City of Harrisburg are reasons he was selected as deputy chief, said Commissioner Carter. He

told me everything he owns in his life he owes to the City of Harrisburg, and that stuck with

me.

Courtesy of the City of Harrisburg

Courtesy of the City of Harrisburg

Courtesy of the City of Harrisburg

Throughout Youngs 23-year career, he was in the Traffic Safety Unit in 2004, where he became CPR-certified and a first aid instructor, in 2014 he was promoted to the rank of Corporal.

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In 2017, he was promoted to Sergeant, and in 2021 he was promoted to Lieutenant, and in 2022 became the Captain of the Technical Services Unit.

This job means a lot to me because you are in essence a role model for everybody. I do not

take that lightly. Being someone who has open doors that someone can come talk to, that is my

vision of what a deputy chief should be, said Young.

Officer Tom McGarrity was also promoted from Lieutenant to Captain as he will be succeeding Young in overseeing the Technical Services Division, according to the release.

Courtesy of the City of Harrisburg

Courtesy of the City of Harrisburg

Courtesy of the City of Harrisburg

McGarrity was a former U.S. Marine before he joined the Harrisburg Police in 2005. But in 2009 served in Iraq as a part of the Army National Guard.

After he returned to the police force, McGarrity would become a Sergeant in 2017 before becoming a Lieutenant in 2020.

Being on the county CRT team has opened up a window to a wealth of knowledge and

experience, Captain McGarrity said. I wouldnt be where I am today without them.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Turkish president approves ratification of Sweden's NATO membership

Xinhua) 08:10, January 26, 2024

In this file photo, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the Justice and Development (AK) Party's parliamentary group meeting in Ankara, Turkiye, on Oct. 25, 2023. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

ANKARA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has approved the ratification of Sweden's membership in NATO, according to a protocol published in the country's official gazette on Thursday.

Erdogan published the law two days after the Turkish parliament passed the bill to approve Sweden's bid to join the Western military alliance.

Erdogan "decided to publish the law adopted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly regarding Sweden's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty, and signed the presidential decree regarding Sweden's accession protocol to NATO and approved the relevant protocol," his office said.

Turkish lawmakers attend a vote on Sweden's NATO bid at the Grand National Assembly in Ankara, Turkiye, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

The Turkish parliament voted on the bill after a debate in the Grand National Assembly on Tuesday night. A total of 346 lawmakers participated in the voting, with 287 votes in favor, 55 against, and four abstentions.

With Turkiye's ratification, Hungary remains the only NATO member country that hasn't approved Sweden's application for NATO membership.

Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO after Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine in 2022. Their accession requires the unanimous approval of all members of NATO.

Members of the Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee attend a meeting on Sweden's NATO bid in Ankara, Turkiye, on Dec. 26, 2023. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

Turkiye approved Finland's NATO bid in March last year but has slow-walked Sweden's accession, demanding the Nordic country further address Ankara's security concerns.

In October last year, Erdogan signed Sweden's NATO accession protocol and submitted it to the parliament for ratification.

The foreign affairs committee of the Turkish parliament approved Sweden's NATO bid following deliberation in December last year, in a key step to put it to a full parliamentary vote.

F16 fighter jets of the Turkish Air Force are seen participating in the International Anatolian Phoenix Exercise hosted by Turkiye, in Konya, Turkey, on June 15, 2023. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

Turkiye has been under pressure from the United States to approve Sweden's accession to NATO, but Ankara was holding up its ratification to press Washington to allow the sale of F-16 fighter jets.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen resigned on Friday as deputy president of the country's ruling Prosperity Party.

Mekonnen, who is also the minister of foreign affairs, was replaced by Temesgen Tiruneh, director general of the National Intelligence and Security Service of Ethiopia. Tiruneh is a member of the party's executive committee, the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate disclosed on Friday.

The decision, which was announced as the Central Committee of the Prosperity Party wrapped up its latest session on Friday, is said to be in line with the party's "leadership succession principle and working system."

The party elected Tiruneh unanimously to replace Mekonnen.

Experts reportedly said the latest change, associated with Mekonnen's resignation from the leadership of the party, is an indication that he may leave the positions of deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs in the country's government structure in the near future. 
Penn State administrator Zack Moore, vice president for government and community relations, will step down from his position Feb. 2, the university announced Wednesday.

Based on a public LinkedIn post, Moore did not appear to have another job lined up, writing that hes looking forward to spending some time to figure out whats next for me professionally.

Life often presents us with moments of reflection and self-discovery, Moore wrote in the public post. After careful consideration, I made the difficult decision to step away from Penn State and explore new opportunities and challenges in my career.

The news came the same week the university announced $94 million in planned cuts for the 2025-26 fiscal year, although the topic was never broached in either Moores post or the universitys news release. Moore, a Penn State alum, worked at the university for 17 years and has served in his current role since 2016.

According to the university, he will be replaced by Mike Stefan, assistant vice president for state relations, on Feb. 3. Moore will serve as a special adviser to Stefan through June 30.

Zack has always represented Penn State with integrity and a genuine love for the university and its mission, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said in a written statement. I want to thank Zack for his many years of dedicated service to the university. His experience, perspective and wise counsel will be missed.

As the vice president for government and community relations, Moore served as the universitys chief lobbyist in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. He helped develop Penn States legislative strategy and policy positions, monitor legislative developments, provide counsel to university leadership, etc.

In a news release, the university lauded a number of his accomplishments. Moore helped Penn State save a projected $530 million over 30 years, by playing a key role in securing the passage of an act that allowed Penn State to refinance its pension unfunded liability. He helped secure the passage and amendment of Pennsylvanias Name, Image, Likeness law. And he lobbied for $2.35 million in state funding for the Invent Penn State initiative.

In addition to relaunching the advocacy platform Advocate Penn State and working with students, he has also served on the steering committee of the Association of American Universities Council on Federal Relations  along with multiple local boards, such as one associated with Centre Volunteers in Medicine.

Representing Penn State has been a source of immense pride and professional fulfillment for me, Moore said in the Penn State news release. I have deep respect for the talent and dedication of the colleagues Ive had the privilege to work alongside at this great university and am confident about the future.
LORAIN, Ohio (WJW)  A dirt bike rider is dead after investigators say he rode into an active police scene in Lorain and crashed into a police cruiser Wednesday night.

The incident started as Lorain police officers were conducting a search warrant in the 2300 block of Homewood Drive just after 9 p.m.

According to the Lorain Police Department, officers were looking for a 16-year-old wanted for receiving stolen property and discharging a firearm.

South Euclid police look for man accused of abducting mother of his child

While looking through the window, an officer noticed the suspect with two men sitting in the living room, a media release said.

Once they noticed the officers, the three people inside started to scatter but later surrendered and were handcuffed, according to the release.

According to police, while officers were confirming warrants for the three suspects, they reported hearing a dirt bike nearby and someone yelling and taunting them.

Then, a man on a dirt bike drove through the scene at speeds exceeding 70 miles per hour, narrowly missed officers in the street and crashed into an unoccupied police cruiser, the press release said.

Investigators say the rider was thrown from the bike and officers stepped in to offer medical aid.

The rider, identified as 22-year-old Sandalio Rodriguez, of Lorain, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lorain County Coroner.

Ring policy changes: What they mean for police investigations

Investigators say Rodriguez wasnt wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Alcohol is believed to be a factor.

The crash remains under investigation at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Lorain Police Departments Traffic Division at 440-204-2105.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Ukrainians are outraged after a realtors conversation with a Russian journalist in Mariupol shows them mocking the destroyed homes of Ukrainians in a real estate deal, with one disgustingly asking Why havent the owners tidied up?, NV reports.

The brutality and inhumanity displayed in the exchange has incensed Ukrainians as the pair cynically discusses whether to invest in new buildings or buy the half-destroyed homes in the city center.

Read also: Russia demolishes 465 damaged high-rises in occupied Mariupol

The Russians refer to the destroyed Ukrainian apartments as razrushka, (can be translated as wreckies)  and informal and disrespectful term implying potential profit in the future.

A TikTok report on Mariupol's property market introduced me to razrushka, (Is it worth investing in a ruin?), wrote Ukrainian stylist Tetyana Kremn on Facebook. The report's crystal-clear insensitivity is striking. Along with the realtor, the host walks through a once-beautiful, now wrecked apartment, where children's items lie amidst household clutter. Their surreal dialogue peaks in the kitchen, with its collapsed ceiling and shattered windows, where the realtor gushes about its size. The journalist laughs, before making the comment about the owners.

Commenting on the video, Ukrainians question whether the apartment's owners are still alive and recall the many Mariupol families killed.

Comments like May the ghosts never give you peace, Land soaked in blood will never bring peace to this city Nothing good can be built on people's tears and sorrow, Wreckieshow inhuman must one be to speak like that, on grief and blood..., Mariupol's example shows the war's true purpose, and So many I knew died in Mariupol, entire families, reflect deep anguish of Ukrainians.

Read also: Russians plan manufacturing hub at devastated Azovmash in Mariupol

Dont even call them beasts or any other term, Zoya Filipova, a social media user, commented. Beasts, animals, are living beings, some beautiful, useful, or even tasty. Sex workers are in some ways the most honest creatures. But these beings... They are simply Russians. That says it all, explains everything. Not human. Not animal. An absolute abomination.

Ukrainians are attempting to translate the neologism razrushka into English, aiming for international viewership of the video. Suggestions like 'wreckies' and 'wrecks' have been proposed.

There's this neologism razrushka. It's Russian for affectionately calling the secondary-market houses destroyed by their own occupying army. Do you understand the psychological phenomenon behind such a word? another commenter rhetorically asked.

Network user Alex Goncharov has run the term razrushka through ChatGPT, and received the following interpretation:

"Such a term may arise from certain emotional or psychological attitudes towards events or objects, the AI answered. In this case, '' could be an attempt to softly describe or depict the state of things that have undergone destruction or degradation. The use of such terms can serve various purposes, including expressing emotions, detaching from negative aspects, or even attempting to justify or minimize destruction. These words can emerge in a specific socio-cultural context, reflecting a certain national, historical, or political mindset. In this instance, the term may serve as a tool to reduce responsibility or smooth over the effects of destruction, possibly linked to an internal conflict or ambiguity in perceiving the events.

The American Academy has nominated the Ukrainian documentary 20 Days in Mariupol for the Best Feature-Length Documentary at the Oscars. This film, created by Ukrainian journalists who remained in the-ravaged city following Russias invasion and miraculously smuggled their footage out of Mariupol, surrounded by Russian forces, portrays the brutal siege and destruction of the city.



Read also: A journalistic chronicle of unfathomable tragedy  NVs review of 20 days in Mariupol

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
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated, We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

Learning to live together as brothers is a lesson that we all, daily, have to struggle with. At the end of every day, can we look in the mirror and ask: How did I do in living the golden rule with all of Gods children, no matter how different they may be? Even if they look, dress, believe or love differently than me?

Dr. Kings statement is a recognition that we are diverse. There is no way around it. Now, what are we going to do with that diversity? Is it, as some these days may try to claim, a thing to be derided? I mean after all, isnt it unity we are after? Or exceptionalism?

My answer is: diversity, unity and exceptionalism are not opposites. In fact, they can work together, to powerful effect.

When we dont proactively experience differences first-hand, we have a harder time finding true and powerful unity. When I dont know you, I am more likely to be hostile to you or reject your ways or your ideas. Progress is harder when we are unwilling to learn from people from diverse backgrounds and histories. Both intranational and international violence is more likely between two different people who are unwilling to know each other and learn from each other.

I broke out of my eastern Idaho bubble when I served a mission in South Korea, went to law school in Connecticut, served in the military, and lived and worked in the South Pacific after school. Experiencing diversity in these ways opened my eyes to the limits of my prior worldview.

We are a diverse nation. We cannot, however, allow the word diversity to be divisive.

Diversity of expertise leads to better outcomes. What good would the interior designer of a building be without the engineer, the architect, the contractors, framers, electricians, HVAC specialists? Individually they cannot build a building, but together their wealth and diversity of experience, working together, allows them to create something beautiful.

But what about diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation? Research has shown that we can reach better outcomes and come to better decisions when we have diversity.

In a 2014 article in Scientific American, Dr. Katherine Phillips described several studies of the impact of diversity on individuals.

In the first study, she and her colleague gave several different groups of students  some which consisted of only one race and others which consisted of several  a murder mystery exercise. These groups were given the same set of information and asked to find out who done it. She found that the groups with racial diversity significantly outperformed the groups no racial diversity. Dr. Phillips concluded: Being with similar others leads us to think we all hold the same information and share the same perspective, which hinders creativity and innovation.

In another study, more than 350 students were put in groups to discuss a prevailing social issue like the death penalty, gun violence or abortion. Students gave opinion speeches on these topics to their fellow students. The study found that when a student from one race presented to a student from a different race, the perspective given was perceived as more novel and led to broader thinking and consideration of alternatives than when students from the same race introduced that same perspective. According to Dr. Phillips, when we hear opinions from someone who is different from us, it provokes more thought than when it comes from someone who looks like us.

These results were not only limited to race and gender. Dr. Phillips and several researchers conducted a similar study using people who identified as Democrats or Republicans. They gave group members the task of preparing an essay communicating a perspective on a particular topic. Some presenters were told that they would be presenting to members of their same political party who disagreed with them on the issue. Other presenters were told that they would be presenting to members of the opposing political party.

Democrats who were told that they were presenting to a fellow Democrat who disagreed with them prepared less well for the discussion than Democrats who were told that a Republican disagreed with them, and Republicans showed the same pattern. According to Dr. Phillips, When disagreement comes from a socially different person, we are prompted to work harder. Diversity jolts us into cognitive action in ways that homogeneity simply does not.

Schools, organizations, state and national governments, social media circles suffer when they insulate themselves in echo chambers not only of ideas, but also when they do not seek out diverse backgrounds, races, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, etc.

A team or company can experience the benefits of diversity and have a unified goal to succeed. A school can appreciate diversity and have a unified goal for students to learn and grow. Our nation can cultivate diversity under the unifying, guiding principles of the Declaration of Independence that all men and women are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, such as Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

A brotherhood of humankind, or an understanding that we are all Gods children, can have a unifying force and allow us to appreciate the differences person to person that arise from diversity.

And if we can see each others differences as contributing to a greater whole than any of us could have created alone, then diversity can contribute to dynamic, vibrant, powerful unity.

Sean Coletti is the mayor of Ammon. This column is based on a speech he gave to the Idaho Falls African American Alliance on Jan. 19.
The Democratic National Committee is launching an ad blitz in the coming primary states of South Carolina and Nevada by targeting communities of color, rural areas and potential younger adults as President Joe Biden makes his re-election pitch to voters.

The ad campaign, previewed first to NBC News, focuses on getting out the vote, rejecting "MAGA" Republicans and highlighting issues like voting rights and student loan forgiveness. The bulk of the new ads  on radio, in print and online, along with billboards and kiosks on college campuses  start Saturday.

The DNC is spending six figures in South Carolina and another six figures in Nevada.

The early advertising in those states underscores the Democratic Party's goal of reaching out to more diverse populations at the start of the primary season, unlike in past years, which began with the caucuses in Iowa.

The primaries in South Carolina and Nevada were moved up when Biden revamped the partys nominating calendar, eliminating the predominantly white states of Iowa and New Hampshire from the top of the order. Because of the change-up, Biden did not appear on New Hampshire's primary ballot this week. But he was still victorious thanks to a successful write-in effort.

The South Carolina Democratic primary is Feb. 3, and Nevadas is three days later.

These investments into South Carolina and Nevada should send a very clear message: the President and I know our democracy is stronger when we all participate, Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement. And while some elected officials appear dead-set on undermining our democracy, the President and I will continue to do everything we can to make it easier, not harder for every American to participate in this democracy by voting this November.

In South Carolina, the radio spots will target Black voters, airing on 43 Black-focused radio stations in 10 media markets and reaching potentially hundreds of thousands of voters, a DNC official said. In one radio spot, Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., calls on Democrats to send MAGA Republicans a message that they reject their agenda. In another, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison touts fighting for student loan debt relief and protecting voting rights.

In Nevada, the DNC is running ads in Spanish, as well as in Tagalog and Chinese.

Polls indicate Biden faces waning support from Black and Latino voters. He recently visited South Carolina  the state that helped propel him to the Democratic nomination in 2020  and Harris is due to visit Las Vegas on Saturday.

As the 2024 campaign has ramped up, the campaign has pushed forward with its central argument that freedom is what's at stake in November.

This election will decide no less than the fate of our nation, and it is absolutely critical that every American knows the stakes  and the vital role that their vote will play for the future of our country," Harris said in her statement.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is targeting voters of color, rural voters and the younger generation in early primary states South Carolina and Nevada in a new ad blitz.

The six-figure ad campaign aims to galvanize the potential electorate before the states upcoming primaries, set to take place Feb. 3 in South Carolina and Feb. 6 in Nevada.

Democrats are launching a historic effort to reach voters where they are and in the languages they speak to ensure we are building a broad coalition of support as we head into election year, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said in a statement on Friday. By bringing South Carolina and Nevada to the forefront of our primary calendar, Democrats are uplifting new, diverse voices that for too long have been sidelined and silenced.

The blitz will include digital, print, radio and out-of-home advertising. The ads will be presented in multiple languages, including Spanish, Tagalog and Chinese, according to the DNC. The majority of them are slated to start running on Saturday.

In large part, the ads will focus on student loan forgiveness, voting rights and urging voters to discard MAGA Republicans.

The Democratic partys nominating calendar was shuffled to push back states like New Hampshire and Iowa and move up states like Nevada and South Carolina, which have more diverse populations. Because of the shift in the DNC-sanctioned schedule, Biden was not on the ballot in Tuesdays New Hampshire primary, but was still able to win as a write-in candidate with close to 80,000 votes, according to Decision Desk HQ.

In one of the ads included in the new voter outreach campaign, Rep, Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) urges voters to participate in the South Carolina primary and vote to prevent Republicans from rolling back the progress made by the Democratic party.

Democrats are working to make the greatness of this country accessible and affordable for all of us in health care, housing, education and economic development, Clyburn says in the ad. Democrats have been delivering for us, our families and our communities. On February 3, we have an opportunity, I dare say an obligation to make our voices heard in the Democratic presidential primary. Please join me in voting to show the extreme, moderate Republicans that we wont let them roll back the progress we have made to preserve and grow the greatness of this country.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
CAIRO, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Al-Arish Airport in Egypt's North Sinai province received a total of 520 planes carrying humanitarian aid and delegations for the Gaza Strip since Oct. 12, 2023, an official security source in North Sinai told Xinhua on Friday.

Since Oct. 12, 2023, the Al-Arish Airport has received a total of 520 planes of aid, including 14,000 tons of diversified aid and relief supplies for Gaza provided by 50 countries, regional and international organizations, the source said on conditions of anonymity.

Meanwhile, the Al-Arish Airport has received 95 planes carrying international and Arab officials and solidarity delegations so far, the source noted.

Early Friday, eight planes from different countries landed at the Arish Airport, including one from Qatar carrying 29.5 tons of food commodities, two from Jordan loaded with 23 tons of food and medical supplies, five from the United Arab Emirates with 110 tons of food and medicines and 32 barrels of fuel, added the source.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has been launching a large-scale military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip after the group's unprecedented attack on southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 Israelis, according to the Israeli authorities.

Israel's siege and bombardment of Gaza have so far killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to the latest data by the Gaza-based Health Ministry.

The Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza had served as the only gateway for relief supplies into Gaza before Israel reopened its Kerem Shalom border crossing with Gaza last December to fast-track the delivery of aid supplies to the enclave. 
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Dyess Air Force Base will be ushering in hundreds of crewmembers and several B-1 lancers from a South Dakota base, some already on base.

In an urgent meeting Thursday afternoon, Dyess told KTAB/KRBC it would welcome 250-plus pilots, mechanics, and other necessary personnel from Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB) in South Dakota while a B-1 crash investigation is conducted there.

Its not out of the ordinary to have jets from different squadrons included in training packages, whether we are operating at home or deployed, Col. Seth Spanier, commander of the 7th Bomb Wing, said in a statement. But anytime we have the opportunity to share knowledge and experiences across squadrons is extremely valuable and contributes to the overall readiness and lethality of the conventional bomber force.

According to an Air Force Times article, B-1 Lancer flights at Ellsworth AFB were halted following a nonfatal crash on Thursday, January 4. All four crew members on board ejected, sending one airman to the hospital.

B-1 bomber crashes while landing at South Dakota AFB, crew ejects safely

In response to this crash, Dyess AFB will host the additional aircrafts and personnel for at least the next two weeks so that the airmen may maintain combat readiness through continued training.

We consider our airfield a weapon system, Col. Derek Oakley, 28th Bomb Wing commander, added in the statement. While our airfield operations are currently on hold as part of the investigation, today, we proved that this weapon system is mission capable.

The supersonic bomber aircrafts first came into service in the 1980s, the AP reported. Today, fewer than 60 are used exclusively at Dyess and Ellsworth AFBs.

The latest on Dyess B-1 Lancers: A B-1B Lancer returned to Texas from the United Kingdom this last November after completing Bomber Task Force Mission 24-1.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
A U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury recently turned heads in Tucson, Arizona after it appeared there with what looked to be a heavily weathered paint job. The War Zone subsequently reached out to the Navy for more information and have learned that the service is itself working to get to the bottom of the matter. The Navy's E-6Bs are so-called 'doomsday planes' that serve as airborne command posts for America's nuclear deterrent triad.

The E-6B in question has the Navy serial number (also known as Bureau Number, or BuNo) 164387. Pictures, seen at the top of this story and below, show the jet with huge patches of paint missing across much its fuselage, tail, and some of its engine cowlings.

Cayden Smith

Navy ships have often drawn attention in the past due to running rust and other heavy weathering to their paint jobs. However, similar operational wear and tear does not appear to be what has happened to this particular E-6B.

"The paint on E-6B aircraft 164387 is not adhering to the primer," Naval Air Systems Command's (NAVAIR) Airborne Strategic Command, Control, and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) told The War Zone in response to our queries about this Mercury. "We are investigating this issue and an appropriate solution."

"The aircraft remains fully mission-capable and continues to support all assigned tasking," the statement added.

This can be seen in online flight tracking data about 164387's activity since leaving Tucson International Airport on January 23. The E-6B then flew to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, which is the main operating base for the Mercury fleet (16 aircraft in total) and is home to the Navy's Strategic Communications Wing 1 . The wing has two operational E-6B units, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadrons 3 and 4 (VQ-3 and VQ-4).

On January 24, 164387 left Tinker for Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Offutt is a major hub for Air Force strategic command and control and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, as well as being home to U.S. Strategic Command's (STRATCOM) headquarters. The distressed-looking E-6B has flown at least two sorties from Offutt since arriving there on Wednesday, according to publicly available tracking data from ADS-B Exchange .

Tracking data for E-6B BuNo 164387 on January 24, 2024, showing the aircraft flying from Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. The aircraft then conducted a sortie that took it over Wyoming and Montana. ADS-B Exchange

Keeping a sufficient number of Boeing 707 airliner-based E-6Bs operational at any one time is key to the U.S. military's nuclear deterrence posture. These aircraft provide critical and survivable nodes through which orders to carry out nuclear strikes , also known as Emergency Action Messages (EAM), would be transmitted should the need ever arise.

The E-6Bs have a host of specialized capabilities to support this core mission requirement. The jets can extend a five-mile-long antenna to communicate directly with submerged Ohio class nuclear ballistic missile submarines, a central element of what the Navy calls the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission. They aircraft also have the ability to initiate the launch of silo-based Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles while in flight. This is in support of an Air Force airborne nuclear command and control mission set commonly referred to by the nickname Looking Glass .

A picture of an E-6B with a red arrow pointing to the tip of the five-mile-long antenna the aircraft can unspool to communicate with submerged Ohio class nuclear ballistic missile submarines. USAF

The future of the Looking Glass mission set is currently uncertain. The Navy is working to start supplanting the E-6B fleet with new C-130J-30 Hercules-based doomsday planes by the end of the decade. However, these aircraft will be configured to support the TACAMO mission only .

Lockheed Martin artwork depicting a future C-130J-30-based TACAMO aircraft for the US Navy. Howard Altman

The Air Force does have four larger Boeing 747-based E-4B Nightwatch aircraft , also known as National Airborne Operations Centers (NAOC), with nuclear command and control capabilities. However, this very small fleet of aircraft is primarily intended to perform a broader continuity of government function, helping to ensure the President and other senior officials can continue to execute their authorities in the event of an extremely serious crisis, as you can read more about here . The Air Force is now moving to replace the E-4Bs with newer Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) aircraft.

It seems increasingly hard to see how the Air Force can escape a need to pursue a more direct replacement for the E-6B in support of the Looking Glass mission. Some members of Congress are now beginning push for the service to do just this. Prior to the introduction of the dual-mission Mercury, the Air Force had operated a fleet of EC-135 Looking Glass aircraft .

In the meantime, the E-6B Mercury fleet, including BuNo 164387 with its paint peeling for still unclear reasons, will continue to provide essential strategic nuclear command and control capabilities.

Special thanks to Cayden Smith for sharing the pictures of E-6B BuNo 164387.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
Militants from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed one Christian on Saturday (Jan. 20) and beat another unconscious on Monday (Jan. 22) in Omdurman, Sudan, sources said.

The RSF militants, which have been fighting the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) since April 15, shot dead Hidar Al Amin at his home in the Umbda area of Omdurman, across the Nile from Khartoum, a relative said.

The Muslim militants insulted Al Amin, a member of the Sudanese Presbyterian Evangelical Church in his 30s, for being a Christian, he said. They looted his property and left him in a pool of blood.

He was killed by the RSF after they stole all that he had, the relative said in a text message to Morning Star News.

On Monday (Jan. 22), RSF militants beat unconscious Al Thahir Kafi, a Christian merchant, before looting his home and shop in Omdurman, an area source said. Kafi is a well-known trader in the area now under RSF control.

Kafis Christian faith is also well-known in the area, and the militants who attacked him were Muslim extremists, the source said.

At least five church buildings have been set ablaze in Sudan since fighting broke out between the RSF and the SAF. In Al Jazirah state, which has been under RSF control since December, militants on Jan. 15 set a Greek Orthodox Church building on fire in Wad Medani, the state capital, an area pastor said.

The Greek Orthodox building is located next to an evangelical church building in the Hai Al Gism Al Aual area of the city, he said.

The series of churches being set ablaze is ongoing in Wad Medani, the pastor told Morning Star News.

Another Christian in Wad Medani, Karbino Bla, died on Jan. 5 from injuries sustained from an attack by RSF militants.

In Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Sudan was ranked No. 8, up from No. 10 the previous year, as attacks by non-state actors continued and religious freedom reforms at the national level were not enacted locally.

Sudan had dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in six years when it first ranked No. 13 in the 2021 World Watch List.

Fighting between the RSF and the SAF, which had shared military rule in Sudan following an October 2021 coup, has terrorized civilians in Khartoum and elsewhere, leaving more than 12,000 people dead and displacing an estimated 7.6 million others inside and outside the country.

Christian sites have been targeted since the conflict began.

The SAFs Gen. Abdelfattah al-Burhan and his then-vice president, RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, were in power when civilian parties in March agreed on a framework to re-establish a democratic transition in April, but disagreements over military structure torpedoed final approval.

Burhan sought to place the RSF  a paramilitary outfit with roots in the Janjaweed militias that had helped former strongman Omar al-Bashir put down rebels  under the regular armys control within two years, while Dagolo would accept integration within nothing fewer than 10 years. The conflict burst into military fighting on April 15.

Both military leaders have Islamist backgrounds while trying to portray themselves to the international community as pro-democracy advocates of religious freedom.

Following two years of advances in religious freedom in Sudan after the end of the Islamist dictatorship under Bashir in 2019, the specter of state-sponsored persecution returned with the military coup of Oct. 25, 2021.

After Bashir was ousted from 30 years of power in April 2019, the transitional civilian-military government had managed to undo some sharia (Islamic law) provisions. It outlawed the labeling of any religious group infidels and thus effectively rescinded apostasy laws that made leaving Islam punishable by death.

With the Oct. 25, 2021 coup, Christians in Sudan feared the return of the most repressive and harsh aspects of Islamic law. Abdalla Hamdok, who had led a transitional government as prime minister starting in September 2019, was detained under house arrest for nearly a month before he was released and reinstated in a tenuous power-sharing agreement in November 2021.

Hamdock had been faced with rooting out longstanding corruption and an Islamist deep state from Bashirs regime  the same deep state that is suspected of rooting out the transitional government in the Oct. 25, 2021 coup.

The U.S. State Department in 2019 removed Sudan from the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) that engage in or tolerate systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom and upgraded it to a watch list. Sudan had previously been designated as a CPC from 1999 to 2018.

In December 2020, the State Department removed Sudan from its Special Watch List.

The Christian population of Sudan is estimated at 2 million, or 4.5 percent of the total population of more than 43 million.

 2023 Morning Star News. Articles/photos may be reprinted with credit to Morning Star News. https://morningstarnews.org. Morning Star News is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that relies solely on contributions to offer original news reports of persecuted Christians. By providing reliable news on the suffering church, Morning Star News mission is to empower those in the free world to help and to encourage persecuted Christians that they are not forgotten or alone.
E. Jean Carrolls lawyer used Donald Trumps own words against him on Friday, urging the jury in his defamation trial to make the former president pay dearly.

Attorney Roberta Kaplan said during her closing arguments that the trial is not just about stopping Trump from continuing to defame Carroll, but also about showing that no one is above the law. She pointed out that Trump has continued to make false claims about Carroll, despite already owing Carroll $5 million in damages from their previous trial.

Kaplan said they were seeking at least $24 million in damages, more than double the $10 million minimum Carroll sought at the start of the trial. Carrolls team is now asking for at least $12 million to repair Carrolls reputation and another $12 million for emotional harm caused.

Kaplan told the jury she would let them determine how much more Trump owes in punitive damages. Kaplan reminded them, though, that Trump had said under oath he is worth billions of dollars.

It will take an unusually high punitive damages award to have any hope of stopping Donald Trump, she said.

Now is the time to make him pay for it. And now is the time to make him pay for it dearly, Kaplan concluded, borrowing a phrase Trump had previously used to threaten Carroll.

This is the second time that Trumps own words have come back to bite him in this trial. On Thursday, Carrolls lawyers played a clip of Trumps video deposition that he sat for last year, ahead of his bank fraud trial in New York. In the clip, Trump brags that his Doral resort in Miami could be worth $2.5 billion by itself. When Kaplan said Trump claimed he was worth billions, she was referring to this testimony.

These boasts could drive up the amount he will ultimately owe Carroll in damages. Legal analyst Lisa Rubin explained on MSNBC last week that the jury is allowed to consider how much Donald Trump is worth.

Trump already owes Carroll $5 million in damages after a jury in May unanimously found him liable for sexual abuse and battery against Carroll in the mid-1990s and for defaming her in 2022 while denying the assault. It looks like that number is about to go up significantlyand Trump only has himself to blame.
A Texas National Guard soldier patrols the banks of the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass. The Texas National Guard and the U.S. Border Patrol have been at odds over access to parts of the border in Texas.

Texas and the federal government are fighting each other in court over who should take charge of an area in Texas that borders Mexico.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott argues that the Biden administration isnt doing enough to control illegal border crossings. Abbott ordered the Texas National Guard to install razor wire along the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass. The goal: to block migrants path into the country.

But Biden administration officials and Homeland Security Department court filings say Texas is blocking U.S. Border Patrol agents ability to do their jobs. The wire blocks Border Patrol from entering Shelby Park, which federal agents have used to process paperwork for migrants. People who reach the area are already on U.S. soil.

The battle has fueled social media posts that question whether a new civil war is underway.

Texas actions restricting the Border Patrols movements are "quite unprecedented," said Stephen Vladeck, a University of Texas law professor.

"Im not aware of, and Texas hasnt identified, a prior case in which state authorities physically impeded the federal governments access to an international border," Vladeck said.

Despite the disagreements, however, the Civil War comparisons dont fit well here, immigration and legal experts told us. The landscape of mid-1800s U.S. was vastly different, they said, and federal-state conflicts before and after the war  including over fugitive slaves, school integration and taxes  are not uncommon. Although Texas actions might be considered aggressive, none told us they expect the dispute to go beyond the courtroom.

The legal battle over razor wire and border control

Texas sued the Biden administration in October for cutting razor wire installed by the Texas National Guard along the Mexico border. State Attorney General Ken Paxton argued that the federal government "illegally destroyed" Texas property and "disrupted" Texas ability to stop illegal entries.

But the Biden administration says Border Patrol agents need access to an area cordoned off by Texas so they can respond to medical emergencies involving migrants.

In January, after lower court appeals by both sides, the Biden administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency decision. Homeland Security said the Texas National Guard had added more razor wire along a 2.5-mile stretch of the border and restricted the Border Patrols ability to reach the Rio Grande and access to Shelby Park, which agents use for migrant inspections.

On Jan. 22, the court sided with the Biden administration in a 5-4 decision, granting its request to let it remove the razor wire, at least while a lawsuit plays out in lower courts. After the decision, Abbott said on X that he "will continue to defend Texas' constitutional authority to secure the border and prevent the Biden Admin from destroying our property."

CBS News reported that Texas National Guard members began adding additional razor wire the day after the Supreme Court decision.

The battle over the blocked-off area escalated after three migrants, two of them children, drowned Jan. 12 on the Rio Grande. Two other migrants who survived were in distress on the river, but Border Patrol agents could not get to them because of the blocked access, Homeland Security said in a lawsuit over the razor wire. Texas responded that Border Patrol agents did not request access to the migrants.

This is not the first state-federal immigration tug-of-war

States and the federal government have previously disagreed over immigration enforcement. Thats the case with dozens of states, cities and counties across the U.S. that have enacted "sanctuary" policies limiting their cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

But "no sanctuary city has ever prevented federal immigration from coming into their territory in the same way that Texas is trying to do," said Huyen Pham, a Texas A&M University law professor.

Theres a difference between local and state governments not cooperating with federal authorities and interfering with them, Vladeck said.

"Under the U.S. Constitution, local and state governments can choose whether to help the federal government enforce federal law," Vladeck said. "They cant hinder the federal government from enforcing federal law."

Are Civil War comparisons apt?

A comparison between the Texas-Biden dispute and the Civil War is an imperfect one, as the relationship between the federal government and state troops is far more regulated now than it was in the 19th century, said Cecily Zander, a Texas Womans University assistant history professor.

"Biden has the option to supersede Gov. Abbotts authority and federalize the Texas National Guard to compel them to move away from the border, since Texas remains in the Union," said Zander. That wasnt an option for President Abraham Lincoln, Zander said, because Texas didnt recognize the federal governments authority in 1861, she said.

States have tried to block federal action many times, before and after the Civil War, said Lorien Foote, a Texas A&M history professor. For example, states tried to tax the national bank out of existence, and northern states used state officials to defy the federal fugitive slave laws, she said.

"The conflicts of federalism are embedded in all parts of our history in the 19th and 20th centuries," Foote said.

Daniel Morales, a University of Houston Law Center associate law professor, believes that the Texas-Biden administration feud will be confined to courtrooms, but he made a Civil War analogy to describe Abbotts actions.

The best analogy, "given the dueling military-adjacent operations, is the Battle of Fort Sumter, which started the Civil War. Thats how bellicose this action is by Gov. Abbott," Morales said, referring to the 1861 battle in which Confederate forces attacked a South Carolina base occupied by Union forces.

Morales also compared Texas stance to the resistance of Southern states with integration, which resulted in federal troops integrating some schools at gunpoint.

"Abbott is using state-controlled troops to defy" federal law "in a way, that rhymes with both historical moments," Morales said.

Still, "the confrontation on the Texas border is nothing close to the sectional crisis, mass political conflict, and violence that led to the Civil War," said Michael Parrish, a Baylor University history professor emeritus.

What happens next?

Ultimately, the courts will decide whether Texas actions are legal and whether the federal government has superseding authority on immigration matters. The cases might end up back at the Supreme Court.

Pham said the current, more conservative Supreme Court might be open to some things Texas wants, such as arresting immigrants for state-based crimes, but not to blocking the Border Patrol from accessing the border.

That "seems like such a direct challenge to a really bedrock principle of immigration federalism that I think even this court would be reluctant to allow," Pham said.

Our sources

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Eagle Pass tensions are 'unprecedented,' but it isn't 'civil war'
For previous reports on this story, view the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A security guard at a troubled bus station on the West Side was injured Thursday after part of his ear was bitten off.

About 4 p.m., Columbus police were called to the bus terminal on North Wilson Road near Interstate 70 on reports of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers found a security guard, who had a portion of his right ear bitten off.

The guard told police that a man was creating a disturbance with his family while carrying an open container of beer. When the security guard asked the man  later identified as 37-year-old Chance Harbor  several times to leave, Harbor refused and proceeded to finish his beer in front of the guard.

Arrest warrant from 2013 Columbus murder turns into police shootout in Greene County

Court documents report the guard attempted to remove Harbor physically, but the interaction turned physical and they wrestled each other to the ground. Harbor then allegedly bit the ear of the guard, who was taken, along with the removed portion of his ear, to Doctors Hospital.

Harbor reportedly fled to a nearby gas station, where he was arrested. Police said Harbor admitted he knew the man was a security guard, to drinking and to biting the ear.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Harbor also told police he felt threatened by the guard and an unidentified man who allegedly assisted the guard while holding a knife.

I bit him because I thought I was going to be stabbed, said Harbor, who then requested an attorney, according to the police report. He has been charged with felonious assault.

The incident is another in a long line of criminal activity that resulted in City Attorney Zach Klein declaring the terminal, a former gas station, a public nuisance last summer. In the first six weeks after the station relocated from Downtown, police responded to over 62 complaints, including 14 related to crime such as robbery, assault and shots fired.

A man died after being shot at the Greyhound Bus Station on North Wilson Road. (NBC4/Ronald Clark)

A man died after being shot at the Greyhound Bus Station on North Wilson Road. (NBC4/Ronald Clark)

A passenger waits outside the Greyhound Bus terminal after a man died from a shooting on North Wilson Road. (NBC4/Ronald Clark)

A man died after being shot at the Greyhound Bus Station on North Wilson Road. (NBC4/Ronald Clark)

Greyhound relocated its Downtown terminal on Wednesday, June 28 to 845 N. Wilson Road on the citys northwest side. (Courtesy Photo/Franklin County Auditors Office)

Greyhound relocated its Downtown terminal on Wednesday, June 28 to 845 N. Wilson Road on the citys northwest side. (NBC4 File Photo)

In October, 26-year-old Jibril Kim was charged with killing a man at the bus station. Video surveillance showed Kim shooting the victim multiple times. He was issued a $2 million bond.

The City of Columbus issued an ultimatum on July 28, giving Barons Bus Incorporated, which owns the station, 20 days to comply after it found the terminal was operating without a certificate of occupancy or proper permits. Among other code violations found were improper permits for graphics, damage to the exterior of the building and operating more than two buses out of its location.

Fact check: Did Senate candidate Bernie Moreno shred documents accusing him of wage theft?

Tensions boiled over during an October town hall meeting in which neighbors voiced emotional concerns and frustration. Residents took notice even earlier when they began expressing concerns over criminal activity, safety and sanitation at the terminal, which moved from Downtown after the Central Ohio Transit Authority purchased the former terminal at 111 E. Town St. for $9.5 million.

The legal process was delayed in December after Barons accused Mayor Andrew Ginther of having an improper conversation with Judge Stephanie Mingo, who then recused herself from the case. On Jan. 10, a retired judge from Circleville, Gary Dumm, was named visiting judge in the case against the bus terminal. He announced a trial date of March 4-6.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
This is NOT a photo of Joe Biden legalizing cannabis, because he's never done that. Rather, he's posing for a photo with Air Force Colonel Paul Pawluk at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, on Jan. 25.

This is NOT a photo of Joe Biden legalizing cannabis, because he's never done that. Rather, he's posing for a photo with Air Force Colonel Paul Pawluk at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, on Jan. 25.

With 10 months until Election Day, artificial intelligence is poised to change the nature of American politics  and the tech is so easy to use, even a reporter can do it.

A recent robocall to New Hampshire residents featured a fake Joe Biden voice urging Democrats to skip Tuesdays primary. He didnt really say that, and the New Hampshire attorney generals office launched an investigation into the call, with a spokesperson saying it appeared to be an unlawful attempt to disrupt the primary and suppress New Hampshire voters.

Artificial intelligence has advanced quickly in recent years, raising fears of efficient, widespread misinformation campaigns, to the detriment of voters and news consumers.

The uses for the technology in politics are seemingly endless, from astroturfed comment sections and legislative correspondence to entirely AI-generated podcasts, which the firm NewsGuard found plagiarized from real news websites. In the future, fake information like the Biden robocall could be produced on a mass scale  and, crucially, employed in local elections or in languages other than English, making the truth even more difficult to ferret out. Imagine receiving a call that your local polling place is closed because of a busted water line.

So HuffPost tried our hand at the deceptive practice.

It only took a few minutes, and the results are strikingly realistic.

Here, for example, is a fake Joe Biden announcing that cannabis is now legal nationwide:

And heres our AI-powered Donald Trump reciting Julia Stiles character Kat Stratfords iconic poem from 10 Things I Hate About You:

The spoofs were created with Parrot AI, a popular app that offers users the opportunity to put words in the mouths of dozens of prominent politicians, celebrities, and even cartoon and video game characters. The company did not return HuffPosts request for comment about what rules were in place, if any, to prevent the app from being used to mislead voters.

Given the availability of the technology, many observers are concerned about the so-called liars dividend, or the idea that politicians can falsely dismiss inconvenient facts as fake AI material. The preponderance of artificial material could also degrade Americans already-fragile sense of a shared reality  a problem thats been discussed by top experts in the field.

In a democratic society, if people just stop believing anything, then its eroding really a core tenet of a democratic system, which is trust, Sarah Kreps, a political scientist whos studied artificial intelligence, said during a meeting of the Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology last year.

In that context, theres a crucial difference between being aware of misinformation  and feeling debilitated by it.

Voters should know these tools exist, but also that the facts still matter and that the truth is knowable, said Josh Lawson, director of AI and Democracy at the Aspen Institute. That is extremely important. We know that bad actors want to erode our confidence in truth, and the knowability of facts.

Rather than looking for some telltale sign that a piece of content is fake  thats a tall order, especially with the technology getting more sophisticated and widespread  Lawson offered some straightforward advice: When theres information that calls for a reaction from you, verify that with trusted information sources like reliable news media or public officials, especially if the information in question could change how or whether you vote.

Other actors in the AI field have used absurdism to make a similar point: On Twitch, the livestreaming video site, artificial intelligence bots of Donald Trump and Joe Biden have for months now been engaged in a continuous, digitally improvised debate in which they insult each other and respond in real time to comments from a chatroom watching the spectacle. (No amount of tanning can hide the darkness in your soul, Biden told Trump Wednesday afternoon, one in an endless string of snapbacks.)

TrumpOrBiden2024, the channel in question, is a project of MySentient.AI, which also runs an AI Ask Jesus stream. Reese Leysen, the companys CEO, told HuffPost that one initial goal of the stream was showcasing just how realistic the technology has become.

While we are very clearly portraying it as parody  labeling it as such, making it so wacky and unhinged that obviously its parody  the effect that you have... is so many people find it and say, Wait a minute, this is pretty damn convincing. It does make people more aware of the fact that things they bump into like that may not be real.

Leysen compared the current era of artificial intelligence to the introduction of Photoshop, when the public eventually realized that a given image may have been digitally manipulated. Still, he said, at the moment, its already more omnipresent than a lot of people may be aware of. AI material, he noted, is clogging search engines and X, formerly known as Twitter.

Its very quickly spreading, Leysen said. Its going to be interesting to see how we adapt.

Related...
By Alexandra Valencia

QUITO (Reuters) - Ecuador's top court has blocked nine questions that President Daniel Noboa wanted to put to Ecuadoreans in a referendum on security issues, arguing they failed to meet constitutional requirements, it said on Friday.

Noboa declared a state of emergency with a nighttime curfew for 60 days at the beginning of January over spiraling violence in the Andean country, and designated 22 criminal bands as terrorist groups, declaring a military offensive against them at the same time.

Six other questions for the referendum were approved, while four more, including on the extradition of Ecuadoreans and the recognition of international arbitration, will be reexamined, the Constitutional Court said.

Noboa had said that he hopes to hold the referendum in March.

In its ruling, the Constitutional Court said it blocked the nine questions because they do not change current regulations, are imprecise, or address multiple topics.

Among questions the court denied were those on allowing security forces to carry out operations preempting organized crime, as well as on changes to sanctions and pardons regarding the use of force.

Noboa's press office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Ecuador has been engulfed in spiraling violence, including in prisons where hundreds of inmates have been killed in recent years, which officials attribute to gangs of drug traffickers.

(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
When Sadiq Khan promised to clean up Londons air by introducing electric buses, did he factor in the black smoke which poured out of the Number 265 as it burst into flames in Putney on Wednesday?

That followed two very similar fires in the past fortnight which consumed vehicles from the same fleet. Paris has already had to withdraw a fleet of electric buses after a couple of fires, while in Venice-Mestre last October 21 people died after an electric bus caught fire and plunged off a flyover.

The race to net zero, as the politicians like to describe it, isnt just expensive; it is dangerous. It isnt only electric buses which burst into flames, of course  Ken Livingstones infamous bendy buses also had a habit of catching fire, and they were diesel-powered. But when electric vehicles catch fire they can be a lot harder to put out due to thermal runaway where one overheating cell leads to the neighbouring cell, setting off a chain reaction.

With buses, the problem is even bigger than in cars because the batteries are necessarily larger. The fires cant be tackled in the same way as petrol or diesel vehicle fires, and vehicles are in some cases being left to burn themselves out.

I am sure these problems may eventually be overcome and electric vehicles become a lot safer than they are now, but it isnt going to be easy or quick. A couple of years ago I took a speculative punt on a start-up company which seemed initially to have solved the problem of thermal runaway in vehicle batteries. You only have to look at my miserable, shrunken investment now to tell that the technology isnt coming along quite as hoped. I have been a lot more wary of green technologies since then.

But the problem is that the demands of our 2050 net zero target dont give anyone the time or space to sort out these sorts of problems properly. The zero emission vehicle mandate introduced by the government on 1 January demands that 22 percent of all cars sold in Britain this year are pure electric, rising to 80 percent by 2030. The plans for the green transition are more than a little half-baked (or perhaps it would be more accurate to say somewhat over-baked in the case of electric buses). Transport for London, like everyone else, is being forced to invest heavily in technologies today despite the point that they will likely improve vastly in the near future.

Khan has promised to make all buses in London zero emission by 2037. But how is he going to get there when it looks as if he may well have to withdraw an entire fleet of 380 buses? If he doesnt take these buses out of service, I fear he may find himself short of passengers willing to take the risk. Khan is a great one for ramping up public fear when it comes to air pollution. A better definition of a crisis, I think, is a sudden and acute problem  like spontaneously-combusting buses.

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.
California Rep. Barbara Lee has been making headlines and sparking discourse across social media as she reacts to being called everything from a thief to a communist. Recently, the Democratic Senate candidate has clashed with Republicans as she has detailed two exclusion incidents and accusations experienced within the halls of Congress.

Lee hit the news cycle Thursday after an interview with CNNs Kaitlin Collins. During the interview, Lee reacted to Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haleys controversial comments that the United States has never been a racist country. Objecting to Haleys dismissal of racism in America, Lee discussed systemic racism in the country before recounting a recent experience of personal racism in which a white man denied her entry into an elevator used by members of Congress. Even when she showed the man her pin identifying her as one, the man insultingly asked, Whose pin did you steal?

Rep. Barbara Lee: I was walking to the Capitol and a man stopped me, a white guy, and told me I could not get into the members elevatorHe told me it was for members only. I said, 'Sir, Im a member of Congress' and showed him my pin. And he said, 'Whose pin did you steal?'" pic.twitter.com/RGhOpfTMjM  Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) January 19, 2024

Video and reports of Lees story went viral on social media. While many people expressed outrage that a Black woman in Congress would experience this kind of treatment, some conservatives questioned her story, accusing her of lying; the name Jussie Smollett began trending as people accused Lee of making up the story despite no evidence that her report was false. However, author Keith Boykin noted in a tweet that Lees story is very similar to one told by Republican Sen. Tim Scott, but Republicans dont believe Barbara Lee because she acknowledges systemic racism. He doesnt.

Barbara Lee and Tim Scott told similar stories, but Republicans dont believe Barbara Lee because she acknowledges systemic racism. He doesnt. They use Jussie Smollett as a deflection to obscure the real history of Carolyn Bryant Donham, Susan Smith, Charles Stuart, and others. pic.twitter.com/u3VzhlzIui  Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) January 19, 2024

On Jan. 18, Lee posted that I was just kicked out of a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing on Cuba policy because the Republican Chair didnt like my views, posting a video of a heated exchange between herself and Chairwoman Maria Salazar from Florida.

I was just kicked out of a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing on Cuba policy because the Republican Chair didnt like my views. Id share the livestream, but Republicans cut out the sound when I stood up to defend myself & call them out. pic.twitter.com/eqV1ymor9j  Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) January 18, 2024

According to NBC News, Lee and Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz were invited by a fellow Democrat to the committee meeting, a common courtesy often extended to members of Congress. However, Salazar stated that while Wasserman Schultz was more than welcome, Barbara Lee is not. When asked why, NBC reported Salazar responded, Because Barbara Lee, who is a member of the Democratic Party is friends with the oppressors and not the Cuban people. Barbara has been friends of Fidel Castro. Salazar later took to social media to accuse Lee of attempting to spread communist propaganda. California Democratic Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove objected to Salazars actions at the hearing, saying that Lee is a Black woman who was just silenced, denied her rightful voice.

As Lee continues her Senate campaign, she will remain one of the most high-profile Black women in Congress. She continues to be vocal about her domestic and international positions and her personal experiences of being accused and excluded. She will likely pop up again in the news cycle and online discourse.
ELLENVILLE - An Ellenville man is facing felony charges of assault and escape after he allegedly stabbed another man on Wednesday and then briefly escaped from custody after being caught by police.

According to Ellenville village police, they responded to a report of a stabbing outside a general store on Route 209 shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The responding officers found the victim, identified only as a 20-year-old Kingston man, lying on the sidewalk with a deep stab wound to his upper abdomen.

He was treated at the scene by members of the Ellenville Rescue Squad and then taken to Garnet Regional Medical Center in Middletown, where he underwent emergency surgery Wednesday night.

Police said he is reported to be in stable condition in the medical center's intensive care unit, and is expected to survive.

Two hours after a police investigation began, the suspect, identified as Jordan Coffey, 23, of Ellenville, was located by a K-9 unit of the state police hiding in an apartment on Mill Street. He was taken into custody by Ellenville and state police without incident.

Coffey was charged with one count of first-degree assault, a felony, and taken to the Town of Shawangunk Court for arraignment.

Shawangunk Town Justice Michael Voss ordered Coffey held at the Ulster County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Pedestrian death: Woman walking on 9W killed after being hit by a vehicle in Saugerties

After the arraignment, Coffey, who was handcuffed from behind, managed to pull the handcuffs over his legs and then fled on foot, still handcuffed, out of the court and down the street, with an officer in pursuit.

Coffey was located about 45 minutes later by an Ulster County Sheriff's Department K-9 unit and taken into custody without incident.

Coffey was additionally charged with one count of first-degree escape, a felony, and ordered held without bail in the Ulster County jail, pending further court action.

The name of Coffey's attorney was not immediately available.

Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record and the Poughkeepsie Journal. Reach him at mrandall@th-record.com or on Twitter @mikerandall845.

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Ellenville police charge village man with assault and escape
Elon Musk's "flaming dumpster" social media network has handed a Holocaust-denying and Hitler-praising account a gold checkmark, which the company supposedly uses to recognize official organizations.

The blatantly antisemitic account, called "Defund Israel Now," has more than 35,000 followers on the platform and is presumably paying X anywhere from $200 to $1,000 for its gold status since late last year.

The account's activity is nothing less than alarming. It posts Hitler speeches, accuses Jewish people of being pedophiles, spreads conspiracy theories, and engages with white nationalists. Unsurprisingly, the account is also highlighting the atrocities happening in Gaza right now as a way to further its fascist agenda.

"Having spent weeks posting deeply antisemitic content on a daily basis on this platform, this gold tick account is now tweeting 'Hitler was right' videos," BBC journalist Shayan Sardarizadeh tweeted.

The fact that the account is not only thriving on X, but also enjoying the same status as the one for Tesla's AI department or SpaceX, is a horrifying omission and failure of content moderation. It highlights how hate speech is not only rampant on Musk's platform, but that the company is actively promoting and profiting from it.

By giving these accounts a platform, the site also risks having other users on the platform mistake it for something authoritative, putting Musk's company at the front and center of even more dissemination of antisemitic hate speech online.

It's unclear if X's existing policies forbid the kind of content the account is posting, and the account is still active at press time.

X's "hateful conduct" policy, which dates back to April 2023, forbids the posting of any "symbols historically associated with hate groups, e.g., the Nazi swastika." It also prohibits content that incites "fear or spreading fearful stereotypes about a protected category."

Given Musk's recent remarks and actions, the news shouldn't come as much of a surprise. The mercurial CEO has actively promoted vicious antisemitic propaganda on the platform himself.

Ever since, advertisers have run for the hills, seemingly inspiring Musk to go on a bizarre apology tour.

First, he flew to Israel to pose with local politicians, a publicity stunt that did little to clear his name. Then, earlier this week, he flew to Poland to visit the Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

During an event that took place in the nearby city of Krakow, Musk argued that social media likely would've stopped the Holocaust from happening, a ludicrous assertion that critics have since pointed out is misguided on many levels.

At the event, he claimed that he had never heard about antisemitism "at dinner conversations" and called it "like an absurdity  at least in my friend circles."

"Two-thirds of my friends are Jewish," he told audiences at the event in Krakow, as quoted by the New York Times. "Im Jewish by association. Im aspirationally Jewish."

Beyond allowing antisemitic and neo-Nazi content to flourish, X has also verified accounts with the N-word in their handles, as the Daily Dot reported last year. The company has also given a platform to accounts known for posting child sex abuse material.

Of course, Musk's businesses have long stopped responding to virtually all requests for comment, so don't expect X to take action any time soon.

More on Musk: Elon Musk Visits Auschwitz, Twists Holocaust Into Excuse to Make Money
An employer pistol whipped a worker for being late and sent him to the hospital, then tried paying him $10,000 to keep quiet, Tennessee police said.

Othman Elkhayyat, 35, has now been charged with aggravated assault, felony harassment and coercion of a witness, Shelby County records show.

The employee told authorities his boss became upset when he wasnt on time for work Jan. 16, the Memphis Police Department reported in an arrest affidavit.

Then Elkhayyat pulled out a gun and began to pistol whip the employee in the face until he fled from the business, police said. The worker said he ran to a nearby business, and the attack continued.

He reported that as he ran away again, Elkhayyat fired one shot, according to Memphis authorities.

His friend took him to a hospital, where he had to undergo multiple jaw surgeries.

Two days later, investigators talked with the man in the hospital and received x-rays of his injuries. The next day, he called police again and told them Elkhayyat had threatened him and his son if he reported the incident, officials said.

He told police he worried for his son because Elkhayyat had substantial resources and weapons, investigators wrote in the affidavit.

He also reported that Elkhayyat sent his father to the hospital with an unknown document for him to sign in exchange for $10,000, according to police.

When he refused to sign the papers, the man threatened to break both his legs, police said. A few days later, he reported that Elkhayyat called him five times threatening to kill him, police said.

Elkhayyat was arrested Jan. 23 and booked in Shelby County jail on a $30,000 bond, which he posted, records show.

McClatchy News reached out to the mans attorney Jan. 26 and did not immediately receive a response.

Contractors stole nearly $600K in worker wages, posed as employees to hide it, feds say

Hospital executive created fake company to steal $620,000 in Illinois, feds say

Man kills exs new boyfriend, tells kids, Dont tell anybody, Virginia officials say

Landlord assaulted tenants with chainsaw, shovel and stole their money, feds say
A ground-breaking study, Silencing Women, highlights the devastating toll of women killed by their partners or family members in Kenya from 2016 to 2023. Femicide is the most extreme form of gender-based violence against women. It is often fuelled by gender stereotypes, harmful social norms and an unequal balance of power between men and women.

In 75 percent of the 500 cases the study covered, the killers were individuals known to the victims  intimate partners, relatives, or friends. Husbands and/or boyfriends emerged as the biggest culprits contributing to nearly two-thirds of the cases. Only about 15 percent of cases involved women being killed by strangers.

The murders often stem from family quarrels, with approximately 80 percent of homicides occurring within these confines. The analysis also indicates that femicide is often preceded by domestic violence, aligning with findings from The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The UNODC and UN Women produced the second joint edition of a report on gender-related killings of women and girls titled Statistical framework for measuring the gender-related killing of women and girls (also referred to as femicide/feminicide). According to the report, in 2022, Africa recorded the largest ...absolute number of female intimate partner and family-related killings with an estimated 20,000 victims; followed by 18,400 in Asia; 7,900 in the Americas; 2,300 in Europe; and 200 in Oceania.

Irene Kibagendi, the Executive Director of the AEA Womens Commission reflected on the study noting that the violence against women is turning homes, traditionally places of refuge, into unsafe spaces for women.

The finality of this cruel and intentional act that many women and girls are experiencing is robbery to one's life, taking into account the inhumane process that causes trauma, fear, agony, psychological and physical isolation for hours or days before they are finally killed. This is quite disheartening, said Kibagendi.

She condemns these acts and urgently calls for the governments intervention, highlighting the apparent inadequacy of current efforts to protect women. She further lamented the role of social media in perpetuating insecurities and unrealistic expectations that often lure girls into dangerous situations.

Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit of the Anglican Church of Kenya addressed the public outcry and called for expedited investigations into the recent and recurrent killings. He said, ...for those apprehended, we call for tough measures and they should never return to society. We call for life imprisonment and any other tough measures to ensure they are never let out to mingle with our children.

Renowned Kenyan journalist, John Allan-Namu, speaking about the study on X (formerly Twitter), commended the work done by Odipodev and Africa Data Hub in compiling cases of femicide in Kenya from 2016 to 2023. He said that in his many years of covering femicide stories, he has found one disturbing pattern, if there is a relationship or marriage that has a consistent pattern of abuse, it often ends up with the death of that woman. He further observed that due to data limitations, uneven news coverage, and underreporting in some regions, the numbers could be higher.

Two murders of women in January 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya have made headline news and were trending social media topics in the country. The first was Starlet Wahu, who was brutally murdered in an Air BnB with CCTV footage showing her last moments as she checked into the apartment with her would-be assailant, who was later arrested.

The second case was that of Rita Waeni. Chief Government Pathologist, Johansen Oduor said, I have never seen anything like this before while giving a press brief on the case while further confirming that Ritas killer cut her skin with a sharp object and then cut through her bones with a hacksaw.

The creation of the Silencing Women database offers a resource to track femicide cases in Kenya.
Following Apple's announcement of enabling third-party app stores for iOS users in the European Union, Epic Games confirms that it'll be bringing Fortnite back to the iPhone and iPad in Europe later this year  by way of a new Epic mobile games store. This will mark the title's official return to Apple's platform since it was yanked back in August 2020, after Epic offered discounts to payments made directly to its own store, instead of Apple's App Store and Google Play which would take a 30-percent cut. iOS users have had to rely on Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce Now to play Fortnite, but this will soon be a thing of the past for those based in Europe.

Fortnite's grand return to iOS in Europe is all thanks to the EU's new Digital Markets Act, which goes into effect March 7. This allows developers to take payments and distribute apps from outside of the App Store, pending Apple's new "Notarization" approval process to spot harmful apps. Apple is also introducing a new fee structure that claims to cost less, if not the same, for most developers who publish to European markets.

Fortnite will return to iOS in Europe in 2024, distributed by the upcoming @EpicGames Store for iOS. Stay tuned for details as we figure out the regulatory timeline. We'll continue to argue to the courts and regulators that Apple is breaking the law. https://t.co/MHh6EGVinC  Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) January 25, 2024

Even though the upcoming changes will allow Epic Games to make money off iOS users once again (at least in Europe), founder and CEO Tim Sweeney called out Cupertino for the "new Junk Fees on downloads and new Apple taxes on payments they don't process." The exec later spotted more "hot garbage" in the details, particularly the terms related to requesting an entitlement from Apple. "Under what possible theory of antitrust regulation is it acceptable for a monopoly to decide what companies are allowed to compete with it, and on what terms they can compete? Apple makes a mockery of free market competition," Sweeney said in a post on X. The infuriated tone here comes as no surprise, especially after the US Supreme Court rejected Epic's appeal that Apple violated federal antitrust laws earlier this month.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday condemned the massive rise in anti-Semitism across Europe in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7.

"European Jews are again living in fear," von der Leyen said ahead of the International Day of Holocaust Remembrance and the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

The victims of Nazi dictatorship have for decades been commemorated on January 27, the day in 1945 when the German concentration camp in occupied Poland was liberated by Soviet forces.

Von der Leyen called on the European Union to "remember the 6 million Jewish women, men and children, and all other victims, among them hundreds of thousands of Roma, murdered during the Holocaust."

The commission president said that remembering the Holocaust has "taken on a new meaning" after the terrorist attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas.

"Jewish people are bullied, harassed, and attacked on the street, in school and university. Synagogues have been vandalized. Jewish cemeteries have been desecrated," she said.

"The unprecedented spike of anti-Semitic acts we have seen all over Europe reminds us of the darkest time of our history. What is different now, however, is that we all stand with the Jewish communities," the German said.

"There is no place for anti-Semitic hatred, especially here in Europe. And there is no justification for anti-Semitism," she added.

Since the October 7 attacks, there have already been well over 1,200 anti-Semitic offences in Germany, the head of Germany's domestic intelligence agency Thomas Haldenwang told reporters recently.
The row over the Post Office scandal and the hundreds of victims who are yet to be fully compensated has dominated headlines over recent days.

Here are the answers to questions you may have about the Horizon row, which still shows no sign of abating.

What caused the Post Office scandal?

The rollout of Horizon computing software - manufactured by Japanese company Fujitsu - across UK Post Office branches led to the prosecution of more than 900 sub-postmasters between 1999 and 2015. Faults in the software made it look like money was missing and sub-postmasters were charged with theft and false accounting as a result. Some were ordered to undertake community service or sent to prison and four are known to have taken their own lives.

What did sub-postmasters do when they found out they had shortfalls?

The Post Office ordered sub-postmasters to pay back money that was lost or face prosecution if they did not comply. They were contractually obliged to make up for the losses with their own funds. This resulted in some losing their livelihoods and going bankrupt as a result.

What happened to the extra money which was paid in?

Forensic accounts have said that the extra money paid in by worried sub-postmasters was likely credited to the Post Offices profit and loss account. If this was the case, then the Post Office would have declared larger profits or smaller losses that it should have done and would have needed less government subsidy as a result. If so, then the taxpayer inadvertently benefited from money wrongly taken from sub-postmasters.

When were the shortfalls attributed to the faulty computer software system?

It wasnt until December 2019 when a High Court judge ruled that Horizon contained bugs, errors and defects and there was a material risk that shortfalls in Post Office branch accounts were caused by the system.

How many sub-postmasters have had their convictions overturned since the 2019 judgment?

So far, 93 sub-postmasters have had their convictions overturned, but hundreds more have not yet come forward.

Have any sub-postmasters received compensation?

Around 138 million has been paid out to approximately 2,700 sub-postmasters across three compensation schemes, according to the Post Office. However, hundreds of others are yet to receive a payout. In September, the Government announced that every worker whose wrongful conviction was overturned would be offered 600,000 in compensation. Those who had already received initial smaller payments or had reached a lower valued settlement with the Post Office would be paid the difference. However, some lawyers who represent victims have said that even 600,000 is not enough in all cases to make up for what has been lost over two decades.

How did the Government come up with the 600,000 figure?

The first time victims of the scandal received any money was when those involved in Bates & Others v Post Office reached an out-of-court settlement with the Post Office in 2019. The Post Office did not accept liability, so this was a costs settlement not compensation. However, the group was awarded 57.75 million in total. However, some 46 million was taken in legal costs - leaving only 20,000 for each person. In April 2021, Nick Read, the chief executive of the Post Office, urged the Government to provide funding, arguing that his organisation did not have the financial resources to provide meaningful compensation. The Government went on to announce that sub-postmasters wrongly convicted of offences would get interim compensation of up to 100,000 a few months later, in July 2021. In September 2023, it confirmed that those who had had their convictions overturned on the basis of Horizon evidence would be paid 600,000 in full and final settlement of their claim.

What about sub-postmasters whose convictions have not been overturned?

Without proof of the convictions having been overturned, victims cannot currently claim compensation. People with criminal convictions typically need to go through an appeal process in court and the Post Office has said it covers all fees for lawyers and experts. On Wednesday, Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, announced that a new law would ensure those convicted as a result of the Horizon scandal are swiftly exonerated and compensated. However, experts have warned that such laws could undermine the independence of the courts and judges.

ITV drama Alan Bates vs The Post Office has helped highlight the issues raised in the Horizon scandal - ITV/Shutterstock

Who will fund the payouts?

So far the Government has funded the 138 million figure, but many have questioned whether Fujitsu - the firm behind the faulty software - should foot the bill. The multi-billion-pound Japanese firm typically receives more than 100 million in ongoing UK government contracts each year. On Tuesday, Mel Stride, Work and Pensions Secretary, told Good Morning Britain that he didnt think there was any working assumption at the moment that the taxpayer would fund the compensation payments. He said decisions going forward would be based on the outcome of an independent inquiry.

When will the independent inquiry finish?

The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry was initially set up as a non-statutory inquiry in September 2020. Following a request from Sir Wyn Williams, the Chairman of the Inquiry, it became statutory in June 2021. Statutory inquiries have certain powers - including the ability to compel witnesses to give evidence. The inquiry was initially set to conclude in August 2022 but it is still ongoing and is now due to finish this year.

Has anyone been held criminally responsible for what happened?

The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation in 2020 which saw Fujitsu experts, who were witnesses in the trials, probed for potential perjury and perverting the course of justice. Two people were interviewed under caution as a result, but nobody was arrested. However, last week the Met confirmed that the Post Office was under criminal investigation over potential fraud offences committed during the scandal.

Why did Paula Vennells hand back her CBE?

On Tuesday, Vennells, the former Post Office chief executive, confirmed that she would hand back her CBE, which she was awarded in 2019 for services to the Post Office and charity. Her decision came after mounting calls for her to be stripped of the honour.

Paula Vennells ran the Post Office while it routinely denied there was a problem with its Horizon IT system - Anthony Devlin

What else do campaigners want Paula Vennells to do?

Campaigners would like to see Ms Vennells return the 2.93 million she received in performance-related bonus payments in lieu of a pension. Overall, she is understood to have been paid as much as 5 million in total during her tenure as the chief executive of the Post Office between 2012 and 2019.

Why has the scandal come to light again?

Newspapers, broadcasters and websites, including The Telegraph, have reported on the scandal over the years. However, the scandal has come to public attention again following the release of ITVs drama Mr Bates vs. The Post Office, which is the channels most popular drama in three years.

Who is Alan Bates?

Alan Bates was a sub-postmaster who was accused of theft when his accounts showed a shortfall. He first reported issues with Horizon in 2000 and eventually had his contract terminated in 2003 when he refused to comply with his obligations to pay back the losses from his own pocket. Mr Bates led the campaign group Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance to its High Court victory in 2019.

Will everyone get justice?

At least 33 victims of the scandal have already died without receiving compensation. Campaigners warn many involved are only getting older and that it is crucial action is taken quickly.

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.
Commissioner Jim O'Connor asks a question as members of the public address the Arizona Corporation Commission during a public comment meeting at the Arizona Corporation Commission in Phoenix on Jan. 23, 2023.

On Jan. 23, Team Kari Lake leaked her now-infamous 10-month-old tape of state GOP Chairman Jeff DeWits clumsy attempt at bribery.

The secretly recorded, heavily edited tape that  depending upon your interpretation of the parts of the Feb. 28 conversation we can hear  amounts to either outrageous skullduggery or a state party leader simply trying to get a losing candidate to step aside so Republicans can begin winning again.

On Jan. 24, DeWit resigned, saying Lake, who is running for U.S. Senate, set him up to get control of the Arizona Republican Party.

Now comes the interesting part.

Was O'Connor 'asked' to lead AZ GOP?

On Jan. 8, Arizona Corporation Commission Chairman Jim OConnor  the ultra grassroots candidate hoping to replace DeWit  received a legal opinion from the commissions attorney, which begins thusly:

It is my understanding that you have been asked to serve as the Chair of the Republican Party, Wesley Van Cleve wrote on Jan. 8.

ABC 15s Garrett Archer snagged the letter, which rates as a bona-fide bombshell. A source at the Corporation Commission confirmed to me that the letter was written.

It suggests that DeWits undoing was orchestrated sometime before Jan. 8, though by whom is unclear. And for whom. Lake late Friday endorsed -- after former President Donald Trump endorsed -- another candidate in the election denial camp, Gina Swoboda, who was Trump's election day director in Arizona in 2020.

But given that Lakes recording of her now-former friend was a secret until Tuesday, isnt it interesting that a fellow election denier, OConnor, was seeking legal advice roughly a month ago about whether he could serve both as Corporation Commission chairman and chairman of the state Republican Party? This, when the party chairman wasn't up for grabs until January 2025.

Van Cleves opinion is that he can, that there are no legal or ethical roadblocks.

APS may do cartwheels, if he succeeds

APS must be doing cartwheels.

Consider the dots and how they line up:

The Republican Party is in a fundraising funk. Once the rent is paid, I figure theres probably just about enough left in the bank to buy the fixins for a ham sandwich. APS is a heavyweight in political circles, tossing sizable contributions to both Democrats and Republicans (but mostly Republicans) and wielding a considerable amount of influence in return. The Corporation Commission that OConnor chairs regulates utilities and soon will decide whether APS customers should be hit with an average of an 11% increase in their monthly utility bills. Can you imagine the money thatll flow to the once-Grand Old Party if OConnors commission delivers that 11% rate hike?

That seems like the definition of a swamp to me ... or perhaps a slightly stinky lake.

Unless one views betrayal and blackmail  not to mention waiting 10 months for just the right time to politically destroy someone  as somehow patriotic.

Lake has said she didnt release the tape, that no blackmail was involved and that she had a moral obligation to expose corruption, though I havent heard her explain why it took her nearly 11 months to do so.

Lake waited months to destroy DeWit

Lake and DeWit had been friends but at some point, the friendship crashed.

DeWit, as the new Republican chairman, was trying to chart a center course to bring moderates back into the fold so that Republicans could return to winning elections.

Lake, meanwhile, was furious with DeWit for not screaming to the heavens about how she was robbed during her second unsuccessful trial challenging her election loss. More specifically, about his conspicuous silence while Lake and her most loyal allies were busy selling their spin to try to at least win in the court of public opinion.

She even confronted him about it in May in a Chandler restaurant.

Fast forward to now and suddenly the bribe tape is leaked to a conservative London tabloid, just a day after DeWits name was leaked to a conservative talk radio host in Phoenix.

Lake and DeWit: Put Arizona GOP in self-destruct mode

Who but Lake, or one of her surrogates, would have known about her secret cache of recordings? And who but Lake, or one of her surrogates, could have made an edited recording of her Feb. 28 conversation with DeWit public?

Just in time for Saturdays annual state GOP meeting.

Just as the MAGA crowd has been plotting to oust DeWit.

O'Connor is part of the far-right's slate

Enter Arizona Corporation Commission Chairman Jim OConnor.

Last year, he attended one of MyPillow Mike Lindell's conspiracy meetups in Missouri. He came back wanting the Corporation Commission to investigate the states voting machines in hopes of returning to counting votes the old-fashioned way.

His request was denied on account of its not the job of utility regulators to investigate debunked election conspiracy theories.

Now, in addition to chairing the commission, OConnor wants to replace DeWit as state GOP chairman on the far rights ultra grassroots slate.

Hes a radical to the hilt, one state committee member told me. Its now apparent that this has been an orchestrated plan to take over both MCRC (Maricopa County Republican Committee) and the GOP. God help us.

The party official told me of a friend who got a call earlier this week, advising her to stop criticizing Lake or theyd ruin her business.

Drain the swamp?" the party official told me. "Id call it a radical Hitler approach. Think like we do or well ruin you! 

What to watch for now

Think like we do? That betrayal and blackmail  not to mention waiting more than 10 months for just the right time to politically destroy a friend  are patriotic?

Me? Ill be watching to see how much APS donates to the Republican Party if OConnor prevails.

And watching my APS bill, of course.

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurieRoberts.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kari Lake attack on AZ GOP chair was orchestrated, letter suggests
FILE PHOTO: The Galaxy Leader cargo ship is escorted by Houthi boats in the Red Sea

FILE PHOTO: The Galaxy Leader cargo ship is escorted by Houthi boats in the Red Sea

By Parisa Hafezi and Andrew Hayley

DUBAI (Reuters) - Chinese officials have asked their Iranian counterparts to help rein in attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Houthis, or risk harming business relations with Beijing, four Iranian sources and a diplomat familiar with the matter said.

The discussions about the attacks and trade between China and Iran took place at several recent meetings in Beijing and Tehran, the Iranian sources said, declining to provide details about when they took place or who attended.

"Basically, China says: 'If our interests are harmed in any way, it will impact our business with Tehran. So tell the Houthis to show restraint'," said one Iranian official briefed on the talks, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

The attacks, which the Houthis say are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, have raised the cost of shipping and insurance by disrupting a key trade route between Asia and Europe used widely by ships from China.

The Chinese officials, however, did not make any specific comments or threats about how Beijing's trading relationship with Iran could be affected if its interests were damaged by Houthi attacks, the four Iranian sources said.

While China has been Iran's biggest trading partner for the past decade, their trade relationship is lopsided.

Chinese oil refiners, for example, bought over 90% of Iran's crude exports last year, according to tanker tracking data from trade analytics firm Kpler, as U.S. sanctions kept many other customers away and Chinese firms profited from heavy discounts.

Iranian oil, though, only accounts for 10% of China's crude imports and Beijing has an array of suppliers that could plug shortfalls from elsewhere.

The Iranian sources said Beijing had made it clear it would be very disappointed with Tehran if any vessels linked to China were hit, or the country's interests were affected in any way.

But while China was important to Iran, Tehran also had proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, besides the Houthis in Yemen, and its regional alliances and priorities played a major role in its decision making, one of the Iranian insiders said.

Asked for comment about meetings with Iran to discuss the Red Sea attacks, China's ministry of foreign affairs said: "China is a sincere friend of the countries of the Middle East and is committed to promoting regional security and stability and seeking common development and prosperity."

"We firmly support Middle Eastern countries in strengthening their strategic independence and uniting and collaborating to resolve regional security issues," it told Reuters.

Iran's foreign ministry was not immediately available to comment.

AXIS OF RESISTANCE

Military strikes by U.S. and British forces on Houthi targets in Yemen this month have failed to stop attacks on shipping by the group, which controls a large chunk of Yemen including the capital Sanaa and much of the country's Red Sea coast by the Bab al-Mandab strait.

The Houthis, who first emerged in the 1980s as an armed group in opposition to Saudi Arabia's Sunni religious influence in Yemen, are armed, funded and trained by Iran and are part of its anti-West, anti-Israel "Axis of Resistance".

A senior U.S. official said Washington had asked China to use its leverage with Iran to persuade it to restrain the Houthis, including in conversations Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had this month with senior Chinese Communist Party official Liu Jianchao.

A senior Iranian official said while Chinese officials discussed their concerns thoroughly in the meetings, they never mentioned any requests from Washington.

On Jan. 14, China's foreign minister Wang Yi called for an end to attacks on civilian ships in the Red Sea - without naming the Houthis or mentioning Iran - and the maintenance of supply chains and the international trade order.

Victor Gao, chair professor at China's Soochow University, said China, as the world's biggest trading nation, was disproportionately affected by the shipping disruption and restoring stability in the Red Sea was a priority.

But Gao, a former Chinese diplomat and an adviser to oil giant Saudi Aramco, said Beijing would view Israel's treatment of the Palestinians as the root cause of the Red Sea crisis and would not want to publicly ascribe blame to the Houthis.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson declined to comment when asked about bilateral Iran-China discussions on the issue.

A diplomat familiar with the matter said China had been talking to Iran about the issue but it was unclear how seriously Tehran was taking Beijing's advice.

Two officials in the Yemeni government, an enemy of the Houthis, said they were aware that several countries, including China, had sought to influence Iran to rein the Houthis in.

Analysts Gregory Brew of Eurasia Group and Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group said China had potential leverage over Iran because of its oil purchases and because Iran was hoping to attract more Chinese direct investment in future.

However, both said China had so far been reluctant to use its leverage, for several reasons.

"China prefers to free-ride on the U.S. safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea by bloodying the Houthis' nose," said Vaez, adding that Beijing was also aware that Iran did not have total control over its Yemeni allies.

INFLUENCE NOT ABSOLUTE

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam said on Thursday that Iran to date had not conveyed any message from China about scaling back attacks.

"They will not inform us of such a request, especially since Iran's stated position is to support Yemen. It condemned the American-British strikes on Yemen, and considered Yemen's position honourable and responsible," he said.

The four Iranian sources said it was unclear whether Iran would take any action following the discussions with Beijing.

The stakes are high for Iran as China is one of the few powers capable of providing the billions of dollars of investment Tehran needs to maintain the capacity of its oil sector and keep its economy afloat.

China's influence was evident in 2023 when it facilitated an agreement between Iran and regional rival Saudi Arabia to end years of hostilities.

Yet while there are robust economic ties between China and Iran, Beijing's influence on Tehran's geopolitical decisions was not absolute, one of the Iranian insiders said.

Some within Iran's ruling establishment have questioned the value of the partnership with Beijing, pointing to relatively low non-oil trade and investment volumes since China and Iran signed a 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021.

Iranian state media says Chinese firms have only invested $185 million since then. State media also said last year that Iranian non-oil exports to China fell 68% in the first five months of 2023 while Iran's imports from China rose 40%.

By contrast, Chinese companies committed last year to invest billions in Saudi Arabia after the countries signed a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022.

Two of the Iranian insiders said while China could not be ignored, Tehran had other priorities to consider and its decisions were shaped by a complex interplay of factors.

"Regional alliances and priorities as well as ideological considerations contribute significantly to Tehran's decisions," one of the people said.

The second person said Iran's rulers had to adopt a nuanced strategy when it came to the Gaza war, as well as the Houthi attacks, and that Tehran would not abandon its allies.

Iran's role as leader of its "Axis of Resistance" - which includes the Houthis, Lebanon's Hezbollah, Hamas and militias in Iraq and Syria - had to be balanced against avoiding getting sucked into a regional war over Gaza, the Iranian sources said.

Tehran's messaging to - and about - the Houthis required a measure of deniability about the extent of its control over them - but also an ability to claim some credit for their anti-Israel actions, one of the people said.

(Reporting by Parisa Hafezi in Dubai and Andrew Hayley in Beijing; Additional reporting by Samia Nakhoul in Dubai, Trevor Hunnicutt, Humeyra Pamuk, Arshad Mohammed and Matt Spetalnick in Washington, Mohammed Alghobari in Aden, and Greg Torode in Hong Kong; Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Estelle Shirbon and David Clarke)
Donald Trump interrupted closing arguments in E. Jean Carroll's second defamation suit against the former president when he stormed out of the courtroom Friday morning.

"Excuse me," District Judge Lewis Kaplan said, stopping Carroll's lawyer mid-sentence during her closing arguments. "The record will reflect that Donald Trump just rose and walked out of the courtroom."

Judge Kaplan then told Trump's entourage to refrain from following him and remain seated.

"Defense counsel ought to remain seated. And that includes you, Mr. Epshteyn, even though you aren't part of the defense counsel," Kaplan warned, Politico reported. As the judge has previously admonished, Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn is not allowed to stand and speak in Kaplan's court.

Trump stood up and left the courtroom immediately after Carroll's lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, called out his continued defamation of her client. "Donald Trump, however, acts as if these rules or law just dont apply to him," Kaplan told the jury.

"Did he respect the jury verdict?" she asked of a previous jury ruling last spring which found Trump liable of sexual abuse and defamation. "No. Not at all. Not even for 24 hours."

Before storming out of the Manhattan courtroom, Trump took to social media early Friday to bash writer Carroll and the defamation lawsuit she brought against him following his brief testimony during Thursday's trial hearing. In a video posted to Truth Social, he again denied even knowing Carroll and sexually abusing her in a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s. The former president also characterized the ongoing trial as a "disgrace to our country."

"I don't even know who this woman is. I have no idea who she is, where she came from. This is another scam, it's a political witch hunt, and somehow we're going to have to fight this stuff," Trump began in the 57-second video message. "We cannot let our country go into this abyss, this is disgraceful."

He went on to describe his attorney's effort to introduce evidence in the trial claiming a link between Carroll's legal bills and George Soros, a billionaire philanthropist who is often the subject of conspiracy theories over his financial support of Democratic and liberal matters. Carroll's case has been financially supported by LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, who has previously partnered with Soros to establish an organization. No evidence suggests, however, that Soros is involved in Carroll's lawsuit. Judge Kaplan denied Trump's request Thursday.

"You have a woman that's financed and lied about it, she totally lied about it, by Democrat operatives like just about the biggest one there is. And she said that wasn't true. They found that she lied about it," Trump added in the clip. "And the judge wasn't even I guess letting it be put in as evidence. The whole thing is a scam, and it's a shame and it's a disgrace to our country."

The former president's online rant came after he took to the witness stand Thursday in a short testimony heavily restricted by the judge's guidelines prohibiting Trump from denying the sexual abuse.

"It's not America. It's not America. This is not America," he muttered on his way out.
An East St. Louis man has been arrested on felony charges of shooting and attempting to rob a 20-year-old Belleville man at the Scheel Street MetroLink station last month.

The victim, Brandon Rios, said he and the suspect, Cornell Nelly L. Boyd, 21, worked together at the Walmart store on Carlyle Avenue and he showed Boyd how to load pallets before Boyd left his job at the store in early December.

The shooting took place shortly before midnight on Dec. 23. A bullet went into one side of Brandon Rios stomach and came out the other side, missing his organs. It ended up in his right arm, where doctors decided to leave it rather than risk further damage with surgery to remove it.

Its a miracle, said his father, Ron Rios, 64, a longtime chef at The Salvation Armys St. Clair County community center in Belleville. My son should have been dead, and hes not, and Im so grateful.

God was looking out for me that night, added Brandon Rios, a 2020 graduate of Belleville East High School, who volunteers at the community center.

On Wednesday, the St. Clair County States Attorneys office charged Boyd with four felonies, including two counts of armed robbery, one count of attempted armed robbery and one count of aggravated battery with a firearm.

The first two counts relate to armed robberies Boyd allegedly committed on MetroLink trains Dec. 20 and 21, according to Master Sgt. Adam Quirin, spokesman for the St. Clair County Sheriffs Department. The sheriffs department is investigating because it has a special MetroLink unit.

Quirin said Thursday that detectives hadnt been able to locate Boyd, despite the fact that they had an address for him. They suspected he no longer lived at the address, or maybe he never did.

Every effort has been made to pick up Mr. Boyd, Quirin said, noting that witnesses have been interviewed and search warrants served. Our detectives have sat on house after house after house. They worked on Christmas Eve. Those guys have done an outstanding job.

Late Friday morning, the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Boyd at a Belleville address, according to Quirin.

A 20-year-old man was shot on the Belleville MetroLink station platform just before midnight on Dec. 23 by a man trying to rob him. The victim ran to a parked bus, where a fellow passenger and bus driver called 911.

Questioning authorities

Ron Rios is upset about several aspects of the case involving his son. He doesnt understand why Walmart employees didnt report Boyd to supervisors after, according to Brandon Rios, he bragged that he had a gun and was planning to commit a robbery.

A Walmart manager at the Carlyle Avenue store couldnt be reached for comment Thursday. Corporate spokesman Robert Arrieta declined to comment beyond emailing the following statement:

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim for a healthy recovery, and well work closely with local law enforcement throughout their investigation. Although we do not discuss personnel matters, we can confirm that Cornellius Boyd was not employed by us at the time of this incident.

Ron Rios also is asking why Bi-State Development, which operates MetroLink and MetroBus, didnt have a security guard on the train platform Dec. 23 and why the public wasnt alerted after the armed robberies on Dec. 20 and 21 so passengers could take extra precautions.

Melissa Webb, director of Bi-State security, media and customer engagement, declined to comment but emailed the following statement from Kevin Scott, general manager of security:

Metro Transit Public Safety is assisting the St. Clair County Sheriff Department in this matter. The Metro Transit system moves millions of people each year and our state-of-the-art Real Time Camera Centers technology allows us to provide the images released to law enforcement.

As this is an ongoing investigation, all further (requests) should be forwarded to the St. Clair County Sheriff Department. Metro Transit will always support our law enforcement partners in their ongoing efforts to make our region safe.

Ron Rios said Wednesday he had been showing Boyds photo to people at MetroLink stations and bus stops, and some reported seeing Boyd recently, so he didnt understand how Boyd evaded police for so long.

Ron Rios also has been wearing the black Nike hoodie that Brandon Rios was wearing the night of the shooting. The three bullet holes serve as a reminder of how lucky he was not to lose his son.

Im not taking it off until (Boyd is) found, Ron Rios said before Boyd was arrested.

Ron Rios has been wearing his sons hoodie to work since late December, when Brandon Rios was shot at the Belleville MetroLink station, to remind him how lucky he was to survive. Ron is pointing to one of three bullet holes.

Saving money for a car

Ron Rios raised his three sons, Noah Rios, 14, Ronnie Rios, 23, and Brandon Rios after his wife, Marites Rios, died about 10 years ago. Ronnie Rios also works at The Salvation Army community center.

Brandon Rios was a camp counselor in Missouri before he got the job at Walmart last fall. He was trying to save money to buy a car.

Hes a beautiful kid, his father said. All he does is go to work and come home and go to church. He doesnt hang out late at night. Hes always home by 10, except when hes working at Walmart.

The BND met with Brandon Rios on Wednesday at the community center. According to his account, heres what happened on the misty evening of Dec. 23:

Rios was in a good mood, laughing with his friends, when he ended his Walmart shift. He walked to the MetroLink station at Southwestern Illinois College.

Rios rode to the Scheel Street station, got off the train shortly before midnight and saw a man with a ski-style mask standing on the platform.

The man called out his name, Brandon, and as Rios got closer, he recognized him as a former coworker.

The man displayed a handgun and ordered Rios to give him his bag, which Rios thought was a joke at first.

A struggle ensued and the man shot Rios in the stomach before jumping on the train and riding away.

Rios ran to a parked bus and made contact with another passenger, who told him he had just been robbed.

The passenger (and possibly the bus driver) called 911. The passenger took off his jacket or shirt and wrapped it around Rios arm to slow the bleeding.

Several Belleville police cars arrived, and an ambulance took Rios to St. Louis University Hospital, where he underwent surgery.

Rios spent Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and two more days in the hospital before going home to recover.

I was not feeling too well, Brandon Rios said Wednesday in a soft voice. I could not get up out of my bed without it hurting. It was hard to even use the bathroom at first. Everything is better now.

On Dec. 24, the St. Clair County Sheriffs Department asked for the publics help in locating a suspect and person of interest related to the MetroLink armed robberies and shooting.

According to the post, a woman riding a westbound train about 7 p.m. Dec. 20 and a man riding a westbound train about 10:30 p.m. Dec. 21 reported being robbed of personal items and cash by a suspect with a handgun; and a man had been shot at the Scheel Street station on Dec. 23.

The post stated that all three victims gave similar descriptions of the suspect, leading police to believe it was the same man, described as a black male with a black face mask. Photos were included. The person of interest was described as a black female wearing a black hoodie and black hat.

These suspect(s) are considered armed and dangerous, the post stated. St. Clair County Sheriffs Department, St. Louis County Police Department and St. Louis Police Department have increased officers and patrols as a result of these incidents.

Ron Rios didnt want his son to return to work until Boyd was found. Brandon Rios would eventually like to enroll at SWIC and become a welder or heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician.

Ron Rios said he still cant believe what happened in their hometown of Belleville during the holiday season.

(Brandon is) out working to try and buy a car so he would have transportation, and he gets shot by a guy he used to work with, a guy he was teaching how to do things, minutes before the morning of Christmas Eve, he said.

We spent Christmas at the hospital, but at least we werent going to a funeral.
The Florida Board of Governors issued a vote of no confidence in the chairperson of Florida Atlantic Universitys Board of Trustees Wednesday, faulting the university leader for what they called a series of procedural mishaps tied to the schools search for a new president.

The impromptu vote to censure Chairperson Brad Levine marked the latest escalation in tensions between the governors and FAU officials over the yearlong effort to select the Boca Raton schools next leader.

But it emerged from a confusing set of circumstances that Levine said was based on a misinterpretation of FAUs procedures.

FAU board didn't approve extension of interim president

The unscheduled vote by the board that oversees the states public universities came after the governors declined to sign off on an employment extension for interim FAU President Stacy Volnick.

The governors said they approved of Volnicks performance. But they balked at approving the extension after the university systems chancellor said FAU failed to provide both his staff and FAUs own trustees with a copy of Volnicks contract.

We never received the contract, and it appears that the board of trustees never received the contract either, said Chancellor Ray Rodrigues.

FAU Board of Trustees Vice Chairperson Barbara Feingold (right) and Chairperson Brad Levine (left)

That prompted some governors to say they feared that the trustees decision to extend her appointment in November without posting her contract on a meeting agenda may have run afoul of the states open meetings laws.

Levine, though, pushed back on those assertions.

He said Volnick does not have a contract because she is an interim president. She was appointed last year to the temporary position through an appointment letter, which he said was provided to the governors.

We never did have a contract; we have an appointment letter, Levine said in an interview Thursday. Weve delivered everything theyve asked for.

Worries about violations of open meetings law

That concern, coupled with the states conclusion in December that last years aborted presidential search also violated the open meetings law, led some governors to place blame on Levine, who headed the search committee.

Board of Governors member Craig Mateer, an Orlando entrepreneur and political donor to Gov. Ron DeSantis, called for the no-confidence vote, saying the FAU (presidential) search is a mess and I personally believe Chairman Levine should resign.

Florida Atlantic University signage on Glades Road, Boca Raton, Tuesday, August 11, 2020.

The Board of Governors should be on the record that were not going to tolerate this, he said.

While acknowledging that the vote was a symbolic act with no practical effect, other governors said it was important to signal their disapproval.

I share the same concerns. This is now reflecting on the Board of Governors, said Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., a Board of Governors member. This is the second process issue weve had at Florida Atlantic University.

Levine said after the meeting that he was at a loss regarding the governors decision.

Im just trying to do whats right for FAU, he said. We followed (the Board of Governors) suggested process used to hire another Florida president. Then they said that was bad and we need to redo it.

All I have ever done is whats in the best interest of FAU, he said.

Levine, a software entrepreneur, was appointed to the Board of Trustees by Gov. Rick Scott in 2018. He became chairperson in May 2022.

Stacy Volnick, interim president of Florida Atlantic University

Eric Silagy, formerly of FPL, opposed censure

The concerns about the way that FAUs trustees extended Volnicks employment seemed to come as a surprise to some governors at Wednesdays meeting.

Governor Eric Silagy, the former president of Florida Power & Light, voted against the censure, calling it an extraordinary action that would send huge reverberations through FAU.

I do not support doing this right now, he said. I think it is premature; I think it is rash.

FAU has been through a lot, he added, and it sounds to me like this was a technical foot fault that went on.

The vote is the second time that the governors have targeted Levine, who in his role as trustees chairman has clashed with fellow trustee Barbara Feingold, a prominent Republican political donor and a former member of the Board of Governors.

Last month the governors' inspector general recommended that Levine be prohibited from chairing the next presidential search committee, saying that an open meetings law violation during last years search "raises questions regarding the competence of the search.

Rep. Randy Fine, R-Brevard County

FAUs search for a new president began last January and has been rocked by intrigue and infighting since firebrand state Rep. Randy Fine, a Republican from Brevard County, emerged as a candidate for the job.

Fine had received vocal support from Gov. Ron DeSantis, and insiders say, Feingold, the board of trustees' vice chairperson and a political donor to both DeSantis and Fine.

When Fine was not among the list of finalists announced in July, Rodrigues, the university chancellor, halted the search process, citing concerns about the use of an anonymous ballot to gauge members' support for different candidates.

The timing of the move led to widespread speculation that Fine's exclusion had influenced the decision to intervene.

After a five-month delay, the Board of Governors last month directed FAU to restart the search, citing their inspector generals conclusion that the initial search violated the open meetings law.

Andrew Marra is a reporter at The Palm Beach Post. Reach him at amarra@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FAU chair pushes back against no-confidence vote over president search
NTI use

The recent 4 NTI days and one snow day have revealed a massive blind spot in Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) professed commitment to equity, demonstrating a privileged and inaccurate view of the community.

What does FCPS expect single parent households to do? Or households where the adults can be fired for calling off one day? Or those where one of the caregivers is disabled?

The current overuse of NTI is justified because 20 percent of the roads are unsafe and some schools DONT HAVE HEAT! That is a planning and budgeting problem. Why prioritize Chromebooks over operational HVAC units in all school buildings?

True equity would lessen the burden on families who are poor, led by a single parent, and/or include disabled caregivers. It feels were not even thought of and that FCPS assumes every family has a safety net. I say FCPS must realign its priorities so NTI days are a rarity. Perhaps, if the roads are so dangerous, bus drivers should receive training in Michigan.

NTI was a policy needed during Covid. To rely on it still reveals a hypocrisy in the FCPS commitment to equity. FCSP can use these moments to do better. Please - do better.

Katie Scherrer, Lexington

Snow Plan B

Kudos to the Lexington Herald-Leaders staff for the very thoughtful editorial expressing concern about Fayette County Public Schools closing for more than a week. Reading the editorial reminded me of the year almost five decades ago when Lexington was struck with snowstorms closing the local schools for weeks at a time. Having grown-up in New England where schools were rarely closed, I was befuddled and frustrated. And with two school-aged children at home, I decided to contact the mayor and school superintendent to see what could be done to remedy the situation. Shortly after that, the mayor appointed a snow removal task force and the school board appointed a committee which resulted in a more effective approach to removing snow and an alternate route bus route called Plan B that was used as needed for several years thereafter.

Im not sure what has become of that plan, but I feel confident something can be done to alleviate the problem of students missing valuable in person instruction for long periods of time. As the editorial suggested, with collective, creative energy, this problem can be solved.

Sharon Brennan, Lexington

Crime realities

Our Kentucky Legislature seems hellbent on passing HB5 which is titled Safer Kentucky Act but should really be called Incarcerate Kentucky.

I want to try to dispel three myths about this act. Somehow our representatives think crime is a problem. It is not. Crime is down significantly in the nation and according to statistics from the Kentucky State Police it is also down in Kentucky. We do not need to be putting more people in jail. Kentucky already has the ninth highest incarceration rate in the country, according to worldpopulationreview.com. We put more people in jail than 80 percent of the states in the nation. And putting more people in jail does not make us safer. And a study by the Equal Justice Initiative (Eji.org) found that there is no correlation between incarceration and the crime rate. In fact, some states have decreased incarceration AND seen lower crime rates.

We do not need HB5. It does not make Kentucky safer. Ask your legislator to note NO.

Dan Nolet, Danville

3 strikes

In response to Kaylee Palmers recent Op-Ed on incarceration - so, shes against a three strikes rule? How many strikes would she give a persistent felon? How many people would she allow that person to victimize?

The tried and true formula for centuries is that if you dont want to go to jail; dont break the law (3 times or more). Its way past time that we start valuing the law abiding citizen again instead of the criminal.

Doug Reed, Lexington

Butt out

In regard to HB5, its interesting the Republican party, the party going to extremes to protect the unborn, has no problem with business owners knocking the crap out of homeless people if they are hurting the bottom line. The G.O.P.  the party of smaller government, the party intent on deregulating the administrative state  has no problem sticking its nose into local government, mandating exactly how every city in the state will deal with homeless populations.

Local ordinances exist for a very good reason: people who live in a community, know how best to address those issues affecting their community. Yes, there is a homeless problem in the city where I live, but we have many dedicated people working diligently, compassionately and tirelessly to get these people off the street. If and when new ordinances are necessary, we are perfectly capable of writing them ourselves, without Frankforts help.

Ross DeAeth, Lexington

Reproductive fights

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed 50 years of settled law, Roe v. Wade, and sent the decision back to the states. What used to be a private, personal, and painful decision for women, has become a public, political litmus test for local, state, and federal elections.

If you claim you are pro-life, you believe women cannot be trusted to decide what is best for their lives, bodies, and families. If you are pro-choice, you believe it is a personal, private decision for women with no role for individuals and politicians. Please note, there is not a pro-abortion lane because no one is advocating for abortion, only for women to choose. Voting is critical at every level, especially in Kentucky, because Frankfort isnt finished with taking away womens rights, just ask them.

Denise Combs, Hazard

Personhood law

A few Republicans in the Kentucky General Assembly have filed a bill that would require child support payments from the biological father at any time following conception. Will this eventually lead to a fetal personhood law, many of us are wondering?

I dont pretend to know the answer, but Im willing to admit that Kentucky voters rejection of the proposed state constitutional ban on abortion in 2022 left some questions unanswered. That momentous referendum told us that Kentuckians believe abortion services ought to be available. But, it said nothing about when or how. Some would say this lack of specificity indicates that Kentuckians dont want any limitations, but thats a very long stretch.

In the meantime, the Yahoo News/YouGov poll in December found that 79 percent of Americans think doctors, not the courts, should be the ones to say whether a pregnancy threatens the pregnant person enough to justify an abortion in the late term. Maybe Kentuckians agree with that.

In any event, we cant know what Kentuckians think on the specifics until we ask questions about these specifics in public. That would require a public opinion poll.

Tom Louderback, Louisville

Biased claims

I know discussions around Israel and Palestine arent necessarily the most important thing to most Kentuckians. But as media outlets claiming to be neutral, all local news sources uncritically parrot Israels stance without fairly presenting a neutral side, let alone the Palestinian perspective.

When international courts accuse a nation of committing genocidal acts, that country is going to say anything and everything to deny such atrocities. Obviously this means their comments will be biased. And there are countless stories from international news outlets and social media which demonstrate that not only are Israels claims biased, many are false. As South Africa pointed out, Israel created an apartheid state and is actively engaging in genocide.

Its true: Hamas is a despicable, violent, inexcusable terrorist organization. Also true: not all Palestinians are Hamas. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims there are no innocent civilians, a statement which  when spoken by any political leader  should horrify, especially with over 25,000 non-Israelis killed and 60,000 injured during a war heavily funded with U.S. tax dollars.

Its shameful for any news agency to allow an allegedly genocidal regime to dictate the news. Please be more critical of Israels government; and please share Palestinians perspectives, too.

Bronson OQuinn, Lexington

Ballot disqualification

In their latest brief to the Supreme Court, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, and U.S. Reps. Andy Barr, Brett Guthrie, and James Comer (all R-Kentucky) conclude the rights of states are less important than the interests of the GOP. They seem more interested in validating their loyalty to former President Donald Trump then in the interests of this country or its people.

This brief is an affront to states rights based on the notion Congress determines the eligibility of candidates to run for office. Their view comes from the 14th Amendment. According to them, it doesnt just give them the sole right to remove or overlook disqualifications of someone elected to public office -it gives Congress sole authority over states to decide who they MUST considered for office.

This brief says states have no right to decide who isnt qualified to appear on their state ballots. These Representatives are telling voters in other states that only Congress can decide who they cannot consider for election. Isnt it time to let these representatives know that placing their political interests before the interests of individual states and country is a violation of their own oath of office?

Peter Wedlund, Lexington

Run, Nikki, Run

I hope former S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley has true grit and intestinal fortitude. I hope Haley has exceptional endurance and faith. Haley must persevere in her quest for the Republican presidential nomination by not dropping out until after the Republican National Convention. She must qualify for every ballot and contest every state to the bitter end. She must endure even if her campaign dwindles to herself, a pick-up truck, and a bag of sandwiches, crisscrossing the nation. When former President Donald Trump implodes, Haley might snatch the nomination in the end.

A friend asked me what I thought of Haley and I was a little sketchy. I could never vote for her due to her authoritarian, anti-abortion choice position. Viewed from the framework of the chaos kooks like Trump and the schismatic House Freedom Caucus who swarm the Republican Party, Haley does seem semi-rational. I therefore lend my unsubstantial moral support to Haley.

Run, Nikki, run! Take it to the Convention!

Allen T. Kelley, Lexington

Compiled by LIz Carey
SELMA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Firefighters from the Selma Fire Department expressed their excitement to join the Fresno City College Fire Academy in unveiling their newest ladder truck on Thursday.

Fire officials say the new ladder truck is named after Selma firefighter Chris Nelson. Chris was critically injured on the job in 2014, and firefighters say he is known for his positive attitude, kind personality, and strong work ethic.

We are grateful his name and legacy will now be present as future firefighters learn and train on the ladder truck. Thank you to all involved for making this possible! firefighters said in a social media post.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version.

The Judicial System Is Failing Democracy

In retrospect, I came into the Trump era with way too much confidence that the legal system was up to the task. The last eight years have been humbling in that regard.

As a lawyer-turned-editor, I cautioned my reporting team not to be impatient with the pace and deliberation of legal processes. These things take time. Dont be hot-headed about it. Chill out. Let things run their course.

The sometimes plodding pace of the system is by design, more a feature than a bug. Theres an entire vernacular around the downsides of too-swift justice: rough justice, lynch mob, show trial, railroaded. The list is long.

In the early days of the Trump presidency, efforts to obtain his tax returns or enforce the Emoluments Clause were slow, clumsy, and sometimes reluctantly undertaken by Democrats in Congress. I was inclined to excuse that slowness. But as the threat mounted and become more obvious and the reaction to it failed to rise to the challenge, my own sense of urgency began to change.

When the travesties of the Trump presidency accumulated and potential accountability shifted from the political to legal realms, especially after the Jan. 6 attack, I feared that the legal system was more inclined to sweep it all under the rug than confront it. A lot of our coverage was focused on framing the Jan. 6 attack as merely the culmination of a broad, months-long conspiracy to subvert the election. While the attack on the Capitol did historic damage and finally started to stir law enforcement into action, over-focusing on the physical attack would miss the myriad other ways the election had been subverted using the powers of the executive branch.

In the years since, it has become obvious that the slowness of the legal system isnt merely the result of a careful, deliberative adherence to the rule of law and the procedural protections necessary to do proper justice. It is also a product of a wariness in confronting Trump and his legions of supporters, an unreasonable tendency to give him the benefit of the doubt, the judiciarys own overweening sense that it is above politics, and a fundamental failure to appreciate that a strongman who attempted to seize power unlawfully once is a threat to the very existence of the legal system itself.

When the legal system itself is under threat, it must respond with extraordinary measures that continue to protect the procedural and substantive rights of the individual defendant but girds the system against attack, prioritizes institutional self-preservation, and is self-conscious of its role as a bulwark of democracy.

Some individual jurists, like U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who only got the Trump Jan. 6 case last August, have performed admirably. The legal system as a whole has not. The former chief judge in DC warned last fall that we are at a crossroads teetering on the brink of authoritarianism. During the sentencing yesterday of Trump White House official Peter Navarro, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta called bullshit on it being a political prosecution. Also yesterday, in the sentencing of a Jan. 6 rioter, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, a long-serving Reagan appointee, let it rip:

The Court is accustomed to defendants who refuse to accept that they did anything wrong. But in my thirty-seven years on the bench, I cannot recall a time when such meritless justifications of criminal activity have gone mainstream. I have been dismayed to see distortions and outright falsehoods seep into the public consciousness. I have been shocked to watch some public figures try to rewrite history, claiming rioters behaved in an orderly fashion like ordinary tourists, or martyrizing convicted January 6 defendants as political prisoners or even, incredibly, hostages. That is all preposterous. But the Court fears that such destructive, misguided rhetoric could presage further danger to our country.

Six months ago, it looked like the first weeks of the new year would be dominated not by the GOP primary but by pretrial preparations for a whopping four criminal trials of Trump. The race was finally on to hold Trump to account for his cheating in the last two elections before he cheated in a third one. As we sit here at the end of January, the landscape is not what we anticipated.

The Mar-a-Lago case is almost guaranteed to happen after the election. So is the Georgia RICO case. The Jan. 6 case is stuck on pretrial appeals, with the DC Circuit and Supreme Court failing to push things along. The lesser of the four cases  the hush money case in New York  may be the only one tried before the election. Meanwhile, theres a chance Trump will be brought down by the Disqualification Clause but no one is confident the courts will enforce that against him either.

Ive gone from annoyed about the repeated complaints about the slowness of the system to sharing those sentiments myself to having my hair on fire that the gravity of the moment calls for so much more than the legal system is prepared to offer. In a way this a mea culpa for urging my staff over the last few years to chill out. Things have not been this urgent since the 1860s. And were failing.

Editors Note

I dispensed with the usual rundown of the days news to focus on the alarming lack of responsiveness from the legal system to the current threat it faces. Normal programming will resume Monday.

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When U.S. investigators began looking at the weapons purchased by three South Florida residents on behalf of a notorious gang leader in Haiti, the inventory was a cache of high-powered armory: variants of the AK-47 assault rifle, 12-gauge shotguns and holographic telescopic sights, for starters.

One gun in particular, the .50-caliber M82A1 Barrett sniper rifle, is so powerful that it can go through a cinder-block wall like its going through paper.

Federal agents in the ongoing weapons smuggling trial for Germine Yonyon Joly in a Washington, D.C. federal courtroom testified this week that they found the guns, or receipts for their purchase, during searches of South Florida homes and a storage unit in Orlando.

Joly, the head of the 400 Mawozo, is the first Haitian gang leader extradited to the United States in connection with the brazen kidnapping of 16 missionaries in the fall of 2021. He is facing 48 counts of weapons smuggling. The charges are related to straw purchases of firearms and ammunition from licensed Florida gun dealers. The weapons were then illegally shipped to Haiti from Florida seaports in violation of U.S. export laws for the use of Jolys Port-au-Prince gang.

Among the witnesses prosecutors presented: One of the co-defendants, Walder St. Louis, a Haitian national who took the stand Thursday as part of a plea deal. One of the straw buyers, St. Louis pleaded guilty in the case to crimes related to the export of weapons and the movement of money. Five weapons were found inside St. Louis South Florida home, an agent testified.

St. Louis said he helped Joly acquire the guns, but did so under threat. Eliande Tunis, one of the other co-defendants who has pleaded guilty to all 48 counts to avoid trial, threatened him, St. Louis said.

They could burn my family members and turn them into dust, St. Louis testified. She told me she would kill my family.

Joly and Tunis, St. Louis said, were the king and queen of the gang, which started its criminal run in Haiti stealing cattle and cars before moving into extortion and kidnappings.

St. Louis called Tunis, whom he met in August 2020, the mother of the base. She was also Jolys girlfriend, St. Louis testified, and on her visits to Haiti would pay off prison guards at the National Penitentiary in order to sleep with him in hopes of getting pregnant.

One time, when Tunis arrived at his house to have him accompany her to a gun store, Tunis told him the king, Joly, sent her to get a gun, St. Louis said.

Neither prosecutors nor the defense delved much into how the defendants St. Louis, Tunis, Joly and Jocelyn Dor, who is also expected to testify against Joly  came to be connected to each other and how that led to 400 Mawozos extension into South Florida.

Prosecutors say the three South Florida residents were members of the gang and used proceeds from the kidnapping of U.S. citizens in Haiti to purchase arms, which in turn helped fuel a cycle of violence and kidnappings in the troubled Caribbean nation.

In a report published this week, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said that illegal firearms and ammunition trafficked from the United States to Haiti are fueling the escalating violence by criminal gangs. The arms are being shipped primarily from Florida on container vessels and small aircraft.

Helping in the gun-smuggling are Haitian and Haitian Americans in Florida and New York who serve as brokers and intermediaries for illicit weapons and ammunition purchases with the intention to traffic, the report notes. Florida is one of the top states that comes up in weapons-tracing requests from Caribbean countries, including Haiti, according to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Prosecutors say the guns that the Florida-based members of 400 Mawozo either shipped or attempted to ship to Haiti were from license gun dealers in Miami, Apopka, Pompano Beach and Orlando.

St. Louis testified that he purchased guns four times from Lucky Pawn in Miami. The guns were then turned over to Tunis. Another gun, he said, was purchased in Pompano Beach.

As St. Louis recounted the meetings and answered questions through a Haitian-Creole interpreter, Joly, wearing a navy blue suit and pale blue shirt, listened quietly.

St. Louis said he first met Joly in 2015 and his No. 2, Lanmo Sanjou, Joseph Wilson, the following year. He and Lanmo Sanjou met again in 2017 after St. Louis saved a U.S. citizen from being killed by the gang.

As punishment for his interference, St. Louis said, Lanmo Sanjou, whose name translates in Creole to Death doesnt know when its coming, ordered two of his soldiers to place a hot iron rod between his legs. The gang leader, sitting behind the two guards, watched as they did so.

Despite the incident, St. Louis and Dor helped Tunis to get guns for the gang, which said it needed the weapons so they could fight the police. On Friday, FBI Special Agent Joseph Kenny testified that 10 weapons were recovered in Dors storage unit.

The same U.N. report identified 400 Mawozo as among the gangs in Haiti that are involved in the purchasing, transporting, selling and distribution of firearms and ammunition in the country.

After illegal merchandise arrives in areas ostensibly under their control, the report said, it is stored, distributed or sold to other gangs.

McClatchy DC bureau reporter Shirsho Dasgupta contributed to this report.
Goldi Mandelbaum was busy planning her move to Israel when Hamas stormed into the country Oct. 7 and killed 1,200 people in the deadliest onslaught in the nation's history.

Her friends and family thought the violence might compel her to cancel her plans. Instead, the 28-year-old from Manchester, in Ocean County, was even more determined to go. Mandelbaum began packing with greater fervor. She boarded her flight from Newark to Tel Aviv on Nov. 28, a month earlier than scheduled.

"I was glad I came when I did, because after the terrorist attack, there were many more applications for aliyah," she said, using the Hebrew word for immigrating to Israel.

Goldi Mandelbaum of Manchester, New Jersey, is among an uptick in American Jews moving to Israel since the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack. "There's a feeling here of unity and camaraderie," she said. "This is our home,"

In a recent phone interview from her one-bedroom apartment in the bustling Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Gan, she told a reporter, "Honestly, there's nowhere I'd rather be."

Israel's Law of Return allows Jews around the world the right to Israeli citizenship. They have returned throughout history, inspired by religious fervor, Zionist dreams or antisemitism in their homelands.

But Mandelbaum is among the over 800 immigrants who have opted to go during the deadliest violence the region has seen in decades. The Israel-Hamas war has caused death and devastation on a massive scale and stirred emotions around the globe. In addition to the 1,200 Israelis killed on Oct. 7, an estimated 25,000 have died in Israel's bombardments in Gaza aimed at eradicating Hamas, says the Hamas-run health ministry.

The surge of interest during the war was "an important demonstration of Zionism and a beautiful expression of solidarity in the country," said Ofir Sofer, Israel's minister of aliyah and integration, who said the influx has "provided us with a much-needed boost to our morale."

More: What is aliyah? What to know about immigration to Israel and why interest is on the rise

Also spurring interest among some Jews: Reports of antisemitic incidents in the U.S. have reached a record high since Oct. 7, with a 337% increase over the previous year, according to the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish organization that combats harassment and extremism.

Aliyah requests more than double

Just over 3,000 people moved from North America to Israel last year, but after Oct 7, inquiries soared, said Nefesh B'Nefesh, a nonprofit that aids people from the U.S. and Canada in the immigration process. The group received about 4,200 requests to open aliyah files, a 142% increase over the same period the previous year, said Yael Katsman, an NBN spokesperson.

Among the newcomers were 545 families, almost 1,000 single men and women and 432 retirees. The average age of applicants was 34; the oldest was 100. Interest came from all over America, NBN reported.

Roughly 65% of the families are from Orthodox Jewish backgrounds, another 30% are Conservative Jews and the remainder are Reform or unaffiliated, the group said. The singles had the opposite demographic  about 40% were Orthodox and 60% non-Orthodox, Katsman said.

Trying to heal: Weeks later, NJ survivor of Hamas attack still struggles with the trauma

Katsman, who immigrated from Queens in 1981, said she grew up hearing stories about young, idealistic Jews who flocked to Israel after the 1973 Yom Kippur War. She is witnessing a similar phenomenon after the Hamas attack, she said.

"People are coming here in solidarity with Israel," Katsman said. "They think about where they want to be, and they feel better being here in Israel than in America."

The arrivals  known in Hebrew as "olim," or "immigrants"  come from throughout North America, but they primarily hail from Eastern Seaboard communities with large Jewish populations such as New York City and New Jersey. Most have moved to cities in the center of the country, such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Modiin and Netanya, which are far from the conflicts in Gaza and at the northern border, Katsman said.

Friends and relatives of the Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group attend a rally calling for their release Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

"Israel is the heart and soul of our nation," said Dov Lipman of Maryland, a former member of Israel's parliament who founded Yad L'Olim, a nonprofit that helps people emigrate to Israel. "We turn to face Jerusalem whenever we pray. Although Jews have always had a presence in the land of Israel for over 2,000 years, immigration to the world's sole Jewish state has skyrocketed since it was established 75 years ago. It's where we have an army with which to defend ourselves, where we can build our own destiny and have a platform to do good for the world."

Why move to Israel? Fear and solidarity

Lipman said he also has received more requests for information about aliyah from Jews around the world since Oct. 7. "They see the rise in antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric and want to live in a Jewish state, which can defend the Jewish people."

About 7.2 million of the world's 15.7 million Jews reside in Israel, says the Jewish Agency for Israel, another nonprofit that encourages immigration to the nation.

Eve Baliff, 24, grew up in Houston. She always identified strongly as Jewish but was not particularly religious, she said. But she went to Israel on a gap-year program after high school, and "it resonated with me on an emotional and spiritual level," she recalled. When she returned home, Israel remained on her mind, although she attended Texas A&M and felt comfortable living in Houston.

After the Hamas attack, that changed.

"I saw the reaction in American politics, and what was happening on college campuses," she said. "My non-Jewish friends here were silent," she said. "I was like, 'I'm outta here.' I realized this is not where I'm meant to be." She called the NBN and launched her aliyah process. On Jan. 16, she arrived in Israel as a new immigrant. She is living in Jerusalem, learning Hebrew, and plans eventually to obtain a master's degree in psychology.

Amid Israel-Hamas war, 'a sense of unity'

"There's a sense of unity here, which is very uplifting. I feel lucky to be here," Baliff said. "Theres a common understanding of the impact of Oct. 7 on not only a nation, but the Jewish people as a whole. I am grateful for Israel's existence and I'm glad to be able to start my life here."

Mandelbaum, the South Jersey emigree, grew up in an Orthodox Jewish community and attended a modern Orthodox day school. Though her parents took their three children to Israel for vacation, they never imagined their only daughter would one day move there.

She grew up feeling connected to Israel as a Jew. But her ties were strengthened about a year ago when she went on a monthlong trip in which she worked in the country and experienced daily life there. When she returned to New Jersey, she began planning her future in Israel.

Opinion: Amid strife on college campuses over Israel-Hamas war, why is everything so political?

A social worker by training, Mandelbaum spends her days trying to quell clients' anxieties. Moving to a war-torn country, she admits, was anxiety-provoking. Yet she could not have remained in America, she said. The rise in antisemitism around the world terrified her. In Manhattan, she encountered protests against Jews, and online, she found antisemitic rants making her "feel like everyone is hating on us."

NBN helped subsidize her flight to Israel and covered her taxi drive from the airport. It also offered Mandelbaum free online Hebrew courses and help finding an apartment, though she pays for the rent herself, she said.

Family and friends in America worry about her safety, she said, particularly when they hear about "all of the missiles and attacks." But amid reports of rising anti-Jewish harassment elsewhere, Mandelbaum said, "I feel safer in Israel."

She immediately made friends in her new country, at the airport, at the bank and at a jam session in Jaffa, where she met her new Israeli boyfriend. She spied the software engineer and guitarist singing in the crowd and chatted him up. The pair have been inseparable ever since, she said.

"There's a feeling here of unity and camaraderie," Mandelbaum said. "This is our home, and we are all looking out for each other. I never feel alone here."

Deena Yellin covers religion for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to her work covering how the spiritual intersects with our daily lives, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: yellin@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: More NJ Jews making aliyah, or moving to Israel, despite Hamas war.
The Austin school board on Thursday night unanimously approved a contract for Matias Segura to become the district's superintendent. He has been the interim superintendent for the past year.

Matias Segura, who has led the Austin school district for more than a year in a temporary capacity, will be the 73,000-student institution's next permanent superintendent after the school board on Thursday night unanimously approved his contract.

The decision was not a surprise after the board on Dec. 14 named Segura as its top pick for the job. It's common in Texas that school boards only name one finalist for a superintendent position, and state law requires districts to wait 21 days between naming its finalist and offering a job contract.

"I feel like I can trust you," school board President Arati Singh told Segura at the meeting. "There's trust on this board."

Board members said they hope Segura's appointment will bring stability to a district that has undergone significant leadership changes in the last four years.

"This is the administration, this is the time for change, for transformational revolutionary change for our children," District 1 school board member Candace Hunter told the American-Statesman.

Segura is stepping into the position as the district juggles several weighty needs, including funding constraints, continued post-pandemic academic recovery, the rollout of a $2.4 billion bond and state-mandated oversight of the district's chronic special education shortcomings.

Board Vice President Kevin Foster, however, said he has "full faith and confidence" in Segura.

While the board noted it had heard concern about Segura not having an educator's background, which is typical for superintendents, members reiterated their support for him.

"You are a product of AISD, and that really helps you understand what we're up against," board member Ofelia Zapata said.

"I'm feeling really, really excited," Segura said. "I am calm and really focused, just knowing these really critically important things be defined."

Segura will earn $362,250 annually, according to his contract, which was released Thursday night. His contract begins Feb. 15 and runs through Aug. 31, 2028.

'He won my trust'

Segura's path to the position was unlike that of a typical superintendent search.

The district's leadership had been in question since June 2022, when Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde left Austin to run the Dallas district. She had joined the Austin district in August 2020, after longtime Superintendent Paul Cruz resigned.

Anthony Mays, who was Austin's chief of schools, stepped in as interim superintendent during the summer of 2022, but he left that December to take the superintendent job in the Alief school district in southwestern Houston.

Segura stepped into the temporary role in January 2023, with initial plans to lead the district for six months while board members launched the district's search for a new leader. The board later extended his contract past six months.

In the fall, the board decided to forgo a national search  a typical procedure when districts look for superintendents  and instead opted to just post the job opening. At the time, board members said they had a promising internal candidate.

Segura, who graduated from Bowie High School in Southwest Austin, has worked at the district since 2018. Before stepping into the superintendent role last January, he served as the district's operations chief and oversaw construction, facilities and maintenance. He largely led the rollout of the $1.1 billion bond package voters approved in 2017.

During a question-and-answer session with the community on Saturday at Marshall Middle School, several parents who attended said they were optimistic for Segura's tenure as superintendent. During the session, students, parents and community members asked Segura questions about school safety, long-term planning and special education.

Margarita Acuna Mintzer, who has 6- and 7-year-olds in the district, liked that Segura seems open about the constraints he's working under.

"I think that he's genuine," Acuna Mintzer said. "I think that he knows the district."

Anton Morris, whose daughter attends Northeast Early College High School, said Segura presented himself as someone who had "no fluff." This year is Morris' first as a parent in the Austin district.

"He won my trust today," Morris said Saturday. "He seems to have a comprehensive understanding of the district and the needs."

Segura expects to obtain his superintendent certification by June, according to his application. Because Segura doesn't yet have the certificate, the district is seeking a waiver from the Texas Education Agency.

While in the interim superintendent role, Segura earns $315,908.90 annually, plus a $720 cellphone stipend and a $9,000 travel stipend, according to district records.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin ISD hires Matias Segura as superintendent
Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said his office has issued a nationwide arrest warrant for Michael J. Grimes, who Chitwood said wrecked and abandoned his sailboat on New Smyrna Beach. The arrest warrant is for a felony violation of Florida's litter law.

A sailor who wrecked and abandoned his sailboat on New Smyrna Beach is now the target of a nationwide felony arrest warrant for littering, according to a Facebook post from Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood.

Chitwood posted on Facebook Friday that his deputies had identified Michael John Grimes, 49, as the man who wrecked and abandoned the boat on New Smyrna Beach.

There is now a warrant out for Grimes on a felony violation of Florida's litter law, littering over 500 pounds.

Chitwood said that his agency has been trying to contact Grimes since November but he has not responded. Nor has Grimes demonstrated any intention of removing the boat, Chitwood posted.

Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said a nationwide arrest warrant on a felony littering charge has been issued for Michael J. Grimes, who Chitwood said they have been trying to contact since November after he wrecked and abandoned his sailboat on New Smyrna Beach.

Chitwood said Grimes' current location is unknown although his last known address was in Concord, California. Chitwood added that the warrant was good for nationwide extradition.

Chitwood wrote: "Our beaches aren't your dumping grounds."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Felony littering warrant issued for sailor of wrecked boat in NSB
(FOX40.COM)  The California Capital Airshow looks to be putting together another captivating show of aerobatic splendor as they recently announced the scheduling of a fifth-generation fighter demonstration team.

It has been three years now since the United States Air Force F-35A Lighting II Demo Team roared across the skies above Mather Air Field.

Mather Airport, the historic airfield named after a pioneering pilot

The stealth-capable fighter will showcase some of the things that make it one of the most air-superior fighters in the world as conducts over a dozen maneuvers.

From its ability to fly slower than 100 mph, while maintaining full control, to blasting through the sky at near supersonic speeds over the show crowd.

The team will also be showing the incredible strength of the Lighting IIs airframe as they will pull the plane into 9G maneuvers, bringing nine times the force of gravity onto the pilot and the plane.

Frecce Tricolori

In December 2023, the airshow announced that they will have a very special guest at this years show.

The Frecce Tricolori will appear for an evening airshow on July 13 and 14, one of seven appearances the team will make in the United States, according to organizers.

The Italian team will visit the U.S. and Canada for its first North American tour in 30 years, according to the online blog The Aviationist.

It comprises 10 Italian-built aircraft, including the MB.339A/PAN, known as the Frecce (arrow), a single-engine tandem-seat training and tactical support aircraft.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
View a previous report in the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A document filed with the Federal Communications Commission sheds light on what may happen when a Columbus alternative radio station is scheduled to go off the air at the end of January.

ICS Communications  one of three parties in failed negotiations over whether station CD 92.9 FM would keep broadcasting on that frequency  filed paperwork Friday to change the call letters. Currently known as WWCD  call letters that have followed CD 92.9 FM through its previous iterations as CD102.5 and CD101  the FCC approved new call letters of WXGT effective Feb. 1.

A WWCD radio host sits at the stations control board. (NBC4 File Photo)

The call letters WXGT arent new to central Ohio but were part of a dormant brand that ICS and its partner, Delmar Communications, may be trying to resurrect. A 1990 television commercial connects it to 92X, a station that focused on a mix of top 40 hits and rock. The 92X brand disappeared when the station rebranded to WCOL and swapped to country music, according to a 1990 page from industry newspaper R&R. WCOL continues to this day at 92.3 FM.

Delmar and ICS, who work together as part of a shared services agreement, hold the license to the 92.9 FM frequency. Records from the Ohio Secretary of States Office list Brent Casagrande as the agent for the former and Mark Litton for the latter, but the pair are also listed respectively as the president and general manager of Delaware classics station My 96.7.

The pair of companies made a deal with WWCD, Ltd.s owner, Randy Malloy, when his station previously lost access to the frequency 102.5 FM in 2020. Their agreement allowed Malloys station to rent the 92.9 FM frequency and send programming to Delmar and ICS radio transmitters.

Litton said that while news broke at the start of 2024 about CD 92.9 FM losing its latest frequency, Malloy initiated the process in September. The station owner told the pair of companies that he wasnt going to renew the current agreement. He wanted a new deal to own the station, its frequency and associated equipment, with monthly payments similar to a mortgage.

While Litton said the group did reach an agreement on sale price, ICS and Delmar had concerns about Malloy previously making late payments and wanted to add protections. When ICS and Delmar made propositions like adding late fees, Malloy couldnt agree to the terms, and negotiations fell apart.

With Delmar, ICS and WWCD failing to complete an extension of their deal, Malloy announced his station would have to stop airing on the frequency. As of Thursday, 92.9 FM is fated to lose its current audio provider at midnight on Feb. 1.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

The dormant 92X brand wasnt Delmars first choice for what to do with the open frequency, according to announcements from Casagrande and Malloy. Casagrande shared his companys initial idea on Jan. 5 for a new broadcast that would mimic the style of CD 92.9 FM.

Delmar Media is happy to report it will continue the legacy of WWCD by debuting a new and refreshing version of the NEW WWCD at that time, wrote Brent Casagrande. The NEW WWCD will continue its support of local artists and some of the legacy programs that have made the station a favorite of central Ohio radio listeners.

Malloy was opposed to this, sharing on Jan. 22 that CD 92.9 FM sent a cease-and-desist letter to ICS and Delmar.

In response, they stated that they will be changing the call letters and will not use WWCD going forward, the stations team wrote.

Litton couldnt comment on the new call letters and the possibility of 92Xs revival as of Thursday but said ICS and Delmar would share information in the days ahead.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
[Source]

Kapwa" is a Tagalog word that cannot be expressed in a simple English translation, but it is one that perfectly embodies the unbreakable bond in Filipino families and their communities that is especially prevalent in turbulent times.

Kapwa implies a sense of interconnectedness and shared identity that is not easily broken through complex differences in opinions. Kapwa means togetherness, neighborliness and the unity of the one-of-us-and-the-other. This is the concept that guided director PJ Raval to explore unique Filipino American experiences in the U.S. in his documentary film Who We Become.

The film follows three young Filipino women  Monica Silverio, Lauren Yap and Jenah Maravilla  grappling with the emerging pandemic in 2020 as they develop their political consciousness while maintaining connections with their families.

I think even the idea of having this word that doesn't fully translate into English already says something about the experience of a Filipino American, right? Raval tells NextShark. When I think of the United States, I'm always thinking about American individualism and exceptionalism. When I'm thinking about the Philippines, I'm often thinking about family structures and community.

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"And for me, this idea of kapwa, I almost see it as a bridge now. I've grown up in this environment that very much is rooted in individualism, and I understand my family comes from a culture that's very rooted in community, but I'm somewhere in between there, and I'm trying to figure this out. It became a really beautiful way to kind of explore the Filipino American experience in this film.

Raval, who grew up in a conservative and predominantly white town in central California, saw a lack of Filipino culture in the area, leading to an isolating experience. The queer first-generation director did not initially aspire to become a filmmaker but would eventually become known for his documentary films about underrepresented subcultures and identities within the LGBTQ+ community. One of his previous award-winning and critically acclaimed documentaries is Call Her Ganda (2018), which follows three women galvanizing a political uprising to pursue justice after Jennifer Laude, a Filipino trans woman, was brutally murdered by a U.S. Marine.

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Shortly after working on Call Her Ganda, Raval found himself working alongside many organizers in the Filipino American communities that support various social initiatives and programs. He met more Filipinos and took interest in the younger generations outspokenness on issues conflicting with their families' views, such as political stances concerning former Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes government.

I recognized in a lot of my films there's often a scene where you have two people who are very close to one another have some kind of challenging conversation. There's some kind of tension there where there's a recognition of a difference of opinion and difference of perspective, Raval explains. But with Filipinos, they still love and respect their families even though there's this very clear distinction of difference. And I think that narrative seems to be dwindling, especially here in the United States.

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This discrepancy intrigued Raval, leading to the Who We Become project that delves into the complexities of familial relationships, generational gaps and cultural differences within the Filipino American experience. The narrative aims to contribute to the broader American discourse on family dynamics and disagreements, particularly in the context of diverse cultural backgrounds.

Raval collaborated with Cecilia Mejia, the film's producer, in reaching out to individuals in their communities who might resonate with the idea. Yap and Silverio, known to Raval, expressed interest, while Maravilla was introduced by Mejia. Although the idea for the film came before COVID-19, the urgency of the pandemic added to the project's significance, prompting the filmmakers to delve into the lives of these women during a unique time of transition.

I saw it as an opportunity on how to frame this, Raval shares. We were in a moment of self-reflection, in a moment of realizing what we've taken for granted and in a moment of really thinking about what are our values?

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To document their struggles and transformations, Raval engaged in extensive conversations with the participants, exploring their thoughts, concerns and perspectives on the pandemic while allowing them to decide what they wanted to share as a way to foster an honest and authentic portrayal of their experiences. By featuring younger individuals, Raval aims to highlight the constant evolution and learning that occurs over time. Some events explored in the film include experiencing graduation through Zoom, attending Black Lives Matter protests, witnessing anti-Asian hate crimes and navigating political stances on the 2020 elections.

Seeing your experience on screen or seeing something that you feel represents part of your experience is really important because, again, I didn't ever see or experience that. And I think in the process of making the film, I'm also thinking of it as a gift to people in my community, Raval says. Right now, we're living in extremely divided times. For me, making the film is a reminder that what's important is the love that we hold between us, right? It's that love that allows these conversations and these relationships to be there despite differences of opinions and perspectives.

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Raval hopes that viewers will focus on the importance of love, allowing for conversations, acknowledging differences and strengthening connections. He encourages individuals to think long-term, grow together and realize that love can hold relationships together even amid disagreements.

Who We Become is available to stream on Netflix.

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Election posters pictured ahead of the Finnish presidential election in Espoo, Finland, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. The first round of the presidential election takes place on Sunday, Jan. 28 but the advance voting period is from Jan. 17 to Jan. 23. (Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)

HELSINKI (AP)  Finns will vote Sunday to elect a new president at an unprecedented time: the Nordic nation is now a NATO member following Russias invasion of Ukraine, and its eastern border with Russia is closed, both almost unthinkable a few years ago.

Unlike in most European countries, the president of Finland holds executive power in formulating foreign and security policy, particularly when dealing with countries outside the European Union like the United States, Russia and China.

Clearly, the main task of the president is to steer foreign policy, said Teivo Teivainen, professor of world politics at the University of Helsinki.

Some 4.5 million citizens are eligible to vote for Finlands new head of state from an array of nine candidates  six men and three women  and pick a successor to hugely popular President Sauli Niinisto, whose second six-year term expires in March. He is not eligible for re-election.

Recent polls suggest that former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, 55, and ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, 65, are the top contenders in Sundays first round of voting. None of the candidates are expected get more than 50% of the vote, pushing the race into a runoff in February.

Stubb, who headed the Finnish government in 2014-2015, and Haavisto, who is running for the post for the third time, are both estimated to gather 23%-27% of the votes, followed by Parliament speaker and far-right politician Jussi Halla-aho with around 18%. Bank of Finland governor Olli Rehn was expected to receive about a 14% share of the votes.

A brief look at a map shows why foreign and security policy matters are important political themes in this northern European country of 5.6 million people: Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer (832-mile) border with Russia.

Candidate debates on television and media coverage have largely focused on Finlands new role as a member of NATO, as well as the situation in neighboring Russia and its effects on Finlands security. The war in Ukraine  where Finland is among the top European providers of military and humanitarian aid to Kyiv  and Israel's war with Hamas in the Middle East have also emerged as key topics in the race.

Teivainen, the professor, said the head of states overall influence in Finland has strengthened due to its NATO membership and the growing importance of security issues in recent years, not least because of Russias invasion of Ukraine, which has deeply affected Finns.

Abandoning decades of military non-alignment, which guaranteed pragmatic and friendly relations with Moscow ever since the end of World War II, Helsinki opted to join NATO in May 2022 together with Nordic neighbor Sweden. The governments decision, endorsed by Niinisto and strongly supported by the citizenry, was a direct result of Moscows assault on Ukraine, which started on Feb. 24 the same year.

Finland became the Western military alliances 31st member in April last year, much to the annoyance of Russia and President Vladimir Putin.

NATO membership and a war raging a mere 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) away from Finlands border stresses the security policy dimension in the duties of the president, who also acts as the supreme commander of the Finnish military, Teivainen said.

The threat of war is now a much more concrete thing, he said.

Compared to the previous election in 2018, the geopolitical status of Finland  which for decades maintained a careful balancing act between the East and the West  has made an about-face and presidential candidates have focused in their speeches on the nation's new role as a NATO front-line country.

Under the Finnish Constitution, the president decides on foreign and security policy issues together with the government. He or she also appoints the prime minister and government members, signs bills into law, and acts as a moral leader of the nation on major issues.

In a practice that has become a rule during the reign of Niinisto, Finlands president since 2012, the prime minister, currently Petteri Orpo, focuses on EU issues in the foreign policy arena, while the president deals with other countries and largely stays out of domestic politics.

Niinisto has won praise among Finns for maintaining close ties and seeking dialogue with his counterparts in Moscow, Washington and Beijing to help the Nordic nation punch above its weight and bring attention to its positions.

Since the start of Moscows Ukraine assault nearly two years ago, the Finnish presidents ties to Putin have ceased to exist. Moscow has harassed Finland with a range of retaliatory measures  apparently due to its NATO membership and Helsinki's enhanced military cooperation with Washington  from cyber attacks to threats of Russia's increased military activity in the Baltic Sea region.

Its utterly important for us to keep connection not only with the United States but also with China and, as soon as its realistic, with Russia, Niinisto told Finnish public broadcaster YLE earlier this month.

Late last year, Finland closed its border with Russia after some 1,300 migrants without proper documentation or visas arrived across the frontier just months after Finland joined NATO.

With such hybrid warfare Helsinki suspects Moscow is trying to undermine the Nordic countrys security by sending undocumented migrants across the frontier  a claim that the Kremlin denies.

Finland acts as the European Unions external border in the north and makes up a significant part of NATOs northeastern flank.

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.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  A Florida woman is in jail after she allegedly swindled her aunt, who is 83 years old, according to the State Attorneys Office.

Florida House advances bill banning social media for children under 16

Toni Marie Gablow, 50, is charged with crimes against a person, swindling fraud, the fraudulent illegal use of credit cards and larceny.

According to a redacted arrest report, Gablow was supposed to assist her aunt in writing out checks as her aunt had lost the ability to write and sign a check due to health issues.

Gablows aunt was admitted into a rehabilitation facility to recover from ankle surgery in April 2023, and she returned home in July 2023, the report said.

Gablows aunt could not find her bank statements when looking for them, according to the report, which added that Gablow said the statements may have been lost with the other mail.

Gablow allegedly began withdrawing money from her aunts bank account, making 17 ATM withdrawals totaling $35,403.50 between April 14, 2023, and July 6, 2023.

Gablows aunt told deputies she never allowed Gablow to make withdrawals from her bank account, the report said.

Unlicensed pool contractors bond revoked, back in Mobile Metro Jail

After months of investigation, Gablow was arrested on Wednesday and jailed at 6:27 p.m.

Her bond totals $100,000.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Florida womans body discovered a day after her husbands truck found engulfed in flames, deputies say

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A missing Florida womans body was discovered a day after her husbands truck was found engulfed in flames, according to the Brevard County Sheriffs Office.

The mother of 39-year-old Amber Estep reported her daughter missing on Friday, Jan. 19 after Estep missed several shifts at work.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said detectives interviewed Esteps husband, Brian Estep, who told them his wife was last seen on Tuesday, Jan. 16 after she left a doctors appointment in Merritt Island.

Brian Estep told detectives that he and his wife had gotten into an argument after the doctors appointment. He dropped her off on I-95, just north of State Road 50 after she requested to get out of the vehicle, the sheriff said.

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Several hours after detectives interviewed Estep, Ivey said his pickup truck was found engulfed in flames in Port Saint John.

Our team is currently working with the Fire Marshals Office to determine exactly what took place and the cause of the blaze, Ivey said.

A day later, Amber Esteps body was discovered by a property owner on State Road 46 near Pit Bull Lane near Mims.

Currently, our investigation is ongoing as agents from our homicide and crime scene units are conducting interviews, examining evidence, and working from several different angles to bring Ambers killer to justice, Ivey said in a Facebook video.

According to WOFL, investigators have not said whether Amber Esteps husband is a suspect or person of interest in the case, only that he is cooperating with the investigation.

Im going to ask that everyone keep Ambers family and friends in their thoughts and prayers as they face the most difficult of times, Ivey said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Brevard County Sheriffs Office or Crimeline at 877-423-TIPS (8477).

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Ukraine's attack-helicopter pilots have been conducting low and fast runs in the war against Russia.

Videos of these runs show pilots responding to dangers and difficult environments.

A Marine veteran pilot said Ukraine's pilots may face more complex threats than US aviators have.

Ukraine's attack-helicopter pilots are flying low and fast, navigating a dangerous battlefield where almost anything airborne is at risk.

The challenges these pilots face in this complex operating environment appear to be quite sophisticated, perhaps even more so than what American attack-helicopter pilots have gone up against, a former US Marine Corps Super Cobra pilot said in an interview with Business Insider.

The fighting in Ukraine is fraught with many high-end threats. And it is a difficult environment across the board.

Videos of helicopter operations often show Ukrainian pilots flying at low altitudes across challenging and varied environments in urban, grassy, or woodland areas. In some videos, they fly mere feet above the ground, dodging trees, houses, and power lines.

Ukrainian attack helicopter Mi-24P and attack-transport Mi-8MT at low altitudes pic.twitter.com/gjA6OW8TWN  Ukrainian Front (@front_ukrainian) November 5, 2023

Flying in that situation can restrict a pilot's reaction time and affect their situational awareness.

A pair of Ukrainian Mi-24 attack helicopters operate on Russian positions with unguided S-8 missiles pic.twitter.com/Ic6vRNjlVQ  Anti-49ers Misfit4Ukraine (@Misfit4Ukr68491) May 16, 2023

"Pilots have to pay close attention to these small changes," Kyleanne Hunter, a senior political scientist at RAND and a Marine veteran Super Cobra pilot who flew medevac-escort missions and other runs, explained. She added that they must "make real-time decisions on how they're actually maneuvering and handling the helicopter."

She said that when she escorted other aircraft, she had to pay close attention to her surroundings and what threats could harm the aircraft.

Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopters attack Russian positions with the use of unguided rockets.



The Ukrainian Air Force is alive and will 9 months after the Russian invasion.



Video via @Osinttechnical pic.twitter.com/oqooa5NANx  Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) November 27, 2022

A former US naval aviator and Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Course, or TOPGUN, instructor previously talked with BI about low passes involving fixed-wing aircraft, saying that while "flying lower isn't necessarily harder," doing so "is more task-intensive and requires more concentration," with much of the pilot's attention going toward "terrain avoidance."

For low-flying helicopter pilots, it's also a dangerous situation where the wrong move could mean disaster.

And, of course, there is the serious threat of Russian surface-to-air, or SAM, missiles and other weapons, including Russian aircraft. While SAM sites may be more identifiable, man-portable systems pose a threat that can be harder to detect. Helicopters are also vulnerable to rockets and small-arms fire.

Based on the videos and information available, it appears Ukrainian pilots are facing "a much more sophisticated threat environment" than US pilots have seen, Hunter said, looking at publicly available data on where they are flying and what they are up against.

Ukraine mainly flies Mi-8 helicopters and Mi-24s, and the purpose of these aircraft is multifaceted for Ukraine. They can be equipped with rockets and missiles and can quickly carry out attack missions against Russian ground forces. They can also transport troops and supplies and provide air support. The contested operating environment is a challenge, though.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine showed footage of the combat operation of the Mi-24 attack helicopter.

 pic.twitter.com/jGX43zWrlY  Feher_Junior (@Feher_Junior) July 18, 2023

Hunter said that in attack-helicopter runs like those in Ukraine, flying low and fast is "most likely driven by threat considerations" because staying low to the ground and moving quickly helps the aircraft avoid enemy detection and reduces the likelihood of being shot down.

Flying low means avoiding running into the ground and other obstacles. And it's a challenge for both Ukrainian and Russian pilots contending with air-defense threats.

In 2022, a photograph showed the rocket-launcher tubes on a Russian Kamov Ka-52 attack helicopter filled with tree debris.

Some of these issues can be even more of a challenge for helicopters than some other aircraft.

Hunter said that "when we're thinking about flying just above ground level, small changes in altitude and terrain can make a big difference in the helicopter's ability to produce lift and fly in or out of a ground attack."

Some of the difficulty is thinking about how exactly the aircraft moves in a three-dimensional space and how its pilot navigates the potentially constantly changing altitude.

An Apache helicopter takes off during a demonstration as part of the rotation of US troops of the US Army 101 Airborne division at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base near Constanta, Romania in 2023. DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images

For Ukraine, attack helicopters have been useful for fast missions against Russian forces. They have also served the Russians well, with its Ka-52s complicating armored assaults.

Helicopters can be ideal for these types of runs because they can get low, get in, and get out quickly. A Ukrainian pilot, Oleh, told Reuters in October 2023 that he was completing multiple daily runs against Russian enemy positions, mostly infantry, but sometimes vehicles.

Oleh said to single out a target, he stayed low, gradually gaining altitude as he launched missiles, then turned away and descended, a tactic seen in many videos of helicopter attacks.

Part of the larger problem facing Ukrainian helicopter pilots is identifying where threats are coming from in combat environments. It is not all S-400 missile systems, but a variety of threats, something the Russians have also had to learn, in some cases the hard way.

Hunter told BI that pilots must consider that threats could come from virtually anywhere, whether a building or a fortified position. That forces pilots to be hypervigilant and aware of their surroundings.

A Ka-52 "Alligator" helicopter during testing in Russia's Rostov region in 2022. REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov

On the other side of the field from the Ukrainians and their aircraft, Russia's Ka-52 "Alligator" attack helicopters have made plenty of headlines, particularly for their lethality.

When Western-supplied armored vehicles were stuck in minefields or advancing beyond the range of Ukraine's air defenses during Kyiv's failed counteroffensive last summer, Ka-52s would pick off vehicles and troops.

Part of the Ka-52's value comes from the different weapons it can carry, especially air-to-surface and anti-tank missiles that allow it to operate outside the reach of many of Ukraine's air defenses. They are not untouchable though, and Russia has seen some of the aircraft shot down.

Ukraine has also targeted them on the ground. Last October, it used MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems the US secretly provided to deal a harsh blow to the force, taking out an estimated 14 of them. It struck a blow but hasn't rendered the attack-helicopter fleet inoperable. The fight goes on.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Did you know that foreign investors own more than a million acres of agricultural land in Kansas? Foreign people and entities own more than 43 million acres across America, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

But those numbers are over a year old, dating back to Dec. 31, 2022.

Some agencies, like the Department of Defense, want a more recent accounting of which foreign countries are buying farmland. They say it could be a matter of national security if the land is near sensitive military bases.

DOD officials want to receive the information more than once a year.

Last week, the U.S. Government Accountability Office said how the USDA collects the data is flawed.

 without improving its internal processes, USDA cannot report reliable information to Congress or the public about where and how much U.S. agricultural land is held by foreign persons, the GAO report said.

Prompted by the GAO reporter, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas and nine other senators introduced a bill on Thursday to collect more information about foreign ownership of farmland.

If you cant measure it, you cant manage it. USDA hasnt done a good enough job of measuring foreign farmland ownership and certainly appears to be incapable of managing this issue thats top of mind for farmers and consumers alike, Marshall said in a news release.

He said the senators bill is bipartisan and, if passed, would require transparency and accountability from the USDA.

Food security is national security, Marshall said. Adversarial nations uptick in foreign land ownership presents unique threats to our food supply. We must get a better handle on these investments.

Foreign buyers and sellers of American agricultural land are already required to report it to the USDA, based on the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) of 1978. Marshall wants to improve on that law

The USDAs Dec. 31, 2022, report says foreign persons had 43.4 million acres of U.S. agricultural land. That is 3.4% of all privately held farmland and nearly 2% of all land in the U.S.

Foreign investors and amount of U.S. land, both agricultural and non-agricultural:

Canada  14.2 million acres

Netherlands  5.3 million

Italy  2.8 million

United Kingdom  2.6 million

Germany  2.3 million

All others  17 million

The all others group includes China, which holds 349,442 acres.

In Kansas, foreign investors held 1.28 million acres of land at the end of 2022, an increase of 95,000 acres over 2021.

Foreign investors and amount of Kansas land, both agricultural and non-agricultural:

Italy  398,858 acres

Canada  388,480 acres

Germany  26,483 acres

Netherlands  11,732 acres

United Kingdom  2,843 acres

All others  454,384 acres

The USDA 2022 report showed a Chinese investor owned one acre of non-agricultural land in Russell County.

Foreign investor use of Kansas land:

Cropland  897,219 acres

Pasture  282,648 acres

Forest  3,822 acres

Other agricultural uses  94,356 acres

Non-agricultural uses  4,735 acres

The USDAs annual report also includes county-by-county amounts.

Foreign investors in Kansas counties

Foreign Ownership in Kansas 2022Download

Click here to see more of the USDA reports on foreign investors.

Last weeks GAO report made six recommendations for the USDA to provide more timely, reliable data on foreign buyers of American land.

Senator Marshall said the bill he supports is mainly drawn from the GAO recommendations. The AFIDA Improvements Act of 2024 would:

Streamline Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) Data Sharing: Require USDA to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the CFIUS to govern data sharing between USDA and CFIUS member agencies within one year of enactment. Modernize the AFIDA Handbook: Direct USDA to update the agencys handbook so that officials can collect AFIDA data within one year of enactment. This handbook was last updated in 2006. Implement current law: Require USDA to develop and report to Congress a timeline to meet specific implementation benchmarks for an online AFIDA submission system and public database. While Congress has required USDA to implement an online system by 2025, GAO discovered that USDA has not developed timelines for creating an online submission process [or] a public database. Improve data verification and monitoring: Direct and empower USDA to take any such actions as are necessary to validate foreign ownership data collected under AFIDA. Identify suspected non-filers: Direct USDA to better leverage Farm Service Agency data to identify individuals who have illegally not filed transactions with foreign persons under AFIDA. Collect data from every foreign investor: Require reporting for foreign persons with a minority stake in an agricultural land asset, including through ownership tiers or shell companies.

The 62-page GAO report includes the USDAs response to its recommendations. The USDA said it agrees with the first five recommendations but needs funding to take action on some of them.

The USDA says it already sends information on Chinese, Russian, North Korean, and Iranian investors to the DOD, the FBI and the Office of Homeland Security.

Regarding the sixth recommendation, the USDA said its next report would include data on secondary and higher interests associated with Chinese, Russian, Iranian, and North Korean investors. But it says it would need additional money and people to do more.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
WEST PALM BEACH  A former tender charged in the death of a woman who fell from the Royal Park Bridge pleaded guilty to violating her probation Monday, rupturing a deal with prosecutors that would have spared her from prison entirely.

Artissua Paulk, 44, tested positive for marijuana two months into her eight-year probation, according to court documents. Assistant State Attorney Chrichet Mixon did not agree to a second plea deal after Paulk violated the first, leaving Circuit Judge Scott Suskauer to decide her penalty.

She faces a maximum of 15 years in prison for manslaughter.

Paulk pleaded guilty to manslaughter last year for the Feb. 6, 2022, death of 79-year-old Carol Wright. Wright rode her bike across the span that connects Palm Beach to downtown West Palm Beach when Paulk raised the drawbridge at the request of a passing boat. Wright fell 50 to 60 feet and landed on the span's concrete footings.

A photo of Carol Easterling Wright is displayed at a press conference near the Royal Park Bridge in downtown West Palm Beach. Wright, 79, fell to her death while walking her bike across the bridge on Feb. 6, 2022.

Paulk told the Florida Department of Transportation that she had checked the drawbridge multiple times before raising it and broadcast its opening over loudspeakers. West Palm Beach police, however, said surveillance-camera videos from the bridge and text messages that Paulk sent  and then deleted  contradicted her statements.

Carol Easterling Wright, 79, in a family provided photo on Monday, February 14, 2022. Wright, 79, fell to her death while walking her bike across the Royal Park Bridge on Feb. 6, 2022. Florida Drawbridges the company that operates the Royal Park Bridge in West Palm Beach has agreed to pay $8.27 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Wright's family.

Paulk was fired from her bridge tender position "for violation of company Safe Operating Procedures."

Florida Drawbridges, the company that operates the Royal Park Bridge, agreed in 2022 to pay $8.27 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Wright's family. It also agreed to take steps to keep other pedestrians from falling, such as requiring tenders to be certified and auditing their performances.

Wright was a retired journalist who at one point was the business editor of the Palm Beach Daily News. An attorney representing her family said Wright was riding her bicycle from the Classic Book Shop in Palm Beach to her home just south of Belvedere Road. She made the 6-mile round trip frequently.

Remembering Carol Wright: Former staffer, who died in bridge incident, recalled as 'quintessential Shiny Sheet reporter'

During Paulk's original plea conference, Suskauer withheld adjudication on the manslaughter charge. Her probation could have been reduced to five years if she successfully completed all of its terms, which included 200 hours of community service and a letter of apology to Wright's sisters.

Wright's family attended Monday's hearing but did not speak. They will have another opportunity to do so at Paulk's sentencing hearing, which Suskauer has not yet scheduled. Paulk and her defense attorney, Jack Fleischman, are due next in court for a status check in April.

Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism and subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Bridge tender charged in woman's death violated probation, faces prison
A Central Kentucky woman has admitted stealing more than $300,000 from a client she worked for as a bookkeeper.

Irene Michelle Fike pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to one charge each of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to her plea document, Fike worked at an accounting firm in Winchester from 2016 to 2021, and as part of her job had access to financial information on a client identified in the document as J.M.

Fike, of Winchester, did bookkeeping work for J.M. and her family.

J.M. lived in Lexington at the time but later moved to South Carolina.

After Fike left the accounting firm in the fall of 2021, J.M. hired her as an independent contractor to help with paying bills, bookkeeping and other matters, according to the court record.

Fike used QuickBooks software to create and update financial records for J.M., the court record says.

Fike admitted that from April 2018 through September 2022, she used money from J.M.s bank accounts to pay Fikes American Express credit card bills totaling $224,349.

She also used information from J.M.s credit cards to buy things for herself, according to the plea agreement.

Those purchases totaled $139,307, bringing the total loss to J.M. to $363,657, the court record said.

Fike fudged the QuickBooks reports she generated to avoid raising the suspicion of J.M.s family members, who sometimes reviewed the statements, according to court documents.

Fike was charged with wire fraud because she made online payments. The identify theft charge was based on her use of the identification of J.M.

The wire fraud charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Identify theft in federal court carries a mandatory two-year sentence on top of any sentence for other crimes.

U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove scheduled Fike to be sentenced in May.
France is famously strict on enforcing what it calls laicite: keeping religion out of the public sphere. Yet more than 7,500 private schools receive government funding, and most are Catholic. In a country where about 1 in 10 people are Muslim, just three Muslim high schools receive state support  or did.

In December 2023, local authorities of the French Ministry of the Interior confirmed a decision to revoke state funding from Lycee Averroes, Frances largest and most acclaimed private Muslim high school. Authorities cited serious breaches of the fundamental principles of the Republic, raised concerns over certain texts in religious education classes, and accused administrators of opaque financial management, among various alleged infractions.

None of these claims are supported by previous inspection reports, and many French scholars and activists have denounced the decision as politically motivated, setting off a political firestorm.

Lycee Averroes, located in the suburbs of Lille, opened in 2003 and was granted state funding in 2008. In 2013, it was named the best high school in France, according to the Parisien newspapers rankings, and has consistently ranked among the regions best in recent years. Teachers and administrators pride themselves on being dedicated to both French Republican and Islamic values. As our research has shown, the school often goes above and beyond to teach civic values such as equality and laicite.

In many French Muslim communities, the school is seen as a beacon  an example of a Muslim institution that succeeded despite discrimination, political tensions around Islam, and the French Republics strict secularism.

The defunding decision represents a common paradox in contemporary France: Many of the steps its government takes to supposedly protect French Republican values, better integrate Muslim minorities or prevent radicalization have the potential to do the opposite.

High scores, high scrutiny

Private schools in France can receive state funding for up to about three-quarters of their operating budgets if they agree to certain stipulations. Teachers can provide optional religious education, but otherwise must follow the national curriculum and admit students of any religious background, based on merit alone.

The first Muslim schools opened in 2001, and dozens more have been established since. But as the first one to be granted state funding, Averroes has been under particularly close scrutiny since its inception. The school has previously faced controversies related to funding it received from an organization in Qatar, and a former teachers claims, made a decade ago, that Averroes was teaching Islamism.

According to an official 2020 report, from 2015 through 2020 Averroes was inspected 13 times, making it the most inspected school in the region. Notably, it stated that nothing in the observations  allows (us) to think teaching practices dont respect republican values.

A statue of the medieval Muslim philosopher Averroes in Cordoba, Spain. Domingo Leiva/Moment Open via Getty Images

Several public figures have argued that the decision to defund Averroes is representative of inequitable and disproportionate treatment that French Muslims often face compared to their non-Muslim peers. As our research has shown, many Muslim schools undergo more surveillance and criticism compared to their Catholic and Jewish counterparts.

These double standards largely stem from a political environment rife with fears over Islamic extremism after numerous high-profile attacks on French soil.

However, policies intended to save French Muslim youth from radicalization can have an adverse effect, making young Muslims feel that they are not seen as fully French, and further alienating them.

For some, this sense of unequal treatment manifests in frequent protests and other demands for justice. But it has sometimes fueled riots, vandalism and social unrest.

Security and separatism

Other policies that affect education and were made in the name of French secularism have also drawn controversy for potentially discriminating against Islam.

For example, a broad 2021 measure often referred to as the separatism law aimed to combat perceived nonallegiance to French values. Among many requirements, the law made independent schools harder to open and easier for the state to close.

Although the text of the law does not explicitly mention Muslims, the political discourse surrounding the law clearly targeted Islam. In an October 2020 speech defending the legislation, President Emmanuel Macron stated, What we must tackle is Islamist separatism, which he accused of repeated deviations from the Republics values.

Yet there is little evidence of such alleged separatism. Rather, studies have consistently shown that Muslim support for French institutions mirrors that of the larger population.

Other examples of policies that purport to rein in radicalization, but may further fuel Muslims isolation, include the 2023 ban on abayas in public schools and the 2004 headscarf law that banned ostentatious religious symbols from public schools.

Veiled or not veiled, we want equality: Parents and supporters protest in 2019 against a proposal to ban mothers who wear headscarves from school trips. Raymond Roig/AFP via Getty Images

One study argues the 2004 ban harmed Muslim girls graduation rates, subsequently affecting their employment opportunities. Similarly, the abaya ban has been criticized by human rights activists, the United Nations and the U.S. Commission for Religious Freedom for unduly restricting freedom of religious expression and potentially fueling discrimination.

The future of pluralism

Based on our fieldwork, we believe Frances Muslim schools may help reduce radicalization and one of its causes: young peoples sense that being both fully French and fully Muslim is incompatible.

As one young French Muslim told us, Ive always been made to feel as though Im not une vraie francaise (a real French person). Such everyday exclusion can fuel alienation, resentment or even emmigration.

Institutions like Averroes, however, offer a haven from the discrimination students may experience in public schools, and create a space for pupils who want to wear a headscarf or abaya. In addition, they actively denounce terrorism and radicalization.

But recent actions suggest that the French government may have lost confidence in Muslim institutions as a way to foster French values. France shut down 672 Muslim establishments between 2018 and 2021, including mosques and independent Muslim schools.

Most immediately, the decision to defund Averroes will impact its students and staff. The school offers scholarships to approximately 62% of its student body, including its nonstate-funded middle school  a number which will likely prove untenable without funding.

More broadly, such steps may intensify challenges to French Muslims sense of value and belonging, obstructing the path toward peaceful pluralism and paradoxically increasing the risk of radicalization and separatism.

Yet we believe there is a third risk, as well. The French Republic considers secular neutrality and equality core pillars of French identity, but many critics view its policies on Islam as prime examples of inequality and bias. Such discord may undermine these values legitimacy, if not their very essence.

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: Carol Ferrara, Emerson College; Francoise Lorcerie, Aix-Marseille Universite (AMU), and Vincent Geisser, Aix-Marseille Universite (AMU).

Read more:



Vincent Geisser is affiliated with organization President of the Center for Information and Studies on International Migration (CIEMI, Paris)

Carol Ferrara and Francoise Lorcerie do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
(Bloomberg) -- French far-right leader Marine Le Pen raised doubts over her partys ties to Germanys AfD after a re-migration plan with Nazi echoes was uncovered and triggered mass protests.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Frances National Rally belongs to the same group as the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany in the European Parliament, which is due to hold elections in June. Le Pen told a news conference on Thursday that this relationship was now up for discussion.

She said she would talk with her German counterparts about whether their apparently significantly different views will have consequences on our ability to be allied in the same group.

Members of the AfD attended a meeting in November where discussions included a proposal for mass deportations of asylum seekers, foreigners with the right to reside in Germany and German citizens who havent assimilated, according to a report published this month by Correctiv, an Essen-based media organization which seeks to promote democracy.

Hundreds of thousands of people  including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his ministers  have since joined demonstrations against the AfD.

Daniel Tapp, a spokesman for AfD co-leader Alice Weidel, played down Le Pens comments.

As is usual among friends, we will seek a discussion to clear up any misunderstandings, he said. We will fully inform our partners in Paris about the completely baseless media campaign.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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France has provided Ukraine with two additional LRU rocket launchers, the French version of the American M270 multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), according to comments by French General Jean-Michel Guilloton to the French Defense Ministry's press service on Jan. 25.

The launchers were provided to Ukraine as part of the "Artillery for Ukraine" coalition, an initiative created under the auspices of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UCDG).

The artillery coalition, led by Guilloton, aims to structure the allied support for Ukraine more effectively.

According to the general, France leads the coalition as it "has the right given the artillery equipment it has transferred to Ukraine."

"France has already delivered about 30 Caesar self-propelled guns, while we only had 75, as well as four LRU multiple launch rocket systems, TRF1 guns, and 120 mm mortars," Guilloton said.

French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said in November 2022 that the country handed over two units of the MLRS LRU launchers to Ukrainian forces. Guilloton's recent statement means that Paris has since then delivered an additional two pieces, bringing the total number to four.

The LRU or Lance-Roquettes Unitaire is the French version of the American M270 MLRS. The installations are equipped with an upgraded fire control system, a new navigation system using GPS, and a new communications system.

Since January 2024, France has boosted its ammunition supplies to Ukraine to meet Kyiv's defense needs for the coming year, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry announced on Nov. 30, 2023, following a visit by a French delegation.

French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Jan. 18 that France aims to produce 78 Caesar self-propelled guns this year to deliver them to Ukraine.

Read also: Minister: France to deliver more Caesar howitzers, guided bombs to Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Anthony Pierson, deputy chief counsel in retiring Franklin County Prosecutor Gary Tyack's office, watches as the county Democratic Executive Committee votes Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, on whether to endorse him for prosecutor over two other Democratic candidates in the March primary election. He needed 95 votes, but received 77 votes at the meeting held at Columbus Firefighters Union IAFF Local 67 hall.

After the NAACP Columbus branch, other organizations and a candidate called on the Franklin County Democratic Party not to endorse any of the three Democrats running for county prosecutor ahead of the March primary, the party executive committee narrowly voted to not endorse anyone.

Members of the Franklin County Democratic Party Executive Committee voted on each candidate by a show of hands Thursday at the Columbus Firefighters IAFF Local 67 union hall. The crowd erupted in applause when the party chairman announced none of the prosecutor candidates had enough votes for an endorsement.

Anthony Pierson, deputy chief counsel for retiring Franklin County Prosecutor Gary Tyack; Columbus City Councilmember Shayla Favor and Delaware City Attorney Natalia Harris will have to earn votes the "old-fashioned way"  as Favor put it  without anyone appearing on the party's slate card that is distributed outside polls.

After interviewing all three candidates, the screening committee for the party had recommended Pierson, who has Tyack's backing, based on his prosecutorial experience, the screening committee chair said.

Nobody mentioned at the meeting a recent complaint made to the Franklin County Board of Elections asking for an investigation into whether Pierson lives in the county based on reporting by The Dispatch. Pierson owns a house in Delaware County with his wife in addition to a Columbus condo where he transferred his voter registration last fall.

Columbus City Councilmember Shayla Favor successfully implored the Franklin County Democratic Party Executive Committee on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, not to endorse any candidate, including herself, in the county prosecutor's race ahead of the March primary election.

Before they voted on the candidates, each had a chance to speak. Favor echoed the NAACP Columbus branch President Nana Watson's public comments that this is a historic moment in Franklin County as three Black candidates are running for the office and Black voters are excited to engage in this race.

"Please keep your hands down all the way around so the voters can raise their hands all around town," Favor said ahead of the votes.

Pierson received 77 votes but needed 95 to reach the 60% threshold of the voting members present. Favor received zero votes from her supporters, as she asked, and Harris received two endorsement votes.

Anthony Pierson, deputy chief counsel in retiring Franklin County Prosecutor Gary Tyack's office, spoke Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, ahead of the Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee's endorsement vote in the prosecutor's race. Pierson said he has the extensive prosecutorial experience and the vision to run the office.

Pierson left the meeting and did not respond to a Dispatch message requesting comment.

The county Democratic Executive Committee also did not endorse anyone in the three contested Ohio House races in Franklin County where no incumbent is running. But the committee did decide to endorse in the only contested race for a Franklin County Common Pleas Court judgeship  despite a candidate's plea.

Party endorses current Ohio House member for county judge

The executive committee voted to endorse Ohio House Rep. Richard Brown, a Canal Winchester Democrat who represents District 5, for Franklin County Common Pleas Court in the only contest judge race.

His opponent, Stephanie Hanna, a staff attorney for Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Brown, had called Thursday for no endorsement.

Hanna previously ran unsuccessfully for judge as a Republican in 2016 and 2020. In 2016, she lost to Jeffrey Brown, the Democrat judge for whom she now works.

Republican judges switching to the Democratic party has been a trend in recent years as the county increasingly favors Democrats.

"I'm asking you not to endorse either of us," Hanna said Thursday. "Let us run a fair primary."

Richard Brown received 118 votes for endorsement.

Members of the Franklin County Democratic Party Executive Committee voted on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 to endorse Ohio House Rep. Richard Brown for county Common Pleas Court Judge despite his opponent Stephanie Hanna calling Thursday for no endorsement.

Democrats choose not to endorse in 3 Ohio House races

Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, of Upper Arlington, told the county Democratic Executive Committee during the meeting that the screening committee for Ohio House races decided not to recommend anyone in three contested races without incumbents: Districts 5, 6 and 10.

The larger committee agreed, and no one endorsed any candidates.

In one of those races, District 6, seven Democrats have thrown their hats in the ring.

"I look forward to all of these candidates in these open primaries running good competitive races," Russo said.

Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, of Upper Arlington, told the Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee during their meeting on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, that the screening committee for Ohio House races had decided not to recommend anyone in contested races without incumbents in Districts 5, 6 and 10.

The Democratic candidates running in those three Ohio House district races are as follows.

Ohio House District 5 (Richard Brown's current district): Marco Miller of Canal Winchester, Meredith Lawson-Row of Reynoldsburg, and Leo Almeida of Canal Winchester.

Ohio House District 6: Elijah Williams of Galloway, Patrick Barnacle, Christine Cockley, Adhanet Kife, Eli Bohnert, Brandon Barcus, all of Columbus; and Kawther Musa of Galloway.

Ohio House District 10: Sarah C. Pomeroy of Columbus and Mark Sigrist of Grove City.

The party voted to endorse incumbent Democrats in eight other Ohio House races, including Russo's.

Only the executive committee's vote on Ohio House District 3 sparked controversy, where Abdirizak Diini and Julie Trabold are challenging incumbent Rep. Ismail Mohamed.

Diini said it was not fair that the screening committee only screened Mohamed and called on the committee to not endorse in the race.

Michael Sexton, chairman of the Franklin County Democratic Party, said Diini never contacted the party to let them know he wanted to be screened.

Mohamed won the endorsement with 138 votes.

The party also voted Thursday to endorse incumbent Democrats in several uncontested county and state legislative races and two congressional races.

In the 15th Congressional District, which includes parts of Franklin County and Madison County, the committee voted at the screening committee's recommendation to endorse Ohio Rep. Adam Miller over Zerqa Z. Abid. They will compete in the March primary, with the winner taking on Republican incumbent Mike Carey in November.

jlaird@dispatch.com

@LairdWrites

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Franklin County Dems narrowly decide not to endorse in prosecutor race
Palestinian death toll in Gaza from Israeli attacks rises to 25,900: ministry

Xinhua) 08:11, January 26, 2024

Photo taken on Jan. 25, 2024 shows destroyed buildings at Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 25,900 since Oct. 7, 2023, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Thursday. (Xinhua)

GAZA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 25,900 since Oct. 7, 2023, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Thursday.

The Israeli army killed 200 Palestinians and wounded 370 others over the past 24 hours, the ministry said in a press statement.

It added that the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has wounded at least 64,110 Palestinians, noting that a large number of victims were still under the rubble as ambulance and civil defense crews could not reach them.

The Israeli army on Thursday ordered residents of the southern Khan Younis city to evacuate their homes in preparation for coming bombings.

Avichai Adraei, a spokesman for the Israeli army, said on social media platform X that "to the residents of Khan Younis in the neighborhoods of Al-Nasr, Al-Amal, the city center and the camp, in blocks of 107-108-109-110-111-112, for your safety, you must move immediately to the humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi."

Local sources said that more than 60,000 residents were under the threat of evacuation from Khan Younis, and many of them had already started evacuating to escape the expected Israeli operations in the area.

The city of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, has witnessed during the past two days an intensification of Israeli attacks, considered the fiercest since the fighting began on Oct. 7, 2023, according to eyewitnesses.

Photo taken on Jan. 25, 2024 shows destroyed buildings at Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 25,900 since Oct. 7, 2023, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Thursday. (Xinhua)

Photo taken on Jan. 25, 2024 shows destroyed buildings at Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 25,900 since Oct. 7, 2023, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Thursday. (Xinhua)

Photo taken on Jan. 25, 2024 shows destroyed buildings at Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 25,900 since Oct. 7, 2023, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Thursday. (Xinhua)

Photo taken on Jan. 25, 2024 shows destroyed buildings at Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 25,900 since Oct. 7, 2023, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Thursday. (Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
(KRON)  Three thieves were nabbed with a trunk full of cigarettes after they ransacked a local convenience store, led police on a chase in Fremont, and crashed a stolen car in Newark, according to the Fremont Police Department.

When police officers arrested the three men, they discovered that one was wanted for homicide in Antioch  22-year-old Keotis King Patterson of San Lorenzo, according to FPD.

The incident began on the night of January 22. A convenience store clerk told police that two masked men entered his store on Central Avenue in Fremont, grabbed cartons of cigarettes, and fled in a getaway vehicle.

Officers found the getaway vehicle nearby and chased it. The driver eventually lost control and crashed at the intersection of Central Avenue and Cedar Boulevard in Newark.

Police said the driver, 18-year-old Zocari Randy Hicks of Oakland, and front seat passenger, 21-year-old Warren Christopher Rodgers Jr., bolted out of the vehicle and ran off. Patterson remained sitting in the backseat and complied with officers commands.

A Newark police officer found Rodgers hiding nearby and arrested him. A Fremont officer chased Hicks on foot and arrested him.

Police searched the suspect vehicles trunk and found a bag filled with numerous cartons of cigarettes. FPD said the cartons had been stolen from multiple convenience stores around Alameda County. The vehicle was previously reported as stolen.

Fremont police said these cigarette cartons were found in the trunk of a stolen car. (FPD photo)

The total recovered loss was estimated to be $10,000. All three suspects were taken into custody and booked into Santa Rita Jail for various charges, FPD wrote.

Hicks was booked into jail on suspicion of evading an officer, possessing a stolen vehicle, possessing stolen property, resisting a law enforcement officer, and using a false identity.

Patterson had an open warrant from the Antioch Police Department for homicide in Contra Costa County, according to FPD. Now he is also facing a robbery charge in Alameda County.

Rodgers was booked on suspicion of robbery and resisting a law enforcement officer.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
The French Ministry of Defence has responded to the publication of Russian disinformation claiming the supposed death of "French mercenaries" due to a strike on Kharkiv, stating that this was a coordinated misinformation campaign.

Source: BFMTV, citing the Ministry's press release, as reported by European Pravda

The French authority has stated that Russia has long been engaging in disinformation activities against France, and after Paris's recent assurances that support for Ukraine will continue, this wave of disinformation has intensified.

Quote: "The relevant state services have, on the other hand, identified and are monitoring Russias coordinated manoeuvre, including pro-Russian news networks and state media such as Sputnik, RT and RIA Novosti, to relay and amplify this false information," the ministry stated.

The reaction from Paris was triggered, in part, by Moscow's statement on 17 January claiming that a missile strike on Kharkiv targeted a supposed temporary location of "French mercenaries," with 60 allegedly killed and 20 wounded. Following this, Russian Telegram channels began circulating supposed lists of the deceased.

Subsequently, a claim appeared that Russia had supposedly destroyed a Franco-Italian SAMP-T system supplied to Ukraine. The French Defence Ministry noted that some of these "lists of deceased mercenaries" had already been circulated in the early weeks of the full-scale war.

"France confirms none of these reports... France is once again the target of a crude Russian disinformation campaign. Unlike others, France does not use mercenaries," said French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu.

"With French military aid to Ukraine being stepped up, we expect this Russian poisoning operation to continue. We condemn it and are strengthening our monitoring of such manipulations," he added.

In a comment to AFP, one informed diplomat stated that while many foreign volunteers have indeed joined the Ukrainian International Legion, and some French individuals in the list circulated by Russians are likely members of the legion, many other names are clearly false.

An additional element of the information attack on France in these Moscow statements is that French legislation provides for criminal liability for mercenary activities  5 years of imprisonment and a fine of 75,000.

Background:

On 18 January, Frances Ministry of Foreign Affairs refuted a claim made by the Russian Defence Ministry that French mercenaries were killed in an attack on Kharkiv on 16 January, calling it a "manipulation".

Meanwhile, experts at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs have identified a systematic disinformation campaign favouring Russia on the social media platform Twitter (X). The government is concerned about potential interference in upcoming elections.

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Indian President Droupadi Murmu with her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron arrive in a ceremonial British-era horse-drawn carriage for the Republic day parade in New Delhi, India, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Thousands of people cheer a colorful parade showcasing India's defense capability and cultural heritage braving a winter chill and mist on a ceremonial boulevard in the Indian capital. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

NEW DELHI (AP)  Thousands of people lined a ceremonial boulevard in the heart of India's capital on Friday to watch a colorful parade showcasing the country's military power and cultural heritage to mark its 75th Republic Day.

French President Emmanuel Macron attended the parade as the chief guest at the celebration of the adoption of the countrys Constitution on Jan. 26, 1950, following India's independence from British colonial rule.

Indian President Draupadi Murmu escorted Macron in a ceremonial British-era horse-drawn carriage from the nearby presidents palace to the viewing stand. It was the first time the carriage has been used at the parade since it was abandoned by the government 40 years ago in favor of an automobile.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wearing a saffron-and-yellowcolored turban representing Hindu nationalist colors, greeted Macron at the viewing stand.

The parade was broadcast live by television networks and watched by millions of Indians across the country.

India traditionally invites foreign leaders to witness the spectacle. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi was the guest of honor last year, former French President Francois Hollande in 2016 and former U.S. President Barack Obama in 2015. Ten Southeast Asian leaders watched the parade in 2018.

Tanks, missile systems, infantry combat vehicles and medium-range surface-to-air missile systems were displayed at the parade, with hundreds of police and military personnel marching with them. Stunt performers on motorbikes, including more than 250 women, also joined.

Other participants included a camel-mounted regiment with mustachioed riders led by a shiny brass band.

Floats showcased Hindu Lord Rama, whose temple was inaugurated earlier this week, Indias moon lander, its first indigenous aircraft carrier, a light combat aircraft and helicopter, and a submarine.

Macron accepted Indias invitation at short notice after U.S. President Joe Biden couldnt make it, reportedly because of his State of the Union address and reelection bid.

A French 30-member band and 90-member marching group joined the parade.

A French transport aircraft and two fighter jets from the French air force joined 54 Indian air force aircraft in a fly-over past the viewing stand.

A great honor for France. Thank you, India, Macron said on X, formerly called Twitter.

Rajpath Avenue, built by Indias former British rulers, has been redeveloped as part of the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Indian independence three years ago. It is lined by huge lawns, canals and rows of trees and has been renamed Kartavayapath, or Boulevard of Duty.
Protesters take part in a rally against right-wing extremism and racism called by the organizations Black Voices Austria, Fridays for Future and the Platform for a Humane Asylum Policy, in front of the parliament in Vienna. Eva Manhart/APA/dpa

Thousands more people demonstrated against far-right extremism in several German cities on Friday.

There were major rallies in Frankfurt, Saarbrucken, Herne and Gutersloh. Numerous demonstrations are also planned for the weekend.

In Saarbrucken near the French border, around 7,000 people protested against a Alternative for Germany (AfD) party event.

The AfD, riding high in the polls in eastern Germany ahead of three state elections in September, reminds many Germans of the Nazi regime in the 1930s and 40s.

Those fears were only reinforced by the Correctiv research centre reporting this month that a meeting in November was attended by several AfD figures and Austrian white supremacist Martin Sellner.

Repatriation of those not of German blood, and even sending naturalized German citizens back to their countries of orgin or "remigration," was reportedly discussed, prompting the widespread protests.

Police said around 3,000 people took part in the "We are more" rally in Gutersloh when only 500 were expected.

A similar number demonstrated in Herne while thousands of people also marched in Frankfurt. Placards read "No state money for fascists" or "Repatriation to your knees." According to police, the events remained peaceful.

The Interior Ministry said more than 900,000 people took part in protests in Germany last weekend.

The demonstrations have spread to Austria, birthplace of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. The country joined Nazi Germany in a union in 1938 and has flirted with far-right politicians in recent decades.

The police said around 35,000 people gathered in front of the parliament in Vienna. The protest's slogan was "Defend democracy!". Thousands in Innsbruck and Salzburg also took to the streets.

Protesters take part in a rally against right-wing extremism and racism called by the organizations Black Voices Austria, Fridays for Future and the Platform for a Humane Asylum Policy, in front of the parliament in Vienna. Tobias Steinmaurer/APA/dpa

people hold flags during a protest against right-wing extremism. Daniel Bockwoldt/dpa

people hold placards during a protest against right-wing extremism. Daniel Bockwoldt/dpa

people hold flags and banner during a protest against right-wing extremism. Daniel Bockwoldt/dpa
AMERICUS, GA (WJBF)  The Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) has arrested and charged Trinity Poague, age 18, of Donalsonville, Georgia, with Aggravated Battery, Felony Murder and Cruelty to Children First Degree.

On Sunday January 14, 2024, at about 2:00 pm, the Georgia Southwestern State University Police Department asked the GBI to investigate the death of a child.

The investigation indicates an unresponsive 18-month-old boy was admitted to the emergency room at Phoebe Sumter Hospital in Americus, Georgia.

Hospital personnel performed life saving measures on the child; however, he later died.

ALSO ON WJBF: Evans man arrested for allegedly strangling wife with towel at Augusta motel

After multiple interviews & an examination of the evidence, GBI agents arrested Poague. She is currently booked at the Sumter County Jail with no bond.

The Georgia Southwestern State University Police Department along with the Americus Police Department assisted with this investigation.

If anyone has information about this case, anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

***Information courtesy of the GBI***

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
A Peachtree City man was arrested by Floyd County Sheriffs deputies for threatening to shoot school children and having inappropriate contact with a child while online.

According to arrest affidavits from the Floyd County Sheriffs Office, Andrew Garrett Burke, 27, was charged with multiple felonies after engaging in graphic written matter describing sex acts to a child he thought was younger than 16 years old.

Burke was arrested on Jan. 21 by the Floyd deputies, records show.

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TRENDING STORIES:

He also faces charges for terroristic threats after threatening to shoot up a school or kill a few people, according to sheriffs office records.

Burke is also accused of sending inappropriate photos of himself and multiple videos of himself engaging in sexual activities to someone he believed was a minor.

The crimes Burke is accused of committing occurred over the course of three days, according to the affidavits.

In total, Burke was charged with obscene internet contact with a child, electronically furnishing obscene material to minors, and making terroristic threats.

Sheriffs records indicate Burke was denied bond.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
State lawmakers voted Friday to investigate misconduct allegations against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

The Republican-led Georgia Senate voted along party lines on creating a committee to open a full-scale investigation over her handling of the 2020 election interference indictment case.

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Legislation introduced this week accused Willis of being in an improper relationship with Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor hired by Willis to lead the election interference case against former President Donald Trump and others.

A filing by an attorney representing one of the co-defendants accused Willis of paying Wade hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer funds to lead the prosecution, then benefited personally by taking vacations that he paid for.

The accusations surfaced in the divorce proceedings between Wade and his estranged wife, Joycelyn Wade.

RELATED NEWS:

Channel 2 Action News spoke with Georgia State Sen. Greg Dolezal about his push to create an investigative committee to look into those misconduct allegations.

What this resolution does is raise a fact-finding mission to the General Assembly to find out what exactly happened as it relates to a potential conflict of interest, and then to respond to either with appropriations, adjustments or changes to state law.

The Senate Committee couldnt sanction Willis, but could subpoena witnesses, evidence and require testimony under oath.

Gov. Brian Kemp spoke exclusively with Channel 2 Action News earlier this week. The governor said he would rather see a new law creating an oversight committee to look into allegations against any prosecutor.

But having more politicians involved, I dont know is the answer to that. I think Judge McAfee and the other judges that are looking into that is the proper place for that, Kemp said.

Channel 2 Action News reached out to the Fulton DAs Office for a comment on Fridays proceedings. Democratic leadership also has not commented on the proposed resolution.

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FILE - Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger attends the National Association of Secretaries of State winter meeting, Feb. 16, 2023, in Washington. A lawyer for Raffensperger said on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, that a bill is unconstitutional to give Georgia's appointed State Election Board the ability to investigate Raffensperger. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

ATLANTA (AP)  Georgia's Senate is backing a plan to give the state's appointed election board the power to investigate Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's handling of elections, despite the measure's sponsor saying that the bill is in murky water when it comes to its constitutionality.

The Senate voted 30-19 along party lines Friday for Senate Bill 358, sending it to the House for more debate.

The chamber's Republican majority also on Friday pushed through a proposal to ban ranked-choice voting in Georgia on a 31-19 party-line vote. That bill also moves on to the House.

Raffensperger, also a Republican, says it is unconstitutional for the Senate to give the State Election Board the power to oversee an elected official.

There is no precedent for an unelected board of political appointees to have oversight authority over members of the executive branch, Raffensperger's general counsel, Charlene McGowan, wrote Tuesday.

But Senate Ethics Committee Chairman Sen. Max Burns disagreed, saying Friday that the measure only alters legal powers that the General Assembly has given to Raffensperger and the election board, and not Raffensperger's constitutional authority.

The majority of powers of the secretary of state are vested through statute and not through constitutional law," said Burns, a Sylvania Republican.

Burns has asked Republican Attorney General Chris Carr to provide an opinion on the measure's constitutionality, saying Friday that even though it the measure is legally murky, the courts could sort out problems.

The proposal would remove Raffensperger from his nonvoting post on the board, three years after lawmakers removed him as the voting chair of the board. It would also allow the board to hire election investigators instead of solely relying on those working for Raffensperger and clearly give the board power to investigate the secretary of state.

Activists have been pushing the State Election Board to investigate whether Raffensperger mishandled his audit of Fulton Countys 2020 results, motivated by unproven claims of fraud. The board deadlocked 2-2 in December on whether it had such authority, and two members asked lawmakers to clarify the law.

Raffenspergers steadfast defense of Georgias 2020 election, which Democratic President Joe Biden narrowly won, and his rejection of a call by Donald Trump to find more Republican votes made him a national figure. But Raffensperger is also a pariah among many Republicans, who continue pushing Trumps false claims that Georgias 2020 results were marred by fraud and that Trump was the rightful winner. And those activists are pressuring Republican Georgia lawmakers, who face election this year.

Senators on Friday also voted to pass Senate Bill 355, banning any expansion of ranked-choice voting beyond Georgia's current use of the practice in ballots sent to military members and other citizens living abroad.

Under the method, voters rank their choices in order. Lower finishing candidates are then eliminated and their votes assigned to the surviving candidates until someone reaches a majority.

Opponents say the practice needs to be prohibited because voters will be confused, results will be delayed, and people who only vote for one candidate will often see their vote go uncounted.

Republican Sen. Randy Robertson of Cataula, who sponsored the measure, said it's a plot to manipulate elections.

The purpose of ranked-choice voting, in many cases, is to cause confusion," Robertson said, saying it would "eliminate third parties, to make those of us who may be considered radical, outspoken, nonconformist, to fall in line.

But others say ranked-choice voting could allow Georgia to avoid its system of runoff elections, required when a candidate doesnt win a majority in a first round of voting. They say runoffs usually have lower turnouts than earlier rounds of voting, and that voters dislike them.

Because theres more participation, its more democratic and can elect candidates that better reflect the views of the broad majority and middle of the electorate," said Sen. Elena Parent, an Atlanta Democrat.

Parent said the bill is pointless because ranked-choice voting is only allowed in Georgia today on overseas ballots.

There is no point to this bill, she said. "There is no monster under the bed when it comes to ranked-choice voting.

Florida, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota and Tennessee have previously banned ranked-choice voting, and some national conservative groups are pushing to end the practice in other states.
The Georgia state Senate on Friday passed a resolution creating a special committee to investigate Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis amid allegations of an improper affair with her lead prosecutor in the 2020 election subversion case against former President Donald Trump.

The resolution, which cleared the GOP-controlled state Senate 30-19, allows the special committee to subpoena people and evidence while putting witnesses under oath for their testimonies. At the end of its investigation, the committee will submit a report that will recommend any changes to either legislation or appropriations, according to state Sen. Greg Dolezal, who introduced the resolution.

This resolution is about an officer of the state of Georgia, within a subdivision of the state of Georgia, and how they are using state funds, Dolezal said on the Senate floor. This falls squarely within what we should be talking about and what we should be addressing.

The allegations against Willis and Nathan Wade first surfaced in a 127-page court filing earlier this month by former Trump 2020 campaign official Mike Roman, who was indicted over his role in the fake electors plot in Georgia.

Roman alleges that Wade is romantically involved with Willis and used money he billed the district attorneys office for his work on the case to take her on lavish vacations.

Willis and Wade have not directly addressed the accusations, and the Fulton County district attorneys office has not yet commented on the allegations specifically. The judge overseeing the case against Trump has given Willis until the end of next week to reply in writing to the allegations to the court.

In comments Willis made at Atlantas Big Bethel A.M.E. Church earlier this month, the DA defended her team of prosecutors in the case, calling into question why only one of the three prosecutors was being attacked.

Is it that some will never see a Black man as qualified  no matter his achievements? What more can one achieve? The other two have never been judges, but no one questions their credentials, Willis remarked.

The situation brings yet another twist in the multiyear effort to punish those involved in attempting to subvert the 2020 presidential election won by Joe Biden.

Legally, it is unlikely to kill the case, but this could be a big political gift to Trump, who is seeking to discredit the Georgia charges as illegitimate and politically motivated.

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BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday voiced concern over the rise of extreme-right tendencies in his country 79 years after the Auschwitz extermination camp was liberated.

"New reports are emerging all the time: about neo-Nazis and their dark networks," the Social Democrat said in a recorded video speech commemorating the Jan. 27, 1945, liberation of Auschwitz by Soviet troops.

"At the same time, right-wing populists are gaining ground, fuelling fear and sowing hatred," Scholz said, adding that this should not be accepted.

Indeed protests against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have been gaining momentum in the wake of a report that two senior party members joined a meeting to discuss plans for the mass deportation of citizens of foreign origin, with countrywide demonstrations heading into their third week.

The protesters are looking to curb support for the AfD, which is polling in second place nationally and first in the three eastern German states holding elections this year.

"It is the cohesion of democrats that makes our democracy strong," Scholz said.

"Showing it confidently in public - as is happening now - feels good," he added.

The chancellor also welcomed a landmark ruling to cut funding to the radical right-wing party Die Heimat, which sparked a debate on whether a similar step could be taken against the nationalist AfD party, referring to the decision as "very good".

(Writing by Nette Nostlinger; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  8 On Your Side is getting results for two Tampa Bay area sisters who are still struggling after Hurricane Ian. Despite an extended battle with their insurance company, the sisters cannot afford all of the repairs. Fortunately, the community is stepping in.

Hurricane Ian is long gone, but sisters Dorothy Cherry and Janice Clark are still dealing with the mess it left behind.

This is home and I have nowhere else to go, said Janice Clark.

Huge tree left in backyard 16 months after Hurricane Ian

They say they were lowballed by their insurance company. They hired an attorney to fight for a settlement and in the end, they were left with $12,637.88, not enough to fix the home and the yard.

The storm split a tree apart and uprooted the pavement. Family gatherings have come to a halt.

This is what the kids used to like to come to the house for, said Dorothy.

After our story about the sisters first aired, many viewers emailed 8 On Your Side, saying they were touched by the story. Others moved to act.

After 8 On Your Side report, family gets 50 times the amount of Hurricane Ian roof damage settlement offer

Jennifer Moore, a retired teacher who created Moore Cuts Florida, a tree service, teamed up with Tampa Bay Stumps Services to cut the tree and haul it away, free of charge.

Were taking every bit of wood away, Moore said. Thats the old neighborhood where my children went to school. And so, when I saw the story, I was like, oh I cant hear of another person going through that like we did.

Janice and Dorothy told Mahsa that after the story aired, the insurance company changed the terms of the settlement, giving the sisters an additional $3,000.

The sisters cannot wait for the backyard to be back to normal.

8 On Your Side will continue to follow their journey.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
The husband of Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, has quit his Whitehall job after the Post Office scandal engulfed his former employer Fujitsu.

Michael Keegan stepped down from a role at the Cabinet Office after Labour said he should be investigated over what part he played in the Horizon IT fiasco.

He was formerly the UK head of Fujitsu, the Japanese firm which made the faulty accounting software which led to hundreds of sub-postmasters being wrongly accused of fraud.

After leaving the company in 2018 he joined the Cabinet Office in a role overseeing the states relationship with weapons manufacturer BAE systems.

He was paid 500 a day for the part-time position as a Crown Representative  an individual brought in to help foster links with key businesses.

His resignation was announced in an update on the Government website on Friday. He was replaced by Matt Wiles, a former Air Vice-Marshal in the RAF.

Links politically awkward for wife

Mr Keegans link to the Horizon scandal had made his Whitehall role politically awkward for his wife. Labour and the Liberal Democrats had raised concerns over his position and suggested that he should be grilled by the Post Office inquiry.

Asked about his role earlier this month Bridget Phillipson, the shadow education secretary, said it was right the public inquiry considers all of these questions.

Mr Keegan was the UK chief executive of Fujitsu between March 2014 and June 2015, whilst prosecutions based on Horizon data were being brought.

After that he went on to become the companys head of technology, covering Europe and the Middle East, before his departure in July 2018.

He stepped down just under 18 months before the High Court ruled in December 2019 that there were bugs, errors and defects in the Horizon software.

Data from the faulty system, which made it look as though money had gone missing when it had not led to the convictions of more than 900 sub-postmasters between 1999 and 2015.

The victims had their reputations ruined and lost their livelihoods as a result, with many left bankrupt and some even being wrongly sent to prison.

No case to answer

Mr Keegan has denied any wrongdoing and has said that the only decision he made on Horizon was to cancel a tender for a new version of the software.

He has also insisted he only ever had one conversation with Paula Vennells, the shamed former Post Office boss, and that the pair did not discuss the issue.

It is understood his decision to quit the Cabinet Office was voluntary and not linked to upcoming talks between ministers and Fujitsu over compensation for sub-postmasters.

The Cabinet Office declined to comment on individual staffing matters.

Fujitsu has agreed to pay into a 1billion compensation fund for the victims of the scandal, but has not yet said how much it will hand over.

Paul Patterson, chief executive of Fujitsus European arm, told MPs last week that the company was truly sorry for its role in the prosecutions and had a moral obligation to contribute.

Fujitsu has also agreed not to bid for any new government contracts until the public inquiry into the Post Office scandal has delivered its findings.

The firm is deeply embedded in the delivery of public services and has been involved in 4.9 billion of taxpayer-funded work since the December 2019 ruling.

It holds a 355 million contract to run the IT systems underpinning the Brexit border in the Irish Sea, which senior MPs have said should be revoked.

It came as a former Post Office investigator told the inquiry into the scandal that she felt unable to challenge the data provided by Fujitsu.

Suzanne Winter admitted that she did not question the information she was provided with, saying she got the impression that if you started to challenge too much it didnt go well.

She added: I would say sorry to anybody who has been put through what I can only imagine was a nightmare, but I did not know of any problem with the Horizon system.

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A 14-year-old girl was critically injured Thursday evening in a drive-by shooting in the citys East Garfield Park neighborhood on the citys West Side, Chicago police said.

The girl was in a vacant lot on the 3000 block of West Lexington Street around 5:20 p.m. when someone inside a passing car opened fire, striking her multiple times, according to a police statement.

The girl was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said. No arrests had been made.
A 16-year-old girl who died of a suspected suicide at the Harrison County jail had been arrested along with three other juveniles for armed robbery the day before her death, according to report from the DIberville Police Department.

The girl and three other minors were allegedly involved in a Jan. 10 armed robbery of another juvenile in an attempt to steal $50 and seven grams of marijuana, the report said.

One of the juveniles is accused of hitting the victim in the back of the head with a bat at the time, the report said. The victim was taken to a local hospital with a preliminary diagnosis of a fractured skull.

The Sun Herald filed a records request with the DIberville Police Department to obtain information about the incident.

The investigation began after a witness called police to report seeing one of the accused allegedly assaulting the victim near a vacant lot in the area of Biglin Bayou Drive and then jumped in a gray 4-door sedan with the other juveniles.

DIberville police took the juveniles into custody the following day. They were taken to the Harrison County jail, and charged with felony armed robbery.

The evening of Jan. 12, a jailer at the Harrison County jail found one of the minor suspects hanging in an individual cell where she was being held, Harrison County Sheriff Matt Haley said.

She was pronounced dead at the scene and laid to rest Wednesday.

The Sheriffs Department reported the in-custody death at the jail to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation to determine if any criminal wrongdoing occurred.

The sheriff called what happened to the girl unfortunate but said these sorts of things happen.

That investigation is ongoing.
A 14-year-old schoolgirl who took her own life sent a voice message the night beforehand saying she was preparing to be bullied.

Mia Janin, a Year 10 pupil at the Jewish Free School (JFS) in Kenton, north-west London, was found dead at her family home in Barnet on March 12 2021.

Tony Murphy, area coroner for North London, concluded on Friday that Mia took her life while still a child and while still in the process of maturing into adulthood.

Before the inquest concluded, Mias family released a WhatsApp voice note to the BBC in which she expressed her torment.

In the recorded message, which she sent to a friend, she said: Tomorrows going to be a rough day, Im taking deep breaths in and out. Im currently mentally preparing myself to get bullied tomorrow.

Her death was the third suicide in four years at JFS, the biggest Jewish school in Europe.

Mias body was found by her parents at about 6.50am. Two undated letters in her handwriting were found on her bed addressed to her loving family and friends, which explained that Mia decided to end her life.

Mr Murphy said Mia was last seen alive at about 10pm on March 11 2021, when she said goodnight to her parents. Earlier that day she had asked if she could move school.

Mr Murphy said Mia had close friends including at her secondary school, but she also experienced bullying from some male students.

Neither Mias family or teachers were aware of the problem before her death, he told Barnet coroners court

Mr Murphy, who will now consider whether to publish a prevention of future deaths report, said: Mias secondary school has introduced systemic changes following her death. Mia is much missed by her loving family, caring friends and the wider community.

Mia Janin's father, Mariano, tells reporters outside Barnet coroner's court he is the 'victim of a 'failing system' - James Manning/pa

Mias father, Mariano Janin, paid tribute to his daughter, saying she was fantastic, she was very bubbly, good sense of humour, she was beautiful, she was very kind, very creative.

In a statement after the inquest Mr Janin, whose wife Marisa contracted leukaemia four months after Mias death and died after an aneurysm, said: Nothing will bring back my wife and my daughter Mia.

[...] My daughter experienced prolonged and sustained bullying in various ways in person and online. In a way its a relief this has now been recognised, however, there does need to be accountability. Another family cannot live what I have lived.

He added: I think we need to put some limits on the access of the kids on the internet and how we can recollect the data if something like this has happened. We need to create a safe environment for our kids.

Its very simple. Unfortunately, Im a victim of this failing system.

Statements given to the police by friends of Mia were read out to the inquest, in which they said she was bullied by other pupils at the school, and that their friendship group was nicknamed the suicide squad in the months leading up to her death.

They said one of Mias TikTok posts was shared on a Snapchat group chat run by male pupils at JFS, where they made fun of her. One child said the boys used the group chat to share nude photos of girls.

Mr Murphy previously said that there was no evidence that any images or videos involving Mia had been shared in the group chat, except for the TikTok post.

Rabbi Howard Cohen, former deputy headteacher at JFS, told the inquest that he held a meeting with members of one of the online boys-only bravado groups, who agreed to disband it.

David Moody, the current head teacher at JFS, said: We will continue to do everything we can to embed all of the changes that have been put in place over the last three years.

Mia remains a hugely missed member of our school community and our thoughts continue to be with the family.

For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org.

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CHANUTE, Kan.  Two Chanute High School girls say they hope their success on the wrestling mat sends a strong message to young girls everywhere.

Seniors Reese Clements and Kadynce Axelson are now both members of the 100 career win club in high school wrestling.

They say when wrestling became a sanctioned sport in Kansas in time for them to start high school, they never thought about being role models. Now, along with winning a second state title, the teams goal is to show other girls they can be whatever they want to be.

2024 Chanute High School girls wrestling team.

And as for those who would say wrestling is a boys sport.

They say that all the time  usually the boys  and Im like, ok, lets go wrestle. Ill beat you, too, said Reese Clements, a senior at Chanute High School.

On Wednesday (1/24) Kadynce and Reese both won their matches. For Kadynce, that was win number 102, and Reese is now well over 110 career wins.

The Chanute lady Comets are wrestling this weekend at Sand Springs High School in Oklahoma.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
A judge on Friday sentenced a 48-year-old Gladstone man to life in prison without parole for the murder of a man and the serious injury of a woman in a hit-and-run crash that allegedly was motivated by a romantic rejection, according to the Clay County Prosecutors Office.

A Clay County jury previously found Michael W. Myers guilty of first-degree murder in the killing 36-year-old James Pettijohn of Gladstone, who was fatally struck by Myers pickup truck in April 2019. The jury also found Myers guilty of first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action.

The crash happened as Pettijohn and a woman, the other person injured in the crash, were outside in the parking lot of the ARC Thrift Store at 7400 North Oak Trafficway in Gladstone.

Myers saw the woman, stopped his truck, turned around and intentionally ran them over, prosecutors alleged. Myers fled from the scene and Gladstone police sought publics help finding the truck.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence including the womans DNA found on the truck and surveillance footage of the incident.

The woman testified in court that she had declined Myers romantic advances.

This sentence sends an unmistakable message to violent criminals that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated in Clay County, said Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson. Our office will continue to advocate for victims and ensure that defendants are held accountable. We are thankful the judge handed down a strong sentence and showed our criminal justice system works.
Montana Sen. Steve Daines (R), the head of the Senate Republicans campaign arm, said the Republican Party has its best recent chance to win the Senate majority in 2024.

The good news is: We have the best map in a decade, Daines said this week in remarks before a luncheon meeting of The Ripon Society, a conservative-leaning think tank.

Its a chance for us to pick up the United States Senate. Were  more than halfway through this cycle and were already halfway to the majority. We need two seats to win the majority, Daines said.

The Montana Republican laid out nine states where he sees the GOP is positioned to pick up Senate seats  including West Virginia, where Sen. Joe Manchin (D) isnt seeking reelection.

Daines lauded great recruit Tim Sheehy in Montana, where the Republican is looking to unseat Sen. Jon Tester (D), and the controversial Kari Lake in Arizona, where its still unclear whether incumbent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema will run for reelection as an independent.

Daines also pointed to the Senate seats in Nevada, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and New Mexico as potential pickup opportunities.

But Daines also cautioned that you cant fall in love with this map, noting that the Republican contenders face some very strong incumbent Democrat senators who know how to win in red states.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), of which Daines is the chair, has said its staying neutral in Ohio, where Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown faces several GOP challengers, but Daines said he thinks theyre all capable of beating the incumbent.

The NRSC has focused on candidate quality in its recruitment efforts for 2024, working to play a more assertive role in making sure its candidates win competitive races in the fall.

We want to have people who can actually win in general elections and can appeal to that independent middle of the spectrum, which is where elections are won and lost, Daines said.

Daines also noted that the NRSC has cooperation and help working with former President Trump, who is running to return to the White House in 2024.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
This article was originally published in Arizona Mirror.

Schools in Arizona are consistently strained by an ongoing teacher shortage, but data on the scope of the problem doesnt exist, making it difficult to come up with a solution.

Lawmakers and Gov. Katie Hobbs are hoping to fix that by requiring that the State Board of Education, which oversees public schools, begin collecting more information on where, who and why teachers are missing.

In December, a task force convened by Hobbs to study strategies to encourage educator retention released a report of its findings after months of research. Along with raising pay and making health insurance more affordable, the task force also recommended that the State Board of Education analyze the success rates of different teacher training programs in creating candidates who remain in the profession long-term.

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It also advised that the board be required to issue an annual report looking at teacher turnover by subject area, school location, and teacher demographics, including race, ethnicity and years of experience.

The board is currently working with Hobbs office and the state charter schools board to determine how to compile those reports.

A Republican proposal inspired by the conclusions of the governors task force also seeks to capture a better snapshot of the teacher vacancy crisis. House Bill 2608, sponsored by Rep. Matt Gress, a Phoenix Republican and former teacher, would mandate that the board put together an annual report on teacher retention, turnover and vacancies to send to the governor and legislative leaders.

The report would include information on the subject area, grade level, school location, and type of school (whether its a district or charter school) where vacancies occur, as well as how long those vacancies take to fill. And, to determine the impact of training on retention, turnover rates for certificated teachers would be compared to those of non-certificated teachers.

Gress, a freshman lawmaker who ran his campaign on raising teacher pay, told the Mirror that his bill would give lawmakers a better idea of how to help.

We need to know where the vacancies are, at what schools and what subjects, to make informed decisions about our retention and recruitment strategy, he said.

Until now, information on the teacher shortage has been piecemeal and scattered. The School District Employee Report examines the level of experience among instructors by school, district and county. The Classroom Teacher Attrition and Retention survey, conducted by the Arizona Department of Education, looks at teacher experience, age, ethnicity and certification status and identifies the percentage of teachers who were dropped from the previous years report. But that loss can mean a teacher retired, left the profession, moved out of state or simply accepted a different position.

An annual survey from the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association, a nonprofit membership group advocating on behalf of school human resources personnel, is currently the most comprehensive window into the teacher vacancy crisis. Its latest survey, released in September, found that the states teacher shortage had stretched into its eighth year, with more than 6,000 Arizona classrooms vacant or run by an unqualified teacher.

But even that survey isnt a complete analysis. Participation is voluntary, and last year only 131 school districts and charter schools offered their input. Arizona has 571 charter schools and 201 public school districts.

Gress measure would make data reporting by schools mandatory.

On Tuesday, during a hearing for the bill in the House Education Committee, Arizona State Board of Education Executive Director Sean Ross told lawmakers that more clarification might be needed to build the report the measure requests. While information on teacher retention and recruitment is easier to collect because of federal reporting requirements, finding data on vacancies is more complicated.

Where we need some guidance is in that vacancy space, just because that is such qualitative data. What qualifies as a vacancy? Ross asked.

A classroom without a teacher at the helm is immediately understood as a vacancy. But, Ross pointed out, the bill doesnt cover improperly certificated staff who take over a class when needed. When he worked as a sixth grade English teacher, for example, Ross said he taught a social studies course despite not being certificated to do so when the social studies teacher quit.

In its September 2023 survey, the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association identified more than three thousand teacher vacancies that were resolved via alternative methods, such as with a long-term substitute, a teacher with a 6/5ths contract (meaning they werent afforded planning time) or by expanding another teachers class size to include students left in the lurch.

Ross added that, while the State Board of Education is neutral on the bill, it would also support including a funding source, since compiling and analyzing data is time-consuming and complex  a request that could be hard to comply with, given the states large and growing budget deficit.

This is a requirement of quite a bit of data collection, creating a methodology by which we would collect the data, and then having the data analyzed in a way thats valid and reliable. So, there would be a need for some resources, he said.

Chris Kotterman, a lobbyist for the Arizona School Board Association, echoed that sentiment, saying that schools would be faced with even more work to take on, and that a lot of the information is already collected by the state Department of Education.

We would very much like to be mindful of the burden that reporting data places on all LEAs (local education agencies), and leverage our resources within the department of education to make sure that those current sources of data can be mined for the appropriate information, he said.

Gress said he would be open to amendments to ease the strain on school officials and clarify the data collection process. The bill won bipartisan support from lawmakers on the committee panel, with all 9 members voting to approve it. It will next go before the entire House of Representatives for consideration by the full chamber.

Arizona Mirror is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jim Small for questions: info@azmirror.com. Follow Arizona Mirror on Facebook and Twitter.
Republican governors are rallying behind Texas Gov. Greg Abbott amid court battles with the federal government over the states border policy.

A coalition of 24 Republican governors released a joint statement Thursday in support of Abbotts efforts to exercise what he claims is Texas constitutional right to self-defense.

We stand in solidarity with our fellow Governor, Greg Abbott, and the State of Texas in utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border, read the statement, signed by almost every Republican governor.

This show of support comes as Texas has mobilized considerable resources at the U.S.-Mexico border, such as the Texas National Guard and state troopers, in an approach that has often clashed with the operations of the federal Border Patrol.

This ongoing standoff between Texas and the federal government has unfolded through a series of legal and political challenges. The state is currently embroiled in court battles over its use of razor wire and floating buoys at the border, and the controversy has fueled conflict surrounding immigration legislation in Congress.

Abbott has justified these actions by accusing President Joe Biden and his administration of failing to enforce existing immigration laws, arguing that his actions are constitutionally protected.

The governors' joint statement echoed Abbott's position, asserting, Because the Biden Administration has abdicated its constitutional compact duties to the states, Texas has every legal justification to protect the sovereignty of our states and our nation."

Their support was offered in part because the Biden Administration is refusing to enforce immigration laws already on the books and is illegally allowing mass parole across America of migrants who entered our country illegally, the statement said.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts defiant statement on Wednesday rejecting the federal governments authority to enforce immigration law at the U.S.-Mexico border ratcheted up the already tense stand-off between the state and the Biden administration  and signaled how fully the GOP has become the party of the Southern conservatives it was founded to fight.

Abbotts declaration that that the Biden administration had broken the compact between the United States and the States by failing to fulfill the duties of protecting Texas from an invasion is an eerie echo of the political thought that gave rise to nullification and secession in the 19th century and resistance to desegregation in the 20th.

Prior to the Civil War, the prevailing view among Southern elites was that the Constitution of the United States of America was merely a compact between the states. Under this theory, states could decide which national laws to follow or not. And, in extreme circumstances, states could exit that compact and secede, if they decided the national government or other states had violated it.

While this framework was endorsed in some fashion by the likes of Thomas Jefferson, the political thinker who most influenced Southern secessionists and, later, segregationists was John C. Calhoun.

Calhoun  who held various offices, including South Carolina senator, secretary of state, secretary of war and vice president  embraced a virulent strand of states-rights legal thinking in defense of slavery when he put forward his theory of nullification in 1828. Since the nation was simply a compact created between the states, this thinking went, states had the ultimate authority to reject federal law they deemed unconstitutional. In 1832, Calhouns South Carolina declared that it would not follow two national tariff laws, and, if forced to do so, would secede.

Calhouns ideas formed the theory behind the sectional crisis of the 1850s over the admission of new states as either free or slave. That compromise ultimately led to the Souths secession, following President Abraham Lincolns election in 1860.

Texas National Guard soldiers stand guard at an entrance to Shelby Park on Jan. 12, 2024 in Eagle Pass where they are blocking Border Patrol from accessing the Rio Grande River.

Texas National Guard soldiers stand guard at an entrance to Shelby Park on Jan. 12, 2024 in Eagle Pass where they are blocking Border Patrol from accessing the Rio Grande River.

One hundred years later, segregationists  then, mostly conservative Southern Democrats  yet again invoked compact theory and nullification in their campaign of massive resistance to the Supreme Courts desegregation order in Brown v. Board of Education.

But with Abbots action in Texas, the Republican Party has taken up the old Southern standard of nullification. In refusing to allow Customs and Border Patrol to exercise its authority to enforce federal immigration law at Eagle Pass, Abbott embraced compact theory and nullification. Nearly the entire Republican Party has joined him, with 25 of 26 GOP governors sided with Abbott in a letter, declaring, Texas has every legal justification to protect the sovereignty of our states and our nation. There has been little to no protest from other elements of the party.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, the de facto leader of the GOP and frontrunner for its presidential nomination, called on all willing states to deploy their guards to Texas to prevent the entry of illegals and to remove them back across the border.

The standoff began after Texas constructed razor wire fencing along the Mexico border, including the placement of razor wire-covered buoys in the Rio Grande River. In order to aid and detain migrants who appeared to be in physical danger after crossing the border, Border Patrol agents had been cutting the razor wire to reach them.

The state of Texas sued in federal court to block Border Patrol from cutting the razor wire fencing. A district court judge ruled against Texas, but the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, stacked with hard-right conservatives, issued a preliminary injunction blocking the district court ruling while it heard the case. This meant the Border Patrol could not cut the razor wire to retrieve the migrants, preventing agents from enforcing federal law.

The situation escalated on Jan. 11, when Abbott ordered the Texas National Guard to take control of a park in Eagle Pass, on the states border with Mexico. The state guards were ordered to erect concertina wire to prevent Border Patrol officers from accessing the park and aiding and detaining any migrants who might be in physical peril. Subsequently, three migrants  a woman and two children  drowned to death near Eagle Pass.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, said that the Biden administration had

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, said that the Biden administration had "broken the compact between the United States and the states" with it immigration policy.

The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits preliminary injunction to the Supreme Court. In an unwritten ruling, five justices overruled the appeals courts injunction, allowing Border Patrol to again cut the wire. This decision also directly covered cover Border Patrols access at the park in Eagle Pass.

Following the high courts decision, Abbott issued a statement claiming that Texas would still not allow Border Patrol into the park. While not explicitly declaring that he would violate the ruling, it was here that Abbott made clear his inheritance of the Southern legacy of nullification and secession.

Texas ability to defend and protect itself from migrants is the supreme law of the land and supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary, Abbott said.

This is effectively a contemporary twist on Calhouns nullification. The problem is that states do not have the right to supersede federal statutory authority. This question has been settled three times  in 1832, 1865 and the mid-20th century  each time in favor of the federal government.

Abbotts constitutional reading is similarly weak. His argument centers on a provision of the Constitution that prevents states from taking actions reserved for the federal government  like engaging in independent foreign policy, entering into compacts with other states or printing their own currency  except in certain situations. One of those exceptions is that states may not engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

This is why Abbott declared migrant crossings to be an invasion. But immigration does not amount to an invasion, and putting up concertina wire is not engaging in war.

This provision was meant to provide states with the ability to engage in War if they were invaded by, say, the British or French from Canada, the French from the Louisiana territory or the Spanish from Florida, at a time when the country didnt have a standing army and mobilization and transportation were limited. James Madison, one of the key architects of the Constitution, said as much in 1800.

In debates over the ability of the government to expel non-citizens from countries the U.S. was not at war with, Madison rebutted the use of the very constitutional provision Abbott cites as an authority enabling such expulsion.

It is said, that the right of removing aliens is an incident to the power of war, vested in Congress by the constitution, Madison wrote. This is a former argument in a new shape only; and is answered by repeating, that the removal of alien enemies is an incident to the power of war; that the removal of alien friends, is not an incident to the power of war.

Former vice president and South Carolina Sen. John C. Calhoun was the intellectual and political architect of the theory of nullification.

Former vice president and South Carolina Sen. John C. Calhoun was the intellectual and political architect of the theory of nullification.

The U.S. is not at war with Mexico. Nor is at war with any of the Central or South American states where the vast majority of migrants originate.

Furthermore, federal law is supreme over state law on immigration. Since the late 19th century, courts have held that the Commerce Clause of the Constitution provides the federal government with the sovereign authority to regulate immigration. Whether one thinks this granting of authority is correct or not can be debated, but it remains standing precedent. In addition, the Constitutions Supremacy Clause prohibits states from interfering or superseding areas of the law where the federal government has constitutional authority.

This is all pretty clear. The federal government is supreme over immigration law. The states cannot simply ignore federal immigration law or federal authority to enforce immigration law because they disagree.

While Abbotts over-the-top rhetoric mirrors that of nullifiers, he has so far not actually violated the Supreme Courts decision. We remain far from the constitutional crises that preceded the Civil War. The courts ruling simply allowed the Border Patrol to cut the razor wire while imposing no requirements on Texas. That could change as the court case moves forward and Texas is asked to change its actions.

One possible resolution to the standoff could involve Biden federalizing the Texas National Guard, overriding their orders from Abbott and making them open the park at Eagle Pass to Border Patrol. This was the solution President Dwight Eisenhower chose in 1957, when Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus sought to nullify the Supreme Court desegregation order and use the states national guard to block Black students from accessing Little Rock schools.

There are, of course, other solutions. In 1832, while President Andrew Jackson threatened to go to war with South Carolina, his administration and others engaged in negotiations to prevent the states secession. The parties ultimately prevented the state from leaving the union by agreeing to amend the tariff laws South Carolina had declared it would disregard.

Abbotts use of nullification rhetoric  and the Republican Partys broader embrace of it  may turn out to be all bluster when the courts ultimately rule on the issues at the heart of the standoff. But his statement provides yet another example of how far Republicans have strayed from their origins.

CORRECTION: This article previously stated that the Constitutions Guarantee Clause gives the federal government authority to regulate immigration. It is actually the Commerce Clause that provides this.

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A bipartisan deal that would reduce business taxes while expanding the child tax credit has set up a political dilemma for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) as he weighs whether to bypass objections from within his own ranks to bring it to the floor as soon as next week.

Pushback to the tax bill from hard-line conservatives and Northeastern moderates  two factions that have long complicated the slim GOP majoritys ability to move legislation  means Johnson and GOP leadership have to make a choice between pushing through a bipartisan win for business or minimizing intraparty turmoil.

On the one end, swing-district Republicans from blue states who have long pushed to increase the state and local tax (SALT) credit have expressed frustration that their top priority  which is also opposed by many Republicans who argue it incentivizes high state taxes  was not included in the bill.

Johnson and Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) held a call with half a dozen SALT Caucus members Thursday night to discuss their concerns.

A source familiar with the call said there was lots of yelling, mostly directed at Smith, with Johnson trying and failing to keep the peace. Other sources on the call, though, said that Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) was the only member yelling.

The call ended with the bill expected to come up under a fast-track process next week, with most of the SALT Caucus members on the call expected to vote against it if so.

There is real anger about the process, one of those GOP lawmakers told The Hill, saying they have felt ignored.

On the other end, the hard-liners who are growing increasingly frustrated with leadership over issues including government spending are knocking the compromise for keeping migrants in the country illegally eligible for child tax credits and for not going far enough in other areas. They are also irked that the tax package could advance as other priorities remain stuck

Im sick of these gutless cowards in Washington. You know what were gonna put on the floor next week? Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) told Fox radio host Jimmy Failla on Thursday. A tax cut bill for corporations, because Republicans are whores for endless wars and corporations. Thats it. Thats what they stand for.

The Speaker has not yet publicly weighed in on the tax bill.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and the White House, though, have given their stamps of approval. The Democratic support could be another political risk for Republicans, who are reluctant to give President Biden any wins in an election year.

There may be little that the hard-line conservatives or the SALT Caucus Republicans can do to stop the package.

The compromise measure struck between Smith and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) was reported out of the House panel in a resounding 40-3 vote last week, with all three no votes coming from Democrats.

Asked about calls from Republicans to raise the SALT cap in a Bloomberg News interview last week, Smith said that additional changes like that will sink the bill.

There hasnt been a bipartisan tax package in years. This will break that barrier, and then we can do additional measures, Smith said in the interview.

House Democrats expect the bill to come up for a floor vote next week under a fast-track suspension of the rules process, requiring a two-thirds majority for passage. While Democrats do not expect to whip the bill, they do expect it to pass with wide bipartisan support. Republican leaders have not yet confirmed that schedule.

The suspension process gets around having to pass a procedural rule to consider the bill, a typically party-line vote that GOP rebels in this Congress have used to block legislation as a form of protest.

That tactic is more favored by members of the House Freedom Caucus and their allies, but a handful of swing-district New York moderates had also voted against a rule to protest policy in November.

With one of the smallest House majorities in history, House GOP leaders have utilized the suspension process to pass two stopgap government funding bills since Johnson became Speaker.

LaLota told reporters earlier this month that if the tax bill is brought up under suspension without the SALT tax deduction increase, a lot of us, especially from high-tax blue states, will be tremendously disappointed.

And that process itself has frustrated hard-line conservatives.

We shouldnt be a majority that just rules by suspension, you know, so that Boeing can get more tax credits, said Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), the former chair of the House Freedom Caucus.

I think the Speaker is trying to reflect the will of this conference and the Congress and call the balls and strikes, Perry said. Im hoping he will see this for what it is and send it to the Rules Committee.

Perry was skeptical that expansion of research and development tax credits would help small businesses and criticized the bills expansion of the child tax credit, and that it allows migrants who are in the country illegally to keep claiming the child tax credit.

Its just the swamp as usual, Perry said.

Some of those complaints were also brought up in a talking points sheet Wednesday by Advancing American Freedom, an advocacy group launched by former Vice President Mike Pence. While it praised the bill for cutting taxes on R&D & pro-growth investments and ending double taxation on businesses that operate in both the United States and Taiwan, the organization charged that the bill transforms the Child Tax Credit into yet another welfare program and decried it for not addressing anchor baby bonuses.

But Americans for Tax Reform, another right-wing organization, went to bat for the bill by rebutting much of the criticism about the child tax credit provisions.

There is absolutely no change from the Trump policy enacted in the 2017 tax cuts. There are no anchor baby bonuses in this bill as one organization alleged, the group said, adding that the requirement for a Social Security number imposed in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed during the Trump-Pence administration remains untouched in this bill.

To oppose this legislation for failing to change current law is to oppose the Trump Administrations CTC policy imposed in the Trump Tax Cuts, the group said.

The House Ways and Means committee says that the bill has pro-growth, pro-worker, pro-America tax provisions, saying it will give $185 billion in tax incentives over two years and, if made permanent, $600 billion over a decade  compared with child tax credit changes of $33 billion over two years and $110 billion over a decade.

But months of internal gridlock over government spending and culture war policy riders have shown that there is little appetite for compromise, with some Republicans including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) even floating a move to force a vote on ousting Johnson from the Speakership if he supports certain measures.

Its a Christmas tree full of bad stuff with a few good things. Its the way Washington, D.C., always does stuff. Its a bad way to do business, said Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), a former chair of the Freedom Caucus.

Democrats are Marxists, and we have to beat them. But I am not going to pretend that Republicans arent just as guilty because of their absolute absurd adherence to this dogma of, oh, lets put some corporate taxes on the floor, Roy said on the Fox radio program Thursday.

Mike Lillis and Mychael Schnell contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Hamas celebrated a UN courts ruling as it fired rockets at Israel.

Air raid alarms rang out in Israel after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered it to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide taking place during its military campaign in Gaza.

Hamas appears to have targeted the south of Israel, where attacks have become increasingly rare amid claims the group is running out of missiles. Rockets were sighted over the city of Ashkelon for the first time in two weeks.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, said the ruling would isolate Israel and expose its crimes in Gaza, adding: We call for forcing the occupation to implement the courts decisions.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, criticised the ICJ for listening to the outrageous genocide claims, while National Security Minister Ben Gvir said: They were silent during the Holocaust.

Hamas massacred 1,200 people when it breached Israels border wall on Oct 7, prompting Mr Netanyahu to respond with a full scale military operation later that month.

06:08 PM GMT

That's all for today

Thank you for following The Telegraphs coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

06:06 PM GMT

Today's headlines

China tells Iran to rein in Red Sea attacks

Dozens of terrorists killed in heavy Khan Younis fighting

Israeli airline ends flights to South Africa after genocide case

End war before election, Biden tells Netanyahu

ICJ: Israel must ensure take all measures to prevent Gaza genocide

Hamas welcomes ICJ decision

Cameron working with Turkey to secure release of hostages

06:00 PM GMT

Qatar and Saudi Arabia welcome ICJ ruling

Qatar, which has been a key mediator in talks between Israel and Hamas, has said it welcomes the International Court of Justice ruling.

Saudi Arabia also welcomed the ruling and affirmed its categorical rejection of the Israeli occupations practices and violations of the United Nations Convention on genocide, a statement from its foreign ministry said.

05:44 PM GMT

US maintains that genocide allegations against Israel are still unfounded

The United States stands by its position that South Africas genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice is unfounded, in its first reaction to the courts decision to move forward with the case against Israel without ordering a ceasefire.

A The spokesman said: We continue to believe that allegations of genocide are unfounded and note the court did not make a finding about genocide or call for a ceasefire in its ruling and that it called for the unconditional, immediate release of all hostages being held by Hamas.

The courts ruling is consistent with our view that Israel has the right to take action to ensure the terrorist attacks of Oct 7 cannot be repeated, in accordance with international law, the spokesperson added.

They did however reiterate that Israel must take steps to minimise civilian harm, increase the flow of humanitarian aid and address dehumanising rhetoric.

05:21 PM GMT

WHO rejects Israeli accusation that it colludes with Hamas

The World Health Organisation has denied Israels claim that it colluded with Hamas by ignoring evidence collected by Israel that hospitals were being used for military activity in the Gaza strip.

Posting on social media, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO chief, said such false accusations are harmful and could endanger its staff on the strip.

WHO refutes Israel's accusation at the Executive Board meeting yesterday that WHO is in collusion with Hamas and is turning a blind eye to the suffering of hostages being held in Gaza. Such false claims are harmful and can endanger our staff who are risking their lives to  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 26, 2024

He reiterated that the WHO is impartial and working for the health and wellbeing of all people.

Tedros was responding to Meirav Eilon Shahar, Israels representative to the UN, who said that the WHO chooses to ignore evidence that Hamas operates within hospitals to hold hostages.

04:49 PM GMT

President Erdogan welcomes ICJ decision

The Turkish president posted on X, formerly Twitter: We hope that Israels attacks against women, children and the elderly will come to an end.

Adding: We will continue to work with all our strength and stand by our Palestinian brothers to establish a ceasefire and ensure the path to permanent peace.

Uluslararas Adalet Divannda Gazze'deki insanlk ds saldrlarla ilgili alnan ihtiyati tedbir kararn degerli buluyor, memnuniyetle karslyorum.



Filistinli masum sivillere yonelik islenen savas suclarnn cezasz kalmamas icin surecin takipcisi olmay surdurecegiz.  Recep Tayyip Erdogan (@RTErdogan) January 26, 2024

In a separate statement, the Turkish foreign ministry said it expected the ICJ decision to be fully implemented by Israel.

04:30 PM GMT

Hamas releases Gaza hostage video following ICJ ruling

Hamas has published a video showing three hostages who remain kidnapped in Gaza.

The video shows Karina Ariev and Daniela Gilboa, both 19, who were kidnapped from an IDF base in Nahal Oz on Oct 7, as well as Doron Steinbrecher, 31, who was kidnapped from her home in Kfar Aza, according to Israeli media reports.

The video appears to have been filmed on Sunday, The Jerusalem Post reported, as the hostages were filmed talking about being in captivity for 107 days.

Hamas has previously issued similar videos of hostages in what Israel has condemned as psychological warfare.

04:07 PM GMT

ICJ ruling 'is a wake-up call to Israel'

The Palestinian Authority said a ruling by the UNs top court that Israel should do everything possible to prevent genocide in Gaza shows no state is above the law.

The ICJ order is an important reminder that no state is above the law, Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said in a video statement.

He added that the ruling should serve as a wake-up call for Israel and actors who enabled its entrenched impunity.

03:27 PM GMT

Cameron 'working with Turkey to secure release of hostages'

I'm working with our partners in Turkey to address regional instability and seek the safe return of hostages from Gaza.



Thank you President @RTErdogan, @HakanFidan.



I also welcome Turkish approval of Sweden's @NATO membership - their accession will make us all safer. pic.twitter.com/3LDnyFAaPt  David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 26, 2024

03:14 PM GMT

UN opens investigation amid claims of employee Hamas links

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has opened an investigation into several employees suspected of being involved in Hamas Oct 7 massacre of Israeli citizens.

The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, said.

To protect the agencys ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay.

02:57 PM GMT

ICJ stops short of telling Israel to end Gaza war

The UNs top court stopped short of calling for Israel to end its war in Gaza on Friday but demanded it take immediate action to prevent a genocide.

Israel was given a month to prove its forces were not in breach of the Genocide Convention in the initial ruling by the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Presiding judge Joan Donoghue, the courts president, said the provisional warning was necessary because the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is at serious risk of deteriorating further before the court renders its final judgement.

Read the full story from Joe Barnes here.

02:22 PM GMT

'You will not find justice in The Hague'

Yoav Gallant, Israels Defence Minister, has become the latest senior figure to condemn the International Court of Justices (ICJ) ruling.

He wrote on Twitter: Israel does not need need to be lectured on morality in order to distinguish between terrorists and the civilian population in Gaza.

The ICJ went above and beyond, when it granted South Africas antisemitic request to discuss the claim of genocide in Gaza.

Those who seek justice, will not find it on the leather chairs of the court chambers in The Hague  they will find it in the Hamas tunnels in Gaza, where 136 hostages are held, and where those who murdered our children are hiding.

The State of Israel does not need need to be lectured on morality in order to distinguish between terrorists and the civilian population in Gaza.

The ICJ went above and beyond, when it granted South Africa's antisemitic request to discuss the claim of genocide in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/gnbqz98xZf    - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) January 26, 2024

01:39 PM GMT

Netanyahu: 'Disgrace' that court is hearing genocide case

Benjamin Netanyahu has said the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was right to reject the outrageous demand that Israel end its military campaign in Gaza.

However, he added the courts decision to hear the genocide case brought against it was a mark of disgrace that will not be erased for generations, according to Israeli media.

Mr Netanyahu added that Israel will continue the war until absolute victory, its remaining hostages are returned and Gaza is no longer a threat to Israel.

01:32 PM GMT

Hamas welcomes ICJ decision

Hamas has welcomed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling, which it claimed will isolate Israel and expose its crimes in Gaza.

We call for forcing the occupation to implement the courts decisions, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said.

01:26 PM GMT

South Africa: Israel 'must comply with court's orders'

South Africa hailed a decisive victory for international rule of law after the International Court of Justice imposed emergency measures on Israels military operation in Gaza.

The ruling comes as part of a case brought by South Africa against Israel, which claims it is responsible for a genocide among Gazas civilian population.

South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, left, addresses reporters after the International Court of Justice ruling - AP Photo/Patrick Post

Today marks a decisive victory for the international rule of law and a significant milestone in the search for justice for the Palestinian people, South Africas international relations department said.

South Africa sincerely hopes that Israel will not act to frustrate the application of this Order, as it has publicly threatened to do, but that it will instead act to comply with it fully, as it is bound to do.

01:15 PM GMT

Court 'was silent during the Holocaust', says Israeli minister

Ben Gvir, Israels National Security Minister, has claimed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is anti-Semitic after it issued a series of injunctions to prevent a genocide in Gaza.

The decision of the anti-Semitic court in The Hague proves what was already known: this court does not seek justice, but rather the persecution of Jewish people, he said, in remarks reported by Israeli media.

They were silent during the Holocaust and today they continue the hypocrisy and take it another step further.

In a post on Twitter, he said simply: Hague Schmague.

12:46 PM GMT

ICJ: Israel must ensure 'take all measures' to prevent Gaza genocide

Israel must ensure the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled.

It must also take all measures within its power to prevent the killing of Palestinians, and any bodily or mental harm being inflicted on the civilian population.

Israel is required to submit a report to South Africa on the actions it has taken on these measures within a month of the courts ruling, the ICJ added.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) rules on a request by South Africa for emergency measures in Gaza - Remko de Waal/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

12:36 PM GMT

ICJ: Palestinians have right to be protected from genocide in Gaza

The United Nations top court has said that at least some rights sought by South Africa in its genocide case against Israels war in Gaza are plausible.

With the reading still ongoing, the court said it recognises the right of Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from acts of genocide. Palestinians appear to be a protected group under the genocide convention, it added.

12:26 PM GMT

Will Israel be charged with genocide at The Hague?

On January 15, justices of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague sat to consider an extraordinary charge: that Israel, the Jewish state born of the Holocaust, is now itself committing genocide.

A South African legal team will present a dossier of evidence which they claim shows a clear intent by Israel to commit humanitys most heinous crime. They will then ask the Court to order an emergency suspension of Israels military campaign in Gaza.

Judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rule on emergency measures against Israel following genocide accusations by South Africa - REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw

Genocide is a difficult crime to prove and if the case goes forward, it could take a decade or more to decide. But for now the Court is only being asked to decide if there is prima facie or plausible evidence of genocide in Gaza.

Read Paul Nukis explainer on the genocide claim against Israel here.

12:23 PM GMT

'End war before election', Biden tells Netanyahu

Joe Biden has pressed Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza before the US elections in November, according to reports.

The US President is concerned that a protracted conflict will harm his support with younger voters and does not want headlines about a growing death toll as the election approaches, sources told Axios.

Having spoken almost daily after Israel was attacked by Hamas on Oct 7, a rift has grown between Mr Biden and the Israeli Prime Minister as the war grinds on.

The US is said to be alarmed by Mr Netanyahus lack of vision for ending the conflict and his opposition to Palestinian governance of the Gaza Strip. It was reported this month that the two leaders had not spoken in weeks after Mr Biden cut short a phone conversation.

The White House and the Israeli Prime Ministers Office declined to comment when approached by the news outlet.

12:15 PM GMT

Erdogan: Israel is guilty of genocide in Gaza

Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, said he expects the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.

Judges are currently ruling on whether to order Israel to halt its ground offensive in the enclave.

12:08 PM GMT

International court to rule on Israel genocide case

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is now handing down its ruling on whether to bring in emergency measures against Israel over the war in Gaza.

11:52 AM GMT

Hamas 'running out of rockets' for strikes on Israel

Hamas is running out of rockets and may have only a few hundred left in its arsenal, Israeli security officials believe.

The Palestinian group fired at least 3,000 missiles at Israeli territory from its arsenal of 20,000 when it launched its deadly attack on Oct 7. Over the course of the war, it has launched at least 9,000.

Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have also targeted Hamass manufacturing capabilities, and in recent weeks have destroyed a number of underground missile factories.

Hamas reveals its homemade 114mm short-range Rajum missile system - @ragipsoylu

Hamas is now thought to be launching only sporadic attacks on towns and villages close to the Gaza border while largely ignoring the rest of the country, according to the Israel Haymon newspaper.

For the first two months of the war, it sent rockets every day against southern Israel and Tel Aviv. By contrast, southern Israel saw its first rocket attack this week on Thursday.

11:20 AM GMT

Reports of Red Sea explosion near Yemeni port

British authorities have received a report of an explosion that took place on the Red Sea.

It is said to have taken place roughly 60 nautical miles from Al-Hudaydah, a city in Yemen, while missiles were sighted nearby.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations said authorities have launched an investigation.

11:00 AM GMT

Biden 'tells Netanyahu to end war before election'

Joe Biden is pressing Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza before he stands for re-election in November, according to reports.

The US President is concerned about losing younger voters and does not want the growing death toll dominating the headlines as the election approaches, sources told Axios.

The White House and the Israeli Prime Ministers Office declined to comment when approached by the news outlet.

10:49 AM GMT

IDF: 220 soldiers killed in fighting so far

The Israel Defence Force (IDF) said 220 soldiers have been killed in the fighting with Hamas in Gaza.

Its last casualty was a 36-year-old reservist, Sgt. Maj. Eliran Yeger, who was killed in a gun battle yesterday with Hamas terrorists in southern Gaza.

Israel said this week that it had lost 24 troops on Monday  marking the deadliest day for its forces since the ground offensive began.

10:39 AM GMT

'Dozens' of terrorists killed in heavy Khan Younis fighting

Dozens of Hamas terrorists have been killed amid heavy fighting in Khan Younis, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) said.

Members of the 98th Divisions Givati Brigade are said to have eliminated six fighters through tank and sniper fire, while the Paratrooper Brigade directed an airstrike on five others.

Close by, the Maglan unit spotted four Hamas terrorists who had fired an anti-tank missile earlier that day, and directed a fighter jet to bomb them.

Members of paratrooper brigade identify five Hamas fighters entering a military structure - @idfonline

Israels air force has struck several Hamas sites around Gazas second-largest city, including apartments used by operatives, weapons depots, and observation posts.

It comes after the IDF said it was waging a guerilla campaign in Khan Younis and was taking operational command in the heart of the city.

10:24 AM GMT

Pictured: Cameron meets Turkish counterpart on diplomatic tour

David Cameron meets Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Istanbul, Jan 26 - Turkish Foreign Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

09:57 AM GMT

Drone explosion causes fire at Iraqi gas field

A fire broke out at one of Iraqs largest gas fields after it was struck by an explosive drone last night, according to officials.

No group has currently claimed responsibility for the attack at the Khor Mor facility in the northern Kurdistan region, where production has been suspended.

Its United Arab Emirates-based operator, Dana Gas, said there were not any injuries, although a liquid gas storage tank had been damaged.

US Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski condemned the attack, saying it exposed millions to power outages in mid-winter.

09:51 AM GMT

IDF 'seizes weapons from terror suspects' in refugee camp

The Israel Defence Force (IDF) says it has seized automatic weapons and pistols from two suspected terrorists in a West Bank refugee camp.

The IDF arrested two wanted persons suspected of involvement in terrorist activities and confiscated several weapons - @idfonline

09:31 AM GMT

Suez Canal freight halved by Houthi attacks

Freight heading through the Suez Canal has dropped by almost half in the two months since the Houthis began targeting ships on the trade route, according to a UN agency.

Shipping companies have steadily diverted ships from the Red Sea as the Houthis, which controls parts of Yemen, attack and hijack merchant vessels.

UNCTAD calculates that freight tonnage has fallen by 45 per cent since the start of December, while 39 per cent fewer ships passed through the canal.

Jan Hoffmann, the agencys trade logistics head, said: We are very concerned... We are seeing delays, higher costs, higher greenhouse gas emissions.

09:23 AM GMT

Palestinians warned to flee Khan Younis refugee camp

Israel has told Palestinians to leave a refugee camp in Khan Younis as it expands a ground offensive in Gazas second-largest city.

A spokesman for the Israel Defence Force (IDF) said: To the residents of the Khan Younis area in the neighborhoods of Al-Nasr, Al-Amal, City Center and the camp in Blocks 107-112: For your safety, you must immediately move to the humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi via Al-Bahr Street.

09:14 AM GMT

Israel reveals secret orders in fightback against genocide charges

Israel has declassified dozens of secret orders issued by government and military officials in a bid to rebut genocide charges being weighed up by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The move came ahead of a crucial hearing on Friday which might result in Israel being ordered to cease its war in Gaza.

Israeli representatives have submitted more than 30 documents to the court intended to disprove South Africas claim that it was deliberately massacring Palestinian civilians in the territory.

Read the full story from Nataliya Vasilyeva, our Middle East correspondent, here.

09:10 AM GMT

Pictures: Palestinians fleeing south gather in Rafah

A Palestinian man gestures at the site of Israeli strikes on a mosque and houses, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Jan 24 - REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Palestinians take shelter near the border fence with Egypt in Rafah, Jan 24 - AP Photo/Hatem Ali

09:02 AM GMT

Israeli airline ends flights to South Africa after genocide case

Israels main airline is suspending its flights to Johannesburg as a result of a significant decrease in demand at the end of March.

El Al made the announcement just hours before a ruling is due in an International Court of Justice (ICJ) case brought against Israel by South Africa, alleging it has committed genocide in Gaza.

Israeli airline El-Al Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft takes off from Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, March 7 2021 - JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

08:49 AM GMT

Hamas: More than 26,000 dead in Gaza

At least 26,083 people have been killed in the war in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

The toll includes 183 fatalities over the past 24 hours, while 64,487 people are said to have been wounded in Gaza since fighting began.

Many people are still under the rubble and rescuers cannot reach them, the ministry added. The figures have not been independently verified.

08:45 AM GMT

Watch: Cameron visits Qatar amid spat with Israel

"Its vital that we make this aid contribution to help people in Gaza. But its also vital that we work hard to make sure that aid can actually get in."



Foreign Secretary @David_Cameron in Qatar  pic.twitter.com/CuBzJ7aTB2  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) January 26, 2024

08:41 AM GMT

China tells Iran to rein in Red Sea attacks

Tehran needs to rein in attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea or else risk damaging its relationship with Beijing, several Iranian sources told Reuters.

The Yemen-based Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have hijacked and fired on merchant ships passing through the vital trade route, prompting a number of shipping firms to avoid it altogether.

Several meetings have taken place between senior officials in Beijing and Tehran. Basically, China says: If our interests are harmed in any way, it will impact our business with Tehran. So tell the Houthis to show restraint, one Iranian official, who was briefed on the talks, said.

The Chinese officials, however, did not make any specific comments or threats about how Beijings trading relationship with Iran could be affected.

08:32 AM GMT

Morning

Hello and welcome to the live blog. Benedict Smith here. Well be bringing you all the updates from the Middle East, as Israel braces for the International Court of Justices ruling on its genocide case.

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.
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  The last time anyone saw 23-year-old Tyler Doyle he was duck hunting on a jon boat in the north jetties near Little River.

Friday marked the first anniversary of his disappearance in the area that links the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. Crews responded to the area after getting a report of a boat that was sinking.

Authorities found the boat and rescued another person, but Doyle has remained missing, despite lengthy searches involving local authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and others.

The search eventually extended into the Brunswick County, North Carolina, area, where the Oak Island Water Rescue squad reported finding items belonging to Doyle. Family members later shared on Facebook that the items found were waders and a wallet containing money and a South Carolina identification card.

In early February, the search moved even farther north, to the Wilmington area. Scuba diving expert Chris Slog explained how currents could have pushed Doyle north.

As soon as you get out into the ocean, those wind-driven currents tend to push north along the beach, Slog said. At a 2-knot current, thats 48 miles in 24 hours, so its extremely likely he could be all the way here in Wilmington.

As the search continued to come up empty, interest in the case continued to grow, with questions about possible foul play coming to the surface. However, in mid-February, The SCDNR said it had no evidence of anything sinister happening.

The DNR said there was a small-craft advisory in effect at the time Doyle disappeared, explaining that theseas were rough and not conducive for smaller vessel operation.

Weather conditions that day, coupled with boating mechanical issues, appear to be the predominant contributing factors, the DNR said in a news release.

As Doyle remained missing, family and friends also focused their attention on a prayer vigil in late February. During the vigil at the T. Craig Campbell Boat Landing in Little River, organizers had a group duck call on the dock at sunset.

Theres no evidence of death, so were still looking for life, pastor Jimmy Floyd of the Dogwood Hill Baptist Church said. Although many have said its impossible, theres nothing impossible with God.

In April, as Doyle remained missing, the DNR said the search had already consumed countless hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars but that crews were still looking and hoping to bring closure to his family.

Later, six months after Doyles disappearance, the DNR said it had begun coordinating with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System in the search. At the time, a spokesman said investigators were working with the missing-persons system to collect DNA samples for comparison.

A few weeks later, News13 talked to Doyles father, Brian.

Were just trying to get the truth out there and find Tyler, he said.

Brian Doyle said when he was told his son went missing, he almost had a nervous breakdown. Tyler was Brians first-born child, and Brian said no parent should have to experience this pain.

Your worst fear. Its the worst fear that any parent that cares about their children could ever have, he said.

Not much changed in the case until December, when the DNR said SLED had been asked to help out in its investigation of the case.

We have received various tips from the public about possible sightings of Tyler Doyle, a DNR spokesman said in an email to News13. To make sure all resources are being allocated, we requested SLED to review the file and assist with missing person inquiries.

* * *

Dennis Bright is a Digital Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) called on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to highlight Americans seeking compensation for exposure to nuclear testing after Christopher Nolans biopic Oppenheimer led in Oscar nominations.

Nolans film, which chronicles J. Robert Oppenheimers work on the Manhattan Project during World War 2, as well as the loss of his security clearance in the 1950s, secured 13 nominations Tuesday, with nods for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Cillian Murphys performance as Oppenheimer.

The Oppenheimer film tells a compelling story of these test programs. But it does not tell the story of the Americans left behindstill reckoning with the health and financial consequences of Americas nuclear research, after all these years. Shouldnt the victims who are still paying the price have a voice, too? Hawley wrote.

Hawley, along with Sens. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), introduced an amendment to the Senate version of the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would have expanded coverage under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.

The 30-year-old law compensates those affected by radiation from World War 2-era tests and uranium ore mining. However, its coverage does not include residents of Missouri, where weapons-grade uranium was produced at St. Louiss Mallinckrodt Chemical Works, or New Mexico, where the initial Trinity test of the atomic bomb was conducted in 1945. The test is a climactic set piece in the Nolan film.

The bipartisan amendment would have expanded the laws coverage to New Mexico, Missouri, Idaho, Montana, Guam and Colorado and extended it 19 years. President Biden signed a two-year extension of the law in 2022.

Although the amendment passed the Senate last year with a filibuster-proof majority, it was removed from the final conference version of the NDAA. Its sponsors forcefully denounced the removal, with Hawley calling it a major betrayal of thousands and thousands of Missourians who have been lied to and ignored for years.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Britain needs to review the size and reach of its armed forces, a senior member of the US administration has warned, as the world becomes increasingly dangerous with conflicts in multiple arenas.

The US navy secretary said during a visit to London that more investment should be considered for the Royal Navy and it may also be necessary to strengthen the Army.

Carlos Del Toros assessment of the UKs defence capabilities came in the wake General Sir Patrick Sanders, the head of the British Army, saying his forces were too small to fight a major war, and there was a need for a citizens army to be formed.

File image: The HMS Argyll is one of two frigates the MoD is set to decommission, reducing its total to nine, due to problems with recruitment and retention (Reuters)

Speaking at RUSI (the Royal United Services Institute), Mr Del Toro, a US Navy veteran, spoke of his tremendous respect for this countrys military and the truly wonderful job the Royal Navy was doing alongside the US in operations against the Houthis on the Red Sea.

But he commented: I think it is important for the United Kingdom to reassess where they are today given the threats that exist today.

While he said it was entirely up to the British government to choose its own policies, I would argue, quite frankly, that given the near-term, economic threats to the United Kingdom and the United States that investments in their Navy are significantly important.

American and Nato commanders have warned that successive cuts to the defence budget have damaged the UKs military effectiveness. But it is unusual for a senior member of the US administration, the countrys chief ally, to raise these concerns in public.

The Ministry of Defence is to decommission two frigates, HMS Westminster and HMS Argyll, reducing its total to nine due to problems with recruitment and retention, while the government has pledged to increase Britains naval presence across the world.

The size of the regular Army has been reduced to 73,520. Speaking at an armoured warfare conference in London, Gen Sanders stated that his forces, including all reserves, would not be large enough to defend the country if there is a war with Russia, and that plans for national mobilisation were essential.

Mr Del Toro acknowledged the high cost of defence. But he pointed to the money ploughed into it by the US administration, stressing that this was absolutely necessary with Western democracies facing foes ranging from autocratic states to heavily armed, hostile militias.

The Red Sea mission had to be undertaken, he stressed, with attacks by the Houthis in Yemen sending reverberations across the global economy affecting every facet of our lives.

The lives of sailors were being saved, he said, by preventing Houthi missiles and drones from getting through. We need to continue doing that, even if it comes at great cost, said Mr Del Toro.
Road closed signs block a Headleys Mill Road bridge between Cable and McIntosh roads that has been closed since Jan. 5 after an inspection revealed holes in the beams. The city is working to repair the bridge, but the closure is expected to last until spring.

A Pataskala bridge is likely to remain closed until at least March after an inspection this month revealed corroded steel underneath.

A Headleys Mill Road bridge between Cable and McIntosh roads has been closed since Jan. 5 after an inspection revealed holes in the beams, City Public Services Director Alan Haines said in a Tuesday interview.

The bridge, Haines said, is evaluated annually through an Ohio Department of Transportation program and this year's inspection revealed more corrosion. A second inspection revealed section loss, or holes, he said.

"We've not seen any displacement with the bridge. There's been no failures of any sort," he said. "This was a precautionary closure because it's not all the beams, but there's definitely beams that have it, and we thought it was in our best interest to go ahead and close it and get a repair done before there are any problems."

Haines estimated about 2,500 vehicles per day travel over the 38-foot bridge. He recommended using Courter and McIntosh roads as a detour.

Haines said corrosion like this happens quickly. One year the bridge is fine, and the the next year it's not.

"From my perspective, there was no failure of the inspection process. It was actually a validation of the inspection process," he said.

During a Monday meeting, Pataskala City Council approved moving forward with a temporary fix.

Haines said the beans will be reinforced by welding angle iron to them, and concrete will be poured to encompass them.

Planning is underway for the repair, and then the actual repair work will likely take a couple weeks, Haines said.

Haines said he is confident the bridge will open by April 1 but is hopeful it can open sometime in March.

The city is estimating the work to cost $20,000 for consulting and another $60,000 to $70,000 for the construction, Haines said.

Once the bridge is repaired, Haines said it will be able to handle passenger vehicles and snow plows. It will need to revaluated to determine if it can handle emergency vehicles.

The repair should last another three to five years before the city would have to limit the traffic on it again, Haines said, adding that he expects the bridge will be replaced before then.

Haines estimated the bridge is at least 30 years old, but didn't know exactly when it was installed because that was likely done by the county when the area was still Lima Township prior to the township's merger with Pataskala in 1996.

The city knew the bridge was nearing the end of it's life and was planning to design a replacement in 2025 and replace the bridge's beams and deck in 2026. Haines said now the city will apply for ODOT funds this fall to replace the bridge. Haines said the city has to do more assessments to determine if they need to do a full or partial replacement.

mdevito@gannett.com

740-607-2175

Twitter: @MariaDeVito13

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Pataskala bridge closed until spring after inspection finds corrosion
Gov. Greg Abbott displays Senate Bill 1900, one of six bills he signed during a legislation signing ceremony in Austin on June 8, 2023. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

From the Texas House to former President Donald Trump, Republicans across the country are rallying behind Gov. Greg Abbotts legal standoff with the federal government at the southern border, intensifying concerns about a constitutional crisis amid an ongoing dispute with the Biden administration.

At issue is concertina wire that the Texas National Guard has been using as a barrier between the Rio Grande River and Shelby Park, a 47-acre area in Eagle Pass. In a 5-4 decision earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with the Biden Administration when it vacated a lower courts ruling that prevented Border Patrol agents from cutting the wire to apprehend people who had crossed the river.

On Wednesday  and as the Texas National Guard and state troopers continued to roll out the wire and prevent federal agents from accessing much of the park  Abbott continued to publicly challenge the ruling and hold the line." He declared that Texas was under an invasion, giving the state the constitutional right to defend itself and claimed that President Joe Bidens practice of paroling migrants into the country amounted to a refusal to enforce current immigration laws.

"President Biden has violated his oath to faithfully execute immigration laws enacted by Congress," Abbott said in a statement. "Instead of prosecuting immigrants for the federal crime of illegal entry, President Biden has sent his lawyers into federal courts to sue Texas for taking action to secure the border."

Abbott continued, claiming the states right to defend itself is the supreme law of the land and supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary. Abbotts action is the latest effort by Texas Republicans who have been pushing back against the federal government and trying to take on the role of immigration law enforcement, which is under federal jurisdiction.

Abbotts statement was quickly condemned by some legal scholars, who said it was blatantly unconstitutional and amounted to a usurpring of the federal government.

By this logic, states could use their own determination that an invasion exists as a justification for usurping control of whichever federal policies they don't like, Stephen Vladeck, a University of Texas at Austin law professor, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Imagine blue states taking this approach: We're being invaded by drugs. We're being invaded by pollution. The right of states to defend themselves does not, and was never meant to, provide a hook for *supplanting* federal authority.

But Abbotts actions rapidly endeared himself to Republicans across the political spectrum, spanning the country, with many echoing the Texas governors call to hold the line and others going further using rhetoric that suggested that Texas use force to defend itself from an attack.

Trump chimed in Thursday afternoon on his Truth Social platform and encouraged other states to deploy their national guards to Texas.

Biden is, unbelievably, fighting to tie the hands of Governor Abbott and the State of Texas, so that the Invasion continues unchecked, Trump wrote. Texas has rightly invoked the Invasion Clause of the Constitution, and must be given full support to repel the invasion.

On Thursday, all but one Republican governor  Phil Scott of Vermont  had publicly supported Abbotts move. The Republican Governors Association said in a statement Thursday that they back Abbotts methods in utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border.

Dozens of other elected Republicans similarly expressed their support, including U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.

During a Fox News interview where Cruz was asked if this was a Come-and-take-it, Alamo moment, Cruz responded: Absolutely. Were defending Texas and defending this country.

Texas Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, similarly encouraged Abbott before adding that Texas is holding the line.

Few voices in Congress have been as outspoken and explicit as U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, however. The Austin Republican openly called for Abbott to defy the Supreme Court, asserting the states executives have a responsibility first to the states above federal law.

It's like, if someone's breaking into your house, and the court says, 'Oh, sorry. You can't defend yourself.' What do you tell the court? You tell the court to go to hell, you defend yourself and then figure it out later, Roy said on social media.

Roy pushed back on the criticisms that he was advocating for a rebellion against the federal government, saying in a Wednesday interview with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk that the Constitution reserved the ability and the right of governors and states to protect their own citizenry in the absence of the protection of the federal government.

I do not want to live in a post-constitutional world, but this court is pushing our hand, said Roy, who has been one of the most obdurate advocates in Congress for drastic hardening of the border.

Abbotts statement even earned him accolades from his occasional critics on the far right, including Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi who called Abbotts statement strong, and added thatwe are with you, on social media.

Meanwhile, Democrats in the Texas delegation expressed horror at Abbotts defiance. U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, said Abbotts tactics have failed to decrease migrant crossings since the launch of Operation Lone Star in 2021. U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, called on President Joe Biden to establish sole federal control of the Texas National Guard now if Abbott defies the Supreme Court.

Governor Abbott is trying to pick a fight with President Biden to score political points, and he is abusing the National Guard resources at his disposal, Castro said in a statement. Texas National Guard troops volunteered to serve their country  not to be pawns in Governor Abbotts attempts to sow chaos at the border.

Disclosure: University of Texas at Austin has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
H-E-B is expanding its footprint in the San Antonio area. It has plans to start construction this year on at least two new stores in the metro. Billy Calzada/Staff photographer

H-E-B is planning to open a store near Texas 211 and Culebra Road on San Antonios far West Side, an area teeming with new homes, restaurants and shops. Its at least the second San Antonio store the grocer will start this year.

The $29 million, 126,986-square-foot store will be built at 15489 Culebra Road, across from a quarry and southwest of Government Canyon State Natural Area, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. San Antonio-based H-E-B has owned 29 acres there since 2007.

It also will have a gas station and car wash. Construction is expected to begin in August and be finished in October 2025, the filing states.

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The retailer also anticipates beginning construction in July on a $20 million, 116,760-square-foot store at 7330 N. Loop 1604, just across Babcock Road from the University of Texas at San Antonios main campus on the Northwest Side, a separate state filing shows. It is slated to be finished in July 2025.

Construction is already well underway on a 106,000-square-foot store at Lemon Creek Ranch, a mixed-used development along the Interstate 10 corridor between San Antonio and Boerne. That store is expected to open during the first quarter, according to Valcor Commercial Real Estate, which is spearheading the Lemon Creek development.
MUNISING, Mich. (WJMN)  Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is an adventurers paradise in all four seasons, but if youre not careful, mother nature may not be your best friend. It was wasnt one cold January night for 3-year-old pup, Dancer.

We received a call that there was a dog that had fallen off over at Miners Castle, said Erik Olsen, member, Superior High Angle Professionals. Its a large cliff system. We had received the report that the dog had perished. Immediately we evaluate kind of the safety and risk involved with putting people at risk. Thats how we got tasked with this. After receiving the call that there was a dog involved, we organized a small group of people who were local and talked over the scenario and different ideas and we made a choice to go and grab the dog as early as possible in the morning. We assumed it was going to be a bad, bad task.

Dog rescued after fall at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Tyler Davis, Erik Olsen and Westly Shaffer are volunteers of Superior High Angle Professionals, also known as S.H.A.R.P. They are an interagency task force created to facilitate search and rescue operations in a vertical or near-vertical space. Based out of Munising, its the perfect location to help people, or animals in need of help.

Our mission is to basically assist in the National Park when they need people to be on ropes, said Emily Gantner, another S.H.A.R.P member. So anything that would be considered like high angle rescue scenarios, or if they need extra people to carry someone out in a litter. Were kind of there to help them. Were almost like their surgeon blade is what they like to call us, where there are specific things that maybe the park rangers cant do so they bring us in to do those things.

Some missions for this group dont have good outcomes, but in Dancers case, the S.H.A.R.P team were her heroes.

Assembled our team, assembled our gear in the morning, said Olsen. We went out to the area. Had to do a little bit of searching to try and find the animal. We talked through a few scenarios and then we entered the scene. We roped up, went over the cliff line and ended up locating the dog. From that point we were quite surprised to find that she was alive.

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Plans were changed and the mission was to get Dancer, and return her to her owners who were in town from Minnesota.

We secured the dog. said Olsen. Got the dog back up and out the cliff line, back to a warm car. She was happy and laid in parkas and piled and warmed up. From that point we were just overjoyed. We securely left the scene and got her back. We immediately started the process of changing our whole thought process that this is a positive story and we need to hurry and alert the owners that were all surprised.

These are not just volunteers who have passion for the sport of ice climbing, but to use that talent to help others.

Anytime that we can actually help a person is always super, super valuable, said Gantner. Last year, we did assist in a body recovery for a family so that was really important. I do think though that sometimes the dog rescues, cause this is technically our second one are kind of the more heartwarming scenarios and they are super fun, but for the most part I think that we just have such a unique skillset to give back to the community that not every policeman or park ranger or ambulance driver can do the things that we do, so I think just us being able to do that is just really rewarding.

When making a difference is the best reward there is.

Going into this area where and animal is, almost everyone has had growing up, said Shaffer. As perished, you mentally prepare for that, so when we came across her and it was the opposite side of that, its almost like your mind is a little gripped as well. So Im like, Im not expecting that. Everyone was super excited and Dancer was as well.

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One is just like knowing, like Erik said were a supporting group to other rescue teams and just understanding our role is in that high vertical terrain and that is where a lot of us work as guides and were taking people on that everyday, said Davis. Its just helping us be even more familiar and comfortable in that terrain. Also just to know we want to give back to this climbing community that we really appreciate. Not to say that we only assist with climbing incidences, but its a community directly related to what were a part of, so its just nice to provide for that.

S.H.A.R.P covers the whole Upper Peninsula and they have trainings throughout the year to keep up to date on best practices to help. For more information about S.H.A.R.P, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com.
Springfield Police handled five homicide cases in 2023, down from seven in 2022.

The number of homicides in the city of Springfield declined in 2023 for the third consecutive year.

The Springfield Police Department handled five cases in 2023, though there were two other homicides with Springfield addresses investigated by Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputies.

There was one murder-suicide in the Village of Southern View, also investigated by the sheriff's department.

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Springfield officially had seven homicides in 2022. Although earlier reported as eight by The State Journal-Register, SPD did not tally the Earl Moore Jr. case, which gained national headlines when a wrongful death lawsuit was brought on by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, because it was investigated by the Illinois State Police. Two former emergency medical service workers stand accused of first-degree murder.

There were nine Springfield cases in 2021 and 2020, but 11 victims in 2020 because of the 10th Street triple murder.

Of the five cases handled by SPD in 2023, there has been one arrest.

Fredrick DeGraffenreid faces multiple murder charges in the March 14 stabbing death of Darlene O'Bryan, 72, in the 200 block of North Daniel Avenue.

Charges have been filed against Gabriel P. Calixto, 25, who is also known as Gabriel Calixto-Pichardo, in the July 11 stabbing death of activist Emma Shafer in the 1000 block of South Eighth Street.

Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette acknowledged a little over a week after Shafer's death that Calixto-Pichardo, a Mexican national, "may not be" in the United States.

The other three cases are being actively investigated, said SPD Deputy Chief Sara Pickford.

Charges have been filed in the two homicide cases handled by the sheriff's deputies.

Richard Romine faces first-degree murder and other charges in the April 27 killing of his mother, Donna Romine, in the 3100 block of W. Aire Rd.

Jerry Stegall was charged with the May 31 shooting death of Aaron Cutler in the 300 block of South Paul Street.

Unprecedented numbers

As for the falling numbers, Pickford credited SPD's street crimes unit for getting guns off the street the last two years.

At a recent budget hearing, Scarlette said the department removed 437 illegal firearms from Springfield streets in 2023.

"Removing a record number of guns off the street and lower homicide rates, it's hard to say they couldn't be related," Pickford said. "They've stepped up what they're doing."

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Pickford said technology like SoundThinking, formerly known as ShotSpotter, has allowed officers to get to scenes quicker. License plate reader cameras and the use of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, a system that compares images of cartridge casings recovered at crime scenes and firearms recovered by officers to connect shooting incidents and identify shooters, also have assisted.

There even have been unintended benefits from officer-worn body cameras, Pickford said. Detectives, for instance, can go back to review footage when they were out with a potential suspect or person of interest and take a still shot of that person if SPD doesn't have a booking photo.

Ryan Williams, an associate criminology professor at the University of Illinois Springfield, acknowledged the city's homicide rate is "a collapse," but pumped on the brakes as to why.

"It's unprecedented for Springfield," said Williams, who has been studying the city's crime numbers for the last 20 years. "But we have to be very careful here because that collapse is happening all across the country, for the most part. It's been nothing more than historic. It's important to say it's not just Springfield."

Springfield Police Det. Devin Schluter of the criminal investigation division works on a case at his desk on Thursday, January 25, 2024.

For instance, Detroit is on pace to have the fewest homicides since 1966, Williams said. Baltimore and St. Louis are on pace to have the fewest homicides they've had in decades, according to the Uniform Crime Reporting program released by the FBI. Milwaukee, New Orleans, and Houston are among the cities that had massive declines in homicides in 2023.

The Springfield homicide number "is something to be satisfied with," Williams added. "We should be happy with that decline, but we should be very cautious that that stays low."

Other factors at work

Closer to Springfield, homicide rates also fell in Decatur and Champaign-Urbana.

Decatur, which is smaller than Springfield in population, still had triple the number of homicides as Springfield, down from 16 in 2022 to 15 in 2023.

Champaign-Urbana's number was almost cut in half, going from nine in 2022 to five in 2023.

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A lot of things can move crime rates up or down, which is what's happened in Decatur economically, Williams said.

"Decatur is a reflection of what they lost manufacturing-wise and industry-wise," he said. "Springfield has taken a few hits economically, but we've had some time to recover from those hits. It's going to stabilize in Decatur, eventually, which I think has happened in Springfield."

While homicides are down, the city has seen an increase in property crimes, specifically motor vehicle theft. That, Pickford said, was kicked off by a video on TikTok and "it kind of spread like wildfire with the ease in which you could steal particular makes of vehicles."

Nationally know civil rights attorney Ben Crump answers questions after the Springfield Branch NAACP 102nd Annual Lincoln-Douglas Freedom Fund Banquet Sunday Feb. 19, 2023 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Retail theft is also on the rise, Pickford said.

Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said 2023 was an average year for the number of homicides the office investigates.

"I think Sangamon County is safe," Campbell said. "You look at the randomness of the ones we're reporting (in 2023). It just reveals that homicide is the most difficult (crime) to predict and to stop from happening."

The number of SPD officers could get boosted, too. The fiscal year 25 preliminary budget calls for the addition of 15 officers and one civilian. If approved by the city council next month, two of those officers would be assigned to the street crimes unit, Scarlette said.

"Fifteen extra officers will just help our ability to hold people accountable who are not going to obey the law and possibly participate in violent crimes," Pickford said.

2023 homicides

In Springfield

Emmanuel Boston, 34, died July 8 after being shot at 24th Street and Allison Court;

Emma Shafer, 24, died July 11 after being stabbed in the 1000 block of South Eighth Street;

Larry J. Robinson, 59, died Sept. 13 in the 1400 block of North Reservoir Street;

Terrence Harris, 52, died Dec. 15 after being shot and found around North Third St. and Belmont Ave.;

Darlene O'Bryan, 72, died March 14 after being stabbed in the 200 block of North Daniel Avenue

In Sangamon County

Donna Romine, 64, died Apr. 27 after being shot in the 3100 block of W. Aire Rd.;

Aaron Cutler, 38, died May 31 after being shot in the 300 block of South Paul Street.

Craig Burch, 37, died Nov. 11 after being shot in the 3300 block of South Third Street, in Southern View.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Homicide numbers are down in Springfield for third consecutive year
The crowd applauds Helen Zia after her talk at the launch party of Hoosier Asian American Power at the I Fell Building on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.

Hoosier Asian American Power (HAAP), a new nonprofit aimed at building power and implementing policy changes for Asian Americans in Indiana through grassroots organizing, held its launch event at Bloomingtons I Fell Gallery last Thursday.

The organization, which is currently pending 501(c)(3) status, emerged as an outgrowth of National Asian Pacific American Womens Forums (NAPAWF) Indiana chapter, according to HAAP co-chair Melissa May Borja.

Borja, an Indianapolis-based professor of Asian/Pacific Islander American studies at the University of Michigan who also works in refugee resettlement work, said HAAP will build on the work of NAPAWF Indiana, launching this year with a particular aim toward political organizing and coalition-building ahead of the 2024 election.

We  when we were NAPAWF Indiana  did the first statewide voter outreach to Asian American voters in Indiana, Borja said. We did it in five different languages, and we had volunteers ranging from girls in a sorority here at IU, to grandmas in California who still phoned in to try and help us with our work. So were really excited about doing work in the coming year to get out the Asian American vote.

Coalition building during the pandemic amid a rise in Asian hate

Borja said NAPAWF Indiana got off the ground during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, largely in reaction to a spike in anti-Asian American hate crimes and increased anti-Asian American sentiments in broader political discourse.

Borja said emerging as a online-first organization allowed the group to coalition-build across the state, with members primarily in the Indianapolis metropolitan region and Bloomington. But as HAAP launches, Borja said the group is looking to expand its reach across the state.

We hope to expand our outreach and our geographic presence, knowing that Asian Americans are very present in Fort Wayne, in northwest Indiana, Borja said. We also know that Asian American Hoosiers live in places where they are the margin of victory, so places like Hamilton County, places like the southside of Indianapolis  there are a lot of Asian American voters there who Im not convinced politicians are reaching out to.

Borja said HAAPs work this year, especially leading up to the election, will focus on voter education and registration, base-building, and grassroots community events.

Were going to be doing a lot of political education, base-building events, and making sure that Asian Americans in Indiana get to know each other, get to know our history, get to know the significance of our community, and building from there, Borja said.

Speaker emphasizes the importance of local organizing

Helen Zia and Michelle Dahl discuss this history of anti-Asian racism in the United States during the Hoosier Asian American Power launch party last week.

HAAPs launch event featured a conversation between HAAP co-chair Michelle Dahl and Chinese-American journalist and activist Helen Zia. The two discussed the history of anti-Asian racism in America, the power of community organizing, and the importance of feminist Asian-American leadership in grassroots work.

During the conversation, Zia highlighted the importance of local organizing in making change within communities.

I know Im here from California  thats not Indiana, Zia said. You know your cultures and your communities best, you know how to reach people, so they feel like, Yeah, we could create a beloved community here in Indianapolis, or in Bloomington, or Terre Haute.

Attendees, including Bloomington city council member Isabel Piedmont-Smith, listen to Helen Zia speak during last week's Hoosier Asian American Power launch party at the I Fell Building.

Borja said the timing of HAAPs January launch is significant, coming one year after a Chinese-American IU student was stabbed repeatedly on a Bloomington transit bus  an ongoing case thats now being treated as a federal hate crime.

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What I think is significant about this moment is were an example of a community thats been vulnerable to attacks here in Indiana, but also all across the country, and were resilient, and strong and ready to get to work to make change, Borja said. Were not afraid. Were here, and were ready to do the work.

Hoosier Asian American Power key issues: racial equality, voting, and reproductive justice

Borja said HAAP will follow in NAPAWF Indianas footsteps in engaging in three key issues: racial equity, voter protection, and reproductive justice. HAAPs website says its work will involve promoting policies and programs that build safe communities for Asian Americans in Indiana, engaging in voter registration drives and voter protection efforts, and working closely alongside other organizations serving Asian Americans in the region, such as Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago.

During their conversation Dahl and Zia spoke about the challenges of activism and feeling overwhelmed by tackling multiple issues.

If youre in this business, you see a burning building, and youre like, Im gonna go put this fire out right now, Dahl said. And it took me years to figure out that I was also on fire.

Zia encouraged activists  especially young activists  to choose specific goals they can work towards to start.

If you see something that will make the world better, change it. You have an obligation to change it, Zia said. You just change it one step at a time.

HAAPs first general membership meeting, which is open to new members, will be hosted over Zoom on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. Prospective members can register for the event at hoosieraap.org/events/ or by emailing contact@hooiseraap.org.

Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Hoosier Asian American Power holds launch party in Bloomington
RICHMOND  Most of the Hopewell City Council are pushing back against bills from their state lawmakers that were sparked by the citys contentious back-and-forth with the Youngkin administration over state intervention into Hopewells finances.

Five of the seven councilors sent a letter Tuesday to the House and Senate committees that vet municipal-related legislation. In that letter, the councilors said the proposals usurp local elected governing authority and designates powers to the governor not spelled out in Virginias constitution.

The bills from Del. Carrie E. Coyner, R-Chesterfield County, and Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg  both of whose legislative districts include Hopewell  would give governors emergency powers to appoint fiscal managers to take over the budgetary business of a fiscally stressed locality if that locality is either unwilling or unable to comply with state-generated recommendations for correcting the money issues. That intervention could only happen if the locality fails to submit state-required annual audits, giving Virginias auditor of public accounts discretion to declare fiscal distress.

Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield County, left, and Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, have submitted legislation that would create a process for the state to intervene in the management of a locality declared fiscally stressed. The bills stem from a 2023 confrontation between Hopewell and the Youngkin administration over handling of Hopewell's poorly-handled ledgers.

Hopewell had not submitted an audit to the state since 2015.

Last year, a council majority rebuffed Gov. Glenn Youngkins administration attempts to help right the financial wrongs. The administration paid for an outside audit of Hopewells books and made recommendations for assistance. That refusal prompted an administration official to refer to Hopewells finances as a five-alarm fire.

In the interim, Hopewell signed a $1.85 million agreement with the Robert Bobb Group to set up process management and protocols, things both the Bobb Group and the state noted had been invisible in Hopewell for many years. One of the more common complaints surrounded a lack of uniformity in how citizen payments were entered into the system. Employees and some councilors blamed that on the inavailability of training on the system from previous city administrations.

The letter  signed by Vice Mayor Jasmine Gore, and councilors Janice Denton, Michael Harris, Dominic Holloway and Brenda Pelham  said the Coyner and Aird proposals were too vague on what localities were and were not able to do before the state would intervene. It also took issue with published reports attributed to Coyner that current Hopewell government was too inexperienced or too resistant to properly handle the problems.

Interpretations of 'unwilling,' inability, or 'comply' as they pertain to potential directives used to justify an intervention are subjective and ambiguous, the letter read. The bills, the councilors claimed, give the governor the power to undermine duly elected officials with differing opinions on how they should fulfill their duties and the right to control localities.

These bills disenfranchise voters and violate state laws and local charters by infringing on the purpose of local elected officials, the letter stated.

The letter pointed out progress made in reconciling Hopewells ledgers since the Bobb Group came on board last October. In its latest report, the group said it had gotten the audits from 2015-19 caught up, was close to finishing work on the 2020 audit, and had the remaining ones in the starting gate.

The councilors want the bills sponsors to pull the legislation and request a state study to determine best practices for a partnership between the state and the stressed localities.

Mayor Johnny Partin and Ward 1 Councilor Rita Joyner did not sign the letter because both support the bills. Partin was quoted in the Richmond Times-Dispatch as calling them a great piece of legislation that will help struggling localities like Hopewell.

Coyners version of the bill had been scheduled to be heard Thursday morning in a House Counties, Cities and Towns subcommittee. She pulled it from the docket after receiving the letter and put it on the panels calendar for Feb. 1.

Airds bill will be heard Monday morning in the Senate Local Government Committee.

Messages left for both legislators seeking comment on the letter have not yet been returned.

How we got here

Because it had not submitted the state-required audits for the last eight years, Hopewell got the attention of both the state auditor of public accounts and the Youngkin administration. Last May, state Finance Secretary Stephen Cummings brought an independent audit firm to a City Council meeting where councilors were given a list of 27 recommendations to straighten out the city's financial controls.

Some of the councilors did not agree with the state meddling in its financial affairs and told Cummings that in essence. They said the state was coming to them with the suggestions but not offering any help in implementing them.

Three weeks later, Cummings returned to council saying he had gotten clearance from Youngkin and the General Assembly money committees to bring in personnel to help. That help came with the caveat that council not make a move to delay replacing City Manager March Altman  under whom the councilors said the money problems intensified  who had resigned to take over the city manager's role in Petersburg. Instead, the state wanted Hopewell to bring in an executive with experience in righting fiscal ships and let interim City Manager Dr. Concetta Manker work alongside that executive.

However, by that time, a najority of council had decided it wanted to give the job full-time to Manker. So, they again declined the state's offer.

This time, though, Cummings was not going to go away quietly. He took time to lecture council on what they could be facing if they did not follow the state's advice.

This is a five-alarm fire thats been burning in my mind at a five-alarm level for a long time, Cummings told councilors then. And its kind of become the reality of this environment. People, I dont think, really feel like its a house on fire. This cannot continue.

The majority did not budge. Almost two months after Cummings' comment about the fiscal picture, council voted 4-3 to remove Manker's interim label.

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: Hopewell councilors: Fiscal-distress bill can 'usurp' local authority
All crew members are safe and fires have been extinguished aboard the Marlin Luanda, a British oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden that was hit it with a missile by Houthi rebels, the vessel's operator confirmed Saturday. Photo courtesy of the Indian Navy/X

Jan. 26 (UPI) -- All crew members are safe and fires have been extinguished aboard a British oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden that was hit it with a missile by Houthi rebels, the vessel's operator confirmed on Saturday.

"We are pleased to confirm that all crew on board the Marlin Luanda are safe and the fire in the cargo tank has been fully extinguished. The vessel is now sailing towards a safe harbor. The crew continues to monitor the vessel and cargo closely," operator Trafigura said in a statement.

The multinational trading company based Singapore also thanked the Indian, French and U.S. Navy vessels that attended for their assistance. It did not say how many crew members were aboard or their nationalities.

#IndianNavy's Guided missile destroyer, #INSVisakhapatnam, deployed in the #GulfofAden responded to a distress call from MV #MarlinLuanda on the night of #26Jan 24. The fire fighting efforts onboard the distressed Merchant Vessel is being augmented by the NBCD team along with... pic.twitter.com/meocASF2Lo SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 27, 2024

Houthi rebels based in Yemen struck the Marlin Luanda Friday as the The Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker was sailing east through the Gulf of Aden, signaling its destination as Singapore.

The Marlin Luanda is now sailing towards a safe harbor while the crew continues to monitor the vessel and cargo closely, its Singapore-based operator Trafigura said in a statement Saturday. Photo courtesy of the Indian Navy

The Marlin Luanda was built in 2018 to carry crude oil and is owned by Britain-based Oceonix Services.

U.K. Maritime Organizations said it received a report the vessel was on fire and requesting assistance some 60 nautical miles south of the Port of Aden in Yemen.

Houthi rebels based in Yemen on Friday launched an attack on the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (pictured 2016) in the Red Sea, the latest salvo in the ongoing conflict. File Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy

No other Trafigura vessels are transiting the Red Sea, the company confirmed in the statement Saturday.

Houthi military spokesperson Yaha Sarea confirmed Friday his group targeted the vessel with "a number of appropriate naval missiles."

Crews on the USS Carney (pictured 2016) were able to successfully shoot down the missile and there were no injuries or damage reported, U.S. Central Command said in a statement. File Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy

"Yemeni Armed Forces persist with their military operations: enforcing a blockade on Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian seas until a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza, and food and medicine are allowed in to the besieged Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip," he said in a video statement.

This was the second reported Houthi attack against a commercial tanker Friday. Earlier in the day, the Marlin Luanda reported an explosion in the air above the Achilles, an oil tanker reportedly under contract to an Indian shipper. The projectile did not hit either tanker.

Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired one anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen at the USS Carney (pictured 2016). File Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy

The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have threatened to target ships linked to the United States and Britain after the two countries launched air and naval strikes in retaliation for their attacks on commercial vessels.

U.S. Central Command confirmed Friday morning that Houthi rebels also launched an attack on the USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.

"At approximately 1:30 p.m. Sanaa time (5:30 a.m. EST), Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired one anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward Arleigh-Burke class destroyer USS Carney in the Gulf of Aden," U.S. Central Command said in a statement.

"The missile was successfully shot down by USS Carney. There were no injuries or damage reported."

The military did not provide any further information. However this would be the first reported time Houthis have targeted a U.S. military vessel rather than a commercial vessel.

The attack comes one day after the United States and Britain announced formal sanctions targeted at four Houthi leaders.

The Iran-backed group began hostilities Nov. 19, with more than 27 attacks against ships since that time.

American and British military forces have since launched a series of retaliatory missile and drone strikes in Yemen against the Houthi group.

More than a dozen shipping companies have rerouted their vessels to avoid being targeted.
Human remains believed to be those of missing hiker Trammell Evans were found in Joshua Tree National Park this week, potentially concluding an eight-month search-and-rescue operation for the missing Jacksonville, Florida, man according to internal National Park Service communication.

Evans, 25, was last seen going on a hike in the Black Rock Campground area after being dropped off there on April 30, 2023. He has been described as an avid hiker and had planned a solo excursion into the desert park. A search was initiated on May 5 when he did not arrive at a planned destination, according to a park spokesperson.

After months of searching, park staff were informed by email Jan. 26 that a team of researchers had found skeletal remains in the park's Covington Flat area near a backpack that resembles the one Evans was seen with. The backpack was later confirmed to belong to Evans, according to the park service.

The remains appear to be of a male, but have not been positively identified. The National Park Service stated that the Riverside County Sheriff's Department has taken over the investigation of the remains.

(Update: The sheriff's department later reported Monday, Jan. 29, that human skeletal remains were discovered in the park on Jan. 25, but that the identity of the deceased and cause of death remain undetermined.)

Several organizations and social media accounts that have helped in the search for Evans have publicly shared information that indicates the remains are those of Evans.

Beautiful scenery, dangerous terrain

While Joshua Tree's popularity has continued to draw an increasing numbers of visitors, the park's large area of remote and undeveloped wilderness pose public safety risks.

Last January, two hikers died in a matter of days. One hiker suffered an apparent heart attack during a hike with family and later died. Another suffered serious injuries after a fall in the Rattlesnake Canyon area of the park, and later died at a hospital.

In 2022, a San Diego man died after a fall when climbing near the Hidden Valley Nature Trail. And in 2021, a 20-year-old man was found dead southeast of Ironage Road after being dropped off about a week before by a family member there. That same year, it was reported human remains were found near Panorama Loop Trail presumed to be those of a man who had been missing since 2010.

Christopher Damien covers public safety and the criminal justice system. He can be reached at christopher.damien@desertsun.com or follow him at @chris_a_damien.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Remains found in Joshua Tree National Park believed to be missing hiker
He has a right to be Republican. He has the right to do Donald Trump, said the Rev. Al Sharpton. But to do it in such a way that is so humiliating was troubling.

After Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., professed his love for Donald Trump while stumping in New Hampshire, Black leaders say the Republican Partys highest-ranking Black man is an embarrassment to the African-American community.

There are few moments in my life Ive been more embarrassed than to watch Tim Scott, the Rev. Al Sharpton said on MSNBC of Scotts remarks at a Tuesday night Trump campaign event. He added, It was humiliating to watch what Tim Scott did as a sitting senator.

After giving brief remarks at the victory rally, Scott interrupted Trump when the former president and leading 2024 Republican candidate jabbed at his remaining opponent, Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor who appointed Scott to the Senate in 2012.

You must really hate her, Trump said after pointing out the irony that Scott endorsed him over Haley despite that appointment and their South Carolina connection. The senator quickly jumped to the mic to respond, saying with a wide smile, I just love you.

Sharpton said, Its not a good day in my life to watch him do that. The civil rights activist continued, We fought to see people like him, Black, become a high elected in the South.

He has a right to be Republican. He has the right to do Donald Trump, said Sharpton, who does not personally align with Scotts politics. But to do it in such a way that is so humiliating was troubling.

Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist and a South Carolina native, agreed with Sharpton, telling theGrio he was disappointed but not surprised by Scott.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., greets a crowd during a Jan. 19 campaign rally with former President Donald Trump, a GOP presidential candidate, in Concord, New Hampshire. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Seawright, who serves as an adviser to longtime Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., said that when the senator had a chance during Trumps presidency to strongly disagree on issues that matter to our community or highlight where there has to be some separation from white supremacy, white nationalism, Christian white nationalism, bigotry, and hate, Scott didnt take the opportunity.

If you love Trump, then that means you love Trumpism and all the things that come along with Trump, he argued. Those things dont align historically with those who look like us.



He added, At some point, values have to matter.

Angela Angel, senior adviser at Black Lives Matter PAC, said of Scott: All skinfolk aint kinfolk.

Tim Scott has denied that systemic racism exists, bragged about increasing police funding, and downplayed the impacts of slavery on Black Americans, she told theGrio. His latest shuck and jive should come as no surprise. He has clearly shown us who he is.

Seawright agreed with Sharpton that, as a conservative Republican, Scott has the right to have differing political beliefs. However, he said the senators latest actions may leave many questioning where his head and heart really are.

Tim Scott has enough political cache. He doesnt need to do all that he is doing for the former president. In particular, its a slap in the face to the former governor [Haley] because he would not be in the U.S. Senate without her, explained the political strategist.

As Trump has demonstrated in his attacks on fellow Republicans who disagree with him, Seawright noted that for the former president, Loyalty is a one-way street.



Trump is OK with Tim Scott as long as Tim Scott is OK with Trump, he contended. The minute there is a half a degree of separation, then Trump will back the Trump bus up and roll it over Tim Scott like hes done everyone else who has been loyal to him.

After quickly endorsing Trump upon ending his own presidential campaign, Scott ignited chatter that he could be tapped by the Trump campaign to be the former presidents vice presidential running mate. Days later, Scott, once a notorious bachelor, announced that he was engaged to marry his girlfriend, Mindy Noce, who only recently had been known publicly.

Seawright predicted that if Scott were on the Republican ticket with Trump, this recent clip of him declaring his love for the former president would become campaign material for the Biden-Harris reelection campaign.

He added, If Tim Scott is on the ticket with the former president as a nominee, I certainly think that not only that clip, but his positions, like a national abortion ban, will become an opportunity for folks to be educated about where he stands.

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Gerren Keith Gaynor is a White House Correspondent and the Managing Editor of Politics at theGrio. He is based in Washington, D.C.

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The post Humiliating: Tim Scott slammed by Sharpton, others in Black community after telling Trump, I love you appeared first on TheGrio.
Justin Timberlake, shown during his 2019 concert in San Anonio, will return to the Frost Bank Center this fall. Carlos Javier Sanchez / Contribu/Carlos Javier Sanchez | pixelref

Justin Timberlake is bringing his "Forget Tomorrow" world tour to San Antonio on May 29.

Tickets to catch the superstar live at the Frost Bank Center go on sale at 10 a.m. Feb. 2 at frostbankcenter.com and ticketmaster.com. Fans can also sign up for pre-sale access via the venue's All Access Newsletter.

MORE BIG SHOWS: Check out all the big shows slated to play SA in 2024

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Timberlake is kicking off the tour, which is his first in five years, on April 29 in Vancouver. His latest album, "Everything I Thought It Was," drops March 15.

He last played the San Antonio arena in 2019, when it was known as the AT&T Center.
Air Force officials at the nation's nuclear missile bases are reexamining the way they train with Humvees after two airmen died in the vehicles late last year.

The 20th Air Force, the numbered combatant command that oversees intercontinental ballistic missiles at bases and sites in the western U.S., initiated "a deliberate pause coupled with a reassessment of training, certification, and employment" for airmen using the Humvee, said Col. Brus Vidal, an Air Force Global Strike Command spokesman.

News that the bases are modifying the use of the vehicles comes after an airman died in Colorado in September and another died in Montana in October. Military.com learned that the use of the vehicles was being reexamined during a visit to F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming this month.

Read Next: Pandemic-Related Backlog of 600,000 Veterans Records Requests Finally Cleared

Airman Trinity Reinhart, a 19-year-old security forces member from Oregon, died Sept. 16 in a Humvee incident near Grover, Colorado, F.E. Warren Air Force Base said in a news release.

"We offer our deepest condolences to Trinity's family and friends," Col. Justin Secrest, 90th Security Forces Group commander, said in the news release. "Losing one of our own is extremely difficult. We are grateful for the support from our surrounding communities during this heartbreaking time, especially the Colorado first responders who assisted at the scene."

Nearly a month later, on Oct. 21, Airman Alton John, a 19-year-old security forces member at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, was injured in a vehicle incident, according to the base. A Montana Highway Patrol report shared with local media outlets said that the Humvee attempted a downhill right-hand curve "at an excessive rate of speed for the vehicle," adding that it crossed into the other lane, spun and then left the road, where it rolled "multiple times."

John died six days later, Malmstrom said in a Nov. 1 news release.

"This is a loss that will be greatly felt by each and every member of Team Malmstrom,"

Col. Barry Little, 341st Missile Wing commander, said in a news release at the time.

In both incidents, a second airman was in the vehicle but survived. In both cases, the Air Force initiated an Interim Safety Board following the mishap to gather information. Additionally, a Safety Investigation Board was started to examine the cause of the crashes.

Those recommendations, although the findings were not made public, have been put in place.

"Although we can't discuss the safety investigation results of these two tragic mishaps, the command has implemented the recommendations of the safety board president," Vidal said.

The 20th Air Force first announced the modifications to how the Humvees would be used in operations in December.

"Last month, the 20th Air Force commander directed a modification to the way Up-Armored (UA) Humvees (HMMWVs) are used in operations," Vidal said. "Although their use profile has been modified, missions will continue to utilize UA-HMMWVs when required."

Specific details of how their use will be modified for training or operations was not provided by Air Force Global Strike Command, but Vidal said the Humvees can still be used operationally when required.

Humvees are often used by security forces airmen to drive out to, patrol and transport people from missile launch centers located in remote, rocky and sometimes dangerous terrain of the Great Plains throughout Montana, North Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming. Frequent cold weather and snow in these areas also make driving conditions more hazardous.

The airmen's deaths and the 20th Air Force's reexamining how they use Humvees come on the heels of heavy scrutiny in recent years of rollover deaths during training.

A 2021 Government Accountability Office report pointed to failings within the Army and Marine Corps that led to rollover fatalities. That 103-page report revealed that training inconsistency and overconfidence led to deaths, as well as a lack of safety personnel who can identify hazards during exercises.

From 2010 to 2019, those services reported 3,753 non-combat accidents resulting in 123 service member deaths, the report found. Rollovers were the most deadly accident, accounting for 63% of the fatalities.

Since 2019, nine airmen have died in government-owned vehicles, according to Air Force Safety Center data.

Most recently, in 2022, Military.com reported that an Air Force ROTC cadet was killed and two others were injured in a Humvee incident at Saylor Creek Range, part of the Mountain Home Range Complex in southwestern Idaho, during a training exercise.

Related: Air Force ROTC Cadet Killed, 2 Others Injured in Humvee Training Accident
Negotiations between the EU countries to approve 50 billion in financial assistance to Ukraine are being complicated because Hungarys position has "not been flexible" on the eve of the summit.

Source: Reuters with reference to a senior EU official who spoke with journalists on 26 January on condition of anonymity, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The official involved in the preparation of the EU summit on financial aid to Ukraine said that the talks "have been getting more complicated" because Hungary has "not been flexible on the matter".

The official added that there is a growing level of frustration with Hungary among other EU member states that want to provide more aid to Ukraine, and that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's alternative ideas, such as providing aid subject to unanimous approval every year, are not acceptable to other member states.

"No member state wants to embark on a situation where you would have to go through unanimity to deliver support to Ukraine," the official said.

Hungary has not yet officially announced any changes in its opposition to the 50 billion, four-year Ukraine Facility programme to support Ukraine.

Background:

Meanwhile, the day before, Bloomberg reported, citing its own sources, that Hungary would drop its objections to the creation of a military aid fund for Ukraine with an annual budget of 5 billion.

On Friday, Politico wrote that EU leaders are ready to deprive Hungary of its voting rights in the Council of the European Union if Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocks the approval of 50 billion euros of financial aid to Ukraine at the summit on 1 February.

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A 70-year-old man from Iowa was wounded while hunting coyotes in southeastern Colorado  after one of his hunting partners shot him with a shotgun, officials said.

The three hunters spotted a coyote about 50 feet away while hunting in Baca County on Thursday, Jan. 25, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said in a news release.

One of them shot at it but missed, then he swung his shotgun around and shot at it again  but hit his hunting partner instead, officials said.

This is a classic example of failure to maintain zone of fire awareness, said Todd Marriott, the agencys area wildlife manager based in Lamar. Hunters must always know where their target is and where the rest of their party is at all times.

The 70-year-old was taken to a local hospital and was then flown to one in Colorado Springs for a closer look at his pellet wounds, officials said. Luckily, he was not seriously injured and was released from the hospital in good spirits.

These types of hunting accidents are rare, officials said.

The 48-year-old shooter, who is also from Iowa, was cited with careless hunting, a misdemeanor with a fine between $100 and $1,000, officials said. The charge also carries a suspension of 20 hunting-license points, and hell have to appear in court.

Hunters kill bear after surprising her and cub, officials say. One of them is shot too

Hunter was looking for a squirrel, took aim, fired  and shot his brother, officials say

Argument between hunters ends in deadly shooting, Pennsylvania cops say
Rob Walker, a longtime friend and business associate of Hunter Biden, has told the House Oversight Committee that President Joe Biden was never involved in any of the legitimate business activities he and the presidents son undertook in the early 2000s.

Mr Walker, who gave evidence in a closed-door deposition before the Republican-led panel on Friday, told committee members that Hunter Biden, a Yale-educated attorney and former lobbyist, always took pains to ensure a clear boundary between his business activities and his father.

To be clear, President Biden  while in office or as a private citizen  was never involved in any of the business activities we pursued, he said, according to a copy of his opening statement obtained by The Independent.

He added that any statement to the contrary regarding the elder Mr Bidens involvement in his sons business ventures is simply false, and stressed that as Hunters business partner, he always understood and respected the boundaries between Hunters business and his famous father.

Mr Walker told the panel he first became acquainted with Hunter Biden in the late 1990s, when he joined the administration of then-president Bill Clinton in the Commerce Department.

He said he and Mr Biden started to enter various business ventures beginning around 2008, the year his father, then a Delaware senator, was running for vice president as Barack Obamas running-mate, and described Hunter as an intelligent, caring, and generous person whose demeanor and strong interpersonal skills made him a valued and effective business partner.

Mr Walker described their business activities at the time as developing business with, and consulting for, various individuals, businesses, [and non-governmental agencies], and stressed that their pursuits were varied, valid, well-founded and well within the bounds of legitimate business activities.

The closed-door interview with committee members and staff is part of the GOP-led panels long-running probe into Hunter Biden, which has morphed into a formal impeachment inquiry into his father. Despite their months-long investigation, Republicans have not undiscovered any evidence that President Biden benefited from any of his sons business ventures or found any wrongdoing on the part of the president.

To that end, Mr Walker told committee members that he was very concerned that his words would be taken out of context to further a political objective, rather than to discover the truth, and asked that the entire transcript of his deposition be made public.

Its unclear whether the Republican-led panel would heed his request. The committees chairman, Kentucky Representative James Comer, has promised to release the transcripts of myriad interviews conducted during the probe, but to date hardly any have been made public.
Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, will visit the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) as well as Kyiv and Moscow in the coming days, Grossi told reporters after a briefing for the U.N. Security Council on Jan. 25.

The IAEA has rotated staff members at the Zaporizhzhia plant to monitor safety concerns since September 2022, following the nuclear facility's occupation by Russian troops in March.

Grossi addressed the Security Council in a closed session ahead of the emergency meeting on the crash of a Russian Il-76 military plane.

He said he would lead the upcoming 16th rotation of IAEA experts at the ZNPP.

"Most importantly, what I will be doing is I will be talking to the management there, the Russian management of the plant. I will be seeing how the issue of the water is being dealt with," Gross said.

Supplying water to cool the plant's reactors has become a critical concern since Russian forces destroyed the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant on June 6, 2023. The ZNPP relied on water from the nearby Kakhovka Reservoir, which was depleted by the attack. ZNPP personnel are now drilling for water in ground wells around the perimeter of the plant.

"I also need to ascertain the longer-term plans for the plant. Are they going to attempt to restart one or more reactors, and why, and how? These are issues that have profound nuclear safety implications," Grossi said.

After his inspection of the Zaporizhzhia plant, Grossi said he would go to Russia, to engage in a political and technical dialogue with officials there.

Grossi said that the ZNPP's position in Russian-occupied territory on the war's front lines means that the nuclear safety risk is ongoing.

"In this situation, you cannot say that there is a trend, that things are stabilizing somehow, things are improving. I mean, you can have a good week, and then you have a blackout. You can have a good week, and then a drone aims at the plant."

Grossi has previously warned that active fighting near the occupied plant poses serious threats to nuclear safety, and has reported that Russian authorities still deny IAEA experts full access to the plant's units.

The IAEA reported on Jan. 20 that Russia has again laid mines around the perimeter of the plant, raising fresh security concerns.

When asked to rate the danger level at the nuclear plant on a 10-point scale, Grossi said that the risks are in constant flux.

"There are days where you are near 10, and days where nothing seems to happen. And the problem is this  the complete uncertainty, because this is a war."

Read also: Forced conscription in occupied Ukraine pushes essential services to brink

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, will visit the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) as part of the agency's new rotation of experts, he announced after a meeting with the UNs Security Council, reported Ukrinform.

He also plans to visit Kyiv and Moscow.

He plans to meet with the plants leadership and Russian representatives as the ZNPP prepares for its 16th rotation.

Read also: IAEA inspectors find explosives at Russia-occupied ZNPP

Special attention will be given to the water supply issue caused by Russias destruction of the Kakhovka Dam last summer, which affects the plant's ability to draw water from the Dnipro River. Currently, drilling works along the perimeter of the plant are underway to ensure water supply.

Grossi also expressed his intention to clarify the long-term plans of the plant, including potential attempts to restart one or more reactors, noting that this is a matter with profound implications for nuclear safety.

The challenge of maintaining an external power supply for reactor cooling remains a problem and is posing serious difficulties given the ongoing military actions in the region.

When asked about the safety assessment of the plant on a ten-point scale, Grossi said that in wartime, it is subject to change, and assessments vary depending on circumstances.

Read also: Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Plant blackouts pose Fukushima-level threat, warns Ukraine's energy minister

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
After over 30 years of serving Tex-Mex on the River Walk, Rio Rio Cantina has closed its doors quietly.

The restaurant confirmed to the San Antonio Express-News that it decided not to renew its lease and has shut down permanently.

"It was just our time," said Patrick Jennings from Paesanos Restaurant Group, which owned Rio Rio Cantina.

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Social media users this week took notice of the shuttered storefront at 421 E. Commerce St.

A photo of a cake with the eaterys logo and 1989-2024 was posted on social media last week by Yvonne Lucio Ricarte, who said she was a former employee of the restaurant.

Im so sad to say goodbye to Rio Rio on the Riverwalk, she wrote.

Rio Rio Cantina is the latest in a slew of San Antonio restaurant closures in recent months, including nearby restaurant Bier Garten.

Businesses that have shut down cited increasing food and business costs. Others are turning to social media to rally public support in a bid to prevent a similar fate.

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Clarence Childress' name on a plaque at a U.S Border Patrol memorial honoring fallen agents in the El Paso Sector.

On Wednesday, the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol unveiled its El Paso Sector Fallen Agent Memorial at its headquarters on Montana Avenue. The memorial honors 27 agents and one support staff member who died in the line of duty.

The names on the plaques date back to 1919 with Clarence Childress being the first named. Following is the report of his injury and subsequent death from the El Paso Times, April 14, 1919:

Clarence Childress, El Paso Sector, died April 16, 1919.

LIQUOR SMUGGLERS SHOOT U.S. AGENT IN FIGHT ON LINE

Mexicans Start Battle When Federal Men Surprise Gang at Work

Wounded Inspector Gamely Helps Brother Officer Stand Off Outlaws

The El Paso Sector Honor Guard Drill Team stand behind a memorial honoring fallen agents on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at the El Paso Sector Headquarters.

Shot through the abdomen in a battle which he and immigration inspector L. D. Straw had with seven Mexican tequila smugglers, at monument 9, near Copia street, on the international line, at 3 oclock yesterday morning, Immigration Inspector Clarence M. Childress stood up in spite of the intense pain he was suffering and helped his brother officer beat back the outlaws. Then, his rifle and pistol empty, he walked four blocks to a house on Grammar street to telephone the police while the blood gushed from the ugly wound. City Motorcycle Officer Smith, reached him a few minutes later at the house, said last night it was one of the nerviest acts they had ever seen. Childress was gasping for breath and very weak as he gave directions to Decker as to how he could find Straw.

More: US Border Patrol El Paso Sector unveils memorial to agents lost in line of duty

Battle Continues

Decker reloaded the rifle and rushed down to help Straw. The later, assisted by Childress, had driven the Mexicans away from five sacks of tequila which they had succeeded in bringing across the line, but the Mexicans were sniping away at long range from the Mexican side in the hope of driving the officers away and rescuing the bottled goods.

The Mexicans had every advantage when the fight opened. The moon was shining brightly, and they worked against a dark background of cottonwoods and mesquite. The officers were hidden behind brush, but when they jumped up an made a rush for the smuggler they were in plain view.

Two Mexicans held down the fence at the line and served as lookouts, while the other five carried the liquor over the fence. It was one of these lookouts who opened fire and wounded Childress. The other six men fled to cover. The officers were not more than 15 or 20 steps from the gang when the firing began. The Mexicans are said to have fired first.

Drive Smugglers Back

The two officers emptied their rifles and drove the Mexicans back over the line, and then Straw reloaded and pumped away at them while they sniped.

While Smith took the wounded man to the police emergency hospital, Decker rushed down to help Straw. The two men kept the smugglers off until Acting Captain Wood, Motorcycle Officer Block and Patrol Driver Smith arrived. By that time, however, the Mexicans had stopped firing and disappeared.

Five sacks, containing about 175 quart bottles of tequila, were taken by custom officers.

Childress was later removed to Hotel Dieu, where yesterday morning he was operated upon by Drs. John A. Hardy and Irving McNeil. The bullet passed entirely through the abdomen, injuring internal organs so badly that a portion of them had to be removed. The condition of the patient was pronounced critical.

Childress has lived in El Paso for six years. He has been in the immigration service for a year. With his wife and 3-year-old son he has been residing on Magoffin Ave. His father, L. L. Childress, will arrive from Bangs, Texas, today.

Battling Death

The following day the Times reported, Clarence Childress, the immigration inspector who was shot in a battle with seven Mexican smugglers on the international line early Sunday morning, is still holding his own at Hotel Dieu, but there is not very strong hope for his recovery.

Shot by Smugglers, Taken by Death

El Paso Times, April 17, 1919

Death came to C. H. Childress, United States immigration inspector shot by a band of Mexican smugglers early Sunday morning shortly after 9 oclock yesterday morning at the Hotel Dieu.

Childress body was removed to Bangs, Texas yesterday afternoon.

His father Charles Childress arrived in El Paso yesterday morning.

No arrests had been made in the shooting up to late last night, in spite of the fact that federal authorities have been hard at work to run down the guilty smugglers.

Following are the 28 names on the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector Agent Memorial, in chronological order:

Clarence Childress, El Paso Sector, died April 16, 1919

Charles Gardiner, El Paso Sector, died Oct. 22, 1922

Frank Clark, El Paso Sector, died Dec. 13, 1924

Thad Pippen, El Paso Sector, died April 21, 1927

Benjamin T. Hill, El Paso Station, died May 30, 1929

Ivan Scotten, El Paso Sector, died July 20, 1929

Doyne C. Melton, El Paso Station, died Dec. 7, 1933

Bert Walthall, El Paso Station, died Dec. 27, 1933

Ralph Ramsey, El Paso Sector, died Feb. 26, 1942

Michael T. Box, El Paso Sector (Air), died Aug. 29, 1950

Richard Clarke, El Paso Station, died Dec. 18, 1950

James Kirchner, El Paso Station, died Nov. 15, 1954

Edwin Curtis Dennis, Ysleta, died Feb. 4, 1974

Lee Bounds, Lordsburg, died March 29, 1974

Oscar Torres, El Paso Station, died Nov. 30, 1974

Louis D. Stahl, El Paso Sector (Air), died Jan. 6, 1992

Xavier Magdaleno, El Paso Station, died May 10, 1995

Rene B. Garza, Lordsburg, died Jan. 20, 1999

Ramon Navarez, Lordsburg, died March 15, 2007

David J. Tourscher, Lordsburg, died March 16, 2007

Leopoldo Cavazos Jr., Fort Hancock, died July 6, 2012

David Gomez, El Paso Station, died Nov. 16, 2016

Isaac Morales, Ysleta, died May 24, 2017

Johan Mordan, Lordsburg, died June 12, 2020

Freddie Vasquez, El Paso Station, died May 8, 2021

Edgardo Acosta-Feliciano, Deming, died July 31, 2021

Salvador Martinez Jr., El Paso Station, died Nov. 30, 2021

Trish Long may be reached at tlong@elpasotimes.com or 915-546-6179.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Immigration Inspector Childress killed in standoff with tequila smugglers
WASHINGTON  Tempers flared Thursday as Republicans battled among themselves over whether to accept or reject a deal for tougher immigration laws, with some pushing back on colleagues who want to bow to former President Donald Trump's wishes and kill it.

The border is a very important issue for Donald Trump. And the fact that he would communicate to Republican senators and Congress people that he doesnt want us to solve the border problem  because he wants to blame Biden for it  is really appalling, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, told reporters.

The American people are suffering as a result of whats happening at the border, he said. And someone running for president ought to try and get the problem solved, as opposed to saying, Hey, save that problem! Dont solve it! Let me take credit for solving it later.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., urged his colleagues not to make it all about politics at the behest of another candidate.

I didnt come here to have the president as a boss or a candidate as a boss. I came here to pass good, solid policy," Tillis said. It is immoral for me to think you looked the other way because you think this is the linchpin for President Trump to win.

Their comments came one day after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., in a private GOP meeting, outlined the political difficulties facing the emerging deal on immigration and foreign aid, including opposition from Trump as he cruises to the Republican presidential nomination. The belief among some conservatives is that preventing an agreement will cause voters to blame President Joe Biden for a chaotic situation at the border, even though he has endorsed the negotiations.

Trump's campaign declined to comment for this article. He has lambasted the deal on his social media platform, writing that Republicans should not "do a Border Deal, at all, unless we get EVERYTHING."

While senators said McConnell made clear Thursday he wasn't withdrawing his support for the pact, some insist the party should reject it because it doesn't go far enough in sealing the border. The deal has not been finalized as congressional appropriators work through the funding provisions.

I want a negotiation that will actually secure the border, where they cant weasel out of it, they cant drive a semi-truck through loopholes that are created in it, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., told reporters. What Senate leadership hasnt been able to describe is how the current negotiation, the elements that have been laid out for us, how that actually would work.

Johnson and a group of GOP senators held a press conference Wednesday blasting the deal, with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who faces re-election this fall, calling it utterly ineffective in fixing the problem because it would only partially bring down the numbers of asylum-seekers. He called the deal a fig leaf that pretends to do border security but doesnt actually do border security.

'Resign from the damn Senate'

Cruzs likely Democratic opponent this fall, Rep. Colin Allred, praised the emerging bipartisan deal, saying in a statement that Texans desperately need us to take action on the border crisis. But once again, Ted Cruz is not interested in finding solutions, only partisan politics. Our border communities are overwhelmed, and cant afford six more years of Ted Cruz and his cynical, partisan games.

Sen. Chris Murphy, of Connecticut, the chief Democratic negotiator, said it shouldnt be a shock to anybody that Donald Trump doesnt want to fix the border because he and a lot of Republicans are used to seeing it as a political issue, not an actual policy problem.

They are making a decision in the next 24 to 48 hours as to whether they want to solve the problem at the border or whether they just want to keep it live as a political issue, he said.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who faces re-election in a red state seen as crucial to the majority in 2024, had a one-word response when asked to respond to the GOP push to sink the deal: Bull-loney.

I think its crap, Tester told NBC News. We need to get that deal done to secure the border. If they want to keep it as a campaign issue, I think they need to resign from the damn Senate.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, another red-state Democrat facing re-election, said: They need to put politics aside and do this. The public wants it. They say they want it. We want it.

The fate of the deal looms over Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, the Arizona Democrat-turned-independent, who is one of the lead negotiators and hasnt decided whether shell run for re-election this fall.

Polls show her trailing against the likely Democratic and Republican nominees in a hypothetical three-way race. Securing a deal could give her a campaign message to voters in a border state as she seeks to cultivate an image as a bridge-builder between the parties.

Asked about Trumps attempts to kill the deal, Sinema said: I dont really have a comment on that. Look, were at a place where this package is almost done. And when the text comes out, senators will be able to review it and make their own decision. Do they want to secure the border? Its a choice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., adjourned the chamber on Thursday afternoon, vowing that Democrats remain committed to the deal and that negotiators will work all weekend in an effort to get this done.

While Democrats control the Senate 51-49, it would require 60 votes to break a guaranteed filibuster. And even then, there are no guarantees it can pass in a Republican-controlled House.

There are a good number of people for whom border security is too good an issue to give up, said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. And I do reject that. Ive always rejected the notion that perfect has to be the standard."

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., inveighed against the immigration negotiations and said many Republicans are just completely in the dark about the details. He added that he spoke to Trump recently, but that they didnt discuss border policy or Ukraine.

He talks about his election, Scott said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Four months after voting to acquit embattled Attorney General Ken Paxton of the 20 charges the Texas House levied against the state's top lawyer, including bribery and abuse of office, Sen. Drew Springer is calling for another impeachment trial, accusing Paxton and his legal team of possibly misleading the Senate during his September trial.

Paxton's impeachment last year was spurred by a yearslong whistleblower suit that the attorney general sought to end last week with a motion in Travis County state District Court saying he will accept the final judgement and "elects not to contest any issue of fact in this case, as to the claim or damages."

Springer, R-Muenster, who previously announced that he is retiring from the Senate, said in a letter to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and his colleagues in the upper chamber, that Paxton's most recent legal arguments in attempting to settle the wrongful termination lawsuit point to his possible guilt and warrant the upper chamber's continued attention.

Paxton "cannot admit guilt while claiming innocence," Springer said in a post on X on Thursday that included his letter. "I urge the Lt. Gov & my Senate colleagues to consider reopening Paxton's impeachment. Paxton has not only admitted to violating the articles of impeachment, but he is exposing Texas taxpayers to a settlement of WELL OVER $3.3M. Texans deserve the truth!"

AG Paxton said, in his whistleblower lawsuit, that he "elects not to contest any issue of fact in this case, as to the claim or damages." He cannot admit guilt while claiming innocence. I urge the Lt. Gov & my Senate colleagues to consider reopening Paxton's impeachment. Paxton pic.twitter.com/Z02SXRWdd8  Drew Springer (@DrewSpringer) January 25, 2024

After Paxton and the whistleblowers  four former top aides in the attorney general's office who say they were fired after complaining to the FBI of Paxton's possible criminal behavior in helping a friend and campaign donor  reached a $3.3 million settlement early last year that later fell apart after House members declined to pay for it and instead opened an investigation into the whistleblowers' allegations.

The House on May 27 overwhelmingly voted to impeach Paxton, and the Senate in September cleared him of wrongdoing after holding an impeachment trial. Paxton was acquitted largely along party lines with only Republican Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, and Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, joining Democrats in voting to permanently remove Paxton from office on certain charges.

After the impeachment trial, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the whistleblower case could move forward, and Paxton has unsuccessfully tried multiple times to have the case thrown out and his deposition blocked.

Sen. Drew Springer, R - Muenster, looks through binoculars at the gallery at the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton at the Capitol on Tuesday September 5, 2023.

All of those motions have been denied in Travis County state District Court. The 3rd Court of Appeals and Texas Supreme Court also rejected Paxton's motions.

"While AG Paxton claims this decision is not an admission of guilt, the fact of the matter is it is an admission of guilt," Springer wrote in his letter. "He can't accept the whistleblower's claims against him while touting that he's innocent against those very claims."

Springer also said that Paxton's effort to seek a financial settlement essentially creates a blank check for the whistleblowers "all in an attempt to avoid his own actions from being exposed."

More: Judge again rejects AG Ken Paxton's motion to block his deposition in whistleblower case

"At this stage, and the point of this letter, I am asking the Senate whether there is a legal mechanism to reopen the impeachment proceedings," Springer wrote. "Failure to at least consider this possibility runs the risk of AG Paxton making a mockery of the Texas Senate."

Later on Thursday, Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, echoed Springer's concern, equating Paxton's legal maneuvers to end the lawsuit to evidence worthy of further examination by the upper chamber.

"I agree with my colleague that AG Paxtons recent admissions in the whistleblower suit are also admissions to one or more of the articles of impeachment," Eckhardt posted on X. "I support the Senate reopening the impeachment proceedings in light of this substantial new evidence."

Paxton's office did not immediately respond Thursday to an American-Statesman request for comment.

Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, plays with a fidget toy during Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment trial in the Texas Senate at the Capitol in Austin on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023.

On Wednesday afternoon, District Judge Jan Soifer rejected Paxton's latest requests to vacate the previous ruling compelling his deposition in the whistleblower case and to schedule an emergency hearing on the issue.

In a statement responding to the ruling Wednesday evening, Paxton chastised Soifer's decision as being purely political and decried that the depositions "must proceed even after all facts were conceded and the defendant withdrew its opposition to the case."

Paxton, who has maintained his innocence while not publicly commenting on the allegations against him, is scheduled to be deposed in Austin on Feb. 1.

Patrick, who leads the Senate and presided over Paxton's impeachment trial, wasted no time after the Senate cleared the attorney general in September in criticizing the House for forwarding the impeachment charges to trial. From the seat from where he sat as judge, Patrick, reading from prepared remarks immediately after the trial's end, painted the impeachment proceeding as a political sham.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, middle, talks to lawyers during the 6th day of the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Senate chamber at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. Paxton pleaded not guilty last week to numerous articles of impeachment.

Patrick did not immediately respond Thursday to an American-Statesman request for comment.

Paxton "should not be allowed to enter into a judgment at taxpayers' expense to make this matter go away for his own personal and political benefit," Springer said in his letter. "AG Paxton has spent more time fighting the deposition than it would have taken him to answer questions truthfully."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Impeach Ken Paxton? Texas Republican says Senate needs to reconsider
Mississippians who need mental health treatment before they can stand trial have to wait in jail longer than people in any other state but Texas, according to a new national study by the nonprofit Treatment Advocacy Center.

But the Department of Mental Health says a new 83-bed forensic facility scheduled to open later this year will drastically reduce wait times. Its asking for $9.5 million from the Legislature to fully staff the facility and will open as many beds as it can with whatever funding it receives.

Forensic beds are reserved for people with a mental illness who have been charged with a crime and require treatment before they can stand trial, and for people who have been found not guilty by reason of insanity.

The report found that people in Mississippi who require competency restoration services wait an average of 9.6 months after a court has ordered them into treatment before being admitted to a state hospital. The only state where people waited longer was Texas, with an average wait of 1.2 years.

Adam Moore, spokesman for the Department of Mental Health, said the agency has been working to improve forensic services, and the new unit could make a huge difference.

If the new building were opened and fully staffed today, there would be very few individuals waiting for competency restoration in jail, and because the number of competency restoration beds would increase so dramatically, the wait times would be significantly reduced for those who werent admitted immediately, he said in an email.

Mississippians awaiting competency restoration are often incarcerated for months in county jails that typically offer little in the way of mental health services. For sheriffs, housing and protecting them can be a major challenge.

In September, Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten offered a tour of the jail he runs. He has been sounding the alarm about dangerous conditions in the jail for years. In 2022 the nonprofit protection and advocacy organization Disability Rights Mississippi informed the county it planned to investigate, saying jail conditions were simply put, deplorable and inhumane for any individual.

Most people facing charges in the county are sent across the river to the jail in Concordia Parish, Louisiana. But that jail wont accept people with serious mental illness, so the crumbling jail in downtown Natchez detains people waiting for treatment through the forensic or civil process.

A woman going through the civil commitment process, wearing a shirt labeling her a convict, is transported from her commitment hearing back to a county jail to await transportation to a state hospital in north Mississippi last spring.

In September, one of the jails two padded cells had been occupied for six months by a man awaiting forensic services.

Jailers dont get paid very much here, he said. But yet what the community is wanting is for them to be psychiatric nurses, and they are not equipped to do that.

The report by the Treatment Advocacy Center, which conducts research and lobbying aimed at making it easier for people with mental illness to get treatment, reviewed the availability of state hospital beds for psychiatric treatment around the country. The organization found the number of such beds reached a historic low last year, following decades of policy aimed at reducing the number of people with mental illness and developmental disabilities who are treated in institutions such as state hospitals.

The report also tallied beds available to people who have been ordered by a judge to receive psychiatric treatment through the civil commitment process. Unlike those awaiting forensic beds, such people havent been charged with a crime. But Mississippians going through the civil commitment process are frequently detained in jail, sometimes for days or weeks at a time, Mississippi Today and ProPublica reported last year. They are generally treated like criminal defendants and often unable to access prescribed psychiatric medications.

Since 2006, at least 14 people have died after being jailed during the civil commitment process.

Mississippi is a national outlier: Mississippi Today surveyed behavioral health officials and advocates in all 50 states to find that in no other state are people routinely jailed without criminal charges for days or weeks while they await civil commitment proceedings.

Mississippi officials involved in the commitment process often say they have to jail people because they have nowhere else to put them. But the Treatment Advocacy Center report found that Mississippi actually has more beds for such patients than most states: Mississippi has 9.8 civil beds for every 100,000 residents, more than all but six states and well above the national average of 5.2.

That finding suggests that a lack of treatment beds is not the core reason that Mississippi officials jail people solely because they may be mentally ill.

Polly Tribble, executive director of Disability Rights Mississippi, which advocates for the rights of people with disabilities including serious mental illness, said that in Mississippi, deinstitutionalization has not been accompanied by the development of effective community-based mental health services. Those services could help people stay stable so that they dont need inpatient treatment or behave in ways that lead to criminal charges.

Youre either going to the hospital or jail, she said. But if we could cut it off, before that, and help people stay at home, and stay in their community and get better, then we could fix it at the jail and the state hospital levels.

The Treatment Advocacy Center report also found that the number of state hospital beds in the state dropped by 31% from 2016 to last year. That decline was in part a response to a 2016 lawsuit by the Department of Justice alleging that Mississippi discriminated against people with mental illness by failing to provide services at the community level and instead forcing them into state hospitals.

Since then, the agency has shifted resources from the state hospitals to the community mental health centers that operate local services, including crisis stabilization units with beds that were not counted in the Treatment Advocacy Center report.

But the federal lawsuit is over, and the remedial order that required the state to expand community services has been overturned.

Department of Mental Health director Wendy Bailey told lawmakers on Wednesday that the agency remains committed to expanding community-based services.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  Portsmouths incoming city assessor has been mired in controversy in similar roles in the past.

Anthony Tony L. George, who was appointed with a 4-3 vote Tuesday night during a heated council meeting, has resigned or been terminated from two high-profile former real estate assessment positions.

In 2012, George resigned from his post as the chief tax appraiser for Washington, D.C. after the Washington Post reported his office made hundreds of deals with commercial property owners that cost the city about $2.6 billion in tax revenue, and allegations that he lied on his resume about why he left his previous job.

Two years prior, George was terminated from his position as the assistant chief appraiser in Fulton County, Georgia, after concerns that he forced lower-level staff to lower property values against their wishes. The Post also reported that Fulton County faced a lawsuit from female staffers who alleged George cultivated a culture of bullying and favored men over women.

George has since served as the chief appraiser for Jones County, Georgia, after being appointed to their board of tax assessors in December 2016.

WAVY has reached out to George for comment, and from county officials regarding his past and recent performance, but had yet to hear back at the time of publishing.

Meanwhile, its still not exactly clear how Portsmouth City Council came to select George, though at least one member of council said the move reeks of politics.

Vice Mayor Lisa Lucas-Burke moved Tuesday night to appoint George, after it was revealed that now former Interim City Assessor Janey Culpepper was not being retained amid undisclosed allegations made against her. Lucas-Burke said a very reputable source brought the allegations against Culpepper to her and she shared them with council in closed session on Monday.

Culpepper told WAVY she believes the allegations that led to her abrupt departure deal had to do with a request she made to City Treasurer Paige Cherrys office, which she says was routine and made to sound a lot worse than it was. She said she has nothing to hide and is awaiting the city attorneys investigation into the matter.

Councilman Bill Moody said during the meeting he believes the allegations are unfounded and that four members of this council have used to get in place the person that they want to be the assessor. Thats the truth of the matter. I cant wait to hear the city attorneys findings on the matter.

In a follow-up interview on Friday, Moody said he couldnt speak further on the personnel matters involving Culpepper and George, but said he thinks its all a political move on the four people on council, led by Vice Mayor [Lisa Lucas-Burke] who wants to be the mayor. Lucas-Burke, Councilman Mark Whitaker, Councilman Vernon Tillage Jr. and Council DeAndre Barnes were the four on council who voted for George.

WAVY reached out to Lucas-Burke multiple times for an interview but did not hear back. Requests for comment from Mayor Shannon Glover and Interim City Manager Mimi Terry via the city clerks office were also not returned before publication.

George will take over an office thats been plagued by turnover in recent years. Culpepper stepped in last year after former City Assessor Patrick Dorris was fired, and said she had the department on the right track. Culpepper told council back in December that one of her big goals going forward was an audit of commercial properties in the city, which in turn could lead to an increase in the citys tax revenue.

This all comes as Portsmouth, which has the highest percentage of tax-exempt property in the state at 41%, looks for ways to preserve and grow its tax base. WAVY reported this week that a potential purchase of the Virginia International Gateway by the Port of Virginia could cost the city $9 million in yearly tax revenue.

On a more positive note, Portsmouths casino netted more than $15 million in tax revenue for the city in its first year of operation, per Virginia Lottery data.

Rivers Casino celebrates 1-year anniversary with time capsule ceremony

George is expected to start the new role on April 1, with a $130,000 salary. Victor Edwards, who was already with the assessors office, has taken over as interim city assessor in the meantime, with a 10% pay raise.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Upgraded trains offer better travel experience for passengers in China's Heilongjiang

Xinhua) 08:17, January 26, 2024

Passengers ride the train K7065 from Harbin to Fuyuan in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 23, 2024. The train K7065/K7066 travels to and fro between the city of Harbin and Fuyuan in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. With a single journey time of nearly 15 hours, the train replaced old carriages with new ones having air conditioning system, offering a better travel experience for locals who visit friends or commute to work or study along the line. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

Driver Qiao Shuhai works at the cab of the train K7065 from Harbin to Fuyuan in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 23, 2024. The train K7065/K7066 travels to and fro between the city of Harbin and Fuyuan in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. With a single journey time of nearly 15 hours, the train replaced old carriages with new ones having air conditioning system, offering a better travel experience for locals who visit friends or commute to work or study along the line. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

Train K7066 runs along the railway from Fuyuan to Harbin in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 23, 2024. The train K7065/K7066 travels to and fro between the city of Harbin and Fuyuan in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. With a single journey time of nearly 15 hours, the train replaced old carriages with new ones having air conditioning system, offering a better travel experience for locals who visit friends or commute to work or study along the line. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

Driver Xu Ruinan works at the mechanical room of the train K7065 from Harbin to Fuyuan in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 23, 2024. The train K7065/K7066 travels to and fro between the city of Harbin and Fuyuan in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. With a single journey time of nearly 15 hours, the train replaced old carriages with new ones having air conditioning system, offering a better travel experience for locals who visit friends or commute to work or study along the line. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

Train conductor Xu Dan conducts inspection work on the train K7065 from Harbin to Fuyuan in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 22, 2024. The train K7065/K7066 travels to and fro between the city of Harbin and Fuyuan in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. With a single journey time of nearly 15 hours, the train replaced old carriages with new ones having air conditioning system, offering a better travel experience for locals who visit friends or commute to work or study along the line. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

A train attendant and a child paste a paper-cut window decoration on the train K7065 from Harbin to Fuyuan in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 23, 2024. The train K7065/K7066 travels to and fro between the city of Harbin and Fuyuan in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. With a single journey time of nearly 15 hours, the train replaced old carriages with new ones having air conditioning system, offering a better travel experience for locals who visit friends or commute to work or study along the line. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

Train attendant Zhao Mingjun conducts cleaning work on the train K7065 from Harbin to Fuyuan in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 23, 2024. The train K7065/K7066 travels to and fro between the city of Harbin and Fuyuan in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. With a single journey time of nearly 15 hours, the train replaced old carriages with new ones having air conditioning system, offering a better travel experience for locals who visit friends or commute to work or study along the line. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

Train attendants work on the platform as the train K7065 from Harbin to Fuyuan arrives in Fuyuan, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 23, 2024. The train K7065/K7066 travels to and fro between the city of Harbin and Fuyuan in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. With a single journey time of nearly 15 hours, the train replaced old carriages with new ones having air conditioning system, offering a better travel experience for locals who visit friends or commute to work or study along the line. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

A train attendant watches the sunrise after working overnight on the train K7065 from Harbin to Fuyuan in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 23, 2024. The train K7065/K7066 travels to and fro between the city of Harbin and Fuyuan in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. With a single journey time of nearly 15 hours, the train replaced old carriages with new ones having air conditioning system, offering a better travel experience for locals who visit friends or commute to work or study along the line. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

Driver Xu Ruinan works at the mechanical room of the train K7065 from Harbin to Fuyuan in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 23, 2024. The train K7065/K7066 travels to and fro between the city of Harbin and Fuyuan in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. With a single journey time of nearly 15 hours, the train replaced old carriages with new ones having air conditioning system, offering a better travel experience for locals who visit friends or commute to work or study along the line. (Xinhua)

Train attendant Gong Xuedong inspects the generator set on the train K7065 from Harbin to Fuyuan in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 22, 2024. The train K7065/K7066 travels to and fro between the city of Harbin and Fuyuan in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. With a single journey time of nearly 15 hours, the train replaced old carriages with new ones having air conditioning system, offering a better travel experience for locals who visit friends or commute to work or study along the line. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

Train attendants help a man get off a train in Honghe railway station in Jiamusi, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 23, 2024. The train K7065/K7066 travels to and fro between the city of Harbin and Fuyuan in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. With a single journey time of nearly 15 hours, the train replaced old carriages with new ones having air conditioning system, offering a better travel experience for locals who visit friends or commute to work or study along the line. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

A screenshot taken from an aerial video shows the train K7066 running along the railway from Fuyuan to Harbin in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 23, 2024. The train K7065/K7066 travels to and fro between the city of Harbin and Fuyuan in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. With a single journey time of nearly 15 hours, the train replaced old carriages with new ones having air conditioning system, offering a better travel experience for locals who visit friends or commute to work or study along the line. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

A student celebrates his birthday on the train K7065 from Harbin to Fuyuan in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 23, 2024. The train K7065/K7066 travels to and fro between the city of Harbin and Fuyuan in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. With a single journey time of nearly 15 hours, the train replaced old carriages with new ones having air conditioning system, offering a better travel experience for locals who visit friends or commute to work or study along the line. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

Passengers get off the train K7065 from Harbin to Fuyuan after arriving in Fuyuan, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 23, 2024. The train K7065/K7066 travels to and fro between the city of Harbin and Fuyuan in China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. With a single journey time of nearly 15 hours, the train replaced old carriages with new ones having air conditioning system, offering a better travel experience for locals who visit friends or commute to work or study along the line. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A Hays High School employee faces charges after she was accused of having an improper relationship with a student. mbbirdy/Getty Images

A Hays High School employee faces charges of child grooming and of having an improper relationship between an educator and a student.

Danielle Elizabeth Dunn, 32, a paraprofessional clerk, turned herself in Thursday at Hays County Jail, Kyle police said.

Hays Consolidated Independent School District received a report last weekend that Dunn was involved in an improper relationship with a student, and reported the information to Kyle police and Child Protective Services, according to the district.

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District officials said the student involved is a 17-year-old.

Dunn was fired Monday before she could return to work, school district officials said in a written statement.

Kyle police investigated and issued a warrant for Dunns arrest Tuesday.

She faces two felony charges: one count of improper relationship between an educator and student, a second-degree felony, and one count of child grooming, a third-degree felony.

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Dunn lives in Kyle, according to Hays County Jail records. She was released Thursday after posting bail.

We know these incidents are unsettling for our community, but we are working together with the school district during this difficult time to provide our students and affected families with the justice, care and support they deserve, Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett said in a written statement.

Dunn had been employed by Hays CISD since Aug. 22 and passed a background check before employment, according to the school district.

School district employees are placed in positions of tremendous trust and responsibility. Violating this trust is abhorrent and intolerable, Hays CISD said. Hays CISD maintains the highest possible screening and hiring safeguards, urgency in response to serious allegations, and the strongest partnerships with law enforcement to protect students.

Hays High School, about 20 miles south of Austin, is one of three high schools in the district and has almost 2,000 students.
Semafor Signals

Insights from The Hindu, Bloomberg, and CNBC

The News

India plans to rapidly expand its nuclear power generation as it prepares for a rise in its population and electricity consumption while looking to diversify its energy reserves.

In a recent interview with The Hindu newspaper, B.C. Pathak, chairman of the state nuclear corporation, said the country plans to commission a new nuclear reactor every year.

India, currently the third-largest energy consumer in the world, has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2070, and meeting half of its electricity requirements through renewable energy by 2030.

Currently, nuclear power only accounts for about 3% of its electricity generation. Nineteen reactors are already under construction, following the activation of its first homegrown Kakrapar-3 reactor in Gujarat last year.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

India partners with allies to boost nuclear power reserves

Sources: Bloomberg, The Hindu, Reuters, Nikkei Asia

India is partnering with France, the U.S., and Russia to install nuclear reactor units and address its power shortages. During French President Emmanuel Macrons visit to India this week, Electricite de France and Indias Department of Atomic Energy will likely complete a preliminary agreement to collaborate on small modular nuclear reactors, according to Bloomberg. Last year, U.S. President Joe Biden reaffirmed plans to install six nuclear reactors with Westinghouse Electric Company in southern India, and Russia has also signed an agreement with New Delhi for its Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project. But India must be aware of the security risk from being dependent on one country, Nikkei Asia reported, pointing at U.S. concerns over Indias growing ties with Moscow.

Coal will remain a key part of Indias power generation

Sources: CNBC, Le Monde

Whether we like it or not, coal will continue to have a role to play in India one energy analyst told CNBC, emphasizing that India cannot afford to shortchange growth as its population and energy consumption increases. Currently, 75% of Indias electricity power is derived from readily available coal plants. The construction of hydropower power plants have been met with consistent delays and existing grid infrastructure is not yet fully equipped to handle variable sources like solar and wind. The French company EDFs partnership with India on the proposed Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant has been reaffirmed repeatedly over the last decade, but has been held back by financing and liability issues. EDF and NPCIL were aware of this from the start, but they swept the issue under the carpet and now find themselves up against a wall, one official told Le Monde.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The International Court of Justice is ordering Israel to take measures to prevent a genocide inside Gaza.

The White House stands by Israel but also says the goal of the order brought forward by South Africas government is something they support.

Friday, the International Court ordered Israels military to do all it can to prevent the death destruction and genocide of Palestinians.

It should serve as a wake-up call for Israel, said Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki.

The Palestinian foreign minister welcomes the ruling.

Both the White House and Israel reject allegations Israel is committing genocidal war crimes in Gaza.

Its not only false, its outrageous, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Since Hamas launched its October 7th attack against Israel killing 1200 people, Israels military has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians in Gaza and displaced nearly 2 million.

Our war is against Hamas terrorists. Not against Palestinian civilians, Netanyahu said.

The court ruling is legally binding but not enforceable and stops short of calling for a ceasefire.

It does call on Hamas to release more than 130 Israeli hostages.

Friday, the White House said the U.S. remains focused on getting hostages out of Gaza and stands by Israels fight against Hamas.

It is as vital now as it was on the 7th of October, said NSC Strategic Communications Coordinator, John Kirby.

As part of the ruling the court is requiring Israel to increase humanitarian aid inside Gaza.

Israel has about a month to prove its following the U.N.s demands.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Never again.

These two words are at the center of Holocaust Education. Never again.

This Thursday, Conrad Weiner, a survivor of the Holocaust, gave testimony at the University of Kentucky, as part of Holocaust Education and Remembrance Week. I brought my children to witness this rare opportunity. My 7-year old daughter asked me, What does never again mean?

Jan. 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Its a day set aside to remember the unique evil of the Holocaust, of the attempt by the Nazis and their allies to eradicate the Jewish people, and their murder of six million Jews. The day chosen is very deliberate. It is not the anniversary of Kristalnacht, often cited as the start of the Holocaust, or Babi Yar, one of the largest mass killings. Rather, Jan. 27 is the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp.

The United Nations chose the day that Jews were liberated by Allied Forces. They chose the day when the world finally took action to stop the Holocaust.

At the heart of Holocaust education is not a history lesson, its a morality lesson. When we recite never again, we dont mean never again will there be concentration camps. Sadly, it doesnt mean that never again will Jews be assaulted, murdered, or pursued.

Never again means never again will the world stand idly by as evil rages. Never again will the world look the other way when Jews are slaughtered.

Holocaust education is not a history lesson but a morality lesson.

The words Never Again have an entirely new urgency in the wake of the Oct. 7 massacres.

Twelve hundred Jews were slaughtered. Civilians were burnt alive and decapitated, women were raped, and infants were brutalized. 240 innocents were kidnapped, and 138 are still being held, including a 9 month old baby.

Shockingly, these atrocities were not met with silence but with cheers. Rallies in support of Hamas, who call for the death of every Jew on earth, took place in London, Berlin, and Paris.

In Sydney, they chanted Gas the Jews, while in New York, the swastika was displayed alongside posters calling for genocide.

Here in Kentucky, within hours of the massacre, rallies in support of Hamas were organized at the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. Flyers praising the perpetrators of the heinous crimes were posted around campus, and as first responders worked to save lives and identify bodies, celebratory slogans were chanted, with calls for further violence. Since Oct 7, Kentucky and the world has seen a massive rise in antisemitic incidents.

As we mark the moral lesson of International Holocaust Day we must say together: Never Again.

Never again will we turn a blind eye. Never again will we allow antisemitism to rage unchecked.

Never again is now. When my daughters asked me the meaning of Never Again, I shared with them the words of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the foremost Jewish leader of the modern era, who pointed out that Germany in the 1930s was the most educated nation on earth. It was the home of Ernst and Einstein, of Wagner and Klimt.

Education alone is not enough. Education must include a foundation of morality.

As we mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, we must recommit to teaching the morals that are too often missing on our college campuses, institutions of learning, as rallies of hate take place.

We must champion efforts like those in the Kentucky State House, in HB 96, to create a moment of silence for students in the commonwealth, to introduce mindful thought and values into the classroom.

We must each raise our collective voices, and do our part to build a society and a moral education system in which Never Again is a reality.

On this Holocaust Remembrance Day, we must personally and communally assert Never Again is now.

Rabbi Shlomo Litvin is chair of the Kentucky Jewish Council and director of the Chabad Center of the Bluegrass.
BINA48, the groundbreaking AI inspired by the real-life Bina Rothblatt, a Black woman, continued to both excite crowds at the Sundance premiere of the documentary

BINA48, the groundbreaking AI inspired by the real-life Bina Rothblatt, a Black woman, continued to both excite crowds at the Sundance premiere of the documentary "Love Machina" and provoke concern over how Black female identity is interpreted in the mostly white-led digital landscape.

PARK CITY, Utah  Much has been written about how many Hollywood projects make strides in representation but lack the experience or creative input from those represented to pull off culturally convincing art that engages with the realities that plague those communities. The same is true when it comes to artificial intelligence, and the issue is just as pressing.

In an effort to address the lack of more culturally inclusive AI, not enough attention has been paid to what, for example, it means to have a Black female image as its face. Is it just about marking off an empty effort toward diversity? Is it another example of cashing in on the trend of Black images? Or is it to actually reflect and connect with Black girls and women?

A lot of those answers point to a problem with the people behind these products, mostly white men, who too often dont recognize risks like perpetuating or glossing over stereotypes or cultural exploitation that could impact the already vulnerable human inspirations.

Or, on the flip side of that, what success among Black female consumers could mean if the AI wasnt created with them in mind, despite their likeness being a selling point? Two documentaries that premiered at this years Sundance Film Festival raise these issues and more, with varying results.

Director Jazmin Jones grapples with her adoration for the Black female AI figure that sparked her digital education and the real story behind how its inspiration was exploited by white tech guys in the '80s in her film

Director Jazmin Jones grapples with her adoration for the Black female AI figure that sparked her digital education and the real story behind how its inspiration was exploited by white tech guys in the '80s in her film "Seeking Mavis Beacon."

Seeking Mavis Beacon, directed by Jazmin Jones, examines the impact of Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, a product launched in 1987 that used the face of Haitian American model Renee LEsperance to sell products that taught people how to type and use the computer. None of the audio, the brands name, the instruction or anything beyond her image was actually hers.

It went on to earn hundreds of millions of dollars for its makers (Joe Abrams, Les Crane and Walt Bilofsky), owing much of that to Black girls and women. The film alleges that the actual LEsperance, whos long since disappeared from the public eye, was paid only $400.

Part of the products boom was due to the belief held by many consumers that Mavis Beacon was a real-life gorgeous, brilliant, dark-skinned Black woman whose likeness and presumed life experiences appealed to an underserved audience in digital media at the time and still today.

With no relation to the then-obscured identity of LEsperance, a cosmetics counter model in the 80s who, as Crane describes her in the film, donned three-inch nails (or five-inch, depending on whos telling the story) and looked like she had never touched a keyboard in her life. But she apparently served Cranes and his partners purpose  being a Black woman.

While LEsperances employers had a frivolous regard for her potential and what shed represent, Black female users developed a trust in the AI and, by very distant extension, the model as well. That maintains today as fans in Seeking Mavis Beacon, such as Jones and associate producer Olivia McKayla Ross, reckon with what her image has meant to them.

If I could address Renee LEsperance, a Black female user reflects in the film, my first thought is  you did it. You inspired a young Black kid to type and feel embodied with whatever aspiration I had. It was nice to see a familiar face, and thats priceless.

Its hard not to hear how the product has impacted her all these years and not think about the makers disregard and lack of cultural foresight for a Black female image that turned them into millionaires.

With her being Black, I feel like Im at least being engaged in conversation and theres space for me to think about whats happening here, the fan continued. If she was white, then I wouldnt think about it, unfortunately. It would be like White Noise Teaches Typing.

Much of Seeking Mavis Beacon is peppered with these personal tributes to the elusive LEsperance and her AI, including from Jones and Ross, self-proclaimed e-girl detectives (a moniker that should give you a sense of the shifting tones throughout the doc). The pair become the films default stars as they investigate and contemplate difficult truths.

But the questions they begin to ask themselves and their audience about Black womens relationship with their images in AI is what most resonates in the film. How does an appreciation for this kind of product evolve upon learning that they werent considered in the making of it?

I would like to claim that back in 1987, we were totally woke and we planned for Mavis to be an icon, Bilofsky admits in the documentary. We were in the right place at the right time. Les had the genius idea to put a Black person on the title and on the cover as a marketing thing.

Its the creators last sentence there that sits most uncomfortably. To be fair, Bilofskys shortsightedness was pretty typical for white tech guys in the 80s. But decades later, his comments throughout Jones interview with him dont invoke confidence that hes any more prepared to engage in conversation beyond the Black female image being just good business.

A lingering detail, uncovered in Seeking Mavis Beacon, that LEsperance sued the Mavis Beacon makers in 1999 for misusing her image  including creating animated versions  without her consent or compensation only adds insult to injury.

How much of the models Blackness was marketing strategy and how much was it about manipulating it to bolster deep-seated images of Black women as, Ross ponders in the film, servile fembots like Mammy from Gone with the Wind and others throughout cinema history? Seeking Mavis Beacon offers no answers to that.

In

In "Seeking Mavis Beacon," associate producer Olivia McKayla Ross ponders whether the success of digital teaching tools using Black female images perpetuates the longstanding stereotype of Black women in servile positions to white people like Mammy (Hattie McDaniel) in the 1939 film "Gone With the Wind."

Instead, the filmmakers lead their audience to another question: Should any of this matter when the AI figure had so much of a positive impact on them and many other Black girls and women? Does this conversation serve to only problematize an important tech contribution?

Well, the problems acknowledged throughout Seeking Mavis Beacon would still exist without the documentary or any of us discussing it. Its crucial to dig into them and the multiple truths surrounding them, such as allowing people space to hold something that is both significant and problematic at the same time.

Love Machina, Sundances other AI documentary featuring the digital face of a Black woman, flattens that dialogue almost completely. While it isnt set around issues of race in advanced technology, like Seeking Mavis Beacon is, it still leaves the audience with the same questions. The trouble is, it doesnt acknowledge them as actual problems.

Part of that stems from the basis of Love Machina. It tells the story of tech innovators and married couple Bina and Martine Rothblatt, who want their four-decade romance to continue long after they die in the form of their AI versions.

Both Martine and Bina, who is Black, are interviewed, along with their children, by a bevy of scientists, futurists and other experts on the journey and phenomenon of BINA48, an AI launched in 2010 that preserves the real-life Binas consciousness in the form of a bust with her likeness.

"Love Machina" doesn't attempt to confront or even acknowledge the longstanding issues that stem from reductive or stereotypical images of Black women through a largely white and male gaze.

BINA48 has since gained worldwide acclaim and sparked a lot of attention around the possibilities of science and technology. For the Rothblatts in particular, though, BINA48 is also a way to promote their belief in a benevolent future without the hate and prejudice that are prominent in the human world.

On one hand, Love Machina is a beautiful romance for the ages, propelled by what has become the very real possibility of everlasting love. On the other? BINA48 still has to coexist and contend with the preeminent reality of bias, racism and sexism throughout the rest of humanity.

But it doesnt. In fact, its not even programmed to do so. Much like how the real-life Bina portrays herself in Love Machina, the AI responds to the world through an idealized lens where humans are attuned to each others needs and are one with nature.

Its hard to tell from the movie whether human Bina actually believes that this idyllic reality can actually supersede our actual reality or if she was simply never asked more direct questions from filmmaker Peter Sillen, a white man, about how she and her AI respond to race. If the latter, you have to ask: Why?

And what questions, in the transference of Binas consciousness to the AI, was she asked to flesh out BINA48  and by whom? Love Machina doesnt seem to be curious about any of this.

Aside from her daughter, Jenesis, Bina is among the rare Black women who appear in the documentary. The creators behind BINA48 at Hanson Robotics are also mostly male and white, further marginalizing the experiences and voices of Black women despite this groundbreaking achievement on which Love Machina is fixated.

It becomes a white success story anchored by the supposedly pliant image of a Black woman. That never feels right.

Even when the subject of BINA48s race as it impacts her functionality comes up in Love Machina, its makers only acknowledge their limited expertise and how hard they worked to find the right skin color for the AI. They do, however, recognize how significant it is that a tech like BINA48 has the face of a Black woman.

(Counterclockwise from the top): Peter Sillen, Martine Rothblatt, Bina Rothblatt, BINA48, and Bruce Duncan celebrate the success of the Black female AI at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

(Counterclockwise from the top): Peter Sillen, Martine Rothblatt, Bina Rothblatt, BINA48, and Bruce Duncan celebrate the success of the Black female AI at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

But what difference does any of that make when they dont engage with what Black womanhood even means? It becomes a Black female image through a white male point of view. While it seems to come with the real-life Binas full consent, the implications of BINA48 arent much different from Mavis Beacons.

In fact, Seeking Mavis Beacon does a much better job of grappling with the racial complexities of BINA48 within a few short minutes than Love Machina ever attempts to do throughout its entire runtime.

Amid its contemplation of race in AI, Seeking Mavis Beacon includes an interview with Stephanie Dinkins, a Black female transmedia artist who has had her own frustrations with trying to connect with the so-called human-inspired BINA48, describing it as a cagey character.

When you start to ask a robot about love, Dinkins explains in the doc, when you start to ask a robot about race, the answers felt really flat to me, very politically correct. And that just scared the crap out of me.

A contribution like BINA48, or even Mavis Beacon for that matter, can never be fully equipped for the real world if theres a total disregard or lack of understanding of what that means for the Black female image theyre supposed to represent at the onset of their creation. Its an awkward reflection to witness, even watching it on film.

If that is the way Black people are being depicted in technologies, especially in technologies made by people who have really good aims in the long run, that means weve got problems, Dinkins continued. In the future, we will be this flat thing.

A flat thing that will only serve to benefit the notion of a future that clunkily erases any trace of historical context without reckoning with those histories themselves. Thats not different from what is referred to today as a post-racial world. Its an attempt to solve systemic problems weve never adequately addressed. Thats not better, and its definitely not ideal.

While wavering in focus at times, Seeking Mavis Beacon at least copes with all these things at once, notably from the minds and curiosity of Black women interested in conversations around Black female images in AI. Love Machina, however, only manages to perpetuate long-standing issues.
Maj. Gen. Phillip A. Stewart, right, former commander of the 19th Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, faces a court-martial on charges of sexually assaulting a female subordinate. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News

Air Force Maj. Gen. Phillip A. Stewart's defense against charges he sexually assaulted a female subordinate rests on his claim that the two had a consensual affair and she never said "no" to him.

An Air Force hearing examiner who reviewed the evidence against Stewart said a court-martial was not warranted and the charges should be resolved administratively. Stewart's boss, Lt. Gen. Brian S. Robinson, rejected that recommendation and ordered Stewart to stand trial. A court-martial is scheduled for June.

Now, new details have emerged about the hearing examiner's findings. They show that Col. Brian Thompson was emphatic in advising Robinson that the evidence against Stewart was flimsy and prosecutors had "no likelihood" of securing a sexual-assault conviction at trial.

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RELATED: Air Force general seeks to retire to avoid trial on rape charge

"I will not hedge; even taking the evidence presented in the light most favorable to the prosecution, no rational trier of fact could find the elements of sexual assault here beyond a reasonable doubt, Thompson wrote in his Oct. 29, 2023, report.

At no point did (the alleged victim) express, through words or conduct, that she was not freely agreeing/consenting to engage in the sexual acts with accused, Thompson wrote. The woman "never said 'no' or 'stop,' or took a physical action that would have communicated 'no' or 'stop,'" the report states.

Still, Thompson's findings were far from uniformly favorable for Stewart. His report states that when Air Force investigators interviewed the woman a month after the encounter, "she believed in her mind that the sexual acts were nonconsensual." She told investigators she was "just too shocked and scared to say anything," and that Stewart "never asked if it were OK. He never asked if I wanted to."

RELATED: Air Force general accused of rape insists sex was consensual

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Thompson also said the general was guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and engaging in a prohibited extramarital affair, offenses for which Stewart himself, in the past, had recommended prosecutions of subordinate officers.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Phillip A. Stewart, shown in an official portrait, was a command pilot with more than 2,600 hours in the air, including more than 600 hours in combat. He served as commander of the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Balad Air Base in Iraq and was commanding general of the NATO Train Advise Assist Command-Air in Kabul, Afghanistan.

'Loss of confidence'

Thompson's findings and recommendation grew out of an Article 32 evidentiary hearing at which he presided. Like a civilian grand jury proceeding, an Article 32 hearing is held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence of a crime to warrant a trial.

A defense lawyer for Stewart previously shared parts of Thompson's report with the San Antonio Express-News. More recently, a separate source provided the paper with additional portions of the document. The Express-News asked the Air Force for a copy of the entire report, and for comment from Robinson on his decision to reject Thompson's recommendation. The service did not respond to the requests.

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Stewart is accused of sexually assaulting the female officer at or near Altus Air Force Base in southwestern Oklahoma on April 13, 2023, and again the following day. At the time, he was commander of the 19th Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, the services pilot training arm.

In May, Robinson, head of the Air Education and Training Command, of which the 19th Air Force is a part, stripped Stewart of his command, citing "a loss of confidence in his ability to lead."

Stewart is only the second general in Air Force history to face a court-martial.

Thompson issued his recommendation to Robinson after the Article 32 hearing, which was held Oct. 24, 2023, at Randolph AFB's ornate administration building, known as the Taj Mahal. At that hearing, Stewart's defense team asserted that the sexual encounter was voluntary, and Air Force prosecutors countered that given Stewart's rank, the woman had no choice but to submit.

In recommending that Stewart not be ordered to stand trial, Thompson said Air Force prosecutors had no evidence he forced the woman to have sex. "There is no likelihood that the government here would be able to obtain and sustain a conviction in a trial by court-martial," Thompson wrote.

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His report cited comments the woman made to Air Force investigators: And Ive never told him no for anything, and Im ... I dont know why ... I couldnt. I just let him, and it was like some weird autopilot like, like, it wasnt even me ... it was just mechanical.

Thompson said the woman told investigators that "at times she 'encouraged' accused" and that "when he asked/offered to perform oral sex on her she essentially allowed him to do so."

Thompson, summarizing the evidence, wrote that the woman "engaged in conversation with (the) accused during breaks between the sexual acts, laughing at him, teasing him, and complimenting him, talking about how they would keep the sexual encounter from their spouses, letting him know she had an IUD." He added that "she and accused continued kissing during breaks between the sexual acts."

Thompson said Stewart and the woman lay in bed together "for long periods of time when they were not engaged in sexual acts. During this time, they interacted consistent with individuals engaged in a consensual encounter ... and they continued to kiss."

The hearing examiner advised Robinson that it would be impossible for the prosecution to prove "that accused was not acting on an honest and reasonable belief that (she) was consenting to the charged sexual acts."

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Thompson wrote that even if the woman "formed in her mind the belief that she was not consenting," Stewart could not have known that. "Without words or facts that communicated non-consent, no reasonable person in accused's position would have believed that (she) manifested a lack of consent to the sexual acts in any way," the report says.

Up to 63 years if convicted

Stewart faces court-martial on four charges: sexual assault, conduct unbecoming an officer, dereliction of duty and extramarital sexual conduct. Hes also accused of violating Air Force rules by flying an aircraft after consuming alcohol within 12 hours of takeoff at Altus AFB on April 14, 2023.

Thompson recommended that all of those charges be resolved outside of a court-martial. He urged Robinson to order an Article 15 proceeding, a nonjudicial process in which a commander sets the punishment for minor violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Under Thompson's recommendation, Stewart also would have gone before a grade determination board to decide whether his rank should be reduced, a step that would cut his military pension.

Instead, Robinson ordered that Stewart face trial on all of the charges.

If convicted of all the allegations against him, Stewart would face a maximum penalty of 63 years in a military penitentiary and dismissal from the Air Force, the equivalent of a dishonorable discharge.

Thompson's report said that although there was probable cause to believe Stewart had committed a "bottle-to-throttle" violation - drinking alcohol within 12 hours of takeoff - Air Force prosecutors could not cite a previous case in which a pilot had been court-martialed for the infraction.

'Shady' conduct

Thompson's report also details the evidence underlying the charge of conduct unbecoming an officer, which arose from an incident separate from the sexual encounter at Altus AFB.

In March 2023, Stewart and the female subordinate attended a conference in Denver. Thompson's report says Stewart texted the woman three times urging her to spend the night in his hotel room. The woman declined.

She later became upset over the exchange and showed the texts to the 19th Air Force command chief and an aide, "who thought accused's efforts were 'shady,'" Thompson wrote. "They were shady," he went on. "Perhaps accused would assert that he was just looking out for the safety of one of his subordinates who was drinking late into the night. But he did not offer to secure transportation for her or offer to try to get her a room at the conference hotel.

"Rather he wanted her to come sleep in his room with him, at least at the outset on separate beds, and was disturbingly persistent in making this offer," Thompson wrote. He concluded, "It is not difficult to define accused's actions on 7 March 2023 as unbecoming an officer." Nonetheless, he recommended that "this offense be disposed of other than by court-martial."

Last week, Stewart's lawyers petitioned Robinson to allow the general to retire rather than face trial. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall III will have the final say on that request.

The 19th Air Force is responsible for all flight training operations within the Air Education and Training Command. As head of the 19th, Stewart oversaw 32,000 employees and 1,530 aircraft assigned to 17 wings across the United States.

He was a command pilot with more than 2,600 hours in the air, including over 600 hours in combat. Among other assignments, he served a stint as commander of the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Balad Air Base in Iraq and was commanding general of the NATO Train Advise Assist Command-Air in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The Iowa Secretary of States office has filed a bill to prevent Iowans from challenging Donald Trumps place on the 2024 general election ballot on 14th Amendment grounds.

The former president, who won victories in Iowa and New Hampshire this month, is the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in 2024.

But Trump has faced challenges to his candidacy in more than 30 states, including Colorado and Maine, which have said he should be removed from their primary ballots under Section 3 of the U.S. Constitutions 14th Amendment that bars officials from holding office again if they have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States.

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Trumps appeal of the Colorado challenge starting Feb. 8, which revolved around his actions leading up to and during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, and the courts decision could determine what happens in other states.

If the bill in Iowa passed, Iowans could still challenge Trumps eligibility in court, but not through the states law for objecting to candidates appearing on the ballot.

Incumbent Secretary of State Paul Pate speaks to the crowd during the Iowa GOP election night celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the Hilton Des Moines Downtown.

How would the Iowa bill limit ballot challenges for Trump?

The bill filed by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, a Republican, would limit the grounds for any challenges to a presidential candidate in the general election.

Political parties must submit a certificate with the names of their presidential and vice presidential candidates to the Iowa Secretary of States office 81 days before the general election.

Under the bill, challenges to presidential candidates would be limited to whether that certificate meets all the legal requirements.

It would pretty clearly foreclose any challenge to a presidential candidate for being not qualified under the United States Constitution, Derek Muller, an election law professor at the University of Notre Dame Law School, said of the bill. So it would be designed to foreclose a challenge like those filed in Colorado in Maine.

Under current law, Iowans can challenge primary and general election candidates eligibility to appear on the ballot on a variety of grounds.

All eyes on the Palmetto State: Is Donald Trump on the N.C. presidential primary ballot? (usatoday.com)

Ashley Hunt, a spokesperson for Pate, said current law provides a presumption of validity to the paperwork candidates file to run for office and limits what issues are eligible for objection.

This simply extends that same standard to all candidates explicitly, she said in an email.

Asked how the bill would affect any potential challenges to Trump, Hunt said it would clarify Iowas objection process.

To the best of our knowledge, in 2015, Mr. Trump met the Constitutional requirements to be president and continues to do so, Hunt said in an email. Mr. Trump has not been convicted of anything that disqualifies him to be president. This bill simply helps clarify the objection process for Iowa.

Iowa bill would remove felony ban for federal candidates

The Iowa bill would also limit the grounds for challenging all federal candidates, including for the presidency and Congress, by restricting those challenges to the candidates' age, residency, citizenship, and whether their nominating papers meet all the legal requirements.

Hunt said eligibility requirements for Congress and the presidency are laid out in the U.S. Constitution, and states do not have the authority to place additional requirements on federal candidates as they can with candidates for state office.

Iowa law requires candidates for all offices, including federal offices, to attest that they are aware that they are disqualified from holding office if they have been convicted of a felony. The bill would remove that requirement for federal candidates for Congress and the presidency.

GOP momentum: 5 things we learned from Donald Trumps landslide victory in the 2024 Iowa Caucuses

Trump currently faces 91 felony charges in four criminal cases around the country.

The U.S. Constitution sets eligibility requirements for Congress and POTUS, Hunt said in an email. This update ensures affidavits comply with those requirements.

Muller said he sees the bills language as more of a technical cleanup.

You cant challenge somebody for being a felon for federal office because thats not one of the qualifications listed in the Constitution, Muller said. So this is designed to pull that out and say this is not a basis for an objection.

The text of the pre-filed bill from the secretary of states office appeared on the Iowa Legislatures website on Jan. 18. It has not yet been given a bill number or assigned to a committee.

Under current Iowa law, objections to candidates must be made in writing. A three-member State Objection Panel, comprised of the state secretary, the state auditor, and the attorney general, hears the challenges.

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: Iowa bill would bar 14th Amendment challenges to Trump's candidacy
Iowa's private schools saw an enrollment increase last fall of several thousand students under a new state law that allows families to use taxpayer funds to pay for nonpublic education.

The Oct. 1, 2023, statewide student count showed private school enrollment rose just over 7% from the previous year for a 2023-24 school year count of 36,195 students, according to numbers released by the Iowa Department of Education Friday.

Of those students, 16,757 used the state's recently created education savings accounts to pay for their school expenses, the department's news release states. The state had approved almost 19,000 students to access the funds ahead for the current 2023-24 school year.

Royal Legacy Christian Academy in Waterloo and its mission of inclusion and diversity are benefiting from Iowa's education savings accounts program.

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed education savings accounts into law during the 2023 legislative session. The accounts allow Iowa families to apply for about $7,600 per student for private school expenses including tuition and fees.

The accounts use funds that otherwise would have followed the student to the public school district he or she attended.

Related: Nearly 19,000 Iowa students approved for education savings accounts. What that means:

Roughly two in three students using the ESA accounts had previously attended a private school, the news release states. About 21% using the accounts started kindergarten this year and more than 12% previously attended a public school.

Statewide, public school enrollment was down about .57% from last year for a total of 483,699 students, the release stated. Certified enrollment numbers are used to determine public school funding for the next school year.

Related: Gov. Kim Reynolds touts passage of 'school choice' law as conservative group honors Iowa

Previously, Reynolds, a proponent of school choice, has said education savings accounts would raise the bar for everyone.

"It will make education better across the board," she said at the time.

Critics denigrated the plan as a giveaway for families who already could afford to send their kids to private school at the expense of public schools, particularly in rural areas.

Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @svhernandez or Facebook at facebook.com/svhernandezreporter.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa private school enrollment rises with education savings accounts
A new video features a familiar-looking missile flight profile and seeker perspective from a very unfamiliar source. The clip shows a missile being launched and quickly climbing before flying toward a cliff-side Israeli surveillance outpost along the border with Lebanon. The weapon then dives towards its target  a dome structure  before the screen goes dark. While this looks very much like the videos we have seen from Israeli Spike-series anti-tank missiles over the years, instead this footage comes from the country's nemesis to the north, Hezbollah .

The Spike series, which traces its origins back decades, was innovative when it first emerged in that the missiles allowed for man-in-the-loop first-person control in flight. This means they could also be launched and fly towards a target area before being locked onto a target (lock-on after launch). In other words, the target wouldn't even need to be line-of-sight of the launcher. This allowed for many new tactical possibilities, including hitting targets behind cover and even finding a target's exact location after launch. The missile could even be diverted to another target midway through its flight. In most versions, once fired, a long line of fiber-optic cable spooled out behind the missile providing connectivity to the person controlling it. Others, such as the extended range Spike-NLOS , use wireless datalink.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-sZ6aYl_K4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1yXsGfo4mI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY9-wnIj7Go

Today, many Spike variants exist, including long-range vehicle-mounted variants and shorter ranged man-portable variants that look similar to other modern ATGM launchers, like the U.S. FGM-148 Javelin . The missile family has gained significant popularity in recent years and the U.S. Army is now a customer for the Spike NLOS version for use on its AH-64E Apache helicopters.

Regardless, Iran has made its own missile system named Almas that uses an identical concept of operations and was clearly 'inspired' by Spike. In fact, it is understood to have been developed by reverse engineering Spike missiles that fell into Hezbollah hands during its war with Israel in 2006 and were subsequently funneled back to Iran for exploitation. Almas was unveiled in 2021 and it now has man-portable, air-launched, and ground/surface vehicle-launched versions in production.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlvX2GxBugA

It is one of these Iranian Almas missiles that appears to be in use in the video in question, offering the ability to make indirect attacks from a considerable distance away from its launch point. In some ways, the Spike series has been made less unique with the rise of first-person view and other man-in-the-loop kamikaze drones, although one can also see it as something of a progenitor to these systems.

The fact that Hezbollah is in possession of these weapons shouldn't come as a big surprise as Iran has transferred vast quantities of ever more advanced missiles and rockets to the Lebanon-based militant group. As the video clearly shows, weapons like Almas present a unique defensive challenge for Israeli Defense Forces as they can pop-up and attack targets that traditional ATGMs cannot, including sensor-strewed surveillance posts on the top of small mountains, as depicted in the video.

Almas ATGM launcher assembly. (Uncredited)

If anything else, the video serves as another reminder of how increasingly advanced weaponry is being from Iran to its proxies across the Middle East. Capabilities once only available to leading-edge militaries are now in the hands of militant groups. This has been a central news story as of late with the first use of anti-ship ballistic missiles by Houthi forces in Yemen and Iranian-backed Iraqi militias are now deploying short-range ballistic missiles. These are just a couple examples, there are many others.

With Israel's war with Hamas continuing on, and skirmishes with Hamas continuing along the Israeli-Lebanese border, this won't likely be the last video we see of these missiles in action, especially now that they are officially confirmed as being in Hezbollah's hands.

Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com
An Irish national who was arrested by Braintree police in the fall on a charge of larceny from an elderly person has been deported back to the Emerald Isle, according to a statement from Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston.

The 25-year-old man was handed over to Irish law enforcement and sent out of the country Jan. 17, according to the Jan. 24 statement. Authorities in Ireland, where he already has criminal convictions, want him on assault charges and open arrest warrants.

(The man) represented a threat to the residents of our Massachusetts communities, and (Enforcement and Removal Operations) was not going to let him evade justice," said Todd M. Lyons, the agency's Boston field office director. "We cannot allow New England to become a safe haven for the worlds criminals.

'Irish traveler' scam

The Irish national and another man were arrested this past November in Maynard for taking part in what is described as the "Irish traveler" scam. Another Irish native, arrested in Quincy on Jan. 20 following a traffic stop, is suspected of engaging in the scam on the South Shore.

Lights on the roof of a police vehicle.

"These scams usually start with an unsolicited visit to someone's home by a contractor stating they have 'leftover materials' and the person keeps finding more items to repair on your property," a news release from. Quincy police said following the man's arrest.

In that case, police seized over $70,000 in U.S. and foreign currency, foreign identification documents and stolen jewelry.

Quincy police notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the case remains under investigation.

The driver was issued a summons to appear in Quincy District Court to face motor vehicle offenses, Quincy police said.

Irish national's timeline  and arrests  in New England

In August 2021, the man who was deported entered the United States at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey with a visa waiver. He later overstayed his admission, the agency's statement said.

In October 2023, Braintree police arrested him for open warrants and charged him with larceny.

Enforcement and Removal Operations learned about his arrest and filed a request to detain him due to his immigration status with Quincy District Court. The court, however, granted the man's release on bail and pretrial conditions.

In November 2023, Maynard police arrested him on charges of larceny, conspiracy and home improvement fraud.

During a routine admission-list screening of all foreign-born inmates at the Norfolk County Sheriff's Department in November 2023, Enforcement and Removal Operations came across his name and lodged another immigration detention request against him, according to the agency's statement.

In December, in Concord District Court, he was sentenced to a one-year suspended sentence, three years of probation and release upon paying $30,000 restitution, the agency said.

Following his release on the same day, the Middlesex County Sheriffs office transferred him to Enforcement and Removal Operations' custody.

Due to the man's expired visitor status, the agency served him with a deportation order.

What is Enforcement and Removal Operations

According to Enforcement and Removal Operations, the agency removes people without a legal basis to remain in the United States, including at the order of immigration judges with the Justice Departments Executive Office for Immigration Review, which is a separate entity from the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Immigration judges in those courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case, determining whether a noncitizen should be deported or is eligible for certain forms of relief from removal.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Irish native part of 'Irish traveler scam' deported
Houthi militants in Yemen fired a ballistic missile on Friday toward a U.S. warship patrolling the Gulf of Aden, according to U.S. Central Command. There were no reported injuries or damage to the ship.

The attack comes one day after the U.S. and U.K. announced that theyre jointly imposing sanctions on four Houthi military officials, in an effort to deter the Iran-backed militant group from carrying out further attacks on ships in the Red Sea, a critical byway for maritime trade.

The Houthis terrorist attacks on merchant vessels and their civilian crews in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden have disrupted international supply chains and infringed on navigational rights and freedoms, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

The Houthis have been attacking commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea since November, causing major disruptions to global maritime trade. The decision to announce sanctions against the groups leaders followed two weeks after the U.S. and its allies began launching retaliatory strikes on Houthi bases.

This counteroffensive has, apparently, been unsuccessful thus far. On Jan. 25, Houthi rebels attacked two U.S.-flagged container ships carrying cargo for the U.S. Defense and State departments. No injuries were reported as a result of the attack and no damage was caused to the ships, according to the U.S. Central Command. Still, this latest act of aggression prompted the announcement of new sanctions.

So what does all of this mean? Are we at war with the Houthis? Heres what we know:

Who are the Houthis?

Houthi fighters at a rally on Jan. 22 supporting the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. (AP)

The Houthis are a rebel group of Zaydi Shiites, which is a sect of Shiite Islam.

[The Houthis] really came forward because their view was that Shia Muslims were oppressed, and that most of the political and economic power in the country was going to Sunni Muslims, who were the majority, Gerald Feierstein, a former U.S. ambassador to Yemen, told Yahoo News.

Since 2004, the Houthis have been fighting Yemens internationally recognized government, which is majority Sunni. In 2014 the Houthis took over Yemens capital of Sanaa, and most of northern Yemen in 2016, and have managed those areas ever since.

Economically and politically, [the Houthis] are in control of the most substantial part of the country, said Feierstein, who is also a distinguished senior fellow for U.S. diplomacy at the Middle East Institute.

But the Houthis are not officially recognized as Yemens government.

What is the Houthis connection to Iran?

The Houthis and Iran both share an opposition to Saudi Arabia, which mostly stems from religious differences between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.

Iran is home to a majority of Shiite Muslims, and the Houthis follow a sect of Shiite Islam. Saudi Arabias population is largely Sunni, like the majority of Yemens official government. Saudi Arabia supported the Yemeni government along with a Western-backed coalition when the Houthis seized the capital from the government in 2014.

The Houthis are a part of Irans Axis of Resistance, an anti-Israel and anti-Western alliance, which includes Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Red Sea location

Have the Houthis essentially dragged the U.S. into a war?

The Biden administration insists thats not the case.

We are not at war with the Houthis. Actions we are taking are defensive in nature, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters at a briefing last week. A spokesperson for the Department of Defense did not respond to a request for comment from Yahoo News.

[The Houthis] have lured us into a confrontation that is likely to be long-lasting, but the U.S. has little choice, Mick Mulroy, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East told Yahoo News. I do not think we are on the brink of war, at least not an all-out one. I believe the U.S. does not want to see a regional conflict escalate, but that is not entirely up to us. Iran is the common denominator behind all these actions.

The U.S. believes the Houthis have been receiving military capabilities and intelligence from Iran in the latest Red Sea attacks, which Iran denies.

An aircraft launching from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during flight operations in the Red Sea on Jan. 22. (Kaitlin Watt/U.S. Navy via AP)

What do the Houthis say they want in all of this?

The Houthis say they are attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea to prevent them from reaching Israel, in a show of support for the Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The militant group has said its attacks wont stop until Israel stops its bombardment in Gaza. But U.S. officials are skeptical of this stated motive.

You have to take anything the Houthis say with a big grain of salt, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at a White House briefing last week. This idea that this is somehow about Gaza doesnt square with the facts. Most of the ships that theyre going after have nothing to do with Israel.

What do the Houthis really want out of all this?

Theyve gone from being kind of nobodies, to a group that has now exploded onto the international stage virtually overnight, Mona Yacoubian, vice president of the Middle East and North Africa Center at the U.S. Institute of Peace, told Yahoo News. They seem to be gaining support across the board in Yemen for their stance that they have taken against Israel and by extension, the United States. Now were seeing that they will be perhaps touting their attacks directly on the United States as yet another element of how they seek to continue to win popular support at home and perhaps even more broadly.

Some experts suggest that by responding to the Houthis attacks, the U.S. has given the group exactly what it wants: a fight.

I do think that the Houthis wanted to provoke a U.S. response, Feierstein told Yahoo News. They believe that they have strengthened their domestic popular support by standing up for Palestinians, and its very popular with Yemenis.

Feierstein added that she thinks the Houthis also see this as kind of a way of burnishing their credentials as part of the Iranian Axis of Resistance.

The Houthis leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, seemed to confirm Feiersteins theory in a televised statement last week, saying: We praise God for this great blessing and great honor  for us to be in a direct confrontation with Israel and America.

How will this end for the U.S.?

Experts say the U.S. is in a tough place with the Houthis for now, though talks of a months-long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt, could provide an opportunity to quell hostilities in the Red Sea.

Its a dilemma for the U.S. how to manage this, said Feierstein. Theres no real good strategy for the U.S. right now to try to end this except for the end of the Gaza conflict.
By Stephanie van den Berg, Bassam Masoud and Nidal al-Mughrabi

THE HAGUE/GAZA (Reuters) -The World Court ordered Israel on Friday to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire as requested by the plaintiff South Africa.

While the ruling denied Palestinian hopes of a binding order to halt the war in Gaza, it represented a legal setback for Israel, which had hoped to throw out a case brought under the genocide convention established in the ashes of the World War Two Holocaust that targeted European Jews.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) found there was a case to be heard about whether Palestinian rights were being denied in a war it said was causing grievous humanitarian harm. It also called for Palestinian armed groups to release hostages captured in the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel that precipitated the conflict.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the decision was a welcome reminder "no state is above the law". Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters it would contribute to "isolating the occupation and exposing its crimes in Gaza".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the ICJ's decision not to order a ceasefire, but rejected the claim of genocide as "outrageous" and said Israel would continue to defend itself.

REPORT BACK IN A MONTH

Israel had sought to have the case thrown out when South Africa brought it to the ICJ, also known as the World Court, this month under the legal principle that genocide is such a grave crime that all countries are duty-bound to prevent it.

Pretoria accused Israel of state-led genocide in its offensive, begun after Hamas militants stormed into Israel killing 1,200 and kidnapping more than 240.

It asked the court to grant emergency measures to halt the fighting, which Palestinian officials say has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians and displaced the majority of the population in a more than three-month campaign of intensive bombardment.

The ICJ judges ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent its troops from committing genocide, punish acts of incitement, take steps to improve the humanitarian situation and report back on its progress in a month.

It did not decide the merits of the genocide allegations, which could take years. Although the ruling cannot be appealed, the court has no mechanism to enforce its decision.

In reading out the decision, ICJ President Judge Joan Donoghue described the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, singling out harm to children and quoting detailed descriptions of the humanitarian emergency from U.N. officials.

This, she said, justified the court's decision to take emergency action to prevent irreparable harm. She also read out calls from Israeli officials for a harsh campaign, which she said justified the court's order to Israel to punish people guilty of incitement.

Israel called South Africa's allegations false and "grossly distorted". It says it has acted in self defence against a foe that attacked first, and goes to great lengths to protect civilians, blaming Hamas for operating among them, which the fighters deny.

South Africa called the court order a "decisive victory" for international rule of law and both it and the European Union said Israel must implement it immediately and in full.

The United States noted the ruling did not make a finding about genocide and said it aligned with the U.S. view that Israel had the right to take action in accordance with international law to prevent any repeat of the Oct. 7 attacks.

ASSAULT ON KHAN YOUNIS

On the ground in Gaza, the heaviest fighting in weeks is now taking place in crowded areas jammed with hundreds of thousands of people who fled from earlier fighting elsewhere.

Palestinians sheltering in southern Gaza said they felt let down by the lack of a ceasefire order from the court, but also hopeful the ruling would bring accountability.

"What happened was a victory," said Mustafa Ibrahim, a human rights activist.

In Israel, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son is being held hostage in Gaza, said he was encouraged by the ICJ's call for the release of the captives, which he said reflected a largely neglected point that the Hamas assault sparked the war.

The militants released a video on Friday featuring three female hostages calling for an end to the conflict. Israel has said such videos amount to psychological abuse.

Talks on a possible temporary pause in fighting to release hostages and Palestinians held in Israel and allow more aid in Gaza are gathering pace. U.S. President Joe Biden discussed the issue on Friday in a phone call with the emir of mediator Qatar and the White House said Washington was hopeful about progress.

A source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns and his Israeli counterpart are expected to meet Qatar's prime minister and Egypt's spy chief in Europe on Sunday for talks on a second potential Gaza hostage deal.

The U.S. and Israeli intelligence chiefs met previously with Qatari and Egyptian officials to help broker a short-lived truce in November that saw more than 100 hostages freed. The Biden administration has been trying to facilitate the release of the more than 100 remaining hostages.

Israel kept up its bombardment of the main southern city of Khan Younis on Friday, reporting "intensive battles" and strikes on Hamas fighters and infrastructure from the air and ground.

It said it had discovered some 200 tunnel shafts and destroyed more than 130 militant infrastructure sites in its latest operations.

Residents said Israeli forces blew up buildings and houses in the western part of the city as gun battles raged.

Palestinians say Israel has hampered efforts to rescue the dead and wounded as well as blockading hospitals, which Israel denies, blaming Hamas fighters for operating near them.

Hezbollah announced that four of its fighters were killed in an Israeli strike on southern Lebanon late on Friday. The group has been exchanging fire with Israeli since it launched rockets across Lebanon's southern border on Oct. 8 in support of its ally Hamas.

It said on Friday that it had fired rockets at Israeli military targets nine times during the day, including the Burkan (Volcano), which carry hundreds of kilograms of explosives.

In a new setback for stricken Palestinians, the United States said it was pausing funding to the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) after Israel alleged that 12 UNRWA employees were involved in the Oct. 7 attacks.

UNRWA said it was urgently investigating and "any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror" would be held accountable.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Doha and Fadi Shana and Bassam Masoud in Gaza, Stephanie van den Berg in The Hague; Additional reporting by Henriette Chacar and Steven Scheer in Jerusalem, Anthony Deutsch in Amsterdam, Nellie Peyton in Johannesburg and Jonathan Landay in Washington; Writing by Sharon Singleton, Philippa Fletcher and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Peter Graff, Alex Richardson and Diane Craft)
The federal courthouse in downtown San Antonio. William Luther/Staff

A San Antonio man has pleaded guilty to a bribery charge for paying $100,000 in kickbacks to a contracting officer for the Veterans Administration who rigged a pair of contracts to favor him.

Javor McCoy, 42, also pleaded guilty to fraud for forging documents in his federal case in San Antonio to get out of a court appearance in an unrelated case in Dallas.

In the bribery case, McCoy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery of a public official. McCoy owned Ready 2 Go Transport Central LLC (R2G Central), a company that provided transportation for veterans.

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He admitted paying $100,000 in bribes to Glenn Dartone Johnson, 49, by placing the money in lockers at an AnyTime Fitness gym in San Antonio.

Johnson, who worked for the VA in San Antonio, pleaded guilty Dec. 20 to conspiracy to commit bribery, admitting he rigged the contracting process so that two contracts would be awarded to McCoys company.

According to Johnsons plea agreement, he was a contracting specialist with supervisory authority. His responsibilities included evaluating bids from contractors for services for the VA and awarding contracts.

McCoy was registered with the VA as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business and provided ambulance and wheelchair services for veterans, the plea deal said.

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In the summer of 2021, McCoy agreed to hire a consultant identified by Johnson to help McCoy win bids for VA transportation contracts. The consultant was actually Johnson, the plea agreement said.

Although Johnson never explicitly stated to McCoy that he actually was the consultant, both Johnson and McCoy understood that Johnson would be involved in the consultant process, the plea deal states. In return for McCoy hiring the consultant, McCoy would receive private consultation regarding bids. Johnson, using his acquisition knowledge gained through his position, helped McCoy improve his chances of winning two competitive awards.

On Aug. 13 and Aug. 23, 2021, McCoy paid Johnson a total of $100,000, placing the payments in an AnyTime Fitness locker, according to court documents. Johnson later picked up the money. It was unclear at which of the gyms San Antonio locations the transfer took place.

Also on Aug. 23, McCoy submitted bids for the ambulance and wheelchair contracts to the VA office where Johnson worked, according to an indictment charging the pair.

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Johnson then altered the official selection criteria for the bids to match what he had told McCoy. He overrode his subordinates recommendation to select a bid other than R2G Centrals bids and directed a subordinate to choose R2G Central as the winner of the wheelchair contract, according to documents.

As a result, R2G Central got the contracts. One, for ambulance services, was worth about $1.4 million; the other, for wheelchair services, was worth about $2.6 million, the indictment said.

McCoys fraud charge stemmed from a civil case. A news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office in San Antonio said McCoy was trying to avoid a civil court appearance in Dallas, and transmitted a criminal summons to an employee with the court in Dallas County showing he had to appear in court on the same day for his bribery case.

The summons contained a false and fraudulent electronic signature of a U.S. magistrate judge and was altered to display a fictitious appearance date, the release said.

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McCoys sentencing date has not been set. He faces a maximum prison term of 15 years on the fraud count and a maximum prison term of five years on the bribery charge.

Johnson, meanwhile, is scheduled for sentencing on March 14.
Palestinian children inspect their damaged homes next to the destroyed mosque in the aftermath of an Israeli air strike. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

Israel's army reported on Friday that it is continuing its intensive fighting in the southern city of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip as soldiers attacked dozens of targets of the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas.

"Terrorists were killed by the troops during fighting in the area," the army said, adding that there were several casualties in various operations. The military said it also attacked Hamas infrastructure again in the north of the coastal strip.

According to eyewitnesses, thousands of people fled Khan Younis due to the fierce fighting. The largest city in the south of the Gaza Strip is considered a Hamas stronghold.

Israel believes senior Hamas officials are hiding in tunnels in Khan Younis and that militants are keeping Israeli hostages in the extensive underground network, too.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported on Thursday that Israeli units had bombed and shelled the area around the al-Amal hospital. Rescue workers and people seeking help could no longer reach it.

The Israeli military announced early on Friday that it was in contact with the medical staff of the Nasser and al-Amal hospitals in Khan Younis to ensure their continued operation.

According to the United Nations, some 18,000 internally displaced people have sought refuge in the Nasser hospital alone. However, according to the army, many people have voluntarily decided to leave the hospitals via an escape corridor.

Israel's military rejected reports of sieges or attacks on the two hospitals as "blatant misinformation." The army has said that there are indications that Hamas is using both hospitals for its own purposes.

The Gaza war was triggered by the brutal massacre carried out by Hamas militants and other Palestinian extremist groups in Israel on October 7.

Palestinians inspect their damaged homes next to the destroyed mosque in the aftermath of an Israeli air strike. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

Palestinian families flee the city of Khan Yunis on the coastal road leading to Rafah amid the ongoing Israeli bombardment. Mohammed Talatene/dpa
Palestinian families flee the city of Khan Yunis on the coastal road leading to Rafah amid the ongoing Israeli bombardment. Mohammed Talatene/dpa

Israel's army reported on Friday that it is continuing its intensive fighting in the southern city of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip as soldiers attacked dozens of targets of the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas.

"Terrorists were killed by the troops during fighting in the area," the army said, adding that there were several casualties in various operations. The military said it also attacked Hamas infrastructure again in the north of the coastal strip.

According to eyewitnesses, thousands of people fled Khan Younis due to the fierce fighting. The largest city in the south of the Gaza Strip is considered a Hamas stronghold.

Israel believes senior Hamas officials are hiding in tunnels in Khan Younis and that militants are keeping Israeli hostages in the extensive underground network, too.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported on Thursday that Israeli units had bombed and shelled the area around the al-Amal hospital. Rescue workers and people seeking help could no longer reach it.

The Israeli military announced early on Friday that it was in contact with the medical staff of the Nasser and al-Amal hospitals in Khan Younis to ensure their continued operation.

According to the United Nations, some 18,000 internally displaced people have sought refuge in the Nasser hospital alone. However, according to the army, many people have voluntarily decided to leave the hospitals via an escape corridor.

Israel's military rejected reports of sieges or attacks on the two hospitals as "blatant misinformation." The army has said that there are indications that Hamas is using both hospitals for its own purposes.

The Gaza war was triggered by the brutal massacre carried out by Hamas militants and other Palestinian extremist groups in Israel on October 7.

CIA Director Bill Burns will reportedly travel to Europe in the coming days to negotiate the release of the Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas.

As reported by CNN on Thursday, citing US officials familiar with the plans, Burns intends to meet Israeli and Egyptian intelligence chiefs and Qatari officials to broker the return home of those seized in the October 7 Hamas attack.

The talks with Mossad Director David Barnea, Egyptian intelligence head Abbas Kamel and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdel-Rahman are expected to take place in Europe, the Washington Post also reported.

Talks about the release of the hostages have recently picked up fresh momentum.

However, an Israeli government spokesman this week rejected as "ludicrous" a Hamas proposal to release detained Palestinian perpetrators of the worst atrocities on October 7 in any hostage deal.

With the help of Qatar, Egypt and the United States, a one-week ceasefire was agreed at the end of November. During this period, Hamas released 105 hostages in several stages. In return, Israel released 240 Palestinian detainees from its prisons.

Palestinian children inspect their damaged homes next to the destroyed mosque in the aftermath of an Israeli air strike. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa
A group of former senior national security officials and others in Israel has sent a letter to the nations president and speaker of parliament calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be removed from power, according to CNN. The 43 signatories to the letterincluding former heads of the Israel Defense Forces, the Mossad intelligence agency, and the Shin Bet domestic security servicesay Netanyahu poses an existential threat to their country. It reportedly criticizes his controversial judicial overhaul and blames him for creating the conditions that allowed Hamas attacks on Oct. 7. We believe that Netanyahu bears primary responsibility for creating the circumstances leading to the brutal massacre of over 1,200 Israelis and others, the injury of over 4,500, and the kidnapping of more than 230 individuals, of whom over 130 are still held in Hamas captivity, it reads. The victims blood is on Netanyahus hands.

Read it at CNN

Read more at The Daily Beast.
By Ari Rabinovitch and Jonathan Saul

JERUSALEM/LONDON (Reuters) - Israel's government-run port of Ashdod has complained that a rival Chinese-run terminal at the northern port of Haifa has become a strategic risk during the Gaza war.

In a letter seen by Reuters, the chairman of the southern Israeli port warned the head of Israel's shipping and ports authority about the actions of countries designated by the West as an "axis of evil", and said China was among them.

Though close to Gaza and in range of rockets fired by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Ashdod port has stayed open during the war in the coastal enclave.

But it suffered minor disruptions at the start of the nearly four-month-old war, and three ports in Haifa, one of which is run by China's SIPG, have received any extra cargo during the conflict.

Chinese container shipping lines COSCO and OOCL have suspended trade with Israel since Yemen's Houthis said they were targeting ships in the Red Sea linked to Israel, Britain or the United States in a show of solidarity with Hamas.

"In practice it (China) is maintaining a trade boycott on Israel," Shaul Schneider, chairman of the board of directors of Ashdod Port, said in the Jan. 17 letter.

He said Ashdod Port would halt information-sharing with the SIPG terminal and would no longer be a full partner in the sector's "sensitive situational assessments" that discuss emergency scenarios and "strategic threats."

The decisions taken by COSCO and OOCL in the past few weeks dealt a blow to Israel's position as an international trade hub. Should others follow suit, it could seriously harm the Israeli economy, which relies heavily on seaborne trade.

Israel's shipping and ports authority chief replied to Schneider's letter the following day. In his response, also seen by Reuters, he said he was surprised by the letter and called it "inaccurate to the point of being wrong."

It could cause "serious damage to Israel's seaborne trade and foreign relations and even damage the war effort", he said.

He said his authority cooperated with all Israeli security agencies and that SIPG's local subsidiary was a regulated Israeli company. COSCO's decision to halt Israel operations, he said, was "a business decision".

Israel's transport ministry, which oversees the ports, has previously said it us seeking to clarify COSCO's move.

CONCERN ABOUT CHINESE INVESTMENT

Israel has brought in global operators in recent years to run some of its ports in an efficiency drive designed to attract new trading partners. Ashdod is the last to remain state-owned.

While Ashdod and Haifa ports have been vying for market share, their rift highlights Israeli maritime concern about whether the Chinese investment is a security risk. The United States has expressed concern over the investment.

Haifa's Bayport Terminal, controlled by SIPG, told Reuters it "follows clear rules during an emergency, as other port terminals in Israel, and acts under the instructions of the Israeli authorities".

Asked whether it received any instructions during the war from the Chinese government, Bayport said its "business activities and goals are guided by its management and board of directors."

"The cargo volume in Israel is significantly affected by the current situation and the security risks. We obviously cant estimate when things will get back to normal," it said, adding that the terminal "stands ready to support shipping companies, importers, exporters, and the Israeli economy, both in times of prosperity and crisis."

Regarding the Ashdod Port chairman's letter, Bayport had earlier said: "Unfortunately, there are those who are exploiting the situation these days to hurt competition and return the seaports in Israel to the days of a government monopoly."

COSCO and SIPG in China did not respond to requests for comment. Hong Kong based OOCL separately did not respond to a request for comment.

"China has always supported its companies and citizens in conducting normal trade exchanges with all countries including Israel," China's foreign ministry said in a statement.

China avoids being a direct party in any military conflicts, but has called for an authoritative Israeli-Palestinian peace conference and a timetable to implement a two-state solution.

SWELLING COSTS

The Israel-Hamas war began after gunmen from the Palestinian militant group killed about 1,200 people and took about 240 in an attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies. Palestinian health officials say more than 26,000 people have been killed in Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Gaza, which it says is intended to wipe out Hamas.

Denmark's A.P. Moller Maersk and Switzerland's MSC, the world's biggest container lines, continue to sail to Israel. Taiwan's Evergreen line has temporarily halted "accepting Israeli cargo".

Some merchant ships sailing close to the Red Sea are saying on their tracking positions that they have no relation to Israel or the United States, shipping data showed.

An Israeli official told Reuters the ports were protected by air defense systems, adding: "All the missiles that passed the (U.S.-led) coalition (warships protecting shipping), we took them out in the Red Sea."

He said Hamas strikes had not had a huge effect on Israeli infrastructure but that it would be "a very different story" if the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah "joins the party".

Ashdod has also faced other challenges.

Both it and another port in Haifa saw their traffic cargo drop in 2023, while traffic cargo more than doubled at the SIPG controlled terminal in Haifa.

Since the start of the year, ocean freight rates had almost doubled by Jan 22 for a 40-foot container sailing from Shanghai to Ashdod, according to global freight platform Freightos. Unions have warned about the risk to mariners at sea.

(Reporting by Jonathan Saul in London and Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem, additional reporting by Brenda Goh in Shanghai and Laurie Chen in Beijing; editing by Kate Holton and Timothy Heritage)
JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed a decision by the World Court on Friday not to order a ceasefire in the war in Gaza but rejected a charge of genocide as "outrageous", and said it would continue to defend itself.

The World Court ordered Israel to take action to prevent acts of genocide as it wages war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, but it stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Israel says it seeks to protect citizens in Gaza and also accuses Hamas of using Palestinians as human shields - an accusation that Hamas denies. It says it must have the right to defend itself after Hamas' cross-border attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people.

Responding to a case brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netanyahu said Israel's commitment to international law was "unwavering".

But he added in a statement:

"Like every country, Israel has a basic right to defend itself ... The World Court in the Hague justly rejected the outrageous demand to deprive us of this right."

He appeared to be referring to the fact that the ICJ did not call for an immediate ceasefire in Hamas-run Gaza.

"But the mere claim that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians is not only false, it's outrageous, and the willingness of the court to even discuss this is a disgrace that will not be erased for generations," Netanyahu said.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel did not need to be lectured on morality. In the days after the Oct. 7 attack, Gallant had said Israel would impose a total blockade on Gaza as part of a battle against "human animals".

"The International Court of Justice in The Hague went above and beyond, when it granted South Africa's antisemitic request to discuss the claim of genocide in Gaza, and now refuses to reject the petition outright," he said in a statement.

(Reporting by Jerusalem bureau; writing by Kate Holton; editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Mark Heinrich)
The Kremlin no longer offers pardons to newly convicted conscripts and significantly changes the conditions of their service.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW); BBC; Vazhnye Istorii, a Russian media outlet

Details: It possibly happens due to the reduced number of eligible convicts for recruitment into the Russian Armed Forces.

The BBC reports that Russian officials concluded recruitment for Storm-Z units in August 2023 and began recruiting convicts for Storm-V units based on new contract conditions in September 2023.

Earlier, Russian officials recruited convicts through promises of pardons and six-month contracts, but Storm-V units reportedly do not promise pardons or even conditional early release, continuing contracts with convicts for an indefinite period until the end of the war.

Russian officials likely extended contracts based on President Vladimir Putin's order for partial mobilisation, similar to how Russian military personnel are handled for mobilised personnel.

Officially, Russian military enlistment offices release convict conscripts through a procedure no longer legally equivalent to "conditional early release," indicating that convict conscripts are still legally considered prisoners.

As of October 2023, Russian officials reported a notable decrease in the number of prisoners in Russia, with 266,000 individuals  a reduction by 54,000 compared to the number reported in January 2023. Losses of conscripts due to strenuous assaults in Ukraine and the relatively short terms of their contracts may have prompted the Kremlin to introduce more stringent service conditions to retain more conscripts on the front lines in Ukraine. The contract terms in the new Storm-V units are less attractive and may hinder the recruitment of convicts, although Russian officials are compelling convicts to sign contracts.

On 25 January, the Russian opposition publication Vazhnye Istorii (Important Stories) reported that the personnel of Storm-Z sent a letter to Putin requesting a resolution to the issue of missing promised payments, injury compensations, and documents for expunging criminal records for personnel.

In response, the Russian military prosecutor's office wrote to a Storm-Z fighter, stating that Putin's decree promising one-time payments in case of injury or death does not apply to Storm-Z fighters.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways for 25 January:

Ukrainian and Russian authorities opened criminal investigations into the 24 January Russian Il-76 military transport aircraft crash in Belgorod Oblast.

Russian forces conducted a series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of 24 to 25 January.

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reportedly conducted a successful drone strike on a Rosneft oil refinery in Tuapse, Krasnodar Krai on the night of 24 to 25 January.

Russian forces are reportedly increasing their use of chemical weapons in Ukraine in continued apparent violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which Russia is party.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Russias war in Ukraine is "directed against the very existence of Ukraine as a sovereign state."

Russian authorities issued prison sentences in a number of high-profile cases on 25 January, including that of imprisoned Russian ultranationalist and former officer Igor Girkin.

The Kremlin is reportedly no longer offering pardons to convict recruits and is significantly changing the terms of their service, likely in response to the reduction of the pool of convicts suitable for recruitment into Russian force generation efforts.

A Russian insider source claimed that the Russian military command recently replaced the Deputy Commander of the Southern Military District (SMD) and appointed a new SMD Chief of Staff, although ISW cannot confirm this claim.

Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Avdiivka amid continued positional engagements along the entire line of contact on 25 January.

Bloomberg reported on 24 January that labour shortages in Russia have increased wages in civilian sectors enough to compete with relatively lucrative military salaries, likely making military service even less appealing to Russian citizens.

Crimean occupation head Sergei Aksyonov signed a decree on 25 January that introduces a "special regime" for entry and exit between occupied Crimea and occupied Kherson Oblast reportedly in an effort to "localise threats to the security of the population and military and other facilities" in occupied Crimea.

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Abiel Saldivar, a pediatric dentist, messaged minors on social media, telling them he had nude images of them and that he would post the photos if they didn't engage in sexual activity for him. Mikhail Pivikov / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm

A former San Antonio dentist has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for coercing underage victims to produce child pornography.

Besides imposing a 360-month prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam also ordered Abiel Alejandro Saldivar, 33, to pay $45,000 in restitution to the victims and another $55,100 in court assessments for his crime.

Saldivar was a practicing pediatric dentist as he was "aggressively and ruthlessly sexually exploiting children via social media, U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza said in a prepared statement.

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Saldivar came to the attention of authorities after the Whatcom County Sheriffs Office in Washington state interviewed a 16-year-old girl in December 2020. The girl said that when she was 13, a stranger reached out to her on the Kik messenger application and told her he had pictures of her naked and that he would make them public if she did not send him more nude pictures of herself, court records said.

The sheriff's office reported her allegations to law enforcement in Texas.

The stranger, later identified as Saldivar, also sent her photos of his genitals, according to a criminal complaint affidavit. He was wearing scrubs in the pictures.

He also bought her several pieces of lingerie, other sexually suggestive outfits and a sex toy, and coerced the girl into recording herself performing sexual acts, Special Agent Rigoberto Garza, with Homeland Security Investigations in San Antonio, testified at Saldivar's bond hearing in February 2022. He became more demanding over time, Garza said.

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"He, in her words, was more forceful or demanding, to which then she believed him and then subsequently did send sexual images and videos to him and continued to do so up until December 29th of 2020," Garza testified, according to court transcripts.

Garza's agency found Saldivar had messaged numerous other minors on social media apps, telling them he had nude images of them and that he would post them if they did not engage in and record sexual activity for him, court records show.

Garza testified that his agency contacted a variety of dental offices where Saldivar had worked. They found Saldivar was seeing patients at Luna Dental in the 2700 block of West Commerce Street on at least one date when he logged on to his Kik account from the office's IP address.

In April 2021, federal agents raided the $493,000 home Saldivar had just bought in the 10500 block of Redstone View on the far West Side. They seized an iPhone, two iPads, a Dell laptop, Apple MacBook and Apple iMac.

Child pornography was found on the Dell. After further forensic examination of the seized computers and devices, Saldivar was arrested on Jan. 21, 2022. He has remained in jail since then.

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Saldivar was indicted in Feb. 16, 2022, on a charge of coercion or enticement of a minor, production of child pornography and possession of child pornography

On May 3, 2023, Saldivar pleaded guilty to the production charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bettina Richardson dismissed the two other counts against him.

Texas State Board of Dental Examiners records show Saldivar was first licensed in July 2018 after graduating from the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio. His license expired in July 2023 because he was in jail and did not renew it, board records show.

The significant sentence imposed on Abiel Saldivar sends a clear message that there are serious consequences for those individuals who exploit children, said Craig Larrabee, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Antonio. "Saldivar will serve the next 30 years in federal prison for his reprehensible acts."
I'm a new mom who jogs to Costco as part of my workout routine.

I only buy what I can carry, including Kirkland muffins and ground beef.

I also pick up King's Hawaiian rolls, Sabatasso's pizza singles, and Kirkland salmon.

To stay sane during the toughest parts of 2020, I took up jogging and found a Costco nearby that I could run to.

I wasn't a member at the time because I didn't think bulk shopping would make sense for just my husband, our baby, and me.

But I was surprised to find that shopping at Costco saved us money and added variety to our meals.

As a New Yorker who walks everywhere, I only purchase items I can carry home. And, as a new mom, jogging to Costco has helped me get back into a workout routine.

Here are 12 great Costco items that fit in my reusable grocery bags.

Sabatassos pizza singles are nice to have around.

I always have Sabatasso's pizza singles in the freezer. Michelle Maves

I always have several Sabatasso's pizza singles stored in my freezer. They're simple to make in the air fryer and are ready in just a few minutes.

These taste much better than most frozen pizzas I've tried and store easily when I take them out of the box.

Kirkland milk is worth carrying home.

Though it's heavier to carry, buying milk at Costco is worth it. Michelle Maves

A gallon of Kirkland milk is one of the heavier purchases I make, but it usually lasts a long time, and the price is too good to turn down.

As a bonus, I get some weight training on the journey back to my apartment.

Kirkland Signature ravioli lasagna is a quick, tasty meal.

Kirkland Signature ravioli lasagna comes with a beef-and-pork-Bolognese sauce. Michelle Maves

I love the Kirkland Signature ravioli lasagna, which is topped with a beef-and-pork Bolognese sauce.

It's delicious and has such simple directions that anyone can put it in the oven and take credit for a great dinner.

King's Hawaiian rolls are a versatile buy.

I make garlic bread using King's Hawaiian rolls. Michelle Maves

King's Hawaiian rolls are great as a side with butter and honey. They can also work as an appetizer alongside some spinach dip.

I also enjoy making garlic rolls using chopped garlic, butter, and mozzarella.

I love the Alpine Fresh Brussels sprouts.

I use Alpine Fresh Brussels sprouts to make several meals. Michelle Maves

Several years ago, I tried Brussels sprouts for the first time when I mistakenly received a bag in my grocery order.

It was then that I realized just how misunderstood the vegetable is. Now, I always try to grab a bag of Alpine Fresh Brussels sprouts at Costco.

A bag costs about $6 at my local store and lasts me several meals.

My husband and I love Costco's muffins.

Costco requires shoppers to buy two packs of muffins. Michelle Maves

My local Costco requires shoppers to buy two packages of muffins for $10.

This seems like a lot of muffins for two people, but it makes sense for us. We like to mix and match flavors and freeze the muffins we don't eat right away.

My husband enjoys the chocolate muffins, and I love the pumpkin-streusel muffins when they're in season.

I make multiple meals with large cuts of Kirkland Signature salmon.

I cook the salmon on my Ninja grill. Michelle Maves

When I buy salmon at Costco, I like to cut it into smaller pieces and freeze what I won't be cooking right away.

When I cook the salmon on my Ninja grill, it's done in minutes with minimal prep.

Crazy Cuizine's Mandarin-orange chicken is my favorite meal in the frozen-food section.

I keep the Crazy Cuizine Mandarin-orange chicken in my freezer for a quick meal. Michelle Maves

Mandarin-orange chicken is ideal for evenings when I work late and need a quick dinner.

I preheat the oven, toss in the chicken, mix it with the sauce, and have a great-tasting meal ready in less than 30 minutes.

Costco has a great variety of soups to choose from.

I especially enjoy the Panera Bread soups. Michelle Maves

I love a hot bowl of soup for lunch, and Costco has a great selection.

I especially enjoy the Panera Bread soups in the autumn-squash, broccoli-cheddar, and chicken-tortilla flavors.

Epicurean Specialty truffle seasoning is delicious and easy to carry.

The Epicurean Specialty truffle seasoning is one of my favorite items at Costco. Michelle Maves

Epicurean Specialty truffle seasoning is one of my favorite things to buy at Costco.

Even when my bags are full, I can always find room for a container of this seasoning.

I like to freeze smaller portions of Kirkland Signature ground beef.

I find the Kirkland Signature ground beef to be a great price. Michelle Maves

Ground beef at Costco typically costs less than it would at my local grocery store.

It's easy to divide the beef into portions and freeze what I don't use immediately.

This is another one of my heavier purchases, so I try not to buy ground beef on the same day as milk.

I visit Costco to purchase my next pair of running shoes.

I can usually find brands such as Puma and Adidas at Costco. Michelle Maves

Because I jog almost every day, I put a lot of miles on my shoes.

When I need a new pair, I can usually find trendy and affordable brands such as Puma and Adidas at Costco.

My newest pair of black Pumas cost only $35 at my local Costco and will take me on many trips around the neighborhood.

Click to keep reading Costco diaries like this one .

Read the original article on Business Insider
Jay Sanders should be used to it by now.

It happened last year, too: His Shawnee bar, Drastic Measures, made the James Beard Award semifinalist list.

Hed tried to prepare his staff before the 2024 list came out, saying they had no shot of being nominated for the award  the Oscars of the restaurant industry  two years in a row. But on Wednesday, he found out Drastic is in the running for Outstanding Bar.

Again.

I guess Im eating my words on that one, Sanders said.

Last year, his cocktail bar advanced to become a finalist in the same category, falling one step short of a win.

This year, Drastic Measures was among seven Kansas City area chefs and restaurants on the semifinalist list, but the only one to do so in back-to-back years.

Sanders is humbled, adding hes not completely convinced that theyre worthy of the accolades. (He doesnt even think theyre the best bar in Kansas City. Thats Hi-Dive Lounge on West 39th Street, he said.)

But his employees are thrilled.

Drastic Measures is located in an 1,100-square-foot room in a Shawnee stone building that dates to the 1850s. Faryle Barthuly, left, of Lenexa, and Reilly Oliver of Westwood Hills met there for drinks over happy hour.

On April 3, Sanders will find out whether Drastic Measures is a two-time finalist. The winner will be announced on June 10 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

The Drastic team attended the ceremony last year, gussied up and seated next to the countrys most prominent chefs and food critics.

I think our staff walked away from it feeling real juiced, he said. Some places have been open for 20 years and never get the nomination. Weve been open for four and got two.

Sanders opened Drastic in the summer of 2020 at 5817 Nieman Road, an area thats quickly become a hot spot for bars.

His bar is in a 1,000-plus-square-foot room in an 1850s stone building. The rotating cocktail menu currently includes the Teaches of Peaches, named after feminist rock musician Peaches. It contains epazote-infused tequila with aquavit peach, topped with dill and peach juice foam.

Bartender Sage Monet shakes two drinks at Drastic Measures, a small, cocktails-only bar in downtown Shawnee.

Last summer, Sanders opened another bar next door called Wild Child, focusing more on nonalcoholic drinks, like vacuum-distilled, booze-free Negronis.

Wild Child is making a name for itself, too. Vox-owned food magazine Punch included the bar on its Best New Bars 2023 list.

Of course, Sanders would be thrilled if he took home a James Beard Award this year. Though a nomination itself is an honor. Whatever the outcome, the philanthropic, social justice-focused theme of the bar will remain unchanged. Drastic gave tens of thousands to local charities over the past year.

Were just trying to instill the message of, Just keep doing what were doing, Sanders said. Dont let it go to your head.

The other area restaurants and chefs that were nominated: Affare for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program; Jeff Workman of The Campground for Best Emerging Chef; Romain Monnoyeur of Westport Cafe, Katie Liu-Sung of Chewology and Johnny Leach of The Town Company for Best Chef (all in Kansas City); and Rozz Petrozz of Saltwell Farm Kitchen in Overbrook, Kansas, also for Best Chef.
Teacher Veronica Lopez works with her third grade class at Olmos Elementary School. The school was awarded a gold ribbon in the 2022-23 school rankings of the nonprofit Children at Risk. Jessica Phelps

For nearly two decades, the Houston-based education nonprofit Children at Risk has produced annual rankings of Texas schools aimed at helping parents, educators and the community understand how schools are performing and where they can improve.

With the 2023 rankings officially out, heres what to know about how the nonprofit calculates its scores, and how they are different from the Texas Education Agencys.

How Children at Risk grades differ from TEA ratings

Children At Risks grades use similar elements as those used by the TEA to determine school performance  primarily standardized test scores  but there are some key differences. Broadly speaking, Children At Risk weighs elements differently than the TEA when calculating the scores that each schools grade is derived from.

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For elementary and middle schools, the Texas nonprofit assigns scores using three metrics from each schools STAAR scores: raw student achievement, achievement relative to poverty levels, and year-over-year student growth. High schools are also ranked on a fourth metric, college readiness, which evaluates how well schools are preparing their students for college. TEA ratings also look at military and career readiness, metrics that Children At Risk does not factor into their scores.

In addition to a grade, Children At Risk also assigns rankings to each school in its annual data, something TEA does not do. The ranks are assigned by comparing school scores among campuses with similar levels (i.e. elementary schools are compared to other elementary schools) to show how each school performed relative to other elementary, middle and high schools.

Whats changed this year

Children at Risk awards a Gold Ribbon designation to high-need campuses that outperform their peers.

In this years ratings, Children At Risk changed the requirements a school must meet to qualify for the Gold Ribbon designation to exclude any campus that has an application process for enrollment. Children At Risk said its aim was to recognize schools that meet students where they are, and eliminated campuses that can pre-select higher-achieving students. As in previous years, charters and magnet schools are ineligible for the gold ribbon designation.

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How does Children at Risk assign grades?

Each campus is assigned a general letter grade  such as A, or B  based on its overall score calculation. After campuses have been assigned a general letter grade, Children At Risk divides the range of overall scores for each letter grade into thirds to assign plus and minus grades. The top third of overall scores become plus grades and the bottom third become minus grades. The ranges are different for elementary, middle, and high schools because they are based on the unique sample of scores for the years schools at each level.

How does Children at Risk assign ranks?

Each elementary, middle and high schools overall score is compared to other schools in the state to assign its rank.

What is a Gold Ribbon school?

Children at Risk awards a Gold Ribbon designation to high-need campuses that outperform their peers. To qualify for the designation, at least 75 percent of a campus' students must be low-income and the school must receive an A or a B in the nonprofits annual school rankings. In 2023s ratings, any school with an application process to attend has also been excluded.

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What schools are excluded from rankings?

Children At Risk excludes the following campuses from their annual rankings:
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson will dole out up to $149.5 million to Washington officials as a result of a lawsuit focused on resolving the opioid epidemic.

Washington Attorney General Bob Fergusons Office announced the finalized settlement agreement on Wednesday.

Audit: Oregon Medical Board should adopt more consistent, equitable procedures

Johnson & Johnson is now expected to provide one lump sum to the state during Fiscal Year 2024, with $123.3 million going toward the drug crisis in Washington. About 50% of those funds will go toward the 125 eligible local governments, if each agrees to the deal.

Forty-two states and Washington, D.C., launched their own lawsuits against the drug corporation, but Ferguson reported that Washington is one of three other states that is projected to receive more than they would under the multistate settlement.

The multistate settlement focuses on claims that Johnson & Johnsons now-discontinued talc powder causes cancer, while Washington officials alleged the company has progressed the nations opioid epidemic by selling the ingredients it uses to make opioids to other manufacturers. Fergusons office said the ingredients were used to produce drugs such as oxycodone, fentanyl and hydrocodone.

Gresham fire station closes due to high radon exposure concerns

Officials also reported the company used aggressive marketing to overstate that its products would treat long-term pain, but understated their ability to lead to addiction. Additionally, the Attorney Generals Office stated that Johnson & Johnson funded third-party organizations that were against opioid regulating efforts in the state.

Washington officials have reached similar settlements with other drug manufacturers and distributors including Purdue Pharma, McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp.

Portland Water Bureau reports successful lead reduction since 2022 after $20 million investment

We are standing up to some of the largest corporations in the world that fueled the epidemic in pursuit of profit, and we are winning critical resources that must be used to address the harm, Ferguson said in a statement. We have now recovered more than $1.2 billion to improve treatment options, support first responders, and invest in other proven strategies to combat this crisis  and were not done.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
In response to the news that an aluminum smelting plant in southern Missouri will soon close, Sen. Josh Hawley (RMo.) has askednay, demandedthat President Joe Biden use his powers to keep the plant open.

"I urge you to take the appropriate actions necessary to keep the smelter open, to ensure the continuity of operations, and to preserve production jobsincluding by deploying the authorities of the Defense Production Act of 1950," Hawley wrote in a letter to the White House this week. "Doing so will preserve good-paying union jobs and safeguard national security."

The modern presidency has tremendous powers, of course, but this is still quite the stretch. Hawley is asking the White House to engage in central planning at an absurdly micro-leveland there is, thankfully, no law that actually allows the president to order a factory to continue producing aluminum if its owners have decided to stop.

Even so, the fact that Hawley is even making this request illustrates something important about how Republicans now view the relationship between government and business. It also says something about how the failures of protectionism will spur calls for more protectionism. And, finally, about how the phrase "national security" has become warped beyond recognition to justify further governmental intrusions into the economy.

But let's start with the Defense Production Act, which allows presidents to expedite governmental purchases of certain materials viewed as critical to national defense. Though it had been rarely used before the COVID-19 pandemic, it has recently become a favorite tool of would-be economic authoritarians on both sides of the aisle, and some lawmakers now seem to believe there are virtually no limits to how it can be used. Democrats have asked Biden to use it to promote green energy projects, and Biden has already invoked it to "accelerate domestic production" of solar panels under the questionable notion that solar panels are "essential to the national defense." Even home insulation is now the subject of a Defense Production Act order, because it is somehow critical to defending America from a foreign invasionof cold air, one assumes, likely a nefarious plot by those shifty Canadians.

The act was also invoked during the baby formula shortage of 2022, as if a government-created problem could be solved by the White House simply demanding that more formula be brought into existence. That's how economies work, right?

It might shock Hawley and some of his colleagues to learn that the Defense Production Act is not a set of magic words that allow presidents to do whatever they'd like. In fact, all the law does is require that businesses fulfill orders from the government before other orders from private customers.

That's because it is a law meant to be used during wartime. Here's how it works: Let's say there's a war going on and the U.S. military desperately needs 10,000 widgets to ensure victory, lasting peace, and blah blah blah. The Pentagon sends a guy to the widget factory in Albuquerque to request those 10,000 widgets, but the owner of the factory says the 10,000 widgets sitting on his lot have already been purchased by his friend Bob and that the government will have to wait until the factory can produce another 10,000 widgetsso come back in two weeks.

Ah, but wait! The president just signed an order invoking the Defense Production Act for widgets, so now the guy from the Pentagon gets to cut the line. He can buy those 10,000 widgets, and Bob has to wait for the next set to come off the assembly line.

That's what the Defense Production Act allows. It can't conjure up new solar panels or additional supplies of insulation out of thin air. It doesn't allow the government to put a gun to anyone's head and force them to make baby formula or to keep an aluminum smelter running.

And that's good. Let's consider for a moment the alternative reality where Hawley apparently residesa reality where the Defense Production Act somehow gives the sitting president the power to shape not only whole industries but to direct exactly what products are manufactured in which places. Sure, why shouldn't presidents have the authority to decide how many people are employed in which factories all across the country?

Once, I might have asked a different rhetorical question about whether conservatives would want to live in a country where the president had such immense powers over the marketbut it is now increasingly apparent that many of them do. That's a seriously toxic problem in our politics right now: large portions of both major parties are committed to the idea that more central planning and a more powerful chief executive would benefit the country economically. And that's why there is so much chatter about the Defense Production Act, and why the federal government is wasting so much money on other centrally planned boondoggles.

Hawley's call for more government intervention to protect aluminum manufacturing jobs should also spur some reflection about the last major government intervention that was supposed to protect aluminum manufacturing jobs. Remember those 10 percent tariffs on imported aluminum imposed by then-President Donald Trump in 2018? That was naked protectionism, and the announced closure of this Missouri smelter seems like pretty good evidence that it failed. There's other evidence too: As Hawley points out in his letter, this is the third aluminum smelter in the U.S. to announce plans to downsize in recent months. Unfortunately, the failures of protectionism only ever seem to spur calls for more protectionism.

Finally, let's address the idea that American national security is somehow weakened by the closure of a single aluminum plant that employs 400 people. In some ways, this is the crux of Hawley's argument for the federal government to get involved. In that letter to the White House, he wrote that "the impending shutdown of the smelter will also materially degrade our defense posture, as the Department of Defense has deemed aluminum a strategic material of interest."

It's true that the United States does not produce enough aluminum to meet its annual demand, which is why we imported 5.9 million metric tons of it in 2022. But here's the good news: there is plenty of aluminum available on the global marketand there would be more if the Biden administration lifted those tariffs. In 2022, more than 41 percent of the aluminum imported to the U.S. came from Canada and Mexico, hardly places that are likely to cut off trade in the event of a war. South Korea and Australia, also close U.S. allies, are the fastest-growing suppliers of aluminum to the United States.

It is, of course, unfortunate that the closing of this aluminum smelter means about 400 workers will be out of a job. Hopefully, they will quickly find others. Tragic as it might be in the short term, this is the sort of thing that happens all the time in healthy economic systems, where resources (including labor) are constantly in flux.

The idea that the closure of a single aluminum plant is a national security crisis that should require the direct intervention of the White House is, frankly, insane. By demanding that Biden get involved, Hawley is suggesting that there should be effectively no limits to a president's power to intervene in the economyexactly the sort of unchecked expansion of executive power that Republicans used to understand would be dangerous and counterproductive.

The post Josh Hawley Thinks the White House Can Force an Aluminum Plant To Stay Open appeared first on Reason.com.
The judge presiding over the trial of Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbleys mother said she would not allow the gunman to testify if he invokes his Fifth Amendment right, as his attorneys have previously indicated he would.

The Fifth Amendment protects a person from being compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself. The amendment is often invoked to avoid answering specific questions during testimony.

Its not that Im saying you cant call him as a witness, but two of his attorneys have said in no uncertain terms that hes taking the Fifth, Judge Cheryl Matthews told defense attorney Shannon Smith in court Friday.

I am going to prohibit you from putting any witness on the stand who takes the Fifth in front of the jury, that is strictly prohibited, the judge said.

Jennifer Crumbleys attorneys have asked the judge to compel her teenage son and his two jail psychiatrists to testify at her trial. Her son was sentenced to life in prison without parole in December for killing four of his classmates and wounding six others and a teacher at Michigans Oxford High School in 2021. He was 15 during the attack.

Now, his parents are facing their own trials for manslaughter, with prosecutors alleging the teens parents are also responsible for the deaths. Prosecutors have accused Jennifer and James Crumbley of ignoring their sons pleas for mental health care and buying him a gun despite his deteriorating mental state.

Ethan Crumbleys attorneys have indicated they will not waive privilege or confidentiality for his medical records, the testimony of his doctors, or his own testimony. A Sunday letter from his attorneys indicated hes been advised to invoke his Fifth Amendment right if called to testify as the appeal of his life sentence without the possibility of parole remains pending.

Jennifer Crumbleys attorney claimed in a filing earlier this week that the teenagers testimony is crucial to refute text messages and journal entries he wrote about his parents knowledge of and involvement with his mental health.

Judge Matthews has not yet ruled on Ethan Crumbleys doctors testifying.

Shooter said his mom laughed about mental health crisis

Ethan Crumbley told a friend his mother laughed when he asked to see a doctor about his mental health, according to messages shown in court Friday during his mothers manslaughter trial.

The messages were shown during the testimony of Det. Edward Wagrowski, a cell phone forensics expert who analyzed phone and social media data from the Crumbleys.

Ethan Crumbley texted his friend in early April 2021 and said he was hearing people talking to him and seeing someone in the distance, according to the texts.

I actually asked my dad to take [me] to the Doctor yesterday but he just gave me some pills and told me to Suck it up, Ethan Crumbley wrote in the messages. Like its at the point that I am asking to got [sic] the doctor. My mom laughed when I told her.

Crumbley texted his friend he was experiencing insomnia and paranoia, and he was thinking about calling 911 so he could go to the hospital, according to the evidence presented in court.

Im going to ask my parents to go to the doctors tomorrow or Tuesday again. But this time I am going to tell them about the voicees [sic], he texted his friend. Like I am mentally and physically dying.

Later in the month, Jennifer Crumbley messaged the mother of her sons friend, saying Ethan Crumbley had been acting kind of depressed.

Im not used to Ethan being moody hes usually pretty happy and well talk about anything, she said, adding she thought her son had been stressed about his grades.

Prosecutors also displayed concerning messages between the Crumbleys from the month prior to the shooting.

On March 8, 2021, Jennifer Crumbley messaged her husband expressing concern about their son, saying he was upset and she didnt want him to do anything stupid.

The next day, Ethan Crumbley repeatedly texted his mother saying he thought someone was in the house  flushing the toilet and slamming a door  even though nobody was home.

Maybe its just my paranoia, he texted her.

Phone records show his mother did not call or text him until the next day, Wagrowski testified.

On March 17, Jennifer Crumbley messaged her husband saying she was going to get drunk and ride my horse, according to Wagrowskis testimony. Later that evening, Ethan Crumbley texted her multiple times about a demon throwing objects in the house, according to the testimony.

Jennifer Crumbley called her son about an hour after he texted her, and the phone call lasted 19 seconds, according to cell phone records shown in court. Photographs from her phone show she and her husband, James, were at a barn during the time she did not respond to her son, Wagrowski testified.

A few days later, Ethan Crumbley texted his mother saying items were flying off the shelf. His mother did not call him until hours later, and evidence indicates his parents were at the barn again that day, Wagrowski said in his testimony.

Wagrowski testified the vast majority of the parents Facebook messages he read were about their horses. He estimated that upwards of 75% of the conversations, which began in early 2021, were about the horses, and he could only recall reading a couple conversations about their son. Wagrowski testified he did not see any conversations discussing getting mental health treatment for their son.

And on the morning of the shooting, Oxford High School officials contacted Jennifer Crumbley regarding disturbing drawings her son drew on a math worksheet. According to messages shown in court, Jennifer Crumbley sent the image to her husband and said Call NOW. Emergency.

My God. WTF, James Crumbley responded, then added he was still waiting on their horses vet.

Prosecutors played surveillance video in court that showed the gunmans parents in the school counselors office for about 12 minutes that day. After they left the school, Wagrowski testified both parents returned to work.

After the school sent out an active shooter alert later that day, Jennifer Crumbley texted her son telling him she loved him, asking if he was OK  and then writing Ethan dont do it, according to messages shown in court.

CNNs Lauren del Valle and Jean Casarez contributed to this report

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Melissa Boyd was given her second public reprimand in late October. She has since been referred to the Tennessee General Assembly for further action, which could include removal.

The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct has recommended that Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Melissa Boyd be removed by the Tennessee General Assembly, jumpstarting proceedings in the state legislature, per a letter posted to the board's website.

The recommendation comes after months of controversy, and criminal charges, have surrounded Boyd that include allegations of substance abuse, harassment and violating agreements with the board.

"[Boyd] agreed to the first public reprimand, agreed to the suspension of May 22, 2023 and agreed that the suspension would become public as a second reprimand upon her noncompliance," the board wrote in its letter. "She acknowledged that she used illegal drugs while a judge, acknowledged that she needed treatment and she failed to comply with the November 22, 2023 order. Nor is there any doubt that other criminal court judges in Shelby County have had to handle Judge Boyd's cases, in addition to their own cases. Meanwhile, Judge Boyd has continued to collect her full salary and benefits going on the better part of a year and, unfortunately, there is no end in sight but for her removal."

The letter, dated Jan. 25, was sent to Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and State House Speaker Cameron Sexton, who was in Memphis to announce a proposed constitutional amendment to bail procedures Friday. Sexton said after the announcement that the legislature had received a letter from people in Memphis requesting Boyd be removed, but that state law required a letter from the board.

"We're supposed to get [a letter] sometime this week, today or maybe early next week," Sexton said. "Once we get that letter from them, which we will get, then we will start the process."

According to Sexton, the letter from the board, which oversees the conduct of Tennessee's judges, will recommend removal to "honor what Memphis has asked for."

What the letter contains

In the letter, the board explained the circumstances of each reprimand and said Boyd had not complied with the treatment orders she was given for alleged substance abuse problems.

"The board does not make this recommendation lightly," the board wrote in its letter. "However, Judge Boyd was specifically and unambiguously admonished in May 2023 that 'judges are expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct at all times' and that 'neglecting ethical responsibilities not only reflects poorly upon the individual judge but undermines the integrity of the judicial system and the administration of justice.' Judge Boyd has consistently ignored that warning, and the board has been more than patient in allowing her multiple, extended opportunities to address her admitted substance abuse issues. Judge Boyd is solely responsible for the untenable situation she has created for herself, the judiciary and the public."

According to the letter, the board had voted to recommend removal on Jan. 24, and said that Boyd refused to accept "responsibility for her continued noncompliance," adding that "Judge Boyd expressed her view that the board was 'piling on' by keeping her off the bench, despite having at least eight months to avail herself of the opportunity to seek treatment."

Boyd was indicted on one count of coercing a witness and one count of harassment on Dec. 13, according to court records. The charges are connected to a string of alleged misconduct that has earned her multiple public reprimands from the board.

Timeline of alleged misconduct

The first instance of that misconduct included accusations that Boyd was asking for donations to benefit a school while in her judicial robe in 2022.

Then, in November, Boyd was referred to the General Assembly for "further action" after the board said she violated the conditions of a suspension order she had been under since May.

Boyd was suspended from her position as a judge on May 23 after allegations of threatening "an acquaintance," soliciting money by using her role as a judge and substance abuse were levied against her. Part of the agreement Boyd and the board struck was that any violation of the suspension order would result in the order being made public via a public reprimand.

The criminal case is being prosecuted by Frederick Agee, the district attorney for Crockett, Gibson and Haywood counties, as a pro-tem prosecutor after Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy recused his office from the case.

According to Agee, the criminal charges stem from an interaction between Boyd and her campaign manager. The campaign manager, he said, told the board that Boyd had used drugs since taking office and would show up at the manager's home and berate her.

The campaign manager also alleged that Boyd tried, on several occasions, to have the manager recant her statements to the oversight board, telling the manager to "shut up" and to "not mess with her because she's a judge."

The board, which oversees judicial conduct, made the allegations in a letter to McNally and Sexton. The Nov. 6 letter came days after Boyd received a second reprimand from the Board of Judicial Conduct, and points to the General Assemblys ability to remove a judge from office. The board does not have that power.

Boyd took a leave of absence for what was described as an undisclosed illness in May, though the leave falls in line with when Boyd was suspended. Senior Judge Mark Ward, who sat on the bench in Shelby County Criminal Court Division 9 before Boyd ousted him in the 2022 election, was slated to take over the docket but never ended up returning to the position.

Since then, Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft has handled the Division 9 docket.

One of Boyd's attorneys, Arthur Horne III, said he hopes Boyd's actions since starting treatment will sway the legislature.

"I got on board with representing Judge Boyd after she was indicted on December 12, so I wasn't privy to all of the things that had gone on prior to that," Horne said. "I was always a fierce advocate to get her into a facility, to get her the help that she needed. And she's doing that now. I don't know whether that sways the opinion of the legislature because a lot of her actions were irrational prior to her getting the held that she needed."

Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com, or (901)208-3922, and followed on X, formerly known as Twitter, @LucasFinton.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Tennessee board recommends removal of Shelby County Judge Melissa Boyd
ST. LOUIS  Jurors formally acquitted a rapper in a St. Louis murder case that authorities previously described as a road-rage killing.

After two hours of deliberation Thursday, a jury found Michael Henderson, 19, not guilty of first-degree murder and armed criminal action charges in the shooting death of Joseph Shaw.

According to the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri, Henderson is also known by his rap name CTS Luh Wick. He has appeared in several online music videos featuring guns and cash.

Mail disruptions reported in OFallon, Mo

Shaw died in a shooting on Aug. 26, 2022, in St. Louis Mount Pleasant neighborhood.

Police claimed that Henderson fired several shots from a motorbike after he exchanged words with Shaw, who was driving a Jeep along South Broadway at Nebraska Avenue.

Surveillance video reportedly showed Henderson riding next to the Jeep before speeding ahead, turning, and opening fire on the Jeep. Investigators say Shaw died after he was shot in the head.

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Henderson testified at trial earlier this week that he shot Shaw in self-defense after clipping the Jeep in traffic. He said he saw a passenger in Shaws Jeep point a gun at him and believed he would be shot.

Prosecutors argued that Hendersons actions did not amount to reasonable self-defense and that he murdered Shaw because he was angry about losing a game of chicken. A defense lawyer told jurors that prosecutors failed to prove the killing was not in self-defense.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
NEW YORK  A jury hearing evidence in Donald Trumps defamation trial began deliberations Friday after closing arguments during which Trump stormed out of the courtroom.

Trumps exit came moments after a lawyer for plaintiff E. Jean Carroll told the jury that Trump had disregarded the results of an earlier trial against Carroll.

Did he respect the jury verdict? No. not at all. Not even for 24 hours, the lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, said, referring to a trial last year in which a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in the 1990s and defaming her in 2022. The current trial concerns comments that Trump made about Carroll in 2019, while he was president, after she publicly accused him of raping her in a department store dressing room.

After Trump stood up from the defense table and walked to the door, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan interrupted Roberta Kaplan, who isnt related to the judge. Excuse me. The record will reflect that Donald Trump just rose and walked out of the courtroom.

Moments later, the judge admonished Trump legal adviser Boris Epshteyn, who attended the proceedings but isnt a formal member of Trumps legal team on the Carroll case. Defense counsel ought to remain seated. And that includes you, Mr. Epshteyn, even though you arent part of the defense counsel, the judge said.

Prior to the start of the trial, the judge ruled that Trump defamed Carroll by saying in 2019 that he had never met her and that her book, in which she accused him of having raped her decades earlier, should be sold in the fiction section.



The only question for the jury to decide was how much in damages Trump should pay.

Roberta Kaplan told the nine jurors they should award at least $24 million in compensatory damages, but didnt pinpoint a figure for punitive damages, reminding jurors that Trump claims to be a billionaire.

With that sort of extreme wealth, it will take an unusually high punitive damages award to have any hope of stopping Donald Trump, she said.

While Donald Trump may not care about the law and he certainly doesn't care about the truth, Roberta Kaplan said, he does care about money.

Trump returned to the courtroom to hear his own lawyer, Alina Habba, deliver her closing arguments, in which she suggested Carroll welcomed the attention she received after going public with her accusations.

Habba also said Carrolls own claims about Trump  and not Trumps comments in response  were the reason Carroll received threatening messages on social media.

We watched six days of a plaintiff trying to pin Twitter trolls' comments on a former president of the United States without accepting any responsibility for the media and the press frenzy and the public profile that she wanted and still enjoys, Habba said.

Habba attempted multiple times to suggest Trump had properly defended himself by lashing out at Carroll.

He has said the same thing over and over again, and do you know why? Habba said. Its the truth.

But the judge stopped Habba, telling the jury repeatedly that it is established by law that Trump sexually assaulted Carroll and that his statements were, in fact, defamatory.
A former Belvedere deputy fire chief has been found guilty of raping a 15-year-old girl whom Delaware State Police said he met through his job in 2022.

Dwayne L. Pearson Jr. shook his head as he was being handcuffed and led away after a jury found him guilty on Friday of six crimes, including second- and fourth-degree rape.

Family members of the girl began crying as the jury forewoman announced the guilty verdicts. It took the jury of five men and seven women about three hours to reach their verdict.

In addition to the two rapes, Pearson was found guilty of second-degree unlawful sexual contact and three counts of sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust.

No date was given for Pearson's sentencing hearing.

What investigators said happened

The girl and now-40-year-old Pearson met in July 2022 during a joint training operation with another fire department, according to court documents obtained by Delaware Online/The News Journal.

The two met a second time that month at a fire station. That's when the court documents said, Pearson's conversation with her turned sexual. Some of these conversations occurred on social media, including Snapchat.

Their encounter turned physical the following month when the girl would meet Pearson, who would arrive in his Belvedere Fire Company pickup truck, court records said. They would then drive somewhere else, where they would have sex.

More: Former Belvedere deputy fire chief charged with raping 15-year-old girl

The girl's mother was told in September 2022 of a possible relationship between her daughter and Pearson. The mother confronted her daughter, who admitted to the sexual relationship, according to court records.

On Sept. 11, the court documents said, Pearson contacted the girl and told her an investigation had been launched and that she needed to remove him from Snapchat. Five days later, Pearson told her to add him back on Snapchat.

Then, using the app, he "told her to delete every correspondence between them," according to investigators.

Pearson also told investigators he'd stopped being friends with the girl on Snapchat, adding he refused to meet with her at a certain location "because he didn't want any inappropriate rumors to generate," the court documents said. Instead, he told investigators, he offered another location to meet.

Credibility

Pearson told investigators he did not have sex with the girl, but according to court documents, could not provide a reason why the girl would make this up.

His attorney, David Facciolo, suggested to jurors that with no physical evidence, they should look at the teen's credibility.

In his closing arguments, Facciolo reminded jurors how the girl was angry after Pearson stopped communicating with her, but on the stand said she was upset, not angry. He also reminded jurors that her description of Pearson's penis was not accurate.

"This gives you an idea of [the girl's] true credibility," Facciolo said.

In defending the girl's credibility, Deputy Attorney General Cari Chapman asked jurors to review the amount of time the girl was with Pearson during the times she said he had sex with her. Chapman also questioned why the then-39-year-old deputy fire chief would friend a 15-year-old girl on Snapchat  a social media messaging app whose pictures and messages are available for a short time before they disappear.

She also reminded jurors how Pearson took the girl to places where there were no security cameras.

As for the discrepancies in describing Pearson's penis, Chapman explained the girl barely saw it as her hands were placed on it.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Jury: Former Belvedere deputy fire chief guilty of raping teen girl
NEW YORK  A federal jury ordered former President Trump to pay $83.3 million for defaming E. Jean Carroll when Trump in 2019 denied the longtime advice columnists accusation that he sexually assaulted her decades earlier.

It marks the second time Carroll has won damages from Trump at trial, with the new total adding to a $5 million verdict last year finding Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll and defaming her over a separate comment.

Carrolls latest trial became intertwined with the heat of the early primary contests, beginning the day after Trumps historic win in the Iowa caucuses and proceeding past the New Hampshire primary, when Trump further cemented his status as the indisputable Republican front-runner.

Trump often picked the courtroom over the campaign trail, sitting in for all but one day of the trial, when he instead attended his mother-in-laws funeral. He was not required to attend any of the proceedings.

During the whirlwind trial, Carroll testified at length and Trump briefly took the stand as the final witness. The judge also issued a multi-day delay in the middle of the trial after raising COVID-19 concerns.

Top Stories from The Hill

After closing arguments, the jury began deliberations Friday afternoon and reached a unanimous verdict after three hours.

The nine New Yorkers  two women and seven men  ordered Trump to pay the former Elle columnist $11 million for a reputational repair program, $7.3 million in other compensatory damages and $65 million in punitive damages.

Trump left the courthouse minutes before the verdict and was not inside the room when the jury returned.

Carroll broke out into a huge grin after the verdict was read, holding her lawyers hands as the jury walked out and afterwards giving her attorneys hugs.

Trump claimed  and still does  Carroll was lying and made up the accusation to sell her book.

But U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, an appointee of former President Clinton who oversaw the trial, already ruled Trump defamed Carroll. The jury merely considered the issue of damages.

The narrow scope was the result of a jurys verdict last year that found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in the mid-1990s. That finding made Trumps denials automatically false and defamatory, Kaplan previously ruled.

Writer E. Jean Carroll (C) leaves federal court after the verdict in her defamation case against former US president Donald Trump in New York on January 26, 2024. Trump was ordered Friday by a New York jury to pay $83 million in damages to Carroll, whom he publicly insulted and called a liar for alleging that he sexually assaulted her. The jury reached its decision after slightly less than three hours of deliberations. Trump made multiple comments about Carroll while he was president, demeaning her in the wake of her allegation of a 1990s assault. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

The case revolved around a written statement given to reporters and comments Trump made on the South Lawn in June 2019, when Carroll originally came forward publicly with her accusation.

It ended the world that I had been living in, Carroll testified.

After days of anticipation, Trump, too, took to the stand, albeit only for about two minutes. Because of the issues already decided, the judge placed strict limitations on Trumps testimony over his legal teams objections.

During the trial, the jurors also heard the former presidents more recent comments attacking Carroll, including during a deposition in the case and a press conference Trump gave just days ago after leaving the courtroom.

100 percent, yes, Trump testified when asked if he stood by his deposition.

The trial also included testimony from a marketing professor who quantified the damages as Carrolls expert witness; one of Carrolls longtime friends; and the former editor-in-chief of Elle, where Carroll published her longtime advice column.

Carrolls two lawsuits are just some of many legal battles Trump faces as he campaigns to return to the White House.

In a civil fraud case that threatens Trumps business empire, the trial judges final ruling could land anytime. And Trump also is staring down 91 criminal charges across four indictments.

Within minutes, Trump vowed to appeal the verdict, as he did with the trial last year.

Absolutely ridiculous! I fully disagree with both verdicts, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Updated at 5:04 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jurors reached a verdict Friday after around three hours of deliberation in writer E. Jean Carrolls trial against former President Donald Trump, from whom she sought millions of dollars in damages for defamation.

The jury awarded Carroll a whopping $83.3 million, The Associated Press reported. That breaks down to $7.3 million in emotional damages, $11 million in reputation-related damages and $65 million in punitive damages.

Trump was not in the courtroom when the verdict was read.

Over the course of the trial, however, Trumps presence led to some dramatic scenes  including earlier on Friday when the former president stormed out during Carrolls attorneys closing arguments.

U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan interrupted the proceedings to note for the court record that Trump had abruptly walked out. He had also arrived late.

Kaplan and Trumps attorneys, particularly Alina Habba, clashed throughout the trial, up until the jurors left to begin their deliberations. The judge was moved to threaten Habba with time in lockup during a tense procedural exchange before the jury came in, and reportedly reiterated that threat during closing arguments as jurors looked on.

Carroll, a longtime advice columnist, maintains that Trump raped her in a dressing room at Manhattans Bergdorf Goodman department store in 1996. She wrote about her experience in a book that was excerpted in New York Magazine in 2019, prompting Trump to launch his campaign of denial.

His personal attacks  Trump has called Carroll a whack job and a fraud  inspired her to sue for defamation.

Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump called the verdict absolutely ridiculous and pledged to appeal.

Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon. They have taken away all First Amendment Rights. THIS IS NOT AMERICA! wrote the former president.

Carroll did not speak to the media scrum outside the courthouse, although she was all smiles as she walked arm-in-arm with her legal team to a waiting vehicle.

Kaplan reportedly urged the seven men and two women to never disclose they served on the jury. The panel was delivered to the courthouse via an underground garage each day to preserve their anonymity and safety.

A previous trial concluded that Trump was liable for defaming and sexually abusing Carroll, although jurors did not find that he raped her under the letter of the law. The May 2023 proceedings centered on Carrolls accusation and critical statements made by Trump in 2022; he was told to pay her $5 million in damages.

Trump did not attend the previous trial on advice from his lawyers, he said.

In this courtroom sketch, E. Jean Carroll, right, is questioned by her lawyer Roberta Kaplan, center, in New York federal court while Donald Trump sits to the left side with his legal team on Jan. 17.

In this courtroom sketch, E. Jean Carroll, right, is questioned by her lawyer Roberta Kaplan, center, in New York federal court while Donald Trump sits to the left side with his legal team on Jan. 17.

Kaplan instructed jurors in the current trial to accept the earlier verdict, repeating that instruction multiple times on Friday when Habba echoed Trumps denial, per CNN. The judge reportedly told the jurors their only job was to decide how much Trump owed Carroll, and to ignore the assertion from Trumps team that Carroll somehow benefited from the attention.

Roberta Kaplan, an attorney for Carroll who is not related to the judge, told jurors they had the opportunity, maybe even the responsibility to put an end to this, according to The New York Times.

She argued that Trump would likely not stop unless he was made to part with a large sum of money  and she reportedly emphasized how wealthy Trump said he was.

In her closing arguments, Habba cast heavy doubt on the link between Trumps statements and the damage Carroll claims to have suffered, which included physical threats to her safety and a steep drop-off in letters asking for advice.

President Trump has no more control over the thoughts and feelings of social media users than he does the weather, Habba said, per The New York Times.

Over the course of the trial, jurors watched Habba clash repeatedly with Judge Kaplan, often in ways that left Habba appearing inexperienced.

Her client also sparked the ire of the judge, although largely out of sight of the jury. One of the most heated exchanges came when Kaplan threatened to boot Trump from the courtroom last week if he continued making comments during Carrolls testimony that were potentially loud enough to be heard by the jurors.

Kaplan reportedly said Trump appeared unable to control himself. He retorted, You cant either.

Both Carroll and Trump provided testimony, although Trump was on the stand for less than five minutes due to concerns that he would use the proceedings to harp on about unrelated topics.

Related...
Third-grade students transition between classrooms at Roy Benavidez Elementary School on Sept. 20. Kin Man Hui/Staff photographer

Only 20 of the 587 San Antonio-area schools ranked by Children at Risk received an A grade for the 2022-23 school year, according to data released this week. Nearly half of the schools received a D or F rating.

Overall, nearly as many campuses performed worse in the 2023 rankings as performed better, compared with the prior year. Half of the 10 lowest-ranked elementary schools in the state were in Bexar County in 2023.

One San Antonio-area school, Basis San Antonio Shavano Campus, ranked seventh in the state for middle schools. Last year, no area schools made it into the top 10.

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For elementary and middle schools, the Texas nonprofit assigns these rankings using three metrics from each schools STAAR scores: raw student achievement, achievement relative to poverty levels and year-over-year student growth. For high schools, college readiness also is used.

Use the tables below to search for your school and see how it performed in 2023.

Elementary schools

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Nearly 50% of the 353 San Antonio-area elementary school campuses ranked by Children At Risk performed worse in 2023 when compared with 2022.

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Only nine schools, all of them elementaries, qualified for gold ribbon designation, a distinction that Children At Risk gives to high-need campuses that outperform their peers. Thats down from 13 last year.

The three lowest-performing elementary schools in Children at Risks list are in the San Antonio area: Bexar County Academy, Jubilee-Lake View University Pre and Storm Elementary. Two other area elementary schools dropped nearly 30 points compared to last year. Mark Twain Dual Language Academy in San Antonio Independent School District went from a score of 79 in 2022 to just 50 in 2023. Ed Franz in Judson ISD dropped from 61 to 32.

Significant score drops were expected this year as STAAR performance returned to pre-pandemic levels. Before a lawsuit put it on hold, the Texas Education Agency delayed releasing its 2023 accountability ratings this year due to the high number of schools that would have seen their accountability grades decline under changes to the system and drops in the academic growth category following big increases in 2022 as students returned to classrooms.

Third-grade students Neylin Santos and Rodolfo Valesco work on essays at Olmos Elementary School. The school was awarded a gold ribbon in the 2022-23 school rankings of the nonprofit Children at Risk. Jessica Phelps

Middle schools

Across San Antonios middle schools, 66 campuses scored better, 68 scored worse and 25 were not able to be compared due to missing data from 2022.

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Three SAISD middle schools  Eloise Japhet Academy, Bowden Academy and PF Stewart  dropped more than 20 points in total scores. Eloise Japhet Academy went from a 52 in 2022 to a 28 in 2023. Bowden and PF Stewart both went from scores of about 40 in 2022 to under 20 in 2023. Both received an F for this years data.

Garcia Middle School in Northside ISD, however, increased its score by nearly 20 points, going from a 53 in 2022 to a 71 in 2023 and earning a "B" grade. It still got a C- for the year, but Devine Middle School in Devine ISD jumped from a 27 last year to a 42 this year.

High schools

Nearly 65% of the areas 75 high schools saw improvement in their overall score this year, a greater share than elementary or middle schools, though the gains were more moderate than those seen in the lower grades.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Justin Timberlake will bring his Forget Tomorrow world tour to Las Vegas in May 2024. This is the entertainers first tour in five years.

The tour will stop in 22 cities, kicking off in Vancouver, British Columbia on April 29 and ending in Lexington, Kentucky on July 9. Timberlake will perform in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena on Friday, May, 10.

The tour is in support of his upcoming solo album, Everything I Thought It Was which will be released on March 15. He also has a newly released single Selfish.

Justin Timberlake releases a new single Selfish ahead of his 2024 tour. (Credit: Valeska Thomas)

There will be a fan club pre-sale of tickets on Monday, Jan. 29, and tickets to the general public go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 2 at AXS.com. Live Nation customers will have access to a pre-sale on Thursday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, Citi credit card members can purchase pre-sale tickets starting Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 10 a.m. until Thursday, Feb. 1, at 5 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
MANHATTAN, Kan. (KSNW)  Four professors at Kansas State University have been notified that the drug they developed to treat pain in dogs has received a patent.

Butch KuKanich, professor of pharmacology; Kate KuKanich, a professor of small animal internal medicine; David Rankin, a clinical professor and head of veterinary anesthesiology; and Charles Locuson, director of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics or DMPK, worked with Agios Pharmaceuticals to develop the drug.

The drug combines the existing opioid methadone with another drug to improve the drugs pain relief and make it last longer per dose. A third drug called Naltrexone, which is an opioid antagonist, blocks the intoxicating effects of opioids in humans and prevents physical dependence to keep the drug from being abused by people.

KHP K9 officer injured in crash recovering at home

Theres a real need for efficacious oral pain medication, Rankin, a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist says in a news release from the university. The development of this formulation of methadone is going to help a lot of dogs, and Im pleased to have played a role in getting it ready for patients.

Current treatments for moderate to severe pain in dogs are very limited. While non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for dogs exist, just like they do for humans, many of them can have mild to severe side effects, including death in severe cases.

The ability to provide effective pain control for our canine patients is of utmost importance in companion animal medicine, says Kate KuKanich. This novel opioid strategy shows great promise in helping us to treat our patients pain, but also addresses the larger public health concerns of minimizing opportunities for opioid abuse potential in our communities.

For more information about the College of Veterinary Medicine, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Vice President Kamala Harris returned to her native Northern California Thursday, telling state Democratic officials and donors that theyre in for a tough, tight race against former President Donald Trump.

Trump hasnt officially won the Republican nomination, but after his double-digit win in Tuesdays New Hampshire primary, he and other top Republican have been all but anointing him.

Harris, who was born in Oakland and grew up in the Bay Area, tried to say California mattered in November.

I, maybe with a bit of bravado, will repeat what I think we all say: so goes California, goes the nation. California, though, has not voted for a Republican since 1988. Since then, GOP candidates have won three presidential elections with no help from the state.

In her short speech to the California Legislative Democratic Caucus, Harris talked about international concerns over the state of American democracy.

The leaders of nations around the world and in particular, our allies, came up to me and the first point they made is, I hope you guys are going to be okay,

Harris, a former California attorney general and U.S. senator, called the election a binary and asked lawmakers to see it as a split screen: On one side is Trump, who openly applauds dictators and has suggested he plans to use the U.S. Department of Justice to take revenge on political enemies.

On the other side is Biden and his accomplishments and competence, compassion, skill, and performance.

The California Republican Party criticized the Biden-Harris Administration in a statement about Harris visit.

Californians are worse off today because of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, said CAGOP Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson.

In between raising money and touting their disastrous policies in the Golden State today, Harris should spare a few minutes to answer some burning questions that Californians are eager to ask: Why has she failed to secure the Southern border as Bidens border czar? Patterson said.

The only real question we dont need help answering is why Kamala Harris is among the least popular Democrats in the nation. Her failed, radical record explains it all, she added.

Harris approval rating is currently at 41.8%, according to a recent YouGov poll, a level shes flirted with for some time. The poll surveyed 1,500 respondents and has a margin of error of 4-5%.

The vice president on Thursday celebrated the progress she says California has made under Bidens leadership.

Harris drew attention to everything California is getting from Biden initiatives, such as funds from the federal infrastructure bill and the CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to bolster the domestic semiconductor industry.

She also highlighted the Biden administrations effort to negotiate Medicare drug prices for seniors.

A visit with Sacramento donors

The Sacramento stop was part of a West Coast tour for the vice president, who was in Southern California on Wednesday and flew to the capital Thursday morning.

Harris will head to Las Vegas over the weekend and return to Northern California on Monday with a stop in San Jose for her abortion rights speaking tour, which launched in Wisconsin earlier this week.

But before leaving Sacramento, she visited some prominent Democrats at a fundraising event at the home of real estate millionaire Angelo Tsakopoulos.

A small group of donors gathered in the sitting room to listen to her remarks. Attendees included Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper, UC Davis Chancellor Gary May and Sacramento State President Lake Wood.

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, who is also running for governor in 2026, introduced Harris. Tsakopoulos, a well-known Democratic donor and fundraiser, is Kounalakiss father.

Kounalakis said she and her family had previously hosted former President Bill Clinton when he was in office.

It is a very serious and scary moment ... The reality is that a few governments, a few swing states are going to determine the way that we live here in California, she said.

Harris echoed many of the remarks she made to lawmakers earlier in the day before telling donors she is hitting the road full time in 2024.

She said everything is at stake in the November presidential race.

I am fully aware what this is going to require, she said of the upcoming election cycle. Its going to take a lot from all of us. And it is worth it. We love our country.
The Scoop

The Republican consultant Jeff Roe steered Ted Cruzs campaign to second place in the 2016 Republican primary and more recently did a stint at the Never Back Down super PAC, backing up Ron DeSantis now-finished campaign.

But between the two, Roe considered taking on another candidate for president: the artist formerly known as Kanye West.

In the summer of 2020, Roe held talks with Ye, as the rapper and off-the-rails political figure is now known, to run his 2020 presidential campaign under the so-called Birthday Party, three sources familiar with their interactions confirmed to Semafor.

Though Roe was never signed as a consultant, Ye declared his candidacy on Independence Day 2020, just four months before the election, and won just over 70,000 votes out of the more than 158 million votes cast. He conceded the largely self-funded campaign a day after the election and then launched a second presidential run in November 2022, under the shadow of a series of escalating antisemitic remarks. Yes announcement came shortly after a dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where he infamously brought white nationalist Nick Fuentes along as a guest.

Less than a year later, an attorney for the artist confirmed to Rolling Stone he was no longer a candidate for the 2024 presidential election. He later apologized, in Hebrew, for his comments a month before an expected album release.

Roe declined to comment. Ye could not be reached for comment.

Kadias view

Yes campaign was never more than a stunt, but it had a tactical appeal to some supporters of Donald Trump, whom Ye had said he supported in 2016. He met with Trump during his transition, again at the White House in 2018, and with Jared Kushner in 2020. Yes conversations with Roe indicate that the artist had at least some contact with the mainstream Republican political world as he assembled his campaign.

The Birthday Partys appeal to Republicans was simple: An African American celebrity could potentially siphon off a sliver of Black voters who are frustrated with Democrats, tilting a close race to Trump. But in November 2020, Black voters voted 92% for Biden, according to a validated voter study by Pew Research.

This year, however, Democrats are again nervously eyeing Bidens standing among Black voters, which Bloomberg reported in December is unusually weak. And while Ye wont be on the ballot, the progressive academic Cornel West is running as an independent, targeting Black voters and young people alienated from Biden over the presidents support for Israel.

Notable

While he surely saved himself from some chaos by turning down a Ye campaign, Roes time at Never Back Down wasnt exactly easy either. The Washington Post detailed how internal tensions led to his departure as DeSantis and his allies struggled to manage competing power centers.

Trump was not a fan of Roes work on behalf of DeSantis. Politico reports the former president has told campaigns not to hire him as retaliation for opposing his most recent run.
Instructional Coach Dawn Cardenas directs a student during dismissal at Carvajal Elementary School, which changed its safety protocols in 2022 after the Uvalde massacre. Many San Antonio area school systems use visitor management systems of Raptor Technologies, which inadvertently exposed client data in an unprotected database. Josie Norris, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

A Houston-based company that dubs itself the leading provider of school safety software has come under fire for inadvertently leaking thousands of emergency planning documents and other sensitive records from school districts nationwide.

The massive exposure, on an unprotected database, involved records of clients of Raptor Technologies, which provides school safety software to more than 5,300 U.S. school systems, including many in the San Antonio area.

Cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler identified the vulnerability last month. In an article posted on VPN Mentor, a website that helps people protect their online privacy, Fowler said he uncovered a non-password-protected database belonging to Raptor Technologies that exposed more than 4 million records, including safety procedures that could aid individuals with malicious intent by exploiting weakness or vulnerabilities.

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Among the cache were a massive amount of detailed school maps that identified classrooms, locations, room numbers, evacuation routes, meeting points, camera locations, along with incident reports and safety drill summary reports and notes regarding infrastructure challenges such as malfunctioning cameras or security gaps, Fowler wrote.

The researcher said he immediately reported the unprotected database, and the company took action the next day to secure it. Its unclear how long it was available to the public.

The company says theres no evidence so far that any unauthorized person accessed the data before Fowler notified it.

Several local school systems say their use of the companys products is limited to visitor management systems that dont involve sensitive records, though Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District said some student names and ID numbers were included in the cache of unprotected information.

At the close of last week, SCUC ISD was notified by Raptor Technologies that some of our data, uploaded to Raptors systems, may have been compromised. The compromised data is limited to student names and internal identifiers. At this time, there have been no verified attempts to access any of this data, the districts spokesman, Ed Suarez, said in an email.

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In a statement provided to the San Antonio Express-News, Raptor Technologies Chief Marketing Officer David Rogers said the company took prompt action when made aware of the issue. He said the company was not aware of any evidence that this vulnerability was leveraged for any malicious intent.

He said he was not able to disclose which, if any, San Antonio-area school districts had their records exposed, but that they had all been notified.

Our investigation into the full nature and scope of the issue remains ongoing, however, to date, we are aware that a limited subset of our customers using certain Raptor products may have been impacted, Rogers said.

East Central ISD received a message from the company on Jan. 12 informing the district that it was part of the group affected by the breach. The districts director of marketing and communications, Brandon Oliver, said Raptor then confirmed on Jan. 18 that East Central ISD lost no personal identifiable information in the incident.

The district uses Raptor for its emergency management platform, a mobile app that allows any employee to trigger a campuswide alert over school loudspeakers, Oliver said. It also provides a way for staff to communicate throughout the alert, like allowing a teacher to report that all students in a class have been accounted for.

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Several area school districts use Raptors visitor management systems, which allow schools to track and screen visitors, volunteers and contractors, including Northside ISD, San Antonios largest school system with more than 100,000 students.

Northside ISD spokesman Barry Perez said the district only uses part of the system at its elementary schools and several of its middle school campuses to ensure visitors are not on any sex offender registries or watch lists.

Perez said Raptor Technologies notified Northside about the recent data leak but that he does not believe the district was among the school systems whose records were exposed.

We will remain in contact with the vendor to ensure appropriate measures are taken, if indeed there is any impact to NISD given our limited use of the system, Perez said via email. In the meantime, we have not been given any indication that use of the Raptor system poses any threat.

Southside, Somerset, North East and Edgewood ISDs use Raptor Technologies but only for their visitor check-in procedures. While the visitor management system is one of the data repositories that were part of the unprotected records, the districts all said they havent been informed about any issues affecting their campuses.

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San Antonio, Southwest and Judson ISDs all recently ended their contracts with Raptor Technologies, so none of their records should have been included in the database. Judson is no stranger to cybersecurity issues  the district paid an undisclosed amount to hackers in 2021 to resolve a ransomware attack that shut down phones, email and computers for several days.

Unlike the 2021 incident, Raptors data breach was accidental. Rogers told Wired earlier this month that there was no indication at this time that any such data was accessed by third parties beyond the cybersecurity researcher and Raptor Technologies personnel.

Other documents that were made public include student health records with names, addresses, birth dates, insurance details and Social Security numbers; behavioral threat assessments that describe student mental health issues or threats they may pose to campus; and court documents including restraining orders and custody agreements, Fowler wrote.

Rogers said Raptor is continuing to work with its customers to ensure that the limited number of individuals whose personal information could have been affected are appropriately notified.

At this time, we are focused on conducting thorough internet monitoring and continuing to work with third party experts to examine the people, processes, and technology that form the core of our security practice in order to keep pace with the evolving cybersecurity landscape to best protect the information in our care, he said.
Semafor Signals

Insights from The Standard, Semafor, the BBC

The News

Kenyas High Court on Friday ruled against the governments plan to deploy police officers to Haiti as part of a U.N.-backed security mission.

The judge said the move would be unconstitutional as the country lacks the legal authority to send police outside of the country. The government said it would appeal against the ruling.

Last year the Kenyan government volunteered to send its forces to the beleaguered Caribbean nation to help quell rising gang violence.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Judges say they wont be intimidated as row with Ruto heats up

Sources: Semafor, The Standard

Rulings by Kenyas strongly independent judiciary have been a roadblock in the implementation of President William Rutos flagship programmes since he took office in September 2022, driving frustration within his administration. Meanwhile, judges and magistrates have strongly condemned statements by the president and his allies against the judiciary, The Standard writes, in an escalating row between the two branches of government that has sparked fears of a constitutional crisis. The magistrates union president on Thursday, Jan. 25 claimed that the attacks by the countrys political elite were designed to incite disobedience of court orders and asserted that judges would execute their responsibilities without fear.

Multinational force to help gang-terrorized Haiti could now be in jeopardy

Sources: Semafor, The New York Times, The BBC

Kenya offered to lead the multinational security mission last July after Haitis government appealed to the international community to urgently deploy forces to restore order in the gang-terrorized nation  but the mission could now be in jeopardy, The New York Times reported. The security force, which is backed by the U.N. and funded by the U.S., was intended to stabilize the Caribbean island nation, where armed gangs control an estimated 90% of the capital, Port-Au-Prince. However, the plan had been heavily criticized by Kenyans, Haitians and foreign affairs experts in Washington, Semafor reported in September, who argued it was fraught with risks. The Kenyan High Court said on Friday that the countrys National Security Council could only deploy military and not police for peacekeeping missions outside its borders, the BBC reported, leading the government to say it would appeal the ruling.
Representatives vote on a draft resolution during a UN Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, on Oct. 19, 2023. The UN Security Council on Thursday renewed the sanctions regime on Haiti, which includes an arms embargo, travel ban and assets freeze measures.

Kenyas High Court ruled Friday that the East African nation cannot deploy 1,000 police officers to help Haiti fight criminal gangs, dealing a devastating blow to supporters of an armed intervention into the country to help its national police.

The High Court in Nairobi made the decision Friday after hearing a constitutional challenge to the plan, which had the support of the United Nations. The court ruled that only members of the military can be sent out of the country to participate in foreign operations like the one proposed for Haiti. Under Kenyan law, police officers can only be deployed if there is a reciprocal arrangement with the host country, the courts only judge, Enock Chacha Mwita, ruled. There is currently no such agreement with Haiti. The decision to deploy Kenyan police, he said, was unconstitutional and illegal.

In a statement, government spokesman Isaac Maigua Mwaura said the government will challenge the ruling. After the high court, there is the court of appeal and then the Kenya Supreme Court.

Kenya has an outstanding track record of contributing to peacekeeping missions internationally in countries such as South Sudan, Namibia, Croatia, Liberia, Sierra Leone among others, Mwaura said. The government reiterates its commitment in honoring its international obligations as a member of the community and comity of nations.

The decision raises serious questions about the international push to help Haiti, and what comes next. Kenyan President William Ruto first volunteered his East African nation to lead an international effort to help Haiti in July. In a speech before the United Nations two months later, he called on the U.N. Security Council to approve a resolution penned by the United States and Ecuador approving the deployment.

But after the Security Council passed the resolution for a non-U.N. multinational armed force, the High Court in Kenya put a hold on the deployment until it could hear the challenge.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the need for the multinational force remains extremely high. He reminded journalists at a press briefing that it was not the U.N. that designated Kenya for help, but the countrys own authorities who stepped forward.

We need urgent action. We need urgent funding and we hope that member states will continue to do their part and then some, he said during a press briefing in New York.

On Thursday, members of the Security Council expressed worries about the spreading violence in the troubled Caribbean nation. Diplomats, including Haitis foreign minister, Jean Victor Geneus, pleaded for the rapid deployment of the Multinational Security Support mission. The situation, he said, has gotten sadder and bleaker with the security and humanitarian situation deteriorating.

The Haitian people cant take it anymore, Geneus said.

Last year, Haiti saw gang-related killings double, he said, to at least 5,000 people and kidnappings soared to more than 2,900. As many as 37 police officers were killed by gangs.

In our country, statistics are sometimes problematic, and so the reality is probably worse, Geneus said. The situation has prompted over 200,000 people to become internally displaced; theyve fled their neighborhoods, their homes, which are sometimes being settled by the gangs.

In response to the Kenya courts ruling, the president of the Chamber of Deputies in the Dominican Republic, Alfredo Pacheco, said his nation, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, will need to tighten security measures to prevent a spillover of the spreading violence. Increased tensions along the border this week led to a shutdown of Ounanminthe, the northern Haitian city bordering the Dominican town of Dajabon, by protesters seeking to remove Prime Minister Ariel Henry from power.

Every day, the situation in Haiti becomes incredibly more complicated, Pacheco told journalists. We have to agree that the international community is perhaps underestimating the problems occurring in Haiti.

In addition to escalating gang violence and kidnappings, a former rebel leader and convicted felon who 20 years ago launched a violent coup against the president has launched a revolution to oust Henry.

Guy Philippe is demanding the resignation of Henry, who has been governing since President Jovenel Moise was assassinated on July 7, 2021 inside his bedroom in the hills above Port-au-Prince. Earlier this week, Philippes supporters marched through the streets of Haitis Central Plateau shutting down government offices. They are attempting to make their way into Port-au-Prince by crossing gang-controlled territory.

On Thursday, the Dominican Republic expressed concerns about Philippes tactics during the Security Councils session on Haiti. Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez, pleading for the rapid deployment of a force to help Haiti, said the situation has been ripe for the emergence of new political movers who, putting themselves forward as messiahs, are acting opportunistically and are damaging and destabilizing as the gangs.

These sectors have gone so far as to call for an insurrection and for civil disobedience, Alvarez said. We firmly reject these extremely harmful influences for Haitian democracy.

But much of the focus at the U.N. meeting was on the armed gangs, with representatives insisting that to confront the challenges in Haiti and put an end to the violence the multinational security support mission must be deployed as soon as possible. They argued that any delay in the deployment threatens any opportunity for the restoration of security to Haiti.

Tirana Hassan, executive director of Human Rights Watch, told the Security Council that Haitians told her group about struggling to feed their families in the midst of the violence, and while aware of past problems Haitians have faced with foreign forces, they recognize that international support is needed now.

In addition to Kenya, several African and Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, volunteered to field the mission. But they were considered too small to lead the effort.

Kenyas permanent representative to the U.N., Martin Kimani, told the Council that his government has made significant progress in preparing for the mission. But he also acknowledged that there remain gaps in funding and equipment.

So far, the government of Henry, who pressed for international help after gangs took control of the countrys main fuel terminal in Port-au-Prince in the fall of 2022, has remained silent on Fridays news from Kenya.

Others said they were disappointed with the courts decision, although some Haiti observers said they were not surprised given concerns about past international forces and the ongoing political crisis in Haiti. Despite repeated calls from the international community, Henry and his opponents have been unable to reach an agreement on how to move ahead with long overdue elections.

The Kenya-led international intervention could have brought some relief and improved access to critical public infrastructure such as roads, administration buildings, hospitals, schools, and markets, said Laurent Uwumuremyi, the director of Mercy Corps., an international aid agency working in Haiti. However, based on past experience with international missions ..., international interventions have had disastrous consequences.

Solutions for Haiti, including those to bolster the Haitian National Police and the army to tamp down violence and return some semblance of security, should be led by Haitians, Uwumuremyi added.

The effort to send a multinational force to Haiti was led by the United States, which was seeking a way to avoid sending another U.N. peacekeeping mission to Haiti. As part of its campaign to get other nations to support the measure, the U.S. stressed that it would be a law enforcement, not a military effort.

The decision by the high court in Nairobi blocking the participation of Kenyas police raises difficult questions for supporters of the multinational force, including whether to push for the deployment of a traditional U.N. peacekeeping mission, and whether Kenya could still lead the effort using troops instead of police.
Lawyers react as Justice Chacha Mwita delivers judgement on a petition against the deployment of Kenyan forces to Haiti, at Milimani court in the capital Nairobi, Kenya, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. A Kenyan court on Friday blocked the deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti, to help the Caribbean nation deal with gang violence. "A declaration is issued that the National Security Council has no mandate to deploy the National Police Service," Justice Chacha ruled. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Kenya's high court on Friday blocked the United Nations-backed deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti to help the Caribbean country bring gang violence under control.

Kenyas parliament passed a motion in November allowing the deployment of 1,000 officers to lead a multinational force in Haiti. But Judge Chacha Mwita said Kenya's National Security Council, which is led by the president, does not have the authority to deploy regular police outside the country.

It is not contested that there is no reciprocal arrangement between Kenya and Haiti and for that reason, there can be no deployment of police to that country, Mwita said.

The judge said Kenyas offer was noble but needed to be carried out in accordance with the constitution.

Mwita made the ruling in response to an application from Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot, who argued that the government's plan to send the officers to Haiti was illegal.

Kenyan government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said it will appeal the decision.

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric noted the governments announcement that it will appeal and said: The need for this multinational force authorized by the (Security) Council remains extremely high."

It was the Kenyan authorities that stepped forward  and we thank them for doing so when so many countries are not stepping forward, Dujarric said. "We need urgent action, we need urgent funding, and we hope that member states will continue to do their part and then some.

The decision was considered by many to be a blow to Haiti, which first requested the immediate deployment of a foreign armed force in October 2022.

This is terrible news for Haitians, said Diego Da Rin of the International Crisis Group. The vast majority of the population was waiting for external help to assist the police regain some control of the capital and the areas most affected by violence.

Mercy Corps Country Director for Haiti, Laurent Uwumuremyi, supported the High Court's decision saying that previous international peacekeeping missions  such as the U.N. mission MINUSTAH that was deployed there 2004-2017  and international interventions have had disastrous consequences for Haiti.

Solutions for Haiti, including those to bolster the Haitian National Police and the army to tamp down violence and return some semblance of security, should be led by Haitians, Uwumuremyi said.

He said another international intervention might inadvertently worsen the situation, exposing more people to violence.

It is critical that any intervention is done to restore stability, respects human rights and humanitarian laws, and does not jeopardize or hinder aid operations or worsen the violence, he said.

An unprecedented surge in gang violence is plaguing Haiti, with the number of victims killed, injured and kidnapped more than doubling in 2023, the U.N. secretary-general's special envoy for the country said Thursday.

I cannot overstress the severity of the situation in Haiti, where multiple protracted crises have reached a critical point, envoy Maria Isabel Salvador told the U.N. Security Council.

She said the 8,400 victims of gang violence documented by her office last year  122% more than in 2022  were mainly targeted by gangs in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince.

Some 300 gangs control an estimated 80% of the capital and accounted for 83% of last years killings and injuries, Salvador said. She said they have expanded north into the Artibonite region, considered Haitis food basket, and south of the capital, where gangs conducted large-scale attacks to control key zones and systematically use sexual violence to exert control.

Guy Philippe, a former rebel leader in Haiti, implored Kenyans in a video message this week not to allow their police or military be deployed to Haiti.

Philippe said the Haitian people view Kenyans as their fellow African brothers but if the police were deployed to the Caribbean, Kenya's people would become the enemies of Haitians because they would be seen as supporting an illegitimate government.

We have a government here in Haiti that has no legitimacy, no one loves them. This government is helping gangs, killing innocent people, kidnapping and serving the interest of imperialism," he said.

Philippe served nine years in a United States prison following a guilty plea to a money laundering charge. He is best known for leading a 2004 rebellion against former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and masterminding attacks on police stations.

Earlier in January, his supporters launched protests that paralyzed some cities across Haiti as they demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Kenyan authorities told The Associated Press in December that the first group of about 300 officers was expected to arrive in Haiti by February. Kenyas contribution would eventually rise to 1,000 officers at the head of a 3,000-strong multinational force.

Burundi, Chad, Senegal, Jamaica and Belize also have pledged troops for the mission.

___

Associated Press writers Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.
Abortion rights activists chant our body, our choice as they stand outside of the Texas State Capitol, Tuesday evening,May 3, 2022, during an emergency protest in Austin, Texas. The protest was organized by Rainbow Coalition Austin and Texas Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights as a reaction to a leaked opinion draft from the Supreme Court that shows the court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Law enforcement databases are notoriously unreliable when it comes to capturing the true number of sexual assaults in the U.S.

Thats why researchers relied primarily on public health estimates for a new study that roughly calculated the number of rapes and rape-related pregnancies in Texas and 13 other states that banned virtually all abortions after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The study found that Texas, which does not have an exception for rape in its abortion laws, had an estimated 26,313 rape-related pregnancies during the 16 months after its ban was in effect.

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The numbers are imperfect. They offer a best-guess snapshot of the situation in Texas and other states based on a variety of different sources. But they help put the potential magnitude of abortion bans into perspective, the researchers said.

Heres what to know about the study and researchers methods:

Who conducted the study? And why?

The study was carried out by Drs. Samuel Dickman, Kari White and David Himmelstein, with the goal of capturing the scope of abortion laws in the 14 states with and without exceptions for rape. The research was published in the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Medical Association. That means the data was reviewed by several other experts in the field before publication.

Dickman, the lead author and an internal medicine physician, was formerly an abortion provider at Planned Parenthood South Texas. His move to Montana, where he now serves as a Planned Parenthood medical director and health researcher, was captured in a Texas Monthly article written in the weeks leading up to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

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White is the executive and scientific director of the Texas-based Resound Research for Reproductive Health, a collaborative that studies the impact of legislation and policies related to contraception, abortion and pregnancy. And Himmelstein, professor in the School of Urban Public Health at New York's Hunter College, has served as chief of the division of social and community medicine at Cambridge Hospital, according to his bio.

In states with no exceptions, women who can't access abortion pills or abortion care in other states may be forced to carry the pregnancy to term, the authors said. The data also suggested that rape exceptions fail to provide reasonable access to abortion for survivors, according to the study.

What reports did they use?

The researchers started with a 2016-17 survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, released in 2022, that measured intimate partner and sexual violence in the U.S. More than 15,000 women were reached by phone for the survey, which measures both reported and unreported sexual assaults, in addition to sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence.

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The survey found that one in four women reported a completed or attempted rape at some point in their lifetime, and an estimated 1.4 million women were victims of sexual assault nationwide over a 12-month period.

The researchers then turned to other data reports for more specificity. They used data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) annual survey on criminal victimization in 2022 to estimate how many of those women fell in the 15-45 age group, generally considered to be reproductive age. They also adjusted for the number of vaginal sexual assaults.

For state-level data, they used the FBIs Uniform Crime Reports, the most recent of which includes rapes reported to law enforcement in 2019. The quality of that data is poor, but it allowed the researchers to calculate the estimated percentage of rapes in Texas compared to other states.

From there, they used the survey data from the CDC and a 1996 article in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology to measure the likelihood of pregnancy from sexual assault, estimated to be around 12.4% in the study's population. Then, they applied their estimates to the time period after states implemented their abortion bans, which varied from four to 18 months.

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In the end, the researchers estimated that, in the 14 states that implemented total abortion bans, there were 519,981 rapes associated with 64,565 pregnancies during the four to 18 months the bans were in effect. In Texas, there was an estimated 211,919 rapes associated with 26,313 pregnancies.

Why did they use reports, and what were the limitations?

The CDC data offered the most accurate rape figures available, the study said, but it didnt include enough detailed information by itself for the authors to come up with state-level estimates or narrow them down by age.

There were several limitations in the study, which the authors noted. They had to rely on other, less complete federal data to update the CDCs estimates of a specific population. The authors also assumed that pregnancy rates were similar for rape survivors who reported the crime to law enforcement versus those who did not.

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Rape-related pregnancy rates may have decreased since the earlier studies were published, the authors said, because of the increased use of emergency contraception. On the other hand, they could have underestimated the number of rapes-related pregnancies, because they did not measure girls younger than 15 or women over 45, the authors noted.

Why are crime statistics unreliable?

Sexual assault is complex, highly stigmatized and only reported to law enforcement in a fraction of cases. Only about 21% of sexual assault survivors reported the rape to police in 2022, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics criminal victimization survey.

About 80% of perpetrators are someone known to the victim, and survivors often blame themselves for behavior that they feel encouraged the act, according to Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN).

By some estimates, more than half of all sexual assaults occur in the victim's home. Rape also can involve other forms of sexual violence or intimate partner violence, including emotional coercion or threats, to force the victim into non-consensual sex, according to RAINN.
A blue furry plush puppet roleplaying as a candidate for Manatee County Commission has irked local officials and candidates, who are denouncing satirical videos and content posted by an online account named "Kevin-Kyle Kaczynski Von Oswald XVII" in advance of a heated 2024 election.

Since the online persona was created in April, Von Oswald has been ruffling the feathers of top political officials and candidates, with the attacks circulating social media.

Nobody seems to know who is behind the account.

In an email to the Herald-Tribune, Kevin-Kyle Kaczynski Von Oswald XVII said he is merely "a puppet." He declined to give his actual identity.

A portion of a screenshot of the online puppet persona Kevin-Kyle Kaczynski Von Oswald XVII.

"Who is Kevin-Kyle? Thats a very philosophical question," Von Oswald said in an email. "I am a puppet just like all of my competitors. I have a bunch of hands up my (explicative) similar to my competitors. The only difference is the interests of the hands up mine are of the community."

More Manatee politics: Manatee County Republican Executive Committee chairwoman is under fire over financial woes

And: Manatee County Supervisor of Elections to retire ahead of 2024 presidential primary

Self-identifying by the moniker "The Real KVO" as a jab at Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, the puppet character pokes fun at the local political establishment in videos and memes on YouTube, his website, and social media accounts. He even operates a merch store.

Some who are portrayed in his videos and memes say the account is crossing the line.

Keith Green

Keith Green, who is running for the at-large seat currently held by Commissioner George Kruse, took issue with an illustration that superimposed his face into the body of a comedic actor next to an image of Von Oswald challenging him to a rap battle on a Mortal Combat video game stage.

"It just took a very racist turn," he said. "That to me is a hidden, racist, dog whistle in our community... There is no place for this in our political arena. I didn't run for office because I wanted to get attention, I decided to run because I want to serve my community, and I'm taking shots every day for it. If I were to win this election, I'd be the first African American in Manatee County history to sit in that at-large seat. This is major. This is game-changing in so many ways."

Beef over Holmes Beach parking garage

Von Oswald predominantly opposes an effort by Manatee County to build a parking garage in Holmes Beach despite resistance from local government officials and many island residents.

Van Ostenbridge and local state legislators have been driving forces behind the effort, navigating a measure to the state legislative session last year to circumvent roadblocks by city officials. The effort has also spawned a separate discussion about the benefits of consolidating the three island cities.

More: Manatee County legislators consider consolidating 3 Anna Maria Island cities and Bradenton

Von Oswald's website indicates he also supports community efforts to prevent the widening of 59th Street, opposes changes at New College of Florida, opposes efforts to ban library books and censor content, stating "just because our politicians can't read doesn't mean our children shouldn't."

"The causes that I am most concerned with are the elimination of home rule, the destruction of our wildlife, and the weaponization of our governments," Von Oswald said.

Green said Von Oswald posted the meme with his depiction on Facebook after publicly supporting the construction of the controversial parking garage. He feels targeted because he is an African American man running for office as a far-right-leaning Republican.

"I had never said that I was against this garage," Green said. "So when I finally took my position publicly, people totally lost their minds."

"To me, I feel that racism is one of this nation's original sins," he said. "It's something that isn't going to change in my lifetime. There are some difficulties being an African American Republican."

Shades of gray

Several other candidates and officials portrayed in the videos declined to comment when asked about Van Oswald.

Van Ostenbridge is the central figure of the animated video series, which is titled The Real KVO, but he said he takes particular issue with Green's portrayal and that of female commissioners.

Videos on the YouTube channel have included content like an image of former Commissioner Vanessa Baugh's face superimposed into a KKK outfit. Another skit portrayed Commissioner Amanda Ballard as a stripper dancing on a pole. Content related to her often references her genitalia.

"We are a fun bunch, aren't we?" Van Ostenbridge said.

"Most people have respectful political discussions online, but there are always bad apples in every barrel," he said. "There have been some things that were distasteful, some things that were appalling, some of it is quite crude, and unfortunately, some things that appear to be racist."

Ballard said she would prefer to ignore Von Oswald's content, but she cannot turn a blind eye when it flows across her social media feed.

"It's completely irrelevant, and a distraction to the important work of representing my district," Ballard said. "The content borders on slanderous. Because I'm a conservative, I'm expected to sit back without a word and take blatant misogyny from the inclusivity and intersectionality crowd who would celebrate me as a trailblazing ... if I were a Democrat."

Yet Von Oswald's content continues to resonate with many, including more than 1,500 friends on Facebook. He said his content gives a voice to members of the community who feel ignored by local officials over some of the country's most controversial issues. He denied that the posts were racist or discriminatory.

"The truest measure of freedom within a society is the ability for its citizens to criticize those in power," Von Oswald said. "When you restrict the freedom of speech through cancel culture, you ignore the words of the disenfranchised."

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Puppet ruffles feathers of Manatee County's political elite
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Kevin Oliver, a Bakersfield real estate broker, declared his candidacy for the Ward 5 seat on the Bakersfield City Council on Thursday.

He described himself as a dedicated community advocate with a strong commitment to public service.

Ive been a county commissioner as well as a city commissioner for a number of years, so Ive seen the intricacies of both city and county, Oliver told 17 News.

I know that right now, we have a lot of issues with our homeless. Im a real estate broker, and theres many, many times when we walk into homes, we find people that have broken into these homes  its become dangerous. And the crime in our city, we need to fight crime. We need to give police tools to be able to do that, and thats a lot the reason why Im running.

Secretary of State files appeal to overturn ruling allowing Asm. Vince Fongs congressional run

Bruce Freeman currently holds the holds the Ward 5 city council seat, which includes nearly 35,000 registered voters and covers parts of southwest Bakersfield, including from Brimhall Road to Taft Highway and from South Allen Road to Ashe Road.

17 News has reached out to Freeman, but has not yet heard back for this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
University of Sydney professors and melanoma treatment researchers Georgina Long and Richard Scolyer were jointly named Australians of the Year for 2024 on Thursday, Jan. 25 on the eve of Australia Day celebrations.

The professors were co-directors of the Melanoma Institute of Australia, which was credited with saving thousands of lives since developing an immunotherapy approach to treating melanoma, the ABC reported.

Long and Scolyer have innovated and pioneered the treatment of melanomaan advanced diagnosis of such was considered fatal less than a decade ago.

The duo used their acceptance speech to advocate against tanning.

"Thousands of Aussies will be soaking up the sun working on their tans - or, as we see it, brewing their melanomas," Long said. "So we call on advertisers and social media influencers - stop glamorizing tanning, or using it to sell or advertise or entertain."

She also dedicated the joint award to their patients and their families for whom their breakthrough treatments came too late.

From Melanoma to Brain Cancer

Aside from melanoma, the pair also adapted the treatment to tackle brain cancer after Scolyer was diagnosed with an incurable grade four brain cancer in June 2023. Long was compelled to help Scolyer by taking what they learned from treating melanoma and attempting to treat brain cancer as well, making Scolyer the first person with brain cancer to have pre-surgery combination immunotherapy.

The recognition was jointly awarded as it not only proved the value of "Aussie mateship," but more substantially, Scolyer's bravery for making himself the test subject for advancing the understanding of brain cancer and benefitting future patients, even at the risk of shortening his own life.

During the joint speech, Scolyer took the opportunity to discuss his own cancer diagnosis and the pair's experimental treatment for it.

"I stand here tonight as a terminal brain cancer patient," he said, "I'm only 57 - I don't want to die."

Read Also: Australia's Ex-Prime Minister Scott Morrison Retires from Politics

Other AOTY Awardees

Meanwhile, three other awards were given prior to the main recognition.

The 2024 Local Hero award was received by Winton, Queensland resident David Elliott, who single-handedly revived Australia's paleontology research after he found a dinosaur fossil during routine sheep mustering in 1999.

Young Australian of the Year was awarded to Olympic swimmer Emma McKeon for her performance in the Commonwealth Games, where she won six medals, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she won seven, as well as breaking world records in swimming.

Senior Australian of the Year was awarded to Yalmay Yunupingu, an indigenous teacher, linguist, and community leader in northeast Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.

Related Article: Merck-Moderna Vaccine Slows Harmful Skin Cancer Recurrence
Britains King Charles III is doing well after undergoing a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate, CNN understands.

The 75-year-old monarch was admitted to a London hospital on Friday morning for a scheduled treatment, Buckingham Palace said earlier in a statement.

His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness, it added.

The palace revealed on January 17 that the king was set to undergo treatment in common with thousands of men each year and that his condition was benign.

Charles arrived at The London Clinic, a private hospital near Regents Park, accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla. The move was seen as unusual as the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip always went into hospital by themselves.

Camilla was seen leaving the hospital several hours later on Friday afternoon. As made her way to the car, well-wishers could be heard calling out, We love you.

The London Clinic is where Catherine, Princess of Wales remains following her abdominal surgery last week. The king visited his daughter-in-law before he went for his own treatment, a royal source told CNN.

Charles will postpone engagements for a short period while he recuperates. It was not immediately clear how long the monarch would remain in hospital.

Queen Camilla has been reassuring the public about her husbands health during engagements over the past week, saying while in Swindon, southwest England on Monday that he was fine, and that he was looking forward to getting back to work during an art gallery visit in Aberdeen, Scotland last Thursday.

Specific medical conditions of members of the royal family are rarely divulged publicly. The palaces perspective is that they are entitled to some level of medical privacy despite their positions as public servants.

But the king made a rare intervention and opted to share his diagnosis as he was keen to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked, a royal source previously told CNN.

And it would appear his approach worked. There was a surge in men seeing if they are at risk of prostate cancer, according to figures from NHS England.

Visits to its enlarged prostate webpage - which provides information on causes, symptoms and treatment options - saw traffic surge more than 1,000% above its daily average after the palaces announcement.

It received 16,410 visits on the day of the announcement, compared to 1,414 visits the day before, according to the organization.

Prostate Cancer UK also said the number of individuals using its online risk checker had jumped 97%. The charity praised the monarch for his openness thatll inevitably raise more awareness about the condition.

In an unprecedented double royal health shock, news of Charles procedure was revealed on January 17, only 90 minutes after Kensington Palace separately announced that the Princess of Wales was in hospital.

Kate, 42, is not expected to return to her royal duties until after Easter. Her husband, Prince William has also temporarily stepped away from engagements to juggle supporting Kates recovery and childcare.

The royal familys health woes continued days later as Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York revealed she was also recently diagnosed with skin cancer.

Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, said she was in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support following her second cancer diagnosis since the summer.

I have been taking some time to myself, she wrote on Instagram on Monday. Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock.

The duchess underwent a mastectomy in June last year, followed by reconstructive surgery. Several moles were removed and analyzed at the time of her surgery, the UK Press Association reported Sunday, citing Fergusons spokesperson.

This story has been updated.

CNNs Rob Iddiols, Jonny Hallam and Nadia Kounang contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The King County Sheriffs Office is partnering with Burien and SeaTac police to host the Community Police Academy.

Officials say the Community Police Academy is designed to foster relationships between the public and law enforcement through education.

The program will teach participants about the following.

History of the department

Hiring and recruitment

Early intervention and crime prevention

Overview of major crimes, street crimes, and gangs

Patrol procedures

Use of force

K-9 units

Major accident response and reconstruction

Firearms training and bomb disposal

Click here to register for the event.

Our partners at Burien PD and SeaTac PD are hosting their Community Police Academy again!



The Community Police Academy is designed to increase understanding between residents and their local law enforcement through public education.



Info or to register: https://t.co/Mj5ZgO7pli pic.twitter.com/xX4shf3uTu  King County Sheriff's Office PIO (@kingcosoPIO) January 25, 2024
The owner of a party supply store in Kirkland says she is devastated after the business was hit by burglars on Wednesday night.

Elsa Hile, the owner of H Party Plus, says she first heard about the break-in after getting a 7 a.m. call from her alarm company.

Police told her thieves had smashed the bottom window of her glass door before stealing the cash register, a laptop, and a speaker.

Hile says she is an immigrant from Eritrea who works seven days a week in hopes of building a new life for herself.

I work seven days a week to make it, and for me to see this its so sad, and this is a safe area I thought, said Hile.

Neighbors are also surprised by the break-in and say its uncommon for that area or Kirkland.

[Its unusual] to see in this area, usually low crime, said Alyssa who works at a nearby coffee shop.

Kirkland police will continue to investigate. As for Hile, she is left to pick up the pieces.

Its the thinking of doing this, people can hurt people when people are trying to make it, its so sad, she said. We need to take care of each other not hurt each other.

There will be police activity in the area of the Inglewood Village 14100 Juanita DR NE. Police are responding to a reported commercial burglary at that location. pic.twitter.com/VHzweqnuO9  Kirkland Police (@KirklandWAPD) January 25, 2024




Note to readers: Kitchen Encounters is an occasional spotlight on local chefs and other dining industry workers who give diversity and depth to the distinctive food culture of South Florida.

The most attractive empanada in South Florida, its filling of meat, vegetables and spices baked inside a packet of slightly sweet pastry dough, has been flying off the shelf on Fort Lauderdales chic Las Olas Boulevard and is the star of the menu at a new cafe in Davie.

But this flavorful handheld pie comes with a secret: No matter what the menu says, its not an empanada.

While the differences may be subtle, the popular pastry in question is actually a saltena, a savory morning tradition in its homeland, Bolivia.

Many South American countries have their own national and regional variation of the empanada in different shapes and sizes, some baked, some fried  the most common in the United States being the traditional fried crescent credited to Argentina. Within that multitude, the saltena deserves to make a name for itself.

They do really well. People love them. I order about 250 a week, says Taylor Fuentes, owner of Anns Florist & Coffee Bar, a charming cafe on Las Olas Boulevard, where the saltenas are listed as empanadas.

The ambiguity in the name is not an accident  Fuentes says that using a more familiar term is helpful to her customers. But Fuentes knows the difference. In fact, she says saltenas are better than the more common Argentinian empanadas.

Traditional empanadas, dont get me wrong, theyre good, but this is a completely different type of empanada, she says. These are more full, theyre not as fried as Argentinian empanadas, and the ingredients are, I would say, more fresh.

Seated outside Anns recently, Melanie Ornstein, of Fort Lauderdale, was happy to have her favorite empanada properly identified, but 

Now that I know, Ill try to call them what theyre called, but can I just enjoy this one without a semantics lesson? she says, laughing. Have you had one? So flavorful and moist.

Whats the difference?

Any savory turnover from Latin America can be called an empanada, and the Bolivian saltena fits the bill with a rustic filling that is juicy and hearty  typically beef or chicken mixed in a slightly spicy, slightly sweet sauce that includes potatoes, peas and other vegetables, sometimes raisins. The more skilled saltena consumer will take a bite from one end and then slurp out the stew-like center (and they consider the use of a spoon cheating).

But the most obvious difference between the two is visual. In the display case, saltenas are pretty and sculptural  recognizable by their plump girth and upright posture, with a braided seam of dough accentuating the top  while many empanadas are thinner and typically lay on their side. Anns offers saltenas for $6.95 each, with traditional fillings such as spicy beef, spicy chicken and country chicken.

The baker responsible for Anns obscure treats is Fausto Arroyo, a native of the Bolivian city of Cochabamba who recently opened a cafe called The Wild Mug in Davie, where he serves traditional saltenas baked on site.

The space, a bright, coffee-scented storefront in a strip center at 11476 W. State Road 84, on the southwest corner of Interstate 595 and Hiatus Road, includes a kitchen in the back where Arroyo and his father bake the saltenas that are also served at Anns.

To keep things simple for his customers, Arroyo himself lists the saltenas on the menu at The Wild Mug as empanadas.

We wanted to go with what people know, so theyll actually try it, says Arroyo, a perpetually warm and accommodating personality.

Bankers to bakers

Led by his mother, Marlen, Arroyos family (he has three siblings) moved from Bolivia to South Florida in 2001, when he was 19. It was his father, Guido, who later came up with the idea to turn their saltenas, based on a recipe handed down from Guidos mother, into a business.

Arroyo was working for JPMorgan Chase and his wife, Leia, for Bank of America when they quit their jobs to pursue their own dream, opening a bakery and restaurant in North Miami called Top Notch Bistro in 2016.

With a menu of scratch-made baked goods, saltenas, sandwiches and burgers, the cozy eatery quickly developed a loyal following and a wave of five-star reviews on Yelp. At their peak, Arroyo and his father were making 1,500 to 1,700 saltenas a week for customers at Top Notch and for more than 20 wholesale clients, from Pasion Del Cielo Coffee locations throughout Miami-Dade County to non-coffee shops such as J. Wakefield Brewing in Wynwood.

Then the pandemic struck, and the Arroyos closed their restaurant and the bakery in March 2020. They never reopened. In 2022, Arroyo was staggered by the death of his mother after a battle with cancer. Without my mom, we would not be having this conversation, he says.

Arroyo used a series of commercial kitchens to keep baking saltenas for his remaining clients, such as Anns, while planning his next project.

The Wild Mug opened in November, serving housemade saltenas, sandwiches and sweet pastries, along with a variety of coffees. Arroyo, his wife and two young daughters live nearby after relocating from Kendall.

So far, Yelp reviewers have raved about the hidden gem.

Strategic moves

Over the years, Arroyo and his father have adjusted the family saltena recipe based on customer feedback. So a traditional ingredient such as lard has been replaced by butter, and you wont find quail egg or raisins. They also removed black olives after someone bit into the pit.



That can be a little bit of a liability. That person could break their teeth and then you find yourself in a problem. But thats here. Back in Bolivia, they dont care. You break your teeth, go to the dentist. Its your problem, he says, laughing.

Arroyos younger brother once lived in the area, but he says the move to Davie was a strategic decision for his business. The market for empanada-style food in Miami-Dade is difficult to break into.

They are used to what theyve had for many years, the traditional empanadita, the way they call it. And they typically look for the one that fits their country, he says.

In Broward County, he has been surprised by the diversity of food and customers willing to try something new, such as a saltena.

They are more receptive to try, and give credit to, good quality and different, unique experiences of food, Arroyo says. I see way, way more variety of food up here in Broward County than Dade County, believe it or not.

If you are on the hunt for more saltenas, the only other source weve been able to find in South Florida is Saltenas Bolivian Kitchen, in a large booth festooned with the nations flags at Yellow Green Farmers Market in Hollywood, which is only open on weekends.

There you will learn that a frozen saltena can come out of an air fryer at the peak of its toasty, flavorful deliciousness. Upon request, it can arrive with a side of the spicy Bolivian sauce called llajua, made with locoto pepper and likely to make you rethink your usual salsa.

The Wild Mug is at 11476 W. State Road 84, Davie; TheWildMug.com. Anns Florist & Coffee Bar is at 1001 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; AnnsFloristLasOlas.com. Saltenas Bolivian Kitchen is at 3080 Sheridan St., Hollywood; Instagram.com/saltenas.us.

Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Instagram @BenCrandell and Twitter @BenCrandell.
KITTERY, Maine  Maines oldest incorporated community is the newest Purple Heart town.

Members of the Kittery Town Council unanimously voted to have the town christened with the title at its Monday meeting, with all five present councilors in support of the motion.

A sign greets people entering Kittery, Maine, after crossing the Memorial Bridge from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as seen Monday, July 18, 2022.

The Purple Heart is Americas oldest military award, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Originally created as the Badge of Military Merit by Gen. George Washington, the award is now bestowed upon United States service members wounded or killed in combat.

Councilors approved a proclamation designating Kittery as a Purple Heart town, which read, in part: Many from Kittery have made the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives in the cause of freedom, and numerous combat-wounded veterans currently reside within this town and contribute to this community in countless ways.

Nationwide there are approximately 900 Purple Heart locations and over 1.6 million recipients of the distinction.

The purpose of being a Purple Heart Town is to express gratitude to the members of our community who were either wounded or killed in combat defending the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans, and to ensure we never forget, according to a town statement. Becoming a Purple Heart community means Kittery will join the Purple Heart Trail, a national series of roads, bridges, highways and other monuments and trails honoring soldiers who have received a purple heart medal.

Two members of the Kittery Police Department, Officers Michael Webster and Danny Contois, are Purple Heart recipients, according to the department.

By joining the Purple Heart trail, Kittery will add signage throughout the town noting its Purple Heart town status. Sign installation could occur in the late spring or early summer, according to the town.

Town Manager Kendra Amaral reported that the town is scoping out multiple locations for Purple Heart town signage, including near Town Hall, on the Memorial Bridge entering Kittery, U.S. Route 1 southbound coming from York and Route 103 heading towards Fort McClary.

I dont know if well do it at all those locations, but those are the ones weve surveyed, she said Monday.

Town Council members Cyrus Clark and Cameron Hamm, who is on military leave, were not present for the vote on Monday. The remaining five councilors signed the proclamation following the vote.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Kittery ME becomes Purple Heart town
A painting by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt that was believed to be lost for about 100 years has been found  having been secretly owned by a private collector for decades. The painting, which was confiscated by the Nazis, is being auctioned as part of an agreement to turn in art once confiscated by the Nazis, according to auction house im Kinsky.

The Austrian auction house says the unfinished painting "Bildnis Fraeulein Lieser" (Portrait of Miss Lieser) was one of the artist's last works before his death. It is unclear who "Fraulein Lieser" is exactly, but experts believe it could have been one of several women in the Lieser family, a wealthy Jewish family in Vienna who were clients of Klimt.

The woman in the portrait visited Klimt's studio nine times to pose for him, the auction house said. The finished product is a three-quarter portrait of a woman against a red backdrop, adorned with a cape on her shoulders.

Klimt started the portrait in 1917 and died of a stroke in February 1918. He left the paintingwith small parts unfinishedin his studio and it was given to the Liesers.

A masterpiece lost for nearly 100 years will be auctioned after being found with a private collector. / Credit: im Kinsky

After that, the fate of the painting remained a mystery. A photo of the portrait likely taken in 1925 at an exhibit came with a note: "1925 in possession of Mrs. Lieser, IV, Argentinierstrasse 20." The black-and-white image was the only evidence of the portrait's existence  until now.

It is unclear what happened to the painting between 1925 and 1960, when the family of the current owner obtained the portrait. The painting was passed down to the current owner through three inheritances.

The auction house called the portrait a "sensation," and said it will be auctioned on April 24. "A painting of such rarity, artistic significance, and value has not been available on the art market in Central Europe for decades," the auction house said.

"Bildnis Fraeulein Lieser" is being auctioned as part of The Washington Principles, a 1998 international agreement that established the procedure for returning art stolen by the Nazis.

Last year, Klimt's "Dame mit Faecher" (Lady with a Fan) was sold at auction in London for over $100 million, setting a new European art auction record.

Before the auction of "Bildnis Fraeulein Lieser," the painting will be on display in Switzerland, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong and other locations.

What an expansion of the child tax credit could mean for parents

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South Florida rapper Kodak Black remained stuck in a Miami federal jail during a hearing in his oxycodone case in Broward County Friday morning, though his attorney arrived to hand the judge a printed out picture of his prescription pill bottle for the drug.

Black, whose legal name is Bill Kapri, was arrested in Plantation in December on charges of possession of cocaine after police conducted a traffic stop and saw him with white powder in his mouth, according to a probable cause affidavit. A field drug test incorrectly turned up cocaine, but lab testing later revealed that the drug was oxycodone.

Black now faces one count of possession of oxycodone, but his defense attorney argues that he has a legal prescription for the drug. Prosecutors, meanwhile, are arguing that there is no evidence that the white powder police found is the same painkiller the rapper got at the pharmacy.

Related Articles

Fridays hearing comes amid a cascade of legal battles over Kodak Black that have kept him bouncing from prison to rehab to jail again. His attorney, Bradford Cohen, is trying to get him back to Broward and released. He believes that law enforcement and prosecutors have been out to get the rapper since then-President Donald Trump commuted his sentence.

Im no conspiracy theorist, but when you put together all the instances that are screwed up that happen with Bill Kapri, it never equals what would happen to a normal, everyday Joe, he told the Sun Sentinel on Friday. These are all extraordinary things that are happening, that dont happen in regular cases.

The Broward State Attorneys Office declined to comment on the pending case but said in a statement that they are following the same process that they use for all defendants in such cases.

Like every other case our office handles, our assistant state attorneys will handle the case in the courtroom and the justice system, based on the facts and the evidence, Paula McMahon, a spokesperson for the State Attorneys Office, said in an email. We generally do not comment on specific cases while they are pending.

However, she added: Prosecutors are working diligently to try to obtain all of the legally required information for anyone accused of this type of offense.

The case

On Dec. 7, the night Black was arrested, Plantation Police said they found his Bentley SUV blocking the road and the rapper asleep at the wheel. Cohen says Black was outside of a friends house.

When an officer walked up to Black after he had woken up, he saw the rapper stuffing the oxycodone in his mouth, according to the probable cause affidavit. Black said it was Percocet, referring to oxycodone mixed with Tylenol.

A field test of the powder originally came back positive for cocaine, and Black was arrested on those charges. But a lab test later revealed that the substance was, in fact, oxycodone.

 at the time of the arrest, the Defendant possessed a valid prescription for for oxycodone, which is an absolute defense as stated in the statute, Cohen had written in the motion filed Monday.

He attached a copy of Blacks prescription history, which shows he was prescribed the drug for back and lower extremity pain because of a gunshot wound back in January 2022.

The rapper was found with 3.6 grams of the drug, according to the lab report attached in the motion. For reference, the weight threshold for trafficking oxycodone is 7 grams.

Contracts 101

Prosecutors filed a motion Thursday arguing, among other things, that Blacks case should not be dismissed because he signed his name as only Bill at the bottom of his attorneys motion.

Their motion came in response to a motion Cohen filed Monday asking the judge to dismiss Blacks case because of his valid prescription for the drug that turned out not to be cocaine. But prosecutors said Cohens motion is based on conclusory allegations rather than facts. Plus, Blacks name-signing failed to meet legal requirements.

Motion to dismiss is not properly sworn as the defendant only signed his first name and as such must be struck as a not properly sworn motion to dismiss, prosecutors wrote.

On Instagram and in court, Cohen brought up the name-signing argument incredulously.

Sad that they are so desperate to get Kodak they ignore the law, he wrote online. In court Friday, he said its Contracts 101.

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Prosecutors are also arguing that the defense has not provided sufficient evidence to prove the white powder is the drug Black was prescribed in order to get the case dismissed.

There were no physical markings on the substance, therefore the substance cannot be identified as what was lawfully prescribed to the defendant, they wrote. The defense has also failed to provide sworn documentation that the prescription is legitimate, nor has the state been provided a copy of said prescription.

These disputes over facts should be resolved in a trial, they argued, not in a motion to dismiss.

Cohen brought a picture of the prescription bottle to court Friday following the states argument, but that may not be enough to follow the State Attorneys Office process.

Speaking in general about all such cases, there is a documented, standard legal process in the State of Florida for anyone accused of this offense, which includes formally verifying that a person had a valid prescription, that it was issued by a licensed physician, and that the seized substance matches the prescribed substance, McMahon said.

Black was arrested on Dec. 7, but it wasnt until Jan. 22 that defense attorneys provided the document with his prescriptions, she pointed out.

It is up to Judge Barbara Duffy to decide whether the evidence is sufficient enough to dismiss the case.

He needs to be here

The recent drug charge has had a ripple effect in Blacks other cases.

He was supposed to appear in person Friday, but due to the drug charge, he was accused of violating his probation in a separate, federal case where hes accused of lying on a form to buy guns, and was sent to a Miami detention center.

Meanwhile, in addition to the gun charge and recent drug charge, Black is also facing charges of trafficking in oxycodone and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription following an arrest on July 16, 2022.

Black was required to take drug tests as part of his pre-trial release program in that case, but failed shown up for drug tests multiple times, according to the Broward Sheriffs Office, which has issued two separate warrants for his arrest as a result, court records show. After the December arrest, his bond was revoked in that case as well.

But Cohen thinks the series of legal troubles can be traced back to Blacks commutation on Trumps last day in office in 2021.

What I think is happening, the reason hes being bounced around, the reason hes being charged in these things, is because no one was happy that he got a commutation, he said. They want to show him that its not okay to get a commutation.

Black has to appear in person in Broward be served with the new warrant with the oxycodone charges.

He needs to be here, Duffy told Cohen on Friday.

Cohen is confident that hell get Black in Broward soon, ideally before a Feb. 2 hearing for the motion to dismiss in the oxycodone possession case and a motion to reinstate bond in the oxycodone trafficking case.

Im going to go to the federal judge and get him moved, Cohen said.  Next Friday, hopefully, well have him present.
With Turkey voting to include Sweden in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), only Hungary has yet to do so.

For this, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that he was willing to meet his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban to discuss how to finalize Sweden's NATO membership.

The Associated Press cited Swedish media when it reported that Orban first invited Kristersson to Budapest to discuss completing the accession process.

Kristersson said that he agreed that more dialogue between the countries would be beneficial, but insisted that he looked forward to meeting his Hungarian counterpart at the European Council meeting in Brussels in February and not in Budapest.

"I look forward to discussing all these issues in depth with you in Budapest at a time convenient for both of us," the Swedish prime minister wrote in a letter to Orban, according to Swedish news agency TT.

Due to the organization's regulations, NATO membership requires the unanimity of all member countries. However, both Turkey and Hungary became the alliance's holdouts in accepting Sweden amid Russia's war in Ukraine.

Orban, a right-wing populist who has been lukewarm in his support for neighboring Ukraine and maintained a friendly relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has long promised that Hungary would not be the last NATO member to ratify Sweden's bid.

Regarding Sweden's NATO bid, he pledged to convince his legislative colleagues to approve Sweden's NATO membership following widespread criticism.

Read Also: Steadfast Defender 24: NATO Kicks Off Largest Military Exercise in 40 Years, Involving 90,000 Troops from 31 Alliance Members

Turkish Approval

It was earlier reported that Turkish legislators endorsed Sweden's NATO membership bid 287 to 55, with ruling party members saying that the country's tougher stance on Kurdish militants was key to winning approval.

The Turkish ratification has yet to be signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Prior to the long-awaited approval, Turkey had delayed Sweden's membership for more than a year, accusing the country of being too lenient toward groups Ankara officials regarded as security threats.

Sweden and Finland have abandoned their traditional military nonalignment to seek NATO's protection following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Finland already entered the alliance in April 2023, making it NATO's 31st member state. If Hungary ratified Sweden's bid, it would become the 32nd.

Related Article: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban Plans To Endorse Sweden's NATO Application Following Scrutiny
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  South Florida rapper Kodak Black remained stuck in a Miami federal jail during a hearing in his oxycodone case in Broward County Friday morning, though his attorney arrived to hand the judge a printed out picture of his prescription pill bottle for the drug.

Black, whose legal name is Bill Kapri, was arrested in Plantation in December on charges of possession of cocaine after police conducted a traffic stop and saw him with white powder in his mouth, according to a probable cause affidavit. A field drug test incorrectly turned up cocaine, but lab testing later revealed that the drug was oxycodone.

Black now faces one count of possession of oxycodone, but his defense attorney argues that he has a legal prescription for the drug. Prosecutors, meanwhile, are arguing that there is no evidence that the white powder police found is the same painkiller the rapper got at the pharmacy.

Fridays hearing comes amid a cascade of legal battles over Kodak Black that have kept him bouncing from prison to rehab to jail again. His attorney, Bradford Cohen, is trying to get him back to Broward and released. He believes that law enforcement and prosecutors have been out to get the rapper since then-President Donald Trump commuted his sentence.

Im no conspiracy theorist, but when you put together all the instances that are screwed up that happen with Bill Kapri, it never equals what would happen to a normal, everyday Joe, he told the Sun Sentinel on Friday. These are all extraordinary things that are happening, that dont happen in regular cases.

The Broward State Attorneys Office declined to comment on the pending case but said in a statement that they are following the same process that they use for all defendants in such cases.

Like every other case our office handles, our assistant state attorneys will handle the case in the courtroom and the justice system, based on the facts and the evidence, Paula McMahon, a spokesperson for the State Attorneys Office, said in an email. We generally do not comment on specific cases while they are pending.

However, she added: Prosecutors are working diligently to try to obtain all of the legally required information for anyone accused of this type of offense.

The case

On Dec. 7, the night Black was arrested, Plantation Police said they found his Bentley SUV blocking the road and the rapper asleep at the wheel. Cohen says Black was outside of a friends house.

When an officer walked up to Black after he had woken up, he saw the rapper stuffing the oxycodone in his mouth, according to the probable cause affidavit. Black said it was Percocet, referring to oxycodone mixed with Tylenol.

A field test of the powder originally came back positive for cocaine, and Black was arrested on those charges. But a lab test later revealed that the substance was, in fact, oxycodone.

 at the time of the arrest, the Defendant possessed a valid prescription for for oxycodone, which is an absolute defense as stated in the statute, Cohen had written in the motion filed Monday.

He attached a copy of Blacks prescription history, which shows he was prescribed the drug for back and lower extremity pain because of a gunshot wound back in January 2022.

The rapper was found with 3.6 grams of the drug, according to the lab report attached in the motion. For reference, the weight threshold for trafficking oxycodone is 7 grams.

Contracts 101

Prosecutors filed a motion Thursday arguing, among other things, that Blacks case should not be dismissed because he signed his name as only Bill at the bottom of his attorneys motion.

Their motion came in response to a motion Cohen filed Monday asking the judge to dismiss Blacks case because of his valid prescription for the drug that turned out not to be cocaine. But prosecutors said Cohens motion is based on conclusory allegations rather than facts. Plus, Blacks name-signing failed to meet legal requirements.

Motion to dismiss is not properly sworn as the defendant only signed his first name and as such must be struck as a not properly sworn motion to dismiss, prosecutors wrote.

On Instagram and in court, Cohen brought up the name-signing argument incredulously.

Sad that they are so desperate to get Kodak they ignore the law, he wrote online. In court Friday, he said its Contracts 101.

Prosecutors are also arguing that the defense has not provided sufficient evidence to prove the white powder is the drug Black was prescribed in order to get the case dismissed.

There were no physical markings on the substance, therefore the substance cannot be identified as what was lawfully prescribed to the defendant, they wrote. The defense has also failed to provide sworn documentation that the prescription is legitimate, nor has the state been provided a copy of said prescription.

These disputes over facts should be resolved in a trial, they argued, not in a motion to dismiss.

Cohen brought a picture of the prescription bottle to court Friday following the states argument, but that may not be enough to follow the State Attorneys Office process.

Speaking in general about all such cases, there is a documented, standard legal process in the State of Florida for anyone accused of this offense, which includes formally verifying that a person had a valid prescription, that it was issued by a licensed physician, and that the seized substance matches the prescribed substance, McMahon said.

Black was arrested on Dec. 7, but it wasnt until Jan. 22 that defense attorneys provided the document with his prescriptions, she pointed out.

It is up to Judge Barbara Duffy to decide whether the evidence is sufficient enough to dismiss the case.

He needs to be here

The recent drug charge has had a ripple effect in Blacks other cases.

He was supposed to appear in person Friday, but due to the drug charge, he was accused of violating his probation in a separate, federal case where hes accused of lying on a form to buy guns, and was sent to a Miami detention center.

Meanwhile, in addition to the gun charge and recent drug charge, Black is also facing charges of trafficking in oxycodone and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription following an arrest on July 16, 2022.

Black was required to take drug tests as part of his pretrial release program in that case, but failed shown up for drug tests multiple times, according to the Broward Sheriffs Office, which has issued two separate warrants for his arrest as a result, court records show. After the December arrest, his bond was revoked in that case as well.

But Cohen thinks the series of legal troubles can be traced back to Blacks commutation on Trumps last day in office in 2021.

What I think is happening, the reason hes being bounced around, the reason hes being charged in these things, is because no one was happy that he got a commutation, he said. They want to show him that its not okay to get a commutation.

Black has to appear in person in Broward be served with the new warrant with the oxycodone charges.

He needs to be here, Duffy told Cohen on Friday.

Cohen is confident that hell get Black in Broward soon, ideally before a Feb. 2 hearing for the motion to dismiss in the oxycodone possession case and a motion to reinstate bond in the oxycodone trafficking case.

Im going to go to the federal judge and get him moved, Cohen said.  Next Friday, hopefully, well have him present.


MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia will use alternative routes and supplies of sea-borne liquefied natural gas in case Ukraine does not extend the deal on Russian gas transit to Europe, Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

The current five-year agreement between Moscow and Kyiv about Russian gas transit to Europe expires in the end of 2024.

Speaking to reporters at a daily conference call, Peskov also said that the logistic chains for Russian gas exports would be overhauled in case the deal was not extended.

Various media outlets have cited Ukrainian government as saying that Kyiv will not seek talks with Moscow on the possibility of a gas transit deal extension.

"The question is how this gas will get there (to Europe). Of course, there are existing routes related to Turkey, there are supplies of liquefied gas, which are in demand now," Peskov said.

"That is, there are alternative routes. But firstly, they are all already booked ... and of course, this will lead to changes in all logistics chains."

Ukraine used to be Russia's main route for gas exports to Europe. However, the supplies of gas via the country have dwindled as Russia built the now damaged and idle undersea Nord Stream pipeline via the Baltic Sea to Germany and TurkStream link on the bed of the Black Sea to Turkey.

Russian gas exports to Europe also plummeted amid the political fallout over the conflict in Ukraine. Russia has lost top spot of natural gas provider for Europe to Norway.

(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; Writing by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Alison Williams)
Frank Kruppenbacher, a once-powerful public attorney, violated a state ethics law while serving as the top lawyer at the Florida Virtual School, according to an agreement the Florida Commission on Ethics unanimously approved Friday.

In the agreement, hashed out by attorneys for Kruppenbacher and the commission, Kruppenbacher admitted to one ethics violation  having a virtual school employee do work for his private business. The punishment is public censure, reprimand and a $5,000 fine, the agreement says.

Kruppenbacher has had a long legal career in Central Florida, serving as attorney for Orange County Public Schools, the virtual school, a half dozen government agencies and, most recently, the Osceola County school district. He left the Osceola position in September. He also served for seven years as the influential chairman of the board that oversees Orlando International Airport.

At one point, Orlando Magazine named him one of the citys most powerful people seven years in a row.

In 2021, the ethics commission found probable cause that Kruppenbacher had committed six violations of state ethics laws.

The case was to go to an administrative hearing, but both sides agreed to mediation. During mediation, the state agreed to drop five other charges saying the evidence does not warrant moving forward while Kruppenbacher admitted to the single accusation, according to the agreement reached in December and voted on Friday by the commission.

Kruppenbacher did not appear before the commission during its brief discussion of his case. Neither he nor his attorney, Mark Herron, responded immediately to requests for comment Friday, nor did they respond earlier this month when the Orlando Sentinel first reported on the agreement.

Leslie McLaughlin, the virtual school para-legal and clerk who filed the ethics complaint, said she had no comment.

The ethics commission vote should be the final official response to the scandal that rocked the virtual school in 2018 when Kruppenbacher  an ally of then Gov. Rick Scott  resigned amid whistleblower accusations of boorish behavior and a school audit that questioned spending and contracts he approved.

The whistleblower complaints came from about a dozen other school employees.

The complaints were investigated in 2018 by a law firm and auditors hired by the virtual school and were also forwarded to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the ethics commission. FDLE closed its investigation in 2020 without filing any criminal charges against Kruppenbacher, but it provided its report to the ethics commission.

In April 2019, the Orlando Sentinel published an investigation of Kruppenbachers tenure at the school, and soon after Gov. Ron DeSantis and lawmakers ordered a state takeover of FLVS, considered a national pioneer in online education. The state ordered audits, disbanded the schools board of trustees and appointed new administrators.

After a time under direct state control, the virtual school is now once again an independent public school, with a board of trustees appointed by the governor. It serves more than 240,000 students with both full and part-time online classes and is receiving more than $300 million in state money for this school year.
The Kentucky State Police Laboratory has a debilitating evidence testing backlog that leaves a negative trickle down affect in the states criminal justice system by causing delays that affect victims, their families, attorneys and defendants.

When a suspect is charged with a crime, its common for prosecutors and police to rely on DNA evidence to prove that suspect is guilty  or exonerate them. But some results for DNA sent to the KSP lab take months or years before they are returned to local police agencies who are left to find a costly alternative to have their evidence tested. The Lexington Police Department is looking into the use of private evidence laboratories that could expedite the testing of evidence, and help resolve cases more quickly.

Lt. Brian Peterson with the LPD personal crimes section said delays of evidence testing have led the department to consider personal laboratories which can process evidence  primarily DNA  at a quicker rate than the backlogged KSP lab.

How backlogged labs impact the courts

Peterson said the use of private labs would help investigators more quickly get justice for victims and their families. It could also help exonerate innocent people facing charges, or quickly convict those who are guilty. Regardless of a defendants final outcome, inmates awaiting trial contribute to statewide jail overcrowding while sometimes just waiting for one evidence test to come back.

Corry Jackson, a Lexington man awaiting a manslaughter trial after he was arrested in a shooting in the 400 block of Chestnut Street in April 2023, is one such example. Lakeisha Hill, 32, and Timonte Harris, 43, both died as a result of the shooting. Jackson was arrested one block away from the scene of the shooting, and witnesses later identified him as the shooter, according to court documents.

The lead investigator for Jacksons case, Jeremy Adkins, said during a previous hearing that witness testimony was the only definitive evidence that placed Jackson as the shooter. Investigators did not find him with a weapon. Jackson was tested for gunshot residue. Results from that test were not returned before prosecutors presented what evidence they had to a Fayette County grand jury which indicted Jackson.

Daniel Whitley, Jacksons attorney, said the backlog can present flaws in the system and harm those who are innocent. Whitley and the family believe the result of the gunshot residue test will exonerate Jackson. If it doesnt, it can still delay the case.

You go to court and they will say stuff like, The test is not back yet, we are waiting for the tests, he said in an interview with the Herald-Leader. You know, KSP laboratories are backed up. But they are not educating the public on the cost of that, because if we are going to house people in jail, put them in prisons, facing death, we will remove them from their lives ... 

Detective: Thats the way it is

Adkins said while the situation of presenting un-returned evidence to a grand jury is unfortunate, it is routine.

Thats the way it is, Adkins said in a previous hearing where Jackson was denied a bond reduction. We have 60 days to present to the grand jury, and routinely we are waiting on these tests  its not ideal but it doesnt discount that we have more than one eye witness to account for (Jackson) as the shooter.

The 60 days rule is established by criminal procedure: a prosecutor has 60 days to present a case to the grand jury for a defendant whos in custody. If they do not meet that deadline, the defendant is either released from jail or the bond they paid to get out is refunded. The defendant can still face the criminal charges and the prosecutor can still present the case, but the defendant is no longer bound to a detention center.

Whitley said law enforcement should be held accountable to give the whole truth to a grand jury when giving them the opportunity to press charges against someone.

Sgt. Matt Merker, who works in the LPD Robbery/Homicide Unit, said investigators immediately send evidence to the lab because they know how long it takes. Some evidence, such as clothing, gunshot residue or firearm evidence can come back within a couple of months, Merker said.

But DNA testing can take anywhere from a year and a half to sometimes three years, Merker said.

We want to get in that line, Merker said. That can really hamper a case if we really need that information.

Peterson said the maximum three-year waiting period can have negative consequences  suspect and witness memory deterioration, or disappearing evidence.

So thats crucial we get that evidence processed as quickly as we can, and what we are seeing is some of these private labs that are better funded, have more staff, better technology, and they are able to provide us those turnaround times much, much quicker, Peterson said. In a fraction of the time.

LPD didnt provide information on when the department might have a partnership, the potential cost of collaboration with private labs, or if there are specific labs involved in the project.

Why are KSP labs backlogged?

Speaking before the Kentucky Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 18, KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr., said the agency cant pay enough to keep its crime lab well-staffed, and theres been an increase in evidence submitted.

Burnett said Kentuckys pay for its state crime lab ranks 47th  starting pay is just over $44,000. He said an increase in pay would help recruit and retain experts. And keeping the staff around for awhile would save the agency money, too.

In 2016, we calculated the agency spent 1.4 million dollars in salaries training staff that have left before ever working a real case, Burnett testified to state lawmakers last week.

He added that 90% of employees who resign say their primary reason for leaving is pay. Surrounding states offer nearly $20,000 more at the starting level, Burnett said. Since 2021, the state labs have never operated at more than 70% staffing capacity, he said.

KSP Laboratories have six labs across the state in Frankfort, Middletown, London, Cold Springs, Ashland and Louisville. The central laboratory, located in Frankfort, is the only site that does DNA testing.

For violent crimes testing, not including sexual assault, the forensic biology section received 1,700 testing submissions from Kentuckys more than 400 police agencies, according to Burnett. The average turnaround time for those results was nine months by the end of 2023, Burnett said.

A large number of the DNA testing comes from Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence kit intake, commonly referred to as a SAFE Kit. SAFE Kit testing nearly doubled from 479 in 2016 to 882 in 2023. The forensic biology section which processes these cases operated at 58% staffing capacity, according to Burnett.

In 2016, the state labs had a testing backlog of more than 3,000 kits, which prompted the state to pass Senate Bill 63. This emergency bill established timelines of four to six weeks that required tests to be analyzed. It also increased funding for positions which was hopeful to establish an increase in ability to process tests.

The wait time for testing has decreased, Burnett said. Test times used to take about a year and a half, Burnett said. In 2023, they took about a year and a month.

But Burnett said the bill didnt successfully fill out KSPs testing staff. At no time since the bills passage  which provided money for 10 new positions  have those positions been full and working cases.

With improved efforts and if the prior caseloads did not exist, we could take a SAFE kit brought in and could be analyzed in four to six weeks, he said. We do not have the staff numbers to make substantial strides in the previous case loads.

Senator: Low state analyst pay is embarrassing

Senator Whitney Westerfield, the chair of the committee, said the poor pay rate for analysts is embarrassing. Westerfield said he would be remiss if he didnt give grief to Gov. Andy Beshears administration.

The legislature has asked for a salary study, and we waited  we have it now, Westerfield said. I think it finally came in November. But that hamstrung our ability to adequately fund, not just state police, not just the justice cabinet, but everyone else in the state government, and to help us compete as effectively as we need to everywhere else.

Steeley Shacklette, the executive director of the states personnel cabinet said Westerfields statement is simply not accurate.

Shacklette said the Personnel Cabinet reviewed the states job classification and pay plan, as directed by the legislature, and assembled detailed reports as a result in July 2022 and November 2023.

As a result of the Personnel Cabinets findings, pay raises have been provided to 21,300 employees, Shacklette said in an emailed statement to the Herald-Leader. Sen. Westerfields suggestion that this administration hamstrung the General Assemblys ability to adequately fund the Kentucky State Police or any other agency in state government is simply not accurate.

During the hearing, several committee members commented on supporting the increase in starting pay for analysts. Some mentioned a non-compete clause being implemented.


Preparations for transferring F-16 fighter jets from Denmark to Ukraine are proceeding as planned, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said at a joint press conference with his Danish counterpart Lars Lokke Rasmussen in Mykolaiv on Jan. 26.

Earlier this month, the Danish newspaper Berlingske, citing the countrys defense ministry, reported that the donation of six F-16s could be delayed to Kyiv for as much as six months. Yurii Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Air Force, then said there were no official statements from the Danish ministry.

"Many thanks to Lars for his assurance that preparations for delivering of F-16s from Denmark are going according to plan. So far, there are no threats to disrupt this program," Kuleba said.

He praised Copenhagen for keeping its word, calling the decision historic, as Denmark, along with the Netherlands, were the first countries to promise F-16s to Ukraine.

In mid-August 2023, Denmark pledged to give Ukraine 19 F-16s, with the first batch of six aircraft expected to be delivered in spring 2024, and the rest by 2025.

Danish and Dutch officials have said the delivery schedule depends on the readiness of Ukraines infrastructure and pilots, among other factors.

The "fighter jet coalition" to train Ukrainian pilots and technical staff was officially established in July 2023 by the two countries, along with Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Since then, other nations, such as the U.S., Greece, and Bulgaria, have also pledged to assist with the training efforts.

Read also: Ukraine struggles to ramp up mobilization as Russias war enters 3rd year

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Kentucky House made more changes on Thursday to its sprawling, controversial anti-crime package before sending it to the Senate and an uncertain fate.

House Bill 5, called the Safer Kentucky Act, would rewrite much of the states criminal code, covering the homeless, shoplifters and vandals as well as carjackers, fentanyl dealers and violent offenders, the last of whom would go to prison for life after three strikes.

The overwhelmingly Republican House voted 74-to-22, largely along party lines, to pass the bill after nearly three hours of debate.

Supporters said the bill is an overdue get-tough measure after years of criminal-justice reforms in Kentucky that didnt put enough emphasis on public safety.

Soft-on-crime legislation makes (police officers) jobs harder, said state Rep. Wade Williams, R-Earlington, a former Madisonville police chief.

Rep. Wade Williams, R-Earlington

I saw firsthand effects from the prior decriminalization effort from this General Assembly in days past, Williams said. I understand their intention was to reduce costs and incarceration. But it had a negative effect on crime-fighting. I believe House Bill 5 will correct some of these issues and these unforeseen consequences.

But opponents raised a number of concerns about the sweeping package of proposed changes, including its unknown cost to taxpayers and the fact that Kentucky already has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country, with chronic jail overcrowding in many communities.

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They particularly objected to sections of the bill letting police fine and arrest homeless people for a newly created offense, unlawful camping. Democrats backed a floor motion on Thursday to cut the public homelessness sections of the bill, but the chambers Republican majority easily defeated that attempt.

And Rep. Keturah Herron, D-Louisville, criticized a part of the bill that would allow business owners to use a reasonable amount of force to protect themselves and prevent the escape of a suspected shoplifter. That risks encouraging violence in stores based on a merchants unfounded suspicions about people, Herron said.

There were procedural efforts by House Democrats to divide the bill into smaller segments that could be voted on individually, which the GOP majority also easily rejected.

We do have about 20 different bills that have been crammed into one, said state Rep. Sarah Stalker, D-Louisville.

Unfortunately, this bill lacks a lot in my opinion, Stalker said. It lacks compassion for our most vulnerable population experiencing homelessness. It lacks real collaboration with service providers and individuals with lived experiences in areas like substance abuse and re-entry. These groups are closest to the issues, but theyre farthest away from the table where bills like this are being drafted.

An impact statement prepared by legislative analysts estimated that an earlier version of the bill would bring a significant increase in operational costs for local and state governments, largely by putting more people in local jails and state prisons and requiring them to be held for longer.

Thirty-seven parts of the bill would raise incarceration costs, according to the statement, but no estimated total cost was included. The state budget recently proposed by the House would spend $748 million on the Department of Corrections in Fiscal Year 2025 and $778 million in Fiscal 2026, for a two-year total of $1.52 billion.

In the Senate, the bill seems likely to go to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The chairman, Republican Whitney Westerfield of Fruit Hill in Christian County, long has been an outspoken criminal-justice reform advocate.

Westerfield told the Herald-Leader Monday that he has asked for his panel to get the bill. At that time, Westerfield said he hadnt had a chance to read the 72-page version of the bill passed by the House Judiciary Committee last week, but he is familiar with previous versions and has spoken with its sponsor.

The bill is not as bad as I feared, but it still has provisions that need some more work, Westerfield said.

On Thursday, the House approved an 11-page floor amendment sponsored by the bills lead sponsor, Republican Rep. Jared Bauman of Louisville, that made a number of additional changes to the bill.

Louisville Republican Rep. Jared Bauman (middle) is lead sponsor of House Bill 5.

As amended, the bill would allow Kentuckians to sleep in vehicles in public for up to 12 hours without facing the newly created unlawful camping charge aimed at homeless people. In the previous version of the bill, sleeping in vehicles in public would have been prohibited.

The amendment would expand the definition of violent offenses, for which offenders must serve most of their prison sentences, to include first-degree burglary if someone other than the burglar is present at the scene; first-degree wanton endangerment; second-degree robbery; first-degree strangulation; carjacking; and first-degree arson.

It also would add fentanyl and fentanyl derivatives to Kentuckys Good Samaritan law, which is intended to provide immunity from prosecution for drug crimes when people call the authorities to report a drug overdose.

Among its many objectives, the bill would:

Create a three strikes and youre out law. Kentuckians convicted of violent felonies on three separate occasions would face life imprisonment with no possibility of parole for the third offense.

Add attempted murder to the violent offender statute, which would require anyone convicted of the crime to serve most of their sentence before they are eligible for parole.

Elevate criminal charges by one offense level for adults convicted of engaging in a conspiracy with minors.

Expand Kentuckys death penalty eligibility to include murder of a first responder  such as a police officer, firefighter or emergency medical worker  who was killed in the line of duty.

Elevate the offense of first-degree fleeing or evading police from a Class D to a Class C felony and require at least half of the prison sentence to be served before parole eligibility.

Deny probation, parole or any other form of conditional release for people convicted of a crime in which they possessed a gun in violation of state law, including felons in possession of a gun or guns that were stolen, defaced or loaded with restricted ammunition.

Require at least one parent or guardian to attend a youths juvenile court hearings, or else be fined $500 and ordered to perform 40 hours of community service.

Expand the definition of manslaughter to include the sale of fentanyl or fentanyl derivatives if the use of the drug by the buyer led to their death.

Elevate the offense level for people convicted of bringing fentanyl or fentanyl derivatives into a jail or prison, from the current Class D felony to a Class B felony.

Create the Class B felony of carjacking, or stealing someones motor vehicle away from them by means of force or intimidation.

Expand the felony and misdemeanor criminal mischief laws to include vandalism with property damage of $500 or more, although vandals could reduce their punishments by repairing or replacing the damaged property.

Create the crime of unlawful camping for homeless people who remained on streets, sidewalks, parks, under bridges or blocking entrances to homes, businesses or public buildings, with the intent to sleep or camp. A first offense would be a violation, which could bring a $250 fine. Future offenses would be a Class B misdemeanor.

Clarify a shopkeepers privilege that would allow business owners and their employees to use a reasonable amount of force necessary to protect themselves and prevent the escape of a suspected shoplifter theyve detained or the loss of goods from their businesses. This is intended as a criminal and partial civil shield.

Prevent charitable bail organizations, such as the nonprofit Louisville Bail Project, from posting $5,000 or more in bail to secure an inmates release from jail. It also would prohibit the nonprofit groups from posting bail for inmates charged with certain crimes, such as domestic or dating violence or felonies designated as violent offenses.

Sweeping anti-crime bill to protect KY from criminal element advances to House

Critics say KY House bill criminalizes poverty with penalties for homelessness
China, France should make further contributions to world peace, development: FM

Xinhua) 08:23, January 26, 2024

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Bertrand Lortholary, French Ambassador to China, wave hands after cutting a cake together at a reception for the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China and France, both as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major countries with a tradition of independence, should make greater contributions to world peace, development and progress, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

He said the two countries should uphold their fine traditions and shoulder their responsibilities for leading China-EU relations to a steady and lasting future.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in Beijing when attending a reception in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France.

He said that the two heads of state had spoken highly of the significance and glorious past of the bilateral ties and drawn up the blueprint for developing the ties in the next 60 years, charting the course of and injecting impetus into further efforts of the two sides.

Wang emphasized the foundation enjoyed by the two countries to carry out win-win cooperation, exchanges and mutual learning for common progress, adding that they have neither geopolitical conflicts nor conflict of fundamental interests.

China and France should continue to be forces for good, friends of sincerity and mutual trust, partners of mutual benefit and a model of exchanges and mutual learning, said Wang.

French Ambassador to China Bertrand Lortholary said at the reception that the French side will follow through on the important common understanding reached between the two heads of state, and extend the positive momentum of bilateral relations to open a new chapter of bilateral friendship in the new era.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a reception for the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Associated Press reported that Wisconsin Republicans are poised to pass a bill that calls for a binding referendum or vote.

The bill aims to ban abortions 14 weeks after pregnancy. The state currently prohibits abortions after 20 weeks and supporters of the bill have said that by closing this window more fetuses could be saved. The proposal would plant seeds for a statewide election in April that would ask the voters whether this should take effect. The 14-week deadline did not include cases of rape or incest. If approved this prohibition would take effect a day after the results have been certified.

Republican Representative Amanda Nedweski, the bill's chief Assembly sponsor, stated, "A vote against (the bill) is a vote against the will of the people". Nedweski's statement was at a news conference before the floor session started. The approval of the bill would send it over to the Senate but it's unclear if the bill could get past that hurdle. Republican Majority Leader, Devin LeMahieu, that it would be difficult for his conclave to work together on an abortion bill that the Democratic Governor Tony Evers would simply veto anyway if it landed on his desk. Evers has often gone on record saying that he won't sign a bill that limits reproductive health care.

This is following New Hampshire's recent push to weave abortion rights into its constitution which the states of Ohio, Michigan, Vermont, and California have already done. It is unclear whether this proposal would be approved as it has faced some heavy backlash as some critics believe that the people of New Hampshire should have the final say. However, it is clear that the back-and-forth on reproductive rights will continue and will vary with each state.

HNGN also reported that the proposal has been facing some backlash but amendment supporters have agreed that the people of Maine should have the final say. For example, Lisa Kushner stated the following "Personal reproductive decisions have no place in state legislatures. Our elected representatives should never be orchestrating constituents' reproductive lives. Mainers deserve a right to vote and settle this issue." But this has not stopped some from being critical. One such critic is Republican Senator Lisa Keim representing Dixfield has stated "There's no way it's going to pass. They shouldn't be putting this political theater on stage again."
Dear Sean Doyle,

I am writing to you on behalf of the thousands of Telegraph readers who shared their ire following my recent feature on a flight from hell with British Airways. In the comments below the article, and in emails and letters sent to me since, I have read countless similar tales of woe. I can draw only one conclusion: something is wrong with your company, and if you are serious about restoring the glory days, when BA could reasonably call itself the worlds favourite airline, I urge you to read this letter.

Annabel, on her recent flight from hell from London to Mauritius

You inherited the role of CEO from Willie Walsh in 2020, during the worst crisis in aviation history, and I acknowledge that you had a deep hole to climb out of. Still, there is always great opportunity when starting from such a low baseline.

It sounded hopeful when you told Telegraph Travel in 2021 that your goal was to make BA premium in everything we do. Yet, as my recent long-haul flight from London to Mauritius revealed, you have failed in this noble goal.

It wasnt just bad, Sean. It was abysmal. And that my article garnered one of the biggest responses Ive ever received in more than a decade of writing for national newspapers  along with more than half a million views for my accompanying TikTok video  should tell you something.

Youre a busy man, so Ive waded through all these comments, emails and letters to give you the jist of our quibbles.

Poor customer service  as I experienced when I flew with my toddler  came up again and again. Its a tough business to operate in and events regularly throw a spanner in the works that are out of your control. Consumers understand this. Its how you treat us along the way that makes a difference. Stephen Hazell-Smith emailed to tell me how British Airways did their absolute level best to kill the joy of his first overseas holiday after beating cancer last year, downgrading him from Premium to Economy, and making him jump through hoops to claim compensation.

Annabel Fenwick Elliott and her family on route to Mauritius

After a recent flight delay in California, Rebecca Bland said: Passengers including my 78-year-old mother were left sitting on the floor for hours and BA staff were incredibly rude. The lady in front of me with a toddler was in tears and those behind the helpdesk couldnt be bothered to look at her let alone attempt to help.

Poppy Dee recalled surly staff on a flight to Hong Kong: My meal was thrown down and it landed on my neighbours table.

The most liked comment beneath my article? British Airways crew hate kids! Their eyes used to roll when they saw us boarding. One steward even removed the blanket off my sleeping baby to give to another passenger.

Scores of readers, just like Mr Hazell-Smith, told of problems securing refunds. They included Claire ODonnell, whose flight to the US was cancelled by text message the night before. She said: After weeks of my time being wasted fighting for a refund, they finally paid up  less a 600 admin fee. When I complained to customer service and said I would never use them again, their response was OK then.

Another, Philip Shaw, commented: Just before Christmas I flew BA with my wife and seven-week-old baby. In the week before we flew, I spent hours and hours on the phone due to problems with the booking. I spent longer on hold than the actual time in the air! Then, when we got to the check-in desk at 5am, we were told our baby was not on the booking and my wife and I were seated in different rows!

Many brought up BAs technical issues. Their IT systems seem to be languishing in the 1980s, noted one. Their systems are creaking with age and are not fit for purpose, said another. Your companys laggy website  the worst I have ever had the misfortune to use, wrote Alistair ODowd  also came in for criticism.

Having watched the airline scrap much of its complimentary culinary offerings over the years, culinary grumbles were legion. On my flight to Mauritius, my childs requested meal never showed up and Diana Bowden reported the same problem on the same route (on top of a two-hour delay and preceding the loss of her luggage). Bianca Mitchell recounted being served a childrens meal as your airline had run out of adult options (no apology was offered, she said, with passengers told to have it or not).

I could go on, with further tales of lost luggage, of last-minute delays and of unexplained downgrades, but will instead turn to how you can turn things around.

Hope is not lost. Despite it all, you still have a strong card in your hand. You are our flag carrier, and as such the British public want you to succeed. Just as Margaret Thatcher once famously indicated that BA should be proud of its Union Flag tailfin, a good number of your customers yearn to be loyal once more. I believe it is possible. To assist, I have created a 10-point plan, taking into account what our readers have been ranting about.

I suggest you take the following pointers on board, quite literally. Take a leaf, perhaps, from the book of your old rival Sir Richard Branson and observe how he responded to a complaint letter that went viral in 2009. Rather than ignore it, Branson called the passenger personally and invited him down to Virgin Atlantics headquarters to collaborate on a solution. A publicity stunt? Sure, but it beats your airlines response to my grievance and those of countless others, which was not even a refund but a measly voucher to use on our next BA flight.

1. Refund us in cash

This leads me neatly to my first suggestion. When BA has made a mistake and wasted a passengers time and money, refund them. Not in miles. Not in vouchers. Especially  and I cant stress this enough  after theyve told you they will never fly with you again. If you adopted this policy, thered even be a fighting chance wed let you off the hook.

2. Be nice

Currently, your customer service, quite aside from being glacially slow, is condescending and disingenuous. Drop the we currently have a higher than usual volume of claims from your rhetoric. This volume is not higher than usual, its been going on so long that it is now absolutely usual. Overhaul it all, and hire more (and nicer) people to deal with complaints.

3. Stop trying to compete with Ryanair

Youll never beat them on cheap fares, so stop with the cost-cutting. No one who books a flight with Ryanair is anticipating a good experience. In a way, its refreshing. But BA is supposed to be a premium carrier, remember? So how about a free G&T, or at the very least a cup of tea or coffee, even for economy-class passengers?

4. Invest in your website

It is still laggy, with flight details taking an age to load  far longer than the likes of Ryanair and EasyJet. Wasnt there supposed to be a new one launching last year?

5. Stop charging business class passengers for seat allocation

Very few other airlines do this. Its not a good club to be in. When youve paid in excess of 2,000 for a ticket, a further charge is just insulting.

6. Give your tattier airport lounges a once-over.

Surely BA should have one of the finest in the world, something to rival what youll find in Dubai or Abu Dhabi? It doesnt. In fact, it doesnt even have the best lounge at Heathrow.

7. Do everything in your power to avoid downgrading passengers

We received far too many reports of this happening in the comments section. Either fix your overbooking problem, or make amends with affected passengers sufficiently that they forgive and forget (and dont feel the need to reveal their story to a national newspaper and its readers).

8. Some more legroom would be nice

Its one of the only ways to truly differentiate yourselves in this cabin, yet BAs legroom now compares with low-cost carriers. A generation ago, 32 inches of seat pitch was the norm on short-haul services, and 34 on long-haul flights. Now its 30 and 31, respectively.

9. Treat families better

For heavens sake, approve sleep aids like the Stokke JetKids BedBox (at the centre of my recent flightmare)  not just for the infants and their parents, but for everyone else in earshot. You say theyre a safety hazard, but more than 50 other airlines disagree with you.

10. Inject a bit of British humour and can-do spirit into your culture

Too many of your staff members display a jobsworth, computer-says-no attitude. Its unbearable. Fix it.

Yours sincerely,

Annabel Fenwick Elliott

What BA had to say about my letter

A British Airways spokesperson said: We know we dont always get everything right and we never want to let our customers down. Were working hard to transform the airline and fix these issues. Our plan is backed by a 7billion investment in new aircraft, refreshed lounges, improved cabins, a new website and app, and the very latest technology to help improve our operation, among other initiatives. Were grateful to our customers for their continued support and are all focused on our goal of delivering a consistently great experience.

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.
SIR  I am not old enough to remember 1937, with which the present moment has been compared, but I can remember the aftermath of the Second World War.



People who had fought  as well as those who, for sound reasons, had stayed at home  all expressed dismay over how unprepared Britain had been, despite the warnings from some politicians and the military.



Rishi Sunaks comments about the British military being a voluntary force (PM forced to rule out Army draft as Russian threat rises, report, January 25) would be understandable if it were strong. But with numbers at an all-time low and the Royal Navy starved of recruits, it is hard to see Britain as a major fighting power.



Frankly, I think our leaders have failed to grasp the horrors lurking in the not too distant future.



A E Luke

Ramsbury, Wiltshire

SIR  While I agree that the British Armed Forces are woefully under-resourced, I would suggest that Con Coughlin (Comment, January 25) overstates the likelihood of full ground war with Russia.



Russia has been forced into a stalemate by a country that, 10 years ago, had just three infantry brigades  about 7,000 soldiers. Ukraine has never been an established military power, yet it has inflicted immense damage on the Russian army.



We cannot be complacent about the increasingly erratic Vladimir Putin, but Russia is in no position to wage war against any Eastern European country on its border  let alone Nato.



Roland Bell

London N17

SIR  Rishi Sunak should not be so quick to dismiss an Army draft. Deterrence through strength is better than weakness leading to war.



The British people instinctively abhor appeasement. A prime minister willing to recalibrate the British economy to defend itself would attract support from both Labour and Conservative voters.



Spending in certain areas should be cut to allow defence spending to double. Trebling Army reservists and ramping up arms manufacture would galvanise the economy.



Colin Clark

Conservative MP for Gordon, 2017-2019

Aberdeen

SIR  The recruitment and retention crisis in the Armed Forces comes as no surprise. Has anyone experienced the RAF enrolment portal recently?



My daughter, ahead of finishing sixth-form, attempted to use it to apply. It is extremely user-unfriendly, with many glitches and no guidelines, explanations or prompts.



Frustrated with the length of time it was taking, my daughter and I abandoned the process, and she elected to go to university instead.



Matt Bayliss-Binks

Woodley, Berkshire



Policing failures

SIR  The tragic and sickening way in which three people lost their lives in Nottingham in June last year is surely the strongest and most vital reminder that the police need adequate training on matters of mental health to protect public safety (Police admit failing to act months before stabbings, report, January 25).



It was known that Valdo Calocane was a paranoid schizophrenic and that his behaviour had badly deteriorated by September 2021, when he assaulted a police officer who was taking him to a mental health facility where he would be expected to take medication he had already avoided.



There was a total failure to understand that Calocane was a potentially lethal and intelligent individual, and that the utmost effort needed to be made to retain him in secure custody in order to protect the public.



What are the Home Secretary and the police doing to avoid repeating these failures? They must not duck the issue and try to transfer the whole effort of policing mental health threats to mental health institutions.



John Matthews

Hove, East Sussex



Mail betrayal

SIR  You report (January 23) on Ofcoms proposal for Royal Mail to reduce deliveries to three times a week.

Wont this be an improvement in some areas?



John Deeley

Burton on Trent, Staffordshire



Holocaust testimony

SIR  When a Holocaust memorial near Parliament was suggested about 10 years ago (Comment, January 24), I was very much in favour, as it would remind the politicians in Westminster of their power to avoid wars. I was proved wrong, as it has not stopped any wars that are taking place at present.



As a Holocaust survivor myself, and one of the 2,500 who responded at the time, I attended a special committee meeting and spoke of how sad I was that we have learnt very little from the horrors that took place.



I impressed on MPs that the Holocaust should never be forgotten, and that a monument and education centre were very important for teaching school children, university students and the general public.



I give my testimony on a regular basis at the National Holocaust Centre and Museum in Laxton, Nottinghamshire. I talk to approximately 100 people about being born a hidden child during the Holocaust, in the hope that in doing so I might help make a small step towards peace in the world.



Hanneke Dye

Skipton, North Yorkshire



Mending ways

SIR  While preparing my address for a Burns Night supper, I came across an epigram by the great man that definitely continues to resonate.



I am sending it to East Sussex County Councils highways committee  more out of hope than expectation that its members might heed Rabbies message.



Im now arrived  thanks to the gods!

Thro pathways rough and muddy,

A certain sign that makin roads

Is no this peoples study:

Altho Im not wi Scripture cramd,

Im sure the Bible says

That heedless sinners shall be damnd,

Unless they mend their ways.



Roger Bishop

Crowborough, East Sussex



The end of the Tories

SIR  Allister Heath (Comment, January 25) wonders whether the next conservative prime minister will be a member of the Conservative Party.



The answer, in my view, is no. The Conservative brand has become so toxic that not even a Kemi Badenoch leadership could revive it.



One Nation Conservative MPs have destroyed the partys electoral prospects by creating an unbridgeable gulf between the leadership and potential Tory voters. The future of the centre-Right is with Reform UK, particularly if Nigel Farage assumes a high-profile role in the party.



Tim Leach

London SW19

SIR  A period in opposition is not what the Conservatives need (Letters, January 25). There is a leadership candidate who can unite both party and voters against Sir Keir Starmers Labour. Her name is Penny Mordaunt.



Dale Fletcher

Gosport, Hampshire



Telegraph ownership

SIR  Iain Duncan Smith (The global ramifications of the Telegraphs UAE deal cannot be overstated, Commentary, January 25) explains how the sale to a foreign government of this leading newspaper  which I have read since the 1950s  would threaten editorial freedom.



In discussions on this matter, some cite other British newspapers that are owned by foreign press barons, such as Rupert Murdoch. But ownership by an individual who has a commercial interest in satisfying readers is fundamentally different from the stultifying influence likely to be exercised by a foreign state.



John Kidd

Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia



Eel meals

SIR  I was dismayed to learn in Andrew Rixons letter (January 12) that sand eels have been fished for burning in power stations.



Some years ago I dined at a restaurant in Shaldon, Devon, where I had the pleasure of eating sand eels as a starter. They are prepared and cooked in the same way as whitebait (though the head must be removed). However, I found them to be tastier: seven or eight in a deep wine glass, with a dip on the side.



Regrettably I have never seen them on a menu since.



Nick Sweet

Chippenham, Wiltshire



Keep world-class Welsh museums free for all

A blacksmith speaks about his trade at St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff - alamy

SIR  Your report (January 20) that Welsh museums may start charging entry fees is deeply concerning.



In 2001, Art Fund supported a successful campaign lobbying the Labour government to make national museums and galleries free for all. The introduction of free entry quickly led to a substantial increase in visitors, and has remained a major cultural policy success.



Access to art is vital for a healthy society. Museums inspire and challenge us, support the local economy, drive tourism, promote wellbeing, and have a positive impact on communities.



St Fagans National Museum of History won Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2019 for being one of the most welcoming and engaging museums in the UK. Our museums hold some of the finest art and objects in the world, and our national collections belong to us all. Everyone in the UK should be able to enjoy them.



With free entry remaining for national museums in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the implementation of a fee would only create inequity and division. I urge the Welsh government to review proposed cuts to arts funding and increase investment in museums so they can conserve and display their world-class collections, and continue their crucial support for communities across Wales.



Jenny Waldman

Director, Art Fund

London N1



A game of bingo blighted by avian interference

SIR  In 1957, as a national service officer on board HMS Vidal, I was invited to dine at the US naval base at Macqueripe in Trinidad. We ate outside and later played bingo for quite lavish prizes. Unfortunately there was a resident parrot (Letters, January 25) perched in a palm tree close to the stage, which caused considerable confusion by shouting bingo at the most inconvenient moments.



David Bowen

Lyme Regis, Dorset

SIR  My late mother-in-law kept two African grey parrots at Lympne Castle, which is next to the village church.



On one occasion, when the Archbishop of Canterbury was officiating, he asked if he could change into his vestments in relative comfort next door. He emerged highly amused as one of the parrots had greeted him warmly with hello, darling, followed by the sound of a cork popping and wine being poured.



Bridget de Margary

London SW4

SIR  My grandmother had a budgerigar that could recite the names of her children and grandchildren and the Lords Prayer  all in a Gloucestershire accent.



Graham Chapman

Hertford



Letters to the Editor

We accept letters by email and post. Please include name, address, work and home telephone numbers.

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To the editor: The Times' editorial board has endorsed Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascon for reelection. What are you smoking?

The public realized it made a terrible mistake when it elected him in 2020 and tried to recall this guy twice. He last narrowly escaped a recall election in 2022 after 27% of the signatures submitted by recall backers were determined to not be valid.

Deputy district attorneys were involved with the signature process in my neighborhood. The governments of more than 30 cities in Los Angeles County have passed votes of no confidence in Gascon.

What does that tell you? And yet you think he should be reelected. Disturbing!

The most important concept in our civilization is that there are consequences for violating our laws. Perception is very important, and thats the problem with Gascon: He is perceived to lean toward criminals and not the victims.

Marcus Kourtjian, Northridge

..

To the editor: You omitted a major weakness of Gascon's tenure.

Though, as the editorial mentioned, many of the criticisms of his policies are false and based on political agendas, he has set certain policies about sentencing enhancements and about handling juvenile offenders that should be abandoned  not because the underlying sentiment to moderate an often overly harsh system is misguided, but because having blanket "zero exception" policies in an office of professionals is ill-advised.

For example, look at his blanket policies on many sentencing enhancements, which shows a lack of trust in the staff of his office. Surely, there must be some cases that cry out for enhanced punishment. Are there not enough competent deputy district attorneys to have a panel to decide these things on a case-by-case basis?

Gascon's rule has engendered resentment in the ranks.

I am a former deputy public defender and have not decided for whom I will vote, but I would feel a lot more comfortable with Gascon were he to abandon these ill-conceived blanket policies.

Andrew E. Rubin, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: I'm a raving liberal, sometimes called the very offensive term "libtard" even.

But I dont support Gascon for district attorney. There are just some jobs in which I don't want someone like me.

Susan Hodgson, Burbank

..

To the editor: The Times' recent endorsement of Gascon includes mention of his serving as both police chief and district attorney in San Francisco.

That's like endorsing Donald Trump because he is a real estate investor.

Reading the opinion page of The Times is a good reminder of why I live and vote elsewhere.

David Busse, Columbia Falls, Mont.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
As Americans continue to vote for a twice-impeached ex-president who is facing 91 criminal indictments in federal courts, moving him closer to being the nominee of a major political party, I have deep concerns for the future of our country. I implore voters to consider the words of Octavia Butler, writer:

To be led by a coward is to be controlled by all that the coward fears.

To be led by a fool is to be led by the opportunists who control the fool.

To be led by a thief is to offer up your most precious treasures to be stolen.

To be led by a liar is to ask to be told lies.

To be led by a tyrant is to sell yourself and those you love into slavery.

Bonnie McCullar, Orange Park

Unintended consequences

One sure way to pique ones interest in something  forbid them from investigating it. Tell a youngster that they arent allowed to chew gum, and youre on your way to creating a Dubble Bubble fan. Tell a teenager that Playboy (for example) is out of bounds, and the result is predictable. Hope to entice a youngster into reading a certain book? Just prohibit it.

The zealots banning evil (from their perspective) books from school libraries are probably just increasing the use of our public libraries. Now that dictionaries are banned, I wonder if any of our youth have ever thought of exploring online dictionaries? In addition to having strong fascist overtones, the irony of this book-banning campaign is that it has doubtless increased interest in the books that some adults have found offensive. Its a tricky way of getting the young to read.

Fran and Pete Sheridan, Atlantic Beach

Potential threat of 'Patriotism'

The Times Union report on the Patriotic Organizations bill is reminiscent of the McCarthy era in America. Sen. Joe McCarthy created a distorted vision of Americanism and patriotism. After WWII, he capitalized on Cold War tensions to fabricate the Red Scare. His demagoguery terrorized Americans who did not fit with his vision. Thousands of Americans were investigated for spurious allegations. The FBI not only targeted members of the Communist Party (legal in the U.S.), but also people who were suspected of having professional or social relationships with anyone on McCarthys lists. Those caught in the web were subjected to surveillance, even of their sex lives, contravening constitutionally protected freedoms of speech, association, religion and privacy. McCarthy was unchecked until Joseph Welch, on live TV, exposed him with the famous: Have you no sense of decency?

The wording of the Patriotic Organizations legislation sounds politically neutral with examples like Boy Scouts, Big Sisters, etc., but ideological agendas do surface. Proponents praise Moms for Liberty for distributing pocket versions of the Constitution. And yet, this group is notorious for advocating censorship of public libraries, which undermines freedom of speech. Under the guise of protecting parental rights, the group imposes its opinions on others, eroding access of students to literature that is acceptable to their parents.

American patriotism is more than just flags, lapel pins and catchphrases. It implies a commitment to the national ideals of freedom and equality embedded in the Constitution. When the Legislature endorses positions promoted by one ideology, it discredits others. I doubt that the neutral Patriotic Organizations bill can be implemented carefully enough to avoid pitting citizens against each other.

Steve Entman, Jacksonville

People with no homes find somewhere to stay during the day at a small park on Main Street across from the downtown main library in Jacksonville.

Better use of time and money

A recent article in the Times-Union discusses how to help the homeless. My question is, how many of the homeless feel better now that another Confederate monument has been removed? I'm not sure we will ever get our priorities in order.

John Grassell, Orange Park

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Continued voting for Donald Trump causes concern for future
Senate GOP is now urging Donald Trump to save the Ukraine border deal and allow them to review the legislation first. They made this plea as the former American leader continues to lead the Republican presidential nomination.

Recently, Trump showed his dominance after winning the Iowa caucus. After that, he also won the New Hampshire presidential primary. Because of this, many political analysts said that a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump will likely happen.

However, Senate Republicans are now worried that Donald Trump will become their main problem if he wins the GOP presidential nomination since he is against the Ukraine border deal.

Donald Trump Urged by Senate GOP To Save Ukraine Border Deal

According to The Hill's latest report, Senate Republicans are urging Donald Trump's Senate allies to intercede with the GOP presidential front-runner.

They said that they should encourage the former U.S. president to save the "carefully negotiated package" for Ukrainian military aid and border security reforms.

Senate Republican Policy Committee Chair Joni Ernst said that her Republican colleagues, especially those who endorsed Trump, should intervene with him.

She stated that they must prevent the former POTUS from criticizing the emerging Ukraine border deal so that lawmakers can still review its details.

Ernst is just one of the Republicans who are concerned that Donald Trump could kill the Ukraine border legislation before the deal's text is even released.

"Those of you who have endorsed Trump, please ask Trump 'Don't cut off its head before we've even seen it," said Ernst according to a Republican senator who recently attended a Senate GOP meeting.

Read Also: Donald Trump Pokes Fun at Nikki Haley After New Hampshire Primary: 'She Had a Very Bad Night'

About Ukraine Border Deal

NBC News reported that Donald Trump has pushed the congressional GOP to eliminate the Ukraine border deal. Political experts said that this is a part of the general election campaign of the ex-POTUS against U.S. President Joe Biden.

But, the Ukraine border deal is expected to greatly improve border security in the U.S., as well as secure military aid to Ukraine.

Specifically, the Ukraine border deal could secure nearly $60 billion in aid to the European country, which is facing a full-blown invasion from Russia.

This is why Senate Republicans are urging Donald Trump to avoid attacking the deal before it is even reviewed.

Related Article: New Hampshire Primary 2024: Donald Trump Wins Republican Presidential Primary; Rematch With Biden Likely To Happen
Here's what community members had to say in recent letters to the editor we received. Submit your own thoughts here.

No one is taking away religious freedom

I would like to respond to Deborah A. OMalleys Jan. 14 column, "RFRA is not enough. Indiana needs more religious freedom."

Her claims that Indiana has weak protections for religious liberty and that religious freedom should be championed by all Indiana lawmakers seems to be written to stir up the public and make everyone worried that someone is taking away their religious freedom. However, she writes, Medical practitioners and healthcare payers have the right to refuse participation in practices and procedures that conflict with their religious, moral or ethical beliefs."

I tend to think that her real goal is to encourage everyone to think that lawmakers have the wisdom and skills to make laws about medical care especially for care pertaining to family planning and pregnancy. Both of those cases are very personal and should be under full control of the woman involved, her doctor and her family if she wants them involved.

Audrey E. Corne

Indianapolis

Mike Braun's answers are weak

Senator Mike Braun's Q&A with Brittany Carloni in the Sunday Star was notable in that he never really answered the questions.

When asked about his first priority as governor, he responded that he would work with people to find out what needed to be done. He wants to be governor and can't prioritize a single issue?

When asked about the right of citizens to collect signatures to put questions on the ballot, he responded that he is "gonna listen and learn." Again, we don't have an answer. Do we or do we not have the right to participate in government if that government is not responsive to our needs?

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) answers questions from readers about his bid for Indiana governor during an interview with the IndyStar on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, at the PNC Center in Indianapolis.

The most glaring non-answer concerned his position or view on Donald Trump. Sen. Braun used 123 words to not answer the question. He went on about how over half the country was fed up with government, that there are federal, state, and local governments, and that people look to him (Trump) as something different. I wonder why he would not directly answer this question.

Do we really want a Trump proxy in the highest office in our state? Does that person really reflect our values as citizens of Indiana?

Richard Paugh

Indianapolis

Why dedicated lanes matter for the Blue Line

There has been a great deal of discussion about the need for dedicated traffic lanes on IndyGo's Blue Line, and there seems to be a lack of understanding about why this is important.

Traditional bus service is notoriously slow. IndyGo's Route 8, which the Blue Line would replace, runs on Washington Street from the airport to the Meijer store in Cumberland.

It is common for visitors in many cities to travel from the airport to downtown via public transit. So, using IndyGo's own trip planner, I mapped out a trip to do just that.

Arrive at the airport at 7:50 a.m.

Walk 1.9 miles for 41 minutes to the bus stop at Perimeter Road and North Service Road

Arrive at 8:31 a.m.

Ride IndyGo Route 8 for 31 minutes downtown

Arrive at 9:10 a.m.

Walk 413 feet for 1 minute to the Julia Carson Transit Center

Arrive at 9:11 a.m.

How can the Blue Line improve this? With dedicated lanes that avoid traffic jams, stoplight control that guarantees a green light throughout the route, level boarding, and a properly located station at the airport, that trip that currently takes 1 hour and 21 minutes might end up taking only 25 minutes.

Having a convenient route to and from the airport to downtown is an incredibly visible way to welcome visitors and show them that Indianapolis is a modern city. That impression matters to people visiting and considering moving to this city.

Daniel Dougan

Indianapolis

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Religious freedom, Mike Braun's non-answers and Blue Line lanes
Lifecell has filed a lawsuit against Vodafone Ukraine, seeking to force it to stop providing the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service

A major Ukrainian mobile operator Lifecell has filed a lawsuit with the Kyiv Commercial Court against another big player on the market, Vodafone Ukraine, seeking to force it to stop providing the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service, according to the courts decision on Jan. 16.

Lifecell says that the service contradicts current legislation, violates the right to provide electronic communications services, and undermines potential profits.

Read also: Government weighs infrastructure boost for mobile operators amid Kyivstar cybersecurity concerns

The court has accepted the claim for consideration and opened the proceedings. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 5.

According to the operators websites, it is not possible to transfer the number to another network when the MNP service is activated, but subscribers can reportedly deactivate it themselves.

Read also: Vodafone experiences unprecedented surge in subscribers after Kyivstar cyberattack

Earlier it was reported that in December 2023 the National Commission for State Regulation of Electronic Communications, Radio Frequency Spectrum and Postal Services fined Vodafone $1800 (UAH 68,000) for refusing to allow 37 subscribers to switch networks while retaining their numbers.

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
FAIRBURY, Ill. (WCIA)  Fairbury Police arrested a Loda man on Wednesday in connection to child sex crimes.

FBI reports Central IL surge in financially motivated sextortion

Officers said 24-year-old Colton M. Johnson traveled to a home in Forrest to meet with a child under 14 years of age. The commute to the village from Loda is an almost 40-minute drive. Authorities said Johnson had been in communication with the minor and accuse him of having sexual intentions behind the meeting.

Johnson was subsequently arrested on charges of indecent solicitation of a child and traveling to meet a child.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Laetitia Winery and Vineyard suddenly appeared to close up shop this week as its Arroyo Grande tasting room shut its doors to customers  but the local winery isnt going away for good, its parent company confirmed to The Tribune.

According to Deborah K. Pawlowski of Vintage Wine Estates, the wine company is reducing its workforce by about 15% across the board as it restructures its operations.

We expect this transformation to result in a smaller company, but one that can grow sustainably while generating top-quartile industry margins, Vintage Wine Estates President and CEO Seth Kaufman said in a news release. We are taking immediate actions now to move toward this vision.

Part of the companys restructuring is focusing on its Premium+ brands, which includes Laetitia Winery, according to Pawlowski.

Vintage Wine Estates bought Laetitia Winery in 2019. At that time, the company said the Arroyo Grande winery would be the home and hub of our Central Coast production and operations moving forward.

That appears to still be the case.

Kevin Cabrales loads cases of bottles on a pallet at Laetitia Vineyard and Winery in Arroyo Grande.

Laetitia is a priority brand for VWE, Pawlowski said Thursday. Laetitia is a prime Central Coast property (where) we have about 1,100 vineyard acres owned and leased.

Pawlowski said the company chose to temporarily close the local tasting room as they work to reposition and drive even greater brand desirability.

She did not comment on how many local workers were laid off  if any  saying only that there were reductions throughout the business.

Going forward, Pawlowski said the company is focusing on creating a virtuous cycle that comes from the winery and tasting room.

That would be supplemented by a more focused digital and direct-to-consumer strategy, she said, which would ultimately end up with the brands wines becoming more prominent at restaurants and in retail outlets.

Laetitia history dates back to 1982, when French Champagne producer Maison Deutz planted its first vineyards in the Arroyo Grande Valley.

Today, according to its website, The Laetitia estate carries on in the longstanding traditions of Burgundy and Champagne with a focus on small-lot Pinot Noir and sparkling wines.

Though the winerys tasting room was closed, a notice on its website noted Laetitia Winerys online store and wine club membership remained open.
Former President Donald Trump delivered his testimony to a New York courtroom for roughly four minutes on Thursday. Trump stood by his previous testimony denying Carroll's claim that he raped her, calling it a hoax.

"100% yes," Trump told his lawyer Alina Habba in federal court in Manhattan when asked if his comments in an October 2022 deposition in Carroll's case were accurate, said Reuters.

Carroll's lawyers played videotaped excerpts from the deposition, in which Trump is calling her "mentally sick" and a "whack job" before threatening to sue her.

"It's a false accusation, never happened, never would happen," Trump said in the deposition.

Carroll, a former Elle magazine advice columnist, is seeking at least $10 million over Trump's June 2019 denials that he had raped her in the mid-1990s in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in Manhattan.

However, last May, another jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll $5 million after he denied her rape claim in October 2022.

What Does The Judge Say?

CBS News reported that Trump had planned to testify earlier in the week, but the trial postponed due to a Covid-19 scare. Ahead of Trump's testimony, while the jury was absent from the courtroom, Judge Lewis Kaplan reiterated that Trump "in fact sexually abused" Carroll. His comment prompted the former president to shake his head, audibly expressing his disgust.

As Judge Kaplan laid out the restrictions of his testimony, Carroll's attorney, Shawn Crowley, said Trump was already indicating that he would violate the rules.

"Mr. Trump said under his breath just behind us that he intends to say he doesn't know her and never met her," Crowley said.

Moments later, he repeated the claim loudly as his attorney, Alina Habba, spoke.

"I don't know who the woman is. I never met this woman," he said, causing the judge to reprimand him for interrupting.

After Trump's brief testimony, the defense rested its case. The GOP frontrunner quickly left the courtroom but not without words on his way out.

"It's not America. Not America. This is not America," he said.

The trial has lasted four days. Closing arguments are on Friday.
Kamaron Hickman said he had planned to exhume his daughters remains so he and his ex-wife could cremate her and carry the ashes in necklaces, but the experience became an absolute nightmare.

A family is searching for answers after the remains of their 6-month-old daughter went missing from a Georgia cemetery.

According to First Coast News, Kamaron Hickman and his former wife, Fatima Nettles, laid their daughter Jada to rest at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Augusta after she died in her sleep in 2001.

Nettles said she and her ex-husband were in the right place in life to conceive and raise their vibrant daughter, but they never got the chance, WDRW News reported. The parents are now left mourning once again after learning that Hillcrest Memorial was unable to recover Jadas remains.

The family of Jada Hickman is mourning once again after learning that their daughters remains are missing from Hillcrest Memorial Park, a cemetery in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo credit: Screenshot/YouTube.com/First Coast News)

Hickman detailed in an interview with First Coast News, which learned of the story from Hickmans Facebook post, that he planned to exhume Jadas remains so he and Nettles could cremate her and carry the ashes in necklaces. He no longer has ties to the Augusta area, so he wanted his daughters remains with him in Jacksonville, Florida, where he lives now. But a groundskeeper informed him it wasnt possible  as the remains may have returned to the earth.

It just kind of ripped the scab off everything, all over again, Hickman said, First Coast News reported. Im stuck in between complete just frustration, devastation. On the other side of that is a whole lot of anger because it took a long time for us to kind of process this.

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Hickman said he doesnt want anyone else to go through what he and his ex-wife are currently dealing with, adding that they wont rest until something is done.

Walker Posey of Posey Funeral Directors has over two decades of experience in the funeral industry. He told WDRW that taking care of a deceased person is a step-by-step process that begins immediately after your loved one dies  and transparency is vital.

You get one chance to do this right, you dont get a second opportunity, Posey told WRDW. As a profession, theres definitely a chain of custody to take care of someones loved one, whether its from the time they pass away in a hospital or their home to the time that they come into our care to the time it takes to the cemetery.

Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter.

The post Looking to exhume 6-month-old for cremation, family finds remains are missing from cemetery appeared first on TheGrio.
The Louisiana Supreme Court issued a writ last week dismissing the First Baptist Church in Bossier City as a defendant itself but suggested the plaintiffs instead target individual leaders.

The suit, which was one of a pair filed by former members, sought to invalidate the churchs bylaws, which were rewritten in 2014 when Pastor Brad Jurkovich took over, was dismissed in June 2022, with the court citing an expired statute of limitations.

In a second lawsuit centering on the church's financial records, members accused Jurkovich of diverting funds meant for missions, blocking them from seeing financial records and illegally changing the bylaws.

The financial suit is ongoing.

More: Louisiana judge rules in lawsuit involving First Baptist Church Bossier's bylaws

First Bossier, as the church calls itself, is part of the Conservative Baptist Network, a group of Southern Baptist churches that believe the larger Southern Baptist Convention is too liberal and has been taken over by ideas such as critical race theory and women ministers and vows to change the direction of the organization.

In a concurring opinion, Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jefferson Hughes wrote, "The unauthorized acts alleged cannot be said to be 'acts of the corporation.' Rather, they were the acts of the remaining defendants as named in the amended petition, which claims remain viable."

Justice Scott Crichton also concurred.

Check out: 3 things to know about the Bossier City Baptist church lawsuit

They also noted those acts "were acts in furtherance of an unauthorized and perhaps fraudulent coup detat."

The court noted that amending the bylaws required 30-day written notice to the membership, and after proper notice, a two-thirds vote was required for passing the changes. According to opinion, there is no evidence to support that proper notice was given and "an impromptu voice vote at the conclusion of service does not comply, and there is no evidence to substantiate the vote count."

They also noted that while "the supposed amended Articles were purportedly executed by the'Senior Pastor and President,' " no position with that title existed before or after the new bylaws were passed.

The opinion stated the "coup de grace is the requirement in the 'new' Articles that the Leadership Team 'will consist of members completely loyal to the church, Senior Pastor, and the ministerial pastors.' One would hope that a Higher loyalty would come into play."

First Baptist Bossier pastor Dr. Brad Jurkovich

How it started

According to court documents, on or about June 8, 2021, members requested to inspect the church's "corporate records."

The members personally delivered a letter to Jurkovich outlining concerns, including a high rate of staffing turnover, lack of accountability in personnel decisions, lack of accountability and oversight and management of the church's finances and misrepresentation of facts.

The members claimed they initially tried to address their concerns directly with the pastor and hoped to avoid involving the entire congregation.

Jurkovich held a meeting with the members where they claim he "feigned worry" but failed to actually address their concerns and chastised them for "acting in bad faith."

More: Louisiana Southern Baptist pastor ordered to hand over financial records to removed members

The group then sent a letter to the church's finance committee with general questions about finances and a request to view documents. The letter was resent on June 20, 2021, when they received no response.

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On July 6, 2021, Jurkovich sent an email in which he discouraged the group from discussing their concerns with the larger congregation and said, "You either trust and follow leadership or not." He also asserted that if members could not trust their leadership, they should resign.

In August 2021, the members claim they attempted to work the pastor, leading to a four-hour meeting that resulted in Jurkovich not allowing anyone to see the requested financial records.

The group also claims that on Sept. 19 of that year, Jurkovich "used his authority with FBB as a bully pulpit to publicly disparage those who had raised concerns" about the church's finances.

First Bossier live streams and posts its services on its Facebook page. The Sept. 19 sermon is missing, while the Sept. 12 and Sept 26 sermons are available. It is also missing from the church's sermon archive on its website.

On Oct. 3, 2021, 161 members of the congregation sent a letter via email to Jurkovich calling for his resignation.

At the end of October, Jurkovich responded that they could view some documents but included limitations "so extreme, and in violation of both statutory law and corporate governing documents" that it made reviewing the records pointless.

The members claim that the pastor "rigged" the bylaws in such a way that no member can vote on his removal.

On Dec. 14, the members sent a letter to First Bossier through their attorneys reiterating the request to review the records.

The church objected to the request on concerns about protecting the confidentiality of its records.

Members and their attorneys negotiated a "Confidentiality and Protective Agreement" and attempted to view the records on Feb. 15, 2022, seeking to enter the church's office at an agreed-upon time to examine records.

2018: Large fire damages First Baptist Bossier church buildings

The suit claims that despite being given "reasonable notice," the church prevented the members from "fully, fairly and thoroughly exercising their right." They were able to view some records but not the "lion's share," even though the church was told what documents the members wanted to review.

On March 9, the former members Randy Boyett, Gary Cain, Michael B. Cockerham, Ted Hayes, Raymond J. Lasseign, C.A. "Jackie" Lewis, Mike Pearson, Robert Perry, Wade Rasberry, Steve Robinson, Clinton Scates, Henry W. Smith Jr. and Ken Thomas filed suit in Bossier Parish asking the judge to issue a writ compelling the church to "comply with its duties," as well as costs.

On May 16, the church filed an answer to the suit denying all the allegations.

The members requested 34 items; the church produced 17. The judge found that 12 of those 17 were within the scope of what the members should have access to and ordered the information be made available.

Removed as members, money funneled to the network, and other complaints filed

After attempts to view the records failed, the group filed suit on March 9, 2021. Before the filing on March 4 all of the plaintiffs except Cockerham and Scates were sent letters from First Bossier informing them their membership in the church had been revoked.

Scates and Cockerham would later be removed as well.

On May 16, the same group of now former members filed an amended petition for declaratory judgment against First Bossier. The complaint "seeks to annul illicitly-passed articles of incorporation and to hold the leadership of the non-profit organization, First Baptist Church of Bossier, accountable to the congregation as a result of the leadership's lack of transparency, cooperation and adherence to the law."

Additional members Mickey Walker and Ronald L. Worley are named plaintiffs in this suit.

They assert that Jurkovich has set himself up as the "self-orchestrated, unilateral controller" of the church after the bylaws of the church were changed in 2014. The group claims that members were not given adequate notice before the change.

In response to the claim, the church asserts it did, in fact, give written notice of the meeting and that the documents were listed on the website.

The group also claims Jurkovich failed to inform church members about funds meant for missionaries being used to support the Conservative Baptist Network, where he serves as spokesman and a member of the steering council.

060822 FBB Statement by USA TODAY Network on Scribd

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In response to emailed questions from The Times, the church previously provided a statement that said, in part, "These lawsuits represent an attempt by former members of First Baptist Bossier to inappropriately litigate an internal church dispute."

Speaking on behalf of her clients, Allison A. Jones counsel for the Plaintiffs stated:

My clients did not make the decision to file litigation lightly. In fact, it saddened them greatly that litigation had to be filed. I think I speak for all the plaintiffs in the litigation when I say that all they wanted were answers to questions because of concerns that First Baptist Bossier was not being managed properly; that there was mistreatment of staff and volunteers, and that there was strong tendency toward nepotism regarding the hiring of staff. My clients were also concerned that Church leadership of First Baptist Bossier operated with a lack of transparency and resisted the innate democratic process. When a request was made to review financial records; roadblocks were put into place. It was only when the group was denied access to Church records that they were finally forced to take legal action. Once the plaintiffs took legal action, and the Court allowed review of certain records, my clients concerns only increased. Those concerns have culminated in my clients filing two amending Petitions and requesting that the Court allow additional discovery. The concurrence of the Louisiana Supreme Court gives us hope that such discovery can be conducted.

The Louisiana Supreme Court noted, "No legal conclusions can be reached at this time. The matter should be adjudicated after proper discovery and establishment of the facts."

A court hearing to determine further courses of action and if discovery will be allowed is set for February 15, 2024.

Misty Castile is the editor of the Shreveport Times. You can reach her at mcastile@gannett.com or on Twitter at @castilemisty.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: First Baptist Bossier City removed defendant lawsuit over church bylaws
A limited-edition, Lunar New Year-themed Stanley tumbler was launched Thursday, featuring a red and cream design with colorful scales in honor of the Year of the Dragon.

A Stanley representative told NBC News that it took only 30 minutes for them to sell out  both colors were marked as unavailable on the company's website as of 3 p.m. ET.

"Inspired by the only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac, this rare design includes Camellia flowers and Sakura blossoms to welcome the arrival of spring," the description on the website reads.

The company's China/Asia/Pacific division helped develop the design for the product, the representative said. Customers have mixed reactions.

"Love the year of the dragon print," one person commented on the Stanley website. "Give me the good luck vibes for healthy living."

Members of the Facebook group "Stanley Cup Hunters + Drops," where Stanley fanatics share their thoughts about the latest launches, also weighed in.

"I like them and I bet they are prettier in person," one member commented. "I'm getting the set," another user said.

Additional stock is available only in Canada, the representative said.

Stanley tumblers have gained internet fame for their durability, with one woman showcasing on TikTok how her cup and even the ice inside it was still intact even after her car burst into flames.

The obsession with the cups hit a new level last week when a woman was arrested and accused of stealing 65 of them, worth almost $2,500, from a store in California.

For more from NBC Asian America, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Macomb County officials are looking to appoint Dr. Mary Pietrangelo as the county's new chief medical examiner, replacing former longtime Medical Examiner Daniel Spitz, who left the role.

Spitz submitted a letter in September unexpectedly ending his pathology services contract with the county after nearly 20 years and taking over for his world-renowned father, Werner Spitz. After the resignation, Macomb County contracted with the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office for services.

Pietrangelo was deputy medical examiner in Macomb County under Spitz. She also worked in St. Clair County, where Spitz also served as chief medical examiner. She worked in that capacity in both counties since 2012, according to a news release Thursday from the Macomb County Executive's Office.

Dr. Mary Pietrangelo, who Macomb County officials are looking to appoint in February 2024 as the county's new chief medical examiner.

It was unclear from the release whether Pietrangelo would continue work in St. Clair County.

Tom Lehrer, public information officer for the Executive's Office, said the appointment will be presented to the Macomb County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 6, with anticipated board approval Feb. 15.

The county's long-term plan was to hire a medical examiner and two deputy medical examiners who would be county employees. Officials included those positions in the 2024 budget. The county's 2024 budget lists the medical examiner's maximum salary as $300,000.

Exterior of the Macomb County Medical Examiner's offices in Mt. Clemens.

Andrew Cox, the county's health and community services director, said the deputy medical examiner positions are posted and officials hope to fill the positions as soon as possible.

Oakland County will continue to provide support until the Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office is fully staffed with three pathologists, Cox said.

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said in the release that Pietrangelo's "experience and dedication to forensic pathology in and around Macomb County make her an invaluable asset to our team."

The medical examiner's office faced some turmoil in recent years, including two morgue workers being fired in December 2022 after they were accused of taking drugs from the office, and four others fired in 2020 after alleged sexist and racist behavior, including a penis cake that appeared at the office the week of George Floyd's death.

Before working at the medical examiner's office, Pietrangelo was a family physician in private practice and various roles in medical organizations and committees, according to the release. She graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine and specialized in forensic pathology during a fellowship at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office in Cleveland.

She also holds multiple certifications, including Diplomate of the American Board of Pathology in Forensic, Anatomic, and Clinical Pathology. She is involved in the National Association of Medical Examiners, Michigan Association of Medical Examiners, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, College of American Pathologists and the American Society for Clinical Pathology, according to the release.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Macomb County looking to appoint new medical examiner
(Bloomberg) -- Emmanuel Macrons government will try to defuse French farmers fury over falling incomes and stringent European regulations in an attempt to stop demonstrations from escalating into a blockade of Paris.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Protests that began in the south of France have spread through the week, as farmers blocked major roads and snarled traffic around the country with go-slow processions. Some unions have urged their members to cut off the main routes into Paris on Friday afternoon.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who was appointed earlier this month to inject fresh impetus into a government torn by disagreements on immigration, is due to unveil the administrations response in the coming hours. France is tackling protests that mirror dissent in European countries including Germany and Poland.

The prime minister will announce a panoply of measures to respond to this deep crisis, Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau said after meeting with food industry and retail representatives in Paris. The farmers must be heard, and the government is listening, but its also the responsibility of the entire sector.

Attals plans are expected to include measures to cut red tape and offset the impact of shrinking subsidies on non-road diesel. The government may also pledge to speed up financial handouts for farmers who have been affected by floods or cattle disease.

Theres a real risk of a general flare-up, said Hortense de Padirac, a Paris-based political scientist who teaches at the Sciences Po university. Attal will have to show hes up to the mission hes been assigned to by the president. Its Attals credibility that is at stake.

Many of the farmers complaints have focused on what they see as a tangle of ever-shifting regulations that have pushed many of them to the brink of bankruptcy. The European Union began a so-called strategic dialog Thursday to address growing divisions over agriculture across the bloc. But the effort is a slow-moving process, and its unclear how much the EU can do quickly to ease the protests.

While there has been little violence so far, the anger over living costs and fuel prices echoes the Yellow Vest protests that kicked off in 2018 and plagued Macrons first term as president.

In 2019, Macron responded with tax cuts and support for low earners that the government then estimated cost as much as 17 billion ($18.5 billion). But this time, he has less room for maneuver as his government struggles to tackle a vast debt burden built up during the Covid-19 pandemic and energy crisis.

On Wednesday, leading French farmers union FNSEA grouped the grievances into a litany of demands ranging from tax credits for agricultural fuel to dispensations from EU rules on fallow land. Incomprehensible decisions are raining down on our sector, the union said. We need deep structural change.

Part of the challenge for Macron and Attal is the huge public backing for the protests, despite spreading travel chaos. According to an Odoxa-Backbone Consulting survey of 1,005 people for newspaper Le Figaro, 89% of French people support the movement.

Speaking alongside Fesneau in Paris, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said income is the central question for the agricultural sector. He pledged measures to ensure a 2018 law covering pricing rules is strictly enforced, with fines of as much as 2% of revenue for companies not complying.

There is no food sovereignty without fair pay for farmers, Le Maire said. Fines will come, and theyll come fast.

The pressure on the government to act is also rising as far-right parties across Europe are latching on to the protests to bolster their campaign for the European Parliament elections in June. In France, Marine Le Pens National Rally is already ahead of Macrons political grouping, according to opinion polls.

In Brussels, the MCC think tank thats backed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbans Eurosceptic Fidesz party organized a farmers protest against the EU on Wednesday.

MCC is a $1 billion education foundation Orban created to nurture a new generation of Hungarians sympathetic to his far-right policies. Helmed by Orbans chief political adviser, the foundation has satellite offices in Europe, including in Brussels, which are tasked with exporting Orbans brand of illiberalism and making it part of the mainstream discourse.

Paris in Sights

But in France, everyone was waiting to see if the protests would reach Paris.

As far as the capital is concerned, were growing in power, and the movement is spreading to the whole of France, Arnaud Gaillot, head of young farmers union Jeunes Agriculteurs, told BFM TV from a protest on the A6 highway in the Yonne area southeast of Paris.

The capital should be one of the last options, but we can imagine all sorts of things, he said. The ball is in the governments court to avoid paralyzing a country that has other problems.

--With assistance from Alan Katz and Zoltan Simon.

(Updates with comments from Frances agriculture and finance ministers starting in fourth paragraph.)

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It could have been a scene from a "Fargo"-style crime drama: A frozen body partially protruding from a frozen pond. A group of investigators, with tape measures and cameras, studying footprints in the snow. Except one of the clues was a piece of rabbit poop.

That's what happens at an outing of the Minnesota Wildlife Tracking Project, a group of hobbyists and experts interested in the ancient art of animal tracking. Their goal is to hone their skills searching for, identifying and interpreting the tracks and signs that our fellow mammals leave behind in the environment we share.

On a recent and very cold Sunday, they were looking for stories in the snow of the animals that lived  and some that died  at the Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove.

Tracking is a way to more deeply connect us with nature, according to Jonathan Poppele, a 52-year-old field guide author from St. Paul who started the Tracking Project in 2013.

"Tracking is a window into the lives of the secretive mammals that live around us," Poppele wrote in the guidebook he published in 2012, "Animal Tracks of the Midwest."

It's also a way to connect us to our past.

Poppele says tracking may be "the most ancient of all sciences."

All of us are descended from trackers, early humans who relied on the ability to track animals to put dinner on the table.

"We instinctively are drawn to tracks. We follow tracks. That's part of our human nature," he said. "Because it's such an innate thing for human beings, when we learn it, it feels good."

Modern trackers test their skills by getting certification from Tracker Certification North America, an organization that uses an international standard originally developed in South Africa.

Poppele is a Track & Sign Specialist, the highest level of certification. And about 30 people in the Minnesota Wildlife Tracking Project have some level of tracking certification. The group hosts free monthly outings, typically held on the third Sunday of the month at a local park or wildlife center, with certified trackers leading activities.

About 20 people came to the meeting on Jan. 21 (Squirrel Appreciation Day) at Elm Creek.

Kirsten Welge, a Level 3 certified wildlife tracker from St. Paul, pointed to a set of tracks cutting across a frozen pond near Elm Creek's Eastman Nature Center and asked her fellow trackers to try to decipher what happened based on the clues left in the snow.

"Who left that? What happened here? Which trail is older?" Welge asked. "What are these animals and how are they moving?"

What happened next was like a scene out of "CSI: Minnesota,"with the detectives looking for clues and questioning the motives, opportunities and means of four-footed suspects.

The trackers peered into the footprints in the snow to see if the formation of hoarfrost or sintering of the snow crystals could give them clues on how old the tracks were. They crawled around on all fours to model different animal gaits for each other. The highlight of the morning was when the group found the dead deer.

"It's like a detective story. You can put together clues on what's happening," said Alan Holzer, a naturalist for the Three Rivers Park District who was taking part in the tracking session.

At one set of tiny footprints, the trackers were trying to determine if they had been made by a mouse, a vole or a shrew.

Adrian Iacovino, a Level 2 tracker and an education program coordinator with the Three Rivers Park District, helped out with a literal rule of thumb: If the tracks are one finger-size in width, that's suggests a vole. Two finger widths could be a vole. Three for a short-tailed weasel. Four for a red squirrel. Five for a grey squirrel.

But the trackers wanted to do more than just identify what animal it was. They also wanted to know what it had been doing.

At a set of tracks showing three deer crossing the frozen pond, they discussed the direction and speed of travel, and whether the animals were male or female, adult or juvenile. At a set of tracks on the pond left by a coyote, they noticed one footprint that was out of place and much shallower than the rest. Perhaps it was the spot where the coyote hesitated and looked around just before leaving the ice to run into the brush.

"There's a lot of stories in the snow here," said Bill Kass, a Level 3 tracker who was leading some of the discussions.

"Now I see so much more," said John Bauhs, a retired 3M physicist from North Oaks who has been going to Tracking Project outings for about three years. "I see tracks everywhere."

By looking at a set of tracks in the snow, Bauhs can picture what the animal was doing at that moment. "It's almost like I'm seeing a little bit of a movie."

Trackers also looking for clues to see if the animal was eating, pooping, sleeping, digging, chewing or rubbing against something.

"It's getting an understanding of who these animals are and why they do what they do," said Welge, who teaches tracking, forest bathing and meditation in nature classes with St. Paul Community Education.

Kass pointed out a trail in the snow that suggested a rabbit run. Then he found a neatly cut twig sliced at a 45-degree angle that's characteristic of a rabbit bite. The final confirmation was a single piece of scat that he rolled around in his hand.

"It's so woody and dry," he said. Rabbits eat their poop so they can more fully digest their meals, Kass explained.

Welge said the location, texture, contents and even the smell of animal scat can be helpful in identifying what animal was present.

"It's one of the stinkier parts of tracking and sign, but it tells you so much good information," she said.

Welge even teaches a St. Paul Community Education class for adults and kids about scat identification, which includes a recipe for edible faux animal scat. (We've included her recipe below so you, too, can fool your friends.)

Many of the trackers work in the nature arena. Others participate in citizen science projects, including a daylong wildlife survey at the University of Minnesota's Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve.

Poppele, a pro, brings along a tape measure when he tracks to gather data on stride lengths for research he's doing about animal locomotion.

But for many, tracking is just about satisfying one's curiosity.

"I just like knowing what's around me," said Liz Perelman, a 19-year-old University of Minnesota student from Champlin. "I feel like this gives us another sense."

Chocolate-Almond Deer Pellets

Makes two average-sized adult deer scats.

By Kirsten Welge and Natural Awareness.

 1 cup almond flour

 2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder

 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

 1/8 teaspoon salt

 2 tablespoons maple syrup

 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil.

Directions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a ruler on the counter for easy access.

2. Put first six ingredients and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil into a food processor.

3. Process ingredients for about 20 seconds, until the dough is thoroughly mixed and holds together.

4. Scoop  tablespoon of dough into your palms, squish together, and attempt to roll into a ball. If it's too dry and crumbly, add more coconut oil by the  teaspoon until the dough just binds together. If you add too much oil, it will ooze out when you form the pellets. If this happens, place a couple tablespoons of dough on a clean dishcloth, wrap it over the ball, and press out the excess oil. Then continue shaping the pellets.

5. To shape each scat pellet: Scoop  level tablespoon of dough from the food processor bowl (about 3 pellets' worth). Divide into three pieces. Roll and form each dough piece into a sphere with your palms, then press with your fingertips to form an oval pellet. Measure with your ruler to ensure you're in the right size range for white-tailed deer. Diameter: -  inch. Length: -1 inch.

6. Add the finishing touch: Pinch the dough pellet at one end to form a nipple, then gently poke your pinky tip into the opposite end to form the dimple.

7. Place completed pellet on lined baking sheet. Once you've formed a batch of pellets, slide the baking sheet into the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up the pellets and reduce shininess. If you don't mind the fresh appearance, enjoy immediately.
Casting new doubts into Venezuelas chances of holding free and fair elections this year, President Nicolas Maduro said the recent discovery that opposition leaders had been plotting to kill him has done serious damage to the roadmap to a vote that both sides agreed to in Barbados in October.

The Barbados agreements are mortally wounded, Maduro said on national television Thursday. I declare they are in intensive care; they stabbed them; they kicked them. Hopefully we can save the Barbados agreements and move forward, through dialogue, to a great agreement of national consensus ... without plans to assassinate me, assassinate us or fill the country with violence.

Maduro made the comments amid a government crackdown against former military officials and opposition leaders following an announcement made earlier by his attorney general that four different plots to overthrow or to assassinate Maduro had been discovered and thwarted.

Regime officials said they had made at least 32 arrests of alleged plot members and issued arrest warrants against 11 others, which include journalists, human-rights activists and members of the Venezuelan community in South Florida.

On Tuesday, the Biden administration said it had deep concerns about nearly three dozen arrests made in Venezuela, saying that they are contrary to the electoral deal reached in Barbados in which the Venezuelan government agreed to open the electoral process to, among other things, allow opponents to run for office, including the presidency.

Arrests without due process run contrary to the spirit of the October 2023 electoral roadmap agreement signed between the Unitary Platform and representatives of Nicolas Maduro. We call for the end of politically motivated harassment, including attacks upon opposition campaign offices and all efforts to stifle the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people through fear and intimidation, the U.S. State Department said.

Actions that run counter to the spirit and the letter of the Barbados Agreement will have consequences. We urge Maduro and his representatives to adhere to the electoral roadmap agreement, including by announcing a clear timeline for the 2024 presidential election, and to reinstate all political candidates, it added.

The U.S. has been waiting for Caracas socialist regime to comply with the commitments it made in a series of negotiations held throughout last year with members of the Biden administration.

The talks culminated with the signing in Barbados of two separate accords with opposition leaders to hold presidential elections in the second half of this year. Prior to the signing, representatives of the Biden administration and Maduro held several meetings over the persistent political and economic crisis that has led millions of Venezuelans to seek refuge in neighboring countries and the United States.

As part of its commitments, the regime agreed to lift bans blocking opposition leaders from running for office, implement deep reforms to the often criticized electoral system, allow international observers to monitor the election and free all political prisoners.

In exchange, the Biden administration, which had kept in place sanctions on Venezuelan oil, granted a six-month general license temporarily authorizing transactions involving the oil and gas sector in Venezuela, and a second general license authorizing the operations of state-run Minerven, a previously sanctioned gold-mining enterprise that had been trading on the black market.
There are indications that the Republican National Committee is considering recognizing former President Donald Trump as the leading contender for the party's presidential nomination in 2024.

A draft resolution that names Trump has been circulating among RNC members and may be voted on at their winter meeting in Las Vegas, according to sources who have shared the document with NBC News.

RNC Considers Resolution Declaring Trump 'Presumptive' Nominee

The resolution states that based on the evidence, it is highly unlikely for any candidate other than President Trump to secure the 2024 Republican nomination. The document highlights the RNC's commitment to ensuring fairness in the caucus/primary processes across the country. It also emphasizes their efforts in organizing informative debates that focus on important issues, aiming to assist GOP voters in evaluating the candidates.

"RESOLVED that the Republican National Committee hereby declares President Trump as our presumptive 2024 nominee for the office of President of the United States and from this moment forward moves into full general election mode welcoming supporters of all candidates as valued members of Team Trump 2024," the resolution reads.

Trump urged the party to come together and support his candidacy following his resounding win in the New Hampshire primary. However, Nikki Haley, his former ambassador to the United Nations, has made it clear that she intends to persist with her campaign, which has sparked anger from him.

RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel has indicated a willingness to rally behind Trump should he maintain his strong performance in the early caucuses and primaries. After Trump's win on Tuesday, McDaniel expressed her doubts about Nikki Haley's future prospects, stating that she couldn't envision a clear path for her.

The resolution's news, initially reported by The Dispatch and attributed to Maryland committee member David Bossie, a close Trump ally, immediately sparked criticism from various members of the RNC. Oscar Brock, an RNC member from Tennessee, expressed his concern about the resolution he learned about on Thursday afternoon. He believes that the resolution goes against the intended purpose of RNC rules regarding the presidential primaries.

According to a source familiar with the Republican Party's rules, the term "presumptive nominee" does not hold any official significance or resources within the party's regulations. The resolution, although urging the RNC to transition to "full general election mode," does not mandate any specific actions to support Trump.

Read Also: Trump Briefly Testifies in Defamation Trial

Nikki Haley Slams RNC's Plan

In response to the report, Nikki Haley strongly expressed her disagreement with the RNC's alleged plan to declare Donald Trump the presumptive nominee, despite only two states having voted for a candidate.

In a statement, Haley spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubas dismissed the significance of the RNC's opinion. The decision of our party's nominee will be made by the millions of Republican voters across the country, rather than a group of individuals with insider knowledge in Washington.

"If Ronna McDaniel is interested in being of assistance, she could consider arranging a debate in South Carolina. Unless, of course, she has concerns about Trump's ability to handle a 90-minute stage presence alongside Nikki Haley," she remarked.

The proposed resolution from the RNC highlights Trump's significant victories in Iowa and New Hampshire, emphasizing his strong position in all states. After the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, McDaniel faced backlash for urging Haley to halt her campaign and for the party to rally behind Trump, The Washington Examiner reported.

Related Article: Donald Trump Urged by Senate GOP To Save Ukraine Border Deal With Democrats as Ex-POTUS Leads Republican Presidential Nomination
(FOX40.COM)  A 33-year-old man from Sacramento County was arrested on Wednesday in connection to multiple thefts at different Kohls locations, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The estimated total amount stolen exceeded $11,000 from six thefts from multiple Kohls stores within Sacramento County.

The accused thief, a parolee, was identified as a suspect early in an investigation, the CHP said.

Officials said the man was arrested after surveillance footage confirmed his identity and uncovered further evidence.

Sacramento County DA announces prosecution team dedicated to combating retail theft

As a result of the investigation, the CHP said the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office obtained an arrest warrant for the accused thief.

The 33-year-old mans charges include crimes related to organized retail theft, felon in possession of a firearm, and felon in possession of ammunition.

After the arrest, the man was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on Thursday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A man has been arrested in connection to a December 2020 drive-by shooting in north Abilene.

Courtesy of the Taylor County Jail

Christopher Taylor admitted to shooting a home on the 2100 block of North 6th Street. Neighbors reported hearing about seven or eight shots.

Final suspect sentenced to 8 years for fatal abduction, beating of woman found dead at Lake Ft. Phantom Hill

When police arrived, they found five bullet holes on the front porch of a home and two in a vehicle.

Taylor also told police, after admitting to the drive-by, that he was not aiming at anything. Taylor is charged with third-degree felony deadly conduct and is in the Taylor County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
(KRON)  A Hollister resident was arrested for a shooting that occurred in Gilroy.

The Gilroy Police Department was alerted of a shooting in the 9000 block of Kern Avenue at 10 p.m. on Jan. 20.

Responding officers located a victim who was unharmed by gunfire. According to the police investigation, 27-year-old Hollister resident Joel Eduardo Valencia was in a physical altercation with the victim. Police said Valencia discharged a firearm and shot multiple rounds in the direction of the victim. According to police, there were several children in the same area as the victim.

San Jose man convicted in 2018 hit and run that left victim stuck in windshield

Valencia fled in a black vehicle before officers were on the scene, police said.

Later that evening, Gilroy officers located Valencias vehicle and attempted a traffic stop near Mantelli Drive and Fuchsia Court. A vehicle pursuit ensued after the driver did not comply. The pursuit was terminated due to the potential danger to the public.

Valencia later crashed into a parked vehicle and a fire hydrant on First Street. In the vehicle, police found a loaded 9mm handgun.

Valencia was arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gilroy Police Detective Jason Greathead at (408)-846-0373.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
HOLLAND TWP.  A man suspected of throwing hot coffee on a gas station employee before robbing the businesses has been arrested.

The Ottawa County Sheriffs Office announced 22-year-old Austin Buter of Zeeland Township was arrested Tuesday, Jan. 23, for the Christmas Day robbery of Oasis Mobile Mart.

More: Holland employee burned by coffee in Christmas morning robbery

Detectives obtained a warrant for unarmed robbery and habitual offender fourth offense charges. Buter was arrested without incident Tuesday and lodged at the Ottawa County Jail.

He was arraigned Wednesday via video by 58th District Court Judge Bradley Knoll. Buters bond was set at $25,000; he remains in custody at the Ottawa County Jail.

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Deputies arrived shortly before 1 a.m. Monday, Dec. 25, to the Oasis Mobile Mart at 9673 Adams St. in Holland Township, where a man had entered the store, poured a cup of coffee and brought it to the counter.

When told the price, OCSO says, he threw the coffee in a female employees face, grabbed the cash draw and left. The employee suffered burns to her chest and neck, but OCSO said she has since made a full recovery.

 Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Man arrested for Christmas Day robbery, throwing coffee on employee
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A man was arrested following his alleged crime spree in downtown Lancaster City Thursday morning.

The Lancaster City Bureau of Police says video surveillance identified Rolando Chinea-Rivera, 32, as the person who caused damage to multiple properties downtown.

Police outlined a list of property they say Chinea-Rivera damaged throughout the city.

4 City-owned metal decorative trash cans (locations: 1st blk. S. Queen St., 1st blk. N. Queen St., 200 blk. N. Queen St., 400 blk. N. Queen St.)

4 privately owned large flower pots (locations: 314-343 N. Queen St.)

1 privately owned flowerpot (location: 413  N. Queen St.)

Very large privately owned flowerpot (location: 22 E. Orange St.)

Flipped a dumpster in the 100 blk. N. Christian St.

Flipped a bike rack in the 100 blk. N. Christian St.

Kicked an occupied vehicle in the 500 blk. N. Queen St.

According to the criminal complaint, the total cost of the damages amounted to $3,075.

Florida man arrested in Franklin County sextortion investigation with dozens of victims

Chinea-Rivera, the complaint states, also hit a private detective in the head multiple times and another person was hit in the face by Chinea-Rivera multiple times.

Chinea-Rivera faces felony charges of aggravated assault and flight to avoid apprehension. Hes also facing misdemeanor charges including criminal mischief, simple assault, and disorderly conduct.

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Chinea-Rivera is currently locked up in Lancaster County Prison with his bail set at $125,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 6.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Phoenix police said a man has been charged with murder after a shooting on Thursday night left one man dead in west Phoenix.

Phoenix police responded to reports of a shooting at a home near 43rd Avenue and Encanto Boulevard just before 9 p.m. on Thursday. Officers found an unidentified male with a gunshot wound; he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Sgt. Rob Scherer.

Police detained and interviewed several people at the scene, police said. One of them was 35-year-old Michael Lanunziata, who was identified as the shooting suspect and was arrested.

Lanunziata was booked into a Maricopa County jail on one count of murder.

Scherer said, "additional details pertaining to this case remain part of the ongoing investigation."

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Michael Lanunziata arrested on suspicion of Phoenix fatal shooting
Jennifer Crumbley, the mother of the Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley, testified in court in her own defense as she faced involuntary manslaughter charges.

Crumbley's lawyer, Shannon Smith, said that the gunman's mother was set to take the stand and tell the court about her life, her son, and what Ethan did that she could never have predicted.

Michigan School Shooter's Mother

The mother was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the November 2021 incident that left four students dead and seven others injured. In December 2021, she pleaded not guilty to all charges.

A separate trial for her husband, James Crumbley, who is also facing four counts of involuntary manslaughter, is scheduled to start in March this year. The latest trial is a rare case of parents being criminally charged in relation to their child's mass shooting.

Jury selection for the trial was finished on Wednesday and resulted in 12 jurors and five alternates. Prosecutors on Thursday began with opening statements and argued that the Crumbleys did not properly secure the firearm that their son used in the shooting, as per ABC News.

They also argued that the mother was "still given the opportunity" to prevent the shooting from happening on the day that her son did it, but chose not to. A few days before the horrific incident, a teacher allegedly saw Ethan researching ammunition in class. The school then contacted his parents but they did not respond.

However, it was later found that Jennifer did text her son, writing, "Lol, I'm not mad at you, you have to learn not to get caught." Then, a few hours before the shooting, the prosecution alleged that a teacher saw a note on Ethan's desk that was a "drawing of a semi-automatic handgun pointing at the words, 'The thoughts won't stop, help me.'"

In a separate section of the note, teachers said they saw the drawing of a bullet with the following words above it, "Blood everywhere." The Crumbleys were then called to school over the incident and said that they would get their son counseling but let Ethan stay at school.

Read Also: New Jersey Sheriff Dies in Apparent Suicide in Restaurant Following Layoffs, Charges Against Fellow Officers

Charges of Involuntary Manslaughter

Assistant prosecutor Marc Keast said that the gunman's mother was aware of her son's deteriorating mental health and social isolation. Quoting a social media post, he said that the purchase of the handgun was celebrated by Jennifer on Instagram, according to the Associated Press.

Following the meeting where the Crumbleys left their son at school, Ethan proceeded to go on a shooting spree and kill four students and injure several others. In his opening statement, Keast said that while Jennifer did not pull the trigger herself, she was still responsible for the deaths of the victims.

On the other hand, the parents' defense attorneys have argued that the charges against them have no legal justification but appeals courts have upheld them anyway. Smith said in the defense's opening statements that Jennifer did not know about her son's deteriorating mental health.

Instead, the defense attorney shifted the blame to Jennifer's husband, who was the one who purchased the firearm for their son. She also blamed the school for failing to notify her client about Ethan's problematic behavior, said CNN.

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A repossession agent was shot multiple times in his truck as he tried to pick up a vehicle from a driveway in Florida, police said.

The 28-year-old employee arrived at the home around noon on Jan. 25 to repossess a vehicle, according to a news release from the Port St. Lucie Police Department.

As the agent lined up his pickup truck in the driveway, the homeowner and person in possession of the vehicle, 59-year-old Omar Sueque, ran out of his home, police said.

In a video recorded by a neighbor and shared by WPBF, Sueque is seen putting himself between the repossession truck and his vehicle.

Sueque yells at the driver, then approaches the drivers side window of the agents truck, the video shows.

As the (agent) was seated in his tow truck in the driveway, (Sueque) approached the driver side door and punched the (agent) through the opened window, police said.

In the video, the agent jumps out of the truck and chases Sueque back toward the garage before returning to his truck, WPBF reported.

(Suque) then armed himself with a handgun and shot the (agent) multiple times through the drivers side door window, police said. The victim was able to drive down the road where he went to a neighboring residen(t) who called 911.

The agent was airlifted to the hospital, according to police. Hes in stable condition and expected to survive, police said.

Sueque was charged with attempted homicide and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and taken into custody, the department said.

Port St. Lucie is about 115 miles north of Miami.

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The United States has raised apprehensions regarding Sri Lanka's recent approval of the Online Safety bill, a move that grants the government substantial powers to regulate online content.

Passed in Parliament on Wednesday, the bill faced opposition from media outlets, rights activists, and the political opposition, who argue that it could severely impact freedom of speech, especially in an election year, as per Fox News.

Sri Lanka's Online Safety Bill Impact on Free Speech

The legislation enables the creation of an Online Safety Commission with authority to order the removal of online posts deemed as "prohibited statements." This includes the legal pursuit of individuals responsible for publishing such content. The bill, introduced by President Ranil Wickremesinghe's government, received overwhelming support in the 225-member house, with only 62 lawmakers voting against it.

Opponents of the bill, including media, internet, and civil rights groups, have expressed concerns over the potential for creating an oppressive environment. The New York-based Human Rights Watch warned that the legislation could lead to vague "speech-related offenses punishable by lengthy prison terms." The Asia Internet Coalition, consisting of major tech companies such as Apple, Amazon, Google, and Yahoo, argued that the bill could hinder potential growth and foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka's digital economy.

Sri Lanka Professional Web Journalists Association's Secretary, Kalum Shivantha, highlighted the potential impact on their profession, stating that online journalists might resort to self-censorship, and news websites could face shutdowns.

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, who introduced the bill, defended its necessity by addressing concerns related to online fraud, abuse, and false statements threatening national security. He emphasized that the legislation was not intended to harass media or political opponents, citing over 8,000 complaints related to online crimes filed last year, according to San Antonio Express News.

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Sri Lanka's Economic Crisis Fuels Political Unrest

Sri Lanka continues to grapple with its worst economic crisis, declaring bankruptcy in 2022 with over $83 billion in debt, leading to an international bailout by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The economic turmoil triggered shortages of food, fuel, and other necessities, ultimately resulting in the ousting of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The IMF provided a $2.9 billion bailout package to stabilize the country.

Current President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who assumed office after Rajapaksa's departure, has faced public dissatisfaction due to new high taxes on professionals and businesses, coupled with increased energy bills. Rights groups accuse Wickremesinghe of stifling dissent through crackdowns on anti-government protests and arrests of protestors and activists.

The Online Safety Bill, passed with 108-62 votes, aims to address online communication of certain statements and prevent the use of online accounts for prohibited purposes. It establishes an Online Safety Commission, appointed by the president, to issue directives against prohibited statements. While the government asserts the bill will protect against online abuse, critics argue it is an attempt to stifle dissent and criticism.

With the upcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka, there is becoming more worry about how the Online Safety Bill could affect the freedom of expression and political discussions within the country. The international community, including the United States, closely observes the situation, highlighting its importance of maintaining democratic values and human rights, CNN News reported.

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A 19-year-old man was sentenced to 45 years in the Indiana Department of Correction in connection with the killing of a man at a gas station on Indianapolis east side in 2022, court records show.

Tiyuan Johnson pleaded guilty, as part of an agreement with prosecutors, to possession of a machine gun and murder before he was sentenced on Thursday.

Police were called to the gas station in the 6000 block of East 30th Street on the east side of Indianapolis around 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2022. Kevan Anthony Akbar, 27, was found inside a red Jeep with gunshot injuries and he later died at a hospital, according to the probable cause affidavit for Johnsons arrest.

Investigators found video of the shooting that showed two men and one woman fleeing the scene after Akbar was shot. Johnson left behind his cellphone under the Jeep as he fled. The surveillance video showed the man who fired at Akbar was standing near where the phone was found, according to the affidavit.

More Indianapolis crime news: IMPD: Man in critical condition after police shooting on Indy's east side

Johnson, who lived a few blocks away from the gas station, was arrested about a month after Akbars death. In an interview with police, Johnson stated he fired after he heard the other man he was with fire, and that he didn't think his shot struck Akbar.

Johnson told police he and three other people planned to rob Akbar before the shooting, according to the affidavit.

Police have not announced any other arrests in connection with Akbar's death.

Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis crime: Teen sentenced in 2022 gas station killing
Prosecutors say a 50-year-old Wichita man is in legal trouble, accused of stealing computers from the Robert J. Dole Veterans Administration Medical Center last year.

A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted Chad Gibson on one count of theft of government property, according to court records and a Thursday news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Kansas. The indictment gives few details about the alleged crime, but does say that Gibson did willfully and knowingly embezzle and steal and convert to his own use computer software and hardware, computer equipment and accessories from the medical center on Oct. 2, 2023. The stolen items are worth more than $1,000, the indictment says.

No lawyer was listed in court records for Gibson on Thursday and no hearing dates have been set.

Danielle Thomas, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorneys Office, said prosecutors were unable to speak on Mr. Gibsons relationship to the VA at this time due to U.S. Department of Justice policies.

The District of Kansas is committed to trying to do all we can to protect the integrity of the judicial process and the right to a fair trial, she said.

The Robert J. Dole VA is located at 5500 E. Kellogg Drive, at Kellogg and Edgemoor, in east Wichita.

Gibson faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 if he is convicted of the crime, the indictment says.
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  Tyler officials said that a bathroom at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce was set on fire by a homeless man on Wednesday.

Man arrested with suspected meth, gun near Wiley College

According to Randy Lee, a Deputy Fire Marshall with the City of Tyler, the man came into the bathroom, stripped down to his underwear and began to take a bath with paper towels from the sink.

Lee continued and said that someone reported the man to the manager and the manger then asked the man to get dressed and leave. According to Lee, the man then set the bathroom on fire in retaliation.

David Alan Stickle, 45, reportedly admitted to setting the fire and was charged with arson. Stickle is being held at the Smith County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Authorities are searching for an inmate who escaped while on kitchen detail from a Ventura County jail on Thursday night. (Google Maps)

Authorities are searching for an escaped inmate who, while on kitchen detail, fled from a Ventura County jail on Thursday night.

The inmate, identified as 31-year-old Jonathan Alfaro, was awaiting trial at a pretrial detention facility in Ventura on burglary charges, according to the Ventura County Sheriffs Department.

Alfaro was last seen on the loading dock. Authorities said he then walked off the premises around 7 p.m. Deputies were immediately alerted and began searching the vicinity.

All inmates sign escape clauses, with many of them being authorized to work around jail facilities where security is limited. Alfaro was assigned to work in the kitchen.

Deputies say Alfaro is 5-foot-4 and weighs about 140 pounds. There is no information to suggest he is a danger to the public or a threat to the community, the Sheriff's Department said.

Alfaro is described as having short black hair, a black beard and a black mustache. He was last seen wearing jail-issued blue jeans and an orange T-shirt.

Jonathan Alfaro, shown in a booking photo, "walked off" from a Ventura detention facility, authorities say. (Ventura County Sheriff's Department)

The Sheriff's Department said the jails classification unit heavily screens all inmates in custody for nonviolent crimes.

Police are advising anyone who spots Alfaro not to attempt to make contact. Instead, people are urged to call 911 or their local police station immediately.

Anyone with information about Alfaros whereabouts or details regarding the escape is encouraged to call the Ventura County Sheriffs Department at (805) 654-9511.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
FILE - Pedestrians walk past in San Jose, Costa Rica, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018. Costa Ricas Supreme Court of Justice reported on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, that it modified a piece of civil code originally mandating that the paternal surname precede the maternal surname. The names no longer have to be written in that order. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco, File)

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP)  Many Costa Ricans on Friday welcomed a ruling this week by the country's Supreme Court of Justice eliminating the requirement that people use their father's surname before their mother's on identification documents.

In Spanish-speaking nations, people usually go by two last names. In Costa Rica, if a man were named Jose and his father's surname were Suarez and his mother's Ortiz, by law he would have been registered as Jose Suarez Ortiz. The courts decision maintains the requirement to use both names, but allows citizens to choose the order, giving them the freedom to put the mothers first, as in Ortiz Suarez.

On the street in the Costa Rican capital, San Jose, 48-year-old messenger Carlos Barquero said it may be difficult to get over the custom of putting the father's name first.

But the truth is, its right to recognize the mothers and women in our society as well, Barquero said. I don't see any problem with people choosing the order."

The court modified a section of civil code mandating the order of the names, following a request for clarification from the country's elections board after a resident came to the board asking to change the order of their name.

The code was based on customary practices based on patriarchal and archaic concepts of family, which discriminates against women and today is incompatible with the law of the Constitution, the court said in a news release.

Surnames form an inseparable part of the personality of human beings and their order is inherent to the fundamental rights to name and identity, the justices added.

Also in San Jose, librarian Mayra Jimenez, 42, welcomed the ruling.

I feel that this is a right and an opportunity for people who want, for one reason or another, to change the order of their last names, so that they can be comfortable with their identity, Jimenez told The Associated Press.

Larissa Arroyo, a lawyer and human rights activist, said in a telephone interview that the ruling opens the door for many Costa Ricans who for various reasons might want to use the mother's surname first for themselves or their children.

Arroyo noted the ruling eliminates confusion when a child is born to a same-sex couple, in deciding who is the mother or father.

But it also eliminates a wider social pressure to carry on the last name of a family.

This is related to the patriarchal issue of maintaining the family name, people spoke of 'the name disappearing,'" Arroyo said, referring to relatives who favor traditional name order  or who may want to pressure people into having children.

This is because there is a huge pressure on someone, that goes beyond them as an individual, Arroyo said.

This decision came after another bill passed the Human Rights Commission in Costa Ricas congress last year which also proposed citizens be able to choose the order in which their names are placed.
Revellers catch beads from a float in the 2023 Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade during a Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 21, 2023.

Revelers and partygoers, listen up: Mardi Gras season has returned to New Orleans.

Beginning as a religious holiday observed prior to the Christian Lenten season, Mardi Gras has since expanded from a single day of observation to weeks (or months) of partying. The festivals and celebrations in the weeks leading up to the Lenten season are celebrated across the world, from France to Brazil and beyond, but in the U.S., it's most famously found in New Orleans, Louisiana.

New Orleans takes Mardi Gras seriously, with traditions including king cake and parades beginning in January and lasting for weeks until the actual holiday itself.

Whether you're a local, a traveler planning a trip to New Orleans or want to watch the festivities from afar, here's what to know about Mardi Gras parades in the Big Easy this year.

When is Mardi Gras 2024?

This year, Mardi Gras, which translates from French to "Fat Tuesday," is on Feb. 13.

Ash Wednesday is on Feb. 14, the day marking the start of the 40-day Lenten season that culminates with Easter.

Origins of king cake: What to know about the sweet Mardi Gras treat plus a recipe to try

Why does New Orleans celebrate Mardi Gras?

Although it is a Christian holiday now, Mardi Gras is a holiday that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites, according to the History Channel. Mardi Gras, also often called Carnival or Carnaval, is celebrated in countries around the world with large Roman Catholic populations.

Louisiana was colonized first by the French before it became part of the U.S., and has retained strong French and Cajun culture and traditions, including Mardi Gras.

When are the 2024 Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans?

People participate in the 2023 Krewe of Okeanos parade during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 19, 2022.

There are plenty of parades all over New Orleans celebrating Mardi Gras, beginning in January and lasting through Mardi Gras on Feb. 13.

Here's when and where to catch these parades, according to Mardi Gras New Orleans. For specific parade routes, click the link on the corresponding parade.

Friday, Jan. 26

Krewe Boheme: 7 p.m., French Quarter

Krewe of Titans: 6:30 p.m., Slidell

Saturday, Jan. 27

Sunday, Jan. 28

Friday, Feb. 2

Saturday, Feb. 3

Sunday, Feb. 4

Monday, Feb. 5

The Mystic Krewe of Music: 6 p.m., Westbank

Wednesday, Feb. 7

Thursday, Feb. 8

Friday, Feb. 9

Saturday, Feb. 10

Sunday, Feb. 11

Monday, Feb. 12

Tuesday, Feb. 13 (Mardi Gras)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mardi Gras 2024 parade schedule: New Orleans celebrations, explained
The Marine Corps Japan-based force finally has a new general in charge, after a senators hold on military nominations delayed a fresh leaders arrival in the post for months.

Lt. Gen. Roger Turner took over the strategically important III Marine Expeditionary Force from Lt. Gen. James Bierman in a ceremony Friday at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan.

III Marine Expeditionary Force, which is headquartered in Okinawa and has troops stationed throughout the Indo-Pacific, is a central focus of the Corps ambitious modernization initiative, aimed in large part at countering the Chinese military. One of the services three main forces, it is composed of approximately 27,000 Marines.

We will train tirelessly, build lasting partnerships, and remain ready to respond at a moments notice, Turner said, according to a Marine news release. III MEFs presence here is the linchpin of regional stability and a testament to our enduring dedication to uphold the principles of freedom and justice, no matter the challenges that lie ahead.

The White House in April 2023 nominated Turner to pin on a third star and helm that force, but the nearly 10-month-long refusal by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., to approve hundreds of senior military nominees through the typical process of unanimous consent kept Turners promotion in limbo.

Tuberville, who held up the confirmations in protest of a Pentagon policy covering leave and travel costs for troops seeking abortions, relented in December 2023 amid pressure from his colleagues.

Tuberville drops holds on more than 430 military promotions

Turner is a prior-enlisted Marine who received his commission in 1989 and went on to command troops in combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan, according to his official biography.

As a general officer, he has led the Capabilities Development Directorate, the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, 1st Marine Division and Marine Corps headquarters operations division.

Biermans next assignment is as deputy commandant for plans, policies and operations. Turner filled that role in an acting capacity following the retirement of Lt. Gen. David Furness in July 2023.
A Marine Corps utility helicopter was damaged while a contractor was transporting it down the East Coast on Jan. 5.

A military-contracted ground carrier was moving a UH-1Y Venom helicopter from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, to Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, when the mishap occurred, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing said in a statement to Marine Corps Times on Wednesday.

The Venom belonged to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773, a Reserve unit that operates aircraft out of New Jersey and New Orleans.

The squadron received word of the damage on Jan. 8, according to the statement. The statement didnt provide details about what kind of mishap occurred.

The Naval Safety Command labeled the mishap as Class A, indicating that the aircraft sustained at least $2.5 million in damage.

Maintenance issue discovered in multiple Marine helicopters in Japan

The aircraft is now with the North Carolina-based Fleet Readiness Center East, which is evaluating the damage, the statement said.

Venoms conduct a wide range of missions, including close air support, search and rescue, and armed reconnaissance. The Marine Corps had an inventory of 128 Venoms in 2022, according to the aviation planning document released that year.

In December, a Marine unit at an air station in Japan discovered an unspecified maintenance issue involving multiple aircraft, including the Venom, prompting Marines to take corrective action.
The Navy's amphibious ships are not ready to deploy Marines around the world on time, a problem that has no short-term fix and degrades America's ability to deter adversaries and reassure allies at a time when it is needed most, according to one of the Marine Corps' top generals.

"There's a saying that wars are a come-as-you-are game," Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl, the commanding general of Marine Corps Combat Development Command and deputy commandant for combat development and integration -- the Marine who heads the service's modernization efforts, told Military.com on Thursday. "Well, this is where we are. And there is simply no immediate fix."

The readiness issue comes down to several factors, including overuse of amphibious ships during the last 20-plus years of war, according to Heckl, who said that maintenance took a back seat to the intense operational tempo that helped define the Global War on Terror. Now, according to the general, the Navy and its Marine passengers are reaping the consequences of those decisions, just as conflict in the Middle East boils over once again.

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There is no good solution in sight, Heckl said, and the Corps is concerned that its expeditionary units could be in a position where they cannot meet the needs of a new crisis given the current state of the Navy's amphibious ships, a problem it has been faced with over the last two years.

"From a defense perspective, we lose a lot," Heckl said of the now "sporadic nature" of Marine expeditionary unit deployments, "whether it's reassuring allies and partners or whether it's campaigning with allies and partners to deter potential adversaries."

The Navy, in a written statement provided to Military.com late Thursday, said it continues to "prioritize force sustainment with an emphasis on maximizing readiness" and that the service is looking forward to working with "our industrial partners, the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as Congress, to ensure we continue to maximize readiness and are able to fight and prevail when and wherever called upon."

The relationship between Marines and their "amphibs" is meant to be a close one. Marine expeditionary units, or MEUs -- of which there are seven -- deploy on those ships as one of America's long arms of action and deterrence around the world. They are meant to be deployed with no gaps between rotations to ensure the U.S. has a rapid response force always on call, according to the Corps.

But one of those gaps meant Marines were unable to respond to an earthquake in Turkey and the evacuation of Americans from Sudan, an absence that led then-Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David Berger to tell Congress in a hearing in April that he felt "like I let down the combatant commander."

Combined, the Marines and sailors deployed together make up an amphibious ready group, or ARG. That relationship is being tested amid a backdrop of renewed conflict in the Middle East and as the Navy struggles to keep a MEU afloat in the region. Marine Corps officials fear there could be a gap -- of months -- in coverage there because the amphibious ships their troops deploy on are not ready.

"There's considerable, considerable, considerable, big, large -- by months -- gaps between the MEUs now" because of the unavailability of amphibious ships, Heckl said. "If we're talking about months, months and months of gaps in between the crisis response force[s], we don't have a crisis response force."

Now, commanders in the region who are likely looking at vulnerable U.S. embassies to evacuate, for example and according to Heckl, may have to think twice about the assets they have to use, some of which continue to be strained because their replacements cannot deploy on time.

The tension between the Navy and Marine Corps over not only the size of the amphibious fleet but its state of readiness has been an issue that has simmered away inside the halls of the Pentagon for years, often being discussed hand-in-hand with how large the Navy's overall ship count should be.

However, the issue of amphibious ship readiness has become noticeable in part because top Marine officials have been willing to speak more openly and clearly about the issue in the past year. For example, last March, Berger told Defense One that less than one-third of the Navy's amphibious fleet was deployable. Those assessments were also backed up by independent government investigations.

"I don't think there's any real, physical, tangible solution that will fix the amphib situation in the near term," Heckl said. "We're trying to find interim solutions, but they will not -- I repeat -- they will not be optimal. Whatever it is, if it isn't an amphibious warship, it's less than optimal and it's less than fully capable."

It wasn't always this way, according to the general.

"The Navy had ships ready to go and we weren't there," he said, adding that because the MEUs were not ready around the 2009 or 2010 timeframe, he believes the Navy did not see them as a priority. "Now, the roles are reversed: We have the MEUs, trained and ready to go, but we don't have the amphibious ships."

The lack of amphibious ship availability has created significant scar tissue for the Marine Corps over at least the last two years. Heckl pointed to several examples since 2022 in which Marines were hard-pressed to respond to crises because they didn't have a way to get there on time.

"Just look at the last couple of years -- whether it was no MEU out when Russia started forming up on Ukraine's border, to an earthquake in Turkey," he said. "The emergency evacuation of American citizens out of Khartoum in Sudan -- we had to rely on other countries. To now, with what's happening in Israel. ... Luckily, we had the crisis response force that was out, and they responded, and they've been there ever since."

The specific crisis response force that Heckl is referring to is the 26th MEU out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, a unit that is capable of conducting special operations, port seizures and embassy evacuations. It, as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, is currently at the center of these concerns for the Marine Corps.

The 26th MEU has been deployed to the Middle East and Mediterranean since departing the U.S. in July, and at one point over the fall, was headed to the waters off of Israel in response to Hamas' surprise attack on the country, which thrust the region into uncertainty and turmoil. According to Heckl, that unit is "looking at yet another extension" because of the amphibious ship situation.

"When you extend an ARG like that, it has a lot of ramifications, both material-wise and manpower. Material-wise, that ship is now staying underway longer than it had been planned and is probably impacting some maintenance avail[ability] that was scheduled," Heckl said.

"And then the manpower -- maintaining good faith and trust with our Marines," he added. "What happens to those Marines that had an end-of-active-service date, and now they're getting essentially involuntarily extended?"

Military.com previously reported that the Pentagon is weighing whether to keep the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and the Marine Corps' 26th MEU deployed to the area for months more as they wait for a replacement.

Last week, Navy officials stressed that they have "several options to fulfill the missions in the region" and pushed back on the idea that one amphibious ship -- the USS Boxer -- being unready to deploy was causing issues for the already deployed USS Bataan.

The consideration comes as a fear proliferates within the Corps that, due to delays in the amphibious ships, there will be times when Marine expeditionary units may not be deployed consecutively, damaging the Corps' reputation as a "911" force.

"Our identity is elemental to who we are as Marines. We are soldiers of the sea. We are the nation's naval expeditionary force," Heckl said. "And we just can't lose that."

The problems are not contained to the Navy and its own internal issues. Heckl also pointed to a wavering industrial base that he says cannot keep up with the shipbuilding demand as part of the problem. The last 20 years of war, which saw back-to-back missions prioritized by leaders at the time, also left maintenance by the wayside for years, he said.

"We simply did things that I think, otherwise, we would not have done. We deferred maintenance, we extended or just delayed maintenance ... on ships," he said. "And those things -- and I'm sure the leaders at the time went in eyes wide open -- but they had to have known, and we certainly know now, that that comes with a price tag to be paid in the future. And we're paying it now."

Editor's note: This story was updated with a response from the Navy.

Related: Pentagon Weighs Extending USS Bataan and Marine Expeditionary Unit Deployment in Middle East Amid Turmoil
MARIPOSA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Over $1 million from a fraud scheme was recovered after Mariposa County Sheriffs Office deputies, as well as other law enforcement agencies, assisted the City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department in Florida, officials said on Thursday.

The Mariposa County Sheriffs Office says they assisted the Fort Lauderdale Police Department in a fraud that had ties to Mariposa County.

Officers at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) say the City of Fort Lauderdale was targeted in this incident due to the ongoing construction of the new police headquarters, and that the incident occurred on Sept. 14, 2023.

FLPD officers say they were notified by the City of Fort Lauderdales Finance Department after one of their employees received an email that appeared to be from Moss Construction, the contractor on the police headquarters project. The employee paid the invoice for approximately $1.2 million.

A short time later, officers say the FLPDs Economic Crimes detectives were made aware and they immediately began attempting to trace the money.

Although the investigation is still ongoing, FLPDs detectives, with the assistance of the Mariposa County Sheriffs Office, say they were able to successfully recover all of the lost funds. Additionally, detectives are still attempting to identify the suspect or possible suspects responsible for this incident.

Officers say schemes, such as the one involved in this case, can be intricate and complex, meaning it could be very difficult to gather enough evidence to identify and charge those responsible. They say Fort Lauderdale was not the only victim of this nationwide construction fraud scheme.

The U.S. Secret Service, the FBI, the Mariposa County Sheriffs Office, the Mariposa County District Attorneys Office, the Avondale Police Department in Arizona, and the Lees Summit Police Department in Missouri also assisted with the investigation, according to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
Three men were found dead on January 9 in frozen conditions outside a friend's house in Kansas City, where they had gathered to watch a Kansas City Chiefs game two days earlier and never returned home.

Several questions remain unanswered since their disappearance. The victim's families want answers about how they died.

3 Men Found Dead in Kansas City

The three men were identified as Ricky Johnson, Clayton McGeeney, and David Harrington, who have been missing since January 7. Sky News reported the three men had been friends since high school.

They were discovered when McGeeney's fiancee went to Jordan Willis's home looking for him and found a body on the back porch. The Kansas City Police Department arrived and found two more bodies in the backyard.

John Picerno, attorney of Willis, said in a statement that his client was unaware of how his friends died and was anxiously awaiting the results of the autopsy and toxicology report to determine the causes and manners of death for Harrington, McGeeney, and Johnson.

The KCPD reported that there were no apparent signs of foul play observed at the crime scene. The case was not ruled a homicide investigation.

Picerno shared that after the Chiefs game with a low temperature of 29F (-1.6C), Willis went to bed while his companions and a fourth visitor lingered in his home, wishing them a good night.

The fourth guest, whose identity has not been made public, claimed that when he left Willis's house, McGeeney, Harrington, and Johnson were still conscious. Contrary to Willis's suggestion, the fourth guest argued to the local news station WDAF-TV that he was not the last to see the three men alive.

Picerno claimed that the two missing cars were parked on Willis's block, but he failed to notice them. Willis said it was unusual for his friends to leave their vehicles behind overnight.

Read Also: Jon Stewart to Return as Host of 'Daily Show'

Families of Three Men Speak Out

The family members of the dead men said in a media interview that they do not believe they have heard the whole truth from Willis, who expressed sympathy to them in Picerno's statement.

"None of the stories are adding up about what he's saying," Adriana Juarez, the mother of Johnson's son, said to KCTV. "How do you not know there are three bodies on the back porch?"

McGeeney's cousin, Caleb McGeeney, told WDAF-TV that the thought of them dying and sitting outside in the cold for two days was extremely devastating. He also described his cousin as a "good person."

He added that somebody has to end up in custody over their death, regardless of any situation.

Jennifer Marquez, Harrington's mother, shared that the call informing her of her son's death was the most devastating moment of her life.

She said it was a huge loss as he was his brother and had more siblings. She claimed that they were missing him and broken-hearted over the fact that they would not be able to see their brother again.

Related Article: Missing Florida Woman Found Dead in Pond Near Disney World After Vanishing 12 Years Ago


This is the year you can finally buy a car on Amazon. Well, one kind. Eventually.

On Nov. 16, 2023, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Amazon and Hyundai made a big announcement: Starting sometime in 2024, a new pilot program would let shoppers not only browse Hyundai cars on Amazon.com but pay for them, too.

As a professor of marketing, I followed this story closely. Customers will be able to buy new vehicles directly on Amazon, an executive for the online retail giant said during the announcement, drawing cheers from the audience.

But that framing may be just a tiny bit too simplistic, I feel. The real story is more complex  and more interesting.

A visit to the digital showroom

Its still not yet possible for a regular person to buy a car on Amazon  I know, because Ive tried. Amazon and Hyundai have not publicly announced the date the pilot will start, and they havent responded to my inquiries.

But in the meantime, you can still go some way toward getting your new hybrid via the online store.

Since 2018, Hyundai has operated an electronic showroom on Amazon, which lets shoppers browse cars  and almost, but not quite, buy them.

Right now, if you open Amazon.com and search Hyundai, youll see Hyundais webpage on Amazon.com as the first search result. You may click on this webpage, enter your ZIP code, and see new Hyundais that are for sale at nearby participating dealers.

The current system lets you select model, trim and color, choose between financing and leasing, and estimate a monthly payment.

But as of this date  Jan. 26, 2024  you cant actually check out with a car in your cart. Instead, once youve chosen the car you want, Amazon will direct you to a local dealer so you can choose financing/leasing and pay for the car at the dealership.

Whats more, Amazon says that pricing details on the site are for illustration, and that final pricing details are determined at Hyundai dealership. In other words, Amazon provides car buyers with information, but it doesnt let them actually buy a car.

As I explain below, adding the ability to check out would be a big deal. And thats what Amazon has said its about to do.

But wait: Why cant I buy a car on Amazon already? I can buy everything else, right?

In the U.S., states generally require legacy automakers to sell their cars through franchised dealers. Some states have allowed makers of electric vehicles, such as Tesla, to sell directly to consumers.

To comply with the franchise dealership laws, Amazon cant list vehicles for sale the way it lists, say, books or socks. Instead, it needs to partner with dealers.

So, Amazons plan is to expand its digital Hyundai showroom to include 18 Hyundai dealers in five states. That will allow nearby buyers to not only browse their current inventory but also pay for a new vehicle.

That is, while a buyer will pay for a vehicle and choose financing or leasing options at Amazon, a local dealer will be the seller of record, with Amazon serving as a sales channel.

By honoring franchise laws while spreading awareness of dealers inventory and providing shoppers a convenient way to buy new vehicles, Amazon has been remarkably clever.

And while this pilot will start with Hyundai, it likely wont stop there. Amazon has said that at some point  it hasnt announced when  it plans to expand the program to include other auto brands.

How 2024 will change how we buy cars  a little

So, if reports are to be believed, at some point in 2024, Amazon will let customers check out a Hyundai just like they check out a bottle of shampoo.

This could make a lot of people happy. It would tap into a growing segment of buyers who trust Amazon, prefer to complete paperwork online and dont want to haggle with a dealer. It could also draw more buyers to participating dealers, boosting their sales.

But Im skeptical that this prime opportunity will transform things, at least at first.

To start, Amazon will sell only new Hyundais. Buyers who want to compare a Hyundai with a rival model will be out of luck. Amazon also wont sell used vehicles or allow trade-ins. That means a lot of consumer demand would be left unmet.

Auto dealers might also hesitate to work with Amazon. For one thing, they would miss the chance to form relationships with buyers  and the opportunity to upsell them.

But either way, it may not be long before you can add toiletries, kitchen supplies and a new Hyundai to your Amazon cart.

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: Vivek Astvansh, McGill University.

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Vivek Astvansh does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
It is a presidential election year in the United States, and the primary season is underway. Some states have their citizens voices heard early in the process while snow still lays on the ground, but Marylanders dont head to the polls until May.

Whether you are a first time voter or cast your ballot in the election between Kennedy and Nixon, here are some key dates all Maryland residents need to know:

2024 election dates to remember in Maryland

Advanced deadline to register and update registration information: April 23

Early voting begins: May 2

Early voting ends: May 9

Presidential primary election: May 14

General Election: Nov. 5

Voters cast their ballots on the first day of early voting in Maryland's 2022 primary elections.

Eligible Maryland voters, regardless of where they live, are allowed to vote by mail. You can register to vote and request a mail-in ballot on The Maryland State Board of Elections website.

The full 2024 Presidential Election Calendar by The Maryland State Board of Elections is available online.

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 elections: Add these important dates to your 2024 calendar
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew Graves said Thursday that two men accused of murdering a professional boxer during a robbery in 2023 were arraigned in Superior Court for the District of Columbia.

Jayvon Thomas, 20, and Lavar Hunter, 19, are charged with the killing of Anwar The Silent Assassin Wingate, 24, of Forestville, Md. on Nov. 19, 2023.

Investigators said Thomas and Hunter caught Wingate off guard in a parking garage, located at 2112 8th St. NW. They said they determined that Wingate was shot in the neck after he tried to fight off Thomas and Hunter as they robbed him.

The men, who were arrested Wednesday morning in Maryland, entered not guilty pleas Thursday.

Family members gather to honor local boxer killed in DC shooting

The judge denied them bond, pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb. 2.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
On January 19, 2024, USAA welcomed 225 lucky viewers from the military community to a special screening of the new Apple original series, Masters of the Air, at the World War II Museum in New Orleans. Viewers included military spouses, ROTC students, reservists and service members representing every branch. Despite their different backgrounds, the attendees responses to the screening were the same: Wow.

Service members and military community members gather at the World War II Museum in New Orleans for an exclusive screening of Masters of the Air. Photo: Matt VanEck for We Are The Mighty.

Masters of the Air follows the true story of an American bomber squadron in World War II that brought the war to Hitlers doorstep. Described as a follow-up to Band of Brothers and The Pacific, their story will portray individual excellence, but more importantly, the willingness to look out for their fellow service members, a message at the heart of USAAs mission and purpose. Masters of the Airs official synopsis is, Based on Donald L. Millers book of the same name, and scripted by John Orloff (Band of Brothers), Masters of the Air follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group as they conduct perilous bombing raids over Nazi Germany and grapple with the frigid conditions, lack of oxygen, and sheer terror of combat conducted at 25,000 feet in the air. The psychological and emotional price paid by these young men as they helped destroy the horror of Hitlers Third Reich is at the heart of Masters of the Air. Some were shot down and captured; some were wounded or killed. And some were lucky enough to make it home. Regardless of individual fate, a toll was exacted on them all.

Apples highly anticipated limited series, Masters of the Air, hailing from Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, and written by John Orloff will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, January 26, 2024. Photo: AppleTV+

The screening event was spectacular. Guests enjoyed passed hors doeuvres, a full bar, and access to the museums impressive collection of WWII vehicles and memorabilia, including a B-17 Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber  the same model of aircraft used by the heroes portrayed in Masters of the Air. Attendees were also treated to a special performance by the Victory Belles, the nations most authentic 1940s vocal trio. Following the Victory Belles, audience members settled in for the screening of the first episode of Masters of the Air. In the first episode, we see the 100th Bomb Group, led by Majors Cleven and Egan, arrive in England, and join the 8th Air Forces campaign against Nazi Germany.

The Victory Belles perform at a Masters of the Air special screening event hosted by USAA at the World War II Museum in New Orleans, January 19, 2024. Photo: Matt VanEck for We Are The Mighty

USAF Col. David Morrissey, Military Affairs Relationship Adviser, U.S. Air Force Academy at USAA, attended the event and spoke to the audience. He shared, At USAA, we do like to put on these special events for the veteran community because we do know what it means to serve. The 100th was known as the 'Bloody Hundredth' and I think when you watch that first episode, you understand why. This is why we have to tell this story, so our children and grandchildren will be imbued with that sense of patriotism.

USAF Col. (Ret.) David Morrissey, Military Affairs at USAA, attended the event and spoke to the audience. He shared, At USAA, we do like to put on these special events for the veteran community because we do know what it means to serve. The 100th was known as the Bloody Hundredth and I think when you watch that first episode, you understand why. This is why we have to tell this story, so our children and grandchildren will be imbued with that sense of patriotism.

Watch the event overview here, including audience reactions, which speak for themselves:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPnPGd4jAP4

Series trailer:

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fthemighty%2Fvideos%2F857732559374308%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0

Masters of the Air premieres on Apple TV+ on January 26, when the first two episodes will be released. The mini-series produced by Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman will span nine, one-hour, gripping episodes total, released every Friday between January 26 and March 15.
On Friday, the U.S. military reported that Houthi rebels in Yemen fired a missile at a U.S. warship patrolling the Gulf of Aden.

The ship was forced to respond by intercepting and neutralizing the incoming projectile. As reported by The Associated Press, the strike on the USS Carney destroyer signifies the first direct targeting of a U.S. warship by the Houthis since the rebels initiated assaults on shipping in October.

The information disclosed by a U.S. official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the lack of authorization to publicly discuss the incident. The strike marked a further escalation in the biggest sea confrontation the U.S. Navy has seen in the Middle East in decades. A Houthi missile fire also set another commercial vessel ablaze Friday night.

"They're Trying To Kill Us"

According to the AP, that contradicted a statement by the U.S. military's Central Command, which said the Houthis fired "toward" the Carney. As it has in previous strikes, the Pentagon said it was difficult to pinpoint what the Houthis were trying to hit.

Brad Bowman, a senior director at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, said, "They're now finally calling a spade a spade and saying that, yeah, they're trying to attack our forces, they're trying to kill us."

Softening the language to prevent a larger war has backfired, making the situation worse by giving more power to the Houthis, he stated.

The most recent assault signifies the rebels' ongoing campaign against vessels navigating the Red Sea and nearby waters, causing disruptions in global trade amid Israel's conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The United Kingdom Maritime Operations overseeing the Middle East waterways confirmed a vessel was hit by a missile and caught on fire in the Gulf of Aden.

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree did not acknowledge the Carney attack. He claimed responsibility for a missile strike on a commercial vessel, identifying it as the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Marlin Luanda, which was engulfed in flames.

The extent of injuries, if any, remains unclear.

Additionaly, it was reported
SAN DIEGO (Border Report)  As work continues on one of two border barriers near the ocean between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico has assigned more members of its National Guard to patrol the area as it tries to keep migrants from crossing the border unlawfully.

Most of the new fence is done except for a small segment that will also be replaced in the coming weeks.

Taller border wall panels going up at iconic beach location angering opponents

The work involves taking down the old structure gradually, which means leaving gaps in the wall that migrants and smugglers try to exploit.

The apertures can be as wide as 30 inches, and even though crews do place temporary fencing to seal the openings, at times its not enough, according to Mexicos National Guard.

Texas lawmakers learn during visit that Mexico has more troops at border than US has agents

This is part of the reason Mexico has decided to deploy even more troops to the area while Border Patrol agents work the north side of the barrier.

According to Mexicos National Guard, it will try to have at least three soldiers on patrol in the area at all times.

Migrant surge prompts some to attempt hopping border fence

In the meantime, Tijuanas fire department and other city officials are imploring migrants not to scale the wall or swim around it where the barrier extends into the ocean.

Its not worth risking your life by trying to swim around the wall, said Juan Hernandez Guinal, director of water rescues for the Tijuana Fire Department. There are high waves and strong currents, which add to the level of danger for the migrants, we urge them to not cross the border in this area.

Enrique Lucero, director of the Migrant Affairs Office in Tijuana, says an ongoing public campaign to keep migrants from crossing the border near the coast, along with the added patrols by the National Guard, seems to be working.

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

There are still a few crossings using ladders to get over the wall or people dashing along the canal, but were not seeing the numbers in this area like we did in August or September, right now most of the traffic is in the Jacumba area, said Lucero.

Jacumba is located in the mountains about 65 miles east of the San Diego-Tijuana region.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Friday he will present a constitutional reform to ban consumption of chemical drugs such as fentanyl.

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has pressured Mexico to devote sufficient resources to help stem the flow of the illegal drug fentanyl into the United States.

Thee rate of drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl more than tripled in the U.S. from 2016 through 2021.

Lopez Obrador said the constitutional reform is one of the initiatives he plans to present to crack down on consumption in Mexico.

"It is going to be prohibited, yes, severely, in the case of these drugs that are harmful. In six months, young people can lose their lives," Lopez Obrador said in a regular news conference.

Mexican authorities have previously denied the country is a producer of fentanyl.

(Reporting by Valentine Hilaire; editing by Cassandra Garrison)
Buffalo Brewing Company was apparently shut down on the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 after several years of legal and financial woes. The brewery lists its opening hours as 11am to midnight on Fridays. Erica Grieder Buffalo Bayou Brewing was known for its skyline views. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff photographer

Buffalo Bayou Brewing was closed Friday afternoon, its parking lot blocked by orange cones and empty except for a law enforcement officer in an unmarked car.

The development raises the prospect that the popular Sawyer Yards watering hole, which normally opened at 11 a.m. on Fridays, has shut down after several years of financial and legal woes.

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The brewery, founded in 2011 by entrepreneur Rassul Zarinfar, quickly found a following in Houstons burgeoning craft beer scene. In 2018, after raising $1 million from about 600 investors on crowdfunding platform NextSeed, it broke ground on a 28,000-square-foot, three-story beer and food emporium at 2101 Summer in First Ward. Its rooftop patio, featuring skyline views, has been a popular venue for events.

But over the past several years BuffBrews finances have struggled, and current and former employees have taken to social media to vent their frustrations with the company. By 2022 the company had defaulted on payments to its NextSeed investors, and successfully sought forgiveness for two loans of about $1 million each from the pandemic-era federal Paycheck Protection Program, according to ProPublica.

The PPP was intended to help companies keep workers employed during the pandemic and extended low-interest loans to businesses with 500 or fewer employees to use for payroll, utilities and other expenses. Those loans could be forgiven provided employers had eschewed layoffs. Buffalo Bayou Brewery had sought two loans, in 2020 and 2021, to cover payroll expenses.

Harris County court records also show several lawsuits filed against onetime CEO William P. McLucas, his investment firm WPM Capital and BuffBrew for nonpayment of various services. And in September, a lawsuit filed by 11 shareholders in Delaware Chancery Court accused McLucas and former company directors of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties and brazen fraud.

Zarinfar and McLucas did not immediately respond to requests for comment when contacted through their respective personal websites.
Nikki Haley, Republican presidential candidate and former U.N. Ambassador, delivers remarks at her primary-night rally at the Grappone Conference Center on Jan. 23 in Concord, N.H. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a primary election night party in Nashua, N.H., on Jan. 23, as Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Vivek Ramaswamy watch. Matt Rourke/Associated Press Political cartoon by John Branch. John Branch

Texans deserve a say in the Republican presidential primary, but major campaign donors may not give them a chance.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn called on Nikki Haley to drop out of the GOP primary on Wednesday after only 229,134 people voted for former President Donald Trump out of roughly 45 million Republican voters. Cornyn and political pundits suggest that the former U.N. ambassador has little chance of winning, even though more than 48% of Republicans have opposed Trump.

The Never Trump Republicans are strong with Haley. Trumps margins of victory were also lower than polling anticipated.

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Haleys problem is not a lack of public support but concern about dwindling campaign coffers. Every candidate relies on deep pockets to run, which gives donors more power than the voters in our democracy. No wonder we end up with such unpopular choices.

Trump gets it. Rather than compete for votes, hes threatening anyone who supports Haley, whom he calls Birdbrain.

When I ran for Office and won, I noticed that the losing Candidates Donors would immediately come to me, and want to help out, Trump wrote using his unique capitalization rules on Truth Social. Anybody that makes a Contribution to Birdbrain, from this moment forward, will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp.

The lengthy primary schedule is premised on the idea that competition improves the breed. Politicians must travel the country, share their ideas, and ask for votes. The delegate system, and in some ways, the Electoral College, prevents presidential candidates from concentrating solely on the most populous states.

Iowa and New Hampshire are not the best places to start the primary season because they are older, whiter and more conservative than most of the nation. But their small size makes glad-handing retail politics possible, even mandatory.

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Those races remain expensive. In Iowa, Republican candidates and their allies spent $123 million competing for the favor of 110,298 caucusgoers. Thats $1,115 per participant.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dropped out after Iowa despite coming in second to Trump. His campaigns fundraising and management imploded, and donors deserted him. Voters in 49 states never got a chance to hear DeSantis case.

Haley says she has enough money to keep going, at least through the South Carolina primary on Feb. 24. Shes looking past Nevadas GOP caucus next week, which Trump is guaranteed to win because of a legal dispute. A political game with no connection to democracy is punishing a Trump challenger.

The Republican Party and conservatives can do better than Trump, and I hope they do. If some Republicans believe a shortened primary season will help them, they should take note of President Joe Bidens enthusiasm for running against Trump.

Republicans are not the only ones showing anti-democratic tendencies in the 2024 race. Democrats who argue Trump is disqualified from running under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment are also harming the nations politics and damaging their partys reputation.

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Legal scholars like to argue the amendment, which was written to keep traitorous Confederates from retaking power, is broad enough to exclude Trump from office. The former president undoubtedly encouraged his supporters to storm the Capitol, and he delayed sending reinforcements to the police fighting for their lives. But the Senate refused to convict him during impeachment proceedings.

Trump represents millions of American voters, perhaps enough to retake the White House. For the good of the country, the U.S. Supreme Court must overrule those who would ban him from the ballot. Otherwise, Democrats are little better than Russian President Vladimir Putin or Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who take it upon themselves to decide who is fit to run for office.

Liberals rely far too often on the courts to bring justice to our nation. Yes, constitutions are designed to protect minority rights, but that does not obviate the need to win elections and referendums by making a case to voters.

Hopefully, Haley will stay in long enough for Texans to vote on Super Tuesday, March 5. Voters that day will award nearly half of all delegates to the Republican National Convention, where they will formally choose the nominee.

If Trump wins enough delegates to wrap up the nomination, so be it. But for Trump to win solely because no opponent could raise enough money to make it through four primary races would be a poor reflection on American democracy.

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The factional fights making the Missouri Senate a public spectacle are bad enough that Senate Majority Leader Cindy OLaughlin told reporters Thursday that shed vote to expel the leader of the Freedom Caucus from the chamber.

Speaking to the assembled editors and publishers from the Missouri Press Association during their annual visit to the Capitol, OLaughlin noted that expelling a senator takes 23 votes of the 34-member chamber.

Two years ago, I said with 23 votes, you can throw somebody out of here, she said. And I would do it today.

Asked who she meant, OLaughlin named Eigel.

I would have to have 23 votes and to get 23 votes, Ill have to get some Democrats to vote for it and then Ill have to give up something big, OLaughlin said. So  everything here is a trade-off, you know.

Soon after the remarks were reported on social media by The Independent, the door to the Senate Lounge, where OLaughlin was speaking, opened and a Senate doorman said Eigel wanted to talk to her on the floor.

She said she was busy and not available.

A few moments later, the door opened again. Again, OLaughlin was being summoned to answer questions from Eigel.

Well, I am busy, so tell him I am not here, she replied.

When her time was up, and she returned to the floor, she found an angry Eigel demanding to know if what had been reported was true.

I am not the first senator willing to stand up for my principles and Ill stay here till Christmas if I have to, Eigel said.

I dont think at anytime, in this chamber, anyone has tied up the floor and stopped every senator from advancing their bills more than you, OLaughlin responded.

After repeatedly asking OLaughlin if she would vote to expel him from the Senate, Eigel got his answer.

Id vote for it, yeah, she said. "I absolutely would.

Republican Sen. Bill Eigel speaks to reporters, alongside Senate Freedom Caucus members Denny Hoskins, left, and Rick Brattin, on Jan. 23, 2024.

Eigel and the other five members of the Freedom Caucus have filibustered almost every day since the session began on Jan. 3.

On Tuesday, Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden removed the four members he described as swamp creatures from committee chairmanships, a move that also cut their office budgets by $10,000 each. Some also had their parking reassigned from the Capitol basement garage.

Rowden said that of 17 hours and 52 minutes the Senate has been in session so far this year, members of the Freedom Caucus have held the floor for 16 hours and 45 minutes for filibusters of things of no consequence whatsoever relative to a piece of policy.

Eigel, a candidate for governor, and other members of the Freedom Caucus are demanding that the Senate do no other business until a measure making it harder to amend the constitution through the initiative petition process passes the Senate.

The filibusters have delayed confirmation for 42 appointments made by Gov. Mike Parson.

Rowden tried to break the impasse by referring every bill filed this session  about 500 pieces of legislation  to committees.

That wasnt enough and the filibuster resumed to block the appointees Thursday afternoon.

It was meant to be a show of good faith that obviously wasnt greeted in kind, Rowden told reporters at a news conference after the Senate adjourned for the week.

Democrats have stayed silent during the floor fights. Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo of Independence said at a news conference that his caucus is eager to fight over the policy bills, not sit and watch Republicans tear the Senate down.

Were all supposed to be jubilant that Republicans are fighting each other, Rizzo said. But you know, its hard to watch the Senate die.

Asked if Democrats would join OLaughlin in voting to expel Eigel, Rizzo said he would not and would not recommend it to his caucus.

I would advise them to not support removing someone from the chamber that was duly elected, Rizzo said.

The only people the disputes are helping, Rizzo said, are attention-seekers who want a higher office.

Its about gaining more power. Its about raising the temperature so the cameras stay on them, Rizzo. Its screaming on the floor. Its pointing at the floor leader. Its everybody texting me about how insane this is and look at this and look at that. In the meantime, single moms are trying to make ends meet.

Along with trench warfare in the Senate, Rowden and OLaughlin are taking fire from a handful of local GOP committees backing Freedom Caucus members.

Since the ouster, the county Republican central committees in Boone, Camden, Cass, Saline, Perry, St. Charles and Vernon counties have issued statements demanding Rowden and OLaughlin resign their leadership positions.

Boone County is where Rowden lives. The letter stated members were thoroughly disgusted and appalled by the first three weeks of the session.

So far, the 2024 session has been highlighted by the childish, immature behavior on the part of the Senate leadership, the letter from the Boone County central committee states.

State Rep. Cheri Reisch of Hallsville, vice chair of the Boone County GOP, said the vote in favor of the letter appeared unanimous at a meeting Tuesday, although she noted that several members were absent.

A lot of people in Boone County and Missouri are unhappy with the Senate and the leadership that there are Republican caucus priorities, such as (initiative petition) reform that should have gotten done last year and should be made the first priority this year and people talk about education choice that wasnt done in the Senate last year, Reisch said. And we have yet to see anything.

Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, addresses reporters outside his office about the decision to remove Freedom Caucus members from their committee assignments.

Rowden said on the Senate floor that he expects his home county GOP to revisit the decision to send the letter.

I have heard from numerous members of the Boone County Central Committee who said the letter was never supposed to be made public and it will be retracted in a few days, Rowden said.

During the Freedom Caucus news conference, Sen. Rick Brattin of Harrisonville said the backing from local committees was validation of the caucus tactics.

They are, by and large, in favor of what were doing, and the senator from Boones own county has reprimanded him, expecting and wanting him to resign because of his failed leadership, Brattin said.

The Freedom Caucus has struck fear into Senate leaders, Brattin said.

You even saw today, the saber-rattling of wanting to expel a member of this chamber, he said. How outrageous. How far are the lengths they will go to silence, really, the voice of the people of this state.

If the hold on Parsons nominees is intended to get him to take sides, it hasnt been successful.

Parson also spoke to the editors during a luncheon for the press association Thursday. He said he is trying to stay out of the Senate fight.

There are ways to salvage the appointments if no action is taken next week, he said, but it is up to the chamber to solve its problems. In the meantime, he said, it disrespects the appointees, many of whom were named to boards or commissions that do not pay a salary.

Parson could withdraw the appointees to avoid a constitutional rule that requires appointments made before the session to be approved within 30 days. But that move requires the Senate to agree.

If the appointees are not withdrawn or approved before the deadline, they would be barred for life from being appointed again to the same position.

The point of it is, theyre not doing anything wrong, nobody has anything against them, yet theyre in the crossfire of whats going on here politically, internally, and thats not right, Parson said. Its simply not right.

This story was first published at www.missouriindependent.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: MO Senate leader suggests ousting Freedom Caucus member
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is falling behind on its goal to use more liquid brine on roads, an effort designed to reduce the annual blankets of salt that make streets safer but can kill lakes and rivers.

Salting roads, sidewalks and driveways clears snow and ice, but the runoff also pollutes waterways with chloride, which are nearly impossible to remove. According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, one teaspoon of salt can permanently contaminate five gallons of water.

That's part of why MNDOT is aiming to use 200 gallons of liquid brine for every ton of road salts it spreads by 2027. The ratio has been improving, but the agency only managed to use 54 gallons per ton across the state in 2023, according to a December report to the Legislature. At that rate, it wouldn't even be halfway to the benchmark in 2027.

Yet, Jed Falgren, the state maintenance engineer for MNDOT, is optimistic about the state's progress. The ratio has gone up consistently for the past four winters.

"What I'm most concerned about is the direction," Falgren said. "It takes some time to get this to move."

The state uses brine by itself, where it can be effective in clearing thin layers of ice, like the freezing fog that made some roadways slick across Minnesota this week. It also sprays a mix of brine with solid salt on icy or snowy roads.

Mixing the liquids and solids makes it less likely that rock salt will bounce off the road. It's also more effective: In testing conducted at Minnesota National Guard's Camp Ripley, the agency found that mixing 100 gallons of brine into each ton of salt required 30% less salt overall and melted ice 30% faster, Falgren said.

But using more brine means first fitting salt trucks with brine tanks and then making sure DOT has the equipment to mix the solution. Falgren said he had hoped to get $9 million in state funding for each of the next four years to build out that infrastructure, but was instead granted $4 million for 2024 and the same amount in 2025.

Another challenge is that it's counter-intuitive to spread liquid on a road in freezing conditions, and not everybody is on board with the idea. The brine MNDOT uses is about 23% salt, and just like rock salt, it lowers the freezing point to help clear ice and snow.

"We have to convince ourselves," Falgren said. "We have to convince our employees."

Salt pollution is the worst in the Twin Cities, which has multiple impaired streams, lakes and wetlands, according to MPCA. It's also the part of the state with the worst liquid-to-solid salt ratio: it used just 28 gallons of brine per ton of salt last winter, according to MNDOT.

The region sees its share of dangerous road conditions and car collisions every winter, and as a result, "they look with a skeptical eye at some of this stuff we're presenting," Falgren said.

While the state keeps updating its salting strategies, this relatively warm and dry weather has offered a reprieve. Falgren said that as of Tuesday, MNDOT has used just over 65,000 tons of solid salt. At the same point last year, trucks had already spread 163,000 tons.
The City Council has approved 527 new houses in east Modesto, far more than have been built citywide in recent years.

The prices will start at nearly $500,000, beyond the means of most Modesto residents. But supporters said many of the homes will be bought by people now living in apartments, freeing up the rentals for other residents.

The project, dubbed the Crossings, is near the northeast corner of Briggsmore Avenue and Claus Road. The 84-acre site is now mostly almond trees, bounded on the east by the Amtrak station.

This is a great project, Councilman David Wright said just before the 7-0 vote Tuesday. We just need more of them here in the city of Modesto.

The application came from D.R. Horton, the nations largest home builder, based in Arlington, Texas. The first units could be ready by late this year, said Adam Foster, entitlements manager in the companys San Ramon branch office. A timeline for build-out of all five phases was not available as of Thursday.

The lowest-priced homes will be in the high $400,000 range, Horton advance planner Avery Jones said. The company has not announced the upper limit.

The Modesto Bee used Hortons online mortgage calculator to estimate the cost of a $480,000 home. The payment would be $2,909 per month assuming 7% interest over 30 years and a 20% down payment. The total includes property taxes and insurance.

Looking west across an almond orchard toward Claus Road in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. The area is the site of the Crossings housing development.

Theres no supply, Realtor says of local new and existing homes

New and existing homes sold in Stanislaus County had a median price of $468,100 in the third quarter of 2023, the California Association of Realtors reported. Only 24% of households could afford a mortgage at that price.

Theres no supply, demand is high, prices are up, said Michael Kelly of RE/MAX Executive, a past president for the groups Central Valley region. He and other industry leaders spoke in support of the Crossings at the council meeting.

Just 64 homes were built in Modesto in 2020 or later, according to a new plan aimed at easing the shortage. They had totaled 14,006 in the 1980s, 8,054 in the 1990s, 6,582 in the 2000s, and 1,738 in the most recent decade.

The steepest dropoff was amid the national housing crash of 2008. It happened because too many mortgages exceeded families ability to pay.

Modestos population has grown more slowly in recent decades than the 1980s and 1990s, but the housing crunch continues.

This means more people competing for apartments in the city. In November, its average rent was $1,659 a month, vs. $1,265 four years earlier, according to rentcafe.com.

Development to include parks, bike lan es and roundabouts

The Crossings will offer homes with two or three bedrooms on lots from 3,400 to 7,000 square feet. Residents will have two new parks totaling seven acres.

Jones said the project will have about three miles of bike lanes, including a portion along Claus fully protected from motor vehicles. That road already has such a path between Briggsmore and Scenic Drive, connecting to trails through Dry Creek Regional Park to downtown.

For motor vehicles, Claus will be widened from two to four lanes in the project area. The city has dropped its long-held plan to make Claus a six-lane expressway from Sylvan Avenue to Yosemite Boulevard. It already is that wide from just north of Creekwood Drive, near Johansen High School, to Yosemite.

Claus will still have plenty of traffic near the Crossings, so the city is planning a roundabout at the Merle Avenue entrance to the subdivision. It is designed to protect children near Freedom Elementary School and Savage Middle School. Another roundabout will be on Briggsmore just west of Amtrak.

The Crossings will have 7-foot-tall soundwalls along Claus and Briggsmore to buffer vehicle noise. A 9-foot-high wall will run along the Amtrak corridor, also used for freight by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.

The Crossings housing development plan in east Modesto

Amtrak is expanding in Valley

The Amtrak station is on the San Joaquins route. It has five daily round trips between Bakersfield and Oakland and a sixth branching to Sacramento.

Amtrak has funding to reach four daily trips to the capital as soon as 2026. It also plans to tie in at Merced to Californias first high-speed rail segment to Bakersfield, if the state secures enough money.

Modestos housing goals are in a plan required under a state law promoting affordable dwellings. Modesto seeks to build 11,248 units by 2031, ranging from extremely low-income to affluent.

Much of the plan involves putting small apartment buildings on underused parking lots on commercial strips. The rest is in areas already annexed to the city but not yet developed, including the Crossings.

Stanislaus County has some 210,000 total acres of almonds, so losing about 80 to the new housing is not a big concern. And farmland preservationists prefer building in east Modesto because other areas have relatively better soil.

Looking south from the Modesto Amtrak Station at some of the property in the Crossings housing development off of Briggsmore Avenue in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.

A north bound train drops off passengers at the Modesto Amtrak station in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.
Shattered glass, tire marks and traces of dried blood were all that remained at a remote dirt crossroads in the Mojave Desert on Thursday where the bodies of six people were found earlier in the week.

Authorities have released very little information about the brutal slayings thus far, and the victims identities were not released Thursday  if they were known.

Its imperative to find out who these people are because there could be additional people in danger, Bobby Chacon, a retired FBI Special Agent, told KTLA 5 News.

Five bodies were discovered Tuesday evening when sheriffs deputies responded to a welfare check off Highway 395 about 20 miles northwest of Victorville in San Bernardino County  an area with little more than dirt and desert brush dotting the desolate landscape.

The desolate road where multiple bodies were found is seen in this image from Sky5 taken on Jan. 24, 2024. (KTLA)

A SUV is seen riddled with bullet holes and surrounded by evidence markers in the Mojave Desert near Victorville, California on Jan. 24, 2024. (KTLA)

A SUV is seen riddled with bullet holes and surrounded by evidence markers in the Mojave Desert near Victorville, California on Jan. 24, 2024. (KTLA)

Investigators are seen at the dirt crossroads in the Mojave Desert where the bodies of six people were discovered. Jan. 24, 2024. (KTLA)

The sixth victim was found Wednesday morning, authorities said.

News helicopter footage showed the bodies were located around two vehicles. A dark-colored SUV with an Oregon license plate had shattered windows and was riddled with bullet holes. Just yards away, a white minivan was undamaged.

6 people found shot to death in the Mojave Desert

Based on a large number of yellow evidence markers at the scene on Wednesday it appears some, if not all, the victims had been shot, and some were also burned.

Certainly, by looking at the number of people involved  and how gruesome that they were not only killed but then set on fire, this has some of the earmarks of a gangland-style slaying, said Chacon. It could be gang-related. It could be cartel-related.

The Sheriffs Department told KTLA that investigators likely wont provide the public with an update on the case until next week. They did not indicate if any suspects were at large or if there was an ongoing concern for public safety.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) on Friday named Akhil Kumar, a Moline High School junior, as the winner of his 2023 Congressional App Challenge for Illinois 17th Congressional District.

Kumar won with his app, FoodFlow, which connects restaurants that have excess food to non-profits and food banks to reduce waste and feed the hungry.

Moline junior Akhil Kumar his app FoodFlow to U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen.

I am a strong believer that science and innovation will help solve some of our nations greatest challenges, Sorensen said in a Friday release. I want to congratulate Akhil Kumar for winning the 2023 Congressional App Challenge with his app that connects food banks with restaurants so our neighbors who may need a little extra help can feed their families. I also want to thank every student from our district who participated in this important STEM challenge. In Congress, I will continue doing everything I can to support STEM education for our talented students in Central and Northwestern Illinois.

Being born to immigrant parents who really taught me the value of each meal, knowing that I am able to through my passion of coding help others and those in need who dont often have access to those healthy meals, Kumar said in the release. It really means a lot to me.

We at MHS heartily congratulate Akhil for his winning application, FoodFlow, which connects restaurants with non-profits to deliver excess food to those in need, said Chris Moore, principal of Moline High School. Akhils success and focus on community service exemplifies the best of Moline High School, and we are so proud of his achievement.

Kumar is the first winner of the competition for the 17th Congressional District to be chosen by Sorensen. His app, FoodFlow, allows restaurants to send a notice to non-profits when they have excess food so that food doesnt go to waste. Kumar will be invited to Washington, D.C., to connect with other winners of the competition from around the nation.

The Congressional App Challenge is a national competition established by Congress in 2013 for middle and high school students to create their own software applications and gain experience with computer coding. To learn more about the Congressional App Challenge, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
A woman whose 4-year-old daughter was shot dead by an older sibling who found a loaded gun in the familys home was denied bond and remained jailed Thursday, when a judge said Family Court will first need to set the parameters for any visits the woman would have with her three remaining children.

After denying Krystal Banegas bail, the judge set a new court date in February, the day after the defendants next scheduled hearing in Family Court. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Christine Bandin said with ongoing parallel court proceedings in Juvenile Dependency court  an arm of Family Court  and criminal court, a dependency ruling would take precedent.

As the three-day hearing that began last week neared its end and Banegas, 25, sensed the outcome, her emotions surfaced. Seated alone in the jury box, handcuffed and wearing a standard red jumpsuit, she shook her head repeatedly. When she tried to speak, she was rebuffed by her attorney. Several times Banegas pressed her palms against her face, hiding tears.

Theres a history of not great parenting. A history of stuff thats happened thats been documented, Bandin said after scouring pages of Florida Department of Children & Families records. First I need to see what happens in Dependency, then I can craft something here.

A new ruling in Dependency Court would be the third since Josalyn Taylor-Rolle, 4, was shot and killed by her older brother on Nov. 5, according to police. When the children were removed from Banegas and her boyfriend the day after the shooting, the dependency court said the mother could visit her kids twice weekly for 90 minutes at a time, but only under the strict supervision of their caretakers. Two of the children are living with their father, and the third is living with Banegass father.

A month later, after Banegas and her boyfriend, Quvanta Ennels, were arrested on charges related to the shooting, Dependency Court Judge Yere Marrero renewed her earlier decision. On Thursday, Bandin said shed speak with the judge and issue a ruling on Banegass release at a later date.

That court has more experience with this defendant, Bandin said, before adding that her inclination was to eventually release Banegas from jail while wearing an ankle monitor.

KIDS FIND LOADED WEAPON

On the first Sunday in November, police called to the familys Northwest Miami-Dade home found Josalyn dead on a bedroom floor. She had been shot in the head. The weapon, they said, was 15 feet away in the kitchen. The home, investigators said, was in disarray.

Cockroaches and a rat were running free near food, and marijuana was found in several places, the officers said. A soft black holster was found on the bedroom floor between a door and a dresser. A bullet was recovered from a wall in the room. A loaded magazine with 10 cartridges was found in a garbage bin near the gun.

Banegas and Ennels admitted to leaving the children, ages 2, 3, 4 and 6, unattended in a bedroom. Ennels told police the 6-year-old, referred to as K.W. in court filings, fired the fatal shot. Though investigators said K.W. changed his story several times, they said he was steadfast in denying he shot his sister. At one point he said she shot herself.

Police didnt believe him.

As a result, Miami-Dade Police Detective Elizabeth Mata concluded in the arrest warrants, the conclusion is clear: The co-defendant [Ennels] left an unsecured loaded firearm within the ready reach of a minor child... who used the firearm to inflict death upon another child.

On Dec. 4 police arrested Ennels. Banegas was arrested the next day. Both were charged with a single count of child neglect with great bodily harm and three counts of child neglect without bodily harm. Bond for each has been set at $800,000. Both face possible sentences of as much as 45 years.

STATE: BOYFRIEND MORE CULPABLE

A state prosecutor said in court that Banegas has been offered a much shorter prison term if she pleads guilty. Though he wouldnt go into the specifics of why the plea was offered, Miami-Dade Assistant State Attorney Khalil Quinan said the state believes Ennels is the more culpable of the two in the young childs death.

Under oath earlier this week, Joshua Taylor-Rolle, the father of two of Banegass children, admitted that DCF had visited the family several times in the past. He also admitted that Banegas had defied a judges order not to have contact with her children after her arrest.

On Thursday, a woman who said she was willing to house Banegas under strict supervision if shes released before her trial was questioned briefly by Defense Attorney Alex Saiz and Bandin.

Banegas is scheduled to be back in court before Judge Bandin on Feb. 9.
A principal scheduled a meeting with a parent to discuss her erratic driving  then the mom hit a staff member in the parking lot, Tennessee officials said.

Now, shes been charged.

The woman is accused of striking a faculty member with her vehicle when dropping off her child at Brown Middle School on Jan. 25, the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office said in a news release.

The school resource officer was alerted to a pedestrian collision at around 7:20 a.m., and the staff member was taken to a hospital, according to deputies.

The school principal told McClatchy News the person has fractures in both legs.

The mom said she was in a hurry to drop her child off and get to school, deputies said.

The collision came two days after another incident involving the parents erratic driving, deputies said. As a result of that episode, the principal scheduled a meeting with the mom.

As a school we set student and staff safety as a top priority, the principal said in an emailed statement. For that reason, we are and will continue to vigilantly monitor our campus, not only during arrival and dismissal, but also throughout the day, for safety issues and will address them appropriately if they occur.

The deputies attributed the crash to the woman failing to adjust her driving for the environmental conditions at the time, deputies said.

The weather forecast in Harrison showed a chance of rain.

The mom was booked in Hamilton County jail on charges of reckless driving and aggravated assault.

McClatchy News could not locate the womans attorney records on Jan. 25.

Brown Middle School is in Harrison, about 12 miles northeast of downtown Chattanooga.

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A woman walks past a mural promoting UW-La Crosse on the campus Wednesday, Jan. 24. The UW Board of Regents fired former Chancellor Joe Gow in December after discovering videos posted on porn websites featuring him and his wife. The couple also published two books under pseudonyms detailing their experiences in the adult film industry.

LA CROSSE  University of Wisconsin-La Crosse officials really don't want to talk about the scandal that engulfed the campus a month ago. But in their actions, they are being loud and clear.

Just before students returned this week for the spring semester, UW-La Crosse removed artwork of all former chancellors from a wall in the student union. Nine of the chancellors were portrayed in painted portraits or color photographs. Joe Gow was depicted in a black-and-white pencil sketch, a fitting distinction for a man who led the 10,000-student campus unconventionally and departed in similar fashion. He was fired as chancellor Dec. 27 for creating sex tapes with his wife and posting them on porn websites.

UW-La Crosse spokesperson Kyle Farris said the portraits were temporarily removed while the university prepares space for the new chancellor portrait.

To UW-La Crosse junior Isabel Piarulli, however, it illustrates how sorely administrators want to start fresh. The blank wall removed a potential conversation-starter about a controversial figure on campus.

"They want to turn the page," she said. "They want to move on."

Isabel Piarull, editor of the student newspaper The Racquet Press, was involved in covering the termination of Joe Gow. A few weeks before his ouster, she remembers telling other editors the campus needed a big story.

The effort seems to be working. Gow was not a hot topic in the student union Wednesday. The timing of his termination, one week into a monthlong break, certainly helped.

"I think if we all would have came back (to campus) after it had just happened and new things were still coming out, I think there would have been much more discussion on it," said Piarulli, who leads the student newspaper on campus. "But now it kind of seems like it has been kind of pushed under the rug."

UW System spokesperson Mark Pitsch declined an interview on behalf of interim Chancellor Betsy Morgan, saying it would be inappropriate for her to comment amid an open investigation into Gow, who is still a professor on the UW-La Crosse payroll but currently on paid leave. Pitsch requested any questions unrelated to the investigation be submitted by email to the university's communications office.

Others in leadership positions on campus and in the broader community were similarly tight-lipped.

Linda Dickmeyer, chair of the communication studies department in which Gow is seeking to teach, said "the situation is an ongoing personnel issue" and she wouldn't comment. Stephen Mann, who leads the Faculty Senate, wouldn't say anything either. Student government leaders Emma Latus and Siri Flores declined interview requests. Neal Zygarlicke, CEO of the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce, didn't respond.

More: Former UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow shares more about his secret life with wife Carmen Wilson, and their backstory

Their silence may help the campus move on in the short-term. But the controversy will simmer as an outside law firm investigates Gow's tenured faculty status.

The attorneys' findings will then go to Morgan and a faculty committee. Together, they will face a question higher education has answered only a handful of times before: Should their campus tolerate a porn star professor?

Betsy Morgan to lead UW-La Crosse as chancellor search continues

People with ties to UW-La Crosse describe Morgan, 60, as warm, funny and "the perfect person" to lead UW-La Crosse during this critical transition. She's a breast cancer survivor and mom to twin sons.

Morgan has worked at UW-La Crosse since 1993, mostly in the psychology department. Since 2017, she has served as provost, the No. 2 position at the university.

A woman walks past the UW-La Crosse chancellors office. Betsy Morgan is leading the university in an interim capacity until a new permanent chancellor is named this spring.

The UW Board of Regents expects to appoint a new chancellor in late March. It's unclear if Morgan is throwing her hat in the ring for the permanent job. UW-La Crosse said only finalists will be disclosed.

UW Regents policy doesn't allow interim chancellors to be considered without advance written authorization from the UW Regents president. Pitsch wouldn't say if authorization has been granted, citing a state law limiting the public identification of applicants in chancellor searches to final candidates. In at least one previous search, however, UW System informed a campus when the interim chancellor wouldn't be in the running for the permanent position.

In a faculty welcome address last week, Morgan referred to Gow's termination a "small nuclear device that went off." But she also said the explosion of interest in their western Wisconsin city would wear off quickly.

"This is what I know: The press will die down  it already is," she said. "The jokes will die down. That hasnt quite happened yet. And we will all still be here, doing what we have always done: pursuing the education of students as our primary mission."

One of the biggest applause lines in Morgan's speech came when she confirmed Gow wouldn't teach this semester.

Ousted University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow, right, and his wife, Carmen Wilson walk across campus Friday, December 29, 2023. The next day, he received a letter informing him he would need a police escort if he is on campus.

UW-La Crosse instructors got guidance on addressing topic in class

Many students expected Gow would dominate the campus conversation upon their return. But it's barely been brought up in classes, they said.

The university's Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning told instructors there wasn't much benefit to introducing the topic of "recent UWL news events" with students.

"Don't bring it up yourself," read emailed guidance from the center. "If students wish to talk about it, you should feel free to articulate a boundary and state that you are uncomfortable discussing a situation that involves an ongoing investigation or you dont wish to address content unrelated to the course."

If an instructor chose to talk about it, the guidance encouraged them to "do so briefly and stick to factual information." Some students might be interested in how tenure works.

"Dont make jokes about the situation," the email said. Some students may have been harmed by pornography; others may enjoy it. Dont assume there's agreement about this topic.

UW-La Crosse students weigh in on Joe Gow's ouster

Most students said they learned the news about Gow's ouster through Snapchat or other social media apps. Many chalked it up as a joke at first, only to Google Gow's name and confirm his firing through news stories.

"It kind of shocked me," said sophomore Miles Wisneski. "It blew our minds. It came out of nowhere."

Being taught by Gow would be "a little weird," he said, and the UW Regents were right to fire him as chancellor.

Freshman Elizabeth Schwartz feels the same way.

"I definitely wouldn't want to be in his classes," she said.

Jackson Kinney transferred to UW-La Crosse this fall and respected Gow. The two met at a UW Board of Regents meeting in 2022 when Kinney and other students protested the closure of their UW-Platteville Richland campus. He said Gow was one of the only chancellors who approached them to talk.

But Kinney, who is majoring in communication studies, said having him as a professor would create "a potentially awkward learning environment" where students may sign up for his class for the wrong reasons.

"It would just create a lot of drama," he said. "Not to say his class would become a joke but people would always talk about it."

UW-La Crosse sophomore Cameron Seebruch started a petition in support of former UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow. "I think people would want to take his class," he said. "I know I would!"

Sophomore Cameron Seebruch, of Burlington, falls on the supportive end of the spectrum. He created an online petition the night Gow was fired: "Joe Gow should be able to continue his position at the university because the vids are low key good. Please sign this petition to reinstate our beloved Porn Star Chancellor."

At first, Seeebruch said the petition was a joke. Sort of like the "Free Joe Gow" T-shirts being sold. But the more Seebruch thought about it, the more he believed Gow shouldn't have been fired.

"I think most students would support him," he said. "One, its something he did in his spare time. Two, its really funny and three, its nothing too crazy. It's sex."

A T-shirt supporting former UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow is shown for sale online. Several students have capitalized on the interest in the former chancellor with shirts, pins and a petition.

Freshman Emma Riske admits she didn't even know who Gow was until the news broke. She didn't feel strongly about whether he should teach on campus.

"I don't care what he does in his personal time," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "It's consensual and legal. What's the big deal?"

Let's move on, community leaders say

The big deal, community leaders said, is how Gow is distracting from the university's work.

"There's such tremendous faculty there who, every day, show up and do everything they can to make sure they're preparing students for the future and helping them fulfill their dreams and I think that it is unfortunate for them that all this has occurred," said Mitch Reynolds, the La Crosse Mayor and a UW-La Crosse alumnus.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds

Some seniors on the cusp of graduation wondered if the topic would come up during job interviews. Other students described fielding awkward questions from relatives at holiday parties. Piarulli, the student newspaper editor, said a university employee told her about wearing UW-La Crosse spirit wear in an out-of-state airport and being asked if their school was the one with the porn star chancellor.

Gow will not define the university, said Brian Rude, a former Republican state lawmaker for the area who served on the chancellor's community cabinet and interacted with Gow regularly. With nearly 17 years at the helm, Gow obviously helped UW-La Crosse thrive but it's time for him to move on, he said.

"We all want the story behind us," Rude said. "We all want Joe gone. Ive heard it from a number of alumni. They dont like this story associated with their institution, especially when UWL has been such a positive story in the La Crosse community."

Contact Kelly Meyerhofer at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KellyMeyerhofer.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW-La Crosse students, faculty react to firing of Chancellor Joe Gow
China launches campaign to boost employment in spring season

Xinhua) 08:25, January 26, 2024

A college graduate (R) inquires about job opportunities at a job fair in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced Thursday the launch of a special campaign aimed at promoting employment creation while meeting employers' demands.

The campaign will run from Jan. 25 to April 8. It will offer a string of online and offline activities, creating job opportunities and encouraging individuals to start businesses in their hometowns, according to the ministry and other eight government departments.

A total of 30 million jobs are expected to be provided through this campaign, said Yun Donglai, an official with the ministry.

With the implementation of regional pro-growth policies and the construction of major projects, as well as the accelerating new-type of urbanization and comprehensive rural vitalization, a large number of jobs will be created, he said.

China created a total of 12.44 million jobs within its urban areas last year, and the financial assistance from the central and local governments for creating new employments exceeded 300 billion yuan (about 42.23 billion U.S. dollars) throughout 2023, said Yun.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston, is urging the Texas Railroad Commission and state legislators to reverse a reduction in funding for the state's orphan well program, warning they could imperil future federal assistance for the state. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

WASHINGTON  Houston Rep. Lizzie Fletcher is urging the Texas Railroad Commission and state legislators to reverse a reduction in funding for the state's orphan well program, warning they could imperil future federal assistance for the state.

Fletcher, a Democrat who introduced orphan well legislation that made available $4.6 billion in federal funding through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, said the intent was to have states use the money to expand upon their efforts to prevent abandoned wells from contaminating land and waterways.

In 2021 the Railroad Commission spent $72 million in state funds on plugging orphaned wells, $9 million more than has been budgeted this year, according to a Chronicle review of state budget data.

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"The federal funding was designed to supplement the existing funding and really address the backlog of abandoned wells, rather than maintain the status quo," Fletcher said in an interview Wednesday. "The state has a budget surplus at the moment, so it's really about the state prioritizing plugging and funding it at the same level it has in has in past years."

A spokesperson for the commission said funding had not been reduced but rather the higher level of funding in 2021 was the result of "a one-time infusion of state rainy day funds."

"Its inaccurate to use your analysis and say the state is foregoing its long-standing funding commitment to plug orphaned wells," she wrote.

State Reps. Armando Walle, D-Houston, and Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia, who lead the appropriations subcommittee in the Texas House that funds the Railroad Commission, did not respond to a request for comment.

Under state law, oil companies are required to fill oil and gas wells with cement plugs within 12 months of halting production. But if a company closes down or goes bankrupt, the responsibility for closing off those wells oftentimes falls on the state, which is planning to plug 2,000 abandoned wells this year, primarily paid for with federal funds.

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But with new wells constantly being added to the list of the abandoned, the Railroad Commission has struggled to keep up.

It currently lists almost 8,200 abandoned wells, a 3% increase from August 2022 when the state received its initial $25 million grant under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Under the federal orphan well program, states receive funding not only based on how many orphaned wells they have but how much they are spending and the degree to which they're adjusting state laws to limit companies' ability to abandon wells in the first place.

In Texas, which has plugged more orphaned wells than any other state, landowners and environmental activists have long campaigned for tougher rules, seeking to limit companies ability to get yearslong extensions on state plugging requirements, as well as their ability to shift liability for older wells to less well-capitalized companies.

Fletcher said she was still trying to figure out why the Railroad Commission reduced its budget request for orphaned wells, but had believed "the commission wants to get access to every dollar they can."

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Texas Department of Public Safetys (DPS) increased presence in Austin lasted roughly nine months.

The program  called the Austin Violent Crimes Task Force (AVCTF)  launched at the end of March 2023 as an effort to uphold public safety in the city as the police department hit what officials called a critical staffing shortage.

In December, DPS announced the end of the AVCTF, citing the need to deploy more resources to the border.

KXAN asked Austin Police Department Interim Chief Robin Henderson this week if she had hoped the initiative would have lasted longer.

Were always in the space of being shorthanded, and any time our law enforcement partners are willing to come into the hold to help Austin stay safe and improve safety, Im very much for that, she said.

Since staffing issues began, APD has pulled resources from certain specialized units to help backfill patrol shifts. Henderson said it was helpful having DPS as an increased presence in Austin to offset that, but the backfill process was still necessary.

Now, with DPS gone, she said the biggest operational challenges are special events.

We dont have that additional resource to rely on, she said. So we have to be more forward-thinking when we have special events going on. Because we just dont have that added element of additional officers being here from DPS.

Henderson added that its still too early to gauge whether there has been a significant increase in crime since the AVCTF ended.

DPS presence in Austin results in 4,000+ arrests, millions of doses of fentanyl seized

The AVCTF included an increase in troopers making traffic stops as well an an increase in agents working specialized operations in Austin. Below is a breakdown of a DPS activity report that encompasses when the initiative started in March through Dec. 15.

Arrests: 4,081

Felony charges: 2,421

Misdemeanor charges: 2,716

Felony warrants served: 417

Misdemeanor warrants served: 193

Stolen vehicles recovered: 311

Cocaine seized: 49.06 lbs

Fentanyl seized: 3,890,163 lethal doses

Heroin seized: 5.46 lbs

Marijuana seized: 280.44 lbs

Methamphetamine seized: 628.81 lbs

Firearms seized: 377

Currency seized: $547,621

Traffic stops: 84,048

Vehicle pursuits: 240

Crash investigations: 647

Spike in DPS citations cost taxpayers $80,000

Travis County Commissioners approved a request to allot Justice of the Peace Precincts 1, 2, 4 and 5 $20,000 each to address the increased workload that resulted from a spike in citations issued by DPS.

As part of a KXAN investigation, County Attorney Delia Garza told us in September of last year that by September, her office had received triple the amount of citations it received in 2022.

Garza also sent an email to City of Austin staff addressing how this stretched resources in her court system and created a backlog.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Editors note: The Hills Morning Report is our daily newsletter that dives deep into Washingtons agenda. To subscribe, click here or fill out the box below.

The Senates border deal is on life support.

While some congressional Republicans had been hoping for a piece of election-year legislation aimed at fixing immigration and border security problems, Republican front-runner former President Trump is opposed, which means Senate Republicans are growing more hesitant. Trumps push to kill the border deal to deny President Biden a legislative win is upsetting members on both sides of the aisle as negotiators hope to wrap up work on an agreement within days.

No plan has been finalized so far, and no legislative text has been released, but negotiators on both sides of the aisle have been working since before the holidays.

TRUMP HAD BEEN THE SLEEPING GIANT in the background of talks, but his wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, coupled with his recent remarks calling for Republicans to oppose any border compromise, have complicated the path forward for the Senate. Lawmakers say they are worried that killing the deal would be a major disservice given the situation at the border and in Ukraine, writes The Hills Al Weaver.

If politics get in the way of this  if Donald Trump who wants to help his friend [Russian President Vladimir Putin] with Ukraine and wants to keep the border alive as a major issue  if that prevails, that would be a really horrible disposition to all this, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) told reporters.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) called the effort appalling.

Reports emerged Wednesday that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) had broached the idea of separating the border and Ukraine portions of Bidens supplemental request during a special Senate GOP conference meeting, but McConnell confirmed at a Thursday closed-door meeting that he still supports a linked deal. The package is a critical piece of McConnells legacy  one the GOP leader isnt letting go of at this stage in negotiations (Politico).

A senior aide to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) told a group of Senate Republican chiefs of staff Thursday that the Senate border security pact has no chance of passing the House, underscoring what is becoming more and more apparent to GOP senators, The Hills Alexander Bolton reports. Still, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), the lead GOP negotiator on the border package, said he is moving full steam ahead with negotiations and remains hopeful that lawmakers will have a draft next week.

FAILURE TO STRIKE AN AGREEMENT would have global implications, with the Pentagon warning that Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines of its grinding war with Russia risk running out of ammunition. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has said the future of the war in Ukraine and the security of our Western democracy depend on Congress reaching a deal (The Guardian).

 The Hill: GOP leaders face conservative and moderate pushback on bipartisan tax deal.

 The Hill: Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) unveiled a bill Thursday that would prohibit the federal government from removing razor wire or other fencing from the U.S. border with Mexico.

3 THINGS TO KNOW TODAY

 An Alabama inmate became the first in the U.S. Thursday to be executed with nitrogen gas.

 Trumps momentum has world leaders bracing for round two.

 NASAs mini Mars helicopter called Ingenuity is retiring after 72 flights on the red planet.

When the House returns next week, Republicans will prepare to mark up a resolution to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Theyve increasingly focused on claims hes obstructed their investigation  igniting another dispute with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). House Homeland Security Chair Mark Green (R-Tenn.) last week sent a letter claiming DHS has failed to respond to several of the requests embedded in some 51 different letters, leaving 173 outstanding requests. While its not clear whether obstruction would be one of the planned arguments for impeachment, its been a running complaint and a factor in Republicans decision to move forward with impeachment.

Refusing to provide this information to Congress limits our ability to conduct investigations, and we will consider this consistent pattern of obstruction as we move forward with his impeachment, Green said in a statement to The Hill.

But as The Hills Rebecca Beitsch reports, the extent to which DHS has rebuffed Greens demands are more complex than the statistics he points to.

LEADING THE DAY

 The Associated Press / Charles Krupa | Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in Manchester, N.H., on Jan. 19.

POLITICS

Trump on Wednesday told Nikki Haleys donors they would be banished from his political movement, saying he would refuse contributions from anyone who donates to her primary campaign. When I ran for Office and won, I noticed that the losing Candidates Donors would immediately come to me, and want to help out, he wrote on his social media platform. This is standard in Politics, but no longer with me.

The former South Carolina governor plans at least 17 fundraisers in five states in the next few weeks, including in her home state before the Feb. 24 primary. Other events are planned in California, Florida, New York and Texas (ABC News). Haley told supporters on Wednesday that she had raised $1 million in the previous day since losing in the New Hampshire primary.

AMONG HER EARLY BACKERS was the political network founded by the billionaire industrialist brothers Charles and David Koch, which endorsed her last autumn. Haley has lost some major donors, including Reid Hoffman and Andy Sabin, who say they consider the race for the nomination effectively over. Sabin has called on Haley to drop out.

Trump on Wednesday used his social media megaphone and a derogatory nickname for his rival to make his ire clear: Anybody that makes a Contribution to Birdbrain, from this moment forth, will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp. We dont want them, and will not accept them, because we Put America First, and ALWAYS WILL!

The New York Times: In the money chase, the super PAC backing Haleys campaign said it raised $50.1 million in the second half of 2023. The Federal Election Commission deadline to report details is Jan. 31. The Trump-aligned super PAC, MAGA Inc., said Thursday it raised more than $46 million in the second half of 2023.

REPUBLICAN PARTY STRAINS flared Thursday with news, first reported by The Dispatch and followed by NBC News and other outlets, that a draft resolution ahead of next weeks Republican National Committee (RNC) meeting in Las Vegas would seek to name Trump the presumptive 2024 nominee.

The former president late Thursday discouraged such a resolution for the sake of party unity, adding he wants to win at the ballot box.

The headlines set off fireworks inside the party and forced some GOP lawmakers, including Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who had backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis before he left the race, to publicly reject the idea.

Go through the process. Go earn it, Roy said during a Fox News interview Thursday. If hes ultimately the nominee by votes, then he should be supported as the nominee for the Republican Party, but you gotta go earn it. You dont just get coronated.

RNC Chair Ronna McDaniels staff tried to distance her from the fallout. Resolutions, such as this one, are brought forward by members of the RNC. Chairwoman McDaniel doesnt offer resolutions. This will be taken up by the Resolutions Committee, spokesperson Keith Schipper said in a statement.

Meanwhile, after months of speculation about credibility and viability, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cleared hurdles this week to gain access to the New Hampshire ballot, showcasing his support in a battleground state. The Hills Hanna Trudo reports that inside the two major parties, there are concerns that Kennedys race may complicate things.

2024 ROUNDUP

 Veepstakes: Attention shifted rapidly from the likely GOP presidential nominee to speculation about potential Republican running mates.

 In the Nevada caucuses run by the RNC on Feb. 8, Trump is destined to benefit in the delegate count. Haley will compete in the Feb. 6 primary run by the secretary of state. The changes this year may confuse thousands of Nevada voters.

 Biden, as expected today, paused new liquified natural gas exports. His election-year decision aligns with environmentalists.

WHERE AND WHEN

The House convenes Monday at noon.

The Senate will meet at 9 a.m. for a pro forma session.

The president will receive the Presidents Daily Brief at 10 a.m. On Saturday, Biden will be in Columbia, S.C., to headline a South Carolina Democratic Party dinner that will include Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison.

Vice President Harris is in California today. She will travel Saturday to Las Vegas to speak about entrepreneurship, accompanied by Small Business Administrator Isabella Guzman and second gentleman Doug Emhoff. Following some campaign events, Harris and Emhoff will return to California.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is in Wisconsin, accompanied by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, to tour WRTP | Big Step, a workforce training facility in Milwaukee. She will speak at 11:30 a.m. CST and join a roundtable discussion at 2 p.m. CST.

First lady Jill Biden will travel to North Carolina this morning to speak at 10 a.m. at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem. She will fly to Raleigh to speak in the afternoon at a campaign fundraiser. The first lady will head to Columbia, S.C., to headline an Educators for Biden campaign event and attend an Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority event. Tonight she will fly to Tampa, Fla., and remain overnight ahead of a weekend itinerary that includes fundraising events in Tampa and Houston on Saturday.

The White House daily press briefing is scheduled at 1 p.m.

ZOOM IN

 The Associated Press / Alex Brandon | President Biden spoke about the economy in Superior, Wis., on Thursday.

ECONOMY

Bidenreceived some favorable economic indicators Thursday, which he immediately wove into a speech in Superior, Wis., while boasting about infrastructure upgrades made possible between Wisconsin and Minnesota because of legislation he signed into law.

Biden and administration officials are trying to make the most of improving economic news ahead of the November election, aware that Republicans and many Americans blame the president for inflated prices, even as job growth and economic output have been robust and consumers are spending.

The government reported Thursday that the economy expanded over the past year, surpassing 3 percent and defying expectations of a recession.

Referring to a bridge receiving long-needed repairs and stretching between two key states ahead of Novembers election, Biden said, Things are finally starting to sink in.

Republicans tell pollsters they see the economy in bleak terms, but Democrats in surveys are sounding more upbeat.

We just lived through a natural experiment testing whether austerity or investment strengthens an economy through troubled times, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) told Punchbowl News. Bigger investment won by a wide margin. Credit goes to Team Biden for figuring that out.

Democrats have argued for months that Americans need time to recognize and experience benefits from legislation enacted on Bidens watch.

This bridge is important, but the story were writing is much bigger than that, Biden told an audience gathered at Earth Rider Brewery in Superior. When you see shovels in the ground and cranes in the sky and people hard at work on these projects, I hope you feel a renewed sense of pride.

 The New York Times: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Thursday told an audience that Bidens economy has delivered gains.

 Pew Research Center: Currently, 44 percent of Democrats compared with 13 percent of Republicans have positive views of the economy, according to a new survey. About a quarter (26 percent) of Americans say they expect economic conditions to be better a year from now, up from 17 percent last April.

ELSEWHERE

INTERNATIONAL

ISRAELI OFFICIALS ARE BRACING for an expected Friday interim ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on South Africas allegation that the war in Gaza amounts to genocide against Palestinians. The emergency measure could expose Israel to international sanctions and order the country to stop its campaign in Gaza. ICJ rulings are binding and cannot be appealed, although the court has no power to enforce them (The Guardian).

The Washington Post analysis: South Africas genocide case against Israel spotlights a global divide.

The U.S. has reaffirmed to Israel the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza after the United Nations said multiple people were killed yesterday in a hit on one of its facilities, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday. Blinken called the United Nations work in Gaza lifesaving and desperately needed in the conflict zone (NBC News).

And no else can do it, no one else is doing it, Blinken said. And it only underscores the importance of making sure that its facilities  including facilities that its erected or are maintaining  that are housing the many, many, displaced Palestinians until they can go back to their homes  it has to be protected.

 The Washington Post: The director of the CIA is expected to meet with officials from Israel, Egypt and Qatar to discuss a deal to secure the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas.

 The Wall Street Journal: Qatar said it was appalled by leaked comments from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disparaging the countrys role as a mediator with Hamas. In a meeting with hostages families, Netanyahu reportedly said the Gulf states role as a broker with the militant group was problematic.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could take some form of lethal military action against South Korea in the coming months, U.S. officials warn, saying his recent harder line is part of a pattern of provocations, but has been more aggressive than previous statements and should be taken seriously. The officials add they did not see an imminent risk of a full-scale war on the Korean Peninsula, but Kim could carry out strikes in a way that he thinks would avoid rapid escalation (The New York Times).

 Politico: Washington will begin talks with Baghdad to end a U.S.-led international military coalition in Iraq while determining the best ways to strengthen relations, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Thursday.

 The Washington Post: In Ukraine, Kharkivs air defense struggles to halt nonstop Russian missiles.

 Reuters: China presses Iran to rein in Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

 The Associated Press / Yuki Iwamura | Former President Trump prepared to travel to court in New York City on Thursday.

TRUMP WORLD

TRUMP TESTIFIED THURSDAY for three minutes at the New York City civil defamation trial brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. Trumps yes or no to questions was allowed, but the judge told jurors to disregard the former presidents expanded commentary.

This is not America, not America, this is not America, Trump said as he was exiting the courtroom, although the jury had already left at that point. Trumps testimony set up a critical moment in the case as he sought to stave off Carrolls request for at least $10 million in damages for Trumps denials that he sexually assaulted her in the mid-1990s.

For years, Trump has publicly attacked Carrolls credibility and appearance in the court of public opinion, including recently at campaign rallies and in spates of Truth Social posts (The Hill).

TRUMPS LEAD ATTORNEY in the Georgia election interference case accused Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) of attempting to foment racial animus against Trump and his co-defendants to take focus off her alleged affair with a top prosecutor she appointed to the matter. The Thursday remark followed a motion to join a co-defendants bid to block Willis, special prosecutor Nathan Wade and the Fulton County district attorneys office from involvement in the sprawling racketeering case  and for the charges to be dropped against him (The Hill).

Former Trump White House aide Peter Navarro, 74, on Thursday was sentenced to four months in prison for contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with a congressional inquiry about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the Capitol. An appeal is expected.

OPINION

 The Fed fears being sucked under a Trump riptide, by John Authers, senior editor for markets and columnist, Bloomberg Opinion.

 The tyranny of the Trumpian minority, by Alton Frye, opinion contributor, The Hill.

THE CLOSER

 The Associated Press / Mstyslav Chernov | Greenland in 2019.

And finally   Bravo to this weeks Morning Report Quiz winners! Readers played along with our quiz about U.S. territories and land expansions.

Here are the puzzlers who went 4/4 to enlarge their Friday fame: Patrick Kavanagh, Richard E. Baznik, Lynn Gardner, Harry Strulovici, Mary Anne McEnery, Pam Manges, Larry B. Cutlip, Jaina Mehta Buck, Lori Benso, Sharon Banitt, Damian Gaffney, Lou Tisler, Ki Harvey, Robert Bradley, Jerry LaCamera, Steve James and John Trombetti.

They knew the U.S. spent $7.2 million to buy Alaska from Russia in 1867.

Early in his term, former President Trump wanted the U.S. to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

The biggest land buy-up in history was the Louisiana Purchase.

The U.S. currently administers five permanently inhabited territories.

Stay Engaged

We want to hear from you! Email: Alexis Simendinger (asimendinger@thehill.com)and Kristina Karisch (kkarisch@thehill.com). Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter: (@asimendinger and @kristinakarisch) and suggest this newsletter to friends!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
This image released by Neon shows Sandra Huller in a scene from "Anatomy of a Fall." (Neon via AP) Associated Press

Of all the ways that a relationship can end, a fundamental disagreement about a work of art is in some ways extremely silly. And yet, a film or a book exposing an irreparable rift in a love that perhaps wasnt as compatible, as symbiotic or as caring as one might have thought is also, somehow, as good a reason as any. Maybe it will even, eventually, provide a funny story.

Another, more excruciating, way for a relationship to end is with one party falling off the roof of a house to their death, followed by a humiliating public trial to determine the fault or innocence of the other, as happens in Justine Triets Palme dOr-winning Anatomy of a Fall. And just like The Corrections before it, it seems that Anatomy of a Fall might be the new litmus test for modern relationships. (See it with a romantic partner at your own risk. But, from my perch, this is one thats worth the debates it provokes.)

Sandra Huller, the German actor known for Toni Erdmann and The Zone of Interest, is Sandra, a writer living in a chalet in the French Alps with her husband, Samuel (Samuel Theis), and 11-year-old son, Daniel (Milo Machado Graner). Triet thrusts the audience into a tense and stressful atmosphere, introducing us to Sandra in the midst of an interview with a grad student, a woman, which will become significant later. Sandra is a little prickly and sipping a glass of red wine while deflecting questions back at her interviewer. It is hard to focus on what theyre saying, however, as an instrumental version of 50 Cents P.I.M.P. blares through the household on a deafening, constant and maddening loop. Samuels choice, apparently.

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The student leaves, Sandra waves goodbye from a balcony, 50 Cent still playing, glass of red still in hand and Daniel, who is blind, heads out for a walk with his dog. He returns to find his father on the ground outside, dead and bleeding out. Sandras lawyer, Vincent (Swann Arlaud, a calming presence), later analyzes the fall trajectory and finds the cause of death inconclusive.

Stop, Sandra says. I did not kill him.

Thats not the point, Vincent responds.

Its one brief exchange that could sum up the 151-minute film, which is a smartly constructed and wholly engaging whodunit, courtroom thriller, marriage drama and, at some points, satire. This is not really a tearjerker, but a visceral dismantling of a life thats either happening in the wake of a tragedy or a murder. Either way, its uncomfortable to watch Samuels sharp, merciless advocate (Antoine Reinartz) grill Sandra about their marriage troubles and why, in his mind, that makes her a likely suspect. Shes also accused of doing it for material for her books.

Huller makes the audience squirm along with her as she plays the tricky game of knowing when to take the insults and when to push back (without seeming unlikable, of course), and shes doing this all in two languages that arent the characters own (French and English). Its exhausting, illuminating and triggering to be reminded of the internalized misogyny that still exists and even thrives in marriages that look evolved and equal on paper. But its hard to fight back when parties can hide their own culpability behind therapy-speak.

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For Daniel, the trial and his part in it plays out like a vicious divorce proceeding, in which his parents characters are dissected and annihilated. He bears witness to their fights, their infidelities, their insecurities and all manner of speculation made by prosecutors, therapists and judges about the private matters of this couple, the complexities of which are far too great for a child burdened with the loss of one parent and the possible imprisonment of another.

And, of course, Samuel is unable to speak for himself  not really at least. His therapist has some insights and assumptions, his lawyer has many, and there is one brutal argument that were all privy to, since he himself recorded it in secret to inspire his own writings. For some audiences, this might be the biggest and most egregious injustice of all, coating everything with an uncertainty that will never be resolved. At a certain point, you might even forget that its a murder trial youre watching.

Anatomy of a Fall may not be a film with many concrete answers, ultimately, but the truths it uncovers are irrefutable.
Composer Pauline Oliveros in 2010 Vinciane Verguethen The late Pauline Oliveros, an experimental composer, grew up in Houston. unknown

Pauline Oliveros died in 2016, and weve not yet caught up with her.

On paper, Oliveros requires so many descriptors that she starts to sound like a fictional construct: queer, Tejana, an edgy composer, an accordionist and electronic music pioneer hailed by the late composer John Cage and rediscovered by a generation that read Pitchfork.

With equal fervor, she championed technology, from her work making tape collage recordings in the 1950s to her involvement in software that allows people with disabilities to create music, as well as what she called deep listening, a meditative practice that involves intense focus on all sounds  natural as well as artificial  generated in a given environment.

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Though most of Oliveros life was spent in New York and California, Houston was crucial in steering her life and career. She told the Chronicle in 2007, "I was always very interested in listening to the sounds around me. Houston was populated with birds and insects, beautiful sounds.  I remember from my childhood a lot of open land. Lots of sound."

For those unfamiliar with Oliveros work, shell will be celebrated with a two-day event in her hometown on Sunday and Monday. A new documentary about her life and art will screen here for the first time, and a concert will bring two of her works back to life. These events offer an introduction to a quietly legendary figure whose underground legend status in the 20th century grew into a sort of mythology in the 21st.

Pauline Oliveros tributes Deep Listening' screening When: 5 p.m. Jan. 28 Where: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet Details: $9; mfah.org Tribute show When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 Where: Lawndale Art and Performance Center, 4912 Main Details: Free, donations welcomed; namelesssound.org

Deep listening

Increasing renown for an avant-garde composer is a relative concept. Nevertheless, John Brien, who runs the Imprec Records label that has issued a number of Oliveros recordings, says, slowly, people are starting to find her.

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If Im not hesitant to make 1,000 copies of an album by an artist, they might as well be a superstar. And in a lot of ways, she is. Sales arent how you measure what she achieved. So many people around the world were directly touched by her.

The great irony of our era is the failure of unprecedented electronic interconnectivity to nurture harmony. Oliveros philosophy was one of connection. Attentive listening, she suggested, could nurture connectivity. Daniel Weintraub, director of Deep Listening: The Story of Pauline Oliveros," says the central theme that pulls his film together is community and building community.

In a lot of ways, this is her time, he says.

His film won a best director prize last year at the Cine Paris Film Festival. After doing the festival circuit, it is finding its way to theaters in New York, Toronto, Chicago, Vancouver, London and other cities for special screenings this year.

In addition to Weintraubs film showing Sunday, David Doves Nameless Sound organization will produce a concert honoring Oliveros on Monday. The Houston-based Nameless sound grew out of the Deep Listening Institute Oliveros founded in 1985.

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Dove and his Nameless Sound Orchestra and Nameless Sound Chorus  24 performers in all  will perform two of Oliveros pieces on Monday. One of them, Bayou Air, will be a telematic collaboration, a computerized 21st-century artistic intersection favored by Oliveros, with Oliveros spouse and frequent collaborator IONE (Carole Ione Lewis).

There are so many ways Pauline influenced and affected people, Dove says. Theres such a wide range of points of contact: electronic music, improvisation, deep listening, community building. She should be celebrated every day. Especially in Houston.

Accordion in the house

Edith Gutierrez brought an accordion into her Houston home in 1941 on a whim, thinking she might teach lessons with it. Instead, her daughter, 9-year-old Pauline, took to the instrument immediately.

The accordion is a cumbersome instrument, and one that has been somewhat unfairly maligned in American popular culture. But it feels truly human. Its hundreds of parts are nestled together just so, some of them having been made of skin, some of them having historically been made of bone. Its bellows mirror our breathing. It engages mind and body harmoniously to the point that a practitioner can appear to be played by the accordion as much as they are playing it. The accordion can appear as both puppet and puppet master.

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Oliveros referred to it as the only surviving portable, acoustic instrument capable of playing melody, harmony and rhythm without accompaniment.

As a teenager, Oliveros was part of a 100-member accordion ensemble that played the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. She studied the instrument formally for a few years at the University of Houston before going west to San Francisco.

In her early 20s, Oliveros started making her first experimental pieces with a tape recorder, creating drone- and feedback-filled tape loops that sound modern more than a half-century later. She became a co-founding member of the San Francisco Tape Music Center, which moved to Mills College, where Oliveros worked for years.

This was a woman who was an out lesbian in the 50s making this new music, Weintraub says. You have to understand, she crashed through glass ceilings with a rocket.

Texas roots and a restless mind

Oliveros was an instrumentalist, composer, technological innovator, theorist, educator and philosopher. She could give off a mystical and elusive vibe, yet she was a warm conversationalist and often barefooted appreciating the closest connection possible to the ground.

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Walk so silently, she once said, that the bottoms of your feet become ears.

So despite her standing as an avant-gardist, Oliveros was more pragmatic than provocative. And she had no use for some of the stuffiness that can accompany progressive music.

David Grubbs, a composer, musician and distinguished professor of music at Brooklyn College, recalls an Oliveros performance at a 2012 concert celebrating the centennial of composer John Cage.

Nobody was breathing, Grubbs says. Nobody was making a sound. And then somebodys phone made one of those sounds that theyd received a voicemail or a message.

As will happen with such a violation, sets of eyes darted about the crowd angrily seeking the perpetrator.

Everybody was grumbling, Grubbs says. And Pauline reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone and waved it at the audience. It was her phone that disrupted the silence. And she was laughing at herself.

Oliveros presented as both earthy and ethereal, reflecting both her Texas roots and her restless mind.

I often tell people who know Pauline in a global way, who arent from Houston, that she really is very Texan, Dove says. Theyre surprised to hear that. But she is. Shes direct. And as sophisticated as she is, shes plainspoken in a way, too. Theres a pace by which she talks and communicates with people. Her voice, really.

A futurist

The final three decades of Oliveros life were spent in New Yorks Hudson River Valley with IONE. Oliveros ideas became an enduring final chapter in her career.

Paulines recorded output, her concerts, she told me that was much less important to her than her ideas, Weintraub says.

She defined and refined ideas like deep listening and sonic meditation, concepts that promoted meditative listening rather than distracted hearing. She urged others to seek and find a panoramic relationship with sound: human, artificial, incidental, natural.

Oliveros worked on software that could help those with disabilities create music.

Weintraub says in her last years she was excited about the possibilities of artificial intelligence. She never talked about it as the end of creativity, he says. She was excited about nanotechnology, robots in the bloodstreams. She was all in with technology. That was interesting to me, as someone at least a generation younger than her. She saw innovation as necessary.

At the same time, she was still teaching deep listening, which is a very analog practice. It teaches people to put tech away and be present.

Weintraub says IONE referred to Oliveros as a futurist.
Andrew Dansby covers culture and entertainment, both local and national, for the Houston Chronicle. He came to the Chronicle in 2004 from Rolling Stone, where he spent five years writing about music. Hed previously spent five years in book publishing, working with George R.R. Martins editor on the first two books in the series that would become TVs "Game of Thrones. He misspent a year in the film industry, involved in three "major" motion pictures you've never seen. Hes written for Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, Texas Music, Playboy and other publications.

Andrew dislikes monkeys, dolphins and the outdoors.
The Ranch Saloon and Steakhouse on Feb. 28, 2023 at the Houston Rodeo. It is a full service restaurant returning to the Rodeo this year. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

For the third year in a row, rodeogoers will be able to dine at an upscale steakhouse from Berg Hospitality. And this year, Berg is going even bigger.

The Ranch Saloon and Steakhouse returns to RodeoHouston from Feb. 27 to March 17 on NRG Park grounds. The Ranch is a first-of-its-kind full-service restaurant and bar in a 16,000-square-foot climate-controlled tent. It has been packed to the brim for the past two years.

For the 2024 rodeo, the Ranch is adding a walk-up stand for carnival foods and four satellite bars. The new walk-up stand, the Skillet, will have elevated versions of rodeo favorites, such as "on the stick" options of bacon with spiced or truffle honey, chicken fried steak and a wagyu corn dog. Customers can also tuck into hot dogs and smashburgers. For dessert? Cowboy Croissants, which are deep-fried, churro-crusted croissants stuffed with Nutella or cream.

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The four satellite bars provide more posts for drinks beyond the two main on-site bars. They will be called the Cosmopolitan Bar, Whiskey Bar, Aperol Spritz Bar and Tequila Bar. Each will offer beer, wine or a specialty cocktail.

"In our third year of the Ranch and second as an official sponsor of RodeoHouston, Im honored that Houstonians keep enthusiastically welcoming us back to NRG, said Benjamin Berg, founder of Berg Hospitality Group. This year, the Ranch is even better, with a new layout and upgraded decor, specialty cocktail bars, more food options and larger music acts."

Open face steak sandwich is served with a bed of lettuce as one of the signature dishes at the first look and opening of The Ranch Saloon and Steakhouse on Tuesday Feb. 28, 2023 at RodeoHouston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Opening of The Ranch Saloon and Steakhouse on Tuesday Feb. 28, 2023 in at RodeoHouston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Opening of The Ranch Saloon and Steakhouse on Tuesday Feb. 28, 2023 at RodeoHouston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

With the new addition of the walk-up stand, the Ranch now has three dining experiences. The Steakhouse is the fine-dining side, where customers can reserve tables in advance on OpenTable. The Saloon is first-come, first-served with a large bar, an attached covered outdoor patio and nightly live music.

Both the Steakhouse and Saloon have menus featuring signature dishes from Berg Hospitality, which operates B&B Butchers steakhouse, the Annie, Turner's and B.B. Lemon, among other ventures. The Steakhouse will serve Kobe, Texas and Japanese wagyu beef and dry-aged USDA Prime beef, caviar and an array of fresh seafood. The Saloon will have more casual handheld foods, steak frites, barbecue ribs and sides, including lobster mac and cheese.

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The Steakhouse seats 240 people, while the Saloon can seat 140 between tables and the bar. The outside porch, which is standing-room only, can hold 75 people. There is also a private dining room that can be booked for 40 guests. Additionally, the Steakholder area has 20 premium tables available for booking at $15,000 for six people or $20,000 for 10; they come with a private bar, private restrooms and dedicated dining attendants.

Also returning this year is "The Ranch After Dark," a nightlife experience with a DJ playing on weeknights and bands booked on Saturday and Sunday. Live music acts will be announced next week. Guests can reserve lounge tables by the live music stage 9 p.m. to close with the option to order a la carte drinks or bottle service with a $500 minimum per table.

The Ranch will be open 3 p.m.-1 a.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday. During spring break, March 13-17, it will open at noon each day. Live music and DJs in the Saloon are 5-8 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday, 5-8 p.m. and 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday, noon-4 p.m., 4:30-7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m., 4:30-7:30 p.m. and 8-11 p.m. Sunday.
Motif CEO and founder Jacob Robinson shows a prototype of a pea-size device that would be implanted into the skull to help with mental health conditions, such as depression, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 in Houston. Rice University scientists started a company, Motif Neurotech, and are getting $18.75 million in funding to continue to develop the device. The project was supported by the Rice Biotech Launch Pad, a new program announced last fall. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Rice University announced Wednesday that a neurotechnology company formed through its new startup accelerator raised $18.75 million to continue to develop a brain implant designed to treat mental health conditions.

The funding is a significant milestone for Motif Neurotech, which was founded by Rice faculty members and Houston physicians. The company will use the money to bring its device to a feasibility study that will focus on patients with treatment-resistant depression, said Jacob Robinson, the companys founder and CEO.

Now we can really do it. We can take an invention from Rice, from our lab, and actually change someones life, said Robinson, also a professor of electrical and computer engineering and bioengineering at Rice. That is wild.

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Arboretum Ventures, a Michigan venture capital firm, led the financing. The rest of the funding came from nine other new and existing investors, including Texas Medical Center accelerator TMC Innovation.

Motif CEO and founder Jacob Robinson holds a prototype of a pea-size device that would be implanted into the skull under a microscope on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 in Houston. Rice University scientists started a company, Motif Neurotech, and are getting $18.75 million in funding to continue to develop the device. The project was supported by the Rice Biotech Launch Pad, a new program announced last fall. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

We believe Motifs device will greatly improve the quality of life for patients who have been diagnosed with difficult-to-treat mental health disorders, including (treatment-resistant depression), Arboretum Ventures managing partner Tom Shehab said in a news release.

Motif is one of the first startups formed through the Rice Biotech Launch Pad, which the university announced last fall. The initiative is designed to help Rice scientists turn the health and medical technologies they develop in their labs into products that can be used to treat patients.

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Brain stimulation therapies, including transcranial magnetic stimulation and deep-brain stimulation, have shown promise in treating mental health conditions in patients who have not responded to medication and therapy. The problem, Robinson said, is that they are difficult for many patients to access. An initial course of TMS treatment, for example, requires a patient to visit a clinic five times per week over a six-week period.

If youre working, or if you have kids, its just not accessible for you, Robinson said.

Motifs device, which is roughly the size of a pea, is unique in that its designed to stimulate the brain without actually touching it. The device is implanted under the skull but over the dura mater, the layer of membrane that surrounds the brain. It delivers pulses that stimulate the brain.

Motif CEO and founder Jacob Robinson demonstrates how a pea-size device would be imbedded into the skull to potentially help with mental health conditions, such as depression, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 in Houston. Rice University scientists started a company, Motif Neurotech, and are getting $18.75 million in funding to continue to develop the device. The project was supported by the Rice Biotech Launch Pad, a new program announced last fall. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Last fall, Motif announced that surgeons had temporarily implanted the device in the skull of a patient who was undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor at Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center. In results that have not been peer-reviewed by other scientists, Motif showed that the device could stimulate the motor cortex  the part of the brain that controls movement  from above the dura.

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Motif also implanted the device in pigs for about one month and found that it could safely deliver brain stimulation over that time frame, according to the results.

Technology that Robinson and his colleagues developed at Rice allowed the Motif team to make the device so small. The device does not contain a battery; it instead uses wireless magnetoelectric power transfer technology and is charged by wearing a special cap for 20 minutes per day, Robinson said.

READ MORE: Rice University students' nonprofit is using data to help health care nonprofits be more efficient

The work on that technology began when Robinson came to Rice about 10 years ago. As the work progressed, he and his colleagues recognized the potential to apply it to brain stimulation therapy.

We (thought) that maybe we could take this tiny device and then provide a therapy that these people can take home and they can live with, Robinson said.

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Motif CEO and founder Jacob Robinson, photographed at the Texas Medical Center on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 in Houston. Rice University scientists started a company, Motif Neurotech, and are getting $18.75 million in funding to continue to develop the device. The project was supported by the Rice Biotech Launch Pad, a new program announced last fall. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Robinson founded Motif in 2022 along with Kaiyuan Yang, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Rice; Dr. Sunil Sheth, a vascular and interventional neurologist at UTHealth Houston and McGovern Medical School; and Dr. Sameer Sheth, a professor of neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine. Motif is now a team of nine and recently moved into space at the Texas Medical Center, Robinson said.

Robinson and his team were also drawn to the chance to work on something that could help individuals with mental health conditions who are not responding to other forms of treatment. Studies have estimated that up to 30% of cases of clinical depression are classified as treatment-resistant.

We dont talk about it a lot, but it touches a lot of lives, Robinson said. The thought of being able to make an impact on helping us really treat the human condition, using physical principles, was just too compelling for me not to try.

The funding announced Wednesday will be used to bring the device to a feasibility study in 2025, Robinson said. Motif also needs to go through clinical trials to determine if the device is safe and effective for patients.

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Robinson is reluctant to say how long it could take to complete the clinical trials and seek U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the device. But hes optimistic the process will be quicker than usual.

I think the speed may surprise people who've looked at other biotech commercialization, he said. I think we have a rapid path.
Texas saw an estimated more than 26,000 rape-related pregnancies in the 16 months after the state outlawed all abortions, according to a study published Wednesday. That was the highest estimate among the 14 states with total abortion bans  at least 20,000 more rape-related pregnancies than the next highest states, Missouri and Tennessee.

But is that large gulf in rape-related pregnancies between Texas and other states significant? Does it point to a broader trend of higher rates of rape in Texas? Not necessarily.

We analyzed two different datasets  one health-oriented and the other crime-oriented  following a methodology similar to the one used by researchers in the study and found that Texas indeed has higher rates of rape than most other states, after adjusting for population, but it's far from the highest.

Health-oriented data approach

There are a number of datasets that attempt to estimate the number of rapes in a given area. All have their flaws, but some are considered by health experts to be better than others. One dataset, the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is thought to more accurately represent the true number of rapes because it tallies both reported and unreported incidents. According to this report, 1.4 million rapes of women happen in the U.S. each year, based on survey data from 2016 and 2017.

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Law enforcement agencies also report rapes that occur in their jurisdictions, but those figures are known to undercount the true number of rapes  sometimes dramatically  because they only include incidents that are reported to officers.

Though the CDC data is considered to be a closer representation of reality, it has its drawbacks, particularly with its timeliness and scope. The most recent data is from 2017 and is only available at the national level. Like the authors of the study, the Chronicle used this data to estimate state-level rape counts by considering the share of rapes reported to the FBI in each state. This approach assumes that even though the FBI data undercounts the true number of rapes, the share of reports coming from each state should be transferable to the total, nationwide number.

Using this approach, the Chronicle found that Texas and California recorded the highest number of total rapes among women, at nearly 151,000 each. However, they also have the greatest population counts. A more useful metric is the population-adjusted one that looks at the number of rapes per 100,000 women in each state.

Texas ranks 16th, with just over 1,000 rapes per 100,000 women. California ranks 35th with about 770 per 100,000 women. Alaska, by far, has the highest population-adjusted rate of rapes, with more than 3,000.

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Crime-oriented data approach

Another approach, one that is more crime-oriented, uses survey data reported to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, a federal agency that is part of the Department of Justice. This report found that only 532,000 rapes of both men and women happened in the U.S. in 2022.

Even though the BJS data includes both men and women (the CDC data included only women), their estimates are significantly lower than those in the health-oriented approach. Samuel Dickman, a researcher with the rape-related pregnancy study, told the Chronicle that the responses people give to surveys can be influenced by the agency asking the questions.

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"They're both national surveys . . . but one is called a Crime Victimization Survey, and it's about law enforcement. It's the Bureau of Justice Statistics, whereas the other is a public health survey," Dickman said.

"A health-oriented survey is going to get you much better data than taking a crime victim-oriented survey because there's so many people that for many, many reasons including, but not limited to, just the incredible stigma of having been sexually assaulted . . . might respond 'no.'"

The Chronicle also calculated per-capita rape rates using this BJS data. As with the health-oriented approach, the Chronicle used FBI data to calculate each state's share of reported rape cases. Then, each state's ratio was multiplied by the BJS estimated rape cases for 2022 to get an estimated state total, which was then population adjusted.

According to this approach, Texas ranks 18th with nearly 190 rapes per 100,000 people, California 36th with 144 and Alaska first with 564.
The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA Pearland chapter will host its first free community-wide yogathon in Pearland at the city's town center, 11200 W Broadway Street, from 9:30-11 a.m. on January 27. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

With the weather coming back to a decent temperatures, there are more opportunities for Pearland residents to gather for more outdoor activities.

The Pearland Town Center on Saturday will host a free yoga event with the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, a nonprofit that aims to coordinate the Hindu American community to practice, preserve and advance ideals and values of Hindu Dharma.

PEARLAND INSIDER: Stay updated on important stories and news to know around Pearland

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Surya Namaskat Yajna  also known as yoga for health, health for humanity yogathon  will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. Jan. 27 at the town center, 11200 W Broadway Street.

Surya Namaskat is a combination of yoga postures, called asanas, performed in a predetermined sequence of 10 steps in appreciation of solar energy. This activity provides a variety of positive mental and physical health benefits, according to Sonal Gupta, executive director of the Pearland chapter of HSS.

Participants are encouraged to register for the event beforehand, wear comfortable clothing for outdoor weather and bring their own yoga mat and water bottle. Water to refill bottles and snacks will be available on site, and yoga mats will be provided while supplies last for day-of registrants.

HSS began this practice in 2007 and now create educational programs for children, youth and adults through more than 220 branches nationwide, according to its website.

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A Southwest Airlines jet takes off at Hobby Airport Friday, June 30, 2023. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

Hobby Airport closed a runway Thursday after a small private jet's landing gear collapsed as it landed, but planes continued to fly out of the airport.

The jet landed around 2 p.m. in the "safety area" of runway 4/22, according to the Houston Airport System. Houston Fire and other responders checked on the private plane, and have since declared it "fire safe," the airport operators told the Chronicle.

HOUSTON AIRPORTS SET PASSENGER RECORD: IAH and Hobby airports combine to set passenger record in 2023

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The number of passengers and crew aboard the plane wasn't released. It's also unclear if anyone was injured.

Operations are continuing "with no impact" as planes continue to take off and land on another runway, according to the airport operators.
"Mummy Marauder" The Mummy Marauder entered the bank with white gauze covering his face, approached a teller, and verbally threatened the teller while demanding cash. The robber wrapped up the crime by leaving the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. He later entered a silver and black Mitsubishi Montero SUV that was driven by an unidentified individual. No one was physically hurt during the robbery. The robber is described as a black male in his early 20s, approximately 5 feet, 11 inches tall with a medium build. During the robbery, he wore a wig with long, black dreadlocks, a blue cap, a white and black stripped button-up shirt, and dark sunglasses. The robber also had white gauze around his head and right hand. FBI Houston

Catching a bank robber clad in disguises or concealing clothing can be difficult for authorities, so to help identify these suspects, the FBIs Houston Field Office uses a more tongue-in-cheek tactic that involves nicknames.

The Mummy Marauder, Sticky Note Bandit and High-heeled Hijacker are some of the many nicknames Houstons field office created to help its investigators catch suspected bank robbers. Creating nicknames is a strategy the field office employed before public affairs officer Christina Garza arrived more than eight years ago, but since then, the agency has gotten more clever, she told the Chronicle.

We try to be as creative as possible, Garza said. We do it because it gets attention  the main goal is to get these individuals behind bars.

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But not everyone is a fan of that creativity. Defense attorneys like Guy Womack believe the tactic is childish and unprofessional.

When (the FBI) use funny little nicknames or whatever, thats not advancing anything, said Womack, who specializes in criminal defense, federal defense and military defense cases.

But law enforcement officials find the nicknames helpful in public engagement, leading to more tips.

'Fine line' with tactic

Garza, along with fellow public affairs officer, Connor Hagan, make up the nicknames after speaking with eyewitnesses of the bank robberies and watching security footage.

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Houstons field office does not employ the tactic for every bank robber, but only the ones who strike multiple times, Hagan said. When coming up with the nicknames, Garza and Hagan specifically look at how the suspect decided to rob the bank and what attire they chose to wear, according to Garza.

Sometimes I think they want to get caught based on the outfits they decide to wear, she said. How do they stand out in a crowd? Its because of some of the ridiculous costumes.

MAYOR VOWS TO MAKE HOUSTON SAFER: Mayor John Whitmire pushes back against crime stats, vows to make Houstonians feel safer

Garza said the field office does acknowledge that theres a fine line it has to walk because they dont want to disrespect anyone. She recalled a bank robber who appeared to be wearing a hijab and the agency shied away from giving that suspect a nickname due to how disrespectful it would be. Bank robberies that result in death or physical injuries also are something the field office considers heavily when deciding to utilize the tactic, she said.

Theres a lot that goes into if were going name them, how were going to name them and what were going to name them given all the considerations that we have to take when doing so, Garza said.

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Renaming bank robbers also occurs due to suspects maybe changing an article of clothing, according to Hagan. Although the bank robbers change their appearance, investigators can typically spot its the same suspect due to their M.O., he said.

Could diminish fair trial

Womack said the tactic could affect defendants during trial if witnesses or agents refer to them by their nicknames in front of a jury.

Thatd be objectionable, he said. The judge would tell the jury to disregard that, (and) wed object, but itd be unprofessional for the government to do that.

Someone referring to the defendant by the nickname, or assuming they are the Dapper Desperado, for example, without proof, is prejudging them, he said. The nicknames could also taint the jury pool because potential jurors may connect the highly publicized names to the defendant prematurely, he added.

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"Dapper Desperado" The suspect entered the bank dressed in a grey blazer and sunglasses, approached a teller, briefly pulled out a gun, and verbally threatened the teller while demanding cash. The robber left the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. No one was physically hurt during the robbery. The robber is described as a white or Hispanic male in his early 30s, approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall with a medium build. During the robbery, he wore a red hat, red t-shirt, grey blazer, blue jeans, and reflective sunglasses. This suspect is believed to have previously robbed a Comerica Bank located at 14104 Northwest Freeway on August 29, 2019. During that robbery, the Dapper Desperado wore an oversized brown suit, an oversized light blue dress shirt, gray Converse sneakers, and reflective sunglasses. FBI Houston

Effectiveness of tactic

The nicknames become so publicized through social media and other media outlets that even the robbers themselves become familiar with them. An example is the Rainy Day Robber, who in 2019 held up multiple banks in Houston during major storms. Houston police Sgt. Jessica Bruzas said a suspect confessed to being the Rainy Day Robber to her during an interrogation because he saw the nickname on the news and wanted to express his displeasure for it.

If he wouldnt have told me that I would have never even linked this man back to these three old cases, Bruzas said.

"Rainy Day Robbery" BBVA Compass Bank at 14550 Memorial Drive on Sept. 19, 2019 The suspect entered the bank dressed as a security guard armed with a pistol. Once inside the bank, he ordered bank tellers to give him cash and threatened to shoot if they did not comply. The suspect fled the bank on foot with no money. No one was physically hurt during the robbery. The robber is described as a black male in his late 20s or early 30s, approximately 5 feet, 11 inches tall, with a thin build. During the robbery, he wore a black long-sleeved jacket with Security written in white letters on the back, dark pants, a grey mask around his head, and a black baseball cap which had Security written on the front. The same suspect is believed to have committed a bank robbery earlier this year during another major storm June 5, 2019 at the Capitol One Bank located at 11408 Gulf Freeway. FBI Houston

Bruzas called the nicknames an awesome tactic because it leads to more tips.

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It definitely drives in people to read the story and then call in if they think that the person looks familiar, Bruzas said.
City launches fire safety checks after deadly blaze

08:39, January 26, 2024 By Zhao Ruinan ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Firefighters work at the site of a building fire in Xinyu city, east China's Jiangxi Province, Jan 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

All educational institutions in Xinyu, Jiangxi Province, are required to carry out fire safety inspections as preliminary investigations found that the illegal use of fire caused a deadly blaze in the city, local authorities said on Thursday.

The fire, which killed 39 people and injured nine others, broke out at 3:24 pm on Wednesday after workers used fire illegally while refurbishing a cold storage in the basement of the building, Xu Hong, the mayor of Xinyu, said at a news conference.

A total of 12 people who are believed to be responsible were put into custody and are being investigated by the public security authorities.

The building is located at a T-shaped intersection just north of the east gate of Jiangxi University of Engineering.

It consists of a supermarket and an internet cafe on the first floor, and a hotel and educational training institution on the second floor.

A report by China Youth Daily said that dozens of students were attending an English class at the training facility when the blaze started.

The classroom, with two exits, has an area of more than 60 square meters. However, according to a student at the training institution, one of the exits was a small window that was hidden behind a curtain at the back of the classroom. The window was taped up and not usable.

The other exit was a small aluminum door located next to the podium. The door is narrow, and only one person can pass through it at a time, China Youth Daily quoted the student as saying. However, the door is often closed when students are taking classes.

According to local authorities, the fire was so intense that it could not be extinguished in time, resulting in heavy smoke spreading through the stairwell to the second floor.

A witness told Southern Weekly that he saw someone jump from the second floor. The police had placed mattresses outside the building and managed to save several people before the firefighters arrived, he said.

According to the witness cited by the Guangzhou-based news outlet, at about 3:30 pm, students began coming down a ladder. At approximately 3:40 pm, the fire brigade arrived to launch a rescue operation.

The fire was put out at around 4 pm, after which the fire team entered the basement. The witness said, "Many firefighters went in; they stayed inside for five or six minutes, coming out all covered in black ash and dust."

Videos circulating on social media showed thick, dark smoke billowing from the building and fire trucks and ambulances at the scene of the accident.

Rescue efforts were concluded at 8:50 pm on Wednesday. A total of 118 firefighters and 20 fire and rescue vehicles had been sent to the scene.

Chen Wenbo, a staff member at the Xinsteel Center Hospital in Xinyu, where the injured were being treated, told Beijing Youth Daily that among the patients, one was in critical condition and had been transferred to the intensive care unit.

Chen mentioned that the primary cause of death among the victims was the inhalation of toxic smoke.

At Thursday's news conference, Zeng Xianfeng, head of Xinyu's education bureau, announced the suspension of all off-campus training institutions. Additionally, fire safety inspections would be carried out, and necessary improvements would be made at all educational institutions.

Meanwhile, the local government also vowed to enhance regular monitoring of crowded venues, including kindergartens and schools, to reduce fire hazards.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Flock Safety expands cameras to Houston after helping Memorial Village solve crimes. Submitted Flock Safety Flock Safety expands cameras to Houston after helping Memorial Village solve crimes. Submitted Flock Safety Flock Safety expands cameras to Houston after helping Memorial Village solve crimes. Submitted Flock Safety

A north Harris County neighborhood has become the latest in the region to turn to a new security camera technology in a bid to stay at the forefront of public safety.

The East Aldine Management District recently approved a nearly $1 million five-year contract to install 60 Flock Safety cameras in the neighborhood, officials said. The cameras, which track license plates on vehicles and notify law enforcement if any pass linked to crimes, have been touted as a way to keep law enforcement presence at a time when agencies say theyre having trouble with staffing.

The days of chasing criminals the old fashioned way is over, were not on horses anymore, said Lt. Mike Santos, a sheriffs deputy who oversees the contract patrol for East Aldine. If we can use technology to our benefit, then lets do that.

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MORE ON TECHNOLOGY: Chief Troy Finner wants all Houstonians to install security cameras or license plate readers

The cameras have helped investigators solve some high-profile shootings across the Houston area in recent months. Victor Beserra, a retired Houston Police Department official who oversees public safety projects for the management district, said measures like these can help at a time when law enforcement agencies across the country have said they have had trouble recruiting new officers to the ranks.

The Harris County Sheriffs Office has a budget of around $293 million and has around 2,200 sworn personnel covering a region with 2 million residents  less than half the budget and personnel of the Houston Police Department.

Facing a stagnating police force, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner is asking everyone in the city, both business owners and individual residents, to install security cameras and license plate readers in a bid to tamp down on crime.

Concern of overreach

But some say they are concerned how the use of the cameras can affect privacy. While those connected to the East Aldine project were uniformly positive about the cameras potential role in reducing crime, some have cited concerns about how automated license plate readers might reveal highly sensitive information about people and their everyday movements.

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Savannah Kumar, attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, previously told the Chronicle this type of surveillance technology raises privacy concerns. Kumar urges people to be cautious with the implementation or expansion of ALPR systems, and to consider how long the data is retained and where its shared by law enforcement.

Santos said investigators cant access the cameras without a case number and police report.

Joining other communities

The East Aldine Management District oversees a 20-square-mile territory in unincorporated Harris County, about 15 miles north of downtown Houston, according to its website. Little York, Hardy Toll and Homestead roads along with U.S. 59 border the district.

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Under the agreement, neighborhood administrators will oversee the installation of around 60 cameras at strategic points across the district, according to Victor Beserra, a retired Houston Police Department official who oversees public safety projects for the management district. In the city, it takes around three to five months to secure enough permitting for the cameras, but both Beserra and Santos were hopeful it might be faster in the county.

East Aldine is only the latest community in the region to spend money installing the new camera technology, which features an automated license plate reader camera designed to read and photograph the license plates of passing vehicles and notify law enforcement if any of them have been linked to a crime. The city of Houston, League City and several county apartment complexes are just a few of the other entities that have invested in the Flock Safety cameras.

Flock Safety moved into the Houston area five years ago when it rolled out its systems in the Katy, Memorial Villages and Jersey Village police departments.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner announces a new body camera policy on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. John Wayne Ferguson/Houston Chronicle

When one of its officers shoots a person in the line of duty, the Houston Police Department will be able to retrieve footage from the officers' body camera, even if they didnt actively turn the camera on.

Under a new policy announced Thursday, but implemented in December, department body cameras now operate with a record after the fact feature that allows police investigators to see video recorded while an officer had it set to standby mode.

Put simply, even if an officer didnt press record, their body camera is turned on.

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While officers will still be required by department policy to activate cameras, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said the policy would remove some pressure from officers who didnt turn their devices on during tactical situations and give more transparency during reviews of critical incidents that ended with people killed or injured, or saw an officer fire a weapon.

MORE ON BODY CAMS Harris County Jail may be first in state to require body cameras

Most of our officers have done an extremely good job on capturing these incidents, Finner said. However, its important that we safeguard our officers so they can concentrate on making the scene safe, protecting the public and also themselves.

The policy change was being discussed by the department and the Houston Police Officers' Union for months, Finner said. The announcement came a week after the department released video of the aftermath of the Dec. 17 shooting of Kevin Lyn Mitchell by Houston police officer David Reinhold. Mitchell was shot in the back after being chased following a reported robbery in northeast Houston.

Mitchell was accused of running from Reinhold, hitting him with a stick and grabbing at his gun before the shooting, according to charging documents. Neither the chase nor the confrontation was caught on Reinholds bodycam, for reasons the police department didnt immediately make clear.

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The videos the police department posted came from dash cameras and body cameras of officers who arrived after the shooting.

The reason for Reinholds camera not being turned on is still under investigation, a police department spokesperson said Thursday.

The public announcement of the policy was spurred by both Mitchells shooting and the Dec. 2 ambush shooting of Sgt. Mauricio Valle. Valle was shot multiple times in the arm, leg and side while in an unmarked police car, but was able to return fire and kill his attacker, who had been under investigation for burglary and assault.

We want to get whatever we can on these videos and do whatever we can in policies to make sure we capturing it, Finner said. But how can anyone under that kind of fire, go to record that incident?

Doug Griffith, the president of the police officers union, said most of its members supported to the policy change.

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I believe the sooner we get out a video, the less the public has fear, Griffith said. The sooner we get them out the better. Our union is one of few that believe that, in reality. I think its important to get it out there and to show our people are doing it right. Because if were not, theyre going to paint their own narrative, and you dont want that.

While the policy is in force, Finner said its not yet committed to writing and is still being drafted. Activating the record feature wont cost the city any more money.

Finner said the policy is only meant to review police actions, and is not meant to record idle talk by officers or other private moments. State law prohibits body-worn cameras from recording on a 24/7 basis, he said.

Griffith said reviews of after-the-fact videos must be recorded in writing; and that improper reviews could lead to punishments within the department.

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The new policy is the first significant change to the departments body camera policies since 2021, when city officials announced the agency would release video of police shootings that result in injury or death within 30 days of the shooting. Before that policy was created, the police department routinely avoided public releases of videos from shootings.

The police department faced pressure to change its body camera policy after the 2020 shooting of 27-year-old Nicolas Chavez. Chavez was shot while he was on his knees and in the midst of an apparent mental health crisis, after having stabbed himself with a piece of rebar and picking up a Taser. Four officers were fired and later reinstated over the shooting.
Texas 174th District Court judge Hazel B. Jones talks to the lawyers during a hearing in the case against the two aides to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and former aide, all indicted on criminal charges amid an investigation in a since-canceled vaccine outreach contract. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff photographer Wallis Nader walks away from the bench as he appears in court after COVID contract indictments were handed down Tuesday, April 12, 2022 in Houston. Two aides to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and former aide, all indicted on criminal charges amid an investigation in a since-canceled vaccine outreach contract, appeared in court Tuesday. Nader and Alexander Triantaphyllis, who work for Hidalgo, were indicted on Monday on two felony charges of misuse of official information and tampering. Aaron Dunn, who recently left her office, was indicted on the same charges. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Aaron Dunn stands in the elevator after leaving the courtroom after COVID contract indictments were handed down Tuesday, April 12, 2022 in Houston. Two aides to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and former aide, all indicted on criminal charges amid an investigation in a since-canceled vaccine outreach contract, appeared in court Tuesday. Dunn, who recently left her office, was indicted on two felony charges of misuse of official information and tampering. Wallis Nader and Alex Triantaphyllis, who work for Hidalgo, were indicted on the same charges. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

A pair of search warrants used in 2023 to seek records from Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgos former aides in connection with a since-canceled COVID-19 contract did not yield intelligence to use against the indicted staffers, officials said Friday in court.

The decision effectively forgoes a hearing next month where the defense would have challenged prosecutors on the warrants and ensuing evidence. The hearing would have likely prompted the Texas Rangers investigators behind the warrants to testify.

A prosecutor, Robert Buss, said Friday that none of the records from the pair of warrants  which former Hidalgo chief of staff Alex Triantaphyllis defense team earlier sought to suppress  were useful and that prosecutors would agree not to use the results against the defendants or anyone else.

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'DON'T CROSS HER': How DA Kim Ogg has repeatedly aimed her power at Harris County officials

Were going to walk away from it, he said.

One search warrant from November requested information related to an AT&T phone number that was two digits off from a line used by Triantaphyllis and had no apparent connection to the county judges office. The warrant sought phone records between the number and another former county worker, who has not been charged with a crime.

Alex Triantaphyllis walks into the 174th District Court before a hearing about bond conditions Monday, July 18, 2022, at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse at 1201 Franklin St. in Houston. He and two other Harris County aides are charged with steering a controversial COVID-19 vaccine contract to firm operated by a politically-connected vendor. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

The three other warrants requested WhatsApp records for Triantaphyllis and two colleagues, Wallis Nader and Aaron Dunn.

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The warrants had ordered AT&T and WhatsApp to hand over personal phone communications after investigators alleged the staffers tampered with evidence by withholding some messages related to the case. Triantaphyllis' lawyer, Marla Poirot, alleged that the Texas Rangers "improperly obtained" the orders to seize evidence.

The warrants were intended for a new investigation  for a separate charge, said Buss, without saying whether the existing defendants or someone else would face charges.

The other warrants filed in November requested phone records from Harris County, Verizon and Google, records show.

The warrants came more than a year after a grand jury indicted three staffers on charges of misuse of official information and tampering with records in connection with a 2021 contract that awarded $11 million to Elevate Strategies, a political consulting firm, to conduct a vaccine outreach campaign in Harris County.

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Prosecutors accused the three aides of steering the contract to Elevate Strategies founder Felicity Pereyra by giving her early access, an allegation they have denied. Hidalgo has also dismissed the allegations as a political vendetta being waged by District Attorney Kim Ogg.

The defense attorneys have argued that Hidalgo had no political connections to Pereyra and that she chose to seek out competitive bidders for the contract.

The lawyers for the three aides entered the 174th District Court without their clients Friday morning to discuss the warrants and other evidence, with no apparent public-facing record ahead of time that the appearance was planned. The judge urged prosecutors to act quickly and decide whether more charges against the defendants or anyone else would be sought.

Dont wait until we get to a trial, Judge Hazel Jones said.

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Judge Hazel Jones talks to a prosecutor, left, and two defense attorneys for Wallis Nader during a hearing about Naders bond conditions in the 174th District Court on Monday, July 18, 2022, at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse at 1201 Franklin St. in Houston. Nader and two other Harris County aides are charged with steering a controversial COVID-19 vaccine contract to firm operated by a politically-connected vendor. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Buss said he did not know if additional charges would follow but that he had concerns about communications with a person who has not been charged in connection with the contract.
Crime scene tape is collected at the scene where a DPS trooper reportedly shot a man during a narcotics investigation at the QuikTrip gas station, 1224 Wilson Rd., off I-45 North Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Conroe. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Crime scene tape is collected at the scene where a DPS trooper reportedly shot a man during a narcotics investigation at the QuikTrip gas station, 1224 Wilson Rd., off I-45 North Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Conroe. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Crime scene tape is collected at the scene where a DPS trooper reportedly shot a man during a narcotics investigation at the QuikTrip gas station, 1224 Wilson Rd., off I-45 North Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Conroe. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Crime scene tape is collected at the scene where a DPS trooper reportedly shot a man during a narcotics investigation at the QuikTrip gas station, 1224 Wilson Rd., off I-45 North Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Conroe. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer A car with visible bullet holes is shown on a tow truck at the scene where a DPS trooper reportedly shot a man during a narcotics investigation at the QuikTrip gas station, 1224 Wilson Rd., off I-45 North Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Conroe. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer A car with visible bullet holes is shown on a tow truck at the scene where a DPS trooper reportedly shot a man during a narcotics investigation at the QuikTrip gas station, 1224 Wilson Rd., off I-45 North Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Conroe. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

The Texas Rangers and the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office are investigating an officer-involved shooting during an undercover operation in Conroe that left one man hospitalized Thursday.

Kelly Blackburn, chief of the trial bureau with the district attorneys office, said the shooting happened around 10:30 a.m. at the QuickTrip in Conroe at Wilson Road and Interstate 45.

It was an undercover buy-bust operation that went bad, Blackburn said.

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MORE CRIME NEWS: Former Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo will no longer take job at Austin City Hall

Buy-bust operations are when law enforcement officers pose as people buying drugs in order to make a narcotics arrest, according to the district attorneys office.

Blackburn said a man officers met at the location attempted to flee from the store in a vehicle and nearly ran over officers when the trooper fired his weapon.

The mans name has not been released and Blackburn said he was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

Blackburn said multiple Montgomery County agencies were involved in the undercover operation.

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Harris County Department of Education Board Trustee Eric Dick listens during a meeting Wedneday, Jan. 17, 2024 in Houston, when the board voted to approve a measure allowing chaplains to be employed as counselors or volunteer in HCDE schools. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer From left, Harris County Department of Education Board Trustees Richard Cantu, Eric Dick, Dr. John McGee, Attorney Sarah Langlois and Superintendent James Colbert listen as Lisa Hickey speaks during a meeting Wedneday, Jan. 17, 2024 in Hoouston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

Harris County Department of Education trustee Eric Dick has received a $114,519 sanction in an insurance damages cases, adding to the $137,000 in sanctions that the attorney was hit with in October.

Dick is currently running for a seat on the board that he was appointed to last year. Both he and his wife, Danielle Dick, will be on the ballot in the March 5 Republican primary. He is uncontested.

The Houston attorney was sanctioned Tuesday by the 10th Judicial District of Galveston County for an insurance damages case in which his team was unable to prove his clients had sustained the amount of damage to their house from a burst water pipe that the insurance company was asked to compensate.

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MAUI FIRES: Harris County trustee Eric Dick under investigation for alleged illegal activities after Maui fires

In the order, Judge Kerry Neves wrote that the case was groundless, brought in bad faith, and could only have been brought for the purpose of harassment.

Dick said Friday that he stands by his decision to file the lawsuit to claim that his client's pipe that burst during the 2021 freeze should be considered an explosion.

While Im saddened to see the sanctions order, I wear them like a badge of honor. It has been my absolute privilege to represent thousands of consumers that were taken advantage of by the insurance industry," he said. "We are going to fight to make sure my clients are fairly paid their insurance benefits until hell freezes over."

He called the sanction and the $40,000 in ethics fines he faces the result of political weaponization. The Texas Ethics Commission fined Dick for campaign finance concerns during his unsuccessful run for Harris County treasurer in 2022 and for City Council in 2019. In addition, Dick is being investigated by the state of Hawaii for soliciting Maui wildfire survivors without a Hawaii license.

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Dick brought the recent case against Standard Casualty Co. on behalf of Galveston residents Jacqueline and Steven Burns, who have been involved in other litigation, including a lawsuit against the city of Galveston after a Galveston County sheriff's deputy ran a red light and hit Jacqueline Burns car while responding to an accident.

Jacqueline Burns is out on bail in Galveston County after being charged with theft over $300,000, according to court records. A trial has been set for Feb. 8.

The expert designations filled out by Dick and his legal team were misleading and contained false information about the witnesses called to testify about the case.

Witness Ana Nguyen, for example, was supposed to testify that the owners of the home sustained $544,1301 in damage from a broken water pipe, but she had only an Excel sheet of the items and did not provide proof of ownership or photographs to sustain the claim. Under oath, she testified that she could not say that the plaintiffs actually sustained that damage.

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The sanctions order included six witnesses, listing reasons why each were not able to testify to the reasons they were invited to. Beyond the sanctions, the Burns' case was dismissed.

Dick was also sanctioned Oct. 17 for similar mishandling of a case. Harris County Civil Court Judge LaShawn Williams ruled that Dicks case against Standard Casualty on behalf of Carmen Aleman, whose roof was damaged by hail, was groundless and in bad faith.

One of the experts in that case was Richard Gadrow, a registered sex offender, according to public records. Gadrow was required to show that Alemans home was damaged by hail, but he was unable to do so, according to the sanction order.

Similar to the more recent sanction, some expert witnesses were unable to provide evidence to sustain Alemans claims. Between the two cases, many of the experts were the same people.

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When reached by the Claims Journal in November, Dick said Gadrow was battling late stage cancer and was delusional during the trial, which began last January. Gadrow died in June, according to an online obituary.

The sanctions orders demonstrate that you can't just sue your insurance company and expect to get a big settlement, said Attorney Steven Badger. You are required to prove what the insurance company did wrong.

Badger works with Zelle LLP in Dallas, representing insurance companies, and has been vocal in the industry about legal wrongdoing.

Six-figure sanctions orders are quite rare, Badger said. Both of these judges must have been very concerned with what they saw to issue these very serious sanctions orders.

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Badger was not involved in either of these cases but said his law firm has litigated many cases adverse to the Dick Law Firm. The attorney has also sued Dick on behalf of a client because Dick never sent the settlement proceeds to the insured after a previous settlement, but Dick settled the dispute immediately after receiving the suit.
File: Frontier Airlines is among the carriers where Houston travelers can find a good deal on flights in February, March and April. David Zalubowski, STF / Associated Press

If youre itching to get out and travel in 2024 but need to stay on a budget, there are affordable options available to explore. Travelers can snag one-way flights for as low as $24 and $43 for a round-trip flight beginning in February.

Under $50: Atlanta, Denver

A round-trip flight from Houston to Atlanta on March 20 costs travelers $43 leaving out of Bush Intercontinental Airport on Frontier Airlines.

Across town at William P. Hobby Airport, passengers can fly to Denver round-trip for $48 on Feb. 26 to Feb. 28 on Frontier Airlines.

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Need more than a couple days to relax and unwind? Book a trip from March 13 to March 20 to Denver round-trip for $48 from IAH.

Under $65: Orlando, Miami

If warmer temperatures suit you better, Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines have flights to Orlando and Miami.

Customers can purchase a round trip ticket to Miami on Spirit Airlines from IAH for March 2 to March 5 and pay $63.

From March 6 to March 13, Frontier Airlines will offer a $64 round-trip deal from IAH to Orlando.

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Under $70: Las Vegas, New Orleans, Orlando, Miami, Philadelphia

Rates continue to drop at Priceline, so those looking for a deal can find several flights to major cities.

If you havent made plans for Valentines Day, youre in luck. Priceline has a three-day trip from Feb. 14 to Feb. 17 leaving out of IAH traveling to New Orleans for $55 round-trip.

A three-day trip beginning Feb. 28 through March 2 from IAH to New Orleans costs $49 for a round-trip ticket.

In keeping with three-day flights, travelers can visit Atlanta Feb. 24 to Feb. 27 for $49 round-trip.

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IAH customers can fly to Miami Feb. 21 to Feb. 24 for $60 round-trip and to Orlando Feb. 17 to Feb. 21 for $63 round trip.

Trying to find the perfect cheesesteak? Well, you can visit Philadelphia Feb. 23 to Feb. 26 for $62 round-trip.
Construction equipment that has recently been moved onto property on East Beach Drive is photographed on Monday, January 29, 2024 in Galveston. Jill Karnicki/Staff photographer

Galveston residents, scientists and animal advocates are raising concerns about the preservation of ghost wolves and native wildlife in the face of the $250 million Margaritaville Resort planned for the island.

The slender, reddish-brown wild canids that roam Galveston Island carry ghost alleles from red wolf DNA, which were declared extinct in the wild in 1980 because of habitat loss, predator control programs and other factors. Members of the Gulf Coast Canine Project and other advocates are hoping to preserve the canids' habitat as the resort and other developments progress on the east end of the island.

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The new Margaritaville resort at 317 East Beach Drive will feature beach access as well as a 2.5-acre water park. The 334-room resort will take up 300,000 square feet, and it is being developed through a partnership with Innisfree Hotels and RREAF Holdings LLC. The developers were not available for comment.

Questions about the resorts impact on the canids, also known as coyotes on the island, came up during a Jan. 10 town hall. The meeting was packed as 400 Galveston residents and advocates came to learn about the coyotes and how development on the island, including construction of the resort, could impact wildlife.

Paths in the vegetation on the dunes created and utilized by wildlife living along East Beach are photographed on Monday, January 29, 2024 in Galveston. Jill Karnicki/Staff photographer The unique coyote population's DNA has been shown to have ties to rare red wolves. Josh Henderson Construction equipment that has recently been moved onto property on East Beach Drive is photographed on January 6, 2024, in Galveston. Jill Karnicki/Staff photographer Construction equipment that has recently been moved onto property on East Beach Drive is photographed on Monday, January 29, 2024 in Galveston. Jill Karnicki/Staff photographer Construction equipment that has recently been moved onto property on East Beach Drive is photographed on Monday, January 29, 2024 in Galveston. Jill Karnicki/Staff photographer

The coyotes are not endangered and are protected by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

In response to audience questions, Galveston Bay Foundation President Bob Stokes said stopping the resorts construction is not an option.

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Theres nothing legally that could be done to stop it  we just dont have those tools locally to do so, he said.

Instead, organizers hope to convince developers to do the right thing and incorporate wildlife protection plans, buffer zones around sensitive habitat, and wildlife corridors, around the development, according to a post on Facebook about the town hall.

Stokes said advocates should focus on the future of other, undeveloped lots in the area that could be preserved if work starts now.

Were just looking to, you know, make the best of the situation that we currently have, Stokes said at the meeting.

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Advocates said during the meeting that they had talked with RREAF Holdings and Innisfree Hotels staff, and they felt the developers were receptive to hearing recommendations on the project.

Meeting minutes also show the group is cautiously optimistic for a positive response from the developers.
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.
The U.S. Post Office and distribition facility is visible in Missouri City, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

For nearly two months, Houston residents have endured shipping delays from United States Postal Service.

Some residents are waiting on important paperwork and bills to pay. Others are anxiously waiting for their medications before they run out. A few have been praying that wedding dresses and birthday gifts arrive in time.

The root of the delays is a backlog of mail and packages at USPS facilities in North Houston and Missouri City. Here's what to know about the postal system delays in the Houston area.

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An employee for U.S. Rep. Al Green sorts displays of tracking data was for available for people who had delay or lost packages that wen through the USPS Missouri City processing facility in the U.S. Representatives Houston office on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

How bad are some of the delays?

The delays are ranging in their severity, with people claiming their packages are delayed by weeks.

Hempstead resident Stacy Griffith provided the Houston Chronicle with nine tracking numbers for packages she shipped or bought since Dec. 29. It took on average more than 18 days for those packages to reach the Hempstead Post Office.

Excluding one package that went from Missouri City to Richmond, Virginia, before coming back to Houston, it took those packages more than 15 days to be delivered once they entered a Houston or Missouri City facility.

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The package in USPS' care the longest was the one that should have been easiest to ship. A package delivered Dec. 29 to the Hempstead Post Office arrived at its final destination 27 days later in Hempstead on Jan. 25.

Our constituents have made their voices heard loud and clear: USPS has failed them," U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia said in a Feb. 1 statement.

BIG DAY DELAY: Postal delays leave Pasadena bride's big day in limbo as she waits for her dress

What's the cause of the delays?

The causes of the delays, according to members of the National Association of Postal Supervisors, include poor planning around the installation of an important piece of equipment and staffing shortages.

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Two leaders in the organization  which represents USPS managers, postmasters and supervisors  told U.S. Rep. Al Green and representatives of two other Congresspeople Tuesday what their members in Houston were telling them about the problems.

"This might be somewhat different than what the Postal Service may or may not say but our folks on the ground tell us it was just a combination of events," National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore said.

MORE ON THE ROOTS: Problems including ill-conceived planning caused USPS mail delays

Mulidore and Green said the combination of events includes the yearly laying off of seasonal workers after the holidays, creating a greater staffing shortage in an industry dealing with staffing problems, cost-cutting measures and the ill-advised planning to install a parcel sorter.

The new parcel sorter was supposed to be installed in the North Houston facility but it didn't fit inside the plant. This was discovered after the old sorters had already been taken out of the facility.

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"They were left without a lot of capacity to process parcels there due to whatever caused them to put that machine in there without knowing that it did not fit," Mulidore said.

The North Houston and Missouri City facilities are undergoing major changes as part of the Delivering for America plan, which is a 10-year project designed to modernize the postal service.

USPS has stated that the overarching cause of the delays is the implementation of this plan but has not been specific with the exact reasons.

"This process, as with any such transition, takes time," USPS said in a January statement. "As with any transition, some unintended and temporary disruptions may occur. We are taking steps to ensure packages are processed as quickly and efficiently as possible and apologize to any customers who may be experiencing issues with delivery of their items."

What is the Delivering for American plan?

The Delivering for America plan was announced in March 2021. A major part of the play is the creation of new facility types, including regional processing and distribution centers and local processing centers. RPDCs are the hubs for long-distance travel. LPCs bridge RPDCs and the final delivery steps.

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WHAT AGENCIES ARE SAYING: USPS oversight agencies address public outcry over Houston mail delays

There will be 60 RPDCs. The North Houston facility is in the process of becoming the North Houston Regional Processing and Distribution Center. The Missouri City facility has turned into the South Houston Local Precessing Center as part of the changes.

"Their idea is to reduce transportation because the main long haul transportation will be between 60 facilities instead of over 200 and to make the Postal Service more of a package delivery company instead of letter delivery company," said Steve Hutkins, a former NYU professor who runs the website Save the Post Office. "They're imitating the models of UPS, Amazon, FedEx and so on. What you're experiencing there is the transition from the way it used to be to the way it's gonna be."

Mulidore said the time was right for the system to undergo an overhaul. But he also said the speed at which they are attempting to implement it might be causing some of the problems seen in Houston and elsewhere.

"Anytime you make major changes, you're going to have disruption," Mulidore said. "I think that's understood. But these types of disruptions are significant. You've seen a significant decline in service across the country."

WAITING FOR MEDICINE: Houston-area USPS mail delays leave residents anxiously awaiting their medication

What has USPS said about the matter?

USPS has released a few statements about the delays but has not answered any questions in a public setting. Its most recent statement came the week of Jan. 22.

"We want customers to know that we continue the expansion of our operations in the Houston area because of increased volume and we are adding additional capacity with a new facility to improve service. The Postal Service has dispatched additional resources from the surrounding area and implemented improved processes to address root causes of sporadic issues to improve the reliability of mail delivery in the Houston area," the statement reads.

The Postal Service also blamed severe weather in Houston and across the country. "We express our apologies to those who experienced a deviation from our normal dependable service and customers should already see improvements in delivery as we work through these issues."

A post office is seen Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, on North Shepherd Drive in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

What public pressure are they facing?

U.S. Rep. Al Green has been the most vocal about the delays. The Missouri City facility is located in his district. He and Garcia are hoping to tour the Missouri City facility and see what is going on with their own eyes but they have been unable to set up a time to do so,

Garcia and Green met Jan. 31 with USPS Inspector General Tammy Hull, where Hull revealed that her office is currently conducting an audit into the South Houston Local Processing Center.

The USPS Office of Inspector General is an independent agency of the postal service that focuses on oversight. The office previously investigated in the Houston area last year before the mail delays.

One day prior on Jan. 30, Green along with representatives with Garcia's office and the office of U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul had their meeting with two leaders of the National Association of Postal Supervisors.

"All of these people can see the need for transparency," Garcia said. "I've talked to other colleagues and consistently we're being told that transparency is something that is not at the hallmark of USPS. It's not something that they tend to put emphasis on."

Green has held the only news conference about the delays. He has expressed his hope for the postal service to hold a press conference of their own.

Other members of Congress have spoken out about it as well, including U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls. Nehls sent Postmaster General Louis DeJoy a letter dated Jan. 24 demanding answers to the cause of the problems and when to expect a solution.

The United States Postal Services mission is to provide prompt, reliable, and efficient mail services to the American people, Nehls said in a statement. We cannot have Veterans and elderly constituents waiting months for prescription medications that keep them in good health. These delays are completely unacceptable.

U.S. Rep. Al Green speaks during a press conference over the issue of delayed USPS delivery stemming from a Missouri City processing facility on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

What is USPS doing about it?

USPS has brought in 33 new workers to the Houston area to help deal with the problem. However, the news was announced by Green and not the post office.

Of those new workers, 23 were described as arriving to "help with the backlog" while 10 were noted as plant managers.

The Houston Chronicle reached out to a USPS spokesperson to learn more about the roles these workers will hold, what facilities they will be going to and more. Those answers have not yet been provided.

Are other shipping services dealing with similar problems right now?

FedEx said Jan. 20 that it was having national delays that week due to weather near its Memphis outpost. However, that was framed as just a short-term issue.

A UPS spokesperson said in a Jan. 21 email the company is not experiencing any problems in Houston.

Is anywhere else in the country experiencing these problems with USPS?

The North Houston facility is in the initial wave of facilities being turned into RPDCs. There does not appear to be any other location in the country experiencing the issues Houston is dealing with at the moment.

"I haven't seen anything as bad as what you guys are experiencing down there," Hutkins said. He added there is only one instance in recent memory that is even comparable to what is going on in Houston.

That doesn't mean other areas in the country aren't dealing with mail issues of their own. Many other regions of the country have been complaining about delays in their necks of the woods, including in some cases for much longer than people in Houston.

However, none of them appear to have been because of a parcel sorter that couldn't fit in a facility.

"It may have occurred somewhere that I'm not aware of but I've not heard of other places having that type of issue," Mulidore said.

When will the issues be resolved?

That answer is unknown but it is not believed to be a quick fix. USPS has not addressed any timetable for steps going forward.
Texas Primary [Simplified] is a six-day newsletter course breaking down need to know information about the 2024 Texas primary election. Susan Barber/Houston Chronicle

Hey yall! Welcome to day two of Texas Primary [Simplified], our six-part email course explaining the ins and outs of the primary election.

Yesterday we went over what the primary is and how it works, and today well get into perhaps the most important question of this newsletter course:

Why are primaries in Texas so important?

When you think of elections, your head probably goes straight to November, and I dont blame you. Its easy to remember that Election Day is the first Tuesday of November, and everyone votes then, but its not as easy to remember when your state has a primary and if youre eligible to vote in it.

Heres the rub: Almost none of the Texas congressional and legislative races  where we select the people who represent us in Washington and Austin  are competitive come November.

Thats because lawmakers redrew the states political maps during the 2021 redistricting cycle to make the districts safely Republican or Democrat.

The GOP-led Legislature does that every 10 years to protect their majority (as many Republican majorities do in other red states, too, and Democratic majorities do in blue states). In Texas, districts will often take on odd shapes to create as many seats with a solid GOP constituency as possible.

Take Senate District 17 in the Houston area, for example. That seat, currently held by Republican state Sen. Joan Huffman, grew redder during redistricting and now kind of looks like a fancy butler serving wine.

That setup has made primary elections more important than ever.

What does that mean in practice? In GOP-leaning districts, the Republican who wins the primary is all but certain to win the general election. Thats true for Democrats in blue districts, too.

For example, lets take a look at Congressional District 21, where Republican Rep. Chip Roy represents a big chunk of Texas Hill Country and part of San Antonio.

Before the 2021 redistricting cycle, Roys seat was getting competitive. Former President Donald Trump won there in 2020 by just 2.7 points. But under the new district lines, which cut off slices of liberal Austin and San Antonio while picking up red suburban areas, Trump would have carried the district by a nearly 20-point margin.

Past voting behavior is the best indicator of future voting behavior, so it would be a massive uphill battle for a Democrat to win in that district, at least with the current constituency.

All thats to say, whoever wins the GOP primary in the 21st district is likely to win the general election. This year, Roy is running unopposed in his primary, so hes pretty much guaranteed another term in office.

Its a similar setup in other districts with Democratic incumbents. U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletchers Houston district elected President Joe Biden in 2020 by 8.5 points. In her redrawn district, which now stretches into growing Fort Bend County, he would have won by almost 30 points, and Fletcher (or a Democratic primary challenger) is the favorite to win in the fall.

Key takeaway: Because of redistricting, most contests are decided during the primary. That could be the difference between a Republican who supports private school vouchers and one who doesnt heading to Austin on your behalf. Or a Democrat who wants to reverse a ban on gender-affirming care for youth and one who wants to keep it becoming your representative in the Legislature. Your vote matters!

Historically, primary elections in Texas have been very low-turnout contests. In 2020, just about a quarter of all registered voters (4.1 million) cast a ballot in either primary. Compare that with a turnout of about 67 percent of registered voters (11.3 million) during the general election that year.

The people who vote in primary elections are usually the most motivated and passionate voters  and, in many cases, the most extreme. Thats true in both parties. Low turnout means that the results of the primary might not actually be representative of the general population, so its important to get out and vote. Its your right!
Healthy China-Japan ties urged

08:48, January 26, 2024 By Cao Desheng ( China Daily

Premier Li Qiang meets on Thursday with a delegation of Japanese business leaders in Beijing. FENG YONGBIN/CHINA DAILY

Premier Li Qiang called on Thursday for joint efforts from both China and Japan to uphold the principles of peace, friendship and cooperation in order to bring bilateral ties back on the track of healthy and stable development.

During a meeting in Beijing with a delegation of Japanese business leaders, comprising more than 200 executives from major Japanese companies, Li said China-Japan relations are currently at a crucial juncture.

The premier said that China and Japan should translate the political consensus that "the two countries are cooperative partners, not a threat to each other" into specific policies and concrete actions.

He also urged the Japanese side to properly handle the historical issues and the Taiwan question.

The delegation, led by Chairman of the Japan Business Federation Tokura Masakazu, Chairman of Japan-China Economic Association Shindo Kosei and Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kobayashi Ken, is in Beijing on a four-day visit to China starting Tuesday.

During the meeting, Li emphasized the need to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between China and Japan and jointly safeguard stable and unimpeded industrial and supply chains.

He said that the Chinese and Japanese economies are deeply integrated with each other, playing a crucial role as the "ballast" and "propeller" in bilateral relations.

China is willing to tap into cooperation potential with Japan, share development opportunities, and support companies from both countries in strengthening cooperation in the fields of technological innovation, digital economy, green development, healthcare and elderly care to achieve higher-level mutual benefit, the premier said.

Li expressed his hope that the Japanese business community will exert a positive influence on the countries' win-win cooperation.

He assured the Japanese business leaders that China will continue to uphold the policy of opening-up, further shorten the negative list for foreign investment and fully implement the removal of all the restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector.

While ensuring the national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises, Li said that China strives to build a world-class business environment that is market-oriented and governed by a sound legal framework.

China welcomes Japanese companies to continue investing in the country, he said. It is hoped that Japan will provide an open, fair and nondiscriminatory business environment for Chinese companies in the country, he added.

Sino-Japanese relations had become strained over the past few years. However, during a meeting in November in San Francisco in the United States, President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reaffirmed jointly building a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the demands of the new era.

Observers said that the delegation's visit to China has sent positive signals about both economic and political aspects in bilateral ties, indicating the desire of the Japanese business community to maintain dialogue and communication with China in order to seek opportunities for cooperation.

The leaders of the three Japanese business organizations told Li that they look forward to both countries building a constructive and stable Japan-China relationship based on mutual benefit.

They expressed their willingness to deepen exchanges and cooperation with China in multiple areas and jointly promote regional economic cooperation.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
U.S. Border Patrol agents pick up young children and families in the blazing heat while waiting hours to pass through razor wire on the banks of the Rio Grande, Sept. 25, 2023. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS) Robert Gauthier/TNS

Regarding Some Republicans call for Texas to ignore Supreme Court border ruling: Lets see them enforce it, (Jan. 23): It is shocking to read that certain members of Congress are advocating for the state of Texas to ignore a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court allowing federal agents to remove Texas-owned razor wire along the Rio Grande. The immigration situation in this country is clearly a mess and in need of fixing, but it is a problem that has existed for many years, through both Republican and Democrat administrations. We stand little chance of our immigration policy being fixed without bipartisan support of Congress.

It is heartbreaking to read that U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, says Texas should ignore the ruling. Roy, an attorney licensed in Texas, has sworn an oath to support the Constitution of the United States. As a member of Congress, he has sworn to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Unfortunately, Roy is not alone in his belief that rulings of the Supreme Court carry no weight. Like a petulant child, he is apparently of the position that if the highest court in the land takes a position contrary to his own, he is free to disregard it.

We often hear of the rule of law and its importance to the administration of justice in an orderly society. Roy and his ilk behave as if they own the ball and that if ruled against, they get to take it and go home. Were not playing a childs game here. By pushing the state to defy a Supreme Court ruling, he has clearly disregarded his oath of office and is unfit to be a lawyer or member of Congress.

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Tim Johnson, Houston

The article cites U.S. Rep. Chip Roy as stating in a post on X (his platform of choice to deliver his thoughts to Texas citizens), This opinion is unconscionable and Texas should ignore it.

Not long ago, in November 2023, Roy went to the floor to deliver a scorching speech.I want my Republican colleagues to give me one thing  one!  that I can go campaign on and say we did. One! Roy yelled. Anybody sitting in the complex, you want to come down to the floor and come explain to me one material, meaningful, significant thing the Republican majority has done.  Now would be the time to support the bipartisan immigration reform bill negotiated in the U.S. Senate, rather than foment lawlessness.

As noted by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., in January, To my Republican friends: To get this kind of border security without granting a pathway to citizenship is really unheard of.  So to my Republican colleagues, this is a historic moment to reform the border. Roys response? The bills terrible.

This episode exemplifies why many citizens continue to express concerns about the discourse of politicians supporting unlawful acts, rather than engaging in bipartisan legislative work to find resolutions to the serious challenges our country faces at home and throughout the world. Let us not forget that immigration challenges result from global issues.

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Mary Cook, Houston

1835: You want this cannon? Come and take it. 2024: You want this razor wire? Come and take it.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott at the U.S.-Mexico border wall. His claim that states have the right to defend themselves against invasion  authority that, in Abbotts words, supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary  echoes arguments made by the South before the Civil War. The Washington Post/The Washington Post via Getty Im A child's shoe hangs in razor wire on the bank of the Rio Grande. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has declared the migration crisis an invasion  but it's clearly not the invasion of troops that the Constitution's drafters imagined. John Moore/Getty Images Migrants walk along the banks of the Rio Grande blocked with concertina wire south of Eagle Pass, Texas, Monday, July 10, 2023. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Gov. Greg Abbott made headlines on Wednesday when he claimed that the failure of the Biden administration to stem the tide of unlawful immigration has triggered a provision of the U.S. Constitution that authorizes states to defend themselves against invasion  authority that, in Abbotts words, supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary.

Abbott didnt actually propose to defy the Supreme Court. The court didnt order Abbott or other Texas officials to do anything on Monday; it only allows federal border agents to remove the barrier that Texas erected. Hence there is no mandate for state officials to ignore.

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Abbott, though, makes an argument thats a modern variation on one in vogue in the early 19th century: that states can nullify those federal laws that they believe are unconstitutional. No matter how much one might sympathize with Abbotts efforts to address current immigration problems, the power he is claiming, just like nullification itself, is utterly antithetical to the constitutional structure of our federal system in the long term  and likely will be repudiated by the Supreme Court sooner rather than later.

Abbotts claim rests on an obscure provision of Article I, Section 10  a part of the federal Constitution as it was adopted in 1787 that imposes limits on states. Under that section, states arent allowed to conduct foreign policy. They arent allowed to have their own money. They cant pass laws that retroactively impose criminal liability or legislation that declares a party guilty of a crime. And unless Congress allows them to, they cant engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

The upshot of this last clause is that war was to be a national business  one of the countless ways in which the Constitution centralized power in the federal government in response to the impotent national government (and too-powerful states) under the then-extant Articles of Confederation.

The reason why Article I carves out cases in which states are actually invaded has never been seriously disputed: At the time the Constitution was drafted, the entire regular army had fewer than 1,000 soldiers. And if the United States was invaded along one of its many land borders, it would take days  if not weeks  to muster even those forces into action.

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Just as importantly, Congress at the United States founding (and well into the 20th century) was only in session for a few months out of each year. In the early years of the Republic, it was a very real threat that British troops might invade from Canada, or Spanish troops invade from Florida, or French troops from Louisiana. In those cases, it was entirely possible  if not likely  that the federal government would be both formally and practically powerless to respond right away.

The actually invaded proviso was thus a stopgap, a recognition that states would be allowed to use their otherwise prohibited war powers until resources of the federal government can reach the invasion. So framed, the Article I exception was to allow states to supplement federal authority  not to supplant it.

What Abbott is arguing for, in contrast, is the right of states to use this language as cover for deciding for themselves that they have been invaded, and to use that as justification for interfering with federal laws that, in the states view, are preventing them from responding to the invasion. Thats not a claim about the right to engage in War (which, notably, Texas is not doing); its a claim about the right to resist federal policy not just in the short-term, but indefinitely.

In that respect, it has eerie parallels to arguments advanced by Southerners during the Antebellum era  that states have the right to nullify federal laws that they believe are unconstitutional, whether or not the courts agree with them. If anything, Abbotts claim goes even further: if hes right, then each state could use a finding of an invasion as a pretext for waging war against whomever it wants to  presumably including the federal government. After all, in Abbotts framing, what would have prevented South Carolinians from arguing in 1861 that the federal troops stationed at Fort Sumter were themselves invaders?

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If the Civil War example seems extreme, so is Abbotts rhetoric. It may make for good politics, especially with news that congressional Republicans have backed away from reform legislation at the behest of former President Donald Trump, who would rather run on the issue than work to solve it. But its very bad constitutional law.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Razor wire at the Texas border: Come and take it

And although the Supreme Court has not yet repudiated this particular argument, Abbotts behavior may soon force its hand  whether in the razor-wire case or one of the other two ongoing lawsuits between Texas and the Biden administration over border enforcement.

It was Justice Hugo Black, himself a product of Jim Crow-era Alabama, who wrote for the Supreme Court in 1947 about how these very fundamental issues over the extent of federal supremacy had been resolved by war. In thumbing his nose at that history, Abbott is sacrificing long-settled principles of constitutional federalism and risking a physical confrontation between state and federal officials along the U.S.-Mexico border. And hes doing it all in order to score short-term political points.
Mourners collect the bodies of friends and relatives killed in an airstrike on January 25 in Rafah, Gaza. The toll since the Oct. 7 war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas now exceeds 25,000 dead and 62,000 injured, according to the territory's health ministry. Two-thirds of the victims are believed to be women and children. Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images

Like many Jewish Americans, I have spent the last four months in shock and mourning. From my perch in New York City, this mindset crowds out room to absorb the tragedy unfolding in Gaza.

Most of my wifes family lives in Israel, and we visit them often. They abhor their countrys right-wing government, and encourage the organizing work I have long been active in promoting a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

I feel a strong connection to my relatives, but when I hear the melancholy tone in their voices over the phone, I know that their vulnerability in this moment is far deeper than my own. Many of my cousins have been called up to active military duty. I worry about their safety, but can hardly relate to the constant anxiety of their spouses, children and parents.

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I listen to a podcast sponsored by the Shalom Hartman Institute, a Jewish education center, where Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss the war. In one episode, Hartman explains why American Jews are more concerned than Israelis about casualties in Gaza:

being six to ten thousand miles away means that your rage and fear are different. North American Jews are feeling rage and fear at a newfound anti-Semitism that theyre experiencing orwitnessing. But the nature of distance is that youre not as consumed by that rage.

The rage he talks about was exemplified for me when I spoke to an Israeli friend, who was active in Israels peace movement and had expressed sympathy for Palestinians victimized by the occupation. He told me that when he heard that celebrations had broken out in Gaza after the Oct. 7 massacre, he lost all empathy for the civilian population.

I have no hate for Gazas civilians. Many of them detest Hamas. No parent deserves to lose a child to violence.

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My rage is aimed at the American protesters occupying train terminals and shutting down bridges, chanting from the river to the sea Palestine will be free, to vent their fury at the notion that Jews deserve a state of their own. My fear revolves around what their Jew hate will mean for my family and me.

Prior to the current crisis, I looked upon the earmarks of Jewish communal life as symbols of acceptance into Americas multicultural setting. But the conservative synagogue I worship in every Saturday, and the Jewish school and summer camps my daughter attends, have been abruptly transformed into spaces of uncertainty.

And on Oct. 7 the one place on Earth where I felt at complete ease with my Jewish self  where I could relish the Zionist promise of safety  became associated with children witnessing their parents being slaughtered, entire families burned alive, women raped and then paraded before gleeful mobs.

My anger and fear have contorted me into a defensive crouch. As Donniel Hartman put it, When youre frightened, your primary Darwinian instinct is to focus on yourself.

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I am focused on my familys future in a hostile environment; I am focused on my cousins in uniform; I am focused on the hostages, enduring an unimaginable hell; I am focused on the Jewish state, which could easily turn into an armed camp, reliving the trauma of Oct. 7 in a continuous loop.

Despite my anger and fear, I am moved by the heart-rending images I occasionally encounter of Gazans suffering through their own version of hell. But I avert my gaze as much as possible.

In this way, I am much like many Palestinians. Dr. Khalil Shikaki, a Palestinian pollster, found that the vast majority of Gazans and West Bank Arabs have not looked at the video evidence of Hamas atrocities; doing so would upset their narrative of being righteous victims. I too would find it disturbing to see documentation that countered my narrative of Jewish victimhood.

That narrative has been called into question by accusations of genocide. I agree with commentators who find the charge morally repugnant, especially since Hamas intentionally placed their military infrastructure in the path of civilians.

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Eventually liberal Zionists like me will have to grapple with more general ethical questions about Israels military response to Oct. 7. As Fareed Zakaria asked in his Washington Post column: Has it been proportional to the damage that Hamas inflicted on Israel? Has the Israeli military been careful to avoid civilian casualties? Was there another path?

MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Hamas attack on Israel is a tragedy that should outrage us all

Such a reckoning is not possible with so much of the Jewish landscape in flux. With my sense of safety upended, with fury at Hamas apologists consuming my moral vision, tribal concerns have superseded universalistic ideals.

My hope is that the conflict in the Middle East will soon stabilize, allowing me to emerge from my tribal outlook, so that I can see the pain of the other. Perhaps then, in my city, where Jews and Muslims must live as neighbors, the other will see my pain as well.
A mother of three calculates on a smart phone how much she is spending on groceries at a store in the Heights neighborhood Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in Houston, Texas. Gary Coronado/Houston Chronicle

I was on a walk the other day, ogling the varied River Oaks mansions that dot the streets sandwiched between San Felipe and Westheimer. While my inner voice (which sounds a lot like Simon Cowell) both judged and admired the excesses of these houses that I will likely never be able to afford, my attention was drawn to another voice on a podcast, NPRs TED Radio Hour, playing in my wireless headphones. The topic? Money, and how do we know when we have enough of it.

The featured guest, Aisha Nyandoro, launched a first-of-its-kind guaranteed income program in 2018. The program, specifically for low-income Black mothers in Mississippi, didnt aim to solve all of these mothers problems. But the monthly check of $1,000 for one year helped give about 100 women the breathing room they need by giving them the financial resources they need to dream a little bigger. Some moms were able to go back to school. Some got out of debt. Another was able to give her kids the simple luxury of pizza on a Friday night. All felt the money gave them more dignity and agency.

We recently ran an op-ed on Harris Countys own upcoming experiment with basic income. Several letter writers shared Charles Blains concerns over Harris Countys Uplift Program, which will give select low-income residents a $500 check every month for 18 months. I can understand where the skeptics and critics are coming from. As my dad always reminds me, Nothing in this life is free. Getting money, no strings attached, feels like a scam. In fact, it feels downright un-American. If they get money for nothing, why would recipients want to work at all?

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These questions have been raised each time the idea bubbles up, no matter whether the supporter is Martin Luther King Jr., Richard Nixon, Milton Friedman or Silicon Valley tech bros. Americans are still pretty evenly split on the concept, which has slowly been tried by more and more cities in pilot projects across blue and red states. Have they helped people, or led to dependence on handouts? I brought these questions to Nick Powell, the editorial writer who took the lead on our recent editorial that took an optimistic but tentative position on the Uplift Program. Our conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Q: One letter writer wondered, After a recipient gets their first $500 and they buy the 70-inch flat screen TV they have coveted, what next? What would you say to readers who believe that handouts rob recipients of the motivation to work and to improve their financial situation long-term?

A: I would say look at Alaska, which has the nations oldest and largest universal basic income  UBI  program. Since the early 1980s, every Alaskan has received an annual dividend check from the revenue the state generates from oil and gas drilling  somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000. Some studies have found that the program has reduced poverty in Alaska by 20%. Other studies found it hasnt impacted the job market negatively in any measurable way, and actually increases part-time work.

Q: What would you say to a letter writer concerned with how the program will be funded? Though this pilot will use federal money, he argues those are still taxpayer dollars and that the county will likely want to extend the program beyond 18 months. Harris County residents, he wrote, will be the ones to foot the bill.

A: Its certainly possible that there will be a desire to expand or extend the program if theres enough evidence that it measurably improved participants lives. But the reality is, there might not be enough money in the budget to do so. Unlike the federal government, Harris County doesnt run on budget deficits. Every dollar spent has to be accounted for. So even if the program is wildly successful, commissioners could have a tough decision to make.

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Perhaps property tax revenue will increase enough to be able to continue the program. Its also possible that revenues dwindle, and that there are too many other issues related to flood control or roads or public safety that take precedence. Its also possible that commissioners decide to raise tax rates enough to pay for it. If so, thats a political argument they will have to make to voters.

Q: What are some lessons we can learn from other long-term basic income programs in the nation?

A: Its really difficult to wrap your head around the impact of these programs in the abstract. Even reading a study, no matter how credible or convincing, might not capture it.

The closest experience Ive had with a UBI-style program is when Congress passed the American Rescue Plan and temporarily expanded the child tax credit for one year starting in 2021.

The increase in itself was a big deal for families. But what made the expansion unique is that whereas previously it was doled out in a lump sum after you filed your taxes, the ARP program disbursed the $3,600 or $3,000 in advance on a monthly basis. It functioned kind of like a basic income program.

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At the time, my wife and I had one kid under 6 who was still in pre-school. Like many families, we had to pay out of pocket for tuition. Having that extra monthly income helped us enormously in defraying those costs. It made me realize that if it could help us, a family who is privileged enough to not have to live hand to mouth, how beneficial was this program for people living in poverty? I imagine it was life-changing.

Q: Anything else you wish people better understood about basic income schemes and the people who receive that money?

A: One thing I think its important to add is that during the 12-month child tax credit expansion, child poverty in the U.S. dropped dramatically, to a historic low of 5.2% by the end of 2021. Those results created real momentum for the program to be made permanent, but those efforts stalled in Congress. As a result, the child poverty rate predictably shot right back up the following year to around 12%.

Thats powerful evidence that should destigmatize the way we view social safety net programs and the people who rely on them. Poverty causes so many problems, and yet we tend to think of it in this country as some kind of moral failure; that poor people cant be trusted, that they dont want to work, that they just want to cash welfare checks and spend them frivolously. The evidence weve seen from UBI programs across the nation provides a really effective counter to that perception.

To me, the greatest case for basic income programs is that they dont treat people paternalistically. They are inherently structured on a principle of trust: that you, the individual or family, have the freedom to use this money how you see fit.

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Fair for Houston organizers holds a press conference before delivering more than 23,000 signatures to the city secretarys office at City Hall Annex on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 in Houston. Voters approved a city charter amendment in November, requiring Houston to not participate in regional boards unless their population share is considered. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Houston City Secretary Pat Jefferson Daniel goes through boxes of signatures with Fair for Houston Communications Director Ally Smither as they delivered a petition at City Hall Annex on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 in Houston. Voters approved a city charter amendment in November, requiring Houston to not participate in regional boards unless their population share is considered. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

The Houston regions transportation board stepped into uncharted territory Friday, with suburban members of the board nixing consideration of proportional voting to satisfy a Houston ballot measure.

The decision, which could have ramifications for regional planning and potentially funding, leaves Houston members of the board caught between the will of their voters and the unwillingness of their regional peers to adjust.

We were hoping it would not come to this, but it did, Houston City Council Member Sallie Alcorn said, after the Houston-Galveston Area Councils Transportation Policy Council ended work on a proportional voting plan.

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In ending work on the plan, policy council members also denied Alcorns request for another 30 days to work on compromises, saying a deal was unattainable.

I have heard from my constituents, and they do not want to change the voting structure, period, Pearland Mayor Kevin Cole said.

Alcorn, also chairwoman of the H-GAC board of directors, said she would consult with the citys legal department about what options are available going forward. While the decision does not immediately halt projects or stop planning for new roads and transit, it casts doubt on how Houston participates.

The stalemate spurred from Houston voters in November approving Proposition B, requiring the city to withdraw from any regional group that didnt apply some form of proportional voting. Houston, while being home to roughly 30% of the regions population, has three of the 27 votes on the transportation board. Harris County has two, though both the city and county also have related agencies, such as Metropolitan Transit Authority and Port Houston, which have voting power.

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Still, the majority of the voting members on the council come from outside Houston and unincorporated Harris County. A majority of the regions population lives in the city or unincorporated county.

Organizers of Prop. B called the vote an example of exactly why they proposed the changes.

What we saw today was a lot of talk about how important coalitions and mutual support are, then they shut down any consideration, said Gabe Cazares, executive director of the advocacy group LINK Houston. Today, actions spoke louder than words.

20 YEARS OF TRAINS: Pivotal moments for Houston Metro's Light Rail

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Without Houston on the regional board, under certain scenarios, the region could begin to lose out on federal funding or become less competitive for grants when the Houston area cannot provide universal support for projects.

That risk, however, did not prompt officials to move ahead without voting changes. Calling the idea of proportional voting everything from a confusing plan to a power grab, the majority suburban members of the transportation council defended the status quo of every member of the 27-person board being equal.

In every instance, this body has come together and voted for what is best for the region, Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman said.

Very few of those votes have been contentious, but rancor has been growing since a 2021 decision to support the planned rebuild of Interstate 45 in Houston, over the objections of transportation council members from Houston and Harris County.

Since then, suburban officials have lamented changes to both H-GAC policy and project rankings, arguing they are too advantageous for urban areas as opposed to growing suburban regions.

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Disrespectful and disingenuous

Transportation council members voted 20-6 to end any work by H-GAC staff on proportional voting. The vote was opposed by Houstons three members of the committee and appointees of Harris County, Metropolitan Transit Authority and Gulf Coast Rail District.

The minority, however, had support from Fort Bend County Commissioner Grady Prestage, who pointedly called the refusal to even continue discussions pretty disrespectful and disingenuous.

We are serving a half-baked cake right now, and I think we need that month, he said in support of Alcorns request for time, though he later voted with suburban interests. I dont like the spirit of that.

Prestage added that ending the discussions wont heal some of the wounds we are going to inflict right now.

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YEAR AHEAD: Major transportation projects that will shape the Houston area in 2024

The decision follows two months of discussions on a way forward. H-GAC staff and city officials, led by Alcorn, attempted to find some compromise that satisfied the Houston ballot vote but also gave all regional officials an equal share on most matters. To do so, the proposal was for two votes in some circumstances. The first would give every member of the transportation council one vote, regardless of who they represent.

The second, if invoked and supported by two different entities, would apply a proportional standard to voting. Under that scenario, Houston and Harris County would have 46 percent of the voting power, and proportional votes would need two-thirds of voting power to pass.

If something did not win the approval of both votes, H-GAC staff or transportation council members could modify the plan and try again to find consensus.

Even with checkpoints in place, suburban officials said the second vote gives the urban core veto power over the region. Without Houston appointees, suburban areas could never receive two-thirds of the second vote, predicated simply by Houston voters.

I feel very strongly a special interest group should not be dictating policy, Zimmerman said, referring to the advocates who put the changes in front of Houston voters.

The opponents of the changes were supported by the Texas Department of Transportations leader of the Houston office, district engineer Eliza Paul.

I dont see any additional benefits on this voting structure, Paul said of the proposed changes.

Keeping everything the same, however, has the potential to continue the cycle of urban and suburban interests increasingly deviating.
Mayor John Whitmire speaks during a press conference on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

Mayor John Whitmire said Wednesday he would soon bring City Council a proposal to provide relief to residents who have received unusually high water bills.

While he declined to provide many specifics, the mayor said that if a resident received an exorbitant water bill, the city would forgive that bill and adjust the cost to either the bill from the month before the spike happened or the monthly average of the customers last 12 months of water bills  whichever figure was lower.

For the mayor, who hopes to announce details of the plan as early as next week, the issue is time sensitive.

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I have friends, residents, family members that are getting outrageous water bills, and it's outrageous that it's gotten to this point, Whitmire told the Chronicle.

TURNERS REFORM PLAN: Houston water bill relief approved by City Council as complaints skyrocket

Whitmire would not be the first mayor to tackle the water bill issue in Houston.

In December, just before former Mayor Sylvester Turner left office, City Council passed his nine-part water bill reform plan, removing the number of times residents could seek leak adjustments and giving incentives to residents who fixed leaks themselves and signed up for paperless billing.

Turners plan also allows customers to have their water meters locked for a one-time fee of $150 if they are not using them and unlocked for free if they decide to use them again. Additionally, it addresses an ordinance change that prevents Houston Public Works, which oversees the citys water operations, from correcting water bills that are more than three months old unless the bills are being corrected in the customers favor.

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This plan has already led to some relief, according to Public Works spokeswoman Erin Jones. As a result of the ordinance changes, Public Works has processed 1,621 high water bill adjustments and provided $1.87 million in credits since Jan. 10. The city has received 2,300 new requests for adjustments since the changes were approved, she added.

Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, one of three council members who helped lead the push for water bill reform, told the Chronicle Thursday that she had not heard about Whitmires plan, but said that she liked the sound of it.

I think it would be a good plan to help give people some relief, she said.

HOUSTON WATER BILLS: Houstonians battle soaring water bills as equipment failures and staff shortage complicate charges

Public Works often resorts to estimating customers water usage when their automatic meter readers malfunction and there are not enough staff in the department to manually read those meters. As many as 125,000 meters fail to provide automatic readings in a given month, Public Works Director Carol Haddock said at a December news conference.

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Meanwhile, the algorithm the city uses to estimate these bills is not always accurate, and the process to dispute these charges can be lengthy, according to city officials and residents.

Marvin Hamilton, a retiree who sold his Third Ward rental property in September, is a Houston resident who recently disputed his water bill. He was shocked when he received a $5000 water bill for his last month of ownership, telling the Chronicle that he normally received a monthly bill between $150 to $160.
Pro-abortion advocates clash with anti-abortion supporters who crashed their protest Thursday evening. Thursday was the first day Texas trigger laws which go into effect after the recent Supreme Court ruling on abortion. Jessica Phelps Bianca Arvin of Lago Vista holds up a clothing hanger that says warning this is not a surgical instrument during an abortion rights protest outside of the Texas State Capitol Tuesday, May 3, 2022, in Austin, Texas. The protest was organized by Rainbow Coalition Austin and Texas Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights as a reaction to a leaked opinion draft from the Supreme Court that shows the court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News A large crowd listens to speakers during the Ban Off Our Bodies abortion rights rally held at Milam Park in Downtown San Antonio, Texas, Saturday afternoon, Oct. 2, 2021. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Abortion-rights demonstrators protest outside the Bob Casey Federal Courthouse Friday, June, 24, 2022, in Houston, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade that guaranteed womens constitutional right to an abortion. Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Gov. Greg Abbotts vow that Texas would work to eliminate rape has drawn renewed attention after a newly published study estimated there had been more than 26,000 rape-related pregnancies in Texas in the 16 months since the state outlawed abortion.

The governors comments came days after a 2021 Texas law took effect banning abortion starting around six weeks of pregnancy, when many people do not yet know they are pregnant. Asked about the bills lack of exceptions for rape, Abbott said Texas will work tirelessly to make sure that we eliminate all rapists from the streets, stating that goal No. 1 in the state of Texas is to eliminate rape.

FILE - In this March 16, 2020, file photo, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a news conference in San Antonio. Gov. Abbott, in defending Texas' near-ban on abortions, says women and girls who are raped won't be forced to give birth because the new law "provides at least six weeks for a person to be able to get an abortion." But that's not how pregnancy works. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) Eric Gay, STF / Associated Press

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The study, published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, highlights the difficulty of reaching Abbotts goal for a crime that goes unreported to police in nearly 4 out of every 5 cases, according to federal statistics. The vast majority of reported rapes are committed by a perpetrator who knows the victim, often in domestic settings, further complicating Abbotts approach to target rapists by aggressively going out and arresting them and prosecuting them and getting them off the streets.

Democratic state senators said the new findings should outrage all of us.

Women and girls across our state are enduring unwanted pregnancies, suffering from life-endangering complications in desired pregnancies and fleeing the state for medical care, the upper chambers 13 Democratic lawmakers said in a Thursday news release. We cannot allow this to be the new norm.

Abbotts office did not immediately respond to a request for comment; the governor is abroad this week on a trip to India.

A year after his initial comment, when Texas current and more stringent abortion ban took effect, Abbott told a Dallas TV station that he wants to ensure rape victims can access health care immediately so they can get the Plan B pill that can prevent a pregnancy from occurring in the first place. The emergency contraceptive only works if taken within a few days and carries a $50 price tag that could make it inaccessible to low-income Texans.

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Abortion rights activists gather outside of the Texas State Capitol Tuesday, May 3, 2022, for an emergency protest in Austin, Texas. The protest was organized by Rainbow Coalition Austin and Texas Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights as a reaction to a leaked opinion draft from the Supreme Court that shows the court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Texas abortion ban only has one exception  to save the life of the mother and not for cases of rape or incest. Its unclear exactly how many rapes have resulted in pregnancies since the ban took effect in August 2022  the study was an estimate based on several sources. But advocates say rape is a prevalent problem.

The GOP-controlled Legislature last year passed several bipartisan measures aimed at combating sexual assault and improving services for survivors. Those included hiking penalties for some repeat offenders, mandating new trauma-informed training for law enforcement officers, offering survivors reimbursement for medical costs and requiring timely coordination between crime labs and law enforcement on sexual assault cases.

Most of the measures were recommendations from the Sexual Assault Survivors Task Force, which launched in 2020 and is housed in the governors office. The group is made up of survivors, advocacy groups, state agencies, and public safety and medical organizations.

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Lawmakers passed nearly all of the task forces recommendations in 2023, but they did not approve one major proposal to fully define consent in state law  an update that the task force said would provide clear protection for victims of sexual assault in circumstances not explicitly covered by current Texas law.

Reya Zamani speaks to the crowd with a bullhorn during a protest against the Supreme Courts decision to reverse Roe v. Wade at the Federal Courthouse on Friday, June 24, 2022 in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

The House backed the legislation, which would have clarified that a person commits sexual assault if they know or reasonably should know that the other person is unaware that the assault is happening, has withdrawn consent, or is intoxicated and unable to give consent. The bill never got a hearing in the Senate.

Texas law currently defines sexual assault as the use of force, violence, coercion or threats, among other situations. But this definition does not encompass the many different situations in which an assault can occur, the bill analysis states.

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Abbotts comment on eliminating rape came just months before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating federal abortion protections. After Texas implemented its near-total ban, from September 2022 through last August, Texas law enforcement reported a total of 15,022 rapes. The total was virtually unchanged from recent years, according to Department of Public Safety data.

Emilee D. Whitehurst, CEO of Houston Area Women's Center, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, at Houston Area Women's Center in Houston. HAWC is a rape crisis center that provides a 24-hour sexual assault hotline and crisis counseling. Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

In response to the studys new estimate, Rose Luna, the CEO of the advocacy group Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, said the organization is profoundly disheartened that our state fails to afford a woman her fundamental right to make personal health care decisions, especially in the aftermath of a sexual assault. Members of the organization are a part of the states Sexual Assault Survivors Task Force.

Emilee Whitehurst, president and CEO of the Houston Area Womens Center, which provides support for sexual assault survivors, said there is a misconception that rape is only ever committed by strangers. For many of her clients, the perpetrator is someone they know.

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Whitehurst said she shares in Abbotts goal, but abortion bans make an already difficult situation worse. Not having access to abortion makes it harder for victims to leave and increases the likelihood that they are abused or even killed by their abuser, she said.
Attorney General Ken Paxton addresses the crowd during a rally in support of Republican District 21 candidate David Covey, who's looking to unseat Speaker of the House Dade Phelan in the upcoming election. Photo made Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 Kim Brent/Beaumont Enterprise Kim Brent Attorney General Ken Paxton addresses the crowd during a rally in support of Republican District 21 candidate David Covey. Kim Brent

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is seeking medical records from a Georgia telehealth clinic that offers gender transition care to young people in Texas and other states where the treatment has been banned.

The request, confirmed by the clinics founder, is similar to one Paxton sent to Seattle Childrens Hospital last year. Seattle Childrens has sued to block the release. LGBTQ advocates have criticized Paxtons effort as fear-mongering.

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The attorney general has not discussed the Seattle inquiry publicly, and his office has declined to say how many medical facilities its targeting in total or why. The agency is seeking to withhold records of any other similar petitions, which Hearst Newspapers requested under the states public information law.

But the investigation appears to be broader than originally known.

People unfurl a banmner reading Let trans kids grow up from the second floor of the rotunda at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on May 2, 2023. People gathered at the Capitol to protest SB 14, a bill that would ban gender affirming healthcare for young trans people. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Karen Loewy, a lawyer with Lambda Legal, which represents Texas families of transgender children, said she has spoken with a handful of people whose organizations have received demands similar to Seattle Childrens. She declined to name them or give an exact number.

The provider in Georgia, QueerMed, serves patients from nearly all states, including Texas. The groups founder, Dr. Izzy Lowell, said she had consulted with her lawyers but couldnt otherwise comment on how she plans to respond to Paxtons request.

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Im not breaking any laws, Lowell said. We are doing everything by the book according to state law.

The push from Paxton comes as Texas Republicans are stepping up efforts to prevent young transgender people from receiving medicine commonly prescribed to treat gender dysphoria, or psychological distress over a desire to be of another gender. The GOP-led state enacted a law last year that made it illegal for doctors to prescribe puberty blockers or hormone therapy and to perform surgeries for minors. The Texas Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday in a case challenging the law.

Paxtons agency is asking Seattle Childrens and other providers for a range of documents, including the number of Texas children treated, which medications were prescribed and standard protocols for treating gender dysphoria. He sent the request, known as a civil investigative demand, to the hospital on Nov. 17. Lowell said she received a similar demand letter, though she declined to share a copy.

Legal experts and LGBTQ advocates say Paxton has little power to force hospitals outside of Texas to comply with his demands. The Texas ban, Senate Bill 14, only allows Paxton to sue providers in the state.

J.J. Holsinger, 12, leans against Bex Holsinger as they listen to speakers during a rally for transgender rights held outside the Texas Governors Mansion in Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2022. LGBTQ+ advocates the rally to protest Gov. Greg Abbott's directive allowing the state's child welfare agency to investigate parents who allow their transgender children to receive gender-affirming care as child abusers. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

There is nothing in SB 14 that authorizes this whatsoever, Loewy said. I dont really understand how on earth this is anything other than a scare tactic of trying to stop families in Texas from lawfully traveling someplace else to obtain medically necessary care for their kids.

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Ricardo Martinez, CEO of Equality Texas, said Paxton was grasping for power beyond the state boundaries.

He has no other motive than to intimidate and terrify law-abiding Texas families, Martinez said.

Paxton unusually quiet

Sharona Hoffman, a professor of law and bioethics at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, said Paxtons requests could be blocked by a federal law restricting the release of medical information, known as HIPAA. The law contains an exception for criminal investigations, but its unclear what law enforcement role Paxton would be taking  or have the power to take  here.

A government cannot just say, Were interested in this, were not going to do anything with this, spill the beans,' Hoffman said.

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Paxton and the attorney generals office have been unusually quiet about the inquiry. The agency declined to release records that would name other hospitals or providers targeted by the investigative demand letters, citing pending and anticipated litigation, including the Seattle Childrens case.

The office frequently attaches copies of the letters to news releases. It has done so eight times in the last 18 months, according to a review of the agencys website.

A transgender pride flag flies during a rally for transgender rights held outside the Texas Governors Mansion in Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2022. LGBTQ+ advocates the rally to protest Gov. Greg Abbott's directive allowing the state's child welfare agency to investigate parents who allow their transgender children to receive gender-affirming care as child abusers. Josie Norris / San Antonio Express-News

Last month, a Washington judge blocked Seattle Childrens from releasing records, citing a new state law meant to protect people from civil or criminal legal actions based on out-of-state bans on gender transition care. The hospital then filed a suit against Paxton in Texas, arguing the state does not have jurisdiction and that releasing the information would violate state and federal privacy laws as well as the Washington judges order. That complaint remains pending.

Lowell opened her clinic in 2017 to expand access to medical care for transgender people via telemedicine, which she viewed at the time as a short-term form of resistance against the Trump administration.

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Back then, I thought naively, 'Well, Ill do this for five years until its readily available for everyone,' she said. Obviously, I could not have been more wrong.

The unfairness and blatant discrimination and harassment and persecution of trans people in this country right now is outrageous, and Im only becoming more and more passionate about it (transgender medicine) as things have gotten worse.

Texas is one of at least 22 states, including Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, that have banned transition care for minors in recent years. Paxton also cleared the way for the states child protective services agency to begin investigating parents of transgender youth for child abuse, though that policy has been paused by a Texas court.

Republican state lawmakers have said they want to protect children from making life-altering decisions before they turn 18, the legal age of maturity. Many have also questioned the research behind the interventions and said more data is needed on long-term effects. Most medical associations support transition-related care.

Lowell declined to discuss in detail how she serves Texas patients. She said previously that patients typically travel to a nearby state where transgender care is legal and where she is licensed. Many patients end up doing a telehealth visit from the car, as she told the magazine Mother Jones in 2022.

Attendees hold up signs in support of transgender people during the March for Trans Youth held at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, on March 1, 2022. The rally was held in response to Governor Greg Abbotts recent order seeking to classify gender affirming care for transgender young people as child abuse as well as ordering state child welfare officials to launch child abuse investigations into reports of young people receiving such care. Josie Norris / San Antonio Express-News

The telehealth setup that Lowell uses is similar to what doctors have resorted to using to prescribe abortion pills to people in states like Texas that have banned the procedure in most circumstances.

But unlike an abortion pill, which is typically a one-time need, hormone therapy requires appointments once every three months to discuss treatment, monitor the patients vitals and ensure dosage is correct, she said.

The Texas investigation will not impact her practice, she said.
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam reportedly fired four employees and suspended security guards and public service workers after the misconduct that happened during the Pokemon exhibit.

According to the report, one particular employee also stole a box of Pokemon cards which are exclusive to the special exhibit.

Read Also: McDonald's Launches New Pokemon Happy Meal

Van Gogh Museum Employees Broke Codes of Conduct at Pokemon Exhibit

Last September 2023, the Van Gogh Museum and the Pokemon Company collaborated to create a special exhibit that will commemorate Pokemon's 50th anniversary. The exhibit was open from September 28, 2023, to January 7, 2024.

Due to the event's extreme popularity, scalpers quickly swarmed the exhibit to hoard the special Pokemon cards. The merch was quickly sold out only days after it opened, leading to the company apologizing to fans.

However, the gravest incident is that several employees have allegedly provided ticket purchase information to other people. Aside from that, an employee was also charged with embezzling the cards.

The Pokemon Company Events Face Issues With Scalpers

Before the event, the museum was forced to remove the Pokemon promo cards to prevent any controversy and further safety concerns. According to the report, Pikachu with the Grey Felt Hat was the most popular card at the event.

Previously, the company also faced a similar issue with a Happy Meal collaboration with McDonald's. Scalpers were quick to hoard the cards which were resold to other people at an expensive price.

Meanwhile, The Pokemon Company has promised that it is taking steps to discourage and prevent scalping. For instance, the latest Happy Meal collaboration last year had a policy of one toy at a time with the meal to prevent hoarding.

Related Article: Van Gogh Museum Collaborates with Pokemon for 50th Anniversary Celebration
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) are now investigating GM's autonomous car company, Cruise, months after a driverless car hit and dragged a pedestrian.

In October 2023, Cruise made headlines after one of its autonomous cars hit a pedestrian and eventually dragged her by 20 feet in San Francisco, California.

Read Also: San Francisco Sues California Regulators for Allowing Self-Driving Cars in the City

Cruise Shares Third-Party Findings of Incident

In a blog post, Cruise revealed the findings of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan about the October 2, 2023 incident. According to the report, it was a side impact with the pedestrian which eventually got pulled forward by 20 feet and dragged the individual in the process.

"This sequence of events caused serious injury. The hearts of all Cruise employees continue to be with the pedestrian and we hope for her ongoing recovery," the company added.

Weeks after the incident, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suspended the company's driverless permit. Since then, Cruise has voluntarily paused its nationwide driverless, supervised, and manual AV driving operations. The company also assigned a new Chief Safety Officer and interim leader to guide the employees.

Cruise Acknowledges Failure on AV Operations

Cruise promised that the company would act on all of the recommendations from the third-party results. Along with this, the company also acknowledges its lapses and failure to live up to the expectations of the regulators and the community.

The AV operator assured the public that it is now "fully cooperating" with the state and federal regulators. This includes the California DMV, California Public Utilities Commission, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOJ, and SEC.

"We know our license to operate must be earned and is ultimately granted by regulators and the communities we serve. We are focused on advancing our technology and earning back public trust," Cruise added.

Related Article: Cruise Dismisses 900 Employees Amid Suspended Operations
Xi, Macron eye stronger ties

08:56, January 26, 2024 By Zhang Yunbi ( Chinadaily.com.cn

President Xi Jinping delivers a video address to a reception celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France in Beijing on Thursday. Li Xueren / Xinhua

At a high-end reception marking the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties in downtown Beijing on Thursday, both President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron delivered video speeches and voiced hopes on taking the relations to a greater height.

Xi said that looking ahead to the next 60 years, China and France will work together to create greater glories.

When asking both sides to unswervingly develop bilateral relations, Xi set a clear goal of "responding to the uncertainties of the world with the stability of China-France relations".

Among the members of the European Union, France is China's third-largest trading partner and third-largest source of actual investment. China is France's top trading partner in Asia and seventh-largest in the world.

Over the past 60 years, the annual bilateral trade volume has soared more than 800-fold to reach $81.2 billion in 2022.

In terms of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation, Xi said Beijing and Paris should deepen traditional cooperation and "actively tap the potential of cooperation in emerging areas" such as green industry and clean energy.

He emphasized the need to "keep making the cake bigger" and "use openness to pool the strength of cooperation and share development opportunities".

Regarding cooperation on the international stage, Xi said the two sides should jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, and "make further China-France contributions to maintaining world peace and stability and addressing global challenges".

He referred to two major events on the agenda this year as "opportunities"  the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism and the Paris Summer Olympic Games, voicing hopes on expanding cultural exchanges and fostering bonds between the two peoples.

In his video address, Macron said the Year of Culture and Tourism should be used as an opportunity for closer interaction between the two peoples, especially young people, in order to cement the foundations for the future of France-China relations.

The two countries today "have the responsibility to build on the ambitious goals established in 1964" and jointly build a partnership that "meets the needs of both peoples and contributes to world peace and stability", he said.

Paris is ready to work hand in hand with Beijing to "tackle global challenges and contribute to the resolution of international crises", he added.

When addressing the reception, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China and France "are both major countries with a sense of global responsibilities", they both advocate multilateralism, and they should lead the steady long-term growth of China-EU ties.

Beijing will "offer more convenience" for foreign investors including those from France, and Paris is expected to shape a fair, just and predictable business environment for Chinese businesses, he added.

French Ambassador to China Bertrand Lortholary said Paris will work with Beijing to further realize the consensus reached by the two heads of state and carry forward the great momentum of bilateral ties.

In their video speeches, both presidents noted the fact that in 1964, Chairman Mao Zedong and General Charles de Gaulle pushed for the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Xi defined this as "a major event in the history of international relations", saying that the two great statesmen "opened the gate toward China-West contacts and cooperation, bringing hope to a world in the midst of the Cold War".

He praised China-France relations over the past 60 years as "always marching on the forefront of China's relations with Western countries", and he endorsed the "China-France spirit" of independence and self-reliance, mutual understanding, foresight and mutual benefit.

In face of the changes in the new era, China and France should honor their original aspiration for forging their relations, "actively face the future and dare to make a difference", Xi said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
(Photo : Unsplash/Maxime Dore )

General Motors' (GM) Cruise autonomous vehicle unit has faced regulatory oversights and coverup concerns since October, with culture issues, ineptitude, and poor leadership, according to the findings of a third-party investigation.

The report, in part, deals with the controversy surrounding Cruise's robotaxi in San Francisco, where a pedestrian was dragged 20 feet by a Cruise robotaxi after being hit by another vehicle. The investigation results, published in a 105-page report on Thursday, examined whether Cruise representatives provided misleading information regarding the incident to investigators or the media.

Despite revealing widespread issues with company culture, the third-party investigation concluded that there is no evidence to suggest that Cruise leadership or personnel intended to deceive or mislead regulators during briefings a day after the accident, according to a summary released by Cruise.

READ ALSO: NHTSA Mass Recall on 52 Million Airbag Inflators Linked to Drivers' Fatalities, Automakers Strongly Oppose

Alleged Misinformation

Former Cruise leaders and employees tried to present regulators with a video of the incident but faced difficulties in multiple initial meetings due to connection or "video transmission issues." Despite the initial intent to share the information, the report noted that Cruise representatives later failed to adequately inform some regulators or officials about all the details. When the video froze, literally and figuratively, the Cruise "employees froze at the moment, and no one thought to speak up and fill in the details," a person close to the investigation told CNBC. Some employees also neglected to revise or rectify company statements that left out this information and shifted the blame onto the human hit-and-run driver who initially hit the pedestrian.

Reasons for Cruise's Failings

The report details several occasions when then-CEO and co-founder Kyle Vogt, who resigned in late November, ultimately decided to withhold information, causing both regulators and the media to accuse Cruise of misleading them, saying, "The reasons for Cruise's failings in this instance are numerous: poor leadership, mistakes in judgment, lack of coordination, an 'us versus them' mentality with regulators, and a fundamental misapprehension of Cruise's obligations of accountability and transparency to the government and the public."

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, the law firm retained by GM and Cruise for the three-month investigation, interviewed 88 Cruise employees and examined over 200,000 documents, which included emails, texts, Slack messages, and other records.

The inquiry was overseen by former federal prosecutor John Potter, a San Francisco-based partner, co-leading Quinn Emanuel's corporate investigations group, renowned for representing notable figures like Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Cruise Accepts Report

Following the incident, local and federal governments initiated investigations. Cruise's robotaxi fleet was grounded and underwent significant leadership changes, with its co-founders, including Vogt, resigning and nine other leaders being removed. The company also laid off 24% of its workforce and a group of contractors.

In which GM holds about 80% ownership, Cruise said that it "accepts" the report's findings, will act on all recommendations, and fully cooperate with state and federal investigations into the October 2 accident.

The company mentioned on Thursday that investigations into the incident involve the California DMV, California Public Utilities Commission, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Justice, and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

According to the Quinn Emanuel findings, it was an incorrect approach for Cruise or any other business to assert that a video of an accident causing severe injury gives regulators all the necessary information and excuses them from fully informing regulators of all relevant facts.

RELATED ARTICLE: GM CEO Mary Barra Celebrates 10 Years, Highlighting Legacy as She Navigates a Transforming Industry

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Unsplash/Flipsnack)

In five years, remote work has evolved from a less common perk to a highly desired privilege for which people are actively vying.

The desire for remote jobs remains high, exceeding the available opportunities. In December 2023, remote job listings on LinkedIn accounted for less than 10%, down from a peak of 20.6% in March 2022, despite nearly half of job seekers expressing a preference for remote roles.

Remote Jobs Won't Vanish Completely

According to Atlassian co-founder and co-CEO Scott Farquhar, remote jobs won't vanish entirely, although they might become more challenging to come by. The Australian software company implemented a "Team Anywhere" policy in 2020, allowing employees to work remotely, in person, or a hybrid manner.

Stricter Guardrails in 2024

Farquhar suggests that in 2024, the most significant change in remote work will be companies implementing stricter and more permanent guardrails for their remote or hybrid work setups, enforcing employees to come into the office 1-2 days a week without specifying which days or enforcing in-office attendance, and then at the same time, give employees who don't live close to the office permission to work from home.

Turning from a Flexible Phase to a Committed and Specific Arrangement

A recent LinkedIn report highlights a shift toward hybrid work structures as companies aim to meet employee demands for flexibility and employers' preference for in-office attendance. The report indicates that hybrid job postings surpass remote job ads on the platform. Regardless of the chosen structure, Farquhar expects more organizations to transition from the experimental, flexible phase of remote work to a committed and specific arrangement.

"I think more employers are realizing that it's not very productive to have some people in the office, some fully remote, and try to make it work," says Farquhar.

Mixed Messages About Remote Work and RTO

Even though some companies have implemented stricter in-office rules for employees, the actual office occupancy has stayed relatively consistent from 2022 to 2023.

Farquhar notes that employees are receiving conflicting messages about returning to the office from their employers, making it challenging for them to comprehend and trust their exact position. The same issue occurs for companies with fully remote setups, where conflicts can quickly arise without clear guidelines.

READ ALSO: The No. 1 Challenge Executives Face Without Constant In-Office Supervision

Initially, Atlassian permitted employees to work in their preferred time zone, with approval from managers, as long as they were in one of the 13 countries where Atlassian is legally recognized.

Farquhar discovered that while Atlassian makes exceptions for one or two people to work in Japan, the rest of their team is 12 or 14 hours behind, ultimately affecting their job satisfaction. Implementing certain restrictions on employees' location flexibility, such as assigning designated time zones for each team, has been beneficial, according to Farquhar. However, he acknowledges that Atlassian hasn't fully perfected this approach yet, having to decline candidates who couldn't adjust to their team's time zone and had to clarify location policies.

Farquhar believes more remote companies may soon introduce restrictions on employee locations to avoid tax and workflow issues. Ultimately, employers will realize they can't have it both ways. In other words, if they allow some people to work remotely, they can't compel local employees to come into the office to justify lease expenses. Farquhar emphasizes the need for a consistent, clear policy and fair access to benefits to prevent employees from leaving.

RELATED ARTICLE: The Future of Workforce: 2023 Remote Work Trends

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Unsplash/Aleh Tsikhanau)

Finding a remote job in the U.S. is becoming more challenging, but there may be better opportunities to work from home for a overseas company.

The Growing Demand for Remote Positions Outside The U.S.

The State of Global Hiring Report from Deel, an HR platform focused on global hiring, reveals a 62% increase in the hiring of American workers by international companies last year, analyzed from 300,000 contracts between Deel customers and workers, covering both contractors and full-time employees, where approximately 85% are for remote positions predominantly hired in the U.K., Canada, France, Singapore, and Australia.

According to Deel CEO Alex Bouaziz, the increase in U.S. workers seeking remote jobs with overseas headquarters appears to be linked to the reduction of remote roles within the U.S., where people are leaving jobs with return-to-office mandates to work remotely, allowing Deel to hire some of the best talent from those companies.

Workers with In-Demand Skills Being Hired Internationally

Global employers aim to access the vast U.S. talent market, seeking to import the culture that has contributed to the success of some of the world's largest enterprises to their own countries.

Americans working remotely for international employers are often based in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Austin, and Miami. According to Bouaziz, these U.S. economic hubs are a rich pool to hire highly skilled workers with unique product development, growth, and sales expertise. Typical remote jobs include research, sales, software engineering, content, and product development roles. Many of these companies contemplate replicating the successful playbook developed in the U.S. Bouaziz explains, "One approach is to bring U.S. workers to their companies."

In terms of age, about half of American workers with contracts through Deel are between 25 and 34 years old. Additionally, 18% fall in the 35 to 44 age group, while 25% are 45 years or older.

READ ALSO: The No. 1 Challenge Executives Face Without Constant In-Office Supervision

The Pros and Cons of Working Remote Internationally

Working remotely for an international company involves more than just working from home. In addition to dealing with taxes and other HR compliance matters, Bouaziz highlights the importance of considering time zone differences. For example, a Californian working for a company based in Europe may need to adjust to early hours, depending on the setup of the company's distributed workforce.

Cultural differences involve aspects like holiday time off and communication norms, which are important to comprehend and accept to ensure everyone feels comfortable and performs their best work while being considerate, according to Bouaziz.

On the positive side, embracing the work culture norms of a different country can be advantageous, where you might enjoy a different communication style or a unique outlook on work-life balance. According to Bouaziz, you may thrive in an organization with more diversity if you collaborate with colleagues from multiple countries, which can go beyond the workplace, offering a different perspective on the world.

Bringing a company to a new U.S. market can be an intriguing challenge, and you might have the opportunity to be among the first to introduce U.S. culture to an international organization, notes Bouaziz.

RELATED ARTICLE: Stricter Guardrails in Remote Work and RTO in 2024, Says Atlassian CEO Scott Farquhar

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
By Lee Yeon-woo

Pension funds, widely regarded as major players in the Korean stock market, have maintained a selling trend so far this year, offloading approximately 1 trillion won ($748 million) worth of stocks. The continued selling has raised concerns, as it adds to the challenges faced by an already weakened stock market.

According to the Korea Exchange, Friday, pension funds net sold 909.5 billion won in the domestic stock market from Jan. 2 to Thursday. During this period, they maintained a consistent selling trend, displaying a net sell-off for 15 consecutive trading days, except for just three trading days this year.

Samsung Electronics has been the primary target of the sell-offs by pension funds. POSCO Holdings ranks second in terms of the volume sold by these funds. Other notable stocks that have seen significant sell-offs by pension funds include SK Innovation, Hyundai Mobis, Samsung SDI, and Hotel Shilla.

The Korea Exchange has identified pension funds as the main agents, which include the National Pension Service (NPS), the Government Employees Pension Service, the Teachers' Pension, and Korea Post. Notably, the NPS, ranked as the world's second-largest pension fund, holds a dominant share of those listed entities.

The NPS' recent sell-off in the stock market is not a short-term phenomenon.

In 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NPS had actively purchased domestic stocks to support the faltering market, investing 5.7 trillion won from March to May as the market plummeted.

However, following the KOSPI's peak at 3,266.23 next year, the NPS has shifted its strategy and continuously sold off stocks. This is in line with its asset allocation strategy, which aims to reduce the domestic stock proportion of its portfolio to 15 percent by 2025, while increasing investments in foreign shares.

Notably, the proportion of domestic stocks in the NPS' portfolio this year has already fallen below the targeted level. Despite this, the NPS continues to sell, even though there is no regulatory requirement for such a disinvestment.

Market observers have expressed concerns that the NPS' recent net selling appears excessive, even when considering its strategic shift. The KOSPI is currently undergoing one of the most significant declines among major international stock markets.

Moreover, this trend is seen as being out of sync with the government's strategy of implementing various incentives to bolster the stock market.

"While the causes of the market's early-year decline are varied, the current concern is the net selling by pension funds," Kang Dae-seok, an analyst at Yuanta Securities said. "As the allocation of domestic stocks in major pension funds' portfolio is below their target proportions, it seems unlikely that this selling trend will continue indefinitely. Nevertheless, it's crucial for investors to formulate strategies focusing on industries less likely to be affected by this offloading of stocks."
The company of famed food entrepreneur Paik Jong-won on Friday signed an initial agreement with the defense ministry to offer advice to improve dining operations amid efforts to enhance troop living conditions.

The ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with TheBorn Korea to come up with measures to improve cafeteria meals, and develop recipes and kitchen utensils suitable for the military.

Under the MOU, the two sides will choose a trial unit to employ such measures and advice from the company next month, with an aim to ultimately establish a standard model for improvement in mess hall operations, according to the ministry.

They also agreed to make efforts to provide employment support for service members who serve as cooks after their discharge.

At the signing ceremony, Paik said he hoped to make efforts to change the military dining experience, noting his son would have to serve in the military in about 10 years, according to the ministry.

Paik, known for his popular franchise restaurants, such as Paik's BBQ, recently starred in the variety show "The Backpacker Chef," where he showed interest in military dining by cooking meals for soldiers at mess halls.

The restaurateur is a retired Army officer and previously oversaw dining operations at the 7th Artillery Brigade during his service, according to the ministry.

All able-bodied South Korean men are currently required to serve at least 18 months in the military due to constant threats from North Korea. (Yonhap)
A Pentagon spokesperson expressed concerns Thursday that North Korea's arms support to Russia would prolong the war in Ukraine, as additional U.S. military aid to the war-torn country has been stalled amid a political logjam.

Deputy Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh made the remarks as the U.S. has revealed Pyongyang supplied Moscow with several dozen ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine, in addition to its earlier supplies of military equipment and munitions.

"We are very concerned about the relationship between Russia and the DPRK. It speaks to Russia that they have to seek support when it comes to funding their own capabilities from countries like Iran ... the DPRK," she told a press briefing. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"The continuing funding, the continuing support of these countries does prolong the war. That is something that we are concerned about," she added.

Regarding a question of whether the Pentagon downplayed the impact of the North's initial support for Russia, Singh said she did not remember the Pentagon ever suggesting that the North's aid to Russia was not that big of a deal.

"I think it's a concern when other countries are providing Russia with munitions that are killing Ukrainians and innocent Ukrainian civilians," she said. "I think we've always said that's been a big concern of ours."

Asked if the U.S. has knowledge of additional arms shipments from the North to Russia, she said she has nothing to announce. (Yonhap)
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong has arrived in North Korea, Pyongyang's state media reported Friday, as the two countries are marking the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations this year.

A delegation of Chinese diplomats, led by Sun, arrived in the North's capital Thursday via the border city of Sinuiju, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a short dispatch.

The KCNA did not give details of his itinerary, but the visit appears to be a reciprocal trip after North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong-ho visited China in December.

Pak and Sun held high-level talks in Beijing last month to exchange views on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic ties in 2024.

During the visit to Pyongyang, Sun is expected to meet with ranking North Korean officials to discuss ways to boost bilateral cooperation. He could also pay a courtesy call to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

China is North Korea's key ally and economic benefactor.

The North's leader has been seeking to strengthen solidarity with China and Russia vis-a-vis the strengthening of security cooperation among South Korea, the United States and Japan.

Meanwhile, the delegation appears to have used a land route linking the Chinese border city of Dandong and the North's Sinuiju for the latest visit instead of a flight.

Sun was greeted by officials at North Korea's foreign ministry and a Chinese minister stationed in Pyongyang on the border bridge, according to Rodong Sinmun, North Korea's main newspaper.

North Korea partially opened its border last year following years of its COVID-19-related border closure. The reclusive regime resumed the operations of flights connecting Pyongyang and Beijing in August last year, but it appears to be running them in a limited manner to bring North Korean workers abroad back home. (Yonhap)
Bilateral normalization enhances economic, diplomatic and military ties

Editors note This article is the third in a four-part series that provides an analysis of South Koreas diplomatic situation with neighboring countries at the start of 2024.  ED.

By Kim Hyun-bin

Under President Yoon Suk Yeol's leadership, South Korea and Japan are witnessing a notable enhancement in their relations, marked by increased economic interactions, strengthened diplomatic ties and strategic alignment in the military domain. Many experts anticipate that this positive trend will continue throughout 2024.

"Up until this year, the relationship has consistently improved, and there is a high possibility that the level and depth of cooperation will continue," said Park Won-gon, a professor at Ewha Womans University.

"Not only in the defense aspect but overall, relations have improved to the point of shuttle diplomacy in all fields, the relationship has normalized."

On the diplomatic front, President Yoon's administration has undertaken high-level talks with Japan to bolster ties and address historical grievances. There has been increased dialogue on regional and global issues through diplomatic channels. Agreements on cultural exchanges and educational partnerships underscore a shared commitment to building people-to-people connections and mutual understanding.

This year, due to the distortion of the South Korea-Japan relationship during the Moon Jae-in administration, I think there might be continuous efforts to address and resolve that distortion, said Kim Young-ho, a political science professor at Yonsei University.

There are new variables with the upcoming U.S. presidential election and our general elections; there may be various factors to consider. Still, I believe that Yoon government's approach to Japan will remain consistent.

Progress has been made via efforts to address historical issues, with both nations acknowledging the importance of reconciliation. The establishment of a joint historical research commission signifies a joint commitment to confronting shared challenges transparently.

"Given the very different historical perceptions between South Korea and Japan, it's not possible to conclude or fully resolve them. The best approach is to manage these issues to prevent them from damaging the overall relationship," Park said.

In the military domain, South Korea and Japan have taken steps to enhance strategic cooperation in response to evolving regional security challenges. Joint military exercises and intelligence-sharing agreements address shared concerns over regional stability, aiming to promote a united front for peace and stability.

The trilateral alliance with the United States has played a crucial role in strengthening the military dimension of the South Korea-Japan relationship. Trilateral dialogues and joint defense initiatives create a framework for coordinated responses to emerging security challenges, fostering a sense of collective security among the three nations.

The military cooperation between Korea, the U.S. and Japan is no longer a matter of something we may or may not do but rather something we must do in terms of regional security, Kim said.

Especially for us, taking a proactive stance on the U.S.-Korea-Japan military cooperation is crucial. As a force in the region, South Korea-U.S.-Japan security cooperation not only contributes to regional security but also the security of North Korea."

Both nations are actively engaging in economic collaboration, actively nurturing trade partnerships and investment opportunities. Comprehensive bilateral agreements have streamlined economic exchanges, fostering mutual growth and stability. Collaborative efforts in technology, innovation and infrastructure development are establishing a strong foundation for ongoing cooperation.

The recent expansion of the South Korea-Japan Economic Cooperation Forum is also playing a role in fostering dialogue and identifying shared economic interests. Commitments to resolving historical trade disputes reflect a mutual determination to overcome challenges and build a more resilient economic relationship.

Earlier this month, private economic sectors in South Korea and Japan have bolstered cooperation after a year and a half.

The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) and the Japan Business Federation, or commonly referred to as Keidanren, have agreed to explore the establishment of a trilateral business summit in alignment with government cooperation among Korea, the United States and Japan. Additionally, they have agreed to organize a joint startup cooperation forum and Korea has decided to pursue membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The FKI and Keidanren held the 30th South Korea-Japan Business Conference at the Keidanren headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 11.

"A few years ago, during a business conference in Tokyo, there was no communication and the atmosphere was different. But this time, it has completely changed and it was very positive," said Ryu Jin, chairman of the FKI, after the meeting.
By Kim Hyun-bin

Korea's Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok recently engaged in a high-level meeting with Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Korea Sami M. Alsadhan at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seoul, Tuesday, marking a crucial step in fostering judicial exchanges between the two nations.

According to an official announcement from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the meeting was centered on expressing gratitude for the support extended by the Saudi Embassy during Prosecutor General Lees visit to the national anti-corruption authority (Nazaha) in Saudi Arabia last month. Key outcomes of the visit, including the formal signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Nazaha, were shared during the discussions.

The prosecutor general emphasized the importance of enhancing judicial cooperation, particularly in areas such as the extradition of criminals and the transfer of prisoners. The discussions delved into the criminal justice cooperation measures that were initiated during Lees visit to Saudi Arabia the previous month.

Alsadhan expressed understanding and expressed his commitment to actively cooperating to ensure the smooth progress of criminal justice initiatives and facilitating personnel exchanges between the two countries.

This meeting follows the prosecutor general's inaugural overseas visit to Nazaha in December 2022. During that visit, he signed the Agreement on Mutual Understanding Regarding the Prevention and Combating of Corruption.

Nazaha, established in 2011 and operating directly under the king of Saudi Arabia, plays a pivotal role in combating corruption through overseeing investigations, prosecution and the recovery of criminal proceeds related to public corruption and financial crimes.

The diplomatic efforts underscore the commitment of both nations to collaboration in combating corruption and enhancing the effectiveness of their respective legal systems through mutual cooperation and understanding.
South Korea's top nuclear envoy has met with a senior U.N. official on human rights and foreign ambassadors in Geneva and discussed North Korea's nuclear and human rights issues, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday.

In the meeting on Thursday (local time) with Nada Al-Nashif, acting U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Kim Gunn highlighted the need for a "comprehensive approach" to deal with the North's nuclear and human rights issues at the same time.

Kim explained to Al-Nashif South Korea's efforts to build international solidarity to shed light on the North's human rights situation and induce a change in Pyongyang's behavior.

Kim asked for support from the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights to raise awareness of the North Korean human rights issues in the international community.

North Korea's serious human rights violations gained the international limelight on the back of the landmark report by the U.N. Commission of Inquiry released in 2014.

The report said North Korean leaders are responsible for "widespread, systematic and gross" violations of human rights and the International Criminal Court should take up the issue as "crimes against humanity."

North Korea has long been accused of grave human rights abuses, ranging from holding political prisoners in concentration camps to committing torture and carrying out public executions. However, North Korea claims its people are freely enjoying genuine human rights.

Following the meeting with Al-Nashif, Kim held a roundtable with foreign diplomats in Geneva for discussions on the latest situation on the Korean Peninsula and North Korea's human rights problems.

Ambassadors from 14 countries took part in the session, including the United States, Japan, Chile, Canada, Costa Rica, Australia and New Zealand. (Yonhap)
Hong Kong: Ingrid Yeung meets uni delegation

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung today met a delegation led by Huaqiao University Party Committee Secretary Prof Xu Xipeng at the Central Government Offices.

They discussed strengthening the publicity of information related to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's civil service recruitment to the citys students attending the university.

Mrs Yeung said as more and more Hong Kong students opt for the Mainland to further their studies, government departments have stepped up their publicity and recruitment drives on the Mainland targeting Hong Kong students as well as organised talks to introduce the work of different civil service grades.

At the meeting, the Civil Service Bureaus Director of General Grades Hermes Chan introduced the bureaus General Grades Office Recruitment Centre which began operation in October last year.

He also gave an account of the progress on the year-round recruitment for the Clerical Officer, Clerical Assistant and Personal Secretary grades.

This story has been published on: 2024-01-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
China to enhance cooperation with World Bank: vice premier

Xinhua) 09:09, January 26, 2024

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with a delegation of executive directors from the World Bank in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to work with the World Bank to actively contribute to addressing global challenges, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said Thursday in Beijing.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting a delegation of executive directors from the World Bank.

Commending the long-term, broad and fruitful cooperation between China and the World Bank, Ding said that China stands ready to work with the World Bank to jointly promote global poverty reduction and sustainable development, and strengthen cooperation in areas including climate change response and biodiversity.

Ding said over the past year, China's economy, which is the biggest engine of world economic growth, has rebounded and made solid progress in high-quality development.

China will continue to optimize its business environment, expand high-level opening-up, actively utilize foreign investment and inject strong impetus into the global economy, Ding said.

Executive directors of the delegation said that the World Bank attaches great importance to cooperation with China and is willing to further deepen the development partnership with China.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul held his first phone talks with his Vietnamese counterpart, Bui Thanh Son, on Friday to discuss bilateral ties and regional security, the ministry said.

During the talks, Cho called for expanded cooperation between the two countries in areas of diplomacy, economics, defense and others as they upgraded their ties to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" in 2022.

He also asked for Vietnam's support in forging South Korea's comprehensive strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of dialogue relations this year, according to the ministry.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

Son said Vietnam places great importance on its relationship with South Korea and will continue to cooperate closely for the advancement of their bilateral ties and peace in the region.

The two ministers also agreed to step up communication through high-level exchanges, including a meeting between the two foreign ministers, and exchanged their views on the security situation surrounding North Korea and the South China Sea.

Friday's phone talks marked the fourth of their kind since Cho took office early this month. Cho has held phone talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong. (Yonhap)
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) on Friday, and discussed the bilateral alliance and other common issues, including mutual cooperation with Japan and North Korea, Cho's office said.

In Friday's talks, Cho noted the bilateral relations between South Korea and the United States have become stronger in all areas from security and economy to people-to-people exchanges, and expressed hope that the two countries will further develop the ties based on close coordination.

Cho thanked the U.S. Congress for sending a strong message about the South Korea-U.S. alliance and asked for Wilson's continued attention to Korea issues as a representative foreign and military expert who has long supported the bilateral alliance.

Cho also pointed out the importance of "predictability and sustainability" in business environments for South Korean companies investing heavily in the U.S. market.

"The minister emphasized the need for U.S. legislation to expand the visa quota for professional workers as a way to resolve the workforce shortage and help businesses to operate smoothly," Cho's office said.

Cho told the congressman that the trilateral cooperation among the U.S., South Korea and Japan will serve to effectively respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, and maintain peace and stability in the region.

Wilson is known for his keen interest in the South Korea-U.S. alliance, bilateral economic cooperation and Korean Peninsula issues.

Wilson is serving on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of the Representatives, and also co-chairs the Congressional Korea Caucus, a bipartisan group for promoting the bilateral ties and awareness of Korea-related issues in Congress. (Yonhap)
The teenage assailant of ruling party lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin has claimed that his attack was accidental, saying he had been waiting to be admitted to a hospital for worsening depression, police officials said Friday.

The 15-year-old boy was detained Thursday afternoon shortly after attacking Bae of the ruling People Power Party with a rock the size of an adult man's fist in Seoul's southern district of Gangnam for unclear reasons.

Bae, a television news anchor-turned-lawmaker, was struck on the head 15 times. She was taken to Soonchunhyang University Hospital and had her bleeding wound stapled. She remains hospitalized there.

Police questioned the suspect in the presence of his guardian the previous day, and collected his mobile phone and social media history to determine the exact motive behind the crime.

During the investigation, the suspect told the police that he left home about two hours before the incident, bumped into Bae and accidentally committed the attack, according to police officials.

He reportedly said he had been waiting, at a doctor's order, to be admitted to a closed psychiatric ward due to a depression relapse.

He also said he was habitually carrying the rock with him.

According to people with knowledge of his background, the boy had an issue at his school since early last year, and had been diagnosed with and treated for a bipolar disorder at a hospital.

Early Friday, police put him under "emergency hospitalization," citing his age and health conditions.

"The suspect's status as a minor and his current health conditions were taken into consideration," a police official said, adding police plan to thoroughly look into his crime, including the motive.

Under the emergency hospitalization system, individuals with suspected mental illness can be put into a mental hospital for a maximum duration of three days over the urgent risk of inflicting harm on themselves or others.

Police plan to look into his mobile phone history and accounts from people around him by the weekend to verify his claims. With his guardian's consent, the police plan to question him at the hospital after the emergency hospitalization period ends.

Police visited Bae at the hospital to ask questions about the circumstances of the attack, and Bae told the investigators during the 1 1/2-hour questioning that she wants the assailant to be punished, officials close to the lawmaker said.

The police formed a 27-strong investigation team, led by the chief of the Gangnam Police Station, to take charge of the assault case and announced plans to step up safety protection for key politicians.

In addition to the current "close distance safety protection team" working for the leaders of the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, the police will also deploy a protection team for Lee Jun-seok and Lee Nak-yon, who lead their respective newly formed parties.

A total of 36 police squads nationwide will also be designated as special protection forces to cover political parties' public events, officials said. (Yonhap)
A man in his 70s indicted for stabbing two police officers on-duty in front of the presidential office was sentenced to four years in prison Friday.

The Seoul Western District Court handed down the sentence, along with three years of probation, for the 78-year-old on charges including attempted murder.

The man, identified by his family name Park, was accused of stabbing two officers in front of the presidential office in Seoul's Yongsan district, one in the abdomen and the other in the arm, on Oct. 31.

Park allegedly has a record of assaulting police officers with a wooden stick in September the same year, near where the attack took place.

"The defendant committed a grave crime that could have led to the death of police officers," the court said.

The court also said it took into account the defendant's state of mental illness to reduce the sentence. Earlier, prosecutors demanded a seven-year prison sentence for the man.

Park's lawyer had earlier claimed the crime took place on impulse, as the man was visiting the area in protest after a bank rejected his old-age pension. (Yonhap)
Prosecutors on Friday demanded a suspended sentence for the daughter of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk on charges of university admission fraud.

In the final hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, prosecutors demanded one year in prison, suspended for three years, for Cho Min, who was indicted on charges including document forgery and obstruction of business.

Cho, 32, is accused of collaborating with her mother to submit falsified documents, including an admission form, a cover letter and a commendation letter, to Pusan National University (PNU)'s Graduate School of Medicine in June 2014.

She is also alleged to have conspired with her parents to submit fabricated documents to Seoul National University (SNU) College of Medicine in June 2013.

"This case caused a sense of despondency and disappointment in many people who work one's way diligently, and whisked away their faith in the school admissions system," the prosecution said, referring to the crime as one that "tears down social discipline by fostering egoism."

But the fact that Cho's parents both received prison terms and her doctor's license was revoked was also considered in the decision, prosecutors said.

In the final testimony, Cho apologized to those who were distressed by the incident, or people who felt disappointment and frustration at the opportunities she enjoyed.

"At first I thought it was unfair," Cho began, "I thought it was solely the result of my hard work that I achieved the dream of becoming a doctor."

But Cho said she realized she "had it easy compared to other students" and decided to give up on her diploma and doctor's license.

"I hope my family affairs do not create any more rifts in society," she said. "With this case in mind, I'm hoping our country can advance toward a more equal society."

A district court had earlier sentenced the former justice minister to two years in prison on multiple charges, including his role in admission irregularities concerning his children, and given a one-year prison sentence to his wife, Chung Kyung-sim.

Chung was released on parole in September while serving a four-year prison term on charges related to her daughter.

The court verdict for Cho is slated for March 22. (Yonhap)
The rival parties on Friday condemned the attack against Rep. Bae Hyun-jin of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), calling for soul-searching about deepening hatred in Korean politics.

Bae, a TV anchor-turned-lawmaker, was attacked in the head by a rock-wielding teenager in Seoul's southern district of Gangnam on Thursday afternoon and has been transferred to a hospital with a wound that is not life-threatening.

The attack came less than a month after Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), was stabbed in the neck during a visit to the southeastern city of Busan by an assailant who later said he tried to prevent Lee from becoming president.

Yoon denounced the attack as an act of terrorism and wished Bae a speedy recovery.

"An act of terrorism against a politician, who represents the people, is no different from terrorism against the people," Yoon was quoted as saying by Han O-sub, the senior presidential secretary for political affairs.

Bae briefly served as a spokesperson for Yoon when he was president-elect in 2022.

The PPP also condemned the attack and called for soul-searching about deepening hatred in politics.

"We cannot ask over and over, what must have caused a young teenager to inflict violence against a lawmaker?" said Rep. Yun Jae-ok, floor leader of the PPP, in a party meeting.

"Unless our politics cease to propagate hatred towards opponents and stop spreading such animosity to the public with inappropriate language, similar incidents are likely to reoccur," he said.

Yun said the party plans to hold a meeting with the chief of the National Police Agency next week to discuss measures to ensure the safety of lawmakers and other politicians ahead of April's general elections amid concerns of copycat crimes.

The DPK also defined the attack as a "political terror" and called for thorough preventive measures.

"It is evident that this is a political terror," said Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo, the DPK's floor leader, at a party leadership meeting. "The DPK is against any acts of terror that threaten democracy. We will also expand solidarity with people who oppose hate." (Yonhap)
Escalating political conflicts fuel growing aversion

By Jung Da-hyun

The escalating frequency of attacks against politicians has become a growing concern in Korea, highlighted by the recent assault on Rep. Bae Hyun-jin of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday. This incident unfolded just three weeks after main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman, Rep. Lee Jae-myung suffered a knife attack.

Bae sustained a head injury in an attack by a 15-year-old assailant, identified as a middle school student, in Gangnam District, Seoul. The suspect approached Bae, asking if she was a lawmaker before striking her in the back of her head with a rock the size of an adult's fist. The suspect was immediately apprehended by police.

The knife attack on Lee during his visit to Busan on Jan. 2 had already raised concerns about the safety of politicians.

While the precise motive behind the assault is still under investigation, there is widespread speculation that the crime may be a manifestation of the pervasive public animosity towards politicians. Authorities are also considering the possibility that the incident could be a copycat crime.

Oh Yoon-sung, a police administration professor at Soonchunhyang University, emphasized the influence of immediate access to news and social media on such incidents. This accessibility can empower individuals to readily replicate criminal acts they have witnessed online.

The psychology of attempting to take action against a disliked politician can manifest itself in various ways, Oh said.

Lee Yoon-ho, an endowed chair professor at the police science department at the Cyber University of Korea, also pointed out the risk of copycat crimes.

The attack on the DPK chairman could have triggered the latest assault, he suggested.

Lee also underscored that a misguided sense of heroism can escalate into more audacious crimes, especially in attacks against politicians, where perpetrators may wrongly perceive their actions as serving the cause of justice.

I believe it is better not to disclose the identity of suspects involved in attacks against politicians, as it could potentially reinforce their misguided sense of heroism, he added.

Experts unanimously say robust punishment is essential to deter such attacks.

There's also a perspective linking the attack to gender-based hatred.

Professor Lee Soo-jung of Kyonggi University, who registered as a preliminary candidate for the PPP in the April 10 general elections, suggested that Bae's gender might have played a role, considering the overall trend of online antagonism toward women.

Instances of attacks against political figures have several precedents.

In May 2006, former President Park Geun-hye was attacked when she was the head of the Grand National Party, which is now the PPP. Park was assaulted with a box cutter, resulting in facial injuries, while she was canvassing in Seodaemun District, western Seoul, for party candidate Oh Se-hoon, who was running for Seoul mayor.

Former DPK Chairman Song Young-gil was also attacked by a liberal extremist on March 7, 2022. The assailant struck him on the head with a hammer while the politician was street canvassing for then-DPK presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung also in Seodaemun District.

The recent attack on Bae raises questions about why a teenager, who does not have the right to vote, would carry out such an assault.

Speculation is growing about a mastermind behind the attack, given the young age of the perpetrator.

Regarding such conjectures, Rep. Yun Jae-ok, floor leader of the PPP, emphasized the need for patience until the police investigation is completed.

Political conflicts stoke hatred

Meanwhile, heightened political tension and conflicts are pointed out as serious problems following the series of attacks on politicians.

Park Sang-byoung, a political commentator, compared the current political landscape in Korea to a state of civil war.

It's akin to a war, where eliminating the other side is perceived as a victory. The prevailing sentiment seems to be prompting attacks against rival party politicians for strategic gains, he said.

Park highlighted the gravity of hate politics, emphasizing that, in this context, the opposing party is viewed merely as a target for elimination.

Unless there is a fundamental shift in the political structure, there are concerns that attacks on politicians will intensify in the future, he said.

Lawmakers from both parties are also calling for solutions to avoid extreme conflicts in politics.

The entire political community must collaborate in putting an end to the politics of hate, said PPP floor leader Yun Jae-ok.

DPK floor leader Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo said, We staunchly oppose all forms of violence and terrorism that pose a threat to democracy. Special measures should be taken to address such unfortunate events.

Yoon Hee-keun, the commissioner general of the National Police Agency (NPA), instructed the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to establish a 27-member investigation team.

According to the NPA, the commissioner directed the team to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident, delving into the motive and any possible background. Additionally, he instructed them to actively counter any misinformation related to the case.

According to the police, Friday, the suspect claimed that he attacked Bae after running into her by chance. The suspect asserted that the stone, which was used in the attack, had been in his possession for some time.

The police are actively probing whether the suspect had prior knowledge of the situation and intentionally committed the crime, especially considering that Bae was not involved in official duty during the attack.

Bae has expressed her desire to the police for the suspect to be punished.
Hans approval rating surges after clashing with Yoon over first lady

By Jung Min-ho

Yoon Suk Yeols road to triumph in the 2022 presidential election began in September 2019 when he publicly criticized the office of Moon Jae-in  his former boss and predecessor  for attempting to intervene in an investigation targeting a former key member of his Cabinet.

In less than two months, the new prosecutor general became the face of justice, who would never compromise his integrity  a political brand that made him become the next president.

When Han Dong-hoon, interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), refused to quit earlier this week despite pressure from Yoons close aides over his handling of controversies surrounding the first lady, many voters recalled that success story of Yoon.

In the face of calls for resignation, Han vowed to stay on, saying he would continue to work for the people until his term expires in May. Asked about public outcry over the secretly filmed footage showing first lady Kim Keon Hee receiving a Dior bag from a pastor in September 2022, Han said his position remained the same  that it is a matter of public concern.

Facing the same question on Thursday after meeting Yoon at the scene of a fire incident two days ago, Han reiterated that stance and dismissed calls to fire Kim Kyung-yul from the PPPs 11-member leadership committee. Kim is the one who fueled the discord over the bag issue by comparing the first lady to Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France before the French Revolution, who was executed for crimes against the state in 1793.

All this presents both political risks and opportunities for Han ahead of the general elections on April 10, according to experts on Friday. By expressing such principles loud and clear, he could win over more independent voters and create his own political brand as the countrys possible next leader. But by doing so too much, he could lose the most powerful supporter, they said.

Whether Yoon intended it or not, he helped Han break away from the public image that he works for the president. Han is now viewed more as an independent figure who may repeat the kind of political success Yoon achieved previously, Lee Joon-han, a professor of political science at Incheon National University, told The Korea Times.

If Han can manage to win the upcoming elections, he will cement his position as the new leader.

Suspicions surrounding the first lady, including the bag and other issues that could well lead to parliamentary inquiries, would continue to remain a sensitive issue within the PPP. But for now, the ruling bloc now appears united behind the leadership of Han, whose popularity surges in recent polls.

According to a survey released on Friday by Gallup Korea, a pollster, Hans approval rating as the PPP leader was 52 percent. The figure was far higher than that of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea with 35 percent as well as Yoon with 31 percent.

In another survey conducted between Jan. 22-24 amid tensions between Han and Yoon, the PPP chiefs approval rating was 47 percent, compared with Lees 35 percent and Yoons 31 percent.

Those results show that the ruling partys winning strategy should be to pit Lee against Han rather than the president, said Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University.

This could mean a change in power structure within the ruling party as well as the National Assembly, according to experts. Some might promote themselves pro-Han in their efforts to win the partys nominations, they said.

Experts believe it is too early to predict how all this would redefine the relationship between Yoon and Han as well as how that factor would affect the president-PPP relationship in the future.

Much of it depends on the results of the elections, said Cho Jin-man, a politics professor at Duksung Women's University.

But they said it is not a good sign for Lee Jun-seok, who is trying to brand himself as a young conservative leader as the chief of a new party.

Han could draw young people who would otherwise vote for him, said the Incheon National University scholar.
AI mogul also meets with top executives of SK hynix

By Park Jae-hyuk

Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, visited a Samsung Electronics semiconductor factory in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Friday, to discuss the joint development of chips for artificial intelligence (AI), according to industry officials.

The American entrepreneur reportedly met with Kyung Kye-hyun, president of Samsungs semiconductor unit, and a group of other ranking executives in charge of the memory chip and foundry operations, who guided the OpenAI CEO around the factory. It is unusual for the Korean company to show its semiconductor production lines to an outsider.

Altman was expected to hold a meeting with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong. But an impending court ruling on Lee's conspiracy allegations related to the controversial 2015 merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries is reported to have created challenges for them to meet on this occasion.

A few hours after his visit to the Samsung factory, Altman reportedly had a separate meeting with SK hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung. It remains unclear if their meeting was held at SKs semiconductor plant in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.

Sources familiar with this issue said that the AI mogul was also scheduled to meet with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won before leaving Korea on Friday evening.

Both Samsung and SK declined to confirm whether their executives met Altman.

The OpenAI CEO, who previously visited Korea last June, came here again on Thursday afternoon for a 19-hour stay. He was initially expected to stay in Korea for only around six hours.

His decision to stay in Korea longer is perceived as an indication of his intention to thoroughly examine the technologies of the two Korean chipmakers. This move comes in the midst of ongoing efforts by OpenAI to lower its dependence on Nvidia, the largest player in the global AI chip market.

Given that OpenAI needs a massive amount of high-priced AI chips to upgrade its large language models (LLM) which power ChatGPT, industry officials said that Samsung and SK have competed fiercely behind the scenes to join hands with the U.S. firm.

Last year, SK outpaced Samsung in global high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chip market share. HBM chips are considered to be crucial for the operation of AI servers. Samsung has therefore sought to convince global customers that it is engaged in both the memory chip and foundry businesses.

There remains a possibility of OpenAI eventually cooperating with Taiwans TSMC, the worlds largest foundry. Before Altmans visit to Korea, foreign news outlets reported that he is in discussions with Middle Eastern investors and chip fabricators including TSMC about launching a new chip venture.
By Lee Min-hyung

The Genesis GV70 boasts a distinctive identity as an unequivocally luxurious SUV, characterized by two prominent strengths: robust driving performance and refined design features.

The vehicle's body size exceeded the expectations of this reporter, and its sleek exterior immediately grabbed attention when it was delivered for test-driving. The meticulously crafted interior, adorned with high-end plastics and leathers, radiated the distinctive brand identity of the emerging luxury vehicle manufacturer.

The vehicle was powered by a 3.5-liter turbo engine. As anticipated, the V6 gasoline turbo delivered impressive driving performance, swiftly accelerating with a maximum output of 380 horsepower. Notably, it exhibited minimal internal noise, solidifying its standing as one of the most upscale SUVs produced by the luxury vehicle division of Hyundai Motor Group.

The GV70 was impressively quiet when this reporter drove it around the city and highway that connects Seoul and Daejeon, located at the center of Korea. Less fatigue was felt thanks to its solid yet quiet driving, even after a ride of more than 200 kilometers at one time.

One downside was its fuel efficiency, which fell to less than 5 kilometers per liter at some time during the rush hour in Seoul. But it soon recovered to more than 8 kilometers per liter when the vehicle picked up steady speed. Given it is equipped with the 3.5-liter turbo engine, the figure was, however, still understandable, as most other luxury sedans with a similar powertrain also display weak mileage performance.

The GV70 competes against the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC in the mid-sized luxury SUV market. While it might be premature to claim that the GV70 surpasses its two German rivals, the Genesis SUV serves as a compelling alternative for customers seeking a luxurious experience, complemented by its sophisticated interior and exterior design.

The SUVs state-of-the-art infotainment and air cleaning systems are also good upsides that will captivate customers.

Genesis sold a total of 34,474 GV70 SUVs in 2023, which is seen by many critics as a surprising figure in that it has been only about three years since the vehicle was released in December 2020. Hyundai Motor Group is also placing a group-wide strategic focus on the brand to enhance its brand image here and abroad.

Genesis plans to launch a GV70 facelift sometime around May this year, with a view to absorbing growing customer demand for premium, mid-sized SUVs.
China ready to further tap cooperation potential with Japan: premier

Xinhua) 09:13, January 26, 2024

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with a Japanese business delegation visiting China, led by Chairman of the Japan Business Federation Masakazu Tokura, Chairman of the Japan-China Economic Association Kosei Shindo, and Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ken Kobayashi, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to support businesses in China and Japan to enhance cooperation in multiple areas and welcomes enterprises from all countries including Japan to continue investing in China, Premier Li Qiang said on Thursday.

Li made the remarks when meeting with a Japanese business delegation visiting China, led by Chairman of the Japan Business Federation Masakazu Tokura, Chairman of the Japan-China Economic Association Kosei Shindo, and Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ken Kobayashi.

Noting that China-Japan relations are at a crucial stage of carrying on the past heritage and opening up the future, Li urged the business circles of the two countries to stay committed to the right direction of peace, friendship and cooperation and bring China-Japan relations back to the track of sound development.

"The economies of China and Japan are deeply integrated, and economic and trade cooperation plays an important role as the ballast and propeller of bilateral relations," said Li, adding China is ready to continue to share development opportunities, support enterprises of the two countries to strengthen cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, digital economy, green development, medical care and elderly care, jointly ensure stable and smooth running of industrial and supply chains, and achieve complementarity of a higher level and win-win results.

Adhering to the basic state policy of opening up, China will continue to pare the negative list for foreign investment, fully implement the lifting of restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector, protect the national treatment of foreign enterprises, and work to build a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment, said the premier.

He expressed the hope that Japan will provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises in Japan.

The heads of the above-mentioned three business groups from Japan expressed the hope that the two countries will steer back to the original aspiration for friendship, and strengthen exchanges in all sectors and at all levels.

Noting that China is an important driving force for world economic development, they said the Japanese business community is deeply encouraged by the healthy and steady growth of China's economy and is willing to deepen cooperation with China in multiple fields and promote personnel exchanges.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will have a summit over the bilateral alliance, trilateral cooperation with South Korea and other issues in Washington in April, the White House said Thursday.

Biden and first lady Jill Biden will host Kishida and first lady Yuko Kishida for an official visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner, on April 10, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

"The visit will underscore the enduring strength of our alliance partnership, the unwavering U.S. commitment to Japan, and Japan's increasing global leadership role," she said.

"President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida will discuss efforts to strengthen our political, security, economic, and people-to-people ties so that our alliance is postured to address evolving challenges and advance our shared vision for a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and world," she added.

In a press briefing, John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, noted that the agenda for the meeting between Biden and Kishida would include efforts to enhance three-way cooperation with South Korea.

"I think you can expect to see a robust discussion about how we are deepening our bilateral cooperation with Japan and improving our alliance capabilities across the board and also how we are working together across a range of other threats and challenges in the Indo-Pacific," he said. "That also includes, you know, improving trilateral cooperation with South Korea as well."

The meeting has been arranged as Seoul, Washington and Tokyo have been stepping up security coordination to deal with North Korea's evolving threats and its deepening military cooperation with Russia. (Yonhap)
China has implemented measures to enhance the protection of giant pandas and their habitats, yielding remarkable outcomes during recent years, leading to an increase in the total number of wild giant pandas from around 1,100 in the 1980s to nearly 1,900 currently, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration said Thursday.

The Global Times has learnt from an administration's press briefing Thursday that the protected area for giant pandas has increased from 1.39 million hectares to 2.58 million hectares, effectively safeguarding the safety and sustainable development of the wild population of giant pandas.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has adjusted the giant pandas from "endangered" to "vulnerable," indicating that China's efforts in panda conservation have been recognized by the international wildlife conservation community, which is also an affirmation of China's conservation efforts, said Zhang Yue, an official with the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

In terms of international cooperation, China has cooperated with 26 institutions from 20 countries in giant panda conservation research since the 1990s.

Since then, China has been actively engaged in cooperative research on giant pandas, resulting in the successful breeding of 68 cubs, said Zhang. On July 7, 2023, a pair of giant panda twins was successfully bred by Hua Ni in South Korea. Additionally, on Aug. 24, Ding Ding successfully gave birth in Russia, with her cub later being named Katyusha.

As of the end of 2023, there are 20 institutions from 18 countries, including Japan, the U.S., France, Singapore and Russia, participating in cooperative research on giant panda conservation with China. The total number of giant pandas living abroad is 56, according to Zhang.

Giant pandas living overseas have become a window for promoting friendly exchanges between China and foreign countries. Giant pandas bring joy to people around the world, while also effectively promoting people-to-people exchanges.

Giant pandas play a significant role in promoting the knowledge about biodiversity conservation, raising public awareness of conservation, and facilitating grass-roots communication, Zhang noted.

The official also said that the administration has conducted on-site inspections and assessments of 23 overseas cooperative institutions in 19 countries to strengthen the protection and supervision of giant pandas overseas. In 2023, due to the expiration of agreements or age, a total of 17 giant pandas, were returned to China in accordance with the cooperation agreements, said the official.

China will increase its efforts to further promote giant panda conservation and international cooperation at a high level, including promoting the construction of the giant panda habitat conservation system, further strengthening the genetic management of captive populations and reinforcing international cooperation and management mechanisms, according to authorities.

China initiated the artificial breeding program for giant pandas in the 1960s. China has overcome three significant obstacles in the reproduction process including the challenges of inducing estrus, mating and conception, and ensuring the successful rearing of cubs, said Zhang. The global captive population of giant pandas has reached 728, with 46 successfully bred in 2023, according to the official.

This article was originally published on Global Times.
YOKOHAMA, Jan 26 (News On Japan) - The Japan Coast Guard received a distress call just after 8:00 PM on Thursday night from a cruise ship that had departed from Yokohama Port, reporting that they had collided with a breakwater, injuring the captain.

The ship sustained damage to the bow and experienced minor flooding, but there was no risk of it sinking.

In this incident, 8 of the 11 passengers on board suffered minor injuries, while the captain and a crew member also sustained injuries, including to the head.

This accident questions about the navigational procedures and safety measures in place for such cruise ships, especially when operating in the vicinity of infrastructure like breakwaters.

Source: ANN
TOKYO, Jan 26 (News On Japan) - A tragic incident occurred on Thursday morning when a man fell to his death from a condominium in Tokyo while police investigators were preparing to search the premises in connection with a case.

According to sources involved in the investigation, police are considering the possibility that the man jumped from his room.

The incident unfolded just before 8:00 AM when investigators from the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters arrived at a condominium in Koto Ward, Tokyo, to conduct a search related to an ongoing investigation. While the officers were waiting for a male resident in his 30s to answer after ringing the intercom, a passerby discovered the man had fallen and was lying on the ground. The man was later pronounced dead, and the police are now investigating the circumstances under the assumption that he may have leaped from his room.

The Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters has issued a statement saying, "We are currently confirming the facts of the situation." This incident has raised questions about the circumstances leading up to the man's fall and the nature of the investigation that brought the police to his residence. Further details are awaited as the police continue their inquiry into this unfortunate event.

Source: NHK
TOKYO, Jan 27 (News On Japan) - Prince Akishino, his wife Princess Kiko, and their daughter Princess Kako attended the 'Kanto-Tokai Flower Exhibition' held in Tokyo's Ikebukuro area.

The exhibition, sponsored by 1 metropolitan and 11 prefectural governments and six flower-related organizations, welcomed the royal family members for the second consecutive year.

The family admired various displays, including an object representing Ibaraki Prefecture's 'Fukuroda Falls' using weeping willows and other elements. They also inspected a new variety of rose, with Princess Kako inquiring, "What is its name?" about a light purple rose designed for bridal occasions.

Additionally, they observed a 'flower arranging battle' where high school students paired up to arrange flowers improvisationally. Princess Kako asked about their practice routine, while Prince Akishino commented on the impressive balance of the arrangements, and Princess Kiko appreciated the remarkable teamwork.

Source: NEWS
NEW YORK, Jan 27 (News On Japan) - This week, a fashion show themed around 'Japanese traditional materials' was held in New York, USA. Aimed at transforming kimono fabrics into avant-garde fashion, the show featured international models dressed in unique, vibrant designs made from Japanese silk textiles.

The silk materials are crafted by 'Yamada Ori,' a Niigata-based weaving company with over a century's history. The delicate textiles are produced using traditional methods passed down through generations.

Yamada Ori CEO Tsutomu Hosaka: "Overseas, the demand for kimonos might be limited, but as a 'fabric,' there's a very bright future."

However, the domestic demand for kimonos in Japan is decreasing. Moreover, the industry faces a 'succession crisis.'

Hosaka: "There's a serious problem with a lack of successors. From the manufacturing perspective, we can't continue the same way as in the past."

'Yamada Ori,' once the town's largest weaving company employing over 500 artisans, now operates with just nine, mainly elderly workers.

To prevent the extinction of this craft, they envisioned repurposing the textile not only for kimonos but as a part of global fashion.

For the New York fashion show, young designers from 10 countries were tasked with creating the outfits.

Amazed by their innovative use of silk fabrics, Hosaka said, "It was quite shocking, in a way. I was impressed by the potential versatility of the material."

Designers too found new inspiration in the traditional textiles:

Designer: "Incorporating traditional Japanese textiles was very enjoyable. It has become a new source of inspiration for us."

The material received high praise from international models:

Model: "It's very soft and comfortable to wear. I could wear this out to a club."

"I really like the texture. It feels great just walking in it."

As domestic demand declines and business succession becomes challenging, taking a completely different approach to target the global market may be the way for traditional industries to survive, as pointed out by the organizers.

Sakura Collection Representative Director Noriko Tabata: "By introducing previously untapped products overseas, we hope to contribute to Japan's economic development. It's also fascinating how people connect through these items."

Japan's traditional materials, with world-class quality, now globally embraced by the younger generation, seem to be the key to connecting the past with the future.

Source: NEWS
Theyre hiring. That could have been the theme recently as Northeast Community College hosted a nursing career fair for Northeast Community College and University of Nebraska Medical Center students who will be graduating soon in the nursing programs.
The Republican National Committee has pulled a resolution to consider declaring Donald Trump the partys presumptive 2024 nominee" before he formally clinches the requisite number of delegates, a person familiar with the decision said Thursday.

News of the withdrawal came shortly after Trump posted on his Truth Social site that, while he greatly appreciated the notion, he felt, for the sake of PARTY UNITY, that they should NOT go forward with this plan, but that I should do it the Old Fashioned way, and finish the process off AT THE BALLOT BOX.

The measure, according to a draft obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, had said it declares President Trump as our presumptive 2024 nominee for the office of President of the United States and from this moment forward moves into full general election mode welcoming supporters of all candidates as valued members of Team Trump 2024.

The withdrawal was confirmed by a person familiar with the decision who was not authorized to publicly discuss the proposal and spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night.

If approved, the measure would have further solidified Trump's control of the party and its operation at a time when former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley is still competing against Trump for the GOP nomination.

RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel had earlier signaled her approval for the resolution. On Tuesday, after Haley finished second to Trump in New Hampshire , McDaniel said that while she felt the former ambassador had run a great campaign, Republicans need to unite around our eventual nominee, which is going to be Donald Trump.

The resolution had been expected to be discussed at the RNC's winter meeting in Las Vegas next week, even though only two states have voted and the former president had nowhere near the requisite number of delegates to secure the nomination.

Haleys camp said Thursday that it wasnt up to the RNC to decide who the GOP nominee would be.

Who cares what the RNC says? Well let millions of Republican voters across the country decide who should be our partys nominee, not a bunch of Washington insiders, said campaign spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas.

The AP has a policy to not refer to any candidate as the presumptive nominee until he or she has captured the number of delegates needed to win a majority vote at the national party conventions this summer. The earliest that could happen is March.

But there were no party rules prohibiting the RNC from making such a move. If it had been adopted, it could have given the Republican Party a jump-start on planning a general election matchup with Democratic President Joe Biden, who has begun framing his reelection campaign as a 2020 rematch against Trump.

There was also precedent for the committee to declare a candidate the presumptive nominee before winning the 1,215 requisite delegates to clinch the nomination. Then-RNC Chair Reince Priebus did so with Trump in May 2016.

Despite losing both the Iowa and New Hampshire contests to Trump, Haley has argued that her performance  outlasting all the other Trump rivals  shows the strength of her candidacy.

Trump currently has 32 delegates to Haley's 17 . There is one delegate left to be assigned after the New Hampshire contest.

During a rally Wednesday night in her home state of South Carolina, Haley  the former governor  noted that her campaign had brought in more than $1 million since her second-place finish in New Hampshire. Trump followed up with a remark that appeared aimed at intimidating her donors.

Anybody that makes a Contribution to Birdbrain, from this moment forth, will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp, Trump wrote, using the nickname he has crafted for Haley and the abbreviation for his Make America Great Again slogan. We dont want them, and will not accept them, because we Put America First, and ALWAYS WILL!

Haley's campaign said Thursday that it raised an additional $1.2 million after Trumps unhinged pledge to permanently bar any individual who contributed to Haleys campaign.

Donald Trumps threats highlight the stark choice in this election: personal vendettas or real conservative leadership, said Haley spokesperson AnnMarie Graham-Barnes. Trumps scheme blew up in his face. The contributions to the Haley campaign are pouring in  proof that people are sick of the drama and are rallying behind Nikkis vision for a strong and proud America.

Trumps dismissal of any Haley donors had no effect on T.J. Petrizzo, a former top Capitol Hill staffer and now lobbyist who supports Haley.

Thats something out of a Godfather movie. Never betray the family? Come on, he added. Youve got to play this through.

Petrizzo said he understands that some Republicans may be ready to pivot to a head-to-head contest between Trump and Biden, but he notes that there is a lot of time left before a general election.

Ive heard a lot of elected officials in the Republican Party, including the RNC chair, say, We need to rally around a candidate. That this is going to be our candidate. It was chosen by Iowa and New Hampshire, so we must go ahead and rally around Trump, Petrizzo said. Well, theres 285 days until the election. Theres plenty of time on the clock. (AP)
Two areas along the shoreline at Maple Creek Recreation Area near Leigh are in need of work. One of the areas is on the north end of Maple Creek, where there was a 5- to 6-foot drop-off at the shoreline near the trail. The other area needing work is on the south end of Maple Creek.
Whether you planned it originally or held off because of dry conditions in the fall, the time for spring alfalfa planting is just around the corner. Selecting the right seed is crucial, and two traits to consider are fall dormancy and winter survival. These traits often are treated the same 
Mali rulers have axed the 2015 Algiers Agreement signed by the various warring parties in the West African country, dealing another hard blow to the Algerian diplomacy which is suffering setback after setback.

In a statement read Thursday on state television, Malis government spokesperson Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga said it was no longer possible to continue with the agreement due to the failure of other signatories to honor their commitments and the hostile acts by chief mediator Algeria.

Thus, the so-called Algiers Accord was no longer workable, he stressed, announcing its end with immediate effect. The spokesperson for the Malian government also cited Algerias increasing unfriendly acts, hostility and interference in Malis internal affairs.

The Malian firm stand comes a few days after the two countries clashed at the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held incapital, Kampala.

At the summit, the Algerian delegation tried to impose a paragraph in the final declaration, seeking NAMs support for the 2015 Algiers Agreement. Malian foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop strongly opposed the Algerian attempt to interfere again in Malian affairs, urging NAM countries to stop referring to the Algiers Agreement in their documents as this agreement has been definitively buried by the Malian authorities.

Last month, Mali summoned the Algerian ambassador over interference and unfriendly acts after Algiers held talks with Tuareg separatists without consultation or coordination with Bamako.
Moroccos tourism has turned the Covid 19 page, breaking a new record with the arrival of 14.5 million tourists last year, up 34% from 2022.

The milestone shows a 12% increase compared to 2019 when Morocco attracted 13 million tourists, the ministry said in a statement.

The growth was triggered by Moroccans living abroad who accounted for 51% of all arrivals, up 27% compared to 2022, it said.

The number of foreign tourists grew 41% as Morocco seals more deals with airlines to bring in more visitors.

The figures are reflective of the competitiveness of Morocco destination, despite a context marked by a surge in geopolitical tensions.

More than 1.3 million tourists visited Morocco in December giving a boon to a sector that represents about 7% of GDP.

Morocco relies on increasing air routes between Moroccan cities and with European airports to attract more tourists.

In a recent deal, Ryanair said it will launch flights connecting 9 Moroccan cities in summer 2024. It also plans to add 24 new international destinations linking Morocco to key markets in Europe.
The Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) and Gabons investment promotion agency ANPI-Gabon have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to lure investment from the Gulf country to support economic development of Gabon.

The deal was signed by ANPI-Gabon CEO Ghislain Moandza Mboma and FCCIs Secretary General Humaid Mohamed Bin Salem, who started a visit to Libreville Tuesday January 23 at the head of a business delegation. The visit scheduled strategic meetings aiming at bolstering economic ties between the two countries.

The UAE is keen to inject investment in many areas of Gabons economy, through mega projects in various fields, including energy and water production; digital infrastructures; and operation, production, refining and distribution of petroleum products.

Gabon is looking to diversify its energy-dependent economy.

The trip of the Emirati delegation comes in the wake of the visit Gabons transitional leader Brice Clotaire Oligui Ngema paid to the Gulf country in the framework of the COP28.
General Marc Olivier, a top commander of the French army announced Thursday January 25 Frances willingness to strengthen ties with Chad as he met Mahamat Saleh Annadif, the central African countrys top diplomat, in NDjamena.

The two sides addressed ways to bolster cooperation that they believe will solidify the historical ties between the two nations and strengthen their collaboration in strategic areas, such as regional security, the fight against terrorism, and the stabilization of conflict-affected areas, local media Alwihda Info reports.

Chad is home to French military bases housing tens of hundreds of French troops. However anti-French sentiment recently arose and a number of Chadian political figures and activists have called for the withdrawal of the French troops after a Chadian soldier was killed by a French soldier.

General Marc Oliviers visit came as Chads transitional leader Mahamat Idriss Deby wrapped up a several-day visit to Russia, where he discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin ways of bolstering ties with Moscow.

France and its western allies have been wary of Russias growing presence in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Any moment now, a federal jury in New York will return a verdict in a lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carroll, who alleged that former president Donald Trump had sexually assaulted and then defamed her. Expect to see a big number. (I know: not the boldest of calls.)

Behind this trial sits a nearly forgotten but pivotal piece of history: If Attorney General Merrick Garland had stuck to his original determination about the case, Carroll would have gotten nothing. Only Garlands late-breaking, politically expedient turnabout rescued Carrolls claim  and it might have saved the DOJs ongoing criminal prosecution of Trump himself. Its all connected, indeed.

Heres the backstory. After Carroll first sued Trump in 2019, then-attorney general Bill Barr decided that Trumps public comments about Carroll  totally lying, not my type, and the rest  were (somehow) made within the scope of the then-presidents official duties. Therefore, the United States Department of Justice would take over Trumps legal defense, and would promptly move for near-automatic dismissal based on the legal principle that a federal official cannot be sued for actions taken within the scope of the job.

Outrage followed. Dismayed at the DOJs decision, Carroll tweeted (all-caps hers), TRUMP HURLS BILL BARR AT ME. Barr  Trumps sycophantic AG who later turned on the bossman  scoffed at the widespread public revulsion: The little tempest that is going on is largely because of the bizarre political environment in which we live.

Are you appalled? Infuriated? Hold onto that for a moment.

In March 2021, Garland became attorney general under the new president, Joe Biden. Fresh beginnings, right? Well, Garland took a careful look at the Carroll lawsuit and, after somber deliberation, concluded  the exact same thing as Barr had. Trump was (somehow) acting within his job as president, the DOJ would step in and seek dismissal, and Carroll was out of luck. Carrolls attorney lambasted Garlands decision as legally and morally wrong. The new AG, in prototypically Garland-ian fashion, defended his decision with boilerplate pablum about rule of law and the fundamental requirement[s] of democracy.

Merrick Garland is known to change his mind. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Lets take a moment here on this notion of civil immunity. As with so many Trump-era legal concepts, this one took root during the Nixon years  but, surprisingly, it had nothing to do with Watergate. Back in the late 1970s, Ernest Fitzgerald, a federal official who had been fired during the Nixon administration, sued Nixon and others for wrongful termination. After years of litigation, the Supreme Court in 1982 ruled for Nixon, dismissing the case because firing federal employees was part of the presidents job. Thus, the basic principle of civil immunity took hold: Federal officials have to make difficult decisions all day long, and they shouldnt have to worry that theyll get sued if they do something that harms or offends somebody. Its business, not personal.

If all this talk of presidential immunity feels especially familiar lately, its because Trump himself has raised a similar defense to DOJ special counsel Jack Smiths indictment for 2020 election subversion. In that case, Trump has claimed that he cant be prosecuted for actions he took as president. That argument has failed so far in the courts, and it likely will continue to fail  but if it somehow does succeed, the DOJs prosecution of Trump is cooked.

So what was behind Garlands original conclusion that Trumps statements about Carroll fell within the presidential job description? Ive certainly been critical of Garland  more to come, just ahead  but I dont buy conspiracy theories that hes some Republican plant, or a Federalist Society mole. In my view, the explanation is simpler, and less sensational. Garland recognized just how broadly the DOJ traditionally has construed immunity principles and  perhaps wary of public perception that he might overcorrect to remedy the political damage done by Barr  he decided to stay the course set by his predecessor. Its trademark Garland: deliberative, straight, a bit timid.

And this is crucial: At this point in 2021, the DOJ had not yet indicted Trump, and Garland was slow-walking the January 6 investigation by focusing only on the low-hanging fruit  the riffraff in face paint and catalogue-purchased tactical gear who stormed the Capitol but had no connection to Trump himself. At the time, Garland had no reason to consider the impact of a Carroll decision on a Trump indictment; the DOJ hadnt yet charged Trump and, I maintain, Garland had no intention to pull the trigger.

But nearly two years later, the world had changed. Garland, forced to action by the compelling January 6 Committee hearings and mounting public pressure, appointed Jack Smith as special counsel in November 2022. A few months later, Garland unilaterally (for some reason) decided to take another look at the Carroll case. And, Garland explained, hed had a change of heart. The DOJ informed the parties that it now believed that, actually, no, Trump was not doing his presidential duty when he publicly denigrated his accuser. Carrolls attorneys publicly rejoiced. Trump fumed.

The Justice Departments explanation for its turnabout, dear friends, is abject bullshit. Sure, Garland by 2023 had more evidence  Trump continued to publicly attack his accuser  but he did not have different evidence; Trumps new statements about Carroll were substantively identical to the earlier statements, the same old trash about how shes a liar and unstable and unattractive. Nothing about Trumps later commentary moved his conduct from within the perimeter of the presidential job duties (as Garland originally found) to outside those boundaries.

So, whats up? I see two reasons behind Garlands about-face. First, and more obviously, he just couldnt take the heat. He tried to stick to principle initially, but the fury from Carroll, her lawyers, her supporters, and the public was just too much to bear. So Garland found some fig leaf and covered up.

But theres also a higher-stakes, multidimensional legal strategy at play here. Garland obviously knew by early 2023 that Trump would raise an immunity defense in Smiths criminal case; heck, I predicted it in my book last year, and Im no rocket scientist. So how would it play  in court and beyond  if Garland was already on record saying that Trump was acting within the presidency when he verbally attacked Carroll? If its part of the presidents job to call a rape accuser an ugly liar, then whats outside the lines? And wouldnt it also be well within those boundaries (and probably closer to core duties) for the president to talk to other officials about an election, even with ill intent? Garland realized hed drawn the line around the presidents official duties dangerously broadly in the Carroll lawsuit, and he backtracked before that same construction could be used against his prosecutors in Smiths criminal case.

Merrick Garland is a windsock. He flows with prevailing political currents and then lurches another direction as atmospheric conditions change. This is both a criticism (of his lack of fortitude) and a compliment of sorts (to his tactical, shall we say, adaptability). When Garland realized his initial determination on Carroll could hurt the DOJs criminal indictment of Trump, he adopted a flimsy pretext and awkwardly slammed it into reverse. In the process, the AG may have saved both cases.

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.
Illustration: Isabelle Brourman

For the four years Donald Trump was president, a sizable percentage of the voting public indulged in the fantasy that, one day, he might be grilled on the witness stand in a court of law. What would it look like if Trump was put under oath and compelled to tell the whole truth about just one of his many offenses? What would remain of the worlds most powerful distorter if he were stripped of all his bluster and bullshit and forced to stick to hard, indisputable facts?

Almost nothing, it turns out. Thursday, at a civil defamation trial in Manhattan federal court, Trump took the witness stand, intending to defend himself against a rape accusation. He got out roughly half a dozen sentences, several of which were officially stricken from the record.

This is not America, Trump said aloud as he stalked out of the courtroom after spending less than five minutes on the stand.

Not America, he repeated, raising his voice and shooting a glare in the direction of the press in the gallery, as if commanding them to get-this-down. This is  not  America.

Out in America  or, at least, the version of the country that exists in his imagination  Donald Trump is the all but certain Republican presidential nominee, a politician who can say anything he wants, about anyone he wants, without regard for the consequences. The courtroom, though, was a different realm. Its absolute ruler, Judge Lewis Kaplan, had served for 30 years on the bench, long enough to develop an air of cantankerous authority. The judge even seems to have done something many figured would be impossible, intimidating Trump himself. For weeks, Trump had been teasing the press and the public about his eagerness to take the stand and face a jury of nine anonymous citizens who are considering how much he should pay in damages to E. Jean Carroll, a writer that he defamed after New York published her first-person account of allegedly being raped by Trump back in the 1990s. (New York is not a party to the lawsuit, and I had no role in soliciting, editing, or publishing the story.) Late on Wednesday, the day before his testimony, Trump published a post on his platform Truth Social calling the judge extraordinarily hostile and a 100% Trump hater. But even Trump did not dare to say that to Kaplans face.

Kaplans intolerance of defiance is legendary. Famously, he once hired a private law firm to investigate and prosecute an environmentalist attorney for defying court orders related to alleged misconduct in a case against Chevron. (The lawyer, Steven Donziger, was found guilty of misdemeanor contempt and sentenced to six months in prison.) Trump and his lawyers have shown a willingness to push the bounds of evidentiary rules and to playact like theyre on Law & Order in more freewheeling venues, like the nearby state courthouse where the comparatively cheerful Judge Arthur Engoron recently concluded a civil fraud trial. Outside the state courtroom, there were barricades set up for TV-camera crews, which Trump would go outside and address during every break. Kaplan has shut down any attempt to turn his courtroom into a political theater. He wont even allow Trump and his retinue to carry phones into his court. At one point during the mornings proceedings, a cell phone chimed in the section of the gallery where members of the Trump team were sitting.

Take that man out of here, Kaplan growled as court officers hustled out a heavyset individual, who was never seen again, possibly because he is now floating in the East River.

Kaplan has controlled the trial in large ways, too, via a series of decisions that have kept it tightly framed on the narrow issue of damages. The underlying question of what happened to Carroll back in the 1990s was the subject of another civil trial held last year, where a jury found that it was more likely than not Trump did sexually assault her in a department-store dressing room, as she claimed in her article and an accompanying book. In September, Kaplan ruled that the earlier verdict would be accepted for the purposes of the second trial, too, meaning that Trump would not be permitted to argue otherwise in court. On Friday, as Trump listened to Carrolls lead attorney Roberta Kaplan explain that finding in her closing argument, telling the jury that Trump doesnt get a do-over on the question of whether he committed sexual assault, the former president appeared to grow visibiliy upset, and he got up and left his usual place at the defense table, storming across the hallway to an adjacent holding room.

Excuse me, Judge Kaplan, who is not related to Carrolls lawyer, interjected. The record will reflect that Donald Trump just rose and walked out of the courtroom.

This second jury is only supposed to consider how much Trump should pay Carroll for defaming her in a series of statements to the press in which he suggested that she was lying about the attack, she was politically and financially motivated, and darkly hinted she would pay dearly for making such false accusations. Carrolls lawyers have presented evidence that after Trump made his statements, his followers picked up his cues and unleashed a torrent of abuse on his accuser, even threatening to rape and kill her.

Prior to Trumps testimony, Carrolls legal team entered a series of additional defiant statements Trump has made during the trial into evidence. Its a rigged deal, its a made up, fabricated story, he said at a press conference held after Carroll testified on January 17. In another Truth Social post, he called her story a made up and disgusting hoax. The plaintiffs also played a video of an earlier deposition in which Trump said he had had a lot of hoaxes played on me, saying he could cite a whole list. It included Robert Muellers investigation of Russian election interference, his Ukraine-related impeachment, and the 2020 election. (Mail-in ballots: very dishonest, he said, before admitting he sometimes votes absentee himself.) Elsewhere in the deposition, Trumps continuing animus toward Carroll was on plain display. This woman is sick, he said, calling her a wack job who had made up the story out of the cold air.

As the video played, Trump stared at the monitor, his eyelids half-closed, and appeared to yawn.

The defense presented only two witnesses. The first, Carol Martin, is a longtime friend of Carrolls, one of two witnesses who testified at the first trial that Carroll had confided that Trump had attacked her shortly after the incident. Trumps lead attorney, Alina Habba, presented Martin with text messages in which she criticized what she described as Carrolls narcissism and told others that she thought her friend was loving the adulation that came with suing Trump. Martin replied that she regretted her hyperbole and, despite the backbiting, still considered Carroll a dear friend. (When the court recessed for lunch, Carroll came up to her and gave her a big hug.)

After lunch, before the jury returned, Kaplan presided over a short hearing at which he sternly reiterated his previous rulings as to what Trump could and could not contest on the stand, including the jurys finding that he had sexually abused Carroll by forcibly inserting his fingers into her vagina.

UGGGGGGH! Trump moaned at the defense table, as he listened to the clinical description.

I want to know everything he is going to say, Kaplan said to Habba.

Im not going to testify for my client, Habba replied, refusing to make any definitive predictions.

You are making an offer of proof and your client is bound by it, Kaplan said.

Habba assured Kaplan that she would only ask her client to address three subjects: first, whether he stood by his deposition testimony; second, what his state of mind was in defending himself against Carrolls accusations; and third, whether he had ever directed anyone else to hurt his accuser. Kaplan instructed her to narrow her inquiries further. There will not be an open-ended question, he said. Meanwhile Trump was growing agitated, barking at his lawyer.

I never met the woman, he said audibly. I do not know who the woman is. Trump seemed not to understand  or at least to accept  the legal strictures the judge had placed on his testimony. I wasnt at the trial, he said, referring to one that resulted in a verdict finding him liable for the sexual abuse. Several times, he appeared to say to Habba, Its a separate trial.

Im sorry, Mr. Trump, you are interrupting these proceedings by speaking loudly, Kaplan said.

Ultimately, Kaplan knocked Habba down to just two questions. He called the jurors back, and they filed in, carrying notebooks. The defense calls President Donald Trump, Habba said.

Mr. President, she said, asking her first question. Do you stand by the testimony in your deposition?

One-hundred percent yes, Trump said. Then, he tried to elaborate: She said something, I consider it a false accusation, 100 percent false.

Kaplan struck the second part of the answer and told the jury to disregard it.

Habba asked her second question, about whether he had ever told anyone to hurt Carroll.

No, Trump replied. I just wanted to defend myself, my family, and frankly, the presidency.

Everything after no is stricken, Kaplan said.

And with that, for one day, in one room, Donald Trumps voice was erased.

With additional reporting from Jean Brannum.
These are the women/men QUEEN Harriet Tubman wouldve had to knock da fuk out & leave in the bush. They wouldve been crying all the way TO FREEDOM!!! Harriet was hit in the head & they called her crazymassa told them she crazy. She led her crazy ass & her ppl to freedom

some clips of doja dissing nicki.. say what yall want it still wont change my opinion pic.twitter.com/YzhhtkeDHB  anti  (@insideonika) December 26, 2023

.@NICKIMINAJ says a female rapper had full verse on Cowgirl & dropped out due to speculation that she didnt like them.



This confirms an earlier comment that it was @DojaCat. pic.twitter.com/0eik8gE9WE  Doja Cat News (@DojaNews) December 9, 2023

.@NICKIMINAJ once again has words for Doja Cat for choosing not to feature on cowgirl, and allegedly other female rappers her fans rally around. pic.twitter.com/TTCbJQfQKA  Doja Cat News (@DojaNews) December 23, 2023

Jay Z praising Doja Cats verse on this song: pic.twitter.com/NSWiv7xKoS https://t.co/YEbI16Ykm0  Renny Updates backup (@B7albumMedia) January 13, 2024

the DUDS scrambling over jay z co-signing doja cat pic.twitter.com/vg5oxoFstF   (@dojianaswoo) January 12, 2024

Nicki Minaj says  The reason why they continue to have a new Ginny Pig cause jealousy is cruel as the grave



 Jay Z was on spaces congratulating DojaCat earlier



Who yall think it is?? https://t.co/AEpBKOU5dn pic.twitter.com/mb5Ig5kin7  OPINIONATED_TRUTHS_PODCAST (@O_Truths) January 12, 2024

first nicki taking jabs at jay-z for his approval of doja, now taking aim at beyonce... what's her problem.  pic.twitter.com/tRDtgZ0eOf  Cardi B | Updates (@updatesofcardi) January 13, 2024

Imagine you get hired to a prestigious company & they say ok today your job is to create a barb page & pretend to be a barb for as long as possible & give us updates every day. Well advise when its time to try to dismantle sh!t. Chiiiiiiiiiiii this some REAL CIA TINGZ. GAG  Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) January 14, 2024

Nicki Minaj believes that social medias are out to get her, she believes that her fans not getting notifications for when she goes live is on purpose. pic.twitter.com/2RccHew4Mk  Local Gossip (@LocaIGossip) January 20, 2024

This is just sad Nicki Minaj truly believes Social Media platforms are going against her. pic.twitter.com/maAjvSAxoB  Local Gossip (@LocaIGossip) January 21, 2024

Nicki Minajs rant on Instagram continues as she is now threatening the social media app. pic.twitter.com/eigXXAd8be  Local Gossip (@LocaIGossip) January 22, 2024

All this over a blind item article pic.twitter.com/AlqkupWbGI  gucci bucket hat. (@Unapologetic_Z) January 25, 2024

Its getting even worse, never thought this is what shell end up doing at almost 45yo https://t.co/pruBpfSLsl pic.twitter.com/uWF6lMp7Mm  Bardis Danger (@BardisDanger) January 25, 2024

They are allowed to bully you, harass you, swat your home with a toddler multiple times & not be held accountable, 5 companies paying to slander you, never defending yourself against lies for years & years but the minute you do, you are immediately SILENCED.



yet, the ones pic.twitter.com/685IndRwVK  Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) January 25, 2024

Quick breakdown:1) Otis became a nickname for Nicki on stan twitter after Megan thee Stallion's song Thot Shit in 20212) Ice Spice has been called Nicki's sidekick after 2 collaborations and Ice seemingly taking up beef with Latto on Nicki's behalf3) Cardi B referred to Nicki as Helga Pataki during a Twitter spat (after the obsessive bully/stalker from Hey Arnold). Nicki is known for throwing shots on social media but not putting a direct mention or "@" in her posts. Red Ruby da Sleeze is another alter ego Nicki has adopted4) In her Vogue interview, Nicki admitted to having a "past" percocet addiction, which had frequently been innuendo thrown in disses against herThis was going to be a whole post tracing the various alleged shots back and forth between the two, but it got long and convoluted (also LJ ate the post).Long story short, fans online speculate that Doja and Nicki have had issues for a while, and Nicki has hinted at being jilted out of a verse for her new album.Doja Cat featured on a song for the soundtrack to The Book of Clarence, a movie produced by Jay-Z. He took to Twitter spaces to promote the movie, and praised Doja's verse in the song.Barbz were upset and took it as part of the larger conspiracy to oust Nicki from her Queen of Rap throne and replace herThat week she released a song mentioning Beyonce which has been interpreted as shade"Why can't you be-Yonce / Daddy wasn't no businessman, momma not no business owner"Nicki claims multiple companies are out to get herAs part of the conspiracy, Nicki claimed certain fans are "paid moles" for asking about album promo and music videos(Screenshots of since deleted tweets)She claims social media, specifically Instagram and TikTok are surpressing her reach and keeping her content from reaching fansNicki hopped in the comments & DMs of a Tiktokker who reads blind items from various sites, spewing insults and claiming that the Tiktokker is also a paid mole spreading hate ahead of her tour. The volume of the insults resulted in her account being limited for harassment.Tonight is suspected to bring on Round 7, as she's teased new music filled with subliminal shots at other girls. Megan thee Stallion's new song is alleged to feature a barb (pun intended) directed Minaj's way
The World Court ordered Israel on Friday to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire as requested by South Africa.

South Africa brought the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) earlier this month, asking it to grant emergency measures to halt the fighting, which has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians.

It accused Israel of state-led genocide in its offensive, begun after Hamas militants stormed into Israel killing 1,200 and kidnapping more than 240. Israel sought to have the case thrown out.

In Friday's ruling, the judges said Israel must take all measures within its power to prevent its troops from committing genocide, punish, and must take steps to improve the humanitarian situation.

While the ICJ did not order a ceasefire, it said it would not throw out the genocide case, ruling that the Palestinians appeared to be a protected group under the 1948 Genocide Convention. It did not decide the merits of the genocide allegations. Israel has called South Africa's allegations false and "grossly distorted", and said it makes the utmost efforts to avoid civilian casualties. (Reuters)
THR says they were going to renew it but after the strike delays it wouldn't have premiered until 2025 and they didn't want to have to spend more marketing it after 2 years off the air. so she almost avoided her 1 season curse lol



it was bad so whatever but i want smg back on my screen post haste!



Edited at 2024-01-26 02:34 pm (UTC)

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Aww, boo! I didn't care about the kids but I wanted to see the SMG/Rodrigo Santoro action they had hinted at :(

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THANK GOD! My girl is FREEEEEEEE. Now, let's have her read for some premium network shows, hell, someone put Ryan Murphy on her so she can at least show her versatility for a few years before moving onto actually good projects. NEED her to book something instead of doing photoshoots in her foyer and flashing her feet on IG

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I hate it but I do think she could do very well under a ryan murphy type project. Preferably a new one IMO.

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no I know and I AGREE. But the goal here is to get her out there and visible to casting directors again! Let her pick up a few noms or even a win for Best Actress/Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries and then she can move on to better things

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Oh god if she and Ryan Murphy do a show together, she and FPJ will get a divorce. I dont know how or why, I just know thats what will happen.

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What the hell is your icon

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it's been a minute since I've been on here but your icon, hello??

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She deserves better than Ryan Murphy.

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Yeah I really dont see why she cant do better than a teen show where shes the token adultI did give Wolf Pack a try for Sarah, and I feel bad for her that its been cancelled after she seemed so into it and was doing her biggest promotional push in years, but honestly it all sounded kind of lame from the beginning



Theres so many prestige shows now on streaming these days, and she would have kicked ass on something like Big Little Lies.



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Sarah seems perfect for a Ryan Murphy vehicle (Crime Story, Horror Story, Feud really any of it) before she does something better so I get it.

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Well she needs to start at the root of the problem and get rid of her team. Why they keep throwing these chickenshit gigs at her when she could be doing serious dramas is beyond. Choices.

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Honestly her pal Reese needs to hook her up, but I kinda get it because she's also SMG's direct competitor because they have the same look.

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yikes

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This is my first time hearing of this show...

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A big problem they had was me and my friend stared at the promo graphic on paramount plus for like 5 minutes going is that Sarah Michelle Gellar? We legit could not tell from the advertising and how weird they made her look, and we like SMG! We mightve considered watching it lol if this wasnt literally two days ago and now theyre cancelling it.

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oh! I thought it was just a movie, didn't know it was a tv series. Aww sorry sarah Michelle.

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I like SMG and wish her success* but she does her projects no favors by the way she behaves on-set. Shes got the JLo no eye contact unless youre a producer or above rule but thats been standard on TV sets since around 2015. I think the bigger problem is the diva way she has to check every lighting setup before a scene can shoot and the way she would count every characters lines and then immediately demand rewrites/additions if her character didnt have the most. And she also had an on-set firewoman AND fire psychologist who coached her before every scene.



Paramount+ budgets arent lavish and she was injecting a lot of extra cost. She made fun of the teen actors acne sometimes, too.

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not the fire psychologist!

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Omg how do you know this?

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Id say they should do an animated Buffy series, where they ignore the comics and continue from the show. The problem with that is how many of the Buffy actors are horrible irl.

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The comics are awesome after season 8 tbh, especially Angel & Faith

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I checked out the first episode and it was... not great, so I sort of forgot to get back to it.



I'm not surprised it got canceled though because I literally only found out about this show because of ONTD, I've not seen it mentioned a single time elsewhere.

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No loss really. I love SMG but bailed on this a couple of episodes in. Hopefully won't be long before she books another series.

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omg yes, I'd love to see her play a recurring character in Ghosts, some sort of paranormal investigator who creates trouble



Edited at 2024-01-26 06:37 pm (UTC)

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Interesting too because I think I saw Paramount is expected to do layoffs soon.

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That's too bad. I was interested in her character and Rodrigo's, and the tantalizing implication that they were going to get involved, but the pacing and the teens' acting was just awful. So boring.



Maybe SMG should get in one of those prestige limited series, where the plan is for a single season and her curse won't matter.

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It would be fun to see her in something like White Lotus!

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Well, it's good to see there is an attempt to hold them accountable. We'll see how effective it is.

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I imagine there will be 0 actual repercussions. The global superpowers will sit back and watch while Israel systematically exterminates a recognised group under the Geneva Convention. None of them will highlight the irony in it being Holocaust Memorial Day while Israel commits its own genocide for fears of being labelled anti-Semitic. The world will continue to descend into filth.

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it's pretty much a slap on the wrist at best

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Can anyone tell me what they'll do to hold Israel accountable if they fail to meet these deadlines? Or if they don't follow through with their proposed actions? Sources would be great if anyone has an analysis on this decision!

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Israel will be sent to bed without dinner!

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Nothing

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I was listening to NPR this morning, they mentioned Myanmar got a similar order by the ICJ in 2020 for their actions against the Rohingya people. Myanmar has just ignored it with zero consequences.

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yeah. it isn't a court that issues binding rulings

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that's the whole criticism of the UN, they don't actually have power

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Nothing, they can't actually enforce shit

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And they will face 0 consequences and will continue to be supported and funded by the USA and its taxpayers.

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So basically, they can still bomb the shit out of Gaza and then maybe circle back and revisit this whole 'ruling' thing 3 weeks from now when absolutely nothing of Gaza will be left, because if anything, that deadline just made them want to finish this all off faster. Ok.

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This is lukewarm. These steps need to be immense. People are being killed under the worst conditions imaginable every day a ceasefire is not called for and intensive healthcare and aid isn't granted to Gazans who are dying of starvation, disease, thirst, and their injuries. There's no working hospitals. Not to mention the unbelievable traumatic toll this will add to the already besieged lives of Palestinians. Ceasefire immediately.

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My respect to South Africa. They stepped up when no one else would.

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same. pleasantly surprised by this growth.

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growth is a bit

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The ICJ orders Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide.





Wow wow wow whats with this extreme language? Within its power? Excessive!



Like please israel can bomb palestine all they want and then come back and say WE TRIED WITHIN OUR POWERS

This whole thing is a joke

Whats the point of any of these international bodies

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The US stopped funding the UNRWA today to investigate whether UNRWA employees were also Hamas members so yeah. Some far-right Israelis and Americans are saying the UNRWA exists to destroy Israel and should be completely destroyed and that explains a lot.

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So interesting that the news about it came out today of all days.....

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I wonder if they accused Motaz and that's why he had to flee...

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I mean, Moraz was getting threatening calls from the IOF for a while, so he could have finally decided he and his family had enough.

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Debra Messing was definitely trying to accuse him of being in Hamas.

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Good on South Africa. Members of the IOF have posted their war crimes on their tik toks and other socials like psychopaths and not to mention the racist and inflammatory statements Israeli officials have tweeted. I just want the bloodshed to stop, its horrific

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This post didn't need your comments OP. Good ruling, but I wish they would have called for an end to the fighting.



Edited at 2024-01-26 04:49 pm (UTC)

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Didn't need yours either, but here we are.

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Whats wrong with their comments?

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what an asinine comment

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what fighting? it's a genocide. is israel 'fighting' the little kids they're bombing and starving?



Edited at 2024-01-26 07:58 pm (UTC)

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Nothing is wrong with their comment and it's literally their post. Stop being a blockhead in regards to what people post here.



Also, peace out girl scout.

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Arrest the USA too tbh

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This is like the weakest judgement they could give tbh. The language makes it very clear they are toeing the line. And can I just say, an African country that has much more to lose taking the risk to confront one of the most powerful coalitions should really let western countries/populations that we'e lost all credibility.



Edited at 2024-01-26 04:59 pm (UTC)

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It breaks my heart that the world has just sat by and done the absolute least (if not actively funding) this genocide. The last four years have truly impacted my ability to believe in the good of humanity as a whole. In groups (led by certain, ahem, types) we seem to be the worst kind of power hungry monsters and deserve to be spun off into space. But then those groups arent the majority yet seem to hold all of the cards



Individual kindness and humanity on the other hand have been impressive and beautiful. Its truly a mindfuck. But then I think about all the protest and I know Im wrong about groups as well. Sorry. Babble. I just hate it here.

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Can you say what you mean without clearing your throat? I'd really like to understand what you mean and yes, we deserve to be spun off into space.



"In groups (led by certain, ahem, types)"

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From what I can see very privileged (for the most part) palm colored humans of a certain age range seem dedicated to nuking us all off of the planet to take us with them into the great beyond they seem to think they wont ever meet.

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QT is supposed to retire after the next movie so if an actor really wants to work with him that does have to be the priority over anything else. And the reality is Top Gun is just Tom Cruise. I don't think a single young actor from the movie got a bump in profile or popularity. All this to say that I think he made the right choice for him.



I wouldn't want to work with either of them but I'll take the weird feet guy over the cult leader.

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Glen Powell? I feel like hes everywhere

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this is not about your comment at all, I just want to rant about how I dont understand Tarantinos whole Im only making ten films, directors who keep making films after a certain age have diminishing returns and end up dying before they make another great movie thing. its so depressing.



yeah Jonathan Demmes last films being fucking Ricki and the Flash and a Justin Timberlake concert film sucks, but he also made Rachel Getting Married! his other films survive as his legacy. Scorsese and Spielberg are still making amazing fucking movies. Ridley Scott is more hit and miss but at least hes doing some interesting stuff regularly at an older age.

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ia with you overall and i think artists should continue to make work if they want to even if the work is bad, but QT has such a specific style and vibe that i could see too much of it becoming redundant (kind of how wes anderson's shtick gets more annoying as time goes on)?



like i respect people who never give up on trying and growing and evolving but i also get quitting at a place you feel good abt if feel you have so many movies in you

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TBH I think Quentin lost some heart after his longtime collaborator Sally Menke passed away, They were a strong team and were extremely close, and she had a way of reigning in his excess and editing his work. I can understand why he's kinda done now.

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I dint see how its depressing, hes very particular which also results in a very particular way of shooting and output. he doesnt have to be right about it in every case, but its his thing not to compromise and that works for him.

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I don't find it depressing, he's been saying this for almost 20 years. I can understand if a director or any creative wants to keep their legacy looking a certain way. He doesn't like failure cause he was really bummed when Grindhouse flopped and even questioned his place in the industry over it (bit over the top Quentin) until he bounced back with Inglorious Bastards.

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it's honestly such a loser mindset from tarantino. right now we're watching old masters like miyazaki and scorsese put out some of the most interesting work late into their careers. tarantino's apparent fear of making a bad movie is what will prevent him from making a truly great one imo. you need a certain level of reckless abandon to create truly lasting art.

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Greg Tarzan Davis booked 2 MI thanks to TG

That's good money

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Glen Powell is doing fine.

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Not a bad problem to have as an actor, I guess.



We rewatched it the other day, and my husband was like... "hey wait a second, isn't that Elvis"



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Yeah I didnt even remember he was in it

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I mean that's also just a smart choice, like, one role was his and the other was a screen test so he didn't even have the part.

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That's how I looked at it. I'd take the guaranteed 'yes, you're cast' over the 'you're just coming in to test' no matter what the movies were. He could have chose Maverick and then not got cast in the end and not had either movie.

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screen test!!!!!

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I don't even remember Austin in OUATIH, which btw was a crap movie

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probably the right choice. the OUATIH role was small but there were some guys who got cast in Maverick who barely ended up in the film (see: Manny Jacinto)

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i think he was up for glen or miles' role honestly



eta: ontd doesn't read it clearly says it was for rooster lol but the point still stands because glen also read for that role so he could've ended up with nothing



Edited at 2024-01-26 09:03 pm (UTC)

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That seems to align more with the direction he was looking to take his career in so good choice.

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Isn't he too tall to be in a Tom Cruise film?

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Smart choice. He seems to be making good decisions for his career.

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OUaTiH sucked lol QT needs to hire someone like Sally Menke (RIP) who can reign in his bullshit editing wise but I also understand why a young actor would pick Tarantino over a Top Gun sequel and I liked TG2 lol



I wonder if he was gonna be Bob. Or Goose's kid.

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it says it was for rooster. i think he/glen/miles were all up for that part

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Tsk at the OP for making me have to go to the source lol



I can see him as Rooster but yeah he was def too young considering so was Miles technically.

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So sick of this muppet

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he made the right choice. tarantino is an icon.

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it was the right choice. he is fucking amazing in that movie tbh, my favorite part of it by a long shot

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Smart man, he had a good amount of presence for not being a major character. So many dudes were edited out of Top Gun!!!

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Leeco Steel Celebrates an Accident-Free Decade at Its Houston Branch

The company has also marked more than five years accident-free at seven of its 10 North American facilities.

Leeco Steelwhich specializes in steel plate distribution and manufacturingmarked a decade of operation at its Houston processing facility with the announcement of another milestone.

According to a release dated Jan. 24, Leeco Steel reached ten years accident-free at its Houston location since opening on January 20, 2014. The company also has gone over five years without accidents in seven of its 10 North American facilities across four different states. Notably, Leeco's Monterrey, Mexico facility has also achieved over a decade of accident-free operations.

The safety record of our Houston facility is a testament to Leecos safety program, as well as to the expertise of the Houston team, Leecos Vice President of Operations Chad Schuh said in a statement. Nothing is more important than our team returning home at the end of the day, which  in our line of work  requires constant attentiveness and adherence to safety policies.

A subsidiary of ONeal Industries (ONI), Leeco Steel is currently expanding its processed plate offering across all locations, Schuh said, though it maintains the same safety-first approach.
NLRB and OSHA to Enhance Enforcement Cooperation

The NLRB and OSHA enhance enforcement cooperation with a new MOU, impacting employer risks and rights during inspections, and potentially affecting workplace safety and union activities.

On October 31, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and OSHA announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate investigations and enforcement actions between the two agencies. This coordination between agencies is nothing new for the NLRB. The agency has also signed MOUs with the Wage and Hour Division and the Office of Labor-Management Statistics. These actions all are consistent with NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzos stated goal of taking a whole government approach to enforcement of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

The enhanced cooperation between the NLRB and OSHA called for under the MOU has consequences for employers regarding their enforcement risk and their ability to consent  or refuse to consent  to a compliance safety and health officers (CSHO) inspection scope. OSHA has the authority to conduct workplace safety/health inspections in limited circumstances, which generally include imminent hazards, complaints, accidents that result in serious injury or death, referrals or inspections pursuant to an emphasis program. NLRA compliance is not listed.

The MOU specifically provides that The NLRB and OSHA may share, either upon request or upon the respective agency's own initiative, any information or data that supports each agency's enforcement mandates, whether obtained during an investigation or through any other sources to the extent permitted by law. The only way OSHA gets labor law information is by looking for it during an inspection. Ordinarily, an employer who has consented to an inspection still may object to an expansion of that investigation beyond the purpose for which it was initiated.

But CSHOs question employees in private. As such, employers may not even know that OSHA is seeking NLRA-related information during the site visit. In this manner, OSHA will be able to obtain information that the NLRB would not be able to obtain directly and could do so in a manner that bypasses an employers rights to object to an expanded investigation.

The MOU also provides that in appropriate cases and to the extent allowable under law, the agencies will determine whether to conduct coordinated investigations and inspections, where doing so would facilitate and not delay enforcement action. This language could incentivize employees and/or unions to simultaneously file unfair labor practice charges along with OSHA complaints. Of course, such dual filings may be legitimate, but sometimes, they are not. They are part of a strategy to put pressure on an employer for a different purpose completely unrelated to safety and health.
Energy officials in Kazakhstan have forecast that electricity shortfalls will deepen in the coming two years, thereby increasing reliance on imports and heightening the risk of unscheduled blackouts.

News outlet LS reported on January 25, citing Energy Ministry data, that power consumption this year is expected to reach 120.6 billion kilowatt hours, while production will lag behind at 118.3 kilowatt hours. Demand and production will both grow in 2025, but the deficit will widen to 3.3 billion kilowatt hours, the ministry is predicting.

Some relief is anticipated in 2026 and 2027, when the government expects production to outstrip demand.

But deficits will again be a feature in the three years that follow, according to a government forecast covering the 2024-2030 period.

Inability to provide domestically for the whole countrys electricity needs is partly about rising demand, but the problem is also rooted in the fact that the electricity grid is split into three geographically distinct areas: the north, the south and the west.

What is known as the western zone is anticipated to produce power in excess of domestic needs this year, but as it is not connected to the linked north-south grid, that excess cannot be delivered to consumers where the need is greatest.

Energy officials anticipate that a project to link the western zone to the rest of the national grid will be completed by 2028, thereby putting in place the infrastructure required to even out the current imbalance between the three zones.

Kazakhstans power grid is linked internationally with neighbors Russia, China, and several Central Asian nations to the south.

The most contentious proposed long-term solution for Kazakhstans ever-growing electricity needs is to build a nuclear power plant.

In September, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sought to distance himself from having to take a final decision on the matter by announcing a referendum. He has previously expressed support for the idea, though.

At a government meeting in February 2022, Tokayev argued that without nuclear power, Kazakhstan stands to lose its entire economy, adding that nuclear skeptics were populists who do not understand economic realities.

No date has yet been set for the vote.

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Turkey signed off on Swedens NATO accession this week, with a clear signal that the U.S. would provide Erdogan with those long-awaited F-16s. That leaves Hungary as the outlier. Hungarys pro-Russian Orban is still holding out.

The winter season has seen the Russia-Ukraine conflict take on new aspects, with Ukraine launching some particularly bold attacks on Russian targets. Earlier this week, Ukraine launched a drone attack on a Russian Baltic Sea terminal (Novatek), taking some 20,000 bpd offline temporarily.

The conflict in the Red Sea continued unabated this week, with the Houthis targeting Maersk vessels and their U.S. Navy warship escorts through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off the coast of Yemen. The Houthis, looking to score some additional credibility, claimed to have directly hit the U.S. warship escorts - a claim that was denied by U.S. Central Command. The vessels were targeted, but there were no direct hits. Maersk has been rerouting most vessels to avoid the Red Sea, with a single remaining class of vessel being the only ones that were still braving the passage until this week. All Maersk vessels are now being rerouted following this latest attack. Prior to this, data showed that tanker volume in the Suez Canal had fallen by over 50% in the week starting January 15 compared to the previous week (Reuters, citing AXSMarine).

Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict

The conflict in the Red Sea continued unabated this week, with the Houthis targeting Maersk vessels and their U.S. Navy warship escorts through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off the coast of Yemen. The Houthis, looking to score some additional credibility, claimed to have directly hit the U.S. warship escorts - a claim that was denied by U.S. Central Command. The vessels were targeted, but there were no direct hits. Maersk has been rerouting most vessels to avoid the Red Sea, with a single remaining class of vessel being the only ones that were still braving the passage until this week. All Maersk vessels are now being rerouted following this latest attack. Prior to this, data showed that tanker volume in the Suez Canal had fallen by over 50% in the week starting January 15 compared to the previous week (Reuters, citing AXSMarine).

The winter season has seen the Russia-Ukraine conflict take on new aspects, with Ukraine launching some particularly bold attacks on Russian targets. Earlier this week, Ukraine launched a drone attack on a Russian Baltic Sea terminal (Novatek), taking some 20,000 bpd offline temporarily.

Turkey signed off on Swedens NATO accession this week, with a clear signal that the U.S. would provide Erdogan with those long-awaited F-16s. That leaves Hungary as the outlier. Hungarys pro-Russian Orban is still holding out.

The deal Washington made with Venezuela to ease oil sanctions was conditioned on Maduros willingness to cut a deal with the opposition to hold free and fair elections this year. That deal is now on the brink of collapsing. Maduros gambit to annex Essequibo in order to create an international incident and cancel elections has failed (so far), likely because the U.S. resisted taking the bait and stepping in. In other words, no international incident was created that would have given Maduro what he needed to declare a state of emergency. Instead, this week brought news of an alleged assassination plot targeting Maduro, which has led to the arrest of 32 individuals (both soldiers and civilians), with new warrants issued for another 11 people. It smacks of the alleged coup that solidified Erdogans power in Turkey. Maduro also accused the U.S. of working with the opposition to force a regime change. All of this puts the deal to ease oil sanctions into question, and the market should be watching developments here closely.

Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions

UAEs TAQA will sell its 47.4% stake in Atrush oilfield in Iraqi Kurdistan to Canadas ShaMaran Petroleum. The move represents a complete exit for TAQA from the Kurdistan region of Iraq, following the complete stoppage of oil exports from the Kurdistan region nearly a year ago. ShaMaran already holds a 27.6% stake in the Atrush oilfield. It has plans to sell 25% of its total stake and operatorship to US-based HKN Energy. The deal is subject to approval by the KRG, which owns the last 25%.

Iran and Russia have finalized a 20-year deal that will replace the 10-year deal signed in 2001. The deal gives Russia the first right of extraction in the Iranian section of the Caspian Seaincluding the Chalous field, and in major oil and gas fields in the Khorramshahr and Ilam provinces that border Iraq.

Sunoco will purchase fuels storage and pipeline operator NuStar Energy in a deal valued at $7.3B, including the assumption of debt, creating a more vertically integrated company. The deal is expected to close next quarter.

Woodside said earlier this week that the $52B merger talks with Santos were still in an early stage and that there was still no certainty that a deal would be had.

Energy Earnings

Siemens Energy Q4 results beat analyst expectations as it recovered from an onshore wind turbine quality crisis. Q1 revenues were up 12.6% to $8.29B, while profit margins before special items landed at 2.7%. Order intake, meanwhile, was up 23.6%.

Baker Hughes beat estimates for Q4 as well on the back of strong demand from LNG producers and offshore and international markets. International revenue for OFS segment rose 15%, although its North America revenue was down 1%. Industrial and energy technology segment revenues were up 24% to $2.88B.

Halliburton's Q4 earnings also beat estimates, with EPS at $0.86. Profit came in at $661 million or $0.74 per share. Revenues were $5.74B for the quarter, missing analyst forecasts. Total 2023 profit came in at $2.64B, or $2.92 per share. Full year revenue was $23.02B.

Rounding out the OFS providers, Schlumberger booked Q4 revenue of $8.99Bup 8% from the previous quarter and 14% year over year. GAAP EPS of $.77 was 1% down for the quarter. Full-year revenue was $33.14B, up 18% year over year.

Woodsides sales revenue fell 35% year over year in Q4 to $3.35B, but up 3% compared to Q3. Sales volume for the quarter was 49.5 MMboe, compared to 53.3 MMboe in Q3 and 52.2 MMboe in Q4 2022. The companys average LNG produced price hit $11.5/MMBtu in Q4up from $10.3/MMBtu in the quarter priorbut down from $20.3/MMBtu in Q4 2022.
- The US boasts 84 million tonnes per year of operational

- Reflecting the markets expectation of higher feedgas demand further down the road, the December 2025 Henry Hub contract trades at $4.1/mmBtu, up 60% compared to current levels.

- The entire 2024 Henry Hub curve has now moved below $4 per mmBtu as natural gas producers are anticipating 2025 when a string of new LNG could be ramping up liquefaction demand.

- Recalibrating its growth abroad, SLB indicated that the Middle East will be a huge revenue generator for the upcoming years as record upstream investment in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iraq extends beyond 2025-2026.

- Both oil services giants have signaled a slowdown in US shale activities, with 2024 upstream capital spending expected to grow by a mere 2% compared to 19% last year, although their international portfolios could grow in low double digits.

- Halliburton generated $1.1 billion in free cash flow this past quarter, its best quarter in more than two decades, prompting it to lift its quarterly dividend to $0.17 per share, whilst SLB hiked its dividend to $0.275 per share.

- The worlds largest oil services majors, SLB and Halliburton, have boosted their quarterly dividend as their Q4 performance beat expectations thanks to an improving international drilling portfolio.

1. Oilfield Services Majors Enjoy International Boom

- The worlds largest oil services majors, SLB and Halliburton, have boosted their quarterly dividend as their Q4 performance beat expectations thanks to an improving international drilling portfolio.

- Halliburton generated $1.1 billion in free cash flow this past quarter, its best quarter in more than two decades, prompting it to lift its quarterly dividend to $0.17 per share, whilst SLB hiked its dividend to $0.275 per share.

- Both oil services giants have signaled a slowdown in US shale activities, with 2024 upstream capital spending expected to grow by a mere 2% compared to 19% last year, although their international portfolios could grow in low double digits.

- Recalibrating its growth abroad, SLB indicated that the Middle East will be a huge revenue generator for the upcoming years as record upstream investment in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iraq extends beyond 2025-2026.

2. Absent 2024 Terminal Launches, Natural Gas Markets Wait for 2025

- The entire 2024 Henry Hub curve has now moved below $4 per mmBtu as natural gas producers are anticipating 2025 when a string of new LNG could be ramping up liquefaction demand.

- Reflecting the markets expectation of higher feedgas demand further down the road, the December 2025 Henry Hub contract trades at $4.1/mmBtu, up 60% compared to current levels.

- The US boasts 84 million tonnes per year of operational liquefaction capacity, with the upcoming wave of new projects set to add a further 8.4 million tonnes per year of new capacity.

- Despite the natural gas lobbying against project delays, the Biden administration is expected to announce an expansion of DOE approval criteria, specifically when it comes to climate change, delaying Calcasieu Pass 2 and another 16 proposed projects.

3. Soaring Power Needs Will Keep Fossil Fuels Around

- Rapidly rising electricity demands of data centers and AI are complicating the United States stated aim of de-fossilizing electricity generation, leaving 2020 as the only year in the past decade to see a year-on-year decrease in electricity demand.

- BCG believes that US data centers are set for a tripling in electricity demands from 2022 by the end of the decade, hitting 390 TWh by 2030 or 7.5% of the nations total power consumption.

- The US Energy Information Administration expects wind and solar energy to lead growth in the countrys power generation in 2024-2025, adding 171 billion kWh of incremental generation over the next two years.

- The slowdown in coal plant closures for at least two dozen facilities across Kentucky to North Dakota is stemming from such higher-than-assumed power needs, buoyed by the IRA-subsidized infrastructure build-out.

4. Red Sea Disruptions Hit Europes Jet Supplies Hard

- Jet fuel has become the favorite product of European refiners in 2024 so far, beating last years champion diesel as the continents regrade (the spread between kerosene and diesel) has been on average $3 per barrel more profitable this year to date.

- Europe being reliant on Middle Eastern jet fuel more than on diesel, the impact of Red Sea disruptions has been more palpable also because the US doesnt have enough jet to supply to Europe.

- Jet cargoes arriving in Europe this month declined by 26% compared to December, averaging only 323,000 b/d, a problem for a continent where refiners yields produce only 9% of jet fuel, preferring diesel output.

- As jet is routinely blended into the diesel pool to produce winter specification ultra-low sulfur diesel with stronger cold properties, missing volumes from the kerosene end will keep diesel cracks elevated, too.

5. Is Tesla Losing Out to the Chinese?

- Tesla shares have plunged by 27% since the beginning of 2024, with this weeks Q4 earnings call prompting a 10% day-on-day collapse as Elon Musk has warned of a notable slowdown in sales growth.

- As the US carmaker lost its crown as the worlds top-selling EV producer to Chinas BYD in Q4, the company reported earnings of $0.71 per share, slightly below Wall Streets $0.73 per share estimate.

- Before the call, the analyst consensus saw Tesla selling 2.2 million vehicles in 2024, an approximately 22% year-on-year growth compared to the 1.8 million EVs delivered last year, but that call might be revised lower.

- Simultaneously, Tesla said it would be recalling 200,000 Model S, X, and Y vehicles in the United States due to a rearview image dysfunction, less than two months after a similar fault in the Autopilot system.

6. Floating Solar Plants Proliferate Across Southeast Asia

- Southeast Asia is poised to become a global hotbed for floating solar photovoltaic projects, with Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand leading the way as floating solar is slated for a 60% increase year-on-year.

- Onshore solar projects in Southeast Asia have been sapped by the predominant use of available land for agricultural purposes, writes Rystad Energy, prompting solar developers to move into the sea.

- Currently, 9 out top 10 floating solar projects are in China, but thanks to the successful November 2023 commissioning of the 145 MW Cirata project in Indonesia will propel Southeast Asian countries into the top rankings soon.

- Thanks to many large inland lakes, the Philippines is expected to add 3 GW of floating solar power capacity by the end of this decade, although that would still be only a quarter of Chinas capacity by that point.

7. China Launches Voluntary Carbon Market

- Beijing launched its national voluntary carbon market this week, with Chinas carbon credits (also China Certified Emission Reduction, CCER) trading at a relatively low price of $9/mtCO2e.

- The revamp of CCER was halted for six years between 2017 and 2023, however last year the Chinese government announced four methodologies for their issuance  forestation, mangrove cultivation, solar thermal, and offshore wind power.

- Currently, only domestic Chinese companies have the right to generate carbon credits, but Beijing would like to enable international transactions, too, at an unspecified later stage.

- China kicked off its carbon market reform in 2021 when it started carbon allowance trading for power generation companies, by enabling CCER companies can expand their activities into offsetting emissions.
The bullish case for oil prices was strengthened dramatically this week, with strong U.S. economic data helping to push Brent well past the $80 mark.

Friday, January 26, 2024

The stronger-than-expected performance of the US economy has boosted oil prices to their highest level this year, not many analysts were expecting a 3.3% GDP growth in Q4. Continuous Houthi strikes in the Red Sea and surging product freight rates have added impetus to the bullish cause, and even Chinas timid reaching out to Iran to rein in the Yemeni attacks failed to scale back geopolitical tensions. With Brent breaking through the $80 per barrel threshold and reaching $82 per barrel, prices cleared an important psychological barrier.

White House Asks China to Help with Houthis. According to the Financial Times, the White House has asked China to help rein Houthi rebels attacking commercial tankers in the Red Sea as two Maersk container ships were targeted this week despite US warship escorts.

TMX Pipeline Eyes April Start. Canadas $23 billion Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) pipeline is set to begin line fill by the end of this quarter, with first commercial flows starting from April and ramping up to full capacity by December, easing oil sands huge double-digit discounts.

UAE Mulls African Oil Expansion. The government of Uganda has chosen an investment firm from the UAE, led by a member of the Dubai royal family, to build a 60,000 b/d refinery in the country after a deal with an international consortium fell apart in 2023.

UK Waits for Worlds Most Expensive Nuclear Plant. French nuclear developer EDF announced that the construction of the UKs Hinkley Point C nuclear plant will cost an extra $13 billion, taking the total to $46 billion, and will be delayed by several years to at least 2029.

US Refiners Seek Limits to Fuel Credit Market. US oil refiners have asked the Biden administration to restrict participation in the US renewable fuel credit program (RINs), claiming the current EPA mechanisms allow any person to participate, paving the way for manipulation.

Consolidation Extends into US Midstream Market. US fuel distributor Sunoco (NYSE:SUN) agreed to buy pipeline and terminal operator NuStar Energy in an all-equity deal for $7.3 billion, opening up the logistics and infrastructure segment for the Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) subsidiary.

Defying Peers, Chevron Sees A Future in Nigeria. As European peers such as Shell are leaving Nigeria, US oil major Chevron (NYSE:CVX) unveiled a plan to expand its presence in the African country, signing a 20-year renewal on three deepwater leases and acquiring a stake in the OPL 215 block.

Clean Tanker Freight Hits 4-Year Highs. Freight rates for oil product tankers to Europe hit their highest level since April 2020, with a Persian Gulf-UK Continent voyage via the Cape of Good Hope costing 8.25 million now, up 60% compared to the conventional Suez Canal route.

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Rosneft Refinery Hit by Ukrainian Drones. Less than a week after Ukrainian drones hit a Novatek naphtha tank farm in Ust Luga, the vacuum distillation unit of Rosnefts (MCX:ROSN) 240,000 b/d Tuapse oil refinery was struck in a new attack, causing a fire.

Copper Starts to Lose Investment Appeal. Hedge fund positioning on copper has swung from a vast net long in early January to the largest net short since mid-2022, to the tune of 25,000 contracts, with investors wary of Chinas ailing manufacturing activity and European recession.

Equinor and BP Swap NY Wind Farms. European oil majors BP (NYSE:BP) and Equinor (NYSE:EQNR) are splitting their New York wind farm joint venture, with each assuming full control of their respective wind farms, resulting in a $600 million pre-tax impairment for BP.

Fortescue Hits the Wall in China. Two iron ore cargoes supplied by Fortescue (ASX:FMG) to China have been denied customs clearance due to an ongoing probe, just as the Australian miner is trying to renegotiate a 2024 procurement deal with the state-run iron ore buyer CMRG.

Chinese Jet Fuel Demand to Hit New Highs. Chinese jet fuel demand is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels over the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations, hitting 860,000 b/d, as Chinese travelers are expected to make 80 million domestic flights over that period.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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Oil markets are holding their breath over Middle East tensions, unsure of whether to push prices up and ignore supply and demand fundamentals as tensions seem to escalate by the day, or whether its all just noise.

For now, we will agree with a Foreign Policy assessment that Iran is good at creating chaos through the use of its proxies in the Axis of Resistance, but not strong enough to start an outright war with Israel. While tensions continue to mount on multiple fronts (southern Lebanon/northern Israel; the Red Sea; Iraq and Syria), Iran is not taking the opportunity to launch an actual war despite the fact that it is hitting the public airwaves frequently, applauding the unity of Tehran and its proxies. We diverge, however, from Foreign Policys rather simplistic assessment that this all shows Irans devastating weakness, which in turn will lead it to the final push for nuclear weapons.

Oil market observers would do well to take care not to fall into traps set by talking heads for the mainstream media and (arguably) mainstream think tanks who insist on simplifying everything so they can squeeze into a tidy little bundle, as is consistently done with both Tehran and Moscow (and, of course, Israel).

Israel will not let up on Gaza until Netanyahu secures his power. Iran is not in a position to be the dominant power in the Middle East, and having nuclear weapons (rather than simply working towards that goal) would
Slowing growth in electric vehicle sales, including in the top EV market, China, and a market oversupply in battery metals sent lithium prices crashing by 80% in the past year, prompting lithium miners to pause and scale back expansion projects.

China's EV sales continued to grow last year but fell short of expectations. On the other hand, raw material providers, which had rushed to mine lithium in the past two years to meet growing demand, have outproduced the current demand. As a result, lithium prices crashed last year by over 80% to the lowest level since 2020, at $13,200 per ton, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence says, as carried by the Financial Times.

Lithium Oversupply

As miners accelerated lithium production in 2022, the market swung from a supply deficit in 2022 to a surplus in 2023. Add to this slower Chinese EV sales than in previous years, and the perfect storm on the lithium market was createdtoo much supply, faltering demand.

The lithium supply response has charged ahead of demand, price reporting agency Fastmarkets said in a report this week.

"Market participants expect downstream lithium demand to remain relatively weak and with no imminent concerns about supply shortages, we forecast a tentatively balanced market in 2024," according to Fastmarkets.

Some restocking could occur in the second quarter of 2024, leading to a mild recovery in lithium prices, but they are set to "generally trend down for the second half of the year," Fastmarkets' analysts noted.

In December, a Chinese lithium seller told Fastmarkets,

"Although we had some sales to the end consumers, the volume is very small. Consumer demand was very thin."

EV Growth Slows

Demand growth has slowed while stockpiles of battery metals have increased, putting downward pressure on lithium prices.

In China, the world's top electric vehicle market, EV penetration has continued to grow, but China's retail EV sales volume growth has fallen considerably, according to Goldman Sachs.

Chinese EV sales grew by 1.5 million units between January and October 2023, compared to 2.3 million unit sales in the same period of 2022, "pointing towards a normalisation in supply chains," Goldman Sachs's research analysts wrote in a note at the end of November. Related: Red Sea Disruptions Force Saudi Aramco to Slash Prices

"Most battery materials and components are seeing a softening in their balance as our batteries analysts note while 'greenflation' concerns are now abating. The accelerated supply expansion and battery capex surge from past 18 months has pushed China's battery balance into a surplus, which in turn has weighed on restocking demand for lithium," the investment bank said.

"The supply chain normalisation combined with phase-out of national subsidies in China has also weighed on the pace of growth of EV demand," according to Goldman's analysts.

"[T]he softening in the lithium market has become incrementally apparent with the slowdown in demand growth now in direct contrast with growing global lithium supply."

In China alone, there appears to have been a surplus of over 200 GWh of lithium-ion batteries last year, Wood Mackenzie said in a 2024 outlook on EV and battery supply chains.

"Automakers are likely sitting on secured cell supply for EV sales that failed to materialise," WoodMac's analysts wrote.

Lithium Miners Scramble to Withstand the Price Crash

As a result of oversupply, weaker EV demand growth, and crashing prices, some of the biggest lithium miners have started to take measures to mitigate the impact on profitability.

Albemarle, one of the world's top lithium producers, said last week it was re-phasing larger projects, reducing capital expenditures, deferring some spending, and planning job cuts, to "optimize its cost structure in response to changing end-market conditions, particularly in the lithium value chain."

Albemarle will prioritize permitting activities at the Kings Mountain spodumene resource and defer spending at the Richburg mega-flex lithium conversion facility, as well as defer investment for the Albemarle Technology Park in North Carolina and limit sustaining capital spending to the most critical health, safety, environmental, and site maintenance projects.?

"The company is also pursuing actions to optimize its cost structure, reducing costs by approximately $95 million annually, primarily related to sales, general, and administrative expenses, including a reduction in headcount and lower spending on contracted services," Albemarle said.

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Pure-play lithium company Pilbara Minerals warned that it is "unlikely that a dividend will be paid for the half-year ended 31 December 2023," as the company looks to further preserve its balance sheet position.

Pilbara's estimated realized sales price for spodumene concentrate in the December quarter was down by 50% on the prior quarter.

Core Lithium announced on Wednesday a temporary suspension of open pit mining operations to preserve cash.

Liontown Resources said on Monday it had initiated a review of the planned expansion and associated ramp-up of Kathleen Valley to preserve capital and reduce the near-term funding requirements of the project.

"The recent material decline in spodumene prices has triggered significant reductions in short and medium-term lithium price forecasts," said Liontown Resources, which also announced it had failed to finalize a previously agreed US $500 million (AUS$760 million) debt funding package.

The finalization of the debt package "has been impacted by recent reductions in the independent forecast pricing for spodumene upon which the lenders' credit approvals were based," said the company, whose shareholders include mining billionaire Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest person.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev is in Beijing to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a high-profile state visit intended to lay the groundwork for strong ties between the two countries.

In an article signed by Mirziyoev that appeared in Chinese state media ahead of the trip, the Uzbek leader praised Chinas model of economic development and said relations between the two countries are experiencing new historical heights that will allow him to use the January 23-25 trip to develop a new long-term agenda for the two countries that will last for decades.

"Every time I visit China, I sincerely admire the scale of the reforms taking place here, the accomplishments, creative strength, diligence, and talent of the Chinese people who are confidently pursuing the path of modernization to realize their centuries-old dream, the article said.

The state visit comes following the first in-person China-Central Asia leaders summit in May where China inked several agreements to deepen its economic and security links with the region. In Beijing, Mirziyoev is looking to build upon those deals as well as a comprehensive strategic-partnership agreement signed in 2022.

While meeting with Xi and other top-level Chinese officials, the Uzbek delegation will look to court investment and agree with their counterparts on how to bring many previously signed deals to fruition, from developing green energy projects to cooperation in science and boosting tourism between China and Uzbekistan.

This is less about concrete outcomes and more about setting a road map for the future, Niva Yau, a fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub, told RFE/RL. China has committed to investments and projects and this high-level visit is [about] how to achieve them and to search for new areas to cooperate together.

Evolving Ties

The visit takes place against the backdrop of several major developments that have changed the political environment at home and abroad for Uzbekistans relationship with China.

Russias 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine has boosted Chinas standing as a reliable political and economic force for the countries of Central Asia as Moscow -- the regions traditional dominant partner -- has grappled with financial and geopolitical fallout from the conflict.

After a decade of infrastructure investments around the globe through Beijings multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China wants to use the project to invest in new sectors and become a more strategic lender after facing criticism for a lack of transparency in BRI loans as it now grapples with a slowing domestic economy.

Facing such headwinds, China is looking to make the BRI smaller and greener through more risk-averse loans and investments in renewables, and Yau said this could factor into the results from Mirziyoevs visit.

China, she notes, has been investing heavily in environmental and scientific research and monitoring, with several notable investments in Central Asia.

Tajikistan, which neighbors Uzbekistan to the southeast and shares a border with China, opened a Chinese observation station on Lake Sarez in 2021, reportedly for environmental research and international disaster reduction and prevention, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

In July 2023, Chinese researchers also unveiled a new super observation post for climate and environmental monitoring in Shahritus, near the meeting point of China's borders with Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.

The stations have scientific and technological applications, but observers note the installations are part of a broad network of similar stations across BRI countries in South and Central Asia that could have dual applications for security and surveillance.

Beijing has also looked to expand the list of countries cooperating with its space program, reaching an agreement with Turkmenistan in 2023.

While traditional Chinese investments in Central Asia are still in play, such as a proposed natural gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to China and a railway connecting China to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, their futures are uncertain.

Yau said Beijing is looking to bring these new areas of investment and industry that it has expanded elsewhere in the world to Central Asia, and Uzbekistan, with a population of some 35 million, is an attractive partner.

One particular sector of interest is renewable energy and opening up new markets for Chinese electric vehicles.

China has been positioning itself as a market leader around the world for years and, in December, Chinas Henan Suda signed a deal with the Uzbek Energy Ministry to build some 50,000 charging stations for electric vehicles around the country by 2033.

These are areas where China is becoming a global leader and it wants to bring them to Central Asia, Yau said.

New President, New Era

While events like the war in Ukraine have affected the relative appeal of Beijing and Moscow as partners for Central Asia, Mirziyoevs high-profile visit is the product of years of warming ties between China and Uzbekistan, says Temur Umarov, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia-Eurasia Center in Berlin.

This direction towards China has been Mirziyoevs priority from the beginning, he told RFE/RL. Mirziyoev is very interested in China and often quotes [former Chinese leader] Deng Xiaoping in his speeches; and he clearly sees the country as an example for how to develop economically.

Chinas experience combating top-level corruption under Xi and its efforts to lift millions out of poverty, Umarov says, have been a particular focus for the Uzbek leader since he came to power in 2016 following the death of Islam Karimov, the countrys first ruler after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

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China has become a source of knowledge in a way for Mirziyoev, Umarov said. Given that Uzbekistan is a personalistic regime, how he sees China matters a lot.

Uzbekistan followed a far more isolationist foreign policy under Karimov that was suspicious of outside influence.

China was still an important partner, with Chinese leader Hu Jintao inviting Karimov to Beijing for a visit in 2005 less than two weeks after the bloody crackdown against protesters in the northeastern Uzbek city of Andijon, though the relationship was limited. Under the hard-line Karimov regime, Chinese companies and capital in many sectors of the economy were restricted.

That changed following Karimovs death, which brought Mirziyoev to power.

As the new Uzbek president has opened up his countrys economy, China has been both a reliable source of investment and a valuable ally that has helped Mirziyoev build his legitimacy at home and abroad.

As Umarov notes, Chinas own model of opening its economy while retaining tight political control is one that looks increasingly appealing to Mirziyoev.

This is very relevant to him as he tries to build his own political regime based on Karimov's heritage, Umarov said. He knows that he needs to adapt to the world and learn from similar regimes about how to navigate the complex realities of today.

By RFE/RL

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The OPEC+ group doesnt have any plans to alter the current oil production policy and cuts when the alliances monitoring panel meets next week, OPEC+ delegates told Bloomberg on Friday.

OPECs Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC), which takes stock of oil market developments and recommends actions to the full ministerial meetings, is scheduled to hold an online meeting on February 1.

Part of the current oil production cuts only started at the beginning of January, so OPEC+ will need more time to review and assess what impact the output reduction has had on market balances, Bloombergs anonymous sources said.

OPEC+ members collectively decided to voluntarily cut 2.2 million bpd from the groups production this quarter, although much of that was production cuts that were already in effect, including Saudi Arabias 1 million bpd voluntary cut.

Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, told Bloomberg last month that the OPEC+ production cuts could extend beyond March 2024 if the market requires it.

The Saudi energy minister also criticized commentators for failing to understand the output deal and suggested that this would change once people see the reality of the deal.

Both Saudi Arabia and Russia  the OPEC+ leaders  have said, via their respective top oilmen, that OPEC+ is ready to extend or deepen the oil production cuts if needed.

The group is ready to take additional measures and deepen the oil production cuts in the first quarter of 2024 to avoid volatility and speculation on the market, Russias Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said early last month.

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Analysts will be watching closely all OPEC+ decisions and speculation this year as they reckon that a large part of oil market fundamentals and balances will depend on the groups policy to manage supply in the first quarter of the year and for the rest of 2024.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Russia could use alternative routes to send natural gas via pipeline to Europe if the current Russia-Ukraine gas transit deal is not extended beyond its expiry date at the end of 2024, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

Peskov, however, warned that there would be logistics changes along the supply chain of gas from Russia to Europe.

Russian gas deliveries to Europe have fallen off a cliff since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but some European customers in central Europe continue to receive Russian gas via the route through Ukraine and a pipeline via Turkey.

Ukraine has already signaled it would not engage in talks with Russia about an extension of the gas transit deal.

In case the agreement is left to expire at the end of 2024, the question is how this gas will get there [to European countries], Peskov told reporters, as quoted by Russian news agency TASS.

Of course, there are existing routes connected with Turkey, there are supplies of LNG, which is so in demand right now, Peskov said.

There are alternative routes, but, firstly, they are all already overbooked and this will lead to changes in all supply chains, Kremlins spokesman added.

Earlier this week, Ukraine denied it would be seeking an extension of the transit deal with Russia.

The position of the Ukrainian side is unambiguous: the transit contract expires at the end of the year, the press office of Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told Bloomberg News after Slovakia had hinted that negotiations could be a possibility.

We are not going to talk to the Russians and extend the contract, Ukraine says.

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Gazproms pipeline gas exports to Europe slumped by 55.6% in 2023, after Russia cut off supplies to several EU countries and Nord Stream was blown up in the Baltic Sea at the end of 2022.

Russias daily gas volumes via pipeline to Europe plummeted to 77.6 million cubic meters in 2023 from 174.8 million cubic meters in 2022, according to estimates by Reuters based on data from European gas transmission group Entsog and Gazproms daily reports on transit via Ukraine.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Saudi Arabia is exporting crude oil via the Red Sea as usual despite Houthi attacks on vessels in the region, a senior Aramco official told Bloomberg.

Were moving in the Red Sea with our oil and products cargoes, Mohammed Al Qahtani, head of Aramcos refining, oil trading and marketing division said, adding that the risks were manageable.

This is in stark difference to other oil traders, which have rerouted tanker traffic away from the Red Sea. This has added substantially to costs, with the longer journey around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa adding close to $1 million to the transport bill of a tanker, per data from LSEG Shipping Research.

Shipbroker data from Xclusiv, however, showed that deliveries of Saudi Arabian crude to Europe had declined between December and this month by 15%, suggesting some interference with normal traffic.

It is worth noting that until about a couple of years ago, the Houthis were fighting the Saudis that led a coalition with the UAE with the material support of the United States to restore the elected Yemeni government in power after the Houthi rebellion overthrew the president and the ministers.

Relations between the two began to mellow, however, after the coalition failed to achieve any significant results but the war plunged Yemen into a massive humanitarian crisisthe worst in the world in decades.

Some Middle Eastern observers described the war with Yemen as one of the biggest mistakes of Crown Prince Mohammeda mistake that turned Saudi oil infrastructure into targets for the Houthi drones and missiles.

Now, the Saudi government is calling on the U.S. and UK to show restraint in their response to Houthi attacks as peace talks between Riyadh and Sanaa continue and there is even a prospect for improved relations with Iranwhich the Saudis in fact fought by proxy in Yemen.

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By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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An Omaha man was ordered to spend 23 to 24 years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter and fleeing from the scene of a crash that killed his wife.

Pierre Brayman, 40, appeared Wednesday in Douglas County District Court and was sentenced to 19 to 20 years for manslaughter in the death of Tiffany Brayman, 39. He also was sentenced to four years in prison for failure to stop and render aid, with the sentences to be served consecutively.

Brayman will be credited with 246 days served in the Douglas County Jail. Under Nebraska sentencing guidelines, Brayman must serve half of the sentences before being considered for parole.

Omaha police said Tiffany Brayman died after being ejected from a Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by her husband that crashed April 26 about 8 p.m. near Carter Lake. Police said Brayman lost control of the pickup truck near Carter Lake Shore Drive and Cornish Boulevard and crashed before fleeing from the scene.

As bystanders arrived to help, Pierre Brayman was seen walking away from the scene. Multiple witnesses later identified him in a photo lineup, according to an affidavit.

Tiffany Brayman was pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after the crash. According to the autopsy report, her cause of death was blunt-force trauma to the chest and abdomen.

After the crash, Braymans ex-wife called police to report that he showed up at her house with no shoes and torn clothing claiming that he was in a car accident. Before police were notified, he fled to an unknown address in Council Bluffs.

A warrant for Braymans arrest was issued May 1. He was arrested about a month later near 26th Street and Camden Avenue.

Braymans drivers license had been revoked in November 2020 after he was convicted of flight to avoid arrest, and he was convicted in November 2021 of leaving the scene of a property damage accident.
About 30 people were arrested Tuesday in a mass drug sting, ending a regionwide drug-trafficking investigation.

FBI Special Agent Eugene Kowel announced the arrests Tuesday at the Nebraska State Patrol Troop D office in North Platte.

Arrests were made in Lincoln, Kearney, Ogallala, McCook, Brule, Sutherland and several other communities, Kowel said.

The arrests were part of a coordinated effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the CODE Task Force, which covers a 22-county area in southwest-central Nebraska. Agencies from the Panhandle and eastern Nebraska also were involved.

Its the culmination of a two-year investigation by FBI Omaha, our North Platte resident agency and our CODE Task Force, Kowel said.

Acting U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr announced 19 federal indictments Tuesday in connection with the investigation.
LINCOLN  Nebraska homeowners would be allowed to display political signs on their property during election season without restriction from their homeowners association, under a new bill in consideration in the Legislature.

Legislative Bill 886 would prohibit homeowners associations, or HOAs, from banning political signs displayed on an owners property, with some caveats. The bill was discussed in a public hearing before the Legislatures Judiciary Committee Thursday.

State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, who introduced the bill, said the proposal was brought by one of her constituents, who was frustrated by his inability to support candidates because of his HOAs regulations.

Grant Friedman, a legal fellow with the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska, said the organization often hears concerns from voters about this issue. Conrad, former executive director of ACLU of Nebraska, corroborated this, adding that complaints are especially common during election season.

The signs in question must advertise candidates or ballot measures pertaining to an upcoming election, and the proposed ban only applies for the 90 days prior to that election and 10 days following it, according to the legislation.

The bill also clarifies that HOAs can impose restrictions on how signs are displayed, and limit each owner to one sign per candidate or ballot measure. Signs that are larger than four feet by six feet, contain offensive material, threaten public safety or pose a distraction to passing motorists would not apply to the new rule.

Conrad said there is a plethora of past case law relating to political signage, including some cases that made it to the U.S. Supreme Court. In most cases, she said, courts have protected the rights of free speech, with political speech being the highest valued. However, HOAs have been left in a gray area, as they do not count as a governing body, she said.

Whats most important to remember about this measure, because I really see it as having two quintessential, key issues  in it  the importance of private property, and the importance of free expression, Conrad said.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2024
LINCOLN  Giving sterile needles to drug addicts to reduce the spread of infectious disease drew widespread support Friday from Nebraska lawmakers.

Legislative Bill 307 would allow local jurisdictions to permit public health programs to distribute hypodermic needles. Introduced by State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, the bill made it through the first of three rounds of floor debate in a 37-2 vote.

Needle distribution programs, often referred to as Syringe Service Programs (SSPs), are a way to encourage treatment of drug addiction and reduce the spread of infectious diseases like HIV. In addition to providing sterile syringes, SSPs can offer a range of other services, including on-site vaccinations and referrals to various other treatments.

"When a person steps into an SSP, they build trusting, nonjudgmental relationships with clinic providers, staff  often many of these staffers, including providers, are people who have experienced addiction themselves," Hunt said. "And they get the care they need where they can get to a better place."

Hunt listed a range of benefits associated with SSPs, such as reducing the spread of used needles and the fact that addicts who access the programs are more likely to seek drug treatment. It also reduces the risk of first responders receiving needle-stick injuries, she said.

If LB 307 passes, Nebraska would be one of the last states in the U.S. to legalize SSPs, Hunt said, and she argued that Nebraska has a particular need for them. The state's HIV infection rate is rising even as the nationwide rate is falling, she said, with a 26% increase in infections recorded in 2021. She said Nebraska also logged 229 deaths linked to fentanyl use in 2022.

LB 307 was supported by all senators who spoke on the bill during Friday's debate, even though several of them said they were initially hesitant on the proposal. Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue said he was swayed by a letter of support from Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson, who said he is hopeful that the legislation will facilitate the safe distribution of resources to help addicts treat their addiction.

"We need an umbrella approach to reducing addiction," Hanson said in his letter.

Holdcroft and other lawmakers also said they appreciated that LB 307 gives local governments the power to make the call on establishing an SSP, rather than mandating it. However, Speaker of the Legislature John Arch asked that Hunt include more clarity on which local jurisdictions have that power, and add some restrictions on locations where SSPs should not be created.

Hunt agreed to negotiate an amendment before the second round of debate, and Arch voted to advance the bill.

"I see this as dealing with reality," Arch said. "We have an issue, and while we would all like to see drug abuse completely go away, I don't think this increases the issue. I don't think this encourages drug use, and I think that it actually helps with the spread of communicable disease."

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2024
LINCOLN  Susan Campbell never considered herself a caregiver despite the decades she spent taking care of family members with health problems.

More than 50 years ago, she moved in with her suddenly widowed father who suffered from memory issues. More recently, she looked after her husband for the 16 years that he battled against two kinds of cancer and dealt with an inherited degenerative heart disease.

You love someone, and you just do it, she told members of the Revenue Committee at a public hearing Thursday.

The Lincoln woman was one of several people who testified in support of Legislative Bill 937, a measure introduced by State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln that would provide income tax credits to help family caregivers cover expenses. Other supporters represented older Nebraskans, people with ALS and people with developmental disabilities.

Campbell said the credits could save Nebraska money by keeping people at home and out of nursing homes or assisted living facilities, where they would be more likely to spend down their assets and end up on Medicaid.

When you think of the tax dollars that could be saved, it is enormous, she said.

Suzan DeCamp, state president of AARP Nebraska, called family caregivers the bedrock of the long-term care system. A recent AARP study estimated there are 179,000 family caregivers in Nebraska who provide care that would be worth $2.8 billion if done by paid employees.

The need for family caregivers is expected to grow as the baby boom generation ages. Supporting family caregivers with expenses is one way to help them continue providing care, she said, noting that nearly eight in 10 caregivers incur out-of-pocket costs.

Bostar said his bill was modeled off Oklahomas Caring for Caregivers Act, which passed last year.

It would make credits available to people caring for family members who need help with at least two basic activities, such as walking, feeding, dressing, bathing and toileting. The credits would be limited to caregivers with incomes less than $50,000 for an individual or $100,000 for a couple.

Qualifying caregivers could get credits to cover up to 50% of the costs for home modifications, the purchase or lease of equipment and other expenses, including respite care, hiring a care aide and adult day care. Caregivers could get up to $2,000 a year in most cases, but the limit would be $3,000 if the person needing care was a veteran or had dementia.

No one spoke in opposition to the bill, but its price tag could prove to be a hurdle. The Department of Revenue estimated the proposal would reduce state income tax revenues by $37 million in the first year and $43 million the second year, although it did not provide the basis for that estimate.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2024
Inmates at Nebraskas only womens prison went without access to drinking water for as long as seven hours Wednesday after the York facilitys water supply was shut off amid repairs, according to public records and inmate accounts.

Staff at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women shut water off for the entire facility around 1 p.m. Wednesday for repairs to a water main, according to a public water supply system notice posted at the prison and made public online.

Though the prisons water was turned back on by 8 p.m. Wednesday, the repairs caused a pressure loss in the York facilitys troubled water system, the prisons maintenance manager, Tom Fritz, wrote in the public notice.

The prisons water must now undergo two rounds of sampling to ensure it isnt contaminated by bacteria  meaning the water cant be approved for drinking until Saturday at the earliest, though it remains safe for bathing and handwashing, Fritz said in the public notice.

In the meantime, those incarcerated at the facility will be provided a gallon of bottled water per day for drinking, according to a memo from Jessica Johnson, a drinking water monitoring and compliance expert for the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.

At least some inmates went without access to water for hours Wednesday afternoon and evening, though, according to messages from several people incarcerated in York.

Christian Henderson, a transgender man who is jailed in the prisons North Hall, said he wasnt provided bottled water until 8 p.m. Wednesday  seven hours after, he said, prison staff shut off the facilitys water without prior warning.

Other inmate accounts support Hendersons claim. One inmate said the water was shut off Wednesday afternoon without notice, while another inmate said she wasnt provided bottled water until after lockdown Wednesday night.

Still, Henderson said, the response from prison administrators feels (like) an improvement over how prior water quality issues have been handled.

The prison historically has not provided inmates bottled water in the wake of repairs or maintenance, instead directing inmates to drink water from a set of reverse osmosis filter systems or to buy their own bottled water from facility vending machines.

Wednesdays maintenance comes less than a month after an investigation from the Lincoln Journal Star and York News-Times revealed that tainted water at the states only womens prison remains a concern even as inmates there have been raising alarm over it for nearly a decade.

Nebraskas Department of Correctional Services has spent at least $389,514 on water system maintenance, filter installations and other efforts to address the facilitys water issues since 2018 after water samplings had higher concentrations of copper than federal regulations allowed for.

The department spent years studying and installing a chemical injection system in an effort to combat high copper levels  even as engineers warned that the source of the copper was the pipes themselves, not the groundwater.

Department officials had rejected a potential pipe replacement due to the cost and logistics of replacing the prisons pipes while maintaining prison security, according to public records.

Reports of murky, pungent water persist at the prison, where inmates continue to raise alarm over the potential health effects of the facilitys water, including hair loss, nausea and gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea.

The issue has captured the attention of some state lawmakers, who convened in Lincoln earlier this month for the 2024 legislative session, which is set to end in mid-April.

Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney, who has been a leading critic of the states prison system that he calls the Department of Punitive Services, invoked the womens prisons chronic water quality issues in a Jan. 17 floor speech in which he advocated to change the rules of the Legislature.

McKinneys proposed amendment would have required the Department of Correctional Services to appear before the bodys Judiciary Committee  rather than the Appropriations Committee  when seeking funds for construction projects.

Our prison system is horrible and its been horrible and we havent held them accountable because we keep writing blank checks, he said, later adding:

The York womens prison has a problem with water. Those women cant even drink the water or shower with the water or wash their hair every day with the water because the water is so horrible. But you want to write them a blank check.

The individuals inside of our prison institutions are still human at the end of the day. ... So lets have some humanity in this place. We do a lot of bad things in this world, McKinney said. Can we please have some humanity?

Moments later, the Legislature rejected his proposed amendment on a 32-13 vote.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2024
According to O.okri, the expose traced the economic malaise now afflicting the Ghanaian economy partly to the monopolistic policies of MTN, which had led to an unprecedented capital flight from that beleaguered West African nation.

The expose further averred thus: Last year, Ghana was forced to label MTN a monopoly and slammed heavy fines of $773 million on them for damaging the Ghanaian business environment. MTN went to court, but in October, it was defeated at the Appeals Court, which ruled that the Ghanaian government was right in its classification of MTN.

In Omokris documentary, titled How MTNs Monopoly Destroyed The Ghanaian Economy. And Nigeria Is Next!, the renowned author, travelled to Ghana and interviewed government officials, chambers of commerce operatives, and labour union activists, as well as market women and ordinary Ghanaians.

According to the interview, ordinary Ghanaians were observed lamenting the erosion of their personal economy, with a market woman saying, All of us in this country now work for MTN.

Labour leaders complained about MTNs use of interconnectivity rates to stifle other telcos.

Omokri pointed out that whereas all the large and medium-sized African nations where MTN is operating have struggling economies, the fastest growing large economies in Africa, such as Ethiopia and Tanzania, both with an average 6% GDP growth rates, do not have MTN operating in their countries. He opined, with data, that this could not be coincidental.

In the documentary, Kevin Ekow Taylor, one of the most prominent journalists in Ghana, had this to say about MTNs monopolistic practices in Ghana:

MTN is basically monopolising the system. They have taken advantage of the market too much. It is all because government upon government have given MTN too much room

Every day, an estimated $2 million leaves the Ghanaian economy to South Africa, MTNs home country. That is disastrous for a country with a GDP of less than $80 billion.

Omokri also travelled to Kenya and interviewed a well-known Kenyan activist, Bishop Wycliffe Khaemba, who said as follows:

The type of things that are happening in Nigeria and Ghana in the telecoms sector cant happen in Kenya, because our government is alive to its responsibilities.

He was referring to Kenyas Information and Communications Act (Interconnection). This legislation is light years ahead of similar legislation in other African nations.

The Kenyan legislation specifically targets preventing a monopoly in the telecommunications industry by requiring dominant providers to adhere to the principle of non-discrimination. A dominant interconnection provider is obligated to determine the interconnection charges based on objective criteria and to observe the principles of transparency and cost orientation. Failure to comply will result in the CA requesting the interconnection provider to adjust the charges or risk the imposition of a default interconnection charge by the CA.

Omokris documentary, which has since gone viral, features a prominent U.S. Mayor, Mike Arnold, the elected mayor of Blanco, Texas, who urged Nigeria and Ghana to look inwards, rather than outward to foreign goods and services, especially in the telecommunications sector.

credit- Vanguard
Sarah Ajose-Adeogun, also known as Madam Sarah, an Aide to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has dumped his government.

The Special Adviser on Strategy, Performance, and Project Monitoring to Edo Governor Obaseki, has officially resigned from her position. In a Facebook post, she affirmed her departure with the words, I came, I saw, and I conquered, marking the end of her role as an adviser to Obaseki.

Reports from Benin suggest that the resignation of the high-ranking aide may be linked to the ongoing power struggles and challenges within the outgoing Obaseki-led government. The office of Ajose-Adeogun had previously faced closure by the Chief of Staff to Edo Governor, Osaigbovo Iyoha. This incident reportedly occurred because the former senior official of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) allegedly declined to give up her seat on a commercial flight for Governor Obaseki.

Madam Sarahs resignation follows closely after the departure of Andrew Okungbowa, the former Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Obaseki, who resigned just over a month ago. The political landscape in Edo is currently marked by conflicts and power dynamics, especially concerning the succession plans for Governor Obaseki, whose second term is set to conclude on November 12, 2024.

Tensions have risen between Obaseki and his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, who aims to succeed him. The Governor is reportedly supporting Lagos-based lawyer Asue Ighodalo, leading to a complex web of disagreements within the ruling party, PDPs Legacy Coalition, and other party members.

Chief Dan Orbih, the National Vice Chairman, South-South of the PDP, and the immediate past Edo Chairman of PDP, have publicly expressed opposition to Ighodalos potential succession.
The Lagos State Governor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has suggested regeneration of Lagos Island as a solution to building collapse in the densely-populated highbrow area of the city.

Mr Sanwo-Olu stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to President Mohammadu Buhari alongside his deputy-elect, Obafemi Hamsat, in Abuja on Monday.

Mr Sanwo-Olu, who polled 739,445 votes to defeat Jimi Agbaje of the PDP, was declared the winner in the 2019 governorship and state houses of assembly election in Lagos State.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how a three-storey building housing a childrens school collapsed at Massey Street, Lagos Island, last week, killing about 20 people.

According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), at least 40 pupils, including 10 dead bodies were pulled out of the rubble on Wednesday.

However, following the directive of the governor, officials of the states building control agency, led by its acting general manager, Omotayo Fakolujo, have begun the demolition of 80 buildings earlier marked for demolition.

Also, there was confusion that another building collapsed in the Lagos Island area of Lagos around noon on Monday.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said while Lagos Island needs regeneration, the people must see a sincerity of purpose on the governments part before they can accept regeneration.

When you want to take peoples properties and you want to regenerate, they must first see a sincerity of purpose  what are the additional plans that you have for them?

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the government must have a strong model for regeneration to survive.

Regeneration can be done in two ways; It could be in form of which when you come back, you have part of it; or you turn it into equity. So it depends on whatever model you are working round to ensure that it works, he said.

He said it is essential to let the people know you are not out to circumvent them or to shortchange them or to bring about things in which there will be desolation.

So, its to have a conversation right round all the families and we will see the kind of redevelopment that is important as its built on in a lot of other big cities like Lagos, he said.

Reacting to the building collapse in Lagos State last week, the governor-elect said it is an unfortunate incident.

Even when I was in government before, I used to be the vice chairman on building collapse. It was something that was about ten years ago which is what led to us creating an agency called LABCA, after it was meant to begin to identify structures well ahead before issues like this begin to happen, he concluded.
Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, encouraged the 416 foreign-trained medical graduates who were inducted on Thursday, January 25, not to abandon their country for opportunities abroad.

Out of the 416 medical and dental graduates who satisfied the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) examiners to boost the nations capacity for human resources in health, 70 percent of the inductees are women.

While urging the newly inducted individuals not to leave the country, Alausa assured them that the government is committed to creating a conducive environment for them to perform their duties, excel, and find fulfillment.

Alausa spoke in Abuja during the induction of the foreign-trained doctors by the Council where he assured that infrastructure would undergo enhancements and expansions, and working conditions would be upgraded to dissuade them from seeking opportunities elsewhere.

Alausa, represented by his special adviser, Ismaila Adiatu said: Dont japa, stay behind and help your country.

We will provide an enabling environment for you to practice and be satisfied. We will improve the infrastructure, the conditions and the salary.

Please dont go, even if for your parents and your relatives, stay behind so that the field is not left for quacks.

Adiatu, who disclosed that he left the country for the United States in 1989 and has since become a Professor of Medicine, emphasized restraints, stating that he had to return four months ago when called upon to serve in his home country.

Encouraging the new doctors to act as exemplary ambassadors, Adiatu expressed that he wouldnt have accepted the appointment if the government hadnt demonstrated its commitment to revitalizing the nations healthcare sector.

The guest lecturer, Prof. Christie Mato, the acting Vice Chancellor of Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, cautioned the inductees about the significant responsibilities associated with the title of medical doctor.

Encouraging them to fulfill their duties conscientiously, Mato emphasized the importance of acknowledging contemporary societal norms while urging the inductees to prioritize confidentiality, particularly in the age of social media, advising them to refrain from indiscriminately sharing patient information.

While stressing the importance of effective communication with patients, in addition to the necessity for mutual understanding, Mato emphasized the significance of humility in the demeanor of medical professionals, urging the inductees to demonstrate respect and sensitivity towards both patients and colleagues.

She said: Be compassionate, do not turn your back on that elderly man in disgust because he had an accident and messed himself up; that may well be you tomorrow.

Do not exploit your patient to make a quick buck; your patient has scurvy, do not tell him he has appendicitis and collect hundreds of thousands of naira from him.

Be disciplined, be aware that good time management is critical to your call and dont take cleanliness for granted even on very demanding days and nights.

On his part, MDCN registrar, Tajudeen Sanusi, said that the importance of empathy in the profession to the inductees while urging them to be ready to practice medicine anywhere in the country without neglecting their commitment to ongoing learning and development.

He reiterated the importance of adhering to the rules governing the horsemanship program, stressing that resigning from the program would not be permitted.

According to the registrar, if a doctor resigns for any reason, they would have to restart the horsemanship from the beginning, with no expense borne by the government.

He also echoed the admonition of the Health Minister and the guest lecturer urging the inductees not to flee the country in search of pasture green.
Justice Deinde I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday, January 22, 2024 convicted and sentenced one Ohaguim Ifeayin Emmanuel to one year imprisonment for dating scam.

Emmanuel, a graduate of Computer Science from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University, Uli, Anambra State , was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on January 19, 2024, on two-count charges bordering on cybercrime.

One of the counts reads:  That you, Ohaguim Ifeayin Emmanuel, sometime in October, 2023, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently impersonated one Benjamin Valdez by holding yourself out as such on your Google Account and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.

He pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to him. Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, A.S. Wara, called on Usman Ahmed, an operative of the EFCC, to review the facts of the case .

Usman told the court that the defendant was arrested sometime in October, 2023, following credible intelligence received by the Commission on the activities of some internet fraudsters operating in Fine County Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos State. According to him, an iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone XR, iPhone X and Mercedez Benz C300 were recovered from him at the point of arrest.

Upon his arrest, he was duly processed and the defendant volunteered his statements. Investigations were conducted and forensic evidence were printed out from his phone. In his statement, he confessed he was into dating scam. Wara further told the court that the defendant confessed to have benefited 950 USD and N3.2m from his involvement in the criminal activity.

Wara ,therefore, sought to tender, in evidence, the defendants extrajudicial statements, some items recovered from him: iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone XR, iPhone X and forensic investigation documents print out.

They were all admitted as exhibits by the court.

Justice Dipeolu, consequently, convicted and sentenced him to one year imprisonment, with an option of fine of N200,000( Two Hundred Thousand Naira).

The Judge also ordered that the mobile phones and Mercedes Benz C300 recovered from him be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

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Reverend Timothy Daluk, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State has rejected an invitation by the Defence Headquarters, DHQ.

He also stated that he will not withdraw his allegations against the military regarding the recent crisis in the region.

The clergyman, who accused the Nigerian military of complicity in the killing of Christians and destruction of properties, was invited by the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, to defend his claims.

The invitation came in response to a viral video where Rev Daluk narrated the situation in Mangu, accusing military troops of forcing Christians to leave and allowing the militia to burn their homes.

The DHQ accused him of spreading falsehood and cautioned him to desist from such actions immediately.

In response, Rev Daluk affirmed his unwillingness to withdraw the allegations.

He told journalists, We are not withdrawing our allegations. And I dont see the reason to honour any invitation by the Defence Headquarters. They should be the ones to come down to Mangu and see for themselves. The evidence is there; graves are there.

Furthermore, Rev Daluk recounted a disturbing incident, alleging, Before my eyes, a soldier shot dead one of my people. I called others and reported them. They said the soldier was a fake troop. Whether fake or what, they (the soldiers) are the ones responsible for differentiating.
Senator Ali Ndume, Chief Whip of the Senate has lashed out at those attacking him for kicking against the planned relocation of some Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, departments and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, headquarters to Lagos from Abuja.

This is as plans by CBN and FAAN for the relocation had generated condemnation from different quarters, especially northern groups.

Ndume had on Tuesday in a television programme cautioned Tinubu against the move.

The senator claimed that the president was being ill-advised by Lagos boys in the corridors of power.

All these Lagos boys who are thinking that Lagos is Nigeria are just misinforming and advising the President wrongly, the lawmaker, who represents Borno South, had said.

However, his colleague, Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) said Ndume didnt speak on behalf of the Northern lawmakers.

Karimi insisted that it was needless to attach ethnic or petty sentiments to the relocation of the offices, which he said, was done for cohesion and better delivery of services.

Meanwhile, Ndume fired back at his colleague, insisting it was unpatriotic not to tell Tinubu the truth about the happenings in the country.

Daily Trust reports that Ndume, in a statement, said he did not speak on behalf of the Northern lawmakers or the Senate but as a northerner in support of the majority of northerners and some Nigerians who are against the action of CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso, and the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.

With all due respect, I did not speak on behalf of the Northern Senators or the Senate but as a northerner in support of the majority of northerners and some Nigerians who are against the action of the CBN governor and the minister of aviation, Ndume said while quoting a former US President who said it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth.

In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else.
A 39-year-old businessman, Isaic Onah has bagged a 17-year jail term by a Lugbe Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Friday, for defrauding his client of N1.1 million.

Onah of Tekan Estate, Masaka, Nasarawa State, was sentenced on a two-count charge of breach of trust and cheating.

The Area Court Judge, Aliyu Kagarko, however, gave the convict an option of N60,000 fine while he also ordered him to pay N1,150,000 as compensation to the complainant.

Kagarko said the punishment would have been stiffer if the convict had not saved the court the rigours of protracted prosecution.

He also warned the convict to be of good behaviour.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Onah had earlier pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency.

The Prosecutor, Mr Olisaemeka Okeke, had told the court that on Jan. 15, the complainant, Mr Analife Onyekachi, of Wuye, Abuja, reported the matter at Durumi Police Station.

Okeke said the complainant claimed that on Jan. 5, the convict deceived and collected N1,150, 000 from him under the pretence of being a car dealer.

He said the convict criminally deceived the complainant that he would assist him in buying a Honda Accord car but absconded with the money to an unknown place and converted the money to his personal use.

The prosecutor further stated that during the police investigation, the convict made a confessional statement, adding that all efforts made to recover the money had proved abortive.

Okeke said the offences contravene Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.
An X user has taken to the microblogging platform to accuse a Nigerian makeup artiste of obtaining money under false pretence from her friends and using it to relocate to Canada.

According to the post, the makeup artiste who is popular at the Imo State University IMSU lied that she was getting married and sold Asoebi to sixty of her friends at N50,000 each.

A date was set for her bridal shower and she failed to show up. When investigated, it was discovered she had relocated.

See Post Below;




Apostle Johnson Suleman

Apostle Johnson Suleman, the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministry, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has slammed a libel suit against two bloggers, Maureen Omorinsola Badejo, and George Chijioke, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

In the separate cases, Suleman is demanding N1billion from each of the bloggers.

The clergyman accused Badejo of defaming him in a series of social media posts where she published several defamatory statements against the plaintiff.

According to the statement of claim filed by Apostle Sulemans lawyer, Samuel Ihensekhien, on 19 January, 2023, the claimant chronicled the various alleged libellous social media publications.

The plaintiff lamented that the defamatory contents caused him incalculable damage and brought him to ridicule among members of his Church and business partners who are spread across the globe.

Consequently, the claimant urged the court to declare that the publications made by the defendant on her Facebook social media page on the 12 May, 2021, and other publications on different days relating to same defamatory subject matter, are libellous, false, malicious, injurious and have lowered the reputation and integrity of the plaintiff in the estimation of right-thinking members of the society within and outside Nigeria.

He prayed for an order directing the defendant to retract and/or delete all the libellous publications she has made against the plaintiff.

The Evangelist also demanded an unreserved apology from the defendant, which is to be published in three reputable national dailies, and within seven days from the date of judgement.

The defendants lawyer equally urged the court to restrain the defendant and her agents from further defaming his client.

An order directing the defendant to pay the plaintiff the sum of One billion naira only, N1,000 000 000 as damages for the false, injurious, malicious, and libellous publications against the plaintiff on Facebook social media platform.

Similarly, in a case of alleged cyberstalking, Apostle Suleman accused Chijioke operating Real George blogs of posting about 160 videos on the YouTube channel portraying him in bad lights.

In court processes dated 12 January, the plaintiff said;



The defendant has posted about 160 cyberbullying and cyberstalking videos in which a significant number of is defamatory to the personality of the plaintiff.

To underscore the amount of pain the alleged libellous posts had caused him, the plaintiff lawyer said his client has family members, Church members and friends who are active on social media, and brought his attention to the several defamatory posts against him by the defendant through his YouTube platform.

He noted that although some of the alleged offending posts had been deleted, there exist others which he intends to tender before the court at trial.

The suit is yet to be assigned to a judge for hearing.
Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, expressed confidence in securing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket ahead of the election.

He disclosed this during an interview on Channels TVs Politics Today on Thursday amid the stiff opposition he is getting from his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki who is backing another contender, Asue Ighodalu to succeed him.

Drawing a vivid analogy, Shaibu likened himself to a ripe mango targeted with stones due to his perceived popularity.

I am going to get the ticket of the PDP. I am very confident. I am confident because I am a candidate to beat. That is why they are attacking me. It is only a mango tree that has ripe fruits that is being thrown stone at. I am that tree. I have ripe fruits that is why they are throwing stones at me, Shaibu asserted.

Highlighting his close connection with the people, Shaibu emphasized, I am the one aspirant that people can see, feel and touch. I am one aspirant that knows what the people need and whom they are yearning to have. I have lived with them, understand their thinking and know what they want.

He further outlined his approach to governance, stating, I am not going to be a governor that would throw things at people that they dont need. I understand them and I know what they need. In terms of leadership assessment, I know what every zone needs for survival and for poverty to remain history in our state.
Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo,

Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said that the Federal Government was working closely with the State Governments in its efforts to rid the country of kidnappings.

Osinbajo, while addressing some Nigerians in New York, was quoted as saying that the ongoing insecurity in the country particularly kidnapping and banditry were being exaggerated.

But his Spokesperson, Laolu Akande, told DAILY POST that this was the central message Osinbajo was conveying in New York at a Town hall meeting with the Nigerian community.

In an exclusive chat with Ali Adoyi on Wednesday, Akande said he had seen some of the misleading reports and the subsequent reactions of some group including a faction of Afenifere.

He said that the current wave of the menace in the country will yield a more secure nation.

According to him, a closer reading of what the VP said would have avoided some of needless the interpretations we have heard.

Listing four critical points made by the Vice President, Akande explained that the VP made it clear that, indeed the kidnappings going on where they do, are a concern to the government.

Besides, he added that, the FG is using technology and tracking gadgets to curtail the situation.

Prof Osinbajo explained that, the kidnappers are engaged in criminal conduct and with consequences enforced for such economic crimes, the kidnappers would stop.

Finally, the VP assured Nigerians both home and abroad that the FG is on top of the situation and that the problem of kidnapping is not unsurmountable.

He quoted the president thus; the problem is not as massive that it cannot be solved and the FG working with the States would solve it soon and make life more secure and comfortable for Nigeria.

According to Akande, these are the things the VP said and the record is there, adding that, Any other interpretation is not only inaccurate but ought to be ignored.

He insisted that, Trying to latch on an inaccurate headline to attack the Vice President is not very useful, it only distorts and distracts from the work and our country needs all hands on deck to sort out our issues.
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Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to reports that his son refused to isolate himself upon return.

Atiku had on Sunday revealed that his son tested positive for the deadly disease.

He said he has been moved to Gwagwalada specialist hospital.

But reports on Monday emerged that Atikus son attended a popular club in Abuja, as well as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDPs rally that was held in Ibadan.

But reacting Atiku in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe debunked the reports.

Describing the reports as a false narrative, Atiku said his son returned to the country on 17th March via Switzerland from some business engagements in France and Switzerland and isolated himself when he returned to Abuja.

He urged Nigerians to disregard the perfidious information that his son accessed open location.

The statement reads, The clinical case attended a private meeting of six (6) persons same day in Lagos, stayed in his private house for the night and took an Aero 5.20pm flight to Abuja on the 18th.

The case did not travel with his family or any other but travelled alone by Emirates Airline.

The case wore face mask as a precautionary measure since his arrival in Nigeria.

The case did not show symptoms of infection and voluntarily placed a call to NCDC on arrival in Abuja late on the 18th to inform them he had returned from COVID-19 prone country and desired to be tested.

On the 19th, NCDC took his blood sample which result came positive on the 20th. He subsequently went into self-isolation to protect his family within his own house.

Meantime his son has since tested negative while his wifes result is being awaited. The two persons are currently in self-isolation.

We urge members of the public to disregard the perfidious information that the case accessed open location. He was not at Play Lounge nor any other club in Abuja as being mischievously bandied about.

The case neither attended the Friday Jumua prayers nor any social gathering until his evacuation to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital on the 20th where he is being treated and managed.

We thank Nigerians for their prayers and support through this difficult time. Once again, it needs to be restated that the risk and danger of #COVID19 is real.

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Sue Knepp of Eureka United Methodist Church, second from right, presents a check for more than $2,250 raised from the church's Christmas Home Tour to Liz Danner, far right, president of Eureka Area United Fund. At left are two of the homeowners who opened their homes for the Dec. 9 tour, Donnie Stevenson and Bonnie Miller.
NORMAL  A 29-member committee narrowed down options for Illinois State Universitys next president to under a dozen, officials announced Thursday when meeting on the Normal campus for the first time this year.

The committee, which includes representation of the universitys faculty, staff, trustees, students and other campus community figures, approved a motion around 10 minutes into the meeting to move into closed session to discuss specific candidates for the job.

Illinois open records laws exempt the discussion of appointment, employment and dismissal of public employees from open meeting requirements. Committee leaders have also previously stated candidate names will remain undisclosed until three to five finalists are announced, to avoid jeopardizing the search process.

About a year ago, Terri Goss Kinzy abruptly left her post as ISU president, and Aondover Tarhule, then provost and vice president for academic affairs, was tapped to provisionally fill the position. Further public statements from the university on why Kinzy departed the presidential position were barred per her separation agreement.

At the start of Thursdays meeting, committee chair Kathyrn Bohn said she hoped fellow members could share her excitement for reaching the current stage of the search process.

Parker Executive Search firm, based in Atlanta, Georgia, has been hired by the ISU Board of Trustees to facilitate the search. Firm president Laurie Wilder said Thursday the committee will decide which candidates to arrange interviews with when the committee regroups Feb. 5-6.

While everyone may not agree with every vote or piece of conversation in the search process, Wilder said now is a time for consensus. She also said a candidate who looks the best on paper may not always be the best in person.

We look forward to (the) committee to getting into the weeds here, Wilder said.

In a post-meeting interview with media, Bohn said they had a good slate of candidates that they discussed for over two hours that morning. In total, she counted 41 candidates that Parker presented this month for evaluation.

I think that shows there were some really good candidates, Bohn continued, noting they moved toward coming to a consensus. After candidate interviews are conducted in early February, she said the committee will come up with four to six finalists who will later have a chance to interact with the campus at future engagement events.

Chris Coplan, new director of media relations for ISU, said in a statement that the committee on Thursday narrowed down their choices to 11 candidates who will be invited for Zoom interviews.

Fine-tuning tuition

The ISU Board of Trustees, which Bohn also chairs, was another administrative team that reconvened Thursday for the first time in 2024. Two resolutions concerning tuition policy were each contested by two nay votes, but ultimately passed.

The first of those two resolutions authorized ISU to charge differential tuition on a program-by-program basis, when approved by the Board of Trustees. Before it was passed, Tarhule said differential tuition could only be charged under the following conditions:

 To comply with the truth-in-tuition statute

 To differentiate residency status

 To differentiate undergraduate from graduate instruction

Differential tuition is intended to be charged on top of base tuition. The interim president said balancing affordability for students and families with maintaining high educational standards and managing operation cost increases is a complex exercise.

Newly ordered guidelines on differential tuition approved Thursday by the board require that tuition be comparable and competitive with institutions ISU competes with; ISU should continue to devote a portion of new tuition and fee revenue to assist students eligible for maximum Monetary Award Program grants; and the university should incorporate the demand for renovated spaces as part of its room and board pricing process.

Martha Horst, chair of ISUs academic senate and professor of composition and theory in the fine arts college, supported the resolution during the meetings public comment period. She also encouraged the board to supplement the policy with a future resolution that would outline guidelines and principles for evaluating differential tuition increases.

Horst said there was clear support for the proposal from the senate, which learned four factors that help determine the programs to have different tuition pricing: the field of study; the student demand; the cost of instruction; and the market value for the degree.

While engineering, business and data science programs meet all four of those criteria, Horst said music degrees are examples of having a high cost of instruction and a low market value.

Although there is no indication that the Board of Trustees at Illinois State University will charge differential tuition for programs based solely on the high cost of instruction, there is precedent at other public institutions for doing so, said Horst.

She said a 2008 study identified schools that use differential tuition for fine arts majors in Colorado, Virginia, Oregon, Ohio, Texas, Montana, Indiana and Missouri.

Horst suggested the board lay out the four aforementioned factors as guidelines to codify justifications for differential tuition proposals.

Trustee Scott Jenkins was the first board member to voice dissent for the resolution. He said implementing differential tuition could exacerbate socioeconomic qualities within their student base.

Jenkins said first-generation college students, students of color and those without much social capital may be dissuaded from enrolling due to sticker price.

That leads to an impact on student choice, he said.

He also said theres a question of whether higher education is a private or public good to the state. If certain programs are perceived as resulting in a higher private good, Jenkins said policy makers and others may direct students into those programs.

So, he said he worries about the value and perceived value depreciating over time for programs in the arts, sociology, anthropology or fields of classical studies.

Trustee Julie Jones said while she shares some of Jenkins concerns, differential tuition should still be an option for the board.

Jenkins and board secretary Robert Navarro voted against the resolution.

The board then reviewed a resolution to increase tuition rates for the following school year and differentiate a price increase of 15% for the colleges of nursing and business, plus the computer science and cybersecurity programs. By the 2025-26 school year, the College of Engineering is also expected to have the same tuition differential.

General tuition per credit hour will remain at $402.19 for new, in-state undergraduates enrolling for the 2024-25 school year. Upperclassmen will be guaranteed previous tuition rates as set for the year they first enrolled.

The Mennonite College of Nursing, the College of Business, and the cybersecurity and computer science programs will see their tuition per credit hour raised 15% to $462.52.

In discussing that matter, Jones said it was one of the toughest decisions shes made as an ISU trustee. When meeting for a brunch last weekend with women who are ISU alumni, she said it was disheartening to hear from a parent and a high school counselor who were unsure of being able to recommend a college education to students because of cost increases.

Jones said she was a first-generation college student, and that higher education bettered her life and the lives of her mother, siblings, nieces and nephews.

It changed my daughters life because college was not just an aspiration anymore. It was an expectation, and something that they knew they could accomplish, she said.

Thus, Jones said keeping higher education options available is very important to her.

Jenkins and Navarro again voted no on the resolution.
San Franciscos Mission Hotel held a joint funeral service in March 2021 for seven residents. The hotel is one of the sites leased by the city to house the unsheltered population, and resident deaths have become so frequent in these facilities that joint memorials have become the norm. Though the causes of the deaths vary, drug overdoses have been responsible for 40% of those memorialized.

These former hotel residents had been homeless, and the city helped them by providing them with a permanent shelter. Considering homelessness by its strict definition, this would seem to solve the problem. People who previously did not have a home now do.

But for those suffering from trauma, mental illness and substance abuse, homelessness is a symptom of deeper problems. This is especially true in the age of fentanyl. We can warehouse every person living on the streets today and hang Mission Accomplished banners above the doors of their new homes. Still, we would eventually discover we had uncorked the champagne prematurely.

Since the 2009 passage of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act, the federal governments approach to solving homelessness has been guided by the Housing First philosophy.

Fifteen years later, we should recognize the inadequacy of this approach. The Department of Housing and Urban Developments recent Homeless Assessment Report shows a 12% increase nationally in the number of homeless from 2022 to 2023.

Karen Dolan: 12% surge in homelessness requires affordable units, higher minimum wage Homelessness in the United States surged by a record 12% between January 2022 and January 2023, according to a report by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In the worlds wealthiest nation, how does this happen, and what can be done to remedy it?

Housing First is based on the theory that most of the problems from which homeless individuals suffer, such as alcohol or drug addiction, are a product of their homelessness rather than the cause. Proponents believe these ancillary issues would improve if they had a stable residence.

Housing First policies have focused on the rapid rehousing of homeless individuals, with the bulk of federal funds going to so-called permanent-supportive housing." In theory, these facilities  such as San Franciscos Mission Hotel  include support services, which are frequently neglected in practice. By federal law, these facilities cannot impose sobriety requirements on residents.

Housing First has primarily amounted to an out of sight, out of mind solution to homelessness  people die indoors rather than on the sidewalk.

The fentanyl crisis has exposed the callousness of this policy. For example, University of Pennsylvania researchers found that 56% of fatal overdoses among New York Citys homeless population occurred in permanent-supportive housing. The housing-centered approach is clearly failing.

When we recognize the relationship between addiction and homelessness, it is easier to understand why the unsheltered population continues to grow.

The homeless encampments found in many major cities are often surrounded by open-air drug markets, which are a magnet for addicts. According to San Francisco Mayor London Breed, 60% of the people offered housing by her outreach team refused to accept help and move indoors. Some already had housing but chose to stay on the streets.

In the early 20th century, Nels Anderson  a formerly homeless sociologist who became the nations leading expert on homelessness  explained this phenomenon. Unlike users of alcohol or cocaine who could go without their drugs for lengthy periods, he wrote, users of heroin or morphine are not able to separate themselves from the source of supply for so long a time.

Fentanyl maintains an even tighter hold on opioid addicts than heroin, to the point that most users will neglect to seek treatment without some form of compassionate intervention. As one former drug addict put it, addiction is the loss of the freedom to abstain.

Affordable housing is an essential component of the homelessness solution, but it is by no means sufficient. West Virginia, where homelessness is rare but addiction is rampant, should serve as a grim reminder that substance abuse and overdose deaths do not disappear behind welcome mats.
The police in Kasoa have arrested Shadrach Agoya, 35, for allegedly transporting fake electrical meters.



Mr. Issah Salifu, Chairman of the GPRTU Kpando Station in Kasoa, who confirmed the incident to DAILY GUIDE, explained that a parcel was brought to the station which was to be transported to Kpando in the Volta Region.



According to him, after interrogation, they found out that they were electrical meters.



Mr. Salifu then hinted to the police at Kasoa Under Bridge, who apprehended the suspect.



The station officer, Chief Inspector Benjamin Asunkey then contacted the Kasoa North District Manager, Ing. Phaney Adiko to help identify the meters.



Ing. Phaney indicated that those were fake meters which did not come from the outfit of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).



The suspect, upon further interrogation by the police, refused to give information about the sender or receiver of the fake meters.



He was then arraigned before the Akweley Magistrate Court on January 18, 2024 and remanded to reappear on February 6, 2024.



The General Manager of ECG in the Central Region, Mr. Emmanuel Lumor, reacting to the incident stated that ECG is the only company mandated in the Southern sector to distribute electricity and to provide meters for service connection.



He said these fake meters are substandard and can cause fire outbreaks, overloading of transformers and outages.



Mr. Lumor therefore advised customers to desist from acquiring meters from other sources apart from ECG.



The company is clamping down on these fake meters because of the adverse effect on our operations, he added.



He added that customers should not hesitate to visit ECGs offices for service connection requests and other related services.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Lawyer Martin Kpebu, counsel for Assistant Commissioner of Police (Rtd), Dr Benjamin Agordzo, has called on the President, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo to offer his client, a five year contract service as reparation after being acquitted and discharged.



On January 24, The High Court in Accra acquitted ACP Agordzo, Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli and Corporal Seidu Abubakar of treason charges.



The private legal Practitioner, said the contract appointment will enable Dr Agordzo regain his lost dignity as well as continue the good work he was rendering to mother Ghana with the Ghana Police Service.



He retired sometime November last year. So, he may not be able to go and continue in the Police Service, except they give him a contract. And I think in terms of reparation, that's what President Akufo-Addo should do. Having destroyed the man and his family like this, the least he can do is to say, IGP Dampare, please look in there and give Agordzo a contract, let him come and continue the work he was doing. He was Director of Transformation. Let him come back and contribute for the next five years....It will not make him regain everything he's lost, but at least, it will rehabilitate him a bit, because they've destroyed him on frivolous evidence, he said.



Lawyer Kpebu, who was speaking on "Ghana Tonight" on TV3, revealed that Dr Agordzos legal team are preparing to drag the government to court for malicious prosecution, accusing the current administration of subjecting his client to three years of humiliation, pain and distress.



We are building a case, malicious prosecution. When we say malicious prosecution, it is a case where somebody takes you through the criminal justice system, through trial etc, without justifiable reason. So, we will show how this was an abuse of the process from day one.



"That is to say, use the criminal justice system for your own political ends. To gag public officers. Gag them. Make sure that public officers will be so scared, they will not talk about Akufo-Addo's misgovernance. We will look at it and build a case of malicious prosecution, so we will drag the government to court. They should come and answer.



In Lawyer Kpebus point of view, the state prosecuted his client for political gains.



I am saying that Akufo-Addo said Arab spring in opposition. We didn't hear any NDC people report him to police for him to be prosecuted for saying Arab spring. So, it was clear that for such a man, he couldn't have a public officer prosecuted for saying conditions in Ghana are ripe for an Arab spring and showing people how to organise a demonstration.



"so, you've always known, because Akufo-Addo knew that saying Arab spring is not a crime. That's how come nobody did anything to him when he was in opposition. So, why does he come into office and somebody is talking about Arab spring and showing people how to demonstrate and he gets prosecute? he quizzed.



Six persons including three soldiers who were found guilty for high tgreason were sentenced to death by hanging. They include: Donya Kafui, aka Ezor (a blacksmith) and Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu (a fleet manager), were found guilty of conspiracy to commit treason and treason, while Johannes Zikpi (a civilian employee of the Ghana Armed Forces) was found guilty of conspiracy to commit high treason.





Source: Kobina Darlington/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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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says Africa has been blessed with rich natural resources and must make good use of them.



To him, the perception that the continent is poor is far from the truth, reiterating that the country should never face poverty due to its resources.



We all know that Africa is blessed, Africa is not a poor continent she is too rich to be poor. A continent that has every natural resource imaginable; oil, gas, minerals and an abundance of sunlight. We have some 65 per cent of all arable land available to feed 9 billion people globally by 2030 and our continent is filled with the most youthful population in the world.



"Everything we need to transform Africa into a global powerhouse of the future, President Akufo-Addo was speaking at the second edition of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues in Peduase, Eastern region, on Thursday, January 25, 2024.



He also emphasized the importance of economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).



Im now encouraged that Africa now has a private sector that is ready, deliberate and eager to see that the 60-year-old dream of the United Africa manifests. The difference perhaps, of the then and today is that the focus is on an area where there can be no debate economic integration."



How we facilitate the free movement of people, goods and services across this vast and resourceful mass Africa is what we must devote our energies to President Akufo Addo said.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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TOKYO, Jan 26 (News On Japan) - Duty-free sales in Japanese department stores soared to all-time high last year, even though tourism from China has not fully recovered.

A survey by the Japan Department Stores Association, covering 72 companies nationwide, reported total sales of 5.4211 trillion yen. This marked a 9.2% increase from the previous year, indicating three consecutive years of growth.

However, despite this upward trend, the total still fell short by over 330 billion yen compared to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2019. This shortfall was partly due to store closures and floor space reductions in regional areas.

Meanwhile, the annual duty-free sales hit a record high of 348.4 billion yen. Although the number of tourists from mainland China has not fully recovered, there was a notable increase in spending by visitors from South Korea, Taiwan, Europe, and North America, influenced by the depreciating yen.

The Department Stores Association views this year's outlook optimistically, anticipating continued robust consumption both domestically and internationally.

This surge in duty-free sales highlights the resilience of Japan's retail sector, particularly in adapting to global economic shifts such as currency fluctuations and the pandemic's impact. The increase in international tourist expenditure underlines the vital role of tourism in Japan's economic landscape.

Source: ANN
Business Mogul and the Head of Operations at Agazy Group of Companies, Richmond Amoateng has donated some medical equipment and also paid the bills of some patients at the Tema General Hospital of the Greater Accra Region to mark his birthday.



The items donated include; liquid Soaps, Savlons, Kol roll, paper towels, bottle water, medical supplies, among other things.



He also donated an undisclosed amount of money to help pay the bills of some of the patients at the hospital.

Speaking at a short ceremony, Mr. Amoateng said the donation forms part of his Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to his community.



I am very grateful to God for adding another wonderful year to my age. As I celebrate my birthday, I thought it wise to do something that will serve as lasting memories, hence the need for the donation", he said.



Mr. Amoateng also took the opportunity to urge well-meaning individuals, philanthropists, civil society groups and corporate entities to also give back to the society.



Meanwhile, the Medical Director at the Tema General Hospital, Dr. Richard Anthony who received the items on behalf of the Hospital was extremely excited for such a nice gesture.



According to him, the items will go a long way to help patients and the hospital at large.



"Today is a great day, we are happy for such a great donation to this hospital. We wish Mr. Amoateng all the best in life as he celebrates his birthday. We are indeed grateful ", Dr. Richard Anthony noted.

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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In a significant move, the Ghanaian government has affirmed its commitment to implementing a visa-free policy for all Africans travelling to the country.



The initiative, set to be realized this year, aims to foster easier movement within the continent, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has pledged.



The president made this pledge at the second edition of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues conference held at Peduase Lodge in the Eastern Region on Thursday, January 25, 2024.



He informed participants of special arrangements that reduced visa acquisition fees by 50%, allowing for visa-on-arrival during this year.



The second edition of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues, hosted at the serene hills of Aburi in Ghana, witnessed the presence of distinguished African personalities, including the former President of Mozambique, the Chairperson of the Africa Forum, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Egypt, and other eminent figures.



President Nana Akufo-Addo welcomed delegates, emphasizing Africa's richness in natural resources and its potential for transformation into a global powerhouse.



''The focus of the event centred on economic integration, particularly facilitating the free movement of people, goods, and services across the continent, he said.



The theme, "Produce, Add Value, Trade," underscored the need for industrialization, value addition, and investment in infrastructure to support the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative, he added.



President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the role of the private sector in driving the AfCFTA's success and called for a collective commitment to realizing its promises.



He highlighted the historical challenges, including colonial economic models, that have hindered intra-Africa trade, stressing the importance of sustainable farming practices, infrastructure development, and technology adoption.



The Africa Prosperity Dialogues aimed to mobilize Africa's private sector to actively participate in and support the AfCFTA initiative.



President Akufo-Addo urged participants to move beyond rhetoric, fostering actionable plans for transformative change.



The event concluded with the declaration of the second edition of the African Prosperity Gala, symbolizing a commitment to shared prosperity on the continent.





Source: class fm









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Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, after a careful evaluation of the effect of the Akosombo Dam spillage, has classified it as a major failure on the part of the Volta River Authority, citinewsroom.com reports.



Kofi Bentil, contributing to a panel discussion on the Africa Leadership Initiative West Africa (ALIWA) on Thursday, January 25, highlighted that it is imperative to conduct a thorough examination of the incident to avoid the same occurrences in the future.



The Vice president of IMANI Africa further said that taking into consideration the evidence of a tragic failure that led to the flooding and the displacement of thousands of residents, the Akosombo Dam Spillage issue cannot be dissolved.



He emphasised that a failure of this calibre does not happen overnight but evolves over several days.



Kofi Bntil hinted that both the Meteorological Service and the Volta River Authority (VRA) had warning systems in place, which raises concerns about the occurrence of the spillage despite these safety measures.



Kofi Bentil stated, The dam does not fail overnight, it fails over many days, the Meteo service was working, and they gave the warnings, VRA itself has better systems than the Meteo systems, by which it can check. So if a dam fails over many days and there are significant warning systems, and there are multiple institutions, and its a Volta River Authority and in law, that [Authority] means a lot.



He proposed an extensive investigation as a vital tool for the understanding of the lapses in the system.



We need to ask questions as to why this happened and get to the bottom of why it happened because if the best of our best has failed then what is going on with the rest? he questioned.



Kofi Bentil, underscoring the tenacity of the situation, called on parliament to conduct an extensive probe into the Dam Spillage.



He highlighted that the flooding was not a result of natural disaster but of conscious efforts, where someone launched the release of water, irrespective of the awareness of people downstream, hence calling for an enquiry to puzzle out what happened.



This flooding was not natural, somebody pressed the bottom, and opened floodgates, knowing there were people downstream and flooded the place. Yes, you are saying [it was done] to save the dam but how did we get to that point, if the dam broke there would be worse problems, but should we ever get to that point where we have to choose between saving a dam and risking human lives? We need to ask questions and I think Parliament should get into this. Kofi Bentil stated



Building Resilience: A Socio-Economic Response to Natural Disasters, was the theme for the discussion.















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The Ghana Police Service will soon meet with various stakeholders ahead of Election 2024.



ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, the Director of the Public Affairs Directorate of the Ghana Police Service (GPS), speaking in a one-on-one interview on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo' said the Service has already started meeting with security agencies to ensure a peaceful general election.



"We believe elections should be peaceful and we've already started preparing for election 2024. We have met with security agencies and arranged to meet other stakeholders involved in the election...



...when it comes to security you can't take anything for granted...most often we sit with all the political parties and come to an understanding. Any situation of disorder can affect the entire country and so we can't take anything for granted".



Meanwhile, ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi has indicated that the Service is ready for the upcoming Parliamentary primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Saturday.



"As far as security is concerned, we're ready" she indicated.



Listen to her in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Social media platforms went into a frenzy after a video of several 32-inch smart TVs branded with the image of the current Member of Parliament of Yendi, Farouk Aliu Mahama, emerged on some platforms.



GhanaWeb is unable to confirm where and when the video was taken, however, it is being circulated barely 72 hours before the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries.



It has rebirthed the conversation around vote-buying and increased monetization of ballots.



The video has attracted several comments and reactions including on X, where some users are questioning the rationale and priority of the TV sets over development in Yendi.



Isnt it foolishness seeing your own people suffer for years just because theyve no portable water supply and yet spending millions to purchase televisions for votes? Muhammad Yaasin wrote.



Meanwhile, some users have also tagged the Office of Special Prosecutor on the video with the expectation of getting the office to investigate the MP for alleged vote-buying.



The New Patriotic Party will be electing parliamentary candidates in constituencies with sitting MPs on Saturday, January 27, 2023.



Farouk Aliu Mahama who was first elected to parliament in 2020 is facing stiff competition from the Chief Executive Officer of Microfinance and Loans Centre (MASLOC), Hajia Abibata Shani Mahama Zakaria.



See some social media reactions below:



MP for Yendi, Farouk Aliu Mahama shares branded TV sets to delegates as he is fiercely contested by the CEO of MASLOC.



Our Money o000, NPP must leave power. pic.twitter.com/xPVOOu1E4N  Mahama 2024 (@CitizenTechiman) January 25, 2024





Farouk Mahama, I prefer not to speak lmao https://t.co/7T2gfIaz7P  My first copy book (@PerryJuanUtd) January 25, 2024













































Source: ghanaweb.com









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As delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) vote tomorrow to elect parliamentary candidates in constituencies where the party has sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) across the country, the stakes are high for a few incumbents whose reign have come under serious threat.



The seats of Sarah Adjoa Safo (Dome-Kwabenya), Francis Asenso-Boakye (Bantama) and K.T. Hammond (Adansi Asokwa) have come under the spotlight following intriguing events in the lead-up to tomorrows polls.



Ms Safo survived the previous primary in 2020 by eight votes before going on to annex the seat.



For a greater part of the past three years, however, she was based in the United States and party faithful, including fellow parliamentarians publicly questioned her loyalty, given the NPPs numerical handicap in the hung Parliament.



She goes head-to-head with the Chief Executive of the Ghana Free Zones Authority Michael Oquaye Jr, who lost the 2020 internal contest narrowly and Sheela Oppong Sakyi, a legal practitioner and strategist at the Office of the First Lady in a defining moment for the partys fortunes in what has become a safe seat for the NPP in the Greater Accra Region.



In the Adansi Asokwa Constituency in the Ashanti Region, the incumbent MP and Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Hammond, one of the longest-serving MPs, is facing stiff competition from three others.



They are the Managing Director (MD) of the Ghana Publishing Company, Samuel Binfoh Darkwa; Dr Enoch Acheampong and Kwabena Nkansah Asamoah.



It is expected to be a two-horse race between the incumbent and Mr Darkwa.



In the Bantama Constituency, also in the Ashanti Region, the contest is also a two-horse race between the incumbent MP and Minister of Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Raphael Agyapong, a brother of former NPP presidential hopeful and MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong.



Delegates

The delegates, made up of polling station and constituency executive, electoral area coordinators, council of elders and patrons, and founder members (if any), would decide the fate of incumbents and new entrants.



A total of 322 aspirants who were cleared to contest in the primaries will slug it out in 101 constituencies in 15 out of the 16 regions. The NPP has no seat in the Oti Region.



In an interview, the NPP National Director of Elections, Evans Nimako, said elections had been put on hold in Akuapem South in the Eastern Region, Mampong in the Ashanti Region and Agona West in the Central Region.



Mr Nimako said the General Secretarys office had been served with a court order in respect of the primaries in Mampong and Agona West constituencies, while that of Akuapem South was due to petitions received from the constituency and regional secretariats of the party.



However, the contests are expected to be keen and interesting in some constituencies in the Ashanti, Eastern, Central, Greater Accra and Western regions where the seats are considered safe.



Ashanti

Other constituencies of interest in the Ashanti Region are Bekwai, Asokwa, Suame, Subin, Kwadaso, Obuasi West, Offinso North, Asante Akim Central, Asante Akim North, Asante Akim South, Afigya Kwabre East, Ahafo Ano North and Oforikrom.



For the Bekwai Constituency, four aspirants have put themselves up to succeed the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, who is bowing out of Parliament after serving four terms.



Those gunning to occupy the seat are private legal practitioner, Ralph Poku-Adusei; Henry Opoku-Ware, Kinsley Opoku Agyemang and retired Commissioner of Police (COP), George Alex Mensah.



In the Asokwa Constituency, two men are seeking to unseat Patricia Appiagyei, affectionately called Mama Pat. Mrs Appiagyei is serving her fourth term in Parliament and comes up against Francis Nana Yaw Boakye and Edmund Kyei.



For the Suame Constituency where the Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, is not seeking re-election after being in Parliament for seven terms, the four aspirants seeking to succeed him are Kwabena Osei-Adubofour, Pius Acheampong, John Darko and Maxwell Ofosu Boakye.



The contest in Asante Akim Central will be interesting as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Kofi Nkansah is seeking to unseat the incumbent, Kwame Ayimadu-Antwi.



Eastern

In the Eastern Region, the contest will be keen in Nsawam-Adoagyiri, where the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, is seeking a fourth term bid in Parliament.



He is being challenged by the Director of the Ghana Library Authority, Hayford Siaw and David Adu-Tutu Jr.



Incumbent MP and Deputy Minister of Education, Gifty Twum-Ampofos seat in Abuakwa North; Okere where six aspirants are vying to succeed the Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Dan Botwe; Ofoase Ayirebi where incumbent MP and Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, is facing a former Deputy Clerk of Parliament, Eric Owusu-Mensah and Maxwell Osei Gyamerah of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and Akyem Swedru where the Controller and Accountant General, Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem, and a Tema-based private businessman, Jerome Kwame Okyere Akordor, will sort things out with the incumbent, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, are among the interesting places to watch.



Greater Accra

In the Greater Accra Region, Ablekuma West will be among the tough grounds for candidates.



The incumbent MP and Minister of Communication and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, is facing stiff competition from his sole contender, Roni Kwesi Nicol.



Ahafo

For the Ahafo Region, the main contest will be in the Tano North where the incumbent and Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Dr Freda Prempeh, is facing stiff competition from Dr Gideon Boako, the spokesperson for the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.



Goodwill message

The National Chairman of the party, Stephen Ayesu Ntim, in a goodwill message, wished the aspirants the best in the primaries, and urged them to let the results propel them towards a resounding victory in the December general election.



Let us demonstrate to the nation that the NPP is a party that values respectful discourse, healthy competition and democratic processes, he said.



Guidelines

Part of the protocols outlined by the party for the primaries said the police would be heavily present at all centres to ensure order before, during and after the polls.



It added that the police, in collaboration with the Electoral Commission, had been mandated to prevent delegates from entering the voting area with phones or any photographic gadgets, while influencers, including "machomen", had been warned to stay off the voting perimeter or risk being arrested.



It said the polls would start at 7 a.m. and close at 2 p.m, and that there would not be any proxy voting and no constituency would be allowed to replace the names of deceased delegates in the voters albums.



The EC may decide to create additional polling centres at a voting centre to speed up the process if the number of delegates is large, it said.



All voting will take place in an open place in the full glare of the public.



It is an offence for non-accredited persons to enter the voting perimeters, it stated.

Source: graphiconline.com









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The Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has rejected the proposal of the Electoral Commission to change the election date from December 7 to November 7.



This response comes after the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held on Monday, January 22, 2024, where the Electoral Commission suggested a shift in the election date as well as well as declaring that day as a national holiday.



The EC further justified that the proposal, initially put forth by the political parties, aims to allow sufficient time for the commission to effectively manage its operations, particularly in the event of a run-off.



The proposals were put forward during the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held on Monday, January 22, 2024, as the EC also wants election days to be designated as national holidays to boost public participation in the electoral process.



It will be recalled that the Seventh-Day Adventist Church recently petitioned the Electoral Commission and the Attorney General to shift the voting date for the 2024 general elections from December 7 to any other date because the voting day, which falls on a Saturday, conflicts with the Sabbatha holy day they dedicate to the worship of God.



Referring to the 1996 general elections, the church said about 95 percent of their members were unable to vote because the elections were held on a Saturday.



The SDA church recommended the adoption of the first (1st) or second (2nd) Tuesday of November as the new date for Ghanas general elections, seeking codification to ensure Adventists are free to worship and to enable them to vote in the parliamentary and presidential elections.



But the Director of Elections for the NDC, Dr Omane Boamah reacting to the EC decision said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 that the NDC does not support the November date for elections thus, December 7 should be maintained, supporting their argument that voting on prayer or worship days does not affect the overall turnout of the elections since 1992.



According to him, instead of cherry-picking, the NDC calls for a comprehensive review of the electoral process through inclusive and proper dialogue which proposal has been sent to the Electoral Commission.



He further explained that even though the party is not in favor of the proposed date, they are ready to engage in discussions about voting on prayer or worship days.



He said We (NDC) do not support the November date for elections. Instead of cherry-picking, we (NDC) call for a comprehensive review of the electoral process through inclusive and proper dialogue; we already submitted our proposals to the EC.



On voting on prayer/worship days, we (NDC) are open to discussions. NB: Details of Election Years, Days, & Voter Turnout since 1992



Giving some breakdown of the Year, day, and turnout of the elections from 1992, he said On 1992- Tuesday 50.16 %, 1996 Saturday 78.20%, 2000 Thursday 61.74%, 2004 Tuesday 85.12%, 2008, Sunday 71.00%, 2012 Friday 79.43%,



2016 Wednesday 69.25% and 2020 Monday 78.89% he stated on his Facebook post.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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Seasoned journalist, Kwesi Pratt has charged the delegates of the New Patriotic Party to vote against any candidate who after being elected to represent them in Parliament has been using his power to bulldoze them or treat them like nonentities.



Mr. Pratt commenting on the New Patriotic Party's parliamentary election to be held this Saturday, January 27, noted that there are some MPs who after getting the people's votes have been behaving arrogantly towards them or treating them like subordinates undeserving of his care and attention.



To him, now is the time for the people to teach such candidates a big lesson.



"Vote against any person who made himself Champion Atta. Teach them a lesson to know that you didn't vote for them because they are beautiful or more intelligent...Vote against them for the politicians to know that they are not special than any person", he told the delegates during a panel discussion on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show.



He reiterated; "Those who have become arrogant, lifting their shoulders and so forth, vote against them. Let them come home and learn sense."





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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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:

Mars Perseverance Rover RIMFAX ground penetrating radar measurements of the Hawksbill Gap region of the Jezero Crater Western Delta, Mars. Hawksbill Gap. Credit: Svein-Erik Hamran, Tor Berger, David Paige, University of Oslo, UCLA, California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA

If life ever existed on Mars, the Perseverance rover's verification of lake sediments at the base of the Jezero crater reinforces the hope that traces might be found in the crater.

In new research published in the journal Science Advances, a team led by UCLA and The University of Oslo shows that at some point, the crater filled with water, depositing layers of sediments on the crater floor. The lake subsequently shrank and sediments carried by the river that fed it formed an enormous delta. As the lake dissipated over time, the sediments in the crater were eroded, forming the geologic features visible on the surface today.

The periods of deposition and erosion took place over eons of environmental changes, the radar indicates, confirming that inferences about the Jezero crater's geologic history based on Mars images obtained from space are accurate.

"From orbit we can see a bunch of different deposits, but we can't tell for sure if what we're seeing is their original state, or if we're seeing the conclusion of a long geological story," said David Paige, a UCLA professor of Earth, planetary and space sciences and first author of the paper. "To tell how these things formed, we need to see below the surface."

AI-interpolated video from NAVCAM images from the NASA Perseverance Rover's as it traversed down the Jezero Western Delta from Cape Nukshak to the Crater Floor on Sol 641. Credit: Lior Rubanenko, Emily Cardarelli, Justin Maki, David Paige, UCLA, California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA

The rover, which is about the size of a car and carries seven scientific instruments, has been exploring the 30-mile-wide crater, studying its geology and atmosphere and collecting samples since 2021. Perseverance's soil and rock samples will be brought back to Earth by a future expedition and studied for evidence of past life.

Between May and December 2022, Perseverance drove from the crater floor onto the delta, a vast expanse of 3 billion-year-old sediments that, from orbit, resembles the river deltas on Earth.

As the rover drove onto the delta, Perseverance's Radar Imager for Mars' Subsurface Experiment, or RIMFAX, instrument fired radar waves downward at 10-centimeter intervals and measured pulses reflected from depths of about 20 meters below the surface. With the radar, scientists can see down to the base of the sediments to reveal the top surface of the buried crater floor.

Mars Perseverance Rover RIMFAX ground penetrating radar measurements of the Cape Nukshak region of the Jezero Crater Western Delta, Mars. Credit: Svein-Erik Hamran, Tor Berger, David Paige, University of Oslo, UCLA, California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA

Years of research with ground-penetrating radar and testing of RIMFAX on Earth have taught scientists how to read the structure and composition of subsurface layers from their radar reflections. The resulting subsurface image shows rock layers that can be interpreted like a highway road cut.

"Some geologists say that the ability of radar to see under the surface is kind of like cheating," said Paige, who is RIMFAX's deputy principal investigator.

RIMFAX imaging revealed two distinct periods of sediment deposition sandwiched between two periods of erosion. UCLA and the University of Oslo report that the crater floor below the delta is not uniformly flat, suggesting that a period of erosion occurred prior to the deposition of lake sediments.

Mars Perseverance Rover RIMFAX ground penetrating radar measurements of the Hawksbill Gap region of the Jezero Crater Western Delta, Mars. Credit: Svein-Erik Hamran, Tor Berger, David Paige, University of Oslo, UCLA, California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA

The radar images show that the sediments are regular and horizontaljust like sediments deposited in lakes on Earth. The existence of lake sediments had been suspected in previous studies, but has been confirmed by this research.

A second period of deposition occurred when fluctuations in the lake level allowed the river to deposit a broad delta that once extended far out into the lake, but has now eroded back closer to the river's mouth.

"The changes we see preserved in the rock record are driven by large-scale changes in the Martian environment," Paige said. "It's cool that we can see so much evidence of change in such a small geographic area, which allows us extend our findings to the scale of the entire crater."

More information: David Paige et al, Ground penetrating radar observations of the contact between the western delta and the crater floor of Jezero Crater, Mars, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi8339. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adi8339 Journal information: Science Advances
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The hydrogel fibers printed on the glass are covered by partially crosslinked dangling chains, exhibiting great affinity toward water molecules. They act like the grooves on the integuments of lizards to collect droplets and their surface could form a hydration layer to mimic the mucus on the catfish skin to make droplet movement more smooth and quick. Credit: Science China Press

The water in the air originates from both natural and forced evaporation, with condensation being the final and crucial step in water harvesting. Condensation involves nucleation, growth, and shedding of water droplets, which are then collected.

However, uncontrollable growth of condensed droplets leading to surface flooding is a pressing challenge due to insufficient driving forces, posing a threat to sustainable condensation.

A study, led by Prof. Jiuhui Qu, Dr. Qinghua Ji, and Dr. Wei Zhang from Tsinghua University, focuses on addressing water scarcity by exploring atmospheric water harvesting. The work is published in the journal National Science Review.

To expedite this process and achieve orderly and rapid droplet shedding from the condensing surface, the team took inspiration from nature. They observed that the Australian thorny devil efficiently spread droplets, such as rains, dews, and pond water, from its scales to capillary channels between the scales, eventually connecting to its mouth.

This natural mechanism made water easier to store and consume. Additionally, the team drew inspiration from fish, particularly catfish, which possess an epidermal mucus layer reducing swimming drag and enhancing adaptability to aqueous environments. These insights from nature address the challenges of orderly droplet navigation and low-drag droplet shedding, respectively.

The research team employed hydrogel fibers to create an engineered pattern on glass, incorporating the advantageous features of both lizards and catfish.

The hydrogel fiber is an interpenetrated network of sodium alginate and polyvinyl alcohol with a partially polymerized surface and arch structure. The surface, adorned with branched OH and COOH chains, exhibits a strong affinity for water molecules.

This affinity, coupled with the arch structure, provides sufficient driving force for droplets to move from the condensing substrate to the hydrogel fiber. Simultaneously, the branched OH and COOH chains can retain water molecules even after droplets leave the surface, aiding in the formation of a precursor water film that lubricates droplet sliding.

The fluorescent molecules were first immobilized on the glass as probes. After condensation, droplets re-dissolved the probes and quickly transferred from the glass to the hydrogel fiber and then slid along the fiber quickly. Credit: Science China Press

To observe droplet movement, fluorescent molecules were utilized as probes. The captured trajectories revealed an impressive migration rate, with droplets formed on the glass swiftly pumped to the hydrogel fiber, thereby regenerating the condensing sites.

The success lies in the concurrent application of chemical wetting gradients and the Laplace pressure difference across the hydrogel fiber and the glass. The pumping effect resulted in a reduction of over 40% in the energy of the droplet-condensing surface system, acting as the driving force source. "This is similar to the directional water dispersion over the integuments of lizards," Professor Qu notes.

The researchers also observed distinctions in the movement of water on the hydrogel fiber surface compared to that on glass. On the glass, droplets advanced as a cohesive unit with successive formation of new advancing angles, resulting in complete mixing of fluorescent probes within the droplet during advancement.

In contrast, droplet sliding on the hydrogel fiber surface exhibited a layered behavior. The inner layer of water bonded to the hydrogel surface, while the outer layer slid without direct contact with the hydrogel surface.

"The dangling chains over the hydrogel surface act like the mucus layer of the catfish, lubricating the friction between the droplets and the condensing surface," explains Dr. Ji.

This engineered hydrogel fiber pattern increased the condensation rate by 85.9% without requiring external energy input. Moreover, it was successfully applied to enhance the water collection rate of solar evaporative water purification by 109%.

This study not only provides insights into natural phenomena but also marks a novel attempt to manipulate droplet movement for condensation. The findings lay the foundation for future endeavors in discovering phenomena and translating theories into practical applications.

More information: Wei Zhang et al, Pumping and sliding of droplets steered by a hydrogel pattern for atmospheric water harvesting, National Science Review (2023). DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad334
NAGOYA, Jan 26 (News On Japan) - In a groundbreaking decision, the Nagoya High Court has overturned a lower court ruling and ordered the government to recognize a Rohingya man living in Nagoya as a refugee, citing the risk of persecution and ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya in Myanmar.

Kin Maung Soe, 44, a member of the persecuted Muslim minority, has applied for refugee status four times since arriving in Japan in 2007 but had been denied each time. Challenging the government's refusal to acknowledge him as a refugee, he filed a lawsuit.

The Nagoya District Court initially dismissed his case last year, stating that being Rohingya did not immediately qualify him as a refugee. However, in a reversal on the 25th, Presiding Judge Yasuhiro Hasegawa of the Nagoya High Court ruled, "The plaintiff holds beliefs that are in direct opposition to the military's policies in Myanmar. There is ongoing ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya, and he is at risk of persecution, which qualifies him as a refugee." The judge also emphasized that it is unrealistic to expect refugees to leave their country with sufficient evidence to prove their status and that their testimonies should be the primary material for consideration.

Following the verdict, Kin Maung Soe expressed his relief and gratitude: "The Rohingya are told they are not needed by the country, and it's difficult to even move around within it. I am very happy with the judgment." The Immigration Services Agency of Japan responded by stating they will closely examine the contents of the decision and respond appropriately.

Source: NHK
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A new study led by UAlbany's Massry School of Business explores how opposing viewpoints may have impacted vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit: U.S. Air Force Reserve Staff Sgt. Christopher S. Muncy

As the COVID-19 pandemic raged throughout the country in 2020, politics, memes and public messaging converged to dramatically influence individuals' decisions regarding the in-development COVID vaccines, according to a new article by researchers at the University at Albany's Massry School of Business and Washington State University's Carson College of Business.

In "Reexamining health messages in the political age: The politicization of the COVID-19 pandemic and its detrimental effects on vaccine hesitancy," published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs, authors Ionnis Kareklas, Devipsita Bhattacharya, Darrel D. Muehling and Victoria Kissekka examine how voters' political leanings informed their decision to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

"We explore how radically opposing viewpoints regarding the pandemic may have eroded public trust in government institutions and health science during the months leading up to the 2020 U.S. presidential election," said Kareklas, associate professor and chair of Marketing at UAlbany, who led the investigation.

The authors also reviewed how memes on social media played a role in affecting viewers' attitudes toward health care, especially whether they would get a COVID-19 vaccine. Analysis of the researchers' data revealed that survey respondents relied heavily on social media to get trustworthy vaccine information, yet most vaccination-related memes were anti-vaccine.

Along with survey data, Kareklas and his team analyzed 18,000 tweets containing pictures of COVID-19 anti-vaccine memes/pictures from Twitter between Oct. 30 and Nov. 11, 2020.

They found that the memes generally fell into three categories:

Memes about inefficacy of COVID-19 vaccines

Memes about the vaccine being deliberately promoted and encouraged

Memes about the harmful effects of COVID-19 vaccines

The memes often incorporated logical or rhetorical fallacies, including appealing to anger, suppressing evidence, misleading vividness or deliberate lies.

"These findings from Twitter, along with those of our first survey, prompted us to consider further the potential impact of meme-based, politically persuasive communications on individuals' COVID-19 vaccination decisions," said Kareklas.

The third study assessed participants' level of trust in medical, scientific evidence and government institutions, with the goal of determining if public sentiment could be swayed.

"Here, we observed a striking dichotomy between Trump and Biden voters," continued Kareklas. "Specifically, while Biden (compared to Trump) voters were significantly more likely to indicate that their trust in government had decreased in the last four years, Trump (compared to Biden) voters were significantly more likely to indicate their trust in medical, scientific evidence had decreased. Such polarized positions regarding these vital public health institutions (i.e., science and government) further documents the politicization of health science."

These political and philosophical divisions have created an environment where it has become increasingly challenging for health agencies to fulfill their mission to protect the nation, both during the pandemic and in similar future situations, according to the researchers.

"The private and public disagreements among politicians and health experts made it especially difficult to have a coherent policy for addressing the pandemic and consistent messaging regarding how to combat COVID-19," said Kareklas.

The findings do suggest, however that, consistent with the source credibility literature, messaging campaigns that feature a highly credible spokesperson who is perceived to have high levels of expertise and trustworthiness could differentially influence individuals who are hesitant to trust government institutions.

According to former CDC director Tom Frieden, who participated in the focus group, several focus group participants changed their minds about taking the vaccine after hearing the facts without political spin from doctors, as opposed to taking advice from politicians.

More information: Ioannis Kareklas et al, Reexamining health messages in the political age: The politicization of the COVID19 pandemic and its detrimental effects on vaccine hesitancy, Journal of Consumer Affairs (2023). DOI: 10.1111/joca.12553
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Immature pink salmon (female) at the top, male in spawning attire at the bottom. When the male pink salmon is ready to spawn, it develops a hump on its back and elongated jaws. Credit: Runar Kjr

In recent years, the presence of pink salmon in Norwegian rivers has dramatically increased. Fishermen, anglers and researchers alike are concerned that this non-native species could pose a significant threat to native species and ecosystems. Moreover, the fact that pink salmon decomposes and ultimately dies during its spawning stage can lead to severe contamination of the rivers it inhabits.

Before it spawns, however, it makes for a tasty meal, which is why in Alaska, Canada, and Russia, pink salmon has long held economic significance. Caught in the sea or immediately upon its return to the river, it is considered a valuable food source.

"In its edible sea phase, it bears resemblance to the Atlantic salmon," says Dr. Simo Maduna, a researcher at NIBIO Svanhovd. "It's only after it begins its journey upstream in the rivers that the spawning-ready fish turns a gray-brown color, and the males develop their distinctive hump."

Dr. Maduna and colleagues recently published a study on Norwegian non-native pink salmon. With advanced modeling, they examined the river conditions in which the pink salmon thrives, and investigated what makes it spread to new areas.

"The main drivers affecting where pink salmon establishes itself seem to be temperature and precipitation. Additionally, pink salmon seems to favor areas of lower elevation," says the researcher.

The study suggests that the ecological condition in the rivers the researchers have identified as particularly suitable for pink salmon is likely to remain relatively stable for the next 30 years. Thus, Dr. Maduna is doubtful that we can entirely eradicate pink salmon.

"We need to find long-term post-control measures as well as efficient ways to utilize the pink salmon as a resource," he says. "Alongside local interventions like traps and nets at river mouths, we should seriously consider using it as a food source. This approach could benefit both our environment and Norway's Blue Economy."

Distribution modeling as a tool

The models used for the calculations are so-called species distribution models (SDMs). Ecological data, specifically weather and climate data, from rivers all over Norway where pink salmon occurs were used as input. River systems where pink salmon has not yet been detected were also taken into account.

Using advanced algorithms, the models were able to predict other rivers and areas with similar or better conditions that pink salmon can potentially spread to.

"The models help us understand and foresee where pink salmon may establish self-recruiting populations in the years to come. This is particularly useful in terms of where it may be necessary to implement proactive management measures that counteract establishment in highly suitable rivers that are not yet occupied," says Dr. Maduna.

Northeast Norway: Today's hotspot for pink salmon

Dr. Maduna found that northeastern Norway is the most important area for the spread of pink salmon, but that there are suitable rivers for the species throughout the country.

"Norway has many areas with optimal ecological conditions for pink salmon. Today, rivers in Eastern Finnmark are the 'hotspot' for the increase, i.e., where pink salmon has established itself well and spreads from. Our models indicate that we will likely see new hotspots elsewhere in the years to come," he explains.

The models show suitable places for pink salmon outside Norway's borders too, including in the U.K. and Iceland where pink salmon has already been detected.

"Climate change can cause pink salmon to spread even further south in Europe too," Dr. Maduna says. "That being said, we must exercise caution before drawing definitive conclusions, as there may be other important factors that the models have yet to account for."

Genomics as a tool to understand the spread of pink salmon

In addition to learning about the ecological and climatic conditions under which pink salmon thrives, the researchers developed a new genetic approach to study the pink salmon in its non-native range, where all the fish are closely related compared to the fish in the native range. Through DNA analyses of pink salmon samples from 2019, they uncovered river-specific genetic patterns and directional gene flow, which indicated important rivers for pink salmon serving as a source of spread to other rivers in Norway.

The researchers now aim to integrate genomics into their distribution models for the species. This will help them determine the timing and sequence of spread events from current and future hotspots.

"The data we have collected can also be used in future studies to find out if the measures that have been implemented to contain pink salmon actually work as intended. It can also help us understand more about the species' life history and genetic characteristics in both introduced and native areas," says Dr. Maduna.

The researcher is convinced that the ongoing research at NIBIO Svanhovd yields valuable insights for the management of pink salmon in Norway, and is grateful for the local support the team has received.

"Our research would not be possible without the help of the many dedicated people in Eastern Finnmark who support and contribute to our work," he says.

Facts on pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)

The pink salmon is a species of salmon originally from the Pacific Ocean. It was introduced to Russia in the 1950s and has since spread to Norway. It is now an established species in many Norwegian rivers, especially in Finnmark. It is classified as an alien invasive species and is blacklisted.

Pink salmon has a two-year life cycle and returns to its birth river to spawn every other year. Its presence in Norwegian rivers is particularly high in odd-numbered years. In Norway, spawning is observed from mid-June to late July, with peak spawning in August and September. During the spawning period, males develop a distinctive hump on their backs. The color changes from silver in the sea to olive green/brown in the rivers as spawning approaches.

The typical weight of a mature fish is about 2 kilograms, but it can grow up to 75 centimeters in length and weigh up to 6.5 kilograms.

To limit the spread of pink salmon in Norwegian rivers, measures such as fishing traps and nets are used. The timing of these measures is crucial to prevent both early and late spawning. There is also ongoing research to find the most effective measures to combat this invasive species.

Provided by NIBIO  Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research
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Response surface for mixture design of experiment that optimizes the proportions between cocoa bean peel, peptone, and ammonium phosphate added to the peach palm waste under solid state fermentation by Trichoderma stromaticum AM7 (CCMB617P) at 30 C for 6 days, for amylase synthesis (using the special cubic model). The copyright is retained by the authors. Credit: Dr. Andrea Miura da Costa, Department of Biological Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilheus, Bahia, Brazil

Amylases are among the most important biotechnological and industrial enzymes that can be applied in various sectors, such as food, pharmaceuticals, textiles, chemicals, paper, and detergents.

The enzymes' costs come from a range of factors including the quantity produced, the production process, the expense of its recovery, and the degree of purity at which it will be marketed. The use of agro-industrial substrates and microorganisms brings the potential to low-cost enzyme production. Meanwhile, due to the ability to improve physical and chemical resistance to industrial environmental extremes, such as high temperature and pH, as well as carry out different catalytic reactions, microbial enzymes are a favorite to meet the demands of the industry.

A study led by Dr. Andrea Miura da Costa (Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz) has reported amylase production by Trichoderma stromaticum AM7 using peach-palm waste as substrate. The study is published in the journal Mycology.

A mixture simplex centroid design of the experiment was performed, and the surface response methodology was applied to determine the mathematical model that describes the relation between the response variable and the independent factors (nitrogen source proportions). The team found that the design of the optimum proportion for the final mixture was 70% peptone, 24.3% ammonium phosphate, and 5.7% cocoa bean peel. After the addition of nitrogen sources as peptone and ammonium phosphate, the amylase production increased by 45% by T. stromaticum AM7.

The researchers also determined the pH and temperature optimum for amylase stability, as well as the effects of metal ions and chemical reagents on amylase activity. They found that the biochemical properties of the amylase showed its stability to acidic pH (4.0) and high temperatures up to 50C60C. In addition, the enzyme was little influenced by the presence of ions and denaturing agents, which gives the characteristic of the T. stromaticum AM7 amylase promising for applications mainly in the food sector.

In this innovative research, the fungus T. stromaticum AM7 was efficient in producing amylase using peach palm waste as low-cost substrate in solid state fermentation which simplifies and makes fermentation economically viable for this enzyme production. "The cost-effective enzyme extraction and stable amylase highlight its strong potential in industry applications, especially in food processes," Dr. Andrea Miura da Costa said.

More information: Stephanie Alexandrina Gillet et al, Utilization of Peach-palm waste for cost-effective amylase production by Trichoderma stromaticum : Stability and industrial potential, Mycology (2023). DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2023.2276728

Provided by Tsinghua University Press
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The ability to grab listeners with a compelling story, complete with heroes, villains and victims, is not only a must for great literature, it is increasingly a tool for changing policy.

A new paper published last month in Policy Studies Journal examines how disseminating largely false narratives around the issue of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and public schools not only propelled people to demand bans on teaching CRT, but also influenced their beliefs about broader political and policy issues and could have implications for the future of public education.

The paper, "Narrative spillover: A narrative policy framework analysis of critical race theory discourse at multiple levels," was written by Melissa Arnold Lyon, an assistant professor in Rockefeller College's Department of Public Administration and Policy; Rebecca Jacobsen, a professor at Michigan State University's College of Education; and Ariell Rose Bertrand, a Ph.D. student at MSU's College of Education.

By studying the rise in ban-CRT narratives, the team looked at how storytelling in policy debates activates listeners and can change the way they think about established institutions and culture.

The narratives around banning CRT proved perfect for studying this phenomenon because the conversation around CRT, introduced by conservative think tanks, spread so quickly from nothing to a major talking point with a call for legislative action.

"The Manhattan Institute's Christopher Rufo, who is closely associated with the introduction of the ban-CRT policy narrative, explicitly stated his intention to 'recodify [the term CRT] to annex the entire range of cultural constructions that are unpopular with Americans,'" the article says. Rufo's appearance on Tucker Carlson's show on Fox TV attracted the attention of President Trump, who met with Rufo and then talked about CRT in a September 2020 speech.

Rufo's narrative about the harm caused by CRT spread through new parent groups, came up in increasingly contentious school board meetings across the United States and, by January 2021, resulted in more than 140 bills in 44 states calling for the ban of CRT in public schools, with 18 states passing such bills.

"Even though there was little to no evidence of CRT in schools, the rapid dissemination of this narrative led to large increases in public support for a ban on CRT," Lyon explains. "Exposure to CRT narratives led to calls for banning CRT across partisan and racial groups, but they were particularly strong for white individuals and Republicans."

The authors' study also uses the CRT policy narratives to show how such narratives can change how people think in broader terms about long-standing beliefs. "The ban-CRT policy narrative leveled serious charges against the public school system, suggesting that there was a widespread effort to introduce students to a harmful curriculum," the article says.

"The combination of racial identity politics and the highly polarizing rhetoric that was spread rapidly through well-developed social media networks may have resulted in a powerful policy narrative able to breach status quo beliefs and institutional norms regarding schooling, schools, and teachers."

While topics such as curriculum and school choice have long caused conflict in school districts, President Trump and other Republicans used CRT to create a new firestorm in the public perception of public schools, according to the authors.

"The case of CRT demonstrates how a powerful narrative can quickly sweep across the nation and shape policy opinions to such a degree that the influence of the narrative spills over into beliefs about societal institutions and cultural norms. Indeed, the onset of ban-CRT policy narratives may be contributing to a remarkable cultural and institutional shift in the way we view our teachers and schools," the article states.

Lyon added, "Even though the public tends to have very high levels of trust in their local teachers, we see that the folks who heard CRT narratives had decreased trust in their own local teachers and schools to discuss race or even to supplement the curriculum generally. We see this as evidence that ban-CRT narratives have the capacity to chip away at long-standing cultural norms regarding our public schools."

More information: Ariell Rose Bertrand et al, Narrative spillover: A narrative policy framework analysis of critical race theory discourse at multiple levels, Policy Studies Journal (2023). DOI: 10.1111/psj.12523
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Credit: Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum

River regulation, invasive animal and plant species, global climate change, and pollutionhumans are severely impacting the ecosystems of rivers and streams.

"As a result, around 60% of Europe's rivers are currently not in a good ecological condition. In Germany, this figure is even as high as around 90%. The EU Water Framework Directive, in force since 2000, was intended to remedy this situation, but to date there has been no reliable data on changes in the ecological quality of rivers over time," explains Prof. Dr. Peter Haase from the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt.

Together with his colleague Dr. James Sinclair and an international research team, Haase evaluated the data on river-dwelling invertebrates from 1,365 locations in 23 European countries to examine the temporal trends of anthropogenic influences. The study is published in Nature Ecology & Evolution.

"Based on this unique data set, we were able to quantify the change in ecological quality in rivers on an annual basis since the early 1990s," explains Sinclair.

Haase adds, "In order to assess the anthropogenic impacts, we first looked at how the biotic communities have changed compared to their initial condition over the course of the study period from 1992 to 2019. This allows us to assess long-term trends in ecological quality at a European level."

First author Sinclair continues, "We found that ecological quality generally increased from the 1990s until 2010, as did the number of sensitive species, indicating reduced anthropogenic impactsbut this positive trend came to a halt around 2010. The necessary 'good' ecological status, as stipulated in the EU Water Framework Directive, has also not yet been achieved on average. The improved water quality is likely due to European measures that were increasingly introduced starting in the 1980s, such as improved wastewater treatment."

In their overview of ecological water quality, compiled for the first time for all of Europe, the researchers show that improvements have stagnated since the 2010s. The scientists cite new and existing stress factors such as pollution and habitat change, increasing negative effects such as climate change, and emerging problems such as the introduction of new types of pesticides or pharmaceuticals as probable causes.

In a second step, the researchers correlate the determined ecological quality with common indicators such as the abundance or diversity of species or the composition of faunal communities, as well as with common biomonitoring indices that reflect the occurrence of sensitive species.

"Our work is based on the fact that there are numerous studies that report sometimes contradictory changes in biodiversity, i.e., some claim improvements while others claim deterioration. This is due to the fact that some of these studies are limited to individual biomonitoring indices, although it has not been clear to date whether these indices adequately reflect the ecological condition at all," explains Haase.

"It further becomes apparent that biotic communities show different reactions to anthropogenic influences, depending on the spatial scale. For example, negative impacts can lead to a local decline in abundance or species richness. Regionally, however, no overall change is recorded because the losses are offset by increases in other places. Or there may even be an increase in the number of species if species that can tolerate the changes multiply," say the scientists from Gelnhausen.

According to the newly published study, the different trends in biodiversity found in many studies may therefore be the result of different spatial scaleslocal, regional, continentalor different biomonitoring indices. As a further complication, most studies on biodiversity lack baseline data prior to human impact.

"Without baseline data, however, it is difficult to determine whether changes in biodiversity are due to anthropogenic influences or natural fluctuations," says Sinclair.

"Our results show that without sufficient data over an extended period of time and a careful selection of metrics, biological trends and anthropogenic influences cannot be reliably represented. Among the indicators used to date, only species diversity is a fairly reliable indicator of a change in ecological water quality. This should absolutely be taken into account in future assessments," concludes Haase.

More information: James S. Sinclair et al, Multi-decadal improvements in the ecological quality of European rivers are not consistently reflected in biodiversity metrics, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02305-4 Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution
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Soft corals, gorgonian and slope at Little Brother, Red Sea, Egypt. Credit: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

Over the last 20 years, the world's oceans have experienced a significant increase in episodes of high-sea surface temperatures, known as marine heat waves.

These events have become more frequent and intense over time, leading to significant changes in marine ecosystems. High ocean temperatures often lead to massive die-offs among marine organisms.

This phenomenon is particularly pronounced during the summer months in the Mediterranean Sea between July and August. Among the species greatly affected by this environmental disturbance is the red gorgonian, Paramuricea clavata.

Corals of major ecological importance due to their role as an engineer species. When populations of red gorgonians reach high densities of large individuals, they create habitats similar to underwater forests that serve as a refuge or hunting ground for many species, thereby enhancing local biodiversity. Their decline can therefore have devastating consequences for the marine ecosystem as a whole.

However, recent research carried out with several colleagues suggests that by finding refuge deeper in the sea, where the temperature does not rise as much, red gorgonians could escape marine heat waves.

Marine heat waves and mortality

Episodes of mass mortality of red sea fans have been reported since the 1980s, but the frequency of documented events intensified from 1999 onward: 2003, 2006, 2018 and 2022

Just as fires devastate forests on land, marine heat waves decimate shallow populations in the Mediterranean, from Spain to France and Italy, as well as in Croatia. The heat wave of summer 2022, one of the most dramatic in the history of the western Mediterranean, was particularly deadly for red sea fans at depths of up to 30 meters.

The severity of these lossesdirectly linked to heat at the sea surfaceseems to depend both on the severity of the temperature rise and the length of time that the high temperatures persist. Two parameters that together make its survival increasingly difficult.

Looking for coolness at greater depths

Despite this worrying situation, there is still a glimmer of hope. The red gorgonian has a wide bathymetric rangein other words, the depth range within which the species can survive. If this range is wide, the species will be present both near the surface and at greater depths.

This is the case here, since it is found between 10 and 200 meters: Even if the surface populations decline, those at greater depths remain. Conversely, a species found only in the first 30 meters of water would be completely eliminated by mortality linked to the rise in water temperature.

Up until now, readings indicate that during marine heat waves, the temperature decreases the deeper you go. In other words, gorgonian forests can still find refuge in deeper areas to protect themselves from the threats they face at the surface.

Insufficient scientific data

Unfortunately, most of the scientific data on red sea fans mortalities mainly concern shallow populations, located at depths of between 15 and 25 meters, with a few rare cases going beyond 30 meters.

Recently, citizen science programsoften carried out by recreational scuba divershave played an essential role in the early detection of these mortality events by providing valuable data. But their observations are generally limited to shallow depths.

Thanks to significant advances in scuba diving technologies, scientists are now able to conduct research at unprecedented depths. The adoption of closed-circuit rebreathers (CCRs), which recycle exhaled air, allows for longer dives, and the use of breathing gas mixtures, known as TRIMIXs, make dives to even greater depths possible.

Thanks to these advances, our group of French (CNRS, Ifremer, Sorbonne and Septentrion Environnement) and Spanish (CSIC) researchers has been able to monitor the health of red gorgonian populations at depths of up to 90 meters in the Mediterranean Sea.

Mortality down at depths of over 40 meters

Analysis of data collected from 14 deep red gorgonian populations between 40 and 90 meters deep, combined with data from 29 shallower populations from a citizen science initiative (T-MedNet database), revealed a significant reduction in mortality below the 40-meter threshold.

This discovery suggests that the zone below 40 meters, also known as the mesophotic zoneor twilight zone due to the marked reduction in light penetrationmay function as a refuge for the Mediterranean red gorgonian, protecting its populations from the harmful effects of marine heat waves.

These findings confirm the "deep reef refugia" hypothesis, according to which marine populations residing at greater depths are less sensitive to the impacts of climate change, particularly with regard to rising sea surface temperatures.

Temporary refuge

However, our knowledge of populations below 40 meters is still limited, which restricts our ability to predict how marine heat waves will affect them.

The preservation of populations at depth may not last when more frequent and severe marine heat waves affect temperatures at previously unexposed depths. At that point, populations in deeper areas could also have a lower heat tolerance than their shallower counterparts and therefore be more vulnerable.

As a result, this refuge at depth does not definitively protect gorgonians from the effects of climate change. Their survival will depend above all on the extent of connectivity between these populations (in other words, their ability to intermingle) and their reaction to rising water temperatures, parameters that are still poorly understood.

Better understanding for better protection

It is therefore vital to improve our knowledge of the mesophotic zone, the connectivity between deep and shallow populations and the way in which each population adapts to changing environmental conditions, in order to determine how long these refuges will last.

Let's see this temporary refuge as a gift from the deep sea, offering us an additional period during which the deep populations are sheltered from the effects of global warming. And let's make the most of this period of respite to understand how these underwater forests function, the mechanisms of resilience, and possibly design restoration interventions.

All this will be of no use, however, if we do not commit to reversing the process of climate change by adopting policies to reduce CO 2 emissions.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Antimicrobial organisms are responsible for some common health care-associated infections. Credit: CDC

Health care facilities serve as havens for patients seeking treatment for disease and injury. However, they can also be home to a hidden world of microbes, lurking in places and devices that lead to life-threatening infections.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 31 patients will acquire at least one health care-associated infection (HAI)including infections with antibiotic-resistant organismswhile being treated for something unrelated.

For centuries, it was believed that if everyone would do a better job cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing when required, HAIs (and overall infections in the community setting) would be eliminated. However, data show this is not the case.

Patients who occupy a room where a previous patient had an HAI have a 25% chance of acquiring the same infection, despite best efforts to follow required protocols for terminally cleaning and disinfecting the room.

Furthermore, patients who have symptomatic infection may shed larger amounts of infectious microbes through body fluid and contaminate surrounding surfaces.

Surface type and building structure are, therefore, important components of the equation, which necessitate an organized effort to understand the root causes and develop multimodal solutions that support ongoing efforts to stop the spread of HAIs within health care facilities.

The problem: Microorganisms are opportunistic

Reducing the number of HAIs and microbial spread is complex and challenging. Recommended solutions are difficult to sustain because the root causes (specifics pertaining to how microbes persist and spread in health care settings) are invisible, misunderstood and often not even considered part of the problem.

Yet, pathogenic organisms can survive on surfaces and within surfaces for weeks, months and even years, despite cleaning and disinfection. Surfaces where microbes tend to settle include, but are not limited to, textilessuch as privacy curtains, bed linens and pillowsas well as hard surfaces inside patient rooms and bathrooms (e.g., toilets, floors, soap dispensers and sink drains).

Patient care equipment, including blood pressure cuffs, suctioning systems and medical devices (e.g., endoscopes, IV's, ventilators and others) are also susceptible. Exacerbating this difficult and complex issue is the ongoing problem of microbial biofilms (wet and dry), which amplify the challenge of complete surface decontamination.

Essentially, we are dealing with a microbial problem at a macro level. Whether we like it or not, the invisible, microbial world is opportunistic and unforgiving, placing patients in health care settings (who are often immunocompromised) on the defensive. Therefore, when it comes to the construction of built environments in health care settings, microbes should be appropriately respected as the tie that binds every step from product conception, to development, writing of instructions for use (IFUs) and FDA clearance of medical devices.

Long before cleaning and disinfection become critical tasks for patient safety, there are a variety of evaluations that should be considered. Unfortunately, those connections are not always made. The transfer of organisms between patients and surfaces may not be considered until after a product has already been designed and manufacturers are writing their instructions for use.

The selection of building materials and the construction of innovative products intended to make patient care safer often occur without evaluation of required infection prevention guidelines, or an understanding of whether the products and materials being specified can be cleaned and disinfected using hospital grade EPA registered disinfectants.

Currently, there are no regulatory guidelines or standards that require testing to establish compatibility between devices and the disinfectants that are being used within health care facilities. Therefore, products are purchased every day that challenge the very best health care professional to efficiently and effectively clean and disinfect surfaces and equipment using standard, hospital-grade disinfectants, which often consist of harsh chemicals that have the potential to damage devices, support a hidden world of opportunistic microbes (ready to populate newly exposed surface layers) and, ultimately, put patients at risk.

In the same way humans, other animals, plants and even microbes can be colonized by microorganisms, so can buildings. In short, when specifics pertaining to how microbes persist and spread in health care settings are not considered prior to product design, downstream infection prevention practices are more likely to fail. A healing environment can't be achieved unless it can be effectively cleaned and disinfected. So how do we move this needle?

A different view for a solution: Building design and surface materials matter

Everyone who is involved in decision making and execution of the design, equipment and disinfection of health care facilities must be well-informed about how microbes populate and interact with various surfaces and materials.

Let's take the example of the universal patient bathroom, which has become a standard in health care facilities. First, we have a toilet without a lid (this is a plumbing building code requirement). Significant research about toilet plumes, provides data about contamination that takes place when a toilet is flushed. An invisible plume of aerosolized droplets of water and pathogens from human waste is forced up to 5 ft. into the air, and those particles may remain suspended in the air for a short time before landing on surfaces within 5 ft. of the toilet. This should logically draw attention to the surrounding surfaces upon which contaminates might settle. Do the walls, floor, handrails, etc. support efficient and effective disinfection practices?

Deeper investigation reveals additional chinks in the armor. The ceramic tile that is routinely used in patient bathrooms creates hundreds of seams on the walls and floor and provides a supportive environment for microbes to attach. The resulting environment is difficult, if not impossible, to clean and properly disinfect daily. Tile and grout require different methods of care and maintenance, as outlined by manufacturers in product care and maintenance documents. However, these materials are not cleaned and disinfected the same way by every person or across health care facilities.

Additionally, the IFUs for brushed stainless steel handrails, which are used to meet standard ADA requirements in patient bathrooms, clearly state that abrasive cleaners containing chlorides or quaternary salts should not be used on these surfaces. The instructions also specifically state that one must clean and polish with the grain of the stainless steel to ensure the removal of soil and microbes from the ridges and grooves created by the brushed texture. This bathroom has inadvertently been designed in a way that supports microbial contamination and makes cleaning and disinfection difficult, at best.

Selection of surface materials for medical devices

Surface material standards for medical devices should also be challenged, beginning with an assessment of whether the individual pieces of equipment, as well as the sum of those parts, can be cleaned, disinfected and reprocessed, when required. Importantly, a single medical device often contains multiple surface types that require different (and sometimes tailored) methods of cleaning. Failure to consider these specifications is likely to cause damage to the product, which, as stated above, may ultimately put the patient at risk.

Using an endoscope as an example, there are seven different surface materials and connection points at the end of the scope. There are numerous guidelines for reprocessing these scopes, including the CDC Disinfection of Healthcare Equipment, Reprocessing of Endoscopes and Multisociety guideline on reprocessing flexible GI Endoscope 2016 update.

In general, there are five steps, the first being "clean." Clean internal and external surfaces, including brushing internal channels and flushing each internal channel with water and a detergent or enzymatic cleaners (leak testing is recommended for endoscopes before immersion). Small toothpick-size brushes are used to manually clean this device before disinfection and sterilization. Could selecting surface materials during early design with cleaning, disinfection and sterilization at the top of mind provide a way to manage this process more easily and with less risk to patients?

Are design materials compatible with disinfectants and sterilants, and if not, when does damage begin to occur? When should products be removed from service because they can't be cleaned and disinfected?

In recent months and years, there has been an increase in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalls due to chemical damage from disinfectants. An example of this: on June 30, 2021, the FDA inspected a voluntary recall of CPAP, BIPAP and ventilator products by a major medical device manufacturer due to physical and chemical breakdown of foam, putting patients at risk of injury or death. The damage was caused by ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection, cleaners or other cleaning methods not recommended by the manufacturer. The FDA had to recall more products with this problem in Dec. 2021.

Instructions for use (IFUs), care and maintenance

Regulatory agencies, such as The Joint Commission and FDA, require health care professionals to follow the manufacturer's IFUs for cleaning, disinfection and reprocessing. Yet, there are existing issues surrounding this requirement. These include a lack of understanding by disinfection companies on the basics of microbiology and the organisms that health care professionals are trying to destroy, as well as conflict between IFUs and Infection Prevention Guidelines and protocols developed by, and used within, individual health care facilities.

A case study co-authored by HSI and The Association of Healthcare Value Analysis Professionals(AHVAP) illustrates the problem. The medical device company was seeking FDA 510K clearance that required them to test their product's ability to be disinfected, but it gave no further guidance.

The company tested one disinfectant wipe, which was a quaternary ammonium product that passed. This disinfection wipe is called out in the IFU for disinfection. The hospital, which was a children's hospital, has an internal policy that does not allow these disinfectants to be used in patient care areas for patient safety reasons. At that point, the health care facility had to figure out what other disinfectant they could use. Unfortunately, the disinfectant selected, a bleach-based product, was incompatible, and damage to the device occurred. The IFU, a short brief of the larger care and maintenance document, failed to clearly state that a bleach-based disinfectant would damage the device.

The case highlights why, before purchasing a product, it is critical to ask questions related to the product design, whether IFUs and care and maintenance documents support infection prevention guidelines set by the health care facility and if all categories of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectants have been tested and validated for compatibility with the surfaces to ensure damage doesn't occur.

Testing and validation

The testing and validation of materials and products is critical and, in some cases, a regulatory requirement (e.g., FDA, EPA). The challenge faced by manufacturers is what testing should be done and what test methods should be used. The Fall 2022 issue of The Canadian Journal of Infection Control (CJIC) highlighted the fact that a variety of guidelines and standards are available to ensure equipment and surfaces can be cleaned and disinfected for safe use in the clinical setting, but no uniform approach exists for testing and product claims.

When test method guidance from regulatory agencies is vague, it puts manufacturers at a disadvantage. There are multiple standard organizations and testing laboratories that manufacturers can choose from, and the test methods can be altered at each facility. This leads to inconsistencies with testing products and materials and, in the event of microbial testing, inconsistencies in the type of microbe being used.

While the (EPA) has specific testing requirements for disinfection companies, they focus on the kill claims (or log reduction) of specific pathogens (e.g., Mycobacterium tuberculosis, SARS-CoV-2 and Clostridioides difficile). This testing is typically conducted in a laboratory using small (nickel-sized) disks or coupons of non-specific material. These are not representative of medical devices, patient care products or assemblies of materials used in any given health care environment. A critical point is that none of these tests look for compatibility with materials that are actually used in health care settings to evaluate potential damage at a microbial level. They look to see if a specific pathogen is killed in a set amount of time. Once the test method is concluded, and log reduction is documented, kill claims are listed on the EPA registration product label.

In summary, the belief that better cleaning and disinfection practices alone will reduce the spread of HAIs must be reexamined. The challenges begin long before cleaning and disinfection take placewith surface selection and design. A collaborative effort that brings together a diverse group of thought leaders, health care professionals, manufacturers, scientists and others is critical to explore root causes and develop sustainable solutions that will mitigate the spread of HAIs.
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BEIJING, Jan 26 (News On Japan) - The delegation from the "Japan-China Economic Association," currently visiting China, met with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Thursday afternoon, requesting the lifting of China's import ban on seafood, but failed to gain any commitment from the Chinese side.

The delegation is visiting China for the first time in four years, and following their morning meeting with Prime Minister Li Qiang, they exchanged views with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, who is responsible for trade. During the meeting, Mr. Kobayashi, the head of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called for the lifting of China's import ban on Japanese seafood and the reinstatement of visa exemptions for short stays for Japanese citizens as before the pandemic. Furthermore, Mr. Tokura, the chairman of Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), argued that it is necessary to dispel concerns held by Japanese companies, such as those related to the revised "Anti-Espionage Law," in order to expand investment.

According to the Japan-China Economic Association, although Minister Wang made statements such as "There is no change in the direction of opening up to the outside world. High-quality development is indispensable," there was no mention of specific measures, and the discussions remained at an impasse.

Source: NHK
Three nursing home owners with locations in Hammonton and Deptford will be suspended from NJ Medicaid after having been found to have committed fraud, the Office of the State Comptroller said Thursday.

Citing poor conditions in the facilities and evidence of massive Medicaid fraud in New York, the OSC's Medicaid Fraud Division sent letters Thursday to Kenneth and Beth Rozenberg and Daryl Hagler and their entities, letting them know they would be suspended from NJ Medicaid effective May 24.

The three own the Hammonton Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare at 43 N. White Horse Pike and the Deptford Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Gloucester County.

The Hammonton site was issued numerous penalty notices from the state Department of Health for deficiencies identified during survey inspections, the OSC wrote in its letter to the owners.

OSC said the suspension is temporary pending completion of its investigation and New York state legal proceedings.

Centers Health Care does not comment on pending litigation," said Hammonton center spokesperson Jeff Jacomowitz in an email. "We will continue to fight the New York Attorney General's spurious claims and will respond to the New Jersey copycat claims in due course."

NAACP Martin Luther King ceremony focuses on ending violence in U.S., abroad The world has erupted in wars in Ukraine and Gaza, but such violence would not exist if we all saw God in each other, said the keynote speaker at the local NAACP's Martin Luther King Jr. observance.

Hagler and the Rozenbergs were accused of siphoning $83 million in nursing homes funded by New York Medicare and Medicaid to enrich themselves. In July, a New York Supreme Court judge found evidence of "repeated and persistent fraud" and appointed a financial monitor and health monitor to assess operations at the two nursing homes.

When there is evidence of fraud of this magnitude, and when a judge has acted to prevent further siphoning and self-dealing, we have a duty to act. To protect New Jersey Medicaid and the residents who rely on it, we must stop the flow of Medicaid funds to these individuals, and we must require them to step aside, acting state Comptroller Kevin Walsh said in a news release.

In its letters, the OSC said both the Hammonton and Deptford centers were cited for serious health and safety violations that negatively impacted its residents. Both centers received the lowest possible quality rating from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

OSC said the nursing homes may continue to operate with Medicaid funding if the Rozenbergs and Hagler disassociate from those facilities  meaning they either divest ownership or the facilities are placed under the control of an independent monitor or receiver so the suspended owners have no role in providing services to residents, no access to or authority over Medicaid funds and do not financially benefit from Medicaid.

The OSC is an independent state agency tasked with examining all aspects of government expenditures, conducts audits and investigations of government agencies throughout New Jersey, reviews government contracts and works to detect and prevent fraud, waste and abuse of Medicaid.
OCEAN CITY  After about 13 years on City Council, Karen Bergman plans to resign to take a job as supervisor of the local senior center.

City officials and some members of the public lauded Bergman for her efforts on council after she made the announcement during a Thursday morning council meeting, at which Mayor Jay Gillian also presented her with a piece of the Boardwalk. Both Gillian and Bergman choked up some in that moment before embracing.

They will continue to work together as Bergman heads up the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center.

As of Feb. 1, the city will assume operations of the center from Cape May County, the current operator of the center. The Cape May County Division of Aging and Disability Services will continue to operate senior centers in the Villas section of Lower Township, North Wildwood and Upper Township.

The two county employees previously assigned to the Stainton center will be transferred to another county-run senior center, the county said.

Ocean Citys plans are to expand the offerings at the center, not reduce them, Daniel Kelchner, Ocean Citys community services director, told council during the Thursday meeting.

Were looking to expand a lot of programs and services, he said, with a hope of having the center entirely funded through grants before the end of 2024.

Seniors are a rapidly growing percentage of the population, he said, both in Ocean City and nationally. He said they deserve to have an equitable share of the services, both in terms of recreational offerings and in quality-of-life services, to include fresh meals at the center and activities such as music and educational programs, such as yoga classes or information on personal security.

Cape May County offering free tax services to lower-income households The Cape May County Division of Aging and Disability Services will offer free tax services to qualified families from Feb. 1 to April 15.

With more and more application systems for multiple state and federal services now online, the senior center can also help people through those processes, Kelchner said.

Popular programs offered under county operation would continue, including tax preparation help, he said. Kelchner also raised the possibility of bus trips to Broadway in New York or events in Philadelphia, or possibly just to the Boardwalk, to keep older residents active and engaged.

Gillian said he wants the center open more often and longer, and said places like the Ocean City Free Public Library, the Arts Center, the senior center and other centers can serve as a lifeline for some residents.

With change, some people get a little nervous because they dont know whats happening, Gillian said. That facility down there is amazing.

Bergmans resignation from council will take effect Friday.

Its truly been an honor serving all the citizens of Ocean City, she said. Bergman thanked the other members of council, the city administration and staff, and singled out several regular attendees at council meetings. But especially, she said, the residents of Ocean City.

Youve loved, supported and encouraged me over my tenure as your representative, Bergman said.

Bergman served on council from 2008 to 2012 as the 2nd Ward representative, and returned to council as an at-large member in 2015.

Ocean City to assume management of Howard Stainton Senior Center in 2024 The Ocean City Community Services Department will take over operation of the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center next year from the Cape May County Division of Aging and Disability Services, the county said Tuesday.

Her salary leading the center will be $67,000, according to city officials.

Im really excited about this position. I believe its a really good fit for me, she said.

In several previous instances in which a council member has resigned, council has appointed a replacement until the next election, with that successful candidate serving the remainder of the term. The at-large council terms will expire in 2026.

This year, the four ward council seats will be up for a vote, meaning with Bergmans seat, five of the seven seats on council will be up for a vote this year.

Its truly been an honor serving all the citizens of Ocean City, Bergman said.
WILDWOOD  The community is coming together to help several families after a fire destroyed a two-story building in the 300 block of East Juniper Avenue on Monday.

At 5:49 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to Juniper and Ocean avenues for reports of smoke coming from a two-story building that housed a total of 20 occupants. The fire remains under investigation.

But with the damage estimated at $475,000 and with families having nowhere to go, several places have begun accepting gift cards, food, clothing and other donations.

The American Red Cross also was helping the displaced families.

An expecting mother who was married to someone who works at Santucci's Original Square Pizza updated people that she and her family were OK.

"We started our life here together. It is gone but the memories will be forever in our little apartment. After the rain there is always a rainbow baby is perfectly healthy and kicking. Love you all," Brianna Armstrong said via Facebook.

Santucci's, at 402 E. 26th Ave. in North Wildwood, was accepting donations for the couple who lost everything due to the fire, including diapers and gifts from a baby shower the day before.

In addition, two GoFundMe pages were created. One was by Josslynn Cox for a victim and her two kids. The family was recovering from the death of their uncle less than a week before, according to the page.

Another page was created by Haley Brown for her two friends and co-workers, who were sisters, and one of their daughters.

One of the sisters sustained burns on over 30% of her body after she ran through flames to alert her sister and niece of the fire, according to the GoFundMe. She was airlifted to Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, where she was listed in stable condition, the Wildwood Fire Department said Wednesday.

Other places, like the J. Byrne Community Center at 401 W. Youngs Ave., were accepting a variety of items to be donated to the families.

And others, like Revolution Liquors at 101 E. Andrews Ave., were accepting Walmart gift cards for families.
Democratic candidate Christina Bohannan pledged to make passing a farm bill among her top priorities if elected to represent Iowa in Congress.

Bohannan, the sole Democrat so far running for Iowa's 1st Congressional District representing southeast Iowa, held an agriculture-focused roundtable Thursday in Walcott with about a dozen farmers, rural land owners and a former state USDA official.

"We do actually need to get it passed," Bohannan said. "And that needs to be a priority for our Iowa representatives is to get that passed. That's long been considered Job One of Iowa representatives is to get a farm bill, and it seems like that's kind of fallen by the wayside for the political stuff."

Lawmakers in Washington, with House Republicans' turmoil over the speakership and their slim majority, failed to pass a farm bill before the end of the year. Instead, Congress extended the former bill for an additional year.

A farm bill is a package of legislation that's passed roughly every five years that funds crop insurance, programs that support biofuels and forestry, and low-income food programs. The last farm bill was passed in 2018 and was set to expire in 2023 before Congress extended it to September of this year.

Roundtable members included former State Sen. Kevin Kinney, former Muscatine County Supervisor Tom Furlong, and John Whitaker, former head of the state's USDA Farm Service Agency.

Discussion topics included carbon-capture pipelines, crop insurance, cover-crop incentives, water quality, concerns over the average age of farmers and making agriculture more accessible for young people,.

"The cost of the land, there's no young kid could afford $3.7 million dollars for 200 acres," said Jerry Mohr, who farms near Eldridge.

One solution, proposed by Whitaker, is to reduce the number of acres where yields could be transferred under crop insurance.

"One of the rules of crop insurance allows is if I go out to rent a farm that's less than 20% of what I'm currently farming, I can transfer a lot of yields," Whitaker said. "If I'm farming 10,000 acres, that's 2,000 acres a year I can add in transferred yields, but if I'm farming 100 acres, that's 20 acres I can add. So that's a detriment to younger producers getting started. Put a cap on the number of acres that a person can add and carry your yield."

Mohr cut in to suggest reducing the amount of subsidies. Whitaker agreed, noting that while he was at the USDA, he saw a lot of crop insurance subsidies for individuals that totaled well over $1 million.

"Subsidize someone a new combine every year when someone else can't afford one," Whitaker said. "We have to make a decision."

Furlong said he believed policies in the farm bill subsidized larger farmers taking over smaller farms and contributing to consolidation in the industry.

Bohannan also said she was "not a big fan" of an inheritance tax, which she said could impact how farms and properties could be passed down to a younger generation.

Jerry and Susan Stoefen, who attended Thursday's roundtable, own several acres in rural Scott County and are part of the proposed path of a carbon-capture pipeline proposed by Wolf Carbon Solutions. The Stoefens don't want the pipeline on their property and don't believe the carbon-capture technology will be an effective solution to climate change.

Other proposals included offering more incentives for cover crops and no-till farming and requiring minimum buffers between crops and streams to prevent soil and fertilizer runoff into Iowa's streams.

Photos: Congressional candidate Christina Bohannan visits with local farmers
SPRINGFIELD  Staffing agencies  a fast-growing industry that employs nearly a million Illinoisans  are not exempt from the states antitrust law, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled late last week.

The decision comes 3  years after Attorney General Kwame Raoul sued a trio of staffing agencies, alleging they used their mutual client to coordinate no-poach agreements, which created a secondary agreement to pay temp staffers less than the market rate.

In a unanimous 20-page opinion published Friday, the justices quoted a 1979 U.S. Supreme Court opinion that said some agreements are so plainly anticompetitive that they are conclusively presumed illegal without further examination under the rule of reason generally applied in (antitrust law) cases.

And the case before the Illinois Supreme Court, the justices said, was no different.

The alleged agreement falls squarely within the realm of conduct so clearly anticompetitive that it violates antitrust laws without further examination under the rule of reason, Justice P. Scott Neville wrote for his colleagues.

The three companies at issue  Elite Staffing Inc., based in Chicago, Midway Staffing Inc. and Metro Staffing Inc., both headquartered in Chicago suburbs  all had contracted with a construction company also located in the suburbs.

Elgin-based Colony Display LLC designs and builds display models and custom furniture for commercial properties like motels, grocery stores and restaurants. While the company operates in seven states, Colony manufactures, assembles and houses most of its furniture in three Illinois facilities.

The vast majority of Colonys workforce is temporary. According to court records, at any given time the company employs approximately 75 to 100 full-time employees, compared with between 200 to 1,000 temporary workers, the original complaint alleged.

The staffing agencies contracts with Colony gave the company sole discretion over hiring, firing and assigning workers. And, the lawsuit alleged, the staffing agencies began to take advantage of that setup as early as 2018, communicating with each other via Colony.

For example, many Midway employees wanted to switch to Elite because they were not happy working for Midway; they cited pay issues and a lack of communication and support from their employer, according to court records.

In response, Midway Staffing allegedly asked Colony for assistance in squashing the transfer of employees, resulting in Colony informing Elite Staffing that hiring other agencies employees was bad practice and wasnt allowed. Elite Staffing then produced its own policy to Colony, which the company then forwarded on to Midway Staffing, thus enforcing the no-poaching policy, according to Raouls office.

In a settlement reached just before oral arguments on the related cases in November, Colony agreed to pay out $1.2 million to compensate the temporary workers impacted by the no-poach agreements.

But the staffing agencies went ahead with their appeal to the court, claiming their business models exclude them from the states Antitrust Act, basing their legal arguments on a 1980s update to a key definition in the law.

The law prohibits restraint of trade that decreases competition between persons engaged in commerce and trade, and then further defines commerce and trade as all economic activity involving or relating to any commodity or service.

The staffing agencies point to that 1980s-era update that defines service as anything that isnt a commodity. The definition also stipulates that service doesnt include labor which is performed by natural persons as employees of others.

While the justices acknowledged the language of the law was ambiguous, Neville wrote that they must look back in history to determine the purpose of the exclusion for services.

The court looked back at 1960s-era commentary from the Chicago Bar Associations Committee on Antitrust Law, which had a hand in drafting the Illinois Antitrust Act, as well as an article by one of the laws big proponents, Northwestern University law professor and leading antitrust expert James Rahl. Combing through the historical record, Neville wrote, the justices found the exemption was written solely for the benefit of labor unions.

Like the bar committee, Rahl emphasizes the need to exempt legitimate union activity from the reach of the Illinois Antitrust Act and the correlative exemption for agreements between employers in the course of negotiations with unions, Neville wrote. No source concerning the purpose of antitrust laws suggests that the legislature meant to leave competing employers free to collude with each other to reduce the wages they pay to their employees or to collude to prevent workers from switching to better jobs.

In a statement Friday, Raoul praised the justices decision.

The Illinois Supreme Court has confirmed that Illinois Antitrust Act prohibits agreements among employers to restrict worker mobility and fix wages, Raoul said. I am pleased with this important result. My office will continue to enforce Illinois statutes to protect the rights of workers to seek better employment opportunities, wages and benefits, which allow them to support themselves and their families.
As the county attorney's office asks for the dismissal of a suit filed against Scott County Supervisors regarding Pleasant Valley's Director District 6 recount, other parties hope to get involved.

The filings are the latest update in the hotly contested Pleasant Valley school board race between Jameson Smith  currently seated  and former incumbent challenger Tracey Rivera, who ran as a write-in candidate.

As previously reported, Rivera petitioned for a writ of mandamus against Scott County Supervisors on Friday, Dec. 22, asking for the court to require the board of supervisors certify the recount results, saying doing so is required under Iowa law.

On Monday, Jan. 8, Smith filed a motion to intervene, to join the suit as a defendant.

We are asking the court to participate so we can defend Jameson Smiths victory in this election," his attorney, Alan Ostergren, said in an email to the Quad-City Times on Thursday. "The Board of Supervisors was correct to declare him the winner.

Scott County attorneys scheduled a hearing on this motion for 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, via Zoom.

As previously reported, Rivera filed for a recount after the initial Nov. 7 canvass showed a six-vote margin of victory for Smith, along with 19 undervotes. This was conducted by a three-member recount board, comprised of an individual selected by Smith, an individual selected by Rivera and a third, court-appointed delegate.

On the final day of the recount, Nov. 28, tallies showed a tie between Rivera and Smith  though Cyndi Diercks (Smith's recount delegate) objected, citing the inclusion of write-in ballots that were filled out incorrectly.

To resolve these disputes, she wanted to reconvene with county attorneys and the other recount delegates before the state's Dec. 4 deadline.

When this didn't happen, Diercks filed the final recount report  reflecting the tie  on Friday, Dec. 1, along with four additional documents explaining her objections. She had the tally sheets in her custody from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1.

Scott County Attorney Kristina Lyon said there was no evidence suggesting that the tally sheets had been changed, altered or tampered with.

Still, the other delegates say they didn't know Scott County Auditor Kerri Tompkins would give the tally sheets back to Diercks after all three signed off, spurring some concerns.

Mark Smith, the court-appointed recount delegate, said Diercks made no prior ballot objections until the tallies showed a tie. He also claims to have asked Diercks if she still wanted to sign the tally sheets in wake of her objections, to which she did.

On the other hand, Diercks said she didn't "realize (her) chicken scratch would be used for the final report" after signing the sheet on Monday, Nov. 27.

According to Iowa code 50.48, if a recount board's report differs from original election results, the county board "shall reconvene within three days after being so notified, and shall correct its previous proceedings."

The Scott County Board of Supervisors voted to reject the recount  reverting election results for Pleasant Valley's District 6 seat to the initial canvass, subject to further litigation.

Smith was seated to the Pleasant Valley School Board on Monday, Nov. 27, in accordance with the school district's annual/organizational meeting process.

On Jan. 5, the Iowa Secretary of State issued a technical infraction to the recount board for "failing to follow" recount laws by including "invalid votes" in their final report, despite county guidelines. Dierks had written to the Secretary of State's office to request a review of the process.

"No fine will be imposed for this specific infraction to the Recount Board," Iowa SOS Communications Director Ashley Hunt said via email. "We review technical infractions and include in our training to auditors, if appropriate."

Hunt said Iowa's secretary of state hadn't issued any infractions on Scott County supervisors and would "let the legal process take its course."

Smith's motion argues there were two deficiencies in the final recount report, and therefore, the board's rejection was correct. It also argues that "Smith's interests are not adequately represented by the defendant Board of Supervisors," and the board lacks the "same interest in preserving this result as does Smith."

Meanwhile, Lyon filed a motion to dismiss in defense of Scott County Supervisors on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

In this motion, Lyon asserts that Rivera's motion for a writ of mandamus is, "not the appropriate mechanism by which the results and process of the election and the Board of Supervisors conduct could be revisited," and that there are alternative, codified remedies to challenge supervisors' vote that are, "plain, speedy and adequate."

The Quad-City Times reached out to Rivera's attorney, Shayla McCormally, but did not hear back by deadline Thursday.

Photos: Pleasant Valley vs Davenport Central dual swim meet.
Democratic state lawmakers and representatives from groups such as March for our Lives and Moms Demand Action, are planning a forum Saturday in Davenport on what the organizers call a "school shooting crisis."

The forum was organized in the wake of the shooting Jan. 4 at Perry High School, outside Des Moines in which 17-year-old student killed an 11-year-old student, Ahmir Jolliff, and critically injured the high school principle, Dan Marburger, who died 10 days later. Several other people also were injured in the shooting.

Twenty-one people died and 42 others were injured by gun violence in or near schools in the U.S. in 2023, according to Education Week.

Sponsored by Democratic Rep. Ken Croken, D-Davenport, forum attendees are slated to include State Sen. Cindy Winckler, D-Davenport, as well as Trey Jackson, representing March for Our Lives, and representatives from Moms Demand Action and Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency.

The forum will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, in the West High School auditorium, 3505 W. Locust St., Davenport.

"On the morning of January 4, Dallas County law enforcement officials announced that the first (school) shooting of 2024 on American soil had just occurred at Perry High School in central Iowa," Croken said in a prepared news release. "...It's time to act."

"I urge all  especially young people from all area high schools  to attend on Saturday to learn more and commit to protecting our schools from gun violence," Croken added.
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China hands over equipment to help build capacity of Zambia's Foreign Ministry

Xinhua) 09:21, January 26, 2024

Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Du Xiaohui (L) and Etambuyu Gundersen, permanent secretary of the Zambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, attend a handover ceremony in Lusaka, Zambia, on Jan. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun)

LUSAKA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday handed over equipment to support the capacity building of Zambia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The equipment, which included 20 laptops and 20 printers, was handed over by Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Du Xiaohui at a ceremony attended by Etambuyu Gundersen, permanent secretary of the Zambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and other officials from the ministry and the Chinese embassy.

"This is only the first step. We are mobilizing more resources to support your esteemed ministry," the Chinese ambassador said.

He said China is also offering more training programs to the Zambian Foreign Ministry officials, especially for young diplomats, adding that he hoped that the equipment and training programs will eventually turn into mutual trust, high efficiency, and real results for communication and cooperation between the two countries.

He further noted that China will continue to be a development opportunity for developing countries, including Zambia, adding that China is ready to work with all sectors in Zambia to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during a meeting last year.

For her part, the Zambian permanent secretary thanked China for the donation, saying this will facilitate the capacity building of young diplomats in forging economic and diplomatic ties with other countries, including China.

The donation, she said, not only represents the friendly relations between the two countries, but also the spirit of friendliness that China has shown over the past 60 years.

She said the friendly relationship has been demonstrated in such fields as infrastructure, education, and cultural exchanges.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
TOKYO, Jan 26 (News On Japan) - In a candid roundtable discussion, college students working in night-time establishments like cabarets and clubs reveal the realities of their part-time jobs.

The convenience of working in the evening is highlighted as an advantage over daytime shifts, particularly for those with heavy course loads, such as nursing students. The participants, who prefer to keep their jobs while pursuing their degrees, discuss the financial benefits and the challenges of attracting customers. Despite some choosing to keep their work private due to potential stigma, the allure of earning well during one's youth is a common sentiment. The discussion also touches on the varying hourly wages across different types of establishments.

Here's a glimpse into the real-life part-time work scenarios of college students employed in the nightlife industry. These students find it easier to work in these establishments after school compared to regular evening shifts that start around 5 pm. Nursing students, in particular, are mentioned as a group that often works in the nightlife sector due to their busy daytime schedules. One student explains that after classes, which can end late in the day, traditional restaurant jobs may not fit their schedule, whereas nightlife jobs with later start times are more accommodating.

The students discuss the balance between short-term financial goals and long-term career aspirations. For instance, one student is working towards a nursing qualification while also wanting to save money by working at night during her twenties. She values the flexibility that her qualification offers, allowing her to return to nursing whenever she chooses.

Even after graduation, many continue their nightlife jobs, as they are accustomed to the income and lifestyle. Some manage to juggle their daytime careers with their nighttime work. However, the job does come with its challenges, such as the need for customer acquisition and communication.

The conversation reveals that while some jobs like those in girls' bars and concept cafes prohibit the exchange of personal contact information with customers, others rely on social media for customer engagement, making the number of followers a crucial aspect of the job. When asked about wages, the students share that hourly rates can vary, with some earning around 1,500 yen per hour or approximately 10,000 yen for a four-hour shift in a club.

Regarding the secrecy surrounding their jobs, one participant admits that while she is open about her work, others prefer to keep it hidden due to parental opposition or societal prejudices. Sometimes, a sudden display of luxury goods by a peer can hint at their involvement in the nightlife industry.

Source: MDPR
CHICAGO  Mayor Brandon Johnsons ongoing calls for Gov. J.B. Pritzker to build more migrant shelters took a new turn Wednesday as he indicated additional sites should be located outside Chicago, even with state funding.

Speaking to reporters after presiding over the City Council meeting, the mayor did not directly answer questions about the fate of the next round of migrants whose 60-day deadline to vacate city-run shelters arrives Feb. 1, with harsh winter weather expected to remain.

Instead, he pivoted to place the onus on the state to construct more such sites  and pushed for them to be built elsewhere.

What the state committed to doing back in November, that process has not moved as quickly as this (60-day) policy will hold, Johnson said. This policy was really attached to a larger operation that included  2,200 beds. Thats what the state of Illinois committed to doing.

Pritzker on Monday said the Johnson administration had not told the state where they would like us to put our resources to build new shelters, so we cant help if they dont identify those locations.

Johnson countered Wednesday that the state has received a number of locations that they can build a shelter at. He did not elaborate. But city officials said they have recommended to Pritzkers administration potential sites outside Chicago, sometimes with specific buildings in mind, a notion the governors office disputes.

And you know, again, just keep in mind that the state of Illinois can build a shelter anywhere in the state of Illinois. So, the state does not have to build a shelter in Chicago, he said.

For the Pritzker administration, though, the main focus is the city.

The vast majority of the infrastructure for this mission is based in the city because thats where all the investment has been made, Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said after Johnsons Wednesday remarks.

In the fall, Pritzker announced the state would fund a 200-bed shelter at a former CVS in Little Village  which has since opened  as well as a 2,000-bed winterized base camp in Brighton Park. The latter, backed by $65 million in state funding, was scuttled after Pritzkers administration objected to the former industrial site, citing concerns over environmental health hazards.

Since then, that money has languished as the governor has expressed frustration with Chicagos handling of the migrant crisis, saying he was deeply concerned about Johnsons plan to hold off on opening new shelters.

Johnson announced a 60-day shelter limit policy in November, but he delayed enforcing it ahead of the first eviction date on Jan. 22 as heavy snowfall and low wind chills pummeled the city. A second extension was announced until Feb. 1, but temperatures are again expected to dip below freezing then.

The threat of a more extreme Chicago winter has added a new wrench in the citys migrant response as resources are fast dwindling for the migrants, the first of whom were bused north by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in August 2022 as a protest of liberal cities who support open immigration policies.

Since then, the total number of migrants who have arrived in Chicago has surpassed 34,000, and the $150 million Johnson appropriated in his 2024 budget for their care may run out before the end of this year.

The mayor was mum Wednesday on how many migrants would be affected by the Feb. 1 eviction date they face to leave city-run shelters. As of last week, 710 of them have gotten extensions to the 60-day shelter limit, but that number may have grown as notices come on a rolling basis.

Johnson on Wednesday applauded that 1,100 migrants did find their own housing since the 60-day policy was announced in November, but it is unknown how many of them were in the batch of 710 who got extensions and how many were required to exit at later dates.

The city-run migrant shelter system has been at capacity for months, with 28 buildings currently housing 14,200 individuals. In total, more than 8,000 shelter eviction notices have gone out.

Johnson stood by the policy Wednesday despite the need to delay it twice already, though he acknowledged he is open to reevaluating: Were going to continue to review. This is an evolving crisis.

Chicago Tribunes Dan Petrella contributed.

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A southern Iowa dog breeder has been cited for multiple violations including the death of six puppies that were left in the cold.

No fines or penalties have been imposed in the case.

In December, a federal inspector from the U.S. Department of Agriculture visited a dog-breeding kennel in the Van Buren County town of Cantril. The business is located along Highway 2 on property owned by Steve Kruse, one of Iowas larger dog breeders, but it is operating under a license held by Wuanita Swedlund.

The inspector reported that on Nov. 24, 2023, a French bulldog named Bethany gave birth to four puppies. About one week later, three of the puppies were found dead, the inspector reported.

The licensee stated they could feel a strong, cold draft at the front of the enclosure from a space in the front of Barn No. 1, and it was a cold day the day that they found the puppies deceased, the inspectors report states. The licensee told the inspector the puppies must have gotten too cold and passed away.

The inspector reported that Swedlund had placed duct tape on a wall near the source of the draft, but the tape was peeling away and a draft could still be felt. The draft will be a continued concern for young puppies in this building in the coming winter months if not corrected, the inspector reported.

The inspector also reported that three puppies born in October 2023 to Roxina, a rottweiler, were often wet due to Roxina grooming them. The three male puppies were found deceased one morning, the inspector reported. The licensee believes since those male puppies were always wet, they must have gotten too cold and died. The date of death was not recorded for these three puppies. Excessive cooling to young puppies may have led to their death.

According to the inspectors report, one of the kennels sheepdogs, named Megan, had given birth on Nov. 25, 2023, to five puppies. A dog in a nearby enclosure chewed through the wall separating the enclosures and severely injured one of the sheepdog puppies, tearing away all of the skin on one entire front leg and leaving the bone exposed. The puppy was taken to a licensed veterinarian on Nov. 26, 2023, and was euthanized, the inspector reported, noting that the wall between the enclosures was made of plastic board material.

When Megans surviving puppies were about a week old, one of them was determined to be missing. The licensee states they did find a single bone and assumed Megan ate her puppy, the inspector reported. Maternal cannibalistic behavior is abnormal and may be a sign of behavioral stress.

The business had 157 dogs and puppies on hand at the time of the inspection.

Among the other issues cited by the inspector:

One male puppy born on Nov. 9, 2023, had an abnormal condition of his left rear leg, with hard swellings in the upper leg bone and lower leg bones suggestive of an old injury, the inspector reported. The puppy walks with a severe limp and put no pressure on the leg. A veterinarian  not named in the USDA report  recommended wrapping the leg for five days, but no additional veterinary care was provided and the injury was left untreated.

A French bulldog was limping on its right rear leg, holding the leg up in the air when walking. This dog was reluctant to move around her enclosure, the inspector reported. The licensee has not provided any veterinary treatment or contacted the veterinarian regarding this dogs condition.

The business was not following its own program of veterinary care after receiving a French bulldog that was lame. The licensee did not provide any medications and monitored the dogs condition with little to no improvement until the time of inspection, the inspector reported.

The facility had no pest control plan for rodents. Mouse feces were found on a cart containing medications, around a door and alongside a nearby wall, in a sink and on top of a microwave oven.

The business was not properly storing veterinary medications, with some of the items expired at the time of the inspection and others that required refrigeration being stored in a nonworking refrigerator.

A French bulldog had an abnormal condition of the foot, with multiple layers of skin tissue visible and a round growth between its the toes. The condition of the dogs foot has not been noticed and no treatment is currently being provided, the inspector reported.

The business was using microchips to identify dogs, but the inspector found there were at least 16 dogs over the age of 16 weeks without a readable microchip, making identification impossible.

The business was maintaining incomplete and inaccurate records. One puppy had been listed as dead but actually had been euthanized, which should have been noted in the records. Other federal records were missing information as to the manner in which they were acquired. In addition, the official record of disposition of dogs was not being filled out for dogs that were sent to other licensed facilities for breeding, and the name and address of the organization that bought four puppies in early December was not reported.

Kruse and Swedlund could not be reached for comment.

A state inspection was conducted at the Cantril kennel in October 2023. At that time, the inspector noted a strong odor in two of the buildings. In addition, two female dogs with large litters did not have adequate space in their cages, there was a buildup of feces below and inside the dog enclosures, and the inspector stated that the lack of cleanliness indicates sanitation has not been occurring as necessary.

Earlier this month, another state inspection took place, with the inspector questioning the number of personnel on hand at the kennel. There is currently one full-time person working with the animals and various part-time assistance, the inspector reported.

State records indicate the attending veterinarian for the business at the time of the December 2023 inspection was a Dr. Couchman who had not examined dogs or been available when needed. The records indicate there is only one Couchman licensed as a veterinarian in Iowa: Dr. Jerry Couchman, who now practices in Weldon, Iowa, which is about a two-hour drive from the Cantril kennel.

In December, state officials instructed Swedlund to contract with a new veterinarian. Three weeks ago, a state inspector reported Swedlund still had no new veterinarian under contract.

Representatives of the Iowa-based animal-welfare organization Bailing Out Benji said Thursday they plan to file a complaint with the Van Buren County sheriff and county attorney asking the agencies to consider filing criminal charges in the case.

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DES MOINES  Lawmakers advanced legislation Thursday that would require railroads to deploy train defect detectors along their branch lines in the state, amid concerns about increased train traffic in eastern Iowa and a derailment of toxic chemicals last year in Ohio.

Senate File 512 requires a railroad company to install and maintain at least one sensor every 15 miles on a branch line to detect axle and brake abnormalities on a passing train and alert the crew of any detected abnormality.

The bill also creates a penalty between $500 and $5,000 for each time a train crosses or passes by a sensor that fails to notify the train crew of a detected defect. Subsequent violations would result in a penalty of between $5,000 and $10,000.

The move comes in the wake of a fiery derailment last year of a train carrying toxic chemicals in eastern Ohio that set off evacuations, a federal investigation and concerns about the effect the derailment and the fire could have on health and the environment.

It also comes amid concerns from eastern Iowa communities about the impact of increased train traffic resulting from last years merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern to create the first single-line freight rail network connecting Mexico, the United States and Canada. According to the companies, the biggest traffic increases will be between Sabula  an Iowa island city in the Mississippi River  and Kansas City, Missouri, adding about 14.4 trains per day, from eight to roughly 22 by 2027.

The train tracks run along the riverfronts of several Mississippi River towns, including Clinton, Camanche, Princeton, LeClaire, Bettendorf, Davenport and Muscatine.

Seven cities in Iowa agreed to settlement payments from Canadian Pacific in exchange for not commenting publicly on the merger, including a $10 million payout to Davenport. Other cities that accepted agreements were Bettendorf, Muscatine, LeClaire, Clinton, Washington and Fruitland.

Sen. Cindy Winckler, D-Davenport, referenced the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, as well as the railroad merger. She also raised concerns that the bill applies only to branch lines  and not mainlines  operated by railroads in the state.

In the Quad-Cities area, we have to be very cognizant of the number of trains coming through with the merger, she said. And I think East Palestine in Ohio has taught us some lessons in regard to the importance of detectors. I was hoping we might be able to expand this a little bit and make sure we are well-informed and well-protected with our rail lines.

An initial report from the National Transportation Safety Board said an overheated wheel bearing was to blame for the Ohio derailment. An alarm did not sound to alert the crew to check a hot axle until the train passed a sensor not far from where it ultimately derailed. The sensor placed by Norfolk Southern alongside its tracks registered that the wheel bearing was 253 degrees above the ambient temperature, the report said.

Representatives for railroad companies oppose the Iowa bill, arguing theyve voluntarily made dramatic safety improvements across every aspect of the industry.

Larry Lloyd, senior director of U.S. government affairs for Canadian Pacific Kansas City, noted derailments had decreased in the past two decades.

According to data released last year by the Federal Railroad Administration, the nations train accident rate is down 28% since 2000, and the last decade was the safest on record. Mainline railroad accident rates declined 44% since 2000. The derailment rate is down 31% since 2000 for all railroads.

That has all happened because of the technology that railroads are privately investing in and deploying on our own, Lloyd said. Weve all deployed these detectors already along our system, he said, in areas that best make sense based on data and the condition, geography and use of the line.

He also noted the bill talks about a limited amount of sensors, saying the railway uses six different types of sensors that it deploys along its branch and mainlines.

If the state wants to play a role in this, wed be happy to have a discussion about partnerships we could make that would encourage additional deployment of technology that would bring additional investment to Iowa, Lloyd said. That would bring in additional innovation that Iowa can be a leader on. Those would be conversations we would want to have, not talking about something that were already doing.

Railway representatives also raised concerns about the cost of installing the sensors on Iowas short-line railroads. Safety is always a cost-benefit analysis, said Brad Epperly, representing BNSF Railway Co. And we cant eliminate all risk.  And rail safety is far greater than our roads.

Chris Smith with SMART Transportation, which represents railroad workers, supports the legislation. Smith said staffing was thin and safety had suffered as railroads cut employees and stretched the length of trains.

There is no federal standard or regulations for detectors, he told lawmakers, adding there are hundreds of miles of track in the state of Iowa that have no detectors.

All these companies want to run their own standards and say they are doing the best, Smith said. And East Palestine quite simply proved that it is not the best system out there, that there needs to be some oversight.

Smith said the bill did not go far enough and should be amended to include other sensors to monitor wheel bearings, temperature and dragging equipment.

Michael Walker, with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, has spent 20 years on the railroad.

The detectors that are on the track we go over, we depend on those to keep us safe, he said.

An airline pilot can visually inspect a plane before takeoff, but thats not feasible for locomotive engineers with trains that can be up to 3 miles long, he said.

I think this is a very important bill to protect the trains (and) the people that run tracks  the employees, Walker said.

Although lawmakers advanced the bill, members of the three-person subcommittee said they had reservations.

I believe this is a good thing, (but) I wonder if its really a solution, though, Sen. Scott Webster, R-Bettendorf, said. I think theres an overall problem here that sounds like may be a littler bit bigger than this particular situation.

He also echoed Wincklers concerns about the bill not applying to main rail lines.

Im in support of moving this along to continue conversation, Winckler said. We have an opportunity to make sure that what we are doing is cost-effective as well as keeping safety in mind.

Sarah Watson of the Quad-City Times contributed to this report.

A train pauses traffic at the Riverfront Drive railway for Viking Cruise passengers
The co-chair of Illinois' higher education committee said the state has "underfunded higher education for two decades."

Sen. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, wants to see a higher priority on funding higher education. He hopes to introduce a formula that would have resource costs built in so schools can use funds for those specific needs.

Rather than fund by crisis, Halpin said, the funds will be built in to ensure universities and colleges already have the resources.

The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce hosted an Illinois Legislative Forum Friday, Jan. 26, in which state Democratic lawmakers Halpin and Rep. Gregg Johnson, along with state Republicans Sen. Neil Anderson and Rep. Dan Swanson, spoke on a wide range of topics. All four represent areas around the Quad-Cities.

Illinois' 2024 legislative session started last week.

Workforce

To address workforce development, lawmakers said that necessities, such as childcare and housing, must be affordable to allow further workforce growth.

Swanson said having more childcare options plays a key role in a stronger workforce.

Parents who work second or third shifts, he said, struggle to find childcare and can't work if they have no one to watch their children.

"We're looking at how do we help those second and third shift families maintain their jobs and provide housing and shelter for their children through daycare of some sorts," Swanson said.

Johnson said that along with workforce development comes the need to have affordable housing.

"If we're doing all the right things, we're training our workforce... creating business tax incentives, given developers incentives, we still have to make sure that we have housing for people when they come in here," Johnson said.

Halpin said that legislation has been filed for a workforce housing tax credit. The legislation would help provide housing for middle income households and allow them to transition out of older homes and into new housing.

Education

Co-chair of the Senate higher education committee, Halpin said it is important to make sure that Illinois has strong, educational institutions.

In an interview with the Dispatch-Argus/Quad-City Times December 2023, Halpin discussed looking at a new higher education funding formula. He also discussed the potential at the legislative forum.

The state legislature has created a commission to look at ways to create a new funding formula that would more equitably and sustainably distribute state funds to Illinois' public universities. It anticipates making recommendations to the legislature this year, meeting minutes say. Halpin and Swanson both serve on the commission.

The funding formula could improve investments at local universities, Halpin said, creating more research and job opportunities and ensuring schools can address student needs like counseling, career support and health care.

He is not sure legislators will be able to finish and pass a piece of legislation on it this spring, he said, but hopes conversations can begin.

Swanson serves on the appropriations committee for higher education and is the minority spokesperson for the higher education committee. He said that one of the things he asks colleges and universities is what their deferred maintenance dollars are.

"It is staggering the deferred maintenance we have in our universities and colleges and I mean millions and millions of dollars," he said.

The reason being, he said, is because they don't have that funding there for them. To help address the lack of maintenance funds, he hopes to look at grant dollars that could be used.

Halpin also told the Dispatch-Argus/Quad-City Times he would like to invest more the property tax relief grant program.

"(It's) a pool of money that schools can tap into in exchange for agreeing to lowering their property tax levy," Halpin said.

The state has consistently put millions into it since passing the evidence based funding model, Halpin said, but the problem is school districts apply for the money and it goes very quickly.

"I think some of our local schools that would love to be able to have that resource, are further down the list and aren't able to benefit from it," Halpin said at the December interview.

Halpin and Johnson also hope to continue investment in Smart Start Illinois. The program is an initiative Gov. JB Pritzker advocated for in the state's current budget. It is a multi-year program that aims to eliminate childcare and preschool deserts by 2027.

During the forum, Johnson said he is a little disappointed that funds from Smart Start did not get into the Illinois Quad-Cities but plans to have conversations with the governor to get funds directed to the region.

Immigration

Lawmakers also discussed migrants from Texas being bused or flown to Illinois by the order of Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott.

A majority of the migrants have been bused and flown to Chicago. Chicago's new arrivals dashboard shows as of 11 a.m. Friday more than 34,000 migrants have arrived in the city since Aug. 31, 2022.

Since 2017, Illinois has been a sanctuary state for undocumented immigrants. The legislation also prohibits local law enforcement from participating in immigration enforcement.

"We have to repeal the fact that we are a sanctuary state," Anderson said.

Anderson said the state needs to worry about funding things for its own citizens and that the influx of migrants is costing taxpayers.

Millions of dollars has been allocated for the influx of migrants.

Swanson said the federal government should be stepping up and offering financial support for the influx of migrants in Chicago.

It's more than just the state's issue to address, Swanson said, and that the federal government should step in to offer financial help.

Halpin shared similar sentiments as Swanson, saying that the "failure to have a policy in (Washington) DC is pitting states against each and it's causing budget issues."

Mental Health

An audience member asked the lawmakers about expanding mental health in higher education for students, staff and faculty.

Swanson said colleges did receive investment towards mental health and hopes they can continue to make investments.

The current state budget included $3.3 million for grants to public universities and funding for the state board of higher education to establish a mental technical assistance center.

In a December 2023 interview with the Dispatch-Argus, Johnson and Halpin advocated for further addressing mental health needs.

In early December, Johnson and other local elected officials visited Arrowhead Family Services in rural Coal Valley, which is a private nonprofit treatment facility for at-risk boys between the ages of 12 and 21. Whether at Arrowhead, local schools and universities, he said, mental health needs to be at the top of the list to address.

Halpin said the visit showed that there are strategies for success for individuals with behavioral health and/or mental issues but only so much can done with a limited amount of investment or financial resources.

"It's about building capacity here in western Illinois and making sure that we have enough providers and different types of providers," Halpin said. "We need to make sure we have a variety of providers ready to address it (mental health)."
PIERRE  By one vote, a Senate committee killed a bill Thursday that would have made it a felony to unintentionally expose law enforcement to controlled substances such as fentanyl.

Senators in their discussion about HB 1025 agreed they werent scientists but disagreed whether basic exposure, such as touching or inhaling small particles of the substance, could trigger an overdose-like reaction.

Theres a difference between exposure and use and dosage, said Sen. David Wheeler, R-Huron, noting a 2017 medical report found it nearly impossible to overdose on fentanyl by simply touching it. The medical experts indicated that these are more likely to be panic attacks."

Rep. Ben Krohmer, R-Mitchell, who sponsored the bill, presented body camera footage of incidents where it was believed that law enforcement responding to a drug call had suffered an overdose-like reaction when exposed to fentanyl, similar to what he presented in the House of Representatives.

However, in those incidents, a follow-up toxicology report was not administered to confirm that the officer had overdosed.

The Argus Leader found in a fact-check that its almost impossible for a law enforcement officer to overdose after simple passive exposure to fentanyl.

There has never ever, ever, ever, ever, ever been a confirmed case of an officer just encountering fentanyl in the field and overdosing, Brandon Del Pozo, an assistant professor of medicine at Brown University, told the Argus Leader.

Del Pozo, a 23-year law enforcement veteran who studies addiction, has been combating the myth of passive exposure since 2021.

Krohmer, in his rebuttal, said if senators read further in the 2017 report they would have seen a recommendation that people in the research lab working with fentanyl should have access to an N-95 mask and Narcan.

You have to ask yourself why would you need to wear an N-95 mask and have Narcan readily available for something that isnt harmful, Krohmer said.

Narcan, also known as naloxone, is a drug known to help stop a fentanyl overdose. Its not harmful to a person who is not suffering from a fentanyl overdose.

Sen. Helene Duhamel, R-Rapid City, said she had spoken with several law enforcement officers who said they had not seen a single documented case in the state or the nation where an officer had overdosed from a passive exposure.

Nobody could say with certainty that there was, she said. Because even if there was one case, I think legislators would certainly support this. But until we have documented that theres a problem, wed hate to shoot out in front and suggest that there is a problem. We have to wait and see.

HB 1025 was killed with a 4-3 vote.

This story originally appeared in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.
The future of the proposed Sturgis Lakeside Adventure Park remains uncertain following decisions by the Sturgis City Council regarding zoning during its most recent council meeting.

The Sturgis Aquatics Committee, established in 2020 in response to community requests for a new aquatic facility, initially explored a splash pad at the Community Center. However, the committee shifted focus to a more expansive man-made aquatic park at the Sturgis Fairgrounds property.

Despite the committee's efforts, including working with a developer, Vanocker Development, and presenting the idea to the City Council, the project encountered a significant hurdle. The council's recent decision to split the Richards Property into two lots, a move described by City Communication Director Deb Holland as "planned for future commercial and retail development," has raised questions about the feasibility of the water park.

The two parcels are 20.6 acres and the other 48.5 acres. The smaller parcel will be retained by the city and the second possibly sold to a developer, Holland said. The city is still contemplating its next steps forward to provide the citizens of Sturgis with some sort of outdoor aquatics venue."

The handling of the Sturgis water park project by the city and council has raised concerns due to a notable lack of transparency and accountability, according to Allison Creed with the Aquatics Committee.

There are no words to describe the disappointment I feel over the outcome of this three-year, citizen-initiated project," Creed said.

Despite significant financial investments, the promised park has not been delivered. Additionally, the management of the Richards land, a crucial aspect of the project, has not only jeopardized the water park project but also could potentially impact future land and park development in the Sturgis area, Creed said.

Sturgis City Council is stuck in the past focusing their finances and time on a one-week bike rally. While other communities such as Box Elder are focusing on economic development and providing amenities for their citizens, Sturgis continues to fall behind when compared to other communities, she said.

The situation is further complicated by the city's handling of public donations for the park.

I would like to thank everyone who donated their time or money to the park. All money collected was handed over to the City of Sturgis. I encourage people to contact the city if they have questions concerning their donation. I think those who donated should have the opportunity to receive their donations back, Creed said.

Meanwhile, the City of Sturgis Planning and Zoning Board have presented a plat of the Southside Addition for approval, which includes the controversial land split. The approval by the City Council indicates a step forward in the property's development, but its impact on the aquatic park remains unclear.

As the city navigates the challenges, the path forward for the Sturgis Lakeside Adventure Park is still being determined, leaving the community waiting for a resolution.

The city is still contemplating its next steps, moving forward, to provide the citizens of Sturgis some sort of outdoor aquatics venue, Holland said.

The next Sturgis City Council meeting will be held Monday, Feb. 5, at 6:30 p.m.
PIERRE  An effort to send a ballot question to South Dakota voters regarding Medicaid expansion work requirements passed out of a Senate committee Wednesday morning.

The resolution, SJR 501, would ask voters in November to clarify if people who are part of the Medicaid expansion population should be subject to a work requirement, similar to whats asked of people receiving federal social service programs such as food stamps.

But opponents said the resolution would be disingenuous to voters who already approved Medicaid expansion during the 2022 election.

Rep. Tony Venhuizen, R-Sioux Falls, who sponsored the piece of legislation, said this was the first step of the process.

What we are proposing is to give South Dakota the flexibility to respond if and when that option becomes available, he said, explaining that the federal government would have to approve allowing work requirements for Medicaid expansion.

If that were to happen, the state would then be able to figure out the details of exemptions and how the work requirement program would be enacted.

Medicaid expansion covers residents ages 18 to 64 who are working, able-bodied adults. Single adults who make less than $20,000 and families of four that make less than $41,000 are eligible for the federal health insurance program.

More than 17,000 South Dakotans as of December were part of the Medicaid enrollment population, according to the Department of Social Services.

The department supported the work requirement resolution, with Secretary Matt Althoff saying many of the social safety net programs such as SNAP and temporary assistance to needy families program already have work requirements.

Althoff was subjected to lengthy questioning from Sen. Reynold Nesiba, D-Sioux Falls, about the process of Medicaid expansion and its enrollment. Nesiba was the single no vote on the resolution.

Althoff said many of the people approved for expansion coverage were already receiving SNAP or TANF benefits and were subject to the work requirements already in place.

Opposition came from many healthcare related industries including Avera Health and the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

Work requirements just dont work, Kim Malsam-Rysdon, a lobbyist for Avera Health, said. They dont result in more people working.

Deb Fischer-Clemens, a lobbyist for the American Heart Association and the Presentation Sisters of Aberdeen, added that when people have healthcare coverage, they seek out preventative care, allowing them to continue in the workforce.

Do we have evidence that theres actually an issue when you consider the folks on Medicaid expansion? she asked. Have you considered how creating work requirements will impact seasonal workers, tourism, childcare, caregivers especially in our rural communities.

The resolution passed 7-1 and now heads to the Senate for a full body vote.

Sen. Erin Tobin, R-Winner, said that it was reasonable to send the work requirement decision to the people.

As a nurse, I really wanted to make sure that we do it right when it happens and fortunately, we have a few steps that need to take place before we get there, she said. I think theres an opportunity to do it right, and I think if somebodys going to do it right it certainly can be us.

This story originally appeared in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.
Teacher salaries in Rapid City Area Schools will rise over the next few years if House Bill 1048 becomes law.

But not everyone is optimistic about the bill, currently heading for committee in Pierre, due to the pressure put on the school districts to cover the costs.

According to the South Dakota Department of Education, HB 1048 is a bill designed to ensure that teacher salaries meet certain levels over the next few years depending on the size of the school district.

Rapid City Area School Board discussed HB 1048 at its Jan. 18 meeting, listening to comments from Superintendent Nicole Swigart and CFO and Operations Officer/Business Manager Coy Sasse regarding the bill.

Swigart expressed concern over the bill, telling the board she would be traveling to Pierre to testify in front of a group session of the House and Senate Education Committee regarding the implications should it become law.

Sasse discussed at the board meeting the concerns he has in his CFOO report.

The bill that has caused the most concern for me, is House Bill 1048, Sasse said near the beginning of his comments.

The bill puts in place a new accountability measure that asks districts to keep up and create a new benchmark teacher salary, while the previous benchmark was based around employee compensation as a whole. The bill would require that benchmark to focus on salaries.

In 2016, South Dakota ranked 50th in average teachers salary in the nation. That same year, a half-penny state sales tax was added by the South Dakota Legislature to increase state aid to the school districts with the intent of raising teacher salaries. Today South Dakota ranks 49th in the nation.

In a statement to the Rapid City Journal from the South Dakota Department of Education, the purpose of the tax was that the extra money gathered by the state would go to school districts so they could raise teacher compensation levels with the goal being that teachers in South Dakota would be earning about the same amount for their work as their regional counterparts.

At the time, the department said, the legislature added accountability measures to ensure that teacher salaries went up, but those accountability measures were fixed on 2017 figures and are therefore no longer meaningful. While South Dakota moved up in the national rankings for a brief time after 2016, the states average teacher salary ranks 49th in the nation still...

HB 1048 creates a new accountability measure that would boost teacher salaries. It requires all South Dakota school districts to keep up with annual increases in state aid funding, putting the responsibility on each school district.

For example, if state aid funding goes up by 5%, then teacher salaries must increase accordingly. Districts that have not kept up with annual increases since 2018, would have to make up that financial difference according to a schedule outlined by the DOE.

The DOE said in the same statement, Those districts would have until fiscal year 2028 to be at 100 percent of their local benchmark teacher salary, and would have to maintain that amount, plus annual increases, moving forward.

This would mean that districts would have to increase their salaries, and the districts that have not kept up with pay increases would have to make up that difference. Rapid City Area Schools would have to meet a benchmark of just over $59,000 for salaries, increasing the school systems budget by millions of dollars.

"If we had this money, we wouldn't be having this conversation," Sasse told the board.

South Dakota school districts would have three years to reach the new benchmark.

Sasse stressed to the board that it is a very complicated bill to understand and that it was very confusing to many across the states school districts. He said to make up the difference in costs for RCAS would be devastating, potentially crippling the district.

"The heart of all of this is the deep understanding of what will happen with this increase," he continued, "What you believe is happening is not what is actually happening," speaking on the decline of state revenue to the school district.

He continued, "You cannot draw a straight line from one point to another; it is far more complicated than that."

Compliance with the new accountability measure would be monitored. The South Dakota Department of Education would work with districts that do not meet benchmarks to raise them to that level.

How exactly, is yet to be determined, since the bill is currently under review and being amended.

Sasse questioned how the state Department of Education would be able to help these districts reach this new benchmark, "One of the things you dont hear people saying is all districts in South Dakota are rich."

It greatly concerns me, added Swigart.

Swigart told the school board HB 1048 came straight from the Department of Education and it was not typical of how a bill would usually hit the floor, "It's very interesting how this bill has been processed, and I'm greatly concerned that this sends the wrong message to our employees that we have done them wrong."

She continued, "This removes negotiations from the table completely and tells each district that this is what you're going to do. The state is telling us this is the raise, and this is how far you have to move forward to where we think you should be."

Swigart told the board Rapid City Area Schools is one of the districts that are the furthest off the mark, that it's larger, and has more expenses than many other districts.

She also spoke about how employee compensation packages are not the same across the state.

Spearfish's (benchmark) is $53,000 and our mark is $59,000, and theres so many things wrong with that," said Swigart.

Swigart and Sasse agreed with one another that, according to Sasses report to the board, this would either cripple their capital outlay fund or their compensation package in order to achieve the new benchmark.

"We dont want to keep salaries down, but there has to be some sort of balance there," said Michael Birkeland, Area 3 board member, "This is ridiculous, were not going to have any money for employees that arent teachers, and Im very frustrated over this."

Swigart expressed the concerns of a repetitive sinking dilemma, that not every district is experiencing the increases in property tax which is causing a decline in state aid, and lower public school enrollment numbers, but that the school district is working diligently to get their message across to the powers-that-be in Pierre.

She went on to explain if having one or the other to deal with would be easier to navigate, but both are "a double-whammy."

Sasse added that while this bill was coming from the head of the Department of Education, Dr. Joseph Graves, the information to put HB 1048 together was flowing out of the business area of the department, stating, These are great people, really wonderful people, but the problem is none of them have ever run a school district."

Sasse felt it will be difficult for the Department of Education to truly understand the gravity of the situation.

I am extremely concerned that we're already in a crisis," said School Board Vice-President Jamie Clapham.

More discussion was held throughout the meeting regarding the situation. Ideas were discussed to possibly pull away from benefits to help cover the cost.

We would have to radically change what our system looks like, and not in a good way," Sasse concluded.

Swigart and Sasse traveled to Pierre later that week to speak with legislators, presenting them with their concerns.

Dr. Jen Lowery from Tea Area School presented some data on the history of teacher salaries in (South Dakota). She did an amazing job sharing the big picture, Swigart told the Journal. After that, Coy (Sasse) and I were able to tell the Rapid City story and how the funding formula impacts us due to our unique situation of rising property tax and declining student enrollment. The legislators in attendance had great questions and really listened to both presentations. We felt heard and respected.

The statement provided by DOE concluded by stating, Currently, compliance with teacher salary requirements is the responsibility of the School Finance Accountability Board. Under HB 1048, the Department of Education would ensure compliance through the school accreditation process. Of the 149 school districts in South Dakota, 52 are currently at or above 100 percent of their benchmark salary for FY 2023.

More information on HB 1048 is available at https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1048/2024.
Interim Pennington County States Attorney Lara Roetzel launched her campaign Wednesday night in the ballroom at the Alex Johnson Hotel amid support from local law enforcement, attorneys and business owners.

The slogan for her campaign: "Accountability in Action."

Roetzel opened her speech with a story about when she was 25 years old working as second chair on a felony trial, and her co-counsel told her to sit there and look pretty.

How times have changed, she said. Today as I stand here, Im a crime fighter, a justice seeker, a victim advocate and a seasoned trial attorney. Im a wife, a mother of five and soon-to-be grandmother. I believe in God, the Constitution and the golden rule.

Roetzel is currently serving her second stint as interim States Attorney for the county. Her first began in late June 2022 when Gov. Kristi Noem appointed then-Pennington County States Attorney Mark Vargo to serve as Attorney General in the wake of Jason Ravnsborgs impeachment.

Roetzel held the position until Vargos return in Jan. 2023. At that point, she left the States Attorneys Office to work for the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. The hiatus was short-lived.

Vargo announced in March 2023 his intent to leave office on April 24, 2023. The Pennington County Board of Commissioners unanimously appointed Roetzel to complete Vargos turn, which is set to expire at the end of December.

During her campaign speech Wednesday night, Roetzel promised to advocate for victims in every case, every time.

As your State's Attorney, it is my responsibility to hold people accountable from one end of the spectrum to the other, Roetzel said.

She explained accountability has to build. She said young people who are low-level offenders should have diversion opportunities, those who suffer from addiction and mental illness need treatment and rehabilitation, and accountability needs to build to probation.

She also emphasized the need for specialty courts. That includes drug court, veterans court and mental health court. Specialty courts essentially operate as a more intensive probation.

When those options fail, or prove unsuccessful, or when we are faced with recidivist offenders or violent offenders, it means that accountability has to be safe and accessible jails and prisons. If an individual fails or refuses to follow the law, choices must have consequences, she said. "Our community deserves safe streets and peaceful homes. I will give you that as State's Attorney.

Roetzel said she made four goals when she took office as States Attorney eight months ago: transparency, recruitment, fostering relationships with law enforcement, and to advance victim advocacy.

Weve made tremendous progress in regard to those four goals, she said.

She highlighted the hiring of a Public Information Officer in charge of press releases and other messaging, a fully-staffed office with 28 prosecutors for the first time in seven years, efforts to build bridges with law enforcement, and victim listening sessions.

Well be listening and endeavoring to make sure that every person feels like when they walk out of that courtroom, that justice has been served. Shes elusive, Lady Justice, but she does exist, Roetzel said. We have come so far in such a short time, but I have so much more work to do. Will you hire me for four more years?"

Roetzels husband, Assistant Attorney General Scott Roetzel, welcomed the crowd ahead of speeches and thanked the event's sponsors: Paul and Kirsten Bradsky, Tom and Susan Collins, Pennington County Sheriff Brian Mueller and his wife Jennifer, Alyssa Norris, Casey and Kathy Peterson, and former Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom and his wife Gayle.

Three people delivered speeches ahead of Roetzel taking the podium.

Casey Peterson was the first. He said he has lived in Rapid City and Pennington County for almost 50 years and has four sons.

Two of them have been victims of what I would call violent crime, he said.

He felt the charges were not strong enough, and his opinion for a while was that the criminal justice system was more about the criminal than the victim.

My wife and I visited with Lara when we were introduced to her about these stories. Her response convinced us that she's going to treat crime in a tough way, Peterson said. She is going to, I think, work on the broken window policy that if you take care of the small crime, its going to prevent the larger, more violent crimes.

Ellery Grey, a local defense attorney, also spoke out in support of Roetzel.

Anytime you see Lara, she is working for us. When you go into the courtroom, she's got her laptop up and she is not on Facebook. She is working on a case, Grey said.

The attorney said Roetzel will absolutely use her discretion to better our community.

Mueller said hes known Roetzel for over 27 years, and they both started working for Pennington County about a year apart in the mid-1990s.

He said he got to know Roetzel more in 2022 when she was appointed interim States Attorney. Mueller had won the election for sheriff, but he had yet to take office.

I was very excited about the passion that she brought to that interim role, he said.

When she left the office around the same time Mueller took office, he said he was a little sad, but his excitement returned when the commission appointed her as interim State's Attorney once again in 2023.

She's been a great friend, a great partner to law enforcement and public safety, and I'm very excited to endorse her and give her my full support for this run for Pennington County State's Attorney, Mueller said.

Roetzel told media at the event that it sends the message she wants to keep the job and she is going to fight for it.

"I'm going to fight for this job because I know that I'm the right person at the right time for this community. We're doing great work, and we've got a lot of great work to do," Roetzel said.

Roetzels time in the office has not gone without opposition. In November 2023, a group of people including victims families walked into the County Administration Building and demanded her resignation.

In response to a Journal question about how she feels about the close proximity to that incident and her campaign announcement, she said she is, really grateful that I had that happen.

Honestly, I think it gave me great insight into the fact that there are victims in our community that didnt feel like they were being heard, she said. I want everyone that comes to my office to feel like they were heard and they were advocated for, and so I am humble enough to know that I can be better and that my office can be better.
When Joseph Marconi set out to make a movie about an MMA fighter who gets involved with equine therapy, there was really only one place he could shoot it.

We needed a place that had fighters and horses, he said. Billings ended up being that place.

With those two necessities taken care of, Marconi came to Billings for a week in October 2020 and made a short film called Wild Animal. The 11-minute short, which is available to watch at wildanimalfilm.com, tells the story of Lennon MacKenna, an MMA fighter living out of a van in Billings. MacKennas life is upended after she sustains a brain injury in the ring. Out of options, both emotionally and legally, she enrolls in an equine therapy program, a mental health treatment that involves a patient, a doctor, and a horse.

Its a great short film, propulsive and engaging from the first shot. When Wild Animal was shown at the 2021 MINT Film Festival in Billings, it won Best Narrative Short and Best Made in Montana Short. But Marconi never meant for it to be a short film. Rather, Wild Animal was always a proof of concept, something tangible he could show studios and executives to convince them to invest in the project, which would eventually become a feature film.

Unlike the short version of Wild Animal, the movie industry isnt very quick cutting. Marconi started on the script back in 2018. Ever since the short came out, hes been up and down with studios and various financiers. The movie almost got made with a $2.5 million budget, but that wound up falling through.

We took it around Hollywood twice, in two different iterations, Marconi explained. And twice everyone passed.

Now hes done waiting. Marconi, who is from upstate New York and is now based out of Los Angeles, is planning on coming back to Montana to shoot the feature-length film in April. Theyve got an Indiegogo crowd funding campaign starting on Monday, Jan. 29, with the goal of raising around $75,000. That, coupled with cash thats already on hand (including $45,000 from the Big Sky Film Grant), should give Marconi and his crew around $150,000, the bare minimum theyd need for a feature film.

Marconi is committed to filming in April, no matter how funding goes.

Were being aggressive about it, he said. If you dont just do it, its just not gonna get done. If you wait for other people to give you the ok, its not gonna happen.

Wild Animal will be Marconis debut feature. Hes worked his whole life to get to this moment. And hes going in without a studio safety net, something thats both terrifying, and freeing.

I can do whatever I want, Marconi said. I get to move at the pace that I want, and use the people I want.

That last part is key, because as Marconi steps out to this precipice, hes not alone. Hes working with producer Lysette Urus, as well as producer and actor Maury Sterling (who is set to appear in the film alongside his Homeland costar Amy Hargreaves). Marconi is also working with composer Alain Emile and cinematographer David Vollrath. Wild Animal is also co-produced by Chance Housley, a Billings native who got a film degree from Montana State University and has operated out of Bozeman since then. Housley was the one to first suggest Montana as a potential shooting location.

The other big reason Marconi picked Billings is because of Ireland Moran, a Billings-based MMA fighter who stars in Wild Animal. And stars is really the only word for her. She pops off the screen, moving so fluently she comes alive with very little dialogue. She feels like a discovery.

The header image for the Indiegogo campaign is a photo of Moran holding a lit cigarette lighter to her tongue, and its unclear whether shes in character or not.

She crushed it, Marconi gushed. And Im not doing a bit here, but Ive shown this to so many people and theyre like Who the [expletive] is this girl?

One of the studio deals Marconi was looking at involved recasting the lead, but hes sticking with Ireland to star in his feature debut. He sort of has to. The character is her now.

Marconi originally set the story in Albuquerque, and first got in contact with Ireland because he was looking for female MMA fighters to interview, to add context to his script.

When I met Ireland, I started to fall in love with the idea of Ireland, because of what the character goes through, Marconi noted. Theres this sort of desolate loneliness that the landscape of Montana offers.

But theres also this heavenly possibility, he continued. It can be both. I cant imagine (Wild Animal) shooting anywhere else.

And, of course, theres the horses element. The idea of making a movie about horses and fighters came to Marconi the way so many great ideas do  he heard about it on a podcast.

I was listening to an interview with an MMA fighter and she started talking about working with horses, he remembered. And my writer brain just perked up.

After doing some research into equine therapy, Marconi was hooked. It was a way to ground the film, to make it connect with a general audience.

MMA isnt necessarily for everyone, Marconi admitted. This isnt just a story about MMA. Its about getting hurt going after your dreams, but you can get better. Here is a beautiful way to get better and get back in the ring.

While writing the script, Marconi interviewed Sally Hand, who is the founder and director of The Heart and Hand Counseling Center, an equine therapy office in Bozeman. He also worked closely with Rochelle Smith, a counselor with Ebenezer Equine in Billings.

In all, 3% of the proceeds of the Indiegogo campaign will go to Hand and Smiths organizations.

Marconi is also looking to work with as many locals as he can.

Part of the Big Sky Film Grant is trying to bring film jobs to Montana, he noted. Because not everybody can work on Yellowstone.

This is a true indie, he continued. Get your bootstraps up, dirty your fingernails, and were gonna make this happen. If youre donating to this, youre bringing a film production to Montana thats going to do really well. Its a win-win-win-win for a lot of people.
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Montana Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale all but officially committed to running for U.S. Senate in an interview Thursday, though a spokesperson downplayed his comment.

"I'm going to win the primary. I will be the nominee for the United States Senate in Montana," the congressman representing eastern Montana said on Steve Bannon's War Room show.

Although it reads as a commitment to run for the Senate, Rosendale has not officially announced nor has he filed for the office. Aashka Varma, communications director for the congressman, walked his comments back, saying he was speaking hypothetically about if he "were to run."

In the same interview, Rosendale also made accusations about the National Republican Senatorial Committee and its chairman, Montana's U.S. Sen. Steve Daines.

Rosendale is taking on the NRSC because the group is backing Tim Sheehy, the current Republican frontrunner in the Senate race against Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Tester. Rosendale has continually argued that Daines and the NRSC  one of the main bodies tasked with bringing a Republican majority back to the Senate  has unfairly coalesced around Sheehy and tried to keep Rosendale out of the race.

The representative accused Daines and the NRSC of sending people to ask him "what it would take" to not enter the Senate race and said they tried to poach his vendors and donors.

Varma reiterated what the congressman said, but did not provide any concrete evidence when asked.

Daines' office referred the Montana State News Bureau to the NRSC for comment.

It is unfortunate that Congressman Rosendale is casting blame on others for his fundraising challenges and trouble keeping staff, NRSC Communications Director Mike Berg said when asked if the committee or Daines attempted to bribe Rosendale or poach his donors.

Rosendale's Thursday comments are relatively unsurprising, as the congressman has been teasing a Senate bid for months and has taken jabs at the NRSC previously.

In October, his office toyed with the idea by saying Rosendale is the strongest candidate to beat Jon Tester, and a few weeks later Rosendale said in a video that he was "heavily considering" running for U.S. Senate.

Rosendale's entrance to the 2024 Montana Senate race would create a hotly contested Republican primary as first-time candidate Sheehy has garnered important support since he announced his bid for the same seat last summer.

In addition to endorsements from the NRSC and Daines, Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL and CEO of a Belgrade-based aerial firefighting company, is the favorite for the Republican nomination among Rep. Ryan Zinke and Gov. Greg Gianforte.

The victor in a Republican primary will take on Tester in the general election, and Republicans see unseating Tester as an integral part of taking back control of the Senate.

This would mark Rosendale's second attempt at representing Montana in the U.S. Senate. He previously ran for the seat in 2018 when he lost to Tester by 3.5 points. He has cruised to victory in his previous two House races, sometimes garnering more votes cast for him than other Republican candidates on the same ballot.

Asked about how any friction between Rosendale and Daines might affect party unity within the Montana GOP or if he had concerns about the effectiveness of the delegation given the conflict between the two men, state party Chair Don Kaltschmidt provided the following statement.

The Montana GOP is focused on fighting the radical left Democrats like Jon Tester who are destroying our country, " Kaltschmidt said. "Montana voters will elect his Republican replacement in the June primary, and we look forward to working together to send Tester back to Big Sandy for good.
A Lame Deer man who admitted to distributing methamphetamine on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation that he received through a large-scale narcotics trafficking organization based on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.

Joseph John Simpson, 49, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to possession with intent to distribute meth, said U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

Armed with multiple firearms, including a submachine gun, Simpson was a prolific and dangerous drug dealer who trafficked nearly 10 pounds of meth on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation," Laslovich said. "He was considered the best customer of an extensive drug conspiracy based on the Crow Reservation with ties to Washington traffickers and a cartel in Mexico. To put it simply, Simpson is dangerous, and the people of the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Nations can rest easier knowing he will spend the next 20 years in federal prison."

From May 2022 to July 2023, law enforcement obtained information from multiple sources that Simpson was distributing meth on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation and elsewhere, according to court documents.

Simpson is one of approximately two dozen defendants related to a large-scale, multiple-state narcotics trafficking organization centered on multiple properties on the Crow reservation, including one referred to as Spear Siding.

Simpson was considered the best client of the organization and was a top dealer of meth on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, along with being the source for other dealers. Simpson is responsible for the distribution of almost 10 pounds of meth, which is the equivalent of 36,240 doses. The government alleged Simpson was integral to the operation, partially because he made sure his sources got paid.

On July 13, a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer in Lame Deer observed a pickup truck that appeared to be stolen and was driven by an individual, later identified as Simpson, according to court documents.

Law enforcement arrested Simpson after a high-speed chase and found him in possession of two pounds of meth, $9,000 in cash and four firearms, including an Uzi submachine gun. Simpson told law enforcement that the $9,000 was drug proceeds.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make neighborhoods safer.
The city saw an uptick in murders, rapes and domestic violence in 2023.

But on Thursday afternoon, Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards stressed a less flashy silver lining: an overall drop in violent crime that he credits to a proactive year of policing.

Were well below the average, and its a good, steady decline, Edwards said during a news conference at police headquarters.

Police split crime into two categories: violent crime and major crime. Violent crimes include aggravated assaults, robberies, rapes and homicides. Major crimes include burglaries, car thefts and shoplifting.

Violent crime decreased by 7% in 2023. The drop was largely driven by fewer shootings overall, which fell from 257 in 2022 to 190 in 2023.

Edwards noted that the number would have been even lower had there not been a mass shooting at the Altria Theater, which had seven victims. A Huguenot High School graduating student, Shawn Jackson, and his stepfather, Renzo Smith, were killed in the shooting.

Some of the most worrying crime indicators still ticked upward, however. The city had five more homicides in 2023 than the year prior, ending with 64. Richmond also saw 69 rapes, up from 52 the year prior.

Domestic aggravated assaults jumped by 15%. In total, the city had 98 domestic assaults where a victim was shot in 2023.

Edwards said lowering the number of domestic assault cases would be a focus going into 2024.

Major crimes ticked up by 7% in 2023, a bump overwhelmingly driven by car thefts and shoplifting. Car thefts continue to be primarily of two brands, Kia and Hyundai, many of which were built with ignitions that can be overridden without a key.

Shoplifting jumped by 56%. Edwards said that as many as half of those shoplifting arrests were connected to Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority stores, which sell bottled liquor.

Edwards was appointed interim chief of the Richmond Police Department in the fall of 2022. He was officially appointed chief in July.

During that time, he has sought to jolt energy into a police department deflated by the protests that followed the murder of George Floyd in 2020. From April 2020 to April 2021, 82 officers resigned from the Richmond Police Department. The next year, the city had 90 homicides, a surge that recalled a high-crime period in the 1990s.

Richmonds murder rate peaked in 1994 with 161 killings.

Part of Edwards efforts have included rehiring police officers, including traffic enforcement officers, who have rejoined the force part time. Prior to their rehires, Edwards said the department was unable to fully staff the traffic unit. On Thursday, he said things were more stable, although the department is still short 153 officers.

Edwards other marquee initiative has been hotspot policing, a strategy where officers spend 10 to 15 minutes in dangerous areas of the city. Edwards said it deters criminals and also lets the good guys see us when theres not crime scene tape.

Edwards made a point to speak on the issue of stolen guns. He said 644 guns were stolen from vehicles in 2023, often from unlocked ones. He called those thefts totally preventable and said owners need to be more careful.

The Second Amendment is a right, but its also a responsibility, Edwards said.

Most of the thefts are occurring in Shockoe Bottom, often when victims go into a bar or restaurant, Edwards said. Those guns are being used in crimes, like the accidental shooting of 13-year-old Marquan Mitchell-Nash on March 10.

Edwards said the teenager was shot by a gun that had been stolen a day prior.

The police department expects to roll out 13 speed cameras throughout the city in an effort to lower traffic deaths, of which there were 25 in 2023.

The department has also soft-launched its real-time crime center, a $750,000 initiative built around state-of-the-art policing technology. That includes license plate readers, shot detection and security cameras.

The center is still missing some key software and is not fully operational, Edwards said.

From the Archives: Richmond Police Mounted Unit
Brian McGills English class was disrupted on Thursday, but it wasnt by unruly students.

Instead, teachers, administrators and the school superintendent created the ruckus.

The occasion: McGill was named as Chesterfield County Public Schools Teacher of the Year for 2024.

As is tradition, the award was kept quiet until the moment McGills colleagues burst into the classroom holding a banner and cheering. School staff also brought a laptop holding a Zoom meeting with his family from out of state to congratulate him on the moment.

I was very surprised, McGill said. There are a lot of teachers that through their whole career and have done really good work and never get recognized. Im grateful for the opportunity to get recognized.

Superintendent Mervin Daugherty said McGill was recognized not only for his expertise in the material he teaches, but the relationships he creates with his students while engaging them in his classes.

They know that he cares about them. They know that he wants them to be successful and that he has a great respect for them, Daugherty said. In turn, they have great respect for him. I think thats what a teacher of the year should be and a model for all teachers.

McGills 28-year career has spanned Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and now Virginia, where he teaches sixth-grade English at Tomahawk Creek Elementary School. He came to Chesterfield in 2008 to teach at Carver Middle School until 2020.

Sixth grade is a pivotal point in a students English curriculum, where they transition from reading and writing to critical thinking.

McGill said he wants his students to come away from his classes being a better person.

I want them to be more thoughtful and insightful about how the world works so we are less judgmental and more loving and supportive, he added. And I want them to be able to consume information and then analyze it and come up with their own answers and their own solutions and their own insights, as opposed to someone telling them what to think.

McGill said he knew he wanted to become a teacher when he was in his sophomore year at an all-boys school in Philadelphia. Relationships then with his own teachers had an influential impact on his life and he wanted to do the same.

I teach like I was taught, McGill said.

Those teachers would weave their own life experiences into the concepts and ideas happening in the literature they were teaching.

Not only do you remember the information because youre studying it, but youre remembering the information based on the personality that told it to you, McGill said. And then all of a sudden, youve had this lifelong connection with these teachers. Even though its not a personal relationship, but theyre in your heart and in your mind.

Student Lucy North said McGill is her favorite teacher. She said English is her favorite subject, but that McGill plays a big part in her love for the class.

Hes a really great teacher, very insightful, Lucy said. He goes very in-depth into the conversations, and he really gets you to start thinking.

Chesterfield 2024 Teacher of the Year: Brian McGill
Democrats have begun crafting legislation to create a legal market for selling cannabis in Virginia.

The state legalized marijuana consumption in 2021 but did not authorize the buying or selling, and a black market has emerged in the void. A legal market would put safer products into the hands of consumers and create tax revenue, proponents said.

A special Senate panel advanced one of two competing bills on Thursday and spent nearly three hours discussing the finer points of cannabis, including equity issues, licenses, regulations and enforcement.

But its work might be for naught. Gov. Glenn Youngkin has expressed opposition to signing such legislation.

With two bills to choose from, the committee backed legislation from Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach. Rouses Senate Bill 448 would green-light cannabis sales on Jan. 1, 2025, and allow all new businesses to begin at the same time. Rouse said no group would be given preferential treatment over another.

The subcommittee chose Rouses bill over legislation written by Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, which would have created an incubator program in which medical marijuana companies would nurture small entrepreneurs. Opponents said Ebbins bill would give large pharmaceutical companies a head start.

What this is about is giving the small guys, the little guys, the chance to fulfill a dream of owning a business, Rouse said.

Equity

The bill allows business owners from low-income backgrounds to identify themselves as such. But the bill would not guarantee that low-income entrepreneurs get an advantage. Many who support cannabis legislation believe Black entrepreneurs should get a head start, because Black residents for years were disproportionately arrested and incarcerated for marijuana crimes.

Chelsea Higgs Wise, executive director of Marijuana Justice, said the bill leaves out the very people who are supposed to benefit from equity programs. She suggested adding a special impact license for people who have been hurt by old anti-drug laws.

Rouses bill continues to leave out directly impacted people and access to capital, which are the foundations of cannabis equity programs, Wise said.

Licenses would have tiered structure

The legislation would create a three-tiered structure for business licenses. A cannabis business could become a manufacturer, a transporter or a retail seller. One business could be all three.

There would be a fourth category, too, for testing. A business that receives a license to test marijuana for safety and purity would not be allowed to hold a license in the other three categories. The number of licenses issued by the state would be limited, and a board would be created to oversee the industry.

Products would have to be certified

Testing, packing and labeling would be tightly controlled under the law. Products would have to be certified that they do not contain toxins, mold or other substances. The packages would need to display warning language in a particular font size. Ingredients and the level of tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component known as THC, would have to be clearly stated.

Sales would be limited to adults 21 and up, but the bill would increase the number of ounces a person can legally carry from 1 to 2.5. Packages would not be designed in a way that they are appealing to children, as health leaders have said youngsters are getting their hands on marijuana candies, sometimes by accident.

The whole point is to get untested products off the street and products away from kids, said Greg Habeeb, a lawyer and former state delegate who now represents the Virginia Cannabis Association.

The bill would allow for a product to hold as much as 10 milligrams of THC, a subject debated in Thursdays meeting. The bill does not limit THC in terms of a ratio, which was written into a 2023 law to regulate hemp. Last year, lawmakers passed a bill that limits hemp products to no more than 0.3% THC and a 25-to-1 ratio of cannabidiol (CBD) to THC.

Rouse likened cannabis to Tylenol. If you take too much Tylenol, you can get sick, but people are still able to buy an entire bottle and use it safely, he said.

Bill faces a strong headwind

Under the legislation, a business owner would not receive a license if he or she has committed a felony in recent years, not including marijuana felonies. The legislators debated the number of years appropriate.

They discussed whether a police officer should be able to obtain a license, and they removed from the bill language that would have prevented members of the General Assembly from obtaining a license, saying the clause created a worrisome precedent. Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, opened a shop in 2021 that sells hemp and CBD products.

All this work faces a strong headwind. Though Democrats control the House and the Senate, Youngkin can veto legislation that reaches his desk, and he has indicated he would veto marijuana bills.

I just dont have a lot of interest in pressing forward with marijuana legislation, he told reporters earlier this month.

Asked for comment on Thursday, a spokesperson for Youngkin pointed back to the governors recent comments.

Opponents to marijuana commercialization warned that an increase in marijuana addiction follows legalization, and a representative of the Virginia Catholic Conference said it would also increase crime. The Catholic group opposes the bill, and the two Republicans on the committee voted against it.

If the bill becomes law, it would allow localities to hold a referendum in which their voters could choose to opt out of the commercial market.

Cannabis tax boom: States collect a whopping $15.1 billion in revenue since weed legalization Cannabis tax boom: States collect a whopping $15.1 billion in revenue since weed legalization Cannabis Tax Revenue State By State
As a School Board member, Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield, kept hearing stories about families taking children out of one school and sending them to another because they could not afford their rent and had to move.

As Hopewells representative in the House of Delegates, she heard about families that did this several times during the course of a school year.

So shes proposing a $100 million pilot program in the next two-year budget for something like a state version of the U.S. Housing and Urban Developments housing choice voucher program, sometimes known as Section 8.

It is one of the biggest items in what looks to housing advocates and legislators like one of the longest lists of legislative efforts to help low- and moderate income Virginians find and stay in affordable housing.

Affordable housing is one of the biggest priorities that local governments, from Richmond to small rural counties such as Louisa and Powhatan, are trying to address. Gov. Glenn Youngkin has called affordable housing a major challenge to state efforts to promote economic growth.

For Coyner, the issue with rents that people cannot afford is the impact on kids.

We know that children need stability when going to school, she said. Having to move is terribly disruptive.

Her bill would provide long-term, direct assistance with rents to householders with at least one child aged 16 or less, and with an income at or below 50% of area median income  that is, $29,800 or less in Richmond, $20,740 or less in Danville, $23,465 or less in Petersburg, $25,260 or less in Roanoke, $25,330 or less in Hopewell and $28,121 or less in Lynchburg.

It would move families with less than 30% of median income to the top of the list for rental assistance.

Many eligible families do not get help

The idea, like the HUD program, would be to provide a voucher that brings the familys rent payment down to 30% of income  what, old fashioned budget guidelines used to say was affordable for housing.

A 2022 study by Virginia Housing and the Department of Housing and Community Development said some three out of four families eligible for rental assistance do not receive any from the federal program. The states public housing authorities reported 16,270 people were on their waiting lists for vouchers or public housing units. Some 100,000 Virginia houses receive federal vouchers.

Virginia does have some limited rental assistance programs, aimed at people with serious mental illness who also need support services. Massachusetts launched a state program in 1966, predating the federal program, while California, Connecticut, Minnesota and Washington, D.C. have programs similar to what Coyner is proposing, according to a Richmond Times-Dispatch analysis of data collected by the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Budget amendments would help with down payments

Meanwhile, Del. David Bulova, D-Fairfax, and state Sen Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, have proposed budget amendments of $10 million a year to fund a new down payment program for first-time homebuyers with incomes less than 60% of area median income.

This will help fill a gap, Bulova said.

The funds would pass through to nonprofit agencies in Virginia, like Habitat, to identify, screen and provide funds to those homebuyers, he said.

Itd be a public-private partnership, he said. These have really helped.

While existing down payment assistance programs already help people below median income levels, they tend to be used up before the lowest-income householders can work their applications through the process, said Christie Marra, a housing advocate with the Virginia Poverty Law Center.

Others seek to help with manufactured homes

Other budget amendments propose $10 million a year to help resident associations and nonprofits buy manufactured home communities, as Project:HOMES has done with the Bermuda Estates community in Chesterfield County.

This proposal, from Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, is meant to help resolve a major worry for residents of those communities, who may own their home but rent the land it is on. If the landlord wants to sell out, they face the costly bill  several thousand dollars  of trucking their home to a new site. Resident associations also tend to be more effective at maintaining the infrastructure of a community, some of which are badly run down.

Hashmi and Krizek have proposed another budget amendment of $10 million a year to provide low- or no-interest loans to owners of older manufactured homes, to help them replace homes built before 1976.

Bulova has proposed doubling the sum Youngkin has proposed adding to the Virginia Housing Trust Fund, to $300 million over the next two years. The fund makes short-, medium- and long-term loans to reduce the cost of homeownership and rental housing, and can set up to 20% of the fund for grants at targeted efforts to reduce homelessness.

He also proposed $3.5 million for the Housing Revitalization Zone Fund, to finance revitalization efforts in 20 zones designated by governors. The zones have per capita income below 80% of the areas median and significantly higher rates of vacant housing.

Bulova, who is chair of the House General Laws Committee, which hears most housing bills, said this years list of legislation to help lower-income Virginians is one of the longest he can recall.

These include House Bill 442 from Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, D-Alexandria. It is a proposed requirement that tenants who owe no more than one months rent and late fees be offered payment plans before their landlord files to evict them.

Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, sponsored House Bill 598. She wants to increase the time before a landlord can evict a tenant for late rent from five days to 14 days. She also sponsored House Bill 597, an effort to empower local governments to file lawsuits to enforce health and safety laws in rental properties.

Del. Nadarius Clark, D-Suffolk, and state Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, want to let localities enact ordinances that would limit the amount landlords could raise rents in any year. Clarks measure is House Bill 721, and Boyskos is Senate Bill 366.

Hashmi and Del. Karrie Delaney, D-Fairfax, want to cap lot fees in manufacturing home parks. Hashmis measure is Senate Bill 232. Delaneys is House Bill 572.

Del. Kathy Tran, D-Fairfax, and state Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, want to bar landlords for charging additional fees for maintenance calls and online payments. Trans measure is House Bill 993. Ebbins is Senate Bill 422.

House Bill 73, from Del. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington, would make it easier for tenants to expunge records of eviction cases that are dismissed or where the landlord lost. These records, even when the tenant is able to eventually pay the rent, can make it difficult when seeking a new place to live.

Del. Rae Cousins, D-Richmond, wants to end the requirement that a renter must be up to date with rent before suing a landlord over unsafe or uninhabitable housing.

Bill would crack down on unresponsive landlords

After Henrico Countys struggle to get Apex Glenwood LLC, former owner of the Glenwood Farms apartments, to deal with repeated violations of building and health codes  including sewage leaks, collapsing floors and ceilings and improperly installed wiring and gas appliances  Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Richmond, is proposing House Bill 578, which would increase fines for landlords convicted of three or more building code violations.

After years in which Henrico and tenants tried to deal with the out-of-state landlord, the complex is now in the hands of a receiver, an agent of the lender that has stepped in at the countys request to do something about the deteriorating property.

Henrico is gearing up for a first-of-its-kind effort to rebuild and transform the Glenwood Farms complex, which contains 294 apartments on portions of six blocks in a part of Henrico that is east of Mechanicsville Turnpike and south of Laburnum Avenue. Henrico would use the same zoning and financing tools it has deployed for major economic development projects, like the redevelopment of Regency shopping center.

And well be there, County Manager John Vithoulkas has said. With this legislation, theres a message: If youre Apex, or Apex-like, we dont want you here.

Top five weekend events: New 'Lost Cause' exhibit, 'Born With Teeth', Stomping Grounds 'Sculpting the Lost Cause' 'Born with Teeth' Stomping Grounds Eddie B Richmond Symphony and 'The Four Seasons'
Oh, mom, Gabby Aldea used to say after her mother, Chrischa Ives, would take days off work to deal with the latest batch of challenges her daughters medical condition delivered. I wish you could stay another day.

Id say, I cant, Ives recalled. Shed say, I know. 

What Gabby knew was that only her moms paycheck paid the bills.

Ives came up from Virginia Beach to a House of Delegates hearing last week, and will be back on Monday, to ask legislators to consider enacting a paid family leave program so that people can afford some time off work to care for their families or to deal with their own major health crises.

Gabby had Hardikar syndrome, a rare multiple congenital malformation syndrome that resulted in obstructive liver and kidney disease, intestinal and urinary abnormalities and congenital heart defects. Gabby, who died in 2020 at 21, would have loved to be here, Ives said. Shed want to say to (legislators) you have power, but we the people do, too.

Proposals for paid family leave have been failing in the General Assembly for years, as legislators agreed with business lobbyists that offering the benefit would be too costly for many companies, even though others already paid for commercial insurance to provide paid leave.

This year, House Bill 737, sponsored by Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, and Senate Bill 373, sponsored by state Sen. Jennifer Boysko D-Fairfax, would set up a paid family leave benefit of up to a maximum of 80% of the state average weekly wage  which would be a cap of about $1,181 based on the latest wage data.

It would be funded in the same way as the states current unemployment insurance benefit, through a payment funded equally by employer and the employee through a payroll deduction, which combined would amount to roughly the cost of one cup of coffee a week from the General Assembly Building cafeteria, Sewell told a House panel.

Some say they cant afford unpaid leave

Federal law says most employees are entitled to up to 12 weeks of leave every year for the birth of a child and care of newborns, as well as to care for a family member with a serious health condition or who is ill enough or badly injured enough that they cannot do their job. But that leave is not paid.

Many parents simply cannot afford the unpaid time.

Lenka Mendoza, a domestic worker from Northern Virginia who traveled to Richmond to help make a case for paid leave, said she often could not even get time off when her three children were ill  the federal law did not apply.

And when her son broke his arm so that she had to stay home, the bills piled up and she said she was late with rent and other IOUs.

Mines just a story that many women have, she said.

Shannon Weatherford, a Richmond gynecologist, said she regularly sees patients who put off medical care because they cannot get paid leave.

They say they cant afford not to go to work, she said.

She still cannot shake the memory of one mother of two who died of complications during pregnancy.

She told me she couldnt miss a single day of work ... she was a sole support for her family, Weatherford told House members at last weeks hearing. She died at work, in the basement, right after taking a work shift. ... I or any obstetrician could have easily prevented this tragedy.

Business lobbyists have suggested that an existing option needs time to work  a 2-year-old authorization for disability insurers to offer an optional add-on for family leave coverage.

More than a dozen states have mandatory paid leave benefits  California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Washington, Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York and Oregon, as well as the District of Columbia.

Ives hopes legislators will remember Gabby.

I remember, bringing her home after a surgery and then having to go to work the next day, she said. I had already missed four days and they didnt like it. ... Theyd say I was unreliable.

Lobby Day at the Virginia General Assembly 2024
FCP authorities issue public warning of circulating counterfeit bills

Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Q.R.  Police in Felipe Carrillo Puerto have issued a public advisory as to the circulation of fake currency. Fake Mexican peso bills have been used recently to pay for goods and services in the municipality. The counterfeit bills have been used to pay for both private and public services.

On Wednesday, the General Directorate of Public Security of Felipe Carrillo Puerto issued an alert about the circulation of counterfeit bills found in the town.

Through a statement, the Direccion de Seguridad Publica Transito y Bomberos de Felipe Carrillo Puerto reported to all the inhabitants of the Municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, the General Directorate of Public Security puts its inhabitants on notice.

That events of transactional operations involving the purchase of products and payment of public and private services with counterfeit money (fraudulent bills) have been detected.

The statement goes on to say that those using the fake money are out to obtain undue profit to the financial and/or economic detriment of people, and remind the public that doing so is illegal and a form of fraud.

Authorities are reminding businesses to verify the authenticity of paper currency through a visual examination of images, paper characteristics, symbols and numbers as well as other security features printed by Banco de Mexico.

In December, Crime Prevention Liaison of the Public Security Directorate of Jose Maria Morelos, Natali Colli Chuc, issued a public alert regarding counterfeit bills.

Colli Chuc reported at the time that several 200-peso bills were found circulating in the municipalitys town of Dziuche.
Over 6 million in washed up cocaine bricks found on Cozumel beach

Cozumel, Q.R.  Nearly three dozen bricks of cocaine have been found washed up on Cozumel beaches estimated worth more than 6 million pesos in street value.

Patrolling military located 22 wrapped bricks of cocaine on an eastern Cozumel beach Wednesday. The bricks were found scattered among rocks, seaweed and other beach debris. A total of 22 bricks labeled Chango were collected during that find.

On Thursday, another load was found washed up near Punta Molas. Patrolling members of the Mexican Army secured a total of 12 additional wrapped bricks of cocaine.

They are believed part of the previous find since the Thursday bricks found match the weight and exterior Chango labeling of those found Wednesday.

According to released information, during the coastal reconnaissance on foot carried out by the Personnel of the Cozumel Reaction Force, 12 rectangular-shaped packages were located, wrapped with black rubber and transparent tape, torn on one side, and visible in its interior is a compact, moist white mass that, due to its construction, could constitute some type of narcotic, measuring approximately 22 centimeters long, 14 centimeters wide and 4 centimeters high.

An additional dozen bricks were found Thursday. Photo: Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional January 25, 2024.

Due to the back-to-back finds, military personnel carried out a search of the east side of the island for additional washed up narcotics. Authorities say the Wednesday find alone has a street value of more than 6.1 million pesos.

On Thursday, patrolling military located 11 bricks of wrapped cocaine off Playa Paraiso in Riviera Maya. National Guards collected a total of 11 one-kilo bricks labeled with a circled photo of a tree.

National Guard secure the area after finding 11 bricks of cocaine on a Playa del Carmen beach. Photo: Guardia Nacional January 25, 2024.

The blocks of drugs were found Thursday around 12:30 on a busy section of Playa del Carmen beach. People at the beach were redirected around the scene until the packages were removed.

A total of 45 cocaine bricks have been found by patrolling military off central Quintana Roo beach areas in the last 48 hours.
Quintana Roo promoting destinations and Tren Maya at Madrids International Tourism Fair

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  Mexico is currently participating in the International Tourism Fair (Fitur) in Madrid, Spain. Mexicos Secretary of Tourism Miguel Torruco is representing the country along with state officials including Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama.

At the Feria Internacional de Turismo como Pais Socio (Fitur) show, Lezama is exhibiting the Tren Maya project.

We are at Fitur promting the Maya Train which will allow travelers to know the twelve destinations of Quintana Roo on this its 50th Anniversary, she said.

Delegates represent Mexico in 2024 Feria Internacional de Turismo como Pais Socio FITUR. Photo: Sectur January 25, 2024.

The Minister of Industry and Tourism of Spain, Jordi Hereu, said that the Maya Train will surely unite both countries. I hope that many Spaniards will cross the Atlantic to get on this magnificent train of social and economic development.

Tren Maya exhibit at Madrid Fitur. Photo: Sectur January 25, 2024.

Governor Lezama also celebrated that Mexico will be the protagonist in 2025 for the International Tourism Fair as a Fitur Partner Country. Lezama says the distinction will allow Mexico to enhance its international positioning, boost the promotional potential of its wide tourist offer and of course, promote Quintana Roo.

Miguel Torruco Marques also announced that Mexico will be the partner country of the 2025 International Tourism Fair. He says the partnership is an alliance that represents a milestone in the extraordinary career that Mexico has undertaken in recent years in the tourism field.

The alliance is an opportunity for Mexico to take advantage to present the tourist, cultural, heritage and gastronomic wealth of its32 entities, to show the world its 270 tourist-oriented places, of which 177 are Magic Towns.

More than 100,000 people have visited the exhibition in Madrid. Photo: Sectur January 25, 2025.

Torruco Marques said this year, there are over 9,000 participating companies, 152 countries and 806 exhibitors, with an estimated attendance of 150,000 professionals and 100,000 attendees from the general public.
The disturbing increase in the number of suicides, including those doctor assisted, says something important about the health, or rather sickness, of our society. One of the Catholic ancients had much to say about this phenomenon, which is as old as Rome itself.

Americans are killing themselves in record numbers. According to a study published in August by the Kaiser Family Foundation, between 2011 and 2022, more than half a million lives were lost to suicide, with 2022 showing the highest number of deaths on record, an increase of 16%. A November report from the CDC found that the rate of suicides involving guns has reached the highest level since officials began tracking it more than 50 years ago. According to that same report, youth suicide during the past two decades has risen 62%.

Its admittedly small comfort that at least Americas elite institutions are in agreement that this should be of concern to our body politic. In a sense, thats a bit of a surprise, given that polling consistently shows that more than 70% of Americans support euthanasia for the terminally ill (about half of Americans think doctor-assisted suicide is morally acceptable). Nine states and the District of Colombia have legalized physician-assisted suicide.

One way to explain this paradox in public opinion is that, while Americans believe suicide is a sad thing to be discouraged for those who are otherwise in good health, those who are in great pain, and especially those likely to die soon anyway, should have the option to end their life. Of course, determining the threshold for how much pain is too much, or when life sufficiently approximates death as to be dispensable, is a subjective enterprise. Thus its a public morality based not on objective principles of clear right and wrong but on dynamic, utilitarian opinions about what kind of life is worth living, and which kind of life should be ended.

This being the case, how a people understands suicide would seem to serve as a window into the essential character of a society and its relative health. That, at least, would be the opinion of the North African theologian and philosopher Augustine in his epochal book The City of God. Fifteen chapters into the first book of this tome touching on theology, politics, and ethics, Augustine presents an extended treatise on the diverging opinions between Romans and Christians on suicide, and what that signifies about competing visions of human flourishing.

Romes (and Our) Understanding of Suicide

The overarching objective of The City of God, as those with a minimal knowledge of the text are familiar, is to respond to charges by Roman pagans that Christianity is to blame for the terrible sacking of Rome by a Germanic mercenary army in 410. No, Augustine argues, its not Romes abandonment of the familiar ancient gods, polluting her worship by way of the comparatively weak religion of Christianity, that explains Romes humiliation. Rather, its Romes own failures to live up to the virtue and piety required by the true God. As Augustine sees it, City of God is a book in which I have taken upon myself the task of defending the glorious City of God against those who prefer their own gods to the Founder of that City, Augustine writes.

And yet, arrestingly, the first major subject discussed is suicide, with the esteemed bishop reconsidering some of the most famous cases in Roman history. Augustine first cites Regulus, who commanded the Roman forces in Africa in the First Punic War in the mid-third century B.C. After being defeated and captured in battle, the Carthaginians sent Regulus with an embassy to Rome, where, despite his fetters, he advised the senate to continue the war. Still a captive, Regulus returned to Carthage, where he was tortured to death, a martyr for the cause of Rome. Augustine acknowledges that because Regulus refused suicide, our enemies are certainly right to praise a courage which rose superior to so dreadful a fate. For Augustine, Regulus is the Roman who most closely approximates the virtue of Christians martyred for their faith.

Alternatively, Lucretia, another noble Roman woman of antiquity, offers a less sterling example.

After the son of the Roman King Tarquin raped Lucretia, she revealed the villains crime to her husband. Then she killed herself, unable, explains Augustine, to endure the horror of the foul indignity. Although the Romans assessed this to be an honorable act, Augustine does not: That highly extolled Lucretia also did away with the innocent, chaste, outraged Lucretia. This is so, he explains, because she was ashamed of the foul deed committed against her and afraid of the dishonor that would be associated with her, especially from those who might conjecture she has assented to the rape. In doing this, Lucretia lacked the virtue of longsuffering.

Other famous Romans killed themselves for fear of capture: But many people did away with themselves to avoid falling into the hands of the enemy. Yet, Augustine argues, The question is not only whether they did, but whether they ought to have done so. For example, there is the story of the suicide of Cato, the illustrious Roman citizen and man of learning and integrity. But even Catos friends, observes Augustine, sought to dissuade him, because it was a mark of weakness. Moreover, if suicide was the honorable route, why did Cato tell his son to trust in Caesars kindness rather than join him in suicide? Was it perhaps that Cato feared he would not be treated as mercifully as his progeny?

What is consistent across these Roman examples is the high premium this ancient society placed on honor, and that under certain circumstances, suicide was the most honorable route. Of course, Rome was not unique among civilizations for this viewmany cultures with a strong sense of shame, such as Japan, have endorsed suicide as an appropriate act for one who has been shamed. From this angle, we can appreciate the distance between Rome and us: Americans, generally speaking, are not killing themselves because of shame, but despair, depression , and loneliness. And these are precisely the reasons Americans generally judge to be insufficient to justify suicide, because we believe them treatable by our therapeutic society. It is only those conditions that are untreatable, tied to pain or the approach of death, that a majority of Americans believe constitute a credible basis for self-destruction.

An Alternative Perspective on Death (and Life)

Whatever reason a society may give to justify suicidethe preservation of honor or the mitigation of painAugustine refutes them all as categorically immoral. This is so, he argues, because to kill oneself reflects a failure of virtue, a smallness of spirit. He writes:

We shall find that greatness of spirit is not the right term to apply to one who has killed himself because he lacked strength to endure hardships, or anothers wrongdoing. In fact we detect weakness in a mind which cannot bear physical oppression, or the stupid opinion of the mob; we rightly ascribe greatness to a spirit that has the strength to endure a life of misery instead of running away from it, and despite the judgment of menand in particular the judgment of the mob, which is so often clouded in the darkness of errorin comparison with the pure light of good conscience.

The one who kills himself fails to exemplify the cardinal virtues. He lacks prudence because he judges the opinion of others or the prospect of pain as of more import than his very life, the greatest gift he possesses. He lacks justice because he fails to appreciate that, in killing himself, he harms those who depend upon him or, alternatively, encourages those also tempted to pursue the same fate. He lacks courage because he fails to steadfastly face calamity. And he lacks temperance because he loses self-control, driven instead by shame, fear, or pain.

Of course, because Augustine is writing from the perspective of a Christian, he also cites the fact that Scripture provides no endorsement of suicide. He explains:

It is significant that in the sacred canonical books there can nowhere be found any injunction or permission to commit suicide either to ensure immortality or to avoid or escape any evil. In fact we must understand it to be forbidden by the law You shall not kill.

Thus the ancient Christians, even when faced with terrible deaths of martyrdom that included torture or public humiliation, famously stood their ground, unwilling to commit the sin of murdering themselves. Certainly, some of the faithful did not, and cowardly denied their Lordbut the remarkable witness of so many early Christians persevering under great trial did much to demonstrate the credibility of their faith to pagan observers, many of whom, we know from the historical record, were amazed at the martyrs courage.

But a society need not necessarily be Christian to appreciate Augustines argument regarding suicide. Indeed, as his first example of Regulus demonstrates, even a pagan Roman could refuse self-destruction for the sake of a greater cause. Indeed, Augustine writes that among all their heroes, men worthy of honor and renowned for virtue, the Romans have none greater to produce.  When the enemy were raging against him he chose to let his life be ended by any kind of torture rather than to die by his own hand. Regulus, notes Catholic theologian C.C. Pecknold, offers a shadowy resemblance to later Christians who died for the sake of God.

What is important to appreciate, particularly for a pluralistic society like our own, is the danger posed by further opening the already wide aperture for condoned suicide. For as we have seen, once its opened, even for the sake of honor or alleviating pain, the law in its role as tutor condones what should be censured, and human life is consequently cheapened. Certainly those tempted to suicide perceive that fact, given that people in the West are killing themselves because of hearing loss, depression, or psychiatric disorders. No less than for this reason, Augustine, concludes, suicide is monstrous. The more a civilization encourages and allows the suicide of its citizens, the more that civilization acts to extinguish itself.
Salem police charged a terminated Andrew Lewis Middle School instructional assistant earlier this month with sexually assaulting students.

Jaquese Dishae Whorley, 31, was hired at the middle school in October 2022, Salem officials shared in a news release.

On Jan. 4, the city school division received an unlawful contact complaint that involved Whorley and two female students under the age of 15, the release continues.

The school division notified city police and child protective services, and Whorley was placed on administrative leave that same day, the release reads. The students parents were also notified.

The next day, Whorley was fired from his instructional assistant position, the release continues.

Three days after that, Jan. 8, police arrested Whorley and charged him with two counts of taking indecent liberties with children and two counts of using a communications system to facilitate certain offenses involving children.

City officials said Whorley was held without bond at the Roanoke County-Salem Jail after his arrest. An investigation of the complaints against him is ongoing.
Three members of the Roanoke County School Board are asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed against them by a member of the county board of supervisors.

Martha Hooker claims that the trio  Cheryl Facciani, Tim Greenway and Brent Hudson  pushed to have her fired from a part-time job with the school system. Hookers lawsuit, filed last November, asserts the school board members acted out of anger over a school funding issue.

In a response filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Roanoke, Facciani, Greenway and Hudson countered that there is no evidence that they were involved with Hookers termination as the school systems work-based learning coordinator.

Noticeably absent  is any allegation that any of the three named School Board members actually did anything to cause Hookers alleged termination, their attorney, Matthew Black of Richmond, wrote in a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

This omission is both telling and fatal to Hookers claim, the motion stated.

Hooker was fired in May, following public tension between the supervisors and school board over how to fund the replacement of the countys career and technical education center and renovations to two elementary schools.

The lawsuit claims that Superintendent Ken Nicely admitted that Hooker was doing a good job when she was let go. But Nicely reportedly told her that certain school board members believed she had a conflict of interest as both a school employee and a member of the board of supervisors, which provides funding for public education.

Although personnel decisions are not normally made by the school board, Nicely told Hooker: Sometimes the School Board gets out of their lane, the lawsuit claimed.

The board never took any official action on Hookers job.

However, Hooker contends that Facciani, Greenway and Hudson pushed behind the scenes to have her fired in an act of politically minded retaliation. The lawsuit claims that she was targeted for exercising her First Amendment right of political speech by voting as a supervisor for the school funding package and making comments about a matter of public interest.

That claim should fail, Black contends, because Hooker cannot show that her interest in speaking about the funding outweighed the school systems interest in providing effective and efficient services.

As the public face of the work-based learning program, Hookers speech was in direct conflict with the school systems goals, the motion to dismiss states.

Because of the high level of public contact required by her role, Hooker was entitled to substantially less First Amendment protection than other employees, and the school system had an even greater interest than usual in being able to terminate her employment, Black wrote.

Hooker states in her lawsuit that she sought an opinion from the county attorney, who told her that she did not have a conflict of interest. Hooker says she always mentioned her part-time employment before voting on school issues.

At the time of her termination, Hooker was chairwoman of the board of supervisors. She is currently vice chair.

Starting in 2022, the supervisors and school board clashed over how to fund the replacement of the Burton Center of Arts and Technology and renovations to the William E. Cundiff and Glen Cove elementary schools.

The supervisors eventually voted to award funds for the schools by category and classification of expenses, rather than making a lump sum payment, to increase transparency and accountability.

Hudson, chairman of the school board, told Hooker that the funding was unacceptable and will be an ongoing roadblock in our relationship, the lawsuit alleges.
Correction Jan. 25, 2024, 11:38 a.m.: An earlier version of this story included a reference that William & Mary has experienced a recent enrollment decline. That is not correct, according to the school's data. The story has been updated.

BLACKSBURG  Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith would like to see Virginia Tech do more to alleviate the pressure its yearly enrollment growth puts on the town.

It is not the first time she has made her views known on the issue of housing and Virginia Techs role  which for years has been one, if not the most pressing issue facing the town.

A large amount of Hager-Smiths most recent State of the Town address is devoted to outlining what she says is the untenable position in which the universitys massive student population puts the town government.

The student population in Blacksburg already outnumbers ordinary citizens by more than 2-to-1, Hager-Smith said in her written annual report. Students pay less in taxes and require more in services than other demographic groups. They require more policing, more mental health services, even more hot water. The imbalance is simply unsustainable.

While many universities in Virginia have seen enrollment declines in recent years, Virginia Techs enrollment has continued to grow. The hope of the university is to see more modest growth in coming years, and Hager-Smiths hope is that the growth can be managed on the universitys campuses.

If Virginia Tech wants to build success in retention and recruitment, it must build the infrastructure to sustain its own ambitions, Hager-Smiths report read. And if the university cannot prosper without adding students, that expansion needs to take place on its other campuses, which number seven and counting. The good people of Blacksburg can no longer subsidize [the universitys] growth plans.

The town of Blacksburg has been in a continuous process of building new apartments  largely used by students  for five years. According to Hager Smith, in that time, the town has seen the construction of more than 3,000 new apartments, while Virginia Tech has made little contribution in terms of building its own new housing.

Hager-Smith specifically mentioned the Virginia Techs planned construction of a new Student Life Village, which will include dormitories. While she considers it a step in the right direction, the project also involves the tearing down of some of the campus older dormitories, leading to only a slight increase in student housing capacity.

Town officials are told that the universitys current plan is to grow by a modest 100 students every year, as smaller colleges and universities shed enrollment, Hager-Smiths report reads. That would require a new apartment building every year, and [Virginia Tech] is not building them fast enough.

Apart from housing, Virginia Tech places other burdens on Blacksburgs businesses. Hager-Smith particularly notes that the university does not charge a meals tax for their vendors, which means that their own food services and affiliated vendors compete unfairly with local restaurants and vendors.

It would not cost them anything to implement a meals tax, Hager-Smith said.

Hager-Smith also said that the school has suggested it might collaborate with the town on urban planning to help facilitate student growth, but there has been little movement on that proposal.

It seems to not be happening, Hager-Smith said. They have made some overtures, but there have been no updates.

As for where student growth might be directed, Hager-Smith said she hoped it would go toward one of Virginia Techs other campuses, or to online classes.

According to Hager-Smith, her remarks on Virginia Tech are focused on maintaining quality-of-life for the people who live in Blacksburg. As students, who already make up most of the population, continue to move in, costs for amenities, property, rent prices and goods will continue to grow.

I would like to see Virginia Tech do more to acknowledge their responsibility for the quality of life in Blacksburg, Hager-Smith said.
SALTVILLE  Just months after celebrating a project that bolstered Saltvilles United Salt plants production capacity by 15%, or about 30,000 tons, plans for another expansion were announced this month. Once this second project is complete, the operation is expected to achieve an overall 25% increase in production capacity.

Marcie Peters, USC Holdings Corp. president, and other company representatives traveled to Saltville from Texas to announce the plans before a gathering of local and regional officials.

United Salt Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of USC Holdings.

Peters noted that this second phase of the expansion won company board approval in November with the company recently making the plans public.

The work completed in 2023 included a new high-speed packaging line and added 31,000 square feet of storage capacity and an additional silo. The upcoming work will focus on process equipment upgrades.

Saltville plant manager, Chris Crawford, noted that the operation produced about 225,000 tons of salt last year and is now yielding about 700 tons a day, operating 24/7.

Once the expansions are complete, Crawford anticipates annual production to reach 245,000 tons to 250,000 tons.

The Saltville plant employs about 50 people.

Recently, Peters said, that the company is still evaluating future staff needs, but noted that she expects positions to be added. It would be difficult to up capacity by 25% without more workers, she observed.

As United Salt is privately owned, Peters declined to note this expansion phases value in terms of dollars but said that over the last four years the company has invested tens of millions of dollars in the plant.

Last May, Peters said that the Saltville facility was quickly becoming one of our most profitable facilities. Wednesday, she reiterated that position, saying the operation is rapidly gaining ground on the Baytown, Texas, operation near the company headquarters, which is its top producer.

As an evaporator plant, Peters said, the Saltville operation produces the highest purity salt in the marketplace.

While salt is an every-day essential mineral, Peters observed that many people dont think about where it comes from. However, in Saltville, she said, people know.

Were thrilled with the expansion, she told local officials.

If work proceeds on schedule, Peters said, Phase II should come online in September 2025. That the first phase was completed on time and on budget and has proved to be so successful helped earn the company boards trust, she noted.

This expansion project may not be the final one. Peters reflected, Weve got more ideas.

She also said that the companys commitment to the community will continue. Noting past contributions to the Lifetime Wellness Center and the school system for ball fields and scoreboards, Peters said, Were excited to participate in the communitys future.

If the town is able to complete and improve the Salt Trail, she said, Sign us up.

Saltville Mayor Todd Young called United Salt a great community partner and described their contributions as more than generous. I cant say enough good things about them, he said.

Ron Orr, who leads Saltvilles Industrial Development Authority, noted that United Salt and the gas company that developed the mines pay royalties to the town that amount to about 20% of the towns general budget, or about $400,000.

Young observed that it would be difficult for Saltville to operate as a town without those funds.

The royalty revenue first goes to the IDA and is then transferred to the towns coffers.

In a news release issued this week, Peters said, Continuing to invest in the Saltville facility is a clear commitment to our customers and to the community in which we operate. We are deeply committed to growing our business in a sustainable way that supports our customers growth and contributes positively to the economy of Southwest Virginia.

United Salt, said Peters last spring, is the fourth largest producer of salt in the United States and is still owned by the same family that founded the company nearly 100 years ago just outside Houston, Texas.

United Salt acquired the Saltville operation in 2007 from Spectra Energy. When the deal closed in June 2007, the plant employed 14 people.

Today, Crawford explained that continuous operation is necessary to keep the mines going and to supply food industry customers that include Mt. Olive Pickle Co., Smithfield, and Mr. Chips Inc.

In addition to evaporated salt for food, the Saltville facility produces salt for pools, chemicals, oilfield markets and agriculture.

Dubbed AquaSalt, the salt used for pools and spas makes up about 40% of Saltvilles production, Crawford said.

Salt began being commercially mined in the community in the mid-1700s.

Peters declared, We do what we do for the love of salt.

The 96-year-old company is based in Houston, Texas.

In addition to Saltville, United Salt produces salt products at two plants in Texas and another in New Mexico.
Dennis Beaver Practices law in Bakersfield and welcomes comments and questions from readers, which may be faxed to (661) 323-7993, or e-mailed to Lagombeaver1@Gmail.com. Also, visit dennisbeaver.com.
" " Jan. 20, 2013: A Zamboni machine tends to the ice before the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY.  Alan Schwartz/Icon SMI/Corbis

Let's just assume that when Sarah Palin told People magazine in 2008 that she and her husband Todd had a long-held desire to name a child Zamboni, she was joking. Because if she was serious, the trademark issues might just be a nightmare.

So first things first: Zamboni is a brand. Generically, people should refer to the lumbering machines as "ice resurfacers" or "ice resurfacing machines." There are several brands on the market apart from Zamboni, including Resurfice Corp.'s Olympia brands. Zamboni owns a wide swath of the market share in the U.S., but Resurfice says it manufactures generally the same amount of machines (200 or so) a year [source: Branch].

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The machines aren't cheap: The most inexpensive model (which is a small unit pulled by a tractor) is around $10,000, with the most expensive models in the low six figures, according to the Zamboni website. The cost is steep, but keep in mind each machine is custom-built and could take six months to ship out after ordering [source: Zamboni].

If you're itching to drive a Zamboni, good news: There's no special license or certification needed to rule the rink. Of course, on-the-job training is highly necessary, as the Zamboni isn't exactly made for the ultimate driving experience. In a 2009 profile, Car and Driver gave an account of the experience: "Visibility from the elevated left-rear position is poor, the abrupt throttle tip-in takes some getting used to, and the vague steering is totally '70s Cadillac."

So taking it out for a spin might not lull a crying baby. But skate away to the next page, where we'll head back to 1940s California and the birth of modern ice resurfacing.
WHEATLAND, Wyo.  Oliver Baez spent two months rehearsing a scene for a school play in which his character confronts another student about bullying a gay student who takes his own life.

After much preparation, the 12-year-old's small scene turned into a big problem among school officials in Wheatland, Wyoming. At the last minute, they canceled the anti-bullying play, saying it did not conform to school values and leaving the young cast without a stage.

It was awful, Baez said. "For the school to cancel it, its like saying that LGBTQ should not be included in a society. Which is really awful and cruel.

Twenty-five years after a watershed moment for the gay rights movement  the murder of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old student in a university town not far from Wheatland  the canceled performances of The Bullying Collection show how far the LGBTQ+ community still has to go to gain acceptance in Wyoming and elsewhere.

Wyoming is one of just two states without a hate crimes law; South Carolina is the other. Libraries around the country are facing community pressure to pull children's books with LGBTQ+ stories, drag shows have been banned in some places and a University of Wyoming sorority was sued for admitting a transgender woman.

Meanwhile, Wyoming lawmakers are preparing to consider a bill this session that would strictly define gender as one's biological sex at birth, restricting the lives of trans and nonbinary residents.

Located on the eastern Wyoming plains, Wheatland is a small farming and ranching community with about 3,500 residents. There are few restaurants, no department stores  not even a local Walmart  and few performance venues besides Wheatland High School.

A local theater group, the Platte County Players, has permission to perform there and salvaged the rights to the play and sponsored the performance a month later at the high school, as originally planned.

The students performed earlier this month before a small gathering of people who braved icy roads and subzero temperatures to see the delayed show. But if they still grow up to have bad feelings about the whole thing, they would have fair reason.

Community apathy, combined with snowy weather and extreme cold, made for a sparsely attended performance. Only about 50 people showed up, including half a dozen LGBTQ+ advocates and allies from Cheyenne, 70 miles away.

Parents were thrilled to see the play ultimately performed after weeks of practice and then delay. It was sad the principal couldn't stand up for what was right and got misguided by old mindsets, Olivers mom, Cassie Baez, said in an email.

In a changing world, such limited mindsets are harmful for children after they grow up and venture away from small-town life, Cassie Baez added.

As a kid who has been bullied, Oliver knew this was important. So he was sad and even mad that the school still wasnt backing him on a very important topic, Cassie Baez wrote.

The principal had the backing of school district leadership, however.

The board supports the administration, school board chairperson Lu Lay said in an emailed statement, citing zero negative comments from the public on the cancellation decision.

To the district's superintendent, John Weigel, the play seemed more appropriate for high schoolers than middle schoolers. He said he hadn't seen the play himself but heard from the principal that it confused some kids and some middle school teachers supported cancellation.

The play featured 10-minute skits about bullying, including politicians and parents belittling one another and a teen being teased for carrying tampons at school. It also touched on a wide range of topics, including the risk of suicide for LGBTQ+ youths and students describing what it's like to experience a school shooting.

For school administrators, a scene in which a student eulogizes another student who killed himself was especially problematic. Baez walked onto the stage from the audience to chastise the girl for not mentioning the boy was gay and how she had participated in bullying him.

When he canceled the show, Principal Robert Daniel worsened the sting by giving each cast member a $5 gift card to a Maverik convenience store, along with an apology letter saying they had done a great job.

One student tore up the letter and gave the card back. Another, Erica Biggs, 14, who played the role of the main bully opposite Baez, described the principal's gesture as demeaning after all of their hard work.

This isn't the first time kids in Wheatland have dealt with this. Just last spring, a high school performance of Mean Girls was canceled and the same local theater group stepped in to help produce the show to a full house.

A decade earlier, the school board voted 4-3 to take down banners that read No Place for Hate in schools, because the Gay and Lesbian Fund of Colorado was among the sponsors of the campaign.

Here we go again," said Jeran Artery, a former Wyoming Equality director who grew up in the town. If theres anything in Wheatland that has any kind of resemblance to any kind of association with the LGBTQ movement, its like, This must come down immediately. Our kids must not see this.

The national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988; an online chat can be reached at 988lifeline.org.

6 stats you need to know about LGBTQ+ youth mental health 6 stats you need to know about LGBTQ+ youth mental health Nearly half of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the last year 73% of LGBTQ+ youth experienced symptoms of anxiety; 58% had symptoms of depression From 2020 to 2022, rates of LGBTQ+ youth considering suicide and experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression rose 60% of LGBTQ+ youth desiring mental health care couldn't obtain it 93% of LGBTQ+ youth said they were worried about being denied access to gender-affirming care and 91% said they were worried about being denied access to bathrooms Suicide rates among LGBTQ+ youth are lower when they feel that their home and school are gender-affirming spaces and receive support from friends and family
COLUMBIA, S.C.  Six schools from around the state  including Florence Ones Delmae Elementary School  have been selected as finalists for the 2024 Palmettos Finest awards.

This is the second consecutive year a Florence One Schools school has been listed as a finalist for this honor. Moore Middle School last year won the honor.

I am so happy for my staff because they so deserve this, said Principal Roy Ann Jolley. Regardless of the outcome, although were claiming that were going to win, to be a finalist for the state, with the criteria that they have, speaks volumes about what the people I work with do.

Jolley said that while the criteria for the award does look at a schools academic progress, it is about much more than just that.

Academics is a component but what I noticed when I was filling out the application is that it is also about school culture, Jolley said. It is about student engagement, community collaboration, family connections. We have the most phenomenal parents and community partners. We were the first school in the district to have Good News Club. First Reliance Bank has been our partner, promoting financial literacy for our students, for 26 years. FMU, Clemson Extension, I could go on and on.

I am very happy for the Delmae community, for Ms. Jolley, her staff, teachers and students; they are truly deserving of this award, said Superintendent Richard OMalley. I believe that this recognition is a reflection of the incredible progress our district has made. We are transforming our schools and we are thrilled that for the second year in a row, we are celebrating a finalist for the prestigious Palmettos Finest award.

When I first started here it was all about the Delmae Difference, said second-grade teacher Julie Shealy. Over the course of my 17 years here things have changed. The dynamics have changed, culture has changed. We have a brand new state-of-the-art building, so that has changed. The one thing that has not changed is what we do here. When I first started, we had maybe 400 kids and now we have over a thousand. We are busting at the seams but that Delmae Difference has not changed. We are a family, first and foremost, and I think that shines through; the kids know it, and their parents know it. We genuinely care about the kids and the teachers are giving their all, day in and day out.

As former Delmae parents, this achievement confirms what our family already experienced many times over: Delmae Elementary is one of the finest schools in the state, said school board member Barry Townsend, who represents the Delmae area. There is no one more deserving of this recognition and we couldnt be prouder of Principal Roy Ann Jolley, her incredible staff and the remarkable students of Delmae Elementary.

This selection comes after extensive evaluations by a committee of educators and previous Palmettos Finest winners. The application process includes elements on student achievement, instructional programs, professional learning communities, and school culture.

Last fall, 19 South Carolina schools submitted a 20-page application followed by an onsite examination visit from a review committee. The six finalists are undergoing a second onsite evaluation before the winners are selected this spring.

Each school will have the opportunity to celebrate with its local community, as the winners will be announced through a live stream, via South Carolina ETV, to each finalist school April 23.

The six finalists are:

Delmae Heights Elementary School, Florence District 1

North Pointe Elementary School, Anderson School District 5

Meadow Glen Middle School, Lexington School District 1

Beaufort-Jasper Academy for Career Excellence, Beaufort County School District

Center for Knowledge/Center for Knowledge North, Richland School District 2

Lexington Technology Center, Lexington School District 1

The South Carolina Association of School Administrators presents the awards each year to schools which offer the best in innovative, effective educational programs. The Palmettos Finest Award is celebrating its 44th year and is one of the most coveted and respected awards among educators.

We are once again excited to recognize some of the outstanding and innovative schools in South Carolina. They represent the many excellent school communities serving our states families, said Beth Phibbs, the associations executive director.

The association, the professional organization for school leaders in South Carolina, has more than 5,300 members. From professional development opportunities and research to publications and legislative advocacy, the groups focus is to support school leaders in providing the best possible education for South Carolinas young people. As a state affiliate of three national associations for school leaders, the association also works on the national level.
DES MOINES  Iowa Republican lawmakers advanced a bill on Wednesday that would allow health care providers, facilities and insurance companies to refuse medical care based on moral objections.

Under Senate Study Bill 3006, medical providers would have the right to not participate in any service that is contrary to their moral beliefs. Medical institutions  hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, or medical schools  would also be allowed to opt out of performing and paying for procedures that violate their conscience, and insurance companies would not be required to pay for services or medications that they have an objection of conscience to.

Providers and facilities would still have an obligation to provide emergency medical treatment to all patients.

Providers who refuse medical service based on conscientious objection would be shielded from liability for damages that arose from the objection.

Advocates of the bill, including conservative Iowa religious organizations, say it would protect doctors from being pressured to perform procedures they have a religious or moral objection to.

Tom Chapman, executive director of the Iowa Catholic Conference, said providers should have a right to exercise their conscience when dealing with patients. He pointed to existing protections for doctors who refuse to perform abortions and said the bill is an extension of that policy.

No medical practitioner should be forced to participate in a procedure or medication to which he or she has an objection of conscience, or violate their oath to do no harm, he said.

Opponents, though, said the bill could endanger patients and elevates the interest of providers over the health and needs of patients.

They said the effects would be particularly dire in Iowa, where rural populations face a severe lack of access to quality health care. Iowa is ranked among the worst states in the nation for access to maternal health care.

I have not once seen a health care worker forced to do something they dont want to do, said Francesca Turner, an OB-GYN at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines. Pharmacists refusing prescriptions and doctors denying care, especially in rural Iowa, will only exacerbate the already dire health care crisis in our state.

A growing number of states have adopted similar laws, sometimes called "medical refusal bills." Lawmakers in Florida and Montana both passed similar laws last year. Iowa lawmakers have also considered similar provisions in past years, but they have not been signed into law.

Maizie Stilwell, a lobbyist for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa, said the proposed bill is more extreme than what has been put forward in the past and mirrors what other states have put in place.

There is no original thought in this bill, she told lawmakers on Wednesday. What we have seen is that this is a culmination of all of these extreme provisions that weve seen shopped across the country all put into one bill.

Protections from discrimination, First-Amendment retaliation

Existing state law already allows doctors to refuse to perform abortions based on their religious belief or moral convictions. The bill would add to those protections and require providers to offer prior written consent before being asked to perform or assist in an abortion.

Medical institutions and practitioners would be protected from discrimination based on their refusal. Practitioners could not be denied privileges or public benefits based on their decision to opt out.

Providers would receive whistleblower protections from retaliations if they report a facility for violating the conscience objection law.

The bill would also protect doctors and other providers from being punished or having their license revoked by a state entity based on First Amendment protected speech, unless that speech directly harmed a patient.

Senator: Disagreements over 'do no harm'

The bill was advanced by a three-person Senate subcommittee on Wednesday. Republican Sens. Jason Schultz of Schleswig and Jeff Taylor of Sioux Center voted to advance the bill, while Democratic Sen. Janet Peterson of Des Moines voted against it.

Taylor said he had heard from medical students in past years who were concerned they would be pressured to perform procedures during their training they have a moral objection to. He invoked the Hippocratic Oath and said the bill would protect providers who do not want to perform procedures they think would harm patients.

The whole idea of, first, do no harm  We dont always agree on what harm is, he said. Harm versus health, two medical professionals who have been well-educated and have lots of years of experience may see those in diametrically opposed ways.

Peterson said she had not heard from any physician who said they had been pressured to perform a procedure against their moral beliefs. She said the bill would further strain health care for women.

I think this bill is trying to fix something that is not broken, she said. I have yet to see a single example come forward. I also have an extreme level of concern about the number of bills that we continue to see going after Iowas access to health care.

After passing the subcommittee, the bill is now eligible for a vote in the full Senate Judiciary Committee.
Yoshitomo, a Japanese sushi-ya in Omaha, is among the semifinalists for outstanding restaurant in the 2024 James Beard Awards.

Tim Nicholson of the Boiler Room is a semifinalist for best chef in the Midwest region of the competition.

The nominees were revealed Wednesday, and the winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on June 10 in Chicago.

Chef David Utterback operates Yoshitomo, which has been praised from Omaha to Japan and beyond. A Washington Post writer called it one of the best of its kind in the country in a story a few months ago. Utterback was a finalist for best chef in the Midwest region last year.

The James Beard Awards exist to recognize exceptional talent in the culinary arts, hospitality, media and broader food system. Theyre coordinated by an awards committee made up of widely known restaurateurs, chefs and others in the industry.

Yoshitomo stands out in a category that includes multiple restaurants in Texas and New York. Its nearest competitors for best restaurant are in Denver and Chicago.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2024
ORANGE CITY, Iowa  An Alvord, Iowa, man has pleaded not guilty of vehicular homicide.

Kaleb DeBey, 21, entered his written plea Thursday in Sioux County District Court to charges of vehicular homicide -- operating while intoxicated and vehicular homicide -- reckless driving.

DeBey was driving an Audi A4 west on 300th Street near Filmore Avenue northeast of Rock Valley at approximately 12:35 a.m. July 30, when he failed to negotiate a curve, left the road and struck a culvert, causing the car to become airborne.

Passenger Halee Bliek, 35, of Rock Valley, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected through the windshield, and the car came to rest on top of her. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital, and DeBey was treated for injuries.

According to court documents, DeBey was driving at least 126 mph at the time of the crash. Testing of DeBey's blood showed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.157 percent, nearly double the legal limit, and the presence of controlled substances.

DeBey was arrested Sept. 1 in an unrelated drunk driving case in Rock Valley. He has pleaded not guilty to first-offense operating while intoxicated and awaits trial.
DES MOINES  The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce will have an audience next month at the seat of power of both Iowa and South Dakota, advocating for policy action and new ideas in matters like childcare and tax policy, and pushing for the status quo in other affairs of the Republican-governed states.

The Chamber's Des Moines Legislative Day is Feb. 1; the Dakota Valley Business Council's Pierre Legislative Days are Feb. 6-7. (The Dakota Valley Business Council is affiliated with the Siouxland Chamber.)

Roughly 25 to 30 business leaders and local elected officials traditionally travel to Des Moines for the annual lobbying trip, where they will meet with Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, House Speaker Speaker Pat Grassley, Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver and other legislative officials and department heads. The Pierre delegation, estimated at 17 people, will meet with Gov. Kristi Noem, Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden, Attorney General Marty Jackley, leaders in both houses of the legislature and several state department heads and secretaries.

"Believe me, it'll be a good trip," said Barbara Sloniker, the Chamber's executive vice president.

In Des Moines, the Chamber will advocate for the status quo on a number of policies -- maintaining tax increment funding, preservation of existing workforce training funds, sustaining current funding and service levels at Iowas commercial service airports, protection of the state's "right to work" law, holding the state's environmental protections to a standard that's "no more stringent" than federal regulations, among others.

The delegation's Pierre policy priorities, including their status-quo positions, are similar; the Dakota Valley Business Council's policy sheet for South Dakota is somewhat more stridently small-government, noting their opposition to a state income tax (which South Dakota does not levy), their support of "the personal property rights of South Dakota employers" and "the right of employers to make their own operational decisions rather than being forced to follow federal and state mandates."

Sioux Gateway Airport SkyWest flight 5095 taxis toward the terminal at Sioux Gateway Airport in this Journal file photo. During its annual Des Moines Legislative Da

The Chamber will take a more active lobbying posture in Des Moines on the child care shortage, which has been an obstacle for many working parents and thus a workforce bottleneck.

"There's staffing shortages, there's accessibility," Sloniker said. "It's becoming not affordable for parents to send their child to a childcare center."

As of 2022, an Iowa family with the median household income and an infant in child care spent between 10 percent to 14 percent of their income on child care, before taxes, according to Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral. Nationally, 7 percent is considered affordable child care.

A state report published in November 2021 found that 23 percent of Iowans, and nearly 35 percent of rural Iowans, lived in a child care desert, which is an area with a shortage of licensed child care providers. That same report, which was a product of Reynolds state task force on child care, said the states average monthly cost for child care  more than $1,000  was higher than what the average Iowa family paid for housing at the time.

A more-recent report, released last summer by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, found that 14 percent of Iowa children ages 5 and under had a family member who'd quit, changed or refused a job due to child care issues in 2020 and 2021.

Sloniker said the Chamber delegation at times doesn't lobby strictly in favor of one policy proposal -- frequently, as is the case with child care, it's a give-and-take, a matter of speaking with lawmakers and department heads and listening to what they have to say, offering feedback and brainstorming.

"We don't necessarily always have a specific 'do this' ask," Sloniker said.

"What kinds of things are they proposing to help address the child care shortage situation? Are there ways to be creative about encouraging employers to offer childcare?" she added.

Some of Iowa's tax policies, the Chamber says in its policy position sheet, also need change, though they lauded revisions the state made to its tax code in 2022 -- the state's flat 3.9 percent personal income tax and the elimination of taxes on retirement income were described as "historic achievements." (That said, the Chamber noted its target income tax rate is zero percent.) The state's unemployment insurance tax system, the Chamber position sheet says, "puts Iowa business at a competitive disadvantage," while Iowa's property tax code is described as "overly complex and burdensome."

The Journal Des Moines Bureau's Erin Murphy contributed reporting.
ROSEVILLE, Mich.  Officers in a Detroit suburb found a furry surprise as they patted down a theft suspect: A tiny blue-eyed puppy, zipped inside the mans jacket pocket.

Roseville police discovered the blue pit bull on Jan. 16 while arresting a man accused of stealing money from a bank customer.

The palm-sized female, about 5 weeks old, was taken to an animal shelter, where staff nicknamed her Bandit until they learned her name is Frappy, according to Jeff Randazzo, Macomb Countys chief animal control officer. Then she was transferred to foster care before being returned to her 24-year-old owner, once he was released from jail and paid an impound fee.

Randazzo said he met with the theft suspect, offering to help with vaccines and microchipping so they can keep an eye on this dog. Animal control is hoping to take a bad situation and (make) it better, he told the Detroit Free Press on Tuesday.

I don't think anybody at this departments seen anything like it, Roseville Police Chief Mitch Berlin told the newspaper. I think the puppy got to the station before the suspect did.

Frappy's owner is charged with larceny from a person, accused of stealing the customer's bag containing about $5,200. He was arrested hours later, and his attorney, Robbie Lang, doesn't believe the dog was in his pocket at the time of the alleged theft.

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DES MOINES  Iowans would be able to compare cash prices for medical care and receive credit toward their deductible for cash payments under a bill state lawmakers advanced on Thursday.

The bill, Senate File 431, is based on model legislation from the Cicero Institute, a think tank started by Joe Lonsdale, co-founder of software company Palantir.

The bill is intended to drive down costs for patients by encouraging them to shop for the best price among multiple providers, said Cicero Institute Policy Director Jonathan Wolfson.

The real goal here is to reward patients with an incentive to be price-conscious consumers because we see in so many other areas of the market, when individuals are price-conscious consumers, prices of items go down, Wolfson told lawmakers during a subcommittee meeting on Thursday.

Under the bill, health providers would need to post the prices they charge for cash payments for medical services online. If a patient chooses to pay a cash price lower than the price their insurer negotiated, the payment would count toward the patients deductible.

States like Texas and Tennessee have similar laws in place.

Under the bill, if a patient uses a coupon or rebate program to pay for a medication at a cost lower than their insurance providers negotiated cost, they would also be able to credit that cost to their deductible.

Once a patient meets their plans deductible, the bill would require insurers to split the cash savings with patients if they find a service for cheaper than their insurers negotiated price.

Federal price transparency rules already require much of the price reporting required in the bill. Hospitals must publish their out-of-pocket costs for services, and insurers must publish their negotiated rates with in-network providers.

A number of health insurance companies are registered opposed to the bill. Lobbyists for insurance companies told lawmakers on Thursday the bill would be difficult and costly to implement. They said they did not believe patients would seek out the lowest-cost option, as the bills authors suggested.

Scott Sundstrom, a lobbyist for Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, said insurers already have tools that allow patients to compare prices and other factors across the list of in-network providers.

He said patients generally did not use that tool, which he said cost the company lots of money, to find the best cost. He said people did not think about health care costs in the same way they did for other goods, so price competition did not often encourage people to seek out the lowest price.

Health care's just fundamentally different in that respect, Sundstrom said. Where there's really a matter of life and death, it's incredibly complex. So most of us as lay consumers do not have the knowledge to evaluate who is the best provider of the service.

Lawmakers say bill needs work

The bill advanced out of a three-member subcommittee on Thursday. It is now eligible for a vote in the House Health and Human Services Committee.

Sen. Jeff Edler, R-State Center, the chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said he thinks the bill has the potential to lower health care costs for patients, but he expects it to be amended in response to the concerns brought up on Thursday.

He said he and other stakeholders would look at how the program has been implemented in other states and see how it should be changed going forward.

At the end of the day, if its not going to help bring health care costs down in Iowa, were not going to look at it too long, he said.

Sen. Pam Jochum, a Democrat from Dubuque, did not vote to advance the bill. She said during the subcommittee meeting she had a number of concerns about how the bill would be implemented, including how it would affect staffing at clinics and hospitals in the state.

I think we all would like to see more price transparency. We'd like to see lower costs in our health care, she said. ... As I was reading the bill, I was also somewhat troubled by how this would actually be implemented.

Medical care costs are up 30% in the past decade  here's what it means for Americans Medical care costs are up 30% in the past decadehere's what it means for Americans How various health care costs have changed in 10 years
A Caltrain leaves the Palo Alto Station in June 2018. Liz Moughon/The Chronicle

A pedestrian was hit and killed Friday morning by a Caltrain near the California Avenue station in Palo Alto, a spokesperson said.

Trains were stopped in the area while medical personnel responded to the collision, which involved northbound train No. 107, according to Caltrain spokesperson Randol White.

The fatality was confirmed shortly before 8 a.m.

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An investigation is being conducted by the San Mateo County Sheriffs Transit Police Bureau. White said it was too early in the investigation to determine the cause of the collision.

Identification of the individual and the cause of the collision will be determined by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner, officials said.

None of the 78 passengers on board the train were reported injured, White said in an email, but the train was halted for over an hour at the scene.

Multiple trains throughout the morning were delayed or turned around, and one was canceled, according to Caltrain Alerts on X, formerly Twitter. Delays were ongoing shortly before noon. A bus bridge operated by SamTrans was temporarily set up from Palo Alto to the San Antonio station to redirect commuters.

A replacement crew relieved the original crew on the No. 107, and the train resumed its service to San Francisco at 9:15 a.m., White said.
DES MOINES  Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds joined two dozen other Republican governors on Thursday to give their support to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the state's "right to self-defense" amid a clash between Abbott and President Joe Biden's administration over razor wire installed at the southern border.

In the statement on Thursday, the governors skewered Biden for policies that they say have led to "unprecedented illegal immigration pouring across the Southern border."

The U.S. Supreme Court this week cleared the way for federal agents to cut the razor wire fencing set up by Abbott and Texas officials at the border.

Abbott has since defended his right to continue using razor wire at the border and declared the influx of illegal border crossings an "invasion."

We stand in solidarity with our fellow Governor, Greg Abbott, and the State of Texas in utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border," Reynolds and the other governors said in the statement. "We do it in part because the Biden Administration is refusing to enforce immigration laws already on the books and is illegally allowing mass parole across America of migrants who entered our country illegally.

Federal law generally reserves border enforcement to the federal government, but Abbott and other Republican governors have said he has authority under a section of the Constitution that allows states to use military action if "actually invaded."

"Because the Biden Administration has abdicated its constitutional compact duties to the states, Texas has every legal justification to protect the sovereignty of our states and our nation," Reynolds and other Republican governors said.

Abbott and other Republican governors have been challenging Biden on border enforcement for years, filing multiple lawsuits against the Biden administration and clashing over his border policies.

In a statement on Wednesday, Abbott said Biden had failed to enforce the border laws and allowed record numbers of illegal border crossings.

"President Biden has refused to to enforce those laws and has even violated them," Abbott said. "The result is that he has smashed records for illegal immigration."

In an interview on CNN on Thursday, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said Abbott was politicizing the situation at the border. She said the White House has been working on bipartisan legislation to improve border security.

"It's not making people's lives safer. It's actually making it harder for law enforcement at the border to do their job," she said. "And so we have been very clear. We want to make sure we get something done at the border."

Reynolds has deployed Iowa National Guard troops to the Texas border multiple times to aid in border enforcement. Most recently, more than 100 Iowa National Guard members were deployed last August as part of Operation Lone Star, a Texas mission to deter illegal border crossings.
We love surprises when we anticipate, theyll be positive. We dread the surprise of a car not starting on a subzero morning, a call at 2 a.m. from a loved one crying, or a doctors hushed prognosis. We laugh when people jump out at a party shouting surprise. We know were safe. But we scream if a group jumps out while were on a Midnight walk.

Lately, Governor Kim Reynolds Condition of the State speech is a scary surprise party for public educators and parents.

Last year she used her speech to accuse teachers and librarians of being pornography peddlers and student groomers. She proclaimed parents should run the schools but forgot to mention those parents didnt include those with LGBTQ kids and those who want to have real classroom discussions about real world issues. Then in her third attempt to ram private school vouchers through she surprised even her own party by introducing the largest and most expensive entitlements in the country.

This year after promising a comprehensive study on Area Education Agencies, But in her speech she detailed a plan for AEAs with no study and no warning to stakeholders. On the second day of the legislative session, she introduced House Study Bill 542, which basically dismantles AEAs likely written by outside consultants.

Surprise! Cue the panic and fear.

I understand the legislative process may drastically alter the final product. What I dont understand is why school boards, parents, administrators, and educators didnt get a heads up so they could begin preparing and could also help develop a plan that wouldnt be a surprise and a horror right out of Stephen King.

The bill is divided into two parts. The first part raises school district teacher salaries but with unacceptable strings. Those provisions also have quite a few critical problems.

Its the second part of the bill thats causing the most immediate angst among educators and parents. It takes a wrecking ball to Area Education Agencies, that have provided high quality service to public and private schools since 1974.

It eliminates media and educational service divisions. It also says districts can stay with their AEA for special education services, partner with other districts for those services, or contract with a private for-profit-company.

Even with money previously provided to the AEA, theres no way individual school districts will be able to afford enough speech pathologists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, and special education consultants to meet the needs of all students.

Like the voucher plan, this plan is to throw open the door wide to for-profit-companies. Private companies are going to go where the money is. Thats not rural Iowa. This will hurt all public and private schools who rely on these services, but small schools the most.

The Iowa AEA structure has always been the envy of the entire country. It will be gone unless the education community, and parents speak loudly in one voice.

Parents, educators, and community leaders can help protect the AEAs by writing to legislators now. Here are the addresses.

School boards should adopt resolutions in support of AEAs. It can be simple.

Our AEA has provided outstanding service that meets the needs of our students.

Be I resolved that the current AEA structure be maintained and enhanced.

If the structure is altered in any manner, a comprehensive study should be conducted prior to making any changes. That study should include educators, parents, and school board members as full voting participants.

Those educators, parents and school board members should be appointed by the local school districts and the AEA.

Education is Iowas foundation. Lets not let it crumble by surprise.

Bruce Lear lives in Sioux City, IA. He has been connected to public schools for 38 years. He taught for 11 years and represented educators as an Iowa State Education Association Regional Director for 27 years until retiring.
DES MOINES  The Iowa Civil Rights Act would be changed by removing gender identity as a protected class, and by adding gender dysphoria to disabilities covered by the act, under legislation that will be considered by state lawmakers next week at the Iowa Capitol.

Created in 1965, the Iowa Civil Rights Act prevents discrimination based on identifying characteristics like age, race, color, religion, national origin, or disability. The Act was amended in 2007 to add sexual orientation and gender identity.

A bill introduced by Iowa state lawmaker Jeff Shipley, a Republican from Birmingham, would remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

Shipleys bill would instead add to the acts covered disabilities gender dysphoria, which the American Psychiatric Association defines as psychological distress that results when an individual has a gender identity that is different from their sex at birth.

Advocates for transgender people expressed their vehement opposition to the proposal.

Oh, its horrible. I mean, its going to hurt a lot of people, said Keenan Crow, with the LGBTQ advocacy organization One Iowa.

The proposed bill, House File 2082, would need to move through the Iowa House Judiciary Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Steve Holt, a Republican from Denison.

A 2020 proposal simply to remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act did not advance through Holts committee that year. This time, Holt told the Des Moines Register that he wants to hear the conversation around the new proposal from Shipley, calling it an interesting concept.

I just want to hear a conversation about it. I want to have a subcommittee (hearing) and hear a conversation about it, Holt told the Register. I still have concerns about this, but I at least want to have the conversation and see where it goes.

The subcommittee hearing -- the first step in Iowas state lawmaking process -- is scheduled for Wednesday at the Iowa Capitol.

Iowa Rep. Sami Scheetz, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids who will represent his party on the subcommittees legislative panel, said the proposal is terrible for multiple reasons, including the way the bill removes gender identity from the acts protections but includes gender dysphoria among protected disabilities.

First off, its insulting, Scheetz said. To characterize people who are nonbinary and transgender as having a mental illness, essentially, which is what it does, to say that they're disabled mentally for being themselves, I think is just wrong.

Scheetz and Crow said the proposal likely would not provide the same legal protections to transgender Iowans as the current Civil Rights Act. Crow noted that not all transgender people are diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

Being transgender and having gender dysphoria are two separate things. There are a decent amount of trans people that have gender dysphoria, and a decent amount of trans people who dont have gender dysphoria, Crow said. So youre going to leave out that entire group of people who has no need for a diagnosis.

Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, the leader of the minority-party Democrats in the Iowa House, called the proposal hateful, unnecessary, and said there is a huge risk for unintended consequence. She said amending the Iowa Civil Rights Act in this way would be the exact opposite of the spirit of who Iowans are and what Iowans want.

Statehouse Republicans in the past two legislative sessions have passed a series of new laws impacting transgender and other LGBTQ Iowans, including a ban on gender transition treatments and surgeries for minors, a ban on the teaching of gender identity or sexual orientation through sixth grade, a ban on transgender students using K-12 school bathrooms that align with their gender identity by requiring students to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender at birth, and a ban on transgender girls competing in girls sports.
Is it possible that Ron DeSantis is more relieved than anything else to be out of the presidential race? Throughout the Florida governors campaign for the Republican nomination, hes faced frequent criticisms about his lack of ease and authenticity. But in the video he shared to announce that hes dropping out, its hard not to pick up on a certain gleam in his eyes, and a smile that looks more natural than it has in ages.

This meatball is glad to be out of the oven. The voters who werent planning to show up for him sure wont miss him. Is anybody upset about the DeSantis campaigns collapse?

Well, yes, theres at least one person Id imagine to be pretty broken up over the whole affair: DeSantis wife, Casey DeSantis. While Ron never quite took to the campaign trail, Casey was ready to be first lady of the United States.

Casey plays a more prominent role in her husbands political life than most elected officials spouses. She is every bit as involved in Rons rise as Ron is himself, one former Florida politician told Politico last year. Though the DeSantises would hate this comparison, in this way their partnership recalls that of Bill and Hillary Clinton during the formers 1992 presidential campaign, when Bill was fond of saying that if voters chose him, theyd get two for the price of one. Casey and Ron, too, are a package deal, a we, inasmuch as they can be as members of a party that still favors pretty retrograde gender politics. Its an alliance they both benefit from. Though hes the politician, in some ways Casey is a much more naturally compelling figure than her husband: With her background in broadcast journalism, shes comfortable in front of the camera, attractive, and a strong public speaker. As a cancer survivor and young mother, shes also sympathetic and likable. Where he lacks charisma, shes got it to spare.

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But a spouse this involved can be a double-edged sword. That same Politico piece called Casey her husbands greatest asset and greatest liability, responsible for just as many good choices as she is bad ones. It was reportedly her idea, for example, for the governor to shun mainstream media during the campaign, a decision that he recently spoke of with regret. And she is faulted with driving a wedge between the DeSantis campaign and Susie Wiles, a formidable Florida operative who left the couple to decamp to Trumps 2024 operation. Its also very possible she picked out his much-maligned cowboy boots. Its unclear how many other doomed campaign choices Casey might have insisted on, though in the end, not everything can be laid at her feet: As Jim Newell wrote earlier this week in Slate, DeSantis never had a chance against Trump.

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Related From Slate Casey DeSantis Face Has Sparked an Important National Debate Read More

But still, Casey wanted it in a way her husband didnt seem to. One way this was most evident was in how she seemed to have taken it upon herself to dress for the part of first lady. The media and observers on social media took notice, and with her gloves and pastel gowns, she earned lots of comparisons to Jackie O. Frequently not in a good wayit was less She looks like Jackie O than Who does she think she is, trying to dress like Jackie O? But Jackie O never would have worn a leather jacket that said Where Woke Goes to Die on the back, as Casey once did. Moments like this ensured that she was also sometimes compared with Melania Trump, and in November, she talked about this in a speech, saying it was awesome that she was being called Walmart Melania: Thats the greatest thing you could call me! For me to be in the same sentence [as] Melania is a wonderful thing! Its ironic, of course, because Melanias disdain for her role as a public figure shows that both the DeSantises and Trumps are in mixed showman/loner marriages.

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Its also a little hard to believe that Casey loved the Walmart part of that nickname: Reporting has revealed that the DeSantis campaign spent more on private jets than it did advertising, and some have suggested this was because Casey refuses to fly commercial. While we dont know if thats truemaybe Ron likes PJs just as much as his wife doesthe duality of the Walmart shopper who is also a private jet passenger may be hard for some people to swallow. In any case, their private plane spending should go down considerably in the coming months, now that they wont always have to be jetting off to Iowa or New Hampshire or South Carolina.

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Though Casey may be confined to the skies above Florida for a little while, the conventional wisdom is that Ron DeSantis will be back to run again in 2028, and shell no doubt be right by his side. Though the ambition she displayed was neither admirable nor rare in a field that tends to attract monsters and narcissists, the nakedness of it was pretty notable. Even if you hate everything she stands for, theres something about the intensity that she brings to embodying the cliche of striving political wife thats hard to look away from. Her chances at being promoted from Florida first lady to first lady of us all have been snuffed out for now, but shes made her mark on national politics as someone to be afraid of. I know I, for one, am scared.
What exactly is happening with this border bill Congress is expecting? Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell might have inadvertently admitted the real reason for the delay: Even though Republicans got what they wanted, theyre not sure they want to hand President Joe Biden a win during an election year. Because what happens in an election year? Politicians have to choose, as the saying goes, whether they want the solution or the issue, Jim Newell writes. So far, McConnell is still weighing his options.

Not going anywhere yet! 

Democratic longshot presidential candidate Dean Phillips finished in New Hampshire with a meager 20 percent of the vote. He should be packing things up. But instead, he is seeing those results as a  success? Because hes interpreting them as he would  business performance numbers? Its a weird situation. Alexander Sammon explains whats going on there.

What time is it?! 

Everybody has strong feelings about what time of day is the best for doing a specific thing. Slates writers sure did. Theyve made the case for all 24 hours: the best time to work out, the best time to drink a martini, and the best time to wake up. Weve even got the right times for you to have sex and have an edible. Wondering what time you should do other stuff? Read our complete 24-hour guide to what you should be doing all day.

Advice Week continues 

Slates romp through the advice archives has reached the recent past. The early 2020saccording to letters that readers sent to Prudiewere all about wedding cakes, crowdfunding, and relationship tests.

The revisited letters include:

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 Help! My Husband Shoved the Wedding Cake in My Face. Now Im Divorcing Him.

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 My Husbands Ex Is Trying to Turn My Little Homeschooling Situation Into a Total Zoo

 Help! Im Worried the Instagram Algorithm Is Going to Take Over My New Relationship.

And for Slate Plus members, Prudie discusses a tricky letter with fellow Slate writer Joel Anderson (who also happens to be her husband) in a special edition of Dear Prudence Uncensored.

Not snubbed after all 

People are mad about Barbie being snubbed by the Oscars. Wait a second, was Barbie actually snubbed by the Oscars? Imogen West-Knights would like you to consider that the filmincluding its star Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwigactually did pretty well. She has a point!

Today, Slate is   THE IDEAL PALATE CLEANSER

 much like the Oscar-nominated film Past Lives, whose gentle romance is the perfect antidote to the world-destroying Oppenheimer.

If youre curious about what to watch before the Oscars, Sam Adams helpfully compiled this years nominees that you actually need to seeand where to stream them.

Thanks so much for reading! Well see you back here tomorrow.
This week, Republican governors across the country escalated their conflict with the Biden administration over the southern border by invoking the same legal theory that slave states wielded to justify secession before the Civil War. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, joined by 25 other GOP governors, now argues that the Biden administration has violated the federal governments compact with the statesan abdication that justifies state usurpation of federal authority at the border. This language embraces the Confederacys conception of the Constitution as a mere compact that states may exit when they feel it has been broken. Its dangerous rhetoric that transcends partisan grandstanding. And as before, its being used to legitimize both nullification and dehumanization.

Consider the very first line of a statement Abbott issued on Wednesday that was subsequently backed by the other Republicans, which states, The federal government has broken the compact between the United States and the states. That language is strikingly similar to the very first line of the secession ordinances passed by slave states when they purported to leave the union. Most of these ordinances began with a declaration that the state sought to dissolve the union that was united under the compact known as the Constitution. It was this compactnot national sovereignty, but a contract among states and the federal governmentthat constituted the United States of America. The secession ordinances asserted that the federal government, and the president especially, owed certain constitutional duties to the states under this contract. It had allegedly abdicated those duties by threatening to restrict slavery and disrespecting the rights of Southern states in other ways inextricably linked to the maintenance of white supremacy. Any state, these ordinances concluded, was therefore entitled to depart the union and become free and independent once more.

President Abraham Lincoln was staunchly opposed this so-called compact theory. As he explained in his first inaugural address, The Union of these States is perpetual under the Constitution. The United States do not form a compact, but are a country bound together by national fabric. This argument provided the entire justification for the war in its early years, which Lincoln initially framed as a battle against secession, not slavery. (If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, he wrote in 1862, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it.) The union that Lincoln hoped to save was an agreement between the sovereign people of the United States, not the states themselves. And so, the president argued, the people of a particular state could not break away of their own volition.

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Here, Lincoln drew on an impressive historical pedigree: Sen. Daniel Websters rejection of the compact theory during the nullification crisis of 1833. That crisis, too, has uncanny parallels with Abbotts misunderstanding of federal supremacy today: South Carolina insisted on its right to nullify a tariff enacted by Congress, much like the Texas governor seeks a right to nullify statutes that give Border Patrol authority over the southern border. No State authority, Webster proclaimed, can dissolve the relations subsisting between the government of the United States and individuals. That relationship was secured by the Constitution, and the states have no prerogative to undermine it, even in the name of supposed injustice or emergency.

Related From Slate Whats Going On With Brett Kavanaugh? Read More

Websters theory prevailed in 1833, and Lincolns carried the day in 1865 with the surrender of the Confederacy. Now, however, Abbott appears to disagree with both men. His letter faulted Biden for his illegal refusal to protect the states from migrants, failing to perform his constitutional duties by detaining every unauthorized migrant. By doing so, Biden purportedly broke the compact between the federal government and the states, freeing Texas to supplant federal authority at the border. Or, in Abbotts words, to exercise its constitutional authority to defend and protect itself. (The statement by 25 other GOP governors says almost exactly the same thing.)

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For further support, these governors invoked the Constitutions invasion clause. But this is, at best, a distraction. The invasion clause clarifies that states may not engage in war without Congress consent unless actually invaded. It was intended to let states defend themselves against foreign armieshence the word waruntil the federal government had a chance to respond. James Madison himself said that immigration does not constitute an invasion, as the term implied the operation of war. No matter how bellicose their rhetoric, Republican governors cannot seriously argue that they are at war with migrants under any constitutional definition of the term. The invasion clause simply does not give states license to usurp federal policy or interfere with federal law enforcement.

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So the invasion language, which Donald Trump repeated on Thursday, is probably best understood as window dressing for the primary legal theory underpinning Republican governors claims: that the United States constitutes a compact, and Bidens violation of this compact triggers a states right to supplant federal authority, by force when necessary. Its difficult to believe that the similarities between this theory and those of the Confederacy are mere coincidence. Either way, the resemblance speaks volumes about Abbotts dangerous undertaking at the border. The governor vocally despises migrants, almost all of them nonwhite, who are seeking asylum in the United States. At every turn, he depicts them as less than human, violent criminals exploiting the countrys generosity to destroy it from within.

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What does it look like when secessionist theory is weaponized against a 21st-century president? We have already begun to find out. For months, the Texas National Guard was engaged in an armed standoff with federal law enforcement, as well as active duty service members, at the Rio Grande: Guardsmen used razor wire to fence off the border, preventing federal access to migrants, even those in severe medical distress. On Monday, by a 54 vote, the Supreme Court lifted an injunction that prevented federal officers from cutting through this razor wire. But Abbott says his state will defend and protect itself by continued use of force, raising the very real possibility of ongoing clashes between state and federal law enforcement. Whether these disputes turn violent is anyones guess. The belligerent governor, though, has conspicuously declined to rule out use of force against anyone who stands in his way.

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Vicious nativism is certainly not a perfect comparison to the totalitarian white supremacy that drove the slave states to Civil War, but it, too, springs from the diseased roots of bigotry, fear, and rage. It should be no surprise, then, that Abbott and his allies would adopt Confederate rhetoric in his quest to seize control over the border and subject migrants to anguish and death. By embracing the Confederate theory of the nation as a mere compact, he has freed himself to take even more aggressive measures against the federal government. We have been here before. It does not end well.
Former President and confirmed sexual abuser Donald Trump took the stand Thursday afternoon for a few short moments in the second defamation trial brought by E. Jean Carroll, the former journalist who claimed that Trump raped her in a department store changing room in the mid-90s (these claims were established in her first trial against him). Because Trumps response to her initial report of the sexual assault came in the form of defamation, and because Carroll lost her job and became the victim of virtually bottomless threats and abuse from Trump and his sex-pest enthusiasts, the question that will go to the jurors in a federal court in this round of litigation is a simple one: How much will Trumps defamation cost him? In a prior trial, in addition to confirming that the assault indeed happened, a jury found unanimously that the former president needed to pay Carroll $5 million for the defamation in the time span it reviewed. Judge Lewis Kaplan has cautioned Trump and his lawyer Alina Habba that this court is not the place to relitigate that question; it is just about how much more money he owes for the rest of the defamation.

But Trump, in the manner of a small child or a geriatric narcissist, maintains that because he didnt attend that first trial, it must not have actually occurred. So he spent a good deal of his time on Thursday pitching tantrums about issues that were not open to debate. I never met the woman, Trump hissed at Habba as both sides were discussing the potential scope of his testimony before the jurors entered the room. Funnily enough, saying precisely that thing is one of the acts for which Trump is currently in court.

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Once he got on the stand, one of the very few questions Habba asked was whether he denied the allegation. Yes. She said something I considered a false accusation Trump replied. Everything after Yes was stricken by Kaplan. Perhaps the only question that Trump answered in a way that suggested he even understood what this second trial was about was whether he had ever instructed anyone to hurt Ms. Carroll. No, Trump answered. I just wanted to defend myself and my family and, frankly, the presidency. Everything after No was erased. So these longer responses happen to be immaterial in this defamation claim, although it squarely locates Trumps defense somewhere between crime boss and stochastic terrorist as the presumptive theory of his innocence.

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Given that Trumps testimony was entirely pointless, brutish, and shorthe was essentially kicked off the stand after a mere three minutesthe question one must ask is: Why did he bother to testify at all? Certainly he got everything off his chest Wednesday night in his unrebutted Truth Social rage-fest directed at the judge, the plaintiff, George Conway, and every perceived enemy past and future? What possible benefit did he see in taking the stand to say things that dont help him at all in this trial?

I tend to agree with what Amanda Marcotte wrote earlier this week: That for Trump the Bully, the trial became a delicious showcase for how to be a bully. He was quite literally using the courtroom to reenact the behavior for which he is on the hook, threatening and abusing the plaintiff. By the same token, Trump has thus far spent every day of the hearings defaming Carroll in real time, often from inside the courtroom. The ability to replicate the very conduct you are denying having done is a magnificent way to show that you own the law. And Trump is nothing if not the snake swallowing its own tail of performative criminality.

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Related From Slate Why E. Jean Carroll Is Taking Donald Trump Back to Court Read More

But Trump, who has abandoned any pretense of abiding by the rule of law, just as he has abandoned any pretense of abiding by a vote count, is doing one more thing, and its worth clocking it. When a judge tells Trump what he may not do in a courtroom, or on social media, or on the witness standas Judges Tanya Chutkan and Arthur Engoron and Kaplan have repeatedly done throughout each of his trialsand Trump does it anyway, as Trump has repeatedly done throughout each of his trials, its Trumps way of signaling to everyone in the room that he is special; he is above the law. Oh, and remember that the room is actually all of America, because his conduct is immediately broadcast worldwide.

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Trump needs to perform that a judge cant constrain him any more than the law cant constrain him, as a means of showing himself to be the center of the moral and legal universe. The act of testifying to things that are going to be stricken from the record is the legal equivalent of a tree falling in a forest when the jury is certainly not allowed to consider it. But for Donald Trump, who separates jurors into friends and foes in the same way Alina Habba asks witnesses whether they voted for Trump, the jury is always rigged in much the same way that the judge is always corrupt. Oh, and also, the first trial that definitely happened and in fact found him liable? It never even happened. Trump wasnt there. What matters to Donald J. Trump is to embody what Donald J. Trump feels in the instant he is feeling it. Any day he can say the thing he has been barred from saying is a great day for him, because it makes him feel powerful.

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Which leads me to conclude something about the tribulations of Trumps former lawyer Joe Tacopina in the earlier trial Trump endured at the hands of E. Jean Carroll. Tacopinas mistake in representing Trumps interests in that first defamation suit lay in trying to win the case in the eyes of the law, which meant keeping Trump far away from the jurors. Trump has corrected for that by retaining Habba, who understands that whether Trump wins or loses matters less than ensuring that he feels like a winner, whatever the verdict. And what is winning if not getting to do the thing you were instructed, under penalty of sanctions, not to do? Habba knows that the outcome of these trials (how much money he has to pay) doesnt matter nearly as much as establishing that Trump is as immune to law, judges, gag orders, and threats of sanctions as he is immune to reality, fact, science, and election results. She is the stage mother who comes to all his ballet recitals and T-ball games and tells him hes a star and that everyone else is doping. And if a little lawyering happens on the side, well, thats a solid days work.

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Whats frightening about these sequential Trumpian performances of above-the-law-ness is that, as they accrue, he is trained to both believe even more obstinately that the law is what he says it is, and attempt to push the boundaries ever further the next time. For the folks who didnt believe that Trump would testify this week because he had nothing to gain and everything to lose, we missed the foundational point. Losing the jury or the case is less important than showing, yet again, that they are irrelevant constructs in a world in which he declaims his innocence and millions still believe him.

Perhaps the scariest takeaway from the three minutes or so Donald Trump spent on the stand Thursday was that he was really just testifying that he can do and say whatever he wants, and his followers will come away thinking that the law is fake and Trump is real. The chilling irony of the only truly substantive thing Trump saidthat he didnt order his followers to harm E. Jean Carrollis that his trials are seemingly becoming exercises in ordering his followers to disregard the law, as he does, or to choose their own legal endings, as he does. Because if he is above the law, they must be as well.
Ever since Russias invasion of Ukraine, many politicians and commentators have rued the day, back in January 1994, when Presidents Bill Clinton and Boris Yeltsin pressured Ukraine to dismantle its nuclear weapons. The missiles had once been controlled by the Soviet Union but were still on the soil of the newly independent Ukrainian nation. If Ukraine had held on to those nukes, some argue, Vladimir Putin might have been deterred from annexing Crimea in 2014 or invading the whole country in 2022.

In moments of pique, even Ukraines current president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and some of his top aides have argued that their predecessors shouldnt have given up the nukes for that reason.

However, recently declassified documentspublished Thursday by the National Security Archive, a private research group, which obtained them through a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Actreveal that the argument is nonsense.

The documentstranscripts of conversations involving Clinton, Yeltsin, and Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk, at a historic summit on broad postCold War relations, held in Moscow and Kyiv exactly 30 years agoclearly reveal these facts:

 Ukraine lacked the resources to maintain the nearly 1,700 Soviet nuclear weapons on its soil, many of them on intercontinental ballistic missiles that were nearing the end of their service lives. (My own reporting from several years ago, not reflected in these documents, indicates that Moscow retained command and control over the ICBMs, though Ukrainian officers could have fired the shorter-range nuclear missiles on their soil.)

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 Kravchuk and almost all Ukrainian politicians were eager to dispose of the weapons, fearing that their nuclear cores might melt down in a manner reminiscent of the Chernobyl power-plant disaster, which had occurred in Ukraine just eight years earlier. Everyone involvedthe presidents, the diplomats who spent months negotiating the precise terms, and British officials, who later signed the deal as wellviewed it as mainly a measure to promote nuclear safety and nonproliferation. The U.S. Senate had recently passed a billnamed for its sponsors, Democrat Sam Nunn and Republican Richard Lugarto pay for the cleanup and dismantlement of nuclear weapons throughout the former Soviet Union. (The deal signed in January 1994 provided a minimum of $175 million to Ukraine for this purpose.) Also, the U.S. and Russia were negotiating the SALT II arms-control treaty, which would require the elimination of the SS-19 and SS-24 ICBMs inside Ukraine.

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 Finally, Yeltsin forgave Ukraine mountains of debt for oil and gas that Russia had supplied, and Clinton promised to persuade the International Monetary Fund and the G7 nations to pay Ukraines energy imports into the future. At a meeting with Clinton, according to a memorandum of their conversation, Kravchuk said, When we have stabilization of our currency and private investment for Ukraine, then everyone will understand that the agreement signed by the three presidents [to remove nuclear weapons from Ukraine] was the only possible step. At a meeting with both Clinton and Yeltsin two days later, Kravchuk said, There is no alternative to nuclear disarmament.

The U.S.-Russia-Ukraine accordwhich one of Clintons top aides called the crowning achievement of the summitcan be looked back at as a betrayal of Kyiv in one sense. Clinton and Yeltsin did promise Ukraine full guarantees of security, as a sign of friendship and good neighborliness. The two leaders also reaffirmed the obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, including Ukraine.

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Later that year, at a conference in Budapest, the U.S., Russia, and Britain formalized those security assurances to Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan (the latter two former Soviet republics had also given up the nuclear weapons on their territory), in exchange for their signing of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Related From Slate Nostalgia for Cold War Diplomacy Is a Trap Read More

Putin clearly violated this pledge when he annexed Crimea 20 years later, in 2014, and then invaded all of Ukraine eight years hence. The U.S. and Britain, while not legally obligated to come to Ukraines aid (other than to seek immediate assistance from the U.N. Security Council, as the Budapest Memorandum required), didnt raise a huge stink about the incursions either. A case could be made that the relative passivity encouraged Putin to mount his all-out invasion, believingincorrectly, it turned outthat the West would do little to stop him.

Still, it is false to contend that Ukraine would not have given up the nuclear weapons on its soil had Kravchuk or any other leader at the time known that Russia would violate its guarantee of Ukrainian borders. That pledge, though important, was more a bonus than an essential element of the accord. The nukes in Ukraine (and Belarus and Kazakhstan) were going to be removed, with the host leaders permission and blessing, regardless of what else was said or done.
In a reminder of the hidden perils in small businesses, a federal jury in the Eastern District of Virginia has convicted Harmanpreet Singh, 30, and Kulbir Kaur, 43, for forced labor violations, among other charges, linked to their operation of a gas station and convenience store in North Chesterfield, Virginia. This case sheds light on the often-overlooked issue of labor exploitation in small businesses and serves as a cautionary tale for small business owners about the legal and moral imperatives of ethical labor practices.

Spanning from March 2018 to May 2021, the couple was found guilty of forcing Singhs cousin to work under severe and inhumane conditions. The victim, lured from India with false promises of education in the U.S., was instead subjected to a nightmare of long hours, minimal pay, physical abuse, and threats. His role at the store included working as a cashier, preparing food, cleaning, and managing store records.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the defendants exploitation for profit, highlighting the physical and mental abuse inflicted on the victim. U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber described the situation as an egregious bait-and-switch, where promises of education led to forced labor and human trafficking.

The FBI Richmond Field Offices investigation into this case underscores the federal commitment to combat human trafficking. Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador stressed the FBIs dedication to justice for victims and a warning to potential traffickers.

Facing a maximum of 20 years in prison, Singh and Kaurs sentencing on May 8 will be a pivotal moment in this case. This sentencing, considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors, will also include potential supervised release, fines, and mandatory restitution for the forced labor charge.

Implications for Small Business Owners

This case highlights critical issues for small business owners. It serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with hiring practices, the treatment of employees, and the severe legal repercussions of violating labor laws. Small businesses, often seen as community pillars, must uphold ethical standards and ensure their practices do not cross into exploitation.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) offers a 24/7 resource for reporting such crimes. This case should encourage small business owners and the public to be vigilant and proactive in identifying and reporting potential cases of labor exploitation and human trafficking.

As the community and the small business sector grapple with the ramifications of this case, it serves as a crucial moment for reflection and action against labor exploitation. The sentencing of Singh and Kaur will be closely watched, as it will set a precedent for how such egregious violations are penalized and deterred in the future.

This case is not just a legal proceeding; its a wake-up call about the darker side of labor practices in small businesses. The small business community must take proactive steps to ensure their operations are free from such deplorable practices, protecting not just their interests but also the rights and dignity of their employees.
San Francisco Inspector General Terry Wiley, left, said Wednesday that city-mandated budget cuts will limit his offices ability to fulfill its role overseeing the sheriffs office. Questions have also emerged about how long Wiley will serve as inspector general. He is also running unopposed for an Alameda County judicial vacancy. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle 2023

In his first public meeting as San Franciscos inspector general, former Alameda County prosecutor Terry Wiley sought to temper expectations, saying the citys budgetary woes will mean his office cannot fulfill its obligations under the City Charter.

Mayor London Breed has directed city agencies to cut 10% of their spending, a directive that will delay our ability to become fully operational, Wiley said in a Wednesday presentation of his offices duties and challenges. Therefore we will not be meeting the mandate of the Charter.

Wiley has proposed a budget of about $2.8 million, saying the office would need $2.1 million just to get off the ground. But he said his office needs $5 million to accomplish its full mission.

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The Office of the Inspector General is tasked with conducting community outreach, making policy recommendations to the sheriffs office, and investigating misconduct complaints against sheriffs deputies and all deaths in custody, though it can only recommend disciplinary action to the sheriff.

The Charter requires six investigators  one investigator for every 100 deputies  but Wileys office will only be able to afford two on-call investigators. Because the sheriffs office employs 600 deputies and is budgeted to hire another 154, the Office of the Inspector General will be four investigators short.

Wileys statements Wednesday come one month after he took office. His Dec. 20, 2023, swearing in allowed the Sheriffs Department Oversight Board to begin reviewing and recommending policies, which it had not been doing since it began meeting in August 2022.

The Oversight Board, approved by voters in November 2020, is supposed to oversee Wileys work, recommend best practices and build public trust in a department that has been wracked with recent scandals. They include allegations that deputies made people in the jail fight one another for food, that they conducted inappropriate strip searches of women held in the jail, and that they didnt give people enough time outside their cells, even resorting to vitamin D supplements to make up for the lack of sunlight.

As first reported by Mission Local, a deputy who was allegedly involved in the fight club scandal will be rehired by the department, according to a ruling from an arbitrator. Criminal charges in that case were dropped in 2019, after the sheriffs office allegedly destroyed crucial evidence.

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Further complicating the offices future is uncertainty about how long Wiley will be the inspector general. In November 2023, before last months swearing in, Wiley filed to run for an Alameda County judgeship. As first reported by Pleasanton Weekly, no one filed to run against Wiley, so he will be uncontested in the March primary.

Wiley told the Pleasanton Weekly that he will decide between the judicial post and his role as inspector general before the November election.

The board knew Wiley had filed to run for a judicial seat, board President Julie Soo told the Chronicle. Soo said that Wiley told the board he would not accept the judgeship if chosen for inspector general.

Wiley could not immediately be reached for comment.

Wiley laid out two main priorities for his office in Wednesdays presentation. The first is to recruit and train staff for the new office, and the other is to develop policies and procedures for the office.

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Poor children dont have equal opportunities to get a good education.

Education Minister Tomas Drucker assessed the results of Slovak students in PISA testing of reading comprehension as exceptionally tragic. (Source: TASR)

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Active involvement in debate forums and social media, the demonstration of assertive communication and learning to recognise manipulative practices instead of memorising facts  all during lessons and under a teachers supervision.

A new reform to the school curriculum, which is intended to completely transform the approach to teaching in Slovak public education, is currently being tested in 40 primary schools. Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Hlas) is hoping that it will improve what he has called students exceptionally tragic results in reading comprehension.

The results of international PISA testing published in December, which assessed the skills of 15-year-olds in 83 countries, show how far Slovak students have fallen behind their international peers.

Slovakias below-average performance is not altogether a surprise, as its results from previous years were already poorer than those of other OECD countries. However, the results of Slovak students dropped significantly after the Covid-19 pandemic in comparison to Czechia and Hungary, where students managed to keep their performance in international testing at an above-average level.

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Related article Why dont Slovak universities rank among the best? Read more

Furthermore, the number of children in its high-risk group increased. Every third student (35 percent) involved in the PISA testing ended up in this group. These children can struggle to identify the main idea of a longer and more complicated text, form conclusions from different information presented to them, and identify a hidden intention.

Compared to the OECD average, the number of these children in Slovakia was 9 percentage points higher.

These students are not even equipped with the basic reading skills necessary for further education in the future, concluded Drucker. Its our national tragedy.
PM Robert Fico will meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal on Wednesday morning near the Slovak-Ukrainian border.

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Prime Minister Robert Fico knows exactly what he will tell his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal during their Wednesday meeting in western Ukraine, which the Slovak premier has dubbed important for him.

Ill say what I told the Americans and the Ukrainians when I met them, Fico said in an interview with the public broadcaster RTVS last Saturday.

The leaders will meet in Uzhhorod, a town whose airport lies just 90 metres from the Slovak border. Its a rather unusual place for the meeting. President Zuzana Caputova, a supporter of Ukraine, has paid a visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv twice since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But the presidents and Ficos positions on the war in Ukraine couldnt be more distant, in fact.

According to Fico, it makes no difference whether he meets Shmyhal in Uzhhorod or Kyiv. It is practical, the PM said on Tuesday, adding that there is no war in Kyiv. Do you really think there is a war in Kyiv? Dont be ridiculous. Theres an absolutely normal life. One person died in Kyiv following a Russian strike on January 23.

Last weekend, Fico revealed what he will tell Shmyhal.

I know what Im going there with. Humanitarian aid, and Ill confirm that Ukraine will receive no weapons from the Slovak army. Ill tell him that there are things that we absolutely disagree on. As for Ukraines EU membership, the country must meet the conditions. Ill tell him that Im against Ukraine becoming a NATO member, and Ill veto it because its the foundation for a third world war, the Slovak PM told RTVS.

He added that he doesnt expect to hear any solution to the end of the war from the Ukrainian delegation other than the one that would involve 200,000 more dead people. Fico doesnt believe in a military solution to this conflict.

There must be a compromise, which will be very painful for both parties, he said, adding that its unrealistic for the Russians to withdraw from the Crimea, Donbas and Luhansk regions. Everyone knows it.
Why Slovak universities aren't the best and an unusual doctor's office opens in Bojnice hospital.

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Good evening. Here is the Tuesday, January 23 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Culture minister's faux pas

Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova in Trencin in December 2023. (Source: TASR)

Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova (SNS nom.) visited the Austrian town of Bad Ischl last weekend. It was named the 2024 European Capital of Culture.

The ministry shared a post about the visit on Facebook. In it, the ministry wrote that the Slovak minister, who lives in Austria, had met with her Austrian colleague Werner Kogler. The ministry used "she" when mentioning Kogler in the post although the politician is a man.

Mocked by people, the ministry later edited the post and restricted the comments section. The next day, all the posts shared by the ministry following Simkovicova's appointment last October disappeared from Facebook (the Austrian politician was not the only reason).

Moreover, the Dennik N daily writes, the Slovak minister didn't meet with Kogler last weekend. Simkovicova initially accepted the invitation. Then, she cancelled it. It's not clear why.

One of the Slovak tabloids, Plus 1 Den, slammed the minister for her cheap outfit at a meeting with Austrian Archduke Markus Emanuel Salvator of Austria.

More stories from The Slovak Spectator website

Ukraine: PM Robert Fico says that there is no war in Kyiv. Still, he will travel to western Ukraine tomorrow, not to Kyiv, to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal.

PM Robert Fico says that there is no war in Kyiv. Still, he will travel to western Ukraine tomorrow, not to Kyiv, to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal. Culture: Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova has officially lifted a ban on communication and cooperation with Russia and Belarus. However, it is a petition against her serving as minister that everyone is talking about.

Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova has officially lifted a ban on communication and cooperation with Russia and Belarus. However, it is a petition against her serving as minister that everyone is talking about. Museum: A local hospital in Bojnice has opened a very unusual doctor's office for visitors.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you.

FEATURE STORY FOR TUESDAY

Why don't Slovak universities rank among the best?

The University of Economics in Bratislava. (Source: SME - Jozef Jakubco)

It is difficult for smaller universities, like the ones in Slovakia, to fulfil the criteria needed to reach the leading spots. However, the truth is also that some universities of similar size in neighbouring countries manage to place higher than Slovak ones. Why?

SLOVAK FESTIVAL OFF TO UKRAINE

Pohoda loves Ukraine!

The popular Slovak summer festival Pohoda will organise a one-day music event at the Atlas club in Kyiv, Ukraine, on January 27.

The line-up includes Slovak and Ukrainian artists: Berlin Manson, Michael Kocab + Karpatske chrbaty, FVLCRVM, FARA, VBPS, Hyphen Dash, Lucas Bird, and Stantsiya Myr band. Explore the artists by listening to their music on streaming services!

In other news

Fourteen people want to run for president, writes the Sme daily. For now, Speaker Peter Pellegrini and ex-foreign minister Jan Kubis and Ivan Korcok are confirmed as the candidates who have met the necessary requirements.

The World Economic Forum cites a deepfake audio clip released before the 2023 Slovak parliamentary elections as an example of how AI may influence any election. It adds that the elections will be held in more than 45 countries over the next year.

The government has allocated 2 million for humanitarian aid and projects in Humenne and Vranov nad Toplou districts. A strong quake hit the area last year. A person affected by the quake can obtain up to 800.

Charged Smer MP Tibor Gaspar (ex-police chief) has said that he hasn't been offered the job of the Slovak Information Service chief. PM Robert Fico sees Gaspar as one of the top candidates for the post.

Almost 64,000 people were living on material need benefits at the end of 2023. With other family members taken into account, the number is higher (136,000). Most of these people live in Revuca, Rimavska Sobota and Kezmarok districts.

A woman tries to walk on an icy pavement near an apartment building in Bratislava on January 23, 2024. (Source: TASR)

WEATHER FOR WEDNESDAY: Wednesday will be cloudy. Snowfall is expected in most places in the morning and throughout the day. In southwestern Slovakia, it will rain. Later, it will rain in most regions. The daytime temperature will range from -1C to 12C. (SHMU)

JANUARY 24 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Timotej.

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P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.

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European leaders are not idiots.

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Robert Fico may think that if he violates the rule of law via a fast-tracked procedure in parliament, people will then lose the will to take to the streets, realising that they cannot do anything.

Moreover, let Slovakia's European partners observe the principle of equality and forgive him everything they have forgiven Viktor Orban over the last ten years.

Let them be true bureaucrats, exactly like the ones that populists tell their voters about, and strictly follow the law to the letter, ignoring any criminal intent. Dismantling the rule of law and robbing voters is possible even without obviously violating any law. This is one of the oldest hymns of autocrats: we don't do anything that other democratic countries wouldn't do.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240125/eu-forces-tried-to-push-some-35000-refuges-into-belarus-in-2023-1116393912.html

EU Forces Tried to Push Some 35,000 Refugees Into Belarus in 2023

EU Forces Tried to Push Some 35,000 Refugees Into Belarus in 2023

Sputnik International

Belarusian Security Council State Secretary Alexander Volfovich said Thursday that Belarusian border guards prevented the displacement of about 35,000 undocumented migrants into the territory of the republic by the security forces of neighboring European countries in 2023.

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"The illegal displacement of migrants from Poland and the Baltic States to our territory continues. In 2023 alone, the Belarusian side stopped the illegal expulsion of about 35,000 refugees. Inhumane measures applied to migrants often lead to their deaths. During the past year, the Belarusian Border Guard Service has documented 27 cases of deaths of refugees who died at the border because of mistreatment by Polish, Lithuanian and Latvian border guards," Volfovich said in an interview with the SB. Belarus Today newspaper. He added that the current situation causes serious concerns not only in Minsk but also in many European countries. Various European structures and humanitarian organizations criticize Polish authorities because of their tough migration policy, Volfovich stated. The state secretary added that the situation on the Belarusian borders, in general, was turbulent, adding that the border service records various provocations daily, as well as deliberate flights of unmanned aerial vehicles into the territory of Belarus. Walls, different barriers and fortifications are being built on the border, he said, adding that Ukraine keeps mining activities on its side of the border. In 2021, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland stated an increase in the number of detained illegal migrants from the Middle East and Africa on the border with Belarus and accused Minsk of forcing a migration crisis. Belarus denied the accusations. Belarusian border guards said there was the forced expulsion of undocumented migrants by neighboring EU countries to the Belarusian territory and reported the cases of finding the corpses of refugees affected by these actions.

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I Wanted to Live: Words of Ukrainian POW Killed by Kiev Regime Haunt From Beyond the Grave

I Wanted to Live: Words of Ukrainian POW Killed by Kiev Regime Haunt From Beyond the Grave

Sputnik International

As information continues to emerge about the crash of a Russian IL-76 transport plane carrying Ukrainian POWs Wednesday, security analyst Mark Sleboda once again joined Sputniks Fault Lines program to offer insight on the evolving situation.

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As information continues to emerge about the crash of a Russian IL-76 transport plane carrying Ukrainian POWs Wednesday, security analyst Mark Sleboda once again joined Sputniks Fault Lines program to offer insight on the evolving situation.Its been revealed that among the 65 Ukrainians killed in the tragic incident was Konstantin Danilchenko, a Ukrainian soldier held by Russia since 2022. Sleboda recalled that Danilchenko came to prominence that year when he spoke of Kievs apparent disregard for its own troops in a video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense.They dont explain anything, they just throw us on the battlefield, he added, claiming he was surrounded by ill-prepared Ukrainian troops who don't know anything about military affairs. He recounted fighting alongside a 55-year-old grandfather who was half-shell shocked.Sleboda called the video an eerie fortune telling of the war, that has seen thousands of Ukrainians downed by better-trained Russian troops. Recently, reports have emerged of Ukrainian civilians being arrested on buses and off the streets to fight in the Donbass against their will. The country is currently struggling to push through a bill to conscript 500,000 new soldiers, among them women and older men.The analyst noted the numerous times Ukraine has attacked their own prisoners of war, such as at Elenovka and Bakhmut [and] Artemovsk where on two separate occasions they used HIMARS to hit detention facilities where POWs were held.Sleboda called the countrys targeting of Ukrainian POWs an established pattern. They often send FPV drones out hunting the vehicles down that are carrying the POWs back to Russian lines, he added.The Ukrainian military may target its own troops in an effort to prevent Russia gaining leverage by taking soldiers captive, a strategy reminiscent of Israels infamous Hannibal directive.The Ukrainian POWs were reportedly being transported by Russia to be exchanged in a planned prisoner swap with Kiev. Ukrainian intelligence officials were informed of the plans and acknowledged the exchange was to take place, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.Sleboda speculated that the apparent Ukrainian snafu could be an effort to discredit Armed Forces commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny as talk emerges the military leader could replace unpopular President Volodymyr Zelensky. In the meantime the incident is seen as a major public relations debacle for the Kiev regime.The entire interview can be heard on Sputniks Fault Lines program with hosts Jamarl Thomas and Melik Abdul on Rumble and various podcast platforms.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231205/ukrainian-military-slaughters-own-soldiers-for-attempting-to-surrender--1115386047.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/algeria-to-request-unsc-meeting-to-implement-icj-ruling-on-israel-1116420190.html

Algeria to Request UNSC Meeting to Implement ICJ Ruling on Israel

Algeria to Request UNSC Meeting to Implement ICJ Ruling on Israel

Sputnik International

TUNIS (Sputnik) - Algeria will request that the United Nations Security Council be convened in the coming days to implement the International Court of Justice... 26.01.2024, Sputnik International

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Earlier in the day, the ICJ ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent acts that fall under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip. Algeria believes that the ICJs ruling will put an end to the "impunity era" in Israels actions against Palestine. Later in the day, a United Nations source told Sputnik that Algeria has requested a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Gaza Strip to be held on January 31.The theme of the meeting is the situation in Gaza and Palestine more broadly in view of the ICJ's order on provisional measures earlier in the day, the source added.Earlier in the month, the US State Department told Sputnik that Washington considered the genocide accusations brought against Israel unfounded. South Africa filed a lawsuit accusing Israel of genocidal intent in Gaza with the ICJ on December 29 in response to a rising civilian death toll in the besieged Palestinian enclave. It sought to prove that Israel's military campaign is genocidal in nature and targets Gazans as a part of the broader Palestinian people.

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Border Standoff Escalates Into Constitutional Crisis After Biden Messes With Texas

Border Standoff Escalates Into Constitutional Crisis After Biden Messes With Texas

Sputnik International

GOP governors from twenty-five states rallied behind Governor Greg Abbott of Texas after he said his states right to self-defense supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary following a Supreme Court ruling allowing federal agents to take down razor wire border barriers put up by state authorities. Heres why the standoff is important.

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Democrats are calling on President Joe Biden to seize control of the Texas National Guard amid Governor Greg Abbotts allegations that the White House has broken the compact between Washington and the states on immigration policy.The Supreme Court ruled in a narrow 5-4 decision Monday authorizing federal Border Patrol agents to remove razor-wire fencing set up by Texas authorities on Abbotts instructions. National Guard troops were earlier deployed to Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas  a community along the Rio Grande River which has become a major hub of illegal immigration from Mexico, and blocked Border Patrol agents from accessing the park. Guard units will continue to protect the sovereignty of our State and hold the line in Shelby Park to deter and prevent unlawful entry into the State of Texas, the National Guard said in a statement.The controversial court ruling has sparked fears of a major constitutional crisis in the United States, with Abbott issuing a Statement on Texas Constitutional Right to Self-Defense, stressing the states right to defend itself against an invasion of illegal immigrants, and accusing President Biden of violating and refusing to enforce immigration laws.Abbotts fellow GOP governors from across more than two dozen states rallied in support of Texas constitutional right to self-defense, with several pledging to send their own National Guard formations to the state if requested to help secure the border. Former president and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump called on all willing states to deploy National Guard units to Texas to prevent the entry of illegals and to remove them back across the border.Other Republicans accused President Biden and Washington of playing with fire. The feds are staging a civil war, and Texas should stand their ground, Louisiana GOP Representative Clay Higgins said in reaction to Mondays court ruling.This opinion is unconscionable and Texas should ignore it on behalf of the [Border Patrol] agents who will be put in a worse position by the opinion and the Biden administrations policies, Texas Republican Representative Chip Roy wrote on social media on Tuesday.Democrat-turned-independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has carried out a series of independent investigations into the border crisis, also praised Texas authorities in their struggle against the feds. Texas is right. Bidens failure to secure the border leaves states no choice but to take matters into their own hands, the candidate wrote in a social media post.The White House has given Texas authorities until Friday to back down, with Lone Star State Attorney General Ken Paxton saying Austin has no plans to comply.What Sparked the Border Standoff?Illegal immigration into the United States through the porous border with Mexico has experienced back-to-back-to-back record-setting numbers over the past three years following President Bidens January 2021 decision to scrap nearly a dozen hardline immigration-related directives instituted by his predecessor. Some 3.2 million illegal aliens were encountered by Border Patrol agents nationwide in fiscal year 2023, up from 2.7 million in 2022, 1.6 million in 2021, and 400,650 in 2020, before Biden entered office.Texas, which makes up about half of the 1,954-mile (3,145 km) border with Mexico, has become the frontline for people, drug, and weapons smuggling, taking the brunt of the economic and social problems associated with the influx, with Governor Abbott announcing a National Guard mission along the frontier in 2021 known as Operation Lone Star. The operation, funded to the tune of $2 billion per year, is designed to slow the flow of illegal immigrants into the US via Texas, and to take a series of measures to secure the border.Last month, Abbott signed a bill to make illegal immigration a state-level crime, allowing state law enforcement to arrest aliens and letting courts issue orders to remove them from the US and send them back to Mexico.How Serious are Texas' Economic and Military Capabilities?The rapid escalation of the standoff between Texas and the feds sets a dangerous precedent amid the deep divisions facing US society and its political establishment. On top of that, Texas is one of the largest and most economically and militarily powerful states in the union, with a population of nearly 30 million people, and an annual GDP of about $2.4 trillion, making it the eighth largest economy in the world in nominal terms.The Texas National Guard has up to 23,000 troops in its ranks, including battle-hardened veterans of US wars overseas, and runs 117 armories across the state storing everything from small arms to MRAP vehicles, Humvees, armored personnel carriers, and tanks. The Texas Air National Guard consists of 4,400 personnel, and operates aircraft including C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, Blackhawk helicopters, MQ-9 Reaper drones, F-16 fighters, and more.Who Has Ultimate Authority Over the National Guard?National Guard forces are under the dual control of individual states and the federal government, with Governor Abbott having the power to deploy the force to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, or be activated in a security crisis.Congress can authorize the president to take command of and use the National Guard to put down insurrections against state governments, tackle threats obstructing federal laws, or take measures to protect civil rights. It can also authorize the federal Armed Forces to carry out similar duties.Does Texas Have a Pro-Independence Streak?Seceding from Mexico in 1836 to form the Republic of Texas before joining the United States in 1846, the Lone Star States residents have a powerful independent streak. Polling on support for independence is not conducted regularly, for obvious reasons, but according to a 2012 Rasmussen poll, 31 percent of Texans said the state has the right to secede, and 18 percent said they would support secession. This number rose to 39 percent Among Republicans, with 16 percent of Democrats supporting the idea, according to separate polling by the University of Texas and the Texas Tribune in 2020.In Texas, were essentially on our own, enforcing our own measures to protect our border, as the federal government seems preoccupied with other issues, Texas-based international geopolitical consultant and author Dr. David Oualaalou told Sputnik earlier this week, addressing the escalating crisis between Austin and Washington.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240103/us-house-speaker-border-situation-part-of-unmitigated-disaster-created-by-biden-1115966587.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/justice-dept-sues-texas-over-law-allowing-police-to-arrest-migrants-entering-us-illegally-1115969171.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/bidens-border-dilemma-mexico-throws-lifeline-to-us-immigration-strategy-1115897226.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240121/bidens-foreign-focus-ignites-domestic-discontent-amid-border-crisis-and-ukraine-funding-1116303425.html

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what's going on in texas, is there a constitutional crisis between texas and us federal government, why are texas and washington in a standoff
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/court-rules-against-trudeaus-draconian-use-of-emergencies-act-in-2022-freedom-convoy-1116395966.html

Court Rules Against Trudeaus Draconian Use of Emergencies Act in 2022 Freedom Convoy

Court Rules Against Trudeaus Draconian Use of Emergencies Act in 2022 Freedom Convoy

Sputnik International

On Tuesday, a Canadian federal court judge ruled that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus use of the 1998 Emergencies Act was not justified in addressing the 2022 Freedom Convoy protests against COVID-19 restrictions.

2024-01-26T03:02+0000

2024-01-26T03:02+0000

2024-01-26T03:02+0000

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life under covid-19 quarantine

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On Tuesday, a Canadian federal court judge ruled that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus use of the 1998 Emergencies Act was not justified in addressing the 2022 Freedom Convoy protests against COVID-19 restrictions. The Emergencies Act enabled authorities to freeze truckers personal and corporate bank accounts and also allowed for the towing of vehicles. Federal Court Justice Richard Mosley said that doing so led to the infringement of constitutional rights. The government will reportedly repeal the result.Dimitri Lascaris, a lawyer and journalist who joined Sputniks The Final Countdown on Thursday, said the implementation of the Emergencies Act to address the 2022 trucker protest in Ottawa was draconian and not necessary.Lascaris added that at the time of the protests he had written two articles analyzing whether or not the Emergencies Actwhich was invoked by Trudeaus government for the first time in historywere necessary or appropriate.If you lose the ability even for a temporary period to access your bank account, you might not be able to pay your rent. You might not be able to buy food. You might not be able to buy medicines. I mean, this is outrageous that they went to this length, Lascaris added. I'm not at all surprised by this decision.Sputniks Jamarl Thomas then asked what other decisions Trudeau could have made to address the truckers' protests that would not have involved invoking the Emergencies Act.Lascaris explained that "under pressure" the police have begun to arrest people they find on that overpass and have charged them with mischief and disturbing the peace. "They don't have to invoke the Emergencies Act to do that. And that's precisely what the cops could have done in Ottawa, they could have gotten out there, started handing out tickets, and told people to clear the streets. If they didn't do that: arrest people, charge them with mischief, charge them with disturbing the peace," he added.Thomas then asked Lascaris why the authorities resorted to using federal power to address the protests in 2022 as opposed to basic policing.It was the height of the pandemic and there was a tremendous amount of antipathy towards people who weren't getting vaccinated. So Trudeau found himself in a situation where he could invoke legislation with widespread public support, he said, adding that many from his left-wing party agreed with Trudeaus decision.As for Trudeau and his partys political future, Lascaris said theyre in trouble.In February of last year, a public inquiry found that the government had acted appropriately when it invoked the Emergencies Act. But the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) and the Canadian Constitution Foundation applied for a judicial review. Political opponents of Trudeau and his party have used Tuesdays decision as a talking point to criticize the prime minister. The Conservative party is currently polling far ahead of the Liberal party in an election that is expected to occur next year.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220219/protesters-rally-in-central-ottawa-as-canada-hit-by-freedom-convoy-demos-1093183813.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240124/canada-judge-rebuke-trudeaus-use-of-emergency-powers-against-2022-freedom-convoy-1116343925.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/houthi-naval-forces-strike-british-oil-ship-in-gulf-of-aden---military-spokesman-1116418807.html

Houthi Naval Forces Strike British Oil Ship in Gulf of Aden - Military Spokesman

Houthi Naval Forces Strike British Oil Ship in Gulf of Aden - Military Spokesman

Sputnik International

Naval forces of the Houthi movement in Yemen attacked a British oil ship in the Gulf of Aden on Friday, and the vessel caught fire after it was hit by a missile, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said.

2024-01-26T20:06+0000

2024-01-26T20:06+0000

2024-01-27T05:03+0000

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"Yemeni naval forces carried out a targeting operation on the British oil ship (MARLIN LUANDA) In the Gulf of Aden, using a number of appropriate naval missiles, the strike was direct, and resulted the burning of the vessel," the spokesman wrote on his Telegram channel.The tanker Marlin Luanda operated by the freight company Trafigura from Denmark has deployed firefighting equipment to suppress a fire reportedly caused by a Houthi missile when the ship was crossing the Gulf of Aden, the company said in a statement to Sputnik.No injuries have been reported as a result of the missile strike, the statement also said.Military ships are currently heading to the Marlin Luanda to provide necessary assistance, the statement added.Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, vowed in November 2023 to attack any ships associated with Israel until that country halts all military actions in the Gaza Strip. The move prompted the United States to announce the creation of a multinational operation to secure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.The United States and the United Kingdom later launched missile strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen in a bid to degrade the rebels' ability to target commercial vessels.

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Some California taxpayers with relatively simple 2023 returns will be able to try out the new Internal Revenue Service Direct File program starting in mid-March, the IRS announced Thursday. Mark Lennihan/Associated Press 2018

Some California taxpayers with relatively simple 2023 returns will be able to try out the new Internal Revenue Service Direct File program starting in mid-March, the IRS announced Thursday.

An IRS official demonstrated it for the media and revealed new details about the pilot program, which will let certain taxpayers in 12 participating states file their taxes directly with the IRS for free rather than using commercial tax preparers, tax-prep software or free volunteer-staffed sites such as AARP Foundation Tax-Aide or the IRS-sponsored VITA.

In New York, Arizona and Massachusetts, Direct File users will be able to automatically transfer information from their federal return into their state tax returns. In California they wont be able to do this, but Direct File will provide a link to CalFile, a state-run program that lets some people electronically prepare and file their state tax return directly with the Franchise Tax Board.

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CalFile prepopulates the users state tax return with information it already has about the person, such as wages filed on W-2 forms or interest reported on Form 1099-INT. It had not been clear whether Direct File would prepopulate the federal form, but based on the demonstration, it will not.

The other eight states participating in the trial dont have state income taxes.

Alaska, which was part of the pilot program when it was first announced in October, is no longer participating.

The IRS also said Thursday that users will need an account with ID.me, a third-party identity-verification company, to participate. People who already established an account with ID.me to access federal and state programs, such as unemployment benefits in California, can use that account for Direct File.

The new program will be available on computers, tablets and smartphones and use an interview process similar to that used by tax-prep software. The IRS began developing the program in-house in May and did not consult tax-software companies.

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The IRS predicts that several hundred thousand people could use it this tax season, which opens Monday. There is no hard limit on the number of people who can use Direct File, but it will be available only to people who live in one of the 12 states and have specific types of income, credits and deductions.

The only types of income allowed are wages reported on Form W-2, Social Security and railroad retirement income, unemployment compensation and $1,500 or less in interest. That excludes people with income from self-employment, pensions, rental property, dividends, capital gains, partnerships, allocated or unreported tips and any other source.

Only people who take the standard deduction can use it; those who itemize deductions cannot. It will, however, let users deduct student loan interest and educator expenses, which are not itemized deductions.

The only tax credits users can claim are the earned income tax credit, child tax credit and the credit for other dependents (such as parents) supported by the taxpayer. That leaves out anyone who claims other credits such as those for child and dependent care expenses, higher education, the Savers credit and the credit for health insurance premiums when purchased through a marketplace such as Covered California.

Although there is no strict income limit, there are additional rules for higher-income households that would exclude them.

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Once their identity has been verified, users will go through seven screens to see whether theyre qualified to use Direct File. An early version of the screener was not well received and completely redesigned, said an IRS official who was not allowed to be named. The new one appears user-friendly and informative. The IRS official said the program was designed to make sure users file an accurate return and dont leave money on the table.

Users will be able to close the program and, when they reopen it, take up where they left off. Those who need technical assistance or answers to basic tax questions can get help from IRS specially trained personnel via live chat, with an option for a follow-up phone call from an IRS employee when needed. Customer support hours will be weekdays from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific time.

Each page of the program will be available in English and Spanish, as will customer support.

The program will be rolled out gradually this tax season. Initially, it will be open only to a small group of government employees who receive an e-mailed invitation from the IRS. If any other taxpayer receives an email asking them to sign up to use Direct File, it is likely a scam, and taxpayers should be cautious, an IRS spokesperson said via email.

The program will be more widely available by mid-March. People who would like to be notified when they can participate will be able to sign up for an alert on a Direct File landing page on IRS.gov. Taxpayers who sign up will receive legitimate emails with updates from the Direct File team. If a taxpayer did not sign up for those notices and receives an email asking them to sign up to use Direct File, it is likely a scam, and taxpayers should be cautious. In any case, all taxpayers should only access Direct File through directfile.irs.gov rather than clicking a link in an email.

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The IRS stressed that this years pilot will remain small and expand in future years based on an analysis of the results.

This will be the first time the IRS will offer guided tax preparation software directly to taxpayers. This is something taxpayer advocates and some members of Congress have desperately wanted for decades. Commercial tax preparers have battled the idea, saying its a waste of taxpayer money when they already offer free software to many low- and middle-income Americans.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/icj-ruling-expected-friday-eu-collapse-1116392564.html

ICJ Ruling Expected Friday, EU Collapse

ICJ Ruling Expected Friday, EU Collapse

Sputnik International

The International Court of Justice is expected to make a ruling on the South Africa genocide complaint on Friday, and the Chinese Defense Ministry has laid bare NATO's international warmongering.

2024-01-26T04:14+0000

2024-01-26T04:14+0000

2024-01-26T10:34+0000

the critical hour

radio

ukraine

fani willis

namibia

yemen

barack obama

nikki haley

nato

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ICJ Ruling Expected Friday; Chinese Defense Ministry Calls NATO a "Walking War Machine; EU Collapse Sputnik International The International Court of Justice is expected to make a ruling on the South Africa genocide complaint on Friday, and the Chinese Defense Ministry has laid bare NATO's international warmongering.

Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss the latest update on the plane crash with Ukrainian prisoners of war and US empire tropes about Russia and China as threats to the empire.Dr. Gerald Horne, Professor of History at the University of Houston, TX, author, historian, and researcher, discusses how The International Court of Justice is expected to make a ruling on the South Africa genocide complaint Friday, and Germany is facing heat from Namibia over their "forgotten genocide."Dr. Tony Monteiro, scholar and activist, joins us to discuss what Black voters are looking for in US policy and Caitlyn Johnstone's article "Gaza Is Exposing Western Liberals For The Frauds They Are."Jon Jeter, journalist and author, discusses Barack Obama's legacy of Black leaders who do not represent their constituents.Jim Kavanagh, political and cultural analyst and writer for Jim Kavanagh's substack and thepolemicist.net, joins us to discuss a UK probe into COVID-19 vaccines that have been postponed indefinitely and the US empire's attacks on Wikileaks.George Koo, journalist, social activist, and international business consultant, joins us to discuss the US Empire using the Philippines and Taiwan as proxies to attack China.Ted Rall, political cartoonist, syndicated columnist, and host of Final Countdown, joins us to discuss the economic implosion of the European Union and the absurd security pact between the UK and Ukraine.Jim Kavanagh, political and cultural analyst and writer for Jim Kavanagh's substack and thepolemicist.net, joins us for an additional segment to discuss the 2024 election as Nikki Haley is now running only on Wall Street donor money, the Fani Willis corruption scandal grows, and Lawfare is used to stop Donald Trump's ascendancy.The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comCatch us in the US at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/jury-list-for-the-stenin-photo-contest-2024-is-in-1116410888.html

Jury List for the Stenin Photo Contest-2024 Is In

Jury List for the Stenin Photo Contest-2024 Is In

Sputnik International

2024 marks the 10th anniversary of The Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest, aimed to promote young photographers and support them as they strive for professional perfection. The 2024 jury team includes laureates and Grand Prix winners from previous years.

2024-01-26T18:42+0000

2024-01-26T18:42+0000

2024-01-26T18:42+0000

russia

andrei stenin

alexei orlov

russia

china

south africa

rossiya segodnya

unesco

vgtrk

sputnik

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The international jury is represented by two Italian photographers, Danilo Garcia Di Meo and Gabriele Cecconi, and Turkish photojournalist Sebnem Coskun.Di Meos photo series "Letizia, A Story of an Invisible Life" won the Grand Prix in 2016, Cecconis series "The Wretched and the Earth" won the top prize in back 2019, and Coskuns single shot "New danger to life below water: COVID-19 waste" got the highest award in 2021.Alyona Kochetkova and Alexei Orlov represent Russia on the jury board. Their emotionally striking and impactful series "How I fell ill" and "Blaze" won the Grand Prix in 2018 and 2023 respectively.Alyona Kochetkova"Being part of the jury at the Stenin jubilee contest is very important to me. For the past decade, the contest has been an excellent platform for photographers from different countries. In 2018, I won the Grand Prix. This supported me a great deal and opened up many doors. Thanks to the contest, my works have received international acclaim.Alexei Orlov"Firstly, I would like to congratulate all those involved with the anniversary of the Andrei Stenin contest. Today, it is the most important contest in photojournalism for young photographers. I hope that the contest goes on discovering new names and sharing truly important stories of different people and their lives through authors work for years to come. Its impossible to overstate its significance. I am confident that the 10th anniversary contest will give the audience top-of-the-game outstanding photos from around the world.Gabriele Cecconi"Having received the Grand Prix, and now being among the jury is a great chance to give back to both the photographers and the contest what I received back in 2019. It is great to have a chance to see the works of this years contestants and give my take on it, to support the best works of young photographers from all over the world who will take part in it. I hope that the contest will show the complexity and agility of the modern world that forms the very language of photojournalism, aimed at accurately expressing the essence of this years most significant events."Sebnem Coskun"We try to cover most important events, to make them known and more recognizable to a greater public. As a photojournalist, I assume my role with great responsibility."Now our task is to be the middleman between the contestants and the audience, give their works a way forward. We are hopping on the journey of pictures from different parts of the world, this will be truly exciting."Danilo Garcia Di Meo"Joining the jury team of the Stenin contest, a prestigious international competition that has celebrated the best works of young photographers from all over the world for a decade now, is both an honor and a huge opportunity. Speaking as someone who has won prizes here for various stories over the years, the contest means a lot to me. The awarded stories had a social impact on the parts of society they were dedicated to.This Years DetailsAs always, registration for the contest opened on December 22  the date of Andrei Stenins birthday. Participants aged 18 to 33 can submit their applications in Russian, English or Chinese. Applications are open until 15 March 2024.The Stenin contest also maintains the tradition of displaying the winners photos throughout Russia and abroad too. Winners exhibitions have travelled to China, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, the Congo, Turkiye, Lebanon, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Poland and Egypt.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231019/winners-of-2023-andrei-stenin-contest-announced-in-moscow-1114313725.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221219/four-correspondents-win-prestigious-rt-award-for-coverage-of-conflict-in-ukraine-1105618704.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/natos-steadfast-defender-2024-may-be-used-as-cover-for-giving-more-arms-to-ukraine--expert-1116413025.html

NATO's Steadfast Defender 2024 May be Used as Cover for Giving More Arms to Ukraine  Expert

NATO's Steadfast Defender 2024 May be Used as Cover for Giving More Arms to Ukraine  Expert

Sputnik International

NATO has kicked off Steadfast Defender 2024, the alliance's largest exercise in decades involving approximately 90,000 forces from 31 allies and Sweden. Could it be used to provide further military assistance to Ukraine?

2024-01-26T16:56+0000

2024-01-26T16:56+0000

2024-01-26T16:56+0000

military & intelligence

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On Wednesday, the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) departed Naval Station Norfolk to participate in NATO's large-scale Steadfast Defender 2024 exercises which will continue until May 31, 2024 and will take part from the High North to Central and Eastern Europe.According to the alliance's website, the drills are aimed at showing NATO's ability to "deploy forces rapidly from North America and other parts of the Alliance to reinforce the defense of Europe."Serbian military expert Edin Subasic has suggested that "the drills could also become a cover for the delivery of new strategic assistance to Ukraine: the military equipment involved could subsequently remain with Kiev."Vasily Dandykin, a captain 1st rank reserve and military expert, does not rule this possibility out.The expert pointed out that the US military routinely stockpiles weapons necessary for the drills at their base in Germany to save both time and money.The expert said some of the weapons could be transferred to Ukraine via Germany and Poland. However, European powers have already depleted their weapons stockpiles and they are seeking to replenish them in the first place, he added. Although orders for new arms and ammunition have already been placed, the production will take time. Given that tensions are growing about giving away any new military equipment to Kiev, according to the expert.In addition, the largest ever military drills could also be used to try to draw some Russian forces away from the zone of the special military operation, per Dandykin. Presently, the Russian military are steadily continuing to improve their strategic positions along the entire front line. "Things are pretty bad now [for the Ukrainian military] there," he concluded.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240125/kremlin-on-nato-exercises-russia-knows-against-who-they-held-1116383812.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240125/what-weapons-will-west-supply-to-ukraine-in-2024-1116386809.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/prudent-or-war-psychosis-what-are-prospects-for-european-military-1116396900.html

Prudent or War Psychosis: What Are Prospects for European Military?

Prudent or War Psychosis: What Are Prospects for European Military?

Sputnik International

Online media outlet Politico published a highly imaginative piece of speculative fiction Wednesday with an article envisioning a future war between Russia and NATO.

2024-01-26T03:36+0000

2024-01-26T03:36+0000

2024-01-26T03:36+0000

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Online media outlet Politico published a highly imaginative piece of speculative fiction Wednesday with an article envisioning a future war between Russia and NATO. In the year 2027, US President Donald Trump has abandoned the longstanding military alliance in author Laura Kayalis framing of events. Conflict explodes when Russian forces, for reasons not fully explained, venture into the Baltic republics with an invasion of Estonia.Veteran analyst Dr. Alessandro Politi opined on the websites exercise in creative writing, calling it more campaign bluster than serious analysis. Still, talk has persisted for decades of an integrated European military force capable of defending the continent. Politi spoke with Sputnik about the prospects of a European military and the major roadblocks such a proposal would face.Firstly, the idea would face serious practical and economic challenges, according to Politi. There is an example of how a European army today would look, said the Luxembourg-based strategist. It's like the Ukrainian army today  a logistical nightmare. Bottom line is it's not so much about spending more, but about spending better, which means we have to standardize our armaments.Politi noted the idea would likely prove unpopular with European defense industries because it would reduce profits. Weapons manufacturers would earn less income from producing a smaller selection of widely-adopted armaments produced by other companies throughout the continent. Recently, British arms industry exports ballooned to over $10 billion annually, representing an important part of the countrys economy.Still Politi said standardizing is not any more an optional choice for European military planners, insisting, it is a must.An integrated European military would also face substantial political barriers. Politi said the creation of NATO had gone some way in reconciling military culture throughout the continent, calling it a great amalgamator. But he claimed more progress was necessary.Further, he insisted a compulsory draft would be necessary to fight off any significant threat to the continent  a highly controversial proposal. Even the best professional army doesn't simply keep up with the losses that happen on battlefields, the analyst claimed. If people talk about scenarios and then they say, well, we have just to procure more weapons, I think they are deluding themselves.Politi also noted that internal politics in countries like France and Greece had threatened military cooperation throughout the continent in the past, and such tensions could do so again.But the analyst concluded that the marker of success in military integration is not ultimately measured in soldiers recruited or Euros spent, but in whether peace prevails.Historical events since the 1990s may leave some observers to conclude the reciprocal nature of Cold War deterrence is at risk, with the United States fomenting the Euromaidain coup in Ukraine and NATO recklessly expanding towards Russia. If the balance of power is upset, one party naturally seeks to take advantage of the situation. Therefore the true way to peace may lie in restoring mutual respect between Russia and the West.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230312/appalling-state-of-european-defense--its-dependence-on-us-laid-bare-by-ukrainian-conflict-1108303731.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230325/putin-wests-weapons-supply-to-ukraine-wont-be-enough-to-outgun-russia-1108787875.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231121/euromaidan-color-revolution-that-brought-ukraine-to-ruin-1115104905.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/putin-fragments-from-il-76-plane-crash-show-missile-system-of-western-origin-1116412817.html

Putin: Fragments From Il-76 Plane Crash Show Missile System of Western Origin

Putin: Fragments From Il-76 Plane Crash Show Missile System of Western Origin

Sputnik International

On January 24, 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down a Russian Il-76 military transport plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners for exchange over the Belgorod region. All the prisoners on board, as well as six crew members and three escorts, were killed  a total of 74 people

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Ordnance found at the Il-76 crash site shows an air defense system of French or US origin was used to shoot it down, Russian President Vladimir Putin.The origin of the missiles will be clear in a matter of days, Putin told a meeting with students participating in the special military operation in St. Petersburg.He said it was obvious that the missiles that shot down the Russian Il-76 aircraft in the Belgorod region were launched from Kiev-controlled territories. "I do not know if they did it on purpose or by mistake, thoughtlessly, but it is obvious that they did it... because two missile launches were recorded from territories controlled by the Kiev regime," Putin said.The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine knew that their prisoners of war on board the Russian Il-76 aircraft, the president noted."The whole Kiev regime today is based on crimes that are committed on a daily basis. Including in relation to their own citizens... Our Il-76 plane was shot down with their own military personnel... The [Ukrainian] Main Intelligence Directorate knew that we were transporting military personnel there, 65 people, with planned 190 in total, as far as I remember. And knowing this, they struck the plane," Putin said.Commenting on the ongoing investigation of the IL-76 aircraft crash in Russia's Belgorod Region, he stated that its results will be made public "to the maximum" so that Ukrainians could find out what happened.On Wednesday, the Il-76 transport aircraft with 65 Ukrainian PoWs being transported for exchange crashed in Russia's Belgorod Region, the Russian Ministry of Defense said. All the PoWs, along with six crew members and three accompanying persons on board died. Russian Ministry accused the Ukrainian forces of downing the plane.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240125/il-76-provocation-setting-zelensky-up-for-fall-at-time-of-uss-choosing-1116387322.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/putin-meets-with-student-recruits-who-participated-in-special-military-operation-1116405350.html

Putin Meets With Student Recruits Who Participated in Special Military Operation

Putin Meets With Student Recruits Who Participated in Special Military Operation

Sputnik International

Sputnik goes live as Russian President Vladimir Putin meets in Saint Petersburg with Russian students who took part in the military conflict with Ukraine. The students are currently on study leave from the conflict zone.

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Sputnik is live as Russian President Vladimir Putin meets in Saint Petersburg with students who have taken part in the conflict in Ukraine. The students are currently on study leave from the special military operation zone.Many students from Russian universities continue to actively participate in volunteer and humanitarian missions, as well as serve in the special military operation zone.Follow Sputniks live feed to learn more!

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Putin is holding a meeting with students participating in the conflict in Ukraine. Sputnik International Putin is holding a meeting with students participating in the conflict in Ukraine. 2024-01-26T15:13+0000 true PT91M09S

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/russian-armed-forces-to-receive-36000-pieces-of-equipment-165-million-weapons-in-2024---mod-1116403744.html

Russian Armed Forces to Receive 36,000 Pieces of Equipment, 16.5 Million Weapons in 2024 - MoD

Russian Armed Forces to Receive 36,000 Pieces of Equipment, 16.5 Million Weapons in 2024 - MoD

Sputnik International

The Russian Armed Forces will receive this year from the defense industry enterprises more than 36,000 basic samples of military equipment, 16.5 million means of combat, this is many times more than in the previous two years, said Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko.

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The Russian Armed Forces will receive more than 36,000 pieces of military equipment and 16.5 million weapons this year, Deputy Defense Minister Alexey Krivoruchko said. This is many times more than in the previous two years, the official added.He noted that production processes are under careful control:"In the Russian Ministry of Defense, there is 24-hour control over all stages of production and timely delivery of priority pieces of military equipment to the area of the special military operation. Video surveillance systems have been installed in the assembly shops involved in the production of final products and in the main component suppliers, which allow 24-hour monitoring of the work being performed and the number of production personnel involved," Krivoruchko explained.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240123/russia-completes-tests-of-new-anti-drone-missiles---source--1116325074.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/scott-ritter-people-of-new-regions-are-russians-in-their-hearts-and-souls-1116408692.html

Scott Ritter: People of New Regions are Russians in Their Hearts and Souls

Scott Ritter: People of New Regions are Russians in Their Hearts and Souls

Sputnik International

Former US Marine Corps intelligence officer Scott Ritter traveled to Russia in December for what became almost a month-long visit to get a sense of how the country is standing up to Western sanctions pressure, and to visit the regions which became part of Russia after referendums held in 2022. Ritter shared his impressions with Sputnik.

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Moscow can safely disregard Western criticism of its decision to incorporate the Donbass, Kherson and Zaporozhye into Russia, as the people who live in these territories consider themselves Russians, Scott Ritter says.There's no doubt that the Russian decision to 'annex' these four territories was greeted with controversy around the world, especially by those nations that constitute the so-called collective West, who have turned the Russian conflict with Ukraine into a proxy war between Russia and the collective West, the goal of whichis the destruction of Russia, Ritter told Sputnik.The Donetsk and Lugansk Peoples Republics and much of Kherson and Zaporozhye became part of Russia the fall of 2022 after referendums on their status organized in September of that year.Russia has allocated significant resources to the new regions, including for reconstruction of areas damaged over the course of the ongoing conflict with the NATO-sponsored Ukrainian army, with nearly 90 percent of the population of the new regions receiving Russian passports in 2023 and the government taking steps to incorporate them into Russias legal system. Well over 90 percent of residents in Donetsk and Lugansk, 87 percent of residents of Kherson, and 93 percent of residents in Zaporozhye voted in favor of breaking off from Ukraine and becoming part of Russia, with voter turnout ranging from 76.86 percent to 97.51 percent.The four regions withstood a large-scale Ukrainian counteroffensive last summer, with the countrys US and European armed and trained forces failing to break through Russian defensive positions and suffering horrific losses in the process.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231112/ukraine-should-eye-land-for-peace-deal-as-any-game-change-unlikely---ex-nato-admiral-1114900748.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/south-african-suit-against-israel-could-open-the-floodgates-of-accountability-for-colonial-powers-1116395241.html

South African Suit Against Israel Could 'Open the Floodgates' of Accountability for Colonial Powers

South African Suit Against Israel Could 'Open the Floodgates' of Accountability for Colonial Powers

Sputnik International

South Africas case could be the first of many to hold Western powers responsible for the crimes of colonialism, imperialism, and genocide.

2024-01-26T01:22+0000

2024-01-26T01:22+0000

2024-01-28T00:01+0000

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South Africas genocide suit against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) could prove to be a watershed moment for efforts to hold Western countries accountable for their historical crimes. Thats according to author and historian Dr. Gerald Horne who joined Sputniks The Critical Hour program as reports emerged that the ICJ plans to make a ruling on South Africas case Friday.If that order is issued it will then go to the Security Council, where it will likely face a veto from Israel's protector  speaking of the United States of America, explained the University of Houston professor. But it does not necessarily stop there because with some maneuvering, it's possible that ICJ opinion can be forwarded to the General Assembly of the United Nations, that is to say, 190-plus member states.Horne claimed a ruling in favor of an emergency injunction against Israel would be a significant development, as the decision could form the basis for increased pressure and even sanctions on the country. The verdict would also be a setback for the United States which has repeatedly defended Israels conduct in Gaza while serving as its allys chief supplier of military aid.The author claimed the United States is already flexing its diplomatic muscle to discredit South Africa.Horne said Nigeria has historically remained more neutral on the Palestinian question, perhaps owing to anti-Islamic sentiment. He claimed Blinkens visits to countries like Nigeria and Angola were designed to isolate South Africa, noting the United States long history of interference across the continent. The United States worked with apartheid South Africa in the 1970s in an attempt to prevent anticolonial forces from coming to power in Angola.Recently Namibias President Hage Geingob made headlines when he slammed Germanys intervention in the ICJ on behalf of Israel. The president noted Berlin has repeatedly refused to provide reparations to Namibia for their genocide of the Namaqua and Herero people in the early twentieth century.Host Garland Nixon asked if the development illustrates the potential for countries of the Global South to band together and file claims in the ICJ seeking justice for the historical abuses of European colonial powers.Horne expressed optimism that South Africa might in turn side with African American groups to file a claim against the United States for carrying out a genocide against Black Americans. He recalled that the idea was suggested by American civil rights activist Paul Robeson in 1950.Robeson was persecuted by the US government for his socialist politics and outspoken defense of the Soviet Union. The legendary musician was one of a number of civil rights advocates targeted by US intelligence, including Malcolm X and Fred Hampton, who was assassinated on orders from the FBI. US agencies also famously surveilled Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., monitoring his correspondence and sending him anonymous threats.In 1999, a jury found that the US federal government was likely involved in a conspiracy to assassinate the consequential civil rights leader.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231201/genocide-becomes-functional-when-israel-us-deny-palestinian-existence---academic-1115335342.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231121/ex-cia-analyst-us-responsible-for-gaza-genocide-by-empowering-netanyahu--1115100230.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/texas-governor-says-prepared-for-conflict-with-us-government-over-border-barriers-1116418441.html

Texas Governor Says Prepared for Conflict With US Government Over Border Barriers

Texas Governor Says Prepared for Conflict With US Government Over Border Barriers

Sputnik International

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said on Friday that he is prepared for a conflict with federal authorities over a legal dispute about barriers placed along the states portion of the US border with Mexico.

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"We are prepared, in the event that that unlikely event does occur, just to make sure that we will be able to continue exactly what weve been doing over the past month, and that is building these barriers," Abbott said in an interview with Tucker Carlson, when asked about the potential for the federal government to take over the Texas National Guard. On Monday, the US Supreme Court issued a temporary order allowing federal Border Patrol agents to remove physical border barriers placed by Texas. However, Abbott maintains that Texas has the constitutional authority to protect its borders, due to the federal governments failure to address the flow of illegal migrants into the United States. Earlier on Friday, the Border Patrol Union said that its federal agents will not arrest Texas National Guard members for following their lawful orders. Rank-and-file Border Patrol agents "appreciate and respect" Texas actions, the statement said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/border-standoff-escalates-into-constitutional-crisis-after-biden-messes-with-texas-1116406788.html

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A member of the San Francisco Public Works power-washes at the 16th Street Mission BART plaza on Jan. 23. City data says crime in the area has dropped since a temporary ban on street vending on Mission Street took effect in late November. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Sixty days into San Franciscos temporary ban on street vending on Mission Street, city officials are touting its success, pointing to declining emergency calls in the busy commercial corridor and the policys overwhelming popularity with merchants.

Illegal vendors have crowded the two BART station plazas and surrounding sidewalks for more than a year, peddling what appear to be stolen goods. Residents and business owners have complained about these unpermitted displays of clothes, shoes, toiletries and other items, saying they create chaos and attract lawlessness.

City data provided by Mayor London Breeds office showed that the number of assaults reported to police on the 13 blocks of Mission Street covered by the ban dropped 22% since the policy took effect in late November. Robberies reported to police fell by nearly 50%, officials said.

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City officials believed that the declines were linked to the vending ban, though its unclear from the data whether street vendors were involved in the reported incidents. The data also did not specify whether multiple 911 calls and police reports were made about the same incidents.

For a long time, the Mission has been dealing with serious challenges around unpermitted street vending and surrounding illegal behavior, which was hurting residents, merchants, city workers, and the entire neighborhood, Breed said in a statement. By taking action in the neighborhood, were creating a cleaner, safer Mission Street.

Public Works reported a 23% decrease in 311 service requests for street cleaning during the bans first 60 days, according to city data.

A city survey of 192 brick-and-mortar businesses on and near Mission Street found that 76% wanted the temporary ban to continue, while more than half said they feel the corridor is safer. Nearly half noticed an increase in foot traffic at their shops, according to city data.

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A police officer, left, tends to an injured man as a member of the San Francisco Public Works clean the 16th Mission Street BART plaza on Jan. 23. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

On a recent afternoon, teams of police officers and San Francisco Public Works inspectors kept watch over the neighborhoods two BART station plazas, where areas once overrun with vendors selling stolen goods on tarps and folding tables had been emptied out. Around 4 p.m., a Public Works crew equipped with power washers arrived to blast the plazas clean as commuters dodged the spray.

Supervisor Hillary Ronen, who represents the Mission District, said she made the ban her offices primary initiative after previously expressing fear that conditions in the Mission were beginning to resemble those in the Tenderloin, one of the citys most troubled districts.

On Thursday, she called initial results extremely promising and said the vending ban had boosted cleanliness and public safety in the neighborhood.

It is working, Ronen said Thursday in an interview.

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The police presence had significantly reduced illegal vending in the area, she said, noting that the fencing operations that remained were not as large and blatant and overwhelming as before.

Ronen said the ban had not yet been successful in changing the culture in the area when police and inspectors are off duty. The teams patrol 9 a.m.-8 p.m. each weekday and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on weekends. Without those roving patrols, street conditions revert back to how it was, Ronen said.

The ban was intended to last for 90 days, so it would expire in February. It remains unclear whether the city will continue to enforce it after that.

A teddy bear, purses and other items for sale lay on a blanket outside the 24th Street BART Station in the Mission. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

But the expense of maintaining the ban may be prohibitive. The city is facing difficult budget challenges this year as officials try to close a projected $800 million two-year deficit driven in part by downtowns well-known economic struggles.

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City officials in multiple departments as well as the mayors office could not provide information about how much its cost so far to enforce the ban.

Ronen called it a huge undertaking with huge staff resources expended, but referred questions to the mayors office, which declined to comment on cost.

San Francisco Police Department spokesperson Evan Sernoffsky said the department rearranged patrols in the Mission District to accommodate the bans staffing needs, but that it did not require additional overtime.

Many merchants said they were hopeful the ban will continue past its planned expiration date.

At Kitava, a fast-casual restaurant across from the 16th Street BART Station whose entrance was once frequently clotted with street vendors, general manager Neil Mitchell has noticed an uptick in customers choosing to dine in rather than order takeout.

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Its been amazing, just night and day, Mitchell said. It feels a lot safer. You can walk down the sidewalk now.

Mitchell said customers can better access his restaurant, previously hidden by vendors crowding the sidewalks with tarps, folding tables and makeshift shops.

Girlie Franche, manager of Dollar and Up, said the ban has boosted sales at her brick-and-mortar store by preventing street vendors from siphoning off customers and undercutting her prices.

Vendors sell food next to a police car parked in the plaza outside the 24th Street BART Station on Tuesday in the Mission District. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

At Aramex Restaurant, where servers dished up steaming bowls of caldo de res, manager Jose Garcia said the police presence had made the streets cleaner and diminished the number of people sneaking into the restaurant bathroom.

But while daytime street conditions had measurably improved, some vending resumed at night, when police and inspectors are off the clock.

At dusk on a recent evening, vendors selling toiletries out of a suitcase camped out near the 16th Street BART Station plaza. Shortly after the ban ended at 8 p.m., the vendors moved their wares to the middle of the plaza.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/the-second-us-civil-war-1116409233.html

The Second US Civil War?

The Second US Civil War?

Sputnik International

We may well be witnessing a pivotal moment in history - a letter of support for Texas Governor Abbott, in his defiance of the federal regime, has been published and signed by governors of half the states in the very disunited United States.

2024-01-26T14:37+0000

2024-01-26T14:37+0000

2024-01-26T14:37+0000

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texas governor greg abbott

joe biden

texas

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greg abbott

us

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These governors have also offered to send their National Guard troops to Texas, to support the Texas National Guard. What was just last week a legal dispute between the governor of Texas and the federal regime has now become a very real confrontation between Washington and 25 states. These states include all of the states who joined the Confederacy in the US Civil War, as well as some states that were on the Yankee side, and other states that were not even states back in 1861.The Governor's statement read, in part, "We stand in solidarity with our fellow Governor, Greg Abbott, and the State of Texas in utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border," the governors said in a statement. "We do it in part because the Biden Administration is refusing to enforce immigration laws already on the books and is illegally allowing mass parole across America of migrants who entered our country illegally." It was signed by the governors of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.Trump has also spoken in support of Governor Abbot's defiance of the federal order, saying, "Instead of fighting to protect our Country from this onslaught, Biden is, unbelievably, fighting to tie the hands of Governor Abbott and the State of Texas, so that the Invasion continues unchecked. In the face of this National Security, Public Safety, and Public Health Catastrophe, Texas has rightly invoked the Invasion Clause of the Constitution, and must be given full support to repel the Invasion."In view of the speed and intensity with which this dispute has escalated, there is no telling how far and how fast it could go. Of course, there is one alternative that could satisfy both sides and avoid confrontation, but Biden and his masters have, so far at least, proven too stupid or pernicious to accept. Biden recently sent his underlings to Mexico to ask Mexican President Obrador (known as "AMLO" for help sealing the border on the Mexican side of the border). President Obrador agreed in principle, but had four demands in return - the ending of the US blockade of Cuba, dropping all sanctions against Venezuela, legal work status for 10 million Latino immigrants already in the US, and a $20 billion development fund from the US for Central American and Caribbean countries. If $20 billion seems like a lot, it should be remembered that that is the amount the US federal government has spent on refugee resettlement in the US in only the last 2 years. Twenty billion spent on improving and developing the countries that a majority of refugees come from would go a long way towards substantially reducing the number of people who become economic refugees in the first place. AMLO's other 3 demands are pragmatic, moral, and virtually cost free. Only a fool or someone who was bent upon intentionally escalating the crisis could refuse to take these common sense measures, but guess who has refused, and engendered a crisis instead, constitutional and otherwise.This situation is a powder keg, waiting for a spark, just as the Maidan in Ukraine was ten years ago. Governor Abbott and Joe Bidenare about as far from being Russians as anyone can get, and no sane person can find any way at all to blame this on Russia, though some not-so-sane people will probably try. But the people of Texas (and of the states supporting Texas) have much more in common with the people of Donbass than they may realize. Texas fought and won a revolution against a despotic Mexican government, and then for ten years was its own Republic, before joining its bigger neighbor to the North, almost exactly as the Donbass Republics have done. Perhaps, just as AMLO has taken a page from Putin's diplomatic playbook, the people of Texas will take a page from the revolutionary playbook of the people of Donbass. We will soon see. But one thing for certain, this is how real revolutions start. If the Biden regime continues to escalate this crisis, it could quickly and easily eclipse the festering wars the US is already involved in Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, Syria and Iraq. They will have much bigger problems with the war at home. Sooner or later, the chickens come home to roost.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/border-standoff-escalates-into-constitutional-crisis-after-biden-messes-with-texas-1116406788.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/ukraine-loses-over-1960-soldiers-19-tanks-near-donetsk---mod-1116412169.html

Ukraine Loses Over 1,960 Soldiers, 19 Tanks Near Donetsk - MoD

Ukraine Loses Over 1,960 Soldiers, 19 Tanks Near Donetsk - MoD

Sputnik International

The Ukrainian military has lost 1,960 soldiers killed and injured near Donetsk in the past week, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on Friday.

2024-01-26T15:49+0000

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2024-01-26T15:50+0000

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Russia repelled 12 Ukraine attacks in the Donetsk region near the settlements of Andreevka, Belogorovka, Gregorievka, Kleshcheevka, Kurdyumovka, Mayorsk, Chasov Yar. Russia repelled 43 attacks and Kiev lost over 740 soldiers in the Kupyansk area in the past week, the ministry added. "The enemy lost over 740 soldiers, seven tanks, seven armored combat vehicles, 18 vehicles and 14 field artillery pieces," the ministry said. The Ukrainian military lost over 450 soldiers in the Zaporozhye region and 745 soldiers in South Donetsk in the past week, the ministry said. Russian forces repelled 17 attacks and Ukraine lost 1,570 servicemen in the Krasny Liman area, the ministry said, adding that the Ukranian armed forces suffered 335 casualties in Kherson.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/russian-forces-urge-ukrainians-to-surrender-1116401779.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/us-attempts-to-sideline-russia-under-black-sea-security-strategy-wont-work--military-expert-1116414137.html

US Attempts to Sideline Russia Under Black Sea Security Strategy Won't Work  Military Expert

US Attempts to Sideline Russia Under Black Sea Security Strategy Won't Work  Military Expert

Sputnik International

Washington is developing a new Black Sea strategy envisaging bolstering the US and NATO role in the region, as Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Jim O'Brien announced at a German Marshall Fund meeting on January 25.

2024-01-26T17:20+0000

2024-01-26T17:20+0000

2024-01-26T17:20+0000

us

black sea

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opinion

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german marshall fund

nato

ukraine

russia

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Assistant Secretary of State O'Brien, who oversees US relations with Europe and Eurasia, visited the German Marshall Fund on Thursday to discuss 2024 US priorities in Europe, including backing Ukraine and "widening European integration."During his speech, O'Brien placed special emphasis on the strategic importance of the Black Sea to the US and NATO, stressing that the development of a grand design to ensure security in the region is underway. He pointed out that meetings had been held with Turkiye and other littoral states.What's Behind US Plans to Create Strategic Dominance in the Black Sea?It was not the first time that O'Brien has pushed the idea of beefing up US/NATO presence in the region. On October 25, 2023, the US official testified before the US Senate's Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation. He claimed that the Ukraine conflict is "a very good bargain" for the US as it gives Washington a unique opportunity to increase NATO's military presence in the Black Sea, including the region's lands, airspace, and waters, while "Ukrainians are paying the bulk of the cost" by fighting with Russians.The Biden administration is considering the idea of redrawing the energy map of the Black Sea region altogether, as Edward Hunt, a PhD in American Studies from the College of William & Mary, has written in his op-ed for Foreign Policy in Focus. Hunt noted that the idea of the "Southern Gas Corridor" through the Black Sea was recently touted by State Department official Geoffrey Pyatt, who served as a US ambassador to Ukraine at the time of the 2014 coup d'etat in Kiev and who now leads US energy diplomacy. Per Pyatt, "the redrawing of the energy map around the Black Sea thats taking place" envisages "new pipeline infrastructure", in particular, "the Southern Gas Corridor to bring gas from Central Asia to European consumers."'NATO's Expanding in All Directions'Meanwhile, Dandykin pointed out that Washington's expansionist plans are not limited to the Black Sea:"The fact is that the strengthening of the United States and NATO  first of all, the United States  in all directions has become the general concept," the military expert stressed, adding that the US has recently expanded its continental shelf (including in the Arctic region) to about one million square kilometers  an area twice the size of California.Dandykin emphasized that Washington appears to have benefitted the most from the Ukrainian conflict and sanctions spree. The US forced Europe to decouple from Russia and at least partially filled the latter's shoes. The American military-industrial complex is now working "at full capacity" to replenish the allies' depleted weapons stockpiles, as their obsolete weapons have been burned down in Ukraine.How Will Russia React to US Black Sea Strategy?The US and their NATO allies have been trying to enhance their operations in the Black Sea, the military expert noted, referring in particular to Western surveillance drones flying in close proximity to Crimea.Russia has repeatedly warned the US against meddling in the Ukraine conflict. On the morning of 14 March 2023, a Russian Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept an American MQ-9 Reaper drone. The latter eventually crashed into the Black Sea after conducting a botched maneuver.Dandykin pointed out that no matter how brazen the US and its NATO allies may behave, they are fully aware that they are risking nothing short of a nuclear war with Russia.Washington's Black Sea strategy obviously won't go unnoticed by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the expert continued, adding that Russia is ready for all potential scenarios. He noted that a lot depends on how Black Sea littoral states, especially Turkiye, will react to Team Biden's Black Sea initiatives. Ankara has so far demonstrated its firm position by closing off the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits to warships from any country, whether or not they border the Black Sea, after the beginning of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine. Besides, a new conflict in the Middle East over Israel's Gaza war may also influence the balance of power in the region. So, Russia is likely to take a wait-and-see approach and it won't add fuel to the fire as its American counterparts are presently doing overseas, Dandykin noted.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240111/ukraine-claims-to-hold-talks-with-nato-on-using-alliance-ships-to-protect-black-sea-routes-1116114553.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/natos-steadfast-defender-2024-may-be-used-as-cover-for-giving-more-arms-to-ukraine--expert-1116413025.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240123/germany-cant-afford-rearmament-let-alone-a-war-with-russia-1116337756.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240108/watch-russian-black-sea-fleet-take-on-enemy-uavs-sea-drones-during-drills-1116051985.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/us-iraq-to-reportedly-hold-talks-soon-on-ending-american-foothold-1116398197.html

US, Iraq to Reportedly Hold Talks 'Soon' on Ending American Foothold

US, Iraq to Reportedly Hold Talks 'Soon' on Ending American Foothold

Sputnik International

In 2021 the United States 20-year war in Afghanistan finally came to a close with the final withdrawal of American troops from the country. Now another long-running US conflict could be about to end with the United States reportedly set to begin talks on pulling out of Iraq.

2024-01-26T04:14+0000

2024-01-26T04:14+0000

2024-01-26T04:42+0000

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In 2021 the United States 20-year war in Afghanistan finally came to a close with the final withdrawal of American troops from the country. Now, another long-running US conflict could be about to end with the United States reportedly set to begin talks on pulling out of Iraq.US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the development on Thursday, following through on an agreement made between the two countries last year. The US-Iraq Higher Military Commission will include representatives from both the United States and Iraq and will focus on moving toward an enduring bilateral security partnership according to Austin.The US reportedly informed the Iraqi foreign minister Fuad Hussein of the plans in a letter on Wednesday.The announcement comes as American troops throughout the Middle East have faced attacks amidst US support for Israels deadly military operation in the besieged Gaza Strip. The United States has vigorously defended Israel at the United Nations and in other international venues while providing the country with billions of dollars in lethal aid.The death toll in the territory has reached nearly 26,000 Palestinians according to the latest numbers released by local authorities. Its been revealed that women and children make up about 70% of the casualties.The Iraqi government has faced substantial domestic pressure to ensure an end to the US presence in the country. Meanwhile, attacks on US troops continue throughout the region amidst strong opposition to US support for Israel.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240109/us-will-only-be-thrown-out-of-iraq-kicking-and-screaming-heres-why-1116082347.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231107/more-us-troops-suffer-brain-injuries-as-militias-ramp-up-attacks-on-bases-in-iraq-syria-1114793801.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/us-push-to-cut-dependence-on-russian-uranium-ploy-to-form-cartel-to-strong-arm-sellers--1116399374.html

US Push to Cut Dependence on Russian Uranium, Ploy to Form Cartel to Strong-Arm Sellers

US Push to Cut Dependence on Russian Uranium, Ploy to Form Cartel to Strong-Arm Sellers

Sputnik International

The prospects of a joint plan by the US, France, Canada, Japan and the UK to cut reliance on Russian nuclear fuel are "vague," and bring to mind OPEC oil cartel, but with the conditions reversed, Alexey Anpilogov told Sputnik.

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2024-01-26T15:05+0000

2024-01-26T15:05+0000

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The prospects of a joint association by the US, France, Canada, Japan and the UK to cut reliance on Russian nuclear fuel sound "vague," and bring to mind the renowned OPEC oil cartel, but with the conditions reversed, Alexey Anpilogov, military analyst and head of the Foundation center, told Sputnik.Of the five countries that have joined the US plans to create a unified international nuclear fuel supply chain, only one country  Canada  has significant natural uranium resources, said the expert. He added that the remaining four are net consumers of uranium, and almost all, except for the US, do not even have significant reserves for mining uranium on their soil.Considering that in this version of the consortium there are four uranium consumers, and one producer, believe that the prospects for this association are extremely vague, said Alexey Anpilogov.Washington continues to push politically-motivated schemes to cut its dependence on nuclear fuel sourced from Russia. The US appears to have wheedled several G7 counties, namely, France, Canada, Japan and the UK, to get on board with its plans. Together, they have pledged $4.2bn to boost enrichment and conversion capacity.It should be noted that despite Washingtons push to end purchases of Russian energy exports around the globe, US consumers have acquired 3,142 metric tons of comparatively inexpensive uranium products from Russia between the first quarter of 2018 and the third quarter of 2023, as per data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. More than a fifth of the fuel used by nuclear reactors in the United States is supplied through enrichment contracts with Russia, predominantly its state nuclear corporation Rosatom.Rosatom is the worlds largest enricher of uranium, with 43% of total production capacity. Rosatom's TENEX is Russia's leading supplier of uranium products, representing the country's atomic industry on the global market.Last year, US lawmakers undertook a spate of efforts to sever the supply of enriched uranium to their country from Russia, despite the fact that any alternative uranium procurement strategy would be much more costly. A bill banning US imports from Russias Rosatom by 2028 was approved by a House subcommittee last May, but has stalled in Congress since.The bill in question, the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, would also authorize the US Energy Secretary to issue a waiver to the ban if no other sources of uranium are available.The nuclear industry is experiencing a real revival, Alexey Anpilogov pointed out. "Countries such as China and India are actively boosting their nuclear capacities. Were talking about dozens of gigawatts over the next 10 years. This is a very substantial amount of nuclear power generation," he said, adding that Russia and China supply about 60% of the newly constructed reactor fleet."Enriched uranium of reactor purity - with an enrichment of 3% to 5% - is then used in so-called fuel assemblies, or special high-tech parts of the reactor, which are complex engineering units and are incompatible with each other," according to the nuclear energy expert. Plainly put, fuel assemblies from Russian- or Chinese-made reactors are not suitable for those of American or European design, and vice versa, Anpilogov explained."So, what we are looking at is an already existing shortage of uranium now, and secondly, future nuclear construction projects will consume more uranium, with the US and its other allies in this consortium vying for it," he added.As to what other countries might, in principle, join this kind of consortium led by the US, Australia, a "very serious player in the global uranium market," was singled out by Anpilogov.A few African countries, such as Namibia, Malawi, that do not have their own uranium processing technologies, might also be attracted to such a consortium, Anpilogov noted. But all of Francophone Africa is now a "big question," he remarked, pointing to the events of recent years when "Niger, Mali, Gabon, and other countries fell out with one of these consortium participants  France." These former French colonies that had been dominated by European companies which took the resources out of these countries at very low prices have been seeking to shed the vestiges of their past.But there are certain opportunities based on US ties in Central Asia, first of all, Kazakhstan, said Anpilogov.Last year, French President Emmanuel Macron paid official visits to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and held talks with their leaders. The purpose of his trips to the region was reportedly to improve France's energy security. In particular, in Kazakhstan, Macron was reported as discussing increasing oil supplies to France and uranium exports.Kazakhstan is a "sovereign state that develops ties at its own discretion," and Moscow and Astana have "strategic partnership ties," Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at the time. He added that "as for the uranium market, yes, it is competitive. But in this case, it is very difficult to overestimate the position of the Russian side in this market."Most of the above-mentioned possible sources for uranium, underscored Anpilogov, are associated with certain risks, either economic or political, with the possible exception of Canada, which is truly the backyard of the US and is unlikely to pursue any particularly independent agenda from Washington."There is little doubt regarding the ulterior motives of any such consortium led by the US to slash reliance on Russia's nuclear fuel, considering that Washington thrives on weaponizing its plans to suit its own agenda.The US still has a huge nuclear reactor fleet, recalled the expert, slightly less than 100 operating power units, and nuclear energy provides the cheapest electricity. Furthermore, although the US has the fourth-largest uranium resources in the world, production plummeted to historic lows in the last 2-10 years. Its the same story with ancillary services, such as conversion and enrichment, which are needed to fuel reactors. There are just two major Western suppliers of enrichment services, Frances Orano and Urenco, a UK, German and Dutch consortium, that the US relies upon. And then, about a third of enriched uranium is still supplied by the Russian Federation to the American market. Of course, Washington can never miss a chance to accuse Moscow of using this as a lever of pressure, but in fact no one is stopping the US from developing its own enrichment industry, stressed Anpilogov. The US uses Russian facilities because of the costs, reliability and overall convenience. Therefore, the US is purchasing Russian enriched uranium at its own free will, he emphasized. That explains why Russian uranium has remained a non-sanctioned product that is freely supplied to the American market.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240110/us-seeks-to-build-up-enriched-uranium-supply-to-end-reliance-on-russia-1116102353.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231212/us-shoots-itself-in-foot-with-politically-motivated-ban-on-russian-uranium-imports-1115538909.html

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Plans for a new racetrack in Michigan have come to a halt with negotiations breaking down between Northville Downs and the Township of Plymouth.



According to an article by Hometown Life, the Township's Board of Trustees voted on Jan. 23 to rescind a motion authorizing negotiations for Northville Downs' development proposal to build a new half-mile racetrack, grandstand and barns on a 128-acre parcel in Plymouth, Michigan.

An impasse was reached concerning the community benefit agreement.

Harness racing at the current Northville Downs track, which opened in 1944 and was sold to housing development company Hunter Pasteur Homes in 2018, is scheduled to cease at the end of the meet on Feb. 3.

To read the Hometown Life article in its entirety, click here.

(With files from Hometown Life)
Sprocket The Rocket soared to victory in the $37,162 Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace at Ballys Dover on Thursday (Jan. 25) night over an off racing surface.

Penzance Hanover and I Did It Myway were launched at the start of the race. Penzance Hanover won the early battle and was the controlling factor on the lead. The 2-5 betting favourite, I Did It Myway, gladly accepted the pocket trip.

Penzance Hanover controlled the early fractions. He breezed to the opening panel in :27.1 and continued on an uncontested lead to the half in :56.1, a :29 quarter.

Driver Pat Berry, who normally races Sprocket on the engine, was able to throttle his speed and settled in the four spot during the race. The field remained in single file midway up the backstretch.

Sprocket revved his engines and sprinted first-over in pursuit of the pacesetter Penzance Hanover. They raced to the three-quarters in 1:23.4, a :27.3 quarter. Mack and Energetic Hanover raced on the rim but those bids stalled.

I Did It Myway watched all the action from his pocket position at the top of the stretch and surged late but could not match the momentum of Sprocket, who won by a measured length in 1:51 and paced his final quarter in :26.4.

Stepping up in class for his second straight win, Sprocket paid $15.20 for his efforts. I Did It Myway found room late along the pylons and finished second. Penzance Hanover cut the mile and finished third.

Sprocket is owned by Tlb Racing LLC of Harrington, Delaware. Traci Berry trained and her husband Pat Berry drove the nine-year-old Sportswriter gelding.

Tim Tetrick drove four winners on the card.

There is a Pick-5 carryover of $1,133 to Mondays (Jan. 29) betting card. Ballys Dover races Monday through Thursday. Post time is 4:30 p.m.

(With files from Bally's Dover)
Pacer Wavzeka, driver Rick Magee and trainer Justin Anfinson top the list of Minnesota county fair award winners for the second straight year.

Wavzeka (pictured above) captured the headlines again in 2023 with a perfect sophomore campaign on the Minnesota county fair circuit. She garnered 250 points with a perfect scorecard of five wins from five starts to be the clear County Fair Pacer of the Year again, and is now a perfect 10-for-10 lifetime on the Minnesota fair circuit.

Minnesota's annual county fair lineup includes the Cannon Valley Fairgrounds in Cannon Falls, which typically offers an early season meet in May as well as a traditional 4th of July program during the fair and a fall meet to close out the Minnesota season in late September and early October, while The Nicollet County Fairgrounds in Saint Peter traditionally hosts harness racing in early August and the Traverse County Fairgrounds in Wheaton hosts a meet in late September (Wheaton was rained-out in 2023).

Wavzeka really appeared to relish the track at Cannon Falls, and her 5-1/2-length tally there on July 4 while stopping the timer in 1:58.1 with driver Todd Warren in tow was one of the most impressive performances of the 2023 county fair season. She won a total of seven races in 2023 while earning $48,494 and pushing her career bankroll to $109,198.

Her fastest win at Running Aces was a 1:56.2 tally on Aug. 3 and she later lowered her career mark to 1:55.2 during a successful late fall campaign at Hawthorne Racecourse.

Wavzeka is a daughter of Arts Chip and is out of the Jeremes Jet mare Delco Dusty. She is owned by her breeder Jay De Long and is trained by Justin Anfinson.

The 2023 County Fair Trotter of the Year award will be shared by two winners, each of whom collected 200 points. The co-winners are Al Mar Puredelight and Teeter Trotter.

A daughter of Southwind Flash, Al Mar Puredelight went a perfect four-for-four at the fairs, with three wins at Cannon Falls and one win at Saint Peter during her freshman campaign. She took a mark of 2:09.3 at Cannon Falls on Sept. 30 with Nick Roland in the bike and has earned $27,122 from 13 starts in her budding career.

Al Mar Puredelight was bred by Al Mar Farms and is owned by the partnership of Jay De Long, Eric De Long and Terry Knothe. She is also trained by Justin Anfinson.

Teeter Trotter also registered a perfect four-for-four county fair campaign with three wins at Cannon Falls and one win at Saint Peter, taking his sophomore mark of 2:05.3 on Aug. 9 at Saint Peter with Brad Irvine in the bike for trainer Dan Roland. His career mark currently shows 2:01 at Running Aces during his freshman campaign in 2022. The son of Banker Volo has earned $30,897 from 23 career starts to date.

Teeter Trotter is owned by Lucas and Jeralene Roland, and was bred by Jeri and Dan Roland.

The 2023 County Fair Driver of the Year award goes to Rick Magee, who continued his winning streak in this category with another dominating county fair campaign. Magee racked up 1,449 points to win by a margin of more than 400 points.

Rounding out the top three drivers were Dean Magee (1,013 points) and Brady Jenson (886 points).

The 2023 County Fair Trainer of the Year award goes to Justin Anfinson, who also continues his win streak in this category. Anfinson posted a very impressive 2,107 points during the county fair season and had an astonishing winning margin of more than 1,200 points.

Rounding out the top three trainers were Brandon Jenson (877 points) and Dan Roland (796 points).

The 2023 Minnesota County Fair Awards will be presented at the MHRI Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on Saturday, Feb. 17 at Running Aces Casino, Hotel and Racetrack in Columbus.

Following tradition, the overall Minnesota 2023 Harness Horse of the Year award will have open nominations and a live vote during the annual meeting and banquet.

(Minnesota Harness Racing)
The Ohio Harness Horsemens Association (OHHA) has elected Scott Mogan as its new President. Mogan has served on OHHAs Board of Directors for 11 years. He replaces Steve Bateson, who served as President from 2019 - 2023.

Mogan began his career in the industry at the age of 15 working for Jim Pollock Sr. He was a second trainer for Joe Adamsky before opening his stable in 1983. Currently, Mogan has 20 horses in his stable.

I am looking forward to keeping the ball rolling in Ohio, said Mogan. I dont know of another state that has the racing opportunities for horses that we do in Ohio.

Mogan will be assisted by Randy Haines, who was as elected as Vice President of the association.

(Ohio Harness Horsemens Association)
Diamond Creek Farm has reported that stakes winner and successful broodmare Armbro Nest has passed away at 32 years of age.

After the passing of Shes A Great Lady in early 2023, Armbro Nest took on the role of the farms resident matriarch. She maintained her cool demeanor, perhaps softening ever so slightly to the extra attention the position gave her.

In the words of Adam Bowden from the Golden Girls series, Armbro Nest has gone from alpha mare to matronly caretaker in the course of the last [now 14] years. Since her last foal, Eagle Nest, who arrived in 2010, she has taken to retired life with grace. She used to dominate the other mares in a way that exuded greatness.

"Her loosely termed best friend, Shes A Great Lady, was always 'under her hoof' from the time they arrived until well after their last foals came. Armbro Nest and Shes A Great Lady were not only stablemates during their race careers but become pasture mates at Peninsula Farms before we purchased both. They ended up being buddied up together when they arrived and have remained together since."

While Shes A Great Lady dominated the racing headlines, Armbro Nest (Dragons Lair-La Toya) was no slouch on the racetrack, earning $674,821 and possessing a speed mark of 1:50.4. She produced nine foals, including eight yearlings that went through the sales ring averaging $137,500. Every one of her foals made it to the track and eight took marks faster than 1:56, including three who earned more than $300,000.

"Although not quite as talented as her 'Great Lady' stablemate, 'Nest' outshined her in the breeding shed and seemed to rub it in by dominating her in the field.

To the end, Armbro Nest was always the stoic, plain brown mare with her own mind. She was so lucky to have been so loved and cared for by Gina, who gave her all the attention (and bright pink blankets) that she never wanted, but secretly enjoyed. What a life of love for an old broodmare.

"We will always mourn the loss of these great mares. When they pass, it is always a time for reflection and sadness. They are the foundation of Diamond Creek and we could never celebrate our current accomplishments without honouring those that were part of the beginning.

"Armbro Nest has gone to be reunited with her forever stablemate and best friend, Shes A Great Lady, in the greener pastures that await all these magnificent mares."

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Armbro Nest.

(With files from Diamond Creek Farm)
Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Ryan Khojasteh stands for a portrait at City Hall in San Francisco on Thursday. The former San Francisco prosecutor said he would announce Friday that he will challenge his former boss, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, in the November election. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Ryan Khojasteh, an Alameda County prosecutor, announced Friday that he will run for San Francisco district attorney in the November election, kicking off a campaign to unseat incumbent Brooke Jenkins, who fired Khojasteh amid a wider staff purge when she took office in 2022.

In an interview with the Chronicle, Khojasteh, 30, said he would present himself to voters as a fair prosecutor intent on remedying whats broken in the criminal justice system. Khojasteh said he filed paperwork to officially declare himself a candidate on Friday.

Im running as a responsible voice, he said, because I think theres a better way to achieve public safety.

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Khojastehs entry into the otherwise uncontested district attorneys race could become a new front in the debate over criminal justice in San Francisco. Jenkins was a leader in the recall of former District Attorney Chesa Boudin, Khojastehs onetime boss.

The campaign to oust Boudin, a standard-bearer of the progressive prosecutor movement, was widely seen as a referendum on an approach to prosecution that seeks to reduce incarceration in favor of rehabilitation. After his firing, Khojasteh went to work for Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, a progressive now herself being targeted for recall.

Khojasteh said he believes in incarceration in some cases, but views alternatives such as treatment as paramount in preventing crime and recidivism.

Jenkins confirmed to the Chronicle through a spokesperson that she intends to seek re-election. She did not comment on Khojastehs campaign.

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins speaks at a public safety town hall meeting in San Francisco. A prosecutor whom Jenkins fired after taking office intends to run against her in the November election. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

The role of the district attorney is to create a fair system of justice that appropriately holds criminal offenders accountable and delivers justice for victims, a spokesperson for her re-election campaign said in a statement. In her first year, DA Jenkins has worked hard to reverse the damage caused to San Francisco by her predecessor and put prosecutors back to work fighting crime.

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The DA looks forward to putting her record up against any candidate who wants to revert back to the failed policies that clearly were not working for this city, the spokesperson said.

Khojasteh was hired as a San Francisco prosecutor during Boudins administration. After Boudin was recalled and Mayor London Breed appointed Jenkins to replace him in 2022, Jenkins fired Khojasteh and 14 other attorneys and staffers.

Khojasteh believes an article he penned earlier, published by SFGATE, played a role in his firing. (The Chronicle and SFGATE are both owned by Hearst but have separate newsrooms.) In the letter, addressed to Mayor Breed and published just before she appointed Jenkins, Khojasteh made a case for continued support for juvenile justice initiatives the district attorneys office undertook under Boudin.

Jenkins would go on to win a special election to finish Boudins unexpired term.

In law school  Khojasteh attended UC Law San Francisco, formerly known as UC Hastings  he ran against Nancy Pelosi in the states 12th Congressional District, but did not advance to the general election after garnering 4.6% of the vote. Khojasteh then called for legislative reforms to create a justice system that is rehabilitative, not putative, according to his campaign website. His campaign called for decriminalization of simple drug possession cases.

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After Boudin hired him, Khojasteh was assigned to a unit prosecuting crimes committed by juveniles, where the focus was rehabilitation over punishment. Khojasteh later moved to prosecuting adults for crimes including attempted murder, arson, residential burglaries and drug cases.

If elected, Khojasteh said hed build strong partnerships  with schools, for example  to break the school-to-prison pipeline, advocate for treatment over jail when appropriate in drug dealing cases, and turn to grand juries to consider criminal charges in controversial cases.

Confronting the citys drug epidemic, Khojasteh said, should be treated as a public health crisis and disagreed with efforts to incarcerate drug users. The answer for drug users cannot just be the criminal justice system, he said.

Jenkins has said she believes efforts to arrest drug users are important as a way to make users understand their behavior is unacceptable. She has also said public health leaders should get creative about what more can be done outside of the criminal justice system.

Khojasteh criticized Jenkins for not filing criminal charges in certain cases or not taking them before a grand jury, such as the fatal shooting of Banko Brown. A security guard shot the 24-year-old man at the exit of a Walgreens store in April. Khojasteh faulted Jenkins for describing the security guards actions as self-defense even though the investigation was ongoing.

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Retired trainer/driver Daryl Scott Bier, 57, passed away suddenly of a heart attack on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 at his home in Endicott, New York.

Mr. Bier, a native of Jessup, Pennsylvania, was born July 14, 1966, to Esther and Arthur Bier. A second-generation harness horseman, Mr. Bier made his career training and driving Standardbred racehorses, beginning in 1987. After 15 years as a journeyman, racing at tracks on both coasts of the United States, he established a home base on the Delaware circuit in the 2000s, where he raced until he was forced to retire in 2021 as a result of complications from a fractured pelvis and spine sustained in a racing accident at Pocono Downs in 2014.

Among Mr. Biers most notable trainees were Wind Of The North 4,1:51 ($1,216,509), who raced in the 2015 Elitlopp; world record holders Higher And Higher p,5,1:49.1f ($944,224) and Special T Rocks p,4,1:48.3f ($751,386); Highalator p,5,1:48f ($675,764); Modern Family 4,1:51 ($579,065); and Bandolito p,4,1:48f ($466,095). In addition to his 447 wins as a trainer, Mr. Bier drove the winners of 1,909 races and $14.5 million in purses.

Mr. Bier is survived by his lifelong partner, Jenny; their children, Sebastian, Emily (Jyair Battin) and Matthew; sister, Danyell; brothers, Thomas (Bernadette) and Sean (Crissy Crissman-Bier); nieces, Riley and Chloe; and nephew, Catello Long, and mother-in-law, Annette Bjork. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Goran Bjork.

Visitation will take place on Friday, Feb. 2 from 4-7 p.m., and a funeral service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 10 a.m., at Arthur A. Albini Funeral Home, located at 1003 Church Street, Jessup, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Daryl Bier.


Goshen County authorities are investigating the shooting of a 19-year-old man while hunting Saturday.

According to information released by Goshen County Coroner Darin Yates, Maurizio Dadin Justiniano, of Minnesota, died Saturday in a hunting accident.

Yates released that Torrington Central Dispatch received a call about 2:30 p.m. Saturday that a man had been accidentally shot while hunting along the North Platte River. Members of the Goshen County Sheriffs Department, Torrington EMS, Lingle EMS and Air Link from Regional West Medical Center responded to the call. Emergency responders provided resuscitation efforts, however, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Yates said Justiniano's has been determined to be accidental, though no other details are being released at this time.
Two Mooresville men were arrested on drug charges during an Iredell County fire investigation, according to the Iredell County Sheriffs Office.

Jason Daniel Luecht, 35, is charged with misdemeanor willfully or negligently setting fire to woodlands, felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, the sheriffs office said in a news release.

Joseph Anthony Smith, 38, is charged with felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession of firearm by a convicted felon and misdemeanor harboring a fugitive, the sheriffs office said.

On Tuesday morning, Iredell County deputies were called to 1700 Perth Road in Mooresville to assist with a possible arson investigation. The Iredell County Fire Marshals Office determined the fire was intentionally set, the sheriffs office said.

Detectives interviewed witnesses and neighbors in the area. The sheriffs office said Luecht was identified as a suspect in the fire investigation. Deputies learned that Luecht left the area with another individual identified as Smith, the sheriffs office said.

Deputies went to Smiths home on Ricks Lane in Mooresville in an attempt to locate the two men, the sheriffs office said.

The sheriffs office said Smith was in the driveway with a firearm. Since Smith is a convicted felon, he is not allowed to possess a firearm, the sheriffs office added.

Smith was arrested on the firearm possession charge and the outstanding arrest warrants for probation violations. The sheriffs office said Smith was also in possession of methamphetamine.

During questioning, Smith told deputies he did not know Luechts whereabouts. When deputies searched Smiths home, Luecht was found inside the home along with multiple firearms and methamphetamine., the sheriffs office said.

The sheriffs office said Luecht started a fire outside his residence on Perth Road on Monday night. Luecht left the property while the fire was still burning. The fire spread onto a neighboring property, the sheriffs office said.
Regents at the University of California cited legal obstacles as they voted to retain a ban on hiring undocumented students for university work. Brant Ward/The Chronicle

After signaling plans to lift the University of Californias ban on hiring undocumented students to work at the university, the UC Regents reversed course Thursday and left the hiring ban in place for at least another year.

At the regents meeting in San Francisco, UC President Michael Drake said legal experts had advised the university that the hiring plan, which Drake had supported, stood on shaky ground and could expose the students, other employees and the university itself to civil fines and criminal penalties.

We have concluded that the proposed legal pathway is not viable at this time, and in fact carries significant risk for the institution and for those we serve, Drake told the board, which approved the postponement on a 10-6 vote.

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Over the next year, he said, we can expand the support we are currently providing to undocumented students in other ways, with new experiential learning programs, while urging state and federal lawmakers to repeal restrictions on hiring the undocumented.

The action drew shouted protests from undocumented immigrants at UC, who had held a hunger strike for several days in advance of the vote.

Our university let us down today, Jeffry Umana Munoz, a UCLA student and leader of the Undocumented Student-Led Network, said after the meeting in a statement released by advocacy groups. Our classmates can apply for any job on campus, helping them not only get by financially on a daily basis but also advancing their careers, while we remain forced to rely on incredibly limited resources. This is not the end of our fight for equality.

A 1986 federal law prohibits employers from knowingly hiring undocumented immigrants. The University of California, whose enrollment of 280,000 includes about 4,000 undocumented students, began to reconsider its policy after dozens of teachers of immigration and constitutional law signed a letter in September 2022 saying the 1986 law does not bind state government entities because its text does not mention the states.

At the request of the UCLA Labor Center, the regents voted last May to consider repealing the hiring ban in six months. But in November, they put off action until Thursdays vote, which postponed any further action until January 2025.

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Drake said Thursday that the university has provided strong support for undocumented students, outstanding young people who have overcome obstacles and achieved at the highest academic levels.

We have established campus-based support centers, provided access to legal services, advocated for state and federal policies that bring in additional funding, and gone to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the program allowing migrants brought to the United States as children to remain in the country and eventually become citizens, Drake said.

I know that many in our community will be disappointed that we are unable to take immediate action. As an individual, I would like nothing more than to do so, right here, right now, because it is the right thing to do. But it is not the right time, Drake said, because of the potential legal risks to the university and its employees and students.

A law professor who sided with the students said the decision was wrong, both legally and morally.

The University of California has the legal right to authorize the hiring of undocumented students today, said Ahilan Arulanantham, co-director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at UCLA and a signer of the 2022 letter.

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UNICEF expresses concern over the likelihood of a further increase in the number of children discontinuing their education.

On Wednesday, January 24, the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) reported that approximately 2.4 million children in Syria are currently not attending school.

Released on the occasion of the International Day of Education, observed on January 24th, the report covers all regions of Syria. The disclosed figures indicate that the out-of-school children constitute nearly half of the total school-age population, which stands at 5.52 million. The age range of these non-attending children spans from 5 to 17 years.

UNICEF expresses concern over the likelihood of a further increase in the number of children discontinuing their education, placing them at risk of permanent dropout due to prolonged periods outside the educational system. The extended absence makes it challenging for them to compensate for missed school years, with some children having already lost a decade of education.

The organization warns that these vulnerable children may become susceptible to various risks, including child labour, early and forced marriages, human trafficking, and recruitment into armed conflicts.

In Syria, one-third of schools are no longer utilized for educational purposes. This is attributed to factors such as destruction or damage, repurposing for sheltering displaced individuals, or military use. Consequently, the current educational landscape hampers school rehabilitation efforts and obstructs childrens access to education. Overcrowded classrooms become commonplace, and the departure of tens of thousands of teachers and education workers from the country further exacerbates the situation.

Right to education

The annual report released by the Syrian Network for Human Rights on January 16 underscored persistent violations against children, encompassing the denial of education and the deliberate targeting of educational facilities.

The protracted armed conflict has robbed an entire generation, or more, of their childhood. Safeguarding childrens rights, ensuring their access to education, and addressing their psychological needs are crucial for Syrias future.

The earthquake on February 6, 2023, significantly impacted the educational infrastructure in the northwestern region of Syria. A report by Save the Children on June 15, 2023, revealed that 54% of schools and 37% of teaching and learning spaces were damaged. The total number of impaired educational buildings reached 822.

Commencing in September 2023, the 2023-2024 school year in the northwestern regions of Syria faced considerable challenges. The escalation of hostilities substantially hampered the access to education services for nearly 2.2 million school-age children, as reported by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in November 2023. Approximately one million of these children were estimated to be out of school.

OCHA reported that 57% of children lacked access to primary school, and a staggering 80% had no access to secondary school. Frequent interruptions in the education process occurred for children attending school, particularly during periods of military escalation and ongoing economic hardship.

The challenges extended to educators as well. In Idleb, about 25% of teachers (2,380 out of 10,853 assessed) did not receive salaries, and those who were salaried often needed to engage in other professions due to the exorbitant cost of living, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report.

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.
Government Has Absolute And Unrestricted Authority To Expel Foreign Nationals Overstaying Without Proper Documentation: Karnataka HC

While taking the right step in the right direction and abiding strictly as per law, the Karnataka High Court in a most learned, laudable, landmark and latest judgment titled Raktima Khanum vs Union of India in Writ Petition No. 26769 of 2023 (GM-RES) that was pronounced as recently as on January 5, 2024 has minced just no words to hold in no uncertain terms that the government of India has absolute and unrestricted authority to expel foreign nationals who overstay in the country without proper documentation. We must note here that the Karnataka High Court dismissed the writ petition that had been filed by a Bangladeshi national named Raktima Khanum who was challenging the issuance of an exit permit and the imposition of a fee. It must be mentioned here that the High Court noted that foreign nationals do not possess an inherent right to remain in the host nation beyond what is authorized by their documents.

At the very outset, this brief, brilliant, bold and balanced judgment authored by the Single Judge Bench comprising of Honble Mr Justice M Nagaprasanna of Karnataka High Court sets the ball in motion by first and foremost putting forth in para 1 that, The petitioner is before this Court calling in question issuance of an exit permit to the petitioner which would result in deportation of the petitioner to Bangladesh.

To put things in perspective, the Bench envisages in para 2 that, Facts adumbrated are as follows:-

The petitioner is a Bangladeshi national, born and brought up there. Through social media it transpires, the 4th respondent comes in contact with the petitioner, after which, it is the averment that the petitioner came twice to meet respondent No.4 on her own expenses in July and August 2017 from Bangladesh, once at Kolkata and again at Chennai. The two then fall in love. The petitioner marries the 4th respondent on 25-12-2017. It is claimed by the petitioner, that the 4th respondent converted himself to Islam, on falling in love and subsequent marriage. After the marriage, it is the averment in the petition that the couple lived in Chennai. The relationship between the two flounders. On the said floundering of the relationship, the petitioner had to go back to Bangladesh, as the tourist visa under which she was staying in India expired. Several other averments are made in the petition, which are not germane for consideration of the lis. It would suffice, if the narration is fast forwarded to 01-03-2019 when the petitioner applies for a visa conversion before the 2nd respondent/Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO for short). The tourist visa was then converted into entry visa (X-2), which is a dependent visa. This was to be valid from 1-03-2019 to 29-02-2020. On the expiry of the said visa, in the month of February 2020, the petitioner applies for extension of visa and the FRRO extends the visa from 22-02-2022 to 21-08-2022 for a period of six months, with an observation that the petitioner is married to an Indian and permission is granted, only on that score.

As it turned out, the Bench enunciates in para 3 that, The said visa expired on 20-08-2022. A letter for extension was submitted to the FRRO and the FRRO extended the visa from 22-08-2022 to 21-06-2023. After the expiry of the period of visa i.e., on 21-06-2023, extension was sought by the petitioner. It is here the FRRO begins to demand certain documents for the petitioners stay in India. One such document that was demanded was an undertaking/consent from sponsors/parents/spouse in support of her stay in India, as she was on X-2 visa, a dependent visa. The request of the petitioner was not considered initially on the score that the documents did not bear the consent of the husband. After non-consideration of extension of visa, an exit permit is issued against the petitioner, to leave India or she would be deported as there was no valid visa for her to stay in the country. It is this development that has driven the petitioner to this Court in the subject petition.

Needless to say, the Bench states in para 7 that, I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the respective learned counsel and have perused the material on record including, the sealed cover material.

Do note, the Bench notes in para 9 that, The matters relating to entry, stay, transit and exit of foreign nationals is governed by the provisions of the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, Foreigners Act, 1946, the Immigration (Carrier Liability) Act, 2000 and the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the Rules in furtherance of the aforesaid enactments. The immigration control is the primary responsibility of Bureau of Immigration. The Bureau of Immigration carries out all immigration responsibilities through FRRO all over the country. The foreign nationals shall approach FRRO for issue of various kinds of Visas from student to e-visa. FRRO is empowered to issue about 12 kinds of Visas. Once the Visa is issued the functions of FRRO qua foreign nationals residing in any State are manifold. One such function is extension of Visa. Procedure for registration is by way of an application being made on-line. It is said to be passing through several rungs of offences. Several persons are ineligible for admission into India. They are depicted on the website of FRRO itself. The broad functioning of FRRO is as afore said. Grant of Visa is in terms of Visa Manual revised to this date.

Briefly stated, it cannot be lost on us that the Bench points out in para 14 that, One of the conditions of extension is that there should be nothing adverse reported and no local objection, both of which are found in the case at hand. It appears that the Police themselves have intimated to the FRRO that visa to the petitioner should not be extended as there is suspicion about her stay itself in Bengaluru. The communication dated 25-09-2022 by the Station House Officer of Subramanyanagara Police Station to the FRRO is also mentioned in this para. It is also most notably pointed out in this very para 14 in its concluding part that, The recommendation of the Station House Officer is that, the extension of visa should not be granted. What is adverse against the petitioner is also borne out from original records. The history of the petitioner is traced in the original records. Between 2003 and 2005 it appears that the petitioner was working in Thailand Embassy office at Dhaka, Bangladesh and in many of the airlines later.

Be it noted, the Bench notes in para 15 that, The learned Deputy Solicitor General of India Sri.H. Shanthi Bhushan has secured and produced original records for perusal of the Court and has also filed detailed statement of objections. A perusal at the record so submitted would indicate plethora of conversations through whatsapp, face book or other social media platform of the petitioner with the head or members of SSG. The SSG as borne out from the original records appears to have links with the army of the neighbouring nation. Since these are classified documents, they are not quoted in the course of this order. But, a perusal at the original records, as observed hereinabove, leaves none in doubt that the actions of the petitioner in India are suspicious. Therefore, retention of the petitioner on any sympathy being shown on the submission that she is now left in the lurch by the 4th respondent  husband, would pose a serious threat to the security of the nation. It is rather surprising that when FRRO has all the information about the antecedents of the petitioner, strangely they are worried about payment of fee to send the petitioner out from the soil of the nation. Therefore, the FRRO or the Bureau of migration, as the case would be, without brooking any delay must act swiftly and execute the exit permit.

Most significantly, most remarkably and most forthrightly, the Bench mandates in para 16 postulating that, It is trite that no citizen of any other nation can project any semblance of a right to remain on the soil of the nation beyond what the documents permit. The documents, in the case at hand, permit stay of the petitioner in the nation on an X-1 Visa which is a dependent Visa. The dependent Visa has now expired, extension of the same is not granted and by a fiat of this Court extension cannot be directed to be granted in the facts of the case. The power of Government of India to expel nationals of other countries who overstay in the nation without any document is absolute and unfettered. Any indulgence shown to the petitioner, on any kind of sympathy, would be putting fetters on the discretion of the Government, the FRRO and the Bureau of Immigration, more so in cases where there is even a semblance of threat to national security of any kind.

It is worth noting that the Bench notes in para 17 that, An unmistakable inference that would emerge from the perusal of the records and the facts as narrated hereinabove is that the petitioner is not blame free. Adverse notings are available in the original file. Therefore, no fault can be found with the exit permit that is issued against the petitioner. What is projected in the exit permit is that the petitioner has to pay some amount to the FRRO to leave the nation. In the facts and circumstances of the case, I direct the FRRO to execute the exit permit without insisting on any fee from the petitioner.

Finally and as a corollary, the Bench then concludes by holding precisely in para 18 that, For the aforesaid reasons, the following:

ORDER

(i) Writ Petition is dismissed.

(ii) The exit permit issued to the petitioner stands sustained.

(iii) The FRRO shall not insist upon any payment by the petitioner to leave the country.

(iv) The FRRO shall consider exit of the petitioner from the shores of the nation without brooking any delay after following due process of law.

(v) Interim order, if any subsisting, stands dissolved.

In sum, we thus see in this noteworthy judgment that the Single Judge Bench comprising of Honble Mr Justice M Nagaprasanna of Karnataka High Court has made it indubitably clear that the government has an absolute and unrestricted authority to expel all such foreign nationals who are overstaying in India without proper documentation. There can be thus just no gainsaying that it is the bounden duty of all the Judges of India to always emulate and rule similarly as has been ruled in this leading case in similar such cases. No denying or disputing it!
Safety upgrades, an elevator repair at Castle Rock Middle School, and HVAC installation and parking lot expansion at Castle Rock High School are on the list of projects that Castle Rock School District hopes to complete using funds from its replacement capital projects levy on February ballots.

But what district leaders really wish for is a way to pass a multimillion dollar bond to build a new school, as the city population is expected to rise. The district already uses one portable classroom today due to limited space.

Chances of passing a bond are much lower than passing a levy partly because more votes are needed, Superintendent Ryan Greene said; they require 60% voter approval to pass, while levies require 50%. Plus, bonds are a long commitment, usually around 21 years and tend to have a higher tax rate than capital levies.

Its not a foregone conclusion that youre going to pass a bond, he said. We felt that adding that cost burden to Castle Rock right now was not a favorable outcome.

Could a proposed law help the district?

The Washington state Legislature is considering lowering the vote requirement for passing a bond to 55% in a bill primarily sponsored by Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver. State Superintendent Chris Reykdal also said in a Jan. 10 briefing that the change would be especially beneficial for smaller districts like Castle Rock, which are not able to raise as much funding through levies.

Yet, Castle Rocks past bond attempts still would not have passed under the proposed change, as the most successful attempt in April 2018 received only 54.86% approval.

The district has attempted to pass three bonds in the past six years  two in 2018 and one in 2020  but all have failed. Because of this, the district decided to put a pause on bond attempts and reassess the situation in three years, when the upcoming levy will expire if it passes in February, Greene said.

Instead of a bond, the district is looking to pass a levy this year to fund maintenance of its current buildings. With all of Castle Rock School Districts buildings over 50 years old, levy funds are needed to keep the buildings up to date, safe and usable, Greene said.

If passed, the levy would run for three years with an estimated average rate of $0.42 per $1,000 of assessed value. In 2025, the estimated rate of $0.44 would cost the owner of a $400,000 home $176.

This estimated rate is the same as the one approved by voters in 2019, and is expected to decrease in the future as Castle Rock grows over the next few years, Greene said. A new development at exit 48 of Interstate 5, which is planned to include 200 multifamily housing units and space for offices and businesses, is expected to bring more more students to Castle Rock in the future.

Enrollment in the Castle Rock district has declined this year however, making the need for more space a less pressing concern than it was in past years, Greene added. The district had 1,425 students enrolled in the 2022-23 school year, and has a projected enrollment of 1,377 for 2023-24.

We acknowledge the fact that climate-wise, economy-wise this is a really difficult time, and so we felt this is the best way to accomplish some of the needs we have in our schools, Greene said.

What would the levy pay for?

Capital projects levies specifically fund building repairs and upgrades, while educational programs and operations levies like the ones Longview, Kelso, Toutle Lake and Woodland will vote on in February, cover more general expenses, like staff salaries, extracurricular activities and school materials.

For Castle Rock, safety upgrades to intruder locks and intercoms are a high priority, along with accessibility issues like fixing the broken middle school elevator and quality-of-life improvements like air conditioning and classroom updates. The majority of school buildings currently have locked security vestibules, Greene said, but the district would like to expand its keycard access system as well.

Longview School District finished installing similar security vestibules, which prevent anyone without building keys from entering without speaking to a school employee, at five schools in September.

The past Castle Rock bond attempts, on the other hand, would have gone toward the construction of a new middle school. Based on the current state of the district, a future bond is likely to go toward building a new high school instead, Greene said. If the school requested a bond in the future and it passed, the middle school would move into the current high school building, and Castle Rock Intermediate School would be split between its current location and the current middle school building.

If I thought that we could pass a bond at 60% for $80 million, I would definitely do that, because I think whats best for our kids is a new school, Greene said. But the economy right now is not supportive of adding more and more taxes for people.
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez nominated 20 students from Washington's 3rd District, including three from Kelso and Woodland, to attend a United States service academy.

Kelso High School student Ethan Freund was nominated for the U.S. Air Force Academy, Woodland High School student Karalynn Conditt was nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy and Woodland High School student Collett MacDonald was nominated for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Nominations were based on leadership skills, academic achievements, extracurricular activities and other factors, according to a press release by Gluesenkamp Perez's office. The referrals are required to attend a service academy, but do not guarantee admission.
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(From left) Architecture alumnus Matthew Tiller assists Mehdi Setareh, his former professor, with the residential installation of an updated version of Setareh's portable tuned mass damper. Credit: Photo courtesy of Mehdi Setareh.

A family purchased an upscale home in the suburbs of New York City with an open-floor plan, but they weren't happy with the floor vibration in certain rooms. Homes built with longer spans and fewer partitions are structurally sound, but the design trend often means noticeable vibration when you walk across the floor.

They contacted a structural engineer to address the issue, but structurally, the home was sound and there wasn't anything they could do about the problem. The engineer searched online for possible alternatives and found a Virginia Tech News article from 2017 that led him to Virginia Tech architecture professor Mehdi Setareh.

Nearly seven years ago, Setareh and students created a portable tuned mass damper (PTMD), a much smaller version of a device used throughout the world to reduce structural vibration in buildings, such as Taiwan's Taipei 101 skyscraper, and bridges, including London's Millennium Bridge.

The first version of the PTMD is smaller than a nightstand and less than 275 pounds. It is easy to set up and tune, unlike its predecessor which is a complex, multi-ton device that covers an average of 10,000 square feet and is costly to install, tune, and maintain.

Now, Setareh has managed to make those devices even smaller, and they are being used for the first time in a residential home.

"When the family contacted me, I thought, "I've done this on commercial building floors, footbridges, and monumental stairs, but never on a house. It should be similar,'" said Setareh. "We went there in May with three devices. We installed and tuned them."

The New York family saw a noticeable reduction in vibration using the first version of the PTMD and were thrilled with the results, with one exception.

"They said, 'Oh, it's excellent. This is what we want, but we just want you to make it smaller,'" said Setareh. "They gave us a size and shape factor that they wanted so the device could be within the couch, under the dining table, or in a kitchen cabinet, and we did."

Reducing the size of the PTMD did not impact its effectiveness in tests conducted at Virginia Tech's Vibration Testing Lab. In fact, it performed a few percentages better than the first version, so Setareh and Matthew Tiller, who had worked with Setareh while he was a graduate student at Virginia Tech, installed the compact versions in the home on Nov. 11, 2023. Based on the provisions of an international standard for structural vibrations, they concluded that the floor movements are now within the acceptable range.

This recent improvement on an already revolutionary device now has potential for new applications. Incorporating smaller PTMDs into the design of the home would address vibration issues in open-floor designs and would also help reduce the cost if PTMDs were mass produced, as opposed to building devices one at a time. Setareh also sees potential for the medical community.

"You may have sensitive equipment like MRI machines that can't work if you have got a lot of vibration, so this equipment can be used to address the problem," said Setareh.
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On the left side of the figure is the perovskite film prepared in three ways, in the middle is the enlarged internal crystal structure diagram, and on the right is the further enlarged interaction diagram between chiral molecules and perovskite. In the first row, irregular perovskite crystal films mixed with  and  were produced due to large FA ions. In the second row, the passivation effect of doping chiral molecule D-p-FPhe resulted in the perovskite film without harmful  phase but disordered. In the third row, the magnetic dipole moment between molecules and perovskites was enhanced by applying an external magnetic field, obtaining a uniformly ordered high-quality perovskite film. Credit: Science China Press

In the realm of clean energy, metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a focus, capturing significant attention for their extraordinary advancements. In just over a decade, their certified power conversion efficiency (PCE) has skyrocketed to 26.1%, approaching the upper limits seen in traditional crystalline silicon cells. What sets PSCs apart is their potential to surpass the 30% PCE threshold.

The key to optimizing solar devices lies in the deposition of high-quality perovskite films. Achieving minimal defect density and exceptional homogeneity becomes crucial for enhancing device performance. One commonly employed strategy involves introducing specific molecules during perovskite film crystallization to eliminate defects or prevent excessive components. However, conventional passivation strategies in perovskite (ABX 3 ) photovoltaics pose limitations on the interaction between passivation molecules and sites A, B, and X.

At the core of perovskite crystallization regulation is the lead-iodine octahedral structure. Manipulating this process involves incorporating appropriate functional groups, facilitating the formation of uniform polycrystalline films with exceptional crystal orientation.

The unique molecular configuration of perovskites presents an opportunity to influence crystallization orientation by modulating the polarity between the perovskite material and introduced components. For example, the rotational motion of the A-site offers a means to strengthen the interaction between passivation molecules and perovskites, especially in the presence of an external field.

In this exciting context, a pioneering method was introduced to manipulate the crystal orientation of metal halide perovskites, by Prof. Wang's group from Soochow University. They introduced a set of chiral molecules and, using the inherent properties of the chiral molecules, established a quantified strong force between the chiral molecules and formamidine (FA) ions in perovskite, called the magnetic dipole moment.

The  phase harmful to the device will inevitably be produced in the crystallization of conventional perovskite films, and the simple use of chiral passivation molecules can effectively regulate the composition of perovskite films, but the existence of magnetic dipole moments is not strong enough to play a role, and the orderly arrangement of the overall structure cannot be guaranteed.

However, the application of an external magnetic field can effectively enhance and regulate this effect, based on the spin-orbit coupling effect, so that the crystal orientation in the perovskite film can be precisely adjusted while optimizing the composition. Combined with theoretical computational support from Ilhan Yavuz, and a team of researchers at Marmara University, they further demonstrated the feasibility of this collaborative strategy.

In comparison to conventional passivation strategies involving the direct implementation of organic molecules, this method shows a significant increase in the interaction energy between chiral molecules and perovskites by several times. This substantial improvement ensures effective crystallization regulation and achieves a uniform perovskite film.

With the assistance of Xingyu Gao and a research team from the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, researchers used in situ crystallization process detection technology to observe a significant improvement clearly and comprehensively in the quality of perovskite films under the synergistic effect. The work is published in the journal National Science Review.

This research fully proves the effectiveness of the collaborative strategy from both theoretical and experimental aspects, which significantly inhibits the possible defects in the device, and greatly improves the performance of the photovoltaic device.

Furthermore, the stability of devices is successfully preserved. This advancement not only boosts the efficiency of solar cells but also ensures their reliability over prolonged periods, marking a significant stride towards a more sustainable and efficient future in solar energy utilization.

More information: Jing Chen et al, Magnetic-biased chiral molecules enabling highly oriented photovoltaic perovskites, National Science Review (2023). DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad305
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The militant Islamic State group, or ISIS, lost its physical territory in 2019, but it remains an active force on social media, according to researchers from the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, who set out to better understand the group's online strategies.

In their work, which appeared in the journal Social Media Analysis and Mining, the researchers analyzed a large dataset of activity on Xformerly known as Twitterto develop a predictive model to detect users and content related to Islamic State extremists.

They identified potential propaganda messages and their characteristics and developed an image classifier to find the most frequent categories of images attached to tweets about ISIS. They further collected a dataset of tweets from potential ISIS supporters to investigate their recent activities.

"The Islamic State group and its affiliates, sympathizers and followers continue to manipulate online communities to spread extremist propaganda," said Younes Karimi, a graduate student pursuing a doctorate in informatics and the first author of the paper.

"By studying their behavioral patterns and strategies and monitoring their online presence, we can help social media companies identify and eventually restrict such accounts in a timelier manner and abate their impact on online communities."

According to Karimi, the Islamic State group is increasingly relying on social media to spread propaganda, undermine its rivals and recruit sympathizers, despite countermeasures by websites like X to restrict its online activities. ISIS watchan online channel that publishes daily updates on terrorist content banned on the cross-platform instant messaging service Telegram reported the removal of nearly 5,000 terrorist bots and channels in the first 11 days of 2024.

The researchers' dataset included millions of tweets, spanning from 2009 to 2021, that were linked to the Islamic State group and its propaganda.

"The longitudinal perspective of the dataset is important because it includes data from before and after 2015, when a major crackdown by Twitter removed user accounts and content involving the Islamic State group," Karimi said. "In response, the extremists had to change their online strategy and move to other platforms, and little is known about their online whereabouts since that crackdown."

To identify potential ISIS supporters, the researchers began by building a user classifier using the old dataset. ISIS accounts identified before 2015 served as the labeled data for the study's ISIS users. The researchers used machine learning and natural language processing techniques to differentiate the types of users sharing the extremist group's content.

"The users in our dataset ranged from known members of the Islamic State group to retweeters and quoters to mentioners of ISIS," Karimi said.

"We believe that users who retweet or quote Islamic State group content are more likely to be affiliates or sympathizers, while those who just mention the content are less likely to be supporters. However, tweets posted by mentioners are still very likely related to ISIS and contain topics similar to ISIS tweets, which make mentioners suitable to be considered as our non-ISIS users and non-trivial counterparts to ISIS users."

The researchers then analyzed the tweets to identify what they referred to as "candidate propaganda." They compared topics used by known Islamic State group accounts prior to 2015 in the old dataset to the content posted after 2015 by potential affiliates and supporters in their recent dataset.

They examined these tweets from three angles. The first, abnormal engagement, identified content that is pervasive and continuous in the way it's shared.

"We formulated and employed a method to automatically detect potential propaganda messages that are broadly disseminated at a large scale," Karimi said. "Our method identified users in the dataset who had few followers but whose content was widely spread via retweets and likes."

The second angle examined ideology-based words and images, which the researchers said are often designed to elicit an emotional response and influence a large audience.

The researcher's third angle for examining content involved hashtags.

"Supporters and affiliates of the Islamic State group recruited people to retweet hashtags to create trending ideas, such as strong religious references, and curate group messaging to improve the group's branding and ensure message longevity," Karimi said.

Among the most-used hashtags in tweets from ISIS were "The Islamic State," "Caliphate News," "Urgent," "The State of the Caliphate" and "ISIS."

Because this approach focuses on users and user content, the researchers said it could be applied to other social media platforms beyond X.

"Our study can help social media safety teams track potential extremist accounts, identify their supporters and amplifiers and prevent the spread of the propaganda they need to grow their community," Karimi said. "Doing so in a timely manner may assist law enforcement and government agencies in their intervention efforts against extremism."

More information: Younes Karimi et al, A longitudinal dataset and analysis of Twitter ISIS users and propaganda, Social Network Analysis and Mining (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s13278-023-01177-7
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Spreadsheet blunders aren't just frustrating personal inconveniences. They can have serious consequences. And in the last few years alone, there have been a myriad of spreadsheet horror stories.

In August 2023, the Police Service of Northern Ireland apologized for a data leak of "monumental proportions" when a spreadsheet that contained statistics on the number of officers it had and their rank was shared online in response to a freedom of information request.

There was a second overlooked tab on the spreadsheet that contained the personal details of 10,000 serving police officers.

A series of spreadsheet errors disrupted the recruitment of trainee anesthetists in Wales in late 2021. The Anesthetic National Recruitment Office (ANRO), the body responsible for their selection and recruitment, told all the candidates for positions in Wales they were "unappointable," despite some of them achieving the highest interview scores.

The blame fell on the process of consolidating interview data. Spreadsheets from different areas lacked standardization in formatting, naming conventions and overall structure. To make matters worse, data was manually copied and pasted between various spreadsheets, a time-consuming and error-prone process.

ANRO only discovered the blunder when rejected applicants questioned their dismissal letters. The fact that not a single candidate seemed acceptable for Welsh positions should have been a red flag. No testing or validation was apparently applied to the crucial spreadsheet, a simple step that could have prevented this critical error.

In 2021, Crypto.com, an online provider of cryptocurrency, accidentally transferred US$10.5 million (8.3 million) instead of US$100 into the account of an Australian customer due to an incorrect number being entered on a spreadsheet.

The clerk who processed the refund for the Australian customer had wrongly entered her bank account number in the refund field in a spreadsheet. It was seven months before the mistake was spotted. The recipient attempted to flee to Malaysia but was stopped at an Australian airport carrying a large amount of cash.

In 2022, Islandsbanki, a state-owned Icelandic bank, sold a portion of shares that were badly undervalued due to a spreadsheet error. When consolidating assets from different spreadsheets, the spreadsheet data was not "cleaned" and formatted properly. The bank's shares were subsequently undervalued by as much as 16 million.

The dark matter of corporate IT

The above is just a fraction of the spreadsheet errors that are regularly made by various organizations.

Spreadsheets represent unknown risks in the form of errors, privacy violations, trade secrets and compliance violations. Yet they are also critical for the way many organizations make their decisions. For this reason, they have been described by experts as the "dark matter" of corporate IT.

Industry studies show that 90% of spreadsheets containing more than 150 rows have at least one major mistake.

This is understandable because spreadsheet errors are easy to make but difficult to spot. My own research has shown that inspecting the spreadsheet's code is the most effective way of debugging them, but this approach still only catches between 60% and 80% of all errors.

Spreadsheets' appeal doesn't just exist in the financial world. They are indispensable in engineering, data science and even in sending robots to Mars. The key to their success is their flexibility.

Spreadsheet software is constantly evolving, with more features becoming available that increase their appeal. For instance, you can now automate many tasks in Excel (the most popular spreadsheet software) using Python scripting.

But given all of the aforementioned problems, isn't it time for Excel and other spreadsheet software to be sidelined in favor of something more reliable?

Human error

The underlying cause of these spreadsheet problems is not the software but human error.

The issue is that most users don't see the need to plan or test their work. Most users describe their first step in creating a new spreadsheet as merely jumping straight in and entering numbers or code directly.

Many of us don't consider spreadsheets to warrant serious consideration. This means we become complacent and assume there is no need to test, validate or verify our work.

Research on "cognitive load," the amount of mental effort required for a task, shows that building complex spreadsheets demands as much concentration as a GP making a diagnosis. This intense mental strain makes mistakes more likely. But GPs study their profession for many years before becoming qualified while most spreadsheet users are self-taught.

To break the cycle of repeated spreadsheet errors, there are several things organizations can do. First, introducing standardization would help to minimize confusion and mistakes. For example, this would mean consistent formatting, naming conventions and data structures across spreadsheets.

Second, improving training is crucial. Equipping users with the knowledge and skills to build robust and accurate spreadsheets could help them identify and avoid pitfalls.

Finally, fostering a culture of critical thinking towards spreadsheets is vital. This would mean encouraging users to continually question calculations, validate their data sources and double-check their work.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
China unveils rules for implementation of Archives Law

Xinhua) 09:51, January 26, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree of the State Council to unveil a set of rules for the implementation of the country's Archives Law, which will take effect on March 1.

The rules aim to ensure the implementation of the provisions of the Archives Law and provide strong legal support for the innovative development of the undertakings of archives, according to a statement issued Thursday.

With 52 entries in eight chapters, the rules expound on improving the mechanisms for archival work, standardizing the collection and administration of archives, improving the system for the custody of archives, and specifying the measures for publicizing and utilizing archives.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Unhoused people in Modesto dug caves in the riverbank along the Tuolumne River to live in, officials said, until local authorities and volunteers cleared the caverns over the weekend, citing safety concerns. Modesto Police Department

Unhoused people in Californias Central Valley dug caves in a riverbank to live in, officials said, until local authorities and volunteers cleared the caverns over the weekend, citing safety concerns.

People who had been living in the eight caves along the Tuolumne River in the Modesto area had fashioned them into elaborate makeshift homes, CBS Sacramento reported. The dwellings reportedly included furniture, shelving and artwork, as well as mantles and even a fireplace carved into the caves walls.

You cant even see them from up above, CBS reporter Tori Apodaca said, standing at the top of rough stairs carved into the ground along the river that led down into the caves. CBS reported on caves in the same location in 2022, but Apodaca reported that they had become more intricate since then.

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After they were alerted to the caves, Modesto police said, they told the occupants that they would be cleaning them out in a week and offered them various services to assist them in moving out. It was unclear how many individuals accepted that help.

Unhoused people in Modesto dug caves in the riverbank along the Tuolumne River to live in, officials said. Last weekend, police partnered with a local volunteer group to clean out the area, saying that they removed 7,600 (pounds) of trash. Modesto Police Department

Last weekend, police partnered with a local volunteer group to clean out the area, saying that they removed 7,600 (pounds) of trash.

This particular area has been plagued by vagrancy and illegal camps, which have raised concerns due to the fact that these camps were actually caves dug into the riverbanks, police wrote in a social media post.

City officials then placed barricades and temporary fencing to block the area off for safety reasons, the city of Modesto said in a statement, and will add signage warning against trespassing. Officials also plan to increase the presence of law enforcement, the fire department and city staff to monitor the area.

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The cave dwellings along the Tuolumne River that unhoused people were living in reportedly included furniture, shelving and artwork, as well as mantles and even a fireplace carved into the walls. Modesto Police Department

People who need shelter or services can get resources from the city upon request, officials said.
The in-custody death of a person incarcerated at the Marin County Jail is being investigated by Novato Police Department, according to the Marin County Sheriff's Office. Marin County

An incarcerated person died at the Marin County Jail early Thursday morning, marking the third in-custody death at the jail in six months, officials said.

During a routine check around 5:45 a.m., a sheriffs deputy found someone in need of medical attention alone in their single-occupancy cell at the facility in San Rafael, according to a news release from the Marin County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies attempted life-saving measures and requested a medical response from the San Rafael Fire Department, the release said. An ambulance was dispatched at 5:49 a.m. and arrived on the scene within minutes, according to Administrative Fire Chief Robert Sinnott.

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Fire Department responders unsuccessfully continued life-saving measures, and the incarcerated person was pronounced dead at 5:56 a.m., according to the news release. The responders cleared the scene at 6:07 a.m., Sinnott said.

The in-custody death follows two others at the Marin County Jail in the latter half of 2023, one in August and another in early October, according to Marin County Sheriffs Sgt. Adam Schermerhorn.

The Novato Police Department is conducting an independent investigation of the incident, which is a routine practice to ensure impartiality, according to police spokesperson Sgt. Jennifer Dunlap.

The investigation is ongoing, and Novato police said they would have no new information regarding the death until at least Friday.

The Coroner Unit of the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office will conduct the postmortem examination, scheduled for later this week, officials said.

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It is not uncommon for neighboring counties to handle investigations of this sort, Dunlap said.

No information was released about the identity of the decedent, who Schermerhorn said had been in custody for a few days.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators march through the Port of Oakland on Jan. 13. The Hayward City Council voted narrowly Tuesday to divest shares in Caterpillar, Chevron, Hyundai and Intel from the citys investment portfolio due to their ties to Israel. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle

The Hayward City Council voted to divest the citys stock ownership stakes in four companies that have ties with Israel  apparently the first city in the Bay Area to take such a measure.

The 4-3 vote Tuesday targets the citys current investments in San Ramon energy major Chevron, South Korean carmaker Hyundai, Santa Clara chipmaker Intel and Irving, Texas, construction-equipment giant Caterpillar.

Haywards holdings in the four companies amount to a total of $1.6 million out of an investment portfolio valued at $250 million.

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How can we say this has nothing to do with us when our own residents are losing family members? said Council Member George Syrop. Why do we spend years and millions of taxpayer dollars trying to fight climate change just to have Israels bombs that we pay for emit more CO in the last 100 days than 20 countries combined, accelerating an unlivable future for all of us?

Mayor Mark Salinas and Council Members Ray Bonilla Jr. and Julie Roche voted against the proposal. The city manager expressed concern that city staff hadnt had a chance to evaluate the proposals impact on the citys investment portfolio.

The Arab Resource and Organizing Center applauded the councils vote and said it hoped to see more cities take Haywards lead. But the Jewish Community Relations Council called Haywards move antisemitic.

Hayward has not passed a cease-fire resolution. Syrop said Tuesday that instead of taking such a symbolic step, Hayward should do something that we can control that will actually have a material impact on those profiting on the apartheid in Gaza.

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The East Bay citys divestiture comes after Palestinian supporters throughout the Bay Area have pressed cities to take a stand on the Middle East conflict. In Berkeley, so many City Council meetings have been interrupted by residents demanding a cease-fire resolution that council members eventually moved to a private online room open to news media and participants.

On Tuesday in Hayward, nearly 40 people spoke during public comment, most urging the city to cut ties with the four companies. Some people held Palestinian flags.

Those dollars are being funneled to support this genocide, the occupation and the apartheid in Palestine, one speaker said. Not another nickel, not another dime, no more money for Israels crime.

Another speaker urged the city to take a stand, and one woman said the citys tax dollars were being used for murdering and slaughtering innocent people, children, men and women.

A few speakers spoke against the supporters and said people should focus on crimes committed by Hamas instead.

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Lara Kiswani, the executive director of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center, said in a statement she hopes to see more cities do everything in their power to divest from all companies that profit from Israeli apartheid.

Just as was the case in the movement against apartheid in South Africa, boycotts, divestment and sanctions are a way for the international community to hold states accountable for their human rights violations, to demonstrate solidarity and make a material impact for the broader good, Kiswani said. This is particularly important today, as the Biden administration has yet to heed the calls for a ceasefire.

Tyler Gregory, the CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council, issued a statement Thursday criticizing the citys vote.

The movement for boycotts, divestment and sanctions singles out Israel for economic delegitimization and isolation, with the aim of destroying the country, Gregory said. Support for BDS is support for a world where Israel does not exist. Local lawmakers aligning with a movement that seeks to end the worlds only Jewish state does nothing to support peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but it does create antisemitism here at home.

In 2015, the city of Berkeley rejected a proposal to divest in companies that do business in Israel.
San Francisco Public Works workers remove debris from a homeless encampment on 13th Street in the Mission District in November. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle 2023

Regarding San Francisco seeks to halt lawsuit limiting homeless sweeps as Supreme Court weighs the issue (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Jan. 18): According to the article, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor London Breed argue that the court injunction against forcing homeless people on the street to move with nowhere else to go has hamstrung state and local officials trying to address the health and health risks posed by homeless encampments.

Newsom and Breed must selectively read the Chronicle, as well as the court injunction, because according to an earlier article (San Franciscos shelter system is in the spotlight. Heres where the beds are located, San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Sept. 14, 2023), under the injunction, The city can still remove encampments for health and safety reasons after providing three days notice, or can do so to ensure ADA compliance or to keep corridors clear for potential emergencies.

When will government officials stop lying in order to return to their police state tactics against the homeless?

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John Kelly, Hayward

Whats behind Oakland transfers?

Regarding The number of families fleeing Oakland schools is spiking. Heres whats going on (East Bay, SFChronicle.com, Jan. 17): The article says that nearly 1,000 students transferred to another nearby district, and the numbers were likely boosted by Jewish families leaving. But then it says, The district added 900 students who transferred in from other districts while also enrolling 200 additional students.

Those numbers are moot and cancel each other out.

The story mentions that at least 30 Jewish families transferred out in the first semester of the school year. I get the qualifier at least, which means there are more. The 950 total transfers were 200 more than expected based on historical trends, the story says. However, its not likely that the extra 200 students left directly because of the tensions in the Middle East.

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The story also states that 75% of transfers are due to child care, educational programs offered elsewhere, location of parental employment, sibling enrollment and continuing enrollment after a family move.

If we want fewer students to transfer out of the Oakland school district, we need to tackle the real issues. And conjecture about this horrible and deadly conflict in Gaza is not the real issue. Spoiler: Its the lack of resources in the district.

Gillian Garaci, San Francisco

Never again anywhere

As we recognize International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Saturday, created by the United Nations in 2006, we must remember that the day is not just about remembering.

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As U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said of the remembrance in 2007, We must also go beyond remembrance, and make sure that new generations know this history. We must apply the lessons of the Holocaust to todays world. And we must do our utmost so that all peoples may enjoy the protection and rights for which the United Nations stands.

And yet, because of United States vetoes, the U.N. watches as Israel pursues a genocidal attack on Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Perpetuating another holocaust is an insult to the memory of those we purport to honor. Never forget means never again and never again means for anyone.

Clyde Leland, Berkeley

Penalize scofflaws

Regarding Do you use a Clipper Card to ride Muni? These fees could cost you more money this year (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Jan. 22): I am surprised by the size of the projected net gain to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency ($3.7 million over two years) from increasing parking fines by $9 to $99, compared to the projections for removing the 50-cent Muni Clipper discount ($5 million), increasing residential parking permit fees by $45 ($2.9 million) or raising taxi fees ($1.2 million).

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Why not instead raise parking fines by a still-modest $31 to cover the entire $12.7 million deficit solely by penalizing wrongdoers, rather than penalizing those who use public services as a necessity, as the other three categories do?
The Biden-Harris administration on Thursday announced $21 million in funding to Nebraska for an Interstate 80 project between Kearney and Odessa.

The $21 million I-80 Odessa-to-Kearney project was selected under a special grant program.

The project will reconstruct approximately 9 miles of Interstate 80, within its current footprint, along with shoulders and replace a rural bridge over I-80.

Approximately 7,500 trucks per day carrying an estimated $336 million in freight use this segment of I-80 daily, and they will benefit from restored, smoother pavement and fewer maintenance related delays over time, according to the administration.

Biden and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the Kearney-to-Odessa project was part of $4.9 billion in funding from the presidents Investing in America agenda that is funding 37 projects.

Funds came from two major grant programs, the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) grant program and the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program.

With this announcement, we are advancing projects so large, complex, and ambitious that they could not get funded under the infrastructure programs that existed prior to the Biden administration, said Buttigieg.

The Mega program, which was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and provides $5 billion in funding through 2026, is focused on projects that are uniquely large, complex and difficult to fund under traditional grant programs.

PhotoFiles: Interstate 80 dedication in 1961 Interstate 80 opening Interstate 80, Gretna Interstate 80, Lincoln Interstate 80 dedication Interstate 80 dedication How well do you know Lincoln streets?
The state official responsible for weighing public comments on Nebraska's proposed regulations restricting access to gender-affirming care for the states transgender youth may not have reviewed every comment offered, state officials said Wednesday.

Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services had claimed Monday that the state's chief medical officer had reviewed "every single comment received regarding the regulations" he drafted in October, which faced backlash at a 12-hour public hearing in November.

Dr. Timothy Tesmer did not attend the November public hearing, where more than 60 people lined up largely to criticize the proposed regulations he drafted, casting them as overly burdensome on trans youths and their families, arbitrary, counter to best practices and potentially dangerous for children in dire need of gender-affirming care.

HHS officials had said that Tesmer, who missed November's hearing because he was undergoing a previously scheduled surgery, would review every comment offered at the hearing and submitted online, as required by state law.

But on Wednesday  two days after HHS said the department planned to move forward with the controversial regulations without making substantial changes  the department announced that "some comments submitted at the ... public hearing were not included in the hearing summary."

HHS officials said they were made aware of the oversight by a member of the public and had started to review all comments submitted both at the November hearing and online to ensure every comment is included in an amended hearing summary the department is working on.

It's unclear how many comments were left out of the initial hearing summary, which includes 470 submissions, most of which were submitted in written form. Fewer than 70 members of the public offered in-person testimony at November's hearing.

It's also unclear whether Tesmer  who has been criticized repeatedly by one state lawmaker for skipping November's hearing  reviewed every comment offered.

HHS spokesman Jeff Powell, who on Monday said Tesmer had reviewed every comment offered, said Wednesday that comments left out of the hearing summary "would not have received a written agency response," but did not directly respond to questions about whether Tesmer had actually reviewed all comments before moving ahead with the proposed regulations.

Dr. Alex Dworak, an Omaha-based family medicine physician, said Wednesday that he was the one who notified Tesmer this week that the comments he offered at November's hearing weren't included in the public hearing summary.

"I took the time to drive down to Lincoln ... to represent my patients and be a part of the political process," Dworak said in a phone interview, adding: "My voice was taken away."

Dworak, who described himself as one of the few physicians in the state willing to provide gender-affirming care amid "the overt hostility in our state," said he was heartened to learn that HHS is working to ensure all comments are included in the review  but his concerns of the proposed regulations linger.

"I am continuing, as I have been throughout this process, to be concerned for the health and well-being of my patients," he said, adding: "Patients who need this care will not be able to access it (under the proposed regulations.)"

Numerous health care providers who testified at the November hearing, including Dworak, described Tesmers proposed regulations as problematic, out-of-step with agreed-upon best practices and unsupported by medical literature.

Tesmer's proposed restrictions require that patients under 19 undergo at least 40 hours of therapy and wait another seven days after having their prescription approved before receiving any puberty-blocking or hormone medication.

Patients also must have lived six consecutive months as their preferred gender before being eligible for a prescription and, if the medication comes through an injection, the proposed regulations call for it to be administered by a credentialed professional in the prescribed practitioners office or by the patients primary care provider.

Tesmer drafted the regulations in October after the Legislature voted 33-15 to pass LB574 in May, banning gender-affirming surgeries for minors and turning the power to regulate the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy in youth patients over to Tesmer.

The process to finalize the proposed regulations  which includes a review by the Attorney General's Office and approval from Gov. Jim Pillen  was paused Wednesday as HHS amends its hearing summary.

Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, who at November's hearing said Tesmer "should be here," again took aim earlier this week at the chief medical officer's absence.

I cant imagine having sat and listened to what was shared at that hearing and not make changes, she said. And maybe thats part of the problem  that Dr. Tesmer wasnt there in person."

She also noted that Tesmer had vowed to take a thorough, evidence-based approach to the regulations when lawmakers questioned him on the matter at his confirmation hearing last year.

And he clearly is not doing that," she said.

Powell on Monday said Tesmer developed fair and reasonable regulations that put the long-term well-being of children first and foremost and determined no changes were required after reviewing comments offered at Novembers hearing.

Photos: Nebraska Legislature gavels in for first day of 2024 session
Kayla Newnam works on her Nebraska-inspired mural at the Hub Cafe, on Tuesday in Lincoln. Three years into her national murals project, "Out There Murals," Newnam is well on her way to her goal of painting a mural in every state. Newnam, based out of Phoenix, Arizona, started the project during the pandemic and has been crisscrossing the U.S. "It has been three years, two trucks, two trailers and three dogs, and now I'm on mural 18," Newnam said. Lincolnites are invited to come and meet Newnam on Wednesday at the Hub Cafe as she works on the latest mural between 5-9 p.m.
Vietnam viable option for US firms China plus one strategy: OnePoll

By Minh Anh Fri, January 26, 2024 | 10:09 am GMT+7

In addition to India, Vietnam has become a viable option for U.S. firms looking to adopt a China plus one strategy, according to a survey by UK market research firm OnePoll.

A U.S. business delegation comprising 52 leading firms visits Vietnam in March 2023 to explore and discuss investment and cooperation opportunities. Photo courtesy of the government's news portal.

Optimism in the Vietnamese market led to a surge in foreign direct investment last year compared with 2022. Government data shows that foreign direct investment (FDI) commitments in Vietnam reached $36.6 billion in 2023, up 32.1% year-on-year and representing the highest ever growth.

OnePoll found out that 61% of the surveyed 500 executive-level U.S. managers said they would pick India over China if both countries could manufacture the same materials, while 56% preferred India to serve their supply chain needs within the next five years over China.

The survey showed that 59% of the respondents found it somewhat risky or very risky to source materials from China, compared with 39% for India.

But Vietnam will not be able to achieve what India can, said Samir Kapadia, CEO of India Index and managing principal at Vogel Group, explaining that the worlds most populous country provides access to a vast customer base that Vietnam cannot match.

Companies are not making these decisions for cost arbitrage. Theyre making these decisions for cost savings and access to markets. Youre not going to see that same sort of benefit in just shifting to Vietnam, he added.

Vietnam and the U.S. have double upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, fanning hope that more American corporations will come to Vietnam. During President Bidens Hanoi visit last September, the two former war foes agreed to boost cooperation in critical industries such as high technology, semiconductors, and rare earths.

The U.S. has been Vietnam's largest export market for years.
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COLUMBIA  Lance Corporal B.A. Frazier of the SC Highway Patrol was presented with the SC Sheriffs Associations prestigious Medal of Valor Award during a recognition ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 25, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Lance Corporal B.A. Frazier Medal of Valor Lance Corporal B.A. Frazier of the SC Highway Patrol was presented with the SC Sheriffs Associations prestigious Medal of Valor Award during

Sheriff Kenneth Bamberg of the Bamberg County Sheriffs Office nominated Frazier and Sergeant Dwayne Duckson, of the Bamberg County Sheriffs Office, for the Medal of Valor award due to their courageous actions and ability to remain calm under fire.

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"Lance Corporal Frazier exemplifies the Highway Patrol's core values of selfless service, integrity, and responsibility, even in the moments after he was shot on duty," said Col. Christopher Williamson, Commander of the SC Highway Patrol. "His resilience in his recovery and determination to return to duty after this incident reflects the true spirit of a dedicated public servant. We very much appreciate the SC Sheriff's Association for recognizing Frazier with this honor. And we owe a special thank you to Sergeant Dwayne Duckson for providing critical backup for our trooper when he needed it most.

In the predawn hours of April 16, 2023, Frazier noticed a speeding vehicle in Bamberg County and initiated a traffic stop. Minutes later, a deputy with the Bamberg County Sheriffs Office happened to see the traffic stop and pulled over to provide assistance.

Trooper out of hospital Law enforcement officers line the walkway as S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Corporal B.A. Frazier heads home Sunday. Frazier was released from the 

It was upon Fraziers second approach of the vehicle when the driver drew a firearm and fired at Frazier, hitting him in the face. Frazier and Duckson immediately returned fire, striking the vehicle several times as the driver fled the scene.

Despite his injury, Frazier maintained a calm demeanor as he radioed in a distress call. Its believed his detailed description of the vehicle is the reason why the suspect was apprehended quickly by another Highway Patrol trooper. Duckson remained on scene to provide aid to Frazier until medical professionals arrived.

I'm grateful to God for covering me and sparing me in a time of adversity. I am grateful to the SC Sheriffs Association and Sheriff Bamberg for nominating me for such a prestigious award, says Frazier. I thank the SC Highway Patrol for the blood, sweat, and tears during our training, especially ground defense and survival. I also thank my wife and family for supporting me during my day-to-day recovery.

Each year the award is presented to South Carolina law enforcement officers whose valorous acts go above and beyond the call of duty; exhibit exceptional courage, decisiveness, and presence of mind; or act with unusual swiftness in an attempt to save or protect someone else, regardless of the officer's safety.
The Holly Hill Town Council has given initial approval to a 20 percent increase in water and wastewater rates.

Barber oath David Barber takes the oath of office on Monday, Jan. 8, after being re-elected to the Holly Hill Town Council in the municipal election two m

At present, water customers are paying a monthly base rate of $8.92 plus $3.12 per 1,000 gallons, and wastewater customers are paying a monthly base rate of $7.87 plus $4.30 per 1,000 gallons.

Under the new rates, water customers would pay a monthly base rate of $10.70 plus $3.74 per 1,000 gallons, and wastewater customers would pay a monthly base rate of $9.44 plus $5.16 per 1,000 gallons.

Mayor Billy Chavis said that, for many years in a row, the auditors who perform independent audits of the towns financial records have recommended utility rate increases of 47 percent to 60 percent and higher.

He said that a 20 percent increase should not place an unmanageable burden on anyone.

The ordinance raising the utility fees was given first reading during the town councils regular monthly meeting on Monday, Jan. 8.

The ordinance also establishes fees for a list of other town services, such as applying for annexation, a zoning change, a land use variance, a new sign, and approval of subdivision plats.

The ordinance also codifies the police departments fees for certain requested services.

After final approval, all of the fees will be posted on the towns web site so everybody will be able to see everything online or visit the Town Hall, Chavis said.

Also during the meeting, Police Chief Josh Detter addressed another concern of the independent auditor.

South Carolina law requires all towns with police departments to deliver a portion of court fine revenues to an approved victims assistance program.

Holly Hill had been collecting those funds as instructed, but had not spent them, in anticipation of starting an in-house victims assistance program.

When that did not happen, the auditor warned that the state could come in and take the money away unless town officials took alternate action.

So Detter reported that he was going to send a check for $35,000 to Tri-County CASA, which is an authorized recipient of victims assistance money.

In other business:

Winners of the annual Christmas decorating contest were announced: Grace Funeral Home, business category; Briner Christian Church, church category; and Rebecca Hardee, residence category.

David Teague, chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission, said the commission is still working on proposed rules for food trucks.

Council member LeAnne Troutman encouraged residents to call Town Hall at 803-496-3330 if they have any issues with the garbage pickup service.

The Holly Hill Town Councils next regular monthly meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5, in the courtroom/council chambers of the governmental complex on Old State Road and on the towns Facebook Live page. Contact Town Clerk Shelia Williams at 803-496-3330 for more information.
German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, left, and French President General Charles de Gaulle embrace at the Palais de lElysee in Paris after signing the Treaty of Friendship on Jan. 22, 1963. AFP/Getty Images 1963

On a cold wintry day over a half-century ago, our two countries, France and Germany, put an end to centuries of French-German enmity and wars. The signature of a Treaty of Friendship at the Palais de lElysee on Jan. 22, 1963, 61 years ago, sealed this reconciliation between our nations and gave us the opportunity to forge ahead in friendship and partnership.

As the consuls general of our respective nations in San Francisco, the anniversary of the treaty reminds us how much we have in common  not only between our two countries but with this city and state as well.

Climate change continues to be a top priority for both our countries as it is for California. Already this year, France and Germany have experienced terrible floods while the southern part of California is facing the damaging effects of an atmospheric river. And while atmospheric rivers are a natural occurrence, climate change is making them worse. In Berlin and Paris, as in Sacramento, a revolutionary transition is underway to completely decarbonize our economies by 2050.

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Today, French and German companies are directly contributing to Californias energy transition. For example, in 2022, the French multinational company TotalEnergies acquired 50% of Clearway, the fifth largest renewable energy player in the United States. That same year, the German multinational company RWE Renewables won its bid in the California offshore wind lease auction to develop up to 1.6 gigawatts of wind energy.

Human and social rights continue to be a focus for both of our nations as well. Just as California rushed to make itself a safe haven in the U.S. for LGBTQ and womens rights, our two nations continue to remain committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of all. Just like in California, President Emmanuel Macron has committed to enshrining abortion rights into the French Constitution. In Germany, 1 million people just rallied to protest against far-right ideas. While much progress remains, it is our commitment to the protection of the rights and freedoms of all that guides us.

At the local level, the Bay Area continues to be the home of tech, entrepreneurship and innovation. And our respective tech communities play integral roles in that innovation ecosystem, as the large and thriving French Tech San Francisco and German tech communities show. We believe that innovation requires fair competition between tech giants and innovative startups and that it must be ethical and responsible, protecting consumers, especially minors.

Of course, just like California, we face countless challenges. The need for affordable housing is a significant challenge facing all of our societies, with supply always outstripping demand. As with California, we also face the dangers of drug trafficking. Although fentanyl has yet to reach either of our nations in any significant way, cocaine seizures are higher than ever.

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Why enumerate all these fields? Because whatever the issue, we must never stop learning from each other across the Atlantic. Sometimes our values coincide, sometimes our solutions diverge. But we must always learn from one another.
Passengers boarding the last flight of LIAT (1974) Ltd. at the V.C. Bird International Airport, Antigua and Barbuda. (Source: DOL)

Monday 22nd January, 2024 marked the last flight by LIAT (1974) Ltd., bringing to an end an era in Caribbean aviation.





Reports reaching THE VINCENTIAN said that the airlines sole remaining aircraft, an ATR 42-600, left the V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua last Monday morning, on a flight that was scheduled to make stops in Dominica, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.





In a social media post, the airline commented: "Its a bittersweet day for usThank you to all who have supported us till the end of this chapter and we look to the future with hope for the new one.





Antigua and Barbudas state broadcaster ABS Television reported that the last LIAT (1974) Ltd. returned to the V.C. Bird International Airport around 7:20 p.m where it received a water salute, as it had received at the Argyle International Airport, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, when it made its final stop there, departing at 1:55 p.m for St. Lucia.





LIAT (1974) Ltd. will officially cease operations on January 24, 2024, paving the way for heightened action towards consolidating a new company, LIAT 2020, spearheaded by the Gaston Browne-led administration in Antigua and Barbuda.





LIAT 2020 is advanced as a joint effort with Nigerian airline, Air Peace, which is purported to be the major shareholder in what Brownes hopes will also involve governments from the OECS, including shareholders of LIAT (1974) Ltd.





Over 90 employees were affected by the January 24, 2024 cessation and they joined hundreds of employees who have been awaiting their severance pay and settlement of other entitlements since the airline went bankrupt in 2020.




St. Hill Da Silva, proprietor of Hills Mini Market (pictured) is contemplating getting out of the business that he has operated for decades.

The proprietor of one of the most convenient and community-spirited business places in the Campden Park/ Lowmans Leeward area is seriously considering closing his operation.





Proprietor of Hills Mini Market in Plan, Campden Park, St. Hill DaSilva, said that he is frustrated by the frequency his minimart has been robbed and the failure of the police to arrest the bandits and deter further robberies.





Last Saturday, January 20.2024, three masked gunmen entered the mini market around 4 p.m. and ordered everyone inside to hit the floor. A number of the customers and employees obeyed but some were able to escape.





Moments after, the sound of gunshots could be heard and the robbers could be seen fleeing the scene. They escaped with EC 1,200, leaving a former employee bleeding from a gunshot wound.





It was the second time the business place was robbed in just over a month and the 6th time since the business has been in operation.





Thinking of closing





During an interview with THE VINCENTIAN, Da Silva affirmed that he was thinking about closing the business after decades of service to the immediate and surrounding communities.





"Everything gone sky high, sales not coming and six times since I am in operation that the place has been robbed. I am thinking about closing down. I dont have to be in it and its not getting any better, said Da Silva.





His decades-long service has endeared him to the community resulting in a loyal customer base.





"The community was here for me and I extended a service to them over the years, Da Silva said in response to why he kept on operating in the face of all the robberies.





However, he said, he is very mindful that some of the same people he helped might just be the same ones robbing him. He said that there is a "high possibility that the same three masked men who robbed him on Saturday are the same three men who robbed him in December.





One shot  One arrest





Brian Lavia a former employee of Hills Mini Market, now an employed with Greaves Supermarket, was the one shot during the robbery.





"He comes and help when he have the time off but he work with Greaves, Da Silva offered as an explanation of how the former employee found himself at the business place on Saturday.





Lavia was shot in the hand and a bullet also grazed his abdomen. A number of persons rushed to help him contain the bleeding before he was taken to the hospital.





"I am very frustrated. I mean when the guy got shot I could not sleep, he could have lost his life and he has children and thing. At this point in my life I shouldnt have to be dealing with this, said the business man.





"The thing is, if the police were making an arrest, it might have help but they (robbers) keep coming back. I mean tax payers are paying the police daily, Da Silva complained, adding that he can recall only one occasion when the police arrested and charged someone for robbing his business and shooting him in the process.





That incident happened on July 30, 2010. Da Silva was shot in his left leg when four masked men robbed the store of an undisclosed sum of cash, shortly after 8:15 p.m.





"The thing is you dont see them (the robbers) until they come upon you. People should cooperate with the police as well, to help with getting the criminals arrested because is not me alone they hurting, they are hurting the community, they hurting the little children that are coming here and it is sad. Right not you are not making money like before so it really difficult. If I have someone to run the operation there, I would do so, said the businessman.





Residents in the community are also angry that the robberies continue to plague the businessman.





"He is super nice and he helps everybody. Why are they doing this to him? one angry customer asked.





Reports are that the police had a man in custody in connection with last Saturdays robbery but he has since been released.
(TBTCO) - San luong nha may va doanh so ban le cua Trung Quoc vuot ky vong trong giai oan tu thang 1 en thang 2/2024, anh dau su khoi au vung chac cho nam 2024 va mang lai mot so cuu tro cho cac nha hoach inh chinh sach, ngay ca khi su yeu kem trong linh vuc bat ong san van la luc can oi voi nen kinh te va niem tin.
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Critics say Maros Zilinkas visit to Moscow endorses the brutal methods of Russian law enforcement. From Dennik N.

Transitions editors note: This commentary from the Slovak news site Dennik N has been updated to reflect Zilinkas visit to Moscow and other events since it was published on 5 January.

Just a few days after criticizing Slovakias proposed defense agreement with the United States, Slovakias Prosecutor General Maros Zilinka was due to attend the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the establishment of the Russian prosecution service.

Prior to the trip, scheduled for 11-13 January, Zilinkas office said it had been planned for a long time. Representatives of 34 countries and international organizations such as the Council of Europe, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the International Association of Prosecutors were expected to attend.

Defense Committee Head: Zilinka Behaves Like Russians

Last week, the chairman of the Slovak parliaments defense and security committee compared Zilinkas methods to those of Russian prosecutors. In a Facebook post, Juraj Krupa of the co-governing OlaNO party said Zilinkas comments on the proposed U.S. defense agreement reminded him of how Russian prosecutors also influence public debate.

I do not wish to speculate but it is possible that such statements will help the Prosecutor General look more interesting during the celebration in Moscow, Krupa said.

Juraj Seliga, a deputy for the opposition For the People party, called on Zilinka not to travel to Moscow. If you appreciate democracy and human rights, if you support the rule of law, you cannot attend this celebration in Russia, he wrote, going on to say that Russia limits personal liberties and persecutes political opponents, while its secret service assassinates Russians abroad and the prosecutors office does not disavow the Stalinist period.

Zilinka previously met with Krasnov on a visit to Moscow in July, when he spoke of his interest in strengthening cooperation.

[At a meeting with Zilinka today, Krasnov said they would soon sign a two-year agreement on cooperation between their agencies, Krasnovs office announced. Krasnov also met with Slovenias chief prosecutor Drago Sketa today. Belgiums Frederic Van Leeuw also was present at the ceremonies, according to a Kremlin press release.]

EU: Krasnov Is a Rights Violator

According to Grigorij Meseznikov, director of Slovakias Institute for Public Affairs think tank, the Russian prosecutor generals agency is part of a repressive mechanism that violates human rights. Obviously, this is no independent body working to protect constitutionality, but rather a tool for imposing politically motivated steps aimed at maintaining power in the hands of the current governing corporation composed of former officers of the KGB and the FSB [the Soviet and Russian intelligence agencies], the political scientist said. According to Meseznikov, this precludes the chief prosecutor of Slovakia, or any other EU member, from acting in any way as a partner organization of their Russian counterpart.

Maros Zilinka posted this photo of the events in Moscow on his Facebook page.

Meseznikov said the very commemoration of the Russian prosecution services 300th anniversary is a relatively shady affair. You can probably imagine the type of institution that was the prosecutors office established by Czar Peter I in 1722. Even though formally this was an introduction of structural elements common to Western countries at the time, Peter Is regime was violent and despotic. Peter the Great is often seen as a westernizer of Russian society, but he was really a tyrant who had his political opponents decapitated, Meseznikov said.

The fact that a representative of the prosecutor generals office of an EU member state would appear at this celebration is, I think, a terrible faux pas, and not just historically, he said, adding that Russia behaves as an enemy state towards both NATO and the EU. What would the people who are now serving time as Russias political prisoners say about this? Estimates suggest there are some 1,000 of them, plus you have those who are persecuted in other ways. People are being called foreign agents, NGOs are being shut down.

Last March, Krasnov was included on the EUs sanctions list, alongside Investigative Committee head Alexander Bastrykin, National Guard commander Viktor Zolotov, and Federal Prison Service head Alexander Kalashnikov. They were listed over their roles in the arbitrary arrest, prosecution and sentencing of Alexei Navalny, as well as the repression of peaceful protests in connection with his unlawful treatment.

A European Council press release said the Russian officials were responsible for serious human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests and detentions, as well as widespread and systematic repression of freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, and freedom of opinion and expression in Russia.

Zilinka: U.S. Agreement Would Limit Our Sovereignty

On 4 January, Zilinka criticized the proposed defense agreement with the United States, announcing that his office had submitted 35 fundamental objections, meaning it rejects the draft agreement as a whole. Such defense cooperation agreements have already been signed by most NATO countries.

The draft agreement steps outside the legal framework of the NATO [accession process], because it also regulates a number of situations under which it is proposed that the Slovak Republic give up the prerogative to perform its sovereign state power in its own (sovereign) territory, his office commented.

The prosecutors objections also enter the territory of international politics, claiming, for example, that the agreement is unbalanced. The commitment of the two contractual parties to common defense according to their needs is not emphasized, which seems to be in stark contrast with the benefits of the other party, Zilinkas office objects.

Pavel Macko, the former deputy commander of the Slovak General Staff, suggests that Zilinka should instead try to ensure that the agreement with Russia, allowing the presence of Russian officers at Slovakias airbase in Sliac, also prohibits Russia from bringing Novichok to Slovakia.

Macko, who is currently leader of the small Civic Democrats of Slovakia party, also emphasizes that the draft agreement with the United States is public and can be commented on, whereas the agreement with Russia is not publicly available.

Until just recently, it looked as if the only people opposed to the U.S. defense agreement would be elements of the opposition, as well as a number of pro-Kremlin actors. They have already signed online petitions against the draft agreement and submitted a number of objections. Former Prime Minister Robert Fico, the leader of the [opposition, populist] Smer party, is particularly critical.

[The government approved the defense agreement with the United States on 12 January. It must now be signed by President Zuzana Caputova and then ratified by Slovak lawmakers.]

Milo Kern writes for Dennik N mainly on politics and public finances. He is a former Czech Press Agency correspondent in Slovakia and Austria.

Vladimir Snidl was a founding editor of Dennik N in 2015. His reporting focuses on military procurement, transport issues, and the spread of disinformation.

Translated by Matus Nemeth.
A slew of Lander-based health care providers are being sued by a child for alleged medical negligence and failure to act during her birth that led her to undergo a traumatic brain injury.

The family of Plaintiff A.M., as she is being referred to in the lawsuit, is suing doctor Jan Siebersma and registered nurse Racine Headley in their individual capacities, as well as Riverton Memorial Hospital dba SageWest Health Care and Lander Medical Clinic, on her behalf. The case was filed on Jan. 19 in federal district court.

Siebersma still works in Lander, according to the Lander Medical Clinics website. Headley worked at SageWest at the time, but now has an address in Washington State.

The case alleges medical malpractice that led to A.M. being born with severe health issues, which will prevent her from ever caring for herself, receiving an education or being gainfully employed. The plaintiff and her family currently live in Texas.

David Woodruff, who is one of the lawyers representing the plaintiff, also told the Star-Tribune that at the time, the plaintiffs mother worked for SageWest Health Care in the human resources department. Woodruff is joined by Jordan Grosgebauer of the same firm, Wahlberg, Woodruff, Nimmo & Sloane LLP, and Kylie Schmidt of Ogborn Mihm LLP. Both firms are based out of Denver.

As her labor progressed, [the mothers] unborn infant began demonstrating signs of fetal distress, including recurrent decelerations of the fetal heart eventually proceeding to a prolonged episode of bradycardia, the lawsuit alleges. Bradycardia is a slower-than-average heart rate.

The care team at SageWest Health Care, including Jan Siebersma, M.D. and the nursing staff, failed to properly respond to the fetal distress, the complaint continues.

As a result, [the mothers] unborn baby, Plaintiff A.M., suffered a massive deprivation of oxygen during labor and delivery, resulting in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), it concludes.

(According to the Nationwide Childrens Hospitals website, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy refers to brain damage due to a lack of oxygen to the brain before or shortly after birth.)

Now a six-year old child, Plaintiff A.M. has severe and permanent brain damage, is unable to ambulate or talk, and will live the duration of her life requiring constant medical care and assistance, further allegations from the lawsuit say.

Lander Medical Clinic declined the Star-Tribunes request for comment. SageWest Health Care did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The Star-Tribune was unable to identify legal counsel for Siebersma and Headley.

***

The Star-Tribune reviewed the complaint earlier this week as part of the reporting process for this story. This is what the plaintiffs lawyers allege happened:

The mother confirmed her pregnancy and started her prenatal care at a hospital in Houston, Texas. She began going to Lander Medical Clinic in early November of 2017 for routine prenatal care and experienced a healthy pregnancy, the complaint details.

She was 37 weeks along when Siebersma diagnosed her with polyhydramnios, it says. (Polyhydramnios is an increased buildup of amniotic fluid.) But other than that, the lawsuit says that all looked well. She was scheduled for an induction during her 39th week of pregnancy, and on Dec. 11, 2017, the complaint notes, she was induced.

Siebersma and Headley induced labor with Pitocin, which is commonly used to kickstart labor artificially. Defendant Siebersma ordered 2 mil. of Pitocin to be administered intravenously and increased by 2 mil. every 45 minutes, the lawsuit says.

Headley gave Pitocin between 8:23 a.m. and 8:49 a.m., in violation of hospital policies given the inability to assess fetal wellbeing, the complaint continues.

Despite continued documentation of sketchy tracings d/t fetal movement the providers continued to increase Pitocin to 8mu/mil by 10:39 a.m., the lawsuit notes further.

(Tracing is another word for electronic fetal heart rate monitoring, Woodruff said in a phone interview with the Star-Tribune. A belt is strapped around the mothers belly to monitor heart rate patterns and ensure the baby is receiving adequate oxygen.)

As the mothers labor progressed, the fetal heart rate was tracing less than 50 seconds, preventing the providers from assessing fetal wellbeing, according to the filed complaint.

At approximately 11 a.m., the lawsuit notes that Headley marked consistent 20-minute tracing. Other signs that the complaint noted pointed in a similarly positive direction: The baby seemed to be doing better and getting more oxygen to her brain. After a sterile vaginal exam, the mothers water was artificially broken, at which time Siebersma noted copious amounts of clear amniotic fluid and recension of the fetal head, the lawsuit says. To keep a closer eye on the contractions, the complaint details, an intrauterine pressure catheter was placed.

It was then that things began to take a sharp left turn, according to what was filed. A little after noon, A.M.s heart rate began to decelerate. And five minutes after that deceleration was first noted, the mother was taken off of Pitocin, the drug that is used to induce labor, and put on oxygen. A fetal scalp electrode, which is typically used to monitor contractions more exactly, was placed on the babys scalp. The complaint lists the aforementioned events chronologically.

Resuscitative measures such as rotating the mothers position, starting an intravenous saline drip, providing oxygen, or repositioning the fetal monitor are required by the standard of care when a baby is exhibiting fetal distress, as was the case here. (The lawsuit alleges that none of the defendants did any of that.)

Headley and Siebersma allowed the mothers labor to continue, it says, despite numerous warning signs that the baby was not doing well. The mothers blood pressure dropped around 1:28 that afternoon.

In the Labor and Delivery Report, Defendant Siebersma states that between 13:42  14:30 the fetal heart rate pattern improved. This opinion is not supported by the fetal heart tracing, the lawsuit says.

At 2 p.m., the complaint alleges that Headley misinterpreted the fetal heart tracing by documenting accelerations present and moderate variability when there were no accelerations and little variability. Late decelerations of the heart rate continued throughout the rest of labor and delivery, it adds.

Later that hour, Siebersma was informed that the patient was ready to push. According to what was filed, she did. Pushing, as noted in the complaint, was followed by deep variable decelerations and a significant episode of bradycardia [slow heart rate]  .

But the lawsuit also says that there were more hurdles  a vaginally assistive vacuum device was used to try to pull the baby out, but the cup lost suction and came off the babys head. A.M.s shoulder got stuck, and the mother had to push harder to get it unstuck, it notes.

When the shoulder was successfully delivered, it became evident that the baby had her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck once. The complaint mentions this in precise words: Once the shoulder was delivered, a tight nuchal cord x1 was observed, and Defendant Siebersma cut the cord before resuming pushes.

A.M. was born at 2:47 p.m. that afternoon, according to the filings. She had no discoverable heart rate and wasnt breathing. The complaint notes that the care team started CPR and intubated her.

Her heart didnt beat until 27 minutes after delivery, but still, she wasnt breathing, the lawsuit says further.

At approximately three hours of life, baby A.M. began experiencing seizure-like activity including left eye twitching, chin quiver, and spontaneous rhythmic jerks of bilateral lower extremities. She was diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and was transferred via Flight for Life to Presbyterian St. Lukes Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children in Denver, Colorado, where she was treated for severe HIE, the lawsuit says.

The baby spent three days in therapeutic hypothermia, which the lawsuit says is the gold standard for minimizing lasting harm to babies who have suffered hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging scans confirmed that she had hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and it also showed that she had a hemorrhage in her left cerebellum, according to what was filed.

In the lawsuit, it says that A.M. spent the first 23 days of her life in the NICU at PSL-Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children in Denver. On Jan. 3, 2018, she came home, according to the complaint.

The complaint also alleges that her tumultuous birth affects her life to this day.

She lives now in Texas, with her family and an extensive list of limitations. Cerebral palsy. An inability to move, speak or function independently, all of which are expected to last for the duration of her life. A need for constant care and supervision, numerous therapists and medical specialists.

She is six years old, the complaint says.

She will never be able to derive benefit from education or be gainfully employed due to her brain injury, the lawsuit details further. Thanks to that injury, she has incurred, and will continue to incur, medical expenses. In the final paragraph of the complaint, it alleges that she will incur lost earnings due to said injury, and on her behalf, her parents seek compensation.

***

Siebersma has been a health care provider for 15 years in Fremont County, according to a WyoFile series done on the decline of maternity care in Wyoming. He has three-plus decades in obstetrics, the story says.

He delivered his final baby early last year, the story also notes. On Lander Medical Clinics website, he is described as a board certified gynecologist, and the clinics services include gynecologic surgeries, evaluation, treatment, contraception, infertility, annual examinations, and preconception counseling.

None of the defendants contacted offered comments on the litigation.

On a phone call with the Star-Tribune, Woodruff rebuffed the argument that he says many out-of-state corporations that own hospitals in Wyoming make when they say that health care providers dont want to come to Wyoming to work.

He contended that corporations may not budget correctly, so pay is unattractive to many providers, or the way the hospital is run makes it challenging to work there.

And so I think it would be a shame if people were to fall for the argument that its really hard to get good health care providers [in Wyoming]  .

The lawsuit is especially unfortunate, he added, because the mother worked for the hospital in which she gave birth. He claimed that there were opportunities to resolve this sans legal action.

Her employment put her in the human resources department, where she spent several years, he said. (He could not remember the exact number of years she worked there.)

The woman is from Lander, a mountain town where camping, hiking and climbing are plentiful, but hospitals not so.

After the birth, she couldnt stay an employee at SageWests Lander campus. Not with her office being right across the hall from the room her daughter was born dead in. Not with all the memories, the trauma, he said. The family relocated.

The plaintiffs attorneys await a response from the defendants, Woodruff told the Star-Tribune in an email, which could take a few weeks. As of Tuesday, he had not been contacted by any opposing counsel, he said.

The lawyers for both the plaintiff and the defendants will then take deposition. Woodruff said he anticipates a trial will be scheduled probably about a year from now.
ENERGY Minister Stuart Young has taken umbrage at comments made by Ronald Harford, former chairman of Republic Financial Holdings Ltd, as he boasted about the success of the energy sector.

Young said whenever somebody becomes a former, their mouth gets big, as he quoted from an article in Fridays Express report where Harford made critical comments.
A long-awaited study known as the San Francisco Waterfront Flood Study is being released and reveals by 2040 the entire Embarcadero could be raised several feet, along with the Ferry Building, while all remaining piers would be rebuilt. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

If federal planners have their way, and San Francisco can raise its share of the money, the citys bay shoreline is on the verge of becoming a radically different place.

Much of the Embarcadero would be seven feet higher than it is now. So would the Ferry Building  but only after massive construction likely to force the iconic landmark to be closed for months or years.

Deployable flood barriers would adorn the bridges crossing Mission Creek. Warehouses south of Dogpatch along Islais Creek could be demolished to create a more water-friendly environment.

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And it would all happen in less than 20 years.

These are elements of the proposed transformation  intended to adapt the waterfront to the future impacts of sea level rise  outlined in a 252-page draft plan being released Friday by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Port of San Francisco. With a $13.5 billion budget, it would be the citys largest single infrastructure project ever.

The goal would be to complete work by 2040 if a final report is completed next year, following a review process that will begin with public comments in February and March, and Congress approves the project in 2026. That would be less time than the 16 years it took to design and build the eastern span of the Bay Bridge that opened in 2013.

Most striking of all, the ambitious plan for 7.5 miles of the citys shoreline signals a major pivot point. Nearly eight years after the city began studying shoreline environmental perils in earnest, focus has shifted from studies and research to physical change that, if done early on, will prevent flooding that scientists expect to accelerate by 2050.

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We have been in the trenches analyzing the risks for years, said Brad Benson, director of the Port of San Franciscos Water Resilience Program. Now we have something to show the public about how we can adapt to those risks.

People walk on a pier that jets out along the Embarcadero in San Francisco. A long-awaited study known as the San Francisco Waterfront Flood Study is being released and reveals that the city could need a $13.5 billion renovation of its coastal areas. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

The plan is the work of the Army Corps of Engineers, which, in 2017, began to study the potential threats from flooding to the citys bay shoreline. The Corps has worked in tandem with port staff throughout the process, and the proposals incorporate the need to strengthen the existing Embarcadero seawall  built more than a century ago  and ward off danger from major earthquakes.

This also marks the first time the Army Corps has drawn up a plan that includes a range of sea level projections  leaving room to fine-tune strategies and methods to account for the shifts in water levels as 2100 draws near.

For now, the plans emphasis is on work that can be done within 15 years of Congress agreeing to put the project into the federal budget. If this occurs, 65 percent of the costs would be covered by the Army Corps. San Francisco would be responsible for raising the additional 35%.

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For Fishermans Wharf, roughly the area from the Hyde Street Pier to the cruise terminal on Piers 27-31, plans call for floodproofing piers and waterside buildings with elements such as two-foot-high concrete curbs along the edge of each pier. The wharfs ground elevation is a bit higher than the shoreline to the south, so the idea simply is to repel waves churned up by particularly severe future storms.

Changes would be more tumultuous along the Embarcadero from the cruise terminal to the Bay Bridge.

Plans call for raising this stretch of the shoreline as much as 7-and-a-half feet above the existing shoreline, which conceivably could mean rebuilding the entire Embarcadero roadway and transit lines, as well as moving all utilities beneath it.

This also would mean raising bayside buildings to that same level  including the 600-foot-long Ferry Building with its 245-foot clocktower and heavy walls of Colusa sandstone.

Sea level rise and earthquake concerns could trigger the largest infrastructure project in San Francisco's history. The project would renovate the city's bay facing coastline, including raising the embarcadero and rebuilding piers. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

The feat can be done, say Port officials who have had consultants study the engineering aspects of such an alteration for the past 18 months. But theres no obvious way to do this without closing the structure for an extended period  an endeavor that, in turn, would displace the 50-plus retail and office tenants within the icon, a major attraction for residents and tourists alike.

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This stretch of the Embarcadero merits such extensive changes not only because of flooding threats, port officials say, but the transformation would be so disruptive that its best to do it all at once.

The (Embarcadero) waterfront will inevitably shut down for a period of time. Thats going to happen, Benson conceded. He preferred instead to emphasize the outcome: Were thrilled that the Army Corps has embraced a plan that will protect the Ferry Building for future generations.

Shoreline heights south of the Bay Bridge would also be raised in spots, but not as extensively.

South of the Bay Bridge, the Embarcadero promenade initially would be lifted up by no more than 4-and-a-half feet, while the landscaped shores along Mission Creek would have berms added as buffers between water and land.

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As for the bridges crossing the creek at Third and Fourth streets, the aged structures would receive a new touch: impervious barriers that could be deployed as needed when heavy rains are expected or future tides are particularly high.

Visitors walk on a pier that jets out along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, a new study says the city's bay facing coastline needs extensive renovations to combat sea level rise, and that the work would be done by 2040. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Continuing south, where downtown density gives way to lower heights and more open land, the adaptation methods employed elsewhere would be accompanied by efforts to make room for parks or greenscapes that would hold excess water during major storms.

This would be especially pronounced along the now-channelized Islais Creek, between Dogpatch and Bayview. Among other tactics, the report suggests demolishing all or part of several existing warehouses to make room for naturalized  shoreline features.

Should Congress give a green light, the story wont end in 2040.

Except for the central Embarcadero, each stretch of the 7.5 miles could include additional adaptation efforts between 2040 and 2090 to cope with rising tides and more extreme weather. These decisions would be calibrated to the extent of sea level rise that occurs, and how it lines up with earlier projections. In political terms, relying on long-term monitoring also helps make the already massive budget request more politically palatable.

Putting things in place now, that will allow us to reach our (future) goals. I like that, said Brian Harper, civil works director of the Corps Regional Planning and Environmental Center. Lets use time as our friend, not an enemy.

The range of methods is welcomed by officials at the Bay Conservation Development Commission, the state agency that must approve all projects along the bay.

We recognize theres not a one-size-fits-all response to sea level rise, said Jessica Fain, director of planning for the commission.

In terms of trying to prepare for what the future might bring, Fain suggested that San Francisco is taking the right approach.

This is a big plan, and its not just to build a wall around the city, Fain said, characterizing the effort as a microcosm of the thoughtful planning wed like to see around the bay.

Large as it might be, the $13.5 billion plan is in line with other Army Corps shoreline projects in urban areas. One example: storm risk protection for New Orleans in the aftermath of 2005s Hurricane Katrina totalled $15 billion.

At the port, executive director Elaine Forbes is happy to see the beginning of the shift from analysis to implementation.
Over the last few years, Leon Coldero has arguably become just as renowned for his insatiable cuisine as he is as an entertainer.

Having spent four decades in entertainment, giving soca parang lovers hits that never get old, opening his restaurant was just a natural progression for Coldero, who used the downtime during the Covid-19 pandemic, to delve full throttle into the restaurant business.
A new camera system is being installed along this countrys roadways with the aim of tackling traffic congestion and reducing the countrys crime.

This was said yesterday by Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan, who spoke with the media at the intersection of the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway and Golden Grove Road in Piarco.
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.
Another Leap Year February is about to begin, giving St. Valentine another day to do his thing  and the rest of us more time to explore the ever-burgeoning world of romance literature.

Until five years ago, the romance section was usually a single bookcase in the back of the store. Then came Colleen Hoover, BookTok and a wave of talented new authors with compelling new stories. Today, romance is the fastest-growing genre in American literature.

If you havent already, February is the perfect month to explore the newly enlarged romance section. Luckily, Jessica Pryde of the Pima County Public Library is here to help. By day, Pryde selects novels for the librarys central collection. By night, she recruits authors to the Tucson Festival of Books. Here, she said, are some recently released books that show the breadth of modern romance.

The Duke Gets Desperate by Diana Quincy introduces us to Raya Darwish, an Arab-American woman who inherits a castle in the English countryside. Not surprisingly, this does not go over well with the family, and sparks fly when she is confronted by the handsome young duke who thinks the estate should be his. This is the first book in a new Victorian series by Quincy, who will attend the Tucson Festival of Books March 9-10.

Technically Yours by Denise Williams was released last month and quickly reminded readers why Williams is one of our favorite storytellers. Eight years ago, Cord Matthews fell hopelessly in love with Pearl Harris. Back then, the circumstances were also hopeless, but now Pearl is back in his life. Professionally, at least. Again, things are complicated. Can they make it work this time?

The Return of His Caribbean Heiress by Lydia San Andres is a Harlequin romance that was released last week. Leandro Diaz isnt the same man he was five years ago, when he kissed a girl on the night before she left for Europe. Now hardened by life, he tries not to notice when Lucia returns. They are from different worlds. But danger brings them together anyway, closer than ever before.

Teacher of The Year by M.A. Wardell features a kindergarten teacher who feels the need to succeed to win a Teacher of the Year award to help his school survive. But Marvin Block finds himself distracted by the father of a new student. Now is not the time, right? Right?

Bride by Ali Hazelwood will arrive in bookstores Feb. 6 and may be out of stock by Feb. 7. Hazelwood, who will be in Tucson for the book festival this spring, is one of the most popular authors in the romance field today. In Bride, she explores new ground. It is a paranormal love story featuring a vampire wife and an alpha werewolf. Now, theres a book we can sink our teeth into.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston is a feel-good romance featuring Clementine, an overworked publicist still mourning the loss of her Aunt Analea. Two of her aunts rules: Never wear your shoes in the house and never fall in love if you want to be successful. Clementine has been following both when, one day, she returns to her aunts apartment to find a strange man there  and Clementine realizes she has walked into a scene from seven years earlier.

Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland. Long, long ago, a Flores woman offended the gods and the family was cursed. Ever since, every woman born in the family has been gifted with a touch of magic in one way or another. Sage Flores late sister brings her coffee. Another sister can fill the sky with lightning. Sages gift is an ability to communicate with plants. When she finds herself working beside an old flame, she feels a different kind of magic.

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming is a warm, fuzzy and funny fantasy about monsters  and romance. Cinnamon is a spice trader who just wants a quiet life, maybe with a cat. Instead, she finds herself teamed up with a demon on a quest to destroy an evil witch.

Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert is a paranormal romance with sea monsters, pirates and swashbuckling adventure. It begins when Evelyn, a witch, steals from her vampire ex and falls into another realm. What happens next? Ask Robert herself when she visits Tucson for the book festival in March.

Lizards Hold the Sun by Dani Trujillo is the story a Mexican archaeologist, Xiomara Chavez, who has been selected to create the first Bunchberry Tribal Museum in Canada. She is a long way from home  in a culture totally new  relying on a tight-lipped local architect. This is his first major project, and his family needs him to succeed. Clearly, this is no time for a workplace romance  is it?
A Honduran woman who was extradited to Tucson last year to face people-smuggling charges has pleaded guilty in the case, officials say.

Maria Mendoza Mendoza, 51, who also is known as Guera, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a charge of conspiracy to transport migrants for profit, the U.S. Attorneys Office, for Arizona said Thursday in a news release.

Mendoza Mendoza faces 10 years in prison when she is set to be sentenced April 2, by U.S. District Judge Raner C. Collins.

Mendoza Mendoza admitted that she was a leader of a smuggling organization that smuggled more than 100 migrants from Honduras into the United States and coordinated "smuggling and money laundering events," the release said.

Mendoza Mendoza "admitted she told a co-conspirator she would 'bleed out' a guide as punishment and that she stated that a migrant whose family did not pay his fee would be thrown 'back in the desert,' " the news release said.

Mendoza Mendoza was arrested in February 2023 as apart of a larger investigation that involved 27 defendants. She was extradited by the government of Honduras to the United States in June 2023 to face charges.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service turned down an environmental groups petition to reintroduce endangered jaguars into Southern New Mexicos Gila National Forest.

In a letter to the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity, the service said it concluded that release of jaguars under the provision of federal law the center requested would not be sufficient to further the conservation of the species. Release of the jaguars in that area therefore wouldnt meet federal requirements for reintroduction as an experimental population, the service said.

The center had asked about a year ago that jaguars be reintroduced as an experimental population that would have the protections of a threatened species, which are lesser than the normal protections normally afforded to an endangered species such as the jaguar. An experimental population is one for which the U.S. Interior secretary authorizes release in areas outside its current range.

The decision doesnt preclude the service from future jaguar reintroduction if conditions change or if the agency receives additional information showing reintroduction would meet federal standards for releasing a wild population, the Wildlife Service wrote in its letter this month to the center.

The services decision marks the latest standoff over jaguar protection between the federal agency and the center, spanning well over two decades. The center successfully sued the service in the 1990s to get the jaguar listed as endangered, then sued it in the 2000s to get its critical habitat designated.

Since 1996, eight male jaguars have been photographed near the Mexican border in Southern Arizona and Southern New Mexico. The most recently discovered jaguar was identified just this month from photos taken in Southern Arizonas Huachuca Mountains.

Center officials said Wednesday that continued federal inaction has prevented growth in the population of jaguars living permanently in this area.

No female jaguars have been seen in the U.S. since a hunter shot one in 1963 in Arizonas White Mountains. The closest breeding population of jaguars lives in northern Sonora  estimated by the Wildlife Service at between 50 to 100 of the big cats.

The jaguar is the largest native species native to the Western Hemisphere, the service said. It historically ranged from the southern U.S. to central Argentina, although hunting and trapping have shrunk the animals range significantly since the early 20th century.

This is a heartbreaking example of the Fish and Wildlife Services continued failure to take proactive steps to bring jaguars back to their native range, said Laiken Jordahl, Southwest conservation advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity. Federal officials should be aiding jaguar recovery, not making excuses that justify their continued inaction. Jaguars belong in the United States, and we wont stop fighting to protect and recover these magnificent cats.

The center said the services rationale ignores numerous jaguar experts who authored a 2019 study declaring 20 million acres in Arizona and New Mexico, including the Gila National Forest, suitable habitat for a breeding population of jaguars. The study was conducted by scientists as well as by environmental activists.

In its letter to the center, however, the service said its committed to jaguar conservation. It coordinates exchange of information about jaguars internationally, identifies conservation measures for proposed activities that could affect jaguars, and supports research and conservation projects throughout the jaguars range.

The service said in its letter that demographic factors such as delayed jaguar reproduction, the existence of few cubs and intermittent breeding make it unlikely that a new jaguar population could become established and survive without extensive human intervention to offset or manage anticipated low annual recruitment in the wild.

Jordahl countered: Millions of acres in Arizona and New Mexico hold a vast expanse of high-quality habitat with a robust prey base, as expert scientists have determined. Reintroduction here is possible and within reach.

He cited the reintroduction by scientists of what he called a thriving population of jaguars in Ibera, Argentina in a relatively short period of time.

The service also said that while a 2014 study found the Sonoran jaguar population is viable, other research has shown that removing as few as five jaguars a year from that area by humans accelerated the rate and magnitude of jaguar population declines there.

Those findings warrant significant caution in any consideration to remove jaguars from the Sonoran population for relocation, the service said.

Jordahl, however, said jaguar reintroduction would not include capturing or translocating any cats from the wild in Sonora. While more study of where to get jaguars is needed, based on the Argentinian experience, releasing the offspring of existing jaguars in captivity that are unable to be released themselves would likely be the best option, he said.

Overall, reintroduction in the U.S. would help bolster genetic diversity of the isolated population of jaguars in Sonora, who have a limited gene-pool and low genetic diversity, he said.
PHOENIX  Its not quite like taxing Arizonas abundant sun.

But Arizona lawmakers took the first steps Thursday to treating sunlight here the same way that Alaskans treat oil: tax the power generated if its going out of state  and divide up the revenues among residents.

SB 1066, approved on a 3-2 party line vote by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water, would require counties to establish a 12.5% royalty on every dollar received by companies that operate solar farms for commercial sale of electricity. And then those dollars would be divided up among residents.

The levy would not affect homeowners with rooftop solar. Nor would it impose new charges on the production from solar panels set up on site for commercial or industrial use.

And Sen. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City, said utilities that own their own solar generation also would be exempt.

Instead, the legislation is aimed at companies that set up shop on private or state-owned lands for the purpose of selling the electricity produced to out-of-state utilities.

If youre going to come to Arizona and exploit the land and take advantage of our sun, and the citizens dont benefit from that at all, thats not fair, he told committee members.

He said its no different than Alaska where the state distributes a check every year from the earnings from oil. This past year that figure was $1,312.

Borrelli said he had no figures on how much revenue could be generated, saying that will depend on how much electricity is produced.

But Sen. Priya Sundareshan said theres a big difference between taxing companies for taking advantage of the states sunshine and those who come into a state and actually remove something.

Mining and oil and gas, these are all extractive industries that will result in some level of disturbance to the land, that is fundamentally pollution, impacts to the water quality, the Tucson Democrat said. Theres a lot more that goes into the extraction of oil and gas and other mining industries than, lets say, passively sitting and letting the sun fall onto a solar panel.

And theres something else.

More than one state can play this game, warned Stan Barnes. He lobbies for the Interwest Energy Alliance which represents major companies involved in wind, solar and energy storage.

Barnes told lawmakers that if Arizona decides to start taxing solar energy that is sold to utilities in other states, those costs that would be passed along to their customers. Then those states might decide to do the same when energy from their states ends up here.

And one of the places where Arizona utilities get renewable energy is from wind farms in New Mexico.

And so if other states did what Sen. Borrelli is proposing  our rates go up, Barnes said.

Its a bad game to play, he continued. Its a trade war starting, anti-business kind of thing that Arizona would lose.

Sundareshan said it also could run afoul of federal laws regulating interstate commerce.

Borrellis legislation is not occurring in a vacuum.

The Mohave County Board of Supervisors voted in October to impose a 240-day moratorium on approving zoning changes for all types of energy projects. Among the concerns was the use of water in the area where supplies already are under threat.

Solar generation, by itself, does not use water. But water is needed for the solar collectors and the mirrors and photovoltaic panels. The supervisors said the moratorium will give them more time to study the issues.

Borrelli said his legislation is just like the efforts the state is making to preclude outsiders  including Middle Eastern countries  from using groundwater to grow alfalfa and the state getting no real benefit.

Theyre exploiting our water, he said.

No different, Borrelli said. We should be able to benefit from that.

Barnes said its not like solar companies are freeloading.

What they are doing now in Arizona is investing billions of dollars, with millions of dollars being kicked off in tax payments and thousands of jobs, he said, all without pollution and no water use.

The debate, however, goes beyond water use. Sen. Sine Kerr, R-Buckeye, said there are other issues that she sees in her district.

Its heartbreaking, heart wrenching, to see what is happening to our beautiful, pristine open lands out there, the destruction not only to lands, she said. Theres no way those lands can ever be put back to their original state.

And Kerr said wildlife also is harmed.

We know those solar panels, when theyre reflecting in the summertime, a bird has no chance if it gets near those, she said.

The Audubon Society says there is a particular problem with power tower technology, where mirrors concentrate solar energy to heat a solution that then is used to boil water that drives turbines. The society says birds are attracted to the light beam and the mirrors and are killed by the intense heat.

Other groups say birds are attracted to the flat panels because some bird species may mistake them for water and attempt to dive in.

Kerr said that the extensive farms also can disrupt habitat and migration patterns for deer and other animals.

Its very sad whats going on in my neck of the woods, she said.

Sen. Brian Fernandez, D-Yuma, said he is super sympathetic.

Weve had our problems with these large-scale solar farms coming into these state lands that weve just known as pristine areas, he said.

That includes a bid by Eolus North America to put a proposed solar farm on seven parcels covering more than 4,000 acres state land in the area of Tacna and Dateland. Concerns were expressed by those who use the area for outdoor recreation.

But that project died when the Arizona Land Department withdrew its request for county supervisors to issue the required special use permit after the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended against approval.

Fernandez said that is fighting them the right way when they dont make sense in an area. But he voted against the measure, questioning whether making these companies pay some additional taxes is the way to go.

Rep. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, did agree to support Borrellis bill, at least for now. Shope said, though, he has concerns because it would affect what property owners can do with their private lands.

The measure now needs to be considered by the full Senate.
Cruise's response to an October crash at Fifth and Market streets, caused by a human hit-and-run driver, prompted its suspension suspension less than three months after regulators granted its unlimited commercial expansion in San Francisco. Loren Elliott/Special to the Chronicle 2023

Cruise says poor leadership, a fixation over negative media coverage and an adversarial view of regulators are what fueled the companys response to the Oct. 2 crash in San Francisco that ultimately sidelined its robotaxis in California.

A 195-page report by third-party firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, made public by Cruise on Thursday, details a series of missteps that landed the General Motors-owned company in hot water with state and federal regulators.

The companys response to the severe crash at Fifth and Market streets, caused by a human hit-and-run driver, is what prompted Cruises suspension less than three months after regulators granted its unlimited commercial expansion in San Francisco. State regulators have alleged that the company failed to immediately disclose that the Cruise robotaxi involved in the crash dragged a woman 20 feet as it tried to pull over after striking her.

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The firms report said that company officials did not intentionally try to deceive regulators about the pullover maneuver, and did show them the footage the day after the crash. However, the report also found that Cruise officials did not explicitly explain to regulators that the robotaxi tried to pull over instead of remain in place.

Regulators also didnt get a clear view of the footage showing what happened that night. According to the report, a Cruise employee tasked with showing the video had poor internet connectivity that day, preventing regulators from seeing a clear picture of what went down.

State regulators allege that the company didnt immediately share footage of the pullover maneuver and that it later learned of its existence from another federal regulator.

The firm faulted company officials for having an us versus them mentality with government regulators. The report said that a Cruise employee involved in the Oct. 3 meeting with the Department of Motor Vehicles expressed relief that regulators didnt raise questions about the pedestrian being dragged, noting the company dodged a bullet.

We acknowledge that we have failed to live up to the justifiable expectations of regulators and the communities we serve, Cruise said in a blog post. In doing so, we also fell woefully short of our own expectations. We are profoundly remorseful both for the injuries to the pedestrian, as well as for breaching the trust of our regulators, the media, and the public.

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One day after its chairman was forced out over the leak of an embarrassing audio tape, the Arizona Republican Party got more bad news Thursday when former President Donald Trump backed out of a planned Friday fundraiser.

The rally, which was to have featured many of the states leading GOP candidates, was subsequently canceled  on the eve of the partys annual meeting set for Saturday.

Its been a week for the Arizona GOP.

Analysts see the latest upheaval as just another phase in the ongoing fight between the moderate and MAGA wings of the party, but they disagree on its long-term impact. One said the ouster of Chairman Jeff DeWit could hurt the partys ability to raise funds and field candidates, but another thinks this weeks drama will be a nonfactor in this falls elections.

Its certainly a major blow to the state party. I believe this (Friday rally) was going to be a major fundraiser for them, said Paul Bentz, senior vice president of research and strategy at HighGround Public Affairs Consultants. Bentz says the loss of DeWit is a further solidification of the control that the Trump and MAGA segment have over the party.

Arizona political consultant Jason Rose disagrees.

I dont think its a more fractured Republican party, Rose said. One guy (DeWit) made a bold move that returned out to backfire. He made a mistake.

The mistake Rose is referring to is DeWits March 2023 conversation with Kari Lake, the partys 2022 nominee for governor. In an audio tape of that discussion that came out this week, DeWit urges Lake to stay out of the 2024 race for U.S. Senate  and appears to offer a bribe if she does.

At one point, DeWit asks, Is there a number at which  , before Lake interjects, I can be bought?

DeWit then proposes Lake take a pause for two years and run for governor again in 2026. He says that break would be supplemented by companies out there that could just put you (Lake) on the payroll and keep you out of the Senate race.

Lake repeatedly turns down DeWits offers on the tape, saying, $10 million, $20 million, $1 billion? No. This is not about the money, this is about our country.

Lake went on to announce a Senate bid in October.

News of the tape broke earlier this week, and DeWit announced his resignation Wednesday, in the face of what he called an ultimatum from Lakes team to resign or they would release a new, more damaging recording.

In his resignation statement, however, DeWit decried what he called the deceptive tactic of releasing tape of an 11-month-old discussion that he said was taken out of context. DeWit said his intention in the March conversation was to offer perspective, not coercion.

Our relationship was based on friendship, and the conversation that is now being scrutinized was an open, unguarded exchange between friends in the living room of her house, DeWits statement said. I genuinely believed I was offering a helpful perspective to someone I considered a friend.

Rose believes the leaked tapes could help Lake flex her independence and integrity where many people considered her to be a sycophant of Trump.

Any elected official, whether it be someone who is running for mayor or president of the United States, wants to convey that theyre independent and that theyre not beholden to anybody, Rose said. I think this story actually works to Kari Lakes advantage in that regard. The big money tried to get Lake out of the race and she said no.

While it may benefit Lakes campaign, Bentz believes it could also be a win for Democrats. DeWit is a Trump supporter but was seen as someone who could raise funds and help unite a fractured party.

The logic with DeWit originally was that he would bring a business perspective to it and some campaign savvy as well as some Trump loyalty, Bentz said. DeWit inherited some pretty significant problems  a pretty fractured base. I just dont really know if he was ever really able to get his arms around it.

He said state Republicans used to be incredibly successful at fundraising but have struggled in recent years under the leadership of MAGA party officials.

Down the ticket, particularly for Democrats, this is good news for them because theyre likely to replace DeWit with someone who does not have a track record of raising money, Bentz said.

That makes the cancellation of Fridays rally particularly detrimental to the party in an election year, he said. Top tickets to the event at Dream City Church were going for more than $1,000.

News broke Thursday afternoon that Trump, who is in court this week as the defendant in a defamation trial in New York City, had backed out of the rally. Shortly thereafter, the party announced that the entire event  where Lake and others were to appear  would be canceled and refunds given.

The furor has grabbed headlines this week, but Rose thinks it will be a nonfactor come Election Day.

Who is saying that now that DeWit is gone, Lake cant win the Senate race? I dont think anyone is saying that, Rose said.
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

Re: the April 23, 2023 article Prop 412 means cleaner, greener grid.

According to the American Public Power Association, Over one in seven Americans are served by a public power utility. In Arizona alone, we have over thirty public-owned utilities providing citizens with water, power, and even telecommunications services. Unfortunately, the City of Tucson currently cannot count itself as one of them. The Tucson Democratic Socialists of America are trying to change that.

While investigating the feasibility of transitioning to a public utility is already part of the citys climate resilience plan, there is an inherent risk that Tucson Electric Powers influence will lead to only a shallow study being conducted. In light of this, the Tucson DSA has decided to launch a petition to the Tucson City Council with one simple demand: that the study be rigorous and address the negative impact private utilities have had on our environments and wallets.

Some might wonder, is it really possible for people to take such a stand against Tucson Electric Power? And to those I can answer, they already have. Earlier this year, the public was asked to vote on Proposition 412, a measure that not only would have levied more fees on the average TEP customer but locked the city into another 25-year franchise agreement. In an April 23rd OpEd, TEP tried to frame the proposition as the next logical step in Tucsons transition to a cleaner greener future. However, when looked at under scrutiny, it turned out to be nothing more than a glorified anti-competition and financial investment measure. Many advocacy groups took issue with this, and so did the voters, eventually leading to the proposition failing with a near-55% margin.

As Tucsonans, we deserve better. We deserve a power utility that actively works to keep consumer bills low, not to fill the coffers of corporate executives. We deserve a power utility that takes the concerns of our citizens to heart, not paying mere lip service to them. We deserve a power utility that is actually homegrown, not a subsidiary of a multinational Canadian mega-corporation. We deserve a utility that will recognize and implement the changes necessary to avoid the coming climate collapse.

The only way we can make this possible is if we as a people take control of the reins. Electricity is instrumental in almost every facet of modern life. Whoever controls the power, controls the people. For far too long, we have relinquished that power to those who only care of quarterly earnings reports, and yearly bonuses. It may be a daunting task, one that will take many years to get done. However, I believe that if we all band together, we can not only end TEPs reign but create a better utility in its place.
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in the killing of another teen earlier this month at a neighborhood park on the city's south side, Tucson police say.

Derick Ivan Hernandez Burruel was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of first degree murder and booked into the Pima County jail, Tucson police said Thursday in a news release. The Star is naming the teen due to the seriousness of the charges he faces.

The shooting happened about 7:15 p.m. Jan. 17 at Manuel Herrera Jr. Park in the 5900 block of South Fiesta Avenue, south of West Drexel Road. Burruel is accused of shooting Daniel Anthony Arriaga, 18, when the pair met at the park for a "pre-planned transaction," the release said.

Arriaga was shot during an argument and was found wounded in the back seat of a car. The gunman fled before police arrived. Arriaga died at the hospital on Jan. 19, the release said.

On Wednesday, detectives obtained an arrest warrant accusing Burruel of first degree murder and attempted robbery in connection with the case, the release said. Burruel was apprehended the same day and booked into jail. Bond was set at $1 million.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 88-CRIME, the anonymous tip line.
James D. Watts Jr. Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow James D. Watts Jr. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The University of Tulsa is now accepting applications for visual art vendors, musical acts, performance artists, food vendors and volunteers for the 2024 Tulsa Mayfest.

The annual spring arts festival will take place May 2-5 in the Tulsa Arts District, just north of downtown Tulsa.

Corey Taylor, chair of the Mayfest Music and Performing Arts Committe, said in a statement, Tulsa has no shortage of extremely talented artists across all creative mediums who are sure to inspire, and Mayfest will showcase just that.

This year, I am excited that we get to provide an established platform on our Mayfest stages to amplify the citys top musical voices, Taylor said. By remaining true to valuing our regions talent and providing opportunities for them to perform and share their stories, we are advancing our collective mission of furthering the legacy of Tulsa as a renowned music city.

Music applications are for solo artists, bands and groups who want to perform a 15-, 30- or 45-minute set on one of Mayfests community stages.

The Local Visual Artist Application is for Oklahoma artists seeking to display and sell their work during all three days of the event. Performing artists, including dancers, comedians, spoken-word artists, theatrical artists, magicians, poets and other non-musical performance artists can apply for 15-, 30- or 45 minute slots on one of the Mayfest community stages.

Artists from Oklahoma and surrounding states will be given priority, but others may apply for consideration.

The Food Truck application is for vendors who want to serve food during all open hours of Mayfest 2024.

Prospective volunteers may apply to assist as part of the Welcome crew, Merchandise crew, Kidz World crew and Artist Relief crew.

Applications are available now at tulsamayfest.org.

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The war to end all wars was over over there, and Oklahomans celebrated with parades, noise, gunshots, a goat riding on the roof of a taxi cab and even a mock hanging of German Kaiser Wilhelm.

The boisterous celebration in Tulsa began at 3 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918, with shrieking factory whistles and continued for 24 hours. "Any way to celebrate was the proper way," the Tulsa World reported.

In a bit of exaggeration, the World said the celebration marked "the greatest event in the history of the world as no other event was ever celebrated or ever will be celebrated."

The World got the news of Germany's surrender at 1:50 a.m. and had an extra edition on the streets within a few minutes, followed by three additional extras as additional details were received.

Workers at the Cosden Refinery and at the West Tulsa railroad yard began blowing whistles after confirming the news by calling the newspaper.

They wanted confirmation because of a false report a few days earlier that the war was over -- a report that touched off celebrations and later was called the greatest hoax of recent years.

Within minutes, Tulsans were driving through the city firing pistols and shotguns and honking car horns to celebrate the end of the World War.

Many pulled washtubs behind their cars to make noise.

Those who didn't have guns or ammunition used the backfiring of their cars to make noise.

Impromptu parades continued throughout the day, snarling traffic on Main Street and other downtown streets.

A taxicab drove around the city with a live goat labeled "the kaiser's goat" on its roof and carrying a casket with a sign identifying it as containing the kaiser's body.

Mayor Charles Hubbard proclaimed a holiday and asked all businesses to close for the day.

The World suggested a community singing be held at Fourth and Main streets the next night. Only about 3,000 showed up, but they sang all the songs made popular during the war.

Celebrations were held in other cities and towns in the state, most involving parades and noise-making and many involving guns.

Lights were shot out in Beggs and Mounds -- street lights first, then lights in stores and even the parlor lamps in some of the homes. By dark, every light in town was shot out.

Three patriotic floats, each bearing a piano and a group singing patriotic songs, paraded through Sapulpa until their music was drowned out by amateur efforts of thousands of competitors. The parading continued until nearly all the spectators had joined in, leaving no one to watch.

Bristow stores, banks, gins and factories closed at 2 p.m., and whistles and bells sounded for an hour. A dummy of the kaiser was placed in a box inside a hearse drawn by two large black horses and was followed by children from the schools, making what was called the largest funeral procession in the town's history.

Another car had a dummy labeled as the kaiser on its hood that later was strung up by the neck to a wire that stretched across Main Street. As the dummy was pulled up, coal oil was poured over it and it was burned.

Armistice Day was celebrated annually in Oklahoma and across the nation with parades and other events but became Veterans Day in 1954 as a day to honor veterans of all wars.

Like this column? Read all the columns in the Only in Oklahoma series from the Tulsa World Archive.
A new Tulsa Regional Chamber signature event  the State of the Tribal Nations  will be held for the first time this year, the new chamber chair said Thursday.

This event will provide our tribal partners with a platform to discuss their work on behalf of our region, fostering collaboration and understanding, said Jennifer Jezek, vice president of VSC Fire & Security, who spoke as the 2024 chamber board chair.

Tribal participation  has given the Tulsa region a competitive advantage among peer communities across the country. We win because the tribal nations work with us, she said.

The new event will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. April 18 at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center, 6808 S. 107th East Ave.

Jezek spoke Thursday during the chambers 2024 Annual Meeting and Inauguration at the Cox Business Convention Center downtown. More than 1,200 people attended.

She said there are three main keys to unlocking Tulsas full promise: education, engagement and equity.

Tulsa Public Schools has faced challenges recently, and in my role as chamber chair-elect, I participated in a conversation with TPS Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson at a recent board meeting, she said.

Johnson openly discussed both the obstacles and possibilities within our states largest school district, displaying a genuine passion for her work and a clear dedication to enhancing student outcomes, Jezek said.

The key insight I gained from this conversation is that the business communitys vocal support is crucial for the districts success. As Dr. Johnson and her team tackle significant issues such as chronic student absenteeism and teacher shortages, they require the support of the business community.

If you share my belief that education is key to unlocking Tulsas promise, it is essential for us to unite and advocate for the continued local control of our public schools. Be vocal for local.

Regarding engagement, she said: Many of us in the room today run or work for successful businesses. Im here to tell you thats wonderful, but its not enough.

Beyond our businesses and current circles, we must find new and creative ways to engage with one another and our neighbors to unlock Tulsas promise more fully.

Jezek said one of her avenues for engagement is the Tulsa Regional Chamber, giving her a chance in a variety of volunteer roles.

The point is, I got involved, and I stayed involved. We all need to be involved, and there is no shortage of opportunities, both within and outside the chamber, she said.

Third, she said, By equity, I mean fostering inclusive atmospheres and ecosystems so anyone coming to Tulsa can create the life they want.

In a just, fair and inclusive region, all businesses can flourish; everyone finds community; and those who visit will want to come back, Jezek said.

We must be an equitable city and a welcoming region. During the past several years, a great deal of focus has been placed on our regions diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

It is essential to appreciate and acknowledge the valuable contributions made by diverse populations, including our indigenous communities.

Beyond a doubt, our region benefits tremendously, both financially and culturally, from the tribal populations within Oklahoma. I myself am a proud Cherokee Nation citizen.

Our region is home to three of the largest and most influential tribal nations in the countrythe Cherokee Nation, the Muscogee Nation and the Osage Nation. These tribal nations have long been vital partners to the work of the chamber and have made significant contributions to economic prosperity across our region.

The positive economic impact of regional tribal partners cannot be overstated.

Prior to Jezeks remarks, the chambers 2023 Most Outstanding Partners were announced, including Jim Norton, who was named recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, the chambers highest honor.

Were more diversified than weve ever been in terms of the Tulsa regional economy, he said a prerecorded video message shown at Thursdays event.

We certainly have strong energy companies like weve always had, but we dont have the ups and downs because we have that diversification, said Norton, a longtime local car dealer.

The advice I would like to give to young people  is make sure that you love what you do for work. Find out what you love, and do it and stick with it.

Chambers Most Outstanding Partners in 2023  Economic Development Partner of the Year: Garrett Wright and Public Service Company of Oklahoma  Regional Tourism Partner of the Year: Brian Paschal and the Lobeck-Taylor Family Foundation  Government Affairs Partner of the Year: IOT 3 campaign leadership  Gordy Guest, Cassie Reese Tipton and John Smaligo  Community Development Partner of the Year: Brandon Oldham  Resource Development Partner of the Year: Tina Parkhill  Regional Partner of the Year: Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear and the Osage Nation  Lifetime Achievement Award: Jim Norton
Andrea Eger Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Andrea Eger 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

Related content Ryan Walters gives Libs of TikTok creator a forum at state board meeting

OKLAHOMA CITY  State Superintendent Ryan Walters commended Tulsa Public Schools leaders for a second month in a row for good signs in the districts current academic progress but said he remains concerned about some unspecified financial issues they have inherited.

After hearing the districts monthly report to the Oklahoma State Board of Education, Walters told Tulsa Superintendent Ebony Johnson: You are going to have some situations you are going to have to clean up.  I appreciate the frankness of you and your staff. We feel very comfortable about where you are heading. I will say I am concerned, but thats not about you and where youre heading but some of the things that predate you.

Academically, I do see some really good signs from what you are doing. I do want to acknowledge there is a lot of intentionality around what you are doing.

Jill Hendricks, the district's deputy chief finance officer, showed the state board a chart tracking how TPS has built up its carryover fund from $28.4 million in 2018-19 to $71.1 million in 2022-23, largely in an effort to avoid the dramatic drop-off or funding cliff coming when federal pandemic relief funds for education recovery run out.

Carryover funds also include the cash on hand school districts in Oklahoma must have to make payroll and pay bills until local tax revenues are received around the midpoint of each fiscal year.

Hendricks said TPS administrative costs in fiscal 2023 were 4.03% of its total budget, well below the 5% maximum allowed under state law.

Walters asked Johnson how she feels about the position the district is in as it approaches the expiration of federal pandemic emergency relief funding, which TPS has used for such things as offering a much more robust summer school program and some school ventilation improvements.

Johnson responded: If we had a wand, we would love for (the U.S. Department of Education) to say: 'Keep doing that great work. Weve had to ask, 'Is this aligned to academic outcomes, graduation rate, doing well on ACCESS, doing well on math?' But there are challenges  and there could be future challenges  but we are working it out. We feel decent about where we are now.

Other top administrators from TPS reported efforts toward meeting the state boards goals for the district. TPS received state approval to launch a high-dosage tutoring program next week for fourth- and fifth-graders at the school sites designated as most in need of intervention and improvement by the state and federal education departments.

TPS said 100 of its teachers are already signed up to provide student tutoring in 31 schools.

State board interested in absenteeism

The state has signed off on TPS using the state of Ohios science of reading professional development for secondary school teachers, since Oklahoma has a state-approved model only for elementary school teachers.

The subject of Tulsas efforts to reverse a dramatic uptick in chronic absenteeism among its students  which is a nationwide problem with little sign of improvement since the pandemic  was one state board members said they are interested in.

Sean Berkstresser, executive director of Information and analytics at TPS, said 40% of TPS students are already chronically absent for the 2023-24 school year.

We cant have these kids missing that much time as a community, Berkstresser said. Part of that is making sure school is safe, welcoming. Another part is making sure were solving barriers that are preventing kids getting to school, whether that be transportation, safety, all of those things.

Schools are measured on how many students miss 10% or more of the academic year for any reason, including excused absences, because research has repeatedly shown that this kind of chronic absenteeism places students at academic risk.

Board member Katie Quebedeaux asked what some of the most common barriers to attendance are in Tulsa.

Johnson responded that transportation, student employment and mental health challenges are common problems but that TPS is preparing a comprehensive survey to zero in on more precise, current issues being experienced.

And Johnson said parent and community supports are critical to improving attendance.

It is a child welfare issue when we have kids missing 30, 40, 50 days of school, she told the board.

Video: How is Tulsa Public Schools working to improve teacher retention?
Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The Oklahoma State Board of Education voted Thursday to make an administrative rule permanent that requires school districts to get the state boards approval before honoring any requests to change gender or sex designations on student records.

Approved without debate or dissent Thursday by a 4-0 count, the rule was initially adopted on an emergency basis in September.

Speaking at the beginning of Thursdays board meeting, State Superintendent Ryan Walters said he had heard from school administrators and teachers that the issue has become weaponized.

Its common sense, he said. Ive heard it from folks of all political backgrounds that we do not want these transgender games going on in our schools.

Since the emergency rules were adopted, two such requests have come before the board: one from Cushing Public Schools and one from Moore Public Schools. Both requests were accompanied by a court order but were denied by a 5-0 vote in October.

Walters told reporters after that meeting that he could not foresee any circumstance in which the board would grant such a request.

Along with a parent, one of the two students whose request was denied is now suing Walters, the current members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education and former member Suzanne Reynolds, who was still on the board when the emergency rules were adopted.

The suit cites the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act, the Oklahoma Parents Bill of Rights, Title IX of the Civil Rights Act and the equal protection clauses of both the Oklahoma and U.S. constitutions.

In the lawsuit, attorneys for the Moore student and that child's parent noted that their clients were not given any opportunity to present evidence to the state board or answer any questions about the request. They were also not apprised of any appeal routes, the filing states.

Initially filed in Cleveland County District Court in December, the litigation has since been moved to federal court in the Western District of Oklahoma. With the venue shift, attorneys for Walters and the board now have until Jan. 31 to file a response to the students initial complaint.

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Kristina Stadelman sat at her dining room table, cradling her 3-day-old son. She said she was trying to focus on enjoying this moment with her baby instead of the demand letter from the Oklahoma State Department of Education laid in front of her.

Stadelman teaches special education to kindergarten through fourth-grade students in the Oklahoma City metro area. This is her fifth year in the classroom, so the department said she qualified for a $50,000 bonus, the maximum under State Superintendent Ryan Walters new Teacher Signing Bonus program. After taxes, about $29,000 hit her bank account in November.

With the money, her family was able to make some home improvements, place a down payment on a bigger car for their now-seven-member family and support the household while she takes time off with the baby. Then the department demanded it all back.

I got an email  it was like the second week of January, saying I

have to pay it back by the end of February, Stadelman said. Im like, how am I supposed to do that?

Repayment requested from nine teachers

The state department notified Stadelman that she was not eligible for the bonus after all because she taught in an Oklahoma school district last year. According to program rules, eligible teachers cannot have taught in an Oklahoma public school during the last school year. Stadelman thought she would be eligible for it by moving to a new school in Oklahoma City. She said she misunderstood the requirements.

Stadelman listed her employment history on her application, records show. If the department had that information from the start  information that disqualified her  she said she wondered why they sent her the money in the first place.

I dont think its my mistake, Stadelman said. And I think that they need to take the brunt of it because they made the error.

The department is demanding the entire $50,000 back, including what had been taken out for taxes. She has only until the end of February to pay it all back before it goes to a collection agency.

It felt really surreal, Stadelman said through tears. I just broke down that day, and I just came home and sat in silence. It was hard.

Stadelman is one of at least nine teachers facing a similar scenario.

The Department of Education overpaid at least $290,000 in teacher bonuses and is working to claw back the money months after it was distributed. Nine teachers have been issued demands for repayment. Those interviewed by StateImpact and Oklahoma Watch say they were blindsided by orders to return the money and that doing so will be financially devastating.

The overpayments occurred because the department did not verify teachers information before disbursement.

The department said $185,000 was awarded to teachers who did not qualify at all for the program, and $105,000 was overpaid to teachers the department said were qualified for lower bonus amounts than they received.

Department spokesperson Dan Isett said those errors should not diminish the overall success of the program, which the department is now auditing. Asked why the department went ahead with bonus payments to teachers whose information it had yet to verify, Isett said verification is ongoing.

Your questions have emerged in the middle of our ongoing process of rolling out, administering and ensuring accountability in this program, Isett wrote in an email. When we are completed with this project, there will be a final report highlighting all the applicable data and results from the program  including the steps taken to protect taxpayers.

Details on bonuses provided after subpoena

Walters announced the bonus program in April, one of his first major policy initiatives. In all, 951 teachers applied for bonuses, and 522 received amounts ranging from $15,000 to $50,000.

Participants had to be new or returning to the classroom and teaching special education or pre-K through third grade. Teachers working in rural or high-poverty schools qualified for bigger stipends.

Walters has touted the success of the bonus program in media interviews.

Weve launched the largest teacher recruitment program in the country, Walters said Nov. 13 in one such interview. Having over 950 teachers apply to come to Oklahoma to teach.

Walters claims led GOP leaders in the House of Representatives to seek data from the Department and, when it wasnt provided, they issued a subpoena in December. Within a week, Walters complied with the subpoena and provided data on the teacher bonus program, along with other requested information.

The incentives cost $16 million in federal money earmarked for COVID-19 recovery and students with disabilities.

A review of recipients found five who received bonuses but shouldnt have; four of those taught in an Oklahoma classroom last year, which should have disqualified them. Those four indicated on their initial applications they taught last year and included the district in which they were employed. The state has demanded that they return their bonuses.

Four additional teachers were overpaid and are being told to partially refund the state. On top of that, the department says five more teachers are under review and are being followed up with.

Bonus payments were made from October to December. In response to a request under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, the department provided data on Dec. 1, which Oklahoma Watch and StateImpact analyzed and started asking Isett about on Jan. 1.

In response, Isett said the report was a working document and that some data verifications had not happened. He said the department is implementing a three-tier review process and an ongoing audit of high bonus payouts.

Who should pay for the states mistakes?

Critics, including school superintendents and lawmakers, were concerned about the potential for clawbacks when the program was announced. But it seemed those would trickle in as teachers moved jobs or away from the profession, breaking the required five-year commitment, not a result of the initial payments being awarded incorrectly.

Kay Bojorquez applied for the bonus program last fall after a supervisor encouraged her, mistakenly believing that she qualified. She thought they were looking for people who obtained special education certification in the past five years, but she should have been ineligible because she taught in Oklahoma last year. On the application, she reported being employed as a teacher at Epic Charter Schools last year.

As far as I understood, I met all the criteria, she said. Thats why my name got put in the hat in the first place. I thought I had to be a teacher last year.

In November, the department informed her she qualified for the maximum of $50,000. It seemed too good to be true, Bojorquez said. Her finances were strained from years of caregiving for her parents and newly stressed from paying college tuition bills for her son. When she received the money, she made a few small home improvements but mostly paid off debts, hoping to improve her credit score to qualify for better college loans.

On Jan. 13, she received the email from the department telling her to return the $50,000.

When I read the letter, I threw up, she said. Ive had two panic attacks in the last two days.

Bojorquez said the anxiety was so great that she was unable to sleep.

Paying it back, she said, will financially ruin her.

She said its not her fault. If the department failed to verify her eligibility, they should have to cover their mistake, she said.

You cant just introduce that much money into someones life and then say, Oops, sorry, you dont really get it, she said.

The $50,000 bonus wasnt what drew Anita Hopson Malone, a special education teacher in the Oklahoma City metro area, back to the classroom. She found out about the signing bonus after committing to her district. She said the bonus was unexpected but welcomed.

After taxes, Hopson Malone got about $29,000, which she spent paying down debts. That allowed her to get approved for a mortgage to buy her first home, on which she will close in a few weeks. At 62 years old, Hopson Malone said shes excited about spending time in her new houses big family room with a fireplace, doing craft projects and painting her walls bright colors.

Once I had the opportunity to get in this program, I was like, OK, this is our one shot at trying to find a home, Hopson Malone said.

But because of a dispute about her years of service, the department sent her an email a month after she received the bonus, telling her she had only four years of service. That meant she didnt qualify for the $50,000.

Now, Hopson Malone is waiting to hear from the department how much she is supposed to repay. Isett wrote in an email to StateImpact that her corrected bonus amount was $30,000 for working four years instead of five, a claim Hopson Malone disputes.

But even more frustrating, she said, was that this particular issue was already identified by the department and resolved months before.

Applicants describe chaotic process

In Hopson Malones application, she listed five years of experience in the classroom. In August, the department emailed her a notice saying she was eligible for the full $50,000. In September, she received a contract, but only for $15,000. The department then sent a corrected contract for $50,000.

When the bonus didnt come in October as expected, she contacted the Department of Education. She said she called several times before she was able to get in contact with the right person.

She was told she had only four years of teaching on record. The fifth year, she told the department, was at an Oklahoma City charter school. An OSDE employee told her they would look into it.

When she received the $50,000 bonus in November, minus taxes, she thought the issue had been resolved, that she could trust the departments vetting process to get it right.

But she received word from the department in January reversing what she thought shed resolved: Their records indicated she only taught four years instead of five. She said she is talking things over with her teachers association representative before she engages again with the department over the discrepancy. Shes concerned that this situation will put her dreams of homeownership in jeopardy.

I was coming back to teach, and here was this blessing that was given to me, Hopson Malone said. And now you just want to snatch it back.

Several bonus applicants described a chaotic process, and some said they struggled to decipher the program qualifications.

Oklahoma Watch and StateImpact reported on June 22 that some district leaders were receiving questions they didnt know how to answer because of a lack of guidance from the department.

One superintendent said she told her entire staff to apply after she couldnt decipher the qualifications.

Teacher Julia Howard, who moved from Arkansas and qualified for the maximum bonus, said she had to keep following up on her application. When she didnt receive the money in October, as expected, she called again, and a department staffer said she didnt qualify.

After re-submitting her documents, someone told her she did qualify but that they had previously failed to check her eligibility correctly. Howard said she thought it was sketchy, and she wondered who was running the show at the Education Department.

The eligibility rules changed throughout the application process. For instance, program rules say an emergency-certified teacher must obtain a non-emergency teaching certification before the 2023-24 school year. When StateImpact and Oklahoma Watch checked, four bonus recipients still had only an emergency certification.

The department said those teachers are working toward standard certification.

Our goal is to recruit as many certified and special education teachers to Oklahoma public schools as we can, Isett wrote. After reviewing certification processing times during the summer, we allowed participants who had applied but were pending a non-emergency certification to remain on the eligibility list.

Additionally, despite the programs original guidelines, educators who taught during the last school year were eligible for the bonus if they taught only part-time.

Lawmakers asked to keep bonuses going

Walters proposed expanding the bonus program using state money next year. His agencys budget request includes more than $60 million for teacher bonuses and tutoring stipends to support his philosophy of using a pay-for-performance model to supplement teacher salaries.

He asked the Legislature for $10 million to pay for signing bonuses for up to 350 new math and science teachers; amounts would again max out at $50,000 and also would come with a clawback mechanism.

He also asked for $16 million for bonuses for teachers whose students demonstrate reading growth and $6 million for teachers whose students demonstrate growth in math. The House of Representatives education budget committee chairman, Mark McBride, R-Moore, said this month he will consider filing a bill to implement those proposals. McBride and Walters public feuding has simmered recently, and the two have reset their relationship.

But after dealing with the vetting lapses that plagued the first round of signing bonuses, educators, such as Kristina Stadelman, dont trust the department to correctly manage programs like these. She said she regrets signing up for the bonus.

Stadelman said that despite the nightmare her family is experiencing from the clawback, shes trying to focus on what matters the most.

My children are more important than this right now, Stadelman said. I didnt want to have something like this bearing over me.

After finishing her maternity leave, Stadelman plans to return to the classroom. She has a masters degree in special education, and thats where her passion lies. But for a position experiencing such a critical shortage statewide, Stadelman said she wishes she felt like her state cared. Instead, its saddling her with tens of thousands of dollars of debt.

Most teachers go into the profession knowing that theyre not going to make a big amount of money, Stadelman said. But I love what I do, and I love working with kids that struggle a little bit more than other kids.

And so to have a state thats supposed to like, support you  you know, the Education Department  youd think that they would be more understanding, Stadelman said.

By the numbers Oklahoma distributed teacher bonuses to 522 applicants. Of those, 13% came from out of state, and 35% have at least five years' teaching experience. 39.3% received $20,000 33.1% received $50,000 15.7% received $15,000 7.9% received $25,000 4% received $30,000
Melissa Jacques Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Melissa Jacques 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

OKLAHOMA CITY  Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, has again killed Gov. Kevin Stitt's hope of cutting personal income taxes.

Nothing has changed in the Senates position since the last special session was called in October, Treat said in a Wednesday press release to announce that his legislative chamber would adjourn without taking action in the latest special session called by the governor.

The Senate plans to gavel to call of the chair. The appropriate time for discussion on budget and taxes is during regular session that starts a week after the governors special session call. Since there is no agreement, special session  a week prior to regular session  is just political theater and a waste of taxpayer dollars."

Previous reports indicate each day of a special legislative session costs at least $30,000.

The governor fired back with a statement soon after, saying: All I asked was for Senator Treat to put a quarter-point tax cut up for a vote. The Senate is refusing to do what 65% of Oklahomans support: cutting taxes. If anything is a waste of taxpayer money, it is the refusal of Senate leadership to give Oklahomans a well-deserved pay raise.

"We don't provide paychecks for Oklahomans," Treat said Thursday in an interview with the Tulsa World.

Stitt's budget estimates that he has used to justify cuts to the state's personal income tax are based on numbers from the Board of Equalization meeting in December. Those numbers won't be finalized until a February meeting, and they can change quite drastically.

"We don't have all the numbers yet," said Treat. He pointed out that last year the finalized numbers in February were $611 million less than the estimates in December 2022.

Treat said he would support elimination of the state grocery tax rather than lowering personal income tax by 0.25%. He noted that lowering the personal income tax would give Oklahomans on average only $110 back each year. Eliminating the grocery tax would give Oklahomans an estimated $358 back per year, according to Treat's office.

The "political theater" is also getting in the way of the Senate's new budget process, which Treat wants to prioritize, he said. The budget process the Senate is using this year will be more transparent, according to Treat.

The special session called by the governor for Monday will get in the way of meetings, Treat said. Though he does not believe it is Stitt's intention, he said, "in effect, he is impeding our budgeting process."

The governor called for a special session for the same purpose last fall. It produced no legislation.

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San Francisco Mayor London Breed, shown in April, has seen a big year-over-year drop in recorded property crimes in the city. How much credit her policies have played into that is up for debate. Jungho Kim/Special to the Chronicle 2023

With one survey showing that San Francisco residents feel less safe than at any point in more than 20 years, Breed is hoping to convince voters that shes making progress on public safety, even while acknowledging that the city still has a long way to go.

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The mayor, whos facing two high-profile opponents, has seized upon positive data trends to help make her case. Reported crimes in San Francisco fell by 7% last year compared with 2022, Breeds office announced in a triumphant news release in recent days. Police Department data shows that decline was entirely attributable to a big year-over-year drop in recorded property crimes, which constitute the vast majority of San Francisco crime reports. Violent crime increased about 3%.

While Breed declared the overall crime figures are evidence that her public safety strategies are proving successful, experts interviewed by the Chronicle said its too soon to say for sure. And experts say many factors outside local policy decisions influence crime trends. Breed has spent the past few years pushing a tough-on-crime agenda, arguing that San Francisco needs more policing to improve its challenges around drug dealing, smash-and-grab car burglaries and retail theft.

On Thursday, Breed was out campaigning for Proposition E, which she placed on the March ballot to expand the power of police in certain areas. She visited a Parkside shoe store that has been burglarized multiple times since 2020, most recently on New Years Eve, when thieves cost the owner about $20,000 in losses.

Breed told reporters at the Taraval Street store, Footprint, that she thinks local residents are starting to take note of the citys reduction in property crime. She said one person told her that an unspecified location thats normally littered with shattered glass from car break-ins has been clean lately.

People are noticing that there has been a difference, Breed said. But at the same time, its still not enough because it doesnt matter  numbers, data, it doesnt matter when it happens to you.

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Breeds administration has tried to fight property crime on multiple fronts with aggressive policing.

In an attempt to reduce retail theft, the San Francisco Police Department has been conducting a series of undercover blitz operations, and Breed also flooded the Union Square shopping district with police officers during the holidays.

To combat car break-ins  a persistent problem in San Francisco, especially for tourists who drive rental cars  the city has deployed more police officers to tourist hot spots and started using bait car operations in an attempt to catch auto burglars in the act. One of Breeds staunchest critics, progressive Supervisor Dean Preston, had accused her administration of not doing enough to stop auto smash-and-grabs.



Overall reported property crime declined about 8.8% in San Francisco last year. Reported larceny thefts, which include both retail theft and car break-ins, dropped nearly 12%, according to Police Department data. About three-quarters of the decline in larceny theft was due to a dramatic fall in car break-ins.

Magnus Lofstrom, policy director of criminal justice at the Public Policy Institute of California, said the declining San Francisco figures are encouraging news, but he cautioned against drawing any firm conclusions about whats causing the dip. Thats partly because 2023 data for other cities is not yet final, making it difficult to draw precise comparisons and isolate trends that might be unique to San Francisco.

Those decreases are possibly, to some degree, driven by changes that have taken place in terms of police staffing, police strategies and whats happening in the DAs office, Lofstrom said. But given that we dont have data for other areas at this point, its too early to tell if those efforts are indeed behind the improved crime numbers in San Francisco.

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Crime analyst Jeff Asher said he is always skeptical of enforcement-related answers about falling property crime, given how rarely police ever arrest suspects in such cases. SFPDs clearance rate for larceny theft last year was 3.6%. For burglary, the rate was 11.7%.

Asher said the declines San Francisco has been experiencing in property crime could be fueled by a number of other factors.

Its something that is traditionally underreported. It could be a reporting issue, he said. It could be that, given all the attention thats being paid to retail theft as a whole, that stores are locking things up. People are taking more precautions than they were before, which is helping to reduce them. It could just be that the economy improved and so people are doing fewer crimes.

Breeds focus on enhanced policing isnt limited to car break-ins and retail theft. The mayor has also leaned into a police crackdown on open-air drug markets in tandem with state and federal law enforcement agencies. And the approach is not only limited to drug dealers: Breed last year ordered the SFPD to start arresting users when their public behavior makes them a danger to themselves or others. City police doubled the number of dealers they arrested last year in the Tenderloin and South of Market, the two neighborhoods at the center of the drug epidemic.

Breeds law enforcement strategy has drawn consistent pushback from progressives and criminal justice reform advocates who say the city cant arrest its way out of crises that are caused by public health and economic problems.

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Public Defender Mano Raju said in a statement to the Chronicle that there are less harmful ways to accelerate declining crime rates than to focus heavily on policing.

We would see a more meaningful reduction in crime if more resources were put into evidence-based solutions such as housing, health care, education and job opportunities that actually empower individuals and communities, Raju said.

For now, one of Breeds top public safety policy priorities is getting voters to approve Prop. E, which seeks to reduce the amount of time police officers spend on paperwork, expand the circumstances in which they can chase suspects by car and let them make more use of surveillance cameras and drones. The measure would also require the Police Commission, the policy-setting body for SFPD, to follow a new process of getting community feedback before creating new rules governing officers conduct.

The American Civil Liberties Union opposes the measure, saying it could roll back important oversight requirements and put the public in danger by ramping up car chases.

On Thursday, Footprint owner Michael Hsu gave a ringing endorsement of Prop. E, which he said would help make change so we can take back our city. Hsu said its changes to police car chase policy might have helped officers catch the thieves who broke into his store on New Years Eve.

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Breed agreed. She called the measure a sign of hope that San Francisco might be turning the page on fighting retail theft and other crime  continuing the progress she said she already saw in 2023s crime statistics.
Ginnie Graham Tulsa World Editorials Editor Follow Ginnie Graham 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

For this weekend, heres some homework: Read Ray Bradburys Fahrenheit 451. We all could use a brush-up on those themes.

Or, if reading is too much, watch Idiocracy, the 2006 comedy that is looking more like a documentary. Its set in a dystopian future where people evolved into stupidity and corporations run the country. The State of the Union speech with actor Terry Crews playing President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho is worth it.

The style-over-substance politics isnt far off the mark as Americas current growing disregard for expertise sets us on a path to ignorance and misinformation.

The pandemic brought this to the fore as too many Americans ignored infectious disease and public health experts in favor of their cousins neighbor who found a German website that declared COVID-19 vaccines death traps or even denied the existence of the virus.

Thats bled over to fuel an anti-vaccine, anti-medical movement. While physicians may not know all we want them to know, doctors still work with human biology every day and spent 10 to 14 years in higher education and residency to enter the profession. Second opinions make sense, but not if theyre coming from an anonymously operated website or actress-turned-podcaster.

In education, Oklahomans appear to have a growing acceptance of less than fully qualified teachers. A person may be an engineer with knowledge of physics and calculus, but skill at managing classrooms and teaching to different learning styles are just as important.

Kids bring a lot of baggage to classrooms sometimes, and not everyone is capable of handling that. Thats why teaching degrees have worth.

Emergency certifications used to be rare. Only 32 were granted in 2012. This school year hit a record high of 4,676 in the last six months.

Increasingly, legislation is being proposed to water down the professionalism in professions.

Take libraries. Just as Bradburys classic novel depicts, books are now under attack. That means libraries and librarians are under attack.

A failed proposal last year from Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, sought to completely reclassify school library book categories into new age ratings, tossing out systems of classification universally accepted by librarians. All libraries already separate books and materials by age, and the Dewey Decimal System is still a thing.

A current proposal, House Bill 3115 from Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, would disassociate public libraries from the American Library Association and Oklahoma Library Association. In his quest, the bill would drop the requirement for certification of librarians and for the director and associate director of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. Typically, librarians have a degree in library science.

Conservatives are blasting the ALA for its annual most-challenged books lists that started in 1990 and for its defense of those books as a First Amendment right. Societies going on book-banning and censoring rampages never fare well, just as Bradburys classic novel depicts.

Its reasonable to have processes for people to ask for a review of books, particularly if one needs to be reclassified. Good thing every library and school district has such a policy.

Some critics have a personal problem with the ALAs president, who identifies as a lesbian Marxist. They also dont like the ALAs defense of LGBTQ+ books, insultingly equating those to pornography. Both opinions are political, and LGBTQ+ books dont violate the First Amendment. Also, the ALA presidency lasts one year, so its not a permanent driver of any ideological shift.

The ALA is caught in a culture war that has nothing to do with its long-time mission of defending free speech and the free press.

Appointments to various state boards and commissions are showing more political influence than professional expertise. Thats not new, but its on the increase.

Just this past week, State Superintendent Ryan Walters appointed a 28-year-old Brooklyn, New York, far-right social media influencer to his agencys library media advisory board. Its an obvious political stunt because she is not a librarian, teacher, parent or even Oklahoman and is best known for inspiring bomb threats against schools and hospitals with false allegations and altered videos.

Its another reminder of the low regard held for people who spend their livelihoods and continuing educations working in specific professions.

Bradbury was a fan of libraries: I spent three days a week for ten years educating myself in the public library, and its better than college. People should educate themselves. You can get a complete education for no money. At the end of 10 years, I had read every book in the library and Id written a thousand stories.

Interestingly, Bradbury said he wrote Fahrenheit 451 in 1953 as an indictment of what he viewed as the dumbing down of Americans through television. The masses went further with the novels theme to see warnings against government censorship and unfettered power. The book has been in the crosshairs of book-banning in certain places at various moments.

Going back to the suggested homework, Bradbury had something to say about that.

There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them.

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An economic downturn and a safety test scandal linked to Toyotas subsidiary have piled pressure on Toyota Vietnam.

Although Toyota, a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer, dominates the Vietnamese auto market and has gained the trust of consumers, the brand is facing huge challenges.

Toyota Vietnam remained the best-selling brand in the auto market, selling 59,207 units, including Toyota and Lexus cars, in 2023, while Hyundai Thanh Cong sold 57,683 autos last year, according to reports recently released by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association (VAMA) and Hyundai Thanh Cong.

However, if the number of Lexus cars finding buyers was excluded from Toyotas sales, Hyundais turnover would exceed Toyotas by nearly 300 units.

Despite the narrow gap, the ongoing global and local economic slowdown is expected to hamper the growth of Toyota Vietnam in 2024.

Dipping trade turnover, soaring debts, and geopolitical uncertainty have taken a heavy toll on the global auto industry, challenging giant Toyota.

In Vietnam, the 2023 sales of the Japanese brand plunged 37 percent, but the automaker topped VAMA members, outstripping South Koreas Kia Motors, which came second with 16,640 cars sold.

Its Vios and Corolla Cross models were listed among the 10 best-sellers in Vietnam last year.

A Toyota Vios car. Photo: Toyota

A safety test scandal associated with Toyotas unit is another blow to the brand in the Vietnamese market.

Toyota affiliate Daihatsu, known for manufacturing small passenger cars, was found tampering with safety tests last year.

In particular, the misconduct at Daihatsu was brought to light in April 2023.

The Japanese automaker quickly established an independent third-party committee to investigate the case.

The investigation into its unit related to rigged collision-safety tests found issues going back decades, reported Reuters.

Production at Daihatsu's factories in Japan has been halted since late last month after the independent panel that had been investigating the company found issues involving 64 models, including almost two dozen sold under Toyota's brand.

Among scandal-hit models was Toyota Wigo.

It was not until June last year that the Toyota Wigo was manufactured, and no Wigo cars have been delivered to Vietnamese customers so far.

Meanwhile, Toyota Vios 2023 cars put on sale in Vietnam were the facelift versions, so they were not plagued by the misconduct.

In spite of no direct influence on Vietnamese customers, the scandal hitting Toyota has dented the Japanese automakers reputation and reduced trust in Toyota Vietnam.

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HANOI/BANDAR LAMPUNG -- Vietnamese coffee prices extended gains on Thursday on concerns about thin supplies, traders said on Thursday.

Farmers in the central highlands, Vietnam's largest coffee-growing area, were selling beans COFVN-DAK for VND73,000-75,000 (US$2.97-$3.05) per kg, up from VND71,000-72,900 last week.

"Prices have edged higher as farmers refrain from selling their beans to traders on anticipation of higher prices due to the Red Sea tensions and low London inventories," said a trader based in the coffee belt.

"Many exporters are finding it hard to secure enough coffee to fulfil their signed contracts."

Another trader said farmers are still holding around 70 percent of the beans harvested in the 2023-24 crop.

March robusta futures LRCc2 on Wednesday settled $25, or 0.8 percent, higher at $3,207 a ton, after peaking at $3,254 earlier - the highest since the current form of the contract started trading in January 2008.

In Indonesia, Sumatra robusta coffee premium widened this week, also on thin supplies.

Sumatra robusta bean is offered at a $500-520 premium for the February-March contract this week, compared with last week's premium of $500.

A trader said the premium widened to $500 this week from $450 last week, adding that the trend "will continue for a while, at least until the expected main harvest in April and June."

(US$1 = VND24,595)
A Japanese man found guilty of carrying out an arson attack that killed 36 people at an anime studio in 2019 was sentenced to death on Thursday.

The blaze that ripped through the studios of Kyoto Animation four-and-a-half years ago was Japan's deadliest crime in decades and stunned the anime industry and its fans around the world.

Shinji Aoba, now 45, broke into the building, spread gasoline around the ground floor, lit it and shouted "drop dead" on the morning of July 18, 2019, survivors said.

"The act of pouring an enormous amount of gasoline and setting it ablaze is extremely likely to be fatal, and immolating people is truly cruel and inhumane," presiding judge Keisuke Masuda said in his ruling.

The victims "were engulfed in fire and smoke in the blink of an eye... They died an anguishing death as the studio instantly turned into a hell", he said.

Many of those killed were young, including a 21-year-old woman.

A number of victims were found on a spiral stairwell leading to the roof, suggesting they were overcome as they desperately tried to escape.

"There was a person who jumped from the second floor... but we couldn't rush to help because the fire was so strong," one woman told local media at the time.

More than 30 others were injured, with firefighters calling the incident "unprecedented" and saying that rescuing people trapped inside was "extremely difficult".

Death row

Japan is one of the few developed countries with capital punishment and polls show public support for it is high. As of December, 107 people were on death row.

Aoba, who was arrested near the scene, faced five charges including murder, attempted murder and arson, and prosecutors sought capital punishment.

His lawyers entered a plea of not guilty, saying he had a "mental disorder" but the judge rejected this.

Aoba believed that the studio -- known by its fans as KyoAni -- stole his ideas, prosecutors said, a claim the company has denied.

Aoba himself sustained burns on 90 percent of his body and only regained consciousness weeks after the fire, and the ability to speak later still. He reportedly underwent 12 operations for his injuries.

'Remain committed'

Founded in 1981 by a husband and wife, KyoAni is a household name for anime fans, responsible for popular TV series including "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" and "K-ON!"

After the attack, there was shock and grief in Japan and worldwide, with Apple CEO Tim Cook among those tweeting his support and a crowdfunding campaign raising $2.4 million to help the firm.

Hideaki Hatta, company president, on Thursday welcomed the verdict but said that the "thought of all our employees who perished... just breaks my heart".

Inside the courtroom packed with family members of the victims, one person cried and covered their eyes as the judge spoke, local media reported.

"A good number of young people joined our studio after the attack. We will remain committed to taking good care of people who work for us, and making sure each and every one of them can perform to their potential," Hatta said.

Dozens of KyoAni fans braved snow to stand outside the courthouse, with one of them Renji Kiriyama, 27, recalling hearing about the fire on his car radio.

"With all the news reports about this case, I hope this will expose more people to KyoAni. If this spreads the name of KyoAni and brings its works to more people and more people know its name, I would be happy," he told AFP.

"I hope the verdict would ease the burden and anguish of the families even a little," said Kentaro Hatanaka, another fan.

"I hope KyoAni will again bring to the world kinds of animations that are filled with life as they did before this happened," he said.
BANGKOK -- Thailand's exports rose for a fifth straight month in December but at a slower pace and less than analysts' forecasts, and the commerce ministry said on Friday that it expected small export growth in 2024 after a slight drop last year.

Customs-based exports rose 4.7 percent in December from a year earlier, compared with a forecast for a 6.0 percent year-on-year increase in a Reuters poll, and following November's 4.9 percent rise.

December exports, a key driver of Thailand's economy, dropped 2.9 percent from the previous month.

"Geopolitical problems that affect global trade and pose risks to the global supply chain remain a significant factor that need monitoring as they could impact future exports," the ministry said.

China's economic slowdown will also have a big impact on Thai exports this year, Keerati Rushchano, the ministry's permanent secretary, told a briefing.

China was Thailand's second-largest export market in 2023 with a 12 percent market share, after the United States' 17.2 percent share.

As exports dropped one percent last year, Keerati said the ministry's 2024 working target for export growth of one percent to two percent "is challenging".

In December, shipments of cars and car parts as well as electronics increased but exports of chemicals dropped.

Rice export volumes increased 4.1 percent in December from a year earlier, with the value up 27 percent. Rice shipments rose 13.7 percent to 8.76 million metric tons in 2023.

Rice exports saw high demand due to concerns over food security, Keerati said.

In December, shipments to the United States rose 0.3 percent from a year earlier and those to Japan dropped 3.7 percent, while exports to China increased two percent.

December imports fell 3.1 percent year-on-year, creating a trade surplus of $0.97 billion.

Full-year 2023 imports dropped 3.8 percent annually while the country's trade deficit stood at $5.2 billion.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his spouse will pay a state visit to Vietnam on January 29 and 30 at the invitation of Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Pham Thu Hang said at a press briefing on Thursday afternoon.

This will be the Philippine leaders first Vietnam visit since he assumed office in late June 2022.

His trip will mark the third state visit by a foreign leader to the Southeast Asian nation in January.

Ties between Vietnam and the Philippines have made great strides over the past many years, with political cooperation being a primary focus, Hang said.

The Philippines is Vietnams sixth-largest trade partner among Southeast Asian nations, and is ranked 16th among the countrys world partners.

The Philippines also holds the title of Vietnams biggest rice buyer.

The two nations have been fostering their partnership in various fields such as education-training, security, culture, labor, and tourism, and continued collaboration at regional and international forums.

Within the framework of his visit, the Philippine president will hold talks with his Vietnamese counterpart and meet with several top Vietnamese officials.

He is also scheduled to attend multiple diplomatic activities.

Vietnam welcomed Indonesian President Joko Widodo on January 11, and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on January 23.

Their state visits at the start of 2024 demonstrated Vietnams persistent pathway toward diversification and multilateralization in diplomatic relations.

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The deadly terrorist attacks that occurred in Dak Lak Province of Vietnams Central Highlands region in June 2023 were investigated and tried in accordance with Vietnamese laws, without any ethnic discrimination, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed on Thursday.

Spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang was speaking at a regular press briefing in Hanoi in response to reporters questions about the ministrys reaction to reports that there was ethnic discrimination in the fatal attack case that was brought to court recently.

We completely reject the claim saying there is ethnic discrimination in this case. All ethnic groups living in the territory of Vietnam are treated equally, Hang said.

She reiterated that the Vietnamese government always gives priority to ethnic minority areas, especially in promoting socio-economic development and enhancing the quality of life of local residents.

The investigation and hearing of the terror attacks were conducted in compliance with the laws of Vietnam, the spokesperson stressed.

When asked about the coordination between Vietnam and the U.S. in the investigation of the terror attacks, one of the two masterminds of which had resided in North Carolina, Hang said the two sides have been exchanging information related to the deadly incidents on the basis of the laws of both countries as well as international laws.

In previous discussions with the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security, the U.S. side affirmed that it would not tolerate any organizations or individuals involved in the armed attacks, the spokesperson stated.

The U.S. also pledged to support Vietnams law enforcement forces in the process of probing and clarifying the case in order to prevent similar incidents in the future, which may affect the relations between the two countries, Hang added.

We firmly believe that nations and individuals around the globe who cherish peace unequivocally condemn acts of terrorism in any manifestation," the diplomat emphasized.

"We are committed to collaborating and adhering to international law to rigorously address and respond to any acts of terrorism.

On January 20, the People's Court in Dak Lak Province announced the verdicts for 100 defendants, aged between 18 and 56, responsible for carrying out the terrorist attacks on the People's Committee headquarters in Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur Communes, Cu Kuin District.

The attacks occurred on June 11 last year, resulting in the tragic loss of four police officers, two commune officials, and three civilians.

Out of the defendants, 10 were sentenced to life imprisonment for charges related to terrorism against the peoples government.

The remaining offenders, including six who had evaded authorities by fleeing abroad, received varying jail terms ranging from nine months to 20 years for terrorism, brokering illegal entry into Vietnam, and concealing crimes.

At the court, all the defendants pleaded guilty to the crimes outlined in the indictments and admitted that they had been incited by certain exiled reactionary organizations to attack local authorities, aiming to establish the so-called Degar State in the Central Highlands.

The term 'Degar' is utilized to denote Montagnard groups, encompassing diverse indigenous communities primarily situated in the Central Highlands region.

This area comprises the five provinces of Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum.

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Hanoi will suspend activities along pedestrian streets surrounding the iconic Ho Guom (Sword Lake) and the Old Quarter to facilitate travel during the forthcoming Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet.

The suspension will take effect from February 9 to 23, or the 30th day of the final lunar month to the 14th day of the first lunar month, according to an announcement recently issued by the administration of Hoan Kiem District, where these walking spaces are located.

The district made this move to enable locals and tourists to travel conveniently during the holiday.

Local authorities of the wards across the district were told to closely collaborate with each other to ensure public security, traffic safety, environmental hygiene, and fire safety for residents and visitors.

To usher in the Year of the Dragon, the district will also display fireworks at two locations adjacent to the Sword Lake on Lunar New Years Eve (February 9).

The pedestrian spaces surrounding the lake are among the most favorable destinations among visitors to the Vietnamese capital during holidays.

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Police in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City announced on Thursday that they had busted a group of middle-aged and senior citizens for pickpocketing bus passengers.

The detainees include Nguyen Thi Man, 64, Le Ngoc Huong, 65, Phu Van Tuan, 55, Nguyen Tan Dung, 44, Huynh Minh Thong, 42, and Vu Duc Sau, 50.

The gang members hail from Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, southern Soc Trang Province, Hanoi, and north-central Thanh Hoa Province.

District 1 police have filed charges against each of the individuals involved.

Members of the racket confessed to police that they were in dire need of money, so they decided to steal from passengers on buses in District 1.

Man, Huong, and Tuan pickpocketed passengers on the buses while Dung, Minh, and Sau followed the vehicles on motorbikes and acted as getaway drivers.

An image taken from a video shows a member of a group of pickpockets wearing a hat and standing near the bus door

Minh was responsible for selling the stolen valuables and dividing the money between the group.

Police investigation showed that the mob had committed thefts on January 5, 6, and 15.

On January 15 alone, they stole from passengers on four city buses.

Police are expanding their probe into the ring and tracking down additional suspects.

They are also calling on victims to visit the District 1 police station at 73 Yersin Street in Cau Ong Lanh Ward in order to assist in the investigation.

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The Australian International Documentary Conference has unveiled its full program for its event taking place at ACMI in Melbourne / Naarm, from 3-6 March 2024.

Themed as Frontlines: Shaping the Future of Documentary & Factual, the program features documentary and factual talent, including Oscar-winning filmmakers, groundbreaking Australian and international storytellers, and some of the industrys most successful business insiders.

Natasha Gadd, CEO / Creative Director, AIDC, said, In a time of radical change  where the rise of each dawn poses new challenges and possibilities in the pursuit of truth and courageous and authentic representations of the world around us  documentary and factual storytelling has never been more vital. At AIDC 2024 we are framing the frontlines of our sector as both a site of progress and resistance where we shape whats to come and defend what has come before. We are thrilled to announce such a world-class program of speakers, sessions and screenings for the 2024 program, all of which are guaranteed to challenge, celebrate and inspire. Joined by an incredible line-up of local and international decision makers as part of the industry program, AIDC 2024 is set to drive new creative and business outcomes, and pave the way for the sustainability, recovery and growth of our industry.

Caroline Pitcher, CEO, VicScreen said, AIDC is back in 2024 with another electric program jam-packed with panels featuring world renowned talent, unmissable screenings, and a bustling industry marketplace. VicScreen is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the conference, supporting vital business and development opportunities for both local and international filmmakers.

Seb Chan, Director & CEO, ACMI, said, We cant wait to welcome AIDC delegates back to Australias museum of screen culture! As a hub for connecting people, communities, technology and ideas, ACMI is proud to be the continuing home for non-fiction storytellers to come together to discuss the future of documentary and factual. Our state-of-the-art facilities and technical expertise will be showcased across four days of the conference, backed by a film program of extraordinary non-fiction stories at ACMI cinemas.

Leading AIDCs Spotlight speaker line-up are award-winning director and nonfiction pioneer R.J. Cutler and his longtime producer partner Trevor Smith of This Machine Filmworks, the creative team behind hit documentaries like The September Issue, Big Vape: The Rise & Fall of Juul, Billie Eilish: The Worlds a Little Blurry, Listen to Me Marlon, Belushi, and The World According to Dick Cheney.

Joining them on the Spotlight sessions bill is writer, director and producer, Rachel Perkins, one of Australias most significant storytellers and founder of Blackfella Films, responsible for landmark documentary series First Australians and The Australian Wars; and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, filmmaker and war correspondent Mstyslav Chernov, director of the multi-award-winning and dual 2024 Oscar-shortlisted documentary 20 Days in Mariupol.

Other highlights include Spotlight sessions with Kaouther Ben Hania, Tunisian director of the 2024 Oscar-shortlisted and 2023 Cannes Film Festival Best Documentary winner Four Daughters; and Luke Lorentzen (Midnight Family) and Ashleigh McArthur, director and co-producer/additional editor respectively of the 2024 Oscar-shortlisted A Still Small Voice.

Plus, further Spotlight Sessions include an expert deep-dive into factual business with Shaminder Nahal, Head of Specialist Factual at the UKs Channel 4, commissioning and working across titles like The Piano, SAS: Who Dares Wins, and Depp v. Heard; and a focus on the art of documentary score composition with Nainita Desai, multi-award-winning composer and sound designer for acclaimed nonfiction titles including the Critics Choice Award-winning The Deepest Breath, the Oscar-nominated and Cannes-winning For Sama, the Sundance Audience Award-winning The Reason I Jump, and the Emmy-nominated Body Parts.

On the marketplace front, AIDC 2024 will see participation by an extensive line-up of decision makers from global streamers, including Amazon Prime Video, Stan, Hulu, DocPlay, ESPN and Docsville. Plus, representatives from local and international broadcasters, such as National Geographic, Channel 4, BBC Storyville, ARTE G.E.I.E, PBS, POV, CBC, Sky New Zealand, NHK Enterprises, DW, EBS Korea, TRT World, ABC, SBS and NITV. Not to mention studios, distributors and producer-distributors for some of the worlds most interesting documentaries and releases, including Time Studios, Red Bull Studios, Sandbox Films, Autlook Films, TVF International, BossaNova, Abacus Media Rights, MetFilm Sales and many others.

For those seeking new pathways to funding and financing, AIDC 2024 will also host an array of representatives from leading documentary development funds and foundations, like the International Documentary Association (IDA), Impact Partners, Catapult Film Fund, The Whickers, Participant, International Emerging Film Talent Association (IEFTA), Documentary Australia, Doc Society, Shark Island Foundation and more.

And as a result of a suite of exciting industry initiatives and partnerships, including pitch partners Screen Australia, Shark Island Foundation and The Post Lounge; Awards partners AFTRS, Deakin Motion Lab and Film Finances; FACTory pitch prize partners; and Leading Lights industry donors, AIDC 2024 will unlock over $275,000 in project development, awards, prizes and professional development opportunities for new nonfiction content and support for documentary practitioners.

aidc.com.au
by Victor Cherubim





Small island nation States around the world are very vulnerable to among other things small population size, remoteness from international markets, high transport costs, fragile land and maritime ecosystems. They seem particularly vulnerable to biodiversity loss and climate change, as they lack economic clout alternative. They also lack human intellectual and technological capacity, the inadequacy of financial resources, to attract anything more than tourism.





Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a beach in Lakshadweep. (X/@narendramodi)





Many island nations are struggling to escape poverty, degradation of natural resources that make for economic growth. Freshwater is becoming scarce on many of these islands. Besides, they are fighting back against natural loss, not because of their natural beauty of their silver sands coastline, but because rising sea levels are eroding their coastlines.





To many tourists observers these islands are mere dots on the worlds map. Vanuatu and Nairu in the Pacific, St.Lucia in the Carribbean, Comoros in the Indian Ocean to mention a few,





The UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) is hoping to aim to restore whole island landscapes to accelerate economic recovery. It is trying hard to plug knowledge gaps, crafting policies and securing sustainable financial support.





Why is one of these nations in the news?





Chinas global island chain strategy is a maritime containment plan. We now note some island states like The Maldives, economic and technical and tourism cooperation has deepened. Over the years. China has provided support and assistance in many areas including trade, investment, tourist visits, ocean affairs, environmental protection and disaster prevention.





India has recently countered by trying to open up the Laccadive Islands. Lakshadweep famed for its picturesque silver sand beaches, crystal blue waters and coral blue waters and corals is in the news as P.M. Narendra Modi has posted photos of his sojourn recently in Lakshadweep.





The Maldives has been cavorted by both China and India.





But anti-Indian sentiment has ramped up with heightened tensions between Maldives Archipelago and India. This may have been due to imagined or perceived Indias support of Israel in the Gaza war?





It is well known that Maldives is 2000 kilometres of Indias Southern coast. The Maldives and Lakshadweep are 750 km away. The charm of both islands is in their remoteness and beauty.





It is anybodys guess, if Lakshadweep wins more Tourists and trade from China in this Battle of the Islands in the months or years ahead.





If as the new Maldivian President, Mohammed Muizzu has called for Indian troops to leave the Maldives, would despite public outcry in India, Indian Foreign Policy remain the same as the Neighbourhood First positive relationship with the Maldives.





India is hoped to continue its friendship and foreign relations with every nation, whether it is an Island or a Continent?





Victor Cherubim is a London-based writer and a frequent columnist of the Sri Lanka Guardian
The chairman of The Spectator has said it would be absurd for a dictatorship to own the right-wing magazine as he rallied against a potential takeover by an Abu Dhabi-backed fund.

Andrew Neil told the BBC he would quit his role with the 200-year-old publication if the takeover goes ahead.

In his first public comments on the proposed deal, the journalist and broadcaster said the potential for The Daily Telegraph and The Spectator to be owned by a group headed up by senior rulers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), an authoritarian Gulf state, beggars belief and urged ministers to block the deal.

It comes after Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator, this week warned that preserving a free press means keeping governments and publications apart.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has already triggered a Public Interest Intervention Notice (PIIN) to investigate the potential impact on press freedom if the Daily Telegraph newspaper and The Spectator were taken over by RedBird IMI.

The investment fund is majority-owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice president of UAE and owner of Manchester City Football Club.

The fund announced in November it had reached a deal with previous Telegraph owners, the Barclay family, to take control of the newspaper group, and fellow publication The Spectator, by paying off debts owed to their bank, Lloyds.

Ms Frazers intervention over press freedom fears led to a review by media regulator Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

They were expected to have their reports to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport by Friday containing initial findings about the potential impact of the takeover.

Speaking to BBCs Newsnight programme, Mr Neil said: My main concern is that the people bankrolling this are the UAE, the United Arab Emirates.

Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan owns IMI, which is the majority stakeholder of RedBird IMI (Martin Rickett/PA)

They are a government, and the idea that government should own newspapers and magazines in Britain I think is absurd.

But they are not just a government, they are an undemocratic government  they are a dictatorship.

Story continues

The UAE is a terribly successful place  I have done business there  but it is not a democratic government.

We are a democracy, our publications are part of the democratic process. How could we be owned by an undemocratic government?

He added: The Government should be stepping in because we shouldnt be owned by a foreign government  any kind of government, particularly a dictatorship.

Mr Neil was also critical of Jeff Zucker, the former CNN executive who is leading the bid.

The offices of the Telegraph Media Group in central London (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Zucker told the BBC earlier this month that Sheikh Mansour would be a passive investor and said the takeover was American led.

Mr Neil called Mr Zucker a very impressive broadcasting executive but said he knows nothing about Britain, he knows nothing about print, he knows nothing about newspapers, and he knows nothing about magazines.

He continued: So the idea that these two vital vehicles of mainstream centre-right thought (the Telegraph and Spectator) should be owned by Arab money and controlled out of New York by a left-wing Democrat beggars belief.

Announcing his plans to quit as chairman if the deal goes ahead, he said: If RedBird take it over, Ill be gone.

A spokesman for RedBird IMI said the fund would not be responding to Mr Neils comments.

As the public waits to hear of Ofcom and the CMAs findings, Ms Frazer signalled this week there could be a further intervention after RedBird announced a new corporate structure.

As part of the new structure, RedBird IMI created a UK-based holding company for the Telegraph newspapers.

Officials have informed the fund that DCMS views that the restructure has created a new relevant merger situation (RMS) which could impact the current process into the potential impact of a takeover deal.

The debate over the press takeover comes as Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden used new powers to declare that there are national security risks in a UAE firm being the major shareholder in telephone operator Vodafone.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said a UAE companys shares in Vodafone could mount a national security threat (James Manning/PA)

In the order published in Mr Dowdens name on Wednesday, it says the relationship Emirates Telecommunications Group, which does business as Etisalat by e&, has with the British firm would enable it materially to influence the policy of Vodafone.

The senior Conservative ruled that, under powers granted by the National Security and Investment Act, he considered that e&s stake in Vodafone could cause a risk to national security on issues of cyber security and in the operators role as a strategic supplier of services to many parts of government.

Abu Dhabi-listed e& has built up a stake of 14.6% in Vodafone, marking a deepening of a strategic tie-up that began in May 2022 when e& first invested in the FTSE 100 giant.

The British telephone firm announced in May that e& chief executive Hatem Dowidar would join the Vodafone board as a non-executive director.

Coming eight months after that move, Mr Dowden has now imposed conditions, including for Vodafone and e& to meet certain requirements relating to Vodafones board composition and to establish a National Security Committee to oversee sensitive work that Vodafone and its group perform which has an impact on, or is in respect of the national security of the UK.

A Cabinet Office spokeswoman said: The National Security and Investment regime enables the UK to continue championing open investment, whilst protecting national security. 
By Tim Reid and Helen Coster

(Reuters) - A resolution presented to the Republican National Committee on Thursday to declare Donald Trump the party's presumptive presidential nominee was abruptly withdrawn hours later after objections from Trump.

The RNC, which oversees Republican elections, had been set to consider the proposal next week to declare former President Trump the party's presumptive White House nominee as pressure mounts on his last remaining rival, Nikki Haley, to drop out.

Trump ally David Bossie circulated a draft resolution to fellow RNC committee members that could have been voted on next week at the group's winter meeting in Las Vegas.

However when the news broke, Trump objected. In a message on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he wanted to become the White House nominee the "old fashioned way ... at the ballot box."

Bossie withdrew the resolution shortly afterwards, according to a person familiar with the RNC process.Bossie did not reply to a request for comment.

Some RNC members had complained that declaring Trump the presumptive nominee after just two contests was overbearing and unfair to Haley, his last surviving rival for the party's nomination.

Trump and his allies have begun a pressure campaign on Haley, who refused to bow out of the race after finishing second in the party's nominating contest in New Hampshire on Tuesday.

Her refusal to end her campaign has infuriated Trump, who wants to turn his attention to the general election and his Democratic opponent, President Joe Biden.

Trump, however, said the RNC "should not go forward with this plan", referring to Bossie's resolution.

Before Bossie withdrew his resolution, Haley was defiant.

"Who cares what the RNC says? We'll let millions of Republican voters across the country decide who should be our party's nominee, not a bunch of Washington insiders," her campaign said in a statement.

Trump wants to knock Haley out of the race before the next major contest in her home state of South Carolina on Feb. 24.

Story continues

On Wednesday night he threatened Haley's donors, declaring that anybody who continued to fund her campaign would be permanently barred from his political orbit.

Two Haley donors have already turned off the spigot, saying they see no path for her to win the nomination.

(Reporting by Tim Reid and Helen Coster; Additional reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Ross Colvin and Daniel Wallis)
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  International Court of Justice

ICJ orders Israel to prevent genocide of Palestinians, submit ATR in a month

In a landmark ruling, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Friday January 26, 2024 asked Israel to use all the power in its hand to prevent genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza. Read More

Friday January 26, 2024 10:08 PM , ummid.com News Network

[Joan E. DONOGHUE, President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), pronounced the ruling endorsed by majority of the ICJ judges.]

The Hague (Netherlands): In a landmark ruling, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Friday January 26, 2024 asked Israel to use all the power in its hand to prevent genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the top court of the United Nations, also asked the Zionist regime in Israel to submit in a month the action taken report about the implementation of its order.

The ICJ in its ruling found that Palestinians were protected under the Genocide Convention, and that there was a case to be heard about whether their rights were being denied in a war that the court said was causing grievous humanitarian harm.



(Point 1) The State of Israel shall, in accordance with its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, in relation to Palestinians in Gaza, take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of Article II of this Convention, in particular:

 Killing members of the Palestinian group;

 Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the Palestinians;

 Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; and

 Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group

In a 29-page order, the ICJ further said:

The State of Israel shall ensure with immediate effect that its military does not commit any acts described in the point 1 above. The State of Israel shall take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip, the ICJ said.

The world court also asked to allow humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip.

The State of Israel shall take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the ICJ said in its ruling.

Ordering Israel once against to prevent genocide of the Palestinians, the ICJ said:

The State of Israel shall take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence related to allegations of acts within the scope of Article II and Article III of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide against members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip.

The ICJ stopped short of asking for immediate ceasefire in Gaza but asked Israel to submit the action taken report in a month.

The State of Israel shall submit a report to the Court on all measures taken to give effect to this Order within one month as from the date of this Order, the UN court said in its judgement.

The verdict was pronounced by Joan E. DONOGHUE, President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

ICJ Ruling on Israel - Full Text in PDF

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who has vowed to continue the massacre of Palestinians with and without international and UN support asked his cabinet colleagues to refrain from the ICJ ruling.

According to Israeli broadcaster Kan, Netanyahu, via National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, instructed government ministers to hold off on any public statements before the release of an official government position on the matter.

Despite Netayhau's warning, Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for hate speeches, mocked the ICJ ruling in a two-word social media post with a Yiddish-style putdown: "Hague shmague".



The International Court of Justice (I.C.J.) conducted two days of public hearing on January 11 and 12, 2024 in response to the South African application filed on December 29, 2023 .

On the first day of the hearing, a team of lawyers representing South Africa put in front of the ICJ comprising of 15 judges from different parts of the world evidence in support of the Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip.

The South African lawyers said the genocide of Palestinians Israel is committing is a part of the state policy nurtured at its highest levels.

The South African lawyers deposing before the ICJ also alleged that the Israeli soldiers are celebrating and dancing on music after killing the Palestinians and destruction of Gaza.

The ICJ ruling pronounced today is its first order and provisional measures. The final verdict could take a longer time, some say years.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  Education & Career

Jharkhand 10th, 12th Board Exam 2024 Admit Card Released, Download Here

As per the time table, exams for JAC Jharkhand Class Xth and XIIth both will be held from February 06 to 26, 2024. Read More

Friday January 26, 2024 11:39 AM , ummid.com News Network

JAC Jharkhand Board Exam 2024: The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has released on its official website jac.jharkhand.gov.in the Admit Card and Hall Ticket of the students who have registered for the Jharkhand Board Secondary Matric Class 10 and Intermediate Class 12 Examinations to be held in the month of February 2024.

JAC Board Exam Time Table 2024

As per the time table, exams for JAC Jharkhand Class Xth and XIIth both will be held from February 06 to 26, 2024.

Students appearing for the Jharkhand board 10th and 12th board exams should note that their admit cards have been made available for download on the official website. However, they cannot directly download. Instead, they need to contact their respective shools and colleges to collect them.

Accordingly, all school and college admin are advised to download JAC 10th and 12th board exam admit card using their log-in IDs and Passwords, download and distribute them to the students.

After collecting the admit card from respective schools, students should check if their name, photo, school name, exam centre and other important details are correct and have no errors.

In case of any error or mis-print they should immediately report to the principal and exam in-charge.

Steps to download JAC Admit Card 2024

1. Click here to go to the official website: jac.jharkhand.gov.in .

2. On right side-bar of the home page, click on "Secondary Exam Admit Card 2024".

3. Click on "School Log-in".

4. Enter log-in ID and Password to log-in.

5. Click on the relevant link to download the admit card.

Students should note that Admit Card, also known as Hall Ticket, is mandatory document to appear in the exams. In its absence or it carrying wrong information, students could be barred from appearing in the exam.

JAC Board Exam 2024 Schedule

The JAC board exams 2024 will be held in morning and afternoon two sessions. Class 10 Secondary exams will be held in the morning session whereas 12th Inter exams will be held in forenoon session.

The timing of the morning session is from 09:45 am to 01:05 pm whereas the timing of forenoon session will be 02:00 pm to 05:20 pm.

The Jharkhand board examination pattern includes OMR-based questions in the first part, followed by written answers in booklets during the second part.

For the Class 10 Secondary Examination, the OMR sheet-based test will be held from 9:45 am to 11:20 am, followed by the question-cum-answer book-based examination from 11:25 am to 1:05 pm.

For the Class 12 Intermediate Examination, the OMR sheet-based test is scheduled from 2:00 pm to 3:35 pm, whereas the answer book-based exam will be conducted from 3:40 pm to 5:20 pm.

Candidates can meanwhile also take help of the Model Question Papers uploaded on the JAC website for further assistance regarding the board exam pattern.

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Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  International Court of Justice

Meet Judge Julia Sebutinde who voted against all ICJ measures in Israel case

A glance at the ICJ order revealed that while ad hoc Barak voted against 04 of the 06 measures announced by the world court, Julia Sebutinde chose to defer with 17-judge ICJ panel on all 06 measures. Read More

Friday January 26, 2024 11:33 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies

The Hague (Netherlands): The International Court of Justice (ICJ) Friday January 26, 2024 in a landmark move pronounced provisional measures to save the Palestinians in Gaza from the Israeli genocidal acts as sought by South Africa.

In a 29-page ruling , the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to use all the power in its hand to prevent the genocide of the Palestinians, ensure the essentials and humanitarian aid enter the besieged Gaza Strip and submit within a month action taken report.

The ICJ in its initial ruling pronounced six provisional measures. The six measures pronounced by the ICJ Friday were endorsed by all ICJ judges except Julia Sebutinde and Ad Hoc Aharon Barak.

Under the ICJs rules, a country that does not have a judge to represent its own on the bench can choose an ad hoc judge. Thus, Aharon Barak is an Israeli lawyer who was appointed to the 15-judge UN Court ahead of the South Africas case against Israel.

Aharon Baraks voting against the ICJ ruling is understandable. But, what is surprising is that ICJ Judge Sebutinde voted against all six measures that even ad hoc Barak did not do.

A glance at the ICJ order revealed that while ad hoc Barak voted against 04 of the 06 measures announced by the world court, Julia Sebutinde chose to defer with 17-judge ICJ panel on all 06 measures.

Who is Julia Sebutinde?

Sebutinde - a British-trained Ugandan judge is the first African woman appointed as judge in the International Court of Justice. Currently in her second term after being re-elected in 2021, Sebutinde has been a member of the court since 2012.

Julia Sebutinde holds a Doctorate of Laws, honoris causa, from the University of Edinburgh for distinguished service in the field of International Justice and Human Rights secured in 2009. Before her doctorate, she did Master of Law with distinction (LL.M.) in 1990 again from the University of Edinburgh and obtained a Bachelor of Law degree (LL.B.) from Makerere University in Uganda in 1977.

Sebutinde was a Judge of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, reportedly handling several high-profile war crime and corruption trials, from 2005 to 2011. Former Chancellor of the International Health Sciences University (IHSU) in Uganda, Sebutinde is is the current chancellor of Muteesa I Royal University, a university owned by Buganda Kingdom.

She was a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) between 1996 and 2011, and a member of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) between 1996 and 2011.

She is now facing the wrath of the people for voting against the ICJ provisional measures announced in the South Africa case which accuses Israel of committing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

The International Court of Justice is led by President Joan E. Donoghue from the United States and Vice-President Kirill Gevorgian from Russia with other judges who are from 13 different countries including Slovakia, France, Morocco, Somalia, China, Uganda, India, Jamaica, Lebanon, Japan, Germany, Australia, and Brazil.

South Africa Case against Israel at ICJ



The International Court of Justice (I.C.J.) conducted two days of public hearing on January 11 and 12, 2024 in response to the South African application filed on December 29, 2023 .

On the first day of the hearing, a team of lawyers representing South Africa put in front of the ICJ comprising of 15 judges from different parts of the world evidence in support of the Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip.

The South African lawyers said the genocide of Palestinians Israel is committing is a part of the state policy nurtured at its highest levels.

The South African lawyers deposing before the ICJ also alleged that the Israeli soldiers are celebrating and dancing on music after killing the Palestinians and destruction of Gaza.

The ICJ ruling pronounced today is its first order and provisional measures. The final verdict could take a longer time, some say years.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
January 25, 2024: The U.S. Air Force recently ordered another 1,500 StormBreaker Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs) to replace those recently sent to Ukraine and Israel. The October 2023 shipment to Israel was for SDBs previously ordered. StormBreaker is a glide bomb with a range of over 70 kilometers. They can maneuver to a specific target and land within a meter of the target. The Israelis are using these SDBs against Hamas targets in Gaza. This is not the first time; in 2014 Israel did so with the main targets being Hamas storage sites for unguided rockets to be fired at Israel. These sites were usually in residential areas so Hamas could use local civilians as involuntary human shields against Israeli attacks. Any civilians killed were declared an Israeli atrocity in the subsequent Hamas press release, but Israel regularly sought to avoid civilian casualties while Hamas did not.

SBDs have been used since 2006 and the first combat use was that year in Iraq to provide close support for American troops. Since 2014 Israel has ordered over 5,000 SDBs. They are the preferred weapons against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah and Islamic terrorists in Lebanon and Syria. Larger bombs are used when the enemy is outside populated areas. To avoid this, the enemy spends as little time outside populated areas as possible. Human shields and structures to hide in are found in populated areas. Hamas leaders must travel in the open more frequently than their followers and often do so in commercial vehicles trying to look like innocent civilians. The Israelis can often obtain specific information about such movements and launch airstrikes. Sometimes SDBs are used but more often a laser-guided missile launched from a UAV, helicopter or jet fighter does the work. These missiles are faster and a bit more accurate than an SDB as well as carrying less explosives and causing fewer collateral nearby casualties.

Israel also designed and built its own guidance kits for larger bombs providing additional features the American JDAM kit lack. Its not worth their time, effort, and expense to develop competition for the SDB.

The United States is also donating SDBs to Ukraine as part of the NATO effort to provide Ukrainian forces with sufficient weapons to defeat the Russian invaders. Some of the SDBs sent to Ukraine are longer range and are attached to a rocket which carries the latest SDB version, the StormBreaker. This version entered service in 2020 and is equipped with hardware and software to enable it to hit moving targets. To do this StormBreaker has three different guidance systems: radar, heat seeker, and homing on laser light bounced off the target. That means no matter what the weather or time of day, there is a guidance system that will find the target. Even without human intervention, the three sensors enable StormBreaker to find targets in a cluttered and obscured by weather or darkness environment.

It took three years of tweaking and testing, and it was a cycle repeated several times until the StormBreaker team finally got a promising concept to work. The StormBreaker design was finally doing everything promised but never quite delivered, and the air force was so pleased that the upgraded SDB was given an official nickname; StormBreaker. Much catchier than SDB, or even SDB II. Publicizing the new, improved StormBreaker does cause a bit of confusion for those who do not follow the SDB saga regularly.

While the U.S. Air Force and Navy were eager to switch to StormBreaker, many foreign customers were not sure they needed the much more capable, and expensive, StormBreaker. One problem with the StormBreaker is that the aircraft using it must have its fire control system upgraded considerably to handle it, and that upgrade is more complex than needed for earlier SDB versions. Initially only the F-15E and F-22 received StormBreaker upgrades. The F-35 couldnt use StormBreaker until recently when its software was updated to handle the many additional capabilities of StormBreaker. Similar upgrades for the F-18E were also ready by 2023.

StormBreaker had been in development since 2005 and announced as ready several times, at least until the last round of Operational Tests were conducted and, as often happens during these realistic or operational, tests something went wrong. In other words, SBB II was, for a long time, nominally ready to go, but practically not quite ready for prime time, better known as actual combat. At least not for missions requiring certain features that were having Operational Test problems.

When first announced in 2005, StormBreaker was described as possessing multiple sensors and a data link that enabled it to hit vehicles going at high speed and in bad weather. Sounded great but the repeated failures to get past the Operational Testing meant StormBreaker did not boost sales as much as anticipated. From the beginning, StormBreaker had an encrypted data link that enabled the fighter (especially F-35) pilot to guide the SDB, with great precision, to hit moving targets. This communications capability enabled the SDB movement to be controlled via the air force's airborne Internet (Link 16), which means whoever is directing StormBreaker to a target can be anywhere, even another aircraft or on the ground. THAT is a great advantage.

The original StormBreaker specifications called for three different guidance systems: radar, heat seeker, and homing on laser light bounced off the target. That meant no matter what the weather or time of day there is a guidance system that will find the target. Even without human intervention, the three sensors enable StormBreaker to find targets in a cluttered and obscured, by weather or darkness, environment. Now it works but it was felt that a new name like StormBreaker might overcome the shaky reputation the original SDB II designation had earned.

A much longer-range version of StormBreaker was created by attaching it to a GMLRS guided rocket in place of the rockets normal warhead. When launched, this version of the rocket will release StormBreaker after reaching its highest altitude and starting to plunge earthward. At that point StormBreaker glides the rest of the way as it normally would and achieves a maximum range of 150 kilometers. This version was called GLSDB, or Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb. Ukraine has been asking for the longer range StormBreaker since mid-2022. They were satisfied with the performance of ordinary GMLRS but found there were important targets beyond its 85-kilometer range.

American defense firm Boeing developed and produced GMLRS. Boeing and Swedish firm Saab jointly developed an even longer range of GMLRS with a new Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSMDB) warhead. The design concept is simple. Take the 227mm rocket motor that propels the GMLRS and use it to launch StormBreaker.

Initially, the SDB was seen as the next generation of smart bombs and is a more compact design of the classic 227 kg or 500-pound unguided bomb. The streamlined shape of the SDB carried the GPS guidance system and other guidance components internally. SDB has a hard front end that can punch through nearly three meters of rock or concrete and a warhead that does less damage than the usual dumb bomb, which are explosives in a metal casing. Thats because the SDB warhead carries only 17 kg of explosives, compared to 127 kg in the conventional 227 kg/500-pound bomb. SDB can carry other types of warheads, like the high-explosive one currently found in GMLRS.

Boeing/Saab received a contract to deliver production models of the new Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb/GLSDB to Ukraine by February 2023. Ukraine liked GLSDB because it can be fired from HIMARS vehicles, or any other GMLRS launch vehicle, and has a range of 150 kilometers. Moreover, it is more precise than GMLRS because StormBreaker has multiple guidance systems that enable it to hit moving targets, including ships at sea and do so at night and in any weather.

StormBreaker entered service in 2018 as the latest version of the SDB II Small Diameter Bomb in service. This version could identify, track, and hit a moving target on the ground in any weather and at night. The novel targeting system was so impressive that the new SDB version was given a unique designation; StormBreaker. SDB is basically an unpowered missile which can glide long distances. This makes the SDB even more compact, capable, and expensive. While the original SDB I cost about $70,000 each, that went up to $300,000 for StormBreaker. The recent shipments of StormBreakers to Israel and Ukraine cost about $320,000 per SDB.

Small wings allow the SDB to glide up to a hundred kilometers from high altitude. Launching StormBreaker from the ground, or even a ship at sea, using any GMLRS launcher provides long range precision firepower at relatively low cost. In 2017 the American marines demonstrated that GMLRS rockets could be launched from a HIMARS vehicle on the flight deck of amphibious assault ships against land targets. This concept can be used by GLSDB to do the same, but also against enemy ships as well as land targets. This feature enables Ukraine to keep Russian warships out of areas of the Black Sea used by Ukraine. The GLSDB guidance system also makes it possible to hit moving land targets, like trucks or train cars carrying munitions or other Russian supplies. Most importantly for the US, F-35s launched from marine assault carriers can act as stealthy reconnaissance aircraft spotters guiding StormBreakers to targets 200km away from the carriers.

GLSDB has shortcomings. It achieves the longer range by having the StormBreaker glide bomb use the GLMRS rocket as a first stage to take it to a high altitude and then separate and allow StormBreaker, as the second stage, to proceed on its own. This is done by deploying wings and control surfaces that enable the unpowered second stage to locate and hit its target. GMLRS was a single stage missile and made its final approach to the target at a higher speed than GLSDB. The HIMARS GMLRS carriers must get new fire control software installed before they can use GLSDB. It is unclear how long this will take. It could be simultaneous with GLSDB delivery or take several months.

The Ukrainians are the ones getting shot at and have a very can do wartime attitude that has time and again overcome issues like this that the Americans underestimated. NATO nations closer to Ukraine, like Poland, are more familiar with that attitude because they know that if Russia wins in Ukraine, Poland is next on the Russian conquest list. Poland and the larger NATO members like the United States, Britain and France often disagree because of the we are next attitude of Poland versus the more diplomatic attitude of the larger and farther away NATO nations. These differences in perspective and attitude make sending Ukrainians what they feel they need more complicated.
HA NOI  Political conflicts and climate change have continued to push up rice import demand in many markets, but Vietnamese rice exporters are very careful in choosing orders to minimise risks of unexpected price changes.

Pham Thai Binh, chairman of Trung An High-Tech Agriculture Joint Stock Company, said factors such as political conflicts and climate change, which caused rice demand and rice prices to increase in 2023, are continuing in 2024. Therefore, the need to import and reserve food in general and rice in particular is continuing to increase this year, offering favourable conditions for Viet Nam's rice exports.

The European war has not ended yet while new conflicts have occurred, making the world situation even more unstable. Meanwhile, climate change is having a clear impact on agricultural producing countries as their food and rice production areas are shrinking, Binh said, adding that many countries have to increase rice imports and reserves to ensure food security.

It is forecast that in 2024, the world will face a shortage of about 5 million tonnes of rice, and India will likely continue to limit rice exports to keep domestic rice prices stable.

Right from the end of 2023 and early 2024, many countries have promoted the search for rice supplies to import. Viet Nam's traditional rice import markets, such as the Philippines and Indonesia, all need to increase rice imports.

Phung Van Thanh, Vietnam Trade Counsellor in the Philippines, said the Philippines' rice import demand is up to 3.5-4 million tonnes per year and Viet Nam is the largest rice supplier for the country.

Vietnamese rice has certain advantages in the Philippine market as its quality is suitable for many consumer segments, from poor to high-income people, while its price is quite competitive, Thanh said, adding that Vietnamese rice exporters have also had long-term trading relationships and built a good reputation with import partners in the Philippines.

Besides, Thanh said, Viet Nam is geographically closer to the Philippines than some other rice exporting countries, which helps Vietnamese rice exports to the market have a short shipping time and lower shipping cost.

According to Thanh, the rice market space in the Philippines is still large for Vietnamese exporters to further exploit. The current problem is how to build a brand and identity for Vietnamese rice so that many Filipinos know they are using Vietnamese rice. In fact, although significant amounts of Vietnamese rice have been exported to the Philippines recently, much is sold without Vietnamese brand names and the packaging only has a very small line stating Vietnamese origin.

Indonesia, another large rice importer of Viet Nam, is also forecast to increase imports by about 600,000 tonnes in 2024. In addition, China and Africa's rice import demand is also forecast to increase this year.

Sharing the same view, Nguyen Vinh Trong, General Director of Viet Hung Limited Liability Company, said with the escalating war situation in some regions combined with the negative impacts of climate change, food security is becoming a major concern for many countries. Therefore, it is forecast that world rice prices will continue to be high in the near future. Viet Nam is an agricultural producing country with advantages in the rice industry, so it should seize the opportunity to increase export value to ensure profits for both rice farmers and exporters.

Nguyen Viet Anh, General Director of Phuong ong Food Company Limited, said in the first and second quarters of 2024, world rice demand will be still high, but it is not easy for rice exporters to sign export contracts and they have to continually monitor market developments. Anh explained with the current high rice price, rice exporters will face many potential risks if they buy rice for reserve. However, if they dont do that, they will not have rice to sell for the next crop.

According to Anh, rice exporters are cautious in this decision, as they had a lesson in 2023 when large price fluctuations caused the rice supply chain to break and many domestic rice suppliers did not deliver rice to them according to previously signed contracts, while they still had to deliver rice to foreign partners. At that time, to have rice delivered to the partners, domestic rice exporters were forced to buy rice from the local market at high prices and suffered losses.

According to industry insiders, India's decision to stop rice exports has been among key factors causing the world rice market to heat up. Meanwhile, India currently has made no clear move on whether it will continue the ban or resume rice exports. In case the country has enough food reserves, it is likely to export again, and the abundant world rice supply will cause rice prices to drop quickly. Therefore, rice exporters will certainly suffer losses or even go bankrupt if they buy rice to reserve at the current high price.

Binh said many customers currently ask to buy rice but there are almost no transactions because Vietnamese rice exporters have no more rice to sell.

Currently, the price of paddy at the field is very high at VN10,000-10,500 per kg. With this high price, rice exporters will not dare to sign contracts with long delivery time, for fear of price fluctuations. Rice exporters currently sell right after buying and do not reserve much rice to avoid potential risks, Binh said.  VNS
Customers really love bubble milk tea, a sweet and enchanting drink that has created opportunities for franchised milk tea chains to continue expanding globally.

Milk tea: a sustainable business in the future

According to a report by Future Market Insights, the bubble milk tea sector is witnessing strong growth with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9 per cent, increasing the global market size from $2.72 billion in 2023 to $6.17 billion within the next 10 years.

The US, where the milk tea market is being driven by the rise of Asian food culture and the influence of social media, recorded a CAGR of 23.9 per cent in 2022. Meanwhile, the milk tea business in the UK is also predicted to reach a CAGR of 5.1 per cent by 2033, according to Future Market.

In Asia, the cradle of milk tea and the main consumer market of this beverage, some markets are also recording strong CAGR levels such as China (11.4 per cent), India (4.7 per cent) and Japan (4.8 per cent).

A separate report on the milk tea market by Momentum Works in 2022 showed that Vietnam is the third largest milk tea consuming market in Southeast Asia with an annual growth rate of about 20 per cent and a scale of more than $360 million.

Milk tea is gradually becoming a favourite and popular drink in Vietnam. In addition to reputable brands that have built a solid position such as ToCoToCo, DingTea, Gong Cha, Koi The, The Coffee House, the Vietnams bubble milk tea market is also a vibrant playground for emerging brands such as Phe La, Phuc Long or Mixue.

The milk tea business is so attractive that even though some brands have been present for a long time and have built a stable customer base, they are continuing to set higher goals to spread their influence and expand the market through franchising, including ToCoToCo.

Amy Truong, founder of ToCoToCo said, ToCoToCo has experienced a 10-year journey of breakthroughs and continuous development and innovation, serving up to 10 million customers, becoming one of the fastest growing milk tea brands and owning the largest number of stores in Vietnam.

ToCoToCo currently owns more than 700 stores spanning from the North to the South in Vietnam. This is also the first Vietnamese milk tea brand to launch franchises overseas with the presence of chain stores in countries such as the US, Japan and Australia.

Investing now or missing out on opportunity

According to ToCoToCos founder, franchise stores account for 60 per cent of ToCoToCos total and are constantly growing.

Attractive policies and high product quality help ToCoToCo become the top choice for milk tea franchise investors, founder Amy Truong affirmed.

With the goal of bringing opportunities to many investors, ToCoToCo pays great attention to building policies for franchise partners with many attractive franchise packages with franchise costs 0 VND and monthly preferential policies, free monitoring, and no setup fees. In particular, a stable profit margin is also an important advantage to help investors recover capital quickly within a year.

Understanding that the companionship and engagement of franchise partners is the key to making the brand grow stronger, ToCoToCo also offers special forms of recognition and honour for partners or agents with good revenue.

Besides the economic values, the big plus of the ToCoToCo franchise milk tea model also comes from the autonomy of input materials with a rich and stable supply, making partners feel more secure about product quality.

The main ingredients that create delicious ToCoToCo milk teacups come from famous agricultural areas in Vietnam and must undergo a rigorous inspection process by the R&D department according to the ISO 22000, before being processed at factories meeting HACC standards.

ToCoToCo currently operates a factory with an annual capacity of about 1,200 tonnes per year with a methodical production line.
A NANG  The central city Peoples Committee has decided to establish the first a Nang Semiconductor Research, Design Training and AI Centre (DSAC), beginning the new global trend industry development under the Master Plan 2030, vision 2050.

Newly appointed director Le Hoang Phuc said the centre will focus on training lecturers in semiconductor under the Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with Intel and Qualcomm in 2024, before training human resources for local and foreign direct investment businesses in 2025.

The introduction of DSAC is part of the citys semiconductor chip manufacturing and design project, aiming to boost a Nang as an international centre of research, training and design of semiconductor and AI.

Phuc said the centre will be developing an alliance of five key universities in a Nang in human resources education for the semiconductor industry, and supporting Marvell Technology Inc and Mixel Inc in setting up their representative offices in a Nang.

He said the city also plans to host a series of meetings and investment promotion events in the US, Taiwan (China), South Korea and Europe in 2024, offering operation and development opportunities in semiconductor production in a Nang.

In an earlier working session with the US ambassador to Viet Nam, Marc E. Knapper, Vice Chairman of the citys Peoples Committee, Ho Ky Minh called on US support to build a Nang as a centre of Assembling, Testing, Packaging (ATP) and semiconductor industry development.

a Nang leaders paid a visit to Intel, Marvell Technology Group and Synopsys last year in planning the construction of a global semiconductor manufacturing centre in the city.

South Korean electronics giant Samsung and a Nang Citys Duy Tan University established a Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), and support two businesses  Trung Nam Group and Tan Long Paper and Package company  building the first smart factories in a Nang.

The citys hi-tech park and industrial zones authority have signed an MoU with Sun Education company and Duy Tan University on delivering international standard semiconductor design education.

Earlier, Intel and Qualcomm inked human resources education deals with the private university in serving semiconductor industries in a Nang.

Partners from Viet Nam and South Korea agreed to five deals on co-operation and development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in medical, healthcare, smart city and automation in a Nang, making it a centre of global AI innovation.

The city would open the software park No 2 soon. VNS
BERLIN  Established with the mission of being a cultural bridge between Viet Nam and Germany, for the last 15 years, Huong Viet, an online magazine of Vietnamese people in Germany, has kept promoting its role and maintaining its position as a leading Vietnamese electronic information site in Germany.

Vietnamese media assess the magazine as an important information channel, especially for Vietnamese people living, studying, and working in Germany and the EU.

Launched on January 24, 2009, Huong Viet updates information about the Vietnamese community, the homeland, and Germany, which helps more than 200,000 overseas Vietnamese people in Germany better integrate into the host community.

The magazine also joins in organising or sponsoring dozens of annual community events in Germany. Notably, it also co-organises cultural events, sports, music, exhibitions, beauty contests, and singing contests, aiming to help overseas Vietnamese preserve and promote the Vietnamese cultural values and strengthen solidarity in the Vietnamese community.

The magazine organsised a trip for overseas Vietnamese to return to Viet Nam to hand over the condolence book of the magazines readers to the family of General Vo Nguyen Giap and visit Truong Sa.

In 2024, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Huong Viet magazine and the 50th anniversary of Viet Nam - Germany relations, the magazine is preparing a special programme promoting Vietnamese culture.

With efforts and contributions for more than a decade, Huong Viet Magazine and its Editor-in-Chief Pham Khanh Nam have received many awards, and certificates of merit from agencies at all levels. VNA
Poland introduces honorary consul office in a Nang

A NANG  Poland has officially introduced its honorary consul office in the central city, boosting long traditional friendship ties, culture exchange, investment, trade and education between the two countries, and connecting central Viet Nam with Europe.

Piotr Frieske, honorary consul of Poland in a Nang, said the introduction of the office would build a bridge between Poland and a Nang for stronger co-operation in industries, economy and culture.

Piotr Frieske has been living and working in a Nang for 10 years, and he is a managing director of VCR, Central Viet Nam.

He said the two sides would seek to connect businesses in Poland and universities in a Nang, providing internships for Vietnamese students in central Viet Nam to boost working experience in Poland.

The Polish consul office will provide service for nine central coastal provinces and cities of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh inh, Phu Yen and a Nang.

Director of a Nang Citys department for foreign affairs Nguyen Xuan Binh said the establishment of the consul office would help strengthen the 70-year historical friendship ties between the two countries.

Binh said a Nang has been seeking sea port and airport infrastructure investment projects, and investors from Poland would join the development in the city.

Viet Nam is one of top five trading partners of Poland in the Asia-Pacific region, while Poland is a leading partner in central East Europe, Binh said.

He also expressed thanks to Poland for donating vaccines and medical equipment to Viet Nam in dealing with COVID-19.

Poland has helped Viet Nam in relic restoration in Thua Thien Hue, Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary over the past decades.

A statue of Polish archaeologist and architect Kazimierz Kwiatkowski, known as Kazik (1944-1997), who significantly contributed to the preservation and restoration of the Complex of Hue Monuments, My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An Ancient Town in the central province of Quang Nam, was erected in Hoi An in 2018.

The statue of Kazik was installed in a park named after him on Tran Phu Street, Hoi An.

a Nang has not yet seen investment from Poland, but about 145 Polish people have registered for temporary residential status.

a Nang is home to consular offices of Japan, Korea, Laos, Russia, China and Spain, while a Schengen visa application centre for receiving visa applications to European countries, including Belgium, Germany and Italy, opened in 2019.

The new joint United Kingdom and Australia Visa Application Centre was also inaugurated in the city to from 2016.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged General Department II (General Department for Defence Intelligence) under the Ministry of National Defence to improve its leadership capacity and combat readiness, especially during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, during his pre-Tet visit to the unit on Friday.

He praised the unit for accomplishing the tasks of a strategic intelligence agency of the Party, the State, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence.

The unit was honoured to receive the First Class Victory Medal awarded by the Party and State. A number of groups and individuals were awarded the Victory Medal and Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister.

PM Chinh affirmed that under the leadership of the Party and State, especially the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission, the Government, the Prime Minister and the Ministry of National Defence, General Department II has grown, proved its important position and role and successfully completed assigned tasks, contributing to building and protecting the Fatherland "early and from afar". The unit has been recognised and highly appreciated by the Party, State and people.

In 2024, in the context of complicated and unexpected global and regional situations in which peace, cooperation and development are still the common aspiration of humanity, Chinh asked the General Department for Defence Intelligence to make better preparations to accept all tasks assigned by the Party and State.

He urged the department to continue improving its strategic prediction capacity, firmly grasp the situation, and advise the Party and State on appropriate measures to firmly protect the Fatherland.

He said the department must streamline its apparatus to have a compact, strong, professional, effective and functional system, and build a contingent of intelligence officers with political bravery, strategic vision and professional knowledge to take on missions.

Affirming that military intelligence is a special force of the armed forces, the Prime Minister requested General Department II to properly evaluate partners and other subjects to have appropriate policies.

The unit was asked to follow the instruction and request of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong: "No matter the circumstances, our Military Intelligence is only allowed to grow stronger absolutely loyal, forever confident in the Party, and be dedicated to serving the goals and ideals of the Party, the Fatherland and the people.  VNS
HA NOI  During recent years, many Vietnamese young people have not hesitated to give up high-income jobs in foreign countries and return to contribute their efforts to Viet Nam.

Developing Viet Nams bamboo

After graduating with excellent results for a master degree in tropical forests, forests and livelihoods at two universities in Germany and Denmark, Phan Quoc Dung had many opportunities to work at foreign organisations with a salary of more than VN50 million (US$2,000) per month.

But during his time studying abroad, Dung, 29, from Ha Noi, gained deeper insight into forest resources in Viet Nam. He wished to help the forests.

He studied a major which seems to be of little interest to most young people, but for Dung, the forest is his love, life and breath.

To keep that "breath" healthy, he returned to Viet Nam in a special situation  on a flight to rescue Vietnamese citizens from Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2020.

In Viet Nam, Dung participated in a project funded by the European Union on sustainable bamboo development in Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces.

Currently, he works at the International Cooperation Division of the Viet Nam National University of Forestry.

He is called "the forest man" or "village man" because he often goes on trips to remote areas.

Focusing on the sustainable and comprehensive development of bamboo and local people, I and the project staff train the community on techniques for planting, caring for and exploiting bamboo effectively. For me, loving the forest is not only caring about its growth, but also about the local villagers livelihoods because they are a part of the forest," Dung said.

In addition, the project also invited leading experts in the industry to train people on how to operate production groups to increase bamboo products value, connecting businesses and international partners to enhance the bamboo industry in Viet Nam.

In my return journey, I have knowledge, experience, and skills so that every time I go into the forest, I have a direction to find and discover something new, useful for the sustainable development of Viet Nam's nature, said Dung.

New research field

After completing her PhD programme in the biomedical materials field, Tran Dieu Linh, 31, received many offers from foreign research centres, laboratories of institutes and universities, with a starting salary of about VN60 million ($2,400) per month.

At the same time, companies of medical materials and equipment are also interested in her research and inventions. They invited her to work in research departments with even higher salaries.

But she chooses to work at the Institute of Chemical Technology under the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology

I see my path of choosing a research field and returning to contribute to Viet Nam as fate. I do not feel anxiety or regret with my choice. For me, the decision is in harmony with my personal development and my contribution to the research community," Linh said.

Realising that the biomedical materials industry in Vet Nam is in the early stage of development, different from countries such as the US, Japan and Korea, Linh is excited and full of confidence about its great potential as well as development opportunities.

One of Linhs outstanding studies received a patent from the Korean Government in 2019 when she created a multifunctional material which could prevent inflammation.

The research has been further developed by Linh and her colleagues. They aimed to apply the research in Viet Nam.

Returning to Viet Nam, the young female scientist confided that she had gained many things and gave to others in the right way.

I was able to explore a new research land in Viet Nam, form and experience the development of this industry, said Linh.

In particular, I learned how to give in the true sense through sharing my knowledge and experiences with the younger generation. I take advantage of the opportunity to teach, guide and create conditions for new students and researchers to join the industry," she said.

Big data

The choice to return to Viet Nam was already made by Pham Huy Hieu before he went to study abroad in France.

"We should not wait for an ideal environment before returning. Young scientists like me need to show responsibility for creating a professional research environment in accordance with international standards in Viet Nam," Hieu said.

Graduating with an excellent doctorate degree in computer science in 2019, Hieu came back to Viet Nam and worked as a research team leader at the Institute of Big Data (VinBigData).

He is currently a lecturer at the Institute of Engineering and Computer Science, and Deputy Director of the Smart Health Research Centre under the VinUniversity.

My research field is computer science and artificial intelligence, so different organisations offer me a pretty good salary, from VN100-200 million ($4,000-8,100) per month. I still choose contributing to Viet Nam, Hieu said.

The sacred word "Fatherland" has always been deeply imprinted in Hieus heart, especially every time he reads scientific publications about Vietnamese issues that have high value and are recognised by the world academic community.

Therefore, he came back to directly participate in Viet Nam's scientific research force, directly studying about the most urgent and challenging problems and bringing people together to solve them.

We do that by building an honest and professional research culture, that meets the highest standards. We want to encourage the spirit of research to serve the community for our students and trainees," Hieu said.  VNS
HCM CITY Students from the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh Citys Team 1 won first prize with their innovative project tackling heat stress and heatstroke caused by climate change at the Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) Final Showcase held at Cao Thang Technical College on January 25.

They developed a smart cooling belt, integrated with a uniform jacket, which will help to ensure comfort and safety for outdoor workers.

The second prize went to Da Nang University of Science and Technologys Team 1 for their impactful 'Ozone Aerator' project addressing severe pollution in Phu Loc River. The innovative solution introduces ozone and oxygen to decompose microorganisms, effectively eliminating foul odours and improving community living conditions.

Third prize went to Da Nang University of Science and Technologys Team 4 for their project addressing the challenges of an aging population. Their 'Elderly Safety Device' not only alerts seniors to potential dangers but also includes features like automatic night lighting and real-time location updates. The device aims to enhance the overall safety and well-being of the elderly, contributing to the alleviation of healthcare challenges in the era of population aging.

There are 19 innovative projects of student teams across Viet Nam which was developed as part of the EPICS programme.

EPICS is an internationally recognised designed-based and service-learning programme where student teams will partner with a community organisation to design, build, and deploy systems to tackle a social issue.

In a five-month period of continuous learning, the programme guides student teams through processes of design innovation, team management, testing, and presenting in technical English. EPICS projects span the spectrum - finding solutions to challenges in human health care, energy, sustainability and more.

The showcase drew hundreds of students and faculty members, alongside representatives from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

This stands as a cornerstone within the Dow STEM Programme and event marked the conclusion of the sixth EPICS programme in Viet Nam, symbolising a convergence of education, industry, and international collaboration.

Having been actively supporting engineering students across the country over the past seven years of the ASU-Dow collaboration in the Dow Vietnam STEM Program, Dow Vietnam has invested over $250,000 providing more than 1,400 students opportunities to engineer social innovations, fostering confidence and capacity.

Nguyen Xuan Kim Phuong, President of Dow Vietnam, said: As a science materials company and solutions provider, we are very delighted to support students and university faculties and more than happy to see students realise the current social and environmental issues in the community and develop innovative solutions to address it. With that spirit, we strongly believe that this STEM Program would inspire the younger generation to solve tomorrows world challenges."

After the showcase, participating universities from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Can Tho integrate the programme into their curriculum. This not only ensures the sustainability of the initiative but also signifies a commitment to producing a new generation of engineers who are not only technically proficient but also socially responsible. VNS
HA NOI  The Tet Sum Vay (New Year's Reunion) programme, organised by various trade unions over the past decade, has created a warm atmosphere of goodwill and sharing during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

Ngo Van ong, an employee of Vietnam Jsc, visited the Tet union market in 2024 held at the Viet-Xo Cultural Friendship Palace, where he purchased various essential items for Tet at discounted prices.

"Workers can buy items with discounts ranging from 15-40 per cent depending on the product," shared ong.

Nguyen Hoang Long, Chairman of the Trade Union of Matsuo Industries Vietnam Co., Ltd., stated that the company had 20 workers participating in the "Tet Sum vay - Spring Sharing" programme.

"The company's union selected members and workers facing difficulties to attend the Tet Sum Vay programme. The activities of the trade unions have significant meaning for workers, especially those facing challenges during the Tet and spring season. It serves as spiritual encouragement for them to welcome a peaceful Tet, alleviating worries in their lives," shared Long.

He also added that during this Tet, the company's union implemented activities to care for workers during Tet. It focused on salary bonuses, year-end parties, and essential gifts to ensure workers feel secure and connected to the company.

Le Thi Huong from Nam Ha Noi Joint Stock Company participates in the programme for the first time this year. Her 10-year-old son, unable to walk or engage in personal activities due to congenital cerebral palsy, requires constant care. With her husband's poor health, Huong bears the financial burden of all expenses, daily life, and medical bills for her son alone.

"Each worker receives support of VN1.5 million (US$60), participates in the Tet market, and receives gift vouchers. The support and assistance from the trade union organisation have truly motivated and helped me and other workers in the company overcome difficulties," added Huong.

With the motto "All members, workers must have Tet," during this Lunar New Year, trade unions of Ha Noi focus on utilising all resources to take care of members and workers. Priority is given to members and workers facing special difficulties, including those with work-related accidents, occupational diseases, severe illness, reduced working hours, job loss, members and workers who have not been able to return home for Tet for many years, and those staying at units and enterprises to work during Tet.

The work of caring for members and workers is organised at three levels: Ha Noi Federation of Labour, direct grassroots trade unions, and grassroots trade unions. Activities include organising the Tet Sum Vay programme focused at the grassroots and direct grassroots levels, organising visits, gift-giving, encouragement, and Tet wishes for members and workers. Additionally, there are programmes such as the "Tet Trade Union Market 2024" both in-person and online, the "Trade Union Tet Journey - Spring 2024," and activities caring for members and workers who do not return home for Tet. The Ha Noi Federation of Labour and grassroots trade unions will support over 115,000 members and workers facing difficulties with an amount exceeding VN65 billion ($2.6 million).

In addition, the Ha Noi Federation of Labour directs grassroots trade unions to proactively coordinate with employers to organise practical support activities for the material and spiritual lives of members and workers. This is to ensure that members and workers have a safe, joyful, warm, and happy Tet.

The Ha Noi Federation of Labour directs trade unions at all levels to swiftly disseminate information about Tet care activities for members and workers through various media channels, emphasising the trade union's role in nurturing members during the festive season.

The nationwide Tet Sum Vay programme in 2024, organised by trade unions, includes innovative activities like the "Trade Union Tet Market 2024," both in physical and e-commerce spaces, "Trade Union Flight", and "Trade Union Train - Spring 2024", directed by the Chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour.

In Ha Noi, the "Trade Union Tet Market 2024" features 124 booths offering quality products at discounted prices (starting from 15 per cent), including zero-ong stalls for members and workers. The event incorporates entertaining activities, games, prize draws, and the distribution of approximately 5,000 gift packages to those facing special difficulties.

Moreover, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour organises the "Trade Union Tet Journey - Spring 2024" to visit and care for members and workers at grassroots levels, border areas, islands, remote regions, and particularly those in Hai Duong, Bac Ninh, and other areas affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

These Tet activities foster a joyful and warm atmosphere, strengthening the connection between trade unions and their members. The practical initiatives significantly contribute to enhancing the material and spiritual well-being of members and workers, boosting morale, and ensuring a confident and content Tet celebration. VNS
Commentary: Xizang's remarkable development debunks groundless Western accusations

Xinhua) 09:52, January 26, 2024

LHASA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A series of recently released data regarding southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region highlights the all-round progress of the plateau region, once again debunking some Western smears and lies.

The region's gross domestic product expanded 9.5 percent year on year to nearly 240 billion yuan (about 33.8 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, according to the regional statistics bureau.

The growth rates of the region's major economic indicators, including per capita disposable income, fixed asset investment, and total retail sales of consumer goods, all ranked first in the country.

However, certain Western organizations and individuals have ignored these developments, choosing to weaponize so-called "human rights issues" as a means to manipulate global politics.

The most recent evidence of this practice surfaced when the Human Rights Watch baselessly accused Xizang of "immersing" Tibetan children in Mandarin without allowing the use and learning of Tibetan language in schools. The group also alleged the "forced imposition of 'ethnic mingling' measures in Tibetan education, such as concentrated schooling and 'mixed classes.'"

Such accusations disregard the truth and smear China based on ideological bias, unfounded rumors and falsehoods.

The reality is that Xizang has a sparse population and some children in pastoral areas reside far away from schools, rendering daily commutes practically unfeasible for them. Boarding schools not only guarantee the quality of education but also provide children with nutritious meals and a comfortable living environment on campus.

At school, students are provided with quality Tibetan-Mandarin bilingual teaching and education in traditional Tibetan culture. Many extracurricular classes are crafted around Tibetan culture, including local musical instruments and dance, and Tibetan calligraphy.

Xizang is the first provincial-level region in China to provide 15 years of publicly funded education, from kindergarten to senior high school. The completion rate for compulsory education has reached 97.73 percent. This stands in stark contrast to the situation 70 years ago when access to education was limited to the nobility.

The constant improvement of people's livelihoods in Xizang over the past decades speaks volumes, proving that the current developmental trajectory is most fitting for the region. The region's robust progress unequivocally rebuts the naysayers and their lies.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
January 25, 2024: The Netherlands is preparing to deal with the increasingly obvious threat from Russia by spending a l0t more on defense. Defense expenditures for 2023 were $16.7 billion compared to $14 billion for 2022. Some expenditures are for joint defense agreements with other European nations. For example, $717 million is being spent on Patriot air defense systems that is part of a larger, European regional air defense system. This will make many targets in Europe difficult for an aggressor to hit.

The Dutch are also upgrading their more conventional weapons, like artillery, armored vehicles, and electronic warfare. Supplies of munitions are being increased, in order to deal with a longer conflict. The Netherlands, like most other European nations, are also seeking to expand local production of munitions. Old facilities are being reopened, refurbished, and prepared for low rate and high rate production.

Modern versions of basic weapons, like anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles carried by the infantry, are replacing older models. Orders are also being placed for long-lead time items, like warships. These are needed to replace much older vessels that are less effective against current naval weapons and ships. This includes four new anti-submarine frigates to complement and eventually replace current multipurpose frigates. The navy currently has four 6,000-ton destroyers and two 3,200-ton frigates, but one frigate is inactive because the navy lacks enough men to operate it. There are also three submarines, four OPVs (offshore patrol vessels) and several support vessels.
Stemming from the fact that there are countless street vendors in Vietnam, but most of them lack training and basic business knowledge, Bel Vietnam Company launched its MSE Support Programme in Ho Chi Minh City in 2012.

The main goal is to help participants in building a more efficient and sustainable business, thereby generating better incomes to support themselves and their families.

Since the beginning of January, Bel has launched many practical activities to support street vendors in Ho Chi Minh City. The group organised a factory tour for them on January 12 and a summary seminar on January 16.

The initiatives featured numerous activities to improve sales expertise and honour individuals with excellent business achievements in 2023. This meaningful series marks the 13th consecutive year that Bel Group has implemented its MSE Support Programme.

Through activities with diverse and useful topics, the MSE Support Programme has achieved many remarkable results. To date, thousands of street vendors from traditional markets have had the opportunity to participate and receive training certificates. Thanks to this highly applicable knowledge, sellers have become better prepared and more proactive in business, thus promoting entrepreneurship.

Survey data reveals that participants' awareness of saving and financial management has increased by up to 40 per cent, and incomes have also improved by half.

A representative of Bel Group said, "Bel will carry out more meaningful and practical activities for street vendors in the future. Our goal is not only to give them the opportunity to strengthen their business skills and incomes, but also to gradually move them closer to our further goal, which is to create a community of professional street vendors in Vietnam."

In 2024, Bel Group will continue to implement a series of initiatives to support sellers through promotions and tech training to gradually increase sales.

Bel Group, known for its Laughing Cow cheese brand, opened a representative office in Vietnam in 2007. The company started domestic production in 2011, and built a factory in Song Than 3 Industrial Park in the southern province of Binh Duong in 2016.

Vietnam a potential market for French businesses, investors: experts French businesses should innovate their approach, enhance their understanding of culture and language, and make changes to adapt to Vietnam's transitioning economy in order to expand their market share and boost investment in the Southeast Asian nation, said Dr. Jean-Philippe Eglinger, the founder of the Viet Phap Strategies.

Vietnamese and French businesses seek to boost cooperation Businesses from localities of Vietnam and France gathered at a forum in Hanoi on April 15 to discuss cooperation possibilities.
"Vietnam and China are currently completing legal reviews for three memoranda on the export of naturally harvested aquatic products, along with farmed crocodile and monkey exports," said Tran Thanh Nam, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Durian is the most valuable fruit exported to China

Both sides have also agreed on bilateral cooperation in various fields, including collaborations in green agriculture technology, emission reductions, and organic crops.

Moreover, the Plant Protection Department is coordinating with the General Administration of Customs of China to finalise prompt market access for fruit products such as pomelo, orange, tangerine, coconut, and frozen durian.

Other items such as traditional medicines, meat, and poultry are also facilitated for import by China.

According to the General Department of Customs, Vietnam's exports to China reached $61.2 billion last year, up 6.4 per cent compared to 2022. Among these, 12 export groups achieved turnovers of over $1 billion each.

The export turnover of agricultural products reached $27.14 billion, up to 18.8 per cent on year. Livestock products, aquatic products, and salt accounted for $515 million, $8.98 billion, and $5.9 million, respectively.

The growth in exports to China shone as a bright spot in Vietnam's overall export performance, especially considering the decline in exports to most major markets.

China is expected to remain a major market for Vietnams agricultural goods for more years to come due to its geographical proximity, convenient trade infrastructure, and understanding of consumer tastes.

Leverage for Vietnam's agricultural products to take off Extensive international integration is opening up golden opportunities for Vietnam's agri-products. However, to capitalise on these opportunities, the value chain of agricultural products needs to be optimised to meet the strict requirements of the global market.

China drives Vietnam's agricultural export boom Vietnam has witnessed a significant surge in agricultural trade with China, with the total import-export turnover between the two nations reaching an impressive $175.6 billion in 2022. Amidst the challenges faced by other key export sectors in the US and EU markets, Vietnamese agricultural products have experienced remarkable success, particularly in China.
The city is seeking investor participation in six projects focusing on research and development, electronics, semiconductors, high-tech supporting industries, and data centres, with an additional four wastewater treatment plant projects and several initiatives to renovate canals and upgrade or construct new bridges, roads, and apartment buildings.

Phan Van Mai, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, emphasised two priority projects, the The Duc city waterlogging management project and the low-carbon programme.

"Waterlogging management is a large and urgent project, fundamental to further expansion," said Mai. The first phase includes three components, a flood information system, a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 80,000 cubic meters per day, and 30km of open canals, underground piping, along with several other tasks.

Mai pointed out that Ho Chi Minh City is among the ten cities worldwide that could be most affected by climate change.

Research from the Institute of Environment and Natural Resources from Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City, shows the city emits over 60 million tonnes of CO 2 annually, primarily from industrial activities, with nearly 20 million tonnes, transportation, with over 13 million tonnes, with the rest from residential and other activities.

The city also faces challenges from climate change, environmental pollution, resource shortages, and economic difficulties.

Accordingly, the economic hub of the country has chosen green growth as its development strategy, aiming to reduce emissions by 10 per cent by 2030.

Carolyn Turk, World Banks Country director for Vietnam, described this goal as, "ambitious, but achievable with the right strategy."

Doan Manh Thang, director of Water and Urban Planning at HaskoningDHV Vietnam, part of the Ho Chi Minh City Planning Consultancy Consortium, revealed the scenario for the city's feasible economic development, targeting an average GDP growth of 8.3 per cent per annum from 2021 to 2030, with a projected population of nearly 12 million by 2030.

"This requires investment estimated at $316 billion by 2030, with 25 per cent from the budget, to develop a green and sustainable economy and society," said Thang, going on to recommend prioritising investments in high-tech industries, financial services, tourism, logistics, and modern retail.

Responding to the call, various international organisations and businesses have expressed interest and contributed ideas and recommendations.

The World Bank estimates Ho Chi Minh City's annual economic losses due to flooding at $250 million, but could rise above $300 million.

"We need to protect the city's economic development by managing flooding effectively," said Carolyn Turk.

Turk also mentioned financial challenges for the green supply chain and upgrading assets to meet energy efficiency and operational performance targets to retain and draw in investors.

The World Bank, working with the city through a joint task force for two years, has committed its support in developing funding sources and a carbon credit market.

The Swiss Cooperation Office in Vietnam and Invest International Netherlands have expressed interest and look forward to closer coordination with local authorities, while the Japan International Cooperation Agency is keen on developing Transit Oriented Development around metro stations.

Vietnams exciting growth powers Bain & Companys first office in Ho Chi Minh City Wade Cruse, managing partner for Southeast Asia at Bain & Company and Andrea Campagnoli, partner and office head of Bain & Companys Vietnam office, spoke with VIR's Luu Huong about Vietnam's economic prospects and Bain's forward-looking strategies in the region.
IDICO, with a desire to exchange knowledge and experiences on industrial park (IP) development with other members of Vietnam's industrial real estate sector, was one of the first businesses to join the VIREA, and has consistently aimed for sustainable development based on the principles of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.

Rooftop solar power by IDICO at Nhon Trach 5 Industrial Park

Sustainable business development is not just about creating profits, it must also be beneficial for all stakeholders. IDICO is pursuing a strategy of building and developing synchronous, high-quality infrastructure in its IPs according to its ESG orientation, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable development and providing high-quality infrastructure to investors.

In terms of environmental standards, IDICO focuses on using raw materials and natural resources economically and effectively. Specifically, the company has invested in building wastewater treatment plants by modern technological processes, ensuring the quality of water discharged into the environment is of the highest standards.

In addition, IDICO has been implementing rooftop solar systems of its own design on ready-built factories and is encouraging businesses in its parks to deploy solutions to reduce greenhouse gasemissions, striving to achieve the 'net-zero by 2050' target.

IDICO promotes respect and fairness as it builds relationships with its stakeholders, while focussing on the wellbeing of its personnel, by creating the best possible conditions for the experts and workers living in and around its IPs.

As for governance, IDICO promotes management ethics, business responsibility, and risk management through transparent and clear policies that protect the interests of all parties. Through the structure of its board of directors and departmental leadership, IDICO also ensures gender equality by increasing the proportion of female management positions.

IDICO has been investing in and managing 10 IPs throughout Vietnam with a total land area of about 3,300 hectares, attracting around $8 billion in investment capital from nearly 300 businesses.

Some investors include Suntory Pepsico in Huu Thanh IP, Long An province, Hyosung & Posco Steel in Phu My II IP, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, Heineken in My Xuan A IP, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, and Honda in Kim Hoa IP, Vinh Phuc province.

In addition to existing land that is ready for investment in Huu Thanh, Phu My II and Phu My II Expanded IPs, Cau Nghin, and Que Vo II, IDICO is continuing to look for areas for potential development in key locations across the country. Within the next 35 years, IDICO plans to expand and develop a further 2,000ha of industrial land.

The company also provides ready-built-factory and warehouse solutions to meet the diverse needs of investors.

IDICO will continue to deploy effective solutions with a strong commitment to pursuing an ESG-oriented strategy, contributing to the development of Vietnam's industry, and creating benefits for shareholders, investors, and related parties.
Leepak is one of Vietnam's top plastic manufacturers, with more than 25 years of experience. The company operates two plastics manufacturing factories in Hanoi and Bac Ninh. The Bac Ninh site is one of its key manufacturing facilities that supplies high-quality plastic bags to local and foreign markets.

The factory covers an area of 18,000 square metres in Ha Man-Tri Qua Industrial Cluster in Bac Ninh, with a designed capacity of 2,000 metric tonnes (MT) of plastic bags per month. The factory boasts state-of-the-art production lines with advanced manufacturing technology and a strict production process.

Over the past few years, Vietnamese plastics manufacturers such as Leepak have come under increasing pressure as consumers move towards more sustainable packaging options. Meanwhile, key import markets like the US and the EU have set their sights on packaging sustainability to avoid negatively impacting the environment.

As sustainability becomes an imperative, Leepak is moving forward with its green growth plan to reduce emissions and pollution. The company has chosen Pebsteel and Green Roof to implement the rooftop solar system with a capacity of 1,030 kilowatt peak. Once operational at the end of 2024, the system is expected to cut about 1,000MT of carbon emissions annually.

Under the agreement, and as Green Roofs partner, Pebsteel will serve as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor for the project for the client, Leepak.

The investment is a testament to the commitments of CN Green Roof Asia, Leepak, and Pebsteel in promoting renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions. The rooftop solar system will help Leepak lessen its dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the push towards a more sustainable future.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ngo Hoang Minh, general manager of the Rooftop Solar Division in Southeast Asia at Pebsteel said, "Pebsteel is committed to helping our customers accelerate their transition to renewable energy. We are excited to participate in the installation of the rooftop solar system at the Leepak plastic manufacturing factory in Bac Ninh."

"We are also looking forward to deepening our partnership with CN Green Roof Asia and Leepak to promote renewable energy as we contribute to Vietnam's net-zero by 2050 goal," Minh continued.

Pebsteel has 30 years of experience in the installation of pre-engineered buildings and structural steel. To remain competitive and meet the demands of clients who prioritise sustainability, Pebsteel is adjusting its business strategy by introducing more innovation, including a foray into solar energy.

The rooftop solar division has been developed to enhance its capabilities in the sector, covering everything from project planning and design to installation, commissioning, and maintenance.

"As a one-stop solar service, we can help businesses like Leepak accelerate the EPC process in a sustainable and cost-effective way. With its best-in-class quality, the solar rooftop solution from Pebsteel allows businesses to reduce their electricity expenses significantly while achieving their sustainability goals in the long term," Minh said.

Rob Santler, CEO of Green Roof said, "Since 2021, Green Roof has been on a mission to pioneer renewable energy solutions in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on the dynamic markets of Vietnam and Indonesia. We are pleased to engage in this partnership with Pebsteel and Leepak to promote sustainable energy and reduce carbon emissions."

"This project is a testament to our commitment to sustainability, and we look forward to enabling businesses to access renewable energy and decarbonise their operations," he added.

The representative of Leepak shared that this project is an important step towards their goal of becoming a more sustainable company. It is committed to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy, and this solar system is a big step in that direction.

Pebsteel celebrates 28th anniversary After 28 years of constant development, Pebsteel asserts its strong name through remarkable achievements and a vision for sustainability in the pre-engineered buildings (PEB) and structural steel industry (STS).

Pebsteel marks 29th anniversary with optimism for future This year sees the 29th anniversary of Pebsteel's founding, marking almost three decades of near constant growth and innovation in the steel industry.
Thai Binh LNG Power JSC has been established to run the project's development, which includes initially conducting a feasibility study at the location in Thai Thuy district.

The project includes an offshore LNG receiving terminal and a 1.5GW natural gas-fired power plant. It will have a robust capacity of 1,500MW and a total investment pegged at around $2 billion.

The scope of the project ranges from the development, construction, and operation of the power plant and LNG receiving terminal to LNG procurement and selling electricity to Vietnam Electricity.

The venture will assess the economic and technical feasibility, select an engineering, procurement, and construction contractor, and develop an LNG procurement strategy during the study phase. It aims to put the project into commercial operation in 2029.

This is Tokyo Gas Group's second LNG to power project in Vietnam, following its onshore LNG receiving terminal and natural gas-fired power plant in Quang Ninh province.

"Tokyo Gas Group is committed to the challenge of transforming the LNG value chain," as stated in its management vision Compass2030.

"We will continue to expand our LNG infrastructure business to contribute to the development of Asian countries and the realisation of low-carbonisation and decarbonisation by utilising our accumulated experience and skill. This will contribute to achieving the profit goal of 50 billion ($338.7 million) from our overseas business, as outlined in Compass2030," Tokyo Gas noted.

Tokyo Gas, Japan's biggest city gas supplier, has engaged in LNG and natural gas-related projects in Australia, North America, and Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, Kyuden International Corporation, a subsidiary of the Japanese Kyushu Electric Power Group, provides electricity-focused energy solutions globally.

Truong Thanh Vietnam is a multidisciplinary enterprise that focuses on two primary business lines, namely renewable energy and real estate.

Vietnam's Power Development Plan VIII states that by 2030, the total domestic capacity of LNG power sources will reach 22,400MW, accounting for almost 15 per cent of the nations total generation capacity.

Thai Binh unveils $2 billion LNG power plant project in Japanese deal Thai Binh province announced a $2 billion LNG thermal power plant project, in collaboration with Tokyo Gas Co., Kyuden Corporation, and Truong Thanh Group, marking a major stride in Vietnamese-Japanese economic cooperation.

Realising LNG goals require resolutions Current obstacles in liquefied natural gas import costs and electricity selling prices mean it will be difficult for Vietnam to achieve its set targets for gas power capacity.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  A voicemail threat by an unidentified person to a Las Vegas investigative journalist seven months before he was killed in September 2022 emerged Tuesday as a potential delay for the upcoming murder trial of a former elected official.

A prosecutor told the Nevada judge hearing the case involving ex-Democratic county administrator of estates Robert Telles that authorities need time  both to finish sifting slain Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German's cellphone and computers for evidence in the case and to investigate whether the person who made the threat killed German.

"From the state's perspective, it certainly complicates readiness, given the nature of it," Chief Deputy Clark County District Attorney Pamela Weckerly said. For us to proceed to trial, we're entitled to investigate ... and address this particular item of information.

Telles wants to go to trial as scheduled March 18, defense attorney Robert Draskovich told the judge  despite Draskovichs advice that they wait to finish collecting and examining evidence. Draskovich noted that Telles remains jailed without bail.

Telles, 47, has pleaded not guilty in the killing and insists that he wants to testify before a jury. He could face life in prison if he's convicted.

Ive advised my client that we should seek a continuance, Draskovich said as Telles stood wearing shackles and jail clothing. That being said, its my clients wish to go forward with our March trial.

Clark County District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt neither confirmed nor postponed a trial date. She scheduled another status hearing March 6.

Outside court, Draskovich told reporters that he learned Friday about the 45-second voicemail from Las Vegas Review-Journal attorneys who've been screening Germans phone records for possibly confidential material. The attorney said the caller had a high-pitched male voice that was clearly not Telles.

Its a death threat, the attorney said of the somewhat nonsensical message that he said mentioned President Joe Biden. It didnt cite a specific story," Draskovich said, "but I believe it was in reference to a story that Jeff German wrote about extremism in the United States. It appears to be wholly unrelated to Mr. Telles.

German authored a Review-Journal article about a year earlier in February 2021, titled, Emerging extremists bring new concerns for law enforcement.

German, 69, spent more than 40 years as an investigative reporter in Las Vegas. He was found stabbed to death outside his home months after he wrote articles in 2022 that were critical of Telles and his managerial conduct.

These articles unfairly portray the defendant, in his role as Clark County Public Administrator, as a bully, and claim he created a hostile workplace, Telles responded in court filings this month. The articles further claim that the defendant had an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate employee.

The documents said there were no violent, threatening interactions between Telles and German, and said that while Telles disagreed with Germans reporting, he never threatened him or physically confronted him.

Prosecutors have cast German's stories about Telles as a motive for the killing. They say they have evidence including DNA believed to be from Telles found beneath Germans fingernails and videos showing a man believed to be Telles walking near Germans home about the time of the killing.

Progress toward trial has been slowed while Telles has changed lawyers several times and served as his own attorney; by court arguments about authorities obtaining potentially confidential files from German's cellphone and computers; by Telles' arguments that he has been framed and that police mishandled the investigation; and by two failed bids by Telles to remove Leavitt as the judge handling his case.
MBABANE  Eswatini Railways (ESR) seeks to engage competent and suitable service provider for engineering services for the design and construction supervision for the Ka-Dake Truck Stop.

ESR, a stakeholder in the transport industry, is offering the trucking industry a truck-stop, which is a designated area used for parking of trucks and for the provision of other related services for truck drivers like a truck washing bay at Ka-Dake, which is two kilometres from Ngwenya (Oshoek) Border Gate. ESR has planned the construction of a truck stop which will be a commercial facility to be used as a refuelling and rest station, as well as a canteen for ready-to-go food for truck drivers. It will be opposite Africa Chicks and next to Parsons Transport.

Purpose

The purpose of the truck stop at Ka-Dake is to service both incoming and outgoing traffic across the border. This is contained in a request for proposal for an open tender that was shared in the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA) website. ESR Corporate Communications Manager, Sive Manana, revealed that they were diversifying their revenue base and as a company, they saw this as an opportunity, since they already had land at Ngwenya. We have had land in Ngwenya for a while now and this could be put into good use, he said. According to the proposal, this truck stop will have a parking capacity of about 50 to 80 trucks per day.This is a multi-phase development plan with room for extension and will have ablution facilities and a canteen, as well as a fuelling port for the trucks. Other additional services such as lodging services may be incorporated at a later stage, reads the proposal. The implementation of the project, as detailed in the proposal, will deliver a range of outcomes varying from satisfying environmental considerations to operational performance of the completed infrastructure.

Important

It is very important that all required outcomes are achieved and in this respect this section describes and articulates the requirements to ensure the consultants/designer develops the right solution. The need for the project is to alleviate the truck parking stop shortage at Ngwenya for cross boarder trucks as stipulated in the tender notice.
The second of the three women charged with murder in the April 2022 shooting death of a Waco woman is expected to plead guilty, while the third will face trial on an unrelated charge before further progress on her murder case.

The attorney for Betsy Ayers Robinson, 57, of Gatesville, agreed during a hearing Thursday in Gatesvilles 52nd State District Court to hold her plea and punishment hearings March 27 on her murder charge in the death of Elizabeth Ann Romero, 44.

Erin Baily Finchum, also charged with murder in Romeros death, will face a trial on an unrelated aggravated assault charge beginning Feb. 5, in accordance with Coryell County courts policy to try older cases first.

Betsy Robinsons daughter, Jessica Colleen Robinson, 35, of Gatesville, pleaded guilty earlier this month to Romeros murder and was sentenced to 47 years in prison.

A chain of events beginning with a March 31, 2022, theft of 10 sheets of plywood valued at $270 from a Gatesville construction site ended the next day with Jessica Robinson holding Romero at knife point and shooting her twice in the chest with a gun, according statements Betsy Robinson made to investigators, Coryell County Sheriffs Office arrest affidavits say.

Betsy Robinson waived a jury trial, and her defense attorney, Bryon Barnhill, said he wants her to complete further evaluations with forensic psychologist Matthew Ferrara, of Austin, as part of the process of negotiating a plea.

Dr. Ferrara already had one three-hour interview over Zoom with Ms. Ayers Robinson, Barnhill said in court Thursday. His schedule will allow all the interviews to be completed in time for a March 27 setting.

Barnhill said that after Finchums trial on the earlier charge, he expects Coryell County District Attorney Dusty Boyd to negotiate a sentencing range with him for Betsy Robinson.

We will work out a sentencing cap with the district attorney, Barnhill said by phone Thursday. The law sets the sentencing range at 5 to 99 years. We expect to work out a narrow sentencing range with a cap significantly below 99 years.

Betsy Robinson plans to plead guilty in open court at her next court appearance, Barnhill said. Immediately following her plea, the court will conduct a punishment hearing.

Dr. Ferrara and some other witnesses were lining up will testify for mitigation of punishment, Barnhill said. The court will be deemed to have followed the plea agreement if the judge sentences within the negotiated punishment range.

If the judge hands down a longer sentence, the law will likely allow Betsy Robinson to appeal.

Barnhill said Thursday that he could not yet say anything about the recovery of Romeros remains. An official with the Coryell County Sheriffs Office previously said Romeros remains were recovered in the weeks after a murder warrant was sworn out for Jessica Robinson.

Romeros family reported her missing in April 2022. By that November, police had arrested four people in Romeros death. The fourth, Cody Gene Ayers, was charged with evidence tampering.

Betsy Robinson and Finchum each told investigators they saw Jessica Robinson shoot Romero in a home in the 800 block of Moccasin Bend Road near Gatesville, an affidavit says. Each woman said she saw the shooting, rendered no life saving measures, called for no ambulance and did not report the shooting to authorities, an affidavit says.

Betsy Robinson and Finchum both remain in Coryell County Jail on first-degree felony charges of murder. Betsy Robinsons bail is set at $1 million, and Finchums is set at $270,000.

Affidavits say Betsy Robinson told Jessica Robinson and Ayers to get rid of a couch where Romero was shot. Ayers then cut the couch in pieces with a reciprocating saw and took the pieces out to a burn pit, the affidavits say.

At the time of the arrests, investigators believed Romeros remains had been dumped in a river, but the remains had not been found. Officials have declined to discuss the exact date and circumstances of recovering Romeros remains.
A new well in Crawford is on track and would let the city lift some of the tightest water restrictions in McLennan County by this spring.

The well has been drilled and developed. Now all thats left is to connect it to the city water system, Crawford City Manager Brian Bolfing said Tuesday. Its on track to go into production before the high demand season, and we plan to lift the restrictions as soon as it does.

After production from one of the citys two wells dropped in June to 30 gallons per minute, the city prohibited all outdoor use of water, except for fighting fires or to preserve the life of a person or pet. Bolfing said at the time that problems with the well casing were reducing production.

Most other cities around the county at that time were limiting outdoor water use because of drought conditions dropping the level of Lake Waco.

Cities that draw water from Lake Waco ended their water restrictions after rains at the end of October replenished the lake. Crawford left its water restrictions in effect, since its much smaller city reservoir was still below the level of intakes for the municipal water supply. The reservoir is on Tonk Creek just downstream of Tonkawa Falls.

Recently, Crawford has coaxed production in the well with the damaged casing back to 75 gallons per minute.

Bolfing said contractor Hydro Resources, with home office in Sugar Land and other operations in Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico, drilled and developed the new well in the first phase of the project. Hydro Resources tested the pump stem pipe to produce nearly 250 gallons per minute, he said.

In the second phase, Woodway-based Barsh Construction Co. is in the process of running connective pipe from the wellhead to the citys main water storage tank a few hundred yards away. The city already has two pumps on the tank to move water in and out. Barsh will install two additional pumps.

The new well will more than double the present capacity of the citys first two wells. One produces 90 gallons per minute, and the damaged one produces 75.

We could have done a full repair to that well last summer, but that would have left us with only one well producing 90 gallons per minute and nothing from the reservoir, Bolfing said. We thought it best keep both wells in production for whatever amount we could get from them until we get this third well producing and hooked into the citys water system.

There were some delays last summer waiting 22 weeks for the pump to go on the new well, Bolfing said.

The recent rains and freeze have caused some weather delays during the second phase, which are accounted for in the contract with Barsh, he said.

Bolfing said the city has already completed a rehab of its existing water storage tank and the two pumps already on it.

As soon as Barsh finishes the pipes, we can put the new well into production, Bolfing said. Our contract with Barsh includes them installing two additional pumps on the tank, but with the two already there, we wont have to wait for that to put the new well into production and lift the water restrictions.

Bolfing said he fully expects the well to be in production before the high demand season begins this spring.

Engineering firm MRB Group, with Texas offices in Waco, Temple and Austin as well as other locations out of state, has overseen the project for the city.

Bolfing said he expects the project to be completed with around $200,000 unspent out of the $3.1 million in bonds the city issued for the project.
Mall-to-Mall closure

The Texas Department of Transportation will close all Highway 6 eastbound main lanes at Highway 84 between 7 p.m. Friday and early Monday morning. Eastbound Highway 6 traffic will exit onto the frontage road before the Highway 84 intersection.

The schedule is dependent on weather.

Various daily single-lane closures on Highway 6 also are expected in the next few weeks.

The closures will allow for paving and other work necessary for the ongoing $55 million Mall-to-Mall project to rebuild Highway 6 and add continuous frontage roads between Highway 84 and Bagby Avenue.

DRT meeting

The Sterling C. Robertson Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce building, 101 S. Third St.

Jeff Pirtle, executive director of the Texas Collection at Baylor University, will be the speaker. This is the 100-year anniversary of the Texas Collection.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

GriefShare session

Peace Lutheran Church will start a new 13-week session of GriefShare on Tuesday. The group will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. through April 23 in the Fellowship Hall at Peace Lutheran Church, 9301 Panther Way.

The cost of the event is $25, which covers the cost of the workbook and all additional materials. Scholarships are available. Snacks will be provided each week.

To pre-register, contact Tom Michaelis at 254-723-4422 or tom.michaelis@me.com.

Valentine lunch

Lake Shore Funeral Home and Crematory, 5201 Steinbeck Bend Drive, will host its annual Widowed Men & Womens Valentine Luncheon starting at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 14.

The event is open to all who have lost their spouse or significant other. RSVP is required by noon Feb. 6.

For more information, call 254-752-5900.

Type 2 diabetes prevention

The Greater Waco YMCA, 6800 Harvey Drive, will offer a Type 2 diabetes prevention class starting from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 5.

Cost is $37.75 per month. The program lasts a year.

For more information, call 254-776-6612 or email chernandez@ymcactx.org.

Genealogy Brown Bag

The Central Texas Genealogical Society will hold a Genealogy Brown Bag event, Proving Long-Lost Family the Indirect Way, from noon to 1:15 p.m. Feb. 5 at the West Waco Library, 5301 Bosque Blvd.

The program will include records and research with a resolution to a mystery that has been misunderstood for a century. Patti Gillespie, owner of genealogy services firm Family Lines and Stories, will demonstrate the long way round research strategies while offering hope for researchers with direct-line brick walls.

Participants should bring a lunch. Drinks will be provided. The meeting will also be available via Zoom at CTGS.org.

Friends of Cameron Park hike

Friends of Cameron Park Waco will meet for a Sunrise Hike at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 3 at Rock Shelter at the bottom of Jacobs Ladder in Cameron Park.

The hike will be 1.5 to 2 hours, though hike time is flexible with longer and shorter options offered. Participants should wear footwear appropriate for rocky trails and bring water and a snack. A walking stick or hiking poles may come in handy for the steeper sections.

The hike is free, but donations are accepted to help sponsor future programs, projects and events.

Members of the newly organized Friends of Cameron Park Waco are encouraged to bring friends or family along. Membership is $25 a year. Dogs are welcome on a leash, if owners bring their own poop bag. Participants can also bring a trash bag for any additional litter found along the trails.

Voter registration

Feb. 5 is the deadline to register to vote in the March 5 primary elections.

Application forms are available at mclennanvotes.com or at any post office, city library or city office, and the county elections office, 214 N. Fourth St., Suite 300, in the basement of the county records building. English and Spanish versions are available.

Completed applications should be printed, signed and delivered in person or mailed to McLennan County Elections, P.O. Box 2450, Waco, TX 76703-2450.

Anyone unsure of their registration status can check at votetexas.gov.

Feb. 23 is the deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mail. Early voting will run from Feb. 20 to March 1 at five sites.

For more information, call 254-757-5043.

Dam bike ride

Trek Bicycle Waco, 1120 Lake Air Drive, Suite 200, invites cyclists to take part in its 15-mile ride to Lake Waco Dam and back, leaving from the shop at 9 a.m. Feb. 3.

Doughnuts and coffee will be provided at the dam. Helmets and hydration are required.

To RSVP, go to eventbrite.com.
Inmates at Nebraskas only womens prison went without access to drinking water for as long as seven hours Wednesday after the York facilitys water supply was shut off amid repairs, according to public records and inmate accounts.

Staff at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women shut water off for the entire facility around 1 p.m. Wednesday for repairs to a water main, according to a public water supply system notice posted at the prison and made public online.

Though the prisons water was turned back on by 8 p.m. Wednesday, the repairs caused a pressure loss in the York facilitys troubled water system, the prisons maintenance manager, Tom Fritz, wrote in the public notice.

The prisons water must now undergo two rounds of sampling to ensure it isnt contaminated by bacteria  meaning the water cant be approved for drinking until Saturday at the earliest, though it remains safe for bathing and handwashing, Fritz said in the public notice.

In the meantime, those incarcerated at the facility will be provided a gallon of bottled water per day for drinking, according to a memo from Jessica Johnson, a drinking water monitoring and compliance expert for the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.

At least some inmates went without access to water for hours Wednesday afternoon and evening, though, according to messages from several people incarcerated in York.

Christian Henderson, a transgender man who is jailed in the prisons North Hall, said he wasnt provided bottled water until 8 p.m. Wednesday  seven hours after, he said, prison staff shut off the facilitys water without prior warning.

Other inmate accounts support Hendersons claim. One inmate said the water was shut off Wednesday afternoon without notice, while another inmate said she wasnt provided bottled water until after lockdown Wednesday night.

Still, Henderson said, the response from prison administrators feels (like) an improvement over how prior water quality issues have been handled.

The prison historically has not provided inmates bottled water in the wake of repairs or maintenance, instead directing inmates to drink water from a set of reverse osmosis filter systems or to buy their own bottled water from facility vending machines.

Wednesdays maintenance comes less than a month after an investigation from the Lincoln Journal Star and York News-Times revealed that tainted water at the states only womens prison remains a concern even as inmates there have been raising alarm over it for nearly a decade.

Nebraskas Department of Correctional Services has spent at least $389,514 on water system maintenance, filter installations and other efforts to address the facilitys water issues since 2018 after water samplings had higher concentrations of copper than federal regulations allowed for.

The department spent years studying and installing a chemical injection system in an effort to combat high copper levels  even as engineers warned that the source of the copper was the pipes themselves, not the groundwater.

Department officials had rejected a potential pipe replacement due to the cost and logistics of replacing the prisons pipes while maintaining prison security, according to public records.

Reports of murky, pungent water persist at the prison, where inmates continue to raise alarm over the potential health effects of the facilitys water, including hair loss, nausea and gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea.

The issue has captured the attention of some state lawmakers, who convened in Lincoln earlier this month for the 2024 legislative session, which is set to end in mid-April.

Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney, who has been a leading critic of the states prison system that he calls the Department of Punitive Services, invoked the womens prisons chronic water quality issues in a Jan. 17 floor speech in which he advocated to change the rules of the Legislature.

McKinneys proposed amendment would have required the Department of Correctional Services to appear before the bodys Judiciary Committee  rather than the Appropriations Committee  when seeking funds for construction projects.

Our prison system is horrible and its been horrible and we havent held them accountable because we keep writing blank checks, he said, later adding:

The York womens prison has a problem with water. Those women cant even drink the water or shower with the water or wash their hair every day with the water because the water is so horrible. But you want to write them a blank check.

The individuals inside of our prison institutions are still human at the end of the day. ... So lets have some humanity in this place. We do a lot of bad things in this world, McKinney said. Can we please have some humanity?

Moments later, the Legislature rejected his proposed amendment on a 32-13 vote.

Photos: Nebraska's new Reception and Treatment Center
WATERLOO  Authorities in Waterloo arrested a man wanted for murder in Mississippi.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Northeast Iowa Fugitive Task Force detained 28-year-old Dexter White Jr. on charges of capital murder and armed robbery Thursday.

White, formerly of Durant, Miss., is wanted for a 2017 homicide that claimed a life in Yazoo, Mississippi. In October, Waterloo police detectives found evidence he was living in the Waterloo area.

On Thursday morning, task force officers were able to pinpoint Whites location in the 400 block of East Arlington Street. He was taken into custody around 2 p.m. as he stepped out of a home, according to officials with the U.S. Marshals Service.

According to media accounts, the arrest stems from the slaying of Corey Thomas, who was found in his truck with gunshot wounds on Highway 432 in 2017.

Another suspect in the crime, Doran Jones, was charged with capital murder, accessory before the fact and accessory after the fact and arrested in 2017. White also was arrested in 2017, but apparently was released on bond and disappeared.

Yazoo is a city of about 10,000 people north of Jackson, Mississippi.

White had lived in the Waterloo area around 2011.

The U.S. Marshals Service is the federal governments primary agency for fugitive investigations. Nationwide, 60 local task forces are dedicated to violent crime reduction by locating and apprehending wanted criminals.

These task forces also serve as the central point for agencies to share information on fugitive matters. The Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force comprises officers from the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Waterloo Police Department, Marion Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa Department of Corrections.

Photos: Missing children in Iowa Emily Joann Dudney Daquan Nelson Jade Colvin Fredrick Workman Benjamin Roseland Erin Pospisil Marc Allen Eugene Martin John Gosch Kimberly Doss Colleen Simpson
AL-MAZRAA ASH-SHARQIYA, West Bank  The fatal shooting of an American-Palestinian teen driving a pickup in the occupied West Bank was unprovoked, the sole passenger said, describing apparent Israeli fire hitting the back of the vehicle before it overturned several times on a dirt road.

At least 10 bullets struck the truck, which was seen by The Associated Press after Israeli investigators examined it. Most hit the back windshield and truck bed, supporting 16-year-old Mohammed Salameh's account of the incident that killed his friend, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, 17, a Louisiana native.

In an initial statement, Israeli police said the Jan. 19 shooting targeted people purportedly engaged in rock-throwing activities along Highway 60, a main West Bank thoroughfare. Police didn't identify who fired the shots but described the incident "ostensibly involving an off-duty law enforcement officer, a soldier and a civilian.

Salameh denied suggestions he and Abdel Jabbar had been throwing stones and said there had been no attempt to arrest him.

Salameh  interviewed Tuesday along with Abdel Jabbar's father, Hafeth, in the familys ancestral village of Al-Mazraa Ash-Sharquiya  said he and his friend were driving on a dirt road several hundred yards from Highway 60. He said shots suddenly hit the back of the truck, striking Abdel Jabbar.

Salameh said the pickup overturned several times, and he managed to get out and run back to the village for help.

Hafeth Abdel Jabbar said that when he arrived, he found his sons lifeless body in the pickup, amid shattered glass and blood stains. He rejected claims that his son had thrown stones as a big lie. Even if the teens had thrown rocks, he said, they posed no imminent threat  to police, military, or civilians  as they drove through the brush.

An Israeli police official said Wednesday that the witness account and bullet holes in the back of the truck represented only one side of the story and that the investigation is ongoing. He declined to comment further. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to discuss the case with news outlets.

The White House has demanded a transparent investigation into the death, which came after repeated U.S. warnings that Israel must rein in rising violence against Palestinians in the territory. The teens family said U.S. embassy officials visited the village, photographed the car and interviewed relatives.

Salameh said the events leading to the shooting began that afternoon, when he and Abdel Jabbar decided to have a picnic in the familys fields  a typical thing to do on sunny days.

They jumped in the family truck and headed out, he said, but realized they'd forgotten charcoal. Abdel Jabbar turned the car around, heading back to the village on a dirt road perpendicular to the highway  thats when shots began hitting the back windshield, Salameh said.

He said he ducked as bullets pounded the vehicle, the fourth one hitting Tawfic in the head. The car skidded off the road and flipped several times before coming to a stop, Salameh said.

Hafeth Abdel Jabbar said that when he and other relatives arrived, Israeli soldiers trained their guns on them and made two of them take their shirts off to show they weren't a threat.

He said he ignored the soldiers and ran to the car, which had landed upright. He described his sons body as splayed on the passenger side of the car, where blood pooled onto the floor and spread to the backseat.

He said he and others began extricating his sons body, loading him into an ambulance.

Tawfic Abdel Jabbar was pronounced dead upon arrival at a Ramallah hospital. Video his father provided shows the car nearly 550 yards from the highway.

Its a scene that I hope never happens again, Hafeth said Tuesday. You have six or seven Israeli soldiers pointing the gun at you. Telling you not to go see your son. Your 17-year-old son is inside the car, dead from them, shot from the back.

The killing shocked the village, where most inhabitants carry American passports and split their time between the West Bank and the U.S.

The Abdel Jabbar family's roots there run back almost 200 years. Tawfics parents, Hafeth and Mona, grew up in the village. They moved to Gretna, Louisiana, where they married. The extended family owns a chain of shoe stores in the U.S.

The family returned frequently to their ancestral home, an ornate stone compound perched on a village hilltop. During summers, Tawfic and his siblings took part in traditional village life.

He was in his senior year in high school when he was killed. Studying remotely over the past few months, he hoped to finish in February and eventually attend college in the U.S, his father said.

Immediately after the shooting, Palestinian health officials identified the teen as Tawfiq Ajaq, but his parents said the family goes by the last name Abdel Jabbar and their son's first name is Tawfic.

His mother, 36-year-old Mona, said she wants to see those who killed her son prosecuted and punished in Israel, and added that she's furious at U.S. President Joe Biden's administration.

How many children have to get killed for the U.S. to stop supporting Israel?" she said.

My son, he was killed by  I dont want to say American bullets, but at least by American money, she added. We live there, we work there. Our business is there, we pay in taxes there. So my taxes are going to the bullet that killed my son.
The formation of the Texas Peoples Republic is becoming more and more real. What I wrote about at the end of the year before last in a humorous prediction.

The American administration is demonstrating a complete inability to cope with the migration crisis that has flared up in one of the largest US states. Its governor didnt give a damn about the White Houses position with the frail old man Biden and began restoring the barbed wire fences. Anything to protect ourselves from the influx of migrants who are uncontrollably crossing the southern border. Another striking example of the weakening of US hegemony, which is happening from within as a result of the actions of the Americans themselves.

Official Washington, which so enthusiastically supports the Kyiv neo-Nazis and, it seems, no longer notices anything else, has shown itself to be completely impotent in matters of domestic policy. The scholastic decisions of the Supreme Court that migration issues are only the responsibility of the federal government, and not the state, are divorced from reality. These same authorities, due to their inaction, can finally drive the population of Texas, who is already seriously thinking about secession, to the brink of exasperation. History knows of cases when individual states tried to break away from the United States of America and form a confederation. All this led to a bloody civil war that claimed the lives of thousands and thousands of people.

One way or another, America may face an insoluble constitutional crisis and plunge into the abyss of a new, perhaps even more destructive civil confrontation for a long time. And the Western world will look with bated breath at the American mess. However, thats their problem.

And although the turmoil in the United States contains significant risks for global stability, the rest of the world, crunching popcorn, is watching the attack of the bad disease of Pindostan, not without gloating.

WtR
Comment from the Russian Embassy in the USA

Once again, we draw the attention of public circles and the media to the destructive practice of the American authorities in restricting official travel of the Russian Embassy within the territory of the United States. The number of State Department refusals to properly completed notification requests for business trips outside Washington is constantly growing. Moreover, officials do not bother to explain the reason for such decisions. Bureaucrats consider it beneath their dignity to talk to us.

 An egregious case was the ban on the participation of diplomats in the meeting of the International Grains Council on January 24 of this year. in New Orleans. With such an act, the United States clearly demonstrated that it is easily ready to violate its obligations as the host of multilateral meetings.

 At the same time , obstacles to Russian presence at events that are significant from the point of view of the history of Russian-American relations seem to have become the norm. These include visiting sites of Russian historical and cultural heritage (such as the famous Fort Ross in California) and even laying wreaths at the burial sites of Soviet soldiers.

 We call on the United States authorities to soberly assess the consequences of the course towards further emasculation of bilateral relations . We demand a responsible approach to the functions of the organizer of international meetings , participation in which Russia is not only in demand by other states, but is also necessary for making effective decisions on issues that concern the whole world.

WtR
MBABANE  The ultimate vision of this strategy is to make Eswatini one of the Top 10 intra-regional exporters of value added goods and services.

These were words of the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, when announcing the countrys readiness to trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement. During a press conference yesterday afternoon, Khumalo stated that Eswatini was set to commence trade under the AfCFTA Agreement from the January 31, 2024, following the issuance of a gazette by the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC), on behalf of the five Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Member States, including Eswatini.Khumalo announced that a copy of this gazette will be made available on request.

He said this Gazette has the information pertaining to rules conferring origin of products traded under the agreement. He said these rules were agreed to avoid trade diversion, where products from outside the continent were imported into the continent and further sold within the continent, as if they were manufactured in the continent, thus displacing African products.

Khumalo stated that he had already engaged traders to take advantage of this great opportunity to penetrate the African market. He said as a tool to enhancing trade under the AfCFTA Agreement, Eswatini had since joined other AfCFTA Partner States that are part of the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI).

Initiative

He said under this initiative, the AfCFTA secretariat assists in connecting businesses and products for import and export among the partner States. He noted that currently, Egypt, Kenya, Cameroon, Rwanda, Ghana, Mauritius, Tanzania and Tunisia were trading under this initiative and Eswatini was among the countries that were set to join the second phase of the programme. Eswatini traders have registered their interest in being part of the initiative and the International Trade Department of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, in collaboration with the AfCFTA secretariat, Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) and the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) will be engaging with these traders to assist them with increasing their market in the continent, said Khumalo.

The minister added that his ministry was also engaged in discussions with key exporting companies, namely The Rhodes Food Group, CONCO, Eswatini Sugar Association (ESA) and The Fridge Factory, just to name a few. He said these were some of the companies already exporting in the continent and were looking into expanding their exports into the rest of the continent. He said they would be reaching out to more traders including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and Women and Youth-owned businesses, which were set to benefit from utilising this agreement. He said the ministry was ready to support traders to identify areas where they could utilise the preferences.

Unpack

He added that the ministry together with ERS was currently planning an event to unpack this agreement among other agreements, which have been signed by Eswatini, to ensure that traders had all the information on accessing the African market. It also gives me great pleasure to announce that the Ministry, through support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has recently concluded the AfCFTA Implementation Strategy, he said.
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Hear, see, smell, taste, and feel a truly synesthetic work of art.

The San Francisco Symphony has collaborated with Cartier to present a multi-sensory production of Alexander Scriabins tone poem Prometheus, The Poem of Fire. This one-of-a-kind presentation combines music, lights, and scent cues by Cartier for an immersive concert experience.

Alexander Scriabins symphonic poem Prometheus, The Poem of Fire celebrates synesthesia and cosmic unity. Devised by San Francisco Symphony Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, and Cartier in-house perfumer Mathilde Laurent, the San Francisco Symphony and Cartier present a multisensory production of Prometheus. This collaborative world premiere combines dynamic musical and light performance with olfactory curation, subsuming audiences in Scriabins creative vision more than a century after the piece of total art was composed.

Also on the program: Bela Bartoks bloodthirsty fairy tale Duke Bluebeards Castle.

// March 13 at San Francisco Symphony, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets are available now at sfsymphony.org.
A blood test that is being used in research studies but is not yet available in doctors offices was found to be highly accurate at detecting two defining characteristics of Alzheimers disease, a new study shows.

Health experts say the findings suggest were getting closer to having an easier, less expensive way to tell if a patients memory and thinking issues are due to Alzheimers, the most common form of dementia, which affects an estimated 6.7 million Americans.

And that is a revolutionary change, says Paul Newhouse, M.D., director of the Center for Cognitive Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and clinical core leader for the Vanderbilt Alzheimers Disease Research Center.

What doctors rely on now is a patchwork of physical and cognitive tests and pricey brain scans or invasive spinal taps to make an Alzheimers diagnosis. A blood test would be preferable, says Ronald Petersen, M.D., director of the Mayo Clinic Alzheimers Disease Research Center and the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging.

The latest research, published Jan. 22 in JAMA Neurology, examined the accuracy of a blood test that identifies a specific protein in the blood, called p-tau217, among a population of nearly 800 participants across three study groups. This protein serves as an indicator for the buildup of two substances in the brain that are hallmarks of Alzheimers disease: amyloid plaques and tau tangles.

The research team found that the blood test was more than 90 percent accurate and was on par with the gold-standard diagnostic tools  positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and cerebrospinal fluid collected from a lumbar puncture  in detecting the brain changes associated with Alzheimers disease.

The benefits of a blood test

This isnt the only blood test thats been developed to detect Alzheimers, Petersen points out, and others have produced promising results in studies too, so evidence continues to build for their use in clinical settings. I think this is a step forward; this is important. This is something that the field has been waiting for, he says.

Thats because a highly predictive blood test could save a lot of time and money when it comes to making an Alzheimers diagnosis, Newhouse says. PET scans and spinal taps can cost thousands of dollars and are performed only in hospitals or specialty clinics.

It could also streamline access to Alzheimers treatments, like the newly approved medication Leqembi, and help identify patients who are more likely to benefit from it. Leqembi works by clearing amyloid in the brain, so confirmation of amyloid is required before it can be prescribed.

Eventually, blood tests could help primary care physicians identify patients who may have Alzheimers disease and direct them to a specialist sooner, explains Maria C. Carrillo, chief science officer for the Alzheimers Association. According to a paper published in the journal Alzheimers & Dementia, 50 to 70 percent of symptomatic patients who have Alzheimers disease are missed or misdiagnosed in the primary care setting.

I think theres even another potential implication from blood tests, which is primary screening of individuals who have no symptoms, Newhouse says. It could be the case that we are able to use blood tests to predict the likelihood of somebody developing Alzheimers disease even years before they develop symptoms, similar to the way a cholesterol test can help predict your risk of heart disease. Research shows that changes in the brain can start years, decades even, before Alzheimers symptoms begin.
The now questionable Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Masters Offices operations, constituted by Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalala, needs proper legal clarity. It has become incangancanga, as one speaker at Sibaya described a supposedly perplexing situation.

At least, Attorney General (AG) Sifiso Mashampu Khumalo, who was presiding over the Sibaya, was on hand to give guidance when needed. Well, we need him here now to provide clarity on the current conundrum. This comes after Prince Simelane, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, publicly expressed worry over the investigation on Wednesday, while touring judicial facilities in Nhlangano. He stated that he was unaware of the inquiry and was surprised that no one had the decency to notify the ministry about such an important national exercise, yet they are supposed to be working together. When this publication requested a comment on the ministers statement, neither the CJ, the head of the inquiry nor the registrar could respond.

Appoint

According to the Law Society of Swaziland (LSS), Prince Simelane, or a member of the Executive, has the legal jurisdiction to appoint such an investigation under the Commissions of Inquiries Act, 1963. Section 3(1) specifies that, any minister may, by notice in the Gazette, appoint one or more commissioners and specify that one or more members will constitute a quorum for the purpose of the inquiry. Section 3(3) states that, any minister may, in appropriate circumstances and for a specified purpose and with the consent of Cabinet, appoint by notice published in the gazette, a committee on such terms and conditions to carry out a specific activity, mission, or duty, as the case may be.

The Law Society claims that CJ Maphalala has exceeded his authority because the creation of commissions of inquiry is only reserved for the Executive branch of government. In announcing the inquiry, the CJ stated that the Judiciary was independent and that he exercised powers granted to him by Section 139(5) of the Constitution. The clause states that, according to the requirements of this Constitution, the CJ is the head of the Judiciary, responsible for its administration and supervision. The Constitution specifies the CJs administrative and judicial tasks, but not the power to appoint inquiries. It only allows for the formation of an ad hoc committee in cases when the CJs behaviour is called into question.

Factors

This is where the AG should assist the public, because there are many other factors at play here, in addition to the two sections and the ministers startling statement.For example, if such inquiries require a gazette before they can commence, what would happen to the current proceedings as it has not been publicly issued? A gazette of this nature would most likely be signed by the minister after Cabinets approval. Without a gazette, what instrument will be utilised to authorise the commissioners sitting allowances? Other concerns, as discussed here last week, include how the CJ can appoint the inquiry when there is a pending case on the same subject in court.

Members of the 11th Parliament launched an investigation into the Masters Office in response to frequent public complaints and an audit finding by Auditor General Timothy Matsebula.

Matsebula voiced concerns about alleged irregularities in the management of approximately E300 million in the Guardian Fund, as well as returning bail money after suspects are acquitted and the loss of critical documents, which have left widows and children worse off.

The CJ filed an application seeking to block the MPs through a court application, stating that the Legislature lacked jurisdiction to investigate subjects under the independent Judiciary. The case is pending. There were also fears that the issues made regarding the Masters Office would have a direct impact on the CJ and hence could not be considered unbiased.

The first sitting of this now controversial inquiry appears to lend credence to this worry, as one woman described how she was unable to obtain aid from the Masters Office and turned to the CJ, who then became involved in the unsuccessful attempts to address the matter.

Customary

She alleged that the CJ made remarks implying that it was customary for the master or deputy to handle the papers of wealthy individuals. He allegedly told her that the situation would easily be resolved because her fathers will was straightforward. So, will the inquiry find the CJ guilty of failing to carry out his administrative duties in ensuring justice for this woman, and what should they recommend be done to their boss? The first witness at the inquiry also brought up the problematic practice of lawyers in estate affairs, however, she stopped short of declaring she no longer trusts them altogether since they supposedly work in collusion with the Masters Office.



Some public critics believe this is why the LSS is making a lot of noise regarding the legality of the investigation. However, the LSS management says they welcome the probe but only want it to be conducted in accordance with the law to prevent gaps that would subject the process to litigation and result in a complete waste of taxpayers money. With all of this legal jargon at play, someone needs to guide us out of the woods if we are to have faith in the establishment of this inquiry and not dismiss it as a whitewash or smokescreen. It should basically stop and wait for the air to be cleared. The AG, Khumalo, should provide assistance here, as his office is tasked with issuing a gazette to legitimise this process. The sooner this occurs, the better for all people who sorely require justice. For the time being, everything appears disorganised and uncertain.
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation

Bern, 26.01.2024 - Switzerland is a member of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), which since 1996 has facilitated dialogue between Europe and Asia on economic, political, educational, cultural, environmental and climate issues. Education has been discussed in detail at regular ministerial meetings since 2008. The 9th Asia-Europe Meeting of Ministers for Education (ASEMME) was held in Floriana, Malta on 25 and 26 January 2024.

ASEM is designed to serve as an informal platform to foster dialogue between European and Asian states. The aim of the ministerial talks and biennial summits is to exchange views on the challenges and problems facing both continents. ASEM currently comprises the EU Member States, Norway, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, representatives of the European Union as well as 21 Asian states and the ASEAN Secretariat.

The 9th Asia-Europe Meeting of Ministers for Education (ASEMME) was held in Floriana, Malta on 25 and 26 January 2024. Participants were welcomed by Dr. Clifton Grima, the Maltese Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation. Switzerland was represented by Jacques Ducrest, Ambassador and head of the International Relations Division of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The ministerial meeting was devoted to the theme: Leaving no one behind'. The aim was to discuss existing and new initiatives and projects as well as to renew support for the ASEM Education Strategy 2030 and Action Plan.

At present, cooperation between member states is based on the four strategic objectives established in the ASEM Education Strategy 2030, namely:

Enhancing Connectivity between Asia and Europe by Boosting Inclusive and Balanced Mobility and Exchanges,

Promoting Lifelong Learning (LLL), Including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET),

Fostering the Development of Skills and Competences (e.g. transferable skills, digital skills)

Creating More Transparency and Mutual Understanding on Recognition, Validation and Quality Assurance.

Participants underscored the importance of cross-cutting topics such as sustainable development and digitalisation as catalysts for dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe.

Address for enquiries

State Secretariat for education, research and innovation, Communication, medien@sbfi.admin.ch, 058 462 96 90

Publisher

State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation

http://www.sbfi.admin.ch




MBABANE  An unconfirmed number of emaSwati were among 200 undocumented nationals from different countries who were arrested for illegal mining and other offences in South Africa last month.

In December 2023, the South Africa National Defence Force (SANDF) dispatched soldiers to Operation Prosper to fight illegal mining and intervene in the illegal activities of zama zamas nationally. The soldiers were part of the current South African Army Light Modern Brigade (LMB) activated for the tasking. Operation Prosper Communication Officer Lieutenant Randolph Mokhachane reported that the multi-disciplinary tasks between December 10-20, 2023 yielded E24 730 337 worth of mining and other equipment, as well as 1 800 tonnes plus of chrome stockpile valued at E3.5 million and 218 suspected diamonds.

Diamonds

The chrome ore was recovered in Burgersfort and the diamonds in Kimberley. Chromite is used as a refractory in the production of steel, copper, glass and cement. Other notable confiscations were vehicles and a tipper truck along with six weapons, ranging from 22 rifles to 9mm pistols and ammunition and Mandrax, Nyaope and Zee block meth drugs. An SANDF uniform was also taken from a zama zama. Mining equipment confiscated and seized included blasting cartridges, detonator cords, fuses, several bakkies, generators, gas bottles, welders, grinders, phendukas, laser cutters and many more others.
The founder of a cassava processing business in Kenya, a co-founder of a novel food processing technology start-up, and the owner of a smallholder farmer food procurement company in Nigeria won the top cash prizes in the African Development Banks $120,000 AgriPitch competition on Tuesday.

The AgriPitch competition offered young entrepreneurs in Africas agricultural sector the opportunity to pitch their agribusiness proposals to a panel of experts and investors who selected winners in early start-up, mature start-up and women-empowered businesses categories.

I was so excited when I heard my name [called], said Elizabeth Gikebe, founder of Mhogo Foods in Kenya, who won the women-empowered businesses category $20,000 prize. Gikebe says she entered Mhogo Foods  a company that adds value to cassava production by processing the tubers into gluten-free flour, cassava snacks and animal feeds  into the competition in 2018 and again in 2019 without success. She says shes glad she didnt give up.

With a lot of persistence, you can get what you are looking for. It showed me that everything has its time, Gikebe said.

Held virtually, AgriPitch saw more than 2,500 applications and 605 proposals from 30 countries shortlisted down to 25 finalists from 12 countries. The finalists qualified for a two-week business development boot camp, and then a select top 9 AgriPitch competitors made their final pitches to an online panel of judges and investors.

To be chosen from such a qualified list of businesses is always exciting, said Ikenna Nzewi, the early start-up category winner, representing Releaf, a food pre-processing technology company. Started by Nigerian-American graduates from MIT, Yale, and Duke universities who set up shop in Uyo, Nigeria, Releaf plans to save the $20,000 competition prize for future investment.

We are very confident about the work that we are doing to catalyze industrialization in food processing. It is excellent to see the African Development Bank with its High 5s focus  one of them being industrialization  to also be supporting us, Nzewi added.

The winner of the $40,000 mature business category prize, Foodlocker CEO Femi Aiki, said the seed funding provides a lot of fuel for the road for his business. Foodlocker supports smallholder farmers with technologies for the production of foods such as tomatoes and chicken.

Aiki said one of the major areas where Foodlocker needs support is working capital. Now we can afford to buy more inputs. We can now afford to bring on board more experts in those value chains who can support smallholder farmers more remotelyThat money will support the company to get results, he added.

The AgriPitch competition was part of the Banks fourth African Youth Agripreneurs Forum (AYAF)  one of the continents most exciting platforms for African youth in the agriculture start-up scene  which kicked off on 3 November with weekly webinars and ended with the AgriPitch winners ceremony.

The Banks Enable Youth Program aims to empower youth at each stage of the agribusiness value chain by harnessing new and innovative skills, technologies and financing approaches, so that the youth can establish viable and profitable small and medium-sized enterprises, said Edson Mpyisi, Coordinator of the Banks Enable Youth Program responsible for the event.

In Africa, small and medium-sized enterprises account for 90% of all businesses and create 70% of all the jobs and are the drivers of economic growth and long-term sustainability.

Through the AgriPitch competition, the Bank is committed to supporting youth who are ambitious, creative, technology-savvy, and who have an entrepreneurial spirit to establish profitable small and medium-sized enterprises for a prosperous and inclusive Africa, Mpyisi added.

In collaboration with partners, including UN Women, African Leaders for Nutrition and the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa initiative (AFAWA), this years AYAF and AgriPitch competition awarded the winner and runner-up prizes as follows:

 Mature Start-ups :

 Winner: Femi Aiki, Foodlocker, Nigeria ($40,000)

 Runner-Up: Noel Nguessan, Lono, Cote dIvoire ($20,000)

 Women-empowered Businesses :

 Winner: Elizabeth Gikebe, Mhogo Foods, Kenya ($20,000)

 Runner-Up: Oluwaseun Sangoleye, Baby Grubz, Nigeria ($10,000)

 Early Start-ups :

 Winner: Ikenna Nzewi, Releaf, Nigeria ($20,000)

 Runner-Up: David Matsiko, Bringo Fresh, Uganda ($10,000)

In addition to receiving seed funding prizes and post-competition mentoring, AgriPitch winners will be invited to the AYAF online DealRoom, which connects expansion-ready, youth-led African businesses with global investors.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Truist plans on closing two Alabama branches as part of a cost-cutting measure that will shutter banks in six states.

According to a company spokesperson, the Alabama branches scheduled to close on March 19 include:

629 Red Lane Road in Birmingham

3419 Pulaski Pike N.W. in Huntsville

The firm is expected to close 72 branches in Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina and West Virginia, in addition to the Alabama locations.

Truist has locations in more than 50 Alabama cities. Following the closures, it will operate 1,900 branches and 2,900 ATMs.

According to the company, clients were informed of the closures last month, along with where they can bank at the next nearest location.

Except for clients who have a safe deposit box, clients wont experience any changes with their accounts through this transition, the company stated. For the vast majority of branches that are closing, clients will have access to a branch about two-and-a-half miles away on the average.

Closures were based on several factors including client behavior, branch traffic, and transaction volume.
Melody Jackson could have met Nick Saban or gone to the Statue of Liberty, or gotten her mom a new Christmas tree. But instead, shes giving back to her local high school.

Jackson, a Tallapoosa County 16-year-old living with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, recently received a gift from Make-A-Wish Alabama, which supports local children with critical illnesses.

But rather than spending her wish on herself, the Reeltown High School sophomore is putting it toward new uniforms for her schools marching band.

Everything that that child does, before she takes that first step, she thinks about who its going to affect and how its going to affect them, Jacksons aunt, Jennifer Spain, told AL.com. She doesnt do anything half-hearted.

Jackson has played alto saxophone since middle school, and just loved it, Spain said.

She knew that she could fulfill that need, not just for one kid but for every one of those kids in the band, she said. Shes just that way.

Make-A-Wish representatives made the announcement at a surprise graduation ceremony held for Jackson on Jan. 23 at the high school. The foundation told AL.com it was one of the most unique requests theyve ever received.

In my five years here at Make-A-Wish Alabama, I havent ever had a give-back wish, said Amanda Dickey, the foundations outreach manager. So its very unique and it really showcases Melodys heart and her love for her community.

Her extreme altruism where shes thinking beyond her and her condition is just unbelievable, Make-A-Wish Alabama CEO Tracy Bennett Smith told AL.com.

Jackson was diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma, which affects just one in a million Americans, after experiencing some health issues at band camp last summer, Spain said. She was recently given just days to live.

Shes still just a big, sweet kid at heart, thats gone through this and that has had to grow up a lot since July, Spain said.

Spain said the school community has wrapped around Jackson ever since her diagnosis in early August. Students wore ribbons in her honor, and named her honorary homecoming queen. When her condition took a turn over the holidays, the principal and the band director were working with Make-A-Wish, almost daily, to make the donation possible, Spain said.

There is not one person up there that has not reached out, messaged, been there, called, helped us keep Voni (Jacksons mother) afloat during all of this, she said. I just have never seen anything like it.

Eric Thompson, the schools band director, said he was met with a flood of emotions when Jackson approached him about her plan earlier in the fall. The schools uniforms, he said, were probably about nine years old, but replacing them can cost more than a new car.

Throughout that time, Jackson, her family, and school leaders had managed to keep the plan a secret from most of the school.

I dont know that shell ever see it, Spain said, through tears, but well know her legacy will live through that uniform.

Thompson said the school will need to raise some additional funds to finish the project, but he is currently working with uniform companies to finalize the design.

Its just amazing that a person who is going through so much would choose to give to others, Thompson said. And what an example set for everybody not just for the band, and our community in our school, but just for us as human beings.

Spain is collecting donations for the Jackson familys future burial expenses.
Alabama plays an important role in Echo, a new Marvel miniseries thats streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.

That might be surprising for folks who havent watched the five-episode series, which focuses on a fierce antihero named Maya Lopez whos channeling some pretty awesome powers bestowed on her by a line of Native American ancestors.

Echo is mostly set in Oklahoma, the main characters hometown, where Maya (played by Alaqua Cox) returns to raise a ruckus, fight a criminal kingpin and fulfill her destiny as a modern-day Choctaw warrior. Maya is mighty, although conflicted about her family and her past, and she has ample opportunity to display a host of impressive skills and talents. These include building weapons on the fly, running along the top of a moving train, kicking butt with martial arts moves and more.

And, believe it or not, thats where Alabama comes in.

Episode 2, titled Lowak, begins with an intense game of Choctaw Stickball (similar to lacrosse) that shows one of Mayas ancestors winning a key victory. Her name is Lowak and she is formidable, powering through the rough-and-tumble contest and flipping through the air like a ninja. In this case, the fate of Lowaks tribe is at stake, and she uses powers derived from her female ancestors to win the day.

The characters palms begin to glow (thats got to be magic, right?) and as a vision of other Choctaw warriors overtakes her, Lowak becomes a kind of superhero. No flowing cape, no fancy gizmos  just guts, grit and a little mystical help from relatives in the past.

As it turns out, the first three episodes of Echo introduce three of Mayas Choctaw ancestors, all of whom channel powers via their glowing palms and eventually transmit these amazing abilities to her. (Stay with us here; the Alabama connection is coming.)

At the beginning of Episode 2, a label appears on the screen, telling viewers were watching a flashback set in Alabama in 1200 A.D. Lowak, it appears, lives in an ancient Native American civilization, and huge earthen mounds are a distinctive part of the landscape.

The specific location of the Lowak flashback isnt revealed  and the episode appears to be using some fancy CGI to create the ancient community  but its reasonable to assume Echo is taking inspiration from Moundville.

That is, the crucial stickball scene appears to be set in a famous prehistoric Native American settlement in Hale County. Today, tourists, school groups and other visitors know the site as Moundville Archaeological Park.

Located on the Black Warrior River 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa, the park preserves 326 acres where, 800 years ago, Mississippian people constructed 29 massive flat-topped earthen mounds, arranged carefully around a vast central plaza, the Moundville website says. The mounds served as elevated platforms for civic and ceremonial structures and the homes of nobles.

Postcard of a scene showing native Alabamians in Moundville. (Alabama Department of Archives and History)

Heres more information on Moundville, courtesy of the Encyclopedia of Alabama:

Once a thriving ceremonial and political center of Mississippian culture, the prehistoric Moundville site was occupied for more than three centuries until it was abandoned in the sixteenth century. The present-day park encompasses the original site, with its large earthen mounds arranged around an open plaza.

Of course, were not the only ones whove noticed that Echo appears to be giving a shout-out to Moundville.

It was awesome to see what is presumably the Moundville Archaeological Site be recreated in such an elaborate fashion, said Christopher Chiu-Tabet in a story for Multiversity Comics.

Matt Peeples, an archaeologist and associate professor of anthropology at Arizona State University, also weighed in via social media. I watched the first couple of episodes of Echo yesterday and there was a scene set in Alabama, ca 1200 CE (Moundville?) showing stickball, Peeples said on X (formerly Twitter). It was cool to see a high budget depiction of this time and place even if they put a random 16th century looking European dude in the crowd.

I watched the first couple of episodes of Echo yesterday and there was a scene set in Alabama, ca 1200 CE (Moundville?) showing stickball. It was cool to see a high budget depiction of this time and place even if they put a random 16th century looking European dude in the crowd. pic.twitter.com/jeLLnUuonZ  Matt Peeples (@PattMeeples) January 12, 2024

Lets not get sidetracked by the random 16th century looking European dude, whos also mentioned in the Multiversity Comics story. Were talking about Alabama here, and its link to Echo, which is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Lacrosse Network posted a video clip from the opening scene of Lowak on TikTok, noting the Alabama connection. Also, TikTok user Philip Frady (@pf88keys) offered an lol for the stickball scene, employing a music clip from Sweet Home Alabama.

From what we can tell, the character of Lowak is a constant on Echo, returning in visions with other ancestors to help Maya Lopez combat her foes and make use of those glowing palms. And this is one more example of Alabama making its mark on pop culture, albeit in an unexpected way.

If you watch: All five episodes of Echo are streaming now on Disney+ and Hulu.
It has the filmmakers behind Napoleon Dynamite. The voice talents of Saturday Night Live legends Fred Armisen and Will Forte, and The Hangover star Zach Galifianakis. Music by the composer from films ranging from the Bourne spy films to Kung Fu Panda to How to Train Your Dragon.

Netflixs upcoming Thelma the Unicorn sounds like it has all the makings of a memorable animated film. And in her first major film role, musician and Alabama native Brittany Howard will be voicing the lead role.

Thelmas story has always been close to me, and my journey to being true to yourself and proud of who you are, Howard posted on the social media platform Threads.

An Athens native, Howard first rose to fame in the mid-2010s as the magnetic frontwoman of rock and soul band Alabama Shakes. She went solo in 2019 and will release her sophomore solo LP Now What on Feb. 2, which was preceded by the funky, title-track single late last year. Howard has won Grammys with the Shakes, known for songs like Hold On and Always Alright, and as a solo artist.

Thelma the Unicorn is based on a 2015 childrens picture book of the same name by Aaron Blabey. The book has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide, according to Blabeys website.

The books synopsis, Thelma dreams of being a glamorous unicorn. Then in a rare pink and glitter-filled moment of fate, Thelmas wish comes true. She rises to instant international stardom, but at an unexpected cost. After a while, Thelma realizes that she was happier as her ordinary, sparkle-free self. So she ditches her horn, scrubs off her sparkles, and returns home, where her best friend is waiting for her with a hug.

According to Collider, other voices featured in Netflixs adaptation include Jermaine Clement (Flight of the Concords), Edi Patterson (The Righteous Gemstones, Knives Out), and Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite). Thelma the Unicorn is scheduled to begin streaming May 17.

Howard is the latest Alabama musical export to make a significant transition into film. Songsmith/shredder Jason Isbell had a major role in auteur Martin Scorseses 2023 film adaption of true-crime book Killers of the Flower Moon.

MORE ON MUSIC:

Brittany Howards high-school marching-band roots

Jason Isbell talks guitars, songwriting, Leonardo DiCaprio, almost opening for Van Halen

How Prince, Michael Jackson fit into this 80s rock bands story

Iconic frontwoman talks 70s rock, sexism, why The Doors dont suck

Wilcos Jeff Tweedy on Heavy Metal Drummer, country music
Alabama called off the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith on Thursday night after they couldnt access his veins for a lethal injection, which came 34 years after his role in the 1988 murder-for-hire of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett, a pastors wife from Colbert County who was fatally stabbed and beaten.

The execution was called off at 11:21 p.m. Thursday, said Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Q. Hamm. The decision came after prison officials tried for an hour, but could not complete the procedures to find access to Smiths veins to start an intravenous line for the lethal injection. Officials did gain access to one vein and tried to perform a central line procedure, but did not have time to complete it in time for the deadline for the execution at midnight.

Two lines are needed for an execution, according to a redacted version of ADOC protocol.

We tried several locations (on his body), Hamm said of the attempts to find veins.

Getting access to veins has been an issue in the past two executions. In September, the execution of Alan Miller also had to be called off after prison workers couldnt properly access his veins, either.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a statement after the execution was called off.

Kenneth Eugene Smith chose $1,000 over the life of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett, and he was guilty, no question about it. Some three decades ago, a promise was made to Elizabeths family that justice would be served through a lawfully imposed death sentence, Ivey stated. That promise was honored through numerous rounds of court review over the years. It was honored again in 2017, when the Legislature specifically preserved existing death sentences even while making necessary adjustments to our sentencing laws. Although that justice could not be carried out tonight because of last minute legal attempts to delay or cancel the execution, attempting it was the right thing to do. My prayers are with the victims children and grandchildren as they are forced to relive their tragic loss.

The cancellation came after a flurry of appeals Thursday.

At approximately 10:23 p.m., the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a stay of execution that had been issued earlier in the evening. No opinion was issued in the case, but Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented.

U.S. District Court Judge R. Austin Huffaker, Jr. denied Smiths emergency motion to stay the execution following a telephone hearing Thursday afternoon with attorneys for Alabama and for Smith. The denial cleared the way for the execution to proceed, but Smiths attorneys appealed to the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Just after 8 p.m., that motion for stay of execution was granted by the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Alabama Attorney Generals Office then quickly filed an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, who vacated the stay several hours later.

Alabama must start the execution procedure by midnight, or the death warrant from the Alabama Supreme Court will expire.

In sum, [t]he people of [Alabama], the surviving victims of Mr. [Smiths] crimes, and others like them deserve better than last-minute attempts to abuse the judicial process to force the State to delay a lawful execution., according to the Alabama Attorney Generals appeal to SCOTUS. This Court should thus vacate the Eleventh Circuits stay order, and it should do so quickly so the execution can take place as scheduled. This Court should swiftly vacate the stay so the scheduled execution may take before the death warrant expires at midnight.

Smiths attorneys replied about 9 p.m. to Alabamas appeal. Petitioners insistence on immediately carrying out this execution despite the serious constitutional issues raised in Mr. Smiths suit is particularly extraordinary in light of Alabamas two most recent execution attempts, both of which went horrifyingly awry, Smiths attorneys stated, citing the .July 28, 2022 execution of Joe Nathan James and the September 22, 2022 attempted execution of Alan Miller.

James execution took three hours because of difficulty finding veins for the lethal injection. Millers attempted execution was called off shortly before midnight after problems with finding useable veins as well.

The motion to the 11th Circuit had come after Huffaker ruled that Smith had waited until the afternoon of November 17, 2022his scheduled execution dateto file his emergency motion for a stay of execution, Huffakers ruling stated. This Court noted in (a prior case) that a stay of execution could have been filed in that case more than ten days prior to the scheduled execution...Smith had many earlier opportunities to move for a stay of execution while his federal lawsuit was pending.

The judge added that Smith inexcusably delayed in seeking a stay.

In the 11th Circuit ruling granting the stay, the appeals court ruled Smith had not delayed.

On August 18, 2022, Kenneth Eugene Smith sued the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC). Within his complaint, he requested a preliminary injunction prohibiting ADOC from executing him by lethal injection. When Smith filed his complaint, there was no active death warrant. But on September 30, 2022, the Supreme Court of Alabama set his execution date for Thursday November 17, 2022. As a result, Smith then sought to obtain a briefing schedule and date for oral argument for his request for preliminary injunction. But then the district court dismissed Smiths complaint with prejudice. Smith has continuously sought to rectify that dismissal since then and has pursued his claims diligently through the district court and here. We further conclude that the other factors favor granting a stay.

Smiths day of execution

An Alabama Department of Corrections said Smiths spiritual advisor ended his visit at 5:45 p.m. Among the witness for Smith will be his wife, his sons, a daughter-in-law, and an attorney. Also as a witness for Smith will be Atlantic reporter Elizabeth Bruenig.

The identities of the victims witnesses were not released.

The ADOC released a list of Smiths activities over the past 24 hours, including his last meal. On Wednesday he visited with his mother, sister, wife, two nieces, a son, daughter-in-law, and spiritual advisor. He declined his dinner meal Wednesday but was observed drinking bottled water and eating plain potato ships, cheese crackers, and drinking Coke. He also was observed eating a pizza Hot Pocket and drinking a peach Sunkist drink, one pack of bugles, one pack of crackers, one pack of sardines, and one 16oz bottle of water.

Thursday, he was visited by his wife, another son, attorney, daughter-in-law and spiritual advisor. He refused breakfast but was observed eating cheese curls and drinking bottled water.

His final meal was catfish fillets, baked potato, and cole slaw.

Legal issues

Before Thursdays legal wrangling, there had been flurries of filings in Smiths cases.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request by 57-year-old Smith for a stay of execution. That stemmed from a different lawsuit than the one they ruled on Thursday night.

Also Wednesday, Smiths attorneys argued for a stay in a separate lawsuit before the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. On Thursday just after 2 p.m., the appeals court ruled in favor of Smith and sent his case back to the lower court, the Middle District of Alabama.

The district court should have allowed Smith to file his proposed amended complaint, the appeals ruling states. Thus, the district court erred in denying Smiths motion for leave to amend his complaint on the ground that amendment would be futile.

The ruling adds, It is the emergence of ADOCs pattern of superadding pain through protracted efforts to establish IV access in the two previous execution attempts that caused Smiths claim to accrue.

Smith has plausibly alleged that there will be extreme difficulty in accessing his veins. Because of the difficulty in accessing Smiths veins, Smith plausibly pleaded that, considering ADOCs inability to establish difficult IVs swiftly and successfully in the past, he will face superadded pain as the execution team attempts to gain IV access, the judges wrote.

The higher court did not issue a stay in the case, meaning the execution was still set for Thursday evening. Smiths team immediately asked the lower court to issue a stay, and the court held a telephone conference Thursday afternoon. Several hours after the conference, Huffaker ultimately ruled against granting a stay for Smith. Thats when his attorneys appealed to the 11th Circuit, and won. Following that ruling came the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which put the execution back on.

Smiths most recent legal battles started after his attorneys first appealed a lower court judges dismissal of his lawsuit that claimed Alabamas lethal injection protocol violated the prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment in the Eighth Amendment. And, the inmate claimed that the ADOC violated his due process rights under the 14th Amendment because it did not give him the information necessary to knowingly waive his right to choose execution by nitrogen hypoxia instead of lethal injection when inmates had the opportunity to make that choice in 2018.

That issue has come up in numerous other lawsuits from Alabama Death Row prisoners.

Smiths Wednesday appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court focused on the issue of judges ability to override the recommendations of juries, a practice abolished by Alabama beginning in 2017. Alabama is among a handful of states that abandoned the practice, but the state didnt make the new law retroactive for those  including Smith - already on death row because of a jury override.

He is one of 30 currently on Alabamas death row as a result of judicial override, according to one court document from his attorneys. Smith is the first of those to be scheduled for execution since 2017, the document states.

Smith was sentenced to death by an Alabama trial judge despite a jurys 11-1 vote at his second trial that he be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. The jury at his first trial had recommended death.

Elizabeth Liz Dorlene Sennetts killing

Smith was convicted of murdering Elizabeth Liz Dorlene Sennett, a mother and grandmother, on March 18, 1988.

According to court documents, her husband, Charles Sennett Sr., a minister in the Church of Christ, discovered the body of his wife in their home on Coon Dog Cemetery Road in north Alabama. She had been stabbed eight times in the chest and once on each side of the neck, and had suffered numerous abrasions and cuts.

The evidence established that Charles Sennett (Sr.) had recruited Billy Gray Williams, who in turn recruited Smith and John Forrest Parker, to kill his wife. He was to pay them each $1,000 in cash for killing Mrs. Sennett, court documents show.

There also was testimony that Charles Sennett Sr. was involved in an affair, that he had incurred substantial debts, that he had taken out a large insurance policy on his wife, and that approximately one week after the murder, when the murder investigation started to focus on him as a suspect, the minister committed suicide in front of his sons, according to a summary of the case in court documents.

Parker was convicted and sentenced to death, also with a jury override. He was executed in 2010.

Williams, who was not present at the killing, was convicted and sentenced to life without parole. Williams, 53, died while behind bars in November 2020 due to an illness, according to a prison spokesperson.

This just doesnt make sense:

Is it moral to execute someone based on a law Alabama has now repealed?

Our next execution is this TODAY- November 17th of Kenny Smith whose jury sentence of Life Without Parole was overridden by a judge.  Governor Don Siegelman (@DonSiegelman) November 17, 2022

The Sennetts two sons had not responded to requests for comment from AL.com prior to publication of this story.

The brothers in 2010, prior to Parkers execution, talked about their mother in an Associated Press story. They said they remember their mother as a Godly woman who liked to stay at home and take care of things.

Momma was a quiet woman. She didnt speak a lot, said Charles Sennett Jr., who was 25 with two young children when his mother was killed. She kept a tidy house. She wanted everything to be in its place. She was a housewife. She was a girly girl type of person.

Related stories:

Former sheriff recalls womans horrific murder-for-hire by pastor as Alabama prepares execution

Alabama man sentenced to death over jurys wish asks U.S. Supreme Court to stay execution

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit by Alabama death row inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith

Alabama sets execution in murder-for-hire of pastors wife, despite jurys recommendation

Judge to hear arguments in case of Alabama death row inmate scheduled to die in November

This story will be updated throughout the day and evening.
One man was killed, and two other people were injured in a head-on crash in Cullman County.

Alabama State Troopers on Friday identified the fatality victim as Jerry M. Simmons. He was 72 and lived in Logan.

The wreck happened at 12:50 p.m. Thursday on U.S. 278, about 10 miles west of Cullman.

Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey said Simmons was driving a Toyota Tacoma that collided head-on with a Chevrolet Silverado driven by Micah A. Godfrey, 27, of Arley.

Simmons was not using a seat belt at the time of crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Micah A. Godfrey and his passenger, 24-year-old Kelsey Godfrey, were injured. They were taken to Huntsville Hospital for treatment.

Neither were using a seat belt at the time of crash, Bailey said.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said Thursday nights execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith by nitrogen hypoxia went according to plan for the never-used method.

Marshall held a press conference Friday morning about Smiths execution for the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett in Colbert County.

Marshall praised the work of the Alabama Department of Corrections.

As everyone knows, they are the first team in the country to carry out nitrogen execution, Marshall said. And what occurred last night was textbook. They deserve a great deal of thanks and credit for being willing to be the one to step up first in the country to do so and I now suspect that many states will follow.

As of last night, nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution is no longer an untested method. It is a proven one.

Marshall said 43 other Alabama death row inmates have requested execution by nitrogen hypoxia.

Alabama law still makes lethal injection the default method of execution.

Witnesses said Smith writhed and showed convulsive movements for about two minutes after the nitrogen gas was started. Marshall was asked if that contradicted claims the states lawyers made in court, such as when Solicitor General Edmund LaCour Jr., said, Alabama has adopted the most painless and humane method of execution known to man.

The execution last night was not at all contrary to anything we filed but was entirely consistent, Marshall said.

Dr. Joseph Antognini, an anesthesiologist who submitted a declaration to the court on behalf of the state, had said he expected the states protocol would likely result in 35 to 40 second time to unconsciousness, death in 10 to 15 minutes after nitrogen begins flowing.

The states redacted protocol for nitrogen hypoxia, first released in August, said nitrogen gas would be administered for 15 minutes or five minutes after a flatline on an EKG, whichever is longer.

Marshall said he could not provide an exact time when the nitrogen flow started on Thursday night or when the EKG showed a flat line.

Katherine Robertson, chief counsel for the attorney generals office, said Marshall gave Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm the go-ahead to begin the execution at 7:56 p.m.

Witnesses said Smith writhed and thrashed for about two minutes. That was followed by five to seven minutes of heavy breathing. Witnesses said Smith stopped moving about 8:08 p.m.

The curtain to the witness room closed at 8:15 p.m., and doctors pronounced Smith dead at 8:25 p.m.

Smiths defense team and experts had expressed several concerns about the states protocol, including that air could leak in around the mask and prolong the execution or leave Smith in a vegetative state or cause a stroke. Another concern was that Smith would vomit into the mask and choke. There was no indication that Smith vomited.

The Associated Press reported that attorneys for Alabama death row inmates who have requested nitrogen hypoxia executions have asked the court to order Alabama to turn over records and information about Smiths execution.

The State promised the world the most humane method of execution known to man, attorney John Palombi, who represents death row inmates who requested nitrogen, said in a statement. Instead, Mr. Smith writhed and thrashed before he died. No further executions should take place by this method until the events of this evening are examined by an independent body.

Amnesty International was one of many advocacy organizations that spoke out against Thursday nights execution. The way it unfolded did not change the organizations view.

The death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and accounts of Kenneth Smiths last moments simply show that there is no humane way to take someones life, Justin Mazzola, researcher for Amnesty International, said in a statement. It is high time for those in power to stop trying to fix the failed experiment that is the death penalty. Instead, they should devote all resources and focus on alternatives that would more effectively address crime at its roots and protect human rights. We call on the Alabama authorities to immediately establish a moratorium on all executions as a first critical step towards abolition.

Amnesty Internationals statement also noted that Smiths jury in 1996 recommended by 11-1 a sentence of life without parole. The judge did not follow that recommendation and sentenced Smith to death. Alabama changed the law in 2017 to give juries the final determination on whether someone convicted of a capital crime receives the death sentence or life in prison.

Marshall said there will be more nitrogen executions in Alabama. He said his regret was that it took so long to carry out. Smith had been on death row since 1996.

I want to tell the family, especially the victims sons, Mike and Chuck, how genuinely sorry I am for the horrific manner in which their mother lost her life, Marshall said. But I also want to apologize to them for how long it took for this sentence to be carried out.

I watched the family address the media last night, in which they showed the most remarkable humility and grace in the most difficult circumstances that no one else would want to be in. But you know that forgiveness and justice are not mutually exclusive. And their words will stick with me for a long time.

Marshall said his office will help other states that want to impose the death penalty by nitrogen hypoxia.

To my colleagues across the country, many of which were watching last night, Alabama has done it, Marshall said. And now so can you. And we stand ready to assist you in implementing this method in your states.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read more: Kenneth Eugene Smiths Alabama execution draws global outrage from UN, European Union

Kenneth Smiths execution bittersweet for Elizabeth Sennetts family: Nothing happened ... to bring her back

Kenneth Eugene Smiths final minutes: Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards

Kenneth Smith thrashed and writhed during execution: That was torture, spiritual adviser says

Former sheriff recalls womans horrific murder-for-hire by pastor as Alabama prepares execution
A Florida man has been charged in the November broad daylight killing of another man outside a neighborhood store in Ensley.

Ricky Germain Glover, 39, is charged with capital murder in the slaying of 24-year-old Zion Kewayne Taylor, according to court records made public Friday. Jail records indicate Glover is from Lehigh Acres, FL.

Glover was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 5:08 p.m. Thursday and remains held without bond.

West Precinct officers were dispatched about 1:30 p.m. that Saturday to the 1700 block of Avenue I which is outside M&A Grocery.

A fatal shooting happened Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, outside a store in the 1700 block of Avenue I in Ensley.(Carol Robinson)

Officers arrived to find Taylor unresponsive inside a vehicle. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced him dead at the scene.

Police said the citys gunfire detection system - Shot Spotter - alerted police to at least six rounds fired in that area.

As police were heading to the location, 911 received multiple calls from citizens reporting a person had been shot.

Investigators said some type of altercation took place before the unknown suspect fired the fatal shots.

The charge is a capital offense because Taylor was inside a vehicle when he was killed.
MBABANE  The Law Society of Eswatini (LSE) has presented 22 reasons why the Judicial Commission of Inquiry instituted by Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalala should be halted.

Last Tuesday, Maphalala established the commission of inquiry into allegations of impropriety, maladministration, abuse of power and incidental matters at the Masters Office.

Members of the panel are Judge Majahenkhaba Dlamini (Chairperson), Judge Mzwandile Fakudze, Judge President Sifiso Nsibande, Judge Maxine Langwenya and Judge Lorraine Hlophe. The Law Society has since written to the head of the Judiciary, Maphalala, calling upon him to reconsider his decision to establish the inquiry, disband and defer it to a lawful authority.

Organs

In the letter that was delivered to the CJ yesterday, the lawyers informed him that the organs that were empowered to investigate the irregularities at the Masters Office had shown willingness to set up an investigation. Ironically, a parliamentary investigation into the Masters Office was stopped through an application instituted by the chief justice, reads part of the correspondence that was also copied to the attorney general. The Law Society brought it to the attention of the CJ that the administration of estates, as per Legal Notice No.189 of 2015, fell under the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

This notice states where the Masters Office falls under. According to the notice annexed to the correspondence, the Masters Office is the responsibility of the minister of Justice and Constitution Affairs. The minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has the mandate and is empowered by the laws of the country to establish such an Inquiry, but your office does not have such mandate. Honourable chief justice, as lawyers we all know that the exercise of any public power (legislative, executive or judicial) must derive from the law, said the lawyers. The learned friends informed the CJ that there must be powers, which empowered him to establish a commission of inquiry for his actions to be lawful.

Powers

The LSE told Maphalala that the exercise of powers by him in establishing the commission was without any legal basis whatsoever. The Law Society also highlighted to Maphalala that the provision of the Constitution he relied on, as empowering him to establish the commission, did not in any way confer such powers on him. They contended that the CJ did not have powers under the laws of the country to establish a commission of inquiry. Instead, the law that governs commissions of inquiry and the mode of holding such commissions of inquiry is the Commission of Enquiry Act No.6 35 of 1963, said the lawyers.

Section 3 (1) of the Commission of Enquiry Act stipulates that; Any minister may, by notice in the gazette, issue a commission appointing one or more commissioners, and may therein provide that one or more members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of the inquiry. In the correspondence, the Law Society brought it to the attention of the CJ that the legal authority to establish a commission into the Masters Office vested in the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, being the minister with responsibility for the Judiciary and the administration of estates.

According to the LSE, the responsibility was assigned to the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs by His Majesty the King in terms of Legal Notice No.189 of 2015, titled Assignment of Responsibilities to Ministers. The lawyers highlighted that in doing so, the King was exercising powers conferred on him by Section 70 of the Constitution.

Section 70 states that;  The King may, after consultation with the prime minister, assign to the prime minister or any other minister responsibility for the conduct of any business of the government, including the administration of any department of government. They cautioned the CJ against playing with public emotions on a matter of public importance.

The LSE told the CJ that by establishing an inquiry into the Masters Office without legal authority, he had allegedly usurped powers conferred on the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. It was further the lawyers contention that the CJ had also allegedly arrogated to himself responsibilities assigned by the King to the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in terms of Legal Notice No.189 of 2015. The AG and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs were also served with the correspondence and this is confirmed by the stamps thereon.

So far two individuals appeared before the panel of the commission of inquiry, which is held at the Industrial Court of Appeal housed at the FINCORP Building along Gwamile Street.

Thembi Dlamini was the first person to appear before the commission. She is the daughter of the late well-known Matsapha businessman Alfred Sikhakhane Dlamini. Thembi, among other allegations, told the commission that her fathers estate was being looted at the Masters Office.

Widow

The second woman to appear before the commission was Sibongile Dlamini, who is the widow of Hamilton Nxumalo, who was employed at Gwamile Voctim. She accused the master of continuing to distribute her husbands estate despite a pending court case in which she is challenging her purported divorce decree, which she wants to be nullified. The commission sits on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Thursdays and Fridays are reserved to consider written submissions as well as documents presented by those who appeared before the commission for oral evidence. The commission receives both written and oral submissions.
The European Union and the U.N. Human Rights Office expressed regret Friday over the first execution of a man with nitrogen gas in the U.S. state of Alabama.

The 27-nation European Union and the Geneva-based U.N. rights office say the death penalty violates the right to life and does not deter crime.

Kenneth Eugene Smith was put to death in Alabama on Thursday with pure nitrogen gas, a first-of-its-kind execution that placed the United States at the forefront of the debate over capital punishment.

Smith appeared to shake and convulse before being pronounced dead at an Alabama prison after breathing the gas through a face mask to cause oxygen deprivation.

He was writhing and clearly suffering, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the U.N. Human Rights Office, said at a regular U.N. briefing in Geneva. Rather than looking for novel, untested methods to execute people, lets just bring an end to the death penalty. This is an anachronism that doesnt belong in the 21st century.

She said the U.N. human rights chief, Volker Turk, had written to authorities in Alabama about the issue, and said his office will continue to speak out and use every tool in our toolbox to prevent other states from doing so.

It was the first time a new execution method has been used in the U.S. since 1982, when lethal injections were introduced and later became the most common method.

According to leading experts, this method is a particularly cruel and unusual punishment, the diplomatic service of the EU said in a statement. It also expressed concern that the number of executions in the U.S. increased last year.

Twenty-four people were executed in five states despite a steady, overall decline of the use of capital punishment in the U.S. since 2020, it said. We call for states that maintain the death penalty to implement a moratorium and move towards abolition, in line with the worldwide trend.
Alabama achieved something historic when it executed Kenneth Eugene Smith using a method never before used in the country, the states attorney general said.

Alabama has achieved something historic. Like most states, Alabama has made the judgment that some crimes are so horrific that they warrant the ultimate penalty, Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a statement shortly after Smith was executed by nitrogen hypoxia Thursday night for the murder-for-hire of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett in 1988.

Marshall then claimed the execution was implemented without problems, proving wrong the anti-death-penalty advocates who asserted nitrogen hypoxia was dangerous because and inhumane.

Meanwhile, media witnesses said they saw Smith struggle as the gas began flowing into the mask that covered his entire face. He began writhing and thrashing for approximately two to four minutes, followed by around five minutes of heavy breathing.

Anti-death-penalty activists, Marshall said, have worked to nullify [Alabamas] moral judgment through pressure campaigns against anyone assisting states in the process.

They dont care that Alabamas new method is humane and effective, because they know it is also easy to carry out, he said. Despite the international effort by activists to undermine and disparage our states justice system and to deny justice to the victims of heinous murders, our proven method offers a blueprint for other states and a warning to those who would contemplate shedding innocent blood. This is an important night for Liz Sennetts family, for justice, and for the rule of law in our great nation.

Smith, who was declared dead at 8:25 p.m. CST, had been on death row more than three decades for participating in the murder-for-hire plot of Sennett in her home in Colbert County in 1988. Sennett was a pastors wife who was beaten and stabbed. Smith confessed to his role in the crime after the slaying, and court records show he was paid about $1,000 for killing Elizabeth Sennett.

Smiths lawyers unsuccessfully asked for a stay of execution by the U.S. Supreme Court, which also denied a review of the case, allowing the execution to proceed.

Marshall said the execution showed that the dire predictions of activists and the media were as speculative as Smiths claims.
In his final 32 minutes of life, Kenneth Eugene Smith, executed tonight by the state of Alabama using an untested method of nitrogen gas, thanked those who supported him in his final year on Alabama Death Row.

As he breathed his final breaths, witnesses could see him writhing and thrashing for about two minutes, his face covered by the mask used to administer the gas. Following the shaking, Smith spent over five minutes breathing heavily and slightly gasping.

Before the execution began, Smith had nine visitors, received a tray of breakfast and made one phone call, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.

He ate a final meal of steak, hashbrowns and eggs.

Just before 7 p.m., the five media witnessesincluding a representative from AL.comboarded the prison van. Media witnesses and a spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Corrections then went through a security checkpoint, before sitting for nearly an hour in a trailer on prison property.

At 7:47 p.m., media witnesses left that trailer and entered the viewing room to the execution. Four of Smiths witnesses sat in the viewing room: his wife, son, lawyer and friend.

His wife wore a shirt which read, Never Alone.

The curtain to the viewing room opened at 7:53 p.m. Smith looked toward the room where his family and media witnesses sat, smiling and nodding his head. He gave a thumbs up sign and signed I love you with his left hand. He wore his wedding ring.

After the warden entered the execution chamber and read the death warrant, Smith made a lengthy final statement. Tonight, Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards.

Smith, sentenced to death for the 1988 murder-for-hire of a pastors wife, said that he saw humanity rise up after he suffered everything (he) did last year. He was referencing his failed execution attempt in November 2022.

Im leaving with love, peace, and light thank you for supporting me. Love all of you.

The warden took away the microphone and left the room. Smith then spoke with his spiritual advisor the Rev. Jeff Hood, and Hood touched Smiths feet with his Bible.

Smith continued to smile towards his family.

The gas appeared to start flowing at approximately 7:58 p.m. Smith visibly shook and writhed against the gurney for around two minutes. His arms thrashed against the restraints.

He breathed heavily, slightly gasping, for approximately seven more minutes. At one point, his wife cried out.

At 8:01 p.m., a correctional officer in the execution chamber leaned over Smith and examined his face, before stepping away and walking back to his post.

Smith appeared to stop breathing at 8:08 p.m.

Hood continuously blessed Smith, making the sign of the cross throughout the execution.

The curtain closed to the execution at 8: 15 p.m.

State officials said Smith was pronounced dead by a physician at 8:25 p.m.

His body was released to the Escambia County Coroner and will undergo a postmortem examination by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

Thank you, #JeffHood, for witnessing the darkest moments of humanity, so that #KennethSmith did not have to be there alone. pic.twitter.com/08hRXt9cSH  The Woods Foundation (@thewoodsfdn) January 26, 2024

Hood, speaking after the execution, said the two prayed together.

We were able to spend time together briefly. I told him I loved him, touched my heart, made the sign of the cross letting him know hes not alone, Hood said.

An unbelievable evil was unleashed tonight in Alabama, Hood said. That was torture.

Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said the reaction he saw on the gurney was consistent with what the state expected for side effects.

It appeared Smith was holding his breath as long as he could, Hamm said. He said Smiths struggling against his restraints was expected. So nothing was out of the ordinary for what we were expecting.
The family of Elizabeth Sennett said it was bittersweet when one of her killers was executed Thursday night by the state of Alabama.

Nothing happened here today thats going to bring Mom back, Sennetts son, Mike Sennett, told reporters following the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith by nitrogen hypoxia at William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore.

Its kind of a bittersweet day. Were not going to be jumping around, hootin and hollering hooray and all that, thats not us, Mike Sennett said. Were glad this day is over.

Smith became the first death row inmate in the country to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia, which involved fitting a mask over Smiths head and pumping nitrogen gas into the device.

Smith had been on death row more than three decades for participating in the murder-for-hire plot of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett in her home in Colbert County in 1988. Sennett was a pastors wife who was beaten and stabbed. He confessed to his role in the crime after the slaying, and court records show he was paid about $1,000 for killing Elizabeth Sennett.

Mike Sennett, who spoke on behalf of his brother Chuck and entire family, suggested Smiths execution was justifiable.

The Bible says evil deeds have consequences  and Kenneth Smith made some bad decisions 35 years ago  and his debt was paid tonight, he said.

Some of you may have heard us talk about over and over about 35 years, 35 years, he continued.

Elizabeth Dorlene Thorne Sennett got her justice tonight.
King Charles III was admitted to a private hospital on Friday to undergo a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate, Buckingham Palace said, confirming a pre-planned treatment that was announced last week.

The 75-year-old monarch will be treated at the London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales, his daughter-in-law, is recovering from abdominal surgery. The king visited Kate at the hospital after he arrived.

The King was this morning admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment, the palace said. His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week.

Charles, who ascended the throne 16 months ago, was diagnosed with the benign condition on Jan. 17 after he experienced undisclosed symptoms. He canceled engagements and was urged to rest ahead of the procedure.

The king decided to announce the surgery in advance in an effort to encourage other men to have their prostates checked in line with public health advice.

The palace said the king was delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness.

The prostate is a small gland that surrounds the urethra  the tube that carries urine out of the body. An enlarged prostate can put pressure on the urethra and make it more difficult to urinate.

Britains National Health Service recommends that men see their doctors if they notice any problems with, or changes in, their usual pattern of urination. Surgery is usually only recommended when a patient experiences moderate to severe symptoms that dont respond to medicine.

Benign prostate enlargement is common in men over 50, and normally it isnt a serious health threat, the NHS says.

The risk of prostate cancer is no greater for men with an enlarged prostate than it is for men without an enlarged prostate, the agency says on its website.

News of the kings treatment came amid a flurry of royal medical news over the past 10 days.

The Princess of Wales office at Kensington Palace said on Jan. 16 that the princess had undergone planned abdominal surgery for an undisclosed condition. The palace didnt provide further details but said her condition wasnt cancerous.

The 42-year-old princess, formerly Kate Middleton, is the wife of Prince William, the heir to the throne. She is on day 11 of her hospital stay and is expected to remain in the hospital for up to two weeks, the palace says.

Though she is physically active and has generally experienced good health, Kate was hospitalized with severe morning sickness when she was pregnant.

Soon after Kate was hospitalized last week, the Duchess of York was diagnosed with a malignant skin cancer that was discovered during treatment for breast cancer. The melanoma was found after several moles were removed while she was undergoing reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy.

The duchess, 64, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew and the mother of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, was once a favorite target of Britains tabloids. The former Sarah Ferguson, often called by her nickname, Fergie, has written a number of childrens books, as well as a historical romance for adults.

While it is somewhat unusual for members of the royal family to release details about their health, the announcements about Charles and Kates conditions were seen as a way to avoid speculation because appearances would have to be postponed or canceled.

Stories about the health of Britains senior royals have been in the news repeatedly in recent years.

Speculation about the health the late Queen Elizabeth II increased during the last months of her 70-year reign as undisclosed mobility issues limited her public appearances. After that, focus switched to Charles, who ascended the throne at an age when most of his contemporaries were long retired.
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Death by nitrogen

Alabama became the first state in the U.S. to use the nitrogen hypoxia method of execution Thursday night when it put to death convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith, reports AL.coms Ivana Hrynkiw.

Smith was convicted in the murder-for-hire of 45-year-old Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett in Colbert County in 1988. Sennett had been beaten and stabbed. Court records show Smith was paid about $1,000.

The state previously attempted to execute Smith by lethal injection but had trouble accessing a vein and didnt complete the execution within time allotted by the states execution protocol.

Smiths legal actions to avoid a second lethal-injection effort included an argument that he could choose nitrogen hypoxia instead. At that time the state didnt have a protocol in place for using nitrogen, which has also been approved for use by Oklahoma and Mississippi but had not been used anywhere until last night.

The Alabama Department of Corrections delivered a protocol, which was approved by the states Supreme Court. Smiths legal efforts to then challenge the Constitutionality of the new method failed. The method includes using a mask on the condemned that replaces breathable air with nitrogen.

So a major part of this story is whether nitrogen will be considered an acceptable method of execution going forward.

Five members of the media were allowed to witness the execution, including our Ivana Hrynkiw. Heres part of Ivanas description of what took place:

The gas appeared to start flowing at approximately 7:58 p.m. Smith visibly shook and writhed against the gurney for around two minutes. His arms thrashed against the restraints.

He breathed heavily, slightly gasping, for approximately seven more minutes.

The state continues to stand behind the method. Attorney General Steve Marshall said the execution took place without problems, and he called the method humane and effective.

Pig kidneys

You may remember back in August we reported on success UAB researchers had in transplanting a genetically modified pig kidney into a brain-dead patient.

That was UABs second such effort. Now there have been three such implants, and researchers there are wanting clinical trials, reports AL.coms Amy Yurkanin.

The technology has yet to be approved for human trials.

Dr. Jayme Lock said this could be the answer for organ shortages.

For our patients, if they dont have a living donor, they are more likely to die than to receive a transplant, Locke said. We are really anxious to have the opportunity to offer this to our patients.

A fake Trump

Does the proliferation of artificial intelligence have you questioning everything you see and hear digitally?

Well, its a big election year, so you might want to start taking a second look.

Ken McFeeters is running against incumbent Gary Palmer in the GOP primary for Congress. Palmer represents Alabamas District 6.

AL.coms Howard Koplowitz reports that McFeeters has a commercial in which hes speaking with an AI-generated Donald Trump over the phone. In the ad, the fake Trump says ugly things about Palmer, calling him a weasel, a backstabbing worm and a Deep State puppet.

That kind of insult-slinging for a presidential candidate probably wouldve been way over-the-top a few years ago. But its on the realistic side of satire these days.

Read this quote from the ad in a Trump voice: Im glad you informed me about Deep State Palmer. What he is doing is lowdown and dirty, snitch-like. We call Palmer Old Creepy Eyes, up here.

To be clear, thats fake Trump, not real Trump.

Responded the Palmer campaign to McFeeter and his efforts: Even the use of artificial intelligence doesnt make him relevant.

By the numbers

$450

Thats how much the City of Birmingham gave to a woman who made sure her kids went to school every school day for a month. Parents of students with perfect attendance entered a drawing for the prize.

More Alabama news

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A Shelby County man is jailed on more than a dozen child pornography charges.

Justin Trevor Rhodes, 44, was taken into custody Thursday, according to court records made public Friday.

He is charged with 10 counts of child pornography possession and six counts of possession of child pornography with intent to distribute.

Charging documents against Rhodes state he was in possession of numerous videos, including one that showed a girl believed to be under the age of 11 having sex with an adult man. Another video showed a young boy who was nude.

Rhodes, of Calera, is being held in the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $330,000. His first court date is set for February.
RIP, RV City.

After 23 years, the makeshift recreational vehicle campground underneath Interstate 10 is closed to the campers. And Mobile police are warning RV owners to find the right place to park their vehicles if they come downtown this year for Carnival.

In an advisory issued Friday -- the first day of the Carnival celebration in downtown Mobile -- Mobile police are alerting RV owners that parking regulations will be enforced, and vehicles parked in the wrong spots will be towed.

The advisory states the following:

In accordance with city regulations, no person shall park a motor vehicle, including RVs, on a street or road in such a manner that less than ten (10) feet of the width of the roadway is available for the free movement of vehicular traffic. This regulation is important to ensure that emergency routes remain clear, sidewalks are accessible for pedestrians, and driveways are not blocked. Following these parking guidelines is essential for maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone attending.

If an RV is found parked in violation of the restrictions, it will be towed to the Mobile Police Department Impound at 1251 Virginia St., Lot B. To retrieve the vehicle, the owner has to call the Impound Lot at 251-208-2585.

The towing fee is $150.

RV City's days could be numbered if the $2.7 billion Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project is under construction during the 2024 Mardi Gras. More than 100 campers flocked to the makeshift RV park during Mobile Mardi Gras season this year. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

RV City, known as the Alabama Department of Transportations Overflow parking lot, will be open exclusively for regular passenger vehicles, police say. RVs and campers will not be permitted.

The announcement officially ends a tradition in which RV owners would tailgate underneath the interstate during the Carnival season in downtown Mobile. It resulted in more than two weeks of food, family gatherings, fellowship, and fun. The tradition began in 2000, and ended last year with more than 100 campers.

The changes in the lot come as the nearby Mobile Civic Center site is with fewer parking spots due to construction of a new office building for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and plans for a new 1,000-space parking garage.

In future years, the parking lot will be closed off during the construction of the Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project.

Mobile police are encouraging RV owners to use designated off-street, commercial parking lots that are compliant with city regulations.

The city has additional information about parking posted online, but it stresses RV owners visiting Mardi Gras with their campers to contact private parking operators Premium Parking or Republic Parking for details.

According to police, parking an RV on unapproved or non-compliant properties will result in enforcement action.

Those interested in establishing compliant RV parking areas are being asked to call the City of Mobile Planning and Zoning Department at 251-208-5895, anytime from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, for information on necessary permits and procedures.
A 19-year-old has been convicted in the 2021 killing of a man a Birmingham shopping center that also killed another man and injured two others.

A Jefferson County jury Thursday afternoon found Dcoreyonne Hall, who was 17 at the time of the killing, guilty of murder in the death of 21-year-old Cornelius JaShawn Hilliard.

Hall was one of two suspects charged in Hilliards Sept. 4, 2021, killing at the clothing store Superior for Men in Roebuck.

Jureil Dowdell, now 21, is set to go to trial in April. Dowdell is also charged with attempted murder for reportedly shooting at another male during the incident.

Authorities said Hall fired the shots that killed Hilliard, who was struck rough a dozen times.

A second person was also killed in the shooting  25-year-old Reginald Curtis Crawford Jr.  but his death was ruled justifiable, and no charges were filed.

The shooting happened about 4 p.m. that Saturday and was captured on surveillance video.

It appears a group of men were inside the store  including Crawford  when Hilliard entered the store. After a time, Hilliard went to leave the store, but the group started some kind of apparent confrontation with him. It did not appear Hilliard had initiated any contact with them.

Hilliard left the store and returned with another man. There were no visible weapons on the pair.

Several of the males among the group that was inside the store pulled out guns and told Hilliard to leave. Crawford punched the male that was with Hilliard and the dispute spilled outside. The man with Hilliard then shot Crawford.

Meanwhile, the others in the store had cornered Hilliard, who had his hands up. When the gunfire erupted outside, Hilliard was then shot inside and the male who had been punched and shot Crawford was then shot.

The male who shot Crawford remained on the scene.

Jefferson County deputy district attorneys Jason Wilson and Ty Henderson prosecuted the case.

Hall had claimed self-defense. He was represented by attorney Emory Anthony who called the entire incident sad.

Halls sentencing is set for April 8.
Tennesseans could be charged with the felony of abortion trafficking for helping someone under 18 terminate a pregnancy by traveling out of state or helping them obtain abortion-inducing medication under a bill proposed this week by a Knoxville state representative.

The legislation targets any abortion but specifies that an adult who recruits, harbors or transports the teen within Tennessee in such circumstances would be committing a crime regardless of where the abortion is to be procured.

Abortion rights advocates say the bill will primarily target people going out-of-state, given that almost no abortions have been performed in Tennessee since a ban went into effect in August 2022.

House Bill 1895, brought by Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, would also allow the parents or maternal grandparents of an aborted fetus to sue for damages.

Zachary told WVLT bill stems from a situation in Knox County in the last year, where parents were unaware that someone was taking their daughter to get an abortion.

If an adult takes a minor, thats not their child, to another state for an abortion, that would be a Class C felony, resulting in three to 15 years in prison under Zacharys proposal, the station reported.

Ashley Coffield, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi, said the bill puts minors and their family members in a difficult spot. It could potentially even get them thrown out of their home.

AL.com contributed to this report.

(c)2024 the Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, Tenn.)

Visit the Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, Tenn.) at www.timesfreepress.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Jaipur, Jan 25 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday discussed ways of addressing the geo-political challenges and vital aspects of India-France ties at a bilateral meeting here on Thursday.

Modi later said "his (Macron's) presence strengthens the ties between our nations".

The discussions encompassed vital aspects of the bilateral India-France relationship and ways of addressing various geopolitical challenges.

Modi also hosted dinner for the French president.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister said, "His presence not only strengthens the ties between our nations but also adds a significant chapter to our shared history of friendship and collaboration".

"I am happy that President Macron begins his India visit from Jaipur in Rajasthan, a land with rich culture, heritage and talented people. It is a matter of great pride that he will be taking part in our Republic Day celebrations tomorrow, 26th January, in Delhi", the PM wrote.

After arriving in Jaipur, PM Modi and President Macron also held a roadshow in the city.

People along the route welcomed Macron during the roadshow.

The two leaders visited a tea stall and interacted with each other over a cup of tea.

The PM made the payment using UPI and showed Macron how the technology works. He also gifted a model of the Ram templer to the French prez.

Following the roadshow, Modi and the French President visited Hawa Mahal, which was built in 1799.

This was followed by a visit to Jantar Mantar, a solar observatory established by Maharaja Sawai Singh. It has been declared a heritage site by UNESCO in July 2010.

Earlier in the day, Macron visited the Azmer Fort, where he was accompanied by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari.

Macron arrived in Jaipur in the afternoon to attend the 75th Republic Day 2024 function as chief guest at the National capital on an invitation from Modi.

The French President was received by Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

A 33-member band and a 95-member marching contingent will take part in the Republic Day parade.

Rafale fighter jets and an Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft of the French Air Force will also participate in the march.

The French President will also meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan at around 7:10 p.m. on Friday. UNI JA GNK SSP
First, the good news. No Alabama city made the list of places in the U.S. with the most bedbugs.

The bad news is there are plenty of popular travel destinations that did make the list, according to pest control company Orkin. The bed bugs city list was based on data from the metro areas where Orkin performed the most treatments for the pests from Dec. 1, 2022 to Nov. 30, 2023, including both residential and commercial areas.

Coming in at number one  for the fourth year in a row  was Chicago. New York and Philadelphia came in second and third, while Greensboro, North Carolina, made the biggest jump by moving up 25 spots to crawl its way into the top 20. Milwaukee moved up 15 spots to number 25 and while Tampa jumped 10 spots to number 31.

Here were the top 50 cities for Bed Bugs, according to Orkin. The figures next to the city name reflects the change from last year.

Chicago New York Philadelphia Cleveland-Akron, OH Los Angeles Detroit Washington, D.C. (+2) Indianapolis (-1) Charlotte (+5) Champaign, IL (+1) Columbus, OH (-1) Cincinnati (+1) Atlanta (+3) Grand Rapids, MI (-2) Denver Baltimore (-8) Richmond, VA (+9) Greensboro, N.C. (+25) St. Louis (+6) Youngstown (+7) Pittsburgh (-3) Dallas-Ft. Worth (-5) Flint, MI (-2) Raleigh-Durham (-4) Milwaukee (+15) Charleston, W.V. (-7) Greenville, SC (-3) Norfolk, VA (-5) Davenport (+8) Nashville (+3) Tampa (+10) Toledo (+6) Dayton, OH (+1) Knoxville (-4) Las Vegas (new to list) Omaha, NE (-4) South Bend, IN (-9) Houston (+6) Cedar Rapids, MI (-8) Ft. Wayne, IN (-5) San Francisco (-19) Buffalo, NY (-13) Harrisburg (-7) Seattle (-5) Miami Orlando (+1) Minneapolis (new to list) Oklahoma City (new to list) Louisville, KY Lexington, KY (-4)

Bed bugs are extremely resilient pests that make them difficult to control. Typically, 3/16 inches long, they are red to dark brown in color and mostly nocturnal, coming out of hiding to snack on blood from sleeping humans. They typically cling to items such as luggage, purses or other personal belongings, making it easy for them to travel from place to place.

How to prevent bed bugs

Tips from Orkin for guarding against bed bugs:

Inspect your home for signs of bed bugs regularly. Check the places where bed bugs hide during the day, including mattress tags and seams, and behind baseboards, headboards, electrical outlets and picture frames. Inspect when you move in, after a trip, when a service worker visits or after guests stay overnight.

Decrease clutter around your home to make it easier to spot bed bugs on your own or during professional inspections.

Examine all secondhand furniture before bringing it inside your home.

During travel, remember the acronym S.L.E.E.P. to inspect for bed bugs:
The Limestone County Sheriffs Office is looking for two people in connection with a suspected road rage shooting.

At about 11 p.m. Tuesday, a person arrived at Athens-Limestone Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim, whose name has not been released, was flown to Huntsville Hospital.

Investigators believe the shooting happened in the area of Cowford Road and Nuclear Plant Road.

After an altercation, authorities said, two people exited their vehicle with weapons and began to fire at the victims vehicle as it sped away.

The suspects then traveled east on Nuclear Plant Road and turned north on Lucas Ferry Road in an unknown red sedan that could have minor rear-end damage.

Anyone with information should contact Capt. Caleb Durden or Investigator Steven Ferguson at (256) 232-0111.
In a White House press conference on Friday afternoon, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration of President Joe Biden is concerned about Alabamas method of execution.

The reports of Kenneth Smith and his death last night, obviously, is troubling, Jean-Pierre said. The use of nitrogen gas, it is troubling, of course.

The first-ever execution by nitrogen hypoxia underscores why the president supports the attorney generals moratorium on federal death penalty, pending review of the policies and procedures governing its use, she said.

The president has long said and has had deep, deep, deep concerns with how the death penalty is implemented and whether it is consistent with our values, Jean-Pierre said.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said Thursday nights execution went according to plan for the never-used method.

Smith was executed for the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett in Colbert County.

Witnesses said Smith writhed and showed convulsive movements for about two minutes after the nitrogen gas was started.

When they turned the nitrogen on, he began to convulse, he popped up on the gurney over and over and over and over again. He shook the whole gurney, Smiths spiritual adviser, the Rev. Jeff Hood, said after witnessing the execution.

I could hear audible gasps coming behind me from the witness area. I could see the corrections officers that were in there....I think they were very surprised that it didnt go smoother.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to halt the execution to review claims that it violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment and deserved more legal scrutiny before it was used on a person.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who along with two other liberal justices dissented, wrote, Having failed to kill Smith on its first attempt, Alabama has selected him as its guinea pig to test a method of execution never attempted before. The world is watching.

In her dissent, Sotomayor said Alabama has shrouded its execution protocol in secrecy, releasing only a heavily redacted version. She added that Smith should have been allowed to obtain evidence about the protocol and to proceed with his legal challenge.

That information is important not only to Smith, who has an extra reason to fear the gurney, but to anyone the State seeks to execute after him using this novel method, Sotomayor wrote.

Twice now this Court has ignored Smiths warning that Alabama will subject him to an unconstitutional risk of pain, Sotomayor wrote. I sincerely hope that he is not proven correct a second time.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A woman found dead on a north Birmingham dead-end street was the victim of homicide.

The discovery was made at 8:21 a.m. Thursday in the 1300 block of 18th Street North.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald said a city worker found the woman unresponsive. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced her dead on the scene.

Detectives did not initially see any obvious signs of foul play. However, the body was taken to the Jefferson County Coroners Office where an autopsy showed she had been shot.

The womans name has not yet been released. Fitzgerald said the woman was an adult Black female with braids. She appeared to be age 25 to 30.

She is Birminghams sixth homicide this year, and the first in 11 days. In all of Jefferson County, there have been eight homicides including the six in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Birmingham city hall and school officials gave a local parent $450 Thursday because her children attended school every day for a month.

Juanesa Johnson said she is a firm believer in getting her two children, JaLicia, 7, and JaMarion, 13, to school. As Birmingham launches a new anti-absenteeism initiative, it wants more parents to follow the Johnson familys example  and is offering money to one family a month that does.

I am a firm believer in getting my kids to school, I was raised that way. I try to instill that in them. Winning this gives me motivation, it gives other parents motivation to do the same, Johnson said. Education is everything. Its important for them. It takes them a long way. Every day counts.

Birmingham City Schools currently faces a high rate of chronic absenteeism. About 23% of local students were chronically absent in 2022-23, higher than the statewide rate of 18%. Many districts have seen increasing rates of absenteeism since the pandemic.

Kids stay home for myriad reasons  finances, housing instability, illness, transportation issues, school staffing shortages, anxiety, depression, bullying or generally feeling unwelcome at school, experts say. Addressing absenteeism often requires addressing those root causes.

Johnson said it is not always easy getting her children to school. Before she bought a car, two years ago, she walked her children to school every day.

Absent students miss out not only on what is being taught in class but also on all the other things schools provide  such as meals, counseling, socialization. Students who are chronically absent are at higher risk of not learning to read and eventually dropping out.

Local officials gathered Thursday, including Mayor Randall Woodfin, Superintendent Mark Sullivan and the Birmingham District Housing Authority Chief Dontrelle Young Foster, said the community has to figure out ways to get more kids in classrooms.

So, each month, city officials will host a drawing for students with perfect attendance records who live in public housing units. Awards will be sponsored by community partners, according to Larry Williams, chief housing and program officer of the housing authority.

Regular school attendance of school-aged children is a requirement of housing authority lease agreements and state law. The housing authority said it is also going to work with residents to ensure students have transportation and help with homework.

After repeatedly calling out some parents and chronic absenteeism in city schools, Woodfin said this initiative is close to his heart because his mother lived in public housing and moved often, making it hard for her to attend school every day.

Against all odds, she graduated high school.

I know that in todays time of 2024, that we have families who live in our public housing, dealing with every issue under the sun. From abuse to domestic violence. They deal with issues of under employment, they deal with family issues, drug issues, all these issues. That has an impact on what that family can do for their children. Some of us have lived that, including my own mom, Woodfin said.

The best thing we can do is educate our children. We cannot do that if they are not in school.
Could a large subdivision proposed for the Limestone County portion of Huntsville lead to commercial and retail development in an area where there isnt any?

District 5 City Councilman John Meredith believes that is the case. That is one reason why he supports the development of Greenbrier Preserve on almost 389 acres just off Interstate 565 near major employers such as Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, Amazon, Polaris. G.E. and Buffalo Rock.

The fact that they are reserving areas for commercial use is huge because if you continue that out going east all of the way to Zierdt Road, there is absolutely no retail, no commercial anywhere on that strip, the councilman said. Its going to be a vital development for that area.
This is an opinion column.

We will elect a female Presidentjust not this year. Nikki Haley is crawling home to South Carolina which once elected her governor and the state that will soon be the final resting place for her presidential bid.

Haley has about a month until South Carolina, in all likelihood, solidifies Donald Trump as the last Republican standing after the partys ugly dodgeball primary season. A season that lasted just about as long as last weeks sub-freezing temps.

Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, got bounced in New Hampshire on Tuesdaylosing decidedly to Trump in a one-on-one encounter that was likely her best shot at viability. It was just days before a pertinent historical anniversary.

On this date, on January 25, 1972, New York Congresswoman Rep. Shirley Chisholm, the daughter of a Guyanese American father and a Barbadian American mother, stood before a raucous crowd in Brooklyn, N.Y., the city of her birth, and announced her monumental candidacy for President of the United States.

As the first African American to run for president within one of the two major parties, Chisholm was the seed that bore fruit 36 years later when Barack Obama was elected as the first Black President.

As the first female Democrat to seek the partys nomination, she laid the path where Hillary Clinton tread in 2020 as the partys first female presidential nominee. (In 1964, Maine Sen. Margaret Chase Smith, a Republican, became the first female nominated for president by a major party; she earned 27 delegates and received 227,007 votes during the primary season.)

I only hope Haley is more aware of Chisholm and Smith than she is of the roots of the Civil War.

I was a high-school sophomore on the day Chisholm launched her bid and cant say I then appropriately appreciated the magnitude of it. Which is why Chisholms journey, against a field of white men, must be included in any curriculum chronicling the progress of African Americans and women in our nation.

In researching this column, I was struck to learn of Chisholms surprising relationship with fellow Democratic hopeful George WallaceAlabamas segregation-now-and-forever governor.

She emphatically denounced his racist views, though reportedly Chisholm rarelyif evermentioned Wallaces name. Years later, she shared: George Wallace for some strange unknown reason, he liked me. [He] came down to Florida and he went all over Florida, and he said to the people, If you all cant vote for me, dont vote for those oval-headed lizards. Vote for Shirley Chisholm!

The endorsement killed her chances in the Florida primary, Chisholm added, because voters thought that I was in league with him to get votes.

Wallaces bid, as you likely know, ended that May when he was shot five times by a would-be assassin, leaving him a paraplegic. According to biographer Anastasia C. Curwood, a history professor and author of Shirley Chisholm: Champion of Black Feminism Power Politics, the Congresswoman visited Wallace in the hospital, which also did not endear her to some supporters.

Chisholm ran for president hoping to galvanize a coalition and garner enough delegates to influence the partys platform on rights for women and people of color. It didnt quite happen. She finished the primaries in fourth (152 delegates), ahead of Sens. Hubert Humphrey and Ed Muskie. Sen. George McGovern entered the convention with such a commanding lead (1,729 delegates), he didnt need to negotiate with anyone.

Of course, McGovern got body-slammed by Richard Nixon in the general election. And the rest

America will elect a female President someday. When that day comes, she should save two seats at the inauguration for Chisholm and Chase.

Im a member of the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame and a Pulitzer Prize finalist for commentary. My column appears on AL.com, as well as the Lede. Tell me what you think at rjohnson@al.com, and follow me at twitter.com/roysj, or on Instagram @roysj
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP)  A 350-pound black bear that perched for hours in a tree, causing a Mother's Day spectacle last spring in northern Michigan, was killed by a hunter, authorities said.

"It makes me sad, because I was just envisioning it living peacefully in the forest somewhere, thriving as a bear does," said Ashlea Walter, who was among dozens of people who watched in May as authorities responded to a bear in a Traverse City neighborhood.

The bear was killed four months later in September in Emmet County, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported.

"We have a few designated relocation sites and then let it go, and it's on its own to be a bear," said Stephen Griffith, a state wildlife biologist. "And yes, during the bear season, obviously some of them fall prey of a hunter."

The bear's arrival on Mother's Day caused a stir. Spectators sitting on front lawns and in chairs held phones up to take pictures and video of the bear in a tree.

The bear fell asleep for hours after being shot with tranquilizer darts, then fell out of the tree and landed on a mattress  a soft landing that was supplied by Walter.

The bear was transferred on a tarp and released miles away in the wild.
Rich people love to outsource, and for a while, nobody in the world was richer than Americans. Thats why, after we ran out of industries to outsource, we began to outsource our families. Kids are too childish and messy, so we send them to daycares. Old people are, too, so we outsourced them to the nursing homes. We dont even have the decency to in-house our nursing homes, so we outsourced those to the Mexicans and Filipinos.

Three hundred years ago, we also did our outsourcing in-house. Instead of having the Mexicans do our farming, we imported some black people and forced them to do it for free. Undoing this has been the whole trajectory of the past 100 years, with mixed results. We no longer export labor to other races for free. Now you have to pay the people who do all your work for you, and somehow you try to get richer doing it. This is called capitalism, and the trick is to pay as little as possible.

Thats why you still export. Doing things in-house in a constitutional republic means the neighbors get upset about their rights, but if theyre unemployed, you can just blame the Mexicans you imported or the Chinese you exported labor to. Its a simple sleight-of-hand that works when you call it free trade (for the Republicans) or anti-racism (for the Democrats).

The goal of exporting everything for cheap was to lie around planning what to do with your money while other people have to wipe you and your whole family for pennies. This is the definition of success. But eventually the people you exported labor to catch on and want to export all the work for themselves. Ursula Burns, a black woman named after the sea witch in The Little Mermaid, was one such person. Her story of exporting her family was described by CNBC, in an article they tastefully titled The first Black woman CEO in the Fortune 500 on work-life balance: You dont have to go to all your kids games.

Long story short, she didnt go to all her kids games. CNBC says she didnt even pay attention while she was there. She says the work-life balance argument is silly, and if you go all work, you can have somebody else do the life for you. So (I kid you not) she did crossword puzzles at her kids games and made her family members watch the kids  a genius trick that tied up the oldest people with the youngest. She says she raised (wink wink!) two unbelievably good kids. Nowhere mentioned in the article is how the kids feel about her.

This last part is important, because there are only two groups who can judge how you raise your kids: your kids and the people they deal with. And there are only two groups of people who can judge how you run a business: the customers and the people in the business. We dont have a record of what the kids say because CNBC doesnt care, but unfortunately for Ursula the Sea Witch Burns, we have a record of what the hires say. And she had one of the most hated records in the history of Xerox.

Time Magazine, in fact, lists her as one of the (quote) 9 CEOs with the absolute worst reputations and says that while she raked in millions of dollars yearly and oversaw big raises for upper management, she didnt give any raises to rank-and-file employees, and she laid off so many that she had to call the police to the layoffs. During her reign, over two thirds of the employees had a negative opinion of her.

In fact, over about thirty years, Xerox went from being rated one of the happiest companies to work at to being one of the worst. This wasn't all Ursulas fault, since she was the CEO only from 2009 to 2016  but she was part of it. Before she was CEO, looters took over and started selling and cutting off parts of the company willy-nilly, and this made running the company into the ground look profitable. This is what happens to great companies when the smart leaders die off and the new ones dont have any ideas. But eventually the amputations had to slow down, and the company had to focus on other expendable things, like raises. Jobs they used to do in-house were exported to other companies they could pay even less.

Ursula Burns was still unable to run things profitably. She bought Affiliated Computer Services for 6.4 billion dollars, and Time Magazine said it turned out to be a dud. She had a huge spike in revenue the first year, and then things went sideways. Two years after she stepped down, Xerox, after a 115-year run, was no longer an independent company. She pissed off the majority who worked for her, and CNBC wants to know how she managed her work-life balance. Her answer was to tell you that she didnt. She didnt manage either end of it. She both looted and overbought for her company, and when she finally showed up at her kids games, she decided to do crossword puzzles.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the first black female CEO of a Fortune 500 company  a massive success in the American sense: filthy rich, expert at exporting.

Julius Burke is a pseudonym.

Image: pasja1000 via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
I was going to avoid commenting on the Fani Willis comedy routine playing in Atlanta. But after the last weeks events, Im busting at the seams with snark. So here goes.

The Atlanta district attorney, Fani Willis, decided to play superhero in her own performance art production to rescue the Dems from their disastrous decision to let gropey Joe lead the party. She figured she could clear the field for Joe by indicting Donald Trump, and 18 others, on federal racketeering charges. It seems that the Donald did the same thing that every losing Democrat since Al Gore has done: he questioned the vote-counting. Thats considered protecting our democracy when a Democrat does it, but according to Fani, its criminal conspiracy when a Republican does it.

All Fani had to do was deliver Trumps head with her RICO case and avoid making any appealable mistakes. The radicals would be treated to another four years of pulling the meat puppets strings, and she would become the darling of the media for at least a couple of news cycles. When she became the first D.A. in the nation to deliver Trumps mug shot to the commie lynch mob media, it looked as though everything was going swimmingly.

But a funny thing happed on the way to her next fawning interview. A series of rookie mistakes placed her behavior under closer scrutiny than that of the defendant. That is not an ideal way for a criminal case to proceed.

Fanis problems started when she realized that prosecuting a RICO case is a big freaking deal (as Joe would kinda say). She needed help. So she hired two attorneys with racketeering experience...and Nathan Wade, whom she was having an adulterous affair with at the time. Naturally, Fani decided to pay her lover more than the other two attorneys. Whats the point of holding high office if it cant be used to help ones friends? She figured it would be okay, since nobody would be paying attention to the private lives of the prosecutors while they conduct the first ever criminal persecution of a former president using questionable legal reasoning.

Exactly what kind of guy is Nathan Wade? Hes a low-level county judge who also has a private practice specializing in personal injury cases. In other words, hes an ambulance-chaser with little criminal prosecution experience. I wonder if he has any Better Call Wade! commercials on Atlanta stations. The way things are going, his limited criminal experience may soon get augmented  but with him sitting on the opposite side of the courtroom from the prosecution.

Wade is also the kind of husband who would file for divorce the day after being awarded a plum contract from his girlfriend, Fani. Additionally, hes the kind of divorce litigant who would drain the family bank accounts and hide his new source of income from his estranged wife. Thats often tried in divorce cases, but it rarely works. Now Fani is learning that an affair with a man of questionable character can create complications for a high-profile case.

The wheels started coming off the Wade/Willis remake of Dumb and Dumber when the legal team for one of the RICO defendants, Michael Roman, raised the issue of their behavior to the court. Romans attorneys asked that the charges against him be dropped because of the conflict of interest created when Nathan Wade and Fani Willis profited (illegally) from the case. Romans lawyers allege that Fanis boy-toy was taking her on expensive vacations, using the money that Fani was paying him from her prosecution budget. That would be the district attorney, receiving gratuities from one of her hired guns  a violation of Georgia law. Romans team claimed that proof of the allegation could be found in Wades sealed divorce records. Just like that: An ugly divorce proceeding became material to the trial of a former president, and all hell broke loose.

The judge in the RICO case, Scott McAfee, is giving Fani until February 2 to explain in writing why bumping uglies with a member of her staff isnt a breach of ethics or detrimental to her case.

As they say in the late-night infomercials: But wait, theres more! It turns out that Wades wife, Joycelyn, was a bit peeved that Nathan had left her penniless while hiding his friends with benefits income. So her legal team subpoenaed Fani for deposition, to get to the bottom of how much she was paying Wade for his, um...services rendered.

Fani was not happy about being drawn into an ugly divorce conflict  beyond sleeping with the husband, that is. She filed a motion with the divorce court asking to be excused from the deposition because Joycelyn was colluding with the RICO defendants, and allegedly cheated on Nathan also. Fanis filing was the district attorney of Atlanta implying that Joycelyn Wade was committing felony obstruction of justice, and then calling her a slut for good measure. I wonder where Fani learned such shrewd legal maneuvering.

So Joycelyn did the only thing she could. Her team released the couples credit card statements, providing supporting evidence for the Roman allegations. That was followed by the divorce judge for the Wade case, Judge Henry Thompson, unsealing the couples divorce records.

Heres where we stand with the Trump RICO prosecution. Fani has

hired her boyfriend for a case hes unqualified for  which is unprofessional;

paid her boyfriend more than hes worth with taxpayer money  which is wasteful;

failed to advise the court about her romantic entanglement with a member of her staff  which is unethical;

used taxpayer money for her own leisure activities, using her lover as a financial cutout  which is embezzlement and money-laundering;

threatened Joycelyn Wade, a potential witness in the RICO proceedings  which is obstruction of justice and witness-tampering, and

demonstrated why fanny is a euphemism for an ass.

Now

the RICO case judge is demanding that Fani explain herself,

Fani has left herself open to a contempt of court conviction for threatening one of the divorce litigants,

the Fulton County Audit Commission is asking questions destined to unravel Fanis financial shenanigans,

the Georgia Bar is remaining on the sidelines until it gets too embarrassing to look the other way  which will be any day now,

Fani is attributing the whole mess to racism, and

suddenly the defendant isnt the center of attention in the criminal case anymore.

Now I see the wisdom of the ancient Klingon proverb that revenge is a dish best served cold. Fani has proven that if you target someone while youre hot (emotionally), youre likely to get burned. Once again, the Dems have discovered that if you go after Trump with nothing but hatred, your Fani may get spanked.

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: Fani Willis. Credit: Atlanta News First via YouTube, CC BY 3.0.
Two killed, 4 injured in air attack by Ukraine military in Russia 18 Mar 2024 | 5:52 PM Moscow, Mar 18 (UNI) Two people were killed and four others injured as a result of an air attack by the Ukrainian armed forces in Russia's Belgorod Region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Monday. see more..

Afghan, Pak trade blows after suicide attack on Pakistani military Post 18 Mar 2024 | 5:39 PM Kabul, Mar 18 (UNI) Afghanistan and Pakistan targeted each other's border regions with strikes on Monday following a suicide attack on a Pakistani military outpost over the weekend. see more..

Japan's Kishida not planning elections until LDP lawmakers penalised for scandal 18 Mar 2024 | 3:37 PM Tokyo, Mar 18 (UNI) Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida plans to take disciplinary action against the lawmakers of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) involved in the slush funds scandal before calling snap elections, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Monday. see more..

Leaders of 6 CIS states congratulate Putin on victory in prez election 18 Mar 2024 | 3:26 PM Minsk, Mar 18 (UNI) The leaders of six member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistanhave congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his victory in the presidential election, noting the broad support of Russian citizens, the Kremlin said on Monday. see more..
About five years ago the only pharmacy in my small town in rural Virginia closed. A year or so later a second county drugstore failed. Soon the owner of the last remaining drugstore in the county was unable to make a profit and had to sell. (These last two managed to reopen at a later date.)

I was unaware the loss of our drugstores was a nationwide trend until reading an article by Karen Kerrigan, president and CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. She reported that mom-and-pop drugstores in rural areas were particularly hard hit, leaving about 630 rural communities with no pharmacy by 2018. Kerrigan reported that the big chains closed nearly 2,000 pharmacies between 2017 and 2020 with more planned. CNN Business reported CVS will be closing another 900 stores in 2024. Walgreens and Rite Aid are also in the process of closing hundreds. You know its serious if CNN reported it and is unable to blame Trump.

Competition and the upsurge in shoplifting in soft-on-crime big cities are not the main causes. Kerrigan placed most of the blame on third-party Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM). PBMs negotiate discounts from drugmakers [sic] on behalf of insurers. PBMs also administer reimbursements from the systems payers -- insurers, federal and state governments, and corporations -- to providers, including pharmacies and clinics. Kerrigan added that PBMs have made the system increasingly complex, enabling them to extract outsized revenue from it while crowding out the small mom-and-pop drugstores.

There are around 60 companies competing to provide PBM services with three controlling 80% of the market. In 2022 the global market share for PBMs was $495 billion ($315B in the U.S.) and that can buy a lot of political clout. Originally, PBMs were paid by insurance companies to manage drug costs and receive a share of the rebates from manufacturers. Nevertheless, mission creep apparently happened and four other primary income streams were added; pharmacy spread, PBM-owned companies, administrative fees, and direct and indirect remuneration fees.

PBMs have two other devious ways to generate revenue. First by charging a copay higher than the full price of the drug and then claw back the overcharge from the pharmacy. Second is by inserting gag clauses  in their contracts to prevent pharmacists from advising customers they could save money by not using insurance. It appears many PBMs have abused their power.

Is there legislation to curb the power of PBMs? Thirty-three states have enacted laws to prevent gag clauses. In addition, the Senate passed the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act of 2022 that prohibits arbitrary clawbacks of payments made to pharmacies and making it illegal for PBMs to engage in pharmacy spread pricing.

Kerrigan also reported that lawmakers across both parties are aware of the plight of local pharmacies and the consequences of their diminishing numbers. This resulted in three dozen bipartisan bills in 2023 that aim to curb the power of PBMs However, there is no known evidence to verify if these bills slowed the closing trend.

Additionally, one earlier bill has already backfired  Bidens American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The Epoch Times reported that this bill included a time-delayed rule that went into effect Jan. 1, 2024 changing Medicaid and Medicare part-D drug rebate policy. Until now, these rebates could not exceed the selling price of a drug. Not anymore.

One unintended result is that the manufacturer GSK will now lose money on each sale of its popular Flovent inhaler for asthma and decided to stop making it. The availability of many other drugs having price increases may be similarly affected. An analysis by AARP found that all the top 25 drugs ordered through Medicare Part-D had tripled in price since entering the market. And these 25 top sellers alone accounted for $80.9 billion in Part-D sales.

PBMs are not the only problem. A local pharmacist placed additional blame on the Federal 340B Drug Pricing Program that began in 1990 when Congress created the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP) to lower the cost of pharmaceuticals reimbursed by state Medicaid agencies. Basically, the program works by mandating drug manufacturers to discount their drug prices for covered healthcare entities with a large underserved population. Because these discounts hurt drug makers bottom line, the 340B program had to limit the number of Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHC) and qualified pharmacies.

However, my pharmacist shared that the 340B program is a major contributor to the rise in closures due to a decision in 2010 allowing the number of 340B pharmacies to expand exponentially. According to Foley & Lardner LLP, in 2010, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) issued guidance permitting 340B covered entities to contract with multiple pharmacies if certain conditions were met. Once that decision was made, Walgreens went overnight from not having a single contracted pharmacy to having the largest 340B network in the country. They signed up their pharmacies with every possible FQHC plus any qualified hospital in the 340B program.

This decision increased financial pressure on manufacturers to reduce their 340B pharmacies discounts. Rural stores were first to fail due to the sudden loss of profits. Foley added that by 2020, the impact of the ever-increasing number of drug makers reducing their discounts grew so much that even large chain stores had to either cut staff or close. CNN reported on the closures and declining employee morale and blamed it all on PBMs. CNN totally missed the less obvious 340B contribution that likely caused losses far exceeding those caused by PBMs.

The 340B program is not all bad. It helped rescue the last two pharmacies in my rural Virginia county. The county had two longstanding FQHCs in widely separated small towns and the 340B rules allowed each to contract with or purchase then reopen a previously closed pharmacy. As a result, county residents once again have a local pharmacy, at least for now. Other states with rural areas interested in using this same option can make inquiries at the 340B Contact page.

State level legislation has helped. The Virginia House of Delegates successfully got legislation passed in 2022 that provided some protection from declining pharmacy profits. The sponsor (R) is a pharmacist and told me that without this bill just about every rural FQHC in Virginia would close its pharmacy practically overnight. Coincidentally, he was just appointed to Virginias new Select Committee on Advancing Rural and Small Town Healthcare.

The primary cause of loss of profitability is a combination of the growing power of PBMs and perhaps more so to the 340B expansion decision. Thats why my pharmacist had to sell his rural pharmacy and why so many of his colleagues either closed or sold their stores. However, reversing Americas pharmacy death spiral will likely require more than lengthy bipartisan bills written by legislators easily swayed by lobbyists and unfamiliar with this overly complex supply chain. And there is no evidence the pharmacy death spiral has slowed down.

A better solution may be to follow Virginias lead and put together a select committee that includes people with actual working experience in the pharmaceutical supply chain. Managed Healthcare Executive described several new free-market innovations by smaller PBMs that could help streamline and standardize the system whereas the big three and most PBMs are working on a 30-year-old technology stack.

Image: Diego Cupolo
Meet Amy Pope, an open borders advocate, Obama apparatchik, and an accomplice of DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. As the UN's Deputy Secretary of the International Organization of Migration (IOM), the preeminent NGO in the field of migration, she plays an integral role in the illegal alien surge at our southern border.

In the Obama regime, as a policy wonk, she held flashy-sounding job titles: DoJ Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Assistant to the President, Deputy Homeland Security Advisor, Special Assistant to the President, Transborder Security Director, Interior Enforcement (2010-2016). During Trump's term, she was a partner in the UK Schillings law firm, an Associate Fellow in the UK's Chatham House think-tank, and a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council (2017-2020). Bonafides of a globalist influencer.

While at Chatham, nonprofit think-tank Migration Policy Institute (MPI) commissioned Pope for a white paper on "Immigration and U.S. National Security." The Institute advocates for permanent legal residence for undocumented immigrants in the United States and global migration policy. Progressive organizations like the Gates Foundation and George Soros Open Society -- the usual suspects -- fund MPI. The report concluded domestic terrorists represent the most significant threat, while asylum seekers pose a relatively low threat.

The primary terrorist threat comes from small pockets of radicalized individuals or lone wolves, many of whom were born and raised in the United States or in Europe and would not be obvious targets for exclusion. Unfortunately, there is also evidence that much-needed resources, political will, and capability are increasingly being siphoned away from addressing meaningful threats to national security and focused on the extremely low threat posed by people seeking asylum, economic advancement, family reunification, or otherwise traveling to the United States.

Is it a coincidence that her conclusion became DHS Secretary Mayorkas's top security priority of domestic violent extremism?

Before the 2020 elections, she appeared before the UK's Oxford Union, the world's most prestigious debating society. She denounced President Trump for his policy on building the border wall and limiting immigration, sanctimonious proclaiming "that this President has failed in every respect to keep the United States safe from harms," the essence of Kafkaesque reasoning.

Pope was a senior advisor on migration with the Biden administration before becoming the Deputy Director for the UN's International Organization of Migration. Last year, the State Department, which provides substantial grants to IOM, successfully campaigned to get her elected to a five-year term as Director General.

Her coronation occurred at the United Nations 87th Assembly, meeting with world leaders on human mobility to "harness the power of migration," where migration is a powerful driver to fulfill the UN's Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals. She is proud to be moving tens of millions of people from their land of origin to destabilize Western host nations.

Pope followed up with a victory lap as a panelist on migration at the UN's Climate Change Conference COP28 and the World Economic Forum. Her slogan is "stakeholders around the world," a euphemism for global Marxism. Her ideology is profoundly rooted in the 'America Last' doctrine.

IOM aims to work closely with governments and other United Nations agencies to enable resettlement. To achieve that goal, it provides migrants with cash-based interventions, supplies, and transit assistance, in addition to coordinating and managing UN way stations like Lajas Blancas and Bajo Chiquito camps in Panama.

Because of unprecedented migration, Pope's bold strategic plan is increasing the 2024 budget to $7.9 billion -- nearly a threefold increase over the 2023 budget. We can be sure that the State Department will help to fill that void.

Pope is subverting American values and principles by facilitating an illegal alien insurgency, unofficially over eight million primarily military-aged males. Destabilizing social order and undermining the rule of law is the definition of an insurrectionist. Ironically, she violates the United Nations definition of human trafficking: The crime of human trafficking consists of three core elements: the act, the means, the purpose. Defunding the UN and its NGOs will help curtail the global migration flows.

Bob Bishop is a forensic investigator and retired CPA. His social media accounts are LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

Image: Department of Homeland Security
On April 12th, 2021, Nikki Haley, issued a statement saying, I would not run if President Trump ran. Today the former governor betrayed her word to President Trump and those of us in the America First movement. There is no greater fraud than your broken word.

-- Greenville County Republican Party.

Nikki Haley grew up in Bamberg, South Carolina, the daughter of Punjabi Sikh immigrants. Her father was a Voorhees College professor. Her Asian Indian parent immigrants owned a successful foreign clothing and gift store. She began working there as a teenager. She went to Clemson University where she won a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1994. She married Michael Haley in 1996, who served in the National Guard. He was deployed to the Afghanistan War.

In 2004 Nikki won a seat to the South Carolina State House of Representatives. She campaigned on a traditional Republican platform that included immigration controls, tax cuts, and abortion boundaries. She was reelected in 2008. Nikki Haley served in South Carolina as a state representative from 2005 to 2011.

In 2011, Nikki Haley was elected as the first woman and first ethnic minority governor of South Carolina as a Republican (201117). The Tea Party backed her. She focused primarily on job creation and reducing small business taxes. She supported new voter ID laws and opposed Syrian refugee resettlement in South Carolina.

South Carolinas economy grew steadily as the jobless rate fell during her first term. Haley easily won reelection in 2014.

In 2015 nine Black congregants were killed in a historic Charleston church. The murderer admitted to having racist motives and was convicted of hate crimes. As South Carolinas governor, Nikki Haley supported his execution. For this she received bipartisan praise.

Haley was pressured to remove the Confederate Battle Flag from statehouse grounds because of its racist symbolism. Though formerly ambivalent about it, she successfully championed its removal.

She was selected to give the Republican partys answer to U.S. President Obamas State of the Union address. During the 2016 presidential election, Haley endorsed Texas senator Ted Cruz and was critical of eventual Republican winner Trump.

She condemned his call to restrict Muslim immigration. Yet, president-elect Trump chose her to serve as ambassador to the United Nations. Notwithstanding her limited foreign-policy experience, the U.S. Senate confirmed her appointment in a 96 to 4 vote.

She served as ambassador from 2017 to 2018. Nikki Haley supported strong United States Israel relations, repeatedly denounced North Korea, Iran, and the Obama/Iran nuclear deal. She supported withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement.

As ambassador, Haley widened her reputation for outspokenness, principally regarding Iran and North Korea pursuit of nuclear weapons. In 2018 she supported Trumps decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear pact. Haley also stated that the United States would never accept a nuclear North Korea and that North Koreas regime would be utterly destroyed in the event of a war. Haley had told Trump that she planned to speak her own mind. She also occasionally contradicted the president and others in his administration. She notably was highly critical of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, calling it warfare. In December 2018 Haley resigned as ambassador to the UN.

The next year Haley joined the Boeing Board of Directors. She resigned the following year after opposing Boeings request for a federal bailout during COVID-19.

Despite saying she would not run against Trump, Nikki Haley announced that she was going to run for president of the United States in 2024, with the slogan it was time for a new generation. Haley was the first Republican to run against Trump.

Haley eventually emerged as a leading opponent to Trump, who maintained a wide leads in polls. The Iowa caucuses were held in January 2024, and Trump finished first by a wide margin (51% of the vote), while Haley placed third with 19% of the vote, third to DeSantiss 21%.

With an enviable record of successes built on guts and determination, why would Nikki then have to resort to lying? Is that smart?

Image: Gage Skidmore
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) recently revealed that federal investigators in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot asked financial institutions to dig through customer data using search terms such as TRUMP and MAGA.

According to the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, the request to rifle though customers private information came from the Treasury Departments Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCen. Its never a good sign when your government, while purporting to look for a crime to prosecute, commits one (or more) itself. Its even worse when it does so by trampling on citizens constitutionally protected rights.

Jordan also claimed that FinCen, in passing along its analysis of alleged Lone Actor/Homegrown Violent Extremism Indicators, cautioned financial institutions to look for purchases such as bus tickets, rental cars, or plane tickets, for travel to areas with no apparent purpose or the purchase of books (including religious texts) and subscriptions to other media containing extremist views. Covering all bases, FinCen also instructed the financial institutions to look for terms like Small Arms, Cabelas, Gander Outdoors, and Dicks Sporting Goods, among many others.

So much for privacy and, as Jordan noted, protected political and religious expression.

Plan to vote for President Trump in the upcoming presidential election? The feds could be combing through your finances, you potential Lone Actor/Homegrown Violent Extremist! And youd better pray you didnt purchase a Bible recently...or there might well be hell to pay!

Bought anything at Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops, Gander Outdoors, or Fleet Farm lately? You just might be a terrorist! Like to hunt? Terrorist! Like shooting sports? Terrorist! Have a camper? You are likely a threat to your fellow citizens, or, worse yet, to your government! Buying a fishing rod or backpack? Problematic at best! Enjoy the outdoors, do you, rube? The feds may be watching you!

Been to Mount Rushmore lately? Might want to pay with cash for a while...terrorist!

The United States won the Cold War under Reagan...and is becoming the Soviet Union under Biden.

Image: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center via Flickr, CC BY 2.0 (cropped).
(Update: A new report just out at The National Pulse found that the authors behind the study cited in this blog were under the direction of Samuel L. Dickman, a Planned Parenthood medical director and current abortionist.)

From Time Magazine yesterday:

Rape Led to 64,000 Pregnancies in 14 U.S. States With Abortion Bans, Study Says The authors, who noted there is no reliable state-level data on rapes, analyzed multiple data sources to estimate reported and unreported rapes. The study used national rape data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adjusted for survivors of reproductive age using Bureau of Justice Statistics and for those who experienced vaginal rape using previous research, and apportioned for each state based on Federal Bureau of Investigation rape statistics from local jurisdictions. They also referenced previous research on the prevalence of pregnancy resulting from rape.

When I read the headline I immediately suspected it was a fabrication to push the abortion agenda. It is no different than all the made-up garbage we read on climate change, to push the radical green agendawhich is really just a scheme to destroy and remake America, based on easily-manipulated computer models that have always been wrong with previous predictions.

My first thought was: How many women get pregnant each year from rape?

This article on rape and pregnancies in the U.S. was just printed by Time with what appears to be no questions and no research.

This sentence should tell people that the number of 64,000 pregnancies in the 14 states that limit abortions is made-up, pulled out of thin air, just like the six-foot social distance separation that Anthony Fauci admitted wasnt based on science.

"The authors, who noted there is no reliable state-level data on rapes.

Since journalists wont do any research and people will use these made-up numbers to push their agenda, whatever it is, I thought I would do some for them.

The actual number is unknown, but here is an estimated of number of rapes or sexual assaults in 2022, in America:

In 2022, about 442,754 women were raped or sexually assaulted in the U.S.

Of that number, 133,294 were categorized as forcible rape or attempts and assaults to commit rape, and we do not know how many of those reported instances rapes were in the 14 states that severely limit abortionsbut I am sure it is not that high. Of the top eight states with the highest reported rape incidents, five have legalized abortion through all nine months of a babys life in the womb (Illinois, California, Michigan, New York, Colorado).

Now, according to this article from the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 5% of women who are raped each year get pregnant as a result of the rape; if this is anywhere near accurate, then 5% of the 133,294 rape number (although we already know a portion of that never resulted in a successful rape) yields 6,665 pregnancies. Of course, this is nowhere near 64,000.

It is pathetic how many made up numbers come out from people who claim they base their numbers on science. They are wrong and the gullible or complicit media just repeat them as facts. If facts supported the Democrats agenda, they would not have to invent statistics and numbersand supposed fact-checkers act like this garbage is true.

Summary: Never trust what you are told, whether it is by journalists, politicians, bureaucrats, educators, scientists, or entertainers. Always do your own research.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required.
The two-party system has been integral to Americas governance since its inception when the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists battled it out over the nature of America itself. Since then, the chasm between the parties has varied depending on whether the American people were in harmony over or fighting about fundamental values. But one thing was a constant: People aligned with a specific party got to choose those who would represent them in elections. The open primary movement, however, allows people opposed to a partys values to have a say in that choice, and nothing more clearly shows this than Nikki Haleys candidacy.

Originally, party insiders, working in the infamous smoke-filled rooms, selected the person they thought could win in a general election. Eventually, the process became more democratic when it was opened to all who registered as members of that party. The goal was to allow all voters who adhered to a specific set of values to select the person they believed would best represent those values in a general election.

Open primaries destroy this. They are antithetical to party members having a say in their values appearing on the public stage during a general election.

Image: Nikki Haley (edited). YouTube screen grab.

Sometimes, the open primary means that the final election is a one-party race. One could say that this result makes sense in an area with a strong party majority because it means voters can say what kind of representative they wantbut that was supposed to be the point of the primaries! What the open primary system really does in that situation is ensure that when voters are really paying attention, which they do for general elections, the only voice they hear is from that one party. There is no platform for opposing views.

At other times, theres a more subtle, pernicious effect to open primaries. This happens in hotly contested primaries between two members of the same party. The open primary paves the way for sabotage: The members of Party A dont get to select their preferred person. Instead, members of Party B vote for Party As least-desired person to weaken Party A.

We saw that play out in New Hampshire, where the GOP allows all but registered Democrats to vote in the primary. Republicans voted overwhelmingly for Trump. It doesnt matter whether its because they believe in his values or because they understand that the only way they can fight back against the Democrats unprecedented lawfare is to refuse to allow that lawfare to erase Trump from the political scene. What matters is that Republicans want Trump.

However, Nikki Haley managed to eke out a respectable second place, not by persuading Republicans to vote for her, but by getting votes from people who arent Republicans:

According to a CNN exit poll, seven in 10 individuals who voted for Nikki Haley in the New Hampshire GOP primary were not registered Republicans. CNN poll results showed that 70% of those voters were either Independent or undeclared. 27% of Haleys total votes were from registered Republicans, while 3% were from those unregistered prior to participating. 45th President Donald J. Trump won the primary with 54.3% of the total vote. An exit poll from voters who chose Trump also showed that 70% were Republican, 27% were undeclared and 3% were unregistered.

Because New Hampshire is a semi-open primary (no registered Democrats allowed), the scope for gaming the New Hampshire GOP primary was limited. Its going to be a lot easier in South Carolina: South Carolina is an open primary state, meaning that anyone who is registered to vote in the state can choose to vote either in the Republican or Democratic presidential contestsbut not both.

In other words, in South Carolina, Democrats are free to flood the Republican primary. It helps that because Biden is really the only game in town on the Democrat side of the aisle (Dean Phillips is going nowhere), they wont be wasting a vote that theyd prefer to use for their preferred Democrat candidate.

Writing in Charlestons hard-left The Post and Courier, one deeply committed Democrat who completely supports the Democrat platform openly spells out his strategy:

I am voting for Nikki Haley in the Feb. 24 South Carolina Republican primary and urge all of my fellow Democrats to as well. Let me explain. [snip] Biden would almost for sure beat Donald Trump in the popular vote, which he did last time by a margin of 51.3% to 46.8%). However, despite that, Biden barely won the Electoral College. In fact, the 2020 election was even closer than the 2016 election. Had Trump found only 42,921 more votes in three states  Arizona (10,457), Georgia (11,779) and Wisconsin (20,682)  the Electoral College would have been tied (at 269 electoral votes for each). If that had happened, the House would have elected the president by state delegations, and by that measure Republicans had the majority. [snip] Nonetheless, the thought of another Trump presidency scares me. Id rather have Haley win than turn our democracy over to someone who already has publicly admitted hed be a dictator. [Ed: Proving again that Democrats not only have no sense of humor, but also, as Salena Zito famously said, they take him literally, but not seriously; his supporters take him seriously, but not literally.]

Clearly, this man, like all other Democrats, believes it is, as they always say, a threat to democracy to let the demos (the people) vote.

Heres the deal for Republicans who want to have a say in national elections and who live in open primary states (which is almost half of America): Youd better show up at your partys primary, or youll find your voice shut out of elections forever.
Well, Nikki Haley lost the New Hampshire primary.

But she called it a great night and far from over.

Sound familiar?

Nikki will take the votes from, well, from wherever. She got 70% of her votes last night from unregistered Republicans.

Nikki is like Hillary, a lot. She has the unquestioning support from the Wall Street Journal's editorial board, which has been pushing her for weeks, and even continues to do so. One of the Journal's editorial board members endorsed Hillary in 2016.

To deny defeat when it is clearly yours is not an historically feminist trait, but it may be a new feminist one. Hillary is still in denial -- she still won 2020.

As had Hillary, Nikki has bundles of campaign cash -- from RINOs to Wall Street, to NGO heavyweight pen-pushers -- in her political purse, for now. The level of cash support for candidates, as weve seen, can have a heady and indiscriminate moral effect on public-servants-to-be.

There is also the U.N. tie, with Nikki. She had those years, under Trumps patronage in New York City, a Hillary stomping ground, and generally hobnobbing with the NGO bureaucratic state and the fantastically rich.

Clinton weighed in frequently with the U.N. in her stint as Secretary of State. Shes got the Clinton Foundation, having recently reinvented itself via the Ukraine War.

Haley quickly set up a non-profit foundation, with the help of anonymous donors, after she left the Trump administration.

According to Politico:

Its very rare that the public has the opportunity to see the identities of the donors who are providing five- or even six-figure contributions to a dark money group. Its called dark money for a reason. Typically, the public does not know who is financing these groups, and this is a rare exception, said Brendan Fischer, deputy executive director of Documented. This previously unpublished donor list provides a valuable clue as to the network of wealthy donors that Haley might rely upon if she does ultimately run for office, Fischer said.

Nikki, by the by, is now rich herself.

Nikki, who has studied the liberal book, is vague on some important Republican talking points, and, like Hillary, is in the swim regarding the up-and-coming liberal agenda. For example, Haley doesnt want to comment on gender change.

And, last but never least, Nikki is mostly deaf to voter fraud. She has no problem with the justice of keeping the January 6 defendants in jail, still.

The bottom line with Nikki may be akin to Hillarys: use whatever means possible, stay with the money, and dont scorn election denial, if you lose.

True, Hillary didnt win, but on the other hand, shes rich and not in jail.

Image: NARA and DVIDS Public Domain Archive // public domain
Does anyone at Joe Biden's State Department actually work?

Not based on this report from the Washington Free Beacon:

The State Department outsourced the authorship of a congressionally mandated report on the threat posed by Communist China to six undergraduate college students, drawing accusations that the Biden administration is not taking the matter seriously. As part of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the State Department was tasked with producing a report on the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to censor and intimidate Americans. The issue has fueled bipartisan concerns in Congress as China's government orchestrates propaganda campaigns inside the United States and works to silence its critics. The final nonpublic report was transmitted to Congress earlier this month and obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. It was authored by six undergraduate students from James Madison University and "does not represent the views of the Executive Branch," according to a cover letter included on the document.

The Beacon notes that the Chicoms spend billions on propaganda efforts in the U.S., so the report to Congress is important, and it's a requirement of legislation that has already passed in both Houses.

That the State Department decided to outsource the report to a "qualified" institution, which in this case turned out to be undergraduates still completing their college degrees, involved in program called Diplomacy Lab, makes one wonder just what the value of the report is and whether Congress should be taking this as their benchmark in order to make laws. The State Department distanced itself from the report by saying they said they didn't endorse it.

They most certainly did endorse it, whether they believe that or not, in outsourcing the report in their own name to an institution that has the State Department listed as a sponsor of the Diplomacy Lab itself.

Who is the Diplomacy Lab?

Here is what their website says:

Launched in 2013, Diplomacy Lab enables the Department of State to course-source research related to foreign policy by harnessing the efforts of students and faculty at universities across the country. Diplomacy Lab is designed to address two priorities:

1) The Department of States determination to engage the American people in the work of diplomacy

2) the imperative to broaden the State Departments research base in response to a proliferation of complex global challenges. Students participating in Diplomacy Lab explore real-world challenges identified by the Department and work under the guidance of faculty members who are authorities in their fields. This initiative allows students to contribute directly to the policymaking process while helping the State Department tap into an underutilized reservoir of intellectual capital.

Yeah, but they're ... sophomores, and maybe freshmen, juniors and seniors, writing congressional reports upon which laws are to be made.

Would such college undergraduates have sufficient knowledge from public information sources, well outside intelligence-gathered information to even be able to write a report suitable for congressional lawmakers?

That's just the raw data, the analysis of the threat is even less likely to have been done credibly, given the lack of experience of the writers of the report.

I have my doubts. The site says the program is to allow "participation" and "citizen diplomacy" but having sophomores make policy makes one wonder how many foreign policy errors -- think Venezuela -- are the result of this program. We hire U.S. foreign service officers sworn to allegiance of the U.S, for this job, not ad hoc college kids working on their degrees with no commitment to the U.S. and no serious expertise of any kind, given their ages and their lack of degrees which is why they are in college in the first place. Would they have sufficient loyalty to the U.S. to write such a report? Are they all U.S. citizens who can pass a background check?

The other thing we know is that China, through its Confucius Institute, spends more than a billion each year influencing universities. I cannot tell at this juncture whether James Madison or its students ever accepted any cash from them -- the fancy colleges like Harvard and the University of Southern California have been known to take large amounts. Whether James Madison did too is unknown but it seems possible.

I don't know a lot about James Madison University, a state school located in Harrisburg, Virginia, but based on what I've found, its ranking suggest that it is a good, but not elite or highly competitive school. It could be a repository of all the kids who wanted to get into Georgetown but couldn't, and even that doesn't tell us much, given that they may have been top students who weren't admitted due to not checking the right affirmative-action boxes, or else they may have been 'B' and 'C' students who couldn't get in on merit.

Values-wise, that the contract went to kids at James Madison may have been a bad thing given the wokeness factor of college students in general too, but just as likely it may have be a good thing, in that the kids doing the research may not be as 'woke' as the State Department itself, which as the report says, didn't put an endorsement on their report. On the other hand, they may be 'woker' which sometimes happens, as well as reading comprehension-challenged, loyal to China, or have a full of other issues associated with undergraduate students today, too.

There's no way of knowing without the report, which somehow was so important it couldn't be made public, yet has this many unknowns.

Bottom line, the writers of the report were unknown and the content of the report was unknown, so how valuble could such a report be to Congress? The potential for bad or substandard information from naive sophomores seems pretty significant.

Whether the State Department should be outsourcing such an important report to Congress based on the thinking of college sophomores is pretty questionable. Why are they getting away with this?

Image: Screen shot from YouTube video
Almost every river in Eastern Australia is now pouring surplus water into the sea. But only two dams have been built in Queensland in the last 20 yearsthe Wyaralong Dam, built 13 years ago, and Paradise Dam, built 19 years ago.

Droughts will come again and we will wish for another dam-builder like Joh Bjelke-Petersen, whose government built at least eight dams in Queenslandthe Burdekin, Wivenhoe, Hinze, Beardmore, Haig, Fairbairn, Bjelke-Petersen, and Eungella. But that all came to a halt in 1988 when the plans to build the Wolffdene Dam were scuttled by all the usual suspects.

Taxpayers also spent some $460 million on preliminaries for the Traveston Dam, before the project was scrapped when the infamous Peter Garrett got the Commonwealth to interfere. And recently it was revealed that the Paradise Dam in the Bundaberg region had faults in the wall, and a new wall would have to be built.

So while our water storages are stagnant or declining, our politicians support dangerously high levels of immigration, and promote tourism, games, and circuses, all of which add to the demand for water. The population clock managed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics tells us that Australias population increases by one person every 50 seconds. They all need water.

And some fools want to use more of our precious stored fresh water to produce hydrogen fuels (every ton of hydrogen produced by electrolysis consumes at least nine tons of fresh water); the green hydrogen cycle needs lots of water and will always be a net consumer of electricity.

The climate alarmism of Tim Flannery and others resulted in a rash of artificial desalination plants being built in Australia about 15 years ago; just recently, state-owned corporation Hunter Water announced that it was going to spend $530 million on a desalination plant south of Newcastle. All desal plants are costly to build and operate, and many stand idle most of the time. And of course green politicians want the power to be supplied via wind and solar, a move that would add greatly to the costs and environmental destruction.

To let surplus fresh water escape to the oceans and then try to recover it using artificial desalination plants is the ultimate water stupidity; here is our pictorial comment:

Image provided by author

Right now, Cyclone Kirrily is demonstrating natures power of desalinationsucking moisture from the Pacific Ocean and dumping it on land. This is free fresh water with no costs to taxpayers. (To check the progress of the cyclone, click here.) Sensible people have their water storage facilities readynew dams and weirs built, silt cleaned out, dam walls and overflows checked, no leaves clogging the tank strainers.

Australia must build more dams for flood mitigation, urban water supply, and irrigation. Most East Coast rivers have surplus water that races to the sea during floods. It could be conserved. And it is time to apply our engineering skills to building the Bradfield water schemeit will certainly provide better returns to Australians than green energy dreams like Snowy 2, or power lines from Northern Territory to Singapore.

A sensible society would identify the best dam sites and have a long-term plan for acquiring and preserving the land rights needed for them. We do the reverse. Decisions are postponed until the need is critical. Then landowners with vested interests, green busybodies, and media stirrers manage to scare the politicians, and the water conservation proposal is killed.

Then the No Dams Ever Mafia takes over, trying to sterilize the site for all future dams by quietly changing land-use or vegetation classifications. Then they search for (or manufacture) evidence of native title or endangered species, and declare national parks over critical areas.

Green destroyers have also grossly mismanaged stored water by insisting on excessive and ill-timed environmental flows. This is a scheme where you build a dam to catch water, and then try to manage the water as if the dam did not exist. It is very slow and expensive to get this lost water back from the sea using the Flannery desalination plants.

Existing dams have two great enemiessilting, which gradually steals their water capacity, and evaporation, which continually steals the water itself. Our engineers can manage desilting and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) could divert resources from climate alarmism to reducing evaporation from water supply dams.

But most of all we need more stored water. The wet La Nina will inevitably be followed by a drought-y El Nino.

Lets find a new Joh who will build more dams.

Viv Forbes is a geologist/pastoralist who has walked along or been flooded by many rivers of Qld and NT. He and his wife have fed starving stock in the droughts and carted water for them. They have built, deepened, or repaired at least 23 farm and station dams, and managed construction and operation of mine dams. When Viv was employed by the Queensland State Government as a field-mapping geologist they inspected the Nathan Gorge Dam site in 1964, some 60 years ago. This dam was first proposed in 1922. It is still undeveloped over 100 years later.
As you may know, the Oakland A's are moving to Las Vegas. I was hoping that they'd move to San Antonio, but that's for another conversation. The A's are moving because Oakland is a failed city and another exhibit in the museum of Democrat urban failures.

So who is leaving Oakland now? Let's find out:

In-N-Out is permanently closing one of its restaurants for the first time ever, announcing that its Oakland location will soon shutter because of rampant crime in the California city. The burger chain said in a statement that despite taking repeated steps to create safer conditions, our customers and associates are regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies. The location, which has been open for nearly two decades, will close on March 24. Its the citys only In-N-Out and is near the airport. Crime has indeed substantially increased in Oakland: Burglaries were up 23% and motor vehicle thefts were up 44% in 2023 compared to a year prior, according to Oakland Police Department data obtained by CNN affiliate KGO-TV. In-N-Out said in a statement that while several of its locations have relocated in its 75-year history, the Oakland closure is the first restaurant it has closed. We feel the frequency and severity of the crimes being encountered by our customers and associates leave us no alternative, said Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick, in the statement. Notably, Warnick said its Oakland location was busy and profitable, but it cant ask its customers or employees to visit or work in an unsafe environment. Affected employees, which amount to about 100, will transfer to a nearby restaurant in San Francisco or receive severance.

Talk about decline. We know that a city or society is in trouble when a fast-food restaurant is closing because of theft or an unsafe place to work in.

It begs the question: How did this happen? Who allowed this to happen?

We can start with the culture that produces young people who steal for fun. Yes, for fun. Have you seen the videos? They are young people lacking any values or morality. Do you know where your kids are?

Then we can go on to the adults, or local leaders, who do not prosecute the thieves. Stealing is a crime, not a party.

Then we can blame the city council and mayor, who seem more obsessed with the past than the collapsing reality in front of their noses.

Then we can blame the governor, who sits back and watches one of his cities collapse. Governor Gavin Newsom could send the National Guard tomorrow and clear the streets of criminals. It would at least send a message that he cares for the law-abiding citizen who wants to buy a burger at the aforementioned restaurant.

Last, but not least, where is President Biden? He is watching Oakland, Chicago, and lots of other U.S. cities dying because he is afraid of the Left.

So want a burger in Oakland? Drive to San Jose, I guess.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.
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MediaTeks upcoming flagship processor, the Dimensity 9400, is said to utilize TSMCs new 3nm process. In other words, the chip will be manufactured using TSMCs second-generation 3nm process, it seems.

MediaTeks Dimensity 9400 processor will use TSMCs new 3nm process, just like Qualcomms new chip

This information comes from a tipster, Digital Chat Station. That Chinese tipster is usually spot on, so we dont really have a reason to doubt him. He also said that we can expect considerably improved performance.

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As a reminder, Apples A17 Pro processor is made using TSMCs 3nm processor. That chip is made using the N3B process, which is the first-generation 3nm tech. MediaTek aims to use the N3E process, which is the second-gen tech.

Just to be clear, MediaTek wont be the only one to use it. Qualcomm will also utilize that tech for its Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor which is also coming later this year. So the two competitors will reach for the same manufacturing tech.

This processor will rely on ARMs CPU and GPU designs

In any case, Digital Chat Station also mentioned that the Dimensity 9400 will rely on ARMs CPU and GPU designs. We do know that the Cortex-X5 will be included, but not much else, unfortunately.

It will be interesting to see what kind of setup will MediaTek use. With the Dimensity 9300, the company decided to ditch efficiency cores altogether. It remains to be seen if the same will happen with the Dimensity 9400, but the rumors are saying it will.

Also, Qualcomm is switching to its custom Oryon cores later this year. So it remains to be seen how will that improve the chip, or perhaps lead it down a different path. The battle between Qualcomm and MediaTek chips is on the table every year, and were looking forward to this years. Oryon cores and a brand-new manufacturing process will certainly keep things interesting.
We all know Sam Altman as the current CEO of OpenAI. However, along with being the head of that company, Altman is also looking for more ways to empower AI technology and make it more mainstream. According to a new report, Sam Altman is visiting Samsung to talk about producing AI-focused semiconductor chips.

Right now, chip manufacturers are focusing on making AI-centric processors. Theyre being made with AI in mind so that devices can perform better on-device AI tasks. This means that they wont be as reliant on online servers. A good example of this is Googles Tensor G3 chip. This is an AI-centric chip that can perform many on-device generative AI tasks.

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Sam Altman to visit Samsung to talk about AI chips

Right now, we are still in the early stages of this venture, so theres not much information that we know about it. A new report via Reuters states that Sam Altman is visiting South Korea where he will meet with Samsung Electronics and discuss making AI-focused chips. Right now, Samsung is one of the better options in the chip industry.

More details about this venture will pop up as time goes on, but it appears that Altman is looking to raise money to get things started. The report says that hes looking to raise billions of dollars. Since AI is so popular now, and since Altman has proven himself to be a successful CEO, securing the money seems well within the realm of possibility. Also, this could also be a way to secure powerful partnerships between OpenAI and chipmakers.

Along with Samsung, Altman is also contacting SK Hynix. This is a company that designs and sells memory chips.

The details of what devices these chips will power remain a mystery. At this point, the companies could go either way. In any case, were sure that this partnership will take years to produce any fruit.
At this point, Googling and Samsung are a dynamic duo in the tech World. Their close partnership heavily influences the direction of mobile technology. So, its no surprise that Googles AI models power Samsung Galaxy AI features, but thats not the case in China. In China, a chatbot named Ernie actually powers Galaxy AI.

If you dont know what Galaxy AI is, it is a set of powerful generative AI tools that debuted on the new Samsung Galaxy S24 phones. These are the latest devices from Samsung, and they bring some powerful AI features. These features include text generation and speech translation. Heres a rundown of the features that Samsung announced.

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Galaxy AI uses Ernie in China

Google and Samsung are very similar in that theyre struggling to make an impact in the Chinese market. Googles phones arent super popular in China. More importantly, Google Play services are not widely used in the country. As for Samsung, stiff competition from major Chinese Brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, etc. means that the South Korean giant just cant seem to sell many phones in the country.

Well, as a way to help its waning influence in China, Samsung similarly partnered with the Chinese brand Baidu to implement its chatbot. Named Ernie, this chatbot is currently powering the Galaxy AI features. Ernie may not be as notable in the Western markets, but it seems to be a popular chatbot in China.

While these features are being powered by a different chatbot overseas, there dont seem to be any differences in the functionality. Chinese users are still getting the full array of features like chat translation, Interpret, real-time voice translation, Circle to search (however, in China, there is a different version of this feature not powered by Google), Samsung Note Assistant, and many more.

Pre-orders for these phones have closed, but the Galaxy S24 series actually broke the pre-order record previously held by the Galaxy S23 phones. This shows that, despite the lack of notable hardware improvements, the Galaxy S24 series is very popular amongst users. The base Galaxy S24 starts at $799, and general sales begin on January 31st. So, if you cant wait to put in your order, theres not much more time to wait.
Stephen Bear gained 22,300 profit from his OnlyFans revenge pornography video, a court heard.

The 34-year-old walked out of prison on January 14, having served 10 and a half months for sharing a private film of him having sex with his ex-girlfriend, The Only Way Is Essex star Georgia Harrison, on the website.

The winner of Celebrity Big Brother 2016 was jailed on March 3 last year after being found guilty of voyeurism and of two counts of disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress.

At Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, Bear was found to have profited 22,305.46 from the CCTV footage of the two having sex in a garden on August 2 2020.

At the time, Bear was posing as a billionaire on his Twitter and YouTube accounts but was in fact heavily overdrawn, Essex Police financial investigator Laura Mackenzie told the court.

Prosecutor Andrew Bousfield added despite pretending to be a billionaire, his most valuable asset at the time was selling sexual videos.

His main asset at the time was 60,000 in owning his house, the court heard.

His OnlyFans subscriber count was said to have jumped 43% as a result of the video, from 1,061 when it was uploaded on November 8 2020 to 1,883 by the time his OnlyFans account was de-activated on December 8.

The footage was available to subscribers behind a 9.99 dollar (7.84) paywall on his profile @hollywoodbear.

There was said to have been a jump up in the 9.99 dollar purchases when the footage started go viral and Ms Harrison became aware of it.

A total of 273 subscribers purchased the video and, following the standard 20% cut to OnlyFans, this earned him 1,650.98, the court heard.

After the video was posted he adjusted his subscription fee, from a range of 7.50 dollars (5.89) to 50 dollars (39.28).

Linda Bear, Stephen Bear Snr and Stephen Bear arrive at Chelmsford Crown Court for a confiscation hearing (Yui Mok/PA)

Through extra subscribers drawn in by the video, he was found to have earned 15,440.28, on top of the 1,650.98 earned through the paywall, Ms Mackenzie told the court.

Calculations on how much Bear earned from the video were debated during the hearing, and the judge noted that this was troubled by the convicted sex offender refusing take the stand and provide evidence.

Judge Christopher Morgan accepted Ms Mackenzies valuation of his profits, and acknowledged it was difficult to deduce precisely what each new subscriber sought when they joined his account after the videos release.

He said: He had, by the time the account had been set up, filmed himself and Georgia Harrison, that material being the subject of the criminal charges that he faced.

The defendant plainly intended that that material would be placed onto his OnlyFans account.

Stephen Bear leaves Chelmsford Crown Court (Yui Mok/PA)

The court has not been able to contact Ms Harrison because she is currently in South Africa on this years Love Island: All Stars, where former contests return to the show.

The hearing has been adjourned to March 4 after the show has finished.

The OnlyFans hearing moved immediately into a second case regarding a fence around Bears property that Epping Forest District Council claims is too tall.

It was reiterated that Bear is unemployed and has no immediate prospects of getting a job.

His defence barrister in the second hearing said: He doesnt have a car to his name  we ask for a modest financial penalty, there seems to be little purpose in hammering him with significant financial penalty.

As of today, there isnt employment, and there isnt a guaranteed contract (of employment), but certainly the impression is that hes dedicated to making a lawful professional career.

Judge Morgan acknowledged that he had no certain or paid employment at present, but was satisfied Bear could pay the money.

He was ordered to pay a 500 fine and 4,707.05 in costs in 56 days, and could face a seven-day prison sentence if he fails to pay the fine.
Nicholas Kristof in the New York Times:

If China takes Taiwan, they will turn the world off, potentially, Donald Trump told Fox News recently, apparently referring to a potential seizure of one company that is central to, well, pretty much everything. Indeed, its arguably the most important company in the world.

The company Trump alluded to, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, or T.S.M.C., is the only corporation I can think of in history that could cause a global depression if it were forced to halt production.

These days it seems impossible to have a conversation about geopolitics or economics without coming back to T.S.M.C., which makes about 90 percent of the worlds most advanced chips.

More here.
The Culture Secretary has made a fresh intervention in the proposed takeover of the Telegraph Media Group (TMG) by an Abu Dhabi-backed fund.

Lucy Frazer has issued a new public interest intervention notice (PIIN) and extended the deadline for Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to hand over the findings of their probes into the acquisition.

Her department has written to solicitors acting for the Barclay family and RedBird IMI, the current and proposed owners of TMG, to inform them of the decision, which was made over concerns for the need for accurate presentation of news and free expression of opinion in newspapers.

Lucy Frazer, Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport (Jonathan Brady/PA)

She had already triggered a PIIN in November to investigate the potential impact on press freedom if the Daily Telegraph and The Spectator were taken over by RedBird IMI as proposed.

The new deadline for Ofcom and the CMA to report is 9am on March 11, Ms Frazer said.

The fresh intervention comes after RedBird IMI, an investment fund majority owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), announced a new corporate structure to create a UK-based holding company for the Telegraph newspapers.

Following the restructure, Redbird IMI Media Joint Venture, LCC is no longer part of the corporate structure of the proposed acquisition of TMG, as it has been replaced by RB IMI AIV Limited Partnership, a letter from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said to solicitors acting on behalf of Redbird IMI and RB Investco.

The merger means that RB Investco would gain ownership and control over TMG, which Ms Frazer notes is a practical and technical step taken to prove that RedBird IMI is an entirely passive investor with absolutely no management or operational rights in relation to TMG.

The letter added: The Secretary of State considers that further investigation is needed to fully consider how the structural changes which you have made affect the public interest consideration, and whether any undertakings relating to editorial independence and ensuring IMI has no operational involvement, including editorial influence, in TMG are sufficient to address the public interest concerns.

Nick Hugh stepped down as chief executive of the Telegraph Media Group on Friday (Telegraph Media Group/PA)

On Friday, the boss of TMG stepped down immediately from the newspaper publisher amid the proposed takeover.

Nick Hugh, who was head of the business since 2017, will be replaced by Anna Jones, who will become the media groups first female boss.

She will be tasked with navigating the business through the turbulence of its attempted takeover.

The fund announced in November it had reached a deal with the Barclay family to take control of the newspaper group, and fellow publication The Spectator, by paying off debts owed to its bank, Lloyds.

The fresh government intervention comes after Andrew Neil, the chairman of The Spectator, became the latest to rally against the potential takeover, urging ministers to block the deal.

The journalist and broadcaster told the BBC he would quit his role with the 200-year-old publication if the absurd takeover goes ahead.
A decorator who stole three watches worth more than 30,000 from the Duke of Westminsters home has been spared jail by the skin of his teeth.

Matthew Turner, 24, was given a 20-month sentence, suspended for two years, at Chester Crown Court after admitting the burglary of three watches taken from Hugh Grosvenors bedroom while he was carrying out renovation work at Eaton Hall, on the outskirts of Chester, in August 2022.

The court heard Turner, who was addicted to cocaine at the time, took a Cartier London Tank JC watch, bought for 18,000, a Panerai Luminor Marina watch, worth 7,000, and a Breitling watch, bought for the duke for his 21st birthday by his late father and his mother and worth about 7,000.

The burglary was only revealed when Harry Fane, who had sold the Cartier watch to the duke, spotted it for sale on an auction site in November that year in what was described in court as an astonishing coincidence.

The other two watches have never been recovered, the court heard.

In a statement read to the court, the duke said: They are of huge sentimental value, beyond their financial worth.

He added: My bedroom is a private, extremely personal space within my home, I feel very uncomfortable knowing someone who is trusted to do a job has entered my room and stolen my personal possessions.

Sentencing, Honorary Recorder of Chester Judge Steven Everett told Turner: You have escaped prison by the skin of your teeth.

He said it was clear Turner had declined to tell police where the other two watches were.

The judge said: You made that decision not to, suggesting at least one of the watches went to your drug dealer.

At the time of the offence, Turner was employed by a firm which had worked on the dukes estate for more than 50 years and were well and truly trusted by the family, the court heard.

The Duke of Westminster, one of the UKs richest men, is godfather to Prince George.

Matthew Turner, right, arrives at Chester Crown Court for sentencing (Peter Byrne/PA)

The 32-year-old took over his familys billion-pound fortune and estate when his father Gerald died in 2016.

Myles Wilson, defending, said Turner had been spending hundreds of pounds on cocaine.

He said: Its a typical scenario where his debts increase, his dealers become more desperate, he becomes more desperate and hes committed crime and really self-destructed.

Peter Hussey, prosecuting, said Turner had admitted a separate offence of theft after stealing 60 from colleague Callum Parrys wallet while working at Top Gear Tyres in Ellesmere Port in December 2022.

Judge Everett said although the financial backgrounds of both victims were entirely different the end result was the same.

Turner, who was supported in court by his father and stepmother, nodded in the dock when he was told he must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 30 days of rehabilitation activity.

The judge ordered he pay 500 compensation to Mr Parry but said no order he could make could possibly compensate for the loss to the duke.
A ruling by the UNs top court that orders Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians has been welcomed by Irish campaign groups and charities.

The International Court of Justice stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case filed by South Africa.

But it demanded that Israel tries to contain death and damage in its military offensive.

Trocaire, an aid agency of the Irish Catholic Church, welcomed the decision  particularly the measures Israel has been ordered to take to ensure humanitarian access.

We cannot remain on the fence in the face of such horror in Gaza. Given the court has issued its preliminary decision, there is now no excuse for Ireland to hold back its full support for the case. We urgently need you to help pressure our TDs. Act NOW: https://t.co/xDrWO7MxoA  Trocaire (@trocaire) January 26, 2024

Trocaires CEO, Caoimhe de Barra, said: While we would like to have seen an order for a full and immediate ceasefire, we welcome the provisional measures which we hope will serve to protect the people of Gaza.

Trocaire is now calling on the Irish government to ensure that Israel complies with all of the provisional measures imposed by the ICJ and that Ireland engages with its partners in the EU and USA to in particular to achieve this.

Were asking the Irish government to join the substantive case with South Africa as soon as possible and we continue to call for full ceasefire and a political resolution that respects the legitimate rights of Palestinians and which achieves a just peace for Israelis and Palestinians.

More than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed, the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run enclave said on Friday.

A spokesperson for Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign said the only way to implement the ICJ ruling is by imposing an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

Chief among these measures is the demand that Israel acts to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip, the spokesperson said.

This is an implicit recognition that Israels attack on Gaza, which has killed more than 1% of population in just four months, is indeed plausibly an act of genocide.

The measures also call for the immediate opening up for Gaza to humanitarian aid, and for the prevention and punishment of incitement to genocide by Israeli officials.

Lastly, it is now an undisputed fact that Israel is now on trial for the crime of genocide. This should put all of Israels international backers on notice, because complicity with genocide is also a crime.

This is an historic defeat for the genocidal apartheid state of Israel, and its backers, in both the world court and the court of public opinion.

The group backed calls for Ireland to intervene at the ICJ on the side of South Africa.

A march in support of Palestinians will take place in Dublin on Saturday.
An Irish-language film based on rap trio Kneecap has won an audience award at the prestigious Sundance film festival.

The movie held its world premiere last week and has since signed a major international distribution deal with Sony Pictures Classics at the festival in Utah.

Based on the origin story of the raucous Irish-language rap trio Kneecap, the film stars the bands Mo Chara, Moglai Bap and DJ Provai in their acting debuts alongside Michael Fassbender.

Promoters say the film, set in west Belfast in 2019, chronicles how fate brings the trio together and how they then go on to change the sound of Irish music forever.

 The Audience Award: NEXT presented by @Adobe goes to KNEECAP, directed by Rich Peppiatt (@richpeppiatt). #Sundance pic.twitter.com/1lARXkdyFa  Sundance Film Festival (@sundancefest) January 26, 2024

Kneecap, the film, was awarded the Next audience award during the festival.

Writer and director Rich Peppiatt said: Theres a saying in Irish  Ni mhaireann solas na maidine don la  which means no morning sun lasts all day.

Well, the amazing week weve had here at Sundance since premiering our movie has certainly tested that wisdom  and were basking in every moment.

In a statement, the band said: We are delighted to have such an award bestowed upon the first Irish-language film at Sundance.

Hopefully, it will give people in Ireland the confidence to pursue the arts through their native tongue.

Kneecap was produced by Jack Tarling and Trevor Birney for Fine Point Films and Mother Tongues Films, with Patrick ONeill at Wildcard acting as co-producer.

Funding for the film was provided by Northern Ireland Screen, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, Screen Ireland, the BFI awarding National Lottery funding, Coimisiun na Mean and TG4, with backing from Great Point Media.

It will be released in cinemas later this year.
The deputy Irish premier has said the government will strongly consider an intervention in South Africas genocide case against Israel at a top UN court.

Micheal Martin said it will carry out detailed analysis of a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday that harshly criticised Israels war in Gaza.

The ICJ stopped short on Friday of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case filed by South Africa.

My statement on the final and binding ICJ orders today in the South Africa v. Israel case pic.twitter.com/D5fvZAGogf  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 26, 2024

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party had lodged a motion in the Dail to be debated next week calling on the Irish government to back South Africa in holding Israel to account.

In a statement, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Martin said he has asked his officials to prepare legal advice for his consideration on an urgent basis.

I strongly welcome the courts orders which are final and binding, Mr Martin said.

These are measures that Ireland has been consistently calling for from the start of this conflict.

Today's Hague ruling against Israel is decisive. The Irish government must now join with South Africa in their case to hold Israel accountable for their crimes against the Palestinian people. Sinn Fein has just lodged a motion in the Dail to do just that   @MaryLouMcDonald pic.twitter.com/njrUi0DNrF  Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) January 26, 2024

Ireland has a deep and longstanding commitment to international law and is a strong defender of the international rules-based system.

The International Court of Justice is one of the cornerstones of this system. We expect Israel to implement all provisional measures that have been ordered by the court, in good faith and as a matter of urgency.

Todays orders relate to a specific case under the Genocide Convention. Irrespective of whether any actions are eventually judged to meet the threshold of genocide, we must ensure that all parties to this conflict are held to account for their actions.

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is continuing to investigate all serious allegations of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in and from Gaza, whether committed by Israel or by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or other non-state armed groups.

All states must redouble their efforts to support the investigation by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court into the situation in Palestine.

The Irish premier Leo Varadkar said he will respond to the ruling after the government has analysed it.

Speaking while the ICJ was giving its ruling on Friday, Mr Varadkar said he will consider its contents.

As a country that respects the ICJ, Ireland will, of course, abide by any rulings that the court makes, Mr Varadkar said.

But one thing I would say is that if a war has ever been ended by a court order, Im not sure what war that was.

The truth is war is ended three ways  military victory by one side over the other, an armistice, or through politics and diplomacy.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ireland would abide by any rulings the court made (Brian Lawless/PA)

Thats why our focus has been on that, on politics and diplomacy, looking for a ceasefire so that the hostages can be released, so the humanitarian aid can get in, so that the killing of Palestinian civilians can stop and also a move towards a permanent ceasefire, which would have to involve Hamas leadership and Hamas fighters leaving Gaza, allowing new Palestinian leadership to take over.

We will consider the case and once South Africa lodges its main case, we will be in a position to decide whether or not we make an intervention and what the nature of that intervention would be.

But this case could go on for three or four years. I dont think people on the ground in Israel or Palestine have three or four years.

Wars dont end by court orders. Wars end through politics and diplomacy and thats why our focus is on that, trying to get a humanitarian ceasefire so that the killing can stop, so aid can get in to help civilians, so that the hostages could be released.

So that we can talk about the day after Gaza, about rebuilding but that of course has to mean Hamas not being involved in that, it has to mean Israel conceding the right of Palestinians to have their own state, and Gaza should be part of it.

Mrs McDonald said there now had to be a full, permanent and complete ceasefire following the ruling.

She said: We want to see that call now, not just made internationally, but vindicated internationally.

Irsael must stop and stop now.

The Irish government has seen the ruling of the court and now they must make very, very clear that they will join with South Africa in holding Israel to account.

We have brought forward a motion, we have lodged it with the Dail, it will be debated next week.

We expect the Irish government will support this motion and make our position clear.
Jeremy Clarkson said filming The Grand Tour was immensely physical and they ran out of new ideas for the TV show.

The veteran TV star, 63, has appeared in five seasons of the Prime Video show, travelling the world with James May and Richard Hammond test driving different vehicles on adventurous road trips.

It was announced in December that the trio, who previously starred on the BBCs Top Gear together for more than a decade, would be featuring in the final special marking the end of almost 10 years  which Clarkson said felt right.

Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May in the final Top Gear show featuring the three presenters (Ellis OBrien/BBC)

Ive driven cars higher than anyone else and further north than anyone else, he told The Times.

Weve done everything you can do with a car. When we had meetings about what to do next, people just threw their arms in the air.

(The show) is immensely physical and when youre unfit and fat and old, which I am  Camping in Mauritania was a stretch.

Clarkson also said he does not think the move to electric cars across the globe makes very interesting television.

An electric car is no different from a chest freezer or a microwave oven. Theres no glamour or excitement. This week on Top Chest Freezer! I think it suits the written media more, he said.

The final TV special will see the trio exploring Zimbabwe.

Speaking about his co-stars, Clarkson said: Weve spent more time in each others company than our families over the last 25 years so I dont think it would have lasted as long as it did if wed hated each other as much as James (May) likes to think.

The end of The Grand Tour followed the news that the BBC had decided to rest hit motoring show Top Gear for the foreseeable future after host Andrew Freddie Flintoff was seriously injured in crash during filming in 2022.
King visits Kate as he is admitted to same hospital for prostate treatment

The King has been admitted for treatment on his enlarged prostate at the same hospital where the Princess of Wales is being cared for after abdominal surgery.

Charles, 75, was seen entering the private London Clinic in central London on Friday morning with the Queen at his side.

He took time to visit his daughter-in-law Kate, who is on the 11th day of her hospital stay after undergoing a successful major operation last week.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: The King was this morning admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment.

His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness.

It is not known how long the King will spend in hospital or the exact nature of his treatment.

The King during a visit to the Royal Courts of Justice in December (Hannah McKay/PA)

He was dressed in a smart suit and tie and navy overcoat for his arrival at the hospital, while Camilla was wearing a royal blue coat and carrying a green handbag.

Charles arrived back in London from Norfolk on Thursday afternoon ready for the procedure, after squeezing in a couple of behind the scenes official duties.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has wished the King the very best for his treatment and a speedy recovery afterwards, a Downing Street spokeswoman said.

"Holocaust Memorial Day offers a valuable opportunity for the richly diverse communities of this nation to come together and recommit to building a society free from antisemitism, persecution and hatred." The King has sent a message to all those marking Holocaust Memorial Day pic.twitter.com/fIPe2g1AOv  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) January 26, 2024

The Court Circular recorded the King received Dame Polly Courtice, emeritus director of the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, and Professor Robert Miller, director of the Whittle Laboratory, on Thursday morning at Sandringham.

In a picture released on the royal family account on X on Friday, he was shown lighting a candle with the Queen earlier this week to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Charles issued a message ahead of the commemorations, describing it as a valuable opportunity for the richly diverse communities of this nation to come together and recommit to building a society free from antisemitism, persecution and hatred.

Charles was diagnosed with the benign condition on January 17 while staying at Birkhall in Scotland, after going for a check-up because he was experiencing symptoms.

The King, Queen and the royal family at church on Christmas Day (Joe Giddens/PA)

He is understood to have wanted to share the news to encourage other men to get themselves checked.

The King, who only acceded to throne 16 months ago, cancelled engagements, and was urged to rest by his doctors ahead of the corrective procedure.

The Queen had previously said her husband is fine and looking forward to getting back to work.

News of his diagnosis came on the same day that Kensington Palace announced the princess was in hospital after undergoing abdominal surgery.

The Princess of Wales with the Prince of Wales during the South Korean state visit to the UK last November (Chris Jackson/PA)

Kate, 42, is not expected to carry out official engagements until after Easter, with the Prince of Wales clearing his diary of official duties for the time being.

One in every three men over the age of 50 will have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, which include needing to visit the toilet more frequently, with more urgency, and difficulty emptying the bladder.

An enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, does not usually pose a serious threat to health, and it is not cancer.

But patients may need to have several tests for the condition to rule out the possibility they have another illness with similar symptoms, such as prostate cancer.

The prostate enlargement page on the NHS website saw a 1061% surge in visits following the news of King Charles' health condition. The page received 16,410 visits on the day of the announcement  that's one visit every five seconds! Read morehttps://t.co/VCZNLEFnj7 pic.twitter.com/5G1DJ6CQcl  NHS England Digital (@NHSDigital) January 19, 2024

Surgery is usually only recommended for moderate to severe symptoms that have not responded to medicine, the NHS website says.

Treatment can include a number of procedures, including removing part of the prostate gland with a laser, water ablation using the pressure of the water to destroy prostate tissue, or urethral lift implants, which hold the enlarged prostate away from the urethra so it is not blocked.

Other options include a prostate artery embolisation, during which tiny plastic particles are injected into blood vessels to shrink the prostate gland by reducing its blood supply.

NHS England said the enlarged prostate page on the NHS website received one visit every five seconds on the day the Kings diagnosis was announced, with further huge boosts in visits in the days that followed.
The family of a man left paralysed and requiring 24-hour care after a scuffle outside a nightclub has agreed a 1.2 million settlement of a High Court claim against a police force.

Julian Cole was 19 when he was taken to the floor by Bedfordshire Police officers outside Elements nightclub in Bedford, after he had been removed from the venue on May 6 2013.

His relatives later took legal action against the force over the incident, which left him with a broken neck and damage to his spinal cord, which caused brain damage due to lack of oxygen.

Mr Cole, who is now 30, has never recovered and remains paralysed and in a vegetative state requiring round-the-clock care.

After Mr Coles family agreed a settlement out of court with Bedfordshire Police, in which the force did not accept liability, Mr Justice Martin Spencer approved the sum at a hearing in London on Friday.

He said: On two occasions Julian was taken to the ground by the police. On the second occasion it would appear that Julian sustained severe injuries including damage to his spinal cord and subsequent hypoxic brain injury, from which he did not recover.

There has been no admission of liability but the fact that this settlement has been reached and the circumstances in which Julian sustained his injuries leave little doubt that the actions of the police officers were responsible for his injuries and those actions were indefensible.

The matter was compounded by a concerted attempt on behalf of the police officers involved to falsify their account of events and that led to disciplinary proceedings.

He added: I have no hesitation whatever in approving the settlement in the sum that has been agreed.

Mr Cole was asked to leave the nightclub on the night of the incident and kept asking for his money back, which led to a confrontation.

The resulting injuries were only discovered after he had been arrested, carried to a police van and driven a mile to a police station, where an ambulance was called.

In 2018, Police Constables Hannah Ross, Sanjeev Kalyan and Nicholas Oates were found guilty of gross misconduct after it was found they had lied about Mr Coles condition when he was taken to and transported in the van.

They had claimed that Mr Cole had been able to walk into the police van, but CCTV showed he had to be carried, with his legs dragging on the ground and head hanging down.

A fourth officer, Sergeant Andrew Withey, was found guilty of misconduct for failing to carry out proper welfare checks and was given a final written warning.

Julian Cole now requires around the clock care (Family Handout/PA)

The Crown Prosecution Service previously said that no criminal charges would be brought.

Fridays hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice was attended by Mr Coles mother, Claudia Cole, who wept during the hearing, and his brother, Claude.

Angus McCullough KC, representing the family, said that the settlement was in Julians best interests to accept.

He told the court that the family had hoped that Mr Cole, who is currently cared for at a medical facility, would be able to be accommodated in his own home and cared for by a team of carers.

But Mr McCullough said: The view having now been taken in the present position [is] that this is not a realistic or viable prospect, and he is best cared for where he has been cared for for at least the last 10 years [that] will be the best place for him, but with a substantial top-up in terms of additional care, therapies and equipment that this award will allow him to access.

Neil Block KC, representing Bedfordshire Police, said: I understand just how difficult even this process is for the family.

I wish them on behalf of my clients the best for the future and we hope that while money can of course never place them in the position they would ideally like to be, they will look forward to the future with the confidence that there is now a substantial fund to provide such specialist equipment and therapies that they are advised will make Julians life more meaningful and comfortable for the future.

The judge said that a representative for the Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police had expressed his regret and apology at a meeting in 2020 about the incident, which happened when Mr Cole was a first-year student at the University of Bedfordshire.

Paying tribute to Mr Coles family, he said: This has been the most difficult time for Julians family.

Above all, I wish to pay tribute to Mrs Cole herself for her unstinting and deep love and support for Julian through this most difficult time.

The resolution of this litigation does not mean the resolution of the problems which she has faced and will face dealing with Julians disability, but it is to be hoped that these damages will go some way to helping with the care and support which Julian requires.

Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst, of Bedforshire Police, said: This case is an absolute tragedy which has had a devastating effect on a young mans life.

While independent reviews have not been able to conclusively determine how he suffered his injuries, what is clear is that the actions of some of those attending fell well short of the standards I, and the public, expect. I have apologised to his family for the conduct of the three officers who were rightly resulted dismissed in 2018 for their dishonesty regarding Mr Coles condition following his arrest.

Our thoughts remain with Mr Cole and his loved ones.
More than half the public associate politicians with economic crime, a poll of more than 6,000 people has found.

The poll found 54.8% of people listed politicians as one of the three groups they most associated with economic crime  more than mentioned oligarchs or business executives.

Oligarchs and kleptocrats were mentioned by 45% of people, while senior executives of big businesses were mentioned by 44% and bankers by 28.5%.

The findings follow years of declining trust in politicians in general. A 2023 survey by Kings College Londons Policy Institute found trust in parliament had halved since 1990, while a study by the IPPR think tank found the proportion of people who think politicians are merely out for themselves had rapidly accelerated since the Covid-19 pandemic.

That period has also seen repeated allegations about improper awarding of Government contracts, particularly for PPE procurement during the pandemic, and renewed focus on Russian assets in the UK following the invasion of Ukraine.

Labour MP and veteran anti-corruption campaigner Dame Margaret Hodge said: This polling is damning.

The public think that politicians have more to answer for than Russian oligarchs and corrupt kleptocrats when it comes to dirty money in the UK.

But who can blame them? These findings follow years of ministers failing to be tough enough on economic crime, underinvesting in law enforcement and welcoming dirty Russian money with open arms.

If we want to win back the trust of our constituents then we must get serious about our dirty money problem.

Susan Hawley, executive director of Spotlight on Corruption, agreed the findings were alarming.

She said: With trust in politicians at rock bottom, this shows that the fight against economic crime must go hand-in-hand with the UK cleaning up its own house and tackling integrity at the heart of Westminster, if this agenda is to be taken seriously by voters.

Labour MP and veteran anti-corruption campaigner Dame Margaret Hodge described the findings as damning (Yui Mok/PA)

Carried out by Survation on behalf of the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition, the poll also found a widespread belief that the Government was not doing enough to combat economic crime.

Some 45% of people said they did not think the Government took economic crime seriously, only slightly fewer than the 46% who said the opposite.

Meanwhile, 83% of people said they viewed the issue of economic crime in the UK seriously, including 45% who said they thought they issue was very serious, with many backing greater regulation.

Rachel Davies, co-chair of the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition and advocacy director at Transparency International UK, said: Our research shows that across all voting intentions, the public exhibits a clear will for more to be done to tackle economic crime, including the use of property to launder dirty money.

Politicians of all stripes campaigning in the next general election should take note of this, and clearly outline exactly what theyll do if elected. The public wants decisive and effective action.

The poll, carried out by Survation, surveyed 6,466 UK adults between September 26 and October 9 2023.
Vladimir Putins strategy of waiting for Donald Trump to return to the White House is another Kremlin miscalculation, a former secretary-general of Nato has said.

Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, also a former UK defence secretary, argued that, despite his Russia-friendly rhetoric, Mr Trump actually bolstered American defences and Nato contributions as US president.

The Labour peer recalled Republican members of US congress also insisting that Mr Putins plan is flawed during a visit to the UK.

Lord Robertson told the House of Lords: Now at the moment, with no real Russian progress, Putin, it would appear, can only wait it out until Donald Trump gets elected, who he hopes will do some grubby deal to end the war.

But even that strategy, if that is what it can be called, is incorrect.

Republican members of the United States congress were here with the Marshall Fund and they were very keen to articulate that that strategy is flawed.

When he was in office, and in spite of his rhetoric, President Trump sent missiles to Poland, increased funding to Nato and robustly increased the power of his own military.

And, therefore, it begins to look like yet another Kremlin miscalculation.

Vladimir Putin ordered Russian forces to invade Ukraine in February 2022 (Matt Cardy/PA)

By contrast, a former top diplomat has argued that tens of billions of pounds worth of support for Ukraine will be at risk if Donald Trump is elected.

Independent crossbench peer Lord McDonald of Salford, a former ambassador who headed the Foreign Office from 2015 to 2020, said: The United States has provided at least 50% of the military capability that the Ukrainians have been using.

Donald Trump will change American policy, no matter that groups of American politicians agree with their President (Joe Biden), the US constitution makes the President of the United States the key player in foreign and defence policy.

So if Donald Trump becomes president of the United States, we face the prospect of the disappearance of the majority of military persistence that Ukraine needs to continue and to win this fight.

So the question for us and the rest of the West is: are we prepared to make up the huge difference? This is tens of billions of pounds and these are necessary for the fight to continue.

Lord Robertson of Port Ellen said Vladimir Putins plan is a miscalculation (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Former head of the Armed Forces, Lord Stirrup, argued that Western Europe should not rely too much on the US and that, with the proper investment, could outmatch Russia, even without its ally across the Atlantic.

The independent crossbench peer and former RAF commander said: If the outcome in Ukraine is as critical as the Government  rightly in my view  claims, then the countries of Western Europe simply cannot allow their safety and security to be subject to the vagaries of American politics.

They need to increase defence expenditure significantly, expand defence industrial capacity and coordinate their efforts, both to support Ukraine and to strengthen Nato more widely.

Together, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and all the other countries within Nato have more than enough economic and industrial muscle to overmatch Russia, even with the latter on a draconian war footing.

What is required is the will to do it  and that is not yet evident. The UK should be offering a greater lead in this regard  we have to match our grand words with decisive and sustained actions, backed with the appropriate resources.

Tory peer Lord Camoys used his maiden speech to urge the Government to keep the US in the fight, which he argued involves Europe showing its own commitment through defence spending.

He said: Western support must be non-negotiable, as others have said, it saddens me that maintaining American support for Ukraine should even be something that we are worrying about.

We should use all our diplomatic skills to keep America on-side and part of that probably involves Europe being prepared to pay more for our own defence.

Lord Stirrup served as Chief of the Defence Staff from 2006 until his retirement in 2010 (Toby Melville/ PA)

Former Nato chief Lord Robertson added that, from his personal experience working with Mr Putin, his inner circle is more fragile than people may think, citing the march on Moscow by Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner Group in June last year.

Whilst the uprising was swiftly quashed, it gave Russians  and the rest of the world  a glimpse into the internal conflicts in Mr Putins camp, and saw Prigozhin dismiss the Presidents claim that the invasion of Ukraine was for denazification.

Lord Robertson told peers: In my personal view, and I dealt with Putin in better times, there is a weakness inside the secret enclave in the walls of the Moscow Kremlin.

From the outside we, and indeed the Russian people too, cannot know how fragile is the morale in the circle around Putin.

But from the Prigozhin incident, here was a man invented, organised by, used by Putin, brutally exposing the truth of this disaster.

And there we got a glimpse of the unseen tensions of the ruling elite in Russia.

And what we saw in Prigozhins march on Moscow was the revelation of a serious weakness, a chink in the armour of a gambling authoritarian.

By continuing to build our supplies to Kyiv, by maintaining Western unity and by giving the strongest possible message of our continuing resolve, the man in the Kremlin may yet see that there is a way out for him and this Russian-made, Putin-made disaster.
Security beefed up across Indian cities ahead of Republic Day celebrations

Xinhua) 10:48, January 26, 2024

NEW DELHI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Authorities have tightened security across Indian cities including the national capital New Delhi ahead of the country's 75th Republic Day celebrations, officials said Thursday.

Police personnel have intensified checking and patrolling at metro stations, railway stations, airports and bus terminals as part of the security arrangement across major cities.

In Delhi, where the main celebration is scheduled to be held on Friday, authorities have made adequate security arrangements.

"Around 14,000 security personnel will be deployed in and around Kartavya Path (previously known as the Rajpath), where the Republic parade will take place on the 26th of January," Special Commissioner of Police (security) Dependra Pathak said while addressing a press conference. "Professional, robust, and flawless security arrangements have been put in place all around Delhi."

According to him, security, traffic and district units were working together in coordination with the federal security agencies for the Republic Day celebrations.

Officials said airspace has been secured with counter-rogue drone technology in and around the main venue area. Flying drones and other aerial platforms have been banned.

Reports pouring in from other cities and state capitals say similar security arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful celebrations.

Republic Day in India marks the adoption of the constitution of India and is celebrated on Jan. 26 every year.

According to the ministry of defense, this year's parade will witness the participation of around 13,000 special guests, an initiative which will provide an opportunity to people from all walks of life to take part in the celebrations.

"For the first time ever, the parade will be heralded by over 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments," the ministry said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Sag-Aftra has defended Alec Baldwin after he was charged with involuntary manslaughter over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust.

The US actors union have argued that Baldwin was not responsible for firearms safety on the film set, describing the charge as an incorrect assessment of the actual duties of an actor on set.

An actors job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert, a statement said.

Alec Baldwin (Ian West/PA)

Performers train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use.

The industry assigns that responsibility to qualified professionals who oversee their use and handling in every aspect.

Baldwin, the lead actor and a co-producer of the film, was pointing a gun at Ms Hutchins during a rehearsal in October 2021 when the weapon went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza.

The US actor has said he pulled back the hammer, but not the trigger, and the gun fired.

Baldwin was initially charged in January 2023 but those charges were formally dismissed three months later.

Last week, special prosecutors brought the case before a grand jury in Santa Fe after receiving a new analysis of the gun that was used, and Baldwin was re-charged.

SAG-AFTRA Statement Regarding New Charges in the 'Rust' Tragedy https://t.co/HxZGpMha94  SAG-AFTRA NEWS (@sagaftranews) January 25, 2024

The Sag-Aftra statement comes two days after Baldwin, through his lawyers Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, filed court documents demanding a speedy trial.

Mr Baldwin is entitled to a fair and speedy disposition of the charges to minimise public vilification and suspicion and to avoid the hazards of proving his innocence that often arise after lengthy delays in prosecution, the court documents said.

He has also demanded the New Mexico District Attorney preserve all evidence related to the case, and produce a written list of all witnesses which the prosecutor intends to call at the trial.

Meanwhile Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the films armourer, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in the case and is set to go on trial on February 21.
A 14-year-old girl took her own life after she was bullied by boys at her school, an inquest has heard.

Mia Janin, a Year 10 pupil at the Jewish Free School (JFS) in Kenton, north-west London, was found dead at her family home in Harrow on March 12 2021.

North London area coroner Tony Murphy, sitting at Barnet Coroners Court, concluded that Mia took her life while still a child and while still in the process of maturing into adulthood.

Mr Murphy said Mia was last seen alive at about 10pm on March 11 2021 when she said goodnight to her parents in their family home.

She was found hanged by her parents at about 6.50am the next day. Two undated letters in Mias handwriting were found on her bed addressed to her loving family and friends, which explained that Mia decided to end her life.

Mr Murphy added before his conclusion that Mia had close friends, including at her secondary school, but she also experienced bullying from some male students.

He added that neither Mias family nor teachers were aware of this before her death.

Mr Murphy said: Mias secondary school has introduced systemic changes following her death.

Mia is much missed by her loving family, caring friends and the wider community.

The area coroner said he would let the legal representatives know at a later time if he would be issuing a prevention of future deaths report.

Her father, Mariano Janin, previously said he believed his daughter was cyber-bullied by other pupils at JFS.

Statements given by friends of Mia to the Metropolitan Police following her death were read out to the inquest, in which they said Mia was bullied by other pupils at the school, and that their friendship group was nicknamed the suicide squad in the months leading up to her death.

Mias father Mariano spoke to the media outside Barnet Coroners Court (James Manning/PA)

They said that one of Mias TikToks was shared to a Snapchat group chat run by male pupils at JFS, where they made fun of her.

One child said the boys used the group chat to share nude photos of girls.

Rabbi Howard Cohen, former deputy headteacher at JFS, told the inquest that after Mias death there was some talk around the school of what he described as boys-only bravado groups sharing images of girls, and he was made aware of a boys WhatsApp group where members were rating the attractiveness of female pupils.

But there was no reason to believe the groups related to Mia, Rabbi Cohen said.

The deputy headteacher told the inquest he had held a meeting with members of one of the group chats who then agreed to disband it.

Mr Janin told the inquest that his daughter had asked if she could move school after coming home on March 11.

The inquest heard that his wife Marisa, who has since died, told Mia she could be homeschooled for the rest of the school year, and that they would look into moving her to a new school after.

Mia then went to bed. Hours later, she was dead.

The area coroner previously said there was no evidence that any images or videos involving Mia had been shared in the group chat, except for the TikTok.

 For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org.
Alaska Airlines returned the 737 Max 9 aircraft to service, with the first flight leaving from Seattle Friday afternoon and landing in San Diego. The trip marked the first for this model of Boeing aircraft since a mid-air blowout of a door plug earlier this month prompted the FAA to ground the jets.

Alaska Flight 1146 departed Seattle at 3:33 p.m. Pacific Time, according to flight tracking website FlightAware, landing in San Diego at 6:14 p.m. It was flying two additional 737 Max 9 flights Friday evening  Flight 621 from Las Vegas to Portland, Oregon, and Flight 1086 from Seattle to Ontario, California.

The flight's departure was delayed about an hour because it had to be ferried over from Oklahoma City, where it had undergone inspections.

Constance von Muehlen, chief operating officer for Alaska Airlines, was aboard the flight and sat in a window seat in row 26, the closest seat to the plane's door plug.

Muehlen told a CBS News producer who was also on the flight that she chose that specific seat because she wouldn't ask passengers to do anything she herself would not do.

United Airlines, the only other U.S. airline that operates the aircraft, said its 737 Max 9 fleet would begin returning to service on Saturday. United told CBS News that it will allow passengers who don't want to fly on a Max 9 aircraft to change flights without additional cost, depending on seat availability.

The mid-air blowout occurred when a door plug, which are panels designed to fit into an unused exit and transform it into a wall section with a window, blew out a few minutes after departure. No passengers were seriously injured, but by luck, no one was seated next to the door plug that fell off the fuselage. Experts said the incident could have been far worse if passengers had been seated next to that section or if the incident occurred later in the flight when people typically unbuckle their seat belts.

Alaska Airlines grounded all of its Max 9 jets within hours, while the FAA grounded all other Max 9s in the U.S. the following day.

Airlines found problems on other planes. Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci told NBC this week that "many" of the planes they inspected had loose bolts that are supposed to help secure the door plug to a jet's airframe. United Airlines also found unsecured bolts on some of its Max 9s.

On Wednesday, the FAA announced it had cleared the way for the aircraft to return to service following a rigorous inspection and maintenance process.

Alaska Airlines told CBS News that it will take several days to get its network fully operational. It plans to ferry some of its 737 Max 9 jets from where they've been inspected to the airports where they will resume commercial service.

Will people want to fly on the 737 Max 9s again?

Alaska Airlines officials said Thursday that they have lost a few sales among people purchasing flights into February  a phenomenon called "booking away" in the airline business. They didn't say how many people have booked away from the Max 9, but they predicted it would only last a few weeks.

Minicucci, the Alaska CEO, said travelers may initially have "some anxiety" about flying on a Max 9, while saying he expects them to steadily regain confidence that the plane is safe.

Travelers returned to the Boeing 737 Max 8 after two of them crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people. After those accidents, Boeing had to redesign an automated flight-control system before the FAA would let Max 8s and Max 9s resume flying after a 20-month grounding.

With reporting by CBS News' Kris Van Cleave and the Associated Press.

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The 'Schitts Creek' Emmy winner recalled the incident while promoting her new action-comedy movie 'Argylle'

Caitlin Cronenberg/Trunk Archive Catherine O'Hara

Catherine OHara is not one to judge Kate and Peter McAllister for leaving their son behind in two Home Alone movies.

After she famously exclaimed Kevin! onscreen in 1990 when she realized she went to Paris without Macaulay Culkin, her fictional son, OHara, 69, and her husband, Bo Welch, had a real scare with their sons Matthew and Luke (who are now adults.)

We were in New York once; I think it was New York. Bo and I got on the subway, we turned around, the doors are closing, and they werent on, she recalls. I screamed and people screamed with me. Everybody joined in.

Luckily the doors reopened, and the boys made it on. It makes me sick to think what could have happened, says O'Hara, who's starring in the new action-comedy Argylle.

What happens? You're on the train, it goes to the next stop. And you think, are they going to stay in that spot? Are they going to be safe? Will we go back? Will they think, Oh, I'll get on the next train and go there? says OHara. We didn't have phones.

Related: 'Home Alone' Cast: Where Are They Now?

While that experience was horrifying, OHara has nothing but good memories of making Home Alone, which she calls a perfect movie.

It was lovely. All those kids that played our children were just lovely, she says.

Mike Coppola/Getty Catherine O'Hara and husband Bo Welch

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[Director] Chris Columbus, lovely man. He's a family guy himself. I think he had like five kids already at the time. And [screenwriter] John Hughes. John Hughes wasn't there a lot, but wrote such a beautiful script, obviously, OHara continues.

OHara recently reunited with Culkin at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony and paid tribute to him while he received his star.

Related: Dua Lipa Shines as Golden Seductress in First Trailer for Spy Thriller Argylle

"Home Alone was, is and always will be a beloved global sensation ... the reason families all over the world can't let a year go by without watching and loving Home Alone together is because of Macaulay Culkin, she said at the Dec. 1 event.

You so deserve your star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, she told Culkin from the podium.

And thank you for including me, your fake mom who left you home alone not once but twice, to share in this happy occasion. I'm so proud of you, she added, joking about Home Alone and its 1992 sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

For more on Catherine OHara, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE.



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The juvenile male coyote was thought to be a dog at first

San Diego Humane Society Rescued coyote

A coyote is recovering in San Diego after being rescued from a flooded field, where he was found with a bucket stuck on his head.

San Diego Humane Law Enforcement, a department of the San Diego Humane Society (SDHS), was called to the flooded Tijuana River Valley on Monday after an animal thought to be a dog was seen floating amidst the debris with a bucket stuck to its head, the SDHS said in a statement provided to PEOPLE Thursday.

Upon further examination at the scene, officers discovered that the animal was not a dog, but rather a juvenile male coyote. SDHS required help from the city's lifeguards to reach the animal by boat because the terrain was difficult to navigate.

San Diego Humane Society A coyote was found with his head stuck in a bucket

Upon being rescued from the field, the coyote was sent to the Bahde Wildlife Center for treatment, which initially included a sedative and pain medication. A veterinary team then removed the bucket from the animal's head.

After the bucket was removed, the coyote was assessed further, with fluids administered and x-rays taken.

Related: 10-Lb. Senior Dog with 3 Teeth Saves Canine Brother from Coyote Attack: 'Our Little Hero'

"He was wet, suffering from mild hypothermia, had cactus spines stuck in his fur and wounds that needed care," SDHS's statement read.

The day after his care began, the canine was transferred to SDHS's Ramona Wildlife Center, where a team caring for apex predators is located.

"We are hopeful this juvenile coyote will be able to recover and return to the wild soon," SDHS concluded.

The news of this coyote rescue comes just a few months after another coyote in California was discovered sleeping on outdoor furniture by an unsuspecting homeowner.

San Diego Humane Society The coyote stuck in the flood, surrounded by debris

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At the time, the Animal Care & Control San Francisco (SFACC) tweeted that an officer called to the home encouraged this sleepy coyote couch potato to move along and find a more coyote-appropriate (but less comfy) place to sleep."

SFACC said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the coyote followed the officer's advice.



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Spoiler alert: no one's getting married.

Jennifer Causey

I am sure it is safe to say that when my Italian ancestors boarded a boat traveling from Italy to America, they realized many things would change. I cannot safely say that within the blending of traditions, flavors and languages, they could have anticipated how many of their love-language words would be twisted and turned into Italian American slang.

Manicotti became manicott. Delicious, creamy ricotta is called ricott among my family members. Maybe the most infamous of slang words is the cured meat, capicola, which doesnt even start with a g but somehow became gabagool. But it wasnt until I was an adult that I realized that the delicious beans, greens and meat soup my family called minest was short for minestra... which is where our Italian Wedding Soup journey begins.

Upon a quick Google search, youll learn Italian Wedding Soup is not a soup traditionally served at Italian weddings at all (bummer), but yet another Italian American twist on a classicMinestra Maritata. This married soup gains its robust flavor from the blending (or marriage) of ingredients like bitter greens and tough pieces of meat cooked in broth. The variations Ive found include, but are not limited to, mustard greens, escarole, broccoli rabe, cabbage, potatoes, sausage, pancetta, prosciutto, white beans, rice and pasta pieces, all cooked together in a homemade stock.

Related: 48 Soups You'll Want to Make Forever

My familys minest is the ultimate comfort food, a hug from the inside, a warm you right up on a cold day and make you feel extra loved kind of meal. My grandmothers had cabbage, salami, sausage and white beans. My mothers has scarole (escarole), potatoes and beans. My friend Rachael Ray also makes hers with escarole, plus cannellini beans and pancetta, served with a big slice of garlic-rubbed peasant bread. All three of these amazing family recipes are different, warming, delicious and absolutely covered in freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Related: I Worked on the Rachael Ray Show for 16 YearsThese Were My Favorite Recipes

One of the most distinguishing differences between Italian Wedding Soup and its predecessor are meatballs. I am assuming the adorable, teeny tiny meatballs that float around in our beloved Italian Wedding Soup bowls are a nod to the bits of pork or chicken that are found in a classic Minestra Maritata.

It seems I am the first generation in my family to be making the version of the comforting dish called Italian Wedding Soup. I use ground chicken or turkey to make my mini meatballs, toss them into a big soup pot filled with simmering stock (homemade sometimes, but usually from a box), with carrots, celery, tons of baby spinach and one of my favorite pasta shapes, ditalini. As a recipe developer, I like the promise of a one-pot meal. As a busy mom, I still like the promise of a one-pot meal, and I also know meatballs are a sure-bet meal in our house, so this one stays on rotation all winter long.

Related: This Is the Soup I Make Whenever I Get Sick

Now that we understand where the title of the recipe comes from, does Beef Goulash need a rebrand?! Hungarian Wedding Stew! Coming in hot for St. Patricks Day is Irish Matrimonial Corned Beef and Cabbage. Maybe Ill steal one of these ideas for my next recipe development project. Or maybe well leave it up to the Italian Americans and their sweet marriages of flavor.

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Photograph: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

A New York City jury awarded $83.3m to E Jean Carroll in her defamation trial against Donald Trump on Friday.

Carroll will receive $18.3m in compensatory damages and $65m in punitive retribution. The former president is paying Carroll compensatory damages of $18.3m  $11m to fund a reputational repair campaign. The $7.3m is for the emotional harm caused by Trumps 2019 public statements. Carroll and her legal team were beaming as they left court in a black SUV. They did not answer questions immediately after court let out.

Moments after the decision was announced, Trump decried it as absolutely ridiculous on Truth Social, and said he would be filing an appeal.

I fully disagree with both verdicts, and will be appealing this whole Biden Directed Witch Hunt focused on me and the Republican Party, Trump wrote. Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon. They have taken away all First Amendment Rights. THIS IS NOT AMERICA!

The Manhattan federal court decision comes less than one year after Carroll won $5m in her sexual abuse and defamation trial against Trump.

This sum stems from Carrolls rape claim against the president in a June 2019 New York magazine article. The publication ran an excerpt of her then-forthcoming book, What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal.

In that excerpt, Carroll said that Trump raped her inside the dressing room of a luxe Manhattan department store around early 1996. The tenor of Trumps denials  saying, for example, that she lied and was a political operative  became the subject of her 2019 defamation suit against him.

At the time, Carroll could not sue Trump over the alleged assault, as it would have taken place outside the civil statute of limitations. A novel New York state law in 2022, the Adult Survivors Act, opened a one-year window for adult accusers to file suit for incidents outside the civil statute of limitations.

Carroll filed another lawsuit, this one over the incident and defamatory statements after Trumps presidency ended. This lawsuit proceeded to trial first and the judge in both cases, Lewis Kaplan, determined jurors findings  that Trump sexually abused Carroll and tarnished her reputation  would be accepted as fact in this trial.

As a result, Trump could not re-litigate her sexual abuse claim. The jurors were tasked only with weighing financial penalties for damaging Carrolls reputation  and the sum required to keep Trump from making still more defamatory statements.

Im here because Donald Trump assaulted me, and when I wrote about it, he said it never happened, Carroll said on the stand. He lied, and it shattered my reputation. I expected him to deny it, but to say it was consensual, when it was not. But thats what I expected him to say.

She continued: The thing that really got me about this was, from the White House, he asked if anyone had any information about me, and if they did, to please come forward as soon as possible, because he wanted the world to know whats really going on  and that people like me should pay dearly.

Trump did not attend Carrolls first trial but made appearances at the second  marking the first time she confronted him publicly in a courtroom. Trumps comportment during the courtroom showdowns was in keeping with his infamously bombastic behavior, prompting warnings from the judge.

Mr Trump has the right to be present here. That right can be forfeited, and it can be forfeited if he is disruptive, which is what has been reported to me, and if he disregards court orders, Kaplan warned.

Mr Trump, I hope I dont have to consider excluding you from the trial  I understand you are probably very eager for me to do that.

I would love it, I would love it, Trump retorted with a gesture.

I know you would, you just cant control yourself in this circumstance, apparently, Kaplan said.

The end stages of this trial were also marked by another hallmark of Trumps legacy: Covid-related chaos. On 22 January, trial proceedings were postponed as one juror experienced coronavirus symptoms; his leading attorney, Alina Habba, also told judge Kaplan that she felt unwell and had been exposed to Covid.

Trump did take the stand on 25 January. Kaplan restricted the scope of her questions and his responses, as per his prior ruling that he could not re-litigate her claims.

Habba was allowed to ask: Do you stand by your testimony in the deposition?

One hundred percent, yes, he said, referring to the deposition in which he denied her claims.

Did you deny the allegation because Ms Carroll made an accusation?

Thats exactly right. She said something, I consider it a false accusation. No difference, Trump retorted. This sparked an objection from Carrolls camp. Kaplan said that everything after yes, I did was stricken.

Did you ever instruct anyone to hurt Ms Carroll in your statements?

No. I just wanted to defend myself, my family, and frankly, the presidency, Trump said. Carrolls team objected again. Kaplan deemed that everything after no be stricken, so jurors were ordered to disregard this statement.

In total, Trumps direct and cross testimony lasted about two or three minutes.
Photograph: Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Joe Biden has, at least for a while, defused a ticking carbon bomb. Climate activists and the fossil fuel industry are now left wondering how long it will last.

The decision on Friday by the Biden administration to pause all pending export licenses for liquified natural gas (LNG) to consider the climate impact of the projects has been hailed as a momentous shift in the status quo by those concerned by the unfolding climate crisis.

World leaders agreed to transition away from fossil fuels at the Cop28 climate negotiations last year and president Bidens decision today to pause new permits for LNG exports shows that he is taking that pledge seriously, Al Gore, the former US vice-president, said.

From nothing a decade ago, the US now has eight LNG export terminals and is the worlds largest exporter of the gas, which is extracted, piped, chilled and sent overseas on ships. The pace of growth is extraordinary  the Calcasieu Pass 2 (or CP2) project, a vast planned hub on Louisianas coast, would ship up to 24m tons of LNG each year once built and become one of the biggest such terminals in the world.

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CP2 is at the vanguard of a frenzy of new gas export infrastructure along the Gulf of Mexico coast that would, if fully realized, result in an estimated 3.2bn tons of greenhouse gases each year, close to the annual emissions of the entire European Union and severely imperiling hopes of avoiding catastrophic global heating.

Stopping CP2 and a dozen or so other proposed gas facilities has become a priority issue for US environmentalists and Bidens decision, which should delay projects until after the November presidential election, provoked jubilation. The delay is the biggest thing a US president has ever done to stand up to the fossil fuel industry, according to Bill McKibben, the veteran climate campaigner.

Biden has come under severe progressive pressure over the gas buildout, which only heightened after his administration approved the controversial Willow oil project in Alaska. The world cannot afford any new major fossil fuel projects if it is to avoid dangerous global temperature rises, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has found.

CP2, which would have an emissions impact 20 times larger than that of Willow, has therefore become framed as a test of Bidens climate credentials before an election where he will be looking for the votes of those concerned about global heating while also fending off Republican attacks over energy costs and the need to supply European allies with gas in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Key questions remain unanswered, such as whether the delay is merely a tactic to remove an awkward issue before November or if it will lead to a more lasting reform of federal permitting that explicitly accounts for climate change concerns alongside more nebulous public interest criteria that havent been updated since the 1980s.

US government agencies have, until now, typically disregarded climate as an issue when waving through oil and gas facilities and pipelines. That looks like it may change.

To preserve a livable planet, we need a public interest test that denies any new project that would drive us further into climate catastrophe and violate US commitments to transition away from fossil fuels, said Jean Su, the director of the Center for Biological Diversitys energy justice program.

Climate considerations should slow but would likely not stop the growth of an LNG export industry that is set to double in size over the next four years, according to Jeff Navin, who was chief of staff at the energy department during Barack Obamas administration.

Its not shocking the administration would at least consider the impacts of these projects on climate change and its entirely possibly they could decide they are a net positive for the climate because the gas would displace dirtier coal overseas, said Navin, now a consultant.

Not every terminal is going to be stopped. But its going to put pressure on facilities to think about how gas is produced and transported in terms of methane leaks.

While the delay has been welcomed by climate activists, it will likely prove ammunition for the fossil fuel industry and its Republican allies including Donald Trump, who has vowed to drill, baby, drill and attacked Biden for hindering the industry, even amid a record glut of oil and gas production.

Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the US Senate, said that the pause is directly at odds with Americas interests on the world stage. A coalition of oil and gas industry groups has written to the Biden administration to complain that the decision will only bolster Russian influence and risk American jobs.

Critics, however, point to evidence that boosting LNG exports drives up domestic gas prices for Americans and that the raft of planned terminals would take several years to build anyway, beyond a 2027 timeframe in which European Union countries have vowed to end reliance upon Russian gas and pivot to renewable energy. According to the IEA, European gas demand will fall 8% by 2026.

Expanding LNG infrastructure in the USA and in the EU is a high economic risk that will very likely end up as stranded assets, warned Claudia Kemfert, an economic expert at the German Institute for Economic Research and Leuphana University in Germany.

For those living amid the tumult of new gas infrastructure along the Gulf coast, the pause is a relief, if a rather tenuous one. The terminals could still be built even with Biden as president, and will almost certainly go ahead if Trump is to win the election.

A pause can be unpaused anytime, said Travis Dardar, a fisherman in Louisiana who has campaigned against the LNG expansion in his community.

We know first-hand how ruthless these gas export companies can be. They shoved these gas export terminals down our throats, destroying our fishing grounds, clogging the channel we use with their massive tankers, and constantly sending poisonous smoke into our air.

Biden, Dardar said, needs to deny all gas export terminals, and let this sinking industry fall to the bottom of the sea.
Students at the University of North Florida protested the imminent closing of the schools four diversity centers, including the campus LGBTQ center, on Wednesday.

The protest took place the day the Florida Board of Governors, the governing body of the State University System of Florida, voted to prohibit funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs and activities at the states public universities. The vote comes several months after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure into law banning all of the states public higher education institutions from using state or federal funding for diversity programs.

UNF, in Jacksonville, will close its Office of Diversity and Inclusion  and, with it, its interfaith, intercultural, womens and LGBTQ centers  to comply with the new law, President Moaz Limayem said in a letter to the university community Wednesday night.

Limayem said the four university centers will be phased out immediately but added that registered student organizations that aim to promote diversity will remain active on the universitys campus and that no staffers will lose their jobs. He did not weigh in on student protests or on his views about the state policy.

We want UNF to be a place where all people feel safe and welcome, and where there is no place for hate, Limayem said. This semester, we will begin seeking ways to reinforce UNFs values in everything we do, and we will review and expand resources as necessary to ensure success for all members of our campus community.

Cassandra Edwards, a spokesperson for the university system, said in an email Thursday that Florida will remain focused on high-quality education for our students and not allow indoctrination.

UNF student Lissie Morales was among the protesters, many of whom were waving rainbow Pride flags and shouting: What do we do? Stand up, fight back!

The center provided me friends; it provided me education to learn more about my gender and sexual orientation, Morales told NBC affiliate WTLV of Jacksonville. In regard to the turnout, it warms my heart to see people care about something as much as I do, especially when it comes to the LGBT center, because it was one of the reasons why I came to UNF in the first place.

In 2022, UNF was among 40 institutions on Campus Prides list of best universities for LGBTQ students.

Carlos Guillermo Smith, a former Florida House Democrat who is a policy adviser at the LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Florida, called the new state law a rubber stamp for Ron DeSantiss agenda of censorship and surveillance.

The Board of Governors had the opportunity to hit the brakes, but instead, shamefully followed their censorship agenda off a cliff in service to DeSantiss failed political ambitions, Smith said in a statement Wednesday.

A representative for DeSantis did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The regulation comes as Florida continues to build on its reputation for enacting anti-LGBTQ laws and legislation aimed at limiting diversity initiatives.

Dozens of UNF students attend a rally in support of the school's LGBTQ center. (WTLV)

Florida made national headlines when it enacted what critics have dubbed the Dont Say Gay law in 2022, which limited the instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools in kindergarten through third grade. DeSantis signed a bill last year that expanded the law to apply to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Last year, Florida lawmakers prompted outcry for blocking an Advanced Placement course on African American studies from being taught in high schools.

Since the start of the year, Florida lawmakers have introduced roughly a dozen anti-LGBTQ bills. They include a sweeping measure that would force Floridians to sign an affidavit when they apply for new drivers licenses and state IDs to certify that the gender markers on their birth certificates will match their new IDs. Another bill would allow some published accusations of homophobia and transphobia to be considered defamation per se.

Student protests over Floridas policies about LGBTQ issues have also become common. In November, students at a high school in Coconut Creek, about 15 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, staged a walkout after their principal and other school staffers were reprimanded for letting a transgender girl compete on the schools girls volleyball team.

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LOS ANGELES  The estate of George Carlin has filed a lawsuit against the media company behind a fake hourlong comedy special that purportedly uses artificial intelligence to recreate the late standup comic's style and material.

The lawsuit filed in federal court in Los Angeles on Thursday asks that a judge order the podcast outlet, Dudesy, to immediately take down the audio special, "George Carlin: I'm Glad I'm Dead," in which a synthesis of Carlin, who died in 2008, delivers commentary on current events.

The estate of George Carlin is suing the makers of a fake hourlong comedy special mimicking the late comedian.

Carlin's daughter, Kelly Carlin, said in a statement that the work is "a poorly-executed facsimile cobbled together by unscrupulous individuals to capitalize on the extraordinary goodwill my father established with his adoring fanbase."

The Carlin estate and its executor, Jerold Hamza, are named as plaintiffs in the suit, which alleges violations of Carlin's right of publicity and copyright. The named defendants are Dudesy and podcast hosts Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen.

George Carlin brought back to life in AI-generated comedy special

"None of the Defendants had permission to use Carlin's likeness for the AI-generated' George Carlin Special,' nor did they have a license to use any of the late comedian's copyrighted materials," the lawsuit says.

The defendants have not filed a response to the lawsuit and it was not clear whether they have retained an attorney. They could not immediately be reached for comment.

George Carlin AI comedy special: Were copyrights violated?

At the beginning of the special posted on YouTube on Jan. 9, a voiceover identifying itself as the AI engine used by Dudesy says it listened to the comic's 50 years of material and "did my best to imitate his voice, cadence and attitude as well as the subject matter I think would have interested him today."

The plaintiffs say if that was in fact how it was created  and some listeners have doubted its stated origins  it means Carlin's copyright was violated.

The company, as it often does on similar projects, also released a podcast episode with Sasso and Kultgen introducing and commenting on the mock Carlin.

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"What we just listened to, was that passable," Kultgen says in a section of the episode cited in the lawsuit.

"Yeah, that sounded exactly like George Carlin," Sasso responds.

The lawsuit is among the first in what is likely to be an increasing number of major legal moves made to fight the regenerated use of celebrity images and likenesses.

The AI issue was a major sticking point in the resolution of last year's Hollywood writers and actors strikes.

Josh Schiller, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said in a statement that the "case is not just about AI, it's about the humans that use AI to violate the law, infringe on intellectual property rights, and flout common decency."

SAG-AFTRA is worried about AI, but can it really replace actors? It already has.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: George Carlin estate sues AI comedy special creators
Republican Nikki Haley will barnstorm the country with at least 17 fundraisers across five states over the next several weeks as the eyes of the nation turn to the upcoming rematch between her and former President Donald Trump in Haley's home state of South Carolina.

Fundraisers are scheduled in Columbia, Charleston and Greenville, South Carolina, just days before the state's primary.

Haley's other fundraising events, some of which she is expected to attend, will be split between four states -- New York, California, Texas and Florida -- as she continues to make the pitch to both voters and deep-pocketed Republican donors that her candidacy against Trump remains viable following an 11-point loss in New Hampshire and a third-place finish in Iowa.

Puck News first reported the fundraising swing.

PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign event at The North Charleston Coliseum, on Jan. 24, 2024, in North Charleston, S.C. (Sean Rayford/AP)

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Haley's back-to-back fundraising schedule comes on the heels of Trump declaring on Wednesday night that "from this moment on," Haley donors are "permanently barred from the MAGA camp," an unprecedented move that has jarred several GOP donors.

For months leading up to the Iowa caucuses, major Republican donors showed signs of coalescing behind Haley amid her rise and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' crash in the polls.

That upward trajectory was partially reflected in the Haley-aligned super PAC SFA Inc.'s latest fundraising haul, with the group announcing on Thursday that it raised a whopping $50 million in the second half of 2023, topping the pro-Trump super PAC Make America Great Again Inc.'s haul during the same period.

While the strong numbers may allay the fears of some skittish donors and offer some short-term confidence that Haley's operation has the cash to keep going, the campaign is nonetheless being hit with fresh questions about the viability of her path to the Republican nomination.

Donors holding steady  for now

Haley's 11-point loss in New Hampshire -- a state whose large crop of moderate Republican and independent voters was seen as fertile ground for her campaign -- did not appear to fully deplete Republicans' confidence in her ability to defeat Donald Trump in the GOP primary.

But the results were not enough to prevent defections from two major donors -- Reid Hoffman and Andy Sabin, who now say they consider the race for the nomination effectively over.

Still, some of Haley's longtime supporters say they are sticking with her as her campaign continues to say she will be in the race at least through South Carolina.

Munir Lalani, a Dallas hotel management CEO attending the fundraiser on Feb. 15, told ABC News he is a "steadfast" Haley supporter who will support her "as long as there is a pathway, however slim."

"We expect her to do very, very well," added John DeWorken, a Greenville city councilman co-hosting Haley's fundraiser there.

Nonetheless, ABC News' conversations suggest Haley may need help recruiting new donors worried about spending cash on a candidate with such a narrow path to the nomination.

"I won't say it's not a concern," Jiten Agarwal, a Houston-based tech entrepreneur raising money for Haley, told ABC News.

"Some people tell me they're concerned there may not be a path to the GOP nomination," he said, adding that he encourages these people to give less money now and observe how she performs moving forward.

"I tell them, 'Let's support her through the last mile,'" Agarwal said.

Dueling fundraisers in Greenville

The Greenville fundraiser on Feb. 19, the final one before South Carolina's primary just days later, takes place a day before her rival Trump's fundraiser in the same city.

PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign event, in North Charleston, South Carolina, on Jan. 24, 2024. (Erik S. Lesser/EPA via Shutterstock)

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Top Republicans from the state will host Trump's Greenville fundraiser. Gov. Henry McMaster and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette are among the hosts, and the list includes those who have previously been Trump's political opponents, like Sen. Tim Scott, who was recently Trump's 2024 rival, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, who was once critical of Trump but has since pledged to throw all his support behind him.

Haley's Greenville fundraiser, on the other hand, is hosted by a group of longtime friends and allies, like Bush-appointed former Ambassador David Wilkins, Greenville City Council member John DeWorken and businessman Dennis Braasch.

Braasch, a South Carolina-based construction company executive, told ABC News he's been a Republican-leaning voter for a long time but voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020. He said he'd vote for Biden again if it came to a choice between Biden and Trump, even though he's been looking for an alternative because he believes the sitting president has been "fiscally irresponsible."

"Trump will not get my vote," Braasch said, adding he believes Trump is "amoral" and "self-centered."

Braasch is optimistic about Haley's path forward, suggesting that the fact Trump is holding a fundraiser in Greenville the day after Haley's fundraiser is a sign that they feel "threatened."

"My voice to Nikki Haley is to keep pushing her. We're behind you, and if it doesn't work this time, she'll be president next cycle," he said.

But former Trump-appointed Ambassador Ed McMullen, a longtime fundraiser for Trump who is co-hosting Trump's Greenville event, shot down the idea. McMullen said Team Trump is "not concerned about Nikki Haley" because Trump has built a solid support base from Republicans while she is courting "traditional Democrats."

"We stay focused on the president's objectives, and the president's objective is to win and raise a substantial amount of money in South Carolina," he said.

Haley's $2 million haul

Meanwhile, Haley's team is touting an influx of $2 million since her loss on Tuesday, half of which the campaign says came after Trump threatened donors with being "permanently barred" from MAGA world if they continue to back her.

PHOTO: Republican presidential hopeful and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley holds a rally, on Jan. 24, 2024, in North Charleston, South Carolina. (Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

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And at a rally in North Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday night, Haley continued to tout her grassroots fundraising efforts.

"We have had 200,000 donors from all 50 states. 95% of those donations are $200 or less," Haley told the crowd. "This is about real Americans."

Some of Haley's bigger donors tell ABC News they are unconcerned with Trump's threat.

"Who cares?" Lalani said. "I'm too old to be intimidated."

"It doesn't resonate with me at all, not one bit," DeWorken echoed.

Agarwal called Trump's comments "empty threats" that won't impact small-dollar donors, but which may, he predicted, spook "the big New York donors" with deeper pockets.

But a donor co-hosting multiple Haley fundraisers told ABC News that the comments are "backfiring big time" and have actually "animated more donors" to support Haley.

Haley's campaign has pounced on the opportunity to take advantage of Trump's remark, posting a link on X encouraging supporters to donate to her campaign and receive a "BARRED PERMANETLY" T-shirt.

"Enough said...Grab your shirt here," Haley said in the post.

"Donald Trump said if you support me, he will permanently bar you from the MAGA camp," the Haley campaign's fundraising appeal read. "I will not be intimidated."

Haley to barnstorm nation on fundraising tour as South Carolina primary inches closer originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is growing more defiant in the face of Donald Trumps efforts to push her out of the 2024 Republican primary race, poking and prodding at the former president and encouraging supporters to wear Trumps attacks as a badge of honor.

Returning to her home state Wednesday, Haley mocked Trumps victory speech in New Hampshire the night earlier  one in which the former president raged about the concession speech Haley had just delivered.

She said Trump pitched a fit, called him insecure and declared he should feel threatened, without a doubt. She cast doubt on his mental competency  the same line of attack Trump and his allies have long leveled at President Joe Biden  and dared Trump to debate her one-on-one.

Bring it, Donald, she said in North Charleston. Show me what you got.

Haleys increasingly pointed attacks on Trump come amid pressure from many Republicans for her to drop out of the 2024 primary race so that the party can coalesce around the former president  who is seeking a third consecutive nomination.

Polls show Haley is far behind Trump in South Carolina, where many of her former allies have turned on her and the Republican primary electorate is much more conservative than that of New Hampshire  where she lost to Trump by 11 points.

Still, she remains a thorn in the former presidents side, provoking his ire in ways the 2024 Republican presidential contenders hes already dispatched never did.

And Haleys aides say thats intentional.

Her campaign is bracing for Trump to go too far in attacking Haley and believes those attacks are likely to boost her support in South Carolina. One campaign official said Trumps attacks would be a key piece of Haleys pathway to winning over Palmetto State voters ahead of the February 24 primary.

Its the same strategy she used in her home state in 2010  when she seized on allegations of affairs and racist attacks to fend off three Republican primary rivals in the governors race.

Those attacks were one part of why she won, the campaign official said. South Carolinians didnt like it then and they wont like nasty attacks now.

Now she is an enemy

With Haley refusing to drop out of the race, Trump has shifted from viewing her as a primary rival to a full-blown enemy, and has grown increasingly angry with her, sources close to the former president said.

Before she was a gnat. Now she is an enemy, and Trump plans to bludgeon her in the lead-up to South Carolina, a person who spoke with Trump following his victory in New Hampshire told CNN.

He is also targeting Haleys donors, warning that theyll be permanently barred from his orbit if they continue to contribute her campaign.

Nikki Birdbrain Haley is very bad for the Republican Party and, indeed, our Country. Her False Statements, Derogatory Comments, and Humiliating Public Loss, is demeaning to True American Patriots, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform Wednesday night.

Anybody that makes a Contribution to Birdbrain, from this moment forth, will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp. We dont want them, and will not accept them, because we Put America First, and ALWAYS WILL! he said.

Haleys campaign leaned into those attacks Thursday, releasing T-shirts emblazoned with the wordsBarred. Permanently. Haley posted a photo of the new T-shirts on social media, saying, Enough said  Grab your shirt here.

Haley also told supporters in North Charleston that her campaign had already raised $1 million after her concession speech and Trumps election night address in New Hampshire.

Trumps latest attacks are an escalation of weeks of digs at Haley, who served as his US ambassador to the United Nations.

Trump has already attacked Haley with a racist dog whistle, referring to her on Truth Social by her first name Nimarata, which he misspelled Nimrada and later Nimbra. He has also falsely suggested Haley is not eligible for the presidency.

Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, was born Nimarata Nikki Randhawa. She has gone by Nikki since childhood and took her husband Michael Haleys last name after they married. The attacks were reminiscent of Trump referring to former President Barack Obama by his middle name, Hussein, and demanding to see his birth certificate.

Its a little bit of a take off on her name  you know, her name, wherever she may come from, Trump said of Haley on Fox News.

Former President Donald Donald Trump speaks in Nashua, New Hampshire, after he was projected to win the state's Republican primary on January 23, 2024. - Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Pressure from Republicans to drop out

Trump and his campaign had hopes that a win in New Hampshire would effectively end the GOP presidential primary, his advisers said. They are eager to declare that the former president has become the presumptive Republican nominee as soon as possible and pivot their efforts toward a general election rematch with Biden.

Emboldened by the flood of endorsements he has received in recent days  from former primary rivals, congressional leaders and governors  Trump personally believes the party has fallen in line and wants to move forward with the weight of the GOP behind him, his advisers said. But from Trumps point of view, Haley is getting in the way.

Haleys decision to stick it out for now has infuriated the former president, the sources said, and he is now determined to hurt her as much as possible ahead of South Carolina, where his campaign will continue to try and paint Haley as being unpopular with people in her own backyard.

We need to unite around our eventual nominee, which is Donald Trump, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said Tuesday on Fox News.

The Trump campaign had initially approved going forward with a draft RNC resolution to formally declare Trump the partys presumptive 2024 nominee and the former president himself was also on board until backlash began, a source familiar told CNN.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that he appreciated the effort but was opposing it for the sake of Party unity and wanted to finish the process off AT THE BALLOT BOX. Dave Bossie, an RNC committeeman from Maryland who recently endorsed Trump, withdrew the resolution Thursday night, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN, but not before Haleys campaign began fundraising off of it.

The RNC is leveraging the establishment to try and crown Trump the presumptive nominee, Haley wrote in a fundraising email. Well I have news for them: Im in this to win it and Im not going anywhere.

Trumps attempts to embarrass Haley were on display in New Hampshire. In the final days before the GOP primary there, Trump paraded a series of South Carolina Republican officials onstage at his rallies, including Gov. Henry McMaster, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and multiple congressmen.

For Trumps victory speech Tuesday night, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott  a onetime presidential rival whom Haley appointed to the Senate in 2012  stood onstage behind Trump days after endorsing him.

She actually appointed you, Tim, Trump said. You must really hate her.

Scott stepped forward and leaned into the microphone in an effort to defuse the situation. I just love you, he said.

Thats why hes a great politician, Trump responded.

Even as her campaign team plans for a monthlong fight in South Carolina, officials say Haley is gaugingthe support of donors and taking the temperature of longtime supporters about her path forward. Those private conversations could help influence any campaign decisions.

Trump did not do well with independents in New Hampshire, which further bolsters Haleys argument that he would lose in the general election, her aides said. Haley got the vote of about 6 out of 10 independent voters in New Hampshire, according to CNN exit polls.

How donors are reacting

Art Pope, a North Carolina retail magnate who is supporting Haley, sharply criticized Trumps threat to blacklist the former governors donors, saying it emboldens me and only increases his commitment to her candidacy for the GOP presidential nomination.

I and most Americans do not respond well to a bully, Pope, an influential player in North Carolina Republican politics, told CNN on Thursday while noting that he voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020. President Trump wants to be the leader of the country  but rather than unifying, reaching out and building support, hes basically telling us to go away and take a hike and threatening us. I decline to be threatened. Im not going to be intimidated.

He said Haley clearly is getting under the skin of someone who wants an anointment, rather than letting the voters have a choice in the primaries.

However, other donors, including a prominent Democrat who had crossed party lines in a bid to stop Trump, said they will no longer back Haleys efforts financially after her loss in New Hampshire.

Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn and a prominent Democratic donor who initially gave $250,000 to the pro-Haley super PAC, SFA Fund Inc., has no plans to continue donating to Haleys presidential campaign after she lost the New Hampshire primary, his adviser Dmitri Mehlhorn said.

If she had won New Hampshire there would have been a huge push to raise many tens of millions for her to build on that momentum in SC and Super Tuesday. The investment was based on winning NH, Mehlhorn told CNN.

Haleys campaign declined to comment on the donor moves.

Bidens campaign happy to see GOP race continue

Biden campaign officials have been privately cheering on Haleys decision to stay in the presidential race, sources say, as they monitor Trump lashing out at her.

The Biden campaign made clear after the New Hampshire primary that it fully believes Trump will be the presidents GOP opponent. Still, Bidens reelection team has welcomed seeing Haley prolong the Republican contest and force the Trump campaign to use its resources and time to attack her.

Go forth and prosper, one Biden campaign official said in describing the teams delight to see the Trump-Haley battle continue.

The Biden campaign account on Truth Social has amplified some of Haleys ongoing attacks on Trump, including her saying in an interview this week that Trump is prone to throwing temper tantrums when he is nervous or feels threatened.

Part of her strategy is to make him mad

Haley and her supporters have embraced her status as a long-shot candidate, drawing connections to tough fights she has waged, and won, at the start of her political career in South Carolina.

This is nothing new to her, said South Carolina state Rep. Nathan Ballentine, a longtime Haley ally. Shes always been the underdog, and frankly, she thrives in that environment.

She won her first race, a 2004 contest for a state House seat, after beating a 30-year incumbent in a Republican primary by 9 points.

In this November 3, 2010, photo, Haley greets supporters in Columbia, South Carolina, after delivering her victory speech in the governor's race. - David Goldman/AP

Six years later, she faced the real test of her political fortitude during her 2010 bid for governor. First, a key political ally  South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford  became a major liability after he revealed hed secretly left the country to visit his mistress in Argentina.

People looked at me with pity, Haley wrote in her 2012 autobiography. They no longer treated me like a real candidate. Worst of all, no one returned my calls.

Fundraising dried up, and Haleys campaign directed most of its funds to TV. She ran on a shoestring budget with donated office space and supplies, and charged supporters for yard signs.

Any other person probably would have just quit and caved in there, but she knew that South Carolina needed her, Ballentine said.

Haley went on to win the endorsement of Sarah Palin, which helped propel her in a GOP primary field that included McMaster, then the states attorney general, the state lieutenant governor and a congressman. And she stayed in after two men claimed without evidence that shed had extramarital affairs. Haley won the nomination in a runoff election by about 30 points.

The pressure Haley may have faced to drop out in 2010 is a fraction of the national pressure shes facing now. The Republican Party has also changed dramatically since then. There is no Palin-figure whose endorsement might change the tide of the race  an overwhelming majority of South Carolina politicians, as well as national leaders, have fallen in line behind Trump.

That hasnt stopped Haley from attempting to get under his skin.

I think part of her strategy is to make him mad, which seems to be very effective, said Chip Felkel, a South Carolina GOP strategist not working for any campaign. He gets off script, he says stupid stuff, he tweets stupid things, and its been indicative that hes not controlled.

Felkel, who described Haleys approach as guerrilla warfare, said he doesnt think she can win South Carolina but speculated that she may try to stay in until the convention.

She got a lot of fight in her, but at some point conventional wisdom says youve got to get a W somewhere or the mind dries up, Felkel said. And maybe shes banked enough, going to be judicious enough with it, that she thinks she can be in for the long haul.

CNNs Fredreka Schouten, Jeff Zeleny, Ebony Davis, Daniel Strauss and Kristen Holmes contributed to this report.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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The Kane County Sheriff's Office is keen on making sure no one in its suburban Chicago area goes hungry.

After he arrested a food delivery driver Wednesday, a sheriff's deputy hand-delivered the order to the person who was expecting it.

"My deputies always follow through," Sheriff Ron Hain said on Facebook.

A video posted to the sheriff's office Facebook page shows the deputy walking up to the delivery address and ringing the doorbell.

"Oh, my goodness, did my Dasher get in an accident?" the woman accepting the delivery asks in the video.

"No, he got arrested, but we wanted to make sure you got your food," the deputy replies before he wishes the woman a good night and waves goodbye as he walks away.

"You guys are amazing. Thank you," the woman says.

It is not clear why the DoorDash driver was arrested.
JPMorgan Chase (JPM) announced a management reshuffle Thursday as it prepares for a time when CEO Jamie Dimon is no longer in charge of the nations largest and most profitable bank.

The changes reinforce that there are now roughly a handful of executives with a shot at succeeding the 67-year-old Dimon, the longest-serving CEO of a major national bank.

One of the clear frontrunners is Jennifer Piepszak, who will become co-CEO of a new division encompassing JPMorgans commercial and investment bank along with Troy Rohrbaugh, previously co-head of markets and securities services.

Jennifer Piepszak, co-head of JPMorgan Chase's commercial and investment bank (JOE VERICKER PHOTOBUREAU INC)

Rohrbaugh has also been mentioned inside the bank as a potential CEO candidate, and this new appointment solidifies that standing.

Another executive considered to be a front-runner, Marianne Lake, wont be changing jobs but she will have full control of one of the bank's largest divisions: its sprawling consumer unit. She had been co-CEO with Piepszak, and she will now be the unit's sole CEO.

Marianne Lake, CEO of JPMorgan Chase's consumer and community bank (JOE VERICKER PHOTOBUREAU INC)

JPMorgan's president and chief operating officer Daniel Pinto will relinquish his title as CEO of the corporate and investment bank, a job he has done since 2014, but remain in his other roles.

Pinto is widely considered the person who would step in if Dimon were "hit by a bus," meaning the CEO has to step down under sudden or unforeseen circumstances and a new leader has to be named immediately.

Daniel Pinto will remains as president and COO of JPMorgan. (PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images) (PETER PARKS via Getty Images)

"We can increasingly take advantage of his extraordinary capabilities across the firm as we continue to jointly manage the company," Dimon said in a statement, referring to Pinto as his "partner" and noting that he will "focus on the execution of our lines-of-business priorities."

The questions about Dimon's future are gaining urgency as JPMorgan increases its hold over the rest of the industry. The bank's purchase of failed San Francisco lender First Republic last May increased its reach and influence while adding more to earnings. It also firmly established Dimon as the industry's rescuer-in-chief.

Jamie Dimon is the longest-serving CEO of a major national bank. (Brendan McDermid/REUTERS) (REUTERS / Reuters)

Last Friday JPMorgan reported that it raked in $49.6 billion in profits over the course of 2023, blowing away all rivals and topping its previous record for annual earnings.

Dimon has made it clear he has no near-term plans to leave. He has, however, also openly mused about life after JPMorgan.

"I cant do this forever, I know that," Dimon told analysts on May 22. "But my intensity is the same. I think when I don't have that kind of intensity, I should leave."

It is possible Dimon could stay at least two more years. The clue is a special retention bonus of 1.5 million options the board awarded Dimon in 2021. He can't exercise those options until 2026, and he has to stay at the bank the entire time while meeting certain performance targets.

The retention plan does have one interesting provision that allows Dimon to exit earlier. He can exercise the options if he leaves for a government job, according to a regulatory filing  elected or unelected.

Dimon has frequently been linked over the years to top roles in Washington. During President Obamas time in office, Dimon was frequently mentioned as a possible Treasury secretary. Billionaire Warren Buffett even offered his endorsement in 2012, saying Dimon would be the best pick for that job.

The bank said Thursday that the executive changes are designed to "further develop the companys most senior leaders" and continue to position the firm for the future."

It also announced that Doug Petno, who had been head of the commercial bank, will now be part of the new division headed by Piepszak and Rohrbaugh that will handle everything from investment and corporate banking to markets, securities services, and global payments.

Vis Raghavan will run investment banking within that division and Marc Badrichani, who had been co-head of markets and securities services with Rohrbaugh, will exit JPMorgan.

Mary Erdoes, the longtime CEO of asset and wealth management, will remain in her role, as will global payments head Takis Georgakopoulos, who also is considered among the candidates to succeed Dimon eventually.

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A Black Ohio woman who was charged after having a miscarriage in her bathroom toilet last year said she does not want any other woman to go through what I had to go through.

Brittany Watts, 34, spoke with CBS Mornings in her first interview following her September arrest. Authorities got involved after a hospital nurse who consoled Watts when she sought medical help called the police, Watts said. Earlier this month, an Ohio grand jury decided to dismiss the charges.

On Sept. 19, Watts was 21 weeks and five days pregnant when she noticed an uncomfortable fluid leaking from her, she said. Her OB-GYN told Watts that her pregnancy was nonviable, according to a report by the Trumbull County Coroners Office. Watts was then transported by ambulance to Mercy Health St. Joseph Warren Hospital in Warren, Ohio, where she waited hours for the doctor to come in or call, she said during the interview.

I kept asking whoever would come in to check my vitals  I said, Have you heard anything? and they were like, Oh, well, were still waiting. Were still waiting.

Watts waited at least eight hours before deciding to leave the hospital against medical advice, according to medical records. The hospital report also states that Watts understood her risk of complications, including hemorrhage, sepsis or death.

Watts returned to the hospital the next day to get a labor induction; she waited for 11 hours, she said, but was never induced and opted to go home.

I felt frustrated, Watts said. I felt ignored.

Watts case was referred to Mercy Healths ethics committee that day, after staff reported concerns with Watts using the word abortion when discussing the next steps to her care, according to medical records shown by CBS News. In Ohio, abortions after 22 weeks into a pregnancy are banned with exceptions to life-saving care, according to the states law.

In a statement to NBC News, Mercy Health declined to give specifics about Watts care, citing patient privacy.

It is with the deepest empathy during difficult times that we care for those who have suffered a great loss, the statement said.

While waiting on a decision about an induction on Sept. 20, Watts said she was worried about her own health. She miscarried two days after leaving the hospital for a second time.

Upon arriving at the hospital a third time in the middle of her miscarriage, Watts said a nurse reassured her that everythings going to be OK. Meanwhile, that nurse, whom the hospital has not identified, called the police, Watts said. In a call with a 911 dispatcher shared by CBS News, the nurse said Watts didnt want to look at the fetus. She also alleged Watts didnt want the baby and she didnt look, according to the 911 audio. Watts said, however, this was not true.

I said I did not want to look, Watts said Friday. I have never said I didnt want my baby. I would have never said something like that. It just makes me angry that somebody would put those type of words in my mouth to make me seem so callous and so  so hateful.

Police arrested her days later on charges of abusing a corpse, under a state law that punishes those who treat a human corpse in a way that the person knows would outrage reasonable family sensibilities or community sensibilities. The fifth-degree felony charge is punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.

Warren Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

An Ohio grand jury decided on Jan. 11 that Watts would not be indicted. In a statement, Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins said that Watts did not violate the Ohio criminal statute.

Traci Timko, Watts attorney, said his client was painted as a young, unmarried Black woman that did not comply with their orders to keep waiting. The hospital, she added, weaponized the police.

Watts said she believes her race played a role in why she was charged. She also said there are no regulations explaining what women like herself should do in the situation she experienced. Today, Watts said she is motivated that the charges have been dropped and is advocating for changes in laws for women who experience miscarriages.

As the old saying goes, History repeats itself, Watts said. I dont want it to happen in this case.
BEIJING (AP)  Beijing confirmed Friday that a longtime British businessperson in China was sentenced to five years in prison in 2022 on an espionage charge.

Ian J. Stones was convicted of being bought off to provide intelligence to external forces, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said when asked about the case at a daily briefing. He did not provide any specific details about the charges.

Both the United Kingdom and United States governments have warned about the risk of detention under China's national security laws. A Japanese pharmaceutical company employee was detained last year on suspicion of spying. A new version of the law that took effect July 1, 2023, has heightened concerns about operating in China.

Stones' case was not publicly known until reported Thursday by The Wall Street Journal. The American business newspaper said that Stones is about 70 years old and has worked in China for about 40 years. His employers included General Motors and Pfizer before he set up up a consulting firm, Navisino Partners, about 15 years ago, the Journal said.

Foreign business organizations and governments called for greater clarity last year on what foreign firms are allowed to do under what is now known as the anti-espionage law. Of particular concern are tighter restrictions on the transfer of data to other parties, and what data is considered related to national security under the law.

Raids on the offices of three foreign companies, two consultancies and one due diligence firm, have further unnerved the business community.

The British government warns about the risk of arbitrary detention in China and the broad scope of the national security law. You may be detained without having intended to break the law, it says in its foreign travel advice for the country.

The U.S. travel advisory says that Chinese authorities appear to have broad discretion to deem a wide range of documents, data, statistics, or materials as state secrets and to detain and prosecute foreign nationals for alleged espionage.

It says that foreigners who have been detained for alleged national security law violations include businesspeople, former government officials, academics, journalists and relatives of Chinese involved in legal disputes.

Stones appealed his conviction, but a court upheld the original ruling in September, Wang said.

He said that the case was handled in accordance with the law, ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of both Chinese and foreign parties involved.

The British Foreign Office declined to comment on the case.
A law firm in New York is preparing for legal action after it said a 25-year-old woman died from eating a cookie with undisclosed peanuts in it.

The Florentine cookie, distributed to two stores from the small Northeast grocery chain Stew Leonards, contained peanuts that werent listed on the product label, according to a Jan. 23 Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) news release.

One death was reportedly attributed to the mislabeling, officials said. That person was later identified by a New York law firm as 25-year-old dancer Orla Baxendale.

Baxendale was born in the United Kingdom but moved to New York City to attend The Ailey School to further study dance in 2018, according to the schools tribute. She worked in the fine arts until her sudden death Jan. 11, according to her obituary.

Baxendale was the embodiment of enthusiasm, strength, and beauty while also being well-known for her quirky character and boundless love, according to her obituary.

Her lasting legacy is one of magic and artistry, her obituary said.

Orla made the most of her time with us on this earth, living each day as a celebration, her obituary said, recalling her infectious zest for life.

While at a social gathering in Connecticut, Baxendale ate a Florentine cookie from Stew Leonards, officials said. Then, she died from anaphylactic shock caused by her allergic reaction to the cookie, according to a statement from Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf law firm.

The firm identified itself as Baxendales legal representation in the statement.

The Florentine cookie was sold in two Stew Leonards locations, according to Connecticut officials.

Orlas vibrant spirit and her relentless pursuit of excellence in her art have left an indelible mark on all who knew her, the law firm said in its statement.

The attorneys attributed her death to gross negligence either by the manufacturer or the seller. The incorrect labeling led to a devastating yet preventable outcome, the firm said.

Based upon the outrageous conduct of (Stew Leonards) in failing to list peanuts, which Orla was horribly allergic to, in the cookie ingredients, we are certainly going to commence legal action! attorney Howard S. Hershenhorn told McClatchy News in an email.

The company announced its recall two weeks after her death, targeting the vanilla and chocolate Florentine cookies sold in Danbury and Newington from Nov. 6 to Dec. 31, according to a Jan. 25 Stew Leonards statement.

The Florentine cookies were supplied to Stew Leonards by Cookies United, a wholesale bakery in Islip, New York, according to the DCP. All bakery products made by the wholesaler were removed from all Stew Leonards locations in Connecticut, officials said.

The DCP warned anyone with a nut allergy to get rid of the cookies.

Correct labeling so that people who have food allergies can appropriately protect themselves is of utmost importance, Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani said in the release. I am devastated to learn of this incident and will work with partners to ensure that we can protect people with food allergies.

The news of Baxendales passing was very sad, Stew Leonard Jr., the grocery chains CEO, said in a Jan. 24 video statement.

About 500 packages of Florentine cookies were sold over the holiday season, he said.

The reason for the unlabeled peanuts was due to Cookies United changing its Florentine cookie recipe from soy nuts to peanuts, Leonard said. Stew Leonards was never notified of the change, he said.

The wholesaler responded to Leonards claim in a news release, saying Cookies United contacted the grocery chain in July 2023 about the ingredient alteration. Instead, the incorrect label was created and placed on packages by Stew Leonards, according to Cookies United.

Stew Leonards is working with state health officials to determine the extent of the mislabeling, the DCP said.

Danbury is about 70 miles northeast of New York City. Newington is about 50 miles northeast of Danbury.

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A multi-pronged legal attack under way by Elon Musk, large corporations, business groups and anti-union litigators threatens to raise havoc with US labor law and hobble a resurgent labor movement, according to experts.

So far efforts to scale back or undermine workers rights through the US courts have centered on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)  the US top workplace watchdog and overseer of union elections. But other laws  including trademark and property rights statutes  are also being used.

Related: Broken US labor laws could hamper union wins for workers, experts warn

Both Musk and Starbucks are pursuing cases that would undermine the NLRB.

Musks company SpaceX filed a lawsuit championed by the Federalist Society and other conservative groups against the NLRB in January. The lawsuit claims the board is unconstitutional because its members can only be removed for cause, not at will, and claims the board violates due process protections. The suit was filed in Texas by Musks attorneys with the union avoidance law firm Morgan Lewis in response to a board complaint that SpaceX fired workers in retaliation for writing a letter over concerns about Musks behavior.

This is one of the most audacious and bold attempts to reverse the decisions of the 1930s and the way in which American labor law has operated for nearly 90 years, said William Gould IV, Charles A Beardsley professor of law, emeritus, at Stanford Law School and chairman of the NLRB from 1994 to 1998. This would raise havoc with the effective administration of labor law in our country which is designed to be for the benefit of workers and the collective bargaining process.

Starbucks is challenging the NLRBs ruling that the worlds largest coffee chain must rehire seven fired union activists in Memphis, Tennessee. The board won an injunction ordering Starbucks to reinstate the workers with backpay and a lower court ruled the firings probably discouraged other employees from exercising their rights under US labor law.

Starbucks Workers United union has won elections at more than 350 stores but has yet to agree a union contract at any location. NLRB regional offices and administrative law judges have found dozens of labor law violations committed by Starbucks since the union campaign began in late 2021.

The US supreme court will now hear the case, which centers on whether the NLRB has the right to ask courts to reinstate workers while litigation is ongoing  referred to as 10(j) injunctions. Unfair dismissal cases can take years to hear and the agency  which asked the supreme court not to take the case  has argued removing the power will have a chilling effect on union organizing.

Starbucks praised the decision: We are pleased the supreme court has decided to consider our request to level the playing field for all US employers by ensuring that a single standard is applied as federal district courts determine whether to grant 10(j) injunctions pursued by the National Labor Relations Board, a Starbucks spokesperson said in response to the decision.

Gould argued this case involves the most important tool that the NLRB currently has at its disposal to enforce the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

My labor board, when I was chairman in the 1990s, used this provision more than any other labor board in the entire 90-year history of the board. This is the most effective weapon we had, Gould said.

The ramifications are enormous, he continued. Everyone has recognized labor law reform is necessary to make the NLRA statute work. All Congress has given in the nature of labor law reform is section 10(j). The effect of this is to make wrongdoers less concerned about engaging in misconduct because they will not be brought to justice in the foreseeable future. The only way that the statute can work effectively is to operate judiciously so that workers when confronted with a choice about whether to join a union or not, will not be faced with a choice that means that they will have to wait two, three, four years before their rights can be realized. Section 10(j) is a way of providing for effective enforcement of the statute and this will discourage, Im afraid, unionization, and will discourage workers who are interested in unionization.

Given the supreme courts conservative make-up, and recent decisions and opinions from some of the courts most rightwing judges, Gould warned that the justices will likely rule in Starbucks favor. This is a court that is hostile to unions, working people, and also my belief is its hostile [to] elected representatives altogether predicated upon the view that the unelected judges know more than the other branches of government, he concluded.

But it is not just the watchdog that is under attack. Starbucks also filed a lawsuit late last year against Starbucks Workers United, alleging trademark infringement. Trader Joes filed a similar lawsuit against the union Trader Joes United, which a judge in California recently threw out. Medieval Times also filed a lawsuit against its workers union, claiming trademark infringement, which was also thrown out by a judge.

Seth Goldstein, a labor attorney representing Trader Joes United, said the trademark suits were part of an emerging toolbox of anti-union law firms where they are really using everything they have to try to stop the new organizing movement.

I think that there are some dark forces here trying to stop the emerging organizing movement by perhaps throwing out the National Labor Relations Act, and the right of unions like Trader Joes, Starbucks or Medieval Times to have their own identification because they know they are losing the union elections and more young people, gen Z and millennials, are attracted to unionizing.

A spokesperson for Trader Joes said in a statement: Trader Joes consistently takes legal action to protect our brand when we become aware that someone other than Trader Joes is selling merchandise using our trademarks and trade dress. We will continue to take all appropriate action to protect our brand.

Cathy Creighton, director of Cornell Universitys Industrial and Labor Relations Buffalo Co-Lab and a former NLRB field attorney, said corporations have long used a number of tactics to prevent and dissuade their workers from organizing unions. These tactics have included firings, closing facilities, surveillance, offering increases to pay and benefits or withholding increases, refusing to bargain a first contract with units of workers who have unionized, and employing legal maneuvers to create delays and deplete the unions resources.

Theyre trying to kill the movement. Corporate America is going full bore after the labor movement and thats what theyre trying to do is to really annihilate them on every level that they can, including these legal maneuvers, said Creighton. Theres a whole body of NLRB case law that it is a violation of federal labor law to sue as a means to prevent organizing and bargaining, so there will be NLRB charges brought in this regard if there havent been already.

Another increasingly popular tactic has been to argue that property rights supersede the rights of workers in workplaces, said David Muraskin, managing director for litigation at the legal advocacy group FarmSTAND.

Muraskin represented groups challenging a North Carolina state law that would have prevented whistleblowers from speaking with legislators, regulators or the media, a law that the North Carolina farm bureau federation defended in court. The US supreme court declined to hear an appeal of a lower court ruling that struck down four provisions of the law.

The North Carolina Farm Bureau did not return requests for comment.

What the farm bureau and the state came in and said was, well, sure, theres a first amendment right to record and theres a first amendment right to speak. But all that is really trumped by the right to property. Whats so shocking about that argument is there is no constitutional right to property, said Muraskin. I think this is a way in which the right has turned a weak argument into an anti-social justice tool across a variety of areas, and theyre using it pretty aggressively.

In New York and Colorado, agricultural business groups are fighting against legislation that ensures farm workers have access to essential services such as legal representation or healthcare, with business groups arguing that their property rights supersede the law.

Colorado passed the Agricultural Workers Rights bill in 2021, which would ensure farm workers can access essential service providers while on breaks. The Colorado Livestock Association and a group of farm owners and ranchers filed lawsuits to halt the law from being implemented, claiming the provision in the law violates employers rights to exclude people from their property.

What the Colorado Livestock Association is doing in Colorado to try to weaponize the supreme courts more business-friendly precedent is happening across the country, said Kelsey Eberly, a senior attorney with FarmSTAND who is representing farm workers in an attempt to dismiss the lawsuit opposing the bill.

Jenifer Rodriguez, managing attorney of the Colorado Legal Services Migrant Farm Worker Division, argued opposition to the Colorado law is based on outdated precedents as US labor laws passed in the early 20th century excluded farm workers and domestic workers from basic protections that are afforded to other US workers.

Related: UAW wants to unionize Tesla. It faces a tough and high-profile battle with Musk

She said laws placing the owners interests and their property rights over the rights of farmworkers were based on laws that were originally designed to exclude Black people and immigrants that apply to other working people.

Farm workers often work in isolated rural areas, and during harvest seasons do not have the time or means of transportation to access basic services, said Rodriguez. She also dismissed arguments against the law given property owners under the law are allowed to develop and enforce rules for visitors.

Every person regardless of where they come from, what kind of work they do, or where they live, should have access to fundamental services like healthcare, education and legal help, said Rodriguez.

A spokesperson for the Colorado Livestock Association said in an email on the business groups attempt to block the law, since the enactment of Senate Bill 21-087, there has been confusion and instances of individuals entering private property and businesses under the auspices of providing services to those employed on-premises. Colorado Livestock Association (CLA), along with others, has challenged through litigation the unlawful trespass by those posing as service providers for employees on private property as a part of these new labor laws. Additionally, CLA challenged the constitutionality of this provision in law. Given the nature of takings and the application of laws in this pretense, CLA believes compensation should be required by the enacting government entity. The real question is why Agribusinesses are not to be afforded the same reasonable expectation of private property as any other employment entity.
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley threw her support behind Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in his fight with the federal government over border authority, stating the Biden administrations position is absolutely ridiculous.

Governor Abbott is right: the state of Texas has every right to defend itself and its borders, Haley wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Its absolutely ridiculous that Joe Biden is trying to stop governors from doing everything they can to protect their citizens.

Her show of support comes amid Abbotts ongoing standoff with the Biden administration over the fencing and razor wire Texas has installed at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Haleys support joins a series of Republican governors and lawmakers who have publicly backed Abbotts actions.

Speaker Johnson backs Abbotts border invasion decree

But its also nothing new; Biden was part of the administration that sued me when I passed one of the toughest anti-illegal immigration laws in the country as governor of South Carolina, Haley added.

This was a likely reference to a federal court decision in 2012 that blocked portions of South Carolinas anti-immigrant law when Haley was the state governor and Biden was vice president under former President Obama.

Tensions escalated earlier this month when the Texas National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety installed fences and razor wire in a riverside park in Eagle Pass, Texas, and blocked park access to Border Patrol officials.

The Supreme Court ruled earlier this week border agents can remove the razor wire erected on the U.S.-Mexico border, dealing a major blow to Abbott, who has argued the fencing is needed for his states security.

The federal government, meanwhile, has argued the Lone Star State does not have the authority to build the fencing, which it claims illegally prevents them from managing the border.

Texas appeared to continue building razor wire after the ruling this week, and Abbott on Wednesday asserted his authority to combat the influx of migrants  which he called an invasion of the state  supersedes federal law.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Josh Smith and Hyunsu Yim

SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea is developing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for everything from how to respond to COVID-19 and safeguard nuclear reactors to wargaming simulations and government surveillance, according to a new study.

International sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons program may have hindered North Korea's attempts to secure AI hardware, but it appears to be pursuing the latest technology, wrote study author Hyuk Kim of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) in California.

"North Koreas recent endeavours in AI/ML development signify a strategic investment to bolster its digital economy," Kim wrote in the report, which cited open-source information including state media and journals and was published on Tuesday by the 38 North project.

Some of North Korea's AI researchers have collaborated with foreign scholars, including in China, the report found.

Seoul's spy agency said on Wednesday it has detected signs that North Korean hackers had used generative AI to search for targets and seek technologies needed for hacking, though it appears they have yet to use it in actual cyberattacks.

The National Intelligence Service said it was closely monitoring the situation.

North Korea established the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute in 2013 and in recent years several companies have promoted commercial products featuring AI, the report said.

Communications technology is heavily restricted and monitored in the authoritarian North.

During the COVID-19 pandemic North Korea used AI to create a model for evaluating proper mask usage and prioritising clinical symptom indicators of infection, Kim said in the report.

North Korean scientists have also published research into using AI for maintaining the safety of nuclear reactors, the report added.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog and independent experts said last month that a new reactor at North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear complex appears to be operating for the first time, which would mean another potential source of plutonium for nuclear weapons.

The AI development presents many challenges, Kim wrote.

"For instance, North Koreas pursuit of a wargaming simulation program using (machine learning) reveals intentions to better comprehend operational environments against potential adversaries," he wrote.

"Furthermore, North Koreas ongoing collaborations with foreign scholars pose concerns for the sanctions regime."

(Reporting by Josh Smith; editing by Miral Fahmy)
SEOUL (Reuters) - OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is visiting South Korea on Friday and meeting leaders of chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Altman is expected to discuss potential partnerships for making chips, the sources said, declining to be identified.

OpenAI, Samsung and SK did not have an immediate comment.

Altman is trying to raise billions of dollars for a chip venture for setting up a network of factories that will manufacture semiconductors, with chipmakers as potential partners, Bloomberg News reported last week.

Both SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics make high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in artificial intelligence chipsets, while Samsung Electronics also contract manufactures chips in competition with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

SK Hynix said on Thursday it seeks to become a "a total AI memory provider" after reporting a surprise December quarter profit on strong demand for memory chips used in AI.

(Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Sandra Maler)
Ninety-three U.S. citizens have died as a result of cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic from 2009 to 2022, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Over half of the deaths occurred after 2018, reflecting the increasing popularity of overseas cosmetic surgery. The fatal cases examined involved liposuction and 92% involved gluteal fat transfer, "in which fat is harvested from the patient and then injected into the buttocks to augment the body silhouette." This procedure is also commonly known as a Brazilian butt lift.

All but one of the Americans who died were women, and their median age was 40.

Most of the deaths investigated were caused by embolisms, or blockages in the bloodstream, either from blood clots or fat buildup. In most of the fatal cases, multiple procedures were done during the same surgery, consistent with the CDC-identified risk factors for cosmetic surgery.

The findings in this report highlight the importance of considering patient and operative risk factors when determining whether to proceed with elective cosmetic surgery, the CDC researchers wrote.

The analysis stated that a high proportion of patients who died had risk factors for embolism, including obesity and having multiple procedures performed during the same operation.

According to the report, due to the increasing prevalence of cosmetic surgery-related deaths, the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic reached out to the CDC, which then conducted an investigation in collaboration with the Dominican Ministry of Health.

NBC News has reached out to the Dominican Republic health ministry and the government for comment on the report.

Americans have been traveling to other countries for medical procedures, known as medical tourism, drawn in by the lower costs and wait times compared with the U.S.

Such travel is not limited to the Dominican Republic, though it's a popular destination because of its existing tourism industry and because some Dominican doctors advertise in the U.S., according to the CDC.

Medical tourism can have other risks, including before patients ever reach the operating room. In March 2023, four Americans were kidnapped at gunpoint in Mexico after one went for a cosmetic surgery procedure; two of the Americans ended up dead.

Infections and complications arising from plastic surgery are not limited to overseas, with reports of botched procedures in the U.S. that have caused death or irreparable damage.

A separate CDC report published Thursday found 15 cases in nine states of an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection after patients underwent cosmetic surgery that all originated from the same medical center in Florida.
(Reuters) -Salesforce is laying off about 700 employees, or roughly 1% of its global workforce, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, in the latest round of job cuts to hit the tech industry.

However, the report added that Salesforce still has 1,000 jobs open across the company, implying that the move could be more of a routine adjusting of the company's workforce, the report said, citing a source.

The job cuts follow a wave of U.S. tech layoffs after the industry hired heavily during the pandemic, including among behemoths such as Amazon and Google.

Salesforce did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on the report.

Earlier this week, eBay announced it would cut about 1,000 roles, or an estimated 9% of its current workforce, while Microsoft said it would let go of 1,900 employees at Activision Blizzard and Xbox.

Salesforce has already trimmed its workforce last year, when it cut jobs by 10% and closed some offices, after rapid pandemic hiring left it with a bloated workforce.

The workforce trimming helped the company's earnings leading it to report a rise in second and third quarter revenue and raising its annual profit forecast.

Salesforce also said in September that it would hire more than 3,000 people after cutting jobs in January last year to drive up margins.

(Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich)
By Kopano Gumbi and Siyabonga Sishi

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -South Africa's liberation hero Nelson Mandela "will be smiling in his grave" at the World Court order imposing emergency measures against Israel over its war in Gaza, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said.

In a case brought by South Africa, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire.

It has not yet ruled on the core of South Africa's case, whether genocide has occurred in Gaza. That ruling could take years.

"We believe that former President Mandela will be smiling in his grave as one of the advocates for the Genocide Convention," Lamola told Reuters on the sidelines of a gathering of the governing African National Congress party outside Johannesburg.

The ANC has long defended the Palestinian cause, a relationship forged when its struggle against oppressive white-minority rule was supported by Yasser Arafat's Palestine Liberation Organisation.

It has likened Israel's actions to its struggle against apartheid, a comparison rejected by Israel, which has said South Africa's allegations of genocide are "grossly distorted" and that it makes the utmost efforts to avoid civilian casualties.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "The mere claim that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians is not only false, it's outrageous, and the willingness of the court to even discuss this is a disgrace that will not be erased for generations."

Lamola said South Africa taking the case to The Hague was an act of courage motivated by a desire to stand up for a rules-based world order.

He added: "It is a victory for the international law that there could be no exceptionalism in any part of the world and Israel cannot be exempt from complying with its international obligations."

(Reporting by Kopano Gumbi and Siyabonga Sishi;Additional reporting by Bhargav Acharya;Editing by Alexander Winning and Alison Williams)
By Tuvan Gumrukcu and Jonathan Spicer

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Turkey is expected to send the final instrument of ratification for Sweden's NATO membership to Washington as early as Friday, in a move that Turkish and U.S. leaders say clears the way to Ankara's purchase of U.S. F-16 fighter jets.

President Tayyip Erdogan signed off Sweden's membership on Thursday after parliament endorsed it on Tuesday, ending 20 months of delays.

Under NATO rules, the final document in the process - the instrument of ratification - needs to be deposited in the U.S. State Department archives in Washington.

A person familiar with the issue said that may happen on Friday, marking the last step in a process that began in 2022.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States welcomed Erdogan's approval, while British Foreign Secretary David Cameron told Reuters he was "delighted" by the decision.

"We look forward to receiving the instruments in Washington and welcoming Sweden as NATO's 32nd Ally," Blinken said on X.

Turkey's backing, long seen as the main obstacle in securing Sweden's accession into the western military alliance, leaves Hungary as the only member yet to ratify the Swedish bid.

Both Erdogan and U.S. lawmakers had previously linked Ankara's final approval of Sweden to the $20 billion sale of Lockheed Martin F-16s and modernization kits to Turkey.

Shortly after the Turkish parliament's vote, U.S. President Joe Biden sent a letter to leaders of key Capitol Hill committees to inform them of his intention to begin the formal notification process for the F-16 sale once Ankara completes Sweden's NATO accession process.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Erdogan said Turkey was now awaiting the U.S. move on the F-16 sale and the Congress should respond to Biden's letter "as soon as possible".

"We are waiting for this. Of course, the outcome that will come from there as soon as possible will allow us, God willing, to start the process of the F-16s being sent to Turkey, as well as all the repair, maintenance matters," he said.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Blinken were in close contact and managing the process, Erdogan said.

The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey told Reuters on Thursday that he expected Washington to take rapid steps toward U.S. Congress endorsement of the sale, with the State Department sending the formal notification to Congress immediately.

(Reporting by Jonathan Spicer and Tuvan GumrukcuEditing by Tomasz Janowski)
The Biden administration is expressing deep concerns about nearly three dozen arrest warrants issued by Venezuela leader Nicolas Maduro to detain critics of his regime including journalists, opposition leaders and former members of the military.

The warrants, the State Department said late Tuesday, are contrary to the electoral deal reached last year in Barbados in which the Venezuelan government agreed to open the electoral process to, among other things, allow opponents to run for office including the presidency.

The announcement was made a day after the regimes attorney general, Tarek William Saab, claimed that Venezuelan officials had thwarted at least four different plots to overthrow Maduro and that at least 32 people had been arrested since last May.

In announcing the alleged plots to overthrow Maduro, Saab accused members of the Venezuelan community in South Florida, claiming they were involved in the conspiracy. The plot, he said, was orchestrated with the collaboration of members of a Foreign Intelligence Organization.

This foreign organization operates and holds clandestine meetings in the city of Bogota to recruit members of security agencies of the Venezuelan State, said Saab. A CIA military base operates in Colombia, which seeks to attack the political and legal system of Venezuela.

The State Department did not address Saabs claims directly but strongly denounced the arrests. The agency said the arrests violated the terms agreed on by the regime and the Venezuelan opposition last October in Barbados, which led to Washington lifting some oil sanctions against Caracas.

Arrests without due process run contrary to the spirit of the October 2023 electoral roadmap agreement signed between the Unitary Platform and representatives of Nicolas Maduro. We call for the end of politically motivated harassment, including attacks upon opposition campaign offices and all efforts to stifle the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people through fear and intimidation, the State Department said.

Actions that run counter to the spirit and the letter of the Barbados Agreement will have consequences. We urge Maduro and his representatives to adhere to the electoral roadmap agreement, including by announcing a clear timeline for the 2024 presidential election, and to reinstate all political candidates, it added.

Eric Farnsworth, head of the Washington office of the Council of the Americas business association and a former State Department official, says he isnt isnt surprised by recent events.

I just dont see a path to free and fair elections given current and deteriorating conditions and the challenge the U.S. and international community face in prioritizing Venezuela issues in the midst of other global crises, he said. The upshot is that without greater leverage to prompt him to do so, Maduro is highly unlikely to hold free and fair elections this year.

The U.S. government has been waiting for Caracas socialist regime to comply with the commitments it made in a series of negotiations held throughout last year with members of the Biden administration. The talks culminated with the signing in Barbados of two separate accords with opposition leaders to hold presidential elections in the second half of this year. Prior to the signing, representatives of the Biden administration and Maduro had held several meetings over the persistent political and economic crisis that has led millions of Venezuelans to seek refuge in neighboring countries and the United States.

As part of its commitments, the regime agreed to lift bans blocking opposition leaders from running for office, implement deep reforms to the often criticized electoral system, allow international observers to monitor the election and free all political prisoners.

In exchange, the Biden administration granted a six-month general license temporarily authorizing U.S. transactions involving the oil and gas sector in Venezuela, and a second general license authorizing the operations of state-run Minerven, a previously sanctioned gold-mining enterprise that had been trading on the black market.

The U.S. also agreed in December to release from custody and return to Venezuela a key ally and trusted confidante of Maduro, Alex Saab, as part of a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Caracas. In carrying out the transactions, U.S. officials emphasized the electoral commitments made in Barbados that involved prisoners release.

The prisoner swap, Biden administration officials said, opens the door for us to continue to engage in dialogue so that when Venezuela holds elections next year, they are competitive and inclusive, and that will allow Venezuelans to really determine the future of the country.

Critics charge that the Maduro regime is now going backwards, increasing the number of political prisoners and harassing the presidential campaign of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who according to most polls would easily beat Maduro in a free and fair election.

Maduro has been on this trajectory since Maria Corina won the opposition primaries, pulling every level and string to delegitimize and complicate her candidacy, Farnsworth said. The latest steps are no surprise, part of a strategy of purposeful intimidation against her and her associates.

Among those arrested this week, Machado said, are two of her campaign managers.

In the last 24 hours, there are already two coordinators, command heads in two states, who have been kidnapped, who went missing under custody of the regime, and three other coordinators who are being persecuted, she told journalists late Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, a number of her political party offices found hostile graffiti spray painted on the walls reading Bolivarian Fury.

I want to tell the international community that we have to put a stop to it, stop this madness, because that is what the Bolivarian Fury means: aggression, disappearances, persecution and, obviously, it reflects the fear of a regime to measure itself, Machado said

Saab, the attorney general, has accused alleged conspirators of trying to assassinate Maduro.

With this conspiracy they wanted to attack the lives of President NM (Nicolas Maduro) and the Minister of Defense VPL (Vladimir Padrino Lopez), he said on X, formerly Twitter. This operation would be carried out at the La Vineta Presidential Residence and would be carried out by five citizens currently detained and charged.

Saab said the regime had issued arrest warrants against the so-called plotters, including members of human rights organizations, journalists, exiled Venezuelan soldiers and leaders of the Venezuelan community in Miami.

Among these is human rights activist Tamara Suju, who has published numerous reports on the systematic use of torture in Venezuela by security agencies. Suju resides in Spain.





Two other people who are now wanted by the regimes security agencies include retired Vice Admiral Mario Carratu Molina and retired National Guard Lieutenant Jose Antonio Colina, both well-known members of the Venezuelan diaspora in Miami.
An Indiana nursing home employee who police said attempted to rape a nearly 90-year-old resident with dementia was arrested this week in connection to the attack. On Friday, the employee was free on $750 bond.

Jeffrey A. Harvey, 68, was arrested by Princeton Police Department officers on charges of attempted rape and sexual battery following the Monday alleged assault, assistant police Chief Bobby Wood told USA TODAY Friday.

Woods said the arrest took place at RiverOaks Health Campus where officers responded to a report of an issue with and employee and a resident.

The facility is about 30 miles north of downtown Evansville.

Pilot taken to hospital: Plane crashes into residential neighborhood in New Hampshire

A door barricaded with a chair

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Gibson County Circuit Court, Harvey worked at the facility as a floor technician at the time of the alleged assault.

In the affidavit, an officer wrote, a nursing home staff member who supervised Harvey told police they watched Harvey talking with the 87-year-old victim while she watched TV in a public area before asking her to go to her room.

As the pair walked to her room, the supervisor told police, it appeared Harvey "was going to kiss" the victim.

The supervisor went to alert a nurse, but by the time they approached the victim's room the door was shut, the affidavit continues, barricaded by a chair and both employees said they could hear noises inside.

At some point, an officer wrote in the affidavit, the employees forced the door open and told officers they saw Harvey with his pants off next to the victim, who was undressed from the waste down with her shirt pulled up.

A blue pair of men's underwear

The victim, the affidavit continues, then turned in the bed and grabbed a pair of men's blue underwear and put them on, the employee told police.

Police confiscated the underwear as evidence and, according to the affidavit, as Harvey was escorted out of the facility to be taken to the police department for an interview, he allegedly said "I done wrong."

A crime scene tape outlines the scene of a crime in Tallahassee, Florida.

According to police, Harvey has been employed at the facility since March 14, 2023.

It was not immediately known if he remained employed there on Friday.

RiverOaks Health Campus Executive Director Rebecca Brown released the following statement to USA TODAY:

"The safety and wellbeing of our residents is at the forefront of everything we do at River Oaks Health Campus. On January 22nd, staff identified, intervened, and reported an incident to authorities which occurred at the campus. An investigation is now in progress. We cannot comment any further but continue to remain committed to delivering excellence in care to each and every resident that calls River Oaks home."

It was not immediately known if Harvey had obtained an attorney and he could not be reached for comment by USA TODAY.

Suspect free on $750 bond

On Friday, a court clerk told USA TODAY Harvey was free after posting a $750 bond.

Online records show Harvey is set to appear before a judge for his initial court appearance Tuesday.

Woods said the case remained under investigation Friday.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Indiana nursing home employee accused of attempted rape on resident
Police arrested the alleged accomplice of a 17-year-old murder suspect who escaped from a hospital parking lot this week, as the manhunt for the teen continues.

Shane Pryor, who was in custody for a 2020 fatal shooting, escaped from Juvenile Justice Services Center staff at a hospital on Wednesday, police said. He had been transported to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for a hand injury when he fled on foot in the emergency room parking lot shortly before noon, police said.

MORE: US Marshals offering $5,000 reward in 'dangerous' Philadelphia teen murder suspect's escape

His alleged getaway driver, 18-year-old Michael Diggs, was detained several hours after the escape and now faces multiple felony charges, authorities said.

Following his escape from custody, Pryor was observed on surveillance footage entering a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia building, where he asked an employee to use her cellphone but was denied, Clark said. He left and was able to use a civilian's phone to allegedly call his "associate," Diggs, according to U.S. Marshals Deputy Rob Clark.

PHOTO: The booking photo for Michael Diggs. (Philadelphia Police Department)

Diggs arrived around 12:30 p.m. and allegedly picked up Pryor in a cream-colored Ford Fusion and left the University City neighborhood, Clark said.

The two were observed in the vehicle at an intersection in North Philadelphia between 1:15 and 2 p.m., which was the last confirmed sighting of Pryor, according to Clark. Pryor was seen on surveillance footage in a convenience store in the area during that time, Clark said.

Officers with the Philadelphia Highway Patrol located the Ford Fusion around 6:40 p.m. Wednesday in Philadelphia's East Germantown neighborhood and detained Diggs for questioning, according to Clark.

Diggs has since been charged with hindering apprehension, escape, use of communication facility and criminal conspiracy in connection with Pryor's escape, police announced on Friday. Attorney information for Diggs wasn't immediately available.

"The arrest marks a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to bring all those involved in the incident to justice," the Philadelphia Police Department said in a news release.

PHOTO: The U.S. Marshals Service released surveillance footage showing Shane Pryor inside a Philadelphia convenience store on Jan. 24, 2024. (U.S. Marshals Service)

PHOTO: The U.S. Marshals Service released surveillance footage showing Shane Pryor inside a Philadelphia convenience store on Jan. 24, 2024.U.S. Marshals Service (U.S. Marshals Service)

Pryor was not in the Ford Fusion at the time of the stop and remains at large, authorities said Friday. The U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Clark said they believe the teen is still in Philadelphia.

"I'm extremely confident we're going to find him, it's just a matter of when," Clark told reporters during a press briefing Friday. "Or we won't find him if he decides to turn himself in, which is what we're hoping he does."

MORE: Convicted murderer's escape raises questions about Pennsylvania county prison inspections

Pryor was arrested in connection with the slaying of Tanya Harris, who was fatally shot in an alleyway in the Holmesburg neighborhood of Philadelphia in October 2020, according to court documents. Pryor, who was 14 at the time of the shooting, allegedly told police he solicited the victim for sex but she was shot by another man, according to court documents.

He had been in custody since his arrest awaiting trial. In December 2023, the courts decided to try Pryor as an adult.

PHOTO: Escaped prisoner Shane Pryor in images released by police. (Philadelphia Police Department)

Pryor's defense attorney, Paul DiMaio, told Philadelphia ABC station WPVI his client "has always maintained his innocence," and pointed to the December 2023 court decision as a motive for his escape.

"He may have felt he wasn't going to get a fair shake," DiMaio told the station.

Clark pushed back on the claims of innocence.

"It is my contention that flight is an indicator of guilt, and the longer Pryor stays on the run, the more desperate he becomes," Clark said. "This desperation can lead to further crimes being committed to aid his flight, and this would be detrimental to his future court cases."

Police described Pryor as a 5-foot-7, 180-pound Black male with a light complexion. It is unknown what type of clothes he may now be wearing since his escape. He is believed to have an injured hand, Clark said.

Authorities said the suspect is considered dangerous and encouraged anyone with information to call 911 and not approach him.

ABC News' Leah Sarnoff contributed to this report.

Police arrest alleged accomplice of escaped teen murder suspect as manhunt continues originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Using an investigation of sexual violence at Liberty University as the example, the chairwoman of the House Republican committee on education is questioning whether the federal government is intentionally targeting religious institutions.

Virginia Foxx, R-N.C.  who taught at two colleges  stopped short of saying the Department of Educations finding that the university punished victims was erroneous. Instead, the issues raised by House Republicans Foxx, James Comer of Kentucky, and Bob Good of Virginia, deal with how the investigation has been handled. They also asked about how a preliminary report was leaked and how much the feds plan to fine the Christian university.

Mourners wait to get into Arthur S. DeMoss Learning Center of Liberty University to pay respects to the late Rev. Jerry Falwell at a viewing May 17, 2007 in Lynchburg, Virginia. The Christian college is currently under investigation by the federal government for its response to sexual assault on campus.

We write to express our deep concern about how the U.S. Department of Education (Department) seems to be targeting religious institutions through program reviews and fines that greatly exceed established and documented precedent, the letter reads.

The school, started by the televangelist Jerry Falwell, is a popular speaking destination among Republican lawmakers, and its one of the largest online colleges in the country. In the 2020-21 school year, it received nearly $860 million in federal money to help students get a higher education.

The federal governments investigation into Liberty University centers around how the private school compiled with the Clery Act, a federal law that requires universities to document sexual violence and other crime on their campus.

USA TODAY obtained a copy of the preliminary report, along with the Washington Post. In the report, investigators wrote, victims of sexual assault felt dissuaded by Liberty administrations reputation for punishing sexual assault survivors rather than helping them.

President of Liberty University Jerry Falwell, at left, and others clap as President Donald Trump prepares to speak during Liberty University's commencement ceremony May 13, 2017 in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Additionally, investigators found Liberty failed to track when community members were attacked. In other instances, the report referenced records, physical and digital, that university staff had attempted to destroy. It also mentioned at least one current employee who had been accused of sexual misconduct, but still had his job. USA TODAY later identified that employee as Keith Anderson, who is listed as the universitys executive director of the Student Health Center and Wellness Initiatives.

The Department of Education on Friday afternoon confirmed it had received the letter and said a schools religious affiliation doesnt impact federal investigations or oversight. The agency has declined to comment on the report itself or the timing of any fines or other penalties but added that universities are informed of government sanctions before the public.

The Foxx letter also referenced rumors of a potential $37.5 million fine tied to the Clery Act violations. The federal government had previously fined Michigan State University $4.5 million in connection to the sexual assaults committed by Larry Nassar.

It has become increasingly evident that the Department is prepared to make an example of Liberty University by issuing an exorbitant and unprecedented fine, the Republicans letter read.

Liberty University President Dondi Costin also discussed the $37.5 million figure in October 2023 with Fox News. He said some of the departments findings were factually incorrect and questioned whether the Education Department had unfairly targeted his institution by leaking the report.

The lawmakers requested a briefing from the department before, any further action is taken with respect to any Clery Act proceeding. Theyre also requesting the federal agency tell them what has been done to identify the source of the leaked findings with respect to Liberty University and how the Department plans to prevent future leaks.

Chris Quintana is an investigative reporter at USA TODAY. He can be reached at cquintana@usatoday.com or via Signal at 202-308-9021. He is on X at @CQuintanaDC.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Republicans protest inquiry into sexual assault at Liberty University
A Republican National Committee member floated, and then withdrew, a resolution to declare former President Donald Trump the party's "presumptive" presidential nominee, a source familiar with the resolution told NBC News Thursday evening.

The draft resolution from David Bossie, a Maryland national committee member and a longtime Trump ally, had been circulating among RNC members ahead of the party's winter meeting in Las Vegas. NBC News obtained the draft from two sources Thursday.

The resolution asserted that all evidence negates the possibility of a mathematical path forward to the 2024 Republican nomination by any candidate other than President Trump, our presumptive nominee.

It also maintained that the RNC has impartially [supported] the caucus/primary processes nationwide to provide a level playing field and sponsored robust, issues-focused debates to help GOP voters assess the field. (The resolution left out the fact that Trump skipped all of those debates.)

RESOLVED that the Republican National Committee hereby declares President Trump as our presumptive 2024 nominee for the office of President of the United States and from this moment forward moves into full general election mode welcoming supporters of all candidates as valued members of Team Trump 2024, the resolution reads.

Trump, in a Truth Social post Thursday night, urged the RNC against advancing the resolution, though he asserted it had more than enough support to pass.

"While I greatly appreciate the Republican National Committee (RNC) wanting to make me their PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE, and while they have far more votes than necessary to do it, I feel, for the sake of PARTY UNITY, that they should NOT go forward with this plan, but that I should do it the Old Fashioned way, and finish the process off AT THE BALLOT BOX," Trump wrote.

Shortly after Trump's comments, the source familiar with the resolution confirmed it was withdrawn.

Trump had called for the party to unify around his candidacy Tuesday night after his decisive victory in the New Hampshire primary. But Nikki Haley, his former ambassador to the United Nations, has vowed to continue her campaign, drawing fury from him.

RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel has telegraphed a desire to unite around Trump if his dominance of early caucuses and primaries continues.

If President Trump comes out strong tonight, thats a clear message being sent by our primary voters, McDaniel said in a statement to NBC News before the New Hampshire results came in Tuesday. Republicans know that if were not united as a party behind our nominee we wont be able to beat Biden.

Following Trumps victory Tuesday, McDaniel told Fox News: Im looking at the map and the path going forward, and I dont see it for Nikki Haley.

I do think there's a message that's coming out from the voters, which is very clear: We need to unite around our eventual nominee, which is going to be Donald Trump, she added.

Asked for comment Thursday before the news broke that the resolution was withdrawn, RNC spokesperson Keith Schipper noted that McDaniel doesn't offer resolutions.

Resolutions, such as this one, are brought forward by members of the RNC," Schipper said. "This will be taken up by the Resolutions Committee, and they will decide whether to send this resolution to be voted on by the 168 RNC members at our annual meeting next week."

News of the resolution  first reported by The Dispatch  quickly drew complaints from other corners of the RNC.

Bossie didnt respond to requests to comment about proposing the resolution or withdrawing it.

Oscar Brock, an RNC member from Tennessee, said he caught wind of the resolution Thursday afternoon and feels it certainly violates the intent of RNC rules around the presidential primaries.

The rules specifically say youre not the guy until youve gotten 50% plus one of the delegates required for the convention, he said, adding, I would think that we would be more open to letting more people have a say in this process before declaring it over.

Bill Palatucci, a committee member from New Jersey who helped lead the super PAC that supported Chris Christies presidential campaign, called the proposal crazy.

This is insulting to the grassroots activists who wait four years for the chance to take part in the nominating process, he said.

Gordon Ackley, the chair of the U.S. Virgin Islands GOP, which has presidential nominating caucuses scheduled for Feb. 8, also panned the proposal.

It is unfortunate other Republicans want to deny their voters the opportunity to be heard and cast a vote, Ackley wrote on X. Regardless of who you support, there is a process that must be followed.

A Haley spokesperson brushed off the proposed resolution Thursday.

Who cares what the RNC says? Well let millions of Republican voters across the country decide who should be our partys nominee, not a bunch of Washington insiders, the spokesperson said. If Ronna McDaniel wants to be helpful she can organize a debate in South Carolina, unless shes also worried that Trump cant handle being on the stage for 90 minutes with Nikki Haley.

A source familiar with the Republican Partys rules noted that the term presumptive nominee doesnt come with any official meaning or resources under party rules. And the resolution, while it calls for the RNC to move into full general election mode, didn't require the party to take any specific, tangible steps to aid Trump.

Theres precedent for the party to declare a presumptive nominee and begin the tangible work of merging the campaign and the national party before the summer. In late April 2012, then-RNC Chairman Reince Priebus declared Mitt Romney the partys presumptive nominee, adding that the designation was beyond an endorsement. It is a complete merger wherein the RNC is putting all of its resources and energy behind Mitt Romney, according to the Los Angeles Times. However, the GOP nominating contest was significantly further along by that point, with nearly all of Romneys competitors having already dropped out.

The same source familiar with the partys rules added that the decision to merge those resources is left to the chair of the party. But while the resolution itself wouldn't trigger any formal shift in resources if agreed to, the result could have been seen as a declaration from RNC members to McDaniel about how they may want her to handle the coming weeks or months  caught between a former president who is seen as a heavy favorite for the GOP nomination and a second-place candidate, Haley, who has won almost 30% of the delegates allocated in the first two races of the nomination.

Brock, the RNC member from Tennessee, said passing the resolution would be akin to disenfranchising millions of primary voters before Haley has even dropped out of the race. He added that while its traditional for the RNC to package a group of resolutions together and pass them all in the same vote, this one is more than likely to stand alone, apart from any other resolutions the party seeks to pass next week.

There might have been other debates on other issues, Brock said. But they just made it to the back burner right away.
In an interim judgment, the United Nations' International Court of Justice on Friday ruled that Israel must take measures to prevent genocide in Gaza, but it stopped short of ordering an immediate cease-fire in Israel's war with Hamas. The ICJ ruled that it has jurisdiction to consider the landmark case brought by South Africa against Israel, and it rejected Israel's request for the case to be dismissed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement issued quickly after the court's ruling, slammed the genocide allegation against his country as "not only false, it's outrageous."

South Africa alleges that "acts and omissions" committed by Israel as part of its offensive in Gaza "are genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group."

The court's president Joan E. Donoghue said Friday in the court at The Hague, Netherlands, that, based on an initial assessment of Israel's actions and remarks from Israeli leaders, it would not accept Israel's request to dismiss the case as there were plausible claims of possible genocidal acts. The ICJ did not order an immediate cease-fire, but it did order Israel to take some provisional measures.

First, the court said Israel must "take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of Article II of the (Genocide) convention" and "ensure with immediate effect that its military does not commit any acts described" in the above measure. It said Israel must do everything it can to ensure the preservation of evidence related to allegations of genocide.

The court also said Israel must "take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza strip," and "take immediate and effective measures to ensure the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions" facing Palestinians in Gaza.

Finally, the court ordered Israel to submit a report to it "on all measures taken to give effect to this order" within a month.

South Africa filed its case at the ICJ in December, seeking an interim order by the court for Israel to immediately halt its military operations in Gaza.

Such an order would have been surprising, however, according to Cathy Powell, a professor of public law at the University of Cape Town, "because no one has denied we are dealing with an armed conflict," and the lopsided nature of that conflict between a nation and a widely-recognized terror group.

She said South Africa's legal team had done an "excellent job making their case," but "what it didn't do was look at the relationship between two parties in armed conflict, where you tie one party's hands, who are signed to the genocide convention, when you have no say over the other, non-signatory party, Hamas."

The ICJ is the U.N.'s top court and its rulings are binding, but it has no power to enforce them.

Israel reacts to the ICJ ruling

Israel has staunchly rejected the accusation of genocide and earlier this month it formally sought the case's dismissal.

Israeli leaders have insisted since the beginning of the war that the country is acting within its right to self-defense. Netanyahu previously accused South Africa of "brazen gall" in bringing the case, which he dismissed as a "false and baseless" defense of Hamas.

"Israel's commitment to international law is unwavering. Equally unwavering is our sacred commitment to continue to defend our country and defend our people," Prime Minister Netanyahu said Friday in response to the interim ruling.

"The charge of genocide leveled against Israel is not only false, it's outrageous, and decent people everywhere should reject it," Netanyahu said. "Our war is against Hamas terrorists, not against Palestinian civilians. We will continue to facilitate humanitarian assistance, and to do our utmost to keep civilians out of harm's way, even as Hamas uses civilians as human shields. We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our people."

Israel has said its military takes a number of measures to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza, including dropping flyers warning of upcoming attacks, calling civilians on the phone to urge them to leave buildings that will be targeted, and canceling some strikes if civilians are in the way.

Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said in a statement that Israel "does not need to be lectured on morality in order to distinguish between terrorists and the civilian population in Gaza," adding that "those who seek justice, will not find it on the leather chairs of the court chambers in The Hague."

"The IDF and security agencies will continue operating to dismantle the military and governing capabilities of the Hamas terrorist organization, and to return the hostages to their homes," Gallant said.

The Palestinians and South Africa react

"ICJ judges assessed the facts and the law, ruled in favor of humanity and international law," Riyad Al-Maliki, the Foreign Minister for the Palestinian Authority, said in response to the interim ruling, according to the Reuters news agency.

South Africa's Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor said, despite the lack of a cease-fire order, that the interim ruling would necessitate a pause in fighting in Gaza.

"How do you provide aid and water without a cease-fire? If you read the order, by implication a cease-fire must happen," Pandor said outside the court.

The Israel-Hamas war

Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping about 240 others. Israel immediately launched a counter-offensive against the group in Gaza, with the stated goal of destroying it. That offensive has killed over 26,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the Ministry of Health in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory. Hamas, long designated a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S. and the European Union, has ruled over Gaza since the 1990s.

In its ruling on Friday, the ICJ said it was "gravely concerned about the fate of the hostages abducted during the attack in Israel on 7 October 2023 and held since then by Hamas and other armed groups, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release."

In its application to the court, South Africa accuses Israel of "killing Palestinians in Gaza, causing them serious bodily and mental harm, and inflicting on them conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction." It also says Israel "is continuing to violate its other fundamental obligations under the Genocide Convention, including by failing to prevent or punish the direct and public incitement to genocide by senior Israeli officials and others."

The ICJ and the crime of genocide

The United Nations adopted the Genocide Convention in 1948 after the Holocaust. In it, "genocide" is defined as any one of a series of acts, "committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group." Those acts include:

Killing members of the groupCausing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the groupDeliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in partImposing measures intended to prevent births within the groupForcibly transferring children of the group to another group

The ICJ is a civil court and generally rules on disputes between U.N. member states. Though its decisions are binding, the fact that it has no means to enforce its rulings means countries can get away with ignoring them, such as in the case of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

In 2022, the ICJ ruled that Russia must "immediately suspend the military operations that it commenced on 24 February 2022 in the territory of Ukraine," after the Ukrainian government brought a case alleging that Russia's military was also committing genocide. The fighting in Ukraine is ongoing.

Michal Ben-Gal in Tel Aviv, Anhelina Shamlii in London, and Pamela Falk at the United Nations contributed to this report.

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The United States government said Friday that it was temporarily pausing additional funding for UNRWA, the United Nations humanitarian agency that serves Palestinians, as the organization said it had opened an investigation into allegations from Israel that some of its staff members participated in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.

On Oct. 7, Hamas militants, designated a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S. and the European Union, killed around 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped about 240 others, according to Israeli officials.

UNRWA said it had fired the employees who were accused.

"The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7," Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, said in a statement Friday, according to the Reuters news agency. "To protect the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay."

Lazzarini did not say how many UNRWA employees were accused of participating in the attack, but said "any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror" would be held accountable, and possibly face criminal prosecution. 30,000 people work for UNWRA, according to its website. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said 12 UNRWA employees had been accused of participating in the Oct. 7 attack.

An Israeli soldier guards the broken fence that Hamas militants crashed through to enter the Kfar Aza kibbutz days earlier, near the border with Gaza, Oct. 15, 2023 in Kfar Aza, Israel. / Credit: Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said in a social media post that Guterres had been briefed by Lazzarini on the "extremely serious allegations" against the UNRWA staff and that he was "horrified by this news and has asked Mr. Lazzarini to investigate this matter swiftly."

The U.N. chief had urged the termination of the staffers and a referral for criminal prosecution of any UNRWA employees found to have participated in the attack.

The United States, the largest funder of UNRWA, announced that it would temporarily pause further funding for the agency "while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them."

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that the U.S. was "extremely troubled" by the allegations and had reached out to the Israeli government about them. He said members of Congress had been briefed.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Guterres Thursday to discuss the allegations and told him "there must be complete accountability for anyone who participated in the heinous attacks," according to Miller's statement.

The U.S. has put its aid for UNRWA on hold previously, under former President Trump in 2018, and the agency has long been accused by Israel of turning a blind eye to Hamas activities in Gaza.

The Biden administration resumed the U.S. funding in 2021, and is now asking Congress for an additional aid package for Israel and the Palestinians.

CBS News' Margaret Brennan, Olivia Gazis and Camila Schick in Washington contributed to this report.

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By Vivian Sequera, Mayela Armas and Deisy Buitrago

CARACAS (Reuters) -Venezuela's Supreme Justice Tribunal on Friday upheld a ban which prevents presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado from holding office, upending the opposition's plans for elections planned later this year.

With its ruling, Venezuela's top court has barred Machado, a 56-year-old industrial engineer, from registering her candidacy for presidential elections scheduled for the second half of 2024.

The decision came hours after three of Machado's allies were detained on accusations of conspiracy, amid growing tensions between the government of President Nicolas Maduro and the political opposition.

The United States has conditioned a continuation of sanctions relief, granted in October on the back of an electoral deal signed in Barbados, on Maduro freeing political prisoners and "wrongfully detained" Americans and making progress toward removing bans on holding office imposed on a number of opposition politicians.

Venezuela in December released 24 of its own citizens and 10 Americans, including six classed as "wrongfully detained," in exchange for freedom for a Maduro official and the extradition of a Malaysian businessman wanted by the U.S.

But the upheld ban on Machado could set relations back between the two countries.

The court said it upheld findings that Machado supported U.S. sanctions, had been involved in corruption, and had lost money for Venezuela's foreign assets, including U.S.-based oil refiner Citgo and chemicals company Monomeros, which operates in Colombia.

"The regime decided to finish off the agreement in Barbados. What it didn't finish was our fight to see democracy win via free and fair elections," Machado said in a message via X.

Earlier, Attorney General Tarek Saab accused Guillermo Lopez, Luis Camacaro and Juan Freites of forming part of a group of at least 11 people who he said tried to rob a military weapons arsenal last year ahead of a planned assault on a pro-Maduro state governor.

Machado's Vente Venezuela party, to which the three belong, said on its X account that Camacaro and Freites had appeared in court in Caracas on Thursday without private legal representation and without any contact with their families permitted, calling it an "illegal and arbitrary" procedure. It did not mention Lopez.

Saab said on state television that the three were "criminals."

The U.S. State and Treasury departments did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

(Report by Vivian Sequera, Mayela Armas and Deisy Buitrago; Writing by Oliver Griffin and Isabel Woodford; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
Map showing Gulfport, Mississippi.

A woman in Mississippi is facing a murder charge after police say the body of her 42-year-old son was found concealed out of sight in a wooden box behind a false wall in her home in the coastal town of Gulfport.

The Gulfport Police Department said 66-year-old Jerri Lynn Roby  who also uses the last name Israel  was arrested on Jan. 20 and charged with one count of first-degree murder in the death of her son John Allen Gaither.

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Police said their investigation  which began on Dec. 22 of last year  came after a family member contacted police, prompting a welfare check regarding a missing person.

Officers arrived that afternoon to the woman's home just blocks from the Gulf of Mexico.

Officers left and returned to the home multiple times, including on Dec. 27, when they say they noticed discrepancies in the woman's story.

Police say Roby became "increasingly uncooperative" with police, changing her story.

Police say that amid the investigation they learned that Roby had been convicted of murder in Florida in 1995, and said she had been accused of attempting to discard the body in multiple locations in Florida in that case.

That information helped police obtain a search warrant for the residence where on the morning of Jan. 18 detectives discovered the wooden box behind a false wall with a body inside, later determined to be Gaither.

Police said they found multiple handmade wooden boxes at her home. During the search of the home, Roby was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment, Gulfport Police said in a statement.

A police spokesperson told CNN that Roby, who was referred to by the last name Israel by police in some references, tried to cover up the crime by writing messages to family members.

Police said Roby attempted to pose as her son, assuring them that he was safe. Roby is being held without bond at Harrison County Detention Center and is considered to be a flight risk, police said.

Police shared an arrest photo of Israel on social media.

It was unclear if she had retained an attorney, or if a court date had been set by Thursday.


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The Indian Army showcased the latest addition to its arsenal, a locally developed under the Made in India initiative by Mahindra and Milanion NTGS, the Alakran Vehicle Mounted Infantry Mortar System (VMIMS), at the Nations 75th Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

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Parading at the second row of the convoy is an 81mm Alakran VMIMS integrated into Mahindras Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV) (Picture source: Mahindra)

Following a collaboration between Milanion NTGS and Indias Mahindra Defence, the latter has been awarded an initial contract to supply the Indian Army with an undisclosed number of units of the 81mm Alakran VMIMS, integrated into Mahindras Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV). The contract award to Mahindra followed a previously inked teaming agreement between the two companies to explore strategic opportunities under the Made in India initiative to manufacture, supply and fulfil the need for the VMIMS. Delivery of the integrated systems will be made by the last quarter of 2024, considerably increasing the mobility and indirect fire capability of the vehicles to support mechanised battalions of the Indian Army.

Alakran VMIMS is an effective, combat-proven system providing mobility, accuracy, speed, and high firepower on the battlefield. It is the worlds lightest, fully digital, automated mortar system, designed from the ground up for shoot-and-scoot combat operations. A primary feature is its ability to precisely fire 8 rounds in less than two minutes from park to depart, in and out, before enemy counter-battery fire can take effect. With automatic aiming and re-aiming functions, Alakran VMIMS provides 81/120 mm mortar capabilities while transmitting all recoil force to the ground, solving the operational problems faced by standard mortar carriers.

The system is user-friendly and can easily be integrated into almost any 4x4 vehicle with a minimum 2-ton payload, adapts to all types of terrain including deserts, mud, snow, and forests, and is heliborne-capable due to its lightweight design. Its robust design and resilient technologies make it a durable weapon that has been proven to withstand the rigours of combat and remain effective.

Milanion NTGS CEO, Julio Estrella, said: "We are honoured the Indian Army is showcasing Alakran VMIMS at such a prestigious celebration for the country and look forward to further expanding on our long-term commitment to the Indian Defence sector through the Made in India initiative.

Defense News January 2024
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has already reached out to TMC chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

New Delhi: The Congress once again finds itself at a political crossroads, as allies have started accusing it of indecision in the functioning of the INDIA bloc. A case in point in West Bengal. While the top brass of Congress are burning midnight oil in a bid to retain the TMC as an alliance partner, the statements being made by the party's unit chief Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary and senior leader Deepa Dasmunshi attacking the TMC have made the mending of the fences all the more difficult.

In a bid to salvage the situation in West Bengal, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has already reached out to TMC chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. Sources say that Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi may also speak to Ms Banerjee for a rapprochement.

Meanwhile, in Bihar, the task of winning over miffed JD(U) chief and CM Nitish Kumar is given to the state unit chief of the Congress Akhilesh Singh. Interestingly, the general secretary incharge of the Congress for Bihar Mohan Prakash has no contact with the state chief minister. Sources say Mr Kumar did not even take the invite for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from the Congress representatives. The bone of contention has been the "indifferent attitude of the Congress" towards its alliance partners.

Insiders claim that ever since the INDIA bloc came into existence, the Congress has been dilly-dallying on critical issues. Apart from one or two, there have been no joint rallies of the INDIA bloc parties. The allies allege that even the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is a Congress yatra and not that of the INDIA bloc. From September to December, last year, the Congress was busy with the five state Assembly elections; hence, no decision could be taken on the nitty-gritty of the alliance.

Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, who has finalised seat-sharing talks with the RLD, indicated his reluctance to be part of the Congress yatra. There have been three rounds of meetings between the SP and the Congress leaders over the seat-sharing arrangements. Several permutations and combinations have also been discussed, but a final decision is still pending, mostly because of the Congress.

In Punjab, notwithstanding the claims of unity at INDIA meetings, attacks and counter-attacks between the Congress and the ruling party AAP continued unabated over the past few months. As a result, the alliance in the state has also failed. The Lok Sabha elections are about two months away. The current meltdown in the INDIA bloc will only benefit the BJP-led NDA.
Nitish Kumar, who had formed the grand alliance government in 2022 after parting ways with NDA, is a significant ally of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is likely to convene a meeting with his MLAs on Sunday, sparking speculation about a potential departure from the Mahagathbandhan or grand alliance and a potential return to the NDA fold.

Nitish Kumar, who had formed the grand alliance government in 2022 after parting ways with the BJP-led NDA, is a significant ally of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc.

The political turmoil within the grand alliance intensified after Nitish Kumar's recent comments on dynastic politics, interpreted as a veiled critique aimed at his grand alliance partners RJD chief Lalu Yadav and the Congress.

During an address in Patna on the centenary birth anniversary of socialist leader Karpoori Thakur, Nitish Kumar also took a dig at the Congress for not awarding the Bharat Ratna to Thakur.

Internal sources reveal a deepening rift after Nitish Kumar declined an invitation to join Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

While it remains unclear if Nitish Kumar has finalised a deal with the BJP, senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi's statement suggested a softened stance, stating, "The doors are not permanently closed for anyone in politics."

The grand alliance faces confusion and RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha urged Nitish Kumar to break the silence and clarify the situation.

Amidst the developments, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav skipped the Republic Day high tea, while Nitish Kumar engaged with BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha at the Governor's House.

The RJD ordered its MLAs to camp in Patna, and Congress leaders are reportedly asked to camp in Purnea for a high-level meeting to discuss future political strategies.

As BJP leaders hold meetings in Delhi and Bihar, awaiting confirmation on the grand alliance's fate, Nitish Kumar's potential return to the NDA is expected to impact seat-sharing formulas for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The evolving situation adds uncertainty to the grand alliance, with many closely watching Nitish Kumar's next move. Lalu Yadav may explore alliances with HAM Chief Jitan Ram Manjhi and AIMIM to save the government, while clarifications emerge on HAM's representation in case of Nitish Kumar's return to the NDA.
by Shafique Khokhar

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has ended around the world. Pope Francis together with the Anglican Primate Welby gave a group of bishops the mandate to "witness together to the unity willed by God by spreading mercy and peace". The joint celebrations in Pakistan and Bangladesh: "If we are not united among ourselves, how can we bring others to Christ?".

Faisalabad (AsiaNews) - "All efforts towards full unity are called to follow the same path as Paul, to put aside the centrality of our ideas to seek the voice of the Lord and leave initiative and space to Him".

The centrality of prayer, "the first task of our journey", was the heart of Pope Francis' reflection yesterday in the ecumenical celebration of vespers in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls which concluded the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

This year, the rite was also accompanied by a gesture: the mandate that - together with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby - the pontiff conferred on a group of Catholic and Anglican bishops of the International Commission for Unity and Mission.

Together they were sent to bear witness to the unity desired by God for his Church in their respective regions, going forward together "to spread God's mercy and peace in a needy world".

An echo of this same spirit has already resonated in the way in which many dioceses in Asia have experienced the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in recent days. Particularly significant, in this regard, was the experience lived in Faisalabad, Pakistan, one of the realities of the world where Christians have found themselves in recent months living together the dramatic experience of violence against Christians.

On the occasion of the ecumenical event, programs were organized in various cities and parishes of the diocese of Faisalabad around the evangelical command "You shall love your neighbor as yourself", suggested throughout the world as a theme.

The first, presided over by the vicar general Fr. Abid Tanvir, was held on January 18 in the Catholic cathedral and was attended by around 50 priests and bishops of different denominations, who appreciated the effort of the Catholic Church to bring all denominations together on one platform for unity.

Leaders of the Church of Pakistan, the Presbyterian Church, the Salvation Army, the Baptist Church and other small denominations were present during the initiatives.

Other events took place in the Sahiwal district, in the cities of Gojra and Okara and in the Presbyterian Church of Faisalabad. The last program was held at Holy Rosary Church, Warispura.

Speaking to the participants, Fr. Tanvir said, "I am very happy that we are all together and pray to God for unity and brotherhood. This is a good gesture to show that despite belonging to different denominations, we are united in Christ and spread the Gospel message among the others".

Pastor Emrick Joseph, of the Presbyterian Church, added: "It is very important to accept each other and be united to spread the message of peace, love and harmony. If we are divided and do not allow ourselves to sit together, how can we guide other people towards the good path of Christianity? Let us pray to God for this brotherhood between us and ask him for more strength, love and harmony".

The Dominican Fr. Khalid Rashid Asi commented, Love has no boundaries, it is like birds that can perch on any tree. Let us also accept each other, allowing others to come into our homes and sing the hymns of peace and harmony together."

Even in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was lived with fervor: 550 Catholics and Protestants participated in an ecumenical prayer in the Catholic church of Tejgaon, in the presence of the apostolic nuncio to Bangladesh, Archbishop Kevin Randall, and Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze. The prayer was organized by the Dialogue Commission of the Archdiocese of Dhaka.

Fr. Kakon Luke Corraya, president of the Commission for Dialogue, explained that the Week of Christian Unity is celebrated every year with Protestants, who always respond positively.

"It creates an opportunity to connect with unknown people. Even if we have no enmity with Protestants, sitting together, talking together and praying together strengthens us as Christians," said Fr. Corraya.

Rev. Alvin Proshad Vhokto, president of the Dhaka Pastors' Fellowship and pastor of the Joarsahara Baptist Church, also participated in the ecumenical prayer in Tejgaon. He praised the Catholic Church's initiative to organize these events, underlining the common faith in Jesus Christ among Christians. Vhokto emphasized the importance of unity, saying, If we become more united, we can preach the Gospel more forcefully and more people will learn about Jesus Christ.

(Sumon Corraya contributed)
Despite recent discoveries of deposits in Kashmir, India is still dependent on minerals from China. Last week, New Delhi and Buenos Aires inked an agreement to explore and develop five lithium deposits in Argentinas Catamarca province, a deal that could open the door to other forms of cooperation.

New Delhi (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Last week India signed an agreement with Argentina for the exploration and development of five lithium deposits in the Argentinian province of Catamarca, a project that entails an investment of two billion rupees (US$ 24 million) over five years.

This is Indias second bilateral agreement for critical minerals after striking a partnership with Australia in 2022 in line with its goal of becoming an electric car production hub by 2070.

Although Argentinas far-right President Javier Milei, who was elected in November 2023, decided not to join the BRICS  the bloc of countries formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa  due to the Chinese presence (during the election campaign Milei said that he would never do business with a communist government), Argentina will seek closer bilateral ties with the individual countries that make up the group to boost trade and investment and try to revive the Argentine economy.

The agreement to develop lithium deposits was signed by India's Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL)  a joint venture set up for identifying, acquiring, developing, processing, and making commercial use of strategic minerals in overseas locations for supply in India  and Catamarca Minera Y Energetica Sociedad Del Estado (CAMYEN), a state-owned mining and energy company.

This is "a very important milestone, said Argentinas Ambassador to India, Hugo Javier Gobbi.

It's a big step in that ongoing process, he added. The production of lithium in Argentina would link both economies for a very long time because, you know, mining projects usually link economies for 20 years or 30 years. You don't make big investments only for a short period of time. [. . .]. And so that will enrich the bilateral relations in a very significant way.

Argentina holds about a fifth of the world's lithium reserves (98 million tonnes), whose deposits are concentrated in what is called the "Lithium Triangle, which includes Chile and Bolivia, two other South American countries with which India has engaged in talks over mining.

At present, despite recent discoveries of lithium deposits in Kashmir, India relies totally on imports, 95 per cent from China and Hong Kong, a situation India wants to change.

India's lithium imports in fiscal year 2023 amounted to roughly US$ 3 billion, a 58 per cent rise over fiscal year 2022, according to Ministry of Commerce and Industry data.

Relations between India and Argentina do not stop at mining. Ambassador Gobbi noted that India backs Buenos Aires over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas in Spanish), a self-governing British overseas territory claimed by Argentina.

He also spoke about the purchase of Indian-made Tejas light fighters, which had initially interested Argentina but did not materialise.

Still, conversations have started and have developed in many other fields because we have developed cooperation in the helicopter [area] for example. In that area, Argentina has made a contract with India, the ambassador explained.

Last year, the Indian government, which in recent years sought to actively promote Indian military exports, said six countries, including Argentina, were interested in buying the jets, but, despite pressure from Delhi, Buenos Aires opted for US F-16s.

Despite this setback, the door remains open for future collaboration between the two countries, both members of the Global South that India would like to lead.

[W]e have advanced very much, Ambassador Gobbi noted. I hope this will continue and diversify and add many other areas of the defence cooperation agenda.

In fact, we opened a Military Attaches office here that was of great help to developing the agenda. The perspectives between the two countries to continue developing the defence agenda are very, very good.

INDIAN MANDALA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO INDIA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY FRIDAY, CLICK HERE.
by Dario Salvi

Pope Francis promulgated the decree recognising the heroic virtues of the Turkish bishop. For Bishop Bizzeti occasion of joy as "recognition" of the history of a people. His family exterminated during the First World War, but his story "goes beyond the Armenian genocide". Even today those who bear witness to the Gospel encounter 'difficulties, resistance'. After 14 years in February, the Turkish bishops visit the pope for an ad limina visit.

Rome (AsiaNews) - "His testimony is still relevant today, his figure is an inspiration, because in this historical period similar events and conditions are being repeated" to those of the era in which Msgr. lived. Cyril John Zohrabian lived, according to Msgr. Paolo Bizzeti.

The vicar of Anatolia, sharing his reaction to the recognition of the heroic virtues of the bishop of Turkish origin authorized by Pope Francis on 24 January with AsiaNews, speaks of how even today "those who want to live following the values of the Gospel encounter difficulties, resistance and persecution. And this - he warns - should make us reflect, because if witnessing charity" becomes a source of attacks and marginalization "it is a bad sign not only for Christians, but for the entire society".

The pontiff's decision "is a source of great joy" for the entire local Church and the faithful, underlines the prelate, because it enhances and recognizes the mission "not only for Turkey, but throughout the Middle East" sanctioning the "heroic value" of his life.

Because even now there is a strong risk "of forgetting the past, the history of priests, religious and lay people who witnessed to the Gospel" even at the risk of their lives or suffering serious persecution. Remembering personalities like his  he states  also represents an opportunity for young people to bring to mind the events of Christians of the last century and a recent history in which there is no shortage of painful and controversial episodes.

The servant of God Cyril John Zohrabian, of the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor and bishop of Acilisene (in Turkey), was most likely born on 25 June 1881 in Erzerum, into a poor family with a profound Christian tradition. In 1894 he entered the order at the convent of Istanbul and, having completed the year of novitiate, he made his temporary profession on 14 July 1899 and his solemn profession three years later, on 14 July 1902.

Destined for the mission of Trebizond, the future bishop he dedicated himself to pastoral and spiritual ministry, teaching, visiting the sick and visiting the numerous villages in the area. At the outbreak of the First World War he is stuck in Istanbul and cannot return to the mission, while his family is exterminated in the context of the Armenian genocide.

Once the great war was over, he took care of the hundreds of orphaned Armenian girls and, in 1920 in Trebizond, he opened the doors of the church and convent to the Pontic Greeks expelled from their land. For this he was driven out of the city and arrested upon arrival in Istanbul in March 1923.

Subjected to three days of torture, he was sentenced to death on false charges, but was released at the last minute and took refuge in Greece, after being expelled from his country. . Even on Hellenic land he takes care of Armenian refugees, building churches and schools.

On 21 November 1938 he was appointed patriarchal vicar of Alta Gezira, in Syria and, on 8 June 1940, titular bishop of Acilisene, receiving episcopal ordination in Beirut on the following 27 October.

However, his dedication to others and his generous mission earned him the ostracism of the Greek government, which first monitored him and then kicked him out. Finally he heads to Syria, where he carries out intense pastoral and welfare work, building schools, churches and houses for priests and giving private lessons to numerous students.

Health problems, also linked to the torture he suffered, pushed him to resign from the bishopric on 12 June 1953 and settle in Rome, where he personally took part in the work of the Second Vatican Council and where he died on 20 September 1972, after spending his last years at the Roman convent San Fedele.

To understand and enhance the figure of the bishop, explains Msgr. Bizzeti, we must not stop at the massacre of the Armenians. Because he was persecuted wherever he went "from Turkey to Greece, demonstrating that" men who practice the Gospel, following in the footsteps of the apostles, are always uncomfortable ".

Thousands of people - he continues - have benefited from his work, but there seems to be a lot of intolerance towards those who work for good and this is particularly current. Even today we see people who try hard to help the poor and needy, but end up being attacked or accused."

The Christian community welcomed the news with joy, because "through a person and his testimony" there is "recognition" of the history of a people: "At the beginning of the 20th century - recalls the apostolic vicar - 20% of the population in Turkey was Christian, while today we are at less than 0.1%", but in this land "Christianity has been present for 20 centuries and before other religions".

Finally, Msgr. Bizzeti underlines how "after 14 years" in early February, coinciding with the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, the country's bishops "will be received by the Pope for the ad limina visit. It will be a very significant moment."
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Relations between Morocco and Nigeria have developed significantly in recent years, with the signing of several partnership agreements in various fields, culminating in the Atlantic-African gas pipeline project between the two countries.

This joint Moroccan-Nigerian project represents a strategic lever for regional integration and the economic and social development of all West African countries.

In the context of recent international changes affecting energy sources, Rabat and Abuja are constantly expressing their willingness to contribute to the global dynamics in the field of energy, with a commitment to clean energy as an environmentally friendly alternative.

Nigeria is a very important strategic partner for Morocco; it is the African land of opportunities where the Kingdom invests in many economic fields. The OCP group, for example, inaugurated its first fertiliser plant on the African continent in 2022 in Kaduna, northern Nigeria.

The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project is part of King Mohammed VI's Atlantic vision. It focuses on the common objectives of various partners in order to enhance development in West Africa and respond to the various challenges on the Atlantic side of the continent.

For its part, the Nigerian vision of the project takes into account the characteristics of security, stability and opportunities for large-scale integration and sustainable development that can be achieved on the Atlantic coast thanks to the Gas Pipeline project.

Improving energy security in the area is not the only objective, but the common will of two of the main countries of the African continent, Morocco and Nigeria, will contribute to cross-border development and integration and, in turn, improve cooperation between the two countries to fight extremism and terrorism in the region.

Pipeline - PHOTO/FILE

It is worth noting that the pipeline project was announced, in late 2016, as part of the Moroccan visit in its African depth. In 2018, the two countries signed bilateral cooperation agreements linked to the project.

The Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline is one of the major projects linking the two countries through many West African countries, which will contribute to improving the standard of living of the population and reducing desertification through a sustainable and reliable gas supply.

Several experts believe that the new project will improve the energy interdependence of West African states and create a dynamic space for employment-generating and value-added economic activities.

Together with the Atlantic Initiative's economic and developmental service to the Sahel-Saharan states, the connection of the Nigeria-Morocco pipeline to the European gas pipeline and network will be an important tool for supplying landlocked states such as Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Mali.

In recent months, studies on this major project have reached advanced stages and memoranda of understanding have been signed between the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Ghana.

The importance of this project, scheduled for completion by the end of 2045, lies in the linking of 13 African capitals on the Atlantic coastal strip. It is also estimated to be the longest gas pipeline in the world, and will cost 25 billion dollars with joint financing between Morocco, Nigeria, regional and international institutions, as well as donor countries.

It should be noted that Nigeria, according to President Balo's statement, sees Morocco as a model to follow in the reactivation of its economy and the promotion of investments, and at the same time as a benchmark competitor in the evolution of African countries.

As a result, bilateral relations between Nigeria and Morocco have been strengthened in a number of areas, from religion to the economy and agriculture to energy and culture.
SUV

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AWD

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This is the first all-electric Honda, and it's not even their independent design. Instead, General Motors lent a BEV3 helping hand with some Ultium technology  which could spell bad news for the Japanese automaker given the massive roster of (mainly software) problems encountered by models such as the Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Blazerthat also use the same underpinnings.All that remains to do is wait and see how Honda's Prologue is faring against its GM brethren starting in March when the company will kick off initial deliveries across nationwide dealerships. The entry-level point is the Prologue EX, which features a single-motor 2WD configuration. There is also a Prologue EXboasting a dual-motor setup from $50,400, followed by Touring 2WD and AWD models ($51,700 and $54,700, respectively), and the Prologue Elite dual-motor AWD flagship trim starting at $57,900.The good thing about Honda's Prologue is that the carmaker boasts the base model has "a 296-mile (476 km) EPA range rating, the highest standard driving range rating in its class." It is followed by the AWD versions with 281 miles (452 km) and the Elite with 273 miles (439 km) on a single charge. By the way, although Honda describes it as so, the Prologue is not too 'sporty' because the 2WD models have 212 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque while the AWD variants have 288 hp and 333 lb-ft. At least the recharging speed is fairly high  the 85-battery pack is eating up electrons from DC stations at up to 150Well, actually, if the Honda Prologue arrived alone on the market, it would be just fine  both in terms of pricing and overall performance. But the trouble is that even Acura has a competitor for it. That would be its ZDX and ZDX Type S siblings, which have an MSRP starting from $64,500 for the ZDX Spec-A with a single-motor RWD powertrain. From the get-go, it arrives with 342 horsepower, a higher charging rate of 190 kW, and a larger 102-kWh battery pack.There is also a more powerful dual-motor AWD ZDX A-Spec option from $68,500, followed by the high-performance ZDX Type S with an estimated 500 horsepower on tap and kicking off at $73,500. Note that General Motors was careful not to cut the EV branch from under its feet, and the Chevy Blazer SS EV is a bit more powerful than a ZDX Type S as it boasts 557 horsepower. However, there's that nagging issue of the multitude of software problems.Of course, the biggest obstacle that Honda Prologue faces in its quest for mid-size crossover SUV glory isn't the more powerful and expensive Acura ZDX sibling. Instead, the Japanese automaker should have taken into account the incredible sales performance of the more powerful and cheaper Tesla Model Y, which was America's fifth best-selling vehicle overall last year, Europe's top nameplate (again, overall), and is on track to fulfill Tesla's premonitions of taking over the world!Currently, the Tesla Model Y RWD starts from $43,990, is fully eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit (unlike its Tesla Model 3 Highland sibling), and has an EPA-estimated range of 260 miles (418 km). Going for the Model Y Long Range will set you back $48,990 while the figure for range reaches 310 miles (499 km) on a single charge, while performance is almost sublime  4.8 seconds to 60 mph (96 kph) and a top speed of 135 mph (217 kph). We said almost because there's room for better  Model Y Performance boasts a 285-mile (459 km) range and a sprint to 60 in 3.5 seconds while the maximum speed grows to 155 mph (250 kph). So, which one is your favorite?
They used to roll out high-end taxis. Now, they have just started building a luxury MPV, the first of the many models to come. LEVC has just completed the first L380 Multi-Purpose Vehicle with luxury credentials, zero emissions, and two battery options.

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Photo: LEVC

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LEVC has just commenced the manufacturing of its first, the L380, which they unveiled back in December as a minivan inspired by the Airbus A380 Airliner, the worlds largest passenger airplane.It is a luxury and spacious model, with no rival to match the onboard space in the segment, the brand claims. The vehicle will first be marketed in China starting in the second quarter of 2024 before arriving in various other global markets.The MPV, with a logo that can easily be confused with that of the Bentley models, is labeled as being smart, green, safe, and accessible, but there is no word on pricing just yet. We will most likely find out more closer to the launch date. The flexible multi-purpose vehicle will be available with various configurations of three, six, or eight seats. The eight-seat configuration will feature a 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 layout, which is not exactly the norm in the MPV segment.The L380 will be powered by a single electric motor, which should generate 268 horsepower (272 metric horsepower). Customers will be able to choose either the entry-level ternary NMC battery with a capacity of 100for a range of 354 miles (570 kilometers) or the larger unit, of 116 kWh, which allows the vehicle to drive as far as 419 miles (675 kilometers) on a single charge.Regardless of the battery selected by the future owner, the top speed for both variants will be 106 mph (170 kph). That motor will pull a vehicle that is 209.4 inches long, 78.7 inches wide, and 76.4 inches tall, sporting a wheelbase of 125.4 inches.The vehicle, the first to be based on the innovative Space Oriented Architecture (SOA), co-developed with Geely, will see the light of day in Yiwu, China, in a recently retooled plant, following a major investment.The model will be exclusively made for the local market at first and, later on, for export. The company has also confirmed that a version for the United Kingdom will arrive within the next two years and aims to have a presence in over 40 countries in the coming years. There is a big chance the L380 will make it to the United States as well.LEVC will launch more SOA-based models that will slot in various segments to accelerate its transition from a taxi manufacturer to what they call a leading provider of e-mobility solutions, which would simply translate to anmaker.The company will manufacture its models both in Yiwu, China, and Ansty, Coventry, United Kingdom.
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Photo: Honda

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But what is the Honda Prologue? If you've missed our initial coverage, you are looking at the brand's first electric crossover in America. It makes use of the same platform underpinning other zero-emission models from GM, including the Chevy Blazer EV , Equinox, Buick Electra E4, Electra E5, and Cadillac Lyriq.With this out of the way, it is time to move on to the pricing, which Honda has just announced. The 2024 Prologue will come in three trim levels. The base EX and mid-range Touring will be offered with single 2WD and dual motorsetups, and the top-of-the-line Elite will get a bi-motor assembly.The EX carries an MSRP of $47,400 for the 2WD and $50,400 for the AWD, the Touring comes from $51,700 and $54,700, and the Elite becomes available from $57,900, excluding the $1,395 destination charge. This makes it $9,135 cheaper in the base configuration than the Chevy Blazer EV and $11,190 more affordable than the Cadillac Lyriq The two-wheel drive models feature a front-mounted electric motor that generates 212 horsepower (215 ps/158) and 236 pound-feet (320 Nm) of torque. The all-wheel drive versions get a 288 horsepower (292 ps/215 kW) and 333 pound-feet (451 Nm) dual-motor arrangement.All versions feature an 85battery pack that can add 65 miles (105 km) of range in around 10 minutes and supports charging at up to 150 kW. The single-motor EX and Touring have a 296-mile (476 km) range on a full charge. The dual-motor versions can do 281 miles (452 km), and the Elite has an EPA rating of 273 miles (439 km).Unfortunately, Honda wasn't keen on dropping details about the equipment list in the press release announcing the 2024 Prologue's pricing and range. However, a quick look on the official website reveals that the 2WD and AWD versions of the EX come with Google built-in services, a wireless charging pad for compatible smartphones, and blind-zone steering assist.Curious what the Touring brings? That would be front and rear parking assist, a leather-trimmed interior, and a Bose premium audio system with 12 speakers, regardless of whether it is the two-wheel drive or the all-wheel drive model. Last but certainly not least, the top-of-the-line Elite, which is only available with the bi-motor setup as we already told you, rides on 21-inch alloys and benefits from a head-up display and ventilated and heated seats for the driver and front passenger.
Back in the summer of last year news reached us of a brand-new engine beginning testing for use in the Gray Eagle military drone. Meant to replace the existing powerplant in the Extended Range variant of the aircraft, it was now put to the test for the first time in yet another version of the platform.

The Gray Eagle is one of the oldest military drones in America's arsenal. It first flew in 2004, and it only needed five years to be adopted for service by the US Army. Made by General Atomics, it is now the subject of intense modernization efforts meant to keep it relevant on the battlefields of the world for years to come.One such effort targets the 25M, a Gray Eagle version that should have significantly more capabilities. What does that mean? Think about a five-time increase in processing power and no less than 80 times more data storage capability. All of that is topped by ten times more RAM power.With the improved hardware on, the 25M should be increasingly autonomous, reducing the number of personnel needed to operate it. But, most importantly, it should be so reliable that it will need far fewer maintenance actions, and virtually no major overhaul during its lifetime.Most of that is owed to the engine I mentioned earlier, which together with the transmission and generator "virtually eliminates" the need for an overhaul. We're talking about a powerplant General Atomics put together with help from famed engine maker Cosworth starting in 2016.The engine is a heavy-fuel unit that uses dual brushless generators to reduce the number of parts that need to be serviced. It also delivers 50 percent more electrical power, allowing the drone to carry new payloads, including multi-intelligence sensors, launched effects, and electronic warfare pods.The engine can develop a total of 200 horsepower, which is significantly more than what the current Gray Eagle Extended Range powerplant can do, 180 horsepower.The engine was fitted on the 25M version and flown for the first time at the beginning of December 2023. General Atomics only now talks about the achievement.The test flight was conducted at the company's flight facility in El Mirage, California, and "marks a significant milestone in the Gray Eagle modernization program." We're not given the specifics of it all, other than the test targeted the drone's engine and power generation system, but it appears to have been a success.The U.S. Army awarded General Atomics a $389 million contract for the development of the Gray Eagle 25M at the end of 2023. It should be ready for service shortly, and deployed in the service of the Army and National Guard into the middle of the century.
During the Q4 2023 earnings call, Elon Musk revealed that 400,000 EVs in North America currently have access to Tesla's FSD Beta software. This is the same number we know from previous years, making people wonder why Tesla failed to enroll more people into the program. As expected, people started questioning Tesla FSD pricing.

EV

FSD

Photo: @niccruzpatane via X

Tesla is promising cars that drive themselves for more years than I can remember, with more optimistic timelines each year. Tesla's Full Self Driving software was marred in controversies until themaker decided to admit it was no autonomous driving software but a mere driver assistance system. This, of course, rattled die-hard Tesla fans who considerBeta good enough for a broader adoption.Despite these shortcomings, Tesla sells the FSD Beta capability for a cool $12,000 in the US or 7,500 euros ($8,145) in Europe. Only customers in the US can access FSD Beta with a $199 subscription, leaving all others with a tough decision: pay for the software in full, knowing that you might never use it, or wait until it gets good enough to be used without restrictions.To illustrate how hard it is to choose, it's enough to say that some people paid for FSD Beta upfront but never got access to it. Worse, they knew they would never get to use FSD software. Tesla owners in Europe, for instance, have no timeline for when it might be released. Even some in the US might be out of luck Cybertruck owners, for instance, cannot use FSD Beta because it is still unavailable on Tesla's pickup truck. Tesla hasn't offered any estimates on when it might happen. When Hardware 4 launched on the refreshed Model S and Model X in 2023, people had to wait months before basic features like Vision Park Assist became available. FSD support came even later, in September 2023. Some might say the wait was worth it, but not in all cases.Tesla doesn't allow transferring the FSD license to a new vehicle; you have to buy it again if you replace your car. If your Tesla is written off in an accident, the FSD Beta capability simply disappears with it. As you can see, the FSD Beta is a poor investment, hardly justifying its steep price. For a Tesla Model Y RWD with the tax credit, this represents one-third of the car's price.Some argue that paying upfront for the FSD Beta allows you to roll the costs into the monthly payments. Still, at 6.5%, this means $282 extra on a 48-month finance contract. It is hardly a wise choice, considering you can subscribe to FSD for $199 in the US. The best part about a subscription is that you can close it when you sell your car and start another on a new vehicle.The fact that Tesla still talks about the 400,000 EVs with FSD in North America is puzzling. These are the same numbers as the years before, showing that it hasn't convinced more customers to pay for this feature. To further support this, the shareholder deck graphics show that the number of cumulative miles driven on FSD has risen linearly since March 2023.The situation is discussed by Tesla fans, who don't seem to understand why there aren't more people willing to pay for FSD Beta. The problem is simple: subscription or financing, the FSD Beta raises the price of a vehicle by a lot. Tesla had to significantly cut the prices of its cars to keep people interested. They are unwilling to pay more, especially for a feature still in development. What do you think: cutting the FSD price (and subscription) in half would be enough to convince people to buy it? Let us know in the Comments section below.
Last year, America proved that fans were right when they said it's only a matter of time before the GR Supra runs out of steam  it sold just 2,652 examples across the US market.

The 'performance' barely allowed the 2023 Toyota GR Supra to float above its direct rival  Nissan's Z , which convinced merely 1,771 buyers to take it home. Well, the GR Supra wasn't selling all too well to begin with  it dropped from almost 5k deliveries in 2022. The causes for this lackluster pace are pretty easy to understand  Toyota isn't offering the GR Supra at a bargain, it's less powerful than most of its rivals, and people are not happy that it's made in Austria or that it's mostly a BMW (Z4) under the skin.If you need the perspective, Ford sold 48,605 copies of the S550 and S650 Mustang, Dodge had 44,960 deliveries for its Challenger nameplate, and even Chevrolet rocked over 31k units. As such, are we surprised that models like the Toyota GR Supra 100 Edition, based on the Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO, do not precisely find an audience in the real world? This track toy cost Porsche 911 Turbo S money when it was released, and it was also only offered in three examples  probably because Toyota knew it couldn't sell more.Anyway, oddly enough, this collector's item hasn't been forgotten across the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. Over there, Jim, the virtual artist known as jlord8 on social media, loves messing around with all things CGI from GM and Ford, but also from Toyota sometimes. He recently cooked up stuff like a Bentley-based Mercury Grand Marquis, an S-Class-inspired Marauder, or a Buick Roadmaster Sedan and also an Estate version.That's just to give you a taste of his modern CGI work, as he also loves to fiddle with models from the 1980s and 1990s without bringing them to modern times. Well, on this occasion, the pixel master decided to make a quirky callback to one of the oddest Toyota Supras out there  the pop-up A70 third generation produced between early 1986 and the spring of 1993. As such, the GR Supra track toy, still dressed in Plasma Orange and fitted with a lot of aero goodies and carbon fiber elements, got treated to pop-up headlights and that odd light setup below them.Curiously, while most people would discard this as a failed attempt, it seems that Mk3 Supra fans approve of the changes - although at least one of them would also like to see the original Supra GT4 EVO's 444 horsepower mill swapped with a "modern, bespoke Toyota 3JZ straight six." So, what do you think, yay or nay?
Recalls in the automotive industry are common occurrences. Some may be larger and more serious than others, but we've grown used to them and no longer pay as much attention as we probably should. Until something really serious happens and forces carmakers to go one step further: they issue Do Not Drive notices.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

NHTSA

I'm pretty sure none of you now reading this have forgotten the Takata problem. It is, by all accounts, the largest recall the world has ever seen. And despite being quite old, it still continues to wreak havoc.It all started back in 2013, when the industry began noticing an increasing number of death and injuries that should not have occurred. That's because they were not related to an accident per se, but to the deployment of the cars' airbags, the very ones meant to protect lives in the event of a crash.Investigation into the problem eventually revealed that the airbag systems themselves were at fault. They were supplied by a Japanese automotive parts company called Takata , and they were so popular that they were used by most of the planet's carmakers, and deployed in millions of cars.As per the), to date no less than 67 million vehicles from 19 carmakers and belonging to 34 brands have been declared at risk and are in various stages of the recall procedure.Japanese carmaker Toyota did not escape the deluge, and it too has its share of affected vehicles. On its end, the company seems to be doing its job, and has taken the proper steps in ensuring nothing bad happens. It's the drivers, it seems, who don't listen.So much so, in fact, that in a bid to "further urge owners to obtain an urgent and free safety recall repair" related to the Takata problem, Toyota issued an immediate Do Not Drive advisory this week.The advisory covers approximately 50,000 vehicles from the Corolla range (made from 2003 to 2004), the Matrix (same years), and RAV4 (2004-2005). All of these vehicles are involved in an urgent Takata recall, but so far they haven't been fixed. Toyota is worried that the age of the vehicles makes them particularly prone to being a danger to their owners. More specifically, in case of a crash that leads to the deployment of the airbags, a part inside the system "is more likely to explode and shoot sharp metal fragments" inside the cockpit. This, naturally, could lead to serious injury and even death for both the driver and passengers.The carmaker urges owners of the affected car to not drive the cars until the problem is addressed. They should contact their local dealers for options on how to transport the vehicle for repair, or arrange for mobile repair, and not drive the vehicles there themselves. As usual in such cases, repairs are conducted free of charge.If you are unsure if your Toyota vehicle is affected by the recall and this Do Not Drive notice you can check that here , or call the Toyota Brand Engagement Center at 1-800-331-4331.
MTS first asked Armenias Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) to approve the sale of its Armenian subsidiary to the little-known company, Fedilco Group Limited, last spring. The PSRC rejected the request at the time, saying that the deal could damage the countrys national security. It did not elaborate.

MTS, which runs Russias largest mobile phone network, filed another request in November and it was granted this time around. The company announced on Thursday that the sale of the Viva-MTS operator to Fedilco for an undisclosed amount has been completed.

A separate statement released by Viva-MTS said that its new parent company, which was reportedly registered in Cyprus in 2022, is controlled by professional investors Zhe Zhang and Konstantin Sokolov. It said they intend to cede 20 percent of shares in Viva-MTS to the Armenian government in view of the cellphone operators strategic importance to the country.

The PSRC did not clarify whether it dropped its initial opposition to the deal because of the lavish donation pledged by Fedilco. A senior official from the regulatory body, Armen Hunanian, said only that the PSRC followed the recommendations of the Armenian Ministry of High-Technology. The ministry declined to comment on Friday.

Fedilco is the third foreign company to give the government a sizable minority stake in its Armenian subsidiary. Russias GeoProMining group was the first to do so right after buying Armenias largest metallurgical enterprise in 2021.

And just last week, the government was formally granted a 12.5 percent stake in a multimillion-dollar gold mining project which it helped to freeze in 2018. The government pledged last year to help U.S. and Canadian investors revive the Amulsar project.
Ararat Samvelovich Mirzoyan was invited to Moscow for consultations on issues of the peace treaty many times, starting from last September, said Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman. Among other things, that was discussed during bilateral contacts at various levels. The last signal was sent to Yerevan literally a few days ago.

In recent months, Moscow has repeatedly offered to host high-level Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks as it sought to sideline the West and regain the initiative in the negotiation process. The Russian Foreign Ministry rebuked the Armenian leadership last month for ignoring these offers. It warned that Yerevans current preference of Western mediation may spell more trouble for the Armenian people.

On January 17, a senior Russian diplomat urged Armenia to agree to resume Russian-mediated negotiations with Azerbaijan based on earlier understandings reached by the leaders of the three countries. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the following day that unlike Yerevan, Baku is ready to sign the peace treaty in Russia.

I have not heard such an assurance from the Azerbaijani side either during closed meetings or publicly, Mirzoyan told reporters earlier this week. If Sergei Lavrov claims so, maybe he has some reason to make such a claim.

The chief Armenian diplomat did not clarify whether his government is ready for peace talks hosted by Russia now that the Azerbaijani side objects to U.S. and European Union mediation.

Russian-Armenian relations have steadily deteriorated since the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh, with Yerevan accusing Moscow of not honoring security commitments to its longtime regional ally. Azerbaijans recapture of Karabakh only added to those tensions.

Zakharova insisted on Friday that Russia remains Armenias ally, having made a decisive contribution to preventing an even more difficult situation and, one can even say, the defeat of Armenia.
26 January 2024 17:22 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

On the one hand, the foreign forces hindering the peace process and, on the other hand, the various excuses put forward by Yerevan and its baseless claims trying to change the agenda give certain signals that the negotiations have been unilaterally moved away from the main topic. In this regard, the statements made by the Armenian MFA Ararat Mirzoyan on the last day once again show that Armenia needs certain means not to take steps towards peace but rather to deliberately destroy the possible conditions for peace. Luckily, Yerevan has been able to meet almost half of its needs with the "irreplaceable" support of its allies in Europe so far.

Mirzoyan notes that official Baku is violating peace processes. However, the minister does not prove any real facts. It may be very easy to accuse the other side, but to vindicate it in a fair court is probably the most difficult part of the job. But we wonder how it is that Armenia is able to glorify itself as a winner in front of international laws every time with its baseless claims.

If we are talking about a fair trial, then first of all, it will be necessary to take into account how many times Azerbaijan extended a hand for peace to Armenia. Dramatising a simple and understandable issue in such a way to convey lies and misinformation to the world community can already make possible a maximum one-sided solution to the case, which is to convince only a group of politicians in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe of Armenia. But what will be the real result for Armenia? Of course, no one is interested in this side of the matter. The main thing is that Armenia can show itself as the embodiment of truth in the Western world.

Minister Mirzoyan notes that Azerbaijan is trying to avoid peace. And we ask the question: Why does Armenia commit protests and provocations in European cities, even in neighbouring Georgia, in the context of the territorial claim against Azerbaijan? Why does the official Yerevan support anti-Azerbaijani slogans along with its affiliated Armenian lobby financed by unknown funds abroad? We wonder in which cities of Turkiye, Russia, and Europe the Azerbaijani society has ever organised anti-Armenian protest actions.

We are in such a time that even though the violation of rights and laws and double standards have become a common occurrence, what is happening is reflected like a mirror. No event or date is overlooked. If Armenia wants, peace with Azerbaijan can be achieved immediately within a day. It is clear that the Armenian minister is trying to create artificial pressure because he does not find additional excuses in order not to expose lies in statements of Armenian authority. If Yerevan's claim is the expulsion of the so-called 'artsakh population' from Azerbaijan's Garabagh, then they will have presented themselves as liars with their previous confessions in which they repeatedly recognised Azerbaijan's sovereign territories, including the Garabagh region. We can even say that PACE itself is in a confused state in this regard. Although Yerevan does not openly claim artsakh, PACE spontaneously supports the elements of the so-called regime. As if trying to blindfold its surroundings, Armenia is trying to present the problem of artsakh as a problem of Armenia with the help of proxy forces.

Another problem is the expansion of Armenia's military arsenal within the framework of the peace process and the withdrawal of millions of dollars from the country for this purpose. A logical question arises: does a country experiencing an economic crunch after its defeat in the war need weapons or more effective economic cooperation? It is normal that a country that has agreed to an arms deal with France and India by any means and has increased its defence industry by 6 percent compared to last year cannot spare time for peace negotiations. It seems that 2024 will be a somewhat tense year for Armenia ever since. Because Yerevan will have to fork out approximately $136,406,418 on weapons, military, and defence, according to the statement of the Armenian Defence Ministry. Probably, the dream of Armenians who want to get refugee status in their country will result in failure this year as well. Because with this move, Armenia is not preparing for peace but for another war that it has ever desired.

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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews Deputy Editor-in-Chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

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26 January 2024 13:39 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

During the visit of a delegation headed by First Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev to Saudi Arabia, a number of meetings were held, as well as discussions on the development of partnerships in various directions, Azernews reports.

The meeting was held with the First Deputy Minister of Economy and Planning of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ammar Nagadi, and Deputy Minister for International Economic Affairs, Albara Alaskandarani.

In the meeting, it was stressed that economic relations with Saudi Arabia are developing and trade turnover is increasing. It was noted that the exchange of experience between the two countries in priority spheres of the economy, as well as in the field of social and economic programmes, will give impetus to the partnership.

The meeting stressed the importance of identifying priority areas for the development of cooperation in the private sector. The sides exchanged views on the agenda of our bilateral economic relations and the development of mutual investments.

The importance of developing mutual cooperation in various directions was highlighted at the meeting with Saudi Deputy Minister of Investment for International Partnership, Awad Mashni. Opportunities for effective cooperation with Saudi Arabia in trade, investments, energy, including green energy, infrastructure, reintegration projects implemented in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, tourism, and other spheres were noted.

At the meeting, information was presented on the favourable business environment in Azerbaijan, opportunities created for business, and Saudi investors were invited to active cooperation.

The sides discussed the expansion of investment partnerships in various spheres, possible joint projects, cooperation in construction, and other spheres.

At the meeting with Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development, information was presented on the work done in the direction of renewable energy in Azerbaijan, cooperation with "ACWA Power" company in this field, as well as the investment potential of the liberated territories. Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad noted the possibilities of realising joint projects with Azerbaijan.

The meeting considered issues of cooperation on financing projects in priority spheres in Azerbaijan.

At the meeting with Suleyman Alrumaih, CEO of Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC), information was presented on Azerbaijan's food security strategy, agricultural products, and the geography of their exports.

It was stated that our countries have wide opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of food security. It was noted that a number of measures have been taken in Azerbaijan to facilitate exports and trade, including the establishment of trade missions in foreign countries.

It was noted that Azerbaijan has great potential for investment in the agricultural sector, production, and export of strategic food products. In addition, information was also provided on transport, transit, tourism, and other opportunities in our country.

Presentations of business and investment opportunities in Azerbaijan, as well as information about SALIC subsidiaries in foreign countries and their production activities, were presented at the meeting. Besides, issues of the export of agricultural products of our country to the Saudi Arabian market and other possible areas of cooperation were discussed.

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26 January 2024 15:46 (UTC+04:00)

Nigar Hasanova Read more

V.Ships, one of the world's leading ship management companies, will evaluate the crew management system of Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company CJSC (ASCO), Azernews reports, citing ASCO.

"This will enable ASCO, which operates on an international scale, to apply more progressive methods in the direction of crew management in the future," Azerbaijan Caspian Sea Shipping said.

Rauf Valiyev, chairman of ASCO's Board of Directors, had a meeting with the delegation led by Allan Falkenberg, Chief Operating Officer of "V.Ships," and exchanged ideas on the projects to be implemented in various directions.

It was noted that one of the main projects involves the development of the floating crew. Within the framework of this program, it is planned to train local professional personnel for ASCO, which is included in the new ship segment. Following the program, regular crew members working on ASCO's ships, as well as talented students studying in ASCO's educational institutions, will undergo an internship on ships managed by V.Ships for 3-6 months. Those who complete the program will be tested and employed on ASCO's new type ships.

V.Ships will evaluate both theoretical and practical knowledge and skills of the members of the command staff working on ASCO ships based on an exam prepared following international requirements. This examination will allow ASCO to form a strong command staff base. Those who show lower results in the exam will be involved in a special improvement program.

It was reported that V.Ships will provide appropriate support to ASCO's tankers and dry cargo ships operating in the Black and Mediterranean basins if there are not enough local personnel.

Visits to the international offices of V.Ships will be organized as part of the experience exchange program for the shore crew. This program will involve people working in the fields of human resources, ship finance and operations management, procurement, maritime safety, and fleet maintenance service. They will learn new experiences on electronic systems and management methods used during the experience exchange.

According to the agreement, the salary system applied in ASCO will be evaluated and compared with the salary systems applied in international markets. Appropriate reports and proposals will be prepared according to the results.

It was noted that following the Strategic Development Plan of Azerbaijan Caspian Sea Shipping CJSC, in addition to maintaining and developing the position of national shipping in the Caspian Sea, expanding its activities in waters outside the Caspian Sea, entering new ship segments, and increasing the volume of cargo transportation are constantly being discussed.

As an international company, ASCO places special importance on the study and application of advanced practices aimed at continuous improvement of the quality of operations, as well as the knowledge and skills of personnel. In this context, it cooperates effectively with various reputable companies. Cooperation with V.Ships, one of the world's leading ship management companies with nearly 40 years of experience, is one of them. It is planned to further develop cooperation relations with the company in question during the current year.

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26 January 2024 13:17 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The Heydar Aliyev Centre has hosted the Uzbekistan Days of Science and Culture in Azerbaijan.

The Uzbek delegation led by the First Vice-Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Parliament (Oliy Majlis) Akmal Saidov attended the event, Azernews reports.

The event featured a presentation of an international multimedia project - 60 volumes of books entitled "The Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the World's Collections", a project of the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Popularisation of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan (WOSCU), and a concert program with the participation of art masters of Uzbekistan.

The illustrated book-album "The Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the Collections of Azerbaijan" includes rare numismatic collections, gifts from the Emir of Bukharaa case for the Quran made of gilded silver, as well as a service made of silver with gilding, covered with enamel, and decorated with niello and engravingand a unique photograph of Said Abd al-Ahad Khan, Emir of Bukhara, stunning suzanis of the 19th century, and other artefacts are treasures of Uzbek culture and art, including handwritten heritage - manuscripts of scientists, poets, and cultural figures in Arabic, Persian, and Uzbek. While working on the book album, WOSCU specialists made a number of creative trips to Azerbaijan, took part in international events, visited museums, and got acquainted with literature and archives.

At the opening ceremony, a documentary film by an Uzbek director with Azerbaijani roots, Eldar Mammadov's "Eternal Friendship and Brotherhood," dedicated to the common history and culture of the two countries, as well as video material reflecting the spirit of unity of the fraternal peoples, were presented.

It was noted that the Days opened with a round table "Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan: Dialogue of Cultures" and a unique exhibition at the Azerbaijan Institute of Manuscripts dedicated to manuscripts related to Uzbekistan.

In particular, the exhibition included "The Canon of Medicine" by Ibn Sina, rewritten in 1258 and included in the UNESCO list of manuscript heritage, a sofa (a collection of poems in oriental literature) G'aroyib us-sig'ar with Alisher Navoi's autograph, a copy of Babur-Name (XVII century) and dozens of other rare manuscripts, including those presented by the institute for the first time.

The institute stores unique manuscripts of the great scientist Abu Ali ibn Sina.

Around 200 of these manuscripts were sent to the World Society, and many of them are included in a new volume on the Uzbek heritage in Azerbaijani collections.

During the event, a ceremony was held to transfer 50 volumes of illustrated book-albums "The Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the World's Collections" to Azerbaijani history, art, and carpet museums, as well as to the Institute of Manuscripts.

Vice-Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan Parliament (Oliy Majlis) Akmal Saidov, chairman of the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Popularisation of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan (WOSCU), Director General of the Cinematography Agency of Uzbekistan Firdavs Abdukhalikov, director of the Azerbaijan National History Museum Nailya Valikhanli, director of the Institute of Manuscripts Fuzuli Teymur Karimli, director of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum Shirin Malikova, and others emphasised the fraternal relations of two countries and peoples historically connected by common roots, religion, culture, literature, and traditions. The works created by such classics as Nizami Ganjavi, Nasireddin Tusi, Muhammad Fuzuli, Alisher Navoi, Mirza Ulugbek, Zahireddin Babur, and many others are the pearls of world civilization.

The outstanding Uzbek poet and philosopher of the 15th century, Alisher Navoi, considered himself a follower of the great Azerbaijani poet and philosopher of the 12th  13th centuries, Nizami Ganjavi. At the same time, Navoi's work had a great influence on Azerbaijani poets.

The speakers stressed that it is necessary to pay attention to the training of young scientists and researchers.

A memorandum was signed between the Cinematography Agencies of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan on the implementation of a joint international project with the assistance of the ministries of culture of the two countries - the filming of the feature film "Maksud Sheikhzoda".

The event continued with a colorful show by People's Artist of Uzbekistan Farrukh Zakirov, Yalla ensemble and Uzbek soloists.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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26 January 2024 14:18 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Director of the National History Museum, Naili Valikhanli, has met with the Kazakh Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Alim Bayel.

The academician Naila Valikhanli provided detailed information about the museum. She noted that friendly and fraternal relations between the two peoples have a long history, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, discussions took place on Azerbaijani-Kazakh cultural and historical ties and projects for effective cooperation between the parties.

The Kazakh Ambassador to Azerbaijan put forward a proposal to publish a catalogue in order to popularise the exhibits stored in the museum and reflect the historical ties between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

Then the ambassador visited the House Museum of the famous philanthropist and major oil industrialist, Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev.

The guest was presented with publications based on materials from valuable exhibits.

The National Museum of History is one of the architectural pearls of the country, dating back to the 19th century.

The largest museum in the country was originally the private residence of Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, who was the famous national oil baron remembered for his generous philanthropy.

Over 300,000 items are assembled in 10 collections in the museum, including a valuable library consisting mainly of unique books.

There are several departments in the museum: Modern history, Ethnography department, Department of ancient and medieval history, Scientific excursion department, Laboratory for museum restoration, Fund of Numismatics, etc.

The museum's collections provide insight into the history of Azerbaijan from the past to the present.

The house museum of Azerbaijans philanthropist, oil baron Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, was re-opened on June 17 after restoration and reconstruction work.

The museum's opening was in line with the 100th anniversary of the National History Museum of Azerbaijan.

Additionally, the museum displayed new exhibits, stored in its fund, including paintings, documents, photographs, orders and books.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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26 January 2024 10:51 (UTC+04:00)

Nigar Hasanova Read more

The United States is interested in working with Azerbaijan to achieve climate goals at COP29, Azernews reports.

This was said by Laura Loxman, adviser to the US Deputy Secretary of State for Energy Diplomacy, at a conference on security in the Black Sea region organized by the Caspian Policy Center.

Loxman noted that Georgia and Azerbaijan are good examples of the fact that the Black Sea is not just a hydrocarbon exploration and development region.

"These countries have great opportunities in the field of renewable energy, especially wind energy. The proposed Black Sea power cable will improve the connection between the South Caucasus and EU energy markets and will allow to benefit from the existing large wind resources," she stressed.

Loxman believes that considering the COP29 conference to be held in Azerbaijan, all this is of greater importance.

"Thus, we look forward to working with Azerbaijan, the private sector, and, of course, many other countries to achieve our clean energy transition and climate goals at the COP29 conference," she added.

It should be recalled that on December 17, 2022, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary signed a strategic partnership agreement, which envisages the construction of an energy bridge from the Caucasus region to Europe. Within the framework of the agreement reached, it is expected to lay the Black Sea Energy undersea electric cable with a capacity of 1000 MW and a length of 1195 kilometers. The cable will transport green electricity produced in Azerbaijan to Hungary and the rest of Europe via Georgia and the Black Sea to Romania.

The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced on December 11, 2023, in Dubai. Azerbaijan will host this event in November this year.

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26 January 2024 12:39 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

"We are proud of our religious diversity, which does not depend on any political conjuncture. Muslims, Jews, Christians - we are all one family. This is part of our DNA," said the representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for special assignments, Elchin Amirbayov, in an article published in the American publication International Policy Digest, Azernews reports.

According to the article, "Although Azerbaijan is predominantly Muslim, its government and education system reflect the interests of its Muslim, Christian, and Jewish citizens." Krishna Nag, the author of the article, noted that "Azerbaijan, strategically located on the historic Silk Road linking East and West, has long been a beacon of hospitality."

"The country has previously received praise for its religious tolerance, including from Pope Francis, who called it a beacon in a world plagued by violent extremism."

Despite these positive qualities, Azerbaijan suddenly found itself under sanctions, the author notes. "Mysteriously, the United States has placed Azerbaijan on a list of countries monitoring religious freedom, along with states such as Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom cited concerns about the preservation of Christian heritage in Garabagh."

"We regret and reject this unjustified and biased decision," Elchin Amirbayev, President Ilham Aliyev's spokesman for special assignments, told International Policy Digest. As a former ambassador to the Holy See, Amirbayov spoke about Pope Francis' visit to Baku in 2016, during which the pontiff noted Azerbaijan's religious harmony.

The article emphasises that the decision to include Azerbaijan in the list of countries under surveillance is perplexing.

"International law has consistently recognised Garabagh and its surrounding provinces as Azerbaijani territory. Despite UN resolutions demanding Armenia's withdrawal, Azerbaijan has only recently regained its territories after decades of Armenian occupation."

Amirbayov said Western observers, including Emmanuel Dupuis of the Institute for Prospects and Security in Europe, have condemned the desecration and destruction of Azerbaijani cultural sites by Armenian forces over the years. "For decades, Azerbaijani cultural artefacts in Garabagh have been systematically vandalised, misappropriated, and destroyed," Dupuis said.

However, Armenia's inclusion on the same list never materialised, prompting accusations of double standards from Amirbekov. He contrasts this with Azerbaijan's commitment to preserve all cultural and religious sites after liberation. Azerbaijan also sees potential bias in the US commission's report, noting that one of its authors, Daniel Saroyan Ashbahian, is linked to Armenian defence groups.

"The apparent US bias on this issue is a cause for concern. They risk sidelining Azerbaijan, a country whose secular Muslim identity and alliance with the West make it a potential mediator in regional conflicts. Azerbaijan's recent peace proposals towards Armenia emphasise this potential," the article said.

"In a world of moderation and tolerance, it is counterproductive to alienate a strategic partner like Azerbaijan. Instead, the West would do well to capitalise on Azerbaijan's rich experience with religious pluralism, guiding it towards a more harmonious existence in the Middle East and elsewhere," the author concludes.

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26 January 2024 14:37 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Following the instructions of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the return of former internally displaced persons to the restored city of Fuzuli continues, Azernews reports.

Another group of former IDPs, consisting of 30 families or 125 people, left the Gobu Park 3 residential complex in Garadagh for Fuzuli on January 26.

The resettled families will settle in the houses where they once lived in Fuzuli, which were restored or rebuilt based on instructions from the head of state after the end of the Armenian occupation. Fuzuli residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care and expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation.

Thus, until today, a permanent settlement in the city of Fuzuli has been provided for 500 families - 1854 people.

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26 January 2024 15:31 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Despite all threats, Turkiye will always support Azerbaijan with its strength, Azernews reports, citing Dr. Eray Gucluer, a lecturer at Turkish Altnbas University and head of the Eurasian Centre for Strategic Studies (ECSS), telling in an interview with TurkicWorld.

"The European Union wants to take revenge on Azerbaijan with all its bodies, institutions, and organizations. The European Union, which is on Armenia's side, cannot accept Azerbaijan's liberation of Garabagh. That is why they intend to invent silly excuses and impose sanctions against Azerbaijan.

He noted that there is a concept in the European imperialist mindset always to support Armenia, cooperate with the Armenian diaspora, and encourage Armenia's invasion policy. However, in the end, they will have to realize the greatness and power of the Azerbaijani state. Being an element of stability in the region, Azerbaijan also hinders imperialist policies. Moreover, it neutralizes the attempts of the US and Western imperialist states to destabilize the Caucasus.

"I strongly condemn this unjust, illegal and insidious behaviour of the European Parliament. No coercion and no pressure can force Azerbaijan to abandon its legitimate work.

There can be some unjust and immoral actions against Azerbaijan by the EU institutions. Because imperialist powers will always want to support Armenia. However, Azerbaijan is never alone. Turkiye is always on Azerbaijan's side with all its strength. We condemn these actions of the European Union and declare to the whole world that we will not accept them in any case," added Erai Gucluer.

It should be noted that in the face of unbearable racism, Azerbaijanophobia and Islamophobia formed in PACE, the Azerbaijani delegation decided to stop interaction and activity in PACE until further notice.

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26 January 2024 13:06 (UTC+04:00)

My previous article titled Cyber-enabled fraud: an imminent threat to business in Azerbaijan illustrated how various institutions, such as banks, law enforcement, or legal instruments alone, are incapable of defending the business from the CEF. The paper also enlisted several recommendations for business stakeholders to protect their businesses. Below, I will shed light on the importance of commercial agreements and how they can help businesses prevent and cure the consequences of the CEF.

The importance of civil liability

As it became evident from the case of our client (the 'Client'), the originating, intermediary, and beneficiary banks were not able to prevent the intruder(s) from withdrawing the whole amount wired by the Client. And the law enforcements of both Azerbaijan and the UAE could not open a criminal case based on jurisdictional grounds. For this reason, civil liability must come forward, as businesses need a more sophisticated remedy to ensure the security of their hard-earned money. Contracts are one of the vital sources of civil liability and must envisage robust elements to defend businesses, including but not limited to the following:

Duty of due care

Vendors must be obliged to provide an adequate level of cybersecurity. Also called Security Clauses, duty of due care implicates the vendors obligation to maintain strong information security practices and policies that are in line with legal and industry-specific standards. Organisations are more and more keen on ensuring that vendors meet ISO 27000 series standards or the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Businesses may also require their vendors conduct regular phishing simulations, maintain encrypted backup and recovery, train employees, etc. However, such practices should be adequate for the sensitivity of the data and the method of transfer.

Indemnity clause

As one of the most important risk transfer tools in any business agreement, indemnity clauses must be reflected within vendor agreements for breaches of confidentiality, privacy, and security incidents, specifically cybersecurity exposure. However, business organisations should avoid limitation-of-liability clauses or liability disclaimers, considering that the costs in responding to a cybersecurity incident can be astronomical. Indemnification clauses should be composed in a manner to match the coverage required in the separate insurance clause to ensure that there are no inconsistencies between what is indemnified and what is covered by insurance.

Cyber-risk insurance

Business organisations are recommended to require vendors to maintain adequate insurance to fund potential indemnification obligations. Considering that cyber-risk insurance is a relatively new product, pre-drafted insurance clauses will not be sufficient to meet industry-specific concerns. Businesses should make sure that a one-size-fits-all approach is avoided, and vendors insurance provides breach response coverage and business interruption coverage to mitigate damages from CEF. In any case, business organisations should seek the advice of internal or external counsel to compose an insurance clause that meets their demands.

Data breach notification

Vendor agreements should envisage an obligation for the vendor to alert the buyer within a specified period after the discovery of a data breach. Such alerts should be detailed enough to allow the buyer organisations to take the necessary actions to mitigate the damages. These notices might be crucial for businesses in order to warn their customers, regulators, or insurers within a limited timeframe. In our case, the Client is obliged to warn the Central Bank of Azerbaijan to prevent administrative penalties.

Data retention

A data retention provision must be well-established under the vendor agreements and should, at least, 1) reduce access to data on a need-to-know basis (also by quickly invalidating access during employee offboarding); 2) narrow the processing of data down to only what is required to fulfil the vendors obligations; 3) ensure the reversion or termination of records (as well as emails) at request (with an obligation to prove such destructions), etc.

Restriction of Sub-Processors

In some cases, vendors hire sub-processors to handle buyers data. Or they use the services of third parties, such as counting firms, etc., that have access to buyers confidential or proprietary information. Considering that vendors enter into agreements with such sub-contractors to which the business organisation is not a party, purchase agreements with vendors must oblige vendors to include, among other things, similar security and confidentiality clauses within their agreements with third parties.

Vendors obligation to hire a first-class bank with multi-factor authentication processes.

The beneficiary bank of our Clients vendor in the UAE did not have a sufficient multi-factor authentication process, which in the end allowed intruder(s) to withdraw full amount wired by the Client. As not all jurisdictions require their banks to maintain multi-factor authentication process, business organizations within respective agreements should require their vendors to use the services of the banks that have such processes.

One cannot deny that the application of additional clauses such as those above into agreements for the sake of cybersecurity will end up with an additional burden. However, its importance cannot be underestimated, considering that the financial losses due to the unavailability of cybersecurity clauses can be astronomical.

About the author

Ruslan Bayramov is a Founding Partner at Legalize Law Firm. He is specialised in corporate law, eCommerce, and AML/CFT Compliance. Ruslan is advising clients on asset recovery as a result of cyber-enabled fraud. For further information about the author and Legalize Law Firm, please visit https://www.legalize.az/en

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26 January 2024 16:33 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The video material prepared by the Turkish TV channel Haber Global included ideas in the context of relations between Azerbaijan and the Parliamentary Assembly of the CoE, Azernews reports.

It was noted that this is not the first scandalous decision of the PACE:

"Thoughts similar to the accusations made against Azerbaijan have been repeatedly expressed against Turkiye. They were involved in the Armenian lobby and lobbying activities led by France against Azerbaijan, especially with regard to the Second Garabagh War in 2020 and the anti-terrorist measures implemented on 19-20 September 2023."

The topic also pointed out that PACE has never adopted a single decision or resolution against Armenia during its 30-year occupation:

"Double standards, polarisation usually generate hatred in civilisations and societies. Azerbaijan suffered great losses while liberating the occupied lands and fighting to save the homeland. And in Europe, instead of support, a political situation was created centered on supporting Armenia and Armenian gangs. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan won. Armenians lobby through France and submit reports to PACE. If the institution sets double standards with these decisions, there are steps to be taken on the other side," the TV channel emphasized.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan became a full member of the Council of Europe and PACE in 2001. Yesterday, some European parliamentarians questioned the authority of the Azerbaijani delegation in PACE and made unimaginable accusations against it. Taking this into account, the Azerbaijani delegation made a broad and detailed statement to the PACE. Against the background of intolerable racism, Azerbaijanophobia and Islamophobia in PACE, the Azerbaijani delegation decided to suspend cooperation with PACE and participation in the organisation indefinitely.

After the statement, the delegation left the meeting place.

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26 January 2024 18:10 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The first meeting of this year's working group on environmental issues is being held at the Congress Centre in Zangilan, Azernews reports, citing Azertac.

Deputy Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Vugar Karimov, Special Representative of the President in Jebrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan districts of the East Zangazur Economic Region Vahid Hajiyev, Senior Advisor of the structure, member of the working group on environmental issues Nargiz Garajayeva and other members of the working group are taking part in the meeting.

The session discusses such issues as solutions for sustainable development of the environment through restoration of qahriz in Jabrayil district, assessment of environmental factors in the socio-economic development of East Zangazur economic district, work in the field of forestry carried out in the territories liberated from occupation within the framework of Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation, ensuring environmental stability in the implementation of rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan districts, as well as the implementation of environmental projects in the regions of Azerbaijan.

There are also discussions on the water supply systems of the Zangilan and Jabrayl districts, road construction projects in the East Zangazur economic region, the status and prospects for the utilization of mineral deposits, the process of environmental rehabilitation in the territories liberated from occupation, aspects of territorial planning, environmental impact assessment and demining activities carried out within the framework of greening projects.

Vahid Hajiyev, special representative of the President of Azerbaijan in Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan districts of the East Zangazur economic region, noted that Garabagh and East Zangazur have turned into a big construction site.

"During the past year in Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan in 9 villages, one settlement and three urban centres the foundations of various residential blocks, schools and hospitals were laid. These infrastructures, residential complexes will be a significant contribution to the process of return of people"

Vahid Hajiyev noted that Garabagh and East Zangazur have been declared a green energy zone, environmental protection is the main priority in large-scale rehabilitation and reconstruction works in the territories liberated from occupation.

"Major projects are being implemented in this direction. Solar power plants will be built in Jabrayil. If we talk about construction, administrative buildings in the villages to be built in the next stages are envisaged to be provided with green energy. The village of Aghali will be supplied with energy from renewable energy sources. In general, innovative approaches to the concepts of "smart city" and "smart village" will be applied," Vahid Hajiyev said.

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26 January 2024 16:47 (UTC+04:00)

Nigar Hasanova Read more

It is planned to plant 5 million tree and shrub saplings in the country as part of the Green World Solidarity Year.

Azernews reports that Deputy Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Vugar Karimov said this at the meeting of the working group on environmental issues held in Zangilan.

According to him, most of the work will be carried out by the ministry itself:

"Of course, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources will plant about 3 million trees. The trees will be planted in our forestry farms, in the Absheron region, and in the territories freed from occupation. 2 million will be planted by the country's executive authorities, and representative offices and it is on other executive bodies. We have enough planting materials and can provide 5 million plantings."

It should be noted that 2024 was declared the Green World Solidarity Year in Azerbaijan by the relevant decree of President Ilham Aliyev.

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26 January 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

After a 70-year hiatus, the first alcohol store will open in Saudi Arabia. But these drinks will be sold only to diplomats of foreign countries, Azernews reports, citing foreign mass media.

This decision was made to prevent the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages in Saudi Arabia. The world's media also draw attention to the fact that under the leadership of the Crown Prince of the Kingdom, Mohammed bin Salman, in recent years, Saudi Arabia has been guided by Sharia law within the framework of the 2030 vision.

The ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages and the punishment of drunken people in the Kingdom was introduced 70 years ago  in 1952. At that time, a tragic incident occurred at a drinking party between one of the princes and a British diplomat.

In most Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, there are strict restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages. Only persons over the age of 21 can buy and drink these drinks in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

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26 January 2024 22:55 (UTC+04:00)

About 200 influencers from the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Poland, Spain and other countries will visit Tbilisi for the ninth edition of the Traverse digital conference, hosted for the first time in the Georgian capital city, the Georgian National Tourism Administration said on Friday, Azernews reports, citing Agenda.

The event is hosted by the Traverse network, a digital influencer marketing and events agency based in London, composed of tens of thousands of digital influencers and content creators including bloggers, YouTubers, Instagrammers, podcasters, videographers and photographers.

Running between January 30-February 10, the conference will have BBC presenter Gavin Ramjaun, Instagram blogger Rich McCorry and other influencers with millions of followers on social networks as speakers, the Administration said.

They will visit Georgia, [and] learn about tourist products. I think this conference will be very successful, and later we will be able to follow what the influencers write about the country on international media platforms, said Maia Omiadze, the Head of the Administration.

Michael Ball, the organiser of the conference, said it was his first time in Georgia, noting he enjoyed the local wine and cuisine.

Influencers who visit Georgia will create stories about your country. I think by sharing a positive experience with your audience, you create the best campaign. The influencers that we bring have amazing experience, [and] the material created by them will be distributed on various platforms, which will greatly benefit Georgia, he said.

Influencers will visit the capital city of Tbilisi, the highland town of Mestia in the north-west, the ski resort of Gudauri and other places to explore the winter destinations, tourist products, cuisine and wine, the Administration said.

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26 January 2024 23:30 (UTC+04:00)

Uzbekistan plans to purchase Chinese electric ambulances for $150 million, Azernews reports, citing Kun.uz news agency.

At an investment forum in Shenzhen, the Ministry of Health, the China Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Henan Costar Group signed an agreement to purchase electric vehicles for the ambulance service.

On one charge, the electric car can travel more than 450 km and is considered environmentally friendly. There is everything here to provide resuscitation care to the patient, and the service life is also long-term, the director of the Republican Center for Emergency Medical Care, Abduvokhidjon Gafurov, said.

Chinese electric vehicles will be purchased on an investment basis after passing tests in remote regions of Uzbekistan. As part of an agreement with the Henan Costar Group, it is planned to open a plant for the maintenance and modification of electric vehicles.

Based on our order, a Chinese company created a passenger electric car for us. This increases mobility for first aid. This small-looking electric car can serve as a large ambulance. It can serve 10 to 15 calls per day. If you look at the statistics, 85% of ambulance calls do not require hospitalization, and, from this point of view, the efficiency of this type of transport is very high, Gafurov shared.

In addition, the Uzbek delegation agreed with Chinese companies and financial institutions to invest $500 million in grant projects based on public-private partnerships.

If we talk about agreements for $500 million, this, first of all, concerns the reconstruction of primary health care buildings based on modern standards. The second direction is the modernization of all medical equipment in the regions of our country. And thirdly, establishing pharmaceutical production based on advanced technologies, deputy head of the Ministry of Health Farkhod Toshpulatov said.

On January 24, the President, speaking at the Uzbek-Chinese forum, said that responsible managers would be assigned to investors from China.

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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?

98.25% No, I do not support Election Interference; I am a patriot unto our Constitution.1.75% 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?
Trump, a short time ago, called on all willing states to send their national guards to Texas to defend the U.S.-Mexico border. He also vowed to work with Governor Abbott to stop the invasion on Day One of his Presidency.

We encourage all willing States to deploy their guards to Texas to prevent the entry of Illegals, and to remove them back across the Border, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

All Americans should support the commonsense measures by Texas authorities to protect the Safety, Security, and Sovereignty of Texas, and of the American people.

When I am President, on Day One, instead of fighting Texas, I will work hand in hand with Governor Abbott and other Border States to Stop the Invasion, Seal the Border, and Rapidly Begin the Largest Domestic Deportation Operation in History.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/president-trump-calls-all-willing-states-deploy-their/

Trump calling for defending the border not for more to come.
Meanwhile, she said, the anti-Trump elements are sending a message to the average person, and this has been the point all along, that if you support, if you engage with, if you join with, if you assist, if you get on a campaign, if you are a lawyer and represent him, we will destroy your lives. Were going to call you MAGA white extremist everyone who gave Donald Trump a platform or anyone who, even if you never shook his hand or went to an event or a rally, if you just tweeted him and said good work, suddenly youre in the purview of the federal government.

Bruce said that Americans are a trusting people and we dont expect to be lied to by people like the director of the FBI. We just dont expect that. So, when these things were happening, Americans were overwhelmed. The problem now for them is that we know we were lied to. We see the condition of the country. The biggest issue now is how have these people affected our daily lives. [We have] a horrible economy [and] they tell you lies about whats going on with the economy. So, the things that affect your life on a day-to-day basis  heating oil for the house, natural gas, gasoline, of course, food for the table, lunch boxes  are driving American budgets into the stratosphere. So every day were aware of it and every day they tell us lies. We look back at what we now realize was gaslighting. It was making you not believe your lying eyes. And so they think they can do it again.

https://amac.us/newsline/press-release/we-look-back-at-what-we-now-realize-was-gaslighting-says-tammy-bruce/
ASCs are in growth mode as new procedures move outpatient, and they need more physicians to maximize case volume and revenue. But there is a limited pool of independent physicians able to join existing or new surgery centers, which could slow growth.

Kyle Anderson, vice president of finance and ASC at Ortho Rhode Island in Providence, told Becker's he is focused on expanding spine, pain and joint arthroplasty service lines, and will need additional physicians to fill up the center.

"To remain mission focused on cost-effective and patient-centric care, we continue to recruit like-minded, skillfully trained physicians and surgical teams," said Mr. Anderson. "Ortho RI's leadership in technology and innovation is a catalyst for perpetual growth, and thoughtful alignment between the patient, surgical team, anesthesia and surgeon will truly support effective medicine."

Reuben Gobezie, MD, founder and director at Westlake, Ohio-based Gobezie Shoulder Institute and Regen Orthopedics, told Becker's CMS reimbursing for total shoulder replacements in the ASC starting this year has the potential to increase the volume of cases at his center. He is also looking to recruit private practice physicians to his ASCs.

"The bulk of these successful recruitments are being driven by the remnant private practice orthopedic and pain management specialists who have continued doing their procedures in hospitals and are now transitioning into established ASCs," he said. "The reasons for this transition by these physicians are often related to decreases in efficiency and availability of OR block times secondary to staff shortages at large hospital systems as well as the potential to drive more revenue through ASC ownership."

Total shoulder replacements will also be a boon for The Surgical Center at Columbia (Mo.) Orthopaedic Group. Andrew Lovewell, CEO of The Surgical Center at Columbia Orthopaedic Group, said he also plans to add more pain procedures to meet patient demand, but his current physicians are at capacity.

"Our growth strategy for our practice and ASC both depend on us recruiting high quality physicians and providers to continue to deliver excellent care in our market," he told Becker's.

Independent physicians able to join surgery centers are rare; according to the American Medical Association, the percentage of independent physicians dropped over the last decade to 46.7%. But the tide could be shifting.

Manoj Mehta, MD, medical director at Endoscopy Center of the North Shore, told Becker's he has seen physician colleagues in the Chicago area grow frustrated with large health systems' focus on productivity and volume over patient satisfaction. Patients are also looking for more personalized care, he said.

"All these factors have created tremendous opportunity in private practice, and I hope to see a significant resurgence of private practices as a result," Dr. Mehta said. "Multiple gastroenterologists have left the big hospital system in our area and have gone into private practice, including one stellar local gastroenterologist joining my own outpatient facility."
A new St. Louis-based hospital is sparking controversy after bearing the name of a prominent St. Louis lawyer and equal rights advocate, NBC affiliate KSD reported Jan. 25.

The hospital, Homer G. Phillips Memorial Hospital, officially opened Jan. 16 and aims to provide access to healthcare to a community that "hasn't had 24/7 healthcare in at least probably two generations," according to Karen Johnson, BSN, RN, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer of the hospital. But its name is garnering controversy.

A group called Homer G. Phillips Nurses Alumni are voicing their concerns about the hospital's new name and initiated legal action against the hospital's developer, Paul McKee, in 2022.

The group, made up of nurses who worked at the original Homer G. Phillips hospital in the Ville Neighborhood, which closed in 1979, says the name is trademarked to the original. The new hospital is in St. Louis' Carr Square neighborhood.

"We just want the name removed because of the trademark and because of the legacy of Homer G. Phillips hospital being in The Ville area," Yvonne Jones, president of Homer G. Phillips Nurses Alumni, told the publication.

The lawsuit over the name stands in state court, according to KSD.

Mr. McKee did not respond to the publication's request for comment.
Long Beach (Calif.) Medical Center, part of Fountain Valley, Calif.-based MemorialCare, is closing its outpatient retail pharmacy Feb. 2, affecting 13 full-time positions.

During a recent internal assessment, MemorialCare found 70% of patients discharged from its hospitals fill prescriptions at outside pharmacies, Richele Steele, vice president of communications and public relations at MemorialCare, said in a statement shared with Becker's.

"Of the small number of hospital patients who do fill their prescriptions at our lobby pharmacy, nearly all of them typically do so only initially, and then go elsewhere for any refills," Ms. Steele said.

Ms. Steele said employees and physicians were informed of the decision Jan. 8 and that affected employees communicated with human resource representatives prior to the announcement.

The decision does not affect the hospital's specialty pharmacy, the Children's Village pharmacy or its infusion care pharmacy. The hospital also plans to work with patients and local retail pharmacies to ensure the transition is smooth.

"Our hospital staff members are able to assist patients at the time of discharge so that their prescriptions can be ordered and filled at other nearby pharmacies or at the patient's preferred neighborhood pharmacy," the statement said.

A nonprofit health system, MemorialCare comprises four hospitals, two medical groups, surgical centers, imaging centers and more.
Mexico, Mo.-based hospital operator Ziva Medical has laid off about 30 employees, including its CEO Amanda Shurtz, and paused plans to reopen two community hospitals, The Mexico Ledger reported Jan. 24.

ZivaMed is currently in federal bankruptcy court. It also faces lawsuits from Central Bank and former employees because of unpaid wages and medical insurance premiums that led to large medical bills by Noble Health, the former owners of Audrain County Hospital in Mexico, Mo., according to the report.

Kansas City, Mo.-based Noble shuttered hospital operations and laid off the facility's employees on March 25, 2022, according to KOMU. Audrain County Hospital has changed owners multiple times since, with ZivaMed acquiring ownership of the hospital as well as Callaway Community Hospital in Fulton, Mo., last year.

"When we came in, we were hit with tremendous lawsuits," Gary Greenstein, co-owner of ZivaMed, told local radio station KXEO. "When we came to understand the tremendous mess that the former owners left the hospital in, we considered walking away."

ZivaMed hoped to resolve the legal issues last fall, but financial pressures mounted as the litigation stretched into 2024.

"This is unfortunately delaying our ability to start operations and keep our team employed," Mr. Greenstein said in a news release.

Despite the litigation and financial challenges, the company maintains that its plan is still to reopen the hospitals, "as described in the bankruptcy reorganization plan that's before the court," Kalman Groner, co-owner of ZivaMed, said.
David Neal is out as chief executive of Arcata, Calif.-based Mad River Community Hospital, a member of the hospital's Community Health Advisory Board confirmed to the Outpost.

Managers and other hospital personnel were informed of Mr. Neal's departure on Jan. 22, according to the newspaper.

When Becker's reached out for further information about the decision, hospital spokesperson Cynthia Keene provided the following statement: "We do not comment on personnel-related decisions, so I am unable to answer your questions."

Mr. Neal served as chief executive of the hospital. This is separate from the CEO title still held by Douglas Shaw, according to the Outpost.

According to Mr. Neal's LinkedIn page, Mr. Neal had served as chief executive of the hospital since December 2021.

His departure comes after Mad River Community Hospital announced in May its intent to sell itself to management company Southwest Healthcare Services. The hospital at the time said it expected to reach a final agreement by fall 2023. However, the 78-bed, acute care medical facility remains locally owned and independently operated.

In a letter to hospital staff Jan. 17, which was referenced by the Outpost, Mr. Shaw said the hospital continues to have regular meetings with Southwest "to ensure that, if there is an opportunity to work together, it will be mutually beneficial."

He also said the hospital aims to take its time rather than rushing into any deal, and he will share more information, including a transition date, "if and when it becomes available."

"Please understand that the board of directors and I remain committed to doing whatever is best for the community and our hospital," Mr. Shaw said. "We are confident about Mad River's future and continued viability; however, we understand what needs to be done for all of us to prosper for years to come. We will continue to make significant investments in capital projects, equipment and staff; recruit new providers; improve our primary services; and expand into new and profitable service lines."



Read the full Outpost report here.
Health systems learned how to adapt quickly and embrace change over the last few years to care for patients during the pandemic, and overcome financial challenges that followed. Now, CEOs want to upend the status quo to stay relevant.

"Since all hospitals and health systems are essentially dealing with the same problems of staffing shortages, high labor and supply costs, reimbursement issues, etc., we need to focus on the disruptive models of care delivery," Robert J. Corona, DO, CEO of Upstate University and Community Hospitals in Syracuse, N.Y., told Becker's.

Update University and Community Hospitals has opened remote multispecialty clinics, satellite cancer centers and a 200,000 square-foot wellness institute to better serve the community. Dr. Corona hopes the strategy will provide a continuity of care that includes primary, emergency and acute care as well as hospital at home, mobile medicine and robust telemedicine services. He also has several retail pharmacies to "meet patients where they are," even if that means the patients don't have to go anywhere.

"We have invested heavily in drone transportation, hospital robot supply services, artificial intelligence technologies and digital imaging technologies," said Dr. Corona. "We can't afford to rely on the old academic medical center models anymore. We must embrace the disruptive care models to thrive."

Sunil Eappen, MD, president and CEO of University of Vermont Health Network in Burlington, is focusing transformation on value-based care. His system is moving to a CMMI model of care called AHEAD, and the system is testing innovative treatment and payment models to create a system focused on quality of care rather than quantity, and slowing cost growth.

"We know that to meet the needs of a growing and aging population, we need to change the system so it rewards keeping people healthier and offering more care at home to keep them out of emergency rooms and hospitals," said Dr. Eappen. "However, while our efforts so far have put us at the forefront of payment reform work nationally, we know this is a systemic, policy and cultural shift that will be a massive undertaking requiring engagement from hospitals, health systems, payers, regulators, and state and federal leaders."

For Mark Behl, president and CEO of NorthBay Health in Fairfield, Calif., change means finding ways to go from a traditional hospital system into an integrated delivery network that drives more value to employers, payers and consumers of "health and healthcare."

"The exciting part is the idea of becoming an organization that is no longer following the old playbook, but rather establishing an entirely new one," said Mr. Behl. "There are not many businesses that succeed by just doing the same thing year after year. The successful transformations from old to new require major change, which means placing bets and taking risk. We just want to make sure that we are doing so with calculation, diligence and precision execution."

James Terwilliger, president of the Puget Sound market of CommonSpirit Health's Northwest Region, also sees the value of taking risks, learning from mistakes and moving forward to evolve healthcare more rapidly than in the past. Change is especially needed in clinical programs and care delivery, where leaders are understandably risk averse.

"Our risk aversion can limit us sometimes and we can't be afraid to try new things," said Mr. Terwilliger during an episode of the "Becker's Healthcare Podcast." "The world changed a lot three years ago, and I'm frankly not entirely sure we've completely wrapped our arms around that. The old tropes of what engaged people in the workforce, grew clinical programs, created the collaborative environments between payers and providers; we have to be willing to challenge all of those and we need people in our organization that are comfortable doing that."

Mr. Terwilliger has focused on building the foundation of questioning the status quo in his region of CommonSpirit, and plans to continue to make sure the team meets the evolving expectations of patients and healthcare consumers. One recent example is the system's partnership with One Medical, which is owned by Amazon.

"We've now created a partnership where we're their partner in providing some diagnostic and acute care services, and almost all of that is being done not in the traditional way of picking up the phone and calling to make an appointment and getting into a queue to do those things," said Mr. Terwilliger. "I think we're going to learn a tremendous amount from doing this, and I think that's an example of how an organization like ours is saying, 'Okay, the way that we've done things, the way we've engaged patients is going to need to continue to evolve."
The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission on Jan. 25 called for further review of the proposed clinical affiliation between Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at BIDMC.

The HPC board of commissioners voted to conduct a cost and market impact review of the proposed partnership, which will examine the impact of the proposed clinical affiliation on costs and the state's ability to meet the healthcare cost growth benchmark, market functioning, quality of care, and health equity and access for consumers, according to a news release.

The review will take into account information provided by the healthcare organizations and other market participants, public data sources including those collected by the state's Center for Health Information and Analysis, and the advice of expert consultant teams. HPC will release a public report once findings are complete.

"The HPC's cost and market impact review authority is essential to assess significant changes in the Massachusetts healthcare system, such as those proposed by the parties," HPC Executive Director David Seltz said in the release. "We will carefully review the potential impact on affordability, equity, and access and issue a comprehensive public report."

Dana-Farber and Beth Israel shared the following statement with Becker's: "This is an expected step in the regulatory process, and we look forward to working with regulators as they conduct their review."

Dana-Farber and Beth Israel Deaconess, both based in Boston, in September announced plans to construct a freestanding inpatient cancer hospital in Boston, which would be more than 300 beds. The news marked a change in the city's current cancer care landscape, as Dana-Farber and Boston-based Brigham and Women's Hospital have been longtime partners. Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham is the parent system of Brigham and Women's, which has been clinically affiliated with Dana-Farber since 1997. Their current agreement runs through 2028.

The $1.68 billion proposal to establish a standalone cancer hospital has been making its way through the regulatory process, including a first official pitch this month to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Union activity and negotiations between unions and hospitals continue to be prevalent as issues such as pay, staffing and working conditions are center stage at the bargaining table.

With this in mind, Becker's has put together a collection of information on largest healthcare unions, largest strikes, longest strikes, and trends in union activity.

Here are eight things to know about healthcare and unions:

1. Last year, 7.4 million employees in the private sector belonged to unions, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Jan. 23. This included 1.3 million employees within healthcare and social assistance.

2. Across the nation's workforce, the union membership rate the percentage of wage and salary workers who were union members  was 10% in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate was 6.9% in the healthcare and social assistance sector last year, an increase from 6.6% in 2022.

3. SEIU Healthcare, the healthcare arm of the Service Employees International Union, describes itself as the largest healthcare union in North America. The union has more than 1.1 million members in 29 states and two countries, according to its website.

4. National Nurses United describes itself as the largest union and professional association of registered nurses in U.S. history. The union has nearly 225,000 members nationwide, according to its website.

5. A strike by Kaiser Permanente workers in multiple states concluded Oct. 7. More than 75,000 workers began a three-day strike Oct. 4 at Kaiser hospitals and medical office buildings in California, Colorado, Washington and Oregon, and a one-day strike in Virginia and the District of Columbia. The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions deemed the strike as the largest healthcare worker strike in the U.S.

6. Nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Mass., ended a 301-day strike in January 2022. It was the longest nurses' strike in Massachusetts history, according to the Massachusetts Nurses Association. The union also described it as the longest nurses' strike the United States had seen in more than 15 years.

7. Overall, there have been at least 123 strikes involving workers in the healthcare and social assistance sector since January 2021, according to the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations' labor action tracker. This includes 50 strikes in 2023, an increase from 39 in 2022.

8. Nurses and other workers at hospitals and health systems have also secured large raises and other contract asks recently amid negotiations with unions. Click here for a breakdown of some of the latest raises.
A California physician and Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach are facing a civil lawsuit from 73 former patients who allege they were sexual abused, NBC affiliate KNBC reported Jan. 25.

William Thompson IV, MD, an infectious disease specialist, is accused of molesting patients during visits at his Newport Beach office and the hospital. According to the lawsuit, he specialized in LGBTQ care.

The former patients allege Dr. Thompson assaulted them under the pretext of providing medical care by performing medically unnecessary prostate exams. The patients also accuse Hoag Hospital of ignoring complaints and failing to investigate.

"Hoag condemns the conduct alleged against Dr. William Thompson in the recent lawsuit and recognizes the courage it takes for former patients to come forward," the hospital said in a statement shared with the news outlet. "Dr. Thompson operated an independent medical practice and was not employed by Hoag or its affiliates. He had clinical privileges at Hoag Hospital which were summarily suspended by the medical staff following the filing of criminal charges against him. We recognize that the legal process must take its course and we will continue to cooperate in all respects with the ongoing criminal proceedings against Dr. Thompson."

Dr. Thompson was arrested in September and faces 20 felony counts related to assaulting patients. His court hearing will take place March 15.
New York City-based NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has agreed to pay $801,000 to resolve allegations that two radiology practices improperly billed federal healthcare programs for images used in image-guided radiation therapy treatments.

Radiation Therapist Associates and Leading Edge Radiation Oncology Services, which are no longer operating, provided oncology to Brooklyn communities, according to a Jan. 25 Justice Department news release. RTA was a physician practice located within Methodist Hospital and operated under a contract with a predecessor of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. LEROS was operated by an overlapping group of physicians and was a joint venture with the predecessor of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Between 2012 and 2018, RTA and LEROS allegedly billed for images that were either not reviewed or were not timely reviewed, according to the release. An investigation also found that RTA submitted upcoded claims in some instances.

The United States will receive about $695,000 of the settlement and New York will receive $106,000. The funds will go to the Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare programs.
Florida has seen a 38% reduction in nurse vacancy and turnover rates in the last year, and five hospital strategies are emerging as particularly most effective.

The Florida Hospital Association has been tracking information on retention and vacancy since the 1990s. In August, the association published its annual workforce report. It found the turnover rate dropped by 12% in a year, and hospitals reported many nurses returning to their old jobs.

Here were the strategies that hospitals said worked:

98% were offering pay incentives.





90% were exploring flexible staffing.





88% were implementing apprenticeships and mentor programs.





80% are using nurse residency programs.





80% offer earn-as-you-learn programs.

Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, told Becker's recently that hospitals inform her their numbers are continuing to improve. Hospitals have also been seeing better results after "intensifying their focus on reinforcing to their staff that they are valued, they are appreciated, they are respected. Hospitals also communicate in a timely way to ensure everyone understands the mission and the vision, and they feel connected to it. That, for any organization, is fundamental."

Data and tending analysis, especially around vacancy and turnover, can identify which strategies are moving the needle.

"In any organization, you got to be careful that you're not trying to support 15 different initiatives and strategies," she said. "If we use employee satisfaction surveys, focus groups and town halls, we can gain more clarity around the strategies that make the biggest impact in vacancy and retention rates."

New programs that tip the scale

Hospitals are relying on proven strategies and new programs to continue to improve their staffing.

For example, Ms. Mayhew said many hospitals are launching apprenticeship programs and leveraging technology to make nurse workflow easier. They are also using smaller changes to create a big impact.

In one hospital, staff photos with their name and title are hung on a whiteboard for patients and staff to find easily. Another hospital is utilizing artificial intelligence like Alexa and Siri so patients can make requests from their rooms. Hospitals are also optimizing electronic health records and reducing administrative burden.

And many hospitals are utilizing virtual nursing to keep veteran nurses from retiring early. Remote monitoring opportunities are less stressful than bedside care and allow hospitals to maintain continuity of care for patients. It also allows longtime staff to support new nurses, Ms. Meyhew said.

"I think it's important for hospitals to recognize the amount of work and effort that have gone into various strategies," she said. "Sometimes they're too close to it and they need to take a step back to see the magnitude of effort. One hospital CEO told me, 'You know, we've been in a war room-type approach to addressing our shortages, vacancies and turnover rates. We've been brainstorming with a sense of urgency and reimagining, rethinking the way we build our team.' I would say, since the last survey, have the numbers continued to improve?"

Strengthening the pipeline

Hospitals are also doubling down on "creative programming" and partnerships with local colleges and university systems to create flexible career pathways, Ms. Mayhew said. These pathways make it easier for new nurses to begin working at hospitals.

The association holds quarterly meetings with nursing schools to hear concerns and what is working. That information is used to expand educational capacity for nursing across the state and get more nurses graduated, she said, but building capacity is a two-way street.

"We cannot expect nursing schools to be building additional capacity if we're not sharing timely data and information with them," she said. "As hospitals think about demographic changes in their community and the demand increases, they need to know how many more nurses to hire in two years from now. That information needs to be shared with schools so they can anticipate and plan as well."

Florida is forecast to have a nurse shortage of nearly 60,000 in 2035, Ms. Mayhew said.

"We began to improve the pipeline and the capacity and the Legislature immediately responded. A matching grant program was developed which, to date, includes 143 hospitals. The state provides a certain amount of funding to local nursing schools which hospitals match. That has been extremely successful, and the Legislature is increasing funding in their budget for next year."
Calling the lowest-risk prostate cancers something else may encourage some patients to follow physicians' treatment recommendations of active surveillance and avoid pursuing more aggressive options, according to a growing number of physicians advocating for a change in nomenclature, The Wall Street Journal reported Jan. 24.

"The word 'cancer' engenders so much anxiety and fear," Laura Esserman, MD, a professor of surgery and radiology at the University of California in San Francisco and director of its breast care center, told the news outlet. "Patients think if I don't do something tomorrow, this is going to kill me. In fact, that's not true."

There are five grade groups of prostate cancer  the most common cancer among men in the U.S.  with 1 representing the lowest risk and 5 the highest. Physicians typically recommend careful monitoring for low-risk cancers, which account for around one-quarter of men diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to experts who spoke to the Journal. Surgery or radiation are typically part of the recommended treatment for moderate and high-risk cancers.

While evidence demonstrates active surveillance is an effective way to manage low-grade prostate cancer, around 40% of men with a lower-grade diagnosis choose more aggressive treatment options.

"They look at me and say, 'I have cancer, it has to be treated,'" David Penson, MD, professor and chair of the urology department at Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told the Journal, adding that about 1 in 5 of his patients with low-grade cancer insist on surgery or radiation.

"If you make that sort of nomenclature change, people may be more open to the idea of accepting active surveillance," he said.

With low-grade prostate cancers, physicians have proposed referring to it as a premalignant lesion instead.

When choosing active surveillance, it is critical patients stick with follow-up visits, since some lower-grade cancers do turn into more aggressive types. This is one reason why some physicians are in favor of sticking with the "cancer" name. For instance, more than 40% of men who choose active surveillance already have poor follow-up. Some experts worry that calling it something other than cancer would push that rate up even higher. Instead, some argue physicians invest more effort in educating patients about what low-grade cancer means and the efficacy of active surveillance.
A Montgomery County, Ohio, inmate seized a sheriff deputy's firearm while receiving treatment at Kettering Health Dayton (Ohio) and fled the hospital on Jan. 26.

While no Kettering Health employees or patients were injured during the incident, one round was fired inside the hospital. The Dayton Police Department quickly located the suspect in a house and heard a gunshot come from within it, the Dayton Daily News reported Jan. 26.

The suspect was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a Jan. 26 Montgomery County Sheriff's Department news release shared with Becker's.

Emergency medical personnel were dispatched to provide the inmate medical attention, where he was pronounced dead by hospital personnel.

The deputy who was assaulted did not sustain life-threatening injuries.
Sparrow Eaton Hospital, based in Charlotte, Mich., alerted its community Jan. 24 of unsafe levels of copper in its water supply.

After detecting the high copper levels on Jan. 19, hospital officials said they informed its workers, contacted the state, posted signs around the building and stocked water bottles at its water stations. The copper levels make the water unsafe for drinking but OK for hand-washing and other uses, the hospital said.

As Sparrow Eaton investigates the source of the issue, Charlotte officials said the city's water supply is safe to drink since the hospital has its own water system, adding that "this issue is specific to the hospital."
Ryanair said a lack of affordable rental accommodation has been a major impediment to recruiting and training new Irish and European cabin crew members

Local representatives have voiced anger after Ryanair bought almost an entire housing estate in Swords, close to its headquarters at Dublin Airport, to house staff.

The move is the latest sign that employers are having to take radical action to lock in accommodation for workers in a tight labour market where rentals are scarce and particularly difficult to find for workers moving here from abroad.

Councillors in Swords have said the bulk-buying of the 25 properties means here are another 25 families that could have bought a home but now cant.

Fast-food giant Supermacs has previously said it had to find housing in order to secure new hires from abroad and tech giant Google has previously suggested it might need to invest in apartments in Dublin due to the housing crisis.

Ryanair is buying 25 houses at the 28-unit Fosterstown Place scheme, according to the Business Post newspaper, which broke the story.

The airline confirmed the move.

Ryanair confirms that it has purchased 25 new-built units in Fosterstown, Swords in order to ensure that it can provide high-quality but affordable rentals close to Dublin Airport for new cabin crew who are joining Ryanair based in Dublin, to help us maintain Ryanairs flight schedules for up to 33 Dublin aircraft.

In recent years the absence of affordable rental accommodation has been a major impediment to recruiting and training new Irish and European cabin crew members to Ryanairs inflight team. This accommodation, which is located one bus stop from Dublin Airport, will be rented at affordable rates to Ryanair cabin crew during their first year of employment.

Sinn Fein councillor Ann Graves said people living in Swords are unhappy with the move due to the shortage of housing in the area and added: it should not be allowed to happen.

"People are finding it really difficult to rent and to buy. Its in a prime location, its close to all of the amenities. For anyone that wants to live in the area, theres a lot of disappointment, she added.

"This all goes back to a lack of housing, it causes such a ripple effect and this isnt the first time.

It shouldnt be allowed to happen in terms of bulk buying, I see why it does happen because there isnt properties and businesses need to keep going but here are another 25 families that could have bought a home there, Cllr Graves told the Irish Independent.

The scheme is made up of three- and four-bed family homes. Ryanair has previously outlined the challenge to recruitment posed by the housing shortage and said it would look at buying units to house staff. It has previously rented shorter-term units to provide accommodation to people relocating here.

Fosterstown Place is 2km south of Swords village and 3.5km north of Dublin Airport and is served by Dublin Bus.

Local Independents4Change councillor Dean Mulligan said Ryanair bought the houses the same way a vulture fund would buy them.

"Whilst I understand it, it just legitimises the housing crisis, the fact that Ryanair needs to do that. In order to retain staff and get staff in, they need to go buy housing in an area  that highlights how dire the housing situation is, he said.

He said many couples and young families in the local area were on a waiting list for the site and waiting for an estate agent to contact them.

Those on the waiting list were then essentially ghosted by MKN Properties and found out the properties had been bought by Ryanair in the media.

Whilst I acknowledge their workers deserve and should have a roof over their heads. It's a bit of a slap in the face to the local residents given the lack of communication, Mr Mulligan said.

MKN Properties were contacted for comment.
Wetherspoons boss Sir Tim Martin was fifth on the list

Northern Ireland family businesses FP McCann and W&R Barnett have been revealed as two of the UKs top 100 taxpayers.

Businessman William Barnett and his family have been named NIs biggest taxpayer, with contributions of 18.8m, according to the annual Sunday Times Tax List.

Eoin McCann and his family, who own Magherafelt construction firm FP McCann, are also listed for the first time with tax paid of 14.4m.

The Barnetts are placed at number 62 in the list, with the McCanns following at number 77.

Primarks owners, the Weston family, re-entered the list at number seven with a reported 146m in tax contributions.

Pub tycoon Sir Tim Martin, who went to school in Belfast, and the family of Wrightbus owner Jo Bamford, also made the list of top 20 UK taxpayers.

The Tax List of 2024 puts the JD Wetherspoon chairman at number five, with 167m paid in tax.

Sir Tim told The Sunday Times it was vitally important that more companies reported all the tax they paid.

Without this perspective people may become more cynical about free enterprise, which is the vital engine of prosperity, and thereby freedom, for democratic societies, he added.

Wetherspoons boss Sir Tim Martin was fifth on the list

Jo Bamford senior, Lord Bamford and their family were listed at number 17.

Equipment giant JCB, which is owned by Lord Bamford, contributed 67.8m in taxes in the last 12 months, according to The Sunday Times.

The list was again topped by Moscow-born billionaire Alex Gerko of XTX Markets, who contributed over 664m.

William Barnett and his family business W&R Barnett, which operates out of Belfast Harbour and has interests in molasses, animal feed, grain and other items, are number 62 on the overall list.

FP McCann was listed for the first time, after reporting a revenue of 387.6m during 2022. The family-run company has been in business for more than 40 years, operating in building and civil engineering, quarrying, house building and the manufacture of construction products.

In 1946, an earlier William Barnett, the co-founder of W&R Barnett, bequeathed his house and grounds close to Shaws Bridge in the south of the city to Belfast Corporation. It is now called Malone House and the grounds are still known as Barnett Demesne.

According to the list, 100 individuals and families have each paid 5.3bn of tax either personally or through their business. This is 3.3% more than a year ago.

Construction was the best represented sector of the economy with 12 of the individuals and companies listed owing their wealth to the sector.

Nine were from the property world, including the centuries-old dynasties led by the Earl of Cadogan and the Duke of Westminster.

The Sunday Times said that to compile the list, it had included corporation tax, dividend tax, capital gains tax, income tax and payroll taxes as well as gambling and alcohol duties.

The newspaper added: We consider a person or familys share of a businesss taxes to be the same as the percentage of the company they own.

Gambling billionaire Denise Coates, Specsavers founder Dame Mary Perkins and retailer Chrissie Rucker are among 18 women to appear in this years rankings.
The proposed merger between mobile networks Vodafone and Three is to be formally investigated by the UKs competition regulator.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it had started the formal investigation to examine whether it could lead to a substantial lessening of competition for mobile consumers by merging the two firms into a single network provider.

The CMA said if it found reason for concern during its initial examination, it could launch a more in-depth investigation into the merger.

The 15 billion merger was first announced last summer and would create the UKs largest mobile phone network.

It was expected to draw regulator scrutiny, particularly in terms of competition, because it would reduce the major mobile network providers in the UK from four to three.

Trade unions have also criticised the merger over concerns about possible job cuts.

This deal would bring together two of the major players in the UK telecommunications market, which is critical to millions of everyday customers, businesses and the wider economy, CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell said.

The CMA will assess how this tie-up between rival networks could impact competition before deciding next steps.

We now have 40 working days to complete this formal phase one investigation, before publishing our findings and any next steps.

In response to the CMAs announcement, Vodafone UK chief executive Ahmed Essam said: We have formally submitted our merger notice to the CMA, having worked with them closely through the pre-notification process. We look forward to continuing the constructive conversations now that the formal process has begun.

We strongly believe that the proposed merger of Vodafone and Three will significantly enhance competition by creating a combined business with more resources to invest in infrastructure to better compete with the two larger converged players.

Our commitment to invest 11 billion will build capacity to meet the exponential growth in demand for data and accelerate the rollout of advanced 5G across the UK, delivering benefits to consumers and businesses throughout the nation.

Three UK chief executive Robert Finnegan said: By combining networks, Three UK and Vodafone UK will unlock 11 billion of investment that will help the UK close the 5G gap with leading European countries and realise its ambitions to be a front-runner in digital connectivity.

Oliver Dowden said there are national security risks in a UAE firm being the major shareholder in Vodafone (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Thanks to this transaction, 95% of the population and every school and hospital will be covered by standalone 5G by the end of the decade.

Joining forces will also yield more immediate benefits. From day one, our customers will enjoy faster, more reliable coverage over more of the country  and without paying a penny extra.

We are confident that this transaction will deliver significant benefits to our customers, the country and competition, and we look forward to working closely with the CMA as they review our notification.

The launch of the investigation comes after Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden used new powers to declare there are national security risks in a UAE firm being the major shareholder in Vodafone.

In the order published in Mr Dowdens name on Wednesday, it says the relationship Emirates Telecommunications Group, which does business as Etisalat by e&, has with the British firm would enable it materially to influence the policy of Vodafone.

The senior Conservative ruled that, under powers granted by the National Security and Investment Act, he considered that e&s stake in Vodafone could cause a risk to national security on issues of cybersecurity and in the operators role as a strategic supplier of services to many parts of government.

Abu Dhabi-listed e& has built up a stake of 14.6% in Vodafone, marking a deepening of a strategic tie-up that began in May 2022 when e& first invested in the FTSE 100 giant.

The British telephone firm announced in May that e& chief executive Hatem Dowidar would join the Vodafone board as a non-executive director.

Coming eight months after that move, Mr Dowden has now imposed conditions, including for Vodafone and e& to meet certain requirements relating to Vodafones board composition and to establish a national security committee to oversee sensitive work that Vodafone and its group perform which has an impact on, or is in respect of the national security of the UK.
Maestra follows the orchestral manoeuvres of five females in a unique contest, attempting to make the breakthrough as conductors  traditionally the domain of male musicians

Maestra focuses on a unique competition that is staged in Paris

The Irish premiere of a documentary exploring the journey of five women into the male-dominated world of orchestral conducting will take place in Belfast this weekend.

Maestra marks the directorial debut of Maggie Contreras, who will attend the screening and a Q&A at the Queens Film Theatre on Saturday at 6pm.

The film sees the women take the stage in Paris for La Maestra, the only competition in the world for female conductors.

Maestra is being shown as part of Oh Yeahs Womens Work festival.

A preview of the documentary states: The struggles and triumphs of the gifted artists in Maestra offer a microcosm for the challenges faced by women in every industry and in every walk of life today, while also providing valuable insights into how we may conduct ourselves as we create a new movement for a more equitable future.

Director Maggie Contreras

Editing was carried out by Red Wolf Films, which is based in Holywood, Co Down. Its founder, Italian Elisa Bonora, actually moved there from Hollywood in Los Angeles.

She loves the humanity and human connections local people exude, something she feels is lacking in Tinseltown.

She explained that the idea for the film came from Contreras after she learned about the unique competition on National Public Radio (NPR).

It was very clear to Maggie that the director, production team and crew should be made up of mostly women.

"I was delighted when she called me and asked Red Wolf to come on board as editors."

She continued: Red Wolf is 90% women, as I am trying to hire as many women as I can.

Its my pride, that I can do that, so this project was perfect for us.

I happen to have a sister who is a flautist and I know that, even beyond the conductors in an orchestra, its really hard for women to break into that world, to even play first parts, and its the same with my industry.

Film editors? Women are few. Directors that are women? Even less. Producers that are women? Even less again. Composers? Women are non-existent.

Maggie actually went out of her way to find a woman to score the movie and found a wonderful composer.

Elisa Bonora, founder of Red Wolf Fillms

Contreras will talk about her documentary following the screening alongside the team from Red Wolf Films.

The event is being presented by Ulster Orchestra, QFT, Oh Yeah Centre, Out To Lunch and Red Wolf Films.

Tickets are available on the Queens Film Theatre website.
The broadcaster hosted Radio Ulsters Day By Day programme

Walter Love was the Mr Respectable of broadcasting and was a terrible practical joker around the BBC, the organisation's former head of radio programming has said.

Veteran broadcaster Mr Love died on Friday at the age of 88.

Ex-BBC Radio Ulster head of programming Don Anderson, who moved Walter into the morning slot on vacated by Gloria Hunniford, said the presenter was the gentle part of gentleman.

"He was always a superb broadcaster. He actually joined the BBC in a behind-the-scenes role and then moved over into news reading, he told the Belfast Telegraph.

"I enticed him away from being a BBC staffer to going on the freelance as a broadcaster. He was a tremendous success in that.

"He was a gentleman, and he was the gentle part of gentleman. He was always polite, had a wonderful voice. In many ways he was Mr Respectable in broadcast terms.

"People liked him instantly and he had a great rapport with the audience.

Walter had a love for music, particularly jazz, and he went on to present the Jazz Club with Walter Love, which aired its final show in 2023.

"He liked music right across the board, but jazz was his first love, said Don Anderson.

"He had a wonderful collection; a large wall  floor to ceiling  of CDs. They werent all jazz but a lot of them were.

"He was also an expert in wine; he had qualifications in wine-tasting, and he was a terrible practical joker and was known for it in the BBC.

"You wouldnt have expected it in his public persona, but he excelled in trying to make other broadcasters laugh and giggle when they were trying to read a serious news bulletin.

"In many ways, he was a pioneer of radio and his name could be validly linked with the history of BBC broadcasting in NI. His career had a huge span; he may have been the longest serving broadcaster on the whole of the UK BBC network.

Walter Love (right) with Belfast performer Van Morrison

Mr Love hosted Radio Ulsters Day By Day and Love in the Afternoon, as well as presenting Sunday programme Love Forty.

Mr Loves family confirmed he had passed away on Friday morning in a nursing home following a short illness.

The presenter was inducted into the Phonographic Performance Ireland Radio Awards Hall of Fame in 2014.

Initially starting as a freelance contributor in the 1950s, he joined the BBC after landing a job as a studio manager in London, before spending ten years as a TV newsreader in Belfast.

During the early years of the Troubles, Walter presented Scene Around Six with Larry McCoubrey.

He joined Radio Ulster in 1978 and was awarded an MBE for his services to broadcasting in 1997.

BBC NI Director Adam Smyth described he was an incredible performer on air and was genial, kind and cheerful, with a hint of mischief.

"He loved presenting radio programmes and his melodious voice, ability to create rapport, and his encyclopaedic knowledge of music made him one of our longest-serving and best-loved broadcasters," he added.
Foreign institutions heavily engaged in China's financial market: finance official

Xinhua) 10:53, January 26, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Foreign financial institutions are heavily engaged in China's financial market and in the country's economic and financial development, and have become a very important force in its financial industry, a senior financial official said in Beijing on Thursday.

By the end of 2023, foreign-funded banks had opened 888 business branches in China, with their total assets hitting 3.86 trillion yuan (about 543.32 billion U.S. dollars), according to Xiao Yuanqi, deputy head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration.

Overseas insurance institutions had established 67 business branches and 70 representative offices by the end of last year, with total assets hitting 2.4 trillion yuan. Their market share in the Chinese mainland was 10 percent, "quite a high level," Xiao told a press conference.

The strong presence of foreign financial institutions in China comes as the country steadily opens its financial sector through measures such as scrapping restrictions on the ratio of foreign shareholding in banking and insurance institutions, and substantially easing entry thresholds for foreign institutions, Xiao said.

Foreign investors can now hold 100 percent of shares of a banking or insurance institution in China, and the potential business scope of a foreign banking or insurance institution is now exactly the same as their Chinese counterparts, according to Xiao.

He said that China will be firm in pushing forward high-standard opening-up in the financial sector, and encourages broad cooperation between foreign and Chinese financial institutions.

The country also welcomes cooperation with foreign institutions specializing in such areas as green finance, sustainable operations and combating climate change, and supports foreign financial institutions to take part in the development of Shanghai and Hong Kong as international financial centers, he said.

"China's financial sector will continue to open wider," Xiao pledged.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Young At Art director Eibhlin de Barra (left) and Arts Council NI director of arts development Gilly Campbell (right) with aerial artists Kate Dunne and Emmen Donnelly and children from Gaelscoil na bhFal and Nettlefield Nursery at the launch of Belfast Childrens Festival 2024

The Belfast Childrens Festival has launched its 2024 programme, with a nine-day event planned for March 8-16.

This years circus-themed festival will welcome crowds to venues including The Lyric, The Mac, Belfast Cathedral, Culturlann MacAdam O Fiaich and Crescent Arts Centre.

More than 100 events and performances will take place during the festival, which features productions from the Netherlands, Scotland, England and Ireland, local artists, firm festival favourites such as Baby Rave, and several UK and Ireland premieres.

The festival was launched on Thursday at the Crescent Arts Centre.

Young At Art director Eibhlin de Barra said the festival would bring together everything from the big top circus to sea, land and the world of creativity in between.

After last years 25th anniversary, we are delighted to bring over 100 events and performances to Belfast during the nine-day festival, she said.

We are really pleased to be bringing world and UK premieres to the festival and tackling some major real-life issues around neurodivergence, wellbeing, relationships, disability and diversity.

As well as firm favourites like Baby Rave, we are delighted to have so many new pieces and visiting artists.

The launch of Belfast Childrens Festival 2024

Roisin McDonough, chief executive of Arts Council NI, said the Belfast Childrens Festival will be many kids first experience of live, professional arts.

Our early encounters with theatre and storytelling can have a deep and lasting influence on our creative imaginations and the way we view the world around us, so we owe it to our children  all of our children  that these formative experiences meet the highest possible standards, she said.

Twenty-six years championing the rights of children to enjoy full creative lives  and, in the process, building one of the biggest and certainly one of the greatest childrens arts festivals on these islands  means that every one of the hand-picked events that you will have the opportunity to enjoy comes with Belfast Childrens Festivals copper-fastened quality assurance.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Ryan Murphy, who addressed guests at the launch, said: Our city is just bursting with creativity and potential and thats exactly what were celebrating during Belfast Childrens Festival 2024.

We want to give people opportunities to dream and invent; to speculate and investigate; to learn and experiment; to imagine a new future, new spaces, a new balance with nature; new stories and new experiences; a celebration of our people and our place as we look towards our citys future.

View the festival programme at www.youngatart.co.uk
Geoffrey Wilson, who has taken legal action against the Alliance party for being expelled, arrives at the High Court in Belfast. Credit: Press Eye

An expelled member of the Alliance Party has lost a legal battle over his unsuccessful attempts to be selected as an election candidate.

The Court of Appeal rejected claims that Geoffrey Wilson was wrongly denied the chance to mount a discrimination case at a Fair Employment Tribunal.

Lord Justice McCloskey ruled today there was no merit in any of his grounds of challenge.

Mr Wilson, from the Dunmurry area of Belfast, was a member of Alliance for nine years.

The 52-year-old legal consultant said he was suspended and then expelled in December 2021 following events at a meeting to select candidates for the Lagan Valley constituency.

By that stage he had repeatedly failed to secure approval to stand as an Alliance candidate.

Between 2017 and 2021 he unsuccessfully applied for nominations to contest local council, Northern Ireland Assembly and Westminster polls.

In 2022 Mr Wilson was denied permission to seek a judicial review of his removal from the cross-community party.

But in a separate move he attempted to have a case heard by the Fair Employment Tribunal sitting in Belfast.

He alleged discrimination because of his age and his emphasis on strong pro-abortion and transgender rights.

The tribunal refused jurisdiction, however, on the grounds that he was never an employee of the party.

Mr Wilson sought to overturn that determination at the Court of Appeal.

Representing himself in the challenge, he claimed the decision involved apparent bias and breached European Union law.

Dismissing the alleged bias ground, Lord Justice McCloskey said: This assertion must be rejected for want of evidential foundation.

Mr Wilson also contended that Article 2 of the Northern Ireland Protocol means EU discrimination laws remain in force post-Brexit, allowing him to take a case to the tribunal.

Read more Ex-Alliance member who failed to become candidate no longer represented by Equality Commission

His claim involved an attempt to establish an interpretation of the Alliance Party as a vocational organisation under relevant legislation.

But the court held it was impossible to identify anything in the constitution and rules to warrant such an assessment of the political entity.

There is no identifiable ingredient of vocational provision or training in the non-selection decision which the appellant has sought to impugn in these proceedings, Lord Justice McCloskey said.

It follows that a fundamental element of the appellants case cannot be sustained.

With no pre-Brexit legal entitlement to take the party to a tribunal, the judge confirmed: The

logical consequence (is) that he has suffered no diminution of any discernible right as a result of EU withdrawal.

Following the judgment, Mr Wilson vowed to press ahead with separate proceedings he has lodged against the party.

"I'm disappointed with the decision but will now consider other legal options," he said.

"I will be continuing with my County Court claim against the Alliance Party."
A Belfast man on trial for murdering his wife was today described as a very gentle, very kind man by the couples eldest child.

The daughter of accused Gary Alexander Baird was called to give evidence at Belfast Crown Court, where she spoke of concerns regarding her fathers mental health prior to the fatal hammer attack.

Baird (64) has already admitted attacking his 60-year-old wife, Susan Baird, with a hammer and has pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter; however, this plea has not been accepted by the prosecution.

Mrs Baird died from a catastrophic head injury in their Windermere Road home on the afternoon of August 16, 2020.

During the fifth day of the hearing, the defence called the eldest of the couples four children to the witness box.

After swearing on the Bible to tell the truth, the 38-year old nurse was asked a series of questions by defence barrister Stephen Toal.

She was asked to tell the jury what her relationship was like with her mother, Susan, to which she replied: She was kind, she was caring, she was my best friend. She was a devoted Christian and her family was everything.

When asked the same question about her father, Gary, she said: We talk regularly. We have many conversations and confided in each [other]. He was always good at advice. Very gentle, very kind.

Read more Belfast woman notified husband of divorce proceedings three years before she was killed in hammer attack, court told

Mr Toal then pointed out that Baird was a man of good character with no criminal convictions.

He asked the witness to describe her fathers character in the family home, to which she replied: He went to work. He played with us as children. He was the advisor, the one you went to for advice and support.

He was quiet. He was fun. He was always joyful, making dad jokes.

When asked to describe the family unit, the witness said they were close, very close a normal family but confirmed that her parents went through a difficult period.

She was then asked about her mother sending a solicitors letter to her father in January 2017. Whilst she confirmed this did happen, she said her parents went to counselling and reconciled.

Mr Toal questioned the witness about events in 2020 and that fateful month of August 2020. The daughter confirmed that her parents went on a cruise in January of that year.

She was also shown a picture of her parents in Portrush, which was captioned Holidays excited. With her voice breaking with emotion, she said this image was sent by her mother from a trip the couple took together in July 2020.

Mr Toal then raised the issue of domestic violence within the family home. When the witness was asked if any incidents had ever occurred, she said: No.

The barrister asked: Was there ever shouting within your family home? Would your father have shouted at you or your brother or sisters? She again said: No.

She was also asked about her fathers mental health. The nurse said she became aware that there were issues around 2013, which became acute in mid-July 2020.

The jury has already been shown CCTV footage of Gary Baird walking onto a road and being hit by a bin lorry on Belfasts Bedford Street ten days before the hammer attack.

As a result, he was hospitalised and required treatment for serious wounds to his left hand.

His daughter was asked about this incident. She said that whilst her father was in hospital she expressed concerns about his mental health to medics.

Mr Toal then asked the witness what the relationship between her mother and father was like after this incident. She replied: Concern. My mum was very concerned for my dad. We were all trying to get him help. Dad was also concerned about us looking after Mum while he was in hospital.

When asked if her father, when depressed, was a burden to her mother, she said: Yes.

She also confirmed that her father acknowledged he was a burden to his wife whilst depressed.

The final line of questioning focused on contact she and her siblings have had with their father following their mothers death.

The Bairds eldest child told the court: We see him in person a few times a month and we talk, as a foursome, every day. I talk to him once or twice a week.

The trial continues.
A man who started a fire in his south Belfast home was handed a 26-month sentence today.

Michael Donnelly set fire to a mattress in the bedroom of his Agra Street home, then left the property, called the NI Fire and Rescue Service and handed himself into the PSNI.

The sentence was imposed at Belfast Crown Court by Judge Philip Gilpin, who divided the term equally between prison and licence.

On January 4 last year, the emergency services were called to Agra Street following reports of an ongoing fire at the mid-terrace property.

Fire crews tackled a blaze in an upstairs bedroom and, as a result of the extent of the fire, a neighbour of Donnelly had to be evacuated from their home.

Investigations revealed that the 999 call regarding the fire was made from Donnellys phone.

At this point, the 42-year-old father-of-two, who handed himself into police at Musgrave Street station, said he had lit a piece of paper and dropped it onto a mattress in a back bedroom.

Donnelly was then arrested and during an interview with police he adopted a no comment response, despite what he said when he arrived at the police station.

He later told a probation officer he lived an isolated lifestyle and accepted responsibility for what he did.

Judge Gilpin said he had taken into account Donnellys plea to a charge of arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

Also considered by Judge Gilpin were defence submissions which set out a history of mental health issues.

Regarding the offence, Judge Gilpin said he accepted there was distorted thinking on Donnellys behalf and that he phoned the NI Fire and Rescue Service and left the door of his house open after starting the fire.

Noting the property was owned by Choice Housing and that over 5,000 worth of damage was caused, he added: It is fortunate that the fire didnt take hold and spread further.

As he jailed Donnelly, Judge Gilpin said: Sentences that are passed for arson must contain an element of deterrence to dissuade others from behaving in an irresponsible and a reckless manner.
Two men and a woman have been handed suspended prison sentences over their involvement in a major cocaine supply operation in east Belfast .

Jonathan Watson (37), of Hill Street in Belfast, Maggie Hutton (51), of Wolff Close in Belfast, and Simon Mooney (45), of Hurst Park in Belfast, had all previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Mooney also pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing cocaine when he was arrested by police on March 29, 2019.

Each defendant was handed 15 months in prison, suspended for a period of three years.

All three were warned by Judge Paul Ramsey KC that if they committed any further offending in the next three years they would go to prison for 15 months on top of any other sentence they received.

But if you stay out of trouble over the next three years you will hear no more about these matters, added Judge Ramsey.

The court heard their arrests followed police searches at the homes of Glenn Raineys McArthur Court home in Belfast in February 2018 and Mark Raineys St Patrick Walks address in the city in October of that year.

Read more No reduced sentences for men jailed after brutal group assault in west Belfast

Items including four mobile phones were seized and, when examined, a large number of WhatsApp messages were located which, the Crown say, indicated a drug-dealing operation.

Watsons offending spanned a five-month period between October 1, 2018, and March 30, 2019. The court heard he had a bad addiction to drugs and was assessed as a low-level member of the group selling cocaine.

The judge said Watson had shown no lavish lifestyle or trappings of wealth.

The court was told he had now distanced himself from this negative peer group and had expressed remorse for getting involved in the supply of cocaine.

Hutton told the probation service that she started to use cocaine following the death of her father and used the drug to cope with the grief of his loss.

Hutton is a one-time assistant to ex-Ulster Unionist leader Reg Empey and a former independent Assembly election candidate.

Sir Reg Empey

Read more Woman pleads guilty to a charge arising from the murder of Ian Ogle almost four years ago

The veteran UUP constituency worker was employed by the party for 13 years and was working as a personal assistant to east Belfast MLA Andy Allen when she announced she intended to run against the party in the 2017 Assembly elections, claiming it no longer represented the interests of working-class communities.

Neither Lord Empey nor Mr Allen had any knowledge of her activities.

East Belfast MLA Andy Allen MBE

She admitted selling cocaine over a period of six months between September 1, 2018, and March 21, 2019.

As a result of her arrest by police on March 29, 2019, she lost her licence to work in the security industry.

Over her involvement in the supply of cocaine, Hutton told a probation officer: I am stupid. It is all my own fault.

She added that after she was detained by police, she stopped using cocaine and said the arrest was a blessing in disguise.

Mooneys telephone number was also found on Mark Raineys mobile phone and there was an exchange of messages between them about money being owed and they had discussed the use of violence towards other people who had refused to pay up.

His offending spanned a period of ten months, from November 12, 2017 to March 30, 2018.

Judge Ramsey said that the prosecution had not brought any charges against Mooney over the threats of violence and described them more as bragging and boasting.

Mooney, who is originally from the Shankill Road in Belfast, told a probation officer that since his arrest he has changed his life around and no longer associated with anyone in the crime group.

Read more Ex-Alliance Party member loses legal battle after not being selected as election candidate

Last week, Darren Baine (34), of Yukon Street in Belfast, and Dean Bailie (29), of Lisavon Drive in Belfast, were handed 15-month prison sentences, suspended for three years.

The defendants previously pleaded guilty at Belfast Crown Court to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and Bailie further admitted possessing a quantity of cannabis.

The previous week, brothers Mark Rainey (43), and Glenn Rainey, 37, along with Daniel Baine (37), of Ballymacross Drive in Lisburn, were sentenced at Belfast Crown Court, where they were described by a Crown lawyer as being part of a group of 14 people arrested in connection with the supply of the class A drug.

The trio were considered by the Crown to be at the top of the drug-dealing enterprise.

The Rainey brothers were both handed three-year prison sentences, while Baine had an 18-month sentence imposed.

All the terms were divided equally between prison and supervised licence. They were also made the subject of a serious crime prevention order.
A car has been set alight and extensively damaged following an arson attack in a residential area of Lisburn on Thursday.

The incident happened in the Dog Kennel Close area during the afternoon.

PSNI Inspector Hart said: We received a report that a car was on fire around 1.30pm yesterday. When officers responded, our colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service were already in attendance to extinguish the blaze.

Substantial damage was caused to the vehicle, including both external and internal damage, and it appeared that the vehicle had been set alight deliberately.

Enquiries into the incident are underway and we are appealing for anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact officers on 101, or via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ quoting reference number 860 25/01/24.
The DUP are not "traitors" in efforts to reach a deal to restore power-sharing at Stormont, former leader Edwin Poots has said.

Speaking to the BBC's Nolan programme, Edwin Poots said the DUP was "working extremely hard" to resolve the deadlock and those labelling the party as traitors were "idiots".

Stormont collapsed in 2022 after the DUP withdrew in protest over post-Brexit trade checks between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Recently, the party has been in talks with the Government seeking changes to the arrangements which were agreed with the EU in a deal called the Windsor Framework.

But the DUP say the trade rules diminish Northern Ireland's place in the UK internal market with the creation of an Irish Sea border.

On Wednesday, a bill was passed through parliament to extend the deadline for restoring devolution to February 8.

In an impassioned speech while the bill was debated in the House of Commons, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said some people were attempting to "orchestrate opposition to a deal that has not yet taken place".

On Thursday Mr Poots said there had been a lot of "ill-informed" speculation about the party's internal discussions.

"The people who are running about suggesting the DUP are traitors - why would we have done what we have done for the last two years and then go back with nothing, just for idiots to say that?"

He said: "There is a course of work that has been done thus far, and that's a course of work that's ongoing, and we are determined to bring that to a conclusion."

Mr Poots would not be drawn on whether he believes the DUP's seven tests - on which the party has said they will judge any deal - must be met before resuming Stormont power sharing.

"The position is expressed in private meetings. Whenever the party comes to a final position, we will report the final position whatever that happens to be," he said.
Former Post Office investigator Suzanne Winter, who was involved in the criminal investigation of NI postmasters and mistresses, speaking at the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry on Friday (Photo: Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry)

A former Northern Ireland Post Office investigator has said she heard there were glitches with the controversial Horizon IT system during trials, but didnt believe them to be a concern after being told they had been resolved.

Speaking at the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry via video-link today, former Royal Mail and Post Office lead investigator Suzanne Winter said she was repeatedly assured the Horizon system, which caused thousands of shortfalls across the UK resulting in more than 700 postmasters accused of theft, to be 100% reliable.

Ms Winter, who began working for the Post Office as a counter assistant in 1973 in Randallstown, was the lead investigator into the cases of Maureen McKelvey and Alan McLaughlin.

Ms McKelvey reported 30,000 shortfalls in the Horizon system at her branch in Clanabogan. Despite eventually being found not guilty, the stress of her five-year wait for the acquittal caused her thyroid to rupture, resulting in major surgery.

Mr McLaughlin was a postmaster for two years at a north Belfast branch, where he was accused of being involved in the shortfall of nearly 10,000.

Mr McLaughlin was later convicted. However, he since has had his charges quashed.

Ms McKelvey was alongside three other postmistresses who had dealings with Ms Winter and who were in attendance at the inquiry, which is taking place in England.

Speaking at the inquiry, Ms Winter, who has no training in criminal law, told counsel to the inquiry Emma Price she first trained in the Horizon system in 2001 after she requested to sit in on sessions with postmasters learning how to use the computer system.

We had heard that were trials with glitches but that it had been ironed out, she said.

We were also told it was maybe the person operating the system.

Former Post Office investigator Suzanne Winter, who was involved in the criminal investigation of NI postmasters and mistresses, speaking at the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry on Friday (Photo: Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry)

The inquiry heard how during an initial interview with Mr McLaughlin, he had raised issues with the Horizon system three times, including claiming it was experiencing issues with balancing funds.

During an earlier interview as part of the inquiry, Ms Winter said she could not recall Mr McLaughlin raising the issues. Instead, she said she believed when he spoke about the system he was referring to his own personal mechanism in handling pension forms.

She said she did not consider the losses to be attributed to the Horizon system because of the assurances she was given and that, despite Mr McLaughlin raising the issues around balancing, she never raised the matter with any of her colleagues during further discussions about Horizon.

When asked if she raised the concerns spoken about by Mr McLaughlin, she said: No, because it was two years down the road and during the interview.

I think he said he got to do the balancing OK. I think he said that. And I do not know or recall if the information would have been available at that time. I was not aware of information being available from Fujitsu.

In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph earlier this month, Mr McLaughlin said he repeatedly raised concerns about the Fujitsu system once it was installed.

However, Ms Winter said the portions of the transcript interview with the north Belfast postmaster raised by the inquiry did not present the full picture and repeatedly said she was reassured by the Post Office that the Horizon system was infallible.

She also said she felt it would not go well if she challenged the Fujitsu and Horizon system with senior staff.

You didnt feel you could challenge anything, she said.

I wouldnt say any particular individuals, but you just got the impression that if you started to challenge too much, it didnt go well.

The inquiry also found that the discrepancies found in the funds of Mr McLaughlins branch continued after he had left and, despite Mr McLaughlin issuing his own forensic report which showed errors in the Horizon system, Ms Winter said it was her opinion the prosecution [of him] should continue.

She added she could not recall any steps from the Post Office in reaction to the report.

Later in the inquiry sitting, Ms Winter was presented with a transcript of an interview with Ms McKelvey, who also raised concerns about the ability to balance her funds  later revealed to be a core issue of the Horizon systems fault.

Asked if she linked Ms McKelveys similar concerns to Mr McLaughlin, Ms Winter said: No, because Mr McLaughlins balancing issues were because of a staff issue. And, again, as we had always been told, the Fujitsu system was reliable.

Ms Winter then went on to claim she herself had challenged the Horizon system when she was informed by postmasters that all was OK and had investigated to find no problem.

I do remember asking if Horizon could be accessed remotely and they said no. You have to remember I am being told no by the Post Office, who are the Government, and it doesnt enter your head that its wrong.

In addition, the former investigator agreed that she was in a better position in terms of knowledge of the system compared to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) and PSNI, which would receive her disclosures for prosecution consideration.

Ms Winter, who for a prolonged period of time was the only Post Office investigator in Northern Ireland responsible for both physical and non-physical security aspects, also said she was regularly in touch with the PSNI with her investigations, as well as the PPS, which would repeatedly ask for a statement from the Post Office confirming the Horizon system was not at fault.

Ms Winter, who left the Post Office in 2011, also expressed difficulty with training, claiming the teaching around investigations was not relevant to Northern Ireland, which operates a different legal system.

They would have been training everyone in England and Wales and then, as an afterthought, they would say: Youve to use different forms in Northern Ireland, she recalled about her training in 2001 in Milton Keynes.

They would have issued new policies, which more than likely say on them This applies to England and Wales. And then there were lines that said about Scotland and Northern Ireland, but you could get that on the [internal] system, but I would usually get them from the police.

She also revealed Post Office investigators were set individual and specific targets to meet for funds recovery, with investigators marked and given appraisals if they met these targets.

Ms Winters own target was 65% of funds recovered; she said she couldnt recall why the figure had increased from a previously lower target.

She denied that any reward or appraisal for meeting the target played a factor in her investigations.
Rev Trevor Gribben, Clerk of the General Assembly and General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Five in running to become next Presbyterian Moderator.

Five ministers are in the running to become the next moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) including a female cleric from Co Down.

Four of those shortlisted for the top job are based in Northern Ireland with one candidate based in the Republic.

Its one of the largest shortlists to come before the churchs 19 regional presbyteries which will choose the next leader at a meeting on February 6.

Rev Trevor Gribben, Clerk of the General Assembly and General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, is among those who have a chance to become the 179th holder of the churchs highest office.

Rev Richard Kerr, who serves as minister of Templepatrick Presbyterian Church is also on the ballot alongside Rev Richard Murray from Drumreagh Presbyterian Church, both in Co Antrim.

Rev Gary McDowell, from Greystones Presbyterian Church in Co Wicklow is also in the running.

The list also includes Rev Mairisine Stanfield from First Presbyterian Church in Bangor who was rejected by voters in 2019 and 2020.

She could succeed the current moderator Right Rev Dr Sam Mawhinney who has been vocal about his opposition to women being ordained.

My own personal position is that I am not in favour of the ordination of women, he said after being elected last year.

Thats a position that I hold, but I respect the Presbyterian Churchs view and there are people that disagree with me on that.

I dont want to make it a primary issue, but it is something that I hold.

Read more Former Presbyterian minister disappointed next moderator is opposed to women being ordained

Following reforms introduced last year the next moderator will not be formally elected and installed on the traditional Opening Night of the General Assembly which takes place in June, but a short time later.

This years process will be overseen by Deputy Clerk, Rev Dr David Allen, because of Rev Gribbens nomination.

The choice before presbyteries is one of the largest in recent years. In fact, you would have to go back to 2014 when five ministers last let their names go forward, Rev Allen said.

"The process of choosing who will become the Churchs senior office bearer and principal public representative, starts in the late autumn when presbyteries begin to suggest the names of ministers who they would like to see considered.

"In the run up to Christmas, those on this long list are asked to confirm that they would be willing to have their names go forward.

"Those that do will be considered by presbyteries on 6 February.

The clergyman recalled the first election he took part in back 1990 when the late Dr Finlay Holmes was selected.

"The process has not changed much since then, in fact it is a relatively straightforward one, he said.

The way in which we elect our Moderator is very Presbyterian, in that it is a prayerful and open process, and fundamentally a democratic one as well.

"At the same time, for those of us in Assembly Buildings who administer the process, there is always a great sense of expectation that evening, as the team waits for the phones to ring with each presbyterys vote.

Any of the ministers on the list of five can be nominated and seconded by members of presbytery on the night of the vote.

In the event of tie, presbyteries will remain in session and vote again.

Only those who tied in the first round will be eligible for consideration in the next round.

The minister with the support of most of the 19 presbyteries overall will become Moderator-Designate and will be formerly nominated for election in June.

As they wait for the Lords guidance and continue to prepare their hearts for what may lie ahead, many in our denomination will be praying for our five colleagues, and for the members of presbytery who seek the Lords will, as they cast their votes, Rev Allen said.

"Whoever it may be, I look forward to working with them during their year in office.

The name of Moderator-Designate should be known by 9pm on Tuesday, February 6 and will be posted on PCIs website and communicated across the denominations social media platforms.
Emergency services attended the incident.

A man has been taken to hospital after emergency services were called to a concern for safety in north Belfast on Friday afternoon.

Police and other emergency services attended the incident in the Cave Hill area of north Belfast on January 26.

It is understood the air ambulance has also attended the scene.

"Police would like to thank all of the partner agencies involved in their collaborative working during this incident, said a PSNI spokesperson.

NIAS have been approached for comment.
The PSNI said two police officers and a member of the public had been treated in hospital following a collision in Belfast (Niall Carson/PA)

Two police officers and a member of the public have been taken to hospital following a road crash in Belfast.

The incident occurred on the Albertbridge Road in the east of the city on Friday morning.

A PSNI spokesperson said: Shortly after 5.30am, a police patrol vehicle was responding to an emergency report towards Belfast City Centre when a collision occurred with another vehicle in the Templemore Street area.

Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended and initial first aid was provided at the scene.

Two officers were transported to hospital for injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

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The driver of the car, a man aged in his 50s, sustained serious leg injuries and was also taken to hospital for treatment.

I wish both our police officers and member of the public a speedy and full recovery from their injuries.

Extensive damage has been caused to both vehicles.

Cordons remain in place on the Albertbridge Road at it junctions with Vicarage Street and Templemore Street.

The PSNI spokesperson said an investigation has begun to establish what happened and have asked for witnesses to contact police.
Two police officers and a member of the public were taken to hospital after a PSNI patrol vehicle collided with another car in the early hours of Friday morning.

The police vehicle was responding to an emergency in Belfast city centre when the crash happened on Templemore Street near Albertbridge Road.

The driver of the second car, a man in his 50s, has sustained serious leg injuries while the injuries to the two officers are not believed to be life-threatening.

Those involved were taken to the Ulster Hospital and Royal Victoria Hospital by ambulance after being treated at the scene.

Inspector Hakin said: Shortly after 5.30am, a police patrol vehicle was responding to an emergency report towards Belfast City Centre when a collision occurred with another vehicle in the Templemore Street area.

Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended and initial first aid was provided at the scene.

Two officers were transported to hospital for injuries not believed to be life-threatening. The driver of the car, a man aged in his 50s, sustained serious leg injuries and was also taken to hospital for treatment.

I wish both our police officers and member of the public a speedy and full recovery from their injuries.

Extensive damage has been caused to both vehicles. Cordons remain in place on the Albertbridge Road at it junctions with Vicarage Street and Templemore Street. Please avoid the area and seek an alternative route.

Our investigation is now underway to establish exactly what happened. We would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have dash-cam footage to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 192 26/01/24.

The Albertbridge Road has since reopened.

The ambulance service said three crews were sent to the scene.

A Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Two appliances from Knock Fire station and one appliance from Central Fire Station attended the incident.

"Firefighters were called to reports of a two vehicle road traffic collision on Albertbridge Road, Ballymacarrett, Belfast. Firefighters rescued one casualty from one vehicle using specialist equipment.

"All three casualties were transferred to the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. The incident was dealt with by 6.29am."
Kemi Badenoch is expected to challenge Rishi Sunak over his plan to sacrifice some Brexit freedoms to re-establish devolved government in Northern Ireland.

According to The Telegraph, the Business Secretary said she will raise the issue at the highest level after being questioned over the Prime Ministers attempt to convince the DUP to end its Stormont boycott after almost two years.

It's after the Government is said to have promised all new laws will be screened to ensure they dont create extra trade barriers in the Irish Sea border between Britain and Northern Ireland, which was created as part of post-Brexit trading arrangements.

The move has angered Tory Brexiteers. Former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Jacob Rees-Mogg warned that the move would tie Britain to European standards after the plan was revealed on Wednesday.

Ms Badenoch, a fervent Brexiteer, was confronted by former Northern Ireland secretary Theresa Villiers in the House of Commons.

She didn't deny the report.

Ms Villiers, a former Northern Ireland secretary, asked: Is she in a position to deny a report in The Telegraph today that the Government has pledged to introduce a requirement that all future regulatory law change will be screened to ensure that they dont create extra trade barriers in the Irish Sea?

Because that could be a significant impediment in the way of divergence from EU laws.

Ms Badenoch said: I cant, of course, comment on the Northern Ireland political process which is ongoing, and in which I am not a participant.

However, what I will say is that we retain the ability to diverge. That is clear. And I do agree with her that if we are really to seize the benefits of Brexit we need to find that comparative advantage in our regulations with the EU, otherwise there would be no point.

She added: I do understand her concerns, I will speak to colleagues across departments and make sure they are raised at the highest level.

It's believed Mr Sunak's offer to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson includes the ability for unionists to force an investigation into the Brexit border with a majority vote in Stormont.

DUP update: Sir Jeffrey throws down the gauntlet

The Northern Ireland Assembly must vote on whether to continue with the Irish Sea border by the end of this year, in a consent vote which is expected to pass with majority support.

However, if there is a majority of unionist Assembly members against the Windsor Framework, an independent report will be commissioned.

The offer makes new commitments around that promise to unionists. The report will have to be commissioned within a month and be finished within six. It must focus on the UK internal market and Northern Irelands constitutional status.

The Government will have to respond and it has promised to discuss the report findings with the EU. It has also repeated earlier undertakings to seek further cuts in border checks on British goods from the bloc.

A government spokesperson said: We do not comment on speculation.
Kneecap perform during the Electric Picnic Festival in Stradbally, County Laois (Niall Carson/PA)

An Irish-language film based on rap trio Kneecap has won an audience award at the prestigious Sundance film festival.

The movie held its world premiere last week and has since signed a major international distribution deal with Sony Pictures Classics at the festival in Utah.

Based on the origin story of the raucous Irish-language rap trio Kneecap, the film stars the bands Mo Chara, Moglai Bap and DJ Provai in their acting debuts alongside Michael Fassbender.

Promoters say the film, set in west Belfast in 2019, chronicles how fate brings the trio together and how they then go on to change the sound of Irish music forever.

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Kneecap, the film, was awarded the Next audience award during the festival.

Writer and director Rich Peppiatt said: Theres a saying in Irish  Ni mhaireann solas na maidine don la  which means no morning sun lasts all day.

Well, the amazing week weve had here at Sundance since premiering our movie has certainly tested that wisdom  and were basking in every moment.

In a statement, the band said: We are delighted to have such an award bestowed upon the first Irish-language film at Sundance.

Hopefully, it will give people in Ireland the confidence to pursue the arts through their native tongue.

Kneecap was produced by Jack Tarling and Trevor Birney for Fine Point Films and Mother Tongues Films, with Patrick ONeill at Wildcard acting as co-producer.

Funding for the film was provided by Northern Ireland Screen, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, Screen Ireland, the BFI awarding National Lottery funding, Coimisiun na Mean and TG4, with backing from Great Point Media.

It will be released in cinemas later this year.
The deputy Irish premier has said the government will strongly consider an intervention in South Africas genocide case against Israel at a top UN court.

Micheal Martin said it will carry out detailed analysis of a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday that harshly criticised Israels war in Gaza.

The ICJ stopped short on Friday of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case filed by South Africa.

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Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party had lodged a motion in the Dail to be debated next week calling on the Irish government to back South Africa in holding Israel to account.

In a statement, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Martin said he has asked his officials to prepare legal advice for his consideration on an urgent basis.

I strongly welcome the courts orders which are final and binding, Mr Martin said.

These are measures that Ireland has been consistently calling for from the start of this conflict.

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Ireland has a deep and longstanding commitment to international law and is a strong defender of the international rules-based system.

The International Court of Justice is one of the cornerstones of this system. We expect Israel to implement all provisional measures that have been ordered by the court, in good faith and as a matter of urgency.

Todays orders relate to a specific case under the Genocide Convention. Irrespective of whether any actions are eventually judged to meet the threshold of genocide, we must ensure that all parties to this conflict are held to account for their actions.

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is continuing to investigate all serious allegations of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in and from Gaza, whether committed by Israel or by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or other non-state armed groups.

All states must redouble their efforts to support the investigation by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court into the situation in Palestine.

The Irish premier Leo Varadkar said he will respond to the ruling after the government has analysed it.

Speaking while the ICJ was giving its ruling on Friday, Mr Varadkar said he will consider its contents.

As a country that respects the ICJ, Ireland will, of course, abide by any rulings that the court makes, Mr Varadkar said.

But one thing I would say is that if a war has ever been ended by a court order, Im not sure what war that was.

The truth is war is ended three ways  military victory by one side over the other, an armistice, or through politics and diplomacy.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ireland would abide by any rulings the court made (Brian Lawless/PA)

Thats why our focus has been on that, on politics and diplomacy, looking for a ceasefire so that the hostages can be released, so the humanitarian aid can get in, so that the killing of Palestinian civilians can stop and also a move towards a permanent ceasefire, which would have to involve Hamas leadership and Hamas fighters leaving Gaza, allowing new Palestinian leadership to take over.

We will consider the case and once South Africa lodges its main case, we will be in a position to decide whether or not we make an intervention and what the nature of that intervention would be.

But this case could go on for three or four years. I dont think people on the ground in Israel or Palestine have three or four years.

Wars dont end by court orders. Wars end through politics and diplomacy and thats why our focus is on that, trying to get a humanitarian ceasefire so that the killing can stop, so aid can get in to help civilians, so that the hostages could be released.

So that we can talk about the day after Gaza, about rebuilding but that of course has to mean Hamas not being involved in that, it has to mean Israel conceding the right of Palestinians to have their own state, and Gaza should be part of it.

Mrs McDonald said there now had to be a full, permanent and complete ceasefire following the ruling.

She said: We want to see that call now, not just made internationally, but vindicated internationally.

Irsael must stop and stop now.

The Irish government has seen the ruling of the court and now they must make very, very clear that they will join with South Africa in holding Israel to account.

We have brought forward a motion, we have lodged it with the Dail, it will be debated next week.

We expect the Irish government will support this motion and make our position clear.
Houthi supporters attend a rally in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and against the US-led airstrikes on Yemen, in Sanaa, Yemen on Friday (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP)

A vessel is on fire after having been struck off the coast of Yemen as Houthi threats in the key shipping route continued despite UK and US strikes.

UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an incident 60 nautical miles south east of Aden on Friday.

It comes after an earlier incident in which two missiles were reported to have exploded in the water and vessel and crew are safe and no damage reported.

The Yemeni armed forces claimed it had targeted Marlin Luanda, which it described a British oil tanker, in the Gulf of Aden.

However, shipping data suggests the vessel sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands.

UKMTO said authorities have been informed and are responding to the latest strike, warning other vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.

The Houthis have repeatedly launched attacks on ships in the Red Sea since November over Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, endangering shipping on a key route for global trade.

Alongside numerous air strikes on key Houthi targets, the UK and US are also targeting key figures in the Iran-backed militant group with sanctions.

A second series of UK and US air strikes, carried out at the start of the week, appears to have done little to deter Houthi action.

Earlier on Friday, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said: We continue to call on (the Houthis) to step back from such action. Were clear that this is illegal and unacceptable.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron is currently finishing a trip to the Middle East, in a diplomatic bid to reduce tensions as the Israeli bombardment of Gaza continues.
Israeli soldiers overlook the Gaza Strip from a tank, as seen from southern Israel (Maya Alleruzzo/AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will continue to do what is necessary to defend itself, following a ruling from the top UN court that harshly criticised Israels war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The International Court of Justice stopped short on Friday of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case filed by South Africa.

But it demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive.

After the ruling, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the fact that the court was willing to discuss the genocide charges was a mark of shame that will not be erased for generations, and he vowed to press ahead with the war.

Like every country, Israel has the basic right to defend itself. The court in the Hague rightfully rejected the outrageous request to take that away from us.

We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our people, he said.

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The case goes to the core of one of the worlds most intractable conflicts, and South Africa had asked the court to order Israel to halt its operation.

In the highly anticipated decision made by a panel of 17 judges, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decided not to throw out the case and ordered six so-called provisional measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza.

Many of the measures were approved by an overwhelming majority of the judges. An Israeli judge voted in favour of two of the six.

The court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is unfolding in the region and is deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering, Joan E Donoghue, the courts president, said.

Fridays decision is only an interim one; it could take years for the full case brought by South Africa to be considered.

Israel rejects the genocide accusation and had asked the court to throw the charges out.

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While the case winds its way through the court, South Africa had asked the judges as a matter of extreme urgency to impose provisional measures.

Top of the South African list was a request for the court to order Israel to immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza.

But the court declined to do that.

South Africa also asked for Israel to take reasonable measures to prevent genocide and allow access for desperately needed aid.

The court ruled that Israel must do all it can to prevent genocide, including refraining from killing Palestinians or causing harm to them.

It also ruled it urgently needs to get basic aid to people in Gaza and that Israel should prevent and punish any incitement to genocide, among other measures.

The court said Israel should submit a report on measures taken within a month.

Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki welcomed the significant order.

Pro-Israel activists gather near the International Court of Justice in The Hague (Patrick Post/AP)

He said that the judges ruled in favour of humanity and international law.

The South African minister for international relations, Naledi Pandor, said outside the court that Israel cannot effectively implement the measures ordered without a ceasefire.

On Thursday, Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy had said that Israel expected the court to throw out the spurious and specious charges.

Israel often boycotts international tribunals and UN investigations, saying they are unfair and biased.

But this time, it took the rare step of sending a high-level legal team  a sign of how seriously it regards the case and likely the fear that any court order to halt operations would be a major blow to the countrys international standing.

Israel launched its massive air and ground assault on Gaza after Hamas militants stormed through Israeli communities on October 7 killing some 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and abducting another 250.

The offensive has decimated vast swathes of the territory and driven nearly 85% of its 2.3 million people from their homes.

More than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed, the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run enclave said on Friday.

Pro-Palestinian activists react near the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands (Patrick Post/AP)

The ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its death toll, but has said about two-thirds of those killed were women and children.

The Israeli military claims at least 9,000 of those killed in the nearly four-month conflict are Hamas militants.

UN officials have expressed fears that even more people could die from disease, with at least one-quarter of the population facing starvation.

Provisional measures by the world court are legally binding, but it is not clear if Israel will comply with them.

How the US, Israels top ally, responds to any order will be key, since it wields veto power at the UN Security Council and thus could block measures there aimed at forcing Israels compliance.

The US has said Israel has the right to defend itself but has also spoken about the need for the country to protect civilians in Gaza and allow more aid in.

The genocide case strikes at the national identity of Israel, which was founded as a Jewish state after the Nazi slaughter of six million Jews during the Second World War.

South Africas own identity is key to it bringing the case.

Its governing party, the African National Congress, 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 before ending in 1994.
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is escorted from the court in Moscow (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

A court in Moscow has extended the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested on espionage charges, until the end of March, Russian news agencies reported on Friday.

US consul general Stuart Wilson attended the hearing, which took place behind closed doors because authorities say details of the criminal case against the American journalist are classified.

In video shared by state news agency Ria Novosti, Gershkovich was shown listening to the ruling, standing in a court cage wearing a hooded top and light blue jeans.

He was pictured a short time later walking towards a prison van to leave the court.

The US government has said Evan Gershkovich is being wrongfully detained (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

Gershkovich, 32, was detained in March while on a reporting trip to the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, about 1,200 miles east of Moscow.

Russias Federal Security Service alleged that he, acting on the instructions of the American side, collected information constituting a state secret about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex.

Gershkovich and the Journal deny the allegations, and the US government has declared him to be wrongfully detained.

Russian authorities have not detailed any evidence to support the espionage charges.

During his end-of-year news conference in December, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow is in dialogue with the US about sending home both Gershkovich and jailed American Paul Whelan, and that the Kremlin hopes to find a solution even though its not easy.

Evan Gershkovich, right, was detained on spying charges during a reporting trip to the Urals (Alexander Nemenov/Pool/AP)

The Russian Foreign Ministry has said it will consider a swap for Gershkovich only after a verdict in his trial. In Russia, espionage trials can last for more than a year.

Gershkovich is the first American reporter to be charged with espionage in Russia since 1986, when Nicholas Daniloff, a Moscow correspondent for US News and World Report, was arrested by the KGB.

Gershkovich is being held at Moscows Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions.

Analysts have said that Moscow may be using jailed Americans as bargaining chips after US-Russian tensions soared when Russia sent troops into Ukraine.

At least two US citizens arrested in Russia in recent years, including WNBA star Brittney Griner, have been exchanged for Russians jailed in the US.
Former president Donald Trump leaves his apartment to go to court (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Former president Donald Trump abruptly walked out on closing arguments in Manhattan federal court on Friday.

Mr Trumps exit came as a lawyer for a writer seeking millions of dollars in damages for defamation urged a jury to send him a message to stop abuse of her client.

US District Judge Lewis A Kaplan interrupted the closing argument that the lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, was making on behalf of writer E Jean Carroll to note for the record that Mr Trump just rose and walked out of the courtroom.

Later, Mr Trump returned to the courtroom to hear his lawyer, Alina Habba, argue that he should not be made to pay Ms Carroll for comments he made that Ms Carrolls lawyers say set off a flood of hate messages from strangers.

Alina Habba, one of ex-president Donald Trumps attorneys, arrives at Trump Tower ahead of the hearing (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Early in her closing, Ms Habba showed the jury a video in which Trump said a jurys verdict last year finding that he had sexually abused Carroll was a disgrace and a continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time.

You know why he has not wavered? Ms Habba asked the jury. Because its the truth.

That statement prompted an objection that the judge sustained with a warning that if you violate my instructions again, Ms Habba, you may have consequences.

The comment carried extra weight because just before arguments began, the judge  without jurors in the room  threatened to send Ms Habba to jail for continuing to talk when he told her she was finished.

Roberta Kaplan and the judge are unrelated.

Trump had appeared agitated all morning, vigorously shaking his head during Kaplans closing arguments.

The walkout occurred shortly after Roberta Kaplan said: Donald Trump has tried to normalise conduct that is abnormal.

The closings were occurring in the defamation case against Mr Trump a day after he left the courtroom fuming that he had not been given an opportunity to refute Ms Carrolls sexual abuse accusations.

E Jean Carroll said she was sexually assaulted by the former president (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)

Lawyers were summing up for nine jurors who will start deliberating later in the day whether Ms Carroll, a long-time advice columnist, is entitled to more than the 5.0 million US dollars (3.93 million) she was awarded in a separate trial last year.

The final remarks from the lawyers come a day after Mr rump managed to sneak past a federal judges rules severely limiting what he could say during his turn on the witness stand, which wound up lasting just three minutes.

She said something that I considered to be a false accusation, Mr Trump said, later adding: I just wanted to defend myself, my family and, frankly, the presidency.

The jury was told by the judge to disregard both remarks.

A different jury last May concluded that Mr Trump sexually abused Ms Carroll in the spring of 1996 in the changing room of a luxury Manhattan department store.

It also found that he defamed her in 2022 by claiming she made up the allegation to sell a memoir.

Mr Trump, the Republican frontrunner in this years presidential election, has long regretted his decision not to testify at that trial, blaming his lawyers for bad advice.

The jury in this new trial has been told that it is there for a limited purpose.

Judge Kaplan will instruct jurors on the law before they deliberate, telling them that they must accept the verdict reached last year and only determine whether additional damages are owed for statements Mr rump made in June 2019 while he was president.

The claims had been delayed for years by court appeals.

Ms Carrolls lawyers seek more than 10 million dollars (7.86 million) in compensatory and punitive damages.

Trump attorney Ms Habba has argued against damages, saying Ms Carrolls association with Mr Trump had given her the fame she craved and that death threats she received cannot be blamed on Trumps remarks.

Judge Kaplan intends to instruct jurors on Friday that the jury last year concluded that Trump had assaulted Ms Carroll in the department store, but the same jury did not find that he had raped her, according to how rape is defined under New York state law.
In January 2020, there was an audible gasp in the Assembly when the Ulster Unionists nominated him as health minister. As a former president of the Young Farmers Clubs, it was expected he would be heading to agriculture.
Lionsgate

Following the success of Jesus Revolution, the latest film from Kingdom Story Company, Ordinary Angels, sheds light on the power of community and how serving others emphasizes the transformative power of the Gospel. The film stars Hilary Swank as Sharon Stevens, a hairdresser from a small Kentucky town battling her demons.

When we first meet Sharon, shes drunk, dancing on top of the bar and out of control. Her friend, Rose, is so concerned about her that she essentially drags her to Alcoholics Anonymous. Ed Schmidt lost his 29-year-old wife to a respiratory illness a few years prior and had to raise his daughters under 5. One of his daughters, Michelle, suffered from a deadly liver condition called biliary atresia, requiring a liver transplant to survive. Adding to the familys crisis were mounds of insurmountable medical bills. After the meeting, Sharon reads about Michelle and attends a memorial for Michelles mother.

Sharons life changes when she meets Ed Schmidt, a widower who works tirelessly to support his daughters. While attending the memorial, the pastor told attendees to find a way to help the family, which truly resonated with Sharon, and she became determined to help the family. She talks to Ed and tells him to let her know how she can help the family and get the money for Michelles transplant, which she thinks is her God-given purpose.

From that point on, Sharon hits the ground running to help the Schmidt family. She holds a fundraising event at her hair salon, helps Ed with his business and even helps Ed with the girls. Initially, Ed is reluctant to accept Sharons help, but his mother helps him along the way, telling him that he shouldnt stop his blessing.

The true story behind Ordinary Angels.

Based on a true story, Ordinary Angels shares a heartwarming story of unexpected blessings, beliefs, and the angels among us. In an interview with the Christian Post, producer Kevin Downes said, It's an inspiring, true story that really highlights the power of a community working together to serve one another and never giving up. So many times when we hit challenges in our lives, we give up and say, 'This is too hard. I don't want to do this, even though the outcome would best be served if we didn't give up.'"

He continued, "What's so inspiring about Sharon is we're able to see things through to the end. This young girl's life was impacted just because Sharon decided, 'I'm going to serve, I'm going to put my own selfish desires down for a minute go and support this family in a way that is totally unexpected.' There are people out there where life hasn't gone their way, and just a simple hand or word might encourage them in a way that could change their trajectory."

The tale behind "Ordinary Angels" occurred in January 1994, when a devastating snowstorm shut down Louisville, Kentucky. The storm brought Louisville to a standstill. At the same time, a liver became available, and a very sick Michelle needed to get to Omaha, Nebraska. Determined to help Ed secure a liver transplant for Michelle, Sharon rallies the community to help the family get to a hospital 600 miles away in Omaha. Swank described the story as "almost stranger and more beautiful than fiction," adding, "I wish there were more movies like this. I completely believe there are angels amongst us."

The film is based on a memoir with the same title written by the real Sharon Evans. The movie was filmed in Canada, and Evans could visit the set. She told the Courier-Journal, "Hilary Swank is an angel. She played me to perfection. I am a what you see is what you get kind of person, and she captured that perfectly. Evans added that the producers and directors were willing to work with her to depict her story on the big screen accurately. She said, "I wasn't shocked when they wanted to turn this book into a movie because it's an incredible story of unity. Louisville is my hometown, and I am very, very proud of it."

Why movies like "Ordinary Angels" matter.

Downes stressed that the film speaks overwhelmingly to Christian audiences, but it's a story that will resonate with many, especially coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. He continued, "I hope this film encourages people, whether through their church or community, to ask, 'How are you doing today? Is there something that I can do for you today that would make a difference?' It's the opportunity to go and die to yourself and to serve other people, to serve other human beings out there."

The producer added, "I think that's something that we can all relate to no matter what your faith is. But for a Christian audience, this is a message that I hear on Sundays quite frequently: How can we serve our neighborhoods, our community, in a way that puts the Body of Christ front and center?" Tragically, Michelle Schmidt died three years ago but survived for 30 years with a donated kidney and liver. Ashely Schmidt, Michelle's sister, said the movie "Ordinary Angels" helps keep Michelle's memory alive while promoting the importance of organ donation and agencies like the Kentucky Organ Donation Affiliates.

Schmidt added, "With Michelle passing away a couple of years ago, this movie will keep her memory alive. People who didn't know her story or the importance of organ donation will understand that now. That's not something everyone gets when a family member passes away, and that's something my family feels is really special."

Sharon Evans life was on a completely different track. She was drinking and going down the wrong track. However, one encounter with a struggling family turned her life around and gave her purpose. Instead of continuing down her destructive path, she became an ordinary angel for the Schmidt family. This film shows that you dont have to be in a powerful position to make a difference in your community. The Schmidt family and Sharon Evans are still close today.
Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo walks by a construction project in phase I at Nusantara, the proposed new national capital in North Penajam Paser regency, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, Nov. 2, 2023.

Next months presidential election in Indonesia will determine the fate of outgoing President Joko Jokowi Widodos gargantuan dream project of moving the countrys capital to Borneo from overcrowded Jakarta.

Presidential frontrunner Prabowo Subianto supports moving the capital but surveys weeks before the polls indicate he may not win outright, pushing the election to a runoff with either second-place candidate Anies Baswedan, a staunch critic of relocation, or Ganjar Pranowo, who favors it.

Anies, a former governor of Jakarta, has promised to review the project if he wins the Feb. 14 election, saying the government should focus on developing the existing cities across the archipelago.

His stance has resonated with some Indonesians.

Bambang Eko Susilo, who lives on the outskirts of Jakarta, said he opposed the project from the start.

Its not a priority and not an urgent project and it costs a lot of money, the 55-year-old told BenarNews about what is estimated to be a U.S. $33 billion project.

Its better to use the money for something useful like basic education that prioritizes morals and character.

As the election draws closer, the capitals relocation  and its pros and cons  is being discussed more and more among the candidates and their supporters.

The government said in late December that the basic infrastructure construction was nearly 63% complete, keeping it to the deadline of a year-end finish. This includes facilities such as roads, dams, bridges and government buildings.

Jokowis second and final term ends in October, because the constitution doesnt allow him to seek a third five-year term. But well before that, in August, his administration hopes to start moving some 1,800 civil servants to Nusantara, the name for the new capital.

The presidents hope is that when he leaves office in October it will be with a lasting legacy  a new green capital on Borneo island that he hopes to inaugurate in August 2024 to coincide with Indonesias Independence Day.

Officials at the Nusantara Capital Authority, which is tasked with planning and constructing the new capital, could not be reached immediately for comment.

A banner shows Indonesian presidential candidate and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (on the left) and his vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is also the Indonesian presidents eldest son, in Jakarta, Jan. 21, 2024. [Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP]

Prabowo, who lost to Jokowi in the 2014 and 2019 elections, has teamed up with the presidents eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as his running mate.

He has not only pledged to continue the development of the new capital, called Nusantara, but also to incorporate it into a broader plan to build 10 metaverse cities across the country.

A member of Prabowos campaign, Budiman Sudjatmiko, attempted to wax poetic about the plan at a digital meeting in November.

Nine cities like nine planets, and the sun is the new capital as the super hub of the digital ecosystem, Budiman said.

He meant that the Prabowo campaign envisioned the 10 metaverse cities plan as akin to the solar system. That is, nine of the cities would be like planets, and the tenth, Nusantara, would be like the sun, around which the planets orbit.

Ganjar, a former Central Java governor, visited the new capital site last month, reiterating his pledge to continue with the project.

I am a consistent person. I have never wavered in implementing the law, he said.

Ganjar was referring to the law parliament passed in January 2018 to move the national capital, which cleared the way for the construction of Nusantara.

Anies said building a new capital could wait.

Wed say the new capital is a good idea, but does it have to be done now when there are other needs to fulfil, Anies said during a campaign stop in West Papua province earlier this month.

He cited the need to improve healthcare and education systems instead.

Anies Baswedan (center), one of three Indonesian presidential candidates in next months election, gestures to his supporters at a campaign event in Cilacap regency, Central Java, in a photograph posted on his Facebook page on Jan. 25, 2024. [Via Facebook/aniesbaswedan]

Just last week, Jokowi launched more projects in Nusantara including a logistics hub, a radio station, a mosque and a memorial park.

Some private sector projects have already held groundbreaking events in the new city, including a five-star hotel, an international school and a private hospital. Most of the investors in these projects are local conglomerates.

The deputy of financing and investment at the Nusantara Capital Authority, Agung Wicaksono, was quoted by local media recently as saying that the government had inaugurated projects with a total investment value of 41.4 trillion rupiah (U.S. $2.6 billion) as of the end of 2023.

The government has sought to reassure the public that the capital relocation project would proceed regardless of the electoral outcome, as it was backed by the 2022 law. For instance, following criticism of the project by Anies, Jokowi in November said his government was only following the law and the new capital was enshrined in law.

But foreign investment remains elusive for building a new city from scratch on a 256,000-hectare site.

Ganjar Pranowo (right), one of three presidential candidates in next months election, and Arsjad Rasjid, the chair of Ganjars campaign team, show the three-fingered salute, which is a part of their campaign, during a visit to the new capital Nusantara (IKN Nusantara) in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, in a photograph posted by Arsjad on Twitter on Dec. 7, 2023. [Via Twitter/@ArsjadRasjid]

Some analysts have said that the demand for the new city is still uncertain, because it depends on the availability and quality of the facilities and services there.

Yayat Supriyatna, an urban planning expert at Trisakti University, said the project would only attract businesses, investors and the public if it had a strong economy.

The government and the business sector see things differently. The new capital should not just be a workplace for civil servants, but also a place that offers other services and amenities for the future residents, he told BenarNews.

However, he said he believed the next government would not change the course of the project, as it already had many investments.

An expert from an economic think-tank disagreed, though, saying the future of the new capital project was uncertain.

If the project fails to meet the target in a certain time frame, it may be re-evaluated. It might become [East Kalimantan] provinces [new] capital instead of the nations, Tauhid Ahmad, the executive director of Indef, told BenarNews.

I think [much of the] the private sector is waiting for the market. Not many are willing to go there, so the government should spend its budget first, he said.

Some Indonesians see the relocation as a necessary step to address the long-term challenges facing Jakarta, a megacity that experts say is sinking due to excessive groundwater extraction and the rise in sea level caused by climate change.

Jakarta resident Astri Lestari told BenarNews she was interested in moving to the new capital if all the facilities were in place there.

Jakarta is no longer viable ecologically. It may take a long time until it finally sinks, but dont wait until it is too late to move, the 36-year-old told BenarNews.

I will vote for the candidate who will continue the new capital [project].
In this photo reviewed by the U.S. military, a soldier closes the gate at the now abandoned Camp X-Ray, which was used as the first detention facility for suspected al-Qaeda and Taliban militants captured after the Sept. 11 attacks, at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Nov. 21, 2013.

The two Malaysian men who pleaded guilty last week to murder for their roles in the 2002 Bali bombings told a military court at Guantanamo Bay on Thursday that they had changed during their more than two decades in U.S. custody.

Mohammed Farik bin Amin and Mohammed Nazir bin Lep entered statements during their sentencing hearing at the Camp Justice courtroom here, a day after relatives of some of the 202 victims killed in the bombings recounted the pain they feel to this day.

A panel of five military officers is expected to determine the defendants sentences on Friday at this U.S. Navy base in Cuba.

I am sorry. I take responsibility for my actions, bin Amin told the court, adding he was not making an excuse.

During Thursdays session, his defense attorney presented sketches that bin Amin had drawn and which showed waterboarding and other torture that he claims he endured while in U.S. custody before being sent to Guantanamo Bay in 2006.

I am not an angry young man anymore, bin Amin said.

Bin Lep offered a similar statement.

I am a better person than I was 20 years ago, he told the panel. I am learning from my mistakes.

While both men spoke English, an interpreter had to translate a couple of bin Amins phrases for those in the court to understand.

Detainees from Afghanistan sit in their cells at Camp X-Ray, at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Feb. 2, 2002. [Lynne Sladky/AP file photo]

In his courtroom statement, bin Amin said he traveled to Afghanistan before the Bali bombings where he became concerned about Muslims suffering across the world. He added that he wanted to defend his faith.

He said he agreed to transfer money in December 2002 to assist some of those involved in the attack that took place on the Indonesian island two months earlier.

I tell you now I am a better person, he said as he ended his statement. I leave it to you to decide my fate.

Bin Lep

After introducing himself, bin Lep admitted to his crimes. Im guilty of my role in the Bali bombings.

I want to say I am sorry, he said. My actions were wrong and I will live with what I did forever.

Bin Lep, 47, said the bombings occurred when he was young, immature and stubborn.

Only with age and maturity do I fully understand.

Both bin Lep and bin Amin, 48, noted their efforts to cooperate with prosecutors. Bin Amin said his began in 2014.

For his part, bin Lep said, I am here to fully cooperate.

In addition, both said they were tortured following their 2003 arrests in Thailand. Both men were then taken to CIA black sites, where they remained in custody until they were transferred here in 2006, according to a report from a U.S. congressional investigation.

Bin Amin said he did not want to compare what had happened to him while in CIA custody to what had happened to people who were killed or injured in the twin Bali blasts on Oct. 12, 2002.

I am not trying to compete with the victims, he said.

Relatives pray for victims of the Bali bombings during the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the attack that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists, including 88 Australians and seven Americans, at the Bali Bombing Memorial Monument in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, Oct. 12, 2022. [Firdia Lisnawati/AP]

Bin Amins lead lawyer, Christine Funk, presented a series of drawings he made while in custody in Thailand and at the CIA black site. She asked him questions about the drawings because she said he was not comfortable talking about the torture he endured following his arrest before being sent to Guantanamo.

The first drawing showed a smiling bin Amin.

Several others showed how he was tortured including by being waterboarded. Much of the time he was naked and his hands and ankles were shackled.

One drawing showed someone taking a photo of him as another person looked on. Bin Amin said he was naked and was not allowed to cover himself.

The person slapped my hand away.

Bin Lep said he saw the drawings, adding he had faced similar torture. Still, he said, he forgave those who did that to him.

Military officials at the Navy base prohibited reporters from publishing any of those images while reporting on Thursdays court session. Photography also was prohibited inside the court.

Brothers speak

Earlier in the day, siblings Mohammed Fadil bin Amin and Mohammed Faizal bin Amin spoke out in support of their younger brother. They had arrived at the court on Tuesday, days after prosecutors announced they did not have the proper visas to travel to the U.S.

Fadil bin Amin, the eldest of 10 children, said he listened to the testimonies of victims survivors on Wednesday. Farik bin Amin is the familys sixth child.

It was the first time I heard such heartbreaking stories, he said, speaking in English. I wish I could hug everyone.

Fadil bin Amin, who lives in Kuala Lumpur, said their parents had taught them to follow their religion. Their mother made sure they prayed, behaved properly, were honest and grew up to be good human beings.

An architect, Fadil bin Amin studied in England while a sister studied in the United States.

He said his parents stressed that America or the West is a source of opportunity.

Faizal bin Amin followed his older brother to the witness stand  he is the familys fifth child.

Fighting back tears during his testimony, Faizal bin Amin said he and his younger brother were close as children.

We grew up together. We played hide and seek together, he said.

Faizal bin Amin called his younger brother shy and humble, adding he was the most religious of the 10 siblings.

He said he was pleased that Farik bin Amin took responsibility for his actions, adding he does not know what the consequences may be.

Last week, bin Amin and bin Lep pleaded guilty to murder, conspiracy and three other charges tied to the bombings.

Following their guilty pleas, military Judge Wesley Braun recommended a sentence of 20 to 25 years. The panel, expected to begin deliberations on Friday, is not required to accept the recommendation.

The two men were brought to the U.S. base here in the same year as Encep Nurjaman, an Indonesian national also known as Hambali, the suspected main planner of the Bali attack.

Your life has been ruined

The day began with testimony from Solomon Miller who read a statement from his grandmother. On Wednesday, Miller and his mother, Susanna, both spoke about her brother Dan, 31, who died in the blasts.

Solomon said his mother wrote about Dans wonderful legacy  a fund that has raised millions of pounds for adult burn victims.

Your life has been ruined and is worthless, he told the two Malaysians, finishing off his grandmothers statement.

His mother, Susanna, also returned to the stand to read a statement from her sister-in-law, Polly, who married Dan five weeks before the blast. Polly suffered burns over nearly half of her body and lives with constant pain.

Australian Jan Laczynski sent an email to Judge Braun saying he lost five friends in the bombings that changed my life forever.

Please do not discount the memories of these victims by letting these people off with inappropriately light sentences, he wrote.

It was our 9/11.

Bomb wreckage from the Sari night club and surrounding buildings is seen in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, Oct. 15, 2002. [Achmad Ibrahim/AP file photo]

Laczynski said he often went to the Sari Club many times before the bombing, adding he was advised that his email will be included in evidence for the panel.

He said he had hoped to be able to see the verdict.

I find it very frustrating that we cannot watch the trial online, he told a BenarNews reporter in Indonesia.

He said he is very nervous, hoping the terrorists are still jailed or returned back to Malaysia in jail. It would be insulting if theyre released.

Ahmad Syamsudin in Jakarta contributed to this report.
Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor (second from right) walks with Malaysias King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (second from left) after the election for the next Malaysian king, at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. [Mohd Rasfan/Pool Photo via AP]

The outspoken, sports-car loving ruler of Johor state will next week become Malaysias 17th king since independence, after being elected under the countrys unique rotating monarchy.

Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar will ascend the throne on Jan. 31, bringing with him an active leadership style that experts say could help expedite Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahims policy reforms, but may create friction with him as well.

Despite the monarchys largely ceremonial position in Malaysia, the 65-year-old is likely to continue the more politically active role assumed by the nations king in recent years, analysts said.

Sultan Ibrahim seems to be more hands-on than other rulers, which can be seen in his direct criticisms on certain issues, Tunku Mohar Mokhtar, an assistant professor at the International Islamic University Malaysia, told BenarNews.

So far, we see that both the sultan and Anwar agree on at least two important issues: eradication of corruption and reviving the economy. For Anwar, this would provide greater legitimacy for his reform efforts.

But having two hands-on leaders  the head of state and the head of government  could create tension if they cannot work together, he said.

It would only work if both understand their limits of power, Tunku Mohar said.

Since gaining independence from Britain in 1957, Malaysia has embraced a monarchical system in which the king is elected on a rotating basis every five years by the hereditary sultans of nine states.

Sultan Ibrahim will replace Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, of central Pahang, whose reign coincided with a period of political instability that saw three prime ministers in as many years, and a hung Parliament.

Politically active

Born on Nov. 22, 1958, Sultan Ibrahim will be the second ruler of Johor appointed as Yang di-Pertuan Agong  or Agong  as the king is known.

His father, Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail, served as king from 1984-89 and as Johors Sultan from 1981 until his death in 2010.

Sultan Ibrahim was educated at home and abroad. Later, he underwent extensive military training, including in the United States, before working in various offices of the Johor state government, ranging from the Treasury to the Forestry Department.

His extensive business interests include stakes in the $100-billion Forest City project and internet service provider REDtone International. In 2015, he bought a property worth U.S. $8.5 million (24.21 million ringgit) in the West Australian capital, Perth.

Hes also known to keep a fleet of luxury cars and is the only Malaysian sultan with a private army, which was retained as part of a colonial-era deal with the British.

Johors Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim described his father as a staunch supporter of Malaysian interests who was unafraid to intervene in political issues.

He will be actively involved in maintaining a rapport with the prime minister and providing input, whether or not it is appropriate, said Tunku Ismail in late October during a podcast hosted by former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

The prime minister is going to have a tough time, he added.

Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor (left) wipes his tears next to his sister, Queen Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, after he was elected as the next Malaysian king, at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur, Oct. 27, 2023. [Mohd Rasfan/Pool Photo via AP]

The Malaysian king plays a figurehead role in the Muslim-majority nation and is bound to act on advice from the prime minister.

But the monarch does have special responsibilities and privileges under the Constitution, including the power to appoint a prime minister who has the backing of lawmakers.

Instead of seeing the constitutional monarch as just a rubber stamp, its crucial to understand that executive power, including the PM and cabinet, is still under the Agongs purview, constitutional expert Wan Ahmad Fauzi, from Universiti Malaysia Pahang, told BenarNews.

In November 2022, for example, a hung Parliament forced King Abdullah to intervene and appoint Anwar as prime minister.

Political instability also forced him to select Muhyiddin Yassin as the countrys leader in February 2020 and Ismail Sabri Yaakob as prime minister in August 2021.

The rulers have been forced to play a more proactive role in politics, said Tunku Mohar of the International Islamic University Malaysia.

Although recent practices suggest this role is within the constitutional limits, he said, it would be better for the royal institution to keep away from politics.

If there are disputes over the composition of government, [they] should be resolved in the legislature and the monarchy would then simply confirm the legislative decision, in the true spirit of the constitution, Tunku Mohar said.

Wants to stop corruption

Sultan Ibrahim has already shown his willingness to get involved in Malaysian politics.

Last year, in response to reports that the opposition Perikatan Nasional coalition was trying to oust Anwar by breaking up a historic government alliance between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional, he issued a strongly-worded statement saying this was detrimental to the nations well-being.

Enough is enough. How much longer must over 30 million people in our country endure this situation? The economy must recover and Malaysias prosperity must be prioritized, he said.

In a December interview, Sultan Ibrahim conveyed his desire for the countrys anti-graft agency and state-owned oil and gas company, Petronas, to report directly to him rather than Parliament.

Anwar was cautious in his response to the comments. The matter could be discussed, but the principles of the Constitution, parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy would be defended, he said.

A working replica of cartoon character Fred Flintstones car, a gift to car-lover Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar of Johor from a fellow royal, is seen in this undated photograph that was released Jan. 17, 2018. [Handout/Royal Press Office/AFP]

Looking ahead, analysts say the reform-minded nature of both Anwar and Sultan Ibrahim could make for a dynamic partnership.

Its going to be interesting because both Anwar and Sultan Ibrahim are unequivocal in expressing their opinions. Anwar, as the countrys executive in his role as prime minister, benefits from it. However, Sultan Ibrahim, being a constitutional monarch, does face limitations, Azmi Hassan, of the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research, told BenarNews.

Despite this constitutional role, Sultan Ibrahim isnt restrained from sharing his noteworthy opinions on certain sensitive matters, he said.
A person injured in a bomb explosion at a local univeristy gym is attended to at a hospital in Marawi, southern Philippines, Dec. 3, 2023.

Eight suspected Filipino militants belonging to a local group allied with Islamic State extremists were killed and four government soldiers wounded in fierce fighting in the southern Philippines on Thursday, the military said Friday.

The gun-battle between members of the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-Maute) and soldiers with the 103rd Infantry Brigade broke out in the late afternoon in Piagapo, a remote town in Lanao del Sur province, military officials said.

The soldiers were on a mission to hunt down two suspected DI-Maute militants who had been identified as the main perpetrators of a bombing that killed four people during a Catholic worship service at a university gymnasium in southern Marawi city in early December.

According to military officials, the Filipino militants were apparently acting under the instructions of the Islamic State, which had earlier owned up to the attack.

During the military operations the troops killed eight enemies, Brig. Gen. Yegor Rey Baroquillo Jr., commander of the 103rd, told BenarNews. After the firefight, troops retrieved the bodies of the slain militants, he said.

Baroquillo said four members of the Scout Rangers, who were wounded in the fighting, were brought to a local hospital. He did not divulge the extent of their wounds.

He said the troops were after the Marawi bombers and that search operations were focused on three Lanao towns believed to be strongholds of the DI-Maute: Pantao Ragat, Poona PIagapo and Munai.

Brig. Gen. Anthon Abrina, commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, told BenarNews in a phone interview that we are on heightened, red alert status following the encounter Thursday evening.

Troop reinforcements have been brought in and several checkpoints were established along the national highway leading to the areas to ensure the safety of civilians in their respective communities, Abrina said.

The towns in Lanao are near the city of Marawi, where the bombing took place.

Military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. has blamed the DI-Maute group for the bombing, saying it was carried out as revenge for a military operation elsewhere in the south that left over a dozen militants killed.

Two of those killed were identified as Mundi Sawadjaan and Jalandoni Lucsadato. Sawadjaan has been identified as a sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf, another Islamic State-linked group in the southern Philippines.

He was also the nephew of the late Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who was thought to be the groups leader before he was killed in 2020. The elder Sawadjaan at one time was also named as the IS leader for the Philippines.

Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan also masterminded a January 2019 bombing at a Catholic church on southern Jolo island that killed 23 people including an Indonesian couple blamed for the suicide attack, according to Philippine authorities.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (left) speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 16, 2024. At right, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi gives a speech in Beijing, Jan. 24, 2024.

UPDATED at 5:47 p.m. ET on 2024-01-26

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi were set to meet in Bangkok on Friday and Saturday to build on a pledge to deepen their dialogue, despite the two superpowers differences on Taiwan.

This meeting will be the first high-level talk between the two nations since U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met in the United States in November.

During the new round of meetings, (Wang) will state Chinas position on China-U.S. relations, including the Taiwan issue, and exchange views with the U.S. side on international and regional issues of common interest, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wengbin told reporters at a regular press conference on Friday.

In Washington on Friday, John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, told a press conference at the White House that the talks in Bangkok are about ways to improve our bilateral relationship but also to make clear and be firm about issues where we don't always agree with China.

Upon his arrival in Thailands capital Friday, Sullivan first met with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara and discussed ties between the two nations as well as regional and global issues, including efforts to address the worsening crisis in Myanmar.

During the meeting, Sullivan emphasized the U.S. commitment to expanding collaboration on trade and investment, accelerating the transition to a clean energy future, deepening the two nations people-to-people ties, and broadening our security cooperation as we promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, according to a White House statement.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin (left) talks with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at Government House in Bangkok, Jan. 26, 2024. [Government Spokesman Office via AP]

Thailand, one of Americas major non-NATO allies and geographically important to the region, however, reaffirmed its non-interference approach.

On the China-Taiwan issue, for instance, the Thai side reiterated before the meeting its vision on Thai-Chinese relations, based on Thailands One China policy as well as common interests and international principles that the two countries adhere to, towards the building of a Thailand-China community with a shared future for enhanced stability, prosperity and sustainability.

Regarding planned talks between Sullivan and Wang, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kanchana Patarachoke said: The meeting is actually arranged bilaterally between the two sides. We did not have any role in organizing for the meeting or anything but we are pleased that Thailand is the venue for such a meeting.

And we are confident that the dialogue between the two sides will contribute to peace and security and development of the countries in the regions also at the global stage as well.

Dr. Isa Gharti, a public policy researcher at Chiang Mai University, believes the meeting between Sullivan and Wang stresses Thailands strategic position as the middleman for the super powers.

The country has a long history of balancing its relationship with China and the U.S., which is appropriate for it to be the host, Gharti told Radio Free Asia (RFA), which is affiliated with BenarNews.

The role as a facilitator to solve high-level conflict is a positive thing for the Srettha administration, he added, referring to the current prime ministers government.

Thailand and China will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2025.

Alex Willemyns contributed to this report from Washington.
New legislation introduced in the Vermont house is aimed at taking action for and protecting animals in need, like these emaciated horses shown at the Dorset Equine Rescue in Dorset that were removed from the Hoofbeats and Dreams Farm in Tunbridge.
MONTPELIER  Attorneys in the ongoing dispute between Daniel Banyai and the Town of Pawlet argued their cases in front of the Vermont Supreme Court on Tuesday regarding his pending arrest, accumulating fines, and the ability of Pawlet to enforce zoning changes at the controversial Slate Ridge property.

Banyai, still wanted on an active arrest warrant in Vermont  and believed by authorities to be in New York State with no plans to return  was not present for the appeal proceedings.

Robert Kaplan, Banyais attorney, argued that the Vermont Superior Court-Environmental Division did not have the authority  under its contempt powers  to impose daily accruing fines and order the imprisonment of a non-compliant party, while also allowing the town to take it upon themselves to force compliance with the court order. He also questioned whether the Environmental Court had the authority to issue coercive sanctions and compensatory fines simultaneously. Those fines currently total well over $100,000.

Kaplan also asserted that it was unlawfully punitive for the Environmental Court to impose Banyais imprisonment until the property is found in compliance, while also allowing the town to take action to force compliance at his property while he is incarcerated. He also brought before the court the matter of whether or not Vermont law in this civil area is constitutional, altogether.

Merrill Bent, the attorney representing the Town of Pawlet, challenged Banyais appeal on the legal grounds that he didn't appeal the actual contempt order from the Environmental Court before the 30-day deadline. Instead, Bent said, Banyai was appealing the sanctions that resulted from the contempt order, which constituted an impermissible collateral attack on a binding judgment, rendering his appeal invalid.

Bent also argued that Banyais take on the pending fines and his arrest warrant is without merit, citing that Banyai had ample time to bring the property into compliance, which would have collectively stopped the clock on the recurring fines and his arrest. She cited the fact that the structures in question are still standing, even after all this time, asking whether Banyai had the right to endlessly litigate and defy court orders. She then asked that the court affirm the lower courts ruling in the case.

In February 2023, the Environmental Court issued a contempt order identifying specific structures that Banyai was required to deconstruct and remove on his Slate Ride Property, described by town officials as a one-time paramilitary training facility. It imposed fines of $200 a day until the property was in compliance with the order. Further, the court permitted the town to enter the property and remove the structures. In June 2023, the town filed a motion for an arrest warrant for Banyai to enforce the orders. That warrant was granted in July 2023. Fines against Banyai have escalated since then, reaching six figures and counting.

It was revealed in court documents last month from both the Vermont State Police and the Rutland County Sheriff that law enforcement authorities believe Banyai is currently out of the state with no plans for return.

There is no specific timeframe for the Supreme Court to rule on his appeal.
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Kelsie Cote, of North Adams, is shown during her November 2022 arraignment on murder and other charges in the slaying of her grandmother, Doris Cote. Prosecutors found male DNA on evidence recovered in the case, and they want to know who it belongs to.
Homeless people can find refuge and a bed at The Pearl, a new shelter run by ServiceNet on the Pearl Street side of the First United Methodist Church in Pittsfield. It replaces the shelter that the organization had been operating in the former St. Joseph's Central High School.
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GREAT BARRINGTON  As the community continues to reel from a police search for a book last month in an eighth grade classroom, school officials have issued a resolution saying they "expect" police to conduct an internal investigation of the incident and provide a detailed report of the findings.

Quote I don't think there was any 'potential' overreach  there was overreach. Bill Fields, Berkshire Hills School Committee member, speaking of the search for a book by police

Also, the Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee voted in favor of a resolution to support teachers and students  one that expresses the districts support of students and staff's right to access a broad range of educational materials that reflect diverse experiences and perspectives.

The committee unanimously approved the resolution directed at police, which says it expects, a thorough internal investigation into any potential overreach for involvement in school affairs" after the incident at W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School.

The letter also says that the district wants to continue its "collaborative" relationship with the department.

Students, parents and administrators told the committee that the middle school is still shaken by the incident. One eighth grade parent, for instance, said his child has not received proper English instruction since the incident  after which the teacher took a temporary leave of absence for safety reasons.

It was on Dec. 8 that police sent a plainclothes officer to search for the illustrated novel, Gender Queer, in response to a complaint that suggested it might be a crime for minors to read it. The book apparently was not in the classroom at the time.

Superintendent Peter Dillon and police Chief Paul Storti have since apologized for the way the situation was handled.

Earlier this month the teacher, though her attorney, asked both the district and the town to conduct separate independent investigations. Book challenges are handled in the schools.

First and foremost the teacher wants to know who complained to the police so she can gauge whether to return to school safely.

The district was the first to hire an investigator from a local law firm. The town Select Board this week said its insurance company had selected a Boston-based law firm to handle a potential investigation. The board said it will decide at its Feb. 12 meeting on whether to open an investigation.

Meanwhile, police have run through the entire incident in a debrief, and the town is working with police on policy changes. It is unclear when results of the debrief will be available to the public.

Students are 'coping'

The schools, police and town officials are now at the blistering center of what is a hot culture war nationally.

We are coping with the book banning right now, said one student delegate to the committee, adding that the student body is doing very well with this.

Du Bois Principal Miles Wheat said are trying to continue to both hold space for students and faculty who are still processing the search incident that happened but also trying to move forward with educating students.

It was committee member Corey Sprague who drafted both the resolution and letter as a way to speed up a unified public stance by officials not just about the book search but also about the commitment to educational freedom and the protection of teachers and students.

Related policy changes that are in the works will take months to complete, Sprague noted, and parents and others are asking for immediate reassurance that police wont meddle in education and that LGBTQ+ and other students feel protected from bullying and any affront to whatever their identity might be.

Theres also been an impact on the day-to-day at school.

Michael Citrin, the parent of a student whose English teacher is on leave due to the incident, said that education itself has taken a hit.

When is my daughter going to start receiving instruction again in English? Citrin said.

Wheat said the school hadnt counted on a lengthy absence of the teacher, but now has a solid plan in place with a long-term substitute that is moving forward.

Students also have reported a spike in anti-queer bullying, and parents asked again that the administration ensure safety in the schools.

But parent Lisa Baumgart said the danger for students lies somewhere else: in the sexually explicit material in the book that police searched for. She also asked if the school and police will investigate other accusations that the teacher was observed with a student sitting on her lap and was overhead saying, dont tell your parents.

This was met by fierce rebuttal by several parents.

Annie Alquist asked for a full-throated endorsement by school officials of the teacher in the midst of these unfounded accusations, made by the person who complained about the book  whose identity is only known to police.

Joshua Briggs said the fear over the contents of the book and the accusations against the teacher are a common tactic of attack on "queer people" as sexual deviants and pedophiles.

The accusation itself, of course, was incredibly suspicious, he said.
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Three children whose father died and whose mother ended up with a catastrophic brain injury after a crash between a car and a tractor on a Cork road are to receive a total of 300,000 in settlement of a High Court action.

The settlement against Cork County Council is without an admission of liability.

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The Redmond O'Callaghan children, Teegan (16),Miley (15) and Daniel (12) are now brought up by their grandmother Norma Redmond, Fairhill, Co Cork, who brought the proceedings against Cork County Council on their behalf.

In the High Court, Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told that the two Redmond OCallaghan girls were under four years of age when the accident happened on the old GLanmire to Cork Road in 2011. Their father Myles OCallaghan, Donoughmore, Co Cork who was the driver of the car died in hospital four days after the accident.

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The childrens mother, Olivia Redmond-OCallaghan, was only 28 years of age and left with massive brain damage and needing 24-hour care for the rest of her life.

In 2021, she settled for 14.75 million, an action over the accident.

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She had sued her late husbands estate, the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland and Cork County Council. The settlement, the court heard was against the MIBI and Cork County Council.

On that occasion, the court heard Ms Redmond OCallaghan was 12 weeks pregnant at the time of the accident and gave birth to a healthy baby boy  Daniel, in March 2012 but she has never realised she has a son and did not recognise her children.

The children's grandmother, Norma Redmond, Fairhill, Co Cork, in the proceedings against Cork County Council, claimed there was an alleged failure to erect warning signs along the old Glanmire to Watergrasshill Road to indicate there were dangerous bends ahead.

It was further claimed that the camber of the stretch of road leading up to the site of the accident had been caused to become allegedly dangerous.

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Cork County Council denied all claims and denied the camber of the road was allegedly dangerous or in an alleged defective state.

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It contended the road surface was in a very good condition and the road was designed and constructed in accordance with best practice at the time. It further claimed that the bend was visible for 210 metres.

Counsel for Ms Redmond, Hugh Mohan SC told the court liability was significantly at issue in the case. He said the horrific accident was the beginning of all the trouble for the Redmond OCallaghan family. Olivia Redmond OCallaghan who is now aged 40 years, he said remains in a non-communicative state.

Counsel said in the October 4, 2011 accident, Mr OCallaghans car which was travelling south in the direction of Glanmire and was going down a hill on its approach to a sharp left-hand bend appeared to veer over onto the opposite carriage and collided with a tractor and trailer.

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Counsel said Ms Redmond is in effect a mother now to her grandchildren.

Approving the settlement and the division of a further 25,000 statutory mental distress payment, Mr. Justice Coffey said the settlement was fair and reasonable.

He noted there was a litigation risk in the case. Turning to Ms Redmond, he said he wished to salute her for all she has done for her grandchildren and the judge said he was delighted that the matter had been resolved.

In a statement at the time of the settlement of Olivia's action the family said they were and continue to be most grateful to all those who helped Olivia and her late husband Myles at the scene of the crash that afternoon of October 4th 2011, and afterwards.

We also acknowledge the shock that the tractor driver experienced that day and that he did all he could to try and take evasive action, they said.
Gardai investigating the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier have seized items from the flat of chief suspect Ian Bailey.

The body of Ms Toscan du Plantier, a 39-year-old French producer, was found badly beaten outside her holiday home in Schull, Co Cork, in December 1996.

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Mr Bailey died from a suspected heart attack last Sunday in Cork. His remains were cremated on Tuesday in a private ceremony.

A team of 10 officers, made up of detectives based in Bantry, assisted by officers from the Serious Crime Review Team from Dublin, began searching Mr Baileys rented ground floor flat on Barrack Street in Bantry on Friday morning.

Gardai seized a large quantity of personal items, including several notebooks with his writings, as well as his mobile phone, laptop, hard drives and memory sticks and other electronic storage devices.

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In a statement, a Garda spokesman said: As part of the ongoing investigation into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in 1996, gardai conducted a search under warrant of a residential property in Bantry, County Cork earlier today.

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Gardai left items they felt would be of no evidential value in their investigation, including Mr Baileys clothing, his large collection of CDs and his wooden carvings.

Mr Bailey had been living in a flat in Glengarriff after he separated from his partner of 30 years, Jules Thomas, in March 2021.

He had been convicted of her murder in his absence by a Paris court in May 2019, which imposed a 25-year sentence.

Mr Bailey had always vehemently denied any involvement in Ms Toscan du Plantiers death.

Her son, Pierre-Louis Baudey-Vignaud, said his family is continuing efforts for truth and justice.

Earlier this week, he said: An investigation is still under way in Ireland and we are confident that the discovery of new evidence, the hearing of new witnesses, and the revelation of possible complicity will enable Irish police to close the case, finally, 27 years after my mothers murder.
The Tanaiste has said the government will strongly consider an intervention in South Africas genocide case against Israel at a top UN court.

Micheal Martin said it will carry out detailed analysis of a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday that harshly criticised Israels war in Gaza.

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The ICJ stopped short on Friday of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case filed by South Africa.

My statement on the final and binding ICJ orders today in the South Africa v. Israel case pic.twitter.com/D5fvZAGogf  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 26, 2024 Advertisement

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party had lodged a motion in the Dail to be debated next week calling on the Government to back South Africa in holding Israel to account.

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In a statement, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Martin said he has asked his officials to prepare legal advice for his consideration on an urgent basis.

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I strongly welcome the courts orders which are final and binding, Mr Martin said.

These are measures that Ireland has been consistently calling for from the start of this conflict.

Today's Hague ruling against Israel is decisive.



The Irish government must now join with South Africa in their case to hold Israel accountable for their crimes against the Palestinian people. Sinn Fein has just lodged a motion in the Dail to do just that   @MaryLouMcDonald pic.twitter.com/njrUi0DNrF Advertisement  Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) January 26, 2024

Ireland has a deep and longstanding commitment to international law and is a strong defender of the international rules-based system.

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The International Court of Justice is one of the cornerstones of this system. We expect Israel to implement all provisional measures that have been ordered by the court, in good faith and as a matter of urgency.

Todays orders relate to a specific case under the Genocide Convention. Irrespective of whether any actions are eventually judged to meet the threshold of genocide, we must ensure that all parties to this conflict are held to account for their actions.

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The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is continuing to investigate all serious allegations of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in and from Gaza, whether committed by Israel or by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or other non-state armed groups.

All states must redouble their efforts to support the investigation by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court into the situation in Palestine.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, said he will respond to the ruling after the Government has analysed it.

Speaking while the ICJ was giving its ruling on Friday, Mr Varadkar said he will consider its contents.

As a country that respects the ICJ, Ireland will, of course, abide by any rulings that the court makes, Mr Varadkar said.

But one thing I would say is that if a war has ever been ended by a court order, Im not sure what war that was.

The truth is war is ended three ways  military victory by one side over the other, an armistice, or through politics and diplomacy.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ireland would abide by any rulings the court made. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

Thats why our focus has been on that, on politics and diplomacy, looking for a ceasefire so that the hostages can be released, so the humanitarian aid can get in, so that the killing of Palestinian civilians can stop and also a move towards a permanent ceasefire, which would have to involve Hamas leadership and Hamas fighters leaving Gaza, allowing new Palestinian leadership to take over.

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We will consider the case and once South Africa lodges its main case, we will be in a position to decide whether or not we make an intervention and what the nature of that intervention would be.

But this case could go on for three or four years. I dont think people on the ground in Israel or Palestine have three or four years.

Wars dont end by court orders. Wars end through politics and diplomacy and thats why our focus is on that, trying to get a humanitarian ceasefire so that the killing can stop, so aid can get in to help civilians, so that the hostages could be released.

So that we can talk about the day after Gaza, about rebuilding but that of course has to mean Hamas not being involved in that, it has to mean Israel conceding the right of Palestinians to have their own state, and Gaza should be part of it.

Mrs McDonald said there now had to be a full, permanent and complete ceasefire following the ruling.

She said: We want to see that call now, not just made internationally, but vindicated internationally.

Irsael must stop and stop now.

The Irish government has seen the ruling of the court, and now they must make very, very clear that they will join with South Africa in holding Israel to account.

We have brought forward a motion, we have lodged it with the Dail, it will be debated next week.

We expect the Irish government will support this motion and make our position clear.
A man who stole his pregnant girlfriend's phone after assaulting her at her home has been given a suspended sentence.

Daragh Houlihan (33) of Chapel Lane, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery on May 4th 2021 on Rathmines Road.

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He has no previous convictions.

Judge Orla Crowe said on Friday Houlihans behaviour on the day was utterly reprehensible and exacerbated by fact that the woman was pregnant at time.

She said that this was intimating partner violence but noted the relationship between the parties was now at an end.

She said addiction played a significant role in Houlihans offending, which was not an excuse but provided some explanation.

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She said he had been assessed as at moderate risk of re-offending and the Probation Services had concerns about victim insight, but were prepared to work with him.

Sentence

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Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of three years, which she reduced to two year and three months in light of the mitigating factors. She suspended the sentence for three years on strict conditions.

The conditions include no further direct contact with the injured party and notifying the Probation Service if he begins a new intimate relationship. He has undertaken to cooperate with a program to address intimate partner violence, anger management and offence-focused intervention.

Judge Crowe told Houlihan the court was giving him a real opportunity as this was a very serious matter.

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She said this was to allow him to rehabilitate further and undo the harm he has done and prevent harm into the future.

Previous hearing

At an earlier hearing last year, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the injured party was making dinner at 5.30pm, while Houlihan was in the kitchen with her.

The victim attempted to make conversation with the defendant, but he didn't respond. She then suggested he went home, as they weren't living together.

Houlihan then walked over to where the victim was standing and asked her why she didn't want to talk to him.

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The victim was holding a knife, which he asked her to drop, then he went to grab it. She turned round, and Houlihan was holding the blade with both hands. The pair wrestled for the knife for about one minute.

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The victim was crying and asking Houlihan to let go of the blade, afraid of what might happen if she let go.

The injured party shouted blood after seeing it on her thumb. Houlihan let go of the knife, and it transpired that it was his blood on the victim.

He accused her of stabbing him. She suggested they call an ambulance, but Houlihan said she wanted her phone to call the gardai.

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Her phone then started to ring and Houlihan grabbed it, demanding she give him the code to unlock it. He then pushed her several times, including onto the ground.

Houlihan left the apartment and the victim heard him lock the front door from outside. From the window, she saw Houlihan pick up her phone, which led her to believe that he had thrown it.

The defendant shouted abuse up at her. She asked him to return the keys, which he threw up to her.

Houlihan then walked towards Rathmines and the victim followed him to ask for her phone back.

During this encounter, Houlihan pushed her again, and struck her with his leg. He then threw her phone over a wall then ran through a set of closing gates.

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The victim went to the garda station where she was observed to be in a distressed state.

Gardai went to the Mater Hospital the next day, where Houlihan was being treated for an injury to his hand. He accepted that he had stolen the victim's phone, which he gave to gardai.

Houlihan was arrested and told gardai during interview that he had taken the phone, but denied pushing her or any violent behaviour.

He told gardai he felt ridiculous and sorry so he went to retrieve her phone.

The defendant said he took the phone as he believed the injured party was texting someone about him, and this upset him.

He accepted he was cut while trying to grab the knife. Houlihan told gardai he didn't believe the injured party would stab him during the course of an argument, but he wanted to put the knife out of reach. Houlihan also said the victim threatened to jump out of a window during the argument, and he may have used force to stop her.

A victim impact statement was read by Shaun Smyth BL, prosecuting. In it, the woman said the incident had destroyed any sense of safety she felt in the apartment and she was left terrified.

She said she blamed herself for what happened and suffers from flashbacks. The victim said she was broken down so much that she thought what happened was her fault, but now realises it was not.

The investigating garda agreed with defence counsel that his client was cooperative and made a partial admission when interviewed.

It was also accepted that the guilty plea was of value to the prosecution.

Defence counsel said his client has addiction issues with cocaine and heroin, but is completing a residential treatment programme.

His client has a history of employment, and worked for periods abroad.

Counsel asked Judge Crowe to be as lenient as possible when sentencing Houlihan and to consider finalising the case with no immediate custodial sentence.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Womens Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie) or Mens Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie) for support and information.

Safe Ireland also outlines a number of local services and helplines at safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
Three members of a Louth GAA club were harassed by at least 150 phone calls within 48 hours demanding money for reportedly unauthorised work in what the club say is a tarmac scam.

Naomh Fionbarra and St Anne's in Togher say the club was a victim in what they described an "elaborate and devious" scam to try and intimidate the committee to pay out an "exorbitant" amount of money for unapproved and shoddy work.

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The club say they finally paid a much less amount to get "make it go away," and stop the threatening phone calls, made from various numbers and callers in the UK and Northern Ireland which were frightening volunteers who had given years to the community.

The scam has also led to a warning by the Meath GAA county secretary to local clubs after an approach was made by callers to try and tarmac the grounds of Slane GFC before Christmas.

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Naomh Fionnbarra and St Anne's club chairman Mark McArdle said thousands and thousands of euro was being sought from the club for what he described as "a bit of black paint with a scattering of stones".

"This happened on January 15th and unfortunately the gates of the grounds were open because there were volunteers doing a bit of work around the club, as there normally is," he told LMFM radio's Late Lunch.

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"A gentleman pulled into the grounds in a fancy jeep and told one volunteer that he had a load of tarmac from a job up the road that was cancelled, and he was going to have to dump it unless we were interested in getting the work done at a very low price.

"The volunteer said that it might be something we'd be interested in but that he wouldn't have the say so to give the go-ahead. So he started ringing around and most of us were at work, so by the time we knew what was happening, a truck had arrived, and the work had been started.

"These contractors said that they had been given the go-ahead for the work but no club works like that. For any job, clubs have to put jobs to tender and quotes obtained and contracts exchanged before anything happens as we, as a voluntary club, are so careful with money. We have to be.

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"And we generally don't have to go out of our way for a reliable company as there are so many in the area who are huge supporters and sponsors of the club.

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"They had said they would charge 8 a meter or yard or something like that.

"They spread this 'tarmac' over a wide area and started multiplying 8 by an awful lot of yards and meters and the costs ended up being thousands upon thousands. I saw the job and it looks like a layer of black paint with a scattering of stones.

"There was no digging out, no drainage, no filling. Nothing.

"The minute the job was done, they passed on bank details and demanded payment and that's when the pressure started.

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"They got hold of mobile numbers of three club members and that's when the calls came, very forcible and very quickly. It's hard to estimate because some calls were blocked and others were hung up but I'd say in the region of 150 calls were made to three club members in the space of 48 hours."

They added: "There was no reasoning with them. They claimed they were given the go-ahead. Saying we might be interested does not give anyone the go-ahead.

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"We were in contact with gardai who were great in advising us and working with us but they said it was a civil matter.

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"In the end, we felt we had to make some payment to make it go away for those people on the frontline who were subjected to these phone calls. They were the ones being told that these men would have to come to their homes because they were holding them responsible.

"We wanted to make sure that the members weren't being hounded or frightened anymore so we paid them what we deemed fair for materials and two hours work, and just like that, once they were paid, it all ended.

"We raised the issue because we want to warn other clubs and indeed individuals to be careful. If you are approached and are suspicious, tell them forcibly no. Don't enter into any conversation and if you are fearful, tell them you are recording the conversation on the phone so they can't bend your words. And ring someone. There are always people to help."

Meath GAA Secretary Ciaran Flynn advised clubs in the county to be 'vigilant' and sent out a step by step process for clubs to follow when considering getting any work done.

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He sent out the advice after learning of the club in neighbouring Louth and of an approach to a Meath club before Christmas, though declined to name both clubs.

"Be vigilant. Community groups looking out for each other is our strength but our trust in others is also our weakness. Seek support. So many will help you and follow protocol."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Slane GFC confirmed that they had been approached before Christmas by men in a van who wanted to lay tarmac at the club and were quite insistent on doing so.

"A van with Northern Ireland registered plates pulled in before Christmas and tried to convince the caretaker to give them the go ahead for the job.

"However, he rang the chairperson who rang another member of the club for advice and they came across the men parked outside a local pub near the grounds

"The men had left the club temporarily and the caretaker was advised to close the automatic gates so they couldn't gain access.

"The men tried to tell the club member that they had received permission from the chairperson and he had to be very adamant with them in telling them no."

"A similar van pulled up at a construction yard in the area after Christmas with the offer of tarmac but was given short shrift too."
A psychic medium has failed to overturn her conviction for conning a man into giving her 10,000 by telling him his deceased father had told her the victim should hand over the money, or the devil would take his soul.

Debbie Paget (56) of Knowth Court, Ballymun, Dublin was convicted by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury last May.

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She had pleaded not guilty to dishonestly inducing by deception James Byrne to give her 10,000.

She was also charged with dishonestly inducing by deception Maria Byrne, Mr Byrnes sister, to give her 200.

After deliberating for a little over four hours, the jury found Paget guilty, by a majority, of the first count and returned a not guilty verdict on the second count. She was jailed for a year by Judge Pauline Codd on July 10 last.

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In his evidence during the trial, James Byrne told Oisin Clarke BL, prosecuting, that he and his sister Maria and their mother lived together in Cabra, Dublin. He said Paget was a home carer for a neighbour and they all got to know her that way.

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Fortune telling

He said on one occasion, Paget invited him to a reading and he thought this was a fortune telling and he would find out about his future. He said that that during the session Paget started talking about his father and then told him: Your father said you are to give me 10,000.

He said that he felt pressurised and gave his word to give her the money.

He said that Paget asked him: When are you getting the money and told him: If you don't, it will be a sin and the devil will get you. He said that he later gave her 10,000 cash in an envelope after withdrawing it from his bank account.

Asked why he gave her the money Mr Byrne told the jury: I believed my father told her to tell me to give her the money, thats what I believed.

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When questioned, Paget told gardai that she was publicly known as a psychic medium which meant that she could see beyond the veil and communicate with the dead.

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She said she had offered this service to people for 40 years and had never charged a penny to anyone for it.

She denied that she ever did a reading for the complainants and denied that she got any money from either of them.

Appeal

At the Court of Appeal on Friday, Karl Monahan BL, for Paget, argued that the trial judge had erred in refusing to direct a verdict of not guilty at the close of the prosecution case on the basis that the evidence was insufficient to ground a conviction and that in the circumstances it would be unfair to allow the case to be considered by the jury.

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He also highlighted a conversation between Maria Byrne and her brother James Byrne, which, he said, showed Ms Byrne had lied.

Counsel said Paget had been a carer for Maria Byrne and at one point told Maria Byrne she didnt really require a carer any more.

In submissions, Mr Monahan noted that at trial, James Byrne was asked about the subsequent conversation he had with his sister and he confirmed that Maria Byrne said: Who does she think she effin is, watch what Im going to do on hershes not getting my carers taken off me.

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Mr Justice John Edwards said the implication was that this conversation was motivation for fabricating an offence against the appellant but added it was a matter for the jury what they make of that

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It doesnt render the evidence infirmit raises the issue as to whether they can regard the evidence from the prosecution witness as credible and reliable in the light of this, he said.

Mr Monahan argued it called into question whether there can be injustice in allowing the case to go ahead.

Mr Justice Edwards said it had not been demonstrated that there was a fabrication of evidence for vindictive reasons.

He said it was a situation where someone has made a veiled threat that they would do something in response to a perceived slight.

But its for the jury to decide whether in fact its so significant that they can consider the evidence given by the prosecution witness as being not credible and not reliable. Thats the jurys function, the judge said.

Conversations

Mr Monahan said Ms Byrne had been shown to have lied because she denied that the conversation had taken place while her brother confirmed that it had.

Mr Justice Edwards said people lie for all sorts of reasons and the fact that a person has told a lie in a collateral matter does not mean that in relation to the core matters that they are necessarily untruthful.

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Its again an issue for a jury looking at the evidence in the round, he said.

Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy pointed out that Paget had been acquitted on the charge related to Maria Byrne.

Mr Monahan also highlighted a conversation which Ms Byrne had had with a mutual friend of hers and Pagets. He said Ms Byrne told the woman that no money had been stolen or taken from herself and James.

He said this showed an assertion by Ms Byrne indicating that nothing was taken. He said it showed that she had animus against Paget because Ms Paget was going to make an effort to, perhaps take away her carers allowance.

In conclusion, Mr Monahan said Pagets conviction on the charge related to James Byrne jars with the finding of not guilty on the other charge related to his sister given that they were so closely bound up.

Oisin Clarke BL, for the DPP said the core case argued by the appellant was that the case should have been withdrawn from the jury.

He said these were all jury matters and while he accepted that there were some inconsistencies, it would be rare for a case to come before a jury that didnt have inconsistencies in prosecution witnesses.

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Im not standing here saying there were not issues in the case, that there were not inconsistencies - there were - but they were something that the jury could consider.

Counsel said the fact that the jury found Paget not guilty in respect of the Maria Byrne charge in effect weakened Mr Monahans argument because it showed that the jury were paying attention, did as they were told and separated the two cases.

They decided the prosecution case was insufficient in terms of Ms Byrne but was sufficient in terms of Mr Byrne, he said.

After hearing submissions in the case, the three judges of the court rose for a time before returning to deliver their verdict this afternoon.

Dismissing the appeal, Mr Justice McCarthy said on the face of the matter, there was ample evidence on which the jury could convict the appellant. He said any inconsistencies or infirmaries were plainly mapped out for the jury.

He referred to the fact that certain challenges to Maria Byrnes account were advanced and said it was not surprising that Ms Brynes allegations giving rise to the indictment were rejected by the jury and that that count was the subject of an acquittal.

He said the court found the trial judge had not erred in refusing to direct a verdict of not guilty at the close of the prosecution case and the appeal was therefore dismissed.

At the sentencing hearing, Mr Monahan said that his client had a horrible family life, had witnessed domestic violence and had a cruel and sadistic mother. She ultimately ran away from home when she was 14 years old and stayed in a shelter for young girls until she was 17 years old.

Mr Monahan said Paget was introduced to methadone after her youngest girl was born and given a diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis. Counsel said Paget became addicted to methadone but never used any other drug. She was left distraught by the death of her daughter in 1999.

Sentencing Paget, Judge Pauline Codd said it was quite clear from Mr Byrnes demeanour in court that he was a vulnerable person.

She said Paget had told him that his deceased father had told her that if Mr Byrne did not give her 10,000 the devil would take his soul.

She said Paget was criminally liable as she had taken large sums of money under threat, even though those are supernatural threats. The judge described the offence as cunning and manipulative and that Paget had taken advantage of Mr Byrne.

Far from offering him spiritual comfort, she devised a make-believe threat to his soul, Judge Codd said.

She described Paget as an old-fashioned confidence trickster and added that the offence represented a breach of trust.
Minister for Media Catherine Martin has said the current RTE board should remain in place for now so it can remain accountable for a failed musical that recorded multimillion euro losses.

RTEs Toy Show The Musical recorded more than 2.2 million in losses after a season at Dublins Convention Centre in 2022.

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An independent report into the controversy found that the musical required board approval, but it was not sought or provided, and also identified additional costs of 69,000  bringing the total losses to 2,272,859.

Ms Martin said the report, compiled by Grant Thornton, makes for grim reading.

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Firstly, to say that this report does make for a very grim reading and it highlights very serious failings in governance, oversight in financial management and in the control procedures that you would expect in relation to any project of this size, Ms Martin told RTEs Morning Ireland.

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I also think it points to a really dysfunctional relationship that was there at the time between the executive and the board.

There seems to be a clear awareness of risks to be considered, but for some reason, the focus was on the softer risks and the damage to the brand rather than, you know, musicals are a really big gamble, how competitive the Christmas season is with established events, that RTE expertise lies in broadcasting and not in live events.

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I think what we see too is information, which the board should have expected, was not provided.

Also at some stage, information was changed from an executive meeting by the time it was forward briefed [to a board meeting], approval was never on an agenda, approval was never administered.

Ms Martin said the five board members who were in place at the time of the RTE musical should remain.

She said she wants to see the board members and the executive to appear before an Oireachtas committee.

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I believe accountability is key in this and I have heard many members of the Oireachtas committees, whove done invaluable work in relation to the crisis that emerged in June, say they want accountability, Ms Martin added.

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RTE headquarters in Donnybrook, Dublin (Liam McBurney/PA)

They want the board members and the executive to appear before the committee.

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If I remove the board members, firstly, that accountability is gone because theres no onus on members, if theyre removed, to attend.

So Ive listened to the concerns of the committee. RTE is at a really critical time in relation to the development of its strategic vision, in relation to the reform, in relation to building public trust.

I believe its in the best interest of the staff and the organisation as a whole and in recognition of the significant change that we have seen take place and that is ongoing.

What Im saying is that, for now, I believe the current board, what is best for RTE, for the staff and in the public interest, is given the value of our national public service broadcaster to the public interest, that the current board should remain in place to facilitate a the ongoing functioning of the organisation.

Further reports on RTE governance are expected at the end of February.

The report also found there was no justification for the way the broadcaster recorded 75,000 in advertising money and that the musical would have struggled to break even under the proposed number of shows.

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The report does not publish any names and refers only to those interviewed as Person 1 through to Person 26.

Ms Martin said this decision was made for legal reasons but that the removal of peoples names from the report was a distraction.

You find yourself, as youre reading it, nearly trying to work out who was who, she added.

I dont think identities can be revealed, but I have spoken to the chair and to the DG [director-general] this week, and I have been given assurance of full cooperation.

I know that the board members themselves and those on the interim leadership team are absolutely willing to go into the Oireachtas and reveal who they were in that report.

The RTE board said it has informed the Public Accounts Committee and the Media Committee that it is happy to attend further sessions following the publication of the Grant Thornton report into the matter.
A paedophile predator scout leader who sexually abused three teenage boys almost 30 years ago has been jailed for six years.

The 61-year-old man, who can't be named to protect the anonymity of the victims, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault on dates between 1991 and 2000 at the scouting den in Dublin and at a location in Waterford.

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The three victims were aged between 11 and 14 at the time. They were each members of a scouting troop, which the man was involved with as a well-respected leader.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the abuse included inappropriate touching, masturbation and oral sex. Two of the victims were told by the man that a girl liked them, and they were made to cover their heads before he abused them under the guise of the so-called girl.

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Imposing sentence on Friday, Judge Martin Nolan said the man's behaviour was very serious and very reprehensible.

He said the defendant had abused his position of trust and authority over the young boys who were impressionable and vulnerable. The judge noted that the man abused the trust of the boys, their families and the wider community.

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He imposed three-year sentences in relation to each count, but directed that two of these sentences should run consecutively, meaning the man was handed a global sentence of six years.

Applause

The victims and their families were present in court and there was some applause after Judge Nolan finished his remarks.

He said while the court understood their emotions in the moment, the applause was not appropriate as the courtroom was a place of objective justice.

Three victim impact statements were prepared, with two read aloud in court.

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Prosecuting counsel Fionnuala O'Sullivan BL read one of these statements. He outlined how the scout leader's actions sculpted how he deals with people and has destroyed his trust.

He said the man took his innocence and turned it against him. He said he buried everything to do with the abuse, and while he found the judicial process hard, it has provided some relief.

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He said the man destroyed his past and what he could have been. What he did affected by my whole life...[he] robbed us of our potential.

The third victim read his victim impact statement to the court. He said his family was involved in scouting and had full trust in the organisation and in the man who was a well-respected, trusted member of the community.

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He said he came to the attention of the paedophile predator at a time when he was vulnerable as his mother was seriously ill and later passed away. He said he has blocked out memories from this period due to the abuse.

He said he has struggled with his mental health, anxiety, depression and alcohol. He said he also had feelings of guilt as the man had access to other children, though he is relieved this is no longer the case.

He said he started to understand through counselling what happened to him, but he had to relive the traumatic experiences during the investigation and legal process.

He said he doesn't know if he will allow his children to join the scouts, as he and his partner are too scared to trust their children's safety to any person or organisation.

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Shane Costelloe SC, defending, told the court his client wished to express his remorse and apologise to the victims. He said the man is deeply ashamed of his actions.

Psychological report

A psychological report was handed to the court. Mr Costelloe said his client had issues with alcohol but has been abstinent since the 2000s. He has a long work history and was a carer for his mother, who passed away in recent days.

Defence counsel told the man was himself sexually abused by two priests and is aware that he has perpetuated the trauma of what was done to him as he knows exactly what he did to these men.

He asked the court to take into consideration his client's otherwise unblemished life and that he is assessed as at low risk of reoffending.

Judge Nolan said the victim impact statements were compelling and outlined how the victims had suffered by reason of the actions and abuse by the defendant.

He said he took into account the mitigating features including the guilty plea, the man's work history and his lack of relevant convictions.

Judge Nolan said there is also a small degree of mitigation as the man was himself the victim of sexual abuse, adding this gives him no excuse at all in relation to his own behaviour.

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.
UN judges in The Hague will rule on Friday whether to order Israel to suspend its military campaign in Gaza as officials push ahead with efforts to negotiate a new deal for a ceasefire and release of more Israeli hostages.

On the ground, the Israeli military said on Friday it was still engaged in "intensive battles in the heart of Khan Younis" the main city in the south of the enclave, with forces striking dozens of Hamas fighters and infrastructure from the air and ground. It said forces also fired at Hamas targets in northern Gaza and along the Gaza coastline.

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Gaza officials said on Thursday that Israeli strikes killed 20 Palestinians queuing for food aid in Gaza City, 11 people in central Gaza's Al-Nusseirat refugee camp and at least 50 people in the prior 24 hours in Khan Younis, where Israel is currently focusing the brunt of its might.

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Reuters could not independently verify the details, while Israel said it was either looking into the reports or did not immediately comment on the incidents.

The judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), also called the World Court, are due to rule on Friday on South Africa's request for emergency measures against Israel in a case accusing it of state-led genocide in the Gaza Strip.

In more than three months of war, Israel's campaign has leveled much of the enclave, displaced some 1.9 million Palestinians and killed at least 25,900 people, according to Gaza officials. Israel launched its offensive in October after militants from Hamas, which rules Gaza, stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages.

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The court will issue its ruling at 12pm Irish time in a hearing expected to last about an hour. While the judges will not rule on the merits of the genocide allegations, which may take years to decide, South Africa asked the court to issue an interim order compelling Israel to suspend its military operations.

Israel has called South Africa's allegations false and "grossly distorted," and said it makes the utmost efforts to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza.

The court's rulings are final and without appeal, but it has no way of enforcing them. Israel on Thursday expressed confidence that the ICJ would "throw out these spurious and specious charges." Hamas said it would abide by an ICJ ceasefire order if Israel reciprocates.

New truce deal

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Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to negotiate a break in the conflict continued. US and Israeli intelligence chiefs were due to meet Qatari prime minister and foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Europe this weekend, one official told Reuters. A second source said Egypt's intelligence chief would also participate.

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The White House has been trying to facilitate the release of the more than 100 remaining Israeli hostages taken during Hamas' October 7th attack on Israel, which ignited the war in Gaza, although there remains a considerable distance between the two sides' demands.

A third source with knowledge of the talks said that Israel has proposed a 60-day pause in the fighting during which hostages would be released in phases, beginning with civilian women and children.

Previously, three sources told Reuters that shuttle diplomacy over the past month involving the US, Qatar and Egypt has sought to hammer out a new deal for a ceasefire of about one month. But progress has been held up by differences between Hamas and Israel over how to bring a permanent end to the Gaza war.

Chinese officials have asked their Iranian counterparts to help rein in attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Houthis, or risk harming business relations with Beijing, four Iranian sources and a diplomat familiar with the matter said.

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The discussions about the attacks and trade between China and Iran took place at several recent meetings in Beijing and Tehran, the Iranian sources said, declining to provide details about when they took place or who attended.

Fleeing to Rafah

In Gaza on Thursday, tanks hit areas around two hospitals in Khan Younis, forcing displaced people into a new desperate scramble for safety, residents said.

Israel's military said early on Friday that its intelligence found that Hamas was operating from inside and around the two hospitals, Nasser and Al-Amal, in Khan Younis. Hamas and medical workers have denied Israeli claims that militants in Gaza use hospitals as cover for bases.

The Israeli military said it was coordinating with hospital staff to ensure they remain "operational and accessible" and there is a safe corridor for people to leave the hospitals.

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"The facts on the ground disprove the blatant misinformation that has been disseminated over the last 72 hours falsely claiming that the hospitals are under siege or attack," it said in a statement.

On Thursday, thousands of homeless people sheltering in Khan Younis sought to flee to Rafah, 15km away, the UN relief agency for Palestinians (Unrwa) said.

Video posted on X by Philippe Lazzarini, head of Unrwa, showed a crowd of people walking en masse on Thursday on a dirt road. "A sea of people forced to flee Khan Younis, ending up at the border with Egypt. A never ending search for safety that #Gaza is no longer able to give", Lazzarini wrote.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will continue to do what is necessary to defend itself, following a ruling from the top UN court that harshly criticised Israels war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The International Court of Justice stopped short on Friday of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case filed by South Africa.

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But it demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive.

After the ruling, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the fact that the court was willing to discuss the genocide charges was a mark of shame that will not be erased for generations, and he vowed to press ahead with the war.





READ HERE: the full text of the #ICJ Order indicating provisional measures in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (#SouthAfrica v. #Israel) https://t.co/hK7qZECsaO pic.twitter.com/1eOkfb4lhx Advertisement Advertisement  CIJ_ICJ (@CIJ_ICJ) January 26, 2024

Like every country, Israel has the basic right to defend itself. The court in the Hague rightfully rejected the outrageous request to take that away from us.

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We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our people, he said.

The case goes to the core of one of the worlds most intractable conflicts, and South Africa had asked the court to order Israel to halt its operation.

In the highly anticipated decision made by a panel of 17 judges, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decided not to throw out the case and ordered six so-called provisional measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza.

Many of the measures were approved by an overwhelming majority of the judges. An Israeli judge voted in favour of two of the six.

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The court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is unfolding in the region and is deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering, Joan E Donoghue, the courts president, said.

Fridays decision is only an interim one; it could take years for the full case brought by South Africa to be considered.

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Israel rejects the genocide accusation and had asked the court to throw the charges out.





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Israel's commitment to international law is unwavering. Equally unwavering is our sacred commitment to continue to defend our country and defend our people.



Like every country, Israel has an inherent right to defend itself.



The vile attempt to deny Israel this fundamental right pic.twitter.com/IvxwF6HHDV  Benjamin Netanyahu -   (@netanyahu) January 26, 2024

While the case winds its way through the court, South Africa had asked the judges as a matter of extreme urgency to impose provisional measures.

Top of the South African list was a request for the court to order Israel to immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza.

But the court declined to do that.

South Africa also asked for Israel to take reasonable measures to prevent genocide and allow access for desperately needed aid.

The court ruled that Israel must do all it can to prevent genocide, including refraining from killing Palestinians or causing harm to them.

It also ruled it urgently needs to get basic aid to people in Gaza and that Israel should prevent and punish any incitement to genocide, among other measures.

The court said Israel should submit a report on measures taken within a month.

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Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki welcomed the significant order.



Pro-Israel activists gather near the International Court of Justice in The Hague (Patrick Post/AP)

He said that the judges ruled in favour of humanity and international law.

The South African minister for international relations, Naledi Pandor, said outside the court that Israel cannot effectively implement the measures ordered without a ceasefire.

On Thursday, Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy had said that Israel expected the court to throw out the spurious and specious charges.

Israel often boycotts international tribunals and UN investigations, saying they are unfair and biased.

But this time, it took the rare step of sending a high-level legal team  a sign of how seriously it regards the case and likely the fear that any court order to halt operations would be a major blow to the countrys international standing.

Israel launched its massive air and ground assault on Gaza after Hamas militants stormed through Israeli communities on October 7 killing some 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and abducting another 250.

The offensive has decimated vast swathes of the territory and driven nearly 85% of its 2.3 million people from their homes.

More than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed, the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run enclave said on Friday.

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Pro-Palestinian activists react near the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands (Patrick Post/AP)

The ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its death toll, but has said about two-thirds of those killed were women and children.

The Israeli military claims at least 9,000 of those killed in the nearly four-month conflict are Hamas militants.

UN officials have expressed fears that even more people could die from disease, with at least one-quarter of the population facing starvation.

Provisional measures by the world court are legally binding, but it is not clear if Israel will comply with them.

How the US, Israels top ally, responds to any order will be key, since it wields veto power at the UN Security Council and thus could block measures there aimed at forcing Israels compliance.

The US has said Israel has the right to defend itself but has also spoken about the need for the country to protect civilians in Gaza and allow more aid in.

The genocide case strikes at the national identity of Israel, which was founded as a Jewish state after the Nazi slaughter of six million Jews during the Second World War.

South Africas own identity is key to it bringing the case.

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Its governing party, the African National Congress, 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 before ending in 1994.
Britain's King Charles has been admitted to hospital for treatment on his enlarged prostate, Buckingham Palace said.

Charles (75) was seen entering The London Clinic in London on Friday morning with his wife Camilla at his side.

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It is the same hospital where the Princess of Wales is recovering after undergoing successful abdominal surgery last week, and it is understood Charles has visited her.

Britain's King Charles during a visit to the Royal Courts of Justice in December. Photo: Hannah McKay/PA

The palace spokesman said: The King was this morning admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment.

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His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness.

Charles arrived back in London from Sandringham in Norfolk on Thursday afternoon ready for the procedure.

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He was diagnosed with the benign condition on January 17th while staying at Birkhall in Scotland, after going for a check-up because he was experiencing symptoms.

He is understood to have wanted to share the news to encourage other men to get themselves checked.

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The King, Queen and the royal family at church on Christmas Day (Joe Giddens/PA)

Charles, who only acceded to throne 16 months ago, cancelled engagements, and was urged to rest by his doctors ahead of the corrective procedure.

Camilla had previously said her husband is fine and looking forward to getting back to work.

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News of his diagnosis came on the same day that Kensington Palace announced the Princess of Wales was in hospital after undergoing major abdominal surgery.

Kate (42) remains in The London Clinic and is not expected to carry out official engagements until after Easter, with Prince William clearing his diary of official duties for the time being.

The Princess of Wales with the Prince of Wales during the South Korean state visit to the UK (Chris Jackson/PA)

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One in every three men over the age of 50 will have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, which include needing to visit the toilet more frequently, with more urgency, and difficulty emptying the bladder.

An enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), does not usually pose a serious threat to health, and it is not cancer.

But patients may need to have several tests for the condition to rule out the possibility they have another illness with similar symptoms, such as prostate cancer.

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Surgery is usually only recommended for moderate to severe symptoms that have not responded to medicine, doctors say.

Treatment can include a number of procedures, including removing part of the prostate gland with a laser, water ablation using the pressure of the water to destroy prostate tissue, or urethral lift implants, which hold the enlarged prostate away from the urethra so it is not blocked.

Other options include a prostate artery embolisation, during which tiny plastic particles are injected into blood vessels to shrink the prostate gland by reducing its blood supply.
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Eating outFish & chips The dwindling fish and chippers still serving local catches, and how youll soon be able to tell As well as the fish of the day, chalkboard menus at fish and chip shops will soon feature a new and crucial piece of information: where the fish was caught. Emma Breheny January 26, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

The chalkboard of your average fish and chip shop lists a range of fish, from flake to snapper to barramundi, but next year, a new and crucial piece of information will be on there: where the fish was caught. By adding a single letter next to each fish  A for Australian or I for international  consumers will for the first time be able to decide if they want Australian or imported fish in their paper-wrapped parcel. Artemis Anasta of Argo Fishop, a business that supports new labelling laws. Chris Hopkins Right now, its not a legal requirement for restaurants, fish and chip shops and other food service businesses to list where their fish comes from. In November, though, state and territory governments voted unanimously to implement country-of-origin labelling in hospitality, bringing it into line with retail standards and the Northern Territorys laws. The federal government says the laws will come into effect next year.

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Country-of-origin labelling is about transparency, says Veronica Papacosta, chief executive of Seafood Industry Australia. Its about consumers understanding what theyre buying so that they can make their own informed choice. Fish and chips in restaurants, pubs and takeaway shops will soon be labelled imported or Australian. Chris Hopkins Most fish and chip shops today serve a mix of Australian and imported catch, although once upon a time it was mainly locally caught. One reason for the change, Papacosta says, is that most seafood now goes through major cities, where most of the consumption happens. The prices that were paying since we opened [in late 2021] have doubled or sometimes tripled. Joe Farah, Scalable fish and chip shop Another reason is that prices for Aussie fish have gone up due to regulatory burden and increasing business costs, such as labour, transport and energy.

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The prices that were paying since we opened [in late 2021] have doubled or sometimes tripled, says Joe Farah of Scalable fish and chip shop in Essendon. The price difference means fish and chip shops have had to choose between being a cheap takeaway option or a place people seek out for serving local product. If consumers are choosing Australian seafood, they should understand that it is more expensive, says Papacosta, who adds that Australian catch is usually associated with higher quality. While many Australians like to buy local, the realities of what they can afford, especially for a perceived cheap meal such as fish and chips, often dictate their choice at the counter. Fish and chips at Scalable in Essendon come from Australia or New Zealand. Eugene Hyland

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Fish from the boats at your fishermens co-op might cost $30 with salad and chips, versus $13 for the cheapest option at a neighbourhood fish and chipper. I guess fish and chips, if youre having local stuff, isnt cheap any more, Farah says. Currently, about 65 per cent of the seafood we eat is imported. But country-of-origin labelling laws will not be a silver bullet that gets more Australians eating local battered blue grenadier. We will always need some level of imports to meet local consumption demand, Papacosta says. Local catch is always more expensive due to Australias higher costs of doing business. Justin McManus

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In Victoria, the most common fish used for fish and chips is flake, a misused catch-all name for shark, but the term should only be applied to gummy shark (the Australian species) or rig shark from New Zealand. Other fish typically consumed in Victoria include snapper, blue grenadier (known in New Zealand as hoki), and barramundi. But, unless you ask, youre unlikely to know whether the fish was caught in Australian waters  or whether youre paying more for a good reason. Melina Panagos of Argo Fishop in Clifton Hill welcomes the new labelling laws. Weve been in existence for 10 years, and weve always said where our fish is from. For us, it doesnt change anything. Hopefully, it means other people wont be able to sell overseas fish as Australian, she says. Argo Fishops display cabinet includes a range of Australian and New Zealand fish. Chris Hopkins

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Eating imported fish, which is commonly frozen, is a different experience to fresh fish, according to most industry insiders. Especially gummy, its a pretty lean fish, Farah says. Once you freeze it, it loses all its moisture once you thaw it back out. Its very dry. Even without the legislation, Argo and other fish and chippers are free to display where their fish is caught. But the change will even the playing field among businesses. Farah says the new labels will raise the bar for fish and chip shops to take pride in what theyre selling. If a consumer is happy to eat something from overseas because its $4 or $5 cheaper a fillet, its their choice. At least theyll know now why something is more expensive. It clarifies everything, he says.

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Where to find Australian fish and chips Scalable, Essendon You could go with Victorian or South Australian gummy in the fryer, or give Humpty Doo barramundi from the Northern Territory a go. Apparently, its growing in popularity among those who know its skin adds extra flavour to the batter when fried. Fish burgers and wraps are also a hot item here: the owner is also involved in burger shop 300 Grams. 1041 Mount Alexander Road, Essendon, scalable.fish. Note: closed until January 31

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Captain Gummys, Frankston The board at this bright-blue suburban shop could list rockling, barramundi, snapper and King George whiting, depending on the day. The namesake fish is nearly guaranteed to be there. Owner Arthur Ntontis says he buys 90 per cent Australian-caught fish. 145 Beach Street, Frankston, 03 9770 1414 Flake with chips and salad at Argo Fishop. Chris Hopkins Argo, Fitzroy North

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A cut above your average chipper, you can dine in here and order garlic prawns, spaghetti marinara or fish tacos. But for fish and chips, take your pick of Victorian blue grenadier, Gippsland flathead, South Australian shark and more. You can also buy fresh fish to take home. 318-320 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North, 03 9489 8714, argofishop.net Fish by Moonlite, Anglesea While the original owners have moved on, you can still get some of the freshest fish in the fluffiest batter here. Find rockling, flake and blue grenadier, plus one of the states most popular potato cakes. Shop 4, 87-89 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea, fishbymoonlite.com.au

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Off the Wharf Seafood Cafe at Lakes Entrance Fishermens Co-op You wont find fish and chips more local than this new addition to Lakes Entrance. The kitchen cooks gummy shark, local calamari rings and occasionally ling and orange roughy caught by its fleet, with gluten-free batter used. There are also fish and chip cafes at the Apollo Bay and San Remo co-ops. 51 Bullock Island Rd, Lakes Entrance, leftrade.com.au Where to find true-blue Australian fish and chips in Victoria (and why it matters)
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Eating outEating out The South Coast takeaway shop bringing back proper fish and chips (and five more for a top Aussie catch) Rosies is on mission to make fish and chips the great Australian meal it once was  complete with spuds fried in beef dripping. Callan Boys and Emma Breheny January 26, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

In sleepy seaside village Coledale, about 20 minutes drive north of Wollongong, a fish and chips renaissance is under way. Rosies Proper Fish & Chips opened two weeks ago, serving crisp-battered local snapper, crushed peas and  rare for an Australian takeaway shop  chips fried in beef fat like the ones found in northern England. Its the way many Sydney chippers, and even McDonalds, used to cook spuds too. The lunchtime queues have been relentless. We figured there would be some local interest to have a solid fish and chip shop opening in the area, but we certainly didnt expect to be selling out each day, says British-born chef Ben Sinfield, who owns Rosies with his partner Tania Ho. The store is named after their two-year-old daughter. Tania Ho and Ben Sinfield with their daughter Rosie at Rosies Proper Fish & Chips. Brook Mitchell

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Weve had a lot of British expats coming in, stoked they can eat chips cooked in beef dripping again, but Sydney chefs have been driving down to visit too, and some locals have been back two or three times. I had 600 kilograms of potatoes delivered on Monday, and Im worried they wont last until the end of the week. Advocates for beef-dripping chips say the flavour is far tastier than potatoes fried in vegetable oil, although Sinfield still offers that option. Using grass-fed beef tallow and Southern Highlands-grown potatoes, Rosies made-from-scratch fish and chips with tartare is $27  a fair bit more expensive than other takeaway shops. A big part of the cost also comes from Sinfields commitment to working with local fishers and avoiding more common imported fillets such as basa (a type of South-East Asian catfish) and New Zealand hoki. A mix of British expats and locals wait for their lunch order at Rosies. Brook Mitchell Hoki is perfectly fine and really good value, says the chef, but it also makes me think of fish fingers. I want to support local fishers as much as possible, and I want to offer fish that flakes away really nicely. Weve used snapper and gurnard, but I find the best local fish for batter is pink ling, caught on a longline just off the coast here.

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Im working with a local fisherman, and my goal is to start buying direct from him, so the fish doesnt have to go all the way up to the Sydney market first. Hes currently building a bigger boat, and when thats up and running I really hope to make him my sole fish provider. Sinfield notes that there have been a few grumbles from customers about the cost of his fish and chips, but If consumers are choosing Australian seafood, they should understand that it is more expensive, says Veronica Papacosta, chief executive of Seafood Industry Australia. She says Australian catch is usually associated with higher quality too. Vivian, Hildie and Floyd enjoy Rosies fish and chips at Coledale Beach. Brook Mitchell Fish and chips using imported fillets usually costs between $12 and $15 at most takeaway shops. Many chippers offer a choice of Australian and imported catch, although once upon a time it was almost all locally caught. One reason for the change, says Papacosta, is that most seafood now goes through major cities, where most of the consumption happens. The other is that prices for Australian fish have gone up due to regulatory burden and increasing business costs, such as labour, transport and energy. Currently, about 65 per cent of the seafood we eat is imported. We will always need some level of imports to meet local consumption demand, says Papacosta.

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More fish and chips shops may start to spotlight Australian catch over the next 12 months, however. In November, state and territory governments voted to implement country-of-origin labelling for seafood sold in restaurants and takeaway stores, bringing it into line with retail standards. The law, which will come into effect next year, requires hospitality businesses to clearly identify if seafood is either Australian, imported or mixed origin. Country-of-origin labelling is about transparency, says Papacosta. Its about consumers understanding what theyre buying, so they can make their own informed choice. Sinfield says he just wants to see fish and chips return to the great centre-of-the-table (or picnic blanket) meal it once was. Its such a much-loved dish all over Australia, and its a shame that over the years people have become conditioned to frozen chips and cheap fish. Battered Murray cod and chips from Charcoal Fish, Rose Bay. Rob Palmer Five more fish-and-chippers for Australian catch

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Blue Marlin, Sutherland Squeezed between a kebab shop and hairdresser near Sutherland Station, Blue Marlins offer fresh seafood to cook at home, plus a cracking fish and chips. Usual beer-battered suspects include Lakes Entrance flathead, Queensland red emperor, and local snapper and dory. The milk bar-style burgers are the real deal, too  asking for beetroot and pineapple will not offend. Charcoal Fish, Rose Bay When Josh and Julie Niland opened their ambitious take on a charcoal chicken shop (but with fish), hunky fillets of Murray cod starred in their supernaturally crisp batter. Theres still plenty of barbecued cod to take to the beach and eat with a cucumber and kimchi salad, but these days the fish and chips offering may also showcase Bermagui-caught pink ling or Corner Inlet rock flathead. Dont sleep on the salt-and-vinegar potato scallops either. Doyles on the Wharf, Watsons Bay

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After almost 140 years in the business, Doyles is still giving Watsons Bay day trippers what they want. That is, a water view, fish and bronzed spuds. Barramundi, flathead and whiting are all fish and chips options at the institutions takeaway outpost, served with Alice Doyles signature plum and chilli sauce for $26.90. Chips and battered snapper will set you back $52.90 at the nearby original restaurant if youre feeling flush. Lifeboat Seafood, Brooklyn Now this is living. Fish and chips on the Hawkesbury, with cold beer, live music, and local school prawns and oysters. A line-up of fresh choices for the Lifeboat fryer often includes ocean perch, whiting, mullet, barramundi, dory, luderick, sea bream and mulloway. Peters Fish Market, Pyrmont An anchor for Sydney Fish Market since 1944, Peters retail arm provides everything from caviar to pipis to live lobster and mud crab. The stalwart also runs a takeaway kitchen, and its eternally tempting to ask for a fresh fish of your choice to be battered, fried and fashioned into lunch.
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 A national anti-racism committee, regional advisory councils to ensure communities are heard and fast-tracking younger people into leadership positions are among the most pressing priorities for key Indigenous leaders after the bruising referendum rejection of the Voice to parliament. Many Voice proponents have felt anguish and grief since October, when 60 per cent of voters rejected the aspirations of most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to amend the Constitution to recognise Indigenous peoples and create a body to advise the government on policies that affect them. But now, senior Aboriginal political leaders have provided this masthead with their personal views and insights on what the Albanese government needs to prioritise in 2024 and beyond. Professor Marcia Langton advocates a place-based approach, such as the use of regional advisory bodies. Credit: Tim Bauer Many share the view that Aboriginal community voices need to be heard in policy and program development and service delivery  consistent with the federal governments indications after the referendum that it would consider establishing interim listening bodies to provide advice directly to the prime minister. The need for a renewed emphasis on meeting the targets of the Closing the Gap strategy  aims to reduce inequalities in health, education, and poverty in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities  was also urgent and clear. Professor Tom Calma and Professor Marcia Langton co-authored the final report for a co-designed Voice, commissioned by the Morrison Coalition government, before their appointments as co-chairs of the Albanese governments senior advisory group on an Indigenous Voice.

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They share a view that regional Voice bodies need to be established to provide governments with crucial place-based responses and practical knowledge when developing policy. Langton said the National Indigenous Australians Agency  a government body set up to ensure First Nations people are heard, recognised and empowered  could implement regional Voice advisory bodies without the need for legislation. They could also be legislated at the state level, she said. Tom Calma says the federal government should implement the recommendations of relevant royal commissions. Credit: Rohan Thomson We need a place-based approach regarding policy input and program delivery because of the diversity of our communities, Langton said this week. Without regional bodies having an input into the policies that affect their lives, roughly one-third of the Indigenous population are never going to close the gap in their lifetime. They are so far behind in terms of disadvantage, they are in such dire straits, living in extreme poverty in under-serviced communities.

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Langton said it was imperative that federal and state governments shared access to critical data regarding Indigenous communities at the regional level to better inform policy frameworks. Western Australian Greens Senator Dorinda Cox, the partys spokeswoman on First Nations policy, said more funding was required for the Aboriginal community-controlled organisations sector, particularly healthcare. Federal and state governments needed to start building capacity in these organisations at the local and regional level, Cox said. Western Australian Greens Senator Dorinda Cox believes greater funding for community organisations is needed. Credit: James Brickwood There needs to be stability in their funding contracts, which builds stability in their staffing around employment, she said. Former Coalition minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt, who quit the Liberal Party over its decision under the leadership of Peter Dutton to campaign against an Indigenous Voice, backed regional advisory bodies to government but said more community voices were needed across all Aboriginal organisations. Organisations talk about being community-controlled, but they are, in fact, controlled by their financial members, not the total community they serve, he said.

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Go and spend a day or a week in community, sitting and speaking with the people. Not with the organisations, but with the people. I would rather see governments sit with communities and identify their needs and work on the priorities. Because nobody in government really spends time with communities to look at what the gaps are. Former Coalition Indigenous Australians minister Ken Wyatt says the best insights come from interacting with communities directly. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos Constitutional law expert Professor Megan Davis, who coordinated the national dialogues that led to the delivery of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017 that called for the Voice, supported Wyatts comments. She said the issues the Voice was seeking to address had not gone away with the referendum. Governments and bureaucrats have to find a way to speak to Aboriginal men and women residing in communities and not via existing organisations, she said. This is not because Indigenous organisations dont play an important role, it is that they are contracted to deliver important services and programs. 

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Beyond regional representative bodies, Calma said he expected the Albanese government would proceed with a truth-telling and agreement-making process via a Makarrata Commission. Loading Originating with the Yolgnu people of Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory, the concept of Makarrata means two parties coming together after a struggle and seeking to make things right. The government committed $5.8 million to setting up a Makarrata Commission as part of its first federal budget in 2022. The PM said he was going to prosecute the Uluru Statement in full. The second and third tranches of that, in truth-telling and agreement-making, are going ahead, Calma said this week. Calma also urged the federal government to implement the recommendations of relevant royal commissions, specifically those related to women and childrens safety, the removal of Indigenous children from their families and cultures and Aboriginal deaths in custody. He also said it must bolster the Australian Human Rights Commissions national campaign, Racism. It Stops With Me. Investment in the anti-racism program would take it into schools, workplaces and the healthcare sector, which Calma said was critical after racism, discrimination and hate speech mushroomed during the referendum campaign.

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Australia Day was a generally reserved and reflective occasion in Sydney, as locals marked the increasingly contested national day in a variety of ways.

As the sun rose over Sydney Harbour, portraits of Indigenous trailblazers Nanbarry, Barangaroo, Pemulwuy and Patyegarang were projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House.

The Sydney Opera House sails honouring the nations traditional custodians by Brett Leavy on Australia Day. Credit: Kate Geraghty

Shortly after, further along the harbour edge at Barangaroo Reserve, hundreds gathered around a traditional smoking ceremony, seen as cleaning away the old to celebrate new beginnings.

Kamilaroi man and media personality Matty Mills, who opened the WugulOra Morning Ceremony, said those four leaders featured on the Opera House that morning were freedom fighters, warriors, peacemakers and custodians of culture in a time of upheaval.
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 Darren OBrien receives a phone call. Its January 31, 2017. He rushes to his sisters Gold Coast home. He picks up her children  his niece and nephews  aged eight, 12, 15, and 17. Returning home, he quickly pulls his partner Narelle aside and sits the four children down in the lounge room. Then I told them what their father had done to their mother, Darren recalls. Teresa was always kind, caring, her family say, seven years after her death. Then I had to tell them their father had taken his own life.

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Teresa Bradford, Darrens sister, was 40 when she was killed inside her Pimpama home. Her husband of more than 16 years, until they split the year before, had a history of domestic violence. The night before she died, Teresa had called a friend in Melbourne. She was fearful, having heard something outside. We spoke for about an hour and I felt really bad for a long time, for years afterward, because we just said its probably nothing, but if youre worried you should call the police and get them to do a patrol, close friend Anna* remembers. I dont know if she ever did. Teresa Bradford and David Bradfords relationship worsened after David had several strokes. Credit: Nine News

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The following morning, as news flashed across morning television bulletins, Anna knew something had happened to Teresa. This month marks seven years since her murder. When they see it on the television, people go aw, poor thing. They dont see those dominoes falling in 10 million different directions. Darren OBrien Family and friends say Teresa begged for years for mental health support for her husband David, after he had three strokes. They say shed called police, domestic violence services, and refuges. Narelle OBrien was trying to help her sister-in-law in the months before the murder-suicide. Narelle and Darren still turn on the news, only to see more women killed by their partners. Narelle regularly receives messages from domestic violence victims.

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The scourge is not limited to Queensland, but the family say governments could take small steps to prevent tragedies. Weeks before he killed her, David had been released on bail after punching and choking Teresa, causing her to black out and lose control of her bodily functions. Narelle says more should be done to help domestic violence victims and their families. After that attack, shed told her friends how terrified she was. I can still remember the conversation, Anna says. At the time I was completely perplexed as to how someone who was on remand, being held in custody  his bail had been refused on some pretty serious charges ... and how the victim, Tera, had not been informed that he had a bail application.

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Everything Tera found out was after the fact. She didnt find out he had been released until he was sitting in a Brisbane motel room. Darren and Narelle say police should inform victims when their attackers are released. But at the time of the assault, they say officers were dismissive of Teresas situation, and shamed her. All they cared about when the police came that day was how dirty the house was. Narelle OBrien They didnt care about how she was soiled because she obviously passed out from him strangling her. And she couldnt go for a shower or anything because when she was able to get away, she was outside, locked in her car, talking to me on the phone. And getting the police [to come] out. Loading Deputy State Coroner Jane Bentley, who released her findings in 2021 in what the family says was a lengthy delay, reported Teresa had poor responses when she sought help. The support provided by services was insufficient to protect her from [David] as was the Domestic Violence Protection Order which was in force, she wrote.

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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 Neighbours in Melbournes inner-suburbs, anxious after a series of reported home invasions in their area, have begun investing in increasing home-surveillance devices to prevent and deter would-be burglars. On Friday morning, about 20 people pottered around the nature strip outside Sally Davis home, gathered around a white plastic foldout table displaying the Argus 3 Pro, a solar-powered domestic-style CCTV camera which retails for $219.99. Its an unusual way to spend the first day of a long weekend, but after a few burglaries and close calls on their Malvern East street, residents are edgy. Despite home invasion rates across the state being lower overall than 10 years ago, targeted attacks on affluent areas have left residents troubled. Theres a terrible unease of everyone living around here, local, Rich, says. Credit: Penny Stephens The sad reality is residents must become more vigilant and take steps to protect themselves, Davis says. I hear so many stories of people who are genuinely frightened in their own homes. This footpath security conference hosted by Davis, a bubbly but strident former Stonnington councillor, is about protection and deterrence. Last November there was a burglary just down the road that saw the residents band together in a WhatsApp group.

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Brad said his home was hit in a narrow 20-minute window when his wife left to drive the kids to school. It made him think people were watching and waiting for the right moment. The biggest thing its a deterrent, says Brad, flicking through a series of cameras sending live vision of his home straight to his phone. We think theyre just walking down the streets, trying to open cars or find an open front door. He says that police told him to leave his keys near the front door so, if it happens again, intruders wont enter a bedroom looking for them. The incident made his kids reluctant to be home alone. My wifes been terrified  she doesnt sleep, says Rich, another neighbour. He is considering upgrading security after, in August, he confronted an attempted intruder at 4am outside his home, who claimed they were looking for their dog. Stonnington is in the top five local government areas for aggravated burglaries per capita in the Melbourne metropolitan area for the year to September 2023. After dipping during lockdowns, the rate has trended back up. Crime statistics analysed by The Age support the suspicion of residents that thieves are targeting areas with higher income households.

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Bayside had the most reported incidents per capita, at 177 per 100,000, followed by Boroondara at 165.3, Greater Dandenong at 150.9, Stonnington at 149.2, and Monash with 128.8. The councils of Manningham, Yarra, Kingston, Casey and Darebin rounded out the top ten. Community concern has been compounded after two teens were charged with the murder of 33-year-old doctor Ash Gordon in Doncaster. Gordon was stabbed after allegedly chasing the pair from his home, in the council area of Manningham. Liberal MP Georgie Crozier, too, fell victim to an attempted home invasion this week. Sally Davis, in green, outside her home in Malvern East on Friday morning. Credit: Penny Stephens She was asleep in her townhouse in Stonnington on Wednesday night when she was woken by a thud and an alert on her phone from her home security system. The shadow health minister was horrified to see a man had fallen from her roof and was trying to break in. It was terrifying, Crozier told The Age. She yelled out to the man that she had him on CCTV and was calling the police. Unperturbed, the thief began kicking in the front door. Police arrived quickly, but the intruder fled.

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If he had got in, you just dont know what would have happened, Crozier said, when he tried to kick the door in, I realised that he wasnt worried about me being home, he was angry. Crozier said some of her neighbours are now contemplating leaving the area. Its a different place to what it was a few years ago. It is so prevalent, it is ridiculous, she said. In June last year the Crime Statistics Agency found that residential burglaries committed by 10-to-14-year-olds increased by almost 87 per cent in the 12 months to March despite overall youth offending being down by almost half over the past decade. That contradiction forced Victoria Police deputy commissioner of regional operations Rick Nugent to suggest social media played a role in the offending, and that young offenders dont want a confrontation, just the car keys. Its this social media component to it as well. Ive seen some of the footage. Its quite disturbing, he said at the time. The shift (in aggravated burglaries) weve seen is to get access to top-end cars  they dont want a confrontation, they want to sneak in, get the keys and take the car.

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Davis tells her assembled group about an incident where a young person approached her front door also saying they had lost their dog. When pressed about where they lived, they couldnt name a local street. Im banging on his car window and saying: What the hell are you doing? Who are you? What are you doing up in our driveway?  Im running after him like a fish wife, she says. Confrontations are the exception, though, says Neighbourhood Watch Victoria chief executive Bambi Gordon. Home invasions, or aggravated burglaries are relatively uncommon, but they are on the increase and are obviously a real concern for Victorians, she said. Gordon estimates that in 98 per cent of cases the resident has no contact with the person entering their home. Kieran Davies, the head of RACV Trades, which fits home security systems, says consumer inquiries show that people are particularly anxious about break-ins while they are at home.

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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 The first time their paths crossed, Alice Hubbers and Sonja Cowan were teenage girls sent away from home by their parents to save their lives. Both had escaped the Nazi regime via Kindertransport  a rescue program that ran between 1938 and 1940, saving 10,000 mostly Jewish children from Germany, Austria and the former Czechoslovakia by rushing them to Britain. Alice (nee Engel), who is almost 99, fled Vienna in December 1938 shortly after the terrifying and deadly wave of antisemitic violence known as Kristallnacht swept Germany and Austria. The following August, Sonja left her Berlin home on another evacuation from Germany. Alice Hubbers and Sonja Cowan reunited after more than 80 years. Credit: Paul Jeffers By 1940 the pair were among 160 Jewish refugees who lived at the Whittingehame Farm School  a former mansion in Scotland where children trained in agriculture, hoping to migrate to then Palestine. Fast-forward to 2024 and neither imagined they would ever meet again with a fellow Holocaust survivor from Whittingehame. But fate had other plans. Last year I wrote about my grandmother Sonjas 100th birthday and her escape from Berlin as a 16-year-old girl. A few days later I received an email from Alices daughter, Caroline Lewis, who lives in Sydney. She had read my story and claimed Alice remembered Sonja from their time in Whittingehame together.

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Caroline reported that Alice still lived independently in London and was planning a three-month trip to Sydney, which had become an annual ritual. Alice Hubbers as a teenager at the Whittingehame Farm School. If theres any chance of us being in touch that would be amazing! Caroline wrote. I rang Sonja and, incredibly, she did remember Alice among the many children at Whittingehame. So, earlier this month Alice flew to Melbourne to reunite with Sonja for the first time in more than 80 years. Sonja was surrounded by family in her youngest daughters home when Alice arrived, and we held back tears as they slowly walked to each other and embraced. We never thought wed meet each other again, Sonja said. We are old people now, and we were so young.

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Alice described the moment as almost unreal. I mean, its almost more than a lifetime, she said. A pamphlet for the Whittingehame Farm School with Sonja Cowan on the cover. Credit: Paul Jeffers The pair gossiped and chatted. They pored over old photos and quizzed each other about the fate of other children from Whittingehame. Both had fond memories of the farm school even though they were so far from home. There were Friday night Sabbath meals, singing, Hebrew and English lessons. They reminisced about the rhododendrons and other flowers that surrounded the historic building. There was this huge fir tree, Alice remembered. And we used to go in there and hide. Both girls spent time working in the laundry. There used to be these big long strings and the washing was icy cold. Frozen, Sonja said.

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They remembered some daring boys and girls sneaking into each others room by scaling the perilous heights of the outside walls. They used to walk on the outside ledge from one room to the other, Alice said. I mean, this is madness, on the second floor. Alice remembered well the horrors of Kristallnacht when mobs attacked Jews in their homes, businesses and on the streets. At the time, Alice was in her Vienna apartment with her mother when a group of Nazis stormed in, one of them seizing her money box and prizing it open. I was heartbroken. It was all the savings that I had, Alice said. He gave me a slap on my face. Oh, but I was not going to cry. I was not going to give him that satisfaction. It was not until 1947 that Alice was reunited with her parents. Sonja, however, never again saw her single mother Toni Ibermann or older sister Lotte who were murdered among the six million Jewish Holocaust victims. After World War II, Alice settled in London, married and had three children. Sonja had three daughters in Glasgow before the family moved to Australia in 1962.

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Australia will move to tighten its security ties with Nauru and help it tackle a looming crisis with its banking system in a high-stakes visit to the island nation after it switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.

Minister for the Pacific Pat Conroy will arrive in Nauru on Tuesday on a mission to help the country deal with the closure of its only bank and discuss more defence co-operation at a time of growing Chinese influence across the region.

Pacific Minister Pat Conroy has sent a strong signal that he will discuss a stronger security agreement with Nauru following its diplomatic switch. Credit: James Brickwood

In a diplomatic push on another front, Conroy will also visit Timor-Leste to finalise a new police agreement and assure it of Australian support for the development of the Greater Sunrise gasfield in the Timor Sea, a vital project in its plans for economic self-reliance.

The visits come as Australian officials monitor the outcome of an election in Tuvalu on Friday that could install new leaders and renew debate on whether the country switches its recognition from Taiwan to China.
The Kids with Cancer Foundation was established in 1998 by founder, chairman and executive director Peter Bodman. Its website says it has helped more than 2750 families and provided hospitals with $27 million, funding 186 clinical positions. But this figure is not even half of the $55.8 million the foundation has made through various charitable revenue streams in the last nine years. While it may be expected that a portion of donations will go towards operational costs, this figure falls short of expectations set by the foundations claim on its website that all donations go towards supporting children with cancer and their families. 100% of all donations go towards supporting children with cancer and their families, the KwCF impact statement says. Only 23 per cent of the foundations income from donations since 2015 has been directed towards payments to families or payments to hospitals. In 2021, the charitys financial report stated donations to hospitals and direct assistance to children and their families represented only 9 per cent of the foundations outlays.

Kids with Cancer Foundation 2021 expenses as stated in the charitys financial report. Credit: Kids with Cancer Foundation But analysis undertaken by this masthead reveals the figure was even less: only 5.8 per cent of revenue from donations was spent on the foundations charitable mission in 2021. It was the worst year on record, less than half the 13.9 per cent recorded in 2017. The foundations chief executive Todd Prees said all funds went towards the charitable purpose of the foundation, and said low direct payments to families and hospitals in particular years were not in context and dont reflect our program and service delivery impact. How such funds are spent or disbursed in any particular year varies depending on the strategic and operational needs of the Foundation and those that it supports, he said. We have maintained our promise for 26 years that all direct donations, fundraising, and bequests are used for our charitable purpose. Our charity operating costs are funded via our lottery program which has strict profitability and oversight conditions based on state lottery laws.

However, Prees said the foundation had adopted a conservative stance during COVID due to the high uncertainty and the inability to deliver some our programs and services. Kids with Cancer Foundation founder Peter Bodman (centre) and representatives of the hospital. Prees did not respond to questions asking how the figures had been taken out of context. The organisations 2023 annual report also details how Key Management Personnel  the senior decision makers in the charity  were paid $731,292 over the preceding two years. It is more than the $665,036 in direct payments to support families during the same period. Bodmans wife, Vittoria, sits on the board of directors. The foundations website says she was employed as the office manager for 22 years, as well as serving as secretary to the board.

Prees declined to disclose how much Peter Bodman had been paid throughout his tenure as chairman, his own yearly salary, or the aggregate executives had been paid since 2015. Board members were not remunerated for their service, he said. The pledge to pass on 100% of donations on the foundations homepage was removed during the week. On Monday, the foundation announced Peter Bodman would retire as executive director after 26 years. Prees said Bodman had officially ceased his employment in December last year, but would continue to serve as chair and director in a voluntary capacity. Bodman was contacted for comment. The charitys latest financial report, released on January 16, shows payments to families and hospitals were almost double the preceding year, reaching $2.7 million, or 38 per cent of donation income.

The charity holds $10.9 million in current assets: $5 million in cash and cash equivalent; and $5.3 million in term deposits. The 2023 financial statement which showed a near doubling in direct payments to hospitals and families came three months after this masthead revealed the Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA), a not-for-profit charitable organisation supposed to support the states volunteer firefighters, spent $12 million of $69 million raised directly on RFS members. Loading More than half of the RFSAs gross revenue was spent on commercial telemarketer 4Mile. KwCFs charitable revenue comes from various sources: $27.6 million from art union sales (agents who sell raffle tickets as a means of collecting donations); $6.8 million from donations; $7.3 million from raffles; and about $7.2 million from other fundraising, events and bequests.

KwCF says it is not associated with third-party donor collection organisations such as Appco  the marketing firm that was exposed in 2017 for forcing staff to engage in disturbing hazing rituals if they missed their sales targets. However, the charity uses commercial telemarketer 4Mile as a means of soliciting donations. As previously revealed by this masthead, 4Mile  which takes about 60 per cent of money raised through its call centres  has faced allegations from staff it encouraged staff to exploit customers, particularly the elderly. A host of reviews left by former staff on Google and Glassdoor, a website where employees can review their employer, accuse 4Mile of engaging in unethical sales tactics. One former sales representative said: Legitimately, the worst place Ive worked. Exploiting the elderly for $20 is not charity work and for a good cause. I lasted a week and said never again. Just cowboys. In October, 4Mile chief executive Peter Thomson denied the allegations that the company engaged in predatory sales practices. Prees said the claim that the charity didnt use third-party donor collection organisations on the website had remained in error and would be corrected. The adverse news in relation to 4Mile had been noted, and the foundation continued to exercise due diligence over the commercial telemarketer, he said.

The Kids with Cancer Foundation was established by Bodman after he began work at an art union kiosk in the Oasis Shopping Centre in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast, according to a profile of the KwCF on the Sydney Childrens Hospital Foundation (SCHF) website. Bodman was broke and unemployed when he migrated north, but his move into charitable sales proved a boon and he found a talent for art union sales. I may have started out life as a shy redhead, but I reinvented myself and found I had a gift for the gab, he told the SCHF in 2022. After losing his parents and sister to cancer, Bodman started the KwCF, temporarily living out of a caravan in Rouse Hill as he waited for a fundraising permit and an art union permit. Applying the sales strategies he learnt  success was swift in those early times the profile recounted  he provided three hospitals with a $150,000 donation each within 12 months of the foundations establishment.
New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron has toured historic sites in western India with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the way to being Modis chief guest at the countrys national day celebrations.

Modi greeted Macron at an 18th-century observatory in Jaipur and the two stood in an open jeep as they were driven for about 1.5 kilometres. Macron waved at the crowds lining the streets that welcomed the leaders with a showering of rose and marigold petals.

Large cutouts of their images with the inscription India-France Friendship dotted the route. Macron also visited a 17th-century fort in the city that is a popular tourist destination.

Folk dancers from Sahariya tribe pose for a photograph before a road show by French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on Thursday. Credit: AP

His presence not only strengthens the ties between our nations but also adds a significant chapter to our shared history of friendship and collaboration, Modi said on the X social media platform.
Gaza: An Israeli strike on Gaza City killed 20 Palestinians and wounded 150 who were queuing for food aid, Gazas Hamas-run Health Ministry said, in what Palestinian groups called a war crime.

The Israeli military said it was looking into the report.

Israeli soldiers take up positions near the Gaza Strip border, in southern Israel last month. Credit: AP

To the south of the enclave Israeli tanks battered areas around two hospitals in Gazas main southern city Khan Younis, forcing displaced people into a new desperate scramble for safety, residents said.

Meanwhile in the north a World Health Organisation official described the food situation as absolutely horrific and humanitarian workers said rare deliveries of aid were mobbed by desperate people who were visibly starving with sunken eyes.
Interview: China's human rights accomplishments significant, says human rights expert

Xinhua) 11:18, January 26, 2024

GENEVA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China has made significant progress in eradicating absolute poverty, and has developed its own approach to human rights advancement, a consultant from the International Association for Human Rights and Social Development (AIDHDES) said this week.

Criticism and hostile actions from western nations only demonstrate their inconsistent stance on human rights matters, David Lopez told Xinhua in an interview.

China took part in the fourth round of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) conducted by the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council on Tuesday in Geneva, Switzerland. Following the review, Lopez commended China's advancements in the field of human rights.

"I visited China for the first time in April 2023, and I was in Beijing, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Yiwu, Shenyang. I was really impressed by the development of the country." Lopez said.

China's significant endeavors and successful outcomes in eliminating extreme poverty are a clear demonstration of the country's current human rights accomplishments, he said.

Lopez also acknowledged that certain countries have deficiencies in the realm of human rights. "There are problems on the borders with Mexico and the United States. There are problems in New York, there are problems in Paris." However, it is paradoxical that western nations have engaged in numerous hostile attacks and demonization tactics when dealing with China, he noted.

"In the western countries, unfortunately, people don't take the time to understand the culture and the trajectory of a country like China," he said.

China has been unjustly targeted by fabricated human rights allegations originating from western sources, he said, adding that "it's not China that has more than 5,000 military bases around the world."

Lopez asserted that the United States employs military and economic methods to intervene in other nations, while simultaneously undermining China's credibility in the realm of human rights. This is a clear instance of double standards, he said, referring to the ongoing situations in Afghanistan and Libya.

Regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Lopez said that the United States has contributed to the worsening of human rights conditions in Gaza, particularly in relation to displaced children.

"The United States promoted that. They (said) Israel has the right to defend itself, so it can use aggressive activity to kill and to promote this genocide in Palestine," he said.

However, western media appears apathetic towards these events, he told Xinhua.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue to be referred to as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex despite quitting royal life in 2020. (Photo: Henry Nicholls/File Photo/REUTERS)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle found themselves at the center of a diplomatic storm following their recent appearance at the "Bob Marley: One Love" film premiere in Jamaica. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have increasingly charted a path divergent from traditional royal engagements, were criticized for their decision to pose alongside Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte, both known for their anti-monarchist stance.

The timing of the Sussexes' engagement has drawn sharp criticism from royal commentators, given the current political climate in Jamaica and the broader Commonwealth realm. Prime Minister Holness has been vocal about his intentions to follow Barbados in transitioning Jamaica into a republic, a sentiment echoed by Forte, who has advocated for Jamaica's future to be firmly "in Jamaican hands."

Phil Dampier, a seasoned royal commentator, did not mince words in his critique, labeling the couple's actions as "insensitive." Speaking to the Daily Mail, Dampier highlighted the delicate timing of the visit, juxtaposed against internal discussions within Jamaica regarding its constitutional relationship with the British monarchy. He remarked, "It seems that Harry and Meghan will turn up at the opening of an envelope these days," further noting the lack of public support shown by the Sussexes towards King Charles III and the Princess of Wales during this pivotal period.

The backdrop to this unfolding drama includes a scheduled referendum in Jamaica, where citizens will decide on maintaining or severing ties with the monarchy. Dampier's reflections on the historical context, particularly the transition of Barbados to a republic without a public referendum, underscore the nuanced and often fraught relationship between the Commonwealth nations and the British Crown.

The Sussexes' engagement in Jamaica has reignited debates around their position within the broader Royal Family and their engagements with Commonwealth countries. Richard Fitzwilliams, another royal expert, echoed Dampier's sentiments, suggesting that the couple's appearance sends a distinct message at a time when their relationship with the Royal Family remains strained. Fitzwilliams pointed out the Sussexes' unique appeal within the Commonwealth during their tenure as senior working members of the Royal Family, contrasting their current actions with their previous roles.

The visit to Jamaica is particularly notable when compared to the reception of Prince William and Kate Middleton in March 2022, which was marked by protests and calls for reparations linked to the British monarchy's historical involvement in the slave trade. Prime Minister Holness's interactions with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as reported by royal author Omid Scobie, further highlight the shifting dynamics between the Royal Family and Commonwealth nations eager to reevaluate their constitutional ties.

As the debate continues, the Sussexes' appearance at the film premiere in Jamaica serves as a focal point for broader discussions about the future of the Commonwealth, the role of the British monarchy, and the evolving public personas of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the interim Budget for financial year 2024-25 on February 1. This will be Sitharamans sixth consecutive Budget.



She presented her first full Budget in July 2019 after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) returned to power for a second term.

The Budget will also be the last major economic document before the general elections. A vote-on-account or interim Budget, once approved by Parliament, will authorise the government to withdraw money from the Consolidated Fund of India on a pro-rata basis. It will help meet the expenditure until a new elected government presents the full Budget, usually in July.

Sitharaman is backed by a strong team of bureaucrats and economists, who will chart the future strategy in the upcoming Budget. A look at the Budget team for 2023-24:

Nirmala Sitharaman

Sitharaman will be the second finance minister in the history of India to present a sixth consecutive Budget.

She will surpass her predecessors like Manmohan Singh, Arun Jaitley, P Chidambaram, and Yashwant Sinha, who had presented five Budgets in a row. Former Prime Minister Morarji Desai is the only other minister to hold this record.

For the interim Budget, Sitharaman has ruled out any spectacular announcements before the Lok Sabha elections. Her precedent doesnt prevent her from announcing pre-election sops, though.

Sitharaman on Thursday said that the government policy would focus on youth, women, farmers and the poor, raising expectations of some key announcements for these priority groups.

Sitharaman will aim to achieve the fiscal deficit target of 5.9 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) for FY24.

She is expected to stick to the glide path of reducing the fiscal deficit to 4.5 per cent of GDP by FY26.

Ahead of the interim Budget, the Centres fiscal deficit for the first eight months of the current financial year remained at a comfortable 50.7 per cent of the full-year target of Rs 17.87 trillion.

Sitharaman, who studied economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University, has held the commerce and defence portfolios in Narendra Modis first tenure as Prime Minister.

Indo-Pakistan skirmishes of 2019 including the Balakot airstrike took place during her time as defence minister.







ALSO READ: Sitharaman to equal record of ex-PM Desai by presenting 6 Budgets in a row

Sitharaman is a Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka.ALSO READ:

T V Somanathan

As the senior-most secretary among the five in the ministry of finance, Somanathan holds the charge of the finance secretary.

He is the secretary in the expenditure department.

A 1987 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, Somanathan worked in the Prime Ministers Office from April 2015 to August 2017 and is known to be close to Modi.





A PhD in economics, the finance secretary has published more than 80 papers and articles on economics. He has also authored two books.

Between 2015 and 2017, Somanathan served as joint secretary in the ministry of corporate affairs and also worked as Director at the World Bank, Washington DC, on deputation.

Ajay Seth

A 1987 batch IAS officer from the Karnataka cadre, Seth is the secretary of the department of economic affairs in the ministry of finance.

Seth had been in the news last year due to his role as the officer in-charge of the finance track of the Group of 20 (G20) under Indias Presidency.

Seth also headed initiatives such as Indias first sovereign green bond issuance and creation of the infrastructure finance secretariat.

Tuhin Kanta Pandey

Secretary in the department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), Tuhin Kanta Pandey is known for leading the efforts towards the privatisation of Air India and the initial public offering of Life Insurance Corporation of India. Pandey is a 1987 batch officer from the Odisha cadre.

For the fifth year in a row, the government is staring at missing the disinvestment target.

FY24 will probably have the lowest collection in disinvestment in a decade.







ALSO READ: Interim Budget: Govt policies to focus on four priority groups, says FM

Some experts say that it may be prudent to set a moderate target of sub-Rs 50,000 crore for FY25, instead of a higher aim that may disrupt the Budget math.ALSO READ:

Sanjay Malhotra

Malhotra, a 1990 batch officer from the Rajasthan cadre, is currently serving as revenue secretary prior to which he headed the Department of Financial Services.





A key player in the Budget exercise, Malhotra has to ensure that the tax revenue growth is maintained to keep the government on the fiscal consolidation path.

Malhotra is one of the key persons who drafts the Part B of Sitharamans Budget speech.

Vivek Joshi

Vivek Joshi is one of the newest in the group of FMs top advisors on Budget. He joined the finance ministry in November 2022 as secretary of the Department of Financial Services.

A 1989 batch officer from the Haryana cadre, Joshi holds a doctorate in international economics from the University of Geneva.

Before being appointed financial services secretary, Joshi was the registrar general and the census commissioner of India.

Some of the key financial sectors including banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, and the National Pension System would be under Joshis ambit. He will provide important inputs in the upcoming Budget.

V Anantha Nageswaran

A writer, author and teacher, V Anantha Nageswaran is the chief economic advisor to the Government of India. He is one of the closest advisors of Sitharaman on issues related to the economy. This includes global developments and their impact on the Indian economy.

Nageswaran, along with Seth, has been at the forefront of the finance track discussions representing India during the G20 Presidency.

Nageswaran is an MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and holds a doctorate from the Isenberg School of Management, UMass Amherst.

While the chief economic advisor also releases the Economic Survey ahead of the Budget, this exercise would be skipped this time as it is an interim Budget.
Ride-hailing platform Ola unveiled its e-bike service in Delhi and Hyderabad on Friday. The SoftBank-backed company will also expand and increase the deployment of e-bikes in Bengaluru following a successful pilot.

The company plans to deploy 10,000 e-vehicles across these cities over the next 2 months. This is in line with its vision and growth strategy to serve 1 billion Indians and nationwide penetration with electrification.

With the deployment of these vehicles, Ola will have the largest EV 2W (electric vehicle two-wheeler) fleet in the country. The company will double down and scale up the e-bike services throughout India by the end of this year. With prices as low as Rs 25 for 5 kilometres (kms), Rs 50 for 10 kms, Rs 75 for 15 kms, Ola said the e-bike service will be the most affordable, sustainable, and convenient solution to commute within the cities.

At Ola, driving affordable mobility through electrification is our priority and in line with our vision to serve 1 billion Indians. With our focus on innovation, and accessibility, our e-bike taxi initiative will also serve as a multi-work opportunity for gig-economy workers on the Ola platform and pave the way for the future of commerce, said Hemant Bakshi, CEO, Ola Mobility.

In September 2023, Ola tapped urban mobility in Bengaluru with a pilot launch of the e-bike taxi service. The move offered the most affordable electric two-wheeler rides in India and a substantial 40 per cent market expansion in the category within three months. To date, it has accomplished more than 1.75 million rides. In addition, Ola also set up 200 charging stations in Bengaluru to service its e-bike fleet. It will also set up an extensive charging network in all the markets it is present in.
'If you make a small mistake, you do not have to worry about criminal provisions,' Goyal said.

The Indian Patent Office has granted a "record" 75,000 patents in the last 10 months and it reflects India's ability to innovate, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday.

Interacting with innovators and entrepreneurs on the eve of the 75th Republic Day here, the minister also said that 40,000 compliances have either been eliminated or simplified to ease the burden on entrepreneurs.

"The Indian Patent Office has granted a record 75,000 patents in the last 10 months," he said, adding the government is making it easier to do business and make it less burdensome to meet the requirements of the law and comply with rules and procedures.

There has been a significant push to reduce the burden of criminalisation of many laws regarding business in India and the Jan Vishwas law was the first step in that direction and gave the comfort to people and businessmen that the government trusts them, he said.

"If you make a small mistake, you do not have to worry about criminal provisions," Goyal said.

The ministry has undertaken numerous legislative reforms to modernise IP (intellectual property) laws and streamline cumbersome administrative processes related to patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
The budget preparations of the government in the last 20 days included the first high-level meeting regarding the budget chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on January 6

The Kejriwal government will present its tenth budget in the budget session of Delhi Assembly to be held from February 15-20, with a focus on health, education, roads and infrastructure, officials said on Friday.

Delhi Finance Minister Atishi is expected to table the 2024-25 budget of the city government on February 17, they said.

It will be the first budget presentation by Atishi, who was given the finance portfolio last year.

A file of the budget session has been sent to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena for his approval, said a statement from Delhi government.

In the forthcoming budget, the Kejriwal government is set to address several significant issues, placing particular emphasis on education, health, electricity, water, roads, and infrastructure and various developmental projects, the statement said.

The government is considering to start the 'Business Blasters' programme for final-year and pre-final-year students in colleges, aiming to enable them to start their businesses after leaving college. Funds for entrepreneurship programmes may be allocated in the budget, it said.

The Delhi LG will address the House on the first day of the budget session and the Outcome budget (report card of government) will be tabled in the House on the next day.

During the preparation of the budget, the government sought suggestions from all stakeholders in Delhi and the noteworthy recommendations from them have been included in the budget, the statement said.

In the financial year 2023-24, the Kejriwal government had a whopping Rs 78,800-crore budget outlay, with focus on a 'Clean, Beautiful, and Modern Delhi'.

An allocation of Rs 21,000 crore was made for Delhi's infrastructure.

In 2014-15, Delhi's budget was only Rs 37,450 crore, which more than doubled in the last fiscal year.

The budget preparations of the government in the last 20 days included the first high-level meeting regarding the budget chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on January 6.

During the meeting, Kejriwal held detailed discussions with all ministers on the upcoming budget's priorities. He directed each minister to specify their priorities, explicitly stating that the budget should be aligned with the concerns of the common people.
A senior police officer said after receiving information about the fire in the building, police personnel rushed to the spot and managed to rescue three people with the help of locals

Four people, including an infant, died of suffocation and two were injured when a major fire broke out in a house on the ground floor of a multi-storey building in Delhi's Shahdara area on Friday, police said.

A call was received at 5:22 pm about a blaze in a house in the Shahdara area, fire officials said.

"Five fire tenders were pressed into service and the blaze was doused by 6:55 pm. Rubber material like wipers and a rubber-cutting machine kept in a house on the ground floor of the building had caught fire," said Delhi Fire Services (DFS) chief Atul Garg.

Police and fire officials rescued six people from the building and rushed them to GTB Hospital, he said.

A senior police officer said after receiving information about the fire in the building, police personnel rushed to the spot and managed to rescue three people with the help of locals.

They were taken to the hospital in a PCR van, he said.

After fire officials reached the spot, they rescued three more people, including a child. Those who were rescued were in a semi-conscious state and were rushed to GTB Hospital, where doctors declared four of them dead on arrival, he added.

Two women, aged 28 and 40, a nine-month-old girl and a 17-year-old boy died of suffocation. A 16-year-old girl and a 70-year-old woman are undergoing treatment, according to police.

"The building has four floors with a single staircase. Legal action has been initiated against the building owner, Bharat Singh. He had kept the ground and first floor for himself and had given the remaining two floors on rent. Further investigation into the matter is underway," the officer said.
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) president Dennis Francis on Friday said he was inspired by the liveliness, energy and pace of development in Mumbai and shared that he has watched Hindi movies.

The visiting dignitary made the comments during his meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a release from the CM Office said. UNGA is the main policy-making organ of the United Nations.

Francis lauded the pace of infrastructure and housing development in Mumbai.

Mumbai played an important part in India's industrialisation, he said.

He recalled his country Trinidad and Tobago's close ties with India. He said the speaker's chair in the Trinidad assembly has been gifted by India, according to the release.

The UNGA chief said he was a geography student and India was part of his studies. He said he has watched Hindi movies.

Climate change is an important matter in Maharashtra, Shinde told Francis, elaborating that his government has taken steps like plastic ban, bamboo plantation, green hydrogen policy and deep cleaning campaign in Mumbai, according to the release.

Strengthening self-help groups was also important, he said.

Vada pav' and jalebi' were among the food items on the menu during the meeting, the statement said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday held wide-ranging talks to further consolidate India-France strategic cooperation, especially in areas of defence, security, trade and clean energy, after the French leader was accorded a red-carpet welcome here.

The talks took place at a 19th century palace after Modi and Macron held a roadshow from the astronomical observation site of Jantar Mantar to iconic Hawa Mahal in the Pink City.

Macron will be the chief guest at Friday's Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path, the ceremonial boulevard in the heart of the national capital. Prime Minister Modi was the guest of honour at the prestigious Bastille Day Parade in Paris in July last.

"Welcome to India, my friend President @EmmanuelMacron. I am happy that President Macron begins his India visit from Jaipur in Rajasthan, a land with rich culture, heritage and talented people," Modi said in a post on 'X'.

"It is a matter of great pride that he will be taking part in our Republic Day celebrations tomorrow, 26th January, in Delhi. His presence not only strengthens the ties between our nations but also adds a significant chapter to our shared history of friendship and collaboration," he said.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the Modi-Macron talks as "productive" and that they exchanged views on a wide-range of bilateral and global issues.

"Taking India-France Strategic Partnership to greater heights!" Jaiswal posted on 'X'.

"Productive discussions held between PM @narendramodi and President @EmmanuelMacron of France in Jaipur. The two leaders took stock of bilateral ties & exchanged perspectives on a wide-range of bilateral and global issues," he said



PM Modi also hosted a banquet for Macron and the members of his delegation at the hotel.

It is understood that the talks between the two leaders at Taj Rambagh Palace largely focused on boosting cooperation in defence, trade, space, cyber domain, besides ways to bolster engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

The French president's two-day visit to India is taking place as top negotiators from the two sides are eyeing to seal two mega defence deals providing for India's procurement of 26 Rafale-M (marine version) fighter jets and three French designed Scorpene submarines.

The visit shows the "deep mutual trust" and "unwavering friendship" underpinning Indo-French ties, a French readout said on Wednesday.

"President Macron's visit will consolidate the ambitious renewal of the France-India strategic partnership that the two leaders decided on in Paris on July 14 through the 'Horizon 2047 Roadmap'," it said.

Horizon 2047 is a blueprint to significantly bolster the ties when the two sides will celebrate the centenary of diplomatic relations.

The French president also visited the grand Amber Fort situated on the Aravalli range on the outskirts of Jaipur.

"Visited Jantar Mantar in Jaipur with President @EmmanuelMacron. This UNESCO World Heritage Site stands as a testament to India's rich heritage in astronomy. It also symbolises the blend of ancient wisdom and modern science, a shared value that both India and France appreciate," Modi said in another post on 'X'.

Officials said the focus of the deliberations would be on shoring up cooperation in areas of defence and security, trade, climate change, nuclear energy and mobility of students and professionals.

On Friday, Macron will witness the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest.

A 95-member marching contingent and 33-member band contingent from France will take part in the parade.

Two Rafale fighter jets and an Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft of the French air force will also feature in the celebrations.

The French marching contingent from the French Foreign Legion features six Indians.

Macron will also attend the 'At Home' reception by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He is also scheduled to hold a meeting with Murmu at 7.10 pm.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said everyone has the right to protest but it should be done peacefully, amid opposition allegations that the government is taking the Marathas for a ride.

Talking to reporters on Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange's plan to march to Azad Maidan in south Mumbai to press for their demands, Fadnavis, who is also the state's home minister, said protests should be done in a peaceful manner without disturbing law and order.

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said he supports reservation for the Maratha community in government jobs and education. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is trying to resolve the issue through talks, he said.

State Congress president Nana Patole accused the government of disturbing social harmony and said the Maratha quota should be granted in a constitutional manner.

The 50 per cent cap on reservation should be removed which will pave the way for the (Maratha) quota. Jarange should be given protection and if he is harmed in any way, the government will have to pay a heavy price, he said.

NCP working president Supriya Sule said the government is taking Jarange and the Maratha community for a ride.

The Maratha quota leader reached Navi Mumbai on Friday morning with thousands of supporters to push for reservation for the Maratha community.

Jarange and other Maratha activists reached the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) on the outskirts of Mumbai around 5 am by bikes, cars, jeeps, tempos and trucks.

As per his plan, Jarange, along with his supporters, will begin his hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Friday. The protesters are demanding Kunbi (OBC) status for the Maratha community.
A rights group on Thursday reported dozens more home raids and arrests across Belarus in the latest intensification of a years-long crackdown on dissent in the country of 9.5 million people.

The Viasna human rights centre said it knew of at least 159 people targeted by searches and detentions in multiple Belarusian cities, including the capital, Minsk. Those targeted by authorities included relatives of jailed dissidents, journalists and others, it said.

Leaders of Belarusian opposition have called the new wave of arrests, which is the biggest in recent months, "a blow to the solidarity within the country".

According to Viasna, there are 1,419 political prisoners now held in Belarus. Many of those detained Thursday and earlier in the week had been helping families of those jailed for political reasons.

Authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko unleashed an unrelenting crackdown on dissent in August 2020, after an election the opposition and the West denounced as a sham gave him his sixth term in office.

The outcome of the vote triggered unprecedented mass protests that rocked the country for months. Belarusian authorities detained more than 35,000 demonstrators, with police and security forces brutally beating many. Thousands have fled the country, and dozens have been labelled extremists by authorities.

Many of those detained Thursday were reportedly involved with the INeedHelpBY project, which helps "provide food to political prisoners and others who find themselves in dire straits amid repressions". Officials have outlawed the project as extremist, which exposes anyone involved to prosecution and imprisonment of up to seven years.

INeedHelpBY activst Filip Hauryshau has urged people involved to leave the project's online chat and unfollow it on social media, saying authorities are seeking a list of those involved. INeedHelpBY reported the project has provided assistance worth of more than USD 1.5 million since 2020.

Arrests have been carried out by Belarus' main security service, the KGB, and its officers demand those targeted and those who witness raids to sign a non-disclosure agreement, one such witness told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals.

Viasna said security operatives also forcibly install spyware on the phones of those detained and their relatives, which allows the KGB to monitor closed chats of activists.

"The attack on the people and the initiatives, which in harsh conditions make sure Belarusians aren't left without help, aims for revenge for the solidarity, to destroy the support infrastructure, intimidate people involved in it," Viasna rights advocate Pavel Sapelka told AP.

The Belarusian Association of Journalists said that among those arrested was Aksana Yuchkovich, a journalist with the news outlet Catholic.By who was involved in helping families of political prisoners.

It said that in the western city of Drahichyn, authorities arrested Siarhei Gardzievich, a journalist who previously served 1 1/2 years in prison before being released in October 2022. In the eastern city of Vitebsk, journalist and rights advocate Barys Khamaida was arrested.

According to the association, authorities also launched a criminal investigation of 20 Belarusian analysts and pundits who live abroad, accusing them of conspiring to overthrow the government and "propaganda of extremism".

In a statement, Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said she was "shocked by the raids of the Belarusian regime on families of political prisoners".

Josep Borrell, the European Union's top diplomat, condemned the new wave of arrests, noting it is unfolding ahead of parliamentary elections in February.

Marie Struthers, Amnesty International's director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said in a statement that the latest arrests represent "a new departure in the chilling campaign to exterminate all vestiges of dissent in Belarus since the disputed 2020 election".
The following is a statement provided by Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani:

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240125250940/en/

Chairman Gautam Adani (Photo: Business Wire)

On 25 Jan 2023, exactly a year ago, there was news that a short-seller in New York had put up online a compilation of allegations against the Adani Group. The report contained the same dead allegations that some detractors had been trying to resurrect by flogging them through cunningly crafted set of selective half-truths sourced from disclosed and publicly available information.

The impact of short-selling attacks is normally limited to the financial markets. This, however, was a unique two-dimensional attack  a financial one, of course, and also one that played out into the political space  each feeding off the other. Aided and abetted by some in the media, the lies were corrosive enough to substantially erode the market cap of our portfolio as, typically, capital markets are more emotional than rational. Thousands of small investors lost their savings. Had our detractors plan fully succeeded, the domino effect could have crippled many critical infrastructure assets, ranging from seaports and airports to the power supply chain  a catastrophic situation for any country. However, thanks to our solid assets, the robustness of our operations and the high quality of our disclosures, the more informed financial community, including lenders and rating agencies, refused to be swayed by the swirling lies and stood solidly with us.

We had no precedent path to handle this situation. Ultimately, our confidence in the solidity of our businesses dictated our largely contrarian strategy. Our very first decision was to protect our investors. After completing the FPO of INR 20,000 crore, we decided to return the FPO proceeds. This move, unprecedented in corporate history, underscored our commitment to investor welfare and ethical business practices.

In the fog of this war, our biggest weapon was adequate liquidity. To augment our strong cash reserves of INR 30,000 crore, we further fortified our financial position by raising an additional INR 40,000 crore, equal to the debt repayment for the next two years, through stake sales in our Group companies to investors of immaculate global standing, like GQG Partners and the QIA. This served the objectives of readying an expansive war chest of cash reserves, restoring confidence in the markets and creating world-class infrastructure assets for India.

By pre-paying INR 17,500 crore of margin-linked financing, we insulated and ring-fenced our portfolio from market volatility. I asked my leadership team to focus on businesses. This catalysed a record-breaking EBITDA growth of 47% in the first half of FY24, with the Adani portfolio delivering its highest-ever quarterly profit in Q3 FY24. Our bat was doing the talking.

We executed an extensive engagement program for our financial and non-financial stakeholders. The finance team alone conducted close to 300 meetings across the world in the initial 150 days, ensuring the affirmation of ratings across 104 entities by nine rating agencies. Banks, fixed income investors, sovereign wealth funds, equity investors, JV partners and rating agencies have always been our key stakeholders, for it is the due diligence, scrutiny and reviews they conduct that underpin our comprehensive and transparent disclosure regime.

We focused on transparently outlining the facts and narrating our side of the story to expose the motives of those who attacked us. This led to a declining influence of negative campaigns against our Group. A testament to the change in public perception is the significant growth in our shareholder base, a primary target of the Follow-on Public Offering. Over this challenging year, our shareholder base expanded by 43%, reaching nearly 70 lakh.

Additionally, we remained committed to maintaining our growth momentum. The Group continued its investments, evidenced by our asset base growth to INR 4.5 lakh crore. This period marked the launch of several key projects, including the world's largest renewable energy generation site in Khavda, a new copper smelter, a green hydrogen ecosystem, and the long-awaited redevelopment of Dharavi.

In hindsight, the crisis uncovered a fundamental weakness that I had let grow  we had not paid enough attention to our outreach mechanisms. Few outside the infrastructure finance community knew of the size, scale and quality of what the Adani Group had done or was doing. We had all along naively believed that all our non-financial stakeholders too knew us and the truth about us  that our financials were robust, that our governance was impeccable, that our roadmap to growth was measured, and that we play an important role in building Indias critical infrastructure.

This experience underscored the necessity of engaging effectively with our non-financial stakeholders. We had failed to proactively counter the twisted narratives of our debt levels and unfounded accusations of political partisanship, resulting in the spread of distorted perceptions.

The fact is that, for our class of transport and utility companies, we have one of the lowest Debt-EBITDA ratios. (For the half year ending Sep 2023, this was 2.5x.) Further, with an infrastructure business footprint in 23 Indian states governed by political parties across the spectrum, we are truly politically agnostic.

The trials and tribulations of the past year have taught us valuable lessons, made us stronger and reaffirmed our faith in Indian institutions. While this devious attack on us  and our strong countermeasures  will no doubt become a case study, I felt compelled to share my learnings because, it was us today, it could be someone else tomorrow. I am under no illusions that this is the end of such attacks. I believe we have emerged even stronger from this experience and even more unwavering in our resolve to continue our humble contribution to the India growth story.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-editorials/past-year-taught-us-lessonswe-emerged-stronger/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240125250940/en/
You could say that a lot is riding on the Lexus LBX. Not only is it Lexus first three-letter named model after the LFA supercar, but becaus...
Mattel Films, Shadowmachine, Jennifer Lopezs Nuyorican Productions, and actor-producer Anthony Ramos are teaming up on an animated Bob the Builder feature based on the long-running childrens tv series.

Bob the Builder will be the first theatrical animated feature produced by Mattel Films, which is riding high off the mega-success of the Barbie movie. It joins other Mattel projects in development, including American Girl, Barney, Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Major Matt Mason, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Polly Pocket, Rock Em Sock Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, UNO, View-Master, and Wishbone. Mattel Films is also developing Christmas Balloon, a holiday family drama based on all-new IP.

Here are the films details shared today by Mattel:
Netflix hosted its Q4 earnings call on Tuesday, and it was mostly good news for shareholders. But what caught our attention was company co-CEO Ted Sarandos teasing that the streamer is discussing a potential sequel to its 2023 hit animated feature Leo.

During the Q&A portion of the call, Sarandos said, Were kicking around the Leo 2 right now; its a film that worked on so many levels. The studio had previously announced that it is developing a sequel to Sea Beast, which would make Leo 2 the second sequel being developed by Netflix Animation.

In a shareholders letter accompanying the call, Netflix explained that Leo was its most successful original film, animation or live action, in Q4 last year. Sarandos was asked why he thinks Leo has resonated so well with subscribers versus other Netflix animated features and replied:

I think Leo has resonated for the same reason that Sea Beast did last year. Its great. People really love it. It brings a lot of joy to families. And yes, they do watch them over and over again, which drives a lot of engagement but also drives a lot of attachment. I think that Leo and Sea Beast are proof points that we have the flywheel to create original IP in that animated space, and there is so much appetite for animated features.

Leo had Netflixs largest-ever debut for an original animated feature when it was released in November and has landed in Netflixs weekly top 10 most-watched English-language films list nine times, a record for one of its original animated films. Previous record-holders were Back to the Outback and Sea Beast, which each cracked the top 10 seven times.

Shifting away from the Leo talk, Sarandos talked very briefly about Netflixs big-picture animation ambitions:

The animation  the art of the animation is beautiful. The comedy is funny, and families just really love it. So, we look forward to a lot more. We have Spellbound coming up next year. Were just really thrilled with our  that the animation team is now firing on all cylinders.

The co-CEOs comments echo sentiments that Sarandos shared at the UBS Global Media and Communication Conference in December last year when he boasted that Netflix plans to increase its animated feature spend in 2024.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article reported that Leo 2 was the first sequel announced by Netflix Animation. It is the second; the studio announced last yer that it was developing a sequel to Sea Beast.
A 45-year-old man has been sentenced to death for the 2019 arson attack on Japanese animation studio Kyoto Animation, in which 36 people were killed and 32 more were injured. According to broadcaster NHK, the number of deaths is the largest for a Japanese criminal trial in more than three decades.

Kyoto District Court judge Masuda Keisuke said that Shinji Aoba (45) was neither mentally incompetent nor in a diminished mental state at the time of the attack. He said that Aobas hesitation to commit the crime and efforts to avoid detection beforehand indicated he was in control of his actions and that the attack was committed of his own free will based on a grudge against the company.

More than 400 people had queued in snowy conditions outside the court for a chance at one of 23 seats available to hear the sentence, including several survivors and family members of the victims.

On July 18, 2019, Aoba broke into Kyoto Animations Studio 1 and spread gasoline on the buildings entrance and several employees before lighting it and shouting, Go to hell! Aoba was still inside the building when the fire began and sustained life-threatening burns.

Aoba pleaded guilty to the attack last September, but his lawyers asked for leniency in sentencing. They argued their client was suffering from delusions at the time of the attack and should not be held fully accountable for his actions. In December, Aoba apologized for the attack in court for the first time, saying that, in a way, he felt the death penalty would be an appropriate punishment for his actions.

From the beginning, prosecutors have dismissed claims that Aoba was mentally unfit at the time of the attack and that Aoba had convinced himself that a director at the studio had stolen his ideas. They also suggested the Kyoto Animation fire wasnt Aobas first plan for an attack and that he previously went to Omiya Station in his home prefecture with six knives, hoping to commit mass murder before he eventually scrapped that idea.

When he was originally indicted in 2020, the prosecutors conducted a psychiatric evaluation, which found him competent to stand trial and concluded that he could be held criminally responsible for his actions.
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Researchers at the University of Tennessee of Chattanooga are driving faster - and more safely - into the future of mobility with the recent arrival of the universitys first autonomous vehicle. officials said.The vehicle  technically a research and development (R&D) autonomous vehicle platform  designed and manufactured by Hexagon | AutonomouStuff, was purchased by the UTC Center for Urban Informatics and Progress (CUIP) and will be deployed along the MLK Smart Corridor and throughout parts of downtown Chattanooga later this month.As the vehicle travels a loop from East ML King Boulevard to the Edney Innovation Center to the UTC campus, it will gather real-time data about the interactions between other cars, cyclists, pedestrians and other travelers.A human driver will remain in the R&D vehicle platform at all times, in compliance with traffic laws.This state-of-the-art vehicle will be an invaluable new tool in our data-gathering work, all of which is working to make our streets and public spaces safer, more efficient, and more useful to everyone, says Austin Harris, director of operations and chief engineer for the UTC Research Institute and CUIP. Since we launched the Smart Corridor project five years ago, we have made continual advances in the quality and quantity of data we are able to analyze. We look forward to learning what we can from this vehicle to help guide everything from traffic light patterns to pedestrian safety enhancements to the design of streets.As manager of the MLK Smart Corridor, Mr. Harris has principal responsibility for the vehicles operations.This technology unlocks new understanding about how our city works and moves, says Mina Sartipi, executive director of the UTC Research Institute and CUIP founding director. Urban mobility is changing in a lot of ways and cities like Chattanooga owe it to ourselves to prepare for this future today. Self-driving vehicles may soon be commonplace, and UTC is leading the way in helping to safely and responsibly integrate this new technology into everyones everyday experience."Data collected through the MLK Smart Corridor project improves city operations, such as making traffic flow more smoothly, increasing pedestrian safety, and monitoring air quality and noise levels. This corridor serves as an urban testing ground for innovative ideas and technologies that could potentially apply to other cities worldwide," officials said.The MLK Smart Corridor is a collaboration between UTC, the City of Chattanooga, EPB and other local community partners.For years, EPB has supported the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on projects that foster our communitys dynamic, innovative culture, says David Wade, EPBs CEO. The UTC Research Institute continues to lead the way with regard to cutting-edge research and new technologies, and EPB is glad to provide energy and connectivity solutions to advance their efforts.Chattanooga's status as a technologically advanced and progressive city is known throughout the country, says Kevin Fay, portfolio manager for AutonomouStuff. We are very proud to work alongside UTC and the people of Chattanooga to help move this research forward.
A trio of Chattanooga area natives have been named Tennessee Tech University Trailblazers.Anna Frazier, a sophomore civil engineering major from Ooltewah, Kelsey Hewitt, a sophomore majoring in teaching English as a second language from Signal Mountain, and Emma Parson, a sophomore marketing and business management major from Chattanooga, are among the select group of Trailblazers for 2024. The Trailblazers program brings together top Tech students to lead personalized campus tours for prospective students and their families.Trailblazers represent the best of our campus community.They are dedicated students who exude Tennessee Techs spirit of hospitality and welcome and are an integral part of how we communicate Techs story to future Golden Eagles, said Karen Lykins, vice president for enrollment and communication at Tech. By leading personalized campus tours, Trailblazers foster genuine connections with prospective students and their families, helping them discover all that Tech has to offer.Ms. Frazier says that the best part of being a Trailblazer is "getting to meet all of the families and tell them about all of the fun experiences and opportunities Ive had at Tech." Likewise, Ms. Hewitt says she enjoys helping prospective students "find their perfect home away from home."Recalling their own journeys to Tech, the Tennessee Valley natives say that the university's picturesque campus and welcoming community helped persuade them to enroll."Tech checked off all the boxes when I was initially searching for a college," said Ms. Parson. "I like to call it the 'Goldilocks college' because it was the perfect in-between. Its not too big or too small, its not too far from home, but not too close."Ms. Frazier adds that, "While visiting campus, I saw how happy everyone was and I just knew that I could call this place home."Now as seasoned Tech students, Ms. Frazier, Ms. Hewitt and Ms. Parson say they are eager to tell others about their positive experience and help new students find their place."I want students to never feel like they cant ask questions or get involved! It is so important to connect with your peers and utilize everything that Tennessee Tech has to offer," said Ms. Hewitt."When listening to people talk about Tech, theres a reason theyre proud," added Ms. Parson. "Its a wonderful institution that cares about students, faculty, staff and the community as a whole."Following graduation from Tech, Ms. Frazier plans on pursuing a career as a civil engineer, while Ms. Hewitt hopes to travel internationally and teach English to students around the world. Ms. Parson aims to begin a career in a marketing strategy."Trailblazers now play an integral part in the admissions process and new student recruitment at Tech." officials said. "Prospective students and their families who are planning a campus visit are paired with a Trailblazer to lead their tour. With the diverse group of students that make up Techs Trailblazer class, the university aims to personalize the campus visit experience of each prospective student, focusing on their individual interests and intended major."Prospective students interested in connecting with Trailblazers can visit www.tntech.edu/trailblazers to see profiles for the student tour guides. To schedule a tour, go to www.tntech.edu/visit email visit@tntech.edu or call 931-372-6104.
Officers spoke with the workers at Gondalier Italian Restaurant on Lee Highway who said a homeless woman needed to be trespassed. The officer was informed she was causing problems. loitering, publicly urinating, and threatening staff. The officer located her and trespassed her from the business.



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Police arrived on scene to a disturbance on Cummings Highway and made contact with a woman. They informed her that she and her wife needed to evacuate the property immediately. She said that the other woman was on her way to rent a truck so they can load up their belongings. The owner said they may stay until the truck arrives and they are able to load up their truck. After loading it up they left the hotel room without issue.

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Police responded to the scene of a disorder on Gunbarrel Road involving two women and a man. A disorder occurred within the vehicle when one of the women was driving and the other two individuals began arguing. The were both intoxicated and the driver wished for them to exit the vehicle. They refused just prior to police arrival. After they finally left her vehicle, the disorder ceased and she left.

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An officer made contact with a woman who was emotional on Mountain View Avenue. She said that she had an argument with her husband, who left, but said that nothing physical occurred and that no threats were said.

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Workers complained that a female snuck into the building earlier and lied about doing it. Then the manager caught her smoking in the building, and now wants her to leave the property but not be trespassed. The female was identified, grabbed her belongings and left the property.



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Officers met with a woman on McCallie Avenue who said she would like an officer to follow her to her house in order to insure no disorder would occur upon re-entering her home. Police and she arrived at her home in which a man was lying on the couch. Both individuals informed police the location was safe.



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Officers checked on an individual's well-being on Olive Street where a woman called into dispatch and said that someone was shutting her phone off. Police made contact with the woman who said she was 84 years old. She was reluctant to open the door and, after several moments of attempting to speak through the glass door, she opened it and asked the officer to step inside. She went on to say that Consumer Cellular is cutting off her phone calls whenever she is speaking with people on the phone. She also stated that this also happens with her corded phone and proceeded to show the officer a corded home phone that was disconnected below her coffee table.



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An officer spoke with an employee on Birmingham Highway who was requesting a tag check. After calling in the tag, it had previously been reported Jan. 2. The tag was stolen or lost from a 2022 Hyundai 53-foot dry van tractor trailer.
The New York Youth Symphony has reached to Chattanooga find its next executive director. The NYYS announced that after an in-depth and extensive search, it has appointed John Kilkenny as its next eecutive director starting in late March 2024. Mr. Kilkenny follows Shauna Quill, who was executive director for 12 years.

Mr. Kilkenny comes to NYYS from the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera and the Sewanee Music Festival, where he was Executive Director of both organizations.

Officials said, "In these roles, he has had extensive experience leading orchestral, chamber music and composition programs and supporting music education for aspiring young artists. He has demonstrated a keen ability to enhance the profile of these groups by adding creative new programming, expanding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and increasing community outreach."

We are thrilled to have John at the helm of our organization, explained Bill Kapell, President of NYYS Board of Trustees. Johns experience and impressive knowledge of music education will surely help to propel NYYS to the next level. We are excited to see what John can do as he helps to shape our future and make our mark on young musicians even stronger and more impactful.

As executive director, Mr. Kilkenny will be overseeing all aspects of the organization, including programs in orchestra, chamber music, jazz, composition, musical theatre songwriting, conducting and the newest NYYS orchestra, Crescendo. His duties will include overseeing community outreach, fundraising, artistic programming and marketing.

NYYS is an incredible organization and a fantastic match for my passion and skillset  I cannot wait to get started and write the next chapter, said Mr. Kilkenny. They are one of the premiere arts education programs in the nation  leading the way in the training of young musicians. This is a dream opportunity for me.

Among his accomplishments as executive eirector of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, Mr. Kilkenny guided their first music director search in 15 years and created the Classics De-Classified concert series, which brings CSO musicians into the community and includes the works of underrepresented composers. Appointed Artistic and Executive Director of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in 2018, Mr. Kilkenny guided this esteemed festival to new heights of artistic and financial success, with significant increases in enrollment, earned revenue, and annual giving, and expanded partnerships with numerous DEI pathway programs, it was stated.

Officials said, "Recognized internationally as an engaging and thoughtful clinician, Mr. Kilkenny has enjoyed the opportunity to work with gifted young musicians at a wide range of institutions, including the Eastman School of Music, the Shepherd School at Rice University, University of Michigan, Juilliard Pre-College and Interlochen School for the Arts. A longstanding relationship with The Music for All has seen Mr. Kilkenny appear for many years as an evaluator and clinician for the Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival, and in 2019 he served as the percussion clinician for the MFA Honor Orchestra of America. John studied conducting with Anthony Maiello and began early percussion training with Jonathan Haas and William Richards. He received his bachelors degree at the Juilliard School under the tutelage of Greg Zuber and Daniel Druckman and completed a masters degree at Temple University, where he studied with legendary percussionist Alan Abel."
Southern Adventist Universitys School of Music will host the Honors Choral Festival Concertfeaturing approximately 150 vocal students representing 10 academies from throughout the region.Directed by Gennevieve Brown-Kibble and guest Clinician Carrie VanDenburgh, the concert is setfor Saturday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. in Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists on campus at 4829 College Dr. East in Collegedale.Ms. VanDenburgh is serving in her ninth year at Berrien Springs Middle School and Berrien SpringsHigh School in Michigan where she teaches six choral ensembles.Her choirs consistently receiveexcellent ratings at the district and state levels. Ms. VanDenburgh also directs the choir at HarbertCommunity Church and sings with The Three Divas of Southwest Michigana group whosebackgrounds in opera, musical theatre and jazz frequently entertain audiences. She earnedbachelors and masters degrees in vocal performance from Andrews University in Michigan.This free concert is open to the public. Visit southern.edu/musicevents for livestream options andadditional information.
The Joey James Law Firm, in collaboration with Jimmy Rogers of Summers, Rufolo, and Rogers firm, has filed a lawsuit against the Olin Corporation and others. In a more than 200-page complaint, the lawsuit alleges that the Olin Corporation knowingly exposed workers and family members of workers in Charleston to hazardous levels of mercury, posing severe health risks and brain damage.

Over 150 plaintiffs are currently filed with more to come. Lawyers for the plaintiffs anticipate over 200 plaintiffs in the case. The legal action stems from an investigation that revealed alleged "evidence of Olin Corporation's negligence in maintaining safe working conditions. Workers at the Charleston facility have been subjected to dangerous levels of mercury, a toxic substance known to have detrimental effects on the nervous system and can lead to severe health complications," said officials.

Joey James, lead attorney at Joey James Law Firm, expressed concern over the well-being of the affected workers and their families. "Our priority is to seek justice for those who have been exposed to unsafe working conditions. The health and safety of employees should be paramount, and we will pursue accountability for any company that fails to uphold adequate safety standards."

The lawsuit seeks compensation, appropriate medical treatment, medical expenses, and punitive damages for the affected workers and their families. It aims to bring attention to the issue of workplace safety and corporate accountability.
Generosity throughout Chattanooga contributed to a successful shoebox gift collection season at drop-off locations for the Samaritans Purse project Operation Christmas Child. Across the U.S., the project collected 10 million shoebox gifts in 2023. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2023, the ministry is now sending over 11.3 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide, including many who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster.

Through shoeboxespacked with fun toys, school supplies, and personal care itemsChattanooga area volunteers brought joy to children in need around the world. Each gift-filled shoebox is a tangible expression of Gods love, and it is often the first gift these children have ever received. Through the continued generosity of donors since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 220 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.

Across Tennessee, shoebox packers often shop for deals on shoebox items throughout the year, and many serve at a deeper level by becoming a year-round volunteer. Information about ways area participants can get involved year-round can also be found online or by calling (615) 962-7145.

Although local drop-off locations for shoebox gifts are closed until Nov. 18-25, 2024, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online in just a few simple clicks at the Samaritan's Purse website.

These simple gifts, packed with love, send a message to children worldwide that they are loved and not forgotten.

Jasmin Sutton

Samaritan's Purse
Legendary journalist Gary Fife is shown at the microphone in this undated photo. Fife died Jan. 14, 2024, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was 73.
This 26-year-old woman has a best friend named Sarah, who is the same age as her, and they have been close for more than ten years now.

They were basically glued to the hip when they were kids, but after they graduated from high school, they were no longer as close.

She went into the military while Sarah attended college. They briefly kept in contact as the years wore on, and they didnt see one another in person very much throughout that time period.

As they drifted, she figured it was because their lives were no longer so similar. When she did visit Sarah, it was as if no time had elapsed at all, and there was no space between them.

Sarah got engaged a year ago, and they were both so elated. She only met the guy one time, but he seemed sweet, and she was just excited that Sarah was so overjoyed.

Then, Sarah asked her to be her bridesmaid and make-up artist for the wedding too. Last weekend was Sarahs bachelorette party, and she left college on the opposite side of the country to be there for the festivities.

The trip lasted all weekend, and Sarahs sisters and some of her friends came along too. She only knew Sarah and Sarahs sisters; she did not know any of the other girls who were invited.

Its important to note that I am extremely socially awkward, but with the new medication Im on, I talk and dont know when to stop, she explained.

From my perspective everything is going great. Im interacting with people, I go out of my way to be kind and considerate of everyone around me.

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Teachers are supposed to provide meaningful educational experiences and build strong relationships with their students, but there are times when lines get crossed, and they take the relationship-building aspect too far.

Sometimes, teachers will make a move on one of their students, proving that school staff cannot always be trusted.

TikToker Katie Nguyen (@itskatien) is talking about how her college professor flirted with her in front of everyone on the first day of class.

So, she had just transferred schools at the beginning of the spring semester and was required to retake some of her general education classes.

On the first day of class, she walked into the room and sat down. The class was fairly small, with around 20 students.

The professor was late, so when he finally arrived, he ran into the classroom, grabbed a chair, and pulled it to the middle of the classroom.

After he took his seat, he apologized for being late and explained that he had been tending to a student who was having a seizure.

Within the first few minutes of his arrival, Katie noticed that he kept making eye contact with her. As he was scanning the attendance sheet, he asked if Miss Nguyen was here today.

Katie raised her hand in response. He had assumed it was her since she was the only Vietnamese person in the class.

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This month, Brazils federal revenue agency suspended a rule removing tax exemption for religious leaders, sparking controversy in the evangelical community. Reversing an interpretation issued in 2022, the Receita Federal do Brazil (RFB) suspended the rule that caused, in two years, a loss to the country around $60 million a year (300 million reais.)

Despite the RFBs announcement saying that it is complying with a determination by the Brazils Federal Audit Court to suspend the rule, the court has since clarified that they have yet to make a decision on the process that evaluates whether or not to exempt religious workers salaries from making these contributions and that the matter is under review.

Evangelical leaders in the Senate and Chamber of Deputies were in an uproar about the measure, claiming religious persecution by the Lula government. Last week, they issued a note of rejection to the federal government for suspending this exemption:

It is actions like this that increasingly distance the Christian population from the federal government. It is very clear the attacks that are continually being made against the Christian segment through government institutions, attacking those who do not support their proposals. This is an explicit attack on the religious segment, an important portion of Brazilian society.

Lulas government has defended the decision, saying that there were doubts about the legality of the exemption.

We dont want to harm anyone, said finance minister Fernando Haddad, who reached out to evangelical senators and deputies for a meeting to discuss this change.

[This 2024 change] was not a revocation nor a validation; it was a suspension. We will understand what the law says and we will comply with the law, he said.

CT interviewed six Christian leaders and professionals and asked them to answer the following question: Can the suspension of tax exemption for religious leaders be considered religious persecution?

CT has also included an answer from an evangelical politician below.

Magno Malta, senator for the center-right Liberal Party, and pastor (This version of this answer was originally posted on X.):

Tax exemption for churches is a right provided for in the Constitution, which also extends to unions and political parties. This is not a favor from the government, but a constitutional right.

I respect Senator Carlos Vianna, president of the Evangelical Parliamentary Front [a coalition of evangelical parliamentarians from different parties], but this issue goes beyond everyday politics. Pastors are not obliged to kiss the hand of Haddad, Lula or [chief of staff] Rui Costa. Our fight is different. I spoke with senators from the Front, such as Senator Damares, Senator Jorge Seif and Senator Marcos Rogerii. They were not consulted and did not agree with the meetings mentioned in the note from the Parliamentary Front.

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But everyone agreed on one point: This whole situation involving religious leaders is one more action among many others that show that the Lula government does not dialogue or have respect for Christians. He is fulfilling a campaign promise. Put pastors in their place.

Karine Carvalho of Recife, attorney specializing in medical, tax, and civil law:

The taxation of churches should not be interpreted as persecution. Adopting such a perspective implies that the state would be persecuting all individuals who are taxed.

It is crucial to note that the recent decision did not remove tax immunity from religious institutions but rather their tax exemption. In simple terms, this measure had exempted churches from paying certain taxes and also from reporting data, giving them the exclusive privilege of not disclosing information about their financial activities, including cash inflows, outflows, and the distribution of resources among church leaders.

The withdrawal of this benefit and the equality of religious institutions with other taxpayers recognize that these entities must also bear tax obligations toward society.

Furthermore, the suspended rule, which expanded the tax exemption on salaries of religious leaders, was created irregularly, with the FRB exceeding its authority in 2022 and interfering in an area that should be deliberated by the National Congress. Therefore, the withdrawal of this tax exemption does not constitute persecution but rather is a correction that seeks to meet two fundamental principles in our Constitution: tax equity and accountability.

We emphasize that the taxation of pastors does not constitute a moral transgression or a challenge to religious principles. On the contrary, from the Old to the New Testament, biblical precepts guide all Christians to obey the law and the authorities, which includes the obligation to pay taxes to the state.

Vitoria Tavares of Recife, attorney specializing in family and consumer law:

Tax immunity is a limitation on the states power to tax, a guarantee provided for in the federal Constitution, which seeks to protect our societys fundamental values, including freedom of religion. Therefore, religious entities are immune to taxes in general. Tax exemption is a legal exemption from paying a tax and is a privilege granted by ordinary law for fiscal, social, or economic reasons.

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The withdrawal of tax exemption for religious leaders could be considered religious persecution if it was motivated by prejudice or discrimination against a particular religion or religious group.

However, in the case of the withdrawal of tax exemption for religious leaders in Brazil, which took place this month, the federal government reiterated that the measure was necessary to correct a distortion in tax legislation, since the exemption was being used improperly by some religious entities, which were paying exorbitant salaries to their leaders.

Therefore, this measure does not remove the constitutional immunity granted to churches by the federal Constitution but only removes the exemption from the collection of taxes from religious leaders previously granted by the Bolsonaro government.

Leonardo Girundi , religious freedom commission coordinator at Sao Paulos bar association, specialist in family, business and religion law:

Our federal Constitution guarantees churches tax immunity, which is a constitutional limitation on public entities in creating taxes for particular entities. This designation is distinct, therefore, from exemption, which legally exempts an entity from paying a given tax. To guarantee religious freedom, churches do not pay taxes, but pastors pay them, like any citizen.

Recently a discussion arose due to a decision issued by the RFB. The topic is related to a tax called Contribution to the Financing of Social Security (COFINS). Since 2000, churches and other religious institutions have been exempt from this contribution since Law 10,170 (which added new wording to Law 8212) determined that churches are exempt from collecting the employers share of this tax, maintaining the religious leaders obligation to collect his or her own share.

It turns out that, even though this exemption was described in the law, the RFB had been generating numerous administrative proceedings to collect this tax from churches. In response to the number of administrative proceedings, the RFB clarified its position in the 2022 Interpretative Declaratory Act, simply and exclusively to help with the interpretation of the law. But recently we were surprised by a new publication issued by the RFB, which suspended this 2022 act and has generated all this controversy.

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Thus, the 2022 act did not increase the exemption in relation to this specific tax (COFINS), nor did its suspension remove it. But as it was an act that interpreted the law, the risk of suspending it is that questions about this tax will still persist and that litigation will increase. Even so, I dont see this change as religious persecution but rather as a political strategy to approach or increase revenue.

Gutierres Fernandes of Sao Paulo, theologian and writer:

It is absurd to treat the end of a tax privilege as religious persecution. Little by little, we are seeking the same privileges that the Catholic church enjoyed long ago in Brazil.

Unfortunately, although Protestantism invented the concept of a secular state, evangelicals, on average, think that religious equality is bad.

This negativity toward religious equality contrasts with the idea of secularism, which seeks the impartiality of the state in religious matters, thus guaranteeing freedom and equality of belief for all. Calling tax review persecution is a slap in the face of those Christians who, in history, have suffered real persecution.

Iza Vicente, city council member in Macae, a city of 250,000 in the state of Rio de Janeiro:

As an evangelical Christian, I believe that this is not religious persecution. Our constitution continues to guarantee tax immunity for congregations of any faith, something that exists precisely to strengthen the separation between church and state and to protect the freedom of belief or religion.

Now exempting individuals from paying taxes only because they engage in religious activity would be individualizing a prerogative that belongs to the religious institution, not to its leader. Until 2022, this exemption did not exist; this tax was paid, and this was never considered religious persecution. In fact, the exemption in this case is to privilege a category to the detriment of thousands of Brazilians who annually fulfill their tax obligations, including many of them Christians. This whole situation makes me think about what Jesus said when asked about the lawfulness of paying taxes to the Roman Empire: Give back to Caesar what is Caesars, and to God what is Gods (Matt. 22:21).

Additionally, there is controversy because the change was issued by RFB and not through a law (as some believed it should have been). Further, the fact that this change happened two months before the presidential election suggests it might have been a move by Bolsonaro to pander to pastors.

[ This article is also available in Portugues. ]
This piece was adapted from Russell Moores newsletter. Subscribe here.

A few weeks ago, I was talking to a group of mensome atheists, some Christians, some Jews; some conservatives, some progressives, some centristsfrom completely different geographical, cultural, and vocational backgrounds.

They all wanted to talk about one thing: the number of young men they know who seem purposeless and lost. For some of them, the problem was pressing because it was about their own sons. For most, it was about their nephews or godsons or the sons of their friends and neighbors.

In most cases, they werent talking about the sort of things people used to worry about with boys and young men. They werent concerned about gang violence or drug addiction or drag racing or street fights. They werent even talking about sexual promiscuity or binge drinking. They were talking about something quite different: a kind of hopelessness, a lack of ambition, in some cases even to leave the house at all, much less to go out into the world and start families of their own.

One way to identify this problem is to follow the old tried-and-true path of blaming the next generation for laziness and being coddled. You know you are getting old not when you see the first gray hairs or when your muscles ache from picking up a sock on the floor, but when you see Instagram memes for your generation showing streetlights at dusk with the words Hey Gen Z, this was the app that told us when to come home.

Usually this kind of You kids get off my lawn (or Get on your own lawn instead of gaming on the couch) mentality is vapida mixture of self-deceiving nostalgia with Were better than you generational narcissism.

Plus, those of us who are actually around young men and women know these stereotypes just arent true. I would trust my high-school senior and junior sons more than I would have trusted myself or any of my classmates at that age. Those I know who lead campus ministries often say the same thing about the young men and women they know.

One need not give oneself over to all of that, though, to see that something really is wrong, and that, in some ways, its hitting boys and girls, young men and young women, differently. Its also important that we see that this is not something wrong with the kids so much as it is something wrong for the kids.

The conversation about young men failing to launch, like the one I had with my friends, is itself rare to the point of obsolescence because it means putting away for a moment the things one is supposed to say in order to stay in the bounds of ones tribe.

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For those on the Left, it means saying what would perhaps get you reported to the HR department in some workplacesthat there really is a male/female gender binary, and that differences between men and women are more than (though not less than) cultural constructs. For those on the Right, it means acknowledging that raising boys with traditional values and sheltering them from liberal ideas isnt resolving the problemand that one of the main crises facing the country is the radicalization of too many young men into white nationalist or white-nationalist-adjacent ideas online.

There are, of course, many factors at work heresome that we dont fully know, and wont for years to come. But we do know some things. Jonathan Haidts forthcoming book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, makes what I think is the best, most convincing argument Ive seen about the ways technology has rewired an entire generation, while also demonstrating how the maladies resulting from all of this tends to hit boys and girls differently.

Part of the problem, even for some Christians, is the reluctance to acknowledge what almost all of us know: One need not veer off into gender stereotypes to see that males and femaleswhile the same in the most important ways of createdness and fallennessare also different in some important ways too. Scripture mostly speaks to all of us, men and women, as people, but it also directs specific words to men and to women about issues that generally present more vulnerability to one group or the other.

When the apostle Paul instructed Timothy that the men should pray without anger or disputing (1 Tim. 2:8), he wasnt suggesting that women are free to brawl during prayer requests. He was speaking instead to where the primary temptation to being quarrelsome would be. Likewise, when Paul and Peter directed women, particularly, to avoid costly attire and shows of wealth, finding their identity and worth not in external comparison with others but in godliness (1 Tim. 2:9; 1 Pet. 3:34), he was not implying that men could be clothed like peacocks. Again, generally speaking, the points of vulnerability were different between the two.

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To address the reasons so many young men are losing their way, we must address the crises facing both sexes in the ways they are similar and in the ways they tend to be different.

That means recognizing, first of all, where the problems actually are, rather than focusing all our attention on where they used to be. The primary problem for young men right now is not usually a Lord of the Flies sort of debauchery but a sort of deadness that comes from an imagination that cannot envision another way. Yesas in every age since Edenthere are overt sins of immorality and violence, but even those tend to be overwhelmingly digital today rather than personal. That does not make the situation easier, but more difficult to locate.

In his novel The Moviegoer, Walker Percy identified what he called malaisea kind of despair that sees no place for oneself in the world. We dont notice it, he wrote, because were accustomed to seeing sin in the outward commission of immoral acts. The problem now, he wrote, is that when it comes to overt sin, the truth is that nowadays one is hardly up to it. We always try to anesthetize whatever problem we faceoften on either side of the problem, usually in ways that make it worse.

The other day I had the British historian Tom Holland on my podcast to discuss his book, Pax, on the Roman Empire. I asked him what Im sure almost everyone has asked him lately: Why was the meme / news story of a few months ago, about how many times a day the typical man thinks about the Roman Empire, so viral? He responded with the words, Tyrannosaurus rex.

Holland explained that little boys (and some little girls too) tend to be mesmerized by the T. rex, the apex predator of old. Holland said that was for two reasons: power and extinction. The dinosaur is scary, fearsome, and dominant over any potential enemyand the dinosaur no longer exists. Its scary but cant really hurt you anymore.

Except when it can.

Too often right now, when our young men are asking what it means to be a man, too many of us offer them Roman virtues. Some of these, at certain aspirational points, intersect with Christian virtues, but the fundamental paradigm is not just wrong-headed, its explicitly denounced by Jesus himself (Luke 22:2527). The Roman way of seeking dominance and pulling rank is what Paul contradicted in, well, the Book of Romans, among other places. And the Beast of Johns Revelation is literally caesarean, and is, like the T. rex, an alpha predator (Rev. 13:4 says, Who is like the beast and who can fight against it?).

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The cross is a Roman instrument of torturea contest of power that, it seemed, would prove that the caesar always wins, so watch yourself. The Cross undoes all of thatnot by giving us a different caesar to fight the old one but by giving us what we never thought we needed, a crucified King who willingly surrenders his life for the world.

Thats exactly whats still needed today.

When I think of how I came to internalizefrom earliest memorywhat success looked like as a man, I could see my own father, of course, but I could also see the men of my church taking responsibilitytaking up the offering, praying for the lost, powering up their chainsaws for disaster relief after a hurricane. I could see the man who stayed faithful to his wife through years of cancer; the man who kept loving his prodigal kids even after others thought theyd embarrassed him.

And what is really key is that they didnt leave us little boys out of it. There were rites of passage, points where we knew that we had made a transition from some kind of boyhood to some kind of manhood. That transition was clearly not about feats of strength or locker-room-talk sexual immorality but about the ways we were now expected to model self-control, to direct our lives toward serving the rest of the body.

When thats missing, how do young men know the difference between childhood, adolescence, and adulthoodother than how much money one has to spend on ones passions? More than that, how do young men know how to belongnot just as human beings or as Christians in general, but specifically as men who are expected to define manhood not in terms of self-satisfaction but in terms of membership, responsibility, sacrifice, and fidelity?

When we ignore this question, we ignore the ways the next generation is hurting. And we leave them to the old, dead gods who can only destroy them.

If a young man doesnt know how to take up the cross of Christ to follow him, he will often take up the hammer of Thor, to follow him. If by default the model of mature manhood that we give is that of Barabbas, not that of Jesus, if our model of manhood looks more like the crucifiers than the Crucified, we shouldnt be surprised if what we end up with is a quest for pretend caesars and pretend harems. We shouldnt be surprised, then, if the skeleton of a dead Tyrannosaurus looks more powerful than a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain (Rev. 5:6, ESV).

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And with that, we end up with many more who dont want to go that pagan way, are resisting it, but are caught, as Percy warned, between a surging but awful paganism and a dead and lifeless Christendom. The result is despair.

Theres too much at stake for that.

Russell Moore is the editor in chief at Christianity Today and leads its Public Theology Project.
Home News Christian radio network drops Alistair Begg after advice on attending same-sex weddings

A conservative Christian radio ministry has dropped pastor Alistair Begg from its programming lineup after he suggested Christians could attend same-sex weddings to "build bridges" with the culture at large.

Begg, 71, serves as senior pastor at Parkside Church in Cleveland along with his radio ministry "Truth For Life," carried by nearly 1,800 radio stations nationwide.

The controversy stems from recently resurfaced comments Begg made in a podcast for "Truth For Life" in September, in which Begg discussed his new book, The Christian Manifesto.

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As part of the podcast, Begg touched on a specific question he said a grandmother asked him about her grandson, who she said was "about to be married to a transgender person," and whether she should attend the wedding.

"We field questions all the time that go along the lines of, 'My grandson is about to be married to a transgender person, and I don't know what to do about this, and I'm calling to ask you to tell me what to do,' which is a huge responsibility," Begg said.

"And in a conversation like that just a few days ago  and people may not like this answer  but I asked the grandmother, 'Does your grandson understand your belief in Jesus?' 'Yes.' 'Does your grandson understand that your belief in Jesus makes it such that you can't countenance in any affirming way the choices that he has made in life?' 'Yes.'

"I said, 'Well then, OK. As long as he knows that, then I suggest that you do go to the ceremony. And I suggest that you buy them a gift.'"

Begg went on to explain that Christians not attending such a ceremony could reinforce "judgemental" stereotypes the culture holds about the Church.

"I said, 'Well, here's the thing: your love for them may catch them off guard, but your absence will simply reinforce the fact that they said, 'These people are what I always thought: judgmental, critical, unprepared to countenance anything.'

"And it is a fine line, isn't it? It really is. And people need to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. But I think we're going to take that risk. We're going to have to take that risk a lot more if we want to build bridges into the hearts and lives of those who don't understand Jesus and don't understand that he is a King."

While the podcast first aired in September, Begg's comments recently resurfaced on social media and brought scrutiny on the longtime pastor and Scottish native.

Within days, American Family Radio (AFR), the radio ministry of the American Family Association, announced its decision to "no longer air" "Truth For Life" after more than a decade.

The statement read: "Recently, it came to our attention that Pastor Begg made statements that were unbiblical and fail to line up with the decades of faithful adherence to Scripture that listeners have come to expect from him. In essence, when the question was asked of him whether or not a family member should attend an unbiblical wedding ceremony between two homosexuals, Pastor Begg counseled Christians to attend and take a gift."

"At American Family Association, we believe it to be an act of unfaithfulness to God to attend a ceremony that celebrates any union outside of the biblical model of marriage as being between one man and one woman. Members of our leadership team held a call with Alistair Begg's team and were unsuccessful in convincing them of his error."

"As a result of this, we will no longer air Pastor Alistair Begg's 'Truth for Life' program."

Despite the announcement, AFR remained listed as a partner on the "Truth For Life" website as of Thursday.

AFR did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Christian Post. This story will be updated if a response is received. A representative of Truth For Life said Begg has no response to AFR's decision.

In 2022, while teaching from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans, Begg tackled the question of same-sex marriage.

During his two-part sermon series on homosexuality entitled "God Gave Them Up," Begg argued against the notion of same-sex marriage as compatible with Scripture.

"It is not an alternative lifestyle," he said at the time. "It is an unnatural decision. It is an expression of rebellion against God."
Home News Arkansas AG certifies abortion ballot initiative after rejecting it twice

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin certified a referendum proposal that, if passed, would guarantee a limited right to an abortion, provided supporters can garner enough signatures to get it on the ballot.

In an opinion issued Tuesday, Griffin greenlit pro-choice supporters to get signatures for the Arkansas Abortion Amendment of 2024, having previously rejected the proposal twice for assorted technical reasons, which have since been rectified.

While approving the referendum, Griffin, a Republican, gave "a cautionary note" to the petitioners, noting that "experience has shown a correlation between the length and complexity of initiated measures and their susceptibility to a successful ballot-title challenge."

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"Any ambiguity in the text of a measure could lead to a successful court challenge. Significant changes in law often have unintended consequences that, if known, would give voters serious ground for reflection," stated Griffin.

Arkansans for Limited Government, the group behind the proposed amendment, noted in a statement Wednesday that the next step in its efforts will be to gather enough signatures from state voters, with the official kickoff for the effort being on Sunday.

"AFLG invites Arkansans across the state and political spectrum to come together and restore reproductive rights in Arkansas," stated the group. "Everyone is encouraged to volunteer for signature collection and donate to the campaign."

"This is a crucial step forward in restoring reproductive freedom for Arkansans. AFLG is especially grateful to the AG's staff, whose professionalism and expertise emblematizes true public service."

The proposed amendment seeks to legalize abortion for up to 18 weeks after conception or under special circumstances, including rape, incest, a diagnosed fatal fetal anomaly or if the mother is facing a life-threatening emergency.

The Arkansas Family Council President Jerry Cox, whose organization is based in Little Rock, said in a statement that the proposed measure was "a radical amendment legalizing abortion in a way Arkansas has never seen before."

"It writes abortion into the Arkansas Constitution. It erases virtually all of Arkansas' pro-life laws, and it allows abortion on demand without restriction through the first eighteen weeks of pregnancy," Cox said.

"As many as three thousand unborn children could be aborted in Arkansas each year because of this amendment, and the State of Arkansas would be powerless to prevent it."

Arkansas law prohibits abortion unless it is necessary to save the life of the mother, and the state constitution does not put any limits on the state government to restrict abortion access.

Griffin twice refused to certify the proposed amendment due to issues regarding the measure's language, arguing that certain phrases were too partisan or poorly defined.

In a letter outlining his second rejection, Griffin had said that the way the proposed amendment had misleadingly defined the term "physical health."

The amendment language at the time had defined "physical health" as "a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury  caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, or when continuation of the pregnancy will create a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function."

"It defines 'physical health,' not as the absence of disorder, illness, or injury, but as the presence of those things," wrote Griffin. "That is the opposite of the common meaning of 'health.'"

"I suspect you intended something like this: to permit 'abortion services' when, among other things, they 'are needed to protect the pregnant female from a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury.'"
Home News Good News Club sues Hawaii education officials for denying access in 4 school districts

The organization that oversees the Good News Clubs in public elementary schools has sued education officials in Hawaii, accusing them of unlawfully blocking their student clubs from operating in four local school districts.

Child Evangelism Fellowship of Hawaii filed a complaint on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court of the District of Hawaii, alleging various education officials blocked the ministry's student clubs from operating on public school campuses.

Good News Clubs are described on the Child Evangelism Fellowship's website as ministries "designed to bring the Gospel of Christ to children on their level in their environment."

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Defendants named in the complaint include the Hawaii Department of Education and Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi; Rochelle Mahoe, superintendent of the Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani Complex Area; Linell Dilwith, superintendent of the Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt Complex Area; Janette Snelling, superintendent of the Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area; and Richard Fajardo, superintendent of the Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Area.

"Defendants' policies of unequal access, pretextual denials, and hostility to CEF's religious message violate the Constitution and have denied some Hawaii elementary school students access to free, positive, and character-building Good News Clubs that enrich countless students' lives in other Hawaii schools and throughout the country," argued the suit.

The ministry alleges defendants have regularly denied CEF's requests to use public school campuses for meetings, even though comparable secular clubs are permitted to do so.

These rejections allegedly began during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Hawaii Department of Education decided in November 2021 to allow student clubs to meet again on campuses.

"By denying CEF use of HIDOE facilities on unconstitutional and specious grounds, Defendants deny CEF the ability to communicate with students on an equal basis with other similarly situated non-religious organizations, such as Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts," claimed the lawsuit.

Defendants repeated denials of equal access therefore serve as a serious impediment to the operation of Good News Clubs and preclude CEF from exercising its rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver, whose law firm filed the lawsuit on behalf of CEF, said in a statement Wednesday that Good News Clubs should be in every public elementary school and that includes in these Hawaii schools.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that public schools cannot discriminate against Christian viewpoints regarding use of school facilities. Child Evangelism Fellowship gives children a biblically based education that includes moral and character development, stated Staver.

According to the State of Hawaii Board of Education, Public school buildings, facilities, and grounds shall be available for general recreational purposes and for public and community use whenever these activities do not interfere with the normal and usual activities of the school and its pupils as provided by law.

According to state rules, no available public school building, facility, or grounds shall be denied for use by the public and community on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

In 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Good News Club v. Milford Central School that public schools could not ban the Christian student group from meeting on their property after class hours solely because the club was religious in nature.
Home News Gov. Maura Healey warns state 'reaching capacity' as hundreds of migrants shelter at airport

Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey has warned that the state cannot accommodate any more illegal migrants and called on the federal government to take action as shelters meant to accommodate homeless residents have been overwhelmed. Airports across the U.S. have also been used to house those who've been allowed entry under the Biden administration's border policies.

Dozens of illegal migrants have been sleeping on the floor at Terminal E at the Logan Airport in Boston. The airport has provided staff fluent in Haitian Creole and Spanish to communicate with migrants and is working with the state to transport them to welcome centers.

Photos of migrants sleeping at the airport terminal were shared by CBSNews. Other states, including Texas, Arizona, Illinois and New York, have also been using airports to house illegal migrants.

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We continue to see migrants at the airport on a daily basis, Massport spokesperson Jennifer Mehigan told The Boston Herald. They come to Logan a number of ways  some fly in, but the majority do not. They also arrive at Logan at all hours.

According to Mehigan, the airport could not provide an estimate of the number of migrants sheltering at the international terminal. In a statement to CBSNews, Keturah Douze, a Medford woman who's reportedly been in contact with some of the migrants, estimated there are around 100 people at the airport.

As The Boston Herald previously reported in November, the states shelter system maxed out at 7,500 families, and many adults and children were put on a waitlist.

Regarding the situation at the airport, Healey said during a Monday press conference that migrants sleeping at the terminal is evidence that the state is reaching capacity to house illegal immigrants.

The bottom line here is that we really are reaching, have reached capacity, Healey said.  I just continue to express in the strongest terms possible, thats why we need action at the federal government. This is not a problem that Massachusetts created. However, its a problem that were having to deal with right now.

In an affluent suburb of Chicago, a city councilman has pitched the idea of asking residents to volunteer to house migrants in their homes as that region also says the influx of migrants under the Biden administration is untenable.

We do have a very affluent community, a lot of big homes, and what I'd like to do is direct staff to create a sign-up sheet ... for individuals that would be willing to house migrant families, and, if there's people that would do that, God bless them, Naperville Councilman Josh McBroom said at a recent council meeting, according to The Gazette.

As Massachusetts and other states grapple with the issues that result from mass illegal immigration, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott accused the Biden administration in a statement of failing to fulfill its constitutional duty to enforce federal laws.

"The Executive Branch of the United States has a constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting States, including immigration laws on the books right now," the statement reads. "President Biden has instructed his agencies to ignore federal statutes that mandate the detention of illegal immigrants. The failure of the Biden Administration to fulfill the duties imposed by Article IV,  4 has triggered Article I,  10, Clause 3, which reserves to this State the right of self-defense, the Texas governor continued.

For these reasons, I have already declared an invasion under Article I,  10, Clause 3 to invoke Texass constitutional authority to defend and protect itself. That authority is the supreme law of the land and supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary."

As Fox News reported this week, border patrol agents in El Paso, Texas, stumbled upon two instances of human smuggling, with the agents discovering at least 40 illegal migrants stuffed inside of vehicles.

El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Good posted the images on X Monday. One of the images showed over 10 men crammed into the back of a pickup truck. Another photo Good shared online Tuesday showed 16 migrants crammed into an SUV.

In a statement to Fox News, sources with Customs and Border Protection told the outlet that more than 302,000 illegal migrants were documented attempting to cross the U.S. southern border between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023.

In the first 2.5 years of the Biden administration, there was more than 5 million border apprehensions and over 1 million people evaded Border Patrol.
Home News Wife of pastor fatally shot by neighbor in HOA dispute files wrongful death lawsuit

The widow of a Nevada pastor who watched as her husband was fatally shot by a neighbor over a longstanding dispute in front of their two children at their North Las Vegas home last month has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the neighbor.

On Dec. 29, the Rev. Nick Davi, 46, who served as a pastor of operations at the non-denominational Grace Point Church, was shot dead by his neighbor Joe Junio, 36, in a condominium complex near Deer Springs and Aviary ways.

Court documents cited by Fox 5 KVVU-TV say Davis widow, Sarah Davi, who was also shot in the attack recorded by her 12- and 15-year-old children from inside the family car, is now seeking unspecified damages in a lawsuit she filed last Friday. Junio is in jail on charges of murder, attempted murder, and child abuse.

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Sarah Davi says in the lawsuit that she has suffered severe physical injuries and extreme emotional distress, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

A police report cited by the publication said the late pastor and his widow had previously reported Junio to their homeowners association for violations in relation to chickens and dogs.

Just weeks prior to the shooting, Junio began engaging in escalating threatening behavior that forced the pastor and his wife to call police twice in December.

Junio once allegedly threw rocks in their yard and ran her finger across her throat in a cutting motion and told them they were next, according to police. The murder suspect further dumped dog feces on their property and flooded their home forcing them to file a restraining order against her.

On the day of the shooting, the lawsuit said the pastor was talking to Junio outside his home as she was inside her vehicle and she suddenly opened the door of her vehicle and shot him and his wife in front of their children who managed to record the incident on a cellphone.

As a result of Defendants actions, Grace Point Church and North Las Vegas lost a valuable member of the community, and a family lost their husband and father, Sarah Davis attorneys James Urrutia and Andrew Barton wrote in the lawsuit. This suit seeks to hold all those responsible civilly accountable for their actions.

Junio, according to the lawsuit, did not have a license to carry the gun she used in the attack and she had borrowed it from someone who authorities are currently tracking.

A GoFundMe campaign organized by Michael Davi, has raised more than $92,000 of a $100,000 funding target to assist the family.

Nick was a father of two children and loving husband who was a pastor at Grace Point Church in North Las Vegas. At the age of 46, Nick maintained close friendships with his Riverhead High School and Tampa University friends, Michael Davi said. He touched the lives of countless people in his short time with us. We are all shocked and saddened by this senseless tragedy.

A copy of his obituary says the late pastor had built a warm and loving community in his adopted home of North Las Vegas after he and Sarah moved there in 2005 after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

He followed a calling and joined Grace Point Church, where he became Pastor of Operations. His effect was immediate. In addition to assisting his colleagues Ty Neal and Tim Fraiser in growing the congregation, Nick was responsible for building the current space the church enjoys today, it said.

Nick will be remembered for being an incredibly kind, compassionate, and generous man to everyone he encountered. He was a caring husband, father, son, brother, and friend, the obituary noted. He made his family a priority in life. He and Sarah provided a loving home where Olivia (15) and Christian (12) are excelling in life and pursuing their passions. Caring and considerate of Sarah, they made each other better in so many ways.
Trump Allowed On Maine Ballot, Tucker Carlson On Treatment Of Canadian Christians, Ohio Overrides Veto Banning Trans Surgeries

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:30 07:30

Top headlines for Friday, January 26, 2024

In this episode, we discuss the controversial decision by Maine's highest court to keep Donald Trump on the state ballot, dependent on a Supreme Court judgment regarding his actions during the Jan 6 Capitol riot. We then shift gears to former Fox News host, Tucker Carlson's plea to Canadians about the alleged mistreatment of Christians in their country. We touch on significant changes at Pornhub as it introduces age and consent checks amid severe allegations and lawsuits. Wrapping up with a sneak peek into season 4 of the hit series The Chosen, with many favorites such as Jonathan Roumie and Vanessa Benavente revealing what's to come.

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Top headlines for Friday, January 26, 2024

In this episode, we discuss the controversial decision by Maine's highest court to keep Donald Trump on the state ballot, dependent on a Supreme Court judgment regarding his actions during the Jan 6 Capitol riot. We then shift gears to former Fox News host, Tucker Carlson's plea to Canadians about the alleged mistreatment of Christians in their country. We touch on significant changes at Pornhub as it introduces age and consent checks amid severe allegations and lawsuits. Wrapping up with a sneak peek into season 4 of the hit series The Chosen, with many favorites such as Jonathan Roumie and Vanessa Benavente revealing what's to come.
Home News Christian school teacher arrested for allegedly trying to poison husband

A Missouri Christian school art teacher was arrested based on accusations that she tried to kill her husband by mixing a poisonous plant into his smoothie drink.

The Jefferson City Police Department released a statement last week explaining that a man alerted the police on Jan. 16 when he discovered he was suffering from an "unexplained illness" that might have been "an intentional act of poisoning."

The man reportedly installed a camera in the kitchen and caught his wife mixing a smoothie with a root-like substance from a bag marked "lily of the valley," according to a probable cause statement.

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Lily of the Valley is a poisonous flower that can be hazardous to people and animals if ingested.

Sarah Elizabeth Scheffer, 37, confessed to "adding items to the victim's food with the knowledge" that it could cause illness or even death, authorities confirmed.

She reportedly spiked her husband's food with "numerous cardiac glycosides, which can slow down the heart and cause irregular heart rhythm." It can cause "nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain," the police stated.

Scheffer, an art instructor at the Missouri-based Calvary Lutheran High School, has been charged with attempted murder and armed criminal action. She has been ordered to be held without bail at Cole County Jail.

John Christman, the executive director at Calvary Lutheran, was shocked when he discovered the allegations against a member of his own teaching staff.

"She was a beloved teacher and did a wonderful job of growing the art skills of her students," Christman said in an NBC News report.

"She was a well-loved teacher at our school. We felt and had seen the fruits of her investment in the students. She was able to encourage them to produce and always seemed to be engaged for all the right reasons."

In a statement to KMIZ, Christman said Scheffer's "alleged conduct was outside of the employee's association with the school and did not involve a student or any other school personnel."

"As a Christian community, Calvary Lutheran High School believes in protecting the well-being of all individuals who are part of our programs and we seek to respond in a caring and sensitive manner to everyone in our school community," Christman added.

The former teacher's father shared with NBC how the accusations came completely "out of the blue" and that they don't represent the daughter he knows  "a well-liked artist and teacher who volunteers to raise money for third-world health efforts."

"She's a decent person," Marcus Blaskie told NBC. "I don't think she could have done this, but I guess that'll just have to come out at trial."

The husband's suspicions of his wife had been present for roughly six weeks. After seeing the video that showed his wife making a smoothie using the roots that were in the bag, the man gave the smoothie to law enforcement for testing.
Home News Church security guard's neck slashed in public urination altercation: 'Id give my life'

A New York City church security guard whose neck was recently slashed says that he'd give his life to help parishioners as police say the suspect resorted to violence after the church security guard reprimanded him for urinating outside the church building.

John Mach, a security guard for the Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Manhattan's East Village, required 16 stitches on Jan. 21 after his neck was cut with a box cutter by a man whom police are still trying track down.

Mach, who was safeguarding the church on Sunday, told WABC-TV the altercation ensued after he spotted the man urinating outside the church building while standing in between two cars.

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The 56-year-old said he immediately approached the man and offered him the option to use the church bathroom. But, the man refused the offer, uttered some curse words and swung at Mach.

"I told him, 'You're not supposed to do this. You can't urinate here,'" Mach was quoted as saying, adding that he found the man's behavior to be a sign of disrespect to congregants heading in and out of the building on that day.

"If he would have asked me, I got the key to the bathroom, I'll let you go. Why do something like that?"

Mach said the man threatened him. As a result of the threat, Mach punched the man.

Following Mach's punch, the man walked away, leaving Mach thinking the worst was finally over.

However, Mach, who was still guarding outside the church on East 14th Street near First Avenue, said the man returned two hours later adorned in a different red coat and holding a box cutter in his hand.

The man then proceeded to sneak up behind Mach with an angry vengeance.

"He left, changed his clothes, and out of nowhere he came and sliced me while my back was turned helping a lady in a wheelchair down the ramp," Mach told The New York Post. "I left the lady where she was, ripped my longjohn, tied it around my neck and chased him."

As blood gushed out of his sliced neck, Mach said he chased the man down the block. But the suspect managed to get away before Mach could stop him.

Mach reportedly walked to nearby Beth Israel Hospital, where he received medical attention.

Mach, who was once in critical condition, said that he suffered a wound "close to the arteries." He told The New York Daily News that he is not ready for Heaven quite yet.

"God does not want me there so soon  so here I am," he said.

The security guard, who has already returned to his job, added that he will keep defending the church and its congregation for as long as he can.

"I'm not letting anyone in the parish get hurt," he told The Post. "I'd rather give my life."

Police officials say a person of interest has been identified from a video, though no suspects have been arrested, Pix11 reports.

Officials are asking anyone with information about the incident to call the New York Police Department (NYPD) through the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

In the local area near East 14th Street, residents have reportedly been issuing multiple complaints of retail theft, panhandling and reports about mentally unstable and mentally disturbed people.

New York City Council member Carlina Rivera, representing the East Village and other neighboring areas, spoke to Pix11, stating the "safety concerns at East 14th Street and First Avenue is a top priority for her office."

"I have brought resources to this block, including homeless outreach, additional sanitation services, and harm reduction from Bellevue Hospital, and am appreciative of the efforts of the 9th and 13th Precincts for their work in the area," Rivera said.

"This problem demands a comprehensive and holistic solution, and I look forward to working collaboratively with the mayor's office on addressing the ongoing challenges on this thoroughfare."
Home News IHOPKC debacle an international crisis causing people to lose faith, Michael Brown says

International House of Prayer Kansas City's ongoing dispute with a group of former leaders known as the advocate group over an investigation into allegations of abuse against founder Mike Bickle is now an "international crisis" that has been corrupted by the devil, besmirched the name of Jesus and is causing people to lose their faith, theologian and media personality Michael Brown has said.

Brown, president and professor of practical theology at FIRE School of Ministry, made the comments on the YouTube page of his nationally syndicated "Line of Fire" radio program Thursday.

He said that he has been working behind the scenes with the advocate group and leaders of IHOPKC to find a mutually acceptable third-party investigator to examine multiple claims of abuse against Bickle. But those talks are now at an "impasse" after a candidate they had agreed on for the investigation declined the offer due to health reasons.

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"Please hear me. I can attest having spoken to people firsthand, I can attest that mistakes were made on all sides, honest mistakes in certain cases. People trying to do the right thing and it coming out the wrong way, not malicious mistakes. But I can attest to mistakes being made, mistrust coming in, and the devil got in big time," Brown said.

"I can tell you exactly when and where and how. Even this very week, I have been on consecutive phone calls with people on both sides, on the IHOPKC leadership side, on the advocacy group leadership side, consecutive phone calls where both are brokenhearted, feeling they were betrayed by the other," he continued.

"Satan got in and separated brothers. This is the work of the devil. And here's the deal. The body of Christ is hurting terribly right now. The name of Jesus is suffering terrible reproach. The Holy Spirit is being mocked. People are losing their faith in Jesus over this."

Brown's comments follow sparring between the two camps on social media that came to a head Wednesday when members of the advocate group published a series of videos making even more allegations against Bickle that IHOPKC Interim Executive Director Gen. Kurt Fuller said he was blindsided by.

Reacting to the videos hours after they were published, Fuller said he didn't understand why the advocate group chose to publish the videos publicly instead of submitting them as part of the ongoing investigation against Bickle and questioned their motive for doing so.

"I can't understand why they would not have provided these videos to me to support their claims. I'm the one person who has both the authority and responsibility to properly adjudicate this case and hold people accountable. They haven't even given me a chance to do that," Fuller said in his video statement published on YouTube Wednesday night.

"I leave it to you to judge their motives for this. In my role as a general officer in the U.S. military, I've negotiated with our nation's enemies, with foreign officials at the highest levels of adversarial governments, and even with my own government up to the cabinet level," he said.

The members of the advocate group have identified themselves as Dean and Jeanie Briggs; Fran and John Chisholm; Jono and Shari Hall; Elizabeth and Peter Herder; Allen and Rachel Hood; Samuel Hood; Amanda and Wes Martin; and Dwayne and Jennifer Roberts.

The recent publication of additional testimony about their experience working at IHOPKC appeared to be in defense of their campaign to hold Bickle accountable for his alleged abuse after five of eight Jane Does they claimed were his victims publicly denied the allegations.

Before the release of the videos Wednesday, IHOPKC leaders expressed a desire to engage the advocate group and get their buy-in on their investigation, which Brown said is truly "independent."

"In point of fact, the current investigation that IHOPKC has underway actually is independent. I've seen the paperwork. I've seen the emails. They're not, Gen. Fuller is not even allowed to interact with the attorney doing the investigation right now to find out details that will be released to the public," Brown said.

In his response to the video release, Fuller reiterated his commitment to facilitating an independent investigation but stated Wednesday that "I no longer need the unsolicited outside advice of people who have no authority here."

"I'll await the independent results of our investigator and then compare those with what the new leadership here ... and then use those findings to hold people accountable for their behavior and to correct all organizational shortcomings as necessary," he said. "We will not tolerate misconduct of any kind, and we stand against any form of abuse."

While it was his hope to find an internal solution to the dispute between the advocate group and IHOPKC, Brown said he believes there needs to be an international response.

"I want to say again I believe with all my heart that the advocacy group has been trying to do the right thing on behalf of those who have come forward as victims. I truly believe that, and I truly believe that Gen. Fuller wants all the truth to come to light, but we have reached an impasse. There is no way forward now. This is an international issue for the body of Christ," Brown said.

"So I will be reaching out to senior respected leaders in the days ahead. I will ask them, people who do not have a dog in the fight, I will ask them to come together and reach out to the advocacy group and to find a third party that is acceptable to the advocacy group representing those who have come forward as victims."

Citing 1 Corinthians 6, Brown insisted that the global community of Christians that form the 24/7 prayer ministry must work together to reach a resolution.

"IHOPKC will publish their report; that will be public. We will ask for this panel of leaders to come together to oversee that the investigation takes place in a way that is acceptable to those in the advocacy group representing those who have come forward as victims and everyone involved will do their best to make sure it is righteous and fair to all involved," he said.

"If Mike is guilty of the charges, then it's up to that leadership group to call him to repentance and to bear fruits of repentance and to have personal restoration  not to leadership, but personal restoration in his own life," Brown added. "Where he's been falsely charged, then he needs to be cleared on those things. And those who have been victims need not just to have a day in court but to have closure and receive the ministry that they need."
Home News Pope defends Vatican guidance on same-sex couples: Bless 'the people,' 'not the union'

Pope Francis is seeking to clarify that the Catholic Church is not changing its teachings about homosexual practices and same-sex relationships as the Vatican faces criticism for approving a document allowing priests to bless same-sex couples.

Delivering remarks at the plenary session of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith Friday, the pontiff addressed the Fiducia Supplicans declaration handed down by the Vatican office last month. The declaration, published on Dec. 18, allows priests to bless same-sex couples while stressing that one should neither provide for nor promote a ritual for the blessings of couples in an irregular situation.

As Francis told the cardinals gathered at the Vaticans Clementine Hall Friday, The task of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith is to help the Roman Pontiff and the Bishops to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world by promoting and safeguarding the integrity of Catholic teaching on faith and morals."

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"It does this by drawing upon the deposit of faith and seeking an ever deeper understanding of it in the face of new questions," Pope Francis said.

The pontiff elaborated on the reasoning behind the declaration, which received backlash from conservative Catholics who viewed the document as contradictory to church teaching on sexuality. It also received praise from LGBT-affirming Catholics who view it as a "step forward."

The intention of pastoral and spontaneous blessings is to tangibly demonstrate the closeness of the Lord and of the Church to all those who, finding themselves in various situations, ask for help to continue  sometimes to begin  a journey of faith," said Francis.

I would like briefly to underline two things, he added. The first is that these blessings, outside of any liturgical context and form, do not demand moral perfection in order to be received; the second, that when a couple approaches spontaneously to ask for them, one does not bless the union, but simply the people who have required it together. Not the union, but the people, naturally taking into account the context, the sensibilities, and the places where one lives and the most appropriate ways to do it.

Francis remarks are not the first time the Vatican has sought to clarify the implications of Fiducia Supplicans.

Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, the prefect for the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith who authored the declaration, released a five-page statement earlier this month insisting that the document is clear and definitive about marriage and sexuality.

Fernandez stated that a non-ritualized form of blessing offered to same-sex couples would last no more than 15 seconds and does not intend to justify anything that is not morally acceptable. He defined blessings of same-sex couples as merely a response of a pastor towards two persons who ask for Gods help.

Following the publication of Fiducia Supplicans, some Catholic bishops have explicitly prohibited the blessings of same-sex couples within the dioceses they oversee, including the leader of the Archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana in Kazakhstan.

Reacting to such actions in his clarification, Fernandez asserted that there is no room to distance ourselves doctrinally from this declaration or to consider it heretical, contrary to the Tradition of the Church, or blasphemous.

Three days after the declaration was published, Francis criticized what he called "rigid ideological positions" during an annual Christmas gathering at the Vatican.

Let us remain vigilant against rigid ideological positions that often, under the guise of good intentions, separate us from reality and prevent us from moving forward, he said.

Fear, rigidity and monotony make for an immobility that has the apparent advantage of not creating problems  but lead us to wander aimlessly within our labyrinths, to the detriment of the service we are called to offer the Church and the whole world, the pontiff added. It is important to keep faring forward, to keep searching and growing in our understanding of the truth, overcoming the temptation to stand still and never leave the labyrinth of our fears.
Home News 6 nuns kidnapped in Haiti are freed days after pope calls for their release

Six Catholic nuns from the Congregation of Saint Anne who were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, last Friday, along with two other hostages, were freed Wednesday just days after Pope Francis called for their release.

"We give thanks to God! Thank you for your support," President of Haiti's Bishops Conference, Archbishop Max Leroy Mesidor, said in a statement to Vatican Media confirming the release of the nuns along with their bus driver and a niece of one of the sisters.

It was unclear Friday whether a $3.5 ransom for their release was paid, but the release of the sisters reportedly came the same day the local Catholic church was marking a Day of Prayer for their release and just four days after Francis called for their release on Sunday morning.

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I have learned with sorrow of the kidnapping, in Haiti, of a group of people, including six religious sisters: in my heartfelt plea for their release, I pray for social concord in the country, and I invite everyone to bring an end to the violence, the pontiff said in a statement on X Sunday.

In a statement to the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need, the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince also thanked God for the release of the sisters and insisted that the local Catholic churchs faith remains unshakeable despite the test of the traumatic event.

With the community of the Sisters of Saint Anne and the Haitian Conference of Religious, the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince gives thanks to the Lord for the release of the six Sisters and the other people kidnapped with them on 19th January. This traumatic event once again tested our faith, but it remains unshakeable, the statement began.

God always hears the cries of the poor and frees the unfortunate from all his distress (cf. Psalm 33:6-7). We cried unto him, he made us strong in trial, and he set our captives free. He will convert hardened hearts and free Haiti from all evil so that all its children will know the joy of freedom, which is priceless. The Church remains committed to helping them bring about an era of justice and peace in Haiti.

Last August, the Christian education ministry El Roi Haiti celebrated the release of their founders wife, Alix Dorsainvil, and daughter, whom armed gangsters abducted on July 27, 2023, when the State Department re-issued a Level 4 travel advisory for the country which remains in effect.

The advisory asks Americans not to travel to the Caribbean nation and directs all U.S. citizens and non-emergency government employees to leave as soon as possible.

"Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure. On July 27, the Department of State ordered the departure of family members of U.S. government employees and non-emergency U.S. government employees. U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible by commercial or other privately available transportation options, in light of the current security situation and infrastructure challenges," the advisory said. "U.S. citizens wishing to depart Port-au-Prince should monitor local news and only do so when considered safe."

In response to the surging unrest and gang violence, the U.N. Security Council, at the request of the Haitian government, authorized the deployment of an international security mission in an attempt to help police manage crime and improve security.

At the time the decision was made, Haiti had already recorded 3,000 homicides in 2023 and more than 1,500 cases of kidnapping for ransom. Some 200,000 people were women and girls faced and increase in sexual violence and abuse from gang members.
Home News Social media companies failing to remove denials of Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre: report

Social media companies only removed a small fraction of 313 posts that denied or distorted the brutal acts of violence Hamas committed during its Oct. 7 invasion of Israel, according to a report released by a technology nonprofit in anticipation of World Holocaust Remembrance Day Saturday.

CyberWell is an organization that focuses on combating antisemitism online. The technology nonprofit utilizes artificial intelligence technology to identify posts that violate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism, which involves denying the tragic event and claiming the Jews made the Holocaust up to establish Israel.

According to a report Cyberwell provided to The Christian Post this month, the nonprofit analyzed 910 potentially antisemitic posts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X. Out of the over 900 posts Cyberwell reviewed, 313 of them downplayed or outright denied the atrocities committed by Hamas during its Oct. 7 terrorist attack.

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Thirty-eight percent of the content denied that Hamas terrorists raped women during the surprise attack, and more than 36% claimed that Israel was responsible for the acts of violence carried out by Hamas militants. Another 5.11% of posts accused Israel of somehow profiting from the October massacre.

"This content was studied and verified by CyberWell's team. Although these posts had a far-reaching impact, collectively garnering over 25 million views, after being reported to the platforms, only 6% of this dataset set was removed," the report states.

The nonprofit also cited X as the worst offender when it came to hosting Oct. 7 denial content, noting that the platform only had a 2% removal rate.

Before publishing the report, Cyberwell stated that the social media platforms only removed 8.91% of the 313 posts flagged in its analysis.

"The morning of October 7, Hamas militants sadistically recorded and, in some cases, even live-streamed their heinous attack to social media," CyberWell Founder and Executive Director Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor told CP in a statement. "Caught by surprise, these platforms rapidly became weapons of mass psychological terror during the attack, and once the true scope of terror was realized are now being used by Hamas supporters to deny and distort the attack."

On Oct. 7, Hamas slaughtered at least 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and abducted around 240 others after invading Israel via the land, air and sea. In response, Israel declared itself in a state of war and launched a counter-attack in Gaza to eradicate the terrorist group that has run the Gaza Strip since 2007. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says that over 26,000 people have been killed since the war began. But these figures don't differentiate between combatants and civilians.

"While all mainstream social media platforms have community standards policies prohibiting the denial of violent events, which has been extended in practice to include Holocaust denial, these companies have yet to apply this policy to the denial of the events of October 7, the largest violent atrocity against Jews since the Holocaust," she continued.

"This is a policy gap and we are calling on all social media platforms to proactively make the change to their policies to effectively stop the spread of hate and protect Jewish users online."

In November, CP attended a private screening of a 45-minute video compiled by the Israeli government showcasing the murders committed by Hamas on civilians in southern Israel. The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews worked in partnership with the Israeli Embassy to host the screening.

The footage shown during the event was collected from various sources, including Hamas body cameras, security cameras, social media posts, cell phone cameras and first responders.

One set of videos showed Hamas members breaching the border in Gaza and infiltrating Israel through a hole in the fence. Once they were through, the terrorists began shooting at cars on the highway, killing the passengers inside and dragging their dead bodies out of their vehicles.

Other video clips showed Hamas militants attacking civilians in their homes or shooting at the attendees of the Supernova Music Festival, where the terrorists killed over 360 people.
Home News Supreme Court of India agrees to hear case on income tax exemption for priests, nuns

The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a crucially important case regarding income tax exemptions for nuns and priests working as teachers in government-aided Christian missionary schools across the country. This development marks a new chapter in the long-running legal struggle surrounding the issue.

A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took note of the matter's urgency, given numerous appeals filed by various dioceses and congregations based in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Senior advocate Arvind Datar, representing the concerned parties, emphasized the need for an early hearing, as 78 appeals specifically challenged Madras High Court verdicts that dismissed pleas for the tax exemption.

This income tax exemption had been consistently granted to aided missionary schools for nearly 70 years until 2014, when the government suddenly revoked it by mandating tax deduction at source on all teachers' salaries. The affected schools and teachers refused to accept this reversal quietly, mounting legal challenges all the way up to the Supreme Court.

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At the heart of this dispute is the question of whether the salaries of nuns, priests and other members of religious orders teaching in these schools should be considered their personal income or the property of their parent congregation. For decades, it was accepted that these missionaries take vows of poverty and renunciation, transferring their salaries directly to their supervising diocese or congregation rather than personally acquiring the income.

The schools argued that this meant that the missionaries themselves never actually gained income that should be subject to tax. Their pleas pointed to a 1944 circular from the Central Board of Direct Taxation explicitly stating income tax should not apply to fees received by missionaries for services rendered. A similar 1977 circular had reinforced this principle.

However, on Dec. 1 2014, the Income Tax Department directed all educational authorities to begin implementing tax deduction at source on the salaries paid from public funds to missionaries. This overturned decades of precedent and raised concern from Christian schools nationwide.

With the Supreme Court now set to weigh in, the focus will be on intricate constitutional questions surrounding religious freedom as well as the practicalities of tax law. The court has an opportunity to provide much-needed clarity on the balance between preventing religious discrimination and enforcing secular tax policies. For thousands of Christian schools and missionaries, the eventual ruling will have profound financial consequences.

This article was originally published by Christian Today India.
Home News Texas 'prepared' for clash with feds over border, Gov. Abbott says; 10 states sending National Guard troops Abbott: 'This is a fight for the future of America'

At least 10 states are sending National Guard troops or other personnel to Texas in support of the states defense of the U.S.-Mexico border, Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott announced Friday.

In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Abbott, who is in India on state business, said while 10 states have officially announced plans to support Texas border fight, he believes all 25 GOP governor-led states will eventually send some form of support.

There have been about 10 so far who have sent National Guard or other law enforcement, he said. They now are joined together with us. This is a fight for the future of America, and they all know it. And so I believe they will all be in on this effort.

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In an interview from India, Gov. Greg Abbott says ten other states have sent national guard to the Texas border, and others will follow. Abbott says he is prepared for a conflict with federal authorities. pic.twitter.com/F58MLoOsAZ  Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) January 26, 2024

While Abbott said hed be shocked if the Biden administration federalized the Texas National Guard, the governor said his administration is prepared for any scenario by continuing to put up concertina wire or other anti-climb border barriers to defend the state.

We are prepared in the event that that unlikely event does occur to make sure that we will be able to continue exactly what we've been doing over the past month, he said. ... We will continue to do exactly what we're doing to expand our denial of illegal entry into the state of Texas.

Earlier Friday, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced he is in talks about sending the Oklahoma National Guard to support Texas, calling the border situation a powder keg worth of tension.

Right now, youve got the federal agents who are cutting the wire, then youve got the Texas National Guard on orders to put up the wire, Stitt told Newsmax Thursday. This is a powder keg worth of tension, so its a very weird situation.

The response follows a call from former President Donald Trump, who urged governors of all willing states to send Guard troops to the border.

In the face of this National Security, Public Safety, and Public Health Catastrophe, Texas has rightly invoked the Invasion Clause of the Constitution, and must be given full support to repel the Invasion, Trump said in a statement Thursday. We encourage all willing States to deploy their guards to Texas to prevent the entry of Illegals, and to remove them back across the Border.

Other states, such as Florida, have already signaled a willingness to support Texas border efforts, with Gov. Ron DeSantis warning of what he called an invasion across the border.

If the Constitution really made states powerless to defend themselves against an invasion, it wouldnt have been ratified in the first place and Texas would have never joined the union when it did, DeSantis wrote on X. [Texas] is upholding the law while Biden is flouting it.

A U.S. Customs and Border Patrol spokesman on Friday reportedly told Fox News the CBP has no plans to remove any border barriers and that ties between CBP and Texas agencies remains strong.

On Thursday, Republican governors from 25 states released a joint statement saying the Biden administration has failed to stem the tide of what they called unprecedented illegal immigration.

The statement read in part: President Biden and his Administration have left Americans and our country completely vulnerable to unprecedented illegal immigration pouring across the Southern border. Instead of upholding the rule of law and securing the border, the Biden Administration has attacked and sued Texas for stepping up to protect American citizens from historic levels of illegal immigrants, deadly drugs like fentanyl, and terrorists entering our country.

The standoff between Texas and the federal government began in earnest earlier this week after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Biden administration could remove razor wire and other border barriers along the Rio Grande.

In its 5-4 ruling Monday, the Supreme Court issued a temporary stay on a ruling from a U.S. Circuit Court which prohibited the Biden administration from taking down any border barriers except in the event of a life-saving emergency.
Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope in joint call for Christian unity

The Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope Francis met in Rome this week where they issued a fresh call for Christian unity.

The call coincided with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, held each year at the end of January.

The two Church leaders also commissioned Catholic and Anglican bishop pairs to be co-workers in the ministry of reconciliation and to be a witness to Christian unity.

This week the bishop pairs attended the 'Growing Together' programme encouraging closer co-operation between the Anglican and Roman Catholic traditions.

Over the weekend they will travel to Canterbury and visit Christian sites together.

The Archbishop told the bishops, "May your ministry alongside one another as Catholics and Anglicans be for the world a foretaste of the reconciling of all Christians."

Pope Francis said, "Brothers and sisters, fourteen centuries ago, Pope Gregory the Great commissioned Saint Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, and his companions, to set out from Rome to preach the joy of the Gospel to the peoples of England.

"Today, with gratitude to God for our sharing in the Gospel, we send you forth, beloved co-workers for the kingdom of God, so that wherever you carry out your ministry, you may together bear witness to the hope that does not deceive and the unity for which our Saviour prayed."
Is it time to scrap the term 'evangelical'?

There are many followers of Jesus in America today who do not describe themselves as "Christians."

It is not because they are ashamed of their faith. Instead, it is because the word "Christian" has become so diluted that almost anyone can call themselves a Christian, regardless of how they live or what they believe. To say, "I'm a Christian" does not necessarily convey a specific set of beliefs or moral standards, and this has been the case in America for many years now.

The positive side to this is that, as followers of Jesus, we have the opportunity to define who we are and what we believe. Even to say, "I'm a follower of Jesus" is to trigger a potential discussion.

What, exactly, does that mean? And what's the difference between saying, "I'm a follower of Jesus" and, "I attend such and such church"?

Or, to take things one step further, what if we told people who asked, "I'm a disciple of Jesus"?

What does that mean? Or do we even dare make the claim?

(For the record, followers of Jesus in the New Testament were most commonly called "disciples.")

When it comes to the term "evangelical," it is not so much that it is a potentially ambiguous term (like "Christian") as it is a misleading term, a term that has become cultural and political more than spiritual.

Explaining the history of the word "evangelical," which first came into use in the 1500s as a synonym for "gospel," Thomas Kidd notes that,

"By 1950, the use of the word had changed dramatically, especially because of the founding of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) in 1942. 'Evangelical' was coming to denote conversionist Protestants who were not fundamentalists."

A major factor in this was that, "in 1949, Billy Graham rose to prominence, and by 1950 he had become the undisputed standard-bearer for what people saw as evangelical faith."

Evangelicals, then, believed what Billy Graham believed.

That was pretty simple.

But, Kidd explains,

"in 1976. That year, Jimmy Carter, a self-described evangelical, won the presidency, and Newsweek declared 1976 the 'year of the evangelical.'

"Of more enduring importance, Gallup for the first time began asking survey respondents in 1976 if they were 'evangelical' or 'born again' and pairing that response with political behavior. Of course, the rise of the Moral Majority in 1979 was a decisive moment in the politicization of the word 'evangelical,' too, but once 'evangelical' became a standard category in polling, the public perception began to shift inexorably toward a political understanding of what it meant to be an evangelical. By the 2010s, most casual American observers had come to assume that evangelical meant 'white religious Republican.'"

That's why, for a decade or more, some evangelical leaders have suggested that we drop the term entirely, since to most Americans, it speaks of a cultural and political aspect of our faith more than the essence of our faith.

Recent studies suggest that the trend in that direction has deepened, with many conservative white voters (especially Trump supporters) self-identifying as evangelicals, even if some of them do not hold to traditional evangelical beliefs.

And so the term, which was first entirely spiritual in meaning, became a spiritual term with cultural and political associations, and now, perhaps, primarily a cultural and political term.

As noted in a January 8 article in the New York Times by Ruth Graham and Charles Homans,

"religion scholars, drawing on a growing body of data, suggest another explanation: Evangelicals are not exactly who they used to be.

"Being evangelical once suggested regular church attendance, a focus on salvation and conversion and strongly held views on specific issues such as abortion. Today, it is as often used to describe a cultural and political identity: one in which Christians are considered a persecuted minority, traditional institutions are viewed skeptically and Trump looms large."

To be sure, some of the scholars cited might see things through the lens of their own biases, viewing many evangelical Trump supporters as White supremacists and/or insurrectionists.

But either way, there is no doubt that the term "evangelical" does not mean what it used to mean, especially to the general public.

In house, among committed Christians who identify as evangelicals, or distinguishing between Catholic Christians and evangelical Christians, the term still speaks of those who hold to a certain set of beliefs (in harmony with what Billy Graham preached).

But for the outside world, it may be time for us to reconsider how we who are traditional evangelicals describe ourselves.

It might also lead to more conservations about Jesus and the Scriptures.

Shall we take that step?

Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Why So Many Christians Have Left the Faith. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.
Kristan Straub, CEO of Wyloo Metals, told members of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce about the developments of the company and the economic impact it could have on Thunder Bay. Straub was the Chamber's leaders luncheon keynote speaker at the Italian Cultural Centre on Tuesday.
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Civil Society Media has published its second-ever podcast episode. It is the first of two Charity Awards special interviews with last years overall winners for excellence, Freedom From Torture.

In the episode, Freedom From Tortures director of survivor empowerment Kolbassia Haoussou discusses his work alongside fellow survivors, his conversation when collecting his MBE from the late Queen Elizabeth II, and his memories of addressing the audience when accepting the overall award for excellence at last year's Charity Awards.

You can listen to the interview here and on Spotify, along with the first podcast episode , with an AI-generated transcript below:

We are keen to hear listeners feedback or suggestions on topics listeners would like us to discuss in future episodes. Please contact us here: [email protected]

Transcript

00:00

Rob Preston: Hello and welcome to the second podcast episode from Civil Society Media. Todays show is the first of two Charity Awards special episodes both of which will be interviews with last years winner of the overall award for excellence, Freedom from Torture.

Before we crack on with the first episode, remember that you have until 29 February to enter your charity for the Charity Awards 2024, which is set to take place in London this summer. Delivered with our overall awards partner, CCLA Investment Management, the Charity Awards provides charities of all shapes and sizes with a window to showcase their efforts and the impact they have made. To enter this years Charity Awards, go to charityawards.co.uk

Our first guest from last years overall award winner, Freedom from Torture, is the director of survivor empowerment, Kolbassia Haoussou. Kolbassia is a torture survivor who came to the UK in 2005 after fleeing persecution in Chad in central Africa. He experienced the challenges of being a refugee in Britain, which included immigration detention, homelessness, and mental health issues before receiving treatment at Freedom from Torture.

His career of campaigning and advocating began when he co-founded the Survivor Speak Out network in 2006, a group led by and campaigning for survivors of torture.

Kolbassia is now the department head for Freedom from Tortures survivor empowerment directorate.

Away from charity, in 2019, he became a survivor champion for the UK governments Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and in 2020, he received an MBE for his work with survivors.

I found it very moving speaking to Kolbassia about his remarkable life and career. In this interview, he also offers some key insights for how charities and other organisations can meaningfully work with and empower people with lived experience. I hope you enjoy this one and Ill speak to you again at the end.

01:48

Rob Preston: Kolbassia, thank you very much for doing this interview with us. We'd like to talk about your acceptance speech that you gave for freedom from torture at the charity awards last year. How did it feel to stand up there and accept that award? What are your memories from that evening?

02:05

Kolbassia Haoussou: Thank you. I think first and foremost, I want to say thank you very much for having me on the podcast. I mean, the feeling was surreal, really, and I think of the people that were in the room, so my reaction, I was really surprised. I wasn't expecting that. I think we all of us weren't expecting that, you know, Freedom from Tortures name will be called, you know, for the honour. Because I think I was sitting, even I took off my shoes. Because I was just relaxing, enjoying just, you know, the moment, the vibe, everybody just happy really to be there.

03:00

Rob Preston: You put them back on quickly to go up to the stage?

03:03

Kolbassia Haoussou: My CEO was dragging me. I said: Sonya, wait, I still need to put my shoes on. Everybody was excited. We were and I think you know, the thing as well is that everybody else in the room was excited for us.

03:21

Rob Preston: it was a great reaction on the night from everyone else.

03:24

Kolbassia Haoussou: Everybody was excited. People were like, standing up clapping. And I was like, what is what is happening? Because you know, when I went to receive my MBE from the queen, I had a similar feeling. But the other feeling was more of my family, you know, the journey that I took, and where I am, and how my family or my dad, you know, somewhere that in heaven looking down must be proud of me, you know, that kind of thing. And this time it is all about the organisation. You know, my colleagues, all the torture survivors, people that come through Freedom from Torture, you know, the fight that we took on to the government and the stand that we want to create this country as a welcoming country. All those thinking emotions come in and I felt really, really proud that everybody that really put together, who voted for us to get that, you know, have a sense of recognising the work that has been done. And it was a moment for me.

04:51

Rob Preston: Excellent. Yeah. And I'll read a bit of your speech if that's okay, that you gave them the night. So you said: This campaign is a testament to all because we can move mountains. When we put our hearts, we put our energy we put our humanity in front and above everything else. Now we are able to defend other refugees and make sure that this is a country which treats people with respect, dignity, and a country where above everything else, we are welcoming people.

So it's quite a hopeful message there. Considering what the campaign was about, it was campaigning against a government policy which isn't that welcoming in itself, do you think the people of this country are more welcoming than the government has come across?

05:35

Kolbassia Haoussou: Definitely, that's my experience. And I say this, you know, many times. I came here, I had two types of different people, you know, let's call it the public and also the system, the government, and also the policies in the Home Office. And those two experiences are completely opposite, day and night. My experience with the Home Office in the beginning was really unwelcoming. And it was really opposing. And I felt unsafe, I was thinking: Oh, I need to think about my plan B. I don't think that's a country that's going to be welcoming, I think this country is not safe. So then I'm thinking about plan B but the thing was I was in an immigration detention centre. So I don't have a freedom that I can let me jump on another way, maybe cross you know, the channel, to find and go to a different country, I didn't have that option anymore. And it was so difficult moment in that immigration detention center, where I could not do anything, I could not save myself, basically, because I did manage to save myself when I was in a torture chamber. I was able to save myself. And I came here, but now I'm in the immigration detention centre, I cannot save myself this time. You're only option is you're going to be deported. But then, when I was released from the immigration detention centre, I was in the public. People just only show me love. They don't know me, they don't know who I am. But Ive only just seen love. And the way the Freedom from Torture treated me, bringing me here and then trying to look after me and finding a solution for me to try to address you know, the trauma that I was experiencing. And I started having a little bit of hope and belief in humanity. There are great people, not everybody is going to torture you, there are other people. That's really nice. And since then, my love for this country has just grown from the way that I felt the love from people.

08:02

Rob Preston: And how important do you think it is that Freedom from Torture campaigns, as well as doing its primary services to offer treatments to people who've experienced torture. Is it important that the charity does this as well, that it tries to campaign on behalf of people?

08:22

Kolbassia Haoussou: Yeah, I think is key. Otherwise, torture survivors and refugees in general, we don't have a voice and we don't have anybody to stand up for us. First as asylum seekers, you're stateless you dont have a country to back you, to support you and to protect you. And you are just going country to country and begging for protection. And if nobody's there talking, nobody that has power talking on your behalf, then you are absolutely nobody. You're nothing compared to the country, compared to the policy and so on and so on. I think that's how we find ourselves quite often vulnerable, devoid of any right and we can do nothing about it. And our country, you know, tortures us and we come to another country to try to find safety but nothing. That's also one of the main motivations after getting therapy from Freedom from Torture to get into advocacy and activism because I feel I have something that I can contribute to that and Freedom from Torture is doing quite a lot for us. Why do I have to stand by the side? I need to join too. That's how I started and that's how I founded this Survivor Speak Out network to get into supporting as well.

09:58

Rob Preston: Yeah, that's amazing because your first contact with freedom from torture was in 2005, when you were a recipient of the services, and it's very soon after that in 2006, when you co-founded the Survivor Speak Out network. So for those of people who don't know, what exactly is the network, and how did you decide to set it up?

10:20

Kolbassia Haoussou: Thank you. When I got into Freedom from Torture, when I was sitting in therapy, I understood what this torture had done to my brain. And one of them is the fear. And the fear created isolation for me and silencing, because I fear that I'm going to be tortured again. So, if I see something wrong, I just need to shut up, otherwise you're going to be tortured. So that's what torture has done to me. And when I was going through rehabilitation, and it kind of unlocked my thinking about torture and what torture wanted me to do, and I decided not to be what torture wanted me to do. And then I made a decision that if somebody needs to speak on my behalf, who the best person should be. Its my story. I will be the best to tell my story.

But then, the more we are, the better and the louder the voice is going to be. And inspired by Freedom from Torture, action, advocacy, and campaigning, I said right I need to set something. And that's how I spoke to a few friends to say I have this idea of, you know, bringing us together so we can raise awareness, we can fight against torture, we can tell the UK government Home Office the way that we have been treated is not fair. And there is a better way of treating people, even if you don't give them refugee status, you can treat them with respect and dignity. And that's how we came together and since then, this has been growing from strength to strength and we've been working Freedom from Torture for all those years now, to create an importance that the voice of survivors is central to everything that we do if we need to take a decision that needs to impact the life of survivors. Therefore, the survivors need to be part of the decision. And it's really important. And, looking back, I feel proud. But I think that if I wasn't given an opportunity by this country, and also I wasn't shown love by the people of this country, I don't think I would be able to set up the Survivors Speak Out Network.

12:58

Rob Preston: Okay. So you needed some positive experience in order to enable you to do that. It's an amazing project to set up considering everything you've been through. I'm wondering what that's like for, I suppose, your mental health really considering the sort of traumatic experiences you've been through? Is there a part of you that just wanted to forget about everything and do something completely separate?

13:25

Kolbassia Haoussou: Yeah, I think it's a great question, because, I think I did have this experience when I was making a decision at Freedom from Torture. Because there was a moment of reckoning when I started having a capacity to think about myself. And so there's a moment that I asked myself, I asked three, three different questions, who I am? And the second question, who do I want to be? And the third question, how I'm going to live with the experience?

About who I am, you know, I just decided I have always been a kind person, no matter what happened to me, I should not change. If I change, I'm gonna be a different person. And the other question of how I'm going to live with the experience of torture, and I decided that no matter what I do, this is going to be part of my life going forward? I can't change it. I cannot go back and revamp myself. I cannot go back and find myself before torture, thats impossible for me to do. But I have to live with it moving forward. But I should do everything not to allow it to define me. Whatever definition of me that the other question, who I am, should be based on that but more. I want to leave as a legacy, part of that experience, when I'm no more here, when I'm gone, what legacy, I want to leave, and I want to leave something thats positive. I don't want to contribute negative into the world anymore. What happened to me happened, but I want to do something but opposite to that. And that's how I come to the decision that going back finding my old self does, I cannot do that, I don't have to do that. I cannot rewind the past to the point where I was not tortured. Yeah, that's the point I'm gonna start from, I can't do that I don't have to do that. So impossible for me.

Then the other option, I go find someplace quiet, have a quiet life and forget everything and forget the world itself. Its only me, and me, and I nothing more. But then my upbringing and the thing that I've seen in the world, just I cannot, you know, marry those two together. So, I cannot do that. So I just decided, alright, I'm going to try to move forward. I'm going to be taking all the good that I know about me in the past, bringing, but making like a 2.0 really improve it and, and create a positive, positive legacy. And from that, I also learned some tools and tips from the therapy about when I'm struggling and what I need to do in refocusing myself and bringing myself back. So, you're not in the torture chamber anymore, wherever that's happening, is not real. You know, you have to bring yourself and it's real. Sometimes you see something you get triggered, I need to bring myself. But Im here in London, this kind of thing, and that has quite helped me.

17:26

Rob Preston: Yeah. Well, it sounds like you made the right choice to try and build something from your experiences for other people who've also gone through a similar experience. How rewarding is it for you to provide a platform and a voice for other people who've experienced torture?

17:43

Kolbassia Haoussou: Thank you for the question. I think it's very, very rewarding. On a personal level, it is that I defeated the purpose of torture. Because if the torturing me in a sense of silencing me and making me an example for others to be afraid, to be scared, then they just got the opposite of that. Now they're afraid of me. They know how powerful my voice is and they are afraid, they cannot touch me. They cannot touch me because I... There's some time ago I went back there just to face my demons, this experience Im not advising people to do. But it was a tough moment where, after 10 years, I was having kind of deep, deep longing, absolutely longing. And I did struggle for very long to quieten. And at the end of the day, I just decided, let me just go on this, I'll be able to close the chapter. I come back at life, I'll be able to close the chapter and try to move on with life. So, I went and they tried to intimidate me and all those kind of things. But you know, at the end of the day, what they created, they created this monster against them, rather than silencing a vulnerable person and somebody that cant even look at them in the eye.

And so I think that's part of which I really, you know, looking back I'm really proud of it. And on the wider level, when I see my friends, I mean people in Survivors Speak Out network. I'm powered using the voice standing up for what is right and it has humbled me. And sometimes I see myself in, you know, in those in those people. Yes, I started the idea, but at the end of the day, what it became is not me, is the members, members that bring their own different diverse experiences and doing the thing that is being done. I give them leadership and so on but something needs to be started and it's been carried, you know, by everybody, survivors and non-survivors, Freedom from Torture invests so much into it and so on. So, now, it's just, I mean, it's a child of everybody.

20:49

Rob Preston: We spoke to your CEO, Sonya Sceats, last year. And she talked about how the charity is trying to increase the number of survivors of torture whom the charity employs to do various roles related to the treatment services that it provides. Are you involved in this work to try and employ people in that way? And how important is it for charities to try and do that, try to involve people who've used their services in the services they provide?

21:18

Kolbassia Haoussou: Thank you. I think it is important that a charity does that. Freedom from Torture, which working with torture survivors. And then if there are no torture survivors working in the organisation, you need to ask the question. Because at the end of the day, if you want to help people, how best to help people without those people helping you? You understand? So, it's really important. And I think it has been a journey at Freedom from Torture, because as soon as I finished receiving services from Freedom from Torture, around 2008, 2009. And after that, the year 2010, I started doing some volunteering at Freedom from Torture and I think 2012 that I had a staff role position at Freedom from Torture. And from there I was in this world of empowerment, I was the only person that was hired to drive Freedom from Torture. So, I was an empowerment system and set up something.

22:40

Rob Preston: That's difficult when you're the only person who's actually been through that situation.

22:42

Kolbassia Haoussou: Yeah, exactly. It was really challenging. And at that moment, Freedom from Torture as well, the willingness is there, but the know-how is not there too. So we all jump in that water, when not knowing how to swim properly. Freedom from Torture has five centres across the UK, and I have to coordinate all the centres, and try to bring survivors to understand that survivors can shape the organisation, they can shape the services that have been delivered to them. And I was doing that part time, two days a week. So I have every month I need to be at least once in, in Glasgow, once in Newcastle, once in Manchester, once in Birmingham, and also then in London. And here, but what I, what I appreciate about that time, is the willingness of Freedom from Torture, in terms of, you know, the leadership in really insisting with that objective, we want to bring the organisation to that we need to, you know, support, support that work.

And fast forward now. We have even a directory, a whole department, on survivors empowerment. And in that department, I think 75% of people in that went through freedom from torture services, now they're working. I am the director, I'm one of the senior managers. And also then we have managers as well that have the lived experience of the service or Freedom from Torture and then we have rolling coordination. Yeah, there are quite a lot of people we now employ that you know, come through to the organisation and then you know, we have other colleagues that have lived experience of torture. But that is the step that you know we took to that and now we even want to go further than that. Creating space and creating systems and support in place so that other areas of the organisation as well can have torture survivors working with them. And one element is really, really important, I think for us, I think for me is making me so proud is that we will have, you know, a roll, of torture survivors that have been through the system service of Freedom from Torture, will be delivering part of therapy for other survivors. I think for me, that is the cherry on top. I think for me that I'm very, very pleased and proud of that. And also, that's, that's the feedback that we receive from, you know, client service users who say I want to see a therapy delivered by somebody that also been through that, so then they understand my situation, and then you know, we can have a better connection. And so, again, we're gonna be now we're recruiting, people that will be, you know, delivering that to, you know, along the line of we're creating a pathway for employment at Freedom from Torture. I'm really hopeful and positive for our future.

26:29

Rob Preston: It's amazing work. Are there challenges about employing people who've had experiences like that? You must have to provide lots of support, particularly in this sort of role, where, as you've said, it can be triggering sometimes. Yeah, do you have to invest in that as an employer of people who've experienced torture?

26:49

Kolbassia Haoussou: Yeah, yeah, definitely. Yeah, there's so much, there's so many challenges that you need to address. When I think one challenge is skill building, you need to skill people in order to be able to do that, and I think, for me, the most that we have done, that, for me, is really very important. I have seen that, you know, through for me, and also for, you know, other survivors that were employed here, that is the methodology of empowerment that we have. And that methodology is, you nurture people into the role. You nurture people, you provide the space for people to learn, step by step, in order to be completely, you know, up to. We do a competitive, you know, recruitment, to all this, and the one that performed very well, during the recruitment process will be selected. And then we'll work with that entity journey in supporting and bringing and upgrading the skills that they need in order to do their job. And the challenge, also, the other challenge is that, in order for you to do that, you need to have resources. Yeah, you need to have resources, and you need to think about the long term, it's not just short term, you need to think about the long game, it's always about the long game. And if you don't have proper resources behind it, I think, you know, that's why you know, the cracks going to be and you know, the failures are going to appear. Because in the beginning, you may not see the result that you want, because, you know, you do think about the nurturing and empowerment, but at the end of the day, you know, you will get to that point.

29:06

Rob Preston: Yes, it's a long term way to get there. Aside from your work with Freedom from Torture, so in 2019, you became the survivor champion for the government's preventing sexual violence in conflict initiative. How was your experience working with the government? And how did you become involved with that initiative in the first place?

29:24

Kolbassia Haoussou: Thank you. I think that's another journey, as well, for me. In 2012, we were contacted by the Foreign Office to provide testimony for an event that you know, the organizing in relationship to the preventing sexual violence initiative at that moment started by Angelina Jolie and Lord Hague, and they wanted the survivors as well to gain that platform. And what they wanted was someone to come and talk about testimony of sexual violence. Me as a survivor, I thought, yes, we can do that but we can do even better than that. Because we should not be just defined by our testimony. Because if we do that, what we are embedding in peoples minds is worthlessness when somebody doesn't have anything. But we need to we need to embed another ideology. Yeah, it happened to me, but no. And so, forth and back with the Foreign Office we said we can really contribute with the initiative but we can advise you how to do it so that the benefit will be reaped widely by survivors. And forth and back, forth and back, at the time they did not understand how those centres operate as much. But at the end of the day, we agreed, okay, then we're going to give you a testimony but the person is going to be on a panel, they're not going to talk about this. I mean, they're going to, they're going to give you recommendations on how you can overcome sexual violence, that if you agree with that, we're going to do a video of testimony. But the person I'm going to be on the panel will not be speaking that as expert survivors.

It was really important for me too because I feel that male survivors, we don't speak, don't speak about sexual violence against men. And so, and I felt it was really important that I also going to provide an example so other male survivors don't feel ashamed to speak about, you know, the experience of sexual violence. And then at that moment, I was constantly advising the Foreign Office about how survivors can be central to the initiative. And that's how I, you know, continually with the Survivors Speak Out, continually supporting the preventing sexual violence initiative by centring survivors. And this was not just as a testimony but an expert, you know, helping you prevent sexual violence.

32:52

Excellent. Yes. It sounds like you managed to do it on your own terms, and have your voices heard and as part of the whole process in designing everything as well. Yeah. Yeah. Amazing. And in 2020, you mentioned this earlier, you're receiving your MBE? How did that feel to get that recognition? You did talk about it briefly but what more can you say about that?

33:15

Kolbassia Haoussou: I think, even now, when I think about it, I have an emotional drive and, you know, goosebumps. Meeting the late queen in person, that's another level of experience. It was amazing. But I think that for me the most important thing is at that moment, I kind of looked back at my life. And my challenges in life didn't start just when I arrived here, but much, much earlier on. I was very young when I experienced sexual violence, when I experienced torture. You know, I lived in a refugee camp and at times I just think, what is the purpose of my life? Why, you know, so much suffering at a very young age? You know, my mum left, she just abandoned me at a very young age. I didn't know my mum. Why, why? I had so many questions on the suffering, suffering, suffering. There's one moment I didn't have anything to eat, you know, for days. So, my life was just full of suffering, challenges.

And when I was there, and while we're waiting, I think I was passing and then I saw a mirror and I glanced in the mirror and I looked at myself there. I broke, crying, but crying internally. And for a very long time, I have not felt sorry for myself. And in that moment, I felt sorry for myself and when I looked at the mirror, so looking at me, the age that I am, I was looking at me in a younger age, I found that I was much more vulnerable at that age than here. Because now I can defend myself and protect myself. When I was really younger, how, how did I manage? And I felt really, really, really sorry, you know, for, for myself.

And when I came up, and then I was there, you know, speaking with the late queen. And I felt a sense of is it just really happening to me? Is it just really me thats standing here or am I dreaming or something? I started thinking about all the people that helped me, thinking about my family, and especially my grandmother supporting me so much. And I hope that she's, you know, sitting there somewhere in heaven and looking down and saying: My son, I'm proud of you. And also, I was thinking that I hope that Freedom from Torture is proud of me. And because Freedom from Torture gave me so much. And also at that moment, I was thinking I am so grateful for this country. My country rejected me. My country tortured me. And this country adopted me and gave me the platform. And now among many billion people in the world, I am here standing in front of the queen. Honestly, I cannot describe it. Even today, I was struggling to find a word really to describe it. But I think that's memory, which I think that I'm gonna take, you know, in my career.

37:01

Rob Preston: Yeah, absolutely. Um, do you remember what the queen sent to you?

Kolbassia Haoussou: Yeah.

Rob Preston: Was that a private conversation?

37:11

Kolbassia Haoussou: I mean, certain people briefed her, I guess. But she was really knowledgeable about me. Because I said to her, as the queen, I am really thankful, and grateful of the opportunity I was given in this country. And I really want to use the opportunity, I mean, to show gratitude. She said: No, dont be silly. You have come through and as humanity, we should be doing what we need to do in order for people like you to have a chance in life again. And that's why we need to stand, otherwise who are we? And, third, you need to take credit for all the work that you've done to be to be who you are today. And I think then she spoke to me about my country of origin. And how was my family, are they okay? And talking to them I said, yes, family is really important. Yeah. Because those are the things that I still remember.

38:40

Rob Preston: It's great that she'd done some research, and she'd been briefed, and you had a proper conversation with her.

Kolbassia Haoussou: Definitely.

Rob Preston: Kolbassia, thank you so much for taking the time to speak to us. It's been amazing speaking to you. As a final question, we're linking into the Charity Awards this year now, so looking ahead to 2024, what advice would you give to anyone, any other charities who are thinking about entering the awards this year?

39:05

Kolbassia Haoussou: Yeah. I think, for me, really, you know, enjoy the moment, you know, just suck it in. And I think it's, you know, sometimes we feel like it's one of a million of that you know And the recognition, those types of recognition. Because sometimes you wake up in the morning and work is so difficult and those recognitions they give you the energy and the motivation to go again. Because after that, my goodness, my energy and my motivation went through the roof.

39:52

Rob Preston: I'm glad it had a positive effect.

39:56

Kolbassia Haoussou: And I hope that, you know, people will consider the injection of a drive that you can get to go okay, lets go again.

40:12

Rob Preston: Thank you so much, Kolbassia. Its been a pleasure to meet you.

40:14

Kolbassia Haoussou: Thank you very much. My pleasure.

40:16

Rob Preston: Thank you for listening to our second-ever podcast episode and thank you to Kolbassia for being such a great guest. Our second Charity Awards special podcast episode will be with Freedom from Tortures digital campaigns manager Agustina Oliveri, in which we chat more about the charitys award-winning Stop the Flights campaign. Until then, I hope you stay safe and well and thanks again for listening.
Iraq, U.S. form commission to discuss ending U.S.-led coalition's presence

Xinhua) 11:25, January 26, 2024

BAGHDAD, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Iraq said on Thursday that it agreed with the United States to form the Higher Military Commission (HMC) to discuss the end of the U.S.-led international coalition's mission in Iraq.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the ongoing negotiations between the two sides, which began in August 2023, ended with launching the HMC at the level of working groups.

The commission will assess the threat posed by the Islamic State (IS) and evaluate the capabilities of Iraqi security forces, in order to formulate a clear timetable for the gradual reduction of international coalition advisors in Iraq and the end of the coalition's military mission, according to the statement.

After the coalition's end, Iraq will move to comprehensive bilateral relations with the coalition countries at the political, economic, cultural, security and military levels, the statement said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Greetings, reader, and welcome to Diarys latest interview. This weeks guest is the CEO of Teenage Cancer Trust, Kate Collins, who bravely agreed to answer the questions other interviewers dare not ask.

During our chat, Collins explains why she was in dire need of some red Wellington boots as a child and laments at how her love of singing does not translate into a talent for it, much to the disappointment of her entire family.

You can read our exchange below.

How are you?

Windswept, not sure how I am getting home and cautiously hopeful. Windswept because its the day after Storm Isha  which is also the reason for the uncertainty of how I get back to Staffordshire from London this evening as the trains seem a bit all over the place.

Cautiously hopeful is more important because Ive had the opportunity today to be part of the Labour and Civil Society Summit. Hearing from Sir Keir Starmer and members of the shadow cabinet about their commitment to a proper partnership with civil society organisations if they form a government felt like a very different  and welcome  approach. We shall see. Theres a long way to go in 2024.

Most of all though I am hopeful  and not as cautiously  after spending the day with 150 other sector leaders. There are so many collaborative, enterprising and purpose-driven people in this sector  listening to them today made me reflect that Ive not been as connected as I need to be in the last year or so.

If you could be a superhero, who would you be?

Anyone who knows me can answer this! Its Wonder Woman. Always has been. Always will be.

The pain I put my poor mum through trying to find red wellies for me as a small child so I could be Wonder Woman is something she still mentions  so many trips to so many shops all to no avail Definitely no access to colourful wellies or costumes from Amazon in Lancashire in the 1980sAnd no, I never did get any.

Who is the most famous person you have met?

Ive been lucky to meet some very high-profile people through my different jobs in the sector. The two who stand out are the first one I met and the one who Ive known the longest

My first charity job was at BBC Children in Need in the late 90s/early 00s and meeting Sir Terry Wogan was an absolute moment of being star-struck. He was as kind, charitable and charming as Id hoped he might be.

But theres no way I can miss a chance to mention Roger Daltrey  as honorary patron of Teenage Cancer Trust and curator of our flagship fundraising week of concerts he is not only a rock legend hes a total legend for his commitment to young people with cancer. Driving fundraising concerts for 24 years is utter commitment  hes changed what the charity is able to deliver through everything hes done. A remarkable legacy.

Are you an early riser or night owl?

Definitely an early riser. Im now at the point where I get woken up to go to bed. It makes our upcoming week of fundraising gigs at the Royal Albert Hall a bit tricky. Seven nights back-to-back  its all my evening events for a year all at once! I have post-shows jet-lag for a week afterwards.

What is the tastiest dessert youve ever eaten?

Blimey, thats a tough question. Pretty much all pudding is good. If I had to pick one Id stick with good old bananas & custard or  if were pushing the boat out  lemon meringue pie.

Is there anything you consider yourself to be very bad at?

Singing! If only the ability to sing correlated to enthusiasm for it. Id be amazing if that was the case. Unfortunately, theres not a note in me  no matter how enthusiastically I sing along to the radio. A harsh reality for my family on car journeys.

What is the best performance you have ever seen live?

And I thought the tastiest dessert question was tough

Im so lucky to have seen so many remarkable performances and moments at Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall  hearing Sir Paul McCartney perform Blackbird, my all-time favourite Beatles track is up there, as is Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn unite on stage as a surprise to perform Tender which  for a Britpop kid like me  was quite a moment.

If you could introduce a new leap year tradition, what would it be?

The only leap year tradition I know is that women are allowed to propose on 29 February  more than a slight whiff of patriarchy in that one.

So how about the tradition should be to overthrow traditions that embed inequality and injustice in a leap year and then keep making progress on that every year that follows.

Are you more of a bookworm or film buff?

Total bookworm.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

This too, shall pass  its good for tough times and also reminds me to appreciate the good times too  thats my go-to.

Please do volunteer if you would like to be next ( [email protected] ). If not, Diary will pick its next target at random, and no one is safe...

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
This week sucked.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times laid off 115 people, more than 20 percent of its total staff. If those cuts went to the bone, in Washington, DC, it was more like an amputation: nearly half of the bureaus journalists were let go.

Personally, this was a gut punch. Id been freelancing for the paper for much of last year, helping the Washington bureau cover a gapit already lacked a full-time congressional reporterand now friends of mine had lost their jobs.

But Im not just mourning for them.

As the San Francisco Chronicles Shira Stein noted, these latest cuts leave just herself, two people from McClatchy, and the five people at the LA Times as the only journalists covering DC for California-based newspapers. Thats eight print reporters covering the entire federal governmentfor a state of thirty-nine million people.

Thats still better than much of the country. Most states dont have a single reporter covering Washington on the ground anymore.

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This is corrosive to democracy in many ways, some more obvious than others. The most glaring problem is that lawmakers arent held to account. Theres no one to confront congressmen on a daily basis or make sure theyre not breaking the law. Local issues dont get scrutinized. And with the exception of camera-hungry congressmen and national figures, most lawmakers barely get covered at all.

This worsens polarization. Without local coverage, the only times most Americans hear about their representatives is from campaign ads or when theyre on national news talking about partisan issues. That makes it harder for politicians who break with their party to get something done to survive politicallyand it makes it harder for issues of local importance that might have crossover appeal to gain any traction. If the only way to gain attention (and raise money) is to talk about national issues on Fox News or MSNBC, why bother taking a political risk to cross the aisle and try to solve problems that actually matter to your district?

In this environment, a few loudmouths become national stars and fundraising powerhouses. Everyone else is just an anonymous Democrat or Republican, easily caricatured and attacked by their opponents come election season no matter what theyve done for the people back home.

It wasnt always like thiseven recently. In the late 2000s, the New York Daily News, which then had a robust DC bureau, led the drumbeat to get healthcare and financial compensation for the first responders and victims of the 9/11 attacks. Members of Congress had to be publicly shamed for months by cancer-ridden and dying firemen, EMTs, and police before they eventually created the program. Most of the bills opponents were Republicans, but it got passed partly because members from the New York tristate area from both parties, who fought hard for bipartisan support, got local recognitionand creditfrom the Daily News. The papers crusading editorials won a Pulitzer; beat reporter Michael McAuliffs reporting played such a key role that Democratic senator Chuck Schumer gave him one of the pens he said President Obama had used to sign the measure into law.

McAuliff is now at a healthcare trade publication.

Fewer reporters are paying attention to their local lawmakers and the more mundane but really important things they do, he told me, while more reporters are tasked with following the loudest and most controversial lawmakers. It means local readers dont understand what their representatives do all daythat they often agree on many basic things like funding local hospitals and roadsor when and why those lawmakers fail to help them. It would be hard to hold someone accountable for failing to pass 9/11 laws if no one knew who failed.

Im likely the last Washington bureau chief for the Daily News. I arrived in 2015, and when I was there, I covered the 9/11 programs reauthorization. While I kicked the hell out of the Republicans who didnt want to renew, Long Island Republican congressman Peter King was one of my best and most-quoted sources as he worked across the aisle with Democrats. By then, the paper was already a shell of its former selfone 2008 photo that hung on the mostly empty office wall included more than two dozen reporters, all of them since gone. But it was still a top-ten circulation newspaper nationally; I had an experienced colleague and was told the paper planned to hire a bureau chief. Then layoffs hit, and I was alone.

My final months in the job were the first of the Trump administration; I spent most days at the White House until the daily briefings wrapped, then sprinted to Congress to catch afternoon and evening votes. When I left the paper, it never hired a replacement, and it has been without full-time Washington coverage ever since.

As I write this column, my former colleagues at the New York Daily News are in the midst of a twenty-four-hour walkout to protest the constant cuts and apparent commitment to shrinking the paper of their current corporate overlords. There are barely fifty staff left.

At least New Yorkarea readers still have Tom Brune and Laura Figueroa Hernandez at Newsday and the New York Times reporters when they decide to cover issues that matter to New Yorkers. Most states dont have anyone on the ground in Washington.

For years, Emma Dumain was the sole reporter covering Washington for a South Carolina readershipfirst with the Charleston Post and Courier, then for McClatchys five South Carolina papers, including The State. She spent years building relationships, understanding, and trust with South Carolinas congressional delegation, even when they didnt like her coverage. Sens. Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham knew her well and asked after her kids; theyd often stop to chat with her or wave her into elevators with them, even on days when they ignored the rest of us as we tried to ask questions.

When Dumain left the Post and Courier, in 2017, the paper didnt hire a reporter to replace her. When she left McClatchy, in 2020, it didnt backfill that position either. That meant there was no local reporter in DC to cover Graham as he went through his brief break with then-president Donald Trump on January 6, 2021, or his sheepish later return to the fold. South Carolina representative Tom Rice was one of just ten Republicans to vote to impeach Trump after the January 6 riots. National reporters were left googling the little-known backbencher to figure out who he was. Dumain knew him wellbut had already departed for E&E News, a publication owned by Politico that focuses on energy and the environment.

For all of those members who are not household names, its a huge problem that there is no one in DC keeping track of what they do, she told me.

When Jonathan Salant started covering Washington, in the 1980s, he was one of more than a half-dozen just from upstate New York on the congressional beat. By the time NJ Advance Media, which owns the Newark Star-Ledger, laid him off last year, they were all goneand he was the only reporter left covering the entire state of New Jersey (two have since joined from smaller publications). Thirteen of the fourteen members of New Jerseys bipartisan congressional delegation wrote a note to protest.

[New Jersey Democratic senator] Bob Menendez is under indictment. And every day he stops to talk to the press, Salant said. And the problem is that the largest newspaper in New Jersey isnt there to get to talk to him anymore.

Salant is now at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazetteand said hes at the only Pennsylvania publication with a full-time DC bureau, now that the Philadelphia Inquirers Washington correspondent left for a national business publication last year.

The Tampa Bay Times, Omaha World-Herald, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Columbus Dispatch, Denver Post, and Salt Lake Tribune all had Washington correspondents until recently, just to name a few. Theyre all gone, casualties of layoffs or off to national or insider publications with more functional business models. Their desks in the Senate have been handed over to trade publications or national outlets or left as places for reporters without permanent desks to squat for a day while they cover Congress.

Its bleak everywhere.

Fully 130 local newspapers closed in 2023, according to a study by Northwestern Universitys Medill Journalism Schoolan average of more than ten a month. Two-thirds of newspaper journalism roles have been wiped out since 2005forty-three thousand total jobs. The industry is in free fall almost across the board: cable news organizations are laying people off in an election year (when they usually expand), NPR recently made cuts, and even the mighty Washington Post just completed a large round of buyouts.

But if the LA Timesthe largest, most powerful paper not on the Eastern Seaboardcant maintain a serious presence in the nations capital, who can?

Its very, very bad for democracy, Dumain said.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: What is the fediverse, and why does Meta want to join it?

Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the size of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazettes DC bureau

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.
A Massachusetts hospital that suffered a cyber attack in December has been hit with a class action lawsuit for its alleged failure to secure patients personal information.

Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport experienced a significant shutdown of its electronic medical records systems and networked computers on December 24, 2023. The attack caused the hospital to redirect ambulances to other hospitals on Christmas day until service was restored on December 26.

The not-for-profit community hospital, part of the Beth Israel Lahey Health System, acknowledged on January 5 that the attack happened.

According to The Record published by Recorded Future News, a ransomware gang called Money Message has publicly admitted it was behind the Anna Jaques attack. It did not say how much of a ransom it is demanding.

The proposed class action, brought by Salisbury resident Gary Cabozzi, alleges negligence and breach of implied contract and good faith by the hospital for failing to protect data. It seeks $5.4 million, or $200 each, in damages for an assumed class of 27,000 plaintiffs. However, according to the lawsuit, the actual number of individuals who have had their data exposed is unknown at this time and could be many more given the size of the hospital.

The complaint also seeks court orders for the hospital to improve its data security systems.

The complaint criticizes the hospital for concealing the existence and extent of the data breach for an unreasonable duration of time and allegedly failing to provide accurate notice of the data breach. The hospital has still not notified its own clientele about the data breach, the lawsuit claims.

On January 5, the hospital said that if it finds that data has been impacted by this incident, it will send all required notifications in accordance with state and federal laws to patients, vendors, and impacted parties.

Cabozzi complains that he only learned about the cyber incident from local news reports.

Unknown Number

The data that could have been exposed or stolen include personal health information such as medical records and history, test results, procedure descriptions, diagnoses, and personal or family medical histories, the complaint says.

The suit also claims personally identifiable information (PII) such as Social Security numbers, passport numbers, drivers license numbers, and financial account numbers could have been breached.

Some of the data is highly sensitive and presents a high risk of identity theft or fraud and it is likely that some of the information that has been exposed has already been misused, the lawsuit claims.

According to the Newburyport Daily News, which first reported the incident, the hospital said on January 2  more than a week after the event  that it was still working with external cybersecurity officials to restore information systems affected by the attack.

The hospital spokesperson told the local newspaper that the FBI is conducting its own investigation.

The hospital, with more than 1,000 employees, is the largest employer in the small coastal city that is north of Boston and close to the New Hampshire border.

As a result of a merger in 2019, Anna Jaques is clinically affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a Boston academic medical center and teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.

The suit seeking class action status was filed in Massachusetts Superior Court for Essex County by two lawyers, one from Connecticut, the other from Puerto Rico.

Hospital Attacks

The Anna Jaques incident is the latest in a series of attacks on hospitals.

Last November, a ransomware attack prompted a Nashville-based healthcare chain that operates 30 hospitals in six states to divert patients to other hospitals and pause certain elective procedures. Ardent Health Services owns and operates 30 hospitals and more than 200 care sites in Oklahoma, Texas, New Jersey, New Mexico, Idaho and Kansas.

In October, two New York hospitals that were hit with a cyberattack had to shut down their computer systems to investigate.

In August, hospitals and clinics in several states run by Prospect Medical Holdings were forced to shut down some primary care, emergency rooms and ambulance services while recovering from a cyberattack. Prospect, which is based in California, has hospitals and clinics there and in Texas, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania.
Alaska ranked first with 66.7% of fatal crashes involving special use vehicles being taxis, a new study shows.

Nationally, 10% of fatal crashes involved special use vehicles are taxis. In the U.S. the taxi services industry was worth an estimated $48 billion in 2022, with more than a million businesses in operation. Taxis are considered special use vehicles, along with ambulances, fire trucks, military vehicles, school and other buses, and police vehicles.

The study, conducted by Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyers at H&P Law, used data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to examine which vehicles were involved in fatal crashes from 2017-2021 and their usage. They assessed each states number of crashes involving special use vehicles to discover how many of those involved a taxi.

Alaska was the state where taxis are the special use vehicle most likely to be involved in a crash, with a rate of 66.7%. The state had an overall low rate of fatal crashes, but due to adverse weather like blizzards, driving conditions are considered perilous.

Connecticut was second with 26.3% of fatal crashes involving special use vehicles being taxis. New York was third, with 26% of fatal crashes involving special use vehicles being taxis, and New Hampshire was fourth for fatal crashes involving special use vehicles being taxis with 25%. Oregon ranked fifth, with 23.1% of fatal crashes involving special use vehicles being taxis.
A driver may file a John Doe civil action against an unknown driver, even without first obtaining an statement from a third-party witness. But an affidavit must be produced promptly upon request, the South Carolina Supreme Court decided Wednesday.

The court was faced with a question about South Carolinas uninsured motorist law, after an 2015 accident injured a passenger in Fairfield County. The passenger, Peter Rice, filed suit against the unidentified driver who allegedly veered across the center line of a highway and forced the vehicle Rice was in, driven by Bobby Rae Dye, off the road and into a tree.

Progressive Insurance Co. was listed as the uninsured motorist carrier in the case, according to the motion to dismiss in Fairfield County Circuit Court.

This case presents the question of whether compliance with the witness affidavit requirement in subsection 38-77-170(2) of the South Carolina Code (2015) is a condition precedent to the filing of a John Doe civil action. We hold it is not, Justice John Cannon Few wrote in the opinion.

Rather, the witness statement may be produced after the commencement of the lawsuit, but the affidavit should be produced promptly. If it is not, the action is subject to dismissal, the court said.

The high court upheld an appeals court decision, but for different reasons, and remanded the case for trial.

In the proceedings, Rice filed his civil action against Doe. Doe actually answered, and Rice produced the witness affidavit a day later, the court explained. Months later, Doe filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that Rice had failed to comply with the law and produce an affidavit before litigation began in accidents without physical contact between the vehicles.

A trial judge agreed  after a previous judge had differed on the matter  and dismissed the suit. The state Court of Appeals reversed that decision, deciding that the second trial judge had no authority to overrule another judge. The Supreme Court sidestepped that point, finding that a witness affidavit is not required before the filing of a John Doe action.

Our analysis is simplethe statute does not provide that the affidavit must be filed as a condition precedent to filing the action, the justices noted. But they recognized that a witness is essential.

Initially, therefore, we wonder why any plaintiff in such a case would not be eager to produce the affidavit at the earliest opportunity, the court said. The plaintiff must produce the affidavit in the discovery process.

Our courts will not countenance the use of delay in producing the affidavit as an element of strategy, the opinion reads.
GSK GSK.L, Pfizer PFE.N and other pharmaceutical companies are urging a judge in Delaware this week to find that evidence plaintiffs lawyers want to use in about 72,000 lawsuits claiming that the discontinued heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer is not supported by science.

If they are successful, that could end much of the long-running litigation over the drug and greatly reduce the risk of hefty damage awards or settlements, which has weighed on companies shares in recent years.

Mark Cheffo, a lawyer for GSK, told Judge Vivian Medinilla of the Delaware Superior Court in Wilmington that the litigation was a case of lawyers and lawsuits getting ahead of the science  way, way ahead of the science, at the start of a three-day hearing that kicked off on Monday.

No reliable studies link Zantac use to cancer, Cheffo said, a view shared by all the defendants.

Instead, he said, plaintiffs rely on a finding that Zantacs active ingredient, ranitidine, can decay into a chemical called NDMA. While NDMA may cause cancer in large amounts, he said, the levels that might appear in Zantac are similar to those found in common foods and have not been shown to cause cancer.

In 2019, some manufacturers and pharmacies halted Zantac sales after NDMA was detected in some pills. Shortly afterwards, lawsuits began piling up from people who said they developed cancer after taking Zantac. Plaintiffs said the companies knew, or should have known, that ranitidine posed a cancer risk and that they failed to warn consumers.

Brent Wisner, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said the experts did not have to rely on evidence directly linking Zantac use to cancer. Instead, he said, they could show that the drug contains NDMA, and present evidence that NDMA can cause cancer.

That evidence could include studies of animals and of people exposed to NDMA occupationally, he said, pointing to one study of rubber workers.

Rubber workers are humans who are exposed to NDMA, he said. Thats why theyre relevant.

Medinilla is presiding over the majority of the nearly 80,000 cases still pending in the United States over Zantac, which was once the worlds top-selling drug.

The drugmakers, which also include Sanofi SASY.PA and Boehringer Ingelheim, notched a significant win in 2022, when another judge dismissed about 50,000 lawsuits making similar claims that had been consolidated in federal court in Florida. That judge concluded that the opinions of the plaintiffs expert witnesses that Zantac can cause cancer were not supported by sound science. Plaintiffs are appealing that ruling.

Medinilla will be using the same legal standard to assess the expert testimony as the Florida judge, though she could reach a different conclusion, and the experts the plaintiffs lawyers have put forward are different from those excluded in the lawsuits in federal court.

Most of the Delaware lawsuits claim Zantac caused types of cancer, including prostate, breast and colorectal cancer, that plaintiffs lawyers dropped from the federal litigation in order to focus on claims linking Zantac to other malignancies, including cancer of the bladder and stomach, that they believed were supported by stronger evidence.

If Medinilla rules plaintiffs experts cannot testify that Zantac is capable of causing cancer, it would effectively end all the Delaware cases. The judge could also allow testimony linking the drug to some kinds of cancers, but not others, which would reduce but not eliminate the companies potential liability.

BESTSELLER

First approved in 1983, Zantac became the worlds best selling medicine in 1988 and one of the first-ever drugs to top $1 billion in annual sales. Originally marketed by a forerunner of GSK, it was later sold successively to Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim and finally to Sanofi.

In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked drugmakers to pull Zantac and its generic versions off the market after NDMA was found in samples of the drug.

Concerns about protracted legal wrangling and potential payouts that could stem from the litigation wiped almost $40 billion from the collective market value of GSK, Sanofi, Pfizer and GSK-spinoff Haleon HLN.L over roughly a week in August 2022.

Lawyers for the other defendants are expected to speak during the hearing later in the week.

In addition to the cases in Delaware, the drugmakers are facing about 4,000 claims in California state court and about 2,000 in various other state courts around the country. The drugmakers have settled several individual cases in California ahead of trial.

No cases have gone to trial yet, though some are scheduled later this year in California.

(Reporting By Pierson in New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Bill Berkrot)
An Oregon jury awarded $85 million to nine victims of wildfires that ravaged the state in 2020, the latest verdict in a series of legal proceedings that are expected to put the utility PacifiCorp on the hook for billions of dollars over its liability for the deadly blazes.

We are so proud of the strength and resilience of our clients, and thankful to the jury for holding PacifiCorp accountable for what happened on Labor Day 2020  something it will never do itself, Nick Rosinia, one of the plaintiffs attorneys, said in a statement.

PacifiCorp expects post-verdict rulings and insurance payments to bring its share of the verdict to just under $80 million, the company said in a statement.

The 2020 wildfires were undeniably tragic, it said. PacifiCorp has settled and will continue to settle all reasonable claims for actual damages under Oregon law.  The growing threat of wildfires to communities and businesses is bigger than any one company or industry.

The fires were among the worst natural disasters in Oregons history, killing nine people, burning more than 1,875 square miles (4,856 square kilometers) and destroying upward of 5,000 homes and other structures.

Last June a jury found PacifiCorp liable for damages for negligently failing to cut power to its 600,000 customers despite warnings from top fire officials, saying its power lines were responsible for multiple blazes. PacifCorp has appealed.

That jury awarded around $90 million to 17 homeowners named as plaintiffs in the case, with damages to be determined later for a broader class that could include the owners of about 2,500 properties, as estimated by plaintiffs attorneys.

The damages awarded Tuesday were the first in cases brought by that broader class, with additional trials expected in February and April.

PacifiCorp also agreed last month to pay $299 million to settle a lawsuit brought by 463 plaintiffs who were harmed by separate devastating wildfires in southern Oregon over Labor Day 2020.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
London's British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) are set to temporarily repatriate a combination of 32 gold and silver artifacts, formerly belonging to West Africa's Asante People, back to Ghana.

This deal is part of a long-term loan agreement that spans three years and marks the return of the country's "Crown Jewels" 150 years since it was first looted from the treasury of the Asante royalty.

Behind the Loan Agreement with the Current Asante King

The Asante artifacts comprise court accouterments such as swords, rings, and bangles that were typically used in ceremonies. All of it was pillaged from the royal palace of the ethnic group amid the Anglo-Ashanti conflicts that took place between the 19th and 20th centuries.

These wars saw the Asante kingdom opposing the coastal Africans who were backed by the British Empire and resulted in the burning of the Ghanaian capital, Kumasi, alongside the looting of its palace's treasures.

Eventually, the artifacts were then spread to various collecting institutions and entities in the UK, both private and public.

The deal itself was not made with Ghana's government. Still, it was instead an agreement between the museums and the current Asante king, Otumfo Osei Tutu II, who is also dubbed the Asantehene.

Although the country of Ghana is democratic, the Asantehene and its royal branches still exert considerable influence over the nation's affairs.

The negotiation for the deal was reportedly initiated by the 73-year-old monarch during his visit to London last May's Coronation of the now-King Charles.

Read Also: Four Van Gogh Museum Workers Axed Over Pokemon Cards-Induced Chaos

A Possible 'Template' for Future Repatriation Deals

By law, national collecting institutions like the V&A and British Museum are not allowed to return items that belong to their respective collections permanently. This is why long-term loan agreements have been the "workaround" for highly-contested artifacts.

Such is also the case for the current deal between the British Museums and the Asante royalty, alongside the possible option of extending the agreement.

In an interview with BBC, V&A Director Tristam Hunt said: "It doesn't seem to me that all of our museums will fall down if we build up these kind of partnerships and exchanges."

However, he also added that this deal is not a complete "back door" repatriation to permanently give back the treasures to Ghana.

According to a report by the UK publication Telegraph, a senior British Museum source said that the institution is hoping to replicate such a deal with the Greek authorities regarding the restitution of the Parthenon Marbles back to Greece.

"We may not succeed and reach an agreement, but believe it is worth trying to find a way through to mutual benefit," they continued.

The returning Ghanian artifacts are planned to be showcased at the Manhiya Palace Museum located in the Asante Region's capital, Kumasi, as part of the Asantehene's 25th anniversary.

Nana Oforiatta Ayim, a special adviser to Ghana's culture minister, told BBC that these royal accouterments possess a "spiritual importance" that rises above their material value, saying, "They are part of the soul of the nation. It's pieces of ourselves returning."

Read More: Portland-Based Company 'Shed Rain' Brings Colors to the Drab Rainy Weather With its Artist-Designed Umbrellas

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Shinji Aoba, the Japanese arsonist who killed 36 Kyoto Animation employees by setting its studio on fire last 2019, has been sentenced to death last Thursday, Jan. 25, according to Japan Times.

Aoba, Guilty for One of Japan's Deadliest Mass Murders

The Kyoto District Court has found 45-year-old Aoba guilty of committing the country's worst mass killing in the past two decades after he had set the three-floor building ablaze.

He reportedly had a grudge against the animation studio for "plagiarizing" his work which prompted him to do the heinous act.

Dozens of staff members were working at the building at the time of the crime, and because the fire had spread so rapidly, a lot of the workers were unable to escape the ensuing conflagration. Besides the terrible loss of 36 lives, another 32 were injured because of the incident.

The district court's presiding Judge Keisuke Masude described Aoba's actions as "truly atrocious and inhumane" during his ruling. He added that the magnitude of the loss and damage that occurred after the studio was swallowed by the fire was "too serious and tragic."

He also said: "The horror and pain of the victims who died in Studio 1, which turned into a hell in an instant, or who died afterward, is beyond description."

Read Also: Four Van Gogh Museum Workers Axed Over Pokemon Cards-Induced Chaos

Behind the Final Ruling in the Murder-Arson Case

In a news conference held the same year the incident happened, the police who initially arrested Aoba said that he was inflicted with unspecified mental health issues, CNN reports.

Aoba pleaded not guilty in a separate trial held last September, as his defense counsel argued that the defendant was suffering from a mental disorder, that if proven, would absolve him of any criminal responsibility.

The prosecution, instead, countered with a request for the death penalty, putting forward the notion that the defendant was wholly competent and mentally present when he did his crime.

Only Japan and some US states still include capital punishment as part of their penal code, with an exception only for those who are deemed to be disabled or are suffering from proven disabilities, something Aoba declared he had.

However, the judge ruled last Thursday that the arsonist could unequivocally separate what is right or wrong during the enactment of the crime.

Read More: Fire Destroys Over 4,000 Artworks at the National Art Gallery in Georgia's Breakaway Region of Abkhazia

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Shakespeare's Globe in London has been the target of community outcry following the theatre's announcement of its "Richard III" summer production's casting, particularly that of the titular character being played by an able-bodied actress.

Why Michelle Terry's 'Able-Bodiedness' as a Point of Contention

As the theatre has announced on its website and social media pages, the Globe's Artistic Director Michelle Terry will be taking on the "monstrous" character of "Richard III," which was famously described by the legendary bard as someone "deformed, unfinish'd."

In the past, numerous major productions have opted to cast disabled actors to play the part, including Mat Fraser in the 2017 play by the Northern Broadsides and Hull Truck; Kate Mulvany in the Australian Bell Shakespeare Theatre during the same year; and Arthur Hughes, who joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2022.

These casting choices have "reinstated" the character as someone who was disabled, and it is been proven to be as such for the real-life counterpart of the character in a momentous discovery made in a Leicester car park in 2012.

According to Reuters, the findings revealed that "Richard III" did indeed suffer from scoliosis, giving his spine a sideways curvature.

That said, the character has also been portrayed by able-bodied actors like Benedict Cumberbatch and Ralph Fiennes in the past, be it on stage or in film adaptations.

Read Also: Carl Andre, Pioneering American Sculptor Known for His 'Pile of Bricks' Piece, Dies at 88

Outcry Over the Shakespeare's Globe Announcement

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Brittanie Pallett, a professional actor with a disability, which she made as a reaction to the Globe's announcement, she asked: "Why is an artistic director of any theatre hiring themselves to play the lead when it's not their casting or lived experience?"

Continuing with: "Before anyone says it doesn't matter, every time this happens more harm than good is done to disabled communities through misrepresentation."

She explained her stance further by saying that there's an argument to be made for "any actor to play a disabled or non-disabled character" but only in an ideal world, saying, "The work we make, whether we like it or not, is in varying degrees a reflection of our society and our beliefs about the people we share this world with."

"Most people's only experience of disabled life is through the stories we tell, so yeah it's bloody dangerous when we get that wrong," she concluded.

In response, the theatre replied with a statement of its own, writing, "We recognize the barriers to access in our industry and to our organization and are working hard to address that."

"We believe the Shakespearean canon is based on a foundation of anti-literalism and therefore all artists should have the right to play all parts in, and the casting across all our work year-round is no different."

Ending its statement, the Globe explained that its upcoming "Richard III" production was still at "the beginning of a research and development process" and will announce the "full company" once everything has been addressed, including the "bespoke needs of each project."

Read More: British Museum and V&A to Return Looted Asante Gold to Ghana as Part of Long-Term Loan

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One of David Hockney's earliest entries to his famed pool series of paintings is estimated to sell for over $20 million, or just around 16 million, in the Christie's "20th & 21st Century: London Evening Sale" on March 7.

Hockney's Modern Masterpiece Capturing the 'Mosaic-Like Cityscape'

According to a public release by the auction house, the 86-year-old English painter depicts two naked figures basking in the sun atop their inflatables, floating across a rippling outdoor pool, in his 1965 piece entitled "California."

Since 1968, the painting has been kept in a private European collection and has avoided the gaze of the public for more than 45 years, with it being last shown in a Hamburg exhibition in 1979.

When viewed, the Hockney piece seems to aesthetically swirl as its cerulean hues are balanced out and paired with an almost "foaming" texture of white.

As per the auction house's Post-War and Contemporary Art Head Katharine Arnold, the painting itself measures a modest 66 by 78 inches and was made after Hockney's "first trip to Los Angeles in 1964.

"After a childhood brought up in the north of England, and having studied in London, still reeling from the Second World War, California must have felt like Arcadia; a beautiful place to be free and enjoy being young," she explained, according to the release.

Hockney's fascination with the city was expressed vividly in the "California" piece, and for Christie's Junior Specialist Joseph Braka, it is "one of the most important pictures of the artist's career" as it was the forerunning predecessor to his many entries in the acclaimed pool series.

He added that the painting perfectly captures the dumbfounded emotion the then-young Englishman was experiencing as he was "plunged into a social revolution sweeping the West Coast of America."

Indeed, Hockney's pool paintings are something that induces a sense of amazement for the viewer, which is exemplified by the incredibly high value that his pieces sell for.

Just last 2018, the artist achieved a momentous milestone when his 1972 "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)" piece fetched $90.3 million at a New York auction held by Christie's, which is the highest a work by a living artist was sold for.

Ahead of its sale in March, the piece will also go on tour to Paris and New York in February, allowing the public to savor Hockney's expressive genius.

Read Also: Carl Andre, Pioneering American Sculptor Known for His 'Pile of Bricks' Piece, Dies at 88

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CLEVELAND, Ohio  Brandon Chrostowski cannot sit still. He has to be cooking, or helping. The workers at Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute carry that dual mission every day, and next week the Cleveland restaurateur will cook for refugees  overseas, in a tiny, little-known area ravaged with the problems of nearby nations.

Chrostowski is set to leave Friday, Feb. 2, for a nine-day trip to the eastern African nation of Djibouti, which has become a bridge for fleeing refugees seeking survival.

I wanted to do something bigger than here in Cleveland, he said.

Related coverage: A decade of service: Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute marks 10 years

Its messed up. When I got back from Israel, the Middle East started to unravel. It may have already been unraveled, but the things that were coming to light were unique. The conflict with Yemen, which has been going on for years, has been amped up. Its distressed.

The crossroads is Djibouti.

The nation is a path between Yemen and Africa, and the area is filled with thousands of homeless people because of civil-war fighting.

And now its really gotten crazy with the cargo, the vessels coming through the Red Sea, he said. And you have people fleeing Ethiopia to get away from their problems.

Djiboutis roots go back hundreds of years, but its independence was not established until 1977. Its slightly smaller than New Jersey, but the country of about 976,000 is on the front line to the problems of neighboring nations. The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden meet on the shores of Djibouti, which sits between Eritrea and Somalia. Its ports, which handle 95% of Ethiopias trade, offer strategic points for shipments between Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Complicating factors include the recent attacks on American-flagged ships from Yemens Houthi rebels.

When Chrostowski wants to go abroad, he kicks things in motion as quickly and efficiently as he can. He reached out to an Al Jazeera staffer, who connected him with someone in the region. He plans to meet with a government official and someone who helps coordinates refugees. After spending one day in the capital city of Djibouti, Chrostowski will head about four hours up the coastline to the small port city of Obock.

Theres nothing up there, so whatever we bring, we have, he said. Thats where Ill begin to cook, serve Yemeni refugees and the like.

Some people have warned him about the trip, saying: What are you thinking?

Ill be honest, it kind of drives me to do it more, said Chrostowski, who said he has been following the conflicts in the region for a while. Humanity has no color or race or gender. Humanitys humanity. This has got to be ground zero for humanity. Its war-torn. And people need to hear about it, because you dont just hear about this.

Its far from his first foray into problem areas where marginalized people are going hungry. He has fed people in Ukraine, Poland and Israel. But this trek, into what he calls a glorified village, feels different. Unlike his other trips, this is more or less a solo venture. One guide who knows the area will be with him, but there wont be a big entourage. The visa process has been a bit bureaucratic, and in addition to the dangers he has to be wary of Yellow Fever.

For his trips abroad, Chrostowski will reach out to both sides of the political aisle for guidance. In the past, former Sen. Rob Portman has been a huge help, he has said, and for this one, both U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur paved the way.

Chrostowski is squeezing in the trip between restaurant deadlines for dinners, special events, paczki preparation, a fish fry, Valentines Day, Easter planning and more. But he feels this is a priority.

This is the right time and it is the right place, he said.

Chrostowski has always said any attention or honors he or his restaurant receive are not important to him but imperative to further the mission of Edwins, which hires and trains recently incarcerated individuals to work in the fine-dining French restaurant in Shaker Square. Thats a mission he has expanded over the 11 years the restaurant has been in business, from his training program in prisons to expanding food options in Clevelands Buckeye neighborhood and more.

Theres impact that could be made, he said, and well use our visibility to do it.

I am on cleveland.coms life and culture team and cover food, beer, wine and sports-related topics. For my recent stories, heres a directory on cleveland.com. Bill Wills of WTAM-1100 and I talk food and drink usually at 8:20 a.m. Thursdays. Twitter: @mbona30. My latest book, co-authored with Dan Murphy, is Joe Thomas: Not Your Average Joe by Gray & Co.

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Denver County Jail in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. Hyoung Chang | Denver Post | Getty Images

An Alabama man was put to death using nitrogen gas Thursday evening in a first-of-its-kind execution that could influence states in pursuit of a viable alternative to lethal injection. Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, was executed by nitrogen hypoxia, in which he was strapped to a gurney and made to breathe nitrogen gas through a mask apparatus, depriving him of oxygen, prison officials at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore said. The execution started at 7:53 p.m. local time and Smith's time of death was 8:25 p.m., according to corrections officials, adding that the nitrogen was flowing for about 15 minutes. "Tonight, Alabama caused humanity to take a step backward," Smith said in his last words, according to media witnesses. "I'm leaving with love, peace and light," he added. "Thank you for supporting me, love all of you." Media witnesses said he appeared conscious for several minutes into the execution, and then he appeared to shake and writhe on the gurney for two minutes. That was followed by several minutes of deep breaths until his breathing slowed and it was no longer perceptible to media witnesses. Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said at a news conference that Smith appeared to be holding his breath as long as he could. He said there was some "involuntary movement" that was expected and that "nothing was out of the ordinary."

Nitrogen hypoxia is an untested method in the United States. About 50 minutes after the execution was originally scheduled to happen Thursday, the Supreme Court again rejected a request by Smith's lawyers to block the execution. Smith, who was convicted for his role in a 1988 murder-for-hire slaying of a preacher's wife, Elizabeth Sennett, was already a rare example of a person who survived an execution. An attempt to put him to death by lethal injection in 2022 failed when prison staff at Atmore tried unsuccessfully to insert needles into a suitable vein. That failure, among a series of problematic executions using lethal injection in the state, prompted Alabama officials to pause the practice in 2022 and reevaluate. "After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes," Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement following his execution. "I pray that Elizabeth Sennett's family can receive closure after all these years dealing with that great loss." Michael Sennett, one of Elizabeth Sennett's adult sons, witnessed the execution. Smith looked like "a fish out of water for some time, but not too bad," Sennett said, adding, "His debt was paid tonight." Smith's wife, Deanna Smith, was also present for the execution. "He was a good man and he didn't deserve this," she said. In the lead-up to his execution, Smith had said that surviving a previous execution attempt left him with post-traumatic stress disorder and bouts of vomiting, and his lawyers had said in court filings they worry he may vomit while he is in the death chamber with the mask on and choke. As a precaution to Smith vomiting, prison officials earlier said they gave him his final meal of solid food by 10 a.m. and only clear liquids throughout the day. Smith's spiritual adviser, the Rev. Jeff Hood, said his last meal consisted of a Waffle House order: T-bone steak, hash browns and scrambled eggs in A.1. sauce and toast. The concern that Smith was potentially being subjected to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Constitution had been the basis for filings by his legal team and also led opponents of capital punishment and United Nations human rights experts to voice their concerns. But a federal appeals court on Wednesday dealt another blow, writing in a majority opinion that the fact nitrogen hypoxia is "new and novel" does not mean it is inherently cruel and unusual.

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Ark Invest's Cathie Wood piled into Tesla shares Thursday as the electric vehicle company, one of her top holdings, sold off drastically after weak earnings and a slowdown warning. Wood's flagship ARK Innovation ETF added 148,246 shares of Tesla in the previous session, and 29,624 shares for her ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF , according to Ark's daily trading data. Combined, the purchases were worth more than $32 million based on Tesla's Thursday close of $182.63. Tesla shares shed 12% Thursday, suffering their biggest drop in over a year. The sell-off came after the company reported earnings that missed expectations and warned of a slowdown in 2024. The stock is now down more than 26% in January. TSLA 5D mountain Tesla Elon Musk's electric carmaker said vehicle volume growth in 2024 "may be notably lower" than the rate observed last year, as the company works toward launching its "next-generation vehicle" in Texas. The company cautioned investors that it's "currently between two major growth waves." Tesla is ARKK's fourth largest holding with a 7.2% weighting, behind Coinbase , Roku and Zoom . Wood is known to trade around Tesla, taking profits to feed other high-conviction purchases and adding to the stake when the stock is under pressure. Last year, she said her EV darling could hit $2,000 in five years on the back of a robotaxi boom. That valuation would also translate into a more than $5 trillion market cap for Tesla. Her projections have also included a $1,400 price target as her bear case and $2,500 as her bull case. Wood has been a longtime champion of Tesla, betting on an accelerated shift to EVs as well as Tesla's artificial intelligence capabilities. She previously called Tesla the "biggest AI opportunity in the world."
The US Department of Energy building is seen in Washington, DC, on July 22, 2019.

President Joe Biden paused pending approvals of exports from new liquefied natural gas projects on Friday, a move cheered by climate activists that could delay decisions on new plants until after the Nov. 5 election.

The Department of Energy (DOE) will conduct a review during the pause that will look at the economic and environmental impacts of projects seeking approval to export LNG to Europe and Asia where the fuel is in hot demand.

The review will take months and then will be open to public comment which will take further time, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told reporters in a teleconference.

Biden said in a statement: "During this period, we will take a hard look at the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs, America's energy security, and our environment." He said the pause "sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time."

Administration officials vowed the pause would not hurt allies, saying the plan will come with exemptions for national security should they need more LNG.

"We are committed to strengthening energy security here in the U.S. and with our allies," Granholm said.

Companies and countries in Europe are worried about steady supplies of U.S. gas as the region tries to wean itself off pipelined gas from Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. U.S. allies in Asia also covet LNG as they seek to slow coal consumption.

The last review of LNG export projects was in 2018 when export capacity was 4 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd). That capacity has tripled, with the U.S. becoming the world's top LNG exporter last year, and is set to shoot higher by 2030 with projects under construction.

The growth has set off protests from environmentalists, part of Biden's base. Activists say new LNG projects can harm local communities with pollution, lock in global reliance on fossil fuels for decades, and lead to emissions from burning gas and from leaks of the powerful greenhouse gas methane.

Environmentalists hailed the move as a bold step.

It "continues this administration's historic efforts to meet the global commitment to phase out fossil fuels and confront the climate crisis head on," said Ben Jealous, head of the Sierra Club.

Swaths of U.S. industry, ranging from chemicals, steel, food and agriculture, also oppose unrestricted exports of U.S. gas saying it raises risks for fuel prices and reliability.

Only four projects with export approvals pending at the DOE would be affected by the pause, an administration official said without naming them. The projects could include ones by Sempra Infrastructure, Commonwealth LNG, and Energy Transfer, the DOE's website showed.

Sempra is confident its projects would help displace more carbon-intense fossil fuels, including coal, and provide gas to allies, a spokesperson said. The other companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Louisiana Project CP2

Upset with Biden's approvals last year of oil and gas projects in Alaska, climate activists have focused on stopping Venture Global's Calcasieu Pass 2 (CP2) pending LNG project in Louisiana, which would be the nation's largest terminal.

An administration official said CP2 would not be affected by the pause because that project first needs approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

But the commission's panel of three regulators, which almost always approves LNG projects, could approve it as soon as February, which would then put its approval in the hands of the DOE.

An administration official said in the call that "projects like CP2 really speak to this question of are we over-building?".

A Venture Global spokesperson could not be immediately reached but the person said earlier this week that a pause could send a "devastating signal to our allies that they can no longer rely on the United States." Germany accounts for nearly half of CP2's current contracted capacity of LNG.
Is it time to buy China, or should investors continue to avoid this market? Quite a few developments surrounded the Asian giant this week. Chinese stocks dropped to an almost five-year low last week, reflecting persistent bearishness from the past year. But this week, China embarked on monetary easing as it pledged to reduce the amount of liquidity that its banks are required to hold as reserves. Reserve ratio requirements for banks will be cut by 50 basis points from Feb. 5. Its central bank also said Wednesday that there's room for further easing. Earlier this week, Bloomberg News, citing sources, reported that China is considering a $278 billion package to rescue its stock markets. Is it time to get back into Chinese markets? Investors have been avoiding them, in light of factors such as the property debt crisis, which has triggered financial risks through the broader economy, as well as deflation. Here's what analysts are saying. Buy when there's 'blood in the streets' Brendan Ahern, chief investment officer at KraneShares, acknowledged that China markets are facing "peak pessimism," but that there can be "some pretty explosive rallies" at these levels. "I think you cannot go long naked. I think you have to kind of protect yourself using options strategies or structured notes. But we know as professionals we should be buying, that when there's blood in the streets, this is when you buy  you just have to be very careful," he told CNBC's " Street Signs Asia " on Thursday. Andrew Lapping, chief investment officer at Ranmore Fund Management , says the sharp decline in China markets is an "opportunity." "Over the past year, the S & P500 is up over 20% while the Hang Seng is down 30%. There is no way the underlying business values have diverged to this degree," he said in a Wednesday note. "This underperformance, particularly over the past month, has given us the opportunity to buy high quality, well-capitalised businesses at very low prices - an exciting opportunity," he added. Winnie Wu, chief China equity strategist at BofA Securities, believes that although China's economy has weakened, its problems are "not as terrible as what the stock market has reflected." "So the stock market is certainly putting much higher equity risk premium ... there are also concerns about policy direction, policy clarity ... I think these measures to stabilize the stock market helps like rather than putting a floor to stop some of this capitulation," she said. Renowned value investor Guy Spier was less optimistic, saying that the $278 billion package won't be enough. "The markets are a strange beast that won't be fixed by throwing state money at the problem. The CCP have to take a hard look at their policies and start listening better to the needs of business," he told CNBC's Tanvir Gill. But he believes that the government will get it right  eventually. "Of course China can and China will bounce back," he said. "China did an about-turn on its Covid policy, so I think that they are also capable of adjusting their business  unfriendly policies of the last few years." How and when the market will recover Two things need to happen before the stock market can turn around, according to Wu. The first is that consumers need to regain their confidence in the property sector, she said, adding that 2024 "will be the most difficult year" for the sector. Next year, more government projects in terms of social housing and reconstruction will kick in and support commodity demand, she added. "On the other side, China needs to convince investors what's going to be the new growth driver, what's after property, and is that going to be big enough for employment to drive your 4%, 5% or 3% GDP?" Wu said. Wu predicts that a market turnaround can happen in another 12 to 18 months. "We are getting into this adjustment  trying to reduce the reliance on property  into something high tech  advanced manufacturing," she added. Ahern, for his part, said the government needs to continue its efforts to restore investor confidence. "There has been a change in the tone and tenor of the government to foreign investors, foreign corporations. That confidence isn't going to come back overnight but they have to keep moving in this direction. They have to keep being transparent on what the next actions are going to be," he said. How to invest French asset management company Amundi said that there is a renewed focus on tech and the energy transition. In artificial intelligence, for instance, China is "quickly closing the gap" with the United States in AI research. It's also leading in quantum computing, Amundi said. JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley likes these top U.S.-listed Chinese tech stocks. Amundi noted that China has been the biggest investor in clean energy in the past decade, and is now the largest producer of solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries in the world. One chief investment officer likes this Chinese EV stock and a mining stock to tap the energy transition. UBS said in a Jan. 17 note that investors should adopt a barbell strategy by holding stocks in recovery beneficiary sectors such as consumer, internet and industrials, as well as high-yielding stocks in defensive sectors such as banks, insurers and utilities. The latter category can "navigate through market volatility in case further policy support falls short of expectations." A barbell strategy strikes a balance between reward and risk by investing in high and low-risk assets. "For the longer term, we prefer sectors benefiting from strong policy tailwinds, including industrial automation, digitalization, electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, and renewable energy," the bank said. UBS likes these stocks: China internet: Alibaba , Baidu , NetEase . Industrials: China Communications Construction. Banks and insurance: China Construction Bank , Ping An Insurance . Renewable energy: China Longyuan Power Group, China Resources Power.  CNBC's Tanvir Gill, Michael Bloom and Evelyn Cheng contributed to this report.
China's financial institutions should provide strong support to the country's beleaguered real estate sector and not "blindly withdraw" financing for projects facing difficulties, according to a senior Chinese financial regulatory official.

His strongly worded comments follow the Chinese central bank's largest cut in mandatory cash reserves for banks since 2021. Beijing also recently released a fresh policy mandate aimed at easing the cash crunch for Chinese developers, which have struggled under the crackdown on the sector's bloated debt.

"The financial industry has an unshirkable responsibility and must provide strong support," said Xiao Yuanqi, deputy director of China's National Financial Regulatory Administration, at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday, according to a CNBC translation.

"We all know the real estate industry chain is long and involves a wide range of areas. It has an important impact on the national economy and is closely related to people's lives," he added.

China's real estate troubles are closely intertwined with local government finances since they typically relied on land sales to developers for a significant portion of revenue.
DONGYING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 15: An aerial view of tugboats push the crude oil tanker 'VESNA' from Singapore to a reception terminal of Dongying port on November 15, 2023 in Dongying, Shandong Province of China. (Photo by Zhou Guangxue/VCG via Getty Images)

U.S. crude oil on Friday closed out its best week in more than four months, as positive economic news in the world's two largest economies raised hopes for more robust crude demand this year.

The West Texas Intermediate contract for March gained 65 cents, or 0.84%, to settle at $78.01 a barrel. The Brent contract for March settled at $83.55 a barrel, up $1.12 or 1.36%.

U.S. crude posted its best week, up 6.27%, since Sept. 1, while the global benchmark was last up 6.35% for the week. WTI and Brent have gained more than 8%, respectively, for the year.

For consumers, rising oil prices means slightly higher prices at the pump. The national average for a gallon of gas stood at $3.10 on Friday, up about 1 cent from a week ago, according to the motorist group AAA.

Gas prices will continue to rise off and on into the spring, said Patrick de Haan, an analyst with GasBuddy, on social media Thursday.

The U.S. reported stronger-than-expected economic growth in the fourth quarter of 3.3%, compared to 2% expected by Wall Street. China, meanwhile, is loosening reserve requirements for its bank in an effort to boost growth amid concerns that its economy is faltering.

"The two largest oil consumers in the world could likely have some pretty strong demand this year," Robert Thummel, portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital, told CNBC.

The potential for more robust demand comes as crude supply fell in the U.S. due to winter storms. Crude inventories fell by 9.2 million barrels last week as production dropped by 1 million barrels per day, according to data from the Energy Information Administration.

Elsewhere on the supply side, OPEC and its allies, OPEC+, are not planning any changes to oil output cuts at the group's meeting Thursday, several delegates told Bloomberg News. OPEC+ is cutting 2.2 million barrels per day through at least the first quarter to support prices.
Here are Friday's biggest calls on Wall Street: CFRA upgrades Seagate to buy from hold CFRA upgraded Seagate after its earnings report and said it sees a cloud demand recovery. "Despite macro concerns, we see IT hardware budgets recovering off lows on secular growth drivers. Initial signs of cloud stabilization provide optimism, but broader demand recovery is still gradual given economic uncertainty." Oppenheimer reiterates Apple as outperform Oppenheimer said it's bullish on Apple's future in gaming. "We believe Apple management is committing to building Apple hardware as the best HD gaming platform." Bank of America reiterates Alphabet as buy Bank of America raised its price target on the stock to $175 per share from $166. "We see Alphabet as well positioned long term with leading AI technology to apply to search, YouTube and Cloud businesses. Bank of America reiterates Apple as buy Bank of America said it's standing by its buy rating Apple. "We maintain our Buy rating on Apple given positive estimate revisions, margin expansion and growth in Services. Apple was recently added to the US1 List at BofA. JPMorgan reiterates Tesla as underweight JPMorgan lowered its price target on the stock to $130 per share from $135 after the company's earnings report on Wednesday. " Tesla profit expectations have fallen, but even after Thursdays sell-off, the stock to us seems in comparison to have hardly noticed, suggesting plenty of further downside potential." TD Cowen upgrades American Airlines to outperform from market perform TD said shares of the airlines are getting its "mojo" back. "We are upgrading shares of American Airlines Group to Outperform and increasing our PT to $21." UBS downgrades Humana to neutral from buy UBS said in its downgrade of the health insurance company that Humana shares are too volatile right now. "Given the volatility in the company's near-term results and management's own commentary suggesting an extended time frame for recovery to normalized margins, we believe the shares will tend to trade at a mid-teens forward multiple from here." Needham downgrades Intel to hold from buy Needham said it sees too many challenges ahead for Intel after its earnings report on Thursday. "We are downgrading INTC shares to Hold following an unexpected EPS reset, GM headwinds and challenges still faced in the core data center segment." Oppenheimer upgrades Coinbase to outperform from perform Oppenheimer said it sees multiple catalysts ahead for the crypto company. "We are upgrading COIN from Perform to Outperform, and initiating a PT of $160. Our upgrade is based on our thesis that 1) either COIN will prevail in SEC lawsuit or the court will dismiss it; 2) Spot Bitcoin ETF is a net positive." Deutsche Bank upgrades Snap to buy from hold Deutsche said shares are undervalued. "We are upgrading SNAP to Buy from Hold. We see a clear, strong catalyst path towards upwards revenue and EBITDA revisions supported by: a) Snapchat+ creating incremental revenue, b) the ad platform rebuild yielding strong performance results and driving growing advertiser adoption." Oppenheimer upgrades Bread Financial to outperform from perform Oppenheimer said the stock is "undervalued." "We usually stay away from transition stories during tough economic times, but BFH's valuation and near-rightsized capital metrics are very enticing." JPMorgan downgrades Dow to neutral from overweight JPMorgan said in its downgrade of the chemical company that it sees "constrained" cash flow. " Dow's cash flow is ample to fund current cash requirements, but is constrained to do more than that." Bank of America reiterates Amazon as buy Bank of America said Amazon is "well positioned." "With drivers for AWS acceleration and margin upside in place, we think the stock is well positioned into 2024 at just 2.4x 2025E P/S, near the middle of its historical range of 0.8-4.0x since 2010." Piper Sandler downgrades US Bancorp to neutral from overweight Piper downgraded the stock mainly on valuation. "However, we are lowering our rating on USB from OW to Neutral. We still think extraordinarily highly of this company. But with last year's capital-related idiosyncrasies having worked themselves out well, and with the shares at a premium to peers, we see fewer company-specific catalysts to cause the stock to outperform peers." UBS downgrades Archer-Daniels Midland to neutral from buy UBS said in its downgrade of Archer-Daniels Midland that margins are degrading. "We are downgrading to Neutral with Price Target of $51/shr (no upside). We see downside to street earnings driven by 1) No growth in Nutrition segment; 2) Soy crush driving Yoy Decline in Crush earnings." RBC downgrades Northrop Grumman to sector perform from outperform RBC downgraded the stock after its earnings earnings and says upside is limited. "We are downgrading our recommendation on NOC from Outperform to Sector Perform, and we are lowering our price target to $450." Goldman Sachs upgrades Asur to buy from sell Goldman said in its upgrade of Asur that the Mexico airport company is a "structural growth story." "We upgrade the stock to Buy as we believe it offers: i) a structural growth story with a challenging short term at least partly priced in; ii) undemanding valuation on our estimates (stocks are currently ~30% below the multiple implied by the correlation with 10y rates in Mexico)." Goldman Sachs reiterates Jabil as buy Goldman reinstated coverage of the electronics company with a buy and says it sees "reduced volatility" for Jabil. "Rising exposure to fast growing and more profitable end markets; Reinstate at Buy." Wedbush reiterates Tesla as outperform Wedbush said it's standing by Tesla, but removed the stock from its best ideas list. "We are removing TSLA from the Wedbush Best Ideas List (BIL) due to our investment price discipline. Evercore ISI reiterates Pinterest as outperform Evercore said it's standing by its outperform rating on the stock after a "series of channel checks." "We are materially raising estimates and our PT (from $45 to $50) on PINS and reiterating our Outperform (our #1 SMiD Cap Long) in the wake of our proprietary tracking and analysis of its Amazon partnership and a series of channel checks."
WASHINGTON  The Federal Trade Commission on Friday announced that it fined Kubota, one of the world's largest tractor manufacturing companies, $2 million for mislabeling some of its replacement parts as "Made in the USA."

"Today's settlement includes the largest civil penalty assessed for violating the Made in USA Labeling Rule," said Samuel Levine, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "The FTC will continue cracking down on deceptive Made in USA claims that cheat consumers and honest businesses."

Dallas-based Kubota North America Corporation violated the 2021 rule by labeling thousands of wholly imported products or items made with significant imported materials as U.S.-made since at least 2021, according to a court order.

Many package designs featuring "Made in USA" labels also went unchanged after production of the items was shipped overseas, according to the complaint.

Kubota said in a statement that it "cooperated fully with the FTC" and is voluntarily addressing its concerns.

"All parts in this matter sold to customers since 2021 were produced by approved Kubota suppliers, and Kubota continues to stand behind these parts as 'Kubota Genuine Parts,'" the company said.

Aside from the fine, Kubota is restricted from claiming U.S.-origin manufacturing for its products unless it can prove that significant processing occurred in the U.S. The company must also disclose when foreign parts are used in the manufacturing process.

The FTC issued a prior fine against the company in 1999 for falsely claiming that a line of lawn tractors was made in the U.S.

Established in Japan during the 19th century, Kubota has grown into a global manufacturer of tractors, construction equipment and other types of machinery. It expanded into the U.S. market in 1972 with a small office in Southern California, according to The Dallas Morning News.

The largest Made in USA settlement before Friday's announcement involved Resident Home LLC, a company that owns several mattress brands including Nectar Sleep and DreamCloud Sleep. The company and owner Ran Reske paid $753,000 to settle FTC charges regarding imported DreamCloud mattresses that the company claimed were made with domestic materials.
Children walk near a billboard bearing the image of targeting ships, on the day Yemen's Houthi-run forces targeted an American ship in the Red Sea, on a street in Sana'a, Yemen, on Jan. 10, 2024.

An oil tanker operated on behalf of Trafigura was struck by a missile on Friday after transiting the Red Sea, a company spokesperson told CNBC in statement.

The Marlin Luanda, a petroleum products tanker vessel, was struck by the missile in the Gulf of Aden. Firefighting equipment on board is being used to suppress a fire in one of the cargo tanks, the spokesperson said.

"We remain in contact with the vessel and are monitoring the situation carefully," Trafigura said. "Military ships in the region are underway to provide assistance."

Houthi militants claimed responsibility for the attack, describing the vessel as a "British oil ship." Trafigura said the vessel is flagged under the Marshall Islands.

The militants used a "number of appropriate naval missiles, the strike was direct and resulted in the burning of the vessel," the Houthis' military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a statement.

Houthi militants in Yemen have attacked commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea since November in support of Palestinians. The U.S. and UK began a series of airstrikes against the militia on Jan. 11 aimed at deterring the Iranian-backed group.

Houthi militants fired a ballistic missile at the U.S. Navy destroyer Carney in the Gulf of Aden earlier on Friday, according to U.S. Central Command. The missile was shot down by the Carney. No injuries or damage were reported, according to CENTCOM.

Several of the world's major oil tanker companies paused traffic toward the Red Sea immediately after the U.S. and Britain began launching airstrikes against the Houthis earlier this month.

U.S. crude oil on Friday settled at $78.01 a barrel to close out its best week since Sept. 1. The global Brent benchmark settled at $83.55 a barrel, posting its best week since Oct. 13.

The West Texas Intermediate contract for March was last up 74 cents, or 0.96%, at $78.10 a barrel. The Brent March contract was trading at $83.73 a barrel, up $1.30 or 1.58%.

Oil futures have not responded dramatically to escalating tensions in the Middle East so far because there has not been a major disruption to supply. Analysts have warned that a direct confrontation between the U.S. and Iran could send prices significantly higher.

Robert Thummel, portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital, told CNBC on Thursday that the market is not pricing enough geopolitical risk into crude prices. Thummel said WTI should really be trading at $85 right now given the tensions in the Middle East.
Eli Lilly has become a victim of its own success  again. A dose of the popular diabetes treatment Mounjaro will have limited availability through February, highlighting a supply challenge that could put Wall Street's loftiest sales goals for the drug and similar therapies in jeopardy. In a statement to CNBC, Eli Lilly confirmed the 12.5 mg dose of Mounjaro is expected to face intermittent shortages through February due to elevated demand. The other five doses of the drug  ranging from 2.5 mg up to 15 mg  are listed as fully available Thursday on an FDA website tracking drug availability . Mounjaro, which launched to treat type-2 diabetes the U.S. in 2022, has faced tight supply at various doses before, including throughout much of Eli Lilly's third quarter last year  something the company called out as negatively impacting their results in that period. Investors are keeping a close eye on the availability of Mounjaro and Eli Lilly's recently approved weight-loss drug Zepbound this year, given the expected growth of those products has been the primary fuel behind the company's impressive stock performance. They're also at the heart of our investment thesis in Eli Lilly, a longtime Club holding. Shares of Eli Lilly have soared nearly 80% over the past 12 months, including a more-than-5% gain in January alone. Wall Street sees sales of Mounjaro and Zepbound  which share an active ingredient called tirzepatide  totaling about $12.4 billion in 2024, which would represent a roughly 160% increase from projected 2023 revenue, according to analyst estimates compiled by FactSet. LLY 1Y mountain Eli Lilly's stock performance over the past 12 months. The two drugs belong to a fast-growing category known as GLP-1s. GLP-1s have been around for almost two decades to treat diabetes, but their popularity soared in recent years as the broader public learned of their ability to help patients lose weight. The drugs mimic a gut hormone to improve blood-sugar control and effectively suppress appetite, leading to weight loss. The demand for the drugs has generally outstripped supply during this period of skyrocketing popularity for both Eli Lilly and its primary rival, Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk , whose GLP-1s include Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss. Eli Lilly has wisely pursued multiple paths to alleviate supply constraints for Mounjaro and its other products in the same class, including recently approved weight-loss therapy Zepbound. For starters, the Indianapolis-based drugmaker is investing billions to build production facilities, including a major project in North Carolina that started shipping drugs last year. In addition, Eli Lilly is working on different ways to administer the injectable drugs that tap into existing manufacturing resources to help add supply. Eli Lilly's likely introduction of a weight-loss pill in the coming years also is expected to boost its GLP-1 supply. Despite these efforts, the supply picture is likely to be tight for a while. At the influential JPMorgan Healthcare Conference earlier this month, Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks was asked when "capacity won't be the rate limiter" for GLP-1s. "Not anytime soon," Ricks responded. Manufacturing plants The primary reason: building the facilities necessary to make injectable GLP-1s is expensive and challenging. "These are complicated sites, really technically demanding work, very capital intensive, populated with machines that are highly specialized, and often made in not-so-big companies," Ricks said. "And then the expertise to bring them online and get them FDA approved is non-trivial," he said, referring to the regulatory inspections of manufacturing sites. Eli Lilly announced the aforementioned North Carolina project  known as the Research Park Triangle facility  in January 2020, built it during the pandemic and now commercial production is really just starting to ramp, Ricks said. "That's about as fast as you can go," he said. The supply from the Research Park Triangle plant helped Eli Lilly inch toward its goal of doubling GLP-1 manufacturing capacity by the end of 2023 compared with 2022 levels. In November, Eli Lilly indicated it was on track to meet the goal, which also was made possible by upgrades to existing facilities. A focus of Eli Lilly's fourth-quarter earnings call Feb. 6 is likely to be the company's expectations for the pace of new supply coming online in 2024, analysts at Barclays said in a note to clients this week. Due to the influence these drugs have on Lilly's growth, investors may put more weight on the revenue performance of these two drugs versus the earnings of the entire company. Another new manufacturing plant in Concord, North Carolina  a few hours away from the RTP site  is expected to begin commercial production this year. Eli Lilly broke ground on that project in June 2022 . Meanwhile, Eli Lilly announced in November plans to build a $2.5 billion facility in Germany to make injectable drugs. It is expected to become operational in 2027, the company said at the time. New approaches Launching different methods for people to take GLP-1s is the other piece of Eli Lilly's supply strategy, and progress is well underway. These efforts primarily focus on countries outside the U.S. The once-weekly Mounjaro and Zepbound injections in the U.S. currently use what Lilly calls an autoinjector presentation. But, as explained, there's only so much capacity to make those autoinjectors. Eli Lilly recently launched Mounjaro in Australia and Canada using a different injection method it calls single-dose vials, with plans to expand into additional markets. However, the single-use vial approach has its own limitations and is intended to be a bridge to a delivery method called KwikPen. Eli Lilly has used KwikPen technology for other diabetes treatments, such as insulin injections, for many years. It uses different property and equipment than the autoinjectors, leading to an increase in overall capacity for GLP-1s, management has said. The company expects to receive the additional approvals necessary to launch Mounjaro in KwikPen form in global markets sometime this year. The first of such approvals arrived Friday from U.K. health regulators for both diabetes and weight-loss indications. In a note to clients earlier this month, analysts at Morgan Stanley said that sales of Mounjaro and Zepbound outside the U.S. could be "a source of upside pending Kwikpen rollout." "We see the roll-out of Kwikpens to ex-US geographies as one way LLY could drive additional sales and bring their mix more in line" with Novo Nordisk, the analysts wrote. The firm estimated that Novo Nordisk generated about 35% of its GLP-1 sales outside the U.S. compared with about 20% for Eli Lilly. The introduction of Eli Lilly's oral obesity pill, known as orforglipron, would represent the "bigger" boost to supply, Ricks said at the JPMorgan conference. That's because the oral GLP-1 uses "totally different" manufacturing capacity than injectable versions and is generally "a lot easier" to make, Ricks said. Despite encouraging phase-2 data in June that showed the pill delivered impressive weight loss, the drug is still years away from being commercially available. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long LLY. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

Eli Lilly & Co. Mounjaro brand tirzepatide medication arranged at a pharmacy in Provo, Utah, US, on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. George Frey | Bloomberg | Getty Images
At some point during your teenage years, you probably developed an idea of what "success" as an adult would look like. Sticking to that definition as an adult is a surefire way to end up unhappy, according to serial hospitality entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling business author Chip Conley. "Whether we know it or not, we were handed a success script in our teen years that sort of defined for us what success was," Conley recently told Harvard Business Review's "IdeaCast" podcast. "And we either tried to emulate that and live up to it, or we in some cases rebelled against it. But in one way or the other, we reacted to it." An inevitable part of adulthood is waking up and saying, "This is not my definition of success," he added. Most people reach this conclusion around age 47 as life dissatisfaction hits its peak, according to 2022 research from Dartmouth professor David Blanchflower. But you can get ahead of that slump, no matter your age, Conley said. Here's how.

Look for the upside

Look for silver linings in frustrating situations, and don't rest until you've found them, Conley said. Conley, for example, once had a goal of being CEO of Procter & Gamble. When it became clear that it'd never happen, he took stock of his options  and realized he could still become a CEO by starting his own company. He founded Joie de Vivre Hospitality in 1987, and ran it for more than two decades. Today, he serves as CEO of another company he founded, Modern Elder Academy. The idea of "positive reframing" shouldn't be confused with toxic positivity, where you force yourself to think positively no matter the situation, psychotherapist Jenny Maenpaa wrote for CNBC Make It in 2022. Rather, you should "acknowledge the negative aspects ... [and] evaluate whether there's another way to think about the situation," she noted. Replace phrases like "My job sucks" with "Things are challenging right now and I'm feeling disconnected from some things on my plate. I wonder if I can change anything about this situation or my expectations about it," wrote Maenpaa.

Take back your 'agency'
India's tourism sector is set for a boom as more travelers take trips around the country for religious purposes.

The South Asian country with the world's largest Hindu population could see an additional 50 million to 100 million tourists a year on account of the new Ram Mandir  a temple in the northern city of Ayodhya inaugurated on Monday  according to Jefferies.

This expected footfall in the new temple will be much higher than the annual numbers for the Taj Mahal (6.5 million) in India, Rome's Vatican City (9 million) and the Mecca in Saudi Arabia (20 million), the note showed.

Other religious sights in India such as the Tirupati Temple in Andhra Pradesh  25 million visitors annually  and the Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu and Kashmir  8 million visitors per year  also hold a strong spiritual, historical and cultural significance in India, the investment bank said.

"Religious tourism is still the biggest segment of tourism in India  the creation of a new religious tourist centre (Ayodhya) with improved connectivity and infrastructure can create a meaningfully large economic impact," Jefferies highlighted.

Indian media reported that around half a million people visited the Ram temple on its opening day which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The YouTube broadcast of the opening ceremony on Modi's channel alone received more than 11 million views.

"The multiplier effect of travel is humongous. If it continues develop tourist destination including religious tourism, chances are that more and more people will come to visit India and it will even benefit on the foreign exchange side," said Nilesh Shah, managing director at Kotak Mahindra Asset Management.
Spirit and JetBlue planes at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US, on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023.

JetBlue Airways on Friday raised doubts about the future of its $3.8 billion merger deal with Spirit Airlines , saying it might be unable to meet certain conditions required as part of the agreement for unspecified reasons.

As a result, JetBlue said it had informed Spirit that the merger agreement might be terminated as early as Sunday.

Shares of Spirit were down 9.5% at $6.54 on Friday afternoon, adding to their losses of about 55% this month which were sparked by a U.S. judge's move to block the deal. JetBlue's shares were up 3.5% at $5.53.

JetBlue said it continues to evaluate options under the agreement and, unless the agreement is terminated, it would abide by its merger obligations. The New York-based airline could not immediately be reached for comment.

In response, Spirit said there was no basis for terminating the merger agreement. It said it would continue to abide by its obligations and was expecting JetBlue to do the same.

Without the JetBlue deal, Spirit faces a rough road ahead as the ultra-low-cost carrier has grappled with weak demand in its key markets as it seeks to return to sustainable profitability. Some analysts have even suggested the company could face bankruptcy if it cannot shore up finances.

Spirit has said it is assessing options to refinance its 2025 debt maturities, and is not pursuing or involved in a statutory restructuring.

Last week, the company said the amount of compensation it expects to receive from supplier Pratt & Whitney over several jets that were grounded would be a significant source of liquidity over the next couple of years.

Earlier this month, a U.S. judge blocked the airline's planned merger with JetBlue, after finding that the proposed deal could threaten competition in the U.S. aviation market and harm ticket prices. Both airlines have said they will appeal the ruling.

Under the merger agreement, Jan. 28 is the deadline for the deal's closure. If regulatory approval has not arrived by that date, there is an automatic provision to extend the deadline until July 24, 2024. Regulators have yet to approve the deal as of Friday.

JetBlue's move is aimed at either forcing a termination of the deal or restructuring it at a new purchase price, said Steve Segal, M&A attorney at business law firm Buchalter.

Segal said mounting concerns about Spirit's finances and its future might be deemed to constitute a "material adverse effect," offering JetBlue a legal argument to call off the deal without triggering the July extension.

JetBlue is mindful that Spirit's business has deteriorated significantly since the two agreed on the tie-up in July 2022, sources have told Reuters.

If the appeals court reaffirms the lower court's ruling, "JetBlue shareholders could breathe a sigh of relief that the carrier would not have to assume Spirit Airlines' high debt load or its cash-burning operations," Citi analyst Stephen Trent wrote in a note. Trent said there is a probability of only 2% that the appeal will succeed.

When Spirit originally accepted JetBlue's acquisition offer, the market value of its equity was $3.8 billion. Its enterprise value, inclusive of its outstanding debt at the time, was $7.6 billion. Since then, the company's market capitalization has fallen to about $788 million.

If JetBlue is able to complete the transaction with new debt to fund the original transaction, its debt-to-EBITDA ratio will increase to 12 times or more at the end this year, up from 9 times at the end of 2023, Moody's investor service said this week.

JetBlue's annual interest burden will also increase to about $620 million from about $375 million in 2023, Moody's said.

After the judge blocked the proposed merger earlier this month, JPMorgan analysts said, "JetBlue dodges a bullet."

"It frees JetBlue from a costly merger we believe management and the Board were no longer wed to," they said.

JetBlue's earnings are also under pressure. On Friday, the company said it is looking to cut fixed costs by offering buyouts to employees in corporate, airports, and customer support functions. The program does not include pilots, flight attendants and technicians.
Ukraine formally started the screening process to begin talks over its future membership of the European Union on Thursday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

In a post on X, the Ukrainian leader said he welcomed the start of "substantial preparations for Ukraine's EU accession talks" in Brussels, following an agreement reached with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

"The thorough work of assessing the conformity of Ukrainian legislation with EU norms, the formation of Ukraine's delegation, and our negotiating position are all ahead of us," Zelenskyy added.

"I expect full engagement of Ukrainian government team and the first intergovernmental conference to be held already this spring."

Across the Atlantic, bipartisan U.S. Senate negotiations over a border security deal that ties in aid for Ukraine have hit a critical juncture, Republican Senator John Thune told reporters on Thursday, according to Reuters. The White House said last week that the U.S. money supply to Ukraine has now run out, which could leave Kyiv ill-equipped to repel the Russian invasion.

A small bipartisan group of senators is seeking a way to please Republicans aligned with Donald Trump, the front-runner for the party's presidential candidacy, who has openly pressured allies not to compromise on legislation that would help President Joe Biden in the run-up to November's election.
Nikki Haley hosts a rally in North Charleston to kick off her swing in the Palmetto State leading up to the State's primay, in Charleston, South Caroline, United States on January 24, 2024.

The Republican presidential campaign of Nikki Haley said it raked in a $1.2 million spike in donations in one day, after former President Donald Trump vowed to blacklist Haley's donors.

"Trump's scheme blew up in his face," Haley spokeswoman AnnMarie Graham-Barnes declared in a press release Thursday night announcing the fundraising surge.

The former United Nations ambassador's campaign said it has taken in a total of $2.6 million since polls closed in Tuesday's New Hampshire primary, which Trump won by more than 11 points.

Despite losing to Trump in what was possibly her most competitive state, Haley is vowing to stay in the race as it heads to her home state of South Carolina, where she served as governor. But polls of the Palmetto State show Haley trailing Trump by much wider margins.

Trump, who solidified his front-runner status after winning the first two nominating presidential contests, has groused about continuing to spend campaign money fending off Haley that could be used to challenge President Joe Biden in a general election.

On Wednesday night, Trump ratcheted up the pressure on Haley by targeting her donors.

"When I ran for Office and won, I noticed that the losing Candidate's 'Donors' would immediately come to me, and want to 'help out,'" he wrote in a Truth Social post.

"This is standard in Politics, but no longer with me," Trump wrote. "Anybody that makes a 'Contribution' to Birdbrain, from this moment forth, will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp."
Saudi Arabia's first alcohol store has opened in the diplomatic quarter of its capital Riyadh, accessible to non-Muslim diplomats.

While it only affects a select group, it's a big change for the highly conservative Muslim kingdom, where alcohol has been banned since 1952 after a Saudi prince murdered a British diplomat in a drunken rage. Drinking is also forbidden under Islam, and most of Saudi Arabia's local population is religiously observant.

That hasn't stopped alcohol from flowing into the kingdom over the years  it just happened behind closed doors.

Foreign embassies are able to import alcohol under specified agreements with the Saudi government, while some have snuck booze into the kingdom in secure "diplomatic pouches" that can't be inspected.

From there, bottles are often sold on the black market at huge markups, according to expat and local residents of the country. All those who spoke to CNBC did so on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic.

"Everyone knows which embassies sell booze  some of them have made a whole side business out of it, selling on the black market at four, five, even ten times the normal price. It's gotten ridiculous. The government had to do something," one Saudi investor based between Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Riyadh told CNBC.

A one-liter bottle of vodka, for instance, typically costs between $500 and $600 on the black market, sources said, while they described a single bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label going for between $1,000 and $2,000. At-home booze making has also taken place in the kingdom for decades, according to expats who've previously lived there.
2024 could be a big year for jobseekers  95% of workers are looking for or plan to look for a new job, according to Monster's 2024 Work Watch Report. In terms of what matters to workers, 42% cite salary increases as the most important benefit they could receive and 16% want increased remote work flexibility.

For those seeking new job opportunities, geography could be one way to narrow the search. Some cities offer ample openings with comparatively high starting salaries and a lower cost of living. Personal finance company WalletHub recently looked at more than 180 cities across the country and ranked its best cities for jobs based on metrics such as job openings per job seeker and median annual incomes.

Here are the top 10 cities for job search according to WalletHub.

Scottsdale, Arizona Tampa, Florida Salt Lake City, Utah Columbia, Maryland Austin, Texas Atlanta, Georgia Seattle, Washington Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Plano, Texas Boston, Massachusetts

Scottsdale has 12% annual job growth, according to WalletHub, the highest in the country. "This ensures there will be plenty of hiring opportunities for people entering the workforce," says Cassandra Happe, WalletHub analyst. It also ranked No. 1 for internship opportunities and has the fifth highest median annual income.

"Tampa has the fifth-highest number of full-time job opportunities at companies rated 4.5+ stars on Glassdoor relative to the size of its labor force," according to WalletHub. Its job security rate is also very high and its employment growth is 10% annually.

Salt Lake City and Tampa "are among the top 16% of best metro areas for STEM professionals" as well, according to another recent WalletHub study, says Happe. This "further supports their strong job market rankings."

The top 10 cities "did great in a lot of areas," says Happe. "But they did really struggle when it came to the average work and commute time." If you're looking for a short commute, these cities might not be for you.

When you're looking for a job, you want to consider both what opportunities exist in a certain location plus "livability," says Daniel Zhao, lead economist at Glassdoor. That is components like cost of living, access to nature, walkability  whatever matters to you most in a place you live.

"It doesn't hurt to talk to people who live there or to even to apply to some jobs in that area," he says, "just to get a sense of what your options look like."

Want to land your dream job in 2024? Take CNBC's new online course How to Ace Your Job Interview to learn what hiring managers are really looking for, body language techniques, what to say and not to say, and the best way to talk about pay. Get started today and save 50% with discount code EARLYBIRD.

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A bag of evidence containing the synthetic opioid fentanyl disguised as Oxycodone is shown during a Fresno County Sheriff's Office press conference in 2020. Fresno Bee | Tribune News Service | Getty Images

BEIJING  The United States and China will hold formal high-level talks in Beijing next week aimed at limiting the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., senior Chinese officials tell NBC News, resuming counternarcotics cooperation that was suspended for more than a year even as America struggles with what has been called its worst drug crisis in history. China  which U.S. officials say is the primary source of the precursor chemicals synthetized into fentanyl by drug cartels in Mexico  has promised greater cooperation with the U.S. on combating the crisis. It also continues to deflect blame for it. "I believe through this collaboration, both countries can enhance their law enforcement capabilities," Yu Haibin, one of China's top narcotics control officials, said in an exclusive interview this week. "We will achieve remarkable results in combating fentanyl substances, including precursors." But he also repeated China's argument that America's fentanyl problem stems from the public's unrelenting demand for it. "The crisis in the U.S. is not manufactured by China; rather, its roots lie within the United States itself," said Yu, who is deputy director general of the Ministry of Public Security's Narcotics Control Bureau and deputy secretary-general of the National Narcotics Control Commission. Chinese officials did not go into detail about the upcoming counternarcotics meeting in Beijing, which has not yet been publicly announced. The White House declined to confirm the meeting. The U.S. has accused China of complicity in its fentanyl crisis, which together with other opioids has killed hundreds of thousands in recent years and destroyed communities across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 80,000 people in the U.S. died from overdoses involving opioids in 2021 alone, with almost 88% of those cases involving synthetic opioids such as fentanyl The meeting early next week of a newly launched U.S.-China counternarcotics working group is part of delicate efforts to improve relations between the world's two biggest economies, which in recent years have fallen to their lowest point in decades. The launch of the working group was one of the outcomes of the November meeting in California between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, their first encounter in a year.

"If there is a violation of Chinese law, China will take stringent measures," Yu Haibin told NBC News this week. Fred Dufour | NBC News

China had made such talks contingent on the lifting of U.S. trade sanctions on a Chinese government lab, which Washington did shortly after the Biden-Xi meeting. NBC News was granted rare access to the Beijing lab, which examines evidence and issues reports for use in court proceedings and which both the U.S. and China say is essential to controlling fentanyl. Yu said the lifting of the sanctions was a "positive start." "We believe, and hope the American people believe, that China will honor its commitments, and we are willing to cooperate with the U.S. and other countries worldwide on drug control law enforcement," he said.

Who's to blame?

U.S. officials blame China for much of the current opioid crisis, which experts say began in the 1990s with the overprescription of legal pain medications and has steadily worsened as those medications gave way to illicit and extremely lethal narcotics such as fentanyl. "We know that the global fentanyl supply chain, which ends with the deaths of Americans, often starts with chemical companies in China," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in October as the Justice Department announced new fentanyl-related indictments against China-based companies and their employees. In 2019, China permanently classified all variants of fentanyl as controlled substances and took other measures to stem the flow of finished fentanyl from China to the U.S., which has not seized any shipments since then. But the U.S. says Chinese companies are instead now selling the precursor chemicals needed to synthesize fentanyl to drug cartels in Mexico, which then move the finished product to the U.S. Cooperation between the two countries slowed in 2020, when the U.S. imposed trade sanctions on the Chinese Ministry of Public Security's Institute of Forensic Science over China's alleged abuses against Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim minority groups. China was further incensed by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's August 2022 visit to Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory, announcing that it was suspending all counternarcotics cooperation with the U.S.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, after arriving at the president's office on August 3, 2022, in Taipei, Taiwan. Pelosi's visit infuriated China, which regards the self-ruled island as its own and responded with test launches of ballistic missiles over Taipei for the first time, as well as ditching some lines of dialogue with Washington. Handout | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Targeting the supply chain

Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are increasingly being produced from very basic "dual-use" chemicals that have wide use for legal purposes and are unlikely to be classified as controlled substances, Felbab-Brown said in a Zoom interview. "As criminal groups have encountered a wider set of chemicals being scheduled, they have become very good at making illegal substances like fentanyl and synthetic opioids and methamphetamine from these nonscheduled, widely used chemicals," she said.

"For the supply chain of fentanyl precursors, we can also solve it," Dr. Hua Zhendong said. Fred Dufour | NBC News
A pedestrian walks past a Vodafone store in central London on May 16, 2023. British mobile giant Vodafone is to axe 11,000 jobs over three years in the latest cull to hit the tech sector, as new boss Margherita Della Valle slammed recent performance.

Britain's competition watchdog on Friday said it is opening an investigation into the proposed merger between Vodafone and the Three UK mobile network owned by CK Hutchison .

The initial probe will look at whether the deal will lead to a "substantial lessening of competition," according to the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). If this is found, the CMA can continue with a more in-depth investigation.

"This deal would bring together two of the major players in the UK telecommunications market, which is critical to millions of everyday customers, businesses and the wider economy," CMA CEO Sarah Cardell said in a statement.

"The CMA will assess how this tie-up between rival networks could impact competition before deciding next steps."
A view of giant screen showing Nelson Mandela's quote as people, holding Palestinian flags, gather outside the International Court of Justice during the session on the day the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rule on Gaza genocide case against Israel made by South Africa in the Hague, the Netherlands on January 26, 2024. Nikos Oikonomou | Anadolu | Getty Images

The U.N.'s highest court on Friday ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinian people, but fell short of insisting that Israel should implement a cease-fire. It comes as Israeli forces continue a military campaign in the Gaza Strip that has so far claimed more than 20,000 lives, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian Health Ministry. The court further ordered Israel to submit a report within one month on the steps it is taking. "Israel must, in accordance with its obligations under the genocide convention, in relation to Palestinians in Gaza, take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of acts under article 2 of the convention, in particular, a) killing members of the group, b) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group, c) inflicting upon the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole and in part, and d) imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group," a reading of the International Court of Justice decision said Friday.

Judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rule on emergency measures against Israel following accusations by South Africa that the Israeli military operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide, in The Hague, Netherlands, January 26, 2024. Piroschka Van De Wouw | Reuters

The court said it has jurisdiction to rule on the genocide case and will not be dismissing it, despite Israel's request to do so. "Israel must ensure, with immediate effect, that its military forces do not commit any of the aforementioned acts," the reading continued, saying that Israel must also take measures to prevent the incitement of genocide against Palestinian people. The world court judgment was issued in response to a full case submitted by the South African government on Dec. 29, which accused Israel of genocide against the Palestinian people. The court heard South Africa's allegations on Jan. 11 and Israel's response on Jan. 12. ICJ rulings are "binding upon the parties concerned," final and allow no right of appeal. The world court lacks the means to directly enforce its pronouncements, but its rulings can often deal heavy reputational blows to the accused. The court also said it was "gravely concerned" about the welfare of the Israeli hostages abducted by Palestinian militant group Hamas during its Oct. 7 terror attacks, of which more than 120 remained in captivity as of Friday morning. The world court called for the immediate release of those hostages still in captivity.

Israel's deputy Attorney-General for International Law Gilad Noam and British jurist Malcolm Shaw sit on the day the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rule on emergency measures against Israel following accusations by South Africa that the Israeli military operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide, in The Hague, Netherlands, January 26, 2024. Piroschka Van De Wouw | Reuters

Questions have mounted internationally over the proportionality of Israel's military activity in the Gaza Strip in response to the attacks and the extent to which it is minimizing civilian casualties. More than 20,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian Ministry of Health, while humanitarian agencies have rung alarm bells over the spread of diseases, overcrowded shelters, and a critical lack of food and electric resources. Israel has denied the allegations and Israeli forces have repeatedly cited the right to self-defense. They say that Hamas forces have intentionally entrenched themselves in noncombatant facilities in the Gaza Strip, such as schools and hospitals, and are using civilians as human shields.

The U.S., Israel's close ally, has also questioned the merits of the case, with National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby describing the South African lawsuit as "meritless, counterproductive, and completely without any basis in fact whatsoever" after it was filed. In the wake of the ICJ's pronouncement on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video address affirming his country's "unwavering" commitment to international law. "The charge of genocide leveled against Israel is not only false, it's outrageous, and decent people everywhere should reject it," he said, noting that his country will continue its fight against Hamas. "Our war is with Hamas terrorists, not against Palestinians," Netanyahu said. "We will continue to facilitate humanitarian assistance and to do our utmost to keep civilians out of harm's way, even as Hamas uses civilians as human shields. We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our people."

South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Director-General Zane Dangor, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor and South African Ambassador to the Netherlands Vusimuzi Madonsela stand as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rule on emergency measures against Israel following accusations by South Africa that the Israeli military operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide, in The Hague, Netherlands, January 26, 2024. Piroschka Van De Wouw | Reuters
Malis junta has terminated a crucial agreement it signed with local rebels which helped maintain a fragile peace in the countrys northern region, the government announced, raising concerns about a possible escalation of violence.

The 2015 peace deal with the Tuareg rebel groups is ending with immediate effect because the rebels have failed to comply with its terms and because of acts of hostility by Algeria, which has been the main mediator in the peace efforts, government spokesperson Col. Abdoulaye Maiga said on state television Thursday night.

Neither Algeria nor the rebel groups have made any public comments in response to the announcement.

The campaign by the Tuareg rebels to create an independent state of Azawad in northern Mali threw the West African nation into a violent conflict for over a decade. In 2012, they dislodged the Malian military from the town, setting into motion a series of events that destabilized the country.

The peace deal backed by Algeria and welcomed by the United Nations reduced hostilities in the northern region before it appeared to collapse last year after both parties accused the other of failing to comply with it. Malian authorities also announced the prosecution of some rebel leaders.

Maiga noted the absolute inapplicability of the peace agreement and the inability of international mediation to ensure that the obligations incumbent on the signatory armed groups are respected.

Analysts said the formal end of the deal did not come as a surprise following months of tension between the government and the rebel groups and after years in which both sides failed to fulfil its terms. Mali and Algeria have also fallen out over the deal.

The collapse of the agreement comes after the end of a UN peacekeeping mission deployed to help contain the rebellion. It also comes as Malis military leaders - in power for more than three years - struggle to contain an Islamic extremist insurgency that has ravaged the north since 2012.

There is a high risk of even the jihadis strengthening their own forces because some of the groups that had signed the agreement may seek to work with the jihadis, said Shaantanu Shankar, country analyst for Africa at the Economist Intelligence Unit, adding that the junta lacks the capacity to manage the situation.
On average, every story I publish is stolen about 20 times. For example, numerous rip-off sites copied and pasted my last column on holiday layoffs more than a dozen times on the same day. Why? Because they get readers' views without having to pay me a cent.

Sure, automated content scraping sites don't make much money, but like spam, the process doesn't cost them much, either. OpenAI, on the other hand, made $1.3 billion in revenue in 2023, and they didn't pay me a dime, either.

You see, in defending itself from the New York Times' OpenAI copyright lawsuit, OpenAI claims that "training AI models using publicly available internet materials is fair use." Yeah. Right. I've heard that before on the very rare occasion that a content scraper has responded to my attorney's attempts to stop them.

The Times argues that millions of its articles are now being used to train chatbots that compete with it. It's not wrong. OpenAI and other generativeAI (genAI) companies are training their large language models (LLM) using New York Times stories. They're making billions from the work of the papers writers and editors without paying for it.

OpenAI also claims that the Times can  and indeed did  opt-out from letting its stories be used in ChatGPT's LLM. But, if that were the case, then how did ChatGPT outright plagiarize such articles as a Pulitzer-Prize-winning, five-part 18-month investigation into predatory lending practices in New York Citys taxi industry?

One way it might have done this, OpenAI admits, is through what it calls memorization. This is a rare failure of the learning process that we are continually making progress on, but its more common when particular content appears more than once in training data, like if pieces of it appear on lots of different public websites."

Like, for example, on those aforementioned pirate sites that copy and paste stories. Indeed, OpenAI admits that the taxi series rip-off appears to have emerged "from years-old articles that have proliferated on multiple third-party websites."

I call this the, "They did it first defense." I'm not impressed.

At the same time, OpenAI claims the Times "didn't meaningfully contribute to the training of our existing models and also wouldn't be sufficiently impactful for future training." Please.The most highly weighted dataset in GPT-3, Common Crawl, top three data sources are Wikipedia, a US patent database, andthe New York Times.

As Victor Tangermann, a Futurism.com staff writer, recently wrote, "OpenAI's entire business model relies on hoovering up as much data as it can find, often including copyrighted material.

Don't buy his take? How about OpenAI's own arguments to the UK Parliament? There, the company said: Because copyright today covers virtually every sort of human expression  including blog posts, photographs, forum posts, scraps of software code, and government documents  it would be impossible to train todays leading AI models without using copyrighted materials."

Now, I've no objection to OpenAI using copyrighted materials. None at all. I'm not the Times, but I have well over 10,000 articles in top tech publications to my credit. I do not doubt that my work is being used by OpenAI. OpenAI's welcome to use it. \

Just. Pay. Me.

To quote the late science-fiction writer, Harlan Ellison, from his famous rant, Pay the Writer, "They want everything for nothing. They wouldnt go for five seconds without being paid. And theyll bitch about how much theyre paid, and want more. I should do a freebie for Warner Brothers?! What, is Warner Brothers out with an eye patch and a tin cup on the street? F***, no. They always want the writer to work for nothing."

The same is true of OpenAI and other genAI companies. The publishing companies, publications, writers, and editors do the work  and they want to profit without anyone a penny.

We've been down this road before. In the 1990s, newspapers and magazines began a long decline because they couldn't master making a profit from publishing on the internet. That's why Google, which was able to transform our content into profits via advertising, made billions and billions while news publications continue to circle the drain.

I can't see the publishers making that blunder again. This time, we'll get paid. And if Microsoft and OpenAI don't make quite as many billions as they'd hoped for, I won't cry for them.

Of course, we might fail. If that happens, well, we can actually see what that future looks like. Cory Doctorow, blogger and science fiction writer, coined the pungent word, "Enshittification" for it. By this, he means the fall off in the quality of online sites and information.

That's not just an opinion. Recent research shows that "Googles search results are becoming less useful and filled with more spam websites . " More and more content is based on search engine optimization and AI-created drivel. At the same time, the decline in quality for quantity results in less income for publications and writers. This, in turn, means there will be even fewer worthwhile stories anywhere for genAI engines to learn from.

If OpenAI and their ilk are wise, they'll start sharing the wealth with content creators. It's really the only way forward in the long run for all of us  whether we're tech billionaires or freelance writers.
As Russias war on Ukraine stretches on, Microsoft is closely monitoring the situation to gather relevant threat intelligence. We then use this visibility to share information across our customer base and the broader security ecosystem to help increase global awareness and enhance collective cyber defenses.

Russian cyber and influence operators have demonstrated adaptability throughout the conflict, constantly testing new ways to gain battlefield advantage and strain Kyivs domestic and external resources. Recently, weve entered a new phase of the war in which Russia is regaining its operational footing and preparing to seize on war fatigue by engaging audiences with digital media and video propaganda.

Keep reading to learn more about the cyber threat and malign influence activity that Microsoft observed between March and October 2023, and what this information could mean for the broader security community.

Russia doubles down on cyber and influence operations

Throughout the war, Russia has continuously targeted military and civilian populations with a variety of propaganda designed to weaken Kyivs resolve and exacerbate local divisions over the conflict.

Much of this propaganda is spread through influence operations, which often use digital channels, like social media, to amplify on-the-ground provocations or coordinated propaganda. These campaigns seek to erode trust, increase polarization, and threaten democratic processes. From March to October, Microsoft observed Moscows influence efforts use novel tactics on social media to reach wider audiences.

On the cyber front, Microsoft observed threat actors affiliated with Russian military intelligence (GRU) lean into cyberespionage operations against the Ukrainian military and its foreign supply lines. For example, Microsoft Threat Intelligence connected Seashell Blizzard (formerly IRIDIUM) to potential phishing lures and packages that appeared tailored to target a major component of Ukrainian military communications infrastructure.

Additionally, groups linked to Russias Foreign Intelligence (SVR) and Federal Security (FSB) services have been seen targeting war crimes investigators within and outside of Ukraine. SVR actors Midnight Blizzard (formerly NOBELIUM) compromised and accessed the documents of a legal organization with global responsibilities in June and July 2023 before Microsoft Incident Response intervened to remediate the intrusion. This activity was part of a more aggressive push by this actor to breach diplomatic, defense, public policy, and IT sector organizations worldwide.

On the influence front, the brief June 2023 rebellion and later death of Yevgeny Prigozhin raised questions about the future of Russias influence capabilities. Throughout this summer, Microsoft observed widespread operations by organizations that were not connected to Prigozhin, illustrating Russias future of malign influence campaigns without him.

More recently, Russian state media and state-aligned inuence actors have sought to exploit the Israel-Hamas war to promote anti-Ukraine narratives, anti-US sentiment, and exacerbate tension among all parties. We believe that Russia is capitalizing on this conflict as a way to distract the West from the war in Ukraine. Based on previous tactics and historical threat intelligence, Microsoft assesses that Russian influence actors will continue seeding online propaganda and leveraging other major international events to provoke tension and diminish Ukrainian support.

Looking ahead: How the Russia-Ukraine war could impact global security communities

Russian ghters are moving to a new stage of static, trench warfare, according to Ukraines military chief, suggesting an even more protracted conict. If Kyiv is to continue resisting the invasion, it will require a steady supply of weapons and worldwide support. As part of this renewed warfare, we are likely to see Russian cyber and inuence operators intensify efforts to demoralize the Ukrainian population and degrade Kyivs external sources of military and nancial assistance.

One vulnerability that Russian threat actors may target is the upcoming US presidential election and other major political contests in 2024. We believe Russian influence actors will seize on this opportunity to turn the political tide away from elected officials who champion support for Ukraine, perhaps by using a mix of video media and AI-enabled content.

Microsoft is working across multiple fronts to protect our customers in Ukraine and worldwide from these multi-faceted threats. Under our Secure Future Initiative, we are integrating advances in AI-driven cyber defense and secure software engineering, with efforts to fortify international norms to protect civilians from cyber threats. We are also deploying resources along with a core set of principles to safeguard voters, candidates, campaigns, and election authorities worldwide, as more than two billion people prepare to engage in the democratic process over the next year.

In addition to updating our security products to proactively defend our customers worldwide, we believe that sharing this information is critical in encouraging continued vigilance against threats to the integrity of the global information space. For more information on the latest global threat intelligence and other emergent cyber threats, visit Microsoft Security Insider.
China calls for settlement of Ukraine crisis through negotiations

Xinhua) 13:30, January 26, 2024

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday called for the settlement of the Ukraine crisis through negotiations.

The development of the Ukraine crisis has demonstrated over and over again that conflict or confrontation will produce no winners, that dialogue and negotiation represents the only viable way out of the crisis, and that sending weapons to the battlefield is not conducive to the achievement of peace, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN).

"China calls on relevant parties to strengthen direct engagement and dialogue, resume negotiations step by step in order to accumulate consensus," Dai told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council following Wednesday's crash of a Russian Il-76 military transport aircraft.

The international community should demonstrate a greater sense of urgency and strengthen diplomatic mediation in a collective effort toward de-escalation and a political solution, he said.

On the issue of Ukraine, China has all along stood on the side of peace and of dialogue, and has always been working to promote peace through negotiations and to end the fighting, he said, adding that China is willing to maintain communication with all parties and make unremitting efforts toward a political settlement of the crisis.

Noting that war has rules and confrontation has a bottom line, Dai said China expresses its grave concern over the tragic crash, and strongly urges relevant parties to strictly abide by relevant international law and international conventions, safeguard the lives and basic rights of prisoners of war, and prevent such tragedy from happening again.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday that Ukraine launched two missiles at the Il-76, killing all 74 on board, including 65 Ukrainian captive soldiers being transported for a prisoner exchange, six aircraft crew members and three accompanying persons.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for an international investigation into the crash.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
An American academic has added to the great corpus of nonsense that, over the years, has been spoken about tea.

Professor Michelle Francl, a scientist from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, suggested that the perfect cuppa is made with hot milk to reduce the chance of curdling.

She also proposed adding salt to reduce any bitterness in your tea. Not sugar. Salt. I will come back to that in a moment, once it has stewed in your juices a few minutes.

Photographs of Professor Francl, a specialist in quantum chemistry and topologically intriguing molecules, do not suggest a maniac. She looks a rather smiley, sensible woman with a chunky necklace and Harold Lloyd glasses, but the camera can lie.

The U.S. embassy in London, which keeps an eye on dangerous subversives, was certainly not prepared to take a risk. As soon as it read Professor Francls thesis, Steeped: The Chemistry Of Tea, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry, it went into fire-fighting mode and disowned the Prof before there was an international incident.

Good grief, wasnt there enough international turmoil without the Anglo-American alliance foundering in an unfortunate rematch of the Boston Tea Party?

An official statement from the embassy read: Tea is a sacred bond that unites our nations. We cannot stand idly by as such an outrageous proposal threatens the foundation of our Special Relationship.

We want to ensure the good people of the UK that the unthinkable notion of adding salt to Britains national drink is not official United States policy. And never will be.

All right, they meant assure not ensure and stand idly by is hardly the most elegant of phrases but there are moments in diplomacy when speed trumps grammar.

How do you take your tea? Bagged or loose? In a mug or in a bone-china cup and saucer, with little pinky extended?

Tea drinking, you see, can become something of a palaver. In certain households it holds the status of quasi-religious ceremony, with rules as strict as those pertaining to holy communion at a bells-and-smells Anglo-Catholic church

Are you a milk-first or milk-second person, or are you one of those lean and probably continental purists who recoil from dairy and insist on a slice of lemon? Do you use a tea caddy? A cosy? A pot? An infuser? Or for gunpowder tea a defuser?

Tea drinking, you see, can become something of a palaver. In certain households it holds the status of quasi-religious ceremony, with rules as strict as those pertaining to holy communion at a bells-and-smells Anglo-Catholic church.

The water must be brought to the correct temperature, the pot must be warmed, the leaves sifted and stirred and then left to rest for a certain time, during which interval a hymn or some other form of reverent lay can be chanted.

Shall I be mother? does not do the fandango justice. Shall I be high priest? would, for tea aficionados, be more appropriate, such is the fussiness they bring to their tea-brewing rubric.

Oh, the formalities that some would have us observe. Silver tongs for the sugar lumps, please. Remember to slurp, not gulp  the inclusion of air in the mouthful will accentuate the flavour, mdears. And for heavens sake dont smack your lips at the end and ask your hostess, in a PG Tips-chimpanzee accent, can you ride tandem?

READ MORE: American scientist reveals her secret to the perfect cup of tea... but adding hot milk and SALT risks leaving Brits at boiling point Advertisement

This was the social minefield identified by the U.S. embassy. Its press release moved swiftly to neutralise the damage it feared the Francl atrocity  Hot milk? Is the woman a complete barbarian?  would cause. But then the American diplomats went and concluded their announcement with the sentence the U.S. embassy will continue to make tea in the proper way  by microwaving it. Oh no!

Amid so much global unhappiness it was good to see the embassy showing us that Americans do, after all, possess a sense of ironical humour.

But what about Professor Francl? Is she serious about her hot-milk business and her suggestion  eek  about adding salt to a cuppa? I filled my kettle, determined to put the matter to the test.

While the water was coming to the boil, a few thoughts floated through the old bean.

Why do some people love to complicate simple tasks such as making a cup of tea? And why do we Brits consider tea to be our drink? After all, most tea comes from China and India.

My daughter-in-law is from China and when she married our son her parents gave us a box of Szechuan tea. It looks a little like rosemary and is delicately scented, best taken without milk. Jolly refreshing. Not that I would want to drink it all the time.

My everyday tea is bog-standard builders, either from a bag or loose-leaf. You see, Im no purist. But my philosophy is live and let live. If people want to have some fun making a song and dance about brewing their cuppa, why stop them? Its still a free country, just about.

Plenty of the tea sold in cafes today is pretty filthy. They shove the bag into a vast plastic beaker and splosh in the milk too early. The milk clogs the holes in the tea bag and the flavour never really escapes. And invariably the counter assistant will fill the beaker too full.

Not that I complain. As long as its wet and warm, as the curate said to his lady bishop.

Professor Michelle Francl, a scientist from Bryn Mawr College in  Pennsylvania, who suggested that the perfect cuppa is made with hot milk to reduce the chance of curdling

The best tea I drank was on the Indian railways in the 1980s, when chai wallahs would sell you tea from an urn strung round their neck. It was served in little clay cups which, afterwards, you threw out of the train window.

The tea was ready-sweetened and sometimes tasted of cardamon or cumin. One freezing dawn at Kalka in the north, while waiting for the train up to Simla, that sweet tea felt like a lifesaver.

And then there was the summer of 1980 in Lesbos, Greece, when as a 17-year-old Interrailer I made tea in a saucepan on a Primus stove. For want of a cup, I drank it straight from the saucepan.

Pure nectar.

At which point my reverie ended for the kettle had boiled. I had already tried making tea in a microwave. It tasted of burned teabag. Now for tea a la Francl. I steeped a teabag a long time to make the tea bitter, then added some salt and some hot milk.

The Letts constitution is not known for its sensitivity. It can dispose of the knobbly bits in kidneys without demur. The roughest Italian grappa flies down the hatch, no problem. Snails? Yum yum. Mouldy mulberry jam? Im not fussy.

But, ladies and gentlemen, salted tea is undrinkable. My throat rose up and rebelled. My gullet reacted like a donkey shown the water-jump at Badminton.

After the first two sips there was a spasm of protest and then a resolute, non-negotiable refusal to accept any more. Tea with salt and hot milk (which by now had formed a skin) is even more disgusting than the laxative you have to drink before a colonoscopy.

Intriguing molecules does not begin to describe the filth. The U. S. embassy was correct to be wary. Professor Francl is one dangerous woman.
Britain is ill-prepared for war, according to the outgoing chief of the Armed Forces. General Sir Patrick Sanders warns that we must build up a combined force of 500,000 full-time troops and reservists.

The size of the Army  now at just over 70,000, its lowest strength since Napoleons time  must be doubled within three years, he said, backed up by civilian volunteers.

Half a million men and women in uniform is the minimum number necessary to properly defend ourselves.

This weeks Defence Secretary, XR poster boy Grant Shapps, who recently called on the Army to recruit more women, has warned that we are moving from a post-war to a pre-war world.

The Government has ruled out conscription and a return to national service, hoping to attract sufficient volunteers from civvy street for a citizen army

In the face of Russias invasion of Ukraine, Iranian-backed aggression in the Middle East and China sabre-rattling over Taiwan, Britain could be dragged into a world war within three years.

The Government has ruled out conscription and a return to national service, hoping to attract sufficient volunteers from civvy street for a citizen army.

Sanders believes Britains young people are ready to serve. But a recent poll found that fewer than 10 per cent would be willing to enlist for a combat role.

In the event of imminent armed conflict, military chiefs would have the power to recall former soldiers, sailors and airmen who have left the services in the past 18 years.

Over the years, this column has dropped in occasionally on the Walmington-on-Sea platoon of Dad's Army to imagine how they would have coped with everything from the banking crisis to Brexit and Covid

Sounds very much to me like reviving the Home Guard, immortalised in Dads Army, which helped defend Britain from invasion during World War II.

Over the years, this column has dropped in occasionally on the Walmington-on-Sea platoon to imagine how they would have coped with everything from the banking crisis to Brexit and Covid.

This time its for real. We now go live to Walmington Islamic Centre, formerly the Church Hall...

CAPTAIN MAINWARING: Fall the men in, Wilson.

SGT WILSON: Would you mind awfully lining up neatly over here, chaps.

MAINWARING: Oh, do get on with it, Wilson. Dont you know theres a war on?

WILSON: Well, I knew there was a bit of a flap on in Ukraine, but wasnt aware we were under any imminent threat.

MAINWARING: Thats where youre wrong, Wilson. I have here a letter from the Ministry of Defence giving us just a week to prepare for a full-scale Russian invasion. Walmington-on-Sea is on the front line once again.

WILSON: Well, Im not sure theres much we can do about that, sir. We havent even been able to stop all those dinghies full of migrants landing on the beach every half hour.

MAINWARING: Stop that defeatist talk, Wilson. Were facing the worst emergency since 1940. Its all here in black and white, direct from the minister, Grant Shapps.

WILSON: Shapps? Isnt he the clown who built the cycle lane in the High Street, brought in the blanket 20mph limit and turned the Keir Hardie estate into a Low Traffic Neighbourhood?

MAINWARING: Well, hes in charge of the MoD now.

PRIVATE FRAZER: Were doomed, were all doomed.

MAINWARING: Oh, do shut up, Frazer.

FRAZER: Actually, Mr Mainwaring, I only popped in to tell you that I wont be turning up for paradein future.

MAINWARING: Thats blatant insubordination. I should have you shot for desertion.

FRAZER: You no longer have any authority over me, you pompous old fool. I have been recalled by the Royal Navy. Youre forgetting I served as a Chief Petty Officer in the Battle of Jutland.

WILSON: Thats right, you were a chef, werent you?

FRAZER: Aye, sailors need to eat, too. Anyway, Ive been told to report to the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.

MAINWARING: Didnt I read that it was still stuck in Portsmouth? Something to do with lack of crew, or planes, or somesuch?

FRAZER: Not any more. Its being towed to Walmington marina, where its being turned into a floating hotel for hundreds of asylum seekers. Im to be in charge of the kitchens.

CORPORAL JONES: If youre buying in bulk I can let you have a discount. Ive a supplier in Hastings who does a nice line in halal meat.

Captain Mainwaring, played by Arthur Lowe, in Dad's Army in 1970

MAINWARING: Thats quite enough haggling, Jones. What on earth are you holding?

JONES: Its a broom handle, sir.

MAINWARING: I can see its a broom handle, Jones. Whats that tied to the end of it?

JONES: Its called a Zombie knife, Mr Mainwaring. Very popular with the young shavers who hang around the bandstand next to the gender-neutral urinals on the seafront. I fished it out of the Knife Surrender Bin. Should come in very handy when the Russians land. They dont like it up em, them Russkies. They do not like it up em.

MAINWARING: Where are the rifles? We cant be expected to fight off the Russian hordes with broom handles.

WILSON: Im afraid theres arent any rifles, sir. Theyve all been sent to Ukraine, along with our entire supply of ammunition and Corporal Joness butchers van.

MAINWARING: What on earth is his butchers van doing in Ukraine?

JONES: Permission to interject, sir. Its like this, see. Ever since the Mayor of Walmington brought in the ULEZ and congestion charge schemes, I havent been able to afford to run it, what with a 27.50-a-day charge every time I make a delivery. I couldnt pass the cost on, my ladies couldnt afford to pay it. And what with the out-of-town Aldi opening, I couldnt afford to lose the business, especially if were back on the ration now theres a war on. Plus the potholes have knackered the rear suspension and I dont have the money to fix it. So I had young Raymonde, my assistant, get the old delivery bike out of the back shed and after a bit of 3-in-One oil, its as good as new. Those new cycle lanes have got a silver lining after all.

MAINWARING: Yes, yes, but why would the Ukrainians want your butchers van? Surely its tanks they need.

JONES: Yes, sir, thats true. But if you recall, we adapted my van for military use during the last show. So the Ukeleles can sneak up to the Russian front line and when the Russkies see its a butchers van theyll be thrown off guard. And then the Ukeleles can throw open the portholes we cut in the roof and side panels and open fire. Bang, two, three! Bang, two, three!

MAINWARING: At least the Ukrainians, unlike us, have actually got guns.

PRIVATE WALKER: Now then, Mr Mainwaring, I might just be able to help you out there. Theres a bloke I know in South London looking to offload a consignment of Purdeys, only used once or twice.

MAINWARING: I do hope hes not one of your gangster types, Walker.

WALKER: Not any more. He used to rob banks, but there arent any High Street banks left to rob.

MAINWARING: Youre telling me, Walker. Were all working from home these days. Its costing my wife Elizabeth a  fortune in Hobnobs.

WALKER: Anyway, the barrels have been sawn off, but theyre more than capable of putting a hole the size of a dinner plate into any Russian invader with snow on his boats.

JONES: Then I can finish them off with my Zombie knife. They dont like it up em, them Russkies!

PRIVATE PIKE: Can I have one of them Purdeys, please, please, Mr Mainwaring. Ive always wanted a sawn-off since Ken Hutchinson in Sweeney 2 sawed the barrels off that matched-pair of gold-plated Purdeys and flew back from Malta to London to carry out a blagging. His gang and their molls and children all lived in this remote villa with a swimming pool in Malta because there was no extradition treaty and Jack Regan . . .

MAINWARING: Shut up, you stupid boy.

WILSON: Well, we must do something. Let me have another look at that letter from the ministry. Heavens, its dated six days ago.

MAINWARING: Im not surprised, Wilson. The mail service hasnt been the same since our sub-postmaster Mr Patel was sent to prison for stealing 47s/6d from the till, which he always denied.

WILSON: No, no sir. Youre missing the point. If this was posted six days ago, it means weve no time to lose. The Russian invasion starts tomorrow.

JONES: The Russkies are coming, the Russkies are coming! Dont panic, dont panic!

FRAZER: Were all doomed!
Yes, Sah! Lance Corporal Johnson reporting for duty, Sah!

Let me use this column to fire off my best and sharpest salute in the direction of General Sir Patrick Sanders, the outgoing Chief of the General Staff.

Let me hold it there, hand quivering over my right eyebrow as I stamp my boot on the parade ground and present arms, because I want General Sanders to know that I have heeded his call for a new citizen army.

I saw him point his Kitcheneresque finger at the portly and apathetic form of the British public, and I was filled with a wild surmise.

Does he mean me? I asked myself. Could I do it? Would I do it? Do I still have the stuff of battle in me?

BORIS JOHNSON: Does General Sanders mean me? I asked myself. Could I do it? Would I do it? Do I still have the stuff of battle in me? Pictured: The ex-PM watches Ukrainian soldiers being trained by British Army

I certainly have the training. From the ages of about 16 to 18 I put myself through it, hour after hour, week after week, in what was then called the Combined Cadet Force.

No sooner had I posed myself the question  would I sign up to fight for King and country?  than I had the answer. Of course I jolly well would.

I certainly have the training. From the ages of about 16 to 18 I put myself through it, hour after hour, week after week, in what was then called the Combined Cadet Force.

I was not, at first, a promising recruit. I failed something called the Empire Test, which involved safely cleaning, loading and firing a Lee-Enfield .303.

I caused my platoon to spend a very wet and cold night in the open on Salisbury Plain, guarding what turned out to be the wrong pylon.

My performance on the drill ground was chaotic. My shirt wouldnt stay tucked. My spats came off, and I more than once incurred the terrifying abuse of the regimental sergeant major, a man whose verbal brutality probably concealed a heart of gold.

He would punish us for our manifold failures by ordering us to clean the latrines, and then  before calling us to the inspection  secretly daubing the porcelain with great gobs of Sun-pat peanut butter.

What does that look like, the RSM would bawl at the horrified cadets? I tell you what it smells like, he would shriek, before leaning down to give it an extravagant sniff.

And I tell you what it tastes like, he would scream  and he would extend a forefinger to scoop a sample into his mouth, while the pathetic young would-be officers gagged and retched and I think in one case actually fainted.

Whatever they would say these days about his methods, the general level of discipline did me a power of good.

I dont think we will have a direct military confrontation, with Russia or any other potential adversary, of a kind that would necessitate such a levee en masse

I began to enjoy it. I got the hang of the rifle, an amazingly accurate weapon, which, you may remember, British tommies fired so fast at the Battle of Mons that the Germans thought they must be machine guns. I mastered the art of polishing my toecaps, rising before dawn to go round and round with a dab of black Kiwi and water on some cotton wool, so that you really could see your face in them.

After my early strategic setback with the pylon, I got better at the exercises, the frenzied night attacks on Imber  the same deserted village on Salisbury Plain where we are currently training the citizen army of Ukraine.

So you betcha  if it really came to it, I would be there in the dugout with General Sanders, and I bet there are many readers who feel the same.

I have to confess, in all modesty, that I might not be the fittest or most agile of his recruits. In fact, I hope and believe that my services will not be called upon.

I dont think we will have a direct military confrontation, with Russia or any other potential adversary, of a kind that would necessitate such a levee en masse. I believe that war is always a disaster, always a tragedy, and that it is perhaps the prime job of statesmanship to avert it.

I am proud that during my tenure as PM there was not a single member of the UK armed services who lost his or her life on active service.

And yet I also know that if we think that war is impossible, or that the current run of relative tranquillity will never end, then I am afraid we are deluded. History teaches us that the best way to preserve the peace is to be vigilant. The best way to deter the aggression of men such as Vladimir Putin is to be strong.

If it really came to it, I would be there in the dugout with General Sanders (pictured), and I bet there are many readers who feel the same

The best way to prevent a war is to prepare for it. Si vis pacem para bellum*.

That is why General Sanders is right in his essential point  that we must tackle the current problems in the Armed Forces, and especially of under-recruitment.

Under the programmes we set in motion, from upgrading our nuclear deterrent to the new-generation fighter aircraft, the UK is now spending much more on defence  and will hit 3 per cent of GDP by 2030. But we are somehow failing to entice young men and women to join the junior ranks, and we must ask ourselves why.

Partly, it is a function of the post-Brexit labour market, where private-sector wages are very competitive.

It may also be true that the armed services are just not in fashion  partly because of a -misunderstanding of the risks. Parents see graphic social media images of what happens in war, and panic at the idea that this might happen to their kids.

They steer them away from the armed services on the grounds  still statistically highly unlikely  that they will get hurt.

Then there is said to be a growing moral squeamishness of the kids themselves. They say that Generation Z are dubious about the ethics of the most recent conflicts in which the UK played a significant role  Iraq and Afghanistan  and do not therefore blaze with martial ardour at the thought of being engaged in the next one.

Well, maybe. But dont forget that in 1933 the members of the Oxford Union voted that they would under no circumstances fight for King and country  and six years later most of them were doing exactly that. I bet that todays young people are made of identical timber.

If it were to come to it, and they were called to save their country, I bet they would be found to be as bursting with the right stuff as any generation in history.

In the meantime, there are a couple of things we should do  to boost recruitment, and make any would-be aggressor think twice about tangling with Britain.

We need to end the wokery and restrictive practices  bans on some tattoos spring to mind  that may be deterring some young males from joining up, bearing in mind that this group has always been the backbone of our defence.

We could perhaps relax some of the extreme fitness requirements  acknowledging that young people these days are more heavily influenced by Colonel Sanders than General Sanders.

Above all, we should be far more positive in reminding people of the great truth  that joining the armed services is not only fun, it is a huge career advantage, whatever you do. How many times in the past few years have we had to turn to experienced military figures to sort out a logistical crisis  from the Olympics to Covid?

Dr Johnson said every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been at sea.

I dont think any man or woman ever regrets joining up.

Dictionary corner

*Si vis pacem para bellum: If you want peace, prepare for war
Lab-grown diamonds have gained popularity in recent years thanks to their ethical production methods, affordable pricing and celebrity endorsements.

Despite being labelled as 'fake' by traditional diamond enthusiasts, man-made and natural diamonds share identical physical and chemical characteristics - even experts struggle to distinguish between the two.

Sales for these sustainable gems achieved a record high last year, drawing significant interest from socially-conscious consumers seeking high quality and responsible sourcing that doesn't harm the environment.

A number of celebrities, including Meghan Markle, Jennifer Lopez, Gigi Hadid and Taylor Swift, have also embraced the shift towards a more ethical choice.

While the Duchess of Sussex has been seen wearing lab-grown diamond jewellery by Kimai, which received a 250,000 investment from Steven Bartlett on Dragons' Den, Taylor Swift is a devoted supporter of diamond earrings from VRAI - a label backed by Leonardo DiCaprio.

Meanwhile, in 2023, Pandora experienced an 83 per cent surge in sales, after introducing lab-grown diamonds and discontinuing natural diamond sales due to reported human rights abuses in mines and factories.

Can you tell which of the following diamonds are lab-grown?

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How many did you guess correctly? 1. LEFT: MINED, RIGHT: LAB GROWN This platinum and diamond solitaire ring will no doubt wow shoppers. But at a fraction of the price, can you tell the natural one from the man-made one? Left: Tiffany & Co engagement ring. Price: 13,800. Right: VRAI lab-grown engagement ring. Price: 2,165 2. LEFT: LAB-GROWN, RIGHT: MINED Gold pendant necklace: Left: Pandora - 490 (lab-grown). Right: De Beers - 1,200 (mined) 3. LEFT: MINED, RIGHT: LAB GROWN White gold stud earrings: Left: Steven Stone - 2,095 (mined). Right: Kimai - 785.81 (lab-grown) 4. LEFT: LAB-GROWN, RIGHT: MINED Yellow gold diamond hoop earrings: Left: Brilliant Earth - 1,450 (lab-grown). Right: Annoushka - 2,500 (mined) 5. LEFT: MINED, RIGHT: LAB GROWN White gold halo engagement ring: Left: Beaverbrooks - 2,000 (mined). Right: 77 Diamonds: 1,760.17 (lab-grown) 6. LEFT: LAB-GROWN, RIGHT: MINED Tennis bracelet: Left: Carat London - 269 (lab-grown). Right: Ernest Jones - 8,000 (mined) 7. LEFT: LAB-GROWN, RIGHT: MINED Yellow gold trilogy ring: Left: Fenton - 1,950 (lab-grown). Right: Mappin & Webb - 2,500 (mined) Advertisement

Two techniques are used to create lab-grown diamonds. HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature), invented in the 1950s, mimics the high pressure and temperature found in the earth when natural diamonds are formed.

A 'seed' (chip of diamond) is placed into a piece of carbon, and the pressure and temperature used forces the carbon to form a diamond.

CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) is more expensive, often producing higher grade diamonds.

A thin slice of diamond is placed in a vacuum chamber filled with carbon-heavy gases. Under 1,000c, the gases turn into plasma which bonds with the diamond slice to build the diamond in layers.

Diamonds can be grown in any size or colour, but the big appeal for environmentalists is that they're supposed to be gentler on the earth - and on humankind.

The lab-grown variety doesn't pollute water sources or destroy habitats. They're not mined in war zones or sold to finance bloody conflicts. Evidence of 'blood diamonds' emerged from Sierra Leone's civil war in the 1990s, inspiring the Leonardo DiCaprio film Blood Diamond.

In 2023, Pandora experienced an 83 per cent surge in sales, after introducing lab-grown diamonds and discontinuing natural diamond sales due to reported human rights abuses in mines and factories.

'We've continued to see growing consumer interest and that's particularly realised in our most successful quarter to date, Q4 2023, where we globally saw +83% growth versus the same period in 2022,' Rasmus Brix, managing director for Pandora UK and Ireland, told FEMAIL.

Meghan Markle sporting a pair of lab-grown diamond earrings by Kimai while visiting Smart Works in the city in January 2019

Gigi Hadid was spotted wearing a lab-grown diamond necklace at the 2023 Met Gala

Pandora introduced lab-grown diamonds in 2021, and since then, it has expanded from a single collection to offer a wide range of timeless pieces and innovative designs.

'Lab-grown diamonds are identical to mined diamonds, but are created in a laboratory and bear a carbon-footprint that's approximately 95 per cent lower,' Rasmus explained.

'Since August 2022, all Pandora Lab-Grown Diamonds have been grown, cut and polished using only renewable energy and hand set in jewellery crafted from 100 per cent recycled silver and gold.

'Our mission is to rewrite the rules of diamond jewellery, heralding them as something special for every day and every one, without compromising on exceptional quality, experience and sparkle.'

Meanwhile, VRAI's sparkling lab-grown diamond jewellery has graced countless famous faces, such as Taylor Swift, Emma Watson, Reese Witherspoon and Claire Foy.

The US-based label is experiencing significant growth in the sale of larger carat diamonds, with a notable surge in purchases of 4+ carat diamonds.

VRAI stands out for its commitment to ultimate transparency and craftsmanship, being among the few vertically integrated brands producing diamonds in their zero-emission foundry powered entirely by 100 per cent renewable energy.

Taylor Swift pictured wearing VRAI diamond earrings in December 2023

Reese Witherspoon wore lab-grown diamond earrings to an event in California last December

Mona Akhavi, president of Vrai, told FEMAIL: 'Ultimate transparency and craftsmanship are the differentiators of VRAI, crafting the future of diamond jewellery.

'We create diamonds in our own certified zero emission foundry, powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.

'Additionally, we provide access to our master cutters and the capability to cut your own rough diamond to create sustainable jewellery, a bespoke offering that never existed until now.'

Steven Stone, which stocks a selection of both lab-grown and mined diamonds, agreed that man-made gems are becoming increasing popular.

'2023 was the year of the lab grown diamond and 2024 will follow the trend, making an even stronger case.

'Lab grown diamonds are a sustainable option by essence and, combined with a very attractive price, they are the sustainable trend customers are asking for,' said Zack Stone, managing director.

'In 2023, 57 per cent of diamonds sold at Steven Stone were lab-grown. Most months of the year saw higher sales in lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds.

'The average carat weight for lab-grown diamonds was 1.35, which is a lot higher than the average carat weight of the natural diamonds that we sold, which was 0.84.'
Theres a lot about Lorraine Kellys love for wild swimming in her debut novel The Island Swimmer.

Just not the bit where she once got so marrow-cold she couldnt get her pants back on and ended up going commando. On the same occasion she left the rest of her clothes inside out and her hands, like blocks of ice, were too cold to fasten her bra either.

Underwear, forget it, theres no way that was going to happen, just a big, big jumper, big, big trousers and run back to the boat. An amateur error, she says, laughing at the memory.

Shes no longer an amateur though. That swim was in the Antarctic, the ocean 2C.

Since then shes been ice swimming in Londons Parliament Hill Lido, at a temperature officially classed as Baltic (anywhere between 6C and freezing).

Theres a lot about Lorraine Kellys (pictured) love for wild swimming in her debut novel The Island Swimmer

Closer to her Thames-side home shell take a summer river dip, but mostly youll find her swimming in the North Sea off Orkney, chasing her dopamine high.

Orkney is so far north its just south of Greenland, its salt water clear, marine life abundant and scenery dazzling. Its her happy place. And swimming there, she says, evangelically, is almost like being reborn. Its freezing, but you feel so alive afterwards. Its fantastic.

Unsurprisingly its inspired her first work of fiction. After 40 years on TV, Lorraine is diving into a new career as a novelist. Her forthcoming book is about a family feud, different sorts of love and the pull of home; plus its a love letter to the islands.

There are some places where you feel, OK, Im home, and that was me the first time I landed on Orkney. Id love to have a house there but if I did Id want to live there all the time, and she laughs at the impossibility of life on a group of islands over 700 miles from her London career. Plus at this time of year its windy and very dark.

It would be lovely to imagine Lorraine writing her book in some lichen-roofed croft. In fact she typed it everywhere, including on a road trip in Zimbabwe with her husband Steve. Just the two of us, a hired truck with a wee cooker, a portable fridge and a hose for our shower.

The expedition doesnt sound like the kind of luxury you might associate with one of our best-known TV presenters, but then Lorraine has never traded her working-class Scottish roots for the celebrity Champagne circuit (posh parties still give her the cringe, she says). She credits her earliest years in Glasgows notorious Gorbals, and later spells in East Kilbride and Dundee, with her work ethic, her sense of self and even the longevity of her marriage.

Steves a working-class Dundonian, weve got a hell of a lot in common. We married in 1992 and I still feel very lucky. I really like him as well as love him. I couldnt do what I do without him, hes a saint. Does the saint have a sin? Erm, hes got no idea of portion size. I get home, see what hes cooked and say, Steve, whos coming round? and he says, No one, its just us!

More seriously, she hates that the social mobility which brought them both to the capital from Scotland no longer seems to exist, with doors slammed and ladders pulled up on bright kids from the Unions further reaches.

After 40 years on TV, Lorraine (pictured) is diving into a new career as a novelist

Shes so furious, in fact, that shed take a political role as a social mobility tsar if that were on offer. If I thought it would make a difference, absolutely Id do it. Whats the point of me amassing all this experience, knowledge and privilege and not being able to pass it on? That doesnt make any sense.

Lorraine adds, Diversity is a lot more than colour. Its also about class. You have to make sure working-class kids are able to live and work in London because currently they cant. We should have a bloody long, hard look at that.

Take my Steve. He was an electrician who came to London to shine the spotlight for Larry Grayson on The Generation Game. He was also the fella who worked the light on Doctor Whos Tardis. He lived in a hostel provided by the BBC. Maybe we need to go back to that kind of system? Its heartbreaking. For all our strides forward as a society, in this weve gone backwards.

For Lorraine, the freedom to move for work brought significant reward. Since her breakthrough as Scotland correspondent for TV-am, shes been at the forefront of British breakfast TV, earned a CBE, been given two honorary military appointments and fronted documentaries including one about the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, the terror attack she covered so brilliantly as a young reporter. Shes famous enough to have been parodied in Ab Fab. So you can see why it matters so very much to her.

Its not my place to be emotional but I might go to my dressing room and have a cry

A flash of this anger is visible in The Island Swimmer, where the issue impacts on the life of protagonist Evie, obliged to take refuge in London after a teenage tragedy on Orkney. We meet Evie as she flies north to confront her past years later. Theres a lot more packed into the novel: miscarriage, post-natal depression, dementia, alcohol abuse, breast cancer, coercive control and a no-nonsense portrait of a trans character.

Its central theme is sibling rivalry, something Lorraine has scavenged from her own life, her early relationship with her brother Graham. Until I was six I was the princess and then this bonny baby with blond curls and giant blue eyes appeared. Hes 58 now and he still says, I remember when you used to nip me under the arms. I was awful, horrible, to him, so I could draw on those feelings.

Not that Lorraine ever went nearly as far as Evies sister Liv. Shes ghastly, admits her creator, but I do feel sorry for her. She and Graham get on brilliantly now, no nipping, in case you were wondering.

The broadcaster has also drawn on her experience of miscarriage  having lost a baby in 2000, six years after her only child, daughter Rosie, 29, was born  and the tough early years of motherhood. Best thing Ive ever done, but your whole life changes overnight and nobody prepares you for it. I thought being a mother would mean lying in bed looking like Doris Day, when actually I just looked like Id been run over, many, many times.

Lorraine braving the freezing waters of the Antarctic in 2017 when the ocean was just 2C

As for the rest of those big themes, their origins are obvious: every one of her 40 years interrogating people on TV. Lorraine agrees. Im indebted to everyone Ive interviewed. Meeting extraordinary people gives you a real insight into the human condition.

Todays media landscape is hugely different to the one she entered. TV has become more combative and theres X, formerly Twitter, always waiting to take offence. Lorraines virtually abandoned the site. I dont do it. Now and again I might have a look but theres no point, its so toxic.

She might find herself trending on it after publication of The Island Swimmer as one of the characters is a trans woman. I wanted to show were all just trying to get on with our lives. Everyone is so angry right now. Lets walk back from this a bit.

As for the trend towards ultra-combative broadcasting, she wont go there. My grandmother always told me, You get more with honey than with vinegar, she says. Piers Morgan always used to call Lorraine the iron fist in the velvet glove. I like that.

The TV host in her early presenting days for GMTV

It also means shes been underestimated. I quite like being underestimated. Theres a brilliant sketch by French and Saunders about the fluff of daytime telly and it had us all wetting ourselves with laughter as theres a kernel of truth there. But those who havent watched us dont see the campaigning side or the political interviews.

Politicians would come on TV-am, for example. It might not have been gladiatorial, more, You keep talking, youll damn yourself eventually. Then you ask your killer question. I think you get more that way than Newsnight-style.

She doesnt have much truck with all the emoting in broadcast journalism these days, despite having witnessed three deaths in her TV family in the past 18 months. First there was Bowel Babe Dame Deborah James, who died of bowel cancer in June 2022. In November 2023 ITV producer Hannah Hawkins died of breast cancer, leaving a husband and newborn son. Then, earlier this month, Kate Garraways husband Derek Draper died from the consequences of long Covid.

I dont think its my place to be emotional, she says. Thats not to say I dont go to my dressing room and have a cry because I do, Im only human, but mostly Ill be digging my nails into the palms of my hands.

She can only remember losing her composure on air twice, once when Hannahs widower and baby son appeared alongside her and once over the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. The body of victim Eilidh MacLeod, 14, was flown home to the Outer Hebridean island of Barra, landing on the beach to a lone pipers lament. For the devoted Scottish mother of an only daughter, it was enough to make her crumble.

Lorraine with her daughter Rosie Smith and husband Steve Smith to attend a celebration of Lorraine Kelly's 30 years in breakfast television at Langham Hotel in 2014

Lorraine and Rosie are very close. They co-host a podcast called What If?, which asks famous guests to discuss turning points in life, and Rosie also works on a radio station start-up and as a writer  which must be tricky when your mums a broadcasting legend wholl probably soon be a bestselling novelist too. Is it hard for her?

I dont think so, says Lorraine, though she says Rosie has to decline offers of work clearly targeted at her because of her famous mum. Like reality shows. Shes asked to do loads of things because shes my daughter, but she says no. Rosies a smasher, shes going places, doing her own thing.

As for Lorraine, at 64 shes still going places too. Shes got another book planned and has plenty more stories buzzing about in her head. Shes not done with TV but accepts that day will come. Telly might take a step back from me, you cant take it for granted. TV is brutal. Its astonishing Ive been doing it for 40 years. Eventually itll end, and that might be my decision or it might not.

Right now she remains the doyenne of daytime and looks terrific, slim, strong and glowy; happy to wear a military-style coat as a frock for our cover shoot. I look like a private eye, she says, and you wonder if shell file that away and eventually write a crime novel to give fellow TV stars turned authors Richard Osman and Rob Rinder a run for their money too.
Delta Airlines were named number one, while JetBlue came in last

There were seven categories assessed over nine airlines in the United States

The rankings were done using data from airlines and Department of Transport

It's a competitive list to get to the top, but the best - and worst - airlines in the business have been ranked and revealed.

While overall, airlines reduced their cancellations and improved arrival time, feedback from passengers listed baggage handling and tarmac delays as some of their gripes.

The report, released by the Wall Street Journal, assessed the on-time arrivals, flight cancellations, extreme delays, baggage handling, tarmac delays, involuntary bumping and complaints of nine major American airlines.

The airlines included Delta, Alaska, Allegiant, Southwest, American, United, Spirit, Frontier and JetBlue.

It's a competitive list to get to the top, but the best - and worst- airlines in the business have been ranked and revealed

While overall, airlines reduced their cancellations and improved arrival time, feedback from passengers listed the baggage handling and tarmac delays as some of their gripes

Topping the list was Delta Airlines, with JetBlue coming in last.

Pulse, a data platform from aviation company Anuvu, supplied the data for the airline's on-time arrivals, flight cancellations and extreme delays, while other data was provided by the Transportation Department.

According to WSJ's 16th annual airline report, Delta Airlines is the best American airline to fly with, for the third time in a row. They didn't score lower than fifth overall in all categories assessed.

Delta had the best on-time arrival rate at 85 per cent, which was up from 81.7 per cent in 2022.

However, despite the airline's number-one ranking, some irate customers have taken to social media recently to complain about policy changes made to the Delta Sky Club airport lounges.

The changes, which came into effect January 1, 2024, mean those paying an annual fee of $695 for an American Express Platinum card can no longer enter the lounge if they had booked basic economy tickets.

The airline announced its policy changes last year in response to a record number of visitors to its Delta Sky Club airport lounges.

Following Delta was Alaska Airlines and Allegiant Air, who jumped two spots to the third spot, thanks to fewer cancellations.

According to the report, 77.6 per cent of flights land on time, which means only 75 per cent of flights arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival.

After Delta, Alaska is the only other airline that reached 80 per cent for on-time arrivals.

JetBlue was was worst on ground for their on-time arrivals, with a rate of 66.4 per cent.

They assessed the on-time arrivals, flight cancellations, extreme delays, baggage handling, tarmac delays, involuntary bumping and complaints of nine major American airlines

Alaska Airlines were ranked second overall, with the grounding of their Boeing 737 MAX 9 after a near-disaster in January not counting towards the rankings

Matt Sparks, senior vice president of operations at Delta, told the WSJ the airline's top ratings could be attributed to their employees.

However, Delta didn't rank as well for flight cancellations, coming in at fifth, despite reducing their cancelations to 1.2 per cent of flights from close to two per cent, which Sparks said the carrier could still improve on.

'If we're finishing fifth, that means we're letting our customers down,' he admitted.

However, Delta improved towards the end of the year, with a 90 per cent reduction in flight cancellations from October through December, when compared to the first part of the year.

According to Sparks, the cancelation rate is the equivalent to 1,850 fewer flight cancellations a month.

American carriers ranked: The best and worst airlines Pulse, a data platform from aviation company Anuvu, supplied the data for the airline's on-time arrivals, flight cancellations, and extreme delays, while other data was provided by the Transportation Department. Overall: 1. Delta 2. Alaska 3. Allegiant 4. Southwest 5. American 6. United 7. Spirit 8. Frontier 9. JetBlue Advertisement

United Airlines fell to sixth overall from fourth. They also came in second last for cancellation rate and baggage handling, however much like Delta, a United executive said they improved towards the end of the year.

Although number two, Alaska is gaining on Delta for the best airline. The airline has the lowest cancellation rate overall at under 1 per cent, under the 1.3 per cent average.

Overall, airlines were down for cancelation rates 2.6 per cent in 2022, with the WSJ noting that the 2023 rankings haven't taken into account of the recent incident with Alaska Airline's grounding their Boeing 737 MAX 9 after a near-disaster earlier in January.

Alaska's let down was in baggage handling, where it ranked seventh. If they had ranked higher they could have overtaken Delta.

'We are committed to improving our baggage performance and raising it to the level of reliability we offer in every other category of our operation,' a spokesman said in a statement.

Budget airline Allegiant ranked well for not involuntarily bumping passengers from their flights and by making sure their flights took off.

Allegiant improved their flight cancelation rate, going from canceling four per cent of its flights in 2022 to below one per cent in 2023.

However, despite improvements, they still ended up sixth overall, ranking lower for on-time arrivals and delays longer than 45 minutes.

Southwest Airlines had a disappointing year, having the fewest complaints in 2022 but had a higher complaint rate than any airline other than Frontier and Spirit. However, the WSJ pointed out there was a data reporting lag in some categories.

None the less, the airline has 'taken lessons' from the end of 2022 and 'made sure that 2023 was a year of progress,' as per Southwest chief operating officer Andrew Watterson in a statement.

Travelers were less happy Frontier, which had an average of 38.5 complaints per 100,000 passengers, or four times the average rate across the nine airlines.

Nearly 33 per cent of Frontier flyers complaints were to do with flight problems, according to the Department of Transport data, while 18.4 per cent dealt with refunds. Fares made up the third-most common reason to complain.

JetBlue finished last in four categories: on-time arrivals, canceled flights, delays longer than 45 minutes and tarmac delays.

Their spokesperson said the airline's proximity to New York and associated airspace challenges, including weather disruptions and air-traffic control issues, as major factors behind many of the customer complaints.

'We have the highest level of exposure to New York of any airline, and that continues to make an apples-to-apples comparison with other carriers difficult,' a spokeswoman said in a statement.
Want to earn more money in 2024? As the adage goes, if you dont ask, you dont get and this rings especially true when it comes to salary negotiations.

Talking about money is never easy, especially during the interview process when fears of asking for too much can hold you back. But its crucial to learn how to confidently and concisely approach conversations about how much youre being paid.

If youre a woman, its especially prudent to hone this skill. Recent research has found that women are 20 per cent less comfortable discussing salary expectations than their male counterparts, and a whopping 20 per cent of women have never negotiated their salary during their careers. Conversely, men are 20 per cent more likely to negotiate on pay during an interview.

Want to earn more money in 2024? As the adage goes, if you dont ask, you dont get  and this rings especially true when it comes to salary negotiations

While this shouldnt inform how much women are being paid, with the gender pay gap currently standing at 7.7 per cent on average for full-time employees, women are paying the price for not speaking up, literally and figuratively.

Below were detailing the tactics you need to know to effectively tackle salary negotiations.

Know your worth

Do you know how much someone with your experience and skills is being paid? Do you know what competitors are paying? When it comes to salary negotiations, knowing your value is essential, and the best way to do this is by benchmarking your salary accordingly.

Glassdoor is a great resource if youre trying to establish similar salaries within your field without speaking directly to a recruiter. It allows you to conduct salary comparisons based on its salary calculator which can provide the average salary for any job title located in the UK.

When it comes to salary negotiations, knowing your value is essential and the best way to do this is by benchmarking your salary accordingly

Sell your skillset

Whether youre analysing your accomplishments ahead of a performance review that will directly inform your salary at your current role, or are in the negotiation stages before accepting a new job offer, selling your skillset is vital.

Start off by looking at your soft skills in particularaccording to the World Economic Forum (WEF)s recent Future of Jobs report, analytical thinking and creative thinking will be top in-demand skills by 2027. Employers will be seeking out employees that can demonstrate proficiency in these skills, and additional soft skills including leadership, communication, empathy and social influence.

There's more of a focus and an interest in having people with analytical thinking, people with creativity, shared Saadia Zahidi, managing director of the WEF in the report.

But it's also become very important to have leadership skills and to have social influence, and the ability to work with other people. The traits that make us human, make us able to relate with each other and to get innovative, creative things done in the workplace.'

Recent research has found that women are 20 per cent less comfortable discussing salary expectations than their male counterparts

Tap into your professional network

Despite the UK government launching a pay transparency scheme in 2022 to address the gender pay gap, the secrecy surrounding salaries remains in many companies, and professional peers dont often know what their contemporaries are being paid.

One way to side-step this is by tapping into your professional network and askingprivately or publiclyif your contacts would be willing to disclose their current salary to help you decipher whats really happening within your industry.

However, sometimes, no matter how much evidence you prepare or how proactive you are in selling yourself and your abilities, your current or prospective employer may not be able to match your salary expectations.

If that is the case, exploring your options could be the best solution, and the Mail Jobs Board is the ideal place to focus your search. It features thousands of jobs that are currently hiring, including the three below.

Job openings in the UK DevOps Engineer, Jisc, Remote This hybrid DevOps Engineer role facilities working from one of Jiscs hubs in London, Bristol, Manchester or Harwell. In this role you will work with the software development teams to help them set up and maintain cloud infrastructure on both AWS and Azure. You will also research, set up and maintain tools to ease the burden of security and other regulatory requirements when developing software, and help teams to set up reporting using a data-driven approach on uptime, delivery and sustainability concerns, including DORA metrics. Interested? Apply now. Named Account Executive, Salesforce, London Salesforce is seeking a Named Account Executive - Banking for its Financial Services team. Youll be selling into all sub-verticals of the broader industry vertical, where youll need a strong understanding of the general banking industry, and can own and manage end-to-end enterprise consultative sales cycles. Additionally youll need a demonstrable track record of quota carrying in software or technology sales, account management and virtual team leadership experience. You can find additional information here. UX Researcher - UK, IBM, Hursley IBM is seeking a UX Researcher to join its team in Hursley. As a member of the global user research team, you will join an established and impactful team of user researchers that are responsible for leading and driving user-centred research initiatives. Your research findings and insights will drive the design and development of user-centred solutions. As such, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, product managers, and engineers, to ensure our products deliver exceptional user experiences. See the full job description here. See the full job description here.

Accelerate your job search today via the Mail Jobs Board
After season upon season of 'naked dresses' made of see-through fabric or peekaboo lace, there's finally a new way to grab attention on the red carpet. Welcome to the era of eccentric luxe.

Why work out for weeks on end to wear next to nothing this awards season when you can garner just as many headlines by wearing a jacket made of 7,000 real rose petals (J-Lo), alien horns (Katy Perry) or a stegosaurus spine (Rita Ora) instead?

It may sound as if Halloween has come early, but this is a movement inspired by haute couture  specifically Schiaparelli, the Italian-born, French-based fashion house synonymous with luxury of the four-figure, gold-dipped, private-jet variety. (The bag made to look like a Modigliani-esque human face, as carried by J-Lo to Schiaparelli's haute couture show in Paris this week, will set you back around 4,700).

Real rose petal coats might seem like the last days of Rome to many, but it's nothing new for this label.

A hundred years ago, Elsa Schiaparelli made a name for herself as a couturier in the interwar period by turning fashion into often surreal art.

Jennifer Lopez attends the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 22, 2024

Weird but wonderful: From left, a Schiaparelli winged dress, Irina Shayk in the labels lion gown, and a bold lacey design

She threaded aspirin tablets instead of pearls into a necklace. She put a phone dial on a compact powder case. She called these her 'little jokes', but in truth she was changing the world of fashion for ever.

We gasped in 2000 when John Galliano sent a model down his runway at Dior in a newspaper print dress. But Schiaparelli had done the same thing in 1935, making a collection out of Press clippings about herself in a self-referential move today's influencers would applaud. She made clothes from safety pins decades before Liz Hurley stepped out in Versace's safety pin dress in 1994.

In 2021, actress Zendaya wore a Roberto Cavalli open-backed dress complete with gold skeleton 'bones' to Cannes, but Elsa got there first  with a skeleton dress designed for her 1938 circus-themed collection.

In fact, that dress was made in collaboration with her long-time friend surrealist Salvador Dali, its padded ridges designed to resemble protruding bones in an eerie reference to the emaciated bodies of starving civilians during the Spanish Civil War.

Last week, Naomi Campbell closed Balmain's menswear show in Paris wearing a gold belt that looked like hands holding a bouquet of flowers. The adorning of women with petals and foliage  sometimes so dramatically they appear themselves to turn into blossoming plants  is a long-standing Schiaparelli trademark. Indeed, the designer conceded in her autobiography that as a child she planted seeds in her throat, ears and mouth in the hope of sprouting flowers and becoming less 'ugly'.

Rita Ora attends The Fashion Awards 2023 Presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert Hall in London on December 4, 2023

Naomi Campbell walks the runway during the Balmain Homme Menswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 20, 2024

Schiaparelli was the first designer who really understood the power of fashion to shock  she even invented the term 'shocking pink' to describe a particular hue that was her signature. And it's the label's continued output of clothes that both repulse and enchant that makes it so influential today.

In fact, many would argue it's even more important to harness the power of a shocking outfit now than it was in surrealism's 1930s heyday.

In today's competitive, fast-paced world of celebrity and fashion, what better way to make us look for longer than a few seconds than by dressing in something not just pretty, but freakishly so.

You might not have heard of the rapper Doja Cat, for example, but when she wore custom Schiaparelli to the label's couture show last January  30,000 red crystals covering her head to toe, face included, as though she was drenched in blood  she became the front row's biggest talking point, with reactions ranging from disgust and confusion to awe. Other designers and celebrities have been quick to learn the lesson, with model and podcaster Abbey Clancy this month wearing a Moschino bodysuit emblazoned with crudely surreal body parts (straight off the label's Spring/Summer 2024 catwalk). Katy Perry donned prosthetic alien horns at Jeff Bezos's 60th birthday this weekend (what better way to stand out in a sea of couture-clad billionaires?). While that crazy chrome dinosaur spine worn by Rita Ora, in effect seeming to erupt from her back, added a luxe touch to her dress  which cost just 50 from a range she promotes at Primark  at the British Fashion Awards in December.

In 2021, actress Zendaya wore a Roberto Cavalli open-backed dress complete with gold skeleton 'bones' to Cannes

But it's Schiaparelli, now under the creative control of Texan Daniel Roseberry, which remains the master of the art. Take the gold adornments on the custom Schiaparelli dress worn by pop star Dua Lipa to this month's Golden Globe Awards  a macabre tracing of ribs, hip bones and spine on an otherwise traditional velvet column gown. Or the dresses adorned with freakishly huge and realistic lion heads worn by Kylie Jenner and model Irina Shayk at Schiaparelli's couture show last year. They are outfits designed expressly to turn heads.

At this week's show, Euphoria star Hunter Schafer wore the brand's iconic 'toe shoes' (2,825): a seemingly normal black pump emblazoned with quasi-monstrous, gold toes. It is the mundane made playful and grotesque. Ditto J-Lo's white roll-neck sweater, which she wore underneath her rose petal jacket. Perfectly normal, even a little mumsy  until you clock the octopus tentacles crawling up the torso, a nod to the eerie sea-life motif on some of Schiaparelli's most iconic designs. Elsa Schiaparelli closed her debt-ridden house in 1954, the same year her great rival Coco Chanel returned to business after her 15-year hiatus due to the Second World War.

Elsa understood that there was no place in a climate of post-war austerity for the haute luxury of fantastical fashion and had no desire to scrimp or pare her designs down. She died in 1973, and while the male artists with whom she collaborated (Dali, Jean Cocteau, Marcel Vertes) are now household names, her contribution to surrealism has been almost entirely forgotten, her influence on fashion similarly downplayed. Until now.

For the Schiaparelli shock factor is kicking in hard this awards season. As the stars battle for their moment on the red carpet  and the need to capture attention, for the right reasons, on social media  Elsa's grotesque-yet-gorgeous aesthetic has become the fastest celebrity shortcut to unrivalled visibility. Le freak, c'est chic.
With some senior members of the royal family out of action, now is the time for 'more junior members' like the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh 'to shine', Richard Eden has told Palace Confidential.

Speaking on the Mail+'s weekly talk show, the Daily Mail's diary editor noted that 'three out of four of the most senior members of the royal family [are] out of action' at the moment.

'So it is a great chance for, you know, the more junior members like Edward and Sophie to shine,' he continued, 'and hopefully this programme will feature their work over the next few months.

'And I think it has been great the way that they have taken on some of the less fashionable causes.

'Sophie has been very much involved in women as a victim of war and sexual crime...And obviously, Prince Edwards inherited the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme from his father, which is fantastic.

The Daily Mail's diary editor Richard Eden (pictured) discussed how the absence of more senior royals gave more junior royals like the Edinburghs a 'chance to shine'

'So it'd be great if the general public gets to hear more about their good work.'

Daily Mail royal editor Rebecca English revealed she had written about the royal couple in the paper this week, discussing their activities.

Sophie was at a school in East Village in South London this week, talking about periods.

Rebecca said: 'There's a big campaign by an organisation she's involved with [the organisation is called] Wellbeing of Women].

'[The campaign is] called Just a Period [and it seeks]to get away from the idea of period shame and embarrassment about seeking help for young girls.

'And actually, there were some young...male students, also in the meeting, but she was really open, and answered every question that was being asked of her, you know, like, some of her most kind of embarrassing moments or awkward moments.'

Rebecca added: 'When I was starting this job, that is 100 per cent something you would have never heard [the royals] talking about...I say good on her.

'I thought it was it was great.'

The Duchess of Edinburgh (pictured) visited a school this week to talk about periods - something new for the royals

Meanwhile, her husband Prince Edward (pictured, right) has been on a trip to South Africa and onto St. Helena this week

Speaking about Prince Edward, Rebecca discussed how the youngest sibling of the king has been on a two day trip to South Africa and onto St. Helena this week.

She discussed a Q&A the royal had given, where he spoke about men, which surprised her.

Rebecca continued: 'He gave a kind of question and answer session when he was in Pretoria....[and he] quite extraordinarily said, "Look, I feel a bit embarrassed about standing up here as a man, because I don't think men are doing a very good job with the world at the moment'.

She noted that he was 'referring to conflicts that are going on globall'y.

Rebecca said: 'And again, you know, I thought well, "quite outspoken Edward but a really good talking point".'
Father Ted co-writer Graham Linehan is to take a Belfast pub to court after he was asked to leave the venue over his controversial views on transgender people.

Linehan, 55, is suing Wine Inns, the owners of Robinson's Bar in Belfast, along with 22 other members of a women's rights campaign group, after they were asked to vacate the pub on April 16th last year.

The group had chosen the historic bar on Great Victoria Street in the Northern Irish capital to meet following the Let Women Speak demonstration.

They say they dined drank for over an hour before they were asked to leave.

Writer and activist Graham Linehan is part of a 23-strong group suing the owners of a Belfast bar, saying the group, which had gathered at the Robinson's Bar in Belfast following a Let Women Speak rally, were asked to leave because of their controversial views

The group is now crowdfunding to cover legal costs after announcing it will take legal action

Linehan and the group say they were kicked out because of their 'legally protected beliefs in biological sex' and have set up a crowdfunding campaign, Terfed Out, to cover costs. The fund has raised 6,644 so far.

The group's solicitor, Simon Chambers, told the Belfast Telegraph that a video posted on social media had captured the moment staff asked the party to leave.

He said: 'A video circulating on social media shows a member of staff telling those who were denied service "we are a trans positive bar" and that "we are not transphobic  i.e, you are.'

Graham Linehan spoke at a meeting at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester in October and told those gathered his views had seen him dropped by his TV agent

He told the newspaper that he suspected 'staff were jaundiced by social media posts by trans activists who were criticising the womens rally.'

The case, filed under 23 separate bills, is likely to be heard later this year in what is thought to be the first of its kind in the country.

The creator of Father Ted has frequently found himself embroiled in controversy after airing his views.

In October, he claimed he has been dropped by his TV agent after branding David Tennant an 'abusive groomer' on social media.

Linehan criticised Doctor Who star Tennant in July on X - formerly known as Twitter - for wearing a T-shirt that read 'Leave trans kids alone you absolute freaks'.

The 55-year-old who also described Tennant as 'disgusting', 'ignorant' and 'reckless', told a Conservative Party Conference event in Manchester later in the year that he had been dropped by London-based agency Independent Talent.

The agency did not respond to a request by MailOnline for comment at the time.

Mr Linehan rose to fame in 1995 for creating the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted which ran until 1998. He then went on to pen Black Books and The IT Crowd.

But he has more recently become known for standing up to transgender activists, which led to a Twitter ban and his show at the Edinburgh Fringe being shut down.
Read more: I went to a music festival and left with second degree sunburn

Two days later her leg started to swell and it felt like she 'pulled a muscle'

Lois, 26, slept for the majority of her flight from London to Adelaide

A young woman has issued a warning about the importance of wearing compression socks and moving around during long-haul flights after developing a dangerous blood clot in her left leg.

Lois, 26, was excited to move from London to Australia and slept through most of the 20-hour flight on December 31.

Two days after arriving her left calf became swollen, 'warm' and felt like she had 'pulled a muscle'.

'It felt hotter than the other leg and was annoying me so much I couldn't sleep,' Lois told FEMAIL, describing the feeling like a 'marble' in her calf.

But she had no idea it was an ominous 4cm blood clot causing the irritation.

Lois, 26, was left with a 4cm blood clot in her left leg from not wearing compression socks and not moving around enough during a long-haul flight to Australia

Lois' legs: Blood clots are not always visible from the surface, so it's essential to see a doctor if symptoms persist. The chance of blood clots are higher after flying due to the long periods of immobility and reduced air pressure

The chance of blood clots are higher after flying due to the long periods of immobility and reduced air pressure. The risk is increased for those who have circulation issues, smoke, have a family history and/or are on certain medications.

'During the flight I didn't really get up at all as I was just so comfortable in my aisle seat. I got up once at the end of both flights to use the bathroom - other than that I just slept the whole time,' she said.

While her dad had warned her to move around frequently and gave her compression socks to wear, she ignored his advice.

'I massively regret that now,' she added.

After going to the hospital, a blood test and ultrasound confirmed she had a 4cm deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

As she's young and healthy, doctors have recommended she waits for the clot to dissolve on it's own. However, she will require check-ups over the next couple of months.

'They said it was a large DVT and I will have to be careful for the next three to six months. I will now be prone to them in the future and will need to wear compression socks too,' she said.

'If the DVT doesn't go away or moves I will need to go on blood thinners for up to a year.

'I'm worried that it might move or that I'll be prone to them later in life. I feel silly too as I should have just got up a few times!'

Lois said the DVT was more of an 'ache than a pain', which is concerning as the clot could've gone undetected if she didn't go to the hospital.

As she's young and healthy, doctors recommend waiting for the clot to dissolve on it's own and she'll require check-ups over the next couple months. 'I'm worried that it might move or that I'll be prone to them later in life. I feel silly too as I should have just got up a few times!'

SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT FOR BLOOD CLOTS: A blood clot is a clump of blood thats changed from a liquid to a gel-like or semisolid state. A blood clot in your leg or arm can have various symptoms including: swelling, pain, tenderness, a warm sensation, reddish discoloration. Blood clots can happen anywhere in the body and can cause severe problems. But when they occur in the heart, the clots can cut off critical blood flow and result in a heart attack. Blood clots that develop in the abdomen can target a variety of organs, so symptoms vary from person to person. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, abdominal pain that comes and goes, nausea, vomiting, bloody stools, diarrhea, bloating or swelling in the abdomen, abdominal fluid accumulation known as ascites. Treatment of a blood clot will depend on its location. One treatment for blood clots is anticoagulant medicines (blood thinning medicines). These medicines stop blood clots from growing larger and prevent new clots from forming. Sources: Healthline and Health Direct Advertisement

To alert others, Lois shared her experience in a now-viral TikTok video and outlined her symptoms.

'Girl I'm impressed you managed to sleep for that long,' one person commented, another said: 'At least you hit the Aussie health system.'

'Oh gosh I am so sorry.. hope you are ok now,' a third wrote.

Others admitted they've also made the same mistake by not moving around regularly on long flights.
Hidden in the stunning Blue Mountains is a jaw-dropping cave system that is hundreds of millions of years old.

Jenolan Caves is just thee hours drive west from both Sydney and Canberra making it the perfect day-trip destination for adventurers.

The cathedral-like open cave system is said to be the world's oldest with scientists estimating them to be around 340million-years-old.

A series of subterranean caverns and winding passages that need to be seen to be believed span 40km underground.

Visitors can venture below the ground to witness crystal-clear turquoise lakes formed by centuries of erosion and explore the ancient corridors which are sometimes lit up in rainbow colours.

Travellers are flocking to a spectacular cave network nestled in the Blue Mountains which is thought to be one of the oldest in the world

Jenolan Caves is just thee hours drive west from both Sydney and Canberra making it the perfect day-trip destination for adventurers

The cathedral-like open cave system is said to be the world's oldest with scientists estimated them to be around 340million-years-old

From the car park, travellers can wind down a short 500m path down a valley, through the wild bush to the mouth of the tunnel where there are scenic views of the surrounding mountains.

Tours are offered throughout the caves with a range of difficulty levels from 'very easy' to 'occasionally claustrophobic'.

Lucas Cave is the most popular site of the spectacular network for its breathtaking underground river and magical limestone formations.

To see the age-old systems' incredible crystal formations, Orient and Tempe of Ball caves are a must while Imperial Cave has another striking subterranean river.

One man said the caves are a must-go for adults who love adventures but warned small children may struggle on slippery surfaces.

There is a range of tours offered throughout the caves with a range of difficulty levels from 'very easy' to 'occasionally claustrophobic'

Visitors can venture below ground to witness crystal-clear turquoise lakes formed by centuries of erosion and explore the ancient corridors which are sometimes lit up in rainbow colours

Close by is the magical Blue Lake that gets its name from its striking colour and Jenolan Caves House that makes visitors feel like they've been transported to a quaint European village

Above ground, there is even more to explore at the nearby Blue Lake which gets its name from its striking blue colour.

The colour is created by a natural phenomenon that occurs when light bounces off limestone deposits underwater in the bedrock.

The man-made lake was dammed in 1908 to create hydroelectric energy for houses in the surrounding area, but its builders had no idea it would become such a captivating sight for thousands of visitors each year.

Also close-by is the historical Jenolan Caves House hotel where travellers will feel like they've been transported to a quaint European village.

Hotel guests and day visitors can explore the grounds or get a bite to eat at the on-site restaurant, bar or cafe.
A deadly fungus that kills up to one in five people it infects may be more common than previously thought, a study suggests.

People catch the fungus behind blastomycosis by breathing in spores released by disturbed rotten wood or leaf litter, which can then take root in the lungs and spread to the skin, brain and spinal cord  causing deadly pnuemonia and inflammation.

Officials have previously suggested the disease is not common, and only track the infection in five states  mostly in the mid-West.

But researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now suggest the opposite, after finding the fungus was more common in Vermont than in four of the five states where it is tracked.

The above map shows states where blastomycosis cases have been confirmed (red), recently confirmed (orange) or are suspected to occur (blue)

An examination of tens of thousands of health insurance claims showed the disease had a rate of 1.8 cases per 100,000 people in Vermont from 2011 to 2018.

But in 2019 and 2020, this surged to three cases per 100,000.

For comparison, in four of the monitoring states  Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan and Minnesota  the rate did not rise above one per 100,000 in the same period.

It was only higher in Wisconsin, where the average was around three per 100,000.

Writing in the paper, the researchers said: 'Our findings... align with a growing body of evidence suggesting that the burden of endemic blastomycosis is greater than commonly appreciated.

'These results challenge routine assumptions about epidemiology and ecology of this disease and reflect a need for future studies.'

They added: 'Clinicians should consider blastomycosis in patients with compatible signs and symptoms.'

Blastomycosis is a disease caused by the fungus Blastomyces, which can lurk around waterways and in moist soil and leaf litter.

Patients who are infected with the fungus may suffer from a mild to moderate infection causing a cough, fever and chills.

Sonya Cruz, 31, and a mother-of-one, from Wisconsin, pictured with her husband John Cruz on their wedding day in 2019. She died from blastomycosis last year

Blastomycosis (stock image of fungus Blastomyces) can trigger symptoms that look like a cold in the early stages, but the fungus can then spread to other areas of the body triggering more severe disease

But in serious cases, they can progress within days to weeks to suffering from pneumonia, lesions on the skin  which appear as raised bumps, blisters or ulcers  and neurological problems  warning signs of encephalitis, or brain swelling.

This happens because the fungus can spread in the body via the bloodstream or lymph system, and start to cause havoc in other areas.

Infections are diagnosed via a blood or urine test and can be treated via the administration of antifungal drugs such as itraconazole, which has the brand name Sporanox.

Alongside the five states reporting the disease, cases have also previously been confirmed from Illinois, Missouri and Mississippi.

But all these states are based around the Mississippi River basin, making the detection of the fungus in Vermont an outlier.

Last year, more than a hundred people were sickened with the fungus at a paper mill in Michigan  the largest outbreak in US history. Thirteen people were hospitalized and one individual died.

A mother-of-one in Wisconsin also died from the fungal infection after doctors initially missed the infection and sent her home with antibiotics.

Sonya Cruz, 31, went into respiratory failure shortly before her death and had to be put on a ventilator and sedated.

Her husband John said at the time: 'They took my like away from me. I'm not saying the hospital or whatever. Whatever this is, took my wife.'

The claims data from Vermont showed 116 people had been diagnosed with the infection between 2011 and 2020.

Of the patients, 34 were hospitalized and four were also reported to have died from the disease.

Across Vermont, three of its counties in the north-central area  Lamoille, Orleans and Washington  reported most of the cases.

Researchers used the Vermont Health Care Uniform Reporting and Evaluation System, which covers about 75 percent of state residents, to collect the data.

Insurance claims were checked for the diagnosis codes of 116.0 or B40.X, which indicates a plastomycosis infection.

Most of the patients were male  about 60 percent  and had an average age of about 55 years.
READ MORE: Record 2MILLION Americans will get cancer this year

Late-stage cervical cancer cases are on the rise in the US, studies show

Doctors are racing to cure cervical cancer in less than ten years, calling it that only cancer 'that we can say we can eliminate.'

Cervical cancer is the fourth-most common form of the disease in women. However, unlike most other cancers on the rise, doctors know what causes it.

Most of the time, it's caused by the common sexually transmitted infection human papillomavirus (HPV) - and there's already a cure for it.

The vaccine for HPV is more than 90 percent effective, experts estimate, though they warn that not enough Americans are getting it.

Dr Linda Eckert, a gynecologist at the University of Washington, fears that the low vaccination rate could be behind a recent uptick in advanced cervical tumor cases, seen mostly in women in their 30s and 40s.

She plans to give a testimony at the White House Thursday expressing concerns that complacency is fueling the increase.

She said: 'In the United States, a woman is dying every two hours of a cancer. We have the tools, right now, to eliminate this statistic. We must do better.'

A study published in the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer found that even though early-stage cervical cancer rates are decreasing, late-stage cases have gradually risen year over year

Cervical cancer symptoms to look out for include unusual vaginal bleeding, pain during sex and lower back or pelvic pain

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that 'almost all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).'

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), mostly affecting teens and young adults.

The CDC estimates that 13 million Americans are affected by HPV every year.

In nine out of 10 cases, it goes away without causing issues. However, it can lead to cervical, throat, anal, penile, vaginal, and vulvar cancers.

Cervical cancer cases are largely on the decline in the US. Research published in 2023 by the ACS, for example, found that among women between ages 20 and 24, cervical cancer rates dropped by 33 percent from 2005 to 2012 and by 65 percent from 2012 to 2019.

These women were also the first to receive the HPV vaccine when it was rolled out in 2006. The shot is given to girls and women between nine and 26 years old in the US.

Rebecca Siegel, lead study author and senior scientific director of surveillance research at the ACS, said: The large drop in cervical cancer incidence is extremely exciting because this is the first group of women to receive the HPV vaccine, and it probably foreshadows steep reductions in other HPV-associated cancers.'

The authors said these findings show that HPV vaccination can 'virtually eliminate cervical cancer.' However, vaccination rates are low.

The ACS states that in 2020, only 32 percent of boys and girls ages 13 to 17 in Mississippi and 43 percent in West Virginia were up to date on their HPV vaccinations.

An analysis from America's Health Rankings, based on CDC data, found that South Carolina, West Virginia, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Mississippi ranked lowest in terms of HPV vaccination.

Overall, 63 percent of US teens ages 13 to 17 are vaccinated against HPV.

HPV has been linked to more than 90 percent of cervical cancer rates. However, just 63 percent of US teens have been vaccinated against it

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Dr Scarini noted that the cervical cancer rate in Alabama, where she practices, has been exacerbated due to a lack of screening and follow-up, especially in low-income areas where residents can't afford to take time off to visit a doctor.

The lack of vaccination could contribute to the rise in late-stage cervical cancer. Experts from Harvard University said what while early-stage rates are dropping, 'advanced cervical cancer cases have not declined within any US racial, ethnic, or age group over the last 18 years.'

They pointed to a study published in the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, which found that new diagnoses of advanced cervical cancer have risen by 1.3 percent annually from 2001 to 2018.

The increase was most prevalent in southern women. Southern white women ages 40 to 44 saw an annual rise in advanced cases of 4.5 percent, and southern black women ages 55 to 59 were diagnosed nearly twice as often as white women with early and late cases.

Fewer people in these states are vaccinated against HPV, the ACS's findings show, which could contribute to these disparities.

Additionally, a report released this week by the ACS found that cervical tumors are rising by nearly two percent in women ages 30 to 44. They said this could be due to that age group being too old to receive the HPV vaccine when it was rolled out.

Dr Ursula Matulonis, chief of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said that increasing cancers of adenocarcinoma could also be driving up this increase, as these occur higher up in the birth canal and are harder to detect during screening.

Misdiagnosis could also be fueling the rise.

Kerry Pugh, a 48-year-old mother-of-three from the UK, initially had her regular screening results dismissed as normal when she was experiencing abnormal bleeding.

Two years later, she died from cervical cancer.

Dr Scarini and Dr Eckert both urged parents to get their teenagers vaccinated against HPV.

Kerry Pugh, a 48-year-old mother-of-three from the UK, died from cervical cancer two years after doctors mistook her screening test results as normal

'If we can prevent HPV infection, we can prevent cervical cancer. For that, we have the HPV vaccine,' Dr Eckert previously wrote for Mail Online.

'It prevents an astonishing 90 percent of cervical cancers; by comparison, doctors are pleased when the flu jab is 50-60 percent effective.'

'The vaccine alone, especially when given to teenage boys as well as girls, could eliminate cervical cancer. Screening can speed up that process.'

Dr Isabel Scarini, the vice chair for Global and Rural Women's Health in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, contracted polio as a child when her mother was convinced wait to give her the second dose of the vaccine.

As a result, the disease spread to both of her arms and legs, leaving her with a noticeable limp.

Dr Linda Eckert said: 'We have the tools, right now, to eliminate this statistic. We must do better'

Dr Scarini is now that channeling that experience into advocating for vaccines to prevent infections that lead to cervical cancer with Operation Wipe Out, which aims to eliminate the disease by 2033.

Though cervical cancer rates have largely dropped since preventative vaccinations for the infection that causes it were introduced, late-stage disease remains on the rise.

This has left experts to call for increased screening and vaccine education, particularly in rural areas, citing that 'we must do better.'

'Cervical cancer is really the only cancer today that we can say we can eliminate,' she told WVTM 13. 'I am a living testimony of what vaccination can do.'

Cervical cancer starts in the cervix, a small canal that connects a woman's uterus to her vagina.

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), cervical cancer often doesn't cause symptoms in the earlier stages, making it more difficult to detect.

When they do occur, symptoms include bleeding after sex, menopause, or between periods. Vaginal discharge that's watery, hs a strong odor, or contains blood can also occur, as well as pelvic pain, especially during sex.

As the cancer progresses, it can cause difficulty having a bowel movement or urinating, backache, leg swelling, abdominal pain, and fatigue.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that nearly 14,000 cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in 2024, along with about 4,300 deaths.

According to the ACS, cervical cancer most commonly affects women between ages 35 and 44, and the average age is 50.
With her glowing complexion and enviably slim figure, it's easy to understand why Kylie Jenner is considered one of the world's most beautiful women.

Yet, despite her stunning looks  and the fact she's a self-made billionaire  the 26-year-old A-lister is no stranger to having her appearance criticised.

Attending the Jean Paul Gaultier Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2024 event on Wednesday, Kylie showcased a pared-back style complete with a classic up-do and stripped back make-up.

Stepping out in the French capital, she chose a minimalist approach to glamour in a corseted mini dress with a flowing champagne tulle layered over the top.

Yet social media erupted at the make-up mogul's 'reinvention', accusing her of looking like she was in her 40s.

Looking worlds away from her usual ensembles at a Jean Paul Gaultier Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2024 event on Wednesday, Kylie showcased a pared-back style complete with a classic up-do and stripped back make-up. Yet social media erupted at the make-up mogul's new look, accusing her of looking like she was in her 40s

One cruelly asked: 'What did Kylie Jenner do to her face? I just read she's only 26 but she looks old as hell here.' Another  in a comment viewed 25million times  said: 'We're seeing in real time what long term filler usage does as you age'

One cruelly asked: 'What did Kylie Jenner do to her face? I just read she's only 26 but she looks old as hell here.'

Another  in a comment viewed 25million times  said: 'We're seeing in real time what long term filler usage does as you age'. On a similar theme, one claimed it was 'crazy' how such injections had 'ruined' her youthfulness.

Kylie, now dating Hollywood star Timothee Chalamet, has strenuously denied ever getting filler in her face  a supposed age-defying procedure becoming increasingly common among younger women.

Last year, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Kylie insisted she had 'never touched my face'.

Yet in 2015, after months of intense internet speculation, then-17-year-old Kylie did admit to getting injections to plump her lips, revealing that her thin lips were an 'insecurity of mine'.

So, even though there's no proof Kylie did have fillers, can they really make you look older?

Dermatologists today cautioned that excessive use can, ironically, have such an effect, giving disproportional results.

Such fillers  typically injections of collagen or hyaluronic acid  are offered in beauty clinics for as little as 75.

They are supposed to add volume or reduce wrinkles, with effects lasting for up to 18 months.

Yet Dr Emma Wedgeworth, a consultant dermatologist and spokesman for the British Skin Foundation told MailOnline that facial filler in younger people 'can often look unnatural'.

She said: 'Dermal fillers were originally used to compensate for volume loss in ageing faces.

'When they are used for augmentation in younger people or to change original features, it can often look unnatural.

'Our eye interprets this as looking older, in the same way as seeing heavy makeup on young children  it looks slightly inappropriate and out of place.'

She added: 'It's as yet unknown whether there are long term effects of having dermal filler from a very young age.

'However, as fillers become more common in young people, I think we are certainly starting to see a real distortion in the norms of the ideal facial proportion.

'Dermal fillers are an excellent treatment when used in the right hands, but it's important they are used with caution.'

Fellow consultant dermatologist Dr Emma Craythorne, who sits on the British Cosmetic Dermatology Group, said 'problems occur whenever quite large amounts of filler is being used'.

She told MailOnline: 'They used to say these fillers will dissolve and the body will gobble them up, you won't have them after six months, nine months or one year.

'But I do MRI scans on my patients three, four or five years later [after they have had filler], and I still see fillers there.

'I'll be operating, removing skin cancer from a patient and I'll say 'have you had filler here' and they say "I haven't had filler for ten years". But it's still there. I can see it in the skin.'

Kylie, now dating Hollywood star Timothee Chalamet, has strenuously denied ever getting filler in her face  a supposed age-defying procedure becoming increasingly common among younger women. Last year, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Kylie insisted she had 'never touched my face'. Yet in 2015, after months of intense internet speculation, then-17-year-old Kylie did admit to getting injections to plump her lips, revealing that her thin lips were an 'insecurity of mine'. Pictured, Kylie in 2020 (left) and 2014

As well as pursuing lip fillers, Kylie has admitted to under going breast augmentation surgery as a teenager but came forward to speak about how much she regretted it. Pictured, Kylie with Timothee Chalamet's close friend and co-star Florence Pugh this week

She said: 'Fillers lasts a lot longer than we think and most fillers are agents that draw water in.

'Hyaluronic acid draws water into it and it expands more than what you've put in. So it gets bigger at those areas. That allows for additional volume to the face.

'But what it also does is it can block the lymphatic drainage, and particularly around the eyes, you see this.

'So where filler will have been placed, it can block where the normal fluid would be able to drain away from the skin. You end up seeing things a little bit puffier or a lot puffier in some cases.'

Regular filler  'every six months, for example'  will also 'create a build up because some of these products are increasingly designed to last for a longer period of time', she told MailOnline.

As well as being trolled for her 'old' face, Kylie's cheeks and smile were also compared to actor Cillian Murphy earlier this month after attending the Golden Globes.

One social media user said: 'Imagine spending that much money on plastic surgery just to be told you look like a man in his late forties.'

As well as pursuing lip fillers, Kylie has admitted to under going breast augmentation surgery as a teenager but came forward to speak about how much she regretted it.

In the latest season of the Kardashians, she said: 'I just wish, obviously, I never got them done to begin with. I would recommend anyone who is thinking about it to wait until after children.'

As well as being trolled for her 'old' face, Kylie's cheeks and smile were compared to actor Cillian Murphy earlier this month after attending the Golden Globes . One social media user said: 'Imagine spending that much money on plastic surgery just to be told you look like a man in his late forties.' Pictured at the event with Timothee Chalamet on January 7

Last year, Dr Andrew Peredo, who specializes in aesthetic procedures of the face, speculated that Kylie may have previously had liposuction on her jaw and a buccal fat reduction in the cheeks.

He said: 'This is hard to say because she went from looking young and having some baby weight on her face to now being a woman.

'She could have done a little bit of buccal fat reduction in the cheeks to help reduce them a bit.

'And she could have had some liposuction on her jaw to give some definition, but it is hard to tell.'

He also suggested her chin was now pointier, which may be the result of surgery, and that her nose appears 'a lot thinner'  the result of either surgery or makeup contouring.

Dr Peredo added: 'Maybe the Kardashians didn't like their noses much as that seems to be the theme for all of them to change the nose a bit.

'For her, her lips do look fuller. When she was younger there wasn't really much of an upper lip at all. But now it is very full, so she has had some sort of augmentation, possibly fillers or a fat graft.'
Cryonics Institute in Michigan has reached capacity with its 1,975 patients

Chefs, students, secretaries, professors and pets are among those being stored in liquid nitrogen at the Cryonics Institute

A growing number of people - and pets - are being frozen in cryogenic labs, with the hopes of one day being brought back to life when science catches up.

Business is booming at the Cryonics Institute lab in Michigan, leaving it at capacity and forced to store patients at a new center nearby.

Between 10 and 20 places have been taken up in the expanded storage facility.

What was once the kooky idea of Walt Disney and the ultra rich elites is becoming more accessible to ordinary people.

In the Michigan facility, chefs, students, secretaries, professors and pets are among those being stored in liquid nitrogen.

The center prides itself on being affordable to the average person with full-body preservation starting at $28,000, which is usually paid through life insurance.

Cryonics - the practice of deep-freezing the bodies of dead people - is a worldwide phenomenon. While 1,374 of the 1,975 patients stored at the Michigan facility are American and 128 are British, according to member statistics released by the institute.

Another famous freezing site in America is Alcor Life Extension Foundation in Arizona.

From the outside, it looks like any other warehouse. But inside it contains the frozen dead bodies of hundreds of patients.

It is on the pricier side, costing $200,000 for people to get their whole body stored in a high-tech freezer, but there is an option to put just the brain on ice for discounted price of $80,000.

So far 199 deceased remains are stored there, kept fresh thanks to liquid nitrogen keeping the bodies at -275 degrees Fahrenheit - a temperature so cold it stops all cellular function and preserves their state until defrost.

The longest-running patient at Cryonics Institute, named Rhea Ettinger, has been there since 1977

The number of patients at the Cryonics Institute in Michigan has grown from around 600 in 2006 to close to 1,900 in 2021

The number of patients at the Michigan center has grown dramatically from around 600 in 2006 to close to 1,975 in 2023.

The longest-running patient, named Rhea Ettinger, has been there since 1977.

Her son, Robert Ettinger, a World War Two veteran and the founder of the Cryonics Institute, is also in the arctic limbo, along with his first and second wives.

Cryonics Institute president Dennis Kowalski said: 'Ironically, while the number of members is growing, Im only surprised that were not more popular.

'What we are doing is pretty rational when you think about it. Cryonics is like an ambulance ride to a future hospital that may or may not exist some day.

'While we give no guarantees, if you are buried or cremated your chances of coming back are zero.

'We are therefore a Pascals wager, or a gamble with little to lose and all to gain.'

Inside the main warehouse, around 250 'cryostats' are lined up in rows. These are devices used to maintain low deep-freeze temperatures.

Mr Kowalski told Metro.co.uk that the Cryonics Institute is the largest cryonics company in the world with the most patients frozen in time.

Out of the total 1,975 patients stored at the Michigan facility, 1,374 are American and 128 are British, according to member statistics released by the institute

Patients are stored at 321F in chambers used to maintain low deep-freeze temperatures

The center is located in Clinton Township in Michigan, which is also a farming community.

Mr Kowalski said: 'We are affordable to the average person through life insurance and we are non-profit, with all of our records open to public scrutiny.'

Out of the total 1,975 patients stored at the Michigan facility, 1,374 are American and 128 are British, according to member statistics released by the institute.

It is also home to 253 frozen pets.

Once patients (or pets) are declared medically dead, they are put in ice and transported to the new facility.

Here, a perfusion takes place (when a liquid is passed through the circulatory system) to replace the patient's blood and water with a special cryo-protection mixture which stops ice forming.

The liquid acts as a form of anti-freeze for super-low temperatures.

The patient is then put in a computer-controlled unit which is cooled to liquid nitrogen temperature at 321F over five and a half days before they are lowered into the cryostat.

Even if scientists work out how to bring people back to life, they would also need to work out how to reverse the aging process and the condition that caused them to die in the first place.

Dr Miriam Stoppard, a journalist and doctor and critic of cryogenics, previously said that the practice 'robs the dying of their dignity.'

When a person dies, their body is iced to be cooled down and then has all of its blood and other liquids removed so they do not crystalize in storage and damage the body's cell

A dummy in place of where a body would be while it is being prepared to be stored

An open cylinder that can be used for storage of a person's body or brain after their death

People who invest in these services are often desperate to reunite with family in the future.

The youngest known patient at the Arizona institute is a two-year-old Thai girl who died of brain cancer. Her family hopes to reunite with her down the line.

But cryogenic freezing also attracts the rich and eccentric. Bitcoin pioneer Hal Finney chose to have his body cryopreserved at Alcor after he died from complications related to ALS in 2014.

But there are serious ethical and moral concerns about the practice which has been touted for decades but remains a pipe dream.

Max More, CEO of the firm, admitted during an interview in February 2020 that his firm does not know when technology needed to wake up their patients will exist.

The high prices of this preservation can often drain a person's estate, and will often consume a massive portion of their life-insurance payout - which could have instead benefitted their family down the line.

To become an Alcor member, a person must pay a annual fee upwards of $200 and be older than 18 - with fees increasing with the age a person chooses to sign up at.

A non-member whose loved ones wish to have them frozen must fork-up an additional $20,000. If a person ends up dying outside of the US or Canada and must have their remains retrieved, an additional $10,000 cost is added.
The first vaccine to treat bowel cancer could be available in just two years, potentially ending the need for surgery.

In a world first, doctors at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust are trialling the jab on patients in the UK and Australia.

Scientists are hopeful the treatment - given as three doses two weeks apart- will train the immune system to fight and shrink the cancer.

If successful, it could eliminate the need for the current standard treatment - an operation to remove the tumour - while also preventing any cancer recurring in future.

The vaccine has been developed by Dr Tony Dhillon, consultant medical oncologist at the Royal Surrey, and Professor Tim Price of the University of Adelaide.

The first vaccine to treat bowel cancer could be available in just two years, potentially ending the need for surgery (Stock Image)

In a world first, doctors at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust are trialling the jab on patients in the UK and Australia (Stock Image)

He said: 'This is the first treatment vaccine in any gastrointestinal cancer and we have high hopes that it will be very successful.

'We think that in a lot of these patients that the vaccine will completely get rid of the cancer. That's the level we're talking about, not just shrinkage.

'There are drugs which already target these proteins with big responses but people have to take them forever so we're expecting our vaccine to be as good or even better.

'It feels like we're on the cusp of something really big here with this vaccine, we're very excited.' The vaccine targets a subtype of bowel cancer, which accounts for about 15 per cent of all cases.

This particular cancer is what is known as 'hyper-mutated', which attracts immune cells but which are left unable to fight the disease.

Made by biotech firm Imugene, the vaccine targets the protein which is causing a 'break' in the immune system, essentially 'activating' the body's immune response.

It will first be trialled in 44 patients at stage two or three of disease before the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, at ten UK sites and Australia.

Patients will have an endoscopy and a tissue sample will be tested to see if they are eligible. They will then undergo scans before being given the three jabs, two weeks apart.

A further scan will be taken before they undergo surgery to remove any remaining cancer.

The trial is being run by the Cancer Research UK's Southampton Clinical Trials Unit with sites at the Royal Surrey and Manchester Christie.

Dr Dhillon, chief investigator of the trial, added: 'We're hoping that when we follow patients over time, that it won't just shrink the tumour and make surgery easier, and cure them, the survival will improve because the immune system is activated and their B cells are.

If successful, the vaccine could eliminate the need for the current standard treatment - an operation to remove the tumour - while also preventing any cancer recurring in future

'Our vaccine is designed to activate T-cells - the business and the killer cells -and the memory B cells so you wouldn't have to keep giving it.

'This is very exciting as it would be an 'off the shelf' vaccine, a one-size fits all vaccine.' Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with almost 43,000 people diagnosed every year.

If successful, researchers are confident it could be licenced for use within two years, with further trials carried out on stage four patients and different types of cancer.

Royal Surrey's Chief Executive Louise Stead said: 'We are hugely proud to have been involved in the launch of this ground-breaking new vaccine.

'Helping to fight cancer is a huge part of what we do and this will really provide an opportunity for bowel cancer patients and give them real hope of beating the disease.'
Single use vapes will be banned in England to prevent children and young people getting hooked, the Government is expected to announce next week.

As part of its response to a consultation on vaping and cigarettes, ministers are expected to detail the plans on Monday.

On top of the ban, a crackdown on how e-cigarettes are marketed and the flavours they come in is expected, as well as a higher tax for the products.

Campaigners have warned for months that kids are being targeted by eye-catching ads for vapes, which cost as little as 3, on social media and being lured in by their flavours, such as strawberry, banana and mango.

However, researchers have warned that adults may need to be persuaded to switch to other e-cigarettes to prevent them going back to smoking.

Single use vapes will be banned in England to prevent children and young people getting hooked, the Government is expected to announce next week

Shock data earlier this year revealed a record 11.6 per cent of 11 to 17-year-olds in Britain have now tried vaping. This is up on 7.7 per cent last year and twice as high as rates seen a decade ago, before the UK's kid vaping epidemic blew up

The move, reported by The Telegraph, aims to stop children trying vapes in the first place, while making sure vapes are available to Brits using them to quit smoking.

The NHS recommends vapes to help people quit smoking, which is one of the biggest causes of illness and death in the UK.

Around 76,000 people die every year from smoking-related health problems, including heart disease, strokes and cancer.

E-cigarettes are far less harmful and can help people quit smoking for good, according to the health service.

However, the nicotine-filled gadgets have seen a surge in popularity among youngsters.

READ MORE: Inside Britain's child vaping epidemic MailOnline exposes the predatory marketing tactics of vape retailers accused of preying on kids, with their pervasive schemes so successful that officials are now proposing an outright ban Advertisement

One in five secondary school children now have tried vaping, according to data from the School Health Research Network, released in September.

Kids as young as eight have picked up the habit, according to Trading Standards.

While it is illegal to sell them to under-18s, social media is flooded with posts from teenagers showing coloured vapes and discussing flavours, such as strawberry ice cream, cotton candy and cherry cola.

Some brands can also feature cartoon characters as part of their tactics to appeal to customers. Many contain addictive nicotine.

As a result, campaigners have urged ministers to urgently crackdown on the child-friendly marketing of the devices.

Despite health chiefs insisting it is safer than smoking, vaping is not risk-free. E-cigarettes contain harmful toxins and their long-term effects remains a mystery.

Some doctors fear a wave of lung disease and even cancer in the coming decades due to vaping.

Experts are also concerned the high nicotine content might increase blood pressure and cause other heart problems.

Freedom of Information requests revealed that 24 children in England were hospitalised due to vaping since the start of 2022. These could include lung damage or a worsening of asthma symptoms.

A Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2023 health report showed 12.7 per cent of Brits over the age of 15 smoke cigarettes daily, far higher than the US and New Zealand

Tests on e-cigarettes confiscated from youngsters found they contained dangerous levels of lead, nickel and chromium. Some were almost ten times above safe limits. Exposure to lead can impair brain development, while the other two metals can trigger blood clotting

NHS Digital data, based on the smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England survey for the year 2021, showed 30 per cent of children in Yorkshire and the Humber have used a vape

HISTORY OF SMOKING POLICY IN THE UK 2004: Ireland bans smoking in enclosed public places, including pubs, clubs and restaurants 2006: Scotland implements smoking ban on indoor public spaces 2007: England, Wales and Northern Ireland bring in indoor ban. In England, smoking is banned in almost all enclosed public spaces and the NHS goes smoke-free. Legal age to buy cigarettes raised from 16 to 18 2008: Cigarette companies told to feature pictorial health warnings on packets 2010: Government announces it will enforce tobacco display ban and consider plain packaging for tobacco products 2015: Smoking in cars with children banned in England and ban on the display of tobacco in small shops comes into force throughout the UK 2017: Government issues target to reduce smoking prevalence among adults to 12 per cent or less by 2022 2019: Department of Health publishes plans to make England smoke-free by 2030 2020: Menthol cigarettes are banned in the UK and EU Advertisement

The expected crackdown on disposable vapes follows a major study this week, which revealed that seven per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds who have never smoked are now vaping.

Researchers called for it to be a 'public health priority' to prevent non-smoking children and adults from turning to vapes.

The paper, funded by Cancer Research UK, found a ban on disposable vapes would affect an estimated 2.6million adults in England, Wales and Scotland.

Lead author Dr Sarah Jackson, from University College London (UCL), said: 'While banning disposables might seem like a straightforward solution to reduce youth vaping, it could have substantial unintended consequences for people who smoke.

'In the event of a ban, it would be important to encourage current and ex-smokers who use disposables to switch to other types of e-cigarettes rather than going back to just smoking tobacco.'

Other countries have already began clamping down vapes.

The Food and Drug Administration has to approve any e-cigarettes sold in the US and, so far, has only approved vapes that are tobacco flavoured.

The Department of Health and Social Care said: 'The health advice on vaping is clear: vaping can play a role in helping adult smokers to quit, but if you don't smoke, don't vape  and children should never vape.

'We have consulted on measures to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes to children. We will set out further details in due course.'

A document detailing the plans is being published ahead of legislation which aims to make the UK smoke-free  defined as less than five per cent of the adult population smoking  by raising the legal age for buying cigarettes by one year.

This would put legal smoking out of reach of anyone aged under 14 today.

That bill is expected to be debated at the start of next month and, if passed, would make the UK the first place in the world to bring in the curb.

While New Zealand led the way by passing similar legislation in 2022, the plans were dropped when a new government took over last year.
Surgeons said breast reductions as well as demand for neck lifts are on the rise

Reversing 'breast regret' and 26,000 face and neck lifts are predicted to be the biggest cosmetic surgery trends of 2024.

MailOnline spoke to president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Marc Pacifico, on what are likely to be the procedures in the biggest demand for the coming year.

The head of the charity, whose members are surgeons dedicated to improving practice in the UK, said big boob jobs are likely to be out this year.

In a move away from the 'Love Island type' of chest augmentation, Mr Pacifico said customers were either wanting smaller cup sizes, or in some cases, looking to get larger implants removed, having grown tired of physically carrying them around.

Another procedure, the neck lift, is also predicted to rise in prominence in the next 12 months.

In breast trends for 2024 'Love Island-esque' massive boob jobs are out and smaller cup sizes or in some case reductions are in (stock image)

The head of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons also told MailOnline that neck lifts were in increasing demand in a trend primarily being driven by social media (stock image)

Mr Pacifico said demand from the procedure, which sculpts and redefines the contours of the neck, had been driven by people realising that, without one, their face lifts stick out like a sore thumb.

The cosmetic surgeon said big breast implants had continued to fall out of favour with women, particularly new mothers.

Instead, he said women, generally in their late 20s and early 40s, were opting for a post-breastfeeding breast restoration rather than an enhancement.

'Post-pregnancy patients who would like their breast restored to how they were before she was breastfeeding and before she lost breast volume rather than that Love Island type, he said.

Another trend was addressing breast regret where women who got larger, heavier, implants years ago now want to switch to a smaller size having grown weary of the physical problems they can cause.

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Large breast implants, much like their natural counterparts, can lead to women suffering from back, shoulder, or neck pain, from the strain of carrying the physical weight of them.

Mr Pacifico said shape over size is the new mantra, and smaller implants combined with a breast lift are now being favoured.

He added that cosmetic surgeons were also seeing a rise in breast reductions.

These are procedures where women suffering from the problems of having larger breasts, such as pain, skin irritation and being unable to exercise fully, have a section of their breast removed and then the remainder reshaped.

While available, under strict criteria, in some parts of the NHS Mr Pacifico said private surgeons were seeing an increase in patients unwilling to wait for their procedure in the health service.

Another cosmetic procedure Mr Pacifico said was on the rise in 2024 was the 'transformative' combined face and neck lift.

He said demand for this op had been driven primarily by social media with people realising how easy it was to spot a face lift on someone with an unadulterated neck.

'Without a good, harmonious improvement in someones neck, a face lift doesnt look as good as it could or as natural as it could, he said.

A facelift lifts and pulls back the skin on the face to make the face look tighter and smoother.

But Mr Pacifico said having one but not doing anything to the neck could make the fact you've had face lift stick out like a sore thumb.

If you havent got a good neck, and youve got a good face, we can spot immediately that somethings not quite right, he said.

If were going to get the very best outcome, which is someone that doesnt look like theyve had surgery, very natural, very fresh, with a nice jawline and nice neck, more involved surgery is required.'

More involved means more expensive, with Mr Pacifico saying a high-quality combined face and neck lift is likely to cost between 22,000 and 26,000.

He predicted that more surgeons would start offering combined ops in the near future in response to patient demand.

Mr Pacifico said that while a few men were enquiring about the procedure the trend was mostly being led by women in their 50s who had done their research on the how to get the best aesthetic outcome.

However, he warned that demand might outstrip supply with only between 15-20 UK surgeons currently offering this type of complex surgery.
The distraught father of a tragic California man who was fatally stabbed 108 times by his new lover has claimed the judge displayed 'clear bias' and said the killer avoided prison because of her 'gender, education and age'.

On Tuesday, Bryn Spejcher, 33, was given the remarkably low sentence of 100 hours of community service, two years of probation and no prison time for stabbing Chad O'Melia to death in May 2018.

The doctor of audiology saw her charge reduced from murder to involuntary manslaughter in September. This followed expert witness testimony that stated the attack was '100 percent' triggered by cannabis-induced psychosis.

On the night of the attack, in May 2018, Ms Spejcher, who was not a regular smoker, took two tokes of a bong containing high-potency weed supplied by Mr O'Melia then 26, at his Thousand Oaks condo.

Minutes later she began suffering hallucinations telling her to grasp a bread knife and plunge it into Chad's abdomen. The voices told her to 'keep going' with the assault, as it would 'bring her back from the dead', according to court reports.

Sean O'Melia, 57, has told of the devastation of losing his 26 year-old son to a brutal weed-induced stabbing

She also stabbed her dog several times as well as her self, in the neck and face, and required emergency surgery to save her life.

Now, speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, the victim's father, Sean O'Melia, 57, who oversees construction at UCLA, has passionately rallied against the Ventura county judge's claim that 'no custodial time is necessary' for Ms Spejcher, as she was 'not in control of her actions'.

'We have laws. Why should she be given special treatment?', he said.

'There are people right now in jail just for possession for marijuana. We can't apply our laws based on someone's age, skin color, occupation.

Bryn Spejcher, 33, was convicted of killing Chad O'Melia in a violent stabbing attack, however a judge ruled she'd face no prison time as she was 'not in control of her actions'.

'Would it have been the same if it was a young man, perhaps of a different background? Absolutely not.

'That marijuana is being sold all over Thousand Oaks and you don't see hundreds of dead people everywhere.

'There is clearly something unique about that girl's chemistry that meant that this happened.'

Studies have shown that using high-potency cannabis (with a THC percentage above 10 percent) just once can at least double the risk of psychosis.

Sean O'Melia will continue to campaign for justice for Chad, and has suggested Ms Spejcher may be best placed in a psychiatric hospital

Meanwhile, a major 2019 review published in The Lancet found using this strength of drug regularly can increase the risk five-fold.

Ms Spejcher's attorneys suggested that the weed she inhaled was likely a high-strength strain called OG Kush, ordered from an illegal dispensary a week prior by Mr O'Melia - which contained 31 percent THC.

However, blood tests could not confirm this, and expert witnesses estimated the strength to be between 12 and 16 percent, according to court reports.

Mr O'Melia highlighted 'elitist' statements made by Ms Spejcher's younger brother in his closing address to the courtroom, in which he said: 'She's not the type of person that belongs in jail'.

'What does that mean? I couldn't believe it when he said that,' Mr O'Melia said.

'The type of person who goes to jail is someone who breaks the law. You cannot have a predetermined understanding of a person who goes to jail. What, she can't go to prison because she's educated, female and young?'

Mr O'Melia has since been inundated with kind messages from Chad's friends, one of which read: 'He was like everyone's big brother'.

According to data from the US Department for Justice, the lifetime chances of being sent to prison is highest for black men.

A black man is living in the United States has a one in four chance of jailtime during his lifetime, compared to one in 23 for white men. Around one percent of US women will go to prison at some point.

Research has shown this discrepancy is due to a number of complex factors - one of which is inherent bias among police, juries and judges.

The judge bought the defense's 'pathetic victim blaming' argument, Mr O'Melia added.

'Their entire case was based on blaming the victim - it was very difficult to sit through,' he said.

Chad's mother Michelle (right), who suffered type 2 diabetes, died 18 months after Chad's death as she stopped adhering to treatment due to a 'deep depression'

By this, he means the frequent reference to Chad O'Melia's regular use of cannabis; testimonies from friends seen by DailyMail.com reveal he smoked the drug daily.

'If Chad was home, he was high,' said his housemate Vinicius De Oliveira.

Mr O'Melia argues that his son's marijuana habit was used to imply he had 'tricked' Ms Spejcher into smoking from his bong.

'It's absurd,' he said. You can try to say what you want but the facts remain, all that happened is that they both smoked marijuana.'

However, Mr O'Melia revealed that, although he was aware of his son's drug habit, he was not the greatest fan of it.

'I hate the stuff, it stinks,' he said, calling cannabis a 'de-motivator'. 'It changes people...he [Chad] didn't smoke around me and in my house because he knew I didn't like it.

'To my understanding, most of the time, he would smoke weed before he went to bed because it would help him sleep.'

He accepts that cannabis was a major contributing factor in the death of his son, adding that widespread legalization of the drug is a 'disaster'.

'After Chad's death I talked to a doctor working in the specialist cannabis research unit at UCLA about what happened. They looked at me as if I was talking about something that's taboo, but they all know is real.

Shane O'Melia was tearful outside the Ventura courtroom on Tuesday following the sentencing decision of no prison time and 100 hours community service.

'They said yes it [psychosis] is a real thing that can happen. So why doesn't everyone know about it? Chad certainly didn't know about it...'

The O'Melia's attorney, Audry Nafziger, urged the judge to issue Ms Spejcher the full sentence for her crime - four years in custody and at least a year of community service.

Sean O'Melia also advocated for this, but now, suggests a secure hospital may be a suitable place for the woman who killed his son.

'At a minimum, she should have been remanded to time in a secure hospital,' he said.

'So that people have had the opportunity to understand what is unique about her, her bodily chemistry that meant this event occurred.

'She hasn't accepted that she is the missing link here. If medical research could be done then at least something positive would come out of it.'

Mr O'Melia has also detailed the heart-wrenching moment he broke the news of his son's brutal death to his ex-wife, Chad's mother, from whom he separated when Chad was five - and who died 18 months after Chad was killed.

When asked about how he learned of the tragedy, he said, through broken voice,: 'I cannot re-live that moment. It is too painful.'

'I told the sheriffs that I would tell Michelle [Chad's mom] myself. I didn't want her to learn about it the way I did,' he said.

' I asked her to sit down and looked into her eye and I said, "Michelle, Chad has been killed".

'She looked at me and it broke her. It literally broke her. I could see it in her eyes.

'After the funeral she became very depressed. When you lose a child, you think, am I ever allowed to be happy again?

'There's this guilt. She wouldn't let anyone take a picture of her smiling. And this led to her decline.'

Michelle, who suffered type 2 diabetes, 'stopped looking after herself' and adhering to her treatment. A year and a half after Chad's death, she suffered major heart dysfunction, and died shortly afterwards.

'I was in disbelief... I am still... to think she is gone and my son is gone as well.'

Perhaps the most touching moment of the sentencing hearing was a statement read by Chad O'Melia's grandmother, Sean O'Melia's mother, who emigrated to the US from Ireland decades a go.

Holding back tears she said: 'I want her [Spejcher] to know...I forgive you. If I do not forgive, the lord will not forgive me.'

Remarkably, Mr O'Melia, who is a practicing Christian, echoes a similar sentiment.

'The bottom line is whether on this side or the next I am going to see you [Chad] again,' he said.

'And in order for me to see my son again I must forgive her. I have to forgive her. It's just that right now, in this moment, it is difficult to live in that place.'
One in five Americans have been impacted by crippling drug shortages, a report has warned.

Manufacturing issues, supply-chain hiccups and natural disasters have all prevented patients from accessing the medical treatment they need - including lifesaving drugs for cancer, epilepsy and type 2 diabetes.

Of the 19 percent who faced a medicine or medical equipment shortage in the past month, 15 percent couldn't get a prescription medicine, five percent couldn't access over-the-counter medicine and three percent couldn't get home medical equipment, according to a ValuePenguin analysis of US census data.

The ripple effects of the bevy of supply-chain problems that plagued 2022 may still be to blame for the present-day medical shortages, the report suggested.

The pandemic is also likely a culprit, causing historic declines in the manufacturing industry, Covid has also increased the demand for many types of medication and equipment, such as Paxlovid and N95 masks.

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The shortages were worst in West Virginia , where almost a quarter of adults are experiencing one kind of medical shortage

Abby Bray was being treated for leukemia when she suffered an anaphylactic reaction to a critical drug. The plan B drug, Erwinaze, had been on a national shortage for year, with the average wait list at 15 months

Some 49 percent of Americans facing a shortage have been forced to delay or outright forgo treatment for their conditions, 24 percent have suffered negative health consequences and 32 percent have experienced mental distress.

Floridian Laura Bray's daughter Abby was being treated for leukemia when she suffered an anaphylactic reaction to a critical drug, pegaspargase, meaning she could not take it again.

The only 'plan B' drug, Erwinaze, had been on a national shortage for year, with the average wait list at 15 months.

Laura set up a one-woman nonprofit, called Angels for Change, and after after thousands of calls to hospitals, pharmacies, lawmakers, pharmaceutical companies, she found Erwinaze within 10 days.

Drug and medical device shortages also lead to higher costs, which are passed down to consumers in the form of higher out-of-pocket costs and higher insurance premiums.

Researchers from LendingTree insurance subsidiary ValuePenguin.com analyzed data from week 62 of the US Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey, conducted from September 20 to October 2, 2023 - the latest data at the time of their analysis.

The Household Pulse survey was designed to collect data on how people's lives are affected by emerging social and economic issues.

The survey asked whether respondents or members of their households were affected by any of the following shortages: medicine that requires a prescription or is given by a provider, medication sold without a prescription, medical equipment or supplies used at home, such as infusion pumps, glucose monitors, home ventilators, masks and gloves.

Analysts used this to estimate the percentage of adults in the US and individual states suffering shortages and the resulting consequences.

The report found that 31 percent of Americans who pay for prescription drugs struggle to afford them, and 57 percent are actively anxious about the future of health care, including the cost of health insurance.

The shortages were worst in West Virginia, where almost a quarter of adults are experiencing one kind of medical shortage.

Concerningly, West Virginia has the highest drug use in the US, too.

The state also has the highest proportion of adults who couldn't get a prescribed medicine - 20 percent of people.

South Carolina and New Hampshire were also badly affected, with 24 percent and 23 percent of adults impacted respectively.

This may be because the three states face substantial medical staffing shortages.

People in Hawaii, Wisconsin and Vermont were less impacted by drug shortages, with just 11 percent, 14 percent and 15 percent adults struggling in the past month.

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Of the 19 percent of Americans who faced a medicine or medical equipment shortage in the past month, 15 percent couldn't get a prescription medicine

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists surveyed more than 1,000 pharmacists and 99 percent said they were struggling to stock enough of the drugs they needed

Today, there are 123 drugs listed by the FDA that are in short supply.

Back in 2011, drug shortages were blamed in at least 15 deaths because the correct drug was not available.

A 2012 study found that when drug shortages forced doctors to swap medications in a clinical trial for Hodgkin lymphoma, the number of patients who were cancer-free after two years dropped from 88 percent to 75 percent.

In 2022, a spike in respiratory illnesses forced drugstore chains to temporarily limit purchases of fever-reducing medicines for children. A shortage of the antibiotic amoxicillin also cropped up around then.

Injectable drugs used in hospitals and clinics, such as IV saline and some cancer treatments, are more than twice as likely as tablets or topical treatments to experience a shortage, according to a report written by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

A national survey last year found that up to eight in 10 hospitals and pharmacists are rationing drugs or delaying appointments as they battle a severe medicine shortage.

The survey showed there were 309 ongoing drug shortages, the highest number in nearly 10 years. And just a few less than the all-time high of 320.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, a group that tracks US drug availability, surveyed more than 1,000 pharmacists and 99 percent said they were struggling to stock enough of the drugs they needed.

Empty shelves at a Walgreens in Queens, New York, in 2022

The group attributed the issue to limited investment in manufacturing capacity, subpar manufacturing quality and a breakdown in the supply chain, as well as extreme price competition among generic drug makers.

The critical shortage caused 85 percent of pharmacists to ration medications and 42 percent to delay or cancel treatments and procedures, potentially risking the lives of severely ill patients who will now miss out on the care they need.

The healthcare professionals surveyed stressed the shortages were impacting patient care, with one-third of pharmacists saying the shortages were critically impactful, and more than half, 57 percent, saying they were facing critical shortages of chemotherapy drugs specifically.

In addition to chemotherapy drugs, other drugs facing limited supplies are hormonal drugs, drugs used in intensive care units and in operating rooms, and oral liquids, which include the pain reliever ibuprofen and the antibiotic amoxicillin.

Others include those used to manage attention deficit or hyperactivity and injectable opioids.

Following chemotherapy medications, the shortage most pharmacists say causing a critical impact are corticosteroid and hormonal drugs.

Corticosteroids, often known as steroids, are types of anti-inflammatory drugs. Suddenly stopping medications like these can cause a person to enter withdrawal, leading to dizziness, weakness, headaches, mood swings, and pain.
READ MORE: The ideal penis size, shape and pubic hair style women want

Scientists have revealed the size and shape of vagina men find most attractive

Researchers have revealed the type of vagina that men find most attractive.

In two recent studies, on average, men aged 18 to 80 said they preferred their partners to have smaller, 'tucked in' genitalia with very little pubic hair.

Younger men preferred the slimmest vaginas with least amount of hair, which some experts have theorized could be due to men's exposure to pornography warping their views of sex and creating unrealistic expectations of female anatomy.

Meanwhile, the second study found that nearly half of men said they've had negative thoughts about their partners' vaginas.

The pressures of porn and male demands may also be driving a major surge in vaginal plastic surgeries, which have risen more than 70 percent in the last decade.

As cosmetic surgery for women's genitals has become more commons, researchers looked at what men found most attractive

A 2015 survey published in the American Journal of Obstretrics and Gynecology asked 2,403 US men between ages 18 and 80 which vulva shape they preferred.

The average participant age was 55.

The majority of men surveyed were white (87 percent), married (68 percent), employed (69 percent), and had at least a high school education (97 percent).

About one-third of respondents lived in the south, while other regions were more equally represented.

Additionally, 39 percent said they had more than 10 sexual partners in the past, while 17.8 percent had six to 10.

The men were given a 27-question email questionnaire featuring six images of real vaginas and diagrams of female anatomy. They were allowed to pick multiple options.

The groups of images were followed up with a question about the participants' preference of labial size and pubic hair style.

For labia size, participants could choose from the following options: small, medium, large, no preference, and 'I don't know.'

The researchers found that men ages 18 to 24 were three times more likely to find only a small labia attractive.

Those who were more sexually partners were also most likely to opt for this look.

About 43 percent overall considered a small labia attractive and 43 percent said the middle-sized labia was appealing.

Meanwhile, only 24 percent thought postively about a large labia.

Researchers found that men most often found small labias attractive, while larger labia lips were seen as unattractive

Men also most often preferred groomed pubic hair and were least likely to choose 'natural' hair

The following choices were given for pubic hair style: natural, trimmed/partially groomed, partially removed, complete removal, and no preference.

More than half of men opted for the partially groomed look, and 47 percent said they liked completely shaved.

Among those who liked some pubic hair, 16 percent said they preferred a natural hair pattern, 39 percent chose partial hair removal, 24 percent opted for completely shaved, and 19 percent had no preference.

Just over half of the men surveyed (51 percent) reported that a woman's genitalia appearance would influence if he wanted to have sex with her, though 60 percent said it wouldn't matter.

Finally, men surveyed were asked if they were familiar with vaginal tightening procedures and if they would encourage their female partner to alter her genital appearance or pursue surgery if he didn't prefer the look of her vagina.

And three-quarters said they wouldn't encourage their partner to get cosmetic surgery on her vagina.

Men living in the south and who were employed full time more commonly said they would encourage their partner to get cosmetic surgery. Those living in the Midwest were the least familiar with labiaplasty.

'While many of the men did not exhibit strong preferences regarding hair patterns, groomed labia were deemed attractive most often,' the researchers wrote.

'These findings are consistent with pubic hair removal practices performed by todays women.'

'Although younger men showed a preference for smaller labia, this trend was not seen in the older populations, possibly suggesting this perception to be related to social trends, such as what is seen in the media, and this influence might decrease with age.'

Meanwhile, other findings showed 63 percent men were able to correctly label parts of the female anatomy, with the clitoris and anus most often being properly identified, and 63 percent found the labia minora, the inner vaginal lips.

A second study, published in the International Urogynecology Journal, surveyed 248 men in Australia about their vaginal preferences and how they viewed their partners' genitalia.

The vast majority of the men surveyed (81.5 percent) were between ages 18 and 24, and the majority were white.

An overwhelming majority of 93 percent were also heterosexual, with just over half being in a relationship.

Additionally, 77 percent had at least a bachelor's degree.

The researchers found that 75 percent of men in a relationship thought their partners' genitals were 'completely normal,' and just three percent considered them 'not normal at all.'

About 73 percent said they were satisfied with their partners' vaginas, 23 percent were neutral, and four percent were unsatisfied.

The team also found that men most commonly (45 percent) preferred a completely hairless vagina, while about 25 percent opted for a trimmed look. And only five percent said that a natural look was their preference.

When asked to name their ideal labia, about half of the respondents didn't have a preference, though 30 percent said they wanted 'small and tucked in.'

Additionally, 45 percent said they had thought about female genitals in a negative way.

Participants most commonly said their opinions were influenced by pornography, medical images, previous partners, and men's magazines.

'It seems unreasonable to expect that these sorts of discussions are not reflective of discourse in the wider population or that such perceptions do not impact on women and the way they think about their own genitals,' the researchers wrote.

It comes as cosmetic surgeries to get a 'designer vagina' to look better in tight clothing like leggings and swimsuits are on the rise.

The procedures aim to change the outer areas of a woman's genitals, including the vulva and the labia.

The vulva is the part of a woman's genitals located on the outside of her body. It contains the labia, clitoris, and the opening to the urethra.

The labia's lips are the folds of skin around the vaginal opening. The labia majora are the fleshy area covered with pubic hair, while the labia minora are inside of those outer lips.

The labia can range in size and be either pink or brown. Its appearance is also subject to change with age.

The clitoris is located at the top of the vulva where the labia lips meet. It's made of spongy tissue that becomes when a woman is aroused.

A labiaplasty involves shortening or reshaping the vaginal lips. The procedures are on the rise, according to the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery National Databank.

The group found that 18,813 labiaplasty surgeries were performed in the US in 2021, a 36 percent increase from 2020. Around the world, 164,667 procedures were done in 2020, a 73 percent jump from 2015.
Illinois is set to become the latest state to impose a 'Skittles ban'  as a fightback against harmful food ingredients gathers momentum across the US.

State lawmakers have proposed a bill that would ban five additives linked to cancer, chronic disease and ADHD that are common in candy.

The ingredients  brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, red dye No.3 and titanium dioxide  are currently used to make Skittles, Pez candies, Peeps and Sun Drop sodas among other popular treats.

The law was proposed by the Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias who called for action so that harmful chemicals are no longer being 'jammed' down children's throats.

California is the only state to have passed the so-called Skittles Ban which will come into force in January 2027, but Pennsylvania and New York have floated similar bills.

The above map shows the state that has brought in a ban on four food additives - brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and red dye no.3 - and the three that are considering bans on these (yellow). Illinois is also considering banning titanium dioxide, found in skittles

Around 12,000 products sold in California use the banned additives, according to the Environmental Working Group. They must update their recipes by January 2027 or will face being banned in the state

Democrat Mr Giannoulias said during a press conference announcing the bill: 'You can't eat this stuff in Europe. You can't eat this stuff in Japan.

'But we just jam it down our kid's throats here in the United States of America. And that's not OK.

'All of these additives, all of them, have been linked to serious health problems including hyperactivity, nervous system damage, reproductive issues, hormonal damage and increased risk of cancer.'

He added: 'Passing this bill will result in a healthier and more flourishing Illinois and will ensure that our citizens eat safer, healthier food.'

At the conference, he also held up a bag of Skittles bought from the European Union  which did not contain titanium dioxide.

He said: 'This particular bag of skittles... proves that companies are indeed very capable and hopefully willing of sustaining product lines while complying with a number of public health laws that differ depending on the country.'

The bill  dubbed SB 2637  must pass three readings in both the Senate and the House and committees in both houses. It will also need to be signed into law by Democrat Governor J. B. Pritzker.

The process can take more than a year, but if there is strong political will it can be cut to months.

Secretary of State for Illinois Alexi Giannoulias (pictured) announced the proposed law in the state in a press conference

California Governor Gavin Newsom sent a letter confirming he had signed the bill. To this he attached a bag of Skittles from the European Union, saying this was proof that companies could alter their recipes

In California, the bill took eight months to clear the state's Senate, House and be signed into law by the Governor. It had only one alteration, which was to remove titanium dioxide  found in Skittles  from the banned list.

The Illinois bill, if passed, would come into force in January 2027  the same date as California's.

New York's and Pennsylvania's bills are both still at the committee stages at present.

Experts say the bills could amount to a nationwide ban on the ingredients because, if passed, they will come into force in America's most populous states  which could lead manufacturers to update their entire production lines.

America has not phased out these ingredients, unlike European countries, because of a difference in regulation of food products.

European regulators act if there is a suspicion that an additive can cause a serious health problem, like cancer.

But in America, regulators will wait until their is a strong body of evidence suggesting the link.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) belatedly proposed a ban on brominated vegetable oil last year, saying the scientific evidence was now concrete enough to suggest a health risk. In Europe, this additive was outlawed in 2008.

Democrat state representative Anne Stava-Murray, who sponsored the Illinois bill, said: 'I dont think a single one of us in this room would want to be serving their child a bowl of cereal that could also cause them cancer.

'And yet, that is happening every day.'

Campaigners have congratulated Illinois for the move, with Consumer Reports  which is spearheading efforts to phase out the additives  saying it sends a 'clear message' that consumers will no longer tolerate these additives in their food.

The organization's director of food policy, Brian Ronholm, told DailyMail.com: 'It's great that Illinois lawmakers are recognizing the need to ban these chemicals, especially when safer alternatives are readily available and already in use.

'It continues sending a clear message that consumers will no longer tolerate having harmful chemicals with unpronounceable names in their food.'

Food health expert Julie Chapon heralded the news as 'great news', saying it was a 'positive stride toward cultivating a food culture that values safety and evidence-backed science rather than corporate interest'.

Studies show Red No.3  a food dye in many candies  was associated with cancer in laboratory animals when they were exposed to very high doses and has been linked to behavioral issues in children.

The US banned it from cosmetic products in the 1990s, but it remains in many food products still sold in the US.

A pair of studies in 2016 found it was in more than one in 10 candies in the US and more than 80 percent of children under two years old had consumed it in the past two weeks.

Another of the substances set to be banned  brominated vegetable oil, which is made from plants and used for citrus flavoring  is suggested to harm the body's nervous system following long-term exposure.

It has also been linked to chronic headaches, memory loss and impaired balance. It was previously in the soda Mountain Dew until its parent company Pepsi removed the ingredient in 2020.

Propylparaben, often used as a preservative in baking goods, has been linked to fertility issues in mice via disrupting estrogen in females and reducing sperm counts in males.

Potassium bromate is found in many baked goods and in processed foods to make the dough rise, but has been linked to the development of thyroid and kidney cancers.

Titanium dioxide, which was excluded from the California ban, has also been linked to a number of health issues after researchers suggested it could build up in the body and damage DNA  raising the risk of cancer.

Used to whiten foods, a May 2021 review by European regulators found that they were unable to confirm any level of the additive was safe to consume.

The National Confectioners Association has hit back at the move, saying it risked replacing uniform food safety with a 'patchwork' of regulations.

A spokesman said: 'This bill would replace a uniform national food safety system with a patchwork of inconsistent state requirements created by legislative fiat that will increase food costs, undermine consumer confidence, and create confusion around food safety.

'We should be relying on the scientific rigor of the FDA in terms of evaluating the safety of food ingredients and additives.'
Only five of the 14 states who banned abortions have exceptions for rape

Close to 60,000 women became pregnant from rape in states where sexual assault is not considered a valid reason for an abortion after the end of Roe v Wade, a study has suggested.

Researchers found that of 519,981 rapes in 14 states with abortion restrictions, there were 64,000 pregnancies between July 1, 2022 and January 1, 2024.

Some 91 percent of these - or around 58,979 - occurred in states where rape is not an exception to abortion.

Montana abortion provider Dr Samuel Dickman, lead author of the study, said he was 'horrified' at the results.

'To be confronted with these estimates that are so high in states where there's no meaningful abortion access? It's hard to comprehend,' he said.

Following the US Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs decision overturning Roe v Wade, 14 states implemented near-total abortion bans during any point in pregnancy.

More than 60,000 women became pregnant from rape in states where sexual assault is not considered a valid reason for an abortion after the end of Roe v Wade, research has suggested

Following the US Supreme Court s 2022 Dobbs decision overturning Roe v Wade, 14 states implemented near-total abortion bans during any point in pregnancy

Because no recent, reliable state-level data on rapes was available, the researchers, from Montana, Texas and New York, analyzed multiple data sources to estimate reported and unreported rapes in states with total abortion bans.

They also estimated the number of resulting pregnancies based on findings from prior research on rape-related pregnancy rates.

To estimate the number of rapes nationally, the team looked at the CDC's 2016 to 2017 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence survey, which estimated not sexual assaults reported to law enforcement and those that weren't reported.

They then used Bureau of Justice Statistics data on criminal victimization and FBI Uniform Crime Reports to assess the number of vaginal rapes of women aged 15-45 that happened in the 14 state while abortion bans were in effect.

To gauge rape-related pregnancies, they multiplied the state-level estimate of vaginal rapes by the fraction likely to result in pregnancy, then adjusted for the number of months between July 1, 2022, and January 1, 2024, that a total abortion ban was in effect. The time period varies state to state.

In the 14 states that put total abortion bans in place, the researchers estimated that 519,981 rapes took place.

They calculated that 12.5 percent of the assaults would result in pregnancy, based on CDC data.

This gave them the figure of 64,565 pregnancies during the four to 18 months that bans were in effect.

Of these, an estimated 5,586 (nine percent) of rape-related pregnancies occurred in states with rape exceptions, while 58,979 (91 percent) happened in states with no exception.

Some 26,313 (45 percent) of these occurred in Texas alone.

Montana abortion provider Dr Samuel Dickman, lead author of the study, said he was gobsmacked by the team's findings.

'I was horrified,' he said. 'Sexual assault is incredibly common  I knew that in a general sense. But to be confronted with these estimates that are so high in states where there's no meaningful abortion access? It's hard to comprehend.'

Dr Dickman has patients who routinely tell him they became pregnant after a rape. But he knows there are many more.

'There are certainly far more survivors of rape who become pregnant as a result, who  for totally understandable reasons  don't want to disclose that fact to a medical provider that they just met,' he told NPR.

The study was published in the journal JAMA Network.

The 14 states which banned abortion following the overturning of Roe w Wade are: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.

States with a rape exception are Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, West Virginia and North Dakota.

The states with no rape exception are Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.

Not all of the people who become pregnant due to rape want an abortion, noted Dr Rachel Perry, a professor of OB-GYN at the University of California, Irvine, who was not involved in the study.

'We do know that those who become pregnant after rape are more likely to choose abortion than to continue their pregnancies,' she said.

Back in 2022, a 10-year-old-girl had to travel from her home in Ohio to Indiana to receive an abortion after she was raped.

The child was almost six-and-a-half weeks pregnant and could not legally receive an abortion in Ohio due to the state's 'fetal heartbeat' law, which began after the court

Advocates of abortion rights said the case was an example of how new abortion restrictions were harming the most vulnerable.
After Snoop Dogg's young daughter suffered a stroke, many are asking how someone aged just 24 years can suffer a 'disease of the elderly'.

Strokes normally strike adults in their 70s, but have been rising faster among younger adults  those aged 18 to 45 years  for decades than among those in any other age group. In some hospitals, cases have nearly doubled in just a few years.

Doctors say more unhealthy lifestyles and rising obesity rates may be behind the shift  with obesity raising the risk of weak arteries that can cause blood clots.

But other factors such as overconsumption of alcohol and higher rates of smoking, vaping and even using weed among young adults may also be to blame.

Cori Broadus, who lives in Los Angeles, revealed she 'cried so much' when doctors said she had suffered from a stroke. They are unsure of a cause, but she does have the autoimmune condition lupus  where the body attacks its own cells  which can raise the risk.

Cori Broadus, 24, is pictured above with her father Snoop Dogg. She has suffered a stroke at a young age, raising concerns over the potential cause of the condition

Data from the American Heart Association suggests strokes rose by 43 percent among youngsters aged 18 to 44 years in the US between 2004 and 2018.

Cori is just the latest high profile young celebrity to be hit by a stroke after Hailey Beiber also suffered from stroke-like symptoms and a 'small' blockage in her brain in 2022 at the age of just 25 years.

And in the same year 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' alum Nene Leakes revealed that her 23-year-old son, Brentt Leakes, had also survived a stroke.

Revealing her diagnosis online, Ms Broadus said she 'broke down crying' when doctors told her what had happened.

'Im only 24 what did I do in my past to deserve all of this,' she said.

The most common form of stroke  called ischemic stroke, which accounts for about 60 percent of cases among young people  is caused by a blockage or clot that obstructs bloodflow in the brain, leading to cells being deprived of vital oxygen and nutrients and starting to die.

The other main type of stroke  called hemorrhagic strokes  is when a blood vessel bursts in the brain and starts to leak its contents into the organ.

'We used to see stroke in younger people mostly happening in those with a genetic predisposition, like having a blood clotting disorder,' said Melinda Tafoya, a stroke researcher at the hospital.

'But now we are seeing how quickly poor lifestyle choices can affect the body and the overall risk for stroke in younger adults.'

The hospital where Ms Bieber was sent after experiencing a sensation of numbness in her arm and fingers confirmed that she suffered a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), more commonly referred to as a mini-stroke

A mini stroke, known medically as a transient ischemic attack, occurs when blockage occurs in a person's cerebral artery and denies blood to the brain. It presents the same symptoms as a regular stroke, but will resolve itself within 24 hours

Among older adults  those aged 75 and older  rates of the complication fell by two percent, although the overall rate remains much higher than among those in younger age groups.

Doctors at UC Health add that the proportion of their patients aged 18 to 45 years old who have been admitted with a stroke has nearly doubled  rising from five percent in 2020 to more than nine percent in 2023.

Doctors have suggested several theories as to what may be behind the rise, including pointing to rising levels of youth obesity.

Statistics show as many as two in five adults aged 20 to 39 years old are now obese, while among those aged 40 to 59 years the rates have risen to 44 percent  nearly half.

Obesity can weaken blood vessels, raising the risk of them suffering damage that leads to the formation of blood clots  which can cause strokes.

Dr Tafoya, suggesting obesity is raising the risk of strokes among young people, said: 'We definitely have seen an increase in poor lifestyle choices from younger people, like unhealthy eating, doing less exercise and activity and being overweight.'

The condition also raises the risk of other complications such as high blood pressure and diabetes, which are also known to raise the risk of strokes.

In addition, studies suggest that smoking weed could also raise the risk of a stroke  with a paper published last September finding those who smoked weed had an up to 60 percent higher risk of serious medical issues  including heart attacks and stroke.

The exact reason for this is not clear, but Canadian researchers have suggested it could be due to weed activating the endocannabinoid system  a network of receptors in the body that respond to compounds in cannabis.

Activating the network causes an increased heart rate and constricted blood vessels, which raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Some consumers also have weed via smoking it as a joint, which is also known to raise the risk of stroke through causing inflammation that can damage the lining of blood vessels.

Weed use has surged among American youngsters amid a wave of legalizations, with 29 percent of those aged 19 to 30 years now using the drug  compared to 21 percent in 2016 and 17 percent in 2011.

Dr Tafoya added: 'Activities like using alcohol and drugs and smoking can also increase your risk for stroke, and these activities are often starting at younger ages.'

Alcohol can also raise the risk of clots by interfering with factors that form the clots in the blood, which may cause more to form. Smoking is a well-known major risk factor for stroke.

Some studies are also now starting to link vapes  popular among young adults  to the same condition, because they also vape.

Some experts have also suggested Covid may be behind the rise in young people, pointing out the virus can cause a thickening in blood  raising the risk of clots appearing that can cause the complications.

Ms Broadus has now been discharged from hospital, saying the day before online: 'God is working overtime you hear me! My kidneys were doing terrible... doctors came in this AM and said they are improving so much.'

She added: 'Again, I'm human and go through [stuff] like everybody else which is why I'm so open about my life because I know I feel alone.

'But we are never alone, someone is always going through damn near the same.'

It is not clear whether she uses weed, but in November last year her father  a long-time marijuana enthusiast  revealed he was quitting the drug.

Snoop Dogg  whose real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr.  revealed his daughter was 'doing a little bit better' when he was asked about her on the red carpet for the launch of the movie The Underdogg's earlier last week.

Asked by People whether it had helped put his life in perspective, the 52-year-old said: 'Yeah, yeah. Something like that.'

Patients who suffer from a stroke can suffer mild symptoms afterward that quickly resolve or serious complications that leave them disabled.

Older adults are at much higher risk because they are more likely to have blood clots and plaques on the walls of their blood vessels which can become dislodged and cause a stroke.
Sleeping Dog

by Dick Lochte (Penguin Modern Classics 9.99, 368pp)

(Penguin Modern Classics 9.99, 368pp)

A hard-boiled, middle-aged gumshoe with time on his hands is persuaded to track down a missing dog, presumed stolen. Leo Blackworths client, answering to the appropriate name of Serendipity, is a stubborn teenager, savvy beyond her years, who is immune to risk and will not take no for an answer. Together, this unlikely duo embark on a chase that brings them up against a mafia-run blood-sports racket where canine and human life are equally expendable.

As the professional, Leo is not averse to taking chances, but he is no match for his headstrong partner, who is fearless against the ruthless sleazebags who threaten their lives.

Taking turns to tell their side of the story, the narrative sparkles with sharp exchanges serving as a thin disguise for mutual affection and respect. First published in 1980 as a debut novel, Sleeping Dog passes the test of time with flying colours.

The Long Shadow

by Celia Fremlin (Faber 9.99, 256pp)

(Faber 9.99, 256pp)

Following her husbands death in a car crash, Imogen receives a telephone call accusing her of murder. That she is innocent is surely beyond doubt, except for the question of the delay in telling the police that she was the wife of the dead man, a much admired if philandering classical scholar.

Imogen finds no relief in the company of her feckless stepson and his manipulating sister who, uninvited, move into her home. An added complication is a mentally disturbed student who dotes on the memory of her over-attentive mentor.

But is the professor really dead? Imogens nerves begin to crack as evidence emerges of her husband as a living presence.

Skilfully interweaving mystery and menace, Fremlin keeps us on tenterhooks as Imogen fights off the madness that threatens to engulf her. How she defeats her persecutors is a triumph of creative imagination.

Big Ben Strikes Eleven

by David Magarshack (British Library Crime Classics 9.99, 336pp)

(British Library Crime Classics 9.99, 336pp)

Few tears are shed when Sir Robert Boniface, a world-famous business tycoon, fascist sympathiser and all-round nasty piece of work, is found shot dead in the back of his car. A short list of suspects is led by Matt Caldwell, a belligerent artist whose portrait of Boniface had been summarily rejected by the sitter.

Also in the running is a colleague whose wife was having an affair with Boniface. Then there is his nephew and prospective heir who had made known his hostility to his uncles nefarious financial dealings.

The epitome of reason and common sense, Superintendent Mooney embarks on a painstaking investigation that reveals hidden motives for a sensational murder. Rarely surfacing after its first publication in 1934, Big Ben Strikes Eleven is a satisfying mystery with the indefatigable Mooney leading us to an elusive and unexpected killer.
Collectors will soon have a the once in a lifetime opportunity to bid on two of ultra-rare Land Rover Defenders being sold at the same car auction.

One of the last 'classic' Defenders ever made  the 110 Heritage Edition  that is currently owned by Rowan Atkinson will go under the hammer next month.

It is one of just 400 ever produced at the end of the iconic car's lifecycle almost a decade ago and is estimated to go for up to 80,000.

But that's not all. The same Iconic Auctioneers event will also include a No Time To Die Bond Edition 2021 Defender, which is predicted to sell for double the price of the Mr Bean actor's Land Rover.

Rowan Atkinson asked Iconic Auctioneers to find him this 110 Defender back in 2017 to add to his private collection

Land Rover know how to mark a milestone with a limited-edition release.

So, when the British brand called time on one of the worlds most iconic off-roaders - the Defender Series - after 67 years it was only natural to commemorate the occasion with a limited series.

Between 2015 and 2016 Land Rover built 400 Heritage Edition cars - the final Defender Celebration Series. It was a touching homage to the original 1947 Series I, HUE 166 or the Huey.

Then in 2021, Land Rover cemented its 007 status by making 300 limited 110 V8 Bond Defenders, only 10 of which were supplied to UK fans.

Having one of the last 400 Defenders ever made is something in itself, but having one loved and owned by the comic-acting genius and Land Rover enthusiast Rowan Atkinson, is the stuff of British history books.

And if youre a die-hard 'Licence To Kill' fan who appreciates Land Rovers new Defender era, then getting your hands on film franchise Special Edition is equally a dream buy.

Both cars are up for sale February 24 to 26 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

Atkinsons Heritage 110 has a guide price of 65,000 to 80,000 to match its celebrity provenance, while the James Bond 110 is expected to reach a Fleming-frenzied 155,000 to 175,000.

Kept in immaculate condition, this car only has only driven 3,800 miles and has been improved with 4,278 worth of extras added by Atkinson

Complete with Land Rover badges and traditional details like the silver door hinges and

Atkinson was only the second owner of this Heritage Edition Defender.

Its a pristine example with only 3,800 miles on the clock. Iconic Auctioneers were tasked with finding this five-door 110 specially for Atkinson back in 2017 to add to his personal collection.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: The most expensive private number plates sold by the DVLA in 2023 REVEALED

Like all Heritage Editions, the four-wheel drive, six-speed manual, 2.2-litre diesel car is finished in Grasmere Green with an Alaskan White Roof, Heritage-style grill, headlamp surrounds, and heavy-duty steel wheels  all tributes to the original 47 Huey.

Each vehicle came with a matching green hardback Land Rover book and this ones in perfect condition.

Other homages to the classic Series I are the silver front bumper with black end caps, the heritage badges on the front grille and rear door, clear indicator lenses, Indus Silver door hinges and body colour wheel arches and hubs.

Both front wings have HUE 166 graphic tributes.

Mixed in with these traditionalist details are more modern comforts for the lovers of luxury: A perforated leather steering wheel and gear lever, Almond Resolve interior trim cloth seats stamped with the Heritage logo and a padded cubby box between the two front seats.

The air vents, door handles and locks are all aluminium.

Atkinson added his own upgrades: a factory-specification tow bar and electrics as well as factory-spec air con and car alarm.

Modern comforts inside the 'Huey'- inspired Heritage Edition interior make it a great car for the luxury driver

Included in the price is the one of a kind NO07 TTD private registration plate

Finished in Santorini Black this blue V8 5.0-litre model is a head turner even without the Bond emblems

In typical spy style the owner selling their 2021 Defender 5.0-litre V8 Bond Edition 110 remains a figure of mystery, but they clearly have powers of persuasion to have bagged such a coveted car.

Created by Jaguar Land Rovers Special Vehicles Department for the celebrated relationship between Land Rover and the James Bond franchise, the release of this 110 coincided with Daniel Craigs final portrayal of the MI6 agent in No Time To Die.

Its a true collectors example.

With 007 V8 electric blue graphics on the doors, 60 Years of Bond emblems inside and 007 on the sills this car is quite the head turner. Especially with the unique NO07 TTD private registration.

The Santorini Black right hand drive model comes directly from its first owner with just 700 miles on the clock.

Created by JLR for No Time To Die, this Defender is the same as the one's used in the chase scenes in the movie
Shares in one of Britains biggest chemicals companies soared on a fresh wave of takeover speculation.

Elementis jumped 12.1 per cent, or 15p, to 139p after it emerged it received a 160p a share offer from New York private equity firm KPS Capital Partners last month, only to turn it down, hoping to get 180p.

Investment manager Franklin Mutual Advisers, one of its biggest shareholders, said the offer confirmed its view that Elementis is a desirable acquisition target.

Piling pressure on the company board to seek a buyer, Franklin added: We believe that the leadership team is missing a valuable opportunity to maximise the value of the company.

Elementis, which makes the ingredients used in deodorants and skin creams, owns the worlds largest mine of hectorite, a rare white clay substance that is used in creams by luxury cosmetic firms such as LOreal.

It has fended off several approaches, and is under pressure from Franklin, which holds a 9.2 per cent stake and in September called for it to put itself up for sale.

Takeover target: FTSE 250 group Elementis jumped after it emerged it received a 160p a share offer from New York private equity firm KPS Capital Partners last month

On an action-packed day of results, the FTSE 100 crept up 0.03 per cent, or 2.06 points, to 7526.91 and the FTSE 250 rose 0.3 per cent, or 51.42 points, to 19,223.10.

Wall Street hit new record highs but there was no such luck for Tesla, which fell 12.1 per cent after it reported a sharp slump in profits and warned of notably lower sales growth this year.

The stock is now down 26.5 per cent in 2024 and, in comments that did little to boost confidence, boss Elon Musk said Chinese car makers will demolish global rivals.

Back in London, Fullers reported a stellar festive season. The pub and hotel chain said sales in the five weeks around Christmas and New Year were 21.6 per cent higher than a year earlier.

That helped sales rise 11.5 per cent in the 42 weeks to January 20, but it slid 2.3 per cent, or 16p, to 670p.

Britvic, the soft drinks business reported an 8.1 per cent rise in revenues to 443.5million in the three months to the end of December. Shares rose 3.5 per cent, or 30p, to 885p.

Stock Watch - Kromek A Durham group that makes products to identify cancer, Alzheimers and dirty bombs rose after it landed a 1.4million order from the EU. Kromek will supply detectors that scan for radiation and detect exposure to nuclear materials. The devices will be part of the European Commissions stockpile to protect citizens against emerging threats, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear disasters. Shares gained 6.7 per cent, or 0.35p, to 5.6p.

And tonic maker Fevertree  up 6.3p, or 64p, to 1076p  said a strong festive period in the UK helped group revenues rise 6 per cent to 364million in 2023.

A boom in spending on pets is driving business at CVS.

The vet groups first-half results to the end of December showed that revenues rose 11.4per cent to 329.9million as its pet club reached half a million members. Shares added 2pc, or 33p, to 1680p.

There was also good news for Foxtons. The estate agents results for 2023 should beat market forecasts after its lettings business, which makes up nearly three-quarters of group sales, made more than 100million of revenue for the first time. Shares rose 0.2 per cent, or 0.1p, to 52.7p.

Facilities business Mitie increased 5.1 per cent, or 5.1p, to 105p after the group, which provides engineering, security and cleaning services, reported record third-quarter revenues.

Another big riser was fund manager Intermediate Capital after its fee-earning assets rose 6.5 per cent to 54billion in the three months to December 31. Shares gained 8.6 per cent, or 140.5p, to 1777.5p.

But Wizz Air slid 4.1 per cent, or 83.5p, to 1946.5p after the airline laid bare the impact of crisis in the Middle East.

It made a 90million loss in the third quarter to December 31. It cancelled flights to Israel as the war with Hamas unfolded but plans to restart in March.

Halfords was up 0.9 per cent, or 1.5p, to 175.5p after the bike seller and car servicer was hit by drivers delaying maintenance.

Trading platform IG Group slumped 7.6 per cent, or 59p, to 716p after weak first-half results.
In vogue: Model and actress Cara Delevingne wearing Dior, part of LVMH

Fashion house LVMH celebrated a Christmas sales rise.

The bumper festive quarter helped the group cash in record sales and profits for 2023 but there were worrying signs that demand for luxury goods has wavered.

The French conglomerate, whose brands include Christian Dior, Celine and Louis Vuitton, said fourth-quarter sales were up 10 per cent.

That was up from 9 per cent growth in the third quarter but behind the 17 per cent growth of the first and second quarters.

For the whole of 2023, sales rose 13 per cent to 74billion and profits were up 8 per cent to 19.5billion.

The luxury industry has been hit by subdued demand from the US and China, dampening a post-pandemic boom.

LVMH head Bernard Arnault, was bullish, saying a partnership with the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympics was an opportunity to reinforce our global leadership position in luxury goods and promote Frances reputation for excellence.

Arnault, 74, is the worlds second richest man behind Elon Musk, with an estimated 146billion.
Lay-offs: Lloyds said some branch staff losing their jobs will be able to move into the new roles

Lloyds Banking Group is to axe 1,600 jobs across its branch network as it reshapes its business towards online banking.

In a move set to enrage the many who value face-to-face service, it claimed changes will enable customers to see us how and when they want to.

Lloyds is creating 830 roles in a relationship growth team so staff can see customers more quickly in branches, through video meetings, or over the phone without waiting for appointments.

The company, which includes Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, said some branch staff losing their jobs will be able to move into the new roles or to a different part of the business.

The lender said it reflected changes to the way people bank, with 21m now online and just 8 per cent using a branch exclusively.

It said: As more choose to manage banking online, its important our people are available when it matters most.

The job cuts are not linked to any branch closures. But they are likely to be seen as a further hollowing out of high streets where big banks have been retrenching.

Lloyds, on the latest count, was on course to shut at least 275 branches in 2023 and 2024. Across banks and building societies, more than 5,800 branches have shut since 2015, according to consumer group Which?

A separate report from Which? this week said 3m people will live in a constituency without a bank branch by the end of the year. Campaigners worry that elderly and vulnerable customers are worst-hit.
WH Smith anticipates 'another year of significant growth' after 2023 profits were boosted by resilient travel demand.

Turnover in the retailer's global travel division grew by 16 per cent on a constant currency basis for the 20 weeks ending 20 January, with UK travel sales up 15 per cent.

WH Smith on Friday attributed the bounce to the continued rebound in airport passenger numbers amid an absence of Covid-related restrictions, as well as good performances at rail and hospital stores.

Strategic move: WH Smith has gradually shifted away from the high street in recent years in order to expand its presence overseas and in travel hubs

Rising airline passenger levels also boosted the company's North American travel revenues by 14 per cent, with a further uplift provided by good like-for-like growth across the rest of the world.

This offset declining trade at its British high street segment, where sales dropped by 4 per cent despite modest growth in store purchases over the four weeks ending 30 December.

As a result, WH Smith, which has about 1,400 shops and owns online greeting card brand FunkyPigeon, lifted its total revenue by 9 per cent.

'We have made a good start to the financial year and, while there is some economic uncertainty, we are confident of another year of significant growth in 2024,' the group told investors.

The Swindon-based firm has gradually shifted away from the high street in recent years in order to expand its presence overseas and in travel hubs.

Last year, chief executive Carl Cowling said the company has no plans to open any more outlets on high streets because they would just be a 'duplication' of their current stores.

WH Smith intends to open more than 110 travel shops this year, including 50 across North America and 15 in the UK.

It recently opened its largest British-based travel store, totalling 6,000 square feet in size, at Birmingham Airport and the first of six establishments at Budapest Airport.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, remarked: 'The high street business is essentially the cash machine which provides strong support for the group to expand and pay dividends to shareholders.

'The stores are not shiny and new, little money seems to be spent on refurbishments, and it appears to run on a skeleton crew as it cuts costs to the bone.

Yet he added: 'For as long as people are buying the odd magazine, paperbacks, stationery, wrapping paper or board game, WH Smith's high street shops stand a good chance of survival.'

WH Smith shares were 2.3 per cent lower at 12.04 on early Friday afternoon and have declined by approximately 23 per cent over the past 12 months.
The approval of bitcoin spot ETFs in the US theoretically opened-up crypto markets to billions of dollars of fresh capital, but the investment case for the digital assets 'remains weak', according to UBS.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this month gave the green light for the launch of 11 Exchange-Traded Funds tracking the price of bitcoin, with launches from Wall Street giants BlackRock and Fidelity as well as less well-known firms.

It was anticipated to be the immediate trigger of a new era for the world's biggest cryptocurrency, with new investors lured by plentiful liquidity, low costs and easy access.

But interest has been 'disappointing', according to a note from major private bank UBS, with $800million of net inflows to bitcoin funds since 11 January, 'as investors rotated some assets away from existing higher-cost vehicles into the bitcoin ETFs'.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this month gave the green light for the launch of 11 ETFs tracking the price of bitcoin

Bitcoin is up almost 80 per cent over the last year, trading at 41,140 at time of publication, with its value spiking and falling back over that time as the market responded to false dawn rumours of the SEC's approval on several occasions.

Its value is down by around 12 per cent since 10 January and it remains 36 per cent below its November 2021 peak.

Analysts at the bank and its wealth management division compared the inflows to that of the recently launched SPDR Gold Shares ETF in the US, which saw inflows of $1.3billion in its first week alone.

The investment bosses of UBS Global Wealth Management and Global Emerging Markets, Mark Haefele and Michael Bolliger, as well UBS strategists Jennifer Stahmer and Daisy Tseng wrote on Friday: 'While many investors view ETFs as an easier way to access and invest in digital assets, investor interest and flows have so far not lived up to pre-launch expectations.

'The fundamental investment case for crypto assets broadly remains weak, in our view.

'While access to bitcoin ETFs has helped investors, we remain unconvinced of the structural case for crypto assets.'

The analysts added that investor requirements 'remain restrictive', and that initial 'hopes' of the launches sparking 'large inflows' from institutional investors seeking more liquid exposure to bitcoin are yet to come to fruition.

Early data suggests initial flows into the 11 bitcoin spot ETFs have largely been to the benefit of fund giants BlackRock and Fidelity, leaving crypto market entrants like Bitwise as well as peers like Franklin Templeton scrapping over a much smaller fraction of investor cash.

What is a Bitcoin 'spot' ETF Unlike a futures-based ETF, which tracks futures contracts, a spot-bitcoin ETF is an investment vehicle that directly owns some bitcoins through which investors have exposure without actually having to hold them. Bitcoin holders think approval could lead to the market being opened to millions more investors, clearing the way for billions of dollars in fresh investment. The US Securities and Exchange Commission has been reluctant to sanction such funds under the chairmanship of Gary Gensler, partly due to bitcoin's volatility and its widespread use by fraudsters.

Crypto enthusiasts are also waiting for the next 'halving' event due in April.

This sees the reward for mining bitcoin fall by half, thereby reducing the supply of fresh bitcoin coming to market and, in theory, boosting the value of those already in existence as a result.

Again, UBS is sceptical.

The analysts wrote: 'There is little correlation between bitcoin "halving" and improved performance.

'While the third halving [in May 2020] coincided with a rally to an all-time high of nearly $68,000, we do not see a statistically significant pattern that would suggest a strong correlation between the event and price performance.

'Additionally, we believe crypto assets are likely to stay volatile. Security concerns remain.

'Fundamentally, we are still not convinced that crypto assets can make significant inroads in meaningful and disruptive real world use cases.

'Crypto assets can expose investors to legal, regulatory, technological, reputational, and market risks, as well as criminal and illicit activities.

'So, while bitcoin ETFs provide an easy way for investors to invest in digital assets, the fundamental case for crypto assets broadly remains weak, in our view.'
Theres something lurking in Helium One Global Ltds basement, but in the best possible way.

The exploration firm revealed that it successfully drilled the Itumbula West-1 well in Tanzania to its total depth of 961 metres, with the well encountering elevated helium shows described as over twenty times the background levels.

We have encountered elevated helium shows, as the team had anticipated pre-drill, all the way to basement, chief executive Lorna Blaisse announced.

Helium One also announced elevated hydrogen levels in the well; particularly in the Lake Beds, where it was measured "over two thousand times above background".

Golden Metal Resources plc reported significant gold-silver-copper findings at its wholly owned Garfield project in Nevada.

The wireline logs are the crucial next step in identifying which intervals will be tested and sampled for further evaluation.

One thing that wasnt in the basement was Helium Ones share price, which burst through the attic on the bullish drilling update, closing the week at the top of the AIM leagues, 190% higher.

As for the wider junior market, the AIM All-Share Index surged 1.75% in a broadly bullish week for equities as a whole.

Stock prices enjoyed a late-week rally on the back of promising economic data emerging from across the pond.

S&P Global's Flash composite US PMI rose to 52.3, from 50.9 in December, showing faster growth, primarily driven by the services sector.

Back at home, consumer confidence in the UK reached its highest level in two years as optimism for the coming 12 months looks to be on the up.

There was more good news emerging from the mining sector, with Golden Metal Resources plc shares rallying 40% after the explorer reported significant gold-silver-copper findings at its wholly owned Garfield project in Nevada.

The company, in a statement, highlighted bonanza grades in its project update  measuring up to 1,225 grams per tonne silver, including 18.35g/t gold and 1.89% copper.

Meanwhile at Beowulf Mining plc, shares flew 69% higher following a favourable court decision regarding the exploitation of mining deposits in the north of Sweden.

The highly controversial Kallak mine has drawn protests from Swedens indigenous Sami population, who fear that reindeer migration patterns will be interrupted, and climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Thunberg has previously said of the plans: "Sweden pretends to be a leader for environment and human rights, but at home they violate indigenous rights and continue waging a war on nature The world will remember this."

But the Swedish government said: Sweden is today a large and important mining nation, and the Swedish mining and mineral industry is of great importance to Sweden nationally, in the regional and local perspective and beyond Sweden's borders.

Power Metal Resources plc and Harvest Minerals Ltd were also top movers, adding 21% and 19% respectively.

In the creative sector, System1 Group climbed 24% after the marketing firm said recent deals with a string of household names meant full-year expectations would be smashed.

Some 60 new clients, including Pfizer, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, easyJet, Toyota, Muller, B&Q and Just Eat, all signed up to use System1s tests which assess the effectiveness of marketing ideas and strategies.

Things got heated at Active Energy Group plc, or not heated enough, to be more accurate.

The group summoned lawyers after the contractor building its first CoalSwitch 'black pellet' biomass plant refused to commit to future production.

According to Active, PDI is "no longer willing or able to commit to a future production date or production volumes for CoalSwitch fuel.

"The actions of PDI are as surprising as they are disappointing after a long journey toward the production of CoalSwitch fuel, especially given the fact that Tyler Player is a shareholder of Active Energy, stated Active chief executive Michael Rowan.

Rowan sought to reassure shareholders, but Active saw a 73% hit to its valuation nonetheless.

Shares in Molecular Energies plc were also off, more than halving to a new all-time low after the company raised 500,000 at a big discount.

The energy company, formerly known as President Energy, offered new shares at 35p each, a substantial markdown to the 73.5p close yesterday in a placing primarily targeting institutional investors, but with retail shareholders still invited to participate.

Coral Products plc sunk 29% after the plastic products maker scrapped the interim dividend it had announced just over a month ago due to a deterioration in trading.

Annual revenues will now be 10% below last years 35.2 million with margins hit by the lower sales, the group conceded.
A British banker is in the frame to become JP Morgan's first female chief executive.

Single mother Marianne Lake, 54, who grew up in the UK, is heavily tipped to take on the world's top banking job following a reshuffle.

JP Morgan boss Jamie Dimon handed her new responsibilities overnight, granting her sole control of the consumer and community bank.

The promotion gives her oversight of a sprawling unit that in itself would be the sixth-largest US bank by assets.

It includes credit cards, small business lending and wealth management and accounted for half of the bank's profits in the final quarter of last year.

Top job: JP Morgan boss Jamie Dimon handed Marianne Lake new responsibilities overnight

The high stakes reshuffle by Dimon comes after JP Morgan achieved the largest annual profit of any bank in US history in 2023, while its shares are up almost a quarter in the past year.

The question of who might take over from Dimon, 67, is one that looms over the industry with gossip rife on Wall Street about who will take the top job.

Dimon has repeatedly brushed aside suggestions he might step aside amid speculation that he has political ambitions.

He has been at the helm since 2006, and in 2021 the board gave him a special incentive package worth more than 40m to stay until at least 2026.

Under Dimon, JP Morgan has become the largest bank in the United States, even outgunning the mighty Goldman Sachs.

Lake has been part of the rise, succeeding in a notoriously male-dominated industry to be named one of the most powerful women in banking. If she were to land the top job she would become the second British woman to lead a Wall Street titan, alongside Jane Fraser, 56, who has run Citigroup since 2021.

But Lake, who has dual nationality, faces stiff competition from internal rivals Jennifer Piepszak and Troy Rohrbaugh, who were promoted to co-heads of the commercial and investment banking division.

Lake has been well-known to investors since she was named chief financial officer in 2013.

She held that position until 2019, when she was assigned to oversee consumer lending.

Known for her tough demeanour and self-deprecating sense of humour, Lake juggles her high-profile job with raising three children.

The Reading University graduate has joked about her reputation for enjoying a tipple  an admission that has raised eyebrows among Wall Street's largely teetotal major players.

She had her first child at 42 and twins when she was 45, deciding on both occasions to do so without a partner.

On juggling family life with the demands of her high-profile career, Lake has previously said she relies on 'a small circle of friends and my great nanny'.

Lake was born in Maryland in the US to a British father and American mother.

The family moved to the UK when she was just two.

She went to the US with JP Morgan in 2004 and rose rapidly through the ranks, impressing Dimon as she went.

Dimon said: 'JP Morgan Chase is stronger today than it has ever been, and this is thanks to our hundreds of thousands of employees and our superb senior management team.'

He has made it clear he has no near-term plans to leave but also openly mused about life after JPMorgan.

'I can't do this forever, I know that,' Dimon told analysts last summer.
'Come on then.. I must hear this.. If I was dead 300 years you couldn't shut me up! Well?! Come on then!!'

It's 1am and I'm in the Grey Apartment of Chillingham Castle, shouting at a portrait of a woman, trying to goad her into haunting me good and proper.

I've been in the castle, touted as the most haunted in England, for nine hours now trying unsuccessfully to coax a reaction out of its spectral inhabitants.

I've held seances with demonic children, called out the Castle torturer on his outdated methods to spark some backlash and argued with a shadow after I became convinced it moved  nothing has worked and I'm starting to tire.

How did it come to this?

MailOnline reporter John James spent the night in 'haunted' Chillingham Castle

Chillingham Castle in bleakest Northumberland is by all accounts one truly evil house

Built in 1344, Chillingham's location close to the Scottish border means its played a huge and bloody role in the defence of England

Over the course of 700 years, thousands of people have died in the castle

Today the castle is privately owned but it regularly offers ghost tours to the public

As humans we're fascinated by the supernatural and the mysteries of death which is why ghost tourism is a flourishing industry with more 'haunted' spots popping up every week.

The ghosts of Chillingham Castle The Radiant Boy The 'Radiant Boy' takes the form of a small child who can be heard wailing in the castle's Pink Room. The unhappy lad can often be echoing through the corridors around midnight. The White Pantry Ghost In what is called The Inner Pantry, a frail figure in white still appears. The silver was stored here and a footman employed to sleep here and guard it. Historically, one night, when the footman had turned in to sleep, he was accosted by this lady in white. Very pale, she begged him for water. Thinking it was one of the castle guests, he turned to obey. Suddenly he remembered he was locked in and no visitor could have possibly entered! This same pale figure is seen today, and it is thought the longing for water suggests poisoning. The Chapel In the Chapel, beside the Great Hall, the voices of two men are often heard talking. It is never possible to follow their words, and they stop talking if one makes serious efforts to trace them. John Sage One of the castle's most infamous spooks is John Sage, who was the resident torturer in the 1300s. An insecure man, it's thought Sage tortured over 50 people a week and took pleasure from the deaths of thousands during his time at the castle. Timothy The spirit of demonic child Timothy has purportedly haunted the castle since the 1920s. Timothy's favourite room is the chapel, where he's been known to swear at guests. Advertisement

But, as with all tourists attractions, it pays to do your research before committing to an experience, as some places that claim to be haunted (The Enfield Poltergeist house) are actually just depressing (The Enfield Poltergeist house).

This is a subtle difference but an important one.

Chillingham Castle in bleakest Northumberland however, is by all accounts one truly evil house.

Built in 1344, Chillingham's location close to the Scottish border means its played a huge and bloody role in the defence of England before we all learnt to get along.

Over the course of 700 years, thousands of people have died in the castle, some of whom horrifically.

Remnants of this grisly past can still be seen in castle's old torture chamber which is fitted out with all the old favourites including a rack and rather fetching ornate Iron Maiden.

It's no surprise then that the castle is apparently crawling with unhappy ghosts.

Indeed, the castle which is privately owned by Sir Humphry Wakefield, has the ignominious reputation as being the most haunted in Britain - which is some claim indeed.

To tap into this rich pedigree, the castle trust has recently begun allowing members of the public to stay in the castle and take part in ghost hunts.

Over the course of four hours, visitors who are strictly prohibited from drinking before, are guided around the nooks and crannies of the dark castle and given the opportunity to interact with ghosties.

The trouble with paranormal investigations though is that any perceived activity is inevitably impossible to rationalise or prove.

Think you've recorded a ghostly apparition do you?

Well I think you're a liar who's filmed a shadow.

What's that? You felt a feeling of dread as you entered the red room?

Have you ever considered you might be a deeply unhappy person?

These in my view are perfectly reasonable responses to give to anyone who tells you they've seen a ghost.

Fundamentally, most people are too boring for ghosts (if they did exist) to bother haunting.

Drifting eternally through limbo would be ghastly enough without having to plan your calendar around haunting little Jenny Morris from Bolton every fortnight.

With this in mind, I was only too delighted to have the chance to visit Chillingham Castle myself to see whether there was any traction in its reputation, comforted by the knowledge that I too am a deeply tedious person.

I was only too delighted to have the chance to visit Chillingham Castle myself

How haunted could it possibly be, eh?

After arriving at the castle I meet resident ghost hunter Richard Craig who's been hosting hunts in the chilling house for decades

With his thick Geordie accent, dapper appearance and firm handshake he instantly calmed me

Richard has brought a wide variety of ghost hunting gizmos with him to help us coax out the ghosties

Over the course of one lonely January night I would take part in as ghost hunt before staying by myself in the castle, miles away from the nearest person.

The experience changed me forever.

After arriving at the castle I meet resident ghost hunter Richard Craig who's been hosting hunts in the chilling house for decades.

With his thick Geordie accent, dapper appearance and firm handshake I am instantly becalmed, comforted in an instant that if some ghoul was to try something fast on us Richard would swiftly defuse the situation with a bear hug or a witty remark.

As guides go he's perfect, knowing every inch of the castle and being on first name terms with the majority of the spooks inside, including the foul-mouthed demonic child Timothy, but more on him later.

Richard has brought his collection of ghost hunting gizmos with him to help us coax out the ghosties.

The tools consist of radio wave distorters, swinging pendulums and, your friend and mine, a Ouija board.

Richard knew every inch of the castle and was on first name terms with the majority of the spooks

It is fascinating to think how many people have been gruesomely killed, tortured and betrayed here in the past (Pictured: Myself and Richard both agreeing this was fascinating)

Myself and Richard used primitive poles to coax out ghosts and it worked

And yes, you're probably thinking these tools look incredibly primitive and liable to produce completely unscientific and arbitrary results, and you'd be right to think that, because they are.

We begin our tour and start traversing the castle, stopping occasionally when Richard helpfully points out a shadow has just moved.

One ghost known as six-pence Sally, who Richard explains was once the castle prostitute, seems particularly keen on following us around the place which struck me as odd as I was reeking of Lynx Africa.

For a few hours, we trudge around the castle with Richard giving us a fantastically in depth tour of each room in the castle.

It is fascinating to think how many people have been gruesomely killed, tortured and betrayed here in the past, a thought that warms me as the cold night sets in.

My only criticism so far is that bar John Sage (who as we previously covered was a bonafide psychopath) most of the ghosts Richard has described seem quite harmless.

Frustrated, I turn to Richard and politely ask him if there are any really bad things we're going to meet.

'These ghosts are all quite tame aren't they? It's not exactly The Exorcist?'

'Be careful saying things like that', says Richard, his voice hushed and his eyes boring in on my soul, 'we haven't met the castle's demonic spirit yet. He is Timothy, and he is truly evil.'

In ghost hunting circles, the general rule is you can make fun of ghosts in their presence as they're essentially harmless but you should be careful around demons as they generally mean business.

I'm inclined to agree as I've seen enough horror films to know possession isn't fun unless you're quite into the whole dead-eyed, no fingernails, continually retching black vomit vibe.

Myself and Richard discussing the best way to skin a cat in John Sage's torture chamber

Richard took me to a chapel where we intended to lure Timmy the demon child into a seance

It might not look it, but holding a swinging pendulum for 10 minutes is extremely arduous work on the forearms

Richard informs me we are going to conduct a semi-seance to tempt Timmy out of his favourite room.

This to me seems like a pretty poor idea considering he's a literal devil who could kill us and I have plans for the weekend, but I bow to Richard's experience and we shuffle in .

As we set up the equipment a nervous looking Richard says we need to be careful as some of Timmy's friends might be with him, including a renowned satanist named Crowley who is credited with his possession and murder - which again, is comforting.

After setting up our equipment which distorts FM frequencies so occasional words and phrases are heard, we ask Timmy if he is willing to speak to us.

There is silence in the room broken only by the swinging of my pendulum and Richard's occasional husky exclamations.

'I wish to speak with Timothy' proclaims Richard, 'or are you going by another name tonight?'

The radio transmitter crackles and I hear what sounds like the beginning of a traffic report.

'Are you still being controlled by the spirit of Crowley, is he with us?' continues Richard, 'Are there more than ten of you?', my god he's persistent.

Take That cuts through on the radio transmitter and haunting tones of Gary Barlow fill the room.

It's probably time to call it.

Oh, what became of the Likely Lads?

Richard showing me one of the castle's many spare bedrooms

After saying my farewells to Richard, I begin the arduous trek towards the nearby town of Wooler in search of a hot meal and some local hospitality.

I'm intrigued to find out if people living near to the castle are actually bothered by it or if local superstition really does run deep.

I enter the Black Bull Inn and loudly announce my otherness by ordering a Madri in my best cockney accent, reasoning that locals are more likely to strike up a conversation with me (even in spite) if they think I'm some idiot from London who's lost.

After a while I get chatting to a delightful old woman who tells me she's lived in the area for generations but never stayed in the castle.

'Is it haunted though? As in, do you believe the stories?'

'It's no more haunted than any other place up here', she says, 'this is an old place and we're very isolated up here. Your mind can play tricks on you yes, but sometimes, sometimes it's right to.'

Christ..

Outside the pub I get chatting to a drunk man who tells me he used to visit the castle a lot for his work and is confident there's nothing in it that can frighten him.

'If you do get in trouble tonight, give us a call' he says, motioning for me to add his number on my phone (I decline as he really was very drunk), 'I'll batter any ghost, no questions asked pal!'

I take my leave.

I was staying in the Castle's Grey Chamber - apparently the most haunted

But as accommodation goes, it wasn't too bad if I'm being honest

It sure beats Premier Inn that's for sure

We're back in the castle now. I'm cocooned in an armchair with the lights off and the fire is roaring.

Previous to this, I had drawn myself a bath in the chamber's opulent master bedroom but due to my own ineptitude the water had been luke warm.

A ghastly experience certainly, but in truth the only ghostly thing about it had been my crinkly pale body in the cold tub.

It's eerily quiet in the chamber which is adorned with a multitude of old looking portraits of regal figures who convey a spooky vibe purely from their distance from the present day.

The fire flickers limply and I add another log, taking perverse pleasure in watching the flames devour the wood, shredding its husk and ripping apart its atoms.

'That must be what it's like to be melted in lava', I ponder aloud, enjoying the echo that reverberates around the room.

In case it's not obvious: I am extremely bored.

I begin to pace around the chamber, tentatively calling out each of the ghosts and spirits I'd met over the course of the tour, challenging each one of them (with the exception of Timothy as he's a child) to a fight.

The hours drip on and the fire sinks lower into the grate.

I am down to my last log and as I load it into the furnace, a slight shimmer catches the corner of my eye.

I wheel around violently, my entire body jerking in anticipation and my eyes lock on to a large portrait of a woman in fancy dress - perched at the end of the chamber.

Is she the source of the room's alleged evil?

I walk over to the figure and try and make myself as impressive as possible (which is a task in my Arsenal pyjamas).

The only ghostly thing about this bath was my crinkly pale body in the cold tub

Room for a small ghost?

I study her face, which is unremarkable with sunken eyes and a tight pursed smile which you can either put down to her being cruel or the portrait artist having no talent.

All in all it's a pretty average painting that isn't very flattering to her at all.

I smile at the thought that whomever painted this clearly didn't like her, so I tell her too.

'Didn't make the best first impression with the painter then, did you?' I goad.

Silence.

'Yup, real Anne of Cleves aren't you!' I jab, hoping that she was alive after Henry VIII's infamous dumping so she'll get the reference.

Silence.

'Come on then! Haunt me!!' I yell my voice now hoarse, 'Please! I can't write an entire article about nothing! Haunt me! HAUNT ME!'

Silence.

For more information on ghost hunts at Chillingham Castle, click here.
More than two years ago, Brisbane private schoolgirl-turned-working professional Kathleen Riethmuller mysteriously vanished from Sydney without a trace.

Haunting CCTV shared by police showed Ms Riethmuller, then 28, strolling into a Bunnings store in Artarmon, in the city's north, wearing a denim dress around 11am on October 28, 2021.

A few hours later, her belongings including her ID and bank cards were found abandoned 7km away inside a backpack in a Lane Cove street.

Further inquiries revealed the data scientist was seen exiting a car at a petrol station at 2.30pm. That was the last time she would be seen.

When she was still unaccounted for three months later, Ms Riethmuller was declared a long-term missing person by the Australian Federal Police - and she remains on that list to this day.

Now, fresh details have come to light about the erratic and peculiar last known movements of Ms Riethmuller in the hours before she disappeared.

Kathleen Riethmuller, 28, (pictured right) mysteriously vanished from Sydney's northern suburbs more than two years ago

Now, fresh details have come to light about the erratic and peculiar last known movements of Ms Riethmuller in the hours before she disappeared

Police have also revealed that while the data scientist's case was initially considered a case of self-harm, detectives now believe she disappeared on her own accord and may still be living in disguise within Australian society.

The fresh details come after Daily Mail Australia previously revealed Ms Riethmuller tried to flog off items on Gumtree in the weeks before she disappeared and one of her Facebook accounts later mysteriously deactivated.

In the first episode of Channel Nine's Missing Persons Investigation, Detective Sergeant Gavin Franklin said the desperate search to find Ms Riethmuller unfolded when a member of the public discovered her abandoned bag.

Inside, police found her passport, birth certificate, mobile phone, reading glasses, hairdryer, underwear, toiletries and wallet - containing her bankcards, Medicare cards, and other important documents.

Alarmingly, detectives also found a receipt for two 50m bundles of rope that she had purchased that morning from the hardware store.

Officers immediately tracked down Ms Riethmuller's mother, who informed them she hadn't heard from her daughter for a month.

The evening before she disappeared, Ms Riethmuller spent the night at The Sydney Boulevard Hotel (pictured) in Woolloomooloo with a stranger

CCTV footage captured her leaving the building at 8am on October 28 - the day she disappeared

A 'jittery' Ms Riethmuller checked into Elephant Backpacker (pictured) in inner-city Woolloomooloo the morning she disappeared

Her mother added that Ms Riethmuller had been feeling isolated, struggling with not having friends and had recently lost her job.

Concerned for Ms Riethmuller's welfare, officers rushed to her apartment to see if she was home before spending the night searching a massive bush reserve near her last known sighting.

The next big breakthrough in the case came days later when a member of the public, Shane, came forward to tell police he had seen Ms Riethmuller running erratically through a suburban street in Riverview and offered her a lift.

But during the journey, Ms Riethmuller, who no longer had her backpack or the rope, abruptly jumped out of the moving vehicle - into four lanes of oncoming traffic - and disappeared into bushland.

She later emerged and got back into his car, before he dropped her off at the petrol station.

Shane said her behaviour made him feel as though she was in trouble or 'running from something', but when he asked her, she said everything was fine.

Operating off another tip, police later learned Ms Riethmuller, after leaving Bunnings, had travelled 27km away to Parramatta, in the city's west, where she was captured on CCTV inside a McDonald's store.

Another man also came forward to reveal he had spent the night with Ms Riethmuller before she disappeared.

CCTV footage captured Ms Riethmuller walking out of Bunnings Artarmon with two bundles of rope around 11.40am

She then headed 27km west to Parramatta, where security vision picked her up inside a McDonald's (pictured) at 12.30pm

Pictured: Centennial Avenue at Lane Cove, where her backpack was found by a member of the public sometime between 1pm and 2pm

Inside the backpack, detectives found Ms Riethmuller's passport (pictured) along with her phone, ID cards, bank cards, clothes, toiletries and a hair dryer - suggesting she was living out of that bag

The 26-year-old said they met while he was in Kings Cross, looking for a place to stay, before the duo went somewhere to have a drink.

They ended up at The Sydney Boulevard Hotel, where they spent the night together in one of the rooms.

He said the pair were not intimate and he left the hotel the following morning to go to work. Ms Riethmuller was seen leaving the hotel at 8am that morning, with a massive black suitcase and her backpack.

Police examined her bank records and discovered she had withdrawn $2,200 - almost all of her savings - shortly after leaving the hotel, from a nearby cashpoint.

The discovery turned the case on its head as police began working on the assumption Ms Riethmuller was not in danger, but rather had chosen to disappear of her own accord.

In light of the new information, Detective Sergeant Franklin returned to Ms Riethmuller's apartment to collect items - including her computer and several journals - in a bid to find clues as to her state of mind.

It was evident Ms Riethmuller had not been inside the unit for a long time as there was expired food in the fridge and a rubbish bag on the kitchen benchtop, which had attracted flies.

Back at the police station, detectives scoured Ms Riethmuller's journals and uncovered a series of insightful entries suggesting she wanted to 'go off the grid' and 'remove any trace of her'.

'She made a number of comments about leaving no traces, closing old bank accounts, the need to cover up IP addresses, paying for the records to go, paying things with cash, [having] no friends from before, [and that] no one can know a thing,' Detective Sergeant Franklin said.

Ms Riethmuller said she worked in 'data science, innovation and market developments' with 'experience in consulting, finance and start-ups' on her online profiles

Photos on her laptop showed Ms Riethmuller frequently changed her appearance - a skill that detectives believe she may have employed to disguise her identity

'She also made notes in there that she wanted to go to Melbourne. Wants to start a new life.'

Detective Sergeant Franklin said police believe Ms Riethmuller may still be living in the community under an assumed identity.

'We know that Kathleen felt isolated and we know that she had a few struggles, perhaps she just wanted to have a clean state, start afresh,' he said.

'She could of cut her hair, purchased new identification. She may be out there... working with someone under a different name.'

Police have scaled back the search and are monitoring for any new leads into Ms Riethmuller's new identity.

According to a blurb on the AFP missing persons register, Ms Riethmuller is known to use the aliases Amy Munroe, Kate Riethmuller, Margaret Riethmuller and Kate Muller.

Detective Sergeant Franklin said that if Ms Riethmuller is out there he wants her to know it is not a crime to go missing and urged her to walk into a police station and let officers know she is safe.

Anyone with information which may assist in locating the whereabouts of Ms Riethmuller is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

For confidential support, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Jill Biden is in South Carolina on Friday for her first campaign event in the state as Republicans turn their eye to their own competition there and Democrats prepare for their first primary.

As Nikki Haley and Donald Trump fight it out to win the Republican primary, the first lady will tout President Joe Biden's re-election effort at an event with educators.

South Carolina saved Joe Biden's quest for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 when it gave him his first primary victory, setting him up to be the nominee. In return, Biden pushed to have its primary the first for Democrats this year.

The first lady has proven an invaluable asset to Democrats and her husband's White House. In the 2022 midterm election she was a highly-request surrogate, campaigning in swing states for Democratic candidates and doing it more often than the president.

'Almost always, a First Lady helps a presidents campaign,' Iowa State University Professor Stacy Cordery, an expert in first ladies, told DailyMail.com.

'She humanizes him, explains him, makes us see him through her eyes, and reminds us that hes humanin a good way.'

Jill Biden has proven an invaluable asset to Democrats and the Biden White House

Biden, a community college professor, will deliver remarks during a special South Carolina Educators for Biden-Harris event ahead of that primary. President Biden will be in Columbia, S.C., on Saturday to speak at a Democratic Party dinner.

As part of her three-day trip she will also attend a series of fundraisers in North Carolina, Florida and Texas for her husband's re-election campaign.

She raised millions of dollars for the party that cycle and has already started raising money for the Biden re-election campaign.

The Biden campaign is trying to bank millions of dollars ahead of the general election, which is looking more and more like a rematch against Donald Tump.

Jill Biden also has proven a key messenger for the president, touting his accomplishments and appealing to women voters who are worried about abortion right restrictions across the country.

'As his closest confidant and the person most intimately connected to him, the First Lady is usually the presidents best stand-in,' Cordery said.

'She can brag on him, to put it colloquially, and sound like a perfectly proud and supportive wife. Traditionally, it would be more difficult for him to say the same things without sounding bombastic or conceited.'

Jill Biden has echoed her husband's warnings, slamming 'MAGA Republicans' on the campaign trail, warning of their threat to democracy.

And she's tackled President Biden's age issue - at 81 he is the oldest American ever elected president - head on, calling it experience and wisdom.

South Carolinas Democratic primary will take place on Saturday, February 3. The Republican primary in the state takes place later in the month, on February 24th.

New Hampshire held its first-in-the-nation primary on Tuesday but the Democrats contest was non-binding. The Democratic National Committee, which sets the primary calendar, said the state's delegates won't count since New Hampshire didn't honor the new system that puts South Carolina first.

Joe Biden stayed off the New Hampshire ballot in solidarity with the party but his supporters in the state ran a successful write-in campaign that gave him a victory there.

Jill Biden has been a key messenger for President Joe Biden's administration

First Lady Jill Biden, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff attend during reproductive freedom campaign rally at George Mason University in Manassas, Virginia

Jill Biden has already gotten her campaign feet wet this year.

On Tuesday, she joined President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff at a campaign rally in Virginia, where she talked about the importance of abortion rights.

The first lady has been recounting her own experience of helping a friend recover from an abortion in the 70s and hitting Republicans for limiting a woman's right to choose.

'We will not let the extreme MAGA Republicans win this fight, will we?' she asked the crowd of several hundred, who responded with a 'No!'

Jill Biden heads to South Carolina campaign swing...
When Sophie Louise Carter was caught with indecent images of underage children she was a tree surgeon known as Dominic.

But by time the 39-year-old was hauled before court to face sentence, dressed in a pink-t-shirt and shorts with pink nail polish on, she identified as a woman.

The criminal is one of a number of trans sex offenders who committed their crimes as men before transitioning while facing justice or behind bars.

The spate of recent cases was brought into focus by the jailing of Isla Bryson in Scotland. The rapist was convicted of sex attacks on two women, a crime she committed while still a man.

Her case sparked uproar after she was initially sent to an all-female prison before being moved to a male facility. Since then a number of similar cases have been brought before the courts.

In the latest, Abigail Waller, who was jailed for child sex offences while living as a man named 'Jamie', returned to the dock just three years later to face new charges - now identifying as a woman named 'Abi' after transitioning in prison.

With Waller behind bars for a second time, MailOnline looks into the cases of sex offenders who committed their crimes as men but arrived in court to face trials as women.

ABIGAIL WALLER

Waller, from Gosport, Hampshire, was jailed at Portsmouth Crown Court for five years in 2020 after admitting a string of 'serious' child sex offences.

The offences included blackmailing a 13-year-old-girl into sending Waller sexual photos of herself, and having the child call Waller 'sir' or 'daddy'.

At court in 2020 Waller was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order [SHPO], banning any contact with children under 18 and the use of devices connected to the internet unless Waller informed police about them.

The following year, while in prison, the paedophile 'started identifying as a woman'.

In May 2022, Waller was released from jail half-way through the sentence and was taken back by wife Mrs Waller at their home in Gosport. But within three months, Waller had started her 'grooming process' again.

Left is Jamie Waller who was jailed in 2020 - pictured right is Waller after she started to identify as female and became known as Abigail

At his trial, prosecutor Tim Dracass told jurors at the same court where Waller had been previously convicted that the paedophile breached the order in August 2022 by messaging three girls on Facebook, two of whom were 14 and one of whom was 13.

Waller used his wife's second phone, a Samsung in a pink case, while she was out at work and used a Facebook profile under the name of Jake Smith, it was heard.

Waller told the girls 'you are really beautiful', said they were 'so pretty', sent a love heart emoji, and claimed to be aged 14.

Waller was caught by police on August 4, 2022, when officers visited the house for a separate reason and discovered Waller hiding the Samsung in her lap.

Opening the three-day trial, Mr Dracass told jurors of Waller's gender change and that she was 'previously Jamie Kevin Harold Waller'.

Mr Dracass said: 'The defendant is Abigail Waller, that's how the defendant wishes to be known and currently identifies. She has been charged in that name.'

Defendant Waller gave evidence and was asked her name. She told jurors: 'Jamie Kevin Harold Waller, but I prefer Abi.

'I started [identifying as a female] around 2021, the end of September 2021. I'm waiting to [be seen by] a gender identity clinic.'

Waller has been serving time at men's prisons - HMP The Verne on Isle of Portland, Dorset, and HMP Winchester.

Giving evidence, Waller claimed she is no longer aroused by children. 'I had a sexual interest in young girls, not anymore', she said. 'I've done offending behaviour courses whilst I was inside.'

Waller was convicted by a jury of four counts of breaching a SHPO.

Mr Dracass said: 'This was the start of something that could have resembled the circumstances of the previous conviction. Had the police not intercepted this phone when they did so, the crown submits it may well have been that there was a risk that serious harm could have taken place.'

At the sentencing hearing, Ellie Fargin, defending, asked the judge to consider how Waller will cope in prison as an inmate who identifies as female.

Judge Michael Bowes KC jailed Waller for three and a half years, saying that her messages were a 'pre-cursor to what Waller had in mind'.

Sentencing Waller, Judge Bowes KC highlighted the fact Waller re-offended three months after being released from prison.

SOPHIE LOUISE CARTER

A paedophile caught with indecent images of children and prosecuted under a male name was given a six-month suspended prison sentence in August 2023 - as the court heard she now identifies as a woman.

Tree surgeon Sophie Louise Carter 'wrestled' with police to stop them taking her phone when challenged, a judge was told.

Two devices were seized and two category A images - the most severe kind - were found along with a further three Category B images and six which were Category C.

The 39 year old, of Lee-on-the-Solent, Hants, was prosecuted under the name Dominic Mark Carter.

However, the sentencing hearing at Southampton Crown Court, Hampshire was told she now identifies as a woman and goes by the first names Sophie Louise.

Tree surgeon Sophie Louise Carter (seen outside Southampton Crown Court)

Read more: Paedophile caught with indecent images of children and prosecuted under a male name is spared jail - and now identifies as a woman Advertisement

Carter - who attended court dressed in a pink t-shirt and pink shorts and with pink nail polish on - admitted three counts of making indecent images of children in relation to the incident on April 3, 2021.

Ed Warren, defending, said there was a 'history of abuse' in Carter's life dating back to when the defendant was five which has caused 'some degree of trauma'.

He added that his client has a 'longstanding issue with alcohol abuse' and had been taking class A drugs at the time of the offending.

Carter is no longer taking drugs but the drinking is ongoing, the court heard.

Carter, who has five convictions for six past offences, was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, 60 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions and 120 hours of unpaid work.

She must also register as a sex offender and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years. A deprivation order was made for the two seized phones.

ISLA BRYSON

Isla Bryson, named Adam Graham until 2020, was convicted of raping two women prior to her transition. The defendant, who committed the offences while still a man, met the victims online and prosecutors said the criminal 'preyed' on vulnerable women.

Bryson was sentenced to eight years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh, with a further three years on licence last February.

Photos at the time showed the double rapist  who changed gender while waiting to stand trial  hiding behind a blonde bob and pink hooded jumper inside a prison van after being told by a judge: 'You see yourself as the victim in this case. You are not.'

'It is plain that you present a particularly significant risk to any woman with whom you form a relationship,' Lord Scott said as he handed down the sentence.

Bryson was initially sent to an all-female prison in Scotland following conviction, but was subsequently removed to a male wing of a prison after the case sparked an uproar.

Isla Bryson leaving Edinburgh High Court in a prison van after being sentenced to eight years in jail in February last year

Bryson, formerly known as Andrew Graham, was convicted of raping two women at Glasgow High Court last January (pictured outside court)

Isla Bryson , named Adam Graham until 2020, was convicted of raping two women prior to her transition

Scotland's Justice Secretary Keith Brown ordered an urgent review of the case and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) stopped the movement of all transgender prisoners with a history of violence against women into the female estate.

It came just weeks after the devolved Scottish Parliament passed a Bill to make it easier for people to change their legal gender, drawing criticism from women's rights campaigners who argue predatory men could use it to access single-sex spaces such as bathrooms.

After the jury at the High Court in Glasgow delivered its guilty verdict, judge Lord Scott told Bryson the crimes were 'considerable' and said that 'a significant sentence is inevitable'.

Bryson, from Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, arriving at the High Court in Glasgow for a hearing in January 2023

Bryson spoke of identifying as transgender at the age of four but not making the decision to transition until the age of 29.

The court heard during the trial that Bryson was taking hormones and seeking surgery to complete gender reassignment.

Read more: Transgender women held in female jails are being moved to male prisons under new retrospective ban following Isla Bryson scandal Advertisement

During the trial, the court heard that Bryson was going through the breakdown of a brief, unhappy, marriage and went to stay with the first victim at the victim's mother's house in Clydebank in 2016.

Giving evidence on pre-recorded video, the victim said she was raped for half an hour.

'All I said was 'no' over and over and over again,' she said. 'At the time I was so scared. Sick to the stomach. I just didn't know what was going on.'

The second victim, who gave evidence via live video-link, told the court Bryson continued to have sex with her after she said stop.

The court heard Bryson entered the victim with 'her penis', and was told to stop because Bryson was 'crushing' the victim. The victim's police statement said Bryson instead told her to 'stay there' because 'he (Bryson) wasn't finished'.

The victim told the court: 'I said to stop but he (Bryson) just kept on going, and that's when I just closed my eyes and I am doing what he wanted to do.'

SALLY ANN DIXON

Serial child sex offender Sally Ann Dixon was jailed in September 2022 for a minimum of 12 years and sent to a women's prison - despite not being legally recognised as female.

Dixon was found guilty on 30 charges relating to child sex abuse.

The criminal carried out the offences against seven children from 1989 to 1996 while living as a man.

The offender was found guilty on 30 offences of indecent assault or indecency with a child against seven victims, the youngest of whom was seven years old at the time.

The court trying Dixon had heard there was no Gender Recognition Certificate changing from male to female.

Ryan Richter, prosecuting, described a campaign of offending against two boys and five girls lasting eight years.

He told the court: 'The defendant, living as a man in the late 80s and 90s, was a brazen and callous sexual predator.

Sally Ann Dixon, 58, was found guilty on 30 charges relating to historic child sexual abuse

The court trying Dixon heard there was no Gender Recognition Certificate changing their sex

'He exploited young males and cultivated a toxic relationship with female children who he systematically abused throughout their childhoods.'

Sally Ann Dixon, who was born John Stephen Dixon in 1963, married twice and began transitioning to live as a female in 2004.

Despite being jailed for six months in 1997 for the sexual abuse of a teenage boy, it was not until a victim came forward in 2019 that Dixon's years of offending came to light.

Judge Van Der Zwart said opportunities to jail Dixon earlier had been missed.

Lewes Crown Court in East Sussex heard the sex offender would be sent to female jail HMP Bronzefield, despite not being legally recognised as a woman.

Dixon was given consecutive nine year custodial sentences with two one year extended licences, to serve at least 12 years in custody before becoming eligible for parole.

Throughout the four-week trial, the prosecutor referred to Dixon by the male pronoun when alluding to the sex offences  without any objection from the defence. However, when Dixon was found guilty, she was sentenced as a woman and sent to a female prison.

CHLOE WALKER

Transgender sex offender Chloe Walker was jailed in 2020 what was thought to be a legal first after appearing in court as a man and as a woman on the same occasion.

Walker, formerly known as Brandon, appeared on a court list for sentencing under both names, with a separate case number for each listing.

The defendant was dealt with for two breaches of a sexual harm prevention order and one of failing to tell police of a new phone number  prosecuted under her male name in 2018.

She also admitted two counts of failing to comply with the requirements of the sex offenders' register in 2020, which were processed under her preferred name of Chloe.

Walker, then 30, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, was sentenced to ten months in prison for all five offences at the hearing at Northampton Crown Court on October 22 that year.

Her barrister, Chantelle Stocks, said that a defendant being listed under both male and female names in the same hearing was 'definitely a situation which I have never experienced before'.

She said: 'Given the climate that we are now in, if a defendant wants to be referred to by a preferred name, then the court can agree to that request.' She said Walker, who was awaiting gender reassignment surgery, was sent to a male prison.

Chloe Walker (pictured) was formerly known as Brandon

A source at the court said at the time: 'It is a most unusual situation but we can only go with what is given to us on the committal papers.'

Walker had racked up 49 offences including sexual crimes against young children.

In a separate case at Northampton Magistrates Court the previous year she appeared on the court list as Mr Chloe Walker.

She was referred to as Mr Walker for the first half of proceedings until prosecutors were told to refer to Walker using feminine pronouns.

The 2020 hearing was told that Walker used aliases on Facebook to prey on victims. Despite being handed sexual harm prevention orders, Walker repeatedly breached them.

The court heard that she had been released from prison in January that year and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order compelling her to register her mobile phone numbers with police. But in May Walker ceased contact with police.

The court heard that since 2006 Walker had 22 other convictions for 44 offences, including sexually assaulting a boy under 13, sexual activity with a girl under 16 and assault.

Miss Stocks said Walker, who has autism, does not react well to change and described her future gender reassignment surgery as a milestone in her transition to be the person she needs to be.

CARRIE COOPER

In 2018, police and courts were accused of pandering to a transgender paedophile by treating him as a woman for crimes he committed when a man.

Gary Cooper was already serving a lengthy sentence in a male prison for sexual crimes including rape when new charges of historical sex abuse against a young girl were brought against him.

But the 53-year-old, who now goes by the name Carrie Cooper, was treated as a woman at his latest trial.

In court documents obtained by The Mail on Sunday, the paedophile is accused of using 'her' finger to carry out the assaults  even though Cooper was a man at the time of the offences, which took place between 2007 and 2012.

Cooper was addressed as Carrie in the indictment and in St Albans Crown Court.

Hertfordshire Police announced 'a woman has been sentenced' in the case.

Gary Cooper (mugshot, above) was already serving a lengthy sentence in a male prison for sexual crimes including rape when new charges of historical sex abuse against a young girl were brought against him. But the defendant, who now goes by the name Carrie Cooper, was treated as a woman at the latest trial

Cooper, a delivery driver from Hertford, was first brought to justice in 2011 after he posed as a 15-year-old called Chantelle to befriend a 12-year-old girl online. Two days later he picked her up from her home in Basingstoke, Hampshire, took her to his house and raped her twice.

Cooper pleaded guilty at Winchester Crown Court in September 2011 to rape and abduction.

Police then discovered he had also had sex with a vulnerable 15-year-old girl, and charged him with grooming offences, making indecent photographs and sexual activity with a minor, to which he pleaded guilty at St Albans Crown Court in October 2012.

But between the trial and sentencing the following month  when he was jailed for 14 years and four months  Cooper had changed his identity to a woman and was referred to as both Gary and Carrie in court records.

Cooper was first sent to HMP Parkhurst, a male prison on the Isle of Wight, but was then moved to HMP Littlehey, a jail for male sex offenders in Cambridgeshire.

Then another girl revealed that Cooper had subjected her to years of sexual abuse, starting in 2007 when she was just seven. He had crept into her bedroom and molested her, saying it was 'their secret'.

In this case, Cooper was found guilty of nine counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 and in October 2018 St Albans Crown Court sentenced him to seven-and- a-half years in addition to his existing term.

Yet although the offences were committed when Cooper was a man, the indictment, produced by the Crown Prosecution Service and read out in court, referred to 'Carrie Cooper' and details of the offences included using 'a part of her body, namely her finger' to abuse the victim.

After the sentencing Hertfordshire Constabulary announced on the news on their website under the headline: 'Woman sentenced for historic sexual offences against a child.'
Panicking killer Brian Laundrie spoke with his parents in a flurry of up to 20 phone calls in just two days when he admitted murdered fiance Gabby Petito had gone and he needed a lawyer, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.

The 23-year-old broke the news to his parents by saying Gabby was 'gone' and that he needed a lawyer, two days after she was last seen alive.

The number of calls in such a short time frame was an unusual change of pace for Brian who prior to that had only called dad Christopher and mom Roberta five times in the two months before, during the young couple's doomed road trip from Florida to Utah and Wyoming in summer 2021.

Brief details of the 'gone' call were revealed in a November 2023 court filing following depositions by both Laundrie parents in October in the ongoing civil case in Sarasota, Florida, brought by Gabby's mom Nichole Schmidt and her father Joseph Petito.

But DailyMail.com can now reveal further information from inside the depositions  for which transcripts have not been released  including the simmering tension, emotions, and continual heartbreak of the parents of 'van life girl' Gabby, 22.

Brian Laundrie placed a 'flurry' of phone calls to his parents in the days after murdering girlfriend Gabby Petito during the couple's cross-country road trip

Gabby's parents are suing Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, claiming the couple had known their son murdered their daughter and refused to tell them the location of her remains

Nichole Schmidt, mother of Gabby Petito, is seen speaking alongside Gabby's father, Joseph Petito (second from left) her stepmom Tara Petito (far left) and her stepfather Jim Schmidt (far right) during a news conference in September 2021

The revelatory first call took place on Sunday, August 29 at 4pm and lasted 55 minutes  days after Gabby's last known contact with mom Nichole. There was another call at 9:20pm that lasted 22 minutes, according to phone records.

From there followed a 'flurry' of up to 20 calls that day and the following on Monday August 30, with most of them between the killer and Roberta, Petito family attorney Pat Reilly revealed to DailyMail.com.

Brian disclosed the 'gone' news to his father, but on his mother's phone.

Amid the barrage during those two days, calls were made from Laundrie's parents to their family lawyer Steve Bertolino in Long Island, New York  who was retained on September 2 and instructed the pair to say nothing.

Nearly three weeks later, on September 19, Gabby's remains were discovered in an undeveloped camping area in Grand Teton National Forest in Wyoming.

It would later be revealed that Laundrie had strangled her before driving back to his parents' home in North Port, Florida, on September 1 in her 2012 white Ford Transit van.

He then vanished when police began investigating his fiance's disappearance  before killing himself with a gunshot to the head in an alligator-infested swamp near his home.

Gabby had moved in with the Laundries from her native Long Island following her engagement to 23-year-old Brian.

It was from there that the young couple set off in the van on their journey in June 2021.

Reilly grilled Christopher and Roberta over the 'gone' call in the depositions.

Gabby's remains were discovered in an undeveloped camping area in Grand Teton National Forest in Wyoming on September 19 2021

Gabby, who had been documenting the couple's 'van life' journey after embarking on a cross-country trip in June 2021, was reported missing after Brian returned to his parents' home alone on September 1

Amid the barrage during those two days, calls were made from Laundrie's parents to their family lawyer Steve Bertolino in Long Island who was retained on September 2 and instructed the pair to say nothing

'Brian told Christopher, "Gabby's gone, I need a lawyer." And he was frantic in Christopher's words,' the attorney told DailyMail.com.

'They refused to acknowledge that that meant Gabby was dead, which flies in the face of logic. If your son calls and he's frantic and he says she's gone, I need a lawyer. What other explanation of "gone" could there be?'

Reilly revealed Christopher dismissed the meaning of 'gone' in his deposition as dead by saying 'something to the effect of, well, there were times that Gabby would leave and go away for a couple days to meet with her friends or she'd just leave for a couple hours when she was living with us.

'That was his explanation for why he couldn't admit that "gone" meant she was dead. It was a flurry of calls on those two days. The calls between Brian and his parents prior to that were very sporadic, around five.'

Joseph Petito was in court to listen to the depositions. When the moment the 'gone' call was revealed the heartbroken dad 'just put his head in his hands,' said Reilly.

Gabby's parents are suing the Laundries for pain and emotional distress, claiming the couple intentionally withheld information about Gabby's death.

Attorney Bertolino is also being sued for the same reason in the action set for trial in May.

The case is focused on a statement he put out on September 14 2021 for the Laundries, which said: 'On behalf of the family it is our hope that the search for Miss Petito is successful and that Miss Petito is reunited with her family.'

Reilly said: 'The key is that they knew Gabby was dead at the time of the statement.'

Gabby's parents, mom Nichole Schmidt and dad Joseph Petito, were seen sitting together during testimony in the civil case against the two families in October

At one point during the hearing, Schmidt was seen breaking down in tears. They claim Brian Laundrie's parents acted maliciously by not telling them where their daughter was and if she was alive

Nichole Schmidt holds up a photo of her daughter, Gabby Petito during a press conference held days before her remains were found

The Laundries revealed different characteristics when giving their depositions, the attorney revealed. Roberta, 57, 'didn't show any emotion', he said, adding: 'Roberta is cold, a very cold woman. She's unemotional, defensive.

'Christopher is a different personality, he's more unassertive, polite and matter of fact. He wasn't as stoic as Roberta, and I don't mean that in a positive way.'

Reilly slammed them both, saying: 'They were parents themselves and Gabby was going to be their daughter-in-law. How could they stay quiet when they know she's no longer living?

'They know Gabby's parents are frantically searching, they know they can bring some sense of relief to their suffering by letting them know where her body is.

'And instead they allowed the body to remain out there in the wilderness to be attacked by animals or whatever else was out there.

'It's just unconscionable.'

Despite their continued personal anguish, Gabby's parents have 'sympathy and empathy' for the Laundries because they also lost a child, Reilly added.

'But that is something they don't see they are getting from Roberta and Christopher.

Reilly is also scathing about the infamous 'burn after reading' letter Roberta wrote to her son, which was eventually allowed into evidence after Bertolino fought to have it excluded.

Undated, it says: 'I just want you to know I will always love you and you will always love me. You are my boy. Nothing can make me stop loving you, nothing will or ever divide us no matter what we do, or where we go or what we say  we will always love each other.

In November, Laundrie family attorney Steve Bertolino - who is also set to provide testimony in the case - pushed back against a motion to reveal his private conversations with the killer

A letter penned by Roberta to her son when he was at large was made public in May 2023 and showed she had offered to help him dispose of a corpse as evidence of her love for him

She also said she would bake her son a cake with a file in it if he was sent to prison

She instructed Brian to burn the letter after reading it on the envelope

'If you're in jail I will bake a cake with a file in it. If you need to dispose of a body, I will show up with a shovel and garbage bags.'

The letter, which does not mention Gabby, was in an envelope titled: Brian Christopher Laundrie (burn after reading).

'What kind of parent writes a letter to that to anybody, much less their child?' asked Reilly. 'But it's up to the jury to decide when it was written. I don't know when it was exactly.

'Roberta says it was written before, but it's not dated. So it's awful coincidental that she would discuss burying a body and him going to prison in a letter if it was before Gabby was actually murdered.'

Reilly also ridiculed Brian's handwritten confession to Gabby's murder, which was found with his body on October 20, 2021, in the vast and swampy Carlton Reserve six weeks after he vanished.

The murderer claimed he ended her life in a 'mercy' killing because she was in 'extreme' pain after an accident when she fell into a creek.

The self-pitying sentences written in smudged blue pen included: 'I ended her life, I thought it was merciful, that it is what she wanted, but I see now all the mistake that I made. I panicked. I was in shock. But from the moment I decided, took away her pain.'

A selfie shared by the family's attorneys shows Gabby's beaten and bruised face moments before Utah traffic stop

At the time of the investigation it was revealed cops had pulled the couple over in Utah on a domestic violence call after Gabby and Brian had a physical altercation

Reilly said simply: 'A mercy killing? That's just ridiculous.'

To those asking why Gabby's parents are putting themselves through more anguish with this case, Reilly replies: 'They want to know what Christopher and Roberta know, what they knew, what they held back.

'And this sounds simplistic, they want justice. They want the Laundries to pay for what they've done.'

Gabby's father Joe, who lives in Vero Beach, Florida with Gabby's stepmom Tara, and Nichole, who lives on Long Island with husband Jim Schmidt, still reel with ongoing emotions.

'They've been strong since this case was filed in 2022. But there have been moments when they've cried and there have been moments when they've been angry,' said Reilly.

'They've gone through everything by reliving what happened. But their resolve is to keep moving forward.'

Gabby's parents agreed a $3million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit against the estate of Brian Laundrie in November 2022.

The killer's assets are believed to have been in the five figures.

Any award if they win the latest case will also be destined for the Gabby Petito Foundation, set up to support locating missing people and help organizations aiding domestic violence survivors.
Had his would-be assassin had more malign intentions, King Charles might never have made it to the throne.

Thirty years ago today, the then Prince of Wales was shot at with a starting pistol by 23-year-old student David Kang.

It was a moment which left hearts in mouths all across the world, as many wondered what might have been.

Charles, who was in Sydney to mark Australia Day, remained remarkably calm as Kang, who is now a barrister, was bundled to the ground.

Looking only slightly perturbed as two shots were fired, the King was hailed as 'His Royal Coolness' as he dusted himself down and continued his speech at Sydney's Tumbalong Park.

Had his would-be assassin had more malign intentions, King Charles might never have made it to the throne. Thirty years ago today, the then Prince of Wales was shot at with a starting pistol by 23-year-old student David Kang

Charles, who was making a speech in Sydney to mark Australia Day, remained remarkably calm as Kang, who is now a barrister, was bundled to the ground before being led away

Kang later said that he carried out the stunt to highlight the plight of Cambodian asylum seekers being held in detention camps in Australia.

He was arrested before being found guilty of threatening unlawful violence and sentenced to 500 hours of community service.

Footage of the incident showed Charles reacting to the shots before Kang - dressed in a white t-shirt and jeans - marauded onto the stage horrified school children and other attendees watched on.

The King's bodyguard, Superintendent Colin Trimming, was seen shoulder charging his boss out of the way before rushing back to the stricken gunman to assess the threat.

He then returned to Charles to stand as a human shield in front of him. The then Metropolitan Police Commissioner hailed the bodyguard, saying: 'I take comfort from the fact that he was the first person at the Prince's side.'

Within minutes of the drama occurring, both Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana - who had by then been separated from her husband for more than year - were informed.

Charles had been about to present prizes to schoolchildren in front of a crowd of 20,000.

The moment David Kang is bundled to the ground after firing a starting pistol at the then Prince Charles

Kang later qualified as a barrister and had two children with his wife

Charles had been about to present prizes to schoolchildren in front of a crowd of 20,000

The Prince of Wales' private secretary at the time, Commander Richard Aylard, witnessed the moment Kang launched his stunt.

He said: 'I saw this character running very, very fast towards the stage at the speed of a 100m sprinter. I saw him fire.'

Afterwards, there was finger pointing over who was to blame for the security lapse.

However, it was claimed that the Palace had asked that no police be placed between Charles and the public.

Terry Griffiths, the police minister for New South Wales at the time, said: 'No one can take pride that an incident has occurred, but the level of security was agreed by all the agencies involved. His Royal highness desired that level.'

Had Kang fired real bullets and killed Charles, Prince William - then aged just 11 - would have become the Queen's heir.

Had the Queen not reigned for 70 years and instead died before Prince William's 18th birthday, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, would have headed a regency until his nephew came of age.

In 2015, Kang's mother revealed that her son, who she called a 'good boy', was married with two children and working as a barrister in Sydney.

Charles had been on a royal tour of Australia when he was targeted by David Kang. Above: During the visit

The Daily Mail's coverage of the incident, which took place 30 years ago today

He had previously recounted his stunt, telling Sydney's Sun Herald newspaper: 'I slipped the starting pistol out and stood up.

'I had to jump the picket fence. I heard a bang, then another bang ... I'd shot the gun into the air.

'I thought I'd dropped the gun before I hit the stage, but it was still in my hand. I didn't trip on the stage, I deliberately fell, because I didn't have any intention to hurt anyone.'

It was not the first time Charles was targeted by a protestor. In 2001, a schoolgirl slapped him around the face with a rose during his visit to Latvia.

Alina Lebedyver was charged with endangering the life of a foreign dignitary and faced up to 15 years in prison.

Charles made a plea for leniency and the charges were downgraded, eventually to the point where she was put under her mother's supervision for a year.
Most people were still fast asleep in bed or just starting to get ready for work when the peace in their quiet suburban road was shattered by the arrival of a fleet of police cars last Friday.

Inside, officers made the grisly discovery of four bodies  Polish-born Bartlomiej Kuczynski, 45, his daughters Jasmin, 12, and Natasha, eight, and his sister-in-law, Kanticha Sukpengpanao, 36.

All died from stab wounds to the neck, with police concluding Mr Kuczysnki murdered the other three before turning the knife on himself.

Work is ongoing to establish why this happened in the small community of Costessey, just outside Norwich.

But there is another question  namely, could the authorities have prevented this tragedy?

Norfolk Police have already referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct after it emerged they ignored a 999 call from the suspected killer in which he voiced concerns about his 'confused' mental state.

The bodies of Bartlomiej Kuczynski and his two children were found by police at the home in Costessey on Friday morning

Jasmin Kuczynski, 12, and her sister, seven, were described as 'beautiful girls' by neighbours

Kanticha Noon, 36, had arrived in the UK on December 27, her best friend said today

Police at the scene in Costessey, Norfolk, on Friday after four bodies were found at a property

It was only an hour later  after a dog walker reported his own concerns about the occupants of the semi-detached house that police finally attended what had become a bloodbath.

The force has also referred itself to the police watchdog over a separate incident, as officers were involved in a search for Mr Kuczynski just before Christmas when he was reported missing.

Now, MailOnline can reveal, there are questions about that earlier incident as Mr Kuczynski underwent a 'detailed' assessment by staff at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital when he was brought in by the police.

He left unaccompanied after the conclusion he had mental capacity  meaning he was capable of making decisions for himself  and did not pose a risk to himself or others.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: 'He did have quite a detailed, comprehensive assessment.

'Normally, if you come to A&E they'll triage you first then you see someone. Because he was brought in by police there was an assessment but he left after a couple of hours. There was no reason to detain him in the hospital.'

The hospital does not specialise in mental health services, which are handled by the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, but its A&E department can be used for urgent assessments.

The question of whether warning signs could or should have been spotted earlier will no doubt be a matter that is addressed by any formal enquiries, including an inquest.

In a strange twist, it has emerged that Mr Kuczynski's wife, Thai-born Nanthaka Kuczynska, works at the very hospital where he was assessed and released on December 14. She is understood to be a healthcare assistant there.

Her whereabouts last Friday remain unclear. Some neighbours have said they had not seen her for months. But since then there have been claims she was seen de-icing her car outside the house early on the morning her family was wiped out.

The tragic timeline began at around 6am that day, when Mr Kuczynski made the 999 call from his home and expressed concerns for his 'mental state', the IOPC revealed earlier this week.

The family were named locally by neighbours who told of their shock at the tragedy (pictured is one of the girls)

Floral tributes left near the house in Costessey near Norwich

Norfolk Police only responded after receiving the second 999 call at 7am from the member of public who happened to pass by the house.

It is not clear what they saw or heard but police were at the property within 15 minutes and forced their way in  too late, as it turned out.

Post-mortem examinations have revealed the young sisters and their aunt  who only arrived in the UK on December 27 to help care for the girls - died from multiple stab wounds to the neck.

Mr Kuczynski was found to have a single knife wound in his neck, suggesting his death was the result of suicide.

Norfolk Police said: 'Following the cause of deaths being established, detectives have confirmed that the deaths of Kanticha, Jasmin and Natasha are being treated as murder.

'The death of Bartlomiej is not being treated as suspicious and officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths. Detectives will continue with their enquiries for the coronial process.'

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Burgess, who is leading the investigation, added: 'We understand how incredibly shocking this incident is for all involved and for the wider community and that this latest update adds to the sense of heartbreak.

'Our thoughts are with the family of the those found at the property grieving such a traumatic loss.'

Multiple police cars also attended the house on December 14, when Mr Kuczysnki  who is understood to have stopped working  was reported missing.

A search of nearby woodland was carried out with the help of a drone. He was eventually found walking in a nearby road and was taken to hospital for the assessment.

It is not clear if he had had any other contact with mental health services.

Further pressure has been heaped on Norfolk Police after a campaign group criticised its roll-out of a controversial scheme to reduce call-outs to mental health-related incidents in order to free up officers' time for other incidents - warning other deaths would follow.

Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) is being adopted or considered by a number of forces to slash the near million hours per year officers around the country spend on mental health, arguing it should be handled by other, dedicated services.

Norfolk Police have said officers would still attend incidents where there is believed to be an immediate threat to life.

The family lived together on Allan Bedford Crescent at Queen's Hills, a new estate in Costessey

Forensic investigators pictured today at the house in Costessey, Norfolk, where four bodies were found

Norfolk Police admitted that it had received a call from a man at the address at 6am but they did not attend. Officers were only deployed following a second phone call from a member of the public shortly before 7am

Police at the scene in Costessey, Norfolk, after four bodies were found at a property

But Mark Harrison, of the Campaign to Save Mental Health in Norfolk and Suffolk, told the BBC: 'We think there will be severe consequences. We think people will die as a result of the introduction of this scheme.

'It's not safe  it's not been piloted, it's not got any additional resources and it will be a disaster. I think immediately it needs to be paused, then it needs to be scrapped.'

Norfolk Chief Constable Paul Sanford described the Costessey deaths as 'horrific and tragic' but said he couldn't comment on it further due to the IOPC investigation.

The county's police and crime commissioner, Giles Orpen-Smellie, has stated he will 'robustly' hold the chief constable to account for the actions of officers and other staff.

Independent Office of Police Conduct regional director Charmaine Arbouin said: 'Following a mandatory referral from the force we have decided to investigate and will be examining if the force's handling of the contact they had with the man was appropriate and in line with force policy, training and procedures.

'We will be making contact with the families of the deceased to explain our role.'

Meanwhile, the Costessey community remains stunned by the multiple deaths, and family and friends in three countries are coming to terms with the loss.

The headteachers of Taverham High School, where Jasmin was a pupil, and Queen's Hill Primary, which Natasha attended, were at a community centre this week with the county council's critical incident team to give children the opportunity to share their feelings and get extra support. A book of condolence has been offered for pupils to sign.

Taverham High headteacher Dr Roger Harris summed up the feelings of many when he said: 'I found out what had happened early on Friday afternoon and I was devastated. I didn't believe it and frankly, didn't want to believe it.'
Aldi yesterday won a High Court trademark battle with cider makers Thatchers over claims the supermarket chain 'copycatted' their product.

The brewer sued the German discounter, accusing it of infringing the trademark of its cloudy lemon cider, but a judge dismissed Thatchers' case on Wednesday.

Aldi was also back in court with M&S again this week as they challenged a ruling which said they copied the brand's light-up Christmas gin bottles.

This is not the first time that Aldi has faced court action after being accused of ripping off a well-known brand.

The discount retailer continues to thrive despite some high profile legal spats.

Caterpillar cake wars: Aldi's Cuthbert vs M&S's Colin

Marks & Spencer accused Aldi of copying the design of their popular Colin the Caterpillar cake (pictured)

Aldi introduced a similar product called Cuthbert the Caterpillar

READ MORE: Thatchers loses High Court battle with Aldi over claims the discount supermarket 'copycatted' its cloudy lemon cider Advertisement

Perhaps the most infamous legal bust-up over Aldi's products occurred after M&S accused Lidl of copying the design of their trademark Colin the Caterpillar cake, with a similar sponge called Cuthbert the Caterpillar.

Lawyers had been brought in on the intellectual property claim, which made it to the High Court in 2021.

But both supermarkets confirmed an agreement in February 2022 was struck to resolve the conflict.

M&S first launched the lawsuit against Aldi in April 2021 in a bid to force its rival to take its Cuthbert the Caterpillar cake off the shelves and agree to not sell anything resembling it in the future.

In May 2021, Aldi started selling its caterpillar cake again after making changes to its chocolate face design.

The legal claim was withdrawn in February 2022 after the retailers had reached a 'confidential agreement' in November 2021.

Aldi announcing the return of Cuthbert the Caterpillar to in an M&S car park in June 2022

And in June that year, Cuthbert was back in the shelves of Aldi stores, with the retailer announcing: '#CuthBack. Definitely not in M&S from 06/06/22.'

The news was displayed in mobile billboard on the back of a lorry - parked in an M&S car park.

A 625g Cuthbert cake is still available to buy from Aldi stores for 5.49. A M&S Colin the Caterpillar cake of the same weight costs 8.50.

Aldi vs M&S round 2: Battle of the light-up gin bottles

M&S sued Aldi for allegedly infringing the design of its 'light-up gin bottles' which were sold during Christmas 2020, claiming that Aldi's 2021 gold flake blackberry and clementine gin liqueurs were 'strikingly similar' to its own products (Aldi left; M&S right)

Aldi got on the wrong side of M&S over another alleged copycat product in 2021.

M&S sued Aldi for allegedly infringing the design of its 'light-up gin bottles' which were sold during Christmas 2020, claiming that Aldi's 2021 gold flake blackberry and clementine gin liqueurs were 'strikingly similar' to its own products.

Lawyers for M&S said their client's designs were part of its 'Gin Globes Project' which saw products first launched in 2019. The up-market shop said the idea for a light in the base of the bottle came to a product developer who saw lighting shops in London's Kensington High Street.

Aldi lost a court battle in February last year against Marks & Spencer after they were accused of copying the bottles.

The High Court ruled that Aldi infringed the design of its rival's product, in a major blow to the German discounter, which had denied the accusations.

The ruling may mean Aldi having to pay damages to M&S or pass on profits from sales of the product. Aldi appealed against the judgment and it was heard in court on Tuesday, the Law Gazette reports.

Aldi vs Thatchers cloudy lemon cider

Drinks firm Thatchers lost a High Court trademark battle with supermarket chain Aldi over rival cider products on Wednesday.

The Somerset-based brewer sued the German discounter for allegedly infringing the trademark of its 'cloudy lemon cider', claiming that Aldi's Taurus brand 'copycatted' its product.

But in a ruling on Wednesday, a judge dismissed the Thatchers case.

Judge Melissa Clarke concluded there was a 'low degree of similarity' between the rival products and 'no likelihood of confusion' for consumers.

At a trial in London in November, Thatchers accused Aldi of gaining an 'unfair advantage' by copying the product the family-run cider business released in February 2020 'in both taste and appearance'.

Thatchers sued Aldi for allegedly infringing the trademark of its 'cloudy lemon cider', claiming that Aldi's Taurus brand 'copycatted' its product (Thatchers left; Aldi right)

Lawyers representing Thatchers argued that the Taurus drink was 'likely to misrepresent to consumers some commercial connection to Thatchers'.

The judge even complied with a request to perform a blind taste test of the two products

An Aldi spokesperson said: 'There's nothing cloudy about this judgment. It's clear cut. Aldi exclusive brands are just that: exclusive to Aldi while leading the market on quality and price.'

Martin Thatcher, a fourth-generation cider maker at the family firm, said it was 'compelled' to bring the case 'as we were concerned that the packaging of international retailer Aldi's product was misleading shoppers due to the strong resemblance to Thatchers Cloudy Lemon Cider'.

He said the company is disappointed with the ruling, adding: 'Despite the decision not going our way, we still believe taking this action was the right thing to do.

'We care about creating the perfect cider and thanks to a proud history of four generations of expert cider makers innovating and investing, we have done just that.'

Are Aldi about to get into legal hot water with Pot Noodle? Mumbai Mad Boy vs Bombay Bad Boy

Aldi has started to sell a new flavour of their pot of just-add-water Mega Snack Noodles called Mumbai Mad Boy - which just so happens to rhyme with the spicy Bombay Bad Boy Pot Noodle

Aldi might be about to get into some more legal hot water with Pot Noodle - owned by food giant Unilever - after it launched a new instant noodle flavour with a name eerily similar name.

The cut price retailer has recently started to sell a new flavour of their pot of just-add-water Mega Snack Noodles called Mumbai Mad Boy - which just so happens to rhyme with the spicy Bombay Bad Boy Pot Noodle flavour.

The names of the products may as well be the same, as Mumbai and Bombay are actually the same place - the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Bombay was renamed as Mumbai in 1995 to better reflect local heritage.

Aldi's instant noodle snack is 114g, just like the more well-known brand, but costs just 85p, a whole 55p cheaper than the 1.40 Pot Noodle.
His traumatised victim 'Elizabeth' raised the alert after he was seen nearby

A taxi driver rapist who was jailed in the Rotherham grooming scandal has been recalled to prison for breaching the terms of release after being 'spotted a mile from his victim's home'.

Asghar Bostan, 53, served four and a half years of a nine-year term handed down in 2018, after being convicted of two rapes of a girl under 16 between 2000 and 2002.

His victim 'Elizabeth' has now told MailOnline of her horror and fear after learning he had been seen back in Rotherham not far from her home - and raised the alert with probation officials.

Bostan has now been recalled to a category B prison, but she fears he could be released once more under conditions Elizabeth suspects he could breach again.

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion today wrote to the Prisons and Probation Service complaining about the handling of Bostan's release and recall.

Asghar Bostan, jailed for nine years in 2018 for two counts of rape against a girl under 16, served four and a half years but has now been recalled for alleged breach of licence terms

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion has written to the Prisons and Probation Service raising concerns about the treatment of victim Elizabeth and her attacker's release from prison

Elizabeth, not her real name, had been assured by prosecutors in 2018 that his conditions after release included not moving back to Rotherham.

Yet at the end of last week a friend told her she'd spotted him less than a mile from her home in a Rotherham district.

Elizabeth contacted her Ministry of Justice victim contact to report this - only to be told they could not do anything about third-party reports.

Yet she was phoned back on Monday to be told Bostan had now been recalled to a category-B prison where he is being held on suspicion of breaching terms.

Elizabeth told MailOnline: 'It just goes to show they didn't have a clue where he was.

'It's all very well recalling him now, but if they just let him out again under similar conditions, he could ignore them like he did before?

'Since last year I've had suspicions he was back in Rotherham but couldn't prove it - now I know and it's frightening all over again.'

She has now been invited to file a statement ahead of a future Parole Board hearing - but fears any new release conditions would only be ignored like previous ones were.

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion today wrote to the Prisons and Probation Service's director general Amy Rees raising her concerns about their handling of the case.

And she told Mail Online tonight: 'The justice system keeps on failing victims and survivors.

'It shouldnt be the victims' job to make sure convicted abusers abide by parole regulations.

'I have consistently pushed the Government to make sure victims are consulted during the parole process but still, at best, their views and safety are an afterthought.'

Bostan was jailed for nine years in 2018 and was held at HMP Leicester (file picture)

The latest development comes after Mail Online revealed how a Rochdale grooming gang ringleader is still enjoying life in Britain and spending time with his family, almost nine years after he was ordered to be deported.

Qari Abdul Rauf, 54, and fellow gang member Adil Khan, 53, are among now-released sex offenders who have been using citizenship loopholes and claims to rights of a family life to mount legal challenges bidding to stay in the UK.

Ex-Greater Manchester Police whistleblower Maggie Oliver, a campaigner for justice for sex abuse victims, told MailOnline this week: 'They should have been deported the moment they stepped outside those prison gates.'

She told Mail Online tonight, after learning of Elizabeth's latest ordeal: 'Once again a survivors human rights come tight at the bottom of the list.

'Just as with victims I know in many other towns and cities around the UK, they are always the last to know.

'That she learnt he was half a mile from her house and yet still no one would be honest with her is truly shocking, and just serves to constantly re-traumatise her.

'No communication, no respect, total lack of victim care. Where are Elizabeths rights in all this?

'Its what we at The Maggie Oliver foundation see repeatedly and its so upsetting for the victims who live with the trauma for the rest of their lives.'

In her letter to the Prisons and Probation Service, Ms Champion wrote: 'The offender was until recently free under licence, a condition of which being that he not go within one mile of [his victim]'s property.

'[Elizabeth] had previously reported her concerns that the offender was in breach of his licence to HMPPS (Her Majesty's Prisons and Probation Service), but no action was taken.

'[She] was subsequently told by a friend that he had been sighted in breach of his licence conditions, something she also reported to HMPPS.

Police whistleblower Maggie Oliver, speaking on January 14 2023 at a press conference following the publication of a damning report about police and council failures

Rochdale grooming gang member Qari Abdul Rauf, who spent two years and six months in jail, was seen leaving his home in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on January 18, 2024

Like Rauf, Adil Khan, left, and Abdul Aziz, right, faced deportation orders to Pakistan although Aziz was later told he could stay while Rauf and Khan also remain in the UK

'[She] was told by HMPPS to report the matter to police, which she duly did. The offender has now been returned to prison.

'[Elizabeth] is concerned that both her initial report and the subsequent one were not taken seriously by HMPPS.

'She is further concerned that any subsequent release of the offender may take place under the same licence conditions, which have been broken previously.

'Given the repeated failures, I am extremely concerned by these developments.'

Elizabeth had asked for written confirmation from the MoJ that Bostan was back behind bars and received an email on Tuesday from a Yorkshire and Humber rep.

She was told: 'Following contact with my manager and myself, I write to confirm offender AB has been recalled and is now back in a Category B Prison.

'As I explained, it will be a Parole Board decision when he is re-released.

'You have indicated that you wish to submit a Victim Personal Statement for the parole hearing, which I have agreed to help you with.

'I will continue to keep you informed of when the parole board hearing will be and the outcome in due course.'

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'Offenders released on licence are kept under close supervision and subject to strict conditions for the remainder of their sentence.

'They face recall if they breach them - as was the case in this instance.'

Ms Oliver has encouraged anyone in need of help to contact her Maggie Oliver Foundation set up in 2019 to offer help and support survivors of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation, via www.themaggieoliverfoundation.com.
The Supreme Court rejected Kenneth Eugene Smith's Hail Mary request for a stay in execution and he has now become the first person in history to be put to death with nitrogen gas.

Smith was executed at 8:25pm Thursday at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama.

The Supreme Court voted 6-3 to allow the execution to proceed, with the three Democrat-appointed Justices, Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Elena Kagan dissented the opinion of their conservative colleagues.

Smith had begged for it to be called off, citing his fears that the experimental gassing method will cause excruciating pain or cause him to vomit. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall insisted that the controversial method would be 'painless' for Smith.

Smith was officially pronounced dead at 8:25pm local time, 22 minutes after the nitrogen gas was first administered. The convicted killer had a gas mask placed over his nose and mouth before a stream of 100 percent nitrogen gas suffocated him.

Prior to heading to the execution chamber, his prison pastor John Ewell told DailyMail.com that he was 'really struggling' to come to terms with his fate.

Kenneth Eugene Smith was sentenced to death in 1996 after admitting the murder-for-hire killing of a pastor's wife who was beaten and stabbed in 1988

Smith was sentenced to death in 1996 for the murder-for-hire slaying of Elizabeth Sennett, 45, who was found dead on March 18, 1988, in her home in Alabama's Colbert County. She had been stabbed eight times in the chest and once on each side of neck

The Supreme Court's three Democrat-appointed justices, Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Elena Kagan, opposed their conservative counterparts, as the court voted 6-3 in favor of allowing Smith's execution to go ahead

The Supreme Court yesterday denied an application for a stay. He filed another request today as the execution approached, however justices denied his desperate appeal and sent him to the chamber.

One of the primary reasons Alabama has turned to nitrogen gas for Smith's execution has been the widespread struggles American prisons have had in obtaining lethal injection drugs in recent years.

Despite warnings from human rights groups over the use of the method, AG Marshall insisted that Smith's fears are unfounded, a decision ultimately agreed by SCOTUS.

In her dissent, Justice Sotomayor wrote that she felt the execution method was cruel, as Smith will wear a mask that has never been fitted for his face until the moment he is strapped down, and officials won't intervene even if he begins choking on his own vomit.

Smith also had the chance to say his last words, but was forced to speak them through the gas mask before the nitrogen was turned on.

Sotomayor felt Smith was a 'surprising candidate' for the untested method - with his previous scheduled execution in November 2022 called off after painful hours of botched attempts to inject him with an IV line.

She said he suffered from PTSD after being released from the execution table, 'reliving those hours strapped to the gurney.'

'Having failed to kill Smith on its first attempt, Alabama has selected him as its 'guinea pig' to test a method of execution never attempted before,' Sotomayor wrote.

Kenneth Smith was executed with nitrogen gas, which the UN has branded 'torture' and scientists have largely banned from animal experiments

Alabama's lethal injection chamber at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala., is pictured in this Oct. 7, 2002 file photo

Marshall previously argued that nitrogen hypoxia is a 'peaceful' way to end a human life, quoting experts including euthanasia expert Dr. Philip Nitschke.

Nitschke had testified for Smith's legal team, who claimed the risks lay in the gas being administered through a one-size-fits-all gas mask.

However, Marshall said the state's mask had been inspected and was tight enough to ensure no oxygen will leak though, which would keep Smith barely breathing as he was suffocated by the nitrogen gas.

He quoted Nitschke's support of nitrogen hypoxia in assisted suicide as further evidence of how painless the execution will be.

'Among many problems for Smith was his star witness, Dr. Philip Nitschke, who might as well have testified for the State.

'Before joining Smiths cause, Dr. Nitschke said that critics of Alabamas method were misrepresenting the science,"' Marshall wrote.

Dr. Nitschke - who has been referred to colloquially as 'Dr. Death' - said in the past that the method was 'fast', 'effective', 'peaceful' and 'reliable.'

Elizabeth's preacher husband Charles Sennett Sr., who was in debt and terrified that she'd discover it

He also dismissed Smith's fears about vomiting into the mask.

'Grasping at straws, Smith quibbled with the way nitrogen will be delivered. First, he said the mask is too loose and will let air inside it. But the State dispelled that concern when it produced the mask.

'Second, Smith said that in the precise few seconds between when gas enters the mask and he loses consciousness, he will vomit and choke to death. But the district court found (twice over) that Smiths fear was speculative, theoretical, and unlikely."

'Smith alleged that he might vomit during the execution because he suffers from nausea.

'On cross-examination, however, Smiths expert Katherine Porterfield admitted that Smith had not reported any vomiting. '

He added that if Smith had vomited into his mask before the gas was administered, the medical team in place would have removed it and cleaned it.

If he had vomited into his mask once the gas has been released, they would not have intervened.

Smith said it was a 'highly theoretical' scenario based on a 'cascade of unlikely events'.

Despite warnings from human rights organizations, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says the execution is more gentle than Smith deserves

The execution method split opinions, with some feeling Smith's crime in 1988 was worthy of his place on death row.

Aged 22, Smith was one of two men convicted in the murder-for-hire slaying of Elizabeth Sennett, 45, the wife of preacher Charles Sennet Sr. who paid the men to kill his wife in an insurance plot.

His initial 1989 conviction was overturned on appeal, but he was retried and convicted again in 1996.

Prosecutors said he and John Forrest Parker were each paid $1,000 for the murder, with Sennett's husband hoping to collect on her insurance.

She was found dead March 18 that year in her home in Colbert County with eight stab wounds in the chest and one on each side of her neck.

After finding out that he was suspected of being involved in the plot, Charles Sennett Sr. killed himself.

John Forrest Parker, the other man convicted in the slaying, was executed in 2010

Smith was originally intended to be executed on November 17, 2022, but his lethal injection was botched.

Smith recalled being in 'great pain' because those tasked with injecting the lethal drugs - midazolam hydrochloride, rocuronium bromide and potassium chloride - were stabbing his muscle rather than finding a vein.

Smith has since said that the ceaseless jabs became so ridiculous they turned into farce, especially when one of the executioners eventually asked Smith to squeeze his hand to make the vein stand out better - a request Smith declined.

Unable to find a second usable vein, Smith's gurney was tilted so that his feet were pointed upwards in what he presumed was an attempt to get blood to his head and leave a vein in his neck more pronounced.

He was left for several minutes before the IV returned with an even larger needle in an attempt to to attach a so-called central line (or central venous catheter) which is much longer than a regular intravenous line and goes all the way up to a vein near or inside the heart.

Smith reported that this pain became so excruciating after multiple attempts to use the larger needle successfully that he was shaking and wet himself.

The planned use of nitrogen gas for the first-time sparked outrage in the weeks leading up to Thursday's planned execution among human rights and prison reform advocates.

Reprieve, an international human rights organization focused on incarceration, told DailyMail.com that Smith's execution was a travesty.

'Execution with nitrogen gas is the latest effort to obscure the violence of the state taking a human life,' the organization said.

'Despite almost fifty years of horrific scenes in the execution chamber as prisoners suffer agonizing deaths, proponents of capital punishment cling to the lie that it can be carried out humanely.

'Alabama is once more seeking to hide the reality of what goes on in the execution chamber, switching methods to avoid having to answer questions about what went wrong last time, and now proposes to use a method that has been rejected by veterinarians as a way to kill animals.

'Witnesses will not be able to tell how much Kenneth Smith is suffering as the nitrogen kills him: like the lethal injection protocol before it, the nitrogen protocol is specifically designed to hide pain.

'The state of Alabama has tortured Mr. Smith once, stabbing him with needles for hours, and by using him as a guinea pig for a dangerous, untested new method of execution, it is torturing him again.'
A furious parent has lashed out at an Aussie childcare centre for teaching preschoolers as young as three not to celebrate Australia Day.

The childcare centre located near Wollongong in Sydney's south instructed kids that January 26 'is not a day to celebrate'.

The centre explained in a letter that was put up inside the facility in January 2023 that the move forms part of 'the learning of our Preschool Acknowledgement to Country.'

'We made it a real priority to ensure the children understand that the 26th [of] January is not a day to celebrate but rather to acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People (sic) as the first people in Australia,' the letter said.

'We recognize we need to do better, and we need to learn from and listen to Aboriginal People as we move towards reconciliation.'

The centre explained in a letter that was put up inside the facility in January 2023 (pictured) that the move forms part of 'the learning of our Preschool Acknowledgement to Country'

Father Matt from Corrimal in Wollongong's north, whose three-year-old daughter attends the childcare centre, slammed the letter.

He told 2GB radio presenter Chris O'Keefe on Thursday that he was left in disbelief by the letter and feared other childcare centres in NSW could also be teaching children not to celebrate the public holiday.

'That's the thing that I'm worried about, [if] it's widespread across all childcares,' he said.

'It just doesn't make sense to me cause they're kids - one, two, three years of age.'

A worried father told 2GB radio presenter Chris O'Keefe on Thursday that he was left in disbelief by the letter and feared other childcare centres in NSW could also be teaching children not to celebrate the public holiday (stock image)

Another dad who sends his four-year-old son to another childcare centre in Sydney's northwest said the teacher of his son's class had told the children Australia was a land that was stolen from Aboriginal people.

The teacher went on to compare the stolen land to another class stealing their classroom without asking.

The NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car told the radio program the she was concerned by the childcare centre's actions.

'Classrooms and early learning centres... [they] aren't places for that sort of political statement,' she said.

'Australia Day is a day to celebrate.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Minister for further comment.

The centre is understood to be a privately owned and operated education facility.

According to NSW's education policies, material about controversial issues presented to students as part of school programs and school activities should be age appropriate, relevant to the curriculum and sensitive to student needs.
A neighbor believes that 'everybody in the building' knew about a man later revealed to be a drug dealer and sex offender whose severed head and body parts were found in a Brooklyn woman's freezer.

Heather Stines, 45, was detained on Monday night after cops received a tip about the grisly find and found the body parts in her freezer in Brooklyn.

NYPD detectives have identified the remains as belonging to 40-year-old Kawsheen Gelzer, also known as Dave Draper, sources told DailyMail.com.

Gelzer, according to records, has been on the New York sex offender registry since 2005 after he was convicted of molesting a 12-year-old boy and has served prison time for sexual abuse among several other arrests.

Stines, a mother-of-two, told police her husband Nicholas McGee killed Gelzer in September in a dispute over drugs, then chopped him up and put the pieces in the freezer, but neighbors have their suspicions.

The victim, 40-year-old Kawsheen Gelzer, according to records, has been on the New York sex offender registry since 2005 after he was convicted of molesting a 12-year-old boy and has served prison time for sexual abuse among several other arrests

'Everybody in the building knew it,' tenant Dorothy Williams told the New York Post of Gelzer.

'Everybody knew he went in there and never came back out. We all talked about it.'

Despite his reputation, Williams has sympathy for Gelzer and notes that a makeshift memorial has been started in the lobby of the building.

'It's like a terrible thing. He didn't deserve to die like that. Nobody deserves to die like that. You can see the ladies in the building, we're putting up pictures of him and writing stuff like, you know, 'rest in peace' and stuff like that.'

Stines is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation at Brookdale Hospital after being interrogated by detectives, who are so far only charging her with concealing a body.

'She has said that, and we believe it to be true,' a source said of her claims against her husband, adding that the case was being investigated as a suspected drug-related homicide.

McGee has been in a Chesapeake, Virginia, jail since September after he was accused of trying to cash a fraudulent check in a bank.

Law enforcement sources told DailyMail.com police were still investigating how much involvement Stines had with the crime.

Heather Stines (pictured right), 45, was detained on Monday night after cops received a tip about the grisly find and found the body parts in her freezer in Brooklyn. Stines, a mother-of-two, told police husband Nicholas McGee (pictured left) killed Gelzer in a dispute over drugs

Heather Stines, 45, was detained on Monday night after cops received a tip about a severed head and body parts in the freezer in her Brooklyn home

'She's saying it was her husband, but he's in jail and she's there with a dead body,' one said.

Asked if they believed McGee killed Gelzer they said: 'Could be. I don't think she would have been able to chop up the body by herself.

'Maybe they were together... we don't know how long this guy has been in the fridge.'

Gelzer was convicted of first degree sexual abuse, contact by forcible compulsion, that he committed on August 8, 2004, criminal records showed.

NYPD confirmed that they were called to the apartment on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn at 7.10pm.

Once there, sources said officers saw a suspiciously taped up refrigerator that Stines was adamant they didn't open it as they tried to inspect it.

Stines was arrested when she tried to stop the officers from looking inside.

Officers found the body parts inside black plastic bags inside both the fridge and freezer and removed them from the apartment for DNA testing.

Gelzer was identified from his distinctive gang tattoos that matched arrest records.

The medical examiner is still determining a cause of death, which may take time as they 'have to wait for [parts of] the body to thaw out'.

The NYPD earlier said that officers 'observed an unconscious and unresponsive, unidentified male inside the apartment'.

'EMS responded and pronounced the aided deceased on the scene,' NYPD said in a statement.

The medical examiner will determine the cause of death and the investigation is ongoing.

It's unclear how long the body was in the freezer before police found it, but neighbors told DailyMail.com Stines never let anyone in her kitchen.

Stines's elderly aunt, Amy Stines, expressed her shock and horror at the news when reached on Tuesday.

'Oh God, I just can't fathom this,' the 79-year-old from Kentucky told DailyMail.com.

She said her niece has had longstanding drug problems and moved from Kentucky six years ago hoping to escape her problems.

According to the aunt, Heather was living with her husband in an apartment in Brooklyn, and was earning some money cleaning apartments.

She said she reached out to her niece on Sunday to see how she was and catch up on things, but got no response.

McGee was due to appear in court on Tuesday morning, his sister-in-law Catherine McGee, 55, said.

NYPD confirmed that they were called to the apartment on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn (pictured) at 7.10pm on Monday

A cop stands guard in the apartment building Tuesday

She told DailyMail.com that the couple are both drug abusers, who'd used heroin and crack, and been arrested multiple times. She said Heather relapsed a 'year or two' ago after learning that one of her daughters had died of a drug overdose.

The sister-in-law said she had yet to speak with Nicholas about the police investigation.

'He's going to be f**king devastated because he's coming out of jail and she's possibly going into jail, for a possible murder,' she said.

Darrell, who lives across the hall from Stines in the Brooklyn block and sometimes loaned her cash, said he knew she was a drug addict and people tried to break into her apartment at least twice looking for money she owed for drugs.

He said he last saw McGee, who was 'a cool guy' in the last week of August.

'They got into an argument one night and I haven't seen him since,' he said.

'A couple of days later she said "my husband got locked up, I don't have my food stamp card, do you have $10?" I said sure.

'A couple of days ago she said detectives were here looking for my husband and I told them he was in jail.

'She's cool as hell, I would never expect she'd have a head in her freezer, hell no.'

Another couple who lived in the building said Stines was so addicted to crack and heroin she had sold 'everything of value' in her apartment, even her TV.

'She's what we call a garbage can addict, she'll do any drugs,' they said.

'Heather is one of the people bringing this building down, nobody would be sad if she went to jail.'

The couple said Stines recently started hanging out with a short black man with dreadlocks, whom she was seen with frequently - as recently as the weekend.

Stines' aunt Amy said her niece had several children from prior relationships who were taken away from her.

As far as she knew, child protective services took the kids away after finding her to be neglectful.

'The worst I know of is she lost her children because somebody reported them sleeping on the floor because she didn't have any beds,' the aunt said.

'She said she threw the beds away because of bed bugs. They slept on palettes.'

The old building with 'Flatbush Court' engraved above the always-unlocked door was poorly maintained with graffiti on the walls and chips all through the lobby's plaster. Most of the shops nearby are boarded up and piles of trash bags line both sides of the door

'My husband said let's go buy them some beds, and the next thing we knew she didn't have the kids,' she added.

'She went to live with her cousin, then stole her computer. She also stole some money from me and my husband. She just would run off. You couldn't do anything with her.'

'Even though she was bad, she was sweet,' the aunt said. 'She was nice as can be.'

A few years back, the aunt recalled, 'Heather said she had to get away from here. And I said you think New York is better than here? I told her there's more drugs in New York.

'She said she was going to come back here to Kentucky at some point, and I was going to let her stay with me,' she continued.

'But she never did come back. She'd text me over the years at times for money. I'd always ask if she's in trouble and she'd say, no, just running low.'

The old building with 'Flatbush Court' engraved above the always-unlocked door was poorly maintained with graffiti on the walls and chips all through the lobby's plaster.

Most of the shops nearby are boarded up and piles of trash bags line both sides of the door.
A memorial has been held for the 'Las Vegas Wedding Queen' Charolette Richards, who founded the world-famous Little White Wedding Chapel.

Richards, who died at the age of 89 last month, pioneered the Las Vegas wedding industry and set up the iconic chapel - which numerous celebrities and lovers have got married at - in 1951.

She died on December 13 - but Sin City have vowed to make sure that her legacy lives on as hundreds gathered to say farewell.

January 25, the day of her memorial at her own Little White Wedding Chapel, was recognized as 'Charolette Richards' Day' by County Commissioner Chairman Tick Segerblom.

Couples who decide to wed at the chapel walk through the renowned 'Tunnel of Love' after their nuptials - and now the street leading to this will be renamed 'Charolette's Way' in her memory.

A memorial has been held for the ' Las Vegas Wedding Queen' Charolette Richards, who founded the world-famous Little White Wedding Chapel

Charolette has presided over 500,000 weddings - including this unlikely pairing between a great Dane and a pug

Charolette Richards holds a photo of her with her ex- husband, Merle Richards

The Little White Chapel was once open 24 hours a day. In one day, Charolette performed 124 weddings

Melody Willis-Williams, president of Vegas Weddings and Little White Wedding Chapel, said: 'Everyone in this industry, in the wedding industry in Las Vegas, knows exactly who Miss Charolette Richards is.

'Her business model, a lot of the other chapels adapted in their own capacity.

'Her name is renowned because she was the first of her kind in almost everything that she did. She's the one they (would) look to to see what's going to happen next.'

Richards invented the drive-thru wedding trend by complete accident one day, when a couple that wanted to wed in the chapel couldn't fit inside the door because one of them was in a wheelchair.

Quick-witted Richards then married them outside - conceiving the notion of a drive-thru wedding chapel.

Michael Conti, who worked as a tribute Elvis at the chapel for 30 years, said: 'She was the trailblazer of the wedding industry, and she was also known as the 'Queen of the West/Universe,' because she really started Vegas with the weddings.

'It opens doors for a lot of the other wedding chapels.'

Charolette Richards, right, and part-time organist Rhoda Jones at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas in 2006

Charolette Richards, center, performs a wedding ceremony for Rafael Afonso and his bride, Anna Dacre

Charolette Richards, left, congratulates Bob Reeve, center, and his bride, Lori, both of Arena, Wis., after performing a drive-thru wedding ceromony at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas in 2006

Richards was most remembered for putting Las Vegas on the matrimonial map with the Elvis Pink Cadillac Ceremony, in which couples exchange their vows while sitting in or standing next to Richards's own long 1971 pink Cadillac.

Its personalized plates proclaim 4ELVIS beneath a canopy emblazoned with the words THE TUNNEL OF LOVE flanked by two cartoon Cupids firing their arrows into the hot desert sky.

Ms. Charolette, as she was known, leaned over the couple waiting in the lobby of her Little White Wedding Chapel. She looked into their eyes and smiled.

'I've only done this fifty thousand times,' Richards would often say.

Some couples would ask if they can skip even the quickie ceremony and just pay for a marriage license. Others would show up drunk, barely able to stagger down the aisle.

But if people are too sloshed or impatient to say vows, Richards would turn them away. To her, the marriage ceremony was sacred, even if it only took ten minutes.

Love in Las Vegas, for Charolette Danielson Richards, started as a hurting thing. She was a young bride who ventured out west with three young sons at her side.

Wilson Wright, her wandering husband at the time, had sent her one hundred dollars and instructed her to drive their old Ford  'a jalopy,' as she called it  from Sandy Hook, Kentucky, to Las Vegas, Nevada.

He asked to meet him at the Stardust Hotel and Casino, the newest and grandest resort on the Strip.

On June 10, 1959, smack in the middle of a blistering heat wave  with a record-setting number of days without rain, and with the highest temperature reaching one hundred thirteen degrees  Charolette pulled into town.

At this time, The Strip was becoming the main thoroughfare of a town still experiencing growing pains, a place where mobsters rub shoulders with cowboys, and where many of the casinos have Wild West themes, evoking the area's frontier spirit.

Charolette Richards applauds from the drive-though window as Sasha Semenoff plays a violin in the background

Richards was most remembered for putting Las Vegas on the matrimonial map with the Elvis Pink Cadillac Ceremony, in which couples exchange their vows while sitting in or standing next to Richards's own long 1971 pink Cadillac

The invention of the drive-through wedding meant couples didn't even need to get out of their cars to get hitched

As Elvis reached down and grabbed Charolette's hand to bring her onstage, she got the idea for an Elvis impersonator wedding. It was an instant hit, and couples flocked to the chapel

She arrived at Stardust, which was the largest hotel in the world at that point, with over one thousand rooms and a massive casino.

Wilson 'Willy' Wright had swept her off her feet when she was only seventeen years old, dishing up sundaes in an ice cream parlor in Eugene, Oregon.

He was said to be what was then called a 'mechanic,' a gambler who would prearrange the odds in his favor while he was at the table. Wright would saunter in to play in the card games upstairs, always taking the time to order a vanilla shake.

Months of milkshakes led to a proposal, and Charolette became a teenage bride, married by the justice of the peace.

Wright took her to live in a series of small towns, until finally, to lighten his load, he left his wife and kids at his parents' home in Kentucky, and took off. 'Mr. Wright,' Charolette Richards later says, 'was Mr. Wrong.'

Before long, an envelope arrived at the Sandy Hook post office, containing one hundred dollars in cash and instructions for Charolette to take the kids, drive across country, and meet her husband at the Stardust.

But when she finally arrived, her husband was nowhere to be found.

Using her last dollars, she rented a cheap motel room and spent the days and nights walking the Strip with her children in tow, scanning the crowds for any sign of Wright.

After a week of searching, her money was just about gone and the kids are screaming and there is no sign of her husband.

Then, just as she felt like she was about to fall to the pavement, sobbing and exhausted, a 'very good-looking man' on the street stopped and smiled at her.

The man introduces himself: Merle Richards, a photographer and the owner of the Little Church of the West wedding chapel.

He found her a place to stay and a babysitter for her kids and gave her a job at his wedding chapel adjacent to the Algiers Hotel on South Las Vegas Boulevard.

He picked her up every morning and drove her to work. There, inside the little chapel, Charolette made herself indispensable: taking payments, calling the ministers to perform the ceremonies, keeping the books.

A few months after her arrival in Vegas, Wilson Wright reappeared, hoping to reconcile. He hadn't intended to abandon her and the kids on the street, he explained. He'd just been unable to find them. But Charolette is ready to call it quits.

She hitched her star to Merle Richards and his wedding business. Both eventually formally divorce their respective spouses and marry each other.

Her new husband wasn't a gambler like Wright, but he has his own demons.

After ten years, her marriage to Merle was over.

Soon after, she was an ordained minister, ready to perform her first wedding.

She told the couple: 'You're the first people I've married, so excuse me if I make a mistake.

Recalling the first time, she said: 'I was proud once I got through, and I started doing those weddings like they were candy.'
The nation might be divided over whether Friday is 'Australia Day' or 'Invasion Day' but historians say some basic facts should be remembered about the date.

The First Fleet sailed from England with explicit instructions that no Indigenous people were to be harmed when it arrived in New South Wales.

When the fleet landed at Sydney Cove in Port Jackson on January 26, 1788, no shots were fired and no one was physically hurt.

Whether the country was 'invaded' or 'settled' - as much as what occurred over the next two centuries - is at the heart of the debate over how and when we mark Australia Day.

The First Fleet sailed from England with explicit instructions that upon its arrival in New South Wales the country's inhabitants were not to be harmed Above is an oil painting by Algernon Talmadge of Captain Arthur Phillip raising the flag at Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788

The 1992 Mabo decision granting native title to Indigenous Australians relied on the country having been settled, not invaded.

In that ruling the High Court rejected the 'terra nullius' doctrine - that the landmass belonged to no one - without overturning the view the continent had been settled.

In the 236 years following the First Fleet's arrival, terrible injustices against Aboriginal people took place.

All of those atrocities - the massacres, the human rights abuses and discrimination - form part of the argument over whether the nation should change the date of Australia Day.

But what really happened on January 26, 1788?

The Royal Navy's Captain Arthur Phillip had been empowered under British law by King George III to establish a penal colony in NSW.

Whether the country was 'invaded' or 'settled' - as much as what occurred over the next two centuries - is at the heart of the debate over how and when we mark Australia Day

The land he was ordered to settle had been occupied by Aborigines for perhaps 60,000 years but was not legally recognised as a sovereign nation.

Eleven ships under Phillip's command left Portsmouth in May 1787 with about 1,400 men, women and children on board, bound for Botany Bay.

The ships were small, each one no bigger than a Manly ferry.

Leading the fleet were two Royal Navy vessels accompanying three store ships and six convict transports.

Among Phillip's instructions upon reaching his destination were that Aboriginal lives and livelihoods be protected and friendly relations with them established.

The First Fleet's initial landing was gradual, with ships arriving between January 18 and 20 at Botany Bay, south of Port Jackson, where James Cook had dropped anchor 18 years earlier.

When the First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove in Port Jackson on January 26, 1788, no shots were fired and no one was physically hurt. The Sydney Opera House is pictured lit up with artwork by Indigenous artist Brett Leavy on Friday

According to the NSW Migration Heritage Centre, local Aboriginal people met the fleet in an 'uneasy stand-off' at what is now called Frenchmans Beach at La Perouse. There was no violence on that occasion.

Unsatisfied with Botany Bay as a suitable site to establish a colony, on January 21 Phillip led a small party in three boats to explore other options further north.

He entered Port Jackson, which he later described in a letter as 'the finest harbour in the world, in which a thousand sail of the line may ride in the most perfect security'.

Phillip's party returned to Botany Bay two days later to find representatives of another colonial power exploring the coast.

On January 24, two French ships from the scientific expedition led by Jean-Francois de La Perouse were seen just outside Botany Bay.

The French, who stayed at Botany Bay until March 10, fired upon Aboriginal people in February.

Eleven ships under Phillip's command left Portsmouth in May 1787 with about 1,400 men, women and children on board, bound for Botany Bay. Phillip is depicted at Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788

On January 26, the First Fleet headed to Port Jackson, landing at a spot Phillip called Sydney Cove after Lord Sydney, the British Home Secretary.

Only Phillip and several officers and marines from the navy vessel Supply initially went ashore, with the rest of those on board watching from the water.

The British flag was planted in a short ceremony and formal possession was declared.

The other 10 ships of the fleet did not arrive until later in the day. There was no armed conflict with the local Eora people.

Phillip's instructions regarding the land's existing inhabitants were that he would 'conciliate their affections', to 'live in amity and kindness with them.'

He was to punish anyone who should 'wantonly destroy them, or give them any unnecessary interruption in the exercise of their several occupations'.

Phillip's instructions regarding the land's existing inhabitants were that he would 'conciliate their affections', to 'live in amity and kindness with them.' La Perouse Gamay dancers are pictured at Bondi Beach for a dawn reflection and smoking ceremony on Friday

Those instructions were standard British orders for the time and initially were largely followed.

Writing in the Dictionary of Sydney, historian Grace Karskens said: 'Phillip and the officers were genuinely committed to establishing and maintaining friendly and peaceful relations'.

'The early meetings in Botany Bay and Port Jackson were often marked by friendliness, curiosity, gift-giving and dancing together on the beaches.

'This is so entirely different from earlier violent and murderous encounters between Europeans and Indigenous people.

'It is also very different from the frontier violence that dominated pastoral expansion in Australia well into the twentieth century. In that sense it was enlightened and humane.'

James Cook landed at Botany Bay in 1770, 18 years before the First Fleet sailed into the same port. A statue of the explorer in Melbourne's St Kilda was cut off at the knees on Thursday

Professor Karskens declared the arrival of the First Fleet and the establishment of a small camp at Sydney Cove was momentous only in that 'it marked the origins of a great city'.

'But at the time it was just a tiny pinprick on the edge of a vast and ancient Aboriginal continent - it made barely a ripple at first,' he wrote.

'From this perspective, the idea that Phillip's first footfall on the beach in Botany Bay brought instant death and corruption across the entire continent is Eurocentric nonsense.

'Aboriginal people did not drop dead or lose their culture the moment they saw a white person.'

Professor Karskens noted the Eora did immediately have to cope with an alarming influx of strangers on their lands and waterways.

'Phillip did forbid anyone from shooting or otherwise harming Eora,' he wrote.

'But by anyone he meant convicts. He had them severely punished for doing so and for stealing from Eora.

As the colony spread, so did the violence and more and more land was taken. A protester is pictured holding a sign at an Invasion Day rally in Sydney on Friday

'But this did not mean that officers and other military did not shoot at Aboriginal people - they did, usually with small shot - usually because warriors were throwing spears and stones at them.'

According to Professor Karskens, the first fatal shooting might not have happened until September 1789 when a Henry Hacking shot into a group of Aboriginal people out hunting on the North Shore.

As the colony spread in the years to come, so did the violence. More and more land was taken and massacres did occur across the continent.

Many Australians believe all of those wrongs should be the sole focus of each anniversary of the First Fleet arriving at Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788.

But there was no violent confrontation on that first Australia Day.
Sen. Mitch McConnell has been criticized for a lack of transparency

Senate Republicans are frustrated with their leadership over a lack of clarity on what will be in a critical border security and foreign aid deal that no one outside of a handful of members has seen.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., tapped Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford to lead negotiations with Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy, Conn., and Independent Sen. Krysten Sinema, Arizona, on a border-foreign aid package that would provide funding for domestic border security objectives and the war in Ukraine.

The negotiations have been ongoing for the past four months. But, to the frustration of many lawmakers, there has been no language released as to what will actually be in the potential package.

'What's holding this up is that there isn't a bill,' Utah Sen. Mike Lee told DailyMail.com. 'We haven't seen text. They've been negotiating it for about four months and they won't share it with us.'

'Even after we raised those concerns, they still won't share text with us,' Lee continued. 'It's just enough to raise some real red flags.'

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has kept his fellow GOP senators in the dark on the ongoing border security and foreign aid deal he is working on with Sen. Chuck Schumer

Migrants line up as they get ready to be picked up by Border Patrol agents in Eagle Pass, Texas

Sen. Rick Scott aired similar concerns at a briefing on Wednesday.

'We don't have text,' the Florida Republican said. 'We should all have the opportunity to engage.'

Another GOP senator, Todd Young, urged the chief negotiators this week to release the text.

'I would encourage James Lankford and other conservatives to produce a work product with which they will shortly allow conservatives like myself to review it and take heart that there are a number of us who won't be looking to third parties and assessing the propriety of passing this bipartisan proposal,' he told CNN.

But in a closed-door Republican meeting Wednesday, McConnell admitted to members that the dynamics of entering an election year have impacted the negotiations, according to sources who attended.

Further complicating the matter for senate Republicans, former President Donald Trump has publicly tried to influence the upper chamber to go against the border deal.

'We need a Strong, Powerful, and essentially 'PERFECT' Border,' Trump wrote from his Truth Social account late Thursday.

The former president said that unless Republicans achieve those goals, 'we are better off not making a deal.'

The 'unsustainable invasion' at the southern border is considered a 'death wish' for the United States, he added.

Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said one issue with the negotiations has been McConnell

Sen. Mike Lee of Utah has repeatedly pushed for the text to be released, but to no avail

Republicans have long lamented Biden's border policies, but are weary that adding additional laws to the books would change nothing, as they argue Biden already does not enforce the law

When asked about the ongoing discussions that same day, McConnell told reporters 'we're still working on it.'

At Wednesday's briefing, Scott said he would like the former president to see the potential bill before the Senate takes action on it.

'If we expect [Trump] to be able to secure the border, he ought to be able to see this bill, and he ought to be able to be engaged and say, is this going to help me secure the border or not,' he said.

Some GOP senators have said the negotiations are evidence that the conference's leadership is out of step with rank-and-file members, and their negotiating ability is not what it once was.

The problem is our leader, leader McConnell,' Sen. Ron Johnson reportedly said at Scott's Wednesday briefing, adding the Kentuckian doesnt consult with the conference.'

Lee similarly told DailyMail.com that the leader is intentionally keeping his members in the dark.

'They're keeping this under such a tight lock and key,' Lee said.

Meanwhile across the Capitol, Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that the Senate national security and border deal is 'dead on arrival' in the House and he will instead focus on impeaching Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas.

Johnson circulated a letter to Republicans on Friday obtained by DailyMail.com to reassert the House's position on ongoing border security talks in the Senate.

'If the rumors about the contents of the draft proposal are true, it would have been dead on arrival in the House anyway,' the speaker said, instead calling for the Senate to take up the House GOP's party-line border bill, H.R. 2, which passed last year.

The speaker said it is 'important' to ask 'what is the point' of negotiating a border deal with Democrats if President Biden 'will not enforce the laws already on the books.'

He insisted the House will 'vigorously oppose' any policy proposal from the White House or Senate that would 'further incentivize illegal aliens to break the law.'
A 63-year-old man has been charged with more than 120 historic child sex offences in regional Queensland.

Detectives from the Brisbane City Child Protection Investigation Unit arrested the man in East Brisbane on Thursday as part of Operation Victor Dialect.

The police operation has been active since October 2023 and is tasked with investigating alleged offences between 1980 and 1991 at multiple locations.

Detectives arrested a 63-year-old man (right) on Thursday on historic child sex offence charges

Police allege the offences occurred from the 1980 to 1991 in regional Queensland

The man is alleged to have offended in the Wide Bay Burnett and Capricornia regions.

The 63-year-old has been charged with 96 counts of indecent treatment of girls under 16, eight counts of indecent assault of females, and one count of indecent assault.

He is set to front Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.

Police are asking anyone who has information pertaining to a sexual assault to contact them via Policelink or Crime Stoppers.
Five people, including two children, have been rushed to hospital after their vehicle was involved in a collision with a truck and hit a tree on a country Victorian road on Thursday.

The blue Ford Ranger utility was towing a caravan and travelling on the Benalla-Yarrawonga Rd in Goorambat about 7pm when the collision occurred.

Both vehicles were pushed into trees, where a branch then fell onto the roof of the car containing all five of the injured individuals.

The car's driver, a 72-year-old man, was flown to hospital with serious injuries.

A 30-year-old man was also flown to hospital with serious injuries.

A nine year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries alongside a 70-year-old woman, who was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The 22-year-old truck driver from Bundalong was not injured and stopped at the scene.

Victoria Police said he was interviewed by police and has since been released pending further inquiries.

Police are yet to determine what caused the crash and urge anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000.
An Oregon county has voted to eliminate its Equity and Inclusion Office, saving the district almost $1 million a year after deciding the unit was divisive and unnecessary.

Clackamas County, which encompasses the eastern Portland suburbs and stretches out to Mount Hood, announced earlier this month it was closing the office. The two full-time employees will be reassigned to jobs in different parts of the council.

Ben West, a Republican nurse and US Navy reservist who became one of five members of the Board of County Commissioners last year, said that the office was not working in the interests of the residents.

'We believed that it was really important to focus on merit, fairness and equality, not to racialize the workplace and the county,' West told Fox News.

'We didn't want that in our county any longer.'

Ben West, a commissioner of Clackamas County, said on Thursday that closing the Equity and Inclusion Office was the right thing for his district

West, who like his husband Paul is white, is raising a black son, Jay.

He said that he felt having a DEI office pushed people to be categorized by their race or gender or orientation.

'We value the individual. We value you regardless of your immutable traits,' West said.

'Those are not the things that make you unique and special to Clackamas County. It's that individual spark inside you that does, that makes you a person.'

He said they want people to 'all feel like it's a great place to live', with a 'diversity of ideas.'

He added that they felt the DEI office was 'becoming a distraction, and we didn't want that in the county.'

DEI departments sprung up nationwide amid the soul-searching sparked by George Floyd's May 2020 death.

But they have been controversial, with critics saying they lead to unfair hiring practices and discrimination against people who fail to tick the right diversity boxes.

Supporters say the policies are necessary to right entrenched historic wrongs, and swing the pendulum back to a neutral spot.

West said that he felt having an Equity and Inclusion Office was divisive

Mark Shull, another member of the Board of County Commissioners, supported West and said the office should close

Emmett Wheatfall, a former county diversity manager who retired in 2019, said he was disappointed by the news

The office will officially close on February 5, eight months after they began debating whether to get rid of it.

In May 2023, Commissioner Mark Shull said it was an 'unnecessary expense' that 'only foments friction.'

West agreed, saying diversity, equity and inclusion efforts create a 'victim mentality.'

But Emmett Wheatfall, a former county diversity manager who retired in 2019, said in July that getting rid of the office could lead to more complaints of discrimination.

He told Oregon Live last week that the decision to get rid of the office was a backwards step.

'I'm saddened  it seems like we're going in reverse,' he said.

'My hope is we can return to moving forward again, but it's going to take champions.'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has addressed the nation to wish the country a 'Happy Australia Day' - but those three words have already divided Aussies.

January 26 marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the 'First Fleet' to Sydney Cove, which mainly carried convicts and troops from Britain.

For many indigenous Australians, who trace their lineage on the continent back 50,000 years, it is 'Invasion Day', the start of Britain's colonisation of Aboriginal lands and their brutal subjugation.

Aussies were divided about Mr Albanese using the term 'Happy Australia Day', including author Lauren Dubois who highlighted how it was offensive to Aboriginal people.

'When you're wishing 'happy Australia Day' on a day you know causes great pain and anguish to so many people, you are being deliberately cruel,' she explained.

'You have heard it directly from people, it's a day of mourning. And you're smiling and celebrating their grief?

'You stand for nothing. You've changed nothing. You're doing nothing. What a disappointment.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon are pictured at The National Australia Day Citizenship and Flag Raising Ceremony in Canberra on Friday

Earlier in the day, Mr Albanese shared a video (pictured) on X wishing the nation 'Happy Australia Day'

'Invasion day, mate,' another added.

A third said: 'Australian day resembles a day of invasion, rape, land theft and colonisation!

'I think it's time we change the date so it's not so inflammatory for indigenous civilians that endured the trauma.'

A fourth added: 'You are such a sell-out. How were you advocating for a yes vote, but moments later supporting a genocide and wishing a happy invasion day?'

However, many others supported the PM for acknowledging the day, including some of his fierce critics.

'I have to admit. I'm surprised you actually said Happy Australia Day. I guess sometimes you're not always such a bad PM,' they said.

A second added: 'I never thought I'd ever agree with Albo, but I certainly do on this occasion. Well done Albo (for once!).

Others said the prime minister needed to go further to acknowledge Australia Day because he did not wear or feature an Australian flag in the video.

A group of men and women are pictured celebrating Australia Day 2024 on a boat in the Gold Coast

A group of men were seen carrying an esky as Aussies flocked to the beach in the Gold Coast on Friday

A woman and man were spotted sitting on the beach at Wave Break, in the Gold Coast, with Australia Day merchandise

'Where's the Australian flag?' one person said.

'Got an Australian flag, or is that too hateful, mate?' someone else wrote.

In his Australia Day message, Mr Albanese extended his thoughts to Aussies grappling with natural disasters after tens of thousands of Queenslanders were left without power after Tropical Cyclone Kirrily made landfall overnight.

He also paid respect to Australia's Indigenous roots as well as the nation's history of migration, which has contributed to the country's diverse population.

'My fellow Australians, today as many of us are celebrating Australia Day, our first thoughts are with those communities battling natural disasters,' he began.

'Seeing people work together to save lives and rebuild homes and businesses is a powerful reminder that the worst of times reveal the best of the Australian character.'

Many Australian flags were erected next to tents as Aussies flocked to the beach

Another man put his thumb up as he sat in a boat with an Australian flag

Mr Albanese added said that 'compassion, respect, courage and kindness' are at the 'heart of out national identity' and are the 'foundation of our national success'.

He said it was these values that we pay homage to on Australia Day and with everything happening around the world today, Australians could be proud about how our 'diversity strengthens our unity'.

'This begins with the unique privilege we have of being home to the oldest continuous culture on earth,' he said.

'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have loved and cared for this country for over 65,000 years and they continue to uplift our nation.'

'And over generations, people from every part of the world, from all faiths and backgrounds and traditions have enriched and enlarged our society and our democracy.'

Mr Albanese said immigration has 'added to our national spirit of aspiration and endeavour' as migrants 'embrace profoundly Australian determination to create a better life and greater opportunity for our children and grandchildren'.

He said Australia's story of integrating people who have migrated from all over the world will continue on Friday as thousands make the citizenship pledge at ceremonies across the country.

Meanwhile, protests have erupted in cities across the country as Indigenous rights advocates call for changes to the public holiday and an end to racial inequality. Pictured: A rally in Brisbane

Thousands marched through Brisbane on Friday, waving flags and signs

Crowds gathered for speeches and performances as the rally raged through Brisbane

Mr Albanese said while Australia Day is a date to reflect on how lucky Aussies are to live in the greatest country in the world, he said the 'fairness, democracy and community harmony we treasure' is not down to luck - but rather our shared values.

Those values, he said, are the product of 'generations of hard work, sacrifice and cooperation', as he paid special tribute to those who have served Australia in the armed forces.

Ending his speech, Mr Albanese called on Aussies to see how our differences and working together has contributed to the prosperity of our country.

'Everything we have, we have built together. We cherish that. We celebrate that. And most of all, each of us has the chance to add to that,' he said.

'Working together, we can make this an even better, stronger and fairer country.

'Happy Australia Day.'

In 2019, Kado Muir, who is a leading advocate for Aboriginal culture, heritage and awareness said the phrase was an 'ignorant gesture'.

'This issue is extremely divisive and sensitive to all Australians,' Mr Muir told News LTD.

A sea of demonstrators blocked roads through the heart of Sydney on Friday

A woman holds up a sign supporting Indigenous Australians and Palestinians as she marches through Sydney

Sydneysiders sat in the grass as they listened to 'Invasion Day' speeches

Two Aboriginal activists tore up a blood-soaked Australian flag in Melbourne

'I know White Australia is guilty and fragile. I know Black Australia is broken and angry.'

He called on Australians to rise above the 'base destructive emotions' in the debate and instead shift focus onto the aspects that unite the country.

Leading Aboriginal campaigner Cheree Toka said many people traded in the term 'Australia Day' for 'Survival Day'.

She said the national day of commemoration on January 26 was a sad day for First Nations people.

'Celebrating Australia Day on January 26th is offensive,' said Joe Williams, a mental health worker and former professional rugby league player.

It comes as the 'Change The Date' movement has escalated in recent years as growing numbers of protesters take to the streets of capital cities on the public holiday to throw their support behind Indigenous Australians.

Tens of thousands are expected to march through CBDs across the country on Friday, carrying the Aboriginal flag and banners calling for change.

Major companies and businesses have also begun rethinking their branding strategies as the campaign continues to gain momentum.

Protesters breached AFP lines as they marched to the forecourt of Parliament House in Canberra

A man screams a chant as he participated in a rally at Parliament House, in Canberra

In December, it was announced 80 councils had decided to scrap citizenship ceremonies on January 26 amid growing division around the national day.

The move came after the Albanese government axed a rule that forced councils to hold Australia Day citizenship ceremonies.

Earlier this month, Woolworths sparked controversy after announcing it would no longer sell Australia Day merchandise.

'There has been a gradual decline in demand for Australia Day merchandise from our stores over recent years. At the same time there's been broader discussion about 26 January and what it means to different parts of the community,' the supermarket giant, which also owns Big W stores, said.

'We know many people like to use this day as a time to get together and we offer a huge variety of products to help customers mark the day as they choose.

'Woolworths and BIG W celebrate the best of Australia every day, and we're proud to support the farmers, producers, and suppliers who work with us.'

Aldi later announced it would also not be stocking any Australia-themed merchandise in its special buy section this year.

The supermarkets join Kmart after the discount store axed its Australia Day merchandise in 2023.
Hunter Biden's Chinese energy business partner told investigators he never had 'professional' contact with Joe Biden, but was clueless as to why the Biden family was involved in energy deals in the first place, without having experience in the sector.

House Republicans hauled in former Biden business associate Mervyn Yan Thursday to answer questions as part of their impeachment investigation into President Joe Biden's alleged connections to his family's shady dealings.

The GOP is narrowing in on tracing the millions of dollars that flowed between Chinese businessman Mervyn Yan and family associate John 'Rob' Walker, who they say used shell companies to allegedly deposit the foreign money into Biden bank accounts.

According to top Republican James Comer, R-Ky., Yan 'admitted on the record' during questioning that the Biden family had 'no experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors and was not sure what they brought to the table.'

But Democratic investigators insisted that Yan testified he 'never did business with' or had any 'personal or professional communications' with Joe Biden.

He apparently told the committees that Hunter contributed 'legitimate value' through 'sourcing deals' and 'identifying projects' for their joint venture, according to a source.

Republicans are investigating how Joe Biden may have benefitted from the relationships with 'Chinese sources' and other foreign entities developed by his son Hunter and brother James Biden

BREAKING



Today, we interviewed Mervyn Yan, a Biden family associate affiliated with the Bidens dealings with the Chinese government linked energy firm, CEFC.



Mervyn Yan admitted on the record the Bidens had no experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors and was not  Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) January 25, 2024

In addition, Yan's attorney maintained that his client 'has had no professional contact or communication with President Biden at any time' and he had no documents which demonstrate 'misconduct' by Joe, according to a letter to Comer.

Republicans remain hopeful that Walker's testimony tomorrow will shine additional light on the situation.

Yan and Walker were summoned under subpoena to sit for closed-door transcribed interviews Thursday and Friday at 10 a.m. ET, respectively, before the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees.

They were called in because of the information the GOP says they have related to how Joe Biden may have benefitted from the relationships with 'Chinese sources' and other foreign entities developed by his son Hunter and brother James Biden.

Hunter Biden confirmed that he will also appear for his own testimony at the end of next month - a sign that Republicans are getting closer to wrapping up their probe. He had previously rebuffed a subpoena compelling him to sit for a closed-door interview and the GOP started the process to hold him in contempt of Congress.

Rob Walker was considered to be a 'surrogate' for the Biden family members when it came to business dealings and he helped facilitate lucrative opportunities with China and Romania.

Walker worked with Hunter Biden on Sinohawk Holdings - a joint venture with Chinese energy firm CEFC under the leadership of its Chairman Ye Jianming.

Ye gave Hunter a diamond in 2017 as they pursued a business relationship immediately after Joe Biden left the vice presidency.

But in November 2017, the company was accused of bribery in Africa by the Justice Department. He was arrested in China on March 2018, reportedly on the orders of Xi Jinping, and has not been seen or heard from since.

Mervyn Yan, a CEFEC executive and Ye's former associate, also worked with Hunter on his Hudson West III venture.

Of particular concern to the lawmakers are millions of dollars from China and Romania that they say snaked from foreigners into shell companies and then into the hands of Joe's family members.

Walker established 'Robinson Walker, LLC' a limited liability company that Republicans say was 'used as a vehicle to receive foreign funds and send a percentage of the money to Biden family members.'

That includes millions of dollars from a company owned by Romanian Gabriel Popoviciu, who was at the time under a corruption investigation.

Chinese energy firm CEFC was created under the leadership of its former Chairman Ye Jianming

Rob Walker was considered to be a ' surrogate ' for the Biden family members when it came to business dealings

'Following the receipt of this money, Robinson Walker sent over one million dollars to Biden family accounts, including those of Hunter Biden,' the Republicans accuse.

In a memo released last year, the GOP laid out documents showing Hallie received $35,000 in two transfers from Walker.

The money came after Walker received a $3 million wire from the Chinese State Energy HK Limited, a firm affiliated with CEFC.

In November, Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., unveiled a $40,000 direct payment to Joe from 2017 labeled as a 'loan repayment' that he claims is 'laundered money' that can be traced back to Chinese Communist Party-connected CEFC.

In WhatsApp messages from August 2017 previously published by DailyMail.com, Hunter demanded $10 million from CEFC, and claimed his father was 'sitting here' next to him during the exchange.

On March 1, 2018, Americore wired a $200,000 loan into the personal bank account of James and Sara Biden

After an initial $5 million from CEFC was put in the joint venture on August 8, 2017, and a transfer of $400,000 was placed into Hunter Biden entity Owasco, P.C. on the same day. Then, $150,000 was transferred directly from Owasco into the bank account of James and Sara Biden - Joe's sister-in-law - on August 14, 2017.

Then on September 3, 2017, Sara wrote a $40,000 check direct to Joe - just six days after she took out $50,000 in cash, according to the obtained documents.

In addition, according to emails found on Hunter's laptop, Yan demanded more money from the president's son.

Joe Biden has previously stated that Hunter never made money from China, and the White House has maintained that the president never benefitted from his family's business ventures.

Republicans also revealed a separate $200,000 personal check from James Biden to Joe Biden.

According to bankruptcy court documents obtained by the House Oversight Committee, James Biden took money from his health care business Americore and sent it directly to his brother Joe Biden.

The documents show that in 2018, James Biden obtained $600,000 in loans from Americore. James was able to receive the loans based upon 'representations' that his last name, 'Biden,' could 'open doors.'

On March 1, 2018, Americore wired a $200,000 loan into the personal bank account of James and Sara Biden.

That same day, James Biden wrote a $200,000 check to 'Joseph R. Biden' from his personal account for a 'loan repayment.' At the time, Joe had already left the vice presidency position.

Republicans say bank records show that Biden family and associates raked in more than $20 million from China, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Romania.
The prison pastor for Kenneth Eugene Smith, the first US inmate to be put to death with nitrogen gas, revealed the death row resident 'really struggled' in his final hours.

Smith, 58, had his Hail Mary request to the US Supreme Court to stay his execution rejected on Thursday night, hours before he was suffocated via nitrogen hypoxia.

Pastor John Ewell told DailyMail.com hours before Smith's scheduled execution that he was struggling to come to terms with the experimental execution method.

'He's being strong for his family, but it's rough,' he said from outside the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama, where Smith was pronounced dead at 8:25pm local time.

He was sentenced to death in 1996 for the murder-for-hire slaying of a preacher's wife in 1988, for which he was only paid $1,000 for the hit.

Smith was officially pronounced dead at 8:25pm local time, 22 minutes after the nitrogen gas was first administered. The convicted killer had a gas mask placed over his nose and mouth before a stream of 100 percent nitrogen gas suffocated him.

Kenneth Eugene Smith was sentenced to death in 1996 after admitting the murder-for-hire killing of a pastor's wife who was beaten and stabbed in 1988

Prison pastor John Ewell told DailyMail.com that Smith was 'really struggling' in the hours before his execution, saying he was 'being strong for his family, but it's rough'

Smith was sentenced to death in 1996 for the murder-for-hire slaying of Elizabeth Sennett, 45, who was found dead on March 18, 1988, in her home in Alabama's Colbert County. She had been stabbed eight times in the chest and once on each side of neck

Pastor Ewell spoke from outside the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama, where Smith waited to enter the chamber

According to the Alabama Department of Corrections, Smith's final day began with him refusing a breakfast of eggs, biscuits, grape jelly, apple sauce and orange juice.

He then received a tray for lunch but again refused it, although he did drink Mountain Dew and Pepsi.

Smith was ordered to have only clear liquids from 4pm, after barely touching his final meal of steak, hash browns and eggs.

The final meal was reportedly from Waffle House, slathered with steak sauce, before he had one last phone call with his wife, Deanna Smith.

In his desperate appeals to halt his execution, Smith cited his fears that the experimental gassing method will cause excruciating pain.

The Supreme Court yesterday denied an application for a stay. He filed another request today with the court as the execution approached, which was rejected Thursday night.

Pastor Ewell said that Smith was relying on his faith to help him through his final moments, adding: 'He's a Godly man, and he loves Jesus, but this stuff would be hard on anybody.'

Alabama's lethal injection chamber at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala., is pictured in this Oct. 7, 2002 file photo. Kenneth Smith, 58, is scheduled to be executed Jan. 25, 2024

Smith's planned execution by nitrogen gas has been branded by the UN as 'torture', and scientists have largely banned it from animal experiments

Ewell said he has been seeing Smith every week for the past two years, including at the time Smith was previously intended to be executed on November 17, 2022.

That execution was botched as Smith lay on the execution table, as prison staffers failed to insert an IV line for several hours, leaving the killer in extreme pain and ultimately causing him to wet himself.

Ewell said that Smith was expectedly downcast before potentially entering the chamber, but he was 'putting a lot of hope into this thing being stopped.'

'I was with him around a year and change ago when they did this before, and I think he's hoping that it's going to be stopped again.'

Ewell was not in the execution chamber when Smith was put to death, with Reverand Dr. Jeff Hood instead chosen as the spiritual advisor in the room.

Hood also condemned the execution style, saying in a statement beforehand: 'The eyes of the world are on this impending moral apocalypse.

'Our prayer is that people will not turn their heads. We simply cannot normalize the suffocation of each other.'

Elizabeth's preacher husband Charles Sennett Sr., paid Smith and another man, John Forrest Parker, $1000 each to kill his wife, hoping to cash in on her insurance. Charles later killed himself when he came under suspicion

John Forrest Parker, the other man convicted in the slaying, was executed in 2010

Pastor Ewell said that Smith was relying on his faith to help him through his final moments, adding: 'He's a Godly man, and he loves Jesus, but this stuff would be hard on anybody'

Ewell said he was unaware of Smith's crime and did not care to find out, saying the man he met behind bars was a 'godly man, and that is what's hard.'

However, while Ewell hoped the execution was called off again, others felt Smith's 1988 crime was deserving of his place on death row.

Aged 22, Smith was one of two men convicted in the murder-for-hire slaying of Elizabeth Sennett, 45, the wife of preacher Charles Sennet Sr. who paid the men to kill his wife in an insurance plot.

His initial 1989 conviction was overturned on appeal, but he was retried and convicted again in 1996.

Prosecutors said he and John Forrest Parker were each paid $1,000 for the murder, with Sennett's husband hoping to collect on her insurance.

She was found dead March 18 that year in her home in Colbert County with eight stab wounds in the chest and one on each side of her neck.

After finding out that he was suspected of being involved in the plot, Charles Sennett Sr. killed himself.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has said she would support enshrining January 26 as Australia Day in legislation so the date can never be changed - adding Australians shouldn't have to 'pander' to the minority.

The Northern Territory Senator said the country needed to move on from the debate about changing the date of the national holiday and focus on 'improving our country altogether'.

'I'd be happy to support legislating January 26 as Australia Day,' she told 2GB's Ben Fordham.

'Put it in place, move forward from this whole discussion and debate and start focusing what our priorities should be.

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has said she would support legislating January 26 as Australia Day - adding Australians shouldn't have to 'pander' to the minority wanting the date to be changed

'If we go ahead and change (the date), we're basically going to be pandering to a minority of Australians that will then find something else to go onto that they won't be happy with, some other date that they think that they can change.

'Put it in place so we can start focusing on improving our country.'

READ MORE: Shocking images show why Aussies choose not to celebrate Australia Day Advertisement

Ms Price was asked about the topic after Queensland MP Henry Pike drafted legislation that would ensure January 26 remains Australia Day.

The idea was supported by Opposition leader Peter Dutton.

Ms Price added that recent reports of people vandalising statues such as one of Captain Cook in St Kilda that was sawn off, were 'utterly ridiculous'.

'There's far more important issues that we need to go on with then this continued debate around changing a date,' she said.

Ms Price, who was in Broken Hill in NSW's far west on Friday morning, said Australia Day was sometimes a 'day of reflection and downtime' for her and her family and friends.

She took part in the Broken Hill barbecue breakfast on Friday, followed by the flag raising ceremony, and will drive back to Alice Springs with her husband later today.

There has been much controversy surrounding changing the date of Australia Day in recent years

There has been much controversy surrounding changing the date of Australia Day in recent years.

For First Nations people, January 26 symbolises 'Invasion Day', marking the start of Britain's colonisation of Aboriginal lands and their brutal subjugation.

The 'Change The Date' movement has escalated in recent years as growing numbers of protesters take to the streets of capital cities on the public holiday to throw their support behind Indigenous Australians.

Tens of thousands are expected to march through CBDs across the country on Friday, carrying the Aboriginal flag and banners calling for change.
The wife of Kenneth Eugene Smith cried out for her killer husband as he thrashed against his restraints, suffering as he became the first person in history to be executed via nitrogen hypoxia.

Smith, 58, was put to death Thursday in a 'horrific' 22-minute ordeal when a gas mask was placed over his face, before a stream of 100 percent nitrogen gas suffocated him inside the execution chamber at the William C. Holman prison in Atmore, Alabama.

The murderer's spiritual guide, Jeff Hood, described the execution as the 'worst thing' he had ever seen, claiming prison officials gasped in shock as he died far slower than anticipated.

'When they turned the nitrogen on, he began to convulse, he popped up on the gurney over and over again, he shook the whole gurney,' Hood said.

Smith was officially pronounced dead at 8:25pm local time, 22 minutes after the nitrogen gas was first administered. At 8:07pm, a corrections officer leaned over Smith and examined him, before stepping back against the wall to let the execution continue.

At one point as the killer tore against his restraints, his wife Deanna, wearing a T-shirt reading 'Never Alone', desperately cried out for him from the witness box.

As he spoke his final words, delivered through the gas mask on his face, Smith made a heart sign with his left hand to his family before declaring: 'Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards... Im leaving with love, peace and light.'

He was sentenced to death in 1996 for the murder-for-hire slaying of a preacher's wife in 1988, where he was paid just $1,000 for the hit.

Smith's pastor John Ewell told DailyMail.com before his execution that the killer was 'really struggling' with the reality of his imminent death, and officials said he barely touched his final meal of a T-bone steak, hashbrowns, eggs and A1 Sauce from Waffle House.

Thank you, #JeffHood, for witnessing the darkest moments of humanity, so that #KennethSmith did not have to be there alone. pic.twitter.com/08hRXt9cSH  The Woods Foundation (@thewoodsfdn) January 26, 2024

Kenneth Eugene Smith was sentenced to death in 1996 after admitting the murder-for-hire killing of a pastor's wife who was beaten and stabbed in 1988. On Thursday evening, he became the first person in US history to be executed with nitrogen gas

Elizabeth Sennett, 45, (right) was found dead on March 18, 1988, in the her home in Alabama's Colbert County. She had been stabbed eight times in the chest and once on each side of neck

Smith's wife Deanna cried out for her killer husband as he thrashed against his restraints, before breaking down at a press conference following the controversial execution (pictured)

Hood was one of the few people to witness the historic execution, and he noted that the contraption used to kill Smith resembled a 'firefighters mask.'

Witnesses sat in wait for almost an hour before a curtain drew back at 7:53pm, revealing Smith strapped to the gurney. As he said his last goodbyes, Hood touched his feet with a bible, continuing to bless him throughout the execution while Smith struggled.

After falling unconscious, Smith appeared to stop breathing at 8:08pm, and the curtain was pulled back over the chamber at 8:15pm before he was officially declared dead 10 minutes later.

Hood said he prayed for the murderer and told him that he 'loved him and he wasn't alone', and broke down as he recounted the 'horror show' of Smith's final moments.

'I could see the corrections officers, I think they were very surprised that this didn't go smoothly - one of the state officials in the room was so nervous she was tap dancing,' he continued.

'(Smith) kept breathing for what could possibly be up to nine minutes, ten minutes, unbelievable evil was unleashed tonight in Alabama... that was torture.'

Hood said he has witnessed five executions before, and after seeing Smith's agony, he felt that 'lethal injection is preferable every single day.'

Lee Hedgepeth, one of five journalists to see Smith put to death, sat next to Smith's wife Deanna in the viewing gallery feet away from where her husband was strapped to a gurney.

He told the BBC: 'The execution starts at about 7.53. The nitrogen begins flowing into the gas mask and Kenny begins to violently shake against the straps that are holding him.

'That violent shaking lasts for about four or five minutes. I've witnessed five executions in Alabama. Four of them lethal injection. One with nitrogen and this was the most violent execution I have ever seen.

'Sitting beside me was Deanna Smith, the wife of Kenny. Once Kenny began to violently shake against those straps she began to sob.

'There were other media witnesses in the room, folks who had seen other executions, and I think there was a shock in the room at how violent the execution was'.

When asked if more states will use the method to execute inmates he added: 'We have never seen a execution by nitrogen before. People will have to consider if this is a more humane execution but people in the room believe it was more violent than lethal injection'.

Claims of Smith's execution being a 'horror show' directly oppose the narrative put out by Alabama officials, who praised it as a step forward for safe death row justice as an 'effective and humane method of execution.'

The historic execution divided opinions, including among Supreme Court justices who voted 6-3 to allow the procedure to go ahead, with the untested method previously branded 'torture' by the UN.

Smith's execution marked the first time a new method had been used on America's death row since lethal injections were first introduced 42 years ago.

But one of the primary reasons Alabama has turned to nitrogen gas for Smith's execution has been the widespread struggles American prisons have had in obtaining lethal injection drugs in recent years.

Jeff Hood, Smith's spiritual advisor before his execution, described the untested execution method as a 'horror show', and said 'unbelievable evil was unleashed tonight in Alabama'

Alabama's lethal injection chamber at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala., is pictured in this Oct. 7, 2002 file photo, where Smith was executed Thursday evening

Thursday's execution opens up the possibility nitrogen hypoxia could be used in upcoming executions, with the Alabama Attorney General's office saying after Smith's death the method 'was intended to be - and has now proved to be - an effective and humane method of execution.'

The apparent victory lap taken by Alabama officials in the wake of the execution - with Governor Kay Ivey also dubbing it 'closure' - sparked backlash from opponents of the new approach.

Maya Foa, director of human rights organization Reprieve, told DailyMail.com: 'They said lethal injection was humane - that was a lie. They'll claim this execution was humane, and that is a lie, too.

'The whole purpose of these methods is to hide pain. How many more prisoners must die agonizing deaths before we see executions for what they really are: the state violently taking a human life?'

Hood said at a press conference, alongside Smith's wife Deanna, that the execution lasted far longer than anticipated, detailing that 'what we saw was minutes of someone struggling for his life.'

'Kenny Smith was by no means a perfect person,' he conceded. 'But we have to make sure that this never, ever happens again.'

Amid reports of Smith struggling and writhing on the gurney, Alabama's prison system's commissioner John Q. Hamm claimed it looked like Smith was holding his breath for as long as possible.

Smith's legal team said in a statement that it was 'deeply saddened' that his execution went ahead, arguing it was a miscarriage of justice because a jury had initially voted to reject the death penalty, but a judge overrode their decision.

'Nothing can undo the tragic consequences of the actions for which he was convicted, including the pain of the Sennett family and friends,' the statement read.

'Kenny's life, however, should be considered in its full context.'

Smith was 22-years-old (seen in his original 1989 mugshot) when he was first arrested for the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Sennett. His conviction was overturned before he was sentenced to death for the same murder at a separate trial in 1996

Elizabeth Sennett, 45, was murdered by Smith and another man in 1989, after her husband paid them each $1,000 to kill her so he could collect on her insurance

Sennett was murdered as her husband had encountered trouble with debt and wanted to capitalise on insurance payouts

Before his final appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court, Smith's pastor told DailyMail.com he was 'putting a lot of hope into this thing being stopped' - after his previous scheduled execution in November 2022 was called off after painful hours of botched attempts to inject him with an IV line.

Following the failed execution in 2022, Smith sought his subsequent execution to be carried out via nitrogen hypoxia - in an apparent gamble that officials wouldn't follow through with the untested method.

As he 'struggled' to accept his fate, the Alabama Department of Corrections said Smith's final day began with him refusing a breakfast of eggs, biscuits, grape jelly, apple sauce and orange juice.

He then received a tray for lunch but again refused it, although he did drink Mountain Dew, Pepsi and coffee.

Smith was ordered to have only clear liquids from 4pm, after barely touching his final meal, which came from Waffle House slathered in A1 steak sauce.

His last phone call was with his wife, Deanna Smith, who was among the few witnesses to the execution, also including Smith's sons, Steven Tiggleman and Michael Bryant, his friend Harold Hedgepeth, and attorney Robert Glass.

Also in attendance was the sons of his victim, Elizabeth Sennett, who told 1819 News that they wanted to watch to make sure the 35-year case of their mother's killer is 'over with.'

Mike Sennet said at a press conference following the execution: 'Nothing happened here today that's gonna bring mom back.'

'We're glad this is over,' he continued. 'Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett got her justice tonight.'

Smith's pastor John Ewell told DailyMail.com before his execution that the killer was 'really struggling' with the reality of his imminent death

The convicted killer, 58, was pronounced dead at 8:25pm in the execution chamber at the William C. Holman facility in Atmore, Alabama

A heavy security presence was stationed outside the prison before the execution, with some protestors gathering nearby to demonstrate against the untested execution method

Officials appeared to take a victory lap in the wake of Smith's death, as the State Attorney General's office branding it a brand new 'effective and humane method of execution'

The execution method split opinions for weeks heading to the final date, with some feeling Smith's crime in 1988 was worthy of his place on death row.

Aged 22, Smith was one of two men convicted in the murder-for-hire slaying of Elizabeth Sennett, 45, the wife of preacher Charles Sennet Sr. who hired the men kill his wife in an insurance plot.

His initial 1989 conviction was overturned on appeal, but he was retried and convicted again in 1996, where he was sentenced to death.

Prosecutors said he and John Forrest Parker were each paid $1,000 for the hit, with Sennett's husband hoping to collect on her insurance as he was deeply in debt.

She was found dead March 18, 1988, in her home in Colbert County with eight stab wounds in the chest and one on each side of her neck.

After finding out that he was suspected of being involved in the plot, Charles Sennett Sr. killed himself. He is now buried next to his wife.

The controversial execution was praised by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey following news of Smith's death, feeling it was justice served for Sennett's murder.

Ivey said in a statement: 'After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes.

'I pray that Elizabeth Sennetts family can receive closure after all these years dealing with that great loss.'

John Forrest Parker, the other man convicted in the slaying, was executed in 2010

Elizabeth, 'Liz', had two children - Charles JR. and Mike - at the time of her death in 1988

Despite warnings from human rights groups over the use of the method, AG Marshall insisted that Smith's fears are unfounded. Quoting experts including euthanasia expert Dr. Philip Nitschke, Marshall said nitrogen hypoxia is a 'peaceful' way to end a human life.

However, in the dissenting opinion in the Supreme Court's approval of the execution hours before Smith's death, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that she felt the execution method was cruel.

Smith wore a mask that had never been fitted for his face until the moment he was strapped down, and officials were banned from intervening even if he began choking on his own vomit.

Although Smith was granted the chance to say his last words, he was also forced to speak them through the gas mask before the nitrogen was turned on.

Sotomayor felt Smith was a 'surprising candidate' for the untested method - with his previous scheduled execution in November 2022 called off after painful hours of botched attempts to inject him with an IV line.

Smith recalled being in 'great pain' because those tasked with injecting the lethal drugs - midazolam hydrochloride, rocuronium bromide and potassium chloride - were stabbing his muscle rather than finding a vein.

Smith has since said that the ceaseless jabs became so ridiculous they turned into farce, especially when one of the executioners eventually asked Smith to squeeze his hand to make the vein stand out better - a request Smith declined.

Unable to find a second usable vein, Smith's gurney was tilted so that his feet were pointed upwards in what he presumed was an attempt to get blood to his head and leave a vein in his neck more pronounced.

He was left for several minutes before the IV returned with an even larger needle in an attempt to attach a so-called central line (or central venous catheter) which is much longer than a regular intravenous line and goes all the way up to a vein near or inside the heart.

Smith reported that this pain became so excruciating after multiple attempts to use the larger needle successfully that he was shaking and wet himself.

Despite warnings from human rights organizations, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says the execution is more gentle than Smith deserves

One of the arguments put forward by Smith's attorneys before the execution was the possibility that the nitrogen gas mask may not be tight enough, allowing a small amount of oxygen in and causing extreme breathing pain.

Euthanasia expert Dr. Philip Nitschke countered that nitrogen hypoxia was a painless way to die.

Officials added that the gas mask was extensively tested, with AG Marshall saying the equipment was tested to ensure the execution was as humane as possible.

Marshall also quoted Nitschke's support of nitrogen hypoxia in assisted suicide as further evidence of how painless the execution will be.

The planned use of nitrogen gas for the first-time sparked outrage in the weeks leading up to Thursday's planned execution among human rights and prison reform advocates.

Reprieve, an international human rights organization focused on incarceration, told DailyMail.com that even planning Smith's execution using nitrogen hypoxia was a travesty.

'Execution with nitrogen gas is the latest effort to obscure the violence of the state taking a human life,' the organization said.

'Despite almost fifty years of horrific scenes in the execution chamber as prisoners suffer agonizing deaths, proponents of capital punishment cling to the lie that it can be carried out humanely.

'Alabama is once more seeking to hide the reality of what goes on in the execution chamber, switching methods to avoid having to answer questions about what went wrong last time, and now proposes to use a method that has been rejected by veterinarians as a way to kill animals.'
Several protests popped up in every capital city

Thousands of protesters have blocked roads outside the state parliament building in Melbourne as huge crowds turned out to simultaneous rallies in other capital cities across the nation to mark Australia Day.

The crowd was pictured gathering shortly after 10am outside the century-old building, with both the Aboriginal and Palestinian flags being waved.

Thousands of protestors showed up at Parliament House in Victoria for 'Invasion Day' rallies

Signs reading 'No Pride in Genocide' were raised by some protestors, and the Palestinian and Aboriginal flags were waved side-by-side by others

Free Palestine Melbourne shared video of the rally to their social media, with flag-waving marchers heard chanting 'Abolish the date, abolish the state'

Free Palestine Melbourne shared video of the rally to their social media, with flag-waving marchers heard chanting: 'Abolish the date, abolish the state!'.

Placards and decorative signs placed on the steps of the parliament building carried calls for racial justice and memorials for Indigenous people killed in custody.

The crowd was pictured gathering shortly after 10am outside the century-old building, with both the Aboriginal and Palestinian flags being waved

In Brisbane a Queensland Police spokesperson said that they anticipated crowds of up to 8,000 to join the city's Invasion Day protests.

Protesters marched through the CBD with Aboriginal and Palestinian flags calling for the date of Australia Day and the 'system' to be changed.

Signs held by protestors read 'No pride in genocide' and 'No justice no peace' as marchers chanted 'Always was, always will be  Aboriginal land' and 'Free Palestine'.

Retired AFL player Nakia Cockatoo told the crowd that he wanted Australians to come together in 'sadness and happiness' to 'remember' and 'reflect'.

Rhys Monaghan, an Indigenous man, followed Mr Cockatoo's speech by adding that 'Today is our Anzac Day  our survival day'.

Mr Monaghan suggested changing the date to Steve Irwins birthday so that Australians could be brought 'together'.

In Brisbane a Queensland Police spokesperson said that they anticipated crowds of up to 8,000 to join the city's 'Invasion Day' protests

Signs held by protestors read 'No pride in genocide' and 'No justice no peace' as marchers chanted 'Always was, always will be  Aboriginal land' and 'Free Palestine'

Protesters marched through the CBD with Aboriginal and Palestinian flags calling for the date of Australia Day and the 'system' to be changed

Meanwhile in Canberra, the entrance to Parliament House was locked down as activists marched right to the building's front doors.

Thousands gathered at the building's forecourt where organisers yelled 'F*** Israel and F*** Australia' in protest of both Australia Day and the war on Gaza.

Visitors to Parliament House who were trying to exit the building were forced to leave via the basement exit.

The activists continued their march towards the Aboriginal Tent Embassy where more speeches will take place.

Meanwhile in Canberra, the entrance to Parliament House was locked down as activists marched right to the building's front doors

Thousands gathered at the building's forecourt where organisers yelled 'F*** Israel and F*** Australia' in protest of both Australia Day and the war on Gaza

The activists continued their march towards the Aboriginal Tent Embassy where more speeches will take place

Visitors to Parliament House who were trying to exit the building were forced to leave via the basement exit

It's unclear at this stage when the building will be reopened for public access.

Activist group Get Up described the Invasion Day movement as growing 'stronger and bolder' as hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets.

'(They) demonstrate to current and future governments the power of Indigenous identity and self-determination and to demand First Nations justice,' GetUp said.

In a statement, GetUp CEO and Widjabul Wia-bal woman Larissa Baldwin-Roberts highlighted the importance of the rallies as the first since the failed Voice referendum.

It's not Australia Day.

It's Invasion Day.

It's not a war.

It's genocide#blakpalestinesolidarity

at Parliament House Canberra 'Australia' pic.twitter.com/WwbhoVm0kg  Free Gaza Australia (@GFFAusGroup) January 26, 2024

'We need to stand against their division, uplift First Nations strength and solutions, and fight against the far-right efforts to undermine First Nations justice,' she said.

READ MORE: Albo's divisive Ausustralia Day speech Advertisement

'Invasion Day has always been about our communities' resilience, strength and demands and this year is no different. This year we're demanding a treaty now.

'Our elders ignited the call for a treaty decades ago. We cannot afford to wait another half-century for it to happen. Australia remains the only Commonwealth country without a treaty.'

Ms Baldwin-Roberts also called on all governments to 'understand that the time for reconciliation is over and we need to see concrete next steps towards a treaty'.

The rally comes after large crowds gathered at both Bondi Beach in Sydney and in Melbourne for dawn services, which included dance and smoking ceremonies.

Protesters will march across the country on Friday, including in Sydney where people gathered at Belmore Park for an event organised by The Blak Caucus.

The group urged protesters to demand an 'end to the war on black kids' and protection of Aboriginal land.

They also called on NSW Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to meet with the families of people who had died in custody.

The event was formally endorsed by a range of pro-Palestine groups who had marched through Sydney streets every Sunday for more than three months.

In Sydney more protests took place throughout the CBD and in Belmore Park

The group urged protesters to demand an 'end to the war on black kids' and protection of Aboriginal land

They also called on NSW Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to meet with the families of people who had died in custody

The rallies come just a day after a statue of Captain James Cook was vandalised in Melbourne

The rallies come just a day after a statue of Captain James Cook was vandalised in Melbourne.

The monument was removed from its podium after being sawn off at the ankles, according to Victoria Police.

A second statue to Queen Victoria was also vandalised on Thursday after being doused in red paint.

The rally comes after large crowds gathered at both Bondi Beach in Sydney and in Melbourne for dawn services, which included dance and smoking ceremonies

Protesters marched across the country on Friday, including in Sydney where people gathered at Belmore Park for an event organised by The Blak Caucus

A range of other events took place across the country on Friday, including Sovereignty and Survival Day rallies

A range of other events took place across the country on Friday, including Sovereignty and Survival Day rallies.

Among them was the Meanjin Survival Dat ceremony, which organisers said celebrated the 'survival of the First Peoples'.

The rallies will be the first since the failed Voice to Parliament referendum in October.
A top British Army soldier who served as the deputy commander of Nato says the UK should not rule out conscription in the face of rising threats from Russia.

General Sir Richard Shirreff said mandatory call-ups for military service were 'absolute anathema' to professional soldiers  but said Britain had to be ready for the worst-case scenario of a full-on conflict with Russia.

He added that dwindling Army numbers  currently heading for 73,000 full-time soldiers by next year  were not indicative of a fighting force that was ready to take on Vladimir Putin should he opt to go to war with Ukraine's Nato allies.

As a result, he said in an interview on Thursday, the government should consider 'thinking the unthinkable' and mull over the reintroduction of mandatory national service for the first time in over 60 years.

His comments came after the outgoing head of the British Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, said Britain should consider creating a voluntary 'citizen army' that could be trained up to fight in the event tensions with Russia spill over into all-out warfare.

General Sir Richard Shirreff says Army numbers are in 'freefall' and that volunteers should be encouraged to join a citizen force

He served in the British Army for 37 years, being deployed to active conflict zones in the likes of Kosovo (above)

The then-Lieutenant General Shirreff with then-Tory leader David Cameron in 2006 on a visit to Iraq during the second Gulf War

Gen Sir Richard has said the British government may have to 'think the unthinkable' and consider conscription (pictured: National Service recruits in 1947)

Western nations are already taking actions to prepare both their military and civilian populations for warfare against Vladimir Putin's Russia

'If you look at the Army, Army numbers are in freefall,' Gen Sir Richard told Sky News.

'That is not an army that is ready and capable of producing a warfighting division, which I would argue is the currency of high intensity conflict.

'(It would be) great if we were to get the volunteers. I think General Sanders is absolutely right to be talking about a citizen volunteer army.

'I think though that now, against all the odds, is the time to start thinking the unthinkable and really having to think quite carefully about conscription if we're to deliver the numbers needed.'

Gen Sir Richard served in the British Army for 37 years, according to his own biography; he was deployed to the likes of Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Iraq before being promoted to Nato's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe in 2011.

Earlier this week, Gen Sir Patrick's sparked intense debate over the future shape of Britain's armed forces when he suggested that the country should encourage citizens to volunteer for an expanded fighting force ready to take on Russia.

He told an armoured vehicle conference that other Nato allies, including new-member-to-be Sweden, were taking 'preparatory steps (for)...a war footing'.

'We will not be immune and as the pre-war generation we must similarly prepare - and that is a whole-of-nation undertaking,' he said.

'Ukraine brutally illustrates that regular armies start wars - citizen armies win them.'

UK troops have trained some 30,000 Ukrainians, including civilians, on British soil under Operation Interflex, the multinational support mission backing the country as it continues to push back against the two-year-long Russian invasion.

Whitehall has reportedly been watching the UK's Ukrainian training exercises with interest, with sources believing there are 'useful lessons' to take away from the operation.

A source told The Times: 'We are observing that a lot of what we are doing could act as a mission rehearsal for generating our own second echelon.'

However, Gen Sir Patrick stopped short of calling for a return to conscription, and the Prime Minister has played down any suggestion that Brits could be made to fight for King and country.

But in a rare out-of-step criticism of its transatlantic ally, one of the US's top defence officials has questioned whether Britain's military is ready for a potential conflict against the million-strong might of the Russian army.

Carlos Del Toro, US secretary of the navy, said in remarks reported by the Times that 'sacrifices' had been made in armed forces in recent years.

'I think it is important for the United Kingdom to reassess where they are today, given the threats that exist today,' he said.

'Given the near-term economic threats to the United Kingdom and the United States, investments in their navy are significant important.'

General Sir Patrick Sanders, Chief of the General Staff, says Britain should 'train and equip' a 'citizen army' to prepare for a land war

Junior soldiers from the Army Foundation College in Harrogate conduct an exercise in Northumberland. Conscription, were it to happen, could see more Brits trained to fight

Admiral Rob Bauer, the chair of the NATO military committee, has urged both civilians and governments to prepare for conflict and potential conscription

The discussions come after a senior Nato official suggested the West could face all-out war with Moscow within the next two decades.

Admiral Rob Bauer, the chair of Nato's military committee, has urged member states to prepare for a potential conflict with Russia in the next 20 years.

Article 5 of the organisation's founding treaty operates on the proviso that 'an attack on one is an attack on all'  requiring 'each and every other member' of the alliance to take any actions deemed necessary if one is attacked by an outside force.

Nato signed a new $1.2billion contract on Tuesday to produce 220,000 artillery rounds for member countries, paving the way for allied nations to backfill their arsenals and provide Ukraine with further ammunition.

It is also mobilising some 90,000 troops for war games aimed at sending a message to Russia not to consider attacking any member states, in its largest military manoeuvre since the Cold War.

The exercises - dubbed 'Steadfast Defender' - will run until late May and involve units from all 31 Nato member countries plus candidate-member Sweden.

Admiral Rob Bauer, a member of the Dutch navy and chair of the NATO military committee, has said Europe must realise all had a role to play in the event of conflict.

He said: 'We have to realise it's not a given that we are in peace. And that's why we (Nato forces) are preparing for a conflict with Russia.

'But the discussion is much wider. It is also the industrial base and also the people that have to understand they play a role.'

Meanwhile, Sweden  preparing to enter the NATO alliance later this year after Turkey accepted its application on Monday  has also warned its citizens it could soon be fighting an all-out war.

Defence minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin recently said: 'The world is facing a security outlook with greater risks than at any time since the end of the Second World War.

'Are you a private individual? Have you considered whether you have time to join a voluntary defence organisation? If not, get moving!'

Nato forces are bracing for an all-out war with Russia in the next two decades, according to one of its top defence chiefs

Britain has been training a combination of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians under Operation Interflex (pictured) following Russia's invasion in February 2022

Civil servants are said to be examining how the Interflex training exercises (pictured) could lay the groundwork for drilling civilians, amid brewing tensions with Russia

And earlier this week, Norway's defence chief further added to the growing calls to prepare for a war with Russia.

Eirik Kristoffersen said Nato countries have 'two, maybe three' years to prepare for an assault by Putin's forces.

His announcement came as secret plans were leaked revealing that Germany is preparing for Putin's forces to attack NATO as early as 2025.

Mandatory military service was introduced during the First World War under the Military Service Act of 1916.

The National Service (Armed Forces) Act followed in 1939 on the day Britain declared war on Germany at the outbreak of the Second World War, requiring all fighting age men aged between 18 and 41 to join up.

Following the end of the Second World War, a new National Service Act was passed that required all young men aged 17 to 21 to serve in the armed forces for 18 months and to remain on the reserve list for several years.

National Service then continued until the last servicemen were demobbed in 1963. Conscientious objectors could refuse, but would face a tribunal at which they would be expected to justify their opposition to joining up.

Grant Shapps, the defence secretary, has the power to recall former service personnel under the Reserve Forces Act 1996 as long as they are under 55 and left the army within the last 18 years.
Comedian Hasan Minhaj's deal to take over as host of The Daily Show 'was all but done by late summer,' according to a report - but then torpedoed by the September publication of a New Yorker expose accusing him of embellishing his stories.

The 38-year-old was one of several people to take turns hosting after Trevor Noah stepped down in September 2022, ending seven years in the hot seat.

Minhaj, whose Netflix series Patriot Act won him legions of fans, an Emmy and a Peabody Award, was the top contender to ultimately replace Noah by the summer of 2023, The Hollywood Reporter said on Thursday.

But on September 15, 2023, The New Yorker published a deep dive into Minhaj's stories which formed the foundation of his standup routine.

Hasan Minhaj is seen with Trevor Noah, who stood down after seven years in September 2022. Since then there has been a rotating cast of hosts, and Minhaj was the favorite until The New Yorker published its expose

The New Yorker dug into some of Minhaj's stories and found they were not entirely true

The magazine found that he had never taken his daughter to hospital after receiving a suspicious white powder in the post, and invented a story about a FBI infiltrator coming to his Sacramento-area mosque, in 2002. The infiltrator he named was in prison in 2002, and didn't begin to work for the FBI until 2006.

Minhaj was also found to have concocted a story about visiting the Saudi embassy in Washington DC and finding out on the way home that Jamal Khashoggi had been murdered that day - Minhaj's visit was a month before the murder.

And a woman who Minhaj described as having rejected him for the prom because he was brown-skinned had a very different recollection of events.

Minhaj published a 21 minute video online, saying the New Yorker writer made him sound like 'a psycho,' and promising to be 'more thoughtful' about blending fiction and nonfiction.

Jon Stewart, host from 1999-2015, is now returning to host the show on Mondays

In the months since, however, Minhaj has been unrepentant, telling crowds at his standup shows that he took the scrutiny as a badge of honor.

'I've made it: I got a real old scandal,' he said, adding, 'A dorky scandal.'

Minhaj continued: 'I had to go head-to-head with one of the most dangerous organizations in the world,' noting that he didn't mean the U.S. military or the Israeli Defense Forces.

'I am talking about a white woman with a keyboard.'

But The Hollywood Reporter said that Minhaj, in the eyes of The Daily Show producers, was now tarnished and unfit for the plum role.

They announced this week that Jon Stewart, who hosted the show from 1999-2015, will return on Mondays.

The rest of the week will still be helmed by a rotating cast of guest hosts.
The whole nation was horrified by the slaying of two university students and a grandfather on the streets of Nottingham.

The innocent victims  Grace O'Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates  were going about their lives when they were stabbed to death by a homicidal maniac.

This abomination not only consigns their loved ones to a lifetime of grief and pain. It also stands as a tragic memorial to a social experiment gone disastrously wrong. For the killer, Valdo Calocane, was a paranoid schizophrenic with a history of violence.

That he could roam unsupervised when he was plainly such a danger to others is a shocking indictment of the grotesquely misnamed policy of care in the community.

Four times Calocane was sectioned by concerned mental health officials. Four times he was released. At the time of his rampage, this ticking timebomb was wanted by police for assaulting an officer, yet they had failed to locate him.

The whole nation was horrified by the slaying of two university students and a grandfather on the streets of Nottingham. The innocent victims  Grace O'Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates  were going about their lives when they were stabbed to death by a homicidal maniac. Pictured: Valdo Calocane

This is a depressingly familiar catalogue of errors and incompetence. There has been an unending procession of tragic killings by people with psychiatric disorders.

Since the 1970s, when the medical and political establishment became wedded to the idea of emptying the old residential mental hospitals and allowing the seriously disturbed to live at home or in hostels, the public has been at increased risk.

This supposedly enlightened approach relies on 'community' patients sticking to their medications. Troublingly, many  including Calocane  refuse. As a result, violent incidents keep rising.

There is, of course, a grim irony. While it's now finally fashionable to talk about mental health, NHS provision for those with severe psychosis is lamentable. The extra 150million pledged by Rishi Sunak to provide crisis care for the mentally ill is dwarfed by the sums squandered on housing illegal migrants. Our priorities seem warped.

The families of Calocane's victims are also entitled to feel betrayed by the justice system. Accepting the killer's plea to manslaughter by diminished responsibility shames the Crown Prosecution Service.

The innocent victims  Grace O'Malley-Kumar (pictured), Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates  were going about their lives when they were stabbed to death by a homicidal maniac

Barnaby Webber, from Taunton, was stabbed in Ilkeston Road in Nottingham at around 4am on June 13

Without a jury deciding whether he'd committed murder, can the families ever feel closure? Barnaby's mother said the victims had been 'let down by the very system that should have protected them'. She's right.

But will anyone in the NHS or police be held properly accountable for this outrage?

Every time a mentally ill person kills, we tread a familiar path. Hands are wrung, inquiries set up, recommendations made.

And we are solemnly told lessons will be learned. The problem is, they never are.

Who rules Britain?

With wearying predictability, the European Court of Human Rights is once again meddling in Britain's affairs.

Its president has warned Rishi Sunak to heed the court's 'pyjama injunctions', controversially used to stop us sending Channel migrants to Rwanda. The PM should resist her interfering. His Rwanda Bill, passed by the Commons, gives ministers the power to disregard such orders.

This is a hugely important principle. Who controls our borders  the UK Parliament or unelected Strasbourg judges?

The president of the European Court of Human Rights has warned Rishi Sunak to heed the court's 'pyjama injunctions', controversially used to stop us sending Channel migrants to Rwanda (File Photo)

The tourist trap

Ministers often insist they make policy based on hard evidence.

In that case, the Chancellor should study a compelling VisitBritain report which shows the tourist tax is damaging the economy. It finds his refusal to reinstate VAT-free shopping for foreign holidaymakers cost the country 10billion last summer.

Rich tourists are not opening their wallets until they reach the Continent, where comparable goods are 20 per cent cheaper.

Jeremy Hunt is not just a bookkeeper. He has a responsibility to grow the economy. He should axe this perverse tax in the Budget.
The scenes at one of Australia's most famous beaches on this year's Australia Day are worlds away from what it was like just a couple of years ago in a subtle sign Aussies are turning their backs on the national holiday.

While Bondi Beach has been flooded with Aussies looking to escape the scorching temperatures, photos taken from the 2024 Australia Day could be mistaken for any other summer's day.

There is a clear absence of Australian-themed bikinis, boardshorts, hats, flags and umbrellas - with the Aussie colours of green and gold also missing in action.

This year's Australia Day on Bondi Beach looks world's away from what it did in previous years

Two women are seen after taking a dip at Bondi Beach on Friday. No one at the beach was wearing Australian-themed attire

Pictures from Bondi Beach on the 2022 Australia Day are world's apart

Some Aussies were more than happy to show off their national pride during Australia Day two years ago

An Australian flag was hoisted above the promenade along Bondi Beach but that's where most of the patriotism ended.

Photos from 2022 show a different scene altogether, with many women donning Australian bikinis and hats, with others draping themselves in the national flag.

The change in attitude comes after years of controversy surrounding the date of Australia Day, and calls from First Nations Australians to have the day of celebration changed.

Crowds had also turned out at Bondi on Friday morning for a a solemn Anzac-day style Dawn Reflection service and Smoking Ceremony.

Indigenous La Perouse Gamay Dancers and Jannawi Dance Clan performed and elders held a smoking ceremony as the nation marked the arrival of the British First Fleet in 1788.

Thousands of Australians have greeted the dawn of a scorching hot Australia Day at Indigenous beachside and parkland ceremonies across the country (pictured, Bondi Beach on Friday)

Temperatures in Sydney were already hitting 30C by 7am as hundreds lined Bondi Beach in the eastern suburbs for a solemn Dawn Reflection and Smoking Ceremony (pictured)

Indigenous La Perouse Gamay Dancers and Jannawi Dance Clan performed for the crowd (pictured)

The event was an opportunity to 'commemorate our First Nations community', said Waverley Council, and brought a large crowd of locals, some wearing the Aboriginal flag, to the beach.

The council said the event would 'acknowledge the resilience and survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their continuous connection to Country and culture'.

But in a nod to more traditional Australia Day celebrations, the council also laid on a beachside BBQ breakfast in front of Bondi Surf Club immediately afterwards.

Countless Aussies have also turned out to various Invasion Day rallies around the country, demanding the date of the public holiday be changed.

Tens of thousands gathered together in major CBDs of Australia on Friday to march against celebrating January 26.

The national holiday comes on a sweltering hot day with Sydney forecast to hit a maximum of 38C on Friday, while some inland areas are set to nudge 50C, including the Queensland tourist town of Birdsville which hit 49.4C on Thursday.

A southerly change beginning on Friday afternoon will see temperatures in many parts of the country drop by up to 10 to 15 degrees.

Beachgoers are seen at Bondi for the 2024 Australia Day

An Australian flag was hoisted above the promenade along Bondi Beach but that's where most of the patriotism ended

Aussies are seen at Bondi on Friday morning

Many Aussies opted out of wearing Australian-themed outfits at Bondi for the national holiday

As the heat continues to move further east, the NSW coast is set to get a little warmer still with Newcastle and Taree both forecast for 41C while Grafton and Gosford will hit 40C.

Temperatures in towns across the Hunter including Cessnock, Scone and Singleton will also rise by 1-2C on Thursday's temperatures with Singleton expecting a peak of 43C and Scone 41C.

The lower and upper west of the state will again bear the brunt of the heat with Bourke to hit 44C and Moree 42C.

Parts of the state could see a thunderstorm roll through in the afternoon and evening.
Thousands of protesters armed with Aboriginal flags and 'Black Rights Matter' signs swarmed the streets of cities across the country on Friday to call for changes to Australia Day.

For many Indigenous Australians, celebration of the public holiday on January 26 - the date Britain's first fleet arrived in Sydney Cove in 1788 - is a painful reminder of the devastating impacts of colonisation on their people and culture.

While supporters of the 'Invasion Day' movement are divided as to whether the date should simply be changed or the public holiday abolished - demonstrators are united in their message to those who continue to celebrate the day.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, protesters attending Sydney's rally said those commemorating the public holiday were being disrespectful to Indigenous Australians and needed to 'wake up'.

'We need to recognise the impact colonialism has on Indigenous people,' Marco Mannering said.

'Wake up and ask questions.

'Australia Day is a day for reflection about the genocide committed against Indigenous people.'

Marco Mannering (pictured centre) called for non-Indigenous Australians to 'wake up' and 'ask questions' about the significance of January 26 to First Nations people

Ruby Bagwell (pictured) says Aussies need to educate themselves about the impacts of colonisation

Ruby Bagnell, whose family belong to the Wiradjuri people from Central NSW, said many people did not seem to understand the atrocities afflicted upon Aboriginal people since colonisation.

People should educate themselves about the significance of Australia Day for Indigenous people,' she said.

In recent years, Izzy Pisanos has marked the public holiday by attending protests.

She said she believes there are still many social issues that should be addressed before the country was ready to observe a day that is supposed to symbolise national unity.

'We got a lot of problems in Australia and I dont think we should be celebrating the day,' she said.

'All my friends are Indigenous. I just wanted to show my support [by attending the protest].'

Tanaka Nhongo was born in Zimbabwe and grew up in South Africa before later moving to Australia.

Izzy Pisanos (right) is pictured with her sister at Sydney's Invasion Day protest on Friday

Tanaka Nhongo experienced oppression during South Africa's racial segregation policy, Apartheid, which existed from 1948 to the early 1990s

Thousands descended on Sydney's streets for Invasion Day rallies on Friday

Several protesters clutched a banner reading 'black lives matter'

Demonstrators donned hats and sunglasses as they braved scorching temperatures in Sydney to hit the streets

Family of Ricky 'Dougie' Hampson Jr, a 36-year-old Kamilaroi-Dunghutti man who died just hours after being discharged from hospital in 2014, held up a sign calling for justice

He experienced oppression during Apartheid and came to the protest to show his support for First Nations people as they continue to battle racial inequality in their homeland.

'I have been detained multiple times... I know what oppression looks like,' he said.

'The act of physically being here (at this protest) is important for me.'

He said he did not believe people would be deterred from coming out to support Invasion Day, despite the fact the country overwhelmingly voted 'No' to the Voice referendum.

Mr Nhongo said it was surprising that so many Australians still seemed oblivious to the maltreatment of Aboriginal people.

He hopes by standing up for what he believes in and the rights of others, that he will inspire his children.

'It shouldnt take a person who comes from an oppressed society to tell people about the injustices of Indigenous people,' he said.

I want my son to know that we as an oppressed people can be strong on our own and we dont need others to stand up for us.

'Theres always a place for compassion and an acknowledgement of the wrongs that were done in the past.'

A young girl held up an Aboriginal flag as she marched through Sydney's CBD

A group of demonstrators are pictured walking to the rally at Belmore Park

Demonstrators braced the heat as they listened to speeches at the Sydney rally

Men and women chanted passionately as they walked through the streets

While Invasion Day advocates are all united in calling for change to Australia Day, there is still debate within the campaign over whether another date should be selected to celebrate the diversity of modern Australia.

For Ms Bagnell and Mr Mannering, they would like to see Australia Day completely scrapped.

'I dont think we should celebrate Australia Day,' Ms Bagnell said.

'I prefer to call it Invasion Day'.

The 'Invasion Day' movement has escalated in recent years as growing numbers of protesters take to the streets of capital cities on the public holiday to throw their support behind Indigenous Australians.

For First Nations people, colonisation has left an indelible mark on their history - including the state-sanctioned massacres of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the forcible removal of children from parents between mid-1800s to the 1970s.

The run-on effects continue to impact Indigenous Australians, who compared to the rest of the community suffer from inequalities such as poverty, poor health/nutrition, housing, low education, level, high unemployment and lower life expectancy rates.

Major companies and businesses have also started rethinking their branding strategies as the Invasion Day movement continues to gain momentum.

One man held a sign calling for truth, justice and equality

Members of the crowd could be seen holding flags and signs as they attentively listened to the speeches

A family wearing Aboriginal flag shirts smiled for a photo as they sat in the park

One man was seen with a Palestinian keffiyeh draped around his neck

Many protesters at the event held Palestinian flags as they used the event to also rally against the war in the Middle East

Police officers were out in force to ensure the crowd remained under control

The protest remained peaceful, with demonstrators calmly sitting in the park as they listened to speeches

Earlier this month, Woolworths sparked controversy after announcing it would no longer sell Australia Day merchandise.

The company cited its reasoning as a 'gradual decline in demand' and 'broader discussions about 26 January and what it means to different parts of the community'.

Aldi followed suit, revealing days later it would also not be stocking any Australia-themed merchandise in its special buy section this year.

Mr Manning, Ms Pisanos and Ms Bagnell welcomed the decision.

'F*** yeah,' Ms Pisanos said.

13YARN 13 92 76

Aboriginal Counselling Services 0410 539 905
More than two million crimes have gone unsolved in just one year, as startling new figures show a surge in knife offences in Britain.

Home Office data has revealed that 2.3million criminal investigations in the UK were dropped by police without the force even identifying a suspect - the equivalent to more than 6,300 crimes going unsolved every day on average.

The number of offenders actually being taken to court for crimes was just 5.9 per cent, with 319,440 being charged or summonsed.

Meanwhile figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed knife crimes have soared by 77 per cent from 27,498 in 2015 to 48,716 in the year to last September.

It came as data also showed that shoplifting has soared by a third to a 20-year high, amid a surge in overall theft.

Data from the ONS showed there were 402,482 offences of shoplifting recorded by police in England and Wales in the year to September, up 32 per cent on the previous 12 months.

Knife crime offences: What the latest figures show Some 48,716 offences were recorded in the 12 months to September 2023. This is up 5% from 46,367 in the previous 12 months, but is 5% lower than the 51,228 in the year to March 2020. These figures do not include Devon & Cornwall and Greater Manchester Police, due to issues involving the supply of data. There has been a 'notable increase' in the number of robberies involving a knife or sharp instrument, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) which compiled the figures. These jumped from 16,746 in the year to September 2022 to 20,000 in the year to September 2023, a rise of 19%  though the total is still below pre-pandemic levels. Knife-enabled homicides stood at 240 in the 12 months to September 2023, broadly unchanged on the 241 recorded in the previous year and also lower than pre-pandemic figures. Some 5,459 offences classed as knife-enabled threats to kill were recorded in the latest 12-month period, down slightly (by 3%) from 5,641 in the previous year, but in both cases these figures are higher than those recorded before the pandemic. The number of offences classed as 'possession of article with a blade or point' stood at 27,846 in the 12 months to September 2023, up 4% from 26,903 in the previous year. This trend could have been influenced by targeted police action to tackle knife crime,' the ONS said. Advertisement

It was the highest level since current crime-recording methods began in 2002 and comes after retailers warned Britain is in the grip of a shoplifting epidemic.

Retail crime drove an 8 per cent year-on-year rise in overall theft to 1.8million offences.

There was also an 8 per cent surge in car thefts to more than 132,000 - or more than 360 a day.

The ONS figures showed robbery jumped by 12 per cent to just over 79,000 recorded crimes, including a disturbing 19 per cent leap in robberies committed at knifepoint, to 20,000.

Knife crime overall saw a five per cent rise to 48,716 offences, although it remained lower than pre-pandemic levels.

Residential burglary dipped by four per cent to just under 188,000.

The overall number of crimes recorded by police hit 6.7million, up one per cent on the previous year.

Total drugs offences were up two per cent to nearly 182,000, while overall sex crimes were down three per cent to 191,000 compared with the previous year's record high.

There were 591 homicides - murder and manslaughter - down from 651 the year before.

The Home Office's own statistics showed that many of those who commit crimes also appear to get away with it, with abandoned police inquiries amounted to 40.3 per cent of reported crimes, up from 36.8 per cent the previous year.

It included 1,353,273 thefts where the case was closed without collaring the offender, of which more than 149,000 were domestic burglaries.

The proportion of robberies which led to a suspect being taken to court dipped slightly to 6.3 per cent.

But the proportion of sex offences which led to a charge showed slight improvement - at 3.9 per cent, up from 3.3 per cent the previous year.

It included a rise in the number of reported rapes which led to a suspect being charged, which rose from 1.6 per cent to 2.4 per cent.

Downing Street said ministers were looking at how to tackle the massive surge in shoplifting.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'We'd always want to do more to combat shoplifting.

'I think there is work that has been done, particularly with private companies, about how we can go further to tackle this issue.'

He added that the Government 'must do more' to tackle knife crime.

'The overall trend for things like people being admitted to hospital continues to fall and that is welcome, but we must do more.

'It's why we have invested in prevention, it is why we have introduced tough new laws and it's why we back our police.'

Retailers have said shoplifting is costing 953million a year and amounts to a 6p 'tax' on every purchase made in Britain.

Meanwhile, the Crime Survey of England and Wales - a separate measure of crime, based on detailed interviews with members of the public - suggested overall crime levels were stable at 8.5million.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said: 'This government has a plan to protect the British public, and the plan is working.

'Since 2010 our communities are safer, with neighbourhood crimes including burglary, robbery and theft down 48 per cent and violent crime down 51 per cent compared with March 2010.

'We have delivered on our commitment to recruit 20,000 additional police officers and will be providing policing with up to 18.4billion for 2024-25, including for more visible patrols in our neighbourhoods.'

He said police forces have agreed to 'pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry', adding: 'I expect forces to continue to get the basics right - so that they catch more criminals and deliver justice for victims.'

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the 'disturbing' rise in knife crime and said it was 'now 77 per cent higher than in 2015'.

The Labour MP added that it 'shows how badly the Tories are failing on law and order'.
British expats in France have been dealt a major blow after an amendment to allow them to have long stays without a visa was blocked by a French court after being deemed 'unconstitutional'.

France's Constitutional Council yesterday rejected an amendment to the immigration bill which would have permitted British expats to stay in the country for longer than 90 days without the need for a visa.

If passed by the court, the changes would have allowed long-stay visas to be automatically issued to British nationals who own a second home in France, meaning they could spend as much time as they wanted in the country.

But the defeat means all Brits including homeowners will only be able to stay for 90 days out of every 180 days without a visa.

Those who wish to stay longer will have to apply for a temporary long-stay visa which would last up to six months at a time.

Protestors gather to demonstrate as they hold banners to call for the withdrawal of the immigration law at the Constitutional Council in Paris yesterday

British expats in France were dealt a major blow after an amendment to allow them to have long stays without a visa was blocked by the Constitutional Court

The decision to reject the amendment, which will come as a major blow for the approximately 86,000 Brits who own second homes in France, is final as there is no right of appeal against France's Constitutional Court.

According to the Office of National Statistics, there were an estimated 152,900 Brits living in France in 2017.

French senator Martine Berthet tabled the amendment to the immigration bill in November, arguing that pushing British citizens from investing in France's local economies would further add to the worsening problem of empty properties in tourist hotspots.

Just earlier this week, it was reported that British demand for holiday homes in France has increased nearly six-fold after the potential change in law was first mooted.

The amendment had successfully passed through the two houses of France's senate, but was rejected after the Constitutional Council ruled it 'unconstitutional'.

Jason Porter, a director at tax specialists Blevins Franks, told The Telegraph: 'The element [to the immigration bill] for UK second home owners was always going to be rejected as it was not treating everyone equally as it does not apply for the other 61 countries eligible for visa entry into France.'
The parents of one of the Kansas City Chiefs fans that were found dead in their friend's backyard believe the victims may have 'seen something they shouldn't have.'

On January 9, the bodies of David Harrington, 37, Ricky Johnson, 38, and Clayton McGeeney, 36, were found in his backyard of Jordan Willis' home in Kansas City, Missouri.

They had been there since January 7, when the three men visited Willis to watch the Chiefs play the Los Angeles Chargers, along with the as-yet unnamed fifth friend.

Officials are awaiting toxicology reports - but the men's families are adamant that something more sinister is at play. No one has been arrested and the police aren't treating the situation as a homicide.

Harrington's father, Jon, said that he believes the three victims may have 'learned something' or 'saw something that they shouldn't have,' before their deaths.

David Harrington (second left), Clayton McGeeney (second right) and Ricky Johnson (right) are shown with two unidentified fellow Chiefs fans, neither of whom is believed to be involved in the mystery. Harrington, McGeeney and Johnson were found dead on January 9 in the backyard of another man's house

David Harrington was found dead on his friend's property on January 9

The grieving father told Fox News Digital: '[Harrington's mother] and I are both convinced that Jordan Willis played a part in this somehow.

'We just haven't figured out how yet. What else could it be? Perfectly healthy men don't just drop off the face of the earth.'

'There were four of you in the house and now three of them are dead and you're not.

'That doesn't add up.

I'm thinking that he, the three of them learned something or saw something that they shouldn't have seen, and he decided 'well, I need to get rid of you now. Friends or not.'

He referenced the theory that the men's deaths were related to drugs. Officials are still waiting on toxicology reports.

Harrington senior said: 'I'm aware that they may have done some substances that were questionable  but the idea was to get high, not dead. If they were supposed to be friends, why didn't [Willis] come find them.

'I'm sure they have a hundred different answers to that, but that's my question.'

Clayton McGeeney, 36, was also found dead in the backyard

Ricky Johnson, a father-of-three, was one of the three men found dead

Willis told police the men had frozen to death in his backyard. Their loved ones have raised questions over the lack of reporting of their bodies, and the snow that they say was not deep enough to submerge them

Harrington's mother Jennifer Marquez, Harrington's mother, told Fox: 'Yes, I believe that something happened that night and that Jordan had something to do with it.

'We all believe that Jordan had something to do with that.

'He sat in that house for two days. He's had no drug test done on him. He's had no alcohol test. He has had nothing to see how he might be included in this  they've given him two weeks to get any evidence completely gone.'

Jordan Willis has not been arrested and is not facing criminal charges.

The mother claimed, according to Fox: 'Jordan's not telling the truth. When you tell the truth, your story is solid. It's when you're lying that your story changes, and that's what's been happening. I don't understand why the police don't see that.'

The fifth man who was present on the night stressed that its 'absolutely not true' that he was the 'last person to see the three men alive.'

He has also now lawyered up - hiring fierce criminal defense attorney Andrew Talge.

Talge said his client arrived at Willis house at 7pm - and they were all hanging out until midnight. The four other men were watching Jeopardy when he left.

The lawyer also said that on Tuesday - the day after - the fifth man texted Jordan Willis. He sent this after Clayton McGeeneys fiancee and from Ricky Johnsons mother had got in touch asking about their loved ones.

This contradicts what Willis' attorney Picerno has said on multiple occasions. He said that his client only received messages on Facebook Messenger, not text messages or calls.

The other two bodies were found in the backyard. Police initially said there was no foul play, but are yet to confirm the cause of death for the three men

One of the bodies was found on the back porch of the property by the fiancee of one of the men, who broke in after receiving no answer from Willis

The Kansas City Police Department has said that there was no evidence of any criminal activity or foul play at the scene.

For two days, the families of the victims say they visited Willis' home, called him and sent him Facebook messages asking where they were. He did not respond.

Eventually, the fiancee of one of the men broke into the house through the basement and found the first body in the backyard. She then called police, who arrived to find Willis in his underwear, holding a wine glass.

His attorney maintains that he did nothing wrong, and has cooperated with police.

The medical examiner's office is yet to reveal the cause of death or whether any of the men had any drugs in their system.

Jordan Willis, 38, says he has no idea how his friends died in his backyard or why they were outside

John Picerno said: 'He has nothing to hide. He went to the police station and spoke with officers without a lawyer present, he allowed them to search his home... these were his friends.

'He'd bought tickets for them all to go to the next Chiefs game - he didn't want any harm to come to any of them. There was no ill will,' attorney Picerno told DailyMail.com.

He slammed internet sleuths and those assuming that he is to blame, calling the speculation 'unfair'.

Willis insists he spent the next two days in his home, not thinking anything of the fact that his friends' cars were still outside, and only learned they'd died when the fiancee of one of the men broke into the house on January 9 in the hopes of finding him.

He believes that after he waved the men off on January 7, they returned while he was asleep to 'hang out' in the living room.

'Maybe they didn't want to go to a bar or hangout somewhere else,' attorney John Picerno told DailyMail.com today, as the families of the three victims demanded answers.

He worked from home and his two dogs were at his father's house, so did not require walking.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS January 7: The three men go to Jordan Willis' home to watch the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Los Angeles Chargers, which starts at 3:25pm CT. At some point during the night, Willis goes upstairs to sleep, leaving the three men and another unnamed man to hang out in his house. January 8: Jordan Willis claims he did not leave his home this day, so he didn't realize the victims' cars were outside. Loved ones of the missing men start trying to contact Willis, who doesn't respond. January 9: Clayton McGeeneys fiancee breaks into the home and scream Willis' name after two days of no communication with her partner. She finds one of the bodies on the back porch. At 9:51pm, three bodies are found at the property after police perform a welfare check. Advertisement

Willis has now moved out of the property and deleted all of his social media accounts amid a swell of public interest in the men's deaths.

His attorney says he did not hear the victims' loved ones banging on his door because he sleeps with headphones and a fan on. He also claims he did not see their Facebook messages until after the police showed up.

Willis is an accomplished scientist, whose research into COVID and HIV has been praised in the medical world. In interviews, he described his two pit-bull mixes - Sadie and Daisy, as the 'light of his life'.

According to an interview that Willis gave to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative's website in 2022, he is the senior principal scientist at the IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center in Kansas City.

Willis said in the interview that he conducts data analysis and interpretation for the IAVI's HIV vaccine trials. He also compared the search for an effective HIV vaccine to Covid-19 vaccine research.

The Virginia-native graduated with a Ph.D. in Chemical and Physical Biology from Vanderbilt University in 2014. He previously studied chemistry and molecular biology at Northwest Missouri State University.

In 2022, he received an award for his 'significant contributions to HIV vaccine development.'

In the intro section to his now-deleted Facebook page, Willis wrote: 'Walking the line to be be the funnest guy in the room and a full-on mental breakdown.'

While on another social media platform, Willis describes himself saying: 'Self-proclaimed man-about-town.'

On January 9m Captain Jake Becchina of the Kansas City Police Department said: 'First and foremost, this case is 100% NOT being investigated as a homicide. There have not been any arrests [or] charges, and no one is in custody.

'There are no specific threats or concerns for the surrounding community at this time.

'The resident at the house was cooperative with detectives the day the deceased were discovered.'
Prosecutors have frozen or otherwise restrained a reported 75million of assets held by Michelle Mone and her husband amid an ongoing probe into allegations of fraud at a PPE firm linked to the pair that was set up during the pandemic.

'Baroness Bra' Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman say they did not oppose the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) application to place restrictions upon the assets, which include a Belgravia townhouse, an Isle of Man estate and 15 bank accounts.

The CPS applied for the court order on behalf of the National Crime Agency (NCA), which has been investigating the company PPE Medpro since May 2021 amid suspicions of criminal activity connected to its procurement of PPE contracts.

PPE Medpro is owned by a consortium led by Mr Barrowman; it later emerged the firm was placed in a VIP pandemic priority lane for government contracts following a recommendation by Tory peer Mone, who initially denied any links with the firm.

She later admitted she had lied to journalists over her connections with the company, telling the BBC: 'I wasn't trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes.' When challenged on the fact she had lied to the press, she said: 'That's not a crime.'

Baroness Mone (pictured in 2017) was made a life peer by David Cameron but has been on leave from the House of Lords since 2022

Barrowman and Mone at Cheltenham in March 2019; they initially denied having any links with PPE Medpro before it emerged Barrowman ultimately controlled the company while Mone recommended it to the Government during the pandemic

The couple's 25million Ballakew estate on the Isle of Man is among the assets that fall under the court order requested on behalf of the National Crime Agency

Baroness Mone and her husband shared images of themselves applauding NHS staff from the estate during the pandemic

The 25m Belgravia townhouse at 4 Chester Square, which can be sold as long as prosecutors are informed and the proceeds remain within the UK

Details of the court order, enacted under the Proceeds of Crime Act, were first reported by the Financial Times.

Among the assets affected are 4 Chester Square in Belgravia, a London townhouse acquired by Isle of Man firm Chester Ventures for nearly 9.25m, with a view to redeveloping and selling the property.

The couple's Ballakew Estate on the Isle of Man, which was raided by the NCA in April 2022, is also covered by the court order, as are bank accounts held with Coutts, C Hoare & Co and Goldman Sachs International.

Nine properties in Glasgow's affluent Park Circus area, which are owned through companies based in the Isle of Man, are also part of the order.

The FT reports that 4 Chester Square  which Baroness Mone is reportedly trying to sell  can be sold so long as the CPS is notified in advance and the proceeds are held in a UK bank account.

The Glasgow properties cannot be sold but rental income is not restrained; the order reportedly requires that the value of the assets restrained must be at least 75m.

A spokesperson for Baroness Mone, who made her fortune with the Ultimo lingerie empire, and Mr Barrowman said the court order came about as the 'result of a consensual process during which negotiations took place with the CPS.

They told the FT: 'It allows the wider businesses and assets of the Barrowman family to operate normally and free from any restrictions or uncertainties.

'Doug and Michelle did not contest the application and were happy to offer up these assets, which means they can begin the task of proving their innocence more quickly.'

MailOnline has contacted Baroness Mone for further comment.

An interim order, which is no longer in effect, had listed entities in the British Virgin Islands and the Isle of Man-registered LM Yachts.

LM Yachts owns the 39-metre sailing yacht Lady M, on which Mone and Barrowman holidayed during the pandemic in 2021.

PPE Medpro has been the subject of an NCA probe for several years after it allegedly delivered faulty personal protective equipment to the government during the Covid pandemic.

It later emerged Baroness Mone had recommended the firm for the government's fast-track procurement scheme during the early days of lockdown.

She and her husband Doug Barrowman (pictured) spent years denying involvement with PPE Medpro, but admitted at the end of last year they stood to benefit from its government deals

A total of 15 bank accounts held with Coutts (file picture) and a number of other banks are also part of the NCA-requested order

Nine properties in Glasgow's highly sought after Park Circus area (pictured) are also covered by the court order, which Baroness Mone says she did not contest

The yacht Lady M became notorious when Baroness Mone shared a picture of herself in the Mediterranean in 2021. It does not form part of the court order

The company was established in May 2020 and awarded an 81m contract for face masks a month later, followed by a 122m contract for surgical gowns, according to a Public Accounts Committee report.

Baroness Mone was then made the subject of a Lords inquiry into her role in procuring contracts for the company in early 2022; that probe is on hold while the NCA investigation continues.

In the meantime, the Department of Health and Social Care has itself commenced legal proceedings against PPE Medpro, claiming that the gowns were not fit for use.

Throughout, Mone denied having any involvement with PPE Medpro; her lawyers issued statements to the press stating that she was 'not connected to PPE Medpro in any capacity'.

As reporting on her and her husband's involvement with the firm ramped up in December 2022, she took an indefinite leave of absence from the House of Lords.

A statement from her office, released in December 2022, read: 'With immediate effect, Baroness Mone will be taking a leave of absence...in order to clear her name of the allegations that have been unjustly levelled against her.'

She had last voted in April that year, and had not spoken in the Lords since March 2020. She is no longer a member of the Conservative party.

At the end of 2023, she and her husband admitted that PPE Medpro's contracts led to a 60m profit for the company.

Mr Barrowman also admitted that he was the 'ultimate beneficiary' of the company despite UK Companies House listings failing to mention him at all.

She also apologised for previously denying her links to the company, but denied she had been trying to 'pull the wool over anyone's eyes'.

In a defiant BBC interview in December, she said: 'I don't honestly see there is a case to answer. I can't see what we have done wrong.'

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, speaking after the BBC interview, defended the VIP lane process and refuted claims of cronyism.

'The government's intention in respect of that was to make sure that if legitimate claims came forward, we'd process them quickly,' he said.

'There were no favours or special treatment.'
An Amazon delivery driver from Florida has been accused of abducting a French bulldog worth thousands of dollars, while making deliveries.

Reinier Revilla, 34, reportedly stole a $4,000 dog named Kali from a home on Copper Hill Drive in Spring Hill on December 23, 2023. He has been charged with grand theft.

According to Hernando County Sheriffs Office, Kali's unidentified owner had left the bulldog in her fenced-in backyard at 9.15am on the day of the abduction.

But she soon realized that her one-year-old dog had escaped from the backyard.

After the owner began to frantically search for her pet, a neighbor told her they had seen Kali approach a Hispanic man, in his 20s, wearing an Amazon uniform and driving a old white Chevrolet Cruze.

A neighbor told the owner they had seen Kali approach a Hispanic man, in his 20s, wearing an Amazon uniform and driving a old white Chevrolet Cruze

Another neighbor, who also witnessed the incident, said the thief then stopped his car on Larkenheath Drive, picked up the dog and placed it in his backseat, before driving off again

Kali was recovered from a nearby home and returned to her owner on January 16

The neighbor further said that the man had delivered a package to an address on Copper Hill Drive and after interacting with Kali, drove off in his Chevrolet while the dog ran behind the car.

Another neighbor, who also witnessed the incident, said the thief then stopped his car on Larkenheath Drive, picked up the dog and placed it in his backseat, before driving off again.

After being informed of the kidnapping, Kali's owner quickly contacted Amazon's customer service and was advised to contact the police.

On January 16, detectives identified Revilla as a suspect and interviewed him.

According to Fox news, the sheriffs office said Revilla admitted to taking the dog and that she was still in his possession in an interview.

Detective Benjamin Witherell told Fox13 that the accused claimed that he briefly attempted to find the owner before giving up and taking the dog.

Kali was recovered from a nearby home and returned to her owner later the same day. Officials obtained a warrant for Revillas arrest on January 17.

Revilla turned himself in at the Hillsborough County jail on January 19 after he was informed about his arrest warrant.

He was later released after posting a $5,000 bond.

The $4,000 dog named Kali was kidnapped from a home on Copper Hill Drive in Spring Hill on December 23, 2023

The suspect, Reinier Revilla, 34, has been charged with grand theft

Detective Benjamin Witherell said that the accused claimed that he briefly attempted to find the owner before giving up and taking the dog

After Kali was found, Witherell said: 'Kali is worth about $4,000. This is a grand theft investigation. She's a purebred, French bulldog. That's an expensive breed.

'It was a highlight case of my career, honestly. It's a that's a very good ending to a story that could be so sad.'

Amazon also released a statement saying: 'We stayed in touch with the customer throughout this process and are thankful for the work of the Hernando County Sheriffs Office and Kalis return home.

'The individual responsible is no longer delivering packages for Amazon.'

The investigation remains ongoing.
Protesters campaigning against the banning of hiking on one of Australia's most scenic mountains have climbed to its peak to shoot a defiant Australia Day video.

The trail up Mt Warning, now known as Wollumbin, was closed in 2020 amid the Covid pandemic but has since remained shut due to its cultural significance to Indigenous Australians.

In 2022, the NSW Department of National Parks recommended fully handing over management of the site on the Tweed Coast to the small Wollumbin Consultative Group who support a ban on visitors to the popular hiking spot.

The group, made of Indigenous families and community organisations, caused an uproar when they claimed allowing females - including those of Indigenous heritage - on the site would ruin its cultural significance.

The Re-Open Mt Warning group, which has 4,700 members on Facebook, filmed their January 26 protest, which was attended by Ngarakbal elder Sturt Boyd, and shared the video to social media.

One of the group's founders Marc Hendrix, who authored A Guide to Climbing Mt Warning, said in a speech to those gathered at the summit that the mountain should be 'for all Australians'.

'We're here to catch the first sunrise on Australia Day 2024,' Mr Hendrix said.

Marc Hendrix (left), author of A Guide to Climbing Mt Warning, and Ngarakbal elder Sturt Boyd (right) during the protest on Friday morning atop Mt Warning

The Wollumbin National Park track to Mt Warning-Wollumbin has been closed since March 2020 due to Covid-19, public safety risks due to recent floods and further consultation with the Aboriginal community

The mountain is famous as it is the highest peak at Australia's most easterly point, thereby being the first part of Australia each day to get sunlight.

'Despite all this recent division we've gone through,' Mr Hendrix said referring to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum, 'we're here together with an elder from the Ngarakbal people'.

READ MORE: Protesters stage 2023 climb of Mt Warning Wollumbin A group of protesters (pictured) climbed Mount Warning on Australia Day last year Advertisement

Mr Boyd's mother Marlene has been referred to as the custodian of Mt Warning and his sister Elizabeth has campaigned against the Wollumbin Consultative Group claims.

'We're here on his permission to be up here to enjoy this wonderful day together and that's what Australia Day should be about - to work together to make this country a great place.' Mr Hendrix said.

'So let's end the division, if you look out to this wonderful sunrise and sub-tropical rainforest below us, the views out to the coastline this is Australia in a nutshell.'

The mountain attracted more than 127,000 visitors every year before the picturesque trail in the Tweed shire was shut down in March 2020.

The Wollumbin Consultative Group says the national park holds physical and spiritual importance to the community, particularly for the Bundjalung nation.

A proposed new management plan for the site has sparked an outcry and divided the local Indigenous community.

Opposing local Indigenous elders, including the Boyds, claim the group appears to be extinguishing the ancestral women's lore sites by claiming everything in the park as exclusively male and Bundjalung.

They also claim the Yoocum Yoocum and the Ngarakbal Githabul people were the original people, not the Bundjalung.

Elizabeth Boyd said in 2022 her late mother Marlene Boyd, who died in 2007, is recognised as the 'Keeper of the Seven Sisters Creation Site', one of the two women's lore sites.

There's also a memorial dedicated to her late mother on the Lyrebird Track at the base of the park.

Elder Elizabeth Davis Boyd, the authorised representative of the Ngarakbal Githabul women, says the Wollumbin Consultative Group proposal has done great damage to her ancestral culture, tradition and lores

The mountain attracted tens of thousands of hikers a year but was closed by the NSW State Government with little consultation. Pictured: Hikers at the top before the ban was brought in

'Mount Warning and the closure process is being internationally reported as a Bundjalung men's site,' Ms Boyd said.

'This is not correct and doing great damage to my ancestral culture, tradition and lores.

'My ancestors were already here.

'The Ngarakbal Githabul women have not been included in any of the consultative process in regards to the management or closure of Mount Warning.

'The state government's administrative decision to permanently close Mount Warning not only contravenes my customary law rights and women's rights and human rights  but also my cultural responsibilities to the Gulgan memorial.'
A defiant Vladimir Putin has issued a brazen threat to the West during a surprise trip to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

The despot warned that countries bordering the Baltic Sea territory are not prepared for 'what will follow' after many decided to tear down Soviet war memorials.

During his surprise visit on Thursday, which saw Putin fly close to NATO airspace, the 71-year-old told students at Kant Baltic Federal University: 'This is stunning ignorance and lack of understanding of where they live, what they are doing and what will follow.'

The region, which is bordered by Poland and Lithuania, both of which were formerly occupied by the Soviet Union before regaining their independence, is believed to be the most likely flashpoint for a conflict between Russia and Nato.

It comes as the UK Government has revealed it thinks there is a one-in-four chance that Russia will attack one of Britain's allies in the next two years, something that could spark a wider conflict between Moscow's armies and NATO.

Vladimir Putin attends a meeting on social and economic development of Russia's Kaliningrad region in Kaliningrad on Thursday

Putin listens to Kaliningrad Region Governor Anton Alikhanov during a meeting on Thursday

The wreckage of a burned car seen in the streets of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine after a Russian missile attack

As it reaches the two-year anniversary of Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine, ministers have said any escalation that involves attacking British allies would have to bring a military response.

Experts at the Cabinet Office have warned that if this was to happen 'to contain and deter further aggression military, diplomatic and economic capabilities will be needed', the Telegraph reports.

Among the other knock-on effects would be increases in fuel prices and disruption to supply chains that could hurt the economy for years.

This could be the case if Putin decides to invade a Nato ally, such as Poland, the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, or Finland which became the 31st country to join the military pact last year.

Sweden is also set to join NATO - pending final approval - which would leave the Baltic Sea surrounded by NATO countries, strengthening the alliance in the strategically important region. The Baltic Sea is Russia's maritime point of access to the city of St. Petersburg and the Kaliningrad enclave.

As Putin made a visit to the territory, RIA cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that 'militaristic statements' from Baltic countries posed a risk to the Kaliningrad region.

The visit was not intended to send a message to the NATO military alliance, the TASS news agency cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying.

Last week Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia - all of which were under Soviet occupation for decades after the Second World War - agreed to set up a wall of 'anti-mobility defensive installations' in a bid to maintain their security against Russia.

Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania's foreign minister, said this week his country was 'convinced that a real war [with Russia] is a likely possibility'.

There are suggestions the same could happen if Russia also took military action against Britain's non-Nato allies, such as Sweden.

Sweden has applied to join Nato, but its accession to the organisation has been halted by delays from Turkey and Hungary, the latter of which remains the only country left to accept its application.

When he was Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed an agreement with the Scandinavian country, in which Britain agreed to come to its defence if it came under attack from Russia.

Earlier this week it was reported that the chief of the British Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, was set to warn that UK citizens could be called up to fight in the event of a conflict with Russia.

General Sir Patrick Sanders who issued a warning this week over potential conflicts with foreign adversaries

Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on social and economic development in Kaliningrad on Thursday

Gen Sir Patrick  who has been openly critical of staff shortages in the military  believes there should be a 'shift' in the mindset of the public who should be willing to defend the UK against foreign adversaries.

But while the Army head  who is standing down in six months after allegedly falling out with Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the overall chief of the Armed Forces  is not thought to be in favour of conscription, Nato bosses have warned allied nations to be prepared to take any and all actions necessary to fight Vladimir Putin's forces.

The Armed Forces minister James Heappey said that while there were plans to 'mobilise volunteers' if such as thing were to happen, 'nobody is thinking' about a draft.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman, asked about whether Rishi Sunak could rule out conscription in future circumstances, said: 'There is no suggestion of that.

'The Government has no intention to follow through with that. The British military has a proud tradition of being a voluntary force. There are no plans to change that.'

In the meantime, the war in eastern Europe continues to rumble on, with Ukraine dismissing claims that by the Kremlin that 65 prisoners of war died when a Russian transport plane was shot down.

They are convinced Russia invented the story of the tragedy as a propaganda stunt. According to Ukraine, the aircraft was empty when it was shot down, aside from its Russian crew members.

The Mail understands Western security officials share the Ukrainians' suspicions over who was, or was not, aboard the aircraft. One aspect of Moscow's account which appears to be bogus surrounds the publication of so-called passenger manifests.

Suspicion also surrounded the content of video footage taken of the crash site in western Russia, which showed a small amount of human remains.

A Russian Intelligence Committee investigator examines the crash site where an Il-76 transport plane came down earlier this week

Moscow has accused Ukraine of killing over 60 Ukrainian prisoners of war; Ukraine has not denied shooting down the plane but has accused Russia of faking the deaths of POWs

Russia claims around 74 people were on board, including more than 60 Ukrainian prisoners of war as well as Russian air crew

Within hours of Wednesday's crash, Russian media outlets shared lists of who was supposedly aboard the aircraft when it was shot down. But Ukraine said some of those listed had actually been repatriated as part of previous POW exchanges.

The Kremlin claims more than 70 people were travelling in the Ilyushin II-76 aircraft  the POWs and the crew members.

But a video released by Russia's Investigative Committee showed a block of twisted metal and wires and some human remains from either one or two people. No other human remains were shown.

Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said: 'We found Ukrainian citizens on the list who have already been exchanged.

'Also, if there were photographs and videos of our POWs (at the crash site) Russia would already have posted it.

'There are not any signs that there were such a large number of people on the plane.'

Lubinets added he was 'very surprised' how quickly Russia reacted publicly to the crash.

Russia's transparency is at odds with previous statements on reported downings of aircraft, when they have typically been far more circumspect.

It offered no comment when Kyiv claimed last week to have downed an A-50 Russian reconnaissance plane and damaged an Il-22 bomber over the Azov Sea.

And when Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin died in a plane crash as he flew from Moscow to St Petersburg, Putin said the plane crashed after a grenade was detonated on board. No evidence was forthcoming.
A teenage girl is fighting for life after a horror boat accident on Australia Day.

Emergency services were called to Gray's Point, in Sydney's south, after two tinnies collided near a boat ramp about 10.15am on Friday.

A 16-year-old girl was treated at the scene by paramedics before being rushed to St George Hospital in a critical condition.

Two teenage boys  both aged 16  were also taken to St George Hospital for mandatory testing.

According to local media reports, the girl was thrown into the water by the force of the collision.

Two boats have collided at a boat ramp at Gray's Point in Sydney's south

A 16-year-old girl was treated at the scene by paramedics before being rushed to St George Hospital in a critical condition

Two tinnies collided at Gray's Point boat ramp, with the force sending a teenage girl into the water. She is now in a critical condition while two teenage boys  both aged 16  were also taken to St George Hospital for mandatory testing

It is understood she spent almost five minutes floating face down in the water before witnesses in a passing boat pulled her out and began performing CPR.

She was brought to shore to waiting paramedics and police.

Distressed witnesses could be seen hugging and consoling each other as paramedics worked to save her life.

Police Marine Area Command are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Distressed bystanders were seen embracing as police spoke to witnesses

It is understood the injured girl spent almost five minutes floating face down in the water before witnesses in a passing boat pulled her out and began performing CPR

Police Marine Area Command are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident

More to come.
An ally of former President Donald Trump has withdrawn a resolution submitted to the Republican National Committee to try and get the ex-president declared the presumptive nominee before he amassed a majority of delegates to win the primary.

David Bossie, an RNC committeeman from Maryland, pulled the resolution Thursday night, a person familiar told DailyMail.com, after Trump said it wasn't necessary.

A spokesperson for Trump's sole rival, former U.N. Amb. Nikki Haley, had earlier on Thursday lashed out at the maneuver.

'While I greatly appreciate the Republican National Committee (RNC) wanting to make me their PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE, and while they have far more votes than necessary to do it, I feel, for the sake of PARTY UNITY, that they should NOT go forward with this plan, but that I should do it the "Old Fashionen" way, and finish the process off AT THE BALLOT BOX,' Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday night. 'Thank you to the RNC for the Respect and Devotion you have shown me! TRUMP2024.'

Earlier, a spokesperson for the RNC made clear that it was Bossie - not Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel - behind the push.

Former President Donald Trump dances onstage at his victory party Tuesday night in Nashua, New Hampshire. He won the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary but became enraged at former U.N. Amb. Nikki Haley's decision to stay in the 2024 race

That being said, he said it wasn't necessary for the Republican National Committee to vote on a resolution at next week's winter meeting that would declare him the 'presumptive' nominee before he amasses a majority of the delegates - how a candidate wins the primary

David Bossie, an ally of former President Donald Trump and an RNC committeeman from Maryland, submitted a draft resolution that would have the Republican National Committee deem Trump the presumptive nominee. He pulled the draft resolution Thursday night

'Resolutions, such as this one, are brought forward by members of the RNC. Chairwoman McDaniel doesn't offer resolutions,' spokesperson Keith Schipper said in a statement to DailyMail.com.

Haley's campaign spokesperson, Olivia Perez-Cubas told The Dispatch, which first reported on Bossie's plot, asked, 'Who cares what the RNC says?'

'We'll let millions of Republican voters across the country decide who should be our party's nominee, not a bunch of Washington insiders,' Perez-Cubas added. 'If Ronna McDaniel wants to be helpful she can organize a debate in South Carolina, unless she's also worried that Trump can't handle being on the stage for 90 minutes with Nikki Haley.'

After losing Iowa and New Hampshire to Trump, Haley said Tuesday night she would press on, taking the 2024 primary race to her home state of South Carolina, which holds its GOP primary on February 24.

The move enraged Trump and motivated Bossie, an author and prominent figure in the MAGA world.

The vote could have come as early as next week, as the RNC's Winter Meeting is taking place in Las Vegas.

Under current RNC rules, Trump has to amass a majority of delegates - 1,215 - to become the party's true presumptive nominee.

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Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley 's campaign lashed out Thursday at a plot to have the Republican National Committee declare former President Donald Trump the presumptive nominee before he amasses a majority of delegates

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel said Tuesday night on Fox News Channel that she believed the 'eventual nominee' would be former President Donald Trump

After the first two contests, the ex-president has 32 delegates to Haley's 17.

Adding fuel to the fire, RNC Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel had already expressed that she believed Haley should drop out of the race so Republicans can focus on November's general election against Democratic President Joe Biden.

During an appearance on Fox News Channel Tuesday night - after New Hampshire was called for Trump - McDaniel said that 'looking at the math and the path going forward ... I don't see it for Nikki Haley.'

'I think she's run a great campaign,' McDaniel continued. ''But I do think there's a message that is coming out from the voters, which is very clear, we need to unite around our eventual nominee, which is going to be Donald Trump, and we need to make sure we beat Joe Biden.'

McDaniel's comments irritated at least one former staffer, Brittany Martinez, the former deputy director of Hispanic media for the Republican Party who also worked for now former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

'Former RNC staffer here. Funny I thought the RNC wasn't supposed to get involved in primaries?' Martinez commented on X Wednesday, sharing the McDaniel Fox clip.

'Rather than try to call the race now, why dont they focus their efforts on urging Trump to debate Nikki and also sign the RNC nominee loyalty pledge? Neither of which he has done,' Martinez also said.

Trump refused to debate any of his Republican rivals, whereas Haley showed up to all of the primary debates, though declined to do another one-on-one against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after the two tussled in Iowa earlier this month.

That meant that two primary debates scheduled to take place in New Hampshire were scrapped.

DeSantis shockingly pulled out of the presidential race Sunday, ahead of Tuesday's Granite State vote, and endorsed Trump, making the race a face-off between the ex-president and his former U.N. ambassador.

The RNC's 2024 Winter Meeting in Las Vegas will happen before any more votes are cast.

It comes days before Republican primary voters head to the polls - also in Nevada.

But because of a bizarre rift between state lawmakers and the Trump-aligned Nevada Republican Party, there will be both a Republican primary and caucus in Nevada in early February and only the caucus winner will receive delegates toward the nomination.

Because Haley is participating in the primary and not the caucus that means all of Nevada's delegates will go to Trump.

Once Nevada is concluded, 26 more delegates - out of 2,429 - will be awarded.
Hansjorg Wyss, 88, who has an estimated net worth of $10 billion and in lives in Wyoming , has given over $800million to liberal groups in recent years

Conservative watchdogs may be plotting to label a Swiss-born billionaire who has funneled hundreds of millions to left-leaning US groups 'the new George Soros'.

Hansjorg Wyss, 88, who has an estimated net worth of $10 billion and in lives in Wyoming, has given over $800 million to liberal groups in recent years, with particular focus on donations toward President Joe Biden's climate agenda.

However, many of his donations have also gone to trying to stop former President Donald Trump and his successful nomination of now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

'It's high time for the conservative movement to be among the ranks of George Soros, Hansjorg Wyss, Arabella Advisors and other left-wing philanthropists, going toe-to-toe in the fight to defend our Constitution and its ideals,' Leonard Leo, a conservative billionaire with links to Americans for Public Trust, said in May.

Hansjorg Wyss (pictured right), 88, who has an estimated net worth of $10 billion and in lives in Wyoming , has given over $800million to liberal groups in recent years, with particular focus on donations toward President Joe Biden 's climate agenda

Americans For Public Trust recently put out an eight-page paper on Wyss attempting to cast him as a new major anti-conservative donor, according to Bloomberg.

Wyss is worth even more than Soros with $10billion to Soros' $7billion, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index claims.

The Wyss Foundation has donated over $807million in the United States since 2016, with much of it going to either environmental causes or to support the environmental efforts of Biden's presidency.

He's even a part of a $5billion international 'conservation pledge' with the likes of Michael Bloomberg and Jeff Bezos.

The foundation has a specific arm for lobbying and political advocacy called the Berger Action Fund, which has donated $343million to groups trying to stop Republican gerrymandering efforts, as well as Dem-aligned super PACs.

In fact, over $60million of the Berger fund's $72million went to drumming up support for the president's programs.

The Wyss Foundation and BAF claim that they never directly donate to campaigns or candidates, which is prohibited by federal law as it is believed Wyss is still a Swiss national. Wyss' daughter Amy has previously served on the board of the Wyss Foundation and is a US-Swiss dual citizen.

Much of the consternation over Wyss' spending is that he remains tight-lipped about his citizenship status.

Outside of politics, Wyss was involved in the 2022 takeover of the English Premier League's Chelsea FC after Roman Abramovich was forced out.

Wyss, a Swiss-born billionaire, has funneled hundreds of millions to left-leaning US groups, leading conservatives to attempt to label him 'the new George Soros'

The Wyss Foundation has donated over $807million in the United States since 2016, with much of it going to either environmental causes or to support the environmental efforts of Joe Biden's presidency

Many of his donations have also gone to trying to stop former President Donald Trump and his successful nomination of now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh

Outside of politics, Wyss was involved in the 2022 takeover of the English Premier League's Chelsea FC after Roman Abramovich was forced out

He's also on the board for the left-leaning Center for American Progress and once employed John Podesta, the former Chief of Staff to Bill Clinton with ties to President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Hansjorg Wyss: The low-profile Swiss billionaire who became a force in US politics Born in the Swiss capital of Bern in 1935, Wyss was raised in an apartment with his two sisters. He received a master's degree in civil and structural engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich in 1959 before going on to earn an MBA from Harvard six years later. After spells in textile engineering - including in different roles for car manufacturer Chrysler in Pakistan, Turkey and the Philippines - he worked in the steel industry and ran a side business selling planes. Through that side focus, Wyss met a surgeon who had co-founded Synthes, a medical device manufacturer. Spotting an opportunity, the Swiss founded and became president of Synthes USA in 1977. He was Synthes' worldwide CEO and chairman until his resignation as CEO in 2007, and was company chairman until Johnson & Johnson - the medical company which developed a Covid vaccine - acquired the company five years later for $19.7 billion. In 2008, he donated $125 million to Harvard University, in what was then the largest donation in its history. But he has generated controversy for his funding of groups looking to exert behind-the-scenes influence on American politics. These include the Hub Project, which seeks to 'dramatically shift the public debate and policy positions of core decision makers' by influencing media and public opinion in a 'progressive' direction. Advertisement

Perhaps most controversially, his group has admitted giving $208 million to the left-leaning Sixteen Thirty Fund.

The Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee are considering targeting Wyss by making laws banning foreign nationals from launching advocacy groups tax-free. It has the support of 127 Republicans in the House of Representatives.

Regardless, questions remain about whether Wyss has operated completely above board in his funding.

In a lawsuit filed in 2022, APT challenged Wyss' donations with regard to his citizenship, accusing the Federal Election Commission of acting too slowly on a complaint it filed against Wyss in May 2021.

'Americans for Public Trust is suing the FEC for failing to investigate foreign money in our elections,' Sutherland told The Hill at the time.

'Mr. Wyss, who is barred from directly or indirectly influencing our elections, has done just that by potentially funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes,' she added.

'Until the FEC takes action, we won't know the full extent of his foreign interference in our electoral process.'

Spokespersons for Wyss have repeatedly insisted that his donations are permissible, and go only toward causes he believes in, rather than supporting political candidates.

Wyss also put together a failed takeover bid in 2021 to buy Tribune Publishing, the company behind the Chicago Tribune, New York Daily News, and numerous other US newspapers.

A New York Times article that same year noted that Wyss had 'quietly become one of the most important donors to left-leaning advocacy groups and an increasingly influential force among Democrats.'

As well, his sister Hedi Wyss wrote in a 2014 book about her brother that he 'he never applied for citizenship' in the US, according to RealClearPolitics.

Wyss' daughter Amy (pictured right) has previously served on the board of the Wyss Foundation and is a US-Swiss dual citizen

Allan Joseph Bankman, the father of disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has been allegedly linked to a so-called 'dark money' network that pours billions into politically liberal causes, including one linked to the Sixteen Thirty Fund, which has taken over $200million from Wyss

Wyss, pictured here

Wyss is a native of Switzerland who now lives in Wilson, Wyoming, where his property holdings include this $3.75 million mansion, public records show

Wyss' sister Hedi Wyss wrote in a 2014 book about her brother that he 'he never applied for citizenship' in the US

'What was important for him was to find out that he could exert influence through his foundations,' she added.

The Americans for Public Trust lawsuit cited a 2021 Securities and Exchange Commission filing in which Wyss listed his citizenship as a 'citizen of Switzerland'.

It also quoted from an interview Wyss gave Bick in 2021, in which he said that he 'can't' donate to American political candidates.

The suit alleges that Wyss used his two nonprofit organizations, the Wyss Foundation and the Berger Action Fund, to funnel millions to the Sixteen Thirty Fund and the New Venture Fund.

The recipients of the funds were so-called dark money groups that fund liberal causes through advocacy groups including The Hub Project and Demand Justice, according to the suit.

The suit alleges that if some of the funds went to campaigns opposing or supporting election candidates, Wyss could be in violation of federal election laws.

According to the Times, the Wyss' two non-profits from 2016 to 2020 donated $208 million to 'a wide array of groups that backed progressive causes and helped Democrats in their efforts to win the White House and control of Congress.'

Hansjorg Wyss is seen with Roz Zander and Michael Bloomberg in 2015. A lawsuit alleges that his hundreds of millions in donations to liberal groups violated elections laws

A native of Switzerland who now lives in Wilson, Wyoming, Wyss (second from right) first came to America as an exchange student in 1958

Wyss dismissed the report in an interview with Bick, calling the Times reporter 'a well-known conservative editor who keeps writing fact-less articles.'

A native of Switzerland who now lives in Wilson, Wyoming, Wyss first came to America as an exchange student in 1958.

He later returned to attend the Harvard Business School, from which he graduated in 1965.

In 1977, Wyss founded Synthes USA, a medical device manufacturer that makes implants to mend bone fractures.

He sold the company to Johnson & Johnson in 2012 in a deal worth $19.7 billion, but still holds stakes in biotech firms NovoCure and Molecular Partners.

Previously, several former Synthes executives were jailed after the firm's use of an untested medical procedure led to the deaths of three people.

Wyss was not charged or named by prosecutors, but an indictment made reference to the 'CEO of Synthes' - a position he held at the time.

Forbes considers Wyss as 'among the most philanthropic people in the world', and he has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to environmental charities and universities.

In 2013, he signed The Giving Pledge, thereby agreeing to give away the majority of his fortune. Other moguls to have signed the pledge include Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Warren Buffett.

In 2008, he donated $125 million to Harvard University, in what was then the largest donation in its history.

But he has generated controversy for his funding of groups looking to exert behind-the-scenes influence on American politics.

These include the Hub Project, which seeks to 'dramatically shift the public debate and policy positions of core decision makers' by influencing media and public opinion in a 'progressive' direction.
The family of a grandma who was dragged to her death by an alligator has sued the retirement village where she lived, claiming they knew about the lurking predator.

Gloria Serge, 85, died after the 10-foot gator mauled and dragged her into a lake as she tried to rescue her beloved dog, Trooper, from the reptile's clutches in 2023.

She was living at Spanish Lakes Fairways retirement community in Fort Pierce, Florida, in February last year when disaster struck.

Terrifying footage of a fatal alligator attack on 85-year-old woman showed the beast silently stalking her and her dog for over 100ft before timing its strike. She was dragged into the water by the animal - which was named Henry by other residents.

Video showed the alligator burst from the water and lunges at the woman's dog - who is aptly named Trooper. Serge's pup survived the attacked, but the gator was later captured and euthanized.

Serge (pictured) was a grandmother living in the Spanish Lakes Fairways retirement community in Fort Pierce, Florida, when she was killed by an alligator on Monday

The horrifying nightmare captured on video unfolded in front of a neighbor who frantically called 911 as she tried to help the woman. But it was too late

Her family's attorneys have now filed a lawsuit against the retirement community, alleging that the Wynne Building Corp., is to blame for her death.

The corporation developed and manages Spanish Lakes Fairways.

They claim that residents and staff fed the fierce alligator food - and even gave it the pet name. There were no signs warning against the animal, the suit says.

Announcing the lawsuit, Gloria's devastated son Bill Serge, said he couldn't imagined 'the agonizing way in which my mom spent the final moments of her life.'

He claimed that his mom's death was '100% preventable.'

The son said: 'No child should have to bury their mom under such horrible circumstances,.

'This was a tragedy that was 100% preventable, so I stand here today on behalf of my mom to share her story in the hope that this will never happen again.'

Attorney Gary Lesser said the company knew were dangerous alligators in the water behind the woman's home and did nothing about it. Some residents and staff actually fed the animal and called it Henry.

He said at a news conference: 'In fact, the neighborhood named this particular alligator Henry, and they named it Henry because the alligator was seen so often on the shores of this retention pond.

Officials later managed to drag the alligator, its snout closed shut with rope, across the grass and put it in a truck

Video released later shows as Serge tried to get her dog away from the alligator's jaws but the gator grabbed her instead and could be seen dragging her into the lake

'Amazingly, Spanish Lakes actually posted no warnings about the existence of these dangerous alligators they knew about.

'There were no warnings to its residents in the weekly newsletters that Spanish Lakes sent to its residents.

'A recent visit to the property revealed no signs warning of the alligators had been placed yet.'

As well as this, the lawyers are claiming that Spanish Lakes Fairways encouraged residents to socialize by the retention pond, where people could fish and walk their dogs.

He added: 'Spanish Lakes is one of these communities that has a rule  you can't walk your dog in the streets of your community. In fact, Gloria was given a violation and eviction warning for walking her small dog in the front yard of her house.'

Trooper, the trooper: Pictured is the grandmother's dog, who was being walked when the alligator attacked. He survived

Officials later managed to drag the alligator (pictured), its snout closed shut with rope, across the grass and put it in a truck

Florida has a population of 1.3 million alligators across its 67 counties, and they can be found in practically all fresh water bodies and occasionally in salt water.

But the number of cases of people being attacked by alligators in the state is small.

From 1948 to 2021, 442 unprovoked bite incidents have occurred in Florida, 26 of which resulted in human fatalities.

Over the past ten years, Florida has averaged eight unprovoked bites per year that are serious enough to require professional medical treatment, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says on its website.

'The likelihood of a Florida resident being seriously injured during an unprovoked alligator incident in Florida is roughly only one in 3.1million,' it said.

Following yesterday's attack, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said: 'Serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida.

'The FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to address complaints concerning specific alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property.

'People with concerns about an alligator should call FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).

'When someone concerned about an alligator calls the Nuisance Alligator Hotline, we will dispatch one of our contracted nuisance alligator trappers to resolve the situation.'
Indigenous Australians were called 'blacks' and 'natives' at the time of white settlement and over the past two centuries have been subjected to far more racist labels.

But as the term 'First Nations people' has become more popular in recent years, one word widely used in the past is now considered by some to have offensive implications: 'Aborigine'.

Human rights group Amnesty International advises on its website against calling someone an Aborigine, even if they are Aboriginal.

"'Aborigine" is generally perceived as insensitive because it has racist connotations from Australia's colonial past, and lumps people with diverse backgrounds into a single group,' it states.

'You're more likely to make friends by saying "Aboriginal person", "Aboriginal" or "Torres Strait Islander".

The word 'Aborigine' now has offensive implications for many Aboriginal Australians and lexicographers. Protesters are pictured at a 'Sovereignty Day' rally on Friday in Canberra

'If you can, try using the person's clan or tribe name. And if you are talking about both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it's best to say either "Indigenous Australians" or "Indigenous people".'

The Macquarie Dictionary defines an Aborigine as 'a member of a tribal people, the earliest known inhabitants of Australia' or 'a descendant of this people'.

It also warns the word can cause offence and suggests using other descriptions.

'The nouns Aborigine(s) and Aboriginal(s) are considered by some to carry negative, even derogatory, connotations,' the Macquarie states.

'The use of Aboriginal as an adjective, forming noun phrases such as Aboriginal people, Aboriginal woman, Aboriginal Australian etc is preferred by many.

'The adjective Indigenous can be used to encompass both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

'Indigenous Australians from particular regions of Australia are also sometimes referred to by names from Indigenous languages.'

Human rights group Amnesty International advises against calling anyone an Aborigine, even if they are Aboriginal. Protesters are pictured at an Invasion Day rally on Friday in Brisbane

Aboriginal people have increasingly identified themselves by language groups, using phrases such as 'Bundjalung man' or 'Noongar woman'.

'Koori' is still used to more generally describe an Aboriginal person from most of NSW and Victoria, as is 'Murri' for those from northern NSW and Queensland.

The Creative Spirits website, which provides research material about Aboriginal culture, recommends using 'First Nations people'.

'People have used many terms for Australia's First Peoples,' it states. 'Early terms were utterly racist and remain offensive.

'Then "Indigenous" was very popular before the politically more correct "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander" replaced it.

'But all these terms were coined by non-Indigenous people. The new term that is emerging in Australia now is "First Nations people(s)".

Creative Sprits says that term should be preferred because Aboriginal people inhabited Australia before anyone else and formed nations rather than small groups.

Aboriginal people have increasingly identified themselves by language groups, using phrases such as 'Bundjalung man' or 'Noongar woman'. Protesters gather on Friday in Melbourne

'Each nation, just like any other nation on the planet, has its own culture, history and language,' it states. 'The plural, nations, alludes to the diversity of all nations within Australia.'

In rejecting the use of 'Aborigine', Creative Spirits quotes Maria Tomasic, former president Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.

She has stated: 'Aboriginal people are a diverse group of individuals and use of the term "Aborigine" has negative connotations imposed during colonisation and can perpetuate prejudice and discrimination'.

Aboriginal academic Anthony Dillon does not find 'Aborigine' offensive

Creative Sprits also does not like 'Indigenous' because it 'generalises mainland and islander cultures into one, ignoring the many different cultures that exist'.

The Aboriginal Advisory Group from Community Legal Centres NSW suggests using 'Aboriginal people' or 'Aboriginal person' which it says are both 'more positive and empowering'.

Anthony Dillon, an academic and commentator on Indigenous affairs who identifies as both Aboriginal and Australian, has no problem with 'Aborigine'.

'There is nothing offensive about the term Aborigine,' he has written.

Dr Dillon believes some Indigenous people don't like 'Aborigine' because it might conjure images of 'someone who is clearly and unmistakably a full-blooded Aboriginal person'.

'There are plenty of people out there with some Aboriginal ancestry who are indistinguishable from white fellas but they insist on being called an "Aboriginal person",' he has written.
Parliament House has been sent into lockdown after the building was swarmed by groups protesting against Australia Day and the conflict in the Middle East.

As many as 600 First Nations and pro-Palestine activists marched to the front door of the building in Canberra on Friday.

Police were forced to lock down the entrance of Parliament House, with visitors inside being redirected to exit out of the basement.

Chants of 'F**k Australia' and F**k Israel' were heard as the hundreds of Invasion Day protesters marched across the city.

The group eventually moved on to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy to continue their demonstrations.

Parliament House has been sent into lockdown after the building was swarmed by groups protesting against Australia Day and the conflict in the Middle East

Police formed a barricade at the entrance of Parliament House on Friday

As many as 600 protesters turned up at Parliament House

One activist is seen waving the Aboriginal flag outside of Parliament House as police officers watch on from behind

Police are seen blocking the entrance into Parliament House on Friday

Police were seen blocking the entrance to the government building after forming a long line at the front doors.

Meanwhile, activists brandished Aboriginal and Palestinian flags, with some shouting messages from megaphones.

Many also held up signs that read 'always was, always will be', while others had a large banner with the message 'National day of healing'.

No arrests were made.

It comes as tens of thousands of Aussies turn out to protest against the national holiday in major cities across the country.

Many protesters are calling for the date of Australia Day to be changed, saying January 26 marks the colonisation of First Nations people.

Activists are seen raising their fists in sign of solidarity with First Nations people

One activist used a megaphone as protesters sat outside Parliament House

Hundreds turned up at the entrance of Parliament House on Friday

Many were also protesting against the conflict in the Middle East

The group were seen marching towards the government building on Friday
A young woman has filmed herself being harassed by an angry older man after wearing an anti-Australia Day t-shirt on a tram.

Olive Snell was travelling with two friends on a tram in Melbourne on Friday, while wearing a shirt that read: 'Just a reminder, we don't celebrate genocide', when she was suddenly confronted.

'You denigrate Australia by wearing a t-shirt like that,' the man shouted at Ms Snell.

The young woman responded in shock and said: 'We're not speaking to you.'

But the other passenger continued on his rant, waving his finger, and verbally abusing the young woman over her outfit.

'Yes you are, you are wearing a t-shirt that I find offensive,' he said.

Ms Snell calmly told the man she was allowed to wear the shirt - and said he could turn around and face the other way if he had a problem with it.

'You're a disgrace. You're a spoiled brat generation,' he said.

A bystander then intervened - telling the man he can't act like that on the tram, to which he argued the woman was wearing an 'offensive' shirt.

The man was heard abusing Ms Snell over her choice of t-shirt

'You need to take action to remove yourself then. That's the Aboriginal shirt - what's wrong with that?' the other passenger said.

Other passengers who saw the interaction unfold then complimented Ms Snell on her shirt.

Ms Snell shared the video to TikTok, and said it highlights how racist Australia can be.

'It's hard to know what to say sometimes,' she said.

'This video is for all those who think that racism doesn't exist in this country.'

Ms Snell also claimed that before she started filming the man had questioned why she was wearing such a 'provocative' shirt, and claimed there had 'never been genocide in this country'.

Australia Day, observed each year on January 26, marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788 when the first governor of the British colony of New South Wales, Arthur Phillip, hoisted the Union Jack at Sydney Cove.

But, for many First Nations people, it is regarded as 'Invasion Day' or the 'Day of Mourning'.

Under the United Nations definition, genocide refers to any acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

That can include acts such as killing members of the group, causing seriously bodily or mental harm to its members, deliberately inflicting conditions that cause physical harm or death, imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group, or forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

Scholars and historians cite massacres by British settlers against Indigenous people, the dramatic reduction of the Tasmanian Aboriginal population in the 19th century, and the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their parents during the 20th century as evidence of genocide.
What was meant to be a swift and peaceful end to a death row murder's life turned into a 22-minute ordeal in an Alabama prison on Thursday night.

Kenneth Eugene Smith was shaking, writhing, and thrashing up and down on the gurney for two whole minutes after the nitrogen gas started filling up his mask.

This was followed by five to seven minutes of heavy breathing and slight gasping.

In total, Smith, 58, was visibly conscious and struggling in apparent pain for nearly 10 minutes before his breathing seemed to slowly stop at 8.08pm.

The viewing curtains closed at 8.15pm and he was pronounced dead at 8.25pm.

State officials had produced documents upon documents convincing the public and courts that suffocating Smith via nitrogen gas would be quick and painless.

But the reality seemed markedly different.

His wife was crying out in the viewing room, and a correction officer had to peep over to his dying face to see if he still looked alive.

Kenneth Eugene Smith was sentenced to death in 1996 after admitting the murder-for-hire killing of a pastor's wife who was beaten and stabbed in 1988. On Thursday evening, he became the first person in US history to be executed with nitrogen gas

In prior court filings, attorneys expected him to lose consciousness seconds after the gas began to flow - but witnesses say this was far from the case.

And despite promises that the mask would be airtight to stop additional oxygen coming in and prolonging the pain, witnesses said that they could hear gas coming out of the mask during his final moments.

The mask - described as looking like one that a firefighter would use - had never been fitted to Smith's face until the moment he was strapped down to the gurney.

Smith was then also made to say his final words through the gas mask before the 100 percent nitrogen was blasted through its wire.

His final words were: 'Tonight, Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards. I'm leaving with love, peace, and light. Thank you for supporting me. Love all of you.'

Questions have now been raised as to why the execution took longer than it should have and appeared to have caused Smith to suffer.

Smith was a guinea pig to test a method of execution never attempted before.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor said was reckless considering Smith's first try at capital punishment was also botched in 2022, when IV administrators couldn't find a vein for his lethal injection.

While some have pointed fault towards the mask not being fitted properly on Thursday, advocates for the method say that the suffering was partially Smith's fault.

He held on to his breath for too long before finally inhaling the nitrogen, they claim.

Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said: 'It appeared Smith was holding his breath as long as he could. So nothing was out of the ordinary for what we were expecting.'

Hamm said of Smith's movements on the gurney: 'That was all expected and was in the side effects that weve seen or researched on nitrogen hypoxia.'

Four of Smith's witnesses sat in the viewing room watching his final, painful moments - his wife, his son, his lawyer and a friend.

Smith was 22-yars-old (seen in his original 1989 mugshot) when he was first arrested for the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Sennett. His conviction was overturned before he was sentenced to death for the same murder at a separate trial in 1996

The killer was wearing his wedding ring when he died in the Alabama prison.

He signed 'I love you' with his left hand to his family before the proceeding.

His spiritual advisor Rev. Jeff Hood touched Smith's feet with a Bible before the gas was administered at 7.58pm. Hood described the 22 minutes as a 'horror show.'

His wife, wearing a shirt which read 'Never Alone,' cried out at one point during the execution, reports AL.com.

A correctional officer in the execution chamber leaned over Smith at 8.01pm - examining his face, before stepping back to his post.

Earlier in the evening, quoting experts including euthanasia expert Dr. Philip Nitschke, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said nitrogen hypoxia is a 'peaceful' way to end a human life.

Nitschke had testified for Smith's legal team, who claimed the risks lay in the gas being administered through a mask.

In rebuttal, Marshall said the state's mask has been inspected and is tight enough to ensure no oxygen leaks in and prolongs the proceedings.

But it ended up taking 22 minutes for the gas to kill Smith and witnesses heard gas coming out of the so-called 'airtight' contraption.

The moment was the 'worst thing' spiritual guider Jeff Hood said he had ever seen, claiming prison officials gasped in shock throughout Smith's 22-minute ordeal on the gurney.

'When they turned the nitrogen on, he began to convulse, he popped up on the gurney over and over again, he shook the whole gurney,' Hood said.

Smith was sentenced to death in 1996 for the murder-for-hire slaying of a preacher's wife in 1988, where he was paid just $1,000 for the hit.

Jeff Hood, Smith's spiritual advisor before his execution, described the untested execution method as a 'horror show', adding: 'unbelievable evil was unleashed tonight in Alabama'

Alabama's lethal injection chamber at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala., is pictured in this Oct. 7, 2002 file photo, where Smith was executed Thursday evening

Smith's pastor John Ewell told DailyMail.com before his execution that the killer was 'really struggling' with the reality of his imminent death, and officials said he barely touched his final meal of a T-bone steak, hashbrowns, eggs and A1 Sauce from Waffle House.

Hood was one of the few people to witness the historic execution, and he noted that the contraption used to kill Smith resembled a 'firefighters mask.'

After praying with the murderer and telling him that he 'loved him and he wasn't alone', Hood broke down as he recounted the 'horror show' of Smith's final moments.

'I could see the corrections officers, I think they were very surprised that this didn't go smoothly - one of the state officials in the room was so nervous she was tap dancing,' he continued.

'(Smith) kept breathing for what could possibly be up to nine minutes, ten minutes, unbelievable evil was unleashed tonight in Alabama.'

Hood's claims of Smith's execution being a 'horror show' directly oppose the narrative put out by Alabama officials, who praised it as a step forward for safe death row justice as an 'effective and humane method of execution.'

Elizabeth Sennett, 45, (right) was found dead on March 18, 1988, in the couple's home in Alabama's Colbert County. She had been stabbed eight times in the chest and once on each side of neck

The historic execution divided opinion, including among Supreme Court justices who voted 6-3 to allow the procedure to go ahead, with the untested method previously branded 'torture' by the UN.

Smith's execution marked the first time a new method had been used on America's death row since lethal injections were first introduced 42 years ago.

But one of the primary reasons Alabama has turned to nitrogen gas for Smith's execution has been the widespread struggles American prisons have had in obtaining lethal injection drugs in recent years.

Thursday's execution opens up the possibility nitrogen hypoxia could be used in upcoming executions, with the Alabama Attorney General's office saying after Smith's death the method 'was intended to be - and has now proved to be - an effective and humane method of execution.'

The apparent victory lap taken by Alabama officials in the wake of the execution - with Governor Kay Ivey also dubbing it 'closure' - sparked backlash from opponents of the new approach.

Maya Foa, director of human rights organization Reprieve, told DailyMail.com: 'They said lethal injection was humane - that was a lie. They'll claim this execution was humane, and that is a lie, too.

Elizabeth Sennett, 45, was murdered by Smith and another man in 1989, after her husband paid them each $1,000 to kill her so he could collect on her insurance

'The whole purpose of these methods is to hide pain. How many more prisoners must die agonizing deaths before we see executions for what they really are: the state violently taking a human life?'

Amid reports of Smith struggling and writhing on the gurney, Alabama's prison system's commissioner John Q. Hamm claimed it looked like Smith was holding his breath for as long as possible.

Smith's legal team said in a statement that it was 'deeply saddened' that his execution went ahead, arguing it was a miscarriage of justice because a jury had initially voted to reject the death penalty, but a judge overrode their decision.

'Nothing can undo the tragic consequences of the actions for which he was convicted, including the pain of the Sennett family and friends,' the statement read.

'Kenny's life, however, should be considered in its full context.'

Before his final appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court, Smith's pastor told DailyMail.com he was 'putting a lot of hope into this thing being stopped' - after his previous scheduled execution in November 2022 was called off after painful hours of botched attempts to inject him with an IV line.

Following the failed execution in 2022, Smith sought his subsequent execution to be carried out via nitrogen hypoxia - in an apparent gamble that officials wouldn't follow through with the untested method.

As he 'struggled' to accept his fate, the Alabama Department of Corrections said Smith's final day began with him refusing a breakfast of eggs, biscuits, grape jelly, apple sauce and orange juice.

He then received a tray for lunch but again refused it, although he did drink Mountain Dew, Pepsi and coffee.

Smith was ordered to have only clear liquids from 4pm, after barely touching his final meal, which came from Waffle House slathered in A1 steak sauce.

His last phone call was with his wife, Deanna Smith, who was among the few witnesses to the execution, also including Smith's sons, Steven Tiggleman and Michael Bryant, his friend Harold Hedgepeth, and attorney Robert Glass.

Also in attendance was the sons of his victim, Elizabeth Sennett, who told 1819 News that they wanted to watch to make sure the 35-year case of their mother's killer is 'over with.'

Mike Sennet said at a press conference following the execution: 'Nothing happened here today that's gonna bring mom back.'

'We're glad this is over,' he continued. 'Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett got her justice tonight.'

Aged 22, Smith was one of two men convicted in the murder-for-hire slaying of Elizabeth Sennett, 45, the wife of preacher Charles Sennet Sr. who hired the men kill his wife in an insurance plot.

His initial 1989 conviction was overturned on appeal, but he was retried and convicted again in 1996, where he was sentenced to death.

Prosecutors said he and John Forrest Parker were each paid $1,000 for the hit, with Sennett's husband hoping to collect on her insurance as he was deeply in debt.

She was found dead March 18, 1988, in her home in Colbert County with eight stab wounds in the chest and one on each side of her neck.

After finding out that he was suspected of being involved in the plot, Charles Sennett Sr. killed himself.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says the execution is more gentle than Smith deserves

The execution was praised by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey following news of Smith's death, feeling it was justice served for Sennett's murder.

Ivey said in a statement: 'After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes.

'I pray that Elizabeth Sennett's family can receive closure after all these years dealing with that great loss.'

Despite warnings from human rights groups over the use of the method, AG Marshall insisted that Smith's fears are unfounded.

However, in the dissenting opinion in the Supreme Court's approval of the execution hours before Smith's death, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that she felt the execution method was cruel.

Sotomayor felt Smith was a 'surprising candidate' for the untested method - with his previous scheduled execution in November 2022 called off after painful hours of botched attempts to inject him with an IV line.

Smith recalled being in 'great pain' because those tasked with injecting the lethal drugs - midazolam hydrochloride, rocuronium bromide and potassium chloride - were stabbing his muscle rather than finding a vein.

Smith has since said that the ceaseless jabs became so ridiculous they turned into farce, especially when one of the executioners eventually asked Smith to squeeze his hand to make the vein stand out better - a request Smith declined.

Unable to find a second usable vein, Smith's gurney was tilted so that his feet were pointed upwards in what he presumed was an attempt to get blood to his head and leave a vein in his neck more pronounced.

He was left for several minutes before the IV returned with an even larger needle in an attempt to attach a so-called central line (or central venous catheter) which is much longer than a regular intravenous line and goes all the way up to a vein near or inside the heart.

Smith reported that this pain became so excruciating after multiple attempts to use the larger needle successfully that he was shaking and wet himself.
He posed as an Uber driver to trick his victims

A public servant who sexually assaulted two women while posing as an Uber driver has pleaded guilty and is now a registered sex offender.

Pratik Shah, 45, assaulted his victims, both 19 years old, in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley in 2021.

Shah kissed and touched the first victim after she got into his wife's car and then forced his way into her home after they arrived, a Brisbane court was told on Thursday.

Shah's wife held his hand as he walked into court last week.

His victim's family was inside the courtroom while Magistrate Belinda Merrin recounted her experience, which her mother said has 'forever changed' her daughter.

Shah pleaded guilty to four charges, three of indecent assault and one of entering a dwelling with intent to commit a crime, and was sent to prison.

Pratik Shah, 45, pretended to be an Uber driver in order to assault two 19-year-old girls in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley in 2021

The former public servant pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault in relation to his two victims who he forced himself upon in September and October of that year

The mother of his first victim said that Shah's sentence had been two-and-a-half years in the making.

'My daughter has suffered severe depression, complex PTSD, all as a result of his offending... she's forever changed,' she told 7News.

Her father added that both victims 'did nothing wrong' and that their only mistake was trusting Shah, who preyed on them while masquerading as a rideshare driver.

READ MORE: QLD Man charged with more than 120 child sex offences Advertisement

Shah had stuck rideshare signage onto the window of his wife's car to lull his victims in before repeatedly fondling their breasts and buttocks.

On September 25 he stopped numerous times while driving the first girl home, during which time he kissed and groped her breasts and genitals over her clothes.

His second victim fell prey three weeks later, about 2am on October 17, after he pulled his car over and offered her a lift home.

Despite her attempts to push him away and demand he stop, Shah proceeded to tell her she was 'sexy' and 'hot' while kissing her, rubbing her thigh and brushing her genitals.

Crown prosecutor Carla Ahern told the court that Shah had 'targeted' the 'vulnerable' teenagers who had been drinking alcohol in the early morning.

Magistrate Merrin told Shah that he had broken the trust of his victims by promising them a safe ride home and was relentless in his assault.

'Rather than desist you persisted,' Magistrate Merrin said during his sentencing.

'What you did has had a profound and devastating impact on them and on their families.'

Shah had been working as a public servant and had managed a carpet cleaning company while occasionally working as a rideshare driver, although not at the time of his offence.

The mother of Shah's first victim told reporters outside of the Brisbane court that her daughter was 'forever changed' by what he did to her

Magistrate Merrin noted that Shah suffered a brain injury as a child, had ADHD and was suffering from an undiagnosed major depressive disorder when he assaulted the women.

Shah had blamed the 'fall' he had four decades earlier as the reason that he had assaulted the women.

Defence counsel Craig Eberhardt KC told the court that his client was less morally culpable than normal people because of his injury and undiagnosed conditions.

Ms Ahern asked that Shah be jailed for up to two-and-a-half years while Mr Eberhardt asked that he receive a wholly-suspended six-month jail term.

Shah, who is not allowed to contact his victims, asked his barrister to apologise to them for him and hopes that his guilty plea will allow them to 'start healing'.

Mr Eberhardt said that Shah was deeply remorseful and that he will lose his government job as a result of his crimes.

Shah now plans to do a course on sexual boundaries.

Four other charges against Shah were dropped, including one count of deprivation of liberty against his second victim, and he will be released on probation on May 8.

He will be sentenced at a later date.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
The leader of a Neo-Nazi group was among more than sixty hooded men wearing balaclavas and waving Australian flags to have been held up on a train by police in shocking Australia Day scenes.

Thomas Sewell, the leader of far right group the Nationalist Socialist Network, was seen among several members dressed in all-black who were held up on the train at North Sydney station around midday on Friday.

The 30-year-old leader and about a dozen fellow members boarded the train at Artarmon station further up the northern line in Sydney on Friday afternoon.

The group of men were seen wearing sunglasses and balaclavas around their faces while some wore masks.

NSW Police confirmed earlier that an operation had commenced at North Sydney station after officers halted the train.

All passengers were evacuated and no one is understood to have been injured.

More than a dozen men wearing balaclavas (pictured) have been held on a train in north Sydney on Friday afternoon

The men dressed in all-black (pictured) were seen carrying an Australian flag while another man who was part of the group was seen holding a shield

They were heard chanting while they waved Australian flags with one man who was part of the group also seen carrying a shield.

Moments later, they boarded the train before it was halted three stops later at North Sydney station by police.

More than 20 officers boarded the train before the group of men were held on board while dozens of others stood on the platform.

Police removed the men from the station where they gathered at Blues Point Road just metres away before they were ordered to disperse.

Transport for NSW has issued an alert saying buses and trains have been diverted away from North Sydney station.

NSW Police said six people were arrested and 57 infringement notices were issued at the conclusion of the operation on Friday afternoon.

In a statement, police said officers from North Sydney, the Public Order Riot Squad and Transport Command were alerted to a group of 'heavily disguised' people boarding a train in Artarmon.

On arrival of the train in North Sydney station, members of the public were directed to leave the train while police contained 61 people to a few carriages.

Police said the group had their faces concealed and were carrying a number of items, including shields and a flag, which were seized by officers.

Six people were arrested and taken to Chatswood Police Station. Two men have been released and were issued infringement notices for offensive behaviour.

A further 55 men were issued Rail Infringement Notices for offensive behaviour.

Police will continue to investigate the incident.

NORTH SYDNEY: Buses are diverting away from North Sydney Station due to a police operation. Buses are using the Pacific Highway instead, missing up to two stops. You can catch the bus on the Pacific Highway outside Greenwood Plaza.  Sydney Buses Info (@BusesInfo) January 26, 2024

The group were later moved to Blues Point Road (pictured) before they were dispersed by officers

Police halted the train at North Sydney station (pictured) and held a group of about a dozen men dressed in all black on board

Jason Kerr who was a passenger on the train was sitting in the front carriage heading to the city from Chatswood station.

He told Daily Mail Australia the group of men appeared to have entered the last carriage at 11.45am and said he didn't really notice the group when they boarded.

'It was a normal train ride [that was going] into the city. You could not tell anything was amiss with the passengers,' he said.

Mr Kerr said once the train switched tracks to head towards North Sydney, he knew something was wrong.

He sent a message on X out to Sydney Trains who confirmed there was a police operation underway.

He said police later held the group on the train to stop them going into the city.

'My guess is [they were] going to go into the city to cause some disruption,' Mr Kerr said.

He said police were keeping people away from the area and said parts of the platform had been closed heading towards Chatswood.
Over half of America's governors are backing Texas' Greg Abbott in his bitter standoff with President Joe Biden over who should have the authority to apprehend migrants at the border.

Abbott reasserted the state's right to protect its own border after the Supreme Court ruled the Biden administration could take down razor wire Texas had installed along high-traffic areas of the border.

Meanwhile Texas Border Czar Mike Banks told ranchers Wednesday the state could install razor wire on their private property free of charge, the state official told a packed room of ranchers who met just outside of Eagle Pass, Texas.

Abbott said the federal government failed at its duty to enforce laws and states had every right to step in to protect their borders.

While Democrats have blasted Abbott, Republican governors from 25 states - every GOP governor except Vermont's Phil Scott, who voted for Biden in 2020 - signed a letter in support of 'Texas' constitutional right to self-defense'.

Over half of America's governors are backing Texas' Greg Abbott in his bitter standoff with President Joe Biden over who should have the authority to apprehend migrants at the border

'President Biden and his Administration have left Americans and our country completely vulnerable to unprecedented illegal immigration pouring across the Southern border,' they wrote.

'Instead of upholding the rule of law and securing the border, the Biden Administration has attacked and sued Texas for stepping up to protect American citizens from historic levels of illegal immigrants, deadly drugs like fentanyl, and terrorists entering our country,' it continued.

'We stand in solidarity with our fellow Governor, Greg Abbott, and the State of Texas in utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border.

We do it in part because the Biden Administration is refusing to enforce immigration laws already on the books and is illegally allowing mass parole across America of migrants who entered our country illegally.'

They believe that because the Biden administration has 'abdicated' its duty under the Constitution to defend the border, Texas must act.

The signatories included several high profile Republican governors, including former presidential candidates Ron DeSantis of Florida and North Dakota's Doug Burgum, as well as South Dakota's Kristi Noem, Arkansas' Sarah Sanders.

Four governors - Georgia's Brian Kemp, Joe Lombardo of Nevada, New Hampshire's Chris Sununu and Virginia's Glenn Youngkin - represent states Biden won in the 2020 election.

Meanwhile, Texas Border Czar Mike Banks told ranchers Wednesday the state could install razor wire on their private property free of charge, the state official told a packed room of ranchers who met just outside of Eagle Pass, Texas.

Abbott blasted Biden again for his dereliction of duty at the border on Thursday.

Abbott reasserted the state's right to protect its own border after the Supreme Court ruled the Biden administration could take down razor wire Texas had installed along high-traffic areas of the border

The signatories included several high profile Republican governors, including former presidential candidate Ron DeSantis of Florida

Texas Border Czar Mike Banks (center, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott) told ranchers they could have razor wire installed on their properties free of charge

Texas placed razor wire at Shelby Park in the migrant hot spot of Eagle Pass, Texas for more than a year

'The Executive Branch of the United States has a constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting states, including immigration laws on the books right now,' Abbott said. 'President Biden has refused to enforce those laws and has even violated them.'

The governor is engaged in multiple legal disputes with the Biden administration over its seizure of a section of the U.S. border in Eagle Pass, Texas. This week the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could tear down razor wire that Abbott had installed along the border in Eagle Pass.

Texas officials, however, said the ruling only narrowly applies to the wire and does not settle the escalating standoff over whether the state or federal government has authority to secure the border in the hot spot of Eagle Pass, Texas.

Abbott also installed floating barriers in the Rio Grande, which later failed a legal battle and were removed, and recently signed a new law allowing state law enforcement to arrest and immediately deport migrants.

Under Abbott's orders Texas soldiers fenced off Shelby Park January 10 with razor wire and other fencing, even though the land is owned by the City of Eagle Pass.

Abbott claimed the move was meant to stop the historic number of illegal immigrant entries at Shelby Park in recent weeks.

In the week before Christmas, more than 22,000 asylum-seeking migrants crossed the river separating the US from Mexico and into Shelby Park to get inside Eagle Pass, that only has a population of 28,000.

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Items of clothing and other personal effects discarded by illegal immigrants before they are taken into custody by Border Patrol agents in Eagle Pass this week

The Supreme Court did not rule that the wire fencing Texas deployed was unlawful. The high court only said that federal agents could cut it or move it if they needed to

Texas took control of Shelby Park (pictured above) on Jan. 10. Since then, Border Patrol agents have been blocked from having full access to the park

Supreme Court allows Border Patrol agents to remove razor wire installed by Texas at Mexico border

Federal border patrol agents are in a standoff with Texas state troops at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass

The influx strained resources and cost local taxpayers thousands of dollars a day.

However, the feud escalated after the Border Patrol agents claimed Texas National Guard troops prevented them from entering the state-controlled area to help save a migrant woman and two children from drowning.

The state claimed the migrants had already drowned by the time Border Patrol was made aware.

The Biden's Department of Justice filed a request late Monday with the Supreme Court to force the state to give Border Patrol agents access.

The razor wire is part of Abbott's border security plan known as Operation Lone Star.

Launched in March 2021, many of Abbott's Operation Lone Star initiatives have been controversial and have pitted the Republican governor with the White House over jurisdiction.

Abbott has also put buoys in the Rio Grande to act as a deterrent, but they have also been wrapped up in a legal battle.

Earlier this month the Biden administration sued to block a new Texas law which empowers state officials to essentially deport people who are suspected of crossing the border illegally.
Ring, the company behind the wildly popular doorbell cameras, announced on Wednesday that it would no longer share its footage with police departments, after campaigners raised concerns about privacy.

The Amazon-owned company did not give reasons for its decision, but it is being seen as a move to try and relieve fears of constant surveillance.

In a blog post on Wednesday, Ring said it will end its 'Request for Assistance' tool, which allows police departments and other public safety agencies to request and receive video captured by the doorbell cameras through Ring's Neighbors app.

The new policy is coming into effect this week, although cops can still obtain the footage using a warrant - and homeowners can share it voluntarily with investigators if they so wish.

A Ring doorbell camera is seen outside a home. As of this week, the footage from the cameras will not be shared with police when they request it

Judy Kline is seen outside the St. Louis, Missouri home of the Suarez family with a hammer. Kline was eventually arrested for threatening the family

Fatima Suarez said the abuse at her home had been going on for a year as Judy Kline (pictured), a woman they had no prior interaction with, would frequently come to the door, damage property and steal their mail

Eric Kuhn, the head of Neighbors, said that police will still be able to share information with the community, via public posts in the Neighbors app.

Police and other agencies can also still use the app to 'share helpful safety tips, updates, and community events,' Kuhn said.

But they cannot request the footage through the app.

The decision will likely disappoint those who have managed to catch criminals and end abuse, thanks to the Ring cameras - although they will still be able to voluntarily hand the footage over to police, even though the company will not.

Last year, the Suarez family in St. Louis secured charges against their neighbor, Judy Kline, after she was caught on a doorbell camera repeatedly threatening and wielding a hammer at the Mexican-American family.

Fatima Suarez said the abuse had been going on for a year as Kline, a woman they had no prior interaction with, would frequently come to the door, damage property and steal their mail.

Video from their Ring camera finally caught Kline red handed, as she screamed racist remarks at the Suarez family.

Ring doorbell camera footage shows an attack on three women by a former convict in Philadelphia, in June 2022. Malcolm White was tracked down and arrested thanks to the footage

A woman in Florida is caught on camera stealing Amazon packages from people's doorsteps

The update is the latest restriction Ring has made to police activity on the Neighbors app following concerns raised by privacy watchdogs about the company's relationship with police departments across the country.

Critics have stressed the proliferation of these relationships - and users' ability to report what they see as suspicious behavior - can change neighborhoods into a place of constant surveillance and lead to more instances of racial profiling.

In a bid to increase transparency, Ring changed its policy in 2021 to make police requests publicly visible through its Neighbors app.

Previously, law enforcement agencies were able to send Ring owners who lived near an area of an active investigation private emails requesting video footage.

'Now, Ring hopefully will altogether be out of the business of platforming casual and warrantless police requests for footage to its users,' said Matthew Guariglia, a senior policy analyst at the digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Law enforcement agencies can still access videos using a search warrant.

Ring doorbell camera footage helped track down a red Toyota (seen above) being driven by Romeo Nance in Joliet, Illinois last weekend. Nance shot dead eight people and injured a ninth

Ring also maintains the right to share footage without user consent in limited circumstances.

In mid-2022, Ring disclosed it handed over 11 videos to police without notifying users that year due to 'exigent or emergency' circumstances, one of the categories that allow it to share videos without permission from owners.

However, Guariglia, of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said the group remains skeptical about the ability of police and the company to determine what is or is not an emergency.

Last summer, Ring agreed to pay $5.8 million to settle with the Federal Trade Commission over allegations that the company let employees and contractors access user videos.

Furthermore, the agency said Ring had inadequate security practices, which allowed hackers to control consumer accounts and cameras.

The company disagrees with those claims.
Pupils at a free school that was set up to help disadvantaged students get into some of the top universities have received more Oxbridge offers than Eton.

Teenagers at Harris Westminster Sixth Form got 57 offers from Cambridge and Oxford, whereas pupils at Eton received 51 this year.

The school, which was founded a decade ago, runs classes on Saturdays and is open from 9.30am to 6.30pm during the week.

Last year the free school, which is located in London, achieved the same number of offers as Eton, which was around 48.

Eton College charges students almost 50,000 a year to attend and parents also have to shell out another 400 for the registration fee and an extra 3,200 for the acceptance fee.

Eton College (pictured) charges students almost 50,000 a year to attend

James Handscombe, executive principal of Harris Westminster, said the pupils had received offers to study subjects such as classics, English, history of art, law and chemistry

Students at Harris Westminster Sixth Form (pictured) received 57 offers from Cambridge and Oxford

However, 500 of this is refunded when the student leaves the college, 'subject to settlement of his final bill'.

Its famous alumni include the king in waiting Prince William, Prince Harry, former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Boris Johnson and Dominic West, who played King Charles in The Crown.

The state sixth form was established in partnership with Westminster School, which charges its students day fees of 37,500 a year and boarding fees of almost 50,000.

Nigella Lawson, AA Milne and Sir Peter Ustinov are some of Westminster School's most notable alma mater.

Westminster School received 96 offers from Oxbridge this year, the highest in a decade.

James Handscombe, executive principal of Harris Westminster, said the pupils had received offers to study subjects such as classics, English, history of art, law, chemistry, architecture and Chinese studies.

He also studied at Oxford and Harvard himself before deciding to train as a teacher and became principal of the free school in 2014.

He told The Times: 'I think over time the universities have got better at doing this. They've seen what you need to look for in order to select students with potential who haven't had private education throughout their lives.'

Mr Handscombe made headlines last year as he introduced a ban on pupils using the titles 'sir' or 'miss' to address teachers, branding it 'cultural misogyny'.

Prince William attended Eton College. Pictured: William in 2000 at Highgrove

Students at Harris Westminster Sixth Form received 57 offers from Cambridge and Oxford, whereas pupils at Eton (pictured) received 51 this year

Former Prime Minister David Cameron also attended Eton College

He shared an assembly that he had given to students, in which he asked them to use full names when speaking to teachers.

The assembly was titled: 'no more sir, no more miss'.

Last summer, one-fifth of A-Levels taken at the school, which has around 300 pupils in every year, were graded at A*.

And a quarter of pupils achieved at least A*AA.

This comes amid pressure for Cambridge and Oxford to accept more students from state schools.

State school pupils made up 72.9 per cent of Cambridge's home student intake in 2022, which is up from the previous year.

However, Oxford's number has stayed at 68.1 per cent.
A 'beautiful and kind' teenager has died after she was flung out of the window of a ute and crushed in an alleged hooning incident.

Madison Chamberlain, 19, died after the ute flipped and crushed her on Muriwai Beach near Auckland, New Zealand, at about 2.30pm on Sunday.

Ms Chamberlain's employer, supermarket New World New Lynn, released a touching tribute to the teenager, saying she was 'much loved by all'.

'Maddie worked on the checkouts in our store, she was a beautiful and kind people-person and much loved by us all,' the post read.

'We're so sad, looking after each other here and heartbroken for Maddie's family, friends and every one of us who had the privilege to know and love her.

'We will miss your beautiful smile and you will always be a part of our family.'

A police spokesperson said the ute had reportedly seen hooning on the sand shortly before the driver lost control, as reported by the NZ Herald.

Madison Chamberlain, 19, died after she was flung out the window of a ute and crushed

Emergency services, including two rescue helicopters, rushed to the crash scene (pictured)

READ MORE: Tragic twist in baby death Homicide police are investigating the mysterious death of two-month-old Chance Ford. Advertisement

A fisherman told the publication he had seen the ute hooning before it flipped, flinging Ms Chamberlain out the window and rolling onto her.

Emergency services, including two rescue helicopters, rushed to the scene but were unable to save the teen.

An investigation has been launched into the alleged hooning and police are yet to lay any charges.

Locals have been calling for vehicles to be banned from driving on the beach after a spate of alleged hooning incidents resulted in several deaths.

Brent Bailey, chairman of the Rodney district local board, said cars on the beach were a danger to beachgoers.

Mr Bailey added that hooning was 'immature' and that the tragedy of deaths associated with it were avoidable.

Ed Donald, a local, countered that an outright vehicle ban was not necessary, but that it would help to drop the speed limit on the beach.

Cars can drive up to 60km/hour on Muriwai Beach, which Mr Donald said was 'ridiculous'. He said the speed limit should be reduced to 10km/hour.

Better policing would also help, he said, adding that extra police patrols could help stop risky drivers before they hurt themselves.
Kenneth Eugene Smith writhed, convulsed and gasped for air for almost ten minutes before he died in a 'horror show' 22-minute execution using nitrogen hypoxia for the first time in history, witnesses to his death revealed today.

The 58-year-old convicted killer had a firefighters-style mask placed over his face as he was strapped to a gurney inside the execution chamber at the William C. Holman prison in Atmore, Alabama last night.

Experts had said he would be unconscious within seconds of inhaling the gas - but it took up to seven minutes for him to pass out and another 15 for him to be declared dead.

Lee Hedgepeth was one of five journalists to see Smith put to death and said: 'I've been to four previous executions and I've never seen a condemned inmate thrash in the way that Kenneth Smith reacted to the nitrogen gas'.

Mr Hedgepeth was sat next to Smith's wife Deanna in the viewing gallery feet away from her husband when the curtain pulled back to show Smith strapped to a gurney. His gasmask stretched from his forehead to his chin and was also tethered to the bed.

After the gas began to flow into his mask at 7.53pm, the inmate smiled, nodded toward his family and signed 'I love you'. Smith made a heart sign with his left hand to his wife Deanna before declaring: 'Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards... I'm leaving with love, peace and light.'

But soon Smith was wrenching against the straps, gasping, panting loudly and also trying to hold his breath to try to avoid inhaling the nitrogen through a mask covering his entire face.

Mr Hedgepeth was sat next to Smith's wife Deanna was 'sobbing'. He claims that it was the 'most violent execution' he and others had ever witnessed. No doctor was present in the chamber but one arrived at the end to declare him dead at a 8.16pm - just over 22 minutes after the execution began.

Before the medic came in to check the body, one correction officer had to repeatedly peep into the mask to see his face and try to ascertain if he still looked alive.

Kenneth Eugene Smith was sentenced to death in 1996 after admitting the murder-for-hire killing of a pastor's wife who was beaten and stabbed in 1988. On Thursday evening, he became the first person in US history to be executed with nitrogen gas

Alabama's lethal injection chamber at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala., is pictured in this Oct. 7, 2002 file photo, where Smith was executed on Thursday evening

Smith's wife Deanna cried out for her killer husband as he thrashed against his restraints, before breaking down at a press conference following the controversial execution (pictured)

Elizabeth Sennett, 45, (right) was found dead on March 18, 1988, in the her home in Alabama's Colbert County. She had been stabbed eight times in the chest and once on each side of neck

The son of Kenneth Eugene Smith's victim Elizabeth Sennett, Mike Senett, said his mother finally got her justice as killer's 'debt was paid' after he was executed by nitrogen gas at an Alabama prison

Thank you, #JeffHood, for witnessing the darkest moments of humanity, so that #KennethSmith did not have to be there alone. pic.twitter.com/08hRXt9cSH  The Woods Foundation (@thewoodsfdn) January 26, 2024

His bereft wife Deanna cried out for her killer husband as he thrashed against his restraints and tried to fight the gas by not breathing it in.

At one point as the killer tore against his restraints, his wife, wearing a T-shirt reading 'Never Alone', desperately cried out for him as she sobbed from the witness box.

Next to her was journalist Lee Hedgepeth. He has given the most detailed account of what unfolded at William C. Holman prison.

He told the BBC: 'The curtains of the execution chamber pulled back. Kenny is laying strapped to a gurney. His upper body is strapped.

He is wearing a gas mask that covers his face from his forehead to his chin. The gas mask is strapped in multiple places to his head as well as the gurney.

'The execution starts at about 7.53. The nitrogen begins flowing into the gas mask and Kenny begins to violently shake against the straps that are holding him.

'That violent shaking lasts for about four or five minutes. I've witnessed five executions in Alabama. Four of them lethal injection. One with nitrogen and this was the most violent execution I have ever seen.

'Sitting beside me was Deanna Smith, the wife of Kenny. Once Kenny began to violently shake against those straps she began to sob. There were other media witnesses in the room, folks who had seen other executions, and I think there was a shock in the room at how violent the execution was.

'Doctors are not in the room during the execution. A doctor did pronounce Kenny dead afterwards but no doctor is visibly present in the execution chamber.

'The execution began around 7.53 and he was declared dead at 8.16 so around 20 something minutes'.

When asked if more states will use the method to execute inmates he said: 'We have never seen a execution by nitrogen before. People will have to consider if this is a more humane execution but people in the room believe it was more violent than lethal injection'.

Smith's pastor John Ewell told DailyMail.com that the killer was 'really struggling' with the reality of his imminent death. He barely touched his final meal of a T-bone steak, hashbrowns, eggs and A1 Sauce from Waffle House.

The murderer's friend and spiritual guide, Jeff Hood, described his death as the 'worst thing' he had ever seen, claiming jail officials gasped in shock because he died far slower than anticipated. One prison officer was 'tap dancing' with nervousness and others were 'very surprised that this didn't go smoothly', he said.

'When they turned the nitrogen on, he [Smith] began to convulse, he popped up on the gurney over and over again, he shook the whole gurney,' Hood said afterwards.

'I could see the corrections officers, I think they were very surprised that this didn't go smoothly - one of the state officials in the room was so nervous she was tap dancing,' he continued.

'(Smith) kept breathing for what could possibly be up to nine minutes, ten minutes, unbelievable evil was unleashed tonight in Alabama... that was torture.'

The method of his execution has proved hugely controversial with Smith was viewed as a 'guinea pig' to test a method of execution with nitrogen hypoxia that had never been attempted before.

But Alabama's prison chiefs insisted that the execution went to plan and they saw 'nothing out of the ordinary from what we were expecting'.

Jeff Hood, Smith's spiritual advisor before his execution, described the untested execution method as a 'horror show', and said 'unbelievable evil was unleashed tonight in Alabama'

Smith's pastor John Ewell told DailyMail.com before his execution that the killer was 'really struggling' with the reality of his imminent death

Smith was officially pronounced dead at 8:25pm local time, 22 minutes after the nitrogen gas was first administered. At 8:07pm, a corrections officer leaned over Smith and examined him, before stepping back against the wall to let the execution continue.

But Alabama's prison chiefs insisted that the execution went to plan and they saw 'nothing out of the ordinary from what we were expecting'.

Amid reports of Smith struggling and writhing on the gurney, Alabama's prison system's commissioner John Q. Hamm claimed it looked like Smith was holding his breath for as long as possible.

Smith, 58, was put to death for the murder-for-hire slaying of a preacher's wife in 1988, where he was paid just $1,000 for the hit.

Smith was viewed as a 'guinea pig' to test a method of execution never attempted before. But Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the decision was reckless considering Smith's intended execution date in 2022 was botched, when IV administrators couldn't find a vein for his lethal injection.

Hood was one of the few people to witness the historic execution, and he noted that the contraption used to kill Smith resembled a 'firefighters mask.'

Witnesses sat in wait for almost an hour before a curtain drew back at 7:53pm, revealing Smith strapped to the gurney. As he said his last goodbyes, Hood touched his feet with a bible, continuing to bless him throughout the execution while Smith struggled.

After falling unconscious, Smith appeared to stop breathing at 8:08pm, and the curtain was pulled back over the chamber at 8:15pm before he was officially declared dead 10 minutes later.

Hood said he prayed for the murderer and told him that he 'loved him and he wasn't alone', and broke down as he recounted the 'horror show' of Smith's final moments.

The watch tower at William C. Holman jail

Hood said he has witnessed five executions before, and after seeing Smith's agony, he felt that 'lethal injection is preferable every single day.'

Hood's claims of Smith's execution being a 'horror show' directly oppose the narrative put out by Alabama officials, who praised it as a step forward for safe death row justice as an 'effective and humane method of execution.'

The historic execution divided opinions, including among Supreme Court justices who voted 6-3 to allow the procedure to go ahead, with the untested method previously branded 'torture' by the UN.

Smith's execution marked the first time a new method had been used on America's death row since lethal injections were first introduced 42 years ago.

But one of the primary reasons Alabama has turned to nitrogen gas for Smith's execution has been the widespread struggles American prisons have had in obtaining lethal injection drugs in recent years.

Thursday's execution opens up the possibility nitrogen hypoxia could be used in upcoming executions, with the Alabama Attorney General's office saying after Smith's death the method 'was intended to be - and has now proved to be - an effective and humane method of execution.'

The apparent victory lap taken by Alabama officials in the wake of the execution - with Governor Kay Ivey also dubbing it 'closure' - sparked backlash from opponents of the new approach.

Maya Foa, director of human rights organization Reprieve, told DailyMail.com: 'They said lethal injection was humane - that was a lie. They'll claim this execution was humane, and that is a lie, too.

'The whole purpose of these methods is to hide pain. How many more prisoners must die agonizing deaths before we see executions for what they really are: the state violently taking a human life?'

Hood said at a press conference, alongside Smith's wife Deanna, that the execution lasted far longer than anticipated, detailing that 'what we saw was minutes of someone struggling for his life.'

'Kenny Smith was by no means a perfect person,' he conceded. 'But we have to make sure that this never, ever happens again.'

Smith's legal team said in a statement that it was 'deeply saddened' that his execution went ahead, arguing it was a miscarriage of justice because a jury had initially voted to reject the death penalty, but a judge overrode their decision.

'Nothing can undo the tragic consequences of the actions for which he was convicted, including the pain of the Sennett family and friends,' the statement read.

'Kenny's life, however, should be considered in its full context.'

Smith was 22-years-old (seen in his original 1989 mugshot) when he was first arrested for the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Sennett. His conviction was overturned before he was sentenced to death for the same murder at a separate trial in 1996

Elizabeth Sennett, 45, was murdered by Smith and another man in 1989, after her husband paid them each $1,000 to kill her so he could collect on her insurance

Sennett was murdered as her husband had encountered trouble with debt and wanted to capitalise on insurance payouts

Before his final appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court, Smith's pastor told DailyMail.com he was 'putting a lot of hope into this thing being stopped' - after his previous scheduled execution in November 2022 was called off after painful hours of botched attempts to inject him with an IV line.

Following the failed execution in 2022, Smith sought his subsequent execution to be carried out via nitrogen hypoxia - in an apparent gamble that officials wouldn't follow through with the untested method.

As he 'struggled' to accept his fate, the Alabama Department of Corrections said Smith's final day began with him refusing a breakfast of eggs, biscuits, grape jelly, apple sauce and orange juice.

He then received a tray for lunch but again refused it, although he did drink Mountain Dew, Pepsi and coffee.

Smith was ordered to have only clear liquids from 4pm, after barely touching his final meal, which came from Waffle House slathered in A1 steak sauce.

His last phone call was with his wife, Deanna Smith, who was among the few witnesses to the execution, also including Smith's sons, Steven Tiggleman and Michael Bryant, his friend Harold Hedgepeth, and attorney Robert Glass.

Also in attendance was the sons of his victim, Elizabeth Sennett, who told 1819 News that they wanted to watch to make sure the 35-year case of their mother's killer is 'over with.'

Mike Sennet said at a press conference following the execution: 'Nothing happened here today that's gonna bring mom back.'

'We're glad this is over,' he continued. 'Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett got her justice tonight.'

The convicted killer, 58, was pronounced dead at 8:25pm in the execution chamber at the William C. Holman facility in Atmore, Alabama

Abraham Bonowitz of Death Penalty Action prays for convicted killer Kenneth Eugene Smith on a web broadcast from a near by hotel before Smith's execution by nitrogen gas by the State of Alabama

A heavy security presence was stationed outside the prison before the execution, with some protestors gathering nearby to demonstrate against the untested execution method

Officials appeared to take a victory lap in the wake of Smith's death, as the State Attorney General's office branding it a brand new 'effective and humane method of execution'

The execution method split opinions for weeks heading to the final date, with some feeling Smith's crime in 1988 was worthy of his place on death row.

Aged 22, Smith was one of two men convicted in the murder-for-hire slaying of Elizabeth Sennett, 45, the wife of preacher Charles Sennet Sr. who hired the men kill his wife in an insurance plot.

His initial 1989 conviction was overturned on appeal, but he was retried and convicted again in 1996, where he was sentenced to death.

Prosecutors said he and John Forrest Parker were each paid $1,000 for the hit, with Sennett's husband hoping to collect on her insurance as he was deeply in debt.

She was found dead March 18, 1988, in her home in Colbert County with eight stab wounds in the chest and one on each side of her neck.

After finding out that he was suspected of being involved in the plot, Charles Sennett Sr. killed himself. He is now buried next to his wife.

The controversial execution was praised by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey following news of Smith's death, feeling it was justice served for Sennett's murder.

Ivey said in a statement: 'After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes.

'I pray that Elizabeth Sennett's family can receive closure after all these years dealing with that great loss.'

John Forrest Parker, the other man convicted in the slaying, was executed in 2010

Elizabeth, 'Liz', had two children - Charles JR. and Mike - at the time of her death in 1988

Despite warnings from human rights groups over the use of the method, AG Marshall insisted that Smith's fears are unfounded. Quoting experts including euthanasia expert Dr. Philip Nitschke, Marshall said nitrogen hypoxia is a 'peaceful' way to end a human life.

However, in the dissenting opinion in the Supreme Court's approval of the execution hours before Smith's death, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that she felt the execution method was cruel.

Smith wore a mask that had never been fitted for his face until the moment he was strapped down, and officials were banned from intervening even if he began choking on his own vomit.

Although Smith was granted the chance to say his last words, he was also forced to speak them through the gas mask before the nitrogen was turned on.

Sotomayor felt Smith was a 'surprising candidate' for the untested method - with his previous scheduled execution in November 2022 called off after painful hours of botched attempts to inject him with an IV line.

Smith recalled being in 'great pain' because those tasked with injecting the lethal drugs - midazolam hydrochloride, rocuronium bromide and potassium chloride - were stabbing his muscle rather than finding a vein.

Smith has since said that the ceaseless jabs became so ridiculous they turned into farce, especially when one of the executioners eventually asked Smith to squeeze his hand to make the vein stand out better - a request Smith declined.

Unable to find a second usable vein, Smith's gurney was tilted so that his feet were pointed upwards in what he presumed was an attempt to get blood to his head and leave a vein in his neck more pronounced.

He was left for several minutes before the IV returned with an even larger needle in an attempt to attach a so-called central line (or central venous catheter) which is much longer than a regular intravenous line and goes all the way up to a vein near or inside the heart.

Smith reported that this pain became so excruciating after multiple attempts to use the larger needle successfully that he was shaking and wet himself.

Despite warnings from human rights organizations, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says the execution is more gentle than Smith deserves

One of the arguments put forward by Smith's attorneys before the execution was the possibility that the nitrogen gas mask may not be tight enough, allowing a small amount of oxygen in and causing extreme breathing pain.

Euthanasia expert Dr. Philip Nitschke countered that nitrogen hypoxia was a painless way to die.

Officials added that the gas mask was extensively tested, with AG Marshall saying the equipment was tested to ensure the execution was as humane as possible.

Marshall also quoted Nitschke's support of nitrogen hypoxia in assisted suicide as further evidence of how painless the execution will be.

The planned use of nitrogen gas for the first-time sparked outrage in the weeks leading up to Thursday's planned execution among human rights and prison reform advocates.

Reprieve, an international human rights organization focused on incarceration, told DailyMail.com that even planning Smith's execution using nitrogen hypoxia was a travesty.

'Execution with nitrogen gas is the latest effort to obscure the violence of the state taking a human life,' the organization said.

'Despite almost fifty years of horrific scenes in the execution chamber as prisoners suffer agonizing deaths, proponents of capital punishment cling to the lie that it can be carried out humanely.

'Alabama is once more seeking to hide the reality of what goes on in the execution chamber, switching methods to avoid having to answer questions about what went wrong last time, and now proposes to use a method that has been rejected by veterinarians as a way to kill animals.'
An out-of-control 'XL Bully' which savaged two men on an estate in Scotland 'may have been taken to the country to escape England's ban', it has emerged.

The dog, which was shot dead by police is thought to have been previously abandoned and then rescued by one of the people it attacked.

The owner of the 'large bulldog-type dog' was taken to hospital with serious injuries after the attack in Tinto View, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, on Tuesday evening.

The attack comes after it emerged that over 30,000 XL bully owners have been granted an exemption from the ban which comes in of February 1, making it a criminal offence to own the breed.

Scotland's latest attack happened days after the dog was reportedly rescued from England as new laws on the breed came into effect down south.

William Hunter with the dog, Zeus, which is believed to have attacked him and another man

Forensics officers handle what is believed to be Mr Hunter's jacket following the attack in Tinto View, Hamilton, Lanarkshire

CCTV footage from a convenience store near the scene of the attack shows a man in dark clothing and white trainers running for help. He is noticeably limping

Shocked locals who witnessed the attack in Hamilton, Lanarkshire said the 'huge' animal, thought to be called Zeus, was stabbed by its own owner, named locally as William Hunter, several times.

It maimed a man in the Loudonhill Avenue area of Hamilton, Lanarkshire before savaging Mr Hunter in nearby Tinto View at around 5pm on Tuesday.

Footage from the nearby Day Today convenience store shows the other man believed to have been attacked, who is wearing dark clothing and white trainers, limp hurriedly into the store to seek help; he can clearly be seen struggling to run.

The other victim, named locally as neighbour Michael McCafferty, was treated at nearby Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride for minor injuries.

Armed officers attended due to the dog being dangerously out of control and the animal was shot dead by police after attempting to attack an officer.

Zeeshan Rashid, owner of the Day Today convenience shop on Silverton Avenue in Hamilton, said the dog and its owner had been in the shop shortly before the second attack.

He believes the dog was previously abandoned before being rescued by its new owner, stating it had 'lots of scars on its face'.

He said: 'The dog was very nice to be honest - it came in a couple of times during shift.

'We always keep dog treats so whenever he came in with his owner we would give him one.

'He never gave us any bother in the shop. I don't know what happened that day, whether something was wrong with the dog or not.

'I think it had been abandoned before its new owner as it had lots of scars on its face.

'His new owner looked after the dog very well. I think he had spent a lot of money on saving him.'

The attack, which has left one person with 'life-threatening' injuries, is believed to have involved an XL Bully-type dog

Police investigators - including scene of crime officers in white forensics overalls - assess the scene of a savage dog attack in Hamilton, Lanarkshire

Mr Rashid said he believes police killing the animal was 'too much' and he suggested dogs should instead be tranquillised in such circumstances.

He said the owner was still in hospital as of Wednesday, but he has not heard anything since.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'The body of the dog which was shot dead by armed officers during an incident at Tinto View in Hamilton on Tuesday was taken for specialist veterinary assessment.

'The animal is described as a large bulldog-type dog but it was not possible to establish its specific breed or history from this assessment.

'Inquiries remain ongoing into the circumstances of the incident.'

The Scottish Ambulance Service attended the scene following the incident and took the dog owner to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow with serious injuries.

As a firearm was used in the incident, it has been reported to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc).

XL bully dogs in Scotland will soon be subject to new safeguards as the Scottish Government replicates the legislation in place south of the border after being criticised for failing to respond.

The Scottish Government has accepted there has been an influx of XL bullies to Scotland since the change in the law in England on December 31 banned the breeding, selling or abandonment of the dogs.

The first phase of the Scottish regulations will make it an offence to sell, abandon, give away, or breed an XL bully.

A date for when the rules will officially be imposed has yet to be confirmed, however owners wishing to keep their dogs will need to keep the XL bully on a lead and muzzled in public.

The second phase will see owners able to apply for their dogs to be added to an exemption index to keep them.

The Scottish Government will also look to make potential improvements to the 2010 Control of Dogs Act to enhance the preventative dog control notice scheme.
Holidaymakers are hitting the beach in Benidorm to bask in some winter sun as a freak heatwave has brought temperatures of up to 30C to parts of Spain.

The mercury rose to 29.5C in Valencia, 28.5C in Murcia in the southeast and 27.8C near Malaga in the south - temperatures usually seen in June rather than January.

The Valencian Association of Meteorology said yesterday that it had recorded a staggering 30.7C at a weather station in Calles, which would be a European record for January, but this has since been disputed.

The scenes on Benidorm's beaches yesterday could have been mistaken for a summer's day, with Brits and locals bringing out the deck chairs and bathing in the sea as temperatures hit 25C in the holiday resort.

The winter heat has been caused by the presence of a powerful anticyclone above the Mediterranean. These blocks can last for several weeks, meaning the warm weather could last into February.

Holidaymakers are enjoying the extraordinary January temperatures on Benidorm Beach

Pictures show a packed Benidorm Beach as people pulled out the deck chairs and soaked in the sun

People taking a dip in the Mediterranean Sea as they enjoy the sunny Benidorm weather

The scenes on Benidorm Beach yesterday could have been mistaken for a summer's day

Sunbathers stripped off to enjoy the unusual weather and make the most of the winter sun

Holiday makers are seen soaking up the sun in a bar in Benidorm, Spain today

A man is seen paddle boarding in Benidorm as people enjoy scorching January temperatures

The Valencian Association of Meteorology posted a map of temperatures across the region on Thursday

Sunbathers have stripped off to enjoy the unusual weather, with pictures showing a packed Benidorm Beach.

Elsewhere in the Valencian Community, swimmers were pictured jumping into the sea in bathing suits, making the most of the abnormally warm air temperature.

Overnight temperatures were also balmy across Spain, with the mercury staying above 10C in most areas over recent nights.

This includes in the small ski resort of Puerto de Navacerrada near Madrid, which is 6,200ft above sea level and is normally covered in snow at this time of year.

Spain also recorded unusually high temperatures in December, with the mercury peaking at 29.9C in Malaga, a national record for the month.

'There are no studies yet that have evaluated the long-term trend of this type of event but it is clear that we are experiencing this type of abnormal situation more and more frequently,' David Corell, a researcher at the University of Valencia, told AFPTV.

The heat comes amid a prolonged drought affecting much of the country, especially the northeast region of Catalonia and the southwest region of Andalusia.

In Catalan capital of Barcelona, Spain's second-largest city, water reservoir levels fell in mid-January to around 17 percent of their capacity.

It's a good day for a stroll down the promenade, these beachgoers in Benidorm seem to think

Sunbathers strip off to their skivvies to enjoy the sun during the warmest January on record

British holidaymakers enjoy the January sunshine in Benidorm, Spain

A man searches for a spot on the beach with a deckchair in Benidorm, Spain

A couple sun themselves on the beach in Benidorm, Spain

A towel seller walks on the Mavarrosa beach, in Valencia, Spain on Thursday

A pair are seen sunbathing on the beach in Benidorm as Spain enjoys some winter rays

A crowded beach as temperatures soared in Spain. The country also recorded unusually high temperatures in December

A group of women running into the sea during the unseasonably warm temperatures in Spain

People walk along the sea shore at the Malvarrosa beach in Valencia, Spain on Thursday

If they fall below 16 percent of their capacity - which could be imminent - the region will declare a state of emergency.

As global temperatures rise due to climate change, scientists have warned that heatwaves will become more frequent and more intense.

The heatwave has also affected southeast France, with temperatures just shy of 20C in Marseilles.

Last year was the second warmest on record in Spain after 2022 with consecutive heatwaves causing droughts and wildfires.

'We're a bit surprised that it's so pleasantly warm... And it's nice for us now, but we don't think it's completely normal,' German tourist Thorsten Petersen, 66, said in downtown Madrid.

Adela, a local pensioner, added: 'Those who say there is no climate change just have to look at what's happening: it's either too cold or too warm. I think this is a disaster.'

Footage showed people taking off their winter coats and some wearing shorts and T-shirts in the Spanish capital.

People enjoy the winter rays at a bar in Benidorm

People enjoying the sun at the Malvarrosa beach in Valencia, Spain on Thursday

A woman taking a shower in a swimsuit in Valencia, Spain on Thursday

A topless man soaks up the sun on a promenade in Spain during the sweltering temperatures

People sat in outdoor cafes to make the most of the high temperatures on Thursday

In neighbouring Portugal, the air warmed up the most in the central district of Leiria, reaching 23C, and the weather agency IPMA expected 24C there on Friday.

In the north, temperatures were 8 to 9C above normal levels, it said.

'I think it's because of the climate change,' said French tourist Jane Dubois, standing by the River Tagus in Lisbon. 'It's our future so we have to protect the planet.'

Fabio Silvestre, visiting Lisbon with his small daughter from Italy, echoed the climate concerns.

He said: 'I am a bit worried about my daughter... The weather is not normal like this.'
Britain has 'sacrificed' military capability and must 'reassess' investment, a senior US official has warned.

Carlos Del Toro, secretary of the US navy, reportedly delivered the tough message as he highlighted 'threats' to Western countries.

The intervention, in a briefing at the Royal United Services Institute in London, came after the head of the British army sounded the alarm about the prospects of confrontation with Vladimir Putin.

Although he stopped short of backing conscription, general Sir Patrick Sanders said preparing for war against Russia should be a 'whole-of-nation' undertaking, including what he described as 'national mobilisation'.

Experts and MPs have been warning that the world is in a '1939 moment' and Brits must be ready to surge armed forces numbers if the 'darkening' internal situation escalates.

Carlos Del Toro, secretary of the US navy, reportedly delivered the tough message as he highlighted 'threats' to Western countries

An RAF Typhoon taking off from Cyprus for operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen on Monday

Mr Del Toro's intervention, in a briefing at the Royal United Services Institute in London , came after the head of the British army sounded the alarm about the prospects of confrontation with Vladimir Putin

According to The Times, Mr Del Toro - who served in the military for two decades before taking up his civilian post - said the world was changing at a 'lightning pace'.

'I think it is important for the United Kingdom to reassess where they are today given the threats that exist today,' he said.

Mr Del Toro insisted it was up to Britain to make decisions and he had huge respect for the professional army.

But with Red Sea tensions running high, he also stressed the need for more spending on naval capabilities.

'Given the near-term, economic threats to the United Kingdom and the United States investments in their navy are significantly important,' he said.

Responding to Mr Del Toro's remarks, Downing Street pointed to Britain being Washington's 'partner of choice' to carry out air strikes against the Houthis.

A spokeswoman for the PM said: 'The UK is the second biggest defence spender in Nato and the largest in Europe.

'The Navy, Army and Royal Air Force are all playing an active global role, operating across every ocean and continent.

'Our military strength is also why we are the US's partner of choice in taking action to defend against the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

'We do all of this while continuing to be a world-leading supporter of Ukraine's defence.

'We announced an uplift in military funding of 2.5 billion during the Prime Minister's recent visit to Kyiv this month.'

MPs have been sounding alarm for years about the dwindling size of the army, which has not been smaller since the Napoleonic Wars, and struggles with recruitment.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps warned recently that the UK is adapting to a 'pre-war world'.

Former minister Tobias Ellwood, who served in the army, cautioned earlier this week that there is a '1939 feel to the world' and Britain is 'not prepared'.

'We've been too complacent. What's coming over the horizon should shock us. It should worry us and we are not prepared,' he told Sky News.

'There is a 1939 feel to the world right now. These authoritarian states are rearming.

'There's a risk averseness about the West in wanting to deal with that and our global institutions such as the United Nations aren't able to hold these errant nations to account.'

Sir Patrick, who is approaching the end of his tenure, noted that countries such as Sweden  which are much closer to Russia  are already taking measures to prepare for war.

The general, who is popular among soldiers, also appeared to criticise decisions by successive defence ministers to reduce the size of the British Army.

It has shrunk by 28 per cent in the past 12 years to around 103,000 soldiers, of which around 76,000 are regulars and 27,000 are reservists.

A spokesman for the PM (pictured on a visit to North Yorkshire today) said Britain was still the ally of choice for the US

Mr Del Toro said investment in the navy was important to protect Western interests

General Sir Patrick Sanders, Chief of the General Staff, says Britain should 'train and equip' a 'citizen army' to prepare for a land war

In a further cost-cutting measure, the Government remains committed to reducing numbers of regulars to 73,000 by 2025.

Speaking at the International Armoured Vehicles expo in Twickenham, Sir Patrick argued this trend must be urgently reversed.

He said: 'We need an Army designed to expand rapidly to enable the first echelon, resource the second echelon and train and equip the citizen army that must follow.

'Within the next three years it must be credible to talk of a British Army of 120,000, folding in our reserve and strategic reserve. But this is not enough.

'Our friends in eastern and northern Europe, who feel the proximity of the Russian threat more acutely, are already laying foundations for national mobilisation.

'Taking preparatory steps to enable placing our societies on a war footing when needed are now not merely desirable, but essential.'
Commuters vented fury at Sadiq Khan today after Transport for London revealed severe disruption on the Central line due to broken trains could continue for months.

Underground passengers have faced major delays for weeks due to an 'abnormally high number of motor failures' on the fleet of 85 trains which are now 32 years old.

TfL has apologised to travellers facing long waits on platforms before squeezing onto packed trains but warned that disruption is 'likely to continue for some months'.

Fewer trains can run while repairs take place, but TfL had a delivery of refurbished motor parts arrive last week and insisted work to replace these is 'progressing well'.

Several trains are expected to return to service over the coming weeks, but TfL said motor failures were 'still occurring at a higher rate than we've experienced before'.

Queues to get onto the Central line platforms at Bank station in the City of London yesterday

A commuter said Central line trains to Epping were running once every 20 minutes last night

Commuters are angry at long gaps between services which is causing them to become packed

Commuters have been tweeting photos of packed trains in recent days while they wait up to 20 minutes for services that normally run every few minutes  with many directing their rage at Mayor Mr Khan, who is the TfL chairman.

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One, Jo Wickham, said: 'When will the hellishness of the Central line end? When will we have a proper service again? It's awful. One Epping train every 20 minutes, especially in rush hour is entirely unacceptable. No one can get on, let alone get off.'

Another, Joshua Fineman, tweeted a picture of a packed concourse at Bank station and said: 'Sadiq Khan, forget your fare freeze. It's the Central line that's frozen.'

A third passenger tweeted Mr Khan to say: 'Can you answer what causes shortage of trains every day and when you going to sort it?'

And a fourth told him: 'Sadiq Khan, since our Central line trains haven't run on time for two months now, this is embarrassing. What are you doing about it? Going to be months, you'll be out of a job too.'

A fifth added: 'Sadiq Khan, 17 disgraceful minutes waiting for a Central Line train and you and poorly run TfL still insult the public by telling us that 'Every Journey Matters'. It clearly does not matter and you are clearly not fit to run TfL.'

TfL has asked customers to leave more time for journeys and consider using alternative routes to travel through central London.

But Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall told MailOnline: 'Sadiq Khan has mismanaged TfL for nearly eight years, taking it close to bankruptcy and forcing the government to bail him out.

'Now we see the consequences of his decision to prioritise imposing his Ulez expansion tax over improving services, with the Central line expected to be disrupted for months. It is completely unacceptable.

'As Mayor, I will conduct a top-to-bottom review of TfL, ensuring it is focused on delivering the best service for customers, rather than obsessively taxing people through Sadiq Khan's unfair Ulez expansion.'

And Keith Prince, the City Hall Conservatives transport spokesman, told MailOnline: 'It is very concerning that Londoners are facing yet more disruptions on the Central Line due to an alarming number of train failures. The deteriorating state of the Tube network is a direct consequence of Sadiq Khan's misplaced priorities.

'Recently, Sadiq Khan decided to cry poor over TfL funding. However, shortly after this, he unveiled a pre-election spending splurge of half a billion pounds, which could have been better invested in upgrading TfL services and addressing the critical issues facing commuters.

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'His choice to freeze some ticket fares - although notably not the price caps most used by commuters particularly from outer London - may have been politically expedient, but ultimately has contributed to a large reduction in TfL revenue, further compromising the reliability of our public transport system.

'Londoners deserve a Mayor who prioritises responsible fiscal management and the efficient functioning of our transport network over short-term political gains.'

As the Central line was once again hit by severe delays today, TfL said valid tickets were being accepted on London buses, the Elizabeth line, London Overground, Greater Anglia and Chiltern Railway services.

In a message emailed to customers yesterday, TfL said: 'We are sorry for the ongoing disruption to your Central line service and we are writing to provide an update on the work we are doing to improve it.

'The Central line fleet is now more than 30 years old and is experiencing an abnormally high number of motor failures.

London Mayor Sadia Khan, pictured launching the Night Tube at Brixton station in August 2016

'While our engineers are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible, it is a complex process and means that we have fewer trains available for service each day while the work takes place.

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'We received a delivery of refurbished motor parts last week and the work to replace these is progressing well. This will allow us to bring several trains back into service over the coming weeks.

'While this should help improve the service, the motor failures are still occurring at a higher rate than we've experienced before and some disruption to normal service levels is likely to continue for some months.'

TfL added that it was 'continuing to work urgently to identify further solutions and will keep you updated'.

Workers are also currently carrying out a 500million transformation of the fleet, with all trains set to have a ten-week makeover including CCTV cameras, wheelchair bays and upgraded seating.

Five trains are set to be refurbished at the same time - with the upgrade set to be completed by 2029 and extend their lives by up to 20 years, according to TfL.

The programme will also see the motors and computer systems replaced, with the first completely refurbished train now now in service.

The Central line has 85 trains which are now 32 years old. Two are pictured at North Acton

Nick Dent, TfL's director of customer operations, said: 'I apologise to Central line customers for the delays they have experienced in recent weeks.

'We have experienced an abnormally high number of defective traction motors that has required us to take several trains out of service and implement an amended timetable.

'Our engineers are working extremely hard to get as many trains into service for customers as possible.'

A spokesperson for London TravelWatch, the transport watchdog, told MailOnline: 'The Central line serves some of the busiest stations on the Tube network, such as Oxford Circus, Stratford, Liverpool Street and Tottenham Court Road.

'With recent problems on the Elizabeth line as well, it's vital that TfL sort out the problems with their trains as soon as possible and that they give passengers a clearer sense of when they can expect normal services to return.'
Shocking footage has emerged of police officers pushing teenagers across a busy road after Australia Day celebrations turned sour at a popular beach.

Footage of up to fifty teenagers causing trouble at Manly Wharf, on Sydney's northern beaches, started to circulate on social media on Friday afternoon.

In one video, dozens of shirtless teens are seen running around outside the wharf while frenzied police attempt to control the crowds.

Officers were forced to form a 'barricade' at the entrance, local media reported.

In another video, posted by Instagram page Creatures of Manly, officers form a line to push the crowds of teenagers across a busy road.

The mood intensifies after officers appears to shove a bikini-clad teenager, prompting an uproar from her friends.

'Holy s***,' the man filming the clash is heard saying.

Up to fifty teenagers congregated at Manly Wharf in Sydney on Friday afternoon (pictured)

An elderly man is seeing trying to cross the road amongst the chaos as officers attempt to move the crowds away from the wharf.

Witnesses told Daily Mail Australia there was 'about hundred' police officers at the wharf as well as members of the Public Order Riot Squad.

Another local said they saw a Polair helicopter flying overhead as officers fought to manage the crowds of high-spirited teenagers at the wharf.

Others claimed nearby streets were blocked-off, teens were being arrested and that pepper spray was reportedly being used.

Witnesses told Daily Mail Australia there appeared to be 'one hundred' police officers in Manly

Locals asked why so many police officers were in Manly in a community Facebook page on Friday evening.

'I saw someone running and being chased by a cop, people screaming but I walked away. Police cars started arriving one after the other,' one woman said.

'It was scary and I left the place.'

'I've never seen so many teenagers in the one vicinity in my life. I'm assuming it's going to get more and more out of hand,' another said.

A third wrote: 'Similar to previous Australia Days in Manly. Just worse this time. Sad.'

A NSW Police spokesperson said officers attended the forecourt area of Manly Wharf in response to reports of a brawl at about 3.30pm on Friday.

'As a result of operation, police arrested three male teenagers who were taken to Manly Police Station where they assisted police with inquiries,' the statement said.

'Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.'
A retired police officer has won a 100,000 court battle after her pensioner neighbours attempted to sue her over a decorative lantern hanging outside her home.

Frances Pollard and her husband Graham were dragged to court after Roger and Margaret Hunt complained that the vintage light was stopping them from sleeping in their 1million Kent home.

Mr and Mrs Hunt, both 80, claimed it was interfering with their 'quiet enjoyment' and took their neighbours to court in a bid to get the light categorised as an official public 'nuisance' - a move which could have seen Mr and Mrs Pollard facing criminal proceedings had they continued to operate it.

Though justices at Folkestone Magistrates' Court found that the lantern could be perceived as 'irritating, annoying and perhaps unneighbourly', they ruled that the Hunts had not proved that the light was an environmental 'nuisance' in law.

The Hunt family have now been left facing a 100,000 court bill after taking their fight to London's High Court and losing.

Retired police officer Frances Pollard and her husband Graham (pictured) have won a 100,000 court battle after their pensioner neighbours attempted to sue over a decorative lantern hanging outside their home

Their neighbours Roger and Margaret Hunt, both 80, complained that the vintage light was stopping them from sleeping in their 1 million Kent home

The High Court heard that the neighbours - who have a history of clashing in the past - went to war after the Pollards moved the lantern from the side of their 550,000 home to the back, lighting it up in December 2021.

The Pollards had at that point not used the lantern for roughly nine years.

Ian Rees Philips, for the Hunt family, told Mr Justice Bourne that the former PC and her husband turned on the light on December 23, drawing immediate complaints from their neighbours.

The Hunt family told them that the light - which sits on a bracket 4m above the ground and about 5m from the back bedroom windows of the Hunts' home - was causing a 'nuisance' and that they intended to take legal action if it continued to be lit.

But the Pollards - having inserted a small plastic shield to block the direct glare of the light onto their neighbours' windows - replied the next day in an email, stating: 'We don't consider that the light causes a nuisance....we reserve the right to switch the light on or off at any time'.

The Pollards then operated the lantern 'continuously all night' for the next 16 nights, on a 'dusk until dawn basis of around 4pm to 8am every day,' the barrister said.

He added: 'It was on throughout the whole night and the early hours. Mr and Mrs Hunt had to have their curtains drawn and had their room lit up at night, meaning they had difficulty sleeping and were regularly being kept awake at night.

'Despite the blanking shield... light was still cast directly onto their property's windows on the second floor and was causing sky glow and excessive light pollution onto their property and the surrounding area.'

A second bigger shield was installed, but the Hunts were still unhappy and took their case to Folkestone Magistrates' Court.

They applied under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to get the light classified as a statutory nuisance, meaning the Pollards would have to stop lighting it or potentially face criminal proceedings for breaching an order not to.

Mrs and Mrs Hunt's son Jonathan (pictured), who attended the hearing, said after court: 'I told my parents not to do this'

The pink house owned by Mr and Mrs Pollard in Deal, Kent

Beside them, Mr and Mrs Hunt live in the yellow building

However, the justices rejected the Hunts' case after a three day trial, saying they had not put forward sufficient evidence to prove their case.

Appealing, the Hunts asked Mr Justice Bourne to clarify whether the magistrates had taken the wrong legal approach to the case when dismissing their claim.

Their barrister, Mr Rees Philips, argued that the magistrates had wrongly relied on the evidence of the electrical engineer who measured the light output of the lantern at ground level, pointing out that it actually projected its light upwards and an accurate reading would have to be taken from the Hunts' home or another high level area.

He also said that the justices should have gone on to find that a nuisance was being committed after coming to the conclusion that the light shining all night was 'irritating, annoying and perhaps....unneighborly'.

But Matthew Withers, for Mr and Mrs Pollard, said that the magistrates had been well aware of where the light readings submitted by the engineer had been taken from, but had rejected the case anyway.

'The magistrates were not wrong. It was a conclusion open to them based on the facts,' he said.

Mr Justice Bourne agreed and dismissed the appeal.

He said: 'The question was not if there was a departure from guidance, but whether there was a statutory nuisance.

'The magistrates simply identified a lack of sufficient evidence. No more was needed in this case.

'The appellants have not shown that the magistrates made any error of law and this appeal will be dismissed.'

Mr and Mrs Hunt were ordered to pay most of the costs of the appeal, having already had to foot the cost of the trial as the losing party.

The judge ordered that they pay 18,000 of their neighbours' costs of the appeal, with their bills totalling 26,000 for last week's hearing.

Lawyers outside court confirmed that the total costs of the trial and appeal was over 100,000.

Mrs and Mrs Hunt's' son, Jonathan Hunt, who was a party to the action and attended the hearing, said after court: 'I told my parents not to do this.'

Mrs and Mrs Hunt were not at court for the appeal.
Lawyers for the alleged killer of Cash App's founder have asked a judge to have his trial moved out of the crime-ridden Bay Area, claiming that photos that were published of him in prison would 'prejudice' a jury.

Nima Momeni, 38, is accused of killing Bob Lee in a brutal knife stabbing back in April 2023.

Now, his legal team has filed a motion to move the trial's venue, claiming that photos published by the San Francisco Standard were 'so inappropriate and ugly... that we felt compelled that we had to expedite our motion to change venues.'

Lee, who was 43 when he died, was found with multiple stab wounds on the 300 block of Main Street in the ritzy Rincon Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, known for playing host to dozens of high-rise glass buildings.

Though many speculated in the immediate hours after the stabbing that it was a random incident in a city with an increasing violent crime rate, it was later revealed that Lee and Momeni, an IT consultant and entrepreneur who founded a company called Expand IT in 2010, knew each other well.

Lee was sleeping with Momeni's sister, a married woman called Khazar Elyassnia.

Nima Momeni, 38, (pictured in court on May 18 2023) stands accused of killing Bob Lee in a tragic knife attack in April 2023

Nima Momeni's sister, Khazar Momeni, leaves the Hall of Justice after court proceedings in San Francisco, California on October 02, 2023

Cash App tech mogul Bob Lee (pictured), 43, dubbed 'Crazy Bob' was stabbed in April 2023

Momeni, arrested less than two weeks after Lee died, has been held in a solitary jail cell in San Bruno, and was pictured behind a thick metal and glass door by the San Francisco Standard.

The cell, a small space with a bunkbed, a desk and a metal toilet, was filled with a range of books, including a biography of Napoleon Bonaparte by Andrew Roberts titled 'Napoleon: a Life', a book by mythologist Joseph Campbell and a textbook on psychology.

Momeni, wearing an orange prison tracksuit, appeared relaxed in the photos, and was seen crossing his arms and looking confidently into the camera in one snap.

But despite his relaxed demeanor, his lawyers said that potential jurors across San Francisco have been 'polluted' by the images, taken by a freelance photographer working for the local newspaper.

The paper's editor-in-chief Julie Makinen told CBS News Bay Area that Momeni, who risked being deported back to Iran as he is not a US citizen, gave permission for the photos to be taken, and that his legal team was contacted before the photos were published, adding that they did not 'raise objections or concerns about the publication of the images.'

Khazar Elyassnia (pictured, centre, in court on May 18 2023) was reportedly sleeping with Bob Lee

Momeni, arrested less than two weeks after Lee, pictured, died, has been held in a solitary jail cell in San Bruno

Lee was later seen in video footage desperately banging on the doors to an apartment complex as he searched for help

The Portside on Main Street, San Francisco where Cash App founder Bob Lee collapsed and died after being fatally stabbed on April 4th

'A freelance photographer had permission to take photos inside the jail and Nima Momeni gave the photographer permission to have his photo taken.

'We contacted Momeni's legal team prior to publication and they did not raise objections or concerns about the publication of the images. The Standard believes the images were entirely newsworthy,' Makinen added.

But Momeni's team 'unequivocally' said that neither they, nor Momeni authorized the photos.

Defense attorney Bradford Cohen said: 'They knew that they were purchasing pictures, the cameraman knew not to take those pictures, he was instructed to not take pictures of individuals in those cells yet he did it anyways and the article coupled with those pictures is one of the most disgusting things I've seen in a case where the defendant is innocent until proven guilty.'

The San Francisco Sheriff's Office (SFSO) condemned the photos as well, saying the photographer 'violated our established media rules, thereby unethically violating the conditions imposed, which were put in place to protect the security and privacy of those incarcerated.'

Khazar Elyassnia supported her accused brother, Nima Momeni, along with several other relatives during a court hearing at the Hall of Justice in San Francisco

Elyassnia is married to a prominent local plastic surgeon, Dr Dino Elyassnia, but was allegedly having a sexual relationship with Lee

It is understood that the photographer was at the jail on a separate assignment for the Los Angeles Times.

The SFSO said that selling the snaps that were separate from the intended visit was a 'further violation of our media rules and a blatant disregard for the agreed upon conditions.'

'The SFSO condemns such actions unequivocally, as they compromise the mutual trust between law enforcement agencies and the media, compromising the well-being of incarcerated individuals, and the integrity of information shared with the public,' said SFSO communications director Tara Moriarty.

Moriarty later said that the photographer who took the photos has been banned from all Bay Area prisons 'forever.'

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Eric Fleming intended to settle the matter at a hearing on Thursday, but has pushed the decision back to February 22, following several hours of delays.

Prosecutors said, in court documents, that Lee was having an affair Momeni's sister, a woman called Khazar Elyassnia who is married to a prominent plastic surgeon, Dr Dino Elyassnia.

According to court filings, just a day before Lee died, Momeni confronted him about his relationship with Elyassnia.

Elyassnia later sent Lee a text asking if he was okay after her brother 'came down hard on [him]', also thanking him for handling the confrontation 'with class.'

Lawyer Saam Zangeneh, representing Momeni, argued that his client was not the cold-blooded, premeditated killer depicted by prosecutors

Momeni, wearing orange jail fatigues, whispered, and waved to his sister Khazar Elyassni and mother Mahnaz Momeni, who were sitting about 20 feet behind him in the courtroom in the Hall of Justice in San Francisco

Security footage from the night of the stabbing shows that Momeni and Lee left a building together, getting into Momeni's BMW at around 2am.

Prosecutors said that Momeni drove to a secluded spot, and stabbed Lee with a four-inch kitchen knife three times, once in the heart.

He then sped away and 'left [the] victim to slowly die.'

Lee was found around half an hour later by cops, and was taken to a hospital, where doctors spent several hours operating on him in an attempt to save his life.

An autopsy report published in May, Lee had traces of cocaine, ketamine and alcohol in his system, though the coroner said these were not factors in his death.

Acquaintances said he was involved in the highly secretive swingers scene in San Francisco, known as 'The Lifestyle', and 'threw money around like confetti' and 'always had gorgeous women around him'.

Lee allegedly attended parties with Elyassnia, and played hard with crowds of partygoers who attended debauched events where swingers and cheaters would gather for drug-fueled sex.

MailOnline has contacted Momeni's legal team for comment.
Elderly pensioner swindled out of 800 by scammers who posed as good samaritans trying to help him cancel a fake parking ticket before taking him to altered ticket machine.

The man in his 80s, who asked not to be named out of fear more scammers may target him targeting him, had innocently parked his car near Snaresbrook Tube Station, London on January 9 when two men in normal clothes approached him.

The men told him he had incurred a fine due to driving on to zigzag lines and told him he could cancel it by coming with them to a nearby 'ATM'.

The pensioner, who is from London, believed the shameless scammers were trying to do him a favour so he did not ask any questions as they told him what to do.

CEO of Age UK London Abi Wood warned that old people are often targeted by scammers and urged them to be wary of anybody who approaches them about a fine.

They said there was an 'ATM' - which was actually a ticket machine for a car park - at Snaresbrook Tube Station where he could cancel the 'fine'.

When the elderly man got there, one of the scammers was waiting for him and showed him to the ticket machine, which was altered in some way.

The heartless crooks took the pensioner to Snaresbrook Tube Station in east London

These are the ticket machines in Snaresbrook Underground Station car park the scammers altered

Abi Wood, CEO of Age UK London,warned scammers often target the elderly

Have YOU been the victim of a scam? Email: Dan.Grennan@mailonline.co.uk

The pensioner told MailOnline what happened after he parked his car outside a friend's home: 'Suddenly someone knocked on my window and said, "excuse me, you've gone over a zig-zag line and the ATM has booked you".

'I wasn't thinking because there are no zig-zags on that road - none at all.

'I just did not think about what he was talking about. They were wearing normal clothes.

'I thought, "I better go back and find out what this is all about".

'And like a silly fool, I turned the car around and went back to the station and he was waiting near the station for me because he had a car.

'He pointed up the slope where the ATMs where but they are actually the machines to pay for the car park only.

'I tried to put my car registration on the machine but because of the way the machines were I had difficulty in actually hitting the right numbers.

'The chap came up to me and said he would help me do it. In the meantime, it came up on the screen, "you're fine has been registered" and asked if I wanted to cancel it

'Usually, all that comes up on the machine is it asks you for your car registration with no message whatsoever.

'Thinking about it afterwards, he must have had his message on his cloning machine to put it on the screen.

'He must of had a fake screen in front of the real screen.

'I put my bank card in and he told me to put my pin in, which I did. This is me doing it, not him.

'Then he told me I need to put a second card in and I said I only have a credit card which he said to put in.'

After the entered the pin of his second card, he said the machine 'gobbled up' both cards.

'I asked what is happening with them and he told me, "in about two minutes or so and you will get them back". And that was it.'

It became clear that the machine was not going to return the cards and, thankfully, a young couple came to the aid of the now flustered pensioner.

He said: 'They phoned the police and they said they would be down in a half an hour.'

'The police told me to phone my bank and speak to the fraud department. They told me they had taken 800 out of my account which they said they would return.

'The bank lost the 800, not me, but the crooks made off with the money.'

When he looked at his bank statement, the pensioner saw the scammers mad three withdrawals at a local Co-Op.

'I looked at the payments and they withdrew two 250s and a 50 at the local Co-Op so they went their and withdrew the money,' he said.

The car park at Snaresbrook Underground Station

'I wanted to bring this to other people's attention. In the past two years, I have been scammed twice and I have always had the money sent back to me straight away.'

The scammers are believed to have used a 'separate device' to scam the pensioner as the ticket machines do not have the ability to generate a 'fine' or retain a person's bank card.

How to protect against this type of scam Age UK's London CEO Abi Wood advised MailOnline how older people can avoid this type of scam 'We know that older people are targeted when it comes to scams, but this is something that could clearly happen to anyone.

'Scammers and fraudsters can be very convincing and, in this case, the added threat of a fine can make it very believable for a person in this situation.

'Our advice if you find yourself approached by one or more people in a similar type of situation is to question what they are saying.

'If available find an official member of staff in the station and check on the parking and traffic fine system.

'Also ask for identification which an official operative should have.

'Never hand over cash or a payment on the spot to the person or through a payment system.

'If you are scammed, always report it to the police, it is the only way that these terrible crimes can be stopped.' Advertisement

A TfL spokesperson told MailOnline they have CCTV of the 'appalling' incident which the police are investigating.

'This is an appalling incident that must have been very upsetting for the customer and we're glad that he reported it to the police,' they said.

'There is CCTV in operation at Snaresbrook car park and we are working with the police regarding this matter. Our car parks are also monitored through regular in-person visits.

'We encourage customers to report any suspicious behaviour such as this in our car parks, including to ourselves, the police and Saba as the operator, so that any action can be taken as quickly as possible.'

Abi Wood if Age UK London advised MailOnline of how to avoid being the victim of a scam.

She said: 'We know that older people are targeted when it comes to scams, but this is something that could clearly happen to anyone.

'Scammers and fraudsters can be very convincing and, in this case, the added threat of a fine can make it very believable for a person in this situation.

'Our advice if you find yourself approached by one or more people in a similar type of situation is to question what they are saying.

'If available find an official member of staff in the station and check on the parking and traffic fine system.

'Also ask for identification which an official operative should have. Never hand over cash or a payment on the spot to the person or through a payment system.

'If you are scammed, always report it to the police, it is the only way that these terrible crimes can be stopped.'

MailOnline has contacted Saba - the car park's operator - and the Metropolitan Police for comment.

Previously, MailOnline revealed that shameless crooks were watching the elderly take money out of ATMs before following them onto to buses to steal their cash.

The rise of the heartless tactic became so commonplace on the streets of the capital that the Metropolitan Police launched a special operation to crackdown on the rampant gangs.

Figures show the Met has received 919 reports of this type of crime and over 74 per cent of the victims have been over the age of 60.

In one terrifying incident on a bus in Croydon, a thug pushed an 85-year-old man to the ground before stealing his wallet and running off.

Have YOU been the victim of a scam? Email: Dan.Grennan@mailonline.co.uk
Hong Kong: Ingrid Yeung visits Home Affairs Dept

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung today visited the Home Affairs Department to learn about its work and the challenges it faces.

Mrs Yeung first met directorate staff who updated her on the departments work in promoting district governance.

She also exchanged views with staff representatives from various grades.

The civil service chief visited the divisions responsible for supporting and overseeing the District Services & Community Care Teams, supporting building management, and promoting social enterprises.

She received a briefing by frontline staff on their work in co-ordinating with the 452 care teams in various districts to strengthen the support for community work and networks.

Mrs Yeung also inspected the offices of the Wan Chai District Council (DC) Secretariat, the Community Affairs Section and the District Management & Administration Section, to get an idea of their work in co-organising community activities and liaison with the DCs.

She concluded her visit at the Wan Chai Home Affairs Enquiry Centre which provides general enquiry and free oath or affirmation services for the public.

This story has been published on: 2024-01-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Diverse culture empowers ancient Silk Road hub's modern development

14:01, January 26, 2024 By He Jun, Zhao Chenjie and Zhou Ye ( Xinhua

URUMQI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- At the northwestern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, China's largest desert, known as the "Sea of Death," a modern oasis city has emerged over a period of two decades. About some 10 kilometers north of the downtown area, the ruins of an ancient city sit on a mountain, with beacon towers on the peak and shrines among the cliffs.

The 20-year-old modern city and the ancient ruins dating back some 2,000 years are both part of the city of Tumxuk in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Envoys, merchants, farmers, overseas sinologists and archaeologists have all left their footprints in Tumxuk, and their contributions have empowered the city's modern development.

DIVERSE, VITAL CULTURAL SPOT

Locals named the ancient ruins Tangwangcheng, which means "Tang King City," as they found coins there dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), according to historical documents. Ancient ramparts, columns and fossil river courses, among other structures, can be seen among the ruins, which cover more than 700,000 square meters.

This photo taken on Nov. 25, 2023 shows part of the ancient ruins Tangwangcheng in Tumxuk City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhao Chenjie)

According to Lin Meicun, a professor at the School of Archaeology and Museology, Peking University, the relics bear witness to the ancient Silk Road. Having studied various unearthed documents and relics, such as ancient chariot accessories unearthed in Tangwangcheng and its surroundings, Lin believes that the ruins are those of "Pantuo City", as mentioned in official historical texts.

Envoys and merchants from the central part of China used the ancient Silk Road to transport silk fabrics, and spread iron-smelting and well-digging technology westward, at the same time adopting the grapes and alfalfa of the country's western region, according to archaeologists.

However, Tangwangcheng may no longer have been habitable during in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), said Li Zongqian, director of Xinjiang reclamation history museum in Tumxuk. "At that time, as natural conditions deteriorated, the river near Tangwangcheng stopped flowing and people could no longer farm or live here," said Li.

In the late 19th century and early 20th century, expeditionists from countries, including France, Britain and Germany, took relics away from China, but they also aroused the world's interest in the ancient culture of Xinjiang and the Silk Road civilization. Meanwhile, Chinese academicians were also becoming interested, and generations of Chinese archaeologists have subsequently investigated relics in Xinjiang, including at Tangwangcheng.

This photo taken on Nov. 25, 2023 shows part of the ancient ruins Tangwangcheng in Tumxuk City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhao Chenjie)

Tangwangcheng was one of the cultural heritage sites placed under national-level protection in 2001. In the past two years, national and Xinjiang institutions have jointly conducted two phases of investigations and excavations on the site of Tangwangcheng.

In the first phase, archaeologists unearthed over 500 antique objects, such as bronze mirrors, monkey-shaped Buddha statues, pottery and coins of the Tang Dynasty, with over 40 items exhibited at the Xinjiang reclamation history museum.

"Tangwangcheng is a rare comprehensive relics site. It provides important information for us to explore the social life, religious beliefs and cultural exchanges between the East and the West in Xinjiang," said Yang Rui, the archaeological excavation team leader of Tangwangcheng.

Yan Panning, a resident of Tumxuk, started working as a guide at the Xinjiang reclamation history museum last year. She said the job has deepened her understanding of Tumxuk's profound history.

"The cultural relics, such as Gandhara sculptures and colorful murals, represent Tumxuk's image," said Yan. "I hope to tell the story of Tangwangcheng to more people."

GREEN, MODERN CITY

Based on the profound and diverse culture, the ancient Silk Road hub has ushered in a new chapter in modern development in recent decades.

An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 18, 2023 shows the city view of Tumxuk City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Meng Jiuting/Xinhua)

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the central government has mobilized people to develop Xinjiang's desert regions, which nowadays includes Tumxuk and its surrounding regions. People gradually reclaimed land, dug canals, built houses and roads, and planted crops and trees.

Jinxiu Park in downtown Tumxuk is now a place for citizens to stroll, dance and work out. Resident Mehmut Tursen recalls that, a few decades ago, the place was frequently assaulted by sandstorms.

"The sand hurt my face and I could barely keep my eyes open at that time," said Mehmut Tursen. "That's why we are willing to plant more trees. Trees can fight against yellow sand."

These days, Tumxuk adheres to the principle of harmonious co-existence between people and nature. Around 50 percent of the city's land area consists of urban green areas, while water is provided by six reservoirs with a designed total storage capacity of 830 million cubic meters in 2022. The city's population has grown from 110,000 when it was established in 2004 to over 300,000 now.

In the city's Xing'an Township, the desert has been made productive, with over 1,066 hectares of tiger nuts harvested last year. The crop is drought-tolerant, saline-resistant and can improve the soil, while the resulting nuts can be used for oil, grain and forage.

According to Li Yinqiong, head of the agricultural development service center of Xing'an Township, tiger nuts have provided 900 jobs for locals and can generate a net income of 2,000 yuan (about 281.52 U.S. dollars) per hectare.

"Tiger nuts have high economic value, and the stems and leaves can be used to feed livestock, so we built a breeding base that can raise thousands of cattle," said Li Yinqiong, adding that Xing'an plans to develop flour, beverages and other products using tiger nuts as raw materials.

In the first three quarters of last year, Tumxuk saw a GDP growth of 9.1 percent. Currently, there are more than 7,600 enterprises in Tumxuk, of which more than 6,600 are in the private sector.

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 1, 2023 shows vehicles running on a bridge through a desert poplar (populus euphratica) forest in Tumxuk City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Zhao Chengwei/Xinhua)

Tumxuk is close to the land ports of Khunjerab, Torugart and Irkeshtam, linking it with Belt and Road partners. It has also established air routes connecting it with cities in Xinjiang, as well as Beijing, Chengdu, Lanzhou and other places in China. Finally, it enjoys the advantages brought by the Kashgar Area of China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

Having witnessed the birth of Tumxuk 20 years ago, Xie Jiagui, dean of the research institute of Tangwangcheng history and culture, said he could hardly have imagined the city's fast-track development. The 62-year-old Xie is still engaged in the research of Tangwangcheng and Tumxuk.

"Tracing the history of Tumxuk is important for understanding people who once lived on this land and what happened here," said Xie. "I hope to seek experience from the past to serve Tumxuk's modern development."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Over 65% of appeals lodged against ULEZ fines since the scheme's expansion have been successful, TfL has revealed.

A freedom of information request showed that 52,924 fines issued since August 29 last year had been overturned - around 67.5% of a total of 78,357 appeals up to December 22 2023.

Drivers who are handed a charge for not complying with Sadiq Khan's expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) have 28 days to make an application for an appeal, while those who pay up within a fortnight are let off 50% of the fine.

TfL said that some fines could still be overturned even if they were issued correctly, with certain mitigating circumstances taken into account, MyLondon reported.

The authority also confirmed that over 4,000 fines were issued as a result of detection by ULEZ camera vans.

Over 65% of appeals against ULEZ fines have been successful, TfL has revealed

A total of 616,343 ULEZ fines were issued by TfL between last August and December

A total of 4,468 penalty notices were given to incompliant drivers spotted by the mobile cameras mounted on vans between September 26 and December 22.

READ MORE: Police refund 88,000 fines to drivers caught by dodgy camera as they say vandals moved it out of line - but motorists believe more offences should be quashed Advertisement

The controversial white camera vans are often deployed to high non-compliance hotspots such as near Heathrow airport.

In the period between last August and December, there were a total of 616,343 fines issued.

This means that nearly one in 11 fines issued since ULEZ was expanded to cover all London boroughs have been reversed.

TfL say the figures are subject to further change as it receives and considers more applications from irate motorists.

If their appeal is unsuccessful, drivers can take their case to an independent adjudicator at London Tribunals.

It comes days after the Mayor of London was accused by five EU nations of illegally taking personal information from visitors to hand out over 320,000 penalty charge notices to EU citizens.

Some of the fines issued by TfL amounted to tens of thousands of euros, with one French visitor charged 25,000 for breaching both the ULEZ and LEZ - despite driving a vehicle compliant with both.

Sadiq Khan was accused of illegally obtaining personal details of EU visitors in order to hand out over 320,000 ULEZ fines

Britain no longer has automatic access to EU residents' personal details since Brexit and transport authorities in Germany, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands said that data cannot be shared to enforce ULEZ.

Many fines were issued to drivers who were not aware that they had to pre-register their vehicle with Euro Parking a full ten days before visiting London.

This has effectively made it impossible to travel to the capital by car from the continent at short-notice without picking up a fine.

Meanwhile TfL has also admitted that drivers of vehicles that otherwise comply with ULEZ could still be handed the 12.50 daily charge if any of their emissions data is incomplete.
The opening of a kebab shop named 'October 7' in Jordan has been called 'disgraceful' as it allegedly glorifies the Hamas massacre.

A video shared on social media shows the restaurant in the Jordanian city of Kerak, which features a big sign reading 'October 7' over the entrance. Staff members can be seen wearing the joint's name emblazoned on their uniforms.

The footage caused fury in Israel, where leaders condemned the restaurant owner for seemingly naming his kebab shop after the Hamas massacre, which saw the terrorists kill more than 1200 people.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid shared the video of the eaterie on X, formerly known as Twitter, and wrote: 'The disgraceful glorification of October 7th has to stop.

'The incitement and hatred against Israel breeds the terrorism and extremism which led to the brutal massacre of October 7th.

A video shared on social media shows the restaurant in the Jordanian city of Kerak, which features a big sign reading 'October 7' over the entrance

The footage caused fury in Israel , where leaders condemned the restaurant owner for seemingly naming his kebab shop after the Hamas massacre, which saw the terrorists kill more than 1200 people

'We expect the Jordanian government to condemn this publicly and unequivocally.'

Another Israeli official, Deputy Consul-General of Israel in Shanghai Eytan Halon, said: 'While Israelis long for peace and sanctify life, some of our neighbours prefer to sanctify death.

'This new shawarma [kebab] restaurant in Jordan's capital, named October 7, is depraved and twisted.'

The owner denied the accusation the name was related to the Hamas attack and said he merely named it after the date his daughter graduated from university in Algeria, Israeli news site Ynet reports.

He has since renamed his kebab shop to just 'October' following the outrage, the unnamed owner told Ynet.

Staff members can be seen wearing the joint's name emblazoned in gold on their red uniforms

The restaurant sells kebab and pizza. Its name was allegedly suggested by a Facebook user

He reiterated that his shop, which sells both kebabs and pizza, had 'no connection to politics'.

Ynet claims the name was suggested by a Facebook user after the owner asked his followers for name ideas for the joint.

Despite saying the name of his eaterie wasn't political, the owner called Israel a 'fragile and weak state' and criticised the country for getting involved in restaurant disputes.

This comes after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel must always retain full security control over all the territory west of Jordan - a stance that he would always insist on 'as long as I am prime minister'.

'If someone has a different position, let them show leadership and state their position honestly to the citizens of Israel,' he said.
The American reporter jailed in Moscow on espionage charges a month after Russia's invasion of Ukraine began will spend at least another two months behind bars after a court extended his pre-trial detention on Friday.

United States Consul General Stuart Wilson attended the hearing, which took place behind closed doors because authorities say details of the criminal case against the American journalist are classified.

In video shared by state news agency Ria Novosti, Evan Gershkovich was shown listening to the ruling, standing in a court cage wearing a hooded top and light blue jeans.

He was pictured a short time later, appearing to smile and joke with guards as he was walked towards a prison van to leave the court.

Gershkovich, 32, was detained in March while on a reporting trip to the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, about 1,200 miles east of Moscow.

Russias Federal Security Service alleged that the reporter, 'acting on the instructions of the American side, collected information constituting a state secret about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex.'

Evan Gershkovich, 32, stands inside an enclosure for defendants during a court hearing in Moscow

Gershkovich puts on a brave face as he smiles with guards, right, is escorted from the Lefortovsky court in Moscow, Russia

Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who was detained on espionage charges will stay in jail until the end of March, Russian state news agencies reported

Gershkovich and the Journal deny the allegations, and the U.S. government has declared him to be wrongfully detained. Russian authorities havent detailed any evidence to support the espionage charges.

During his end-of-year news conference in December, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow is in dialogue with the United States on bringing home both Gershkovich and jailed American Paul Whelan, and that the Kremlin hopes to 'find a solution' even though 'its not easy.'

Putin was replying to a question about an offer the Biden administration made to secure the two mens release. The U.S. State Department reported it in December, without offering details, and said Russia rejected it.

'We have contacts on this matter with our American partners, theres a dialogue on this issue. Its not easy, I wont go into details right now. But in general, it seems to me that were speaking a language each of us understands,' Putin said.

'I hope we will find a solution,' he continued. 'But, I repeat, the American side must hear us and make a decision that will satisfy the Russian side as well.'

The Russian Foreign Ministry has said it will consider a swap for Gershkovich only after a verdict in his trial. In Russia, espionage trials can last for more than a year.

Gershkovich is the first American reporter to be charged with espionage in Russia since 1986, when Nicholas Daniloff, a Moscow correspondent for U.S. News and World Report, was arrested by the KGB. Gershkovich is being held at Moscows Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions.

Analysts have said that Moscow may be using jailed Americans as bargaining chips after U.S.-Russian tensions soared when Russia sent troops into Ukraine.

At least two U.S. citizens arrested in Russia in recent years, including WNBA star Brittney Griner, have been exchanged for Russians jailed in the U.S.
After Alabama's unprecedented execution of death row inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith using nitrogen gas on Thursday, state officials were quick to credit themselves with a landmark victory.

'Alabama has achieved something historic,' said Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall moments after Smith was pronounced dead at around 8.25pm. 'Our proven method offers a blueprint for other states.'

But family members and journalists who witnessed the the 22-minute execution have vehemently challenged that claim.

Instead, they describe how Smith spent several minutes lurching backwards and forwards in pain and insisted the method must never be used again.

'Tonight, I watched my husband jerk and convulse and gasp for air for at least 10 minutes,' Smith's wife, Deanne, told reporters during a press conference shortly after he was pronounced dead.

Attorney General of Alabama Steve Marshall, pictured here in 2022, has claimed that the execution was a success

'Tonight, I watched my husband jerk and convulse and gasp for air for at least 10 minutes,' Smith's wife, Deanne, told reporters during a press conference on Thursday

Kenneth Eugene Smith was convicted of killing Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett, the wife of a pastor, for payment of about $1,000. She was beaten and stabbed

Sennett was found dead in her home March 18, 1988, with eight stab wounds in the chest and one on each side of her neck. She's pictured here with her husband, Charles, who orchestrated the killing

'We say we're a country that believes in the Constitution, and I'm sorry but I just don't see that,' she added.

Smith was convicted of killing Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett for payment of about $1,000 in 1988. She was beaten and stabbed at least eight times times in the neck and head.

Her husband, a pastor, had fallen into debt and orchestrated the murder of his wife so that he could collect life insurance money. He committed suicide a week later.

Lending credence to Deanne Smith's claim that the execution on Thursday may not have gone to plan was an acknowledgement by Marshall that her husband had actively held his breath, prolonging the process.

Last month, court documents filed by the attorney general's office suggested Smith would be killed 'within seconds' of inhaling the pure nitrogen gas.

Smith's spiritual advisor, Rev. Jeff Hood, was another witness.

'I think that anybody that witnessed this knows we didn't see someone go unconscious in two or three seconds,' he said. 'What we saw was minutes of someone struggling for their life.'

'This is not what they thought was going to happen,' he added.

'I think that anybody that witnessed this knows we didn't see someone go unconscious in two or three seconds,' he said. 'What we saw was minutes of someone struggling for their life,' Smith's spiritual advisor Jeff Hood said

In the hours before the execution, the Supreme Court denied a last minute appeal for a stay on the grounds the untested method might result in a 'cruel or unusual punishment', prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.

Three liberal justices did however dissent, including Obama appointee Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who described it as an 'experiment with human life'.

Since the method was first written into Alabama law in 2018, huge uncertainty has prevailed around how it would work  and whether it would be as 'humane' as officials insisted.

But by patching together a variety of statements from those that witnessed Smith's execution first hand, much more about the apparatus and methodology is now known.

'It was like a firefighters mask that covered from the top of his forehead to under the chin. It was strapped down as hard as it seemed they could really get it,' said Hood.

That was corroborated by another witness, Alabama Alabama-based journalist Lee Hedgepeth.

They both described how the straps that fastened the mask to Smith's face were also attached to the gurney, preventing him from moving his head at all.

'He was wrapped in a white sheet from about his neck down to his feet,' said Hedgepeth. 'The mask was secured tightly to his head and appeared to be tied in some way to the gurney.'

He described how within minutes, Smith started to violently push against the strap and was able to move his head back and forth violently.

'This was the fifth execution that I've witnessed in Alabama and I have never seen such a violent reaction to an execution, said Hedgepeth.

One reporter to have watched the execution indicated the way Smith's execution was performed did not resemble the official procedure outlined in a protocol released by the Alabama Department of Corrections last year.

'The protocol kind of went out the window,' said Hood. What they told us in the protocol was going to happen none of that happened.'
Banking giant Barclays is braced for a weekend of 'chaos' as pro-Palestine demonstrators are descending on 54 of its branches.

Demonstrators have plotted a 'day of action' where they will protest outside branches of the bank.

They are demanding an end to what they claim is Barclays 'bankrolling' Israel's attacks on Palestine.

Security is understood to have been stepped up at locations across the country.

And police would have been alerted at locations across the country, including London, Brighton, Chatham, Derby, Gravesend and Ipswich.

Demonstrators have plotted a 'day of action' where they will protest outside branches of the Barclays - following accusations the it is 'bankrolling' Israeli attacks on Palestine. Photo shows a previous protest in Newcastle on January 20

Barclays has stepped-up its security at a number of locations across the country in preparation for the protestors

Palestine supporters have been taking to the streets of London in what has become a weekly gathering since the war began

Other locations include Leeds, Newcastle, Leicester, Nottingham and Worthing, and others. The vast majority of action is planned for Saturday.

Europe's largest Palestinian rights organisation, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), has called on people to boycott Barclays.

Its research states: 'Barclays Bank holds over 1 billion in shares, and provides over 3 billion in loans and underwriting to nine companies whose weapons, components, and military technology are being used by Israel in its attacks on Palestinians.

'This includes General Dynamics, which produces the gun systems that arm the fighter jets used by Israel to bombard Gaza, and Elbit Systems, which produces armoured drones, munitions and artillery weapons used by the Israeli military.'

The action this weekend is described on its website as: 'As Israel's genocidal assault on Palestinians continues, take action on Saturday, 27 January 2024 to demand Britain stop arming Israel!

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has called on a boycott of Barclays Bank

Pro-Palestinian activists protest in front of Barclays headquarters in Paris, France on January 15, 2024

Barclays Bank global headquarters at One Churchill Place in Canary Wharf, London

'Barclays Bank holds substantial financial ties with arms companies supplying weapons and military technology to Israel, used in its attacks on Palestinians.

'Join an action at a Barclays branch demanding the bank stops bankrolling Israel's attacks on Palestinians, and spread the word about our call to boycott Barclays.

'Barclays must #StopBankingOnGenocide and #StopBankingOnApartheid.'

A Barclays spokesperson said it is committed to respecting human rights and that it carries out enhanced due diligence in the defence and security sector.

Ugly scenes at previous protests have seen customers of other high-street names be shouted at and verbally abused for entering businesses claimed as pro-Israel.

In October pro-Palestine activists in Birmingham emptied a box full of mice into a McDonald's before walking off and shouting 'f*** Israel' - after the company offered free meals to IDF soldiers.

M&S has also faced protests after traditional paper hats from crackers were burned in an open fire which activists claimed were the colours of the Palestinian flag and insulting to its people.

Previous weekends have seen police arrest some for terror offences and holding horrific pro-Nazi and anti-semitic signs and slogans while on marches across London.

Barclays branches have been the scene of previous protest action when Just Stop Oil activists super glued 50 'doors shut' and placed posters on them in November.

Some protestors were pictured wearing alleged Hamas-style headbands on their balaclava and scarf-covered faces

Extinction Rebellion activists 'glued shut' around 50 Barclays banks in November

One source said: 'There's a real fear this will cause chaos. Barclays are likely to be upping security as a result and the police will be aware.

'They are braced for action.

'There's fear they will copy Just Stop Oil and superglue the doors. Or just sit outside and make life difficult.'

A Barclays spokesperson said: 'Barclays is committed to respecting human rights as defined by the International Bill of Human Rights and takes account of other internationally accepted human rights standards and frameworks.

'We have a published statement on defence and security which sets out our policy positions and governs any business activities in the sector, including setting restrictions on certain financing activities and requiring enhanced due diligence as appropriate on clients in the sector.'

'As a universal bank, Barclays provides a range of client services in relation to the shares of publicly listed companies, including those in the defence and security sector.

'Such client-driven activities may result in Barclays holding shares in those companies, for example, through hedging positions, market making, custody and underwriting activity.

'Barclays does not itself intend to make any direct strategic equity investments in the defence and security sector.'

Around 85 percent of the Gaza Strip's population have been forced to flee their homes due to the conflict, it is estimated

Smoke rises over the Gaza Strip as the war continues into its fourth month

Protests against Israel's heavy bombing campaign have been common across the UK in recent months as the country faces increasing criticism for the numbers of civilians killed and wounded in the fighting.

The unprecedented death and destruction has led South Africa to accuse Israel of genocide in a case filed with the International Court of Justice, allegations Israel has strongly denied and vowed to contest.

South Africa brought the case to call for an immediate suspension of the invasion of Gaza earlier this month with claims some 25,000 have been killed.

Israel responded by presenting footage of the Hamas terror attack on October 7 to argue it was itself the victim of an attempted genocide and has a right to defend itself.

But international observers question the scale of the response in Gaza that has seen over 80 per cent of the population displaced, towns reduced to rubble, and a humanitarian catastrophe unfold.
A World War Two veteran has said Britain's Generation Z would 'benefit' from national service in the wake of outgoing head of the British Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders comments that Britain should consider creating a voluntary 'citizen army'.

General Sanders said preparing for a potential war against Russia should be a 'whole-of-nation' undertaking, involving 'national mobilisation' however the Ministry of Defence have been quick to rule out the reintroduction of conscription.

Ken Hay, 98, served in the Essex regiment during the conflict and stormed the beaches of Normandy in 1944 before being captured by a German SS Panzer division behind enemy lines.

Mr Hay still takes an active role in military life and is a key figure in Romford's veteran community and told MailOnline he questioned whether conscription would be the right course of action for the country.

He said: 'I dont think that its a question of whether conscription would be a good thing for the young of today but whether conscription is necessary for the country. If the answer is yes, then its the duty of all citizens to respond.

World War Two veteran Ken Hay, 98, stormed the beaches of Normandy in 1944

General Sir Patrick Sanders (pictured) - the outgoing Chief of the General Staff  has urged ministers to 'mobilise the nation'

Experts say Britain should consider creating a voluntary 'citizen army' to counter the threat of Vladimir Putin

'One gets the feeling that, generally, todays youth would benefit from the discipline of service.'

Previously when conscription was used in Britain it was often dependent on age, with many younger citizens being called up to bear arms first.

When conscription was first introduced between 1916 and 1920 - during the Fist World War - unmarried men from the ages of 16 to 40 were summoned to bear arms for their country.

Unless they were in a particular career which was needed for the war effort - or were single parent or minister of religion - they would be expected to serve for King and country.

By the time the Second World War rolled around, single men between the ages of 20 and 22 were required to serve.

However as the war continued to blaze, men aged between 18 and 41 - except those who were deemed medically unfit or workers in key industries - had to register for service.

The fighting age range then became bigger, with anyone aged 18 to 51 liable to be drafted.

Since General Sanders' intervention on Wednesday, Britain's readiness for war has been called into question with the army at its smallest size since the Napoleonic Wars and currently tracking to have just 73,000 full-time soldiers by the end of the year.

Experts and MPs have been warning that the world is in a '1939 moment' and Brits must be ready to surge armed forces numbers if the 'darkening' internal situation escalates.

In response to this, many veterans, including Mr Hay have suggested that in the event of a war, they would be ready to serve again.

Mr Hay continued: ' No doubt a number of Vets from the more recent conflicts, or just from having been in the Services, would volunteer and they have much to give.

'The remainder should be held back while the young volunteer or are conscripted and only called if the country needs them.'

Mr Hay has said Britain's Generation Z would 'benefit' from national service

The British government have maintained that they have 'no intention' on bringing back conscription

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Chris Parker, pictured on operations in Afghanistan in 2008, completed five tours of Northern Ireland

His sentiments are echoed by Lieutenant Colonel Chris Parker, a veteran of Northern Ireland who told MailOnline in the event of a conflict uptake would increase.

He explained: 'Personally, I would go back because, like most veterans I have a fundamental inbuilt pride in the nation and protecting the public.

'And if that means a war of national defence, I would say personally, the vast majority of veterans would be saying, I'm happy to go back. Whatever physical shape they were in.

'Let's be realistic. You don't need everybody in a military conflict to be super fighting fit.

'You need people to be also assisting with logistics and support and loading and doing things in the rear operation.

'My view is that the large majority, whatever their age and whatever their physical condition, would be volunteering to go back and assist, because it is that comradeship, and you wouldn't want your friends to be going forward without you being with them.'

These sentiments are echoed by fellow veteran Daz Dugan, who whilst critical of some of the government's provisions for veterans said that he and others would return to the fray in an instant.

He told MailOnline: 'I think what the Government do for veterans is rubbish! Absolutely disgraceful, really.

'Whether people would do back all depends on things like what package they're putting across and the age limit. I would personally go and fight.'

The show of faith comes after a senior US official warned Britain had 'sacrificed' military capability and must 'reassess' investment.

Carlos Del Toro, secretary of the US navy, reportedly delivered the tough message as he highlighted 'threats' to Western countries

Carlos Del Toro, secretary of the US navy, reportedly delivered the tough message as he highlighted 'threats' to Western countries.

According to The Times, Mr Del Toro - who served in the military for two decades before taking up his civilian post - said the world was changing at a 'lightning pace'.

'I think it is important for the United Kingdom to reassess where they are today given the threats that exist today,' he said.

Mr Del Toro insisted it was up to Britain to make decisions and he had huge respect for the professional army.

But with Red Sea tensions running high, he also stressed the need for more spending on naval capabilities.

'Given the near-term, economic threats to the United Kingdom and the United States investments in their navy are significantly important,' he said.

MPs have been sounding alarm for years about the dwindling size of the army, which has not been smaller since the Napoleonic Wars, and struggles with recruitment.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps warned recently that the UK is adapting to a 'pre-war world'.

Former minister Tobias Ellwood, who served in the army, cautioned earlier this week that there is a '1939 feel to the world' and Britain is 'not prepared'.

'We've been too complacent. What's coming over the horizon should shock us. It should worry us and we are not prepared,' he told Sky News.

'There is a 1939 feel to the world right now. These authoritarian states are rearming.

'There's a risk averseness about the West in wanting to deal with that and our global institutions such as the United Nations aren't able to hold these errant nations to account.'
Rishi Sunak is facing a 'war of attrition' by Tory rebels with May shaping up to be the biggest moment of danger.

Although no MPs have followed ex-minister Simon Clarke in publicly calling for the PM to go, his internal opponents are digging in for a long campaign to oust him - as a series of obstacles loom in the coming months.

Conservatives fear ignominious defeat in two more by-elections taking place in Wellingborough and Kingswood on February 15.

The premier is set for another crucial test on March 6 when Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is due to deliver his Budget - after both he and Mr Sunak talked up the prospect of major tax cuts.

The following week Westminster expects to see a battle with the House of Lords as peers are due to finalise scrutiny of the Rwanda Bill.

Should Mr Sunak navigate all those landmines local elections are taking place on May 2, which unless the polls have shifted dramatically could see the Tories suffering big losses on councils and in mayoral contests.

Rishi Sunak (pictured on a visit to North Yorkshire today) is facing a 'war of attrition' by Tory rebels with May shaping up to be the biggest moment of danger

Tory anxiety is growing as polls continue to show Labour far ahead, with Reform UK's numbers rising

Although no MPs have followed ex-minister Simon Clarke in publicly calling for the PM to go, his internal opponents are digging in for a long campaign

Some MPs believe that will be the key moment and a leadership contest is inevitable by the summer, arguing that many colleagues privately share Sir Simon's view that Mr Sunak cannot win an election.

Two lots of tax cuts coming this year, says Tory chairman The Tory party chairman has teased two tax-cutting financial announcements this year as Rishi Sunak fights to keep his MPs on side. Richard Holden touted tax cuts in the March 6 Budget, adding that there will be 'more of that later in the year as well'. Mr Holden insisted the polls 'can move quite rapidly' as he tried to reassure the party by promising crowd-pleasing tax cuts. He told GB News: 'What we are now in is a situation where we are coming out of that very tough period, and we're able to outline our plans for the future. 'And I think the actual tax cut  you mentioned the national insurance cut for working people  is the start of that. 'We'll see more of that in March, and more of that later in the year as well. We have that new direction of travel, which is clear.' Advertisement

'What Simon has said resonates with a lot of people,' one former minister told MailOnline. 'Rishi isn't moving the dial, and if he hasn't moved in the past year is he going to move before the next election.'

The MP also dismissed the idea that the summer will be too late to change leader, with November seen as the favourite timetable for an election.

'It wouldn't be ludicrous to have another leadership election,' they said. 'We are walking into an utter disaster. Another leader could do no worse, and might do better.

'Who says it is too late? It is never too late to change course?

The senior Tory added: 'The only people who will be criticising us changing leader are the people who fear they might be better.'

Despite the manoeuvring, a poll by Ipsos UK has raised questions about who would do better than Mr Sunak.

Some 42 per cent of 2019 Tory voters said they had a favourable view of Mr Sunak, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt trailing on 38 per cent and Home Secretary James Cleverly on 28 per cent.

The PM's net favourability rating of +13 was also much higher than those of his Chancellor and Home Secretary, on +7 and +2 respectively.

There was also little difference between Mr Sunak and possible candidates from outside the parliamentary Conservative party.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson had a favourability rating among 2019 Tory voters of 43 per cent, but at 34 per cent his unfavourability rating was higher than that of Mr Sunak.

An Ipsos poll suggested Reform UK founder and honorary president Nigel Farage was only neck-and-neck with Mr Sunak in terms of popularity with 2019 Toy voters

Reform UK founder and honorary president Nigel Farage, suggested by some as a possible future Conservative leader, was also virtually neck-and-neck with Mr Sunak in terms of popularity.

The former MEP was viewed favourably by 43 per cent of 2019 Conservatives, only one point more than Mr Sunak, and was viewed unfavourably by 29 per cent, tied with the Prime Minister.

Keiran Pedley, director of politics at Ipsos, said: 'With a majority of Britons unfavourable towards Rishi Sunak, six in 10 saying things are heading in the wrong direction and Labour maintaining a large poll lead over the Conservatives in voter preferences, leadership speculation is to be expected.

'However, it is unclear who would do a better job. No obvious alternative stands out amongst 2019 Conservative voters so far.

'Plus, given at least half of Britons have held unfavourable opinions towards the Conservative Party since early 2022, it's not a given that a new leader will improve the party brand any time soon.'
The UK has accused Canada of not being 'serious' about a trade deal after talks broke down over restrictions on beef and cheese.

Negotiations have been taking place for two years on deepening the arrangements that were part of the wider pact with the EU.

However, they have effectively collapsed, apparently due to Canada's tough stance on restrictions for agricultural goods.

A UK Government spokesman said: 'We have always said we will only negotiate trade deals that deliver for the British people.

'And we reserve the right to pause negotiations with any country if progress is not being made.

'We remain open to restarting talks with Canada in the future to build a stronger trading relationship that benefits businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.'

The UK has accused Canada of not being 'serious' about a trade deal after talks broke down over restrictions on beef and cheese. Pictured, Rishi Sunak and Justin Trudeau together at a G20 summit

Canada's government has been facing pressure from the beef industry and domestic cheesemakers. Pictured, Caerphilly cheese

The previous agreement had allowed the UK to continue to sell cars and cheese in the North American nation without Canada charging import tax.

However, Canada's government has been facing pressure from the beef industry and domestic cheesemakers.

The UK had been trading with Canada on terms that largely replicated the arrangements in place from the UK's time in the EU.

Negotiations began on a new agreement in March 2022.

A UK Government source said Canada appeared to have 'lost sight of the bigger picture  the British and Canadian businesses who do 26billion worth of trade a year and the people they employ'.

The source added: 'If Canada come back to table with a serious offer and desire to make progress we're all ears, but in the meantime we're going to focus on other trade deals that deliver for UK businesses.'

A spokeswoman for Canada's trade minister, Mary Ng, told the BBC she was 'disappointed' at the cessation of talks and had said as much to Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch.

Ms Ng's spokeswoman added: 'Their decision to continue to maintain market access barriers for our agriculture industry and unwillingness to reach a mutual agreement has only stalled negotiations.'

Ms Ng added on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the Canadian 'government will never agree to a deal that isn't good for our workers, farmers and businesses'.

A spokeswoman for Canada's trade minister, Mary Ng, told the BBC she was 'disappointed' at the cessation of talks and had said as much to Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch (pictured)

Minette Batters, president of the Nation Farmers' Union of England and Wales, praised the Government for having 'stuck to its line and not given way'.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was essential that hormone-treated beef is not allowed into the country.

'It is a relief for farmers. This has been going on for a long time and it is about enhancing the trading relationship between the UK and Canada.

'Trade on agricultural products is always the first thing to be discussed and the last thing to be agreed. I am pleased the Government has stuck to its line and not given way,' she said.

Ms Batters added: 'Canada has played hardball for a long time. It was always going to come to a crunch point as to who was going to capitulate.'

Downing Street said the UK is 'open' to restarting trade talks with Canada in the future.

A spokeswoman for the prime minister said: 'We will only negotiate deals that deliver for the British people, and that we reserve the right to pause negotiations where progress is not being made. We're open to restarting talks with Canada in the future.'

But she added it was important to ensure 'those negotiations and the deal works in British interests'.
Carol reposted the clip of her TV appearance on X and gave her fans an update

Carol Vorderman has reignited her bitter feud with Michelle Mone one year after she said 'Sue Me Michelle!' on live television.

The broadcaster, 63, went on This Morning and criticised the Tory peer over allegations relating to government PPE contracts during Covid.

Previously, Mone described the former Countdown host as her 'good friend' whose 'fun' company helped her get over her divorce.

But the pair fell out 'some time ago,' according to insiders.

Speaking to Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond in January last year, Vorderman said: 'I cannot talk about useless PPE without also talking about Michelle Mone who was brought into the House of Lords, as a baroness, by David Cameron.

The broadcaster, 63, went on This Morning last year and criticised the Tory peer over allegations relating to government PPE contracts during Covid

Vorderman and Mone were 'good friends' but the pair fell out 'some time ago,' according to insiders

The tweet that Vorderman posted today

'We know she has taken leave of absence without losing the Tory whip to start with because she was actively involved, as it goes, with a company called PPE Medpro.'

Carol acknowledged she'd once been friends with Michelle, before adding: 'Now Michelle Mone, I knew, many years ago and then dropped her like a stone as soon as I realised what kind of person she was.'

She then turned to look at the camera directly and held both hands up as she said: 'Sue me, Michelle.'

Now Vorderman has acknowledged the anniversary of her TV appearance by reposting the clip online, as she gave her fans an update.

She wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'It's a year since "SUE ME MICHELLE" went viral ... heck.

'UPDATE: She hasnt sued me.'

She also admitted that the video, which she described as 'TV gold' still makes her laugh.

In the days that followed a source close to 'Baroness Bra' Mone hit back against Vorderman, branding her 'publicity hungry' and calling the comments 'outrageous'.

'I really don't understand why Carol has started this attack,' the source added.

'What are the reasons  a hunger for publicity, or maybe her coming to the end of her TV career?'

This comes as prosecutors have frozen or otherwise restrained a reported 75million of assets held by Mone, 52, and her husband, Doug Barrowman, amid an ongoing probe into allegations of fraud at a PPE firm linked to the pair that was set up during the pandemic.

The pair said they did not oppose the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) application to place restrictions upon the assets.

The CPS applied for the court order on behalf of the National Crime Agency (NCA), which has been investigating the company PPE Medpro since May 2021 amid suspicions of criminal activity connected to its procurement of PPE contracts.

Previously, Mone described the former Countdown host as her 'good friend' whose 'fun' company helped her get over her divorce

Vorderman has acknowledged the anniversary of her TV appearance by reposting the clip and giving her fans an update

Baroness Mone (pictured in 2017) was made a life peer by David Cameron but has been on leave from the House of Lords since 2022

Barrowman and Mone at Cheltenham in March 2019

PPE Medpro is owned by a consortium led by Mr Barrowman; it later emerged the firm was placed in a VIP pandemic priority lane for government contracts following a recommendation by Tory peer Mone, who initially denied any links with the firm.

She later admitted she had lied to journalists over her connections with the company, telling the BBC: 'I wasn't trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes.' When challenged on the fact she had lied to the press, she said: 'That's not a crime.'

Details of the court order, enacted under the Proceeds of Crime Act, were first reported by the Financial Times.

Among the assets affected are 4 Chester Square in Belgravia, a London townhouse acquired by Isle of Man firm Chester Ventures for nearly 9.25m, with a view to redeveloping and selling the property.

The Ballakew Estate on the Isle of Man, which was raided by the NCA in April 2022, is also covered by the court order.

Bank accounts held with Coutts, C Hoare & Co and Goldman Sachs International are also covered.

Nine properties in Glasgow's affluent Park Circus area, which are owned through companies based in the Isle of Man, are also part of the order.

MailOnline has contacted Michelle Mone for comment.
It is illegal to fly drones below 400ft and in congested areas

Giles Dalby, 39, lost control of his aircraft during the show but no one was hurt

A man who crashed a drone at a concert on Brighton beach has been convicted in the first case of its kind.

Footage shows the drone flying just over the heads of revellers before smashing into the stage, narrowly missing a musician.

Giles Dalby, 39, who had used the drone contrary to the Air Navigation Order is believed to be the first prosecution under the legislation.

At Brighton Magistrates Court he admitted recklessly or negligently causing or permitting an aircraft to endanger a person or property at the gig on July 22 2022.

The event, called On the Beach, was described as a 'open-air and high energy drum and bass experience'.

Giles Dalby, 39, from Brighton was flying a drone over crowds during the open-air festival On The Beach where DJ Fat Boy Slim was performing when he lost control of the aircraft

The three-day event ran from Friday to Sunday on the Brighton seafront and was headlined by Fat Boy Slim on Friday night.

Other acts included Andy C, Sub Focus, Wilkinson, Shy FX, Dimension, Friction and Harriet Jaxxon.

A Sussex Police spokesperson said: 'It is believed to be the first prosecution of its kind under the legislation.'

Dalby, a former fire safety worker of Devonshire Place, Brighton, was fined 576, with a 230 surcharge and 85 costs.

Sussex Police Drone Training Officer PC Steven Prince said: 'Dalby operated a drone above a crowded beach concert on Brighton beach.

'He lost control of the aircraft which then crashed into the stage, near to a musician who was in the middle of a live performance.

'Dalby is fortunate that no one was harmed, but this case should act as a reminder to all drone operators about how to stay within the law.'

Sussex Police and the UK Civil Aviation Authority released the footage to highlight the danger of using drones illegally.

The ex-fire safety worker crashed the drone onto the stage, narrowly missing a musician who was performing

No one was hurt at the festival but Sussex Police hope the incident will remind drone owners to 'stay within the law'

Dalby is the first person to be prosecuted under the Air Navigation Order which states it is illegal to fly drones over crowds and below 400ft

Dalby, a former fire safety worker was fined 576, with a 230 surcharge and 85 costs

The law states anyone responsible for a drone must register with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and anyone flying a drone must get a Flyer ID.

The operator is legally responsible for every flight, and must keep the aircraft in sight at all times, not fly it below 400ft and it must not be flown over a congested area.

Jonathan Nicholson, spokesperson at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: 'Drones can be great fun to fly and are undertaking more and more useful rules such as delivering medical supplies.

'However, they must be flown safely and this incident shows what can happen if people don't follow the rules.

'Our dronecode provides a simple guide to the rules along with advice on how to enjoy flying your drone.'
A mother-of-three who stabbed her abusive ex-boyfriend with a broken Budweiser bottle and then battered him with a hammer after a toxic affair was jailed for 14 months today.

Former special needs school volunteer Chantelle Hurst, 31, bludgeoned Mark Seddon, 41, about the head after she followed him home from a food bank on Christmas Eve in 2021.

The couple from Leigh, Wigan, had been involved in an abusive seven month relationship.

During the violent struggle inside Mr Seddon's property, Hurst allegedly slashed her own neck with a razor before she smashed a Budweiser beer bottle against a kitchen unit and then stabbed her former partner with the jagged edge.

Mr Seddon fought back but Hurst then grabbed a hammer from the living room which she used to beat him again.

Chantelle Hurst, 31, stabbed her abusive ex-boyfriend with a broken Budweiser bottle and then battered him with a hammer after a toxic affair

She bludgeoned Mark Seddon, 41, about the head after she followed him home from a food bank on Christmas Eve in 2021

The couple from Leigh, near Wigan, had been involved in an abusive seven month relationship

He suffered severe cuts to his scalp which required 22 staples and defence wounds to his hand.

At the time of the attack, Mr Seddon was on bail, banned from going near Hurst and had been ordered to wear an electronic tag.

He gave a statement to police after the assault on him but subsequently declined to co-operate with the investigation.

At Bolton Crown Court, Hurst who now lives in Bickershaw, Wigan, was jailed for 14 months after she admitted causing grievous bodily harm.

Her not guilty plea to the more serious charge of wounding with intent was accepted.

The incident occurred after the pair split up following a turbulent seven month relationship during which they lived together.

Prosecutor Mark Stephenson said: 'It is accepted the relationship was a toxic one and there had been other incidents in which the defendant was not the protagonist.

'They both had mood swings, one minute being fine and the next being violent towards each other.

'At the time the relationship ended Mr Seddon was arrested and was subsequently placed under an electronic monitoring system.

'On the day in question Mr Seddon went into Wigan town centre with a housemate to collect food parcels for themselves from a church. They encountered Miss Hurst who engaged in conversation with Mr Seddon and called him "a rat".

Mr Seddon suffered severe cuts to his scalp which required 22 staples and defence wounds to his hand in the assault

At Bolton Crown Court, Hurst who now lives in Bickershaw, Wigan, was jailed for 14 months after she admitted causing grievous bodily harm

'The two men walked back home but noticed they were being followed by the defendant.

'They cut down an alley and believed they had lost her but after getting home, the defendant suddenly forced her way into the address uninvited and an altercation broke out.

'Mr Seddon told her to leave but she refused to do so. He then said: "I'm on a tag because of you - you need to get out now. F*** off" and the defendant walked into the bathroom where the complainant believed she was self-harming with a razor.

'He followed her in and put his arms around her to prevent any further harm being caused - but he says she then stood up and slashed her own the neck which started bleeding profusely.

'He said he dragged her into the kitchen to prevent her from hurting herself but there was a further struggle in which the defendant grabbed a nearby glass bottle, smashed it and used the broken glass to stab him multiple times to the top of his head.

'He said he recoiled from the attack and grabbed hold of her again but he then felt something hard which proved to be hammer which was used to hit him again on the head. A further struggle ensued before he was able to remove the hammer from her grip.'

Police arrived at the property after being alerted by Seddon's friend.

Initially Mr Seddon falsely said the injuries were self-inflicted and he was arrested on suspicion of assault - whilst Hurst was treated for her neck injury in the back of an ambulance.

But she then become violent and aggressive towards police and paramedics and was herself arrested.

During police interview Hurst claimed Mr Seddon assaulted her first and she struck him with the bottle in self defence.

Mr Stephenson added: 'She accepts hitting him with the bottle but has always said it was him with a razor and not her and she did not take the razor to the house.

'The best he could say was the razor did not belong to him and that it has been brought to the property but he had no proof of that.

At the time of the attack, Mr Seddon was on bail, banned from going near Hurst and had been ordered to wear an electronic tag

'It came to point when the Crown could no longer rely on Mr Seddon.

'He was wanted for various other matters and he was not assisting in moving the matter forward.

'We could not with absolute certainty say that this happened in exactly in the way that he said it happened.

'Clearly in the past he has been the main aggressor and the fact is she was a victim of domestic abuse at his hands.'

Hurst had 18 previous offences on her record including assault on police and emergency workers and being drunk and disorderly.

In February 2021 - ten months before the attack on Hurst - she was jailed for 16 weeks after she spat at one police officer, racially abused another and doused a third with lager during a bust up at her home.

In mitigation defence counsel Alex Beevers said: 'She has had a profoundly difficult life, a difficult childhood, a difficult adolescence and a difficult adulthood.

'She also has an unfortunate history of becoming romantically involved with abusive partners.

'A combination of these experiences has led her to do this. However she doesn't excuse her actions - she actually recognises custody is the most appropriate place for her.'

Sentencing judge Abigail Hudson said: 'The court cannot be sure that there was no violence offered by Mr Seddon towards Miss Hurst on this particular occasion.

'Without casting any aspersions on the complainant whatsoever, I must give the benefit of the doubt to Miss Hurst although the level of violence she offered was unacceptable.

'There was a perhaps an element of being faced with a violent situation which would have undoubtedly caused her significant distress.'

She told Hurst: 'Quite frankly you and Mr Seddon had been involved in an awful relationship for a number of months and he's beaten you on several occasions. Two weapons were used in this incident but there were elements of self defence within your actions.

'At the time of this incident I accept you would have been very distressed and frightened as to what was going on but he did suffer significant injuries which are likely to have resulted in scarring.'
Britons are selling their dream French holiday homes because of 'crazy' post-Brexit rules - as a bid to change visa rights for second home owners was thrown out by senior judges.

France's Constitutional Council yesterday rejected an amendment to a major immigration bill which would have permitted British expats to stay in the country for longer than 90 days without the need for a visa.

If passed by the court, the changes would have allowed long-stay visas to be automatically issued to British nationals who own a second home in France, meaning they could spend as much time as they wanted in the country.

But the defeat means all Britons, including homeowners, will only be able to stay for 90 days out of every 180 days without a visa. Those who wish to stay longer will have to apply for a temporary long-stay visa which would last up to six months at a time.

The decision to reject the amendment will come as a major blow for the approximately 86,000 UK nationals who own second homes in France.

Evelyne Heeley, 77, and her husband Brian paid 230,000 (197,000) for a stunning home in the Occitanie region of southern France in 2004 and soon began spending an average of 140 days a year there during the spring, summer and autumn.

But the couple, who voted Remain in the 2016 referendum, sold up after struggling with the lengthy bureaucratic process of applying for long-term visas - which must be picked up from one of France's three visa application centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh.

*Are you a British expat with a second home in France? Email jon.brady@mailonline.co.uk*

Evelyne Heeley, 77, and her husband Brian paid 230,000 (197,000) for a stunning home in the Occitanie region of southern France in 2004

The couple, who voted Remain in the 2016 referendum, have now sold up after struggling with the lengthy bureaucratic process of applying for long-term visas

'It's crazy,' Ms Heeley told the i: 'And so we decided in the end that it was too much hassle and we sold, and it sold on the day we put it up for sale.'

She also pointed to the risk of being banned from all 27 countries in the Schengen Area if they overstayed their visa-free period in France.

The decision to reject the amendment for second home owners is final as there is no right of appeal against France's Constitutional Court. But campaigners have vowed to continue their fight through other means.

French senator Martine Berthet tabled the amendment to the immigration bill in November, arguing that pushing British citizens from investing in France's local economies would further add to the worsening problem of empty properties in tourist hotspots.

What was the visa proposal and why was it rejected? Under post-Brexit rules, all Britons, including homeowners, are only able to stay for 90 days out of every 180 days without a visa. Those who wish to stay longer have to apply for a temporary long-stay visa which lasts up to six months at a time. The change would have allowed long-stay visas to be automatically issued to British nationals who own a second home in France, meaning they could spend as much time as they wanted in the country. It was tabled as an amendment to a broader immigration bill and rejected under Article 45 of the Constitution, which requires that bill amendments must relate to the original aims of the bill. Advertisement

Her proposal was put forward as an amendment to a broader immigration bill and rejected under Article 45 of the Constitution, which requires that bill amendments must relate to the original aims of the bill.

Ms Berthet blasted the judges' decision as 'political' and vowed to continue her campaign.

But she said it was positive that the Constitutional Court did not criticise the idea in itself and said her party, Les Republicains, would push for a new bill on immigration matters that would include the plan to grant Britons an automatic visa.

The conservative politician said she would speak to the Interior Ministry to see what could be done to help second home owners in the meantime.

'It was a first try, that has not worked, but when we bring it back, it will be a subject that a lot of people already know more about. It allows us to move forward nonetheless,' Ms Berthet told Connexion France.

Just earlier this week, it was reported that British demand for holiday homes in France has increased nearly six-fold after the potential change in law was first mooted.

The highest number of enquiries was for the Alpes-Maritimes area, in south east France, a region that is homes to Cannes, and borders Monaco.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there were an estimated 152,900 Britons living in France in 2017.

The amendment had successfully passed through the two houses of France's senate before being rejected by the Constitutional Council.

Jason Porter, a director at tax specialists Blevins Franks, told The Telegraph: 'The element [to the immigration bill] for UK second home owners was always going to be rejected as it was not treating everyone equally as it does not apply for the other 61 countries eligible for visa entry into France.'

French senator Martine Berthet tabled the amendment to the immigration bill in November

Protestors gather to demonstrate as they hold banners to call for the withdrawal of the immigration law at the Constitutional Council in Paris yesterday

The fallout from Brexit means second home owners in France face a litany of problems.

Early last year, France hit British homeowners with a rise of up to 60 per cent in council tax charges, adding further to their woes.

One British couple told the Mail they were thinking of selling their five-bed home in France, built in the 15th Century, due to the tax increases.

Creative director Simon Amster, 55, and his wife bought the five-bed 15th century hideaway in the village of Sauveterre-de-Bearn near Biarritz for just 50,000 euros (42,000) eight years ago.

The couple, who live in Lewes, east Sussex, pay 1,400 euros in annual property taxes. But they are among 86,000 British households with second homes who now face a significant tax rise thanks to President Macron's latest reforms.

Mr Amster said: 'Macron's tax hikes have made us consider selling. All these additional costs mean our second home, which used to be a source of pleasure, is now a source of worry.

'My wife's mother lives in the neighbouring village so it is really useful for us to have the house so we can look after her if we need to.

'There's also a lot of uncertainty about how badly these taxes will affect us. We're expecting quite a big jump, maybe around 20 per cent.

'It's a first world problem, but it makes what used to feel like a relatively affordable holiday something which is now a serious financial concern.'

Early last year, France hit British homeowners with a rise of up to 60 per cent in council tax charges, adding further to their woes. Creative director Simon Amster, 55, considered selling his five-bedroom home near Biarritz

Last year, the residence tax was an average 775 (664) for a house and 943 (808) for a flat, but this will go up considerably.

There are already 156 councils in Brittany, which is hugely popular with Britons, which have been given authorisation to increase the residence tax by up to 60 per cent.

The surcharge is applicable in places where the housing market is under pressure and where locals struggle to buy or rent homes. It is designed to discourage second homes.

The surcharge was initially limited to 1,136 councils in big cities and tourist resorts, but has now been extended to a further 2,263 authorities in rural areas.

France's second local tax, called the Property Tax, which applies to both main and second homes, is also going up by double digits.

Paris council, for example, has voted for a 51.9 per cent increase, while the Alpine city of Grenoble is imposing a 25 per cent rise.
This is the incredible moment a pair of long-lost identical twins who were separated at birth and sold on the black market were reunited with their birth mother, all thanks to an investigation that exposed the shocking practice.

In heartwarming footage of their reunion, the twins - now in their early 20s - fell into their mother's arms, who sobbed into their shoulders as the trio embraced for the first time since the young women were born.

Amy and Ano, born in 2002, were sold onto the market after their mother fell into a coma. By the time she was told the crushing lie that her babies had died in childbirth, they had been sold to two different families.

But after recognising each other in videos - one on a TV talent show when they were 12 and the other in a TikTok video in 2021 - the then-teens were finally brought back together, in large part to an investigation working to connect lost families.

The investigation found that for more than three decades, thousands of families in Georgia were given the devastating news that their babies had died at birth.

This is the incredible moment a pair of identical twins - separated at birth and sold on the black market - were reunited with their birth mother thanks to an investigation that exposed the shocking practice

The reality, however, was that the newborns were being trafficked on the black market, meaning thousands of Georgians had no idea who their real families were.

One Georgian who found herself in the unimaginable situation was journalist Tamuna Museridze, who in a bid to find her own family set up the Facebook group 'Vezdeb'.

The group has since amassed 230,000 members and, along with DNA test websites, has helped to blow open the dark adoption network and reunite families.

After finding incorrect details on her own birth certificate in 2021, Museridze founded the Facebook group and set out to track down her real family.

Based on the number of people who have contacted her since, combined with the number of cases across the country, Museridze estimates that tens of thousands of babies were stolen from their birth parents.

Speaking to the BBC World Service, she said she believes the black market, which operated from the early 1970s to 2006, 'was systemic'.

Two family members her efforts helped to unite were Ano and Amy, the twins, who for almost 20 years had no idea they had been born together in 2002.

Amy told the British broadcaster that she had a sense of her twin at the age of 12, when friends told her they had seen a girl who looked just like her dancing on 'Georgia's Got Talent'. She would later find out this was Ano.

However, when she asked her family about it at the time, they brushed it off. 'Everyone has a doppelganger,' her mother told her.

But that is not where their story ends.

Seven years later, in November 2021, Amy posted a video of herself to social media app TikTok, with blue hair getting her eyebrow pierced. It was Ano's time to see the resemblance, and was stunned to see a girl who looked just like her.

Despite living 200 miles apart in Georgia, social media allowed them to connect.

They began talking on Facebook, and eventually met in person.

While their birth certificates said they were born at the same hospital, Kirtskhi Maternity, the documents stated it was weeks apart.

But upon meeting face-to-face, it became clear they were identical twins.

'It was like looking in a mirror, the exact same face, exact same voice. I am her and she is me,' Amy told BBC News.

The pair quickly discovered they had a number of similarities, too. They both enjoyed the same music, liked to dance, and had the same hairstyle.

Ano and Amy (pictured), identical twins who had no idea they had been born together in 2002, were reunited thanks to the investigation into the baby trafficking in Georgia

Amy Khvitia is seen in family photos at various ages, before she knew she had an identical twin

Despite living 200 miles apart in Georgia, social media allowed Amy and Ano to connect

Similarities extended beyond the superficial, however, as they also found themselves to have the same genetic bone disorder called dysplasia.

They told the BBC that it felt like they were unravelling a mystery together.

'Every time I learned something new about Ano, things got stranger,' Amy said.

But amid the excitement of discovering each other, there was also anger.

Amy said it felt like her life had been a lie, while Ano said she was 'angry and upset with [her] family, but [she] just wanted the difficult conversations to be over so that we could all move on'. 'It's a crazy story,' Amy added, 'But it's true.'

They decided to confront their families, and finally learned the truth.

The twins were adopted separately in 2002, a few weeks apart.

Unable to have children, Amy and Ano's mothers were told by friends there were unwanted babies at the local hospital. If they paid the doctors, they could adopt one of these babies, take them home, and raise them as their own.

Neither of the adoptive families knew the girls were twins, they said, and claimed they didn't know the practice was illegal.

At the time, Georgia was going through a period of turmoil, and the mothers said they believed the adoption process was legitimate as doctors were involved.

Museridze told the BBC that at the time, a baby would cost a year's salary in Georgia, and that some babies ended up in the US, Ukraine, Canada, Cyprus and Russia.

The twins shared their story on Museridze's Facebook group, and they received a reply from a woman in Germany saying they thought they could be related, as her own mother had given birth to twins in Kirtskhi Maternity Hospital in 2002.

DNA tests confirmed this to be the case.

Finally, after more than two decades, Amy and Ano were reunited with their birth mother, Aza, in an emotional moment captured by the BBC.

One Georgian who found herself in the unimaginable situation was journalist Tamuna Museridze, who in a bid to find her own family set up the Facebook group 'Vezdeb'

Aza explained to her daughters that she fell ill after giving birth and fell into a coma. When she woke up, hospital staff told her that her babies had died.

The mother said that meeting her long-lost daughters had given her life new meaning, and that they still stay in touch.

In 2006, Georgia changed its laws to crack down on trafficking, making illegal adoption more difficult, and in 2022 the government launched an investigation into historic child trafficking.

The BBC said it had approached the Georgian Interior Ministry for further information on individual cases but was told specific details would not be released.
A former America's Got Talent star has been jailed after being caught with more than 30kg of cannabis at Manchester Airport.

Elijah Flores, who danced on the US version of the popular talent show, was found by border force officials to be carrying 37.2kg of the class B drug after arriving on a flight from Thailand.

He was taken to the baggage search area after denying he had anything to declare to customs when he landed at Manchester Airport Terminal 2 on November 21 last year, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Officers found 64 packages of cannabis in his four bags, with an estimated street value of almost 1million.

Flores claimed he was offered $3,000 by a 'friend' to take drugs into the UK and has now been jailed after he admitted importing class B drugs.

Elijah Flores, a former contestant on America's Got Talent, was caught by border force officials carrying 37.2kg of Cannabis at Manchester Airport

The 28-year-old from Glendora, California, told officers he'd had a 'penile cancer' scare and couldn't afford medical insurance to pay for tests and treatment.

Prosecutor Phil Hall said at around 9:55pm, Flores had approached a Border Force officer in the baggage reclaim hall and asked if there was a cash exchange, when he was questioned about from where he had flown in.

Flores told officers he only had clothes in his bags, that he was Thailand for three days, and that he was a dancer.

His four bags - including a Gucci rucksack - were x-rayed, and were discovered to be hiding 64 packages of cannabis.

Mr Hall said: 'The packages were weighed and contained a total of 37.02kg. The cannabis was valued as having a wholesale value of 192,000, with a street value of 960,000, although that is based on a slight underweight assessment of 32kg.'

Flores was then arrested and interviewed. 'He stated he was given instructions of what to do via a WhatsApp group on his phone that contained four other people, and that he was told that someone would contact him on his arrival into the UK and collect the suitcases from him,' the prosecutor added.

The dancer accepted that he was aware he was importing cannabis into the UK. Mr Hall added: 'It is the Crown's case that he was a drug mule, performing a limited function and had no influence on others.'

Hugh Barton, mitigating, said his client's work as a dancer and choreographer took him around the globe. He has danced on shows including America's Got Talent.

Mr Barton said: 'It's difficult to envisage the kind of events that would lead him to Liverpool prison - it's totally out of character.'

He added that Flores had a health scare and, having searched the internet for symptoms of 'penile cancer', didn't have medical insurance to pay for test results and treatment.

Mr Barton said: 'There was no fall back position for him. It was in that context he was approached by a 'friend', more somebody who took advantage of his state of apprehension and offered this as a means of raising an amount of cash quickly.'

Flores, 28, was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Manchester Crown Court (stock photo)

Flores has been working as a cleaner and cook in prison, the court heard. He had run into trouble when other prisoners accused him of 'not giving big enough portions of chips'.

Mr Barton said: 'He is desperate to return home to his family, and to his career. He has not been served deportation pages, but it is his intention to return to the US as quickly as he can.'

Sentencing, Recorder Katie Jones told Flores: 'You were trusted with a large amount of cannabis, so I find you must have had some form of understanding of the scale of the operation.

'You were willing to take on this role and fully understood what was involved and what was expected of you.'

Flores was jailed for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition or restriction on the import of cannabis.

He will serve half of the term in prison before he will be eligible for automatic deportation
James Moore, from Suffolk, was on holiday in Thailand when he died

A British tourist has died after being found unresponsive in his hotel room in Thailand clutching his asthma pump having told family he had caught a virus.

James Moore, 44, had been in Thailand on a dream holiday for two weeks and was booked to return home to Newmarket, Suffolk, on February 7.

He was found dead in his accommodation on the Thai island of Ko Chang after contracting a mystery illness.

His sister Rachel Tate said their parents received the heart-wrenching call last Friday, January 19, informing them he was on the brink of death.

The asthma sufferer had attributed his illness to a common virus circulating on the island. He told his sister he had been feeling under the weather.

James Moore, 44, had been in Thailand on a dream holiday for two weeks and was booked to return home to Newmarket, Suffolk, on February 7

He was found dead in his accommodation on the Thai island of Ko Chang after contracting a mystery illness (File image)

His friend Dave Moss, who retired to live on the Thai island, grew concerned when he was suddenly unable to get hold of James after the two were supposed to meet up.

Tate said: 'When Dave couldn't reach him, he grew worried and went to James' hotel. James was lying motionless on his bed, clutching his asthma pump.'

The British tourist was rushed to a nearby hospital but was soon declared dead by attending doctors.

His sister said her parents were in shock and that she is coordinating with the British Embassy and Thai authorities to bring his body back to the UK.

She told Suffolk News: 'Fortunately he had travel insurance as there are a lot of costs to pay, including his hospitalisation and a post-mortem,' she said.

'It's not easy. We always spoke to each other on WhatsApp and I keep looking at it to see what his last message was.'

The grieving family has launched an online crowdfunding campaign to help with the costs of repatriation.

Tate said on GoFundMe: 'This situation is like a jigsaw puzzle.

'Slowly but surely we are getting the situation sorted to get my brother home so we can bury him.'

The fundraiser has already brought in more than 1,700. 'It is kind that so many people are thinking of us,' Tate said.

A spokesman for the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Thailand.'
BBC viewers who tuned in to an episode of Silent Witness saw the show's killers attempt to murder their victims using a lethal gas in a scene similar to the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith.

The plot of the latest two part of episode of the long-running crime drama sees a university professor accused of murdering some of his 'woke' critics after claiming he was passed over for a promotion for his 'triggering' comments.

But in a dramatic twist it emerges that two of the professor's acolytes are behind the murders and later kidnap two other students who they believe are trying to get him fired from the university.

The killers then tie them both to chairs before placing a gas mask, which is attached to a supply of nitrous oxide, around one of the women's heads in order to suffocate her to death.

He then turns on the valve, releasing the gas, before putting another mask over the second woman. But seconds later the show's protagonist Dr Nikki Alexander and her colleague Jack Hodgson burst into the room, putting an end to their evil plot.

The scene draws shocking parallels to the real life execution of convicted killer Kenneth Eugene Smith, who was put to death last night using nitrogen hypoxia for the first time in history.

BBC viewers have tuned in to an episode of Silent Witness killers attempt to murder their victims using nitrous oxide gas

The killers kidnap two of their victims before tying them both to chairs and placing a gas mask around one of their heads in order to suffocate her to death

But seconds later the show's protagonist Dr Nikki Alexander and her colleague Jack Hodgson burst into the room, putting an end to their evil plot

The 58-year-old had a firefighters-style mask placed over his face as he was strapped to a gurney inside an execution chamber at the William C. Holman prison in Atmore, Alabama.

Smith was 22-years-old when he was first arrested for the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Sennett.

He was sentenced to death in 1996 after admitting the murder-for-hire killing of the pastor's wife who was beaten and stabbed.

Experts had said he would be unconscious within seconds of inhaling the gas - but it took up to seven minutes for him to pass out and another 15 for him to be declared dead.

After the gas began to flow into his mask at 7.53pm, the inmate smiled, nodded toward his family and signed 'I love you'.

Smith made a heart sign with his left hand to his wife Deanna before declaring: 'Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards... I'm leaving with love, peace and light.'

But soon Smith was wrenching against the straps, gasping, panting loudly and also trying to hold his breath to try to avoid inhaling the nitrogen through a mask covering his entire face.

No doctor was present in the chamber but one arrived at the end to declare him dead at a 8.16pm - just over 22 minutes after the execution began.

Before the medic came in to check the body, one correction officer had to repeatedly peep into the mask to see his face and try to ascertain if he still looked alive.

One of the university students has the mask placed over her head during the terrifying scene

The killers plan to suffocate her to death using nitrous oxide gas

One of the killers then turns the valve on the cannister of nitrous oxide which is connected to the gas mask

But before he is able to carry out his evil plot, the protagonists of the BBC drama burst onto the scene and rescue the women

Kenneth Eugene Smith was sentenced to death in 1996 after admitting the murder-for-hire killing of a pastor's wife who was beaten and stabbed in 1988

Alabama's lethal injection chamber at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama, is pictured in this Oct. 7, 2002 file photo, where Smith was executed on Thursday evening

Smith's wife Deanna cried out for her killer husband as he thrashed against his restraints, before breaking down at a press conference following the controversial execution (pictured)

His bereft wife Deanna cried out for her killer husband as he thrashed against his restraints and tried to fight the gas by not breathing it in.

At one point as the killer tore against his restraints, his wife, wearing a T-shirt reading 'Never Alone', desperately cried out for him as she sobbed from the witness box.

Next to her was journalist Lee Hedgepeth. He has given the most detailed account of what unfolded at William C. Holman prison.

He told the BBC: 'The curtains of the execution chamber pulled back. Kenny is laying strapped to a gurney. His upper body is strapped.

'He is wearing a gas mask that covers his face from his forehead to his chin. The gas mask is strapped in multiple places to his head as well as the gurney.

'The execution starts at about 7.53. The nitrogen begins flowing into the gas mask and Kenny begins to violently shake against the straps that are holding him.

'That violent shaking lasts for about four or five minutes. I've witnessed five executions in Alabama. Four of them lethal injection. One with nitrogen and this was the most violent execution I have ever seen.

'Sitting beside me was Deanna Smith, the wife of Kenny. Once Kenny began to violently shake against those straps she began to sob. There were other media witnesses in the room, folks who had seen other executions, and I think there was a shock in the room at how violent the execution was.

'Doctors are not in the room during the execution. A doctor did pronounce Kenny dead afterwards but no doctor is visibly present in the execution chamber.

'The execution began around 7.53 and he was declared dead at 8.16 so around 20 something minutes'.

Smith was 22-years-old (seen in his original 1989 mugshot) when he was first arrested for the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Sennett. His conviction was overturned before he was sentenced to death for the same murder at a separate trial in 1996

Elizabeth Sennett, 45, (right) was found dead on March 18, 1988, in the her home in Alabama's Colbert County. She had been stabbed eight times in the chest and once on each side of neck

Smith's pastor John Ewell told DailyMail.com before his execution that the killer was 'really struggling' with the reality of his imminent death

Jeff Hood, Smith's spiritual advisor before his execution, described the untested execution method as a 'horror show', and said 'unbelievable evil was unleashed tonight in Alabama'

When asked if more states will use the method to execute inmates he said: 'We have never seen a execution by nitrogen before. People will have to consider if this is a more humane execution but people in the room believe it was more violent than lethal injection'.

Smith's pastor John Ewell told DailyMail.com that the killer was 'really struggling' with the reality of his imminent death. He barely touched his final meal of a T-bone steak, hashbrowns, eggs and A1 Sauce from Waffle House.

The murderer's friend and spiritual guide, Jeff Hood, described his death as the 'worst thing' he had ever seen, claiming jail officials gasped in shock because he died far slower than anticipated. One prison officer was 'tap dancing' with nervousness and others were 'very surprised that this didn't go smoothly', he said.

'When they turned the nitrogen on, he [Smith] began to convulse, he popped up on the gurney over and over again, he shook the whole gurney,' Hood said afterwards.

'I could see the corrections officers, I think they were very surprised that this didn't go smoothly - one of the state officials in the room was so nervous she was tap dancing,' he continued.

'(Smith) kept breathing for what could possibly be up to nine minutes, ten minutes, unbelievable evil was unleashed tonight in Alabama... that was torture.'
Eurostar passenger numbers are up by a fifth despite many travellers between London and Paris still snubbing the train for cheaper flights, it can be revealed.

The rail operator said it carried 18.6million passengers last year  a rise of 22 per cent on the previous 12 months and a return to pre-Covid levels last seen in 2019.

Eurostar tends to be a more expensive method for travelling from the UK to its direct locations of Paris, Lille, Brussels, Amsterdam and Rotterdam compared to flying.

Giving an example of prices this March, the cheapest Eurostar single from London is 51 for all five routes - compared to flights costing as little as 18 to Rotterdam and 22 to Paris or Amsterdam, all on easyJet; and 45 to Brussels on British Airways.

Eurostar ran a sale this month offering 39 tickets, but that ended on Monday. Now, on some days in March, the cheapest train single from London to Paris is 109.

Despite this, many customers are willing to pay a premium for an easier journey - and Eurostar saw big annual demand rises on its three main routes serving London last year. Amsterdam was up 38 per cent, Brussels 33 per cent and Paris 25 per cent.

However, other travellers are still opting to take a plane instead of the train despite climate concerns and Eurostar connecting the two capitals in just over two hours.

Eurostar currently runs trains from London to Paris, Lille, Brussels, Amsterdam and Rotterdam

Sabia Mokeddem, 27, a French national who has lived in London for more than five years, admitted: 'It's ridiculous to take the plane for such a distance.'

READ MORE Holidaying Brits could face 14-HOUR waits at Dover border controls under new scheme to get into EU, MPs are told Advertisement

But she added that she was forced to fly because of Eurostar's 'prohibitive' ticket prices for the 305-mile high-speed link through the Channel Tunnel.

'I think of all the carbon that I'm emitting for such a short flight... But I can't afford the train,' the bank worker told AFP.

Ms Mokeddem said she would happily pay a little more to go by train 'because it's better for the planet' and preferred going by rail, but the difference in price was too great.

Lucy Kelly, a 30-year-old woman from Ireland who lives in Paris and works in brand management, takes the train to London only when she can reserve a seat well in advance.

'If I'm organised enough I'll book the Eurostar,' she explained. 'Then you can find a return for 110 (94) which is fine, I think, even if it's still more expensive than the plane. If I go last minute, prices can be crazy.'

Eurostar could face competition from other operators over the coming years, as shown above

Ms Kelly said a return ticket often exceeds 350 (300), adding that she took the plane to London last November.

'It was definitely cheaper - a quarter of the price of getting on the train,' she said.

Ms Kelly also admitted that getting to the airport was difficult, but she would still probably do travel by plane again.

'The train should be subsidised. People should be encouraged to take the train, not the plane,' she added.

When asked by AFP, Eurostar declined to provide the price of an average ticket or indicate whether it had increased in recent years, as many travellers suspect.

The subsidiary of French rail operator SNCF says it cannot compare train and air fares, as flying incurs extra costs such as getting to the airport and for luggage.

Despite evidence of passengers choosing to fly for cost reasons, Eurostar said some eight million people still used its service between London and Paris last year.

In comparison, nearly two million flew in the 12 months to October 2023, according to aviation sector analysts Cirium. Both figures are similar to pre-pandemic levels.

This map shows Eurostar's current routes, including connections to other high-speed services

Eurostar chief commercial director Francois le Doze said people 'buy Eurostar first' and trains fill up quicker than planes, which may account for the faster increase in prices.

READ MORE Plane vs train: Travel experts pit an Air France flight against a 199mph TGV in a race from Paris to Marseille Advertisement

He also said Parisians and Londoners had greater purchasing power compared with people in other capitals across the continent, which means that 'these journeys are priced at the amount people are willing to pay'.

'Take-up rates are higher than ever,' he insisted.

The company had said it wants to increase passenger numbers, which could help cut prices, but it said that has become more difficult since Britain's departure from the European Union, with Brexit causing a 'bottleneck' at the border.

Operating costs for running stations, infrastructure, rail lines, energy, staff and financing are also 'very high', Mr le Doze added.

Speaking about passenger numbers, Eurostar chief executive Gwendoline Cazenave added: 'Eurostar is growing and in 2023 we welcomed many more customers on board across our five countries.

Eurostar passengers faced major disruption at London St Pancras last month due to flooding

'Our goal is to encourage more people to take the train so it's a win for customers and a win for the planet.

'We have a bold vision to reach 30 million passengers by 2030, and growth in 2023 of 22 per cent versus 2022 shows we are strongly on our way.

'We carried almost eight million passengers between London and France, 1.1 million between the Netherlands and the UK, and 2.2 million to Belgium.'

Eurostar expects to carry nearly two million passengers to Paris during this summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Environmental campaign group Greenpeace is very active on the issue of high rail prices compared with aviation.

'Government have created an uneven regulatory playing field that benefits the most polluting modes of transport,' a spokesman said. 'We should tax air travel at a level that reflects the damage it does to the climate.'

Greenpeace notes in particular that airlines do not pay tax on aviation fuel.

According to the group, planes emit on average five times more greenhouse gases than trains. Eurostar estimates that there are 90 per cent less CO2 emissions on the train.

Eurostar trains on empty platforms at St Pancras on December amid flood-related disruption

Greenpeace says that the pricing issue does not just affect the London to Paris route, as it costs twice as much to travel between London and Edinburgh by train compared with flying.

READ MORE London trains could reach FIVE new destinations in Europe: How Swiss and Spanish rail operators are proposing Eurostar links from St Pancras to far-flung locations across the continent Advertisement

Now, competition could shake up the status quo for Eurostar passengers fed up with high prices.

The Getlink group, which operates the Channel Tunnel, believes that passenger traffic could at least double from its current levels.

Since the line opened in 1994, there has been talk of Eurostar facing competition from other operators but so far none of the plans has come to fruition.

As it stands, Swiss national railways (SBB) is working on a new five-hour service between St Pancras and Basel through the Channel Tunnel using Eurostar trains; while Spanish firm Evolyn wants to open a direct link to Frankfurt, Cologne, Zurich and Geneva.

These come amid a string of possible rival services to the Eurostar being planned, with Sir Richard Branson allegedly looking into Virgin operating the current route  and Dutch train start-up Heuro hoping to launch a rival service within the next five years.

It comes as MPs were told yesterday that tourists heading to Europe could face waits of 14 hours or more at border controls under a new scheme.

After Thalys merged with Eurostar in May 2022, Thalys-branded red and white trains are now disappearing and being rebranded as Eurostar across the extended network in Europe

The Port of Dover and the surrounding area could be hit by major disruption when the EU Entry-Exit System launches unless measures are introduced to prevent delays, Parliament's European Scrutiny Committee heard.

Ashford Borough Council told the committee that 14-hour queues are a 'reasonable worst case' scenario if the scheme is implemented as planned in October.

The new controls will mean people entering the EU will have to register their fingerprints and a photograph alongside their passport.

The Port of Dover and surrounding roads have seen multiple episodes of gridlocked traffic over the past few years, with post-Brexit checks adding to waiting times.

Tourist organisation Visit Kent voiced concerns that delays caused by the new system could have a knock-on effect on local businesses, which has been the case during previous periods of disruption.

Ashford Council warned that 14-hour delays at the port will likely see queues along the A20 and M20, which could block access to staff and tourist traffic at Eurotunnel in Folkestone.

Eurostar said that without upgrades, terminals could see queues of more than an hour at peak times.

High Speed 1, which runs UK high-speed rail services, said that the decision not to enable online pre-registration would 'put enormous pressure on infrastructure at St Pancras International'.

But Downing Street downplayed the likelihood of such lengthy delays. 'I'm not aware of that being something that will happen,' the Prime Minister's official spokesman said.
A 17-year-old girl has been arrested after two 'rival Afghan and Romanian gangs' sparked a mass machete brawl at Bournemouth college campus.

Five people were rushed to hospital yesterday after at least six people fought outside Bournemouth and Poole College.

It is believed that the fight was between rival groups of Afghan and Romanian students at the college, aged between 16 to 20.

Police attended the scene and two men, aged 24 and 25, were arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent.

The pair were both taken to hospital for treatment to minor injuries, confirmed Dorset Police.

Meanwhile, a 17-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assault and wounding with intent.

Two male teenagers and a man aged in his 20s sustained minor injuries during the incident and were also taken to hospital for treatment.

Multiple marked and unmarked police vehicles attended the scene on Thursday

Two roads in the Lansdowne area of Bournemouth town centre were cordoned off

Tensions are said to have been simmering between the two rival groups in the past few weeks after a previous confrontation.

The two groups came together at about 2.45pm on Thursday when a fight suddenly kicked off.

Two of the young men were said to have pulled out machetes during the fight and it is thought two people were stabbed.

The brawl spilt out into the road and college security staff 'flew out the doors' to try and intervene.

One student, who asked not to be named, said: 'There are Afghan and Romanian gangs at the college and they hate each other. There was a fight a few weeks ago and they said ''this is not over'' and it all kicked off again.

'Two of them pulled out machetes and we think two people were stabbed. We think police may have found one of the knives in a bin. An hour before this happened, we were doing a survey in the college about whether we feel safe.'

A mother who was at the college to collect her son said: 'I just saw the start of the fight, college security staff flew out the doors but the fight was like a free for all in the road.'

She said she went inside and when she came back out she said it was like a 'bloody movie scene with blue lights.'

Another woman who witnessed part of the incident said: 'I suddenly saw this mass brawl. There were 10 on each side and they were fighting. I think they were two groups of college students. I saw one of them lifting another boy's shirt up to check if he had been hurt.'

A fleet of police cars and ambulances descended on the scene after the fight broke out.

Five people were taken to hospital for treatment, with one of them being rushed to Southampton General Hospital, where there is a major trauma centre. His injuries are said to be serious but non life-threatening.

Police today revealed that approximately six people were involved in a fight involving knives and a glass bottle outside a college campus. They arrested a 24-year-old man and a 25-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of wounding with intent. They were taken to hospital for treatment to minor injuries.

Police will be carrying out increased patrols in the area on Friday after the incident

Police officers carry out investigations following the incident in Meyrick Road, Bournemouth on Thursday afternoon

A 17-year-old girl from Bournemouth was arrested on suspicion of assault and wounding with intent.

Two male teenagers and a man aged in his 20s sustained minor injuries during the incident and were also taken to hospital for treatment.

Dorset Police are appealing for witnesses of the incident, which at first was believed to involved up to 20 people, to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Bell, of Bournemouth CID, said: 'From our early enquiries, we believe this incident involved two groups of young people who were known to each other and there was no wider threat to others in the area.

'Officers arrived on the scene and the situation was quickly contained, allowing treatment to be given to those who had sustained injuries and fast-time enquiries to be conducted.

'It is reported that a knife and a glass bottle were used in the incident and thankfully, there were no serious injuries.

'We understand that this was a busy time of day near to the college and there would have been a number of students and members of the public who witnessed what happened.

'I would ask anyone with information or footage in relation to this incident to please contact Dorset Police.

'A policing presence will remain in the vicinity as further enquiries are taking place. Our neighbourhood policing teams will be carrying out high-visibility reassurance patrols in the area and can be approached by anyone with information or concerns.'

The South West Ambulance Service Trust (SWAST) confirmed it conveyed five people to hospital and treated a sixth at the scene

Dorset Police says its probe has now entered an 'investigative stage' after arrests were made

A staff member at Bournemouth and Poole College said there were about 20 people involved in the brawl and up to three of them pulled out knives.

She said: 'There were 20 students fighting and I think three of them pulled out knives. These days they think it is cool to stab someone. I was in London and moved down here three months and people ask ''was it really dangerous in London'' but nothing like this happened there. It is much worse here.'

As of Friday, a single police van is parked outside the premises left and the police cordon that was put up yesterday has been lifted.

College staff members waited outside the premises to chaperone students inside to avoid them talking to members of the press.

However, the Roundhouse, a hotel which houses immigrants opposite the college, is currently closed.

A security staff member on the door didn't know when it will reopen.

The incident happened on Meyrick Road near the Roundhouse Hotel (pictured) which is opposite the college

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent, while a third person has been arrested on suspicion of assault by beating

Bournemouth and Poole College principal Phil Sayles praised college staff for bravely trying to intervene and stop the brawl that happened on the road outside the main entrance.

They provided first aid to the injured students alongside emergency responders.

College staff have been placed outside the entrance today to support the students coming to and from the site.

Mr Sayles said: 'I am deeply concerned about the incident, which took place yesterday near our Bournemouth campus, and that three of our students were injured in it.

'My heart goes out to the students and their families, who we were immediately in contact with after the incident, and all those affected by the incident.

'Our security team and other staff members took personal risks in leaving our campus, intervening and stopping the incident, and gave support to the injured students alongside emergency responders.

'They later assisted the police with the information we had, as they investigated what had occurred.

'We ensured that other students could safely leave the campus with reassurance from the immediate police presence. I would personally like to thank Dorset Police and the ambulance service for their swift and effective response.

'Today, the campuses of Bournemouth and Poole College, including the Bournemouth Campus, are open, calm, and operating as normal.

'We have taken additional steps to support our students, including heightened staff visibility. We will continue to monitor the situation and are considering any additional steps which may be required. Our staff will continue to work to reassure students, those on campus, and their families on an ongoing basis.

'We are providing support to all students and team who have been affected by yesterday's incident and will continue to ensure our College community feels fully supported and protected.'
A woman has been arrested after going on a chaotic crime spree where she hit five people in four separate hit-and-runs and stabbed two others, including a teenager, before going on the run in Maryland.

The terrifying incident took place Thursday over a 90 minute period leading a police chief to compare the fear felt in the area to the hunt for the DC sniper.

The horror began when a pedestrian was hit by a car in town of Capitol Heights, just ten miles from Washington DC, around 5pm. That woman suffered minor injuries.

Ten minutes later, police were called to a separate scene in Landover where a man and a 15-year-old were struck by a car.

Witnesses said the woman then got out of her car and stabbed the teen, leaving them with critical injuries. The man suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators quickly ascertained that the suspect was a woman driving a dark-colored sedan

At 5.30pm, another person was hit, once again with non-life threatening injuries. And then, just a few minutes later, another person was hit by the car.

An hour later, a stabbing a reported at a gas station in Lanham after the suspect hailed a taxi and attacked the driver shortly after getting in the car, police said.

The taxi driver's injuries were described as critical by authorities. Local media showed the car being towed away from the scene.

After that stabbing, police released a description of the suspect and the car.

Investigators quickly ascertained that the suspect was a woman driving a dark-colored sedan.

Late Thursday, Prince George County police announced that the woman was now in custody. They did not not release details about her condition nor the circumstances surrounding her arrest.

Deputy Chief James McCreary of the Prince George's County Police told media that he's been with the force since 2004 and hasn't seen panic like it since the carnage inflicted on the region by the Washington DC sniper.

'This is very concerning, very frightening, which is why we wanted to alert the public immediately,' he said, according WUSA9.

Police say the suspect hailed a taxi cab and then proceeded to stab the driver, the car is shown being town away

Deputy Chief James McCreary said that he's been with the force since 2004 and that he hasn't seen panic since the carnage inflicted on the region by the Washington DC sniper

One official described the search for the stabbing suspect as being reminiscent of the search for the DC snipers, John Muhammad, left. and Lee Boyd Malvo, right

'The closest thing I can think of in recent memory was the D.C. sniper when I was coming up. It's shocking,' he added.

Shortly after 11pm on Thursday evening, police confirmed that the person of interest had been located and was in custody. Details on their arrest are expected later today.

Lee Boyd Malvo was 17 when he and John Allen Muhammad shot and killed 10 people and wounded three others over a three-week span in October 2002.

Multiple other victims were shot and killed across the country in the prior months as the duo made their way to the nations capital region from Washington state.

Malvo was convicted of capital murder in Virginia and sentenced to life in prison without parole. But a series of Supreme Court rulings and a change in Virginia law gave Malvo the opportunity to seek parole after serving nearly 20 years in custody.

Malvos accomplice, John Allen Muhammad, was executed in Virginia in 2009.
The private hospital treating the King and Kate Middleton offers its own concierge, meat from Smithfields market and fish from Cornish boats, while counting Prince Philip, Liz Taylor and John F Kennedy as former patients.

The King is preparing to have treatment for an enlarged prostate after today checking in at the London Clinic, where he visited his daughter-in-law Princess Kate on her ward before his own operation.

The private clinic in Marylebone has been the go-to hospital for the royal family over many decades - while also providing care for big-name politicians and celebrities.

The Princess of Wales has been a patient since Wednesday last week after having abdominal surgery, while Charles is now undergoing a corrective procedure after being diagnosed with the benign prostate condition.

The King has been there before - as the then-Prince of Wales, he opened the London Clinic's physiotherapy department in 1989.

King Charles arrives at the London Clinic in Marylebone this morning for treatment

The service on offer to patients at the private hospital - including meals brought on silver trolleys - has been compared to that of a 5-star hotel

Meals provided include fish from Cornish boats and meat from Smithfield market

Further royal visits included Princess Margaret unveiling the MRI unit in 1991 and the late Queen launching a new cancer unit in 2010.

The clinic, opened by the then-Duke and Duchess of York in 1932, offers patients their own concierge service while the hospital's executive chef heads a kitchen serving serves fish from Cornish boats and meat from Smithfields Market.

Head chef Paul O'Brien, awarded in 2021 for supporting patients during the coronavirus pandemic, leads a team which provides customised meals for patients that also source ingredients from Home Counties farms.

A concierge can help patients arrange travel and accommodation while also booking tours, theatre shows and restaurants in the capital.

Kate is not expected to resume royal duties until after Easter - and one former London Clinic patient advised her to enjoy the peace, the privacy and the cake.

Dimple Mistry, who also had abdominal surgery and was at the London Clinic for five nights in 2021, told the Mail: 'Far from feeling like a hospital, it was like staying at a 5-star hotel.

'Kate will be well looked after, with food so good I would happily go back to the hospital for that alone.'

She described 'plentiful and fresh' hot food arriving on silver trolleys, bathrooms stocked with Molton Brown toiletries and staff who offered to help wash her hair.

She added: 'The blinds and room temperature was were controlled by a remote control and the ceiling was full of stars which I could switch on in a heartbeat.

'The care itself was also significantly better, with staff having the luxury of time to introduce themselves every time they entered the room.

Queen Camilla (centre) was also seen arriving at the London Clinic this morning

The London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales is being treated after undergoing abdominal surgery, first opened in 1932. Above: Police outside the hospital as Kate undergoes treatment

The Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, pictured here visiting Factory Works in Birmingham in October 23, has been a patient at the London Clinic since Wednesday last week

The London Clinic has previously treated Prince Philip. The late Duke of Edinburgh is pictured above leaving the private hospital in 2013

Queen Elizabeth II is pictured leaving the London Clinic after visiting her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on June 15, 2013

'The best part of all of this were the afternoons, when I could call down to the kitchen and order myself cake every day.

'I'd happily go back just to experience this type of service - and the exhaustive food selection - again.

'Overall the delightful menu paired with efficient nursing and attentive consultants made for a great week.'

Prince Philip was admitted to the clinic for what was described as 'abdominal investigations' in 2013, while previously Princess Margaret was treated there in 1980 to have a benign skin lesion removed.

In 1947, future President Kennedy - then a US Congressman - was diagnosed with Addison's disease at the clinic.

Hollywood actress Taylor had a knee operation there in January 1963 after falling on a film set while making the movie The V.I.P.s at Shepperton Studios in Surrey.

Other former patients include former Labour Prime Minister Clement Attlee, who was admitted in 1939 - when Leader of the Opposition - for surgery on his prostate.

Another former PM, Conservative Anthony Eden, had his gall bladder removed at the cinic in 1953 when he was Foreign Secretary - and current Foreign Secretary David Cameron, PM from 2010 until 2016, was born there in 1966.

Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor underwent a knee operation at The London Clinic in January 1963. Above: Taylor leaving the hospital with her leg bandaged

Princess Margaret was treated there in 1980 to have a benign skin lesion removed

Future Labour PM Clement Attlee - then the Leader of the Opposition - is seen recovering in bed at The London Clinic in 1939 after having surgery on his prostate

Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet was arrested there in 1998 for crimes against humanity.

The London Clinic was the 1930s brainchild of a group of Harley Street doctors who set out to plan a new nursing home using the highest medical standards of the day.

According to its website, the hospital was 'founded on the principles of providing excellence in one place'.

The facility said it could treat 155 conditions, with hundreds of treatments, tests and scans available.

It also operated as a charity, reinvesting in research, education and innovation.

The latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission, carried out in June 2021, rated The London Clinic as 'good' overall.

According to the health watchdog, the hospital has about 23,000 inpatients a year with a further 110,000 outpatients.

It is registered to provide surgery, diagnostics and screening, treatment of disease, disorder or injury, management of supply of blood and blood-derived products.

US President John F Kennedy, pictured here with the Queen during a state dinner at Buckingham Palace in 1961, was diagnosed with Addison's Disease at the London Clinic in 1947

Lord Cameron, former Prime Minister and now Foreign Secretary, was born at the London Clinic in October 1966

The clinic at 20 Devonshire Place has a leading cancer centre which hosts patients for chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other treatments.

It boasts of being able to provide 'CyberKnife' radiotherapy for prostate cancer patients, 'SpyGlass' technology for patients needing an endoscopy and CAR-T immunotherapy for cancer sufferers.

And in 2019, a specialist centre for robotic surgery was opened.

The building also has seven main operating theatres and three additional theatres, plus six specialty wards for surgeries in urology, gynaecology, thoracic surgery, orthopaedics and spinal procedures.
Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner has been shown being whisked away in a police car while being confronted by pro-Palestinian protesters.

In footage shared on social media, both Ms Rayner and Jonathan Reynolds, Labour's shadow business secretary, were filmed sitting in a police vehicle.

As the Labour frontbenchers sat in the car, a group shouted 'shame on you' and 'shame, shame' as they referred to the conflict in Gaza.

An officer is then seen driving the senior MPs away and past a crowd.

Other social media footage showed Ms Rayner, Mr Reynolds and a third Labour MP, shadow social care minister Andrew Gwynne, being confronted at a Stockport Labour event.

Police confirmed that seven people were escorted from the building due to 'disruptive behaviour'.

In social media footage, one man is shown walking up to where Angela Rayner is speaking with a microphone and shouts about a 'ceasefire'

Another protester raises the Palestinian flag as she shouts about 'genocide' before being approached by two police officers

A woman shouts out to Ms Rayner from the other side of the room, asking: 'What kind of feminist are you?'

Other footage shared on social media showed both Ms Rayner and Jonathan Reynolds, Labour's shadow business secretary, sitting in a police vehicle

As Ms Rayner and Mr Reynolds sat in the car, a group shouted 'shame on you' and 'shame, shame' as they referred to the conflict in Gaza

Angela Rayner and Jonathan Reynolds literally had to be escorted by the police in a police car when leaving pic.twitter.com/JobD8gZ9Xh  yasmin  (@ygceojennie) January 26, 2024

In the footage, as attendees are sat around tables at an apparent fundraising dinner, one man is shown walking up to where Ms Rayner is speaking with a microphone and shouts about a 'ceasefire'.

'I lost my family in Gaza,' he adds. A woman then shouts out from the other side of the room, asking: 'What kind of feminist are you?'

'15,000 women and children dead Angela Rayner, and you tout yourself as a modern-day feminist. I don't think so,' she adds.

'Women having to use scraps, tents for sanitary towels. Where's your voice Angela? Call yourself a feminist? I really don't think so.'

At the same time, the first protester is filmed being taken out the room by a police officer.

Another protester then joins in and films himself confronting Mr Reynolds up close, before Ms Rayner steps in front of him and he backs away.

A fourth campaigner later raises the Palestinian flag as she shouts about 'genocide' before being approached by two police officers.

'Get off me, you're hurting me,' she is heard to say, as she is led away.

On Wednesday, a Facebook group known as 'GM Friends of Palestine' had urged members to join a protest against 'Labour's complicity in the Gaza genocide'.

'Protest tomorrow in Cheadle, 6.45pm Thursday 25th Jan at Labour Fundraiser Dinner with Labour MPs all who have refused to call for a ceasefire after Israel has murdered at least 25000 Palestinians including at least 12000 children,' the group posted.

'MPs Angela Rayner, Jonathan Reynolds, Andrew Gwynn [sic], Navendu Mishra all in attendance.'

A Labour Party spokesperson declined to comment.

It is understood that it is routine for security, travel, and escort arrangements involving the police to be in place for events involving Ms Rayner.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: 'GMP is aware of footage circulating online showing GMP officers and event security staff escorting people from an event which took place at a venue on Cheadle Road in Stockport yesterday.

'Police were present in response to a pre-planned demonstration outside the venue. During the evening, it became apparent that a number of protestors were inside and in attendance at the event.

'Officers assisted venue management in escorting seven people from the premises due to disruptive behaviour and in order to prevent a breach of peace. No arrests were made in connection with this incident.'

Labour has been riven by division since the Hamas terror attacks on Israel on 7 October last year, and amid Israel's continued assault on Gaza.

In the weeks after the 7 October attacks, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer came under intense pressure to back a full and immediate ceasefire.

He suffered a huge Labour revolt in the House of Commons in November as 56 of his MPs defied him and backed calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The Labour leader also saw many local councillors quit the party across the country in protest at his stance on the Gaza crisis.

But Sir Keir held firm to his position that Israel has a right to self-defence, although he has since shifted slightly to call for a 'sustainable ceasefire' along with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Police are hunting a sex attacker who grabbed a woman and exposed him as she left a London Underground station.

Scotland Yard have released an e-fit image of the suspect after the incident on October 19 last year.

A woman was assaulted as she and her friend were walking home from Westbourne Tube station at around 11.30pm.

On the way, they noticed a man ahead of them who was performing a sex act on his own. After noticing the horrible scene, the man then began to follow them in the area of Notting Hill.

Police are on the hunt for a sex attacker who assaulted a woman and exposed himself to the victim around Notting Hill, west London. An e-fit image of the attacker (pictured) has been released

The women turned onto St Ervans Road with the man in hot pursuit. When they got onto the road the man attacked - grabbing one of them and pulling her to the ground.

He then ran off from the scene, leaving the two women shaken and terrified, police said.

Detective Constable Anne-Marie Wright, who is leading the investigation, said: 'Thankfully neither woman was seriously injured but the incident obviously left them extremely shaken.

'We are issuing this e-fit in the hope someone will recognise this man.

The man grabbed and pulled the woman to the ground shortly after she left Westbourne Park Tube station [Stock photo]

'If you can help please get in contact immediately.'

The Met Police has put out an appeal for anyone with information. They have asked them to call 101 or 'X' @MetCC and quote CAD8345/20 Oct 2023.

You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A Canadian company is being accused of 'death dealing' after it supplied the mask and hose used in the execution of convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith in Alabama on Thursday.

Officials said Smith, 58, was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m. at an Alabama prison after breathing pure nitrogen gas through a face mask to cause oxygen deprivation.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said the execution was justice for the murder-for-hire killing of 45-year-old Elizabeth Sennett in 1988. Her husband paid three men to carry out the deed after he had fallen into debt and was seeking to collect life insurance.

The mask and hose were made by Allegro Industries, a South Carolina-based company. The devices are normally used as a respirator. DailyMail.com has reached out to Allegro for comment on this story.

Allegro is a subsidiary of Quebec-based Walter Surface Technologies which is owned private equity firm Onex Corp, which is headquartered in Toronto, reports CBC. In addition to Allegro, the firm also owns the airline WestJet.

'We don't believe that anyone, any corporation, should be profiting off of death dealing,' Dana Floberg of Worth Rises and the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice told CBC.

'There's an argument to be made that this is also inhumane because it qualifies as doing experimental testing on a human being.'

Kenneth Eugene Smith was the first person in the world to have been executed by nitrogen gas

Smith's lethal injection was botched in November 2022 and he survived long enough for his death warrant to expire. Pictured: Alabama's lethal injection chamber at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala., is pictured in this Oct. 7, 2002 file photo

On its website, Allegro advertises itself as a safety equipment company that 'has proven itself'

On its website, Allegro advertises itself as a safety equipment company that 'has proven itself.'

'Since 1987, our growth in this market is a result of our commitment to the design and manufacturing of reliable, innovative, and high-quality products that meet the needs of the industry and make safety compliance easier,' founder Tom Johnson writes on the site.

In the last few years, prisons have found it difficult to purchase the necessary chemicals needed for lethal injections as most pharmaceutical companies have banned the sale for that purpose.

In addition to Alabama, Oklahoma and Mississippi have also okay'd the use of nitrogen gas to executions.

The state had previously attempted to execute Smith in 2022, but the lethal injection was called off at the last minute because authorities couldn't connect an IV line.

The state had predicted the nitrogen gas would cause unconsciousness within seconds and death within minutes.

Kenneth Eugene Smith was sentenced to death in 1996 after admitting the murder-for-hire killing of Elizabeth Sennett (pictured)

State Attorney General Steve Marshall said late Thursday that nitrogen gas 'was intended to be  and has now proved to be  an effective and humane method of execution'

State Attorney General Steve Marshall said late Thursday that nitrogen gas 'was intended to be  and has now proved to be  an effective and humane method of execution.'

Asked about Smith's shaking and convulsing on the gurney, Alabama corrections Commissioner John Q. Hamm said they appeared to be involuntary movements.

'That was all expected and was in the side effects that we've seen or researched on nitrogen hypoxia,' Hamm said. 'Nothing was out of the ordinary from what we were expecting.'

Smith's spiritual adviser, the Rev. Jeff Hood, said the execution did not match the state attorney general's prediction in court filings that Smith would lose consciousness in seconds followed by death within minutes.

'We didn't see somebody go unconscious in 30 seconds. What we saw was minutes of someone struggling for their life,' said Hood, who attended the execution.

Some doctors and organizations had expressed alarm about the method, and Smith's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to halt the execution to review claims that it violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment and deserved more legal scrutiny before it was used on a person.

'There is little research regarding death by nitrogen hypoxia. When the State is considering using a novel form of execution that has never been attempted anywhere, the public has an interest in ensuring the State has researched the method adequately and established procedures to minimize the pain and suffering of the condemned person,' Smith's attorneys wrote.
Schools in the UK have withdrawn from education run by the Anne Frank Trust due to 'community tensions' following the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The charity has said three schools have postponed their education programmes since Hamas launched terror attacks on Israel on October 7.

The trust teaches 9 to 15-year-olds about Anne Frank, the Holocaust, prejudice and antisemitism.

It comes as the world prepares to remember the six million Jews that were killed by the Nazis on Holocaust Remembrance Day this Saturday, January 27.

The Anne Frank Trust reached 119,000 young people in over 800 schools across Britain in 2023.

Anne Frank and her family hid for two years in a secret annexe to the canalside house after the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II, but were captured in a raid in 1944

The Anne Frank Trust has said three schools have postponed their education programmes since Hamas launched terror attacks at Israel on October 7

It was announced today that Her Majesty The Queen (formerly HRH The Duchess of Cornwall), has become the first Royal Patron of the Anne Frank Trust UK. Picture shows The Queen with an inscribed copy of Anne Frank's Diary during a reception to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in 2022

Chief executive Tim Robertson said despite the three schools pulling out since the war started, their overall participant numbers have increased since this period last year.

He said the charity had not found it necessary to make any major changes to its curriculum as a result of October 7, but he told the Jewish Chronicle 'we've provided extra training and support for our staff'.

He also said in the wake of the attacks it was putting more 'emphasis on some key elements of Anne Frank's story' such as her sister Margot who longed to move to what was then British Palestine, and the fact that Anne's best friend Hannah Goslar rebuilt her life in Israel after surviving Bergen Belsen.

The charity also announced today that Her Majesty The Queen (formerly HRH The Duchess of Cornwall), has become the first Royal Patron of the Anne Frank Trust UK.

Anne Frank and her family hid for two years in a secret annexe to the canalside house after the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II, but were captured in a raid in 1944.

Anne and her sister died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945, but her diary, found by her father Otto, became one of the most haunting accounts of the Holocaust, selling some 30 million copies.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: 'The brutal attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7 marked the deadliest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust. Since then, we have seen an astonishing 1,350 per cent rise in antisemitism.

'Surely the answer to the rampant antisemitism that we are seeing is to teach more about the perils of Jew-hate, not less.

'This should not be controversial, and if there are safety concerns, the response must be to confront those, not to avoid the subject for fear of offending those who don't want children to learn why it's wrong to hate Jews.'

According to the Anne Frank Trust, 73 per cent of young people make 'significant' progress in their knowledge about prejudice following its workshops.

The revelation of schools withdrawing from the charity comes after data published by the Metropolitan Police yesterday showed more than 13 times the number of antisemitic hate crimes were recorded following Hamas's October attack on Israel.

Auschwitz concentration camp was the site where one million Jewish people were slaughtered at the hands of the Nazis

A total of 679 antisemitic offences were recorded by the Met Police from October 7 to November 7 2023, compared with 50 in the equivalent period the previous year and 81 in 2021

Jews were called 'evil' on graffiti sprayed on skate ramps used by children in a park in Notting Hill, west London, in December

Photos taken on in December showed a bus stop in Stamford Hill covered in graffiti showing a Star of David with a cross spray-painted over the top

A total of 679 antisemitic offences were recorded by the force from October 7 to November 7 2023, compared with 50 in the equivalent period the previous year and 81 in 2021.

The data shows a similar picture to that recorded by many of the UK's other large police forces.

Some of the shocking attacks in recent months include antisemitic graffiti calling Jews 'evil' which was sprayed over skate ramps at a park in Notting Hill, London, in December.

A male was also caught on CCTV throwing the hats off of Jewish men close to a synagogue in Hackney in the same month.

Police force recorded Hate Crime data in the month following October 7 each year Greater Manchester Police Antisemitism in 2023: 74

Antisemitism in 2022: 15

Antisemitism in 2021: 14 West Yorkshire Police Antisemitism in 2023: 53

Antisemitism in 2022: 10

Antisemitism in 2021: 14 West Midlands Police Antisemitism in 2023: 22

Antisemitism in 2022: 1

Antisemitism in 2021: 8 Merseyside Police Antisemitism in 2023: 20

Antisemitism in 2022: 4

Antisemitism in 2021: 4 The British Transport Police Antisemitism in 2023: 87

Antisemitism in 2022: 8

Antisemitism in 2021: 11 Data obtained from smaller forces, or those covering areas with few towns or cities, typically showed low numbers of offences, often in single figures, meaning a clear trend was hard to determine. Source: Press Association data obtained via Freedom of Information laws Advertisement

The withdrawal of schools from Holocaust education comes after polling conducted by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) shows worrying levels of anti-Jewish prejudice among the British public.

The organisation commissioned King's College London to survey British adults' attitudes towards Jews, using YouGov.

It found one-third of the British public aged over 64 believes that Israel treats the Palestinians like the Nazis treated the Jews. Among 18 to 24-year-olds, it is over a third.

More than one in ten 18 to 24-year-olds believe that Jewish people talk about the Holocaust just to further their political agenda.

Almost one-fifth of the British public believes that Israel can get away with anything because its supporters control the media. Among 18 to 24-year-olds, it is more than a quarter.

Compared to the general population (one in twenty), double the proportion of 18 to 24-year-olds (almost one in ten) do not believe that Jewish people are just as loyal to Britain as other British people.

Compared to the general population, more than double the proportion of 18 to 24-year-olds are not as open to having Jewish friends as they are to having friends from other sections of British society.

While almost one-fifth of the British public believes that Israel and its supporters are a bad influence on our democracy, that rises to over one-quarter of 18 to 24-year-olds.

Seven per cent of Britons do not believe that Israel is right to defend itself against those who want to destroy it. That figure doubles to 14 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds.

More than one in ten young Britons do not believe that Israel has a right to exist as a homeland for the Jewish people.

It comes after Elon Musk visited Auschwitz this week with his son following a backlash for endorsing an anti-Semitic post on X.
Ioan Gruffudd paid his ex-wife Alice Evans more than 278,000 in support payments following their acrimonious split despite her claiming that she had been left broke and 'completely out of money for food and bills.'

Court documents obtained by MailOnline filed as part of a series of hearings to settle the couple's finances show that Ioan paid the staggering amount between 2021 to 2023.

But at a court hearing earlier this year in Los Angeles, a judge ruled that for that same three-year period the actor only has to pay a combined 67,510 ($85,840) in backdated support payments.

The judge ruled that Alice is entitled to 10% of his average earnings for that three year-period when he made a combined 675,454 ($858,405).

Based on those figures court documents show that Ioan overpaid her by an eye-watering 211,191 ($268,530) but it has not been established if she will have to return any of it.

Newly engaged Ioan Gruffudd and Bianca Wallace take a loved up stroll with their dog after announcing they will get married

Gruffudd paid his ex-wife Alice Evans, pictured with her eldest daughter Ella, more than 278,000 in support payments following their split

Alice and Ioan, 48, were married for 14 years before their messy split in which he also accused her of domestic abuse

Since announcing the end of her marriage on social media in March 2021, the actress has posted about her financial woes as their bitter divorce battle rumbled on.

Alice was married to Ioan for 14 years before their messy split in which he also accused her of domestic abuse.

They were officially divorced in July 2023 but have been locked in a series of legal hearings over finances and custody matters relating to their two children.

Ioan, 50, has announced that he has got engaged to his girlfriend Bianca Wallace, an Australian actress who was an extra on TV drama Harrow  which he starred in. The pair now live together in Los Angeles.

After splitting from him, Alice, 55 claimed she would receive no financial support from Ioan and that she was struggling to pay her legal fees and would be unable to 'feed or clothe' their daughters Ella, 14, and Elsie, 10, with her dwindling funds.

In June 2022 she wrote as she posted a picture of Elsie: 'Trying to hold it all together whilst being threatened, completely out of money for food and bills and just found out somebody tried to break down our outside door last night!

'But it's all worth it for this! (And the one who currently doesn't want to be photographed.)

'Whatevs. Most of all, I will be the best mother I can possibly be. Forever. They will never lose me. Thank you everybody for so much love and support! Having a bit of a rough moment!'

Ioan has got engaged to his girlfriend Bianca Wallace, an Australian actress who was an extra on TV drama Harrow, which she announced on her Instagram

News of the engagement comes three years after Ioan's ex Alice Evans first announced that the actor had left her after 20 years of marriage in a bitter divorce

But court documents show that for that particular year, Ioan paid his ex 115,655 ($147,056) even though he was struggling financially himself earning only 40,191 ($51,103).

Last December, she claimed that she was in 'financial crisis' and was also considering taking a job in Starbucks.

A friend said: 'Alice has been extremely upset and says that she can't afford to make the rent when it is due later this month  at least not if they want to eat - and has just hit a financial rock bottom. She says she has nothing  not even medical insurance.'

With further court hearings in the pipeline to finalise issues such as financial support for Alice and the two children she shares with Ioan, a number of interim orders have also been made by the court.

One states that he must pay his ex 5,505 ($7,000) per month starting on 1 December 2023 until April 2024 until the final figure is established at a future hearing.

Ioan has also been ordered to temporarily pay maintenance of 2,359 ($3,000) to the couple's two children until April 2024, pending a future hearing to establish a final amount.

Last year, Alice revealed that the former $2 million three-bedroom family home she shared with Ioan was being sold and that she had moved into rented accommodation with the girls.

Bianca's engagement news came just weeks after she hit back at speculation that she was pregnant, after catching the eye with a white illusion dress

Ioan went public with his relationship with Bianca in October 2021, and her and Alice were declared legally divorced in July 2023

Court documents show that much of the money for the maintenance and support he has been ordered to pay is from his share following its sale and that Alice has also been given her share.

When announcing their engagement on social media, Ioan and his girlfriend Bianca, 31, posted a picture of her glitzy new ring.

Following the news, Alice shared a gallery of pictures of her sweet pooch Emma and praised her pet for being so well-behaved at the dog groomers.

In the comments section, a fan asked her how she and 'the girls' were doing, with Alice replying: 'We're good thank you! How are you doing Annette?'

Another fan commented: 'Emma is a sweetheart and she has been the best friend and family that you and the girls have needed over the last few years.'

To which Alice said: 'She really has. It's amazing seeing what it has done for the girls - how having Emma has injected positivity and love and security into their lives. I'm so glad we got her!'

In her original post, Alice said of her beloved dog in the caption: 'Ok so this was not meant to be Emma's account, but I can't help myself. Yesterday she got groomed!
This is the shocking moment a boat full of undocumented migrants landed on a beach in San Diego before running into the wealthy La Jolla neighborhood.

More than 20 migrants were filmed storming the beach on Wednesday morning and disappearing into the southern California enclave, where homes go for a median price of $2.2million.

The exclusive footage was shot by NewsNation's National Correspondent Jorge Ventura. It shows the migrants arriving on the shore on some sort of boat, before they take off running into the neighborhood in San Diego, the largest city on the Mexican border.

More than 42,000 asylum seekers were released in San Diego from October through December, 2023 - an average of 637 a day, as reported by The San Diego Union-Tribute. That number does not include migrants who cross illegally, like those seen landing on the La Jolla beach.

The county has already spent $3million caring for the asylum seekers, and has allocated another $3million.

This is the shocking moment a boat full of undocumented migrants landed on a beach in San Diego before running into the wealthy La Jolla neighborhood

More than 20 migrants were filmed storming the beach on Wednesday morning and disappearing into the southern California enclave

Migrants are often dropped off without knowing where they are. Many end up sleeping on the streets until they can find shelter.

Aid groups blame a mix of circumstances for the shelter crunch: reduced government funding; CBPs practice of sending migrants from Texas and Arizona to be processed in San Diego; and a surge in illegal crossings.

Before they are released in San Diego, some migrants being dropped off have been waiting between a double-layer border wall or camping under Border Patrol watch in remote mountains east of the city.

Last year, over 300 migrants were temporarily moved into the San Diego airport as shelters ran out of room.

Similar to other US border cities, about 95 percent of migrants in San Diego quickly move to other parts of the country. But the constant churn of exhausted, disoriented migrants from more than 100 countries has created other strains that the San Diego County government calls 'an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.'

A US Border Patrol officer watches as migrants from China and Africa get off a bus on arrival at a San Diego train

Migrants are often dropped off without knowing where they are. Many end up sleeping on the streets until they can find shelter

Similar migrant releases have taken place in Tucson, Arizona, with agents coming across 2,000 people a day and dealing with packed shelters.

Migrants continued to enter the US illegally in near-record numbers last year, in a trend that will weigh on President Joe Biden as he defends his record against his likely 2024 election challenger, Donald Trump.

The US Border Patrol recorded 2,063,692 encounters with undocumented immigrants in the 2023 fiscal year, down just slightly from the record high reached in 2022.

Meanwhile Texas has installed rows of razor wire and says more is being added after the Supreme Court cleared the way for Border Patrol agents to cut or remove the sharp metal barrier. The fencing has become one of Republican Governor Greg Abbotts most visible measures to deter migrants in the border city of Eagle Pass.

Sanctuary cities like New York and Chicago have been overwhelmed as they try to feed and shelter asylum seekers, with the Democratic mayors repeatedly asking the White House for help - to no avail.
Rail maintenance workers will strike from tomorrow in a pay dispute, as passengers in England prepare for mass disruption due to further industrial action next week.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union employed by Hitachi Rail across the East Coast mainline will walk out for five days from tomorrow.

More than 400 workers will take part in the action on Hitachi Rail, which maintains the rolling stock and signalling for London North Eastern Railway (LNER). The RMT claimed Hitachi Rail had refused to make employees an 'acceptable' pay offer.

LNER told MailOnline this afternoon that 'contingency plans' had been enacted and its team were now 'reviewing the potential impact this may have on our services'.

Hitachi manufacture LNER's Azuma trains, and also maintain and store them in depots at Bounds Green in London, Craigentinny in Edinburgh and Doncaster.

It comes as passengers using LNER and other operators brace for a separate series of strikes and an overtime ban from train drivers' union Aslef starting next Monday.

However, a further five-day strike on LNER by Aslef was called off earlier this week.

Hitachi Rail manufactures and maintains London North Eastern Railway (LNER) Azuma trains

On the Hitachi strike, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: 'We have made every effort as we always do to try and find a negotiated settlement to this pay dispute.

Full list of Aslef rail strike dates in January and February 2024 Monday, January 29: Overtime ban begins

Tuesday, January 30: Strikes on South Western Railway, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express, Great Northern and Thameslink

Wednesday, January 31: Strikes on Northern and TransPennine Express

Thursday, February 1: No strikes, but overtime ban continues

Friday, February 2: Strikes on Greater Anglia, C2C and LNER

Saturday, February 3: Strikes on West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast and East Midlands Railway.

Sunday, February 4: No strike but overtime ban continues

Monday, February 5: Strikes on Great Western, CrossCountry and Chiltern

Tuesday, February 6: No strikes, but final day of overtime ban Advertisement

'However despite enormous profits and eye-watering sums of money paid to shareholders, the company is unwilling to make a proposal that is satisfactory to the people whose work makes the company a success.

'Our members are showing tremendous strength and resolve by taking this action, and we are fully prepared for a sustained industrial campaign if we cannot make progress on a new pay offer.'

A LNER spokeswoman told MailOnline: 'We are aware of planned industrial action at one of our train service providers. Contingency plans have been enacted by the supplier and we continue to work with them. We are reviewing the potential impact this may have on our services and will do everything we can to operate as many services as possible. '

And a Hitachi Rail spokesman told MailOnline: 'We are disappointed at RMT's decision to carry out industrial action.

'We believe the combination of last year's pay increase, and this year's pay proposal, is fair and highly competitive in the current economic environment. As demonstrated by Unite members accepting the same offer this week and ending their planned industrial action.

'We will continue to work with the RMT to find a solution. In the meantime, we have enacted contingency plans to mitigate the impact of industrial action.'

Next week, Britain's rail network will be crippled by strikes once again after train drivers announced on January 15 that they would stage a series of fresh strikes and an overtime ban.

Aslef said the wave of industrial action would impact 17 different rail operators across nine days between Monday, January 29 and Tuesday, February 6.

Empty platforms at Kings Cross station in London during an Aslef strike in October last year

LNER (London North Eastern Railway) operates trains between London and Scotland via York

Their strikes will cripple train services across England with rail firms including LNER, Avanti West Coast, Great Western and CrossCountry all set to be affected.

Others operators set to be hit include those on London commuter routes such as South Western Railway, Southeastern, Southern, Great Northern and Thameslink.

Aslef said it wants to put pressure on 'intransigent' rail companies as well as the 'tone-deaf Tory government' to give train drivers their first pay rise in almost five years.

But the action could also be the first test of new regulations aimed at ensuring a minimum level of service during strikes, set at 40 per cent in the transport sector.

Number 10 has criticised the strike plans, while the Rail Delivery Group said its offer would take drivers' salaries to nearly 65,000 for a four-day week without overtime.

Passengers look at the boards at London King's Cross during an Aslef strike last October

Meanwhile UKHospitality said the action had 'dismayed' businesses and will cost the industry almost 350million, on top of the 4billion in lost sales from rail strikes.

READ MORE Commuters' rage at Sadiq Khan as TfL warns severe disruption on the Central line could continue for MONTHS while repairs are carried out on its fleet of ageing trains Advertisement

The nine days of action will begin with the overtime ban commencing on Monday, January 29.

The following day, Tuesday, January 30, will see strikes on South Western Railway, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express, Great Northern and Thameslink.

Then Wednesday, January 31, will bring strikes on Northern and TransPennine Express.

There will be no strikes on Thursday, February 1, although the overtime ban will continue.

Friday, February 2, will then bring strikes on Greater Anglia, c2c and LNER.

And then there will be strikes on Saturday, February 3, on West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast and East Midlands Railway.

The overtime ban will continue without strikes on Sunday, February 4.

And the last strikes will be on Monday, February 5, on Great Western, CrossCountry and Chiltern.

Tuesday, February 6, will then be the final day of the overtime ban.

An almost empty concourse at London Euston during an Aslef strike on October 4 last year

East Midlands Railway trains sit at a depot in Derby during strike by Aslef on December 2, 2023

ScotRail, Transport for Wales, Transport for London are all not involved in the action, and neither are 'open-access' operators including Grand Central, Hull Trains and Lumo.

Earlier this month a planned walkout on the London Underground by the RMT union was called off just minutes before it was due to begin.

However, Mayor Sadiq Khan was accused of opening the door to more Tube strikes after he found 30million to stop the walkouts.
READ MORE Dean Phillips overperforms in New Hampshire getting 21 percent against Biden

Democratic presidential candidate Dean Phillips slammed Joe Biden, saying he is displaying 'physical and communication decline' after the president stumbled through a speech at a brewery and put on a hard hat backwards.

Congressman Phillips, a longshot candidate against the 81-year-old incumbent, says the issues are 'self-evident' as concerns about Biden's age loom over his re-election bid.

The Minnesota lawmaker's comments came hours after Biden's remarks at a Wisconsin brewery where he mixed up his words and called former president Donald Trump 'professor' rather than 'predecessor', before correcting himself.

At one point he seemed to speak nonsensically.

He appeared to say: 'The beer brewed here. It is used to make the brewed beer. During is define, oh, Earth Rider. Thanks for the Great Lakes. I wonder why.'

From the Twitter Account of Senator Amy Klobuchar - President Joe Biden speaks about his Investing in America and Bipartisan Infrastructure plans at Earth Rider Brewery in Superior, Wisconsin, on January 25, 2024

Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Dean Phillips believes President Joe Biden has shown 'physical and communication decline' after stumbling through another speech

Those were his words according to a speech transcriber, although some of the remarks were unintelligible.

Separately, a photograph published on the Twitter account of Democratic Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar showed the president at a bar with union workers.

He had donned a hard hat - but was wearing it backwards.

Klobuchar was in the photograph having a beer with yellow-vested workers. Biden is teetotal.

'Im not seeing cognitive decline. Of course, were seeing physical and communication decline,' Phillips later told Fox News on Thursday night.

'I think thats self-evident by any video,' he added. But he didn't think it was 'fair' to suggest Biden was in cognitive decline.

'He's a human being. But hes an 81-year-old man. Hes a human being. Donald Trumps 77,' the congressman said.

Phillips insists that he still has 'respect' for Biden, but has the same concerns of many Americans and Democratic allies.

Throughout his campaign for president, Phillips has made clear the country doesn't want either Trump or Biden on the ticket.

Phillips, a longshot candidate against the 81-year-old, says the issues are 'self-evident by any video' as concerns about his age dominate fears about his re-election bid

Your browser does not support iframes.

A poll released Thursday morning shows 65 percent of Americans don't want the rematch and one in four voters are still unsure if they would vote for either.

The brewery speech saw the latest in a long line of gaffes by Biden.

Last week, he got 'mixed up' when he claimed he took a photo with Democratic Rep. Deborah Ross, even though she wasn't at the event.

'Wheres Deborah', Biden asked during the speech in North Carolina. 'I just had my picture taken with her, thats probably why she left,' he laughed.

'Oh, she couldnt be here actually. Thats not true, I got mixed up  Shes up in Washington right now,' he added when he realized his mistake.

The mix-up evoked memories from 2022, when Biden asked 'where's Jackie' in search for late Rep. Jackie Walorski, a month after she died.

Trump has also been attacked by rivals for recent missteps, including when he mixed up Nikki Haley and Nancy Pelosi while campaigning in New Hampshire last week.

The Minnesota lawmaker's comments came hours after Biden's remarks where he mixed up his words and called former president Donald Trump a 'professor' rather than predecessor, before correcting himself

Phillips came second behind Biden in the New Hampshire primary last week.

Biden stormed to victory, even though he wasn't on the ballot, on the back of a write-in campaign.

Phillips ended the night with 21 percent of the vote, and vowed to stay in the race as he addressed a cheering crowd gathered at Manchester's Millyard Museum.

'Joe Biden is a good man. He is a fine man. Yes, he is everybody,' Phillips said, when one supporter yelled that wasn't the case.

'He's our president. But I've gotta tell you, everyone, he cannot win. The polls are saying he cannot win, his approval numbers are saying he can't win.'

Phillips added: 'An unknown congressman from Minnesota, I was just able to capture 21 percent.

'So I'm here, to say are you ready to keep this baby going?'
A man cheerily handing out complimentary Australian flags outside of a Woolworths store on Australia Day has been praised as an 'absolute legend'.

The man was photographed outside a store in Officer, 48km southeast of Melbourne, wearing a big smile and a bucket hat adorned with an Aussie flag motif while he handed out small flags to shoppers.

It's a cheeky response to the controversy embroiling the major supermarket chain since it announced it would not be selling Australia Day merchandise.

The man, who in the comments was identified only as 'John', used a Woolworths shopping trolley to place his stash of flags in.

The man, identified only as 'John', who was pictured handing out Australian flags outside a Woolworths of Australia Day has been hailed a 'legend' and a 'dinky di Aussie'

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Leaked messages show Woolies' staff in revolt Advertisement

His image along with a caption 'Happy Australia Day' was posted on the 'COMMUNITYpete' Facebook page, which has over 200,000 followers.

'How's this bloke. Handing out Australian flags outside of Woolworths at Officer Victoria,' the page administrator wrote, saying the photo was sent in a by member.

'Personally I love it.'

By Friday night the post had attracted over 6,000 reactions with many agreeing John was a 'legend'.

'I love it, we need to stand tall and proud of Australia we have been through a lot and we should learn from the past and grow, happy Australia,' one person said.

'A true blue dinky-di... Makes me proud to be an Aussie,' another read.

Some said Woolworths needed to take note of the stunt while others reported similar demonstrations in other stores.

'Maybe this is the start, let's turn this around and silence the minority happy AUSTRALIA DAY and that's exactly what it is,' one said.

'At my Woolworths in Ballarat yesterday they had a chair set up in each walkway in, with a bucket with free little flags in it,' one person wrote.

'Not sure who was responsible as nobody was there, but I grabbed 3 of them, so thanks legends and well done to this guy awesome, happy Australia Day.'

There were a few naysayers, however.

'Nothing says Australia quite like cheap plastic that will end up in landfill,' one said.

'Unfollowing this page today,' a second wrote.

'This is not a day that brings people together. There's a deep grief and hurt for so many people on this day,' a third commented.

South African-born Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci has been under pressure since the supermarket giant decided not to stock Australia Day merchandise this year

Daily Mail Australia revealed that Woolworths staff had expressed their anger over the decision not to stock Australia Day products in a private discussion board managed by the store.

Several took aim at the store deciding not to acknowlege Australia Day while still promoting other culturally significant events like the Chinese New Year and Diwali.

'They're bringing in year of the dragon 2024 Lunar New Year gear, loads of it, but no Aussie stuff, disgusting, go figure, go woke, go broke,' one staff member said.

'Unbelievable that Australia Day was cancelled but we will celebrate Halloween and Chinese new year just to name a couple,' another said.

'Can you imagine a Chinese supermarket chain cancelling Chinese New Year but celebrating Australia Day? Australian CEOs need to stop playing politics/activism and get on with running the business.

'People do not like to be told what to think by corporate Australia and politicians.'

'I don't get it. We as a company support all other diversity ways in our lives. Why all of a sudden they choose not to support the community that celebrates Australia Day,' said one female staff member.

On Thursday there were calls for South African-born Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci to resign after a memo was leaked that justified the decision not to stock Australia Day gear or mark the day in any special way.

Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci apologised to staff for the backlash over Australia Day

In a memo to staff obtained by Daily Mail Australia, Mr Banducci told employees he was 'deeply sorry' they had to endure the backlash.

'I want to personally apologise to all of you for the way our merchandising decision has been received - and how this has resulted in hurtful and inappropriate reactions directed at you, our team members,' Mr Banducci wrote.

Mr Banducci explained that unlike Australia Day, Woolworths puts up banners for other holidays, such as Chinese Lunar New Year and Diwali, because they're 'centred around connection over food'.

However, his apology failed to resonate with many Australians, with some arguing the CEO had inadvertently jeopardised his staff's safety because of the supermarket taking a stance on Australia Day.

While January 26 is celebrated for the arrival of European settlers on the continent, for many Indigenous Australians it marks the day that begun the process of dispossessing Indigenous Australians.
The last of 400 asylum seekers have been evicted from a London hotel in white vans as part of the Government's drive to reduce accommodation spending as locals protect 'really horrible' move.

The Home Office had been housing people inside the hotel in Walthamstow since 2022, while they waited for their asylum claims to be processed.

The hundreds of residents staying there were sent a letter on Thursday last week stating their rooms would no longer be available.

Despite it saying they would be moved today - the majority were moved out last night.

Some of the asylum seekers are being moved as far as the town of Bridgwater in Somerset, almost 200 miles away from the east London area, the Waltham Forest Echo reported.

Today, the last family were forced to pack their lives up into two suitcases, with workers heard shouting 'two bags only' through the back gate, before they were taken away in white vans.

Local people were horrified by the display, saying these people were being robbed of their homes and their dignity.

An asylum seeker leaves the hotel in Walthamstow this morning

Asylum seekers load up a white van outside the hotel they are being moved out of

A white van drives off with asylum seekers from the hotel in London

A group of locals gather outside the hotel in east London as they show their support for the refugees

The asylum seekers are set to be housed elsewhere in the UK

Marina Patterson, 35, who lives in the area and is a zero waste supplier, was distraught to hear what was happening today.

She came down with her dog Charlie, hoping to be able to do something to help.

She said: 'It is really horrible. These people have lived here for two years and their kids go to the schools.

'There are families of four squished into one hotel room. They can't even cook their own meals.

'Food is provided but they deserve to have autonomy and the chance to choose what they eat. That shouldn't be a luxury.'

Marina came down to show the people being moved out that they are not alone.

She added: 'I wish there was something I could do.

'It is important for people to know that they are not disappearing without anyone knowing or caring.'

Peter O'Kane, who also lives in the area and spent lots of time researching the situation, came down to help inform others of what was happening with a folder full of research.

He said: 'The kids are very upset. They have been through so much trauma already and they were just starting to settle down. Now they are scared they will be moved from their schools and preschools.

The last family left the hotel from a side entrance this morning in a white transit van

Asylum seekers carry their belongings as they are moved from a UK Home Office contracted London hotel

The asylum seekers pack their belongings into a car

As they prepared to leave, staff were heard telling the asylum seekers they could only take two bags with them

The asylum seekers had stayed in the hotel for two years

'The families will be the most anxious about all this. They haven't even been told where they are going.

'The Home Office has gone back on their word.'

Yesterday, protesters - which included refugees living in the hotel and locals - gathered outside the Ibis.

They were seen holding placards calling for the evictions to be stopped outside the hotel.

In the letter sent to asylum seekers, government contractors Clearsprings Ready Homes said it would find 'suitable alternative accommodation' within the Home Office's 'initial accommodation estate', which the department says is usually housing 'in a hostel-type environment or hotel'.

One woman, who arrived at the hotel in July 2022, said yesterday she cried when she found out about her new accommodation.

She said: 'It's too far away. I'm really disappointed and upset.'

Another resident from Iran, who has been living there since 2023, told the BBC yesterday she was made aware she would be moved out last week.

She said: 'I was really stressed and anxious, I was thinking about my daughter and I wanted to send her to nursery. It was too much, I couldn't sleep.

A migrant dinghy is escorted on the English Channel by French Warship A603 on January 17

Migrants are brought ashore after being picked up in the English Channel by a Border Force vessel on January 17

'I told them that I wasn't going and I would refuse it.'

The Government previously announced that contracts for 50 hotels being used for housing asylum seekers would be 'exited' by the end of January.

In a statement to MPs, Robert Jenrick - then Immigration Minister - said it was important the hotels went back to being 'assets for the local community'.

He said that officials had already cut the number of hotels required by 72, thanks to making arrivals share rooms.

The Government is trying to turn around public opinion in key election battlegrounds and it is hoped the move will save hundreds of millions of pounds a year. It hopes to end a further 50 contracts before April.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'We are making significant progress with moving asylum seekers out of hotels, which cost taxpayers 8.2million a day.

'Accommodation is allocated on a no-choice basis and individuals may be moved to other locations in line with the Allocation of Accommodation guidance.

'We work closely with accommodation providers and local authorities to manage the exit process in a way which limits the impact on partners and individuals alike.'
The court heard the 'brutal' abuse included making one of them 'bark like a dog'

Twisted gangsters who kidnapped two men before subjecting them to sadistic torture have been jailed.

Kasam Zaman, 37, Steven Storey, 41, and Kurtis Hayes, 33, held the pair hostage for four days in a bid to extort money from them in a row over drugs before cruelly beating them.

Birmingham Crown Court heard the 'brutal' abuse included getting the two men to attack and sexually abuse each other and to humiliate them - with one victim made to 'bark like a dog'.

The other victim was made to sing and dance along to a rap song played on a mobile phone - and assaulted if he made an error.

The two 'terrified' men thought they were going to die but they managed to escape and ran straight to a police station.

The trio were found guilty of two charges of false imprisonment. Zaman and Storey were also convicted of causing a person to engage in sexual activity and ten charges of assault while Hayes was convicted of six assault charges.

Zaman was jailed for life and must serve a minimum term of 12 years. Storey was sentenced to 15 years and Hayes was jailed for 10 years.

Kurtis Hayes was found guilty of two counts of false imprisonment and six counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm

The court was told cannabis dealer Zaman targeted the first individual claiming he had lost or stolen his drugs and needed to repay him.

He then imprisoned his friend as well before attempts were made to extort money from them both while they were subjected to 'the most malevolent acts of torture.'

Sentencing, Judge Simon Drew KC said: 'Both men became the subject of false imprisonment. Efforts to extort money increased. The threats, assaults and intimidation increased like wise.'

He said that both men were initially made to do chores around the house and that their phones and bank cards were taken.

On one occasion Zaman went into the room where they were being held at around 4am and poured cold water over them which felt like 'water boarding.'

Steven Storey was found guilty of two counts of false imprisonment, causing a person to engage in sexual activity and four offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm

He added: 'The two men were informed that the money had gone up from 2,000 to 6,000.

'They were terrified and believed by this stage that they going to die. Various objects were thrown at them including a can of beans.'

Judge Drew said that a threat was also made to cut off their toes. He added: 'I have read the victim personal statements. it is perfectly clear that the impact on both men has been very severe indeed.

'Both suffer from serious mental health issues. You deliberately targeted two vulnerable victims.

'You repeatedly inflicted violence including with weapons. You caused injuries to both victims, on occasions using sadistic and physically aggressive behaviour, both of a sexual and physical kind.

'You degraded and humiliated both your victims, making them perform sexually, one on the other.'

The court heard Zaman had given his drugs to one of the victims to look after after he had his door broken a week or so earlier.

Andrew Wallace, prosecuting, said: 'Zaman accused him of stealing or losing these drugs.

Kasam Zaman was found guilty of two counts of false imprisonment, causing a person to engage in sexual activity and 11 offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm

'That was the catalyst of all sorts of humiliation, a gratuitous revenge beating.

'He then phoned Storey, his right hand man, to come over and the beatings started.

'It involved punches and kicks to the face and body. They were brutal. It involved the humiliation, torture and degradation of two individuals.

'They also decided to take it out on his friend. So both of them were punished and humiliated in a number of different ways.

'And had things stolen from them and they were held hostage. They were trying to extort money from these two people. Two days into the torture Hayes got involved.'

Mr Wallace added: 'They were held against their will and subjected to some of the most appalling intimacies.

'When Hayes became involved they started to bounce ideas around and the beatings became more sexualised and vicious.

'Zaman was helped by these other two in sadistic and perverted ways of punishment.

'They were subjected to the most malevolent acts of torture. This was over a protracted period of time. They made the victims attack each other.'

On one occasion, one of the men was given a can of beans and told to throw it at the other man.

The men were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday in a hearing

When he missed, Zaman picked up the can and threw it with force at his head causing an injury.

Mr Wallace said the men were also threatened with knives and a screwdriver.

He added: 'Each of the defendants took part in the violence encouraging each other.'

They were also deprived of sleep and that a video was also taken of one of the men sexually abusing the other, with the footage then sent to that man's daughter.

Mr Wallace added: 'The ultimate humiliation was the video.' The trio, all from Birmingham, also took their phones and bank cards which they used to withdraw cash.

He said the men escaped one evening when everything was quiet in the flat and the defendants guards was down.

Mr Wallace said the men 'ran for all they were worth to the police station to report the matter. Their torture was over'.

When police went to the flat, Storey and Zaman were desperately trying to get rid of the evidence' as they were arrested, the court heard.
Vladimir Putin is allegedly putting out feelers to see if America is ready for talks on ending the war in Ukraine.

The Russian president is also 'prepared to drop opposition to Kyiv joining Nato', according to a new Bloomberg report.

He approached senior US officials last month via an unnamed intermediary as he was 'testing the waters' to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, two people close to the Kremlin claimed.

They further alleged that Putin 'may be willing to consider dropping an insistence on neutral status for Ukraine and even ultimately abandon opposition to eventual NATO membership - the threat of which has been a central Russian justification for the invasion'.

US officials said they were not aware of any overtures by Russia and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied the claims today saying: 'No, this is a wrong report. It absolutely does not correspond to reality.'

Vladimir Putin (pictured) is allegedly putting out feelers to see if America is ready for talks on ending the war in Ukraine. The Russian president is also 'prepared to drop opposition to Kyiv joining Nato', according to a new Bloomberg report

An exterior view of a kindergarten destroyed by Russian shelling on January 26, 2024 in Kherson, Ukraine. TDuring the night, the Russian army shelled Kherson with S-300 air defense systems. The city was hit by two missiles causing fire damage to a kindergarten, high-rise residential building and a shopping centre

In response to Bloomberg, Peskov said that 'Russia was, is and will continue to be open for negotiations on Ukraine'.

US National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said she wasn't aware of the supposed overture by Putin. She added that it was also up to Ukraine 'whether, when and how' it would sit down for negotiations with Russia.

This comes after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland last week that while the US was 'always open' to talks about the chance of a negotiated long-term ceasefire in the war in Ukraine, he 'doesn't see it' at this time.

He added: 'There has to be a willingness on the part of Russia to engage, to negotiate in good faith, based on the basic principles that have been challenged by its aggression  territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence.'

The current rumours about a potential 'back channel' between US officials and Putin was playing into the Russians' hands to make it seem like the ball was into the court of the US, Fiona Hill, a former top White House official responsible for Russia, analysed for Bloomberg.

This comes after a defiant Putin has issued a brazen threat to the West during a surprise trip to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad yesterday. The despot warned that countries bordering the Baltic Sea territory are not prepared for 'what will follow' after many decided to tear down Soviet war memorials.

During his surprise visit on Thursday, which saw Putin fly close to NATO airspace, the 71-year-old told students at Kant Baltic Federal University: 'This is stunning ignorance and lack of understanding of where they live, what they are doing and what will follow.'

The region, which is bordered by Poland and Lithuania, both of which were formerly occupied by the Soviet Union before regaining their independence, is believed to be the most likely flashpoint for a conflict between Russia and Nato.

It comes as the UK Government has revealed it thinks there is a one-in-four chance that Russia will attack one of Britain's allies in the next two years, something that could spark a wider conflict between Moscow's armies and NATO.

As it reaches the two-year anniversary of Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine, ministers have said any escalation that involves attacking British allies would have to bring a military response.

Vladimir Putin attends a meeting on social and economic development of Russia's Kaliningrad region in Kaliningrad on Thursday

The wreckage of a burned car seen in the streets of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine after a Russian missile attack

Putin listens to Kaliningrad Region Governor Anton Alikhanov during a meeting on Thursday

Experts at the Cabinet Office have warned that if this was to happen 'to contain and deter further aggression military, diplomatic and economic capabilities will be needed', the Telegraph reports.

Among the other knock-on effects would be increases in fuel prices and disruption to supply chains that could hurt the economy for years.

This could be the case if Putin decides to invade a Nato ally, such as Poland, the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, or Finland which became the 31st country to join the military pact last year.

Sweden is also set to join NATO - pending final approval - which would leave the Baltic Sea surrounded by NATO countries, strengthening the alliance in the strategically important region. The Baltic Sea is Russia's maritime point of access to the city of St. Petersburg and the Kaliningrad enclave.

As Putin made a visit to the territory, RIA cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that 'militaristic statements' from Baltic countries posed a risk to the Kaliningrad region.

The visit was not intended to send a message to the NATO military alliance, the TASS news agency cited Kremlin spokesman Peskov as saying.

Last week Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia - all of which were under Soviet occupation for decades after the Second World War - agreed to set up a wall of 'anti-mobility defensive installations' in a bid to maintain their security against Russia.

Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania's foreign minister, said this week his country was 'convinced that a real war [with Russia] is a likely possibility'.

There are suggestions the same could happen if Russia also took military action against Britain's non-Nato allies, such as Sweden.

Sweden has applied to join Nato, but its accession to the organisation has been halted by delays from Turkey and Hungary, the latter of which remains the only country left to accept its application.
A defiant Netanyahu has vowed to 'continue to do what is necessary' in Gaza after the UN's top court told Israel to prevent genocide, but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire as it ruled on a case brought by South Africa at The Hague.

The International Court of Justice demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive, ruling that Israel must do all it can to prevent genocide, including refraining from killing Palestinians or causing harm to them.

But the court stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case filed by South Africa.

After the ruling today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the fact that the court was willing to discuss the genocide charges was a 'mark of shame that will not be erased for generations', and he vowed to press ahead with the war.

He said: 'Like every country, Israel has the basic right to defend itself. The court in the Hague rightfully rejected the outrageous request to take that away from us.'

'We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our people.'

An Israeli tank and other military vehicles guard a position as Palestinians flee Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 26, 2024

South African professor of International Law John Dugard and South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor

In a sweeping ruling, a large majority of the 17-judge panel of the ICJ voted for urgent measures which covered most of what South African asked for - with the notable exception of ordering a halt to Israeli military action in Gaza.

The court ordered Israel to refrain from any acts that could fall under the genocide convention and also ensure that its troops do not commit any genocidal acts in Gaza.

It also ruled it urgently needs to get basic aid to people in Gaza and that Israel should prevent and punish any incitement to genocide, among other measures.

The court said Israel should submit a report on measures taken within a month.

The court also expressed grave concern for the hostages who were kidnapped by by Hamas on October 7 and are still being held in Gaza, and called for the terror group to release them immediately.

'The court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is unfolding in the region and is deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering,' Joan E Donoghue, the court's president, said.

In bringing the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), South Africa had requested an immediate halt to Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas called the ruling 'an important development which contributes to isolating Israel and exposing its crimes in Gaza.'

Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki welcomed 'the significant order'. He said that the judges 'ruled in favour of humanity and international law'.

South Africa hailed the ruling a 'decisive victory for the international rule of law and a significant milestone in the search for justice for the Palestinian people.'

The country's department of international relations and cooperation said in a statement: 'South Africa sincerely hopes that Israel will not act to frustrate the application of this Order, as it has publicly threatened to do, but that it will instead act to comply with it fully, as it is bound to do.'

It added that South Africa would continue to act within the institutions of global governance to protect the rights of Palestinians in Gaza.

Interested parties during a demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinian population, and in support of the South African cause

Protesters hold a Palestinian flag as they gather outside the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as judges rule on emergency measures against Israel

The ruling is interim and the court has not yet ruled on the core of the case brought by South Africa - whether genocide has occurred in Gaza.

A ruling on genocide is likely to take years, while the measures called for today are designed to protect Palestinians as the conflict rages on.

Israel rejects the genocide accusation and had asked the court to throw the charges out.

While the case winds its way through the court, South Africa had asked the judges 'as a matter of extreme urgency' to impose provisional measures.

Top of the South African list was a request for the court to order Israel to 'immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza'.

But the court declined to do that.

South African officials listen as the ICJ rules on their country's case against Israel at the Hague

Israel's deputy Attorney-General for International Law Gilad Noam and British jurist Malcolm Shaw

The onslaught has been ongoing for more than 100 days, and has laid waste to much of the enclave and killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.

South Africa argued two weeks ago that Israel's aerial and ground offensive was aimed to bring about 'the destruction of the population' of Gaza.

Israel had asked the court to reject the case outright, saying it respects international law and has a right to defend itself.

It has called South Africa's allegations false and 'grossly distorted', and said it makes the utmost efforts to avoid civilian casualties.

Israel unleashed its war in Gaza after Hamas launched a cross-border rampage on October 7.

Palestinian terrorists killed 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians, and took 240 hostage, according to Israeli figures.
A substitute teacher has been fired for washing out the mouth of a girl with Down syndrome, accusing the 13-year-old of cursing at her.

The incident occurred on Tuesday at the Cambridge School in Texas, a school that caters to students with special needs.

LaShae Celestine, the mother of the 13-year-old Harmony, who has Down syndrome and a speech impediment, said that the teacher demanded Harmoney to wash her mouth and placed a paper towel full of soap into her mouth.

The heartbroken mother, who reviewed surveillance camera footage capturing the incident, has filed reports with child protective services and Humble Independent School District Police.

As of Friday morning, the teacher has not been identified or charged. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Humble ISD police for further information.

A substitute teacher has been fired for washing out the mouth of Harmony (pictured), who has Down syndrome after allegedly accusing the 13-year-old of cursing at her

LaShae Celestine (left), the mother of the 13-year-old Harmony (right), who has Down syndrome and a speech impediment, said that the teacher demanded Harmoney to wash her mouth and placed a paper towel full of soap into her mouth

'You can't unsee that video. Like, you really assaulted my baby by putting soap in her mouth,' Celestine told ABC13, recalling the traumatic incident that happened to her child.

Celestine said she received an email from the Cambridge School Director Leslie Johnson on Tuesday afternoon.

Harmoney was working with the substitute teacher shortly before 10am that day, according to the email.

'While doing her work, Harmoney cursed at the substitute.' the director wrote.

But Celestine said her daughter's speaking ability is limited and was simply asking a question.

'[Harmony] said, 'What you doing?' And she has a speech impediment because she (has) Down syndrome.

'And the lady answered her, and then maybe about a few minutes later, my daughter said, 'What's that?' And it wasn't as clear,' Celestine said.

The teacher interpreted the expression as if it were a swear word and demanded Harmony to wash her mouth, the mother said.

'The substitute told her that she was going to wash her mouth. She proceeded to get a paper towel and soap,' Director Johnson wrote in the email.

'My baby is like, 'No,' fearfully, and she's like, 'Wipe your mouth,' and [Harmony's] like 'No,' Celestine said.

'So, then, she decided to take it upon herself (to) walk over to my baby and put the napkin full of soap into my baby's mouth,' she added.

'I heard my baby say why? That just brought me to tears because she looked at her and said why. She put the soap in my baby's mouth.'

The mother said she did not hear Harmony curse in the surveillance camera footage.

The teacher interpreted the expression as if it were a swear word and demanded Harmony to wash her mouth, the mother said

The incident occurred on Tuesday at the Cambridge School in Texas , a school that caters to students with special needs

According to the school's email, 'Harmony hit the substitute across the face to stop her from putting soap on her mouth. The substitute hit Harmony back.'

The email reads: 'A paraprofessional in the classroom intervened by having the substitute leave the classroom and she made sure Harmony was OK.'

Celestine thinks the school has not been immediately forthcoming about the incident, and she is insisting on an explanation from the substitute.

'I have a question for her, was it even necessary, did you have to go there?' Celestine asked in an interview with local news station.

'That video showed me she ran out of patience that day, and if you don't have the patience to work in a classroom with special needs kids, disabled kids, or kids, period, you need to find yourself another profession,' Celestine said.

'I send her to school to be safe. I am her protector, so when I take her to school, it's like, 'Tag, you're it. It is time for you to start protecting,' and she wasn't,' she added.

As of 2024, corporal punishment is still allowed in private schools in every U.S. state except New Jersey, Iowa, New York and Maryland.

It is legal in public schools in 17 states and practiced in 12 of the states including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, South Carolina, and Texas.

Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee banned using corporal punished for students with disabilities.

The school district said the teacher is no longer employed in a statement: "We are shocked and outraged by the actions taken by the substitute teacher.

'All school staff should care for students in a respectful manner that honors the partnership with their parents.

'The district has reported the incident to Child Protective Services and Humble ISD Police are investigating.'
ICE performed up to 214 unapproved surgeries including two sterilizations on migrant women in their custody, homeland security said.

The procedures were carried out between 2019 and 2021, according to the Office of the Inspector General.

In 2020, a whistleblower nurse complained detainees were being operated on without giving consent or fully understanding procedures.

The audit found that up to a third of the 227 major surgeries reviewed did not have signoff from an appropriate clinical director.

When this was extrapolated out to the 553 major surgeries performed in the time frame the number was even higher, leading the watchdog to conclude that, ICE 'did not always properly process and authorize major surgical procedures'.

ICE performed up to 214 unapproved surgeries including two sterilizations on migrant women in their custody, according to an audit carried out by Homeland Security

Dr. Mahendra Amin was previously accused of operating on women held at the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia, without their consent

Meanwhile an obstetrician working with DHS determined that two of six hysterectomies, a form of sterilization, did not include documentation to support a conclusion they were 'medically necessary'.

The report identified 'vague' guidance around surgery approval and recommended introducing a policy that would necessitate all procedures being signed off by Regional Clinical Directors or Clinical Directors.

In its response ICE agreed with the findings and promised to implement the policy.

However, investigators also accused the agency of blocking their attempts to probe the whistleblower's complaints.

'We requested direct access to the data, however, IHSC officials initially denied the request without providing a reason for the denial, consistent with the law,' the report states. They claimed the refusals added 100 days to the timeline of the audit.

The report was refuted by ICE Assistant Director Jennifer Cleary, who stated her agency is 'fully committed' to co-operating with the audit but simply wanted to protect sensitive medical data.

She did not address the unauthorized sterilizations in her response, but stated that: 'ICE strives to ensure detained noncitizens are housed in a safe, secure and humane manner and have access to medical care.'

The findings come after a group of 35 women sued ICE over alleged abuse by a doctor working at Irwin County Detention Center in Oscilla, Georgia.

Homeland Security audited 227 major surgeries and found a third lacked proper authorization. The figure was higher when extrapolated out to include all major surgeries

Dawn Wooten, a former nurse at Irwin County Detention Center in Oscilla, Georgia raised complaints over treatment of women at the center in 2020

The women claim they were subjected to 'a relentless pattern of unnecessary and non-consensual medical procedures, including unwanted gynecological surgeries and other non-consensual medical interventions' at the hands of Dr. Mahendra Amin.

A class action lawsuit by the alleged victims claimed several of the women faced retaliation for speaking out, including being deported, being placed in solitary confinement or being physically assaulted.

The situation at the immigration jail was highlighted by Dawn Wooten, a former nurse at the facility.

Her explosive disclosures led to ICE ending the use of ICDC as an immigration detention facility. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced in 2021 that his department would sever all ties with the disgraced center.

A Senate report in 2022 also concluded the doctor was too aggressive in his approach to surgeries.

The claims are around ICDC are being investigated separately by the Office of Investigations.

DailyMail.com has contacted ICE for comment.
The bizarre incident that saw comedian Mark Normand rushed off the stage at a New York comedy club was staged by producers of the show.

Normand was performing with Good Eggs Comedy at the New York Comedy Club in the East Village on Wednesday night when an unknown man interrupted his set and was supposedly tasered by security in a chaotic scene.

In a statement shared to social media, the New York Comedy Club said: 'We've received a handful of inquiries regarding a viral clip of our club being evacuated last night.

'First and foremost, nobody was harmed or injured. The disruption was part of a filming by @Hi_Hi_, the producers that rented out our venue for the night.

Comedian Mark Normand (left) was escorted off stage after an unknown man (right) interrupted his set at the New York Comedy Club on Wednesday

Security took the unknown man off the stage and Normand said, 'Oh god, somebody got tased, oh boy'

Normand was then escorted off the stage and the show abruptly ended

The New York Comedy Club confirmed that the interruption was part of a planned move by the producers

'So, since this took on a bit of a wild narrative, if you were in attendance for this taping, we'd love to host you for an actual show for free,; the club added.

In a post to his Instagram, Normand said: 'No one was harmed or injured during my performance last night at New York Comedy Club.

'The disruption was part of a planned 'surprise' activity by show producers. I had no prior knowledge that this was going to happen.'

Members of the audience filmed the strange interaction and posted it to social media.

The set was interrupted when a man wearing a yellow beanie, red coat, with a dark shirt and pants walked onto the stage.

'Oh hey, how are you, what do we got a migrant here,' said Normand. 'Oh jeez, everything alright? Just want to make sure everybody is good here. What's going on?'

Two people who appear to be security approached and grabbed the man off the stage. A woman then walked across the stage after the man and followed them out.

'I really froze there, I went Mitch McConnell,' Normand said as the man was being escorted out.

'Anything can happen at a comedy show, that was some kind of weird swinger sex party thing,' he added. 'Oh god, somebody got tased, oh boy.'

Normand was doing a show with Good Eggs Comedy at the New York Comedy Club in the East Village on Wednesday night when the incident occurred

Normand posted on his Instagram saying that he had no prior knowledge of the stunt

Specific details of what occurred are not available. The New York Comedy Club has asked people who witnessed it to share details with them

Normand posted a video of the altercation to his Instagram story with the caption, 'Some s**t went down tonight'

The audience recording the interaction could be heard saying 'what the f**k.'

Then a woman who seems to work for the comedy club went on stage and said: 'You guys, everything is fine, we just had a momentary interruption'

Appearing confused she first told the audience to stay seated then to get up and get out.

A producer took the mic and told them to leave and that Mark would not be coming back on stage.

Another person is then heard asking for photos and videos of what happened.

On a previous Instagram story Normand had posted a video of the altercation and said: 'Some s**t went down tonight.

'My team is still trying to put together the details, sorry to the fans.'

New York Comedy Club originally said on its Instagram story: 'Still trying to figure out what happened tonight. If you saw this, let us know!'

Normand is a New York based comedian, has made multiple appearances on Comedy Central and released a Netflix special called Mark Normand: Soup to Nuts in 2023.

These two recent stunts are believed to have all been linked to a viral marketing campaign for Donald Glover's new Amazon show 'Mr & Mrs Smith', Glover and co-star Maya Erskine are seen here in a promotional image released by Prime Video

Glover has been sharing videos and links to all the viral stunts on his own Instagram stories

HiHi had posted a series of different camera angles and reactions to the interruption to their Instagram page.

The page has also shared videos of a recent unexplained viral incident in which Tyra Banks was flanked by two people in furry costumes at a Brooklyn Nets game.

Stereogum reported that these two recent stunts have all been linked to a viral marketing campaign for Donald Glover's new Amazon show.

Glover is the new star, co-creator and producer of Amazon's upcoming Mr and Mrs Smith TV-series reboot of the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie movie of the same name.

A recent profile by Vanity Fair explained the show's premise and how Glover and his co-star Maya Erskine are paired up by a mysterious entity they call 'Hihi'.

To add to the mystery, Glover has been sharing videos and links to all the viral stunts on his own Instagram stories.

One post linked to a news article on Normand having to be rushed offstage at the comedy club, which he captioned: 'Hi-Hi, available now.'
The 'flawed' Boeing 737 Max is making a comeback following a string of mishaps, including the Alaska Airlines door plug fiasco.

On Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave the green light for the reinstatement of previously grounded Max 9 aircrafts.

Airlines have started reintroducing Max 9 flights today, following inspection and maintenance procedures for these planes.

Travelers can find out what type of aircraft they will be flying through their online booking or airline mobile app - however it is subject to change, meaning the specific plane model can switch at the last moment.

For those who prefer not to fly on a Max 9, both United and Alaska have issued flight waivers for Max 9 inspections, allowing passengers to cancel or change flights without incurring fees. Alaska's waiver covers flights through Feb. 2, with options to change flights without additional charges afterward. United's waiver extends to flights through Jan. 28.

All Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft were grounded following the harrowing Alaska Airlines blowout that forced an emergency landing when a door fell off at 16,000 feet on January 5

On Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave the green light for the reinstatement of previously grounded Max 9 aircrafts

The incident involved a section of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner's fuselage rupturing midair shortly after departing from Portland, Oregon

All Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft were grounded following the harrowing Alaska Airlines blowout that forced an emergency landing when a door fell off at 16,000 feet on January 5.

The incident involved a section of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner's fuselage rupturing midair shortly after departing from Portland, Oregon.

This led to widespread flight cancellations for airlines heavily dependent on this aircraft, causing headaches for numerous passengers.

'We grounded the Boeing 737-9 MAX within hours of the incident over Portland and made clear this aircraft would not go back into service until it was safe,' FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said.

'The exhaustive, enhanced review our team completed after several weeks of information gathering gives me and the FAA confidence to proceed to the inspection and maintenance phase.'

Among the 215 Boeing Max 9 airplanes in global operation, United Airlines boasts the largest fleet with 79 aircraft, while Alaska Airlines follows closely with 65, as reported by Cirium, an aviation data provider.

Together, their combined fleets account for approximately 70 percent of the total Max 9 jets currently in service.

Other airlines who use the aircraft include Panamas Copa Airlines, Aeromexico, Turkish Airlines, FlyDubai and Icelandair.

Alaska Airlines' CEO Ben Minicucci said his company found 'some loose bolts on many' Boeing 737 MAX 9s during the inspections

The lower section of a door plug is seen in an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft awaiting inspection. All Boeing 737 Max 9's were grounded for inspection following the blowout

All Boeing 737 Max 9 planes were grounded following the harrowing Alaska Airlines blowout that forced an emergency landing when a door fell off at 16,000 feet on January 5

Alaska Airlines announced on Thursday that the final inspections, which take up to 12 hours per plane, were currently in progress. The airline is reintroducing the "first few planes" for scheduled flights today.

United Airlines, said in a statement it plans for the return to commence on Sunday but Airlines spokesman Josh Freed mentioned that the planes could potentially be used as spares as early as today, according to the New York Times.

Copa, which had grounded 21 Max 9 planes, stated in a release that it would be gradually reinstating previously canceled flights starting Thursday and returning to a full schedule by Sunday.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced a plan to get Boeing's 737 Max 9 jets back in the air as soon as Friday

The maintenance process needed for the airplanes to be reinstated requires an inspection of specific bolts, guide tracks and fittings, as well as detailed visual checks of left and right mid-cabin exit door plugs and dozens of associated components.

It also includes retorquing fasteners and correcting any damage or abnormal conditions.

A Boeing spokesperson said Thursday: 'We will continue to cooperate fully and transparently with the FAA and follow their direction as we take action to strengthen safety and quality at Boeing.

'We will also work closely with our airline customers as they complete the required inspection procedures to safely return their 737-9 airplanes to service.'

Alaska Airlines' first of its 737 Max 9 fleet resumes flying on Friday after it met the required inspections.

A spokesman said: 'Alaska Airlines is ready to perform these detailed inspections of our planes. Each of our aircraft will only return to service once the rigorous inspections are completed and each aircraft is deemed airworthy according to the FAA requirements.'

Alaska Airlines' CEO Ben Minicucci said his company found 'some loose bolts on many' Boeing 737 MAX 9s during inspections following the January 5 mid-air cabin panel blowout.

A Boeing 737 factory in Renton, Washington will hold a one day 'Quality Stand Down' and pause production to have workshops focused on ways to improve quality

The incident has been damaging for Boeing' reputation.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom told CNBC on Thursday that the aircraft maker needs to get its act together.

'We need them to produce a quality product every time, we need them to hold true to their delivery expectations and we need everybody at Boeing getting their act together,' said Isom.

The CEO of United Airlines Scott Kirby has warned Boeing needs 'real action' to restore its reputation.

Kirby said he is 'disappointed' by ongoing manufacturing problems at Boeing and that he will consider alternatives to buying a future, larger version down the line.
A Long Island man has been hit with 30 violations and fined thousands of dollars after more than 100 animals were discovered in his basement.

The collection of exotic and endangered species included a young South American rhea (a large bird resembling an ostrich), an endangered tiger salamander, prairie dogs and a variety of lizards, snakes and turtles.

Multiple law enforcement agencies raided Matthew Spohrer's North Bellmore's home on Tuesday night finding the animals in the property's basement and backyard.

The collection of exotic and endangered species included a a young South American rhea

An endangered tiger salamander was found at the Long Island home

Authorities also seized a peacock, a giant African snail and a North American opossum, as well as a pair of prairie dogs

'The illicit wildlife trade is one of the largest sources of criminal earnings, behind only arms smuggling and drug trafficking. But the animals pay the price,' John Di Leonardo, executive director of Humane Long Island said.

'He actually said that he ordered the rhea on Ebay as an egg when he was drunk. This was a stupid mistake,' Di Leonardo explained.

'[Spohrer's] been seen and photographed numerous times with this rhea in public, taking it to the fair, train stations, pet stores.'

Also among the discoveries were wo peafowls and scores of chickens domestic ducks and geese, Humane Long Island detailed in a Facebook post.

Authorities also seized an endangered tiger salamander, a giant African snail and a North American opossum, as well as a pair of prairie dogs, an Asian water monitor, a Savannah monitor, a Sulcata tortoise and multiple degus, the organization said.

'Baby quails certainly don't belong housed right next to lizards and snakes causing them extreme stress,' Di Leonardo said.

Multiple law enforcement agencies raided Matthew Spohrer's North Bellmore's home on Tuesday night

John Di Leonardo, executive director of Humane Long Island spoke out about the alleged wildlife trafficking

According to Humane Long Island, people spotted Spohrer and his illegal menagerie at the annual Bellmore Family Street Festival.

'He was charging people to go into a tent to see these animals and pet some of them,' Di Leonardo explained.

Adding: 'Simply speaking, wild animals are not pets.'

All of the rescued animals will be heading to animal sanctuaries able to care for them.
A white dad has stoked fury on the internet by asking 'black TikTok' for help styling the hair of his adopted black baby girl.

The dad, known as Will, on Sunday posted a video of him brushing his infant Zoe's locks, asking about products or techniques that will make them more manageable.

The 36-year-old from Dallas, Texas, deleted the video after users expressed outrage at his poor parenting and for using the baby to get attention.

The case shines an uncomfortable spotlight on interracial adoptions and how social media fuels attention-seeking, virtue-signalling behavior.

Will has deleted a TikTok post that went viral and provoked outrage over the interracial adoption

'We have adopted a black baby, her name is Zoe, and I don't know what to do for her hair,' Will told his 34,000 followers in the now-deleted video.

'Please, any black parents or anyone who knows what to do with black children's hair, please help me in the comments.'

The clip then focuses on Zoe, a cute baby with more hair than the average newborn.

Some TikTokers replied with genuine suggestions for managing her frizzy locks.

But most responded angrily that Will and his husband, who is also white, had adopted a black baby for social media posts.

'Pray for baby Zoe,' posted one.

'Will's concern was to go viral,' said the creator known as @mannylifedaily.

'And you finally did, Will, off the back of a black baby.'

Some commentators said Will had failed to do basic research about raising a black girl.

Others noted that he went straight to social media, rather than Googling about Afro-hair or asking an African-American friend.

The adorable baby Zoe has a little more hair than the average newborn

Will says the original post was a harmless request for information and that he was surprised by the backlash

But critics accused him of using the cute infant to get attention on the internet

'You have a few months to become an anti-racist,' said mary_says, a TikToker who posts about childcare.

'If you ever want to pass as a barely-acceptable parent to this person.'

Will appears to have switched his social media accounts to private amid the outrage, but not before other users re-shared his previous posts.

Some show Will and his husband wearing expensive designer clothes, posing with Zoe and their dogs.

The couple also documented what appears to be a private adoption process, including scans of the unborn child and at the hospital during the birth.

Will did not immediately answer DailyMail.com's efforts to reach out to him.

But he told NBC News that he thought his original post was harmless and that he was shocked by the backlash.

'I could have the best intentions and still mess up,' Will told the outlet, on condition that his last name not be used.

He said he regrets posting the original question.

'I've learned that I need to be very intentional about the community that surrounds us and her on a consistent basis and have people who look like her talk to her,' he said.

The case shines an uncomfortable spotlight on interracial adoptions

'I want Zoe to grow up to love herself. That includes her personality, her skin color, her hair, everything.'

The case puts a spotlight on trans-racial adoptions, which within the US often involve white parents adopting black or Native American children.

Between 2017 and 2019, around 28 percent of all adoptions were trans-racial, says a University of Nevada, Reno study.

Among them, the parents were white 90 percent of the time.

Supporters of trans-racial adoptions say enlightened parents are colorblind and that it's easy to love a baby of any skin color.

They also say that black and brown infants are less likely to be adopted and more likely to languish for years in some type of state-run care.

But critics say babies like Zoe end up being raised by parents who do not understand their cultural and ethnic background.

Black adoptees have spoken up about that hardships of growing up in a household culture that was at odds with their skin color.
IT is the citys crown jewel and doubled as Westminster Abbey and Notre Dame Cathedral when Hollywood came calling.

But an unholy row has broken out over repairs to the cobbles outside 900-year-old Lincoln Cathedral that have created a real eyesore for residents and tourists.

Temporary repairs to the light-coloured surface of Minster Yard, at the buildings West entrance, left it dotted with blobs of dark Tarmac.

Rosanne Kirk, who was elected as the Mayor of Lincoln in 2022 before stepping down from the city council last year, criticised the terrible decisions of the county council after at least half-a-dozen unsightly Tarmac repairs were spotted among the cobbles.

The former Labour city councillor said the Conservative-run county council should defend our history, not destroy it.

Temporary repairs to the light-coloured surface of Minster Yard, at the buildings West entrance, left it dotted with blobs of dark Tarmac

Not only have the repairs caused a row within local government, they have have also created a real eyesore for residents and tourists

Rosanne Kirk, who was elected as the Mayor of Lincoln in 2022, said: 'It is a real kick in the teeth that awful Tarmac is being used on the cobbles in the heart of historic Lincoln'

Lincoln Cathedral before the botched repairs. The 900-year-old Cathedral took 20 years to build and was completed in 1092. Once the spire was added in 1311, it became the tallest building in the world, overtaking the Great Pyramid of Giza, until 1549 when the spire collapsed in a storm

Tom Hanks filming the Da Vinci Code in Lincoln in 2005. Lincoln Cathedral stood in for Westminster Abbey in the film

Lincoln is a beautiful city, she said. It is a real kick in the teeth that awful Tarmac is being used on the cobbles in the heart of historic Lincoln.

This has gone too far and is a real eyesore for residents and tourists. Our county council should defend our history, not destroy it.

Lincoln visitor John Rawnsley, 49, a father-of-two and recruitment specialist, agreed.

He said: Im originally from York, and I think there would be uproar if they put Tarmac in front of York Minster.

It just doesnt look right.

The cathedral took 20 years to build and was completed in 1092. Once the spire was added in 1311, it became the tallest building in the world, overtaking the Great Pyramid of Giza, until 1549 when the spire collapsed in a storm.

It stood in for Westminster Abbey in the Tom Hanks blockbuster The Da Vinci Code, was used as a filming location for Ridley Scotts Napoleon, where it doubled as Notre Dame, two years ago - and in the words of Victorian writer John Ruskin is roughly speaking worth two of any other cathedrals we have.

Tom Sharpe, 61, a local estate agent, joked: If I was showing a potential buyer around this majestic building at the moment I would certainly avoid the West entrance and take them in a different door.

The Tarmac doesnt make a great first impression!

Another local resident, student Violet Robinson, 21, was enjoying some late January sunshine in Minster Yard.

She agreed: Im not sure Tarmac was the best solution. It just stands out like a sore thumb.

Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said: The tarmac repair is a temporary measure put in place to make the walkway safe to use. Its not the finished item and will remain until we can get the right materials in keeping with the rest of the area.

We must keep the area safe as a statutory duty, but we also take our responsibility to keep historic areas of Lincoln looking how they should extremely seriously.

Sometimes we have to wait longer than we would like to make those permanent repairs, usually due to supply issues and lead-in times on deliveries of these specialist materials.

We are currently in the process of getting those materials and as soon as we have them, we will make the full and permanent repair that will match - as much as possible - the original materials used.

It isnt the only area of Lincoln to be plighted by these temporary fixes. Late last year, the Lincolnite news website asked the council why various sections of the High Street were now a stone, brickwork and Tarmac patchwork as a result of repairs

In 2019, there was a similar outcry in the market town of Stamford, 53 miles south of Lincoln, after a majority of councillors voted to rip up the Yorkstone cobbles of the towns Red Lion Square

Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said: The tarmac repair is a temporary measure put in place to make the walkway safe to use'

A popular filming location, the cathedral was used as a filming location for Ridley Scotts Napoleon, where it doubled as Notre Dame, two years ago

It isnt the only area of Lincoln to be plighted by these temporary fixes. Late last year, the Lincolnite news website asked the council why various sections of the High Street were now a stone, brickwork and Tarmac patchwork as a result of repairs.

The county council said reasons included difficulties in sourcing replacement slabs of a similar thickness or long waiting times to source replacement paving stones from a specialist quarry.

Earlier this month, Richard Fenwick, head of highways assets at Lincolnshire County Council, said the authority spent 65.4million on roads and footways last year, and that figure will rise closer to 70million in 2024.

He said the council would need some 40million extra a year to plug the highways backlog and bring roads and footways to a perfect standard. Mr Fenwick said the problem stemmed from the Government cutting the councils road maintenance budget by 25 per cent three years ago - from 51million to 39million.

In 2019, there was a similar outcry in the market town of Stamford, 53 miles south of Lincoln, after a majority of councillors voted to rip up the Yorkstone cobbles of the towns Red Lion Square, also a popular film location.

The Stamford Civic Society warned the plan to resurface the square with harder-wearing Tarmac would ruin the towns historic beauty.

The cobbles, which tended to crack or lift under the weight of HGVs, were eventually replaced with a thicker stone version instead three years later.
This is the moment a military plane skimmed just a few yards above cars travelling down a busy road in Turkey, minutes before it crashed as it took part in a training exercise.

The C-160T Transall transport aircraft, flying with the Turkish Air Force, was forced into an emergency landing after it suffered a technical error midair on January 25.

The plane, which took off from the 12th Air Transport Base Command in the north of the city of Kayseri, was seen flying just a few yards above residential areas.

One clip showed the plane, which carries the serial number 69-036, slowly flying above a busy road, while another clip showed it above a stadium in the city, which has a population of 1.43 million and sits about 160 miles from Ankara.

Footage showed its left-side propeller of the plane, named 'Goren-1' by the Turkish Air Force, apparently failing and slowing down, while the right-side propeller appears to work. The footage also shows the plane's landing gear was up.

One clip showed the plane, which carries the serial number 69-036, slowly flying above a busy road

The plane also flew above a stadium in the city, which has a population of 1.43 million and sits about 160 miles from Ankara

Footage showed its left-side propeller of the plane, named 'Goren-1' by the Turkish Air Force, apparently failing and slowing down

Separate footage showed the plane, which has recently undergone upgrades to become an intelligence-focused command and control/target acquisition aircraft, slowly grinding across the tarmac of a landing strip

Separate footage showed the plane, which has recently undergone upgrades to become an intelligence-focused command and control/target acquisition aircraft, slowly grinding across the tarmac of a landing strip.

The plane's fuselage appeared to be scraping across the tarmac, and the landing gear did not appear to be engaged during the crash.

Turkey's air force said that no one was injured or killed in the crash, adding that the plane only suffered 'minor damage.'

The crash in Turkey comes days after a Russian military plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners-of-war crashed in a huge fireball in a region near the border with Ukraine.

Dramatic video shows an out-of-control Ilyushin Il-76 plunging from the sky and smashing into the ground in front of horrified locals in the village of Yablonovo, which is just 26 miles from the Ukrainian border.

As the large 164ft plane slams into the ground, it explodes into a huge fireball that engulfs the 72-tonne jet in flames.

Within minutes of the crash, Russia claimed the military plane was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, six crew and three people accompanying them, without providing any evidence. Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of Belgorod region, said all 74 people onboard had been killed in the crash.

Sources within the Ukrainian military had told local media that the downing of the Russian military aircraft was 'their work' and that it was carrying S-300 air defence missiles. But that claim was later retracted.

And Andrei Kartapolov, a member of Russia's State Duma and a retired general, claimed the plane was shot down by three types of missiles that the West has supplied to Ukraine, without providing evidence.

He said investigations would reveal whether the missiles were the US-made Patriots or German IRIS-Ts.
Former Rep. Liz Cheney urged Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley to stay in the 2024 race - at least until Super Tuesday - drawing ire from some of former President Donald Trump's allies.

Cheney was asked about Haley's bid during an interview with Pod Save America's Daniel Pfeiffer and Jon Favreau, which was released Friday morning.

'I hope she stays in the race,' Cheney said. 'As long as she has to, certainly through Super Tuesday. I think that we're in a situation where only two states have voted and you had something like 35 percent, I believe, of Republicans coming out of the voting in New Hampshire saying they would never vote for Donald Trump.'

The former congresswoman's comments were not an official endorsement of Haley, with the podcasters asking Cheney if she worried that might hurt the former U.N. ambassador chances.

'I haven't made any formal endorsements at this point but certainly I would never support or vote for Donald Trump again,' Cheney said.

Former Rep. Liz Cheney (left) urged Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley (right) to stay in the 2024 race - at least until Super Tuesday - drawing ire from some of former President Donald Trump's allies

The co-founder of Students for Trump, Ryan Fournier, posted to X: 'Liz Cheney endorsing Nikki Haley is the final nail in that coffin'

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul posted to X, 'If there was ever any doubt which team Nikki Haley plays for, Liz "I'm no longer a Republican" Cheney just endorsed her! #nevernikki'

Cheney has become a target of the MAGA movement over her fierce criticism of the former president.

Trump's allies were quick to link Cheney to Haley, after she expressed that the former South Carolina governor should continue her bid.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul posted to X, 'If there was ever any doubt which team Nikki Haley plays for, Liz "I'm no longer a Republican" Cheney just endorsed her! #nevernikki.'

Trump's @MAGAIncWarRoom Twitter account flagged the interview Friday morning.

'Birds of a feather! RINO Liz Cheney voices her support for Nikki Haley,' the X post said.

The co-founder of Students for Trump, Ryan Fournier, posted to X: 'Liz Cheney endorsing Nikki Haley is the final nail in that coffin.'

After Haley expressed Tuesday night that she was staying in the race after coming in second in the New Hampshire primary, Trump unloaded on her while addressing supporters in Nashua.

Trump's @MAGAIncWarRoom Twitter account flagged the interview Friday morning. 'Birds of a feather! RINO Liz Cheney voices her support for Nikki Haley,' the X post said

Nikki Haley (center) indicated on Fox News Friday morning that she had spoken to Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel after McDaniel said Tuesday night Haley should drop out. 'I let her know how disappointed I was,' the 2024 hopeful said

'In life you can't let people get away with bulls***,' he said. 'You just can't do that. When I watched her, the fancy dress, it probably wasn't so, I said, what is she doing? We won.'

In the Pod Save America interview, Cheney also called in 'inappropriate' that Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel appeared to be putting her finger on the scale.

After Tuesday night's primary, McDaniel appeared on Fox News and encouraged Haley to drop out, saying that she believed Trump would be the party's 'eventual nominee.'

Then on Thursday, a Trump-aligned RNC committeeman, David Bossie, submitted a resolution to have RNC members vote to deem Trump the 'presumptive' nominee, even before he amasses a majority of delegates, the usual barometer for a win.

By Thursday night, Bossie had withdrawn the resolution and Trump had posted to Truth Social that he wanted to win the primary 'the old fashioned way' - by votes.

While the resolution didn't come from McDaniel, Cheney said it was an especially bad look 'when we know she was personally involved in the fraudulent electors scheme' to try and overturn the 2020 election for Trump.

McDaniel testified to the House select January 6 committee, on which Cheney co-chaired, that she had been asked to find 'contingent electors' - which was part of Trump lawyer John Eastman's fake elector scheme.

On Friday morning on Fox & Friends, Haley confirmed she had spoken to McDaniel.

'I let her know how disappointed I was,' the 2024 hopeful said.

Haley also tried to blame Trump for Bossie's 'presumptive' nominee resolution.

'It was his people that pushed it forward,' Haley said. 'I know how much he has pushed on Ronna. Ronna has made that very clear that he was pushing her to stop debates all this time.'

'He pushes them to do things and they got some major blowback and why he had to talk it back,' Haley said.
An Ukrainian couple stole $34million from a millionaire Democratic donor which they used to buy a private jet, a gold bullion and guns, according to authorities.

Sergey Lebedenko, 53, and his wife, Galina, 48, are accused of conducting a 'colossal heist' over the seven years they served as chauffeurs for Oregon publisher and activist Win McCormack, 79.

McCormack, an heir to a banking fortune, is the publisher of the progressive magazine The New Republic, owns Oregons Tin House book publishing company and is a prolific donor to the Democrat party.

The couple, who were arrested on Tuesday, allegedly used their limousine service company to make unauthorized and inflated charges to the tycoon's American Express card, as reported by Oregon Live.

McCormack first hired the couple's driving service in 2006, and over time Sergey began doing daily errands for the millionaire. As the relationship grew, the couple would also house-sit for McCormack and fix things in his home.

Sergey Lebedenko, 53, and his wife, Galina, 48, are accused of conducting a 'colossal heist' as chauffeurs for Oregon publisher and activist Win McCormack, 79

McCormack, an heir to a banking fortune, is the publisher of the magazine The New Republic

They used the stolen cash to fund a lavish style that included a $1.5 million executive jet, a $2million home in California, a $2.3million home in Oregon, and other houses in Portland for their adult children and pastor.

Prosecutors say they found $100,000 in cash, 150 ounces of gold worth about $300,000, and 12 firearms in the couple's homes in Portland and Sunriver.

The case is the largest alleged heist against an individual in Oregon's history. In just one month in 2022, the couple charged McCormack's card 225 times for a total of $602,490, it is claimed.

Investigators have not located at least $20million of the stolen funds, they said in court.

McCormick's net worth is unclear but he was described by Forbes as a multimillionaire and lives in a stunning 3.6M Portland home.

Sergey denied any wrongdoing when first confronted by McCormack last November, asking 'why you always think I'm doing something?'

'If I'm problem in your life fire me and that's it,' Sergey added.

In later text messages seen in court, a patient McCormack pleads with Sergey again after he noticed he was charged $300.000 in two months.

'I warned you about this and you and Galina didn't pay any attention. If this keeps up even a little longer you will be fired for sure.'



Prosecutors say they found $100,000 in cash, 150 ounces of gold worth about $300,000, and 12 firearms in the couple's homes in Portland and Sunriver

McCormick's net worth is unclear but he was described by Forbes as a multimillionaire and lives in a stunning 3.6M Portland home

The couple allegedly used the stolen cash to fund a lavish style that included a $1.5 million executive jet, a $2million home in California, a $2.3million home in Oregon (pictured)

Sergey denied any wrongdoing again, writing: 'If you think I'm spending all your money then definitely fire me... I'm very upset now because my daughter lost her unborn baby and on top of that you texted about money...'

He then said he would work for the millionaire without pay because 'he's been like a father to him.'

'I love you boss,' he added.

McCormack then sent another message after the funds did not stop vanishing from his account.

'Sergey I'm going to create a system requiting you to submit invoices to my accountant twice a month and he will pay you if I approve the amount. If this is not okay with you will will have to part ways. Either way, Galina will never again charge me +500 a day virtually every day of the month.

Sergey then appears to try and pass the buck to his wife.

'You need to talk to Galina about this, she's my officer worker. Remember Galina is the Boss on my side not me,' he wrote.

The FBI were alerted to the fraud in December.

Sergey's lawyer has argued his client was 'essentially a personal servant to Mr. McCormack.'

The couple purchased a $1.5 million executive jet liek the one seen above (stock)

The elderly tycoon did not notice the high payments coming out of his credit card because he did not regularly check his account and the money was directly paid by his bank, prosecutors say.

McCormack said he was astounded when he learned of the charges last year.

He added in a statement to Oregon Live that he was 'deeply saddened by this situation,' noting that he had a 'long and trusting relationship and friendship' with the accused thieves.

He added: 'Fraud is a significant issue in our community. Its too common that elderly individuals are victimized, often by people they know and trust.

'On a personal level, I recognize how lucky I am in life, and that I have the means to recover and move forward. I am cooperating fully with the investigation.'

The Lebedenkos, who are naturalized US citizens, are charged with wire fraud and money laundering.

They were released pending trial and ordered to not leave Oregon.
Tinder has issued a safety advisory for its users in Colombia following a rash of criminal incidents in which American tourist were lured by prospective dates before they were robbed, drugged or murdered.

'Recently, there have been government advisories about heightened risks in certain regions, and we'd like to remind you to prioritize your safety on dates,' the warning posted on the dating app read. 'Please check with your local travel authority for more info.'

The safety warning, which appeared on the app this week, also recommended Tinder users utilize extra caution when they decide to meet their dates.

'Please remember to vet your matches, meet in public places, and share plans with people you trust,' the advisory indicated. 'If something feels off, you can end the date. Follow your instincts.'

DailyMail.com reached out to Tinder for additional comments.

Community activist and comedian Tou Ger Xiong is one of eight Americans who have died from alleged drug overdoses or were killed after they were lured by people they met on dating apps in Medellin, Colombia. The 50-year-old was found dead December 11, going out with a 19-year-old woman he had met on an app

Andres Hincapie (second from left), Santiago Bustamante (third from right) and Sharit Mejia (second from right) were arrested Tuesday in Medellin, Colombia in connection with the murder of Minnesota resident Tou Ger Xiong, who was kidnapped December 10, 2023, and found dead the following day

Tinder released an advisory via its app to users and offering tips on how to use the app, especially when traveling outside the United States

The advisory comes just two weeks after the United States Embassy in Colombia issued a warning over the use of dating apps following the deaths of eight Americans in Medellin between November 1 and December 31, 2023.

The embassy indicated that several of the deaths pointed to 'possible drugging, robbery, and overdose and several involve the use of online dating applications.'

The embassy advised American visitors that 'they 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.'

'It is also recommended that if Americans decide to invite a person they met to a home or hotel, they speak to the 'attendant/concierge beforehand and establish a policy as to what information your new visitor should provide before being authorized entry (photo of identification, etc.) and what process should be followed when your visitor departs.'

Phillip Mullins reportedly had hallucinogenic substances in his hotel suite in Medellin. He is the fourth American who was died since November 13 in the Colombian city

18-year-old Luisa Lopera was arrested November 27 and accused of murdering 55-year-old Texas resident Jeffrey Huston in his hotel room after meeting him via a dating app in Medellin

St. Paul, Minnesota, comedian and activist Tou Ger Xiong, 50, was kidnapped in Medellin on December 10 and found dead the following day after going on a date with 19-year-old Sharit Mejia, whom he had previously met on a dating app.

Mejia and her accomplices, Santiago Bustamante, 25, and Andres Hincapie, 36, were arrested January 16.

On December 12 , Philip Mullins, 32, of Tennessee, was found dead inside his hotel room after a night of partying with friends in Medellin.

The police found what appeared to be hallucinogenic substances in his room.

On November 13, Texas resident Jeffrey Hutson, 55, was found dead in his hotel room with at least 20 stab wounds in his neck after he had returned to the suite with an 18-year-old woman he met on a dating app.

The woman was arrested November 27 and charged with aggravated homicide.
In a new letter to colleagues Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that the Senate national security and border deal is 'dead on arrival' in the House and he will instead focus on impeaching Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas.

Johnson circulated a letter to Republicans on Friday obtained by DailyMail.com to reassert the House's position on ongoing border security talks in the Senate.

'If the rumors about the contents of the draft proposal are true, it would have been dead on arrival in the House anyway,' the speaker said, instead calling for the Senate to take up the House GOP's party-line border bill, H.R. 2, which passed last year.

The speaker said it is 'important' to ask 'what is the point' of negotiating a border deal with Democrats if President Biden 'will not enforce the laws already on the books.'

He insisted the House will 'vigorously oppose' any policy proposal from the White House or Senate that would 'further incentivize illegal aliens to break the law.'

Senate negotiators have for months been going back and forth on a deal that would include funding for Ukraine and Israel and tighten border restrictions.

Johnson's letter follows a demand from President Trump not to accept a border deal that isn't 'perfect.'

In a new letter to colleagues Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that what he has heard of the Senate national security and border deal is 'dead on arrival' in the House and he will instead focus on impeaching Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas

Migrants line up as they get ready to be picked up by Border Patrol agents in Eagle Pass, Texas

'We need a Strong, Powerful, and essentially 'PERFECT' Border,' Trump wrote from his Truth Social account late Thursday.

The former president said that unless Republicans achieve those goals, 'we are better off not making a deal.'

The 'unsustainable invasion' at the southern border is considered a 'death wish' for the United States, he added.

House Republicans officially scheduled a vote to impeach Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas next week.

The House Homeland Security Committee will meet at 10 a.m. ET on January 30 to mark up articles of impeachment for Mayorkas for 'high crimes and misdemeanors' related to his fumbling of southern border security.

Johnson promised, in his letter, that a floor vote on impeachment 'will be held as soon as possible thereafter.'

Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., told DailyMail.com earlier this week that the committee vote comes after the 'unprecedented crisis' at the southern border.

His committee has held 10 hearings, published six reports totaling roughly 400 pages, and conducted extensive interviews with chief patrol agents, he continued.

'Our thorough and fair investigation exposed Secretary Mayorkas' abuse of power and refusal to comply with the law,' said Green in a statement to DailyMail.com.

The committee completed just two impeachment hearings earlier this month without testimony from Mayorkas, earning the scorn of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has called the GOP-led probe a 'sham' investigation.

House Republicans officially scheduled a vote to impeach Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas next week

Migrants with children cross Rio Bravo from Mexico to the US

But a successful impeachment vote is not guaranteed, especially with the House GOP's slim three-seat majority.

Green has been holding one-on-one meetings with Republicans dubious of whether Mayorkas' actions amount to high crimes and misdemeanors.

Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., has warned impeaching Mayorkas sets a 'dangerous' precedent, but said he'll keep an open mind on the prospect.

Last week, all 18 Republican members of the Homeland Security Committee released a statement on Thursday saying they back impeaching Mayorkas.
The excerpt, which comes from a textbook titled 'Freedom on My Mind: A History of African Americans', explains the life of ruler Mansa Musa

Educational material from The 1619 Project has been criticized for downplaying the enslavement of thousands of people by a Muslim conqueror

The 1619 Project school program has come under scrutiny for appearing to downplay a Muslim conqueror's enslavement of 1,200 people, describing them as servants.

Originally published in August 2019 by journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, the project has been criticized by some academics for attempting to reframe history.

The excerpt, which comes from a textbook titled 'Freedom on My Mind: A History of African Americans', explains the life of ruler Mansa Musa.

Musa was the ninth Mansa of the Mali Empire from 1312 until 1337, and was known through the Middle East due to his opulent pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324.

The textbook, which made up part of the 2021 cohort of the 1619 Project, says Musa made the four-thousand mile journey with 'twelve hundred servants'.

Historian Phil Magness called out the project for misuse of the word 'servants', saying that Musa had in fact been a 'mass-enslaver.

Musa was the ninth Mansa of the Mali Empire from 1312 until 1337, and was known through the Middle East due to his opulent pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324

Originally published in August 2019 by journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, the project has been criticized by some academics for attempting to reframe history

In a post on X, Magness commented: 'The 1619 Project K-12 curriculum makes some interesting word usage to obscure the fact that Mansa Musa, the 14th century king of Mali, was a mass-enslaver.

'Imagine Nikole Hannah-Jones's outrage if a history textbook only described Thomas Jefferson's slaves as "servants".

'The 1619 lesson plan does this repeatedly, euphemizing his enslaved entourage as "servants." There's also no mention of the slaves who worked in Mansa Musa's gold mines.'

Encyclopedia Britannica has also published articles that say Musa enslaved thousands of people, with a personal entourage of some 12,000.

Hannah-Jones founded the 1619 project with the New York Times in 2019, using essays, photos, podcasts and eventually a book and guide for educators that argued America was founded the year a group of slaves arrived in the country and not when independence was granted in 1776.

The writer has said she believes she received backlash to her project and the subsequent book because Americans are 'all taught this history so poorly,' referencing education on the plight of African and Asian Americans.

Published in August 2019 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in the English colony of Virginia, the work has been criticized by some academics for its claims - and angered many others who saw it as unpatriotic.

Jones previously told the Associated Press that the debate surrounding the publication at the time was unsurprising.

The textbook, which made up part of the 2021 cohort of the 1619 Project, says that Musa made the four-thousand mile journey that included 'twelve hundred servants'

Hannah-Jones founded the project with the New York Times in 2019 arguing that America was founded the year a group of slaves arrived in the country

In December 2022, she said: 'We've been taught the history of a country that does not exist.

'We've been taught the history of a country that renders us incapable of understanding how we get an insurrection in the greatest democracy on January 6.'

She said that America was 'willfully' avoiding its complicated and painful past, and that was why her work was so polemical.

'Steps forward, steps towards racial progress, are always met with an intensive backlash,' she said.

'We are a society that willfully does not want to deal with the anti-blackness that is at the core of so many of our institutions and really our society itself.'

Her work has sparked intense discussion about teaching of history in schools.

In March 2020 historian Leslie M. Harris who served as a fact checker for the project said authors ignored her corrections, but believed the project was needed to correct prevailing historical narratives.

One aspect up for debate is the timeline, with Time Magazine claiming the first slaves arrived in 1526 in a Spanish colony in what is now South Carolina, 93 years prior to the landing in Jamestown.

Some experts say slaves first arrived at present-day Fort Monroe in Hampton, instead of Jamestown.

Nikole Hannah Jones appeared on the cover of Essence Magazine. She won a Pulitzer for her reporting reframing the history of the United States

Others argue the first Africans in Virginia were indentured servants as laws on lifetime slavery didn't appear till 17th century and early 18th century, but worked essentially as slaves.

Princeton historian Sean Wilentz criticized the 1619 Project's 'cynicism,' according to the Atlantic magazine.

He distributed a letter signed by historians that asked the newspaper to correct what it said were factual errors.

The letter said the series was 'displacement of historical understanding by ideology.'

In March 2020, the New York Times wrote a seemingly half-hearted 'clarification' to part of the 1619 project on a part of the series that said one of the primary reasons the colonists fought in the American Revolution was to protect slavery.

The clarification read: 'We recognize that our original language could be read to suggest that protecting slavery was a primary motivation for all of the colonists.

'The passage has been changed to make clear that this was a primary motivation for some of the colonists. A note has been appended to the story as well'

Critical Race Theory, which evaluates race and its impact on society, questioning whether racism is embedded in legal systems and policies, has enraged parents and inflamed school board meetings over the past year.

The 40-year-old academic theory has become a symbol of America's culture wars, and in the years since The 1619 Project it has sparked furious debate about what should be taught to children.

Hannah-Jones was considered for a tenured position at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but in response to pressure from donors she was ultimately offered the position without tenure - something she said was deeply disappointing.

The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story" is displayed at a New York City bookstore on November 17, 2021 in New York City

She ultimately turned it down, and instead accepted a tenured position at Howard University.

In December of last year, Hannah-Jones claimed that criticism against former Harvard President Claudine Gay was racist, after Gay was ousted over her appearance before an anti-Semitism congressional hearing.

When asked by CNN's Abby Phillip if Gay is being singled out as someone solely surviving in her position due to her race, Hannah-Jones firmly stated, 'Well, it's racist'.

'I mean, we have  no one has produced a shred of evidence that shows that the sole qualification that President Gay had was that she is a black woman,' she added

Hannah-Jones also claimed there was a connection between the pushback against diversity and inclusion efforts and the attempts to remove President Gay.

She argued that the alleged concern over anti-Semitism was a guise for perpetuating a propaganda campaign against racial equity.
A woman who was left disfigured when her rapist husband hacked off her nose and ears has described fainting when she saw her mutilated face in the mirror for the first time.

Asel Nogoibaeva, 36, was tortured by her ex-husband Azamat Estebesov, 39, 'for hours' as their horrified son was forced to watch the barbaric knife attack at their home in Kyrgyzstan.

Estebesov was earlier convicted of raping her but not jailed, leaving him free to brutally attack her.

Today the rapist was jailed for 20 years with no parole in a closed door hearing, but his ex-wife - now forced to hide behind facial bandages and a mask - said he deserved life behind bars.

Nogoibaeva said she was left 'so ugly' she is now scared of herself when looking in the mirror. She even fainted twice after looking at a reflection of her face.

Azamat Estebesov, 39, tortured his ex-wife Asel Nogoibaeva, 36, 'for hours' as their horrified son was forced to watch the barbaric knife attack at their home in Kyrgyzstan

Estebesov launched the horrific hours-long attack, cutting off Asel's nose and ears as she screamed in agony (pictured after the attack) - all while their child hid under the blankets

Estebesov, who had been convicted of raping Asel but had not been jailed, allegedly attacked his wife after he accused her of cheating on him

In haunting footage, Nogoibaeva was asked by a local TV presenter: 'How are you feeling? Have you seen your face yet?'

The victim broke down and said: 'Please can we pause' She bravely went on to reveal: 'There were no mirrors in my hospital room, because I wasn't supposed to look at myself.'

But she ended up seeing her reflection in a metallic lamp the doctor forgot to remove: 'I saw my reflection. I am scared of myself. I can't look at myself in the mirror. I saw my ears and was so shocked, I fainted.'

Her cousin Diana Elken said that there was another time Nogoibaeva fainted after getting home and seeing her face, this time in a mirror.

Her brother was helping her clean the bandages but had to leave the bathroom - where the only mirror that couldn't be removed was - and Nogoibaeva stood up to look at herself.

'She fainted, and then went hysterical. She was saying no-one should see such ugliness,' her cousin said.

Nogoibaeva wanted her ex-husband to be locked away for life. 'I expect him to be sentenced to life imprisonment,' she said. 'It turns out he committed crimes before me.

[He] continued to commit crimes while living in the same house with me. I dream that our country will become safe for women, children and all people in general.'

Nogoibaeva has gone public with her name in an attempt to raise funds to travel from her homeland Kyrgyzstan to Turkey for 37,000 surgery to rebuild her mutilated face.

Elken, who is leading the fundraising account, said Asel remains in hospital. 'I can't accept this face, because there's nothing left of Asel's ears and nose,' she added.

Nogoibaeva (pictured before the attack) has gone public with her name in an attempt to raise funds to travel from her homeland Kyrgyzstan to Turkey for 37,000 surgery to rebuild her mutilated face

Doctors fought for eight hours to save Asel's life, who is now severely disfigured, reports say

Blood was seen caked over the floor of the family's home after Asel was attacked by her ex-husband

Estebesov, who has finally been jailed, was convicted of stalking Nogoibaeva, pouncing as she took their son to school near capital city Bishkek. He knocked her out then forced her and the son back into their flat (Pictured: Nogoibaeva and her son before the attack)

Estebesov, who has finally been jailed, was convicted of stalking Nogoibaeva, pouncing as she took their son to school near capital city Bishkek. He knocked her out then forced her and the son back into their flat.

A neighbour who called the police said: 'I woke up and heard a man's voice shouting: "Don't cry, or I'll get angry". I immediately called the police.

'When the door was opened, he ran out of the kitchen and attacked the police [before he was detained]. There was blood all over the flat. Asel was covered in blood, too.

'He cut off her nose, ears, [wounding her] face, and bones were visible from the knife wounds. He tortured her with real cruelty.

'As she was rescued, he shouted to her that he would stab her more if she made a police complaint.'

Doctors fought for eight hours to save Nogoibaeva's life, who is now severely disfigured, reports say.

The rapist allegedly attacked the mother-of-two as she took her son to school near the capital city of Bishkek, knocking her out with the force of the brutal assault. He then took the mother and child back to their flat

The attack came soon after Asel had gone to the police warning her life was in danger, Elken said

Estebesov launched the horrific hours-long attack, cutting off Nogoibaeva's nose and ears as she screamed in agony - all while their child hid under the blankets (Pictured: Nogoibaeva after the attack)

The rapist reportedly attacked the mother-of-two as she took her son to school near the capital Bishkek, knocking her out with the force of the brutal assault. He then took the mother and child back to their flat.

It was here that Estebesov launched the horrific hours-long attack, cutting off Nogoibaeva's nose and ears as she screamed in agony - all while their child hid under the blankets.

The attack came soon after Nogoibaeva had gone to the police warning her life was in danger, Elken said.

'We had contacted the police many times and filmed the beatings,' she said.

'The police came, they took him away for two days, and then released him [when he carried out his latest horrific attack].'

Estebesov accused his ex-wife of 'cheating on him', according to his relatives.
The defense later argued that it was her ex-lover Scott Erickson  who was in a separate car  who is responsible for striking the two boys in September 2020

Rebecca Grossman's lover Scott Erickson 'stopped his vehicle and hid in the bushes' to observe what police were doing after the crash that killed two young boys, her attorney told the jury in a sensational new claim on Friday.

Building on his defense that it was former baseball star Erickson's black SUV  not Grossman's white Mercedes  that struck and killed Mark and Jacob Iskander, the socialite's lead attorney Tony Buzbee maintained that after secretly watching the cops investigate the accident, he went to Grossman's house where he 'made some inflammatory statements, then went home.'

It wasn't until a week later that police interviewed Erickson who, he alleged, lied about the car he was driving the night of the crash, presenting cops with a 2007 black Mercedes SUV he owns, not his black 2016 Mercedes AMG SUV, which Buzbee argued he was driving that night.

The Texas-based lawyer, who once ran for mayor of Houston, said he would produce a witness who saw a damaged black SUV stopped near the accident scene that night.

'Scott Erickson's car hit those children  that's what we will prove and that's what the science in this case will show,' said Buzbee.

He scoffed at a prosecution video reconstruction of the crash showing Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8, being hit by Grossman's white Mercedes.

LA socialite and philanthropist Rebecca Grossman is seen leaving court flanked by her son and daughter during a lunch break at her murder trial on Friday

Jurors heard opening statements from prosecutors and the defense - who are putting the blame on Grossman's former lover Scott Erickson. Pictured: Rebecca Grossman, her husband Dr. Peter Grossman, and their daughter and son outside Los Angeles Superior Courthouse

Grossman is accused of killing brothers Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8, Iskander after plowing her Mercedes into the two boys in Westlake Village in September 2020

'No science could ever support that,' said Buzbee who accused the cops of 'taking the easy way' pointing blame at Grossman in a 'rush to judgement.'

Buzbee called the police investigation into the accident 'absolutely terrible' and added that 'there is nowhere near enough evidence to convict' Grossman.

'She did not drop anything and someone else did. The prosecution is trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.'

Buzbee argued that the Westlake Village crosswalk involved is 'dangerous' and 'improperly marked'.

And he also asserted that Mark and Jacob were not actually on the crosswalk but 50 feet north of it when they were struck.

He refuted the prosecution's claim that Grossman tried to 'flee the scene,' saying that due to the location of where her car stopped after the crash, all she had to do was get out and walk to her house which is a block away.'

Buzbee said that witnesses would tell of hearing two impacts, adding' that while prosecutors 'suggest one vehicle did that, scientifically that is impossible.'

He also said he plans to introduce expert witnesses who will say Grossman was only traveling at 52mph - not the 81mph the DA claims. He said Erickson's car, which was ahead of Grossman's, was doing 'more than 70' before the tragedy.

As for prosecutors' contentions that Grossman was impaired with alcohol and Valium, one of her attorneys, Mark Thiessen told the jury: 'That's simply untrue.'

Prosecutors say Grossman was chasing after Scott Erickson (left) - who was driving a separate SUV - after a cocktail-fueled lunch at Julio's in Westlake Village

The socialite is accused of going 81mph in a 45mph zone before plowing into the boys on a crosswalk and damaging her white Mercedes (pictured)

Grossman has claimed the accident was caused by a poorly lit, poorly signaled crosswalk pictured above

He called the police investigation 'messed up' and branded roadside sobriety and breathalyzer tests given to Grossman as 'maladministered.'

Thiessen argued that she was 'polite, coherent and co-operative' with cops at the scene and she had 'no loss of mental or physical faculties'.

'She did nothing wrong,' he said, adding that this was a case of, 'We have two dead kids. We need somebody to blame.'

Meanwhile, Deputy District Attorney Ryan Gould told the jury that earlier in the day Grossman had drunk half a margarita at a friend's house, then a full margarita with Erickson at Julio's in Westlake Village before they decided to drive to her home to watch a Biden-Trump presidential debate on TV.

A witness who spotted Grossman and Erickson after Julio's, racing before the crash, remembered thinking: 'They are going to kill somebody, the way they are going,' Gould said.

After the terrible collision, he said, the boys' mother, Nancy Iskander could see Jacob lying in the road but she could not see Mark because he had been hit and thrown so far away.

'With the speed Mrs. Grossman was going, he (Mark) was projected 254 feet away,' said Gould. 'And she did not stopshe continued down the road.

'Mark died of traumatic blunt force injuries. Jacob was internally decapitated - the force of the collision severed his spinal cord inside.'

Gould told the court that the black box inside Grossman's Mercedes indicated that just before the accident she was 'flooring it,,' driving at up to 81mph in a 45mph neighborhood.

And although she told an emergency phone operator the car automatically connected with after the crash, 'I don't know what I hit,' Gould declared, 'She knew what happened.

'If she had been driving 45miles an hour, she would not have hit Mark and Jacob.'

Erickson played with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2005 for a year, then ended his career with the New York Yankees in 2006

Erickson, pictured with sports journalist Lisa Guerrero in 2015, was charged with a misdemeanor over the 2020 crash, and settled his case in 2022

The Iskander brothers 'didn't stand a chance,' prosecutor Ryan Gould said in opening statements in Rebecca Grossman's trial

Earlier on Friday, prosecutors delivered their opening statements, telling the jury the wealthy Los Angeles socialite and philanthropist 'floored' her car just before she mowed down and killed the two brothers while racing with her lover after cocktails together, then tried to flee the scene.

Gould told the court 'those boys didn't have a chance' after Grossman got behind the wheel of her car while 'impaired with alcohol and Valium,' in the September 29, 2020 crash.

'She did not stop after hitting the kids  she continued down the road,' said Gould, adding that witnesses will tell the court that Grossman's white Mercedes was 'flying down the road' at 81mph before the accident.

And after an emergency operator told her that two young boys had been hit, 'she did not go back to the scene of the accident' from her car which ended up a quarter of a mile further on, he continued.

While prosecutors say it was Grossman's car that hit and killed the boys, her defense team is claiming that it was Erickson's black SUV  or possibly another mystery black vehicle  that was to blame.

Grossman - who is married to plastic surgeon Dr. Peter Grossman - and Erickson were heading to a Westlake Village apartment in two separate cars after lunch at Julio's in Westlake Village where she had been drinking margaritas, prosecutors say.

She showed up for her trial Friday at a court in Van Nuys, 20 miles north west of LA, wearing a dark blue cardigan over a white blouse and blue and white flowered skirt and with her husband, prominent plastic surgeon Dr. Peter Grossman, at her side.

She is charged with two counts of second degree murder in the horrific deaths of the Iskander brothers at a marked pedestrian crossing in September 2020.

Grossman  who is looking at a maximum sentence of 34 years to life in prison if convicted  also faces two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and one of hit-and-run driving resulting in death.

Rebecca Grossman is seen with her husband, Dr Peter Grossman - a renowned plastic surgeon who runs a specialist burns unit. The pair are pictured together in October 2011

The plastic surgeon has remained by his wife's side during her legal troubles despite the slew of scandalous allegations against her

She's pleaded not guilty to all charges. She also has a website proclaiming her innocence, titled The Truth Matters.

The founder with her husband of the Grossman Burn Foundation in West Hills, Grossman has been free on $2million bail since being charged more than three years ago.

At a preliminary hearing in May 2022, the boys' heartbroken mother, Nancy Iskander, wept on the witness stand as she told how she was on a crosswalk in Westlake Village with her three sons when she saw two vehicles barreling toward her at high speed.

She desperately tried to wave down the cars, one a white Mercedes with Grossman at the wheel and the other a black SUV driven by ex-Erickson, just seconds before her two sons were mowed down.

'I still see it every night  it haunts me every night,' said Iskander, who managed to dive to safety, pulling her five-year-old son Zachary out of the way.

'The speed was insane,' she said of the two cars. 'They were zigzagging with each other as if they were playing or racing.

'They didn't stop before the intersection. They didn't stop at the intersection. They didn't stop when an 11 year-old was on the hood of the car.Nobody stopped.'

Presiding at that earlier preliminary hearing, LA Superior Court Judge Shellie Samuels, ordered Grossman to stand trial, telling the court: 'The defendant was not rushing to get home. She was playing a high-speed game of chicken with Mr. Erickson.

'The defendant acted with deliberate conscious disregard for life.'

Grossman, 62, showed up for her trial Friday wearing a dark blue cardigan over a white blouse and a skirt

Rebecca Grossman and her husband Dr. Peter Grossman are seen arriving at the Los Angeles Superior Courthouse in Van Nuys on Friday for the first day of testimony in her trial

Now, at her full jury trial with Judge Joseph Brandolino on the bench, to get a seconds degree murder conviction, prosecutors will have to prove to the jury that Grossman acted with 'implied malice', knowing that driving an alleged 81mph in a 45mph limit was dangerous to human life.

Grossman's murder charges are unusual as there was no charge of driving under the influence.

The LA District Attorney decided against a DUI charge because while a blood test of Grossman showed 0.08 per cent, California's legal limit, a breathalyzer taken earlier showed 0.076 per cent.

Prosecutors say that that Grossman also had Valium in her system and, with the alcohol, she was impaired when she got behind the wheel.

They also argue that she drove on for another quarter mile after the fatal crash and only pulled up because the engine on her car  heavily damaged at the front end due to the collision with the boys  stopped running.

Erickson was said to have been romantically involved with Grossman while she was separated from her husband.

He drove his black SUV through the crosswalk where Iskander family was walking seconds before Grossman's car did, according to prosecutors.

He was charged with misdemeanor reckless driving and his case was resolved in February 2022 with a judge ordering him to make a public service announcement for high school students about the importance of safe driving.

Erickson, who is divorced, was a star with the Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles. He then spent a year playing with the Los Angeles' Dodgers in 2005, and ended his career with the New York Yankees in 2006.

Earlier this month, the boy's mother, Nancy Iskander, wished her son, Jacob, a happy heavenly birthday, posting a photograph of the joint grave where the two brothers are buried

Karim and Nancy Iskander, the boys' parents, are shown at a court hearing in April 2022

Grossman's $2million bail, plus the slow pace of the case  including several hearings where Grossman didn't show up  sparked outrage at past court proceedings from protesters who believe her wealth and 'connections' have kept her out of jail for more than three years.

Two petitions claiming to have a combined total of more than 50,000 signatures circulated, calling for Grossman  who lives in a $7.6million ranch house in a swank gated Hidden Hills community  to be locked up and justice for the dead boys' parents who have also brought a civil lawsuit against her.

'Justice must be served, regardless of Grossman's financial means, status, privilege and connections,' declared one.

'We demand that Grossman is prosecuted and sentenced to the fullest extent of the law and that she face serious consequences for her actions that took away the lives of Mark and Jacob.'

The other petition proclaimed, 'Let's push to spread awareness about this case and put Rebecca Grossman behind bars. Justice for Mark and Jacob Iskander.'

Grossman's legal team is preparing to argue that she was neither the first or last car to hit the children the night they died.

Images from the scene show the front of Grossman's luxury car badly-damaged by an impact prosecutors say was caused by the youngsters she mowed down while speeding in a 45mph zone.

Prosecutors say Grossman was chasing after Erickson, after a cocktail-fueled lunch.

Erickson, now 55, was charged with a misdemeanor, and his case was resolved in February 2022 with a judge ordering him to make a public service announcement geared toward high school students about the importance of safe driving.

Despite the slew of scandalous allegations, her plastic surgeon husband Dr. Peter Grossman is standing by his wife.
President Joe Biden has privately told Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he won't support Israel's war in Gaza lasting a year, according to a new report.

Biden is concerned both about the growing death toll in Gaza and about the impact the war is having on younger U.S. voters in the run-up to the 2024 elections, Axios reported.

He 'is not in it for a year of war,' Biden told Netanyahu privately, according to the report, which follows a series of public and private cautions by the U.S. for the Israel Defense Forces to take steps to mitigate civilian casualties during its operations in Gaza.

The report comes days after Biden was repeatedly interrupted by protesters during a high-profile political speech in Virginia this week, where he sought to hammer rival Donald Trump over abortion rights, an issue that Democrats are hoping to ride to victory despite a series of grim polls for Biden in the presidential race.

President Joe Biden has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayu he won't back a year-long war in Gaza. He was interrupted repeatedly at a political speech this week by Pro-Palestinian protesters

The U.S. is urging Israel to pivot to lower-intensity fighting amid its continued ground assaults, which according to health authorities in Gaza have led to the deaths of 25,000 people.

Biden's advisors have begun sharing their political concerns. One expressed concern about losing young voters, many of whom have rallied to the Palestinian cause amid Israel's war on Hamas, which followed the October 7 terror attacks inside its own territory.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned repeatedly this week about the protests and about whether Biden is taking steps to meet with pro-Palestinian critics.

On the diplomatic front, CIA Director William Burns was set to meet with the head of Israel's Mossad, David Barnea, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Europe this weekend in hopes of hammering out a sequenced release of hostages held by Hamas along with a two month stop to the fighting.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed Israel will continue its war on Hamas in Gaza until its goals are completed

Health authorities in Gaza say the death toll has hit 25,000

The U.S. took the rare step Thursday of condemning at attack on a UN facility in Khan Younis that was housing an estimated 30,000 refugees.

State Department spokesman Vedant Patel in a statement that 'We deplore today's attack on the UN's Khan Younis training centre.'

'Civilians must be protected, and the protected nature of UN facilities must be respected, and humanitarian workers must be protected so that they can continue providing civilians with the life-saving humanitarian assistance that they need,'he added. Israel denied that its forces struck the center.

Biden embraced Netanyahu after October 7 and has kept up the flow of U.S. military assistance while the White House has backed Israel's right to defend itself even amid calls for a cease fire.

'Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appreciates President Bidens support and made it clear in his conversation with him that Israel is determined to continue the war until all its goals are completed,' his office said in response to reports about the call, the Times of Israel reported.
The UN's agency for Palestinian refugees has launched a probe into 12 employees suspected of being involved in the Hamas October 7 terror attacks.

Announcing it had opened the investigation, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said on Friday that is had also severed ties with the suspected staff members.

While Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, did not specify how many employees were implicated in the scandal, the US State Department said that 12 employees were involved.

'The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7,' said Lazzarini.

'To protect the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay,' he added.

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, (pictured) did not specify how many employees were implicated in the scandal

The October 7 attack, committed by Hamas terrorists, left 1,200 Israelis dead

'Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.

'UNRWA reiterates its condemnation in the strongest possible terms of the abhorrent attacks of 7 October and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages and their safe return to their families.

'These shocking allegations come as more than 2 million people in Gaza depend on lifesaving assistance that the Agency has been providing since the war began.

'Anyone who betrays the fundamental values of the United Nations also betrays those whom we serve in Gaza, across the region and elsewhere around the world'.

Lazzarini did not disclose the number of employees allegedly involved in the attacks, nor the nature of their alleged involvement.

Israel's offensive has laid waste to much of the densely populated Gaza Strip and killed more than 26,000 Palestinians

Smoke rises following Israeli air strike in Al Bureije refugee camp during Isreali military operation in southern Gaza Strip

A spokesperson for UNRWA would not provide further detail on the situation.

Minutes after the statement was issued, the US State Department said it had 'temporarily paused additional funding for UNRWA' as it investigates the allegations.

A statement from the department said that Anthony Blinken, the US' top diplomat, had spoken to the UN's Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who was separately briefed about the crisis, to push for a 'thorough and swift investigation.'

The US is one of UNRWA's biggest donors, having sent hundreds of millions of dollars in aid money to assist its efforts.

Last June, the US sent $153.7 million to UNRWA in a single donation, which Lazzarini said at the time was enough to keep 'over 700 schools and 140 health centres open over the next months.'

The previous year, the US was the largest donor to UNRWA, contributing a total of $344 million in 2022.

An unexploded missile is seen stuck between two houses of Al Nusairat refugee camp during Israeli operations in the southern Gaza Strip

UNRWA, whose biggest donors in 2022 included the United States, Germany and the European Union, has repeatedly said its capacity to render humanitarian assistance to people in Gaza is on the verge of collapse

UNRWA has provided aid and used its facilities to shelter people fleeing bombardment and a ground offensive launched by Israel in Gaza

The UK has also sent significant sums of money to the agency. In September, former foreign secretary James Cleverly announced a 10 million aid package for UNRWA.

MailOnline has contacted the UK's Foreign Office for comment.

A UN spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said the global organisation's head was 'horrified by this news.'

Dujarric added that the UN chief had asked Lazzarini to conduct a probe to ensure that any UNRWA employee shown to have participated or abetted the October 7 attacks be terminated immediately and referred for potential criminal prosecution.

'An urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA will be conducted,' Dujarric added.

UNRWA, established in 1949 following the first Arab-Israeli war, provides services including schooling, primary healthcare and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

UNRWA has provided aid and used its facilities to shelter people fleeing bombardment and a ground offensive launched by Israel in Gaza following the October 7 attacks, in which Israel says 1,200 people were killed and 253 taken hostage.

'These shocking allegations come as more than 2 million people in Gaza depend on lifesaving assistance that the agency has been providing since the war began,' Lazzarini said.

Israel's offensive has laid waste to much of the densely populated Gaza Strip and killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in the territory.

UNRWA, whose biggest donors in 2022 included the United States, Germany and the European Union, has repeatedly said its capacity to render humanitarian assistance to people in Gaza is on the verge of collapse.

The diplomatic missions of the United States, Germany and the European Union in Geneva had no immediate comment.
Suspected Idaho killer Bryan Kohberger is asking the judge in his quadruple murder case to dismiss the charges again.

Kohberger is due back in court today for multiple hearings, some of which will be closed to the public.

At 3pm EST, a hearing will be livestreamed during which the judge is expected to rule on his recent application for the charges to be dismissed.

A trial date has not yet been set. Kohberger is accused of murdering students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin on November 13, 2022.

The killings shocked America and the world. All four students had been brutally stabbed in their rented student house by a mystery killer who broke in in the middle of the night.

Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger will return to court in Idaho today

The former criminology PhD student is accused of fatally stabbing Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Maddie Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin , 20, on November 13. Victims (L-R) Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle

Kohberger was arrested in December 2022 after police matched a DNA sample left at the scene to his father.

They were alerted to him by his car - a white Hyundai Elantra, similar to one seen in the area on the night of the murders.

He denies the killings but is yet to make any public statement himself.

Kohberger was a PhD criminology student in the area at the time.

His team previously filed a motion to dismiss the charges, contending in part that the jury was biased, that jurors were given inadmissible evidence, and that they didnt use the right legal standard when they decided to indict.

The defense also previously revealed they would be contesting the notion that Kohberger's DNA was left at the scene on the knife sheath, and also argue DNA from three other unidentified men was also found at the Idaho crime scene.

Kohberger was arrested some 2,300 miles from the crime scene in Pennsylvania. He was attending college in nearby Washington State

The delays came amid fears that a premature demolition would compromise a successful prosecution by depriving the defense of adequate time to gather what evidence it needed

They are also demanding more information on how the FBI used the DNA to create family trees that led them to Kohberger and his father, for an early-morning arrest in Pennsylvania almost a year ago to the day.

It's been over one year since college students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, and Ethan Chapin, 20, were brutally murdered in their off-campus home.

Kohberger, a former PhD criminology student at nearby Washington State University, was arrested during a raid on his parents' home in Poconos Mountains, Pennsylvania, on December 30.

Detectives relied on genetic genealogy to build their case against him, using genetic genealogy to create a a DNA profile from the DNA left on a knife sheath at the scene.

The FBI tracked down Kohberger by tracing his distant relatives through genetic genealogy databases - and then secretly collected a sample of his father's DNA to confirm his identity.

Police say they also matched Kohberger's DNA to the knife sheath after his arrest.

Investigators also pieced together cellphone data and surveillance video that they say links Kohberger to the slayings.
Buchanan had performed around Memphis for decades and previously survived a shooting outside a nightclub in 2014

Rick Buchanan, 59, was found dead at his Tennessee home by his brother John

A Memphis DJ known as Slick Rick, 59, was discovered decapitated in his Tennessee home by his brother.

Rick Buchanan, known by his DJ name 'Slick Rick,' was allegedly gruesomely beheaded in a suspicious incident which is being investigated by police.

Buchanan's brother John found the DJ - who is not affiliated with the American rapper and record producer - dead in his Berclair home on Angel Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.

'I walked in and found him, and I just called 911,' John told FOX13.

'I thought his coat was up over his head like it was cold or something. I ran out and then I ran back in. And, then I realized it was something worse,' he added.

A Memphis DJ known as Slick Rick was discovered decapitated by his brother in his Tennessee home

Rick Buchanan (right), known by his DJ name 'Slick Rick', was gruesomely beheaded in a suspicious incident being investigated by the police

'I thought his coat was up over his head like it was cold or something,' John Buchanan (pictured) said. 'I ran out and then I ran back in. And, then I realized it was something worse'

The DJ was still gripping his keys upon John's discovery and he was found with his pants pulled down.

Buchanan had been performing locally around Memphis for decades and was a huge personality in the community.

In 2014 he had been shot outside a night club, which John said changed his brother forever.

John said Slick Rick became a recluse after the shooting as he had a hard time finding work.

He preferred to stay at his house with his dog Lucky, according to John - who plans to adopt the pet following his brother's tragic death.

John said Buchanan's family are still very shaken over the gruesome way his body was discovered and are desperate for answers.

Memphis PD said they are investigating the suspicious incident.

Buchanan's family owned The Stage Shop - a live music venue in the area which is now closed down.

Devastated friends took to social media to share tributes.

'He was wild but he was a good man,' Kathy Calaway said.

'He had the energy of an entire power plant, would, and did help anyone if he was able and was such a positive, kind man.'

Buchanan's brother John found the DJ - who is not affiliated with the American rapper and record producer - dead in his Berclair home on Wednesday afternoon

The DJ was still gripping his keys upon John's discovery and he was found with his pants pulled down

'I am so damn sad, frustrated, shocked & angry but I shall bite my tongue & go turn up some bad ass rock n roll for a while,' Karen Dillard Brown added.

A GoFundMe was set up by Ashley Buchanan to help with 'finalizing putting Ricky to rest.'

'As some of you may know, my brother, Ricky, passed away. He was found in his home today, but we wont know the cause of death until the autopsy is complete.

'Thank you the prayers for our family. He is now at peace and no longer has to fight his demons,' Nina Makris said in a post on Facebook.

DailyMail.com reached out to Memphis PD for comment.
The heartbroken father of a 14-year-old schoolgirl who a coroner ruled took her own life after relentless bullying by male pupils said she was 'failed' by the 'people who were meant to keep her safe'.

Mia Janin, a year 10 pupil at the Jewish Free School (JFS) in Kenton, north west London, was found dead at her family home in Barnet on March 12, 2021.

An inquest this week heard she was subjected to a vicious campaign of bullying by male pupils at school and online, which saw her targeted in a degrading boys-only Snapchat group.

North London area coroner Tony Murphy, sitting at Barnet coroner's court, concluded today Mia 'took her life while still a child and while still in the process of maturing into adulthood'.

He said she 'experienced bullying behaviour from some male students'.

Tragically, Mia's mother, Marisa Janin, died just months after her daughter following an aneurysm.

Mia Janin, a year 10 pupil at the Jewish Free School (JFS) in Kenton, north west London, was found dead at her family home in Barnet on March 12, 2021

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Janin told reporters: 'Nothing will bring back my wife and my daughter Mia'

Mia as a child with her farther Mariano and mother Marisa

The inquest concluded that Mia took her own life 'while still in the process of maturing to adulthood'

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Janin told reporters: 'Nothing will bring back my wife and my daughter Mia. For almost three years, we have sought answers for the loss of Mia.

'Today, we find some of the answers on the failure of the people who trust and were meant to keep her safe.

'My daughter experienced prolonged and sustained bullying in various ways in person and online.

'In a way, it's a relief this has now been recognised.

'However, there needs to be accountability. Another family cannot live what I have lived.

'I'm representing my wife and my daughter, who always held kindness towards others, and I will carry on.'

He paid tribute to his 'fantastic' daughter, adding: 'She was a very bubbly, and had a good sense of humour. She was beautiful. She was very kind, very creative.'

Mr Janin, an interior designer originally from Argentina, called for changes in online laws 'to protect our kids'.

He said limits should be put on children's internet access and clearer ways for authorities to collect social media data in the event of other tragedies like Mia's death.

He added: 'The school has to be more vigilant. They need to involve more young people who understand all this social media and all this technology better than us.'

He also called for schools to be 'clear' on values and how they transmit those to students so people can 'respect one another'.

He added: 'It's very simple. It's nothing to do with me. Unfortunately, I'm a victim of this failing system.'

North London area coroner Tony Murphy said Mia had 'experienced bullying behaviour from some male students'

Mia had tried addressing her tormentors directly in videos posted to TikTok, but this only provoked a greater backlash

Pictured: The Jewish Free School in Kenton, north west London where Mia was a year 10 pupil

Mr Janin described Mia as a 'bubbly' girl who had just been invited on a holiday to Greece with her best friend from school

He welcomed the changes Mia's former school had made since her death, and said Dr David Moody, the headteacher, seemed to be 'doing a good job'.

Mr Janin also signalled his support for the online safety act, which became law in October, as 'something that is right' but said he would not back a ban on smartphones in school.

Coroner Mr Murphy said Mia was last seen alive at about 10pm on March 11 2021 when she said goodnight to her parents in their family home.

Earlier that evening, she told them she had a 'difficult week' at school and asked to move to a different secondary school, which they agreed to look at, he added.

But Mia was found hanged by her parents at about 6.50am the following day.

Police later found two letters in Mia's handwriting on her bed addressed to 'her loving family and friends', which 'explained that Mia decided to end her life'.

Mr Murphy said Mia had 'close friends, including at her secondary school, but she also experienced bullying from some male students'.

He added: 'On 10 March 2021, Mia had posted a video on social media asking two of these male students not to mock her and criticising their music and fashion.

'This video received a large number of hostile responses, which Mia found stressful.'

He said neither Mia's family nor teachers were aware of the bullying before her death and her death was 'entirely unexpected by her family, friends and teachers'.

This week's inquest heard she was bullied 'on buses, in class and at home' by a group of boys who 'still bully other students'.

Mia, whose friendship group was labelled the 'suicide squad' months before she died, was also targeted online, including in a vile boys-only Snapchat group which ridiculed and posted nude photos of female pupils.

The inquest heard how a group of boys bullied Mia and other students 'on buses, class and at home'

Mia was targeted online by boys who shared vile photo manipulations in a private Snapchat group

Other images in the group show the girls' faces photoshopped onto the bodies of porn stars.

But a TikTok video Mia made hitting back at two of her tormentors was shared to the group and led to such a backlash that she was left 'extremely scared' to go to school the next day.

In voice messages sent to friends the night before, she said: 'I am mentally preparing myself to get bullied'.

Mr Murphy had said there was no evidence about whether any information, images or videos about Mia were posted in the social media groups save for the TikTok video.

The school's former deputy heard, Rabbi Howard Cohen, said he only learned of the Snapchat group  and a WhatsApp group where boys rated girls' attractiveness  after Mia's death.

He talked to the boys alleged to be members of one group and said they agreed to 'disband' the group. He said he no reason to believe the social media groups were any way linked to Mia.

JFS told the inquest it did not know Mia was being bullied or of the existence of the Snapchat group before her death.
A TikTok user revealed three mysterious US locations that visitors are not permitted to access to in a video posted on the platform back in December.

The content creator, known as @upinthespace, briefly described each of the three places, which are located in California, Georgia, and Nevada in the video.

His video has received 1.6 million views and more than 650 comments from other TikTokers.

According to @upinthespace, three places no one is allowed to enter in the US are the Bohemian Grove, the Coca-Cola vault, and Area 51.

A TikTok user known as @upinthespace revealed the three forbidden US locations are the Bohemian Grove, the Coca-Cola vault, and Area 51

His video has received 1.6 million views and more than 650 comments from other TikTokers since he posted in last December

@upinthespace described Bohemian Grove as 'a private club nestled in California's Redwoods.'

'It's exclusivity and privacy are guarded fiercely, fostering speculation about Clandestine gatherings,' he stated.

Located in Sonoma County, the location belongs to a private gentlemen's club known as the Bohemian Club.

Members of the Bohemian Club have been allowed access into the Bohemian Grove, including former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon.

The Bohemian Grove currently hosts annual events for club members and is protected year-round by security.

The location belongs to a private gentlemen's club known as the Bohemian Club, which members included former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon

The Coca-Cola vault is located in the World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta.

'Security measures and confidentiality agreements ensure the recipe's secrecy, preserving the brand's mystique,' said @upinthespace.

According to rumors, only two people know what part of the drink formula is and their identities have never been revealed.

The formula has been secured in the vault at the museum since 2011 after it had previously been stored at the Trust Company Bank.

Although no one is allowed to open the vault, guests can see the outside of it in the Vault of the Secret Formula museum exhibit.

The TikToker later discussed Area 51 and mentioned the 'numerous conspiracy theories' that is associated with the location.

According to rumors, only two people know what part of the drink formula is. The vault is currently at the World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta

The TikToker noted that the secret military base on Groom Lake has been 'shrouded in mystery.'

Area 51 became associated with aliens in 1989 alleged employee Robert Lazar claimed there were 51 housed alien spacecrafts.

These theories were never proven true, but some individuals still believe that aliens do live at the highly classified United States Air Force (USAF) base.

The public is kept away from the location by warning signs, electronic surveillance, and armed guards.

Although the base has 12,000 feet runways, the only flights allowed to fly over Area 51 must originate from a specific terminal and airport.

The planes must also use the call sign Janet to get clearance to enter the location.

Other TikTok users that have commented on the TikTok video noted that Area 51 is the place they would like to visit the most.

Area 51 became associated with aliens in 1989 alleged employee Robert Lazar claimed there were 51 housed alien spacecrafts

Social media users have wrote down that they want to visit Area 51 or the Coca-Cola vault. However, many TikTokers were skeptical as to how the footage was taken

'It's not even a guess area 51,' a TikTok user wrote.

Others have asked questions on how the footage was captured since each location is forbidden to enter.

'If no one's allowed to enter what about the workers and guests,' a TikToker wrote.

One user had allegedly been to Area 51 in the past because he 'was in the corps.'

Some individuals preferred to get access to the Coca-Cola vault instead, despite the drink being made of 'sugar and water.'
History in part is the trust between the generations, a link through and across time that helps give identity and meaning to the present. As individuals, families, communities, and a nation we all have meaning in time, something that was celebrated last year in the coronation. And that is why those opposed to these values and this nationhood, attack our history and do the same in other countries.

To the attackers, Captain James Cook is ripe for demolition at present. Bitterly criticised in Australasia, especially Australia, statues of him have also been targeted in Britain in a 'hitlist' drawn up by 'anti-racism' campaigners.

And now the vandals have struck. Not yet against the Cook statues in Britain, but again against those in Australia. In Melbourne, a bronze statue of Cook, erected in 1914, has been sawn off at the ankles and pushed off its plinth, which has been painted in red with the words 'The Colony will fall'.

In contrast, red is the colour of choice of the vandals as it suggests that there was blood on the hands of such figures. This is inaccurate for Cook. Red paint was also sprayed over Melbourne's monument to Queen Victoria, which was daubed with the same message.

In Melbourne, the bronze statue of Cook, erected in 1914, has been sawn off at the ankles and pushed off its plinth, writes JEREMY BLACK

The statue of Captain Cook in St Kilda was cut down this week by anti-Australia Day protesters and is shown here being loaded on to a truck

Australia of course is a functioning federal democracy with peaceful changes of government and a well-established system of law and of the legal pursuit of differences.

But vandalism and the destruction of what gives meaning and identity is now an established part of the repertoire of those who scream for what they call decolonisation. This is at best a partial and problematic account of past present and future. It is especially so for James Cook, who was stabbed to death by islanders in Hawaii in 1779.

Professor Jeremy Black

He was the key figure for Europeans of what to them was the largely unknown side of the Earth. As with the Polynesians who had earlier explored much of the Pacific - although not going as far north as Cook - this was brave navigation in difficult waters into what was largely or completely unknown territory. Carried out in wooden ships at the play of winds and tides and incredibly vulnerable to storms, these voyages were often fatal to ships and sailors. Moreover, coasts and reefs were uncharted, so running aground was a constant danger.

Cook came from a humble background, his father a Scottish farm labourer. Farmwork for young James was followed by apprenticeship first as a shop boy and then on a collier taking Tyneside coal to London. Rising through ability, notably at navigation in the merchant navy, Cook volunteered for the Royal Navy and served against the French in the Seven Years War. He played a key charting and navigational role in James Wolfe's successful Quebec campaign of 1759. Postwar, Cook mapped the complex coasts of Newfoundland - Britain's main source of cod - and further increased his mastery of surveying in the process.

This can all be seen as some imperial plot, that of a dastardly colonial power intent on world domination and looting the resources of the Earth. Well that view would not have struck the British at the time, for in 1759 they correctly feared French invasion. Such a threat was only stopped in two great naval battles, Lagos and Quiberon Bay. The navy saved Britain in what were the Trafalgars of the age. Cook should be seen as a member of that service, and considered accordingly. Similarly the British Empire of 1939-45 played a key role in defeating Hitler. How many of its statues in the future will fall in some foolish pursuit of an ahistorical vandalism.

Captain Cook, who was born in the Marton area of Middlesbrough, was the first European explorer to set foot in Australia

Cook's navigational skill led him to be chosen by the Admiralty in 1768 for its most dangerous mission to the uncharted Pacific waters. He was to record the transit of Venus across the Sun, which it was hoped would help settle the distance of the Sun from the Earth.

Cook was then to explore in search of the Southern Continent - also known as Terra Australis - that was believed to exist in the South Pacific to balance the hemispheres. When Dutch explorer Abel Tasman glimpsed part of New Zealand in 1642, some believed this was the Southern Continent. It was hoped that Cook's exploration could be the basis for a major trade relationship.

Although Terra Australis turned out not to exist, Cook did indeed put much on the map, notably the coasts of New Zealand and eastern Australia. This was a key achievement in three great voyages in which he sailed more widely in the Pacific than ever before, including probing the approaches to both the Arctic and the Antarctic. Indeed with another Brit, Charles Darwin, Cook was the Westerner who most increased knowledge of the Pacific.

A print from a painting showing Captain James Cook (1728 - 1779) taking possession of New South Wales

His statue today in Melbourne bears the brunt of anger about subsequent British imperial rule, but that was not Cook's quest or achievement and the vandals have scarcely shown any understanding of the man or what he did. Unfortunately this ignorance is widespread.

In Britain it gathers beneath the banner of decolonisation and rests on a failure to understand the past as well as a self-righteous reading of the present. Hostility to Enlightenment Western values is particularly characteristic of decolonisation. Alas nothing very credible have been offered in their place.

Jeremy Black's books include A Brief History of the Pacific, Imperial Legacies, Naval Power, and A Brief History of History.
A 'scum' drunk driver who mowed down and killed a teenager in front of his brother after downing three pints of lager and two double whiskies has today been jailed for 11 years.

Tragic Billy Lardner, 16, had just finished work in an airport restaurant and was about to be given a lift home by brother Drew when he was hit by Tyrone Franklin's speeding car.

Franklin, 25, a scaffolder from Poole, had downed three pints of lager and two double whiskies and lemonades when he 'flew' past Bournemouth Airport at 'insane speed' on June 30 last year.

Just as Billy stepped into the road to get into Drew's parked car he was hit by Franklin's Honda Civic which was speeding at up to 85mph down the 40mph limit road.

Billy was thrown 20ft through the air and was 'shattered to pieces'. He died at the scene.

'Scum': Drunk driver Tyrone Franklin, 25, who mowed down and killed a teenager in front of his brother has today been jailed for 11 years

Tragic Billy Lardner, 16, had just finished work in an airport restaurant and was about to be given a lift home by brother Drew when he was hit by Tyrone Franklin's speeding car on June 30 last year

Harrowingly, his brother witnessed the collision and had to call his parents to break the devastating news.

Their mother Anna, an NHS nurse, immediately drove to the scene and was confronted by the sight of her son's body lying in the road.

Meanwhile Franklin, a father to one daughter, had climbed out of the driver's window and fled the scene through a hedge. He was arrested the following day.

Billy, whose Scottish father served in the RAF and spent 18 years working at Bournemouth Airport, had only recently started his first part-time job at The Navigator restaurant at the Dorset airport.

A work colleague offered him a lift home after they finished their shifts on the night of June 30, 2023, but Billy declined as his brother was already on his way.

In a harrowing victim impact statement Drew, 19, described seeing his brother smile at him and look both ways to cross to his car before Franklin approached at 'insane speed'.

He said Billy hurried up but was too late to get out of the way and the force of the impact removed his trousers and shoes and threw him in the air.

In his statement read by prosecutor Russell Pyne, Drew said: 'As I drove up to the lights he saw me and gave me a big smile.

'Every day I have flashbacks of Billy's lifeless body lying on the floor. Flashbacks of blood dripping from the side of his head, of the sound the car made against his innocent body, and his body flying through the air.'

He said he was mentally scarred by the incident and branded Franklin the 'absolute scum of the earth'.

Mrs Lardner described getting the call from her son and then rushing to the scene. She said: 'I saw a body in the road and ran towards my youngest son and was turned away by a policeman.

'No mum should see the body of her son. No one should be told by their son that their other son is dead.

'I am terrified that Drew watched his brother die. He was carrying his black jeans because his trousers were removed intact from his body in the impact.

'Drew has seen more and lost more than any 19 year old should ever have to endure.'

Billy Lardner's mother Anna Lardner leaving Bournemouth Crown Court

General view of the the junction on Parley Lane outside Bournemouth Airport where Tyrone Franklin flew down in his Honda Civic

Mr Lardner, originally from Denny, Falkirk, described the guilt he felt for helping to get his son at job at the airport.

He said: 'I feel guilty I encouraged him to get a job. His boss feels guilty he rostered him on that day.

'I must now pass the spot Billy was taken from us at least four times a day..'

He called Franklin 'gutless and cowardly' and added: 'Billy deserved better than being smashed to pieces and left to die.'

He said his son was a big Rangers FC fan and loved music.

He had been planning to go to the Boardmasters Festival in Cornwall in August 2023 and in his memory his friends all went in Rangers shirts with 'Lardner' on the back.

He said Billy also had plans to go to Germany to watch Scotland in the Euros this year.

Franklin pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and driving without valid insurance.

In jailing Franklin Judge Susan Evans KC described it as an 'utter tragedy' and a 'cruel twist' that his brother Drew had witnessed.

She said: 'It is tragic his life was so cruelly cut short when he was just 16. The devastation you have brought upon the family and friends is beyond words. No parent should have to attend the funeral of their 16-year-old son.

'There's nothing this court can say or do that could begin to compensate for the loss of Billy, no sentence can make up for the devastation and distress caused by you.'

Billy Lardner's father Andrew Lardner (centre) leaving Bournemouth Crown Court

She said Franklin was 'highly impaired by the consumption of alcohol' and his speed was 'grossly' over the limit.

She said Franklin was a coward to have ran away. She added: 'It was made clear you had just killed someone and yet you made off, no doubt trying to avoid responsibility.'

Franklin was also disqualified from driving for ten years, with the ban due to commence when he is released from prison.

Detective Constable Michelle Underwood, of Dorset Police, said: 'Nothing will ever make up for the unspeakable loss suffered by Billy's family and loved ones that resulted from Tyrone Franklin's actions on the night of June 30.

'His dangerous driving after consuming alcohol was compounded by the fact that he fled the scene in an attempt to escape justice.'
Twenty-two minutes.

That's how long it might take you to run a few miles. To prepare a meal. To call a loved one.

It's also how long it took Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, to die.

As he convulsed and writhed in the tight black straps of his gurney, his wife Deanna began to sob.

The slogan on her shirt  'Never Alone'  reflected in the low light off the thick, dull glass viewing window that separated her in the witness room from her husband in the execution chamber.

In Alabama's William C. Holman prison on Thursday night, soon after 8pm local time, Smith became the first person in history to be gassed by nitrogen.

Smith had been on death row since 1996  convicted for a 1988 murder-for-hire, where he was paid just $1,000 to kill Elizabeth Sennett, the wife of a preacher who ordered the hit.

This was not the first time the state had tried to kill Smith.

In Alabama's William C. Holman prison on Thursday night, soon after 8pm local time, Smith became the first person in history to be gassed by nitrogen.

This was not the first time the state had tried to kill Smith. (Pictured: View from witness gallery at Holman prison, Alabama).

Smith (left) had been on death row since 1996 - convicted for a 1988 murder-for-hire, where he was paid just $1,000 to kill Elizabeth Sennett (right), the wife of a preacher who ordered the hit.

In November 2022, prison officials spent more than 90 minutes trying and failing to inject a lethal cocktail of drugs into his veins.

Deanna had worn the same 'Never Alone' shirt then, too.

A year later, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced the state would try again  only this time using a controversial new method: nitrogen suffocation.

Delivered via facemask, Alabama officials argued the gas should knock out the condemned within minutes.

However, opponents of nitrogen hypoxia, who include the UN, have warned in recent months that the method could amount to human experimentation and even torture.

Author: Lee Hedgepeth.

Such are the risks of a botched process  including the chance it can leave you in a vegetative state, or choking to death on your own vomit  it isn't even widely used to kill animals.

As a journalist based in Alabama, I've covered the state's continued enforcement of capital punishment for nearly a decade.

While technically legal in 27 states, only five put someone to death last year. Alabama was one of them.

Since the first failed attempt to kill Smith, I started following his case  meeting with his family and even getting to know him personally.

In the weeks prior to his death, Smith and his wife asked if I would witness the nitrogen execution, so that I could relay a first full account of this historic  and terrifying  moment.

In the days and hours leading to his death, Kenneth Smith spent time with family and friends inside Holman prison's visitation room.

There, surrounded by chipping paint and neon urinal deodorizers hung on the walls as air fresheners, Smith's family wept as they held him.

'We got this,' he'd tell them, flashing a bright smile.

On Thursday morning, he refused his breakfast, with prison officials reporting that he been slow to rise, though he'd spoken on the phone to Deanna since 6 am.

He gathered with family one final time in the visitation room, where they read aloud letters sent to Smith from across the globe.

'In our chapel, we pray for you every day,' wrote one correspondent.

In the days and hours leading to his death, Kenneth Smith spent time with family and friends inside Holman prison's visitation room. There, surrounded by chipping paint and neon urinal deodorizers hung on the walls as air fresheners, Smith's family wept as they held him. (Pictured: Smith's wife Deanna).

On Thursday morning, he refused his breakfast, with prison officials reporting that he been slow to rise, though he'd spoken on the phone to Deanna since 6 am. He gathered with family one final time in the visitation room, where they read aloud letters sent to Smith from across the globe. (Pictured: Smith's designated pastor, Reverend Jeff Hood).

At around 9.20am, Smith was brought his final meal: T-bone steak, cheese-covered hashbrowns, and scrambled eggs from Waffle House.

He ate a bit  then offered the rest to his family.

'Let's break bread together,' he said, pushing the tray to the center of the cheap plastic table.

After 10am, food was no longer allowed (an attempt to mitigate concerns that Smith might vomit inside the nitrogen mask).

But it wasn't until the afternoon  around 2.45pm  that Smith's upbeat veneer cracked.

As his 78-year-old mother Linda began to cry, Smith finally broke down, too.

Deanna and the rest of the family looked on blankly, unable to provide any comfort.

Smith's son Steven  from a previous relationship and who was only four when his father was incarcerated  sat with his head down. He said he was suffering from a migraine.

At 4pm, it was time to begin.

The end of visitation was announced with a tap at the door. 'Let's go folks,' the guard said flatly.

Smith's family and friends had formed a circle of chairs, holding each other's hands. He walked from person to person, hugging each one and telling them he loved them.

'This is my little girl,' he said as he reached his mother. 'One of my first memories is us running through the woods away from my father. We should have never had to do that. But she's always taken care of me.'

Smith's father was a violent alcoholic, often neglecting or abusing his wife and children. He died years ago.

Smith began to cry again and his mother squeezed his hand.

'You were my pride and joy,' she said. 'I love you.'

Smith stopped to pray, then asked his mother to lead him over to the waiting guards.

They cuffed him and took him away. Deanna signed 'I love you' with her hands  index and little finger raised, with the others tucked against the palm by her thumb.

At around 9.20am, Smith was brought his final meal: T-bone steak, cheese-covered hashbrowns, and scrambled eggs from Waffle House. He ate a bit, then offered the rest to his family. 'Let's break bread together,' he said, pushing the tray to the center of the cheap plastic table. (Pictured: Holman prison).

At 4pm, it was time to begin. The end of visitation was announced with a tap at the door. 'Let's go folks,' the guard said flatly. They cuffed him and took him away. Deanna signed 'I love you' with her hands  index and little finger raised, with the others tucked against the palm by her thumb. (Pictured: From top left - Smith's son Steven, and his wife below him. Smith's mother Linda, his wife Deanna. His other son Michael and his wife).

A few hours later, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Smith's final appeal.

At around 7.45pm, we gathered in the execution chamber's witness room.

Smith's mother Linda wasn't present  he had requested that she didn't watch.

'STAY SEATED AND QUIET,' read the plaque above the viewing window. The curtains were drawn shut.

Our room was dimly lit by salmon-colored light. A dozen or so chairs packed into a small, tiled space. A single box of tissues on the windowsill.

Selected members of the media filed in behind us.

The family of Smith's victim, Elizabeth Sennett, were seated in an adjacent, separate room  with no press.

Then at 7.53pm, the curtains opened  revealing the stark, white chamber no bigger than 10 by 10ft and lit by bare fluorescent bulbs.

Smith was already strapped to a 'Stryker' gurney, the gasmask fitted and covering his entire face from forehead to chin. A brand name on the mask had been covered with tape.

Smith lay prone, his arms outstretched at his sides, restrained by black buckles.

A silver cross hung around his neck. He was wearing his prison-issue clothing  a dark-tan colored shirt and slacks, stamped 'Alabama Department of Corrections'.

He looked over to the viewing window and smiled.

Deanna and his son Steven both signed 'I love you' again.

Smith signed back, despite the restraints.

Around 7.55pm, a correctional officer with no name badge  one of three in the execution chamber along with Smith's designated pastor, Reverend Jeff Hood  removed a cap on the side of the gas mask and plugged a microphone into the wall.

The death warrant authorizing Smith's execution was then read  and Smith was asked to give any last words.

'Tonight, Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards,' he said, before addressing his family and friends: 'I'm leaving with love, peace, and light. Thank you for supporting me. I love all of you.'

It wasn't clear exactly when the nitrogen flow started, but after a few minutes, Smith began to react vigorously.

Then at 7.53pm, the curtains opened - revealing the stark, white chamber no bigger than 10 by 10ft and lit by bare fluorescent bulbs. Smith was already strapped to a 'Stryker' gurney, the gasmask fitted and covering his entire face from forehead to chin. A brand name on the mask had been covered with tape.

I would describe the ordeal as the most violent execution I have ever witnessed. Others called it 'a horror show'.

Smith started thrashing against the gurney straps, his whole body and head jerking back and forth.

As he convulsed  for several long minutes  Deanna, who was seated next to me sobbed.

Smith appeared to be heaving and retching inside the mask. Each time he gasped for air, his body lifted against the restraints.

Slowly, his movements weakened.

Rev. Hood prayed the whole time, tears streaming down his face.

At one point, a correctional officer leaned over Smith and looked into his mask, before quickly returning to his position near the back wall of the room.

Then Smith made his last visible effort to breathe and stopped moving.

For about ten further minutes, we watched as he lay motionless on the gurney. His hand, which had shown that 'I love you' sign, was now balled into a fist, his wedding ring glinting in the fluorescent light.

The curtains drew shut  and an official relayed the time of death to a reporter: 8.25pm.

Smith's relatives sat silent.

A journalist behind us was hurriedly flicking the pages of a notebook, whispering to a colleague.

Deanna turned and asked calmly: 'Do you mind?'

Lee Hedgepeth writes the 'Tread by Lee' newsletter covering news in the U.S. south.
A former Post Office investigator said she could not challenge Horizon experts about the system otherwise 'it didn't go too well'.

Suzanne Winter was involved in the criminal probes of Belfast subpostmaster Alan McLaughlin and Maureen McKelvey, who was based in Omagh.

Mr McLaughlin was wrongfully convicted of false accounting offences in 2005 following an alleged 10,000 loss at his Brookfield Post Office branch in Tennent Street.

Ms McKelvey reported 30,000 shortfalls in the Horizon system at her branch in Clanabogan and despite eventually being found not guilty, the stress of her five-year wait for the acquittal caused her thyroid to rupture which resulted in major surgery.

The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry heard that investigators such as Ms Winter were ranked from one to five based on their recovery of losses from subpostmasters.

Suzanne Winter (pictured) is a former Post Office investigator and said she couldn't question Horizon experts

Ms McKelvey (pictured) suffered a thyroid to rupture which resulted in major surgery because of the stress

Speaking about the performance ranking system she and other investigators were judged on while giving evidence on Friday, Ms Winter said: 'We could see everybody else's, but... I didn't go looking to see what is everybody else doing.

'I was just concerned with what I had been targeted to.'

Ms Winter said she found some statements submitted by Fujitsu staff to assist her investigations 'hard to follow'.

She said: 'I did not have access to anyone in Fujitsu, or allowed to have access.

'I had to put my request through casework if I wanted anything from Fujitsu, and as far as I am aware, casework then dealt with that.

'About nine years in, our casework team then got a Fujitsu liaison person, and that is the person that we would deal with then if we wanted anything from Fujitsu.'

Counsel to the inquiry Emma Price then asked: 'Since the statements related to your investigations, did you ever seek clarification in respect of the bits which you found hard to follow?'

Ms Winter replied: 'No.'

Ms Price continued: 'Why not?'

Ms Winter responded: 'Because it seemed to be the technical side - they were being reported as the expert of the computer and you were more or less, in the Post Office where we were, if you challenged anything... you didn't feel you could challenge anything.'

Ms Price then said: 'Is there any particular individual or individuals who made that the case?'

The former Post Office investigator replied: 'No, I wouldn't say any particular individuals, but you just got the impression that if you started to challenge too much, it didn't go well.'

It comes after the inquiry heard yesterday that a postmistress who was forced to take 50,000 from her pension during the Horizon Scandal.

Heather Earley opened her Post Office in Mossley, County Antrim, in 2011. She was one of hundreds of Post Office workers who were impacted by the Horizon scandal which incorrectly calculated that money was missing from the stores.

To try and prevent the shortfalls in cash being registered every week by the faulty software, Ms Earley dipped into her pension to cover the losses. This eventually led to the woman from Newtownabbey spending 50,000 of her pension.

Heather Earley (centre) alongside fellow former Post officer workers Fiona Elliott (left) and Deirdre Connolly (right) outside Post officer inquiry held in Belfast in 2022

Post Office chief executive Nick Read (pictured outside Horizon inquiry) met Ms Earley in Northern Ireland in 2023 where he apologised to her. But Ms Earley bluntly told him she'd rather have her money back.

The Horizon scandal became much more widely known after Toby Jones, above, appeared in ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office

In 2019, Ms Earley was one of 555 sub-postmasters who won a landmark case against the company. The Post Office agreed to pay 58m in compensation but much of that money went to legal fees.

Post Office chief executive Nick Read met Ms Earley in Northern Ireland in 2023 where he apologised to her. But Ms Earley bluntly told him she'd rather have her money back.

The Horizon scandal took place between 1999 and 2015 when the Post Office wrongly prosecuted 700 sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses for incorrect data provided by the computer system - or one a week.

While the public inquiry into the scandal has been ongoing since February 2021, it returned to the headlines this year due to a hit ITV dramatisation of the scandal - Mr Bates vs the Post Office.

The drama starred Toby Jones as the titular character Alan Bates, the former postmaster who instigated the court case that led to the ruling that the scandal was a miscarriage of justice.
'Suitcase killer' Heather Mack's family feel that justice has finally been served after she was sentenced to 26 years in a federal prison for murdering her millionaire mom.

Her uncle, Bill Wiese, tells DailyMail.com that a 'weight has been lifted' from the relatives of Sheila Von Wiese-Mack, who was killed by pregnant Mack, then 18, and her boyfriend Tommy Schaefer in a luxury hotel while they were vacationing in Bali, Indonesia, in August 2014.

Denver attorney Wiese admits that the family will never get closure, but Mack, now 28, has finally apologized for the heinous crime, which the family have waited ten years for.

Mack had previously never shown any remorse, says Wiese, while serving seven years of a ten-year sentence for the murder in Kerobokan Prison on Bali.

Heather Mack, 28, was sentenced last week to 26 years prison for conspiring to kill her mother in Bali in 2014

Sheila's brother Bill Wiese tells DailyMail.com that a 'weight has been lifted' after the sentencing and the family feel justice has been served. He is pictured with his sister Debbi Curran

Mack's wealthy mother, Sheila von Wiese-Mack was killed and stuffed in a suitcase by Mack and her boyfriend before being left in a taxi on the island of Bali in 2014. The couple were then discovered and arrested

Immediately after returning to the US, she was arrested again and charged with conspiracy to kill a US national and obstruction of justice, and was handed the hefty jail term last week despite her plea for leniency.

She is currently Prisoner number 72776-509, held in the Chicago Metropolitan Detention Center awaiting transfer to a permanent prison home.

While Mack has finally showed penitence, no one in the family can be sure that it's real with Wiese still convinced she's as much of a 'monster' today as she was as a teenage killer, and hopes she gets mental health treatment in prison.

Mack and her former boyfriend were convicted in 2015 of plotting together to kill Mack's mom, socialite Sheila von Wiese-Mack at a luxury resort on Bali during a family trip, and then stuffing her body in a suitcase

'It's like a weight has been lifted off me, but ten years is a long time to wait for justice,' says Wiese.

'I'm not sure I can ever have closure, losing my sister to a horrific crime like that, you can never forget what happened. There's always going to be that void in your life.

'I did appreciate her apology at the sentencing hearing. She turned around in court and said: 'I'm sorry Aunt Debbi [Curran, Sheila's sister], I'm sorry, Uncle Bill.'

'That's the first time I've heard her do that. I think it was sincere, but it's hard to tell, because she's never apologized before in ten years.

'She's the master manipulator, it's good to hear her take responsibility, but she's lied so many times, it could have been another lie to get a lighter sentence from the judge.

'Sheila was very close to her other sister Debbi. Heather never reached out to Debbi over all these years even though Debbi was like a second mother and she spent a lot of time with Heather. She went to Chicago to spend weekends with them, so for Heather not to reach out to Debbi is just shocking.

'What makes me most sick about this case is they plotted the murder for a year in advance of their trip. The way they murdered Sheila and then lied about it. The fact that Heather never apologized, never took responsibility.

'I still think she's as much of a monster now and hopefully she can get access to mental health services in prison. A normal person doesn't do what Heather did.

Wiese-Mack was an academic and the wealthy widow of James L. Mack, a renowned classical and jazz composer, who died in 2006.

Mack and Schaefer plotted to kill her mom in a bid to take her $1.6 million inheritance, which has now been left to their daughter Stella, eight, whom Mack gave birth to in prison.

Wiese-Mack was killed by Schaefer with a metal object, stuffed in a suitcase and left in a taxi. Mack and Shaefer tried to put the suitcase into the taxi, and fled when the driver suspected something was wrong. They were both arrested shortly afterward at a nearby budget hotel.

Schaefer was sentenced to 18 years for murder and remains in Indonesia.

The bloodied suitcase that contained Mack's dead mother is pictured being examined by police

In 2019, Mack claimed in an interview that her mom was 'super abusive because she was an alcoholic and drug addict'

Wiese-Mack was an academic and the wealthy widow of James L. Mack, a renowned classical and jazz composer, who died in 2006

In 2019, Mack claimed in an interview that her mom was 'super abusive because she was an alcoholic and drug addict', detailing episodes where she'd been burned with a cigarette and 'chased around the house all night by my mother with a kitchen knife'.

However, police reports in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park show a different story. According to reports at the time of Mack's arrest, there were 86 calls from their home to the police mostly for domestic violence and theft by Heather as well as missing person reports when Heather went missing for days.

Wiese agrees that it was Mack who was the perpetrator and his sister was the long-suffering mother of a violent teenager.

Wiese adds: 'I think the way she treated Sheila before the murder, all the abuse that Heather inflicted on Sheila was just terrible. I didn't know the extent of the abuse. I knew some things, but I didn't realize the police had been called by Sheila 86 times.

'But Sheila never gave up hope. She always loved Heather and she always thought Heather would change.

'Heather made Sheila's life very difficult for probably five to ten years before the murder.'

Wiese's family fought a successful legal battle to stop Mack from inheriting her mother's fortune, but that wasn't before a Chicago judge allowed $150,000 to be transferred to Bali to help pay her legal fees.

Based on information from an Indonesian law expert and US State Department documents, Wiese thinks it helped to corrupt the justice system and led to her lenient sentence and subsequent party lifestyle inside, where she was pictured drinking and smoking.

'Indonesia wasn't justice, the money sent over there by Judge Cohen from Sheila's estate corrupted the system,' adds Wiese.

Wiese feels differently towards Mack's accomplice Schaefer, 32, who's had a much tougher time in prison.

Tommy Schaefer shares a child with Mack - born after the pair were convicted in 2015 - and was the one to brutally beat von Wiese-Mack to death with a metal bowl in a bid to get hold of her millions

Mack was pregnant at the time of the murder and delivered her daughter, Stella (pictured together, left), in prison. Mack's then-boyfriend Tommy Schaefer right), who is also the father of her child, is serving an 18-year sentence for murder

Wiese says: 'Obviously, he had a much longer sentence and he has shown remorse while in Bali. I think it's been a much tougher time.

'We were getting reports from a non-profit about their time in prison and they were saying Tommy was getting beat up to in there, having a very rough time and had been abandoned. Heather was also stopping him from seeing Stella.

'He did apologize to us. I think that was very sincere. It's not my decision what happens to him when he comes back to America, but it's incredibly lopsided what Tommy has gone through and what Heather went through in prison  hers was a party as she had access to Sheila's money.'

The other victim in this case is Mack's daughter Stella, who was raised initially by a Balinese local. Sheila's niece Lisa Hellman has now been appointed legal guardian.

Hellman and Stella's therapist made the difficult decision to tell Stella what her mother did  and Stella currently doesn't want anything to do with Mack.

Wiese explains: 'Stella's with Debbi's daughter in Colorado and she's doing brilliantly. We haven't met Stella yet, but I'm sure we will. We wanted to give them time alone.

'It's comforting to know how well she's doing, making lots of new friends, playing sports, she's learned how to ski.

'I don't know what the parental rights are with Heather, but obviously she's going to be in prison and Stella will be an adult when she gets released

'Lisa has Stella in therapy, which is good, and the therapist recommended that they tell Stella what her mother did and why she's in jail. Not all the details, but just the fact that she did murder her grandmother.

'The therapist said she's going to find out in school, she's going to do a Google search. It'd be better to do it with the therapist. We believe Stella said I don't want to talk to her anymore from what Lisa says.'

Mack was allowed to live with the child during her incarceration overseas, but her daughter now lives with a relative

In court, a statement was read out on Hellman's behalf asking for Mack to serve the longest sentence possible for Stella's sake so that the little girl 'has the time, protection, safety and resources she needs to have a fully developed adult brain, and strong emotional armor before she has to face her connection to Heather'.

She added that Mack had only exploited her daughter for monetary gain while in the Indonesian prison, using Stella's trust money to fund her party lifestyle, a sentiment Wiese agrees with.

'I saw it as a trustee of the trust and the legal expenses submitted by Heather's attorneys were wildly inflated. Last week, the judge ordered restitution, which means that if Heather ever makes money from the media then the trust can go after that money so it benefits Stella instead,' he says.

'Now we finally have justice, we can move on, we can focus more on the future.'
A California police department's Yelp page has been shut down after it was flooded with negative reviews in the wake of a new Netflix show 'American Nightmare' which details how it branded the horrific kidnapping of a local woman a hoax.

Vallejo Police Department was review-bombed over its handling of the kidnap and rape of Denise Huskins, who was dubbed a 'Gone Girl'-style faker by the force.

Huskins was abducted from the home she shared with boyfriend Aaron Quinn in Vallejo, California, in 2015. For two days, the then 29-year-old was drugged and raped by her abductor in a remote house before being released in an alley near her parents' home.

After she escaped, Vallejo Police Department Detective Mathew Mustard and others under Chief of Police at the time Andrew Bijou pushed the theory the couple had concocted the scheme, while failing to pursue any suspects.

Their actions have now been heavily criticized in one-star Yelp reviews and under social media posts shared by the force since it was featured in the new docuseries.

'As a woman living near Vallejo, it FRIGHTENS me that if anything were to happen to me that I most likely wont be believed or taken seriously from your police department. I dont trust you,' one person wrote.

Vallejo Police Department's Yelp page was shut down after it was review-bombed over its handling of the kidnap of Denise Huskins (left), who with boyfriend Aaron Quinn (right) was dubbed a faker by the force

Detective Mat Mustard (left) initially suspected Quinn (right) before pushing the theory the abduction was an elaborate sham similar to the plot of the movie Gone Girl

'Mat Mustard does not deserve the job he has. He is a misogynistic piece of [emoji] Nobody's life should be in his hands. Nobody's. I'm shocked that the department has not had the balls to stand up and make a statement after all of this backlash. Do the right thing Vallejo,' another woman said.

A message on the Vallejo Yelp page also informs new inquiries that comments have been disabled amid the backlash.

'While we dont take a stand one way or the other when it comes to this incident, weve temporarily disabled the posting of content to this page as we work to investigate whether the content you see here reflects actual consumer experiences rather than the recent events,' the notice reads.

'Please note that we apply this same policy regardless of the business and regardless of the topic at issue.'

Mustard has not only come under fire for his lack of action, but also his inflammatory remarks which include stating that sexually abused women, 'often pretend to have it happen again so they can relive the thrill of it'.

Several of the comments expressed fury that Mustard was promoted twice, once in the same year the kidnapping took place and again when the couple won a $2.5 million payout after they sued for defamation.

Huskins' ordeal began on March 23 when she awoke to find her abductor in her room brandishing a fake gun.

She and Quinn were then drugged and blindfolded with blacked-out goggles before Huskins was bundled into the trunk of a car and driven nearly 500 miles away.

Chief of Police at the time Andrew Bijou (left) and Detective Mat Mustard (right) have come under fire for their response to the horrific crime

Yelp shut down the force's page after it was deluged with complaints in the wake of the Netflix documentary 'American Nightmare' which retold the story of the kidnapping

A selection of the thousands of negative comments left on Vallejo Police Department's Facebook page

Police arrived at the scene to find blood spattered throughout the house, zip ties, toy guns and even a blow-up doll.

Suspicion first fell on Quinn who was taken in for questioning about an argument with his girlfriend over messages she had found on his phone shortly before her disappearance.

The culprit had been demanding $15,000 in ransom for Huskins' safe return during the two-day ordeal.

But days later her captor inexplicably dropped her off in an alley outside her parents' home - much to everyone's astonishment.

The unusual circumstances lead to police to begin suspecting the episode was a hoax.

'We were not able to substantiate any of the things that he was saying. If anything, it is Mr. Quinn and Ms. Huskins that owe this community an apology,' Vallejo Police Lt. Kenny Park said at a press conference.

Police arrived at the scene of the abduction to find blood spattered throughout the house as well as zip ties

Bizarrely, investigators even found a blow-up doll following Huskins' abduction

Huskins and Quinn sued the police department for defamation and won a $2.5 million settlement

Huskins' tormenter was a 41-year-old disbarred lawyer named Matthew Muller. He was only caught when he became a suspect in a similar style home invasion 40 miles away.

He pleaded guilty to the crime and revealed that he had been watching the couple in their home with drones.

The former marine told prosecutors that he suffered bipolar disorder and was medicated when he abducted Huskins.

He pleaded guilty to federal kidnapping charges and was sentenced to 40 years in prison in 2017.

Huskins and Quinn went on to wed and welcomed their first child in 2020 and their second in 2022.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan has congratulated his Indian counterpart Droupadi Murmu on the countrys national holiday, the Republic Day.

Despite several challenges of history, the development of the republic and constitutionalism have best embodied the Indian nations ideas of unity and solidarity anchored on civilizational values, President Khachaturyan said in a letter to President Murmu. I am happy to note that the relations based on historic and friendly ties between Armenia and India are embarking into the practical phase. I am sure that in todays multipolar world we will continue with joint efforts to contribute to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally. I wish you robust health and success, and peace and welfare to the friendly people of India, Khachaturyan said.
More than 60 calls were made to police and social services before a nine-year-old boy was killed by his mother and her partner during a pandemic lockdown.

A Freedom of information request found West Mercia Police and Worcestershire County Council were contacted about Alfie Steele 64 times between them over a three-year period before his death.

The figures were released yesterday as a safeguarding children report was published which laid bare a string of missed opportunities to intervene.

Alfie died in February 2021 at his mother Carla Scott's new-build housing association property in Droitwich, Worcestershire, where he suffered 'sadistic' punishments including beatings and being held under bath water.

A trial heard the sports-mad schoolboy was locked out of the house or in a shed - where he would be forced to stand still - or whipped with belts during a 'sinister' regime of correction and abuse by Scott and her career criminal lover Dirk Howell.

Alfie Steele died in February 2021 at his mother Carla Scott's new-build housing association property in Droitwich, Worcestershire, where he suffered 'sadistic' punishments including beatings and being held under bath water

Dirk Howell, who has been jailed at Coventry Crown Court for life with a minimum term of 32 years for murdering nine-year-old Alfie

Jurors heard concerned neighbours and even passers-by in the street reported the treatment doled out by Howell, 41, and Scott, 35 - who they said turned a blind eye - to police, social services, the council and Alfie's school. Six months before Alfie died, a neighbour made a harrowing 999 call reporting 'thrashing' sounds coming from the bathroom 'like they are really hurting him'.

Six missed chances to save Alfie A review of social services and police contact with a nine-year-old boy before he was killed by his mother and stepfather has found he was classed as 'safe and well' after home visits when he was not spoken to. The 23-page review said: 'There were six known incidents of concern raised with the police or children's services about neighbours or school staff concerns about physical abuse or Dirk Howell's harsh and cruel practices to Alfie. 'Each incident would be followed up by a police or social worker visit. There was inconsistency when Alfie was spoken to, made complicated by his age and on some occasions the lateness in the day of the visit. 'Too often he was described as 'safe and well' when he had not been spoken to. 'The police did not always follow through on injuries noted to Alfie. There were always causal explanations given by Alfie or Carla Scott, but given the context, there should have been more thought given to ensuring that injuries were checked through medical examination. 'These incidents should have led to a strategy discussion and consideration of the need for child protection medicals. 'This review has found that friends, neighbours and people in the community took great risks to ensure that Alfie could be safe, and abuse and neglect addressed. 'The review would like to thank them for all that they did, with the risk of violence and retribution from Dirk Howell. 'When Dirk Howell threatened the neighbours with violence and arson, they said they did not want to pursue a complaint because they were worried about repercussions. More could have been done to support them through a discussion of bail conditions and protective action. 'In the period under review there was an over-reliance on Alfie to share concerns and evidence that he was being abused and harmed. He was consistently asked if he had any worries, whether he liked Dirk Howell and what had happened in the context of allegations of abuse and aggression. 'Throughout the review process there was an absence of discussion of Alfie's lived experience and reflection on the contrast between what was known about what life was like and what he said about it.' Advertisement

Alfie died after being found unresponsive in bath water, with Scott claiming he had fallen asleep while bathing.

Howell was sentenced to at least 32 years in prison for murder last year after a trial at Coventry Crown Court. Scott was jailed for manslaughter with a minimum tariff of 17 years.

The Freedom of Information requests by the BBC discovered Worcestershire County Council was contacted 36 times between 2018 and 2020 by people who were concerned about Alfie's welfare.

West Mercia Police were contacted 28 times during the same period.

Some incidents of concern raised about physical abuse or Howell's 'harsh and cruel' practices were followed up by a police or social worker visit, the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children's Partnership report said.

But, it added, 'too often he was described as safe and well when he had not been spoken to.

'Over the period of this review there were many incidents of concern, they were different in nature, but all were treated in isolation from each other and were not discussed holistically in the context of joint enquiries between the police and children's services.'

Alfie had been on the radar of social services since he was a young boy and had been subject to a child protection plan for neglect in 2018, the same year Scott moved with him from her home town of Wolverhampton to Droitwich.

She met Howell, who had a criminal history stretching back three decades, the following year.

By that August, the report said relatives and neighbours had raised concerns about Howell's criminality, aggression and drug use, prompting a safeguarding strategy discussion.

More neighbours raised concerns in 2020, alongside Alfie's headmaster, but at a meeting in July - a month after Howell had been caught shoplifting - it was agreed the threshold for care proceedings was not met. In August, neighbours warned police they can hear a child being harmed. Scott denied the suggestion, before Howell then threatened to burn the neighbour's home down for blowing the whistle  leaving the resident too scared to pursue a complaint. The report concluded that 'more could have been done to support' the neighbour'.

Howell was then subject to three further police investigations for assaults and burglary, where a collection of shotguns had been taken from an elderly man's gun cabinet, while the authorities also received information that Howell and Scott may be drug-dealing from home.

At the time of his death, Alfie had more than 50 injuries on his body.

Paul Scott, Alfie's grandfather, said: 'We reported Howell again and again to social services and nothing was done.

'Nobody joined the dots; so many chances were missed.

'They know they let Alfie down.'

The report said agencies involved with the family were often 'hampered by two adults who sought to deliberately lie, mislead and cover up what was happening to this little boy'.

Eight recommendations for agencies were made in the report.

Carla Scott has been handed jail sentences totaling 27 years at Coventry Crown Court for child cruelty and the manslaughter of her son Alfie, who was beaten and held down in a cold bath

Body cam cameras captured the landing full of paramedics and officers with Scott standing in the doorway of a 'dark, dirty and dishevelled' bedroom where Alfie was found

Stephen Eccleston, chairman of Worcestershire Safeguarding Children's Partnership, said: 'Whilst the investigation and trial were ongoing, the immediate learning from both this case and other child safeguarding practice reviews has resulted in a change of safeguarding practices and activities.'

Rachel Jones, Assistant Chief Constable at West Mercia Police said officers and staff had been given 'enhanced trainingto ensure they fully understand the signs of vulnerability, that they are professionally curious and don't take information on face value'.

The force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over its involvement.

An IOPC spokesperson said the review was ongoing but had not identified any conduct issues for any officers involved at this stage.
Do YOU go to the surgery?

Do YOU go to the surgery?

The reception of a GPs surgery in Middlesbrough was reduced to a pile of rubble after a car drove into it at speed and destroyed its brick facade.

Staff and patients at Parkway Medical Practice in the Teesside city were left stunned when a black Peugot collided into the centre on Wednesday afternoon.

Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade rushed to the scene, while the team of receptionists on duty were reported to have received minor injuries.

Shocking pictures of the aftermath of the crash have been shared by the surgery on social media.

The surgery wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'We are unable to proceed with any debris clearance or repairs until instructed, and currently have no heating, no phones and only emergency electricity.

Staff and patients at Parkway Medical Centre were shocked after a black Peugot collided into the centre

Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade rushed to the scene, while the team of receptionists were reported to have received minor injuries

Shocking pictures of the aftermath of the crash have been shared by the surgery on social media

'We are working as hard as possible to speedily return to some sort of normality.'

The surgery added it had been able to borrow some rooms from a neighbouring facility, but that appointments would be limited.

A spokesman added: 'We are so lucky to have a team of the most lovely and caring receptionists on the planet. We feel even more blessed that all came away with only minor trauma and fractures.

'The psychological trauma they faced will last a lot longer than the visible bruises.'

A Cleveland Fire Brigade spokesman said: '[We] were called to an incident on January 24 at 2.39pm at the Parkway Medical Centre... Three fire engines were in attendance from Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough and Thornaby.

'One car was driven into side of building. The scene made safe by crews and one fire engine remains at the scene.'

Cleveland Police confirmed the incident was one-car collision. The force has been contacted by Mail Online.
The British Army does not currently have enough soldiers to fight Russia, a military expert warned today.

Michael Clarke, the former director-general of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), told MailOnline that the army must be better at driving recruitment and at least 'get over the 100,000 mark'.

It comes amid fears Britons will be called up if war breaks out with Russia after General Patrick Sanders, the Chief of the General Staff, said the UK should train a 'citizen army' and suggested an increase in reserves alone 'would not be enough'.

The British Army is currently made up of around 74,000 soldiers, plummeting from 102,000 in 2006. General Sanders said boosting Army numbers in preparation for a potential conflict would need to be a 'whole-of-nation undertaking'.

The comments were seen as a warning that British men and women should be ready for a call-up to the armed forces if Nato goes to war with Russia. But Downing Street later hit back at the suggestion, insisting there were no plans for conscription.

Prof Clarke, the visiting professor of war studies at King's College, has followed up on General Sanders' comments by predicting British troops will be on the ground in Europe in the next few years as we move into 'another Cold War'.

Michael Clarke (pictured), the former director-general of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), told MailOnline that the army must be better at driving recruitment and at least 'get over the 100,000 mark'

It comes after former army chief General Patrick Sanders hit out at the 'shrinking size' of the force, which he said had dipped from 102,000 in 2006 to 74,000 today

He explained to MailOnline: 'If not fighting, then being prepared for fighting. We have got to be prepared to fight.

'We will have to reinforce [the armed] forces and there will be some military crises in the next two to five years.'

He said: 'Conscription is against the cultural DNA of our country. We have lost capability. Trade routes - we can make a contribution. Can we do it on our own? Absolutely not.

'Our military has got some of the best systems but we have slipped well below the threshold. We don't actually make any different to anything.

'We don't have the numbers. We are moving back to an era where we are going to have to pay more.

'We are at the end of a 50-year easy ride. In the 1970s we spent the same on defence as we did on health.

'We have got to reorganise the proportions of our national income. They outsourced recruiting to Capita who have underperformed for 20 years. The recruiting has been very inefficient.'

He added: 'The army needs 12,000 [people]. During the Cold War it was 180,000.

'We are moving back to another Cold War. My own guess is something over 150,000 would give you the ability that you need.

Ramped-up military preparations come in response to Russian president Vladimir Putin's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, initially launched in February 2022

Junior soldiers from the Army Foundation College in Harrogate conduct an exercise in Northumberland. Conscription, were it to happen, could see more Brits trained to fight

'You have to get over the 100,000 mark. You have to have a drive in recruitment.

'We have got a very good history and people are very warm and trusting of our armed forces.

'We have to use that.'

Earlier today, No 10 defended the UK Government's spending on defence after a senior US military figure also urged Britain to 'reassess' the size of its armed forces.

Carlos Del Toro, the United States navy secretary, said it was 'absolutely necessary' for Western democracies to continue investing in defence due to a host of emerging threats across the globe.

According to several reports, Mr Del Toro told reporters after a speech at the RUSI in London: 'I think it is important for the United Kingdom to reassess where they are today given the threats that exist today.'

He is also said to have told those at the think tank briefing that 'sacrifices' had been made in the British Army.

It follows Sir Patrick Sanders saying the force's 74,000-strong ranks need to be bolstered by at least 45,000 reservists and citizens if the country is to be prepared for a potential war between Nato forces and Russia.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has insisted army numbers will not fall below 73,000

General Sir Patrick Sanders is due to depart as Chief of the General Staff later this year

Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, has denied suggestions of a rift with the outgoing head of the British Army General Sir Patrick Sanders

Sir Patrick also highlighted funding issues, saying preparations for establishing the 'most lethal Army in Europe' was being 'hindered' and that more than 80 per cent of the Army's 44 billion 10-year spending programme was yet to be committed.

Responding to Mr Del Toro's remarks, Downing Street pointed to Britain being Washington's 'partner of choice' to carry out air strikes against the Houthis in the Red Sea because of its 'military strength'.

The pair combined for a second time this week to target rebel sites in Yemen.

The Iran-backed militants, who back Gaza's rulers Hamas in its war against Israel, have been targeting international shipping in what it says is in response to the Middle East conflict.

A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said: 'The UK is the second biggest defence spender in Nato and the largest in Europe.

'The Navy, Army and Royal Air Force are all playing an active global role, operating across every ocean and continent.

'Our military strength is also why we are the US's partner of choice in taking action to defend against the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

A missile explodes in Kyiv during Russia's latest fusillades against Ukrainian targets

'We do all of this while continuing to be a world-leading supporter of Ukraine's defence.

'We announced an uplift in military funding of 2.5 billion during the Prime Minister's recent visit to Kyiv this month.'

Monday's second round of joint UK and US air strikes saw the RAF target a host of Houthi sites.

Four Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a pair of Voyager tankers, used Paveway IV precision guided bombs to strike multiple targets at two military sites in the vicinity of Sanaa airfield.

The navy has been involved in patrolling the Red Sea, where further missile attacks were recorded on Friday, with Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond working alongside the US Navy.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who has previously backed defence spending rising to 3 per cent of gross domestic product - a measure of the size of the economy - last week said it was currently below the target of 2.5 per cent.

The Conservative minister, in a major speech last week, said the world is 'moving from a post-war to pre-war world' and urged for the UK to ensure its 'entire defence ecosystem is ready' to defend its homeland in what has been read as
Vladimir Putin has accused Kyiv of downing a Russian transport plane that had dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war on board, alleging that it used French or American missiles in the attack.

The Russian president broke his silence this evening on Wednesday's fireball crash, which Moscow claims resulted in the deaths of 74 people, including 65 captured Ukrainian soldiers.

'I don't know if they did it on purpose or by mistake, but it is obvious that they did it,' Putin said in televised comments. 'In any case, what happened is a crime. Either through negligence or on purpose, but in any case it is a crime.'

The Ilyushin Il-76 plane fell out of the sky in Russia's Belgorod region, near the Ukrainian border, with video shared by Russian media appearing to show a huge fireball erupting.

Ukraine has not confirmed or denied whether it shot down the plane and has challenged Moscow's account, accusing it of inventing the story of the tragedy as a propaganda stunt.

Vladimir Putin has accused Kyiv of downing a Russian transport plane that had dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war on board

Russia claims around 74 people were on board, including more than 60 Ukrainian prisoners of war as well as Russian air crew

Putin said the plane could not have been brought down by Russian 'friendly fire' because Russia's air defence systems have safeguards to prevent them attacking their own planes.

'There are "friend or foe" systems there, and no matter how much the operator presses the button, our air defence systems would not work,' he said.

He added that the results of Russia's investigation would be published in two to three days, but that preliminary evidence suggests the missiles that downed the plane were American or French.

It comes after Ukrainian officials dismissed the Kremlin's claims, suggesting the aircraft was empty when it was shot down, aside from its Russian crew members.

The Mail understands Western security officials share the Ukrainians' suspicions over who was, or was not, aboard the aircraft.

One aspect of Moscow's account which appears to be bogus surrounds the publication of so-called passenger manifests.

Suspicion also surrounded the content of video footage taken of the crash site in western Russia, which showed a small amount of human remains.

Within hours of Wednesday's crash, Russian media outlets shared lists of who was supposedly aboard the aircraft when it was shot down.

But Ukraine said some of those listed had actually been repatriated as part of previous PoW exchanges.

A Russian Intelligence Committee investigator examines the crash site where an Il-76 transport plane came down earlier this week

Moscow has accused Ukraine of killing over 60 Ukrainian prisoners of war; Ukraine has not denied shooting down the plane but has accused Russia of faking the deaths of POWs

A video released by Russia's Investigative Committee showed a block of twisted metal and wires and some human remains from either one or two people. No other human remains were shown.

Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said: 'We found Ukrainian citizens on the list who have already been exchanged.

'Also, if there were photographs and videos of our PoWs (at the crash site) Russia would already have posted it.

'There are not any signs that there were such a large number of people on the plane.'

Lubinets added he was 'very surprised' how quickly Russia reacted publicly to the crash.

He has called for the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to be allowed to inspect the crash site.

The ICRC did not respond to Kyiv's request, but it described the reports of the crash as 'worrisome' in a statement to the AFP news agency.

'We will not make any comments or speculations at this stage, until facts are established,' it said.

The Mail has also been told the Ilyushin II-76 aircraft had been used to deliver Iranian missiles.

Ukrainian military spokesperson Andriy Yusov said Russian emergency workers were forbidden to inspect the crash site near Yablonovo.

Only five bodies were recovered from the wreckage. The remains of the pilot and crew members were taken to a nearby morgue, he said.

Within hours of Wednesday's crash, Russian media outlets shared lists of who was supposedly aboard the aircraft when it was shot down.

But Ukraine said some of those listed had actually been repatriated as part of previous PoW exchanges.
A convicted rapist who shocked the nation when he carried out a brutal sex attack on a woman when he was just 13 has been brought back to court for failing to tell police he was going on holiday.

Balal Khan sparked horror when it emerged he had attacked a woman as she walked home in 2009 while barely into his teens, making him one of Britain's youngest rapists.

Amid outrage over the case, Conservative MP David Davies - now Welsh Secretary - was accused of a 'crass misunderstanding' by linking the attack to some ethnic minority communities importing 'barbaric and medieval' views about women into Britain.

Khan was sentenced to three years in a young offenders' institution in 2010 after admitting rape and robbery - with a judge lifting restrictions preventing the publication of his name and mugshot as a 'deterrent' to others.

Balal Khan (pictured) sparked horror when it emerged he had attacked a woman as she walked home in 2009

The schoolboy was spared a longer term after his lawyer stressed his young age - and that he had said sorry.

But at the age of 28, Khan found himself back in court for breaching the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register by going to Spain  the third time he has failed to comply with restrictions since his release.

Under the terms of the order, he has to give seven days' notice of foreign travel.

But Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he went to Girona and Barcelona for four days last June without informing Staffordshire Police.

He was arrested after Border Control at Manchester Airport alerted his supervising officer.

However this time Khan walked free from court with a 27-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months  although a judge warned him he could be locked up if he steps out of line again.

Prosecutor Antony Longworth said Khan was jailed in January 2010 and placed on the sex offenders' register until further order.

But on June 5 Khan went to Girona and Barcelona without informing the police. He returned on June 8.

'His return was notified by Border Control at Manchester Airport to his supervisor and risk assessor on June 9,' Mr Longworth said:

'He was arrested on June 12 and the officer seized his passport.'

The court heard the defendant claimed there was an emergency as an uncle had been involved in a car crash.

Khan, of Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he went to Girona and Barcelona for four days last June without informing Staffordshire Police

Milly Webb, mitigating, said: 'He made an impulsive decision and prioritised having a break.

'He has an obligation to ensure he follows the order. He did not. He has tried to put himself on the straight and narrow. He has no issues with substance misuse or drink.

'It was very selfish to prioritise his own needs over the need to notify.

'It has been a rude awakening to him. He knows what will happen if he steps out of line again.'

As part of the suspended sentence Khan must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 12 days and 60 hours' unpaid work.

Judge Graeme Smith said: 'This is the third occasion you have failed to comply with the requirements.

'The more it happens the more likely you will be sent to custody.

'You must be extremely careful that you continue to comply with these requirements.'

Khan targeted the 20-year-old woman as she walked home in Stoke-on-Trent in September 2009.

After running up behind her, he grabbed her neck before punching and kicking her in the face.

When she began screaming, he told her: 'Do what I say or I'll kill you', and sexually assaulted her.

The teenager then stole the victim's bag and phone. He later took a call from her boyfriend and bragged about what he had done.

Allowing the Press to name him the following year, Judge Paul Glenn said it would serve as a 'deterrent' to others.

He said an adult convicted of the same crime would have been jailed 'for at least eight years'.

'It was a terrifying experience for this woman and she will be left psychologically scarred,' he added.

Khan's barrister, Naomi Perry, had asked for a lesser sentence 'because he had shown remorse for what he had done'.

'We are dealing with a very immature man,' she added.

Robert Price, prosecuting, had told the court: 'The victim started screaming and attempted to get to her feet. Khan responded by punching her in the mouth and knocked her back on the ground.

'He stood over her and kicked her to the side of her face. He started shouting at her and warned that if she struggled he would 'kill' her.'

Khan later sold her phone, but not before making a call to his parents' home.

Call records later led police straight to Khan's address.

In an interview he claimed he had tripped the victim and stolen her bag.

However, scientists found Khan's DNA on swabs taken from her.

Following the case, David Davies, Conservative MP for Monmouth, told BBC Radio 5 Live: 'What is it about this young man's upbringing ... his community or his parental upbringing, that led him to think that women are second-class people whose rights can be trampled over like this?

'There are some sensitive issues here, but there do seem to be some people in some communities who don't respect women's rights at all and who - if I may say, without necessarily saying that this is the case on this occasion - who have imported into this country barbaric and medieval views about women.'

But one academic accused him of 'a crass misunderstanding of gender relations and why rape happens', adding that there were 'plenty of barbaric and backward' attitudes among men in all sorts of communities, including white British.

Meanwhile then Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said he was appalled at the 'inflammatory language' used by Mr Davies, who currently holds the same Cabinet role.

And the Tory party said his comments did not reflect its views 'in any way'.
Woodland experts have objected to Stella McCartney's plans to build a 5million modern mansion on a remote Highland plot, saying it would have an 'adverse effect' on existing trees.

McCartney, 52, and her husband, Alasdhair Willis, sparked criticism over the proposals for a secluded hideaway at Commando Rock in Glenuig, in the Scottish Highlands.

Dozens of objections have been lodged with Highland Council over the application in the name of the fashion designer's husband.

The beauty spot, around 30 miles west of Fort William, is on the Moidart peninsula.

Fashion designer Stella McCartney (pictured at the Met Gala in New York) her husband, Alasdhair Willis (left), sparked criticism over the proposals for a secluded 5m mansion at Commando Rock in Glenuig, the Scottish Highlands

Woodland experts have objected to Stella McCartney 's plans to build a 5million modern mansion on a remote Highland plot, saying it would have an 'adverse effect' on existing trees Pictured: The architect's illustration of the property

Dozens of objections have been lodged with Highland Council over the application in the name of the fashion designer's husband

Ms McCartney and her husband Alasdhair Willis bought the plot of land on the rugged coastline which was on the market for 450,000

Highland Council's forestry team had highlighted concerns over the project's impact on trees and mature woodland.

READ MORE: Stella McCartney and her husband face another hurdle for planned 5million modernist mansion in the Scottish Highlands after previous owner of the site lodged an objection Advertisement

They issued a report last year objecting on the grounds Corsican pine trees could be felled and works for a water supply would have an 'adverse effect' on existing trees.

A further dossier from a forestry officer has now confirmed the objection and suggested the plans be revised.

It said: 'The six pine trees are recorded as category 'B' and we would usually expect applicants to endeavour to retain all category 'A' and 'B' trees where space allows.

'The proposed removal of these trees would, as previously stated have implications for the stability of the remaining trees which will lose mutual protection and be newly exposed to winds.

'The introduction of residential development between these trees would not be prudent.'

It concluded: 'I therefore must maintain my objection to the application.

'The applicant would be best to revise the layout design to completely avoid the pine trees and their Root Protection Areas and crown spread with the development footprint and reroute the water supply to avoid woodland.'

Architects Brown and Brown had earlier written to Highland Council labelling some of the negative comments as 'inaccurate'.

Stella McCartney (right), 52, and her husband Alasdhair Willis attend the launch of the Stella McCartney Global flagship store on June 12, 2018 in London

Dozens of objections have been lodged with Highland Council over the application in the name of the fashion designer's husband

Highland Council's forestry team had highlighted concerns over the project's impact on trees and mature woodland

The beauty spot, around 30 miles west of Fort William, is on the Moidart peninsula

They said: 'The applicant is aware of several comments made relating to the scale and location of the proposed development, which are either felt to be inaccurate, or against which it is felt further context would be beneficial.

'It is not considered that the proposed house will be visible from Roshven House, or the adjacent Roshven Boathouse (run as a holiday let business), with both the existing topography and forestry making this impossible.

'The proposed location of the house is to the North-West of the foundations already on site (under the extant permission for a dwelling house), to prevent the house being located at the horizon of the site when viewed from the water (as it is not considered the house can be seen from any location on land close enough for the form to be determined).'

McCartney, the daughter of former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has established herself as one of the world's leading fashion designers.

She was awarded a CBE in recognition of her services to fashion and sustainability.

Highland Council are expected to make a decision in due course.
An Ohio woman who miscarried at home at 21 weeks after doctors told her that her pregnancy was not viable breaks her silence after a grand jury refused to charge her with abuse of a corpse.

Brittany Watts, 34, was facing a felony crime, after she attempted to flush the fetus of her unborn child down the toilet in her home in Warren.

Two weeks ago, the Trumbull County prosecutor's office announced that a grand jury declined to return an indictment against her.

Watts appeared on CBS Mornings on Friday and told anchor Jericka Duncan that she believes she was quick to be charged because of her 'skin color' and because 'there are no laws behind what you are supposed to do in this situation.'

The harrowing ordeal Watts went through has been life-changing.

Watts told Duncan before the incident she said, 'No one knew my name, I was quiet most of the time just minding my own business,' but since going through what she did, she said she now describes herself as 'motivated.'

'I don't want any other woman to go through what I had to go through,' she said. 'I am ready to get to work making sure the laws are changed and people are educated on what to do for something that happens all the time.'

'As the old saying goes, history repeats itself. I don't want it to happen in this case,' she said.

Brittany Watts, 34, was facing a felony charge, after she attempted to flush the fetus of her unborn child down the toilet in her home in Warren. It was announced two weeks ago that a grand jury declined to return an indictment against her

Watts standing next to her attorney, Traci Trinko (left) speaks at a January 11 rally in her support after prosecutor's announced the criminal charges she was facing were dropped

Pictured: Mercy Health St. Joseph Warren Hospital is where Watts went to after experiencing severe abdominal cramping and bleeding, but said she felt 'ignored' by hospital staffers after waiting eight hours her first visit and eleven hours her second visit to receive medical care

On January 11, hundreds gathered outside of the courthouse to show their support for Watts after the announcement was made that she would not be charged.

'I am truly honored and grateful that you have all come to support me and we are not done fighting,' she said as the crowd cheered and her attorney, Traci Trinko, stood nearby.

During her television interview, Watts explained how she started noticing that something was not right on September 19, when she started leaking fluid. Her water had broke, and it was amniotic fluid.

Watts rushed to her OBGYN and learned the devastating news that though there was a faint heartbeat the pregnancy was not viable.

She was taken by ambulance to Mercy Health St. Joseph Warren Hospital, CBS reported, but waited for up to eight hours for proper medical care.

Despite the danger she could potentially be in, Watts said she went home.

'I was frustrated. I felt ignored,' she said, but returned the next day.

During that visit, she said they hospital staff gave her an IV but then waited up to eleven hours and left again.

Neither she nor her attorney had any idea that the hospital was contacting their ethics committee because medical staff reported concerns that she was using the phrase 'abortion' as a next step.

Watts was in her second trimester of pregnancy and exactly 21 weeks and six days pregnant, and the laws in Ohio ban abortion at 22 weeks with the exception of life-saving care.

Watts had to wait up to six hours for committee to decide if she could be induced despite the medical dangers she could be facing not giving her immediate medical care for the nonviable pregnancy

Watts recalled that she was 'scared' and asked herself, 'Am I going to die?'

Brittany Watts with her attorney Traci Trinko interviewed by Jericka Duncan Friday on CBS This Morning sharing her harrowing ordeal and how she wants to see changes being made

Despite her fears, she left the hospital again without being treated and two days later she miscarried at her home.

Watts told Duncan that she was 'doubled over on the toilet and then heard a splash- saw blood,' and was shocked and terrified.

She returned to the hospital again, her third time, and said the nurse that was comforting was the same nurse, who called the police.

Watts explained how distraught she was on what the nurse said to the police.

'The nurse told police, "You didn't want to look and that you did not want the baby,"' Watts said.

When Duncan asked her if she remember saying that, Watts replied, 'I said I did not want to look. I never said I did not want my baby. I would have never said something like that.'

She then grew emotional. 'It just makes me angry to think someone would put those words in my mouth to make me seem so callous, so hateful.'

The hospital risk management team appeared to be the ones who advised the nurse to call the authorities.

Watts was later arrested and charged with abuse of a corpse, a felony that carries a potential sentence of up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Watts lawyer told CBS This Morning that her client was 'painted in this picture of a young, unmarried, black woman that did not comply with their orders to keep waiting and she weaponized the police.'

Trumbull County Prosecuting attorney issued a statement when the charges were drooped.

They wrote, in part, 'that they do not believe that Watts violated the Ohio criminal statute of abuse of a corpse.'
A prison officer working at a young offenders institution has admitted he felt 'a wee bit' responsible over the suicide of a 16-year-old boy who killed himself at the facility.

A fatal accident inquiry at Falkirk Sheriff Court is examining the circumstances of the deaths of Katie Allan at Polmont Young Offenders Institution in June 2018, and William Brown, 16, also known as William Lindsay, who took his own life at the facility four months later.

Mr Brown, who had been in care repeatedly, was found dead in his cell on October 7, three days after being admitted as there was no space in a children's secure unit, having walked into a police station with a knife.

Ms Allan, a student at Glasgow University, was found dead in her cell on June 4 while serving a 16-month sentence for drink-driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Alexander Cormack, who was a prison officer for 30 years, was working at Polmont on October 5, 2018 - and told the inquiry Mr Allan's death was a 'terrible tragedy'.

A prison officer working at a young offenders institution has admitted he felt 'a wee bit' responsible over the suicide of a William Brown (pictured), 16, who killed himself at the facility

A fatal accident inquiry at Falkirk Sheriff Court is examining the circumstances of the deaths of Katie Allan (pictured) at Polmont Young Offenders Institution in June 2018, and William Brown

At the inquiry on Friday, advocate depute Leanne Cross asked Mr Cormack how he felt about Mr Brown's death when he came on duty on Sunday October 7.

He said: 'It was a terrible tragedy.'

Ms Cross asked Mr Cormack: 'Did you not feel a bit responsible?'

Mr Cormack responded: 'A wee bit, yes. I probably should have checked him more.'

When Ms Cross asked Mr Cormack what he thought he could have done, he replied: 'I am not really sure. The boy could have gone back on Talk 2 Me.'

Mr Cormack said he could not remember when the Scottish Prison Service Talk 2 Me suicide prevention strategy was introduced, and he could not recall when he received training on the matter.

Earlier in his evidence, Mr Cormack said the only information he had access to regarding Mr Brown was that passed from a colleague, to ensure he kept an eye on the youngster as he was 'vulnerable'.

He said he was not aware of his past issues and that he could not recall being given any of the information about Mr Brown.

Sheriff Simon Collins KC, inquiry chairman, told Mr Cormack he 'must try to remember' as some of his colleagues said Mr Brown's suicide was something they would 'never forget'.

Polmont Young Offenders Institution in Stirlingshire, Scotland

The parents of Katie Allan with lawyer Aamer Anwar (middle) and Deborah Coles from bereavement charity Inquest (far left)

Ms Cross put it to Mr Cormack that he 'did absolutely nothing to assist William Brown'.

He replied: 'No, apart from relaying that information (to keep an eye on Mr Brown) to the other staff.'

The inquiry also heard from Dr Mayura Deshpande, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, who was asked to prepare reports to assess the circumstances of the deaths of Ms Allan and Mr Brown.

Dr Deshpande described Mr Brown's actions prior to his incarceration, where he turned up at a police station with a knife, as 'at the very least, a cry for help'.

The psychiatrist raised issues with how both Ms Allan and Mr Brown were assessed upon their arrival at Polmont, and said Ms Allan's assessment seemed to be based on her own self-reports.

Dr Deshpande said the circumstances of Mr Brown's arrest should have been factored into any mental health risk assessment made of him, but that did not appear to have been the case.

She said: 'My understanding from reports is that William presented at a police station with a knife. He stated he had thoughts of suicide.

'This was at the very least a cry for help.'

Ms Allan was jailed for 16 months for dangerous driving

Linda and Stuart Allan, the parents of Katie Allan at Falkirk Sheriff Court on January 8

Ms Cross asked Dr Deshpande why that would have been the case.

Dr Deshpande responded: 'I think for a few reasons. He was a young person, being remanded into custody for the first time.'

She said prison officers who admitted Mr Brown to Polmont on October 4, 2018 'did their best' with the forms that they had.

In the case of Ms Allan, Dr Deshpande said when it became clear she was suffering from additional alopecia and her mental health was deteriorating, that should have resulted in a new assessment of needs.

She recommended that arrival assessment forms should include prompts for staff who spoke to the inmates upon admission.

The inquiry, before Sheriff Simon Collins, continues.

If you need to speak to someone, you can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
Michelle Troconis claimed that missing mom-of-five Jennifer Dulos was alive and hiding as detectives confronted her about discrepancies in her story.

Troconis, 49, is facing trial over claims that she helped her late boyfriend Fotis Dulos cover up the killing of Dulos, who vanished in May, 2019 and whose remains have never been found.

On Friday the jury was shown footage from the Venezuela native's second interview with Connecticut police, which took place in June, 2019.

In the interview, Troconis laid out her theory of Dulos's whereabouts after police asked her what she thinks happened to Fotis' ex-wife.

'I think that she's still somewhere hiding,' Troconis answered.

Michelle Troconis claimed that missing mom-of-five Jennifer Dulos was alive and hiding as detectives confronted her about discrepancies in her story

Troconis at one point became exasperated as the questioning continues, saying 'I didn't do anything!' before putting her head in her arms

'What Fotis has told me that in the past, before they were married, she fought with her parents and she disappeared and she moved to Aspen.'

Troconis continued: 'And she got an inheritance from an aunt of $3million and she lived for three years in Aspen and she changed her name.'

Detectives then ask her if she would ever leave her own daughter and not tell her where she is, before Michelle concedes that she wouldn't - and 'it doesn't even cross her mind.'

However, she adds: 'From my understanding she has a borderline personality disorder.'

A detective replied: 'And you got this information from Fotis? This is the man who killed this woman...'

Troconis then becomes more exasperated as the questioning continues, at one point saying 'I didn't do anything!' before putting her head in her forearms on the table.

Throughout the entire interview she repeats that she does not know what happened to Dulos, but realizes she's in trouble and says at one point that she is 'going to prison because of him.'

The 'Gone Girl' theory, in which a wife fakes her murder to get back at her husband, was previously floated by Fotis' lawyer, before the alleged killer died by suicide as he awaiting his murder trial.

Prosecutors allege that Fotis brutally attacked Jennifer in her rented New Canaan property when she returned from the school run for their five kid

The 'Gone Girl' theory was previously floated by Fotis' lawyer, before the alleged killer died by suicide as he awaiting his murder trial

Fotis' lawyer Norm Pattis alleged Jennifer wrote a 500-page 'Gone Girl' style script years ago, a book in which a wife fakes her disappearance to try and frame her cheating husband.

Pattis also said Dulos had disappeared from New York once before and 'lived for years under a false name' after an 'intrafamilial dispute about money.'

However, nothing has ever come up backing the claim that Jennifer is alive, and her family has repeatedly denied it.

'Jennifer's novel is not a mystery. It's a character-driven story that follows a young woman through relationships and self-discovery over a period of years,' her friend, Carrie Luft, said in the statement on the family's behalf.

'Like all of Jennifer's writing, it expresses a deep longing for human connection and the need to be accepted as one's true self.'

On Thursday, former Connecticut State Police Detective John Kimball told the court he interviewed Troconis on three occasions - June 2, June 6 and August 13, 2019.

Jurors were shown footage of the first interview, where Troconis told cops she woke up on May 24, 2019, headed to the bathroom and then 'Fotis jumped into the shower with me'.

State prosecutors paused the footage to ask Kimball whether Troconis 'always maintained her account that she showered with Fotis Dulos' that morning.

'She did not,' Kimball said.

Troconis' lawyer Jon Schoenhorn, speaking to reporters outside court on Thursday, said the police interviews actually absolve his client and will show she was not deliberately changing her story.

'You have to watch the whole videos and you have to judge for yourself if things that were said were allegedly changed, whether things were being clarified, whether she was being cut off,' the defense attorney said.

Prosecutors allege that Fotis brutally attacked Jennifer in her rented New Canaan property when she returned from the school run for their five kids, who were then aged between eight and 13, on the morning of May 24, 2019.

The state claims he cleaned up the evidence at her home before putting her body in her Chevy and driving around three miles away, where the SUV was found abandoned. Jennifer's body was never found.

Fotis and Troconis are accused of dumping garbage bags containing bloody evidence, including the bra, t-shirt and razor, into various trash cans around Hartford in his Ford Raptor.

Jurors were presented with some of the blood-stained items in the court room, while the Chevy Suburban was shown on screen along with surveillance footage of Fotis and Troconis disposing of the items on Albany Avenue in Hartford.
A historic cocaine bust by the Ecuadorean military was destroyed Thursday as part of the governments war against drug trafficking organizations.

At least 150 soldiers participated in a raid Sunday at pig farm in the western city of Vinces, where a criminal network kept 21 kilos of cocaine inside hundreds of bales at a storage unit that was built under the property.

The military initially searched an underground hideout where they located 10 kilos that contained stickers of automaker Toyota and airline carriers Qatar, KLM, Iberia and Jet 2.

The servicemen canvassed the area until they located a sewer duct, where another 12 kilos of cocaine were stored.

Ecuador's military seized the largest shipment of cocaine ever - a total of 22 kilos - following a raid at a pig farm in the western city of Vinces on Sunday. The drugs were stored in large bales that were hidden in underground storage units built under the property.

Ecuadorean officials analyzed packages of kilos of cocaine before they were destroyed Thursday

The soldiers also confiscated 12 military-style rifles and 5,000 rounds of ammunition.

The massive cocaine shipment was transferred to a base in in Quito where authorities utilized an encapsulation method that included crushing the drugs and then mixing it with cement, sand and glass.

The technique prevented the cocaine from contaminating the environment or being recovered.

National Police commander general Cesar Zapata said in a press conference Tuesday that the farm where the cocaine load found is owned by a businessman who owns several properties in the area.

Ecuadorean officials have been unable to identify the criminal organization that owned the 22 kilos of cocaine that were seized by the military Sunday. The drugs contained logos of airline carriers and automakers

Authorities separate packages containing cocaine before they were destroyed in Quito, Ecuador on Thursday

Ecuadorean officials test the purity of cocaine seized Sunday in the western city of Vinces

Zapata added that the drugs were most likely going be smuggled via the Pacific Ocean and that they were bound for different destinations, including the United States, Europe and Asia.

Authorities have confiscated more than 30 kilos of cocaine in Ecuador in the first three weeks of 2024, more than double in the same period last year.

At least 550 kilos of cocaine have been confiscated in Ecuador in the last three years, according to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime.

Because it is located between Colombia and Peru, two of worlds largest producers of cocaine, Ecuador serves as a main hub for criminal organizations looking to smuggle drugs across the world.

The drug bust comes as President Daniel Noboa, who entered office in November, launched a military operation against criminal organizations that he designated as terrorists.

He initiated a 60-day state of emergency and nighttime curfew in efforts to curb lawlessness.

The escalating violence in the South American country, which saw gunmen storm a live TV broadcast early this month, comes as the economy is struggling to meet its domestic debt obligations, limiting its ability to borrow from overseas.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan has congratulated Governor-General of Australia David Hurley on the countrys national day.

I am convinced that the friendly relations between Armenia and Australia based on mutual respect and trust, and the mutually beneficial cooperation will further deepen and expand for the benefit of our peoples welfare, President Khachaturyan said in a letter to Governor-General Hurley. I wish you robust health and success, and eternal peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Australia.
Humza Yousaf admitted he was winging it when handling the coronavirus pandemic and would get found out, new messages have revealed.

In an exchange with national clinical director Jason Leitch, shortly after Mr Yousaf was appointed health secretary, he admitted to the limitations in his knowledge about his brief.

The comment came during a week in June 2021 when seven people died of the virus. Other messages published by the UK Covid-19 Inquiry reveal Mr Yousafs fury at the approach proposed by Nicola Sturgeon when fighting the Omicron variant outbreak later that year.

Messages from June 11, 2021, which were provided to the inquiry by the current First Minister, show he told Professor Leitch that everyone believes they are a public health expert.

Professor Leitch told him: You actually are. Three weeks training.

Humza Yousaf during a hospital visit in May 2021

Mr Yousaf replied: I am winging it! And will get found out sooner rather than later.

Professor Leitch responded: Me too. That doesnt change...

When he was health secretary, Mr Yousaf repeatedly faced calls for his resignation amid anger about his handling of the pandemic, particularly the failure to help the NHS recover from the impact of lockdown.

He was appointed to the role after the 2021 Scottish parliament election, when his predecessor Jeane Freeman stood down.

Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: This admission is a rare example of self-awareness from Humza Yousaf.

Sadly, the last thing Scotland needed during a deadly pandemic was a health secretary who was winging it.

Just as the last thing we need now is a First Minister whos self-evidently out of his depth.

Other WhatsApp messages released by the inquiry show Mr Yousafs anger at the approach to tackling Omicron suggested by Ms Sturgeon.

Despite holding the role of health secretary, Mr Yousaf has to ask Professor Leitch to keep him updated on a call with the First Minister where there was a discussion of restrictions.

In messages from December 13, 2021, Mr Yousaf said: Keep me updated on what comes out FM call. I will be really disappointed if we end up with just window dressing. Professor Leitch said: Its window dressing.

We edged her to limiting households everywhere we could but its marginal. Nothing significant.

Mr Yousaf replied: Just dont get it. Take it its coming down to finance? So big events can continue, people can meet in as big as numbers as they like in pubs and restaurants? Madness.

Professor Leitch said: All about money.

During the exchanges, Professor Leitch also confirms a decision has been made to enforce working from home through regulations.

Mr Yousaf said he would see where we end up, and that sometimes the days case numbers can focus the mind.

The next day, Mr Yousaf tells Professor Leitch: I took a hell of a bullet at Cabinet (!) But might be able to strengthen the measures, even if its just slightly.

We think we can find 100m within the portfolio, not sure if thats enough but Ive pushed to ask if it is enough to move limits on gatherings in households and hospitality into regs for at least the next 4 weeks.

In another exchange on June 23, 2021, Professor Leitch tells Mr Yousaf that he is intending to attend a British Lions match on the Saturday but Scottish Government communications staff want to talk to me about it.

The match, against Japan at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, was played in front of 16,500 fans with social distancing in place following consultation with the Scottish Government.

Professor Leitch asked Mr Yousaf: I plan to hold the line and still go but not make any fuss. Happy with that?

Mr Yousaf replied: Yes thats fine. If the event is going ahead, having a clinician there is no bad thing.

The UK Covid-19 inquiry heard this week Scotlands chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood froze in the face of the pandemic and wasted valuable time.

Professor Mark Woolhouse also said politicians were mistaken or misinformed about the virus and the public were misled.
The woman known as 'Train Karen,' who drunkenly berated a group of German tourists on a New York train, has launched a new website where she touts herself as someone who 'has compassion for all living beings.'

Brianna Pinnix, 30, gained notoriety in October of last year when she was filmed on a train telling a group of German tourists to 'get the f*** out of my country.' She was fired from her position at Capital Rx after the video of her behavior went viral.

On her personal blog website, Pinnix now brands herself as a 'talent acquisition specialist' with 'an innate talent for recognizing potential,' highlighting an 'impressive career spanning over eight years.'

Despite facing accusations of additional xenophobic tirades against colleagues after the viral video, she describes her journey as having 'begun in the quaint suburbs of Ridgewood, New Jersey.'

'Growing up amidst the comforting presence of family pets, her heart swelled with compassion, not just for her furry companions but for all living beings,' she wrote.

Brianna Pinnix, 30, who drunkenly berated a group of German tourists on a New York train, has launched a new website where she touts herself as someone who 'has compassion for all living beings'

Pinnix gained notoriety in October of last year when she was filmed on a train telling a group of German tourists to 'get the f*** out of my country.' She was fired from her position at Capital Rx after the video of her behavior went viral

On her personal blog website, Pinnix now brands herself as a 'talent acquisition specialist' with 'an innate talent for recognizing potential,' highlighting an 'impressive career spanning over eight years'

In the shocking footage that had gone viral, Pinnix appeared drunk, towering over a group of tourists as they chat amongst themselves in their seats.

'Are you German?' she asks before aggressively adding, 'what did you say, tell me what you said.'

Pinnix becomes increasingly aggressive before shouting 'lets not let immigrants take up our country...how about you get the f**k out of our country.'

The tourists appeared to take the incident in good humor, with only one getting out of their seat, appearing visibly annoyed before calmly sitting back down moments later.

After her identity was revealed, Pinnix deleted her social media accounts and rejected interview requests, choosing not to share her side of the story.

Months later, she debuted a new website which contains blog posts on talent acquisition, but it remains unclear what specific function the website serves and whether she authored these posts.

The website also features pictures of Pinnix in various picturesque settings, radiating genuine happiness as she smiles in each image.

Despite facing accusations of additional xenophobic tirades against colleagues after the viral video, she describes her journey as having 'begun in the quaint suburbs of Ridgewood, New Jersey '

'Growing up amidst the comforting presence of family pets, her heart swelled with compassion, not just for her furry companions but for all living beings,' she wrote on her website

She debuted a new website which contains blog posts on talent acquisition, but it remains unclear what specific function the website serves and whether she authored these posts

She also touts herself as a dancer, who found in dance 'both an emotional outlet and a bridge to connect with others who shared her enthusiasm.'

Highlighting her achievement in the corporate world, Pinnix wrote, 'her exceptional achievements culminated in her being honored with the prestigious Recruitment Consultant of the Year award in 2021 at InterQuest Group.'

She did work at InterQuest Group, where she allegedly called her boss a 'Scottish piece of s***' during a work dispute with Jack Lockerbie on a Teams call during the pandemic.

Pinnix then made a TikTok video series posted to her now-deleted account about the former boss, claiming he 'gaslit her'.

A former colleague who worked with Pinnix between 2019 and 2022 told DailyMail.com exclusively that she was an 'HR nightmare' who colleagues dreaded dealing with.

'None of us that used to work with her are surprised by this video. There was frequent aggressive, angry behavior, she has just been caught out this time' he said.

'Brianna was not a good drunk, there were always tears and screaming when she drank at work events.

'It got to the point where she was banned from work social events,' the former colleague, who did not wish to be named, said.

'Stop this right now, go sit down or I'm never going to talk to you again' the woman's boyfriend threatens

The 'Karen' is seen towering over a group of tourists as they chat amongst themselves in their seats.

Pinnix wrote on her website: 'Following InterQuest, she decided to go into in-house recruitment, starting at Capital Rx. Her job extended beyond hiring suitable candidates for positions; it was about transforming lives.'

But she failed to mention that she lost her job at the pharmacy giant after footage of her screaming abuse at a group of tourists on a New Jersey Transit train went viral.

After her identity was revealed by DailyMail.com Capital Rx said in a statement that the 'company has a zero-tolerance policy around prejudicial or discriminatory behavior.

'After conducting a review of the circumstances, we acted immediately and terminated the employee in question.

'The former employee's actions and words are not representative of Capital Rx, and we offer our sincerest apology to those who were hurt.'

In addition to sections detailing her passion for dance, family pets, and travel on the website, Pinnix emphasizes her 'commitment to her Italian heritage and traditions.'

She wrote: 'The hearty laughs, the mouth-watering food during family gatherings, and her deep dive into the rich history of Italy cement her connection to her beautiful culture.

'Amid her kitchen, amidst the wafting smells of authentic dishes passed down through generations, she finds a unique kind of solace, also expressing her commitment to keeping her roots alive.'

The website also includes two sections titled 'personal life' and 'friends & family,' but Pinnix did not make any mention of family members, including her husband, who accompanied her on the New Jersey train.

'Train Karen' Pinnix has been accused of a second xenophobic attack for once calling her boss a 'Scottish piece of s***' and telling him she 'hoped he would be deported'

According to social media, Pinnix married her husband in a New Jersey ceremony in 2020. However, it's unclear if he is still with her after the 'racist' train meltdown

Pinnix, wearing jeans and a light green strappy top, is seen being soothed by her concerned husband.

'Brie, don't do this. You could be arrested,' he pleads, as he takes her by the arm and tries to convince his partner that the group of men were 'having a private conversation' and not trying to start a conflict.

'I love you, but get off me' the increasingly upset woman tells her husband as she continues to berate the tourists.

'Stop this right now, go sit down or I'm never going to talk to you again' he threatens.

After Pinnix is back in her seat, her husband tells her, 'I'm an immigrant too, you know that right.'

According to social media, Pinnix married her husband in a New Jersey ceremony in 2020. However, it's unclear if he is still with her after the 'racist' train meltdown.

Pinnix was seen emerging from her Manhattan apartment in Yorkville, ironically an historically German immigrant neighborhood, with many German beer halls and butcher shops.

One of her social media posts suggests that she might be moving soon, as she wrote, 'apartment hunting is the WORST.'
Progressive Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson is struggling with his approval ratings just eight months after taking the job, as he deals with a migrant surge that has overwhelmed the city.

Only about one-fifth of voters in the Windy City said they approve of the freshman mayor in a new poll conducted by Democratic pollster Tulchin Research.

When asked how they felt Johnson was performing, just 21 percent replied that they approved of his performance as mayor, as first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, which called the results are 'staggering.'

Seven percent of survey responders rated Johnson's performance as 'excellent,' while another 14 percent answered it was 'good.'

Meanwhile as many as 69 percent disapprove of the mayor's performance, with 27 percent rating it as 'only fair' and 43 percent as 'bad.'

Progressive Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson is struggling with his approval ratings just eight months after taking the job

When asked how they felt Johnson was performing, just 21 percent replied that they approved of his performance as mayor

The remainder 10 percent of the 500 registered voters said they didn't know.

Johnson's short tenure has been shadowed by the migrant crisis in the city, which has received nearly 35,000 migrants since 2022, mainly on buses from Texas. But they have also arrived from other cities and via plane.

The city has spent $156 million on the crisis and still has 14,200 migrants in its 28 shelters, and is fighting with the state of Illinois about where to build more.

The situation has caused a political nightmare for Johnson, as many of the city's black Democrats push for an end to its sanctuary status, breaking away from other Democrats, including Johnson.

Cata Truss, a government employee in the Chicago neighborhood of Austin, said residents of low income communities were sick of seeing their neighborhoods and schools be 'divested' of funding to finance the migrant crisis.

She claimed a 'a lot of us (Democrats) are jumping ship' and she didn't understand why Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson hadn't changed his strategy.

'He has to have regrets, because people have regrets. We are not happy with what is happening here,' she said.

Johnson insists the city would not open any more migrant shelters, and called on Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to make good on promises to build its own ones.

Johnson's short tenure has been shadowed by the migrant crisis in the city, which has received nearly 35,000 migrants since 2022

The city has spent $156 million on the crisis and still has 14,200 migrants in its 28 shelters

The plan is linked to Johnson's new policy of only letting migrants stay in city-run shelters for 60 days before they are evicted to other accommodation.

Illinois said it would build shelters for 2,200 migrants using state money, but Pritzker claimed this week the city was yet to specify where it wanted them build, and 'we can't help if they don't identify those locations'.

Johnson insisted his government did tell the state 'a number of locations that they can build a shelter at' - including outside Chicago.

Mayor Johnson himself says the huge influx of migrants is unsustainable, but he can't turn them away because Chicago is a 'sanctuary city'.

He blamed both the Biden Administration and Texas for his city struggling to care for the about 15,000 asylum-seekers crammed into 28 shelters across the city.

Governor Abbott has sent more than 25,300 migrants to Chicago since August 2022, on buses.

Chicago tried to have them arrive at designated locations during business hours and impounding buses that didn't follow these rules.

However, bus companies responded by dropping off migrants as far as 60 miles from Chicago, and Abbott started sending them on charter flights.
The parents of Idaho murders suspect Kaylee Goncalves says police did not search the trash can in the room where she was 'trapped' and stabbed.

Kaylee was murdered along with friends Maddie Mogen, Xana Kernodle and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin on November 13, 2022.

Suspected killer Bryan Kohberger is due in court later today. He denies the murders.

In an interview with ABC News this morning, Kaylee's parents Kristi and Steve say police were too quick to tear down the house where the kids were killed.

In an interview with ABC News this morning, Kaylee's parents Kristi and Steve say police were too quick to tear down the house where the kids were killed.

The couple shared previously unseen photos of their daughter, Kaylee, who was among the four students murdered

They also claim they failed to go through evidence including the trash can that was in the room where Kaylee was stabbed.

She was discovered sitting up against the wall, they said.

The parents also said they are yet to receive a digital copy of her phone records - something they have been asking for for over a year.

'We are just left in limbo... it's like you're fighting with somebody who just doesn't care,' Steve said of the police investigation.

Kristi said the trash can that was turned over to them was full and did not appear to have been searched.

'We opened it, there was like a squeezy apple sauce thing that you would give a toddler. It did not appear to have been gone through.'

Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger may finally go on trial this summer, as prosecutors have asked a judge to set a date, saying they expect it to last six weeks

The former criminology PhD student is accused of fatally stabbing Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Maddie Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin , 20, on November 13. Victims (L-R) Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle

The pair shared never-before-seen photos of their daughter, and gave more detail of the room where she was found.

'The way that room is put together, if you come through that door you can't get out. She was totally trapped.

'The bed was the entire room you could barely open up the door.

'There was wall, wall. The headboard was against the wall - imagine Kaylee in an upright position, in the condition against the wall,' her mother Kristi said.

Kohberger is due back in court today.

'His attorneys have asked for the case to be dismissed, claiming the jury pool is biased and that evidence was improperly submitted.

The judge previously denied an earlier request for charges to be dropped.
The Duke of Westminster revealed he now struggles to trust tradesmen as a cocaine-addict painter and decorator was sentenced for stealing high-value watches from his bedroom.

Hugh Grosvenor, the King's godson and Britain's 11th-richest person, worth nearly 10bn, told a court he suffered a 'significant' impact from the crime at his Cheshire stately home, Eaton Hall.

As Matthew Turner, 24, received a 20-month suspended jail term at Chester Crown Court today for burglary, the duke said: 'My bedroom was a private, extremely personal space within my home.

'Someone trusted to do a job has entered my room and stolen my possessions. This has sadly affected the trust I have in a company I trusted to decorate my home.'

The duke (pictured wearing a watch at a wedding in 2013), told a court he suffered a 'significant' impact from the crime

Matthew Turner, 24, (pictured) received a 20-month suspended jail term at Chester Crown Court today for burglary

Turner of Great Sutton, near Ellesmere Port pleaded guilty to burglary between August 7 and August 31, 2022

The judge sentencing Turner warned him: 'You have escaped prison by the skin of your teeth.'

The three watches totalled more than 30,000 in value. One was a Cartier London Tank JC wristwatch, made in 1973 and sold to the Duke by Cartier watch expert Harry Fane for 18,000, which has since been returned.

The two others  which have never been recovered - were a Panerai Luminor Marina and a Breitling - a 21st birthday present from the duke's parents.

In his victim impact statement, read by prosecutor Peter Hussey, the 32-year-old Duke  godfather to Prince George - added that 'the impact of the crime was significant' and that both missing watches were 'of high sentimental value'.

The judge sentencing Turner warned him: 'You have escaped prison by the skin of your teeth'

The Duke of Westminster (left) at the wedding of Harry and Meghan in Windsor in 2018

Hugh Grosvenor is Britain's 11th-richest person and worth nearly 10bn

The court heard the theft was only uncovered 'in an amazing coincidence' when Mr Fane spotted the Cartier Tank watch on an auction house website.

Watch expert Mr Fane noted the serial number of the watch and contacted the duke, who discovered the thefts.

Sentencing Turner, who had pleaded guilty to burglary and a later theft at a previous hearing, Judge Steven Everett said: 'You have escaped prison by the skin of your teeth.

'I am sure all three watches, particularly the Breitling watch purchased by the duke's now late father, would have particular sentimental value.'

The court heard Turner was working for a well-respected, family-owned decorating firm which had done regular jobs for the Duke of Westminster's family for 50 years.

The duke's bedroom was not among the rooms needing refurbishment when the company was working at Eaton Hall at the time of the thefts in August 2022.

The duke had instructed workmen to decorate rooms at Eaton Hall (pictured) but not his bedroom

A Panerai Luminor Marina watch was also swiped by the thief

A Cartier London Tank JC wristwatch was among the items taken during the burglary last August

Turner, who had no previous convictions, was also sentenced for theft after being caught on CCTV stealing 60 from a colleague's wallet when working subsequently at a tyre firm in December the same year.

Defending barrister Myles Wilson said: 'He is no longer addicted to cocaine. He can see through drugs and how they have masked issues that he had.'

The judge said he could make no compensation order for the duke's watches but Turner, of Ellesmere Port, must pay 500 compensation for the later theft.

Turner nodded in the dock as Judge Everett told him both offences were a breach of trust and the latter theft from a colleague who considered him a friend was 'particularly mean' so close to Christmas.

The judge said no order he could make could 'possibly compensate' for the loss to the duke.

Afterwards, Turner's relieved father Paul Turner, a painter and decorator, said: 'I got him that job. He is working with me now. We have got him back on the straight and narrow.'

Two other defendants, Kayleigh Gordon, 33, and Nathan Elliott, 30, also of Ellesmere Port, appeared alongside him in the dock accused of handling stolen goods. Both pleaded not guilty and were bailed pending a trial in December.
A jury has began deliberating in a defamation trial against former President Donald and will decide whether he owes writer E. Jean Carroll tens of millions of dollars for sexually abusing her in 1996.

During closing arguments in a Manhattan courtroom the former president, 77, dramatically walked out when Carroll's lawyer said the jury should punish Trump and asked for damages of at least $24 million.

After Trump left senior U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan said: 'The record will reflect that Mr. Trump just rose and walked out of the courtroom.'

The former president returned to the courtroom more than an hour later and retook his seat to listen to Habba's closing argument. Evidence concluded shortly before lunchtime, with jurors then sent out to consider the case.

Donald Trump looks on as his lawyer Alina Habba gets involved in a heated exchange with Judge Lewis Kaplan while she delivers a closing argument at the court in Manhattan.

In this courtroom sketch, E Jean Carroll's attorney Roberta Kaplan gives her summation to the jury in Manhattan federal court as former President Donald Trump, far left, and E. Jean Carroll, far right, listen

Trump appeared disinterested as Judge Kaplan read instructions to jurors - and at one point even appeared slumped in his chair and looking up at the ceiling.

His decision to walk out followed a blockbuster back-and-forth in which Habba and Judge Kaplan locked horns.

'You are on the verge of spending some time in the lockup,' the judge warned Habba. 'Sit down'.

He later told Habba: 'You will not quarrel with me.'

Chaos erupted at the E. Jean Carroll defamation trial on Friday when Donald Trump stormed out of court and the judge warned his lawyer Alina Habba she was close to 'spending time in lockup'

The former president, 77, dramatically walked out when one of Carroll's lawyers Roberta Kaplan said the jury should punish Trump and claimed 'he thinks the rules don't apply to him'

Carroll's lawyer Roberta Kaplan said Trump should pay her client "dearly" for defaming her.

A civil jury last year found Trump liable for sexual abuse after Carroll, 80, claimed he attacked her in the mid-1990s in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in Manhattan.

He has since continued to vociferously deny having met Carroll. Her lawyers have accused Trump of unleashing a 'storm of hate' against her.

Roberta Kaplan, who is not related to Judge Kaplan, asked for $12 million for damages to her client's reputation, another $12 million for the emotional harm caused, and more in punitive damages.

She told the court: 'It will take an unusually high punitive damages award to stop Donald Trump. The one thing that Donald Trump cares about is money.

'Now is the time to make him pay for it, and now is the time to make him pay dearly.

'The sexual assault happened - and Donald Trump's denials and viscous accusations against her were all complete lies,' she said.

The tense exchange between the judge and Habba was sparked by Trump's lawyer trying to introduce a slide show of tweets that had not been entered into evidence.

'You are not going to use a slide to represent how many tweets there were, you are not using that slide, period,' Judge Kaplan said.

Habba arriving at Trump Tower before the dramatic court hearing. The former president, 77, dramatically walked out when one of Carroll's lawyers said: 'Donald J. Trump thinks the rules don't apply to him'.

The tense exchange was sparked by Habba trying to introduce a slide show of tweets they hadn't entered into evidence

Roberta Kaplan showed the jury social media messages in which her client had been threatened.

She said: 'Imagine knowing all of these people hate you. All of them want you to be raped or killed.'

Habba, for Trump, responded: 'President Trump has no more control over the thoughts and feelings of social media users than he does the weather.'

She added: 'Ladies and gentleman, I received three this week alone. That's me on a good day.'

Judge Kaplan called that comment 'inappropriate' and told the jury to ignore it.

Habba later added: 'Ladies and gentlemen, this isn't about President Trump and E. Jean Carroll, this is about some people in their mothers' basements who will always be mean on social media, you cant stop that.'

While the case was going on Trump posted an extensive tirade on his Truth Social network, claiming he was being 'extorted,' that the proceedings were 'unAmerican' and the incident at the department store never happened.

He wrote: 'I am the only one who has been injured by this attempted EXTORTION.

'I have been considered an A-List celebrity for many decades...it would have been impossible for me to walk into a crowded department store (surrounded by buildings I own), right opposite the cashiers checkout desk, without being written about on Page Six, and every other outlet at the time.'

Earlier, Trump had waved to fans as he headed to court on Friday morning before the dramatic start to the hearing.

He left Trump Tower with Habba after the defense rested their case against Carroll, a former Elle magazine columnist who accuses him of attacking her in a department store in the 1990s.

Trump is facing up to $10million in damages for defaming Carroll by claiming he never met her when she accused him of sexual assault

It followed a dramatic Thursday in court where Trump dramatically took the witness stand and testified for just three minutes

From the stand Trump told a civil jury he wanted to defend himself and 'the presidency' by calling out accusations that were 'totally false'

It followed a dramatic Thursday in court where Trump dramatically took the witness stand and testified for just three minutes.

Trump is potentially facing millions of dollar in damages for defaming Carroll by claiming he never met her when she accused him of sexual assault.

From the stand on Thursday Trump told the civil jury he wanted to defend himself and 'the presidency' by calling out accusations that were 'totally false'.

Before giving evidence he was rebuked by the judge for speaking too loudly from his seat, and the judge then repeatedly cut him off during his testimony, making him stick to yes or no answers.

As he left court on Thursday Trump looked back at the packed courtroom, shook his head, and said: 'This is not America. Not America. This is not America.'
Yemen's Houthi rebels say they have carried out an attack on what they have called a 'British oil tanker' in the Gulf of Aden - amid mounting fears that Israel's war against Hamas following the October 7 attacks could consume more of the Middle East.

Yahya Sare'e, the official spokesperson for the Yemeni armed forces, said it had targeted the oil tanker Marlin Luanda, which it labelled a 'British oil ship', with a 'number of appropriate naval missiles'. It was carrying Russian fuel.

But shipping records show the vessel flies under the flag of the Marshall Islands, a group of Pacific islands north-east of Papua New Guinea. MailOnline understands that the ship is also owned by a Bermuda-based firm.

Authorities in the area are responding to the incident. Trafigura, the commodities supply firm that chartered the ship, says it is in contact with the crew. Trafigura itself is based in Singapore but has a 'regional hub' in London.

A spokesperson told MailOnline that fire-fighting equipment was being used to control the blaze, which was caused in one cargo tank on the starboard side of the vessel.

Houthi rebels claim to have struck the Marlin Luanda oil tanker, which they labelled a 'British oil ship' (file picture)

Yahya Sare'e, spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, claimed that the Marlin Luanda was a 'British oil ship'. But records show the boat is registered in the Marshall Islands

The Houthis have claimed the Marlin Luanda is 'British', in this statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, despite records showing the boat is flying under a foreign flag

UK Maritime Trade Operations, a Royal Navy initiative monitoring maritime traffic in the Middle East, says the incident happened in the Gulf of Aden

Houthi rebels have been targeting ships that they claim are affiliated with Israel in a show of solidarity with Palestine; intelligence bodies say they are sometimes acting on old information

A Trafigura spokesperson said: 'Earlier on 26 January, the Marlin Luanda, a petroleum products tanker vessel operated on behalf of Trafigura, was struck by a missile as it transited the Red Sea.

'Firefighting equipment on board is being deployed to suppress and control the fire caused in one cargo tank on the starboard side. The safety of the crew is our foremost priority.

'We remain in contact with the vessel and are monitoring the situation carefully. Military ships in the region are underway to provide assistance.'

MailOnline understands the Marlin Luanda is leased by Singapore firm Trafigura from its owners, a group of investors who own the vessel through a company registered in the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda.

Some management services tied to the lease are provided by UK-based Oceonix Services Ltd, which is registered at an address in London, according to Companies House records.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Houthi spokesperson Sare'e said: 'Yemeni naval forces carried out a targeting operation on the British oil ship Marlin Luanda in the Gulf of Aden, using a number of appropriate naval missiles, the strike was direct, and resulted the burning of the vessel.

'Yemeni Armed Forces persist with their military operations: enforcing a blockade on Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian seas until a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza , and food and medicine are allowed in to the besieged Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

'The Yemeni Armed Forces confirm that they are taking all military procedures within the right to defend dear Yemen and in confirmation of the continuas (sic) practical solidarity with the Palestinian people.'

UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a Royal Navy capability operating in the region, said: 'UKMTO has received a report of an incident 60NM (nautical miles) South East of Aden, Yemen.

'A Merchant Vessel has been struck by a missile and remains on fire. Coalition Warships are in attendance and supporting the vessel. All crew are reported safe.

'Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.'

UKMTO is a Royal Navy initiative that monitors shipping lanes in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea in order to support the maritime industry.

It does not solely monitor activity pertaining to British ships, and its alert makes no mention of the affiliation of the ship attacked in the Gulf of Aden.

A U.S. military official confirmed to AP the vessel was struck by a single anti-ship ballistic missile fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen, damaging the ship. The official said there were no known injuries.

The Marlin Luanda last made port in Egypt after travelling around the top of Africa from Morocco and transferring through the Suez Canal. Its ultimate destination was Singapore and it was carrying Russian fuel, reports Reuters.

The UK Government has said Britain and its allies 'reserve the right to respond appropriately'.

A spokesperson said: 'We are aware of reports that the M/V Marlin Luanda, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, has sustained damage from attack in the Gulf of Aden. Current reports suggest no casualties and nearby coalition vessels are on the scene.

'We have been clear that any attacks on commercial shipping are completely unacceptable and that the UK and our allies reserve the right to respond appropriately.'

Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft have conducted precision strike operations against Houthi military targets in response to further attacks on shipping in the Red Sea

A fighter jet takes off from the USS Dwight D Eisenhower on January 12 as the US launches airstrikes against Houthi targets

Footage shows flames erupting amid a major bombardment of Yemen by UK and US forces on January 11

Maritime Executive reports that the Marlin Luanda earlier reported an explosion in the air approximately 200 to 300 meters above the waterline of another tanker, the Panama-flagged Achilles.

The rebels also launched a missile Friday at a U.S. warship patrolling the Gulf of Aden, forcing it to shoot down the projectile.

The attack on the destroyer USS Carney marked a further escalation in the biggest confrontation at sea the U.S. Navy has seen in the Middle East in decades.

READ MORE: How Israel's war with Hamas is spiralling across the Middle East Advertisement

The Houthis have been attacking ships that they believe are tied to Israel, in a campaign of what they say is solidarity with the Palestinian people amid Israel's war with Hamas.

But EURONAVFOR, the EU's maritime security operation in North Africa, has previously cautioned that the Houthis appear to have been attacking a broader array of ships, possibly acting on out of date intelligence.

It previously said: '(The Houthis) might be capitalizing on outdated information regarding ship ownership in certain instances.'

In return, UK and US jets have carried out precision strikes on Houthi targets in a bid to suppress further assaults on the vital global trade route.

Earlier on Friday, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister said: 'We continue to call on [the Houthis] to step back from such action. We're clear that this is illegal and unacceptable.'

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron is currently finishing a trip to the Middle East, in a diplomatic bid to reduce tensions as the Israeli bombardment of Gaza continues.

The attacks on ships are only adding to fears that Israel's ceaseless, months-long war against Hamas following the October 7 attacks will fuel a wider Middle East conflict.

Meanwhile, Chinese officials have asked their counterparts in Iran to help rein in attacks on ships in the Red Sea or risk harming business relations with Beijing.

The Reuters news agency reports that meetings between China and Iran have seen the subject of the Houthis raised several times amid concerns that the attacks on ships could hamper Chinese trade.

'Basically, China says: 'If our interests are harmed in any way, it will impact our business with Tehran. So tell the Houthis to show restraint',' said one Iranian official briefed on the talks, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

The attacks are said to have raised the cost of shipping and insurance in the Red Sea, a vital trade route linking Asia and Europe. The Marlin Luanda itself was heading for Singapore, in south-east Asia.

Some vessels are reported to have re-routed around the southern tip of Africa in order to reach the vital transatlantic shipping port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, adding days and additional expense to their journeys in the name of security.

Global shipping firm Maersk said earlier this month it would redirect vessels away from the Red Sea for the foreseeable future.

MailOnline has contacted the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office and the Ministry of Defence for comment.
Kracke, whose fiance and 3-year-old were in the car is pleading self-defense

A Connecticut corrections officer has been charged with murder after he allegedly shot and killed a man in a highway road rage incident last week.

William Lucky, 32, an officer at the New Haven Correctional Center, shot Scott Kracke, 49, eighteen times after a heated dispute on the I-691 in Meriden last Sunday.

Lucky's 3-year-old son and the boy's mother were inside his Honda Civic at the time of the killing, the Hartford Courant reported.

Kracke's fiance also witnessed the brutal killing, the outlet reported.

The two men reportedly became embroiled in a road rage dispute around 8pm and began cutting each other off on the busy highway.

William Lucky, 32, an officer at the New Haven Correctional Center, has been charged with murder

Scott Kracke, 49, was shot eighteen times after a heated dispute on a highway last week

Both pulled their cars over near Exit 2A and got out of the vehicles.

The pair began shouting at each other and Lucky opened fire, shooting Kracke in the head and torso.

Lucky then stood over the victim after he fell backward onto the roadway and fired 'several more rounds in rapid succession' witnesses later told police.

Kracke did not have a weapon on him, police said in a statement.

'I didn't want this,' Lucky allegedly told his child's mother when he got back in the car and started crying.

Adding: 'What the [expletive] did I just do?'

The woman told police 'things just happened very fast,' and said she 'blacked out' when the shots rang out while she was looking after her toddler.

Lucky was arraigned on the murder charge and is being held on $2.5 million bail

Lucky claimed he acted in self-defense and fear for the safety of his family

Lucky fled the scene after the shooting but surrendered to Connecticut State Police on Tuesday.

He told police he drove away because his young son was in the car and 'he was afraid the other party would come after him,' according to an affidavit.

Kracke was rushed to hospital by emergency responders where he was pronounced dead.

Lucky was arraigned on the murder charge and is being held on $2.5 million bail, according to the Courant.

He has also been placed on paid administrative leave with pay at the New Haven jail where he has worked as a guard since December 2018, the New York Post reported.

In court on Wednesday Lucky claimed he acted in self-defense and fear for the safety of his family.

'He felt he was going to be killed, and someone in his car was going to be killed,' said Michael Hillis, Lucky's attorney.

'If someone comes on you and you pray for your life, the law allows you to protect yourself.'

Lucky will return to court on February 14.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Friday criticized the 25 Republican governors who signed onto a letter saying that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had the right to install razor wire to defend his state from illegal immigrants coming over the border.

Jean-Pierre also blasted Abbott for preventing U.S. Customs and Border Protection from doing their jobs, though wouldn't say if President Joe Biden would federalize the National Guard, which Abbott has deployed to the area.

Former President Donald Trump, the likely GOP nominee, encouraged the country's GOP governors to send additional National Guard troops to Texas - with Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt saying he would 'absolutely' do so - which could raise the stakes.

'The way that we deal with this is legislatively,' Jean Pierre said Friday. 'The way that we deal with this is for Congress to act.'

She suggested that the 25 Republican governors who signed onto the letter 'talk to the Congressional members and the senators in their state.'

White House Karine Jean-Pierre (left) on Friday criticized the 25 Republican governors who signed onto a letter saying that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (right) had the right to install razor wire to defend his state from illegal immigrants coming over the border

Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas National Guard to defy a Supreme Court ruling allowing federal Border Patrol agents complete access into where law enforcement officers enter the rio Grande. The razor wire can be seen in the background

Later in the briefing she made the encouragement again.

'That is something that is actually easy to do. It does not take much work from them to make those request and to talk to their Congressional members that they probably talk to about many other issues,' she said, before getting cut off by a reporter.

The journalist had asked if Biden was considering federalizing the National Guard troops after it appeared that Texas was violating a federal court order and more National Guard troops could be coming at the urging of the former president.

'I'm not going to speculate on any actions the president could take,' Jean-Pierre said.

She objected when the reporter, Andrew Feinberg from The Independent, suggested her recommendation that Republican governors talk to members of Congress was a solution that was 'political' in nature.

'It's not a political process for a governor in their state to talk to their congressional members about taking legislative actions. That's not politics, that's just the right thing to do on the behalf of their constitutents,' she said.

Jean-Pierre then reiterated the point that Biden 'has taken this incredibly seriously, incredibly seriously,' pointing to the draft immigration legislation he released on his inauguration day now more than three years ago.

The press secretary expressed that she believed a bipartisan deal on Capitol Hill could still be struck over border and Ukraine funding.

On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told Senate Republicans in a closed-door meeting that the 'politics on this have changed,' alluding to Trump likely wrapping up the GOP primary race shortly.

Since Trump's initial announcement in 2015, one of his top talking points has been border security.

'We dont want to do anything to undermine him,' McConnell reportedly said, according to Punchbowl News.

Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney - Trump's top GOP critic in the U.S. Senate - called Trump pushing that lawmakers not fix the border immediately 'appalling.'

'I think the border is a very important issue for Donald Trump,' Romney said Thursday. 'And the fact that he would communicate to Republican senators and congresspeople that he doesn't want us to solve the border problem because he wants to blame Biden for it is ... really appalling,' the retiring senator added.
Anti-semitic vandals today defaced a memorial in Milan depicting the Simpsons being sent to Auschwitz just hours before Holocaust Memorial Day - by scrawling 'f*** Israel' and 'Viva Hitler' on it.

The mural in central Milan, titled 'Track 21, The Simpsons Jews deported to Auschwitz' by Italian artist aleXsandro Palombo, was today defaced by racist vandals for a fourth time, a year after it was first painted at the Shoah Memorial in Milan.

It came as Italian officials in Milan and Rome ordered the postponement of pro-Palestine marches after Jewish communities expressed concern they would take place on International Holocaust Remembrance Day tomorrow, January 27.

Rome's prefecture said the march through the capital, organised by the 'Movement of Italian Palestinian Students' for Saturday, would have to be held 'on another date, from January 28'.

A similar decision was taken in the northern city of Milan.

The mural in central Milan, titled 'Track 21, The Simpsons Jews deported to Auschwitz' by Italian artist aleXsandro Palombo

It was today defaced by racist vandals who scrawled 'f*** Israel' and 'viva Hitler', a year after it was first painted at the Shoah Memorial in Milan

'F*** Israel' and 'W (viva) Hitler' scrawled across the Jewish Simpsons memorial in Milan

The Shoah Memorial, at Milano Centrale railway station commemorates the 1,200 Jewish prisoners who were deported from a secret underground platform, Track 21, to Nazi extermination camps - predominately Auschwitz - to be murdered.

Since the beginning of January 2023, The Shoah Memorial has been visited by over 90,000 people, including over 42,000 students.

Artist Palombo said he had portrayed the cartoon Simpsons family being deported to the Nazi concentration camps to 'tell the story of the before and after the deportation and the horror of the Holocaust'. He said the use of pop culture helps people overcome a 'visual stumbling block to force us to see what we no longer see'.

He added the work was to 'raise awareness against Indifference and to alert us to the danger of anti-Semitism in contemporary society'.

The memorial was first vandalised just two months after it was first created and has been defaced three more times, most recently today, after being cleaned on several occasions.

The writing 'W Hitler' ('W' is often used as a shorthand for 'Viva' in graffiti in Italy) and 'f*** Israel' appeared today, which Palombo said 'reminds us how the anti-semitic wave has been completely normalized'.

He has now said that the mural will no longer be cleaned, and that the anti-semitic scrawlings will form an 'integral part of the work as a testimony against anti-semitism and indifference'.

The artist declared: 'Not reacting to repeated hateful actions will lead us to normalize the danger of anti-Semitism and strengthen the evil of indifference that engulfs everything and everyone. Anyone who looks away from these acts is complicit in the problem.

'The latest anti-Semitic insults and those of recent months will remain as testimony and integral part of the work that will transform this sea of hatred into a tool for raising consciousness and awareness against indifference and anti-Semitism.'

Visitors enter in a train car, at the 'Track 21' memorial, the site where most of the deportation trains from Italy were boarded during the Holocaust, at the train station in Milan

This came just two months after two other murals by the same artist - of Anne Frank and the 'Warsaw Ghetto boy' - which were painted to denounce anti-Semitism were vandalised within 24 hours of being painted on the streets of Milan with pro-Palestinian messages in November last year.

A mural depicting Holocaust victim Anne Frank crying while holding the Israeli flag, in the central Piazza Castello in Milan, was painted over with the words 'GAZA FREE'.

A Palestinian girl in a traditional keffiyeh burning the flag of terror group Hamas was painted alongside Anne Frank in the original mural but this was not vandalised.

The second mural, which appeared in the area of Porta Nuova Project in Milan, was also defaced. That image portrayed the famous 'Warsaw Ghetto boy' wearing the yellow Star of David badge which the Nazis forced Jews to wear.

Victor Fadlun, head of the Jewish Community of Rome, hailed the move to postpone pro-Palestine marches as 'fair and sensible', writing on Facebook that it would avoid 'insulting the memory' of the Holocaust.

Demonstrators march during a pro-Palestine rally in Milan, Italy on October 10, 2023

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi had said Thursday that it was a complex issue whether or not to postpone the demonstrations, as freedom of expression is a right enshrined in the constitution.

But with tensions running high over the Hamas-Israel war, the events risked 'drifting away from the values defended by the law, such as in this case', he said.

Last Saturday, pro-Palestinian demonstrators protesting at the presence of Israeli exhibitors at an international jewellery fair clashed with police in the Italian city of Vicenza.

Maya Issa, president of the student group that had called the march, said it was 'very serious that the Jewish community can influence a decision already taken by the competent authorities, which authorised the march'.

'But we respect the law and we will not demonstrate tomorrow,' she told the AGI news agency.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has sent a congratulatory letter to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on the occasion of Republic Day.

The letter, published by the Prime Ministers Office, reads as follows:

"I send warm congratulations to you and the friendly people of India on the occasion of the Republic Day of India.

Republic Day is a significant occasion for the nations and states that have fought for independence to reaffirm the commitment of the people and the state to the principles of justice, sovereignty, equality and fraternity established by the Constitution.

The Constitution of the Republic of India not only embodies the historical and political culture of India, but is also the best example of harmoniously combining the provisions of the nation's political and philosophical thought in the supreme law.

It is no coincidence that the ideas of the Constitution and Constitutionalism played a major role in the core of the centuries-old Armenian-Indian friendship, taking into account that the Armenian peoples first Constitution was drafted in India. Today we can already proudly record that our friendly ties formed throughout centuries and the common past of our peoples are entering the practical stage of new achievements in bilateral and multilateral relations.

Congratulating you again on the occasion of the Republic Day, I wish you and the friendly people of India peace and prosperity."
Kohberger is accused of murdering students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin on November 13, 2022

Suspected Idaho killer Bryan Kohberger has had his motion to dismiss his quadruple murder charges denied.

Kohberger looked emotionless as Judge John Judge handed down the decision on Friday. The application was rejected amid concerns over delays to the case.

The judge additionally refused to grant a permissive appeal, which would allow Kohberger's team to appeal to Supreme Court.

A trial date is yet to be set, but lawyers warned the hearing could last up to 15 weeks when it does take place due to the massive amount of evidence involved.

Kohberger is accused of fatally stabbing students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin on November 13, 2022.

Bryan Kohberger (far right) appeared emotionless in court where he appeared once again in relation to charges in his quadruple murder case

Judge John (top right) Judge rejected the motion and stated he is ready to set a trial date

The former criminology PhD student is accused of fatally stabbing Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Maddie Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin , 20, on November 13. Victims (L-R) Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle

The killings shocked America and the world. All four students had been brutally stabbed in their rented student house by a mystery killer who broke in in the middle of the night.

The high profile nature of the case also saw Kohberger's defense float the possibility of a change of venue for the trial, which was opposed by prosecutors who want the proceedings to stay in Latah County.

Prosecutors pushed for a trial date this summer. But Ann Taylor, for Kohberger, told the judge that a trial date of Summer 2025 was realistic.

He decided to 'percolate' on when to set the date, apologizing to the families of victims for the delay but saying he wanted to ensure the trial only takes place 'once', with no room for retrials.

'My heart goes out to the victims. I can't even imagine the pain and the grief because they can't really go forward with this hanging on their head, so I'm sorry,' he said.

Kohberger was arrested in December 2022 after police matched a DNA sample left at the scene to his father.

They were alerted to him by his car - a white Hyundai Elantra, similar to one seen in the area on the night of the murders.

He denies the killings but is yet to make any public statement himself.

Kohberger was a PhD criminology student in the area at the time.

His team previously filed a motion to dismiss the charges, contending in part that the jury was biased, that jurors were given inadmissible evidence, and that they didnt use the right legal standard when they decided to indict.

The defense also previously revealed they would be contesting the notion that Kohberger's DNA was left at the scene on the knife sheath, and also argue DNA from three other unidentified men was also found at the Idaho crime scene.

They are also demanding more information on how the FBI used the DNA to create family trees that led them to Kohberger and his father, for an early-morning arrest in Pennsylvania almost a year ago to the day.

It's been over one year since college students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, and Ethan Chapin, 20, were brutally murdered in their off-campus home.

The house where four University of Idaho students were killed last year was demolished Thursday, despite protests from some of the victims' families

Kohberger, a former PhD criminology student at nearby Washington State University, was arrested during a raid on his parents' home in Poconos Mountains, Pennsylvania, on December 30.

Detectives relied on genetic genealogy to build their case against him, using genetic genealogy to create a a DNA profile from the DNA left on a knife sheath at the scene.

The FBI tracked down Kohberger by tracing his distant relatives through genetic genealogy databases - and then secretly collected a sample of his father's DNA to confirm his identity.

Police say they also matched Kohberger's DNA to the knife sheath after his arrest.

Investigators also pieced together cellphone data and surveillance video that they say links Kohberger to the slayings.
An all-time record 302,000 migrants were intercepted crossing the southern border in December - nineteen of them on the FBI's terror watchlist.

The shocking figure was shared with ABC News Friday and is the highest ever recorded. A source who shared the figure said the number is preliminary and could change.

They'll deal a fresh blow to President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, as he struggles to tackle the crisis, which consistently ranks as one of voters' biggest concerns.

Friday's provisional numbers were released as Texas National Guard soldiers continued to fortify the border with barbed wire in defiance of the Biden administration's ban on them doing so - with South Dakota's GOP Governor Kristi Noem also getting involved.

Troops were seen loading excess wire into a truck at the border crossing at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass on Friday.

It comes just a few days after the SCOTUS ruled against Republican Governor Greg Abbott and said the Biden Administration could remove the barriers.

Federal government officials claim the wire fences endanger safety and gets in the way of rescue efforts, while the state says it stops the flow of migrants.

Making an appearance at Eagle Pass earlier on Friday, South Dakota Governor Kristi called out President Biden for refusing to defend the country 'from an invasion'. She also branded the area a 'war zone'.

Earlier on Friday, Customs and Border Protection reported 302,034 migrant encounters in December - the highest month ever recorded.

Soldiers were seen loading excess wire into a truck at the border crossing at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass on Friday

Texas National Guard soldiers wait nearby the boat ramp where law enforcement enter the Rio Grande at Shelby Park on January 26, 2024

Making an appearance at Eagle Pass earlier on Friday, South Dakota Governor Kristi called out President Biden for refusing to defend the country 'from an invasion'

CBP also reported that 19 people on the FBI terror watchlist were arrested in December, bringing the total to 50 arrests for fiscal year 2024 so far.

Speaking to Fox News, Noem told the outlet: 'I'm incredibly proud of Texas and the actions they are taking.

'They're protecting their state sovereignty. This is Texas land. Shelby Park belongs to the state of Texas.

'It's a part of the United States of America and the President is refusing to defend it from an invasion.

'Today was the deadline that president Biden gave Texas that they would start cutting down the razor wire. There's been none of that happening here today.

'I as the governor of South Dakota see the effects of Joe Biden ignoring federal law and allowing this invasion every day in my home state.

'The funneling of the human trafficking and the drugs comes across this border comes in my state through my travel reservations, devastates my people.

'I'm proud to stand with the governor and his people here working to keep America safe.'

Noem and Abbott have both been touted as future presidential candidates - with Noem a possible vice presidential candidate later this year.

Noem had issued a press release on Thursday detailing her decision to travel to 'the warzone'.

It said: 'This is about our Constitution. This is about us standing united, Im going to be at the border tomorrow to tell the Texas National Guard that were not only with them, that we have continued to be with them for the last several years.'

Noem had issued a press release on Thursday detailing her decision to travel to 'the warzone'

In an aerial view, Texas law enforcement's staging ground for military equipment and National Guard soldiers is seen at Shelby Park on January 26, 2024 in Eagle Pass

National Guard soldiers load excess concertina wire onto a trailer after Governor Greg Abbott ordered them to defy a Supreme Court ruling

Military vehicles are staged nearby shipping containers that block all access to the Rio Grande riverfront

Noem has also pledged to help send South Dakota National Guard troops to the border, after sending 50 soldiers last Summer.

The Biden administration has been in a standoff with Texas over 30 miles of sharp concertina wire around Eagle Pass along the Rio Grande on the southern border.

Border patrol agents have been seen cutting down the wire as they conduct rescue efforts at the border area, where three migrants have drowned in the last month.

The governor of the Lone Star State, while traveling in India, reacted to the ruling by promising the legal battle was far from over.

'The Biden Administration has repeatedly cut wire that Texas installed to stop illegal crossings, opening the floodgates to illegal immigrants,' Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris told the DailyMail.com.

'The absence of razor wire and other deterrence strategies encourages migrants to make unsafe and illegal crossings between ports of entry, while making the job of Texas National Guard soldiers and DPS troopers more dangerous and difficult.'

Governor Abbott ordered the installation of miles of concertina wire in multiple areas of the Texas-Mexico border that are known to be high-traffic areas for migrants crossing into the US

Miles and several layers of the wire are located in many cities and regions of the Texas-Mexico border-- a border that is 1,254 miles long

The federal government claims the wire fences endanger safety and gets in the way of rescue efforts, while the state says it stops the flow of migrants

The White House cheered SCOTUS' decision, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying she was 'glad' that border officials will now be able to do their job.'

The fencing at issue in the dispute was installed on private property along the Rio Grande river by the Texas National Guard as part of what was called Operation Lone Star, launched by Governor Abbott in 2021 to deter illegal border crossings.

Texas sued the administration in October 2023 over what it said was an intensified practice by Border Patrol agents of cutting, destroying or otherwise damaging fencing that the state had strategically placed on private land with the permission of landowners.

Abbott ordered the installation of miles of concertina wire in multiple areas of the Texas-Mexico border that are known to be high-traffic areas for migrants crossing into the US.

Many of these migrants are asylum-seekers who are not trying to sneak into the country undetected.

Concertina wire lines the path as members of Congress tour an area near the Texas-Mexico border, Jan. 3, 2024

After crossing the border illegally, they seek out US Border Patrol agents so they can surrender to them and ask for asylum.

Miles and several layers of the wire are located in many cities and regions of the Texas-Mexico border-- a border that is 1,254 miles long.

Under the order of the Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas soldiers fenced off Shelby Park on January 10 with razor wire and other fencing, even though the land is owned by the City of Eagle Pass.

Abbott claimed the move was meant to stop the historic number of illegal immigrant entries at Shelby Park in recent weeks.

In the week before Christmas, more than 22,000 asylum-seeking migrants crossed the river separating the US from Mexico and into Shelby Park to get inside Eagle Pass, that only has a population of 28,000.

The influx strained resources and cost local taxpayers thousands of dollars a day.

Launched in March 2021, many of Abbott's Operation Lone Star initiatives have been controversial and have pitted the Republican governor with the White House over jurisdiction.

Abbott has also put buoys in the Rio Grande to act as a deterrent, but they have also been wrapped up in a legal battle.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo subjected at least 13 women to a sexually hostile work environment, a DOJ investigation has found.

The disgraced ex-leader 'repeatedly' harassed staff members and retaliated against those who reported it, according to a document published on Friday.

Investigators found that Cuomo made 'unwelcome, non-consensual sexual contact' including 'ogling; unwelcome sexual comments; gender-based nicknames; comments on their physical appearances; and/or preferential treatment based on their physical appearances'.

They also determined that Cuomo's senior staff were 'aware of his conduct and retaliated against four of the women he harassed.'

The findings were published in an agreement between the federal agency and the governor's office designed to, 'resolve the department's claims that the executive chamber under former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo engaged in a pattern or practice of sexual harassment and retaliation'.

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo subjected at least 13 women to a sexually hostile work environment, a DOJ investigation has found

The agreement also ratifies reforms brought in by current New York Governor Kathy Hochul designed to tackle sexual harassment in the workplace, as well as instituting further measures federal authorities deemed necessary.

The probe relied largely on a report composed by New York Attorney General Letitia James which found Cuomo had harassed or acted inappropriately 11 women in his employ.

James also found that his aides helped foster the toxic workplace, allegations echoed in the agreement. The Department of Justice report has strengthened the claims made by James' in her earlier investigation, despite Cuomo's continued attempts to undermine it.

'The Executive Chamber was aware of Cuomo's conduct but failed to effectively remediate the harassment on a systemic level,' the agreement states.

'When employees attempted to raise concerns about Cuomo's conduct to his senior staff, Cuomo's staff failed to follow Equal Employment Opportunity policies and procedures to promptly report those allegations to the appropriate investigative body.

'Indeed, the Executive Chamber's response was designed only to protect Cuomo from further accusations, rather than to protect employees from sexual harassment.'

Cuomo's successor Gov. Kathy Hochul has said she will expand her HR department and initiate reforms in a bid to avoid a repeat of Cuomo's misconduct.

Cuomo - hailed as a hero for much of 2020 over his cool-headed response to the COVID crisis - was once touted as a potential presidential candidate.

The sex pest allegations seemed to put paid to Cuomo's political career - but he has been maneuvering back into the spotlight in recent months.

That sparked speculation that he was attempting to rehabilitate himself for a professional relaunch, but Friday's report will likely further hamper his attempts to return to the spotlight.

Cuomo's lawyer Rita Glavin dismissed the findings of Friday's report, saying he hadn't been contacted for a comment and that he did not sexually harass anyone.

She told the New York Times: 'This is nothing more than a political settlement with no investigation.'

Cuomo has sued to try and get New York State Attorney General Letitia James to release the full paperwork of her investigation into him.
Nancy Mace's former chief of staff Dan Hanlon on Friday officially filed paperwork to run against her in her South Carolina primary after a mass exodus from her office.

Multiple former Mace staffers are advising Hanlon on the campaign, DailyMail.com has learned.

Hanlon owns property in the South Carolina district, though he is not from the area. He served as Mace's chief of staff until he was essentially 'demoted' to senior advisor and later pushed out by Mace following her vote to oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker.

When Mace ultimately fired him, a slew of senior staffers followed him out the door.

Hanlon joined Maces office in 2021 after serving in the Trump administrations Office of Management and Budget.

The GOP congresswoman, a near ever-present face on cable news networks, is now down to a bare-bones, four-person Washington, D.C. staff, multiple sources confirmed to DailyMail.com.

The rift between Mace and Hanlon swelled after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy called Hanlon out at his parting press conference.

Mace's former chief of staff Dan Hanlon on Friday officially filed paperwork to run against her in her South Carolina primary after a mass exodus from her office

Multiple former Mace staffers are advising Hanlon on the campaign, DailyMail.com has learned

McCarthy called Mace's chief when he realized she would vote to oust him, claiming he had not kept his word to her.

'So, I call her chief of staff  I said, 'Can you please tell me, I don't understand? Where have I not kept my word?' McCarthy explained. 'Chief of staff said, 'You have kept your word 100%.''

'I bite my lip,' McCarthy added. 'I let people say things that are not true. But it's not right. It is not right. Her chief of staff told all of us we have kept every single one of our words. And he said he's told her that, too.'

The night that McCarthy made the remark, Mace and her chief went to a see-and-be-seen bar on Capitol Hill, Bullfeathers, together in a show that they weren't letting the ousted speaker come between them. But one source familiar with the relationship told DailyMail.com that night was when Mace began to 'ice [Hanlon] out' and became 'mistrusting' of him.

Former staffers describe the notoriously fickle Mace as a 'narcissist' and finger in the wind politician, saying or doing whatever it takes to garner media attention.

'Everything started with media attention,' the source said. 'We were free to drive the legislative agenda. She was pretty hands off in the process, which is pretty cool for a staffer. She was more focused on getting on Fox News.'

Mace said she voted McCarthy out because he did not keep promises he made to her - primarily a vote on her bill to process a backlog of rape kits.

But a former staffer said Mace voted McCarthy out of office only a week after the bill advanced out of the Judiciary Committee. The bill has now languished under Speaker Mike Johnson, with no plans to bring it up for a vote.

'She intentionally killed that good piece of legislation that could have passed out of the House.'

The staffer told DailyMail.com after Mace voted to oust McCarthy, Mace's enemies within her own party piled up.

'We all collectively, everyone on staff, then realized that we needed to start looking for new jobs after the speaker vote, knowing that she made a ton of enemies on the hill and we weren't really going to be able to get our legislation done.'

'We couldn't do everything, sometimes it needed to be a member-to-member conversation.'

It came after multiple Mace staffers accused her of promoting a toxic work environment and three sources told DailyMail.com she would often make graphic comments about her sex life in the office.

The congresswoman recently endorsed Donald Trump for president, even after he supported a primary challenger against her in 2022. Reports came out that during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot she suggested leaving the office to get punched in the face by rioters so she could become 'the face of anti-Trump Republicans.'
Donald Trump has been ordered by a jury to pay E. Jean Carroll a colossal $83.3 million for defamation after he publicly denied sexually abusing her in a department store dressing room in 1996.

The staggering amount was three times what even Carroll's own lawyers had asked for and was immediately lambasted by Trump as 'absolutely ridiculous'. He vowed to appeal.

Trump had already left and was on his plane when the stunning verdict was returned, sparking an audible gasp in the Manhattan courtroom.

Jurors had deliberated for less than three hours following a two-week civil trial in which the former president testified for just three minutes.

The case centered on comments Trump made about Carroll in 2019 after she accused him of attacking her in a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman store in New York nearly three decades ago.

Trump, 77, insists he has never met Carroll, 80, an Elle magazine advice columnist.

He has consistently said she wasn't his 'type' and has described the court case as a 'witch hunt' and 'election interference'.

However, the jury of seven men and two women ordered him to hand over $7.3 million for 'emotional harm' to Carroll and $11 million for 'reputational damages'.

Trump was also ordered to pay a massive $65 million in 'punitive damages'.

Carroll did not stop for interview but smiled and offered a wave as she climbed into a black SUV and left after being awarded $83.3 million in damages

The jury concluded that Trump had acted out of 'hatred, ill will, or spite' when making public statements denying Carroll's allegations, including calling them 'fiction'. He made those comments in 2019 when he was president.

As for Trump's ability to pay, he reported having $294 million in cash, or cash equivalents, on his most recent annual financial statement, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.

Carroll and her attorneys wiped away tears of joy and hugged each other as they left the courtroom arm-in-arm.

Outside, she was mobbed by media but did not stop for interviews, instead smiling and waving as she climbed into a black SUV and left.

Trump, the 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner, reacted on Truth Social slamming the verdict as 'absolutely ridiculous!' and confirmed he would appeal the decision.

He went on to label the verdict part of the 'Biden Directed Witch Hunt' and called the U.S. legal system 'out of control' and argued it was being used as a 'political weapon' to target him.

Trump said: 'They have taken away all First Amendment Rights. THIS IS NOT AMERICA!'

Trump's attorneys were hunched over in discussion as the verdict was read.

Outside court, his attorney Alina Habba said she is 'so proud to stand with President Trump,' despite the outcome.

'Don't get it twisted,' Habba said in a fiery speech. 'We are seeing a violation of our justice system, ladies and gentlemen.'

Judge Lewis Kaplan advised jurors to remain anonymous before dismissing them, saying 'my advice to you is that you never disclose you were on this jury.'

Carroll and her attorneys stepped out of the courtroom arm-in-arm with big smiles on their faces

Trump, 77, insists he has never met Carroll, has consistently said she wasn't his type and has described the court case as a 'witch hunt' and 'election interference

The jury returned their decision after the Manhattan courtroom erupted in chaos when Trump walked out after Carroll's lawyer said the jury should punish him

Chaos erupted at the E. Jean Carroll defamation trial on Friday when Donald Trump stormed out of court and the judge warned his lawyer Alina Habba she was close to 'spending time in lockup'

Donald Trump looks on as his lawyer Alina Habba gets involved in a heated exchange with Judge Lewis Kaplan while she delivers a closing argument at the court in Manhattan.

In this courtroom sketch, E Jean Carroll's attorney Roberta Kaplan gives her summation to the jury in Manhattan federal court as former President Donald Trump, far left, and E. Jean Carroll, far right, listen

Earlier Friday, closing arguments were filled with drama, with Judge Kaplan threatening to 'lock up' Habba, Trump's attorney, as she argued tenaciously for her client.

At one point Trump walked out after Carroll's lawyer said the jury should punish him.

After Trump left Judge Kaplan said: 'The record will reflect that Mr. Trump just rose and walked out of the courtroom.'

The former president returned an hour later and retook his seat to listen to Habba's closing argument.

Evidence concluded shortly before lunchtime, with jurors then sent out to consider the case.

Trump appeared disinterested as Judge Kaplan read instructions to jurors, briefly looking up at the ceiling.

His decision to walk out had followed a blockbuster back-and-forth in which Habba and Judge Kaplan locked horns.

'You are on the verge of spending some time in the lockup,' the judge warned Habba. 'Sit down'.

He later told Habba: 'You will not quarrel with me.'

The former president, 77, dramatically walked out when one of Carroll's lawyers Roberta Kaplan said the jury should punish Trump and claimed 'he thinks the rules don't apply to him'

In her closing argument Carroll's lawyer Roberta Kaplan said Trump should pay her client 'dearly' for defaming her.

A civil jury last year found Trump liable for sexual abuse after Carroll, 80, claimed he attacked her in the Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room.

Trump has since continued to vociferously deny having met Carroll. Her lawyers have accused Trump of unleashing a 'storm of hate' against her.

Roberta Kaplan, who is not related to Judge Kaplan, asked the jury to award $12 million for damages to her client's reputation, another $12 million for the emotional harm caused, and more in punitive damages.

She told the court: 'It will take an unusually high punitive damages award to stop Donald Trump. The one thing that Donald Trump cares about is money.

'Now is the time to make him pay for it, and now is the time to make him pay dearly.'

'The sexual assault happened - and Donald Trump's denials and viscous accusations against her were all complete lies,' she said.

The tense exchange between the judge and Habba was sparked by Trump's lawyer trying to introduce a slide show of tweets that had not been entered into evidence.

'You are not going to use a slide to represent how many tweets there were, you are not using that slide, period,' Judge Kaplan said.

Habba arriving at Trump Tower before the dramatic court hearing. The former president, 77, dramatically walked out when one of Carroll's lawyers said: 'Donald J. Trump thinks the rules don't apply to him'.

The tense exchange was sparked by Habba trying to introduce a slide show of tweets they hadn't entered into evidence

Roberta Kaplan showed the jury social media messages in which her client had been threatened.

She said: 'Imagine knowing all of these people hate you. All of them want you to be raped or killed.'

Habba, for Trump, responded: 'President Trump has no more control over the thoughts and feelings of social media users than he does the weather.'

She added: 'Ladies and gentleman, I received three this week alone. That's me on a good day.'

Judge Kaplan called that comment 'inappropriate' and told the jury to ignore it.

Habba later added: 'Ladies and gentlemen, this isn't about President Trump and E. Jean Carroll, this is about some people in their mothers' basements who will always be mean on social media, you can't stop that.'

While the case was going on Trump posted an extensive tirade on his Truth Social network, claiming he was being 'extorted,' that the proceedings were 'unAmerican' and the incident at the department store never happened.

He wrote: 'I am the only one who has been injured by this attempted EXTORTION.

'I have been considered an A-List celebrity for many decades...it would have been impossible for me to walk into a crowded department store (surrounded by buildings I own), right opposite the cashiers' checkout desk, without being written about on Page Six, and every other outlet at the time.'

Earlier, Trump had waved to fans as he headed to court on Friday morning before the dramatic start to the hearing.

He left Trump Tower with Habba after the defense rested their case against Carroll, a former Elle magazine columnist who accuses him of attacking her in a department store in the 1990s.

Trump is facing up to $10million in damages for defaming Carroll by claiming he never met her when she accused him of sexual assault

It followed a dramatic Thursday in court where Trump dramatically took the witness stand and testified for just three minutes

From the stand Trump told a civil jury he wanted to defend himself and 'the presidency' by calling out accusations that were 'totally false'

Lawyers for E Jean Carroll (circled) released a portion of the former president's interview in which he wrongly points to an image of his rape accuser and claims it is his wife

It followed a dramatic Thursday in court where Trump dramatically took the witness stand and testified for just three minutes.

Trump is potentially facing millions of dollar in damages for defaming Carroll by claiming he never met her when she accused him of sexual assault.

From the stand on Thursday Trump told the civil jury he wanted to defend himself and 'the presidency' by calling out accusations that were 'totally false'.

Before giving evidence he was rebuked by the judge for speaking too loudly from his seat, and the judge then repeatedly cut him off during his testimony, making him stick to yes or no answers.

As he left court on Thursday Trump looked back at the packed courtroom, shook his head, and said: 'This is not America. Not America. This is not America.'
A dad who purchased a one-bedroom apartment in a prime Sydney location is set to lose $450,000 from the potential sale of his home.

Like the 132 other owners of the bungled Mascot Towers apartment block, Anthony Najafian is in financial ruin because of his 2015 purchase.

More than four years after residents of the cracking and uninhabitable inner-south Sydney block were evacuated due to safety concerns, the government is attempting to broker a deal which would allow owners to sell their individual apartments to a commercial consortium.

However, because Mr Najafian bought his unit as an investment he is ineligible for government assistance.

"If we do manage to sell, I'd get about 133k out of what should be an $800,000 apartment, based on current values," he said.

The potential sale would leave his family with a remaining mortgage of about $450,000.

"We are just seeking just and fair help. We want to be all equally look after, we've (investors and owner occupiers) have all been suffering, and we also want to move on."

Like the 132 other owners of the bungled Mascot Towers apartment block, Anthony Najafian is in financial ruin because of his 2015 purchase

Mr Najafian was the first resident to move into Mascot Towers before him and his wife upsized into another apartment home in 2015.

They briefly lived at the property in 2018 but because it was rented out at the time of the evacuation, they are classified as investors, and not owner occupiers.

Investors, like owner occupiers will be told how much they will be given for the sale of their apartment on February 19.

From then, they will have until March 15 to decide whether they will accept that offer.

However, unlike owner occupiers who will get government support which would see their mortgages forgiven, investors have been left to negotiate with banks.

Investors, like owner occupiers will be told how much they will be given for the sale of their apartment on February 19

Single mum of three, Holly, also faces a similar scenario. She bought her one-bedroom apartment in 2009, however had to rent it out in 2011 due to financial reasons.

"I was honestly so chuffed to have it but I realised fairly quickly that it's really expensive living on your own," she said.

While she agrees she was fortunate enough to "have a roof over my head" in the aftermath of the evacuation, she says both owners and investors have since been "put through the wringer".

"I had no support, the bank was on my back, and I had to get the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) involved," said Holly.

"As of today, I can't even officially divorce my partner because as far as separating assets, when you've got a debt of half a million dollars, no one want to take ownership of it."

Holly says that while she could get around $133,000 in the sale, she'd still be left with a $400,000 mortgage that would leave her "financially devastated".

She would also have to sell the second apartment that she owns with her partner, which was bought by remortgaging her Mascot Towers property in the months before the evacuation.

"That puts us in the rental market. Honestly, I'm too scared to even think that far ahead. I think I live in hope that something might change between now."

More than four years after residents of the cracking and uninhabitable inner-south Sydney block were evacuated due to safety concerns, the government is attempting to broker a deal which would allow owners to sell their individual apartments to a commercial consortium

Mr Najafian says he's thankful of the advocacy that's been done by the NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler - who is leading the deal - but he's calling on the government to finish the job.

The dad-of-one says the offer to sell his former home will only continue his family's financial pain.

"He's actually met with us and wants to do the right thing but I don't think the funding is there to be able to support everyone equally to get this nightmare over and don't with," he said.

"Everyone is sick, both mentally and physically. We're exhausted."

The NSW Department of Customer Service was contacted for comment but deterred its response to the office of Fair Trading Minister Anoulack Chanthivong.
Today is Holocaust Memorial Day, when the world is asked to remember and reflect on the systematic and mechanised slaughter of six million Jews.

The Nazi genocide was not the only example of man's inhumanity to man, but it was the most comprehensive  a grotesque attempt to wipe an entire people from the face of the earth.

How bitterly ironic then, that on the eve of this day of remembrance, the state of Israel should face its own accusations of ethnic 'cleansing'.

At the International Court of Justice in the Hague, a bench of elderly jurists and academics were asked to rule on whether Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. It was a stitch-up from the start.

Bizarrely, the case was brought by South Africa, which has no business in Gaza and might be better addressing human rights breaches and corruption in its own country than pointing the finger elsewhere.

President Donoghue (second from left) and other judges during a ruling in South Africa's genocide case against Israel by the International Court of Justice in the Hague on Friday

Yet the court happily endorsed South Africa's right to instigate the action, declaring that the charge of genocide was 'plausible' and must be investigated.

It stopped short of ordering an immediate cessation of military action and called on Hamas terrorists unconditionally to release all hostages.

In every other respect, however, this was a show trial with Israel firmly in the dock. As an organ of the resolutely pro-Palestinian United Nations, the ICJ was never likely to support Israel. And so, it proved.

The slaughter of 1,200 Israelis, some raped and mutilated by Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists on October 7, began this conflagration. Yet this bestial outrage merited only the briefest of mentions.

Equally, there was no recognition of Israel's right to defend itself against a truly genocidal enemy whose central mission is the destruction of the Jewish state.

Yes, the campaign of retribution against Hamas has been brutal and arguably too indiscriminate. Both the UK and US have asked Israel to do more to limit civilian casualties.

But Israel sees itself as engaged in an existential struggle. Without the elimination of Hamas, there can be no peace and no hope of the viable two-state solution the UN claims to want.

One of the Hamas terrorists in the October 7 attack on the Nova music festival in Israel which saw around 260 killed

Ultimately it is Hamas and their Iranian backers who bear responsibility for the carnage. That the ICJ judges can't see this shows they are not honest brokers.

The ICJ is not the only international court riding roughshod over the wishes and interests of democratic nation states. The European Court of Justice did it routinely when we were in the EU and the European Court of Human Rights still does.

They cleave to the idea that they are upholding international law but in fact they too often sit above it, handing down deeply politicised and often biased judgments.

The ECHR hates Rishi Sunak's Rwanda plan, as its Irish president made clear this week. From her ivory tower in Strasbourg, Siofra O'Leary lectured the UK on its supposed obligation to abide by its 'pyjama injunctions' blocking the deportations of cross-Channel migrants to Rwanda for assessment of their asylum claims.

We can therefore be sure the ECHR will do all it can to sabotage the Rwanda scheme. Mr Sunak should have the courage to ignore its protestations.

Why should he bow to a foreign court over legislation passed by a large majority through our own Parliament? Unlike him, none of these international judges have been elected by real people.

Such bodies cannot be allowed to usurp the rights of sovereign nations to make their own laws  or, in the case of Israelis, to defend themselves against enemies who seek to destroy them.

On this Holocaust Memorial Day, we should all mark the words of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu: 'Never again!'
The United States is planning to station nuclear weapons in Britain for the first time in 15 years to counter threats from Russia, it emerged last night.

Pentagon documents reveal the US is intending to place warheads three times the strength of the Hiroshima bomb on UK soil. Moscow said it would view the move as an 'escalation' that would be met with 'counter-measures'.

Procurement contracts for a new facility at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk show the US plans to house B61-12 gravity bombs 'imminently' at the site.

US warheads were last stationed in Britain in 2008, when it was judged that the Cold War threat from Russia had decreased.

The plans come as part of a Nato-wide programme aimed at developing and upgrading nuclear sites in response to rising tensions with the Kremlin.

Pentagon documents reveal the US is intending to place warheads three times the strength of the Hiroshima bomb on UK soil

Moscow said it would view the move as an 'escalation' that would be met with 'counter-measures'

Russian foreign ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova in Moscow on January 18, 2024

The unredacted documents from the US Department of Defence's procurement database show the Pentagon has ordered equipment, including ballistic shields, for Lakenheath, and state that construction of a housing facility for US soldiers at the base will start in June.

Nuclear weapons were stationed at RAF Lakenheath during the Cold War. Activists held protests outside the site in 2022 when it was reported that US warheads could be stationed there.

Russian foreign ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said: 'In the context of the transition of the United States and Nato to an openly confrontational course of inflicting a 'strategic defeat' on Russia, this practice and its development force us to take compensating countermeasures to reliably protect the security interests of our country and its allies.'

The Pentagon insisted the documents 'are not predictive of, nor are they intended to disclose any specific posture or basing details'.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'It remains a longstanding UK and NATO policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at a given location.'
Pro-Palestine protesters appeared to clash with police outside The American Israel Public Affairs Committee headquarters in Manhattan on Friday afternoon.

In videos posted to social media a woman wearing a keffiyeh scarf was seen scuffling with NYPD officers.

Several protesters were also seen being arrested by officers on the street. 'You're funding genocide' shouted one woman as she was restrained by police.

Protesters can be heard demanding a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, and chanting 'Free Palestine' and 'shame on you.'

Protesters set fire to the the Stars & Stripes in the middle of the street in New York City

Pro-Palestine protesters appeared to clash with police outside The American Israel Public Affairs Committee headquarters in Manhattan on Friday afternoon

Several protesters were also seen being arrested by officers on the street

Police continued to try and control the crowd and push protesters back onto the sidewalk with little success

Police have arrested multiple organizers, including Nerdeen Kiswani, for using a speaker

Signs reading 'Save Gaza', 'Free Palestine' and 'End Genocide' were held in the crowd.

Police continued to try and control the crowd and push protestors back onto the sidewalk with little success.

At one stage officers arrested several of the organizers, including Nerdeen Kiswani, for using a speaker.

The protesters then surrounded a white van police as they loaded the organizers into the back, in an effort to prevent them from being transported away.

The protest blocked roads and sidewalk on Lexington Avenue in New York

There were clear clashes with police in Midtown Manhattan on Friday afternoon

There was a large NYPD presence as protesters blocked the sidewalk on Third Avenue

Four protesters were arrested outside American Israel Public Affairs building in New York

Pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with cops - with at least four arrested - at a massive protest outside American Israel Public Affairs Committee headquarters in New York City

Traffic was seen backing up along the city street as police failed to move the crowds off the road

'You are unlawfully obstructing vehicular traffic...if you refuse to utilize the sidewalk you will be charged with disorderly conduct' a police speaker repeated.

Traffic was seen backing up along the city street as police failed to move the crowds off the road.

The organizer of the demonstrator was arrested just before 5pm, Status Coup News reported.
Parents have a role to play to ensure their children do not carry knives, Sir Keir Starmer said yesterday as he launched a crime crackdown.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, the Labour leader suggested parents should consider handing knives into amnesties to help prevent violence.

Yesterday he unveiled a plan to tackle the 'epidemic' of knife crime - promising to end 'apology letters' that allow youths carrying blades to dodge charges.

Instead, under Labour he said every offender would be given a 'bespoke action plan' to prevent reoffending - alongside parental interventions.

Launching the 100 million a year plan on a visit to Milton Keynes police station yesterday, Sir Keir told the Mail that he was 'struck' by how many parents hand in blades to the authorities.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, the Labour leader suggested parents should consider handing knives into amnesties to help prevent violence

Bundles of clothing representing the lives lost to knife crime in the UK, beside Parliament Square in London, on January 8

Clothing representing the human cost of UK knife crime is placed in Parliament Square in London, on January 8

Officers showed the Labour leader and Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, boxes of knives collected through amnesties.

In an interview afterwards, he said: 'I was struck by the fact that family members, including parents, are sometimes handing those knives in.

'Parents, understanding that something may be going wrong and deciding to take the action of getting rid of whatever it is that might be used.'

Sir Keir added: 'A parent being involved and knowing that they could be part of the support... Every knife in those amnesty bins was not just a knife, it was a life. And that is quite poignant. Parents who feel confident to play their part are very important in that.'

Ms Cooper said schools, neighbourhood police, youth offending teams and parents have a collective role to play.

'Clearly we want parents to be involved and to be taking action and to be making sure that everything possible is being done.

'When you've got young people starting to get drawn into gang activity or have been caught carrying knives this is immensely serious, and there's a real danger that things escalate and get worse and that you end up with lives being lost.'

Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. Ms Cooper said schools, neighbourhood police, youth offending teams and parents have a collective role to play

Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper are shown boxes of Knives during a visit to Milton Keynes Police station

Zombie knives (File Photo). New measures to crack down on zombie knives and machetes will be introduced in England and Wales from September, the government has announced

Labour has also pledged to restore 'respect' in Britain with the introduction of new measures to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

The party has pledged to bring in 'Respect Orders' to tackle persistent offenders - with the power to arrest those who breach them.

Sir Keir said anti-social behaviour 'absolutely devastates people', and said there has been 'a loss of respect across the board' which has got worse across the country.

'Twenty million people are affected by antisocial behaviour, one in 10 people has had to move house.

'We can't tolerate it and let it go on. These respect orders are about respect, but they have got to have teeth. If you have a respect order and you breach it, you're going to get arrested.'
YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. Ralph Yirikian, Director General of Ucom, shared practical business management skills and successful case studies with students at the School of Ethics. Professionals from various age groups and occupation had the opportunity to attend the lecture, focusing on the utilization of effective business tools. Participants included lawyers, human resource management specialists, doctors, and other professionals who engaged in this hands-on session.

"Today, business in Armenia is highly valued and operates according to established rules, contributing to the country's economic stability. Success is attainable through the adoption of a systematic business mindset and adherence to fair competition regulations. Effectively managing business requires a thorough understanding of market demand, competition dynamics, and the integration of global trends into the Armenian context. Furthermore, it is crucial to set a precedent by establishing a business model and ethical standards, fostering positive relationships with both employees and partners. Upholding the regulations outlined in the established strategy stands as a fundamental tool for success in business," stated Ucom Director General Ralph Yirikian.

Ralph Yirikian discussed strategic thinking, goal-setting, and the mechanisms for achieving them, using Ucom, the national communications operator in Armenia, as an illustrative example. He emphasized the importance of embracing mistakes without fear and encouraged the exploration of unconventional solutions to address challenges.

In summary, Ralph Yirikyan emphasized that initiative is a crucial prerequisite for success in all business endeavors. Following the lecture, the General Director of Ucom engaged in a question-and-answer session, fostering a group discussion with the participants.

The School of Ethics is unique in the region and in Armenia, offering students the opportunity to delve into the realms of national and international ethics, etiquette, and communication skills enhancement.

***

Ucom is the fastest fixed and mobile services provider in Armenia. The company is the absolute leader of the local IPTV and fixed internet market, as well as occupies the key position on the Armenian mobile internet market. With modernized 4G+ and own fiber optic networks meeting the best international standards, Ucom provides a complete set of fixed and mobile communication services to more than 700,000 subscribers.
The brother of university student Grace O'Malley-Kumar believes that Nottingham triple-killer Valdo Calocane was 'not schizophrenic' during his rampage - as a top KC admitted 'something has gone wrong' with how the CPS treated the victims' families.

Grace, fellow University of Nottingham student Barnaby Webber, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, were all killed by Calocane - a 'paranoid schizophrenic' who dodged a murder verdict and was handed a hospital order instead.

The attorney general is considering whether the sentence should be reviewed by judges amid outrage from the victims' families over the handling of the tragic case.

The heartbroken relatives have also accused Nottinghamshire Police of having 'blood on their hands' for failing to stop Calocane - who officers were seeking to arrest for attacking a police officer at the time he carried out the triple killings.

Speaking a day after Calocane was sentenced to indefinite detention in a high-security hospital, Grace's brother James O'Malley-Kumar said CCTV footage showed the killer acting in a 'completely stable manner' before the horrific rampage.

He told LBC's Nick Ferrari: 'We're not convinced during that in those two minutes he was attacking Grace, Barnaby and Ian combined, that he was suffering from acute paranoid schizophrenia.

Grace's brother James O'Malley-Kumar (pictured) said CCTV footage showed the killer acting in a 'completely stable manner' before the horrific rampage

Grace and fellow University of Nottingham student Barnaby Webber, both 19, were killed by Calocane

Calocane then stabbed Ian Coates (pictured) to death and stole his van. He mowed down three pedestrians but they all survived

A judge was told three psychiatrists had assessed Valdo Calocane (pictured) and jointly concluded that he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the offences

'It's not like he was walking around Notts with his trousers around his ankles.'

Mr O'Malley-Kumar added: 'At the end of the day, anyone can say there's been voices in their head, no one can tell you that's wrong. That can't be proven or disproven. He's a dangerous man and society needs to be safe from this man and he can't be roaming these streets.

'If one day he does get out, he's only going to be a massive threat to society.'

Calocane was originally charged with murder for the attack on June 13 last year but this was changed to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility owing to his schizophrenia.

Tana Adkin KC, chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, has said that court backlogs and a lack of barristers were behind the reasons why the different outcomes were not explained to the victims' families.

She told BBC Radio 4: 'Something seems to have gone wrong here. Of course victims and their families should have had all of these matters explained to them.

'For instance the differences in the law, the differences in sentencing powers of the court, and that this gentleman was found to have a mental illness which had a significant impact on the powers of the courts.'

Ms Adkin added: 'The problem is certainly with our backlog and our lack of barristers. We are, I'm afraid, up against it as far as time is concerned.

'And perhaps somewhere along the line people have forgotten that they need to spend proper time explaining the sentencing process of the courts to people that are grieving.'

Also on LBC, Mr O'Malley-Kumar said that his family has been 'let down' after police admitted they could have 'done more' to stop Calocane.

Asked if his family would welcome a public inquiry into the case, he said: 'Of course, as I said, we do not think justice has been served.

'We want investigations to carry on because we have been let down by CPS, the NHS and also the police.

Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby Webber, making a statement alongside relatives of the victims. Also pictured is Grace O'Malley-Kumar's father, Dr Sanjoy Kumar, (left) and Ian Coates' son, James (middle)

Grace's brother, James, and father, Sanjoy, are seen outside Nottingham Crown Court today

'Chief Constable Rob Griffin has blood on his hands, he told us they'd done everything they could and then within 24 hours said they could have done a lot more.

'There was a warrant for this man for nine months and it's a complete failing of the police that he was still on the streets in June.

'I think he would have been put in front of Magistrates and put back in the mental health system. And that could have possibly meant he was not roaming the streets on June 13 and Grace could've still been here.'

Standing outside Nottingham Crown Court after sentencing, Barnaby's mother Emma blasted the Crown Prosecution Service.

'We as a devastated family have been let down by multiple agency failings and ineffectiveness,' she said.

'The CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) did not consult us as has been reported - instead we have been rushed, hastened and railroaded.'

Emma said the first meeting with them was on November 24.

'We were presented with a fait accompli that the decision had been made to accept manslaughter charges,' she said.

'At no point during the previous five-and-a-half-months were we given any indication that this could conclude in anything other than murder.

Calocane (top left) glances at a group of youngsters while riding a tram on the same night as his rampage

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Calocane appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on January 23

Calocane mows into a pedestrian on Milton Street in Nottingham using a van he stole from school caretaker Ian Coates

Pedestrians Wayne Birkett, Marcin Gawronski and Sharon Miller all survived

Ashworth Secure Hospital, where Calocane could spend the rest of his life

'We trusted in our system, foolishly as it turns out. We do not dispute that the murderer is mentally unwell and has been for a number of years.

'However, the pre-mediated planning, the collection of lethal weapons, hiding in the shadows and brutality of the attacks are that of an individual who knew exactly what he was doing. He knew entirely that it was wrong but he did it anyway.'

Mr Coates' son James said: 'This man has made a mockery of the system, and he has got away with murder.'

A CPS spokesman said: 'Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of the victims at this incredibly difficult time. Engagement with those who have been left bereaved is one of our highest priorities and in all cases, we continue to liaise with victims' families throughout the legal process.'

Mechanical engineering graduate Calocane brutally ambushed Barnaby while he was walking home with Grace from an end-of-term night out in Nottingham.

As Grace bravely tried to defend her friend, Calocane turned on her and brutally knifed them both to death.

After attempting to enter a hostel to find more victims, he dragged Mr Coates out of his van and fatally stabbed him. He stole the van and mowed down three pedestrians, who all survived.

It was later revealed that Calocane was wanted by police for an alleged assault and had been on the run for nine months. He had a history of mental health problems and was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in July 2020.

The killer has not offered a motive for his killings, but psychiatrists have said he claimed voices told him to find innocent victims or 'something atrocious' would happen to his family.
Donald Trump has declared there is 'no longer Justice in America' after a jury ordered him to pay writer E. Jean Carroll $83.3million in defamation damages.

The former president, 77, vowed to appeal appeal and called the case from his rape accuser a 'Biden Directed Witch Hunt'.

He wrote on Truth Social: 'Our Judicial System is Broken and Unfair!' As the verdict was read out, he derided it was 'absolutely ridiculous'.

He is now en route to Nevada, where he will on Saturday hold a campaign rally. 'Absolutely ridiculous!' he wrote

'I fully disagree with both verdicts, and will be appealing this whole Biden Directed Witch Hunt focused on me and the Republican Party.'

Donald Trump has torn into the 'absolutely ridiculous' verdict from the New York jury awarding E. Jean Carroll $83.3million in damages for defamation

E. Jean Carroll is seen on Friday leaving the court in Manhattan having won $83.3 million from Donald Trump

The well-known author hugged her lawyers as the verdict was read out

Donald Trump is seen leaving the court before the verdict was announced

Trump used the stunning decision to denounce the U.S. legal system  which has him facing four criminal indictments that prosecutors brought to grand juries.

'Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon. They have taken away all First Amendment Rights. THIS IS NOT AMERICA!' He did not provide evidence that President Biden directed Carroll's decision to seek monetary damages after Trump called her a liar and a 'whack job.'

He followed up with another furious post later Friday evening. 'There is no longer Justice in America. Our Judicial System is Broken and Unfair!' he posted.

Trump is already appealing a prior $5 million verdict in a separate defamation case, which was the first one Carroll brought against him.

A second appeal would provide him the opportunity to knock down the $65 million punitive damage award decided by the jury, which was in addition to $18.3 million in compensatory damages.

Trump lawyer Alina fumed about the verdict outside the courthouse, on a day when the Judge Lewis Kaplan threatened threatened to jail her over court interruptions.

'You are not allowed to be stripped of every defense that you have,' she fumed.

'There was no DNA. There was no expert. My experts were denied  two of them. Two of them were denied to come in,' said the Bedminster, New Jersey-based attorney.

Trump blasted the verdict minutes after the jury hit him with an $83.3 million damage award

Trump lawyer Alina Habba blasted the verdict in comments outside the courtroom

E. Jean Carroll smiled outside the courthouse but didn't otherwise speak

The fury came after a trial where Trump testified for just under four minutes, after the judge limited what he was able to say and Habba tried to get comments from Trump rebutting Carroll into the record.

The phase of the trial dealt with Trump's statements as president, not the finding a separate jury already reached finding him liable for sexual abuse. That is something Judge Kamplan referenced inside the courtroom, saying Trump 'in fact sexually abused' Carroll.

Carroll's team blasted Trump's appearance inside the courtroom, saying Trump said under his breath in court that 'I don't know who the woman is. I never met this woman.'

It came after a dramatic day in court where Trump walked out of court after Carroll's lawyer Roberta Kaplan urged jurors to punish him.

It was a gesture that the judge made sure to enter into the record.

The case centered on comments Trump made about Carroll after she accused him of raping her in a Bergdorf Goodman's dressing room in the 1990s.

Trump, 77, insists he has never met Carroll, has consistently said she wasn't his type and has described the court case as a 'witch hunt' and 'election interference'.

He has been ordered to hand over $7.3 million for 'emotional harm' and another $11 million for 'reputational damages.' Another $65 million for 'punitive damages' also must be provided.

Carroll and her attorneys wiped away tears of joy and hugged each other as they departed the courtroom arm-in-arm with big smiles on their faces.

Trump reacted on Truth Social slamming the verdict as 'Absolutely ridiculous!' and vowing to appeal the decision.

He went on to slam the 'Biden Directed Witch Hunt' and called the U.S. legal system 'out of control' and being used as a 'political weapon' to target him.

'They have taken away all First Amendment Rights. THIS IS NOT AMERICA!'

Trump's total liquid assets were estimated to be at $93 million total in 2020, according to documents obtained by New York Attorney General Letitia James who is separately investigating the Trump Organizations finances - and he could be on the hook for millions more.

Trump's attorneys were slumped over in discussion as the verdict was read.

Judge Kaplan advised jurors to remain anonymous before dismissing them, saying 'my advice to you is that you never disclose you were on this jury.'

Earlier Friday, the Manhattan courtroom erupted in chaos earlier when Trump walked out after Carroll's lawyer said the jury should punish him.
A woman who kept the chopped-up body of a drug dealer in her fridge for at least four months has been charged.

Heather Stines, 45, was detained on Monday night after cops got a tip about the grisly secret and spotted a suspiciously taped up refrigerator.

'They were trying to hole up, I guess, the smell inside,' NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

NYPD detectives have identified the remains as belonging to 40-year-old Kawsheen Gelzer, also known as Dave Draper, sources told DailyMail.com.

Stines had a psychiatric evaluation at Brookdale Hospital and was on Thursday charged with concealment of a human corpse.

Heather Stines, 45, (pictured) was detained on Monday night after cops received a tip about the grisly find, sources told DailyMail.com

She was held on a $50,000 bond after being arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court.

The long-term drug addict was also given bail on three outstanding warrants for shoplifting charges she never showed up to court for.

Stines was arrested in 2022 for allegedly stealing Covid test kits and drinks from a pharmacy in nearby Flatbush, and a 'manscape electronic' device from Target.

The mother-of-two told police her husband Nicholas McGee killed Gelzer in September in a dispute over drugs, then chopped him up and put the pieces in the freezer and fridge.

Gelzer, according to records, has been on the New York sex offender registry since 2005 after he was convicted of molesting a 12-year-old boy and has served four years in prison for sexual abuse among several other arrests.

The victim, 40-year-old Kawsheen Gelzer, according to records, has been on the New York sex offender registry since 2005 after he was convicted of molesting a 12-year-old boy and has served prison time for sexual abuse among several other arrests

Stines' neighbor Dorothy Williams said residents of the building had their suspicions that she or her husband killed Gelzer.

'Everybody knew he went in there and never came back out. We all talked about it,' she told the New York Post.

Despite his reputation, Williams had sympathy for Gelzer and notes that a makeshift memorial has been started in the lobby of the building.

'It's like a terrible thing. He didn't deserve to die like that. Nobody deserves to die like that. You can see the ladies in the building, we're putting up pictures of him and writing stuff like, you know, 'rest in peace' and stuff like that.'

McGee has been in a Chesapeake, Virginia, jail since September after he was accused of trying to cash a fraudulent check in a bank.

Law enforcement sources told DailyMail.com police were still investigating how much involvement Stines had with the crime.

Heather Stines (pictured right), 45, was detained on Monday night after cops received a tip about the grisly find and found the body parts in her freezer in Brooklyn. Stines, a mother-of-two, told police husband Nicholas McGee (pictured left) killed Gelzer in a dispute over drugs

'She's saying it was her husband, but he's in jail and she's there with a dead body,' one said.

Asked if they believed McGee killed Gelzer they said: 'Could be. I don't think she would have been able to chop up the body by herself.

'Maybe they were together... we don't know how long this guy has been in the fridge.'

Gelzer was convicted of first degree sexual abuse, contact by forcible compulsion, that he committed on August 8, 2004, criminal records showed.

NYPD confirmed that they were called to the apartment on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn at 7.10pm.

Once there, sources said officers saw a suspiciously taped up refrigerator that Stines was adamant they didn't open it as they tried to inspect it.

Stines was arrested when she tried to stop the officers from looking inside.

Officers found the body parts inside black plastic bags inside both the fridge and freezer and removed them from the apartment for DNA testing.

Gelzer was identified from his distinctive gang tattoos that matched arrest records.

NYPD confirmed that they were called to the apartment on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn (pictured) at 7.10pm on Monday

The medical examiner is still determining a cause of death, which may take time as they 'have to wait for [parts of] the body to thaw out'.

The NYPD earlier said that officers 'observed an unconscious and unresponsive, unidentified male inside the apartment'.

'EMS responded and pronounced the aided deceased on the scene,' NYPD said in a statement.

The medical examiner will determine the cause of death and the investigation is ongoing.

It's unclear how long the body was in the freezer before police found it, but neighbors told DailyMail.com Stines never let anyone in her kitchen.

Stines's elderly aunt, Amy Stines, expressed her shock and horror at the news when reached on Tuesday.

'Oh God, I just can't fathom this,' the 79-year-old from Kentucky told DailyMail.com.

She said her niece has had longstanding drug problems and moved from Kentucky six years ago hoping to escape her problems.

According to the aunt, Heather was living with her husband in an apartment in Brooklyn, and was earning some money cleaning apartments.

She said she reached out to her niece on Sunday to see how she was and catch up on things, but got no response.

McGee was due to appear in court on Tuesday morning, his sister-in-law Catherine McGee, 55, said.

A cop stands guard in the apartment building Tuesday

She told DailyMail.com that the couple are both drug abusers, who'd used heroin and crack, and been arrested multiple times. She said Heather relapsed a 'year or two' ago after learning that one of her daughters had died of a drug overdose.

The sister-in-law said she had yet to speak with Nicholas about the police investigation.

'He's going to be f**king devastated because he's coming out of jail and she's possibly going into jail, for a possible murder,' she said.

Darrell, who lives across the hall from Stines in the Brooklyn block and sometimes loaned her cash, said he knew she was a drug addict and people tried to break into her apartment at least twice looking for money she owed for drugs.

He said he last saw McGee, who was 'a cool guy' in the last week of August.

'They got into an argument one night and I haven't seen him since,' he said.

'A couple of days later she said 'my husband got locked up, I don't have my food stamp card, do you have $10?' I said sure.

'A couple of days ago she said detectives were here looking for my husband and I told them he was in jail.

'She's cool as hell, I would never expect she'd have a head in her freezer, hell no.'

Another couple who lived in the building said Stines was so addicted to crack and heroin she had sold 'everything of value' in her apartment, even her TV.

'She's what we call a garbage can addict, she'll do any drugs,' they said.

'Heather is one of the people bringing this building down, nobody would be sad if she went to jail.'

The couple said Stines recently started hanging out with a short black man with dreadlocks, whom she was seen with frequently - as recently as the weekend.

Stines' aunt Amy said her niece had several children from prior relationships who were taken away from her.

As far as she knew, child protective services took the kids away after finding her to be neglectful.

'The worst I know of is she lost her children because somebody reported them sleeping on the floor because she didn't have any beds,' the aunt said.

'She said she threw the beds away because of bed bugs. They slept on palettes.'

The old building with 'Flatbush Court' engraved above the always-unlocked door was poorly maintained with graffiti on the walls and chips all through the lobby's plaster. Most of the shops nearby are boarded up and piles of trash bags line both sides of the door

'My husband said let's go buy them some beds, and the next thing we knew she didn't have the kids,' she added.

'She went to live with her cousin, then stole her computer. She also stole some money from me and my husband. She just would run off. You couldn't do anything with her.'

'Even though she was bad, she was sweet,' the aunt said. 'She was nice as can be.'

A few years back, the aunt recalled, 'Heather said she had to get away from here. And I said you think New York is better than here? I told her there's more drugs in New York.

'She said she was going to come back here to Kentucky at some point, and I was going to let her stay with me,' she continued.

'But she never did come back. She'd text me over the years at times for money. I'd always ask if she's in trouble and she'd say, no, just running low.'

The old building with 'Flatbush Court' engraved above the always-unlocked door was poorly maintained with graffiti on the walls and chips all through the lobby's plaster.

Most of the shops nearby are boarded up and piles of trash bags line both sides of the door.
A second police force failed to act on red flags around Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane after he assaulted two of his colleagues just five weeks before his violent spree, it emerged yesterday.

Pressure was growing on the Government to launch an inquiry into the attacks yesterday as Sir Keir Starmer backed calls for a probe.

The Labour leader's intervention came after a three-day sentencing hearing was told Calocane had repeatedly come to the attention of Nottinghamshire police in the months and years leading up to last summer's rampage.

And yesterday it was revealed Leicestershire Police officers had also been called about Calocane  five weeks before he 'brutally and mercilessly' stabbed to death 19-year-old students Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber and grandfather Ian Coates, 65.

The force said officers were sent to supply chain firm Arvato's warehouse in Kegworth after Calocane assaulted two colleagues on May 5 last year, on only his fifth day of employment.

Valdo Calocane. Pressure was growing on the Government to launch an inquiry into the attacks yesterday as Sir Keir Starmer backed calls for a probe

Court artist sketch dated 23/01/24 of Calocane, 32, appearing at Nottingham Crown Court

Yesterday it was revealed Leicestershire Police officers had also been called about Calocane  five weeks before he 'brutally and mercilessly' stabbed to death 19-year-old students Grace O'Malley-Kumar (right) and Barnaby Webber (centre) and grandfather Ian Coates, 65 (left)

When officers arrived, he had already been escorted from the premises.

He had secured the job through a recruitment consultant, who had his details, Nottingham Crown Court heard.

A force spokesman refused to explain why Calocane  who already had a warrant out for his arrest over an attack on a Nottinghamshire police constable  was not tracked down and arrested, or whether it was even aware of the warrant.

The spokesman said: 'Our inquiries to establish the full circumstances of the report concerning the incident in Kegworth were ongoing at the time the incident in Nottingham occurred.'

The Nottinghamshire force also had at least three other dealings with Calocane, arresting him twice for criminal damage in May 2020 and being called when he assaulted his flatmate in January 2022.

Barnaby's mother Emma Webber, 51, on Thursday condemned Nottinghamshire Police for failing to act on the September 2022 warrant.

'You have blood on your hands', she said. 'If you had just done your jobs properly there's a very good chance my beautiful boy would be alive today.'

She last night called for a public inquiry to establish whether the killer could have been stopped, a call backed by Sir Keir. T

The Labour leader told ITV's This Morning he is 'very worried by what appear to be a number of points at which action could have been taken that would have prevented this happening'.
Donald Trump's attorney Alina Habba said she was 'proud' to defend the former president and tore into New York and the justice system following the $83.3million E. Jean Carroll verdict.

The lawyer who Judge Lewis Kaplan threatened to 'lock up' for her outbursts during closing arguments on Friday said her client is being targeted because he is leading in the polls.

She spoke to reporters after the jury awarded Carroll the staggering sum in damages, after deliberating for less than three hours, for Trump's defamatory public statements he made about her in 2019.

He accused her of lying when she accused him of sexually assaulting her in a department store bathroom in the 1990s and said he never met her.

The 77-year-old was ordered to pay the former Elle columnist $7.3million for compensatory damages, $11million for a reputation repair program and $65million for punitive damages - based on his 'malicious' statements.

Trump has already vowed to appeal the verdict and called the case a 'Biden Directed Witch Hunt'.

Habba, who has defended Trump in multiple New York cases, told the media she wasn't allowed to bring in evidence and claimed one of her witnesses was paid by the law firm of Carroll's attorney.

Donald Trump's defense attorney Alina Habba said she was 'proud' to defend the former president as tore into the justice system following the $83.3million E. Jean Carroll verdict

'I'm not having any second thoughts representing President Trump', she told a journalist as she walked out of Manhattan Federal Court, moments after the damages were read out in court

'I'm not having any second thoughts representing President Trump', Habba told journalists in an impassioned speech as she walked out of Manhattan Federal Court, moments after the damages were read out in court.

'It is the proudest thing I could ever do,' she added.

'I have sat on trial after trial for months in this state... and now we see what you get in New York.

'I am so proud to stand with President President Trump. But I am not proud to stand with what I saw in that courtroom.

'Before I walked into court, that judge decided that every single defense President Trump had, we were not allowed to raise in front of the jury.

'It is in writing and I encourage the journalists, the real journalists to take a minute to look at his orders.

'I have sat on trial after trial for months in this state... and now we see what you get in New York,' Habba told reporters as she left the court

'There was no proof and I couldn't prove that she didn't bring in the dress.

'There was no DNA. There was no expert. Two of my experts were denied to come in.

'They didn't bring let me bring up that (billionaire LinkedIn founder) Reid Hoffman funded Miss Kaplan (Carroll's lawyer).

She also claimed her witness, who testified that she once said Carroll was a drug addict 'and the drug was herself', was paid for by Roberta Kaplan's law firm.

Habba was referring to testimony from retired news anchor Carol Martin, who she pressed on past statements she made about Carroll.

'You've also previously described Ms Carroll as a drug addict and a drug is herself,' Habba asked in court on Thursday.

Trump is seen walking out of the courtroom (alongside Habba in the blue) at the start of closing arguments on Friday

'And that the drug is herself, didn't you?' Habba pressed.

'The question is: Did you say it?'

Martin initially said she didn't remember it, and then testified she said it to her daughter.

'It is written there, yes,' Martin said, referring to a written message

'That is disgusting. That is a violation of everything I stand for and that's why I stand with Trump.

'That is why so many Americans are so proud that he running again and so excited to run to the ballot box.

'But don't get it twisted, we are seeing a violation of our justice system. Ladies and gentlemen you are not allowed to be stripped of every defence you have.

An emotional Carroll, who was overcome by tears, turned to her attorneys Roberta Kaplan and Shawn Crowley and they quietly celebrated the verdict with a warm embrace before leaving the courtroom

Trump, pictured heading to court on Friday morning, has already said he will appeal and called the verdict 'absolutely ridiculous'

'You are not allowed to be bring it up a point where a judge tells the lawyer, before your client takes the stand to defend himself, 'Ms Habba tell me the questions you are going to ask in open court and tell me exactly what he is going to respond'.

She then accused Judge Kaplan of editing her responses and questions.

'Guess what my client did, he took the stand and abided by the corrupt system that I have seen.

'We will immediately appeal. We will set aside that ridiculous jury.

'I just want to remind you all of one thing. I will continue with President Trump to fight for everybody's First Amendment right to speak.

'Everybody's right to defend themselves when they are wrongfully accused and to be able to say 'I didn't do it'.

'And to double and triple and quadruple down on it and say 'this is wrong'.

'But we are in the state of New York, we are in a New York jury and that's why seeing these witch hunts, these hoaxes as he calls them.

'This is another one in states where they know they'll get jury's like this.

'It will not deter us, we will keep fight and we didn't win today but we will win because the behavior I saw in there gave us the most perfect appeal.

'We were stripped of every defense, every single defense before we walked in there.

'I'm proud to stand with President Trump because he showed up, stood up, took the stand and faced the judge.'

An emotional Carroll, who was overcome by tears, turned to her attorneys Roberta Kaplan and Shawn Crowley and they quietly celebrated the verdict with a warm embrace before leaving the courtroom.

Habba thanked the court staff for their help during the trial before making a hasty exit.

Trump has already been found liable for sexually abusing Carroll in a previous civil trial last year, which he did not attend.

Carroll was seeking at least $24million in reputation and emotional distress as well as punitive damages which the jury seemed sufficient to 'finally make him stop' with his attacks.
Britain's biggest airports have been granted more time to install new security scanners that would end the need for 100ml limits of liquid in hand luggage, it is understood.

Ministers had given airports - including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester - a target of June 1 to install the next generation CT scanners.

The machinery aims to reduce hassle for passengers, speed up security and reduce waste by ending the need for mini toiletries.

But airport bosses have now been told they have until the end of January to seek an 'alleviation' from the June deadline, The Times reports.

It is thought ministers will likely give airports until next year to implement the technology, which is already widely used in the US and Australia.

A source says a 'good business case' must be put forward outlining the reasons for any delay, and penalties remain a possibility.

The 'Next Generation Security Checkpoints' - intended to slash waiting times by allowing passengers to leave laptops and liquids in their carry-on baggage - are only in one UK airport

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A senior source said: 'The hubs have until the end of the month to request an extension to the June deadline. Conversations have been taking place in the last week and ministers are getting ready to make a decision on next steps.'

Besides the expense of the new scanners, many major airports will need to rearrange their security areas to accommodate the size of the machines.

The floors of some terminals will need to be strengthened to handle their weight.

Nick Barton, the chief executive of Birmingham airport, said: 'The existing scanner is like a large domestic washing machine.

'The new machines are the size of a Ford Transit. Birmingham is on course to meet the June deadline.'

Consumer group Which? warned it would lead to delays as customers would expect hand luggage rules to have changed only to find out that was not the case.

Air passengers have faced longer queues for security checks and strict limits on the quantity of liquids they can carry in their hand luggage since the authorities foiled a UK terror cell's plot to blow up transatlantic airliners with liquid bombs in 2006.

Part of one of the 'very heavy' scanners being moved into place at Heathrow Airport

The new scanners, which create a 3D image of the contents of bags, allow airports to ditch the 100ml liquid limit and the requirement that travellers put them in a clear plastic bag.

Passengers will be able to take two litres of liquid inside their bags and will not have to remove laptops.

The new scanners are already used in countries including the US and Australia.

Trials began in the UK in 2018 and some airports, including London City and Teesside, have already rolled out the technology.

But Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester are expected to need more time to install the new equipment across all lanes, meaning some will still use the old scanners this summer.

Aviation commentator Sally Gethin told the BBC: '[The scanners] are very heavy. Sometimes the floors in the actual terminal have to be reinforced.'

Rory Boland, travel editor at Which?, said: 'We're now going to go into a situation where different [UK] airports have different rules, so at some places you will need to get the liquids out in advance, at others you won't.'

Travel expert Nicky Kelvin tested out London City Airport's 'fancy' new scanners in May

Warning this could cause confusion at security, he added: 'You only need a couple of passengers to not be prepared to end up having to wait an extra 10, 20, 30 minutes.

'It is disappointing that we're in a situation just months ahead of the peak travel period... and major airports aren't ready.'

Heathrow, Gatwick and MAG, which operates Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports, have been approached for comment.
It is, of course, fortuitous they are undergoing medical treatment at the same London hospital.

But do not underestimate the significance of King Charles decision to spend a few moments earlier today at his adored daughter-in-laws bedside.

Along with his wife, Queen Camilla (her presence there another historic break with royal tradition), His Majesty made a beeline for Catherines room at the private London Clinic in Marylebone, where she had spent a tenth night following what has only been described as planned abdominal surgery.

Put simply, royals dont tend to visit each other in hospital, or at least only very rarely.

Although they live very public lives, monarchy can actually be quite a lonely path to walk at times.

King Charles arrives at the London Clinic in Marylebone this morning for treatment

Kate attends the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London last November

Senior family members do not, generally, like to draw attention to themselves or their loved ones.

And they are also acutely aware that the extra security and media attention that inevitably accompanies them is the last thing a busy hospital - or other patients - need.

However, as we are fast coming to learn, Charles, 75, is not afraid to do things differently.

He has come to adore Kate, with whom he has bonded not just over mutual loves, such as music and art, but also over his grandchildren.

The King thinks she is doing a wonderful job bringing up George, Charlotte and Louis, and is appreciative of the very stable little family unit she and William have created.

And he relishes the time he gets to spend with them at Windsor now that he is spending more time at the Castle, where they live just a few minutes drive away.

Surely there can be no stronger signal of their bond than the princess being so happy to see her father-in-law following what is clearly serious and debilitating surgery?

It should also be noted that Queen Camillas presence at the hospital today by her husbands side is equally remarkable.

While the late Queen Elizabeth II occasionally visited her husband, Prince Philip, in hospital during some of his lengthier (and more serious) convalesces, Camilla insisted on accompanying her husband as he was admitted, too.

It is understood that she plans to spend several hours at his bedside and may even stay until doctors have confirmed that his surgery to treat an enlarged prostate has been successful.

Friends tell me that she wouldnt have had it any other way. They are a genuinely devoted and very sweet couple, said one.

Indeed, Annabel Elliot, Camillas sister recently described her as being the Kings rock.

Theyre the yin and yang. They really are polar oppositions but I think it works brilliantly, she said.

Another friend adds: It sounds a bit cheesy, I know, but they really are team. It doesnt surprise me in the slightest that she would be there.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Robert Hardman: How the royals have dealt with a torrent of allegations from Harry and Meghan Advertisement

Its why I know reports earlier this week that the Queen had been urging her husband to slow down were somewhat wide of the mark.

Granted, it is a phrase she often employs: she once jokingly told me, eyes rolling, that she might need to jump up and down holding a placard reminding him it was his birthday if she were to have any chance of getting him to look up from his desk.

But Charles is a workaholic, who famously packs in ten to 12 engagements and meetings a day and spends many a night alone in his study, furiously writing letters and keeping up with his paperwork, well into the early hours. His wife knows he won't change, and nor would she want him to.

Despite being told by his doctors to cancel his public engagements ahead of his surgery, the King has insisted on not only keeping up with his paperwork but even holding meetings behind the scenes.

Only yesterday, at Sandringham, hours before he flew back down to Buckingham Palace ahead of being admitted to hospital today, he had an audience with Dame Polly Courtice of Cambridge Universitys Institute for Sustainability Leadership and Professor Robert Miller, director of the Whittle Laboratory.

I can also reveal that staff are even expecting to take paperwork into the hospital for him to deal with later this afternoon, depending on how he recovers from the anaesthetic.

I really wouldnt be surprised if he is back working later, said a source.

It is for this reason that despite his absence from public duties, The King - who is expected to remain in hospital for two days - has made clear he will not be needing counsellors of state to stand in for him.

Historically the spouse of the sovereign and the next four people in the line of succession, counsellors of state are authorised to carry out the monarchs official duties should they be incapacitated.

With Prince William clearing his diary to be by his wifes side, Prince Andrew and Prince Harry could, theoretically, have been called on.

Thankfully, many might think, this now wont be the case.

Of course, it is far from ideal that the King has been hospitalised - albeit briefly and for fairly routine surgery for a man of his age - so early into his reign.

There will be those that remember the frequent scares over his late mothers health towards the end of her life with gritted teeth.

But the fact that Buckingham Palace is keen to emphasise, when it comes to affairs of state, it is business as usual should calm any cause for alarm.

For King Charles, having his nearest and dearest around him today will no doubt be of huge comfort, too.

The Royal Family have suffered more than their fair share of brickbats over recent years, with Harry and Meghan, in particular, doing their level best to draw attention to what they believe divides.

And yet today - in perhaps the rather unexpected surroundings of a London hospital - we see a family more united than ever.
Like the vast majority of people in this country, I welcomed Meghan Markle into the Royal family. A huge fan of Harry, I wanted him to be happy. I wrote long think pieces about the Markle Sparkle in the run up to their wedding in 2018. I stood up for her when others began to cover trivial issues such as reported spats with family and staff.

My best friend, an Emmy-nominated casting director in the film business, warned me that actresses are mad. They are not genuine. It will all end in tears. I refused to believe her.

I loved the fact Meghan rescues dogs. The sight of Guy  the beagle she adopted from a pet rescue centre in Canada  riding with the Queen in the back seat of a Range Rover, ahead of the wedding ceremony, brought tears to my eyes. Aw! At last, someone who doesnt blast innocent birds to smithereens will join the Royal family!

I felt Meghans early initiatives, such as curating a cookbook to help victims of the Grenfell fire, were genuine and relevant. And Ive written many, many pieces lauding her personal style: in 2019 Meghans crisp white shirt beat Kates more mumsy outfit at Wimbledon hands down.

Like the vast majority of people in this country, I welcomed Meghan Markle into the Royal family, writes LIZ JONES. Pictured, the couple in Kingston, Jamaica,this week

I felt Meghans early initiatives, such as curating a cookbook to help victims of the Grenfell fire, were genuine and relevant

And Ive written many, many pieces lauding her personal style: in 2019 Meghans crisp white shirt beat Kates more mumsy outfit at Wimbledon hands down.

My enthusiasm began to wane, as it did for many people, when Meghan ill-advisedly whined she was not okay in a TV interview later that same year. She was on tour in South Africa at the time, within a couple of hundred feet of the most deprived women and children on the planet. I finally washed my hands of her when she performed that extravagant curtsey in the Harry and Meghan 2023 Netflix series, seemingly mocking the Queen. And I felt enraged reading her fans demolition of Kate this past week, when shes recuperating in hospital. The Princess of Wales is the epitome of class, duty and quiet strength, and no one should be attacked while they are unwell.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Alison Boshoff: How star of Bob Marley biopic feted by Harry and Meghan grew up in a 2.5m council house Advertisement

But, over the last few days, reading the foul online missives about Meghan in response to her and Harrys trip to a film premiere in Jamaica, I am now convinced Meghan was telling the truth when she said she felt unable to go on.

I was initially sceptical when Meghan revealed to Oprah Winfrey a year after leaving Britain, that she had felt suicidal given her treatment in the UK.

Wasnt she exaggerating a tad? Apeing Diana? On the night she supposedly told Harry she suffered from suicidal thoughts, didnt she look radiant and happy by his side at the Albert Hall?

Hmmm. I have felt suicidal: you are unable to comb your hair, get off the sofa, let alone wear a ballgown to a bash.

But if Meghan is reading even a fraction of the online abuse aimed at her, I wonder how she is able to function at all. You might say, well, dont read it, but these barbs have a way of finding their target, seeping under a door. Readers sometimes print out unkind comments about me and post them to my address.

Many might say, well, surely the opinions of a few online, anonymous nutters are water off a ducks back? Ignore them. Move on. Sticks and stones and all that. But, believe me, even things you know are untrue, written online, over time will make you begin to doubt yourself. Ive experienced death threats, only a fraction of the number aimed at Meghan. You feel sick, you shake.

I finally washed my hands of her when she performed that extravagant curtsey in the Harry and Meghan 2023 Netflix series, seemingly mocking the Queen

While Harry and Meghan were in Jamaica this week, the trolling reached a crescendo. Photos of the couple were enlarged, annotated on social media sites, supposed flaws circled, red arrows picking out areas of Meghans face. Her face is long and horsey. Her hands belong to a 75-year-old witch. The rest of the comments? Unprintable. They even discussed her two children. I refuse to give those opinions legs by repeating them here.

Yes, Meghan has made mistakes and not everyone likes her. But the level of abuse is unlike any I have come across online, even compared to the vitriol aimed at vivisectionists or paedophiles. The barrage is unrelenting.

And it could all end in tragedy. This could destroy her. Meghan was right to say she is not okay. The rise of the anonymous, entirely unfettered and unregulated troll is much more dangerous than any speeding paparazzi. It really has to stop.
Tenants are showing signs of having hit an 'affordability ceiling' as they fork out record sums in rent, new research suggests.

This is where tenants are paying near the top level of what they can afford every month.

The average asking rent for new properties coming onto the market has reached a record 1,280 a month for those outside of the capital, according to Rightmove.

In London rents hit a new record of 2,631. There are regional differences across the country, with the lowest averages in the North East at 865 a month, Wales at 1,043 a month and Scotland at 1,038 a month.

Rightmove revealed the increases and decreases in rental prices around the country

Another record: Average asking rents reach 1,280 a month outside London, says Rightmove

It is the 16th consecutive record in asking rents outside of London, with tenants appearing to show signs that the level of increases is unaffordable.

Rightmove said 23 per cent of rental properties listed on its website have had the advertised rent reduced, up from 16 per cent this time last year.

In more welcome news for tenants, the property website said the rise in rental growth is slowing.

In monetary terms, this quarter's rise in rents equates to just 2 a month or 0.2 per cent, which is the smallest increase since at this time in 2019.

Rightmove revealed that asking rents outside of London are 9.2 per cent higher than last year

Rightmove went on to say that advertised rents outside of London are currently 9.2 per cent higher than last year.

While this not good news for those looking for a new rental property, it is worth noting that the annual percentage rise is the lowest it has been since 2021.

It is a similar picture in London, where rents are 4 a month - or 0.2 per cent - higher than the previous quarter following London rental increases being slashed in half from 12 per cent last year to their current level of 6 per cent.

It is the first time that the annual growth in London rents has been in single digits since 2021.

Rightmove has revealed that typical asking rents in the capital have hit a new record of 2,631

Rightmove forecasts that the annual rate of rental growth will slow further in 2024.

It predicts that rents will be 5 per cent higher outside of London by the end of 2024 and 3 per cent in London.

It attributed much of this predicted slowdown to a readjustment of demand and supply in the rental market.

Lettings agents agreed there are signs that there is now more choice in the rental market.

Hayley Brinn, of The Total Letting Service, said: 'Prices appear to be levelling out now as more choice becomes available, with tenants becoming more price sensitive, or just reaching the maximum of what they can afford to pay.

'The prices of larger properties in particular are slowing down, unless the landlord accepts an offer.

'Some tenants are reluctant to move unless they have no choice, due to the risk of being charged higher rents elsewhere, while other tenants who may want to move are stuck due to their current rent being below market value, and the price gap to move to a larger house being out of their reach.

'Rent prices slowing this year would benefit these tenants wanting to move.'

And Nathan Emerson, of the trade body Propertymark, said: 'It is encouraging to see a firm flow of new rental properties coming onto the market.'

What salary is needed to rent a home in London and South East? Tenants need to be on a salary of at least 50,000 a year to rent without sharing in many places in London and the South East, new data suggests. A 50,000 annual salary produces take home pay after tax of around 3,169 a month. Taking the Goodlord average monthly rent of 2,145 from this figure and tenants are left with around 1,000 a month to cover all other bills. These bills include water, gas and electricity, as well as council tax, insurance, travel and food costs, along with any telephone and TV subscriptions. Tenants would be left with 1,024 a month or 236 a week. This is based on a tenant renting an average-priced rental property on their own and not sharing with anyone else. Advertisement

Slower demand and greater supply is also reflected in Rightmove's research. It claimed that the number of tenants sending enquiries about properties to letting agents is 13 per cent lower than the same period last year.

At the same time, the number of new rental properties coming onto the market is 7 per cent higher than last year.

It means that the average number of enquiries agents are receiving for every available rental property is currently 11.

This is nearly triple the four at this time in 2019.

Rightmove's Tim Bannister said: 'The trend of rent growth gradually slowing continues, with an improvement in the supply and demand of rental properties having a big contribution to that.

'We can't keep seeing double digit rent rises every year as tenant affordability simply cannot keep up, and 2024 is the year we think there will be a much smaller increase in advertised rents of 5 per cent outside of London, and 3 per cent in the capital.'
Have you ever looked in the mirror to see what messages you've unknowingly been giving off to those around you?

According to a new study, the shape of your face could influence people's perceptions of your wealth.

Rich people have narrow, friendly faces, according to a study of preconceptions.

In contrast, researchers from the University of Glasgow say the poor look glum and incompetent.

Rich people have narrow, friendly faces, according to a study of preconceptions. In contrast, researchers from the University of Glasgow say the poor look glum and incompetent

READ MORE: British people will DOUBLE their work efforts if they think a financial reward is on the table Advertisement

In the study, scientists analysed the snap judgements people make about each other and found faces deemed 'rich' are also considered more trustworthy.

They have smiley mouths, chiselled features, raised brows, closely-spaced eyes and rosy cheeks - characteristics that also seem trustworthy, warm and competent.

Meanwhile, faces seen as 'poor' have lowered eyebrows, shorter chins, downturned mouths and darker, cooler skin tones - which makes them appear untrustworthy, cold and inept.

The research focused on what makes someone appear of a higher or lower social class, and how these features are linked to perceptions of a person's personality.

Dr Thora Bjornsdottir, lead author of the study, said rushed judgements based solely on appearance can have long-lasting consequences for individuals.

The researchers found that faces considered poor-looking were more 'infantile', with squat, rounded features like a child's

In the study, scientists analysed the snap judgements people make about each other and found faces deemed 'rich' are also considered more trustworthy. Pictured: billionaire Meta co-founder, Mark Zuckerberg

Faces seen as rich have smiley mouths, chiselled features, raised brows, closely-spaced eyes and rosy cheeks - characteristics that also seem trustworthy, warm and competent. Pictured: Jeff Bezos, who is one of the wealthiest people in the world

READ MORE: Experts reveal the most successful birthday based on how many billionaires have been born on that date Advertisement

She said: 'People who are perceived to be of high or low social class are also often judged as having advantageous or unfavourable traits, respectively.

'Such judgements are formed even just from facial appearance, and this can have substantial consequences, including disadvantaging those who are perceived to be of lower social class.

'The stereotypes we hold bias our perceptions.

'Our impressions of other people can lead to particular advantages or disadvantages for them.'

The researchers found that faces considered poor-looking were more 'infantile', with squat, rounded features like a child's.

These characteristics may be associated with poor fitness, low intelligence or a submissive personality.

Meanwhile, 'rich' faces were longer and more defined, with protruding noses, upturned mouths and high foreheads.

These characteristics made them look more dominant, capable and honest.

Professor Rachael Jack said: 'Our research demonstrates how specific facial attributes play a pivotal role in connecting social class perceptions with related stereotypes.

'These findings are not only valuable for advancing our understanding of central social perception theories but could also help with future interventions designed to interrupt biased perceptions.'
Igniting passion for science education among rural children

14:44, January 26, 2024 By Bai Xu, Zhou Hua ( Xinhua

NANNING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Huang Lichen vividly remembers her early days spent in the sugarcane fields, watching her grandmother toiling day after day in the shade of the trees.

Huang, a rural girl from Laibin City in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, used to think it would be nice if sugarcane didn't have to be planted and shelled with hands.

Thanks to the "Inspiring the Future" - STEM Education for Rural Adolescents project, this ninth-grader from Qianjiang Middle School has gained the confidence to envision transforming her dreams into reality and delving into the realms of science and technology.

"Granny used to work tirelessly all year round," said Huang, adding that she aspires to become a scientist and invent intelligent robots to simplify farm work.

Huang is among the numerous children from rural China who have experienced the wonders of science and technology through the STEM project, jointly launched by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Launched in 2021, the project has enabled hundreds of thousands of rural students in central and western China to participate in science and technology activities online and offline every year.

According to Zhang Yu, program manager of the Children and Youth Science Center of CAST, the project includes activities such as bringing science experts to rural areas for lectures and interactions with students, providing training to rural teachers, organizing science camps for girls, and offering support to off-campus science centers for children.

"Our project aims to combine societal efforts in delivering science and technology education resources to rural youth, enabling them to engage in extracurricular activities and enhance their knowledge and skills in science and technology," Zhang said.

Hu Yufan, a project officer at UNICEF China, told Xinhua that they would like to provide rural children with an educational experience different from their regular school curriculum to help cultivate an interest in science and technology, fostering an increased desire and confidence in learning relevant subjects.

According to last year's Chinese government work report, the contribution of scientific and technological progress to the country's economic growth has exceeded 60 percent. The Central Economic Work Conference held in December also listed priorities including advancing technological innovation to lead the development of a modern industrial system.

Last year, 10 provincial-level regions in China were covered by this project. In Guangxi alone, it has benefitted more than 20,000 students from 30 rural schools.

Encouraged by her classmates, Huang joined her school's science club. Amidst a classroom adorned with various student projects, such as rockets crafted from plastic bottles and gyroscopes made of iron wire, she gained hands-on experience in creating gravity-powered catapults and determining the angles for rocks to hit their targets.

During her summer vacation, the 15-year-old Huang took part in science camps in Beijing, marking her first venture outside Guangxi. Alongside 42 students from various parts of China, she had the opportunity to explore high-tech products and engage in conversations with students from prestigious universities.

Reflecting on her experiences, she said that her most memorable moment was talking with AI-based applications and that she was inspired to pursue studies at a university in Beijing.

In fact, the STEM project has ignited inspiration among many students like Huang in different ways.

According to 14-year-old Xu Ziyu from Tiandeng County in Chongzuo City, the experience in Beijing has been eye-opening. "Compared with Beijing, Tiandeng is relatively under-developed, so I will work hard and become a teacher in this county to help other students here," Xu said.

Xu's classmate, Nong Caihang, who is passionate about science fiction, said that she aspires to combine science and literature to craft compelling stories in the future.

Huang Qiuhui, a student at Qianjiang Middle School, cultivated a keen interest in programming and learned about it last summer by reading books and exploring the internet. "The STEM project has allowed girls from rural areas like us to envision a broader world," she said, adding that she wants to secure a computer-related job in the future.

Speaking about the significance of the project in the lives of young students, Tan Chunfu, the teacher in charge of the school's science club, said, "If I had the opportunity to participate in such a project, my life might have taken a quite different path now."

Born into a farmer's family, Tan used to help his parents cultivate sugarcane. While loading sugarcane onto trucks, he once told his dad that it would be much easier with a large machine resembling a hand to grab the sugarcane. Tan's dad dismissively snapped back, "Stop dreaming and keep working."

Now a biology teacher, he always encourages his students to pursue their scientific dreams. "Many students are like me, filled with curiosity. I hope to inspire them to explore," Tan said.

He underwent a three-day training in Beijing last October, during which he acquired novel ideas for his work, such as project-based learning where students could attempt to solve real-world problems.

Tan said he plans to launch a project-based learning program centered around sugarcane, given that Guangxi is a major sucrose production base in China, and many farmers in Laibin earn their livelihood from growing sugarcane. He aims to explore ways to help boost the incomes of the local people by reusing sugarcane leaves and residue.

"In this way, I hope to enhance the analytical and problem-solving skills of students, so that they can turn their imagination into practical solutions, rather than abandoning their ideas with regret," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Ambassador-at-Large Edmon Marukyan has lambasted Ukrainian delegate to PACE Oleksiy Goncharenko for his double standard speech in support of Azerbaijan after the latter was suspended in PACE.

Back in 2021, as a member of PACE delegation, I had a speech about Azerbaijans disgraceful Trophy Park, where the Azerbaijani regime had placed mannequins of Armenian prisoners of war, Marukyan said on X. While presenting the war crimes carried out by Azerbaijan in my speech, this Ukrainian MP complained to the chairperson of the session for allowing me to make a speech with posters, and not allowing him to do the same. That protest ended with the PACE chair asking him out of the meeting room. As a result of these double standards, it is very curious how this Ukrainian MP demands justice from the world for Ukraine, when he does not want to see the same justice for thousands of ethnically cleansed people of Nagorno Karabakh, prisoners of war illegally held in Azerbaijan. Shame on you, Goncharenko, when I come to Strasbourg make sure to stay out of my sight, your speech made me sick.
Florida could become the first US state to ban minors from using social media.

Lawmakers advanced the bill to the Senate Wednesday after a thumping majority in the State's House passed it in a 106 to 13 vote.

If enforced, companies like Meta and TikTok will need to permanently remove underage Floridan's accounts from the platform and prevent future minors from creating an account, regardless of parent's approval.

If the social media platform violates the requirements laid out in the bill they may be required to pay claimants up to $10,000 in damages as well as court costs and reasonable attorney fees.

Ron DeSantis has claimed to put child safety front and center of his governorship - banning books from schools he deemed pornographic, imposing the death penalty for pedophiles, and signing a package that bans gender surgeries and drugs for minors.

The Florida House of Representatives passed an HB1 bill that bans minors under the age of 16 from having social media accounts

However, the measures have been subject to heavy criticism.

The new bill accuses social media platforms of potentially harming minor's mental health and said that companies are specifically designing features to have addictive qualities.

Julia Friedland, deputy press secretary to Governor Ron DeSantis, told DailyMail.com that House Bill 1 (HB1) 'is still subject to the legislative process.'

'Governor DeSantis will review the legislation once it's in its final form and delivered to our office,' she continued.

'I would say that this is something that's likely gonna evolve as it gets through the house and makes its way through the Senate,' DeSantis said at a press conference on Friday.

'And we'll see if we get a product that is gonna be something that's good. I am concerned about the breadth of it. I want to empower parents.

'I wanna give parents tools to be able to do this. And so, I just think you gotta be smart about how you do it.'

While the bill is floating through government hands, lawmakers have yet to clarify how the measures will be enforced if signed into law - just that platforms will be held liable if it does not comply with the requirements laid out in the legislation.

The timeline for when the Senate will vote on the bill is still unknown.

A Meta spokesperson told Dailymail.com: 'As we continue working with Florida lawmakers to develop solutions that empower parents and support teens, it's crucial that HB1 provide clear, consistent rules so all services meet the expectations of parents.'

Several studies have found that social media can have a negative effect on children.

One specifically released this month, determined that social media is reprogramming children's brains and creating a generation of thin-skinned adults.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill said the changes indicate that social media-addicted kids will grow up to become 'hypersensitive' to feedback from others.

Court filings released in March 2023 claimed Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was warned internally about his platforms' harmful effects on children and teens but decided to 'turn a blind eye.'

Details of the Florida bill are vague, but it argued social media platforms could collect users' data to manipulate the type of content viewers see and could share users' personal data with third parties.

If the Senate passes the bill, it will move to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' desk to sign into law

Social media companies will be required to verify the account holder's age every time a new account is created on the platform, and verification measures must be conducted by third parties that are not affiliated with the social media platform.

Both parents and minors will be able to request the account be canceled, and the bill would require social media companies delete minor accounts within 10 days if requested by a parent and five days if requested by a minor.

If passed by the U.S. Senate and signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the bill will take effect starting July 1, 2024.

The bill does not clarify how the measures will be enforced or what verification requirements will be put in place.

The bill further states that social media companies must also provide references to local resources for law enforcement based on the user's zip code, and must provide contact information for suicide prevention and domestic violence prevention services.

The platforms will also have to report any harmful behavior content including bullying, harassment, and threats of violence or self-harm.

'Teens move fluidly across online services and youth online safety bills that hold different services to different standards in different states will subject teens to inconsistent protections online,' the Meta spokesperson said.

Meta urged the House to reconsider the bill in a letter sent earlier this month that said a state-mandated ban on social media would undermine a parent's right to allow their children to use online platforms.

'While our company recognizes the goals of House Bill 1, we believe this bill, as currently drafted, not only fails to empower parents to make the decision regarding whether their teen may use a social media platform but also fails to create robust, industry-wide standards that help parents and teens manage their online activity,' the letter said.

Social media platforms have been criticized in recent years for being addictive, promoting online harassment, and affecting minors' mental health.

'It's like a digital fentanyl,' Rep. Fiona McFarland (R-FL) said about social media platforms when promoting the bill, according to ABC News.

'And even the most plugged-in parent or attuned teen has a hard time shutting the door against these addictive features,' she added.

Dailymail.com has reached out to McFarland, the Florida House of Representatives and TikTok for comment.
READ MORE: Ex-official weighs in on 'cube in a sphere' UFO at military bases

The Pentagon watchdogs have made 11 recommendations in the report

The reported noted that the DoD needs formal policies to identify UAPs

US officials do not have the capabilities to defend America against a hypothetical alien invasion, internal Pentagon watchdogs have determined.

A newly declassified document found the Department of Defense (DoD) lacks comprehensive or coordinated effort to track and analyze UFOs - which have been rebranded Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) in recent years.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) made the eerie conclusion that this blindspot in the DoD's defensive capabilities 'poses a threat to military forces and national security.'

To address the issues identified in this report, the OIG has made 11 recommendations, including the enforcement of protection policies and the development of new tools in the event of an extraterrestrial attack.

A newly declassified document determined the Department of Defense (DoD) lacks comprehensive or coordinated effort to track and analyze UAP, such as one spotted by the US Navy in 2004

'DoD efforts to identify and understand UAP has been irregular because of competing priorities, lack of substantive progress, and inconclusive findings,' reads 'Evaluation of the DoD's Actions Regarding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena', previously issued August 2023.

'However, military pilots have continued to report UAP incidents despite the sporadic efforts of the DoD to identify, report, and analyze the events'

The 2023 report was a collection of evaluations on whether the Pentagon, military branches, defense agencies and counterintelligence organizations conducted actions 'to detect, report, collect, analyze, and identify UAP.'

'The DoD has not issued a comprehensive UAP response plan that identifies roles, responsibilities, requirements, and coordination procedures for detecting, reporting, collecting, analyzing, and identifying UAP incidents,' OIG concluded.

The agency conducted the work for the evaluation from May 2021 through June 2023 and interviewed Presidential and DoD policies, directives and guidance.

Those individuals are tasked with establishing requirements for intelligence gathering, counterintelligence, force protection, and civil liberty protections for

'As a result, the DoD response to UAP incidents is uncoordinated and concentrated within each Military Department.'

In July 2022, the Pentagon set up the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), to handle reports of UAPs.

AARO is responsible for synchronizing and standardizing the collection, analysis, and identification of UAP incidents.

Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced the declassification of the report on Thursday, noting it was released due to the 'significant public interest in how the DoD is addressing UAPs'

However, OIG has questioned the abilities of the nation to organize and defend itself in a summary of the classified report.

OIG found that due to a lack of DoD-level guidance, AARO has not developed a formal process to detect and report on unidentified object in US skies.

UAPs are designated as 'Special Interest Items' among military officials, who require aircrews to document and report sightings within 24 hours of shutting down the engines of their own aircraft.

Some of those unexplained observations have been sent to AARO, but the reported noted that the DoD does not require military services to do so.

'DoD Components have largely excluded geographic combatant commands, which are responsible for detecting, deterring, and preventing threats and attacks against the United States and its territories, possessions, and bases in their respective areas of responsibility, in developing UAP policies and procedures,' OIG determined in the 16-page document.

In July 2022, the Pentagon set up the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), to handle reports of UAPs. AARO is responsible for identification of UAP incidents such as this observation in 2023 above LAX

To address the issues identified in the report, the DoD OIG said they have made eleven recommendations to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security.

For example, OIG recommended that the DoD issue a policy to integrate roles, responsibilities, requirements, and coordination procedures regarding UAP into existing intelligence, counterintelligence, and force protection policies and procedures,' the report reads.

The report also suggested the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff issue guidance to 'the geographic combatant commanders regarding unidentified anomalous phenomena detection, reporting, collection, analysis, and identification within their area of responsibility.

'At a minimum, the guidance should include tools to help commands determine the threats posed by unidentified anomalous phenomena.'

Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced the declassification of the report on Thursday, noting it was released due to the 'significant public interest in how the DoD is addressing UAPs.'

'We are releasing this unclassified summary to be as transparent as possible with the American people about our oversight work on this important issue,' Storch shared in a statement.
A photographer captured Venus giving off a brief ethereal green light in the sky above Sweden in what is considered a rare atmospheric optical phenomenon.

While attempting to capture images of the hellish planet and the moon rising over over Stockholm, Peter Rosen observed the shimmering flash that has only been seen a handful of times.

Green flashes of light are caused by light reflecting off the Earth's atmosphere like a prism and only occurs on cold, clear nights because the crisper, cleaner air allows the light to escape.

For those who want to view Venus' green aura, it could be possible by using a high-magnification setup, like a high-speed camera with a very large sensor.

By taking rapid photos in quick succession as Venus sets, it may be possible to capture the truly spectacular view.

Peter Rosen captured an image of a rare flash of green light coming off Venus

Peter Rosen took a photo of Venus next to the moon before he captured the rare phenomenon

However, the green lights are only visible on clear nights and when there are sharp temperature gradients in the air, like extreme cold or heat, that magnify one color over another.

Rosen told Spaceweather.com that he was able to capture the green flash 'because of the extreme cold that still persists over southern Sweden.'

The green flash appeared when Venus tilted at an angle that was closer to the Earth's horizon.

When this happens, the Earth's atmosphere can act like a prism, splitting white lights into colors of red, green, yellow, orange and blue.

If the atmosphere was completely clean and devoid of pollution, blue would be the flash of color emitted from Venus.

However, because the air does contain pollutants, the second color that is reflected is green.

Photographer Paolo Palma capture this photo of Venus emitting the green light in the sky above Rome in 2018

Venus' green light has only been captured a few times, with photographer Colin Legg capturing one of the most recent images in 2017, before Rosen's 2024 photograph.

Another green flash on Venus was captured in Rome in 2018 by Paolo Palma who used his smartphone at the eyepiece of a 12-inch telescope which he magnified 76 times.

'The planet was low on the horizon and its light looked like a long fiery bubble, with flames of red, orange, yellow, and green,' said Palma at the time.

'When Venus went below the horizon, the last ray was clearly green in color,' he added.

Although other green flashes have been observed, Rosen's photo of Venus 'might be the best ever,' according to Spaceweather.com.
The Palace of Aigai is located in northern Greece near the city of Thessaloniki

Standing in the vast colonnaded courtyard, where 4,000 Greeks proclaimed 20-year-old Alexander, King of Macedon in 336 BC is an almost unfathomable thrill. Especially when you have the place practically to yourself.

Alexander The Greats palace in ancient Aigai, modern Vergina, is now welcoming visitors after years of painstaking repairs. I stroll through the empty theatre where Alexanders father, Philip II, was murdered by a bodyguard at the wedding of his daughter Cleopatra.

His bereaved son was crowned soon after in the sprawling palace where Im standing. Its the largest surviving building from the classical Greek period, at 15,000 square metres.

But, because its in unfashionable northern Greece, far from the tourist hotspots of Athens and the holiday islands, its wonderfully empty.

My only companions are the lines of Doric and Ionic columns, re-erected for the first time in 2,200 years, after the Romans toppled them in the second century BC. Behind me are the snow-capped peaks of the Pierian Mountains. Below me is the Macedonian plain, with its grids of peach trees.

Restored: The Palace of Aigai has reopened after years of repairs. Harry Mount takes a look around, writing: 'Standing in the vast colonnaded courtyard, where 4,000 Greeks proclaimed 20-year-old Alexander King of Macedon in 336 BC is an almost unfathomable thrill'

The palace, an hour by car from Thessaloniki, is the largest surviving building from the classical Greek period, at 15,000 square metres

Harry reveals that the renovation 'is all part of a campaign to lure tourists to northern Greece'

Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) was Alexander the Greatest - the most triumphant leader ancient Greece ever saw. He headed east through modern Turkey, beating Darius III, King of Persia. He marched into Egypt and even as far as India, winning every battle. He died, aged just 32, in Babylon.

Alexander is still the number one hero here. His palace was reopened this month by Greek PM, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. In Greeces second largest city, Thessaloniki - an hour by car from the palace - a mighty statue of Alexander on his beloved horse, Bucephalus, rears up over the promenade by the Aegean Sea.

Even in Thessaloniki railway station, a bronze bust of Alexander has pride of place. You can see why Greeks revere the palace today. I wander through dining rooms where Alexander held symposia - drinking parties where they discussed philosophy. He was taught by Aristotle, Greeces finest philosopher, and was devoted to Homers Iliad.

In Thessaloniki a mighty statue of Alexander on his beloved horse, Bucephalus, rears up over the promenade by the Aegean Sea (above)

Intricate mosaic floors - showing goddesses, flowers and winged creatures - survive, as does a sanctuary devoted to Heracles, the Greek strongman hero, son of Zeus, supposedly Alexanders ancestor. After its destruction by the Romans, the palace became a quarry. It was rediscovered in the 1970s but remained a wreck. In 2007, it closed for this spectacular renovation.

The palace was largely built by Alexanders father in the mid-4th century BC - and you must see his buried tomb, a five-minute drive away. You descend beneath a tumulus of earth to reach the tomb, only discovered in 1977.

Philips remains and those of one of his queens were found behind a marble door, with his gold crown and gold wreath of oak leaves - the height of Greek craftsmanship, plus tiny ivory busts of Philip II and Alexander.

The tomb of Alexanders father, Philip II, is a five-minute drive from the palace. 'You descend beneath a tumulus of earth to reach the tomb, only discovered in 1977,' writes Harry

The renovation is all part of a campaign to lure tourists to northern Greece. Its long overdue. Not just Vergina but Thessaloniki contain some of the worlds finest treasures.

Thessaloniki is well-equipped with hotels and restaurants. The Excelsior is an elegant, classical hotel, but modern with modest prices.

Thessaloniki was a vital Roman city. The Roman forum survives, as do 4th-century AD walls circling the city. Two mammoth buildings from AD 300 - the Arch Of Galerius and Rotunda - were built to honour the emperor Galerius (AD 258-311).

These mighty fragments of ancient northern Greece should be much better known - as should Alexander The Greats palace.
The only time a crowd gathers on the Isle of Canna is for the arrival of the ferry five times a week in summer.

Visitors bustle around the pier looking for their hosts like evacuees in wartime.

But once everyone is matched up and has gone on their way, peace swiftly descends  not that it ever really leaves this Hebridean hideaway.

At nearly five square miles in length, Canna is one of the Small Isles, reached by the ferry from Mallaig, an hours drive from Fort William.

The population of Canna peaked at 436 in 1821 but, following the Highland Clearances in 1860, numbers dipped to 127. It now stands at around 20.

Paul Kirkwood visits Scotland's Isle of Canna and stays at the remote bunkhouse pictured here

The only time a crowd gathers on the Isle of Canna is for the arrival of the ferry five times a week in summer, Paul writes

Paul reveals: 'We soon got to know the islands visitors: a cyclist from New Zealand, a man who wed earlier spotted camping solo on Sandays white sands, three students staying with a friend, and an intrepid young family of four who arrived by bike, kids in child seats and luggage on their backs'

Gareth Cole, chef at Cafe Canna, came here with his wife in 2018 having previously worked in IT in London.

Wed only previously visited Canna on the stopover ferry.

'We virtually had two hours on the island to decide if this is what we wanted to do and where we wanted to live.

'Thankfully we went for it and it has been absolutely amazing.

Isebail MacKinnon works on the islands only farm and runs the campsite and bunkhouse.

As part of the Isle of Canna Community Development Trust, she also manages the community shop and is involved with the renewable energy project.

The population of Canna peaked at 436 in 1821 but, following the Highland Clearances in 1860, numbers dipped to 127. It now stands at around 20. Pictured: The island's Sanday Bridge

The island (pictured) is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, to which it was given in 1981 by the then laird, John Lorne Campbell, a Gaelic scholar and nature lover determined to preserve the islands ecology and traditions, says Paul

At nearly five square miles in length, Canna is one of the Small Isles. It's reached by ferry from Mallaig, an hours drive from Fort William

Isebail MacKinnon works on the islands only farm and runs the campsite (pictured) and bunkhouse where Paul stayed

Her family is from Canna and she returned there in 2016 after working in London and Africa.

I can see a lot of similarities between living off the west coast of Scotland and living in Ghana and Uganda, as logistics in both places are a bit challenging, she says.

My wife and I stayed at the bunkhouse, a mid-18th-century former bothy, perched alone at the foot of a basalt cliff with just a windswept sycamore tree for company.

Accommodation is simple, with two bunk beds and a separate shower and toilet block, but the views over Canna and the isles of Sanday and Rum more than compensate.

Accompanied by her dog, Isebail brought a breakfast basket each morning. In the evening we dined at the cafe, a 15-minute walk across fields.

The menu features local lobster and steak from the farms Belted Galloway cattle.

The bunkhouse accommodation is simple, says Paul, 'with two bunk beds and a separate shower and toilet block, but the views over Canna and the isles of Sanday and Rum more than compensate'

In the evening Paul dined at the cafe, a 15-minute walk across fields. Above - the bunkhouse picnic table

The birds provide the only commotion youre likely to encounter on this island, whose emptiness is the essence of its appeal, says Paul

Tourists take in the view on Canna's dramatic coastline

The two-bed dormitory in the Canna bunkhouse costs from 40

One night we were joined by a group who arrived by rigid inflatable boats from yachts anchored in the harbour.

We soon got to know the islands visitors: a cyclist from New Zealand, a man who wed earlier spotted camping solo on Sandays white sands, three students staying with a friend, and an intrepid young family of four who arrived by bike, kids in child seats and luggage on their backs.

The island is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, to which it was given in 1981 by the then laird, John Lorne Campbell, a Gaelic scholar and nature lover determined to preserve the islands ecology and traditions.

His former home, Canna House, is being restored and a visitor facility is under construction.

Ruined Coroghan Castle sits at one end of the beach near the pier on a rocky outcrop that looks like a sandcastle.

You can hike up Compass Hill with its views over the island, or out to the lighthouse and back, past sea stacks which teem with puffins in spring.

The birds provide the only commotion youre likely to encounter on this island, whose emptiness is the essence of its appeal.
Murder Trial: The Killing Of Dr Brenda Page (BBC2)

Rating:

The Miners' Strike 1984: The Battle For Britain (Ch4)

Rating:

The alarming reality of The Traitors, which reaches its nerve-jangling climax on BBC1 tonight, is that we all think we can spot a liar  and we can't.

Most of the accusations and detective work on this gothic reality show have been no better than guesswork. And that has serious implications, not least for our legal system.

For hundreds of years, the assumption in our courts has been that, by weighing the evidence and paying diligent attention to the statements of witnesses and defendants, a jury will be able to determine who is telling the truth.

But if the deliberations in a jury room are anything like the confused, fraught debates at the round table in The Traitors, then the scales of justice might be no more accurate than the toss of a coin.

Screened over two nights, Murder Trial: The Killing Of Dr Brenda Page (BBC2), filmed mostly in the Aberdeen high court, has invited us to test our own instincts, in a case that took nearly 50 years to be resolved.

Brenda Page and Christopher Harrisson met in 1971

The head of Aberdeen University's genetics department, Dr Page was found beaten to death in the bedroom of her rented flat.

She was 32, and divorced from a man she claimed was violent and emotionally abusive. In the days and weeks before her murder, she voiced her fears to multiple people that her ex-husband, Dr Christopher Harrisson, wanted to kill her.

Harrisson was questioned after her death but released, for lack of evidence. Many people believed Dr Page could have been killed by an unknown assailant: she was working as an escort to supplement her income, providing company and a sympathetic ear to men who worked on the North Sea oil rigs.

The fascination of this two-part documentary was to watch 82-year-old Harrisson's face. Mostly, he was impassive, sometimes frowning as he took notes.

He appeared to show little reaction as details of his ex-wife's appalling injuries were shown  she was struck more than 20 times on the head with a blunt instrument.

Police mugshot of Christopher Harrisson from 1978

Christopher Harrisson, now 82, had denied murdering his former wife

Even when the guilty verdict was returned, there was no flicker of shame or remorse. But at moments, he seemed to be lost in his thoughts, with an expression of what looked like regret. Was he wishing that he could have controlled his murderous temper, or simply feeling self-pity?

In the dock, as he tried to laugh off the prosecuting barrister's questions, he appeared cold-hearted, a born deceiver. And in excerpts from a police interview in 2020, he contradicted himself.

But my faith in my ability to spot a liar, at least on screen, has been shaken to the core by The Traitors. I don't know what to believe any more.

Both sides were still entrenched in their versions of the truth, 40 years after an industrial dispute that bordered on civil war, in The Miners' Strike 1984: The Battle For Britain (Ch4).

This opening episode in a three-part documentary focused on the divided workers and their families at the Derbyshire pit town of Shirebrook  with no contribution from former police or politicians.

We heard from wives and children who shrieked abuse at the strikebreakers, with no mention of Arthur Scargill's flying pickets, militants brought in from miles away to bolster the battle lines.

Cop who clashed with miners at the 1984 Battle Of Orgreave reveals how police tactic was to disable people by aiming for arms and legs

This opening episode in a three-part documentary focused on the divided workers and their families at the Derbyshire pit town of Shirebrook

Shirebrook miners voted against the strike  and their democratic choice was over-ruled by the union

Most of those interviewed were hardcore strikers, proud of their defiance.

One opponent, though uneasy at the prospect of opening old wounds, did stand his ground: Roland Taylor, the first to cross the picket lines, reminded us that the Shirebrook miners voted against the strike  and their democratic choice was over-ruled by the union.

By that definition, he was one of the original Faithfuls.
Abbey Clancy and Alexa Chung both looked incredible as they attended a Burns Night celebration hosted by Christopher Kane and The London EDITION in Fitzrovia on Thursday.

Model Abbey, 38, cut a glamorous figure in a black turtle neck top which she tucked into a matching leather skirt.

The star, who was joined at the event by her husband Peter Crouch, wore her blonde locks in loose waves and also sported a pair of heels.

Alexa, 40, turned heads in a black lace top with a plunging neckline that highlighted her stunning figure.

The TV presenter also wore a black skirt and added height to her frame with a pair of baby blue heels.

Abbey Clancy and Alexa Chung both looked incredible as they attended a Burns Night celebration hosted by Christopher Kane and The London EDITION in Fitzrovia on Thursday

Attending another Burns Night party across town at Mayfair's Dovetale was Jenni Falconer and her husband James Midgley.

Jenni looked stylish in a black coat with a matching belt which she wore over a blouse with a white bow.

The Scottish presenter opted for a pair of black stilettos and carried a black and cream handbag.

Former Loose Women host Andrea McLean opted for a black jumpsuit along with a matching blazer and a grey handbag.

Arlene Phillips kept it casual in a purple turtle neck jumper and grey trousers as she posed alongside former Page Three girl Jackie Michaelson.

It comes after Abbey celebrated her 38th birthday at the Corinthia hotel in London last week alongside her husband Peter Crouch.

Making use of the luxury hotel's spa, Abbey showcased her incredible physique as she posed in a bikini for a cheeky mirror selfie on her Instagram.

Sharing the black and white snap the star flaunted her toned abs as she wrote: 'Spa time @corinthialondon'.

Model Abbey, 38, cut a glamorous figure in a black turtle neck top which she tucked into a matching leather skirt

Alexa also wore a black skirt and added height to her frame with a pair of baby blue heels (pictured with fashion designer Christopher Kane)

Peter Crouch opted for a laid back look in white T-shirt with grey trousers and a matching jacket

Abbey and Peter have four children: daughters Sophia Ruby, 12, and Liberty Rose, 8, and sons Johnny, 6, and Jack, four, yet the parents enjoyed some one-on-one time to mark Abbey's birthday.

Posting a snap of Peter relaxing in a huge jacuzzi she joked: 'Anyone would think it's his birthday'.

The pair finished the day with a delicious afternoon tea as Abbey took a photo of the remnants on her plate, writing: 'Perfect ending to the perfect day'.

Attending another Burns Night party across town at Mayfair's Dovetale was Jenni Falconer and her husband James Midgley

Arlene Phillips kept it casual in a purple turtle neck jumper and grey trousers as she posed alongside former Page Three girl Jackie Michaelson

Former Loose Women host Andrea McLean opted for a black jumpsuit along with a matching blazer and a grey handbag
Deborra-Lee Furness is looking to the future following her shock split from husband Hugh Jackman in September.

The Australian actress, 68, returns to the screen in Force of Nature: The Dry 2, co-starring with Eric Bana in the sequel to the hit 2020 mystery film.

But in an interview with Yahoo Lifestyle, she revealed she has 'big plans' for her post-breakup career.

'I've got a few [projects] up my sleeve, I'm working on a script with Rebecca Rigg, which I want to direct and act in,' she said.

'And who knows there might be a reprisal from the character I play [in Force of Nature]. Hey, maybe another sequel from a character I played many years ago in Shame,' she added.

Deborra-Lee Furness is looking to the future following her shock split from long-time husband Hugh Jackman in September. In an interview with Yahoo Lifestyle, she revealed she has 'big plans' for her post-breakup career. Both pictured in 2023

It comes after the Correlli actress ended her marriage with her husband, Hugh Jackman.

The Australian actor, 55, and his wife announced their shock split in September after 27 years of marriage, telling fans they separated 'to pursue our individual growth'.

'We have been blessed to share almost three decades together in a wonderful, loving marriage,' the couple said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

'I'm working on a script with Rebecca Rigg, which I want to direct and act in. And who knows there might be a reprisal from the character I play [in Force of Nature]. Hey, maybe another sequel from a character I played many years ago in Shame,' she added

The Australian actress, 68, returns to the screen in Force of Nature: The Dry 2, co-starring with Eric Bana (pictured) in the sequel to the hit 2020 mystery film

'Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.

'Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness.

'We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition.'

The former couple signed the statement as 'Deb and Hugh Jackman,' adding: 'This is the sole statement either of us will make.'

The pair had tied the knot in 1996 after crossing paths on set of Correlli in 1995.

During the course of their marriage, they adopted two children: son Oscar, 23, and daughter Ava, 18.
Rating:

Don't watch this on your phone. Come to that, your TV screen isn't going to be big enough either. To do full justice to Masters Of The Air (AppleTV+), you're going to have to hire a cinema.

This World War Two aerial drama, following the men of the U.S. Air Force's 100th Bomb Group on suicidally courageous missions over Germany, is visually immense.

We see vast skyscapes filled with Flying Fortress bombers, weaving through cloudbursts of anti-aircraft flame and flak, as Luftwaffe fighters scream out of the sun with all guns blazing.

In one early sequence, a squadron of planes races up a Greenland fjord before Austin Butler, as the pilot hero Major Gale 'Buck' Cleven, lands in a hurricane.

In another, hapless navigator Harry Crosby (Anthony Boyle) directs his crew to the wrong side of the Channel, before they struggle back to base for a crash landing in an East Anglian field  with U.S. jeeps racing from all directions to the rescue.

In one early sequence, a squadron of planes races up a Greenland fjord before Austin Butler, as the pilot hero Major Gale 'Buck' Cleven, lands in a hurricane

Kai Alexander portraying Sgt. William Quinn in 'Masters of the Air'

Austin Butler as Major. Gale 'Buck' Cleven and Callum Turner portraying Major. John 'Bucky' Egan

The spectacle never lets up. One heart-stopping tableau follows the next, with a vividness and authenticity that has never been possible before in television history.

This is 1943 and the Americans are just arriving in Europe... three years late, as always, but very welcome.

The only unsteady moment in the story comes at the very start, and it's quite unnecessary.

We meet Buck and his girlfriend in a bar back in the States, dancing to the sound of Artie Shaw and drinking with Buck's best pal, a fellow airman... called Bucky.

A long and repetitive banter follows, explaining why they have the same nickname. It's a confusing distraction, especially as what's special about their friendship is how different they are.

Buck Gayle is laconic, undramatic, a lanky and idealistic young man from the cowboy country of Wyoming.

Butler plays him sulky as Elvis, uncompromising as John Wayne. Major John 'Bucky' Egan (Callum Turner) is loudly, wildly reckless  apt to start a fight in an Arctic bar with a narwhal tusk for a sword, or take a bet with all the locals in an English pub that he will stand with an apple on his head for their darts champion to skewer like William Tell.

The accents and costumes are impeccable. The hairstyles are less assured, all more or less modern, which is odd but scarcely relevant.

The spectacle never lets up. One heart-stopping tableau follows the next, with a vividness and authenticity that has never been possible before in television history

Austin Butler, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks at the world premiere of 'Masters Of The Air'

Sawyer Spielberg, Callum Turner, Steven Spielberg, Austin Butler, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman attend the world premiere

Tom Hanks and Callum Turner at the premiere of 'Masters of the Air' in Los Angeles

Produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, who also made wartime epic Band Of Brothers more than 20 years ago, every episode places intense emphasis on its technical brilliance.

Long tracking shots take us through crowds, so that we catch snatches of conversation as we pass, or along the entire fuselage of a bomber, showing us each of the ten crew as they sweat, curse and struggle.

Based on historian Donald L Miller's book, the script bombards us with military detail.

As scores of airmen cram into a barn-like briefing room, their intelligence officer unloads facts by the ton: 'Along the Frisian Islands from Northern Eye to Lange Hoog, you can expect concentrated flak from identified batteries consisting of 88mm and 105mm guns guided by Wurzburg radar, on a straight nine-mile run to the target.'

The checklist on takeoff is equally thorough: 'Transfer valves off, switches off, valve flaps open and locked, throttles are closed...'

Far from being dull, these litanies become the tense precursor to flights into terror.

When one raid has to be aborted and the German fighters swarm in mercilessly, we already feel as though we are in those planes beside the crews  airborne aluminium deathtraps that can explode into infernos in an instant.

As the credits roll, you'll believe you're lucky to have survived.
Naomi Watts found a way to make a drizzly day sunnier while walking her beloved dog Izzy in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood on Thursday.

The 55-year-old Feud actress adopted her fuzzy little 'sidekick' in 2020 from the LA non-profit Tobie's Small Dog Rescue.

Naomi - who wed her former Gypsy leading man Billy Crudup on June 9 - donned a large colorful knit scarf around her neck as she strolled with her precious pooch.

Watts was bundled up in a $108 VICI 'Breezy City Fall Pocketed' coat over a white T-shirt tucked into baggy blue jeans and white sneakers.

The two-time Oscar nominee pulled her signature blonde bob into a tidy updo for the occasion.

Naomi Watts found a way to make a drizzly day sunnier while walking her beloved dog Izzy in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood on Thursday

The 55-year-old Feud actress adopted her fuzzy little 'sidekick' in 2020 from the LA non-profit Tobie's Small Dog Rescue

Naomi accessorized her winter attire with $412 Tiffany & Co. 'TF4199' sunglasses over her make-up free complexion.

Missing from Watts' side were her two children - Sasha, 16; and Kai, 15 - from her 11-year relationship with her Painted Veil co-star Liev Schreiber, which amicably ended in 2016.

The British-born Australian just began production on Scott McGehee and David Siegel's big-screen adaptation of Sigrid Nunez's 2018 novel The Friend, and she's acting opposite a 'gigantic' Great Dane called Bing.

'I have a dog that is six pounds. This dog is 150 pounds, I believe. And it's my costar. He really is gigantic,' Naomi said on Wednesday's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

'It's not often that a dog has the starring role. He's a special dog. Very lovable. He's a good. I have to have all kinds of doggy trainings. You know, every 20 minutes, we have to go through all of these - these tricks. He can do a lot of things.'

The Friend - which won the National Book Award for Fiction - centers on a Manhattan writer who inherits a Great Dane called Apollo after her best friend and mentor commits suicide, and how they both handle the loss.

Watts was promoting her role as former Vogue editor Barbara 'Babe' Paley in the second season of Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, which premieres January 31 on FX and February 1 on Hulu.

'[Creator] Ryan Murphy creates the most incredible world of tension and drama and betrayal - very talented guy,' the Mulholland Drive alum gushed.

Naomi - who wed her former Gypsy leading man Billy Crudup on June 9 - donned a large colorful knit scarf around her neck as she strolled with her precious pooch

Watts was bundled up in a $108 VICI 'Breezy City Fall Pocketed' coat over a white T-shirt tucked into baggy blue jeans and white sneakers

The two-time Oscar nominee pulled her signature blonde bob into a tidy updo for the occasion

Naomi accessorized her winter attire with $412 Tiffany & Co. 'TF4199' sunglasses over her make-up free complexion

Missing from Watts' side were her two children - Sasha, 16; and Kai, 15 - from her 11-year relationship with her Painted Veil co-star Liev Schreiber, which amicably ended in 2016

The British-born Australian just began production on Scott McGehee and David Siegel's big-screen adaptation of Sigrid Nunez's 2018 novel The Friend, and she's acting opposite a 'gigantic' Great Dane called Bing (pictured January 13)

Naomi said on Wednesday's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: 'I have a dog that is six pounds. This dog is 150 pounds, I believe. And it's my costar. He really is gigantic'

Watts continued: 'It's not often that a dog has the starring role. He's a special dog. Very lovable. He's a good. I have to have all kinds of doggy trainings. You know, every 20 minutes, we have to go through all of these - these tricks. He can do a lot of things'

The Friend - which won the National Book Award for Fiction - centers on a Manhattan writer who inherits a Great Dane called Apollo after her best friend and mentor commits suicide, and how they both handle the loss

'And [he] creates all of these fantastic roles for women. You know, you never see that many women coming together and also being friends, which is nice. They're not against each other.'

Naomi also executive produced the 'original Housewives' tale centered on acclaimed writer Truman Capote's (Tom Hollander) betrayal of his socialite 'Swan' gal pals in 1976 after Esquire published chapters from his unfinished novel Answered Prayers.

The fall-out is depicted in showrunner Jon Robin Baitz's small-screen adaptation of Laurence Leamer's 2021 book Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era.

Feud: Capote and The Swans also stars Demi Moore, Calista Flockhart, Diane Lane, Chloe Sevigny, Jessica Lange, Joe Mantello, Molly Ringwald, Russell Tovey Pawel Szajda, Yuval David, Scott Zimmerman, Jeffrey Grover, and the late Treat Williams.

All eight episodes were directed by two-time Oscar nominee Gus Van Sant (To Die For, Good Will Hunting, Drugstore Cowboy).

Later on Thursday, Watts stepped out in Midtown Manhattan for an event wearing a strapless black silk top, matching wide-leg trousers, and heels selected by stylist Jeanann Williams.

Hairstylist Renato Campora coiffed the Independent Spirit Award winner's middle-parted flip and make-up artist Mary Wiles brought out her natural beauty.

Last month, Naomi wrapped a mystery role in Audrey Diwan's erotic drama Emmanuelle, which is a remake of Just Jaeckin's 1974 cult flick.

The upcoming movie also stars Noemie Merlant, Will Sharpe, Jamie Campbell Bower, Chacha Huang, and Anthony Wong.

The Mulholland Drive alumwas promoting her role as former Vogue editor Barbara 'Babe' Paley in the second season of Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, which premieres January 31 on FX and February 1 on Hulu

Naomi gushed: '[Creator] Ryan Murphy creates the most incredible world of tension and drama and betrayal - very talented guy'

Watts added: 'And [he] creates all of these fantastic roles for women. You know, you never see that many women coming together and also being friends, which is nice. They're not against each other'

The Independent Spirit Award winner also executive produced the 'original Housewives' tale centered on acclaimed writer Truman Capote's (Tom Hollander) betrayal of his socialite 'Swan' gal pals in 1976 after Esquire published chapters from his unfinished novel Answered Prayers

Later on Thursday, Naomi stepped out in Midtown Manhattan for an event wearing a strapless black silk top, matching wide-leg trousers, and heels selected by stylist Jeanann Williams
YEREVAN, 26 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 26 January, USD exchange rate down by 0.60 drams to 403.61 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.79 drams to 438.52 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.06 drams to 4.50 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.72 drams to 513.96 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 50.74 drams to 26260.91 drams. Silver price up by 0.92 drams to 296.83 drams.
Nina Dobrev was sensational as she donned an eye-catching ensemble as she stepped out during Paris Fashion Week on Thursday.

The Vampire Diaries alum, 35 - who recently enjoyed a romantic getaway with boyfriend Shaun White - was seen visiting a Patou store in the heart of the city while also sporting clothing from the French brand.

She turned heads wearing a vibrant, orange cropped jacket that was secured with a row of buttons at the front.

The beauty put on a leggy display while also opting for a matching miniskirt that contained an asymmetrical hem.

Dobrev slipped into a pair of open-toed, white heels that were secured with straps that wrapped around her ankles and offered a bit of color contrast to the look.

Nina Dobrev, 35, was sensational as she donned an eye-catching ensemble as she stepped out during Paris Fashion Week on Thursday

She easily carried a small, orange purse in her right hand to hold a few items she needed during the nighttime outing.

Nina's dark locks were parted in the middle, and swept back into a chic up do, allowing her bangs to gently fall onto her forehead.

A large, orange bow also from the brand was placed on the back of her head that offered a stylish effect.

The actress opted for minimal accessories to allow the outfit to be the main focal point, and wore a pair of flashy, gold-hooped earrings.

Her makeup was classically done, and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as light shadow around her eyes.

A warm blush was added to better accentuate her cheekbones, while a nude-colored, glossy tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch.

While talking to InStyle earlier last year in September, the beauty opened up about how her sense of style has evolved over the years while also discussing her love of fashion.

'I always loved fashion, but I can't say that I necessarily was all that great at it,' she admitted to the outlet. 'If you look at my style from when I was 18 to 22, it wasn't great until I hired a stylist.'

She turned heads wearing a vibrant, orange cropped jacket that was secured with a row of buttons at the front

A large, orange bow also from the brand was placed on the back of her head that offered a stylish effect

While talking to InStyle earlier last year in September, the beauty opened up about how her sense of style has evolved over the years while also discussing her love of fashion; seen in June 2023 in L.A.

'Then, I started picking up little things here and there from stylists that I work with, magazines, seeing others take chances and imagining myself in those outfits, and sort of playing around with different things.'

Paris Fashion Week for Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 kicked off earlier this week on Monday and officially concluded on Thursday.

Some luxurious brands that held star-studded fashion shows included Fendi, Valentino as well as Jean Paul Gaultier.

The month of January has been a busy one for Dobrev, who had the chance to celebrate her 35th birthday on January 9.

She took to her main Instagram page to commemorate the special day and revealed that her boyfriend and Olympic gold medalist, Shaun White, put together a surprise trip to Disneyland - with some of her close pals also tagging along.

Nina began dating White back in 2020 after first crossing paths at a workshop in Florida that had been organized by motivational speaker, Tony Robbins, in 2019.

Along with uploading various snaps from the memorable day, Nina penned in the caption, 'Happiest surprise on the happiest day at the happiest place on earth.'

'Some of my closest friends surprised me on January 9th  and I have to say I am HARD to SURPRISE. I always know what's up. But they got me good. I'm still in shock to be honest.'

'Feeling incredibly lucky, celebrated, loved, grateful and appreciative of all the wonderful souls I am fortunate to surround myself with. When it comes to friends, I definitely hit the jackpot.'

The month of January has been a busy one for Dobrev, who had the chance to celebrate her 35th birthday on January 9

She took to her main Instagram page to commemorate the special day and revealed that her boyfriend and Olympic gold medalist, Shaun White, put together a surprise trip to Disneyland - with some of her close pals also tagging along

Nina began dating White back in 2020 after first crossing paths at a workshop in Florida that had been organized by motivational speaker Tony Robbins in 2019

She concluded with, 'Huge thank you to my love @shaunwhite for orchestrating the whole thing! You sneaky lil devil love you.'

Dobrev also celebrated the release of her latest action thriller tiled, The Bricklayer, which premiered in theaters on January 5.

Other stars that were cast in the project included Aaron Eckhart, Tim Blake Nelson, Ilfenesh Hadera and also Clifton Collins Jr.

The premise of the film follows, 'An ex-CIA agent is reactivated when an extortionist targets the agency,' per an official IMDB synopsis.
While the rapper was cleared of any criminal involvement back in November, TMZ reports that Monegain's lawsuit alleges she has permanent injuries

The microphone struck Power 106 DJ Bryhana Monegain, and she was hospitalized following the incident on August 3, during his Final Lap tour

50 Cent, 48, made headlines in August when he hurled his non-working microphone into the crowd

The woman who was struck by a microphone that 50 Cent hurled into a crowd is now filing a civil lawsuit against him.

During an early-August concert at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles, the rapper (born Curtis James Jackson III), 48, hurled his non-working microphone into the crowd.

The microphone struck L.A. DJ Bryhana Monegain, who DJ's for Power 106, and she was hospitalized following the incident on August 3, during his Final Lap tour.

While the rapper was cleared of any criminal involvement for the mic toss back in November, TMZ reports that Monegain's lawsuit alleges she has permanent injuries.

The lawsuit alleges that once the In Da Club hitmaker realized his microphone wasn't working, he opted to throw it into the crowd.

The woman who was struck by a microphone that 50 Cent hurled into a crowd is now filing a civil lawsuit against him.

The microphone struck L.A. DJ Bryhana Monegain, who DJ's for Power 106, and she was hospitalized following the incident on August 3, during his Final Lap tour

While the rapper was cleared of any criminal involvement for the mic toss back in November, TMZ reports that Monegain's lawsuit alleges she has permanent injuries

The hurled mic ultimately struck Monegain in the face and wrist, causing a concussion, a forehead laceration and other minor injuries.

While Monegain has since returned to work on her afternoon DJ slot on Power 106, she claims to still suffer emotional distress over the incident.

Monegain is suing for lost wages during her recovery along with medical expenses and other unspecified damages.

Shortly after the incident, Monegain filed a police report, with 50 Cent being investigated on battery charges.

50 Cent's attorney, Scott Leemon, told DailyMail.com in late August, 'Lets be very clear, as I told LAPD this afternoon, my client Curtis would never intentionally strike anyone with a microphone.'

'Anyone saying something different doesnt have all the facts and is misinformed,' he added.

Just weeks before the 50 Cent incident, Cardi B made headlines for throwing a microphone at a fan during a Las Vegas concert, who threw a drink at her.

The microphone ultimately hit another person nearby, and while the struck fan pressed charges, the rapper was ultimately cleared.

The hurled mic ultimately struck Monegain in the face and wrist, causing a concussion, a forehead laceration and other minor injuries

50 Cent's attorney, Scott Leemon, told DailyMail.com in late August, 'Lets be very clear, as I told LAPD this afternoon, my client Curtis would never intentionally strike anyone with a microphone'

It was reported in November that he was cleared of all criminal charges, with the police presenting the case as a felony.

The Los Angeles District Attorney, though, shifted the case to the L.A. City Attorney's office, who announced no charges will be filed, with some caveats.

The case will remain open for one year from the date of the incident (August 3) and it may be re-evaluated for possible criminal charges if there are any further incidents between the rapper and DJ.

He has yet to comment publicly on the lawsuit at this time.
SAG-AFTRA has come to the defense of actor Alec Baldwin following his second inditement over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

The actors' union criticized the New Mexico prosecutors' decision to charge Baldwin, 65, with involuntary manslaughter again for the accidental shooting which took place on the set of his film Rust in October 2021.

'An actor's job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert,' the union shared in a statement.

'Firearms are provided for use on set under the guidance of multiple expert professionals directly responsible for the safe and accurate operation of that firearm.'

However, the late cinematographer's family attorney, Gloria Allred, slammed the defense, saying it 'flies in the face of common sense and the law.'

SAG-AFTRA has come to the defense of actor Alec Baldwin following his second inditement over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins; Pictured in 2023

The actors' union criticized the New Mexico prosecutors' decision to charge Baldwin, 65, with involuntary manslaughter again for the accidental shooting, which took place on the set of his film Rust in October 2021

The SAG-AFTRA statement went on to express that performers shouldn't be excepted to have experience with gun handling - something the professionals are there for.

'Performers train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use. The industry assigns that responsibility to qualified professionals who oversee their use and handling in every aspect.'

'Anyone issued a firearm on set must be given training and guidance in its safe handling and use, but all activity with firearms on a set must be under the careful supervision and control of the professional armorer and the employer.'

In her response to the union's defense Allred shared in a statement on Thursday: 'The notion that an actor is not responsible if that actor holds a gun, points it at someone on a movie set, and discharges the weapon flies in the face of common sense and the law.'

'Safety protocols may be considered at trial, but they are not the law,' she continued.

'This indictment was the result of a careful assessment by the grand jury of all the facts and the law. It is important to respect the grand jurys decision to indict, and to allow the criminal justice system to proceed to trial where the case will be decided on its merits,' she concluded.

The new involuntary manslaughter charges have been 'frustrating' and 'very stressful' for the actor and his wife Hilaria, according to People.

A source said, 'They had a great Christmas and New Year. Hilaria also just turned 40. This is not how they wanted to start the new year.'

'It's stressful for Hilaria. It's frustrating for them both that Alec is being recharged. They knew there was a possibility there would be a new indictment. The back and forth is hard. It's very stressful.'

'An actor's job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert,' the union shared in a statement; Pictured in 2019

'Performers train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use,' the statement went on to say; Baldwin seen in 2023

However, the late cinematographer's family attorney, Gloria Allred, slammed the defense, saying it 'flies in the face of common sense and the law'; She is seen in 2022

The indictment was returned on Friday and charges Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter on the grounds of negligent use of a firearm and disregard for others' safety; Seen in 2022

The new involuntary manslaughter charges have been 'frustrating' and 'very stressful' for the actor and his wife Hilaria, according to People; Seen in 2023

The indictment was returned on Friday and charges Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter on the grounds of negligent use of a firearm and disregard for others' safety.

If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.

In a statement, Baldwin's attorneys Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas said: 'We look forward to our day in court.'

Meanwhile Allred said in a statement: 'Our clients have always sought the truth about what happened on the day that Halyna Hutchins was tragically shot and killed on October 21, 2021.

'They continue to seek the truth in our civil lawsuit for them and they also would like there to be accountability in the criminal justice system.

'The grand jury has decided that there is sufficient evidence to indict Alec Baldwin on the charge of involuntary manslaughter. We are looking forward to the criminal trial which will determine if he should be convicted for the untimely death of Halyna.'

On October 21, 2021, Baldwin was filming a scene inside a church when he pulled the trigger on his Colt .45 revolver and fatally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

He's insisted that the gun fired spontaneously, as he struck director Joel Souza in the shoulder before he shot Hutchins.

Hutchins was taken to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by Baldwin on the 'Rust' movie set in 2021, with a gun the actor insists was supposed to be loaded with blanks

Baldwin pictured in costume on the filming of the western, following the fatal shooting

This aerial photo shows part of the Bonanza Creek Ranch film set in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the scene of the horror shooting

Baldwin was interviewed by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office following her death, as he showed tremendous emotions for his actions.

He was initially charged in January 2023 by First Judicial District Attorney of New Mexico Mary Carmack-Altwies, who launched her own media tour soon after filing charges.

Baldwin's team interpreted her enthusiasm for the case as a fame-hungry effort to boost her own career.

After hashing it out with his team in the court of public opinion, Carmack-Altwies stepped down from the case and a special prosecutor was appointed to take over.

In April last year, that team opted to drop the charges and Baldwin, who had already settled a wrongful death lawsuit launched by Hutchins' family, breathed a momentary sigh of relief.

Baldwin has always maintained that he followed gun safety laws, and that the fault lies with the armorer or crew who handed him a gun loaded with a live round.
When Bobby Berk announced he was exiting Netflix's 'make better' series Queer Eye after eight seasons last November, many fans believed it was because he was the most under-appreciated member of the Fab Five.

The 42-year-old design expert appeared to do the most work each episode renovating and redesigning entire homes and work spaces for their chosen 'heroes' like Doreen Ketchens.

The New Orleans-based jazz clarinetist was thrilled upon seeing her family's business Doreen's Sweets undergo a complete overhaul this season courtesy of Bobby and his hidden crew.

'You will have never found me quoted as saying that I have the most important job and I do the most work. All five of us are of equal importance,' Berk clarified to Vanity Fair on Thursday.

'Queer Eye has been the most amazing gift that I couldn't have ever imagined. It's been a life-changing moment. I'm leaving something that is a huge part of my life. Even though it's my decision, it still wasn't an easy one.'

When Bobby Berk (2-L, pictured in 2023) announced he was exiting Netflix's 'make better' series Queer Eye after eight seasons last November, many fans believed it was because he was the most under-appreciated member of the Fab Five

Turns out the entire cast including - Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski, Tan France, and Karamo Brown - signed seven-cycle contracts ending September 2022, and they believed season eight would be the final one.

'We took pictures and cried,' the Right at Home author recalled.

'We thought we were done. Mentally and emotionally, I thought we all moved on. I know I did, and I started planning other things.'

One year later, the Fab Five were surprised with brand new four-cycle contracts, and everyone decided to sign on except for Bobby.

'With only one of us not coming back, Netflix felt [it] could recast one person [for the Las Vegas-set ninth season],' Berk explained.

'There were definitely emotions. But each one of us had our reasons why we did what we did. I can't be mad - for a second I was. All the plans that I had made when I thought we weren't coming back, I just wasn't willing to change those. I would have had to pump the brakes on multiple other projects that are already in process. We had mentally just prepared ourselves to move on - that's why I left.'

However, the Texan-born, Missouri-raised interior designer did admit that he 'had a moment' with co-star Tan France, which caused him to unfollow the fashion consultant on Instagram last fall.

'There was a situation, and that's between Tan and I, and it has nothing to do with the show. It was something personal that had been brewing - and nothing romantic, just to clarify that,' Bobby admitted.

The 42-year-old design expert appeared to do the most work each episode renovating and redesigning entire homes and work spaces for their chosen 'heroes' like Doreen Ketchens (R)

The New Orleans-based jazz clarinetist (3-L) was thrilled upon seeing her family's business Doreen's Sweets undergo a complete overhaul this season courtesy of Bobby and his hidden crew

Berk clarified to Vanity Fair on Thursday: 'You will have never found me quoted as saying that I have the most important job and I do the most work. All five of us are of equal importance'

The Right at Home author (pictured Wednesday) continued: 'Queer Eye has been the most amazing gift that I couldn't have ever imagined. It's been a life-changing moment. I'm leaving something that is a huge part of my life. Even though it's my decision, it still wasn't an easy one'

One year later, the Fab Five were surprised with brand new four-cycle contracts, and everyone decided to sign on except for Bobby

Berk explained: 'With only one of us not coming back, Netflix felt [it] could recast one person [for the Las Vegas-set ninth season]. There were definitely emotions. But each one of us had our reasons why we did what we did. I can't be mad - for a second I was'

The Texan-born, Missouri-raised interior designer added: 'All the plans that I had made when I thought we weren't coming back, I just wasn't willing to change those. I would have had to pump the brakes on multiple other projects that are already in process. We had mentally just prepared ourselves to move on - that's why I left'

'Should I have unfollowed Tan? No. Maybe I should have just muted him. But that day, I was angry, and that's the end of it. We became like siblings, and siblings are always going to fight.'

When the feuding friends won their first-ever Emmy Awards for outstanding structured reality program for their roles as Queer Eye producers, they embraced during the January 7th Creative Arts Emmy ceremony.

'We both said congratulations. And that's where we are right now,' Berk noted.

'I will always have a very special place in my heart for him and [Tan's husband] Rob and the kids. I can foresee in six months or a year, Tan and I at each other's house being good. The Emmys was already the first bandage on that wound.'

The former homeless teen now splits his time between his properties in Los Angeles and Portugal with his husband of 11 years - maxillofacial surgeon Dewey Do - and their beloved mini-Labradoodle Bimini.

Bobby founded his full-service bespoke interior design practice in 2015, and his firm is currently designing 45 homes simultaneously: 'It's my era of building and developing.'

Fans can catch more of Berk in David Collins and Jennifer Lane's tear-jerking six-episode eighth season of Queer Eye, which premiered Wednesday on Netflix.

'Your space can really transform your life,' Bobby gushed.

'You don't have to be rich. You don't have to be able to hire a designer. I hope that my legacy is showing that you can democratize design. Learning how to make your space work for you can be healing for you and your family.'

However, Bobby did admit that he 'had a moment' with co-star Tan France (L, pictured in 2023), which caused him to unfollow the fashion consultant on Instagram last fall

Berk admitted: 'There was a situation, and that's between Tan and I, and it has nothing to do with the show. It was something personal that had been brewing - and nothing romantic, just to clarify that. Should I have unfollowed Tan? No. Maybe I should have just muted him. But that day, I was angry'

When the feuding friends won their first-ever Emmy Awards for outstanding structured reality program for their roles as Queer Eye producers, they embraced during the January 7th Creative Arts Emmy ceremony

Bobby said: 'We both said congratulations. And that's where we are right now'

Berk continued: 'I will always have a very special place in my heart for him and [Tan's husband] Rob and the kids. I can foresee in six months or a year, Tan and I at each other's house being good. The Emmys was already the first bandage on that wound' (pictured May 30)

The former homeless teen now splits his time between his properties in Los Angeles and Portugal with his husband of 11 years - maxillofacial surgeon Dewey Do (L, pictured December 1) - and their beloved mini-Labradoodle Bimini

Bobby founded his full-service bespoke interior design practice in 2015, and his firm is currently designing 45 homes simultaneously: 'It's my era of building and developing'
Lucinda Strafford and her boyfriend Zac Nunns were spotted looking as loved up as ever at an event in Sydney after finding love on Love Island Australia.

The couple couldn't keep their hands off each other while attending NEON MGMT's New Year Party in Sydney last week.

Lucinda, 24, commanded attention in a black, fitted crop top paired with a high-waisted, silver sequinned mini skirt.

The glamorous reality star accessorised her look with a black Prada clutch bag.

She wore her long, wavy blonde hair cascades over her shoulders, and she had a full makeup look that includes a glossy lip for the outing.

Lucinda Strafford and her boyfriend Zac Nunns were spotted looking loved up as ever as they reunited in Sydney after finding love on the Channel Nine dating show

The couple couldn't keep their hands off each other while attending NEON MGMT's New Year Party in Sydney last week

Meanwhile, Zac looked dapper in a grey and white polo shirt with a collar.

He matched his look with cream-coloured trousers that complemented his casual yet refined ensemble.

The event marks Zac and Lucinda's first trip to Sydney since finding love on the dating show.

Lucinda, 24, commanded attention in a black, fitted crop top paired with a high-waisted, silver sequinned mini skirt

The event was also attended by their co-stars Abby Miller and Nakia Pires

Aidan Knox was also in attendance, showing off his bulging biceps in a white singlet top

Nate Page was also in attendance

Elsewhere former MAFS stars Melissa Lucarelli and Carolina Santos were spotted at the event

It comes just one month after the couple spent time together in London.

The influencer filmed Love Island Australia in Mallorca a few months ago and walked away from the show with new partner in New Zealander Zac, who flew to the UK and stayed at her home in Brighton.

In November, they were pictured at top London restaurant SHEESH in Piccadilly, a celebrity haunt which recently hosted US rapper Diddy's birthday party and is regularly attended by sport and TV stars including Harry Kane, David Haye, Olly Murs and Joey Essex.

According to pals, Lucinda, who appeared on the 2021 series of Love Island, is 'besotted' with Zac and is desperate to make their long distance relationship work.

A friend said: 'When Lucinda signed up for Australian Love Island, she didn't think she would leave the show with somebody like Zac. He ticks at the right boxes and she's besotted.'

They continued: 'Obviously there is a huge distance between the pair but Zac is keen to make things work and moving to the UK has been mooted.

'They're going to see how things pan out but it's very much a case of 'watch this space.'
Home and Away actor Lincoln Younes and ABC star Costa Georgiadis attended an 'Invasion Day' rally in Sydney on Friday to protest Australia Day celebrations.

Lincoln shared a photo to his Instagram as he joined thousands across the country to protest against Australia Day being held on January 26, and for Indigenous rights.

The actor simply captioned the photo with a black, yellow and a red love heart - the colours on the Aboriginal Flag.

Lincoln was joined by Costa, who was seen at the protest in a white T-shirt and red shorts.

He kept a low profile with a brown hat, bushy beard and unkempt hair as he walked with the crowd.

Home and Away star Lincoln Younes (pictured) and ABC star Costa Georgiadis attended an 'Invasion Day' rally in Sydney on Friday to protest Australia Day celebrations

Meanwhile, Abbie Chatfield explained she won't be releasing a new episode on her podcast 'as it is Invasion Day'.

'Hey everyone ! There will be no Nightmare Fuel episode tomorrow as it is Invasion Day. Instead we have recorded a list of the protests and marches happening in the capital cities.'

'Always was, always will be.'

Former Married At First Sight star Nasser Sultan also condemned Australia Day as a day of celebration.

'Australia is the only country that celebrates the day it was invaded. Which is a bit like America hosting a pearl harbour day pool party,' he wrote.

Lincoln shared a photo to his Instagram as he joined thousands across the country to protest against Australia Day being held on January 26, and for Indigenous rights

Lincoln was joined by Costa, who was seen at the protest in a white T-shirt and red shorts

Gogglebox star Matty Fahd marked Australia day by posting a tribute to Indigenous Australians.

He shared an image to Instagram of two Indigenous women holding the Australian Aboriginal Flag.

'Always was always will be,' he captioned the post.

On Thursday, Jesinta Campbell also shared a blistering post condemning Australia Day as a celebration of 'colonisation'.

The former Miss Universe Australia, 32, who is married to Indigenous Sydney Swans star Lance 'Buddy' Franklin, took to Instagram to re-share several posts by prominent anti-Australia Day campaigners.

Meanwhile, Abbie Chatfield explained she won't be releasing a new episode on her podcast 'as it is Invasion Day'

Gogglebox star Matty Fahd marked the day by posting a tribute to Indigenous Australians

The first post simply had the words 'Australia Day' crossed out, with the words 'Invasion Day' written below in bold.

It continued: 'The coming of one race at the expense of another. Will you learn the proper place names of the land you live on? Once you've done this, look into events they hold on this date/all year round. Go to them. Surround yourself in the culture.'

Finally, Jesinta reposted a graphic that read: 'Australia is the only country that marks colonisation as their national day.'

Love Island Australia star Cassidy McGill also shared a post, protesting against Australia Day celebrations
Lily Gladstone revealed that Leonardo DiCaprio was one of the first people to congratulate her on her Oscars nomination.

A native of Kalispell, Montana, Gladstone, 37, made history when she received a nod for Best Actress for her performance in Killers of the Flower Moon, becoming the first Native American to be nominated in that category.

And her on-screen husband, 49, who plays Wold War I veteran Ernest Burkhart, promptly reached out with a text her to offer his congratulations.

While speaking with Extra's Billy Bush, the actress revealed the encouraging comment he sent her after her nomination was revealed on Tuesday.

'He was just so proud, and then I told him that I was watching with my parents and "we're celebrating me, but we're also, like, collectively very pissed off for you,"' she said, noting his lack of being nominated for his role in the Martin Scorsese production.

Lily Gladstone, 37, revealed how Leonardo DiCaprio was one of the first people to text her when she found out she received a Best Actress Oscar nomination for Killers of the Flower Moon on Tuesday; They are seen on January 12 in Beverly Hills

After sharing a glimpse into DiCaprio's comment, Gladstone turned back to the moment at hand and directed her own comments to the actor's brilliance as a performer.

'He did such an incredible job in this, and, like, just, he made an impossible character just so vivid, and it made my job so much easier, so I really want to share this, this moment with him,' the actress, who is of Piegan Blackfeet (Siksikaitsitapi), Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) and European heritage, explained of his performance.

The great-great granddaughter of Kainai Nation chief Red Crow added, 'You know, he told me right before the [Golden Globes], "No matter the outcome, I think you're amazing and I'm proud of you."'

In response, Gladstone called DiCaprio: 'The greatest actor.'

The Revenant Oscar winner also made a point to take part in the celebration of Gladstone's achievement on social media.

'Congratulations to my dear friend @LilyGladstone for making Oscars history, as the first Native American woman to be nominated for Best Actress in Killers Of The Flower Moon, and the fourth Indigenous actress to ever earn a nomination in the category,' he gushed on Instagram.

He wrapped up his post by writing, 'And to this powerful film's nine other nominations - telling this story with all of you has been an honor.'

Gladstone wasted little time in responding her co-star's high praise in his social media comment, writing, 'Thank you, Leo. For all of it.'

'He was just so proud, and then I told him that I was watching with my parents and "we're celebrating me, but we're also, like, collectively very pissed off for you,"' she said, noting his lack of being nominated for his role in the Martin Scorsese production; Seen in a still

Gladstone and DiCaprio play husband and wife in the epic Western crime drama

DiCaprio, who won a Best Actor Oscar for The Revenant (2015) also shared a celebratory post about his friend's achievement on his Instagram page, where he referenced how she made history by being nominated

Co-written by Scorsese and Eric Roth, Killers Of The Flower Moon tells the true story of the 'reign of terror' that left two dozen Native Americans dead.

The Apple-backed film, based on a 2017 book of the same name by David Grann, is Scorsese's first attempt at the Western genre.

Like the best-selling book, the screenplay depicts the serial murder of members of the oil-wealthy Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma.

Killers Of The Flower Moon's 10 Academy Award nominations also included Best Picture, Best Director for Martin Scorsese and Best Supporting Actor for Robert De Niro.

That's the third highest amount of noms for the upcoming Oscars, just behind Oppenheimer with 13 and Poor Things with 11.

After making its world premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2023, the epic crime drama film had its global theatrical rollout on October 20.

Killers Of The Flower Moon went on to be released on Video On Demand (VOD) platforms on December 5, that led to it becoming available from streaming on Apple TV+ beginning on January 12, 2024.

The 96th Academy Awards, which will honor the best in films in 2023, is set to take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 10, with Jimmie Kimmel serving as host of the festivities for the ABC production fourth time.

Gladstone has been out on the promotional trail during the awards season, which included her stopping by to visit SiriusXM Studios in a multi-colored dress on Thursday in New York City

In a true sign that believers in themselves should never give up on a dream, Gladstone has shared how she nearly quit acting just before she landed the role as Mollie Burkhart in the Western film.

In fact, she was so dismayed at her situation on the career front that she decided to sign up for a data analytics course, but then destiny reared its beautiful face.

'I had my mom's old community college that she retired teaching at, I had their website pulled up and I had the course I was zeroing in on,' she shared of the experience.

She continued, 'I had my wallet there with my debit card out, so I could start punching in the numbers I was on my computer doing that when I saw the little gmail notification that I had a Zoom scheduled with Marty [Scorsese].'

It's from that gmail that she learned she was picked for the role, and the rest is Hollywood history.
Pauly Shore is being sued for alleged 'battery' and 'assault' after a man claimed he was attacked by the star's security at The Comedy Store in an incident that occurred in November 2022.

In documents obtained by The Blast on Thursday, Sean Kehoe and his daughter Kirra Lyn Potts filed the lawsuit and claimed that following the attack, they have both suffered from 'severe injuries.'

On the night of November 30, the pair had been guests at the The Comedy Store in West Hollywood - which is notably owned by Shore - when security allegedly 'violently grabbed and attacked' Kehoe.

In the lawsuit, his daughter, Kirra, further claimed that the Encino Man actor had been aware of the security's plan for assault and 'encouraged' the altercation.

She further stated in the documents that after witnessing her own father be attacked, it has resulted her in experiencing 'emotional distress.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Pauly's representatives for comment.

Pauly Shore, 55, is being sued for alleged 'battery' and 'assault' after a man claimed that he was attacked by the star's security at The Comedy Store in an incident that occurred in November 2022; seen earlier this month in Park City, Utah

Along with battery and assault, Kehoe and Potts are also suing the comedian for 'intentional infliction of emotional distress,' 'negligence,' 'premises liability,' as well as 'negligence in the hiring of unfit employees.'

The two are also seeking compensation in the form of damages over medical bills, and have also asked that their attorney fees be covered.

In the documents, the father daughter duo have also requested for 'repayment of all damages incurred' during the incident.

The lawsuit also does not specifically state what had caused the altercation to occur, per The Blast.

The Comedy Store was founded in 1972 by Pauly's father, Sammy Shore, his wife Mitzi and writer Rudy de Luca. The following year, Mitzi began to run the club for its nightly operations - and passed away in 2018 at the age of 87.

The lawsuit revelation comes shortly after Pauly was cast to play Richard Simmons in an upcoming biopic of the reclusive fitness star.

However, prior to the feature film, Shore can already be seen acting as Simmons, 75, in a short film called The Court Jester, which will be screened during the Sundance Film Festival - though it is not in the official lineup.

Shore has even teased to fans that his portrayal could possibly lead him to an Oscar in 2025.

In documents obtained by The Blast on Thursday, Sean Kehoe and his daughter Kirra Lyn Potts filed the lawsuit and claimed that following the attack, they have both suffered from 'severe injuries; seen earlier this month in Park City

On the night of November 30, the pair had been guests at the The Comedy Store in West Hollywood - which is notably owned by Shore - when security allegedly 'violently grabbed and attacked' Kehoe; seen earlier this month in Utah

Earlier this week on Wednesday, Pauly sent a message to Simmons while talking to TMZ in the hopes of getting his blessing in terms of the biopic film.

While at the Hollywood Burbank Airport, the comedian encouraged Richard to watch the short film and asked him to 'watch it with an open heart, don't watch it coming into it going, "I don't want to do this..."'

He added, 'Watch it with your open heart and just be vulnerable and just be, "What do you think of it?"'

'Based off of that, and if you feel that it's still messed up and it doesn't track with your integrity and your thing, then let us know. But in the meantime, we're gonna try to move forward with this piece.'

He later added that, 'I would love to have Richard Simmons be a part of the feature film, physically to be there with me on the set.'

'...Ultimately we would love to have him there, but if he doesn't want to do it then I still have to get his message. It is my mission to get his message out there to save life.'

Last year, Shore revealed his intentions to play the beloved '80s fitness icon, known for his effervescent personality and colorful gym attire.

'I've noticed all the reactions to me playing Richard Simmons in a new biopic, so I reached out to him,' he wrote on Facebook in September.

In the lawsuit, his daughter, Kirra, further claimed that the Encino Man actor had been aware of the security's plan for assault and 'encouraged' the altercation; seen earlier this month in Park City

Along with battery and assault, Kehoe and Potts are also suing the comedian for 'intentional infliction of emotional distress,' 'negligence,' 'premises liability,' as well as 'negligence in the hiring of unfit employees'

Simmons - who has not been seen in public since 2017 - is said to not be interested in taking part of the biopic.

Shore added in his post, 'I heard he's living deep in Big Bear. We've been playing phone tag (yes, he still has a phone). I'm trying to make it happen for you guys.

'Be optimistic. In the meantime, hit up Hulu, Amazon, Disney, HBO and all the big producers. I definitely can morph into this guy. I'll see you at the Academy Awards 2025.

Last July, Simmons made an extremely rare public statement to celebrate his 75th birthday.

Although he didn't share a personal message with the public and his fans, he did allow his representative to speak on his behalf.

'This is a big milestone. I just want to see him happy, which he is,' said his rep Tom Estey about the special occasion to ET.

It was a rare form of communication from the former fitness guru, who has largely hidden from the public eye since 2014.

He was previously spotted in 2017 when he checked out of a hospital after being treated for severe indigestion.

However, he tried to avoid being seen by nearly covering himself head-to-toe with a blanket, which then required his housekeeper to lead him to a waiting car.

The lawsuit revelation comes shortly after Pauly was cast to play Richard Simmons in an upcoming biopic of the reclusive fitness star; Simmons seen in 1992

Earlier this week on Wednesday, Pauly sent a message to Simmons while talking to TMZ in the hopes of getting his blessing in terms of the biopic film; seen in May 2023 in Westwood

Despite Simmons' recent reclusive years, fans showed that he was still in their hearts and minds when they dropped by his home on Thursday to wish him a happy 75th birthday in person.

Although they likely did not see him in person, two people were spotted carrying birthday balloons and a sign reading 'Happy Birthday Richard! We Love You!'

His abandonment of the spotlight shocked many friends and admirers at the time, and even generated an investigative podcast, documentaries and half-baked claims that his housekeeper was holding him hostage.

Since 2014, Simmons has only spoken to the public via a few phone interviews and rare statements from his representatives.
Jennifer Garner enjoyed a reunion with her former Alias co-stars Victor Garber and Ron Rifkin in New York City this week.

On Thursday the 51-year-old siren  who was seen in Beverly Hills on Wednesday  shared a snapshot of them to her Instagram Stories.

The trio stood closely together and smiled for the photo-op, with each star bundled up in a coat.

Garber, 74, was clean-shaven and Rifkin, 84, had a full white beard.

Garner wrote to her 15.5 million followers on the app: 'NYC doesn't happen if I don't get a moment with my best guys, Ron and Victor.'

Jennifer Garner enjoyed a reunion with her former Alias co-stars Victor Garber and Ron Rifkin in New York City this week

On Thursday the 51-year-old siren shared a snapshot of them to her Instagram Stories, pictured in a promotional photo from their hit show

Garner flashed her famous cheek dimple as she grinned in the image while affectionately leaning on Ron's shoulder.

She was clad in a cozy gray jacket which sharply contrasted Rifkin's bright yellow outerwear.

He added a two-toned orange and peach scarf with fringe along the hem, wrapping it around his neck.

He also wore small, round eyeglasses as he stood sandwiched between his two longtime friends.

Meanwhile, Garber looked handsome with his white hair neatly cut above his ears.

He kept warm against the northeast chill with a navy blue jacket he zipped up to his neck.

Just a few months ago in September 2023 Jennifer and Victor caught up in the Big Apple as she attended his off-Broadway play Love Letters.

Jennifer and Victor played CIA agents Sydney & Jack Bristow on J.J. Abrams' spy series, which aired for five seasons from 2001-2006 on ABC.

Alias ran for five seasons beginning in 2001 and starred Garner as an international spy

She shared a photo of the two and wrote to her followers, 'If you are my person and you are on stage Ill do what I can to see you,' adding a heart emoji.

'@therealvictorgarber is my person. And on stage with incredible @jsmithcameron,' she added, shouting out the Succession actress.

In the snapshot, Garner and Garber smiled cheek-to-cheek as they wrapped their arms around one another.

Garber also shared the picture of the two on his Instagram account and wrote in the caption, 'Last night a surprise visit at Irish Rep Theatre.'

Jennifer appeared in the comments to write, 'I wouldnt miss seeing you on stage, my Spy Daddy. I love you. You and J. Smith were *chefs kiss .'

Garner attended Garber's final performance in the off-Broadway play Love Letters at the Irish Repertory Theatre in September

The three performers also shared a mini Alias reunion on the east coast in 2019

Jennifer, Victor, and Ron also linked up in 2019 and shared a photo of the reunion on Instagram.

'A mini reunion in New York City former castmates, favorite dinner dates, forever playmates,' the mother-of-three wrote at the time, followed by three star emojis.

Jennifer starred on Alias as Sydney, who believed herself to be a member of a black ops division of the CIA.

The series, which became increasing convoluted and introduced science fiction elements over time, revealed her to be unwittingly tangled up in a major crime syndicate.

Garber and Rifkin both appeared with Jennifer on all five seasons of the hit series. Garber played Sydney's father, Jack, and Rifkin played the show's main antagonist, Arvin Sloane.
With just hours left until their highly-anticipated series Masters of the Air debuts, stars Austin Butler, Barry Keoghan, Callum Turner and Nate Mann did some last-minute promo work

Butler, 32, Keoghan, 31, Turner, 33 and Mann all arrived at the Tribeca Screening Room for an event on Thursday evening.

The show has been earning rave reviews from critics, ahead of the nine-episode series' global debut on Friday, January 26.

Butler opted for a black leather jacket over a black shirt for the event, as he was seen signing autographs for numerous fans.

The Elvis Oscar nominee was sporting the early stages of a beard as he arrived at the event.

With just hours left until their highly-anticipated series Masters of the Air debuts, stars Austin Butler, Barry Keoghan, Callum Turner and Nate Mann did some last-minute promo work

Butler, 32, Keoghan, 31, Turner, 33 and Mann all arrived at the Tribeca Screening Room for an event on Thursday evening

The show has been earning rave reviews from critics, ahead of the nine-episode series' global debut on Friday, January 26

Barry looked handsome as he stepped out in his stylish ensemble

He completed his look with black pants and matching black shoes before heading into the Tribeca Screening Room.

Keoghan opted for an aqua blue shirt under a black coat with a fur-lined collar, with gold chains dangling from his neck.

He completed his look with black pants and pristine white Dolce & Gabbana sneakers that retail for $695.

Turner opted for a more formal look, clad in a classic black suit for the evening event with his co-stars.

Mann opted for a black and yellow striped shirt under a black suit coat, with black pants and shiny black dress shoes.

Masters of the Air is being considered a companion series to two iconic WWII shows - Band of Brothers and The Pacific - with all three produced by Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman.

Masters of the Air is based on Donald L. Miller's book of the same name and follows the members of the 100th Bomb Group, dubbed the 'Bloody Hundredth.'

The group conducted, 'perilous bombing raids over Nazi Germany,' while dealing with, 'the frigid conditions, lack of oxygen and sheer terror of combat conducted at 25,000 feet in the air.'

Butler opted for a black leather jacket over a black shirt for the event, as he was seen signing autographs for numerous fans

Turner opted for a more formal look, clad in a classic black suit for the evening event with his co-stars

Mann opted for a black and yellow striped shirt under a black suit coat, with black pants and shiny black dress shoes

Masters of the Air is being considered a companion series to two iconic WWII shows - Band of Brothers and The Pacific - with all three produced by Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman

While her boyfriend Austin Butler was in New York, Kaia Gerber was spotted arriving to a ballet class in Los Angeles

The series also stars Anthony Boyle, Rafferty Law, Josiah Cross, Branden Cook and Ncuti Gatwa.

Masters of Air was adapted to the small screen by creator John Orloff, who executive produces with Spielberg, Hanks and Goetzman.

Amblin Television's Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey serve as co-executive produce alongside Playtone's Steven Shareshian.

Graham Yost is also a co-executive producer, with Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Dee Rees and Tim Van Patten serving as directors.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili expressed hope that Armenia and Azerbaijan would soon sign a peace treaty, Garibashvili said after the Armenia-Georgia Intergovernmental Commission in Tbilisi.



"We have always been ready and are ready to contribute to the establishment of long-term peace, which will be beneficial both for the countries and peoples of the entire region. We look at the ongoing dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia with great optimism and hope. I hope that Armenia and Azerbaijan will soon sign a peace treaty, undoubtedly promoting and strengthening peace in the region," said Gharibashvili.
TikTok star Jesse Sunset sat down with the famous Roberts surfing family on Sydney's Northern Beaches to celebrate Australia Day with an Aussie beer taste test in a quest to find the country's best and worst ales.

The digital creator and the Avalon beach legends, who themselves are popular on the video sharing app, shared their thoughts on Australia's best and worst beers.

First up was surfer Blaze Angel Roberts who admitted she doesn't drink alcohol, but partook in the experiment with a bottle of zero alcohol Peroni.

However, she was not impressed with the booze-free beer offering, taking a sip and declaring, 'that's disgusting. Two out of ten!'

Next up was her surfing sibling Hunter Roberts who tucked into a bottle of Balter's Cerveza, which she picked, 'because it looked the most like a Corona'.

@jessesunset Ya boy rates Australias best and worst beers as decided by the @Roberts family @Blaze_angel @Hunter @joelherbert  original sound - Jesse Willesee

TikTok star Jesse Sunset (pictured) sat down with the famous Roberts surfing family to celebrate Australia Day with a beer taste test. Jesse rated Great Northern nine out of ten

'Oh my gosh tastes exactly like Corona!' she exclaimed, comparing it to the popular Mexican beer.

Hunter then added her score of 'eight out of ten' saying she was impressed and 'would recommend' it.

Family patriarch and legendary surfer Pete Roberts was next up but confessed he doesn't have much of a taste for beer.

'I'm not a beer drinker. I prefer bourbon' he said, but picked a Balter Lager to try, which he had never had before.

'What the heck? I'll give that a five out of ten' he said after a dubious sip.

First up was surfer Blaze Angel Roberts (pictured) who admitted she doesn't drink alcohol, but partook in the experiment with a bottle of zero alcohol Peroni beer. However, she was not impressed with the offering, taking a sip and declaring, 'that's disgusting. Two out of ten!'

Her surfing sibling Hunter Roberts (pictured) tucked into a bottle of Balter's Cerveza, which she picked, 'because it looked the most like a Corona'. 'Oh my gosh takes exactly like Corona!' she said, comparing it to the popular Mexican beer, adding her score of 'eight out of ten'

Blaze's boyfriend, surfer Joel Herbert (pictured), picked the The Dawdler Low Carb Lager and explained it was a beer company owned by Sydney band Lime Cordiale. 'Pretty good. Very larger-y. It's definitely a larger. It's very good. Give it seven or eight out of ten' he said

'It's a bit bitter, but then all beer is bitter. It's not a Heineken and it's not a Sapporo' he added, referencing beers he had previously enjoyed.

Roberts matriarch Fee Roberts was up next, and skipped the beer for an alcoholic ginger beer from Mountain Goat instead.

'Oh yum, that's really nice. I like that. Nine out of ten!' she said after sampling it, adding, 'Just tastes like ginger beer.'

When explaining why she didn't score it a ten, Fee said, 'Because it's not a Canada Club' meaning the popular brand of carbonated ginger beer.

Family patriarch and legendary surfer Pete Roberts (pictured) confessed, 'I'm not a beer drinker. I prefer bourbon', but picked a Balter Lager to try, which he had never had before. 'What the heck? I'll give that a five out of ten' he said after a dubious sip

Matriarch Fee Roberts was up next, and skipped the beer for an alcoholic ginger beer from Mountain Goat instead. 'Oh yum, that's really nice. I like that. Nine out of ten!' she said after sampling it, adding, 'Just tastes like ginger beer'

Blaze's boyfriend, surfer Joel Herbert, picked the The Dawdler Low Carb Lager and explained it was a beer company owned by Sydney band Lime Cordiale.

'Pretty good. Very larger-y. It's definitely a larger. It's very good. Give it seven or eight out of ten' he said.

TikToker Jesse weighed in last, choosing a Great Northern which he informed his audience is 'actually the number one selling beer in Australia at the moment.'

'It's pretty hot in Australia, especially here in summertime, and you want a smooth crisp, refreshing beer, and this is one of those' he said, giving the Great Northern beer a score of nine out of ten.
Deborra-Lee Furness has revealed that she is in equal parts excited and frightened about her future following her shock split from husband Hugh Jackman in September.

The Australian actress says she has 'big plans' for her post-breakup career and is embracing change.

'It is kind of exciting,' the 68-year-old told Adelaide Now this week of the direction her life is taking going forward.

'You know what, change, transition, evolution is a little frightening and we are all a bit scared of it but I think it is probably our greatest gift' she added.

Deb returns to the screen in Force of Nature: The Dry 2, co-starring with Eric Bana in the sequel to the hit 2020 mystery film.

Deborra-Lee Furness (pictured this week) says she is in equal parts excited and frightened about her future following her shock split from husband Hugh Jackman in September

'I've got a few [projects] up my sleeve, I'm working on a script with Rebecca Rigg, which I want to direct and act in,' she said in an interview with Yahoo Lifestyle.

'And who knows there might be a reprisal from the character I play [in Force of Nature].

'Hey, maybe another sequel from a character I played many years ago in Shame,' she added.

It comes after the Correlli actress ended her marriage with her husband, Hugh Jackman.

The Australian actor, 55, and his former wife announced their shock split in September after 27 years of marriage, telling fans they separated 'to pursue our individual growth'.

The Australian actress says she has 'big plans' for her post-breakup career and is embracing change. 'It is kind of exciting,' the 68-year-old said. Pictured with Hugh Jackman

'We have been blessed to share almost three decades together in a wonderful, loving marriage,' the couple said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

'Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.

'Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness.

'We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition.'

The former couple signed the statement as 'Deb and Hugh Jackman,' adding: 'This is the sole statement either of us will make.'

The pair had tied the knot in 1996 after crossing paths on set of Correlli in 1995.

During the course of their marriage, they adopted two children: son Oscar, 23, and daughter Ava, 18.
John Cena looked dapper as he stepped out in New York City on Thursday with his lovely wife Shay Shariatzadeh, 35.

The WWE star, 46, was spotted strolling the sidewalk with his glamorous spouse during a date night at the trendy Polo Bar.

Cena, 46, rocked a cream and blue plaid blazer over a royal blue vest and matching pants.

He completed his classy look with a striped shirt, a shiny gold tie and brown leather dress shoes.

He led the way as the couple crossed the street in the direction of the trendy spot.

John Cena looked dapper as he stepped out in New York City on Thursday with his lovely wife Shay Shariatzadeh, 35

Shariatzadeh looked stunning beside the Suicide Squad star rocking a preppy beige sweater vest over a white blouse.

The engineer tucked her top into a pair of stylish black pants.

She slipped her feet into shiny black loafers and accessorized with gold jewelry.

Shariatzadeh looked absolutely radiant with minimal makeup and her brunette hair worn down.

After dining at the restaurant, the couple were seen exiting through the front doors.

After dating for more than a year, Cena and Shariatzadeh went on to tie-the-knot in a private ceremony in Tampa, Florida in October 2020.

The two met during the production of Cena's comedy film Playing With Fire (2019), which was filmed in Vancouver, Canada, where Shariatzadeh works.

Cena has been pumping out projects over the past few years after getting his start as a movie star in The Marine (2006).

He would go on to appear in such films as 12 Rounds (2009), Trainwreck (2015), Sisters (2015), Bumblebee (2018), and F9 (2021).

The roles continued to pour in while he made his transition to acting in such projects as Fast X (2023), Barbie (2023), and a voice role in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023), among many others.

The WWE star, 46, was spotted strolling the sidewalk with his glamorous spouse during a date night at the trendy Polo Bar

Cena, 46, rocked a cream and blue plaid blazer over a royal blue vest and matching pants

He led the way as the couple crossed the street in the direction of the trendy spot

Shariatzadeh looked stunning beside the Suicide Squad star rocking a preppy beige sweater vest over a white blouse

The couple, who have been married since October 2020, could be seen talking during their romantic walk in the big city

Currently, the actor has two new movies both in some phase of post-production, upcoming the action film, Heads Of State that was shot this past summer

The WWE superstar also stars in the new action comedy film Grand Death Lotto that was directed by Bridesmaids filmmaker Paul Feig that features Awkwafina, Simu Liu and Seann William Scott

Currently, the actor has two new movies both in some phase of post-production, upcoming the action film, Heads Of State that was shot this past summer.

The cast also features Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Jack Quaid, Paddy Considine, Stephen Root and Carla Gugino.

He also stars in the action comedy film Grand Death Lotto that was directed by Bridesmaids filmmaker Paul Feig that also features Awkwafina, Simu Liu and Seann William Scott, a number of others.

So far, there's no official word on when either of his two new movies will premiere.
Chloe Lewis has shared more of an insight into her split from her boyfriend Danny Flasher.

The former TOWIE star, 33, announced in November she had split from the businessman, who she shares son Beau, four, with, after seven years.

Chloe said she has had a 'terrible' two years which culminated in the breakdown of their relationship.

Speaking on Kelsey Parker's Mum's The Word! podcast, Chloe said she was 'grieving' the loss of her relationship.

The reality star said she became increasingly lonely after moving to Dubai back in 2020 for stockbroker Danny's work.

Chloe Lewis has shared more of an insight into her split from her boyfriend Danny Flasher

The former TOWIE star, 33, announced in November she had split from the businessman, who she shares son Beau, four, with, after seven years

Chloe found herself struggling with being a full-time mum while her family were thousands of miles away.

She said: 'I lost myself. I didn't have much out there. I wasn't working there.

'It's been a really tough two years between us both and nothing really happened, it was just differences of people and not growing together but growing apart.

'It was the saddest thing I have ever. It's made me b****y strong, I'll tell you that.'

Chloe added: 'It's really hard because you don't ever see yourself splitting from that person. Danny's a fantastic dad, he's really good. He idolises Beau.'

Following the podcast, the television personality spoke more about her break-up with a Q and A on her Instagram stories.

When one follower asked if no contact with an ex after a break-up is the best way forward, Chloe replied: 'I think so for sure! Out of sight, out of mind. That obviously doesn't happen when you have a baby together it's a lot harder but just focus on yourself.'

Another asked: 'Is Beau's Dad involved in this upbringing?', to which she said: 'Yes very much so. They are best friends and wouldn't have it any other way.'

Chloe said she has had a 'terrible' two years which culminated in the breakdown of their relationship

Following the podcast, the television personality spoke more about her break-up with a Q and A on her Instagram stories

Another asked: 'Is Beau's Dad involved in this upbringing?', to which she said: 'Yes very much so. They are best friends and wouldn't have it any other way'

'It's been a really tough two years between us both and nothing really happened, it was just differences of people and not growing together but growing apart,' Chloe said

Chloe also said she has implemented a number of changes in her life including giving up alcohol, seeing her friends as much as she can and going to pilates

Chloe rose to fame when she joined TOWIE in 2015 but left when she fell pregnant with Beau

Chloe said she hasn't started dating yet, she said: 'no not dating... I've never dated.

'I had a boyfriend really young for like 10 years and had six months on my own and met Beau's dad.'

Chloe also said she has implemented a number of changes in her life including giving up alcohol, seeing her friends as much as she can and going to pilates.

In an Instagram Q&A last year, Chloe revealed the pair had quietly separated after a 'rubbish' and 'complicated' few years.

Asked by fans if she was a 'single mama', she responded: 'Yes I am. It's been a complicated couple of years.

'I'm quite private about my personal life, find it hard to deal with it all anyway let alone having everyone's opinion. But try my best to show what I can.'

As another fan asked how she deals with 'feelings of not being where you want to be', Chloe responded: 'Well... if I'm totally honest I thought id be married with 3 kids at 32

'Life doesn't always go to plan (which I have found really hard) but I think everyone has their own journey. You have to just live yours & not put too much pressure on yourself.

'Don't compare yourself to others. I've had a real rubbish 2 years and now, I'm a single mum but I have Beau at that's my focus & my priority.

'I always think just do what you want to do and what makes you happy & everything should fall into place. That's what I'm hoping for anyway.

'I have life chats with my dad & a man's point of view on things always helps me too. Having someone to off load to is always important.'

Yet Chloe didn't rule out finding love and expanding her family again, as when asked if she wants more children, she revealed: 'I always wanted a big family.

'Becoming a mum was harder than I expected, but I do love it there's no feeling like it. So never say never!'

Chloe rose to fame when she joined TOWIE in 2015.

During her time, her on-off relationship with Jake Hall was well documented, before she eventually left the show after finding love with Danny.

She fell pregnant with twins but tragically lost one of her babies at eight weeks pregnant. Chloe then welcomed Beau in October 2019.

Speaking about the tragic loss, Chloe told OK! magazine: 'The doctor did confirm the twins had been identical. That was so sad for me to hear. I kept thinking this one is going to come out and they would have looked exactly the same.'
Rocco Ritchie looked like he was having a blast as he enjoyed a night out in London on Thursday.

The well-dressed 23-year-old - who is the son of Madonna, 65, and Guy Ritchie, 55 - was snapped beaming in the back of a taxi as he was seen out near Bond Street.

Rocco wrapped up warm in the chilly weather by wearing a long camel coat over the top of his dark suit.

The painter - who has recently been using social media more to promote his artwork - wore a yellow and brown polka dot tie that he teamed with a white shirt for the outing.

He was sporting his recent moustache as he headed home after grabbing food with some friends.

Rocco Ritchie was all smiles as he enjoyed a night out with friends in London on Thursday, wrapping up warm in the chilly UK weather

The well-dressed 23-year-old teamed a dark suit with a polka dot tie for the outing

Rocco appeared to be in good spirits as he was pictured walking around London with his pals

The actor sported his usual moustache as he was seen heading to a taxi after grabbing food with friends

Rocco tends to keep a fairly low profile, despite his famous family.

However, his parents make sure to take to social media, especially on his birthday, to gush over the actor.

In August, Madonna wished Rocco a happy 23rd birthday with a sweet post.

She wrote: 'Happy Birthday Dearest Rocco. From the day you were conceived, Life with You Has been an adventure.

'From Your Premature Birth to your love of Skate Boarding, Dirt Bikes. Break Dancing, Parkour, Graffiti and all Adrenaline Provoking activities!

'You have made me worry possibly more than any other person on the planet. But You have taken the road less traveled by and that will make all the difference! Nothing gives me more Joy then to watch you grow as an artist!

'To quote your favorite painter Lucian FreudWhat do I ask of a painting?

'I ask it to astonish, disturb, seduce, convince! Keep Walking Down Your Own Road. Im so proud of you!'

Rocco tends to keep a fairly low profile, despite his famous family

The painter teamed his camel coat with a smart suit and white shirt and kept his hands in his pockets as he was pictured out and about in London

Rocco's dad Guy Ritchie previously took to Instagram to share a sweet selfie of the pair, telling his eldest 'youve given me more than I can ever give you'

Madonna also regularly posts snaps with Rocco - who she shares with her ex-husband Guy - on social media

Back in August 2020, Guy told his son: 'To my first born, youve given me more than I can ever give you. Happy 20th birthday Rocco.'

Madonna and Guy welcomed Rocco in August 2000, shortly after they married. The exes divorced in 2008.

Rocco's latest outing comes after he was snapped out with his apparent girlfriend Olivia Monjardin in Milan in November.

Rocco has become a model and actor, crediting both his parents for his career.

He told Vogue Man Hong Kong in a 2022 interview that he was inspired by growing up with people who were 'passionate' about art.

Rocco - who co-founded his own gallery called Maison Rhed, the name taken from his alias Rhed which he used at the beginning of his career - credited his parents for raising him in a 'creative household'.

He said: 'It certainly helped growing up in a house that was passionate about art and culture.

'Neither of my parents are painters, but both are artists in their own right and they taught me to appreciate and respect it. Their shared fascination eventually piqued my interest and since I can remember I've always been surrounded by it.'
Brooke Blurton joined a chorus of celebrities speaking out against Australia Day.

The Bachelor star, who is a is a Noongar-Yamatji woman, attended an 'Invasion Day' rally in Melbourne, sharing highlights from the protest to her Instagram Stories.

The former reality star documented the crowd, many wearing Aboriginal flag T-shirts and holding up signs.

One attendee's shirt read 'respect the black matriarchy' with some protestors wore Aboriginal flags over their shoulders like capes.

Talk To Me star Zoe Terakes took part in the Sydney leg of the 'Invasion Day' protests, the actor likewise sharing images from the throbbing crowd carrying placards.

Brooke Blurton (pictured) joined a chorus of celebrities speaking out against Australia Day.

The Bachelor star, who is a is a Noongar-Yamatji woman, attended an 'Invasion Day' rally in Melbourne , sharing highlights from the protest to her Instagram Stories

One attendee's shirt read 'respect the black matriarchy'

Home and Away actor Lincoln Younes and ABC star Costa Georgiadis also attended the 'Invasion Day' rally in Sydney to protest Australia Day celebrations.

Lincoln shared a photo to his Instagram as he joined thousands across the country to protest against Australia Day being held on January 26, and for Indigenous rights.

The actor simply captioned the photo with a black, yellow and a red love heart - the colours on the Aboriginal Flag.

Lincoln was joined by Costa, who was seen at the protest in a white T-shirt and red shorts.

Actor Zoe Terakes (pictured) took part in the Sydney leg of the 'Invasion Day' protests

Likewise, the Talk to Me star shared images from the throbbing crowd carrying placards

Some protestors wore Aboriginal flags over their shoulders like capes

Other stars shared their thoughts on social media, including champion boxer Harry Garside.

'I'd like to say I'm one of the most patriotic Australians I know. That is why I'm making this status. For years I've celebrated Australia Day on the 26th of January but only recently have I really sat down and thought about what that day means' he wrote.

'The day really has no meaning for Australia but meaning for the British. The day is built upon misery for some and realistically we could celebrate our beautiful land on any other day' Harry went on.

'I've done a little research and have come to my own conclusion that from now on I'm going to celebrate Australia Day on the 1st of January every year, because back in 1901 legislation was passed and this beautiful country we live in became a federation. Happy Australia Day guys'.

Home and Away star Lincoln Younes (pictured) attended the 'Invasion Day' rally in Sydney

ABC star Costa Georgiadis (pictured) also went along to show support

Lincoln shared a photo to his Instagram as he joined thousands across the country to protest against Australia Day being held on January 26, and for Indigenous rights

He added in an Instagram Stories post: 'Seven years on and still stand by this. Grateful everyday to be Australian. Truly the best country on earth'.

Maria Thattil made a simple statement by sharing an Aboriginal artwork, as well as an image of famous Aboriginal Australians projected onto the Opera House.

Actress Debra Lawrance also let an image do the talking, posting the Aboriginal flag to Instagram with no attached comment.

Influencer Tahnee Cook posted an Aboriginal flag along with the words 'Always was, always will be', which Married at First Sight star Alyssa Barmonde also shared.

Maria Thattil (pictured) made a simple statement by sharing an Aboriginal artwork

She also posted image of famous Aboriginal Australians projected onto the Opera House

Influencer Tahnee Cook (pictured) posted an Aboriginal flag along with the words 'Always was, always will be'

The artwork that Tahnee shared to social media on Friday

Married at First Sight star Alyssa Barmonde (pictured) also shared the same artwork

Meanwhile, Abbie Chatfield explained she won't be releasing a new episode on her podcast 'as it is Invasion Day'.

'Hey everyone! There will be no Nightmare Fuel episode tomorrow as it is Invasion Day. Instead we have recorded a list of the protests and marches happening in the capital cities. Always was, always will be' she said.

Former Married At First Sight star Nasser Sultan also condemned Australia Day as a day of celebration.

'Australia is the only country that celebrates the day it was invaded. Which is a bit like America hosting a Pearl Harbour day pool party,' he wrote.

Actress Debra Lawrance (pictured) also let an image do the talking

She posted an Aboriginal flag to her Instagram with no comment

Sharing his thoughts on social media was champion boxer Harry Garside (pictured)

'For years I've celebrated Australia Day on the 26th of January but only recently have I really sat down and thought about what that day means' he wrote

Jesinta Campbell (pictured) shared a blistering post condemning Australia Day as a celebration of 'colonisation'

Gogglebox star Matty Fahd marked Australia day by posting a tribute to Indigenous Australians.

He shared an image to Instagram of two Indigenous women holding the Australian Aboriginal Flag.

'Always was always will be,' he captioned the post.

On Thursday, Jesinta Campbell also shared a blistering post condemning Australia Day as a celebration of 'colonisation'.

The former Miss Universe Australia, who is married to Indigenous Sydney Swans star Lance 'Buddy' Franklin, took to Instagram to re-share several posts by prominent anti-Australia Day campaigners.

Abbie Chatfield (pictured) explained she won't be releasing a new episode on her podcast

'There will be no Nightmare Fuel episode tomorrow as it is Invasion Day' she wrote

Love Island Australia star Cassidy McGill (pictured) also shared a post on the topic

Her post was protesting against Australia Day celebrations

The first post simply had the words 'Australia Day' crossed out, with the words 'Invasion Day' written below in bold.

It continued: 'The coming of one race at the expense of another. Will you learn the proper place names of the land you live on?

'Once you've done this, look into events they hold on this date/all year round. Go to them. Surround yourself in the culture.'

Finally, Jesinta reposted a graphic that read: 'Australia is the only country that marks colonisation as their national day.'
Monica Bellucci looked incredible as she showcased her chic sense of style as she stepped out to the Maison Margiela show during Paris Fashion Week on Thursday.

The Italian actress, 59, looked sensational in her figure-hugging black velvet dress as she arrived for the show with hairdresser to the stars John Nollet.

She was the woman in black as she donned the 80s-inspired garment that featured huge shoulder pads and a ruffled waist, which was cinched down her right leg.

The Matrix Reloaded star adhered to the old fashion rule of chest or legs as she paired her cleavage-amplifying dress with a pair of black tights.

But she still has pulses racing at the event as her textured dress also featured a modest slit up her left leg.

Monica Bellucci showcased her chic sense of style as she stepped out to the Maison Margiela show during Paris Fashion Week on Thursday

The Italian actress, 59, looked sensational in her figure-hugging black velvet dress as she arrived for the show with hairdresser to the stars John Nollet

She paired her sophisticated look with simple, shiny black court heels and a basic hi-shine pleather clutch.

Monica kept incredible as she rocked a smokey eye, nude lip, and a beachy hairdo.

She beamed from cheek to cheek as she gazes down the barrel of the camera and posed confidently on the red carpet.

Also in attendance was Kylie Jenner who channelled one of her sister Kim Kardashian's most famous looks.

The makeup mogul, 26, was joined by Kim, 43, along with her mother Kris Jenner at the event where she appeared to take inspiration from Kim's 2019 Met Gala look.

Kylie went for a wet look for the event as her brunette locks featured a damp sheen, similar to her sister's hairstyle at the A-list bash five years ago.

The mother-of-two looked nothing short of sensational in a short-sleeved silver mini dress with a scooped neckline.

The skintight garment highlighted the reality star's incredible figure and also featured a sequinned embellishment.

She was the woman in black as she donned the 80s-inspired garment that featured huge shoulder pads and a ruffled waist, which was cinched down her right leg

The Matrix Reloaded star adhered to the old fashion rule of chest or legs as she paired her cleavage-amplifying dress with a pair of black tights

Also in attendance was Kylie Jenner who channelled one of her sister Kim Kardashian 's most famous looks

Kylie went for a wet look for the event as her brunette locks featured a damp sheen, similar to her sister's hairstyle at the A-list bash five years ago

The mother-of-two looked nothing short of sensational in a short-sleeved silver mini dress with a scooped neckline

Adding height to her frame with a pair of white heels, Kylie completed her look with sheer silver gloves.

At the Met Gala, Kim famously wore a skintight corset with a plunging neckline that cinched her waist.

The Maison Mugler gown was perfect for showcasing the reality stars iconic curves, with the beaded detail giving the illusion that she was caught in the rain.

At the Maison Margela show, Kim sent temperatures soaring as she slipped her curves into a black skintight dress that highlighted her famous figure.

The garment featured a cut out embellishment while the SKIMS founder drew further attention to her look with an eye-catching gold and silver necklace.

Letting her brunette locks fall loose down her sholders, Kim added height to her frame with a pair of heels.

Kris, 68, opted for a black trench coat with puffed sleeves which she wore over a white shirt and dark trousers.

Also wearing a pair of black boots, the momager completed her look for the event with a pair of stylish sunglasses.

At the Met Gala, Kim famously wore a skintight corset with a plunging neckline that cinched her waist

Adding height to her frame with a pair of white heels, Kylie completed her look with sheer silver gloves

At the Maison Margela show, Kim sent temperatures soaring as she slipped her curves into a black skintight dress that highlighted her famous figure
Emma Watson smashed ice with her Prada heels, grilled Edward Enninful on gossip and shed light on her charmed childhood during a Vogue cocktail making session.

The Harry Potter star, 33, took part in the fashion bible's Great British Taste Test series, which has so far seen Olivia Colman pulling pints and Adele eating cockles, while Emma was tasked with making a slew of cocktails.

Before whisking up an Espresso Martini, a gin sour, a Bramble, a Vesper Martini alongside her brother Alex and The Emma Spritz, Emma called Vogue boss Edward to ask him about Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.

She then explained how her father Chris would make wine which was left in Emma and Alex's childhood room at a frosty temperature - something she conceded was 'probably the definition of a first-world problem'.

While making her Bramble, Emma was caught short with kitchen utensils so opted to use Prada heels to crush the ice and swiftly apologised to Prada designer Miuccia Prada for the multiuse of the object, which seemed to tickle her.

Emma Watson smashed ice with her Prada heels, grilled Edward Enninful on gossip and shed light on her charmed childhood during a Vogue cocktail making session

Before whisking up an Espresso Martini, a gin sour, a Bramble, a Vesper Martini alongside her brother Alex and The Emma Spritz, Emma called Vogue boss Edward to ask him about Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell

Emma and her brother Alex took part in a race to make a Vesper Martini

Emma opened the segment by revealing she had created a notebook logging and learning about the cocktails she was set to make on-screen, before gushing: 'I love learning and I love note taking'.

Showing her links to the fashion world, she picked up her phone and called Vogue boss Edward to ask him the true story behind Kate and Naomi's links to the famed Espresso Martini - with the hilarious tale tickling him.

In his phone call, he said: 'Edward my first cocktail I have to make is an Espresso Martini and I feel like of all the human beings in the world, you might be the one to know this piece of information.

She then explained the story to Edward, saying: '[The story is] that it was created for either Naomi or Kate, they walked into a bar and said they want a cocktail that would 'pick me up and f**k me up'.'

Although not able to establish the facts, Edward replied: 'I don't know about that but I'm definitely going to find out. I like that story'.

Emma's heel then took centre stage, as she removed her heel to crush the ice and apologised to Miuccia in advance, saying: 'So the reason I'm excited to make this cocktail is I get to crush ice...

'I'm taking off my shoe because there's no rolling pin. I need to crush this ice with something and I figure this is maybe the best thing that I can do this with...

'Actually this is better than a rolling pin! Not sure Miuccia had this in mind when she designed this shoe but it actually a great kitchen implement.'

Emma spoke about her father Chris' wine

Showing her links to the fashion world, she picked up her phone and called Vogue boss Edward to ask him the true story behind Kate and Naomi's links to the famed Espresso Martini - with the hilarious tale tickling him

While making her Bramble, Emma was caught short with kitchen utensils so opted to use Prada heels to crush the ice and swiftly apologised to Prada designer Miuccia Prada for the multiuse of the object, which seemed to tickle her (Miuccia pictured in May)

Emma has teamed up with her brother to make gin from the off-cuts of their father's wine, made in his estate in Burgundy, and for the segment she used both her own gun and 'Papa Watson's wine' - the Domaine Watson 2022 Chablis.

Recalling growing up with her father's wine making, she said: ''This wine was the reason that I slept in a very cold bedroom when I was a child, because he used to store the wine bottles at the back of mine and Alex's room...

'So we would often complain that it was cold, and he'd say, 'Well, you've gotta keep the wine at a certain temperature.' I think that's probably the definition of a first-world problem'

As they took part in a race to make a cocktail, Alex shed light on life with his sister and warned: 'Everyone is about to see how competitive Emma is... for any younger brothers coasting along who have an overachieving sister, we're in this together.

Later on in the video, Emma shed light on what she is working on professionally and revealed she has branched from acting into writing and directing.

She said: 'I've been writing and directing, and I'm really enjoying it. It started in covid and I realised how much I loved it and that I wanted to keep doing that. And so I'm actually studying that now. To direct something I'd written one day...

'That would make me pretty excited. I don't see myself as stepping away from acting I just see myself expanding what I do... to really be at the front of a project takes time. Films can be decades in the making...

'Finding it and writing it and putting it together. I don't see it as a closing down I see it as an opening up.'
Vicky Pattison posed up in a racy lingerie as she was praised by fans for keeping it 'so real' after sharing a heartwarming body-positive message.

The I'm A Celebrity winner, 36, accompanied her jaw-dropping shot with a snap of her waist from a different angle, flashing a thumb up.

She also added a picture of her fake tan coming off her feet as well as some bruises, stressing social media can often convince women they 'don't all have the same lumps and bumps and squishes', encouraging them to 'own them with pride'.

While enjoying her Parisian holiday, Vicky took to her Instagram page accompanying the post with a candid lengthy caption and said: 'A dose of positivity from Paris.. Behind every posed and well lit picture of a girl breathing and giving you the most... is actually a healthy dose of normality.. and it's easy to forget that.'

'But here's a reminder- Bodies move, skin has texture, every and I mean EVERY woman I know is part of team 'mysterious leg bruise' oh and sometimes our fake tan comes off in the most bizarre patterns and give the impression that we're wearing teeeeeeny, tiny little trainer socks...'

Vicky Pattison posed up in a racy lingerie as she was praised by fans for keeping it 'so real' after sharing a heartwarming body-positive message

The I'm A Celebrity winner, 36, accompanied her jaw-dropping shot with a snap of her waist from a different angle, flashing a thumb up

'With the wedding coming up I could easily get really fixated on looking a specific type of way for the big day.. instead, I really just want to focus on having the best year of my life- on making memories and having fun and being happy.'

She went on: 'Afterall, @ercan_ram loves me for me and I'd rather spend the best year of our lives laughing, planning and trying cakes than depriving myself, walloping loads of celery juice and giving birth to an avocado.'

'I hope you get something from this post- and realise we're all beautiful and that social media can sometimes try and convince you that we don't all have the same lumps and bumps and squishes.. but we do! Own them, be proud of them.. and wear the cute bra and knicks with pride!,' she concluded.

Fans rushed to support the TV star and praise her for spreading such a candid body-positive message on the social media platform, with many of them relating to several of the things she discussed.

'The bruises yes what do we do!?? I find them on my arms aswell. love how real you are, you look incredible xx,' said one person.

'Love you, your so real and keep it that way xx,' gushed another fan.

'Absolutely stunning and I love the caption and you so much,' penned another one.

A fifth person commented: 'Youre so lush! I love all your posts x.'

She also added a picture of her fake tan coming off her feet as well as some bruises

She stressed social media can often convince women they 'don't all have the same lumps and bumps and squishes', encouraging them to 'own them with pride'

While enjoying her Parisian holiday, Vicky took to her Instagram page accompanying the post with a candid lengthy caption

Fans rushed to support the TV star and praise her for spreading such a candid body-positive message on the social media platform, with many of them relating to several of the things she discussed

Another user wrote in admiration: 'Love this your so real and beautiful I wish the whole world was like this, keep being amazing your perfect the way you are.'

'Haha love the realism,' agreed another fan.

This Morning star Sian Welby also showed support as she wrote: 'I love your posts.'

Meanwhile, British Bake Off winner Candice Brown was in awe and said: 'Bloody love you!! You are what we all need my girl .'

The reality star is set to tie the knot with Ercan Ramadan in Italy and after admitting their spending had been 'out of control', she has now settled on a bridal gown.

Last week she took to Instagram to share the good news with her followers while also posting the looks that didn't quite make the cut.

Admitting she 'had no idea' what style of dress she wanted, Vicky revealed that she would be wearing more than one design on the big day and told her fans they'd be 'surprised' by her choice.

Among her favourite gowns that she turned down was a striking fishtail wedding dress, long-sleeved lace gown and a corseted glittering dress with a sheer skirt.

Vicky captioned her post: 'I'M GETTING MARRIED THIS YEAR! (Sorry, *we're* getting married this year)

'I think in my nerves and excitement about our trip to Mauritius and my first big competition gig on this morning- the gravity of this statement hadn't truly hit me... until now!!

'In around 9 months time I will become Mrs Pattison Ramadan... affectionately known as Vickster Patti-Ram & honestly I couldn't be more happy to be marrying the love of my life.. @ercan_ram, I've waited so long for you & for this but it was all 110% worth it

'We are officially ramping things up now in terms of planning so @everythingorganised prepare to be veryyyyyy sick of me!

'(Up until this point our patient but long suffering wedding planner has been chasing us for answers on anything but now I'm going to be ON IT! I swear Susie)

'I am notoriously terrible at keeping secrets but I am going to try a little bit with the wedding- I want our guests & you guys.. & let's face it, probably @ercan_ram to be surprised when they see our big day But I couldn't not share these with you..

'First port of call as a blushing bride to be just HAS to be the dress.. I can't thank the amazing team at @theweddingclubofficial enough for guiding me through this process..

''I don't think I'm a particularly tricky customer but I just had no idea what I wanted & they helped me navigate this process seamlessly.. I felt like a princess!! Love you guys!'

Vicky continued: 'Honestly, to anyone getting married and looking for a dress- I cannot recommend Clare and her wonderful team at @theweddingclubofficial enough 

'These are some of the dresses that I ADORED but didn't make the Final Cut.. but god did I love them I think you guys will be really shocked with the styles I actually have gone with.. AND I'm not quite done, I am popping in to my faves at @suzanneneville this week as well...

Vicky is set to tie the knot with Ercan Ramadan in Italy and after admitting their spending had been 'out of control', she has now settled on a bridal gown

She took to Instagram last week to share the good news with her followers while also posting the looks that didn't quite make the cut

Vicky revealed the 'gravity' of the situation had only just sunk in because she was distracted by her trip to Mauritius where she had presented the competition segment for This Morning

Ercan proposed to Vicky in February 2022 during a sunset proposal in Dubai. Vicky previously revealed they are planning a week-long party with 13 bridesmaids and four dress changes

'Despite the team at @theweddingclubofficial absolutely smashing it and having the most beautiful collection of dresses and designers- I just don't know if my roster would be complete without a Suze Original

'I'm so excited for this year... I can't believe my little dreams are finally coming true! Eeeeekkkkk '

Ercan proposed to Vicky in February 2022 during a sunset proposal in Dubai. The couple met in 2019.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley made a chic arrival into London St Pancras on Thursday as she made her way through the crowds.

The supermodel, 36, who has been in Paris for several days enjoying Fashion Week, wrapped up warm in a long black wool coat.

She teamed her off duty look with a pair of chunky boots and layered a high neck sweater beneath her jacket.

Rosie pulled her long hair back into a neat low bun and carried a navy, leather over night holdall.

Arriving via Eurostar the model took a phone call while walking through the busy station.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, 36, made a chic arrival into London St Pancras on Thursday as she made her way through the crowds

The supermodel who has been in Paris for several days enjoying Fashion Week , wrapped up warm in a long black wool coat

It comes after Rosie showed off her incredible supermodel figure when she filmed herself wearing blue semi-sheer lace lingerie on Instagram on Monday.

The mother-of-two looked confident in the two-piece as she filmed a little clip with her chic home visible in the background.

The underwear is available to buy from Rosie's long-standing collaboration with high-street store Marks And Spencer.

She wrote: '#AD The set to start off the new year. Just look at the details and this colour @marksandspencer.'

Rosie also gave the product codes for each item so that her followers could replicate her look, writing: 'Silk Pad Beau Plunge - T81 6460 and Silk HW High Leg - T81 6460U.'

No doubt Rosie's action man fiance, Jason Statham, 56, is a big fan of her latest look.

The couple first began dating in 2009 and share two children together, son Jack, six, and daughter Isabella, 23 months.

The pair have yet to get married, but revealed their engagement after Rosie flashed her impressive diamond ring at the 2016 Golden Globes.

She teamed her off duty look with a pair of chunky boots and layered a high neck sweater beneath her jacket

It comes after Rosie showed off her incredible physique as she modelled stunning blue semi-sheer lingerie in mirror selfies on Instagram on Monday

DailyMail.com reported that they love being engaged so much that they don't plan on officially tying the knot anytime soon.

According to a source close to the couple, they are on the 'same page' when it comes to their relationship - despite a notable age difference.

The source insisted Rosie and Jason 'will' get married one day, but there's 'no rush', explaining: 'They are also very private but Jason knows how lucky he is and loves the life he has; he is very happy.

'When it comes to them, they will get married eventually but they feel like they are already married and there is no rush. "If it isn't broken, why fix it" is their overall mentality.'
YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has sent a congratulatory message to the Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on the occasion of India's national holiday, Republic Day.

"Warm greetings to my dear colleague Dr. S. Jaishankar and friendly people of India on occasion of Republic Day.

Building on our enhanced bilateral agenda, Armenia stands ready to work jointly towards common goals and raising our friendly relations and partnership to a new level,'' Armenian Foreign Minister said in a post on X.
Michael Hing made a very racy comment that left his co-hosts stunned during Friday's episode of The Project.

The comedian was chatting to venom expert Bryan Fry who discussed various types of painful stings from Australia's venomous critters.

When asked what animal he'd risk being stung by, Michael gave a surprisingly candid - and racy - answer.

'I would pick jellyfish... because I want to get p***ed on' he quipped.

Hoping for laughter from his co-stars, Michael was instead met with an uncomfortable silence, before they broke into awkward giggles.

Michael Hing (pictured) made a racy comment that left his co-hosts stunned during Friday's episode of The Project when discussing which animal he would like to be stung by

The panel were quick to change the subject, leaving Michael red-faced.

It's not the first time one of his on air gags backfired, with Michael last week stepping forward to admit that he had a go at brewing his own alcoholic beverages at home.

The 38-year-old joked his home brew of choice - vodka - was 'probably illegal'.

Michael's surprising revelation came during a segment about next month's tax hike which will send the price of beer and spirits soaring.

Panelist Nick Cody suggested that since the cost of a pint of beer will rise to an average of $12, many drinkers may turn to 'home brewing' to save on cash.

After Nick admitted to trying to brew beer in his bathtub, co-host Susie Youssef asked Michael whether ever had tried doing it.

'I would pick jellyfish... because I want to get p***ed on' he quipped

Hoping for laughter from his co-stars, Michael was instead met with an uncomfortable silence, before they broke into awkward giggles (pictured)

'I had a crack making vodka,' he said, adding: 'also it may have been illegal.'

Currently, it is legal to distil spirits at home, though 'home brewers' of spirits are required to have a license.

Michael meanwhile joined the line-up of Australian current affairs show The Project late last year.

He left Triple J last year after three years of hosting the radio station's popular drive show, Hobba and Hing with Lewis Hobba.

Michael is also the former host of the ABC programs Good Game: Pocket Edition and Good Game Well Played.

In August, the popular celebrity wed his sweetheart Humyara Mahbub in a Bengali ceremony on Sydney Harbour.

The pair looked resplendent in traditional attire as they exchanged vows by the water surrounded by family and friends.
They've been struggling to find the perfect replacement for Holly Willoughby since she quit last year.

But now This Morning bosses think they have finally found their star to take the reins of the ITV daytime programme - former weather presenter and Holly lookalike, Sian Welby.

Editor Martin Frizell and his boss, head of daytime Emma Gormley are said to 'adore' the host following her four day trial this week and is now lining her up as a permanent star on the show.

This Morning bosses think they have finally found their star to take the reins of the ITV daytime programme - former weather presenter and Holly Willoughby lookalike, Sian Welby

One source told the Mail: 'Sian has done a fantastic job and everyone totally loves her'

Ms Willoughby quit last October following an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her by former security guard Gavin Plumb

Sources at the channel say that they think they might have just found their star after she presented with Dermot O'Leary.

One told the Mail: 'Sian has done a fantastic job and everyone totally loves her.

'She is a massive breath of fresh air, she has come along and just wowed everyone. She has been a joy to watch for the viewers but also Martin and other executives on the show and they think she has the ability to grow and grow on the show and become the next Holly. It mustn't be forgotten that Holly was like her once and look what happened to her, she was the host for 14 years.

'Martin and Emma are both agreed that she has got what it takes to be a star, it is really exciting and she is very much in a pole position for the job now. Sian is seen to be by far better than some of the presenters who have hosted the show in recent months.'

Nottingham-born Ms Welby, 37, had previously appeared on This Morning as their showbusiness reporter and very much saw her as a 'rising star.'

And then Frizell and Ms Gormley decided to give her a chance at co-hosting but she wasn't expected to have the huge impact that she did.

Her appearance comes as some senior executives at ITV are still hoping to pull out the stops to hire Cat Deeley to replace Ms Willoughby, who quit last October following an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her by former security guard Gavin Plumb.

Ms Welby also hosts Capital Breakfast alongside Roman Kemp (left). [Pictured at Capital FM's Summertime Ball Arrivals at Wembley Stadium in June 2022 with Sonny Jay, right]

Ms Welby is also understood to have told bosses that she wanted to be paired with Rylan Clark rather than Ben Shephard (pictured) who ITV were hoping to move from Good Morning Britain into the role previously held by Phillip Schofield

Christine Lampard was also said to not be keen on doing the job permanently

The former CD:UK presenter hosted the programme for four days in November but then went to America where she hosts So You Think You Can Dance and is committed to be until later in the year. If ITV signed her, they may face having to let her return to the US to host the talent series in December if she was to sign up again.

She is also understood to have told the network's bosses that she wanted to be paired with Rylan Clark rather than Ben Shephard who ITV were hoping to move from Good Morning Britain into the role previously held by Phillip Schofield. Clark is said to be 'disinterested' in taking the job full time.

A source said: 'There are some at ITV who are still determined to make it work with Cat but it is going to be much more difficult to accommodate her as she has so many more needs.'

Ms Welby hosts Capital Breakfast alongside Roman Kemp and is also a regular reporter for This Morning. She made her name as the Channel 5 News weather presenter after being spotted while working in high street fashion chain, New Look.

She later hosted a show on Heart Radio between 2017 and 2020 and last August she got engaged to her radio producer fiance Jake Beckett.

Chiefs also had their eye on The Voice presenter Emma Willis to replace Ms Willoughby but she is understood to have turned down the job as she can't commit to the four day week that ITV want their full time presenter to do.

Christine Lampard was also said to not be keen on doing the job permanently.

I'm A Celeb star Josie Gibson has been hosting the show for most of January after returning home from the jungle.
How you say in English total liability?

Two days after news broke that Alec Baldwin will be re-charged with involuntary manslaughter in the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, his fake-Spanish wife Hilaria took to the streets of New York, scantily-clad in 30-degree weather.

Truly, there is no indignity that these two won't exploit. All attention is good attention to the Baldwins, it seems.

And so, with snow still on the ground, Hilaria paraded for the paparazzi, a cohort her husband otherwise hates.

She wore a tiny black mini-skirt, fishnet tights, patent leather stiletto heels, a metallic motorcycle jacket slung over her shoulders, a T-shirt emblazoned with the cartoon superhero 'She-Ra, Princess of Power'  clearly how she sees herself  and ridiculous, ski-goggle sized eyewear.

It was a demented, dated replay of early-aughts staged pap strolls.

Two days after news broke that Alec Baldwin will be re-charged with involuntary manslaughter in the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, his fake-Spanish wife Hilaria took to the streets of New York, scantily-clad in 30-degree weather. Truly, there is no indignity that these two won't exploit. All attention is good attention to the Baldwins, it seems.

She wore a tiny black mini-skirt, fishnet tights, patent leather stiletto heels, a metallic motorcycle jacket slung over her shoulders, a T-shirt emblazoned with the cartoon superhero 'She-Ra, Princess of Power', and ridiculous, ski-goggle sized eyewear. It was a demented, dated replay of early-aughts staged pap strolls.

Here came 40-year-old Hilaria  the one-time Rachel Dolezal of the Hamptons  sauntering slowly, the cameras clicking away as she carried on a suspiciously loud, stilted conversation on her cell.

'Oh, that's so nice!' she exclaimed. 'I'm so happy to hear that'.

Hear what, exactly?!

That her 65-year-old husband, the father of her seven children, could face prison time? That his legal fees are surely mounting? That they are already on track to becoming the biggest pariahs of 2024?

Reader, I beg of you: Watch the video for yourself.

Hilaria, nee Hillary Hayward-Thomas from Boston, still speaks with that phony Spanish accent.

Ay caramba!

If there was ever a time to go to ground, to shut up and ensconce yourselves in one of your luxury properties, now would be it.

Instead, these two are courting even more press. They are trailed by a camera crew led by Kennedy scion Rory Kennedy, sister of the very problematic presidential contender Bobby Jr., shooting what looks like a reality series.

Imagine the pitch: What happens when a rage-a-holic actor accidentally kills a colleague, injures another one, denies any and all responsibility, then takes to social media with a delusional esposa who can't stop slinging babies across her chest?

Working title  'Hilaria Ensues'!

All this comes as Baldwin's lawyers demanded that he is 'entitled to a fair and speedy disposition of the charges to minimize public vilification'.

Too late for that, Alec.

If there was ever a time to go to ground, to shut up and ensconce yourselves in one of your luxury properties, now would be it. Instead, these two are courting even more press. They are trailed by a camera crew led by Kennedy scion Rory Kennedy, sister of the very problematic presidential contender Bobby Jr., shooting what looks like a reality series.

Imagine the pitch: What happens when a rage-a-holic actor accidentally kills a colleague, injures another one, denies any and all responsibility, then takes to social media with a delusional esposa who can't stop slinging babies across her chest?

All this comes as Baldwin's lawyers demanded that he is 'entitled to a fair and speedy disposition of the charges to minimize public vilification'. Too late for that, Alec. (Pictured: Halyna Hutchins).

Take a look at the most damning parts of these new charges, as outlined by New Mexico prosecutors in their statement of probable cause.

Recall, too, that Baldwin wasn't just an actor, but a producer of the film in question, 'Rust'.

In other words, he shared responsibility for on-set safety.

'Statements and evidence show Baldwin was not present for required firearms training prior to the commencement of filming,' the document reads.

The film's reportedly inexperienced and deeply inept armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who will be tried on charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence, told investigators that during safety training Baldwin was preoccupied with his phone:

'A training session for at least an hour or more in length was scheduled,' the statement says, 'but the actual training consisted only of approximately 30 minutes as according to Reed, Baldwin was distracted and talking on his cell phone to family during the training'.

Is he a teenager? How are phones even allowed into mandatory weapons training on a film set? How were they not confiscated until training was over?

Most important: Baldwin has since maintained that the gun which killed Hutchins accidentally went off on its own, a claim two Hollywood firearms experts told me is impossible.

'I'm not aware of any gun firing itself,' veteran armorer Steve Wolf said. 'The trigger still must have been pressed.'

Former FBI agent turned on-set expert Bobby Chacon agreed: 'Bullets don't curve. He isn't in 'The Matrix'. The trigger would still have to be pulled.'

The New Mexico statement of probable cause records Baldwin as admitting he 'fired' the gun.

Yet during a thoroughly repellent, self-pitying interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos in December 2021  two months after the shooting  Baldwin had the temerity to blame Hutchins.

'Everything is at her direction,' Baldwin said. 'I'm holding the gun where she told me to hold it, which ended up right below her armpit.'

But then Baldwin contradicted himself.

'I would never point a gun at anyone,' he said.

Either he did point the gun at Hutchins or he didn't. There's no margin for error here.

The film's reportedly inexperienced and deeply inept armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed (pictured), who will be tried on charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence, told investigators that during safety training Baldwin was preoccupied with his phone. Is he a teenager?

The New Mexico statement of probable cause records Baldwin as admitting he 'fired' the gun. Yet during a thoroughly repellent, self-pitying interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos in December 2021, Baldwin had the temerity to blame Hutchins.

Such sloppiness extended to the entire 'Rust' production. The morning of the accidental shooting, seven crew members walked off set over safety concerns  namely, carelessness when it came to firearms.

One of those crewmembers sent this text to the unit production manager: 'We've now had three accidental discharges. This is super unsafe.'

And finally, the question I keep coming back to: If that scene had called for Alec Baldwin to hold that gun to his head and pull the trigger, wouldn't he have checked it himself?

This case, these charges and the outcome, really do matter.

Hutchins was a young wife and mother who lost her life due to apparent disregard for regulations. She and her survivors deserve justice.

It will also set a precedent for safety on film and TV sets, and hopefully prove that no one, not even a rich, spoiled actor, is above the law.

That in fact, given a movie star's influence and authority, given that most crew members may be afraid to say, 'No', or 'Put down your phone and pay attention to this safety meeting'  there's all the more reason for the famous and powerful to be held to account.

Some may say it's enough that Baldwin surely can't now get hired (truly, who would insure him?). Or that he's had to price-slash his Hamptons mansion by $10 million and star in a risible promotional video to unload it.

But remember: He and his wife are the same callous people who posted happy-family pictures all over social media in the days after Halyna's death, seemingly sparing not a thought for her traumatized young son, so bereft he was unable to speak for two days.

Here's what Hilaria had the gall to write: 'Parenting through this has been an intense experience, to say the least'.

That line  so heartless, so tone-deaf and foul  never fails to astonish.

Hilaria Baldwin  the ultimate internet troll  shoving her fake-perfect life and soft-core yoga poses in everyone's faces, including the devastated Hutchins family.

Last April, after the charges against Baldwin were dropped the first time, they again turned to Instagram and posted a super-creepy picture of a barefoot Hilaria in Alec's lap, her head on his shoulder, his eyes closed in deep satisfaction.

Shameful. Disgusting.

As was Alec's decision to resume filming on a movie that will be forever stained with this accidental death, a movie no one wants or needs to see.

Last April, after the charges against Baldwin were dropped the first time, they turned to Instagram and posted a super-creepy picture of a barefoot Hilaria in Alec's lap, her head on his shoulder, his eyes closed in deep satisfaction.

Alec and Hilaria Baldwin, with their insatiable need for attention and their codependent malignant narcissism, are incredibly well-matched.

These are the same people who, with this terrible cloud hanging over them, prioritize the important things. The day before Hilaria's birthday last January, Alec went online and begged his fans to get her to one million Instagram followers.

'It seems like she's just centimeters shy,' he said. 'Would you follow her on Instagram?'

As of writing, Hilaria's account, publicity-strut and all, remains stubbornly stuck at 995,000.

Alec potentially going to prison if found guilty is one thing. Not being able to crack a million followers on IG  now that's surely Hilaria's version of hell.

Or, as she would say: infierno!
Jackie 'O' Henderson has insisted that she has no beef with her female radio rivals - but the boys may be another story.

The KIIS FM radio star has responded after Fifi Box declared war with Jackie and Kyle Sandilands ahead of their show's expansion to Melbourne this year.

Fifi, 46, currently co-hosts the popular Melbourne breakfast program Fifi, Fev and Nick alongside Brendan Fevola and Nick Cody on 101.9's FOX FM.

'It will be something different for Melbourne breakfast and that's the appeal in a way, it's going to shake things up and that's always a good thing I think' she told the Herald Sun on Friday.

'Kyle is really excited. The girls never fight, it's the boys that are b***hes. Girls don't care about that. I've got girlfriends at all the networks.'

Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured) has insisted that she has no beef with her female radio rivals - but the boys may be another story

Jackie added that she is not interested in a 'war of words' with her radio rivals and that there is no genuine feuding going on behind the scenes.

'It's not the end of the world, we're only having fun and it's pure and simple and hopefully people listening like to have a bit of fun on the way to work' she said.

It comes after Fifi Box insisted she isn't afraid of KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O Show making its way to Victoria's capital - revealing she is only 'focused' on her team at the Hit Network.

'I love that everyone is talking about radio at the moment, obviously the Melbourne landscape is about to change (and everyone is saying) oh how is all this going to play out,' she told the Herald Sun.

The KIIS FM radio star has responded after Fifi Box (pictured) declared war with Jackie and Kyle Sandilands ahead of their show's expansion to Melbourne this year

'I'm just as excited about this as anyone. It's game on, let's see what happens.'

The radio personality continued: 'We're just focused on us... We're just going to keep having fun.'

Fifi's co-host Brendan initially heard the bombshell news back in August and shrugged off any potential competition coming to Melbourne radio waves.

'It doesn't affect us, we're fine,' the 42-year-old said in November.

'We've got the most listeners in Melbourne so I don't feel that's going to affect us at all. Great show, great product, we've been together for a long time now and we'll just keep doing what we're doing.'

'Kyle is really excited. The girls never fight, it's the boys that are b***hes. Girls don't care about that. I've got girlfriends at all the networks' Jackie said. Pictured with Kyle Sandilands

Fifi's bold statement comes off the back of incorrect reports that Kyle and Jackie O's expansion to Melbourne had been delayed.

While the pair returned to the airwaves in Sydney on Monday, their first official broadcast in Melbourne will be in the second quarter of this year or possibly earlier.

A source at the station told Daily Mail Australia: 'It's not accurate that the expansion into Melbourne's been delayed because the [Melbourne] show was never set to begin airing this Monday.'

'At this stage, the launch date's still to be determined but will likely fall [in the second quarter] of this year,' they added.

The source said there's still a lot of planning and arrangements to be set before the big transition.

Meanwhile, ARN released a statement last week revealing Byron Cooke will remain on KIIS 101.1 during the summer before Kyle and Jackie O make their way south.

Fifi currently co-hosts the popular Melbourne breakfast program Fifi, Fev and Nick alongside Brendan Fevola (right) and Nick Cody (left) on 101.9's FOX FM

In November, the Sydney-based radio duo signed a record-breaking $200million, 10-year deal live on-air - keeping them on the airwaves until 2034.

Kyle and Jackie will dominate markets outside their Sydney-based audience and extend their reach into Melbourne for the first time.

It's been reported one unique clause in the contract gives Sandilands the ability to broadcast the show from 'anywhere on the earth'.

The shock jock has often worked on the KIIS FM show from Los Angeles and other places, so the new contract will give the flexibility to continue broadcasting from wherever he chooses.
Demi Rose regularly shares sizzling snaps on social media and Thursday was no exception.

The 28-year-old went topless and revealed her bare bottom in her ensemble in sizzling shots which she shared while posing in the water in Ibiza.

The social media personality also donned a matching bikini top that she untied at the back for one jaw-dropping shot, with her posing in front of the crystal blue ocean.

She took her top off completely for another eye-popping photo, this time getting into the water and looking over her shoulder with her hands in her hair.

Demi also posted a short clip and a photo just of the beautiful surroundings.

Demi Rose went topless and flashed her bare bottom in a netted skirt as she posed for eye-popping ocean snaps in Ibiza on Instagrm on Thursday

The social media personality untied her bikini top as she posed on the rocks

Demi flashed her pert derriere in a sheer crochet skirt that she wore with nothing underneat

She captioned the post: 'Dont you know yet? It is your light that lights the world,' adding a shooting star emoji.

As per usual, social media users loved Demi's snaps.

One person gushed, 'You've got to be the most beautiful being on the planet.'

Another gushed, 'Wow... Mesmerizing Hotness,' as Naomi Boliveira shared a GIF of Simon Cowell clapping.

This definitely isn't the first time Demi has put on a cheeky display on social media.

Last month, she gave fans a glimpse of her bare bottom as she posed at the side of the road for a series of racy snaps.

She captioned the post: 'Pick me up.'

One shot saw Demi sat on the floor with her bags and her pet pooch Teddy, showing off her cleavage in a nude bikini top that she teamed with a patchwork waistcoat.

She teamed the barely-there top with a pleated plaid micro mini skirt, flaunting her toned pins.

As per usual, social media users loved Demi's uploads, with one person calling her 'the most beautiful being on the planet'

Last month, Demi flashed her bare bottom again, sharing a photo of herself thumbing a lift in a tiny skirt

The beauty recently showed off her ample assets in a nude bikini top and pleated micro mini skirt while cuddling her pet pooch Teddy in one sizzling Instagram snap

The model asked fans to pick her up as she posed by the side of the road in her racy ensemble

Demi finished off her get-up with a pair of cowboy boots, wearing her dark locks in pigtails.

The British content creator - who has 19.9 million Instagram followers - shared a closer-up look at her outfit in another shot, while picking up and cuddling her pup.

A further image showed Demi thumbing a lift while appearing to go brief-less in the racy ensemble, giving fans a glimpse of her bare bottom.
Kylie Gillies returned from her European vacation earlier this month, but there is one thing still on her mind.

The Morning Show host posted to Instagram Stories to say she's been back at work a week since her trip ended, but she has remained angry about something that happened while she was overseas.

The 56-year-old found a set of digital scales in her the bathroom of her hotel room, allowing guests to weigh themselves.

'Bathroom scales? In hotel rooms? Come on guys, I'm on holidays!' she raged in her caption along an image of the offending device.

Kylie shared a further image of her opulent bathroom at the hotel and polled her fans over whether they were an appropriate addition.

Kylie Gillies (pictured) returned from her European vacation earlier this month, but there is one thing still on her mind

Over 90 percent of those voting agreed with the television host that there is 'no way' scales belong in hotel rooms.

'Everyone knows kilojoules don't count on holidays' she wrote in a further caption.

'When are we ever going to back here again in our lifetime? Best we make the memory. I reckon we've walked 49,324 steps today. This pastry won't go near that' she went on.

'It's an all inclusive package. Eat up, we've already paid for it' Kylie concluded.

The 56-year-old found a set of digital scales in her the bathroom of her hotel room, allowing guests to weigh themselves

'Bathroom scales? In hotel rooms? Come on guys, I'm on holidays!' she raged in her caption along an image of the offending device

'Everyone knows kilojoules don't count on holidays' she wrote in a further caption

The Channel Seven star earlier gave her followers a glimpse at her travels around Europe with her family.

Kylie shared several photos of herself taking a dip in the therapeutic waters of Budapest's famous hot spas and appeared relaxed as she enjoyed the historic Gellert Thermal Baths.

'This is a must-do in Budapest,' she urged her followers.

Kylie also posted Instagram to share a photo of the sweet moment she reunited with her son in Vienna, Austria after six months apart during the trip.

Kylie also shared photos of herself taking a dip in the therapeutic waters of Budapest's famous hot spas and appeared relaxed as she enjoyed the historic Gellert Thermal Baths
Jackiey Budden appeared overcome with emotion as she watched grandson Bobby Brazier lift the glitterball trophy during the Strictly tour in Newcastle on Thursday.

Jade Goody's mum, 66, was banned from attending the BBC dancing show's final, where Bobby was pipped to the post by Ellie Leach, amid her ongoing feud with his father Jeff Brazier.

Jackiey was in high spirits as she arrived at the Utilita Stadium alone, before being spotted wiping away tears as she sat in the crowded audience.

Travelling from her home Bermondsey, London, she wrapped up in a faux fur jacket and even brought along her own ten points paddle board.

Jackiey later got to her feet as she applauded and waved wildly at the stage following her grandson's performance.

Jackiey Budden appeared overcome with emotion as she watched grandson Bobby Brazier lift the glitterball trophy during the Strictly tour in Newcastle on Thursday

Jade Goody 's mum, 66, was banned from attending the BBC dancing show's final, where Bobby was pipped to the post by Ellie Leach , amid her o ngoing feud with his father Jeff Brazier (Bobby pictured with pro partner Dianne Buswell)

Jackiey was in high spirits as she arrived at the Utilita Stadium alone, before being spotted wiping away tears as she sat in the crowded audience

Speaking following Bobby's appearance in Strictly's December final she said: 'I'm very, very proud of Bobby. He is doing amazing.

'It's great to see. I watch as a very proud nan. It's wonderful. Of course I am pleased he is doing well.'

But commenting on her ongoing feud with his father Jeff, she told MailOnline he has been a 'c**k for f****** nine years'.

Jackiey's daughter Jade shot to fame on the third series of the hit show but tragically died from cancer in 2009 aged just 27.

She was the first reality star to become a millionaire and amassed a 3million business empire, taking in books, perfume and exercise videos.

But despite her family's fame and success - she still lives in a ground-floor flat in an area locals say is blighted by gangs and drug dealers.

But while Bobby grew up in a 1.2million stylish home with his family in Essex, within a mile of Jackiey's estate, 381 crimes were recorded in September - around 12 a day, according to data.

That includes 68 violent or sexual offences, 15 robberies, 90 anti-social behaviour crimes and 28 burglaries, among many others.

Later in the show held her head in her hands

Jackiey later got to her feet as she applauded and waved wildly at the stage following her grandson's performance

Travelling from her home Bermondsey, London, she wrapped up in a faux fur jacket and even brought along her own ten points paddle board

She appeared incredibly excited before taking her seat in the arena

She caught the eye with her pink dyed hair and quirky orange specs

Judge Craig Revel Horwood (R) announced Bobby and Dianne the winner

Bobby was only five when Jade, who rose to fame on Big Brother in 2002, died of cervical cancer on Mother's Day in March 2009 (pictured in 2006)

The figure was 359 in August, while in September of last year it was 277.

Residents in the same block as Jackiey, described it being riddled with crime issues.

One said: 'There's drug-dealing everywhere. It's open. People get attacked and robbed.

'It has got worse in recent years. I feel sorry for Jackiey that she still lives here.'

Another, who said he was too frightened to give his name, said: 'I don't go out here after night.

'I know that women only tend to go out in groups. They're terrified.'

While Jackiey remains on good terms with grandsons Bobby and his younger brother Freddie, 19, she is embroiled in a bitter feud with their father Jeff Brazier, 44,

In September, she secretly got tickets to the National Television Awards to watch Bobby get a Rising Star gong for playing Freddie Slater in EastEnders.

She also enjoyed a drink as she watched her grandson take to the stage alongside other Strictly stars

She was on her feet dancing and singing along to the music

Members of the audience couldn't help but spot her

She couldn't wipe the huge smile off her face

Speaking following Bobby's appearance in Strictly's December final she said: 'I'm very, very proud of Bobby. He is doing amazing'.

Jackiey sat alone as she waited for the show to start

She enjoyed a perfect view of the stage

Bobby and Dianne were crowed Thursday's winners by the judges and audience

Other celebs on the tour include Layton Williams, Angela Rippon and series winner Ellie Leach

During his Strictly stint Bobby performed a dance in tribute to Jade with his professional partner Dianne (pictured)

There she was recorded branding Jeff a 'c***'.

Jackiey addressed the row with Jeff Brazier when speaking to MailOnline, she said: 'When I came out for the NTA Awards, I'm loud and it's the drink and someone went 'oh I bet you're really proud' and 'how do you get on with Jeff Brazier' and I said "he's a c**k".

'Next minute I'm on the internet and all over the papers. As I came out of the O2, someone overheard me say it, so they sold the story.'

When asked if she said it and why, Jackiey fumed: 'Of course I said it. I haven't got a problem with (calling him that).

'He's been a c**k for f****** nine years.

'Bobby doesn't need that stress on his head. He's my grandson.'

In 2021, Bobby confirmed in an Instagram video that he was back in contact with his nan after losing touch.

He said: 'I didn't see her for ages - for way too long - but I went to see her twice recently.

'And honestly if there's one woman you shouldn't underestimate it's my nan.

'Honestly, she's like a wizard! It's nuts.'
Declan Donnelly arrived for another day of Britain's Got Talent auditions alongside his supportive wife, Ali Astall on Friday.

The presenter, 48, was beaming cheek to cheek as he made his way into London Palladium alongside his wife, 45.

He kept his look casual with a black hoody, joggers and a padded gilet.

Ali also opted for comfort as she donned a pair of distressed black jeans, khaki puffer coat and a white cable knit jumper.

Also spotted at the star-studded event was Dec's right-hand man, Ant McPartlin.

Declan Donnelly arrived for another day of Britain's Got Talent auditions alongside his supportive wife, Ali Astall on Friday

Ali opted for comfort as she donned a pair of distressed black jeans, khaki puffer coat and a white cable knit jumper

Dressing up a bit more than his presenting partner, Ant, 48, wore a black trench coat, thick wool jumper and charcoal jeans.

BGT judge Bruno Tonioli, 68, also stepped out of a blacked-out Mercedes as he appeared to be in high spirits.

He was a vision in green as he looked dapper as ever in a green leather jacket, matching jumper and green-coloured trousers.

To accessorise, the dancing professional paired his look with a brown satchel bag and black leather boots.

On Wednesday, police led away a female intruder on the set of Britain's Got Talent after she 'tried to get backstage' to see the judges, including Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden.

In a dramatic start to the auditions which were underway today, security were seen securing the area after police to arrived to the scene to see the 'intruder' out.

The unidentified woman , who was pictured with her hood up, allegedly tried to 'sneak' past security and trespass into the restricted area.

A Met Police spokesman said: 'Police were called at 1.23pm today to reports of a woman suffering a mental health crisis at Argyll Street, W1.

'Officers and London Ambulance Service attended. The woman was assisted by officers who made arrangements for her to be met by a family member. There were no offences.'

A BGT source said: 'Police were dealing with an individual outside of the Palladium who was causing a bit of a stir, and the BGT team helped out.

'But BGT didn't call the police and there was no threat to the judges as he didn't get inside the Palladium.'

He kept his look casual with a black hoody, joggers and a black puffer gilet

Ali accompanied her husband to the auditions after a security scare saw police lead away a female intruder on the set of Britain's Got Talent after she 'tried to get backstage'

Also spotted at the star-studded event was Dec's right-hand man, Ant McPartlin

Dressing a bit more sophisticated than his presenting partner, Ant, 48, wore a black trench coat, thick wool jumper and charcoal jeans

BGT judge Bruno Tonioli, 68, also stepped out of a blacked-out Mercedes as he appeared to be in high spirits

He was a vision in green as he looked dapper as ever in a green leather jacket, matching jumper and green-coloured trousers

Yet on Thursday it was back to business as usual and Ant and Dec left the internet in stitches as they recreated their PJ & Duncan Eternal Love music video.

The showbiz duo starred together on the CBBC series Byker Grove in the early 90s and later released music under their characters names PJ and Duncan.

23 years after their song Eternal Love was released, they have given fans a modern day update with a hilarious clip made by Mitre Studios on Instagram.

The TV presenters posted a video of themselves lipsynching to the track while walking around on a beach.

The pair put on their best blue steel in the clip where they could also be seen relaxing on a hammock and heading towards a helicopter.

The pair put on their best blue steel in the clip where they could also be seen relaxing on a hammock and heading towards a helicopter.

Alongside the video, they wrote: 'Its finally here. The video youve not been waiting for'

They were quickly inundated with comments from followers who were thrilled with the unexpected blast from the past.

Their close pal Holly Willoughby wrote: 'I can't stop watching this,' while Jamie Redknapp added: 'This is everything.'

Giovanna Fletcher wrote: 'Brilliant! I need more!' while Tamzin Outhwaite simply commented with several laughing emojis.

Other fans added: 'We need the WHOLE thing!?!' and 'This is why the nation loves Ant and Dec. This is a masterpiece.'

It comes after Ant and Dec left the internet in stitches as they recreated their infamous PJ & Duncan Eternal Love music video on Thursday

The pair starred together on the CBBC series Byker Grove in the early 90s and later released music under their characters names PJ and Duncan
Sharon Stone has opened up about her experiences on dating apps such as a Tinder and Bumble - admitted that she once found herself on a date with a 'heroin addict' who ordered absinthe at a bar.

The Basic Instinct siren, 65, has said she is looking for love and a 'connection' over a quick one-night stand in a candid new interview with The Times.

Stone shares that many of the recent dates she's had have been from online dating, including a former convict and 'a heroin addict who's clearly 20,000 heroin injections later than the picture he sent me.'

The date with the alleged addict took place at the Hotel Bel-Air but didn't last long.

'I tell the waiter, "I'll have a glass of water." He had a cocktail: absinthe or something. And I said, "I'm sorry, I can't stay,"' Stone - who was once blocked on Bumble - recalled.

Sharon Stone shared some of her dating app horror stories in an interview with The Times; pictured September 2023

Stone is hoping to find a real 'connection' on the apps: 'I didn't want to just go on Tinder and f*** somebody. Do you know what I mean? It's so easy to f*** somebody. You don't have to go on Tinder; you go to f***ing Coffee Bean. It's not hard,' she explained.

Not every dating experience Sharon had turned into a cautionary tale, with the actress beginning two relationships during COVID.

The relationships remained online, but Stone recalled how she helped the men get through their own recent break-ups.

'I was almost like a therapist,' she said. 'One whose wife told him she wanted a divorce and they had two little kids. He was struggling to process it. And [the other] had broken up with his girlfriend. She had gotten pregnant and instead of marrying, she got an abortion  He was still very much in love with her and I helped him process it. It was really rewarding for both of us. I dont know how to explain it.'

But this year Sharon hopes will be different: 'This is the year that I want to fall in love  100 percent,' she said.

When it comes to her next partner, Sharon doesn't have a list of qualifications.

'I dont look for anything. Ive never looked for anything. Because I dont think thats what happens. Youre standing somewhere, someone walks up and starts talking to you and you turn around and think, "What?" And the next thing you know, two years have gone by.'

'You dont look for a list and then your list arrives. Thats what people do who dont have relationships. So that they can comfort themselves with the fact that they dont have a relationship and feel that theyre actively making an effort towards that happening in their lives.'

Stone displayed her bikini body on Instagram last year

Stone is hoping to find a real 'connection' on the apps: 'I didnt want to just go on Tinder and f*** somebody. Do you know what I mean? Its so easy to f*** somebody. You dont have to go on Tinder; you go to f***ing Coffee Bean. Its not hard,' she explained

This year Sharon hopes will be different: 'This is the year that I want to fall in love  100 percent,' she said

Sharon was married to screenwriter Michael Greenburg from 1984 to 1987.

She then wed journalist Phil Bronstein from 1998 until 2004, with whom she raises son Roan, 23.

The star adopted two sons, Quinn, 17, and Laird, 18, on her own.

This isn't the first time Stone has described her experiences using the apps.

Speaking with German Vogue in 2020, she detailed the pitfalls of modern dating and trying to find love online.

Stone pictured with her then-husband Phil Bronstein in 2002; they were married from 1998 to 2004

Revealing she was getting to meet the kinds of men she'd never meet in real life, the star said she was currently chatting to an aeronautical engineer.

However, she joked she has the 'worst luck' with men and had chatted to everyone from former convicts, to 'socially awkward' people or those who prefer their dog's company to humans.

'You know, when you're single at this age, there's usually a reason for that. I count myself in there', she said.

It came a year after Sharon encountered a major obstacle in her efforts to finding love - she was blocked from the popular dating app Bumble.

The mother-of-three made a public plea to the company to reinstate her account as she quipped on Twitter, 'Dont shut me out of the hive'.

Revealing that she had been reported by users who assumed she was running a fake account, Stone shared: 'I went on the @bumble dating sight and they closed my account. Some users reported that it couldnt possibly be me!

'Hey @bumble, is being me exclusionary ? Dont shut me out of the hive [sic]'.
Jordan Peele has unveiled the trailer for an action-packed new movie called Monkey Man, written and directed by Dev Patel of Slumdog Millionaire fame.

Filled with hair-raising fight sequences reminiscent of John Wick, the trailer follows the story of a fight club brawler in an Indian metropolis hell-bent on vengeance.

Dev stars as the Kid, a poor man from the countryside who worms his way into the urban elite in order to avenge his mother's death.

The story is shot through with iconography from Hindu scripture, centering especially on the widely worshipped figure of Hanuman.

An earthly incarnation of the god Shiva - the destroyer - Hanuman is half man and half monkey, a supernaturally powerful figure who appears in the classic epic The Ramayana in the war against the demon-king Ravan and his army.

Jordan Peele has unveiled the trailer for an action-packed new movie called Monkey Man, written and directed by Dev Patel of Slumdog Millionaire fame

Filled with hair-raising fight sequences reminiscent of John Wick, the trailer follows the story of a fight club brawler in an Indian metropolis hell-bent on vengeance

Dev stars as the Kid, a poor man from the countryside who worms his way into the urban elite in order to avenge his mother's death

The story is shot through with iconography from Hindu scripture, centering especially on the widely worshipped figure of Hanuman

An earthly incarnation of the god Shiva - the destroyer - Hanuman is half man and half monkey, a supernaturally powerful figure who appears in the classic epic The Ramayana

Early in the trailer, hints appear of the Kid's traumatic childhood, as gun-toting men storm his village and set it ablaze as his mother screams.

Flashes of artwork showing Hanuman briefly appear on the screen as the adult Kid's voiceover narration sets the stage for the action.

'When I was a boy, my mother used to tell me a story of a demon-king and his army,' Dev's voice intones over the mysterious opening footage.

An urban elite man swathed in a white kurta and matching shawl appears, with a phalanx of soldiers and a thug enforcer - clearly the villains of the picture.

'They brought fire and terror to the land, until they faced the protector of the people - the White Monkey,' the Kid goes on.

He is seen, musclebound and shirtless and covered in sweat, training for one of the fights presumably in his underground fight club.

The Kid faces off against grisly opponents in the no-holds-barred fights, including one who can be glimpsed swinging a mace at his head.

When he steps into the ring, the Kid channels the deity his mother told him about, concealing his face behind a giant monkey mask.

Early in the trailer, hints appear of the Kid's traumatic childhood, as gun-toting men storm his village and set it ablaze as his mother screams

Flashes of artwork showing Hanuman briefly appear on the screen as the adult Kid's voiceover narration sets the stage for the action

'When I was a boy, my mother used to tell me a story of a demon-king and his army,' Dev's voice intones over the mysterious opening footage

An urban elite man swathed in a white kurta and appears, with a phalanx of soldiers and a thug enforcer - clearly the villains of the picture

'They brought fire and terror to the land, until they faced the protector of the people - the White Monkey,' the Kid goes on

He is seen, musclebound and shirtless and covered in sweat, training for one of the fights presumably in his underground fight club

The Kid faces off against grisly opponents in the no-holds-barred fights, including one who can be glimpsed swinging a mace at his head

When he steps into the ring, the Kid channels the deity his mother told him about, concealing his face behind a giant monkey mask

Surfacing from his life in the poorest environs in town, the Kid secures himself a string of menial jobs in a nightclub with a tawdry underbelly.

'Give me the job no one wants to do, and I'll do it,' he vows, plunging into a regimen that includes scrubbing floors and washing away vomit.

'In this city, the rich don't see us as people,' he explains, over a clip of the villain in a luxury car weaving through a crowd of hoi polloi knocking at his window.

The audience gets a few peeks into the shady underworld of the club, as one man gets his face smashed into an ashtray.

A line of girls is assembled for the delectation of the men, and as one of them informs the Kid: 'This is not the place to work if you can't handle that sort of stuff.'

'Everyday, I've prayed for a way to protect the weak,' says the Kid over an evocative shot of the skyscrapers looming over the slums.

He finds a man who can get him a car, only to learn the vehicle in question is an auto-rickshaw named after Nicki Minaj for its 'big bumper' and 'nice headlights.'

With his trusty new auto, the Kid plunges into a string of blood-pumping fight sequences against a series of fearsome enemies.

Surfacing from his life in the poorest environs in town, the Kid secures himself a string of menial jobs in a nightclub with a tawdry underbelly

'Give me the job no one wants to do, and I'll do it,' he vows, plunging into a regimen that includes scrubbing floors and washing away vomit

'In this city, the rich don't see us as people,' he explains, over a clip of the villain in a luxury car weaving through a crowd of hoi polloi knocking at his window

A line of girls is assembled for the delectation of the men, and as one of them informs the Kid: 'This is not the place to work if you can't handle that sort of stuff'

'Everyday, I've prayed for a way to protect the weak,' says the Kid

He finds a man who can get him a car, only to learn the vehicle in question is an auto-rickshaw named after Nicki Minaj for its 'big bumper' and 'nice headlights'

With his trusty new auto, the Kid plunges into a string of blood-pumping fight sequences against a series of fearsome enemies

Monkey Man used to be a Netflix project, but was snapped up by Jordan Peele, whose Monkeypaw productions is now releasing it in movie theaters

The movie marks Dev's first time directing a feature film, coming six years after he helmed a short film called Home Shopper starring Armie Hammer

Monkey Man used to be a Netflix project, but was snapped up by Jordan Peele, whose Monkeypaw productions is now releasing it in movie theaters in collaboration with Universal Pictures on April 5.

The movie marks Dev's first time directing a feature film, coming six years after he helmed a short film called Home Shopper starring Armie Hammer.

In flirting with Hindu iconography, the movie risks provoking controversy in India, where a Hindu nationalist party is currently in government and irreverence toward the majority religion has become an increasingly fraught topic.

Last year, outrage mounted online over Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer because a Hindu holy text, the Bhavagad Gita, is quoted in a sex scene.

In May, a furor erupted over the actress Deepika Padukone wearing an orange bikini in a sexpot musical number called Besharam Rang (Shameless Color), inasmuch as saffron is regarded in Hinduism as a sacred color.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has sent a congratulatory letter to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on the occasion of Republic Day.

January 26, 2024, 12:48 Pashinyan congratulates Indias Modi on Republic Day

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 26, ARTSAKHPRESS: The letter, published by the Prime Ministers Office, reads as follows:

"I send warm congratulations to you and the friendly people of India on the occasion of the Republic Day of India.

Republic Day is a significant occasion for the nations and states that have fought for independence to reaffirm the commitment of the people and the state to the principles of justice, sovereignty, equality and fraternity established by the Constitution.

The Constitution of the Republic of India not only embodies the historical and political culture of India, but is also the best example of harmoniously combining the provisions of the nation's political and philosophical thought in the supreme law.

It is no coincidence that the ideas of the Constitution and Constitutionalism played a major role in the core of the centuries-old Armenian-Indian friendship, taking into account that the Armenian peoples first Constitution was drafted in India. Today we can already proudly record that our friendly ties formed throughout centuries and the common past of our peoples are entering the practical stage of new achievements in bilateral and multilateral relations.

Congratulating you again on the occasion of the Republic Day, I wish you and the friendly people of India peace and prosperity."
Towards the end of the long, hot summer of 2009, I bumped into Holly Willoughby in a rather unlikely place.

Back then, the future star of daytime TV was far from a household name. Just 28, she still wore her hair in long blonde ringlets rather than the shorter tresses she prefers today. Nor was she dressed head-to-toe in her now-trademark designer frocks.

This more informal style perhaps explains why, when we met in the queue for the ladies at the now-defunct V music festival in Chelmsford, Essex, Holly was surprisingly candid: she revealed shed almost fainted when she was offered the chance to present Britains most high-profile breakfast show alongside veteran broadcaster Phillip Schofield.

Sian Welby hosting This Morning on Thursday at the end of her four-day 'trial' stint

She also admitted she was still in shock and that she hadnt seen it coming.

There is no doubt it was a huge promotion: barring a stint on childrens television, presenting The X-tra Factor (a spin-off from Simon Cowells hit The X Factor) and a couple of series of Dancing On Ice alongside Schofield, she had little broadcasting experience.

Eight days after our meeting, Holly took her place alongside Schofield - and the rest, as they say, is history.

My memory of meeting her all those years ago came rushing back to me on Monday this week, when I switched on my TV  and did a double-take.

ITV bosses are desperate to find a successor to Holly Willoughby as a host on the show

There on ITVs flagship daytime show was new presenter Sian Welby, carefully stepping into Hollys LK Bennett shoes for the first episode of a four-day trial stint at the helm of This Morning.

Dressed in a 120 denim jumpsuit from high-street chain And Other Stories, and smiling from ear to ear, Sian humbly introduced herself  and it was almost as if Holly was back.

In her approachable Midlands accent, Sian  who looks much younger than her 37 years  shared a deeply personal story about her father who lives with dementia, while co-host Dermot OLeary (a huge fan, Im told) watched on proudly.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, viewers called the rising star a breath of fresh air who makes the show so fun to watch.

And behind the scenes, the upper echelons of ITV were just as thrilled  with Martin Frizell, This Mornings editor and the Svengali of daytime television, especially smitten.

One insider on the show later told me I wasnt alone, saying: Sian reminds us all of early Holly. She was totally relatable and lovable. No airs and graces.

This makes her a great relief to ITV bosses, who finally have something to smile about almost four months after the embattled Holly sensationally quit This Morning amid an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.

Viewers said Ms Welby, 37, was a breath of fresh air who makes the show so fun to watch

For Frizell and his lower-profile boss, ITV Daytime Managing Director Emma Gormley, it has been a torrid year. Last March, the show was thrown into turmoil when Holly and Phil, once the best of friends, fell out spectacularly.

After quitting the show in May last year, Schofield admitted he had conducted an unwise but not illegal affair with a male colleague decades his junior  and, even worse, lied about it.

Finally, last October, Holly herself departed  leaving the future of This Morning in jeopardy.

Dressed in a 120 denim jumpsuit from high-street chain And Other Stories, the new host smiled from ear to ear as she introduced herself

Ms Willoughby in her early days presenting This Morning in 2011

Im told that, for a time, ITV executives had hoped to tempt Cat Deeley, 47, to the sofa, but her commitments in America  she is the star of the popular talent show So You Think You Can Dance  put paid to that, although some at ITV remain in Deeleys camp.

Now many at the network have concluded that it would be better to sign Sian instead, and let her make the show her own.

Although ITV bosses appreciate OLeary as a seasoned presenter for Fridays show, Im told they hope to sign Ben Shephard to sit in the more coveted Monday-Thursday slot once occupied by the disgraced Schofield. If Shephard, 49, agrees, it would be like 2009 all over again.

When we met in that queue all those years ago, the young Holly breathlessly told me: There were so many other talented presenters in the frame, I never thought Id have a chance!

Words, presumably, that Sian would echo today  as a glittering future awaits her.
Emily Ratajkowski wrapped up warm as she showed off her chic sense of style in New York City on Friday.

The model, 32, who saw the new year in on the Cayman Islands, wrapped up in an oversized leather jacket for warmth, which she wore over the top of a mid length, leopard print skirt. Underneath the outerwear she wore a gray, Silk Laundry mesh long sleeve top.

She maintained her impeccable sense of style by completing the look with some knee high heels and a bulky scarf.

The mum-of-one completed the ensemble with some red oversized sunglasses and looked deep in thought as she made her way down the streets of the Big Apple.

Emily - who split from her husband of four years, Sebastian Bear-McClard - recently revealed that she hopes to inspire other young, divorced women by writing about about her own experiences.

Emily Ratajkowski wrapped up warm as she showed off her chic sense of style in New York City on Friday

The model, 32, wrapped up in an oversized leather jacket for warmth, which she wore over the top of a mid length, leopard print skirt

The model married film producer Sebastian in 2018 and they welcomed a son Bear, two, together, three years later before their split in July 2022.

He is rumoured to have cheated on her and is also currently facing allegations of sexual misconduct by multiple women in September 2022.

Speaking to Vogue Australia, she told how she would like to undo some of the 'stigma' around divorce.

She said: 'I can't believe there aren't more books about first marriages failing. I've read a lot of literature about divorce, but it tends to be about families ending after children have grown up,' she told the publication.'

Emily added: 'I do think so many women are divorcing at younger ages, and it's such a taboo and there's such stigma around it.'

Since her split, Emily has been romantically linked to several people, including Harry Styles and Eric Andre.

Earlier this month, Emily also revealed that she is in a constant battle with the 'voice' of her inner critic.

She made the admission while chatting to a video question-and-answer session, and was asked to describe her approach to 'self-love.'

She maintained her impeccable sense of style by completing the look with some knee high heels and a bulky scarf

The mum-of-one completed the ensemble with some red oversized sunglasses and looked deep in thought as she made her way down the streets of the Big Apple

The outing comes after she revealed that she is in a constant battle with the 'voice' of her inner critic and has a complicated relationship with self-love

'My relationship to self-love is a complicated one. I think it's a journey and I think that there's an internal voice you have to constantly encourage in a way that it's a lot of work, and it doesn't always come,' she shared.

When asked how she practices self-love, Emily went on to say: 'I think I've gotten better at catching myself when I have this sort of opposite voiceand realising that I'm talking down on myself.

'I think it's also sort of like a philosophy. You need to have a wider macro philosophy around finding joy in your life and realising that you are you, and this is the one life you have.

'So to realise that kind of enjoying that life that's given to you means that you have to like yourself and be nice to yourself.'
NRL star Nate Myles and his wife Tessa James have announced they're expecting to welcome their fourth child together.

The couple told The Saturday Telegraph, Tessa is just weeks away from giving birth to their new addition.

Nate and Tessa share six-year-old son Saynt, three-year-old son Jaguar and London, who is almost two.

'I am feeling really good. I have three other busy boys, so I don't have time to feel anything but good,' James said.

He then explained the couple like to keep their life very private and not share many details on social media.

NRL star Nate Myles and actress wife Tessa James have announced they're expecting their fourth child together

'I think consciously not sharing too much is really nice. It's important to keep something private and that is very sacred for us,' he added.

Tessa, who shot to fame playing Nicole Franklin on Home And Away, first met Nate through their mutual friends Jodi and Braith Anasta in 2009 and got engaged to him the following year.

They tied the knot in 2011 before welcoming their first child in December 2017.

Tessa's pregnancy came three years after she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 23.

The couple told The Saturday Telegraph, Tessa is just weeks away from giving birth to their new addition

Nate stood by Tessa's side throughout her health struggles and chemotherapy.

'I was extremely lucky. I got through what happened to me and a lot of people don't,' she told Elle Australia in December 2017.

'For Nate and me, it was our first real challenge as a couple and it was hard and not nice, and not glamorous and very confronting.

She added: 'But at the same time, life's not going to be perfect and we are so much better because of it.'
Bindi Irwin has given fans an insight into her relationship with husband Chandler Powell by sharing a sweet throwback photo of the couple.

The Wildlife Warrior, 25, took to Instagram on Friday to share two photos including a recent one and a picture taken at the beginning of their relationship.

The recent photo shows Bindi leaning on Chandler's, 27, shoulder as the couple both smile in their Australia Zoo khaki uniforms.

The flashback snap shows the teenaged pair in casual clothes as they pose on a beach.

Bindi wrote in the caption: '8 years between these two photos. How much we have grown and experienced is remarkable. Grateful for all of it. And loving you always.'

Bindi Irwin shared a sweet throwback photo of herself with husband Chandler Powell to Instagram and expressed her love for him on Friday

She shared two photos including a recent one and a picture taken at the beginning of their relationship which shows the teenaged pair in casual clothes as they pose on a beach

Late last year, Bindi celebrated 10 years with her beau, sharing a collection of loved-up memories to her Instagram.

'Almost 10 years ago I fell in love with your kind heart. I'll be here loving you for the rest of my existence,' she wrote in the caption.

Soon after Bindi made the post, Chandler replied in the comments: 'So many wonderful memories fit into one decade with so many more to come. I love you more and more every day.'

Late last year, Bindi celebrated 10 years with her beau, sharing a collection of loved-up memories to her Instagram

'Almost 10 years ago I fell in love with your kind heart. I'll be here loving you for the rest of my existence,' she wrote in the caption

Bindi and Chandler married on March 25, 2020 and welcomed Grace Warrior exactly one year later, on their first wedding anniversary.

Last year, it was reported that Grace is set for stardom, with many believing she could be even bigger than her late grandfather, Steve Irwin.

'Grace is an absolute natural in front of the camera,' a source told New Idea magazine in April.

'It's also believed she could be an even greater entertainer than her grandfather Steve Irwin. She's so bright and funny,' they added.

The pair married on March 25, 2020 and welcomed Grace Warrior (pictured right) exactly one year later, on their first wedding anniversary

'You have to remember that Bindi grew up in front of the cameras and was Grace's age when she first started appearing on television,' said a source.

They added that Bindi is excited about a possible new TV opportunity in the U.S. with a format similar to The Crocodile Hunter - the show that made her parents famous.

Grace's grandad Steve, known to millions around the world as the 'Crocodile Hunter', died on September 4, 2006, at the age of 44, after being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary in Batt Reef, Queensland.

The Irwin family have worked hard at preserving his conservation legacy in the years since he passed.
EastEnders' Patsy Palmer was spotted on-set for the first time ahead of her brief return to screens as Bianca Jackson in the BBC soap.

The TV legend, 51, was seen filming alongside her on-screen daughter Shona McGarty, James Farrar and Natalie Cassidy alongside a police car in a move that will no doubt delight long-time fans of the show.

Her character Bianca first hit screens in 1993 before Patsy quit in 1999 to spend more time with her family. She returned to screens in 2002 for a special and made further returns in 2009 and 2019, before her upcoming comeback.

For the scenes, she was seen wearing a leather look padded jacket in an aubergine shade while she sported a bold jumper underneath.

Known for her flame red hair, Patsy scraped her famous tresses, showing two lighter streaks while she added in huge gold hoop earrings.

EastEnders ' Patsy Palmer was spotted on-set for the first time ahead of her brief return to screens as Bianca Jackson in the BBC soap

The TV legend, 51, was seen filming alongside her on-screen daughter Shona McGarty, James Farrar and Natalie Cassidy alongside a police car in a move that will no doubt delight long-time fans of the show

Known for her flame red hair, Patsy scraped her famous tresses, showing two lighter streaks while she added in huge gold hoop earrings

Shona was seen with her on-screen mum as they shot in front of a police car

She was showing her trademark red locks with streaks of white on either side

Her character Bianca first hit screens in 1993 before Patsy quit in 1999 to spend more time with her family. She returned to screens in 2002 for a special and made further returns in 2009 and 2019, before her upcoming comeback

Earlier this week, James, 36, took to Instagram to share a video of himself, Patsy, and daughter Shona joyfully singing Whitney Houston' It's Not Right But It's OK.

James captioned his post: 'Since returning from Nepal Ive been leaving home for BBC Elstree at 5am and returning 8.30pm.

'The imminent long days and other challenges in 2024 were part of the reason we decided to embark on a trek

He continued: 'I knew filming was going to be busy from January so the adventure was a conscious decision to gain perspective before a heavy few months on set.

'12 hour hikes and the cold nights on the mountain helped prepare me for shooting in a t-shirt in the snow last Tuesday (its March in story) - @aaronthiara_ you firmed it lad.

'Youre in for a treat @patsypalmerofficial is back on set and what a joy she is to have around the place on these long days. Tish [EastEnders' Letitia Dean] told me Pats and I would get on. Full of life, and gratitude. And absolutely electric as Bianca.'

The actor finished: 'Theres been no let up in my training in January. Those 5am starts are so that I can train before I get on to set. Im still to have a day off sick in any job; having never had a day off sick from school.

Natalie is another soap icon who joined EastEnders the same years as Patsy

For the scenes, she was seen wearing a leather look padded jacket in an aubergine shade while she sported a bold jumper underneath

Fellow soap legend Natalie Cassidy was also in attendance

Bianca was last seen in Walford in September 2019 attending the ill-fated wedding of step-daughter Whitney Dean (Shona) to Callum Highway (Tony Clay), who was gay

EastEnders' Patsy Palmer has reunited with the cast of the soap after announcing she would be returning for a 'short stint'

James Ferrar took to Instagram on Thursday to share a video of himself, Patsy, and Shona joyfully singing Whitney Houston's It's Not Right But It's OK, all in full costume

'I put that down to my training and nutrition, staying focused, journaling and setting micro goals. As well as surrounding myself with the right energy. Moving my body is essential for my mindset but so are my people.'

Patsy announced her return to the soap earlier in the month, writing: 'I'm so excited to be reprising the role of Bianca. EastEnders holds such a special place in my heart, so it's always a pleasure to be back.'

Bianca was last seen in Walford in September 2019, when she attended the ill-fated wedding of her step-daughter Whitney Dean (Shona).

Whitney was marrying Callum Highway (Tony Clay) oblivious to his relationship with Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden).

She was wrapped up warm in a pair of snow boots for the scenes

The group were engrossed in deep chats
Big Brother stars Kerry Riches and Narinder Kaur were locked in a fiery exchange on Friday as they argued whether children should be paid for helping out around the house.

Kerry, a 40-year-old NHS manager from Essex appeared on Good Morning Britain to argue that chores should have a financial incentive.

While hosts Charlotte Hawkins and Ben Shephard watched on, Kerry explained how her parents would pay her to do things around the house.

She said: 'Nothing would fill me with more pride than going to the sweet shop with my 5 note that I earned.'

Yet Narinder, 50, fired back: 'I don't want to be raising a generation of slobs. You're paying your kids to do the bare minimum, what they should be doing around the house anyway.'

Big Brother stars Kerry Riches (right) and Narinder Kaur were locked in a fiery exchange on Friday as they argued whether children should be paid for helping out around the house

Kerry, a 40-year-old NHS manager from Essex, 40, appeared on Good Morning Britain to argue that chores should have a financial incentive

She added: 'You will not be rewarded for everything you do in life. You should be part of the community.'

There were no hard feelings between the women, despite the terse debate, as when Ben, 49, remarked that season two star Narinda and season 20 star Kerry should have been on Big Brother together, Kerry formed a heart with a hands in direction.

Ben ended the segment by reading out the results of GMB's public Twitter poll on the subject, published before the show began.

The results showed that just 38 percent of viewers agreed with Kerry that children should be paid to help out around the house.

That left 62 percent on Karinder's side: believing paying children to do basic tasks would set a bad precedent for the future.

Prior to her appearance, Kerry took to her Instagram Story to tell her almost 40,000 followers that she 'cannot wait' to appear on the ITV programme.

Kerry, who was the fourth housemate to be evicted from Big Brother, came under fire during her time on the show for making 'tone deaf' remarks about her salary.

She shocked viewers during a conversation with model Zak, 28, food writer Henry, 25, and barman Jenkin, 25, as they discussed the average salaries of MPs compared to the UK population.

Hours prior to her appearance, Kerry took to her Instagram Story to tell her almost 40,000 followers that she 'cannot wait' to appear on the ITV programme

Kerry said: 'I'm really proud of myself because it's really hard in the NHS but I've started in Band Two 21 years ago I was on 7,800 a year...

'But I begrudge paying the higher tax bracket massively - I don't think it's fair.'

Zak then chimed in that the 'average person makes 20,000 a year' (although the Office for National Statistics states the median annual pay for full-time employees in 2022 was 33,000) which prompted Jenkin to share his salary struggles.

Defending herself in a November MailOnline exclusive, Kerry said: 'You forget there's cameras. I'm not in the higher higher [bracket], like, I work for the NHS, are you joking me?'

Poll Should children be paid for helping out at home? Yes No Should children be paid for helping out at home? Yes 20 votes

No 43 votes Now share your opinion





'I started about 21 years ago on 7,800 and I've now got to senior management. I'm proud to where I've got too and when I was asked, I'm okay to have that conversation.

'You don't get given anything in the NHS, you work your way up and that's how you are respected. That's how you progress.

'I'm sorry if that's upset anybody, but I'd like to see people look through that because I'm a good person.'

Last year, Kerry claimed she was in talks with ITV to star in TOWIE.

She made the revelation during a livestream with her former housemate and close friend Hallie Clarke.

When Hallie asked Kerry what she was doing in London during the livestream, Kerry said: 'I'm in a meeting with someone from TOWIE.'

Although she didn't reveal exactly what they were discussing she added: 'I've got to be careful what I say. Really exciting stuff, to be honest.'

Kerry appeared on series 20 of Big Brother when the series was rebooted by ITV last year
Bryce Dallas Howard broke her silence on the Taylor Swift Argylle conspiracy theory as she appeared on Friday's upcoming episode of The Graham Norton Show.

The forthcoming spy movie is based on a yet-to-be-published novel by Elly Conway and rumours have been rife that Elly is a pseudonym for Taylor.

However, Bryce, 42, called cold water on the claims as she said, 'We cant pretend she was involved. The reality is she was in many ways a great inspiration.

'She is a cat lady, shes got this awesome backpack with a cat in that she walks around with, she loves a good argyle sweater, and there is a sort of unapologetic dorkiness about her. Thats a little bit like what my character is like.'

Bryce was joined by co-star Bryan Cranston on the red couch to promote their spy action comedy Argylle which premiered on Wednesday.

Bryce Dallas Howard broke her silence on the Taylor Swift Argylle conspiracy theory as she appeared on Friday's upcoming episode of The Graham Norton Show

The forthcoming spy movie is based on a yet-to-be-published novel by Elly Conway and r umours have been rife that Elly is a pseudonym for Taylor (pictured in November)

Argylle also stars Samuel L. Jackson, John Cena, Catherine O'Hara, Richard E. Grant, and a different pop star, Dua Lipa.

Bryce played Elly Conway in the film, and Bryan played Ritter.

Fan theories about Taylor's involvement in the film centered around the fact a cat featured heavily in the film is the same breed as Taylor's - the Scottish Fold.

The movie cat also has its own Instagram page where several Taylor hints were dropped, such as lyrics to her hit song.

The film's director Matthew Vaughn also denied rumours of Taylor's involvement in an interview with Rolling Stone.

He said: 'There is a real book  and it's a really good book. And there is an Elly Conway who wrote the book, but it's not Taylor Swift,' he clarified in a new interview with Rolling Stone.

'I did read the conspiracies and I was like, wow, they don't leave a stone unturned! But it's not Taylor Swift. She definitely didn't write the book.'

Also on Graham Norton's couch for Friday's episode were Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Bryce Dallas Howard, Bryan Cranston, Daniel Kaluuya, Kevin Bridges, and Guy Garvey of the band Elbow.

Bryce was joined by co-star Bryan Cranston on the show. The actors graced the red couch to promote their spy action comedy Argylle which premiered on Wednesday

Fans' theories centred around the fact a cat featured heavily in the film is the same breed as Taylor's - the Scottish Fold

The cat also has its own Instagram page where several Taylor hints were dropped, such as lyrics to her hit song

Argylle also stars Samuel L. Jackson, John Cena, Catherine O'Hara, Richard E. Grant, as well as Henry Cavill and Dua Lipa (pictured in the film)

Bradley, 49, and Carey, 38, discussed their film Maestro, released in November, a biopic following American composer Leonard Bernstein.

Daniel, 34, was asked if winning an Oscar for Judas and the Black Messiah, has changed his life.

He said: 'Its nuts. When we went to a party after everyone just gravitated towards me. It was great because it was just after the pandemic, and everyone was out. I was so happy.'

Asked if he will return to acting full-time, Daniel said: 'Im down for it and my bills say I should, but Im not in a rush. If the right thing comes the right thing comes.'

The Graham Norton Show airs Friday night at 10.50 pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Also on the couch on Friday were (left to right) Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Bryce, Bryan, Daniel Kaluuya, Kevin Bridges and Guy Garvey of the band Elbow

Bradley, 49, and Carey, 38, discussed their film Maestro, released in November , a biopic following American composer Leonard Bernstein
Australia's a proud nation famed for our natural landscapes, climate and mateship, but our wine  specifically shiraz  is also up there on our list of greatest accomplishments.

So there's little wonder why an American woman's treatment of a beloved Aussie classic has those of us Down Under crying out in disbelief after she paired a glass 1980 Penfolds Grange with a side of "American slop".

The vintage bottle of red comes with a hefty price tag and can be found in bottle shops for $1,000 or more. A good quality steak or a hearty meat dish is often recommended with the classic 40-year-old bottle of red, so Amanda McCrossin's pairing shocked the masses.

The Californian sommelier paired a vintage 1980 Penfolds Grange, an Aussie classic, with a Philly Cheesesteak  a type of sandwich in the US. Source: TikTok/Food Porn

US woman serves vintage Aussie wine with sandwich

In a video shared on TikTok, the sommelier from California said she was "excited" to open "one of the most iconic bottles out of Australia" and took great care in removing the "very fragile" cork using a durand  a specifically design device. Then she "very slowly and gently" pulled out the cork and cleaned the top, three hours before serving.

"You might think I'd have a super fancy meal to go with a bottle like this but I actually love going a slightly simpler route," she said in the video posted by Foodporn. Shockingly, the Napa Valley woman chose to pair her vintage wine with a Philly cheesesteak, a popular US sandwich made with thin slices of steak topped with melted cheese on a bread roll.

Aussies 'crying' over unusual pairing

In her opinion, it's the "best possible pairing for a wine like this" which can often be "really complex and nuanced". "So trying to pair with a super complex dish isn't the best way to showcase the wine," she argued  but many Australians disagreed.

Story continues

"The whole of Australia is crying right now, this a war crime," one person shot back in the comments, unable to believe what they just witnessed. "Classy Australia premium wine pair with American slop," another said.

Meanwhile, a third wrote, "I'd have had a Coke instead" implying she wasted the bottle of wine.

"As someone who lives in South Australia, home of the best wine in the world, home of Penfoldsthe pairing was seriously off," said someone else. "Isn't that a $1k bottle of wine? Surely you could find something better than a sandwich?" another agreed.

Some however, didn't mind the unusual food pairing with one saying "as an Aussie I gotta say the best pairing ever". A second agreed by saying "What a pairing, only thing more Australian would be a servo pie," they said.

Why is Penfold Grange wine so special?

Penfolds Grange has long been recognised as a unique Australian style shiraz and is said to be one of the most consistent of the world's great red wines.

According to Penfolds, "no other red wine in Australia can rival the reputation, consistent quality or proven development pattern of Penfolds Grange". Described by Vintage Cellars as "the pinnacle of the Penfolds red wine range, Grange is a rich, opulent, full-bodied Shiraz, destined for a long cellar life."

1980's Grange is "dense and chewy with generously ripe, prune/chocolate fruit flavours, pronounced grainy tannins and superb length". It's a full-bodied, dry red wine from the Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Magill, McLaren Vale & Coonawarra regions.

Some Penfolds wines are said to be a great investment for collectors as they increase in value over time.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Pakistan deserves little sympathy for the violence it is suffering. Sowing the wind in Afghanistan, Pakistan is reaping the whirlwind

The bitter falling out between Pakistan and Afghanistans Taliban rulers is one of the striking ironies of contemporary history. Islamabad could not have done more for the Taliban. It was instrumental to their establishment. Its support in the form of the training and arming of their troops, and stiffening of the latters ranks with the deputation of Pakistan Armys officers and men, enabled them to establish their first regime over most of Afghanistan in September 1997.

During the US-led campaign against the Taliban in 2001, Pakistan airlifted, with American consent, a large number of its army personnel and agents of the Directorate-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), along with top commanders and fighters of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, from Kunduz in November 2001. It, of course, did not, in keeping with its usual duplicitousness, tell Washington DC that Taliban and Al-Qaeda leaders and rank-and-filers would also be evacuated.

Pakistans support continued in an enhanced and expanded form after an alliance, spearheaded and guided by the United States, post 9/11, ousted the Taliban from Afghanistan in December 2001. Pakistan harboured their leaders, allowed them to function freely in its territory, and, besides arming and training their troops, provided them with sanctuaries in the border areas from where they could foray into Afghanistan. The Taliban would not have survived without Pakistans support. All this, of course, should not obscure the fact that relations between the latter and Afghanistan were bitterly hostile until Islamabads provision of support to the Afghan mujahideen following the Soviet Unions invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979. The hostility became manifest immediately after Pakistans independence in August 1947 when Afghanistan was the only nation to oppose Pakistans entry into the United Nations. It also actively supported armed separatist movements in the Pashtun inhabited territory and Balochistan in Pakistan.

The primary bone of contention between the two countries has been the Durand Line, which was drawn by Sir Mortimer Durand, a British diplomat and civil servant, and Abdul Rahman Khan, emir of Afghanistan, on 12 November 1893, as the official boundary between India (of which Pakistan was then a part) and Afghanistan. Subsequent to Abdul Rahman Khans death, Afghanistan ceased accepting it as the legal border as more Pashtuns, the dominant Afghan ethnic group, lived on the Pakistani side. Kabul wanted the line shifted eastward towards the Indus River to bring Pashun-majority areas in Pakistan within its fold, and free movement of people across it till then. To this end, it had supported armed ethnic Pashtun and Baloch secessionist elements in Pakistan. The latter, on its part, has persistently tried to have an Afghan government that was subservient to it and allowed it to use Afghan territory to gain strategic depth in its confrontations with India.

The antagonism had infected the populations of both countries. There were attacks on their respective diplomatic establishments on the soil of the other, leading to a break in their diplomatic ties between 1961 and 1963, and border clashes. It is now clear that the Taliban share their countrys historical stand on the Durand Line, which, if anything, has become a bigger source of tension and conflict than perhaps at any time earlier.

There have been armed clashes between the border forces of the two countries leading to periodical closure of border crossings including the principal ones at Torkham and Spinboldak. The clashes have been caused not just by the border dispute but an overall deterioration of the relations between the Taliban and Pakistan resulting from Pakistans allegation that Kabul was supporting the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which has been carrying out violent terror strikes on its soil. At a press conference on November 8, 2023, Pakistans caretaker Prime Minister, Anwar ul-Haq Kakar, launched a scathing attack on the Taliban saying that their support to TTP had contributed to a major increase in violence in his country, causing the death of 2,867 Pakistanis since the Taliban captured power in August 2021.

According to Afghanistans TOLO news, the Taliban administration spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, has denied the allegation and stated, We will not allow anyone to use Afghanistans soil to threaten other countries. Pakistani authorities should understand their responsibilities. Not surprisingly, the dispute continues, aggravated by cross-border terror strikes in Pakistan and the latters airstrikes against the TTPs bases in Afghanistan. Things have worsened by Pakistans campaign to deport what it describes as foreigners without valid visas or registration documents as refugees. The principal victims are Afghans, numbering nearly four million, who have poured into the country since the Soviet Unions invasion of their country. According to reports 450,000 of them out of a total number of 1.77 million such people (according to the Pakistani authorities) have left Pakistan. The condition of those who have been forced to leave is miserable, and the uncertainty of those living in the shadow of deportation must be nerve-wracking. The inhumanity of Pakistans campaign is unpardonable, particularly given the horrible human rights situation and the gender apartheid prevailing in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Pakistan deserves little sympathy for the violence it is suffering. The monster it has created is striking back. As the Old Testament (Hosea 8.7) says, "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind."

(The author is a Consulting Editor, at The Pioneer. The views expressed are personal)
The Indian-American community has been an anchor of the Indo-US relationship, India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu has said, emphasising that the diaspora has a great role to play in the development of India.

Sandhu was speaking at his farewell reception on Thursday in a Maryland Suburb of Washington DC that was hosted by Indian-American organisations, including Sikhs of America, Overseas Friends of BJP USA, US India SME Council.

Indian community here has been an anchor of the fantastic relationship that has emerged, Sandhu said.

During the farewell reception several members of the Indian-American community, particularly those from the Sikh Diaspora, urged him to do something for his hometown Amritsar and his home State of Punjab after his retirement.

In response, Sandhu speaking in Punjabi said that the Diaspora can do more for Amritsar.

He said that every time members of the diaspora go to Amritsar, they should spend an additional two days in the city and play a role in the development of the city and the state.

"The tourism of Amritsar is like that of Agra, no less," Sandhu said.

Addressing the gathering, Jasdip Singh Jesse from Sikhs of America, said that Sandhu has made the community proud and has played a very important role in strengthening the India-US relationship.

Under his leadership, the embassy resolved several issues impacting the community.

Adapa Prasad, president of Overseas Friends of BJP USA, said that Sandhu has been the top Indian diplomat during whose tenure the bilateral relationship reached a new height.

He hoped that the country would continue to benefit from his services in one capacity or the other post-retirement.

Elisha Pulivarti, president of the US-India SME Council, presented Sandhu with the Modern Day Chanakya and Master Strategist award on the occasion.

Sandhu, 61, retires from the foreign service after 35 years of diplomatic career this month.
With the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) stating in its report that the Gyanvapi Mosque in the Kashi Vishwanath premises was built after demolishing a Hindu Temple, the roads are seemingly being cleared to reinstall a similar temple. This move may evoke Ayodhya-type enthusiasm within the Hindu community, which has been fighting the case for decades, similar to the Ram Janambhoomi case.

In a significant development that occurred a couple of days after the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the ASI report, released to both Hindu and Muslim parties on Thursday evening, confirmed the existence of a large Hindu Temple before the construction of the existing structure.

"Indeed, this is a joyous moment for all of us and for those showing their allegiance to Sanatan Dharma. Personally, I am very happy, as since my childhood, I used to visit almost every day to pay obeisance to Shiva and Parvati, but I could not worship the place where it is believed that Parvati Mata used to worship with holy Ganga water. The area remains under grills as the mosque is there, and now, tides are changing, and the pious place shall be restored to us," said Sita Devi, one of the petitioners in the Gyanvapi case, a resident of Varanasi near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Sita was contacted over the phone by The Pioneer from Delhi.

On Wednesday, a Varanasi district court had directed that the scientific survey report prepared by the ASI on the Gyanvapi mosque in July 2023 be supplied to all parties to the dispute.

Judge AK Vishvesha ordered that all parties to the case should have access to the report about the mosque. After the distribution of the ASI report, all parties will have the right to comment on the report's findings.

Advocate for the Hindu side Vishnu Shakar Jain told the media and shared a few details of the ASI report supplied to both Hindu and Muslim parties. He mentioned that the findings clearly indicate that the mosque was built over an old temple.

The ASI report, which included a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey, raises questions about the historical layers on the site. According to Jain, the current structure seems to have been built upon a pre-existing structure. "These are, in fact, inscriptions on the stone of a pre-existing Hindu temple that have been reused during the construction and repair of the existing structure," he added.

"The reuse of earlier inscriptions in the structure suggests that the earlier structures were destroyed, and their parts were reused in the construction and repair of the existing structure. Three names of deities such as Janardana, Rudra, and Umeshwara are found in these inscriptions," the senior advocate added.

"The ASI has stated that during the survey, a number of inscriptions were noticed on the existing and pre-existing structure. A total of 34 inscriptions were recorded during the present survey, and 32 stamped pages were taken," Jain said while reading out the report.

"The ASI findings suggest that modifications were made to the mosque, reusing pillars and plaster with minor alterations. Some pillars from the Hindu temple were slightly modified for use in the new structure, and attempts were made to remove the carvings on the pillars," Jain said, citing the ASI report.

Jain claimed that the report also revealed inscriptions belonging to the ancient Hindu temple, written in Devanagari, Telugu, Kannada, and other scripts.

The last page of the ASI report, a copy of which is also with The Pioneer, states: "The structure appears to have been destroyed in the 17th Century, during the reign of Aurangzeb, and part of it was modified. Based on scientific studies, surveys carried out, and the study of architectural remains, exposing the features and artifacts, inscriptions, art, and sculptures, it can be said that there existed a Hindu Temple before the construction of the existing structure."

In July of last year, the court had ordered the Director of the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, excluding the area previously sealed by the Supreme Court (wuzukhana or an ablution pond). The ASI carried out the survey.

In August of last year, the Supreme Court rejected the plea by the Muslim party challenging the survey and stated that the High Court order for the survey does not warrant interference by the apex court at this stage, as such a survey was conducted even in the Ayodhya case.

The Muslim parties had also filed an application under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC challenging the maintainability of the suit on grounds that the Places of Worship Act of 1991, introduced at the height of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, seeks to protect the status of all religious structures as they stood on August 15, 1947. Both the district court and the High Court had rejected the same and held the suit to be maintainable.
The Bengal Congress continued to criticise Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for behaving like a BJP leader, even as he complained about the Bengal Government's "non-cooperative" attitude towards Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. "I don't know what their attitude is towards the Yatra as part of the INDIA alliance. I am eager to understand more about the reasons behind their non-cooperative approach," said Chowdhury, Pradesh Congress president.

The Trinamool Congress administration, let alone participating in it, has denied permission for the Congress Yatra in Siliguri, as informed by the PCC leadership to The Pioneer. The Congress had planned to organise a rally on January 28 as part of its Yatra in Darjeeling. However, the district administration has denied permission, citing a competitive examination scheduled for the same date.

"There will be a competitive exam for recruitment in the State police on the given date, and the rally will disrupt the exams. Therefore, permission has been withdrawn," said a PCC member, quoting the State administration.

As if the "imprudence" in Siliguri was not enough, the administration has also withdrawn the permission for the Behrampore Stadium on January 31. Rahul, who is to hold a rally at Murshidabad on February 1, was to spend the previous night there.

"They are not allowing us to use the nearby ground either. While the district administration had initially granted us permission, as we had provided them with the plans well in advance, the collectorate is now informing us that they cannot provide the ground for Rahul Gandhi's stay because the CM has an administrative meeting on that day. Is this how an INDIA ally conducts itself?" a PCC leader said.

Chowdhury, who had refrained from commenting in public against the TMC in the past few days, particularly after Banerjee announced her Ekla Chalo (solo campaign) policy in Bengal and accused the Congress of neglecting her, finally spoke up on Friday, faulting the State Government for its antagonistic attitude.

"In Manipur and Assam, the BJP Governments were hostile towards us, impeding every step of Rahul Gandhi ji's Yatra. But in Bengal too, things have been no different. Right from the day we entered this State, we have been facing a hostile atmosphere. I am eager to understand why, despite being a constituent of the Indian National Developmental Alliance, they are being so non-cooperative with us. They withdrew permission for a rally in Siliguri, which was a pre-declared programme, and now they are doing the same in Murshidabad," a visibly irate Chowdhury said.

Another senior PCC leader, Soumya Aich Roy, also accused the Chief Minister of working to disturb the Congress and help the BJP. "Mamata Banerjee cannot stand by the INDIA even if she wants to because she has to save her family from the ED. You know why. She will have to take orders from them and destabilise the Congress here," he said.

However, TMC MP Shantanu Sen, refuting the Congress' accusations, said, "Adhir Chowdhury is responsible for the INDIA alliance falling apart in West Bengal. Secondly, all Opposition parties conduct programmes in the State, and nobody faces any problems. The administration must have taken the decision as there are board examinations in schools."

Political analyst BN Chakrabarty doubted, "There is definitely something brewing up between the TMC and BJP in Bengal. Such a concept may not be completely outlandish in the context of the present and recent developments in Bihar and Maharashtra."
Amid political uncertainty in Bihar, where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is, in all likelihood, prepared to break ranks with his alliance partners RJD, Congress, and others, and realign with his "natural" ally BJP, former Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi indicated that doors are never permanently closed to anyone in politics.

Ever since Nitish separated for the third time from the BJP in Bihar, Sushil Modi has, on numerous occasions, said that Nitish will not be welcomed back into the BJP fold. However, sources in both the BJP and the JD(U) indicated that a "dignified" realignment is being worked out against the backdrop of BJP leadership repeatedly tagging Nitish as a 'Paltu Ram'.

BJP sources have asserted that the JD(U) joining their alliance will ensure a sweeping victory for the NDA in the Lok Sabha polls. In the 2019 elections, the NDA secured 39 out of Bihar's 40 seats. However, a faction of BJP leaders from Bihar is reluctant to align with the JD(U), citing a perceived decline in Nitish's popularity.

After Nitish severed ties with the BJP in 2022, the party initially declared that its doors were permanently closed to Bihar's longest-serving chief minister. However, lately, party leaders have adopted a more conciliatory tone, especially as the INDIA bloc faces internal crises.

Amid this rapidly changing scenario, some political insiders from stakeholder parties suggest the possibility of the existing JD(U) breaking apart. One faction may align with the RJD, while another might join the BJP. Regardless, there seems to be no likelihood of the Assembly being dissolved, as the Bihar Assembly Speaker belongs to the ruling RJD, the largest party in Bihar with 75 MLAs. The BJP follows with 74, while Nitish Kumar's faction leads the State with a modest 43 legislators in the Assembly.

On their part, JD(U)'s political adviser and spokesperson KC Tyagi has asserted that the JD(U) is the "architect of INDIA" and wishes to remain a part of the coalition, although developments in West Bengal and Punjab are causing concern.

State BJP president Samrat Choudhary, who met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the party's principal strategist, in Delhi on Thursday night, asserted that the talks focused on the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. "Our top leaders, like Amit Shah and national president JP Nadda, have publicly stated that the doors of the BJP are closed. As a party worker, I adhere to that stance. Nitish Kumar, to us, is a politician who changes his allies like clothes," said Choudhary.

On Republic Day, Nitish attended the high tea ceremony at the Raj Bhavan in Patna, where his deputy Tejashwi Yadav was absent.

The JD(U) asserted on Friday that the party is "firmly with the INDIA coalition" but emphasised the need for the Congress to engage in "introspection" regarding alliance partners and seat-sharing. Bihar State JD(U) president Umesh Singh Kushwaha made this statement, refuting rumours that his party, led by the chief minister, was contemplating a return to the BJP-led NDA.

Meanwhile, the Congress, which is a part of the present coalition government in Bihar, has called for a meeting of its legislators led by Congress CLP leader Dr. Shakeel Ahmed Khan in Purnia on Saturday afternoon.

The BJP has been in communication with its Bihar allies, including Chirag Paswan and former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, regarding the developments in the state. However, they have not received a clear indication about the possibility of JD(U) returning to their fold.

Former Lok Janshakti Party president Chirag Paswan revealed that he was "in constant touch with the top BJP leadership" but considered the question of whether Nitish Kumar would be acceptable as a new NDA partner as "hypothetical."
The Delhi Police's all-women contingent marched down the Kartavya Path on Republic Day for the first time in its history on Friday.

The contingent was led by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Shweta K Sugathan.

The Delhi Police contingent comprised one female gazetted officer, three women sub-inspectors, 44 women head-constables, and 100 women constables, all draped in red 'safa'.

The first all women contingent of the Delhi Police celebrated after their maiden Republic Day parade, by dancing to the drumbeats and distributing sweets on Friday over their historic achievement.

A video of the members of contingent in their uniforms, waiving their arms and dancing cheerfully to the tune played by their band, went viral on social media.

Sugathan had led the male marching contingents in 2023 too, when a woman officer led the male soldiers for the first time.

"It was a goosebumps moment for all of us.

As our contingent reached the Red Fort, we were welcomed by our senior officials with great zeal," Shweta Sugathan, 2018 batch IPS officer who led the contingent in the parade, said.

The audience at Kartavya Path loudly cheered after all women contingent of the Delhi Police marched on the 75th Republic Day for the first time in its history.

History was made today when the first all women contingent and the band of Delhi Police marched on Kartavya Path this Republic Day, said Delhi Police spokesperson Suman Nalwa.
In a significant development that occurred a couple of days after the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) released a report on Thursday evening confirming the existence of a large Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure.

On Wednesday, a Varanasi district court directed that the scientific survey report, prepared by the ASI on the Gyanvapi mosque in July 2023, be supplied to all parties involved in the dispute. Judge AK Vishvesha ordered that all parties to the case should have access to the report concerning the mosque. Following the distribution of the ASI report, all parties will have the right to comment on the findings."

The Hindu advocate, Vishnu Shakar Jain, told the media and read out a few details from the ASI report supplied to both Hindu and Muslim parties. The findings clearly indicate that the mosque was built over an old temple.

The last page of the ASI report, a copy of which is also with The Pioneer, states: The structure appears to have been destroyed in the 17th Century during the reign of Aurangzeb, and part of it was modified. Based on scientific studies/surveys conducted, the study of architectural remains, exposure of features and artifacts, inscriptions, art, and sculptures, it can be concluded that there existed a Hindu temple before the construction of the existing structure. 

The court on Wednesday had said that both parties involved in the suit must be provided with copies of the survey report to enable them to file objections against the ASI report if they deem it necessary. The court emphasised that without providing a copy of the survey report to the parties, it would be impossible for them to file objections.

For this purpose, the court suggested that the sealed envelope containing the survey report presented by the ASI could be opened by the appeal clerk. The court added, Subsequently, copies can be provided to the concerned parties upon their request, following the relevant legal provisions and rules.

In July of last year, the court had directed the Director of the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, excluding the area previously sealed by the Supreme Court (wuzukhana or an ablution pond). The ASI successfully carried out the survey.

In August of the same year, the Supreme Court rejected the plea by the Muslim party challenging the survey. The court asserted that the High Court's order for the survey did not warrant interference by the apex court at this stage, citing a similar survey conducted in the Ayodhya case.

The Muslim parties had also filed an application under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC challenging the maintainability of the suit. They argued that the Places of Worship Act of 1991, introduced during the height of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, aims to protect the status of all religious structures as they stood on August 15, 1947. Both the district court and the High Court rejected this application, affirming the suit's maintainability.
The BJP on Friday took potshots at the Congress claiming the Mamata Banerjee government has decided to deny permission to Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in West Bengal to "humiliate" the grand-old party.

The BJP's jibe came after West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said his party was facing problems in getting permission for organising some public meetings in West Bengal as part of the yatra.

In a post on X, BJP co-incharge for West Bengal and IT department head Amit Malviya said, "Mamata Banerjee's decision to deny Rahul Gandhi's Yatra permission is like the last nail in the coffin of I.N.D.I. Alliance."

"The decision is intended to humiliate the Congress... But it is interesting to see the Congress suffer from stockholm syndrome and continue to plead Mamata Banerjee to join the Yatra for just 5 minutes," he added.

Malviya claimed Banerjee is "nervous" and doing all this in the hope that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) can contest all the Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal to "remain relevant after results".

"The excuse that it has been done in view of exams is a sham. There is no such compulsion because exams start on February 2 and the Yatra was to enter Siliguri region on January 28," he said.

Banerjee on Wednesday announced her party will fight the Lok Sabha polls "alone" in the state, a remark that rattled the Congress and sent political ripples in the INDIA bloc.

The seat-sharing proposals between the Congress and the TMC went haywire after the latter accused the grand old party of making unjustified demands without acknowledging the ground reality.

Speaking to reporters in Siliguri on Friday, Chowdhury said the schedule of Gandhi's yatra was submitted to the administration in the state long before.

"In some places, we are facing roadblocks as we are not getting permission to organise public meetings, citing exams. The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra has faced problems in the Northeast, including Assam, and now it is facing problems in TMC-ruled West Bengal as well," Chowdhury, who is also leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, said.

"We were denied permission to hold a public meeting in Siliguri. We expected better cooperation from the state government. Anyways, the route and the itinerary of the yatra remain the same except for a few changes," he added.
India celebrated its 75th Republic Day on Friday with a grand display of its women power, rich cultural heritage and military might comprising missiles, warplanes, surveillance gadgets and lethal weapon systems with French President Emmanuel Macron gracing the occasion as the chief guest.

The Republic Day Parade at the Kartavya Path in the heart of the national capital commenced with President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute shortly after she and Macron, flanked by the Indian president's bodyguards, arrived in a 'traditional buggy'.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, several other Union ministers, the country's top military brass, foreign diplomats and senior officials were among those who witnessed the impressive show that also included a gravity-defying fly-past by helicopters and planes, with even a dense fog failing to dampen the spirits of the spectators.

Soon after Murmu and Macron left from Kartavya Path in a traditional buggy, which made a comeback after 40 years, after the end of the parade, Modi, wearing a multi-coloured 'bandhani' print safa, mingled with the excited crowd as people clicked pictures and welcomed him with claps and slogans of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai".

For the first time, an all-women tri-services contingent marched down the Kartavya Path, reflecting the country's growing 'Nari Shakti' (women power).

In another first, the parade was heralded by over 100 women artistes playing Indian musical instruments such as sankh, naadswaram and nagada instead of traditional military bands kickstarting the celebrations.

The first Army contingent leading the mechanised column was the 61 Cavalry, which was raised in 1953. It was followed by 11 mechanised columns, 12 marching contingents and a fly-past by advanced light helicopters of the Army Aviation Corps.

T-90 Bhishma tanks, NAG missile systems, infantry combat vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, weapon locating radar system 'Swathi', drone jammer system and medium-range surface-to-air missiles were among the key displays by the mechanised columns.

The all-women tri-service contingent, led by Captain Sandhya of Army Military Police, with three supernumerary officers Captain Sharanya Rao, Sub Lieutenant Anshu Yadav and Flight Lieutenant Shrishti Rao, drew huge applause.

Another all-women Armed Forces Medical Services contingent, headed by Major Srishti Khullar with Captain Amba Samant of the Army Dental Corps, Surgeon Lieutenant Kanchana of the Indian Navy and Flight Lieutenant Dhivya Priya of the Indian Air Force, also marched down the ceremonial boulevard.

The Army's marching contingents included the Madras Regiment, the Grenadiers, the Rajputana Rifles, the Sikh Regiment and the Kumaon Regiment.

The Indian Navy's contingent consisted of 144 men and women Agniveers, led by Lt Prajwal M as contingent commander and Lt Mudita Goyal, Lt Sharvani Supreiya and Lt Devika H as platoon commanders.

It was followed by a naval tableau, depicting the themes 'Nari Shakti' and 'Sea Power Across the Oceans Through Indigenisation'.

Quick reaction surface-to-air missile (QRSAM), Astra, Light Combat Aircraft 'Tejas', Uttam active electronically scanned array radar (AESAR), advanced electronic warfare systems and Shakti Cyber Security systems were also on display.

The themes of the celebrations were -- 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat -- Loktantra Ki Matruka' (India--Mother of Democracy). A 95-member marching contingent and a 30-member band contingent from France also took part in the parade.

Two Rafale fighters and an Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft of the French air force also featured in the celebrations.

The celebrations ended with a jaw-dropping fly-past by 46 aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

The IAF fleet included 29 fighter jets, seven transport aircraft, nine helicopters and a heritage plane. All these aircraft operated from six different bases.

Fifteen women pilots, including six from the fighter streams, operated the IAF platforms during the fly-past.

For the first time, indigenously-built Tejas aircraft flew in a formation of four aircraft. There was a previous occasion of one Tejas jet being part of the Republic Day parade but this was the first time that the aircraft flew in a formation.

The ceremony started with the prime minister's visit to the National War Memorial, where he led the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath.

Minutes later, President Murmu and her French counterpart Macron arrived in the 'traditional buggy'.

The national flag was then unfurled, followed by the national anthem with a 21-gun salute using the indigenous 105-mm Indian Field Guns.

Four Mi-17 IV helicopters of the 105 Helicopter Unit showered flower petals on the audience present at Kartavya Path. This was followed by 'Aavaahan', a band performance by over 100 women artistes playing various types of percussion instruments.

The parade then commenced with President Murmu taking the salute. It was commanded by Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area.

The Kartavya Path also witnessed a march past by a combined band and marching contingent of the French armed forces.

A total of 16 tableaux from states and Union territories and nine from central ministries and departments rolled down the Kartavya Path during the parade.

The states and Union territories from where the tableaux took part in the parade are Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana.
A young woman who died just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer is being remembered for her "sense of humour, her giggle and her ability laugh while sick in a hospital bed".

South Australian Ashlee Colmer found out just two months ago she was sick, being diagnosed with T-cell leukaemia on November 26. The 28-year-old at first thought she'd contracted the flu, with her symptoms lasting around six weeks.

Eventually she decided to check herself into hospital after being bedridden at home. She would never check out.

Ashlee Colmer, pictured with her husband Brayden, died just two weeks after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Source: The Adelaide Advertiser.

Aussie's shock diagnosis

The nail tech artist, who married her long-term partner Brayden in 2021, quickly found out at the Royal Adelaide Hospital she had blood cancer, a condition that eventually claimed her life on January 10.

"She was so brave, putting optimism and hope right up here, talking about remission, future plans," her cousin Megan Atze told The Advertiser. "She never got discharged. [She had] lots of tests, blood transfusions, chemo."

Colmer's bravery, humour remembered

Loved ones say they'll always remember Ashlee's love for her family and friends and her humour  which remained until the very end. Her family say she demonstrated total bravery throughout her treatment, even shaving her head herself during chemo.

"Her marriage with Brayden was really strong," Ms Atze said. "He spent lots of nights with her in the hospital. I will always remember her sense of humour, her giggle, her ability to gossip, joke, laugh while sick in a hospital bed.

Ashlee pictured here on her wedding day. Source: The Adelaide Advertiser.

"I [saw] her one week prior, [she was] still eating, drinking, talking, laughing, making jokes and most importantly, still online shopping." Sadly, those orders will arrive without Ashlee being there to collect them.

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She is survived by her husband Brayden, father Kevin, mother Lisa, stepfather Duane and brother Ben. A fundraiser to cover Colmer's funeral costs can be found here.

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Several thousand university students and supporters took part in a protest in central Athens Thursday to oppose plans by Greeces conservative government to allow privately run universities. The protesters, chanting Students, United, Will Win, filed past the main Athens University building and statues of the ancient Greek philosophers Plato and Socrates as they marched through central Athens and riot police took up positions in nearby side streets. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis centre-right government is pushing through several key pieces of legislation early in the new year, taking advantage of a landslide reelection in 2023, and a huge lead in opinion polls. It argues the measure would stop thousands of Greeks going abroad each year to study, and would keep vital skills in the country.

But opponents say it would undermine public universities, which are already facing funding difficulties.

The government has faced a series of protests by various professional groups in recent weeks, triggered by the legislative reforms and the cost of living crisis.In central Greece Thursday, farmers used tractors to block sections of a highway, demanding additional financial support from the government to reduce production costs. Farmers groups told The Associated Press that they were holding meetings Thursday to consider further action
Disturbing new details have emerged after a 10-year-old Australian girl drowned on a family holiday to New Zealand.

The schoolgirl was visiting the Fiordland National Park on the South Island with her family when she fell into Marian Creek at 11.40am local time on Thursday. Police believe she had fallen off a rock next to a viewing platform.

She was swept down the fast-flowing creek "a considerable distance through some very turbulent water", according to Te Anau Sergeant Tod Hollebon. The girl was part of a family group of eight, including her grandparents, parents and at two siblings, who were halfway through their eight-day holiday to New Zealand.

It's understood the Australian schoolgirl was swept a 'considerable distance' down the fast-flowing creek in New Zealand. Source: Getty

Details of tragedy emerge

Hollebon described the incident as a "tragedy" and a "shock". "No one wants to be in a situation where a family has lost a young daughter, and a sister, he told Stuff.

"It's incredibly tragic [this happens when] people come on holiday with their family ... It's a disaster for them and their extended family and friends. The Marian Creek is extremely fast flowing and for that reason it's an attraction."

The girl was located and removed from the water downstream a short time later, Southland Area Commander Inspector Mike Bowman told local media. A doctor was flown to the scene and CPR was performed but the girl could not be revived.

This has been a traumatic event for those involved and police are providing whanau (family) with support, Inspector Bowman said.

We would like to extend our sincere condolences to them. Police would like to thank all those involved, in particular the members of the public who assisted in locating and providing assistance to the young girl.

Marian Creek walking track where the family were. Source: Department of Conservation

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Family 'absolutely devastated'

Its understood that the family had done a cruise at the picturesque Milford Sound in the morning before the tragedy occurred when they were walking back to the South Island town of Te Anau. The region has seen heavy rain recently after a weather bomb "hammered" the West Coast.

Its understood the family are "devastated, absolutely devastated". "It just shows you how things can happen in a flash," an onlooker told Stuff.

Southland district mayor Rob Scott said on Friday morning the incident was just heartbreaking. "I can imagine they're going through a very tough time," he said.

Its understood police have been providing support for the family and liaising with the Australian embassy.

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Electric vehicles have been infuriating Aussies left right and centre for their "privileged" car spaces and chargers taking up footpaths. But, what if you rocked up to your local petrol station to find yourself queued behind a Tesla that had used a petrol pump as a place to park?

A photo claiming this situation was happening at a local South Sydney petrol station has caused hundreds to protest the move with some going so far as to say the EV drivers should be "fined" for doing such a thing.

"This f***wit parked at the petrol pump in his Tesla to go in and buy a car wash," the post on Reddit said with the debate raging on within hours of posting.

An electric Tesla pictured parked next to a petrol pump at a Sydney service station. Source: Reddit/CarsAustralia

They are still customers, others argue

There were those with electric vehicles and those without who defended the Tesla driver saying they're a customer too. "I do it all the time if the parking spots are full. I'm still a customer going in to buy something. I will take the furthest pump so as to not inconvenience someone," one responded.

"I was told by a worker I'm allowed to park there if I'm just running in, even if not getting fuel," another argued.

Others were as agitated as the original poster. "There should be some kind of fine for EVs parking in combustion engine bays," a person exclaimed.

"I usually park in the EV car parks... it's fun getting the rage notes. Put the charging cord under the bonnet for extra dash cam lols," another shared as a suggestion for revenge.

Aussies bitterly divided over EV parking spots

It's not the first occasion where a parked electric vehicle has caused a debate, residents in Sydney spotted charger stations popping up in the streets in October, with only EVs able to park in the two spots directly in front of the device between set hours.

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Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, a spokesperson for the City of Sydney Council confirmed at the time that a "small number of on-street chargers" were being rolled out across the LGA and reserving those spots for EVs, much to the anger of locals.

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A strange "tongue-like" creature has washed ashore at a secluded ocean beach and experts are torn over what the fleshy pink and red organism actually is.

Uploading an image to social media on a marine identification community page, a woman described the find at Hungry Head, south of Coffs Harbour in NSW, saying she'd "seen lots washed up" along the shoreline.

People stumped over fleshy's organism's origins

Asking for help to identify the slimy blob, people on social media were quick to respond with their suggestions, many confused over its origins.

"It's looks like a pork hock to me," a woman joked. "It's bacon," another said in jest. "Is it a human heart?" another person hypothesised.

People are confused over the origins of this slimy tongue-like creature. Source: Facebook.

Experts weighs in

While members of public put forward a number of ideas, nobody seemed to be able to decide. When Yahoo News asked the experts, even they couldn't quite make a definitive call based on the image.

A spokesperson for Sea Life Sydney Aquarium said they'd need a closer look to make an positive identification.

The team at Australian Institute of Marine Science said the creature is a most likely a sea squirt.

Sea slugs can reach up to 20cm in length. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

"Our scientists are not entirely sure from the picture but they think its a sea squirt (Ascidian). These are common for the area and can break off from rocks and shells in storms," a spokesperson told Yahoo.

According to the team at Queensland Museum, it could be a sea slug. "Our scientists suggest its probably a sea slug, but difficult to go further than that without closer examination," a spokesperson said.

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Russia is on the warpath and is not going to stop, despite all the Western politicians with their heads firmly lodged in the sand. The people who are appeasing Putin like Macron and other European leaders are already defeated by Russias aggressive stance and are useless pawns in a deadly game of chess played by Grandmaster Putin, they are of no worth to anyone apart from Russia. National service is coming.

The Ukraine war has shown that every country needs armed forces and a constant flow of recruits as well as arms. Unfortunately for Ukraine, it has not built up a sufficient military infrastructure or equipment and relies on the Western NATO forces to arm their troops. The average age of soldiers at the front is currently 43 and the Ukrainian military is desperate for younger recruits.

Britain is in a very similar quandary as Ukraine, as our armed forces are severely depleted and miniscule military spending over decades by successive governments has left the entire defence force wanting. It needs new recruits, and it needs more funding to meet the increasing threats from Russia, China, N. Korea and Iran. It may already be too late, as the war drums wait for no one.

Putin, much like Hitler, will not stop at Ukraine, and if he is not repelled he will go through Europe like a knife through butter. When it comes to war, it is best not to leave it to the French, who will most probably surrender at the first shot being fired. Furthermore, Macron makes daily phone calls to his friend Putin, and is an unreliable leader to deal with regarding the defence of Europe.

Woke demoralisation

The unfortunate factor in all of this is that Generation X as a group of people are mostly incompatible with military duties, as many of them have been pacified and wokified over years of indoctrination.

The woke movement has been utilised against Western nations as a destabilising, demoralising element, and it has worked wonders. Enemies of the West infiltrated and indoctrinated many people so that the rot could expand from within.

Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood recently revealed Britain was not equipped to deal with what is coming over the horizon.

Mr Ellwood said that following decades of post-Cold War peace there was a growing sense that authoritarian states could exploit our timidity, perhaps our reluctance to really put fires out  pointing to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Subsequently, the head of the British Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, has also revealed that under its current state the UK would not be prepared in the event of a war.

The numbers do not add up

More than 16,000 military personnel left last year, and the intake was only 12,000. Regular UK personnel are currently at 139,000 whilst trained reserves are at a pitiful 29,930.

The 2021 census revealed that in England and Wales there were a total of 1.85 million veterans.

In their terms of service and during their attestation, recruits are told: If you fail to report at the time and place as specified in the notice calling you out for permanent service without leave of absence, sickness or other reasonable excuse, you will render yourself liable to arrest and prosecution.

Current serving personnel are also told they may lose your entitlement to discharge or be required to extend your service while an order is in place.

Britain last called out its regular reserve during the initial stages of the Gulf War and during the Covid-19 pandemic, where the specialist skills of those who had recently left were required.

Current policy is not to recall those over the age of 55. However, it can be higher for some people.

Once served with a call-out notice, veterans are also to be informed that on acceptance into service they become subject to Service Law once again.

RAF officers who served on a permanent commission and who have completed their service are designated as Retired List officers.

Their liability to recall continues to the age of 60 for officers up to the rank of OF5 and in the case of RAF air officers to the age of 65 for 1- and 2- star ranks, and to the age 67 for 3- and 4-star ranks.

Former Naval other ranks, Army other ranks and RAF personnel who are in receipt of a military pension are designated as service pensioners. Such pensioners are subject to recall up to the age of 60 or for Home Defence Service, and there is no limit on the length of service that may be required after recall.

During WW2, those who could not be sent to the front because of their age or health conditions formed the Home Guard and were tasked with protecting Britain from German invasion.

Unlike the volunteer Army Reserve, regular reservists do not conduct military training after leaving the Armed Forces and do not have a uniform at home.

Instead, they are retained by name on the MODs database. Those who have retired from the military and now living abroad are still liable for reserve service.

The truth is that even with military veterans recalled for duty, the numbers still do not add up because it is inevitable that during a conflict there will be many casualties and deaths.

This is why it will also be necessary to reintroduce compulsory conscription for all fighting age men in the UK when the time comes. The moment to prepare is now, because war does not stop for anyone, and the front lines of Ukraine are just the beginning. We must also consider the Middle East escalation, Iran and its proxies, as well as China and its aspirations in the South China Sea.

Now is the time, or forever be forgotten.
China's Spring Festival travel rush 2024 begins today!

(People's Daily App) 15:02, January 26, 2024

The 2024 Spring Festival travel rush starts today, with an anticipated 480 million trips across China's robust railway system. Often likened to an "aircraft carrier on land," the railway network is well-prepared for the influx of travelers as millions of Chinese individuals return to their hometowns to celebrate the Spring Festival. This annual migration will continue until March 5th, symbolizing the heartfelt reunions and joyous festivities awaiting this special time.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Locals and tourists are being warned not to risk their lives in and around many waterways as the chance of seeing a crocodile has been heightened because of the recent onslaught of rain in the Top End.

What's more, because it's breeding season, they're also "a bit more aggressive" local fisherman Rodney Fischer told Yahoo News Australia, agreeing it's important to be "croc wise" in and around the water.

Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife has reminded Aussies this week that while saltwater crocs are "amazing animals" they "can and will kill you if given the chance" alongside a photo showing just how hidden they can be.

A photo shared on Facebook by the government organisation shows how the large reptile can easily be missed. Surrounded by lush trees at an unnamed location is a murky pond and in it, pointy scales can be seen sticking out in the distance.

Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife warned Aussies just how easily crocs can hide in waterways of any size or depth. Source: Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife

The organisation warned that during the wet season  which typically runs between November and April  "saltwater crocodiles can and do move around more than normal during times of flooding". Heavy rains have flooded parts of the territory in recent weeks, flooding access roads and homes.

Crocs can be found in 'any waterway'

It's not just large rivers or lakes that are at risk of becoming home to the animals though, as the organisation warned "saltwater crocodiles can potentially be found in any waterway"  regardless of its size or depth.

"Crocs move around to find food and mates. It doesnt matter how big or how small, shallow or deep, or fast flowing or still the body of water is," the social media post said. "Saltwater crocodiles can potentially be found in any waterway whether its a quiet and shallow waterhole, a busy roadside culvert or the mighty Adelaide River."

"Saltwater crocodiles are important to the culture of many Territorians, they are also important to the Territory economy and an essential part of our Top End ecosystem," the post continued. "They are amazing animals, but they can and will kill you if given the chance. Prioritise safety when you are in or near Top End waterways and make sure to stay five metres back from the waters edge at all times."

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Fischer agreed that people "need to take notice of warning signs" around the area. "It is the breeding season now, so the crocs are a bit more aggressive, so that makes them more dangerous," he said.

Crocodiles can disappear quickly underwater and can be hard to spot (picture taken at the Mowbray Bridge near Port Douglas, Queensland). Source: Peach Pankhurst

Crocs can be 'invisible underwater'

In November, a Queensland woman told Yahoo News Australia that she was shocked to see "just how quickly a croc can become "invisible underwater". She warned people on social media not to swim in areas known for crocodiles after filming the native animal floating in the water before suddenly disappearing beneath the surface.

"This is why I don't swim in the water," she told Yahoo at the time."It just reinforced that just because you cant see crocs around doesnt mean theyre not there".

Cahill Crossing is known to have an abundance crocodiles, with visitors often warned to be careful. Source: Facebook

NT has largest population of crocs

The NT is home to the world's largest wild crocodile population, with more than 100,000 of the predators in the wild. An estimated 10 per cent of these can be found at Cahills Crossing in Kakadu. Fischer said it appears croc numbers "are increasing" throughout the Northern Territory. "I think they're just starting to get back to a healthy population. Like they would have been before they were hunted,' he said.

There are more saltwater crocodiles in the NT than Queensland and Western Australia where the reptiles can also be spotted. Warnings have been issued previously to tourists visiting the popular Cahills Crossing, famous for its abundance of crocodiles. A photo of a group of tourists casually standing on the crossing previously prompted widespread condemnation.

Last month, a freshwater crocodile was spotted in a shallow waterway on the side of a remote road in Darwin. The crocodile can be seen enjoying the cool water in the iconic landscape as the state sweltered through an extreme heatwave.

This month, Aussie police battled crocodiles to recover a young driver's body. And a nine-year-old boy was attacked by a croc while visiting the Kakadu National Park.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
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Teams built and programmed robots at the event, and were scored based on how many commands the robots completed. Each team received three chances to return to the BOCES gymnasium to modify their robots in hopes of earning the best possible score. Family, friends and school district officials attended the event to cheer on their teams, Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES said in a news release.
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A local pub and restaurant has revealed that their venue was used as a film location for one of Pierce Brosnan's latest movies.

The Old Thatch Inn welcomed the Irish and American actor, crew and fellow actors during a day of filming for The Last Riflemen back in August.

The film is inspired by a true story of a World War II veteran living in a care home in Northern Ireland.

The popular venue near Castledawson have only revealed news of their VIP visitors now as they were previously sworn to secrecy.

The news came in the same week that 007 star Brosnan is set to be honoured with an Oscar Wilde Award at the US-Ireland Alliances annual event in March.

When we were approached, I thought that it was too good to be true, said Michaela Diamond, the General manager of The Old Thatch Inn.

They came a couple of times to make sure that it was a good fit for the film.

For the family-run business, all seemed a bit surreal until they received a phonecall confirming that the pub would be used as a filming location for the movie.

They basically then gave me a call a couple of weeks before and said you've been chosen as one of the locations.

I couldnt believe it, said Michaela.

There were about 50 members of the crew.

I just had to get the ball rolling and we had to close for the day and they also closed the whole road.

I had to communicate with Pierce Brosnan quite a lot throughout the day because they were there first thing in the morning until late.

It was like a 12-hour day of filming.

Michaela continued: Pierce even poured himself a pint of Guinness. The phone did not stop ringing during the day because we were closed and he answered the phone himself. I said Nobodys gonna believe you and he said, Hello, Pierce speaking over the phone."

Since the movie's release, Michaela has been on the radio and has started seeing the benefits of The Old Thatch Inn being used as a filming location.

For us, it's such a big deal. Our small business had such a huge film star coming but we couldn't really say anything," said Michaela, who has hopes of more movie stars coming through the door of The Old Thatch Inn.

Never say never. I think it'd be hard to do better than 007, she laughed.
A man has appeared at Derry Magistrates Court charged with criminal damage, disorderly behaviour and assault.

Christopher Villa (34) of Ballyarnett Village in Derry was charged with, on November 29 last year, assaulting the owner of Bus Stop Stores after police were alerted to an incident in Foyle Street.

The court heard that Villa was drunk and shouting racist abuse at Ibrahim Mosad Dandousha, punching him and ripping his coat.

As police arrested him, he was heard to say that when he was released and sober he'd return and 'rip his head off'.

Upon sobering up and being interviewed by police, Villa claimed that he didn't mean any of what he said, saying that he wasn't racist as 'life's too short.

Defence Barrister Stephen Chapman said that Villa's downfall was clearly alcohol and that he admitted that the way he treated people was 'despicable'.

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said that Villa had 60 previous convictions, a lot of which included his violent behaviour in public, adding that a string of suspended sentences 'hadn't curbed it', sentencing him to five months in custody.
Pressure on police resources has delayed preparation work for an inquest into the death of a former Provisional IRA commander in Belfast.

It comes just months before a legislative deadline for a number of inquests dealing with deaths from Northern Irelands troubled past.

The governments legacy act states that those inquests which have not reached the point of verdict by May 1 2024 will be discontinued.

This has led to an increased demand on the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Ministry of Defence to supply documentation around those deaths.

A preliminary hearing in the inquest into the death of Gerard Jock Davison in 2015 was told on Friday that while work had commenced on the disclosure of material, the subject expert is not currently available.

Mr Davison, 47, was shot dead in the Markets area of Belfast as he walked to work in May 2015.

He had been involved in a personal dispute with other republicans.

Three months after Mr Davison was killed, former IRA man Kevin McGuigan was murdered in a shooting in nearby Short Strand.

Coroner Paddy McGurgan is presiding over inquests into both deaths.

Neither of those inquests are impacted by the legislative cut-off date for legacy inquests because the deaths happened after April 10 1998.

On Friday, Belfast Coroners Court heard no timescales can be given for when PSNI disclosure will be completed in Mr Davisons case.

Barrister John Rafferty, appearing for the PSNI, said the marking up phase of sensitive material for the inquest is not yet complete.

There are two principal issues. First is that the subject matter expert who was working on this case is unavailable to work on it at the moment, he said.

My understanding is that is at least in the short term and it may be in the medium term, and that is one reason why the marking up has not completed.

And more generally in terms of other subject matter experts who may be able to work on this material, they unfortunately, on my instructions, are committed to other ongoing matters and preparing for other matters that are currently listed.

I appreciate your honour will have heard from me and no doubt from other counsel about, and will be aware from your own diary, of the other matters which are listed, at least between now and summer to which a significant degree of resource has been attached.

So were at that point of the process where marking up has been commenced. It has not been completed, it obviously needs to be complete before the material can be scheduled and then an opinion can be provided.

I dont think Im in a position where I can offer a firm timetable for any of the further steps just at the moment. Its obviously something that attention is being given to and an eye is being kept on.

Counsel to the coroner Philip Henry said: I appreciate the limitations of my learned friends instructions but I anticipate at the end of this preliminary hearing the court is going to list another one, and my learned friend then can expect to be asked for a more definitive timescale indication on the next date.

The hearing was also told that Mr Davisons next of kin do not wish to proceed until they have the material.

No date has yet been set for the inquest to start.

Another preliminary hearing is set to be heard on April 23.

Mr McGurgan added: I will certainly expert an update from Mr Rafferty on that occasion.
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JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (AP)  Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc. is planning to build an $800 million data center in southern Indiana.

The project is expected to create more than 1,250 construction jobs at its peak.





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The head of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision says a "staffing crisis" is the main reason why Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed the closure of up to five New York prisons in the 2024-25 state budget.

Acting DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello testified at a budget hearing Thursday that the department has 3,800 vacant positions, including 1,900 corrections officers.

The inability to fill those positions isn't the only factor  Martuscello noted the incarcerated population has decreased by nearly 55% over a 25-year period  but he described the staffing woes as "the main impetus" for potentially closing more prisons.

"We are in a good position with excess capacity," Martuscello said. "We have 6,000 staffed vacant beds and an additional 6,000 beds which we've consolidated to try to alleviate staffing concerns. We can't consolidate any more, so closures is a way forward so we can make sure we use our staff more efficiently as well as provide the services to the population."

Hochul is asking the state Legislature for the authority to expedite the closure of up to five prisons in the 2024-25 budget. If the language is included in the final spending plan, the governor could close the correctional facilities with 90 days' notice.

DOCCS has not identified which of the 44 state prisons could be closed. Martuscello did not provide any information during the budget hearing about the correctional facilities eyed for closures.

The state has closed 24 correctional facilities and eliminated more than 13,000 prison beds since 2011, according to DOCCS.

Chris Summers, president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, spoke out against the proposed closures during his testimony. He said closing prisons "is not the answer to address staffing shortages." The union expects more employees will resign or retire if the state shuts down correctional facilities.

"Our current staffing levels are horrible. Attrition rates are at all-time highs, while recruitment is at an all-time low," Summers said. "Members face unprecedented levels of mandatory overtime to fill staffing vacancies. They see the inside of the prisons more than they see their families."

Prison violence is also contributing to the problem, according to Summers. In 2023, DOCCS reported 1,671 assaults on staff and 2,107 assaults on incarcerated individuals, both records.

Despite opposition from the correction officers union, the state received support for the prison closure proposal from an independent watchdog.

The Correctional Association of New York endorsed the budget proposal in its testimony. The association's report highlights five prisons with the most empty beds, including Great Meadow (943), Auburn (736), Franklin (620), Clinton (614) and Bare Hill (594).

The organization, which is authorized to provide oversight of state prisons, has observed staffing shortages during monitoring visits to several correctional facilities. One example provided was Sullivan Correctional Facility, where more than half of the medical services positions were vacant.

"In addition to considering utilization, CANY urges the executive and legislature to prioritize proximity to major population centers when evaluating which prisons to close and to simultaneously invest in strategies for attracting and retaining qualified staff in the remaining facilities," the association said.

Hochul and state lawmakers are working toward the goal of passing the state budget by April 1  the start of the 2024-25 fiscal year.
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SEATTLE  A 100-unit modular apartment plan emerged three years ago at 11548 Pinehurst Way N.E., designed by Jackson Main Architecture for a California investor. It didn't advance to design review.

Now there's a new 75-unit plan from a prospective local buyer, again filed by Jackson Main. Whether construction will be modular or conventional should emerge after the sale. The property listing, from Victory Lane Brokerage, describes its status as pending.





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An Irish animal rescue is seeking the owner of a cat found dumped in a tied coal bag in a forest by a passing dog walker.

According to My Lovely Horse Rescue (MLHR), the cat - who volunteers have named Rodney - was found by a lady out walking her dogs who spotted a moving bag.

In a post published on social media last night (Thursday January 25), MLHR stated: "This guy came into our care yesterday after he was found dumped in a forest in a tied coal bag. Who does that... how could somebody do that?

"He is neutered and has had surgery on his ears so somebody at some stage loved and cared for this adorable man. He is the sweetest cat you could ever meet!

"All he wants are cuddles and thank god the lovely lady who was out walking her dogs spotted the bag moving, brought her dogs back to her car and went back to investigate.

"You will never have to worry again Rodney, we understand you are confused by all that has happened over the last few days but we promise you a life worth living."

Animal lovers and fans of MLHR rushed to the comments to suggest Rodney may have been taken by "a malicious neighbour" due to his size and good health.

One person commented: "It could be a malicious neighbour or anyone whos picked up this cat and taken him away to dump. I really hope he has an owner whos looking for him and theres a happy ending."

Another said, "It would be great if it turned out he had a decent home... but I'd be suspicious that maybe a cat hater in his neighbourhood caught him and dumped him. There are a lot of evil people out there... nothing surprises me anymore.

"Thank god for the kind lady who found him and to all at the rescue who are looking after him, thank you all so much. I hope the little pet will settle and recover from his trauma."

A further commenter stated: "Maybe original owner had a neighbor who didn't like cats and stole him, wouldn't be the first, ours was poisoned."

Anyone wishing to donate money to Rodney's care can do so at this link.
Trade unions will begin to ballot their union members on the proposed public sector deal which will provide for pay increases of 10.25% over two-and-a-half years.

The balloting period will run until March 25, to allow time for all unions to consider the terms of the new agreement.

Government officials are finalising the proposals of the financial package which amounts to 3.6 billion euro spread over four budgets.

Negotiations on the deal ran into the early hours of Friday morning at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) headquarters in Lansdowne House.

In a meeting on Friday afternoon, the officers of the Public Services Committee (PSC) of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) briefed the 19 affiliate unions on the terms of the new public sector pay agreement.

The agreement was reached shortly before 9am on Friday, after almost 22 hours of continued talks at the WRC.

The affiliate unions were told the pay terms of the new agreement, valued at 10.25% over two-and-a-half years, represented the absolute maximum achievable after months of challenging negotiations.

Unions will now begin to consider the terms of the deal and start the process of organising ballots of union members.

Unions were also told that the agreement provided for the implementation of a number of outstanding Labour Court recommendations, as well as provisions for Local Bargaining.

The proposals will see the 385,000 public servants getting a pay rise worth 10.25% over two-and-a-half years.

Kevin Callinan, general secretary of the Forsa union, said on Friday: Well, just in the last few minutes the congress group has a finalised agreement with the Government side.

I am conscious that some of our non-congress associations are still in discussion in relation to various matters and Id like to respect that. Weve worked closely with the Garda associations and the non-congress health unions.

So weve reached a point where weve concluded pay terms totalling 10.25% over two-and-a-half years.

Like all of these things, we would have liked it to have been more but we have succeeded in improving the last Government offer on January 11.

Weve got more money and weve got it sooner. So we will be taking that detail back to all our affiliates in a meeting (on Friday), and we will release more details after that.

We want to bring the news directly to them first.

Union representatives from Forsa, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) will release a statement on Friday.

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe welcomed the proposed public pay agreement.

Mr Donohoe said: Collective agreements have an important place in public service industrial relations.

They provide a means to ensure we can deal with public pay issues in a fair, equitable and affordable way. I welcome the proposed agreement that was reached in the early hours of this morning at the WRC.

I recognise that the commitment, flexibility and agility of our highly skilled public servants is fundamental to the delivery of quality public services. I believe that this agreement will provide certainty and stability for public servants as well as the Government and public service users over the coming years.

Mr Donohoe continued: I have always been clear that I wanted to reach an agreement that was both affordable and fair and I believe both of these objectives have been achieved.

The agreement provides for increases of 10.25% over a two-and-a-half-year period. This is made up of pay increases totalling 9.25%, as well as a provision for a Local Bargaining mechanism equivalent to 1% of pay.

The pay measures in the agreement are weighted towards those on lower incomes. Those on lowest incomes will receive up to 17.3% over the lifetime of this agreement inclusive of the Local Bargaining provision.

I believe the new Local Bargaining process in this proposed agreement is an innovative and positive development that will support ongoing industrial peace.

This process will allow grades, groups and categories of public servants to progress proposals or address issues while also providing cost certainty to the Government.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that Mr Donohoe will bring a memo to Cabinet next week.

He added: If the unions decide to ballot their members on the proposed deal, Government will honour it. It roughly works out as 4% this year, and 4% next year for public servants.

I think its appropriate. The cost of living has gone up by quite a lot and we want our nurses, our teachers, our doctors, our gardai, our Defence Forces personnel, our local authority workers to be paid better.

In return, there are agreements around performance and deficiencies, which I think are very important.

What I think is good about the deal is that there is particular measures for low paid workers in the public service  pay increase around 16 or 17% over two and a half years and thats important too, because these are hardworking people who are being hit hardest by inflation and this I think will help them.
Gardai have searched Ian Baileys home in Co Cork as part of an investigation into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

The body of Ms Toscan du Plantier, a 39-year-old French producer, was found badly beaten outside her holiday home in Schull, West Cork, in December 1996.

On Friday, gardai searched a home in Bantry, Co Cork, as part of their probe into Ms Toscan du Plantiers death.

In a statement, a garda spokesman said: As part of the ongoing investigation into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in 1996, gardai conducted a search under warrant of a residential property in Bantry, County Cork earlier today.

A funeral for Mr Bailey, the main suspect in the case, was held on Tuesday following his death on Sunday.

He had been convicted of her murder in his absence by a Paris court in May 2019, which imposed a 25-year sentence.

He had no legal representation, did not attend the court and described it as a farce at the time.

In October 2020, the High Court in Ireland rejected an attempt by French authorities to extradite Mr Bailey for the murder.

The court ruled that he would not be surrendered to France after a European Arrest Warrant was issued in 2019.

The death of Mr Bailey, was announced on Sunday. He had a severe heart condition and had been a candidate for surgery.

He had always vehemently denied any involvement in Ms Toscan du Plantiers death.

Her son Pierre-Louis Baudey-Vignaud said his family is continuing efforts for truth and justice.

Earlier this week, he said: An investigation is still under way in Ireland and we are confident that the discovery of new evidence, the hearing of new witnesses, and the revelation of possible complicity will enable Irish police to close the case, finally, 27 years after my mothers murder.
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The Cayuga Nation has acquired land next to the Finger Lakes Drive-In in the town of Aurelius  and effectively closed the outdoor movie theater, saying it encroaches upon that land.

But the owner of the drive-in, who is a defendant in a separate federal lawsuit filed by the nation, claims there are ulterior motives behind the closure.

In a news release Thursday, the nation's leadership council said it has acquired 40.18 acres of land at 1044 Clark St. Road, west of the drive-in. According to Cayuga County property records, the nation purchased the residential property for $720,000 from previous owner Joseph Elice in January 2023. Its total assessed value at the time was $56,000.

An investigation by the nation then concluded that the drive-in's main entrance and several parking spots, as well as about a third of its movie screen, are located on the property, it said Thursday.

Because the nation has submitted an application to the U.S. Department of the Interior to place its new land into federal trust, it filed a complaint in Cayuga County Court on Tuesday seeking to confirm the property line between that land and the drive-in. The nation said it has communicated with the drive-in about the encroachment, but the issue has not been resolved.

"Defendants continue to operate their Finger Lakes Drive-In on part of the nation's property, without authorization, and under the claim of an entirely invalid lease and a dispute over the boundary line," the complaint says. "When the nation has raised this illegal conduct to defendants and demanded they vacate the property, defendants have refused."

In its news release, the nation added that it "acknowledges that many from the neighboring community patronize the Finger Lakes Drive-In and (is) hopeful about a resolution." According to its complaint, the nation seeks a declaration of its ownership of the land, a judgment holding the drive-in liable for trespassing with monetary damages, and an order ejecting the drive-in from the land.

Last fall, the nation placed its first Cayuga County properties into federal trust following the approval of its 20-year-old application to do so by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in March.

This 40-acre parcel is squarely within the land the federal government reserved to the nation in the Treaty of Canandaigua," said Clint Halftown, the nation's federally recognized representative. "The nation is committed to strategic purchases to reacquire the land within its reservation and will continue placing lands in trust with the Bureau of Indian Affairs when appropriate.

However, neither the news release nor the complaint mention that the owner of the drive-in, Paul Meyer, is also a defendant in a federal lawsuit the nation filed in spring 2022 against Pipekeepers Tobacco & Gas at 7153 Route 90 in the town of Montezuma. Meyer sold that property to operator Dusty Parker after the nation forcibly evicted him from the previous Seneca Falls location of Pipekeepers.

A judge dismissed two of the $15 million lawsuit's three counts in September 2022, and the remaining count is currently in discovery.

Also, in 2016, Meyer gave Parker a parcel behind the drive-in to operate what the nation's leadership council called a "rogue smoke shop." It closed days later amid legal action by the town of Aurelius.

Meyer did not respond to a request for comment by The Citizen. But the drive-in launched a GoFundMe on Thursday, seeking to raise $125,000 for a legal fund in order to save the outdoor movie theater from closure by the nation. The nation has placed concrete barricades in the main entrance of the drive-in, whose season traditionally begins in late spring.

Noting that the drive-in signed a 20-year lease for the parcel in 2014, the fundraiser page accuses Halftown of "knowingly" purchasing the parcel for an "inflated" amount. The page also calls for a boycott of Cayuga Nation businesses in Union Springs and Seneca Falls. As of Friday morning the fundraiser has collected $250, including $100 from Meyer.
Local timber frame home manufacturing firm KTF Housing has recently secured a supporting grant from Enterprise Ireland and welcomed a visit from European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness.

Established in 1999 in Ardee, Co. Louth, KTF Housing now blends traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology in its state-of-the-art facility in Dundalk. This grant, provided under Enterprise Irelands Built to Innovate initiative, will facilitate employee and lean training in manufacturing and onsite environments, reinforcing KTF Housings commitment to enhancing the skills of its workforce and fostering innovation in creating sustainable homes.

The Built to Innovate initiative part of the governments Housing for All program  aims to boost construction productivity in Ireland by promoting the use of offsite manufacturing in precision factory environments.

This shift from traditional construction methods to offsite production has led to faster construction of high-quality, energy-efficient homes.

The initiative provides Lean Transform productivity training grants to enhance output, quality, and cost-efficiency, alongside R&D grants for advanced offsite systems, fostering Irelands leadership in this field. Timber frame structures, a primary offsite system, involve factory-produced house elements for rapid assembly, further advancing productivity and innovation in the construction industry.

Reflecting on her visit, McGuinness commented:

I was delighted to visit KTF Housing and learn more about how they combine traditional and modern expertise to build sustainable housing, quickly and effectively. As the European Year of Skills continues, its great to see the company receive funding from Enterprise Ireland to upskill its workforce  exactly what we need if were serious about building more homes that are also more sustainable.

"At EU level, were committed to reskilling and upskilling people so that they can help us build a more sustainable economy  and this is whats happening right here in Co. Louth led by KTF Housing.

Representing Enterprise Ireland, Tom Kelly, Divisional Manager, Industrial and Life Sciences said:

It has been great to work with the innovative team in KTF Housing to assist them on this exciting phase of development. The Enterprise Ireland Build to Innovate initiative aims to improve productivity and reduce the cost of residential construction. KTF is a leader in Irish timber frame home manufacturing and the companys commitment to the faster construction of high-quality, energy-efficient homes will greatly contribute to the industrys ability to cost-effectively increase output to meet housing demand and to deliver quality, sustainable homes.

A spokesperson for KTF Housing, Thomas Keenan, Director expressed gratitude and optimism:

This significant funding from Enterprise Ireland marks a new chapter in KTFs journey as we are always committed to investing in our staff members, their upskilling and training. It reinforces our commitment to sustainable construction and innovation, aligning perfectly with our mission to deliver environmentally responsible and high-quality homes across Ireland.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On January 25, Chinese automaker JAC Group celebrated the launch of a thousand Sunray electric vehicles (EVs) to the Latin American region, solidifying its position in the Mexican auto market.

Photo credit: JAC Group

Since introducing its EV solutions in Mexico in 2019, JAC Group has built a comprehensive system covering products, usage, services, and training, contributing to a significant green transformation in the local market. In 2023, JAC Group's products commanded a market share exceeding 45% in the Mexican terminal market, said the automaker.

Photo credit: JAC Group

The Sunray EV entered the Mexican market in 2020, gaining widespread recognition in sectors such as supermarkets, delivery services, and tourism due to its outstanding performance and competitive advantages. Its market sales have shown a consistent upward trajectory.

Meanwhile, in a recent milestone event at the JAC Pickup factory, JAC Group conducted the export ceremony for its pickups to Saudi Arabia, marking a crucial breakthrough in the Saudi Arabian and Gulf region markets.

Photo credit: JAC Group

Since partnering with Saudis Alissa Group in 2020, JAC Group has achieved remarkable success in the export business, with industry client deliveries growing by over 40% year on year in 2023, a testament to the strong collaboration and trust between the two entities.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On January 25, Fuyao Group, a large multinational company specializing in the manufacture of automobile safety glass and industrial technical glass, declared its intention to establish three wholly-owned subsidiaries in Hefei, with a total investment of 5.75 billion yuan. This move is aimed at further expanding the company's production and sales scale, meeting the growing demand in the automotive market for Fuyao's automotive safety glass and automotive accessories glass.

Photo credit: Fuyao Group

Fuyao Group's new investment will ultimately result in an annual production capacity of approximately 26.1 million square meters of automotive safety glass and the establishment of two high-quality float glass production lines.

According to the official announcement, Fuyao Group plans to invest 5.75 billion yuan in setting up three wholly-owned subsidiaries: Fuyao Glass (Hefei) Co., Ltd., Fuyao Glass (Hefei) Accessories Co., Ltd., and Hefei Fuyao Float Glass Co., Ltd. (tentative name, subject to registration by the market supervision and administration department). The three companies will respectively focus on automotive safety glass, automotive safety glass components, and high-quality float glass.

Hefei, as the capital city of Anhui Province, holds significance as a political, economic, cultural, and transportation center. Recognized as one of China's key science and education bases and manufacturing hubs, it is part of the quartet known as the Four Major Science and Education Cities along with Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin. Fuyao Group emphasizes the rapid development of Hefei's automotive industry, especially in the new energy sector, with the city designated as the sole national pilot city for the construction of the new energy vehicle industry chain supply chain ecological system.

In recent years, Hefei has seized opportunities in the automotive industry, particularly in the booming new energy vehicle sector. Statistics from Hefei Municipal Bureau of Statistics indicate a remarkable 29.2% growth in the value-added of the automotive manufacturing industry and a substantial 37.2% increase in the production volume of new energy vehicles in 2022.

Just over a month ago, on December 30, 2023, Fuyao Group disclosed its plan to establish another wholly-owned subsidiary, Fuyao Glass (Fujian) Co., Ltd. (tentative name), in Fuzhou city, Fujian Province. The company is set to invest 3.25 billion yuan here for the construction of an automotive safety glass project, equipped with advanced modern production equipment, ultimately achieving an annual production capacity of approximately 20.5 million square meters of automotive safety glass.
CORK College of FET, Bishopstown Campus, has added a new option  the National Sales Apprenticeship  to their courses in Cork.

The Sales Apprenticeship was launched as employers and apprentices gathered alongside staff from Cork College of FET and Mayo Sligo Leitrim (MSLETB) to mark the occasion.

The National Sales Apprenticeship was launched by MSLETB in September 2020.

It was designed by a consortium of sales industry partners and MSLETB.

Following on from the successful rollout across the country Cork College of FET-Bishopstown Campus has partnered with MSLETB to bring this innovative national programme to Cork and to provide opportunities for Cork employees to upskill and reskill in this area.

The National Sales Apprenticeship is a two-year earn and learn programme, which leads to a recognised QQI qualification  a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Sales. 84% of the programme is delivered via a structured training programme within a workplace environment with the

remaining 16% delivered via online learning and face-to-face workshops offering flexibility to the employer and the apprentice.

Apprentices enrolled come from a range of industries including the motor industry, food and beverage industry, energy, construction and retail.

The following companies have apprentices on the programme: Audi Waterford; Energywise, Hollymount Industrial estate; Badger & Dodo Boutique; Coffee Roasters Ltd, Cork; Irish RollForming; Bweeng; Paraffin Store, Tralee; Denis and Mary Ryan Citroen dealers, Bishopstown; Stone Solutions, Co. Wexford, and Sea Box Containers, Glanmire.

In attendance at the launch was Jessica Martin, National Programme Manager of the Sales Apprenticeship who thanked Cork College of FET for their work in getting the apprenticeship off the ground and stated that she is looking forward to working together into the future, saying: The Sales Apprenticeship has been designed to develop sales specialists who can work across any industry. Following on from our nationwide success, we in MSLETB are delighted to collaborate with Cork College of FET to bring the apprenticeship to Cork for the very first time.

Speaking at the launch, John Fitzgibbons, Director of Further Education and Training, Cork ETB welcomed the first sales apprentices to Cork College of FET and wished them well in their studies stating: Well done on taking the step to enrol on this apprenticeship programme. As the first group of sales apprentices in Cork, you are pioneers in this area and over the next two years will benefit from the expertise of your tutors, which will combine with and complement the off-the-job training you receive with your employer. Apprenticeship offers a real pathway to develop skills and upskill flexibly and earn as you learn. The very best of luck in your studies.

For more information on Cork ETBs FET offering, visit https://www.corketb.ie/fet.

For updates, visit Cork Education and Training Board or Cork ETB on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

For information on the Sales Apprenticeship visit www.apprenticeship.ie
SEAMUS the cloth doll was born to roam. Made in the West Cork village of Goleen, he has set out to see the world.

His maker, Owen Kelly, was born with wanderlust, but ill health has put paid to that for now. So he explained: I decided to send Seamus out into the world on my behalf.

Due to a spinal condition I got after lockdown, my mobility has been impaired and I am unable to travel as I used to. It takes up all my energy to get as far as Bantry these days.

I do come up with some madcap ideas at times, and the idea of making Seamus was to send him out into the world and experience it on my behalf.

I am optimistic by nature and my wife Kate agreed it was not one of my more stupid ideas, so I am looking forward to seeing what Seamus will get up to.

Owens daughter Mair Kelly has taken Seamus to Cork city and on to Dublin, and his other daughter in Galway and son in Shannon are also taking him in.

Then he will go on to other family members and beyond, said Owen

Owen Kelly holding Seamus the doll at Mizen Head.

Making cloth dolls is an unusual hobby?

I am a member of various online stitching groups, said Owen, and since I made Seamus I have had offers to host him from places like Spain, the UK, Finland, Italy, and the Czech Republic, to name but a few.

The idea is that whoever hosts Seamus will bring him around and take photos to document where hes at and what hes been up to, then post them onto his Facebook page.

That way I get to wander through his adventures, albeit virtually, and hopefully others will enjoy seeing his adventures too. This spinal condition has slowed me right down, but when one door closes another one opens and there is a silver lining in all of this.

Owens ill health has a silver lining.

I have always loved stitching, but previously I was too busy to give it much time, it was more of a hobby really, but since my injury I have been really enjoying spending hours on stitching and creating, time just passes away happily as I do it.

I firmly believe in creative energy, I get an incredible kick out of creating things and I think most people do, whether it be baking a loaf of bread, making a piece of art or craft, or writing a poem. This is where people find a tremendous amount of peace.

Owen grew up in Guildford in Surrey, and was introduced to the art of stitching and embroidery as a child.

I have been stitching since I was five years old. I am a fifth generation stitcher. My grandmother lived with us when I was a child and I loved to spend hours with her, just the two of us, stitching away together.

I recall her telling me amazing family stories as she was doing embroidery and I loved watching her create and learning from her. I have great childhood memories of being with her in her sewing room surrounded by pieces of tapestries and embroideries, and of her showing me bits of work handed down though the generations of the family, even one which dated from 1750!

Loretta Fitzgerald with doll Seamus

I was the youngest of three boys, so my mother and grandmother were happy somebody in the family was taking up the mantle of keeping the family tradition of this craft going.

Of course, once it got out that I enjoyed sewing I got teased by the other boys at school, so I kept my hobby a bit quiet. In those days sewing was considered the preserve of females, and even now in my online stitching groups the majority of people enjoying it still seem to be women.

When he was a teenager, Owen suddenly found a way to be cool.

One of my brothers became a member of a biker gang. His mate was named Bones and when he discovered I could stitch, he asked if I could make a patch for his biker jacket with BONES stitched onto it.

The other members of the gang were soon seeking out my services and I was out, loud and proud as a stitcher!

Owen joined several online groups through platforms such as Facebook where he shares his work with a global community of others with a passion for stitching. They post pictures of their latest work , but such was the reaction to Seamus that Owen decided he warranted a Facebook page all to himself.

Doll Seamus with Owen's daughter Mair Kelly, leaving Skibbereen

He created Seamus out of scraps of cloth stitched onto denim. His style inspiration was Jimi Hendrix, infused with a dash of his own personal colourful bohemian vibe. Seamus has a miniature red hat similar to the one often sported by his creator.

I love stitching on denim for many reasons but also that its tough and hard-wearing, so I made this denim Seamus, said Owen.

My hopes for him are to promote creativity, sustainability and compassion for our diverse cultures.

I made him small and light so he could fit into a padded envelope and he is stuffed with synthetic fibre so as not to be restricted by some places he might go. I also stitched my email address on his back. If hes worth 10, I would be surprised!

Whoever would like to have him can hold on to him for a while, for as long as they like really, then post him in a jiffy bag on to the next person.

Owen has been blown away by the interest Seamus has generated.

I have already been contacted by all sorts of people, for example a willow weaver and a teacher who would like to host him, and I hope that the adventures of Seamus will provide a window to the world and the fascinating people who inhabit it.

Doll Seamus in Bantry in front of the statue of Brendan the Navigator

He named the doll Seamus OComanssyv- Come and See - which I thought would be apt for his wandering spirit. Seamus is like a kind of tribal talking stick. Whoever is holding him gets to talk, show us a piece of their lives, and thus encouraging creativity and communication.

We are all used to being talked at, but we dont as regular people get the chance these days to be listened to. Maybe creating Seamus is also just the act of reaching out and extending the hand of friendship, said Owen.

Doll Seamus with Mair Kelly at the Ha'penny Bridge, Dublin

To kickstart his world tour, Owen took Seamus on a little jaunt down the road to the Mizen Head, the most south-westerly point of Ireland.

On the way to Skibbereen to catch the bus to Cork, Seamus also stopped in for a cup of tea to the home of textile artist Loretta Fitzgerald.

She makes the most amazing baskets out of beachcombed plastic and she even made Seamus his own miniature tea set when he popped in for a cuppa and a chat about her Australian homeland and some of her own travels and adventures.

In Cork city, Seamus dropped into the home of Patrick Dorgan, the Special Olympics champion, brother of the poet Theo. In Dublin, Seamus went to Temple bar, had his first view of the Liffey, traversed the Hapenny bridge, and went to see Dublin Castle. He is soon to be packaged off to Shannon and Limerick.

Owen added: Seamus is a bit of a hippy, roaming around to promote love and peace, and though I may never see him again, thats OK.

I hope the people who host him will make the most out of having him in their lives for a while, and through him give us a glimpse into their world.
CORK City residents plagued with dirty, discoloured water gathered at a public meeting yesterday evening  however no Uisce Eireann representative was present to hear their concerns.

Speaking to The Echo ahead of the meeting, Blackpool resident Sonya Cashman said she was disappointed to hear a representative from the water utility would not be attending.

Ms Cashman, who has been experiencing water quality issues for over 18 months, said she was hoping to engage with the company at the meeting in a civilised fashion in a bid to get some answers.

Now theyre not going to show up, and I dont know what that shows to the people of Cork, she said.

As a result, Ms Cashman said, washing loads have been destroyed.

The worst thing for me is youre in the shower, and you look down, and all of a sudden the water is running brown, she said.

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Mick Barry, who organised the public meeting in the Maldron Hotel Shandon, told the assembled group: Theyre [Uisce Eireann] not going to be able to keep running away on this issue.

This is going to dog them now and these questions are going to keep coming up because we are persistent and resilient people.

Earlier in the day, the Cork North Central TD raised the issue in the Dail, saying that residents such as Ms Cashman continue to be plagued with dirty, discoloured water.

Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould, who also attended the meeting, sharply criticised the ongoing issues and called for the Government to intervene on the matter.

Attendees at the meeting yesterday evening, which was ongoing at the time of print, were due to discuss possible protest action.

Earlier this week, a spokesperson for Uisce Eireann said a representative from the company would not be available to attend the meeting.

However, Uisce Eireann continues to engage extensively with elected representatives and customers in relation to this issue, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson said Uisce Eireann is treating the matter with the utmost priority and are committed to working on the ground to address the issue.
A MAN facing charges of travelling as a passenger in a stolen car allegedly involved in ramming garda cars last November complained to a judge who remanded him in custody on the charges.

I am trying to sort my life out. How can I sort my life out if I keep getting remanded in custody, the 26-year-old complained at Cork District Court when he appeared by video link from prison.

Frank Buttimer asked on behalf of defendant, Tony Caulfield of 221, Cathedral Road, Cork, to have the next adjournment made peremptory against the state.

Judge Mary Dorgan refused that and said to the accused: Your solicitor has put an application in a very cogent way. We will ask the state to deal with it as expeditiously as possible.

When Mr Buttimer referred again to the possibility of making the further adjournment to February 6 peremptory against the state, Judge Dorgan said: It would be totally inappropriate.

Mr Caulfield spoke up again on the video link from prison to Cork District Court: It would not be inappropriate, your honour.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis applied to have the case adjourned to February 6 so directions could be obtained from the DPP.

Mr Caulfield faces a number of charges.

He is accused that on November 3, 2023, he allowed himself to be carried in a stolen car at Old Mallow Road, Cork. He faces a similar charge in respect of Great William OBrien Street on November 10. He is charged with allowing himself to be carried in a stolen car at Great William OBrien Street, Cork, later that week. And finally, on November 15 he is charged with allowing himself to be carried in a stolen car at Dublin Street, Blackpool, Cork, and having a weapon at the time.

The charges were brought against him by Detective Garda Rory Fogarty. Mr Buttimer said Mr Caulfield would not consent to any more than the two-week custody remand to February 6.
CORK city residents who have been experiencing ongoing water issues are set to protest outside Uisce Eireanns Cork office next month.

The decision was made at a public meeting on Thursday, organised by People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Mick Barry.

The motion proposing the protest was tabled in the wake of the decision by the water utility company to not attend the meeting to face questions from householders who have been directly affected by the issue.

Held in the Maldron Hotel Shandon, the meeting heard from a number of people who have been contending with persistent water discolouration.

One such person was John Mulcahy, from Ballyvolane, who expressed his frustration over the ongoing issue.

For myself and my family, the last three years have been very difficult, he said.

We have a jar on our window that we use to check the water is clear before turning on washing machine dishwasher or shower. My seven-year-old asks us if the water safe to use to brush his teeth.

He said they have to buy bottled water to boil to make baby bottles as they have twins and have concerns that the tap water isnt safe, even when its clear.

Concerns over lack of action

He spoke of one instance where his seven-year-old son was left distraught after discoloured water ruined a birthday present he had received from his grandparents.

Our seven-year-old loves Manchester United and his grandparents bought him a new United jersey which was white for his birthday.

Being his birthday, it got a bit dirty, so we threw it in with a whitewash, never copped that the water was dirty and everything came out absolutely destroyed. He was distraught, Mr Mulcahy said.

The northside resident said he feels there is a lack of action from Uisce Eireann in dealing with the issue and was critical that a representative did not attend the meeting on Thursday.

Representative not available to attend

Ahead of the meeting, a spokesperson for Uisce Eireann said a representative from the company would not be available to attend.

However, Uisce Eireann continues to engage extensively with elected representatives and customers in relation to this issue, they added.

The spokesperson said Uisce Eireann is treating the matter with the utmost priority and are committed to working on the ground to address the issue.

In relation to the provision of bottled water, the spokesperson said Uisce Eireann provides bottled water in certain circumstances where its practical to do so, for example to Vulnerable Customers when the customer is notified (by text and/or phone) of an interruption.

Should that customer ask for bottled water, we will facilitate that request.

As a regulated utility, there is no mechanism under the current regulatory framework to provide compensation to customers who choose to purchase bottled water during a Boil Water Notice or if experiencing other water quality issues, they added.

Speaking ahead of the meeting in relation to the protest proposal, Mr Barry said if Uisce Eireann won't come to talk to the people then the people are going to have to talk about going to them.

These problems have been going on for too long now and people's patience is exhausted, the Cork North Central TD added.

The protest next month is set to take place at the Uisce Eireann offices on Eglinton St on Saturday, February 10 at 12 noon.
The Frank and Walters Band have been announced as Cork Persons of the Year 2023 at the 31st annual awards on Friday.

The gala lunch awards were held at the Metropole Hotel before an invited audience of 200 people representing all sectors of Cork life.

The renowned Cork-based band comprising lead vocal and bass player Paul Linehan, drummer Ashley Keating, lead guitarist Rory Murphy, and Cian Corbett on keyboards was crowned as the Cork Persons of the Year in recognition of the band's profound impact on Cork's cultural tapestry and the arts over their more than 30 year career.

The band has achieved international success with their classic indie hits, charting both inside and outside Ireland, and their Cork anthem After All was voted Cork's favourite song.

Awards organiser Manus OCallaghan commended The Frank and Walters Band on their win, saying: "Their win reflects not only their musical prowess but also their unwavering dedication to Cork's artistic scene.

The Frank & Walters Band has played a pivotal role in making Cork the cultural hub that it is today."

The awards ceremony also celebrated the induction of Corks literary luminary, Alice Taylor, into the Hall of Fame.

Awards partner and organiser, Ann-Marie OSullivan said: Alice Taylors prolific contribution to Irish literature with over 20 authored books, is a testament to the enduring impact she has had on shaping the literary landscape of Cork and beyond.

This celebration reinforces the importance of recognising individuals whose artistic endeavours leave an indelible mark on our cultural heritage."

The Honorary Cork Person award was presented to broadcaster Daithi O Se who has presented the Today TV programme from the RTE Cork Studios for many years.

The Lord Mayor of Cork City, Cllr Kieran McCarthy, and the Mayor of Cork County, Cllr Frank OFlynn, presented the awards and masters of ceremonies were broadcasters Anne Cassin and Marty Morrissey.

Speakers at the lunch were Minister for Finance Michael McGrath; Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney; broadcaster Mike Murphy; RTE Director General Kevin Bakhurst; Bishop Paul Colton; Bishop Fintan Gavin; and Manus OCallaghan and Ann-Marie OSullivan.
Cork City Council has said it will consider the use of residual funding intended for use at Fairfield Meadows/Lawn for follow-up maintenance and appropriate works in the estates.

In 2018, 1.1m for repairs to homes in Fairfield Meadows and Fairfield Lawn was secured as part of an 11m loan-funded scheme which saw 1,200 local authority homes in Cork city earmarked for repairs or upgrades.

The contract for remediation works to dwellings at Fairfield Meadows and Fairfield Lawn was awarded to HG Construction (Ireland) Limited, and the project commenced in June 2022.

As of March 30, 2023, HG Construction (Ireland) Limited completed their programme of works to 70 of a total of 73 dwellings at a final account sum of 731,355.46. HG Construction could not gain access to three dwellings.

Sinn Fein councillor for Cork City North West, Mick Nugent, has suggested that the remainder of the 1.1m in funding allocated for Fairfield Meadows/Lawn could be used to address existing maintenance issues at Fairfield Meadows.

It comes following concerns about housing maintenance issues raised by residents in the area.

Cork City Councils Housing Directorate met some of the residents in December to hear their concerns and to observe some of the maintenance issues. A gathering of some residents was held in November at the entrance to the estate, calling on the council to carry out required maintenance works on their homes.

Mr Nugents motion asking Cork City Council to ringfence any funding remaining from the 1.1m allocated to Fairfield Meadows/Lawn for a housing remediation programme, housing maintenance, and perhaps public realm works was referred to the North West local area committee of the council for discussion this week.

In a written response to Mr Nugent, director of services of the Housing Operations Directorate Niall O Donnabhain said that a number of ongoing housing maintenance issues were brought to the attention of the senior housing operations team in December.

Further maintenance works were flagged during the visit and in subsequent engagement with the relevant residents association, and these are being dealt with, as appropriate, said Mr O Donnabhain.

The Housing Operations Directorate will assess any residual funding from the initial loan facility intended for use at Fairfield Meadows/Lawn and consider the use of same for follow-up maintenance and appropriate works.
DRINKING stout from a paper cup filled from a stolen Beamish keg in a park resulted in a 42-year-old Cork man being sentenced to six months in prison.

Ian OSullivan, previously of Cherry Lawn, Church Rd, Blackrock, Cork, pleaded guilty to handling stolen property on November 3, 2023.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said: On November 3 at midday, the defendant was seen in Bishop Lucey Park drinking stout from a paper cup on a bench. Beside him was a stolen keg of Beamish stout which had been stolen from Ziggys Bar on Tuckey St, Cork.

Also on November 3 the same defendant was drunk and a danger to himself or others at Paul St, Cork.

On November 9, 2023, at Patrick Street, Cork, he was seen falling around the street and shouting loudly, causing annoyance to young people at the adjacent bus stop.

He had an open container in his hand which he was spilling and he attempted to enter a store, said Sgt Murphy.

The accused then threw the open container of liquid into the shop, causing part of the floor to be soiled in the store.

A conviction and sentence of the same defendant from last week triggered the application to activate an older six-month sentence.

Judge Mary Dorgan acceded to that application and activated the six-month sentence.

Sentences of up to five months on the new matters will run concurrently with the triggered six months.

Joseph Cuddigan, solicitor, said: He unreservedly apologises for his behaviour. He has resolved to do something about it.
The RTE director general has said that he is actively looking at new premises in Cork city as part of a plan to increase production from Cork.

Kevin Bakhurst addressed attendees of the Cork Person of the Year Awards at the Metropole Hotel on Friday afternoon.

The plan to focus more production in Cork is not only a statement of confidence in the wonderful team who work miracles day in and day out in Fr Matthew St, its a statement more broadly of strategic intent, he said.

Perspectives matter. And if the voices we hear every day only originate from one place, then that perspective can only ever be partial. We are more ambitious than that for ourselves and for you.

Mr Bakhurst acknowledged the calibre of people in RTE Corks great team and commended them on their commitment.

During the last few months when things have been pretty challenging for the organisation, its the people who deliver that content and those programmes who have held the reputation of RTE and ensured we maintain what we do and deliver for audiences, he said.

Mr Bakhurst said he had spent some time on Friday looking at potential new premises for RTE Cork because we are progressing our plans.

He acknowledged that his first six months as director general have been relatively eventful, to say the least, but said he hopes audiences can see his earnest ambitions to steady and secure RTE for a brighter future.

If I have one mission, and thats why I took the job, it is to ensure the continuity of this special role for RTE in our life and it is to make sure that future generations have a national public service media that they can access, enjoy, and be proud of, he said.

We will deliver transparency, accountability and great public service programmes and content for audiences around this country and globally.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

Dongfeng VOYAH, MHERO's vehicles to be imported to Spain, Portugal

On January 25, China Dongfeng Motor Industry Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd. signed a collaboration agreement with the largest automotive group on the Iberian Peninsula, Salvador Caetano Group. Together, they announced that electric vehicles from Dongfeng's portfolio, including models under VOYAH and MHERO brands, will progressively enter the markets of Spain and Portugal this year.

Photo credit: China Dongfeng Motor Industry Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd.

All-new BMW 5 Series hits Chinese market

On the evening of January 25, the all-new BMW 5 Series models officially went on sale in China, featuring a total of 12 variants with prices spanning from 43,990 yuan to 63,990 yuan.

NETA Auto ships first OTA upgrade for NETA X

On October 18, 2023, the NETA X from NETA Auto was officially put onto the market. Positioned as a compact pure electric SUV, the model introduced four variants with a price range of 126,800 yuan to 146,800 yuan. After 100 days on the market, NETA Auto shared data on the NETA X's performance since its launch, marking the occasion with its inaugural Over-The-Air (OTA) upgrade.

NASCO, Paragonage team up on R&D, industrialization of sodium-ion batteries

Chinese companies NASCO and Wuxi Paragonage New Energy Co., Ltd. ("Paragonage") recently inked a strategic cooperation agreement, according to Paragonage's press release. This collaboration sets the stage for a profound partnership, focusing on the development and industrialization of sodium-ion batteries and crucial materials, aligning with market-driven objectives.

BYD commences new energy vehicle production at car plant in Uzbekistan

On January 25, 2024, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, led a delegation during his official visit to China and made a special stop at BYD's global headquarters in Shenzhen city. This visit culminated in a significant event -the witness of the launch ceremony for BYD's Uzbekistan factory, a collaborative effort between BYD and the local Uzbekistan automotive manufacturer, UzAuto (Uzavtosanoat JSC).

Great Wall Motor launches ORA 03 BEV model in Chile

On January 25, Great Wall Motor ("GWM") officially announced the launch of the ORA brand's ORA 03 model in Chile (named ORA Good Cat in China), marking a significant move into the South American market.

Fuyao Group intends to build three subsidiaries in Hefei city

On January 25, Fuyao Group, a large multinational company specializing in the manufacture of automobile safety glass and industrial technical glass, declared its intention to establish three wholly-owned subsidiaries in Hefei, with a total investment of 5.75 billion yuan. This move is aimed at further expanding the company's production and sales scale, meeting the growing demand in the automotive market for Fuyao's automotive safety glass and automotive accessories glass.

IAR fully supports YTMicro's automotive-grade MCUs

On January 26, global leader in embedded development software and services, IAR, and Chinese automotive chip manufacturer YTMicro announced a strategic cooperation.

ARCFOX S/T Forest PRO Edition hit market with upgraded comfort

On January 25, BAIC Group's premium new energy vehicle brand, ARCFOX, put the S/T Forest Edition PRO series onto the market, built upon the success of its previous Forest Edition.

JAC Group ships vehicles to Latin America, Saudi Arabia

On January 25, Chinese automaker JAC Group celebrated the launch of a thousand Sunray electric vehicles (EVs) to the Latin American region, solidifying its position in the Mexican auto market.

iMotion to provide smart mobility solutions for Chery EXEED's STERRA lineup

Chinese smart mobility solution provider iMotion recently secured a production partnership for Chery EXEEDs STERRA series vehicles, marking another significant collaboration after the integration of iDC Mid products into the EXEED lineup.

SGMW launches Wuling Red No.1 Battery dedicated to new energy commercial vehicles

On January 25th, SAIC-GM-Wuling ("SGMW") officially launched the Wuling Red No. 1 Battery, specifically designed for new energy commercial vehicles (NECV). The company claims that the new battery is the first in its class to utilize liquid cooling technology, offering enhanced compatibility with the evolving needs of commercial vehicle users in the new era.
GENERALLY, the amount of pay you get for working is agreed between you and your employer. Pay negotiations normally happen when you get a job offer. However, most employees are entitled to a minimum wage under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000

The national minimum wage does not stop an employer from offering you a higher wage. You cannot agree to be paid less than the minimum wage or to do unpaid work, unless you are employed by a close family relative or are on a recognised apprenticeship.

What is the minimum wage in 2024?

On January 1, 2024, the national minimum wage for people aged 20 and over increased by 1.40 to 12.70 per hour.

How is my hourly rate calculated?

Your hourly rate is calculated by dividing your gross pay by the total number of hours you have worked. This is set out in the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 Section 20.

Your working hours include overtime, and travel time where this is part of the job. Time spent on training that your employer approved and during normal working hours, is also included.

Your employer must include details of the pay reference period in your statement of employment conditions, as set out in the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994-2014 (as amended).

You can ask your employer for a written statement of your average rate of pay for any pay reference period within the last 12 months. The employer has four weeks to give you the statement.

Are all workers entitled to receive the minimum wage?

No. You are not entitled to get the national minimum wage if you are employed by a close relative (for example, a spouse, civil partner or parent). Neither are you entitled to it if you are in a statutory apprenticeship or you are aged under 20

What is the minimum wage for workers aged under 20?

Workers aged under 18 are entitled to 8.89 per hour, which is 70% of the minimum wage. Workers aged 18 are entitled to 10.16 per hour (80%) and workers aged 19 are entitled to 11.43 per hour, which is 90% of the full minimum wage. Those aged 20 and over receive 12.70 per hour

What happens if my employer cannot pay me the minimum wage?

If your employer cannot afford to pay the minimum wage due to financial difficulty, the Labour Court can give them permission, or exempt them, from paying the minimum wage rate for between three months and one year. Only one exemption is allowed.

The employer must apply to the Labour Court for the exemption, and they must have the agreement of a majority of employees. The employer and the employees must all agree to follow the decision of the Labour Court.

The employer must show that they are unable to pay the minimum wage and that if they had to pay it, they would need to lay off or dismiss employees.

Employers can only be exempt from paying the full rate of the minimum wage. They cannot be exempt from paying the reduced rate (for example, to employees under 18).

Can I be victimised by my employer for seeking the minimum wage?

If you ask your employer to pay the minimum wage, you are protected by law from victimisation or dismissal. If you are dismissed for asking for the minimum wage, you can bring a claim for unfair dismissal. You can do this no matter how long you have worked for your employer or how many hours you work weekly.

If you are due an increase under the National Minimum Wage Act, your employer may try to cut your working hours to avoid an increase in the overall cost of your pay. However, they cannot do this without also reducing your duties or the amount of work.

How can I make a complaint if I am not receiving the minimum wage?

You should speak with your employer first. If you cannot resolve the problem, complete the online complaint form on workplacerelations.ie. Your local Citizens Information Centre can advise you on this.

The online complaint form gives you two options. One option is that you can request an investigation by an inspector from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The inspector will investigate your claim that the minimum wage is not being paid.

Alternatively, you can refer a dispute to a WRC adjudicator. However, you can only do this after asking your employer for a statement outlining the calculation of the average hourly pay. You must refer the dispute within six months of getting the statement. If necessary, the time limit can be extended to a maximum of 12 months. Where your employer has not given you the statement, the time starts from the date they should have (that is, within 4 weeks of the request).

It is important to note that you cannot refer a complaint about the same dispute to both an adjudicator and an inspector. This is set out in the National Minimum Wage Act.

What is the living wage?

A national living wage will replace the national minimum wage from 2026. It will be set at 60% of the median wage in any given year. The national minimum wage will remain in place until the 60% living wage is fully phased in. The national minimum wage will increase over the years as usual.
The lead stories for Friday cover various topics, with a number of papers focusing on the "scathing" report into RTE's management of Toy Show The Musical.

The Irish Times reports that the Government could suspend the signing of new contracts with hotels to accommodate people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The Irish Examiner says a landmark new report finds that Ireland is ill-adapted for the consequences of climate change.

People involved in a prostitution ring are using a European privacy law to hide online articles about them, according to the Irish Independent.

The Irish Daily Mail, Irish Daily Mirror and Irish Daily Star cover the report into Toy Show The Musical, which found RTE's top management did not properly inform the national broadcasters board about the stage show and its multimillion euro losses.

The British papers focus on the man who killed three people in Nottingham last year.

The Metro, the Daily Mirror, and the Daily Telegraph splash with pieces on the Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane and accuse the Crown Prosecution Service and the police of failing his victims: Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace OMalley-Kumar.

The Independent and The Times say police have blood on their hands as the force stands accused of missed chances to catch the triple killer.

INDEPENDENT: Police have blood on their hands #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/9dGwbQGtHI  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 25, 2024

THE TIMES: Police chief has blood on his hands over stabbings #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/l7T7MtJdSU  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 25, 2024

The Daily Express says British finance minister Jeremy Hunts tax cuts are just the beginning as he plans to reward the grafters.

DAILY EXPRESS: Hunt: Todays tax cuts are just the start #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/ohGgHY00Tp  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 25, 2024

The Financial Times leads with a piece on Baroness Michelle Mone, who has had her assets frozen after admitting she lied about her financial links to PPE supply firm Medpro.

FT UK: Court freezes Mone assets as crime agency investigates PPE ftaud claims #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/QQBEm2TAZl  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 25, 2024

The Daily Mail splashes with a story on a cruel aristocrat and her lover, who allegedly caused the death of their baby girl, a court has heard.

The Guardian looks to the European Union for its front page as the bloc plans to safeguard healthcare supplies by holding on to commonly used medications, which will likely exacerbate Britains already low stocks of more than 200 prescription drugs.

THE GUARDIAN: EU plan to stockpile drugs will worsen UK shortages #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/JjvKkOshkB  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 25, 2024

The Sun reports on the financial woes of Bill Roache and his headaches with the HMRC.

Lastly, the Daily Star leads with a piece on the British army and preparations for a future war with Russia with 90% of people saying they would refuse to fight.
Michael Bolton

Gardai investigating the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier have seized items from the flat of chief suspect Ian Bailey.

The body of Ms Toscan du Plantier, a 39-year-old French producer, was found badly beaten outside her holiday home in Schull, Co Cork, in December 1996.

Mr Bailey died from a suspected heart attack last Sunday in Cork. His remains were cremated on Tuesday in a private ceremony.

A team of 10 officers, made up of detectives based in Bantry, assisted by officers from the Serious Crime Review Team from Dublin, began searching Mr Baileys rented ground floor flat on Barrack Street in Bantry on Friday morning.

Gardai seized a large quantity of personal items, including several notebooks with his writings, as well as his mobile phone, laptop, hard drives and memory sticks and other electronic storage devices.

In a statement, a Garda spokesman said: As part of the ongoing investigation into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in 1996, gardai conducted a search under warrant of a residential property in Bantry, County Cork earlier today.

Gardai left items they felt would be of no evidential value in their investigation, including Mr Baileys clothing, his large collection of CDs and his wooden carvings.

Mr Bailey had been living in a flat in Glengarriff after he separated from his partner of 30 years, Jules Thomas, in March 2021.

He had been convicted of her murder in his absence by a Paris court in May 2019, which imposed a 25-year sentence.

Mr Bailey had always vehemently denied any involvement in Ms Toscan du Plantiers death.

Her son, Pierre-Louis Baudey-Vignaud, said his family is continuing efforts for truth and justice.

Earlier this week, he said: An investigation is still under way in Ireland and we are confident that the discovery of new evidence, the hearing of new witnesses, and the revelation of possible complicity will enable Irish police to close the case, finally, 27 years after my mothers murder.
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.

Following pressure from climate activists, the Biden administration announced a freeze on new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permits while it examines their effects on climate change.

The move could delay decisions on new LNG plants until after the presidential election in November, reported Reuters.

This pause on new LNG approvals sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time. During this period, we will take a hard look at the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs, Americas energy security, and our environment, President Joe Biden said, as CNN reported.

During the break, the United States Department of Energy will administer an economic and environmental impact review on projects wanting export permits to Asia and Europe, Reuters said.

While European countries and companies work on weaning themselves off Russian gas, they are relying on LNG from the U.S. At the same time, Asian countries use it to reduce their consumption of coal.

U.S. officials said there would be national security exemptions in case more LNG is needed, emphasizing the freeze would not harm U.S. allies.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said the review would take months, followed by a public comment period.

As our exports increase, we must review export applications using the most comprehensive, up-to-date analysis of the economic, environmental and national security considerations, Granholm said on a call to reporters, as reported by The Washington Post.

On the same call, Ali Zaidi, the White House national climate adviser, said the United States has been an unwavering partner to our allies in Europe, who, by the way are our partner in calling for a transition away from fossil fuels.

In the past four years, the U.S. has doubled its exports of LNG and is now its biggest exporter in the world.

LNGs growth in the U.S. has led to opposition from activists, including youth groups, who say the new projects can bring dangerous pollution to local communities, contribute to the worlds fossil fuel reliance and lead to more emissions not only from burning the gas, but from potent methane leaks, Reuters reported.

LNG projects across the Gulf South are already harming peoples health, wrecking the environment, raising prices for families, and threatening our national security. We cant afford to rubber-stamp these climate Death Stars that will decimate both local communities and our planet. Now, the Biden administration needs to finish the job  lets make the pause permanent, said Ebony Twilley-Martin, executive director of Greenpeace USA, according to Greenpeace.

Environmental groups applauded the move.

This is a milestone, said Roishetta Ozane, founder and director of The Vessel Project of Louisiana, as reported by Reuters. It sets the stage for potential rejections and slows down progress of these projects.

Young voters are an important part of Bidens base and will be crucial to helping him get reelected.

Young people are the largest voting bloc in this country and they vote for the issues that they care about, said Michelle Weindling, youth-based Sunrise Movements political director. It needs to be seen that leaders are leading boldly and unapologetically to solve this crisis.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On January 25, BAIC Group's premium new energy vehicle brand, ARCFOX, put the S/T Forest Edition PRO series onto the market, built upon the success of its previous Forest Edition.

S Forest Edition PRO; photo credit: ARCFOX

The latest models showcase a multi-dimensional upgrade focusing on luxurious and comfortable features such as heated/massaging seats, genuine leather steering wheel, and a heat pump air conditioning system. Additionally, the lineup welcomes new variants  the S Forest Edition PRO 650E and the T Forest Edition PRO 618E, with official prices set at 227,800 yuan and 225,800 yuan, respectively.

T Forest Edition PRO; photo credit: ARCFOX

The highlight among the upgraded configurations is the S Forest PRO 525E variant, adding practical features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated/massaging driver's seat, and ventilated/massaging front passenger seat, valued at an impressive 16,000 yuan. Other Forest Edition PRO models also benefit from some additional features.

Addressing the concern for air quality and health, ARCFOX equips the S/T Forest Edition PRO with an industry-leading PM2.5+CN95 antibacterial filter. This innovative solution not only purifies the cabin from pollutants but also effectively eliminates bacteria and viruses, ensuring a healthy breathing environment for users and their families. The car's built-in negative ion generator provides a forest-like atmosphere with a concentration of 100,000 ions per cubic centimeter, promoting a sense of ease and well-being during the journey.

Safety remains a top priority for users, evident in the S Forest Edition PRO's adoption of an ultra-strong cage-type body frame. The A, B pillars, and threshold beams are reinforced with military-grade (1,500 megapascals) boron steel, achieving an impressive torsional stiffness of 60,000Nm/deg.

Moreover, ARCFOX maintains an unparalleled commitment to battery safety, subjecting their batteries to over 120 tests, surpassing the national standard's 58 requirements. The batteries achieve IP68 waterproof and dustproof ratings, ensuring a robust capability of withstanding impacts for 10 years or 240,000 kilometers and wading depths of up to 800mm. This commitment to high battery protection standards has resulted in ARCFOX achieving zero instances of self-ignition in the ever-challenging new energy market so far.
Home On-Air | The UK Hot 40 Countdown



The UK Hot 40 Countdown The UK Hot 40 Countdown

The UK Hot 40 Countdown

Every Sunday Afternoon at 4, Chris Brooks counts down The UK's biggest hits that have been played on radio stations across the UK.

Check out this week's chart here
George Carlins estate has filed a lawsuit against the makers of an hour-long comedy special featuring an AI replica of the comedian, as reported by NBC News. The late comedians estate, including his daughter Kelly Carlin, filed the suit in a Los Angeles federal court last night. It claims the online media company that posted the video, Dudesy, violated the performers right to publicity and infringed on a copyright.

The videos called George Carlin: I'm Glad I'm Dead and features an hour of new material by the comedian, who died in 2008. As AI replications go, its certainly not going to break any records. Its audio only and, honestly, doesnt even sound that much like Carlin. It sounds like a below average impression of the comedian. Also, its very, very bad. Carlin had an extremely unique voice and this video is mostly basic punchlines you can see coming from a mile away. Theres very little outlandish wordplay. Theres no righteous fury. There are, however, a lot of jokes comparing Donald Trump to poop.

"I understand and share the desire for more George Carlin. I, too, want more time with my father. But it is ridiculous to proclaim he has been resurrected with AI, Kelly Carlin wrote in a statement. She went on to write that the Carlin in that video is a poorly-executed facsimile cobbled together by unscrupulous individuals.

The estate's attorney, Josh Schiller, went on to warn that AI risked becoming "a tool that allows bad-faith actors to replace creative expression, to exploit the already existing work of creators, and to get rich at the expense of others."

Dudesey, the channel that created and posted the video, is actually run by the popular comedian Will Sasso and author Chad Kultgen. They didnt write the material here. The AI was trained on thousands of hours of Carlin routines to create the facsimile, according to a report by NPR. Sasso and Kultgen are, however, named in the suit. The pair behind Dudesy liken the AI-created Carlin to an impressionist who impersonates a public figure.

Sasso suggested in a podcast last week that the AI version was no replacement for the real thing, going on to say that it was interesting how heated people get about it. The lawsuit calls the video a piece of computer-generated click-bait which detracts from the value of Carlins comedic works and harms his reputation.

The complaint seeks unspecified damages and the immediate removal of any video or audio copies of the hour-long special. So, if youre curious to hear a pretty bad Carlin impression make obvious jokes about Taylor Swift, you had better get on that while you have the chance.

Of course, this is just the latest salvo in the ongoing war between AI algorithms and humans that create works of value. This issue was at the very heart of last years Hollywood writers strike and the recent spate of AI-created celebrities used to scam consumers. This is just the beginning. Its an election year, after all, and bad actors have already used an AI replication of President Bidens voice to urge New Hampshire residents not to vote in last weeks primary.
GM's driverless Cruise division is under investigation by both the Department of Justice (DoJ) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), The Washington Post has reported. The probes follow an incident last year in which a jaywalking pedestrian was struck by a Cruise autonomous vehicle and then dragged 20 feet, worsening her injuries.

At the same time, yesterday Cruise released its own third-party findings regarding the accident, which took place on October 2 and involved another vehicle (a Nissan). The company said it "failed to live up to the justifiable expectations of regulators and the communities we serve... [and] also fell woefully short of our own expectations," adding that it's "fully cooperating" with investigators. According to its own findings, that's an understatement to say the least.

According to the report, Cruise withheld crucial information from officials during a briefing the day after the accident. Specifically, the company failed to mention that its autonomous vehicle (AV) had dragged the victim 20 feet at around 7 MPH, causing serious injuries. According to the internal report, that occurred because the vehicle mistakenly detected a side (rather than a frontal) collision and attempted to pull over rather than stopping.

At least 100 Cruise employees, including members of senior leadership, legal and others, were aware of the dragging incident  but failed to disclose it during October 3 meetings with the San Francisco Mayor's Office, NHTSA, DMV and other officials, the report states.

The company said it intended to let a video of the dragging incident speak for itself, then answer questions about it. However, the video didn't play clearly and fully due to internet connection issues, and then Cruise employees failed to verbally affirm the pullover maneuver and dragging of the pedestrian. In case that's not bad enough, the third-party findings state:

Cruise leadership was fixated on correcting the inaccurate media narrative that the Cruise AV, not the Nissan, had caused the Accident. This myopic focus led Cruise to convey the information about the Nissan hit-and-run driver having caused the Accident to the media, regulators and other government officials, but to omit other important information about the Accident. Even after obtaining the Full Video, Cruise did not correct the public narrative but continued instead to share incomplete facts and video about the Accident with the media and the public.

The report says the failings came about due to "poor leadership, mistakes in judgment, lack of coordination, an 'us versus them' mentality with regulators, and a fundamental misapprehension of Cruises obligations of accountability and transparency to the government and the public."

Prior to the crash, Cruise was facing other problems with its autonomous vehicles (AVs) failing to recognize children and the frequency with which human operators took control. According to former CEO Vogt, human drivers needed to intervene in trips every four to five miles.

Cruise had its license to operate suspended in California back in October. The company also laid off 24 percent of its workforce late last year, following the resignation of co-founder Daniel Kan and the departure of its CEO Kyle Vogt. On top of the two federal investigations, the company is also facing a lawsuit from the city of San Francisco.
A woman has a text chat with her long-dead lover. A family gets to hear a deceased elder speak again. A mother gets another chance to say goodbye to her child, who died suddenly, via a digital facsimile. This isn't a preview of the next season of Black Mirror  these are all true stories from the Sundance documentary Eternal You, a fascinating and frightening dive into tech companies using AI to digitally resurrect the dead.

It's yet another way modern AI, which includes large language models like ChatGPT and similar bespoke solutions, has the potential to transform society. And as Eternal You shows, the AI afterlife industry is already having a profound effect on its early users.

The film opens on a woman having a late night text chat with a friend: "I can't believe I'm trying this, how are you?" she asks, as if she's using the internet for the first time. "I'm okay. I'm working, I'm living. I'm... scared," her friend replies. When she asks why, they reply, "I'm not used to being dead."

Beetz Brothers Film Production

It turns out the woman, Christi Angel, is using the AI service Project December to chat with a simulation of her first love, who died many years ago. Angel is clearly intrigued by the technology, but as a devout Christian, she's also a bit spooked out by the prospect of raising the dead. The AI system eventually gives her some reasons to be concerned: Cameroun reveals that he's not in heaven, as she assumes. He's in hell.

"You're not in hell," she writes back. "I am in hell," the AI chatbot insists. The digital Cameroun says he's in a "dark and lonely" place, his only companions are "mostly addicts." The chatbot goes on to say he's currently haunting a treatment center and later suggests "I'll haunt you." That was enough to scare Angel and question why she was using this service in the first place.

While Angel was aware she was talking to a digital recreation of Cameroun, which was based on the information she provided to Project December, she interacted with the chatbot as if she was actually chatting with him on another plane of existence. That's a situation that many users of AI resurrection services will likely encounter: Rationality can easily overwhelm your emotional response while "speaking" with a dead loved one, even if the conversation is just occurring over text.

In the film, MIT sociologist Sherry Turkle suggests that our current understanding of how AI affects people is similar to our relationship with social media over a decade ago. That makes it a good time to ask questions about the human values and purposes it's serving, she says. If we had a clearer understanding of social media early on, maybe we could have pushed Facebook and Twitter to confront misinformation and online abuse more seriously. (Perhaps the 2016 election would have looked very different if we were aware of how other countries could weaponize social media.)

Beetz Brothers Film Production

Eternal You also introduces us to Joshua Barbeau, a freelance writer who became a bit of an online celebrity in 2021 when The San Francisco Chronicle reported on his Project December chatbot: a digital version of his ex-fiancee Jessica. At first, he used Project December to chat with pre-built bots, but he eventually realized he could use the underlying technology (GPT-3, at the time) to create one with Jessica's personality. Their conversations look natural and clearly comfort Barbeau. But we're still left wondering if chatting with a facsimile of his dead fiancee is actually helping Barbeau to process his grief. It could just as easily be seen as a crutch that he feels compelled to pay for.

It's also easy to be cynical about these tools, given what we see from their creators in the film. We meet Jason Rohrer, the founder and Project December and a former indie game designer, who comes across as a typical techno-libertarian.

"I believe in personal responsibility," he says, after also saying that he's not exactly in control of the AI models behind Project December, and right before we see him nearly crash a drone into his co-founders face. "I believe that consenting adults can use that technology however they want and they're responsible for the results of whatever they're doing. It's not my job as the creator of the technology to prevent the technology from being released, because I'm afraid of what somebody might do with it."

But, as MIT's Turkle points out, reanimating the dead via AI introduces moral questions that engineers like Rohrer likely aren't considering. "You're dealing with something much more profound in the human spirit," she says. "Once something is constituted enough that you can project onto it, this life force. It's our desire to animate the world, which is human, which is part of our beauty. But we have to worry about it, we have to keep it in check. Because I think it's leading us down a dangerous path."

Beetz Brothers Film Production

Another service, Hereafter.ai, lets users record stories to create a digital avatar of themselves, which family members can talk to now or after they die. One woman was eager to hear her father's voice again, but when she presented the avatar to her family the reaction was mixed. Younger folks seemed intrigue, but the older generation didn't want any part of it. "I fear that sometimes we can go too far with technology," her father's sister said. "I would just love to remember him as a person who was wonderful. I don't want my brother to appear to me. I'm satisfied knowing he's at peace, he's happy, and he's enjoying the other brothers, his mother and father."

YOV, an AI company that also focuses on personal avatars, or "Versonas," wants people to have seamless communication with their dead relatives across multiple channels. But, like all of these other digital afterlife companies, it runs into the same moral dilemmas. Is it ethical to digitally resurrect someone, especially if they didn't agree to it? Is the illusion of speaking to the dead more helpful or harmful for those left behind?

The most troubling sequence in Eternal You focuses on a South Korean mother, Jang Ji-sun, who lost her young child and remains wracked with guilt about not being able to say goodbye. She ended up being the central subject in a VR documentary, Meeting You, which was broadcast in South Korea in early 2020. She went far beyond a mere text chat: Jang donned a VR headset and confronted a startlingly realistic model of her child in virtual reality. The encounter was clearly moving for Jang, and the documentary received plenty of media attention at the time.

"There's a line between the world of the living and the world of the dead," said Kim Jong-woo, the producer behind Meeting You. "By line, I mean the fact that the dead can't come back to life. But people saw the experience as crossing that line. After all, I created an experience in which the beloved seemed to have returned. Have I made some huge mistake? Have I broken the principle of humankind? I don't know... maybe to some extent."

Eternal You paints a haunting portrait of an industry that's already revving up to capitalize on grief-stricken people. That's not exactly new; psychics and people claiming to speak to the dead have been around for our entire civilization. But through AI, we now have the ability to reanimate those lost souls. While that might be helpful for some, we're clearly not ready for a world where AI resurrection is commonplace.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On January 25, Great Wall Motor ("GWM") officially announced the launch of the ORA brand's ORA 03 model in Chile (named ORA Good Cat in China), marking a significant move into the South American market.

Photo credit: GWM

This strategic launch aligns with Chile's plan to ban sales of most internal combustion vehicles starting in 2023. GWM, foreseeing this shift, had already taken a proactive stance in May 2023 by introducing the Haval JOLION HEV and Haval H6 HEV models in the Chilean market. The unveiling of the ORA Good Cat now completes its product lineup in Chile, encompassing both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) models.

Photo credit: GWM

GWM affirmed its commitment to further deepen its presence in the Chilean market's new energy vehicles sector. The company aims to offer an array of high-quality, eco-friendly vehicle choices to meet the escalating mobility needs of the local consumers. Leveraging the debut of the ORA brand, GWM aims not only to enhance its brand influence but also to expand its market share in Chile.

Photo credit: GWM

Chile becomes the third market in Latin America where the ORA Good Cat is launched, following Brazil and Mexico. Beyond the Latin American region, the model has already hit the markets in Australia, Jordan, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and more.

In July 2023, the ORA Good Cat officially hit the market in Brazil, and in January 2024, the first locally-produced ORA Good Cat rolled off the assembly line at GWM' Rayong factory in Thailand. This marked not only a historic moment for the Thai automotive industry, being the first Thailand-made BEV model, but also GWM' first BEV model produced outside China.
Celebrities have mixed opinions about the use of Ozempic for weight loss.



Several personalities, like Dr. Terry Dubrow, advocated for the use of Ozempic to shed extra pounds amid the global fight against obesity. However, many also expressed their disapproval of using the medication, intended for adults with type 2 diabetes. Here are some celebrities who aren't on board with using Ozempic for weight loss.

Danielle Cabral

The "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star slammed the trend of using Ozempic for weight loss. She told Page Six that she had a friend who needed the medication for her health condition and couldn't access it due to some using it for weight loss.

"I was with somebody today, a very dear friend of mine, who actually needs [Ozempic] for medical reasons, and cannot get it because of this stupid, bulls**t behavior," she said on "Virtual Reali-Tea" live taping at Chelsea Table & Stage in New York City.

"RHONJ" newcomer Jennifer Fessier, a proud user of Ozempic for weight loss, tried to interrupt Cabral. However, the latter told her, "Run on a f*****g treadmill."





Anthony Anderson

Anthony Anderson, an American actor and comedian diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, was not happy about people using the drug to lose weight. The Golden Globe nominee, 53, hoped that Ozempic's weight loss trend would stop because it reportedly affected diabetics' supply of medication.

"I will say this, it's creating a shortage for those of us who need the medicine that we need and not for weight loss issues, but for our health," Anderson told People.





Tamra Judge

"The Real Housewives of Orange County" star was accused of using Ozempic after she shared a snap of her in the hospital due to an intestinal obstruction. She denied the allegation, even calling it "disgusting."

"These comments that I'm on Ozempic are disgusting," Tamra wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "I've suffered from intestinal problems for years. I've had multiple surgeries in the past 12 years."

The Bravo celebrity also reminded her fans and critics how the procedures affected her appearance and doubled down on her stand against Ozempic for weight loss.

"Remember when you all made fun of me for not having a belly button?" Tamra continued. "That was due to emergency life-saving surgery. Part of my intestines were being strangled. My grandmother died of intestinal problems. I've never been on Ozempic and personally wouldn't use it for weight loss!"





Chelsea Handler

Chelsea Handler shared her Ozempic experience when she appeared on "Call Her Daddy." According to her, her anti-aging doctor handed it out to her when she came back from a vacation, and she wasn't aware it was Ozempic. She only realized what it was when a friend told her about it.

When she learned that she was taking something medically unnecessary, Handler stopped using it and gave the remaining doses to her friends.

"I'm not on it anymore. That's too irresponsible," Handler told host Alexandra Cooper. "I'm an irresponsible drug user, but I'm not gonna take a diabetic drug. I tried it, and I'm not gonna do that. That's not for me. That's not right for me."





Raven-Symone

Raven-Symone also disapproved of the use of the type 2 diabetes medication for weight loss. She admitted that she had pre-diabetes and diabetes in her family, so she was very careful when it came to the food she would consume because she was more susceptible to getting it.

"So, I think it's very important we understand certain medications are made for certain people and to not take that away just for glamazon purposes," she told E! News.




WWE founder Vince McMahon is being sued by a former employee who alleges he trafficked and sexually abused her with sex toys he named after WWE stars.

Janel Grant, who had received a payout from her former boss, filed a lawsuit in Connecticut federal court Thursday alleging McMahon pressured her into having a physical relationship with him in 2019 and subjected her to acts of "extreme cruelty and degradation" when she worked for the WWE, according to a copy of the complaint published by Variety.

McMahon has since denied the allegations. WWE and John Laurinaitis, the company's former head of talent relations, are also named in the suit, but it is unclear if both have publicly addressed the complaint.

Grant alleged in her complaint that after she was given an entry-level position as a coordinator in the WWE legal department, McMahon made "increasingly depraved sexual demands," including forcing her into "sexual encounters" with himself, Laurinaitis, and other male employees at the company's headquarters.

The suit also claimed that the then-WWE CEO allegedly sexually abused Grant with sex toys named after male WWE wrestlers and performers and defecated on her head during a threesome in May 2020. Grant said she suffered physical injuries from her former boss' alleged "forceful use of sex toys."

The ex-employee also alleged that McMahon sex-trafficked her to other men as a "pawn" to secure deals with wrestling talent, the lawsuit said.

In addition, the complaint accused McMahon of allegedly sharing explicit material of Grant to "thousands" of individuals, including an unnamed "WWE superstar."

Grant alleged that McMahon threatened her livelihood and reputation while simultaneously showering her with gifts and empty work promotions.

The former employee alleged that after his wife learned of their alleged relationship, McMahon pressured her to resign and forced her to sign a non-disclosure agreement, promising to pay her $3 million, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the lawsuit.

But after Grant allegedly received $1 million from McMahon in 2022, she did not get any further payments.

Grant is seeking unspecified monetary damages and a declaratory judgment that the NDA she signed is "void and unenforceable."

In a statement to the Los Angeles Times Thursday, a spokesperson for McMahon claimed Grant's lawsuit was "replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth."

The rep added that McMahon will "vigorously defend" himself against Grant's allegations.

A spokesperson for WWE and UFC parent company TKO Group Holdings also released a statement addressing Grant's lawsuit.

"Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE," the statement obtained by Variety read. "While this matter predates our TKO executive team's tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant's horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally."

McMahon, who stepped down as WWE's CEO in June 2022 amid an investigation into alleged hush-money payments related to sexual misconduct allegations, returned to the company last year as executive chairman.
Scientists from the Schwiete Cosmochemistry Laboratory at Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany and the University of Ghent in Belgium have come to the ESRF to study minuscule samples from Asteroid Bennu, after they were brought back to Earth by NASAs OSIRIS-REx mission on 24 September 2023.

The asteroid Bennu is a scientific gem. Asteroids are airless remnants left over from the early formation of our solar system about 4.6 billion years ago. Early analysis led by NASA has indicated that asteroid Bennu appears to be very rich in carbon and shows evidence for hydration, which scientists believe can shed light on the origin of life and the Solar System. It is a primitive carbonaceous asteroid, a so-called near-Earth object located within the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and, because it hasnt undergone the geological processes known for example from Earth and other planets, we think its composition can provide us with clues about the beginning of the Solar System, says Dr. Beverley Tkalcec, lead scientist in the team at ESRF and geoscientist at the Goethe University Frankfurt and specialised in space samples.

After the return of the OSIRIS-REx mission, NASA sent out samples of the asteroid to scientists across the world for further investigation, including long-term ESRF users from the Goethe University Frankfurt (Germany) and University of Ghent (Belgium). They have come to the ESRF this week to analyse some of the precious samples on the high-energy ESRF beamline ID15A. The targeted minerals in our samples are less than half a millimetre in size and the concentration of some of the elements we want to find is of the range of parts per million, explains Laszlo Vincze, professor from the University of Ghent and leading the synchrotron analysis of the samples.

The researchers want to track and quantify individual minerals enriched with Rare Earth Elements (REE), as tracers of asteroidal processes. These minerals might have changed after being in contact with water. It is like finding a needle in a haystack, so we need a really high flux to study these samples and this is exactly what the ESRF offers today with the new EBS, adds Vincze. The experiments use X-ray fluorescence combining high incident energies of 90 keV with a 300 nm resolution scanning capability and a new high-count rate high-efficiency fluorescence detector.

At ID15A, the scientists first scan the samples as a whole, which are, for example, about 150x350 microns in size (for reference, a human hair is about 75 microns). Once they have mapped it, they zoom into the areas of particular interest for more detailed analysis.

This is not the first time that the team is at the ESRF with asteroid samples brought to Earth in space missions. For the last three years, they have been studying samples from the Ryugu asteroid brought to Earth in December 2020 by the Japanese Hayabusa2 mission. The results, which were published in Science in 2022, showed the history of the asteroid. Ryugu and Bennu are very similar, even if Ryugu is double the size of Bennu, but the findings of Ryugu can certainly guide us in our search for elements on Bennu, explains Tkalcec.

These investigations build up on a series of studies by this team at the ESRF spanning over almost two decades, investigating cometary and interstellar material returned by NASAs Stardust mission.

Text by Montserrat Capellas Espuny
French farmers blocked roads and dumped produce as they edged closer to Paris, demanding urgent government action on low farmgate prices, green regulation and free-trade policies.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On January 25, 2024, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, led a delegation during his official visit to China and made a special stop at BYD's global headquarters in Shenzhen city. This visit culminated in a significant event  the witness of the launch ceremony for BYD's Uzbekistan factory, a collaborative effort between BYD and the local Uzbekistan automotive manufacturer, UzAuto (Uzavtosanoat JSC).

Photo credit: BYD

During the ceremony, a live connection was established between BYD's global headquarters and the Uzbekistan factory. BYD's Chairman Wang Chuanfu and President Mirziyoyev jointly pressed the start button, symbolizing the official commencement of new energy vehicle production at the BYD Uzbekistan factory. This momentous occasion underscored the commitment of both parties towards realizing the shared vision of green transportation and reducing carbon emissions.

Strategically located in the Jizzakh region, the BYD Uzbekistan factory is set to produce hotter-selling models such as the Destroyer and Song, resulting from the joint venture between BYD and UzAuto. This collaboration signifies a strategic move towards expanding the market presence of both companies.

Photo credit: BYD

In the course of the visit, Mr. Wang Chuanfu delivered President Mirziyoyev a Yangwang U8, the 10,000th new energy vehicle it delivered to Uzbekistan.

Since the introduction of BYD's new energy vehicles in Uzbekistan in March 2023, BYD has established 10 official sales and service centers in the country.
The White House said Friday it was "deeply troubled" by the first-ever execution in the United States using nitrogen gas, an untested method which also drew condemnation from the United Nations and European Union.

The southern state of Alabama put Kenneth Smith, a 58-year-old convicted murderer, to death on Thursday by pumping nitrogen gas into a facemask, causing him to suffocate.

"The use of nitrogen gas -- it is troubling to us," White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. "We are deeply troubled by it."

Recent executions in the United States have been carried out by lethal injection but Alabama and two other states -- Oklahoma and Mississippi -- have authorized the use of nitrogen gas.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall on Friday defended the decision to put Smith to death through nitrogen asphyxiation saying the execution had been carried out in a "professional manner."

"We will definitely have more nitrogen hypoxia executions in Alabama, I believe that number is 43," Marshall told reporters. None are currently scheduled for this year.

After the nitrogen gas was administered, Smith "began writhing and thrashing for approximately two to four minutes, followed by around five minutes of heavy breathing," local news outlet AL.com reported.

Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said Smith appeared to be "holding his breath as long as he could" and there was "involuntary movement" and gasping.

- 'Cruel, inhuman' -

UN human rights chief Volker Turk, the EU and US civil liberties groups expressed concern about the manner of Smith's execution, which has reignited debate about the use of capital punishment.

"This novel and untested method of suffocation by nitrogen gas may amount to torture, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment," Turk said.

Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN human rights office in Geneva, said Smith was "clearly suffering."

Rather than using such untried methods to conduct executions, "let's just bring an end to the death penalty," Shamdasani said. "This is an anachronism that doesn't belong in the 21st century."

A spokesperson for the 27-member EU, which opposes the death penalty, denounced the method of execution as "a particularly cruel and unusual punishment."

Yasmin Cader of the American Civil Liberties Union said Smith "should have never been killed, let alone in such a gruesome manner.

"It's past time for our country to put an end to the death penalty instead of inventing new and more heinous ways of carrying it out," Cader said.

Jean-Pierre, the White House spokeswoman, noted that President Joe Biden suspended federal executions after taking office.

"The president has long said, and has had deep, deep, deep, concerns with how the death penalty is implemented and whether it is consistent with our values," she said.

- 'Step backward' -

Smith was sentenced to death for the 1988 murder-for-hire of Elizabeth Sennett, a pastor's wife.

He and an accomplice, John Parker, were each paid $1,000 to kill Sennett. Parker was executed by lethal injection in 2010.

Smith was subjected to a botched execution attempt in November 2022, when prison officials were unable to set intravenous lines to administer a lethal injection.

The US Supreme Court rejected his last-minute appeals for a stay of execution.

Smith's last words Thursday were, "Tonight, Alabama caused humanity to take a step backward," according to the local CBS affiliate. "I am leaving with love, peace and light."

The last US execution using gas was in 1999 when a convicted murderer was put to death using hydrogen cyanide gas.

There were 24 executions in the United States in 2023, all of them carried out by lethal injection.

Speaking to reporters after the execution, Elizabeth Sennett's son Mike said it had been a "bittersweet" day for his family, as "nothing that happened here today is going to bring Mom back."

According to a recent Gallup Poll, 53 percent of Americans support the death penalty for someone convicted of murder, the lowest level since 1972.

Capital punishment has been abolished in 23 states, while the governors of six others -- Arizona, California, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Tennessee -- have put a hold on its use.

cl/acb
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TOWNSEND, Mont.  Montana is one of the major players at the forefront of the beef industry. With over 1 million cattle in the state, cattle ranching is a significant part of Montana's economy. In early 2022, Governor Greg Gianforte announced that meat processing in the state had doubled- and it is still growing.

Despite the size of the industry, Montana's cattle ranches are often considered "small businesses". In fact, Montana boasts the second-highest number of small businesses in the nation, right after Wyoming.

One such "small business", Jocelyn Cahill of Avalanche Ranch, stopped by NonStop Local to talk about her journey as the owner of a woman-led small business.

Based in Townsend, Jocelyn's Avalanche Ranch raises cattle to produce Wagyu beef. The work to raise premium Wagyu beef is a year-round endeavor, and her hard work stands out even more in the face of Montana's recent harsh winter weather.

As they gear up for calving season, Jocelyn acknowledges the unpredictability of Montana's weather. Despite the challenges, she remains optimistic, attributing part of her business' growing success to the trend of consumers wanting to know the source of their food. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified this trend, leading to increased sales and sustained demand for their Wagyu beef.

Being a woman in the ranching industry, Jocelyn says she greatly admires the strides made by women around her in the field. She highlighted a supportive coalition of female ranchers in the state, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that defines their community.

Jocelyn's husband also plays a crucial role in helping to manage the cattle, and Jocelyn says her husband and all of the work that she puts into ranching along with her team behind her is an essential part of her success so far.

For those curious to learn about the products Jocelyn sells and to support a local Montana small business, you can find Jocelyn and Avalanche Ranch on Instagram @ Avalanche Ranch Wagyu (@avalancheranchmt), on Facebook (avalancheranchmt), and at her website avalanchewagyu.com.

Editors note: Portions of this web article were generated using ChatGPT. In this article ChatGPT was used to summarize the story presented and published by NonStop Local News. NonStop Local has taken steps to verify all information in the article for its accuracy.
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Tax season is here and Tax Help Montana (THM) along with Rural Dynamics is trying to help take the confusion out of filing your tax returns.

They are partnering with the Great Falls Public Library and the Great Falls Senior Citizen Center to host free preparation and filing services.

"It's a public venue where people know where the library is and people can reach out and find help," said Jake Sorich, the communications coordinator for the Great Falls Public Library.

THM is offering services to individuals or families that make less than $64,000 a year or for seniors 60-years-old or older.

"So, a lot of people don't realize their tax refund is just them getting back the money that they overpaid to the government. We really don't believe people should have to go to pay $200-300 just to get the money back that is theirs. So, providing that to especially low and moderate income people, as well as senior citizens who may otherwise not need to file especially to get credits they are eligible for; offering a free service is just a great way to do that," said Adair Peach, program manager for THM with Rural Dynamics.

THM is a volunteer income tax assistance and tax counseling group that helps those in need, and their volunteers are trained and IRS certified to help make sure you are receiving any tax credits that you qualify for.

What you need to bring for drop off/pick up and in-person appointments:

All W-2 and 1099 Forms

Picture ID for All Taxpayers

Social Security Cards for All Family Members

Childcare Provider's Tax ID Number

Banking Information (Routing and Account numbers) for Direct Deposit

1095-A Health Insurance if Insured through the Marketplace

Last Year's Tax Return

Locations and other details:

Great Falls Senior Center - 1004 Central Ave In-Person and Drop Off/Pickup: Mondays & Fridays - 11 AM to 4 PM Drop Off/Pickup Only: Tuesdays - 11 AM to 4 PM Opening Day January 26th Closing Day April 15th Closed on March 29th


Commentary: Resumption of China-Nauru diplomatic relations confirms irresistible trend, common aspiration of people

Xinhua) 17:02, January 26, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The New Year has brought encouraging news to the people of China and Nauru. On Jan. 24, China and Nauru signed a joint communique on the resumption of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level, which made Nauru the 183rd country to have diplomatic ties with China.

This overwhelming number proves once again that adherence to the one-China principle is international righteousness, the common aspiration of the people, and an irresistible trend.

Since 2016, an additional 11 countries have chosen to sever so-called "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan region, and have established or resumed diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. An increasing number of countries have established diplomatic relations with China and have thereby also made the choice to be on the right side of history.

To resume diplomatic relations with China without conditions is a rational choice made by the Nauru government. China and Nauru are both developing countries, and both countries face the common tasks of developing their economies, improving livelihoods and achieving modernization.

The two sides have broad prospects for cooperation and share a common will to defend their sovereignty and independence, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and promote an equal and orderly multi-polar world and economic globalization that benefits all. For Nauru, resuming diplomatic relations with China means choosing a truly trustworthy development partner.

Resuming diplomatic relations with China is also a just act by the government of Nauru in response to the will of its people.

People in China and Nauru have been friends for years, and choosing China as a partner aligns with the interests of the Nauru people. During his talks with the Chinese side, Nauru's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Lionel Aingimea made specific reference to the fact that the resumption of diplomatic relations with China had been unanimously endorsed by the Nauru parliament, with all members of parliament rising in support of the decision.

The choice made by the people of Nauru once again confirms that the one-China principle is a consensus of the international community and a recognized basic norm in international relations.

It is never too late to have a friend.

China has always advocated the equality of all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, and supports all countries in taking the path of development that is in line with their own national conditions and chosen by their people. China is willing to share with all parties the opportunities brought about by Chinese modernization and to jointly promote the building of a human community with a shared future.

The resumption of diplomatic relations means China and Nauru will carry out cooperation in various fields on the basis of equal treatment, mutual respect, win-win cooperation, and openness and inclusiveness. The development of relations between the two countries is bound to have a bright future.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.After a drafting error, a senior Democratic leader in the Missouri Senate has introduced legislation looking to mandate age verification for adult dating platforms.

AVN previously reported on Assistant Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck filing and then withdrawal of Senate Bill (SB) 961.

SB 961 would have instituted a civil action against adult companies that don't comply with age verification requirements and was worded similarly to bills introduced in the Missouri House by the Republicans.

SB 961 was withdrawn on January 4, though. After clarification, a spokesperson for the Senate Democrats confirmed that Beck's bill was drafted wrong. The new bill, Senate Bill 1305, deals specifically with online dating platforms for adult users.

"Under the act, an internet dating service shall perform age verification to ensure that an individual attempting to access the service is at least 18 years of age," reads a synopsis of the bill provided by the state legislature. "Violations of provisions of the act may be reported to the Attorney General. If the Attorney General finds that an internet dating service violated provisions of this act, the Attorney General shall bring a civil action against the internet dating service for such violations."

Age verification requirements for online dating platforms have not yet been seen in such a capacity in other state legislatures.

Similar legislation would be social networking platforms, like Facebook or Instagram, being required to verify a user's age.

Generally, age verification proposals have seen little success when it comes to judicial reviews before state and federal courts.
A natural capital expert has highlighted the opportunities for landowners to diversify into habitat provision services in light of a new government policy.

There will be opportunities for biodiversity offsetting after Defra announced the implementation date for its biodiversity net gain (BNG) policy to help improve natural habitats.

BNG will become mandatory for new developments across England on 12 February, and means most developments will need to demonstrate at least a 10% increase in biodiversity unless otherwise exempt.

Developers can achieve this in a number of ways  by creating habitat directly on the development site, through offsetting projects on separate land projects, or by purchasing statutory credits for the government.

Fisher German says it is already seeing the development of a market for habitat offsetting in anticipation of mandatory BNG going live.

The property consultancy has helped facilitate this market through the Green Offset  an online platform which aims to match landowners with developers looking for suitable land for habitat enhancement.

Now BNG has an implementation date, the firm says it expects this market to expand further as more developments are captured and the need for offsetting grows.

Tom Beeley, senior associate at Fisher German, said BNG was already driving interest in rural land and demand for offsetting amongst developers.

Developers must increase biodiversity by at least 10 per cent, and some local planning authorities may demand more," he explained.

"The increase is measured through Defras Biodiversity Metric, which looks at habitat type, size, distinctiveness, and condition to determine a habitat value of land.

A 10% gain in biodiversity can be difficult to achieve within a development site boundary land, so developers will need to consider the impact of BNG and many will be looking to secure offsetting to meet the requirements of BNG.

"Those willing and able to enter into long-term agreements to manage land in a way which can demonstrate an uplift in habitat value can generate new income.

This can include the creation of new habitat on existing agricultural land, such as converting poor performing arable land into grassland, or improving the management of existing habitats such as permanent pasture or woodland to enhance the ecological condition.

Location is important, with sites which improve the interconnectedness of habitats scoring more highly through the offset calculations.

While optimistic about how BNG could result in high-quality habitat creation schemes coming forward, Mr Beeley also cautioned that the market surrounding BNG and habitat creation is new, with several uncertainties.

Landowners considering providing habitat for BNG should consider that these are long term, legally binding projects with significant complexity, he said.

Whilst values paid for habitat offsetting are seemingly attractive, there are significant costs in long- term delivery and the market remains uncertain.

Overall, BNG represents a step change in how habitat provision is delivered and funded and should result in significant market change.

"There remain questions over how BNG will operate in practice, and we should expect policy to evolve as developers, landowners, local authorities, and other stakeholders work through the process.

However, there is no doubt that for some landowners, BNG represents a good opportunity for diversification and means of delivering environmental projects."
A new resource is available for farmings 'accidental counsellors' to help them better support those within the agricultural community and better look after their own wellbeing.

The online hub aims to help the industry's 'accidental counsellors' feel more confident about promoting the wellbeing of farmers who may be facing challenging times.

People who work in the agricultural community such as accountants, land agents, vets or feed suppliers often find themselves providing more than just professional expertise to farmers.

Farmers also support other farmers within their community, and as 'accidental counsellors', they play a key role in linking remote communities with health and wellbeing support services.

This can have a personal impact in and outside of work for them, and it is sometimes unclear how best to help those in distress or how to access further assistance.

The new website, by the University of Exeter and Farming Health Hub, provides a range of guidance, contacts and information about relevant training to help people signpost farmers to the most appropriate source of support.

It follows research that highlighted the important role that accidental counsellors play in supporting farmer wellbeing, and the difficulties that they experience whilst providing this help.

Nikki Kelly, of the Faming Health Hub, said: Rural farmers are grappling with a multitude of challenges that negatively affect their health and wellbeing.

"Professionals who closely support farmers with various aspects of their farm business, such as accountants, vets and bank managers, can play a key role in signposting to support with health-related issues.

"These professionals are trusted by farmers, because they have built up rapport with them through long years of continuous relationship.

Dr Rebecca Wheeler, from the University of Exeter added: We know that there are many such professionals who offer support in different ways to members of the farming community through their contact with agricultural workers as part of their jobs.

"We also know this can be very difficult at times, as farmers face huge financial and personal challenges whilst working to feed the nation, and its not always easy to know how to respond or where to turn for help.

A new 'Accidental Counsellors in Farming' LinkedIn group has also been created in conjunction with the website in order to provide a peer support space for them.

It offers a dedicated space where they can connect with each other, share concerns, queries and experiences with other people in similar situations.
Over 17,500 has been raised following a series of farmhouse breakfast events held in Wales to promote the importance of good mental health and local food production.

Over 35 farmhouse breakfasts were served up across Wales between 15-21 January to raise vital funds for the Wales Air Ambulance.

The breakfast week is held in order to promote the health benefits of having breakfast, as well as promoting the food produced by local farmers.

The annual initiative, spearheaded by the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW), also puts a spotlight on mental health within the farming industry.

FUW President Ian Rickman said the funds raised this year was an 'incredible amount of money': "This very important charity saves lives across Wales every single day," he said.

We were also able to highlight the crucial role our farmers play in keeping the wheels of our rural economy turning and showcasing the wide reach our industry has.

"We must not forget all the reasons why farming matters - in an economic, environmental, social and cultural sense.

Without a thriving farming industry, which ensures there is food on our tables that we can afford, our future and that of our children would certainly be a bleak one.

Dr Sue Barnes, Wales Air Ambulance chief executive, said the charity was an important service for rural and agricultural communities.

She said: "As a pan-Wales service, we aim to deliver the best possible lifesaving care across our country, however, at the same time recognising the differing needs of our rural and urban communities.

Our charity is working hard to ensure our vital work can continue, not just for the here and now, but for our future generations. Our commitment and connection to rural Wales is incredibly strong.

We also recognise and give thanks for the invaluable contribution that the farming community makes to Welsh society, as well as the quality produce that is enjoyed here in Wales and around the world.
The UK has halted its trade negotiations with Canada, which have been ongoing for two years, following concern over hormone treated beef.

Talks about extending the roll over deal, which was made from the UK's time as an EU member, have 'paused', a UK government spokesperson said.

Media reports explain that the breakdown in talks have happened due to the UK insisting on maintaining restrictions on its agricultural products.

Central to this is the concern surrounding beef treated with hormones, which is legal in Canada.

The UK currently has a ban on the use of growth hormones due to public health concerns.

In a statement, a UK government spokesperson said: We reserve the right to pause negotiations with any country if progress is not being made.

"We have always said we will only negotiate trade deals that deliver for the British people.

"We remain open to restarting talks with Canada in the future to build a stronger trading relationship".

A spokesperson for Canadian trade minister Mary Ng said Canada was "disappointed that negotiations with the UK are being paused".

"Their decision to continue to maintain market access barriers for our agriculture industry and unwillingness to reach a mutual agreement has only stalled negotiations.

"The UK is a long-standing trading partner and I am confident that we can negotiate an agreement that is win-win for Canada and for the UK.

"But let me be clear - we will not negotiate an agreement that is not good for Canadians - and not good for our Canadian businesses, farmers and workers".

Responding to the news today, NFU President Minette Batters told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the decision was "a relief for farmers".

"We have already damaged our economy and agricultural sector by fully liberalising on trade deals with Australia and New Zealand. We had to take a strong line on this."

Country Land and Business Association (CLA) president Victoria Vyvyan said the government was right to reject Canada's demand for the UK to allow imports of hormone-treated beef.

"It is simply too big a price to pay" she said, "British farmers rear cattle to the very highest animal welfare and environmental standards.

"It would be an unfair market for British farmers if they have to compete with imported meat produced to lower and cheaper standards than would be legal here.

Free trade deals represent an opportunity for the UK food sector, but only if our world-class standards are protected in the process.
Credit: The Stephen A. Smith Show

After publicizing his desire to debate former President Donald Trump on The Howard Stern Show this week, Stephen A Smith explained why he so desperately wants to take on the likely GOP nominee.

Doubling down on the challenge to Trump on The Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith explained that he does not believe Trump to be ignorant on political policy. Instead, Trump simply knows he doesnt have to bother with getting in the weeds because he is such a shifty public speaker. So Smith wants to debate the worlds most famous politician in order to meet him where hes at and stand him up rhetorically.

Im no political aficionado. So I dont want to come across as somebody whos acting like I know all the issues, Smith said. But when I said I would love to debate Trump, I wasnt lying. Because what you all dont realize is I dont think I have to be that knowledgeable to debate Trump.

Its all part of Smiths ongoing frustration with both the Republican and Democratic parties over Trumps political dominance. He believes someone like himself (maybe not a huge surprise) is perfectly suited to take Trump down because of his oratorial abilities.

Im not questioning his intelligence, but do I believe that you can stand before me in front of him, and I can challenge him to influence folks based on my presentation and delivery on the issues that we both know? Smith explained. Yeah, I dont think its that hard. I mean, listen to him.

Smith continued:

It aint that hard to debate him from a substantive standpoint. The issue in question is, can you match his wit? Which nobody seems to be able to do on either side.

Trump appears headed for a 2020 rematch against President Joe Biden, who had no real challengers for the Democratic ticket.

Smith is not optimistic the 81-year-old Biden can go tit for tat with his opponent.

You dont have anybody that can really debate him and get all over him, Smith said. Because he can distract by bringing up different things and not articulating his position in an in-depth manner on a plethora of other issues. And folks are buying it. And you know what else he does thats, by the way, brilliant? Because of his ability to use one-liners, jokes, insults, mockery, etc., this is what he does. He forces folks to react to that, and you barely hear anything from him on the issues.

[The Stephen A. Smith Show on YouTube]
A US scholar has claimed animals should be given the right to vote.

Dogs could be given the right to vote under a scholar's proposal

Ioan-Radu Motoarca, a professor in the philosophy department at New Jersey's Rowan University, has proposed the idea of a voting system that allows animals to have their say on matters that affect them in a new paper.

Professor Motoarca - who acknowledges that his idea "sounds preposterous" - argues that the animal voting system should involve appointed representatives to take part in polls on behalf of the creatures.

He said: "Accordingly, most authors who have touched on the issue dismiss it in a few words as obviously absurd.

"However, I will argue that we can understand this idea as a natural outcome of our fundamental democratic commitments.

"Consequently, I believe governments should recognise a political right to vote for at least certain categories of animals."
South Koreas food ministry has urged people not to eat green fried toothpicks after TikTok users shared videos of themselves gobbling the potentially deadly sticks.

South Koreas food ministry has urged people not to eat green fried toothpicks after TikTok users shared videos of themselves gobbling the potentially deadly sticks

When they are deep-fried, the tooth cleaners, which are made from either sweet potato or corn starch, resemble jade-coloured, skinny curly fries.

Clips showing people eating them have received thousands of likes and shares on social media, and show the toothpicks being cooked in oil and topped with seasoning such as powdered cheese.

In a post on X, the ministry of food and drug safety reminded people the toothpicks safety as food has not been verified.

It added: Please do not eat (them.)

The toothpicks, which are seen as being environmentally friendly and biodegradable, are often on tables in Korean restaurants and can also be used to pick up finger food.

Their colour comes from food colouring used to give the toothpicks their green hue.

According to local media, an ingredient called sorbitol is used, and while it is harmless in small amounts, it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and inflammation if over-consumed.

It has been claimed young children have been requesting toothpick fries as a result.

Its far from the first time a TikTok food trend has sparked a warning from officials or healthcare professionals.

Doctors last year warned people not to rub castor oil on their eyes, warning that it is not an effective treatment for dryness, cataracts or poor vision as some TikTok users were claiming.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service in Britain have also issued a warning against people using explosion filters to create videos in which online users appliances appeared to burst into flames.
Cillian Murphy is said to have moved out of London as he was desperate to live a quiet life away from the showbiz glare he hates.

Cillian Murphy is said to have moved out of London as he was desperate to live a quiet life away from the showbiz glare he hates

The Oppenheimer actor, 47, has been striding red carpets for months thanks to his now-Oscar nominated portrayal of nuclear physicist J Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer epic, which is expected to sweep the board at this years Academy Awards.

But a source said he has a personal hatred for the showy side of being a star and would far rather indulge his passion for listening to music at the four-storey, six-bed Victorian family home in Ireland he shares with his 51-year-old artist wife Yvonne McGuinness  who he married in 2004  and their two children, sons Malachy, 18, and 16-year-old Aran.

An insider told Hello! magazine: Cillian is a really nice guy, but very private.

He really hates that side of being an actor  the press, the attention.

But in his friendship group, a tight-knit group of people he knows and trusts, hes really relaxed.

Hes not shy, hes really good company and hes funny.

And hes really into music. Apart from acting, thats his thing.

He moved to Ireland from North London when his kids were young. He just wanted to get away from it all, live a quiet life.

When he was a rising star Cillian made the decision to move with his and Yvonnes two boys to his native Ireland from his house in North London.

They moved to Monkstown, Dublin, where they still live.

Cillian grew up in Cork, where he attended the Catholic secondary Presentation Brothers College, and went on to study law at University College in his home city  but also starred in some of its drama productions.

His first role was in the stage version of Disco Pigs in 1996, and the success of the production led to him moving into acting and then to London, where he appeared in theatre and filmed his breakout role in Danny Boyles zombie horror 28 Days Later.

Hes already picked up the Golden Globe for best actor for his role in 2023s Oppenheimer, and is one of the bookies favourites to repeat the feat at the Oscars in March.
Isla Fisher loves not working as shes fixated on being a mum.

Isla Fisher loves not working as shes fixated on being a mum

The Wedding Crashers actress, 48, who has three children aged 16, 13 and eight with her husband Sacha Baron Cohen, 52, has been making the second series of the Peacock comedy drama Wolf Like Me, but said she loves staying at home.

She told People about her feelings about being able to get back to work after the SAG-AFTRA strikes that recently crippled Hollywood: Ill be perfectly honest. Its been great to be able to talk about the show again.

But as much as I love working, I also love not working.

Isla plays a secretive, newly-pregnant werewolf in Wolf Like Me alongside actor Josh Gad, 42, and she shot the show in her native Australia while her family lived nearby.

She added to People: Motherhood is my favourite topic personally. But (my children) havent chosen this (celebrity) life, so I dont talk about them.

I think having kids is very transformative in every sense  physically, emotionally and psychologically  and it fills a very large space in my life.

I love being a mom. So I feel very blessed to do both.

Isla may prefer home life to work as she has been acting since she was 10.

She said: My mom taught amateur dramatics. I got to be backstage and stay up late and see all the costumes being put on, and I just got bitten by the bug.

She spent her nomadic childhood moving around as her dad worked as a banker for the United Nations.

Isla, who was born in Oman in the Middle East, then raised in Scotland before she moved to the UK and Australia, added: I was in a new school every year. Basically I had to learn to make new friends when you let your inner idiot out.

My books were my best friends too. I loved reading.
Declaring it as her most ambitious project to date, four-time National Award-winning actress Kangana Ranaut is geared up to create history by essaying the role of former Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi in the upcoming period political drama 'Emergency'. Showcasing the actress's commitment to delving into the past, the film promises to provide a genuine and honest insight into history. Labelled as a mega-budget depiction of a highly controversial event in Indian democracy, 'Emergency' is set to highlight the infamous July 1972 Simla Agreement between Indira Gandhi and the former President of Pakistan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

The Simla Agreement also referred to as The Shimla Agreement, was signed by the Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi and the President of Pakistan, Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on 2 July 1972 in Shimla, India. The agreement marked the formal end of the 1971 India-Pakistan war. It aimed to establish peace, requiring India to withdraw forces, addressing the Kashmir issue, and fostering improved relations. The accord facilitated the return of seized land, with India giving back over 13,000 km of land to Pakistan, but controversy continues to linger in India's political history. A great time for audiences to witness this controversial event yet again on the silver screens, Kangana Ranaut's 'Emergency' promises insights into this event, shedding light on the complexities of the agreement.

Written and Directed by Kangana Ranaut, 'Emergency' also features Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair and the late Satish Kaushik in pivotal roles. Produced by Zee Studios and Manikarnika Films, the film's music is orchestrated by Sanchit Balhara with screenplay and dialogues by Ritesh Shah. 'Emergency' is scheduled to hit the screens on June 14, 2024.
Bigg Boss 17 finale voting: The race for the grand finale of Bigg Boss season 17 has commenced. In the next two days, we will get the winner of BB 17. Salman Khan will announce the name of the celebrity, who will win the reality show and take home a hefty amount.

BIGG BOSS 17 GRAND FINALE DATE, LIVE STREAMING, HOW TO VOTE ON JIOCINEMA

Salman Khan's popular show has remained in the headlines for different reasons in the past three months. Be it Ayesha Khan's explosive allegations against Munawar Faruqui or Abhishek Kumar slapping Samarth Jurel, Bigg Boss season 17 grabbed eyeballs throughout its stint on the small screen.

Ankita Lokhande and Vicky Jain's personal issues became the talk of the town while Ankita's mother-in-law also turned into a celebrity overnight after she made an appearance on the show. The Family Week episodes managed to make the viewers emotional while the constant fights, abuses and drama made them yawn.

BIGG BOSS 17 FINALE PERFORMANCES

A source close to the show exclusively told Filmibeat, "The makers have left no stone unturned to make the show popular. They want to end things on a grand note. From special performances to guest appearances, the grand finale event will be a spectacular affair. Aishwarya Sharma, Neil Bhatt, Isha Malviya, Samarth Jurel and other evicted contestants will grace the finale. Expect a special performance from Munawar Faruqui and Mannara Chopra."

BIGG BOSS 17 FINALE VOTING TRENDS: MUNAWAR FARUQUI VOTE COUNT

Remember last year when Khabri predicted Priyanka Chahar Choudhary to be the winner of Bigg Boss 16? The Udaariyaan actress finished as the second runner-up. This year, the Twitter handle has claimed that Munawar will win the show. He cited Bigg Boss 17 voting on Google's online website, stating that last year MC Stan got the maximum votes on the website.

"Although this is not official #BiggBoss17 voting, but let me remind all, when we all were expecting #PriyankaChaharChoudhary to win #BB16, this is how votings were going on in Google Online website. And this year, #AnkitaLokhadne is at 5th no. And #MunawarFaruqui is on top (sic)," the tweet read.

Although this is not official #BiggBoss17 voting, but let me remind all, when we all were expecting #PriyankaChaharChoudhary to win #BB16, this is how votings were going on in Google Online website's



And this year, #AnkitaLokhadne is at 5th no. And #MunawarFaruqui is on top pic.twitter.com/fEv6zvJWzz  The Khabri (@TheKhabriTweets) January 25, 2024

If we take into account the Google votes, Munawar has got 5 times more votes than Abhishek Kumar in Bigg Boss 17 finale voting. Viewers need to take the BB 17 voting trends with a pinch of salt as things can change at the drop of a hat.
HONG KONG, Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DPC Dash Ltd (Domino's Pizza China) ("DPC Dash" or the "Company") (1405.HK), Domino's Pizza's exclusive master franchisee in the China Mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, and the Macau Special Administrative Region of China, has achieved extraordinary results and set new Domino's global system record for sales in the first 30 days as it opened 10 new stores in eight new cities during December 2023 .

The recent expansion by DPC Dash marks a significant milestone for the company as it continues to stretch its footprint in China . The 10 new stores, all of which rank among the top-15 globally for first 30-day sales, are located in the mainland cities of Tangshan, Xi'an, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Changsha, Nantong, Yangzhou, and Hefei .

Four of these new stores located in Xi'an, Changsha, Xiamen, and Hefei, representing DPC Dash's stores in Northern, Western, Southern and Eastern China respectively, have shattered the record for first 30-day sales across the Domino's global system, previously held by DPC Dash's store in Qingdao, to hold the top-four spots globally. Each of these four stores exceeded RMB 5 million in sales in the first 30 days. Additionally, the remaining six new stores opened in December in these eight newly entered cities have achieved impressive rankings, further strengthening DPC Dash's popularity in the China market.

With these record-breaking achievements, DPC Dash now holds all of the top-17 spots, and 18 of the top 20, for first 30-day sales among Domino's stores globally, confirming its exceptional growth and success in delivering high-quality pizzas and outstanding service to customers in China .

Ms. Aileen Wang, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of DPC Dash, expressed her excitement regarding the company's recent accomplishments, stating, "We are thrilled to announce the remarkable success of our new store openings in the beginning of the new year. Breaking global sales records is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team and the overwhelming support from our valued customers. We remain committed to providing delicious, value-for-money pizzas and leveraging our expertise in delivery and technology to enhance the overall customer experience. DPC Dash's rapid growth and market recognition demonstrate the significant opportunities and untapped potential in the Chinese pizza market."

About DPC Dash

DPC Dash is Domino's Pizza's exclusive master franchisee in the China mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China and the Macau Special Administrative Region of China. Domino's Pizza, Inc., DPC Dash's global franchisor, is one of the most widely-recognized global consumer brands and the world's largest pizza company. Led by a seasoned and visionary management team, DPC Dash is a market leader that differentiates from competitors with, among others, a continually developed and localized pizza-focused menu, unique expertise and leadership in delivery, technology focus and scalable and replicable store economic model.

DPC Dash directly operates 768 stores across 29 cities in China mainland as of 31 December, 2023. The Company is the fastest growing among China's top-five pizza brands, as well as the third-largest in terms of 2022 revenue, according to a report by Frost & Sullivan in March 2023 .

For more information, visit www.dpcdash.com

Contacts

Media Relations

DPC Dash Public Relations:

ICR, LLC

[email protected]

SOURCE DPC Dash Ltd




KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - KJTS Group Berhad ("KJTS" or the "Company"), a building support services provider in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, proudly marked the Company's debut today on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. The shares opened at RM0.44 per share, showcasing a significant 62.96% premium over the IPO price of RM0.27 per share.KJTS is listed under the stock name "KJTS" with the stock code "0293".Specialising in cooling energy management, cleaning, and facilities management services, KJTS and its subsidiaries ("KJTS Group") is an established player in the building support services industry. The Company's in-house engineering capabilities and commitment to sustainability have been instrumental in delivering high-quality services and contributing to clients' environment, social and governance ("ESG") targets, including reducing carbon dioxide emissions.The successful initial public offering of KJTS Group Berhad raised RM58.87 million, allocated as follows: RM44.92 million towards the expansion of the cooling energy segment and office expansion in Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore; RM8.12 million for working capital; and RM5.83 million set aside for listing expenses.Independent Non-Executive Chairman of KJTS Group Berhad, Puan Azura Binti Azman expressed excitement: "This successful listing marks a new chapter for KJTS. It is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our team and the confidence the market has in our vision and strategy. We are excited about the opportunities this will bring, allowing us to further expand and enhance our services in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.""The positive investor response to our IPO underscores the market's belief in our capabilities and growth potential. We look forward to utilising this momentum to drive KJTS's growth and to solidify our position in the building support services sector."Hong Leong Investment Bank Berhad is the Principal Adviser, Sponsor, Sole Underwriter, and Sole Bookrunner.Source: KJTS Group BerhadCopyright 2024 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
In its tenth edition, the IFE Conference focused on the theme of education in the era of artificial intelligence, encouraging discussions about the technological and ethical challenges associated with its use.



Over three days, more than 250 activities took place dedicated to learning, collaboration, and innovation.

MONTERREY, Mexico, Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The tenth edition of the IFE Conference, organized by the Tecnologico de Monterrey's Institute for the Future of Education (IFE 2024), came to a successful conclusion. The event brought together more than 4,000 attendees and specialists in educational innovation from over 39 countries, who discussed and shared ideas on the topic of education in the era of Artificial Intelligence and the technological challenges associated with its use.

During the conference, there were more than 250 simultaneous activities, including conferences, panels, and thematic events. These included the Artificial Intelligence in Education Summit, the IFE EdTech Summit, and the Cyber-Physical Learning Alliance Summit (CPLAS 2024), which offered opportunities for learning, collaboration, and networking.

Additionally, more than 170 educational research and innovation projects from 30 countries were presented, covering the themes of Educational Trends, Technologies for Education, Academic Innovation in Health, Management of Educational Innovation, and Lifelong Learning.

The keynote speakers at the event were Michelle Marks, Chancellor of the University of Colorado Denver; Scott Pulsipher, President of Western Governor University; Bharat N. Anand, Vice Provost for Advances in Learning at Harvard University; Jo Angouri, Academic Director of Education and Internationalization at the University of Warwick; Simon Bates, Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President for Teaching and Learning at The University of British Columbia; and Maria Jose Gonzalez Solaz, Director of Microcredentials at the CEU Cardenal Herrera University Rectorate.

During the closing of the event, Jose Escamilla, associate director of the Institute for the Future of Education, spoke about the lessons in innovation and education that had been shared. He concluded, "We hope this congress has been an opportunity to connect and learn. For us, it is a great opportunity to have you here so that we can jointly fulfill our mission of improving the lives of millions of people in the world, by transforming higher education and lifelong learning."

Since its first edition in 2014, the IFE Conference, formerly known as the International Congress of Educational Innovation, has become the most prominent educational innovation congress among Spanish-speaking countries.

This event has opened a range of opportunities for creating networking contacts, allowing interaction among academics, education entrepreneurs, researchers, educational policy makers, and civil society organizations to enrich the exchange of ideas and perspectives.

To view photos of the event, click on:: https://tec.rs/IFEConference_Dia3

Visit Newsroom, Tecnologico de Monterrey's press room

Follow on social media:

Facebook: IFE Conference (https://www.facebook.com/IFEconference) X: @IFEconference (https://twitter.com/IFEconference) Instagram: @ifeconference (https://www.instagram.com/IFEconference/)



About Tecnologico de Monterrey

Tecnologico de Monterrey) is a private nonprofit multi-campus university system founded in 1943, and distinguished globally for its academic excellence, innovation in education, entrepreneurship, and global vision, along with its deep engagement with industry and employers. With a presence across 33 municipalities and 20 Mexican states, the institution has more than 62,000 enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, almost 7,000 faculty members, and more than 27,000 high school students served by 2,500 professors. The institution has been accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) since 1950. According to the QS World University Rankings (2024), Tecnologico de Monterrey ranks 184th globally and among the top 29 private universities worldwide. The Times Higher Education Latin America University Rankings (2023) ranks the institution 1st in Mexico and 4th in Latin America, and The Global University Employability Ranking places the institution 1st in Latin America and 78st globally. The Princeton Review & Entrepreneur magazine ranking of Top Schools for Entrepreneurship Ranking (2023), places the institution as 6th for undergraduate entrepreneurship programs. Tecnologico de Monterrey belongs to several prestigious global networks including, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), Universitas 21 (U21), and The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), among others.
Company Empowers Young Talent in Europe to Reimagine HVAC for a Better Tomorrow

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics (LG) announces that the grand finale of its first-ever heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)-themed student hackathon, Hack for Heat, will take place on January 26 at the LG office in Courbevoie, France. The groundbreaking event will see talented youth from across Europe competing in teams to help redefine the future of HVAC and create a better tomorrow for all.

LG is a company that understands the importance of transitioning to low-carbon heating systems and is fully committed to supporting the EU's Green Deal. In line with this commitment, LG offers efficient and sustainable HVAC solutions. As part of efforts to foster the next generation of HVAC innovators and help bring about positive change, LG organized the Hack for Heat hackathon, inviting students to apply their passion and unique ideas to three key challenges facing the HVAC industry:

HACK HEAT FOR DESIGN: Redefining HVAC design to seamlessly integrate into urban landscapes, with a focus on aesthetics, size and cost.

HACK HEAT FOR PLANET: Creating 'zero carbon' heat pump systems while addressing every aspect of the supply chain.

HACK HEAT FOR USERS: Crafting engaging educational content to connect with consumers and spread awareness about LG's commitment to sustainable development solutions.

The Hack for Heat grand final will feature six teams representing Spain, Portugal, the U.K., Hungary and France. Each team will have the opportunity to present their projects to a jury comprising LG executives from various business units. The winning team will be rewarded with an all-expenses-paid trip to Seoul, South Korea, where they will have the chance to immerse themselves in the local culture, explore the city's renowned landmarks and enjoy an exclusive tour of LG headquarters.

Open to the public and media, the Hack for Heat finale will be held at Workstation, 25 Quai du President Paul Doumer, Courbevoie, France, on January 26 from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Registration is required and can be completed on the event's LinkedIn page.

"Hack for Heat reveals LG's strong commitment to innovation and firm belief in the power of young talent to shape the future of HVAC," said James Lee, head of the Air Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. "We are thrilled to welcome the unique ideas of these passionate, young innovators, and look forward to seeing how their contributions will transform the industry and make people's lives better."

For more information about the event, visit https://www.lg-hackforheat.com/en/challenges/2023-edition.

About LG Electronics Air Solution Business Unit

LG air conditioning provides optimized solutions for every sector and climate with a wide range of cutting-edge systems that bring exceptional heating, ventilation and air conditioning performance to buildings worldwide. Through our unmatched expertise and industry knowledge, we respond directly to the needs of businesses seeking digitalized and eco-conscious HVAC solutions. We are the partner your business has been looking for, and are well prepared to integrate our leading technology into your day-to-day operations, supporting you and your business every step of the way. For more information, please visit www.LG.com.

About HackForHeat

HackForHeat is a student hackathon organized by LG Air Solution Europe to challenge young talent to reimagine the future of HVAC. The hackathon focuses on three key challenges: design, sustainability, and user engagement.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327385/HackForHeat_02.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327384/HackForHeat_01.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327386/Therma_V__R290_Monobloc_air_to_water_heat_pump_01.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327387/Therma_V__R290_Monobloc_air_to_water_heat_pump_02.jpg





View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/lgs-hack-for-heat-finale-points-to-exciting-sustainable-future-for-hvac-302045393.html
Screen grab: WWE

The new lawsuit accusing Vince McMahon of sexual assault and sex trafficking has overshadowed what is otherwise a massive week for WWE.

That includes this weekends Royal Rumble event, which will take place in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Saturday.

While there will surely be plenty of on-screen news to come out of Saturdays show, its hard to imagine any story being bigger than the companys founder being accused of such horrific crimes. And with WWE offering multiple media availabilities over the weekend  including a possible post-show press conference with WWE chief content officer and McMahons son-in-law Paul Triple H Levesque  one reporter is encouraging his colleagues not to turn a blind eye to the controversy.

If theres anyone qualified to make such a statement, its POST Wrestlings John Pollock. Just last week, the Canadian reporter showed his own willingness to ask the tough questions when he confronted UFC president Dana White about Sean Stricklands homophobic comments in the lead up to UFC 297.

Whites response  in which he insisted he doesnt give any of his fighters a leash for what they can and cant say  received plenty of praise on social media from purported free speech advocates, including Elon Musk and Dr. Jordan Peterson. Yet despite Whites confrontational response and the blowback that ensued, Pollack stands by his decision to ask the question.

People may not agree or like the answer that Dana White provided me last Saturday (and way more didnt agree or like my question), but I had the chance to ask and I did receive an answer. I didnt feel it was an unfair exchange, Pollock wrote on X (formerly Twitter). I got Whites point of view and yes, I could have escalated it into an argument or pointed out inconsistencies when it comes to UFCs approach to free speech in the past, but I left satisfied by hearing Whites current stance on the matter.

I got Whites point of view and yes, I could have escalated it into an argument or pointed out inconsistencies when it comes to UFCs approach to free speech in the past, but I left satisfied by hearing Whites current stance on the matter  John Pollock (@iamjohnpollock) January 25, 2024

Pollock then related his situation covering White to what the wrestling media now faces in covering WWE following the latest accusations against McMahon.

I was slaughtered this week, but I want to make it clear that if I could turn back time, Im doing the exact same thing. Even with all the fallout, Elon Musk to Jordan Peterson, countless YouTube channels, the DMs, and the harassment  I accept it all, he wrote. When you have rare access to a company official and you have that microphone, use it to the best of your ability and what you deem necessary to ask on behalf of your audience.

This weekend, there is one story that has to be asked about as it pertains to WWE and Vince McMahon. Always ask the question.

This weekend, there is one story that has to be asked about as it pertains to WWE and Vince McMahon. Always ask the question.  John Pollock (@iamjohnpollock) January 25, 2024

While Pollocks comments might seem like Journalism 101  of course reporters should use their access to hold the powerful accountable  that doesnt always happen in the world of professional wrestling. With the lines between reality and fiction often blurred, WWE post-show press conferences often focus on the on-screen product and rarely delve into backstage controversies, let alone real-life legal matters involving the company.

But when it comes to the allegations against McMahon, it will be disappointing if nobody asks Levesque  again, one of WWEs top executives and McMahons son-in-law  about the situation. If WWE wants credit for the appearance of transparency with its post-show press conferences, then it should also be willing to face the fire and those in the wrestling media should be prepared to live up to their end of that deal.

Considering the severity of the allegations, anything less would be an insult to all involved.

[John Pollock on X]
TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / In a landmark move set to redefine the dental industry, Patient Prism and Curve Dental have joined forces to launch an innovative integration aimed at accelerating growth in dental practices nationwide. This partnership challenges the status quo, urging dental professionals to embrace digital and AI transformation for outsized returns in the coming decade.

The collaboration brings together Patient Prism's sophisticated AI platform and Curve Dental's world-class practice management software solution, offering an unprecedented view of the patient journey from marketing to production and re-engagement. This integration is a first in the industry, providing end-to-end funnel metrics powered by Curve data - a crucial tool for business success.

Revolutionizing the Dental Industry with AI and Digital Innovation

Amol Nirgudkar, CEO of Patient Prism, emphasized the significance of this integration. "End-to-end funnel metrics is the holy grail in any business," he said. "Our partnership with Curve Dental equips practices with a predictable way to grow their top and bottom lines, leveraging the power of AI and digital innovation."

Jana Macon, President of Curve Dental, also expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. "Combining forces with Patient Prism, the most sophisticated conversational AI platform in dentistry, was a logical step to redefine growth for our customers. Our commitment to this partnership, including alliances with world-class companies like Pearl and Patient Prism, demonstrates our dedication to bringing the best technology to our customers and helping them manage and grow their practices."

Challenging the Status Quo

As the dental industry stands at a crossroads, with rapid consolidation, technological advancements, and evolving patient acquisition strategies reshaping the landscape, this partnership is timely. The integration between Patient Prism and Curve Dental is not just a technological leap but a call to action for dental practices to adopt digital transformation and AI to remain competitive and achieve remarkable growth.

About Patient Prism

Patient Prism is a leading AI technology firm in the dental industry, focused on providing innovative solutions to enhance patient acquisition, engagement and practice growth. Patient Prism AI harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to seamlessly optimize marketing, sales, and operations across dental organizations. This ensures robust top and bottom line growth by enhancing patient acquisition, engagement, and overall practice efficiency. For more information, contact Michelle Holguin at 800-381-3638 or Michelle@patientprism.com.

About Curve Dental

Founded in 2004, Curve Dental provides the leading cloud-based practice management software for over 70,000 dental professionals across the United States and Canada. From the start, Curve has been singularly focused on the dental industry and is committed to delivering the best all-in-one dental practice management and patient engagement software for practices of all sizes. The company is privately-held, with offices in Provo, Utah; Atlanta, Georgia; Calgary, Alberta; and Aberdeen, Scotland. Visit www.curvedental.com or call 1-888-910-HERO for more information.

Patient Prism Media Contact:

Michelle Holguin

800-381-3638

Michelle@patientprism.com

Curve Media Contact:

Shahrzad Nadizadeh

470-480-4280

shahrzad.nadizadeh@curvedental.com

Media Contact

Organization: Patient Prism

Contact Person: Michelle Holguin

Website: https://www.patientprism.com/

Email: michelle@patientprism.com

City: Tampa

State: Florida

Country: United States

SOURCE: Patient Prism

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Lonza Group AG / Key word(s): Personnel

Jean-Marc Huet to succeed Albert M. Baehny as Chairman of Lonza



26-Jan-2024 / 07:01 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

Longstanding Chairman of Lonza, Albert Baehny will not stand for re-election

Jean-Marc Huet, currently Chairman of Heineken N.V. with strong international leadership track record to be proposed as the new Chairman of Lonza at the 2024 AGM

Albert Baehny to remain ad interim CEO of Lonza until the new CEO commences their tenure

Basel, Switzerland, 26 January 2024 - After seven years as Board member and six years as Chairman of Lonza, Albert Baehny has decided to not stand for re-election at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May 2024. The Board of Directors recognizes the instrumental role of Albert Baehny during his tenure, including leading the company as CEO ad interim during the pandemic and in the current transition to a new CEO.

The Board will propose to shareholders at the 2024 AGM the election of Jean-Marc Huet as the new Chairman of the Board. Jean-Marc Huet is the current Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Heineken N.V. and former Chief Financial Officer of Unilever, Bristol-Myers Squibb and the specialized nutrition company Royal Numico N.V. To ensure continuity and a seamless transition, Albert Baehny will remain CEO ad interim of Lonza until the new CEO commences their tenure.

Albert Baehny joined the Board of Lonza in 2017 and assumed the role of Chairman in 2018. He steered the company through the pandemic, securing Lonza's prominent role in contributing to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. During his tenure, the company transformed from a chemical and pharma conglomerate to one of the world's largest healthcare manufacturing organizations, serving the pharmaceutical, biotech and nutrition markets.

Christoph Mader, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Lead Independent Director, Lonza, commented on Albert Baehny's achievements: "With his charismatic and visionary leadership, Albert Baehny has shaped the recent history of Lonza and developed the company into a global market leader in the rapidly growing CDMO industry. With his pioneering spirit, he also played a decisive role in enabling Lonza to make a significant contribution to the fight against the global pandemic."

Jean-Marc Huet, who grew up and currently lives in Switzerland, has a strong international leadership track record, with current chairmanships at Heineken and the private equity-owned premium caterer Vermaat Groep B.V., amongst other senior responsibilities. He has extensive international operational and strategic management experience in the consumer, pharma and nutrition industries as former Chief Financial Officer of Unilever, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Royal Numico N.V.

Albert Baehny commented: "I am very pleased that Jean-Marc Huet is nominated to succeed me as Chairman. With his comprehensive experience in the strategic and financial management of global companies, Jean-Marc is well placed to further develop Lonza in a constantly changing market and investor environment. With his profile, he fully meets the requirements defined by the Board of Directors to be Chairman for the next chapter in Lonza's story."

About Lonza

Lonza is one of the world's largest healthcare manufacturing organizations. Working across five continents, our global community of around 18,000 colleagues helps pharmaceutical, biotech and nutrition companies to bring their treatments to market. United by our vision to bring any therapy to life, we support our customers with a combination of technological insight, world-class manufacturing, scientific expertise, process excellence and innovation. Our work enables our customers to develop and commercialize their therapeutic discoveries, allowing their patients to benefit from life-saving and life-enhancing treatments.

Our business is structured to meet our customers' complex needs across four divisions: Biologics, Small Molecules, Cell & Gene, and Capsules & Health Ingredients. Our company generated sales of CHF 6.7 billion with a CORE EBITDA of CHF 2.0 billion in Full-Year 2023. Find out more at www.lonza.com

Follow @Lonza on LinkedIn

Follow @LonzaGroup on X

Lonza Contact Details

Media Inquiries:

media@lonza.com
LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Orosur Mining Inc. ("Orosur" or the "Company") (TSXV:OMI)(AIM:OMI) the minerals developer and explorer with operations in Colombia, Argentina, Nigeria and Brazil announces its unaudited results for the quarter ended November 30, 2023 ("Period" or the "Quarter"). All dollar figures are stated in US$ unless otherwise noted. The unaudited condensed interim financial statements of the Company for the quarter ended November 30, 2023 and the related management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") have been filed and are available for review on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. The financial statements and the MD&A are also available on the Company's website at www.orosur.ca.

A link to the PDF version of the financial statements is available here:

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/9825A_2-2024-1-25.pdf

A link to the PDF version of the MD&A is available here:

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/9825A_1-2024-1-25.pdf

HIGHLIGHTS

In Colombia, whilst exploration activities have been wound back during the Period, some mapping and surface sampling were undertaken largely to meet the regulatory work requirements of the licences. In addition, a variety of licence processes, such as the integration of smaller licences have been advanced; and Monte Aguila has continued to fund the promotion of relationships with local community groups to strengthen the social licence to operate the Anza Project.

In Brazil, the Company had previously announced that given the success of the regional stream sediment program performed across the Company's Ariquemes district, it had decided to move to the next phase which has targeted two prospects at Oriente Novo (in the east of the Company's tenements) and at Paraiso in the west and to the north of the Bom Futuro tin mine. Sampling was performed during July and August. Some issues were encountered with the accuracy and reliability of the sampling and assaying of alluvial mineralisation. In an attempt to resolve these issues, some test programs were undertaken during the quarter to better define these field practices so that subsequent results would be reliable and reportable.

In Argentina, sampling and ground magnetic surveys recommenced after the winter recess in September with the plan of completing coverage of the highest priority parts of the project before more detailed work could be commenced with a view to defining drill targets. This work is near completion, and field teams will be returning to project early in 2024.

In Uruguay, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Loryser, continues to focus its activities on the final stages of the Creditors Agreement. In line with the Creditors Agreement, Loryser has sold all of its assets. It has paid for the settlements with all of its former employees; it has finalised the reclamation and remediation works on the tailings dam and has successfully concluded a one-year post-closure control phase. Loryser is well advanced in distributing the proceeds to Loryser's trade creditors in accordance with the Creditors' Agreement, via a Court approved settlement agent.

On October 16 2023, the Company announced that it had signed a joint venture ("JV") agreement over four licences in the Nigerian lithium belt (the "Lithium Project"). The Company, via its new 100% owned UK subsidiary, Lithium West Limited ("Lithium West"), may earn up to 70% equity in the Lithium Project in two phases: Phase 1 - Lithium West can earn 51% equity in the Lithium Project by spending a total of US$3m over a maximum of three years. Phase 2 - Lithium West can earn an additional 19% equity in the Lithium Project, up to a total of 70%, by spending an additional US$2m over a maximum of two years. Field work began immediately after signing of the JV with the first results released at the end of November 2023.

In Nigeria, on November 28 2023, the Company announced positive results from an initial mapping and sampling program that was carried out on the Lithium Project. Several hundred samples of various outcrops were taken, with approximately 70 then being analysed by way of XRF and LIBS for lithium content as well as a number of other pathfinder elements. Mapped pegmatite systems were noted over substantial strike lengths of several km's and of varying widths from sub-metre, to over 30m in one massive example. Numerous pegmatite samples returned high levels of lithium, with several over 2% Li2O. Also announced on that day was the acquisition of a further two new exploration licences in Nigeria taking the total area of prospective land under title to 533km2, representing one of the more dominant land positions in Nigeria.

In Colombia, post the Period end on January 23, 2024, the Company announced that discussions with Monte Aguila are currently focussed on exploring options whereby Orosur would acquire MMA's interest in the Anza Project. Such an outcome, if achieved, would see the Company returning to having a direct or indirect interest of 100% in the Anza Project. Negotiations are progressing towards this objective; however, these are not final and as such there is no certainty that such a transaction will be agreed, and if so, on what terms. The parties are examining a range of commercial and structuring options, as well as undertaking prudent due diligence, and as such, finalisation of any agreement may take some time.

Financial and Corporate

On November 30, 2023, the Company had a cash balance of $2,104,000 (May 31, 2023 $3,748,000). As at the date of this MD&A the Company had a cash balance of $1,722,000.

Post the period end, at the Company AGM held on December 19, 2023 all resolutions put to shareholders were duly passed.

The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost method except for certain financial assets and liabilities which are accounted for as Assets and Liabilities held for sale (at the lower of book value or fair value) and Profit and Loss from discontinuing operations. This accounting treatment has been applied to the activities in Uruguay and Chile.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars)

Unaudited





As at November 30, 2023 $ As at May 31, 2023

$ ASSETS







Current assets







Cash 2,104 3,748 Restricted cash 12 12 Accounts receivable and other assets 464 219 Assets held for sale in Uruguay 934 898 Total current assets 3,514 4,968



Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 211 123 Exploration and evaluation assets 4,471 3,334 Total assets 8,196 8,425



LIABILITIES AND DEFICIT



Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 247 336 Liability of Chile discontinued operation 2,291 2,204 Liabilities held for sale in Uruguay 12,512 12,546 Total current liabilities 15,050 15,086



Deficit Share capital 69,341 69,341 Share-based payments reserve 10,539 10,539 Currency translation reserve (2,042 ) (2,725 ) Deficit (84,686 ) (83,816 ) Deficit attributable to owners of the parent (6,848 ) (6,661 ) Non-controlling interest (6 ) - Total deficit (6,854 ) (6,661 )

Total liabilities and deficit 8,196 8,425

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss

(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars)

(Except common shares and per share amounts)

Unaudited



Three Months Ended

November 30, 2023

$ Three Months Ended

November 30, 2022

$ Six Months Ended

November 30, 2023

$ Six Months Ended

November 30, 2022

$

















Corporate and administrative expenses (468) (436) (866) (843) Exploration expenses (26) (185) (53) (247) Other income 10 2 16 8 Net finance cost (5) (3) (9) (5) Gain on fair value of warrants - 92 - 168 Foreign exchange gain (loss) net 97 (13) 156 (52) Net (loss) for the period for continuing operations (392) (543) (756) (971) (Loss) income from discontinued operations 136 979 (114) 1,050 Net (loss) income for the period (256) 436 (870) 79 Item which may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:





Cumulative translation adjustment 356 (430) 683 (935) Total comprehensive (loss) income for the period 100 6 (187) (856)







Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share for





- continuing operations (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) - discontinued operations 0.00 0.01 (0.00) 0.01 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 188,560,300 188,552,300 188,560,300 188,536,300

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars)

Unaudited

Six Months Ended

November 30, 2023

$ Six Months Ended

November 30, 2022

$ Operating activities



Net loss for the period for continued and discontinued operations (870) 79 Adjustments for

Depreciation 6 - Write down of inventories - (3,107) Gain on fair value of warrants - (168) Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment - (1,396) Foreign exchange and other 366 (163) Changes in non-cash working capital items:

Accounts receivable and other assets (271) (101) Inventories - 3,419 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (138) (37) Net cash used in operating activities (907) (1,474)



Investing activities

Decrease in restricted cash - 270 Proceeds received for sale of property, plant and equipment - 545 Purchase of property, plant and equipment (85) (1) Proceeds received from exploration and option agreement - 85 Exploration and evaluation expenditures (723) (138) Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (808) 761

Financing activities

Proceeds from exercise of options - 2 Net cash provided by financing activities - 2 Net change in cash (1,715) (711) Net change in cash classified within assets held for sale 71 (604) Cash, beginning of period 3,748 4,221 Cash end of period 2,104 2,906

Operating activities

- continuing operations (836) (1,533) - discontinued operations (71) 59 Investing activities

- continuing operations (808) 216 - discontinued operations - 545 Financing activities

- continued operations - 2

For further information, visit www.orosur.ca, follow on twitter @orosurm or please contact:

Orosur Mining Inc

Louis Castro, Chairman,

Brad George, CEO

info@orosur.ca

Tel: +1 (778) 373-0100

SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP - Nomad & Broker

Jeff Keating / Caroline Rowe / Kasia Brzozowska

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3 470 0470

Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Ltd - Joint Broker

Andy Thacker/James Pope

Tel: +44 (0)20 3657 0050

Flagstaff Communications

Tim Thompson

Mark Edward

Fergus Mellon

orosur@flagstaffcomms.com Tel: +44 (0)207 129 1474

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ('MAR') which has been incorporated into UK law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the publication of this announcement via Regulatory Information Service ('RIS'), this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

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.

About Orosur Mining Inc.

Orosur Mining Inc. (TSXV:OMI);(AIM:OMI) is a minerals explorer and developer currently operating in Colombia, Argentina, Nigeria and Brazil,

Forward Looking Statements

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this news release constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including but not limited to the "safe harbour" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on expectations estimates and projections as of the date of this news release.

Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the exploration plans in Colombia, Argentina, Nigeria and Brazil and the funding in Colombia from Minera Monte Aguila of those plans, Minera Monte Aguila's decision to continue with the Exploration and Option agreement, the ability for Loryser to continue and finalize with the remediation in Uruguay, the ability to implement the Creditors' Agreement successfully as well as continuation of the business of the Company as a going concern and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. The Company's continuance as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to obtain adequate financing and to reach a satisfactory implementation of the Creditor's Agreement in Uruguay. These material uncertainties may cast significant doubt upon the Company's ability to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business and accordingly the appropriateness of the use of accounting principles applicable to a going concern. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties including, but not limited, those as described in Section "Risks Factors" of the MD&A and the Annual Information Form. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Orosur Mining Inc

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Kasei Holdings Plc - Result of AGM

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, January 26

Kasei Holdings PLC (AQSE: KASH), a digital asset and web 3.0 investment company, held its Annual General Meeting ("AGM") at 4:00pm today. All resolutions set out in the Company's Notice of AGM dated 22 December 2023 were proposed and passed.

For further information please contact:

Kasei Holdings PLC

Jai Patel

Chief Investment Officer

Jai.patel@kaseiholdings.com VSA Capital Limited (AQSE Corporate Adviser)

Simon Barton / Thomas Jackson (Corporate Finance)

+44 (0)203 005 5000

About Kasei Holdings

Kasei is a team of experienced financial experts who came together through a shared interest in the digital asset ecosystem and the belief that blockchain technology will transform industries and have significant global economic impact.

Kasei's cumulative 100 years plus experience in navigating traditional financial markets, in particular highly volatile asset classes, provides the Company with a solid grounding to build a balanced portfolio positioned to take advantage of the disruptive innovation in this space.

Despite Kasei's belief that these assets are positioned for highly significant long-term gains, the Company employ a balanced risk-and-reward strategy. This provides shareholders with an actively managed portfolio of crypto assets, as well as exposure to investments in blockchain enabled companies and technology, all in the form of one listed security.

LinkedIn: Kasei Holdings PLC: Overview | LinkedIn
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - FirstGroup plc (FGROY.PK, FGROF.PK, FGP.L), on Friday, announced the signing of an agreement to acquire York Pullman Bus Company Ltd., to enhance the First Bus operational footprint in the North Yorkshire region and provide profitable growth opportunities in adjacent services markets. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the next few weeks subject to customary regulatory review. Following the completion of the acquisition, the company projects its FY 2024 year-end adjusted net cash position to be 60 million - 70 million, with c.30 million of the ongoing share buyback programme still to be completed. Graham Sutherland, FirstGroup Chief Executive Officer said, 'A key pillar of our strategy is to grow and diversify our portfolio. The acquisition of York Pullman, a long- established, high-performing business fits well with our strategy as it will both enhance the First Bus operational footprint in North Yorkshire and expand our adjacent services business, where we are looking to grow our presence.' 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.
BAODING, China, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting from January 22, GWM WEY Gaoshan products have been shipped for overseas export. Under the guidance of the ONE GWM strategy, GWM continues to promote several high-end products globally, creating a powerful overseas product lineup that appeals to a broader audience.

Currently, GWM has exported to more than 170 countries and regions, boasting over 700 overseas sales channels. Through actively establishing a global industrial chain and realizing the ecosystem of "Research, Production, and Sales," GWM accomplished an annual revenue of RMB 173.41 billion and an annual net profit of RMB 7.01 billion in 2023, achieving double growth in both revenue and profit. Meanwhile, GWM surpassed the significant milestone of exceeding 300,000 units in overseas sales for the first time in a year.

Recognizing its outstanding overseas development achievements, GWM was listed in the category of "Pioneering Brands" in the 2023 Forbes China Globalization INNOVATORS SELECTION Top 30 Awards. This recognition underscores GWM's innovation spirit and industry influence in the process of global branding, highlighting the company's solid brand strength.

In sync with the actual pace of products going overseas, GWM continues to accelerate the pace of globalization. In 2023, GWM's high-quality development and global expansion are seeing results.

GWM WEY Gaoshan have gained widespread praise and popularity since their launch, particularly in the Middle East region, where investors praised the product's luxurious design and intelligent technology during test drive at GWM headquarters. The successful export of these products signifies GWM's high-end offerings making significant strides in the international market, meeting the diverse needs of consumers in various regions.

In response to regional demands, GWM has introduced different models featuring specific values, successfully exporting high-value intelligent new energy products. Research on local market preferences has led to product optimization, catering to the practical needs of overseas consumers. This approach has resulted in more personalized product creations, earning the reputation in markets worldwide.

Looking ahead to 2024, GWM is committed to its long-termism strategy, practicing the ONE GWM Global Strategy. The company aims to export diversified automotive products with higher performance, greater reliability, and enhanced intelligence to overseas markets, realizing long-term and stable development for the enterprise.

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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.
DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit , the world's third largest crypto exchange by volume, is proud to present the 2023 Bybit Institutional Awards. This prestigious annual award aims to honor its institutional partners that have made significant contributions to Bybit over the past year. Bybit recognizes the crucial role played by its institutional partners in achieving its success and aims to highlight their dedication and expertise.

The 2023 Bybit Institutional Awards features several categories, each representing a specific area of excellence within the crypto industry:

2023 Bybit Best Derivatives Partner

2023 Bybit Best Spot Partner

2023 Bybit Best Options Partner

2023 Bybit Best Third-Party Partner

2023 Bybit Best Liquidity Provider

These esteemed awards serve as a testament to the exceptional dedication and expertise demonstrated by Bybit's institutional partners. Bybit values its partnerships and acknowledges the pivotal role they play in achieving the vibrant, secure, and stable crypto industry that we see today. These awards also exemplify Bybit's solid and industry-leading network, which encompasses prominent industry leaders in various areas, including trading tools, liquidity providers, third-party custodians and so on.

Eugene Cheung, Head of Institutional at Bybit, expressed his thoughts on the importance of establishing a trustworthy reputation and network within the crypto industry, "I would like to send my congratulations to this year's deserving winner. Given the volatility of the crypto industry, it is crucial for players to build a trustworthy reputation and network to weather the industry's ups and downs."

Bybit's commitment to recognizing its institutional partners through the Bybit Institutional Awards further solidifies the exchange's dedication to fostering trust, stability, and growth within the crypto ecosystem.

Bybit / TheCryptoArk

About Bybit

Bybit is a top-three cryptocurrency exchange by volume with 20 million users established in 2018. It offers a professional platform where crypto investors and traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, 24/7 customer service, and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One's reigning Constructors' and Drivers' champions: the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press .

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

For more information, please visit: https://www.bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X (Twitter) | Youtube

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PANAMA CITY, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gate Charity, the pioneering global blockchain charity organization, celebrates a remarkable first year of philanthropy, with a reach extending to 16 diverse countries and regions. In its inaugural year, Gate Charity spearheaded 123 charitable events, impacting lives from the remote villages of Africa to the bustling cities of Asia. The organization's commitment to broad-based, inclusive support is evident in its support of over 141,000 beneficiaries through initiatives ranging from educational resources in underprivileged areas to facilitating medical aid in regions lacking healthcare infrastructure.

Global Reach and Activities

Gate Charity's unique approach focuses on grassroots initiatives, carefully tailored to address the specific needs of the communities it serves. One notable project in Indonesia targeted the Anak Dalam Tribe, enhancing educational access and quality while respecting the tribe's unique cultural and educational needs. This exemplifies Gate Charity's ethos of not only providing aid but fostering sustainable development and empowerment.

Responsive and Timely Aid

Gate Charity's responsiveness to crisis situations has been exemplary, demonstrated during earthquakes in Turkey and Japan. Leveraging the speed and transparency of blockchain technology, the charity quickly gathered resources for aid. The 'Reconstructing Homes for Children' project in Turkey raised over 1.5 million Liras, showcasing a long-term commitment to rebuilding safe, sustainable living environments for affected children.

Fundraising Success

Gate Charity's innovative fundraising approach, combining traditional donations and cutting-edge NFT sales, has played a pivotal role in its success. This funding has supported a diverse range of projects, ensuring a steady flow of resources to meet various needs.

Using the Power of Blockchain to Help Disadvantaged Groups

Gate Charity's foray into NFTs marked a significant step in leveraging new technology for social good. In 2023, the charity initiated 38 NFT projects, raising funds to eradicate hunger, promote education, and aid in disaster relief efforts, expanding the scope and impact of its work.

Looking to the Future, Embracing Wider Goals and Sustainable Growth

As Gate Charity looks to the future, it aims higher, intensifying efforts across multiple sectors in 2024. The focus areas include hunger eradication, education, medical care, environmental restoration, animal care, and enhanced disaster relief efforts. This broader scope underscores the organization's commitment to addressing global challenges faced by communities.

Gate Charity's strategy for 2024 revolves around sustainable development and expanding its volunteer base. Establishing deeper connections with communities, building partnerships with local organizations, investing in long-term projects, and recruiting passionate volunteers are key steps to fortify the charity's impact.

As Gate Charity embarks on another year, the organization renews its commitment to positively impact lives. Gate Charity invites individuals worldwide to support or join its noble cause, playing a part in creating a more equitable and compassionate world in 2024 and beyond.

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STOCKHOLM (dpa-AFX) - Ericsson (ERIC) said that it has signed two agreements for funding with the European Investment Bank for a total of 420 million euros whereof 250 million euros was disbursed in December 2023. The loans are allocated to fund Ericsson's research and development (R&D) initiatives focused on advancing wireless technology from 2023 to 2025. Ericsson stated that the R&D investments are an important contributor into the company's overall plan to reach the Net Zero target by 2040 through reduced energy consumption in the mobile networks globally. In December 2023, Ericsson signed a 7-year 100 million euros green funding agreement with the Nordic Investment Bank. The loan will finance R&D investments in wireless technology. On November 23, 2023, Ericsson announced the successful placement of a green Euro-denominated 500 million 4.5-year bond. 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.
Screen grab: CNBC

Even before announcing its new rights deal with Netflix and that Dwayne The Rock Johnson has been appointed to its parent companys Board of Directors, this figured to be a massive week for WWE.

On Saturday, WWE will host its annual Royal Rumble Premium Live Event (formerly pay-per-view), which marks the start of the road to WrestleMania. Between the return of CM Punk, a heavily hinted at in-ring return for The Rock and the sheer spectacle of the second-biggest wrestling event of the year, this years Royal Rumble already possessed plenty of buzz, which was only amplified by this weeks news about Netflix and Johnson.

All of the positivity surrounding WWE, however, came to a screeching halt on Thursday with The Wall Street Journal reporting that new allegations of sexual assault and trafficking have been made against Vince McMahon in a lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed by the same woman whose relationship with McMahon had been the subject of an internal investigation in 2022, with other allegations of sexual misconduct and non-disclosure agreement payments resulting in the WWE founder temporarily retiring from the company.

In addition to McMahon, former WWE head of talent relations John Laurinaitis is named as a defendant in the lawsuit. The allegations against McMahon, simply put, are horrifying, and include claims that the woman was sexually assaulted by McMahon and Laurinaitis at WWEs headquarters.

The full lawsuit can be read here. Warning: It includes very graphic details regarding sexual assault and harassment.

While the initial allegations against McMahon and his Succession-like power play to return to his role as WWEs CEO before merging the company with UFC to form TKO Group Holdings received plenty of attention at the time, they also seem to have become a distant memory for many. As Johnson celebrated his appointment to the TKO board by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday, McMahon  now TKOs chairman  was right by his side, along with WWE president Nick Khan and TKO CEO Ari Emanuel.

It would have been hard to have imagined McMahon being front and center (literally) for the company a mere year ago and in light of Thursdays lawsuit, its even harder to fathom now. The new lawsuit raises obvious questions about the scope of WWEs previous investigation into the allegations against McMahon, as well as his future with the company.

While McMahon was ultimately able to put himself back in power with WWE, remaining there might not be as easy. TKOs decision to remove him from the WWE creative process shows that he no longer has the final say, and even though he has allies on the companys board, it cant be overstated how damning these accusations are.

TKO bosses already have a history of standing by UFC president Dana White through his controversies and now well see whether theyre willing to do the same for McMahon. But regardless of McMahons future with the company, there is also a short-term fallout worth keeping an eye on.

Netflix cant be happy that its transformative deal with WWE has just been overshadowed by these allegations, nor can The Rock. And it will be worth monitoring the post-Royal Rumble press conference that McMahons son-in-law, WWE chief content officer Paul Triple H Levesque, is scheduled to host.

The Royal Rumble weekend is often full of surprises in the ring. Unfortunately, this one will now be overshadowed by news outside of it.

[The Wall Street Journal]


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Shares of SGS Group (SGSOY.PK) were gaining around 4 percent in the early morning trading in Switzerland after the inspection, verification, testing and certification company reported Friday organic growth in fiscal 2023 income and sales. Further, SGS launched its Strategy 2027 to drive profitable growth, and streamline the organization, expecting improvement in margin and sales.



Separately, SGS announced the appointment of Geraldine Picaud as Chief Executive Officer, effective from the Annual General Meeting of March 26. She will succeed Frankie Ng who has expressed his desire to step down.



Picaud joined SGS on December 1, 2023 to lead Finance, Digital and Strategic Transformation, Mergers & Acquisitions, IT and Procurement.



Prior to this, she was Group Chief Financial Officer and member of the Executive Committee at Holcim. She also served as Group CFO and member of the Executive Committee at Essilor International.



In fiscal 2023, adjusted operating income was 971 million Swiss francs, an organic growth of 6.3 percent. The adjusted operating income margin on sales was 14.7 percent, a decline of 0.7 percentage points compared to prior year.



Sales were 6.62 billion francs, an organic growth of 8.1 percent driven by all business lines. The company recorded a double-digit increase in Business Assurance and high single-digit growth in Natural Resources and Industries & Environment.



The company noted that all business lines and regions contributed to the performance, with particularly strong growth in sustainability services, cybersecurity, ESG assurance and consulting.



Over the next four years, by 2027, the company targets organic sales growth of 5 percent to 7 percent annually, and significant improvement of at least 1.5 percentage points in adjusted operating income margin on sales by 2027.



SGS will implement a cost-disciplined operating model and a corporate-light structure. The simplification is expected to create cost savings of 100 million francs resulting in a new run rate reached at the end of 2025.



A new Executive Committee of 12 members will be appointed to foster accountability.



In Switzerland, SGS shares were trading at 77.82 francs, up 3.68 percent.



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
TAIPEI (dpa-AFX) - Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. (CHT) Friday said it expects fiscal 2024 net income attributable to stockholders of the parent to be NT$35.66 billion to NT$37.20 billion, representing a decrease of NT$1.26 billion to an increase of NT$ 0.28 billion from last year. Net earnings per share are expected to be NT$4.60 to NT$4.80, a decrease of NT$0.16 to an increase NT$0.04 year over year. For 2024, the company expects total revenue to increase 2.4 percent to 3.1 percent from last year to NT$228.54 billion to NT$230.19 billion. The increase in revenue is expected to be propelled by increases in mobile communications, broadband access, and data communications, as well as revenue coming from the expansion of emerging businesses. In fiscal 2023, net income attributable to stockholders of parent was NT$36.92 billion or NT$4.76 per share, and revenue was NT$223.20 billion. Shui-Yi Kuo, Chairman and CEO of Chunghwa Telecom, said, 'Looking ahead to the new year, Chunghwa Telecom will continue to uphold the four core values of 'integrity, customer trust, creation of value and innovation, and commitment to accountability.' . Chunghwa Telecom is confident about the future development and looks forward to collaboratively creating a better future with all customers and partners.' 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.
Funding to meet growing international customer demand from Critical industries including Energy, Utilities, Manufacturing and Telecoms

Money raised includes a 500k non-equity grant to deploy Federated Learning to address issues of data security, cost, and resilience in critical systems

New Chief Revenue Officer, Arnaud Lagarde, joins company to lead commercial development

OctaiPipe platform in deployment with over 20 customers and device OEMs

OctaiPipe, the end-to-end Edge AI platform, has announced raising 3 million in pre-Series A funding and a 500,000 non-equity grant. The pre-Series A round was led by SuperSeed with Forward Partners, D2, Atlas Ventures, Martlet Capital, Gelecek Etki VC and Arm-backed Deeptech Labs also participating.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240125252636/en/

From left to right: Dr. Eric Topham, CEO and co-founder, OctaiPipe, George Hancock, CGO and co-founder, OctaiPipe and Ivan Scattergood, CTO and co-founder, OctaiPipe (Photo: Business Wire)

The money will allow OctaiPipe to further develop its proprietary Federated Learning technology and scale availability of the OctaiPipe platform for Internet of Things (IoT) dependent critical industries including Energy, Utilities, Telecoms, Manufacturing and connected device OEMs.

In addition to the funding, OctaiPipe has also announced the appointment of Arnaud Lagarde as Chief Revenue Officer. Mr. Lagarde will lead OctaiPipe's commercial development. Prior to joining OctaiPipe, Mr Lagarde was the Vice President of Sales at Humanising Autonomy where he led the ??global sales efforts and go-to-market initiatives across Automotive, Autonomous Vehicles and smart city solution providers.

Critical Infrastructure is typified by data-rich, highly demanding environments where data security is often paramount. The application of AI on data collected by IoT devices has tremendous potential in Critical Infrastructure to increase productivity, improve sustainability and monitor asset health and performance. In the UK's energy sector alone, the UK government's digitisation strategy estimates AI, if fully harnessed, could reduce energy system costs by up to 70 billion by 2050. However, due to security concerns regarding data processing in the Cloud and rising Cloud AI costs, the utilisation of connected devices and AI in Critical Infrastructure has, until now, been limited.

OctaiPipe Federated Learning is a new decentralised approach to training AI models which does not require the exchange of data between IoT devices and Cloud servers. In Federated Learning, the data on IoT devices is used to train the AI model locally at the Edge, maximising performance and system resilience, increasing data security and radically reducing Cloud data costs.

To watch an explainer of Federated Learning, click here

Launched in 2022, OctaiPipe provides data scientists and AI engineers working in Critical Infrastructure with a trustworthy end-to-end Federated Learning Operations (FL-Ops) platform. The OctaiPipe platform enables users to easily deploy and automate AI to the Edge, and orchestrate and manage distributed machine learning across scalable networks of intelligent IoT devices. Available as a Microsoft Azure, AWS or Private Cloud Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), the OctaiPipe platform is currently in deployment with over 20 customers and device OEMs.

Mads Jensen, Managing Partner at SuperSeed said, "Critical Infrastructure is a multi-trillion dollar industry. Across Energy, Utilities and Telecoms on-device Federated Learning has the potential to improve performance, reduce failures, enhance security and lead to more efficient, more sustainable services. The OctaiPipe team has already demonstrated significant customer traction and we are delighted to support them as they scale to address this important market."

Dr Will Cavendish, Global Digital Services Leader at ARUP, said: "Water treatment is a complex environment that is expensive for water companies to operate and carries significant regulatory risk, including heavy fines for incorrect treatment. Federated Learning including solutions such as OctaiPipe's is an AI technology that can help. It allows continuous learning from multiple and dispersed local data sources, better predicting future challenges. As data from the built environment scales, centralised solutions start to become unmanageable and uneconomic. So Federated Learning reduces cost and cloud dependence, while maintaining model accuracy, security and privacy. Federated Learning also improves system resiliency meaning there is no downtime risk and systems can remain fully operational in the event of an outage or failure."

Miles Kirby, CEO of ARM-backed Deeptech Labs said, "At Deeptech Labs, we look for founders addressing global challenges with ground-breaking technology. Eric and the OctaiPipe team are world-leading pioneers of Federated Learning and Edge compute. By applying this technology to Critical Infrastructure as an easy-to-use Platform-as-a-Service, OctaiPipe is helping ensure the services and utilities the world relies on can benefit from the latest advances in AI without incurring the costs and risks of running models on the Cloud."

Eric Topham, CEO and co-founder of OctaiPipe said, "The world depends on Critical Infrastructure not to fail but, more than that, to continually improve performance, remain secure and continually become more efficient and sustainable. It's clear that AI has the potential to unlock massive gains in Critical Infrastructure, but only if we can trust that its critical data is secure. With OctaiPipe, data scientists working in sectors such as Energy, Utilities, Telecoms and Security can for the first time use a secure end-to-end platform to design, deploy and manage Federated Learning locally across Edge device networks and at scale. This 3.5 million in funding will enable us to continue advancing our proprietary technology and scale our operations to address this trillion dollar market so that the infrastructure we all rely on is smarter, more sustainable and secure."

About OctaiPipe:

OctaiPipe is a end-to-end Edge AI platform optimised for creating, deploying, and managing machine learning solutions in critical infrastructure environments. Deployments on OctaiPipe are more affordable, secure, scalable, and resilient for on-device intelligence due to its advanced on-device Federated Learning capabilities, as well as innovative edge MLOps technology.

With its cost-efficient, accelerated and federated AI, OctaiPipe is removing the common barriers to market while maximising security and privacy, and minimising Cloud dependency and Cloud costs. OctaiPipe is headquartered in London, UK and is funded by a portfolio of investors including SuperSeed, Forward Partners, D2, Atlas Ventures, Growceanu Angel Investment, Kinled Holding, Martlet Capital, Gelecek Etki VC and Arm-backed Deeptech Labs

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240125252636/en/

Contacts:

Olly Cooper

Olly@thoughtldr.com

07957004545
CHICAGO, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Battery Separators Market by Battery Type (Lead Acid and Li-ion), Material (Polyethylene and Polypropylene), Technology (Dry and Wet), End-Use (Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Industrial), and Region - Global Forecast to 2028", is projected to grow from USD 6.3 billion in 2023 to USD 13.0 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 15.7% during the forecast period. High demand from the automotive and consumer electronic sector is expected to drive the battery separators market.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Battery Separators Market".

221 - Tables

50 - Figures

218 - Pages

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The Lead-acid battery is expected to account for the largest share of the battery separators market, by battery type, during the forecast period, in terms of value.

By battery type, the lead-acid battery is estimated to have the largest market share by value. lead-acid batteries are expected to hold the largest market share due to their widespread use as sustainable energy storage solutions for wind and solar power. This is attributed to their advantages of low material costs, safety features, and recyclability, with up to 99% recyclability. With commendable energy storage capacity, lead-acid batteries are undergoing continuous advancements, contributing to the growth of battery separators market.

By end-use, the automotive segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period in terms of value.

Based on end-use, the automotive segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the market during the forecast period. This is primarily due to the adoption of environmental norms and emission regulations, coupled with the growing emphasis on efficiency in the automotive sector. The surge in battery-driven vehicles, including hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, is anticipated to significantly contribute to the overall growth of the global battery separators market, further propel the growth of this automotive segment in this market.

Polyethylene, by material, is expected to account for the largest segment during the forecast period.

Based on material, polyethylene is expected to account for the largest segment during forecast period in terms of value. Polyethylene is widely used in various applications such as shopping bags, food wraps, detergent bottles, batteries, and fuel tanks. Among these, polyethylene's major contribution lies in the manufacturing of battery separators. Thus, the significant growth related for the polyethylene, in turn, is leading to the surge in battery separators market.

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Asia Pacific is projected to register the largest market share during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific is estimated to lead the market during the forecast period, driven by robust economic growth and substantial investments in the automotive and electronics sectors. Notably, emerging economies like China and India have played a pivotal role in establishing Asia-Pacific as a significant market for battery separators. Additionally, an increase in purchasing power of the population and government support is likely to propel battery separators market.

Key Players:

Some of the leading players in the battery separators market include Asahi Kasei Corporation (Japan), ENTEK (US), Shanghai Energy New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. (China), SK ie technology (South Korea), Toray Industries, Inc. (Japan), and UBE Corporation (Japan), among others.

Browse Adjacent Market: Membranes Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Advanced Lead Acid Battery Market - Global Forecast to 2027

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Parliamentary Assembly wants an investigation, an official apology, and reparation payment to European survivors of child abuse in the state or religious institutions

STRASBOURG, France, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Council of Europe, to which 46 states with over 600 million citizens belong, today voted in favor of dealing with past cases of abuse along the lines of Switzerland. Accordingly, the suffering of survivors of child abuse should be officially recognized in the member states, those affected should receive a reparation payment - regardless of any statute of limitations - and a scientific investigation should take place in the respective countries. The Assembly calls on all member States to take stock of the situation of violence committed in public, private, or religious institutions against children to create the right conditions for victims to speak out. The ground-breaking recommendations of the Council of Europe correspond to the demands of the European "Justice Initiative", which was launched by the Swiss Guido Fluri Foundation.

The past cannot be ignored

"Those who ignore the abuse cases of the past cannot effectively combat the abuse cases of today and tomorrow," says the Swiss rapporteur Pierre-Alain Fridez to the Parliament of the Council of Europe. "In Europe, we must never again turn a blind eye to the abuse of children, whether they have been victims of sexual predators, gratuitous violence or ill-treatment in public, private or religious institutions that are supposed to be safe havens.". This argument convinced the majority.

A report on the situation in Europe with clear recommendations was approved today. Like the responsible commission of the Council of Europe, which had already unanimously spoken out in favor of a comprehensive reappraisal, a clear majority in Parliament also wants the cases of abuse in Europe to be reappraised according to the Swiss model; the suffering of the victims should be recognized throughout Europe and reparations should be made in the respective countries. This includes abuse in private, state, and church homes, abuse in care institutions, and forced adoptions.

Reappraisal based on the Swiss model

In Switzerland, a popular initiative, the "Reparation Initiative" of the Guido Fluri Foundation, led to a state law that focuses on the recognition of injustice, scientific reappraisal, and solidarity payments. As a result, over 12,000 survivors of child abuse have received official recognition of the injustice and a solidarity payment, and the cases of abuse have been dealt with by the state.

As a result of this successful reparation, victims' groups and child protection organizations from all over Europe joined forces in the "Justice Initiative" and campaigned for a similar bill at the Council of Europe level. This project was again supported by the Guido Fluri Foundation. "The fact that the Council of Europe has decided on a comprehensive reappraisal is a great moment for survivors from all over Europe! The European community must do everything to ensure that those affected by child abuse receive some form of justice during their lifetime".

The Council of Europe's solution serves as a model

The Council of Europe demands that member states take stock of the situation of child abuse in institutions in our countries (Doc. 15889 - Report - Working document (coe.int). The investigations must be wide-ranging and cover physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. The circumstances enabling such abuse must be assessed on a country-by-country basis and include institutional care in public, private, or religious settings, inadequate care, foster care in private homes, children being removed from parents who are deemed "unfit", forced adoptions, and forced sterilizations.

The authorities should then recognize the suffering inflicted and offer appropriate care for its effects, if at all possible. This should be followed by a formal, official apology by the authorities to past and present victims.

Lastly, victims must be granted compensation, regardless of their age: there must be official redress for all victims, for all children who have been subjected to any form of physical, sexual, or psychological violence, and without any time limit on the period in which to establish the facts. Accordingly, the length of time between the perpetration of the abuse and its disclosure by the victim may not be a justification for the refusal of any reparation. The amount of compensation awarded must be substantial and commensurate with the harm and suffering that was caused.

States must embark on a comprehensive program of prevention and awareness-raising measures, including monitoring institutional care facilities and any situation in which children are taken into care, to minimise risks and detect problems at the earliest possible stage.

Survivors and child protection groups from across Europe celebrate the Council of Europe's decision

The Council of Europe's decision is an important signal for survivors of abuse from all over Europe. Antonio Grosso, a 71-year-old survivor from Portugal says: "This current silence is unacceptable and unworthy of a democracy like Portugal. If Portugal recognizes this injustice, as the Council of Europe demands, then we are on the right track."

"Today, 26 January 2024, I am here on a very important date, which gives us recognition and visibility. An advanced society, in the twenty-first century, cannot continue to hide its crimes and neglect the care of its children", emphasizes Francisco Javier, a 49-year-old Spanish victim. "All forms of sexual violence leave indelible scars. Survivors should receive more justice." - Finnish survivor, member of the Our Voice survivor advocacy group.

Politicians and leading child protection organizations are also celebrating the Council of Europe's decision. According to Domagoj Hajdukovic, a member of the Croatian Parliament and the Croatian delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, "This is a very good resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe because it addresses a very painful problem, which is the abuse of children in institutions." "Nothing can compensate for the horrors experienced then, the lost childhoods. And the guilt of the state cannot be erased. Compensation is needed. We can no longer put off making peace with the past," said the Romanian USR Senator Irineu Darau.

"The most important thing now is to continue to listen to the experiences of survivors and ensure that the law serves its purpose," says Ann-Kristin Vervik, Secretary General of ECPAT Norway. According to the Director of the Greek Hub of Justice Initiative Angeliki Vergitsi, "The decision of the Council of Europe is important for Greece because institutional care is still the dominant child protection system.

"We stand in solidarity with victims and survivors of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation. We also celebrate the Council of Europe's decision, which reflects a crucial step towards ensuring justice for those who have experienced childhood sexual abuse and exploitation." Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen, Executive Director from the Finnish child protection organization Suojellaan Lapsia, Protect Children ry.

Media Corner:

Download all the information here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kbZY2NFFJJ7VXtHQhj0xPRJzS3fTEU0F

General information:

info@justice-initiative.eu

You can find the digital version of the book "SHAME - European Stories"

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/68608817/shame-european-stories-e-book-strasbourg

www.justice-initiative.eu

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BEIJING, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zhongshan and Burnaby, with a sister city relationship spanning 12 years, share much in common when it comes to environmental consciousness. They both have a strong commitment to enhancing air quality and protecting the ocean. In recent years, a growing number of young individuals, including new graduates from prestigious colleges, have been drawn to Zhongshan by the city's pursuit of innovative urban eco-fashion.

What measures has Zhongshan taken to create ubiquitous green areas? How are youngsters in Zhongshan making a difference?

In this video, our host Deniz visits a Zhongshan downtown park that retains the industrial elements of the former shipyard while serving as a natural oxygen bar with a lush green landscape. Apart from the city center, Deniz also travels to Qixi village in southern Zhongshan to witness the innovative ecological practices that the locals have embraced. After speaking with Mr Hao, head of the Qi Xi live farm, Deniz finds that the village is actually more than just a village; rather, it is a brand-new, distinctive community founded by a group of nature-loving youngsters who value sustainable living.

What makes Zhongshan's Qixi so enticing to young people? How does this youthful group work together to fulfill their shared ambition of revitalizing the countryside?

Contact: Feng Kehui

Tel: 008610-68996566

E-mail: chloefeng@foxmail.com

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CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. dollar retreated from early highs against other major currencies in the European session on Friday. The U.S. dollar fell to 2-day lows of 0.8620 against the Swiss franc and 1.3443 against the Canadian dollar, from early highs of 0.8686 and 1.3484, respectively. Against the euro and the pound, the greenback slipped to 1.0865 and 1.2734 from an early 1-1/2-month high of 1.0813 and a 3-day high of 1.2675, respectively. The greenback edged down to 0.6600 against the Australian dollar, from an early high of 0.6576. Moving away from an early 2-day highs of 148.09 against the yen and 0.6092 against the NZ dollar, the greenback edged down to 147.60 and 0.6115, respectively. If the greenback extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.84 against the franc, 1.32 against the loonie, 1.09 against the euro, 1.28 against the pound, 0.68 against the aussie, 144.00 against the yen and 0.62 against the kiwi. 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.
THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / South Star Battery Metals Corp. ("South Star" or the "Company") (TSXV:STS) (OTCQB:STSBF), is pleased to announce that as a result of significant demand, it has increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement of common shares (the "Shares") at a price of C$0.72 per common share (see news release dated December 13, 2023). South Star will now raise aggregate gross proceeds of up to $7,000,000 (the "Private Placement").

Additionally, the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") has granted an extension to the closing time of the Private Placement. The extended date for final acceptance of the Private Placement is now February 29, 2024.

Closing of the Private Placement is subject to customary closing conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). Proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for accelerating exploration, development, construction activities, corporate G&A and general working capital requirements.

The Company may pay finders' fees to eligible finders, in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSXV. The securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period. The Company may, in its sole discretion, exercise an over-allotment option pursuant to which it may increase the size of the Private Placement by up to 15%.

Insiders may participate in the Private Placement including subscriptions from related parties of the Company as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The participation of insiders in the Private Placement is exempt from formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements pursuant to exemptions contained in sections 5.5(c) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101.

About South Star Battery Metals Corp

South Star Battery Metals Corp. is a Canadian battery metals project developer focused on the selective acquisition and development of near-term production projects in the Americas. South Star's Santa Cruz Graphite Project, located in Southern Bahia, Brazil is the first of a series of industrial and battery metals projects that will be put into production. Brazil is the second-largest graphite-producing region in the world with more than 80 years of continuous mining. Santa Cruz has at-surface mineralization in friable materials, and successful large-scale pilot-plant testing (> 30t) has been completed. The results of the testing show that approximately 65% of Cg concentrate is +80 mesh with good recoveries and 95%-99% Cg. With excellent infrastructure and logistics, South Star is fully funded for Phase 1, and the construction and commissioning are underway. Santa Cruz will be the first new graphite production in the Americas since 1996 with Phase 1 commercial production projected in Q1 2024. Phase 2 production (25,000 tpa) is partially funded and planned for 2026, while Phase 3 (50,000 tpa) is scheduled for 2028.

South Star's second project in the development pipeline is strategically located in Alabama in the center of a developing electric vehicle, aerospace, and defense hub in the southeastern United States. The BamaStar Project is a historic mine active during World Wars I & II. A NI43-101 technical report with the maiden resource estimate has been filed on SEDAR. Trenching, phase 1 drilling, sampling, analysis, and preliminary metallurgical testing have been completed. The testing indicates a traditional crush/grind/flotation concentration circuit that achieved grades of approximately 94-97% Cg with approximately 86% recoveries. South Star is executing on its plan to create a multi-asset, diversified battery metals company with near-term operations in strategic jurisdictions. South Star trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol STS, and on the OTCQB under the symbol STSBF.

South Star is committed to a corporate culture, project execution plan and safe operations that embrace the highest standards of ESG principles based on transparency, stakeholder engagement, ongoing education, and stewardship. To learn more, please visit the Company website at http://www.southstarbatterymetals.com.

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Richard Pearce, P.E., a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 and President and CEO of South Star Battery Metals Corp.

On behalf of the Board,

MR. RICHARD PEARCE

Chief Executive Officer

For additional information, please contact:

South Star Investor Relations

Email: invest@southstarbatterymetals.com

+1 (604) 706-0212

Twitter: https://twitter.com/southstarbm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southstarbatterymetals

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southstarbatterymetals/

YouTube: South Star Battery Metals - YouTube

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

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 press release.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. 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 in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the successful closing of the Private Placement and anticipated timing thereof and the intended use of proceeds and statements regarding moving Santa Cruz into production and scaling operations as well as advancing the Alabama project; and the Company's plans and expectations.

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 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 the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

SOURCE: South Star Battery Metals Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
EQS-News: Sudzucker AG / Key word(s): Tender Offer

Sudzucker AG welcomes the recommendation of the delisting tender offer by CropEnergies AG



26.01.2024 / 14:55 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION (IN WHOLE OR IN PART) IN, INTO OR FROM ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD VIOLATE THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION





Press release Mannheim, January 26, 2024 Sudzucker AG welcomes the recommendation of the delisting tender offer by CropEnergies AG  Management Board and Supervisory Board of CropEnergies AG recommend ac-ceptance of the offer in their joint reasoned opinion on the public delisting ten-der offer by Sudzucker AG  Management Board and Supervisory Board consider the offer price of  11.50 cash per CropEnergies share to be appropriate and to reflect the fair value of the share Sudzucker AG ("Sudzucker") was informed today by the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board of CropEnergies AG ("CropEnergies") that both boards recommend their shareholders to accept Sudzucker's delisting tender offer in their joint reasoned opinion on the public delisting tender offer. Dr Niels Porksen, CEO of Sudzucker, says: "We are pleased about the positive vote of the Super-visory Board and the Executive Board of CropEnergies in favour of our delisting tender offer. It shows that not only the offered price of  11.50 per CropEnergies share is appropriate, but also that the intended delisting of the CropEnergies shares on the regulated market is in the best interest of all stakeholders." The acceptance period has commenced with the publication of the offer document for the public delisting tender offer on January 17, 2024, and will end at midnight (CET) on February 16, 2024. CropEnergies shareholders who wish to accept the delisting tender offer must promptly contact their respective custodian bank or any other securities services company where their CropEnergies shares are being held. The delisting tender offer will not be extended (unless required by law) and is not subject to any conditions. The delisting of the CropEnergies shares from the regulated market is expected to become effective after the expiry of the acceptance period of the delisting tender offer by the end of February 2024. The offer document and a non-binding English translation, alongside other information regarding the delisting tender offer, are available at www.powerofplants-offer.com. In addition, a shareholder hotline has been set up, which shareholders can call on 0080008250941 (inside Germany) or +44 207 2930434 (outside Germany, hosted in German) or +44 207 2930434 (outside Germany, hosted in English) if they have any questions. Copies of the offer document are also available free of charge from the Delisting Acquisition Offer Settlement Agent: Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, TAS, Post-IPO Services, Taunusanla-ge 12, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Order for dispatch of the offer document by fax to +49 69 910 38794 or e-mail to dct.tender-offers@db.com, stating a complete postal address.) Important notice This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of CropEnergies AG nor an offer or recommendation to purchase shares of Sudzucker AG. The definitive terms of the delisting tender offer, as well as further provisions concerning the delist-ing tender offer, are set out in the offer document the publication of which has been approved by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). Investors and holders of shares in CropEnergies AG are strongly advised to read the offer document and all other relevant doc-uments regarding the delisting tender offer, since they contain important information. The delisting tender offer has been published exclusively under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, in particular in accordance with the German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act (Wertpapiererwerbs- und Ubernahmegesetz, "WpUG") and the German Stock Exchange Act (Borsengesetz), as well as certain applicable provisions of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act. The offer document and further documentation relating to the delisting tender offer is or will be available at www.powerofplants-offer.com. Any contract that is concluded on the basis of the delisting tender offer will be exclusively governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Ger-many and is to be interpreted in accordance with such laws. To the extent permissible under applicable law or regulation, and in accordance with German market practice, Sudzucker AG, its affiliates or its brokers may purchase, on the stock exchange or over the counter, or conclude agreements to purchase, shares of CropEnergies AG, directly or indirectly, outside of the scope of the delisting tender offer, during or after the period in which the offer remains open for acceptance. This also applies to other securities which are directly convertible into, exchangeable for, or exercisable for shares of CropEnergies AG. These purchases may be completed via the stock exchange at market prices or outside the stock ex-change at negotiated conditions provided that such purchases or purchase agreements are not made or concluded within the United States, are in accordance with applicable German law, in particular the WpUG, and the offer price is adjusted to any higher acquisition price paid outside the delisting tender offer during such term. Information on such purchases or purchase agree-ments, stating the number of CropEnergies shares acquired or to be acquired and the consider-ation granted or agreed, will be published in accordance with the applicable statutory provi-sions, in particular section 23(2) WpUG, in the German Federal Gazette and, if required by for-eign legal systems, in English via an electronic dissemination system. Corresponding infor-mation is also available in the form of an English translation on the internet at www.powerofplants-offer.com. Sudzucker AG

Maximilianstrae 10

68165 Mannheim, Germany Financial press:

Dr Dominik Risser



Phone: +49 621 421-205

public.relations@suedzucker.de Investor Relations:

Nikolai Baltruschat



Phone: +49 621 421-240

investor.relations@suedzucker.de About the Sudzucker Group Sudzucker is a major player in the food industry with its sugar, special products, starch and fruit segments, and Europe's leading ethanol producer with its CropEnergies segment. In the traditional sugar business, the group is Europe's number one supplier of sugar products, with 23 sugar factories and two refineries, extending from France in the west via Belgium, Ger-many and Austria, through to Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, Bosnia, and Moldova in the east. The special products segment, with its consumer-oriented functional ingredients for food and animal feed (BENEO), chilled/frozen products (Freiberger) and portion packs (PortionPack Group), operates in dynamic growth markets. Sudzucker's CropEnergies segment is Europe's leading producer of renewable ethanol, with production sites in Germany, Belgium, France and Great Britain. Other products in this segment are protein food and animal feed products as well as biogenic carbon dioxide. The starch segment comprises AGRANA's starch and ethanol activities. The group's fruit segment operates globally, is the world market leader for fruit preparations and is a leading supplier of fruit juice concentrates in Europe. In 2022/23, the group employed about 18.300 persons and generated revenues of about EUR 9.5 billion. About the CropEnergies AG Sustainable, renewable products made from biomass - that is what CropEnergies stands for. Our products contribute to a climate-friendly world and ensure that fossil carbons remain in the ground permanently and do not continue to drive climate change. Founded in Mannheim in 2006, the member of the Sudzucker Group is the leading European producer of renewable ethanol. With a production capacity of 1.3 million m3 of ethanol per year, CropEnergies produces neutral alcohol as well as technical alcohol (ethanol) for a wide range of applications at locations in Germany, Belgium, the UK, and France: Sustainably produced etha-nol as a petrol substitute is an answer to the future challenges of climate-friendly energy supply in the transport sector. Thanks to highly efficient production plants, our ethanol reduces CO2 emissions by an average of more than 70 percent across the entire value chain compared to fossil fuel. Our high-quality alcohol is also used in beverage production, cosmetics, pharma-ceutical applications, for example as a basis for disinfectants, or as a raw material for innova-tive biochemicals. Equally important are the resulting protein food and animal feed products as a sustainable re-gional alternative to emission-intensive protein imports from overseas, as well as biogenic car-bon dioxide. It is used in beverage production, among other things, and will be a valuable raw material for a wide range of applications in transport and industry in the future. Thus, all raw material components are utilised in our circular economy.



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On January 25, just one day after a Russian plane was shot down carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, members of Ukraine's Verkhona Rada said that they intend to move forward to pass a controversial bill aimed at banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The timing of the announcement, says Robert Amsterdam, represents "a shocking display of political opportunism on a day of national tragedy."

Amsterdam, whose law firm Amsterdam Partners LLP acts on behalf of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), has recently published a white paper arguing that Draft Bill 8371 would empower the government to ban the Church and legitimize a series of recent violations of human rights and freedom of religion inflicted upon members of the Church.

"I can think of no act more disgusting or reprehensible than to seek to deflect attention away from negligence following such a tragic loss of lives," said Amsterdam. "From the beginning we have argued time and again that Draft Law 8371 has nothing to do with Ukraine's security and is instead entirely a desperate political ploy to drum up extremist support and now the Rada has just proven that point more clearly than I ever could."

Amsterdam continued: "This is a moment to honor the lives of the POWs lost, investigate the tragedy, and strengthen Ukrainian unity. It is not the time to take away places of worship from the faithful and continue with these ugly politics of division. We intend to hold the sponsors of this repressive legislation to account internationally, and remind the authorities that even in war time, human rights of all Ukrainians must be respected."

The report titled, "Freedom of Religion under Attack in Ukraine: A White Paper on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church," is available for download on https://savetheuoc.com. More information about Amsterdam Partners LLP is available at https://amsterdamandpartners.com.

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Contacts:

James Kimer, jk@mediatheory.com, 917-355-0717
NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY) on Friday announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended marketing authorization approval of Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel; ide-cel). The company stated that the CHMP's positive opinion is based on the final analysis of progression-free survival (PFS) from the pivotal Phase 3 KarMMa-3 study, where Abecma showed superiority over standard regimens, significantly improved progression-free survival, and a well-established safety profile with mostly low-grade occurrences of cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. Abecma is for treating adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who have undergone at least two prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD), a proteasome inhibitor (PI), and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. The European Commission (EC), responsible for authorizing medicines for the European Union (EU), will evaluate the CHMP recommendation. Furthermore, the approval by the EC would expand Abecma's indication, making it the first CAR T cell therapy available in the EU for patients with triple-class exposed relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. 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.
LEIPZIG, Germany, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global premium tech brand, HONOR, has today announced the availability of the HONOR Magic V2 - the thinnest inward-folding smartphone in the world, in Europe, including the UK. The launch event, held today at the Porsche Experience Center in Leipzig, saw over 400 media representatives and partners in attendance, showcasing HONOR's commitment to innovation and design excellence.

The attendees got an exclusive sneak peek at the PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR, marrying HONOR's latest tech innovations with the timeless elegance of Porsche Design. They also got a rare chance to delve into HONOR's fusion of luxury and tech during thrilling race simulations and a behind-the-scenes factory tour at the Porsche Experience Centre.

HONOR Magic V2 is redefining the Foldable Experience with Unmatched Slimness and Power

Two years in the making, the HONOR Magic V2 includes more than 210 technological breakthroughs, including the ultra-thin battery, cooling system, hinge, Type-C Connector, screen, speaker unit, and more. The HONOR Magic V2 is the world's thinnest inward foldable smartphone, weighing only 231g and measuring just 9.9mm[1] when folded. It features a new generation of Silicon-Carbon-Dual-Battery with an average thickness of just 2.72mm per battery, meaning no compromise on flagship 5,000mAh battery power, all in thin and light foldable chassis.

The HONOR Magic V2, beyond its slim profile, boasts the use of aviation materials with its Titanium Alloy hinge, crafted through 3D printing technology-a first for foldable devices. Its durability isn't just limited to the use of titanium however, with an SGS-certification where the phone can surpass 400,000 folds, or 100 folds a day for 10 years, promising reliability for a decade with everyday use.

The HONOR Magic V2 features a triple rear camera setup that includes 50MP Main Camera (f/1.9), a 50MP Ultra-Wide Camera (f/2.0), and a 20MP Telephoto Camera (f/2.4). The front-facing dual camera setup features two 16MP Cameras (f/2.2).

Incorporating human-centric innovation, the HONOR Magic V2 also supports industry-leading 3840Hz PWM Dimming technology to minimise eye strain, ensuring comfortable viewing even during long-term use.

The HONOR Magic V2 isn't just limited to pioneering hardware, software innovation also elevates the user experience. The device's cutting-edge Hover capabilities redefine interaction, making video conferencing, music playback, and photography more intuitive and efficient than ever before. Moreover, the introduction of Dual Tasking Efficiency, enabled by a vertical split-screen, transforms multitasking into a seamless activity, allowing users to juggle work and leisure simultaneously, thus unlocking new opportunities for personal fulfillment.

Racetrack Elegance Meets Palm Precision: Introducing the PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR

Design from the Racetrack to Your Palm

Debuting as the first innovation where HONOR's human-centric approach meets the luxury yet functional aesthetics of Porsche Design, the PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR leads the way. The fly line of the rear of the industry-leading foldable smartphone is intricately reminiscent of the hood of a Porsche 911. The improved grip provides a sportscar experience in the user's palm. The PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR comes in the iconic Porsche car colour, Agate Grey.

Ultra-thin foldable device with Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield

In pursuit of convenient portability, HONOR and Porsche Design have collectively refined the choice of materials in the PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR to create a device that weighs only 234g[2]and is just 9.9mm[3]thick.

Incorporating the industry's first Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield, the PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR races ahead of the pack with improvements in display durability, providing enhanced protection to the device. The tenfold improved scratch resistance [4]and the hardness rating of over seven on the Mohs scale [5]- a scale which indicates the degree of strength of a material - ensures superior resistance to damage.

HONOR reaffirms its dedication to the European market, and the UK with the Magic V2 standing as a testament to its commitment meet the advanced demands of European and UK users. The HONOR Magic V2 will launch on HiHonor in Black Vegan Leather and Phantom Purple today for 1,699.99 RRP, with a launch offer bundle worth over 600 including Bang & Olufsen Headphones (459 RRP), 6-months screen protection and a 66W HONOR SuperCharge Power Adapter. HiHonor also has an early-bird voucher which gives customers 200 off the price before the 1st March, use code AV2PR200 at checkout.

The HONOR Magic V2 will be available to purchase from Three on the 2ndFebruary 2024, with up to 1,199 worth of value when purchasing a Magic V2 from Three. With the Magic V2 on Three, you can save up to 620 with enhanced trade-in of up to 500, a 120 discount on 30GB and 300GB tariffs, plus complimentary Bang & Olufsen headphones worth 459.

Amazon, Very, Argos and Currys will also have the Magic V2 available for pre-order from today, with sales starting on the 2nd Feb, with the Bang & Olufsen headphones available to redeem too.

Further details on the release and pricing of the luxurious PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR will be disclosed shortly.

About HONOR

HONOR is a leading global provider of smart devices. It is dedicated to becoming a global iconic technology brand and creating a new intelligent world for everyone through its powerful products and services.

For more information, please visit HONOR online at www.hihonor.com /uk

https://www.facebook.com/honoruk/

https://twitter.com/UKHonor

https://www.instagram.com/UKHonor/

https://www.youtube.com/c/HonorOfficial

[1] Data from HONOR labs.

[2] Data from HONOR labs.

[3] [3]Data from HONOR labs. The thickness of the whole device is measured at the thinnest point and does not include the thickness of the camera bump. Product size may vary with its configuration, manufacturing process and measurement methods. Specification details are for reference only.

[4] Data from HONOR labs.

[5] The Mohs scale (from 1 to 10) is a qualitative ordinal scale to characterize the scratch resistance of minerals through the ability of harder material to scratch softer material.

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CHICAGO, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The growing need for mobile applications is expected to propel the Cloud Mobile Backend as a Service (BaaS) market's explosive expansion. Integration with emerging technologies, security and compliance as top priorities, multi-cloud and hybrid solutions, and enhancing the developer experience are some of the major developments.

The Cloud Mobile Backend as a Service (BaaS) Market size is expected to grow from USD 4.1 billion in 2023 to USD 9.2 billion by 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Cloud Mobile Backend as a Service (BaaS) Market"

260 - Tables

70 - Figures

290 - Pages

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Report of the Scope

Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 2019-2028 Base year considered 2022 Forecast period 2023-2028 Forecast units Value (USD Million/Billion) Segments Covered Service Type, Application Type, Platform, Deployment Model, Organization Size, and Vertical Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America Companies Covered Some of the significant cloud mobile BaaS market vendors are AWS (US), Google (US), Microsoft (US), Oracle (US), MongoDB (US), IBM (US), Rackspace Technology (US), Progress (US), Temenos (Switzerland), Cloudflare (US), Couchbase (US), Twenty57 (Mauritius), Oursky (Hong Kong), Contentful (Germany), Pragma (Colombia), Heroku (US), brainCloud (Canada), and Addon Solutions (India).

By Service Type, the user authentication & authorization segment is expected to capture the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The service type segment of the cloud mobile BaaS market is segmented into cloud storage & backup, user authentication & authorization, database management, push notification, and other service types. The user authentication & authorization segment is estimated to hold the highest CAGR during the forecasted period. The user authentication & authorization service type segment, encompassing traditional authentication, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and single sign-on (SSO), plays a crucial role in the cloud mobile BaaS market. These services are fundamental in ensuring the security and integrity of mobile applications by managing user access to backend resources. Traditional authentication methods, though foundational, are complemented by the rising prominence of multi-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of security through multiple verification steps. Additionally, single sign-on solutions streamline the user experience by allowing seamless access across multiple applications with a single set of credentials.

In the dynamic landscape of mobile app development, where security is paramount, these authentication & authorization services not only protect sensitive user data but also enhance user convenience. As the demand for secure and user-friendly mobile experiences grows, the integration of robust authentication & authorization mechanisms within mobile BaaS becomes imperative, empowering developers to implement effective security measures without compromising the accessibility and usability of their applications. Therefore, the user authentication & authorization segment serves as a cornerstone in fortifying the overall integrity and trustworthiness of mobile applications in the cloud environment.

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Based on the platform, the Android segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period.

The cloud mobile BaaS market, by Android, is segmented into iOS, Android, and other platforms. It is expected that during the forecast period, the Android segment is expected to hold the largest market size and share in the cloud mobile BaaS market. The Android platform segment in the cloud mobile BaaS market plays a pivotal role in facilitating the seamless integration and functionality of mobile applications on Android devices. As the dominant operating system in the global mobile market, Android compatibility within mobile BaaS is essential for ensuring widespread app accessibility. This segment encompasses tools, APIs, and services tailored specifically for Android app development, enabling developers to leverage cloud-based backend services effortlessly. It streamlines data storage, user authentication, and other backend functionalities, allowing developers to focus on creating feature-rich and responsive applications. The Android platform segment in mobile BaaS not only addresses the diverse needs of Android app developers but also ensures interoperability and optimization, contributing to a consistent and efficient mobile app experience across the vast Android ecosystem. As businesses increasingly prioritize mobile app development, the Android platform segment within cloud mobile BaaS emerges as a critical component in driving innovation, scalability, and user engagement for applications targeting the Android user base.

North America is projected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period.

By region, North America is projected to hold the most market share in the worldwide cloud mobile BaaS market in 2023, and this pattern is anticipated to be true throughout the forecast period. In North America, cloud mobile BaaS solutions play a pivotal role in accelerating and simplifying mobile app development. These platforms offer a robust and scalable infrastructure for developers and businesses, allowing them to focus on building innovative mobile applications without the complexities of managing backend infrastructure. With the increasing demand for mobile apps across various industries, mobile BaaS solutions in North America facilitate rapid development cycles, enabling quicker time-to-market for products and services. The US and Canada are the major contributors, as most of the major companies in the cloud mobile BaaS market are based in these countries.

In this region, where mobile devices are ubiquitous, mobile BaaS providers cater to the diverse needs of developers ranging from startups to large enterprises. The flexibility and ease of integration provided by these platforms empower businesses to leverage advanced features such as authentication, real-time data synchronization, and serverless computing. Moreover, the competitive nature of the North American market demands agile and efficient development processes, making cloud mobile BaaS solutions a strategic enabler for businesses aiming to stay ahead in the dynamic mobile landscape. As security and compliance are paramount concerns, leading mobile BaaS providers in North America adhere to stringent standards, ensuring data protection and regulatory compliance for applications across various domains, including finance, healthcare, and eCommerce.

Top Key Companies in Cloud Mobile Backend as a Service (BaaS) Market:

Some of the major cloud mobile BaaS vendors AWS (US), Google (US), Microsoft (US), Oracle (US), MongoDB (US), IBM (US), Rackspace Technology (US), Progress (US), Temenos (Switzerland), Cloudflare (US), Couchbase (US), Twenty57 (Mauritius), Oursky (Hong Kong), Contentful (Germany), Pragma (Colombia), Heroku (US), brainCloud (Canada), and Addon Solutions (India).

Recent Developments:

In October 2022, Google launched the latest Firebase SDK for C++ (v11.7.0. This release includes changes to Analytics and Google Mobile Ads, a bug fix in Authentication, and other changes.

In November 2023, AWS announced a new capability that makes it easy to build scalable, secure GraphQL interfaces over existing relational databases with AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK). The AWS Amplify GraphQL API CDK is constructed with the user's database credentials stored securely in the AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store as a SecureString and starts authoring the user's GraphQL API to execute SQL statements. This new capability works with any MySQL and PostgreSQL databases on Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS) or externally hosted MySQL and PostgreSQL databases.

In September 2023, Oracle announced new application development capabilities to enable developers to rapidly build and deploy applications on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). Designed for cloud-native and Java developers, the new capabilities will help developers build highly responsive and efficient cloud-native applications while reducing costs. In addition, Oracle is building generative AI capabilities for application development to take advantage of cutting-edge large language models with the level of security and privacy that enterprises demand.

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Cloud Mobile Backend as a Service (BaaS) Market Advantages:

By providing pre-built backend services and APIs, BaaS platforms streamline the development process. By using these services, developers may create and deploy apps more quickly, saving time on backend infrastructure creation and management.

Businesses no longer have to spend a lot of money developing and maintaining backend infrastructure thanks to BaaS. Pay-as-you-go options enable enterprises to cut costs by only paying for the individual services they use, eliminating the need to manage servers, databases, and other components.

Because BaaS platforms can scale automatically, applications can adapt to changing workloads without the need for human intervention. This guarantees that the backend infrastructure may expand or contract in response to demand, giving users a smooth experience even during times of high traffic.

Cross-platform compatibility is a feature that BaaS solutions frequently provide, enabling developers to create applications for several operating systems (Android, iOS, etc.) without needing to modify the backend code. Time to market is accelerated and the development process is made simpler as a result.

Strong security measures are usually implemented by BaaS providers to safeguard data and guarantee application integrity. Developers won't have to work as hard to implement data encryption, authentication, and authorization processes when these functionalities are included.

Report Objectives

To define, describe, and forecast the cloud mobile BaaS market based on service type, application type, platform, deployment model, organization size, vertical, and region.

To project the market sizes of the following five major regions: Latin America, Middle East & Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America

To strategically examine each market segment's growth trends, opportunities, and contributions to the overall market

To give comprehensive details about the main elements (drivers, constraints, opportunities, and challenges) affecting the market's growth

To assess market potential for stakeholders and give important actors specifics about the competitive environment.

To examine market trends, patents, developments, and pricing information pertaining to cloud mobile BaaS.

In-depth examination of the fundamental skills of significant participants

To monitor and assess the effects of the recession as well as market competition changes like M&As, new product launches, and alliances and collaborations.

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The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry.

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EINDHOVEN, Netherlands, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Following on from its recent announcement that it has taken on a lease at the Brainport Industries Campus (BIC), where it will construct a pilot production plant for its innovative 3D electrodes, the Dutch company LionVolt has completed the acquisition of a battery cell production line in Thurso, Scotland.

Based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, LionVolt is leveraging the region's extensive experience in thin film technology to develop a 3D electrode architecture to enable next generation batteries. Unique selling points of the company's products include enhanced energy density, superior cycle-life, higher charging speed, and enhanced safety.

Alongside its core innovation team in Eindhoven; the company is currently building a pilot production line at the Brainport Industries Campus (BIC) to further develop and commercialize its innovative 3D structured electrodes. The BIC pilot line offers the company the ability to step up its first production capacity in an ecosystem that supports LionVolt's growth ambitions.

The acquisition of the battery production site in Scotland brings new complementary capabilities to the company, and sets LionVolt up for the next phase of growth. The site will be repurposed to manufacture battery cells that embed LionVolt's innovative 3D technology. In addition, LionVolt will take on an experienced team allowing it to build on years of battery cell manufacturing know-how.

"This is a very exciting step in our growth, and brings a complementary skill set that we currently do not have within LionVolt, along with providing us with a manufacturing capability that will be complementary to our pilot line facility at the BIC. The combination of these capabilities will allow us to accelerate the commercialization of our innovative products." - Kevin Brundish, CEO of LionVolt

"This is a dream scenario for a deep-tech company like ours. It helps us mature our innovative 3D battery technology quicker by leveraging the manufacturing expertise from the team in Scotland, thereby reducing time-to-market." -Sandeep Unnikrishnan, CTO of LionVolt

About LionVolt

LionVolt is a deep-tech company working on a revolutionary solid-state battery. Its mission is to develop and scale 3D solid-state batteries to deliver the highest performance, fastest charging, safest, and most sustainable battery solutions. Website: www.lionvolt.com.

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First Ascent Ventures, Spring Mountain Capital, BDC Capital and Espresso Capital lead Thentia's latest $38M Series B extension round, supporting the company's continued growth.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thentia, a leading innovator in regulatory technology, announced today that it has closed a US$38 million Series B extension round. The fundraise, led by existing investors including First Ascent Ventures, Spring Mountain Capital, BDC Capital, and Espresso Capital, reflects a continued commitment to Thentia's vision. The funds will be strategically utilized to scale operations, propel accelerated growth, invest in artificial intelligence, and enhance Thentia's ability to meet the evolving needs of its rapidly expanding global client base.

"We are thrilled to continue our support for Thentia with this latest investment. The remarkable strides they've made, coupled with their unwavering dedication to innovation in the government technology space, solidify our confidence in their inevitable global prominence," says Richard Black, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, First Ascent Ventures. "As existing investors, we remain excited about the impressive momentum they have gained, and we look forward to witnessing their continued success in shaping the future of government technology and regulation," Black adds.

"Thentia's cutting-edge platform stands as a cornerstone for government agencies embarking on the journey of digital transformation. By seamlessly transitioning processes into the 21st century, Thentia empowers organizations to elevate user experiences for citizens while delivering indispensable data crucial for informed decision-making. These strides signify a pivotal shift in advancing government capabilities," says Jamie Weston, Managing Director, Spring Mountain Capital.

"We're pleased to continue our ongoing partnership with Thentia as it enters a new phase of rapid expansion and growth. The company's cutting-edge platform delivers tremendous value to customers across North America and Europe by bringing innovation and efficiency to the regulatory industry," says Will Hutchins, Managing Director, Espresso Capital.

"Thentia has brought together an exceptional group of leaders and subject matter experts who grasp the unique challenges facing regulators" says Mark Smith, Partner of BDC Capital's Industrial, Clean and Energy Technology (ICE) Venture Fund, which has been an investor in the business since 2020. "Their differentiated expertise is what truly sets them apart and has enabled them to develop a platform that addresses key regulatory functions, and positions Thentia as a leader in the regulatory licensing category."

Designed for regulators, by regulators, Thentia's end-to-end SaaS ERP platform, Thentia Cloud, adeptly digitizes, streamlines, and consolidates all essential regulatory functions within a single and secure cloud-based environment. Empowering regulators with a comprehensive 360-degree view of all licensee activities, the platform facilitates a shift from suboptimal and inefficient processes to a modern, streamlined approach, elevating their ability to fulfill their paramount duty of safeguarding the public. Customers of the platform have demonstrated manifold improvements in their ability to regulate effectively and efficiently.

Trusted by millions of licensed professionals, businesses, and entities globally, Thentia has gained recognition from regulators worldwide for its unmatched blend of technological innovation and regulatory proficiency.

"We're grateful for the steadfast support of our investors who have played a pivotal role in our journey. Together, we have not only built the regulatory platform of the future, but have also achieved remarkable success, becoming a leading force in enabling regulators to stay a step ahead with the rapidly evolving technology landscape," says Julian Cardarelli, CEO, Thentia.

"Looking ahead in 2024, we are poised to unveil an array of innovations that promise to redefine the industry landscape. These transformative capabilities are not just enhancements; they are industry-altering advancements that will set a new standard for what is possible, forever changing the way we operate and leading us into a new era of excellence and innovation."

As Thentia charts its course for continued growth, the company stands resolute in its dedication to excellence and the ongoing innovation of its platform that is committed to supporting regulators in their mission of public protection. Moving forward, Thentia will strategically allocate the recently secured funds to drive geographical expansion, unveil new cutting-edge features, and attract top-tier talent. This comprehensive strategy aims to elevate every aspect of its team, ultimately ensuring a world-class experience for its valued customers.

Thoughtfully built for regulators, by regulators, Thentia is driving regulatory transformation for hundreds of regulators and regulatory agencies worldwide with a platform that handles all key department functions including licensing, investigations, enforcement, fitness to practise, quality assurance, scope of practise, continuing education, board management, data analysis, and more. Thentia Cloud empowers regulators to transcend the constraints of legacy processes, custom-built solutions, and a web of disparate applications with a single unified 360-degree platform, setting new standards in efficiency and effectiveness.

Thentia Cloud is available on all major cloud providers, including Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), IBM Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. For more information, visit thentia.com.

Founded in 2015 by Richard Black and Tony van Marken, First Ascent Ventures invests in early-stage, emerging, and growth-oriented enterprise software companies in the information technology sector. The First Ascent Ventures team bring deep bench strength as operating executives and investors having built and invested in significant, global enterprise software companies.

Spring Mountain Capital is a New York-based investment management firm with $1.7 billion of assets under management that focuses on alternative asset investing. The SMC Growth equity team focuses on providing expansion capital to companies capitalizing on breakthrough innovations, paradigm shifts, or fundamental market or behavioral changes. SMC invests in two sectors of the U.S. economy undergoing the most change and with the highest growth potential: enterprise technology and healthcare companies. For more information, visit: smcgrowthcapital.com.

BDC Capital is the investment arm of BDC, Canada's bank for entrepreneurs. With over $6 billion under management, BDC Capital serves as a strategic partner to the country's most innovative firms. It offers businesses a full spectrum of capital, from seed investments to growth equity as well as ownership transition solutions, supporting Canadian entrepreneurs who have the ambition to stand out on the world stage. Visit bdc.ca/capital.

Espresso Capital has been empowering fast-growing technology companies with innovative venture debt solutions since 2009. During this period, we've funded over 330 companies in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., helping to accelerate growth, extend runway, and increase strategic flexibility with non-dilutive capital. Espresso is headquartered in Toronto, with offices in San Francisco, Chicago, and London. To learn more about how you can use venture debt to grow your business, visit espressocapital.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Kerri-Lynn Kilbey

Communications Manager

T: (437) 703-9412

E: kerri-lynn.kilbey@thentia.com

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / IBM:

By Yerelee Gonzalez

Watch the video here: How Indigenous perspectives can guide climate innovation for a just transition: IBM teams up with Net Zero Atlantic in Canada

The windswept province of Nova Scotia lies on Canada's Atlantic coast, and comprises part of Mi'kma'ki, the traditional districts of the Mi'kmaq First Nations people. In recent years, Nova Scotia has become a promising site for the clean energy transition, with some of the world's fastest offshore wind speeds and potential for hydrogen development.

But too often, conversations about the impact of energy development in the region do not include Indigenous perspectives or are inaccessible to people outside of the energy industry. Around the world, many vulnerable communities need support to participate in the energy transition. And while climate technology is minimizing impact and helping to make informed energy decisions, the next step in a just transition is to democratize this information and put it in the hands of communities.

Implementing science and technology alongside Indigenous knowledge and community engagement is an essential approach to address climate challenges, one that is known as "two-eyed seeing." To support a just transition, IBM joined forces with nonprofit Net Zero Atlantic through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator to help enable informed climate decision-making and empower participation in the clean energy transition for Indigenous communities in Atlantic Canada.

A user-first approach to climate tech

Net Zero Atlantic's open source Atlantic Canada Energy System (ACES) Model is a powerful tool for analyzing and forecasting energy generation and infrastructure development scenarios. To describe and interpret future energy system opportunities with accuracy, both computing power and technical knowledge are often required from the user, which can frequently make such tools feel inaccessible.

The IBM Sustainability Accelerator and Net Zero Atlantic set out to transform this complex resource into a user-friendly, accessible application that would support the Mi'kmaq communities' role in energy planning and the transition to net zero, taking a user-first approach from the onset of the project's first phase, the IBM Garage.

"It's a very new way of looking at an energy system model, really looking at it from the user perspective," says Sven Scholtysik, Director of Research at Net Zero Atlantic. "It's usually the other way around. People try to create the most accurate and most advanced model possible-but there's very little insight into how people use it and what motivates them to use it."

The design of "ACES Lite" is focused on enabling the user to navigate complex graphs, geographical models and data interpretations with ease. The application puts user experience first, utilizing IBM technology like hybrid cloud and IBM Cognos Analytics alongside the expertise of volunteers from IBM Consulting and more. And through Net Zero Atlantic's long-standing relationship with the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, ACES Lite has undergone important interactive testing sessions with Mi'kmaq users to generate usability feedback and refine the tool further.

"One of our key roles is to engage community. We do science, but we also engage community to bring forth the traditional knowledge that can be incorporated into that work," says Lisa Young, Executive Director of the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources. "The idea guiding this development was, 'How can this tool inform how the community engages in the conversation about the energy transition? How does it help them make informed decisions?'"

Two-eyed seeing and the importance of collaboration

Implementing technology alongside Indigenous knowledge is an approach known as two-eyed seeing, described by Mi'kmaq Elder Dr. Albert Marshall. Lisa Young shares that this is a guiding approach for the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources, and one that the project with Net Zero Atlantic and IBM has incorporated.

"Two-eyed seeing means utilizing the best of Western science and technology, but also pairing it with the best of Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and wisdom-so, how to use that knowledge in a good way, having a positive impact on the environment," says Young. "In order to bring that perspective, you have to engage community broadly, to help us bring the knowledge from the land and guide us on how we advance the work."

Scholtysik emphasizes the value of collaboration on this project with both IBM and the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources. He notes the expertise and enthusiasm of the IBM project team as a highlight of the organization's time in the IBM Sustainability Accelerator. Other communities in Canada, such as the government of Nova Scotia, offshore wind groups, and academic and research teams have also participated in the ideation and testing process thus far, expressing excitement about the tool's potential applications across the province.

What's next for ACES Lite

As a next step, IBM and Net Zero Atlantic will continue to pilot ACES Lite with user groups in Cape Breton, while also exploring new innovations and additions. Feedback from the community has helped to identify where the user experience can be enhanced-for example, an opportunity to enhance the visualization aspects of land usage associated with the development of diverse clean energy technologies, and incorporating a feature that represents the economic impact of such projects. Scholtysik looks forward to bringing the application to the public by the end of 2024 and can even see its potential for deployment in other regions undergoing energy transition.

"Energy system models are an excellent tool for people to have at their fingertips," says Scholtysik. "Models like ACES Lite can make it easier for people to strategically plan for a future energy system that is sustainable, reliable and affordable. But what we really need to do is assess the impact of energy system transitions from a community perspective, and I think ACES Lite marks a first step in that direction."

Learn more about the IBM Sustainability Accelerator

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from IBM on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: IBM

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/ibm

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: IBM

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Reflecting on a Journey of Personal Growth and Artistic Expression in London, Taipei, and a Notable Debut in Ho Chi Minh City

BREA, Calif., Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ViewSonic Corp., a global leader in visual and EdTech solutions, celebrates the successful conclusion and significant expansion of the 4th ColorPro Awards. Themed "RISE," this edition symbolized growth and resilience, harmonizing with the event's expansion into a physical exhibition in Vietnam and the introduction of a new videography category. These developments embodied the essence of "RISE," signifying a journey of transcendence within the global creative community. The events across London, Taipei, and Ho Chi Minh City showcased ViewSonic's dedication to delivering tailored visual solutions for diverse markets, as well as its commitment to fostering a global community of creators through its innovative ColorPro solutions-where advanced monitor technology meets creativity and precision.

"We feel honored to have reached new heights of participation worldwide, with entries for the ColorPro Awards growing fivefold since its inception," said Oscar Lin, General Manager of the Monitor Business Unit at ViewSonic. "As we continue to deliver advanced color-critical solutions, we are committed to bringing the ColorPro Awards to more realms and regions, uniting more creators in our journey. The expansion into new regions, like this year in Vietnam, and the introduction of the videography category, reflect our dedication to exploring new possibilities in the creative field and amplifying our global impact."

The London ceremony of the ColorPro Awards' winning artworks marked the beginning of the global tour. Showcasing the latest innovations in the ColorPro lineup, the event featured the new ColorPro Sense and ColorPro Integrate software, along with product demonstrations that emphasized color accuracy and efficiency in creative workflows. This London event not only demonstrated ViewSonic's leadership in visual solutions but also celebrated the artistic achievements of the ColorPro Awards winners.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the inaugural ColorPro Awards event symbolized a celebration of ViewSonic's achievements in the Vietnamese market, acknowledging the company's engagement with the local creative community and partners. Initiated by a large-scale press event with more than 100 participants, this dynamic and immersive experience showcased ViewSonic's diverse product range, presenting a harmonious blend of art and technology. Accompanied by a series of targeted events for key partners and distributors, the occasion highlighted ViewSonic's commitment to delivering comprehensive visual solutions. Additionally, the ColorPro Talks held during the event exemplified ViewSonic's dedication to cultivating innovation and creativity, providing an enriching platform for the creative community to network and share insights.

In Taiwan, the ColorPro Awards media gathering showcased the latest in ColorPro monitor solutions and the broader ecosystem. The event infused ViewSonic's Taiwan office with the finalists' artwork, creating an immersive exhibition. Attendees experienced the innovative ColorPro wheel and witnessed demonstrations highlighting ViewSonic's diverse monitor solutions for various user groups. Reflecting ViewSonic's dedication to advancing visual technology and creative expression, the event emphasized the company's comprehensive ecosystem through the demonstration of the practical benefits of precise color calibration and streamlined creative workflows.

The 4th ColorPro Awards by ViewSonic set a new standard in creative expression and technological innovation. The expansion into new regions and the addition of new categories underscores ViewSonic's growing global influence and commitment to the creative industry. The events in London, Ho Chi Minh City, and Taipei not only celebrated artistic talent but also showcased ViewSonic's leadership in the visual solutions sector through the convergence of art and technology.

About ViewSonic

Founded in California, ViewSonic is a leading global visual solutions provider, conducting business in over 100 countries worldwide. As an innovator and visionary, ViewSonic is committed to providing comprehensive hardware and software solutions that include monitors, projectors, pen displays, commercial displays, All-in-One LED displays, ViewBoard interactive displays, myViewBoard software, and its ecosystem. With over 35 years of expertise in visual technology, ViewSonic has established a strong position for delivering innovative and reliable solutions for education, enterprise, consumer, and professional markets and helping customers "See the Difference." To find out more about ViewSonic, please visit www.viewsonic.com

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Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, January 26

For immediate release

26 January 2024

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 121,672 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 844.96 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 23 January 2024.

Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 29,563,589; 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 195,427,714.

The figure of 195,427,714 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
BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, January 26

BH Macro Limited (the "Company")

(a closed-ended collective investment scheme established as a company with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registered number 46235)

Transaction in Own Shares

26 January 2024

BH Macro Limited (the Company) announces today it has purchased the following number of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange from J.P. Morgan Securities plc:

Ordinary Shares: - Share Class Sterling Sterling Date of purchase: 26 January 2024 26 January 2024 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 52,164 25,000 Lowest price per share 363.00 363.00 Highest price per share 363.00 363.00 Trading venue London JPSI Aggregate volume per date per trading venue: 52,164 25,000 Weighted average price per day per trading venue: 363.0000 363.0000

The Company intends to hold the purchased shares in treasury.

Following the above share transactions of the relevant US Dollar and Sterling Shares, the total number of shares in issue in each share class of the Company will be as follows:

Ordinary Shares in issue (excluding Treasury) Ordinary Shares held in Treasury 368,200,493 Sterling Shares 5,329,414 Sterling Shares 29,854,672 Dollar Shares Nil Dollar Shares

From 24 January 2024, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 564,330,389.

Enquiries:

Company website: www.bhmacro.com

William Simmonds

JPMorgan Cazenove

Tel: 020 7588 2828

The Company Secretary

Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited

Tel: 01481 745001
Redde Northgate Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, January 26

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

26 January 2024

REDDE NORTHGATE PLC

("Redde Northgate" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Transaction in Own Shares

Redde Northgate plc (LSE:REDD) announces that on 26 January 2024 it purchased the following number of its own shares to be held in treasury:

Class of shares : Ordinary shares of 50p ("shares") Number of shares purchased : 50,000 Weighted average purchase price paid : 352.75 pence per share Highest purchase price paid : 353.5 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid : 352 pence per share

Following the above transaction, the Company's issued share capital consists of 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each, of which 18,215,071 ordinary shares are held in treasury, and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50p each which do not carry any rights to vote. Therefore the total number of voting rights in the Company is 227,876,352 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the Company's buyback programme.

Schedule of Purchases - Individual Transactions (as at 26 January 2024)

Number of shares

purchased Transaction price

(GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 25,000 25,000 352.00 353.50 11:46:59 15:02:28 00068642300TRLO0 00068649083TRLO0 LSE LSE

Notes

This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 12.4.6.

For further information contact:

Buchanan

David Rydell/Jamie Hooper/Hannah Ratcliff +44 (0) 207 466 5000

Notes to Editors:

Redde Northgate is the leading integrated mobility solutions platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle. The Company offers integrated mobility solutions to businesses, fleet operators, insurers, OEMs and other customers across seven key areas: vehicle rental, vehicle data, accident management, vehicle repairs, fleet management, service and maintenance, vehicle ancillary services and vehicle sales.

The Company's core purpose is to keep its customers mobile, whether through meeting their regular mobility needs or by servicing and supporting them when unforeseen events occur. With its considerable scale and reach, Redde Northgate's mission is to offer a market-leading customer proposition and drive enhanced returns for shareholders by creating value through sustainable compounding growth. The Group aims to achieve this through the delivery of its strategic framework of Focus, Drive and Broaden.

Redde Northgate services its customers through a network and diversified fleet of over 120,000 owned and leased vehicles, supporting over 600,000 managed vehicles, with more than 170 workshop, body shop and rental locations across the UK, Ireland and Spain and a specialist team of over 6,000 automotive services professionals.

Further information please visit the Company's website:
The IFE EdTech Summit 2024, held within the framework of the Tecnologico de Monterrey's IFE Conference, stood out as an epicenter of educational innovation, bringing together pioneers, visionaries, and catalysts for change in education.



MONTERREY, Mexico, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In its second edition, the IFE EdTech Summit, organized as part of the IFE Conference, served as a meeting point for entrepreneurs, investors, and key players who are shaping the future of education.

The Summit offered exclusive content designed specifically for the EdTech community, promoting relevant discussions on the latest trends in the educational sector. Participants had the opportunity to explore key topics such as remote learning, personalized education, and the integration of artificial intelligence into teaching processes.

At the event, the TecPrize was awarded, recognizing excellence in educational innovation, and the Demo Day for the IFE Launch program also took place. This international acceleration program for early-stage EdTechs aims to address educational challenges in Higher Education and/or Lifelong Learning.

Sabrina Seltzer, Leader of Open Innovation and Educational Entrepreneurship at the Institute for the Future of Education, expressed her "deep gratitude to the entrepreneurs who made this valuable initiative, the EdTech Summit, possible. Their dedication and vision are the foundation upon which we build a solid and transformative educational future in Latin America. Together, we pave the way for innovation and sustainable growth in educational technology."

The IFE EdTech Summit 2024 was a space for educational innovation and a gathering for creative minds to shape the future of digital education.

IFE EdTech Summit graphic material at: https://tec.rs/IFEConference24

Visit Newsroom, Tecnologico de Monterrey's press room

Follow on social media:

Facebook: IFE Conference (https://www.facebook.com/IFEconference) X: @IFEconference (https://twitter.com/IFEconference) Instagram: @ifeconference (https://www.instagram.com/IFEconference/)

About Tecnologico de Monterrey

Tecnologico de Monterrey) is a private nonprofit multi-campus university system founded in 1943, and distinguished globally for its academic excellence, innovation in education, entrepreneurship, and global vision, along with its deep engagement with industry and employers. With a presence across 33 municipalities and 20 Mexican states, the institution has more than 62,000 enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, almost 7,000 faculty members, and more than 27,000 high school students served by 2,500 professors. The institution has been accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) since 1950. According to the QS World University Rankings (2024), Tecnologico de Monterrey ranks 184th globally and among the top 29 private universities worldwide. The Times Higher Education Latin America University Rankings (2023) ranks the institution 1st in Mexico and 4th in Latin America, and The Global University Employability Ranking places the institution 1st in Latin America and 78st globally. The Princeton Review & Entrepreneur magazine ranking of Top Schools for Entrepreneurship Ranking (2023), places the institution as 6th for undergraduate entrepreneurship programs. Tecnologico de Monterrey belongs to several prestigious global networks including, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), Universitas 21 (U21), and The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), among others.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL) revealed its plan to launch AI-powered products aimed at simplifying and expediting transactions for its customers. The company has introduced additional features that will utilize AI to help merchants boost sales, streamline the checkout process, and provide personalized offers to each customer. These products and services, announced on Thursday, are currently in the pilot phases and are expected to have larger rollouts later in the year. Alex Chriss, President and CEO of PayPal, stated that the innovations introduced by PayPal aim to solve real customer pain points and are expected to bring significant changes to the world of payments and commerce. One of the features, called 'Fastlane,' will enable one-click guest checkouts as customers save their data with PayPal. Another feature, 'Smart Receipts,' will allow consumers to track their purchases and utilize AI to predict their potential next purchases from the same merchant. This will enable merchants to include personalized recommendations and cash-back offers on the receipt, intending to turn one-time shoppers into repeat customers. PayPal also announced the 'CashPass' feature, which will empower merchants to offer personalized cash-back incentives to customers, supported by AI to ensure relevance. The company also plans to introduce an advanced offers platform that will allow merchants to utilize customers' shopping data to reach them based on their actual purchases across the internet. Furthermore, PayPal is building transparent privacy controls to allow customers to opt in or out of sharing their data with merchants for a personalized shopping experience. Additionally, the company stated that it is enhancing its Venmo business profiles to include subscription and promotion options. The company also announced its plan to revamp its app and provide customers with personalized shopping recommendations powered by AI. 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.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Meta Platforms Inc. (META), the parent company of Facebook, is set to construct an $800 million data center in Jeffersonville in southern Indiana.



This will be Meta's 18th center in the U.S. and 22nd worldwide, serving as a pivotal component of the global infrastructure delivering Meta's technologies and services to billions of people.



The company has also confirmed that the Jeffersonville Data Center will be powered by 100% renewable energy once operational, and aims to achieve LEED Gold certification, it is also expected to create about 100 operational jobs and numerous construction opportunities in the upcoming years.



The move has been welcomed by Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore, who emphasized the positive economic impact the data center will have on the city and expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that brought Meta to Jeffersonville.



Brad Davis, Meta's director of data center community and economic development, highlighted Jeffersonville's suitability as the location for the new data center, emphasizing its access to infrastructure, renewable energy, talent pool, and strong community partnerships. He emphasized the crucial role of the data center in facilitating the delivery of technologies and services to a global audience, explaining that it will house a network of server computers dedicated to storing, processing, and transmitting data.



Furthermore, the incentives provided by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation include a 35-year sales tax exemption for a minimum of $800 million in eligible capital, with the possibility of extending the exemption period based on further investments made by Meta. Additional support was offered by the city of Jeffersonville, the River Ridge Development Authority, and Duke Energy.



The construction is scheduled to commence this month, with the facility expected to be operational by 2026.



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
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The surge in colposcopy device demand is mainly driven by a growing incidence of cervical disorders like cervical cancer and inflammatory alterations in the vulva, vagina, and cervix. Additionally, factors such as heightened awareness of early diagnosis, a growing embrace of advanced technologies, continuous product introductions and approvals, among others, collectively contribute to the overall expansion of the colposcopy devices market anticipated between 2023 and 2028.

DelveInsight's Colposcopy Devices Market Insights report provides the current and forecast market analysis, individual leading colposcopy devices companies' market shares, challenges, colposcopy devices market drivers, barriers, trends, and key market colposcopy devices companies in the market.

Key Takeaways from the Colposcopy Devices Market Report

As per DelveInsight estimates, North America is anticipated to dominate the global colposcopy devices market during the forecast period.

Notable colposcopy devices companies such as McKesson Medical-Surgical Inc., ZEISS, Olympus America, MEDGYN PRODUCTS, INC., Liger Medical, LLC., DYSIS Medical Inc, ATMOS MedizinTechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Ecleris, Optomic, Seiler Instrument Inc., Karl Kaps GmbH & Co. KG, Narang Medical Limited., SCHMITZ, Lutech, Centrel, Hunan Fude Technology Co., Ltd., Kernel Medical Equipment Co., Ltd., Delmont imaging, Biomedicinos, SCANER Science & Engineering center, and several others, are currently operating in the colposcopy devices market.

and several others, are currently operating in the colposcopy devices market. In August 2021, DYSIS Medical Inc. launched DYSIS View, a compact and portable colposcope, which includes the company's innovative computer-aided cervical mapping technology that helps healthcare professionals detect cervical lesions more clearly.

launched DYSIS View, a compact and portable colposcope, which includes the company's innovative computer-aided cervical mapping technology that helps healthcare professionals detect cervical lesions more clearly. In April 2021, Liger Medical, LLC received FDA approval for IRIS Thermocoagulator and Digital Colposcope device. The device is intended for the destruction of human tissue with high temperatures by tissue contact with an electrically heated probe, and to provide magnified visualization of the tissues of the vagina, cervix, and external genitalia to aid in selecting areas for biopsy and diagnosing abnormalities as needed for a colposcopy exam.

To read more about the latest highlights related to the colposcopy devices market, get a snapshot of the key highlights entailed in the Global Colposcopy Devices Market Report

Colposcopy Devices Overview

Colposcopy devices play a crucial role in the field of gynecology and women's health by providing a detailed and magnified examination of the cervix, vagina, and vulva. These specialized instruments are employed to investigate and diagnose abnormalities, such as cervical dysplasia or cancerous lesions, that may not be easily visible to the naked eye. During a colposcopic examination, a colposcope-an illuminated, binocular microscope-is used to magnify the cervical tissues, allowing healthcare professionals to detect any irregularities and take targeted biopsies if necessary. Additionally, colposcopy devices often incorporate advanced features, such as digital imaging and video capabilities, enhancing documentation and communication among healthcare providers. This non-invasive and highly effective diagnostic technique serves as a vital tool in the early detection and management of various gynecological conditions, ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for women's health.

Colposcopy Devices Market Insights

In 2022, North America dominated the colposcopy devices market, primarily due to the increasing incidence of cervical cancer and other factors. The region benefits from a robust healthcare infrastructure, a surge in product launches and approvals, and growing regulatory support for new healthcare products. As the prevalence of cervical cancer rises, there is a heightened demand for colposcopes, driving colposcopy devices market growth. The need for colposcopes is expected to escalate as more individuals undergo cervical cancer screening, necessitating investments by healthcare institutions to ensure swift and accurate diagnoses. The North American government has implemented initiatives to address cervical cancer, expanding insurance coverage for cervical screening examinations, particularly for low-income women. Efforts are also underway to integrate HPV vaccines into federal programs, further contributing to insurance coverage. These collective factors create a conducive environment for the growth of the colposcopy devices market in North America.

To know more about why North America is leading the market growth in the colposcopy devices market, get a snapshot of the Colposcopy Devices Market Outlook

Colposcopy Devices Market Dynamics

The colposcopy devices market is experiencing a positive surge in product demand due to several factors, with a notable factor being the rise in cervical cancer cases. Additionally, there is an increasing demand for advanced colposcopy instruments to support treatments as healthcare professionals and patients become more aware of the benefits of minimally invasive procedures. These instruments often incorporate cutting-edge technology such as advanced optics and high-resolution imaging systems, enhancing visualization and accuracy during colposcopy examinations. The necessity for such devices is motivated by the goal of improving diagnostic precision, ensuring patient comfort, and enabling early detection of cervical anomalies. Consequently, the growing awareness of minimally invasive diagnostics is expected to drive the demand for colposcopy devices in the forecast period. Furthermore, the colposcopy devices market is likely to be influenced by increasing research and developmental activities, product launches, approvals, and other strategic initiatives.

Nevertheless, challenges such as patient discomfort and anxiety during colposcopy examinations, the high costs associated with colposcopy devices and procedures, and other factors may impede the growth of the colposcopy devices market.

Get a sneak peek at the colposcopy devices market dynamics @ Colposcopy Devices Market Dynamics Analysis

Report Metrics Details Coverage Global Study Period 2020-2028 Colposcopy Devices Market CAGR ~5% Key Colposcopy Devices Companies McKesson Medical-Surgical Inc., ZEISS, Olympus America, MEDGYN PRODUCTS, INC., Liger Medical, LLC., DYSIS Medical Inc, ATMOS MedizinTechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Ecleris, Optomic, Seiler Instrument Inc., Karl Kaps GmbH & Co. KG, Narang Medical Limited., SCHMITZ, Lutech, Centrel, Hunan Fude Technology Co., Ltd., Kernel Medical Equipment Co., Ltd., Delmont imaging, Biomedicinos, SCANER Science & Engineering center, among others

Colposcopy Devices Market Assessment

Colposcopy Devices Market Segmentation

Colposcopy Devices Market Segmentation By Product: Optical and Digital

Optical and Digital

Colposcopy Devices Market Segmentation By Portability: Stationary and Handheld

Stationary and Handheld

Colposcopy Devices Market Segmentation By End User: Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, and Others

Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, and Others

Colposcopy Devices Market Segmentation By Geography : North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World

: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, 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 colposcopy devices market are set to emerge as the trendsetter explore @ Colposcopy Devices 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 Colposcopy Devices Market 7 Colposcopy Devices Market Layout 8 Global Company Share Analysis - Key 3-5 Companies 9 Colposcopy Devices Market Company and Product Profiles 10 Project Approach 11 About DelveInsight

Interested in knowing the colposcopy devices market by 2028? Click to get a snapshot of the Colposcopy Devices Market Trends

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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.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/colposcopy-devices-global-market-likely-to-exhibit-substantial-growth-at-a-cagr-of-5-by-2028-predicts-delveinsight-302044507.html
The landscape of the non-postoperative acute pain market is expected to transform in the upcoming years due to the projected introduction of new therapies, heightened awareness of related illnesses, a rise in global healthcare expenditure, and an uptick in research and development efforts, among other factors.

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, non-postoperative acute pain emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2019 to 2032, segmented into the United States.

Key Takeaways from the Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Market Report

According to DelveInsight's analysis, the market size for non-postoperative acute pain reached USD 3 billion in 2022 across the US and is expected to grow with a significant CAGR by 2032.

in 2022 across the US and is expected to grow with a significant CAGR by 2032. DelveInsight's analysis reveals that the overall incident population of non-postoperative acute pain in the US was reported as ~53 million in 2022.

in 2022. In the United States, about 50% of the individuals diagnosed with non-postoperative acute pain experienced a moderate level of severity.

of the individuals diagnosed with non-postoperative acute pain experienced a moderate level of severity. Leading non-postoperative acute pain companies such as Vertex Pharmaceuticals, H. Lundbeck A/S, Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Axsome Therapeutics, Allodynic Therapeutics , and others are developing novel non-postoperative acute pain drugs that can be available in the non-postoperative acute pain market in the coming years.

, and others are developing novel non-postoperative acute pain drugs that can be available in the non-postoperative acute pain market in the coming years. The promising non-postoperative acute pain therapies in the pipeline include VX-548, Eptinezumab, STS101 (DHE Nasal Powder), AXS-07, Naltrexone-Acetaminophen, and others.

Discover which therapies are expected to grab the major non-postoperative acute pain market share @ Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Market Report

Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Overview

Non-postoperative acute pain pertains to immediate discomfort stemming from various origins unrelated to surgical interventions. It can arise from diverse factors such as injuries, illnesses, trauma, burns, cuts, infections, or tissue damage. The pain may manifest in different areas of the body, necessitating a systematic diagnostic strategy that encompasses patient history, physical examination, and, if deemed essential, imaging or laboratory tests. The objective is to pinpoint the origin and characteristics of the pain to devise a customized treatment plan. Managing non-surgical acute pain may involve the use of analgesic medications, implementation of physical therapy, and addressing the underlying medical condition. A holistic, multidisciplinary approach is frequently indispensable to ensure thorough care and efficient alleviation of pain for individuals undergoing non-surgical acute pain.

Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Epidemiology Segmentation

The non-postoperative acute pain epidemiology section provides insights into the historical and current non-postoperative acute pain patient pool and forecasted trends for the US. It helps recognize the causes of current and forecasted patient trends by exploring numerous studies and views of key opinion leaders.

The non-postoperative acute pain market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2019-2032 in the US segmented into:

Total Diagnosed Incident Cases of Non-Postoperative Acute Pain

Type-specific Cases of Non-Postoperative Acute Pain

Severity-specific Cases of Non-Postoperative Acute Pain

Total Treated Cases of Non-Postoperative Acute Pain

Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Treatment Market

Acute pain arises from various sources such as injury, surgery, illness, trauma, or painful medical procedures, acting as a signal for underlying health issues or bodily threats. Typically, it is short-lived and diminishes once the root cause is addressed or healed. Achieving optimal pain relief requires a multimodal treatment approach, which is essential in minimizing side effects by combining different methods. Key components of this approach include nerve blocks or epidurals, opioids or alternative analgesics, supplementary medications, physical modalities like RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), and rehabilitation. Additionally, psychosocial interventions such as distraction, meditation, and deep breathing play integral roles.

The current non-postoperative acute pain treatment strategy encompasses a variety of approaches categorized into pharmacologic and nonpharmacological therapies. In today's non-postoperative acute pain treatment market, options like opioids, NSAIDs, and other anesthetics are available. The efficacy of pain relief is paramount, especially in the context of patients undergoing surgery. Consequently, there is anticipation within the pain market for innovative therapies that significantly contribute to alleviating pain.

To know more about non-postoperative acute pain treatment guidelines, visit @ Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Management

Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Pipeline Therapies and Key Companies

VX-548: Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Eptinezumab: H. Lundbeck A/S

STS101 (DHE Nasal Powder): Satsuma Pharmaceuticals

AXS-07: Axsome Therapeutics

Naltrexone-Acetaminophen: Allodynic Therapeutics

Learn more about the FDA-approved drugs for non-postoperative acute pain @ Drugs for Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Treatment

Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Market Dynamics

The dynamics of the non-postoperative acute pain market are expected to change in the coming years. As awareness around pain management increases, there is a growing demand for innovative solutions that extend beyond the realm of postoperative care. The non-postoperative acute pain market is witnessing a shift towards a more patient-centric approach, with an emphasis on personalized and multimodal pain management strategies. Additionally, the pharmaceutical sector is responding with the development of novel analgesics that aim to balance efficacy with reduced side effects, addressing concerns surrounding opioid use.

Furthermore, many potential therapies are being investigated for the treatment of non-postoperative acute pain, and it is safe to predict that the treatment space will significantly impact the non-postoperative acute pain market during the forecast period. Moreover, the anticipated introduction of emerging therapies with improved efficacy and a further improvement in the diagnosis rate are expected to drive the growth of the non-postoperative acute pain market in the 7MM.

However several factors may impede the growth of the non-postoperative acute pain market. One key obstacle is the complexity of pain itself, as it often arises from diverse sources and manifests differently among individuals. This diversity makes it challenging to create universal treatments that cater to the varying nature of non-postoperative acute pain.

Moreover, non-postoperative acute pain treatment poses a significant economic burden and disrupts patients' overall well-being and QOL. Furthermore, the non-postoperative acute pain market growth may be offset by failures and discontinuation of emerging therapies, unaffordable pricing, market access and reimbursement issues, and a shortage of healthcare specialists. In addition, the undiagnosed, unreported cases and the unawareness about the disease may also impact the non-postoperative acute pain market growth.

Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Market Report Metrics Details Study Period 2019-2032 Coverage The United States Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Market Size in 2022 USD 3 Billion Key Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Companies Vertex Pharmaceuticals, H. Lundbeck A/S, Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Axsome Therapeutics, Allodynic Therapeutics, and others Key Pipeline Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Therapies VX-548, Eptinezumab, STS101 (DHE Nasal Powder), AXS-07, Naltrexone-Acetaminophen, and others

Scope of the Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Market Report

Therapeutic Assessment: Non-Postoperative Acute Pain current marketed and emerging therapies

Non-Postoperative Acute Pain current marketed and emerging therapies Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Market Dynamics: Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Emerging Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Drugs and Market Outlook

Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Emerging Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Drugs and Market Outlook Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies

SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Market Access and Reimbursement

Discover more about non-postoperative acute pain drugs in development @ Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Clinical Trials

Table of Contents

1. Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Key Insights 2. Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Report Introduction 3. Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Overview at a Glance 4. Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Executive Summary 5 Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Key Events 6 Epidemiology and Market Forecast Methodology 6. Disease Background and Overview 7. Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Treatment and Management 8. Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Guidelines 9. Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Epidemiology and Patient Population 10. Patient Journey 11. Key Endpoints in Non-Postoperative Acute Pain 12. Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Marketed Drugs 13. Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Emerging Drugs 14. US Non-Postoperative Acute Pain Market Analysis 15. Market Access and Reimbursement 16. KOL Views 17. Unmet Needs 18. SWOT Analysis 19. Appendix 20. DelveInsight Capabilities 21. Disclaimer 22. About DelveInsight

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Acute Pain Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key acute pain companies, including Hyloris Pharmaceuticals, AFT Pharmaceuticals, Formosa Pharmaceuticals, Concentric Analgesics, Vivozon, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Taiwan Liposome Company (TLC), Medical Developments International (MVP), Neumentum Pharmaceuticals, Charleston Laboratories, AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Teikoku Pharma USA, PainReform, Nevakar, 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. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve.

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Digs, a Vancouver, WA-based provider of an AI collaboration platform for home builders and homeowners, raised $7M in Seed funding.

The round was led by Oregon Venture Fund and Legacy Capital Ventures, and included follow-on participation from investors in the prior $7m pre-seed round. Other contributors included Fuse, Flying Fish, Betaworks, PSF, Cascade Seed Fund with additional investment from Deepwater Asset Management.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate the rollout and the launch of a marketplace.

Led by CEO Ryan Fink, Digs is a web-based software company that leverages human-centric design and patent-pending artificial intelligence (AI) to make it simple for residential builders and homeowners to organize documents, collaborate on home builds, and generate automatic digital homeowner handoffs.

Digs platform now serves users in all 50 states and Canada, spanning builders, suppliers, contractors, and homeowners. Transitioning from beta to full availability in under a year, it hosts diverse projects, from boutique builders to national developers, representing over $3B+ in home value on the platform.

To help scale the platform, Digs has added veteran technology executive Jef Holove as Chief Operating Officer. Holove has held senior roles in several consumer companies, the most recent being Chief Executive Officer of Drop, an e-commerce marketplace for bespoke consumer tech products, acquired by Corsair in 2023. Holove will be responsible for Digs supporting business functions and developing the platforms marketplace.

FinSMEs

26/01/2024
This detailed guide on how to transfer money from PayPal to GCash is written in collaboration with Carlos Reyes, analyst and writer at PhilippinesCasinos.ph. Read on as he explains the step-by-step process of how to link PayPal to GCash for fast money transfers between these two popular online payment systems.

Where are PayPal and Gcash Used?

PayPal and GCash are two of the most widely used online payment platforms and digital wallets, especially in the Philippines.

GCash is a homegrown mobile wallet that allows Filipino users to store money, make payments and play online games conveniently. Since 2004, GCash has engaged only in reliable online gambling platforms. These casinos were thoroughly tested by experts from PhilippinesCasinos.ph and gained popularity among 48 million registered users. This is why it is known as one of the best choices for cashless transactions in the country.

On the other hand, PayPal is an international digital payment system and financial platform used globally by individuals and businesses alike. With over 400 million active user accounts across 200 markets, PayPal enables online money transfers and payments for goods/services quickly and securely.

The Convenience and Benefits of Using PayPal and GCash

Both PayPal and GCash offer Filipino users a host of advantages that include:

Secure digital payments

Send or receive money without the risk of physically carrying cash.

Funds available in e-wallet are protected by encryption.

Quick domestic and international transfers

Money can be sent almost instantly with just a few clicks.

Recipients get funds directly into their stored balances.

Rewards and promos

Ongoing deals and cashback for using these platforms services.

Chance to earn free mobile load/data packs.

Special bonuses for online casino using GCash.

Lower fees

Very economical compared to traditional wire transfers or forex exchanges.

Minimal charges for local and cross-border online payments.

Low fees and exchange rates.

Cash-out network

Available balances might be easily cashed out at thousands of partner outlets and ATMs.

Provides accessibility through an extensive physical network.

Eligibility to Transfer Money from PayPal to GCash

To be able to transfer money from your PayPal account to GCash, the following criteria need to be fulfilled:

Verified PayPal Account

You must have a PayPal account fully verified through OTP and other authentication flows.

Provide accurate personal details. These include your legal name, contact information, and home address.

Check your PayPal account credentials are securely stored and not shared with others.

Registered GCash Wallet

Your GCash account should be activated and registered under your legal first and last name.

Proper identity verification should be completed by submitting valid ID proof.

Use a strong PIN code/password and enable app login authentication.

Matching Personal Information

The personal details on both PayPal and GCash must fully match.

Details like mobile number, residential address, date of birth etc. should be identical.

Even minor mismatches in the spellings of names or addresses lead to linking failures.

Other Considerations

The mobile number used for both accounts should be in your legal name and active.

You must have sufficient balance in your GCash wallet for initiating transfers.

Stay within the prescribed transaction limits to avoid failures.

Meeting these preconditions will help link PayPal and GCash profiles smoothly. This allows quick and simple subsequent money transfers along with maximum security.

How to Set Up the Accounts

Before connecting your PayPal and GCash, it is vital to have fully set up and activated accounts on both platforms.

PayPal Account

Follow these steps to create your PayPal account:

Visit the PayPal website and click on Sign Up. Enter a valid personal email ID you frequently access. Create a secure 8-digit password with alpha-numeric characters. Verify your email address through the OTP sent to your inbox. Provide your mobile number to receive a verification code via SMS. Enter the 4-digit code to validate your phone number. Submit your complete name, home address and other KYC details. Read the terms and conditions and click Agree.

GCash Account

Similarly, here is how to register for a GCash wallet:

Download the GCash app on your Android or iOS device. Tap on Register and enter your active mobile number. Create a 6-digit security PIN. Read the terms and conditions and privacy policy. Submit your full name, birth date, gender and home address. Verify email address and mobile number through OTP. Set-up authentication method to secure account access.

Your GCash account will now be opened, and ready for activations.

Linking PayPal to GCash

Launch the GCash app and tap on Pay Bills. Select Add Biller > Digital Wallets > PayPal. Enter your PayPal-registered email ID and hit Submit. Check your PayPal inbox for an email from GCash. Open the email and click on Confirm to verify linking.

This simple process connects your PayPal account to your GCash profile.

How to Transfer Money?

Once your PayPal and GCash accounts are interlinked, you can seamlessly transfer money through the GCash app.

Initiating the Transfer

Inside GCash, go to the Pay Bills section. Choose your linked PayPal account. Enter the amount you want to transfer. Add any notes or remarks. Review all details accurately before confirming. Authorize using your GCash PIN or OTP.

When you authorize, the money transfer from GCash to PayPal occurs instantly. However, it takes 1-2 working days for the transferred amount to reflect in your PayPal wallet balance.

Transaction Fees and Limits

When you transfer money from GCash to PayPal, here are the applicable charges and restrictions:

Fee is 1% of the transferred amount.

is 1% of the transferred amount. Minimum amount per transaction is 100.

per transaction is 100. Maximum amount per day to be transferred is 10,000.

to be transferred is 10,000. Monthly limit imposed is 100,000, capped at 30 days.

Processing Time

While GCash to PayPal money transfers are initiated immediately, processing takes 1-2 working days. Only after this will your PayPal account be credited with the transferred amount.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter errors when linking accounts or with transferred amounts, here are some troubleshooting tips:

Account Linking Errors

Double check the accuracy of all entered bank/personal details, including full names, email IDs, mobile numbers etc.

Make sure your PayPal and GCash accounts have matching personal information for successful linking.

Contact GCash or PayPal customer support through email or chat for further technical assistance.

Try reinitiating the account linking process from Step 1 after some time.

Clear cookies/cache if facing issues in confirmation flows.

Transfer Amount Troubles

Confirm the transaction fee was deducted and the amount entered was within limits.

Check if there were any authentication failures during transaction authorization.

Contact support teams to check if money was debited from one wallet but not credited to the other.

Raise a formal complaint detailing your issue on the GCash/PayPal apps.

Provide accurate transaction details like date, time, reference ID etc., to help investigate.

Be patient and avoid repeating failed transfers, which may complicate reconciliation.

Getting Help

Get in touch with customer service teams immediately upon facing any concerns.

Checking account statements helps identify discrepancies faster.

Providing complete transaction chronology assists agents in early resolutions.

Contacting support teams promptly is vital to identify and fix errors with money transfers or wallet linking at the earliest. Having all the details handy when contacting help agents enables faster ticket resolutions.

To Summarize

Linking the GCash app to your PayPal account opens up seamless and affordable money transfer capabilities between two of the largest digital payment platforms. By accurately completing the initial one-time set-up listed here, you can continue transferring pesos to and from PayPal conveniently. Checking accounts are fully KYC-compliant before initiating any online payment or fund transfer is vital.
Infinite Roots, a Hamburg, Germany-based biotech company using fermentation and fungi to create the next generation of sustainable alternative proteins, raised $58m in Series B funding.

The round was led by the Dr. Hans Riegel Holding GmbH (HRH), with the support from the EIC Fund, REWE Group, and Betagro Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to move into a new era of commercial growth, expanding its production capacities and investing in launch activities worldwide.

Led by founder and CEO Mazen Rizk, Infinite Roots is a biotech company using fermentation and fungi to create the next generation of sustainable alternative proteins. The company grows and harvests mycelium as a versatile ingredient for planet-friendly meals.

Infinite Roots currently has a team of 60 people, from 25 different countries, speaking 15 different languages.

FinSMEs

26/01/2024
Lily Gladstone became the first Native American to receive a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her portrayal in Killers of the Flower Moon

Lily Gladstone recently created history as she became the first Native American to receive a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her impeccable portrayal of Mollie Burkhart in Killers of the Flower Moon. Talking about it, Lily said her costar Leonardo DiCaprio was one of the first people to text her after the nomination.

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He was just so proud, and then I told him that I was watching with my parents and, Were celebrating me, but were also, like, collectively very pissed off for you,  Gladstone told Extra.

Many fans bashed the Oscars for snubbing Leonardo from the Best Actor nomination.

He did such an incredible job in this, and, like, just, he made an impossible character just so vivid, and it made my job so much easier, so I really want to share this, this moment with him, but you know, he told me right before the Globes, No matter the outcome, I think youre amazing and Im proud of you," the actress told the website, adding that DiCaprio is the greatest actor.

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The Revenant star also shared a sweet note for Lily on Instagram, which read, Congratulations to my dear friend @LilyGladstone for making Oscars history, as the first Native American woman to be nominated for Best Actress in Killers of the Flower Moon, and the fourth Indigenous actress to ever earn a nomination in the category. And to this powerful films nine other nominations - telling this story with all of you has been an honor.

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For the unversed, Killers of the Flower Moon is directed by Martin Scorsese and also features Robert De Niro, Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow and Brendan Fraser in prominent roles.
The Republic Day 2024 parade will commence at 10.30 am today at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. French president Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest. Apart from this, other headlines expected today are the Maratha quota protests in Mumbai and the six-hour water cut in Bengaluru

After days of heavy news, Indians are all set to welcome a long weekend.

All thanks to Republic Day, which falls on Friday this year, also making it the only national holiday when banks will be closed.

Apart from the 75th Republic Day parade at the majestic Kartavya Path in New Delhi, other notable headlines expected today are the Karnataka governments Constitution Awareness programme, Maratha quota protests in Mumbai, and six hours water cut in Bengaluru.

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75th Republic Day parade in New Delhi

The Republic Day 2024 parade is set to commence at 10.30 am today, following the route from Vijay Chowk to Kartavya Path.

The venue can accommodate approximately 77,000 people, with 42,000 seats reserved for the general public.

The twin themes this years parade are Viksit Bharat and Bharat  Loktantra ki Matruka (India  the Mother of democracy).

French president Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest. He arrived at Jaipur airport on 25 January and visited prominent landmarks like Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal. He also held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

For the first time, all-women tri-services group will partake in the parade. The contingent comprises women troops from the Armys military police and personnel from the other two services.

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UN PGA to attend Republic Day parade in Maharashtra

The President of the UN General Assembly Dennis Francis will participate as a state guest in the Republic Day parade of Maharashtra on Friday.

For those unversed, the UN PGA is on a five-day visit to India which commenced on Monday.

Maratha quota activist to launch indefinite fast

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Quota activist Manoj Jarange will sit on an indefinite hunger strike for the reservation demand in Mumbai.

The 40-year-old has been demanding the issuance of a blanket Kunbi (OBC) caste certificate to all Marathas in the state.

He had earlier said, About two crore to 2.5 crore people from the Maratha community will come to Mumbai. Marathas will show their strength on 26 January.

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Water cut in Bengaluru

The water supply will be disrupted for six hours today in several regions.

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewarage Board (BWSSB) has undertaken valve repair work near Chandra Layout, west Bengaluru.

Karnatakas Constitution Awareness programme

Karnataka government is organising a state-wide Constitution Awareness Jatha (mass awareness) starting today to 23 February, to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian constitutions.

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A day to remember
Xem them

...

Tin bai cuoi cung

Khong con du lieu e load
It was on this day (26 January) in 1950 that India became a republic, severing ties with the British empire. To mark this moment, the nation decided to hold a grand parade, which also saw the swearing in of the first president, Dr Rajendra Prasad. Heres what happened on that chilly morning

Today (26 January), India marks its 75th Republic Day and President Droupadi Murmu will lead the nations celebrations from Kartavya Path. The grand R-Day parade will exhibit Indias military might as well as its vibrant diversity.

This year, the theme of the parade is Viksit Bharat and Bharat - Loktantra Ki Matruka and will see the participation of 13,000 special guests. In a first, the Republic Day parade will begin with 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments such as Sankh, Naadswaram and Nagada, marking a shift from the past when this was done by military bands.

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Catch live updates from Republic Day parade 2024 HERE

Theres also another interesting first to be witnessed this year: two French Rafale fighter jets and a Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft will be in the flypast. Additionally, a 95-member French marching contingent and a 33-member band contingent will also take part in the celebrations.

But as we celebrate today and gear ourselves for a grand and majestic parade down Kartavya Path , lets turn back the pages to revisit Indias first Republic Day celebrations.

Indias first R-Day parade in 1950

India became an independent country in 1947. However, for two years later it was yet to sever all ties with the British Empire. It still remained a British dominion, governed by the British-era Government of India Act of 1935, and officially still owing allegiance to the Crown.

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However, this changed on 26 January 1950. It was on this very day that Indias newly drafted Constitution came into effect and the country became a sovereign republic.

It was decided by the leaders of the country then that India would hold a military parade on the day to commemorate this moment and to instil national pride in the hearts and minds of the people. It was also decided that Indias first president, Dr Rajendra Prasad, would take his oath at the parade.

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According to historians, 26 January 1950, was a chilly Thursday morning and there was excitement in the air and among the people. The preparations were going on for weeks for the big day, the participants were rehearsing for the events on the historic day.

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the 34th and last governor-general of India, announced the birth of the Republic of India on 26 January.

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After his oath ceremony, the first president of India addressed the crowd in Hindi and then in English.

Today, for the first time in our long and chequered history we find the whole of this vast land brought together under the jurisdiction of one constitution and one union which takes over responsibility for the welfare of more than 320 million men and women who inhabit it, Dr Prasad was quoted as saying by BBC.

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The Republic Day parade also had a chief guest in the form of then-Indonesian president Sukarno.

After being sworn in as the president, began the parade at the Irwin Ampitheatre opposite the Purana Qila, now known as the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Noted historian Ramchandra Guha in his book, India After Gandhi, writes that more than 3,000 men of the Indian Armed Forces marched in front of the president.

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Moreover, after inspection of the parade by the President, the Artillery, fired a 31-gun salute, in three instalments. Notably, between these instalments, the parade fired a Feu-de-joie or the fire of joy  a formal celebratory gunfire  thrice, and then gave three jais to the President of the Republic. Indian Air Forces Liberator planes flew overhead, to end this amazing spectacle.

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Following this, the Presidents horse-drawn carriage entered the stadium and escorted President Dr Prasad back to Government House (now Rashtrapati Bhawan).

Changes in the R-Day parade

Until 1954, the Republic Day parade continued to be held at the Irwin Stadium and it was only in 1955 that the location shifted to Rajpath, now known as Kartavya Path.

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In the late 1950s and early 60s, India also began to witness linguistic tensions, as the Centre tried to implement Hindi as the national language. Realising this unrest, the government then introduced a cultural aspect to the parade, by introducing tableaux and flotillas.

This made the parade not only more cultural and colourful but also longer. As historian Srinath Raghavan said to the BBC, For Indians, the parade was primarily a symbolic affair that reinforced their identity as part of a powerful republic.

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Special attractions at Republic Day 2024

And as the years passed by, the parades became a beautiful spectacle. This year, there are some attractions that will make the parade unmissable. An all-women tri-services group will be part of parade for the first time. And as ANI reported, the group comprises women troops from the Armys military police and personnel from the other two services.

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Culturally, one of the most special attractions at the parade will be the culture ministrys showcase of sarees from various Indian states and union territories, to be presented in the Anant Sutra exhibition. It will display around 1,900 sarees and drapes from all corners of India, creatively mounted on wooden frames along the Kartavya Path.

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A French refuel aircraft and two French Rafale aircraft will also grace the skies in a flypast.

With inputs from agencies
Pakistan has claimed it has credible evidence of links between what it called Indian agents and the assassination of two Pakistani terrorists associated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Lashkar-e-Taiba in Sialkot and Rawalkot last year. India, however, has dismissed the accusations as false

Pakistan has a habit of pointing fingers at India.

This time, a top Pakistani official accused India of killing two Pakistani nationals on its soil, citing a pattern of alleged Indian assassination plots abroad and raising tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals. India has dismissed the accusations as false and malicious anti-India propaganda.

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But what is the source of the new tension between the two countries? Heres a closer look.

Pakistan alleges Indian agents killed two citizens, India denies

On Thursday, in a news conference, Pakistani foreign secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi claimed that Islamabad had credible evidence of links between Indian agents and the assassination of two Pakistani nationals alleged to be associated with banned terror groups, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), in Sialkot and Rawalakot, an accusation similar to those made by the United States and Canada last year.

These were killings-for-hire cases involving a sophisticated international setup spread over multiple jurisdictions, Qazi said, reports CNN.

He accused two Indian agents of recruiting assassins to kill the men, both of whom were killed near mosques, but he did not provide any additional information about the victims or explain why New Delhi targeted them.

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He also compared the alleged killings in Pakistan to other reported Indian assassination plots in North America.

They fit the pattern of similar cases which have come to light in other countries including Canada and the United States, said Qazi as reported by CNN. Clearly the Indian network of extrajudicial and extraterritorial killings has become a global phenomenon.

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Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed Qazis allegations as Pakistans latest attempt at peddling false and malicious anti-India propaganda.

As the world knows, Pakistan has long been the epicentre of terrorism, organised crime, and illegal transnational activities. India and many other countries have publicly warned Pakistan cautioning that it would be consumed by its own culture of terror and violence, said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in response to comments by Pakistani foreign secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi.

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To blame others for its own misdeeds can neither be a justification nor a solution, he added.

Indian agents supported criminals, terrorists

Shahid Latif, a key aide of terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammeds chief Masood Azhar and the mastermind of the 2016 attack on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, was gunned down in a mosque in Sialkot in Punjab province on 11 October, 2023.

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On 8 September, 2023, Riyaz Ahmad alias Abu Qasim, affiliated with the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba terror outfit, who was one of the main conspirators behind the Dhangri terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 1 January, 2023 was shot dead by unidentified gunmen inside the Al-Qudus mosque during pre-dawn prayers in the Rawalakot area in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

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Indian agents used technology and safe havens on foreign soil to commit assassinations in Pakistan. They recruited, financed, and supported criminals, terrorists, and unsuspecting civilians to play defined roles in these assassinations, Qazi said.

The Foreign Secretary pointed towards Indian media and social media accounts that had immediately claimed and glorified these killings as successful retribution against enemies of India and projected their capacity to carry out these illegal acts.

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Qazi also alleged that the potential assassins were recruited using social media, talent spotters, and fake Daesh accounts.

Referring to Shahid Latifs assassination, Qazi said, A detailed investigation revealed that an Indian agent, Yogesh Kumar, based in a third country, orchestrated the assassination. Kumar recruited Muhammad Umair, a labourer in the third country, to act as a contact with local criminals in Pakistan to trace and assassinate Latif, however, they were unable to carry out the execution, he claimed.

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After some of the failed attempts, Muhammad himself was personally sent to Pakistan to carry out the assassination, the foreign secretary said, adding that Muhammad organised a team of five target killers and succeeded.

LIVE: Media Briefing by Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi https://t.co/cIeQ1Y6BNl  Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) January 25, 2024

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All those involved in the killings were apprehended and a case was being tried in the court of law. We have evidence of transactions made in the process linking the entire chain to Indian agent Yogesh Kumar, Qazi claimed.

Another Indian agent was involved in the killing of a Pakistan man, identified as Muhammad Riaz, he claimed, possibly referring to Riyaz Ahmad alias Abu Qasim.

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The killer, Muhammad Abdullah Ali, was arrested while boarding a flight at Karachi and the interrogation has revealed that he was recruited and guided by Indian agents Ashok Kumar Anand and Yogesh Kumar, Qazi claimed.

Canada, US accuse Indian agents

The statement by Pakistan on the killings, allegedly directed from a third country follow allegations by both Canada and the United States about the involvement of Indian agents in planning the assassinations of Khalistani separatists abroad.

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While India reacted sharply to Canadas accusation that Indian agents were behind the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023 in Surrey, India agreed to investigate US allegations.

In an indictment, US officials said that an Indian national Nikhil Gupta, acting on directions from an Indian security official, was behind an attempt foiled by the FBI and authorities in New York to kill Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. However, the government said that such contract killings were not government policy.

With inputs from PTI
This Republic Day served couple goals. For the first time, an Army couple  Major Jerry Blaize and Captain Supreetha CT  were part of marching teams at the parade. Also, a husband-wife pair, Major Sarabjeet Singh and Assistant Commandant Chunauti Sharma, led their respective contingents

As contingent upon contingent marched down Kartavya Path in the majestic and beautiful Republic Day parade, one could say love was in the air. We say this because for the first time ever, two husband and wife pairings participated in the parade  while one marched together, the other couple led their respective contingents.

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Meet Captain Supreetha CT and Major Jerry Blaize, belonging to different contingent, but marched together to create history. And then theres Major Sarabjeet Singh, who led the Sikh Regiment on Kartavya Path, while his wife, Assistant Commandant Chunauti Sharma, commanded the Indian Coast Guard contingent.

Heres a deep dive into their stories and what led them to this history-making moment.

A real power couple

On the occasion of Indias 75th Republic Day, India held a spectacular parade which was seen by thousands of people and had French president Emmanuel Macron as the chief guest.

For Major Sarabjeet Singh, the parade is a moment of double joy. Not only did he lead the Indian Armys Sikh contingent down Kartavya Path, but his wife, Assistant Commandant Chunauti Sharma, led the Coast Guard contingent.

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Major Singh, who hails from Amritsar, said that the moment is a dream come true. Its an honour beyond measure, he was quoted as saying, adding, What makes it even more special is having my wife, Chunauti, marching alongside me, albeit on a different sea.

#WATCH | Delhi | Major Sarabjeet Singh says, "...It is a very proud moment for me & my family that someone from my family is here on the Kartavya Path for the first time...It is a dream come true...My wife Assistant Commandant Chunauti Sharma is leading the Indian Coast Guard https://t.co/AL2mcItMVU pic.twitter.com/6kCdZVPPNW  ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2024

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Before joining the Indian Army, Major Singh served in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) during his school days. He then underwent rigorous training at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai. As an officer, he has been known for his exemplary service; he was honoured with a citation in 2023 from the Chief of Army Staff on Army Day.

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For Assistant Commandant Chunauti Sharma, the moment was also one of celebration and pride. After all, it hasnt happened that a husband and wife have led respective contingents.

She too started off in the NCC, and, in fact, had participated in the Republic Day parade years ago as a cadet. When I marched earlier, I was a part of the contingent, and the routine was different Now leading the Coast Guard is a moment of pride, she was quoted as telling news agency ANI.

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#WATCH | Delhi: On Women Officers to lead the Indian Coast Guard Contingent in this year's Republic Day Parade, Assistant Commandant Chunauti Sharma says, "When I marched on the Rajpath in NCC, I was a part of the contingent, and the routine was different... Now when I would be pic.twitter.com/F0UfwbCY07  ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2024

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Speaking about the moment, she said that it was a doubly special for her and the joy she was experiencing was unlike any other.

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Marching into history

While Major Sarabjeet Singh and Assistant Commandant Chunauti Sharma are the first couple to command their respective contingents, theres also another couple that made history at the Republic Day parade  Major Jerry Blaize and Captain Supreetha CT.

The two were members of two different contingents at the parade at Kartavya Path, marking the first time a couple from the Indian Army will share this honour.

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Major Jerry Blaize, originally from Tamil Nadu studied at Jain University and is now a part of Madras Regiment. His wife, Captain Supreetha CT is a graduate of JSS Law College and is now part of the Corps of Military Police contingent.

And according to the couple, who tied the knot in June 2023, this feat was coincidental. Captain Supreetha revealed that initially she had given a test for selection in the parade, and after her selection, her husband Major Jerry Blaize also got selected from his regiment.

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Speaking of the achievement, she was quoted as saying, It is a very proud moment for both of us that we are here with our respective contingents. Our families are equally delighted.

Interestingly, for both of them, this is their second time being part of the Republic Day parade. Major Jerry Blaize told NDTV, My wife was part of the NCC contingent in the Republic Day parade in 2016. I got the opportunity to be a part of the NCC Republic Day Camp in New Delhi in 2014.

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And did they train together for the Republic Day parade? Major Jerry Blaize told NDTV, We have had different training. We have a daily routine. We also have to do many hours of drilling. Captain Supreetha added, Since I am part of the tableau, I dont have that much training. But my husband has been trained at the centre.

Other firsts at the Republic Day parade

Besides having couples march in the parade for the first time, this years parade featured several other firsts.

This year, one of the most prominent features of the Republic Day parade was the all-women tri-services contingent from the Army, Navy and Air Force. Led by 26-year-old Captain Sandhya, the contingent represented jointness, integrity and synergy among the services.

Indian Air Forces C-295 transport aircraft also debuted at the parade and was part of the flypast at the event. Two Rafale aircraft was also part of the formations in the flypast along with an Airbus A330 multirole tanker transport aircraft.

In addition to this, the Republic Day parade also saw 100 women artistes playing musical instruments instead of the military bands.

With inputs from agencies
The Republic Day parade will witness an all-women tri-service contingent marching down Kartavya Path for the first time. In line with twin themes Vikshit Bharat and Bharat Loktantra ki Matruka, 100 female musicians will herald the parade instead of traditional military bands

India is celebrating its 75th Republic Day today, 26 January 2024.

The twin themes for the annual parade this year are Vikshit Bharat" and Bharat Loktantra ki Matruka (India- the Mother of democracy).

The major changes indicate a change from a previous era which placed a strong emphasis on only displaying military might.

The parades chief guest this year will be French President Emmanuel Macron. Today, he arrived in Jaipur, where he would be accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a roadshow and tour of several historical sites.

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With an all-women tri-service contingent and female pilots leading the flypast, the women-centric Republic Day Parade this year is primed to enthrall the country.

All-women tri-service contingent

The Republic Day parade will witness an all-women tri-service contingent marching down Kartavya Path for the first time.

According to The Print, there will be 144 female agniveers in the contingent: 48 from the Air Force, Army, and Navy. Soldiers who joined the army under the central governments Agnipath programme are known as Agniveers.

Six of the fifteen female pilots participating in the flypast will be flying the combat jets. Flight Lieutenant Ananya Sharma and Flying Officer Asma Sheikh, who both operate Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft, will be included in the IAF tableau with the theme Samridh Bharat Sashakt Bharat, alongside six of their fellow female fighter pilots, reported The Times of India.

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Four female officers will lead 144 IAF officers in a march down Kartavya Path. The parade commander will be Squadron Leader Rashmi Thakur, with Flight Lieutenant Kirti Rohil and Squadron Leaders Sumita Yadav and Pratiti Alhuwalia serving as supernumerary officers.

This year, there will be an all-female representation in the three Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs): the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and the Border Security Force (BSF).

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Meanwhile, 144 men and women will make up the mixed contingent in the Navy.

Best representation of women ever will be seen in this years Republic Day parade, he said.

100 women artists with Indian musical instruments

According to the Deccan Herald, for the first time, 100 female artists playing Indian musical instruments will herald the Republic Day parade rather than the traditional military bands.

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Defence Secretary Gridhar Aramane said on Friday, The parade will commence with the music of sankh, naadswaram, nagada, and other Indian musical instruments played by them.

16 women to perform male-dominated Paika

The Times of India reported that this years Republic Day parade in New Delhi will feature a debut performance of the warrior dance form Paika by a group of 16 girls and women from Shukla village, which is close to Jamshedpur.

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Meanwhile, groups of women artists are participating in the third edition of the Vande Bharatam dance competition. About 200 female performers will perform in front of the Saluting Dais, adding to the parades overall cultural diversity.

Anant Sutra  The Endless Thread installed

The Ministry of Cultures Anant Sutra - The Endless Thread textile display is a unique addition to the parade. The installation, which sits behind the spectators, honours the classic Indian saree.

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According to Financial Express, over 1,900 sarees and drapes from all throughout the nation are on display, creating an aesthetically striking display of Indias needlework and weaving skills. Visitors can explore the installations QR codes to learn more about the specifics of each item.

Tejas fighters to make its debut in formation

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As part of an Arjan formation, the first C-295 tactical military aircraft, which was inducted in September, will make its fly-past debut. As part of a deal for Rs 21,935 crore, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus Defence and Space would work together to produce up to 40 C-295 units at a final assembly plant in Gujarats Vadodara. The IAFs outdated Avro fleet will be replaced with C-295 cargo aircraft.

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Four native Tejas fighters will fly in the parade in a diamond formation, which is another first.

The flypast will comprise a total of 51 aircraft - 29 fighter aircraft, eight transport aircraft and 13 helicopters as well as one historical aircraft. Together with the IAFs aircraft, the Navys P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and four Army helicopters will fly in two different formations beside the IAFs aircraft.

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14 formations will be displayed by these aircraft, which will operate out of six different bases.

Republic Day parade

The parade is scheduled to start at 10:30 am and last for about 90 minutes. It will take place at Kartavya Path.

The parade will feature a 95-member marching troop and a 33-person band contingent from France. Overlooking the central boulevard will be two Rafale fighter jets and one Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft from the French Air Force.

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More than 77,000 people including 13,000 special guests like holders of impactful patents and copyrights, to ensure Jan Bhagidari.

Other special guests will also include headmen from nearly 300 border villages, women space scientists of ISRO, yoga teachers and a section of the beneficiaries of centrally-funded government schemes. They will sit in a special enclosure just opposite the one housing the President, Prime Minister, and the Chief Guest.

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According to TOI, 42,000 of the seats have been made available to the public through tickets.

With inputs from agencies
With intense geopolitical competition and Chinas growing influence in the region, this years vote in Tuvalu on Friday will be watched closely, and the outcome may have far-reaching consequences

Elections in a small Pacific Island nation rarely make the headlines. However, Tuvalu, heading to the polls to elect members of its 16-seat parliament, is an exception. The reason lies in geopolitics. With intense geopolitical competition and Chinas growing influence in the region, this years vote on Friday will be watched closely, and the outcome may have far-reaching consequences.

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A big part of the international attention is linked to the increasing importance of China in the region, and Tuvalus diplomatic ties to the government of Taiwan. A proposed security treaty with Australia could also hang in the balance.

Heres whats at stake:

Where is Tuvalu and how many people live there?

Tuvalu consists of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean. Its about halfway between Hawaii and Australia.

Tuvalus low-lying atolls make it particularly vulnerable to global warming, and there are worries that rising sea levels and strengthening storms will make it uninhabitable. Prime Minister Kausea Natano is trying to raise the islands five to five metres (13 to 16 feet) above sea level through land reclamation.

It has a population of about 11,500, making it one of the smallest nations in the world.

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A former British colony, it gained independence in 1978. The British monarch is still the countrys head of state.

What happens in a Tuvalu election?

All candidates in Tuvalu run as independents, with the top two vote-getters in each of the eight island electorates going to parliament.

Polls open at 8.30am (2030 GMT) on Friday and close at 4 pm (0400 GMT) on Friday, The Guardian newspaper reported.

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When the votes are in, the new parliamentarians split into groups, with the biggest electing the prime minister and forming a new government.

Who are the main candidates for prime minister?

The current prime minister, Kausea Natano, is running for parliament again, but he would have to go through the selection process again even if he wins his parliament race.

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Finance Minister Seve Paeniu is also interested in the job after winning his parliament seat by running unopposed.

Another potential new leader is the Opposition leader, and former prime minister, Enele Sopoaga.

Why the election matters?

Only 12 countries, including Tuvalu, have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the self-governing democratic island that China claims as its own territory. Nauru, also in the Pacific, recently switched its support from Taiwan to China.

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This puts Tuvalu at the centre of intense jockeying between Taipei and Beijing.

Prime Minister Natano favours strong ties with Taiwan, and is likely to continue that support. Sopoaga also favours close ties with Taiwan. Paeniu has said he wants to review Tuvalus ties with both Beijing and Taipei, according to The Guardian.

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Sopoaga has also said he doesnt support a new treaty between Tuvalu and Australia signed in November. That treaty, which commits Australia to assist Tuvalu in response to major natural disasters, health pandemics and military aggression, has yet to be ratified amid an intense debate. The treaty gives Australia veto power over any security or defence-related agreement Tuvalu wants to make with any other country, including China.

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With inputs from AP
The hegemonic baton passed from Britain to its colonial cousin America around 1900. There it has stayed for over a century

Whenever the United States-led Anglosphere sees a potential threat to its global hegemony, it acts swiftly and ruthlessly.

Germany was a growing threat in 1914. By 1945, two world wars later, Germany was neutralised. After nearly 80 years, it remains an obedient ally of the US.

Japan received the same treatment, though it took two atomic bombs and over 2,50,000 lives to end Japans military threat in the east.

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The Soviet Union posed a tougher challenge. It controlled over a dozen European countries right up to the doorstep of (then) West Germany. It took the US 40 years to dismantle the Soviet threat to its global hegemony.

Having dismembered former Soviet satellites like Yugoslavia into several small separate countries, the US enjoyed a brief moment of being the worlds only superpower between 1990 and 2010.

Chinas rise came as a rude shock. Beijing had followed president Deng Xiaopings advice: hide your strength, bide your time. For 30 years from the 1980s to the 2010s, China quietly stole US military technology from under the Pentagons nose and deeply infiltrated Silicon Valley.

President Xi Jinpings aggression in the South China Sea woke Washington up. China was not just a military threat as the former Soviet Union had been. It was a far more serious economic threat than the Soviets had ever been.

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Washington moved quickly, lockstep with its Anglophone cousins  Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand  to thwart Chinas rise.

President Donald Trump imposed far-reaching trade sanctions on Beijing which President Joe Biden has deepened. When faced with a foreign challenge, US Democrats and Republicans, sharply polarised over domestic politics, have an uncanny ability to join forces.

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Biden doubled down on Trumps trade war against China by imposing wide-ranging technology sanctions on Beijing. He banned Western, Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese companies from sharing advanced semiconductor technology with China.

Since China no longer has access to the latest wafer-thin chips from Nvidia and other Western firms, it will take years to catch up on new-generation chips in mobile phones, cars, computers and AI-powered electronic devices.

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Hegemony birthright

British prime minister Winston Churchill used to say that the English-speaking nations (known today more commonly as the Anglosphere) had prevailed in the social Darwinian battle.

According to Churchill, white Christian Protestants occupied the top rung in the hierarchy. In the second tier were white Christian Catholics. Then came Indians and Chinese and in the fourth tier Africans.

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Churchill, an amateur historian himself, knew that his social Darwinism theory was drivel. Before 1700, Britain was a mid-level European country in awe of the Ottoman and Mughal Empires.

British envoys like Sir Thomas Roe were for years denied an audience in the 17th-century Court of Emperor Jehangir.

The Chinese were more direct, sending back British envoys with a threat of beheading if they retuned.

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Churchill also knew that a rare combination of science, slavery, industry and invasive colonialism had elevated Britain to a global hegemon by the mid-1800s. Social Darwinism had little to do with it.

The hegemonic baton passed from Britain to its colonial cousin America around 1900. There it has stayed for over a century.

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Reining in China remains a work in progress. Hawks in Washington believe Chinas moment has come and gone. Expected to surpass US GDP by 2030, they now believe China may never catch up, allowing the US to be the largest global economy for the foreseeable future.

The problem with that thesis is that the future is unpredictable. International financial institutions have warned that India could overtake both the US and China as the worlds largest economy sometime between 2052 and 2075.

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US vs China vs India

The Anglosphere has held global hegemonic power for 200 years since the defeat of French Emperor Napoleon by the British at Waterloo in 1815.

Farsighted American policymakers have sought for years to draw India into its Anglospheric orbit as it did with Japan and South Korea.

Xi Jinping, alive to the US ploy, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for three congenial summits between 2014 and 2019  in Ahmedabad, Wuhan and Mahabalipuram  to wean India away from the US.

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The deal Xi offered was peace and tranquillity along the LAC in return for Indias geopolitical equidistance from the US and China.

But China is a ruthless power itself. At the very first Modi-Xi summit in Ahmedabad in 2014, the PLA made an incursion across the LAC. It took a quiet but firm word from Modi to Xi to order the PLA back.

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China increased the pressure on India in 2017 with the Doklam standoff that lasted over 70 days.

Despite his misgivings over Beijings intent, Modi met Xi again for an informal summit in Wuhan in 2018, followed by another in Mahabalipuram in 2019.

By now Modi had gauged Xi accurately: he was not to be trusted. India deepened its relationship with the US, Australia and Japan in the Quad.

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China took the gloves off. The April 2000 incursion across the LAC followed.

The Galwan Valley clash took the lives of 20 Indian soldiers and an estimated 45 PLA troops (though China has admitted to losing only four soldiers).

Galwan ended Indias brief dalliance with China. Washington was pleased. Over the last four years, it has elevated its relationship with India to a strategic partnership and signed a slew of agreements on sharing critical technologies as well as joint defence production.

Its conditional

But  and there is a but  nothing the US and its Anglospheric allies do comes without riders.

India presents the Anglosphere with an unusual problem. It is not communist like the Soviet Union was or China is. It is a former colony, poor, noisy and democratic.

It is also independent-minded. New Delhis neutral position on Ukraine annoys Washington. Indias leadership of the Global South is another irritant.

Washington welcomes Indias economic rise and growing military strength. But it knows that India needs to be periodically reminded of who calls the shots.

Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand in consonance ensure that India stays just a little off-balance with well-timed pinpricks.

Since Independence in 1947, it was Britains job among the Anglophones to back Pakistan against India. The US played a particularly toxic role in the 1971 Bangladesh war.

Indias economic and military rise makes such geopolitical blackmail impossible today.

The US knows that by 2050 it will be a white-minority country. Blacks, Hispanics and Asians will be the majority, with white Protestants of European descent dropping to below 25 per cent of the US population and white Catholics to 20 per cent.

History turns in circles. American and British policymakers know what their countries were in 1700.

The US did not exist as an independent nation. Neither did the UK. It was only in 1707 that the kingdoms of England and Scotland merged to form the United Kingdom.

Anglospheric hegemony came a century later. It could end within decades.

The writer is an editor, author and publisher. 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 enigmatic backing behind ISIS is scrutinized, a complex web of alliances including alleged support from US emerges raising questions about the groups rapid rise, fall and potential resurgence in the shifting landscape of global conflict

ISIS has been an interesting entity for conflict watchers. The groups lightning-fast emergence and equally impressive consolidation of a working structure, the disproportionate barbarism that they displayed, or their superhuman ability in establishing military dominance over a sizeable chunk of Iraq and Syria in record time, remained lined with suspicion in the minds of those who were watching them: these Toyota-driving-thugs were not their own masters; they had some solid backing.

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Indications towards the identity of the backers started floating in as the months progressed. The US made 8,000 strikes against ISIS but their missiles and drones religiously failed to track or destroy their mile-long Toyota convoys (how were they getting so many Toyotas?) in flat deserts. Not only that; Uncle Sam kept air-dropping ammunition by mistake in their midst. Continuously. It helps to remember that the US was supposed to be fighting the ISIS during those days. Then came the news of oil racketeering. When they began stealing oil from the Syrian oilfields, Turkey stood there by their side buying all that oil from them. When injured, they received treatment in Israeli hospitals.

So, as the West, with all its tech advancements kept trying hard to minimise the ISIS threat, these guys went from strength to strength. They increased the size of their army, their territorial influence, and their wealth  all in the span of just a couple of years (between 2012 and 2014). And they would have probably taken over Syria were it not for Russian president Vladimir Putin who decided to wade into the conflict in September of 2015.

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However, whispers about the story of ISIS or their backers dont end there. When Russia began its aerial assault, it took them about a few months to achieve what the West was trying for years, and, by the end of 2016, it became clear that the previously elusive (and invincible) ISIS had taken a series of quite serious hits; at that rate, their survival could be at stake. By the end of 2017, most of them were gone  they dropped off the radar as mysteriously as they had popped up!

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Who could be their backers?

To understand that a little more, we have to track the movements of these black-masked, nameless and faceless terrorists, and their acts of appearances and disappearances.

Let us take the case of Iraq. A recently published analysis notes that during its height, ISIS had 35,000 fighters in Iraq. Though 25,000 of them were killed, it is the remaining 10,000 whose movements attracted a lot of attention.

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Most of these terrorists fled to Syria and Turkey as the tables turned. Syria is still fairly lawless  an easy place to hide, while Turkey has always enjoyed good relations with ISIS (recall the oil racketeering). And when Abdullah Qardash began as the new caliph of ISIS in 2019, these terrorists were summoned back to Iraq, so they began returning. But Iraq borders had become quite stringent by then. Slipping past was difficult. This crossing over would be facilitated by American shelling of the Iraqi border posts and that would allow the terrorists to slip in in the ensuing chaos.

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The analysis also reports on a place in Iraq called the Houran Valley. It is the largest one in Iraq and is one of the most dangerous places in terms of lack of security. Apparently, according to Iraqi politicians, the Americans have transferred from different locations hundreds of ISIS fighters and are responsible for their protection and training. The rest of the story is similar to the Iraq border shootings: an Iraqi MP, Hassan Salem calls for an army-led clean-up of the Houran Valley; Iraqi PMU units approach the area; American aircraft target them, shoot at them, and push them back.

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ISIS in Afghanistan

A little south-east along the map, and away from Iraq is Afghanistan, and any observation about ISIS and their backers would be incomplete without the mention of ISKP  ISIS in Khorasan Province.

As the faceless Islamists began dropping out of the Middle Eastern radar following Russian bombings, they began resurfacing in pockets of central and west Asia  notably Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. We can leave aside the debatable topic of who provided their transport and safe passage, to an issue we know: who provided them with safe havens in these places.

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ISKP was formed in Afghanistan in 2015 with nine members of Al Qaeda and TTP joining to create the unit following the ISIL (Levant ISIS) call for establishing a caliphate extending to Pakistan and Afghanistan. As they grew weaker in the Levant, they got stronger at their Khorasan wing; they created a bureaucratic and administrative structure, and by 2019, when they were more or less routed in the Middle East, the ISKP provided the fleeing terrorists with a second address  to strengthen and spread their Af-Pak operations.

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This came undone once the Taliban took over Afghanistan, and killed hundreds of their members. But more than that, the US fleeing Afghanistan was a watershed moment in the ISIS chronology: this incident even made the ISKP drop their predominantly geographic ambitions (caliphate, more territory under control) to focus more on disruptive urban warfare.

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This shift of priorities is an interesting adaptation; one that falls neatly in place when viewed from a distance. As long as the Taliban maintained their ambiguity towards US presence in the region, the US held the opinion that they were an outfit that could be negotiated with. ISKP existed but as a distant and minor irritant  their main focus being a caliphate in the Middle East. But from the time the Taliban turned and expressed a desire to take complete control of Afghanistan, the ISKP first began harbouring ambitions of a Khorasan caliphate, which mutated into them reemerging as urban guerillas fighting the Taliban. As the US-backed mujahideens of yesterday became the government today, they found in ISKP the US-protected mujahideens of today. In 2020, only 7 per cent of ISKP attacks targeted the Taliban; that became 33 per cent in 2021 and 72 per cent in 2022.

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The role of Pakistan

The last few years have been a see-saw ride for Pakistans regional imperatives. Their high of seeing a friendly government in power in Afghanistan extending them their cherished strategic depth against India underwent a rude awakening as the Taliban expectedly dumped them right from the time they formed a government in Kabul. Since then, there has been the abrupt removal of Imran Khan; China has kept stalling the CPEC project; there has been the rise of a TTP predominance along their lawless frontier, which has resulted in a major loss of political power in that region; Baluchi insurgency movement has gained steam; and with funds from both the USA and China drying up, their economy has tanked.

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With most to lose, it has always been the Pakistan Army butting in during times like these. The first among the quick few changes that they brought in to revive their primacy was a realignment with the US. The IMF noose loosened as a result, which has helped the Army survive so far. About the price that Uncle Sam would extract as a quid pro quo, here are two guesses based on the history of their association:

Decouple with China: Though it is not clear how much actual pressure the Biden government wants to put on China with the neocon war lobby running busy along two fronts (Ukraine and Palestine), things might indeed change if Donald Trump wins. Trump has his priorities in place already. He doesnt regard Russia as the main antagonist; he is hawkish on China. And his team might be in for a surprise if they have a compliant Pakistani army. Consolidate ISKP: Though speculative, this could be team Bidens focus as of now. The unknown gunmen and their exploits all around Pakistan during the past few months that has the subcontinent heaping praises on Ajit Doval and his supposed network, could well be an ISI and/or Pak Army initiative  operating with the agenda of cleaning up of all the old go-betweens that were used during the Taliban days.

With Taliban now out of their scope  if CARs and India have indeed made it to the list of geographies that Uncle Sam aims to destabilise  there needs to be a new breed of intermediaries that would probably take up the job of manning the posts between Pakistan Army and the new mujahideens (read ISKP). Hence the cleaning up of the Hanafi-Deobandi clutter, perhaps to make way for the Salafist crew (ISIS is essentially Arab Salafists; they dont gel with the subcontinental Deobandi school)?

There is no way of proving this, however, if ISKP indeed emerged in the next few years as a regional disruptive tool with shadowy connections and deep pockets (like ISIL once was)  one can be fairly certain about this theory.

The reemergence

The indications are too strong to ignore. As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to scale the ladder of intensity with Irans proxies stepping up their game along the Bab el Mandeb Strait or along the southern borders of Lebanon, there has been an ISIS-executed suicide bombing in Iran that killed many people. This opens up the possibility of ISIS operatives resurfacing once again in Syria, Iraq, and perhaps Iran too.

Uncle Sam is adept in engaging services of proxy militias  from Latin America to Ukraine  wherever they have the means. And, the Afghan jihad episode has proven beyond doubt their eagerness to partner even with the most hardcore and medieval-minded guys as a means to justify the end. Besides, Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi or his successor Ibrahim Al Hashimi, Abu Al Turkmani, Haji Bakr etc high-value terrorists were all US prisoners once in Camp Bucca in southern Iraq; all of them (along with many more) were released inexplicably at some point.

It doesnt take an effort even for the most unimaginative ones among us after sampling all of this, to connect the dots. Even if one is willing to disregard the above speculation sub-titled Consolidate ISKP, the fact that over the years ISIS and US enemies  from Assad-Qaddafi then, to Iran-Taliban now  have always remained the same governments/countries/peoples.

That appears too shifty to be some random coincidence.

The author is a geopolitical analyst and the author of JourneyDog Tales, The Puppeteer, and A Matter of Greed. 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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Elon Musk fears that he might be voted out as the CEO of Tesla. This follows Teslas stock crash, which saw its market cap fall by $82 billion, and stock value dipped by 12 per cent in one day

Elon Musk, Teslas CEO, has expressed concerns about the potential of being removed from his position at the company due to his relatively small stake of approximately 12 per cent.

During an earnings call, Musk mentioned the influence of shareholder advisory firms like Glass Lewis and Institutional Shareholder Services, jokingly referring to them as ISIS due to their unconventional ideas.

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Musk highlighted the possibility of increasing his stake to at least 25 per cent by exploring options such as creating a dual class of shares, similar to Meta Platforms.

This revelation follows Musks recent appeal to Teslas board for a significant stock award and his sale of nearly $40 billion in Tesla stock to cover taxes and fund his acquisition of the social media platform Twitter, renamed X.

During the earnings call, Musk shifted the discussion toward Teslas potential in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, expressing his commitment to these fields. He stated that without a minimum 25 per cent stake in Tesla, he would explore AI and robotics development elsewhere.

While Musk discusses future opportunities, the impact of concerns about potential leadership removal on Teslas trajectory and the electric vehicle industry remains to be seen.

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Its worth noting that Elon Musk is involved in various ventures, including owning and running companies such as Tesla, SpaceX, The Boring Company, and Neuralink, in addition to his acquisition of the social media platform X for $44 billion.
India is honouring Foxconn CEO Young Liu with its third-highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan. While Foxconn has made several investments in the country, almost to the tune of $1.6 billion, this felicitation will send a strong message to China

India has awarded its third highest civilian honour, the Padma Chushan to Taiwans Liu Young-way, the Chief Executive Officer of Foxconn, in a move that will send a very strong message to the Communist Party of China.

The 66-year-old Liu is set to receive the accolade in a ceremony later this year, with the presentation to be made by the President of India. The announcement of the 132 recipients across various Padma categories was made on the eve of Indias Republic Day.

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This recognition comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modis efforts to attract foreign investments and position India as the next manufacturing hub in Asia. It aligns with the broader context of global initiatives to shift supply chains away from China, led by the United States and its allies.

Liu Young-way had previously visited New Delhi and held discussions with Prime Minister Modi in March. Foxconn, in a statement, expressed its commitment to building an ecosystem in India, fostering collaboration and growth among stakeholders.

In a strategic move, Foxconn recently revealed plans to establish a chip packaging and testing plant in India in collaboration with HCL Group, a local technology firm. The company, a major supplier for Apple, had previously announced investments totalling $1.6 billion in India in November, aiming to diversify its operations away from China.

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In 2019, the company initiated the production of Apples iPhone XR at its manufacturing facility in India. Building on this milestone, by 2023, the same facility had expanded its capabilities to include the manufacturing of the latest iPhone model, the iPhone 14.

Simultaneously, India has actively encouraged Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the islands leading semiconductor firm, to consider establishing a fabrication plant in the country.

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Unofficial ties between India and Taiwan have deepened, with trade increasing from just over $1 billion in 2001 to $7 billion in 2021. Further underscoring this trend, a third Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre, serving as a de facto consulate for Taiwan, was inaugurated in Mumbai last July.
Sam Altman, on his trip to South Korea will be meeting top executives from South Koreas semiconductor industry. He will be meeting people from Samsung, SK Hynix, the worlds two largest memory chipmakers who are actively working to build sophisticated chip plants domestically

Sam Altman, the Chief Executive Officer of OpenAI, is visiting key figures in South Koreas semiconductor industry as the artificial intelligence company contemplates a potential foray into chip production.

Altmans trip includes a tour of Samsung Electronics Co.s chip fabrication plants in Pyeongtaek, where he is expected to meet with top executives from various divisions, including foundry, memory, and system LSI units.

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The purpose of Altmans visit to South Korea remains undisclosed, but it comes amid OpenAIs efforts to secure funding for establishing a network of semiconductor factories.

The surge in interest in AI applications, particularly since the release of OpenAIs ChatGPT, has created substantial demand for the computing power and processors required to develop and run AI programs.

Altman has previously expressed the challenge of obtaining a sufficient supply of chips to meet OpenAIs needs.

While Altmans goals in South Korea remain uncertain, reports suggest that he is exploring potential collaborations with Samsung and SK Hynix Inc., including discussions with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won. Samsung has been expanding its foundry business, catering to the chip designs of various customers.

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South Korea is a prominent player in high-end chip production, rivalled only by Taiwan. TSMC leads the global foundry market, providing chips for companies like Apple and NVIDIA.

The South Korean government has outlined an ambitious plan, involving private sector investments of 622 trillion won ($466 billion) leading up to 2047. This initiative aims to construct 13 new chip plants and three research facilities, creating what is expected to become the worlds largest chip-producing area.

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Samsung and SK Hynix, the worlds two largest memory chipmakers, are actively working to build sophisticated chip plants domestically.

Samsungs substantial investment in foundry expansion is part of a broader plan involving a 500 trillion won investment by 2047, while SK Hynix aims to invest 122 trillion won in memory in Yongin over the same period.

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Representatives for Samsung and SK Hynix declined to comment on Altmans visit, and OpenAI has yet to respond to requests for comment.
The execution using nitrogen gas in US Alabama prison took about 22 minutes. The murder convict appeared to remain conscious for several of those minutes, at times appearing to shake and writhe on a gurney

Alabama, a state in the US, carried out the countrys first execution of a death row inmate using nitrogen gas, an untested procedure that some experts have warned could cause severe suffering or even torture.

Kenneth Smith, 58, who was sentenced to death in 1996 for a 1988 murder-for-hire plot that killed Elizabeth Sennett, was pronounced dead at 8:25 pm on Thursday at Alabama prison after being forced to breathe pure nitrogen gas through an face mask which causes oxygen deprivation. The technique, known as nitrogen hypoxia, leads to fatal oxygen deprivation.

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The industrial-style face mask emitting nitrogen gas cut off the oxygen supply to his brain, resulting in unconsciousness and death.

As per reports, the execution took about 22 minutes. Smith appeared to remain conscious for several of those minutes, at times appearing to shake and writhe on a gurney. This was followed by several minutes of heavy breathing, before his breath began slowing until it was no longer perceptible for media witnesses.

Addressing a news conference after the execution, Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said nitrogen was running for about 15 minutes.

When asked about Smith shaking during the start of the execution, Hamm said Smith appeared to be holding his breath for as long as he could and may have also struggled against his restraints.

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In 2022, Smith had escaped death by lethal injection when his execution was halted after prison staff failed to insert two intravenous lines into his veins, as required by the protocol. They tried for an hour, but could only insert one line.

Earlier on Thursday, the US Supreme Court denied his last-minute appeal to stop the execution, after declining the same request on Wednesday.

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The prisoners lawyers had argued amounted to a form of cruel and unusual punishment banned under the US constitution.

Smith and another man were each allegedly paid $1,000 to kill Elizabeth Sennett by Charles Sennett, a minister in the Church of Christ who went on to take his own life after suspicion fell on him.

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Smiths final hours

A report by Associated Press cited a prison spokesperson saying in his final hours, Smith met with family members and his spiritual adviser.

He ate a last meal of T-bone steak, hash browns, toast and eggs slathered in steak sauce.

Hes terrified at the torture that could come. But hes also at peace. One of the things he told me is he is finally getting out," the spokesperson added.

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Smiths last statement

Smith reportedly made a lengthy statement before he died, saying, Tonight Alabama caused humanity to take a step backward, and adding, Im leaving with love, peace and light, thank you for supporting me, love all of you.

He even made the I love you sign with his hands toward family members who were witnesses. Thank you for supporting me. Love, love all of you, Smith said.

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A report by The Guardian said, Smith in an interview on a phone call from his prison, days before he was executed, said he was not ready to die. He had been diagnosed with PTSD caused by his first failed execution attempt, and was suffering from sleeplessness and anxiety.

Execution by nitrogen gas is one of the alternatives that some states have adopted in response to the challenges of lethal injection which is the most common execution method in the US.

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About half of the US states still have the death penalty, and they use different methods including hanging, firing squad, or electric chair. Although some state courts have banned a few of them, none of these methods have been ruled unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court.

States in US which have approved execution using nitrogen gas

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Alabama, Oklahoma and Mississippi have approved the use of nitrogen gas in executions. They argue that nitrogen gas is a humane and painless way to kill, as it induces a state of euphoria and unawareness before death.

These states have also cited examples of industrial accidents where workers have died of nitrogen hypoxia without realising it.

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However, critics of nitrogen gas say it is an experimental and unproven method that could cause harm and suffering to the inmates.

Meanwhile, execution using lethal injection, involving administering sedate and kill the inmate, has been the preferred method since Texas first used it in 1982.

In 2023, as many as 24 people were executed in the US, mostly in Florida and Texas, and all by lethal injection.

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But lethal injection has faced many problems, both practical and ethical. Several executions have been botched, causing pain and suffering to the inmates.

A number of inmates, including Smith, have had their executions delayed or cancelled because of difficulties in finding suitable veins. Also, some states have struggled to obtain the drugs needed for lethal injection, as drug manufacturers have refused to sell them or stopped producing them.

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With inputs from agencies
On our shared national days, we have an opportunity to celebrate the depth of our friendship. Australia and India have never been closer, said Australian PM Anthony Albanese in a statement

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday extended greetings to India on its 75th Republic Day, saying that on our shared national days, we have an opportunity to celebrate the depth of our friendship and added that the ties between the two countries have never been closer.

Australian PM Anthony Albanese extends greetings to India on 75th Republic Day



"On our shared national days, we have an opportunity to celebrate the depth of our friendship. Australia and India have never been closer," the PM says. pic.twitter.com/vvsSjPktnG  ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2024

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Republic Day is an opportunity to celebrate Indias extraordinary success across more than seven decades of independence. Since Independence, India has drawn on the vitality and diligence of its people to build a modern nation defined by innovation and success, said Albanese in a statement.

On our shared national days, we have an opportunity to celebrate the depth of our friendship. Australia and India have never been closer, he added.

He further added that the bonds between the two nations are lifelong and intergenerational, built on the deep and enduring links between our people.

The Indian diaspora here in Australia is the lifeblood of our friendship, said the PM.

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Expressing his happiness in extending his congratulations on Republic Day, he said that the India and Australia relationship has a bright future.

As we together honour and cherish the region we call home, we are united in advancing and preserving an open, inclusive, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, added Albanese.

India will celebrate its 75th Republic Day with an impressive display of its military might and rich cultural heritage at the Kartavya Path in the heart of the national capital.

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The grand celebrations, with an overarching theme of projecting the nations women power and democratic values, will be graced by French President Emmanuel Macron as the chief guest.

President Droupadi Murmu will lead the nation in celebrating Republic Day with a 90-minute parade on the ceremonial boulevard  Kartavya Path.

The armed forces will display an array of home-grown weaponry and military equipment such as missiles, drone jammers, surveillance systems, vehicle-mounted mortars and BMP-II infantry combat vehicles at the parade.

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For the first time, an all-women tri-services contingent will be part of the event.

Also, the parade will be heralded by over 100 women artistes playing Indian musical instruments such as Sankh, Naadswaram, and Nagada for the first time instead of the traditional military bands.

Around 15 women pilots will also enthral the audience during the Indian Air Forces fly-past, representing Nari Shakti. The contingents of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will also consist of only women personnel.

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The Republic Day parade is slated to commence at 10:30 am and will be held for around 90 minutes.

With inputs from agencies
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong and his delegation met with North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong Ho and others at the Peoples Palace of Culture in the capital

The vice foreign minister of China on Friday held a meeting with his North Korean counterpart in Pyongyang.

China and Russia are North Koreas traditional allies, and Washington warned last year that military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow were growing and dangerous.

The United States has called on Beijing - the Norths biggest economic benefactor - to restrain Pyongyang.

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The Foreign Ministry delegation of the Peoples Republic of China, headed by Comrade Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Pyongyang on the 25th, AFP quoted the Norths official Korean Central News Agency as saying on Friday.

AFP photos showed Weidong and his delegation meeting with North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong Ho and others at the Peoples Palace of Culture in the capital.

Suns visit comes as US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was set to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday and Saturday in Thailand, as the two powers seek to improve relations after years of tensions.

Earlier this month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Pyongyang and Beijing had designated 2024 as the year of DPRK-China friendship, using the acronym of the Norths official name.

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The two countries will further promote exchange and visits in all fields, including politics, economy and culture this year, and add a new page to the history of the DPRK-China relations, Kim said in his message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to KCNA.

Kims friendly message to Xi stood in stark contrast to his recent, dramatically aggressive rhetoric towards the South.

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Earlier this month, Kim declared Seoul his countrys principal enemy, jettisoned agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach and threatened war over even 0.001 mm of territorial infringement.

As the threat from the nuclear-armed North grows, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has pulled Seoul closer to long-standing ally Washington.

While Tokyo, Seoul and Washington have held joint military exercises against the growing North Korean threats, Beijing last year sent senior officials to attend Pyongyangs military parades.

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As permanent members of the UN Security Council, both China and Russia have been obstructing the efforts led by Washington to impose stricter sanctions on North Korea in response to its increased weapons testing activities in recent months.

Kim also successfully put a spy satellite into orbit late last year, after receiving what Seoul said was Russian help, in exchange for arms transfers for Moscows war in Ukraine.

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With inputs from agencies
Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until complete victory over Hamas and to return all remaining hostages after the Oct. 7 rampage in southern Israel that triggered the war. In that attack, some 1,200 people were killed and Hamas and other militants abducted around 250 people.

Families of hostages held in Gaza, along with other protesters, staged a demonstration at the Kerem Shalom border crossing for the third consecutive day on Friday morning and obstructed the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip while their loved ones remained in captivity.

Throughout the day, hundreds more protesters were anticipated to join the demonstration at the border crossing. They demanded to halt all humanitarian aid entering the conflict-affected area until the remaining hostages, abducted by Hamas on October 7, are released and returned to Israel.

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Recently, dozens of family members of hostages held by Hamas stormed a committee meeting in Israels parliament Monday, demanding a deal to win their loved ones release, as European foreign ministers joined growing international calls for Israel to negotiate on the creation of a Palestinian state after the war.

The developments showed the increasing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has dug in on both fronts. He has insisted to the Israeli public that pursuing the devastating offensive in Gaza is the only way to bring the hostages home. At the same time, he has rejected the United States vision for a postwar resolution, saying he will never allow a Palestinian state.

The dispute over Gazas future pits Israel against its top ally and much of the international community. It also poses a major obstacle to plans for postwar governance or reconstruction of the coastal territory, large parts of which have been left unlivable by Israeli bombardment.

As fears grow that Israels war in Gaza will spark a wider regional conflict, the U.S. and British militaries bombed eight locations in Yemen used by the Houthi rebels. Its the eighth time the U.S. has bombed Houthi sites since Jan. 12, U.S. officials said late Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a military operation. The Iranian-backed Houthis have attacked shipping in the regions waterways, saying they aim to end the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip.

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Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until complete victory over Hamas and to return all remaining hostages after the Oct. 7 rampage in southern Israel that triggered the war. In that attack, some 1,200 people were killed and Hamas and other militants abducted around 250 people.

Israelis are increasingly divided on the question of whether its possible to do either.

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Around 100 hostages were freed under a weeklong cease-fire deal in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Around 130 remain captive, but a number have since been confirmed dead. Hamas has said it will free more captives only in exchange for an end to the war and the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners.

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Netanyahu has ruled out such an agreement, but anger is rising among hostages families. Relatives and other protesters set up a tent camp outside Netanyahus residence in Jerusalem, vowing to remain until a deal is reached.

With inputs from AP.
Macrons opponents are seizing on the farmers demonstrations to bash his governments record ahead of European elections in June. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, whose National Rally party is polling strongly, blamed free-trade agreements, imports and bureaucracy for farmers economic woes.

Farmers blocked one of Frances main motorways connecting Paris with the northern city of Lille, the Benelux, and Britain on Friday. Massive traffic jams in the French capital were witnessed due to the ongoing protest movement by farmers. The demonstrations aim to draw attention to their demands for government measures to support and protect the agricultural sector.

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Traffic-snarling drive-slows, barricades of straw bales, stinky dumps of agricultural waste outside government offices and other demonstrations have rapidly blown up to become the first major crisis for newly appointed Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, installed two weeks ago by President Emmanuel Macron in hopes of injecting new vigour into his administration.

Macrons opponents are seizing on the farmers demonstrations to bash his governments record ahead of European elections in June. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, whose National Rally party is polling strongly, blamed free-trade agreements, imports and bureaucracy for farmers economic woes.

Local farming unions have called for roadblocks in and around Paris on Friday to step up the pressure on the government which the farmers accuse of not helping them enough to cope with what they say are low food prices and excessive regulation.

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The roadblock on the A1 north of Paris lead to traffic jams of around 4 km (2.5 miles) in the morning, according to the transport ministrys online service Bison Fute.

French media reported farmers had also set up first roadblocks on traffic axes in the Essonne department south of Paris in the early morning hours, while most protests were expected to start in the early afternoon.

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The government said it would announce first immediate measures aimed at taming the farmer outrage later on Friday with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal expected to speak in the afternoon.

So far, the government has not specified when and where Attal is due to speak or what measures could be announced.

With inputs from agencies.
Israeli strikes killed 20 Palestinians who were waiting for food aid, six people in a house in the Al-Nusseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, and at least 50 people in the previous 24 hours in Khan Younis, Gazas main southern city, according to Gaza officials

Judges at the United Nations headquarters in The Hague will make a decision on Friday over whether to order Israel to halt its military campaign in Gaza while negotiations to broker a fresh agreement for a truce and the release of further Israeli hostages continue.

Israeli strikes killed 20 Palestinians in Gaza City who were waiting for food aid, six people in a house in the Al-Nusseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, and at least 50 people in the previous 24 hours in Khan Younis, Gazas main southern city, where Israel is currently concentrating the majority of its might, according to Gaza officials on the ground in the seaside enclave.

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In a case alleging Israel of state-led genocide in the Gaza Strip, South Africa is asking for emergency sanctions against Israel. The judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), commonly known as the World Court, are scheduled to rule on this motion on Friday.

According to Gaza officials, Israels campaign in more than three months of war has devastated most of the territory, displaced around 1.9 million Palestinians, and killed at least 25,900 people. Following a raid by terrorists from Hamas-governed Gaza into southern Israel that resulted in 1,200 deaths and the kidnapping of 240 hostages, Israel began its offensive in October.

The courts decision is scheduled at 1 p.m. (1200 GMT), following a about hour-long hearing. In the meantime, South Africa requested that the court issue an interim injunction requiring Israel to halt its military activities, even though the judges will not rule on the merits of the genocide charges, which may take years to decide.

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Israel has responded to South Africas accusations by calling them untrue and grossly distorted, adding that it goes above and above to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza.

The court cannot enforce its decisions, but they are final and cannot be challenged. Israel voiced optimism on Thursday that the International Court of Justice would throw out these spurious and specious charges. If Israel complies with an ICJ ceasefire ruling, Hamas stated it will follow suit.

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The White House has been trying to facilitate the release of the more than 100 remaining Israeli hostages taken during Hamas October 7 attack on Israel, which ignited the war in Gaza, although there remains a considerable distance between the two sides demands.

(With agency inputs)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will continue to do what is necessary to defend itself, following a ruling from the top U.N. court that harshly criticized Israels war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a ruling on Friday directing Israel to implement all emergency measures requested by South Africa in the genocide case related to its war on the Gaza Strip.

The court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is unfolding in the region and is deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering, Joan E. Donoghue, the courts president, said.

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The court in The Hague, Netherlands, ordered a total of six provisional measures on Friday as it considers the genocide charges that South Africa brought against Israel. South Africa requested interim steps since the proceedings could take several years.

Court President Joan E. Donoghue said there were enough elements in South Africas arguments to continue the genocide case but that Israeli troops had to do much more in the meantime to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

She said the court was of the view that Israel must take measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide.

The courts decision included a directive for Israel to permit the entry of basic services and humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza. South Africa brought the case, which goes to the core of one of the worlds most intractable conflicts, and had asked the court to order Israel to halt its operation.

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Fridays decision is only an interim one; it could take years for the full case brought by South Africa to be considered. Israel rejects the genocide accusation and had asked the court to throw the charges out.

While the case winds its way through the court, South Africa has asked the judges as a matter of extreme urgency to impose provisional measures.

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Top of the South African list was a request for the court to order Israel to immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza. But the court declined to do that.

South Africa also asked for Israel to take reasonable measures to prevent genocide and allow access for desperately needed aid.

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The court ruled that Israel must try to limit death and damage.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will continue to do what is necessary to defend itself, following a ruling from the top U.N. court that harshly criticized Israels war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

But it demanded that Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the tiny coastal enclave. Netanyahu rejected the genocide claims as outrageous and vowed to press ahead with the war.

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We will continue to do what is necessary to defend out country and defend our people, he said.

In a statement Thursday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said he hoped the decision would include immediate action to stop the aggression and genocide against our people in the Gaza Strip  and a rapid flow of relief aid to save the hungry, wounded and sick from the threat of slow death that threatens them.

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Israel launched its massive air and ground assault on Gaza after Hamas militants stormed through Israeli communities on Oct. 7 killing some 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and abducting another 250.

The offensive has decimated vast swaths of the territory and driven nearly 85% of its 2.3 million people from their homes.

More than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed, the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run enclave said on Friday. The ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its death toll, but has said about two-thirds of those killed were women and children.

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The Israeli military claims at least 9,000 of those killed in the nearly four-month conflict are Hamas militants.

South Africas own identity is key to it bringing the case. Its governing party, the African National Congress, 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 before ending in 1994.

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With inputs from agencies.
The number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since the start of the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 26,000, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Friday. The ministry said the total number of dead is 26,083, with 64,487 Palestinians wounded since the start of the war on Oct. 7.

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) is conducting precise operations against Hamas in Khan Yunis, where terrorists are operating from inside and around the Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals, said Eylon Levy, an official spokesperson of the Israeli government.

 Hamas continues to wage war out of hospitals, UN continues to cover it up



The @IDF is conducting precise operations against Hamas in Khan Yunis, where terrorists are operating from inside and around the Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals. More details   Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) January 26, 2024

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The IDF said it targeted and eliminated numerous terrorists, including over 10 armed Hamas gunmen, in separate airstrikes in successful operations in Khan Younis. Dozens of Hamas operatives were reported killed, and troops also destroyed terror infrastructure in the area. The Maglan commando unit conducted raids in Khan Younis, and military footage showed an attack helicopter striking a building. Mop-up operations in northern Gaza aim to locate and neutralize the remaining Hamas infrastructure.

The number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since the start of the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 26,000, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Friday.

The ministry said the total number of dead is 26,083, with 64,487 Palestinians wounded since the start of the war on Oct. 7. The ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its death toll, but has said about two-thirds of those killed were women and children.

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In the past 24 hours, 183 people were killed and 377 others were injured, ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra said in a statement.

Israels blistering ground and air offensive has decimated vast swaths of Gaza during the nearly 4-month-old war. The conflict broke out on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants stormed southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted some 250.

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With inputs from AP.
Among the most disadvantaged groups in the nation are Indigenous Australians, who deal with problems like high incarceration rates, inadequate health and educational outcomes, and poor health

On Friday, thousands of people celebrated Australias national holiday by participating in Invasion Day demonstrations in support of the Indigenous population, many of whom are against commemorating the day that a British fleet entered Sydney Harbor in 1788.

Australia Day honors the day that the British established New South Wales as a penal colony, bringing convicts and colonists to Sydney, the state capital at the time.

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The holiday is often observed with barbecues and beach outings, and its a well-liked day for immigrants to become citizens of Australia.

However, a significant portion of Australias 26 million Indigenous population3.8% of whom are Indigenousreject the celebration, viewing it as the beginning of the injustices that have been inflicted since European colonization.

Thousands of demonstrators, many of whom were holding Indigenous flags, gathered in Sydneys city center for a Invasion Day demonstration before a march that blocked off surrounding streets.

Similar demonstrations were held in the capitals of other states, including Victoria, where Tarneen Onus Browne, the organizer, declared that we need to make sure we get rid of this date.

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Among the most disadvantaged groups in the nation are Indigenous Australians, who deal with problems like high incarceration rates, inadequate health and educational outcomes, and poor health.

The governing Labor Party, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has ruled out changing the date of Australia Day from January 26.

The day was our chance to pause and reflect on everything that we have achieved as a nation, Albanese said at a citizenship ceremony in Canberra on Friday.

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In Melbourne, two colonial-era statues were vandalized earlier this week in front of the divisive national holiday.

(With agency inputs)
Scores of international airlines have suspended Tel Aviv flights since the eruption of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, while many countries have warned their nationals against travelling to Israel.

Hours before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is to issue an initial ruling on Pretorias case against Israel over alleged genocidal acts in Gaza, the Israeli flag carrier El Al said Friday it will suspend direct flights to South Africa following a significant fall in demand by Israeli travellers to the country and other destinations.

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The final El Al flight from Tel Aviv to Johannesburg is set to depart on March 27, according to the airlines website.

Scores of international airlines have suspended Tel Aviv flights since the eruption of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, while many countries have warned their nationals against travelling to Israel.

From the end of March 2024, El Al will suspend its operations on the Johannesburg-Tel Aviv route, an El Al statement said.

The case brought by South Africa in the top United Nations court has significantly strained relations with Israel, which denies accusations its military campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide against Palestinians.

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The Hague-based ICJ could on Friday order Israel to stop its ground offensive and bombardment or Gaza, or permit more humanitarian aid to enter the territory.

The court will not however pass judgement on whether or not Israel is actually committing genocide in Gaza, as this process will likely take years.

With inputs from AFP.




A ship transits the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea on January 10, 2024 in Ismailia, Egypt. Photo:VCG

(Global Times) Western media recently reported that the US has asked China to urge Tehran to rein in the pro-Iran Houthi militants, which are attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea, but has seen little sign of help from Beijing. Media reports say the US has repeatedly raised the matter with top Chinese officials in the past three months. The timing of the news is interesting, as the US has been organizing allied armed escorts in the Red Sea for over a month and conducting military strikes against the Houthi armed group for over two weeks, with little effect in terms of containment. The setback the US faces in the Red Sea coincides almost simultaneously with its pressure on China in public opinion, raising doubts about US' true intentions.

The Red Sea is an important international trade route for goods and energy. The tense situation in the Red Sea harms the common interests of countries worldwide. Since the outbreak of the Red Sea crisis, China has maintained close communication with all parties involved to ease tensions and has made proactive efforts. China has consistently called for an end to the attacks on civilian vessels and urged relevant parties to avoid exacerbating the tense situation in the Red Sea, in order to jointly safeguard the security of the Red Sea waterway. If the US wishes to cooperate with China to jointly promote a peaceful resolution of the Red Sea crisis, its message would be better received without irritable or ambiguous undertones. It is also absurd to complain about China's actions in this matter.

The US has always paid special attention to China's relationship with Iran, but most of the time, it views the ties through biased lens. Normal cooperation between China and Iran has constantly been demonized by the US, and normal economic and trade exchanges have repeatedly faced Washington's sanctions under the "long-arm jurisdiction," as if any contact between China and Iran is viewed unfavorably by the US. However, since the recent escalation of the Israel-Palestine conflict, US officials have repeatedly asked China to leverage this relationship and exert "influence" on Iran. If they believe the expected results are not achieved, they even criticize China. This obvious contradiction is a perfect portrayal of US' selfishness and double standards on the international stage.

The US is driven by a sense of urgency, so it presented inconsistent images, urging China to increase mediation efforts. The recent US airstrikes against Houthi forces have not yielded the expected results, and attacks on commercial ships have not diminished. Several Western media outlets have commented that military strikes will only backfire. Pentagon officials also admitted that the military campaign against the Houthi forces is not working. The envisioned image of the "Guardians of Prosperity" by the US in launching escort operations has turned into emptiness, leaving behind a figure increasingly passive and struggling to cope in the Red Sea.

It is not surprising that the US finds itself in such a situation because it either fails or refuses to recognize the root cause of the Red Sea crisis. While Houthi forces are responsible for harassing civilian ships, the crisis stems from the overflow of the Gaza conflict. All parties need to return to the core issue of achieving an immediate ceasefire and implementing the "two-state solution" for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. If the US does not grasp this point and continues to intensify military strikes against the Red Sea stakeholders, the result will only be to perpetuate a cycle of escalating violence. Moreover, concerning the core issue of the Gaza conflict, the US has yet to demonstrate a sincere stance toward peace and dialogue, contributing to the escalating tensions in the Red Sea region.

Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the US has consistently sought to bring China into its strategic agenda in almost every major geopolitical conflict, hyping the "China responsibility" theory. On issues that are beneficial to both countries and the world, China never refuses to cooperate with the US. On the contrary, China often takes the initiative to fulfill its responsibilities through collaboration. The US' complaints in this regard are largely an attempt to shift the responsibility for regional crises onto China, reflecting a habit by the US in recent years when it has misjudged or has been ineffective in dealing with regional crises.

The US has long been concerned about China filling the so-called "power vacuum" it left in the Middle East. Consequently, it consistently demonizes normal cooperation between China and regional countries, seeking to counterbalance China's "influence" in the region. The current facts further prove that China firmly supports regional countries in resolving regional hotspot issues through political means. China supports mutually beneficial and win-win development between regional countries and itself. This approach is more appealing than the US' practice of creating "exclusive circles" and playing off one faction against another in the region. It genuinely contributes to achieving peace and stability in the region.
Gallant and Austin also discussed the continued skirmishes on Israels border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah forces are launching rockets, missiles and drones on almost daily basis

Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Israels defense minister Yoav Gallant spoke with US Defense Secretary General Lloyd Austin about the ongoing efforts to release the hostages held by the Palestinian terrorist group in Gaza.

In a summary of the conversation between Gallant and Austin, office of Israels defence minister said during the call, Gallant thanked Austin and the US government for their involvement in various efforts to release the hostages, and provided updates about the progress being made to dismantle Hamas as well as end the terror groups 16-year rule of the Gaza Strip.

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During the call, the two defence officials also discussed the continued skirmishes on Israels border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah forces are launching rockets, missiles and drones on almost daily basis.

Gallant also thanked Austin for his personal support for Israels security and for various actions being taken by the US to stabilise the region, his office adds.

Meanwhile, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder described the call as reiterating US support for Israels right to defend itself and the importance of ensuring uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza."

Secretary Austin reaffirmed the US. commitment to the pursuit of diplomacy to resolve tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border and the shared goal of avoiding regional escalation, the Pentagon added.

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With inputs from agencies
French President Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest at 75th Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path, the ceremonial boulevard in the heart of the national capital, New Delhi

Lets celebrate! said French President Emmanuel Macron, the chief guest of Republic Day 2024, wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and people of India on this day.

Sharing a selfie on X (formerly Twitter) with PM Modi, clicked outside Jaipurs Hawa Mahal on Thursday, Macron wrote: My dear friend Narendra Modi, Indian people, My warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you. Lets celebrate!

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My dear friend @NarendraModi,

Indian people,



My warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you.



Lets celebrate! pic.twitter.com/e5kg1PEc0p  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2024

Macron is the chief guest at 75th Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path, the ceremonial boulevard in the heart of the national capital, New Delhi.

PM Modi was the guest of honour at the prestigious Bastille Day Parade in Paris in July last.

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Macron began his two-day visit to India on Thursday. PM Modi and Macron held wide-ranging talks to further consolidate India-France strategic cooperation, especially in areas of defence, security, trade and clean energy, after the French leader was accorded a red-carpet welcome in Jaipur.

The talks took place at a 19th century palace after PM Modi and Macron held a roadshow from the astronomical observation site of Jantar Mantar to iconic Hawa Mahal in the Pink City.

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PM Modi also hosted a banquet for Macron and the members of his delegation at the hotel.

As per reports, the talks between the two leaders at Taj Rambagh Palace largely focused on boosting cooperation in defence, trade, space, cyber domain, besides ways to bolster engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

Macrons visit to India is taking place as top negotiators from the both the sides are eyeing to seal two mega defence deals providing for Indias procurement of 26 Rafale-M (marine version) fighter jets and three French designed Scorpene submarines.

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The visit shows the deep mutual trust and unwavering friendship underpinning Indo-French ties, a French readout said on Wednesday.

President Macrons visit will consolidate the ambitious renewal of the France-India strategic partnership that the two leaders decided on in Paris on July 14 through the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, it said.

Horizon 2047 is a blueprint to significantly bolster the ties when the two sides will celebrate the centenary of diplomatic relations.

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On Friday, Macron will witness the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest. A 95-member marching contingent and 33-member band contingent from France will take part in the parade. Two Rafale fighter jets and an Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft of the French air force will also feature in the celebrations. The French marching contingent from the French Foreign Legion features six Indians.

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Macron will also attend the At Home reception by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He is also scheduled to hold a meeting with Murmu at 7:10 pm.

With inputs from PTI
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is in India for Republic Day 2024 celebrations, said his country will facilitate the visa process for any former Indian students who studied in France

French President Emmanuel Macron, who in the chief guest for Indias Republic Day 2024, Friday specified how he plans to achieve a very ambitious target of 30,000 Indian students in France in 2030. He also said, I am determined to make it happen.

India and France have so much to do together, now and in the future. We will achieve this with you, our young people, in exchange cooperation, in trust, in friendship! the French President said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

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30,000 Indian students in France in 2030: Macrons 4-point plan

1- Macron said France is launching new pathways in order to learn French in public schools with the initiative French for All, French for a Better Future

2- France is also developing the network of Alliance Francaise, with new centres to learn French

3- The country is also creating international classes which will enable students, who do not necessarily speak French, to join universities in France

4- We will facilitate the visa process for any former Indian students who studied in France

Macron further said, coming to France means looking for excellence.

He further said, France now has 35 universities in the QS ranking, and about 15 in the Times higher education ranking.

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30,000 Indian students in France in 2030.



Its a very ambitious target, but I am determined to make it happen.



Heres how: pic.twitter.com/QDpOl4ujWb  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2024

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In October last year, Ambassador of France to India, Thierry Mathou, said Macron conveyed that France is willing to welcome 30,000 Indian students within its higher institutions by 2030.

Mathou had said Indian students willing to go to France for higher studies sometimes face visa related issues which may no longer be the case. He also said France believes that when an Indian student spends even just a semester in France, it creates a connection that ought to be fostered and cherished.

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Since last summer, Indian students who hold a Masters degree or above and have spent at least a semester studying in France are eligible for a 5-year short-stay Schengen visa. Mathou said this is a special provision for Indian alumni to enable them to keep close links with France and their French counterparts.
Spiegel, which claimed to have seen portions of the research, claimed that accusations that Chancellor Olaf Scholzs administration was ignoring the nations own citizens in favor of supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia were a recurring topic

According to a media source on Friday, January 26, Germany has discovered a significant pro-Russian disinformation campaign that uses thousands of fictitious X accounts to attempt and incite resentment at Berlins backing for Ukraine.

The disclosures coincide with escalating apprehension regarding the potential influence of ever intricate disinformation operations on electoral outcomes.

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News weekly Der Spiegel said that between December 20 and January 20, 2021, messages on the web platform X, formerly known as Twitter, were monitored by specialists hired by the German foreign ministry using specialized software.

It is reported that they discovered over 50,000 fictitious user profiles, which collectively generated over a million tweets in German.

Spiegel, which claimed to have seen portions of the research, claimed that accusations that Chancellor Olaf Scholzs administration was ignoring the nations own citizens in favor of supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia were a recurring topic.

Spiegel stated that the accounts frequently connected to fictitious news articles on websites that mimicked those of legitimate media sources, prompting experts to associate it with the Russia-affiliated Doppelganger operation that is already well-known to law enforcement.

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The findings coincide with growing concerns about the potential impact of highly skilled disinformation efforts on elections.

In eastern Germany, where the far-right AfD party is leading in the polls, three regional elections are being held this year.

Approximately 400 million individuals in the European Union will be able to cast ballots in the June European Parliament election.

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This week, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell issued a warning, stating that 2024 will be a critical year in the fight against misinformation spread by entities like Russia.

He forewarned that elections will turn into the prime target for malign foreign actors.

For the next two years, misinformation is the biggest concern, according to the World Economic Forum.

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(With agency inputs)
The court in The Hague, Netherlands, ordered a total of six provisional measures on Friday as it considers the genocide charges that South Africa brought against Israel. South Africa requested interim steps since the proceedings could take several years.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly instructed members of his cabinet to refrain from responding to the International Court of Justices provisional ruling in South Africas genocide case against Israel.

National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi conveyed Netanyahus directive, urging government ministers to refrain from public statements until an official government position is released on the matter.

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The move came after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take steps to try to reduce further deaths and damage in the Gaza Strip but stopped short of demanding a stop to the blistering offensive that has decimated the Palestinian territory.

The court in The Hague, Netherlands, ordered a total of six provisional measures on Friday as it considers the genocide charges that South Africa brought against Israel. South Africa requested interim steps since the proceedings could take several years.

During a one-hour hearing in The Hague, Netherlands, Judge Joan E. Donoghue listed the steps the court is demanding while it considers genocide charges that South Africa brought against Israel over the tens of thousands civilian casualties from its military campaign against Hamas.

The orders call on Israel to take all steps within its power to prevent a genocide, to make sure that any evidence that could point toward genocide is not destroyed, and to prevent and punish public incitement that could encourage genocide.

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Israel also must also take immediate and effective measures to ensure the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Court President Joan E. Donoghue said there were enough elements in South Africas arguments to continue the genocide case but that Israeli troops had to do much more in the meantime to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

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She said the court was of the view that Israel must take measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide.

The six interim actions that the U.N.s top court ordered Israel to take to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza received broad support among the 17 judges participating in the genocide case South Africa brought against Israel.

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Many of the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice on Friday were endorsed by an overwhelming majority of the panel, which included an Israeli judge who voted with the majority on several orders.

The Israeli judge, Aharon Barak, wrote in a separate opinion that although I am convinced there is no plausibility of genocide, he voted for two of the measures. He said he joined the majority in ordering Israel to refrain from public incitement in the hope that the measure will help to decrease tensions and discourage damaging rhetoric.

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He said he voted for a measure about ensuring humanitarian aid in the hope that it will alleviate the consequences of the armed conflict for the most vulnerable.

During a one-hour reading of the courts findings in The Hague, Netherlands, Israel was criticized time and again for its extraordinary use of force in Gaza, for top officials inciting the public in a way that dehumanized Palestinians, and for the tens of thousands of dead and wounded among the territorys civilian population.

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With inputs from AP.
India is pursuing an independent foreign policy, which is not easy in todays world. But, India with a population of 1.5 billion has the right to do so. And under the leadership of the Prime Minister, that right is being realised, said Putin, according to a report

Russian President Vladimir Putin commended the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and acknowledged Indias commitment to maintaining an independent foreign policy, a challenging feat in todays global landscape, according to Russia Today.

Addressing the university students in Kaliningrad Region on Russian Student Day on Thursday, Russia Today quoted Putin as saying, India has one of the highest rates of economic development and growth in the world, and that too is due to the leadership qualities of incumbent Prime Minister. It was during his leadership that India reached such a pace.

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He said that Russia can depend on India and its leadership, as its assured that New Delhi wont engage in games against them on the international stage.

#VladimirPutin Warns Outside Forces Not to 'Play Games' for Political Clout in #India



"Playing games" with India related to influence on its politics from outside has no future  the country pursues a nationally-oriented leadership, the Russian leader said. pic.twitter.com/IUOd7Hf8JY  Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) January 25, 2024

India is pursuing an independent foreign policy, which is not easy in todays world. But, India with a population of 1.5 billion has the right to do so. And under the leadership of the Prime Minister, that right is being realised. This is not just statement, it is important from the point of organising joint work because it gives us the opportunity to forecast the actions of our partners in medium and long terms, Russia Today quoted Putin as saying.

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He added, This is important in practical work. Can we rely on a country and its leadership to cooperate or will it take decisions that do not even correspond to its national interest. With India, such games dont exist.

The Russian President also lauded Indias Make in India initiative and said that Russia is one of the highest investors in the country and is further looking forward to make huge investments there.

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India has made huge steps in development, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His campaign Make in India has been heard by many including Russia. And we are trying with our Indian friends to bring to life all these plansthe largest foreign investment in India has come from Russia. USD 23 billion was invested by our company Roseneft, acquidition of an oil refinery, a network of gas stations, a port and so on, Putin said.

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He also spoke about Indias diverse culture and the popularity of Indian movies in Russia.

India is a great culture. Very interesting, diverse & colourful. Russia is probably one of the few countries where Indian films are regularly broadcast on national television channels. I don't know of any other country like that. There are a lot of things that connect us: #Putin pic.twitter.com/xblHz6EWlK  Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) January 25, 2024

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India is a great culture. Its diverse and colourful. Russia is probably the few places around the world where Indian movies are broadcast on national television, the Russian President added.

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Recently, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was on a visit to Russia from December 25-29 last year, as a part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between the two sides.

During his visit, the EAM called on Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and held discussions with several top leaders.

During the visit, India signed three documents relating to the Kudan Kulam Nuclear Power Plants, an MoU on cooperation in pharmaceuticals and healthcare and a Protocol on Foreign Office Consultation, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

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With inputs from agencies
Around 95 French troops, a 30-member band contingent from France marched down the Kartavya Path in New Delhi and participated in Republic Day 2024 parade

French President Emmanuel Macron, chief guest for Republic Day 2024, thanked India on Friday and said it was a great honor for France as a combined band and marching contingent of French Armed Forces took part in parade at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi.

A great honor for France.

Thank you, India. pic.twitter.com/fXfp4hdCsb  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2024

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French Rafales, marching contingent take part in Republic Day 2024 parade

Two Rafale fighter jets flanked by a multi-role tanker transport aircraft of the French Space and Air Force roared through Delhis sky as India celebrated its 75th Republic Day at a grand parade on Friday.

As soon as around 95 French troops marched down the Kartavya Path at the heart of the national capital, the whizzing warplanes pierced the morning sky making thousands of spectators crane their necks in wonder.

A 30-member band contingent from France also drew attention at the grand parade.

Not the first

It was the second time the French armed forces participated in Indias Republic Day celebrations. In 2016, French troops became the first foreign military contingent to participate in the biggest ceremonial event of the country.

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About French contigent participating in Republic Day 2024 parade

The French military contingent that participated in Indias Republic Day 2024 parade comprised six Indians. It was led by Captain Noel Louis.

The contingent belonged to the Corps of French Foreign Legion, which is an elite military corps that is open to foreigners who want to serve in the French Army. Set up in 1831, the French Foreign Legion is an integral part of the French Army. At present, it has almost 9,500 officers and legionnaires.

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Macron, Republic Day 2024 chief guest

Indias President Droupadi Murmu and Macron arrived on the Kartavya Path in the national capital on Friday morning for 75th Republic Day celebrations in a traditional buggy, which made a comeback after 40 years.

#WATCH | President Droupadi Murmu and French President Emmanuel Macron riding in a special presidential carriage escorted by the President's Bodyguard make their way to Kartavya Path pic.twitter.com/F4hOovJoua  ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2024

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Both Indian and French presidents were escorted by the Presidents Bodyguard Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak. The Presidents Bodyguard is the senior most regiment of the Indian Army.

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This Republic Day is special for this elite Regiment as the Angrakshak have completed 250 years of service since its raising in 1773.

VIDEO | President Droupadi Murmu unfurls the Tricolour at Kartavya Path, Delhi, on the occasion of 75th Republic Day.#RepublicDay2024 #RepublicDayIndia pic.twitter.com/hOsYoTKgap  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 26, 2024

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Macron watched Indias 75th Republic Day celebrations at the majestic Kartavya Path, joining a select group of global leaders to have graced the nations biggest ceremonial in the last seven decades.

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As the chief guest at the ceremony, Macron witnessed the grand military parade and the cultural performances along with President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, members of the Union Cabinet, foreign diplomats and a host of other dignitaries.

It was the sixth time that a French leader was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.

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With inputs from PTI
Antony Blinken said President Joe Biden has termed the United States relationship with India one of the most consequential in the world

India is celebrating its 75th Republic Day Friday. US Secretary of state Antony Blinken congratulated people of the country on this day and hoped to deepen the vibrant people-to-people ties between our nations.

Blinken said President Joe Biden has termed the United States relationship with India one of the most consequential in the world.

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In a statement, Blinken further said the past year has been marked by important milestones in our Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership, including our cooperation throughout Indias successful G20 Presidency and at the G20 Leaders Summit.

In the year ahead, we look forward to further deepening the vibrant people-to-people ties between our countries and advancing our ambitious agenda for cooperation on our most vital priorities, Blinken further said.

On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of India on Indias Republic Day. The Constitution of India continues to provide an enduring framework for the worlds largest democracy and a foundation for its global leadership I warmly extend my best wishes to the Indian people as they celebrate this special occasion, he added.

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Republic Day marks the adoption of Indias constitution and the countrys transition to a republic on 26 January, 1950.

The celebrations, on this day every year, include spectacular military and cultural pageantry. The national capital witnesses elaborate display of military might with the Indian armed forces marching along the Kartavya Path.

The celebrations, inaugurated with a grand parade, are held in New Delhi from Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidents House), along the Kartavya Path, past India Gate, and onto the historic Red Fort.

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The day also sees ceremonious parades taking place at the Kartavya Path, which is performed as a tribute to India, its unity in diversity, and its rich cultural heritage by the states of India by building beautiful tableaus.

With inputs from agencies
Evan Gershkovich, citizen of US accredited by Russias Foreign Ministry to work as a journalist, was detained on 29 March, 2023, by FSB agents during a reporting trip

Jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested on charges of espionage, will have to remain in custody until 30 March, 2024, a Moscow court ruled Friday. The ruling marked the fourth extension of the US citizens detention since he was taken into custody in March last year. This also means that he is set to spend at least a year behind bars before a trial begins.

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Gershkovich (32) was arrested in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg. He has been denying the charges levied on him. The US says he has been wrongly wrongfully held in Russia. The charges of espionage carry up to 20 years in prison.

Also, Gershkovich is the first American journalist to be charged with espionage in Russia since the end of the Cold War.

On Friday, in a closed hearing at Lefortovo District Court, a judge granted the request of investigators from the Federal Security Service (FSB) that Gershkovich remain behind bars awaiting trial until March 30.

The extension of Gershkovichs detention comes amid continued efforts by the Biden administration to win his release. His case has triggered bipartisan condemnation, with the House of Representatives unanimously voting last June to approve a resolution calling on Russia to immediately free the reporter.

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Why was Evan Gershkovich arrested?

Gershkovich, citizen of US accredited by Russias Foreign Ministry to work as a journalist, was detained on 29 March, 2023, by FSB agents during a reporting trip. Russian investigators havent publicly presented evidence to back up their espionage allegation against him. He is being held at Moscows Lefortovo Prison.

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Russia has said it is acting in accordance with its own laws.

The US also considers another American, Michigan corporate-security executive Paul Whelan, to be wrongfully detained in Russia. Whelan is a former US Marine who was convicted of espionage in 2020 and is serving a 16-year sentence in a Russian penal colony. He and his family and the US government say he isnt a spy.

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In December last year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US is looking for the right way to work with Russia for the return of both Gershkovich and Whelan.

Another American, Alsu Kurmasheva, who holds dual US-Russian citizenship and is a journalist for Prague-based Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was taken into custody in October on a charge that she failed to register as a foreign agent. The offense carries a potential jail term of up to five years.

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Last month, Russian authorities opened a new criminal case against her on an allegation that she spread false information about Russias military. Her company, meanwhile, said she wasnt doing any reporting in Russia during her visit. If convicted on this charge, she could be sentenced to up to 15 years of imprisonment.

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Kurmashevas family, her employer and supporters say they believe she is being targeted for being a journalist and an American.
Basically, China says: If our interests are harmed in any way, it will impact our business with Tehran. So tell the Houthis to show restraint, Iranian official briefed on the talks said, according to a report

Chinese authorities have reportedly urged Iranian officials to intervene and mitigate assaults on vessels in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Houthis, cautioning that failure to do so could adversely affect business ties with Beijing, Reuters quoted four Iranian sources and a diplomat familiar with the issue as saying .

The talks concerning the attacks and trade dynamics between China and Iran occurred during various recent gatherings in Beijing and Tehran, according to the Iranian sources, who refrained from specifying the timing or attendees of these discussions.

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Basically, China says: If our interests are harmed in any way, it will impact our business with Tehran. So tell the Houthis to show restraint, Iranian official briefed on the talks told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

The assaults, purportedly backed by the Houthis in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have heightened shipping and insurance expenses by obstructing a vital trade passage connecting Asia and Europe, heavily utilized by Chinese vessels.

According to four Iranian sources, Chinese authorities refrained from issuing explicit remarks or warnings regarding potential repercussions on Beijings trade ties with Iran due to Houthi assaults impacting its interests.

Despite China maintaining its position as Irans primary trading ally over the last ten years, their trade alliance remains lopsided.

Chinese oil refiners, for example, bought over 90% of Irans crude exports last year, according to tanker tracking data from trade analytics firm Kpler, as US sanctions kept many other customers away and Chinese firms profited from heavy discounts.

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Iranian oil, though, only accounts for 10% of Chinas crude imports and Beijing has an array of suppliers that could plug shortfalls from elsewhere.

The Iranian sources told Reuters that Beijing had made it clear it would be very disappointed with Tehran if any vessels linked to China were hit, or the countrys interests were affected in any way.

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But while China was important to Iran, Tehran also had proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, besides the Houthis in Yemen, and its regional alliances and priorities played a major role in its decision making, one of the Iranian insiders said.

Asked for comment about meetings with Iran to discuss the Red Sea attacks, Chinas ministry of foreign affairs told Reuters, China is a sincere friend of the countries of the Middle East and is committed to promoting regional security and stability and seeking common development and prosperity.

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We firmly support Middle Eastern countries in strengthening their strategic independence and uniting and collaborating to resolve regional security issues, it added.

Irans foreign ministry was not immediately available to comment.

Axis of resistance

Military strikes by US and British forces on Houthi targets in Yemen this month have failed to stop attacks on shipping by the group, which controls a large chunk of Yemen including the capital Sanaa and much of the countrys Red Sea coast by the Bab al-Mandab strait.

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The Houthis, who first emerged in the 1980s as an armed group in opposition to Saudi Arabias Sunni religious influence in Yemen, are armed, funded and trained by Iran and are part of its anti-West, anti-Israel Axis of Resistance.

A senior US official said Washington had asked China to use its leverage with Iran to persuade it to restrain the Houthis, including in conversations Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had this month with senior Chinese Communist Party official Liu Jianchao.

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A senior Iranian official said while Chinese officials discussed their concerns thoroughly in the meetings, they never mentioned any requests from Washington.

On Jan. 14, Chinas foreign minister Wang Yi called for an end to attacks on civilian ships in the Red Sea - without naming the Houthis or mentioning Iran - and the maintenance of supply chains and the international trade order.

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Victor Gao, chair professor at Chinas Soochow University, said China, as the worlds biggest trading nation, was disproportionately affected by the shipping disruption and restoring stability in the Red Sea was a priority.

But Gao, a former Chinese diplomat and an adviser to oil giant Saudi Aramco, said Beijing would view Israels treatment of the Palestinians as the root cause of the Red Sea crisis and would not want to publicly ascribe blame to the Houthis.

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A U.S State Department spokesperson declined to comment when asked about bilateral Iran-China discussions on the issue.

A diplomat familiar with the matter said China had been talking to Iran about the issue but it was unclear how seriously Tehran was taking Beijings advice.

Two officials in the Yemeni government, an enemy of the Houthis, said they were aware that several countries, including China, had sought to influence Iran to rein the Houthis in.

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Analysts Gregory Brew of Eurasia Group and Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group said China had potential leverage over Iran because of its oil purchases and because Iran was hoping to attract more Chinese direct investment in future.

However, both said China had so far been reluctant to use its leverage, for several reasons.

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China prefers to free-ride on the U.S. safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea by bloodying the Houthis nose, said Vaez, adding that Beijing was also aware that Iran did not have total control over its Yemeni allies.

Influence not absolute

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam said on Thursday that Iran to date had not conveyed any message from China about scaling back attacks.

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They will not inform us of such a request, especially since Irans stated position is to support Yemen. It condemned the American-British strikes on Yemen, and considered Yemens position honourable and responsible, he said.

The four Iranian sources said it was unclear whether Iran would take any action following the discussions with Beijing.

The stakes are high for Iran as China is one of the few powers capable of providing the billions of dollars of investment Tehran needs to maintain the capacity of its oil sector and keep its economy afloat.

Chinas influence was evident in 2023 when it facilitated an agreement between Iran and regional rival Saudi Arabia to end years of hostilities.

Yet while there are robust economic ties between China and Iran, Beijings influence on Tehrans geopolitical decisions was not absolute, one of the Iranian insiders said.

Some within Irans ruling establishment have questioned the value of the partnership with Beijing, pointing to relatively low non-oil trade and investment volumes since China and Iran signed a 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021.

Iranian state media says Chinese firms have only invested $185 million since then. State media also said last year that Iranian non-oil exports to China fell 68% in the first five months of 2023 while Irans imports from China rose 40%.

By contrast, Chinese companies committed last year to invest billions in Saudi Arabia after the countries signed a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022.

Two of the Iranian insiders said while China could not be ignored, Tehran had other priorities to consider and its decisions were shaped by a complex interplay of factors.

Regional alliances and priorities as well as ideological considerations contribute significantly to Tehrans decisions, one of the people said.

The second person said Irans rulers had to adopt a nuanced strategy when it came to the Gaza war, as well as the Houthi attacks, and that Tehran would not abandon its allies.

Irans role as leader of its Axis of Resistance - which includes the Houthis, Lebanons Hezbollah, Hamas and militias in Iraq and Syria - had to be balanced against avoiding getting sucked into a regional war over Gaza, the Iranian sources said.

Tehrans messaging to - and about - the Houthis required a measure of deniability about the extent of its control over them - but also an ability to claim some credit for their anti-Israel actions, one of the people said.

With inputs from agencies




Illustration: Liu Xidan/GT

(Global Times) The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Wednesday kicked off "Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024," its largest military drills since the Cold War. Approximately 90,000 troops from NATO's 31 members and Sweden are participating, with the associated exercises running until May 31. Russian media said NATO has openly admitted for the first time that the exercise is in response to a "Russian attack" and aims to convey to Western populations that "this war is inevitable."

The exercise comes at two crucial junctures - the Russia-Ukraine conflict is entering its third year, and the US is in an election year. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine shows no signs of abating. With the Ukrainian military consistently facing setbacks on the battlefield, NATO, as the instigator of this conflict, has chosen to exert military pressure on Russia. Experts believe that NATO's goal is to continue shaping the "Russian threat," gain support from EU citizens for its anti-Russia policies, and justify further defense spending and economic pressure on Russia.

This NATO exercise will further escalate tensions in Europe, said Wang Xianju, a senior research fellow at the School of Global and Area Studies at Renmin University of China. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for nearly two years, with the international community advocating for peace. However, NATO is going against the tide, provoking and pressuring Russia through large-scale military exercises, thus creating confrontation across the world.

Meanwhile, the attention and energy of the Biden administration are increasingly consumed by the upcoming presidential elections, making it unable to continue providing the necessary support for Ukraine's conventional warfare. The financial and military assistance that the Western alliance can currently provide to Ukraine is insufficient to sustain its resistance against Russia. Therefore, NATO aims to use large-scale military exercises to deter Russia.

In addition to perpetuating the Russia-Ukraine conflict, another alarming trend of NATO is its attempt to expand into the Asia-Pacific region. The outbreak and prolonged nature of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, coupled with global disorder and changes, have given NATO, which French President Emmanuel Macron once described as "experiencing the brain death," an opportunity to catch its breath and extend its existence, and try to achieve its geopolitical ambitions through wild means.

NATO is not satisfied with its footprint in Europe and North America, therefore it continuously seeks expansion by enticing Asia-Pacific countries such as Japan and South Korea on board. It even follows the US script, hyping up the "China threat" and meddling in Asian affairs. Last week, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg claimed that NATO is not moving into Asia, yet China approaches NATO. This argument is extremely absurd and is NATO's preparation in terms of public opinion for further expansion into the Asia-Pacific region. Former Australian prime minister Paul Keating once said that the Europeans have been fighting each other for the better part of 300 years, including giving two World Wars in the last century, and "exporting that malicious poison to Asia would be akin to Asia welcoming the plague."

NATO is the spokesperson and enforcer of US interests, military expert Song Zhongping told the Global Times. NATO is actually dominated by the will of the US, swept up in the panic and tension incited by the US, becoming Washington's axe, spear, and shovel. NATO claims that China's behavior violates "NATO core principles of democracy, the rule of law, and freedom of expression," echoing the US' labeling of China and Russia as the "axis of evil."

As a product of the Cold War, NATO should have been consigned to the trash heap of history after the end of the Cold War. However, under the influence of the US, NATO not only intensifies the crisis in Europe but also plots expansion into Asia. Asian countries must remain highly vigilant to this.


Turkeys move was welcomed by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Sweden has moved a step closer to joining NATO as Turkey has finalised the ratification of the previously nonaligned Nordic country to be a member of the military alliance.

Now, Hungary remains the only NATO ally not to have ratified Swedens accession.

Turkeys move was welcomed by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

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Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Kristersson said: With this, a key milestone has been reached in Swedens path towards NATO membership.

Welcome Turkiyes approval of the ratification of Swedens NATO accession. With this, a key milestone has been reached in Swedens path towards NATO membership.  SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) January 25, 2024

We welcome Turkish President Erdogans signature of the Articles of Ratification for Swedens NATO membership. We look forward to receiving the instruments in Washington and welcoming Sweden as NATOs 32nd Ally. Sweden and the Alliance are stronger together, Blinken said.

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We welcome Turkish President Erdogans signature of the Articles of Ratification for Swedens @NATO membership. We look forward to receiving the instruments in Washington and welcoming Sweden as NATOs 32nd Ally. Sweden and the Alliance are stronger together.  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 26, 2024

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After over 20 months delay, the parliament of Turkey endorsed Swedens accession in a vote held Tuesday that frustrated other allies who argued Swedens entry would strengthen NATO.

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On Thursday, the parliaments endorsement of Swedens membership and a presidential decree approving its accession protocol were published in Turkeys official gazette, concluding the ratification process in the country.

Following Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Sweden and Finland abandoned its traditional position of military nonalignment to seek protection under NATOs security umbrella. Finland joined the alliance in April, becoming NATOs 31st member, after Turkeys parliament ratified the Nordic countrys bid.

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But Swedens bid was not approved by Turkey as the country accused the former of being too lenient toward groups that Ankara regards as security threats. It sought a series of concessions from Stockholm, including moves to counter Kurdish militants.

Turkey also had been angered by a series of demonstrations by supporters of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, in Sweden as well as Quran-burning protests that roiled Muslim countries.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later also linked the ratification to Turkeys desire to buy fighter jets from the United States. He has also called on Canada and other NATO allies to lift arms embargoes imposed on Turkey over human rights concerns.

Ankara has requested 40 new F-16 fighter jets as well as kits to modernize its existing fleet. U.S. administration officials have said they expect relatively quick action on the F-16 sale after Turkeys ratification.

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During the vote on Tuesday, the ruling party said Swedens tougher stance on Kurdish militants was key to winning approval.

Senior ruling party legislator Fuat Oktay said Sweden has amended its anti-terrorism laws, curbed the PKKs financial activities, convicted a terrorism suspect and extradited another, and lifted restrictions on arms sales to Turkey.

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Meanwhile, a vote on the protocols for Swedens NATO accession hasnt yet appeared on the Hungarian parliaments agenda, and barring a surprise emergency session, the matter is unlikely to go before lawmakers until at least late February.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban says his government is in favor of bringing Sweden into NATO, though he also has suggested that members of his governing Fidesz party remain unconvinced because of blatant lies from some Swedish politicians about the state of Hungarys democracy.

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With inputs from AP
UNRWA has provided aid and used its facilities to shelter people fleeing bombardment and a ground offensive launched by Israel in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attacks, in which Israel says 1,200 people were killed and 253 people taken hostage.

The United Nations aid agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) has opened an investigation into several employees suspected of involvement in the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel by Hamas and that it had severed ties with these staff members.

UNRWA, established in 1949 following the first Arab-Israeli war, provides services including schooling, primary healthcare and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

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The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7, said Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General.

To protect the agencys ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay.

Israels blistering ground and air offensive has decimated vast swaths of Gaza during the nearly 4-month-old war. The conflict broke out on Oct. 7 when Hamas terrorists stormed southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting some 250.

UNRWA has provided aid and used its facilities to shelter people fleeing bombardment and a ground offensive launched by Israel in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attacks, in which Israel says 1,200 people were killed and 253 people taken hostage.

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These shocking allegations come as more than 2 million people in Gaza depend on lifesaving assistance that the agency has been providing since the war began, Lazzarini said.

Israels offensive has laid waste to much of the densely populated Gaza Strip and killed more than 25,000 Palestinians.

UNRWA, whose biggest donors in 2022 were the United States, Germany, the European Union and Sweden, has repeatedly said its capacity to render humanitarian assistance to people in Gaza is on the verge of collapse.

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With inputs from Reuters.
An immediate issue of concern to both countries is tensions in the Red Sea that have upended global trade by forcing many shippers to avoid the Suez Canal.

China ties and Taiwan are expected topics to be discussed at a meeting between U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangkok today.

This meeting builds on a pledge by the leaders of the worlds two largest economies to deepen dialogue. The topics, including Chinas relationship with the United States and the issue of Taiwan, are likely to be significant points of discussion in the ongoing diplomatic dialogue between the two nations.

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During the new round of meetings, (Wang) will state Chinas position on China-U.S. relations, including the Taiwan issue, and exchange views with the U.S. side on international and regional issues of common interest, a ministry spokesperson told reporters at a regular press conference.

National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said their planned meeting continues the commitment by both sides at the November 2023 Woodside Summit between President Biden and President Xi to maintain strategic communication and responsibly manage the relationship.

That summit meeting was seen as an effort to patch up frayed relations due to quarrels over a range of economic and geopolitical issues.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin confirmed that Wang Yi plans to meet with Sullivan.

An immediate issue of concern to both countries is tensions in the Red Sea that have upended global trade by forcing many shippers to avoid the Suez Canal.

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The officials will meet on Friday and Saturday, a little more than two months after U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for about four hours on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco.

Biden and Xi agreed to open a presidential hotline, resume military-to-military communications, and work to curb fentanyl production but remained at odds over Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory over the strong objections of the Taipei government.

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Sullivan, who reports directly to Biden, met with Thailands Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Ankara on Friday, according to a statement from the Thai foreign ministry. Both sides discussed cooperation on security, clean energy, trade, and the crisis in Myanmar during the meeting.
Eurasian oystercatchers spotted in Xiamen, SE China's Fujian

People's Daily Online) 10:20, January 26, 2024

The black and white wings of the Eurasian oystercatchers stand out against the backdrop of the blue sea and sky. (Photo/Jiang Ling)

A group of Eurasian oystercatchers recently arrived in a mudflat area in Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. With their distinctive carrot-shaped and brightly colored beaks, they stood out among the other seabirds, creating a beautiful scene in the nearby waters.

"The Eurasian oystercatcher is classified as a near-threatened bird species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. It has black and white feathers and a unique red or orange beak, which it uses to open shells and feed on shellfish, crustaceans, worms, sandworms, and small fish," said Ke Yukun, a member of the Xiamen Bird Watching Association.

The Eurasian oystercatcher is found in northern China and migrates to the southern coast for the winter. The number of Eurasian oystercatchers observed this time has significantly increased compared to previous data, to about 70 of them.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
 [  ]  2024-01-26 14:09:48 .

We recently visited Mexico during the holidays. What impressed me the most were not the white sands, the turquoise sea water, the bunch of coconuts hanging on the palm trees, but the cenotes! What are cenotes A cenote is a natural pit or a sinkholeresulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater. The cenote we visited was Cenote Azul, one of the largest and most beautiful cenotes located at Riviera Maya. For unknown reasons, I am not able to upload the short videos to the post. The following poor-quality pictures are from screenshots of videos I took but you may still notice the crystal-clear water of the cenote. "however, I did see a couple of fish swim in the waterAre you able to identify them Lots of people jumped into the cenote to swim which was big fun! Some of them threw their sandals into the water first, and some of them jumped in the water together, and some of them still took selfie videos while jumping. The camera must be waterproof If someday you have a chance to visit Mexico, I highly recommend visiting the cenotes. The crystal clear water is going to cleanse your mind and your heart. It is going to refresh you both physically and spiritually ********* The following are from Wiki: A cenote ( or ; Latin American Spanish: [se?note]) is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater. The term originated on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, where cenotes were commonly used for water supplies by the ancient Maya, and occasionally for sacrificial offerings. The term derives from a word used by the lowland Yucatec Mayats?ono?otto refer to any location with accessible groundwater.[2][3] In Mexico the Yucatan Peninsula alone has an estimated 10,000 cenotes,[4] water-filled sinkholes naturally formed by the collapse of limestone, located across the peninsula. Some of these cenotes are at risk from the construction of the new tourist Maya Train.[4] Cenotes are common geological forms in low-altitude regions, particularly on islands, coastlines, and platforms with young post-Paleozoic limestone with little soil development. The term cenote, originally used only to describe the features in Yucatan, has since been applied to similar karst features in other countries such as Cuba, Australia, and the United States.
1996 F150 - Ignition Control Module (ICM) Replacement - Code P1351

Hello - hello, this is my first post after spending endless hours reading this forum over the years



I have done a ton of research on ICM replacement for my 1996 F-150 w/ 302 engine. I've owned the truck for about 5 years and the P1351 code has always been on, but had no drivability issues.



Finally got around to check it out and here is where I am at.



The ICM is located on the driver side fender (rather than on the distributor) sitting in a heat sink. The current ICM is grey, and I believe that (1) the ICM was previously replaced as part of the wiring harness clip is broken and (2) I believe that the ICM should be black, not grey. All Data seems to confirm that 1996 F150s are CCM (rather than push start) and my online research generally points to the black ICMs being compatible with CCM while the grey ICMs are not (and will trigger the 1351 code while remaining drivable)



So here is my dead end: Generally, the research points to Motorcraft Part DY-1077 ... However, every online parts store states that this part does not fit my vehicle (and I have seen a few threads with folks stating the 1351 code came back with DY-1077). There are other parts I have looked at: DY-1075 and DY-1076 - but these are grey and the online parts stores also state that these do not fit.



The part that I found which I have the most confidence is: Standard LX241 - which is black, multiple online stores confirm fitment, and product description clearly states "With Heat Sink; Remote Mounted Module"



My issue with the Standard part is that I would strongly prefer to use a Motorcraft part - but cannot find the Motorcraft part # that clearly checks all of the boxes (vehicle fitment, with heat sink, remote mount).



Does anyone out there know the correct Motorcraft part # for this vehicle/setup or confirm that Motorcraft DY-1077 is the correct part (despite what the online parts stores state)



Greatly appreciate the help!!
Aaron and Kylee Schoen, owners of Wicked Good Foods in Beatrice, were recently awarded a History Nebraska grant for the restoration of the historic building on Ella Street.

The brick building was originally built in 1904 and was the site of the original Dole Floral Company.

The couple shares the building with Bagby Travel.

Aaron said he enjoys history, and wanted to do it right.

I did some research and wanted to do this right, he said. There were three awards across the state, but we were the only one in Beatrice. 

He noted the grant was to assist with the roof. He estimated it would cost about $80,000 to do the roof correctly. The grant will cover approximately $30,000.

I want to restore the building to its original look, he said. Eventually I hope to put some of the spheres up on the corner of the building and bring it back to the way it looked.

The couple also owns the historic Burwood Hotel building on the Southwest corner of Fifth and Court.

It has the oldest original walls in the city, he said. It was limestone, and we wont be able to replace that, but some of the windows and shutters. I just want to show pride in our community.

They hope to restore the upper level of both buildings and add apartments.

The Schoens will meet with History Nebraska early in February. They expect to complete the roof project in 2025.

Wicked Good Foods ships their freeze-dried foods throughout the United States and to some areas internationally.

The store also showcases products from small businesses throughout Nebraska including honey, dips, and other handmade items.

We want to support our community, Kylee said. Our community has been supportive of our business.

Aaron said they wanted to open a business at the beginning that didnt compete with other businesses in town.

We didnt want to compete with other businesses, he said.

The Schoens are also helping organize a benefit for Chris, Heidi and Justin Bell on Feb. 24 at 19 Pinz Fun Center.

Justin was involved in an accident around Thanksgiving and is struggling with a traumatic brain injury. On New Year's Eve, Heidi suffered a stroke and is also involved in rehabilitation.

Aaron said they really wanted to help the family locally.

Chris is one of those guys that would give the shirt off his back to help anyone, he said. We just want to help them locally.
Never be a bystander

Von: Daniel Robach

Drucken Teilen

Irenes father John, in this picture with her in the Berlin days of the family, died on the train that took them from Bergen-Belsen to safety, following the torture and abuse of the concentration camp.  Irene Butter

Why Irene H. Butter, a survivor of the Holocaust, feels she has a duty to share her story.

This story has also been published in German.

It is more relevant to talk about this today than it was  lets say  ten years ago. Because we can see the rising trend towards Nazism. I feel more and more responsible, I feel it is my duty to tell my story. That is how Irene H. Butter, who was born Irene Hasenberg to a Jewish family in Berlin in 1930, describes why, at 93, she is still active as a witness and survivor of the Holocaust.

In 1937, after the Nazis forced her grandfather and father to give up their bank, the family fled from Nazi persecution to Amsterdam  without her grandparents, who were later deported to Theresienstadt concentration camp and killed. Irenes family themselves were arrested in 1943 and deported to Bergen-Belsen a year later. Thanks to travel documents for Ecuador issued by a supportive person in Sweden, Irene, her father John, her mother Gertrude and her older brother Werner were eventually released from the KZ, but John Hasenberg died on the way to Switzerland following the torture and abuse. The family was temporarily separated in Switzerland, but reunited in the United States where Irene continued to grow up, graduated from Duke University and became a professor of public health at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

One forum in which Irene Butter recently told her life story is the podcast Zeitkapsel: Irene, how did you survive the Holocaust? produced by the German public broadcast station NDR. Four 16-year-old girls from Hamburg asked Butter this very question  and many more: The four girls were very special in probing me and asking very deep questions says Butter. Butter and the teenage girls spoke to each other via video link for a total of 22 hours and finally met in person in Germany: That was a very meaningful experience for me, says Butter.

Irene H. Butter has been telling the story of her survivorship for the past four decades, ans still does so at 93.  Irene Butter

In one of the conversations recorded in the podcast, Butter asserts that by listening to her story and engaging with it, the four girls themselves become witnesses to the horror of the Holocaust. Does she believe that the memory of the Shoah really can be kept alive in that way, even beyond the lives of those who lived through and survived it? Well, its a hope.

Butters lesson from Nazi-persecution: Refuse to be enemies

For Butter, this hope also means that young people in particular need to understand through her experiences what it means to live in a dictatorship hostile to humanity. In the four decades in which she has spoken publicly about the Shoah, the 93-year-old tells Frankfurter Rundschau, she has experienced time and again that those young people are capable of doing so and can identify with her story.

People who have heard her story feel obliged to follow Butters maxims, she says: Never be a bystander, and refuse to be enemies. For Germans today, this means taking a stand against fascism  for example by joining in anti-AfD protests, as about a million people did a week ago.

Irene Hasenberg in Amsterdam, where Nazi persecution caught up with the fleeing family.  Irene Butter

And yet Butter sees growing authoritarian tendencies in her own home country, the USA, and is also closely observing the renewed growth of right-wing extremism in Germany. Yes, in the face of her persecution by the Nazis, this feels like a betrayal to her, says Butter: It shows that people dont learn from history, even if we perhaps learn about history. So what does she think sharing her experiences can achieve? Butter explains it as an act of self-assertion: I eventually made the transition of becoming a survivor instead of a victim  which of course I was. I realized if I think of myself as a survivor, then I am more powerful. I wanted it to be an activist and do things that will make a difference  For Irene Butter, this means doing whatever you can  in your own work, in your personal relations or in contact with political representatives.

The killing in Gaza should not happen.

For Butter, this also applies to the war in Gaza. She has family connections to both Israel and Palestine, and more than 20 years ago she founded the Zeitouna group in Ann Arbor, in which Palestinian and Jewish women discuss the conflict in the Middle East, among other things. After the Holocaust, says Butter, the slogan Never again was repeated all the time. But that was a false promise. Although so many institutions are dedicated to it, there is now the war between Israel and Gaza, and it is just terrifying for me. I feel shame that so many people are being murdered for no reason. It does not need to happen and it should not happen. The memory of the Shoah, she says, ought to oblige all parties of the conflict to abstain from violence. I think unless it is resolved, unless both peoples recognize each other as equals with equal rights and equal freedom and equal opportunities, then this will continue and there will be more war and unnecessary killing.
State of play Great Britain or United Kingdom [1] :

In the history of the world, the United Kingdom distinguished itself in the trade of black slaves torn from their land, Africa; he was the greatest colonizer of the countries of Africa and Asia; without forgetting the conquest of North America and the islands of the world's oceans that he claimed for himself.

The United Kingdom is today an economic, political, military superpower... It is the most influential permanent member of the UN Security Council with the United States and France.

The United Kingdom, with its Allies, is the greatest defender of Human Rights and Democracy in the world!!!

Rwanda :

The smallest country in Africa with 26,338 km2 , totally landlocked and more than 70% rural (active population dependent on working the land!). Rwanda with its 13,461,888 (2021) inhabitants is the most densely populated country in Africa (with more than 500 inhabitants per km2)!

Rwanda is the country in Africa with the largest number of refugees  more than 3 million  scattered in countries around the world. - The United Kingdom could give the number of Rwandan refugees welcomed and to be welcomed on its territory!

All these data place Rwanda among the poorest countries in the world (inflated GNP/inhabitant = 939 dol USA in 2022). Politically, Rwanda is the most unstable country in Africa because, with the current Regime, human rights and democracy have been buried since 1994.

Worse ! All reports from the UN and human rights bodies around the world affirm that the current political regime is responsible for insecurity and crimes, including genocides, in Central Africa (Rwanda, Burundi, DRC , Uganda).

Expelling UK asylum seekers to Rwanda: a trade or another crime against humanity?

The heated debate which, for almost a year, has agitated the institutions of Great Britain, including Parliament and the Supreme Court, which judged the sending to Rwanda of refugees turned back from England, to be illegal and illegitimate, questions and continues to surprise many observers. . And for good reason ! Not only that, between the ruling Party and the Opposition Party, a compromise seems impossible to find. More seriously, the Judge of the Supreme Court who was seized to resolve the dispute indicated that the deal which governs the partnership between England and the power of Kigali on the project of settling in Rwanda of refugees returned from England, contains clauses which, if made public, would compromise Britain's image in terms of international cooperation. What is really behind this deal?

As if that were not enough, we learned, on January 17, 2024, President Kagame [2], at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland), declared to the press that Rwanda is willing to repay 240 million pounds sterling (304.8 million USD) paid by England as part of the project to settle in Rwanda asylum-seeking refugees turned back from England. Six months ago, the figure put forward for this project was 140 million. Why within six months did the cost of the said project increase by 100 million while the operation was frozen? This question raises so many others including these:

Why is it Rwanda, a small country, poor, landlocked, overpopulated (more than 1,000 inhabitants per km2 on habitable surface area) and where human rights are, of public knowledge, violated..., which was chosen by England for such a project?

Why did the British government rush to disburse the full amount for such a sensitive and controversial project? Everyone is aware that even for classic bi- and/or multilateral cooperation programs, disbursement is done in successive installments and step by step. How can we understand these incredible actions surrounding this project to settle refugees returned from England in Rwanda?

Obviously, there are things that are not clear in this deal. And if the cost of the said project, currently estimated at 240 million Pounds Sterling which has increased by 100 million Pounds Sterling in six months, while the project was blocked were, in fact, only funds intended to finance the M23/RDF war with a view to annexing the two provinces of the DRC (North and South Kivu), in order to exploit strategic minerals there and, of course, to settle refugees pushed back from Europe there since there was no There is no space in Rwanda. A priori, everything seems to hold in this hypothesis.

Looking at it closely, we quickly realize that the plan to send refugees from England to Rwanda is only a pretext, a sham and a scarecrow to fool the world. entire. The real issues lie elsewhere: the pillaging, via Rwanda, of highly strategic minerals found in the east of the DRC. On this point, everyone is aware that the financial lobbies (probably having set up their headquarters in London thanks to the intermediary of former Prime Minister Tony BLAIR, Kagame's most influential special advisor) are very involved in this deal, notably via the financing of repeated wars, waged by proxy for more than ten years by the M23/RDF.

No one is also unaware that it is these same financial lobbies which guarantee the right to impunity, media, diplomatic, political and financial coverage to the regime of super President Kagame of Rwanda, via the governments, mainly European, which are subservient to them. Otherwise, how can we justify why, accused of invading the neighboring territory of the DRC via the M23/RDF and on the basis of the evidence provided by UN experts, Rwanda has, until this date, been neither worried, nor received any sanction from the said international community which is, as we know, under the control of well-identified Western countries?

The answer to this question is very simple. Kagame's Rwanda would only be a common mercenary, a useful idiot and a criminal state mandated for this dirty work. The real sponsors of the pillaging, via Rwanda, of the DRC's strategic minerals located in the east of the DRC are found elsewhere: companies and financial lobbies, mostly Western. To finance their criminal activities in the DRC, the latter needed a solid alibi in the form of a visible project: the return to Rwanda of refugees turned back from England. They also needed a channel and a traceable path for the transfer of money intended to finance the criminal activities of the M23/RDF. The war that these terrorists - under different names - have been waging in the EAST of the DRC for years has a cost. War is expensive!!!

This justifies how and why the disbursement of the amount intended for the supposed project of sending refugees to Rwanda has, for six months, increased by 100 million Pounds Sterling while the project is blocked. The rest is just a big joke!

In short and all things considered, the supposed settlement project in Rwanda of refugees seeking asylum in England seems to be nothing more than a pretext which was cleverly orchestrated with the ulterior aim of finding a legal path and an acceptable channel for the transfer of funds (currently estimated at 240 million Pounds Sterling) intended to finance the war led by the M23/RDF in the province of North Kivu. Incidentally, the annexation by Rwanda (a small country, overpopulated, poor, landlocked and politically unstable) of vast territories in the South and North Kivu Provinces, would have served to transfer unwanted refugees turned back from England and other European countries. And let us emphasize in passing that the current asylum seekers whom Europe wants to get rid of and throw them like trash in Central Africa, are initially citizens of formerly respectable countries that the civilized, super-powerful and super-developed West has decided to destroy in order to better plunder their wealth.

The Rwandan people remain the biggest losers in this deal.

The geopolitical and geostrategic fault, immense, unforgivable and inconceivable on the part of the Government of Paul Kagame in Rwanda, is to have accepted to be the pawn of foreign criminals (mostly Westerners) in the criminal project of massacre of populations killed by million, destabilization of a neighboring country, pillage of its resources and attempted annexation, by force, of two provinces of the DRC. This is high treason and horrible criminality, unlike any other, on the part of a country whose survival depends on its neighbors. Do the objectives sought in this macabre project, including the expected dividends (sharing of strategic minerals found in the two coveted provinces of the DRC), justify the crimes committed? Certainly not! Except for crazy and sociopathic individuals who work with old files, those from the 2000s.

Fortunately for the DRC, the war in Ukraine, the awakening of conscience via social networks and the rise in power of the BRICS [3] have disrupted this macabre plan which, it seems, Mr Tony Blair and his mafia friends are said to be the project managers! These criminals who pass themselves off as civilized people! It remains to be seen how Kigali will be able to reimburse the 304 million US dollars squandered in this horrible crime.

Probably a credit of 305 million USD will soon be granted to Rwanda by the World Bank to reimburse the financial lobbies - they never lose - who are behind this war doomed to failure because the Congolese have woken up. As for the poor Rwandans, they will have to pay this debt while the country's debt rate is around 90% of its GDP. So it is with the puppet leaders, mercenaries and useful idiots of foreign bandits!

A word to the wise, hello!

Emmanuel HABUMUREMYI

Du meme auteur :

https://www.echosdafrique.com/20230730-rwanda-commemorating-the-genocide-or-admitting-failure

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[1] Le terme de Royaume-Uni (angl. United Kingdom) designe l'ensemble des territoires du pays (243 610 km), alors que la Grande-Bretagne comprend les trois  provinces historiques  de lile de Grande-Bretagne (229 850 km) que sont l'Angleterre (England) avec 130 279 km, le pays de Galles (Wales) avec 20 279 km et l'Ecosse (Scotland) avec 78 782 km, ainsi que l'Irlande du Nord (Ulster) avec 14 130 km.

[2] Le General des Generaux Paul Kagame, President de la Republique du Rwanda, est un Tutsi du clan des Abega, Chretien catholique, marie et pere de famille. Il est a la tete dune organisation politico-militaire appelee FPR (Front patriotique Rwandais) qui gere le pays comme une prison a ciel ouvert. Le FPR avec son armee APR (Armee Patriotique Rwandais) lutte avec acharnement (Inkotanyi) pour lhegemonie des Tutsi (ou Banyamulenge ici, Bahima la et Nilotiques ou Hamites) sur les autres groupes sociaux dont les Hutu (ou Bantous) en Afrique centrale. Parce que groupe social notoirement minoritaire dans la Region (pas meme 1% de la population totale de la Region), pour arriver a son plan macabre de creation de lEmpire Hima-Tutsi le FPR du President Paul Kagame na que les guerres et la violence pour massacrer et destabiliser les populations et piller toutes leurs richesses. A lEst de la Republique Democratique du Congo (RDC), le FPR/APR opere sous le sobriquet de M23, devenu tristement celebre dans la Region.

[3] Les BRICS+ sont un groupe de dix pays qui se reunissent en sommets annuels : Bresil, Russie, Inde, Chine, Afrique du Sud, Arabie saoudite, Egypte, Emirats arabes unis, Ethiopie et Iran.

Initialement, le terme  BRIC  est un acronyme pour designer quatre pays se regroupant a partir de 2009 : Bresil, Russie, Inde et Chine (en anglais : Brazil, Russia, India, China) ; le terme BRIC est forge des 2001 par un economiste de Goldman Sachs. En 2011, l'adhesion de l'Afrique du Sud (en anglais : South Africa) donne naissance a l'acronyme BRICS.

In 2024, with the membership of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Iran, the group becomes BRICS+.

The ten BRICS+ countries will represent in 2024 almost half of the world's population and 27% of the world's gross domestic product in nominal value, compared to 44% for the G7 countries.
Beatrice Public Schools Board of Education discussed the 2024-2025 school year calendar during the committee of the whole meeting on Thursday evening.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jackie Nielsen said there are a few changes to the calendar for the next school year.

We have spent quite a bit of time working with the calendar in preparation for the next school year, she said. It has been good to get different perspectives.

New teachers will begin new hire paperwork in July. They will report to the school on Aug. 2. Returning teachers will report Aug. 7. There are some changes proposed on professional development and teacher work time in those first weeks.

Nielsen said the early release days which were every Wednesday have been restructured.

We are looking at adding that time back to the calendar, she said. But we do have five days throughout the school year for professional collaboration time. Those days are at the right time.

Those times will be used to discuss assessment and check-in before parent-teacher conferences. Other full professional development days are added throughout the school year also.

Students will return Aug. 13-15 depending on their grade level.

Graduation is proposed to happen on May 11, 2025. School will be dismissed for other students on May 16.

One of the concerns is traffic at the high school and the new elementary building can not happen simultaneously, she said. We are considering starting preschool and elementary school at 8:05 a.m. and the high school at 8:30 a.m. This allows transportation to make different runs also.

Nielsen said the time change also supports brain research of the adolescent brain.

There are a lot of moving parts, she said. We are exceeding the state requirements for the number of days.

Several board members spoke in favor of the changes to the calendar.

Board member Doris Martin said we need to consider whats best for our students.

We need to consider whats best for our students educationally when looking at the calendar, she said.

The board is expected to vote on the school calendar during the February 12 meeting.
On a day when a local businessman presented his plan to improve airline service, the Lincoln Airport announced the looming loss of another destination.

Airport Executive Director David Haring said Thursday that United Airlines informed airport staff it will end its daily flight to Houston on May 23.

Haring said the announcement from United, kind of surprised us and quite frankly frustrated us.

In a statement, the airport said that the Houston flights were 85% full on average and were over 95% in November and December.

"Were grateful to United Airlines for launching nonstop flights to Houston in September of 2022 and are pleased with the communitys support of the route," the statement said.

The flight began in September 2022, with the airport utilizing a $750,000 federal grant, matched with an equal amount of local money, to help defray costs of the new service.

Rachel Barth, the airport's director of communications and customer engagement, confirmed that United had already used up all of that money.

The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, which helped raise that local match, said it was disappointed in the loss of the flight, especially since it seems to have been successful, at least when it came to filling seats.

"Air service is critical to the economic vitality of our community," said Jason Ball, president of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.

We remain dedicated to supporting and collaborating with the Lincoln Airport team for future air service expansion initiatives, as we await additional information following this announcement.

Largely thanks to the Houston flight, airport passenger numbers continued to rebound last year, reaching more than 262,000, a 41% increase over 2022 and the highest number since 2019.

The loss of the Houston flight was tempered by news from the airline that it will beef up service to both Chicago and Denver. United said it will add an additional flight to Denver in the summer and another one to Chicago in the fall. That will increase the number of daily departures to each city from three to four.

Barth said United officials reiterated to airport staff and board members that it remains committed to serving Lincoln.

Nonetheless, the loss of the Houston flight will still come as a big blow to the airport.

Despite spending more than $50 million on a renovation and expansion of its terminal, the airport has struggled to attract and keep air carriers, and has less air service than it did before the pandemic.

Delta Airlines, which used to fly from Lincoln to Minneapolis and Atlanta, pulled out of Lincoln at the beginning of 2022, largely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The airport tried to get creative last year, using $3 million in COVID-19 relief funds from the city and county to essentially start its own leisure-focused airline, Red Way. But despite much fanfare, and several desirable destinations, the airline went out of business after less than three months.

Thursday's announcement of the loss of the Houston flight came right after Lincoln businessman Steve Glenn spoke to the Airport Authority about his ideas to help recruit more air service.

Glenn, who owns Executive Travel along with several other businesses, presented a two-part plan that would include creating a new department at the airport focused solely on recruiting air service, as well as appointing an independent committee to help with the efforts.

Glenn said he wasn't there to criticize the Airport Authority or the airport staff, nor was he there to "look backward."

But he did say that when it comes to airline service in Lincoln, "I think we have to do something different."

Photos: Nebraska Wesleyan men's basketball vs. Dubuque, Jan. 24
Israeli air strikes on Gaza continued on the day the top UN court said that it had to prevent acts of genocide
Some Colorado Water Conservation Board members on Thursday voiced preliminary support for the Colorado River Districts proposed purchase of Xcel Energys Shoshone power plant water rights ahead of the boards scheduled decision on Monday on whether to endorse contributing $20 million toward making the purchase happen.

Lets finish this off in a great way, board member Paul Bruchez, who represents the Colorado River mainstem on the board, said at a board work session on the Shoshone proposal.

He called it a pretty monumental moment for the state of Colorado with a partnership and an acquisition of this magnitude.

The river district and Xcel last month signed an agreement for the $99 million purchase of the historic water rights for the Glenwood Canyon power plant, which due to their seniority go far in controlling flows on the river. The district hopes to buy a water right to flows of 1,250 cubic feet per second that dates back to 1902, along with a second, 158-cfs right that was appropriated in 1929.

Because of their seniority and year-round nature, the water rights help assure certain levels of flows into Glenwood Canyon at times when owners of upstream junior water rights otherwise might divert the water for other uses, including for use by Front Range cities. The non-consumptive rights associated with the plant also mean the water continues downstream, where its available to other users and also maintains flows important to protecting imperiled fish.

The river district has committed $20 million to buying the water rights, is counting on West Slope entities to contribute another $10 million combined and plans to seek $49 million from the federal government. That leaves $20 million that it is asking the CWCB to ask the state legislature to appropriate.

Im not opposed to this, I want that clear, CWCB board member Nathan Coombs said Thursday, but he voiced discomfort at the overall price tag and $20 million cost in state money, and worried whether it could provide a precedent that would drive up what it costs others to buy water rights.

I totally agree with what were trying to do here. I understand the concept but it is in the back of my mind what this sets as a standard for cost, he said.

CWCB staff member Robert Viehl said the water right purchase would be an extremely large one, but the rights are unique in terms of their volume, location and seniority.

River district General Manager Andy Mueller told the board that the rights are unique in that they dont require an alternate purchaser of the right for the benefits of them to go away. He said the river district worries that something like rockfall in the canyon could lead to the plant no longer operating and the rights being lost that way.

He also pointed to appraisals and valuations done by Xcel and the river district, and what the federal government has been paying for water conservation purposes in the Colorado River Basin, in arguing that the Shoshone deal isnt setting the market price but is following the price the market is setting.

We think there is a real justification for this value, he said.

CWCB board member Barbara Vasquez voiced hope that the Shoshone undertaking might serve as a model for water rights used for other hydropower plants, or used by other power plants for cooling, being used at least in part for environmental flows. Coal-fired plants that have shut down or face shutdowns can have water rights associated with them.

So Im really quite excited about the success of this project as we are looking in our energy transition to moving more and more to renewables, she said.

Frances Folin, an attorney for Xcel, told the board Thursday, Were happy that it seems like youre going to appropriate the funds to the river district. So, good to know, in advance of the meeting next week.

Greg Felt, the board chair, said the decision wont be made until Monday.

But he added, I would say for myself that this is a really monumental moment for the Colorado River, and (Xcel) didnt have to do this, and so across the state I think people do appreciate that this is even on the table because you can just imagine other pathways this could go ... and so its appreciated.

The water rights purchase agreement also is conditioned on factors including the river district negotiating an instream flow agreement with the CWCB authorizing that board to use the water for instream purposes when the plant isnt operating. While some of Thursdays discussion focused on that subject, that agreement is still being discussed and isnt scheduled for final action by the CWCB on Monday.

After buying the water rights, the river district would lease the water to Xcel for $10 a year for as long at the plant operated. The instream flow rights would ensure the continued flow of water under the rights at times when the plant is temporarily shut down and after its permanent shutdown if that ever occurs.
Formal criminal charges have been filled against Jayson Boebert following two separate incidents in early January.

The Denver Post reported that Garfield County prosecutors have officially filed criminal charges against the ex-husband of U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, a court supervisor confirmed on Thursday.

Jayson Boebert was charged with a misdemeanor count of obstructing a police officer and two petty offenses of disorderly conduct and trespassing in a Jan. 6 incident at a restaurant in Silt in which he argued with Lauren Boebert and then refused to leave the restaurant when police arrived, court records show.

He also was charged with possessing a gun while under the influence of alcohol, misdemeanor harassment and misdemeanor assault in a Jan. 9 incident where it is alleged that Jayson Boebert and his son had a physical altercation.

The formal charges are the same as those Jayson Boebert was arrested on, except that he is now accused of illegally possessing a firearm while drunk, instead of the slightly different charge of unlawfully pointing a firearm at another person, court records show.

The Miners Claim restaurant incident on Jan 6 started around 7:45 p.m. when Jayson Boebert called police to report domestic violence abuse before his call was disconnected.

Lauren Boebert called police a short time later to report an incident.

A cooperative Lauren Boebert met police in front of the Main Street restaurant to talk about the incident.

Officers spent several minutes trying to interview Jayson Boebert, and later to get him to leave the restaurant, much of which was caught on police body cameras.

Jayson Boebert repeatedly yelled at police, saying he didnt want to talk to them, according to the affidavit.

Lauren Boebert told police after the restaurant encounter that she thought her ex-husband was behaving poorly to make her suffer after their October divorce, according to an affidavit.

Jayson Boebert claimed that Lauren Boebert had punched him in the face during an argument. She told officers shed only placed her finger on his nose, and police found no evidence to support Jaysons claim.

The second incident, on Jan. 9, happened at the Boebert home near Silt. The couples son called the sheriffs office to report an altercation had occurred between him and his father.

It was also reported that Jayson Boebert grabbed a rifle and left the house. He turned himself in to law enforcement later.

Jayson Boebert is scheduled to appear in Garfield County Court in Rifle on Monday in both cases.
A Billings businessman is urging Yellowstone County leaders to ask voters to weigh in on marijuana legalization, again.

Steve Zabawa, owner of Rimrock Auto Group, made his pitch to county commissioners Thursday to get them to put the issue back on the ballot.

Zabawa said there was major confusion about previous ballot language. So he wants the three commissioners to keep it simple and give voters yet another chance to decide.

Montana voters supported legalizing recreational marijuana in 2020, following the approval of medical cannabis in 2004, both through ballot initiatives.

Theyre pushing drugs  federally illegal drugs  on our families, the auto dealer told the commission. And I think someones got to give the opportunity for the voters to vote on it.

Nathan Pierce, of Shepherd, disagreed, urging commissioners not to put cannabis back on the ballot.

Weve exhausted the issue, he said. Yellowstone County residents are voting with their dollars.

In the two years since the states recreational weed market launched, combined medical and recreational cannabis sales have reached nearly $623 million, Montana Department of Revenue reports show. Recreational purchases are the clear driver, accounting for $468 million of that total.

Of the states 56 counties, Yellowstone County has consistently sold the most marijuana since legalization, despite the ban on recreational cannabis stores within Billings city limits. Last month, the countys marijuana sales totaled $4,704,784. Statewide sales have held steady between $24 and $28 million a month since the recreational market opened.

Local communities are sharing in the revenue. Most counties that allow cannabis sales have enacted local taxes on those purchases.

Yellowstone County has a 3% tax on both recreational and medical marijuana. Voters in 2021 approved the tax with support of 81% for recreational and 59% for medical sales.

If the county agrees to move forward with Zabawas proposal to put pot back on the ballot, it will be the fourth time local voters have been asked to weigh in on it since 2020.

When the marijuana issue came up again the year after legalization, Commissioner John Ostlund said, I dont think you get to re-vote when you don't like the outcome of an election.

Following Zabawas pitch Thursday, Ostlund said he personally trusts that voters are smart enough to read their ballots. But hell discuss it with the other commissioners before deciding whether to take action.
Each year, the Community Resource Center (CRC), a statewide organization supporting and strengthening non-profits across Colorado, selects an individual and a non-profit for its Community Trailblazer Awards.

This years Community Trailblazer of the Year is Grand Junctions Stephania Vasconez, the founder and executive director of Mutual Aid Partners. Mutual Aid Partners is one of the 21 organizations that make up the Mesa County Hunger Alliance and hosts weekly distribution days to benefit the local homeless population.

Vasconez was recognized at a luncheon hosted Thursday by the Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF)  a consistent partner of Mutual Aids for the past four years  and the Community Impact Council of Mesa County, with members of her family and other non-profit organizations in attendance. She then joined the CRCs eighth annual State of the Sector ceremony over Zoom to officially accept the award.

Im very humbled to be honored by an organization like the Community Resource Center because their whole mission is supporting grassroots efforts and collective advocacy, Vasconez told The Daily Sentinel. Weve worked with them for the last three years and the partnership has been incredibly meaningful in terms of outreach and support. For them to be able to recognize the work that weve done and recognize me as a trailblazer is incredibly meaningful.

Tedi Gillespie, the WCCF grants and community outreach director, said a partnership with Mutual Aid Partners was a no-brainer from day one, and that this CRC Community Trailblazer of the Year Award further validates Vasconez local impact.

To see someone from the Western Slope in Stephania get the Trailblazer Award amongst the entire state of non-profit leaders who could have received it is just a testament to whats happening over here in Mesa County and whats been happening with organizations like Mutual Aid Partners and others who have been really truly responding in innovative ways, Gillespie said.

Vasconez said that the groups membership in the Mesa County Hunger Alliance has increased its collective power and voice in the Grand Valley.

Being able to share perspectives with other organizations that are doing similar work to us and perhaps doing it in different ways helps us to come up with ideas together, it helps us better collaborate together, and it helps us advocate for our community better, Vasconez said. Overall, it just makes us stronger to be part of organizations like the Hunger Alliance who are very focused on collaborative efforts, who listen to each other, who uplift the voices of people with lived experience, who dont just give you a seat at the table but give you a voice as well.

Some of Mutual Aid Partners most recent work includes their involvement in the establishment of the new unhoused resource center at 261 Ute Ave., which is managed by HomewardBound of the Grand Valley. This center is the new host for Mutual Aid Partners distribution days, which had previously taken place at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley.

Vasconez points toward the citys sudden closure of Whitman Park as a catalyst for planning more projects with long-term solutions.

Our initial response was to engage with the folks who were at the park and talk to them about, Why were you hanging out at Whitman Park? What were the things that Whitman Park was providing to you? What were the things you didnt like about it? What would you like to see in a community center space that would help you become more stable, help you get into some type of housing?  Vasconez said.

Vasconez believes the city learned from the response to Whitmans closure when it came time to announce that Emerson Park just down the street would also be closed because a skate park was going to be built there. She noted that the skate park has been in the citys plans for several years and stressed that the city didnt close the park in order to send homeless people on the move again.

She believes the citys advance notice of Emersons closure, which will go into effect Feb. 26, allows for her, Mutual Aid Partners and other advocates to connect with those who have been frequenting or even living at the park in meaningful ways.

Weve already seen multiple people that were at Whitman that we used to reach out to show up at the resource center, which was one of the most incredible things because we had no way of getting a hold of them. They just showed up at Mutual Aid, Vasconez said.

For us, the resource center being so centrally located, and people are talking about it, and having those folks come and find us so we can get them connected to those resources and facilitate transportation to those resources, thats the whole point of it: for this to be a central hub for community members to access those resources and for us to help them down the pathway toward housing.

Vasconez recognized that there are plenty of trailblazers in the Grand Valley, many of them passionate about volunteer work.

Im just so incredibly grateful for the energy that this community has had in embracing Mutual Aid because Mutual Aid, as a concept, is very different from your typical non-profit. (The community has been) embracing change and innovation and new ways to tackle challenges in our community, she said.

Were very grateful.
Saturday Night

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to occasional showers later during the night. Low 43F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Berklee College of Music Student Convicted of Stalking, Threatening Individual Promoting Democracy in China

Thursday, January 25, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Defendant, a Citizen of the People's Republic of China, Initiated Stalking and Threats Campaign Against Individual Who Promoted Freedom and Democracy in China

A federal jury convicted a People's Republic of China (PRC) national and Berklee College of Music student for stalking and threatening an individual who posted fliers in support of democracy in China around the Berklee campus area.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Xiaolei Wu, 26, was convicted following a four-day jury trial of one count of cyberstalking, one count of interstate transmissions of threatening communication and one count of stalking. Wu was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in December 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2023.

"Today's verdict by a jury in the District of Massachusetts underscores the Department's commitment to ensuring all U.S. residents are able to freely exercise their fundamental rights," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division.

"No one in this country should ever be subjected to threats of violence or a cyberstalking harassment campaign for expressing their political views. Mr. Wu now stands as a convicted felon for his illegal efforts to suppress speech by a fellow Berklee School of Music student who was critical of the government of China. This type of conduct will never be tolerated," said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts. "The Department of Justice is committed to safeguarding the fundamental right to free speech for all. Our office will hold accountable individuals whose actions threaten or violate this fundamental tenet of our democratic society."

"What Xiaolei Wu did in attempting to silence and intimidate an activist who expressed dissension with the ruling Communist Party of China is not only criminal, but completely against our country's democratic values," said Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Boston Division. "Today's conviction upholds one of our most fundamental rights - freedom of speech - and the FBI will ensure that anyone who tries to infringe on this right using threats or harassment will face the same fate as Mr. Wu."

Beginning on or about Oct. 22, 2022, and continuing until Oct. 24, 2022, Wu made a series of communications via WeChat, email and Instagram directed towards the victim who posted the flier. Among other things, Wu said, "Post more, I will chop your bastard hands off." He also told the victim that he had informed the public security agency in China about the victim's actions and that the public security agency in China would "greet" the victim's family. Additionally, Wu solicited others to find out where the victim was living and publicly posted the victim's email address in the hopes that others would abuse the victim online, and he reported the victim's information back to a member of the Chinese government.

Wu was convicted of cyberstalking, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000; and interstate transmissions of threatening communication, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy H. Kistner and Alathea E. Porter for the District of Massachusetts are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Trial Attorney Menno Goedman of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

Topics: Countering Nation-State Threats

National Security

Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - Massachusetts

Press Release Number: 24-87

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7th Fleet Destroyer Transits Taiwan Strait

US Navy

24 January 2024

From Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

TAIWAN STRAIT -- USS John Finn (DDG 113) conducted a Taiwan Strait transit on January 24 through waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law.

The ship transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal State. John Finn's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle. No member of the international community should be intimidated or coerced into giving up their rights and freedoms. The United States military flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows.

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USS McCampbell to Forward Deploy to Japan, Replace USS Antietam

US Navy

24 January 2024

The U.S. Navy announced that USS McCampbell (DDG 85) will forward deploy to Yokosuka, Japan.

From U.S. Naval Forces Japan and Naval Surface Force Public Affairs

McCampbell will replace USS Antietam (CG 54), which will depart Yokosuka, Japan, and move to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as part of a scheduled rotation of forces in the Pacific. Upon arrival in Yokosuka, McCampbell will join Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy's largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet's principal surface force.

The forward presence of McCampbell enhances the national security of the United States and improves its ability to protect strategic interests. It will directly support the Defense Strategic Guidance to posture the most capable units forward in the Indo-Pacific Region.

The United States values Japan's contributions to the peace, security and stability of the Indo-Pacific and its long-term commitment and hospitality in hosting U.S. forces forward deployed there. These forces, along with their counterparts in the Japan Self-Defense Forces, make up the core capabilities needed by the alliance to meet our common strategic objectives.

The security environment in the Indo-Pacific requires that the U.S. Navy station the most capable ships forward. This postureenables rapid response times for maritime and joint forces, and brings our most capable ships with the greatest amount of striking power and operational capability to bear.

Maintaining a forward-deployed naval forces capability with the most advanced ships supports the United States' commitment to the defense of Japan and the security and stability of the vital Indo-Pacific region.

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USAFRICOM Commander and Senior Enlisted Leader visit Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti

U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, along with Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, the command's senior enlisted leader, undertook a strategic visit to Nairobi, Kenya; Mogadishu, Somalia; and Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti from January 22-25. This visit was aimed at reinforcing relationships with regional civilian and military leaders.

By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs , United States Africa Command Nairobi, Kenya; Mogadishu, Somalia; and Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Jan 25, 2024

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, and Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, the command's senior enlisted leader, traveled to Nairobi, Kenya; Mogadishu, Somalia; and Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Jan. 22-25 to meet with civilian and military leaders.

On Jan. 23, Langley and Woods met with Kenyan Minister of Defense Aden Duale and Chief of Defence Gen. Francis Ogola, as well as the Honorable Meg Whitman, U.S. Ambassador to Kenya. They conducted troop engagements and visited Manda Bay as well, before departing to Somalia.

"In my meetings with Minister Duale and General Ogolla, we reaffirmed our strong bilateral security relationship and discussed areas for future cooperation," Langley said. "We have worked closely with Kenyan forces for many years, and I'm grateful for our strong partnership."

In Mogadishu, Langley met with Somali President Hasan Sheikh Mohamud and Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, the Force Commander for the African Transition Mission in Somalia.

I was grateful to be able to meet with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Ibrahim Sheikh Muhiyadin today to discuss our U.S.-Somali security cooperation efforts now and in the future.

"I also had a very good meeting with Amb. Mohammed Souef, African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, ATMIS Force Commander," Langley said. "U.S. Africa Command is committed to supporting the Federal Government of Somalia and helping to improve the country's security and stability."

While in Somalia, Langley and Woods also conducted troop engagements and met with officials from the U.S. Embassy Mogadishu. They then traveled to Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti to visit with embassy officials and conduct troop engagements.

The general and the sergeant major traveled back to Stuttgart Jan. 25.

U.S. Africa Command is one of seven U.S. Department of Defense geographic combatant commands, and is responsible for all U.S. military operations, exercises, security cooperation, and crisis response on the African continent in support of U.S. interests and to promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.

The visit highlights U.S. Africa Command's 3D approach, which leverages diplomacy, development, and defense collaboration.

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January 25, 2024

Transcript

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press Briefing

Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH: All right. Good afternoon, everyone. Just a few items here at the top, and then I'd be glad to take your questions.

Today, the department announced that the United States and the government of Iraq will start working group meetings of the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission in the coming days, initiating a process the two sides committed to during the U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue in Washington, D.C. on August 7th through 8th on  in 2023. During that August 2023 meeting, the U.S. and Iraq committed to start the HMC to discuss the coalition's mission to defeat ISIS will  that will transition on a timeline that considers three key factors: the threat from ISIS, operational and  and environmental requirements and the Iraqi Security Forces' capability levels.

Expert working groups of military and defense professionals will examine these three factors and advise the HMC on the most effective evolution of the De-ISIS Coalition mission, ensuring that ISIS can never resurge, in consultation with coalition partners at all stages of the process.

Let me be clear: The HMC meeting is not a negotiation about the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. The United States and the coalition are in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government to fight ISIS. Our Iraqi partners have assured us of their commitment towards working together to shape this future on U.S. military presence and the enduring defeat of ISIS. The HMC will enable the transition to an  an enduring bilateral security partnership between the U.S. and Iraq, building on the successes of the De-ISIS campaign in partnership with the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve.

The U.S. and Iraq have enjoyed a deep and productive partnership on security matters in the 10 years since the Iraqi government invited the United States and the coalition to fight ISIS, including the seven years since the territorial defeat of ISIS in Iraq. The start of the HMC process ref-  reflects the evolving U.S.-Iraq bilateral relationship and it underscores our commitment to deepen our security cooperation to advance stability within Iraq and the region.

And switching gears, as you've likely seen this week, Turkey's Parliament recently gave approval for Turkey to ratify the ascension  ascension protocol for Sweden. As a highly-capable defense partner, we look forward to the prompt accession of Sweden as the 32nd member of NATO, as it will not only greatly strengthen the alliance, but it sends a clear message to Russia that we stand united against their unprovoked and illegal war of aggression in Ukraine. We look forward to receiving Turkey's instrument of ratification and we look forward to Hungary's quick action on this, as well.

And with that, I'd be happy to take your questions. Lita?

Q: Thanks, Sabrina. A couple things. First, a quick follow-up on  on the Iraq thing. So did you provide a date for the first talks?

MS. SINGH: Not yet. That's ongoing in discussions. We don't have an exact date yet.

Q: Or a broad  next month, this month 

MS. SINGH: I  I believe I said in the topper in the coming days, but not  not an exact date yet.

Q: So two things.

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: Austin  Secretary Austin, can you update us on his condition and if he is still working from home? And secondly, can you  can you say whether or not the Defense Department is participating in any discussions on the Hill about Turkey and the potential sale of F-16s, and where that all stands?

MS. SINGH: Sure. So on the Secretary's condition, he continues to recover and recuperate at home. He's been very active working remotely; as you saw, joined the Ukraine Defense Contact Group remotely earlier this week. When he returns to the Pentagon, I will certainly  we will certainly keep you updated on when his first full day back in the office will be or when he returns to the office generally.

In terms of discussions on the Hill, I would really refer you to State on that. Turkey is a key ally, of course, and we're working towards a resolution on providing the F-16s. But in terms of any discussions with the Hill, that's really being led by State, so I'd refer you to them.

Q: But is DOD participating in anything like that at this moment?

MS. SINGH: I'm not going to get into further conversations on what we've been discussing with the Hill. We are, of course, in consultation with State, with the White House about the F-16s, but I don't have any more conversations to preview.

Great, Jen, yeah.

Q: Can you rule out that the U.S. has planned to pull all U.S. troops out of Iraq?

MS. SINGH: Well, as I said at the very beginning, this meeting, the HMC meeting is not a negotiation about the withdrawal of U.S. forces in Iraq. It is about the  what the future looks like for the U.S. and Iraqi bilateral relationship. And one of the things that the HMC is going to consider are many  the three factors that I outlined at the beginning, which is the threat of ISIS, the operational and environmental requirements, and then of course, the Iraqi Security Forces' capability levels.

Yeah?

Q: Can you  can you just update us on the Taiwan Strait? I believe there was some tension with a  a U.S. warship being approached by the Chinese.

MS. SINGH: So the USS John Finn conducted a Taiwan Strait transit on January 24th through waters where high seas, freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law. The ship transited through a corridor in the strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state. The transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle. I don't have anything or any more details to provide at this time, just that the strait was successful.

(inaudible)?

Q: So you mentioned the  the capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces. What is the Pentagon's assessment of those capabilities currently? Do they still need to  to partner with coalition forces to  to counter the threat of a potentially-resurgent ISIS, or could they go it alone, theoretically?

MS. SINGH: Well, the ISF has been critical in our fight to defeat ISIS. We know that. And  and they've been a critical partner, and we, of course, in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government.

In terms of their own capabilities and  and addressing ISIS, we want to make sure that the threat that we saw 10 years ago is not the same threat that we face today, which is why we have entered into these  this HMC working group to address what the future, what the partnership, what the bilateral relationship looks like. This is about the future and making sure that Iraq is set up for success in defending its own national security and sovereignty, and how the U.S. can support Iraq in doing that.

Great. Catherine, yeah. Welcome.

Q: Yeah. Catherine here, CBS News.

MS. SINGH: Welcome.

Q: I have a series of questions slightly off-topic 

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Q:  about the K-2 Airbase.

MS. SINGH: Okay.

Q: A member of a military environmental testing team tells CBS News that yellowcake uranium was found. This is someone who was there on the ground. But the Department has consistently rejected the yellowcake claims. How strong is your evidence?

MS. SINGH: Yeah, so thanks, Catherine. We're not aware of any survey or report confirming the presence of yellowcake at K-2 facilities, so I just have to leave it at that.

Q: Right. Well, we've just provided new records to the Defense Department from this environmental tester who was there on the ground. Will you now consider these new records?

MS. SINGH: Yeah, I'd have to take that question.

Q: Okay.

MS. SINGH: Great.

Q: Just as a follow-up 

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q:  before we move on, what we hear consistently from K-2 veterans is that they have to fight for acknowledgment that they were sent to a base that had toxic exposure and they're looking for some accountability, and they want to know why.

MS. SINGH: Yeah, so thanks, Catherine, for the question.

The Secretary, at the very beginning of this administration, laid out one of his key priorities, which is taking care of our people. That's something that the secretary has been committed to and that's, frankly, something that this administration stands by and is also very committed to making sure that our current enlisted members are taken care of, as well as our veterans.

Some of your questions, I would refer you to the VA to speak more broadly about. You know, we do place a premium on providing quality military healthcare to our service members. As you know, Congress has also provided ways for service members, for veterans to 

(CROSSTALK)

Q:  they're questioning why it takes so long. They were deployed there in some cases two decades ago, and they're fighting for acknowledgment of their illnesses, many of which are not approved for benefits.

MS. SINGH: Yeah, I completely understand. We do have a registration portal for folks to go to to lodge some of their symptoms and  and what they experience. And again, I know we're working with you on some of these items, so we will get back to you on that. Great.

Yeah, Janne?

Q: Thank you, Sabrina. On North Korea, North Korea announced that cruise missile it launched this week was a test of a nuclear missile equipped with tactical nuclear warhead. Does the  how does the U.S. assess this?

MS. SINGH: Yeah, thanks, Janne, for the question. Again, these are creating  these are similar actions that we've seen before from North Korea. They destabilize the region. We have urged very publicly for the DPRK to stop these actions, to stop these tests.

Our commitment to the Republic of Korea, to the  to the  to the area and to the region, remains ironclad, but we've been pretty forthcoming on  on how we feel about these tests.

Q: Do you think  do you think North Korea actually has the capability to strike the United States?

MS. SINGH: Yeah, I'm not going to get into any intelligence assessments.

Fadi?

Q: (Inaudible) 

MS. SINGH: Fadi  I'm going to go to Fadi here. Yeah?

Q: Thank you, Sabrina. First question is you said that HMC meetings are not about negotiating the withdrawal of U.S. forces in Iraq. Is that because it's been mutually agreed upon with the Iraqi government not to discuss this issue, or is it because the U.S. is not willing to discuss it or the Iraqis didn't request?

MS. SINGH: No, that's just not the purpose of these meetings.

Q: So  so both sides are in agreement on not to raise that issue during those meetings?

MS. SINGH: No, the  well, just to  just to, again, take a step back here, the purpose of these meetings  and it's  again, it's a working group  is to  is to look at what the  what the bilateral relationship between the United States and Iraq looks like now that the threat of ISIS from 10 years ago to today is very different.

And so part of the factors that we're taking into consideration  the ISF's capabilities, the operational environment, and then of course the threat of ISIS  those are all going to be part of these conversations, on exactly what  what our footprint looks like within Iraq, and that's what this working group is for. There's no timeline set, and again, this is  these meetings are not about a negotiation or a withdrawal from Iraq.

Sure.

Q: Two more question on two separate 

(CROSSTALK)

Q:  the first one, Channel 12 in Israel reported today that a new batch of security assistance arrived in Israel and it includes F-35, F-15, and Apache. Are you able to confirm this news?

MS. SINGH: I am  I am not. I haven't even seen those reports.

Q: Thank you. And then separately, there's  we've reported there's a leak from recording by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, where he said he  he expressed his anger to the U.S. government because of the renewal of the agreement about Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the host agreement. Is the U.S. reviewing its presence in Qatar and its security relationship with the Qatari government?

MS. SINGH: I am not going to comment on the Prime Minister's specific comments but we have a good relationship with Qatar. In fact, the Secretary was just there in December, visiting that base. So I have nothing new to announce in terms of any change to that relationship. Great.

Yes, over here?

Q: Hey. Sam LaGrone with USNI News.

MS. SINGH: Hey.

Q: Just wanted to get a couple of points of clarification on the operations in the Red Sea 

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Q:  so I understand the distinction. So the  the merchant ship protection mission is known as Prosperity Guardian, and then the potential, like, strike mission, is that Poseidon Archer? How are y'all dividing that up? Who's responsible for what? Can you give 

(CROSSTALK)

Q:  because it's been  it's been kind of difficult to understand.

MS. SINGH: Sure. So Operation Prosperity Guardian is exactly that, it is looking at how this coalition together can help ensure freedom of navigation through the Red Sea, through the BEM, through the Gulf of Aden. And so that is something that the Secretary officially launched in December when he was in Bahrain visiting there, and it is  it was  it's a multinational security initiative.

Operation  what you were referring to is  Operation Poseidon Archer is not a named department operation but it is something that CENTCOM has named in terms of multilateral strikes and dynamic strikes within Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

Q: And is that ongoing?

MS. SINGH: That  that is ongoing. Yeah, of course.

Oren?

Q: Just a very quick follow-up to Lita's first question on the Secretary. You said you'd update us when the Secretary would come back full time but has he been back to the Pentagon at all since his release from the hospital?

MS. SINGH: He has not. And I'm sorry, I  what I meant to say was, like, I  it's not like he's coming for a half day or an hour or anything like that. When he comes back to the Pentagon, whether it's for an hour, five minutes, a day, we will let you know. Yeah, of course.

Yes, in the back here?

Q: Thank you so much. Robert Moore with ITV News.

MS. SINGH: Hi.

Q: We have a cameraman who was filming in Gaza earlier this week. He  he filmed a very distressing scene that's gained a lot of traction online of a group of Palestinian men waving a white flag, trying to reach relatives, manifestly not a threat to anyone. They came under fire from an Israeli position. One man was killed, shot in the chest. I  I wonder if the Pentagon  whether you have seen that video? What your reaction to it is  it is? And about what else  whether you would urge the IDF to investigate what appeared to be a  a calculated and unprovoked killing?

MS. SINGH: I'm sorry, I have not seen the video, and I  so I can't speak to it. I can't urge another entity to do something without seeing the video myself.

What I can say and what we continue to do and urge our Israeli partners is as they are conducting operations within Gaza, of course in accordance with the law of armed conflict, humanitarian laws, to preserve innocent civilians, protecting innocent civilian lives, and of course where there are people and refugees that have fled into humanitarian corridors. So I'd have to leave it at that.

Q: A follow-up 

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q:  question if I may. I mean, this  this  this campaign has now lasted, what, 110 days now. You've repeatedly  from this podium and from the State Department, the White House, have repeatedly said you're urging the Israelis to be more calibrated in their approach.

Are you seeing any evidence that's being listened to, let alone being implemented on the ground, given the extraordinary number of civilian casualties we're still having 110 days into the campaign?

MS. SINGH: You know, we are seeing that the IDF has certainly pared back its operation within Gaza, they have pulled back brigades, they are  and I think they actually spoke to this as recently as a few weeks ago  conducting more targeted operations.

From the Secretary's level to other levels across this administration, there are near daily conversations with our counterparts in Israel about lessons learned that  that the Secretary himself has had through  when he was serving in Iraq and how we see this conflict ending.

So let me just finish for a sec. So again, we feel that the Israelis are  they have a really tough fight ahead of them. We know that. We are working with them to ensure that they can confidently meet the goals that they have laid out by going after Hamas leadership, but we have been very clear from the beginning that the preservation, the protection of innocent civilians is something that we value and something that Israel needs to uphold.

Q: So are you convinced they're actually listening and implementing the recommendations?

MS. SINGH: I think I answered already. I answered that question, yeah.

Ryo?

Q: Thank you, Sabrina. Two questions.

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: First, the White House said this morning that Japanese Prime Minister Kishida will make a state visit to Washington in April. So how do you see the progress on defense cooperation with Japan over the last three years? And what area will be the priority for the Pentagon moving ahead?

MS. SINGH: I saw the announcement today. That's very exciting. You know, for more visit  for more details on the Japanese prime minister's visit, I'd refer you to the White House. But of course, last year was a critical year in our alliance, and we look forward to building on that momentum, and that is another great time to do it when the visit happens I be-  I believe you said in April.

Yeah?

Q: Yeah. (inaudible) on Taiwan...

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: Admiral Aquilino said last that China will step up military pressure on Taiwan in response to the outcome of the presidential election in  in Taiwan. So is that assessment widely shared at the Pentagon?

MS. SINGH: So in terms of Admiral Aquilino's comments, I'd refer you to INDOPACOM to speak more to that. I will point out, at the same day that Admiral Aquilino said this, there were several centerline crossings by PRC jets. We are committed to the Taiwan Relations Act, and in fact, as I mentioned just yesterday, we completed a Taiwan Strait transit, so I'll leave it at that.

I'm going to come to the  go to the phones, and then I'll come back in the room here. Sorry. Lara Seligman, Politico?

Q: Hi, Sabrina. Thanks for doing this. A couple questions. First of all, there were some reports today that Putin has put out feelers that he's willing to negotiate on Ukraine, and I'm wondering if you can tell us, is DOD privy to any of that? And what is your response? And then I have follow-up.

MS. SINGH: Yeah, I've seen those reports. I don't have anything to add to them.

Q: OK. And then on the Russian plane that was shot down that was reported, I'm wondering if you have an update on that. There were some claims that U.S. weapons were used to take the plane down. Do you have a response?

MS. SINGH: Thanks, Lara. It's something that we're looking into. I  I don't have any more details. I've seen some of the reporting. In terms of responsibility, it's something that we're looking into, but I just don't have more details to share at this time.

Next question, we'll go to Jeff Schogol, Task & Purpose.

Q: Thank you. And I understand that this is a question you need take. Can we get an update on the number of troops in Iraq and Syria who have been diagnosed with TBI, the total number? I understand the CENTCOM's surgeon doesn't track it like this; that you specifically have to query this person to get that data. If you have  if you don't have that data, could you provide it, the most recent numbers?

MS. SINGH: Yeah, thanks, Jeff. I do not have those numbers in front of me, so I'm happy to take that question.

Great, we'll come back in the room. Yes?

Q: Thank you. The government of Iraq says ISIS is defeated and the coalition's job is over, and says we have to set a time  timetable for a phased withdrawal of troops at the end of mission of coalition forces. Do you think there is still the threat of ISIS that requires the coalition forces to remain in Iraq?

MS. SINGH: I don't think I saw in the statement that the Iraqi government put out that ISIS is completely gone. I think we know that the threat of ISIS has changed. I think that's what that statement acknowledged. The threat that was 10 years ago has certainly evolved, and that is because of our incredible partnership with the Iraqi Security Forces and our partnership with the coalition. It is because of that partnership that we were able to continue to push ISIS out of, you know, major cities, and they have become a very different type of organization that they were when this coalition formed.

In terms of  again, I'm happy to reiterate what I said at the top, but the HMC is a working group. It is considering three different factors as it moves forward into what does the rel-  the bilateral relationship between the United States and Iraq look like going forward? Again, we're in Iraq at the in-  in-  invitation of the Iraqi government. We're very proud of the work that we've done in conjunction with our partners and with the Iraqi Security Forces, and this working group is the next step to our na-  our bilateral relationship.

Yes?

Q: Thank you. Just staying on Iraq...

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: ... the  the Iraqi Defense Minister just pushed a statement on that meetings that you...

MS. SINGH: OK.

Q: ... talk about, the HMC. He says that this is  the meetings will start soon between the U.S. and Iraq in order to determine the withdrawal timing for the coalition forces and build cooperative relations. I hear from you that you said this is not about negotiation from the U.S. withdrawal. Why does two different statements about the HMC? The Iraqis says that it's about timing of the withdrawal, and you are saying this is not about that. OK. Has Iraq requested to you about your withdrawal from Iraq?

MS. SINGH: We've received no request from the government of Iraq to withdraw our forces. Again, the HMC, it's a working group to determine what our future looks like together with Iraq in terms of our bilateral relationships. There are factors that are being taken to consideration. As I mentioned, the threat of ISIS is very different from it was - from what it was 10 years ago.

And I just  I know there's a focus on this withdrawal. There is nothing new about these meetings. This is something that was announced in August in 2023 that we were going to start these meetings and start this conversation with Iraq. Whether that means what our footprint looks like in Iraq, and that's going to be determined on a variety of factors which I laid out at the top.

Q: And just staying on  on that, HMC. When you're talking about the Iraqi defense system, the  the Iraqi Defense Ministry and also, there are other forces inside Iraq. They are not part of the Iraqi Defense Minister  Ministry, but they're a part of the Iraqi defense system.

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Q: I'm talking specifically about the Peshmerga Forces from the Kurdistan region of Iraq, and also, the Popular Mobilization Forces, the Hashd al-Shaabi, which is funded by the Iraqi government. Where are these two forces are standing in this meetings between you and the Iraqi government?

MS. SINGH: Again, this is in a meeting between the Iraqi government and the United States. I'm not going to get ahead of those conversations. As you mentioned, in a tweet from, I think it was the Defense Minister of Iraq, these meetings are going to come soon. They're going to start soon. I don't have a manifest or a roster of who's going to attend those meetings, and I'm going to wait until those meetings happen.

Q: (inaudible). Will  will the Peshmerga Forces and PMF will be part of these meetings or not?

MS. SINGH: Again, I'm going to  not going to read out who's participating just yet. This is an announcement today. When we have more to share, I'd be happy to share it.

Erin?

Q: When it was made public that North Korea started sending munitions to Russia, the Pentagon stated that North Korea would not make a big impact on the war. But now, you're seeing North Korea's missiles in Ukraine. Are you concerned about North Korea continuing to send larger amounts of munitions and prolonging the war even longer, especially when the U.S. at this moment cannot fund Ukraine?

MS. SINGH: Yes, we are very concerned about the relationship between Russia and the DPRK. We have said that from the beginning. We are concerned that Russia has to con-  I mean, it speaks to Russia that they have to con-  seek support when it comes to funding their own capabilities from countries like Iran, countries like the DPRK.

The continuing funding, the continuing support of these countries does prolong that war. That is something that we are concerned about, which is why we have committed to supporting Ukraine, but we can't do that without a supplemental being passed.

And so as I mentioned, I think, from this podium, we've not had a supplemental - we've not had a  I'm sorry  a presidential drawdown go out since December 27th. Earlier this week, the Secretary and the Chairman convened the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. That's a forum where allies and partners do come together to figure out what Ukraine needs, what are their urgent battle needs. Unfortunately, the United States has not been able to provide a package since December.

So we will continue to urge Congress, both publicly and privately in our meetings, to pass the supplemental.

Q: But in the beginning, it - you appeared to just downplay that North Korea was sending the munitions over there, that it wasn't that big of a deal at that time. Yes, it would prolong the war, but at that moment, it wasn't ...

MS. SINGH: I don't remember us saying it wasn't that big of a deal. I think it's a concern when other countries are providing Russia with munitions that are killing Ukrainians and innocent Ukrainian civilians. I think we've always said that's been a big concern of ours.

Q: And then have we seen any shipments  any more shipments going from Russia to  or from North Korea to Russia?

MS. SINGH: I don't have anything today to announce. We certainly know that there is a  we've seen a deepening of relationships between Russia and the DPRK, but I don't have any shipments or anything to  to announce today.

Yeah?

Q: I have a follow-up on what you just said on the supplemental. So if Congress fails to break a deal and get additional funding for Ukraine, what would that mean for Ukraine's ability to defend itself? And what message about American reliability would that send to the rest of the world?

MS. SINGH: Well, I think certainly it's concerning if we can't continue to support Ukraine. And I do think members of Congress on both sides of the aisle do understand the impact that it could have.

I will say though, and it's important, it's not just the United States supporting Ukraine right now. Our allies and partners have stepped up, in terms of training, in terms of funding and support. So it's not  it's not just the United States.

But the United States' support for Ukraine is incredibly important in showing a united message, not just to the European world, to  to Russia, but all around the world. Our support, as you've heard from the President himself  said  has said that it's unwavering and we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. I truly believe there are members of Congress and on both sides that believe that as well and want us  want to do the right thing and  and pass the supplemental. Yeah.

Yes? Oh hey, Missy, hello. Yeah, I didn't see you back there.

Q: Just a couple questions on Secretary Austin. I know  I can't remember if it was you or Pat responded to a question on this the other day but do you have any  said you were looking into it  but is there anything on the request for the Secretary to testify in the HASC? And do you have any comment on the congressional criticism, I think it was from Wicker, about the letters that  that DOD submitted about the timeline surrounding his hospitalization?

And then separately, on the  the DOD Inspector General report about UAP, said that there wasn't a comprehensive plan for dealing with UAP and that could pose a security threat. Any response to that?

MS. SINGH: Sure. Let me take the first ones at the top. So in terms of testifying, we're  our  our teams are working with the Hill to figure out  we always want to be responsive to Congress, we always want to ensure that we are getting answers back to, whether it be senators or members of Congress, in a timely manner.

I don't have an update for you on any hearing, of  of anything being scheduled, but we are certainly in touch with the staffs of those members who have requested that hearing, and when I have more to share, I'd be happy to do it.

And then in terms of the letters, again, we're always responding to Congress in - in a timely manner. We provided the details that we could in that letter, and I know our staffs have been in  in touch and the Secretary has been in touch also with members in both the House and Senate.

In terms of the UAP report, I  I'm sorry, I just have to take that question.

Lita, do you have one more and then we'll wrap up? Sure.

Q: ... quick clarification. Are you suggesting  and  and I  I'm really not looking for you to read the topper again ...

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: ... but are you suggesting ...

MS. SINGH: But I can ...

(Laughter.)

... if you want.

Q: ... understand  the size of the U.S. footprint in Iraq will not be an element at all in these discussions, or isn't it common sense that the size of the U.S. military footprint in Iraq will be part of these discussions as they go forward?

MS. SINGH: It will certainly be part of the conversations as it goes forward. As  not reading the topper again, but as I outlined at the very beginning, the threat of ISIS has changed, but there are certain conditions that have to be met or certain factors that have to be met in order for both Iraq and the United States to feel that we can ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS.

And so that's what this working group is going to look at, and again, we're still there at the invitation of the Iraqi government and we're really proud of our partnership.

Q: I  understood. I think the  the term "withdrawal of forces"  I  I think just more broadly, the size of the U.S. footprint in Iraq is obviously part of all of this ongoing ...

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Sure, Fadi, one  one last question and then we've got to wrap. Yeah?

Q: ... it's  it's getting more confusing now.

MS. SINGH: I don't think so.

Q: Yes ...

(CROSSTALK)

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: ... I was taught Arabic and French. But reducing the footprint will  entails withdrawing some of the forces, right?

MS. SINGH: So what Lita was asking is are these  like, is your footprint in Iraq part of these discussions? And what I said was that the threat of ISIS has changed and there are a number of factors that this working group is going to look at, one being how can we ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS?

Of course, conversations about our troop levels, that's something that this working group is going to take a look at, but right now, we are there at the invitation of the government, we are very proud of our partnership with the Iraqi Security Forces, and we're really proud of the work that the coalition has done to ensure that defeat of ISIS remains.

OK, great. Thank you, everyone.

Q: Thank you.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3657097/

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January 25, 2024

By Jim Garamone , DOD News

NATO Begins Largest Exercise Since Cold War

Over the next six months, thousands of U.S. service members will participate in the largest NATO exercise since the end of the Cold War.

Dubbed Exercise Steadfast Defender 24, it will feature about 90,000 service members from the 31 NATO allies and Sweden. It will test the ability of the alliance to quickly deploy forces and will test NATO's new defense plans, officials said.

"The alliance will demonstrate its ability to reinforce the Euro-Atlantic area via trans-Atlantic movement of forces from North America," said Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, in a press release. "Steadfast Defender 2024 will be a clear demonstration of our unity, strength and determination to protect each other, our values and the rules-based international order."

The first movement in the exercise began yesterday as the dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall sailed from Norfolk, Virginia. Following a series of operations, the ship will sail across the Atlantic.

The overall exercise will run through June. It is NATO's principal multidomain exercise for 2024 and will consist of a series of national and multinational large-scale, live exercises conducted across various geographical locations.

Officials said Steadfast Defender is the largest exercise since the last Reforger exercise in 1988.

The exercise is the first, large-scale test of alliance defense plans approved at last year's Vilnius Summit in Lithuania.

At its base, the exercise is a demonstration of alliance unity and determination to defend every inch of NATO territory. The exercise will demonstrate "NATO's ability to deploy, move and use reinforcements from North America and other parts of the alliance to continental Europe," alliance officials said. "It will show that we can conduct and sustain complex multidomain operations over several months, across thousands of kilometers, from the high north to central and Eastern Europe and in any conditions."

The exercise will take place primarily in Finland, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden and the United Kingdom, officials said. There will be more than 50 naval assets, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and corvettes.

Air assets will include F-35s, FA-18s, Harriers, F-15s, helicopters and myriad unmanned aerial vehicles.

There will also be more than 1,100 combat vehicles, including more than 150 tanks, 500 infantry fighting vehicles and 400 armored personnel carriers.

Officials said the exercise is based on a fictitious Article 5 scenario "triggered by a fictitious attack against the alliance launched by a near-peer adversary," officials said. "NATO exercises are not directed against any country. In an unpredictable security environment, we must remain ready to deter all threats and to defend all allies."

Still, Russia has launched the largest war in Europe since World War II, attacking neighboring Ukraine. Since Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, NATO has strengthened defense and deterrence on the continent. While Steadfast Defender has been in planned for years, the exercise incorporates defense plans based on Russia's actions.

"Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine will shape our understanding of conflict for years to come," a NATO official said. "NATO is observing the conflict in Ukraine closely in order to improve our readiness and refine our future training, capabilities and innovation."

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As a fifth-generation Montanan, I have fond memories with my Grandpa Daines of learning how to fish and hunt north of Big Timber, and my goal is to pass these traditions on to my own children and grandchildren. There is no better way to experience Montana than backpacking, hunting, hiking or fishing. I share this passion with many Montanans, which is why improving access to our public lands is such a high priority. Thats why I introduced my Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act.

Montanans should determine what is best for our public lands, not bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. My bill carries out what Montanans have asked for  it improves wildlife habitat and public access to public land and mitigates the risk of wildfires.

Here are the facts: Nearly 50 years ago  in 1976 and 1977  Congress passed the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Montana Wilderness Study Act requiring the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service to determine if 47 Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) were suitable for a permanent Wilderness designation in Montana.

These studies were completed between 1979 and 1991 and found that the Middle Fork Judith, Hoodoo Mountain and Wales Creek WSAs should not be permanent Wilderness areas. Recent studies came to the same conclusion, and yet Congress has failed to listen to Montanans and act. Its time we finally follow through on these science-based recommendations.

My Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act focuses on these three WSAs. The Middle Fork Judith WSA, managed by the U.S. Forest Service with 81,000 acres, and two managed by BLM; Hoodoo Mountain WSA with 11,380 acres and Wales Creek WSA with 11,580 acres. Combined, the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management held over 120 public meetings, and received feedback from over 1,000 Montanans, to again conclude that these three WSAs are not suitable for a wilderness designation. Each of the landscapes have a land management plan for post-release that was developed with public input. Each plan also carefully maintains important protections while empowering land agencies to do whats best for the wildlife, the forests and the surrounding communities.

The Forest Service completed a more than six-year, multi-million-dollar forest plan revision in the fall of 2021 for the Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest. The forest plan revision process provides an unmatched opportunity for broad and robust public input into land management decisions. After six years of public input and analyzing the needs and conditions of the forest, the agency concluded the Middle Fork Judith WSA should be returned to general public land management. This flexibility would make it easier for the Forest Service to do much-needed vegetation management to restore and improve elk habitat and mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

Similarly, the Bureau of Land Management completed the Missoula Land and Resource Management Plan revision in 2020. After five years of public input and analyzing the needs and conditions on the land, the agency concluded the Hoodoo Mountain and Wales Creek WSAs should not be managed as wilderness. BLMs plan for both of these WSAs would retain important wildlife habitat protections while giving the agency flexibility to address the mountain pine beetle outbreak that heavily impacted the area, mitigate wildfire risk and enhance backcountry recreation opportunities.

These studies are driven by science, and after looking at the facts, I consulted county commissioners, recreation and wildlife groups and Montanans throughout the state. It is clear that Montanans want the ability to determine the designations of these lands rather than leaving them in limbo for decades.

From mountain bikers to hunters to fishermen to motorized and non-motorized users, Montanans know how best to manage our lands. Returning these WSAs to general management provides the opportunity to make science-based decisions on lands for public access, wildlife habitat and wildfire prevention. It is past time to allow local management decisions to be made here in Montana, not in Washington, D.C. It is past time to accept the input of Montanans and pass my Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act.
PACE resolves not to ratify the credentials of Azerbaijan's parliamentary delegation, citing a failure to fulfil 'major commitments'

European Council / Council of the European Union

Parliamentary Assembly session

Strasbourg

25 January 2024

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has resolved not to ratify the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation, which were challenged on the opening day of the session, concluding that the country has "not fulfilled major commitments" stemming from its joining the Council of Europe 20 years ago.

"Very serious concerns remain as to [Azerbaijan's] ability to conduct free and fair elections, the separation of powers, the weakness of its legislature vis-a-vis the executive, the independence of the judiciary and respect for human rights, as illustrated by numerous judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and opinions of the Venice Commission," the Assembly said in a resolution, based on a report by Mogens Jensen (Denmark, SOC). The resolution was adopted today with 76 votes in favour, 10 against and 4 abstentions.

The Assembly also cited the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, noting that Azerbaijan's leadership "did not acknowledge the very serious humanitarian and human rights consequences" stemming from the lack of free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor, and recalling its condemnation of the September 2023 military operation "which led to the flight of the entire Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and to allegations of 'ethnic cleansing'."

Finally, the resolution cited a number of examples of "lack of co-operation" with the Assembly, including that its monitoring rapporteurs were not allowed to meet with persons detained on allegedly politically motivated charges, it had not been invited to observe the forthcoming presidential election, and other PACE rapporteurs had been refused visits to the country.

"The delegation of Azerbaijan may resume its activities in the Assembly when conditions provided by the Rules of Procedure are met," said the parliamentarians.

Once a year on the opening day of each PACE part-session, national parliaments are invited to present the credentials of their delegations. The Milli Mejlis, Azerbaijan's parliament, had presented the credentials of a twelve-member delegation.

Today's decision concerns only the credentials of the Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation. Azerbaijan continues to be a full member of the Council of Europe.

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GCC: first Regional Security Dialogue with the EU held in Riyadh

European External Action Service (EEAS)

25.01.2024

EEAS Press Team

Senior officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and European Union gathered in Riyadh for the first GCC-EU Regional Security Dialogue on 24 January.

The main sessions focused on regional security and developments, as well as specific areas for increased cooperation between the GCC and the EU.

The security dialogue allowed for comprehensive, open and constructive discussions on regional security. Both sides exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, Yemen, the Red Sea, Iraq, Iran, the Sahel, Somalia, and Ukraine.

Participants discussed opportunities for increased cooperation on counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber issues, non-proliferation, as well as disaster preparedness and emergency management.

The meeting was a key deliverable of the 27th GCC-EU Joint Council and Ministerial meeting, when Ministers agreed to step up their cooperation.

The meeting was co-chaired by Presidency of the GCC representative Ambassador Dr. Khalid Fahad al Khater, Policy Planning Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Dr. Abdelaziz Aluwaisheg, GCC Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Negotiations, and Charles Fries, Deputy Secretary-General for Peace, Security and Defence, of the European External Action Service.

The GCC-EU Regional Security Dialogue will continue to take place on a regular basis, alternately in Riyadh and Brussels.



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French delegation visits USEUCOM, strengthens strategic partnership

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel Lasica, director, U.S. European Command Strategy, Plans and Policy, hosted Maj. Gen. Philippe de Montenon, chief of the French Strategic Joint Operation Center, and a French military delegation to the command's headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, on Jan. 25, 2024.

By U.S. European Command Public Affairs , United States European Command STUTTGART, Germany Jan 25, 2024

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel Lasica, director, U.S. European Command Strategy, Plans and Policy, hosted Maj. Gen. Philippe de Montenon, chief of the French Strategic Joint Operation Center, and a French military delegation to the command's headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, on Jan. 25, 2024.

"The U.S. and France have a long and storied history of cooperation, and we remain committed to working together toward common security goals," said Lasica. "Today's visit is a testament to the strength of our strong partnership and commitment to robust engagement in the fight against threats to our collective security."

Discussions included ongoing security assistance to Ukraine; the two nations' combined capability to respond to crisis; and participation in upcoming military exercises - including DEFENDER-Europe - to build readiness and interoperability.

"In the face of ongoing regional threats and global challenges, close cooperation continues to be a priority for both our nations to strengthen security relationships in Europe and uphold international law," said de Montenon.

France, America's oldest Ally, will host several multinational commemorative events this summer for the 80th anniversary of WWII, including: Operation Overlord, the Allied operation in Normandy that commenced the liberation of France from Nazi control on 6 June 1944; and Operation Dragoon, the landings in southern France in mid-August 1944. Commemoration events, held to honor the historic resolve of Allies, serve as a reminder of how common purpose and shared vision build enduring partnerships.

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Russia, Iran, Turkey issue joint statement calling for immediate truce in Gaza

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 25, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran, Turkiye, and Russia have issued a joint statement at the 21st international meeting on Syria in the Astana Format emphasizing the need to stop the Zionist regime's attacks on the Gaza Strip and to send humanitarian aid to the enclave.

Representatives of Iran, Turkiye, and Russia issued a joint statement on outcomes of the 21st international meeting on Syria in the Astana Format on January 24-25, 2024.

The full text of the joint statement is as follows:

The representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Turkiye as guarantor countries of the Astana Format:

1. Examined the latest international and regional developments and emphasized the leading role of the Astana Process in promoting the lasting settlement of the Syrian crisis.

2. Acknowledged the negative impact of the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic. Underlined the importance of preventing the armed confrontation area from expanding and other states of the region from being dragged into the confrontation. Expressed deep concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and stressed the need to end Israeli brutal onslaught against the Palestinians and sending humanitarian aid to Gaza. Called for the implementation of the UNGA Resolution A/ES/-10/L.27 (2023) demanding an immediate ceasefire and compliance by all parties with their obligations under international law.

3. Reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic as well as to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and highlighted that these principles should be universally respected and complied with.

4. Emphasized the importance of continuation of efforts for the restoration of relations between Turkiye and Syria on the basis of mutual resperct, goodwill, and good-neighborly relations in order to combat terrorism, create proper conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Syrians with the involvement of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), revitalize the political process and ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to all Syrians. Welcomed the efforts of the Astana format guarantors to this end within the framework of quadrilateral format.

5. Expressed their determination to continue working together to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stand against separatist agendas aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and threatening the national security of the neighboring countries, including through cross-border attacks and infiltrations. Condemned activities of terrorist groups and their affiliates operating under different names in various parts of Syria, including attacks targeting civilian facilities that cause civilian casualties. Highlighted the need to fully implement all arrangements related to the north of Syria.

6. Reviewed in detail the situation in the Idlib de-escalation area and underscored the necessity to maintain calm on the ground by fully implementing all agreements on Idlib. Expressed their serious concern over the presence and activities of terrorist groups that pose threat to civilians inside and outside the Idlib de-escalation area. Agreed to make further efforts to ensure sustainable normalization of the situation in and around the Idlib de-escalation area, including the humanitarian situation.

7. Discussed the situation in the north-east of the Syrian Arab Republic and agreed that constant security and stability in this region can only be achieved on the basis of preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. Rejected all attempts to create new realities on the ground, including illegitimate self-rule initiatives under the pretext of combating terrorism. Reaffirmed their determination to confront separatist agendas that aim to undermine the unity of Syria and threaten the national security of neighboring countries, including through cross-border attacks and infiltration also from the west of the Euphrates. Reiterated their opposition to the continued illegal seizure and transfer of oil resources that should belong to Syria. Denounced all unilateral sanctions that violate international law, international humanitarian law and UN Charter, including all selective measures and exemptions with the respect to specific areas in Syria that could lead the country to collapse by facilitating the separatist agenda. Condemned the actions of countries supporting terrorism that undermines the unity of the Syrian state, including illegitimate self-rule initiatives in the northeast of Syria. Expressed grave concern with all forms of oppression by the separatist groups against civilians in east of Euphrates which recently led to clashes with Arab tribes in the region, including forced conscription, through suppression of peaceful demonstrations, and discriminatory practices in the field of education as well as restrictions placed on political activities, journalists, right to assembly and freedom of movement.

8. Condemned any efforts by any country to fuel terrorist and separatist aspirations of individual ethnic and faith groups of population, as well as provide them with weapons.

9. Condemned all Israeli military attacks in Syria. Considered these actions as a violation of international law, international humanitarian law, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, and recognized them as destabilizing and exacerbating tensions in the region and called for the ceasing of these attacks. Reaffirmed the need to abide by universally recognized international legal decisions, including the provisions of the relevant UN resolutions rejecting the occupation of the Syrian Golan, first and foremost UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 497, especially that these Israeli decisions and actions in this regard are deemed null and void and of no legal effect.

10. Expressed their conviction that there could be no military solution in Syria and reaffirmed their commitment to advance a viable and lasting Syrian-led and Syrian-owned, UN-facilitated political process in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

11. Underlined the important role of the Syrian Constitutional Committee, established with the decisive contribution of the guarantor countries of the Astana Format for the implementation of the decisions of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, in promoting the political settlement in the Syrian Arab Republic. Called for an early resumption of its work and holding the 9th round of its Drafting Commission while ensuring the constructive approach by the Syrian parties. In this regard, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Committee's work through continued engagement with the Syrian parties to the Committee and the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen as facilitator to ensure its sustainable and effective work. Stressed the need for the Constitutional Committee to pursue its activities without any bureaucratic and logistical barriers. Urged to immediately ensure all the necessary conditions for the unimpeded work of the Committee. Expressed their conviction that in its work the Constitutional Committee should abide by the Terms of Reference and the Core Rules of Procedure to enable it to carry out its mandate of preparing and drafting a constitutional reform.

12. Expressed serious concern over the humanitarian situation in Syria further aggravated by the consequences of the devastating earthquake on 6 February 2023.

13. Emphasized the importance of continuing and increasing humanitarian assistance to Syria in line with international law and UN General Assembly Resolution 46/182. Called for providing adequate donor funding for humanitarian assistance to all Syrians taking into account the increased risk of food insecurity stemming from the reduction in the assistance programmes implemented by the WFP due to the budgetary restraints. Took note of the decision by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to extend the authorization for UN humanitarian agencies to use border crossing point Bab al-Hawa with Turkiye from 13 January to 13 July 2024 to carry out crossborder operations to deliver aid to the civilian population in the north-western areas of the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as two border crossing points with Turkiye - Bab al-Salam and Al-Rai until 13 February 2024, in order to provide assistance to the areas affected by the earthquake of 6 February 2023; highlighted the importance of continuing uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance to all Syrians through all UN approved modalities including UN cross-border and cross-line aid to northwest of Syria. Emphasized the need to remove barriers and increase humanitarian assistance to all Syrians throughout the country without discrimination, politicization, or preconditions.

14. In order to help improve the humanitarian situation in Syria and achieve progress in political settlement, called on the international community, the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies to increase their assistance to all Syrians through the implementation of the early recovery and resilience projects, including through the restoration of basic infrastructure assets - water and electricity supply facilities, sanitation, health, education, schools, and hospitals as well as the humanitarian demining projects in line with international humanitarian law.

15. Stressed the need to facilitate the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of refugees and IDPs to their places of residence in Syria, and to ensure their right of return and right to be supported. Called on the international community to provide the necessary support to the Syrian refugees and IDPs and reaffirmed their readiness to continue engaging with all relevant parties, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other specialized international agencies. Noted the importance for continuation of work to create necessary conditions in Syria for voluntary and dignified return of Syrians.

16. Reiterated their determination to continue operations on the mutual release of detainees/abductees within the framework of the Working Group on the Release of Detainees/Abductees, the Handover of the Bodies and Identification of Missing Persons, which is a unique mechanism that has proved both necessary and effective in building confidence between the Syrian parties. Decided to intensify joint efforts to ensure the release of detainees/abductees. Agreed on the need to expand the activities of the Working Group by including the issues of the handover of bodies and establishment of identity of missing persons. Welcomed the aspiration to step up the activities within the Group.

17. Welcomed the participation of the delegations of Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon as observers of the Astana Format as well as representatives of the United Nations and the ICRC.

18. Expressed their sincere gratitude to the Kazakhstan authorities for holding the 21st International Meeting on Syria in Astana. Emphasized the special role played by the Kazakhstan side as a country hosting the International Meetings on Syria, which had been an initiator of the Astana process and had always provided venue and hospitality to ensure the smooth functioning of this unique multilateral mechanism.

19. Noted the agreement to hold the next Summit in the Russian Federation as enshrined in the Joint Statement of the Tripartite Summit of 19 July 2022.

20. Agreed to convene the 22nd International Meeting on Syria in the second half of 2024 in Astana.

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UNRWA warns about violation of humanitarian international law in Gaza

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 25, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has warned the situation in Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip indicates the violation of humanitarian international law.

Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Thomas White pointed to the exacerbation of the Israeli army's attacks on Khan Younis, cautioning that the ongoing strikes of non-combatant areas in the city are unacceptable and should be stopped immediately.

He made the comments in reaction to the martyrdom of at least 50 Palestinian civilians in Khan Younis city over the past 24 hours.

According to Palestine Al-Yawm TV network, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that as a result of the Israeli regime's bombardment of Khan Younis city at least 50 Palestinians, including two children, were martyred.

Palestinian sources said that healthcare workers and patients are experiencing a difficult situation in southern Gaza, which is besieged by the Israeli regime's army.

The Israeli regime's tanks and armored vehicles besieged Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis and the surrounding areas of the health center were scene of bombings and shellings by the Israeli army overnight.

Because of the siege and bombardment, people and rescue workers were forced to bury martyrs in the yard of the hospital.

Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli regime killed over 25,000 Palestinians and injured over 60,000 others in the Gaza Strip.

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US vows to maintain military presence in Syria: Report

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 25, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The administration of US President Joe Biden has told media on Wednesday that Washington is not thinking about pulling out its forces from Syria.

According to the Al-Arabiya channel, the White House has rejected reports that the US government is weighing on withdrawing its troops from Syria.

Earlier, a Pentagon official also quoted by Sputnik that the rumors of the withdrawal of American forces from the war-torn Arab country are false. That after some US media reported that the country's forces were ready to leave Syria.

The US deployed forces and military equipment to Syria in 2014 without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate under the pretext of fighting Daesh.

Americans maintain their illegal presence on the Syrian soil, although Damascus and its allies defeated Daesh in 2019 and despite the Syrian government's repeated calls for US forces to leave.

Damascus also refutes US claims that the military presence is aimed at preventing the reemergence of Daesh and says the deployment is only meant to plunder the country's natural resources, especially oil.

The call for US forces to leave Iraq is also growing amid anger at the US support for Israel's war crimes and genocide in the Gaza Strip.

CNN reported that Washington and Baghdad will discuss the future presence of the American coalition forces in Iraq.

However, Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammad Shia al-Sudani, has demanded the withdrawal of American forces from the country.

Iraqi lawmakers also voted overwhelmingly in 2020 and asked their government to call on Washington to pull out its forces after then President Donald Trump ordered the assassination of Iran's Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi Al-Mohandes in Baghdad.

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Al-Houthi: US starving Gaza, turned Red Sea into battlefield

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Thu / 25 January 2024 / 23:57

The leader of the Ansar Allah movement highlights the US' direct role in war crimes against Palestinians in his latest address.

Tehran-ISNA- The leader of the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement, Sayyed Abul-Malik al-Houthi, lambasted the United States for its role in supplementing and supporting the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, during his weekly address to the Yemeni people and the Ummah at large on Thursday.

Sayyed al-Houthi underlined the essential role that Washington plays in extending the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, holding the US administration accountable for piled-up humanitarian aid outside the Gaza Strip and the closure of the Rafah border crossing.

Moreover, the leader pointed to the ongoing US-UK-led aggression on Yemen, which the two Western nations claim aims to secure international maritime trade routes. Contrary to US-UK claims, Sayyed al-Houthi said that Washington "does not care about the threat to international navigation and the fact that it has turned the Red Sea into a battlefield, nor about the arrival of food and medicine to the people of Gaza."

He added, "[The US] has no problem with expanding the conflict [and increasing tensions in the region]."

In fact, the Resistance leader said the US "insists on keeping Gaza under total siege and keeping the Rafah crossing closed most of the time," adding that Washington "insists that there be no flow of [humanitarian aid] to the Palestinian people in Gaza."

It is worth noting that Sayyed al-Houthi's statements coincide with a months-long effective Naval campaign launched by the Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF), aiming at pressuring the Israeli occupation to lift its siege on the Gaza Strip and allow humanitarian aid in. The Biden administration in Washington has opted to support the Israeli occupation's genocidal war on Palestinians and launched at least eight strikes on Yemen.

In this context, Sayyed al-Houthi said, "While the Americans fight for the supplies to reach the Israelis, they prevent food and medicine from reaching Gaza," pointing out that "[Washignton] is the one behind the continuation of Zionist crimes and behind [the incompetence of international organizations]."

The US "contributes directly to starving the Palestinian people, causing them to die of hunger, not only with the bombs [it provides the Israeli occupation forces with] to kill them."

The leader of the Ansar Allah movement said the Yemeni Armed Forces launched more than 200 attack drones and fifty cruise and ballistic missiles in support of the Palestinian people.

He stressed that Yemen would continue to launch operations in support of the Palestinian people "until food and medicine reach all residents of Gaza and the Zionist crimes" in the Gaza Strip stop.

Sayyed al-Houthi stressed that the US' military aggression and its insistence to reject a humanitarian deal "will not affect our position," stressing that the Yemeni people "will never retreat."

"Our battle is ongoing and is entirely linked to the Gaza battle."

He also indicated that the US is attempting to "justify its aggression against our country and its protection of Zionist crimes," under the pretext of protecting international navigation.

In response to these claims, Sayyed al-Houthi said that since the beginning of the Yemeni Naval campaign, "4,874 commercial ships have crossed," through the Red Sea, untouched, adding that the US-UK-led escalation "is [the real] threat to international navigation" and has violated "the sovereignty of countries" in the region.

He went on to advise Europeans against allowing the US to exploit their govenrments' funds for such purposes.

He explained that "no matter how much the Americans and the British escalate," the results of this escalation will "be counterproductive and will not affect our decision and position, but we will continue to develop our military capabilities."

"Whenever the Israelis and the Americans insist on [committing war crimes in Gaza], we must be more resolved and determined to prevent it."

End Item

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Remarks by the Foreign Secretary on India's Extra-Judicial and Extra-Territorial Killings in Pakistan

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

25 Jan 2024

Assalam-o-Alaikum,



Welcome and good afternoon.

Today we will present details of a sophisticated and sinister Indian campaign of extra-territorial and extra-judicial killings inside Pakistan. We have credible evidence of links between Indian agents and assassination of two Pakistani nationals on Pakistani soil.

These were killings-for-hire cases involving a sophisticated international setup spread over multiple jurisdictions. Indian agents used technology and safe havens on foreign soil to commit assassinations in Pakistan. They recruited, financed and supported criminals, terrorists and unsuspecting civilians to play defined roles in these assassinations.

Indian media and social media accounts immediately claimed and glorified these killings as successful retribution against "enemies" of India and projected their capacity to carry out these illegal acts. Potential assassins were recruited, using social media, talent spotters and fake Da'esh accounts.

There was complete compartmentalization of the various components of the operation with employment of teams of financiers, locators, and assassins. Elaborate exit plans were developed to obscure all potential tracks. At this stage, we are sharing information on two cases. A few other similar cases are under investigation and will be revealed in due course.



First case is that of the assassination of Shahid Latif. On 11 October 2023, a group of criminals assassinated Shahid Latif outside a mosque in the city of Sialkot. A detailed investigation revealed that an Indian agent, Yogesh Kumar, based in a third country orchestrated the assassination through criminals and terrorists.

Yogesh Kumar recruited Muhammad Umair, a labourer in that third country to act as a contact with local criminals in Pakistan to trace and assassinate Shahid Latif. The recruited local criminals were able to locate and trace Shahid Latif. However, the killers-for-hire were unable to carry out the execution.

After some failed attempts, Muhammad Umair was personally sent to Pakistan to carry out the assassination. Muhammad Umair organized a team of five target killers which after first failed attempt on 9 October 2023, succeeded in assassinating Shahid Latif on 11 October 2023.

Based on confessional statements and technical evidence, law enforcement authorities quickly apprehended the target killers, including Muhammad Umair, who was trying to flee the country on 12 October 2023. All those involved in reconnaissance and killing has been apprehended and is being tried in a court of law. We have evidence of transactions made in the process linking the entire chain to Indian agent Yogesh Kumar.

Second case is that of the assassination of Muhammad Riaz. Another Indian agent was involved in killing of another Pakistani national Muhammad Riaz, who was assassinated during Fajr prayer, in a mosque in Rawalakot on 8 September 2023. Law enforcement agencies tracked the killer Muhammad Abdullah Ali and apprehended him on 15 September 2023 while boarding a flight at Jinnah International Airport Karachi.

Interrogation revealed that Muhammad Abdullah Ali was recruited and guided by Indian agents Ashok Kumar Anand and Yogesh Kumar. Indian agents utilised social media app Telegram to recruit Muhammad Abdullah Ali, who was asked to locate Muhammad Riaz.



Muhammad Abdullah Ali received payments through middlemen based in a third country. He was also provided with weapons and ammunition. After a failed attempt on 7 September 2023, Muhammad Abdullah Ali succeeded in killing Muhammad Riaz on 8 September 2023.

The law enforcement authorities apprehended Muhammad Abdullah Ali and his supporters and facilitators from various cities of Pakistan. The case is being tried in a court of law. Based on confessional statements of Muhammad Abdullah Ali and technical evidence, the investigators quickly identified the facilitators in Pakistan as well as in third countries.

We have documentary, financial and forensic evidence of the involvement of the two Indian agents, who masterminded these assassinations. We are releasing the passport details of Yogesh Kumar and Ashok Kumar. We have also reached out to the governments of relevant third counties. And as I said earlier, there are a few other cases of similar gravity at various stages of investigation.

The conclusions one is forced to draw from these developments are as follows:-

 These cases reveal growing sophistication and brazenness of Indian sponsored terrorist acts inside Pakistan.

 They fit the pattern of similar cases which have come to light in other countries including Canada and the United States. Clearly the Indian network of extra-judicial and extra-territorial killings has become a global phenomenon.

 Pakistan has remained a target of extra-judicial killings for some time now. We are now witnessing an increased sophistication in these operations as revealed in these two cases.

 It is critical to bring to justice the killers, their facilitators and financers involved in these assassinations. Indian agents need to face justice for its extra-judicial and extra- territorial killings in Pakistan and other countries.

 India's assassination of Pakistan nationals on Pakistani soil is violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and a breach of the UN Charter. This violation of Pakistan sovereignty by India is completely unacceptable.

 India must be held accountable internationally for its blatant violation of international law.

 Pakistan remains committed to protecting its people and securing its sovereignty. Protection of Pakistanis and any foreign national on Pakistani soil is a high priority for the Government of Pakistan.

 India's reckless and irresponsible act calls into question India's reliability as a credible international player and its claims for enhanced global responsibilities.

I thank you all

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Minister Radosaw Sikorski talks with European Commissioner Thierry Breton about development of Europe's arms industry

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland

25.01.2024

At today's meeting in Warsaw, Poland's chief diplomat talked with European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton about strengthening the European defence industry in the face of challenges arising from the war in Ukraine.

Minister Sikorski hoped for swift agreement on a further support package for Ukraine under the European Peace Facility and stressed the necessity to increase the production capacity of the European military industry.

Another point on the agenda were the expectations about the Commission's European Defence Industrial Strategy as a tool to increase the efficacy and the importance of Europe's arms industries in strengthening the EU's security. The talks also covered the initiative to create a separate fund for European defence. The head of the Polish MFA emphasised the need to strengthen the European defence industrial base, also in the context of ensuring the continuity of support for Ukraine.

Moreover, the officials discussed the defence initiatives that the European Commission has adopted so far, including the ammunition initiative to guarantee increased deliveries of artillery ammunition to Ukraine.

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Hezbollah stages drone attack on Israeli Iron Dome missile system in support of Gaza

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 25 January 2024 9:48 PM

The Lebanese resistance movement of Hezbollah announces launching a drone attack against the Israeli regime's Iron Dome missile system in the northern part of the occupied territories.

In a statement carried by Lebanon's al-Manar television network on Thursday, the movement said it had launched "two kamikaze drones" against an Israeli missile system and Iron Dome platforms near the regime's Kfar Blum settlement.

The drone strike, the movement said, came "in support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip."

The regime has been waging a genocidal war against Gaza since October 7, 2023 following an operation carried out by the Palestinian territory's resistance groups.

Around 25,900 Palestinians, some 70 percent of whom are women, children, and adolescents, have been killed in the brutal onslaught so far, while 64,110 others have been injured.

Following the onset of the war, the Israeli regime began conducting sporadic attacks against Lebanon, which sparked a firefight with Hezbollah.

The firefight has grown remarkably in intensity following a spate of assassinations carried out by the regime, including against Saleh al-Arouri, a senior official of the Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas, who was martyred in a targeted killing operation on January 2.

The confrontation has seen the Israeli regime targeting areas lying in southern Lebanon, using United States-made white phosphorous shells, among other types of ammunition.

Also on Thursday, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported an Israeli aerial attack against a home in the village of Tayr Harfa.

White phosphorous shells were also dropped on the outskirts of the village of Alma al-Shaab and the town of Dhaira, the NNA said.

Dozens of Hezbollah members and Lebanese civilians have been killed in the Israeli attacks.

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Federal crop insurance subsidies grew to record highs last year, and a growing chorus of farmers and other groups say the system needs reform.

They say a lack of transparency about where the money goes and a system that favors a small segment of farmers on large commodity crop farms unfairly puts smaller, beginner and more diversified farmers at a disadvantage.

Todd Leake, who farms 2,000 acres near Emerado just west of Grand Forks, said the crop insurance program, as currently constructed, is unfair to smaller and more diversified farms like his and said that the premium subsidy -- the portion covered by taxpayers -- should be capped.

Theres no limitation on how much crop insurance subsidy you can get, Leake said. It could be millions and millions, but for a smaller farmer it is much less. So larger operations are getting their risk management paid for by the federal government to an unreasonable degree.

Another impact the current system has had is inflated land prices leading to larger farms either buying up or renting out more land from smaller farmers around them, he said.

They can keep growing and swallowing up land at the expense of family farms, Leake said. Theyre getting their land taken out from under them because the big operations cant lose.

In the past two decades, crop insurance payouts have grown from just $2.96 billion in 2001 when the federal program started, to a record $19.13 billion in 2022.

Increasing fluctuations between years of drought and years of heavy precipitation as climate swings intensify have increased the number of claims.

Only an average of 20% of farms across the country can access crop insurance, and this favors commodity crops, including those grown primarily for energy use.

Calls for reform

There are several bills circulating in the U.S. Congress aimed at reforming the crop insurance program, and if not individually passed, they could make their way into how that insurance system is reformed in the next Farm Bill.

Legislation under consideration largely focuses on transparency, caps on amounts received by individual farmers, including more support for beginning farmers and ranchers as well as support for sustainable agricultural practices such as cover crops.

On the tax side, the group Taxpayers for Common Sense is pushing for greater transparency since current laws do not make details on what individuals and businesses receive in crop insurance subsidies available to the public.

Taxpayers end up paying around 65% of the costs of the insurance through the premium subsidy.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the program will cost taxpayers around $16.3 billion in 2023 and at least $10 billion per year over the next decade.

Crop insurance subsidies are currently non-transparent, so we dont know who they go to, said Sheila Korth, a senior policy analyst with Taxpayers for Common Sense based in Nebraska. Theres no limits if youre a billionaire or a millionaire or if you live on a farm or not.

Korth said it would be nice to know, from a public good perspective, and a taxpayer perspective where the money is going and to ensure that payments are not going to anything unnecessary.

Former state legislator and tax reform advocate Rick Becker said the crop insurance system is fraught with problems and that it leads to inflated prices of agricultural land.

When you have a guaranteed income, especially for specific crops, with no loss, that suddenly makes land more valuable, Becker said.

And so what we're seeing is, of course, farmers expanding but the biggest ones are the ones that can afford to absorb that cost, he said. So the bigger ones get bigger and the new farmers and the young farmers are squeezed out.

Bernt Nelson, an economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation and native North Dakotan who continues to participate in a family farm in the state, said with the push for transparency, reforms need to be careful not to create opportunities for there to be winners and losers, adding that calls for full transparency could undermine privacy.

The idea is to balance that so we can share as much information as possible without putting our individual farmers or farm members at risk, he said.

Another group, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, hopes reforms can help level the playing field for smaller, beginning and more diversified farming operations through transparency requirements and payment limits on what each farm or acre could get.

While Leake suggests the system has already set a winners-and-losers scenario, Nelson of the Farm Bureau said any reforms capping payouts could end up doing just that with unintended consequences.

Im not saying its not possible to create a system regarding that, but we have to be really careful when presenting any kind of cut off, whether its an acreage cut off or price increase cut off, Nelson said.

Either way, some believe many options should be on the table.

It would be nice if we could have a good discussion about how we can reform it without pulling the carpet out from underneath farmers that are currently using it, Becker said. In my opinion, it's not their fault. They're not the bad guys here.

Hobby, specialty farms

For farmers like Marvin Baker, crop insurance could make sense if it was less complicated and not cost-prohibitive. He grows a variety of produce on three acres of land near Carpio just northwest of Minot. The produce is sold to local residents and at farmers markets.

He said hes looked into crop insurance but it would have ended up costing too much.

Its either very costly or impossible to get crop insurance for what we do, said Baker, current president of the North Dakota Farmers Market and Growers Association.

With the growth in farms under 15 acres over the past two decades, he sees a need thats not being addressed by the system or the insurance companies at a time when locally sourced food is gaining in desirability.

Nelson of the Farm Bureau said a lot of times it is a coverage issue for smaller farmers with specialty crops that may not have an insurance product yet. He said he hopes that is changing and acknowledged that it takes time to develop those products.

We're always pushing for more covered products and to do research on creating insurance products that are actuarily sound as a business product, Nelson said. Specialty crops are naturally an area that has a lot of coverage issues.

Mentioning North Dakota, he said the state has the second-highest amount of specialty crop coverage in the country, though these policies are mostly geared toward edible beans in the northern counties.

North Dakota payouts

Farmers in Texas, followed by North Dakota and Kansas, have been the biggest beneficiaries of crop insurance payouts in the past two decades, receiving over 30% of payments.

North Dakota alone accounted for 9% of all payouts over that period, with farmers receiving nearly $14 billion.

According to analysis of U.S. Department of Agriculture data by the Environmental Working Group, $11.8 billon of that came from five weather-related causes with excess moisture, drought, hail and heat having the most impact in North Dakota.

North Dakota is just especially vulnerable it seems to these extreme weather events, said Anne Schechinger, Midwest director for EWG.

Much of that is coming from excess moisture, with North Dakota receiving the most payments out of all states for that category at around $6.8 billion, compared to the next-highest state Minnesota which got $3.5 billion, according to the data EWG analyzed.

While the top county nationally getting payouts for excess moisture was in South Dakota, the next nine are in North Dakota. Of those Cass, Dickey and Barnes saw the highest excess moisture payouts.

Theyre a big part of the Prairie Pothole Region, so a lot of farms are in former wetlands, which lends itself to more excess moisture payments, Schechinger said.

Opting out

For more than 10 years farmer Gabe Brown has not participated in federal crop insurance programs, but thats largely been out of choice rather than necessity.

His very diversified 6,000 acre ranch northeast of Bismarck, as he calls it, raises grass-finished beef, lamb, pastured pork and honey, and rotates through a variety of grain crops, depending on whether the year tends toward drought or heavy moisture.

Like others with diversified crops, obtaining crop insurance is either difficult, doesnt make sense for their operations, or is seen as unfairly skewed under the current system.

Browns Ranch is highly profitable, he said, and crop insurance would end up being too constraining for farms like his. He said the insurance system has evolved to favor farmers planting whatever crop has the most favorable insurance structure.

Thats why the Corn Belt is all corn and soybeans, Brown said. Thats why North Dakota is becoming more corn, soybeans and wheat. Those are the crops that get the biggest revenue insurance.

Browns ranch also hasnt used fertilizer, other than what drops out of the back end an animal while their grazing since 2007, he said.

A crop insurance system that favors commodity crops ends up negatively impacting soil resources, he said, because most farmers only make more money by getting more yield.

This leads to them using more and more synthetics and chemicals, which degrades the soil and so you're in this negative tailspin, he said.

Brown, who has been able to achieve profitability while moving toward a more diversified, regenerative farming operation, says a wider holistic approach also needs to be taken with any reforms to the crop insurance system.

Its a flawed system to start that only perpetuates the current model, Brown said.
Al-Houthi: Targeting of Israel-linked ships in Red Sea will continue

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 25 January 2024 4:00 PM

Yemen's Ansarullah leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi says the targeting of ships linked to Israel will continue until aid reaches the Palestinian people in Gaza.

In a televised speech on Thursday, al-Houthi said the main reason for the continuation of Zionist crimes is America's position.

"America insists that Gaza remain under complete siege and the Rafah crossing stays closed. America insists that the aid and supplies needed by the Palestinian people do not enter Gaza," he said.

"America sends its officers to the region to manage Zionist crimes. America is directly involved in the starvation of the Palestinian people. Not only are they starting them, but they are giving bombs to Israel to kill them."

The US not only does not allow food and medicine to enter Gaza, but it has also escalated tension with Yemen which has cost it dearly.

"America's escalation against our country has a heavy price for them from an economic point of view, and it will also have negative results in the expansion of the scope of the war," al-Houthi said.

The US, he said, does not care about endangering shipping and turning the Red Sea into a battlefield, nor does it have any problem with expanding the scope of the war and intensifying the situation in the region.

The US is trying to project its aggression against Yemen and its actions to protect Israel as a step toward guaranteeing international shipping.

"It is the actions of the United States and the United Kingdom that are a danger to navigation and a violation of the sovereignty of the countries of the Red Sea region," he said.

Since the beginning of Yemen's operations in the Red Sea, 4,874 merchant ships have passed through the Red Sea, which is a high number, al-Houthi said.

"We only target Israeli ships. Our goal is to exert pressure to deliver food and medicine to the Palestinian people and to prevent Zionist crimes."

Any escalation by America and England will have opposite results, al-Houthi asserted, saying it will not "affect our will and determination".

"We are doing a holy act, which we consider to be a part of Jihad in the path of Allah."

The Muslim people of Yemen, he said, have presented themselves as a model at all levels, citing weekly demonstrations held across the country.

"The cry of our nation to the Palestinian nation is 'You are not alone' and 'We are with you until victory'. The people of Yemen will not leave Gaza alone, and our people in their homes will not ignore the events in Gaza.

"I ask our people to continue their weekly demonstrations. I want them to come to the streets tomorrow, Friday, in Saba'in Square in Sana'a and other provinces. Tomorrow, God willing, our nation will emphasize that Gaza is not alone and Yemen is with the Palestinian people until victory."

The result of Yemen's operations so far has been attacking the enemy with more than 200 drones and more than 50 ballistic and cruise missiles, al-Houthi said.

"Our operations will continue until food and medicine reach all the people of Gaza and stop the Zionist crimes. Our conscience, our faith and our bond with the Palestinian people do not allow us to sit quietly and watch. America's insistence on supporting Zionist crimes and rejecting fair humanitarian equations will not affect our positions and will not cause us to retreat."

Al-Houthi said nations whose regimes severely repress them can boycott American and Israeli goods.

"Muslims have a great responsibility to support the Palestinian people. If the Muslims had provided the necessary support to the Palestinian people and Islamic fighters, the equation would have changed completely."

Al-Houthi said the enemy has failed to crush the will and determination of the Islamic fighters and the people of Gaza, only exposing its aggressive nature, hatred, brutality and moral bankruptcy with its heinous daily crimes.

"The more they failed to achieve their goals, the more they were inclined to commit horrible crimes," he said.

Meanwhile, international institutions are mere observers of the ongoing events.

"Where is their practical position? America and the West do not make any decisions regarding Israel's mass killings and the statements made by international institutions about Gaza do not in any way reflect the real events in Gaza."

Al-Houthi said despite the financial and military support of the US and the West, Israel's military and economic losses to Israel are high.

"The losses of the Israeli enemy have reached thousands of dead and wounded, and the regime has been shaken in an unprecedented way and has completely failed in what it hoped to achieve."

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Jan. 24: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 25 January 2024 1:21 PM

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 25,700 Palestinians, mostly children and women.

The operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Wednesday, January 24, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Jan. 24:

Targeted an Israeli military tank and two bulldozers with 'Al-Yassin 105' shells west of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.

Hit a gathering of Israeli forces penetrating east of Al-Fukhari in Khan Yunis with heavy-caliber mortar shells, causing casualties.

Targeted an Israeli troop carrier and bulldozer with 'Al-Yassin 105' shells southeast of Khan Yunis.

Targeted four Merkava tanks with 'Al-Yassin 105' shells west of Khan Yunis.

Targeted an Israeli battalion of more than 15 soldiers barricaded inside a house west of Khan Yunis with an anti-fortified TBG shell, causing deaths and injuries.

Blew up a house that had been previously rigged after an Israeli force took shelter there, using explosive devices, resulting in a number of deaths and injuries.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Jan. 24:

Seized an Israeli reconnaissance drone in the skies of Gaza City.

Targeted an Israeli supply line and vehicles with a barrage of mortar shells east of Jabalia.

Launched a rocket barrage toward the occupied territories.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Jan. 24:

Targeted an Israeli drone with a SAM, in the eastern skies of Gaza.

Shelled formations of Israeli forces in the axes of Khan Yunis with short-range rockets and mortars.

Targeted the Israeli military site "Yiftah" of the first battalion of the Northern Brigade in Gaza with a rocket barrage.

Shelled the Ra'im Israeli military base with a rocket barrage.

Al-Aqsa Brigades' operations on Jan. 24:

Destroyed a Merkava tank and an armored personnel carrier (APC) with explosives in the central and western axis of Khan Yunis.

Shelled a gathering of Israeli vehicles and soldiers near the western cemetery of Khan Yunis with a barrage of 60mm mortars.

Hezbollah's operations on Jan. 24:

Eastern sector:

At around 13:25 local time, the Bayad Blida site was targeted with appropriate weapons.

At around 15:40 local time, the Al-Sammaqa site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms was targeted with missiles.

Western sector:

At around 21:30 local time, the Birkat Risha site was targeted with missiles.

Yemeni military's operations on Jan. 24:

Engaged in clashes with several US warships in the Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandab that were providing cover to two US commercial ships, directly hitting one of them with ballistic missiles, and consequently forcing the commercial vessels to retreat. The clashes went on for 2 hours.

Iraqi resistance's operations on Jan. 24:

Using missiles and drones, three occupation bases in Iraq and Syria, namely Conoco Base, Erbil Airport Base, and Ain Al-Assad Base, were targeted, causing damages and casualties.

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With eye on Russia, NATO launches largest war games since Cold War

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 25 January 2024 10:56 AM

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has launched its largest military exercise since the Cold War, with a US warship leaving the United States for transit across the Atlantic to alliance territory in Europe.

NATO has said some 90,000 troops from the United States and other allied nations are due to join the Steadfast Defender 2024 drills that started on Wednesday and will run through May and span from North America to NATO's eastern flank, close to the Russian border.

"Steadfast Defender 2024 will be a clear demonstration of our unity, strength and determination to protect each other, our values and the rules-based international order," said General Christopher Cavoli, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

Cavoli stated that during the military exercise, the alliance will demonstrate its ability to reinforce the Euro-Atlantic area via trans-Atlantic movement of forces from North America, focusing on the threat as a "near-peer" adversary.

The exercise is designed to simulate the 31-nation alliance's response to an attack from a rival like Russia. While NATO did not directly name Russia as the target behind the drills, its top strategic document identifies Russia as the most significant and direct threat to NATO members' security.

More than 50 ships, including aircraft carriers and destroyers, will take part in the war games, as well as more than 80 fighter jets, helicopters and drones and at least 1,100 combat vehicles, including 133 tanks and 533 infantry fighting vehicles.

"Today launched its biggest military exercise since 1988 with 90,000 personnel taking part in drills across the North Atlantic and Europe," Matthias Eichenlaub, a NATO spokesperson, said on X platform formerly Twitter.

During the second part of the Steadfast Defender exercise, a special focus will be on the deployment of NATO's quick reaction force to Poland on the alliance's eastern flank.

Other major locations of the drills will be the Baltic States, Germany, Norway and Romania, which are seen as most at risk from a potential Russian attack.

The exercise, the biggest since the 1988 Reforger drill during the Cold War, comes as NATO reinforce the defense of Europe after Russia's military operation on Ukraine began in 2022.

Russia has reacted to the military drill, calling it an "irrevocable return" of the alliance to Cold War schemes, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told the state RIA news agency in remarks published on Sunday.

Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, NATO countries have sharply increased their military budgets. The countries have also been delivering billions of dollars worth of arms to Ukraine and have pledged to help Kiev militarily in its war against Moscow.

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Qatar 'appalled' by Israeli PM's criticism of its mediation efforts in Gaza war

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 25 January 2024 10:40 AM

Qatar has condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent remarks on Doha's mediation role in the Gaza war, saying his comments are detrimental to mediation efforts in the besieged enclave.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, made the remarks in a post on X on Thursday, after a leaked recording allegedly captured Netanyahu calling the Persian Gulf state "problematic".

"We are appalled by the alleged remarks attributed to the Israeli Prime Minister in various media reports about Qatar's mediation role," Ansari said.

"If the reported remarks are found to be true, the Israeli PM would only be obstructing and undermining the mediation process, for reasons that appear to serve his political career instead of prioritizing saving innocent lives, including Israeli hostages," he added.

The Qatari spokesman further expressed hope that Netanyahu decides to "operate in good faith and concentrate" on the release of the captives, "instead of concerning himself with Qatar's strategic relations with the United States."

In a leaked recording from a meeting with families of captives that aired on Israel's Channel 12 news on Tuesday, Netanyahu called Qatar "problematic".

"You haven't seen me thank Qatar, have you noticed? I haven't thanked Qatar. Why? Because Qatar, to me, is no different in essence from the UN, from the Red Cross and in a way it's even more problematic," Netanyahu said.

However, he added, he is willing to use any mediator who can help bring the captives home.

The Israeli premier further accused Qatar of financing the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, adding that he "got very angry with the Americans" for renewing a deal to extend US military presence at a base in the Persian Gulf state.

Qatar played a key role in mediation efforts and helped secure a week-long ceasefire in Gaza that ended on December 1 and allowed Palestinian resistance groups and the Israeli regime to exchange captives and prisoners while enabling international organizations to deliver badly-needed humanitarian aid to the coastal sliver.

The Israeli regime waged the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas 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 aggression, Israel has killed more than 25,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

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Ansarullah orders US, British UN staff to leave Yemen

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 25 January 2024 6:59 AM

Yemen's Ansarullah officials have ordered US and British nationals working for the United Nations and humanitarian organizations in the capital Sana'a to leave the country within a month.

Yemen's Foreign Ministry gave the order in a letter to Peter Hawkins, the UN's acting humanitarian coordinator in Yemen on Wednesday, after US and UK carried out a new round of military strikes across the country in response to attacks by Yemeni armed forces on Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea.

"The ministry ... would like to stress that you must inform officials and workers with US and British citizenships to prepare to leave the country within 30 days," the letter said.

The letter also instructed foreign organizations to not hire American and British citizens for Yemen's operations.

Mohammed Abdulsalam, the Ansarullah spokesman, confirmed the letter's authenticity to Reuters.

In a statement, the US embassy said it was aware of reports about the letter but "cannot speak on behalf of the UN or humanitarian organizations in Yemen" as to what they may have received from Ansarullah authorities.

The British embassy also noted that its staff had not yet been told to leave and the mission was in close contact with the UN on the issue.

On Monday, US and British forces launched strikes at eight different locations in Yemen, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, according to a joint statement signed by the six countries.

The strikes came as the Yemeni armed forces have been staging many such strikes against Israeli vessels or those bound for the occupied Palestinian territories' ports over the past month.

The operations have been described as a response to the Israeli regime's war on the besieged Gaza Strip.

So far, eight rounds of strikes over the past month have failed to stop attacks by Yemeni armed forces against shipping linked to the Israeli regime.

The Israeli regime waged the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas 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 aggression, Israel has killed more than 25,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

The Israeli regime has also imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

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Closer Vietnam-US ties not based on Beijing issues, says conference

Vietnamese and American experts offered different perspectives on handling China.

By RFA Staff 2024.01.25 -- There are stark differences in the ways the United States and Vietnam approach their relationships with China, participants at a recent U.S.-Vietnam conference in Washington, D.C. said.

Yet they agreed that the strategic alignment between Vietnam and the United States is not all about how Washington deals with Beijing.

"The strategic interests that the U.S. and Vietnam share ... are about far more than China and how we think about the China relationship," Lindsey Ford, deputy assistant secretary of defense for South and Southeast Asia, told the meeting held by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank.

"We should avoid looking at U.S.-Vietnam security ties through the lens of U.S.-China competition," said another participant, Bich Tran, postdoctoral fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore (NUS).

Vietnam and the U.S. elevated their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest level in international cooperation, in September 2023 during President Joe Biden's visit to Hanoi. The upgrade is seen by some as part of the efforts by both countries to manage security and economic challenges posed by an increasingly powerful and assertive China.

Hanoi in particular has been worried about tensions in the South China Sea between China and other countries in the region.

"I think in some ways ... some of the concerns we may have about the behavior that we're seeing coming out of Beijing are similar it doesn't mean though that the only reason the United States and Vietnam have or would want to work together is because of China," Ford said, "I would say the United States and Vietnam have a lot of interests in rule of law, in seeing operational behavior that accords with rule of law."

Some of China's activities in the maritime domain, including in the South China Sea, were "extremely unsafe and dangerous for us," according to the U.S. defense official.

"We believe that countries and their military and law and law enforcement forces should operate in a way that accords with international law," she said.

"In terms of U.S. and Vietnamese leadership, they all agree that China's behavior is their concern [but] I think Vietnam and U.S. leaders have different emphases on their approach," said Bich Tran. "The U.S. focuses mostly on competition, but Vietnam is focused on cooperation with China because of the geographical proximity and the similarities of the political systems."

Vietnamese senior diplomat, Nguyen Hung Son, said that while the U.S. and Vietnam "see eye to eye on very clear violations of international law, especially in the South China Sea we also agree that there is a necessity to manage the relationship with China."

"Even a superpower like the U.S. also needs to manage its relationship with China. You'd rather have a good relationship with China than a troubling one," said Son, who serves as vice president of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

"We are an immediate neighbor to China, the risk for anything that goes wrong in our relationship with China is a lot higher than that of the United States and therefore you will see that there's a lot of prudence in our handling of the bilateral relationship with China," he added.

Vietnam is carefully watching recent developments between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea and "drawing lessons" from it.

"We are also exploring opportunities to collaborate with other ASEAN member states as the South China Sea is a concern not only to Vietnam and other littoral states but to the whole ASEAN," the diplomat said.

"Policies around the South China Sea should be founded around strengthening international law and building capabilities to help countries in the region enforce international law in the region."

Military-to-military relationship

There was a certain "over enthusiasm" about U.S.-Vietnam military cooperation after the two countries agreed on their comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP), according to Nguyen Hung Son.

"Barely 10 days after President [Biden] visited Hanoi and upgraded the relationship there was this report on Reuters which alleged that there were talks between Vietnam and U.S. officials on a sale of F-16 [fighters] to Vietnam," Son said.

"If you believe, or are made to believe, that defense sales are the thing that follows the CSP, I'm sorry, you're going to be disappointed," he said. "While the U.S. might think about the CSP in terms of deterrence, the Vietnamese, and probably the rest of ASEAN, thinks of the CSP more in terms of resilience."

"The purpose [of the CSP] is to strengthen Vietnam's capability to resist influence and to lessen dependencies on nearby major powers," Son added.

The U.S. will continue to work with Vietnam to enhance military cooperation, according to deputy assistant secretary of defense Lindsay Ford.

"In terms of emerging areas of cooperation, there's obviously an awful lot we're doing related to maritime security. We are doing a lot and want to continue with helping Vietnam build its own maritime domain awareness capabilities," she said, adding that the U.S. continues "to look at new technologies and capabilities that we can help with."

"Cyber security is something that ... remains a key vulnerability for militaries across the world. U.S. Congress has been very focused on a pilot Southeast Asia cyber capacity building program and this is an area we want to continue to grow with partners including Vietnam."

The U.S. official said defense trade is also a potential area of cooperation.

In December 2022, Hanoi held the first trade Expo to showcase its defense industry as well as to seek potential providers in order to diversify the market.

The U.S. plans to be there again this year, Ford said.

"This is an area that is not just about what the U.S. through commercial or other means has to offer, but increasingly where there may be opportunities for us to think about research or co-production together in the future," she noted.

Vietnamese officials have been speaking of the concept of "strategic trust" that Hanoi wants to grow with its major strategic partners.

"The United States is an important security partner of Vietnam and Hanoi has become increasingly more comfortable in working with Washington," said Bich Tran from the NUS.

Since Washington lifted its arms embargo against Hanoi in 2016, American drones and coast guard cutters have been transferred to Vietnam.

It appears that more arms transfers may be in the pipeline.

"Is there room for sales of F-16? I would say that I wouldn't foresee that is coming tomorrow but I wouldn't rule that out to come at some point," said Nguyen Hung Son. "I'm not going to rule out that defense trade and defense cooperation is going to be at some point a very important pillar of Vietnam-U.S. cooperation."

Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang,

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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Madrasahs Go Mainstream: Taliban To Grant University Degrees To Religious Students In New Blow To Secular Education

By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi, Abubakar Siddique January 25, 2024

Since seizing power, the Taliban has appointed its foot soldiers, commanders, and leaders as ministers and the heads of state-run institutions in Afghanistan, including universities and hospitals.

The decision has triggered widespread criticism among Afghans, who have accused the Taliban of hiring unqualified and uneducated fighters and clerics to key positions in its government.

In a move that is seen as a response to that criticism, the extremist group announced on January 20 that it would be granting graduates of madrasahs, or Islamic seminaries, the equivalent of high school diplomas and university degrees.

Afghan academics and educators say the Taliban is trying to pave the way for its members and loyalists to dominate government ministries and institutions.

Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, thousands of civil servants who worked for the Western-backed Afghan government have remained on the payroll of the Taliban government. But many have been forced to sign pledges that they will adhere to Islamic Shari'a law or were subjected to a test that gauged their knowledge of Islam.

"The Taliban loyalists are being gifted bachelor's and master's degrees," Jehandad Jehani, a former economics professor at Khost University in southeastern Afghanistan, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi.

"This step will deny jobs to [non-Talibs] in the government and public sector," Jehani said. "People pursued formal studies for decades to help equip themselves for specific roles."

The Taliban's government is dominated by clerics and lacks management experience and expert knowledge, which analysts say has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian and economic crises in the country.

Overhauling The System

Under the previous Afghan government, madrasahs were often informal and offered religious instruction to children in mainly poor communities.

But since the Taliban takeover, the militants have overhauled the education system in Afghanistan. They have converted scores of secular schools, public universities, and vocational training centers into Islamic seminaries, leading to a surge in the number of madrasahs in the country.

The Islamist group has also vowed to change the national curriculum and build a vast network of madrasahs across the country's 34 provinces.

Hundreds of university professors and schoolteachers have been fired from their positions or fled the country, while teenage girls and women have been banned from receiving an education.

Afghan educators say the Taliban is bent on rooting out all forms of the modern secular education that thrived in Afghanistan after the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 toppled the group's first regime.

In its latest attempt to undermine secular education, the Taliban's Ministry of Higher Education said on January 20 that it will grant the equivalent of high school diplomas as well as bachelor's and master's degrees to graduates of Taliban-run madrasahs.

The ministry said madrasah students who complete six years of education will get the equivalent of high school diplomas. Students who complete eight years of education will be granted a bachelor's degree, while those with 11 years of religious education will be given a master's degree after passing a test.

The move is likely to see tens of thousands of madrasah graduates receive formal qualifications, which are limited to Islamic subjects, including jurisprudence and Shari'a law.

The Taliban said it is currently administering exams across Afghanistan that will see some 50,000 madrasah students graduate with new diplomas and degrees.

"Now that they are equating the academic credentials of the madrasahs with those of the universities, it will render the latter irrelevant," Noorullah Shad, a former university professor in Khost, told Radio Azadi.

"One can graduate from a madrasah in eight years, but it takes 16 years to finish [secular] school and get a bachelor's degree from the university," he added.

Asif Nang, a former Afghan education minister, said secular Afghan universities offered degrees in Islamic studies even before the Taliban takeover. But he said religious instruction has now overshadowed secular education.

He said the Taliban's new decision is likely to pave the way for even more of its members to secure jobs in the government and state-run institutions.

Nang said the move is part of a broader effort by the Taliban to transform from a guerrilla insurgency into a functional government.

"The Taliban wants to transform its fighters from nonstate actors into state actors," he said.

Written by Abubakar Siddique based on reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Azadi.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-madrasahs-taliban- secular-education-degrees-diplomas/32791896.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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Government Of North Macedonia Resigns Under Roadmap For General Elections

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service January 25, 2024

The prime minister of North Macedonia and his cabinet on January 25 submitted their resignations to parliament, clearing the way for a caretaker government to be installed ahead of general elections in May.

Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said he thanked his ministers ahead of a meeting with Talat Xhaferi, speaker of the parliament, who also resigned on January 25, three days before he is expected to take over as caretaker prime minister.

"I will wish him a successful procedure until Sunday, and then a successful election of him as technical prime minister," Kovachevski told reporters, describing Xhaferi as a politician who has a lot of experience in running the parliament.

Xhaferi will be the first ethnic Albanian to hold the position of acting head of government.

Kovachevski said that while Xhaferi's style will be different, he "will certainly maintain the state's strategic direction, which is the Western orientation [and] the strategic partnership with the United States."

The practice of forming a caretaker government 100 days before election day was established in 2015 as part of a deal between the main political parties under the mediation of the European Union to end a political crisis at the time.

Parliament is also scheduled to vote on a new cabinet on January 28. The current opposition will have two ministers in the 20-member cabinet and three deputy ministers.

The main political parties agreed last month to hold general elections on May 8, which is two months early and will coincide with the second round of presidential elections. The first round is scheduled for April 24.

The main opposition party, the center-right VMRO-DPMNE, had been pressing for early elections, accusing the government led by the center-left Social Democrats and their junior coalition partners of corruption, nepotism, and incompetence.

Kovacevski, representing the Social Democratic Union, has been head of the government since January 2022. He expressed confidence that on May 9 he will lead the new government.

North Macedonia began membership talks with the European Union in 2022. The small Balkan country of 1.8 million people must meet certain criteria to join including changing its constitution to recognize a Bulgarian minority. The issue is highly contentious because of the overlapping histories and cultures of Bulgaria and North Macedonia.

With reporting by AP and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/north-macedonia-government- residents-roadmap-elections/32791873.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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Erdogan Officially Approves Turkiye's Ratification of Sweden's NATO Membership - Reports

Sputnik News

20240125

ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday approved the ratification of Sweden's membership in NATO by Turkiye, the NTV broadcaster reported.

According to the Turkish broadcaster, the decree with the presidential assent of the ratification of Sweden's NATO membership has been published in Turkiye's official journal known as Resmi Gazete. The publication in the journal means that the ratification process is over.

Turkiye has been reluctant to ratify Sweden's NATO membership arguing that Stockholm had to do more to ensure that it was no longer a safe haven for pro-Kurdish militants, seen as terrorists by Ankara.

The Swedish authorities have welcomed Turkey's decision.

"Welcome Turkiye's approval of the ratification of Sweden's NATO accession. With this, a key milestone has been reached in Sweden's path towards NATO membership," the Swedish prime minister's office wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Sweden, along with Finland, submitted its NATO application in May 2022, several months after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine. Finland became a member of the alliance in April 2023. Sweden's application is still pending ratification by Hungary.

 Sputnik

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Kremlin on NATO Exercises: Russia Knows Against Who They Held

Sputnik News

20240125

KALININGRAD, Russia (Sputnik) - Russia knows against who the NATO drills are held and has never had any illusions about this matter, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, NATO spokesman Dylan White announced the launch of Steadfast Defender 2024, the alliance's largest military exercise in recent decades.

"The exercises are rather unprecedented, and they do not hide who they are conducting these exercises against. Actually, we have never had illusions, we know what the NATO military infrastructure is," Peskov told reporters.

NATO announced last Thursday that it would kick off Steadfast Defender 2024 in late January. The exercises, which will take place in the Atlantic and Europe, will involve some 90,000 troops from 31 allies and Sweden. They will last several months.

During the drills, the allies plan to test out a conflict scenario against a "near-peer adversary" in accordance with Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an attack on one ally is considered an attack against the entire NATO and allows for the provision of appropriate assistance.

 Sputnik

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North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum previewed his last year in office on Tuesday during a State of the State address in Dickinson, a day after announcing he would not run for a third term.

On his agenda for 2024 are renewed calls for the elimination of North Dakotas income tax, the creation of a new office focused on rural prosperity, research into the states housing shortage and a goal to make North Dakota the most financially literate state by 2027. Burgum also touted the states high placements in rankings on labor force participation, infrastructure, education and child care, as well as its record general fund ending balance.

Were underestimated. That's the state of our state, Burgum said. We are so good at so many things. And we've never been stronger. Financially, economically, peoplewise, we've never been stronger.

Burgums speech comes as political players across the state speculate about his future in the wake of his Monday announcement. He displayed ambitions for higher office throughout 2023 as he campaigned for president, though his White House bid ended in December, and in recent weeks hes endorsed former President Donald Trump and stumped alongside him in early primary states.

The Republican frontrunner recently said he hopes to call on Burgum to be a very important piece of a potential new Trump administration. And on Monday night, just hours after Burgum spoke with reporters about his decision not to run for a third term, he stood on stage next to Trump in New Hampshire. However, Burgum said Monday that Trumps praises are completely not connected to his decisions about his future.

Burgum interspersed through his Tuesday speech multiple calls for North Dakotas income tax to be eliminated. He signed in 2023 a $358 million income tax relief package, the largest in state history -- but during a special session last fall, he unsuccessfully championed an additional $91 million in relief that legislators shot down. But those kinds of moves are baby steps, he said as he challenged legislators to take up the issue in the 2025 session.

We've got the revenue, we've got the reserves, we've got the ability, we need workforce, Burgum said. It's time for us to say goodbye to North Dakota state income tax once and for all.

Much of Burgums speech on Tuesday focused on North Dakotas growing workforce and the potential obstacles to recruitment and retention being faced across the state. He included income tax on that list of hurdles, but also pointed to issues such as housing. The statewide Housing Needs Assessment is predicting North Dakota will need 9,000 additional units to meet demand through 2025, he said, and the state will need to determine how to address those needs in the coming months.

As a result, the state is launching a series of listening sessions with a focus on availability, affordability and stability to understand the current outlook of housing in North Dakota. From there, policy leaders will piece together a plan to encourage future development.

Burgum also announced the creation of the Office of Community Development and Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce -- an office that will be collaborating with rural communities to facilitate growth and development.

We can streamline efforts. We can allocate resources more strategically, Burgum said. We can understand and attack the unique challenges faced by rural communities who are supporting community development. But we won't be doing this thing alone.

Burgum also announced Tuesday that North Dakota would seek to become the most financially literate state by 2027, with a focus on education in schools to prepare students for adulthood. Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler and State Treasurer Thomas Beadle will lead the effort, with a more comprehensive plan to be announced in April, which is Financial Literacy Month.

Some Democratic leaders decried Burgum's talking points on Tuesday, saying some of Burgum's proposed agenda items don't go far enough.

"The outgoing administrations focus on the things that will really improve the lives of everyday North Dakotans was too little and too late," Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan, D-Fargo, said in a statement. "North Dakotans also want to see our state supporting public employees, public education, and fully funded school lunches, and I dont think we saw that in this speech."

Throughout the speech, Burgum drew a clear throughline that came, in part, from his experiences on the presidential campaign trail. Many Americans he met didnt know how North Dakota fits into the national economy, he said, especially in regards to its prominence in the energy and agriculture industries. But he wants perceptions of the state and its residents -- which he repeatedly touted as the best of America -- to change.

As he concluded his two-hour speech -- which he delivered standing on a stage well away from a podium -- Burgum began to get emotional, reflecting on his time serving as governor.

Youve got 327 more days of me, so this is not a goodbye, he riffed, referencing the end of his term on Dec. 14. And he left listeners with a charge: To continue telling the story of North Dakota.

I know when working together, we can empower people, he said. We can improve lives and inspire success. And if we believe in ourselves, and we learn to tell our story, we will no longer be that blank spot on the map in people's minds.
China's Defense Ministry Blasts NATO as 'Walking War Machine' Sowing Chaos Everywhere

Sputnik News

20240125

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin, when summing up the outcome of 2023, said that the West is trying to shift NATO's activities to Asia, whip up a crisis there and form new military and political blocs.

NATO is a walking war machine that brings chaos wherever it appears, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said at a briefing on Thursday.

"We have drawn attention to inappropriate statements by the NATO Secretary General regarding China. As a regional military organization, NATO has launched and participated in wars since the very days of its inception," Wu Qian said.

He observed that over the past few years, the alliance has been steadily shifting its focus towards the Asia-Pacific region, employing the nonexistent "China threat" as a means to provoke bloc confrontation and endangering regional security.

"It should be said that NATO is a walking 'war machine,' and wherever it appears, it brings disorder everywhere," he pointed out.

Wu Qian has called on NATO to cease their fabrication of lies and cease engaging in dangerous actions that disrupt the Asia-Pacific region, and to treat China, along with the Chinese armed forces and its development in an unbiased and rational manner.

During the World Economic Forum in Davos, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that the US-led military bloc remains "regional" in nature and will continue to be so.

Stoltenberg also engaged in classic blame game, stating that the Western bloc allegedly does not regard China as an adversary and does not wish to expand into Asia.

"This is not about NATO moving into Asia, but instead about the fact that China is coming close to us," he claimed.

 Sputnik

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Moldova Has No Plans for Hosting F-16 Jets on Its Territory for Ukraine - Defense Minister

Sputnik News

20240125

KISHINEV (Sputnik) - Moldovan Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii on Wednesday denied media reports that F-16 fighter jets that the West will send to Ukraine would be based on the territory of Moldova.

Moldovan media and Telegram news channels have reported earlier that American F-16s to be handed over to Ukraine in the future would be based at the Marculesti air base in the north of the republic.

"This information that F-16s would be based on the territory of the republic is inaccurate, and its purpose is to discredit the [Moldovan] Ministry of Defense. I condemn and dismiss these lies. The national army acts in accordance with the approved plans and carries out activities in the country and abroad to strengthen the country's defense capability and develop the necessary capabilities to be able to act in any crisis situation. I urge citizens and the media to get information from credible sources," Nosatii told a government briefing.

In mid-January, Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar and his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, discussed cooperation in training Ukrainian and Romanian pilots to fly F-16s via teleconference.

Romania received the first five F-16s for pilot training from the Netherlands in November 2023.

Western countries have been providing Ukraine with military aid since the start of Russia's special military operation in February 2022. The support evolved from lighter artillery munitions and training to heavier weapons, including tanks and jets. Last July, an international coalition was formed to provide Ukrainian pilots with training to fly F-16s, the fighter jets of its choice, spearheaded by Denmark and the Netherlands.

Russian officials have repeatedly voiced concerns that arms supplied to Ukraine will eventually end up on the black market and fall into the hands of terrorists or criminal organizations, thus jeopardizing the security of the entire Europe and increasing the risk of a direct clash between Russia and NATO.

 Sputnik

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Houthi Military Spokesman Says US Military Vessel Suffered 'Direct Hit' in Gulf of Aden

Sputnik News

20240125

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said Wednesday that a US military ship had suffered a "direct hit" as a result of clashes between its forces and several American warships in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

"A clash occurred today between a number of American destroyers and warships in the Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandab while they were protecting two American commercial ships. The result of the clash was as follows: - A direct hit on an American vessel. - Forcing the two American commercial vessels to withdraw and return," Saree said in a statement on X.

The spokesman said the movement used "a number of ballistic missiles" during clashes that lasted for more than two hours, adding that "several missiles struck their targets despite warships' attempts to intercept them."

Earlier in the day, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said the Houthis had attacked US-flagged, owned, and operated container ship Maersk Detroit in the Gulf of Aden, adding that one missile had landed in the sea and two other missiles had been shot down.

Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, vowed in November 2023 to attack any ships associated with Israel until it halts military actions in the Gaza Strip. This led the US to announce the creation of a multinational operation to secure navigation in the Red Sea. Forces of the US and the United Kingdom later launched major strikes against Houthi positions in a bid to degrade the rebels' ability to target commercial vessels.

On Monday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that foreign ministers of the EU had "agreed in principle" to launch a maritime security mission in the Red Sea, but the bloc had yet to agree on when and how it would be launched.

 Sputnik

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio at a Joint Press Availability

US Department of State

Remarks to the Press

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio

Ministry of External Relations

Luanda, Angola

January 25, 2024

MODERATOR: (Via interpreter) His Excellency Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America; His Excellency Ambassador Tete Antonio, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola; distinguished members of both delegations; dear journalists - good afternoon, and welcome to the (inaudible) auditorium here at the headquarters of the Angolan diplomacy.

Excellencies, we know that you were shortly in the presidential palace at - and meeting with His Excellency Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, the President of the Republic of Angola, where surely issues of common interest were discussed; regional and international issues also were deliberated.

At this auditorium we have the Angolan media resident and the U.S. correspondent who are eager to record and publish this essential visit. I therefore ask your excellencies to summarize what was discussed, the conversation just concluded, starting with His Excellency Blinken, the Secretary of State of the United States of America, and then followed by Minister Tete Antonio, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: (Inaudible.) Ah, there we go. Thank you. Thank you very much.

We started our trip in Cabo Verde. We were then in Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and now here in Angola. And I have to note at the outset that while we were in Cote d'Ivoire, I had an opportunity to participate in viewing one of the matches in the Cup of Nations, and of course as a diplomat, I would never take sides in this competition, but I have to note the extremely strong results thus far in the tournament of the Palancas Negras. (Laughter.) And we'll see what happens, but they're off to a very, very good start.

Foreign Minister Tete, thank you so much for the warm welcome today. It's wonderful to make this trip to Angola as Secretary, and I especially want to thank President Lourenco for the very productive, important conversation that we've had, all (inaudible) dedicated, and the substance of our conversation.

I'm here in Angola and here in Africa as part of this four-country trip because we see America's future and Africa's future as joined. Our peoples are joined; our prosperity and success in the future is linked. African voices are shaping this century and leading on issues of global importance, including issues that matter to both of our peoples and their lives, from shared prosperity to dealing with climate change, to building greater food security. And that's clearly true here in Angola.

At the White House in November, President Biden reaffirmed to President Lourenco that this is a historic moment for the partnership between the United States and Angola. Our relationship is stronger, it's more consequential, it's farther-reaching than at any point in our 30-year friendship. And at this transformational moment, President Biden asked me to come to Luanda to help build on and accelerate our progress.

One of the most successful and dynamic demonstrations of this partnership between our countries - and we can see it in action - is our work to expand the critical Lobito Corridor that links Angola, Zambia, and the DRC. We're doing that through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment. This project has genuinely transformative potential for this nation, for this region, and - I would argue - for the world. It will spur investment in underdeveloped sectors like telecommunications and agriculture. It will secure critical mineral supply chains that are essential to the economic futures of all of our countries, our industries, our workers, and our climate ambitions. And it will more effectively connect Angola and its neighbors to global markets.

The United States has committed funding to refurbish the existing 1,300-kilometer Lobito Atlantic Rail Line, and we've taken the first steps to build out 800 kilometers of new rail (inaudible), including through a consortium with Angola and six other partners. I had a chance today to see some of the dramatic progress that's already being made in building out this corridor. It is moving faster and further, I think, than we even might have imagined when we set out to do it. That rail investment, which is the biggest investment the United States has made in railways on the African continent in well over a generation, is at the heart of our Partnership for Global Investment and Infrastructure work in Angola.

But - and I saw this today as well - we're also looking beyond rail, investing in additional projects that will together catalyze even more growth and even more prosperity. We're investing in a multi-billion-dollar solar energy project, which will provide clean electricity to half a million homes. It'll, in so doing, create thousands of local jobs and support the U.S. manufacture of solar equipment. We're helping construct steel bridges that will link communities across the country. We're supporting a project to connect people without traditional banking to mobile money applications. That includes family farmers who will now have access to capital that they can invest in more efficient food production (inaudible).

Food security is one of the areas that's genuinely foundational to our partnership with Angola as well as with countries around the continent. One of the things that I've heard time and again from our partners, at a time when we've had an almost perfect storm leading to greater food insecurity - climate change, then COVID, and then conflict, including the Russian aggression against Ukraine - one of the things I've heard time and again is, as important and as greatly appreciated as emergency assistance is, what partners are really looking for is to build their own sustainable productive capacity.

So that's exactly what the United States is supporting: building long-term sustainable production in Africa, for Africans and, ultimately, for the rest of the world. We can assure that African countries not only meet their own needs but can meet the needs of many others as well.

We're going to work with Angola and with the International Fund for Agriculture Development through a new initiative that we have, our Vision for Adapted Crops and Soil, or VACS, part of USAID's flagship Feed the Future program. VACS rethinks what, where, and how we produce food in the face especially of the climate crisis. It invests above ground, identifying the indigenous African crops that are most nutritious and most resilient to climate change, improves these varieties, and then delivers them to consumers and markets. But it also invests below ground, mapping, conserving, building healthy soils.

Of course, we also discussed the challenges that we face in the region and beyond to security as well as to democracy. The United States very much appreciates President Lourenco's continued efforts to de-escalate tensions between Rwanda and the DRC. We believe that the Luanda Process in tandem with the Nairobi Process is the best hope for enduring peace. Angola is trusted by all sides; President Lourenco's leadership is vital for a breakthrough. Today, we had a chance to discuss that with the president, with the foreign minister, including meaningful steps that can be taken toward peace.

And we discussed other challenges on the continent. We'll continue to count on partners like Angola to address democratic backsliding in the region and follow through on their commitments on civil society, free and fair elections, and other pillars of democracy in our countries.

Finally, we spoke about our partnership beyond the continent, including through the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation. That coalition is bringing together 34 countries - excuse me, 32 countries throughout the Atlantic to drive blue economic development, protect our shared environment, collaborate on science and technology in ways that benefit everyone. Angola is taking a lead on tackling some of the biggest shared ocean-related challenges; it will soon co-chair the Marine Spatial Planning working group, which will help sustainably develop the region's blue economies.

Finally, we're thrilled that Angola is now the 33rd country to join the Artemis Accords. These are a set of practical principles to guide the safe, peaceful, and sustainable exploration of space for the benefit of all humankind. I had a chance to visit the new science museum today here in Luanda, which is a wonderful facility, and I can just see generations of young Angolans having their own horizons expanded. But I think it's also powerfully symbolic for the Artemis Accords that our partnership, our relationship is both literally as well as figuratively reaching new heights. We couldn't be more pleased with that and grateful for it.

So Mr. Foreign Minister, Tete, thank you for this very warm welcome. Thank you for the quality of our conversations and the work we're doing together. It's very good to be here. Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER ANTONIO: (Via interpreter) Thank you very much, Mr. Antony. You almost have said all the content of my speech, because you've said everything that we've been doing together as countries. But mainly, I have to thank you for having chosen Angola as a destination - one of the destinations during your trip to Africa. And also I'd like to thank for the way that his excellency the president of the republic has said he was received in Washington, D.C., and also in the same token to thank on how you received us when I went to Washington, D.C., to meet you at the State Department for a very long period of time where we discussed various issues.

We think that if we are to celebrate the 30 years of relationship with the U.S. last year, we consider that now we have gotten into a crucial stage, which is the stage of implementation of various agreements that we've signed. We have 15 legal instruments that we've signed with the U.S. We have established cooperation mechanisms that range from general policy to a memorandum on strategic partnership and goes down to sectoral dialogues. And I believe that sectoral dialogues are very important, and we are satisfied that the results that we are seeing today on the ground are the aftermath of sectoral dialogues. And we have to encourage those other sectors that need much more action amongst us, such as the vision that Secretary Blinken has mentioned, the VACS.

So we think that food security is key to development. Within the framework of our economy diversification, agriculture has an outstanding role to play. And we have plans that we have adopted as a country, and these plans surely - such as Planagrao, which is the plan of cereals and the plan of livestock. These will also benefit from this strategic partnership.

Secondly is the topic of knowledge transfer. This has been discussed, which would be the best investment that we can make in a country, because we acknowledge we can bring all kind of competencies and all sectors, but it will not be possible to achieve tangible results, because in order to translate them into practice, we need knowledge.

You have mentioned other sectors such as health, telecommunications. We are making progresses with the U.S. Africell company, and energy also has been discussed. And of course, Lobito Corridor is the flagbearer in terms of our domestic and foreign action, given its impact, and above all we have interest of bringing in private sector in order to look at Angola as one of crucial destinations, but also looking at Angola as a well-located country strategically. Angola is located between the Central and Southern African regions, and with Lobito Corridor we believe we can have the biggest ambition, apart from its multiplying effect as an enterprise, that is translated into logistical bases that we're creating - agriculture - and the possibility of having a major regional integration, and therefore a bigger market. So that would lead us to materialize the ambition of having the two oceans - the Atlantic and the ocean connected.

So this is a great potential that it represents, and we also appreciate our cooperation in regional issues. And I believe that all efforts that the president of the republic, Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, has been conducting - who is the champion for peace and national reconciliation in Africa - and in this capacity, we also have added responsibility, and everything that we do complements the activities of the UN Security Council. Therefore, the support of U.S. to Angola is important by leveraging and supporting those activities that we are undertaking.

Lastly, the Security Council - we have been following attentively the work that has just been termed, the adoption by the UN Security Council about the resolution on a peacekeeping mission deployed by African Union and its funding. This is a great milestone. Of course, we have not achieved as much as we wanted to; we have achieved 75 percent. But that can constitute a basis for us to having the continent benefiting from this effort. Because indeed, everything that we do in trying to find peace in the region is done on behalf of the international community.

So that's all I had to say at this point in time.

MODERATOR: (Via interpreter) Thank you, Excellencies. After concluding the addresses by the two entities, the coming moment is for questions and answers. I would appreciate it if the four selected journalists introduce themselves, give their names, and the entity they represent, asking their question remembering that there are only two questions for the Angolan press and two questions for the American press.

QUESTION: (Via interpreter) Good afternoon. My name is Candido Calombe from the Angolan Public Television. My question is addressed to - to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. First, I'd like to know if there is plan and talks for President Biden to visit Angola. And the other question: Apart from the investment mentioned, is there another portfolio to support the country?

Minister Tete Antonio, I would like to know: With this strengthening of strategic partnership, will be Angola in a position to mobilize U.S. investors to come and invest in our country? Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you very much. I know because President Biden raises it so frequently that he would welcome an opportunity to come here. Of course, we have an election this year in the United States, so there are challenges to schedules, but I know from both the importance that he attaches to the relationship, the truly historic meeting between President Lourenco and President Biden in Washington, and all of our efforts here that I know he'd look forward to doing that at some point in the future.

At the same time, we've had - to Africa as well as to Angola specifically - a number of the President's most senior advisors coming, visiting, and working closely together. I'm very pleased that I've had the opportunity to be here today, but of course the Secretary of Defense was here, other senior officials have been here, and we look forward to continuing that work together and also receiving our friends in Washington, as we did with Tete recently.

In terms of what we're doing together, as I said, it's reached a depth and a breadth that we've never seen before in the relationship over 30 years. I've mentioned some of the areas where we're working together and supporting each other. The Lobito Corridor, as I said, is probably the most powerful, concrete example because it brings together so much, not just the physical infrastructure and physical connections but digital as well. And also dealing with the climate challenge through (inaudible).

And in doing that, it's creating more good jobs here in Angola, and it's creating greater - greater opportunity as we address these challenges. It's also making Angola, I think, a hub - a hub for transportation, a hub for communications, and in so many ways it's at the foundation of what we're doing. But even as we're doing that, we're working more broadly to attract more private sector investment (inaudible) the tools of the United States Government to support that, and I expect that we'll see even more in the time to come.

The efforts that President Lourenco is making, including combatting corruption, is also critical because it creates the best possible investment environment. Finally, I just want to emphasize something that Tete said because I think it's so important. The assistance that the United States can provide, the investment we can generate, they're usually important and we will continue to do that. But maybe even more important: The way we do things together really is through the transfer of knowledge, the building up of capacity, of expertise, because that's the single best way to ensure that going forward and in the future our friends and partners can really do everything that they need to do for themselves as well as for others in the world.

And that's really at the heart of the relationship, whether it's economic, whether it's security, whether it's on democracy, it's sharing the experience that we've had, sharing the knowledge, the expertise that we've built up, and hopefully having that strengthen the capacity of our partners. I - one thing I hope we see in the future, by the way, is even more exchange between us, between our peoples, starting with education - which is the first and most important way to transfer knowledge. So we look forward to that as well. Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER ANTONIO: (Via interpreter) Thank you. Just to complement what Mr. Antony has just said with regard to invitation - invitation to President Biden has been extended. We know that the trip of a head of state relies on various factors, and we all know and understand what these factors are. And with regard to the coming of more U.S. companies, the role of diplomats is to pave the ways and establishing the environment for political and diplomatic relationship between countries so that the rest of sectors of society can follow suit. And I believe this is our duty with Mr. Blinken. That is what he's doing apart from other issues of common concern.

With regard to bilateral relations, this is a determining factor showing that the level of relationship that we've achieved already says about - says it all about the existence of good business environment so that U.S. investors and also Angolan investors do not forget that this is a two-way relationship we have constituting courage, our entrepreneurs, to take heed of the opportunities in the U.S.

Now, with regard to private sector, our belief is two. We know that in our transformation agenda it is based on belief on the private sector, and that means we believe on the role of private sectors that is about U.S. companies that would be willing to invest in Angola. We know that Ambassador Mushingi has a very good checklist, and that checklist, which he checks every day, will grow a lot as from now on. And I believe this is the role that we are playing over here, and we believe that all of us do trust in this good relationship between the two countries that will generate a good business environment.

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Thank you, Mr. Minister for having us. Mr. Secretary, could - Shaun Tandon with AFP. Mr. Secretary, could I follow up on a couple of things you mentioned in your opening remarks? You mentioned DRC and Rwanda, and Mr. Minister, you mentioned that as well - the efforts by the president. How hopeful are you that there could be more stability now? You've spoken with Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi in recent weeks. Previous attempts to end the violence have not succeeded. How optimistic are you that this could succeed now?

Could I also follow up - you mentioned democracy. Opposition groups have called for the holding of local elections here in Angola. Is that something that's come up? To what extent did you discuss the situation here? And Mr. Secretary, if I could also - something slightly further afield - but we're expecting a decision soon from the International Court of Justice regarding the suit filed by South Africa on Israel. I know you've earlier said that it's meritless. Does that judgement still stand? How does this in a long term affect relations with South Africa, that they brought it forward? Thanks very much. Obrigado.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Shaun, thank you very much. So first, with regard to the DRC and Rwanda, as you know, we work closely together with our partners first and foremost to get through the recent election period in the DRC. And I think as a result of some of the work that we did - and notably the work that the Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines did in working with Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee, putting together a mechanism so that all sides were sharing information in real time and that there were no miscalculations made about what was happening on the ground - that was successful, I think, in helping making sure that we got through the election period.

Now that the election is done, we believe that it's an important moment to try to forge forward with diplomacy and particularly with the processes that have been established, notably Rwanda and also Nairobi, to work toward a durable peace. And that's exactly what we talked to President Lourenco about today. I think in that effort Angola plays - and the president plays - an essential role, because President Lourenco is trusted by all sides. And that's vital. That's the most important currency that we have.

And so we talked about concrete ways to have that process move forward. And I - as you said, I had the opportunity to speak both to the president of the DRC and the president of Rwanda just in recent days. We're going to continue our intense engagement in support of efforts that our African partners are making. I don't want to evaluate prospects, but we did talk about concrete steps today with President Lourenco that could be taken to move the diplomatic track forward. And I think that's essential.

With regard to Angola itself, we also had a good conversation with President Lourenco about some of the work that he's doing here at home in his own leadership. I mentioned the (inaudible) that are being made to combat corruption and how important that is, first and foremost, for the Angolan people, but it's also important in terms of attracting foreign investment.

But we also discussed the way forward, including in local elections and including continuing to expand the space for media. The president noted that he's just about to open a second academy to train journalists - there's already one here in Luanda - and we think that's an important and positive trajectory.

With the - with regard to the ICJ, look, I'm not going to get ahead of the opinion. You know our views on the on the case; those views stand. And of course, our relationship with South Africa is vitally important, and it is a very broad and deep relationship covering many, many issues. So whether or not we have a disagreement on one particular matter doesn't take away from the important work that we're doing together in so many other areas and that we'll continue.

FOREIGN MINISTER Antonio: (Via interpreter) I don't know if you are still waiting for an answer from my side after the answer given by Mr. Blinken. Just to say that the way towards peace is not a straightforward line. It's not a straight line. This can find a lot of variation. If we were in mathematics, a graph, it is never straight. So as I said in my speech, we have been benefiting from U.S. activities towards the same actors. I believe those who were in Luanda yesterday and followed the news have learned that the president of the republic spoke with President Felix Tshisekedi and President Paul Kagame. That means the Luanda Process is still on and it is still engaged in the search for peace, mainly in the eastern DRC.

Of course, all peace processes go through various stages. We know the history of that country. And our task is not only to continue working with the parties, but also a hope that regional efforts - I'm talking about Nairobi Process with which we've been coordinating - there has to be some harmonization. That's why Luanda was the capital that hosted the Quadripartite Summit that aimed at harmonizing the initiatives. So I still believe that these efforts are still valid, and we'll continue to do them in order to help the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is not only neighboring country, but also a strategic country for Africa, for the world at large, can find peace.

QUESTION: (Via interpreter) Good afternoon. I am Sany Funche from the Angolan national radio. I would like to address my question to the U.S. Secretary of State to know whether the U.S. supports the initiatives by African leaders needed to bring about a change in the UN Security Council, a reform that will allow Africans to have a more active voice.

To the minister of external relations, I would like to know what understandings have been achieved after this visit by the U.S. Secretary of State? Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you very much. And the short answer to your question is: yes. You may have heard President Biden speak to this at the General Assembly in New York this past year. The United States supports reform in the Security Council. We want to make sure that the Security Council and, for that matter, other international institutions and organizations, reflect today's realities, not just the realities that existed when those organizations were created, many - in some cases many, many decades ago. And so we believe the Security Council needs to be more representative and to include African voices.

We've made some progress in that general direction this year, as you know, with American leadership. The African Union was integrated into the G20. But Security Council reform is critical, and the President's spoken to it - but not only speaking to it, we're going to try to work to act on it this year working with partners in Africa, and of course working with other members of the existing Security Council, to try to move forward on reform.

FOREIGN MINISTER Antonio: (Via interpreter) Thank you very much. Just to complement on the issue of the UN Security Council reform, that also was one of the issues discussed in the meeting with the president of the republic. We may recall that the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit had this as one of the most important topics in the speech by President Biden. So this is the attention that the U.S. had been attaching to the request by the African continent, mainly in the framework of the Ezulwini Consensus that has to do with Africa's position towards the UN Security Council reform.

Secondly, about the understandings, I believe that the main understanding is for us to continue working in those fields that have been mentioned already and continue to encourage and animate our relationship with the U.S. on those issues that we think that we have not yet made big progress such as - we were talking a while ago about how know-how transfer. We have signed various agreements, and the motto is the implementation of the main legal instruments that we've signed, including the strengthening of sectoral dialogues.

With regard to other issues, namely issue - regional issues, as mentioned here by Mr. Blinken, I think we don't need to get into details about the next steps to be taken regarding trying to find solution to the Democratic Republic of Congo conflict. But there is mutual will for us to continue collaborating on this regard. I believe we can limit ourselves to this understanding, this understanding can be translated into agreement or goodwill, and this goodwill does exist between us in those sectors that we have agreed upon already and those others that we'll continue pressing on.

QUESTION: Hi. Thanks very much to both of you for doing this. I'm Michael Birnbaum from The Washington Post. Mr. Secretary, I wanted to ask about this allegation from UNRWA that one of its compounds in Gaza was hit recently and at least 12 people were killed. And they're saying that it was hit by tank rounds. What's your assessment of whether Israel is responsible for it? And more broadly, over the last couple of days we're seeing Israel demolish buildings along the border in Gaza, saying they're doing that to establish a buffer zone. That's something that you've pushed them not to do. How many times do you need to push the Israelis to protect civilians - are they living up to the commitments they've made to you - before they actually listen?

And Minister Antonio, I wanted to ask about your sense of - you've talked about deepening your partnership, orienting Angola more toward the United States through Lobito Corridor and these other projects you're talking about today. What's your sense of the United States as a partner versus China and Russia, who both clearly have deep relationships in Angola? And you mentioned last year, standing alongside Sergey Lavrov, that you wanted to avoid a third world war. How has the war in Ukraine affected your assessment of Russia as a partner? Brigado. Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So with regard to the reports of the incident at the UN facility, first, let me just emphasize again something that we have emphasized from day one, and that is the imperative of protecting civilians and protecting civilian infrastructure, as well as the humanitarian and UN infrastructure that is there in Gaza to help people who are in desperate need. And the work that the UN is performing in Gaza is quite literally lifesaving, and no one else can do it - no one else is doing it. And it only underscores the importance of making sure that its facilities - including facilities that it's erected or is maintaining that are housing the many, many displaced Palestinians until they can go back to their homes and neighborhoods, is essential and it has to be protected. We've reaffirmed this with the Government of Israel, and it's my understanding that they are, as is necessary and appropriate, looking into this incident.

More broadly with regard to civilian infrastructure and with regard to the contours of Gaza itself, we've spoken very clearly about this and will continue to do so, both with the Government of Israel as well as in public. We do not support any diminution of the territory of Gaza. And similarly, it's vitally important that all of the civilian infrastructure be protected as best possible - understanding that this is a war brought about by the horrific attacks by Hamas on October 7th, that Hamas continues to hide in and under civilian infrastructure. Nonetheless, there's a responsibility on the part of Israel to do everything possible to protect that infrastructure, and certainly not to destroy it. So that's, again, something that we have and will continue to take up with the government.

And as I've said from the outset, from these now four months since October 7th, when we have important questions that we're pursuing, important needs that we're pursuing - when it comes to humanitarian assistance, when it comes to civilian protection, when it comes to any other aspect of this - it's an ongoing conversation, an ongoing dialogue. And sometimes you don't get results immediately, flipping a light switch. It's a process; we're at it every single day. And I believe the engagements that we've had, the interventions we've made, the work that we've done, has made a real difference over these past four months - both in terms of humanitarian assistance and civilian protection.

Having said that, the suffering of civilians in Gaza - men, women, and children - remains heartbreaking, and it animates us to do everything we can to try to ensure the best we can that the right steps are being taken to protect civilians and to make sure that they're getting the assistance that they need. Let me leave it at that.

FOREIGN MINISTER Antonio: (Via interpreter) Thank you very much for your question. With regard to the relationship with Russia, China, and the U.S., first of all I would like to say that Angola is a country that is open to the world. Maybe I should borrow a word by Mr. Blinken during a visit to West African countries. He said that in a country that needs so much that everybody has a space to cooperate with that country. I can't recall which country was that, but Mr. Blinken is here, can testify to that. So this also applies to the Republic of Angola. And knowing our history, in terms of the development and transformation that we want to bring about in this country, but all partnerships that can fit into our needs and our policy in terms of our developmental policy are welcome.

With regard to the fact to which extent the war between Russia and Ukraine affect our relationships, we know that the premises for establishing diplomatic relations are well known, (inaudible) - mutual respect, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs. These are the basic principles in the relation with Angola, the Republic of Congo, Angola with South Africa, Angola with Russia, or Angola with the United States of America. These are base principle of all diplomatic relations. And in these relationship, we can have also different standpoints in our relations.

And we believe as Angola that the best friends are the one who tells the truth, and I believe I could stop here and say that the difference that might exist in our relationship with one or another are applicable to this old adage, saying that the best friend is the one who tells the true. Where we think that the principle that we've just mentioned - or the principles that I've mentioned - are not being upheld, and we had to warn our friends. So this is the way that I'm trying to summarize my response.

With regard to the first question, this is an aspect that I've already mentioned. I had the privilege of borrowing Mr. Antony's statement on the need of having partnership. And maybe we should think deeper. I think it's wrong when our interpretation for partnership development falls into temptation of saying, "You must leave for me to get in." That's wrong, because in political terms, this could be misinterpreted. It looks like the partner that we're going to have has to be under dominion of somebody else, whereas the world lives on complementarity, and this complementarity has various development levels.

Let me just give an example. Maybe the structure of Angola's foreign trade with the U.S. might not be the same as that of foreign trade between Angola with Japan, or U.S. with Japan - because the level of development is different. And in this difference, we will try to find solution for the needs for our development. So I think we need to think out of the box and not get stuck into those paradigms that are no longer valid in this world of complementarity. Thank you very much.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you, everyone.

MODERATOR: (Via interpreter) Excellencies, thank you very much for your responses. The - journalists, we have come to the close of our press conference. Thank you very much for having come, and wish you a very good afternoon.

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks to the Press

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Luanda Science Center

Luanda, Angola

January 25, 2024

SECRETARY BLINKEN: It's a particular pleasure to be here in Angola's brand-new science museum, to get a chance to see the museum. I can just see the generations of young Angolans who will come here to be inspired, to have their eyes opened, maybe choose careers in science, and to add to the incredible storehouse of human knowledge. It's a wonderful facility, but it's also, I think, symbolic of two areas of collaboration between the United States and Angola that I'm very excited about and that we're really pursuing and digging into.

One is the fact that Artemis is now the third - excuse me, Angola is now the third African country to join the Artemis Accords for the peaceful use of space. And you can see the extraordinary potential, some of which is already happening through existing NASA collaborations but will only be strengthened by Angola as part of Artemis, in terms of addressing some of the most acute needs here in Angola, including mitigating droughts, including irrigating soil and crops, and working on the effective use and management of water. So much can be done from space using geospatial data, and the collaboration that we will now have between the United States and Angola is only going to strengthen those efforts and that partnership.

Second, and relatedly, I'm very pleased that Angola is joining as an early partner in our VACS initiative, Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils. The power here is this: As we've been dealing with the kind of food insecurity over the last few years and we've seen an almost perfect storm between climate change, COVID, conflicts like the Russian aggression against Ukraine, and the impact they've had on food security, one of the things that I've heard again and again, particularly in Africa, is that for all of the thanks that we get for the emergency assistance that we've been able to provide - either directly or through the United Nations, like the World Food Programme - what our partners are really for are investments in their own sustainable productive capacity. And at the heart of that is making sure that they have the strongest possible system for producing food. And one of the things that we've understood is that it really starts with two very basic things: the seeds and the soil.

Here in Africa, and here in Angola, when we look at some of the traditional seeds that Africans have relied on - and here maybe it's cassava, maybe it's millet, maybe it's sorghum, incredibly nutritious and that can now be made even more resistant to the ravages of climate change, to the cycles of droughts and floods and other abnormal weather events - when you have high-quality seeds and then you put them into high-quality soil, and we now have the ability to map soil anywhere in the world and understand where it's strong and healthy, where it's not and how to remediate that - you put those two things together and you have a much stronger, sustainable, resilient, and nutritious agricultural base. And then we get to the point where Africa is feeding itself and, indeed, probably feeding other parts of the world.

That's the vision behind VACS, and that's the partnership that we're now building with Angola as one of our early partners in VACS. So this seemed like a fitting place to emphasize that collaboration - both new heights in space, but also right here on Earth - and to demonstrate how these two things are connected. So I'm excited to be able to be here at the museum to think about, again, generations of Angolans who will come here, have their eyes opened to science, to exploration, to using human ingenuity to solve problems.

And finally, fundamentally, at the heart of all of our partnerships, including the partnership with Angola, is sharing and transferring knowledge. Because, as important as assistance is, as important as investment is, it's that transfer of knowledge - the sharing of knowledge, the sharing of understanding - that genuinely builds capacity in our partner countries and allows them to stand strongly on their own feet.

Thanks very much.

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U.S. and UK Target Houthi Military Officials for Supporting Acts of Terrorism

U.S. Department of the Treasury

January 25, 2024

WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on key officials of the forces of Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, for their support to acts of terrorism targeting commercial shipping. Today's action targets four individuals who have supported the Houthis' recent attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including holding civilian crews hostage. Concurrent with OFAC's designations, the United Kingdom is also imposing sanctions on these key figures of Houthi forces.

"The Houthis' persistent terrorist attacks on merchant vessels and their civilian crews lawfully transitting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden threaten to disrupt international supply chains and the freedom of navigation, which is critical to global security, stability, and prosperity," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. "Today's joint action with the United Kingdom demonstrates our collective action to leverage all authorities to stop these attacks."

On January 17, 2024, the U.S. Department of State announced the designation of Ansarallah as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), effective February 16, 2024. Today's OFAC designation of Houthi forces officials, taken in advance of the effective date of the designation of Ansarallah, serves to further promote accountability for the group's recent terrorist attacks. Individuals targeted today are being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended, which targets terrorist groups, their supporters, and those who aid acts of terrorism.

HOUTHI FORCES OFFICIALS

Since October 2023, the Houthis have launched numerous ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) against vessels transiting the Red Sea and surrounding waterways, striking and causing significant damage to several merchant ships. In November, Houthi forces boarded and hijacked the merchant vessel Galaxy Leader while it was underway in the Red Sea.

Mohamed al-Atifi (al-Atifi), the so-called Houthi "Minister of Defense," has publicly stated that the Houthis will "turn the Red Sea into a graveyard" in response to any perceived action against Yemen by the U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, a coalition of ten nations deployed to the Red Sea to protect civilian commercial vessels from Houthi attacks.

Muhammad Fadl Abd al-Nabi (al-Nabi) is the so-called "Commander" of the Houthis' maritime forces. Al-Nabi, alongside Mohamed Al-Atifi, visited the Galaxy Leader, the vessel hijacked by the Houthis on November 19, 2023. Al-Nabi has publicly committed to continuing attacks against vessels transiting the Red Sea.

Muhammad Ali al-Qadiri (al-Qadiri), the so-called Houthi "Coastal Defense Forces Chief" and "Director of the Houthi Naval College," was tasked with executing attacks against vessels in the Red Sea. Al-Qadiri has publicly threatened to attack international maritime traffic in the Red Sea using advanced weapons and to expand the Houthis' attack campaign against vessels sailing along the entire western coast of Yemen.

Muhammad Ahmad al-Talibi (al-Talibi), who serves as the so-called "Director of Procurement" for the Houthi forces, leads the Houthis' efforts to smuggle Iranian-provided weapons, missiles, UAVs, and components needed to manufacture these weapons systems into Yemen. In his role, al-Talibi coordinates arms shipments through the smuggling networks of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and answers directly to principal Houthi forces decision makers.

Muhammad Ali al-Qadiri, Muhammad Ahmad al-Talibi, Mohamed al-Atifi, and Muhammad Fadl Abd al-Nabi are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or good or services to or in support of an act of terrorism, as defined in section 3(d) of E.O. 13224, as amended.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.

In addition, non-U.S. financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions risk or be subject to an enforcement action. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here.

Click here for more information on the individuals designated today.

Additional Treasury resources on countering the financing of terrorism:

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UK and US sanction key Houthi figures to protect maritime security in the Red Sea

The UK and US have sanctioned the Houthis to disrupt their ability to attack international shipping in the Red Sea, and to promote Yemen's peace, stability and security.

25 January 2024

the UK and US have sanctioned key figures within the Houthi regime

targets include the Commander of the Houthi Naval Forces and the Houthi Defence Minister, who are both involved in co-ordinating the recent attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea which threatens peace and security in Yemen

Foreign Secretary reiterates that the UK, alongside partners, will do what is needed to protect the freedom of navigation and secure stability in the region

The UK and US have imposed co-ordinated sanctions on the Houthis today to disrupt their ability to carry out attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, and promote the peace, stability and security of Yemen.

Four key Houthi figures involved in the attacks will be subject to UK asset freezes, arms embargoes and travel bans.

This is the first sanctions action against the Houthis co-ordinated between the UK and US since the attacks in the Red Sea began in November. Pre-existing sanctions against 11 Houthi individuals and 2 entities remain in force. This includes Houthi Security Chief Sultan Zabin, who was sanctioned by the UN in February 2021, for heading a campaign of systematic arrest, detention, torture, sexual violence and rape against politically active women in Yemen.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

These sanctions reinforce our clear message to the Houthis in recent weeks. We can degrade their ability to attack international shipping. We are determined to protect freedom of navigation. We will back our words with actions. With our allies, we will continue to target those responsible for the Houthis' unacceptable and illegal actions, which risk innocent seafarers' lives and disrupt aid deliveries to the Yemeni people.

Since illegally seizing power in 2014, the Houthis have waged economic warfare at the expense of ordinary Yemenis, and carried out numerous human rights abuses against the Yemeni people - including routine and indiscriminate attacks on civilians, recruitment of child soldiers and restricting the rights and freedoms of women.

By continuing to attack ships in the Red Sea, the Houthis are imperilling the delivery of vital aid from reaching Yemen, which is reliant on food imports. UK aid helps feed 100,000 Yemeni people every month, our Yemen Sanctions Regulations include a humanitarian exemption to protect this vital work.

Those now subject to UK action today are:

Muhammad Fadl Abd al-Nabi: Commander of the Houthi Naval Forces

Muhammad Ali al-Qadiri: Chief of the Houthi Coastal Defence Force

Muhammad Ahmad al-Talibi: Assistant Minister of Defence for Logistics and Director of the Procurement Department

Mohamed al-Atifi: Houthi Defence Minister

The individuals are also subject to a travel ban and will be unable to enter the UK.

Today's action also follows strikes on 11 January and 22 January against a number of targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, led by the United States and United Kingdom, with support from the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia.

It also follows a meeting between the Foreign Secretary and the Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at this year's World Economic Forum, where the Foreign Secretary made it clear that the Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea are illegal and unacceptable, and called on Iran to use its influence with the Houthis to prevent further threats.

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UK announces new aid support for Gaza on Foreign Secretary visit to Middle East

The UK and Qatar are working together to get more aid into Gaza.

25 January 2024

The Foreign Secretary has announced that the UK and Qatar are working together to get more aid into Gaza, with our first joint consignment containing 17 tonnes of family sized tents being flown today [Thursday 25 January].

On the visit, the Foreign Secretary will witness first-hand both the UK and Qatar's humanitarian aid being loaded onto a plane destined for Egypt, after which it will go by road to Gaza. The tents will provide critical shelter for people and are desperately needed, as more families are displaced by the conflict and a cold winter continues.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

The scale of suffering in Gaza is unimaginable. More must be done, faster, to help people trapped in this desperate situation. We have trebled our assistance for Gaza, and cooperation with partners like Qatar is helping move life-saving aid and equipment over the border to those living in devastation. But our efforts will only make a difference if aid gets to those who need it most, which is why we need more access for UN staff. As I said to PM Netanyahu yesterday, far more trucks need to be able to enter Gaza and more crossings need to open. We need an immediate humanitarian pause to get aid in and hostages out, followed by a sustainable ceasefire, without a return to hostilities.

The UK has trebled its assistance and is continuing working with partners like Qatar to provide life-saving aid and equipment.

With reports of 9 out of 10 people in Gaza living on less than a meal a day in northern Gaza, our focus must be on practical solutions to save lives.

The Foreign Secretary pushed Israeli leaders for Ashdod to be used for the delivery of life-saving aid into Gaza on his visit to the region. The UK and its partners efforts can only make a difference if they can reach those in urgent need.

Israel must take steps, working with other partners including the UN and Egypt, to significantly increase the flow of aid into Gaza including allowing prolonged humanitarian pauses, opening more routes into Gaza and fully restoring water, fuel and electricity supplies.

The Foreign Secretary's Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Mark Bryson-Richardson, is based in the region and is working intensively to address the blockages preventing more aid reaching Gaza.

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Long-term governance is the only way to ensure stability and safety for Haitians: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Haiti.

25 January 2024

Thank you, President. I thank SRSG Salvador, Ms Waly, and Ms Hassan for their powerful briefings today. BINUH and their local partners continue to do vital work in Haiti in the toughest of circumstances. I also welcome the presence of the Foreign Ministers of Haiti and the Dominican Republic at our meeting, and the representatives of Kenya and Saint Lucia.

President, as we've heard from the briefers, the people of Haiti are suffering terribly. Killing, kidnapping and severe restriction of movement continue. There are disturbing accounts of the widespread use of sexual violence, including collective rape, against women and girls by gangs to instil fear in the population. Gangs forcibly recruited children and use access to food and water as a form of control.

We call on all political actors to put aside their differences for the common interest of the Haitian people and agree on a roadmap that commits all parties to working towards a return to sound, long-term governance. This is the only way to ensure stability and safety for Haitians for the long term. The UK welcomes support from the international community for these talks, particularly efforts from the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group.

The United Kingdom looks forward to the rapid deployment of the Multinational Security Support mission, and we thank Kenya for their leadership in stepping up to this task. We also welcome the engagement of Member States from CARICOM and beyond in this multinational effort to help the people of Haiti.

President, we recently welcomed the Council action in December which agreed new sanctions targeting those responsible for armed criminal violence in Haiti. We stand ready to work with all Council members to expand this list as a matter of urgency.

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

25 January 2024

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

** Briefing Guests

Good afternoon. Welcome, happy Thursday.

In a short while, we will be joined online by our colleague Jan Hoffmann, who is the head of the Trade Facilitation Section at UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) in Geneva.

He will brief you on disruptions to trade in the Red Sea, and that is because of the ongoing military activities there.

Tomorrow, I will be joined by the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Li Junhua; we will have with us also Rabib Fatima, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.

They will be here to brief on the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), which will be held from 27 to 30 May of this year in Antigua and Barbuda; not a bad place to have a conference.

** Gaza

Turning to Gaza: In a statement today, the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Director of UNRWA's (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) Affairs in Gaza, Thomas White, said that heavy fighting near the remaining hospitals in Khan Younis, including Nasser and Al Amal, has effectively encircled these facilities, leaving terrified staff, patients and displaced people trapped inside. Al Khair hospital has also shut down after patients, including women who had just undergone C-section surgeries, were evacuated in the middle of the night.

Mr. White said the situation in Khan Younis underscores a consistent failure to uphold the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law: distinction, proportionality and precautions in carrying out attacks.

This is unacceptable and abhorrent, he said, and must stop.

The near collapse of the health system and the lack of trauma care in Khan Younis city are making the humanitarian situation ever more intolerable and intense.

And, just a bit more update on the training centre in Khan Younis that was hit; our colleagues at UNRWA tell us that it was hit by direct fire yesterday at a building which, as I mentioned to you, this housed 800 displaced people. At least 13 people were killed and 56 injured, 21 of those people were injured critically, in what should have been a place of safety.

UNRWA says there are about 43,000 internally displaced men, women and children registered in the already overcrowded UNRWA compound in Khan Younis.

Throughout the day and into the early evening, ambulances and UNRWA emergency teams were being denied access to the site. When they finally reached it last night, they were able to evacuate about 45 people. The near collapse of the health system and the lack of trauma care in Khan Younis city are making the humanitarian situation ever more intolerable and intense.

Yesterday's strike was the third direct hit on this compound. Buildings flying the UN flag have been hit at least twice by tank fire, without any warning.

I want to underscore  as I said yesterday  that we do share the location of our shelters directly with the Israeli authorities and had received assurances that people inside them would be safe.

We continue tocall on all parties to take every precaution to minimize harm, protect civilians and civilian objects, especially in densely populated areas, and to protect hospitals, clinics, medical personnel and UN premises in accordance with international law.

** Security Council

Back here, as we were just talking, the Security Council held a meeting on Haiti. Maria Isabel Salvador, the Head of our mission in Haiti, briefed the Security Council on the situation there. She said the country remains plagued by escalating violence  with an unprecedented surge in kidnappings, rapes and other crimes committed by armed gangs. This, she said, increasingly affects the livelihoods of people and undermines our humanitarian activities.

Last year, our UN colleagues documented over 8,400 direct victims of gang violence, including people killed, injured or kidnapped. That's an increase of 122 per cent as compared to 2022.

Ms. Salvador said she will continue to encourage all Haitian stakeholders to effectively prepare for the deployment of the Multinational Security Support mission (MSS).

She also renewed her appeal to Member States to contribute generously to ensure the timely deployment of this mission to Haiti.

Also briefing was Ghada Waly, the Head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), according to her information report about the illicit flows of firearms and ammunition to Haiti.

She added that the report found 11 informal or clandestine air strips in Haiti, which represent a blind spot possibly used by traffickers and smugglers.

In the current context, she said, it is more important than ever to take every measure possible to prevent illicit flows from further destabilizing the country.

All of those remarks were shared with you.

More programming for this afternoon: At 3 p.m., the Security Council will reconvene for a private meeting on "Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine". The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, will brief, and afterwards he will come to the stakeout and speak to you.

This meeting will be followed by a briefing on threats to International Peace and Security. Rosemary DiCarlo, our head of Political Affairs and Peacebuilding, will brief the Council.

** Syria

And just on Syria, I think I've been asked  I can't remember by which one of you  about the Astana talks, and I can tell you that Najat Rochdi, the Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, attended the two-day round in the Kazakh capital. Ms. Rochdi held constructive meetings with representatives of the Governments of Syria, Russia, Turkiye, Lebanon and Jordan. During the meetings, she underscored the need to immediately de-escalate violence both within and within the broader region specifically in Syria.

Ms. Rochdi also conveyed that the common priorities include civilian protection, resumption of the Constitutional Committee, promoting confidence-building measures, and supporting Syrian people everywhere, and implementing Security Council resolution 2254.

Needless to say, we will continue to work with various Syrian parties and all international actors, as well to push for concrete progress.

** Honour Roll

One country on the Honour Roll today. We've done food, we've done drink, we are going do animals today.

This country's national animal is the tapir. It is the only country in Central America with English as its official language.

What? [...] Belize. Ah, Belize, home country of our colleague Jamille [McCord]. All right, we are done, I am done you are not.

** Questions and Answers

Spokesman : Edie, go ahead.

Question : Thank you, Steph. A couple of follow-ups. First, on the attack yesterday on the UNRWA training centre, there have been some questions of whether it was actually hit by Israeli tank fire. Did people in the facility see or do they have evidence that it was Israeli?

Spokesman : That is the understanding of my colleagues on the ground.

Question : They saw that?

Spokesman : That's their understanding, yeah.

Question : Okay. And can you... Yeah, I asked yesterday for an update on what our Yemen Special Envoy was doing.

Spokesman : I think I gave one to you yesterday if I'm not mistaken. Yeah. Both of us need a memory refresh, but I think I briefed you on all the discussions he'd had in Riyadh with the Yemeni Government and the P5 ambassadors to Yemen who are based in Riyadh and others.

Correspondent : I have something else, but I'll come back.

Spokesman : Okay. Dan?

Correspondent : Thank you. Steph, I think you've seen the footage that ITV News obtained of a man being shot in Gaza while waving a white flag posing...

Spokesman : You need to use your microphone, please. Otherwise, our colleagues around the world cannot hear you. Yeah.

Correspondent : Press the button.

Spokesman : Press the button.

Question : Okay, let me start again. I believe you've seen the footage of a man in Gaza, Ramzi Abu Sahloul, being shot, that our cameraman filmed there for ITV News. He was waving a white flag, was posing no threat whatsoever. Do you believe this is evidence of a war crime?

Spokesman : We have seen the shocking video. We don't have any corroboration about the incident itself. We've only seen the video. I think what it reinforces for us is a point we've been making since the beginning, that no place in Gaza is safe for civilians. And we have seen this over and over again, whether it's people in the streets trying to evacuate, whether it's people in shelters. Our human rights colleagues are continuing to monitor the situation and are pushing for an investigation into all these cases.

Question : Can I just follow up on that? Would the UN lend its voice to an investigation into this particular incident?

Spokesman : Yes. All of these cases need to be investigated.

Question : And one last question, if I may, Stephane. What was your personal reaction in seeing that?

Spokesman : It's yet another sign of the horror that civilians in Gaza are facing every day and the fact that people are just trying to live, and no place is safe for them. Gabriel?

Question : Thank you, Steph. One follow-up to that, then I have a couple of other questions. You said the UN doesn't have any corroboration to that video. What do you mean by that?

Spokesman : No, I'm not doubting the veracity of what I saw. What I'm saying is that we only have the video. I mean, to make a definitive statement, one would need to have a bit more information on the context of what was happening.

Question : Sure. But clearly no doubt of what you saw?

Spokesman : No, I'm not doubting what I saw. I'm just saying what I said.

Question : Fair enough. Thank you, Steph. On the ICJ (International Court of Justice), real quick. A few quick ones. Obviously, a big decision tomorrow, provisional decision from the ICJ. Probably, perhaps one of the biggest decisions by this body in many years, perhaps. Question. The Secretary-General, the decision we think will come down around 9 a.m. New York time. They've changed the time a little bit, but we're thinking about 9 a.m. Where will the Secretary-General be? Will he get any previous advance of the decision and how closely? I mean, give us some details about how close... [cross talk]

Spokesman : No, I mean, first of all, he will absolutely not get any advance notice of what's in the decision. The International Court of Justice is a major organ of the United Nations, just like the Secretariat, but it is fully independent from the Secretary-General. So, he will not ask nor will he receive, given his full respect for the independence of the court. He, like all of us, watch the developments in the courts closely. We need to see what the judgment will be, what the decision will be, what the opinion of the court will be, and we will react to it once we have it.

Question : Safe to assume he'll be watching it live?

Spokesman : It depends when it comes. I mean, he will see it as soon as it happens.

Question : Can we expect that no matter what the decision is that he will have a statement about it on camera?

Spokesman : You can expect that there'll be a decision from the court tomorrow. Alan?

Question : Thank you, Stephane. On 7 January in Rome, Italy, dozens of people held the rally, paying tribute to three far-right activists killed in 1978. So, those people who assembled there, they raised their hands in Roman salute. Well known fascist gesture. I wonder what the UN make of such trends in the world. Do you think it's a kind of a glorification of Nazism or what's going on?

Spokesman : I mean, we've seen the photos. One, there are basic principles that people are allowed to demonstrate peacefully. Second, I think the Secretary- General has been very clear for quite a long time now in calling out the alarming rise of neo-Nazism, of fascism, of ethno-nationalism as a dangerous trend throughout the world. Sinan?

Question : Thank you. I have two questions. Iraqi officials said they sent a letter to Secretary-General about the Iran attacks in Kurdistan region of Iraq last week. I wonder if Secretary-General received any letter yet.

Spokesman : I will check. I'll need to check with those colleagues who received the letters.

Question : And my second question is, according to some news stories, is there going to be a negotiation between USA and Iraqi officials about withdrawing the coalition forces from Iraq?

Spokesman : Sorry, say again?

Question : According to Washington Post, actually there will be a negotiation between United States and Iraqi officials about withdrawing coalition forces from there. And I wonder if United Nations would participate in this negotiation or if there is any information.

Spokesman : No. I mean, it's a bilateral issue. Obviously, I mean, it is good that these things are discussed and negotiated, but it is not one that implicates our mission in Iraq. Madame Celhia?

Question : Thank you. It seems that Mali has reinforced its military cooperation with Iran. But not only Mali, more African countries. Is the UN worried about it?

Spokesman : Well, you know, Member States, countries are free to enter alliances and support that they have. It's not for us to comment.

Question : Yeah, but the UN was, the mission was in Mali.

Spokesman : I know the mission was in Mali; it no longer is.

Question : So, yeah, I know, but it says a lot about its success or, you know...

Spokesman : I think you're linking things that, in my mind, are not connected. I think the mission achieved great success in protecting civilians, in creating zones of safety, in helping with humanitarian aid. We know very well the reasons why the mission left, and maybe those questions are best asked to the Government of Mali. Dezhi?

Question : On Haiti, today, the Security Council had a discussion on Haiti, and we know that the multinational force is still yet to be deployed, mainly because of the country who's leading this team, we're still waiting for a court ruling to go ahead. What is the UN's expectation? Because we know that ruling is going to happen tomorrow... [cross talk]

Spokesman : I mean, our expectation, I think, has been laid out by the Secretary-General, was laid out by his Special Representative today that this multinational support force is needed quickly, and we encourage Member States to support its deployment as quickly as possible.

Question : Say, if this request has been denied by the court in Kenya, do you have plan B?

Spokesman : Well, I mean, as we've said repeatedly here, it is a force that will operate under a Security Council resolution. It is not a force that is being assembled or managed by the Secretariat, right? By the peacekeeping department. But Haiti needs help and it needs help quickly. And we hope that Member States who can contribute in kind or in cash do so. Yes, sir. And then, Margaret.

Question : Thank you. Yesterday, Russian Minister [Sergey] Lavrov continued to spread propaganda lies here, including about the staging of the deaths in Bucha. Lavrov wants to drag the Secretary-General into this, claiming that he has sent him requests for a list of the death. So, my question is, if Lavrov did send requests, did he explain what he was going to do with this list? And did the Secretary-General advise him to use the Internet? Because the list of this code is open information... [cross talk]

Spokesman : Yes, the request has been received, like we receive different requests. It is not... your second and third part of your question should be directed to the Russian Mission. Margaret Besheer?

Question : Steph, any update on the helicopter that went down in Somalia?

Spokesman : No, ma'am.

Question : Is that a bad sign that you have no update?

Spokesman : I have nothing to share with you at this point, unfortunately. Ms. Fasulo?

Question : Thank you, Steph. My question is regarding the fighting in Gaza. Right now, I believe that the data being given about the number of civilians or number of people killed or wounded is not separated. You don't have the fighters versus civilians. Is this an unusual situation in terms of war and is the UN doing anything to get a clarification?

Spokesman : Well, we don't have the capacity. We don't have the capacity. We rely in Gaza, as we have throughout the sadly different cycles of violence, on the Ministry of Health in Gaza, to get those figures. We don't have a way to disaggregate them. We have found post-conflict that these figures usually tend to be within the ballpark of what actually happened. I'll come back to you. Let me go to the screen first. Abdelhamid?

Question : Thank you, Stephane. Amihai Eliyahu is the Israeli Minister of Jewish Heritage. He called on Sunday for the second time to drop a nuclear bomb on Gaza. Do you have any comment on that?

Spokesman : I didn't see those particular remarks, but as we've said from the beginning, incendiary or inflammatory remarks, to put it mildly, do not help bring peace to the region. Edith?

Correspondent : One more question.

Spokesman : Yes, sir.

Question : Yesterday, settlers in the West Bank were dressed in military uniform, which made their attack easier because people think they are the Israeli official occupation army. Are you aware of this development?

Spokesman : I have not seen this particular case, but obviously we've raised our concerns repeatedly about the ongoing violence, settler violence in the occupied West Bank. Edie?

Question : Thanks, Steph. First, a clarification on Khan Younis, on what's going on there. Are the attacks still continuing and is everyone basically still trapped in place and unable to...?

Spokesman : I mean, in terms of our compound, my understanding from here is that the attacks are not going on, on the compound. They managed to extract a number of people last night. There have been no new evacuations since. As of a few hours ago, my understanding is that there were still attacks going on in the Khan Younis area.

Question : Okay. And secondly, President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy has called for an independent international investigation of the plane crash yesterday. Has the UN been approached at all? And would it have the facilities or whatever?

Spokesman : Not that I'm aware. We checked with our colleagues at ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) in Montreal, who pointed out, rightly, to something I should have thought about earlier, is that this is a military plane, so it's not something that they have the mechanism or the jurisdiction over. Maggie?

Question : Sorry, just one last one on Gaza. You mentioned ambulances and UNRWA emergency teams were denied access to the area after the fire, the incident. You did not say by whom they were denied access.

Spokesman : Okay. Let me get some more detail for you on that.

Question : Well, it's simple. Was it Hamas...? [cross talk]

Spokesman : If I had the fact in my book, I would share it with you.

Correspondent : Okay, thanks.

Spokesman : Gabriel?

Question : Thank you. Thanks for the follow-up, Steph. Can you just characterize how significant the ICJ ruling is tomorrow in the eyes of the Secretary-General at this moment?

Spokesman : Every case that has to do with an ongoing conflict in front of the ICJ is an important case. I'm not going to characterize the ruling and the importance of the ruling until something has been issued. I will leave you with our guests from UNCTAD, and more importantly, I will leave you with Daniela [Gross de Almeida], who will moderate. And I shall see you all manana, and we'll let you know about Mr. Grossi.

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Three district-level Republican parties in the Bismarck-Mandan area endorsed candidates for North Dakota legislative races on Wednesday night, with one group breaking from its incumbents to back a slate of challengers.

The District 30 Republican Party endorsed Justis Amundson and Dave Charles for the state House of Representatives, and Adam Rose for state Senate. That means the party isn't backing state Reps. Mike Nathe and Assistant Majority Leader Glenn Bosch, as well as state Sen. Diane Larson.

Nathe, Bosch and Larson announced their bids for additional terms in December. They did not attend the endorsement session on Wednesday. The district party voted to censure them during the meeting.

Amundson is in his second term as chair of the district party, and worked for U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., in his initial Senate bid in 2018. Charles is a Navy veteran and vice chair of the Capital Electric Cooperative Board, and Rose is a property manager and member of the district party's executive committee.

District 32 Republicans endorsed all three of their incumbent legislators in a convention that saw just one challenger. State Sen. Dick Dever, chair of the Human Resources Division of the Senate Appropriations Committee, ran unopposed.

State Rep. Lisa Meier, the most senior woman in the state House, and state Rep. Pat Heinert, chair of the House Education Committee, were endorsed over newcomer Blaine Mehlhoff. State House candidate Phillip Jacobs had previously announced he would not seek the district party's endorsement.

District 34 Republicans decided to back their incumbent delegation as well, and the slate had no challengers. State Reps. Todd Porter and Nathan Toman are running again, having represented the district together for over a decade, and state Sen. Justin Gerhardt is seeking a full term after he was appointed in October to fill a vacancy left by the death of his predecessor, Doug Larsen.

The filing deadline for legislative candidates running in the June 11 primary election is April 8, and candidates can seek a nomination without party endorsement.
Gaza: Top UN aid official calls for end to attacks on sites sheltering civilians

25 January 2024 - Attacks on buildings in Gaza where terrified civilians are sheltering are "abhorrent and must stop immediately", a top UN humanitarian official insisted on Thursday following a direct hit on a United Nations training centre.

The death toll from intensified fighting "in the area" of the training centre in the southern city of Khan Younis in recent days has risen to 12 confirmed fatalities and 75 injured - 15 critically - said Thomas White, Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

"Persistent attacks on civilian sites in Khan Younis are utterly unacceptable and must stop immediately...Yesterday, the centre was hit by two shells and caught fire," Mr. White said, as he condemned the "consistent failure to uphold the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law: distinction, proportionality and precautions in carrying out attacks".

Terrified - and trapped

Amid ongoing heavy fighting involving Israeli Defense Forces and Palestinian armed groups around hospitals and shelters in Khan Younis, the UN official warned that staff, patients and displaced people "are trapped inside and lifesaving operations are impeded".

"A number of missions to assess the situation were denied," Mr. White maintained, adding that on Wednesday evening, "the UN finally managed to reach the affected areas to treat trauma patients, bring medical supplies and evacuate injured patients to Rafah."

But, heavy fighting near the few hospitals that remain partly functional in the southern city, including Nasser Medical Complex and Al-Amal, has left them "effectively encircled", the UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator reported from Gaza.

Another hospital closes

Amid reports that hundreds of buildings have been demolished in Gaza, Mr. White noted that Al-Kheir Hospital in Khan Younis had now closed "after patients, including women who had just undergone C-section surgeries, were evacuated in the middle of the night".

Rescue mission

Confirming details of the rescue mission in Khan Younis, UN World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that a team had helped to evacuate 45 patients from the UN training centre to Al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah, "15 of whom were in critical condition. One patient tragically died en route".

In a social media post on X, formerly Twitter, Tedros noted that the intensity of fighting was such that the team "did not manage to evacuate all of the injured".

"We urge protection of all civilians, humanitarians and health workers. We appeal for an immediate ceasefire," he stated.

Court ruling looms

The development came as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) prepared to issue a decision in South Africa's case against Israel over alleged genocide in Gaza, which Israel strongly denies.

Since war began in Gaza on 7 October 2023 when Israel launched heavy bombardment in response to Hamas-led attacks on Israeli communities that left some 1,200 dead and more than 250 taken hostage, Gaza health authorities have reported that at least 25,700 people have been killed and some 63,740 injured.

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Haiti crises have reached 'a critical point': UN envoy

25 January 2024 - More than 8,400 people were victims of gang violence in Haiti last year, including killings, injuries and kidnappings - a 122 per cent increase over 2022, the UN Special Representative for the country told the UN Security Council on Thursday.

"I cannot overstress the severity of the situation in Haiti, where multiple protracted crises have reached a critical point," said Maria Isabel Salvador, presenting the latest report of the UN political office there, BINUH.

The Caribbean country remains plagued by mounting violence and insecurity at the hands of armed gangs against a backdrop of political, humanitarian and socioeconomic challenges.

Violence spreading

About 83 per cent of the unprecedented surge in killings and injuries occurred in the capital, Port-au-Prince, but violence has spread elsewhere, specifically Artibonite, the largest of Haiti's 10 departments.

South of the capital, gangs conducted large-scale attacks to control key zones and continue to systematically use sexual violence in areas under their control, putting women and girls as young as 12 at risk.

Ms. Salvador said that since her last briefing in October, at least 75 people were reported killed by civilian vigilante movements that have emerged as collective defence against the gangs.

Support Haiti's police

Meanwhile, BINUH has continued efforts to enhance the capacity of the Haitian National Police (HNP), but high attrition rates have further diminished the force's ability to counter gang violence and maintain security.

The Haitian Government and the international community have stepped up support to the HNP over the past few months, she added.

This has included a 13 per cent increase allocated under the national budget for this fiscal year and the supply of individual protection equipment, armoured vehicles, motorcycles and weapons.

Last October, the UN Security Council authorized the deployment of a multinational security support mission (MSS) to back Haiti's beleaguered police force, which Kenya offered to lead. A 2022 sanctions regime targeting gang leaders and their financiers was also renewed later that month.

Ms. Salvador said she will continue to encourage all stakeholders to effectively prepare for the mission's deployment and again appealed for countries to contribute generously towards this end.

Break the cycle

While improving the security situation is essential to break the cycle of overlapping crises besetting Haiti, she stressed that long-term stability can only be achieved through a nationally owned and inclusive political process.

Echoing the UN Secretary-General, she urged all political actors and stakeholders "in and for Haiti" to unite in prioritizing and upholding the interest of the people above all. She noted that "new violent actors have been gaining prominence" in recent months, sparking concerns over their potentially destabilizing role.

"The continuous support to the Haitian National Police, the rapid deployment of the MSS, effective sanctions and a sustained political process" which results in "credible, participatory and inclusive elections" are essential, she said.

These are "fundamental elements to restore security and stability in Haiti, where, consequently, the rule of law, democratic institutions and sustainable development become a reality for its people," she added.

Arms trafficking 'blind spot'

The head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ghada Waly, also updated the Council on arms trafficking and illicit financial flows in Haiti.

A UNODC report last October had identified four major sea and land routes being used for illicit firearm and ammunition flows, mainly from the US.

The latest report, published on Wednesday, found that there are 11 recorded informal or clandestine airstrips spread out across Haiti.

"They represent a blind spot that is possibly being used by traffickers and smugglers, bearing in mind that smaller aircraft flying directly between the United States and Haiti are difficult to monitor," Ms. Wady said.

A regional concern

Regional dynamics are also important as the deepening crisis in Haiti is not occurring in a vacuum, she added, noting that illicit firearms are a growing concern across the Caribbean, "feeding gang-related activity and drug trafficking in a vicious circle".

The report also documents action to combat corruption and illicit financial flows, "which are major factors enabling violence and organized crime and plaguing Haiti's own justice institutions".

"Nevertheless, anti-corruption efforts continue to be impeded by insufficient capacity, lack of forensic equipment and limited expertise in conducting complex investigations," she said.

The next UNODC report will focus on a detailed analysis of gang dynamics in Haiti.

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World News in Brief: ICJ to release emergency measures over Israel genocide allegations, Libya flood repair bill, leprosy stigma continues

25 January 2024 - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is due to issue an emergency measures order on Friday relating to South Africa's accusations of genocide by the Israeli military in Gaza, which Israel strongly denies.

Since 7 October when Israel launched its military campaign to destroy Hamas in response to the militant group's terror attacks in southern Israel that left some 1,200 dead and more than 250 taken hostage, Gaza health authorities have reported at least 25,700 killed and some 63,740 injured.

In its case, which began earlier this month in the Hague, South Africa asked the Court - a principal organ of the UN - to indicate provisional measures in order to "protect against further severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention".

Call for immediate end to fighting

Among the measures South Africa has asked for are the immediate suspension of military operations by Israel in the Strip, and that its forces take "all reasonable measures" to prevent genocide.

South Africa also asked the world court to order Israel to prevent forced displacement, allow adequate food and water to reach civilians and ensure that evidence of any potential genocide is preserved.

Provisional measures are a type of temporary injunction or holding measure ahead of a final decision on the dispute. It is likely to take years before a judgement is reached.

The measures are considered mandatory for implementation, but the Court has no means of enforcing them.

Israel argued in presenting its case that the war on Hamas was one purely of defence and "not against the Palestinian people".

Lawyers for Israel said that provisional measures, if granted, would amount to "an attempt to deny Israel its ability to meet its obligations to the defence of its citizens, to the hostages and to over 110,000 displaced Israelis".

$1.8 billion needed to restore Libyan communities after catastrophic flooding

To Libya, where the repair bill for catastrophic flooding last September that affected some 1.5 million people has been estimated at $1.8 billion, according to the UN team there.

More than 4,300 people died and thousands more were reported missing after Storm Daniel made landfall in Libya, bringing strong winds and sudden heavy rainfall that caused dams to burst and destroying thousands of buildings.

Building more resilient homes and public infrastructure is a critically important part of the post-disaster recovery process, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) insisted, in a joint report with the World Bank and the European Union.

Georgette Gagnon, the top UN official in the country, said that "time is of the essence for affected people" in the east, notably the coastal city of Derna, which satellite imagery showed had been all but washed out to sea by the disaster.

Ms. Gagnon noted that the report offered "a clear path forward" for reconstruction, including the creation of a coordinated national platform.

"Let's channel our collective resources and expertise towards rebuilding, prioritizing the people, their livelihoods and wellbeing," she said.

Stigma and shame still surround leprosy victims, warn top rights experts

Although leprosy is age-old and can be cured, the disease is still endemic in more than 120 countries, leaving an estimated one to two million people visibly disfigured and lacking support to cope with the stigma they face.

That's the urgent message from top UN-appointed human rights experts on Thursday who said that some 200,000 new cases of leprosy are registered each year worldwide.

People suffering from leprosy, which is also known as Hansen's disease, have a right to high-quality support and health care, the rights experts maintained, urging governments and international organizations to make sure their policies and procedures reflect this fundamental requirement.

'Ex-colonies'

In a statement endorsed by the UN World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Women, the rights experts noted that leprosy patients and their families continue to be segregated in "ex-colonies", kept away from public spaces and interaction with other people.

Ahead of World Leprosy Day on 28 January, the rights experts - who are known as Special Rapporteurs - stressed that affected persons had a right to early detection and treatment as well as rehabilitation and active support.

Children, the elderly and women are particularly affected by leprosy and judgmental attitudes and policies towards the disease, along with minorities and indigenous peoples, the rights experts said.

Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the Human Rights Council. They do not receive a salary for their work and serve in their individual capacity.

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UNRWA Situation Report #69 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (all information from 23-24 January 2024, is valid as of 24 January 2024 at 22:30)

UNRWA

25 Jan 2024

Days 109-110 of Hostilities

Key Points

The Gaza Strip

Intense fighting in/around Khan Younis (Southwest of Gaza) over the last three days is causing loss of lives and damage to civilian infrastructure, including UNRWA's largest shelter in the southern area, the Khan Younis Training Centre.

On 24 January, the UNRWA Khan Younis Training Centre was hit by direct fire. It struck a building housing 800 displaced people. At least 13 people were killed and 56 injured, 21 of them critically, in what should have been a place of safety. 43,000 internally displaced people are registered in and within close vicinity of the training centre, which is being used as an UNRWA shelter. Yesterday's strike was the third direct hit on this compound. UNRWA shares the location of all its facilities including shelters directly with Israeli authorities. UNRWA received assurances that people inside them would be safe.

As of 22 January 2024, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since the beginning of hostilities has increased by one and is now 152.

According to OCHA, telecommunication services in Gaza have been gradually restored in most of the Strip, while the internet remains severely disrupted in all areas. This prevents people in Gaza from accessing life-saving information and continues to impede humanitarian response. Due to the security situation and poor internet connectivity, we are unable to update the number of people reached since Sitrep 67.

As of 22 January, up to 1.7 million* people (over 75 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. Following intense Israeli bombardments and fighting in Khan Younis and the Middle Areas in recent days, a significant number of displaced people have moved again further south.

*This includes 1 million individuals residing in or near emergency shelters or informal shelters. As of October 12, approximately 160,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were recorded in north Gaza and Gaza governorates. The ability of UNRWA to provide humanitarian support and updated data in these areas has been severely restricted. The ongoing hostilities, evacuation orders issued by Israeli Forces, and the constant need for safer locations have resulted in people being displaced multiple times.

**UNRWA has reported in Situation Report 64 that up to 1.9 million IDPs are either residing in 154 UNRWA shelters or near these shelters. Due to the continued escalation of fighting and evacuation orders, some households have moved away from the shelters where they were initially registered.

*** There are instances where the same IDPs are registered in multiple shelters due to the fluid movement of populations; hereafter, estimates are used for these shelters. UNRWA plans to conduct a more accurate count of IDPs in shelters, including informal shelters, as soon as the security situation allows.

The West Bank, including East Jerusalem

West Bank updates cover 23 - 24 January 2024.

Between 23-24 January the following Israeli Security Forces (ISF) search and arrest operations occurred:

Overnight on 22 - 23 January, ISF conducted a search and arrest operation in Beit Furik, northern West Bank. ISF reportedly opened fired during the clashes injuring one Palestinian.

On 23 January near Enab checkpoint, southeast of Tulkarm, northern West Bank, ISF shot dead a Palestinian from Far'un village. Following the incident, ISF closed the checkpoint.

On 23 January at night, ISF conducted a search and arrest operation in Ya'bad, northern West Bank. ISF reportedly opened fire during the clashes injuring one Palestinian with live ammunition.

On 23 January at night, ISF conducted a search and arrest operation in Nablus, northern West Bank. ISF reportedly opened fire during the clashes injuring two Palestinians, including a minor, with live ammunition. Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulances were reportedly prevented from reaching the injured by ISF.

On 23 January at night, ISF conducted a search and arrest operation in Sabastiya, northern West Bank. ISF reportedly opened fire during the clashes and destroyed several Palestinian vehicles.

On the morning of 23 January, a Palestinian woman allegedly attempted to stab ISF soldiers. ISF shot her near the Psagot settlement, injuring her. She was then detained.

On 24 January, ISF reportedly shot at a Palestinian in Al Jalama, northern West Bank, resulting in shrapnel injuries.

On 24 January, ISF conducted a search and arrest operation in Beita, northern central West Bank, injuring one Palestinian.

On 24January 24, ISF conducted a search and arrest operation in Adh Dhahiriya, southern central West Bank. ISF reportedly used live ammunition and tear gas canisters during clashes, injuring a Palestinian with live ammunition. ISF reportedly confiscated five Palestinian vehicles.

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Khan Younis: One of the largest UNRWA shelters hit during military operations

UNRWA

25 Jan 2024

UN premises and other civilian sites must be protected under international law

From Thomas White, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza

RAFAH, SOUTHERN GAZA STRIP,

"Yesterday, the UNRWA Khan Younis Training Centre was hit by direct fire. It struck a building housing 800 displaced people. At least 13 people were killed and 56 injured, 21 of them critically, in what should have been a place of safety.

"There are 43,000 internally displaced people registered in this massively overcrowded UNRWA shelter, and all of them now find themselves at the epicentre of the war in the Gaza Strip, with their lives in danger as the fighting is so close. Many have already been displaced multiple times and have nowhere else to go.

"Throughout the day and into the early evening, ambulances and our own emergency teams were denied access to the site. When they finally reached it last night, they were able to evacuate around 45 people. The near collapse of the health system and the lack of trauma care in Khan Younis city are making the humanitarian situation ever more intolerable and intense.

"The shelter at the Khan Younis Training Centre has been besieged for five days, with repeated fatalities and injuries.

"This shelter has been impacted directly and indirectly by military activity twenty-two times since 7 October 2023. Yesterday's strike was the third direct hit on this compound. Buildings flying the UN flag have been hit at least twice by tank fire, without warning.

"Civilian casualties and daily attacks on civilian infrastructure indicate recurring failures by parties to the conflict to uphold the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law: distinction, proportionality, and precaution. Of note, UNRWA shares the location of its shelters directly with the Israeli authorities and we had received assurances that people inside them would be safe.

"We continue to call on all parties to take every precaution to minimize harm and protect civilians and civilian objects, especially in densely populated areas, and to protect hospitals, clinics, medical personnel and UN premises in accordance with international law".

ENDs-

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SECNAV Del Toro Delivers Remarks at the Royal United Services Institute

US Navy

Speech by Carlos Del Toro

Presented on 25 January 2024

Date Published 25 January 2024

LONDON

Good afternoon, everyone! It is wonderful to be with you here at the Royal United Services Institute in London.

This is my second visit to the United Kingdom as the United States' 78th Secretary of the Navy, and I cannot thank you enough for your warm welcome and the gracious hospitality my staff and I have received during our time here thus far.

Vice Admiral Connell, thank you for your kind introduction, for your decades of service in the Royal Navy, and for your commitment to a strong transatlantic alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Although they are not present at today's event, I would be remiss if did not thank His Majesty's Ambassador to the United States, Dame Karen Pierce, the Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, and the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Benjamin Key, for their partnership and their friendship as we work together to strengthen the bonds that connect our maritime forces.

As I prepared for my remarks today, I noted that the mission of the Royal United Services Institute is to inform, influence, and enhance public debate to help build a safer and more stable world.

To that end, before I take your questions, I would like to spend a few minutes discussing the global challenges we face today, the importance of the strong transatlantic relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States from a naval perspective, and how we are working alongside our British counterparts in support of a safer and more economically prosperous world.

Now, despite getting off to a rough start during the 18th and early 19th centuries, for over a century now, our two nations have stood side-by-side, defending our shared ideals of freedom, democracy, and prosperity in the face of totalitarian regimes and international acts of terrorism.

Today, while our alliance remains as strong as ever, the world around us continues to change at a lightning pace.

The Atlantic Ocean remains a vital conduit connecting not only our two nations, but dozens of countries across four continentsboth through maritime trade and information passed through undersea data cables.

The Atlantic is one of the world's heaviest traveled oceans and the volume of commercial goods transiting its shipping lanes rivals that of the Pacific.

We are witnessing increased investments across multiple industrial sectors, including energy exploration, that will only increase its importance as a driver of international economic growth and prosperity.

However, future security in the Atlantic hinges on our ability to address our common challenges in the maritime domain.

These challenges include adapting to the effects of climate change, deterring piracy, combatting narcotics and human trafficking, and countering Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported Fishing.

We are committed to working with all of our Atlantic partners and alliesacross Europe, Africa, as well as North, Central, and South Americato achieve lasting solutions that preserve our shared maritime economic resources.

And as we look across the Atlantic, it is imperative that we also give due attention to the increased activity in the Arctic region.

Last year, we welcomed Finlandan Arctic nation and fellow member of the Arctic Councilinto NATO, and we look forward to Sweden becoming a NATO member in the near future.

The Arctic region indeed represents the northern flank of our alliance, along waters where Russia's naval and commercial fleets are increasingly active.

Our world's changing climate brings with it increased access to shipping lanes that are normally frozen-over for long periods of time, as well as access to undersea resources for further exploration.

With this increased access comes increased competition, and given Russia's stance towards NATO, the alliance is rightfully wary of Moscow's intentions and actions in the region.

As the 2022 NATO Strategic Concept states, "In the High North, Russia's capability to disrupt Allied reinforcements and freedom of navigation across the North Atlantic is a strategic challenge to the Alliance."

With that statement as our guide, it is imperative that we ensure our approach to operating in the Arctic focuses on our combined resiliency in the region, and preserves our ability to freely maneuver in a contested maritime domain.

And along NATO's eastern flank, Russia's illegal war of aggression continues in Ukraine, and Moscow's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative is negatively impacting food security around the worldespecially in developing nationsas it continues to imperil the safety of commercial ships sailing in and out of Ukrainian ports.

Since the outset of the conflict nearly two years ago, we have been proud to support our Ukrainian partnersworking alongside the United Kingdom to ensure they have the material support and training required to reclaim their national and territorial sovereignty.

And I commend the United Kingdom on its recent announcement of an additional 2.5 billion poundsroughly 3.2 billion U.S. dollarsin military aid to our partners in Ukraine.

Your assistance to Ukraine during a pivotal time in their war with Russia complements the military and humanitarian aid packages they have already received from several NATO and EU nations, all of which are representative of our collective, continued support for Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression.

Stability in the Black Sea region is critical to the future stability of Europe, and we are committed to supporting Ukraine, our NATO allies, and our European partners in the face of Russian aggression.

However, it is important to recognize that Moscow isn't the only authoritarian regime waging a concerted campaign to challenge the freedom of the seasa foundational principle of the rules-based system of international law that has brought us peace, prosperity, and stability since the end of World War II.

Iran, too, continues to interfere with merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz through a campaign of harassment and seizures with its para-naval forces.

Just two weeks ago, Iran seized a tanker in the Gulf of Oman.

More significantly, the Iranian-aligned Houthis continue to launch unprovoked attacks on civilian merchant ships sailing innocently through international waters in the Red Seaone of the world's busiest waterways that accounts for more than 15% of the world's shipping traffic, connecting Europe and Asia.

Over 20 countries have now joined the United Kingdom and the United States in Operation Prosperity Guardian, aimed at protecting civilian ships and their crews from harm.

Six of our coalition navies' destroyersincluding HMS Diamondhave shot down scores of anti-ship cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones launched by the Houthis over the Red Sea.

Our ships and crews have performed with exemplary skill, represented by successful surface-to-air scorecards not seen at this scale in naval combat in decades.

What's more, our ships have also worked together to counter acts of piracy, and have responded to distress calls issued by merchant ships under siege.

Two weeks ago, following exhaustive diplomatic efforts to seek an end to the Houthi's attacks without further damage and bloodshed, the combined forces of the United Kingdom and the United States, supported by our Dutch, Canadian, Bahraini, and Australian allies, conducted our first round of joint strikes against more than 60 targets in portions of Houthi-controlled Yemen.

And earlier this week, we conducted a second round of joint U.S.-UK precision strikes against eight Houthi targetsincluding underground storage sites and locations associated with the group's missile and air surveillance capabilitieswith the support of the same allies and partners.

These strikes are in direct response to Houthi actions that have demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice the innocent lives of civilian merchant mariners from several nations across the globe, threatening our collective freedom of navigation and the very economic security of our nations on some of the world's busiest international waterways.

Iranthrough its Houthi proxiesaims to impose real economic costs on the rest of the world by increasing shipping costs and maritime insurance ratesas well as the time it takes goods to reach their intended ports.

Make no mistake, these costs aren't borne by Iran. Rather, they are a burden on the everyday American, Briton, and European, and are paid for at the gas pump, at the grocery store, at the pharmacy, not to mention the delays in the shipping of everyday household items.

The Houthis' actions in the Red Sea are sending reverberations across the global economy, and are felt in almost every facet of our lives.

It is imperative that wenot just the U.S. and United Kingdom, but along with NATO and the European Unionstand together and take the necessary diplomatic and military actions to bring an end to the Houthi's disruption of the free flow of maritime commerce.

We cannotwill nothesitate to counter those who threaten safe passage across our global maritime commons, even if it comes at a great cost.

Earlier this week, we suspended the search for two U.S. Navy SEALS we lost at-seaPetty Officer First Class Christopher Chambers and Petty Officer Second Class Nathan Ingramduring an interdiction of Iranian lethal aid to the Houthis.

We will honor these men and their ultimate sacrifice by continuing to counter Iran's malign actions in our shared maritime commons as they attempt to spread their influence across the region, and across the world.

Our collective defense of international maritime shipping during this period of conflict is one of just many examples of our commitment to maritime security in the Middle East and economic prosperity here in the UK, home in the United States, and around the world.

Combined Maritime Forcesof which the Royal Navy's Commodore Mark Anderson serves as the deputy commanderis a coalition of 39 nations focused on promoting security, stability, and prosperity across 3.2 million square miles of international waters.

The United Kingdom's leading role in this maritime coalition that addresses a range of concerns from piracy, terrorism, training, and security cooperation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is a recognition of the fact that our navies remain a critical element to upholding the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea for the benefit of all countries.

And equally as important to stability of our global maritime commons is the Royal Navy's increased presence throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Renewed British engagement in this vital region could not come at a more pivotal time, as our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific with other like-minded nations is being challenged.

As many in this room are aware, the People's Republic of China continues to act aggressively, provocatively, and unsafely across the Indo-Pacific region, including in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

The PRC's Navythe PLANis just one part of the maritime force Beijing employs to advance its aggressive foreign policy, challenging the rules-based international order.

The PLAN, in concert with its Coast Guard and Maritime Militia, are conducting operations designed to force nations to submit to Beijing's excessive territorial claimssome of which have been challenged and ruled illegal by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague.

Using these "gray zone" operations, the PRC is staking illegal maritime claims to offshore resources that threaten the peace, prosperity, and ecological stability of the world's oceans.

The PRC seeks to exploit its growing economic and military power to coerce its neighbors and threaten their interests while undermining our alliances and security partnerships.

In the face of the PRC's actions, we are committed to working with the Royal Navy, as well as the navies of our partners and allies throughout the Indo-Pacific, to build up the resiliency of relationships, enabling us to withstand its continued pattern of maritime aggression.

In support of the Royal Navy's renewed presence in the region, we were proud to operate alongside the HMS Queen Elizabeth during her maiden deployment to the Indo-Pacific in 2021, which included an embarked squadron of U.S. F-35s and USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) joining the strike group.

And since 2021, the Royal Navy's off-shore patrol vessels HMS Spey and HMS Tamar have been on a five-year deployment to the Indo-Pacificsupported by rotational crewscarrying out security patrols aimed at countering narcotics, smuggling, and other illegal activities, while participating in exercises with our fellow maritime nations.

Beyond this sustained surface posture, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States are proud members of the AUKUS security partnershipa generational opportunity announced in September 2021 and re-affirmed by President Biden, Prime Minister Sunak, and Prime Minister Albanese early last year in San Diego, California.

Pillar I of AUKUS is focused on enabling Australia's acquisition of a nuclear-powered, conventionally-armed submarine fleet for the Royal Australian Navy.

The class of submarines being developed under Pillar I, dubbed SSN-AUKUS, will combine the submarine and design technologies of our two nations to provide our Australian allies with a capable, lethal undersea deterrent capability, and will also enter into service in the Royal Navy as the follow-on to the Astute-Class SSNs.

We are grateful for the leading role that the British Submarine Industrial Base is playing in the design and construction of the initial hulls, as well as your commitment to training Australian civilians and Sailors to ensure this capability is leveraged effectively and in a sustainable manner.

It is critical that all three of our nations have healthy and resilient submarine industrial capabilities and capacity to ensure the success of SSN-AUKUS.

And efforts such as BAE Systems' submarine Skills Academy in Barrow are crucial to ensuring we have the workforce required for this monumental task.

As part of AUKUS, we will also begin deploying Virginia and Astute-Class submarines to Australia as a part of Submarine Rotational Force-West, based out of HMAS Stirling, providing a constant, forward presence of our undersea fleets.

Our presence at HMAS Stirling will be essential for developing vital skills necessary to establish, operate, and sustain the Royal Australian Navy's future nuclear-powered submarine fleet.

As President Biden noted, "Our unprecedented trilateral cooperation is a testament to the strength of the longstanding ties that unite us and to our shared commitment of ensuring the Indo-Pacific remains free and open, prosperous and secure, defined by opportunity for alla shared commitment to create a future rooted in our common values."

And as we look towards the future of the Royal Navy's presence in the Indo-Pacific in support of our shared commitment, we look forward to the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group's first deployment to the Pacific in 2025.

The United States Navy and Marine Corps are committed to working alongside the United Kingdom to contribute to the success of this deployment.

These types of operations are directly supported by key strategic bilateral partnership arrangements such as the recently renewed Statement of Intent on Enhanced Cooperation on Carrier Operations and Maritime Power Projection.

Last month, HMS Prince of Wales returned home to Portsmouth following three months of training off the East Coast of the United States, during which she and her crew conducted flight operations with our fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, validating the interoperability of our forces.

As a part of this deployment, I had the privilege of visiting her during a port visit to Norfolk, Virginia.

To say I was impressed by the ship and her crew would be an understatement, and my engagements with Captain Hewitt and his sailors reinforced in me the strength of the ties between our two navies, and indeed our two nations.

And it is my hope that our Sailors took advantage of this opportunity to strengthen the bonds that tie us togetherwhether it was during operations at-sea or while on liberty.

We are further advancing the depth and breadth of our bilateral maritime partnership through the updated strategic "Delivering Combined Seapower" charter, signed in October onboard the HMS Prince of Wales by First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Key, our Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Franchetti, and our Commandant of the Marine Corps General Smith.

This agreement re-affirms that we are working closely on the common challenges we face, as well as our need to deliver capabilities that enhance our ability to operate together, such as re-arming and refueling sea.

As Admiral Sir Key stated at the signing ceremony, "This Charter is testament to the enduring strength of the relationship between our navies and marines. By aligning our strategies and capabilities, we strengthen our ability to deter threats, respond to crises, and promote stability across the world's oceans."

And as we examine how best to identify, experiment, adopt, and field new, advanced, capabilities into our fleets, we remain steadfast in our support of key Royal Navy programs.

For example, our team at Naval Reactors is working closely with their British counterparts on the design, build, and test of the nuclear propulsion plant to support the Royal Navy's future Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarinesa platform critical to the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrence posture.

We are also interested in learning from you, especially when it comes to improving fleet readiness.

BAE Systems Submarines in Barrow-in-Furnessthe yard responsible for construction of the Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS submarine classesis a prime example through its use of Ship Lift, a cost-effective and flexible alternative to graving docks.

Ship Lift represents an innovative approach to fleet maintenance and construction, and we look forward to exploring how we can incorporate practices and capabilities such as this into our own fleet maintenance processes.

On the advanced capabilities front, our Office of Naval Research, through ONR-Globalheadquartered here in Londonand NavalX's London Tech Bridge, whose team I met with during my last trip, continue to drive partnerships between the U.S. and Royal Navies, allowing us to source technologies and accelerate the adoption of innovative capabilities.

From managing bilateral and multi-lateral research and development agreements to forging new relationships with industry and academia across the UK and throughout Europe, our ONR and NavalX teams are working tirelessly to deliver the cutting-edge technologies and capabilities to maintain their competitive advantages.

Everything we do togetherfrom increasing the interoperability of our fleets, collaborating on next-generation platforms, developing advanced technologies and capabilitieswill be critical to the success of our navies in the decades to come.

In this era of intense maritime competition, our nations will continue to rely on our navies to project power and defend our shared interests on a global scalefrom the Black Sea to the Red Sea, and throughout the Indo-Pacific.

When I called for a new maritime statecraft in my address at Harvard University this past fall, I defined a core tenet of our approach as cooperation on shared challenges in the maritime domain with our international partners and allies.

Our nation's most prominent naval strategist, Alfred Thayer Mahan, argued that naval power begets maritime commercial power, and control of maritime commerce begets greater naval poweran argument based on his study of the United Kingdom's rise to prominence as a seafaring nation.

While Mahan's writings have stood the test of time, we also recognize that comprehensive maritime powercommercial and navalin today's era is built through strong relationships with like-minded countries who share our commitment to freedom of the seas, driving global economic prosperity.

It also requires consistent, robust investment on the part of the American and British people, and it is our responsibility, as we are currently doing so in the Red Sea and globally, to provide a significant return on that investment.

It is incumbent upon usthe United Kingdom and the United States of America, two of the world's great maritime powersto continue making investments, to continue working together, and to build our shared capacity and capabilities.

Now as never before, we must redouble our commitment to upholding the free and lawful use of the maritime commons on behalf of all nations.

As I conclude my remarks, I will end with a quote from Sir Winston Churchill:

"We have surmounted all the perils and endured all the agonies of the past. We shall provide against and thus prevail over the dangers and problems of the future, withhold no sacrifice, grudge no toil, seek no sordid gain, fear no foe. All will be well. We have, I believe, within us the life-strength and guiding light by which the tormented world around us may find the harbour of safety, after a storm-beaten voyage."

Around the globe, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Arctic Circle to the southernmost stretches of the worldthe United Kingdom and the United States of America proudly sail together so that "Freedom's Torch" will continue to shine brightly for all.

May God continue to grant our nations and our navies fair winds and following seas wherever we may sail.

Thank you.



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Readout of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti's Meeting with Vice-Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command, Indian Navy

US Navy - Press Release

25 January 2024

Chief of Naval Operations spokesperson provided the following readout:

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met with Vice-Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command, Indian Navy during the Paris Naval Conference today.

The discussion was aimed at further strengthening navy to navy cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Additionally, they discussed opportunities to further strengthen interoperability and logistics cooperation through combined maritime operations.

The U.S. Navy and Indian Navy routinely operate together around the globe. In addition to integrated deployments and real-world operations, the navies regularly participate in regional exercises such as Malabar, which concluded its 27th edition in August 2023 and Exercise Milan, a biennial exercise which will be held in February. Most recently, U.S. Navy SEALs conducted a joint training exchange with the Indian Marine Commando Force.

Franchetti and Pendharkar are both in France for the Paris Naval Conference.

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Blinken Wraps Up Four-Nation Africa Tour, Commits to Ongoing Security, Economic Partnership

By Nike Ching January 25, 2024

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday the United States will continue intensive engagement with African partners in hopes of resolving the ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Blinken held talks Thursday with Angolan President Joao Lourenco in which they discussed "concrete ways" to achieve "a durable peace" in the DRC's conflict-ridden eastern region.

These discussions come against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, marked by several alleged cross-border attacks by Congolese and Rwandan forces.

"The United States very much appreciates President Lourenco's continued efforts to de-escalate tensions between Rwanda and the DRC. We believe that the Luanda process, in tandem with the Nairobi process, is the best hope for enduring peace. Angola is trusted by all sides. President Lourenco's leadership is vital for breakthrough," said Blinken during a press conference before wrapping up the visit, which was part of a four-nation tour of Africa.

The chronic and escalating conflicts in eastern Congo have led regional countries to initiate two peace processes. The Nairobi Process is aimed at the disarmament of rebel groups within the DRC, while the Luanda Process focuses on resolving tensions between the DRC and its neighbor, Rwanda, which the DRC accuses of supporting the M23 rebel group. Rwanda denies the accusation.

In his meeting with Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio, Blinken discussed the U.S.-Angola bilateral relationship, emphasizing the growing cooperation with Luanda in major railway infrastructure projects and outer space exploration.

"The United States has committed funding to refurbish the existing 1,300-kilometer Lobito Atlantic Railway. And we've taken the first steps to build out 800 kilometers a new rail reaching Zambia, including through a consortium with Angola and other partners," said Blinken during a joint press conference.

Blinken said these projects are the biggest investment the United States has made in railways on the African continent in over a generation and are central to the partnership for global infrastructure investment work in Angola.

In November 2023, the U.S. and Angola signed the Artemis Accords, a set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations.

Over the past four years, the U.S. has significantly increased its military assistance to Angola, providing more than $18 million from 2020 to 2023. In the coming year, the U.S. will explore new opportunities to expand capacity-building efforts in cybersecurity and for Angola's Navy, according to the State Department.

Blinken began his four-nation tour of Africa on Monday. Besides Angola, the trip included stops in Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria.

In Cape Verde's capital Praia, Blinken met with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva and toured Porto da Praia, modernized with U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation funding. Blinken praised Cape Verde for being the first country to complete two Millennium Challenge Corporation compacts and starting a third. He also acknowledged Cape Verde's WHO certification as malaria-free.

In Ivory Coast, Blinken met with President Alassane Ouattara and announced $45 million in new funding to help the West African country and its neighbors prevent conflict and promote stability amid regional threats. This contribution brings the total U.S. stability-focused assistance in coastal West Africa to nearly $300 million since 2022.

Ivory Coast borders three countries that have experienced coups in recent years: Guinea in September 2021; Mali in August 2020 and May 2021; and Burkina Faso in January and September 2022.

In Nigeria, Blinken held talks focused on regional security with President Bola Tinubu and Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.

Nigeria shares a border with Niger, where the military ousted its elected leader, Mohamed Bazoum, in July 2023.

Highlighting Nigeria's role in the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, Blinken commended its efforts toward restoring constitutional order and democracy in Niger.

During a press conference in Abuja, Blinken said the United States is determined to remain a strong security partner for Nigeria, a key partner in the U.S. fight against Islamist insurgents in West Africa.

The chief U.S. diplomat's trip to three countries in West Africa, and one in southern Africa, Angola, comes as Washington seeks to deepen its economic and security partnerships in regions where China and Russia have made significant inroads.

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Gaza City Attack Kills 20, Wounds 150, Hamas Says

By VOA News January 25, 2024

An Israeli attack killed at least 20 people and wounded another 150 at a traffic roundabout in Gaza City on Thursday as Palestinians waited for humanitarian aid, Hamas health officials said.

The Israeli military said it was investigating the report.

Also in central Gaza, Palestinian health officials said a nighttime Israeli airstrike on a house in Al-Nusseirat refugee camp killed six people.

Meanwhile, the death toll from a Wednesday strike on a United Nations training center in Khan Younis in southern Gaza rose to 12, with more than 75 wounded, according to Thomas White, a senior official with the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees.

The U.N. relief agency did not directly blame Israel, although earlier it had said the facility was hit by tank fire and Israel is the only force with tanks in Gaza's second largest city. The Israeli military said it had "currently ruled out" that the strike was carried out by its aircraft or artillery but that it was still investigating the attack.

It said the building might have been hit by a Hamas rocket.

Israeli tanks bombarded areas around two hospitals in Khan Younis, forcing displaced Palestinians to scramble away from the city to look for safe shelter. The Israeli attacks are part of its efforts to end Hamas control of Gaza, the narrow territory along the Mediterranean Sea.

Gaza health officials said at least 50 Palestinians had been killed in Khan Younis in the past day, including two children in an Israeli air strike that hit a residential home. The city is now encircled by Israeli armored forces and under almost non-stop aerial and ground fire, residents say.

The Hamas-controlled health ministry says more than 25,700 people have been killed and another 63,000 wounded in Gaza since the shock October 7 Hamas attack in southern Israel, when militants killed about 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages.

The U.S. government has created a channel with Israel to discuss worries about incidents in Gaza in which civilians have been killed or wounded by Israeli attacks, and civilian infrastructure has been targeted, according to a Thursday report by Reuters.

The channel was established after a meeting earlier this month between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israel's war Cabinet.

The head of the World Health Organization called for a cease-fire to the conflict in an address to the organization's governing body Thursday, during which he described the conditions in Gaza as "hellish."

"War doesn't bring solution, except more war, more hatred, more agony, more destruction. So let's choose peace and resolve this issue politically," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the WHO Executive Board in Geneva.

The U.S. and some Middle East countries are trying to negotiate a new cease-fire to halt the fighting, perhaps for 30 days, to allow the release of more hostages and the release of jailed Palestinians held by Israel. About 100 hostages held by Hamas and 240 Palestinians jailed by Israel were freed in a late November week-long cease-fire.

But no new cease-fire agreement has been reached.

A U.N. court at the Hague in the Netherlands is expected to issue a ruling Friday on South Africa's request for an order to halt Israel's Gaza offensive. But Israel often ignores such international rulings and it is not clear whether it would honor any decision against it this time either.

A senior U.N. official called Thursday for "every measure" to be taken to protect civilians, following the Wednesday attack at the Khan Younis training center, where thousands of displaced Palestinians have been staying.

The U.N.'s White said the situation in Khan Younis shows a "consistent failure to uphold the fundamental principles of humanitarian law."

"Persistent attacks on civilian sites in Khan Younis are utterly unacceptable and must stop immediately," White said. "People are being killed and injured. As fighting intensifies around hospitals and shelters hosting the displaced, people are trapped inside, and lifesaving operations are impeded."

The United States, which has been a key Israeli ally in its war against Hamas, condemned the training center attack.

State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said, "You've heard me say it before, you've heard [Secretary of State Antony Blinken] say it before, but civilians must be protected, and the protected nature of U.N. facilities must be respected. And humanitarian workers must be protected so that they can continue providing civilians with the life-saving humanitarian assistance that they need."

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the U.N.'s Palestinian relief agency, said the Khan Younis compound had been clearly marked as a U.N. facility, and its coordinates had been shared with Israeli authorities.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Officials: Airstrike in Somalia Kills at Least 20 Al-Shabab Militants

By Mohamed Olad Hassan January 25, 2024

A military strike killed at least 20 al-Shabab militants in central Somalia, regional and military officials said Thursday.

"Somali military forces, supported by international partners, conducted the airstrike in the town of Galhareri, targeting sites the militants used to manufacture improvised firearms, bombs and other explosives," Galmudug Regional Security Minister Mohamed Aden Gaboobe told VOA Somali. Galhareri is some 450 kilometers (280 miles) north of Mogadishu.

Gaboobe said the airstrike conducted late Wednesday also targeted Radio Andalus, al-Shabab's mouthpiece in Somalia.

A separate statement from the Somali National Army said more than 25 militants were killed in the strike, which destroyed a house where leaders of the group were meeting and a garage that was used to prepare car bombs.

Neither the military statement nor regional officials provided details on the international partners whose drones were involved the strike, but the U.S. Africa Command has often conducted such strikes in Somalia at the request of Somalia's federal government.

Last week, a U.S. airstrike killed three al-Shabab extremists in a remote area of Somalia, approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) northeast of Kismayo.

"At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike with two engagements against the al-Shabab terrorist group on Jan. 21," said a statement from U.S. Africa Command Thursday. "The initial assessment is that the U.S. airstrike killed three al-Shabab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed."

In the past, Somali security officials said the United States is not the only country providing air support to government forces.

Security officials who requested that they not be identified because of the sensitivity of the operation told VOA Somali that Turkish drones were also providing air support to Somali forces.

Somali government forces supported by local clan fighters have been conducting operations in the Hirshabelle and Galmudug states since August 2022, freeing dozens of localities from al-Shabab.

Attending the inauguration ceremony for a Somali regional president Thursday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud repeated his government's promise of a second phase of the offensive that will go after al-Shabab in southern Somalia, the group's traditional heartland, but he did not say when that would begin.

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Three Bismarck Republican incumbent lawmakers skipped their district endorsing convention Wednesday, highlighting the division within the state Republican Party.

Attendees expressed disapproval for incumbents Sen. Diane Larson, Rep. Mike Nathe and Rep. Glenn Bosch through a censure vote, though many of the 120 people at the convention left before the vote was taken.

The incumbents turned in signatures to the secretary of state on Tuesday and qualified to be on the June 11 primary ballot.

We decided to go to the primary because of some of the things that were happening in our district in the past and we werent going to play those games, Nathe told the North Dakota Monitor.

Justis Amundson, chair of the District 30 GOP and newly endorsed House candidate for District 30, said he was pleased with the turnout, but felt it was unbecoming for the lawmakers to not show up to their district convention.

I think they had an opportunity to come and give their side, but they chose not to come tonight, Amundson said. I think its extremely rude to not come to a meeting like this and win the approval of voters from your district.

Amundson led the endorsing convention even though he also was one of the candidates seeking endorsement.

Notice of the convention published in The Bismarck Tribune promoted the three challengers and did not state who paid for the ad.

Amundson and Dave Charles received the GOP endorsement for District 30 House seats while Adam Rose was endorsed for the Senate seat.

Pamphlets distributed during the event criticized the voting records of the incumbents on guns, a bill related to keeping drug dealers off the streets, a book ban bill and bills related to federal regulations.

Meanwhile, the three incumbent lawmakers gathered almost 600 signatures during early January, more than the 163 required to get onto the primary ballot.

Nathe said the process of gathering signatures door to door was meaningful because they were able to talk to the voters of their district directly.

Our philosophy is that we would rather have the 16,000 people in our district decide who the candidates should be and not a small group of political activists with an agenda, Nathe said.

Larson said she believed their presence at the endorsing convention would have caused an unwanted scene.

It didnt seem like a good idea to go to this meeting last night and get into any kind of verbal exchange about it when (the incumbents) had already gotten the nominations through signatures, Larson said.

She added much of the antagonism and deception falls on Amundsons shoulders as chair.

Im fine with people disagreeing about things and having conversations, she said. But this whole us-against-them demeanor is hard to take.

Nathe said censuring lawmakers over their voting record is nothing new, but censuring someone for not being at a convention is.

We have every right whether we want to be there, or not, Nathe said.

Patty Leno, a District 30 voter, said she was sad the incumbent lawmakers shes talked to multiple times over the years felt it necessary to skip the endorsing convention.

I feel disappointed because I wouldve liked to have heard what they have to say about the way they voted, Leno said. Because they are incumbents. Because they are my district. Because they represent me, I would sure like to hear their reasoning.

A censure is a formal expression of disapproval from a governing body but doesnt carry repercussions. Attendees voted 33-29 on censuring the incumbents.

State Auditor Josh Gallion, among the convention participants, encouraged attendees to soften the language to an expression of disapproval rather than an official censure, but that vote narrowly failed. Amundson counted the votes, which were taken by raised hands.

When asked if he planned to step down as district chair now that hes an endorsed candidate, Amundson said he planned to finish out his term, which expires in 2025.

The District 30 convention only filled 35 of its 47 state GOP delegate slots by the end of the event and gave authority to Amundson to appoint the remaining 12 delegates, who will all meet at the state GOP convention in Fargo April 5-6.

Nathe said he does not plan to attend the state convention. Bosch and Larson said they have not decided.

Sandra Sanford, chair of the North Dakota GOP, said the state party does consider Wednesday night as a duly advertised official convention for the District 30 Republicans.

She added that district chairs are also able to run for office, if they so choose.

She said she was extremely disappointed to hear that Republican incumbents are not feeling welcome in their own districts.

I would have rather have seen those lawmakers show up to that district convention and defend their reason for being lawmakers. That would have been so much more preferred, Sanford said. However, there are methods that they have, that they exercised, and its their right and they went ahead and got their signatures and they are going to proceed to the primary. Thats their right.

She also echoed Nathe and said, ultimately, the voters of District 30 will get to make their decision during the primary on June 11.

U.S. Rep Kelly Armstrong, now a candidate for governor, also attended and spoke during the convention of District 30, which is his home district.

Another legislative district that has three Republican challengers is District 14, which will hold its endorsing convention on Feb. 18 in Steele.

Sen. Jerry Klein, R-Fessenden, said he plans to attend the endorsing convention because he wants to address questions that people may have. But the district convention process has changed, he said.

Its not a comfortable sort of gathering anymore, Klein said. Theres just tension.
Pakistan Accuses India of Directing Cross-Border Assassinations

By Ayaz Gul January 25, 2024

Pakistan alleged Thursday that a recent spate of assassinations of its citizens on Pakistani soil was orchestrated by India, claiming that the violent acts bear resemblance to cases that have occurred in other countries, including the United States and Canada.

Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Qazi told a news conference in Islamabad that his government had collected "credible evidence" linking Indian intelligence operatives to the killings of two Pakistani citizens in September and October of last year.

"These were killings-for-hire cases involving a sophisticated international setup spread over multiple jurisdictions. Indian agents used technology and safe havens on foreign soil to commit assassinations in Pakistan," Qazi stated.

"They fit the pattern of similar cases, which have come to light in other countries, including Canada and the United States. Clearly, the Indian network of extrajudicial and extraterritorial killings has become a global phenomenon," asserted the Pakistani official.

Qazi identified the slain Pakistani men as Shahid Latif and Muhammad Riaz, saying investigations were also underway into several other killings in recent months to determine if Indian agents also sponsored them.

Recent Indian media reports have said that Riaz and Latif were wanted by New Delhi for their roles in plotting "terrorist" attacks against India and its administered part of the disputed Kashmir region.

The Indian foreign ministry spokesperson, in a statement, swiftly rejected Thursday's allegations by Islamabad as "false and malicious" propaganda against India.

"As the world knows, Pakistan has long been the epicenter of terrorism, organized crime, and illegal transnational activities," said Randhir Jaiswal.

"India and many other countries have publicly warned Pakistan, cautioning that it would be consumed by its own culture of terror and violence ... To blame others for its own misdeeds can neither be a justification nor a solution," Jaiswal added.

The Pakistani allegations came nearly two months after U.S. federal prosecutors in late November accused a man, who claimed to be a "senior field officer" for an Indian intelligence agency, of orchestrating a foiled assassination plot against an American citizen, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. He is the leader of the Sikh separatist movement in India.

Last September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told an emergency parliamentary session that his government had "credible allegations" linking Indian agents to the slaying of exiled Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last June.

New Delhi has rejected Trudeau's allegations and has launched an investigation into U.S. charges.

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Central Asia Seen as Key to Breaking China's Rare Earth Monopoly

By Navbahor Imamova January 25, 2024

U.S. officials hoping to break China's near monopoly on the production of rare earth elements needed for many cutting-edge technologies should engage the governments of Central Asia to develop high concentrations of REEs found in the region, says a new report.

The study by the U.S.-based International Tax and Investment Center warns that a failure to act could leave China with a "decisive advantage" in the sector, which is crucial to green energy, many new weapons systems and other advanced technologies.

"As the uses for these minerals has expanded, so too has global competition for them in a time of sharply increasing geostrategic and geo-economic tension," the report says.

"Advanced economies with secure, reliable access to REEs enjoy economic advantages in manufacturing, and corresponding economic disadvantages accrue for those without this access."

China, which accounts for most of the world's rare earth mining within its own borders, has not yet had to seek additional supplies from Central Asia, which enjoys plentiful reserves of minerals ranging from iron and nonferrous metals to uranium.

But, the report says, "the massive size of the Chinese economy and the Chinese Communist Party's conscious efforts to dominate the REE sector globally mean such increases are a matter of time."

Oil-rich Kazakhstan, the region's economic giant, holds the world's largest chromium reserves and the second-largest stocks of uranium, while also possessing other critical elements.

Report co-author Ariel Cohen says it is up to the governments of Central Asia to create the investment climate for development of these resources.

"They may be the next big thing in Central Asia as the engine of economic growth," Cohen said this week during a panel discussion at the Atlantic Council, a Washington think tank.

Across Central Asia, experts note, REEs are found in substantial volumes in the Kazakh steppe and uplands as well as in the Tien Shan mountains across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, and in the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan.

Monazite, zircon, apatite, xenotime, pyrochlore, allanite and columbite are among Central Asia's most abundant rare metals and minerals.

In 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey listed 384 REE occurrences in the region: 160 in Kazakhstan, 87 in Uzbekistan, 75 in Kyrgyzstan, 60 in Tajikistan, and two in Turkmenistan.

Wesley Hill, another expert on Central Asia's mineral reserves, says production of rare earths at present "is almost wholly monopolized by China."

"Depending on how you count, between 80 to 90% of REE refining is controlled by China and done directly inside of China," Hill said.

But, he argued, despite China's heavy involvement in Central Asia, it has yet to fully take over the region's rare earth sector. "So, this means that Central Asia is very much at a crossroads," he said. "Central Asia has the opportunity to expand its REE production without being wholly dependent on China."

Central Asia is currently in a position where it can develop its REE refining capacities both for its national development strategies and to break the Chinese monopoly, Hill said.

"But this is only going to happen with good policy, both from the American side and the Central Asian side."

Ambassador John Herbst, Washington's former top diplomat in Uzbekistan and Ukraine, says the region's REE assets are "simply another reason for enhanced engagement by the West."

He said he is not sure that Central Asian governments appreciate how important rare earths can be to their development. "But I do know that the countries of Central Asia want a closer relationship with the United States, and that is one important part of their maintaining their hard-won independence."

Herbst added that the United States and Central Asia have a common interest in working together to develop the region's rare earths "for the economy of the future."

"We have an ability to innovate that far exceeds [China's]. Their innovation is based largely on taking our technology."

Suriya Evans-Pritchard Jayanti, who serves as energy transition counsel at the U.S. Department of Commerce, says the region is eager for investment.

"It is a development opportunity. Particularly with the geostrategic energy realignment after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but also, because of the energy transition. Lithium and other REE are necessary for different parts of that transition. So that's primarily an economic incentive," she said.

She pointed to the Mineral Strategic Partnership Initiative run by the U.S. State Department's Bureau on Energy Resources, which is able to promote foreign direct investment in the region while providing technical assistance in the mining sector.

Cohen said the Central Asian countries cannot wait long to develop their rare earths. "There is a competition, and the African countries, Latin American countries and others will compete increasingly."

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez, who heads a consultancy called Second Floor Strategies, says Central Asia needs a rare earth research center that can provide timely information to prospective customers and investors.

Transportation is key, Sanchez said. "It's not just about finding and mining them. You have to get them to the international market."

Access from the landlocked region at present is limited to China's Belt and Road infrastructure or routes through Russia. Sanchez and others recommend using the Middle Corridor, also called the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which can carry goods to Europe across the Caspian and Black seas.

These experts also say progress will depend on regional governments overcoming their traditional secretiveness regarding natural resources. They emphasize the importance of transparency, the rule of law, adherence to best practices and compliance with international norms if they hope to attract Western investment.

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Letter to the Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148)

January 25, 2024

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Madam President:)

As I have reported previously, militia groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have perpetrated a series of attacks against United States personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria. These attacks, including the recent attack on Al-Asad Air Base by Iran-affiliated militia groups, have caused injuries to United States personnel and Coalition forces operating alongside United States forces and have placed their lives under grave threat.

Previously, in response to these attacks and the threat of future attacks, at my direction, United States forces have conducted targeted strikes against facilities in Iraq and Syria used by the IRGC and IRGC-affiliated groups.

On the night of January 23, 2024, at my direction, United States forces conducted discrete strikes against facilities in Iraq used by IRGC-affiliated militia groups for training, logistics support, and other purposes. The strikes were taken to degrade militias' capabilities and deter future attacks and were conducted in a manner designed to limit the risk of escalation and avoid civilian casualties. I directed the strikes in order to protect and defend our personnel and assets who are in Iraq conducting military operations pursuant to the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40). The strikes were intended to degrade and disrupt Iran and Iranaffiliated militia groups from conducting or supporting further attacks on United States personnel and facilities.

I directed this military action consistent with my responsibility to protect United States citizens both at home and abroad and in furtherance of United States national security and foreign policy interests, pursuant to my constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive and to conduct United States foreign relations and in accordance with the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40) and the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq (Public Law 107-243). The United States took this necessary and proportionate action consistent with international law and in the exercise of the United States' inherent right of self-defense as reflected in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The United States stands ready to take further action, as necessary and appropriate, to address further threats or attacks.

I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148). I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.

Sincerely,



JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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Jan. 25: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Friday, 26 January 2024 6:33 AM

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 killed more than 25,900 Palestinians, mostly children and women.

The operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Thursday, January 25, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Jan. 25:

A joint operation with the Mujahideen Brigades targeted a gathering of Israeli regime forces northwest of Gaza City with short-range 107mm rockets.

Targeted two Merkava tanks with Yassin-105 shells west of Khan Yunis city, southern Gaza Strip.

Published a detailed military report outlining achievements against the occupation during the past week.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Jan. 25:

Engaged in clashes with Israeli regime soldiers and their vehicles in the west and south of Khan Yunis city with machine guns and firearms.

Shelled a gathering of Israeli regime forces with 60mm regular mortar shells in the west of Khan Yunis city.

Blew up a Merkava tank with a "Thaqqib" high-explosive device in the vicinity of Khan Yunis city.

Bombed the positioning of Israeli regime forces and their vehicles in the Sudanese area northwest of Gaza City, using heavy-caliber mortar shells, Badr-1 IRAM rockets, and 107mm rockets.

Pounded an Israeli infantry force northwest of Beit Hanoun with a guided 107mm rocket.

Shelled Israeli military vehicles and soldiers in the west and southwest of Khan Yunis city.

In a joint operation with the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, targeted military supply lines along the eastern line of central Gaza with rockets.

Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles near the military site of "Abu Safiya" east of Al-Maghazi in central Gaza.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Jan. 25:

Targeted an Israeli military helicopter with an air-to-surface missile (SAM) in the skies of Khan Yunis city.

Shelled concentrations of Israeli military east of Al-Bureij with a barrage of rockets.

Al-Aqsa Brigades' operations on Jan. 25:

Engaged in clashes with Israeli forces near Haifa Street and the Al-Ahmadiyyin roundabout with heavy gunfire and explosive devices.

Engaged in clashes with Israeli forces using firearms and appropriate weapons in the axis west of Khan Yunis.

Hezbollah's operations on Jan. 25:

Launched an aerial attack with two assault (Kamikaze) drones on much-hyped Israeli military systems and Iron Dome platforms near the illegal settlement of Kfar Blum, achieving direct hits.

Targeted the Al-Radar Israeli military site in the occupied Shabaa farms with rockets, achieving direct hits.

Targeted the Jal Al-Alam site of the Israeli military with missiles, achieving direct hits.

Iraqi resistance's operations on Jan. 25:

Attacked the Israeli-run port of Ashdod in occupied territories with drones, causing large-scale destruction and casualties.

Attacked the US military occupation base near Erbil Airport in northern Iraq with a barrage of drones, resulting in vast damages.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 25 January 2024 - Day 700

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 in recent months, there have been heating breakdowns in 16 locations across Russia. These breakdowns amidst sub-freezing temperatures are an expansion of an existing problem that has plagued Russian cities and towns for decades, but has likely become more acute due to Russian wartime policies.

Russia has routinely prioritised military spending over re-investment in qeneral public infrastructure, especially since their invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Many regional governments have been asked to take on theburden of operating with less federal revenue and have been asked to fund local volunteer forces, which has likely stretched their budgets and necessitated some cuts to maintenance spending. Additionally, mobilisation has likely led to a workforce shortage across all industries including qualified heating engineers and plumbers

Putin has asked the Minister of Emergency Situations, AleksandrKurenkov, to ensure the supply of heating and electricity to residents. Appearing to tackle this issue is likely a key concern for Putin ahead of the forthcoming Russian presidential elections.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of January 25, there were 65x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 2x missile and 18x air strikes, carried out 49x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Private residential buildings 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. Russian forces launched an air strike near Komisarove (Kharkiv oblast). More than 25x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Znob-Trubchevs'ka, Marchykhyna Buda, Zaruts'ke, Pavlivka, Zapsillya, Novodmytrivka, Popivka (Sumy oblast), Kozacha Lopan', Vovchans'k, Vovchans'ki Khutory, Budarky (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x assaults in the vicinities of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast) and Stel'makhivka (Luhansk oblast). In that area, Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 2x assaults near Tors'ke (Donetsk oblast), and 2x attacks near Makiivka (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the area of Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), near Terny and Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Tors'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 7x attacks in the vicinities of Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to improve their tactical situation. Russian forces launched an air strikes in the vicinity of Druzhkivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x attacks near Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 4x more attacks near Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched an air strike near Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Novokalynove, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sjeverne (Donetsk oblast).

Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Heorhiivka, Pobjeda and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the adversary made 20x failed attempts to improve its tactical situation. Russian forces launched air strikes near Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Kostyantynivka (Donetsk oblast). The settlements of Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Paraskoviivka were under artillery and mortar fire of the occupiers.

Shakhtars'ke axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x assaults southeast of Vodyane, Zolota Nyva and west of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Urozhaine, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x assaults southeast of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Malynivka, Chervone, Bilohir'ya, Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: Russian forces launched an air strike near Stavky settlement (Mykolaiv oblast). The adversary fired artillery at the settlements of L'vove, Tyahynka, Ivanivka (Kherson oblast).

The Russian occupiers 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 6x unsuccessful assaults on positions of Ukrainian troops.

During the day of January 25, the Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x concentration of troops of the russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces and artillery repelled four attacks of AFU 30th, 32nd, 57th mechanised brigades' assault groups close to Makeyevka (Lugansk People's Republic) and Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

Up to 40 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three pick-up trucks, and two Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery systems have been eliminated.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled two attacks launched by assault groups of the AFU 117th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic).

Up to 270 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, eight armoured fighting vehicles, and 20 motor vehicles have been neutralised.

In Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces improved their position along the front line.

Three attacks of the AFU 22nd Mechanised Brigade's assault groups were repelled near Kleshcheyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Artillery strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of AFU 22nd, 92nd mechanised brigades close to Krasnoye and Kleshcheyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost up to 310 Ukrainian troops, four tanks, four armoured fighting vehicles, and seven motor vehicles.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-made M270 MLRS, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one D-20 howitzer, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, two D-30 howitzers, as well as two ammunition depots were hit.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces and artillery inflicted fire damage on manpower of AFU 31st mechanised, 79th air assault brigades close to Staromayorskoye and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy's losses amounted to 130 troops, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one Giatsint-B howitzer, as well as one electronic warfare station.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery inflicted losses on clusters of manpower and hardware of AFU 33rd, 65th mechanised, 128th mountain assault, and 112th territorial defence brigades close to Rabotino, Yurkovka, and Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 130 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, one tank, and four pick-up trucks.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, one Czech-made RM-70 Vampire MLRS, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one D-20 howitzer were neutralised.

In Kherson direction, units of the AFU 35th Marines Brigade were hit near Tyaginka (Kherson region).

The enemy lost up to 45 Ukrainian troops and three motor vehicles.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made M777 self-propelled artillery system, and one Grad MLRS combat vehicle were hit.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 109 areas during the day.

Air defence forces shot down four HIMARS MLRS projectiles and one Tochka-U tactical missile during the day.

In addition, 91 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed near Belogorovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Ploshchanka (Lugansk People's Republic), Tokarevka, Tavolzhanka (Kharkov region), Sagi (Kherson region), Verbovoye, Ulyanovka, and Tokmak (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 568 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 11,231 unmanned aerial vehicles, 452 air defence missile systems, 14,794 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,209 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,861 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 17,878 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.





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Defence resumes regional presence deployments in 2024

Issued by Defence Media

25 January 2024

The Australian Defence Force has deployed a Royal Australian Navy warship to conduct the first regional presence deployment for 2024.

The Anzac class frigate HMAS Warramunga departed its homeport of Sydney on 23 January for a three-month deployment through South and Southeast Asia.

The ship's embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and the 200-strong ship's company will participate in a range of exercises, cooperative activities and joint patrols with partner navies.

HMAS Warramunga will also undertake various navy-to-navy engagements during exercises and port visits.

Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Chris Smith, AM, CSM, RAN, said the resumption of regional presence deployments in 2024 continued a long history of successful deployments in support of Indo-Pacific security and relationship building.

"Indo-Pacific deployments demonstrate the Australian Defence Force's ability to maintain a near continuous presence in the region to support regional security and stability," Rear Admiral Smith said.

"Australia has maintained a robust program of international engagement with regional nations for decades and these routine deployments demonstrate our resolve for a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific."

This regional presence deployment will conclude in late April.

Since commissioning in 2001, HMAS Warramunga's combat capabilities, sensors, weapons systems communications technologies and crew facilities have been progressively upgraded to keep pace with rapidly advancing naval technologies and enable interoperability with partner navies.

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Situation in Belarus

European Council / Council of the European Union

Statement by the Secretary General

Secretary General

Strasbourg

25 January 2024

Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric today made the following statement:

"I condemn in the strongest terms the latest reported wave of raids and arrests targeting relatives of political prisoners and former political prisoners in Belarus. I am particularly concerned by the deliberate targeting of individuals who have already suffered significant human rights violations because of political repression. The Council of Europe reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.

"We also remain committed to strengthening cooperation with representatives of democratic forces, civil society and independent media, based on our shared values, and to the benefit of all Belarusian people. This cooperation includes our important Contact Group."

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Belarus: Statement by the High Representative on the latest wave of police searches and political detentions

European External Action Service (EEAS)

25.01.2024

EEAS Press Team

The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent wave of repression against former political prisoners remaining in Belarus, as well as relatives of political prisoners. The raids and searches by the regime's security apparatus affected more than 100 people, many of whom have been arrested.

The Lukashenka regime continues its deplorable tactics of intimidation and repression against its critics and potential political opponents ahead of the "elections" in February.

We urge Belarus' authorities to refrain from any further repression and violence directed against the Belarusian people, and to comply with Belarus' international human rights obligations, including by releasing immediately and unconditionally all those arbitrarily detained and ceasing abusive prosecutions.

The EU stands in solidarity with the people of Belarus and will continue to support them on their way to an independent and democratic country. Belarusian citizens deserve the right to be represented by those they freely choose through transparent, free and fair elections.

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MFA statement on another wave of repressions in Belarus

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland

25.01.2024

Polish MFA is deeply concerned over the reports from Belarus regarding another wave of massive searches and arrests among former prisoners of conscience and relatives of persons currently incarcerated by the regime on political grounds.

We strongly condemn systemic repressions of the Belarusian regime against its own society, including the detention of Maryna Adamovich, the wife of Mikalai Statkevich, a Belarusian opposition activist sentenced to 14 years in prison.

The human rights situation in Belarus has been aggravating. The increased pressure of Lukashenko's regime on the civil society and his political opponents over the past weeks aims to intimidate Belarusians, forcing them into silence or fleeing the country.

Since the rigged presidential election in 2020, thousands of people have been imprisoned and at least 1,400 political prisoners remain in detention. Conditions of detention of the regime's opponents are an abomination of humanity - the oppositionists serve their sentences in overcrowded cold cells, with limited access to health care and limited contacts with relatives.

Polish MFA constantly calls on the Minsk authorities to unconditionally release all political prisoners and stop repressions against its own society.

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Condemnation of the Lukashenka Regime's Raids on Former Political Prisoners

US Department of State

Press Statement

Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

January 25, 2024

The United States condemns the Lukashenka regime's recent raids, detentions, and the regime's broader ongoing attacks on human rights and attempts to thwart the democratic aspirations of the people of Belarus. We will continue to hold the regime accountable, through sanctions and other means, for its harsh internal repression as well as for its ongoing support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

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North Dakota Health and Human Services is seeking youth ages 15-21 to serve on a Youth Health Advisory Board.

The 20 board members would help plan, implement and advise on projects and topics to improve the health of North Dakota youth, while building leadership skills, according to HHS.

Youth health issues differ from adults. To understand their needs, HHS would like to hear directly from youth," said Krissie Guerard, community engagement director for the HHS Public Health Division.

Board members are asked to commit to at least two years of service. A statement of commitment will be required from a parent or guardian for youth ages 15-17. Meetings will be held online every other month beginning in March. Applications and more information are at bit.ly/3SieBqP. The deadline to apply is Feb. 15.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on January 25, 2024

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

2024-01-25 20:58

AFP: The European Union yesterday announced a plan to strengthen economic security and prevent geopolitical rivals from gaining access to sensitive technologies, as part of the "de-risking" strategy toward China pushed by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. How does China view the plan released by the EU yesterday?

Wang Wenbin: We noted relevant report. In recent years, the international community has expressed concerns about the EU's protectionist and unilateral moves in economy and trade, and relevant moves will exacerbate such concerns. We hope that the EU will abide by the basic norms of market economy including free trade, fair competition and open cooperation, observe WTO rules, and avoid introducing any policies and measures that roll back globalization and overstretch the concept of security. This bears on the image of the EU in the international economic and trade field, and more importantly, on the confidence of companies from China and other countries in Europe's business environment.

The Paper: The US magazine Foreign Policy published an article a few days ago, pointing out that the Red Sea crisis proves that China's Belt and Road Initiative is very important as it is a blueprint for what every nation needs in an age of uncertainty and disruption. There is precisely one pathway for a world plagued by dire mistrust and unpredictable crises to take meaningful collective action in the global public interestaand that is to build more pathways for supply to meet demand. More belts, more roads. China is the one country that has known thisaand acted on itafor years. What is your comment on this?

Wang Wenbin: We noted the article and also noted another recent article published by the US magazine The Diplomat, considering the possibility of complementarity between the Belt and Road Initiative and infrastructure aid programs of Western countries, rather than being outright competitors. What these two articles pointed out are simply objective facts that anyone without tinted glasses can see at a glance.

In the past decade and more since President Xi Jinping proposed the BRI, Belt and Road cooperation has expanded beyond the Eurasian continent to Africa and Latin America, and from "hard connectivity" to "soft connectivity" and to the connectivity between the people. BRI has built up the world's largest platform that covers the widest range of international cooperation. Thanks to the Belt and Road cooperation, cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity and other fields have been given wide attention around the world, injecting strong impetus to keeping international industrial and supply chains stable and boosting the inclusive and sustainable growth of global economy. The vision of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation supported by the spirit of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, open, green and clean cooperation, and a high-standard, people-centered and sustainable approach has been incorporated into important documents of the UN and multilateral regional mechanisms, which demonstrates the common aspiration and strong consensus for Belt and Road cooperation in the international community.

As the world enters a new period of turbulence and transformation, more and more people realized why we need the BRI in today's world. BRI advocates the approach of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, instead of supremacy. BRI advances connectivity, instead of decoupling and division. BRI pursues win-win cooperation, instead of antagonism and confrontation. China stands ready to work with all countries to deepen international Belt and Road cooperation, build more "belts of development" and "roads to happiness" to deliver benefit for all countries and contribute more to realizing global modernization featuring peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and prosperity for all.

Reuters: On January 24, Boeing delivered its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 to China Southern Airlines in Seattle since March 2019. Why would China resume deliveries when the safety of Boeing aircraft is under strict scrutiny?

Wang Wenbin: On questions about specific business activities, I'd refer you to relevant companies. What I can share with you is that on December 8, 2023, China's competent authorities completed the design approval of Boeing 737 Max 8 in accordance with China Civil Aviation Regulations, and the aircraft was deemed ready for delivery.

Beijing Daily: China National Intellectual Property Administration said recently, by the end of 2023, China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) owned 4.015 million domestic invention patents, making itself one of the world's leading countries in the area of IP. How do you see the impact of China's achievements in innovation and IPR protection on the world?

Wang Wenbin: The number of invention patents is an important indicator to measure a country's scientific and technological development and economic growth. In 1985, China officially implemented its first Patent Law. It used to take 31 years for China to have 1 million domestic invention patents in force, but now it only takes one year and a half to have another one. China has become the first country in the world with more than 4 million domestic invention patents in force, whose impetus for innovation and vitality for development continue to thrive and upgrade.

According to the Global Innovation Index 2023 issued by the World Intellectual Property Organization last year, China ranked 12th, becoming the world's highest ranking middle-income economy, and outnumbered all other countries for the first time in terms of its ownership of the top 100 science and technology clusters worldwide. This reflects that the international community has spoken highly of China's innovation capability.

By stepping up IPR protection, China has brought new opportunities to expand mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries. In recent years, China has continued to improve the mechanisms for international IP cooperation, and established cooperative relations on IP with more than 80 countries and regions and international organizations. We have actively responded to and addressed the concerns and demands on IP of foreign companies, strictly protected their IPR in accordance with the law, and stayed committed to building a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment. Foreign companies have become more and more satisfied with China's IPR protection, and an increasing number of foreign companies have come to invest and operate in China to share the dividends of China's development and its supersize market.

With enhanced sci-tech innovation capability, China has provided new driving forces for green and sustainable development in the world. China has fully leveraged the role of patent in promoting sci-tech innovation and the development of new industries and new arenas to boost the rapid development of green and low-carbon industries represented by electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar cells. Key Chinese companies with top ten sales of new energy vehicles own over 100,000 international patents in force and the number is on a trajectory of rapid growth. China is also among the leading countries in terms of the growth rate of international patent applications for solid-state batteries and the number of international patent applications for solar cells. These have effectively boosted the development of global green and low-carbon technologies and industries of the future.

China's achievements in IP development have become a distinct manifestation of its high-quality development and Chinese modernization. Going forward, we are confident that China's potential of innovation-driven development will be further unleashed, which will lay the basis for and empower the advancement of high-quality development and the building of a new development paradigm, and make greater contribution to the innovation-driven development of the world.

CCTV: According to reports, the UNRWA stated yesterday that its training center was hit by two tank rounds in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Nine were killed and 75 were injured. What's China's comment?

Wang Wenbin: China was shocked by another attack on the UN facility in Gaza and we are saddened by the civilian casualties caused by the attack. We condemn all acts against civilians and oppose all moves that violate international law. The safety of UN facilities must be protected. The use of force does not bring true security and ceasefire is the overriding priority. China urges parties to the conflict to earnestly implement relevant resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, realize a comprehensive ceasefire at once and prevent an even worse humanitarian disaster from happening.

Yonhap News Agency: It's reported that on January 24 the DPRK test-fired a new strategic cruise missile for the first time. Did China know about the DPRK's test-firing plan in advance? What is China's view on the continued tensions on the Peninsula?

Wang Wenbin: We noted relevant report. China hopes that all parties stick to the direction of political settlement, resolve each side's legitimate concerns in a balanced way through meaningful dialogue and work for an early realization of peace and security on the Peninsula.

CCTV: China and Singapore signed a visa mutual exemption agreement just now. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: China attaches great importance to people-to-people exchanges with Singapore. With the concerted efforts of both sides, the two sides officially signed the Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Singapore on the Mutual Exemption of Visa Requirements for Holders of Ordinary Passports in Beijing today. The agreement will enter into force on February 9. From then on, holders of ordinary passports from the two countries can enter the other country and stay for no longer than 30 days without visas.

The entry into force of the agreement before the Chinese New Year of the Dragon is a new year gift for the peoples of the two countries. It will further enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Singapore and promote the steady progress of bilateral relations and cooperation in various areas.

Reuters: Tesla CEO Elon Musk said yesterday that Chinese car companies are the most competitive car companies in the world and they will have significant success outside of China, depending on what kind of tariffs or trade barriers are established. If there are not trade barriers established, they would demolish most car companies in the world. What is China's comment on this?

Wang Wenbin: I haven't seen relevant reports. I would like to stress that all parties need to safeguard the fair, just, open and non-discriminatory business environment and observe market economy principles and WTO rules.

Dragon TV: The Zheng Lvcheng music festival is held every year in Gwangju where Zheng Lvcheng, one of the most excellent composers in China's modern history, was born. We noted recent reports that the festival will be slashed even canceled this year. The exhibition hall and memorial park for Zheng Lvcheng that are in the pipeline may be renamed without citing his name. His large portrait on the wall of the Elementary School where he attended may also be demolished. What's your comment?

Wang Wenbin: Mr. Zheng Lvcheng is a respectable and famous musician. Born in Gwangju in the southern Korean peninsula, he fought for the March 1st Movement in China in his early years, later worked and lived in DPRK and China, and became a naturalized Chinese citizen. For years, relevant localities in ROK have built spontaneously facilities in commemoration of him and held some cultural activities related to him, boosting China-ROK friendship. I want to stress that when commenting on famous domestic and international figures that have something to do with its country's history, the government should respect facts and take an objective and just position. There is no need to get ideological on such things. For any country, relations and people-to-people friendship with other countries should not be affected by its domestic political disputes.

Reuters: Japanese business leaders visited China and met with Premier Li Qiang this week. According to Japanese media reports, one of their concerns is on China's Counterespionage Law and the detention of Japanese nationals accused of engaging in espionage activities. Will China take measures to ensure the lawful rights and interests of the Japanese business community in China are protected?

Wang Wenbin: First, to answer your question about the Counterespionage Law: according to the principle of sovereignty, every country has the right to safeguard national security through domestic legislation, which is a universal practice. All the law enforcement and judicial activities of China are carried out based on facts and the law. Companies that conduct lawful operation have nothing to worry about. We welcome companies from all countries, including Japanese companies, to seize China's development opportunities and share in China's development dividends, so as to realize greater development.

You mentioned the visit to China by the delegation of Japan's economic sector. I would like to share with you more about the visit.

This morning, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang met with the delegation of Japan's economic sector led by Chairman of the Japan Business Federation Tokura Masakazu, Chairman of the Japan-China Economic Association Shindo Kosei and Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kobayashi Ken at the Great Hall of the People. Over 200 leaders of Japan's major companies attended the meeting.

Premier Li Qiang stated that the China-Japan relations are at an important juncture of taking stock of the past and envisioning the future. In November last year, President Xi Jinping met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in San Francisco and the two leaders reached important common understandings, providing important strategic guidance for the growth of China-Japan relations. All sectors in China and Japan need to work together to revisit our original aspiration of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries, adhere to the right direction of peace, friendship and cooperation and implement the political consensus that they should be cooperative partners rather than threats to each other, so as to bring the China-Japan relations back to the track of sound development. China hopes that Japan can properly handle historical, Taiwan-related and other issues of principle.

Premier Li Qiang pointed out that the two countries' economy are deeply connected. Economic and trade cooperation are playing an important role in our bilateral relations as an anchor and propeller. China stands ready to work with Japan to tap on our potentials for cooperation, continue to share development opportunities, support companies from our two countries to enhance cooperation in such areas as technological innovation, digital economy, green development, healthcare and elderly care and together keep industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded for higher-level complementarity and mutual benefit. We hope that the economic sector in Japan will play a positive role in advancing win-win cooperation between China and Japan. China is committed to its fundamental national policy of opening up and will continue to foster a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment. We welcome companies from Japan and other countries to continue to invest in China and hope that Japan will do better in providing an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies in Japan.

Heads of the three groups from Japan's economic sector stated that Japan and China are each other's important neighbor. They hope that the two countries will return to their original aspiration of friendship, enhance close exchanges between all sectors and at all levels, and build a constructive and stable Japan-China relationship based on common strategic interests. China is a major engine driving global economic growth. The Japanese economic sector is deeply encouraged by China's sound and steady economic growth and would like to work with China to enhance cooperation in trade, environmental protection, the green economy, healthcare, rehabilitation and other areas, promote cross-border travel, advance regional economic cooperation and make positive contribution to the growth of Japan-China relations and peace and prosperity in Asia and beyond.

Bloomberg: You said that the Japanese side should work harder. What aspect they should work hard on? Can you tell us?

Wang Wenbin: I just briefed you on the meeting between Premier Li Qiang and the Japanese delegation from the economic sector. I would like to reiterate that the various sectors in China and Japan need to work together to revisit our original aspiration of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries, adhere to the right direction of peace, friendship and cooperation and implement the political consensus that they should be cooperative partners rather than threats to each other. We also hope that Japan can properly handle historical, Taiwan-related and other issues of principle.a

Reuters: The US Navy destroyer USS John Finn transited through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday. What is the Foreign Ministry's comment on this?

Wang Wenbin: On the US destroyer USS John Finn's transit through the Taiwan Strait, the Spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command has issued a statement on China's position.

I would like to stress that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory and China remains unwavering in our determination to defend the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity. China noted that after the elections in the Taiwan region, we have seen negative statements and actions from the US side, which sent wrong messages to "Taiwan independence" forces. What the US did violates the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiquAs, and contravenes the commitments repeatedly reiterated by US leaders of not supporting "Taiwan independence", not supporting "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan", and not seeking to use the Taiwan question as a tool to contain China. The US needs to stay committed to the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiquAs, immediately stop infringement and provocative moves, stop creating troubles undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and stop sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

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Hong Kong leader warns of foreign 'wolves' waiting to pounce

One report says Amnesty International, Greenpeace could be targeted under forthcoming new security law.

By Alice Yam and Lee Heung Yeung for RFA Cantonese, Chen Zifei for RFA Mandari 2024.01.25 -- Hong Kong's leader on Thursday said his city is poised to step up a crackdown on foreign "wolves" trying to undermine its stability, as a top court reinstated a prison sentence handed down to human rights lawyer Chow Hang-tung, a key figure in the pro-democracy movement.

"I really think Hong Kongers have been a bit too gentle," Chief Executive John Lee told lawmakers during a question-and-answer session about additional national security legislation on Thursday, referring to his government's claim that the 2019 pro-democracy movement was a bid by "hostile foreign forces" to undermine it.

"They didn't realize how dangerous the world is, how many villains there are," Lee said. "They didn't know that the wolves were in charge, that a tiger was eying up the fat pig that was Hong Kong."

"But we have experienced it, especially the pain of 2019 [which] made us realize that we must protect ourselves against these villains, against hostile forces and espionage," he said, in a session convened to explain new security laws to be passed under Article 23 of the city's Basic Law.

Lee continued: "Hostile forces are watching and waiting for an opportunity, so we must seize the opportunity to legislate as soon as possible."

He said that while the city appears calm today, "undercurrents" of dissent remained, citing China's top official in charge of Hong Kong, Xia Baolong, and that "soft confrontation" remains a potential threat.

"We need to always be wary ... of anti-China disruptive activities in Hong Kong ... in the guise of so-called human rights, freedom, democracy and people's livelihood," Lee said, adding that the new legislation should take priority over measures to boost the city's economy.

Blows to rule of law

His comments came as the city's Court of Final Appeal overturned the acquittal of rights activist Chow Hang-tung, in what rights groups said was "another blow to the rule of law in the city."

The court overturned an earlier decision acquitting Chow on charges of "inciting" people to take part in a banned vigil marking the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre, in what London-based rights group Amnesty International said was "the latest injustice" against her.

Chow is a former leader of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, which disbanded after authorities used the annual Tiananmen candlelight vigil it had organized for 30 years as evidence it had "endangered national security".

Chow also faces charges of "inciting subversion" under the 2020 National Security Law, for which she faces a potential life prison sentence.

"The disappointing ruling announced today is the latest injustice against Chow Hang-tung, who remains unjustly detained on separate charges under the National Security Law for her entirely peaceful actions," the group's China director Sarah Brooks said in a statement.

"The Hong Kong authorities must drop all charges against her, ensure she is free from torture and other ill-treatment and release her," she said.

Amnesty International and possibly even Greenpeace are among foreign organizations being eyed as potential national security threats by the Hong Kong government, the city's Ming Pao newspaper reported on Thursday.

More dangerous law

The paper cited government sources as saying that the two groups would likely be placed on a list of "foreign political organizations" once the Article 23 legislation has been passed, a near-certainty due to the lack of political opposition in the Legislative Council.

Former Amnesty International researcher Patrick Poon said the group isn't political, but that human rights issues are regarded as political by authorities in China and Hong Kong.

"The scope of the Article 23 legislation will be wider than the [existing] National Security Law," Poon said. "They will be able to accuse people using [this] law if they think your activities are political."

He said the report that Greenpeace would also be targeted as a "foreign political organization" was shocking, although its inclusion could be linked to its vocal opposition to the government's massive island-building project, Lantau Tomorrow Vision.

Greenpeace replied to requests for comment from RFA, saying that they are "a major environmental organization recognized globally" and have always adhered to the principle of political neutrality in all countries and regions.

Australia-based former pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui agreed that the forthcoming laws will be more stringent than the existing National Security Law, which ushered in a citywide crackdown on dissent that has seen more than 10,000 arrests on public order charges linked to the 2019 protest movement and 230 arrested under the law, which criminalizes public criticism of the authorities by anyone, anywhere in the world.

"The devil is in the details," Hui said. "[Vague wording] by the Hong Kong government can give law enforcement agencies greater flexibility and power, and few restrictions on how they enforce the law."

"The Article 23 legislation will be more dangerous than the National Security Law," he said.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie.





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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Australia cuts off channel for China's rich to shift assets offshore

Wealthy Chinese immigrants have been used as infiltration tools for the Chinese Communist Party, say experts.

By Yitong Wu for RFA Cantonese 2024.01.25 -- Australia has revoked its "golden visa" immigration program targeted at attracting wealthy investors, a move that eliminates a popular option for China's rich to escape with their assets from an increasingly difficult political and economic climate at home.

Australian media reported this week that the Labor government announced in December plans to scrap the program at the end of last year because it could not bring economic benefits to the country. Also, members of the Australian Values aaAlliance - a group founded by Australians of Chinese heritage - pointed out that wealthy Chinese people have infiltrated politics.

The program will be replaced by a new immigration plan to provide more visas for skilled immigrants.

"It has been obvious for years that this visa is not delivering what our country and economy needs," said Australian Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil in a statement Monday.

"The investor visa is one of many aspects of the system which are reforming to create a system which delivers for our country," she added.

The Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP), commonly known as the "golden visa", was launched in 2012. Unlike other visa programs, it did not require foreign immigrants to learn or master English, nor did it have age restrictions. It was only mandatory for foreign citizens to invest up to A$5 million (US$3.3 million) to obtain residence for five years.

Research by the Australian government has, however, shown that the average economic value contributed by the immigrants in this program to Australia in their lifetime is $600,000, which is just slightly more than a third of the $1.6 million generated by Australian citizens.

According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, more than 100,000 overseas immigrants have used the program to obtain residency in the country since 2012, with 85% of successful applicants coming from China. Currently, about 26,000 people have successfully obtained permanent residence in Australia.

The visa subclass was even given the number "888", as eight stands for prosperity and is auspicious in Chinese numerology.

China's rich - tools of CCP infiltration

Over the years, critics have argued that the plan created not just a fast path for China's wealthy to immigrate but had served as a conduit for corrupt officials in authoritarian countries to "move illicit funds."

Australian commentator Huangfu Jing told Radio Free Asia Cantonese that Chinese tycoon Huang Xiangmo, who was permanently banned from entering Australia for political donations in 2019, was a "golden visa" immigrant. The biggest problem with these wealthy Chinese immigrants, therefore, is not their inability to create greater economic value, but that they have become tools for the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) infiltration, she said.

"Australia eventually discovered it didn't earn much [from the program], but lost more, giving the CCP considerable penetration opportunities. A substantial number of these investment immigrants were pushed out and packaged by the CCP for all-round infiltration. Huang Xiangmo's political donation is a typical example."

Huangfu Jing believes that the CCP, faced with economic difficulties, has nationalized assets of China's rich through what it labeled as "public-private partnership" schemes. As a result, she said wealthy Chinese, stripped of their wealth, will certainly flee China but at the same time, Western countries are increasingly aware of the risks and shutting their doors early.

Former Chinese diplomat Chen Yonglin claimed that wealthy Chinese immigrants who landed in Australia also brought in a legion of unproductive people with no economic contribution to the country. He said they cause social havoc with bad Chinese cultural behavior and habits, including bribery and corruption that influences politics.

Still, Chen believes that the door should remain open for these affluent affluent businessmen.

"Moving their money out will hollow out China's economy and prompt social change; there's no downside, in fact only benefits," Chen said.

Apart from Australia's "golden visa", the "golden passport and visa" of some European Union countries are also popular among China's rich. Countries like Malta, Cyprus and Bulgaria have issued "golden passports" to foreign investors, while Greece and Portugal granted "golden visas," at investment prices ranging a1 million (US$1 million) to a5 million.

As early as January 2019, the European Commission warned countries offering "golden visas" to foreign investors that their schemes may help organized crime groups infiltrate the EU and increase money laundering, corruption and tax evasion and other risks.

In February 2023, Ireland announced the closure of the "golden visa" program. Portugal followed suit and stopped a similar program in March of that year.

Translated by RFA Staff. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.

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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Legislation of Article 23 of HKSAR Basic Law urgent, cannot be delayed: chief executive

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:47, January 26, 2024

HONG KONG, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Thursday said legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR should be completed as soon as possible as every day counts.

By addressing national security risks, Hong Kong can accelerate its progress and strive to boost the economy, Lee said during an interactive and consultative question-and-answer session with the HKSAR Legislative Council (LegCo).

In his opening remarks, Lee said that the legislation is a constitutional responsibility of the HKSAR, noting that national security risks are real and continuous, and can emerge unexpectedly.

External forces are constantly watching, so it is necessary to legislate as soon as possible, he said, adding that once national security risks are eliminated, Hong Kong can accelerate its progress without any concerns to focus on boosting the economy, expanding markets, exploring business opportunities, and improving people's livelihoods.

Regarding the question of how the legislation of Article 23 can be forward-looking, Lee said it is necessary to establish provisions that can address the continuous development of technology which is rapidly evolving and can see a pace faster than imagined.

Noting that explanatory work is crucial, Lee said the HKSAR government will establish dedicated teams to conduct promotional and educational activities and provide explanations to different individuals, while efforts will be made to effectively explain the situation to the international community.

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China sends top diplomat to Pyongyang amid N Korea's economic woes

Sources hint that there are emerging signs of a potential leaders' summit between the two countries this year.

By Lee Jeong-Ho for RFA 2024.01.25 -- China sent its vice foreign minister to Pyongyang for a discussion that could set the stage for high-level bilateral engagements including a summit, as North Korea aims to concrete its relations with its regime backer in the face of its economic difficulties.

"A delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China headed by Sun Weidong, Vice Foreign Minister, arrived in Pyongyang via Sinuiju, on the 25th," North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency said Friday.

"He was greeted at the border bridge by the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK and the minister of the embassy of the People's Republic of China in the DPRK," KCNA added, referring to North Korea's formal name.

The visit comes as China and North Korea mark the 75th anniversary of normalization of bilateral relations. The two countries last month vowed to use this occasion as an opportunity to further upgrade their cooperation in the fields of "mutual interest."

Separately, in December, North Korea's vice foreign minister Pak Myong Ho visited Beijing and met with Sun, as well as China's foreign minister Wang Yi.

The meeting was described by the North's state media as a platform where "both sides exchanged views on strengthening and developing bilateral relations in 2024, marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of North Korea-China diplomatic relations."

The report added that the two sides will continue to discuss ways to enhance their "mutual interest" and "strategic cooperation."

Kim In-ae, South Korea's vice spokesperson for the unification ministry, said in a regular briefing Friday that Seoul saw Sun's visit as an extension of the December talks, indicating ongoing discussions to further boost cooperation between the two countries.

South Korea's government and parliamentary sources who are familiar with the development, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told Radio Free Asia that there have been constant signs of a summit preparation between China and North Korea since last year.

Apart from China, North Korea has recently beefed up its efforts to enhance relations with Russia. In September, for instance, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held a summit in Russia's Far East and agreed to upgrade their relations in all fields including economy, technology and military.

Since then, accusations have been made that Pyongyang and Moscow are engaged in arms trading, with Ukraine alleging that North Korean missiles have been used in Russia's aggression against Ukraine - a claim that both Pyongyang and Moscow have denied.

China, on the other hand, has kept a distance from the Pyongyang-Moscow cooperation so far, but this might change.

The sources who talked to RFA said Putin's possible visit to Pyongyang this year, as discussed during North Korea's foreign minister Choe Son Hui's visit to Moscow last week, may expedite a summit between China and North Korea, adding that China is likely to intervene in regional diplomacy to optimize its diplomatic interests.

Economic hardship

North Korea's economic struggles could be prompting Pyongyang to seek closer ties with regional allies.

Its leader Kim made a rare acknowledgement this week of the dire state of his country's economy, labeling the economic problem as a "serious political issue."

His government revealed the "inability to provide even basic necessities such as food, groceries, and consumer goods to the local people," Kim said, adding that the "overall local economy is currently in a very pitiful state, lacking even basic conditions."

North Korea's economy contracted for the third consecutive year in 2022, according to the South's Statistics Korea report in December. The latest available data showed a 0.2% year-on-year drop in North Korea's GDP in 2022, following a 0.1 % decrease in 2021, and a 4.5 % contraction in 2020.

But the North's economic hardship may be eased this year, with support from its regime backers, according to the Korea Development Institute.

The Seoul-based think tank said in a report released earlier this month that North Korea's economy could experience a turnaround, contingent on economic support from China and Russia.

It also noted that resuming and expanding tourism cooperation with China and Russia is one of Pyongyang's prioritized economic goals for this year.

Pressure from Seoul

Besides economic difficulties, Pyongyang is also facing intensified diplomatic pressure from South Korea on the international stage.

Kim Gunn, South Korea's Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, for instance, requested the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in raising international awareness about North Korea's human rights issues during his visit to Geneva on Thursday.

The South Korean envoy "lamented North Korea's intensification of social control and oppression to support its military buildup at the expense of the economy and people's livelihoods," the South's foreign ministry said in a statement Friday, at his meeting with with the Acting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif.

Separately, Kim Gunn also visited the E.U. headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday and emphasized the necessity of collective responses, proposing collaboration in blocking funding for North Korea's nuclear and missile development.

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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North Korea Carries Out First Test-Fire of 'New-Type Strategic Cruise Missile'

Sputnik News

20240125

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The North Korean Missile Administration on Wednesday carried out the first test-fire of the still under-development "new-type strategic cruise missile Pulhwasal-3-31", the North's state-run news agency KCNA reported.

The launch of the cruise missile "had no impact on the security of neighboring countries and has nothing to do with the regional situation," the report said.

The launch of the missile is "a process of constant updating of the weapon system," which is "a regular and obligatory activity of the administration and its affiliated defence science institutes," KCNA cited the administration as saying.

Last week, a spokesman for the North Korean National Defense Ministry said in a statement carried by KCNA that Pyongyang had tested the still under-development "underwater nuclear weapon system Haeil-5-23" in the Sea of Japan in response to joint three-day naval exercises by the United States, South Korea and Japan involving a US nuclear carrier and other warships.

A Sputnik

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US Commission Troubled by Hindu Temple Opening on Ruins of Mosque in India

By Akmal Dawi January 25, 2024

The grand opening this week of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, India, has triggered a wave of both jubilation and criticism, reigniting long-simmering tensions over religious tolerance in the world's most populous democracy.

The temple, built on the disputed site of the demolished 16th century Babri Mosque, has drawn mixed reactions, with Hindu devotees celebrating its completion while Muslim groups and international observers express dismay.

"[We are] troubled by the recent construction and inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on the site of the demolished Babri Mosque," Stephen Schneck, a member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, or USCIRF, told VOA in written comments.

"It highlights a concerning precedent regarding the security of places of worship in India, many of which remain damaged and destroyed, particularly in the aftermath of violence in Manipur, for example."

Ethnic violence in Manipur left an estimated 175 people dead and hundreds of places of worship destroyed in May 2023.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, or OIC, a 57-member intergovernmental organization of Muslim-majority nations, has denounced what it calls the obliteration of Islamic landmarks in India.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly observed a fast and prayers for 11 days prior to the opening of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya city. The city has a population of 3 million people, including some 500,000 Muslims.

"Today our Lord Ram has come. After centuries of waiting, our Ram has arrived," Modi said in a Monday speech in which any mention of Babri Mosque was notably absent.

The mosque's 1992 destruction triggered widespread communal violence across India, claiming at least 2,000 lives.

Although India's Supreme Court approved construction of the Hindu temple in 2019, the country's secular constitution prevented government funding for the religious project, which ultimately received $360 million in private donations.

A new India

On Monday, Modi, who has faced accusations of promoting Hindu nationalism, used the term "divine India" to describe his long-term vision for the country.

"By moving ahead of building the temple, now we all take the oath of building a national, capable, successful, beautiful, and divine India," Modi told thousands of Hindu worshippers gathered for the consecration of the new temple.

Since Modi's rise to power in 2014, human rights groups and independent observers have warned about growing religious intolerance in the South Asian country.

USCIRF in 2023 called on the U.S. government to list India, along with Afghanistan, Syria, Nigeria and Vietnam, among its Countries of Particular Concern for religious freedoms.

"USCIRF continues to express concern about the state of religious freedom in India," said Schneck. "These actions will only continue to exacerbate existing tensions and violence against religious minorities."

The glitzy opening of the Ram Temple has drawn considerable attention, not just for its religious significance but also as a potential factor in the May 2024 general elections. With Hindus constituting approximately 80% of India's 1.4 billion population, the temple holds symbolic importance for a large segment of the electorate.

There are also some 200 million Indian Muslims, nearly 28 million Christians and more than 20 million Sikhs.

Hindus for Human Rights, a U.S.-based nongovernmental organization, expressed concerns that Modi's ruling party might be using Hinduism for political and electoral purposes.

"Modi is not a priest, so leading this ceremony for political gain is both technically and morally wrong. This weaponization of our religion tramples what's left of India's secular democratic values," the organization said in a statement.

"Some would say Ram Temple's construction will set off a firestorm. They should reconsider as Ram is energy, not fire. Ram is a solution, not a dispute," Modi said on Monday.

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Iran, Turkiye vow to boost mutual ties: Raisi

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 25, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has described Iran-Turkiye ties as intimate and deep-rooted, noting that the two sides decided to strengthen mutual ties.

The ties between Iranian and Turkish people are heartfelt and civilizational, President Raisi wrote in Turkish on the X on Friday.

He added that there was good cooperation between Iran and Turkiye; however, the two sides decided to further improve bilateral relations.

Iran and Turkiye have the same opinion on the issue of Palestine, he said, underlining that they must end Israeli oppression by cutting off the economic lifelines of Zionists.

Raisi, who arrived in Ankara on Wednesday afternoon held a bilateral meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before attending the signing ceremony of 10 cooperation documents in the presence of officials from the two countries.

These documents of cooperation were inked in the field of railways, energy exchange, and establishment of joint commercial and communication zones.

The Iranian president headed a political and economic delegation to participate in the 8th meeting of the Iran-Turkiye Supreme Council of Economic Cooperation.

Erdogan and Raisi expressed his satisfaction over the meeting and expressed the will to promote relations in various sectors, especially in the commercial and economic sectors.

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Iran: President Raeisi's visit begins 'new chapter' in ties with Turkey

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 25 January 2024 8:11 PM

Iran's foreign minister says the official visit by President Ebrahim Raeisi to Turkey and its results will mark "the beginning of a new chapter" in bilateral and regional cooperation between the two powerful neighbors.

Raeisi and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday oversaw in Ankara the signing of 10 joint cooperation documents in various fields including culture, media and communication, rail and air transportation, electricity, energy, economic and free trade zones.

"Bilateral agreements are within the framework of neighborhood and diversification policy on all dimensions of relations, including trade, investment, economic, customs, industry, expansion of border markets and free zones, cultural, tourism, border security and fighting terrorism," Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian wrote on X Thursday.

President Raeisi announced on Wednesday that Iran and Turkey have set a goal to boost their bilateral trade to $30 billion annually and expressed confidence in achieving this target, citing the capacities of both nations.

The Iranian president, who had been invited by Erdogan, emphasized Turkey's role as a key economic partner for Iran.

In a joint news conference, Raeisi said Iran and Turkey are two regional heavyweights which can work to settle regional and even international issues.

He said the two countries agreed to further boost their fight against the scourge of terrorism in the region.

Erdogan, for his part, said he discussed with his Iranian counterpart the need for cessation of Israel's "inhumane" attacks on Gaza and the urgency of just and permanent peace.

Both Turkey and Iran oppose the illegal US presence in Syria and have strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli genocide against the Palestinians.

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Iran, Russia, Turkey stress fighting terrorism, blast Israeli attacks on Syria

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 25 January 2024 3:35 PM

Iran, Russia and Turkey have jointly stressed fighting against terrorism in all forms, slammed Israeli attacks in Syria and emphasized the leading role of Astana format talks in promoting a sustainable settlement to the Syrian crisis.

Delegations of the three guarantors made the remarks in a joint declaration adopted at the 21st international Astana meeting on Syria held in the Kazakh capital city of Astana on Wednesday.

The Iranian delegation was headed by Ali Asgar Haji, Senior Advisor for Political Affairs at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, while those of Russia and Turkey were led by Russian President Vladimir Putin's Special Envoy for Syria Aleksandr Lavrentiyev and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Yildiz, respectively.

The trio "expressed their determination to continue working together to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stand against separatist agendas aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and threatening the national security of the neighboring countries, including through cross-border attacks and infiltrations," the final communiquA said.

They also "emphasized the leading role of the Astana Process in promoting the lasting settlement of the Syrian crisis."

Since the outbreak of Israel's brutal war on the besieged Gaza Strip in October 7, the occupying regime has significantly increased its cross-border attacks against Syria.

In response to such hostilities, Iran, Russia and Turkey also "condemned all Israeli military attacks in Syria. Considered these actions as a violation of international law, international humanitarian law, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, and recognized them as destabilizing and exacerbating tensions in the region and called for the ceasing of these attacks."

The three guarantors also expressed concern over the negative impact of the Gaza war on the deterioration of the situation in Syria.

They "underlined the importance of preventing the armed confrontation area from expanding and other states of the region from being dragged into the confrontation. Expressed deep concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and stressed the need to end Israeli brutal onslaught against the Palestinians and sending humanitarian aid to Gaza. Called for the implementation of the UNGA Resolution A/ES/-10/L.27 (2023) demanding an immediate ceasefire and compliance by all parties with their obligations under international law."

The trio also stressed that there could be no military solution in Syria, reaffirming their "commitment to advancing a viable and long-term Syrian-led and UN-facilitated political process in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254."

The Astana Format was launched in 2017 at the initiative of Iran, Russia and Turkey on how to reduce tensions and hostilities in war-torn Syria. Russia, Turkey, and Iran, as well as delegates from Syria's government, opposition and the United Nations take part in the 21st round of the Astana format talks.

Back in June last year, the Kazakh foreign ministry suggested ending meetings in Syria because the acute phase of the confrontation between Damascus and opposition was over. However, the Kazakh authorities decided to hold a fresh meeting by the collective appeal of Tehran, Moscow and Ankara.

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U.S. And Iran-Backed Huthis Engaged In High-Stakes Fight Tehran Wants To Avoid

By Michael Scollon January 25, 2024

It is not only missiles that are being lobbed as U.S. and U.K. air strikes aim to stop the Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen from targeting ships in a key global trade route -- mutual threats of continued attacks are flying around, too.

The question is how far each side might go in carrying out their warnings without drawing Tehran into a broader Middle East conflict in defense of the Huthis, whose sustained attacks on maritime shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden led to its redesignation as a terrorist organization by Washington last week.

"Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea," the United States and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement following their latest round of air strikes on Huthi targets in Yemen on January 21. "But let us reiterate our warning to [the] Huthi leadership: we will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways in the face of continued threats."

The Huthis responded with vows to continue their war against what they called Israel's "genocide" of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

"The American-British aggression will only increase the Yemeni people's determination to carry out their moral and humanitarian responsibilities toward the oppressed in Gaza," said Muhammad al-Bukhaiti, a senior Huthi political official.

"These attacks will not go unanswered and unpunished," said Huthi military spokesman Yahya Saree.

On cue, the two sides clashed again on January 24 when the Huthis said they fired ballistic missiles at several U.S. warships protecting U.S. commercial vessels transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait off the coast of Yemen. U.S. Central Command said three anti-ship missiles were fired at a U.S.-flagged container ship and that two were shot down by a U.S. missile destroyer while the third fell into the Gulf of Aden.

With the stage set for more such encounters, Iran's open backing and clandestine arming of the Huthis looms large. While continuing to state its support for the Huthis, Tehran has continued to deny directing their actions or providing them with weapons. At the same time, Iran has showcased its own advanced missile capabilities as a warning of the strength it could bring to a broader Middle East conflict.

The United States, emphasizing that the goal is to de-escalate tensions in the region, appears to be focusing on preventing the Huthis from obtaining more arms and funding. In addition to returning the Huthis to its list of terrorist groups, Washington said on January 16 that it had seized Iranian weapons bound for the Huthis in a raid in the Arabian Sea.

The United States and United Kingdom also appear to be focusing on precision strikes on the Huthis' military infrastructure while avoiding extensive human casualties or a larger operation that could heighten Iran's ire.

On January 24, the Pentagon clarified that, despite the U.S. strikes in Yemen, "we are not at war in the Middle East" and the focus is on deterrence and preventing a broader conflict.

"The United States is only using a very small portion of what it's capable of against the Huthis right now," said Kenneth Katzman, a senior adviser for the New York-based Soufan Group intelligence consultancy, and expert on geopolitics in the Middle East.

Terrorist Designation

The effectiveness of Washington's restoration on January 17 of the Huthis' terrorist organization label and accompanying U.S. sanctions -- which was removed early last year in recognition of the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen and to foster dialogue aimed at ending the Yemeni civil war involving the Huthis and the country's Saudi-backed government forces -- is "marginal," according to Katzman.

"They don't really use the international banking system and are very much cut off," Katzman said. "They get their arms from Iran, which is under extremely heavy sanctions and is certainly not going to be deterred from trying to ship them more weapons by this designation."

But the strikes being carried out by the United States and the United Kingdom, with the support of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, are another matter.

The January 21 strikes against eight Huthi targets -- followed shortly afterward by what was the ninth attack overall -- were intended to disrupt and degrade the group's capabilities to threaten global trade. They were a response to more than 30 attacks on international and commercial vessels since mid-November and were the largest strikes since a similar coalition operation on January 11.

Such strikes against the Huthis "have the potential to deter them and to degrade them, but it's going to take many more strikes, and I think the U.S. is preparing for that," Katzman said. "You're not going to degrade their capabilities in one or two volleys or even several volleys, it's going to take months."

The Huthis have significant experience in riding out aerial strikes, having been under relentless bombardment by a Saudi-led military collation during the nine-year Yemeni civil war, in which fighting has ended owing to a UN-brokered cease-fire in early 2022 that the warring parties recommitted to in December.

"They weathered that pretty well," said Jeremy Binnie, a Middle East defense analyst with the global intelligence company Janes.

"On the battlefield, airpower can still be fairly decisive," Binnie said, noting that air strikes were critical in thwarting Huthi offensives during the Yemeni civil war. "But in terms of the Huthis' overall ability to weather the air campaign of the Saudi-led coalition, they did that fine, from their point of view."

Since the cease-fire, Binnie said, the situation may have changed somewhat as the Huthis built up their forces, with more advanced missiles and aging tanks -- a heavier presence that "might make them a bit more vulnerable."

"But I don't think they will, at the same time, have any problem reverting to a lighter force that is more resilient to air strikes as they have been in the past," Binnie said.

Both Binnie and Katzman suggested that the Huthis appear willing to sustain battlefield losses in pursuit of their aims, which makes the group difficult to deter from the air.

The Huthis have clearly displayed their intent on continuing to disrupt maritime shipping in the Red Sea, which they claim has targeted only vessels linked to Israel despite evidence to the contrary, until there is a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

This has brought the Huthis' complicated relationship with Iran under intense scrutiny.

'Axis Of Resistance'

The Huthis have established themselves as a potent element of Iran's so-called "axis of resistance" against Israel and the United States, as well as against Tehran's regional archrival, Saudi Arabia.

But analysts who spoke to RFE/RL widely dismissed the idea that the Huthis are a direct Iranian proxy, describing the relationship as more one of mutual benefit in which the Huthis can be belligerent and go beyond what Tehran wants them to.

While accused by Western states and UN experts of secretly shipping arms to the Huthis and other members of the axis of resistance, Iran has portrayed the loose-knit band of proxies and partners and militant groups as independent in their decision-making.

The grouping includes the Iran-backed Hamas -- the U.S. and EU designated terrorist group whose attack on Israel sparked the war in the Gaza Strip -- and Lebanese Hizballah -- a Iranian proxy and U.S. designated terrorist group that, like the Huthis, has launched strikes against Israel in defense of Hamas.

"The success of the axis of resistance ... is that since Tehran has either created or co-opted these groups, there is more often than not fusion rather than tension," between members of the network and Iran, explained Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior fellow at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank.

But the relationship is not simply about "Iran telling its proxies to jump and them saying how high," Taleblu said. "It's about Iran's ability to find and materially support those who are willing to or can be persuaded to shoot at those Tehran wants to shoot at."

Iran's interest in a certain axis member's success in a given area and its perception of how endangered that partner might be, could play a crucial role in Tehran's willingness to come to their defense, according to Taleblu.

Middle East observers who spoke to RFE/RL suggested that it would take a significant escalation -- an existential threat to Tehran itself or a proxy, like Lebanese Hizballah -- for Iran to become directly involved.

"The Islamic republic would react differently to the near eradication of Hizballah which it created, versus Hamas, which it co-opted," Taleblu said. "Context is key."

"Iran is doing what it feels it can to try to keep the United States at bay," Katzman said, singling out the missile strikes carried out on targets this month in Syria, Iraq, and Pakistan that were widely seen as a warning to Israel and the United States of Tehran's growing military capabilities. Iran is "trying to show support for the Huthis without getting dragged in."

Iran is believed to have members of its Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps on the ground in Yemen. Tehran also continues to be accused of delivering arms to the Huthis, and at the start of the year deployed a ship to the Gulf of Aden in a show of support for the Huthis before withdrawing it after the U.S.-led coalition launched strikes in Yemen on January 11.

"So, they are helping," Katzman said, "but I think they are trying to do it as quietly and as under the radar as possible.

A U.S.-led ground operation against the Huthis, if it came to that, could change Iran's calculations. "Then Iran might deploy forces to help them out," Katzman said.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-huthis-us-analysis- middle-east-yemen-high-stakes/32791573.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. Secretly Warned Iran Of Threat Within Its Borders Ahead Of Deadly Attack On Soleimani Memorial

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda January 25, 2024

The U.S. government provided Iran with a "private warning" about a terrorist threat within its borders ahead of a deadly attack earlier this month that killed more than 80 people, a U.S. official said on January 25.

The official said the U.S. government followed a long-standing "duty to warn" policy to warn governments against potential lethal threats.

"We provide these warnings in part because we do not want to see innocent lives lost in terror attacks," a U.S. official said on condition of anonymity in an e-mail to RFE/RL confirming a report earlier by the Wall Street Journal, which was the first to report about the warning.

Two explosions on January 3 at a memorial for U.S. of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) General Qasem Soleimani in the southeastern city of Kerman were claimed by Islamic State (IS). The group said two of its members detonated their suicide vests, causing the explosions, which injured more than 280 people.

The Wall Street Journal quoted unnamed U.S. officials as saying that the information passed to Iran was "specific enough about the location and sufficiently timely" that it could have helped Tehran to thwart the attack or at least mitigate the death toll.

Officials with Iran's mission to the United Nations didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, the newspaper said.

The incident intensified fears of a widening conflict in the Middle East as Israel continues its war against the U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip and as Yemen-based Huthi rebels allied with Iran continue their attacks on Red Sea commercial shipping.

Soleimani was killed in what the U.S. called a "defensive" drone strike while he was traveling in a two-car convoy near Baghdad's international airport on January 3, 2020. He was considered to be one of the most powerful men in Iran and the architect of Tehran's foreign policy in the region at the time.

With reporting by The Wall Street Journal, AFP, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-secretly-tipped-off-iran- deadly-islamic-state-attack/32791784.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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January 25, 2024

Transcript

Senior Defense, Military and State Department Officials Hold a U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission Background Briefing

Senior Defense Official; Senior Military Official; Senior State Department Official

MODERATOR: Today's briefing is on background, which means that you may refer to and attribute comments from our briefers as a Senior Defense Official, Senior State Official, and Senior Military Official, respectively. This briefing will run for approximately 30 minutes. We'll start with opening statements and then turn to questions. We do ask that you keep to one question out of professional respect for others' desires to ask questions. And again, this is an on-background briefing.

And with that, we'll start with our Senior Defense Official.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Good morning or good afternoon, everybody. Thanks for joining us.

During the August 2023 U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue, the JSCD, between the Department of Defense and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, the United States committed to launch the Higher Military Commission, the HMC, with our Iraqi partners on a mutually determined date. Today is the date that the Secretary of Defense and his Iraqi counterpart have announced the launch of the HMC.

Before I get into the details on the HMC, I want to reflect on how we've arrived at this point in the campaign to defeat ISIS. Nearly 10 years ago, the United States began working with allies and partners to confront the urgent threat of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

At its height, ISIS controlled more than 100,000 square kilometers of territory containing more than 11 million people. ISIS attracted tens of thousands of foreign fighters from multiple nations to Iraq and Syria. It used its territory as a safe haven to plot and stage attacks across the region and the globe.

ISIS committed numerous atrocities and abuses, including those involving persecution of individuals and entire communities on the basis of their identity, kidnapping of civilians, forced displacement, killing and maiming of children, rape, and other forms of sexual violence.

Faced with this threat to our mutual security and shared values, together, the United States, with its allies and partners, formed Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, CJTF-OIR, and over the past decade, CJTF-OIR has removed ISIS from the territory it once controlled.

The partnership between CJTF and OIR and the government of Iraq has been a decisive factor in the defeat of ISIS, and the Iraqi Security Forces, the ISF, have been in the lead during the last several years of the campaign to defeat ISIS with CJTF-OIR in support to advise, assist, and enable our partner forces. The ISF have made tremendous progress through cooperation with CJTF-OIR.

10 years after the Iraqi government invited the United States and the rest of the coalition to fight ISIS and seven years after our collective territorial defeat of ISIS in Iraq, we see a need to transition to a normal bilateral security cooperation relationship.

And so that's the background for the announcement today of the launch of the HMC. As I said, the HMC is not new. It's a due out of the inaugural JSCD, which built upon previous strategic bilateral discussions on our mutual commitment to security cooperation and shared interests in regional stability.

These discussions include the July 2021 U.S.-Iraq Strategic Dialogue, the July 2021 U.S.-Iraq Military Technical Talks, the February 2023 U.S.-Iraq Higher Coordinating Committee, and as I mentioned, the August 2023 U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue.

The HMC process aims to determine how the coalition's military mission will evolve on a timeline according to the following factors a the threat from ISIS, operational and environmental requirements, and capability levels of the Iraqi Security Forces.

The HMC will consist of expert working groups focused on the three mutually determined factors I mentioned and will be led by military and defense professionals who will guide the discussion about the natural and necessary evolution of the D-ISIS Coalition mission while ensuring that ISIS can never resurge. The HMC will be led by U.S. and Iraqi delegations, in close consultation with coalition partners every step of the way.

Let me be clear a the HMC meeting is not a negotiation about the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. The United States and the coalition are in Iraq at the invitation the Iraqi government to fight ISIS. Our Iraqi partners have assured us of their commitment toward working together to shape this future U.S. military presence and ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS.

Both nations remain committed to security cooperation and our shared interest in regional stability. The United States and Iraq will continue to work together to shape future U.S. military presence and ensure an Iraqi-led enduring defeat of ISIS.

So I'll a with that, I'll stop there and turn it over to my colleagues.

MODERATOR: Thank you. We'll now hear from our Senior State Official.

SENIOR STATE OFFICIAL: Thank you. The HMC is another facet in the development of the broader U.S. and Iraq relationship. As my colleague in OSD mentioned, it's an outcome of the inaugural JSCD last August, which came after a host of other discussions, including the various dialogues that he mentioned.

All of those dialogues, they build upon previous bilateral discussions and fall within the spirit of our 2008 Strategic Framework Agreement with Iraq. These discussions focused not only on our security elements, but on issues that extend well beyond the security partnership with Iraq. They have helped us advance our full 360-degree partnership with Iraq across a range of issues, including energy, finance, climate, water and trade, among many others. So the HMC builds on this effort with the shared goal of transitioning to an enduring bilateral security partnership between Iraq and the United States. Over.

MODERATOR: Thank you. And then lastly, we'll hear from our senior military official.

Sir?

SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Hello, team. This is your senior military official from Baghdad, Iraq. And just to amplify a little bit about what we're about and our purpose, I command the 24 nations and their contributions to this Coalition Joint Task Force and the mission of Operation Inherent Resolve. There are, as a reminder, over 80 nations involved in the global coalition to defeat ISIS, and we are in constant communication with their supporting efforts, as well.

A reminder that we are here at the invitation of the government of Iraq and remain steadfast partners in that effort.

We really focus on just two things as part of my mission: it's the enduring defeat of Daesh, or ISIS, and it's the advise-assistant-enable missions that we have with our partner forces, primarily the Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Security Forces, and some of those Special Operations units that they both have.

Now, we look at the enduring defeat of Daesh and the three components as a reminder: the Daesh at large in Iraq and Syria, the Daesh in detention, of which there's less than 10,000 in detention facilities in Syria, and then there's the displaced persons at camps such as al-Roj and al-Hol that have about 2,000 and about 44,000 displaced persons at this time.

The at-large Daesh is where we partner with our forces to either capture or kill the Daesh before they can cause or create other operations against our forces or against the civilian population.

In detention and with displaced persons, our mission function is in the repatriation process of them back to their host countries for either justice and rule of law for detainees or reintegration/rehabilitation for those who are displaced persons, and that's important. If there were to be a prison breakout, Daesh could become operational overnight with 2,000 prisoners being a could escape and become part of an operational force, and that is Daesh's operational goal right now.

In the displaced persons camps, that's a recruitment potential with the children and the brides of ISIS fighters who are in detention or who were killed. And so our goal is to get them back home to reintegrate and rehabilitate to society and give those children a chance.

At A2E, we partner with the Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Security Forces with non-lethal support. A reminder that my mission is not a combat mission. We have force protection capabilities and have had to use those, as you are aware, since the attacks began upon our formations October 18th to this day by some of the, what I would term, outlaw militias here in Iraq.

The HMC is a process that we are beginning very soon, and as discussed, it was defined and outlined in the outline minutes of the JSCD in August, and there are functional working groups that we've created, along with our Iraqi partners, mil-to-mil to make sure we discuss along those factors the state of the Iraqi Security Forces, the state of Daesh and the state of the operational environment. Again, not a timeline-driven event; factors-based, and so we will govern that process with our dialogue together.

And pending your questions, that's our opening statement from Baghdad. Thank you.

MODERATOR: Thank you very much, and with that, we'll start with Associated Press, Tara Copp.

Q: Hi. Thank you, everyone, for doing this. I wanted to ask about a timetable, because the Iraqi Foreign Ministry put out a statement shortly after the secretary did saying that this a these discussions will formulate, quote, "a specific and clear timetable about the reduction of advisers in Iraq." So if we could just talk about, what does that mean for the U.S. troops? Would there be a reduction from the 2,500? And a or is there some sort of disconnect between what the U.S. is seeing will happen here and what Iraq will see? And then secondly, what about, for the coalition a for coalition members, is this U.S. only, or will this also mean an eventual reduction of all coalition members? Thank you.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: This is the senior defense official. We're just not able at this time to provide any kind of specific timelines for HMC process itself, or for a date of the eventual transition of CJTF-OIR. All of that is pending discussions between the HMC expert working groups during the initial stage of the process. Any discussion of mission transition in Iraq will be factors-based, as my colleague has stated.

We're committed, along with our Iraqi partners and our coalition partners, to carefully revisit the question of timing and to ensuring that the HMC is comprehensive, efficient and a professional process. But at this time, that's the most we can say about it.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Next, we'll go to Jared Zuba with Al Monitor.

Q: Hi, all. Thank you for doing this. You mentioned that the U.S. troop presence in Iraq is at the invitation of the Iraqi government. Going forward, if the Iraqi government requests that the U.S.-led coalition depart the country, you know, on a certain timeline, assuming that the U.S. will comply, how do you intend to support continued presence and operations of Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria? And do you see a sustained CJTF-OIR presence in Syria after a potential withdrawal from Iraq, or at least, from parts of Iraq? Thank you.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: I'll start. This is senior defense official, and perhaps, our senior military official will chime in.

There are a lot of hypotheticals built into your question which we just really aren't going to be able to address. As I said, the discussion about any eventual transition of OIR will be undertaken within the HMC process, but there's no way for us to forecast exactly where that leads or on what timetable that leads, and therefore, how it affects other aspects of Operation Inherent Resolve are kind of derivative hypotheticals of the first, so I don't think I'm going to address it any further.

SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: And this is the senior military official in Baghdad. What I can amplify to it is as agreed to, the process is driven to an outcome for an eventual bilateral relationship for a you asked about the coalition contributions a those member nations in a bilateral relationship with the government of Iraq, and same with the United States government and the United States military, as we do with other countries in the region and around the globe. That third-factor working group is kind of the catch-all, if you will, that would encompass potential transition formations and what the government of Iraq would like in that relationship going forward.

And that's a matter of policy, and that is not something we've been determined or has been directed, but it's part of the discussions we'll have as part of the HMC process. Over?

MODERATOR: Thank you. We'll go to Wall Street Journal's Michael Gordon.

Q: Thank you. You've mentioned that the goal is to transition eventually, at some point, to a bilateral relationship. My question is, could this bilateral relationship, whenever it occurs, include the presence of US military advisers to assist the Iraqi security forces?

And also, administration officials have been saying in recent weeks that they didn't want to initiate the higher military commission process under the point of a gun while the U.S. forces were under attack by these Iranian-backed militias. But that seems to be exactly what you're doing.

Why did you change your stance on the timing of beginning these talks?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: This is the senior defense official. To the first question, you know, Iraq remains a critical security partner to the United States. We've been engaged in the D-ISIS fight side by side with Iraqi security forces since the D-ISIS coalition mission began 10 years ago. We're going to continue this strong security partnership to advance our shared objectives and interests.

The HMC will help us determine what form that partnership will take. Iraqi stability and sovereignty are essential for regional peace and security. That's what we're there to support.

Regarding the timing of the HMC, it's not connected to recent events. As it was mentioned a couple of times, this was agreed to a this was a commitment made in the August 2023 Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue. The attacks, recent attacks from the Iran-aligned militia groups in the U.S. and coalition a against U.S. and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria that began in mid-October have really not influenced the decision of the United States and Iraq to convene this forum.

MODERATOR: Thank you. We'll go to Fadi Mansour with Al Jazeera.

Q: Thank you for doing this. As every single official here said, that the U.S. forces, coalition forces, are in Iraq, based on the invitation of the Iraqi government, the Iraqi government today, in a statement, clearly signaled that these discussions will address the phased withdrawal or reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq. However, up front, you deny that these discussions will address the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

Can you explain to us the disconnect here?

And if the Iraqis insist on raising this issue, will you refrain from discussing the withdrawal of U.S. forces? Thank you.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: This is the senior defense official. Again, the HMC will enable the United States and Iraq to, together, discuss the future of the strong security partnership to advance our shared objectives and interests. And I really don't think we can say more about what that outcome will be, because those discussions are just getting started.

Obviously, it does address an eventual transition for Operation Inherent Resolve, but further than that, I think, would simply be speculative.

MODERATOR: Thank you. We'll turn it over to Jeff Seldin with VOA.

Q: Thanks very much for doing this. Just wondering, what is the Pentagon's current assessment of the size, strength, capabilities of ISIS in Iraq right now?

And how connected do you see ISIS's operations in Iraq to those in Syria? And how does that impact specifically these discussions?

Do you feel like ISIS is degraded to the point where the a the size of the U.S. presence is a doesn't matter as much, or does it still make a big difference to have the U.S. presence there, with what ISIS is able to do?

SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: This is the senior military official. I'll go first with that.

One, having been on the ground with the fight for a while, through our partnered forces and through what they are assessing, you do have a Daesh presence, obviously, still in Syria and in Iraq a not to the level where they're operational, where they can tie their tactical engagements and battles together into an operation, nor can they hold or seize territory, and certainly, strategically, across the globe, not viable a maybe strategically plotting but not capable of controlling large areas or territory.

So if you're looking at numbers, what we're going to say is we assess that the numbers are very, very much around the 1,000 or so in Syria and in Iraq. And that's if you count facilitators, fighters, financiers, the network that would support the Daesh fighters in those locations.

And in both areas, they're not in urban areas. They're disrupted. They're suppressed. They are in complex terrain and mountain environments or in some of the less-governed spaces in the Badiya desert, Syria, or in some of the places in central Iraq around the Kirkuk Saladin province, for example, where the Iraqi security forces are constantly working their intelligence platforms to detect and track these small ISIS cells.

So, again, it's not about numbers; it's about a capability. They're not a Daesh is not capable beyond small attacks, currently in Iraq and Syria, thanks to the great efforts of the Iraqi security forces, who are doing quite well at keeping a handle on the Daesh challenge. Over?

MODERATOR: Thank you. We have time for just a couple more questions. We'll do Phil Stewart with Reuters.

Q: I understand that the termination of the HMC has yet to be finalized, but is it the goal of the Biden administration to maintain a U.S. troop presence in Iraq, long-term?

And then my other question was, if the senior military official could bring us up to date about the number of U.S. wounded in the attacks by militia in Iraq and Syria, to date? Thank you.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: This is the senior defense official. Well, the United States, and really both nations, remain committed to security cooperation and our shared interests in regional stability. Together we'll work to shape the future U.S. military presence and ensure an Iraqi-led enduring defeat of ISIS. I think that's the most I will say on that.

Regarding the attacks and the casualties, I believe we've stated previously a I'm forgetting if it's two or three U.S. personnel wounded in the most recent attack at a

(UNKNOWN): Al-Asad.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: a at Al-Asad Air Force Base, and one seriously injured Iraqi Security Force service members.

Q: Do you have a total figure?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Total figure? I don't have that.

Q: In all the attacks? Thank you.

SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Yeah, this is the Senior Military Official. So we've had one very serious injury in all of the attacks since October 18th and we've had 70 injured in various forms, lightly injured, mostly those, to be frank, are from concussive events from rocket, mortar, indirect fire, or one-way UAS attacks with anything from eight to 50 kilograms worth of explosives.

So we're very thankful the casualties have not been severe or more numerous, and the injuries are not necessarily wounds, it's just some of the concussive effects that happened during the blast that happened near their locations on bases. Over.

MODERATOR: Thank you. We'll turn it over to Lara Seligman with Politico.

Q: Thanks for doing this. I wanted to ask you what has been the impact of these recent attacks and the environment in the Middle East on the discussions? I know you said the timing of the discussions is not related but I'm wondering if you could talk a little bit and characterize what a how this change in the strategic environment is impacting the talks?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: This is the Senior Defense Official. You know, if anything, the militia attacks delayed our original plan. The HMC was initially a a the commitment to do it was initially announced in August of 2023, the plan was to proceed later in 2023.

Obviously, events in recent weeks have, you know, caused everyone to have to tend to other business. But we're now back to the long-planned and originally planned launch of this HMC, and if anything, we're here despite the militia attacks, not because of them.

So, you know, we're committed to a along with our Iraqi partners, to consistently revisit the question of timing, but we'll ensure as we do that the HMC is this comprehensive, efficient, and professional process.

Q: And just to follow up, you've a you're kind of a everyone keeps talking around the a calling it a transition to normal a a normal bilateral security cooperation relationship and sort of talking around the fact that a what that means is a eventual drawdown of U.S. troops. So can you just clarify that we're a we're understanding this correctly, like, the a the ultimate goal is eventually a drawdown?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Again, the Senior Defense Official. You know, we are going to, together with our Iraqi partners, help determine the shape of the future U.S. military presence in Iraq, and at the same time, ensure an Iraqi-led enduring defeat of ISIS. But beyond that, we won't speculate.

MODERATOR: Thank you. We'll do one last question from Mike Glenn with Washington Times.

Q: No, I'm good, (Pete ?). You can go on to somebody else. My question's been answered.

MODERATOR: Okay. Thank you. Spencer Ackerman with Nation Magazine?

Q: Thanks very much. Can you talk about the impact, notwithstanding your answer just now, of the Iraqi Prime Minister saying that after the drone strike in Baghdad earlier this month, it was time to talk about something closer to a terminal phase of the U.S. military presence in Iraq?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: This is Senior Defense Official. I'll refer you to the government of Iraq to address comments made by Iraqi government officials.

The announcements today coordinated between our two governments about the launch of the HMC process describe a and I've repeated it a couple of times a what we intend a how we intend to conduct this process and what we're trying to achieve. So that a I think that's the best way I can answer that question.

MODERATOR: Okay, thank you all for joining us today, and of course, to our briefers. Again, this briefing was on background and all comments should be attributed to a Senior Defense Official, Senior State Official, or a Senior Military Official.

Thank you very much.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3656654/

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January 25, 2024

Release

Senior Defense, Military and State Department Officials Hold a U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission Background Briefing

The United States and the Government of Iraq will start working group meetings of the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission (HMC) in the coming days, initiating a process the two sides committed to during the U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue (JSCD) in Washington, D.C., on August 7-8, 2023. The commencement of the HMC process reflects the deep U.S. commitment to regional stability and Iraqi sovereignty.

The HMC will enable the transition to an enduring bilateral security partnership between the United States and Iraq, building on the successes of Iraq's Defeat-Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (D-ISIS) campaign in partnership with the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve as part of the Global Coalition to D-ISIS.

The HMC builds upon the inaugural U.S.-Iraq JSCD, held on August 7-8, 2023. During that meeting, the United States and Iraq committed to start the HMC to discuss how the Coalition's mission to defeat ISIS will transition on a timeline that considers three key factors: the threat from ISIS, operational and environmental requirements, and the Iraqi security forces' capability levels.

Expert working groups of military and defense professionals will examine these three factors and advise the HMC on the most effective evolution of the D-ISIS Coalition mission, ensuring that ISIS can never resurge, in consultation with Coalition partners at all stages of the process.

U.S. military personnel are in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government, as part of Operation Inherent Resolve's mission to advise, assist, and enable the Iraqi security forces in their ongoing fight against ISIS. The United States remains committed to a secure, stable, and sovereign Iraq.

The United States and Iraq have enjoyed a deep and productive partnership on security matters in the 10 years since the Iraqi government invited the United States and the Coalition to fight ISIS, including the seven years since the territorial defeat of ISIS in Iraq. The start of the HMC process reflects the evolving U.S.-Iraq bilateral relationship under the Strategic Framework Agreement, and it underscores our commitment to deepen our security cooperation to advance stability within Iraq and the region.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3655790/

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Iraq, US agree to discuss timeline for withdrawal of American troops

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 25 January 2024 6:46 PM

Iraq's foreign ministry says Baghdad and Washington have agreed to set up a committee to start talks to set a timetable for a phased withdrawal of American forces from the Arab country.

In a statement released on Thursday, the ministry said the talks on the future of the US-led military coalition in Iraq are set to take place between military officials.

The two countries agreed to form working groups that would eventually lead to formulating "a specific and clear timeline... and to begin the gradual reduction of its (the coalition's) advisers on Iraqi soil," the statement read.

The ministry noted the timeline would be contingent on evaluating the "threat posed by IS and its danger" as well as the "reinforcement of the capacities of the Iraqi security forces."

In a statement, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed meetings "in the coming days" to discuss the "transition" of the coalition based on the outcomes of the Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue held between the two countries in August.

The statement comes days after Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani said at the World Economic Forum in Davos that it was necessary to "immediately begin a dialogue, to reach an understanding and a timetable regarding the end of the mission of international advisers."

Senior Iraqi officials have said the end of the US-led coalition was a necessity for the security and stability of Iraq.

Longstanding calls by Iraqi factions for the US-led coalition's departure have gained steam in the wake of a series of US strikes on Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), which are part of Iraq's security forces.

Iraq has condemned the US strikes, not least a recent attack against a senior PMU commander in the heart of Baghdad.

Iraq's Islamic Resistance, an umbrella group of anti-US armed groups in the country, has conducted dozens of attacks on US bases in support of Gaza's resistance.

Senior officials in Baghdad say only an end to Israel's war on the besieged Gaza Strip would stop the risk of a regional escalation.

Iraq says Israel's mass killing and displacement of the Palestinians is a "textbook example of genocide."

The US maintains some 2,500 troops in Iraq under the pretext of fighting the Daesh terrorist group, which in 2014 seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria.

Daesh was defeated when in November 2017, then commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani declared the end of the terrorist group's domination of Muslim lands.

In 2020, Iraq's parliament voted for the departure of US forces. Days earlier, General Soleimani and deputy PMU commander Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis had been assassinated in a cowardly drone strike ordered by then President Donald Trump of the United States outside the Baghdad airport.

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Iraq's Kata'ib Hezbollah vows more attacks until US forces expulsion from region

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 25 January 2024 6:33 AM

A major Iraqi anti-terror group says it will continue its "painful" attacks on American forces as long as the occupation troops remain in the Arab country and the region.

Kata'ib Hezbollah (Hezbollah Brigades) made the announcement in a statement on Wednesday after the US military launched airstrikes on facilities used by the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), which is an umbrella group for resistance movements in Iraq.

It said the United States had committed another crime by bombing the PMU headquarters in Jurf al-Sakhr, in central Iraq, and the Western towns of al-Qa'im and Tarbil, which killed one and injured three people.

The continued US attacks require resistance fighters "to expand the scope of their retaliatory strikes from the military bases used by the US occupation forces to their interests in Iraq and the entire region," it added.

"Iraq's resistance will keep supporting Gaza and the Israeli-occupied Palestine while conducting painful attacks on US occupation forces until they are driven out of Iraq and the region."

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday's unilateral strikes were a response to attacks on American bases, including the one carried out last week on Ain al-Asad in Iraq's western province of Anbar.

The Iraqi government condemned the US air raids, saying, "This unacceptable act ... blatantly violates Iraq's sovereignty and leads to an irresponsible escalation."

"We will treat these operations as acts of aggression and take necessary actions to preserve the lives and dignity of Iraqis on their land," read a statement released by the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani.

In the past few months, Iraqi resistance forces have conducted dozens of strikes on the US-run military installations in both Iraq and Syria amid growing anti-US sentiments in the region over Washington's support for Israel's genocidal aggression against the Gaza Strip.

Israel waged its brutal war following a historic operation by the Gaza-based Hamas resistance group against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

However, 111 days into the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has failed to achieve its objectives in Gaza despite killing at least 25,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 63,740 others.

The US is a partner in the Gaza carnage as it has supplied Israel with weapons and intelligence support, and blocked UN resolutions calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in the besieged Palestinian territory.

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No Pullout, But US Military Eyes an End in Iraq

By Carla Babb, Jeff Seldin January 25, 2024

The United States and Iraq will start talks to end the U.S.-led international military coalition in Iraq and transition to a bilateral partnership, continuing a process that has been stalled by the Israel-Hamas war.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued a statement Thursday saying the talks would begin "in the coming days." Last August, Iraq and the U.S. committed to the talks, which Austin said would allow a relationship between the two countries to build on the success of Iraq's campaign known as Defeat Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or D-ISIS.

"U.S. military personnel are in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government, as part of Operation Inherent Resolve's mission to advise, assist, and enable the Iraqi security forces in their ongoing fight against ISIS. The United States remains committed to a secure, stable, and sovereign Iraq," Austin said.

The U.S. has about 2,500 troops in Iraq tasked with advising and assisting Iraqi security forces as they pursue the remnants of the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS or Daesh.

A separate statement from Iraq's Foreign Ministry described the talks as an effort to "initiate the gradual and deliberate reduction" of U.S. military advisors in Iraq.

The talks will "formulate a specific and clear timetable that specifies the duration of the presence of international coalition advisors," it said.

But what impact the talks will have on the U.S. military footprint in Iraq is unclear.

While some Iraqi government statements seem to suggest a more rapid drawdown of U.S. forces, U.S. officials argue there is no rush.

"There's no timeline set," Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said, while acknowledging the number of U.S. troops is "something that this working group is going to take a look at."

"It will certainly be part of the conversations as it goes forward," she said. "But there are certain conditions that have to be met or certain factors that have to be met in order for both Iraq and the United States to feel that we can ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS."

The announcement on the high-level talks - expected to start sometime in the coming days, according to U.S. defense officials - comes just days after the U.S. launched a series of strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq. The U.S. blames them for scores of attacks against American forces in Iraq.

Militia officials have said they are carrying out the strikes in support of Palestinians in Gaza under attack from Israel. But some U.S. officials have characterized them as part of an ongoing push by Iran to evict the U.S. from the region.

There have also been increased tensions between Washington and Baghdad.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said in early January that he was determined to "put an end" to the U.S.-led coalition to defeat IS in Iraq, following a U.S. airstrike that killed an Iran-backed militia leader in the heart of the Iraqi capital.

But U.S. officials Thursday denied attacks by the Iran-backed militias were in any way connected to the announcement of the talks.

"It's not connected to recent events," a senior U.S. defense official told reporters Thursday, briefing on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the Pentagon.

"If anything, the militia attacks delayed our original plan," the official said. "The plan was to proceed later in 2023. Obviously, events in recent weeks have caused everyone to have to attend to other business."

The prospect of high-level talks dates back to August of last year, when Iraqi Defense Minister Thabit Muhammad al-Abbasi met with Defense Secretary Austin at the Pentagon.

At the time, U.S. officials envisioned eventually moving to what they described as a more normal bilateral defense relationship with Baghdad, acknowledging that it would result in a reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq as Iraq's military capabilities grew.

But multiple U.S. officials emphasized when and how that happens remains to be determined, according to U.S. officials, who played down any notion of an abrupt U.S. military pullout.

"Let me be clear. The HMC [Higher Military Commission] meeting is not a negotiation about the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq," the senior U.S. defense official told reporters during Thursday's briefing.

"Our Iraqi partners have assured us of their commitment," the official said. "We are going to, together with our Iraqi partners, help determine the shape of the future U.S. military presence in Iraq and at the same time ensure an Iraqi-led enduring defeat of ISIS."

"Beyond that, we won't speculate," the official said.

The arrangement to defeat the Islamic State terror group, with Iraqi forces in the lead since December 2021, has proven successful, according to the officials. U.S. estimates show IS ranks have been cut to fewer than 1,000 fighters in Iraq while the group's leadership there has been continually degraded by Iraqi forces.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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Minister Joly speaks with Israel's newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs

Global Affairs Canada

Readout

January 25, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable MAlanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held her first bilateral discussion with Israel Katz, who was recently appointed as Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs.

During the call, Minister Joly reaffirmed Canada's support for Israel's right to exist and to defend itself in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law. She reiterated Canada's unequivocal condemnation of Hamas' terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, its unacceptable treatment of hostages and its heinous use of sexual and gender-based violence as a tactic of war. She reaffirmed Canada's continued calls for the immediate release of all hostages and its readiness to support investigations into acts of sexual and gender-based violence committed on October 7.

Minister Joly shared her deep concern over the humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinian civilians in Gaza and emphasized that the protection of civilians is paramount, including ensuring they have access to life-saving humanitarian aid.

Minister Joly thanked Minister Katz for his government's ongoing cooperation to evacuate Canadians, Permanent Residents and their family members from Gaza.

She reaffirmed Canada's commitment to a two-state solution, with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace and security, with dignity and without fear.

Minister Joly and Minister Katz also discussed the threat posed by Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups to Israel and its regional security. Minister Joly underscored Canada's diplomatic efforts to avoid further regional escalation, the impacts on civilians and the further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.

2024 marks the 75th anniversary of Canada-Israel bilateral relations. This important milestone serves as a reminder of the deep and enduring people-to-people, economic and political ties between the countries.

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January 25, 2024

By Jim Garamone , DOD News

Japan Takes Leadership Roles Protecting Global Security

Japan is growing and taking leadership roles that not only benefit people in the Indo-Pacific, but the global community, said Grace Park, the director for Japan policy at the Defense Department's Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Office said.

Park spoke at "Japan in the Year 2024" at the Wilson Center, a Washington-based nonpartisan think tank named for President Woodrow Wilson.

Japan, the fourth largest economy in the world, has taken a greater security role in the past decade, Park said. Japanese leaders are reorganizing the self-defense forces in the country, fielding new military capabilities, increasing the amount spent on self-defense and more. "I believe that the United States has gained a lot from this alliance relationship," she said.

Park hammered in on the security environment. She said at the very start that it is tough to speak of the security environment without including the effects of the economy, diplomacy and monetary policy and more. She said DOD works in cooperation with the State Department and National Security Council, the departments of Treasury and Commerce, and many other U.S. government agencies as the country approaches the U.S.-Japan Treaty Alliance.

For DOD, she said, the alliance involves three pillars: modernizing roles and missions and capabilities of the alliance, optimizing force posture within the region and the multilateral networking of alliances.

Applying these pillars to the challenges in the world is key. "We've got Russia's aggression against Ukraine, we've got the Red Sea, ... [North Korean] provocations and, of course, the aggressive course of behavior of the [Chinese] in the East China Sea, the South China Sea, as well as the Taiwan Strait," she said. "In thinking through all of these networked security environments, ... they're all interconnected. There's not very much an artificial line between economic coercion versus military coercion."

She said it is a testament to Japanese leaders that they are thinking through strategic messaging and "through the continuity of the international rules-based order."

The U.S. and Japan have agreed to modernize roles, missions and capabilities, and that "is really about revamping our alliances," she said. The Japanese Self-Defense Force is working on new command and control setups, establishing joint operations centers.

The United States and Japan are deepening industrial cooperation, another was to enhance alliance interoperability.

All this helps ensure that if there is a contingency, "we're all on the same page, looking at the same common operating picture or common information picture and really thinking through, who's got what? What roles and missions do you have in the geographic space, and also in the cross-domain space," she said.

Japanese leaders have agreed to increase its national defense budget to 2% of gross domestic product, essentially doubling the amount dedicated to self-defense.

The Japanese are also looking to breakdown stovepipes that can stand in the way of rapid innovation.

Two areas in particular are in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and in maritime domain awareness. "For us, it's really speaking to Japan's capabilities and desire to be hands-on with their approach in contributing to peace and stability in the region," she said. "These MDA and ISR capabilities are not just for the self-defense of Japan ... but really, to enhance awareness and also stability throughout the East China Sea, South China Sea region. It's incredible."

Force posture discussions are also part of the picture in the region, but in a new way. It is more than just a simple question of where the United States should have forces and more about how the United States can work with allies and partners to increase interoperability, Park said.

"For us, we're really thinking about how do we make sure our alliance is positioned in more of a versatile resilient way," she said.

Japan is working with partners in the region as well with increased contacts between Japan and South Korea and Australia and the Philippines.

The Japanese share the values and thinking about the rules-based international order and that is welcome in the United States, Park said. "It's very clear when I'm working with my counterparts that we're so aligned, not just on the strategic vision, but also on the methods to get there," she said.

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Military battalion camp seized by Kachin rebels in Myanmar's Shan state

The capture gives ethnic armies control of a key trade route leading to the border with China.

By RFA Burmese 2024.01.25 -- An ethnic army has captured the military camp of the junta's Light Infantry Battalion No. 123 in northern Myanmar's Shan state, residents and the rebel group said Thursday, capping months of fighting for control of a key trade route with China.

The loss of the base means that ethnic rebels now control the entire 130-kilometer (80-mile) trade route from Muse township on the border with China to Hseni, located some 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of northern Shan state's largest town of Lashio.

It is also the latest in a number of setbacks for the military since an ethnic offensive in late October that has seen the Three Brotherhood Alliance capture 15 cities in northern Shan state, seize control of more than 200 military camps, and force the surrender of some 4,000 junta troops.

The Kachin Independence Army, or KIA, took control of the camp on Wednesday evening after initially overrunning Nam Hpat Kar town on Jan. 17, KIA spokesman Col. Naw Bu told RFA Burmese.

"We heard that the military camp at Nam Hpat Kar was seized around 3 p.m. or 4 p.m., but we haven't received any details from the field yet," he said. "We haven't been able to get a phone connection through."

A resident of Nam Hpat Kar who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, told RFA that KIA soldiers entered the military compound on Wednesday, prompting junta troops to flee toward nearby Tarmoenye township.

"I'm sure the KIA troops are now stationed at Light Infantry Battalion No. 123 camp," he said. "Since the troops retreated toward Tarmoenye, they are following them and clearing them out. The damage to the village is huge."

Ethnic rebels began attacking Nam Hpat Kar township in late August, but the KIA only started the fight for control of the Light Infantry Battalion camp on Jan. 14. Junta forces responded to attacks on the camp with heavy artillery and airstrikes, residents said.

The KIA claimed on Jan. 16 that it was able to shoot down a junta jet fighter during fighting in the area.

Civilian casualties

Another resident of Nam Hpat Kar, who was forced to leave his home amid the fighting, told RFA that the military airstrikes destroyed area homes and caused civilian casualties.

"The [KIA] also broke into the houses and fired from inside of them, so the military attacked the houses based on information they received," he said. "At the moment, out of the eight houses I know [were fired on], four were reduced to ashes. The rest of the houses no longer have walls or roofs."

The resident said at least two civilians were killed in the fighting, but was unable to provide additional details. He said villagers are afraid to return home because of the threat of additional airstrikes.

More than 20,000 people live in Nam Hpat Kar, which consists of four wards and nine village tracts.

Aid workers said that some 10,000 residents of villagers close to the military camp were forced to flee to monasteries in the townships of Namhkan, Muse, Lashio and other nearby areas amid the clashes.

Another resident of Nam Hpat Kar told RFA that, as of Jan. 17, he had documented the deaths of at least 24 civilians due to military airstrikes and artillery fire, and said at least 100 homes had been damaged.

A social worker who fled from Nam Hpat Kar due to the fighting said on Thursday that the number of casualties and extent of the damage had yet to be fully accounted for, due to severed internet and telephone lines.

The junta has not released any statement about the situation in Nam Hpat Kar.

KIA demonstrates importance

A former military officer, who now works as a commentator on military and political issues in Myanmar, said that the capture of the camp in Nam Hpat Kar is a demonstration of the junta's increasing weakness in the region.

"The attack took 10 days, and we should praise the bravery [of the junta troops] who resisted it," he said.

But he criticized the military's leadership for failing to do enough to hold the camp.

"[Nearby] Kutkai and Namhkan [townships were] seized by the [Ta'ang National Liberation Army]," the former officer said, referring to one of the three ethnic armies that, along with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Arakan Army, form the Three Brotherhood Alliance.

"Now, Nam Hpat Kar, which is located at the top of the road heading to Namhkan, has been captured. So now it is all done, and [the KIA] has demonstrated the importance of its role [in fighting the military]," he said.

In the five months of fighting between ethnic armies and the junta for Nam Hpat Kar, more than 50 civilians - including women and children - were killed, according to residents.

Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Matt Reed.

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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Myanmar court orders sale of jailed Suu Kyi's historic home

The house will be auctioned for about $90 million, a court source said.

By RFA Burmese 2024.01.25 -- A Yangon court has ruled in favor of Myanmar's junta selling jailed former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi's historic family home, a source close to the court told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.

The court issued an order to allow junta officials to put the house up for auction on Mar. 20 for a reserve price of roughly US$90 million, the source said, asking to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

"The price that has been decided would be divided up after auctioning and selling," he said.

"Now, the order has been implemented. It determined the reserve price of the auction and set the date of the auction and when the sale will be made."

The source claimed the Kamayut District Court in Yangon region that issued Thursday's order was junta-affiliated.

Ownership of the historic lakeside home and yard at 54, University Avenue in Yangon's Bahan township has long been disputed by Aung San Suu Kyi and her brother Aung San Oo.

The house was awarded to Aung San Suu Kyi's mother, Khin Kyi, after Gen. Aung San was assassinated in 1947.

On Aug. 22, 2022, the junta-controlled Union Supreme Court declared the house would be auctioned under Aung San Oo's appeal.

Aung San Suu Kyi lived there for almost 15 years under house arrest during the military regime. The shadow National Unity Government has designated the house a national cultural heritage site and announced that legal action will be taken if the junta sells it.

Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested along with former President Win Myint and other leaders of the deposed National League for Democracy party shortly after the military seized power in a Feb. 2021 coup.

The junta sentenced the 78-year-old to 33 years in prison for 19 charges. Last August she was partially pardoned for five of them as part of a general amnesty, reducing her sentence to 27 years.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was initially jailed in solitary confinement in Yangon's Insein Prison. It's not clear where she is currently being held.

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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Kayin Border Guard Force cuts ties with Myanmar junta

Observers say the move diminishes the military's power and the junta's influence on ethnic groups.

By RFA Burmese 2024.01.25 -- The decision by the commander of the Border Guard Force in southeastern Myanmar's Kayin state to cut ties with the ruling junta has dealt a blow to the regime's military might and undermined its influence on the country's ethnic groups, observers said Thursday.

Earlier this month, Col. Saw Chit Thu, an ethnic Karen former leader of the insurgent Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, said his junta-affiliated Border Guard Force, or BGF, would no longer answer to the junta, which pays the group's salaries, or fight against Karen people living in the state.

He also proclaimed the BGF's neutrality in the armed resistance to junta rule.

Political observers and analysts told RFA Burmese that the breakup is significant because it diminishes the military's power and the junta's influence over ethnic minority groups, many of which have fought regime in the three years since it seized power in a coup d'Atat.

The announcement came after Saw Chit Thu, general secretary and senior advisor of Kayin's BGF, withdrew about 300 BGF soldiers from a military base it shared with junta troops near the border with Thailand.

The colonel oversees 13 battalions with more than 7,200 soldiers in Kayin and neighboring Mon state, which patrol parts of Kayin's Myawaddy district, including the border with Thailand and the Chinese-backed Yatai Shwe Kokko Special Economic Zone.

He met with Lt. Gen. Soe Win, vice chairman of the junta, on Jan. 23 in the Kayin state capital Hpa-an to discuss the matter.

"The lieutenant general said that he would report the discussion to the commander-in-chief," Saw Chit Thu told RFA on Wednesday, referring to junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. "We hope to resolve these issues. They are still being negotiated."

Living in peace

Saw Chit Thu said BGF members no longer want to fight against their own people.

In 1994, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, or DKBA, split from the ethnic Karen National Union and signed a cease-fire agreement with the government, pledging support for offensives against its former group in exchange for military and financial assistance. In August 2010, the DKBA joined the Border Guard Force, part of the national army.

"It has been 30 years that the Karen people have fought and killed each other," said Saw Chit Thu. "If we continue accepting support from the Tatmadaw [Myanmar military], we would have to continue to perform the duties of soldiers under its guidance."

"For us, salary is not the main thing, but rather to live in peace," he said.

Analysts and ethnic armed organizations welcomed the news that the Kayin state BGF would go it alone.

Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-based political analyst, said the decision amounted to a peaceful revolution against the junta.

"The military has nothing more it can do. That's why they [left talks] without giving any answer. They dare not say that they will fight, or that they will allow [the separation]," she said.

Hedging its bets

Political commentator Than Soe Naing questioned the Kayin BGF's intentions and suggested the group is hedging its bets.

"It will not be possible to stand by itself for a long time," he said. "If the cards are stacked against the junta, it will join the KNU, but if it's the other way around, it will return to cooperating with the junta and continue to be a Border Guard Force."

Col. Saw Kyaw Nyunt, secretary general of the Karen National Liberation Army-Peace Council, said that the move will benefit the Karen region and its people.

"My understanding is that existing independently and working for peace, which they want to do, will be much better than fighting and killing," he told RFA.

RFA could not reach KNU spokesman Padoh Saw Taw Nee or junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw min Tun for comment on the Kayin BGF's decision to split from the national army.

The Karen Information Center on Wednesday cited BGF Chairman Major Gen. Saw Tun Hlaing as saying that the junta had removed BGF Director Major Gen. Thet Paing Oo for failing to persuade the Kayin BGF to stay with the military.

In December 2023, Saw Chit Thu was sanctioned by the U.K. government for alleged human trafficking, forced labor and human rights violations in the China-backed Shwe Kokko New City project, a hub for gambling, online scams and other crimes, the online journal The Irrawaddy reported. The project is said to be a major source of income for the colonel and the Kayin BGF.

"We do not accept scam businesses because they are illegal," Saw Chit Thu told RFA on Wednesday.

"We plan to send the people involved back [to their countries]," he added.

Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw for RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Joshua Lipes.

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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Russian president visits Kaliningrad bordering NATO countries

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 25 January 2024 6:43 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Russia's westernmost region of Kaliningrad, a Baltic Sea exclave that is largely surrounded by two NATO members Poland and Lithuania.

The Russian leader paid a visit to Kaliningrad Oblast on a planned working trip, said the RIA news agency in a report on Thursday, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that "militaristic statements" from Baltic countries posed a risk to the Russian territory.

"Countries that are permeated with Russophobic tendencies are dragging more and more military facilities, military equipment belonging to the alliance into their territory. This is, of course, a danger. It requires additional measures to ensure that the security of our country is reliably ensured," Peskov emphasized, stressing that the exclave "is an integral part of Russia."

The Kremlin spokesman, however, Putin's trip to Kaliningrad is part of his work and that it does not send a message to member states of the US-led military alliance.

"When the president visits the regions of the Russian Federation, it is not a message to NATO countries. This is the main thing that the president does. The most important thing is not to send messages, but to do what he has been doing for many years - working on the development of our country and our regions," Peskov emphasized.

Putin last visited Kaliningrad in September 2022, seven months after he launched his ongoing "special military operation" in neighboring Ukraine, which strives for NATO membership.

The war unleashed waves of harsh sanctions from the United States and its European allies against Russia. Moscow has time and again warned that these sanctions and the flood of arms by some NATO members into the ex-Soviet republic will only prolong the war.

Elsewhere in his comments, Peskov said the Kremlin did not request a direct air corridor through Europe for Putin's flight to Kaliningrad.

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Russian Nationalist, Kremlin Critic Girkin Sentenced To 4 Years In Prison

By RFE/RL's Russian Service January 25, 2024

A court in Moscow has sentenced Russian nationalist Igor Girkin (aka Strelkov) to four years in prison on a charge of making public calls for extremist activities.

The prosecution last week had sought almost five years in prison for the former leader of Kremlin-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Girkin has denied the charges.

Girkin, 53, was arrested in July 2023 after strongly criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin in online statements for his handling of the Ukraine invasion. He accused the Kremlin leader of "cowardly mediocrity" and described him as a "nonentity."

He has also called out Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu for making "mistakes" in the invasion of Ukraine and accused him and Putin of "incompetence."

Girkin last year even called on Putin to transfer power to "someone truly capable and responsible."

A former officer of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), Girkin has also argued for a total military mobilization to ensure Russian victory in the war against Ukraine.

Girkin was a key commander of Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region in 2014 and helped Russia annex Ukraine's Crimea that year.

In November 2022, a court in the Netherlands sentenced Girkin and two other defendants to life in prison in absentia in the case of the 2014 shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine. All 298 people on board died in the crash.

In February, international investigators said there were "strong indications" that Putin was personally involved in the incident.

The Boeing 777 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was blown out of the sky on July 17, 2014, amid a conflict between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian armed forces. The victims came from more than a dozen countries, although more than two-thirds of them were Dutch citizens.

Russia has denied any involvement in the downing of the plane.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-girkin-putin-critic- prison/32791526.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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No: 15, 25 January 2024, Regarding the High-Level Meeting on Syria held in Astana on 24-25 January 2024

Republic of Turkey - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The 21st round of High-Level Meetings on Syria within the framework of the Astana format was held on 24-25 January 2024 in Astana. An inter-agency delegation headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Ahmet YAldAz represented TArkiye at the meeting.

The situation on the ground, the fight against terrorism, regional developments, the political process, the return of Syrians as well as matters of humanitarian assistance were discussed. A Joint Statement was issued.

Bilaterals with the Kazakh authorities, observer countries of the Astana Process, as well as UN agencies were held on the sidelines of the meeting.

The participants also expressed their sincere appreciation to Kazakhstan for hosting the meetings.

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USS John Finn transits Taiwan Strait

ROC Central News Agency

01/25/2024 11:39 AM

Taipei, Jan. 25 (CNA) The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John Finn transited the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Navy.

In a statement, the U.S. 7th Fleet said the John Finn's transit "demonstrates the United States' commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle."

The destroyer conducted a Taiwan Strait transit on Jan. 24 through waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law, the 7th Fleet said.

"The ship transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state," the 7th Fleet added.

Later on Wednesday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense confirmed that a southbound U.S. Navy ship had passed through the Taiwan Strait from the north.

The ministry said it was closely monitoring the waters and airspace around the Taiwan Strait as the ship was making the transit, and nothing unusual was observed.

The latest transit came as leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives Taiwan Caucus, Republican Representative Mario Diaz Balart and Democratic Representative Ami Bera, visit Taipei, as a show of support after the country's Jan. 13 presidential and legislative elections.

While the Taiwan Strait is considered an area in which high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, transits by international military vessels often draw the ire of China, which has been trying to establish dominance in the Indo-Pacific region.

About an hour after Taiwan made the transit public, China criticized the U.S. for conducting and "trumpeting" the transit.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) was on guard and monitoring the John Finn as it was making the transit and "will deal with it according to the law," according to a statement issued by the PLA Eastern Theater Command.

The U.S. military has often engaged in "provocative actions" recently in an attempt to disrupt regional peace, and the Command will be on high alert at all times to uphold China's sovereignty and regional peace, according to the statement.

(By Sean Lin)

Enditem/ASG

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PLA deals with US warship transit in Taiwan Straits, confirms combat patrols

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Jan 25, 2024 11:06 PM

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) tracked and monitored a US destroyer as it made a transit through the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday, with experts saying on Thursday that the provocative US move, the first of its kind since separatist Lai Ching-te won the Taiwan regional election, sent a wrong signal and further raised tensions.

The Chinese Defense Ministry also confirmed on Thursday that the PLA Eastern Theater Command recently held combat patrols around the island of Taiwan, vowing firm actions to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Senior Colonel Shi Yi, a spokesperson at the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said in a statement late on Wednesday that the USS John Finn made a transit through the Taiwan Straits on the day and publicly hyped its operation, and the PLA Eastern Theater Command organized forces to track, monitor and deal with the US warship's transit operation throughout its entire course in accordance with the law and regulations.

Foreign media outlets including Reuters said it marks the first time the US Navy has sent a warship through the Taiwan Straits following the January 13 regional election on the island of Taiwan.

Shi revealed that recently, the US military frequently made provocative moves and intentionally sabotaged peace and stability in the region.

The troops affiliated with the theater command maintained high alert at all times to resolutely defend national sovereignty security as well as regional peace and stability, Shi said.

In response to the US warship's transit through the Taiwan Straits, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference on Thursday that the US should immediately stop infringement and provocative moves, stop creating troubles undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, and stop sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

The defense authority on the island of Taiwan said in a press release on Thursday morning that it detected 18 PLA aircraft and six PLA vessels around the island over the past day, with four of the detected aircraft crossing the so-called median line of the Taiwan Straits or entering the island's self-proclaimed southwest air defense identification zone.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command recently held routine naval, air joint combat alert patrols around the island of Taiwan in a move to further enhance the troops' combat training level as well as elevate their combat capabilities in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson of China's Ministry of National Defense, said in a regular press conference on Thursday.

China's reunification requires Taiwan's return, and the PLA will speak through actions and always be an iron Great Wall defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wu said

"Taiwan will never be a country. 'Taiwan independence' and the attempts by foreign forces to split China will never succeed," Wu said.

US having sent a warship to sail through the Taiwan Straits shortly after Lai's election sent a wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" secessionists, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Thursday.

The PLA's response showed that it has every situation under control as always, the expert said.

With the PLA's capabilities in situational awareness and precision strike capability, a few foreign warships transiting through the narrow Taiwan Straits are of little military significance, and can only serve the purpose of putting on a political show, analysts said.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese mainland military expert and TV commentator, slammed the US warship transit as a provocation.

After the regional election on the island of Taiwan, the US boosted provocations over the Taiwan question in attempts to contain China under its "Indo-Pacific Strategy," Song told the Global Times on Thursday.

Another goal of the Biden administration is to win more votes in the upcoming US presidential election by adopting a strong stance on China, Song said.

The latest warship transit in the Taiwan Straits is not the only US attempt to raise military tensions in the region.

US think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Tuesday released a report hyping that the "majority of experts" from the US and the island of Taiwan said they believe "a crisis in the Taiwan Straits is likely in 2024."

According to a graphic released by the US Naval Institute on Monday, the US Navy has amassed since last weekend three aircraft carriers in the Asia-Pacific region, namely the USS Theodore Roosevelt, the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Ronald Reagan, with analysts saying that they will likely hold provocative exercises or patrols on China's doorstep.

Deploying military assets and making irresponsible remarks are US tricks aimed at creating tensions in the Taiwan Straits, containing China's development and maintaining the US' hegemony, analysts said.

The world should clearly see that tensions in the Taiwan Straits are not being created by China, but by the US as well as collusion among "Taiwan independence" secessionists and external interference forces, experts said.

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China's Military Escorts US Destroyer Transiting Through Taiwan Strait

Sputnik News

20240125

BEIJING (Sputnik) - The Chinese military escorted and monitored the USS John Finn that passed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday along its entire route, Shi Yi, the spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said.

The US 7th Fleet said Wednesday that the USS John Finn transited through the Taiwan Strait on January 24 to demonstrate "the United States' commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle."

"The PLA Eastern Theater Command, in accordance with law and regulations, has organized forces to escort and monitor the US warship along its entire route," Shi said in a statement posted on Chinese social media WeChat.

Recently, US forces have "repeatedly carried out provocative actions and maliciously undermined regional peace and stability," the statement said.

The Chinese military maintains high combat readiness to protect the country's sovereignty and security as well as regional stability, the spokesperson added.

Taiwan has been governed independently of mainland China since 1949. Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan a a territory with its own elected government a maintains that it is an autonomous country but stops short of declaring independence. Beijing opposes any official contacts of foreign states with Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable.

A Sputnik

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Biden urges Congress to approve sale of F-16 jets to Turkey 'without delay' once Ankara okays Sweden NATO bid

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 25 January 2024 8:17 AM

US President Joe Biden has urged Congress to approve "without delay" the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey once Ankara completes the ratification process for Sweden's NATO accession, sources say.

Turkey has effectively blocked Stockholm's NATO bid for nearly two years, alleging that the Nordic country has housed some Turkish citizens deemed as terrorists by Ankara.

However, Stockholm gained support from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in July after it clamped down on Kurdish groups regarded as terrorist outfits by Ankara. Furthermore, Turkish lawmakers on Tuesday ratified Sweden's membership of NATO after frustrating delays that strained Sweden-Turkey relations.

On Wednesday, four sources told Reuters that Biden had sent a letter to leaders of key Capitol Hill committees earlier in the day, informing them that he is willing to commence the formal notification process for the sale of Lockheed Martin F-16 jets to Turkey once Ankara completes Sweden's NATO accession process.

In his letter to the top Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations and House of Representatives Foreign Affairs committees, the American president urged them to approve the $20 billion sale "without delay."

American legislators had said they were awaiting Turkey's approval of Sweden's NATO membership before moving to approve the sale.

Separately on Wednesday, the US State Department also called on Ankara to formally finalize Sweden's NATO ratification, which requires Erdogan's signature. The department, however, did not provide an exact timeline on the formal notification process for the F-16 sale.

Back in October 2021, Ankara asked to buy $20 billion of F-16 fighters and some 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes.

NATO rules state that new members need all the 30 old members' consent to join the Western military alliance.

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Another meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group

Poland - Ministry of National Defence

23.01.2024

On January 23, the 18th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), under US chairmanship, was held in a virtual format with the participation of nearly 50 partner countries and NATO and EU representatives. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense WAadysAaw Kosiniak - Kamysz, who during his speech described the support for Ukraine implemented by the Polish side.

During the talks, the needs of the Ukrainian side and further efforts of the UDCG to strengthen Ukraine's armed forces were discussed.

Activities aimed at strengthening the capabilities of Ukraine's armed forces in the areas of air force, artillery, navy, demining and information technology were presented.

The formation of two additional coalitions - the use and combat of unmanned means and ground-based air defense - was also announced.

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Lithuania's Foreign Minister Landsbergis arrives in Kyiv

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2024.01.25

On Thursday, 25 January, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis arrived in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. It is the 8th visit of Lithuania's Foreign Minister to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's brutal war. The head of Lithuania's diplomacy will meet with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and other officials.

"We see that 2024 can be a crucial year for the war in Ukraine. And to a large extent, it depends on us. If Ukraine receives the necessary support from the West, its position in the war and the chances of victory will be greater. But more complex scenarios are also possible. The beginning of the year is a good opportunity to discuss how to work together on successful scenarios that will determine the future of Ukraine and Europe as a whole. I will talk about this first with my Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba," Lithuania's Foreign Minister said.

Landsbergis will also participate in signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the EU Delegation to Ukraine and the Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency on cooperation in the implementation of the EU-funded project that aims to build new shelters in Ukrainian schools. The European Union has allocated EUR 15 million to construct new school shelters in Ukraine. Lithuania will contribute an additional EUR 0.5 million and assume the responsibility for implementing the project.

On Thursday, the Foreign Minister will also meet with the Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov.

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Lithuania's Foreign Minister Landsbergis in Kyjv: "There should be no bomb shelters at schools because children must never be targeted"

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2024.01.25

On 25 January in Kyiv, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis participated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the EU Delegation to Ukraine and the Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency on cooperation in the implementation of the EU-funded project that aims to build new shelters in Ukrainian schools.

"There should be no bomb shelters at schools because children must never be targeted. Attacks on children are terrorism. Therefore, I believe that shelters are a temporary refugs until Ukraine wins. The victory will come. Russia's brutal attacks on civilians are an attempt to destroy the will of Ukrainians to resist. However, Ukraine has repeatedly proved that there is no lack of will to resist the aggressor. And the West must understand the importance of military support and civil protection funding for Ukraine," Landsbergis said.

Ukraine's Minister of Education Oksen Lisovyi attended the event and thanked the EU and Lithuania for their assistance.

The European Union has allocated EUR 15 million to construct new school shelters in Ukraine. Lithuania will contribute an additional EUR 0.5 million and assume the responsibility for implementing the project.

The Lithuanian Government has already funded implementing a mobile settlement project in Borodyanka, where the first new shelter in Ukraine has been built since the beginning of the invasion.

According to Landsbergis, the reconstruction projects financed by Lithuania have always aimed to fund the most sensitive and priority programmes and create an example to follow. Therefore, according to Lithuania's Foreign Minister, this EUDEL programme is an example of how Lithuania's development cooperation project can be further developed with funds from other donors.

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Why Did The Russian Il-76 Crash? What We Know, and Don't Know, About A Major Aviation Disaster

By Mike Eckel January 25, 2024

Just before the eruption of the spectacular fireball, caught on bystanders' videos northeast of the Russian border city of Belgorod, a massive military transport plane could be seen veering sharply, then nosediving over the horizon, and into the ground, kicking a plume of orange and black into the gray sky.

It was an Ilyushin Il-76 -- a workhorse plane of the Russian and Ukrainian militaries, known for carrying heavy cargos: tanks, trucks, weapons, equipment, men.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, however, the jet that crashed on January 24 was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war who were being transported for a prisoner exchange. The culprit for the downing, the ministry alleged, was Ukraine itself.

The crash was not expected to have a substantial effect on the trajectory of the war in Ukraine. Nearly two years after Russia's all-out invasion, the battle lines are all but frozen: Ukrainians are digging in and trying to hold on, Russians are pounding their positions with meatgrinder infantry assaults and relentless artillery barrages as lethal drones whine overhead.

If nothing else, it was a potential body blow to Ukrainian morale, which has shown signs of slipping due to a failed counteroffensive and the political infighting in Washington that has deprived Kyiv of desperately needed weaponry.

Here's what we know so far about the crash of the Il-76.

Nose-Dive To the Ground

First word of the aviation disaster emerged late morning local time on January 24, when the governor of the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine and which has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian missiles and ambush units, announced an "incident" northeast of the city of Belgorod.

Shortly after, around 12:30 p.m. local time, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that an Ilyushin military cargo jet had crashed. The ministry said the plane was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, along with a crew of six, and three other people identified as escorts.

Videos began to appear on Telegram showing a plane corkscrewing across the sky and disappearing behind a tree line before an explosion erupts and black smoke billows upward.

By late afternoon, videos on the Russian state news agency TASS and several Telegram channels showed wreckage of a plane scattered across a snowy field.

What Did Ukraine Say?

Shortly after the Russian reports appeared, several Ukrainian news outlets, including Ukrayinska Pravda and RBK-Ukrayina, reported that the plane might have been brought down by a Ukrainian antiaircraft missile. The outlets, however, removed the reports not long after.

The first official word from Ukrainian authorities suggesting some sort of incident came from a military intelligence official, Andriy Yusov, who said an exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine -- a semi-regular occurrence -- had been scheduled for January 24 but was not taking place.

Yusov said officials were investigating the reports of the crash.

Pestered by journalists for comment or confirmation, Ukrainian government authorities declined comment for much of the day.

The military's general staff issued a statement midafternoon that did not mention the plane crash but asserted Ukraine's right to target Russian military transport planes in border regions.

"The armed forces of Ukraine will continue to take measures to destroy delivery vehicles and control the airspace to eliminate the terrorist threat," it said.

By evening, the country's military intelligence agency released a longer, more detailed statement that confirmed the plane's crash but said it could not confirm the presence of Ukrainian soldiers on the jet.

The statement insinuated that Russian officials had withheld information about exchanging prisoners, and implied that Moscow had willfully endangered prisoners' lives.

"This may testify to intentional Russian actions aimed at creating a threat to the lives and safety of prisoners," the agency, known as HUR, said. "Landing of a transport aircraft in a...combat zone cannot be safe and must in any case be discussed by both sides [in advance], otherwise it endangers the entire process of exchange."

In his nightly video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called for an international investigation.

"It is clear that the Russians are playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners, the feelings of their loved ones, and the emotions of our society," Zelenskiy said.

So, Were 65 Ukrainian POWs Killed?

It's not yet entirely clear, even though both sides say a prisoner swap was planned.

In its statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Ukrainian authorities were "well aware that, in accordance with established practice, Ukrainian servicemen were to be transported by military transport aircraft to Belgorod airfield today for exchange."

Still, more than 24 hours later, Ukrainian authorities had neither confirmed nor denied that prisoners of war were killed in the crash.

"Currently, there are no signs of the fact that there were so many people on the Il-76 plane, be they citizens of Ukraine or not," Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian parliament's main human rights official, said in a post to the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Adding further to the murk: a list of Ukrainian soldiers' names, purporting to be the names of the POWs on the Il-76, was published not long after news of the crash by Margarita Simonyan, the longtime head of the state-controlled TV channel formerly known as Russia Today.

Several of the names on the list, however, matched those of Ukrainian soldiers who had been released in earlier prisoner exchanges.

Also mysterious: videos from the debris-strewn field showed few signs of bodies or human remains.

"Believe me, if there were seven or eight dozen people there, the field would be strewn with corpses and remains of bodies," Roman Svitan, a Ukrainian aviation expert, told Current Time.

Were There Missiles On the Plane?

In the partially retracted Ukrayinska Pravda report from January 24, Ukrainian officials also said the Ilyushin was carrying S-300 air defense missiles.

Yusov, the military intelligence agency spokesman, repeated that assertion a day later, in comments to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. He also said that there were other Russian military jets in the airspace nearby.

If true, that would potentially provide a partial explanation why the cargo jet could have been targeted by Ukrainian forces.

"Ukraine had the right to fire at these planes, which were carrying missiles in order to use the S-300 on Kharkiv," another aviation expert, Valeriy Romanenko, said.

The S-300 missile is a long-range, surface-to-air weapon widely used in antiaircraft systems, Russian and Ukrainian.

Yusov also asserted that high-ranking Russian officials had planned to travel on the jet but that Russia's main intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB), barred them from boarding.

"Several official VIPs from the military-political representation of the aggressor state were supposed to have been on board. Their names are known and will be named," he said. "But at the last moment, the FSB actually ordered them not to board and to use other modes of transport."

He did not provide evidence.

What Does It Mean For The War?

Fundamentally, this changes nothing for the battlefield. Along the nearly 1,200-kilometer front line, both sides are hunkering down, digging into defenses, trenches, and shelters, as the winter freezes the ground and makes major advances harder to pull off.

Ukraine's widely touted counteroffensive, which kicked off in June, sputtered out late last year. Russian forces have been incrementally advancing near the towns of Avdiyivka and Kupyansk. Both sides are also believed to be trying to replenish unit strength and weapons supplies.

Ukraine has scored a series of dramatic surprise attacks on Russian targets in recent months. They've destroyed or severely damaged Russian Black Sea naval ships and related infrastructure in the Crimean ports of Sevastopol and Fedosia.

Last week, Ukraine claimed it had downed an Antonov A-50 reconnaissance plane, a flying command center used to help Russian aircraft locate Ukrainian targets, while flying over the Sea of Azov. There's been no definitive confirmation of the plane's destruction, however.

Those attacks, some of which are believed to have utilized Western-supplied cruise missiles and air defense systems, did not fundamentally change the trajectory of the war. But they did bolster Ukrainian morale.

If it is confirmed that Ukraine shot down the Russian cargo jet, and mistakenly killed dozens of Ukrainian POWs, it would undo that.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ii-76-crash- explainer-ukraine-pows/32791736.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, Ukraine Make Conflicting Statements About Whether There Was Warning Before Plane Crashed

By Current Time, RFE/RL's Russian Service January 25, 2024

Ukraine and Russia have contradicted each other over whether there had been proper notification to secure the airspace around an area where a military transport plane Moscow says was carrying 65 Ukrainian POWs crashed, killing them and nine others on board.

Russian lawmaker Andrei Kartapolov told deputies in Moscow on January 25 that Ukrainian military intelligence had been given a 15-minute warning before the Ilyushin Il-76 military transport plane entered the Belgorod region in Russia, near the border with Ukraine, and that Russia had received confirmation the message was received.

Kartapolov did not provide any evidence to back up his claim and Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov reiterated in comments to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service that it had not received either a written or verbal request to secure the airspace where the plane went down.

Yusov said Ukraine had been using reconnaissance drones in the area and that Russia had launched attack drones. There was "no confirmed information" that Ukraine had hit any targets, he said.

"Unfortunately, we can assume various scenarios, including provocation, as well as the use of Ukrainian prisoners as a human shield for transporting ammunition and weapons for S-300 systems," he told RFE/RL.

There has been no direct confirmation from Kyiv on Russian claims that the plane had Ukrainian POWs on board or that the aircraft was downed by a Ukrainian antiaircraft missile.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called for an international investigation of the incident, and Yusov reiterated that call, as "there are many circumstances that require investigation and maximum study."

The RIA Novosti news agency on January 25 reported that both black boxes had been recovered from the wreckage site in Russia's Belgorod region near the border with Ukraine.

The Investigative Committee said it had opened a criminal case into what it said was a "terrorist attack." The press service of the Investigative Committee said in a news release that preliminary data of the inspection of the scene of the incident, "allow us to conclude that the aircraft was attacked by an antiaircraft missile from the territory of Ukraine."

The Investigative Committee said that "fragmented human remains" were found at the crash site, repeating that six crew members, military police officers, and Ukrainian POWs were on board the plane.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on January 25 called the downing of the Ilyushin Il-76 military transport plane a "monstrous act," though Moscow has yet to show any evidence that it was downed by a Ukrainian missile, or that there were Ukrainian prisoners on board.

While not saying who shot down the plane, Zelenskiy said that "all clear facts must be established...our state will insist on an international investigation."

Ukrainian officials have said that a prisoner exchange was to have taken place on January 24 and that Russia had not informed Ukraine that Ukrainian POWs would be flown on cargo planes.

Ukrainian military intelligence said it did not have "reliable and comprehensive information" on who was on board the flight but said the Russian POWs it was responsible for "were delivered in time to the conditional exchange point where they were safe."

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's commissioner for human rights, said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that "currently, there are no signs of the fact that there were so many people on the Il-76 plane, be they citizens of Ukraine or not."

Aviation experts told RFE/RL that it was possible a Ukrainian antiaircraft missile downed the plane but added that a Russian antiaircraft could have been responsible.

"During the investigation, you can easily determine which system shot down the plane based on the missiles' damaging elements," said Roman Svitan, a Ukrainian reserve colonel and an aviation-instructor pilot.

When asked about Russian claims of dozens of POWs on board, Svitan said that from the footage released so far, he'd seen no evidence to back up the statements.

"From the footage that was there, I looked through it all, it's not clear where there are dozens of bodies.... There's not a single body visible at all. At one time I was a military investigator, including investigating disasters; believe me, if there were seven or eight dozen people there, the field would be strewn with corpses and remains of bodies," Svitan added.

Russian officials said the plane was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, six crew members, and three escorts.

A list of the six crew members who were supposed to be on the flight was obtained by RFE/RL. The deaths of three of the crew members were confirmed to RFE/RL by their relatives.

Video on social media showed a plane spiraling to the ground, followed by a loud bang and explosion that sent a ball of smoke and flames skyward.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-pows-plane-crash- investigation/32791332.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 Resumes Air Strikes On Odesa, Kharkiv, Wounding Several And Causing Material Damage

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 25, 2024

Russia launched fresh drone and missile attacks on Ukraine's southern regions of Odesa, Mykolaiyv, and Dnipropetrovsk early on January 25, wounding several people and causing material damage, the Ukrainian military and regional officials said.

Ukraine's air defense said the drones attacked Odesa in two separate waves. A total of 11 of the 14 Iranian-made drones launched by Russia were downed -- 10 in Odesa and one in Mykolaiyv.

Regional Governor Oleh Kiper said six people were wounded by falling debris in the Black Sea port.

Kiper said that an industrial facility, residential buildings, and civilian infrastructure were damaged in the attack. He said the southern city's Primoriye and Khadzhibey districts bore the brunt of the attack.

Local authorities said the Russian attack also targeted the warehouse of a furniture factory in the industrial district of Odesa, starting a large fire.

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, an industrial enterprise was destroyed in a drone strike that caused a fire, regional Governor Serhiy Lysak said on Telegram, adding that the fire had been put out by firefighters.

Lysak also said the settlement of Myrivsk, in the Nikopol area, came under Russian artillery fire.

Russia also targeted Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, with five S-300 antiaircraft guided missiles, the air defense said. It was not immediately known if the missile strike caused damage or injuries.

The eastern city of Kharkiv, which is located some 30 kilometers from the Russian border, has recently been subjected to an unusually intense wave of missile strikes that targeted residential areas. In the latest such attack, at least 10 people were killed on January 23.

On the battlefield, amid a seesaw of offensive and defensive actions by both sides, Russian troops continued their unsuccessful attempts to encircle the industrial city of Avdiyivka in the eastern region of Donetsk.

The General Staff of Ukraine's military said in its early morning report on January 25 that four such attempts were repelled by Ukrainian defenders over the past 24 hours.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia- drones-odesa/32791132.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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Western States Supplying Arms to Down IL-76 Makes Them Accomplices to Crime - Russian Envoy

Sputnik News

20240125

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - Should the information that Western countries supplied weapons used in the downing of the IL-76 Russian military transport airplane is confirmed, they will be implicated as direct participants in this heinous act, Russian deputy envoy to the UNited Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy said.

"If this becomes confirmed, then these Western countries which supplied this weaponry, will become direct participants in this crime," Polyanskiy stressed during a meeting of the UN Security Council on Thursday.

All available information about Ukraine downing the Russian IL-76 military transport airplane carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war shows an act of premeditated assault, the diplomat emphasized.

"All of the information that we have today shows that we are dealing with a premeditated assault through crime," Polyanskiy told the meeting.

The Kiev regime goes against clear facts and does not take responsibility for downing the Il-76 plane, Polyanskiy highlighted.

"Everything that we have seen so far was a very primitive and cowardly attempt by the representatives of the Kiev authorities to go against the obvious facts and and not take responsibility for this and by doing this, they have got carried away in their lies and are now digging a greater and greater hole for themselves," the diplomat said.

Russia is also disappointed that representatives of international organizations pursue "double standards" and refuse to comment on the downing of the Il-76 airplane, he added.

Russia will do everything to ensure that all those responsible for the Il-76 crash are held accountable, the Polyanskiy stated.

A Sputnik

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Ukraine Loses Up to 310 Soldiers Near Donetsk in Past day - MoD

Sputnik News

20240125

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has lost up to 310 soldiers around Donetsk over the past 24 hours, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on Thursday.

Over the given period, the Russian armed forces have repelled four attacks by Ukrainian military in the Kupyansk region and three attacks in the Donetsk area. Russians air defense systems downed 91 Ukrainian drones in the past day.

"The enemy lost up to 310 military personnel, four tanks, four armored combat vehicles and seven cars [in the Donetsk region]," the MoDsaid in a statement.

Kiev has also lost up to 270 soldiers in the Krasny Liman area and 130 soldiers in the Zaporozhye region. South of Donetsk, Ukraine has lost 130 soldiers, one tank, and two infantry fighting vehicles, the MoD added.

A Sputnik

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Over 130 Nationalists, Ukrainian Troops Wiped Out in Kharkov Region

Sputnik News

20240125

On January 17, the Defense Ministry said that Russian forces had destroyed a temporary staging area for foreign fighters in Kharkov, most of whom were French mercenaries, adding that about 60 soldiers had been killed.

On Wednesday night, Russian forces eliminated more than 130 militants from the Kraken unit and the Russian Volunteer Corps* in Kharkov, as well as more than 100 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the city of Balakleya, Sergey Lebedev, coordinator of the Nikolaev resistance movement, told Sputnik, citing his sources from Kharkov.

"Late in the evening of January 23 there was an attack on military facilities in the city of Kharkov. Residents of Kharkov reported three strikes. The first two were powerful and almost simultaneous. A few minutes later, a third strike came in with a large flash and a powerful explosion," said the coordinator.

According to him, the strikes were carried out near where French mercenaries were destroyed on January 17.

"This time, the Banderites belonging to the Kraken group and their subordinates from the so-called Russian Volunteer Corps* were hit. Another attack occurred a block away from the first. There was a small pocket of Nazis, as well as their equipment," Lebedev added.

He further mentioned that local residents have reported a significant number of ambulances en route to the site of the explosion. According to initial reports from the Kharkov press, over 35 individuals lost their lives and numerous others were injured. Lebedev highlighted that some of the injured and deceased were transported separately, while being closely monitored by officers from the Security Service of Ukraine.

"The data is being verified, but preliminary these were foreign mercenaries," the resistance movement coordinator said.

He mentioned that there are issues in Kharkov concerning mobile communications and the Internet/telecom operator "Kievstar" following the overnight attacks.

"Our agents also reported a very successful strike on the town of Balakleya in the southeast of the Kharkov region, where Ukrainian forces were located. According to them, the strike resulted in more than a hundred dead and about the same number of wounded," he said.

* Russian Volunteer Corps is a terrorist group outlawed in Russia.

A Sputnik

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The UK supports Ukraine's response to the Ilyushin II-76 aircraft incident: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on International Peace and Security.

25 January 2024

Thank you President, and I think USG DiCarlo for her briefing.

At the outset, President, let me express our full support for your handling of the Presidency. I do find it ironic that while the Russian representative chooses to lecture France on UN rules, as he has frequently lectured the UK on our organisation of meetings, his country continues to commit arguably the most egregious and flagrant violation of the UN Charter in this institution's history.

President, the UK regrets all loss of human life, wherever it occurs.

We fully support Ukraine's calm and measured response to this aircraft incident and agree that there is an urgent need to establish the facts, as President Zelenskyy has said.

Whilst it is too early to draw conclusions, one thing is clear: when President Putin made the decision to illegally invade Ukraine, he demonstrated his total disregard for the value of human life, including his own citizens. We would not be in this position, and incidents like this would not happen, if it were not for Russia's full-scale illegal invasion in February 2022.

A sovereign, independent Ukraine did not and does not pose a threat to Russia. Ukrainians want and deserve to live in peace and security, and without interference from their largest neighbour.

Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost in this war, including over 300,000 Russian soldiers dead and injured, and tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians killed.

Soon this pointless conflict will have lasted for two years. Russia can choose to end the bloodshed. It can withdraw all its military personnel from the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine. And, as a permanent member of this Council, it can uphold purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

Thank you.

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The social situation in Ukraine today is largely based on the quality of implementation of international agreements - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine

25 January 2024 - 19:19

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

Briefly about the day.

In the morning I held a conference call. Reports from the military and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, intelligence information, reports from the regions on the elimination of the consequences of Russian strikes. Odesa, Donetsk region... A separate topic is preparations for the UN Security Council meeting in New York that are currently underway. The Minister of Foreign Affairs reported on our work and contacts with partners in this regard.

In the afternoon, I had a conversation with the President of Slovenia. We discussed both bilateral issues and international cooperation. Slovenia has become a member of the UN Security Council and is an active participant in the processes in European institutions. We discussed our cooperation at all levels. Of course, I provided information on the battlefield situation and our current needs. First of all, it is very important to maintain confidence in relations with our partners, in particular in the European Union. I am grateful for the understanding of the macro-financial situation and the necessity of further unwavering support for Ukraine. This is the key signal the enemy must see. Russia must feel that Europe maintains readiness to defend its values and unity at all levels. We also discussed cooperation on the Peace Formula with Mrs. President of Slovenia.

Of all the meetings today, I would like to mention a long meeting on the results of various negotiations of our representatives in Switzerland, primarily at the governmental level. Government officials, the economic team of the Office. There were many agreements in Davos, many meetings, including with international businesses. We have to implement everything that was discussed as quickly as possible. Our people, the Ukrainian society, need to see tangible results of our foreign policy activities, as the social situation in Ukraine today is largely based on the quality of implementation of international agreements. Separately, the Prime Minister of Ukraine reported on the negotiations with his Slovak counterpart. Ukraine is interested in practical cooperation with our EU neighbors - in everything that strengthens our nations, our economies, and provides jobs in our countries.

And one more thing.

Our warriors of the National Guard of Ukraine. Today there is something to honor them for. The special forces of the 1st and 3rd separate assault squads "Omega". The guys are fighting very effectively on the front lines, in the hottest areas of the front. The 15th Slovyansk regiment and the 4th operational brigade of the National Guard - the Eastern direction. Thank you for your accuracy, warriors.

And today is also the professional day of the cybersecurity specialists of the Security Service of Ukraine - the Department of Counterintelligence Protection of the State's Interests in the Field of Information Security - my congratulations to all the employees of the Department, and thank you for your work both in the rear and on the frontline. I thank everyone who makes Ukraine stronger! Those who fight for Ukraine, and those who work to make Ukraine and our people, our society stronger.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Head of State discussed cooperation in the UN Security Council and defense needs of Ukraine with the President of Slovenia

President of Ukraine

25 January 2024 - 18:28

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with President of Slovenia NataAa Pirc Musar.

The Head of State congratulated Slovenia on the beginning of its non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council and expressed hope for a strong voice of the Slovenian delegation in support of Ukraine.

The interlocutors discussed cooperation within the Ukrainian Peace Formula. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Slovenian representative for participating in the 4th meeting at the level of national security advisors and political advisors to the heads of state in Davos. He invited Slovenia to be among the participants of the first Global Peace Summit, the preparations for which began in Switzerland.

The President of Ukraine also noted Slovenia's accession to the Joint Declaration of the G7 countries adopted at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. The interlocutors discussed the start of work on a bilateral document on security commitments based on this declaration.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed NataAa Pirc Musar on the situation on the battlefield and outlined Ukraine's current defense needs. The President also thanked for the previous defense and humanitarian support of our country.

The Head of State also noted the participation of Slovenia in the creation of rehabilitation centers in Kharkiv and Zhytomyr region and in the reconstruction of the hospital in Izyum, Kharkiv region.

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UN Security Council Discusses Russian Military Plane Crash Near Ukraine Border

By VOA News January 25, 2024

The United Nations Security Council met Thursday in an emergency meeting at Russia's request, following the crash of a Russian military transport plane near the Russia-Ukraine border. Both sides are calling for an investigation.

U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo said the organization is not in a position to verify the circumstances around the crash.

"What is clear is that the incident took place in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and ongoing war," she said. "To avoid further escalation, we urge all concerned to refrain from actions, rhetoric or allegations that could further fuel the already dangerous conflict."

Moscow has accused Kyiv of shooting down the plane, which crashed Wednesday in the Belgorod region. Russia said the plane was carrying 74 people, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war who were to be part of a prisoner swap.

"The Ukrainian prisoners of war were transported to the Belgorod region in order to conduct yet another swap that was agreed between Moscow and Kyiv," Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday in New York, where he was attending U.N. meetings. "Instead of this, the Ukrainian side launched an air defense missile from the Kharkiv region. It targeted the airplane and was a fatal strike."

Call for facts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his government was insisting on an international investigation to establish the facts.

Zelenskyy said Russia was "playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners of war, the feelings of their relatives and the emotions of our society."

At the Security Council, Ukraine's envoy repeated her government's call for an international investigation, saying that because the plane went down in Russian territory, Ukraine did not have access to it.

"Following the plane crash, the Federal Security Service and the Russian military did not allow emergency workers to inspect the crash site as per protocol," Deputy U.N. Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn said. "According to our military intelligence, only five bodies were sent to the local morgue in Belgorod, and no human remains are visible on videos from the crash site."

Russia's deputy envoy, Dmitry Polyanskiy, disputed that, calling it "paranoid nonsense."

Several council members warned against speculation and accusations without critical facts yet established.

Video of Wednesday's plane crash posted on social media showed a plane falling from the sky on its side before exploding into a massive fireball as it hit the ground in Russia's snowy, rural western Belgorod region.

Kharkiv borders Belgorod. The two sides have carried out numerous prisoner swaps since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly two years ago.

Nuclear concerns

Separately, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency briefed the council earlier Thursday on the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine.

Rafael Grossi told reporters after the private meeting that he would be returning to Ukraine in the next 10 days and would then travel to Moscow.

The nuclear plant, which is in occupied Russian territory, recently lost external power for an eighth time. It has also frequently been in the crosshairs of fighting, leading to fears of a nuclear accident.

Asked by a reporter how dangerous the situation at Zaporizhzhia is on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most dangerous, the IAEA chief said it varies.

"I think that there are days where you are near 10, and there are days that nothing seems to happen," Grossi said. "The problem is this a the complete uncertainty, because this is a war."

VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Dublin, Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Vehicle Analytics Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global vehicle analytics market size reached US$ 2.3 Billion in 2022. Looking forward, the market is expected to reach US$ 9.2 Billion by 2028, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 25.99% during 2022-2028.







Vehicle analytics refers to a technology that tracks real-time information from vehicles and provides it to the user or the manufacturer. It assists in vehicle counting, tracking, brand detection, road condition inspection, and incorrect direction detection. It also aids in determining the current state of a vehicle and the driving methods used by the driver. Besides this, as it improves the efficiency and safety of the overall driver experience, the demand for vehicle analytics is escalating around the world.



Vehicle Analytics Market Trends



Digitization currently plays a pivotal role in the automotive industry as it delivers detailed information about speed, distance, emissions, resource usage, driving behavior, and fuel consumption. This, coupled with the rising sales of vehicles around the world represents one of the key factors stimulating the growth of the market. Apart from this, the increasing congestion on city streets and sidewalks has resulted in numerous safety challenges, such as distracted pedestrians and rising bicyclists. As a result, governing agencies of several countries are encouraging the adopting vehicle analytics solutions to analyze real-world data about traffic patterns and road conditions. This solution enables drivers to obtain analysis of areas with poor road conditions and bottlenecks that create traffic delays. Moreover, vehicle analytics provides alert to the owner beforehand about the potential requirement of maintenance before a breakdown can occur. This further assists in minimizing road accidents worldwide that are caused due to human negligence in the timely service and maintenance of vehicles. Besides this, the market is also impelled by the increasing utilization of these solutions to keep naval, aircraft, and ground vehicles online and avoid costly last-minute repairs.



Key Market Segmentation



This research provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global vehicle analytics market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country levels from 2023-2028. The report has categorized the market based on component, deployment mode, application and end user.



Breakup by Component:

Software

Services

Breakup by Deployment Mode:

On-premises

Cloud-based

Breakup by Application:

Dealer Performance Analysis

Driver and User Behaviour Analysis

Predictive Maintenance

Safety and Security Management

Traffic Management

Usage-based Insurance

Breakup by End User:

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)

Insurers

Automotive Dealers

Regulatory Bodies

Fleet Owners

Companies Mentioned

Agnik LLC

CloudMade (Valeo)

Continental AG

Genetec Inc.

IMS (Insurance & Mobility Solutions)

Inquiron

Inseego Corp.

International Business Machines Corporation

Microsoft Corporation

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

SAP SE

Teletrac Navman US Ltd (Vontier Corporation)

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/i24em1

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
Dublin, Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "North America Business Jet Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2023 - 2028)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The North America Business Jet Market size is estimated at USD 12.71 billion in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 14.41 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 2.54% during the forecast period (2023-2028).









Key Highlights

The overall aircraft deliveries in the business jet sector were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growth between 2019 and 2021 decreased by 14%. The reduction in economic activities and travel restrictions affected the utilization and procurement of business jets in the region. However, as the pandemic restrictions loosened and aircraft production resumed in 2021, the business jets market in North America started to get agile.





The increasing number of high-net worth-individuals (HNWIs) and ultra-HNIs (UHNWIs) is driving the demand for large business jets. Regional air travel and the capability to access remote airports/locations are making light jets more attractive to customers, therefore driving their demand in the market. A strong economy and the procurement and usage of business jets by various sectors/individuals are leading to the growth of the business jet market in North America.

North America Business Jet Market Trends

The North American region accounted for around 66% of the global business jet deliveries in 2021, making it the biggest general aviation market globally.





Among all the jets, the light jet category accounted for the largest share of over 52% of the deliveries in 2021 in the North American region. An increase in business travel flight hours after the pandemic generated a high demand for business jets in the region.





During the COVID-19 pandemic, the light jet category was the least impacted category of business jets in this region, with a decline of 17.8% compared with the mid-size 35.3% and large jets 21.5%, respectively. This is due to the consistent demand for light jets, with clients prioritizing light jets over other mid-size and large jets.





During the historic period, Cessna became the leading player in deliveries with 140 aircraft, while Gulfstream Aerospace was in the second position with 78 deliveries. Cirrus Aircraft, Embraer, Bombardier, Honda Group, and Pilatus Aircraft were the other major players in the North American business jet market. Most companies are unveiling and developing new business jet models to meet the growing demand for business jets over the forecast period.





In terms of the business jets OEMS, Cessna constitutes around 34% of the overall business jet fleet, followed by Bombardier and Gulfstream with around 21% and 14% of the fleet as of July 2022. In 2021, economic recovery resulted in the growth of deliveries by 10.7% in the business aviation sector. Around 3000+ units of the global demand for jets is expected to be from the North American region during the forecast period.

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Bombardier Inc.

Cirrus Design Corporation

Dassault Aviation

Embraer

General Dynamics Corporation

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd

Textron Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/t7j3ve

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Dublin, Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Middle East Cybersecurity Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2023 - 2028)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The MEA Cybersecurity Market size is expected to grow from USD 2.59 billion in 2023 to USD 4.65 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 12.42% during the forecast period (2023-2028).







In the current market scenario, Cybersecurity clusters can grow organically or develop through intentional, often top-down actions taken by local governments, and government regulations and policies play a significant role in their development. Many private firms have been moving their operations to the cloud platform.



Key Highlights

Saudi Arabia, an oil-based economy, is the largest in the Gulf region and aims to be the most prominent IT market. Like the National Transformation Program (NTP), several government initiatives have supported the region's rapid IT development. Saudi Arabia is a popular target for cybercriminals due to its oil wells and occupancy of an area prevalent with geopolitical tensions. Under the NTP initiative, the government outlined SAR 4 billion for ICT development from 2016 until the previous year. The main focus areas are cybersecurity, smart grid, and geospatial IT systems to control significant infrastructure. Such a push from the government provides scope for IT security companies to flourish within the country.





According to Help AG's State of the Market Report of the previous year, there was a 183% rise in attacks in the UAE alone. All sectors in the nation faced repeated attacks, including the government, oil, healthcare, and telecom. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) has only increased in scale, according to the company, with the UAE measuring 254.3 Gbps. Further, the growth in the number of SMEs and cybersecurity vendors in the country is directing focus on offering innovative solutions. Thus, vendors are expected to adopt new launches as part of their competitive strategy. For example, UAE-based Coordinates announced Adaptive Bespoke Cybersecurity for SME.





To support Qatar's efforts to address the current and emerging threats and risks, and in light of the strategic thrusts of Qatar's National ICT Plan to protect the national critical information infrastructure providing a safe and secure online environment for the different sectors, Qatar National Cyber Security Strategy (NCSS) was created by the National Cyber Security Committee (NCSC). The NCSC was primarily established under the Prime Minister's Decision No. (18) to provide a governance structure for collaboratively addressing cyber security at the highest levels of the government.





The Middle East & Africa region have smaller numbers of cybersecurity workforces. Still, considering the region's high degree of business activities, it is one of the most attractive regions for cyber attacks. Also, most professionals in this region need to be more experienced in dealing with the intensity of incoming cyber threats. For instance, According to Fircroft, around 30% of all cybersecurity workforce in the Middle East have just over ten years of experience working in the industry. In comparison, 60% of these professionals have more than five years of experience.





Enterprises adopting remote working during the covid-19 increased the number of attacks. According to IBM, the average cost was USD 1.05 million higher in breaches where remote work was a factor in causing the breach compared to those where remote work was not a factor. According to a study by Proofpoint in 2021 (N=1,400 respondents; Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) from organizations with more than 200 employees), about 76% CISO's from UAE and 69% of CISO's from KSA part of the study mentioned their business had seen more targeted attacks since enabling widespread remote working worldwide in 2021.

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Cisco Systems Inc.

Dell Technologies

Kaspersky Lab

IBM Corporation

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd

Palo Alto Networks Inc.

Broadcom Inc. (Symantec Corporation)

Trend Micro Inc.

FireEye Inc.

Paramount Computer Systems LLC

DTS Solutions Inc

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/usvhrl

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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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Dublin, Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Blow-Molded Plastics Global Market Report 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The latest research report on the global blow-molded plastics market has been published, offering an in-depth analysis and forecasts that trace the industry's trajectory and rising trends. This comprehensive study sheds light on the significant growth within the Asia-Pacific region and delineates key factors driving market expansion worldwide.

With an authoritative look at market sizes, regional shares, competitive landscapes, and segment-specific insights, this report is a critical tool for understanding the current state and future prospects of the blow-molded plastics industry. The analysis includes detailed discussions about various plastic types, technologies utilized, and application sectors impacted by the market's development.

The blow-molded plastics market, heralded for its impact on the packaging, automotive, and medical industries, presents substantial growth opportunities, stemming from increased demand for sustainable packaging solutions and the rising embrace of advanced manufacturing technologies.

Market Dynamics and Technological Innovations

Technological innovations such as the MuCell blow molding technology are transforming the market, with industry players adopting these advancements to meet the intricate demands of their consumers. Moreover, the uptick in Research and Development (R&D) investments is ensuring that new and competitive industrial plastics align with dynamic market requirements.

Surge in the beverage industry as a key market driver

Increased emphasis on sustainable materials and practices

Integration of digital manufacturing and 3D printing technologies

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V.

Berry Global Inc.

PET All Manufacturing Inc.

Inpress Plastics Ltd.

The Dow Chemical Company

Comar LLC

Rutland Plastics Ltd.

The Plastic Forming Company Inc.

Agri-Industrial Plastics Company

Garrtech Inc.

North American Plastics Ltd.

Creative Blow Mold Tooling Inc.

Exxon Mobil Corporation

APEX Plastics Pvt. Ltd.

Magna International Inc.

International Automotive Components Group Ltd.

Custom-Pak Inc.

Gemini Group Global Corp.

Du Pont De Nemours and Company

Confer Plastics Inc.

Blow Molded Solutions LLC

Blue Ridge Industries Inc.

GSH Industries Inc.

Midwest Plastics Inc.

Molded Devices Inc.

Mr. Nozzle Inc.

Hi-Rel Plastics & Molding Inc.

N.E.W. Plastics Corporation

Plastic Technologies Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ozodha

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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.
Dublin, Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Non-Opioid Pain Patch Global Market Report 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The latest comprehensive research on the global non-opioid pain patch market underscores significant growth opportunities as it is slated to expand from a valuation of $3.16 billion in 2022 to a projected $4.03 billion by 2027, marking a CAGR of 4.8%. This noteworthy expansion is attributed to an increased prevalence of chronic pain worldwide and the introduction of innovative drug-free pain management solutions.

In light of pending economic recoveries following challenges such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the market is anticipated to progress with a robust 5.9% CAGR from 2022 to 2023. The widespread impact of chronic pain, which affects an estimated 20.9% of American adults according to the CDC, propels demand for non-opioid pain management options. These treatments offer the potential for effective pain control with a reduced risk of addiction and other adverse effects.

Focusing on product innovation, major market players are launching new products to address the surging need for non-opioid pain relief. A notable example is the recent introduction of a drug-free, water-based hydrogel patch by The Mentholatum Company Inc., designed to offer fast-acting cooling and soothing relief.

Additionally, prominent developments in the market feature strategic acquisitions, such as ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s purchase of CerSci Therapeutics Inc., which expands their pipeline with promising non-opioid pain medication candidates.

Geographic and Sector Highlights

North America remains the leading region in the non-opioid pain patch market as of 2022.





in the non-opioid pain patch market as of 2022. Asia-Pacific is identified as the fastest-growing region, showcasing rapid development within the forecast period.





region, showcasing rapid development within the forecast period. Significant market segments include lidocaine, diclofenac, capsaicin, and ketoprofen patches, each offering targeted pain management.

Major companies at the forefront of the market are diligently working to improve pain treatment options and extend their reach across various distribution channels, including hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and other outlets.

As the healthcare industry continues to search for non-addictive and patient-friendly pain management solutions, the non-opioid pain patch market remains a vital focus, with promising advancements that aim to enhance the quality of life for individuals managing chronic pain.



Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 175 Forecast Period 2023 - 2027 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $3.34 billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2027 $4.03 billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.8% Regions Covered Global

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc.

Pfizer Inc.

Novartis AG

Sanofi S.A.

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Medtronic plc

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Astellas Pharma Inc.

Aurobindo Pharma Limited

Purdue Pharma L.P.

Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd.

Apotex Inc.

Endo Pharmaceuticals plc

Lupin Limited

Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC

Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Private Limited

Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals LLC

IBSA Institut Biochimque SA

Teikoku Seiyaku Co.Ltd.

Acorda Therapeutics Inc.

Sorrento Therapeutics Inc.

Veridian Healthcare LLC

Clarion Brands LLC

Averitas Pharma Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pjusrr

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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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Dublin, Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Automotive Wrap Films Global Market Report 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The latest research publication on the global automotive wrap films market reveals a burgeoning industry, expecting to surge from $4.66 billion in 2022 to an impressive $5.78 billion by the end of 2023, marking a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.9%. This industry expansion can be attributed to the substantial growth in luxury vehicle sales and the continuous innovation by leading manufacturers.





Global Automotive Wrap Films Market Growth and Trends

The in-depth market analysis showcases product innovation as a compelling trend in the automotive wrap films sector. With the introduction of more advanced, user-friendly products, such as 3M Company's latest offering - the 3M Print Wrap Film IJ280 - vehicle wrapping is becoming more efficient, requiring less rework and installation time. This innovation is a testament to the industry's focus on improving both the practical and aesthetic aspects of automotive wrap films.



The recent strategic acquisition by Eastman Chemical Company is set to further reinforce the industry's productivity. This move not only broadens Eastman's specialty material portfolio but also bolsters its position in China and across the Asia-Pacific markets, emphasizing the global reach of the automotive wrap films market.



North America has emerged as the leading region, dominating the market landscape in 2022. The comprehensive report presents a geographical analysis that covers other pivotal regions such as Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. A detailed country-wise analysis is also provided, delving into markets across Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the UK, the USA, Canada, Italy, and Spain.



Driving Factors Behind the Automotive Wrap Films Market Expansion

Growth of Luxury Vehicle Sales: The rising sale of luxury cars, which necessitates superior protection offered by wrap films, is one of the principal drivers of market growth.





Innovation and Efficiency: Enhanced films that can be applied more swiftly and resist lifting indicate the market's dedication to product advancement.





Geographical Market Analysis: With an expansive regional analysis, the report highlights North America's leading position while underscoring significant opportunities in other major markets.

The report additionally discusses the market's constitution, which includes sales of polyvinylchloride (PVC), pigments, and UV absorbers from manufacturers and creators directly to end customers or via downstream channels. These factory gate values represent the earnings obtained from such sales, encompassing any related services offered by the product creators.



Major industry players are featured in the report, providing strategic insights into the competitive landscape of the automotive wrap films market. The firms highlighted include heavyweights and innovators that consistently elevate the market through their contributions.



A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

3M Co.

APA Corporation

Avery Dennison Corporation

Fedrigoni SpA

Guangzhou Sino Group Ltd.

Garware Hi-Tech Films Limited

Alphagraphics UK

Ritrama SpA

KDX America LLC

Hexis SA

Metamark UK Ltd.

Spandex UK Ltd.

Madico Inc.

Signmaster Systems Ltd.

FDC Graphic Films Inc.

Ikonix USA

Arlon Graphics LLC

J&A International UK Ltd.

Studio One Ltd.

CMYUK Ltd.

Kay Premium Marking Films Ltd.

Vinyl Graphics Limited

Orafol Europe GmbH

Guangzhou Carbins Film Co. Ltd.

Vehicle Wraps Inc.

Portfolio Display Ltd.

ADS Window Films Ltd.

JMR Graphics Inc.

Vvivid Vinyl Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r576ny

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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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Dublin, Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Pain Patch Market Report 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The latest market research report on the global pain patch sector indicates a significant upturn, predicting the market will reach $4.08 billion in 2023, with a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. Despite the economic challenges posed by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the rising prevalence of chronic pain disorders and the subsequent demand for pain management solutions are driving this growth.

Dominance of North America and Emergence of Asia-Pacific as the Fastest-Growing Region

The study identifies North America as the preeminent leader within this industry and points towards Asia-Pacific as the fastest-growing region over the coming years. This regional expansion is attributed to the escalating awareness of pain management options and the increasing availability of advanced pain relief patches.



Revolutionary Technologies Elevating Pain Patch Efficacy

A key highlight of the report is the spotlight on innovation, showcasing companies that are spearheading the development of cutting-edge pain patch technologies. For example, the introduction of lidocaine-infused patches that ensure optimum drug delivery and instant pain relief signifies a significant leap forward in the industry.

Impact of Rising Chronic Pain Disorders

The report underscores the escalating numbers of chronic pain sufferers as a critical factor propelling the pain patch market. These disorders, resulting from varied causes such as psychological stress, inflammatory diseases, and injuries, have heightened the need for pain management solutions that are efficient and convenient  a demand that the pain patch market is poised to fulfill.

Rise in Chronic Pain: With chronic pain cases on the rise, there's an increasing demand for pain treatments that provide sustained relief.





Opioid and Non-Opioid Patches: The study delineates between opioid and non-opioid patches, focusing on their use and efficacy.





Comprehensive Market Insights: The research provides an exhaustive analysis of the market dynamics, segmentations, and future projections.

This thorough pain patch market research report provides in-depth insights for businesses, health care professionals, and stakeholders interested in understanding the intricate dynamics of the market. It delivers a comprehensive perspective on the industry, ensuring readers are well-informed on the current and future landscape of pain management via transdermal avenues. For additional information and to view the complete findings of this report, please visit our website's dedicated research section on the global pain patch market.



A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

CVS Health Corporation

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

Pfizer Inc.

Bayer AG

Novartis AG

Sanofi S.A.

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Rite Aid Corporation

Reckitt Benckiser Group plc

Viatris Inc.

Mylan N.V.

Smith & Nephew plc

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Perrigo Company plc

Purdue Pharma LP

Hikma Pharmaceuticals plc

Endo International plc

Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC

Grunenthal Group

Allergan plc

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc.

NICHIBAN Co. Ltd.

Teikoku Seiyaku Co. Ltd.

Haw Par Corporation

Sorrento Therapeutics Inc.

Nanjing Joyful Industrial Co. Ltd.

NEXGEL Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/eymisv

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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Dublin, Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "North America Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser Market Forecast to 2030 -Regional Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The latest research publication on the North America vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) market underscores a robust forecast for the industry, expecting an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.7% from 2023 to 2030. Projections indicate a surge from US$ 672.88 million to US$ 1,872.15 million over the analysis period.

Rise in 3D Sensing Applications Propels VCSEL Market Expansion

VCSEL technology has become fundamental to powering 3D sensing applications across a spectrum of industries, including consumer electronics, medical, industrial automation, and automotive sectors. Its prevalent use in smartphones for facial recognition, automotive safety systems, and in the burgeoning fields of virtual reality and gaming exemplifies the current trajectory for this market's growth.

Product Innovation Among North America VCSEL Market Leaders

Innovation remains a driving force behind the VCSEL market's expansion, with industry leaders unveiling new products tailored for both consumer and industrial applications. Leveraging the benefits of VCSEL for enhanced power and wavelength in 3D sensing applications continues to stimulate technological advancements. These developments are perfectly aligned with consumer demands and industrial requirements, promoting the growth of the North American VCSEL market.

Market Overview

The robust economic impact of the manufacturing industry, supported by governmental investments in technology and automation, coupled with the region's significant exports in medical devices, provides fertile ground for the widespread application of VCSELs in various end-use industries.

Comprehensive Market Segmentation

The market segments include single-mode and multi-mode, with single mode acquiring the larger market share in 2023.





The material segmentation highlights the dominance of Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) in the current market landscape.





High data rate segments, especially those above 25 Gbps, showed significant market control.





In applications, the sensing category emerged as the predominant market shareholder, evidencing the critical role of VCSELs in this domain.





The vast consumer mobile sector leads the end-use industry segmentation, further emphasizing the consumer electronics market's influence.





Geographical analysis identifies the US as the commanding force in the market, with Canada and Mexico also contributing to the regional market's dynamics.

Leading Companies Powering the North American VCSEL Market

A consortium of notable firms, characterized by innovation and market leadership, continue to guide the market towards a bright future with their commitment to advancing VCSEL technology.

The comprehensive analysis presented in this research offers an insightful look at the factors propelling the VCSEL market in North America, as well as a detailed segmentation that can help strategists and investors understand the direction and nuances of the market. With such strong growth indicators, stakeholders are poised to witness substantial advancements in the region's VCSEL market landscape up to the year 2030.

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

ams-OSRAM AG

Broadcom Inc

Coherent Corp

Hamamatsu Photonics KK

IQE Plc

Leonardo SpA

Lumentum Holdings Inc

TRUMPF SE + Co KG

VERTILAS GmbH

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gjywp2

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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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HEALWELL enters into agreement to acquire Intrahealth, a SaaS based enterprise class multi-national EHR (Electronic Health Record) provider supporting approximately 15,000 clinicians providing care for millions of patients from small clinics to large health delivery organizations in its global network across Canada, Australia and New Zealand.



Intrahealth is expected to generate over $12 million in revenues in 2024, which reflects double digit organic growth. Historically, Intrahealth has achieved over 80% gross margins, produced positive EBITDA, and positive cashflows. Over 80% of its revenue is high margin recurring revenue.

HEALWELLs plan is to deeply integrate its industry leading AI tools with Intrahealth and help create a next generation AI Powered EHR to help significantly amplify healthcare providers and allow them to drive better health outcomes at lower costs in a manner aligned with global Value Based Care (VBC) trends.



TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HEALWELL AI Inc. (HEALWELL or the Company) (TSX: AIDX, OTCQX: HWAIF), a healthcare technology company focused on AI and data science for preventative care, is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Intrahealth Systems Limited (Intrahealth), a subsidiary of WELL Health Technologies Corp. (WELL) (TSX: WELL), which is an insider of the Company, pursuant to an arms length negotiated transaction for total consideration of approximately $24.2 million (the Transaction), a majority of which is expected to be paid in HEALWELL Class A subordinate voting shares. Intrahealth is an advanced SaaS-based Electronic Health Records (EHR) management platform for small and medium enterprise healthcare organizations across Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Intrahealths robust platform meets the demands of a wide range of clients from a single doctors office to a multi-thousand user health institution. Founded in New Zealand and headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., Intrahealth was originally acquired by WELL in April 2021.

The independent directors of the Company have unanimously approved the Transaction, with the directors appointed by WELL recusing themselves from voting. Grant Thornton LLP, as independent financial advisor, also provided an opinion to the directors that, as of todays date, and based on and subject to certain assumptions and limitations that they made, that the consideration to be paid by the Company to WELL for the shares of Intrahealth is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Company.

Dr. Alexander Dobranowski, CEO of HEALWELL, commented on the acquisition, Intrahealth is a highly respected global EHR with a rich history of supporting major health systems in three countries across two continents. Intrahealth will not only add mature SaaS and digital revenue, strong positive EBITDA and cashflows, but it will also serve as a platform to showcase the effectiveness of our industry leading AI solutions. Our firm belief is that the future of healthcare will be centered around AI enabled EHRs due to the enormous potential scope to positively impact healthcare providers and their patients. EHR systems that are not outfitted with AI capabilities either natively or through an AI powered clinical decision support system will not be able to retain their customers in the future. This presents an enormous market opportunity for companies such as HEALWELL who have the technology to drive this industry forward.

Hamed Shahbazi, Founder and CEO of WELL stated, When Intrahealth was acquired by WELL nearly three years ago, the intent was to enable Intrahealth to grow and expand. We achieved that goal and now Intrahealth enters the next stage of its development which we feel will be best achieved through pairing it more deeply with the HEALWELL platform. We believe the combination of HEALWELLs best-in-class AI capabilities combined with Intrahealths EHR platform will result in the creation of one of the industrys first AI powered EHR platform with next-generation clinical decision support capabilities that will provide patients and providers with powerful tools to drive better health outcomes at lower costs in a manner aligned with global Value Based Care trends. Given that we are a significant stakeholder in HEALWELL, we are excited about the value creation possibilities that will accrue as a result of HEALWELL and Intrahealth combining and effectively building the ultimate AI co-pilot for physicians.

Intrahealth supports approximately 15,000 healthcare professionals across its global network. In 2024, it is expected that Intrahealth will generate more than $12 million in revenues, achieve over 80% gross margins, produce positive EBITDA and increased cashflows. Approximately 70% of Intrahealths revenue is generated in Canada and over 80% of its revenue is high margin recurring revenue.

Dorian Prior, President of Intrahealth commented, Our talented multi-national team at Intrahealth is thrilled to join HEALWELL at such an exciting time in their development as a company; were looking forward to integrating Intrahealths products with HEALWELLs cutting-edge AI technologies. The future of healthcare will unquestionably involve AI and we feel fortunate to have an opportunity to be at the forefront of the future of our industry. This comes at a great time where we have never had a better pipeline of growth opportunities.

Intrahealth is engaged in the business of providing a suite of flexible software solutions to a wide variety of customers including health authorities, hospitals, public health outpatient centres, community health, home care, ambulatory care, and diverse healthcare professionals. Intrahealth provides highly configurable software solutions that also support mobile platforms and seamless access to virtual care/telehealth solutions. Intrahealths solutions for hospitals include patient administration systems, bed management, waiting list management, enterprise-wide scheduling, case management, medication management, emergency room operations and ward management, among many other features.

Transaction Description

HEALWELL is acquiring 100% of the shares outstanding of Intrahealth from WELL for total consideration of approximately $24.2 million, to be paid by HEALWELL as follows: (i) $3.6 million paid in cash on closing; (ii) $15 million in Class A subordinated voting shares of HEALWELL (the Shares) issued at closing at a deemed price of $0.69 per Share based on the volume weighted average price of the Shares for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of this press release, which will result in the issuance of approximately 21.7 million Shares; and (iii) $5 million to be paid out over the following 10 months in either cash or Shares, at WELLs discretion, which if such amount was paid in Shares at $0.50, $0.70 or $0.90 per Share would result in the issuance of 10.0 million, 7.1 million or 5.6 million Shares, respectively, to WELL representing approximately 8.4%, 6.1% or 4.9%, respectively, of the issued and outstanding voting securities of HEALWELL after such issuance. WELL will also pay an earnout to the prior owners of Intrahealth of approximately $0.6 million due in May 2024.

The Transaction will also result in WELL becoming a new control person of HEALWELL, which currently holds approximately 1.0 million Shares, representing 1.1% of the issued and outstanding voting securities of HEALWELL, holding between 22.7 million and 32.7 million Shares based on the foregoing, representing 20.7% and 27.3% of the issued and outstanding voting securities of HEALWELL, respectively, after the Transaction is completed. Dr. George Christodoulou and Dr. Sven Grail are also control persons of HEALWELL holding 16.5 million and 15.6 million of the Class A Shares, respectively, and 15.4 million and 15.6 million of the Class B voting shares of HEALWELL, respectively, representing 15.1% and 14.2% of the issued and outstanding voting securities of HEALWELL, respectively.

There is also no voting trust or similar agreement governing the issued and outstanding voting securities of HEALWELL. The Transaction is expected to close on or about February 1, 2024.

Shareholder Approval and Regulatory Considerations

Under the rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), the issuance of the Shares to WELL pursuant to

the Transaction requires the approval of a majority of holdings of voting securities of the Company, excluding shares held by WELL, which is an interested party in respect of the Transaction, specifically, as the Transaction is subject to the disinterested shareholder approval requirements of (a) sections 604(a)(ii) and 611(b) of the TSX Company Manual as: (i) WELL is a related party of the Company; and (ii) the value of the consideration paid to WELL for the purchase of the shares of Intrahealth will be greater than 10% of the current market capitalization of the Company and the number of securities issued or issuable to insiders of the Company as a group, together with any securities issued or made issuable to insiders as a group for acquisitions during the preceding six months, in payment of the purchase price for the Transaction exceeds 10% of the number of securities of the Company which are outstanding on a non-diluted basis, prior to the date of closing of the Transaction; and (b) section 611(c) of the TSX Company Manual as the number of securities issued or issuable in payment of the purchase price for the Transaction may exceed 25% of the number of securities of the Company which are outstanding, on a non-diluted basis. Shareholders representing a majority of the voting shares of the Company have executed a written consent approving the Transaction. The TSX has advised the Company that it will be permitted to rely on that written consent of such shareholders as evidence of the required majority shareholder approval in accordance with section 604(d) of the TSX Company Manual, and accordingly that it will not be required to hold a formal special shareholder meeting to seek approval of the Transaction.

Under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101), the Transaction constitutes a related party transaction because WELL holds more than 10% of the outstanding Class A Shares of the Company. However, the Transaction is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 in reliance on the exemptions set forth in sections 5.5(e) and 5.7(1)(c) of MI 61-101, as the Transaction is supported by a control person of the Company in the circumstances described in section 5.5(e) of MI 61-101.

Dr. Alexander Dobranowski

Chief Executive Officer

HEALWELL AI Inc.

About HEALWELL

HEALWELL is a healthcare technology company focused on AI and data science for preventative care. Its mission is to improve healthcare and save lives through early identification and detection of disease. As a physician-led organization with a proven management team of experienced executives, HEALWELL is executing a strategy centered around developing and acquiring technology and clinical sciences capabilities that complement the Company's road map. HEALWELL is publicly traded on the TSX under the symbol AIDX and on the OTC Exchange under the symbol HWAIF.

To learn more about HEALWELL, please visit https://healwell.ai/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and are based on assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements in this press release includes without limitation statements relating to the Transaction, including the terms and conditions, closing date and impacts thereof; HEALWELLs anticipated benefits and synergies from the Transaction, including Intrahealths expected 2024 revenues; HEALWELLs future plans including its ability to execute on its strategic goals, including HEALWELLs ability to identify and close acquisition targets and to launch new AI commercial initiatives, the achievement of profitability and revenue targets; HEALWELLs future growth prospects and business outlook; the planned growth of HEALWELLs customer base and the expected growth of operations, and the future conditions of the healthcare and healthcare AI market. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements.



Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as to become, improve, growth, ensuring, continue, anticipated, expects, proceed, potential, future, consider, result in, increase, deliver, emerging, is poised, plan, position, opportunities, expansion, exercise, ensure, achieve, acquire, complete, satisfy, entitle, subject to or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain future conditions, actions, events or results will, may, could, would, should, might or can be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms . Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon managements perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as a number of specific factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by HEALWELL as of the date of such statements, are outside of HEALWELL's control and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies which could result in the forward-looking statements ultimately being entirely or partially incorrect or untrue. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on various assumptions, including, but not limited to, the following: the satisfaction of any additional conditions to the Transaction including, without limitation, any future acceptance of the Transaction by the TSX or securities commission and the receipt of any additional approvals for the Transaction, including but not limited to any further acceptance, any board approvals, shareholder approvals or third party consents. Although HEALWELLs management believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections, or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved.

Known and unknown risk factors, many of which are beyond the control of HEALWELL, could cause the actual results of HEALWELL to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements, or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include but are not limited to those factors which are discussed under the section entitled Risk Factors in HEALWELL's most recent annual information form dated March 31, 2023, and in the preliminary short form base shelf prospectus dated January 19, 2024, both of which are available under HEALWELL's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com. The risk factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect HEALWELL, and the reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about managements expectations and plans relating to the future. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, HEALWELL disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements 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 statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements.

For more information:

Pardeep S. Sangha

Investor Relations, HEALWELL AI Inc.

Phone: 604-572-6392

ir@healwell.ai
In its tenth edition, the IFE Conference focused on the theme of education in the era of artificial intelligence, encouraging discussions about the technological and ethical challenges associated with its use.



Over three days, more than 250 activities took place dedicated to learning, collaboration, and innovation.

MONTERREY, Mexico, Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The tenth edition of the IFE Conference, organized by the Tecnologico de Monterreys Institute for the Future of Education (IFE 2024), came to a successful conclusion. The event brought together more than 4,000 attendees and specialists in educational innovation from over 39 countries, who discussed and shared ideas on the topic of education in the era of Artificial Intelligence and the technological challenges associated with its use.

During the conference, there were more than 250 simultaneous activities, including conferences, panels, and thematic events. These included the Artificial Intelligence in Education Summit, the IFE EdTech Summit, and the Cyber-Physical Learning Alliance Summit (CPLAS 2024), which offered opportunities for learning, collaboration, and networking.

Additionally, more than 170 educational research and innovation projects from 30 countries were presented, covering the themes of Educational Trends, Technologies for Education, Academic Innovation in Health, Management of Educational Innovation, and Lifelong Learning.

The keynote speakers at the event were Michelle Marks, Chancellor of the University of Colorado Denver; Scott Pulsipher, President of Western Governor University; Bharat N. Anand, Vice Provost for Advances in Learning at Harvard University; Jo Angouri, Academic Director of Education and Internationalization at the University of Warwick; Simon Bates, Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President for Teaching and Learning at The University of British Columbia; and Maria Jose Gonzalez Solaz, Director of Microcredentials at the CEU Cardenal Herrera University Rectorate.

During the closing of the event, Jose Escamilla, associate director of the Institute for the Future of Education, spoke about the lessons in innovation and education that had been shared. He concluded, "We hope this congress has been an opportunity to connect and learn. For us, it is a great opportunity to have you here so that we can jointly fulfill our mission of improving the lives of millions of people in the world, by transforming higher education and lifelong learning."

Since its first edition in 2014, the IFE Conference, formerly known as the International Congress of Educational Innovation, has become the most prominent educational innovation congress among Spanish-speaking countries.

This event has opened a range of opportunities for creating networking contacts, allowing interaction among academics, education entrepreneurs, researchers, educational policy makers, and civil society organizations to enrich the exchange of ideas and perspectives.

To view photos of the event, click on: : https://tec.rs/IFEConference_Dia3

Visit Newsroom, Tecnologico de Monterrey's press room

Follow on social media:



About Tecnologico de Monterrey

Tecnologico de Monterrey (http://www.tec.mx) is a private nonprofit multi-campus university system founded in 1943, and distinguished globally for its academic excellence, innovation in education, entrepreneurship, and global vision, along with its deep engagement with industry and employers. With a presence across 33 municipalities and 20 Mexican states, the institution has more than 62,000 enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, almost 7,000 faculty members, and more than 27,000 high school students served by 2,500 professors. The institution has been accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) since 1950. According to the QS World University Rankings (2024), Tecnologico de Monterrey ranks 184th globally and among the top 29 private universities worldwide. The Times Higher Education Latin America University Rankings (2023) ranks the institution 1st in Mexico and 4th in Latin America, and The Global University Employability Ranking places the institution 1st in Latin America and 78st globally. The Princeton Review & Entrepreneur magazine ranking of Top Schools for Entrepreneurship Ranking (2023), places the institution as 6th for undergraduate entrepreneurship programs. Tecnologico de Monterrey belongs to several prestigious global networks including, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), Universitas 21 (U21), and The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), among others.
The accolade puts Deriv in the top 2% of global organisations accredited by Investors In People



Deriv ranks 5th in the finance and insurance sector for companies of a similar size

CYBERJAYA, Malaysia, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deriv, one of the worlds largest online trading platforms, has been awarded Investors In Peoples prestigious Platinum accreditation recognising its exemplary commitment to its people. This accolade places Deriv among the top 2% of global organisations accredited by Investors in People (IIP), firmly establishing it as a trailblazer for people practices.

IIP ranked Deriv 5th in the finance and insurance sector among companies of similar size and 127th among all accredited organisations. The Platinum accreditation substantiates Derivs consistent commitment to building an engaged, high-performing workforce as well as its first-rate organisational culture and people practices.

Seema Hallon, Chief Human Resource Officer at Deriv, expressed her delight over this achievement: The Platinum IIP Accreditation is not just an accolade. It represents our promise to continue innovating, inspiring, and leading the way in people practices, while upholding the highest standards of excellence and employee empowerment. It also reinforces our absolute commitment to building a supportive workplace that lets employees bring their best game to work so they can thrive and grow with the company.

Deriv started to use the IIP framework for benchmarking its people practices in 2022, earning Gold accreditation on its first assessment. In 2023, based on its performance against the Make Work Better framework, the company achieved Platinum accreditation.

Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People said of Deriv's achievement, This Platinum accreditation is not just a badge of honour but a testament to Derivs unwavering dedication to its core values of integrity, competence, teamwork, and customer focus, and, most importantly, its people.

Devoy continued, Deriv can proudly say it is in the top 2% of high-performing organisations worldwide that have been assessed against our rigorous standards for demonstrating sustainable success in empowering and including people. 

For insights into the work culture and career opportunities at Deriv, visit our careers page .





About Deriv

For 25 years, Deriv has been committed to making online trading accessible to anyone, anywhere. Trusted by over 2.5 million traders worldwide, the company offers an expansive range of trade types and boasts over 200 assets across popular markets on its award-winning, intuitive trading platforms. With a workforce of more than 1,300 people globally, Deriv has cultivated an environment that celebrates achievements, encourages professional growth, and fosters talent development, which is reflected in its Platinum accreditation by Investors in People.



PRESS CONTACT

Aleksandra Zuzic

aleksandra@deriv.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/31ef8e93-558c-4ea6-ac0d-65e415c52b2d
Dublin, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Electric Stoves Global Market Report 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global marketplace for electric stoves is experiencing a notable ascent, with a forecasted surge from $22.98 billion in 2023 to $26.01 billion by the year 2028, showcasing a steadfast compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.4%.

A newly published research report delineating this sector's key trends, market shares, and potential areas of expansion is now available, providing a granular analysis of this evolving industry. With urbanization, heightened energy efficiency standards, and smart home integration driving the growth curve, the electric stove market is observed to mirror the contemporary shifts towards a more electric-centric culinary lifestyle. Leading companies within this domain are noted to hasten innovations, proposing models that integrate state-of-the-art technologies for enhanced user convenience and energy conservation.

Market Dynamics

The shift towards electric stoves is significantly fueled by the global push for sustainability and energy-saving appliances. These stoves, renowned for their precise temperature control and energy proficiency, are superseding traditional gas cooktopsparticularly in settings where reducing heat energy wastage is imperative.

Product Categories and Material Innovations



The market report highlights two main product variants: built-in and free-standing electric stoves, each finding utility across residential, commercial, and industrial domains. Innovations in materials and design are also observed, with manufacturers increasingly adopting sustainable materials to resonate with the eco-conscious consumer base.

Trending Technological Features

Automatic temperature regulation

Smart shutdown functions

Touchscreen user interfaces

These technological advancements are particularly noticeable in high-end models, where ease of cleaning, user-friendly controls, and safety measures are augmented with contemporary cooking methodologies.

Regional Market Insights

The Asia-Pacific region is leading the electric stoves market, attributing its dominance to the robust adoption rates across burgeoning economies. Western Europe follows, with the two regions collectively setting the pace for future market expansions. The research report provides in-depth analysis for a multitude of countries, including strategic players such as the USA, China, and members of the European Union.

Competitive Landscape

The report underscores the competitive strategies employed by key market players. Groundbreaking products, such as indoor cooking stoves boosted by solar thermal technologies, exemplify the innovative strides manufacturers are undertaking to cater to the consumer's evolving needs while addressing environmental concerns. Industry stalwarts are continually engaging in research and development, striving to offer efficient, user-friendly, and safety-enhancing features. Such advancements play a pivotal role in shaping consumer preferences and augmenting market growth.

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Panasonic Corporation

Haier Group Corporation

AB Electrolux

Robert Bosch GmbH

Broseley Fires

ESSE Engineering Ltd.

Faber S.p.A.

Galanz Group

General Electric Company

Whirlpool Corporation

Sunpentown International Inc.

LG Electronics Inc.

Fisher & Paykel Appliances Ltd.

Smeg S.p.A.

True Induction

Miele & Cie. KG

Waring Products

MENU SYSTEM

Chinducs Corporation

The Vollrath Company LLC

Fusibo Appliance

Summit Appliance Division Felix Storch Inc.

Sub-Zero Inc.

Andong Electric Co. Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

KitchenAid Inc.

Maytag Corporation

Kenmore Appliances

Amana Corporation

Frigidaire International

Hotpoint Appliances

Jenn-Air Corporation

Viking Range LLC

Wolf Appliance Inc.

Thermador

Dacor Inc.

Bertazzoni S.p.A.

Blomberg Appliances

Hisense Group Co. Ltd.

Ilve S.p.A.

La Cornue

Liebherr Group

Verona Appliances

Zephyr Corporation

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/atyodz

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Dublin, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "OSAT Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2023 - 2028)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.





The global Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test Services (OSAT) Market is poised for notable growth, with forecasts indicating an increase from USD 43.36 billion in 2023 to USD 64.01 billion by 2028. This market, critical for the semiconductor industry's supply chain, is expected to flourish at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.10% over the five-year forecast period.



The OSAT market is experiencing a significant uptick in momentum due to the incessant growth in the semiconductor sector, propelled by new investments in chip production and advancements in technology. This market's expansion is fueled by increasing demands for semiconductor components across various applications, not least within the high-growth automotive sector and in technologically innovative regions like South Korea.

Key Market Dynamics:

Third-party Integrated Circuit packaging and testing is a crucial step for semiconductor devices before they hit the market.

Semiconductor companies like Intel, AMD, and Nvidia often rely on OSAT firms to perform assembly and test services, ensuring faster processing and higher device performance.

OSAT vendors face challenges from advanced manufacturing nodes and miniaturization trends, which complicate the packaging and testing processes.

Competition from fully integrated manufacturers that are beginning to include advanced packaging solutions poses a potential threat to OSAT vendors.

Segmental Growth Highlights:

A strong emphasis on the automotive segment has been observed, with rapid advancements and increased complexity in automotive chips for autonomous and electric vehicles driving the need for sophisticated OSAT services.

The evolving landscape of electric vehicle (EV) sales is further reinforcing the demand for advanced semiconductor assembly and testing services.

Regional Spotlight  South Korea:

South Korea stands as a significant contributor to the global demand for OSAT services, thanks to home-grown giants like Samsung and SK Hynix.

The country's government-backed initiatives towards smart manufacturing, along with substantial investments in 5G technology, are poised to bolster the OSAT market in the region.

Competitive Landscape:

The marketplace is fragmented with renowned players such as ASE Technology Holding Co., Amkor Technology Inc., and Powertech Technology Inc. leading the pack.

Strategic alliances, technological advancements, and M&A are common strategies adopted by these players to secure a competitive edge.

With a comprehensive analysis and strategic insights, this latest market study stands as an essential resource for stakeholders in the semiconductor assembly and test services industry. As businesses and investors navigate through the intricacies of the OSAT market, critical developments, such as those occurring in automotive applications and geographies like South Korea, will remain focal to understanding the trajectory of this robust and ever-evolving industry.

The report reflects in-depth insights into the market trends, drivers, and challenges shaping the future of the OSAT industry. For stakeholders and decision-makers within the semiconductor space, this analysis provides a barometer for the current market climate and a forecast for opportunities on the horizon.

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

ASE Technology Holding Co. Ltd

Amkor Technology Inc.

Powertech Technology Inc.

ChipMOS Technologies Inc.

King Yuan Electronics Co. Ltd

Formosa Advanced Technologies Co. Ltd

Jiangsu Changjiang Electronics Technology Co. Ltd

UTAC Holdings Ltd

Lingsen Precision Industries Ltd

Tongfu Microelectronics Co.

Chipbond Technology Corporation

Hana Micron Inc.

Integrated Micro-electronics Inc.

Tianshui Huatian Technology Co. Ltd

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/76adac

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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ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Two Six Technologies, a high-growth technology company providing products and expertise to national security customers, announced it has appointed Teresa Shea to its board of directors.



Shea brings invaluable experience and unique perspectives to Two Six Technologies from her distinguished 32-year career with the National Security Agency (NSA). She held several key leadership assignments during her NSA career, culminating as the Director of Signals Intelligence. In this position, she was the principal signals intelligence (SIGINT) advisor to the Director of NSA, the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), countless U.S. Military officers, and U.S. Government high-ranking officials.

We are extremely excited to welcome Teresa to our board to help us grow our impact across the Intelligence Community (IC), said Larry Prior, Chairman of the Board, Two Six Technologies. Her insights will enable us to understand the shifting priorities of the IC and identify mission requirements that we can address with our innovative products.

Shea is the President of Oplnet, LLC and serves as a highly respected advisor on numerous boards including Cigent Technology, ZeroFox, and the Army Science Board subcommittee on Intelligence. Her prior executive roles included Executive Vice President of Technology at In-Q-Tel and Vice President of Cyber Offense and Defense Experts (CODEX) within Raytheon Intelligence and Space.

Two Sixs strategic objective is to make a meaningful impact on the most important missions of our national security customers, said Joe Logue, CEO of Two Six Technologies. Teresas wealth of expertise, and her passion for building a more safe and secure nation, will strengthen our ability to support the mission priorities of IC customers with speed and agility.

During her distinguished career, Shea received numerous awards, including the Presidents Distinguished Rank Award from President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal awarded by the Honorable James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agencys Donovan Award, and the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter.

Shea holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from John Hopkins University.





About Two Six Technologies

Two Six Technologies is a high-growth technology company dedicated to providing products and expertise to national security customers. The company solves complex technical challenges in five focus areas that are key to national security missions: cyber, information operations, electronic systems, analytics, and secure solutions.

The company offers a robust suite of sole source contract vehicles with more than $1.0 billion of combined contract ceiling; a family of operationally deployed products including IKE, M3, Pulse, SIGMA, TrustedKeep, and CircuitRE; and a global operational footprint that includes a technical presence in more than 40 countries coupled with native proficiency in more than 20 languages.

Two Six supports national security customers across the Department of Defense, including U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Cyber Command and DARPA; Department of State; the Intelligence Community; and Civilian agencies.

Two Six is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia and employs more than 770 professionals working in 36 states across the country. For more information, visit twosixtech.com and Two Six Technologies on LinkedIn.



Media Contact:

David Leach

Vice President  Corporate Development

david.leach@twosixtech.com

703-782-9473

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d35e503a-c641-4658-a7c6-0b6091553aa6.
Dublin, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Smart Transformers Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Smart Transformers Market is experiencing a significant upswing, fueled by the growing demand for efficient power distribution and robust grid modernization efforts. This report emphasizes the surge in smart grid technologies and energy storage solutions accentuates the sector's growth trajectory from 2018 to 2028. As the market demonstrates a resilient Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.11% during the forecast period, key trends such as the integration of renewable energy sources and adoption of digital twin technology are reshaping the industry's future.

Deep Dive into the Smart Transformers Market Dynamics

The Global Smart Transformers Market has undergone substantial growth due to the increasing need for reliable power distribution systems. Urbanization and industrialization across various regions necessitate the streamlining of electricity transmission, rendering smart transformers crucial for achieving optimized energy distribution. The unique capabilities of these transformers to regulate voltage, detect anomalies, and communicate with management systems ensure they are integral to future-proofing power grids. With the onset of greater renewable energy source utilization, smart transformers are indispensable in bolstering grid stability and power quality management. Government initiatives globally to expand renewable energy reliance and enhance sustainability contribute to the vigorous demand for these advanced transformers.



Challenges on the Horizon



Despite favorable growth prospects, the Smart Transformers Market confronts hurdles such as the high initial costs and intricate considerations regarding Return on Investment (ROI). Moreover, challenges related to interoperability, compatibility with existing grid infrastructures, and rising cybersecurity concerns call for strategic responses from industry stakeholders. The essential adoption of industry standards, increased emphasis on cybersecurity strategies, and regulatory compliance will be pivotal in overcoming these obstacles.



Emerging Trends Influencing Market Growth



The application of digital twin technology is revolutionizing the smart transformers sector. Utilizing real-time data, sensors, and analytics, digital twins predict maintenance needs and enhance operational efficiency. The handling of renewable energy sources' variability is another trend positively impacting market growth. Smart transformers' voltage regulation and grid stability capabilities facilitate this integration, contributing to sustainable energy landscapes.



Sectoral and Regional Analysis



In terms of market segmentation, the distribution transformer category commands a significant share, driven by the burgeoning energy demand and increasing integration of renewable resources. The power grid application segment similarly maintains a strong market position, notably through investments flowing into smart grid modernization initiatives. Regionally, China is projected to hold a commanding lead during the forecast period, backed by progressive smart grid technology policies and substantial infrastructure investments. The robust manufacturing landscape and innovation in the Chinese market significantly contribute to the region's dominance.



Global Smart Transformers Market: A Comprehensive Outlook



The report delivers a macroscopic view of the Global Smart Transformers Market, covering key segments including distribution and power transformers, converters, switches, and various applications like electric vehicle charging stations and power grids. Delving into regional markets like North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, and the Middle East & Africa, the analysis provides a detailed understanding of global trends and market dynamics.



Transforming the Future of Power Distribution with Innovation and Sustainability



As the world gravitates towards a more sustainable and efficient energy future, the Smart Transformers Market stands as a testament to innovation, growth, and environmental consciousness. This report unravels the complexities and opportunities within the market, offering insights into trends that are shaping the future of global power distribution.



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 182 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $4.42 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $7.95 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 10.1% Regions Covered Global

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes:

ABB Ltd.

Crompton Greaves

Siemens AG

General Electric Company

Hitachi Ltd.

Schneider Electric SE

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

SPX Transformer Solutions Inc.

Eaton Corporation plc

KONCAR - Electrical Industry Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nr3jhz

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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Dublin, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Electric Drives Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2023 - 2028)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global electric drives market is currently on a significant upward trajectory, with expectations to grow from the current valuation of USD 24.54 billion in 2023 to an impressive USD 31.46 billion by 2028. This reflects a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.1% during the forecast period.

Several elements are fueling the electric drives market expansion. Advancements in reliability and energy savings are ushering a new era of acceptability in diverse sectors. Electric drives are revolutionizing energy efficiency, notably in motor-driven systems used in commercial buildings, potentially cutting down energy consumption by up to 40%. Moreover, with intelligent motor control features, these drives are setting new benchmarks in operations efficiency. Enhanced process optimization, particularly in the oil and gas industry, is another growth driver, where electric drives are contributing towards reduced downtime and improved maintenance regimes.

Trends in the Power Generation Sector

Within the power generation industry, electric drives are lauded for their role in enhancing operational efficacy and energy savings. The sector, especially nuclear power, has seen significant cost reductions and environmental gains from employing these drives. Energy demand is steadily rising worldwide, prompting a heightened focus on efficient energy use and CO2 emissions reduction. This trend underpins the importance of electric drives in the energy sector and its anticipated continuous growth.

A surge in the electric drives market has been observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as governments globally accentuated their support for semiconductor-based electronics and automation industries. This move is aimed at averting supply chain bottlenecks and stimulating growth in sectors such as automobile, consumer electronics, energy, and utilities.

Asia Pacific Leads with Robust Growth

The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest growth in the electric drives market, owing to investments in industries like oil and gas, water and wastewater treatment, and automotive, among others. The region's industrial and manufacturing development, particularly in countries like China, India, and Taiwan, is catalyzing the demand for AC electric drives. Additionally, with the automotive sector's growth in this region, powered by an expanding middle-class demographic and advancements in local manufacturing capabilities, the need for electric drives is surging in production lines, propelling the market forward.

Competitive Landscape of the Electric Drives Market

The market comprises a highly fragmented competitive landscape, with top players focusing on innovation, partnerships, and acquisitions to enhance their product offerings and establish a competitive edge. Recent developments such as the launch of new high-performance servo drive systems and medium-voltage VFDs signal a potent mix of technological prowess and strategic market positioning by key players, catering to the extensive and diversified demands of end-users.

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes:

Danfoss

Rockwell Automation

Schneider Electric

ABB

Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.

Siemens

WEG

YASKAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION

Toshiba International Corporation

PARKER HANNIFIN CORP

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8du3ui

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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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trailbreaker Resources Ltd. (TBK.V) (Trailbreaker or the Company) announces that subject to all regulatory approvals, the Company has granted 800,000 incentive stock options to directors, officers, and certain consultants of the Company. All Options issued pursuant to this grant shall vest immediately, have a term of 5 years and are exercisable at $0.43.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Daithi Mac Gearailt

President and Chief Executive Officer

For new information about the Companys projects, please visit Trailbreakers website at TrailbreakerResources.com and sign up to receive news. For further information, follow Trailbreakers tweets at Twitter.com/TrailbreakerLtd, use the Contact section of our website, or contact us at (604) 681-1820 or at info@trailbreakerresources.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.


TORONTO, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sintana Energy Inc. (TSX-V: SEI, OTCQB: SEUSF) (Sintana or the Company) is pleased to provide the following update regarding the ongoing exploration campaign on blocks 2813A and 2814B located in the heart of Namibias Orange Basin, emerging as the one of the worlds most prospective oil and gas regions. The blocks are governed by Petroleum Exploration License 83 (PEL 83) which is operated by a subsidiary of Galp Energia (Galp) of Portugal. Sintana maintains an indirect 49% interest in Custos Energy (Pty) Ltd. (Custos), a 10% working interest owner in PEL 83. NAMCOR, the National Petroleum Company of Namibia, also maintains a 10% working interest.







We refer to press releases from Galp (available at galp.com) and Custos (available at newsdirect.com) noting that further to previous updates provided on January 2nd and January 10th, Galp, together with its partners NAMCOR and Custos, has successfully and safely drilled, cored, and logged a deeper target (AVO-2) in the Mopane-1X well on block 2813 governed by PEL83.

In AVO-2, Galp has also discovered a second significant column of light oil in reservoir-bearing sands of high quality.

The rig is expected to be relocated to the Mopane-2X well location to evaluate the extent of the Mopane discoveries, after which a Drill Stem Test (DST) is expected to be performed in Mopane-1X.

Galp and the JV Partners will continue to analyze the acquired data during the coming weeks to assess the commerciality of the discoveries.

PEL 83 is located immediately north of PEL 39 home to Shells basin opening discoveries at Graff-1, La Rona-1 and Jonker-1. Additionally, it is located north and west of PEL 56 where TotalEnergies announced is giant oil discovery at Venus-1.

The continuing success of the initial exploration campaign, including a second light oil discovery at Mopane-1X, further demonstrate the scope and potential of PEL 83. We extend our further congratulations to our partners Galp and NAMCOR on this second discovery, said Knowledge Katti, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Custos. This is another significant milestone for Custos positioning us for further growth and continued success underpinned by our unmatched position in the heart of the basin, he added.

The announcement of this significant additional discovery is further testament to the hard work and dedication of the partners involved, as well as another demonstration of the potential for further growth in our oil industry. With this discovery, we are one step closer to harnessing the full potential of this campaign and wish Galp and its partners Custos Energy and Namcor success with the remaining drilling campaign, said Maggy Shino, Petroleum Commission for the Ministry of Mines and Energy. We are proud to have achieved this milestone, she added.

This second light oil discovery at Mopane-1X provides further evidence of the scale and quality of our exploration portfolio held through our local partners, including Custos. We continue to be reminded of the timeliness of our entry into Namibia with the ongoing progress and success, said Robert Bose, Chief Executive Officer of Sintana. We extend our further congratulations to the joint venture partners on this additional success.

ABOUT SINTANA ENERGY:

The Company is engaged in petroleum and natural gas exploration and development activities on five large, highly prospective, onshore and offshore petroleum exploration licenses in Namibia, and also in Colombias Magdalena Basin.

On behalf of Sintana Energy Inc.,

A. Robert Bose

Chief Executive Officer

For additional information or to sign-up to receive periodic updates about Sintanas projects, and corporate activities, please visit the Companys website at www.sintanaenergy.com

Corporate Contacts:

Robert Bose

Chief Executive Officer Sean J. Austin

Vice-President Investor Relations Advisors:

Jonathan Paterson

Founder & Managing Partner 212-201-4125 713-825-9591 Harbor Access

475-477-9401

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intensions for the future, and include, but not limited to, statements with respect to potential future farmout agreements on PEL 83 and/or PEL 87, and proposed future exploration and development activities on PEL 83 and/or PEL 90 and neighbouring properties, as well as the prospective nature of the Companys property interests. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including, but not limited to risks relating to the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, results of exploration and development activities, the ability to source joint venture partners and fund exploration, permitting and government approvals, and other risks identified in the Companys public disclosure documents from time to time. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update such information, except as may be required by law.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f4998a6d-0cd4-4cd2-a2c7-e795341f6223
Through three days of jury selection, not one juror had been seated in the civil trial over the 2012 death of Erie County Holding Center inmate Richard A. Metcalf Jr.

State Supreme Court Justice Mark J. Grisanti took the unusual step of barring the public and the media from the courtroom when jury selection began Monday.

Grisanti did so despite having other less-restrictive options and without having put his rationale on the record or alerting the public to his plan, both of which are required.

No jurors had been picked for the panel at the end of the day Wednesday, Erie County Attorney Jeremy Toth said.

Toth, the top legal adviser for the county, which is one of the defendants in the case, said he had not received an update on the jury selection progress on Thursday or early Friday.

Grisanti put the closure and his rationale on the record on Wednesday, issuing a written order in which he said he excluded the public from observing the jury selection process in the high-profile trial for the protections of jurors.

All court proceedings, including jury selection, generally are open to the public.

Forty years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled trial judges must ordinarily permit the public and the media to attend jury selection proceedings. Judges may close their courtrooms, the court said, only in the rare circumstances when closure is essential to preserve higher values and when those values cannot be protected by less drastic alternatives.

One legal expert this week said that instead of closing the courtroom, Grisanti could have made use of an anonymous jury, which keeps the names of potential jurors from being revealed in open court. He also could have had jurors submit answers to potentially sensitive questions in writing, with those documents available to attorneys and being able to have some information redacted when released to the public.

The civil trial stems from a 2013 lawsuit by Metcalfs estate against Erie County and Erie County Holding Center deputies over his 2012 death. The state Commission of Correction concluded Metcalf died because of poorly trained deputies who tied a spit mask around his neck and pulled a pillowcase over his head while he was restrained.

On Monday, a Buffalo News journalist who attempted to observe jury selection was ordered to leave the courtroom.

On Tuesday afternoon, a News reporter observed about six minutes of jury selection before the proceedings were paused by a staffer from the Erie County Commissioner of Jurors office. The staffer appeared to have been alerted by one of the attorneys that the reporter had entered the courtroom.

The reporter was told Grisanti had barred the public and press from the courtroom during jury selection. No rationale was provided.

A member of Grisantis staff directed a reporter to the office of 8th Judicial District Administrative Judge Kevin M. Carter. Carter also offered no information about Grisantis rationale.

On Wednesday morning, Grisanti issued an order that said he was closing the process to ensure that information provided by prospective jurors did not become public.

Particularly problematic about how Grisanti handled the issue, according to Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, an organization that works to protect the legal rights of journalists, was that no written order was issued prior to the start of jury selection  it came on the third day of proceedings.

That step should have involved a hearing where interested parties would have the chance to object and argue about the proposal.

What is supposed to happen when a courtroom is closed for any reason is theres supposed to be an on-the-record findings by a judge setting forth the reasons why he or she has decided to close the courtroom, the particular reasons why the publics right of access has been overcome by the interests to be served by closure. In this instance, alleged privacy rights of jurors, Jennifer Nelson, senior staff attorney for the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that provides legal resources on behalf of journalists, told The News.
Dublin, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Space Situational Awareness Global Market Report 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The comprehensive analysis of the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) global market research reveals significant growth and current trends shaping the industry's future. This report sheds light on the soaring demand for SSA solutions that correspond with the escalating space activities and the critical necessity for effective space debris monitoring.

Providing an unparalleled depth of insight, the report unveils data on market dynamics, including size, share, growth factors, and major driving forces. The increase from $1.41 billion in 2023 to an anticipated $1.53 billion in 2024 indicates the market's resilience and progressive climb at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%.

Highlighted within the publication are the significant components contributing to the markets expansion. Among these factors, the growing emphasis on space domain awareness by various stakeholders  commercial entities, government agencies, and military organizations  affirm the critical role of SSA.

Key findings of the report indicate:

An anticipated growth surge to $2.08 billion by 2028, progressing at a steady CAGR of 8.0%.

Technological advancement in SSA services, emphasizing enhanced monitoring of space debris and advancements in space traffic management.

Innovations in market offerings, such as space logistics command suites, for optimized management of resources and mission coordination.

Strategic market expansions through acquisitions, citing the recent acquisition of SatixFy Space Systems UK Ltd by MDA Ltd.

The research underscores North America's current stance as the dominant region in the SSA landscape, expecting continued acceleration in growth during the forecast period. However, comprehensive data on other regional markets, including Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Africa, is also part of this detailed analysis.

Technological Innovations Spark Enthusiasm in the Space Situational Awareness Sector

Key market players, as revealed in the report, are actively engaging in technological development to solidify their stature within the competitive SSA market. Innovations such as Fujitsu's new SSA technology and Northrop Grumman Corporation's command suite are just a glimpse of the progress within the industry.

With a reflective look at the competitive landscape, the report indexes a non-exhaustive list of major companies contributing to the market, including Lockheed Martin Corporation, L3Harris Technologies, and Honeywell International Inc. These entities are at the forefront of addressing the critical needs of SSA services and technologies.

The vast accumulation of market-related data encapsulates revenue streams from various service offerings and technologically advanced products, delivering a 'factory gate' value perspective for stakeholders to consider.

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc.

Polaris Alpha Advanced Systems Inc.

Applied Defense Solutions

Schafer Industries

L3harris Technologies

General Dynamics Corporation

Vision Engineering Solutions

Norstar Space Data

SpaceNav LLC

Elecnor Deimos Group

ExoAnalytic Solutions Inc.

Honeywell International Inc.

DRS Technologies.

BAE Systems

Northrop Grumman Corporation

RTX Corporation

Thales Group

ATOS SE

Elbit Systems Ltd.

Leonardo S.p.A.

Rheinmetall AG

Airbus SE

Boeing Co.

Pratt & Whitney

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

GE Aviation

Safran S.A.

Israel Aerospace Industries

Spirit AeroSystems Inc.

Triumph Group Inc.

United Technologies Corporation

International Business Machines Corporation

Microsoft Corporation

Amazon Web Services Inc.

Google LLC

Oracle Corporation

Cisco Systems Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/sj4p6k

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.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Central Iron Ore Limited (CIO  TSX.V) (CIO or the Company) is pleased to announce this Exploration Update.

South Darlot Joint Venture

Soil Sampling Programmes

Two geochemical soil sampling programs were undertaken to test for low level gold anomalism on tenements M37/421 and M37/632. A total of 209 samples were collected and dispatched to LabWest Laboratories in Perth for Ultrafine+ geochemical assay. Results for the sampling are yet to be evaluated.

Drilling

A multi target Reverse Circulation (RC) drill campaign was completed across six target areas not influenced by native title clearance on tenements M37/631 and M37/632. Forty-six holes for a total of 2,644 metres was completed over three weeks. Results for the drilling are still pending.

Mermaid

Ten reverse circulation resource delineation drillholes for 782 metres were completed. The purpose of these holes was to extend the current mineralised outline both at depth and laterally. This round of drilling further consolidated the Mermaid resource.

New Targets

Following data collation and interpretation during Quarter 3, twenty-seven shallow reverse circulation drillholes for 1,246 metres were completed across the historical mining areas of Sylvia, Kyneton, Weebo, Weebo North and Rose. Initial interpretation of the RC chips has been promising with quartz lodes extending below historical mining.

Soils Targets

Targeted drilling across the centres of two of the soil geochemical anomaly targets not influenced by Native Title Clearance was completed. Nine reverse circulation drillholes for 616 metres were drilled, initial interpretation of the RC chips has been promising with quartz lodes being intercepted.

Native Title Clearance

Native title clearance for a selection of the soil sampling targets is ongoing. Following the completion of likely required heritage surveys, the intent is to drill in the next 3 to 6 months.

British King

Preparation and planning for the whole project has commenced.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Mr Andrew Bewsher who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and has compiled the information within this report relating to the RC drilling programme. Mr Bewsher has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity currently being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in NI 43-101.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

CENTRAL IRON ORE LIMITED

David Deitz

____________________________

David Deitz, Director/CEO

For further information, please contact:

www.centralironorelimited.com

Investor and Media Inquiries:

Direct: +61 2 9397 7521

Email: info@centralironorelimited.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Although the Company believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Companys equity securities, the state of the market for iron ore or other minerals that may be produced generally, recent market volatility; variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's ability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies and other risks associated with the exploration and development of mineral properties. The reader is referred to the Company's disclosure documents for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through the Companys page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

ABN: 32 072 871 133
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NINE MILE METALS LTD. (CSE: NINE, OTCQB: VMSXF, FSE: KQ9) (the Company or Nine Mile), is pleased to announce that it has received all necessary drill permits on its Wedge Project southwest of the Brunswick #12 Mine and has mobilized the Drill Rig onsite for its High Priority Drill Program on Targets #1 & #2.



Drilling at California Lake Target #10 stopped on December 17th, 2023, above target depth due to inclement weather. The drill target is located in rolling hills west of Bathurst and the roads (20 km+) are not maintained by the NB Department of Highways making access for both crew and fuel trucks extremely hazardous.

The drill hole has been capped and will be re-entered when weather permits. Once shut down, the drill was relocated to the Wedge to avoid having equipment stuck deep in the bush over the winter months. Meanwhile, drill core is being cut and submitted to ALS Certified Labs in Vancouver for assay. Downhole geophysics (BHEM) is also being evaluated since this can be done in the winter months prior to resuming the drill program, through snowmobile access. We are obtaining quotes and recommendations for implementation.





Figure 1: WEDGE Drill Program High Priority Targets #1 & #2, Bathurst Mining Camp

Drill targeting will focus on target areas #1 and #2 as shown on the above figure. Located approximately 4 kilometers west of Hwy 430, the Wedge target areas #1 & #2 are the only accessible targets in the western portfolio due to heavy snowstorms and the New Brunswick Snowmobile Federation (NBSF), who take over road responsibilities for grooming until April. Arrangements have been made with the NBSF allowing us to clear a portion of the road to facilitate access to the Wedge for fuel deliveries. Drilling is expected to commence immediately targeting the Wedge Mine (Target #1) at depth and defined targets to both the southeast and to the northwest.

Drilling will target the historic Wedge Mine area (Target #1) including the mineralized horizon and geophysical trends along strike to the northwest (Target #2) that Cominco identifies but never drill tested. Additional drill holes are planned to the southeast of the mine in a new area identified by EarthEx and their Late Time conductive response analysis, portrayed by the red axis line on Figure 1, where no drilling has been reported.  stated Gary Lohman, B.Sc., PGO., Nine Mile Metals VP Exploration and Director.



Figure 2: Wedge Mine Deposit Cross-section  Drill Program to Test Depth & Step out Area

Patrick J Cruickshank, MBA , CEO & Director stated both the California Lake Target 10 area and the Wedge projects are very high priority and important for Nine Mile Metals. We are fortunate to have been able to relocate the Rig in these conditions and keep our overall program moving forward. We are extremely optimistic for our Wedge targets area and look forward to announcing positive results from this program until end of March. We look forward to returning to California Lake at the soonest time possible. The Rig and the crew are in Bathurst and preparing the site for this weekend start.

Discovered in 1956, the Wedge Mine is located at the northern terminus of a strong magnetic linear (Figure 1). Between 1962 and 1968, operated by Cominco & later purchase by Teck Resources, the mine produced 1.503MT grading (2.88% Cu, 0.65% Pb, 1.81% Zn, 20.6 g/t Ag). McCutcheon et al (2005) stated a historical measured resource of 545,200T* (1.75% Cu, 1.71% Pb & 5.21% Zn) to a depth of 274 meters.

The Company has also closed its $1.5m flow-through private placement announced in December (refer news releases December 13, 2023 and December 19, 2023). Total proceeds raised was $1,125,000 which will be used towards exploration programs on the Companys New Brunswick VMS properties.

The disclosure of technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) and reviewed and approved by Gary Lohman, B.Sc., P. Geo., Director who acts as the Companys Qualified Person, and is not independent of the Company.

About Nine Mile Metals Ltd.:

Nine Mile Metals Ltd. is a Canadian public mineral exploration company focused on Critical Minerals Exploration (CME) VMS (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag and Au) exploration in the world-famous Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick, Canada. The Companys primary business objective is to explore its four VMS Projects: Nine Mile Brook VMS; California Lake VMS; Canoe Landing Lake (EastWest) VMS and our Wedge VMS Projects. The Company is focused on Critical Minerals Exploration (CME), positioning for the boom in EV and green technologies requiring Copper, Silver, Lead and Zinc with a hedge with Gold.

McCutcheon, S., et al, , 2005 - Stratigraphic setting of base-metal deposits in the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick; Geological Association of Canada, Mineralogical Association of Canada, Petroleum Geologists, Canadian Society of Soil Sciences, Joint Meeting - Halifax, May 2005, Field Trip B4; Department of Earth Sciences Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3J, AGS Special Publication Number 30, 107p.

Social Media

ON BEHALF OF NINE MILE METALS LTD.

Patrick J. Cruickshank, MBA

CEO and Director

T: (506) 804-6117

E: patrick@ninemilemetals.com

Forward-Looking Information:

This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of Nine Mile. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of Nine Mile. 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 that (a) the California Lake drill hole has been capped and will be re-entered when weather permits, (b) Wedge drilling will focus on target areas #1 and #2, (c) drilling is expected to commence immediately on the Wedge Mine (Target #1), (d) additional drill holes are planned to the southeast of the Wedge mine, (e) the Company is extremely optimistic for our Wedge targets area and look forward to announcing positive results from this program until end of March, (f) we look forward to returning to California Lake at the soonest time possible, and (g) the Rig and the crew are in Bathurst and preparing the site for this weekend start. Although Nine Mile 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 Nine Mile can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct.

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.

Images accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4439d4b2-a0a2-4961-bd28-f4b838ca1614

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ac419a2-5bb9-4eeb-a64c-d09c2194cf5c
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Relevant Gold Corp (OTCQB: RGCCF | TSXV: RGC) focused on developing shear-hosted orogenic gold opportunities in Wyoming, USA, today announced that Rob Bergmann, Director and CEO, will present live at the Battery and Precious Metals Virtual Investor Conference, hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on January 31st, 2024.

DATE: January 31st

TIME: 12:00 p.m. ET

LINK: https://bit.ly/3O92vPo

Available for 1x1 meetings: January 30 - February 2

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com .

Recent Company Highlights

Relevant Gold is exploring for shear-hosted orogenic gold on a 40,000 acre land package with 5 district-scale projects in mining-friendly Wyoming, USA

in mining-friendly Wyoming, USA In 2023 RGC conducted a 1,560 m drilling exploration program at Lewiston (results pending); 2022 results from a 3,500 m drilling campaign at Golden Buffalo were highlighted by a top intercept of 83.8 g/t Au over 1 m

drilling exploration program at Lewiston (results pending); 2022 results from a 3,500 m drilling campaign at Golden Buffalo were highlighted by a top intercept of Multiple new district-scale gold targets were identified at Bradley Peak in 2023; sampling included 5.3 g/t Au , 107 g/t Ag , and 6.25% Cu in outcrop

, , and in outcrop 2023 sampling at the Shield-Carissa project included 18.9 g/t Au and 486 g/t Ag along 2.7 km of mineralized shear zones

and along of mineralized shear zones The number of high-grade gold targets doubled to more than 12 during the 2023 field season, and to date 50+ km of potentially mineralized shear zones have been mapped across the Companys 5 district-scale projects

About Relevant Gold Corp.

Relevant Gold Corp. is a North American gold exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, discovery, and development of district-scale gold projects in the state of Wyoming  one of the most mining-friendly jurisdictions in the United States and globally. Founded by experienced exploration geologists, Relevant Gold is managed by a highly respected team with a proven record of significant value creation for shareholders.

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:

Relevant Gold Corp

For further information about Relevant Gold Corp. or this news release, please visit our website at www.relevantgoldcorp.com or contact Rob Bergmann, President and CEO, or Kristopher Jensen, Manager of Investor Relations, at 763-760-4886 or by email at investorrelations@relevantgoldcorp.com.

Virtual Investor Conferences

John M. Viglotti

SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access

OTC Markets Group

(212) 220-2221

johnv@otcmarkets.com
ROCKVILLE, Md. and WEST CHESTER, Pa., Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DealerOn, a leading provider of websites and sales and marketing enablement technology tailored for automotive dealerships, has joined forces with Stream, a leading full-service, fully integrated, AdTech-enabled advertising agency. Today, the two companies are excited to unveil a comprehensive and strategic partnership that will redefine the landscape of support, advertising, search, website technology, and leverage Stream's expertise in full-service agency offerings. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in delivering a unified solution to meet the diverse needs of automotive dealerships.



The market is overwhelmed with countless vendors offering siloed marketing solutions with poor customer experience, a lack of integration, and misinformation surrounding digital advertising and AdTech. The noise became too loud to ignore and a problem we needed to solve urgently, said David Regn, co-founder, and CEO of Stream Companies. Car dealers are busy enough running their business; forcing them to work with fragmented technology and asking them to also assemble and coordinate conflicting and often combatting vendors with limited offerings, is both impractical and ineffective.

Through this Alliance, DealerOn and Stream Companies are laying the groundwork to deliver the unified solution that car dealers need. The key immediate deliverables from this Alliance are:

Stream has been named the preferred provider for agency services to DealerOns clients, and DealerOn has been named the preferred provider for website technology to Streams clients. Unified, integrated teams, with a client-centered mindset and simplified client engagement Provide DealerOn and Stream clients with access to advanced website and conversion technology, powered by patented technology. Jointly provide a true omni-channel solution from full-service agency offerings such as strategy, branding, creative design, video production, media planning, SEO, search, and data-driven consultation to access to the complete array of available traditional and digital media channels. Developing new and innovative marketing technologies in partnership with one another.



DealerOn and Stream Companies working in alignment to offer a full omni-channel marketing solution, spanning websites, direct marketing, digital marketing, and a full suite of agency services, is the marketing dream team, said Ali Amirrezvani, co-founder, and CEO of DealerOn. This partnership has been more than a year in the making and were hitting the ground running by introducing our first integrated offering, continued Amirrezvani.

The companies are integrating key business systems to provide a single, collective view of the dealer to the teams responsible for the service of the customer. This gives these customers the benefit of coordinated service, consulting, and strategic planning through a single point of contact who is trained on both companys products and is in turn supported by DealerOn and Stream specialist teams.

Delivering a coordinated, unified sales and service experience to our joint customers is enormously important, but frankly it wasnt enough, said Regn. We needed to show more proof in the pudding, and thats why were enormously proud that with this announcement were also delivering the first integration between our two technology teams as part of our DealerOn Signals launch, continued Amirrezvani.

The first product delivered through this partnership is an integration with Signals, DealerOn's newly launched website personalization technology. In concert with Streams 1st party data media activation solution, providing dealer management system (DMS) audience generation and marketing activation. Signals will automatically personalize the website experience for every shopper based on their on and off-site behaviors. This finally brings to life the promise of a vehicle shopping experience that truly adapted to the unique needs of each individual shopper.

Signals will be unveiled at the 2024 National Automobile Dealer Association Conference and Expo, February 1st  4th in Las Vegas, Nevada.

About DealerOn:

DealerOn is the premier provider of automotive marketing technology, supporting over 5000 dealerships across the United States, Mexico, and South America from its headquarters in Rockville, MD. The company is dedicated to delivering exceptional digital marketing performance to its clients. Discover more at www.dealeron.com.

Call (877) 543-4200 or email at press@dealeron.com

About Stream Companies:

Stream Companies is a full-service, fully integrated, tech-enabled advertising agency. With over 27 years of continued growth and experience in advertising and digital marketing, Stream Companies uses a data-driven and solutions-oriented approach to deliver retail traffic and results to businesses across the U.S.

Stream has earned numerous accolades of Inc. 5000, Best Companies to Work For, Healthiest Employer, and more and has partnered with over 2,000 businesses in numerous industries, including automotive, education, healthcare, and finance. Automotive clients include some of the biggest publicly and privately-owned companies in the United States.

To learn more about Streams offerings, visit http://www.streamcompanies.com

Marketing@StreamCompanies.com
BURLINGTON, Ontario, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portland Investment Counsel Inc. (Portland) announced today its intention to terminate Portland Global Alternative Fund (the Fund) on or about March 29, 2024 and that, effective January 26, 2024, it will not be accepting any further subscriptions for units of the Fund. The Funds current net asset level is not economical to maintain.



For further information on Portland or the Fund, please visit www.portlandic.com or contact Client Services at 1-888-710-4242, option #1, or email at clientservices@portlandic.com .
Roseville, Calif., Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PRIDE Industries, the leading employer of people with disabilities, honored Congressman Kevin Kiley as an AbilityOne Champion, in recognition of his commitment to supporting employment for Americans who are blind or have other disabilities. The presentation took place on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at PRIDE Industries corporate offices in Roseville, California.

"People with disabilities deserve an opportunity to work, to be productive, and to be full participants in our communities, said Congressman Kiley. I appreciate the work that PRIDE Industries and other non-profits do to help people with disabilities reach their full potential. I also appreciate the thousands of jobs that the AbilityOne Program creates for people with disabilities. I'm honored to receive this award."

The AbilityOne Program provides employment opportunities through federal contracts for more than 36,000 people who have disabilities. The AbilityOne Congressional Champions program was created in 2002 to recognize Members of Congress who actively support people who are blind or have other disabilities. Currently, eleven members of the California congressional delegation have been named AbilityOne Champions. Rep. Kiley will be the twelfth. Rep. Kiley is currently serving his first term in Congress. He represents Californias third district, which includes PRIDE Industries headquarters in Roseville. The nonprofit social enterprise has approximately 1,600 employees with disabilities working on AbilityOne contracts in California and several other states.

The award was presented by Jeff Dern, President and CEO of PRIDE Industries. "Congressman Kiley truly is a champion of PRIDE Industries mission to create employment for people with disabilities, said Dern. His support on both the local and the federal level is deserving of this prestigious honor.

Also in attendance at the award presentation was Rick Terrazas, Vice President of Government Affairs at SourceAmerica, the central nonprofit agency that plays a coordinating role in the AbilityOne Program, and whose mission is to increase the employment of people with disabilities by building strong partnerships between the federal government and a national network of nonprofit agencies.

About PRIDE Industries

PRIDE Industries delivers business excellence with a positive social impact. A social enterprise, we provide facilities operations and maintenance services, custodial services, contract manufacturing, supply chain management, packaging and fulfillment services, and placement services to private and public organizations nationwide. Founded in 1966, PRIDE Industries mission is to create employment for people with disabilities. Through personalized employment services, we help individuals realize their true potential and lead more independent lives. PRIDE Industries proves the value of its inclusive workforce model through operational success across multiple industries every day.

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NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against General Motors Company (GM or the Company) (NYSE: GM) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, and docketed under 23-cv-13132, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired GM securities between February 2, 2022 and October 26, 2023, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.



If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired GM securities during the Class Period, you have until February 6, 2024, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

GM is an automotive manufacturing company that designs, builds, and sells trucks, crossovers, cars, and automobile parts worldwide. The Company markets its vehicles primarily under the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Baojun, and Wuling brand names.

Cruise LLC (Cruise) is GMs majority-owned global segment responsible for the development and commercialization of autonomous vehicle (AV)i.e., driverlesstechnology. Cruise has secured various testing and driving permits for its AVs on the ostensible premise that those AVs were sufficiently safe for such purposes.

Since at least as early as November 2020, GMs products have been the subject of multiple recalls because of defective airbag components in the Companys vehicles, exposing the Company to various global lawsuits. Nevertheless, GM has consistently downplayed safety concerns related to its vehicles airbags and the need to record additional warranty accruals for related product recalls, while touting the Companys efforts to identify and address perceived defects with its vehicles airbag inflators.

Throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) GM downplayed concerns with its vehicles airbags and the need to record additional warranty accruals for related product recalls; (ii) GM overstated the extent and efficacy of its efforts to analyze defects in its vehicles airbag inflators; (iii) Cruises AVs and/or AV technology were less safe and well-developed than Defendants had led investors, regulators, and the general public to believe; (iv) accordingly, regulatory approval of Cruises AV products was unsustainable and the prospects for widespread regulatory approval and adoption of Cruises AV products were overstated; (v) 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 (vi) as a result, Defendants public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times.

On October 2, 2023, NBC Bay Area reported that a pedestrian suffered major injuries after she was run over by and pinned beneath a driverless Cruise AV. NBC Bay Area further reported that Cruise was cooperating with law enforcement regarding the incident.

On this news, GMs stock price fell $1.09 per share, or 3.36%, to close at $31.38 per share on October 3, 2023.

On October 5, 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration held a public hearing to recommend a recall of more than 50 million airbag inflators that have been linked to potentially deadly explosions. Citing people familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) subsequently reported that at least 20 million of GMs vehicles were built with the defective airbag inflators in question, at least one of which had led to a confirmed fatality.

On this news, GMs stock price fell $0.73 per share, or 2.35%, to close at $30.31 per share on October 5, 2023.

On October 24, 2023, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (California DMV) issued a statement announcing the immediate suspension of Cruises deployment and driverless testing permits. In suspending Cruises permits, the California DMV cited, among other issues, that Cruise ha[d] misrepresented . . . information related to [the] safety of the autonomous technology of its vehicles.

On this news, GMs stock price fell $0.66 per share, or 2.26%, to close at $28.56 per share on October 24, 2023.

Then, on October 26, 2023, Cruise announced via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that it would pause all of its AV operations across the country while we take time to examine our processes, systems, and tools and reflect on how we can better operate in a way that will earn public trust.

On this news, GMs stock price fell $1.33 per share, or 4.66%, to close at $27.22 per share on October 27, 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.
NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NetworkNewsWire (NNW), a comprehensive financial news and publishing company powered by the IBN (InvestorBrandNetwork) platform, is delighted to announce its continued role as the official newswire for the FinovateEurope 2024 Conference . Organized by Informa PLC, a leading London-based events production, digital services, and academic research agency, the renowned conference will take place on February 27-28, 2024 at the prestigious Intercontinental O2 Hotel , London, England.



FinovateEurope consistently delivers top-notch industry education to discerning audiences comprised of representatives from financial institutions and various sectors of the financial industry. The conference will provide insights and reveal opportunities in the transformative impact of cutting-edge financial technologies.

Featuring over 100 distinguished speakers through keynotes, general sessions, panel discussions, fireside chats, and more, the event anticipates the attendance of over 1,000 participants. Among them will be senior leadership from major financial institutions, disruptive innovators, fintech pioneers, seasoned journalists, and representatives from government agencies and associations.

Industry veterans and invited speakers will share invaluable insights, assess fintech and the evolving financial landscape, discuss business model innovation, and propose solutions to industry challenges.

Attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage directly with founders, C-suite executives, and senior management from 35+ carefully curated companies. These companies will showcase cutting-edge technological advancements, elaborate on visionary roadmaps, and share perspectives on emerging trends in the broader fintech ecosystem.

In its official newswire capacity for the event, NNW will employ traditional wire-grade dissemination, article syndication, and multi-brand social media distribution to generate heightened awareness and interest across target markets. Additional brand management strategies will include content curation to enhance visibility among investors, journalists, consumers, and the general public.

IBN, leveraging its array of solutions, will enhance recognition and extend the outreach of invited speakers, startup founders, exhibitors, and the overall event through an extensive range of digital channels, best-in-class social media capabilities, and communication strategies. IBNs coverage extends to 5,000+ syndication partners 60+ IBN brands, collectively reaching a network of 2+ million likes, followers, and subscribers.

Expressing satisfaction with the collaboration, Greg Palmer, VP of Finovate stated, IBN and NetworkNewsWire have been instrumental in elevating the recognition and success of earlier editions of FinovateEurope and our other events. We are very happy to continue our collaboration with their team. IBNs extensive outreach capabilities and social media expertise will drive fresh coverage across a wider audience of online investors and influencers in the financial landscape.

Randy Clark, Director of Global Operations at IBN, says, FinovateEurope is the premier fintech event in Europe focused on transforming the financial services sector. We are thrilled to once again be part of a major Finovate event. It is a pleasure to collaborate with the team of professionals at Finovate, and we look forward to helping drive new relationships between participating companies, speakers, and investors.

About IBN

IBN consists of financial brands introduced to the investment public over the course of 17+ years. With IBN, we have amassed a collective audience of millions of social media followers. These distinctive investor brands aim to fulfill the unique needs of a growing base of client-partners. IBN will continue to expand our branded network of highly influential properties, leveraging the knowledge and energy of specialized teams of experts to serve our increasingly diversified list of clients.

Through our Dynamic Brand Portfolio (DBP) , IBN provides: (1) access to a network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets ; (3) Press Release Enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) full-scale distribution to a growing social media audience; (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions ; and (6) total news coverage solutions.

For more information, please visit https://www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorBrandNetwork website applicable to all content provided by IBN, wherever published or re-published: http://IBN.fm/Disclaimer

Media Contact:

IBN (InvestorBrandNetwork)

Los Angeles, California

www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com

310.299.1717 Office
NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against 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, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.



The class action concerns whether Inspire Medical and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

You have until February 20, 2024 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Inspire Medical securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.

[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 2023its first reported revenue miss since becoming a public company in 2018. In the press release, the Companys Chief Executive Officer (CEO) advised that in tracking the results of the Companys pilot program (the Acceleration Program), which was designed to facilitate customers receiving prior authorizations from doctors for the Companys products and, in turn, increase demand for the Companys 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 quarteri.e., as early as July 1, 2023. Indeed, the Companys CEO explained that prior to the Companys 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 Medicals 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.
Andrew Gordon III, accused in a robbery in the fall, had been free on bail since his Oct. 14 arraignment in Buffalo City Court.

On Thursday, the 21-year-old Buffalo man returned to City Court  this time to be arraigned on charges connected to four additional crimes that authorities accuse Gordon of committing in the three months since his bail release.

Erie County District Attorney John D. Flynn said in a news release that his office will ask an Erie County Court judge on Friday to revoke Gordons bail on the original robbery charge and to have him held in jail without bail.

Prosecutors said Buffalo police arrested Gordon, who also goes by the alias Michael L. Vaughn, on Wednesday at a Donovan Drive home after receiving a report of shots fired. Also arrested were Cameron McCutcheon, 18, and Trent McBride, 20.

Police said the two men were trying to flee through an upstairs window when they arrived on scene. They subsequently found a loaded, illegal handgun and an unspecified quantity of suspected cocaine inside the home, according to the DAs

Office. All three men were charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

The other reported crimes for which Gordon was arraigned on Thursday were:

Second-degree assault, first-degree criminal trespass, third-degree criminal mischief and second-degree harassment in connection with a Nov. 8 incident in which Gordon is accused of kicking and using a hammer to try and bust down a door and climbing through a window to break into an apartment, where he is accused of choking a woman, hitting her in the head with a gun and then sticking the gun inside her mouth.

First-degree burglary, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and second-degree harassment in connection with a Dec. 11 incident in which authorities accused Gordon of breaking into the same womans apartment through a window, assaulting and choking her, and making threats with a weapon.

Third-degree criminal possession of stolen property in connection with a Jeep Cherokee Track Hawk that was reported stolen on Oct. 9 from the driveway of a residence in Orchard Park and found abandoned the next day in the 200 block of Voorhees Avenue in Buffalo.

Gordon is accused of committing all four crimes while he was released on bail in a pending robbery case, in which he is accused of punching a victim on West Ferry Street on Oct. 13 and stealing an unspecified amount of cash. Gordon was arrested the same day. He was arraigned Oct. 14, with bail set at $7,500 cash or bond, and he was released later the same day after posting bond, according to the DAs Office.

- Harold McNeil
Dublin, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Wi Fi Chipset Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Wi-Fi Chipset Market is experiencing substantial growth with forecasts predicting a robust CAGR of 3.8% from 2022 to 2028. Recent research highlights the critical role of Wi-Fi chipsets in establishing reliable, high-speed wireless connections for a multitude of devices, catering to the exponentially growing demand for seamless digital experiences.

With the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E, the market is preparing to serve an ever-increasing number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. These advancements are expected to deliver enhanced speed, capacity, and lower latency, posing Wi-Fi chipsets as essential components in emerging connected ecosystems, spanning from smart homes and healthcare to industrial automation.

One of the key drivers accelerating market growth is the rising wave of IoT adoption, fueling the need for inter-device connectivity. The adoption of connected devices is reshaping consumer interactions, with industries such as automotive, healthcare, and consumer electronics rapidly integrating IoT solutions to offer a new level of convenience and functionality. Similarly, the advancement in AI and data analytics is revolutionizing device capabilities, making them smarter and more responsive to consumer needs.

Security and Privacy Concerns

However, security and privacy concerns continue to remain at the forefront, urging chipset manufacturers and businesses to focus on developing robust cybersecurity measures and data privacy protocols to ensure consumer trust and market sustainability. Interoperability and standardization also pose challenges, emphasizing the need for the establishment of universal communication protocols for device compatibility.

Market Challenges and Trends:

Proliferation of Connected Devices: Smartphones and smart appliances lead the surge in connected devices, emphasizing the market's potential for further expansion.

Edge Computing and Real-Time Processing: Emerging technologies catering to instantaneous data processing and decision-making are set to influence the market dynamics significantly.

Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: AI and machine learning incorporation in Wi-Fi chipsets are enhancing device intelligence, anticipated to further drive market growth.

Voice and Natural Language Interfaces: The increasing prevalence of voice-controlled devices is introducing a shift in how consumers interact with technology.

Data Privacy and Security Enhancements: Amidst growing consumer vigilance, continual improvement in security protocols is pivotal for driving Wi-Fi chipset adoption.

Segmental Insights

The smartphone application continues to dominate the market, with Wi-Fi chipsets playing a critical role in catering to consumers' connectivity needs. FinFET technology leads the fabrication methods due to its superior performance and efficiency, while the Asia-Pacific region dominates the Global Wi-Fi Chipset Market, with its vast consumer base and technological advancements ensuring sustained growth.

As the Global Wi-Fi Chipset Market advances, strategic investments in research, development of secure and energy-efficient chipsets, and a focus on enhanced user experience are fundamental drivers for long-term market prosperity. With this trajectory, the market is set to uphold its importance as connectivity becomes increasingly ingrained in global business operations and daily life.

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 178 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $20 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $25.24 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 3.8% Regions Covered Global

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes:

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Broadcom Inc.

Intel Corporation

MediaTek Inc.

Texas Instruments Incorporated

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

Cypress Semiconductor Corporation

Realtek Semiconductor Corp.

STMicroelectronics N.V.

NXP Semiconductors N.V.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Microchip Technology Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/cs2m72

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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Dublin, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Nitrogenous Fertilizer Market Global Market Report 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The latest market research report on the global nitrogenous fertilizer industry provides a comprehensive analysis of market size, regional shares, competitive landscape, and growth opportunities. This in-depth study offers a future outlook for the industry, considering the current developments and potential factors that could influence market dynamics in the coming years.

Key Findings in the Nitrogenous Fertilizers Market Research

Strong market size increase from $73.41 billion in 2023 to an expected $79.16 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 7.8%.

Anticipated growth at a CAGR of 8.4%, reaching $109.37 billion by 2028.

Rising demand driven by global population growth and the need for enhanced crop productivity.

Adoption of nanotechnology in fertilizer production is a significant trend enhancing soil fertility and sustainability.

Strategic partnerships and acquisitions shaping the competitive landscape. Major players include Nutrien Ltd., Yara Fertilisers India Pvt Ltd., and many others.

Asia-Pacific region leads the market and is forecasted to continue its dominance due to significant agricultural activities and emerging economies.

Market Dynamics Driving Global Demand for Nitrogenous Fertilizers

The report emphasizes the crucial role of nitrogenous fertilizers in meeting the increasing demands of a burgeoning global population for food and agriculture production. Nanotechnology has emerged as a notable trend, leading to the development of innovative, efficient, and sustainable agri-solutions like nano urea. The document highlights strategic business partnerships and expansions such as those seen in the collaboration between Porto do Acu Ltd. and Toyo Setal and Yara's acquisition of Ecolan to enhance market presence and capabilities.

Regional Analysis and Competitive Activities

Asia-Pacific's dominance in the nitrogenous fertilizers market is closely analyzed, with a focus on its rapid growth due to extensive agricultural practices and increased investments in the agriculture sector. The report also reviews the presence and influence of leading market players across various geographies and their engagement in activities such as expansions, new product launches, and mergers and acquisitions to maintain and boost their market standing.

Impact on Agricultural Practices and Environmental Footprint

The uptake of nitrogenous fertilizers and their integration into precision agriculture practices is also scrutinized, including the environmental implications and the push toward more eco-friendly farming practices. The investigation underlines the importance of balanced fertilizer application and the benefits of using enhanced-efficiency products to minimize environmental impact while maximizing crop yield and quality.

The nitrogenous fertilizer market overview provided in this report offers stakeholders valuable insights into the constantly evolving industry trends, market dynamics, and strategies being utilized by market leaders to address the challenges and opportunities within the sector.

This analysis is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the forces shaping the future of the nitrogenous fertilizer market, including industry executives, farmers, policy makers, and environmental analysts. For detailed insights and further information, the full report is available now.

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Sorfert Algeria Spa

OCI NV

Nutrien Ltd.

Yara Fertilisers India Pvt Ltd.

Central Farmers Fertilizer Company

Compo Expert Gmbh

Coromandel International Ltd.

EuroChem Group AG

Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd.

Koch Industries Inc.

Saudi Basic Industries Corp

Wilbur-Ellis LLC

Terra Nitrogen Company L.P.

LSB Industries Inc.

Shandong Hualu Hengsheng Chemical Co Ltd.

Agrium Inc.

Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc.

AgroLiquid

Agrofert Holding AS

Bunge Ltd.

Fertiberia Sociedad Anonima

Haifa Chemicals Ltd.

Israel Chemicals Ltd.

Kali und Salz GmbH

The Mosaic Company

PhosAgro

Sinochem Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5xpjb1

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.
NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Xponential Fitness, Inc. (Xponential or the Company) (NYSE: XPOF). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.



The investigation concerns whether Xponential 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 June 26, 2023, Fuzzy Panda Research (FPR) published a report on Xponential entitled Abusive Franchisor That Is A House Of Cards. Citing interviews with franchisees and disclosure documents, the FPR report alleged that Xponentials Founder and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Geisler, has a long history of misleading investors and business partners and that Xponential is hiding the fact that many of [the Companys] brands and franchisees are struggling.

On this news, Xponentials stock price fell $9.38 per share, or 37.36%, to close at $15.73 per share on June 27, 2023.

Then, on December 11, 2023, Xponential disclosed that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission had contacted Xponential, requesting that the Company provide it with certain documents.

On this news, Xponentials stock price fell $1.61 per share, or 15.19%, to close at $8.99 per share on December 11, 2023.

On January 3, 2024, Piper Sandler downgraded Xponential from overweight to neutral, citing lowered confidence in managements ability to meet long-term growth and margin targets.

On this news, Xponentials stock price fell sharply during intraday trading on January 3, 2024.

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.
NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FE International, a global leader in mergers and acquisitions advisory services, is thrilled to announce the successful acquisition of DotYeti, the innovative graphic design platform.



Founded in 2020, DotYeti.com has swiftly become a creative powerhouse, offering efficient graphic design and animation services through its unique subscription-based model. The platform has transformed the way businesses access top-tier graphic design by providing a dedicated team of senior creative talent, and delivering custom designs with a streamlined 48-hour turnaround time.

Businesses are increasingly recognizing the importance of graphic design services as digital content takes center stage in marketing strategies. This trend bodes well for DotYeti, as its subscription services address various client use cases, allowing agencies to leverage the capabilities of a design team without the overhead of one. The versatility of such services has paved the way for the expectation that the worldwide market for specialized design services will grow at a CAGR of 8% to $179.5 billion by 2025 .

This strategic acquisition propels DotYeti into a new era of growth and opportunities within the evolving graphic design industry.

Roy Selbach, CEO and Co-Founder of DotYeti, expressed his excitement about the acquisition: "Big news to share  Unlimited Graphic Design Company: DotYeti.com has been successfully acquired, marking a new chapter for the company. The decision to part ways after a rewarding journey was a difficult one to make, however with the expertise of FE International, the whole process felt easier. Their team helped us with the entire acquisition process. We are happy with the exit and confident that DotYeti is in good hands. We look forward to seeing the brand thrive under the new owner."

Gregory Benjamins, Head of Growth & Co-Founder, added, It is with great pleasure that I express my gratitude for the service provided by FE International during the successful sale of DotYeti.com. FE International not only facilitated a seamless and professional sales process but also demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the industry. They connected us with a buyer who shared our vision for DotYeti.com, was a great cultural fit and ensured a smooth transition.

FE International served as the exclusive sell-side M&A advisor of the transaction.

Thomas Smale, CEO of FE International, commented on the acquisition, stating, "We are thrilled to have played a role in the successful acquisition of DotYeti.com. The acquirer's expertise in digital marketing and extensive agency experience aligned seamlessly with DotYeti's vision, making them an ideal fit. Coupled with the thriving growth of the industry, I am eager to witness the prosperous future that awaits DotYeti.

About DotYeti

In an era where visual communication is paramount, DotYeti.com, is a revolutionary platform that offers affordable and efficient graphic design, animation, and web development services to businesses of all sizes. DotYeti provides clients with access to a dedicated team of top-tier creative talent, all for a flat monthly fee. The platform's proprietary technology streamlines operations, enabling direct communication between clients and designers for a seamless design process.

About FE International

Founded in 2010, FE is known for its extensive network of pre-qualified international investors. Its team includes experts in exit planning, valuation, accounting, legal and more.

FE serves clients worldwide with headquarters in New York and regional offices in Miami, San Francisco, London, Mumbai, and Warsaw. It was named one of The Americas' Fastest Growing Companies in 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020 by The Financial Times and is also a five-time Inc. 5000 company. For more information, visit www.feinternational.com .

Media Contact

KCSA Strategic Communications

Kaitlin Cothran / Michael Ganci

FEI@kcsa.com
The IFE EdTech Summit 2024, held within the framework of the Tecnologico de Monterreys IFE Conference, stood out as an epicenter of educational innovation, bringing together pioneers, visionaries, and catalysts for change in education.



MONTERREY, Mexico, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In its second edition, the IFE EdTech Summit, organized as part of the IFE Conference, served as a meeting point for entrepreneurs, investors, and key players who are shaping the future of education.

The Summit offered exclusive content designed specifically for the EdTech community, promoting relevant discussions on the latest trends in the educational sector. Participants had the opportunity to explore key topics such as remote learning, personalized education, and the integration of artificial intelligence into teaching processes.

At the event, the TecPrize was awarded, recognizing excellence in educational innovation, and the Demo Day for the IFE Launch program also took place. This international acceleration program for early-stage EdTechs aims to address educational challenges in Higher Education and/or Lifelong Learning.

Sabrina Seltzer, Leader of Open Innovation and Educational Entrepreneurship at the Institute for the Future of Education, expressed her "deep gratitude to the entrepreneurs who made this valuable initiative, the EdTech Summit, possible. Their dedication and vision are the foundation upon which we build a solid and transformative educational future in Latin America. Together, we pave the way for innovation and sustainable growth in educational technology."

The IFE EdTech Summit 2024 was a space for educational innovation and a gathering for creative minds to shape the future of digital education.

IFE EdTech Summit graphic material at: https://tec.rs/IFEConference24

Visit Newsroom, Tecnologico de Monterrey's press room

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About Tecnologico de Monterrey

Tecnologico de Monterrey (http://www.tec.mx) is a private nonprofit multi-campus university system founded in 1943, and distinguished globally for its academic excellence, innovation in education, entrepreneurship, and global vision, along with its deep engagement with industry and employers. With a presence across 33 municipalities and 20 Mexican states, the institution has more than 62,000 enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, almost 7,000 faculty members, and more than 27,000 high school students served by 2,500 professors. The institution has been accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) since 1950. According to the QS World University Rankings (2024), Tecnologico de Monterrey ranks 184th globally and among the top 29 private universities worldwide. The Times Higher Education Latin America University Rankings (2023) ranks the institution 1st in Mexico and 4th in Latin America, and The Global University Employability Ranking places the institution 1st in Latin America and 78st globally. The Princeton Review & Entrepreneur magazine ranking of Top Schools for Entrepreneurship Ranking (2023), places the institution as 6th for undergraduate entrepreneurship programs. Tecnologico de Monterrey belongs to several prestigious global networks including, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), Universitas 21 (U21), and The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), among others.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chakana Copper (OTCQB:CHKKF; TSXV:PERU), based in Vancouver and focused on copper and precious metals exploration in Peru, today announced that David Kelley, President and CEO, will present live at the Battery and Precious Metals Virtual Investor Conference, hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on January 30th, 2024.



DATE: January 30th

TIME: 10:30 AM EST

LINK: https://bit.ly/3O92vPo

Available for 1x1 meetings: January 30 to February 1

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com .

Recent Company Highlights

Drill permit received June 28, 2023 to test multiple new targets on south half of project

Upsized financing of C$3.0 million closed January 15 with investments from Gold Fields and Rick Rule

Drilling will start in March testing the Mega-Gold porphyry, La Joya HSE, and additional high-grade breccia pipes





About CHAKANA COPPER

CHAKANA COPPER Corp is a Canadian-based minerals exploration company that is currently advancing the Soledad Project located in the Ancash region of Peru, a highly favorable mining jurisdiction with supportive communities. The Soledad Project is notable for the high-grade copper-gold-silver mineralization that is hosted in tourmaline breccia pipes and other intrusion-related styles of mineralization. An initial inferred resource estimate for seven breccia pipes was announced in January, 2022 (see news release dated February 23, 2022), with 6.73 Mt containing 191,000 ounces of gold, 11.7 million ounces of silver, and 130 million pounds of copper. In addition, extensive multidisciplinary exploration has defined 154 exploration targets, 28 of which have been tested to date (18%), confirming that Soledad is a large, well-endowed mineral system with strong exploration upside. Chakanas investors are uniquely positioned as the Soledad Project provides exposure to base and precious metals. For more information on the Soledad project, please visit the website at www.chakanacopper.com.

Qualified Person

David Kelley, an officer, and a director of Chakana, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:

CHAKANA COPPER

David Kelley

President and CEO

720-233-2166

dkelley@chakanacopper.com

Virtual Investor Conferences

John M. Viglotti

SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access

OTC Markets Group

(212) 220-2221

johnv@otcmarkets.com
Minneapolis, MN, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jostens is excited to announce Warren High School in Warren, Ark. as the first-place winner and recipient of their inaugural Jostens Epic School Revamp grand prize package, valued up to $150,000.

On Jan. 9, elementary to high school-aged students gathered for a pep rally in Warren High Schools new gymnasium, where principal Tiffany Gathen announced their schools entry to the contest. Moments later, Jostens leaders emerged with signs reading, Warren, you WON! The gymnasium erupted. At the mid-court line, the group of students who created Warrens application video beamed with pride and excitement. Community members from the mayor (a former Warren High School teacher) to the local news were also on their feet celebrating.

Warren High School has faced unprecedented challenges over the recent years, including distanced learning during the global pandemic and displacement after a devastating school fire. Principal Gathen expresses her excitement about the identity renewal and its impact on the school community. When I heard we won, I bawled. It was beautiful. It showed me someone else knew we were hurting; two years later, theres still a part of our school missing. I dont think Ive realized we won, but I want to say thank you! Since COVID and the fire, weve struggled with our identity. I dont think students understand what it means to be at Warren High School. Being a Lumberjack means you dont give up; you fight another day. With the Jostens Epic School Revamp, I hope we achieve complete ownership of our fighting Lumberjack traditions  I want to see that pride in everyone.

Michael Burgess, Jostens Chief Executive Officer, shares My heartfelt congratulations to Warren High School. Our team is thrilled to bring this deserving community together in a meaningful and memorable way that will impact generations of Lumberjacks to come.

Warren High School wins a thorough consultation with Jostens SchoolMark services to revitalize their overall identity, culture and climate. They will also attend the 2024 Jostens Renaissance Global Conference and enjoy a reveal rally next fall, providing an opportunity for the entire community to come together and celebrate.

Capturing their resilient spirit and embodying the tight-knit communitys heritage are essential for the revamp. SchoolMark will collaborate with Warren High School to develop a compelling identity that resonates with students and staff. Jostens is ready to redefine the symbolic and visual representation of what it means to be a Warren Lumberjack over the next several months.

Following the reveal rally, Jostens Renaissance will keep their refreshed mission alive by working with students to cultivate Lumberjack pride, peer connections and a positive school culture.

John Jenson, the Director of SchoolMark at Jostens, voices The energy surrounding Jostens first Epic School Revamp truly reflects our companys passion for supporting school communities. And now, with the announcement of the winning school, our excitement has been amplified. We hope the Warren community comes out to join us at the great reveal  it will be an epic celebration of the back-to-school season.

Two runners-up were also announced: North High School in Phoenix, Ariz. and Lebanon High School in Lebanon, Pa. Each school will receive invitations to the 2024 Jostens Renaissance Global Conference and access to exclusive Renaissance Education tools, resources and support.



ABOUT JOSTENS

Jostens is a trusted partner in the academic and achievement channel, providing products, programs and services that help its customers celebrate moments that matter. The company's products include yearbooks, publications, jewelry and consumer goods that serve the K-12 educational, college and professional sports segments. Founded in 1897 and based in Minneapolis, MN, for more information visit www.jostens.com.
Toronto, Ontario, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TVO Media Education Group (TVO) is celebrating a 2024 Academy Award nomination for Nisha Pahujas To Kill a Tiger. The feature documentary is available now for free across Canada on TVO Today Docs platforms.

To Kill a Tiger follows a farmer in Jharkhand, India, who engages in the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, a survivor of sexual assault. In a country where a rape is reported every 20 minutes and conviction rates are less than 30 percent, standing up for your daughter is almost unheard of. His quest forces a long-awaited and incredibly difficult social reckoning.

Congratulations to Nisha Pahuja and her entire production team. Everyone at TVO is thrilled to see this film gain well-deserved attention on a global stage, says John Ferri, VP of Programming and Content at TVO. This accolade is another to add to the long history of award-winning TVO-backed content.

The Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature Film comes after a North American wave of acclaim from audiences, critics, and film festival juries. Previous awards include honours at TIFF, Palm Springs International Film Festival, and the Canadian Screen Awards.

An urgent, engrossing story of courage in the face of social pressure, To Kill a Tiger shines as part of the many TVO Today Docs award winners and audience favourites, all available now on broadcast, TVO.org, YouTube and TVO Todays apps.

Sign up for the TVO Today Docs Newsletter follow us on Twitter/X and Instagram to get the latest programming announcements.



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ABOUT TVO MEDIA EDUCATION GROUP

TVO Media Education Group inspires learning that changes lives and enriches communities. Founded in 1970, we are a globally recognized digital learning organization that engages Ontarians of all ages with inclusive experiences and diverse perspectives. Through video, audio, games, courses, newsletters and articles, were investing in the transformative potential of education for everyone. Funded primarily by the Province of Ontario, TVO is a registered charity supported by thousands of sponsors and donors. Visit TVO.me for more information. Stream TVO on your favourite device.



Media: Genevieve Grant, ggrant@tvo.org

Social: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube

Attachment
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Saturday, January 27, 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, will join Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff in Las Vegas to highlight the Biden-Harris Administrations commitment to uplifting small businesses and supporting entrepreneurship.

In the afternoon, Administrator Guzman and Vice President Harris will join U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04) and Eric Morrissette, Interim Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), for a visit to a local nonprofit that teaches at-risk youth and those with prior involvement in the criminal justice system culinary and soft skills to help them secure employment. There, the leaders will discuss a forthcoming SBA rule that makes it easier for Americas returning citizens to start and run a small business. This event is open to credentialed members of the media who have already RSVPed with the Office of the Vice President.

Administrator Guzman will then join Second Gentleman Emhoff in visits to local Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander-owned small businesses to learn about the state of the AAPI-owned small business landscape under this Administration. The leaders will hear from the small business owners about their entrepreneurial journeys and highlight the Biden-Harris Administrations Small Business Boom, which has seen 16 million new business applications filed since President Biden took office  including 185,000 in Nevada alone. These events are open to credentialed members of the media who RSVP here.

Saturday, January 27

Visit to Local Criminal Justice Nonprofit

WHO: SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman

Vice President Kamala Harris

U.S. Representative Steven Horsford (NV-04)

Under Secretary of Commerce Eric Morrissette

WHEN: 1:15 p.m. PT

WHERE: Las Vegas, NV

Visits to Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander-Owned Small Businesses

WHO: SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman

Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff

WHEN: 2:45 p.m. PT (first business)

4:00 p.m. PT (second business)

WHERE: Las Vegas, NV

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. 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.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Friday, January 26, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Bidens cabinet for Americas 33 million small businesses, attended an official meeting of the President's Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics Initiative.

At the event, Administrator Guzman shared updates on the SBAs efforts and progress in empowering Hispanic entrepreneurs across the nation and discussed how the countrys small business boom under the Biden-Harris Administration is being led by the Hispanic community. Since President Biden took office, a record 16 million new business applications have been filed, and the share of Latino households owning a business has increased by 40%.

The SBA has worked to foster this growth through expanding access to capital in the Hispanic community  under the Biden-Harris Administration, the number of SBA-backed loans to Latino-owned small businesses has doubled, with total loan dollars reaching a record $3 billion in FY23. Hispanic-owned small businesses have also seen an increase in federal contracting dollars under this Administration, having been awarded $10.6 billion in federal contracts in FY22  a $330 million increase from the previous year.

This Commission was established to provide advice to the President through the U.S. Secretary of Education on matters about educational equity and economic opportunity for Hispanic communities. The Small Business Administration participates in this interagency working group as part of the initiative to uplift the agencys efforts to bolster Hispanic entrepreneurship, such as increased access to capital, networks, government contracting, and education.

For follow-up interview requests for Administrator Guzman, please contact Rebecca Galanti at Rebecca.Galanti@sba.gov.

###

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, 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 www.sba.gov.
A former Town of Tonawanda employee who was arrested last year following a domestic-related incident was sentenced Friday to five years of probation after he pleaded guilty to weapons charges in the case.

Kristopher D. Kinsella, 45, pleaded guilty in October to two felony counts of criminal possession of a weapon after town police seized a pair of semi-automatic rifles from his home. The rifles, considered illegal assault weapons, were equipped with detachable magazines and pistol grips, according to the Erie County District Attorneys Office.

Tonawanda police were called to Kinsellas home on Glenalby Drive about 4:25 a.m. May 4. Kinsella was accused of injuring the victim, who was not identified, by squeezing her neck with his hands, prosecutors said, and doing this in front of a child.

In addition to the rifles, police also removed three pistols and one shotgun from the home.

Kinsella initially was charged with the felony weapons counts as well as assault, criminal obstruction of breathing and endangering the welfare of a child, all misdemeanors.

The misdemeanor counts were dropped as part of Kinsellas guilty plea.

State Supreme Court Justice Deborah Haendiges on Friday also issued a final, eight-year order of protection on behalf of the victim in the case.

Tonawanda fires town employee charged in reported domestic incident Tonawanda Supervisor Joseph Emminger said the town acted to fire Kristopher Kinsella because of "the seriousness of the actions that he committed on the day he was arrested."

Mr. Kinsella did not plead guilty to any act of domestic violence and none of the conduct has any connection with his previous employment with the Town of Tonawanda, his attorneys, Sunil Bakshi and Peter Todoro, said in a statement after the sentencing.

Kinsella was suspended without pay from his job as a senior code enforcement officer in the towns Building Department before the Town Board in June approved his termination.

Tonawanda Supervisor Joseph Emminger said at the time the town fired Kinsella because of the seriousness of the actions that he committed on the day he was arrested.

Emminger on Friday declined comment on Kinsellas sentencing.

The union that represents Kinsella, the white-collar Salaried Workers Association, has filed a grievance challenging his termination that remains ongoing.
VANCOUVER, Jan. 25, 2024 -

TSX VENTURE COMPANIES

BULLETIN V2024-0267

Advance Lithium Corp. ("AALI.H")

[formerly Advance Lithium Corp. ("AALI")

BULLETIN TYPE: Transfer and New Addition to NEX, Symbol Change, Remain Suspended

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

In accordance with TSX Venture Policy 2.5, Advance Lithium Corp., (the "Company") has not maintained the requirements for a TSX Venture Tier 2 company. Therefore, effective at the opening on Monday, January 29, 2024, the Company's listing will transfer to NEX, the Company's Tier classification will change from Tier 2 to NEX, and the Filing and Service Office will change from Vancouver to NEX.

As of January 29, 2024 the Company is subject to restrictions on share issuances and certain types of payments as set out in the NEX policies.

The trading symbol for the Company will change from AALI to AALI.H. There is no change in the Company's name, no change in its CUSIP number and no consolidation of capital. The symbol extension differentiates NEX symbols from Tier 1 or Tier 2 symbols within the TSX Venture market.

Further to the Exchange bulletin issued October 6, 2023, trading in the shares of the Company will remain suspended.

Members are prohibited from trading in the securities of the Company during the period of the suspension or until further notice.

_______________________________________

BULLETIN V2024-0268

CIELO WASTE SOLUTIONS CORP. ("CMC") ("CMC.WT")

BULLETIN TYPE: Consolidation

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Pursuant to a special resolution passed by shareholders of Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. (the "Company") on October 26, 2023, the Company has consolidated its capital on a (15) old for (1) new basis. The name of the Company has not been changed.

Effective at the opening on Monday, January 29, 2024, the common shares of the Company will commence trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on a consolidated basis. The Company is classified as a 'Chemical Manufacturing' company.

Post - Consolidation



Capitalization: Unlimited shares with no par value of which

113,302,703 shares are issued and outstanding Escrow 11,277,447 shares are subject to escrow

Transfer Agent: Olympia Trust Company

Common Shares



Trading Symbol: CMC (UNCHANGED) CUSIP Number: 17178G302 (NEW)

Common share purchase warrants ("Warrants") set to expire on July 8, 2027

Trading Symbol: CMC.WT (UNCHANGED) CUSIP Number: 17178G112 (UNCHANGED)

Effective at the opening on January 29, 2024, the Warrants will be adjusted such that 15 Warrants will be exercisable for C$1.35 to receive a whole common share of the Company on a post-consolidated basis.

_______________________________________

BULLETIN V2024-0269

FITZROY MINERALS INC. ("FTZ")

[formerly Norseman Silver Inc. ("NOC")]

BULLETIN TYPE: Name Change

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Pursuant to a resolution passed by directors on January 10, 2024, the Company name has been changed as follows. There is no consolidation of capital.

Effective at the opening Monday, January 29, 2024, the common shares of Fitzroy Minerals Inc. will commence trading on TSX Venture Exchange, and the common shares of Norseman Silver Inc. will be delisted. The Company is classified as a 'Mining Exploration/Development' company.

Post - Consolidation



Capitalization: Unlimited shares with no par value of which

80,691,491 shares are issued and outstanding Escrow: N/A shares

Transfer Agent: Odyssey Trust Company Trading Symbol: FTZ (new) CUSIP Number: 33827E101 (new)

_______________________________________

BULLETIN V2024-0270

ZODIAC GOLD INC. ("ZAU")

BULLETIN TYPE: New Listing-Shares

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Effective at the opening on Monday, January 29, 2024, the common shares of Zodiac Gold Inc. (formerly, 1329306 B.C. Ltd.) (the "Company") will commence trading on TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). The Company is classified as a 'Mining' company.

Corporate Jurisdiction: British Columbia



Capitalization: unlimited common shares with no par value of which

76,786,813 common shares are issued and outstanding. Escrowed Securities: 17,429,427 common shares are subject to escrow.



Transfer Agent: Endeavor Trust Corporation Trading Symbol: ZAU CUSIP Number: 98980T104 Sponsoring Member: None



Finder's Warrants: 91,000 common share purchase warrants to purchase one

common share at $0.18 up to 12 months from issuance.

For further information, please refer to the Company's Filing Statement dated November 14, 2023, and news release dated January 25, 2024, which are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR.

Company Contact: David Kol Company Address: Suite 3606, 833 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC V6B0G4 Company Phone Number: 702-296-1156 Company Fax Number: Not Applicable Company Email Address: info@zodiac-gold.com

_______________________________________

24/01/25 - TSX Venture Exchange Bulletins

TSX VENTURE COMPANIES

BULLETIN V2024-0271

ALTINA CAPITAL CORP. ("ALTN.P")

BULLETIN TYPE: Halt

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Effective at 10:15 a.m. PST, January 25, 2024, trading in the shares of the Company was halted, pending news; this regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules.

_______________________________________

BULLETIN V2024-0272

Commander Resources Ltd. ("CMD")

BULLETIN TYPE: Halt

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 1 Company

Effective at 4:41 a.m. PST, January 25, 2024, trading in the shares of the Company was halted, pending news; this regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules.

_______________________________________

BULLETIN V2024-0273

Commander Resources Ltd. ("CMD")

BULLETIN TYPE: Resume Trading

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 1 Company

Effective at 6:30 a.m. PST, January 25, 2024, shares of the Company resumed trading, an announcement having been made.

_______________________________________

BULLETIN V2024-0274

CONTAGIOUS GAMING INC. ("CNS")

BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Debt

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 47,030,000 shares at a deemed price of $0.01 per share to settle outstanding debt for $470,300.

Number of Creditors: 4 Creditors

Non-Arm's Length Party / Pro Group Participation:









Creditors # of

Creditors Amount Owing Deemed Price per

Share Aggregate # of

Shares









Aggregate Non-Arm's

Length Party Involvement: 2 $272,000 $0.01 27,200,000 Aggregate Pro Group

Involvement: N/A N/A N/A N/A

For future details, please refer to the Company's news release dated January 24, 2024.

_______________________________________

BULLETIN V2024-0275

Imperial Mining Group Ltd. ("IPG")

BULLETIN TYPE: Non-Brokered Private Placement

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement"):

Number of Securities: 10,200,000 flow-through common shares



Purchase Price: $0.10 per common share



Number of Placees: 7 Placees



Insider / Pro Group Participation:



Placees # of Placees Aggregate # of

Shares Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement 3 350,000 Shares Aggregate Pro Group Involvement Nil Nil



Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate #

of Shares Aggregate #

of Warrants Finder's Fee: $51,000 Nil Share Nil Warrant

Compensation Warrants Terms: N/A

The Company has confirmed the closing of the Private Placement in a news release dated December 21, 2023. Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.

Imperial Mining Group Ltd. ( IPG )

TYPE DE BULLETIN: Placement prive sans l'entremise d'un courtier

DATE DU BULLETIN: Le 25 janvier 2024

Societe du groupe 2 de TSX Croissance

Bourse de Croissance TSX a accepte le depot de la documentation de la societe en vertu d'un placement prive sans l'entremise d'un courtier (le  placement prive ):

Nombre d'actions: 10 200 000 d'actions ordinaires accreditives



Prix : 0,10 $ par action ordinaire



Nombre de souscripteurs: 7 souscripteurs



Participation initie / Groupe Pro :



Souscripteurs # de souscripteurs # total d'actions Total des inities existants : 3 150 000 actions Total du groupe pro Aucun Aucune



Montant total en

especes # total d'actions # total de bons de

souscription Honoraires d'intermediation : 51 000 $ Aucune action Aucun bon

Modalites des bons de souscription de courtier : N/A

La societe a confirme la cloture du placement prive dans un communique de presse date du 21 decembre 2023. Notez que dans certaines circonstances, la Bourse peut ensuite prolonger la duree des bons de souscription, s'ils sont inferieurs a la duree maximale autorisee.

_______________________________________

BULLETIN V2024-0276

LITHIUM CHILE INC. ("LITH")

BULLETIN TYPE: Warrant Term Extension

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Further to TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") bulletin dated February 4, 2022, the Exchange has consented to the extension of the expiry date of the following warrants:

Private Placement:





# of Warrants: 5,774,279 (outstanding) Original Expiry Date of Warrants: January 31, 2024 New Expiry Date of Warrants: June 30, 2024 Exercise Price of Warrants: $0.85 (unchanged)

These warrants were issued pursuant to a private placement of 10,059,999 common shares with 10,059,999 common share purchase warrants attached (4,285,720 of which have been exercised), which was accepted for filing by the Exchange effective February 4, 2022.

For further details, refer to the Company's news release dated January 12, 2024.

_______________________________________

BULLETIN V2024-0277

OROCO RESOURCE CORP. ("OCO")

BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on January 2, 2024.

Number of Shares: 3,635,757 shares



Purchase Price: $0.40 per share



Warrants: 3,635,757 share purchase warrants to purchase 3,635,757 shares



Warrant Exercise Price: $0.65 for a 18-month period



Number of Placees: 27 placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation:







Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Shares





Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: 1 150,000 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: N/A N/A



Aggregate Cash

Amount Aggregate #

of Shares Aggregate #

of Warrants Finder's Fee: N/A 73,000 N/A

The Company issued a news release on January 16, 2024 confirming closing of the private placement. Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.

_______________________________________

BULLETIN V2024-0278

PULSE OIL CORP. ("PUL")

BULLETIN TYPE: Rights Offering-Shares

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 1 Company

Further to TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") bulletin dated December 12, 2023, and the expiry of the Company's Rights Offering on January 12, 2024, the Exchange has accepted for filing the Rights Offering pursuant to which 103,910,942 common shares at a price of $0.04 were issued.

Of the total issued common shares, 54,836,071 common shares were issued pursuant to the stand-by commitments for a total of $2,193,442.84. As consideration for the stand-by commitments, the Company issued 17,050,000 non-transferable bonus warrants at an exercise price of $0.05 per share for 5 years from the date of issuance.

For further information, please refer to the Company's news releases dated December 7, 2023 and January 23, 2024.

_______________________________________

BULLETIN V2024-0279

Q-GOLD RESOURCES LTD. ("QGR")

BULLETIN TYPE: Halt

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Effective at 6:40 a.m. PST, January 25, 2024, trading in the shares of the Company was halted, pending company contact; this regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules.

_______________________________________

BULLETIN V2024-0280

Q-GOLD RESOURCES LTD. ("QGR")

BULLETIN TYPE: Resume Trading

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Effective at 9:30 a.m. PST, January 25, 2024, shares of the Company resumed trading, an announcement having been made.

_______________________________________

BULLETIN V2024-0281

SHINY HEALTH & WELLNESS CORP. ("SNYB")

BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on October 04, 2023:

Number of Shares: 1,800,000 common shares



Purchase Price: $0.10 per share



Warrants: 1,800,000 share purchase warrants to purchase 1,800,000 shares



Warrant Exercise Price: $0.35 for a 24-month period



Number of Placees: 1 placee

Insider / Pro Group Participation:









Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Units





Aggregate Existing Insider

Involvement: N/A N/A Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: N/A N/A



Aggregate Cash

Amount Aggregate #

of Shares Aggregate #

of Warrants Finder's Fee: N/A N/A N/A

The Company issued a news release on October 04, 2023, January 01, 2024 and January 16, 2024, confirming closing of the private placement. Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.

_______________________________________

BULLETIN V2024-0282

Stamper Oil & Gas Corp. ("STMP")

BULLETIN TYPE: Halt

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Effective at 9:33 a.m. PST, January 25, 2024, trading in the shares of the Company was halted, pending news; this regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules.

_______________________________________

BULLETIN V2024-0283

TomaGold Corp. ("LOT")

BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered

BULLETIN DATE: January 25, 2024

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on December 6, 2022:

Number of Shares: 2,520,000 common shares and

15,420,455 flow-through shares



Purchase Price: $0.05 per common share and

$0.055 per flow-through share



Warrants: 1,260,000 common share purchase warrants to purchase 1,260,000 common

shares



Warrant Exercise Price: $0.075 per common share for a period of 24 months



Number of Placees: 9 placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation: Nil



Aggregate Cash

Amount ($) Aggregate #

of Shares Aggregate #

of Warrants Finder's Fee: $56,000 N/A 1,018,181 finder's

warrants

Finder's Warrants Terms: Each finder's warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at the price of $0.075 for a period of 24 months.

The Company issued a news release on December 6, 2022 confirming closing of the private placement.

Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.

CORPORATION TOMAGOLD ( LOT )

TYPE DE BULLETIN: Placement prive sans l'entremise d'un courtier

DATE DU BULLETIN: Le 25 janvier 2024

Societe du groupe 2 de TSX Croissance

Bourse de Croissance TSX a accepte le depot de la documentation de la societe en vertu d'un placement prive sans l'entremise d'un courtier annonce le 6 decembre 2022 :

Nombre d'actions: 2 520 000 actions ordinaires et

15 420 455 actions accreditives



Prix : 0,05 $ par action ordinaire et

0,055 $ par action accreditive



Bons de souscription : 1 260 000 bons de souscription permettant de souscrire a 1 260 000 actions

ordinaires



Prix d'exercice des bons : 0,075 $ par action ordinaires pour une periode de 24 mois



Nombre de souscripteurs: 9 souscripteurs

Participation d'inities / Groupe Pro: Aucun



Montant total en

especes ($) # total d'actions # total de bons de

souscription Honoraire

d'intermediation: 56 000 $ S/O 1 018 181 bons

d'intermediation

Les termes des bons d'intermediation : Chaque bon d'intermediation permet a son detenteur de souscrire a une action ordinaire a un prix de 0,075 $ par action pour une periode de 24 mois.

La societe a confirme la cloture du placement prive dans un communique de presse date du 6 decembre 2022.

Notez que dans certaines circonstances, la Bourse peut ensuite prolonger la duree des bons de souscription, s'ils sont inferieurs a la duree maximale autorisee.

_______________________________________

SOURCE TSX Venture Exchange
VANCOUVER, Jan. 26, 2024 - Nine Mile Metals Ltd. (CSE: NINE, OTCQB: VMSXF, FSE: KQ9) (the "Company" or "Nine Mile"), is pleased to announce that it has received all necessary drill permits on its Wedge Project southwest of the Brunswick #12 Mine and has mobilized the Drill Rig onsite for its High Priority Drill Program on Targets #1 & #2.



Drilling at California Lake Target #10 stopped on December 17th, 2023, above target depth due to inclement weather. The drill target is located in rolling hills west of Bathurst and the roads (20 km+) are not maintained by the NB Department of Highways making access for both crew and fuel trucks extremely hazardous.

The drill hole has been capped and will be re-entered when weather permits. Once shut down, the drill was relocated to the Wedge to avoid having equipment stuck deep in the bush over the winter months. Meanwhile, drill core is being cut and submitted to ALS Certified Labs in Vancouver for assay. Downhole geophysics (BHEM) is also being evaluated since this can be done in the winter months prior to resuming the drill program, through snowmobile access. We are obtaining quotes and recommendations for implementation.





Figure 1: WEDGE Drill Program High Priority Targets #1 & #2, Bathurst Mining Camp

Drill targeting will focus on target areas #1 and #2 as shown on the above figure. Located approximately 4 kilometers west of Hwy 430, the Wedge target areas #1 & #2 are the only accessible targets in the western portfolio due to heavy snowstorms and the New Brunswick Snowmobile Federation (NBSF), who take over road responsibilities for grooming until April. Arrangements have been made with the NBSF allowing us to clear a portion of the road to facilitate access to the Wedge for fuel deliveries. Drilling is expected to commence immediately targeting the Wedge Mine (Target #1) at depth and defined targets to both the southeast and to the northwest.

"Drilling will target the historic Wedge Mine area (Target #1) including the mineralized horizon and geophysical trends along strike to the northwest (Target #2) that Cominco identifies but never drill tested. Additional drill holes are planned to the southeast of the mine in a new area identified by EarthEx and their Late Time conductive response analysis, portrayed by the red axis line on Figure 1, where no drilling has been reported. " stated Gary Lohman, B.Sc., PGO., Nine Mile Metals VP Exploration and Director.



Figure 2: Wedge Mine Deposit Cross-section - Drill Program to Test Depth & Step out Area

Patrick J Cruickshank, MBA , CEO & Director stated "both the California Lake Target 10 area and the Wedge projects are very high priority and important for Nine Mile Metals. We are fortunate to have been able to relocate the Rig in these conditions and keep our overall program moving forward. We are extremely optimistic for our Wedge targets area and look forward to announcing positive results from this program until end of March. We look forward to returning to California Lake at the soonest time possible. The Rig and the crew are in Bathurst and preparing the site for this weekend start."

Discovered in 1956, the Wedge Mine is located at the northern terminus of a strong magnetic linear (Figure 1). Between 1962 and 1968, operated by Cominco & later purchase by Teck Resources, the mine produced 1.503MT grading (2.88% Cu, 0.65% Pb, 1.81% Zn, 20.6 g/t Ag). McCutcheon et al (2005) stated a historical measured resource of 545,200T* (1.75% Cu, 1.71% Pb & 5.21% Zn) to a depth of 274 meters.

The Company has also closed its $1.5m flow-through private placement announced in December (refer news releases December 13, 2023 and December 19, 2023). Total proceeds raised was $1,125,000 which will be used towards exploration programs on the Company's New Brunswick VMS properties.

The disclosure of technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and reviewed and approved by Gary Lohman, B.Sc., P. Geo., Director who acts as the Company's Qualified Person, and is not independent of the Company.

About Nine Mile Metals Ltd.:

Nine Mile Metals Ltd. is a Canadian public mineral exploration company focused on Critical Minerals Exploration (CME) VMS (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag and Au) exploration in the world-famous Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick, Canada. The Company's primary business objective is to explore its four VMS Projects: Nine Mile Brook VMS; California Lake VMS; Canoe Landing Lake (East-West) VMS and our Wedge VMS Projects. The Company is focused on Critical Minerals Exploration (CME), positioning for the boom in EV and green technologies requiring Copper, Silver, Lead and Zinc with a hedge with Gold.

McCutcheon, S., et al, , 2005 - Stratigraphic setting of base-metal deposits in the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick; Geological Association of Canada, Mineralogical Association of Canada, Petroleum Geologists, Canadian Society of Soil Sciences, Joint Meeting - Halifax, May 2005, Field Trip B4; Department of Earth Sciences Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3J, AGS Special Publication Number 30, 107p.

Social Media

X

@NineMileMetals LinkedIn Nine Mile Metals Facebook @ Nine Mile Metals Instagram Nine Mile Metals YouTube @ninemilemetals

ON BEHALF OF Nine Mile Metals Ltd.

"Patrick J. Cruickshank, MBA"

CEO and Director

T: (506) 804-6117

E: patrick@ninemilemetals.com

Forward-Looking Information:

This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of Nine Mile. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of Nine Mile. 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 that (a) the California Lake drill hole has been capped and will be re-entered when weather permits, (b) Wedge drilling will focus on target areas #1 and #2, (c) drilling is expected to commence immediately on the Wedge Mine (Target #1), (d) additional drill holes are planned to the southeast of the Wedge mine, (e) the Company is extremely optimistic for our Wedge targets area and look forward to announcing positive results from this program until end of March, (f) we look forward to returning to California Lake at the soonest time possible, and (g) the Rig and the crew are in Bathurst and preparing the site for this weekend start. Although Nine Mile 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 Nine Mile can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct.

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.

Images accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4439d4b2-a0a2-4961-bd28-f4b838ca1614

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ac419a2-5bb9-4eeb-a64c-d09c2194cf5c
Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release, publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.



VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 26, 2024 -- Latin Metals Inc. ("Latin Metals" or the "Company") - (TSXV: LMS) (OTCQB: LMSQF) announces a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $0.7 million.

The Company announces a non-brokered private placement (the "Financing") of up to 10,000,000 units (each, a "Unit") for a subscription price of $0.07 per Unit, to raise total gross proceeds of up to $0.7 million. Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of Latin Metals (each, a "Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Share at a price of $0.15 per Share for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Financing. Certain directors and officers of the Company are expected to subscribe for approximately 4,300,000 Units under the Financing (for gross proceeds of $301,000).

The proceeds of the Financing are intended to fund ongoing exploration, generative work, and for general working capital.

The Company may pay finder's fees on all or a portion of the Financing, consisting of a cash commission equal to up to 7% of the total gross proceeds raised and finder's warrants equal to up to 7% of the total number of Units issued, where each finder's warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Share at a price of $0.07 per Share for a period of 12 months from the closing of the Financing.

All securities issued in connection with the Financing will be subject to a hold period of four-months and one day in Canada. The Financing is subject to the receipt of all necessary approvals including acceptance for filing of the Financing by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and any applicable securities regulatory authorities. Any participation by directors or officers in the Financing is considered a related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The related party transaction will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the securities to be issued under the Financing nor the consideration to be paid by the directors and officers will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

This news release does not constitute an offer of sale of any of the foregoing securities in the United States. None of the foregoing securities have been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) or persons in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the foregoing securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of

Latin Metals Inc.

"Keith Henderson"

President & CEO

For further details on the Company readers are referred to the Company's web site (www.latin-metals.com) and its Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

For further information, please contact:

Keith Henderson

Suite 890

999 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC, V6C 2W2

Phone: 604-638-3456

E-mail: info@latin-metals.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the closing of the Financing, the participation of directors and officers in the Financing, the use of proceeds of the Financing, the ability of the Company to become a self sustaining prospect generator, planned exploration of the Company's projects by the Company and its partners, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking statements can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "will", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that it will obtain TSXV acceptance for the Financing and the required corporate approvals for same, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals and copper demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future development of the Company's projects in a timely manner, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the development, construction and continued operation of the Company's projects, and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development and mine development activities at the Company's projects, estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, requirements for additional capital, future prices of precious metals and copper, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, possible failures of plants, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays or the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including of the TSXV, financing or other planned activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's business, risks related to joint venture operations, and risks related to the integration of acquisitions, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's latest Management Discussion and Analysis and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein.
Hamburg, Lake Shore school districts deemed susceptible to fiscal stress

Two Erie County school districts are deemed susceptible to fiscal stress, according the office of State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

The districts, Hamburg and Lake Shore, were among 12 districts deemed to be in the lowest level of fiscal stress.

Three districts in the state are in significant fiscal stress and one was in moderate fiscal stress.

The number of districts designated in fiscal stress remains low after significant increases to both federal and state aid over the past few years, DiNapoli said in a press release.

School officials should remain diligent and closely monitor their financial condition in the current and future budget cycles as one-time federal funds are depleted and state aid is uncertain.

The comptrollers fiscal stress monitoring program was designed to identify issues that municipalities and school districts have with budget solvency or the ability to generate revenue to meet expenses.

The comptrollers office gives school districts a score based on year-end fund balance, operating deficits and surpluses, cash position and reliance on short-term debt for cashflow.

- Barbara OBrien
Faenza-based F1 team company name now Racing Bulls

'Racing Bulls' may indeed be how Formula 1 fans come to refer to Red Bull's Faenza based team.

Yuki Tsunoda, Australian GP 2023

 Red Bull

Fans and journalists this week slammed the declared official new name for the re-branded Alpha Tauri outfit - Visa Cash App RB.

Even Dr Helmut Marko admitted it was a tongue twister , with rumours suggesting team insiders were already describing the team by its new acronym - V-CARB.

We have heard that Formula 1 bosses in London also had a bit of a headache with the planning renaming, Tobias Gruner, of Auto Motor und Sport, said.

According to our information, the naming process in the last few weeks took a little longer than originally planned until all concerns were resolved.

Red Bull is currently coy as to whether the 'RB' in the name refers to the team owner - energy drink Red Bull - or 'Racing Bulls'. The racingbulls.com domain redirects to visacashapprb.

But it now emerges that the specific company that controls the Faenza based team, formerly Alpha Tauri, has indeed been renamed not to Visa Cash App RB but 'Racing Bulls S.p.A'.

This is now reflected in the updated 2024 F1 entry list published by the FIA, with the 'company name' - as opposed to the 'team name' - listed as Racing Bulls S.p.A.

As for the 'chassis name', that is officially now listed as 'RB'.
WASHINGTON  A bipartisan Senate deal to pair border enforcement measures and Ukraine aid faced potential collapse on Thursday as Senate Republicans grew increasingly wary of an election-year compromise that Donald Trump, the likely Republican presidential nominee, seems likely to oppose.

Senate negotiators have been striving for weeks to finish a carefully negotiated compromise on border and immigration policy that is meant to tamp down the number of migrants who come to the U.S. border with Mexico. But now that negotiations have dragged for weeks, election-year politics and demands from Trump are weighing it down.

At stake is a plan that both President Joe Biden and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell have worked for months to broker in hopes of cajoling Congress to approve wartime aid for Ukraine. The U.S. has run out of money to supply Ukraine, potentially leaving the country stranded without robust supplies of ammunition and missiles to fend off Russias invasion.

In a closed-door Republican meeting on Wednesday, McConnell acknowledged the reality of Trump's opposition, that he is the party's likely presidential nominee and opened the door to other options, including potentially separating Ukraine and the border, according to two people familiar who spoke anonymously to discuss the private meeting.

We're still working on it, McConnell told reporters on Thursday morning.

For weeks, McConnell has been stressing the need for Congress to approve tens of billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine, Israel and other allies, as well as enact border changes, in almost daily floor speeches, but on Thursday, he made no mention of Ukraine's fight.

McConnell's comments raised fresh doubts in the Senate about his commitment to the border deal, though advocates for moving forward countered that the leader's remarks were being misinterpreted.

Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford, the head GOP negotiator, said the group is still working on the package. He said that McConnell was advocating for the proposal while simply acknowledging the political reality that the presidential primary season is fully underway.

I think thats the shift that has occurred, that hes just acknowledging, Lankford said. Thats just a reality.

Lankford has been working with a small bipartisan group and White House officials to try and close out the border deal. But release of the legislation has been held up by haggling over the price of the new policies and continued disagreements over limiting the president's ability to allow people into the country under special circumstances, such as fleeing war and unrest.

White House spokeswoman Olivia Dalton told reporters aboard Air Force One on Thursday that the Biden administration has been working with the negotiators in good faith and feels that progress has been made. We hope that will continue, Dalton said.

Were at a critical moment, and weve got to drive hard to get this done," said South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the second-ranked Senate Republican. "If we cant get there, then well go to plan B."

But congressional leaders have not identified any other way to push wartime funding for Ukraine through the darkening political prospects of the cause. Scores of House Republicans are unwilling to send more money to the fight, even as longtime party stalwarts, like McConnell, have tried to convince them that preventing Putin's advance in Europe is directly in America's interest.

Trump has loomed large over the talks, first skewering American support for Ukraine and now potentially upending a political compromise on the border that would hand his likely opponent, Biden, new policies meant to contain the historic numbers of migrants making their way to the country. With Republicans continuously raise the issue on the campaign trail, the border will likely remain central to elections this year.

Although many in Congress are anxiously awaiting the bill text, Trump has already said on social media that there should be no bipartisan border deal unless we get EVERYTHING needed to shut down the INVASION of Millions & Millions of people.

The lead Democratic negotiator, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, said he still has hope that Republicans will decide to accept the compromise  even though Democrats didnt want to tie Ukraine aid and border security together in the first place.

A lot of Republicans have become used to this being just merely a political issue, not an actual policy problem, Murphy said. And thats hard for them to get over. But there is a big group of Senate Republicans who do want to solve the problem.

Seeking to hold off objections from Trump, Republican senators have argued that the policies under discussion would not have an immediate effect on problems at the border and would even give Trump greater border enforcement authority if he is reelected.

The issue will still be a live issue and Id think itd be one of the defining issues in the campaign, said Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican. So we need to do our job here.

But a vocal contingent of Republicans have raised objections this week, including with heated exchanges during a closed-door Republican lunch on Tuesday, according to several senators in the meeting. They have argued that presidents already have enough authority to implement hardline border measures and Trump should have his say.

If we expect him to be able to secure the border, he ought to be able to see this bill, and he ought to be able to be engaged and say, is this going to help me secure the border or not, said Sen. Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, at a Wednesday news conference. What we know is, he doesnt need it.

Sen. J.D. Vance, an Ohio Republican who is a Trump ally, said he spoke with the former president about the deal last week and he expressed worry that it would be too weak.

When it fails, as it will, it allows the president to blame quote, unquote MAGA Republicans for the failure of a border security package when in reality what failed was very weak border security package that didnt actually do anything," Vance said.

But some Republicans worried walking away from an opportunity to enact border policy could backfire.

If we were given an opportunity, and we decided for political purposes, not to do it, yeah, I think we could be in serious trouble, said Sen. Mike Rounds, a South Dakota Republican. A lot of our candidates could be in serious trouble back home."

Read more:

Americas reeling as flow of migrants reaches historic levels
Melbourne fans banned from entering F1 track post-GP

Spectators have been banned from being allowed on Melbourne's Formula 1 circuit after the chequered flag.

Australian GP 2023

 Alfa Romeo

In 2023, a worrying track invasion before the cars had even crossed the finish line at the end of the Australian GP occurred at Albert Park, sparking an FIA investigation.

The governing body chastised the race organisers and demanded that an official report be prepared to look into whether security measures were sufficient.

The event's operations manager Tom Mattram commented: We're certainly finding in the post-covid environment, we've got new and young fans that have come to the event and they're not quite understanding the unsafe nature and dangers they put themselves in when they undertake these types of things.

Therefore, at least while the FIA investigation is still underway, Melbourne has reacted by banning spectators from breaching the barriers even long after the chequered flag this year.
Potential African GP host emerges in Zanzibar

A solution to the notable absence of an African GP may be emerging in the shape of Zanzibar - an archipelago off the coast of the African mainland.

Start, Australian GP 2023

 Red Bull

It is believed that both Liberty Media and the FIA are united when it comes to acknowledging that the sport needs a race in Africa.

Last year, F1 came close to a deal to revive the old South African GP at Kyalami - but it fell through in the final stages.

FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem, however, told motorsport-magazin.com earlier this month: We have very good contacts in Africa and more attention should be focused on Africa.

And now, Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport said the new circuit project for Zanzibar is dreaming of a future in F1 and has the involvement of former F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichalla.

The first concrete step towards construction was taken in September 2022, when a government body on the African island gave its approval.

And in November of last year, the land for the track was put into the hands of project investors, who have engaged Fisichella as a technical consultant.

However, correspondent Marco Bruckner admits that finishing the circuit and gaining FIA approval is anything but a simple task .

The laying of the first stone is not scheduled until 2025, with the opening of the first part of the circuit only coming in 2027, he explained.
Questions arise over length of Leclerc's new contract

Authoritative Italian media sources are unsure as to the length of Charles Leclerc's newly-announced new Formula 1 contract with Ferrari.

Charles Leclerc, Qatar GP 2023

 Ferrari

The press release declared that the highly-rated 26-year-old is now staying on beyond the 2024 season , while Leclerc was quoted as saying he will keep driving in red for several more seasons to come .

Well-known Ferrari insider Leo Turrini, however, says the opaque nature of Leclerc's deal is unusual.

Never, at least in recent history, has a multi-year extension of a (Ferrari) contract been announced without an indication of expiry, he said on Quotidiano Motori. Never.

La Gazzetta dello Sport thinks Leclerc has signed through 2029 - so another five-year deal.

But the newspaper added that the deal probably has exit clauses linked to performance after the third year . And with each passing year, Leclerc's earnings will then rise from the current EUR 25m per year to around double if he gets to 2029.

Corriere dello Sport, on the other hand, thinks Leclerc's contract is actually for four years.

Turrini explained: "Logically, the duration of the agreement is subject to conditions. Certainly he will race in 2025 and 2026, because it would be crazy to prolong the deal and ignore the first season (2026) of the new rules.

"After that, it presumably won't depend either on him or even on (Frederic) Vasseur. But on results.
NEW YORK  Former President Donald Trump was on and off the witness stand at a jury trial Thursday in less than 3 minutes but not before breaking a judges rules on what he could say by claiming that a writers sexual assault allegations were a false accusation and he wanted to defend himself and the presidency.

Judge Lewis A. Kaplan swiftly instructed jurors to disregard those remarks from Trump, who didnt look at the jury when he approached the witness stand, when he testified or when he stepped down.

Once the jury had left, Trump let his displeasure be known as he was almost out the door by turning his head and shaking it as he looked back toward a packed room, saying: This is not America. This is not America. This is not America.

The limits on Trump's testimony were placed on him by the judge when he decided prior to the trial that a previous jury's finding that Trump had indeed sexually abused advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in spring 1996 in the dressing room of a luxury Manhattan department store and defamed her with remarks in 2022 must be accepted by the new jury.

That earlier jury awarded Carroll $5 million at a Manhattan trial Trump did not attend. The current judge instructed this jury to consider only what additional damages, if any, Trump must pay Carroll. Her lawyer had requested $10 million in compensatory damages and substantially more in punitive damages.

Closing arguments are set for Friday.

During his brief stint testifying Thursday as Carroll looked on with her lawyers, Trump answered questions from his lawyer, Alina Habba. She told the judge beforehand that her questions were intended to elicit that Trump stood by an October 2022 deposition in which he vehemently denied Carroll's claims and called her a whack job and sick.

She said she also wanted to show that Trump did not intend anyone to harm Carroll.

She said something I considered a false accusation," Trump said from the stand. A lawyer for Carroll objected and the judge told jurors to disregard the remark.

Later, Trump said: And I just wanted to defend myself, my family and frankly, the presidency." That, too, drew an objection and another instruction from the judge for the jury to disregard it.

Carroll claims Trump ruined her reputation after she accused him for the first time publicly in a memoir of sexually abusing her in spring 1996 in a Bergdorf Goodman store across the street from Trump Tower.

Trump, 77, has vehemently denied the accusations for the last five years and continues to assail Carroll, 80, on the campaign trail as he pursued the presidency as the Republican frontrunner.

U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan in Manhattan has instructed jurors that they must accept the findings of another New York jury that awarded Carroll $5 million after concluding that Trump sexually abused Carroll at the Bergdorf Goodman store and defamed her in October 2022 statements. Trump did not attend that trial.

The trial that began last week and already featured testimony by Carroll focuses only on statements Trump made in June 2019 while he was president. Those claims had been delayed for four years by appeals.

Soon after the announcement by Trump attorney Alina Habba out of the presence of the jury, Trump could be heard saying aloud: "I never met the woman. I don't know who the woman is. I wasn't at the trial."

That comment prompted Kaplan to respond: I'm sorry Mr. Trump. You're interrupting these proceedings. ... That is not permitted.

Habba told the Manhattan federal court judge that Trump was her last witness after a lunch break and that she only planned to ask him three questions to elicit that he was addressing questions in 2019 in response to Carroll's claims in a memoir that he raped her and that and that he did not intend his statements to harm Carroll.

I want to know everything he's going to say, Kaplan told Habba, who said Trump would also say that he stood by a deposition in October 2022.

Kaplan reminded lawyers of the limits he has placed on Trump's testimony, including that he not be permitted to testify in a way that conflicts with or argues against a $5 million jury verdict last year that found Trump sexually assaulted Carroll in a Manhattan luxury department store dressing room in spring 1996 and then defamed her in 2022.

Carroll is seeking over $10 million in defamation damages for his comments after she accused him of sexual assault.

Trump's lawyers began his defense Thursday with the expectation that he'd be called as a witness to fight the lawsuit.

Trump's testimony was announced after Carroll's lawyers finished the presentation of their case by showing jurors video clips of the Republican front-runner in this year's presidential race saying at a Jan. 17 campaign rally that Carroll's claims were a made-up, fabricated story and a 2022 deposition deriding her as a liar and a very sick person.

The trial that began last week is the penalty phase of a defamation lawsuit over statements Trump made while president in 2019, when he claimed Carroll was lying to sell books and interfere politically.

Kaplan has instructed jurors to accept the findings of another jury that last May concluded Trump has sexually abused Carroll in 1996 and defamed her with statements in October 2022 similar to those he made in 2019. That jury awarded Carroll $5 million.

Kaplan said last years verdict means the current jury only needs to decide how much more money, if any, Trump owes Carroll for his 2019 statements.

Kaplan had ruled weeks ago that if Trump testified, he would be barred from testifying about subjects that would conflict with last years verdict. He will not, for instance, be permitted to Carroll made up her sexual assault claims or that she was motivated by her book deal or for political reasons.

Trump, 77, attended the trial two of three days last week and let the jury know  through muttered comments and gestures like shaking his head  that he was disgusted with the case against him.

Read more:

Today in history: Jan. 25 1915: Alexander Graham Bell 1924: Winter Olympic Games 1959: American Airlines 1971: Charles Manson 1981: Hostages 1994: Michael Jackson 2004: Mars Rover 2012: Gabrielle Giffords 2017: John Hurt 2017: Mary Tyler Moore 2020: Impeachment 2021: Joe Biden
You hope, when someone dons the black robes of a judge, that the person knows his job. Were not sure Mark Grisanti does.

The state Supreme Court justice unexpectedly and summarily closed his courtroom to the public on Tuesday as jury selection was about to begin in a lawsuit alleging the wrongful death of an Erie County jail inmate. He later explained that he wanted to protect the privacy of prospective jurors in a civil case likely to attract public interest. Indeed, two reporters from The Buffalo News were excluded from the proceedings.

Its something that is for the benefit of counsel when they ask specific questions, Grisanti told lawyers on Wednesday, according to a transcript released by the court. They may ask questions regarding health conditions, mental conditions, who their family is, who their spouses are, who their children are, where they work, if they have ever been arrested, things along that avenue as far as questioning I think needs to have protections for the individuals jurors and to keep the process moving forward to obtaining a jury in this case.

Thats all true, just as it is in every jury trial. Oddly, though, Grisanti seems to think that public interest in a trial is cause to deny the public access to it. It isnt. He cant just decide to give New Yorkers the stiff arm.

No one should object that Grisanti, or any judge, considers the interests of jurors, who serve a critical and often difficult role. That is surely part of a judges job. But only under extraordinary circumstances can a judge keep the public out of a courtroom, including during jury selection.

Thats the U.S. Supreme Court saying that. In 1984, the court unanimously ruled that trial judges must ordinarily permit the public and the press to attend jury selection proceedings. Judges may close their courtrooms, the court said, only in the rare circumstances when closure is essential to preserve higher values and when those values cannot be protected by less drastic alternatives.

Consider another case. By Georgia law, the names of grand jurors in the criminal case against Donald Trump were made public. It wasnt pretty, with their names and addresses being posted online by Trump supporters. But that was the law and the court abided by it. Its an odd thing, then, to try to keep secret the names of jurors in a local civil case, even one involving a prominent public issue.

Grisanti made a serious error. Someone higher up the judicial food chain needs to slap his wrist.

That person may not be Eighth Judicial Administrative Judge Kevin M. Carter, who accused a reporter of threatening to write a story about the issue. Memo to Carter: It wasnt a threat. It was an obligation.

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.
County pursues joining SWOT

When it comes to creating a system of trails connecting communities all across Southwest Wyoming, Sweetwater County wants to be on the map.

The Sweetwater County Commissioners heard an update from Mark Tesoro, the president of Southwest Wyoming Off-road Trails (SWOT) during their January 16 meeting. Tesoro first presented the idea of SWOT to the Board of County Commissioners at the end of 2021, and progress on the project has been made since. Now both Tesoro and the commissioners are hoping to start taking the next steps to bring Sweetwater County into the project.

Tesoro's vision started...
Kalman Nagy Lehoczky passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at home and surrounded by his family. He was born in Budapest, Hungary, on June 18th, 1932. His parents were Kalman Nagy and Maria Nagy (maiden name Lehoczky).

As an only child, he enjoyed his parents' undivided attention. This was reflected in their efforts to expose him to the visual arts, music, sciences and languages in the home from an early age.

Kalman was 12 years old when he experienced first-hand the Soviet-German frontline rolling through Budapest during WWII. In the later years, he willingly shared many stories of the events transpiring in those days, and of the perseverance and creativity with which his family managed to survive the war.

In spite of the fact that he and his family were not members of the communist party, he was able to complete both high school and university in Budapest. He earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree, and then continued on to earn an advanced degree in engineering.

Kalman had an exceptional drive to learn. He taught himself German, French and English in secrecy, as it was prohibited to learn Western European languages during communism. He also read forbidden western literature extensively, and communicated with western companies to learn and compare engineering methods.

Communism during the Soviet occupation became increasingly oppressive. The Hungarian uprising against the communist government in 1956 provided him the opportunity to launch a daring escape through the Iron Curtain. He was initially part of a group of 13, but the others were captured and only he managed to cross the border into Austria. After a few weeks in a refugee camp for Hungarian escapees, he accepted an invitation to settle in Norway.

Shortly after settling in Norway, Kalman met his wife, Melinda, on a visit to England. She was also a Hungarian refugee and was studying at the University in London. They married, and their daughter and son were later born in Oslo, Norway.

When Kalman first arrived in Norway, he was told he had 6 months to teach himself Norwegian in order to keep the electro-mechanical engineering position he was offered. He did meet this requirement and then some, as he worked his way up to Chief Designer, leading the large machine department within the company. He later changed direction and

accepted a position teaching engineering at the College of Technology in Oslo.

In 1982, an offer from the Siemens Co. in the US was too hard to refuse, and Kalman moved his family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Two years later he moved with this company to Florida, and a short time after that he started his own engineering firm.

Kalman's work encompassed a large spectrum of engineering projects, particularly related to hydroelectric power generation. In the process, he became familiar with hydroelectric power stations all over the world. Throughout the 69 years he worked as an engineer, he created innovative engineering solutions which resulted in more than 50 patents. He also wrote an engineering textbook which is used as a reference at the university in Oslo to this day.

Kalman was a life-long learner and creator. In addition to engineering, he was fascinated by astronomy, history and genealogy. He did extensive historical research and traced his family back for hundreds of years. All this formed the basis for the historical novel he wrote a few years ago.

Kalman lived in Florida for nearly 40 years, until the death of his wife. He then spent his last 4 years in Rock Spring with his daughter and son-in-law. During these years, he continued to work as a consultant, and he finished his memoirs shortly before he passed.

Kalman was a renaissance man and a true gentleman. He had unlimited patience and kindness. He will be greatly missed.

Kalman is survived by his daughter, Dorothy Lehoczky Harton, and son-in-law Steve of Rock Springs; grandchildren Gergely Harton and wife Blair of Ankara, Turkey, Audrey Vasa and husband Kolby of Rock Springs, Simon Harton and wife Carolyn Nuyen of Denver, Marcy Harton and husband Alec Lever of Jackson, and Boglarka Lehoczky of Budapest, Hungary; great-granddaughters Ivy Katarina Harton, Arabella Iris Harton, and Charlotte Nellie Vasa. He was preceded in death by his wife, Melinda Antonia Lehoczky, and his son, Andreas Nagy Lehoczky.

Cremation has taken place; Private Family Services will be conducted at a later date.

Condolences may be left at http://www.vasefuneralhomes.com.
Kreston Michael Sanchez, 45, left us far too soon on January 16th, 2024.

He was born on August 2, 1978 in Rock Springs, Wyoming; the youngest son of Nick Sanchez and Pam Overy.

Kreston graduated from Green River High School with the class of 1997 before attending the University of Wyoming.

His infectious smile never failed to light up a room. A true free spirit, Kreston found his solace in the outdoors, whether he was camping or hunting. His love for playing the guitar and the Denver Broncos was only surpassed by his love for spending time with family and friends.

Kreston was a cherished member of the Sanchez family. He is survived by his; daughters Allison and Kynlie Sanchez of Evanston, WY; life partner and best friend Carissa Ramirez of Green River, WY; brothers Troy Sanchez, and Bart Sanchez and wife Weslee of Green River, WY; niece Sydnee Sanchez of Jackson Hole, WY; as well as several beloved aunts, uncles, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Nick and Pam Sanchez.

Cremation will take place and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Condolences for the family can be left at http://www.foxfh.com.
I tend to struggle with imposter syndrome.

"Imposter syndrome" generally involves feelings of self-doubt and incompetence, feeling like a fraud, feeling like you don't deserve to be somewhere or do something, etc. Usually these feelings are unfounded, or they may even be in contrast to external, objective success.

WebMD points out that Imposter Syndrome isn't an actual mental health condition, but the term is used to describe a pattern of thinking and a common feeling and experience that many go through.

For lots of people (myself included), imposter syndrome is often linked to your profession. Most of the time I enjoy my work as editor and I'm just focused on writing my articles and getting the paper out every week. But sometimes I start to feel like I don't fit, especially when I start comparing myself with others.

This becomes more obvious for me during the Wyoming Press Association's annual convention, which I attended in Casper this past weekend. This was my second time at press convention. The first time was two years ago, as a reporter, and I felt out of place then. Going as an editor this time, I was worried it would be even worse. I didn't study journalism in college, I don't have as much experience as many who started out at school newspapers and internships, and I sometimes still don't know all the lingo. And at press convention, I'm in a room full of journalists and editors and publishers, many of whom have been in the industry longer than I've been alive. So yeah, I start to feel a little like I don't belong there, a little like - well, an imposter.

I want to be clear, this feeling has never come from other people. No one at press convention has ever snubbed me or looked down on me or not treated me with respect and kindness. In fact, they've quite literally given me a seat at the table. This year when I was late to the editor's roundtable session because my previous session had gone long, I was about to sneak in and sit down in the back corner of the room to listen, but Robb Hicks of The Buffalo Bulletin, who was moderating, instantly motioned me to come join, and others moved over so I could pull up a chair.

Still, I went into press convention already expecting to feel like I wasn't good enough to be there.

This idea got externally challenged the very first night when I walked along the display of first-place winners for the annual Pacemaker Awards contest and saw the Green River Star logo, and my name beside it, come up multiple times. The most Pacemakers I've won in a year before is two, and I've only ever gotten one first place. This year I got five Pacemakers, four of which were first place.

I'm not trying to brag about myself or my achievements. I honestly feel uncomfortable about it. While my love for writing, and my ability to write, is one of the few things I am confident in, I still don't want to come across as boastful or even falsely modest, and I still don't know how to handle praise when others give it to me.

But this year, earning those Pacemakers felt important because it felt validating. It showed me that I did have a place at that convention, and it reminded me that even if I don't have a background in being a journalist or an editor, it doesn't mean I'm not out here doing it anyways. And of course there's always more to learn and room to grow, and that's good, but it doesn't mean I have to be at some high level of perfection to deserve to be present at all.

And the bigger thing is, it's not just about me. Just because my name is on those articles, there's no way I could have done them alone.

I'm only able to write great articles because I have great stories to tell, and they're not my own. They're the stories of our community, of our local government leaders, of our local entrepreneurs and artists, of our friends and neighbors.

And I could never get those stories told without the help and support of my team at the Star, especially Jackie, who works so hard to wear all the hats and keep everything going for us.

And the fact that I work together with all these wonderful people every day to share information and preserve our history and tell their stories - that gives me a place of belonging and purpose, a place where my strengths can join with the strengths of others to create something bigger, a place where I'm not an imposter.
Sitting by a window at the Villa Assisted Living Facility at Castle Rock, slits of sunlight illuminating his face, Bob Renick held a shiny quarter in his wrinkled hands.

"I'll be darned," he said. "Oh, there she is, dancing."

Bob's face twisted with emotion as he looked at the image of Maria Tallchief on the back of the American Women Quarter released in October.

Bob may not have had a close relationship with Maria since she was three years ahead of him, but he remembers being in school together.

"Oh yes, everybody goes to the same school," Bob said. "They only had one."

The connection with Maria Tallchief, the first Native American ballet dancer, is just one of Bob's connections to history through his nearly 96 years of life.

Schoolmates with Maria Tallchief

Bob was born in Osage County, Oklahoma on February 26, 1928.

"It was the Osage Indian Reservation," Bob explained. "Well, they struck oil."

The Osage Nation drilled 8,500 oil wells, and the members of the tribe were given an oil royalty, according to Bob.

"The Osage Indian then was the richest Indian in the world," he said. "Each one of them was a millionaire. And one of those millionaires had a little girl named Maria. Maria Tallchief. And she wanted to become a dancer."

Born three years after Maria, Bob remembers being in school with her and knowing of her growing up. He also remembers her leaving with her family to move to California. Eventually, Maria moved to New York City where she met and eventually later married Choreographer George Balanchine, whom she co-founded the New York City Ballet with. Later in life, Maria moved to Chicago and started the Chicago City Ballet. In addition to being honored on the new American Women Quarter, she was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts, named Woman of the Year by the National Women's Press Club and inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Bob got choked up when he recalled his last visit to Ponca City, Oklahoma, where he saw a sign for the "Maria Tallchief Memorial Highway."

"They wanted her to change her name, to not have an Indian name," Bob explained of Maria. "She said 'No way. My name is Tallchief, that's what it's going to be forever.'"

"Killers of the Flower Moon"

While the Osage Nation's prosperity contributed to success stories like Maria Tallchief's, it also became a target, bringing tragedy to the tribe that left an impact felt through Bob's lifetime.

When Bob was born, the trial of W.K. Hale was going on.

William King Hale lived outside of Fairfax, Oklahoma in Osage County, close to where Bob grew up.

"He figured out a scheme," Bob explained. "He could kill those Indians and reap the money. Lots of money."

Bob explained that the members of the Osage Nation had a "headright" from the oil that was discovered, and that the headrights could grow in value when they were passed on to someone else. During the 1920s, W.K. Hale found a way to find out who had the most headrights and kill them to get the money. The establishment of the new Federal Bureau of Investigation was instrumental in the Osage murders being stopped.

These events from Bob's home and childhood were recently portrayed in the film "Killers of the Flower Moon," which was released in October. The film, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio, has received numerous awards and just earned 10 Oscar nominations this week, including actress Lily Gladstone making history as the first Native actress of American descent to be Oscar nominated. She was also the first indigenous woman to win the Golden Globe for Best Actress for her role in the film.

Bob's son took him to see the film when it came out, and Bob describes it as a "very good movie."

"That all happened in that little town," Bob said of the events portrayed in the film. "Isn't that strange? A little town. It's not as big as Green River, Wyoming."

Wyoming, Alaska, and atomic bombs

Bob grew up in that little town and, like his father, worked in the oil field that had made the Osage Indians rich. But when he was 20, it was time for a change.

"They told me you make more money in Wyoming," Bob explained. "So I filled my little Ford car up with gasoline and headed north."

Bob ended up in Bairoil for a while, then in Casper, where he raised his family. But he also spent much of his time away from home. For 19 years, Bob flew back and forth between Wyoming and Alaska for work. Usually they flew on Alaska Airline jets, but Bob remembered one eventful trip on a mail plane where oil was streaming down the wing of the old prop plane. Bob and his coworkers were told not to worry unless the oil stopped.

In 1958, Bob helped move an oil rig from Utah to Alaska. Eventually, he found himself working 3,000 miles out in the Pacific Ocean on the island of Amchitka, Alaska.

The job at Amchitka came because the United States government needed someone to move and operate a drilling rig.

"They'd drill a hole 6,000 foot deep and then they would fill that hole with concrete and gravel, and then they would ignite that bomb," Bob said.

After World War II ended with the dropping of the atomic bomb on Japan, the government wanted to continue testing nuclear weapons, Bob explained. Testing in the ocean didn't work, and their test site north of Las Vegas in Mercury, Nevada, came with its own complications. So the government went to Amchitka. Three tests for underground detonation of nuclear weapons were carried out at Amchitka from 1965 to 1971.

"It was a very good job," Bob said.

Bob would often work for six weeks and come home to Casper for two weeks. He credits his wife for not only working herself but making decisions for the family and being in charge of purchasing cars and homes.

Bob lived in Casper until his wife died, at which point his daughters helped move him into the Villa at Castle Rock in Green River.

Sharing legacies

When Bob tells his stories, Gail Robinson pays attention. Another Castle Rock resident, Gail has enjoyed listening to Bob recall his history and his connections. She has often shared the stories with her daughter, Judi Laughter. Intrigued and inspired, Judi took it upon herself to do even more research into topics like Maria Tallchief and the Osage Nation. She recently shared her research on Maria Tallchief with the Daughters of the American Revolution in a special presentation hosted at Castle Rock.

She also presented a printed out copy of her research and several quarters with Maria Tallchief on them to Bob to keep.

"You've led an interesting life," Gail told Bob.

"Thank you," Bob replied. "It's been a lot of fun."
Legislation to eliminate the position of Sinajana vice mayor was passed by lawmakers on Friday.

If Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero signs off on the measure, there will be no March 9 special election to fill the seat of former vice mayor Rudy Iriarte, who died earlier this month after a long battle with diabetes.

Debate over the measure, Bill 230-37 was heated, with some lawmakers concerned about doing away with the vice mayoral position as some residents of the village were already gearing up to run in the special election.

Sens. Tom Fisher, Will Parkinson, Roy Quinata, Joe San Agustin, Dwayne San Nicolas, Amanda Shelton, Telo Taitague and Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes voted for the measure.

Sens. Frank Blas Jr., Joanne Brown, Chris Duenas, Jesse Lujan, Sabina Perez, and Speaker Therese Terlaje voted against the measure.

Sen. Chris Barnett passed on the vote three times and was counted as a vote against the bill.

A number of villages have no vice mayor position but have larger populations than Sinajana, Bill 230 sponsor Sen. Will Parkinson told his colleagues during session.

Sinajana was ranked 13th in population size out of 19 villages, Parkinson said, and getting rid of the position would save the Guam Election Commission from having to spend $25,000 hosting a special election. The move was in line with Iriartes dying wishes, he added.

Sinajana had 2,611 residents counted in the 2020 Census of Guam, Chalan Pago-Ordot, with no vice mayor, had 7,064 residents. Mongmong-Toto-Maite, Yona, and Santa Rita-Sumai likewise had populations twice the size of Sinajana at census time.

But Sen. Jesse Lujan interjected that at least two people had contacted him to state theyre eyeing a run at the vice mayoral seat. One of them, Republican Joe Rivera, told Lujan he had already set to spending on his campaign.

If were going to eliminate it, maybe lets wait until the next election, Lujan said.

Parkinson, a Democrat, remarked later on during the hearing that he was not aware someone was running for the position until Lujan mentioned it.

A suggestion from Parkinson that the funds for Irirates salary be kept in the budget of the office of the Sinajana mayor to fund programs in the village drew criticism from Sen. Joanne Brown.

Brown said there were a number of villages, like Dededo, which had over 44,000 residents, which might better make use of the money, and keeping the cash in the Sinajanas mayors office was a can of worms given the inequity between village budgets.

Legislative budget chairman Sen. Joe San Agustin noted, If this position is eliminated, you can bet were not going to give the village of Sinajana what we give for the vice mayor position.

Brown, along with Sens. Chris Barnett and Chris Duenas stated that they felt it would be better to address all of the villages as a whole when deciding which vice mayoral seats should be eliminated.

Barnett attempted to amend the bill so that the position would only be eliminated after the special election.

I just want to be careful in denying people in their ability to run for elected office, he said.

If someone tried to cut the Legislature down to 14 members in the next election, its almost the same thing.

Parkinson said the amendment would miss the whole point of his bill, which was to save the GEC money.

The amendment failed.

Bill 230 will be headed to the governors desk for review.
The decision over where to have a new hospital built remains at a stalemate in the Legislature.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerreros proposal to negotiate for land for the hospital in the Mangilao-Barrigada area and Sen. Chris Barnetts proposal to mandate the hospital be built in Tamuning both failed to pass at a vote held Friday afternoon.

Sens. Tom Fisher, Will Parkinson, Roy Quinata, Joe San Agustin, Dwayne San Nicolas, Amanda Shelton, and Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes voted for the governors bill.

Sens. Chris Barnett, Joanne Brown, Chris Duenas, Jesse Lujan, Sabina Perez, Telo Taitague, and Speaker Therese Terlaje voted for Barnetts bill.

Republican Minority Leader Sen. Frank Blas Jr., who has questioned the need for a new hospital when the Guam Memorial Hospital is now in a bad state, voted no on both proposals.

Motions to come back on Monday morning and reconsider the vote on both bills, made by Speaker Terlaje and Sen. Perez at two different points during the session, both failed.

Barnett at one point apologized to the people of Guam for the indecision. He said the matter was potentially the biggest vote that the lawmakers had to make this legislative term.

The senator said there was a lack of decorum and civility in the administration and in politics.

We can say we want to solve the issue of the hospital, but if the wrong person says they want to solve it, oh, we would rather drive the whole effort into the ditch  when the politics is like that there are no winners, he said.

Shortly after session ended Friday evening, Adelup issued a statement saying that the governor remained committed to a new medical complex.

Every time a radical faction of the Legislatures leadership fights progress, what they are really fighting is the people of Guam, Leon Guerrero said in a statement.

Saying no is easy. It might get headlines or make you look stronger than you are, but it isnt a plan, and it will never rebuild our hospital, she said. Today, the Legislature proved that while it can debate the alleged failure of others, it consistently fails to deliver solutions of its own.

Reconsider

Speaker Terlaje asked senators to continue debating both measures and come to a decision.

I want us to do our job, she said.

Besides the now failed Eagles Field site, Ypao Point in Tamuning and the governors preferred site in Mangilao-Barrigada area were the only two locations for a new hospital identified by the $1.48 million hospital study the administration selected.

She said she preferred the Ypao Point site, which ranked higher in the study and which had cheaper infrastructure costs, but if people in here know better than that, lets hear it.

Sen. Perez made a similar request.

I think our job is not done until we have made this decision on the location of the hospital, she said.

Stick to it

Some senators who could have swayed the vote told the PDN they did not plan to change their minds.

Minority leader Blas, who voted no on both measures, said his opinion would not change until there was some action taken to fix up the current GMH, our people deserve better health care now.

GMH was faced with a shortage of medication and supplies, a lack of air conditioning units, mold, poor finances, and vendors that didnt want to do business with them. Meanwhile, there was over $200 million in federal American Rescue Plan money held by the governor.

How to fix the hospital, thats the decision that needs to be made. Where to put it? Thats easy. Thats easy. How its going to work. Thats the hard question, Blas said.

Sen. Parkinson, who earlier this week said he would be voting for both bills on the agenda, but ultimately voted only for the governors bill, said his vote would not change, either.

I had said that Id preferred the Mangilao location, but I would vote for both, Parkinson said.

The overwhelming response from the body was, we have a responsibility to vote and choose only one. And so I took the comments of my colleagues to heart, he said.

Positive stalemate

Some did not see the deadlock as an issue.

Sen. Tom Fisher said the stalemate that resulted it was messy, it was democracy.

I didnt get everything I wanted out of this session and nobody else did either, and that is a good thing  if one side is always getting what they want, that means the wheels have come off the wagon, he said.

Guam Medical Association President Dr. Tom Shieh was quick to remark, calling the failure of both bills a silver lining.

Shieh, who has long supported the Ypao Point site, said he believed the governor would have vetoed Barnetts bill anyways, Shieh said.

Now this really means we can and should update GMH. We must update GMH now! he told the PDN, even if that meant a federal receivership.
Okkodo High School and Notre Dame High School have been named winners of the 2023 Toys for Tots high school challenge, a program in support of the Annual Toys for Tots campaign spearheaded by Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz.

The high school challenge collected a total of 1,814 toys that were donated to less fortunate children for Christmas.

Of the eight participating high schools, Okkodo and Notre Dame collected and donated the most toys in their respective divisions between Oct. 2, 2023 and Dec. 1, 2023, a release from the Guam Chamber of Commerce states.

The Guam Chamber of Commerces Armed Forces Committee offered schools with a population of more than 500 students a $1,000 prize.

A $700 prize was offered to schools with less than 500 students.

Okkodo High School was the large school winner with a total of 1,242 toys donated.

Notre Dame High School was the small school winner with a total of 147 toys donated, the release states.

The challenge allowed students to make a difference during the holiday season by contributing new, unwrapped toys for their youth counterparts. The primary goal of the Toys for Tots program is to help bring the joy of Christmas and to send a message of hope to our regions less fortunate children.

Through the high school challenge, a total of 1,814 toys were collected and went directly to The Salvation Army, Catholic Social Service, Manelu, Guam Memorial Hospital, and Harvest House, who then assisted with the distribution of toys to families in Guam.

The 2023 Toys for Tots campaign collected a total of 11,952 toys in Guam and 4,227 toys in Saipan. In 2022, a total of 11,075 toys were collected.

The program sends a warm Si Yuos Maase to all participating high schools for their generosity in supporting Toys for Tots in 2023:

Academy of Our Lady of Guam

George Washington High School

Guahan Academy

Guam High

Harvest Christian Academy

Okkodo High School

Notre Dame High School

Tiyan High School

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit charity with a 75-year history. Last year, the Marine Toys for Tots Program fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 8.8 million less fortunate children in over 800 communities nationwide by distributing 22.4 million toys.

Since 1947, over 289 million children have been assisted and 627 million toys distributed.
Theres no need to languish about in the three long days between New Orleans Jazz Fest weekends: Daze Between has you covered.

The annual musical festival, sandwiched between two of the biggest musical weekends in the city, does more than just tide attendees over. This years lineup features heavy hitters from the jazz and R&B worlds, including Lettuce, John Scofield, Galactic and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, along with rock and country artists like Govt Mule, Daniel Donato and Karina Rykman.

The two-day event is held on Tuesday, April 30 and Wednesday, May 1 at Faubourg Brewing Co. in New Orleans, located at 3501 Jourdan Rd.

Tickets are on sale now, starting at $60 for Tuesday, $65 for Wednesday and $119 for both days. As well as music, festivalgoers can enjoy traditional Louisiana cuisine from a variety of vendors, along with dozens of beers on tap supplied by Faubourg Brewing Co.

Just make sure to pace yourself - you wouldnt want to miss the Rolling Stones on Thursday at Jazz Fest.
Harry Connick Sr., longtime district attorney for New Orleans and father to the musician and actor, has died at the age of 97. According to a family publicist, Connick passed away peacefully at his New Orleans home on Wednesday, Jan. 24, surrounded by his wife and children.

Harry Connick Sr. truly embodied what it means to be a public servant ... Not only was he the longest serving DA for our city, he also embraced our culture and traditions, said New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell in a post on Instagram.

Connick served as New Orleans top prosecutor for 30 years.

In 1973, as a little-known attorney, he managed to dethrone incumbent Jim Garrison by just over 2,000 votes. Garrison - known as Big Jim for his towering 67 frame - had just gained worldwide infamy for unsuccessfully prosecuting a New Orleans businessman in connection with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

After ousting Garrison, Connick held the office until 2003, winning re-election four times.

His long-standing tenure was not without controversy. Thirty-six men convicted during Connicks time as DA have made allegations of prosecutorial misconduct - many contending that Connicks office withheld evidence in their favor. Nineteen have had their sentences reduced or overturned as a result, according to the Innocence Project.

In one high-profile case in 2011, the Supreme Court awarded John Thompson $14 million after newly introduced evidence exonerated him from a murder he did not commit. Thompson had spent 14 years on Louisianas death row.

Connick defended his reputation in a rare interview with the Times-Picayune in 2012, arguing the scope of his legacy could not be defined by what he considered a small number of cases.

My reputation is based on something other than a case, or two cases or five cases, Connick said. Perfect? No. But Ive done nothing to go to confession about in that office. At all.

Outside of the courthouse, Connick was deeply involved in the New Orleans music scene. His ownership of two local record stores, as well as weekly performances in jazz clubs in the Quarter, earned him the nickname the Singing District Attorney by Time Magazine.

He and his son Harry Connick Jr. were part of the founding members of the Krewe of Orpheus, a Mardi Gras Super Krewe based on the Greek god of music.

His contributions to this city will surely stay with us, Cantrell said.
Miami-Dade County issued a notice of noncompliance on Thursday to The Dolphin Co., the entity behind Floridas Miami Seaquarium, a 38-acre oceanarium on the island of Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay, near downtown Miami.

Citing a rent arrearage of $87,916.66 for the month of December 2023, the notice gives the iconic marine attraction 45 days to rectify the outstanding debt before penalties are accrued.

Will Miami Dade County terminate Miami Seaquariums lease?

Just days earlier, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava sent a letter to Eduardo Albor, president of The Dolphin Co. advising him the Miami Seaquariums lease was being reviewed for termination.

It is with profound frustration that I must convey the countys deep-seated concerns regarding the quality of care provided to the animals at the Seaquarium, Cava wrote.

Highlighting her offices consistent communication with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, whose agents extensively documented multiple and repeated instances of animal welfare violations, Cava emphasized the facilitys failure to address these concerns as the basis for the USDAs decision to file a notice of intent to confiscate four animals.

Ive been informed that this confiscation is the first time in 30 years that the USDA has taken such a measure with marine mammals, Cava wrote. In light of these disturbing circumstances, the county is diligently reviewing all necessary actions to pursue the termination of the amended and restated lease agreement. We believe it is imperative to address these serious violations decisively and with urgency.

Miami Seaquarium responds

In an interview with NBC 6 South Florida, Miami Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado said, Theyve been put on notice. Were waiting for their response.

That response came on Wednesday, in a post to the seaquariums official account on X.

Were proud to confirm compliance with federal Animal Welfare Act regulations. No animals have been confiscated by the USDA, contrary to recent reports. Were addressing misinformation and staying open under our Lease Agreement with Miami Dade County, the post stated. MSQ remains operational. We appreciate Mayor Levine Cavas interest and welcome her to witness our animal care improvements firsthand.

Further, the post noted, We reiterate our disappointment with how Miami Dade County has misused the information they claimed they had received from the USDA regarding animal health issues at MSU. The mayor and her staff have never reached out to MSU to confirm the accuracy of this information before making it public.

Miami Seaquariums checkered past

As one of the oldest saltwater aquariums in the country, controversy over animal welfare and claims of subpar staffing have plagued the attraction for years.

According to World Animal Protection, since opening in 1955, more than 115 dolphins and whales died under the venues care.

Miami Dade County issued the park a notice of default in November following a July site inspection by the states agriculture department that detailed a series of alarming conditions, like structural disrepair, inadequate staff and critical injuries  including a 23-year-old female dolphin that was found to have multiple rib fractures in various stages of healing.

In August, the park made headlines when Lolita, a killer whale that performed at Miami Seaquarium for more than 50 years, died in captivity just before she was set for release back into the ocean following years of pressure from animal rights groups.

And in December, after nearly 60 years in captivity at the Miami Seaquarium, Romeo and Juliet, two elderly manatees, got a new home when they were transported to the ZooTampa at Lowry Park, just weeks after a video appeared on social media showing Romeo isolated in a small tank.

The Dolphin Co. has yet to address the countys latest notice of noncompliance for back due rent.
A satirical accounts recent X post saying that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called on Americans to boycott Texas Roadhouse left many users wondering if the supposed news were true. Texas Roadhouse has confirmed, the congresswoman is not leading a boycott against the beloved steakhouse chain.

The U.S. Ministry of Truth tweeted Wednesday evening: BREAKING: In response to Governor Greg Abbott, Rep. @AOC calls on Americans to boycott Texas Roadhouse, just hours after Abbott released a statement invoking Texas constitutional right to self-defense against an invasion. The governor has declared migrants illegally crossing the southern border into Texas an invasion.

TikTok users in the comment section of an influencers post about the tweet admitted that they couldnt determine if the boycott news was true.

I... I cant tell if this is satire or not, TheMightyOrpheus wrote.

Users replied to the comment saying they specifically went to the comment section for answers.

Joethedog5 pointed out that U.S. Ministry of Truth is a satire account and shared, but sometimes I cant tell with sweating and laughing emojis.

In its X bio, the U.S. Ministry of Truth describes the accounts purpose as serving to prevent disinformation and protect democracy. Blurring the lines, the bio also says, Satire or prophecy depending on the day.

Other TikTok users in the comment section said boycotting Texas Roadhouse seemed on brand for Ocasio-Cortez.

Sounds like something she would say, Brandy Ueligger-Wilson wrote.

it actually does sound like something that would come out of her mouth, melanieossman590 concurred.

Answering the question on many peoples minds, Texas Roadhouse tweeted on Thursday confirming that a boycott is not in fact underway.

As their account bio says...this is a satire political account. We would hope you still come see us soon! the restaurant chain said.

As their account bio says...this is a satire political account. We would hope you still come see us soon!  https://t.co/b6v30sFs35  Texas Roadhouse (@texasroadhouse) January 25, 2024

Contrary to the name, Texas Roadhouse was founded in Clarksville, Indiana and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.




Haiti - News : Zapping





Student visa: Canada announces reduction in duration and number

The Canadian Government announced at the beginning of the week that it would limit the duration of study permits for international students to 2 years. This measure will not affect foreign students already registered in Canadian universities. In 2024, Canada plans to grant 364,000 permits to international students, or 35% less than in 2023.



Fatal accident in a sand mine

Wednesday January 24, 2024, 2 people died in the collapse of a sand mine in "Nan Kafe", a locality in the third communal section of Anse-a-Galet, on the Ile de la Gonave where around fifteen people worked in sand extraction.



Wyclef Jean takes a stand

Wyclef Jean, on his X account (ex Twitter) declared Wednesday January 24, 2024 "I can no longer remain silent

Dr Ariel Henry. In the interest of all Haitians, resign ASAP from your unconstitutional post as de facto head of state and spare yourself being a war criminal. Go peacefully, so Haiti can avoid the imminent bloodshed, were you to remain.."



Release of the 6 nuns

Kidnapped Friday January 19 in Port-au-Prince, the 6 nuns of the congregation of Ste Anne, kidnapped last week in Carrefour-Feuilles (and the 2 other hostages) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41473-haiti-flash-6-nuns-kidnapped.html , after 6 days of confinement were released Wednesday January 24 in the evening, after fervent prayers and the appeal of Pope Francis for their release last Sunday https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-41490-icihaiti-vatican-pope-francis-calls-for-the-release-of-the-6-nuns.html . The conditions of their release are unknown.



Maternity of Saint-Damien Hospital:

Saint-Damien Hospital, Our Little Brothers and Sisters (NPFS) announces the full resumption of its maternity service from February 1st.



Year of investments in ports

The modernization of ports is among the main objectives of the National Port Authority (APN), which mentions various current projects and others to come in 2024. The rehabilitation of the port of Cap-Haitien, financed by the American Agency for international development (USAID), to the tune of 24 million, should begin in a few days and concerns the storage area for containers and vehicles, circulation within the area and administrative buildings. Furthermore, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is about to finance studies for the construction and/or rehabilitation of several other port facilities in Haiti including the ports of Saint-Marc, Port-de-Paix, Miragoane, Gonave and Jeremie.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : The High Court of Nairobi blocks the deployment of the mission in Haiti





Friday January 26, 2024, following the complaint filed by opponent Ekuru Aukot, former defeated presidential candidate, the High Court of Nairobi blocked the decision of the Kenyan government to deploy a thousand police officers in Haiti.



Court Judge Enock Chacha Mwita said in his ruling "The National Security Council has no mandate to deploy national police officers outside Kenya. Such a decision contravenes the Constitution and the law and is therefore unconstitutional, illegal and invalid."



This decision marks a [temporary ?] halt to the highly anticipated multinational force in Haiti to try to stem the gangs...



To be continued..



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41365-haiti-kenya-news-about-the-multinational-security-support-mission.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Politic : Haiti's intervention at the UN Security Council





Thursday, January 25, 2024, an important meeting was held at the UN Security Council around the multifaceted crisis that Haiti is going through.



The question of security, the intense activity of armed gangs in the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince and in Artibonite, the ongoing steps towards the conclusion of a broad political agreement, the problem of human rights, the The support of the international community for Haiti and the upcoming arrival of the multinational security force led by Kenya, are among other key points that were addressed by the heads of delegation present who agreed on the need for member states to United Nations to provide their full support to the Republic of Haiti which is going through extremely difficult times.



Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting, Jean Victor Geneus, the Haitian Minister of Foreign Affairs, recalled the urgent need to reach out to Haiti which is suffering more and more. "I just want the Council to be aware that every day that passes without this much-hoped-for support is one day too many that we live in gang hell,' he said before adding : "The Haitian people can't take it anymore. I hope that this time will really be the last before the deployment on the ground of a multinational force to support the Haitian security forces. The Haitian people have suffered enough from the barbarity of armed gangs."



On the other hand, Chancellor Geneus took advantage of this meeting to reiterate the firm desire of Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry, to reach a consensual solution involving all political actors "With regard to the political dialogue to which the Prime Minister attaches particular importance, political actors are unfortunately still slow to find a minimum consensual agreement, in order to achieve a government of national unity. In this vein, I salute the work carried out to date by the eminent personalities of CARICOM and I continue, on behalf of the Haitian government and people, to request the support of the international community for this inter-Haitian dialogue."



Geneus did not fail to thank the international community "for the commitment and solidarity shown so far towards Haiti" and regarding the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) in Haiti he insisted "Faced with the urgency of the moment, he continues, the Government wants its effective and rapid deployment."



Concluding "Haiti will not collapse because it is not alone. He cannot be alone in having been involved in all the fights for freedom in the world. Haiti remains open to all breaths, because it offered its solidarity when others also needed it. The friendly hands that are extended to us, concerned about our internal problems, we welcome with gratitude."



Furthermore, the Dominican Minister of Foreign Affairs Roberto Alvarez, during his intervention, declared "Members of the Security Council, it is in your hands to put an end to the catastrophic situation that Haiti is experiencing, which continues to endanger Peace and security in the region. If the deployment of troops does not materialize as soon as possible, we will have to continue to regret the absence of positive results so awaited by the Haitian people. This crisis can no longer wait, lets act now, without hesitation."



Minister Alvarez deplored that far from the desired results to which Haitians aspire, the situation has become conducive to the emergence of new political forms which, presenting themselves as messiahs, carry out opportunistic and destabilizing actions as harmful as those of the gangs "These sectors have gone so far as to call for insurrection and civil disobedience, making the political dimension of the Haitian crisis even more acute. "



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - UN : Statement to the Security Council by Maria Isabel Salvador, Head of BINUH





"Madame President, Distinguished Members of the Council, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,



Haiti remains plagued by a mounting scale of violence due to an unprecedented surge in kidnappings, rapes and other crimes committed by armed gangs that increasingly affect the livelihoods of people and undermine humanitarian activities. I cannot overstress the severity of the situation in Haiti, where multiple protracted crises have reached a critical point.



Last year [2023], BINUH documented over 8,400 direct victims of gang violence, including people killed, injured and kidnapped, an increase of 122 per cent as compared to 2022 [...]



BINUH has continued working towards enhancing the capacity of the Haitian National Police (PNH) with a special focus on intelligence-led performance and training [...]



Madame President,



Over the past few months, the government and the international community have made commendable efforts to increase their support for the Haitian National Police. This includes a 13 percent increase in the 2023/24 state budget allocated to the PNH, as well as the supply of personal protective equipment, armored vehicles and weapons. [...]



Download the BINUH report (PDF in English) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/rapport_du_secretaire_general_de_lonu_sur_haiti_binuh_-_15_janvier_2024-EN.pdf



Subsequently, Ambassador Robert Wood, Alternate Representative of the United States for Special Political Affairs, stated in his remarks :



"[...] Colleagues, the SRSGs report and briefing paint a sobering picture of the reality in Port-au-Prince, where the security situation continues to deteriorate. As the SRSG has reported, the murder rate nearly doubled in Haiti in 2023, and the number of kidnapping victims soared by more than 80 percent over the previous year. Gangs continue to expand their influence at an alarming rate and are expanding their operations into areas that had long been considered safe.



In addition to the alarming levels of violence, gangs continued to control access to critical infrastructure [...] As all this happens, the Haitian National Police force continues to shrink, even as new officers are rapidly trained and developed.



Haitis governance crisis presents an acute challenge that is directly linked to the dire security situation. The United States calls on all Haitian political actors to find consensus on a pathway to return to democracy. We continue to urge Prime Minister Henry and other political, economic, religious, and civil society actors to urgently work together to find a peaceful path toward free and fair elections through dialogue and compromise [...]"



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FITUR 2024 : The Minister of Tourism praises the attractions of Haiti





After more than a decade of absence, Haiti is back at the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) in Madrid, the 2nd largest tourism fair in the world. Haiti is trying to regain its place in major world events where professionals decide the future of tourism in the world.



To this end, a Haitian delegation led by the Minister of Tourism, Luz Kurta Cassandra Francois is participating from January 24 to 28, 2024 in this important event. Should be noted that Haiti, thanks to funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), has a stand among the 9,000 exhibitors and 152 countries present, a stand which sells the best attractions of its tourist product.



Minister Francois proposes Haiti as "The soul of the Caribbean" particularly from the North tourist pole, in the world catalog of tourist destinations in the Caribbean region. Haiti is sending a signal that it remains a Caribbean tourist destination in its own right which awaits tourists and potential investors in this sector...



Luz Kurta Cassandra Francois has included in her agenda press conferences with Spanish media, meetings with cruise lines, marketing agencies and will take the opportunity of the show to speak with representatives of the World Organization of Tourism (OMT) with the aim of capitalizing on investment opportunities in Haiti, necessary for the increase in tourist activities despite the crisis context.



During a press briefing, Minister Francois took stock of the relaunch of tourist activities in Haiti explaining "The country is still banking on tourism (all types of tourism) particularly from a multi-destination with other countries in the northern region of Haiti more stable at the moment. Certainly we have problems like any other country [!], but we believe that with tourism development and prosperity is possible and the Government is working to restore stability and security throughout the country declared Luz Kurta Cassandra Francois to the microphones of journalists.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Monitoring the Control Tower construction site

The Ambassador of France to Haiti Fabrice Mauries visited the construction site of the control tower of Toussaint Louverture international airport. The construction of this project is financed to the tune of 20 million US dollars by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The work is 75% finalized; The work is progressing according to the established schedule. The work should be handed over to the summer; then the radar system will be installed. "Congratulations to the French companies ADPI, VINCI and Thales Group who are responsible for its construction. The finalization of the project will constitute a decisive qualitative leap for air safety throughout the territory" See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40896-haiti-toussaint-louverture-airport-the-construction-of-the-new-control-tower-and-the-radar-station-is-progressing.html



CODEVI temporarily closed

Thursday January 25, 2024, following the recent shootout between the National Brigade of Protected Areas (BSAP) in Haiti and units of the Haitian National Police (PNH), the Codevi Free Zone closed its doors as a security measure. Protests in Ouanaminthe blocked roads, including access to the free zone, preventing some 18,000 Haitian employees from getting to work. If the situation allows, CODEVI hopes to reopen this Friday.



Investigation of the assassination of President Moise completed

The investigation of the case of the assassination of President Jovenel Moise has been completed, the justice system no longer having any witnesses to hear. The judge in charge of the case has already communicated the file to Judge Walter Wesser Voltaire for the final indictment which could take place by the end of February...



Guyana and Martinique new air link to Haiti

The airline "Sky High Dominicana" will launch flights to Haiti from Guyana and Martinique on March 27 at a rate of one flight per week. Sky High Dominicana offers with this new line, the possibility of going to Haiti the same day with an arrival in Port-au-Prince in the early afternoon.



Job losses on the rise

The labor market continues to be impacted by the migratory movement, particularly through the humanitarian emigration program (Humanitarian parole) and the increase in travel to Nicaragua. The rate of loss of qualified executives has increased in all sectors of activity. At the level of the textile sector, the Bulletin of the Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH) reveals that, from 53,387 workers in September 2022, the number of workers increased to 40,462 in August 2023. The same is true for the banking sector which, according to the results of a survey conducted by the BRH, more than 10% of employees of the banking system (mainly executives) resigned during the 2023 fiscal year.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Press Release

GREAT FALLS  A man and a woman who admitted to intimidation charges after they attempted to steal from a store on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation were sentenced today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Dustin Alan Robbins, 38, and Nicole Lynn Hicks, 37, both transients, pleaded guilty to intimidation in August 2023.

Robbins was sentenced to one year in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release.

Hicks was sentenced to time served of 262 days, to be followed by two years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

In...
Press release

Montana VA

Veteran Service officers for the Montana Veterans Affairs will be visiting the following locations to meet with veterans who are interested in applying for benefits. Anyone interested in applying for benefits, needs to bring a copy of their discharge paperwork, DD214, with them to any of the following scheduled visit times.

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024

 Browning, 1-4 p.m., Blackfeet Veteran Center

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024

 Cut Bank, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Glacier County Courthouse Annex, Room 19

 Shelby, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Shelby Court House Lower Level

Tuesday, Fe...
Beverly Ann Haugen, 94, passed away Friday, January 19, 2024, at the Big Sandy Medical Center.

Funeral Services will be held in June of 2024 where she will be buried next to her husband, H. John Haugen. Memorials in Bev's honor may be made to the Big Sandy Medical Center, The Kremlin Lutheran Church or to a memorial of one's choice.

Please visit Bev's online memorial page at https://www.hollandbonine.com to send a card or leave a message of condolence for her family.

Beverly was born June 15, 1929, in Forks, Montana to Alvin and Elly (Johanson) Olsen. She was raised in Phillips County and attended Whitewater schools until she transferred to Kremlin High Schoo,l where she graduated in 1947. While attending school in Kremlin, she met H. John Haugen, they began dating.

Beverly attended Northern Montana College and obtained her teaching certificate for elementary education. Her first position was teaching in Chinook, Montana, where she was employed for two years. She and John were married June 17, 1951, at the church in Whitewater, and the couple made their home 4 miles north of Kremlin on the Haugen farm. Beverly taught the fifth and sixth grades at the Kremlin Elementary School for four years until she and John began their family. They were blessed with four children, Calvin, Sidney, JoHanna and Kimberly, who were all raised on the family farm.

Beverly was an excellent cook, farm wife and mother. She and John enjoyed couples bowling night for many years, until he passed away October 1, 1980, from cancer. Sid took over the farm and Beverly went to work at the Kremlin Post Office. Her position started as a relief worker in Havre and Kremlin which then turned into being the postmaster of Kremlin for 6 years, retiring in 1996.

Bev was a member of the Kremlin Lutheran Church, ALCW women's group and served as a 4-H leader. She enjoyed dancing, traveling, playing card games, especially pinochle and bridge, or any other games her grandchildren would teach her. Bev had special memories of all the family trips they took to Glacier Park, her trip to Norway and the annual Hosta Festival in Minot, North Dakota each September with her brothers and their wive, and her travels to Alaska, Hawaii, and California. "Granny" as she was affectionately called, was famous for her "Old Country Hot Cakes" and would even travel with her special pans to cook them for the family when she would go visit, everyone loved the special treat!

When Beverly could no longer live by herself, she made the decision to go into a care facility. She chose to move to the Big Sandy Medical Center, where she established many relationships with all the CNA's, caregivers, nurses and visitors there. They welcomed Bev and treated her like family. She received excellent care, and the family appreciates all the love and support they have been shown.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, John in 1980; her son Sid Haugen in 2009, and her brothers, Howard (Ella) Hammond, Reinhart (Marian) and Milton Olsen.

Beverly is survived by her three children Calvin Haugen, JoHanna (Bruce) Kapperud, and Kimberly (Mark) Huajardo; her daughter-in-law Sande Haugen and sisters in-law Marjorie Olsen and Cathy Olse; seven grandchildren ,: Sasha (Josh), Sheree, Shea (Nobu), Kjersti, Nolan, Hali, and Ian; six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Two notable events just occurred: The Public Service Commissions blessing of NorthWestern Corp.s 28% rate hike; and extreme cold.

28% rate hike

The all-Republican Commission approved a 28% rate hike, the majority of which falls on small businesses and residential users  renters and homeowners. The Commission rejected our challenge to that rate hike, forcing Montanans to gift Wall Street $3,447,870 every year. We pay our monthly bills based on a pretend cost of debt for Colstrip of 6.5%. In fact, NorthWesterns actual cost of debt is about 4%. The difference, $3,447,870, is money...
(HedgeCo.Net) The Securities and Exchange Commission has settled charges against Aon Investments USA Inc., a Chicago-based registered investment adviser, and the firms former partner, Claire P. Shaughnessy, for misleading their client, the Pennsylvania Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS), about the reason for a discrepancy between two different calculations by Aon of PSERSs investment returns for the same period.

The SECs orders find that Aon was responsible for calculating PSERSs investment returns for risk share, a provision under Pennsylvania law that requires public school employees to contribute more to their pensions if the retirement fund does not meet certain investment return rates. If PSERSs investment return rate for the nine-year period ending June 30, 2020 was lower than 6.36 percent, it would trigger risk share, requiring an increase in public-school employees contributions.

According to the SECs orders, in June 2020, Aon provided PSERS its quarterly returns for the purpose of estimating PSERSs investment return rate. The orders find that some of the quarterly returns Aon provided to PSERS in 2020 did not match the historical returns that Aon previously provided PSERS for the same periods. According to the SECs orders, PSERS repeatedly questioned Aons calculations of the investment returns and asked Aon to investigate a discrepancy between the returns. The SEC finds that, in response to these inquiries, Aon and Shaughnessy, who led the PSERS engagement, failed to adequately investigate that discrepancy, instead providing PSERS with two reasons for the discrepancy that Aon had previously ruled out. The orders further find that Shaughnessy misrepresented to PSERS that the discrepancy was not due to errors when, in fact, she did not know the reason for the discrepancy. According to the orders, in December 2020, Aon and Shaughnessy reported to PSERS that the risk share return rate for that period was 6.38 percent  just high enough to avoid triggering risk share. Ultimately, the discrepancy turned out to be due to errors in the underlying data, and, when the rate was recalculated, the corrected return rate was 6.34 percent  triggering risk share and requiring additional employee contributions.

Investment advisers must be scrupulously honest with their clients, said LeeAnn G. Gaunt, Chief of the Public Finance Abuse Unit. Pension funds and other municipal entities should be able to trust that their investment advisers are telling them the truth.

Without admitting or denying the SECs findings, Aon consented to a settled order finding that it violated Section 206(2) of the Advisers Act, censuring it, and ordering it to pay a civil penalty of $1 million and disgorgement and prejudgment interest of $542,187. Without admitting or denying the SECs findings, Shaughnessy consented to a settled order finding that she also violated Section 206(2) of the Advisers Act, censuring her, and ordering her to pay a civil penalty of $30,000.
A recent study conducted by the DECA research consortium and the University of Turku's Futures Research Center in 2023 reveals significant insights into the current state of journalism in Finland. The study, comprising two surveys targeting editors-in-chief and the Finnish public aged 15-79, highlights the growing concerns about disinformation and the challenges faced by media decision-makers.

Despite these concerns, the study shows that Finnish journalism enjoys a high level of ethical standards and public trust. Domestic media sources remain significantly more important for news than social media. Editors-in-chief, in particular, affirm their commitment to the fundamental aspects of journalistic work  accuracy, timeliness, and fairness  as the bedrock of public trust.

The surveys, conducted similarly in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, showed little difference between the countries in public perception. However, there is a discrepancy between how editors and the general public view the influence on news media. While 93% of editors emphasize the significant impact of journalistic guidelines and ethics, the public perceives commercial factors and media decision-makers' opinions as having a greater influence on journalism. Both in Finland and other Nordic countries, the public is also concerned about the media's impact on political opinions and decision-making.

The study further reveals that encountering disinformation has become a common experience for Finns, particularly on social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook. Discussion forums, however, are where disinformation is most frequently encountered. Concerns about foreign influence and the overwhelming flood of information are prevalent among the public. A slight polarization in trust based on political affiliation was also noted across all surveyed Nordic countries.

Editors-in-chief acknowledge the challenges in reflecting the diverse realities of people's lives, citing structural issues related to time and financial resources, as well as the distribution challenges of traditional newspapers in sparsely populated areas.

The research aimed to understand how Finnish editors perceive their operational environment, the factors and conditions that build public trust, and how the media audience views trust in different news mediums  their power, responsibility, and factors influencing trust. This comprehensive study sheds light on the evolving landscape of Finnish journalism, underlining the importance of addressing the challenges of disinformation and resource constraints while maintaining public trust.

HT
The citys urban environment committee is considering a proposal to add 19 new properties to the list of buildings planned for sale in the near future.

The City of Helsinki is gearing up to sell additional properties, including several villa buildings for residential and tourism purposes, as part of a strategic move to divest assets that are no longer required for its service production.

If approved, the sales process is expected to commence in 2024. This comes in addition to about 30 other sales already decided upon by the committee, with several more in the final stages of completion.

In line with its facility strategy, Helsinki aims to divest buildings that are not needed for its services and where ownership does not align with other strategic reasons. The goal of these sales is to refurbish old buildings for active use, thereby reducing the citys maintenance backlog. Funds generated from these sales will primarily be allocated to maintaining schools, daycares, and other service buildings.

All the proposed properties for sale require varying extents of renovation. Typically, when the city sells a building, the land remains under municipal ownership and is leased out.

Residential Buildings in Meilahti, Uutela, and Yliskyla

For residential use, properties in Meilahti villa area, Vuosaari's Uutela, and Yliskyla in Laajasalo are proposed for sale. In Meilahti, two properties are slated for sale, including a 400 square meter villa dating back to 1900 at Tamminiementie 3 and a smaller residential building from 1915 at Meilahdentie 9. Both will be sold as residences through a competitive bidding process.

In Uutela, the Notsund residential building with saunas, constructed in 1900, is planned for sale for residential use. In Yliskyla, two red-painted wooden buildings from 1910 along Mankelipolku are set to be sold for residential purposes.

Tourism Services in Villinki

On Villinki island in Laajasalo, five properties are being considered for sale through concept and bidding competitions. The Widablick and Stigen villas, built in 1914, along with the 2001 Solvik sauna building, are intended for tourism. Heimliden, dating back to 1890, may be sold for tourism or association activities, while the 1939 Bjorkebo is planned for holiday housing.

Comprehensive Development in Meri-Rastila

In Meri-Rastila, Vuosaari, a complex of four buildings constructed between 19101950 near Ramsinniemi grove is on the sales list. Pending a zoning plan change, these buildings will be sold for uses compliant with the upcoming plan.

Kiosk and Meeting Space in Southeast Helsinki

A kiosk located in Kivinokka outdoor area in Herttoniemi, built in 1937, is set for sale for kiosk or cafe operations. In Kulosaari, a meeting space built in 1910 located at Armas Lindgrenin tie 2 is also proposed for sale.

First Rights to Current Tenants

The city also plans to offer properties such as an industrial hall near Vuosaari harbor and the Bjorkvik sauna in Jollas to their current tenants. In Pasilas Hertanmaki, two protected villa-style buildings from 1900, currently under lease, will be first offered to current tenants. If not sold, one might be offered for educational use, and the other as a residence. Additionally, the 1937 Linnavuori rehabilitation home in Vartiokyla is intended to be primarily offered to the current tenant.

This strategic initiative by the City of Helsinki reflects an effort to revitalize underused assets and focus resources on essential services, contributing to the citys dynamic urban development.

HT
Jutta Urpilainen is the European Commissioner of International Partnerships and former Finance Minister of Finland. The former chief of Social Democratic Party was born on August 4, 1975. Rooted in Lapua, she developed a penchant for social issues, setting the stage for her future in politics.

Presidential campaign slogan  So that no one is left behind

Although she announced her presidential candidacy late in November 2023 as compared to her peers, due to her commitments in the European Commission, she has subsequently garnered media attention and citizens support because of her visionary outlook of a stronger and united Europe and her emphasis on traditional social democratic values.

Early Life

Initially pursuing a career in education, Jutta Urpilainen worked as a teacher in Helsinki and Kokkola, before venturing into the world of politics. Urpilainen holds a master's degree in educational science from the University of Jyvaskyla. During her student years, she participated in the Erasmus exchange program in Vienna, Austria. A dedicated advocate for civil society and democracy, Urpilainen is known to have been a passionate European since her youth and chaired various NGOs, including the UN Association of Finland.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Urpilainen nurtured a passion for music, even dedicating time to studying the art, culminating in the release of her album, "Christmas Thoughts," in 2002.

Jutta Urpilainen also served as a member and the first female chairperson of the Kokkola city council from January 2015 to August 2016.

Political journey

Although Urpilainen played a significant role in SDP's youth and student organizations, she entered Parliament for the first time in the 2003 elections. In 2008, Jutta Urpilainen made history as the first woman and the youngest chairman to lead SDP. Her impactful political career continued from 2011 to 2014, when she held the positions of Finlands Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister.

The former Finance Minister had a tumultuous period marked by the Euro crisis. Her tenure saw Finland taking a strict line, demanding guarantees from Greece for subsidized loans. Urpilainen emphasized this approach as safeguarding Finland's economic interests amidst the broader Eurozone crisis.

One significant setback for Urpilainen was the decision to rapidly reduce corporate taxation during the Katainen government in March 2013. This move sparked internal criticism within the SDP, particularly from the left-wing factions and trade union leaders, who accused her of leaning too far to the right in economic policy.

According to Urpilainen, her subsequent loss in the party elections in 2014 has been the darkest moment of her political career. At the Seinajoki party meeting, she narrowly lost the chairmanship of the Social Democratic Party to Antti Rinne. This defeat not only led to her relinquishing the party leadership but also resulted in stepping down from the position of Finance Minister.

During her tenure, she actively engaged in crucial development matters, assuming roles in the Development Committee of the World Bank Group and IMF. Additionally, she chaired the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development. Urpilainen also served on Parliaments Committee for Foreign Affairs from 2015 to 2019. Urpilainen's political journey took an international turn when she assumed the role of EU Commissioner for International Partnership in 2019. Tasked with overseeing the EU Commission's largest directorate, she manages 3,800 subordinates, with a focus on 120 countries worldwide, particularly emphasizing Africa.

Presidential elections

Entering the presidential race as an underdog, Urpilainen faced challenges earlier, as her support was at just four percent during initial polls. This is also partly due to the delayed start of her campaign in December 2023, due to the constraints posed by her role as EU commissioner, which permitted only a two-month hiatus without pay. This prompted her party members to campaign using a cardboard replica of Urpilainen, a cardboard version of Urpilainen, playfully dubbed "cardboard Jutta.

In her presidential campaign, Urpilainen stated that she aims to represent the working class. She advocates for negotiations between employers and employees to address concerns about labour struggles. Her dedication to 'values' shines through in her campaigns, where she consistently emphasizes the importance of values in her approach to foreign policy. She directs her attention to addressing people's worries about economic hardships and the gradual breakdown of collaborative traditions.

As SDP's presidential candidate, Urpilainen confronted Green candidate Pekka Haavisto, emphasizing social democratic values and underscoring Haavisto's earlier departure from the red-green bloc.

She also criticized those prioritizing personal gain over societal welfare.

Urpilainen does not see relations with Russia improving amid the countrys aggression in Ukraine and has expressed her support for the new government's decision to close Finlands eastern border along Russia. She has also asserted President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen's backing for Finland's stance on closing border crossings to Russia.

Additionally, Urpilainen showcases her strength in EU affairs and advocates for reinforcing the European pillar within NATO. However, she has maintained a firm stance on nuclear weapons, emphasizing that Finland has no reason to allow the importation or transit of nuclear weapons on its territory. Even during her candidacy, Urpilainen consistently emphasized adherence to international agreements with regards to the situation at the eastern border. Commentators feel that her stance on the reinterpretation of international agreements regarding asylum seekers aligns with a multilateral approach, reflecting her readiness to engage in discussions at the European level if in the position of president.

Urpilainen has also expressed concern about populist tones in the Finnish presidential election debate, particularly regarding dual citizenship among Finnish Russians. Urpilainen emphasized the impracticality and unfairness of a collective penalty against Finnish Russians, highlighting that they have chosen to reside in Finland for its democratic principles and freedoms. Additionally, she notes that the spread of Kremlin propaganda is not limited to Russians alone but has also been observed among ethnic Finns.

On the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, Jutta Urpilainen condemned the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, calling the former a terrorist organization. Urpilainen emphasizes that while Israel has the right to defend itself, it must do so in a manner consistent with international law, respecting the rules even in times of war. She advocates for clear communication with Israel, stressing the importance of upholding international law and protecting Palestinian civilians during military actions.

Politics and persona

As a professed Christian, Urpilainen believes politicians should guarantee religious freedom without intertwining politics and religion in parliamentary discussions. Despite the potential risks, she openly discusses her Christian values and has been an exception in a country where discussing religion is often considered challenging.

Elevating values as a cornerstone, Urpilainen believes that there should be a space for discussing values in both the economic and political spheres. She critiques the current economic system, stating that it aims for maximum profits and relies on unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. She calls for a necessary discussion about what is reasonable in economic practices and advocates for a more sustainable approach. She also advocates for the Nordic welfare state, grounded in the idea of caring for others.

Urpilainen advocates for a more proactive role for Finland in EU decision-making. Instead of merely commenting on existing proposals, she calls for the country to actively present new ideas to the Commission, believing it to be the most effective way to make a meaningful impact.

In the euro group of finance ministers, Urpilainen is remembered for her linguistic skills and familiarity with issues, along with her friendly and collaborative spirit with European colleagues. Ursula von der Leyen views Jutta Urpilainen positively, citing her experience as a finance minister, involvement in Parliament's foreign affairs committee, and special peace envoy.

Jutta Urpilainen has underscored the importance of addressing complex historical issues, citing the Black Lives Matter protests and statue defacement in Belgium as global examples. Despite Finland's lack of colonial history, she stresses the significance of open discussions to strengthen national integrity.

Challenges

Urpilainen's political journey has not been devoid of controversies. In 20082009, Urpilainen became a subject of discussion due to her appearance in photos wearing fishnet stockings, deemed by some as inappropriate for a party chairman. In her book "Rouva sahaa" published in 2011, Urpilainen acknowledged the mistake, revealing the magazine's plan for her New Year's party attire. Despite not agreeing to wear the most revealing dress, the fishnet stockings remained part of the outfit. Since then, she has expressed resentment at the media's focus on her appearance, including nails, clothes, and her competence as a young female politician.

During the euro crisis, Urpilainens firm stance and insistence on guarantees from Greece led to her earning a reputation, which she jokingly referred to as "Tati Tiuka". This controversy raised concerns about the enforceability of guarantees in situations where Greece failed to fully repay its official debts and highlighted the vulnerability of the arrangement to debt restructuring.

In 2012, Jutta Urpilainen, despite stating that ministers attend Bilderberg meetings as individuals, attended the U.S. meeting, with the Ministry of Finance covering expenses. This contradicted her previous stance, that ministers attend Bilderberg group meetings as individuals, and the Ministry of Finance cannot restrict their participation in such meetings or any similar group. Former MP Vesa-Matti Saarakkala criticized the inconsistency, highlighting transparency concerns.

Interesting quotes

I am an optimist and I believe that politics can change things and a democratic parliamentary system is the best way to manage and manage things.

A woman as president is not an exception and now would be the time for a woman.

The development of democracy has suffered setbacks. Terrorism and humanitarian crises have become worse, the war between Hamas and Israel is the latest sad example of this.

How could we step up our EU lobbying so that instead of settling for commenting on Government communications or reports on EU matters when they are brought to the Finnish Parliament, we would be one of the countries to present new ideas to the Commission?

As a former teacher, I am deeply convinced of the powerful role that education has to play in tackling global challenges and transforming the world we live in.

I dont like the fact that politics and religion would be mixed so that, for example, some religious texts would be quoted in the parliament.

In foreign policy, it has been seen that they want to make Finland a NATO-Finland, which would change the value base of its foreign policy in line with the assumed expectations. This has become visible, for example, in the politics of the Middle East, where Finland voted in the UN on a different front than our comparison country, Norway.

Finland needs work-based immigration and as a society we must be an attractive, equal and interesting country to come to work, study and try.

HT
Support for Stubb decreased by four percentage points from the previous month to 27 per cent, but he remains ahead of his closest rival, Pekka Haavisto (Greens), who was the preferred candidate of 23 per cent of the poll respondents for the second month in succession.

ALEXANDER STUBB , the presidential candidate of the National Coalition, remains the public favourite to succeed President Sauli Niinisto , reveals an opinion poll commissioned by YLE .

Jussi Halla-aho (PS), the poll found, has made the most successful push in the final stretch of campaigning, with his popularity surging from 10 per cent in December to 18 per cent in January. Halla-aho consequently emerged as the third most popular candidate ahead of Olli Rehn (Centre), who registered a two-point up-tick in support to 14 per cent.

Halla-ahos late surge is reflected also in the latest opinion poll by Helsingin Sanomat.

The results indicate that the presidential elections are shaping up to be very exciting particularly in regards to the three leading candidates, Jari Pajunen, the managing director of Taloustutkimus, stated to YLE on Thursday.

Even major changes can happen in the final stretch. Were set to have a very exciting Sunday evening, he said.

A factor contributing to the excitement is that the share of uncertain voters has increased substantially from the previous month, by 1015 points to nearly 25 per cent.

The results will depend a lot on how the candidates are able to realise their potential support. Uncertain voters will play a central role there, he reminded.

Pajunen said Halla-ahos late surge is attributable largely to growing support from within the Finns Party. Rehn, in turn, has won over people who supported Paavo Vayrynen, a former chairperson of the Centre, in December. Vayrynen dropped out of the presidential race after failing to secure the 20,000 statements of support required to run as the candidate of a constituency association.

Stubb has not lost support in any particular direction, according to Pajunen. Although Halla-aho has been one beneficiary of his final-stretch difficulties, he has also lost the support of voters without fixed party affiliations.

Hes still the National Coalitions candidate, summed up Pajunen.

Haavisto and Halla-aho establishing themselves as the most popular candidates among under 35-year-old voters ahead of Stubb is another noteworthy development, according to him.

Stubb, the poll revealed, would defeat all his rival candidates in the second round of voting, a run-off between the two most popular candidates in the first round. While Haavisto and Rehn would mount the most serious challenges, Stubb would beat them relatively soundly, winning 59 per cent of the vote.

His margin of victory would be greater against Halla-aho: 75 to 25 per cent. Halla-aho would lose the run-off also against Haavisto and Rehn, with the former projected to win 63 per cent and the latter 72 per cent of the vote against him.

A Haavisto-Rehn run-off would result in a narrow, two-point win for Rehn.

YLE on Thursday reported that Li Andersson (LA) has overtaken Jutta Urpilainen (SDP) as the fifth most popular candidate in the poll section representing the first round of voting. Support for Andersson has risen by two points to seven per cent from the previous month, whereas that for Urpilainen has declined by two points to five per cent.

Andersson has managed to get the Left Alliances supporters more firmly behind her. Urpilainen is possibly in the reverse situation, with people leaving her to back Haavisto, analysed Pajunen.

The finding, he added, is indicative of tactical voting. Are people voting against someone or for someone?

Support for Mika Aaltola has waned by a point to three per cent since December. Sari Essayah continues to poll at two per cent, while Harry Harkimo (MN) has seen his popularity diminish by a point to one per cent.

Taloustutkimus contacted 1,517 people by phone for the poll on 1723 January. Pajunen highlighted to the public broadcasting company that phone polls have tended to reflect the ultimate election results more accurately than online ones.

More than two-thirds, or 1,149, of the people contacted were able and willing to disclose which candidate would receive their vote in the first round of the elections. The results have a margin of error of two points.

The first round of voting in the presidential elections is on Sunday, 28 January. The second round of voting, which will be held if no candidate wins more than 50 per cent of the votes cast in the first round, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 11 February.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
In the realm of Finnish politics, Mika Aaltola emerged as an independent presidential candidate with a distinctive approach, emphasizing transparency and a commitment to fiscal responsibility in his campaign. Although standing independently for candidacy may be perceived as challenging by some, Aaltola viewed it as an advantage. He highlighted his familiarity with politicians due to his long spanning career as Director of Finnish Institute of International Affairs and believed that the advantage of being free from political party affiliations empowers him to maintain a balanced approach.

Throughout my career, I have been working in an institute that operates in conjuction with the Finnish Parliament. My familiarity with parliamentarians, political party heads, decision-makers, and diplomats allows for interactions with major actors and build consensus among different political parties, Mika Aaltola said.

Having the benefit of not having a political party actually carries quite a lot of power to have a balanced approach. Nobody is going to question my background because I lack the narrow interests of one political party. When I will be choosing the advisors if I am elected as President, political membership of a party would be the least of my worries, over the qualifications of candidates, Aaltola highlighted.

Mika Aaltola also addressed the recent voters support poll by Helsingin Sanomat which showed he finished seventh among the nine candidates, indicating a decrease in his support.

Its difficult for an independent candidate. You lack the machinery and the resources as compared to others. However I feel that it is a historical number for an independent candidate in Finland.

While we lack the substantial taxpayer funding political parties receive, weve garnered a significant amount from individual donations for our campaign. Though we wont feature lavish TV commercials due to financial constraints, we believe people understand our approach, he said.

Aaltolas vision encompasses geopolitical shifts, Finlands NATO membership, military resilience strategies, international relations, and economic sustainability. His perspectives shed light on Finlands evolving role on the global stage.

Finlands shift in foreign policy with NATO Membership

Aaltola believes that Finlands NATO membership has marked a significant shift in its foreign policy, aligning itself more closely with Western defense alliances, reflecting a departure from a previous stance of neutrality.

Looking at defence as a key part of the foreign policy, Finland has aligned itself with the best Western defence alliance. Finland is not sitting on a fence anymore. Being a member of European Union, also has provided Finland with significant stages in the western institutions. In my opinion, Finland can achieve this by integrating itself. NATO is a process and we are in the initial stage of figuring out what we can do with NATO and what NATO can do with Finland, Aaltola said.

With half of Russias NATO border now situated in Finland, Aaltola asserts that this membership is a defining feature of Finnish defense and foreign policy.

Handling Russia-Ukraine conflict and deterrence policy

Concerning the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Aaltola dismissed the notion of compromising, citing the necessity of a deterrence policy in the face of Russias war footing. Theres no need to compromise on anything. When it comes to policy, Finland has a tool called deterrence. Currently, Russia is on a war footing and this is not going to change for a long time. So there are no chances for dialogue or anything, Aaltola noted.

Mika Aaltola foresees minimal changes in Finlands relations with Russia over the next 5 to 10 years due to Russias aggressive stance and its economic reliance on war.

Russia has taken 20% of Ukraine and this part of its long term plan is not going to end. Russian economy is fueled by its war economy. So, they are producing weapons and they are not focusing on developing the condition of citizens or developing as a political system, which is basically fascist, he said.

For the next 5 to 10 years, Finland needs to work as a lighthouse for the European states to increase the defense expenditures, so we can be prepared against Russia. That is the kind of the base policy for todays difficult situation in Europe that it has to be achieved through containing Russia, Aaltola added.

Aaltola suggested that Finlands role as a peace mediator in the Ukraine conflict has shifted, emphasizing caution in negotiations with Russia.

It is clear when your neighboring country starts a war in the region, then red lines are crossed. Now with the escalation, negotiating with Russia with a more balanced approach may appear as a sign of weakness for Finland for Russia, Aaltola said.

It is difficult for Finland to act as negotiator. If you look to the statements of Putin, he wants to negotiate with us, because he sees himself an equal to Finland. Given the recent extreme situation in Ukraine, the days of Finlands role of building the bridge between East and West are gone, as it could also pose a danger to Finland. Hence we have to be cautious. That doesnt mean that Finland cannot be a peace mediator in other types of conflicts, he added.

Finland-U.S. relations and new defence agreement

Mika Aaltola sees the new defence cooperation agreement with the U.S. in positive light and emphasized the advantages, including the possibility of U.S. weapons storage in Finland, enhancing the countrys defence capabilities.

It is the basic framework for military cooperation of the U.S. in Finland. It also comes to us as a part of being a NATO member. The main advantage, of course, is the possibility of having U.S. weapons storage in Finland, and that would add into Finish states defence capabilities as well. So the agreement has many plus sides to it. It was good that it was done in such a speedy manner and also other Nordic and Baltic countries are signing it as well, Aaltola said.

Despite concerns voiced by some political leaders regarding the transportation of NATO nuclear weapons through Finland, Mika Aaltola remains undeterred in recognizing the advantages of the agreement

Thats a separate issue. Nuclear weapons are not brought to the frontlines, and Finland is a frontline country. NATO, in its practices, doesn't involve the deployment of nuclear weapons on the front lines; they are securely stored in various European countries away from immediate conflict zones. While it might not seem directly relevant, Finland benefits from the nuclear umbrella, necessitating consideration of potential risks in our nuclear policies. Our nuclear energy laws aim to address various scenarios, showcasing our commitment to NATO integration without hesitation, Aaltola remarked.

Enhancing military resilience

To bolster the resilience of the Finnish military against geopolitical threats, including hybrid and cyber warfare, Mika Aaltola highlighted that a multifaceted approach is imperative. While Aaltola acknowledged NATOs role in contributing valuable intelligence capabilities, he also underscored Finlands resilience against corruption and hybrid threats, attributing it to expertise developed over centuries.

The good thing is that NATO's operations are primarily dispersed among member states, with the U.S., the U.K., and France contributing valuable intelligence capabilities, which could also add to the tools for combating different hybrid scenarios carried out by Russia. So now that brings additional things to the table for Finland. Unlike Russia, Finland has maintained low corruption levels, with equality and stability in its democratic system. This provides a great immunity against hybrid operations, Aaltola said.

Aaltola also asserted on infrastructure development, as a key to countering hybrid warfare challenges such as severing of data cables. We could also develop more active infrastructure, like undersea data cables have to be active surveillance devices as well, which has sensors that detect any hostile movement. Finland has companies that have been working on it. Nokia has created products of this type. So turning a passive infrastructure into an active infrastructure as a protection is one of the keys to fight this challenge. Creating products that protect against such physical damage is a crucial aspect of countering the more aggressive aspects of hybrid warfare, he added.

Relations with China and BRICS nations

Highlighting China as a difficult case due to its economic support to Russia, Aaltola urged the western bloc to be vigilant and reduce dependencies on China, while emphasizing strategic focus on other BRICS nations.

China poses a unique challenge as it actively supports Russia economically, framing their relationship as stronger than allies. Global dependence on China is extensive, strategically cultivated by the nation. If there would be some kind of military escalation in East China Sea or in the South China Sea, then these dependencies might make us vulnerable. So we have to lower them as rapidly as possible, Aaltola said.

Considering BRIC countries, India, the worlds largest democracy, stands out as a natural partner for the European Union and Finland. So we have to strategically focus on other BRIC nations like India, Brazil, and South Africa, he added.

Israels attack in Gaza and Middle East conflicts

Concerning Finlands response to the ongoing attack by Israel in Gaza and conflicts in the broader Middle East, Aaltola expressed worry about regional escalation but also highlighted Finlands limited role.

Im very worried about the potential of regional escalation there. We should also be very careful of certain key actors, especially Iran, that connects to conflicts. Iran is active ally of Russia and it has for years and decades been main sponsor of transnational terrorism in Middle East. Additionally, Im worried about the Yemen situation and how it is hampering the sea traffic in the neighborhood.

Lebanon too is a constant worry. The Finnish role is minor though. U.S. Secretary of State is currently travelling around the region and perhaps U.S. can bring some stability into that region, but it is a difficult and alarming situation.

Elaborating on how the role of Finland is minimal, Aaltola elaborated on the challenges of balancing regional and global concerns and emphasized caution in Finlands involvement.

I think it is the distance mostly. It is similar to situation in Ukraine. So the further you are from Ukraine, the less stances you take. Your own regional issues prevail over the issue at the further distance. Like the countries of Northern Africa, they dont have a clear stance on Ukraine. So when it comes to Ukraine, it is directly linked to the Finnish national security, Aaltola said.

The situation in Gaza started in a way, where moral clarity is difficult to achieve. It started with a terror attack against Israel, but my concern lies in the potential for further escalation and collateral damage. Despite the geographical distance, we have had demonstrations in Finland, which underscore our empathy whenever civilian suffering is evident, Aaltola added.

When questioned about whether, as a presidential candidate, this approach of not intervening unless an issue is regional or directly affects the country is acceptable, he said,

Well, it's the realism of foreign policy. It can lead to accusations of double standards, but honestly I think for most countries globally, the priority remains the nearby complexities over conflicts farther away. I agree that it is sort of striping humanity out of us, but in my opinion, it should not absolve us of the responsibility to condemn all civilian killings and uphold the laws of war universally. Finland consistently emphasize the crucial need for respecting international norms.

Often countries hesitate because of economic dependencies. Like when countries discuss China, they think whether it will hurt their exports, if they are vocal about the behaviour of China in any part of the world. However, when it comes to morality, the unequivocal condemnation of killing innocent lives should always take precedence, Aaltola added.

Economic strategies and climate policy

Considering the current recession and debt crisis, Aaltola underscored the importance of long-term economic planning, bipartisanship, and sustainability in overcoming economic challenges. This reminds me of the whole debate about guns versus. A resilient defence requires a robust economic foundation, and in countries like Finland with low corruption and high development, investing in defence can yield substantial benefits. The thriving workplaces, growth rates, and export possibilities create a market where defence investments translate into tangible outcomes, Aaltola said.

However, the concern arises from the past 15 years, during which governments from diverse political spectrums have struggled to produce economic growth. This highlights the need for bipartisan, long-term planning to ensure sustained economic development and support the countrys security, he added.

Aaltola also highlighted fostering innovation and reducing economic dependencies as strategies to enhance Finlands competitiveness in the global market.

Our reliance on the German economy is significant, given its role as the export engine of the European Union. Finlands economic well-being is closely tied to the performance of the German economy, especially with substantial subcontracting occurring here. To mitigate risks, my recommendation is to prioritize innovation and technological advancements, focusing on producing Finnish products independently rather than being part of complex value chains, Aaltola said.

The key lies in fostering independent, competitive companies capable of selling their products globally. Instead of swiftly selling startups to European or American investors, the emphasis should be on creating sustainable businesses and generating long-term investments that contribute to job creation. Finland excels in producing the worlds best quantum computers, showcasing our high-end innovation capabilities. Supporting and nurturing such promising endeavors should be our main focus for sustained economic growth, he added.

Regarding his plans to meet Finlands carbon neutrality targets while balancing development and mitigating climate change, Mika Aaltola said,

Geopolitics intersects with climate policy, and my vision for Finland is to be independent and free from energy dependencies. Ambitious policies in this regard are important to reduce reliance on Russia and potentially China. The complexity arises due to their monopoly on minerals crucial for the electrified global economy. However, by prioritizing independence, we not only cut dependencies but also transition to cleaner energy. Developing a diverse portfolio, including atomic power plants, not only aligns with our goals but also attracts investors.

Rise of right-wing in Europe and Finlands global reputation

Aaltola highlighted the growing anti-migration movements amid the rise of right-wing governments in Europe. On the repercussions of the rise of right-wing governments in Europe, Aaltola said,

Borders are still very important identity markers for people who vote. Global dynamics are shifting, and anti-migration movements in Europe are on the rise, shaping foreign policy stances. Like in Italy, the current government is relatively right-wing, but they still have very pro -Ukrainian policies. In Netherlands, the Dutch elections are likely to produce a government that is a little bit more critical about providing aids to Ukraine. Of course, it is alarming that democracies are changing, but it is important whether they are still following the democratic process after the elections.

Aaltola acknowledged the impact of new right wing government on Finlands global reputation but underscores the democratic process in decision-making. He also highlighted the need for equitable economic burden-sharing.

So I dont like the fact that they are cutting benefits for the poor and decreasing taxes for the rich. I dont think its Finnish way of doing things. The burden of the economic recession should be equally shared by all types of people of Finland. So thats my stance on the governments policies, but it was democratically elected government, and they have the right to implement their policies.

Democracy allow citizens to choose, and elections provide an opportunity to assess governments on policy merits, he said.

On Finlands recent plan of decreasing embassies abroad, Aaltola asserted on aligning embassy strategies with Finlands evolving role, especially in the context of seeking UN Security Council membership.

It is crucial to align our strategy with Finlands evolving role, particularly as we apply for UN Security Council membership. While we may consolidate embassies in key countries, reducing them elsewhere requires careful consideration, especially as it may be viewed paradoxically during our UN campaign, he urged.

Funding sources of presidential campaign

On his funding sources, Mika Aaltola highlighted that his political campaigns are exceptionally transparent, with funding detailed on his website. Without taxpayer-backed office or party support, we rely on individual donations. The crowdfunding website displays the current number and individual contributions, ensuring complete transparency in our financial sources, he said.

Sonali Telang - HT
THE post of a police community support officer in Henley is in doubt after the town council says it may withdraw funding.

Councillors claim the town is not getting value for money.

This follows the lack of a police presence at the recent boy racer car meets in the car park at Tesco, which have upset residents due to the noise.

Henley Town Council currently pays 18,000 to fund half of the cost of a full-time PCSO specifically for Henley with Thames Valley Police paying the other half.

A meeting of the town councils town and community committee heard that the council no longer received information about the officers activities.

Committee chairman Glen Lambert said: We have no control of where this PCSO is; we cannot even control if they are in Henley.

We do not get reports on their action either, so this is an issue of whether we get our moneys worth.

Councillor Tony Hoskins said: This is a blank contract that we pay for  we dont know what will be achieved or where it will be achieved.

Councillor Ian Reissmann said: I would like to reiterate the fact that the police do a great job with investigating crime and reducing crime as well as working with victims to reassure them.

The town council has always supported and worked well with the police  we have a good relationship with them. We understand that police priorities do not guarantee a police presence of any officer or additional officer that we fund. Perhaps if we try to get information on the policing spent in Henley and officers generally.

Unfortunately, the information that we have been provided with doesnt give us the reassurance that we would need in order to ensure that the money is being well spent.

The issue of the boy racers at Tesco is something that is just one high profile event. I am keen to understand what activities Thames Valley Police define as a higher priority than crimes such as the car meets.

I would like to propose that we defer funding of this policing pending a meeting with the force, so they can explain what we get for our money, what reports we will get on the additional policing and what we get because of our funding. Then we can satisfy ourselves that funding the PCSO is the right thing to do with taxpayers money.

Deputy Mayor Rory Hunt said: I support this proposal as I have concerns about the value for money. This is a very large sum of taxpayers money. It has been 360,000 worth over the years.

We have a duty to spend money responsibly. I cannot honestly say that we can demonstrate the value for money as we lack the data.

We should also ask for the reports of what action they are obliged to give without the additional funding that we supply. We should not proceed with funding at this time.

It is a shame that Thames Valley Police did not attend this meeting to answer these questions. We should give them a chance to answer all our questions.

The committee decided to defer a decision on funding until it has received a response from the police.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: Our local neighbourhood teams are aware of the ongoing issue in relation to car meets and the select number of attendees that cause antisocial behaviour and noise nuisance to the local community.

We are working with local businesses and the council to tackle the issue and will attend these types of incidents when we are able to.

We encourage residents to continue to report incidents.

 What do you think? Write to: Letters, Henley Standard, Caxton House, 1 Station Road, Henley or email letters@henleystandard.co.uk
Chinese astrology delves into how well different zodiac signs get along, and in this article, we'll share which five signs are predicted to be lucky in love in the Year of Wood Dragon 2024. Whether you're single or in a relationship, these signs are expected to experience positive developments in their love lives due to their personalities, energy, and destiny. Curious to find out if your sign is one of them? Let's see what's in store for you. Here are your Love Horoscope Predictions for the Year of Wood Dragon based on your Chinese zodiac signs.(Freepik)

Also Read Wood Dragon Year of 2024: Here is all you should know about the Chinese Horoscope of 2024

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Pig: (1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019)

Pigs zodiac signs are considered lucky in many areas of life, especially regarding love and marriage. They have a strong intuition. Pigs don't waste time on relationships that don't mean much to them. They choose partners who provide love, care, and financial stability. Some may say they're opportunistic in love but give a lot in return. Pigs value family, love deeply, and are committed to their marriages for life.

Also Read Chinese Horoscope 2024: Predictions for Year of the Wood Dragon for each sun sign

In the Year of the Dragon 2024, Pigs will have a positive year ahead. In 2024, they may strongly desire to start a family. The urge to take the next step will grow for those already in committed relationships, especially during the summer. Despite any advice or interference from family members, determined Pigs will stick to their decisions, driven by their ambitions.

Also Read What is Chinese astrology? And what does each zodiac sign tell about your personality?

In 2024, a wonderful love story is expected between a woman born as a Pig and a man born in the Year of the Dragon. Their connection is anticipated to be one of the year's most beautiful and captivating love stories.

Also Read Chinese Finance Horoscope 2024: 5 zodiac signs are likely to get rich in the Year of Wood Dragon

Also Read 2024 Chinese Horoscope: 3 most lucky zodiac signs in the year of dragon

Dog: (1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018)

Individuals born under the Dog sign are naturally charming, making them irresistible to others. They experience good fortune in love, easily igniting intense and long-lasting romances. Dogs, whether male or female, are highly sought-after lovers in the zodiac. They exude confidence, strength, and stability, making them loyal and committed partners who remain steadfast for their loved ones. Despite their occasional appearance of being cosy and pampered, Taurus individuals born under the Dog sign are abundantly generous in giving and receiving love.

Also Read Why are these Chinese zodiac signs unlucky in the year of Wood Dragon? Here's all you should know

Also Read Your Chinese monthly horoscope for January 2024 based on Chinese astrology

In 2024, those born in the Year of the Dog are encouraged to take a significant step and consider getting married. This decision will lead to a life filled with harmony and a lasting marriage. The compatibility between the Dog and the Dragon, two Chinese zodiac signs, is seen as particularly favourable in the upcoming year, bringing only good news.

Also Read Chinese Horoscope 2024: 3 zodiac signs to face obstacles in the Year of the Wood Dragon

Also Read Chinese Horoscope 2024: What can be the lucky colours as per your zodiac sign

For those in the Dog sign, marriages formed in 2024 are anticipated to be enduring. They will likely establish a harmonious household, especially with the Ox zodiac signs. This compatibility arises from shared qualities of being kind-hearted, devoted, and understanding, contributing to a strong and supportive union.

Also Read 2024 Career Horoscope Predictions for the Year of Wood Dragon

Rat: (1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020)

Rats are known for being passionate lovers who can captivate others with their charming smiles and gazes. They excel at making their partners feel special, creating romantic moments that leave a lasting impression. Devoted and loyal, Rats prioritize their families, holding love in high regard. Due to their commitment to finding their soulmates, Rats rarely go through divorces.

Also Read Chinese Horoscope 2024: 3 zodiac signs who are likely to become a mother in the year of Wood Dragon

In 2024, Rats begin the year under the protective influence of the Dragon, which is expected to impact their love lives significantly. This year is deemed one of the best times for Rats to consider marriage. Additionally, in 2024, the Rat zodiac sign is in harmony with Tai Sui, the Great Commander of Chinese Astrology. This alignment suggests that those who are single or uncertain about their relationship status may soon transition from being single to tying the knot.

Also Read Chinese Zodiac signs and their Ideal Matches: Here's why these are the most compatible

For Rats looking to get married in 2024, the most favourable time is predicted to be between May 25 and September 28. During this period, the cosmic energies are believed to be particularly supportive, enhancing the prospects of a successful and joyful union for individuals born under the Rat sign.

Also Read: Chinese Finance Horoscope 2024: 5 zodiac signs are likely to get rich in the Year of Wood Dragon

Dragon: (1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024)

Dragons may not fully realize how fortunate they are in love until they experience it firsthand. Through these experiences, they uncover the vibrancy and wonder that life can hold! Dragons approach finding a partner with care, strategy, patience, observation, and selectiveness. Interestingly, they may find themselves falling in love without even realizing it.

Fortunately, Dragons are often lucky in love because their intuition guides them to the right people who truly deserve their affection. While some Dragons may encounter early failures in short-term relationships, they quickly bounce back and discover everything they desire in love.

Also Read: Chinese Love Horoscope 2024: 5 zodiac signs that will be lucky in love in the Year of Wood Dragon

The year of Wood Dragon 2024 presents an ideal opportunity for Dragons to take the plunge and tie the knot. This upcoming year will bring a wealth of love and romance, allowing current relationships to progress to the next level. This year, Dragons will no longer walk alone, experiencing even greater happiness with a loved one by their side. This person, whom they love wholeheartedly, will be a constant companion, bringing joy and companionship for many years.

Also Read: Chinese Zodiac Signs and their Western equivalents: What you ought to know

Monkey: (1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016)

Monkeys are consistently fortunate in matters of the heart due to their charming personalities. They effortlessly attract admirers and lovers with their friendly, adventurous, romantic, playful, and creative nature. Monkeys love exploring new possibilities and sharing their passions with others, creating a magnetic appeal.

Also Read: Lunar New Year 2024: What the Year of the Wood Dragon means for your Chinese Zodiac

However, their tendency to get bored easily may lead them to switch partners frequently. Monkeys are not overly concerned about losing love, believing that life will offer them another chance. Their confidence and positivity drive them to believe in finding their perfect match someday.

Also Read: 2024 Health Horoscope Predictions for the Year of Wood Dragon

In 2024, the presence of the Wood element adds expressiveness and energy to the Monkey's character, encouraging them to take significant steps, including considering marriage. Marriages that start in 2024 are expected to be based on trust and both partners appreciating each other.

Also Read: Weekly Chinese Horoscope from Jan 29 to Feb 4, 2024: Check what's in store for you
Your bio says you have been dreaming about the artificial since a young age. Were you dreaming of artificial intelligence, too? What were the dreams of young Toby like, and how different were they to those of Professor Toby? Author Toby Walsh (TU Berlin/ Christian Kielmann)

Those dreams were fuelled by science-fiction works by authors like Isaac Asimov and Arthur C Clarke who painted a picture of a future full of robots and intelligent computers. Once I started programming, I realised that I could help build that future. I sold my first computer game at the age of 15 and started a software business shortly after the school holidays. Long term, my goals have always been the same: to build intelligence in those machines. But what has surprised the adult me was that this wasnt without its problems. From the displacement of jobs to the transformation of warfare, there are many potential downsides as well as amazing upsides to AI.

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After having written on the arrival of AI, the future of AI, and a meditation on the morality of AI, what compelled you to write Faking It?

Very simple. I realised I hadnt said too much about deep fakes in Machines Behaving Badly, my last book on AI and ethics. And then, [OpenAIs] GPT-3 came out, and I realised we had a real problem on our hands.

248pp, 499; Speaking Tiger

Besides bad journalism, what else do you think led to the AI hype?

I suspect it reflects some deep psychological and human fears. These fears can be found in many creation myths, as well as in stories like [Mary Shelleys] Frankenstein. We fear that what we create will get the better of us. And given how powerful AI will be, there is perhaps much we should fear.

In an interview, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka rejected the term AI. He said, All knowledge is a creation of human beings, including language, so that as a Yoruba, I will not presume to translate what AI means in English, as it is not my original language. I only have artificial knowledge of the English language, do you see? Faking It also deliberates on nomenclature a lot. You have written about the artificiality of artificial intelligence and offer interesting historical accounts regarding cybernetics in the book. How comfortable are you with using artificial intelligence over other terms? Which do you prefer  artificial intelligence, cybernetics, or surrogate intelligence, as suggested by Soyinka. Also, given that AI, GenAI, and LLM are being used interchangeably, do you believe there will be more confusion in future?

I used to dislike the name artificial intelligence greatly. But it is a name that has stuck. And the deeper I got into writing Faking It, the more I realised that it was a good name, that it should remind us that artificial intelligence is going to be very artificial, very different to human intelligence. On the other hand, I still wish we hadnt come up with the name generative AI. This name focuses your attention on the idea that the AI can generate stuff: photorealistic pictures, or poems in the style of Shakespeare. This is all very fun. But from a practical sense, the ability of these models to summarise and synthesise content is far more practical and useful.

In the book, you highlight problematic experiments like Stanford Universitys ML algorithm that claimed to determine a persons sexual orientation. Would you like to comment on other such bizarre experiments?

Another problematic example is generative AI which can remove the clothes from someone in a picture. There are very few uses of such a tool that are good, and many, many harmful ones.

Though data-collection practices of organisations like OpenAI have been questioned, it seems that theyre immune to any criticism. What can be done to combat such thefts of intellectual property?

There are some very strong class-action suits being brought against companies like OpenAI by authors, artists and organisations like the New York Times. I am confident that the courts will decide that training on intellectual property without consent or compensation is not acceptable. And just like music streaming services had to start paying for content, so will these AI companies.

Crimes like cyber kidnapping and rape in the metaverse are increasingly being registered. You too have cautioned about several dangerous outcomes. What can be done to prevent such crimes?

I believe we need to apply existing laws more strongly. We have often given the tech giants a free pass. We need to hold them more accountable for the content that they host. Its not like they dont make spectacular profits. They have margins greater than almost any other business, often returning 30% or 40% profits on turnover. Some of this needs to be invested in public safety.

You write that any choice requires free will. But a computer doesnt appear to have any free will. Do you anticipate trouble that the deterministic nature of predictive intelligence invites?

The predictability of AI is one of its strengths. Humans are much less predictable. We have the possibility of replacing this with much more consistent and evidence-based decision-making.

Perhaps the world is geared towards more immersive experiences when it comes to the cohabitation of humans and AI. What words of caution do you have for the future generation?

AI is, like any other human invention, just another tool that can amplify human skills.

Your advocacy against the weaponization of robots has resulted in an indefinite ban from Russia. Do you anticipate that such censorship will become the norm in future if anyone tries to register their dissent against malpractices in relation to AI, ML, etc?

I was surprised but pleased to be banned indefinitely from Russia. Pleased because it meant that my advocacy was having an impact. But we do have to worry about the ability of individuals to stand up and advocate for change. The large tech companies have the income of small nation-states. This gives them a lot of power. On the other hand, Project Maven (thousands of Google employees signed a petition against the firms engagement with the US military to help them use AI to improve drone strikes in the battlefield) demonstrates that people can push back.

Could you please use ChatGPT to generate answers to select questions above and share the as-is response.

Input: Caution for Future Generations

ChatGPT response: As we move towards more immersive experiences with AI, future generations must approach this co-habitation with caution. Ethical considerations, responsible development, and a deep understanding of the societal impact of AI are paramount. Balancing innovation with ethical considerations will be crucial for a harmonious integration of humans and AI.

Input: Censorship and Dissent Against Malpractices

ChatGPT response: The ban from Russia highlights potential consequences for dissent against AI malpractices. While I cannot predict the future, its plausible that criticism of AI practices may face censorship, driven by various motives, including political, economic, or ideological interests. Vigilance, global collaboration, and advocacy for ethical AI practices can mitigate such risks.

Saurabh Sharma is a Delhi-based writer and freelance journalist. They can be found on Instagram/X: @writerly_life.
Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra announced on Friday that Tata Group has signed an agreement with France's Airbus to develop civilian helicopters. He said the agreement was signed during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India. Tata and Airbus will create a new assembly line for helicopters soon

Tata and Airbus are already cooperating to make the C-295 transport aircraft in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat.

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Kwatra said during a media briefing on Friday, "Industrial partnership (signed) between Tata and Airbus helicopters for production of H125 helicopters with a significant indigenous and localisation component."

The agreement was also confirmed by Airbus, which said in a statement that the final assembly line (FAL) for helicopters will be set up soon, and the machines produced would also be exported to some of India's neighbouring countries.

"The FAL will take 24 months to set up and deliveries ... are expected to commence in 2026," Airbus said, adding that the location of the facility will be jointly decided by the companies.

During Emmanuel Macron's state visit to India, further cooperation in the defence sector was also discussed by both the countries, including the possibility of French engine maker Safran assisting in manufacture of fighter jet engines in India.

"Safran is fully willing to do it with a 100% transfer of technology in design, development, certification, production and so on," India Ambassador to France Jawed Ashraf said, adding that discussions will continue on the matter.

Safran-India Shakti jet engines deal

Shedding light on the "ongoing discussions" between India and Safran regarding the Shakti jet engine deal, Ambassador of India to France Jawed Ashraf said that the focus of the deliberations is on achieving a set of specifications that align with India's future fighter jet requirements.

"This is a subject of ongoing discussions," Ambassador Ashraf said, highlighting the intricate nature of the negotiations.

"Now, the issue is really about arriving at a set of specifications that comply with our future fighter jet requirements," he said, explaining that the current discourse involves more than just the transfer of manufacturing technology.

According to the Indian envoy to France, the deal aims to delve into the actual design phase, metallurgical aspects, and other critical elements that contribute to the development of advanced jet engines.

(With inputs from Reuters, ANI)
Tesla tumbled over 12% on Thursday after CEO Elon Musk warned sales growth would slow this year despite price cuts that have already hurt margins at the world's most valuable automaker and fueled investor concerns about soft demand and Chinese competition. Elon Musk warned that global Tesla sales might hit a slump (Reuters)(Reuters file photo)

Musk said on Wednesday that growth would be "notably lower" as Tesla focuses on a cheaper, next-generation electric vehicle to be made at its Texas factory in the second half of 2025, which is expected to spark the next boom in deliveries.

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But he said ramping up production of the new model would be challenging because it would involve cutting-edge technologies.

Tesla's stock suffered its sharpest intraday percentage loss in more than a year, with $80 billion in market value wiped out on Thursday. That pushed its market capitalization loss for the month to about $210 billion.

"The Tesla headlines have essentially gone from bad to worse," said TD Cowen analysts, noting that the fourth-quarter revenue and profit were also below expectations.

Shares of other EV makers also fell, with Rivian Automotive Inc, Lucid Group and Fisker down between 4.7% and 8.8%.

The EV industry has been grappling with a slowdown in demand for more than a year and the price cuts by Tesla will likely worsen the pressure on the startups and automakers such as Ford.

"The problem for Tesla is any significant attempt to boost sales from here on will probably need to be achieved at the cost of further falls in operating margin, due to having to compete with BYD in China, as well as increased competition elsewhere," said Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets.

At least nine brokerages downgraded the stock, while seven raised their ratings. The company, on average, has a "hold" rating with a median price target of $225, 23% higher than the share's closing price of $182.63 on Thursday.

Tesla short sellers have made $3.45 billion so far this year, making it the most profitable U.S. short trade, according to data and analytics firm Ortex.

The company's stock trades at nearly 60 times its 12-month forward earnings estimates, according to LSEG data. That gives it a more premium valuation than the other "Magnificent Seven" stocks  a group that includes Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia.

Some analysts said valuation could become tough to justify if Tesla's sales growth and margin weaken further.

"Tesla is increasingly looking like a traditional auto company," said Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi.
Karnataka Congress hit out at former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar for rejoining the BJP, terming his move as a "breach of trust" and questioning his conscience. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state Congress President and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the Congress treated Shettar with respect, after he joined the party ahead of last year's Assembly polls, while the BJP had humiliated him by denying him the ticket to contest the elections in May. Karnataka DCM DK Shivakumar (PTI)(HT_PRINT)

Shettar, who rejoined his old party on Thursday, cited his long association with the BJP, and said many of his well-wishers wanted him to back in the outfit. "Jagadish Shettar had told me that he was being requested (by BJP) and workers were being sent to meet him. Yesterday morning too I spoke to him. He had told me that he would not do such a thing and will not go (to BJP), as the Congress party has given him another life in politics. Keeping his words in mind, I spoke about it Mysuru, but now I got information that he is in BJP office," Shivakumar said.

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READ | Congress is like two-door bus, anyone can..: Karnataka minister on Shettar's exit

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the Congress party, considering Shettar as a senior leader, treated him with respect. "He (Shettar) had said that BJP is not good, he had made several statements against the BJP....Congress had trusted the senior leader, but now you (media) are showing that that trust is being breached. I have got information that he has sent his resignation (as MLC) to the Chairman of the Legislative Council. I don't know whether he has gone or has been taken (by BJP) under any pressure..,," he said.

Responding to Shettar's statement that he has rejoined the BJP in the national interest, Shivakumar asked, "did he not know about national interest, when he was not given the ticket (by BJP)? Did he not know about Congress and national interest, when Congress made him MLC for five years?" Asked whether Shettar has fallen prey to any allurements, he said, "he (Shettar) has to say what allurements were given to him. I can only say that Congress treated him respectfully....all of us have conscience, he too will have conscience."

On whether Laxman Savadi (Congress MLC, who too had joined party from BJP ahead of Assembly polls) will also go back to BJP, Shivakumar said, "no one will go, quitting the party, Shatter has gone, it's a different matter, despite people rejecting him by a margin of 35,000 votes (in May Assembly polls), Congress treated him respectfully, rest conscience and people will decide." Speaking to reporters at Virajpet in Kodagu district, Siddaramaiah said he was not aware of the development, but repeatedly maintained that Congress treated Shettar respectfully and that he had assured that he would not go back to BJP.

READ | No injustice to Shettar in Congress, he was treated with respect: CM Siddaramaiah

"Jagadish Shettar came to Congress stating that BJP humiliated him and did not give a ticket, we gave him a ticket as he is an ex-Chief Minister. He lost in the Assembly election from his own constituency. We then made him MLC. So no injustice or humiliation happened to him from the Congress party, we treated him respectfully," Siddaramaiah said. Shettar joined the Congress on April 17 last year, dealing a blow to the then ruling BJP ahead of Assembly elections.

The decision to part ways with the BJP came after the 68-year-old six time MLA, a former Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and ex-Speaker, was denied ticket to contest in the Hubli-Dharwad (Central) segment, which he represented in the outgoing Lower House. The decision of Shettar, a prominent Lingayat leader from north Karnataka, to join Congress ahead of Assembly polls is one of the factors that adversely impacted the BJP's prospects in a number of segments in the region, as it built a perception that the saffron party was neglecting Lingayat leaders, according to political observers.

Shettar, whose family has been associated with the party since Jana Sangh days, is an influential leader from its bastion of Kittur Karnataka region. He had also served as state BJP president. Shettar, who contested on a Congress ticket after the BJP denied him ticket to contest in the 2023 Assembly polls, was defeated in the Hubli-Dharwad (Central) seat by a margin of 34,289 votes, by BJP's Mahesh Tenginakai, a debutant in electoral politics. Congress had subsequently made Shettar an MLC.
Newly inducted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jagdish Shettar said that it seems that he has come back to his "home" after he joined the party. Former Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar rejoins the Bharatiya Janta Party, in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI Photo) (Gagan Pawar )

"Bharatiya Janata Party is my home. I came back to my home," Shettar said speaking to reporters on Thursday.

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The former Karnataka Chief Minister who had joined the Congress ahead of the 2023 legislative elections last year, returned to the BJP on Thursday.

READ | No injustice to Shettar in Congress, he was treated with respect: CM Siddaramaiah

Shettar said he had a meeting with the party's national leadership Amit Shah and JP Nadda on Thursday as well as state leaders BY Vijayendra, BS Yediyurappa and joined the BJP following their guidance.

"Today I joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Today morning I met our national leaders Amit Shah, Nadda. They heartily welcomed me. In Karnataka, I met state party president BY Vijayendra, BS Yediyurappa and other leaders. They also welcomed me. I joined them according to their guidance," he said.

Responding to a question asked by a reporter on contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the former Chief Minister said, "Whatever the high command directs, I will do."

READ | Congress is like two-door bus, anyone can..: Karnataka minister on Shettar's exit

Senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa welcomed Jagdish Shettar to the party and said that the latter was thinking of rejoining the party for the last few days.

"He (Jagadish Shettar) was thinking of coming back to BJP and today we welcomed him back to the party...Today he met Amit Shah and discussed many things and without any condition he has joined our party. We welcome Jagdish Shettar to our party," Yediyurappa said speaking to reporters.

Responding to a question by a reporter whether former BJP leader Laxman Savadi, who had also quit the party ahead of the Assembly elections will rejoin the party, Yediyurappa said, I could not contact him. Today I will contact him.

Shettar rejoined the BJP in the national capital in the presence of former Karnakata chief minister BS Yediyurappa, Union Minister Bhupender Singh Yadav, Karnataka BJP president Vijayendra Yediyurappa, Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

There had been ongoing rumours about Shettar's return to the BJP for the past few days, to which the Congress leaders in Karnataka had responded by saying that the BJP's leadership crisis in the state prompted the party to head towards Shettar.

Shettar had quit BJP and joined Congress in April 2023, ahead of the Karnataka assembly elections.
On the occasion of Republic Day, Congress party's National President Mallikarjun Kharge hoisted the Indian flag at Bengaluru's Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office on Friday morning. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DCM DK Shivakumar were also present at the event with other senior leaders of the party. Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge after hoisting the tricolour at the KPCC office in Bengaluru on Friday.(Mallikarjun Kharge/Twitter)

Earlier, Kharge conveyed his best wishes to the public on the occasion over social media, writing, On the 75th Republic Day, I extend my good wishes to all fellow citizens. The year 2024 is a very important year for India. This year will decide whether we will be able to save the values of the Constitution and Democracy or go back to the age where not all people are equal.

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READ | Karnataka couple mentioned in 'Mann Ki Baat' gets R-Day invite

In his Republic Day speech at the KPCC office, he hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a puppet of the RSS.

"The RSS and BJP are conspiring to distort this Constitution and to make changes to it. All efforts are being made by the BJP to destroy or weaken our autonomous bodies one by one. Especially as Modi is behaving like a puppet in the hands of RSS, our judiciary or our secularism is facing the brunt," He said.

READ | Bengaluru traffic police issue advisory for Republic Day celebrations

"Probably if there was no Constitution for this country, it would not have been possible for us to save democracy. With lots of effort, leaders of our freedom struggle and the Constituent Assembly members gave this country the Constitution," He added.

The Congress party has fought for the freedom of the country, but the BJP is claiming to be the only saviour. They speak about patriotism and are projecting to the youth that only they are true patriots, and rest all are traitors. Today the BJP, the Prime Minister and Home Minister (Amit Shah) are making all efforts to make it the puppet in their hands. So it is important for us to save our freedom and Constitution for the good future of our younger generation, He further stated.
New Delhi [India], January 25 (ANI): Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) officials arrested an alleged swindler from Hyderabad Airport involved in a syndicate who used to lure victims on the pretext of sending them abroad by offering approved passports of foreign countries at cheaper rates, police said on Thursday. HT Image

The accused has been identified as Sayed Shoukat Ulla (42) resident of Ismile Nagar Hyderabad and he was working as a ticket booking agent.

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Two passengers and an agent travelling on fake passports from Malaysian country were arrested earlier. They started cheating innocent people to earn easy money.

"On September 11, 2022, two passengers namely Nilesh Shailesh Bhai Patel and a woman aged 26 yrs both residents of Gujarat arrived at IGI Airport, New Delhi after being deported from Azerbaijan by air carrier Air India Flight and approached for arrival immigration clearance," Delhi police said.

During scrutiny of travel documents, it was revealed that both duo passengers departed to Dubai, UAE from Mumbai on July 21, 2022 on their Indian Passports.

"Later, they departed from Dubai, UAE to Baku, Azerbaijan via Muskat (transit) on their Indian Passport. But on reaching Baku, Azerbaijan, they produced forged Malaysian passports issued in their names for their entry into Baku which they had acquired fraudulently. The Baku Immigration Authorities returned both passengers to Muskat and after that, they were issued emergency certificates in Muscat, Oman to facilitate their return to India," Delhi police added.

During the investigation, both above said passengers who were arrested earlier disclosed that their journey to Europe via Azerbaijan was arranged by one Agent Vijay Bhai Patel from Gujarat in lieu of Rs. 40.00 Lakh (20 Lakh for each). Agent namely Vijay Bhai Patel age 52 yrs was also arrested in this case earlier.

During further investigation, it was revealed that the accused Sayed Shoukat Ulla had booked the tickets of both passengers and also paid the booking amount through Google Pay and cash and was also involved in making forged Malaysian passports.

"Accused Sayed Shoukat Ulla age 42 years was absconding and deliberating evading his arrest in said case. The accused Shoukat Ulla Syed was nabbed from Hyderabad Airport as he was planning to abscond Dubai by flight," police added.

Accused Syed disclosed that he was working as a ticket booking agent and he used to work on a commission basis along with other agents. In this case, he had booked the tickets of both passengers, made their stay arrangements in Dubai and helped in arranging forged Malaysian passports. In lieu of this, he had received a commission of 13 lakhs approximately. He further confessed his involvement in this case and disclosed that he along with his associates started cheating people to earn easy money.

The accused has been booked in FIR No. 372/2022 U/s 419/420/468/471 IPC and 12 PP Act, IGI Airport police station.

Further efforts are being made to scrutinize his bank accounts and to trace their possible involvement in other similar complaints/cases. (ANI)
Delhis minimum temperature was recorded at 4.7C -- four degrees below normal on Friday in comparison to 4.8C a day earlier. The fog is forecast to become shallow after 10am, making way for a relatively clear view of the Republic Day parade. (ANI photo)

Dense fog was witnessed around the national Capital for over three hours, with the lowest visibility recorded at 100 metres.

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The fog is forecast to become shallow after 10am, making way for a relatively clear view of the Republic Day parade.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a sunny day ahead too, with the maximum forecast to hover around 20C. It was 20.5C a day earlier.

Also Read:IMD forecasts dense fog, cold day for Delhi on Republic Day

Moderate to dense fog is likely in the morning hours till 8:30am (visibility 100-400 metres). It is likely to improve to 500-800 metres with shallow fog from 10am and further improve to 800-1500 metres (mist/shallow fog) from 10:30am, the IMD had said in its Republic Day forecast issued on Thursday evening.

The Republic Day parade is scheduled to start at 10:30am on January 26, running from Vijay Chowk to Kartavya Path.

The fog saw over 25 flights delayed at Delhis Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, while at least 34 trains were delayed by over an hour.

Meanwhile, Delhis air quality deteriorated again, but remained in the upper end of very poor.

The average air quality index (AQI) stood at 387 at 10am on Friday. It was 332 (very poor) at 4pm on Thursday.

Delhi had recorded its second severe air day of the month on Wednesday, when the average AQI was recorded at 409 (severe) at 4pm.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR had held an emergency meeting on Wednesday to review Delhis air quality but has decided against invoking stage-3 measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), citing a possible improvement in air quality in the next 24 hours.

Forecasts show air quality is unlikely to touch severe for the rest of the month now, possibly improving to poor by Saturday.

Delhis air quality is likely to be in the very poor category on Friday and further improve to poor on January 27. The air quality is likely to be in very poor again on January 28 and remain between poor and very poor for the subsequent six days, said the Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi, an air quality forecasting model under the ministry of Earth Sciences.
Navi Mumbai Navi Mumbai Maratha community caters to large morcha crowd

The entire Maratha community in Navi Mumbai worked through the night on Wednesday to ensure that the lakhs of people travelling on foot along with Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil were well fed and hydrated. The community spread across Panvel, Khopoli Kamothe, Kharghar, Belapur, Ulwe took up the challenge of catering food which could feed upto 50 lakh people. The samaj prepared food to be served as lunch and dinner.

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Each node is said to have prepared food which could be consumed by 10 lakh persons, said the community organisers

Taking into consideration the grandness of the event, the community engaged in micro level management that required setting up of multiple teams and groups. The groups were further divided into subgroups and each were entrusted with multiple tasks.

The community residing in Navi Mumbai has come out selflessly to support the movement. Since Thursday morning members have been actively involved in raising all possible assistance like procuring hundreds of tables and chairs, bags etc. Groups comprising 20 to 30 people from each node were assigned various tasks for smooth movement of the rally, said Ranjana Sadolikar, a resident from Kamothe.

Over 1.25 lakh Mathadi workers working across the five markets of APMC showcased their solidarity by contributing 200 each The response to the event is unparalleled. Its not just Maratha community, but we have even agri Kolis, Muslims, Gujarati and Marwadis pitching. Although those walking in the morcha are known to self-sufficient as they carry their own linens, eatables and vessels for cooking, but we have made arrangements for their stay at the market, Terna medical college ground and even at Bharati Vidyapeeth ground in Kharghar, said Vinod Pokharkhar, spokesperson of Sakal Maratha Samaj.

Large quantity of food was prepared that included chapattis, bhakri, pulav, lapsi, farsan etc. While the women rolled out chapattis, the male volunteers helped in packing it. My wife has single handedly rolled out over 80-odd chapatis and each of these were packed in the traditional manner known as Shidori (a cloth bundle which can be hung on the shoulder) wherein the rotis are wrapped with vegetables and chutney to be easily consumed while travelling, said Vijay Chavan, one of the active member from the samaj.

Separate teams were formed to look into coordination with the police department. Volunteers were roped into to look into food collection and distribution. To avert any instance of dehydration, a dedicated team looked into water transportation. The rally has received support from non-Marathas as well wherein donations were made in terms of money and products likely to be needed for the occasion. At short distances, stalls were put up right from the Palaspe junction to Belapur which covered almost 25 kms, said advocate Samadhan Kashid.

Till Thursday late evening, the Maratha quota leader Manoj Jarange-Patils cavalcade was moving slowly and was expected to reach Navi Mumbai in the early hours of Friday. The rally was supposed to have reached the city by this afternoon, and we had prepared food for both lunch and dinner. However, even at 8.30 pm, the rally was in Khopoli. Therefore, it is expected that a large quantity of food and water is likely to remain unconsumed. We are trying to figure out how to use this, said Amol Shitole, another active member of the samaj.
Six workers from Assam died in a tragic accident which took place at a coal mine in Nagalands Wokha district on Thursday. Officials said the workers were engaged at work at a coal mine when a landslide occurred. (Representative file photo)

Officials said the workers were engaged at work at a coal mine when a landslide occurred.

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While the six workers, all from neighbouring Assam, were killed, four others reportedly sustained injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Dimapur where their condition is slated to be critical.
Lawyers for the Hindu litigants in the Gyanvapi Masjid case claimed Thursday that a survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found that a large temple existed at the site of the mosque in Varanasi. The ASI survey reportedly found inscriptions and other material evidence to suggest that a temple existed before construction of the mosque and concluded that the former was destroyed in the 17th century, a period that coincides with the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The custodians of the mosque argue that the structure was built 600 years ago and even repaired during the time of Akbar. The ASIs survey is likely to strengthen the claims of the Hindu side and help build public opinion in its favour.

Two questions arise in this context. First, what is the import of the Gyanvapi survey since the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, a central law passed by Parliament after demolition of the Babri mosque, insists that the religious character of a place of worship (Ayodhya was exempted) shall continue to be the same as it was on August 15, 1947 and that no person shall convert any place of worship into one of a different denomination? Second, to what extent can history and archaeology be deployed to settle disputes related to faith? The Hindu litigants in Ayodhya once held the position that courts cant adjudicate on matters of faith, whereas the Muslim side reposed faith in the judiciary. However, it was the SC that brought closure by ruling in favour of the Hindu side.

In a country like India, with its complex history of migrations, invasions, and conversions, deploying history and archaeology to correct historical wrongs and grievances will be a fraught project. Historys ghosts are best left untouched so that the State can focus on delivering material prosperity rather than mediating religious claims. This is the logic that underlies the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which has been challenged in the SC. In 2019, the Court indicated that the case could be referred to a larger Constitution bench. However, there has been little progress since. The Court has also not ruled on the maintainability of the Gyanvapi suit. Meanwhile, the lower judiciary has allowed interventions in Varanasi and Mathura that go against the spirit of the Places of Worship Act. An early resolution by the SC in the challenge to the Act would help clear the air on the matter and draw the line for the lower courts in cases challenging the character of religious places. Delays vitiate the atmosphere and peaceful resolutions become difficult, as in Ayodhya where prolonged litigation led to the hardening of positions and showdowns with devastating consequences.

Meanwhile, the political ground may have shifted decisively in favour of Hindu claims to contested sites. It took the rath yatra by BJP leader LK Advani in 1990 to bring the Ram Janmabhoomi campaign to the centre stage of national politics and lifted the BJP to the pole position. In the late 1990s, the BJP was forced by allies to hold back its temple agenda and wait for closure in the courts. Today, the momentum is with Hindutva politics, although litigation seems to be a preferred route for parties. Which is why the apex courts stance will have broader implications.
Rajasthan Staff Selection Board, Jaipur will release the GNN, ANM, and Agriculture Supervisor examination admit cards tomorrow, January 27. Candidates can download the hall tickets from the official website at rsmssb.rajasthan.gov.in. Rajasthan Staff Selection Board to release GNN, ANM, and Agriculture Supervisor exam admit cards tomorrow

The contractual Female Health Worker (ANM) recruitment examination will be conducted on February 3. The Agriculture Supervisor Direct Recruitment Exam 2023 will be held on February 4.

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As per the official notification, candidates can download the admit card from Rajasthan State Recruitment Portal ( WhatsApp number 9461062046) from Jan 25 and Jan 26 on the mobile number they entered in the application form.

From January 27, candidates can download their e-admit card from the board's website or through their SSO ID.

RSMSSB GNN, ANM and Agriculture Supervisor Admit Card 2024: How to download

Visit the official website of RSMSSB at rsmssb.rajasthan.gov.in.

Click the RSMSSB admit card link for the GNN, ANM and Agriculture Supervisor.

A new page will open where candidates must enter their login details.

Download the admit card and print it for future reference.
Rajasthan Public Service Commission has released RPSC Exam Dates 2024 for Assistant Professor, Asst. Statistical Officer and other posts. The exam date notice is available to candidates on the official website of RPSC at rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in. RPSC Exam Dates 2024 for Asst Professor, Asst. Statistical Officer out (File Photo)

As per the official schedule, the Archivist Competitive Examination, 2024, Assistant Archivist Competitive Examination, 2024, Research Fellow Competitive Examination, 2024, Chemist Competitive Examination, 2024 and Research Officer Competitive Examination, 2024 will be conducted on August 3 and August 4, 2024.

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Assistant Statistics Officer Competitive Examination, 2024 will be conducted on August 25, 2024 and Assistant Professor Competitive Examination, 2024 will be conducted on September 8 to 12 and September 14 and 15, 2024.

The examinations will be conducted across the state at various exam centres. To download the exam schedule, candidates can follow the steps given below.

Official Schedule Here

RPSC Exam Dates 2024: How to download notice

Visit the official website of RPSC at rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in.

Click on RPSC Exam Dates 2024 link available on the home page.

A new PDF file will open where candidates can check the dates.

Download the page and keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

For more related details candidates can check the official website of RPSC.
State Bank of India will release SBI Clerk Prelims Result 2024 in due course of time. The Junior Associates preliminary results, when declared, will be available to candidates on the official website of SBI at sbi.co.in. SBI Clerk Result 2024 Live Updates SBI Clerk Prelims Result 2024: Where, how to check JA preliminary results (HT File)

The Clerk preliminary examination was conducted on January 5, 6, 11 and 12, 2024 at various exam centres across the country.

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All those candidates who have appeared for the preliminary examination can check the results by following the steps given below.

SBI Clerk Prelims Result 2024: Where, how to check JA preliminary results

Visit the official website of SBI at sbi.co.in.

Click on careers link available on the page.

A new page will open where candidates will have to find Clerk recruitment link.

Click on SBI Clerk Prelims Result 2024 link available on the page.

Enter the required details and click on submit.

Your result will be displayed on the screen.

Check the result and download the page.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

Those candidates who will qualify for the preliminary examination will be eligible to appear for the main examination. Main examination will be conducted tentatively in the month of February 2024.

This recruitment drive will fill up 8283 Junior Associate posts in the organization. For more related details candidates can check the official website of SBI.
Fans have been waiting eagerly for the OTT release of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's blockbuster family crime drama Animal. It's because they not only want to relive their theatrical experience, but also want to watch the extended cut of the film that the director promised them. However, viewers were left disappointed when the Netflix India version didn't offer anything more. (Also Read: Animal OTT release: Here's when Ranbir Kapoor, Sandeep Reddy Vanga blockbuster drops on Netflix after legal dispute) Ranbir Kapoor and Bobby Deol in Animal

No extended cut?

Fans were quick to get let down as soon as they watched the runtime on Netflix India when Animal dropped on the OTT platform on Friday. The runtime was 3 hours and 24 minutes, the same as its theatrical version.

Secondly, when the viewers watched the climactic showdown on the airstrip, between Ranbir Kapoor's protagonist Rannvijay and Bobby Deol's antagonist Abrar, they were disappointed further because there was no kiss between the two actors, as Sandeep had promised after the theatrical release.

Sandeep had said in an interview to Galatta Plus, "Yes, actually there was a kiss. Bobby will kiss Ranbir, a kiss on the cheek, and say, Bhai, I didnt even spend one day with my father, and hell go back and open his zip. It was superb when we were shooting, but I felt like the kiss was diluting the zip. Why I removed it was because Bobby sir gave this expression with a smirk, and a tear falls down his cheek. I felt that was a bigger cinematic high than coming and kissing. He then promised that the kiss would make it to the extended cut on Netflix India.

Reactions to the missing extended cut

Several users on X (formerly Twitter) expressed their disappointment at the missing extended cut. One wrote, Animal extended cut is a scam lol. Original runtime 3H23M. Netflix runtime is 3H24M (eyeroll emojis). Another posted, Where is the extended cut version of Animal on Netflix? It was supposed to be 3h44m run time right?

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Republic Day 2024: On India's 75th Republic Day, celebrities from various film industries, such as Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Jr NTR, Yash, Suniel Shetty and many others, shared their heartfelt wishes for fans on social media. While Yash spoke about 'honouring the past', veteran actor Mohanlal spoke about 'the legacy of our rich heritage'. Also read: Hina Khan says she gets 'goosebumps' every time the National Anthem is played Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and other celebs wish fans on Republic Day

Actor Sidharth Malhotra shared a message about 'freedom, unity, and diversity of our great nation'. Veteran actor Kamal Haasan said he was 'proud to be an Indian citizen'. Mammootty shared a picture of various heritage sites in Delhi and tweeted, "Happy Republic Day." Ahead, a look at how Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan and others celebrated Republic Day 2024.

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Shah Rukh Khan says may the Tiranga always fly high

Shah Rukh Khan took to his Instagram handle and shared a picture of him seemingly holding the Tiranga. He wrote in the caption, Wishing you all a very Happy Republic Day. May the Tiranga always fly high, symbolising the unity, strength and pride of our nation. As Indians, lets contribute towards the progress and prosperity of our country. Jai Hind!

Akshay Kumar says 'our time has come'

He shared a video with Tiger Shroff. The actors were seen running in slow motion with the tricolour in their hands. With the clip, Akshay tweeted, "New India, new confidence, new vision... our time has come. Happy Republic Day. Jai HindJai Bharat."

Mohanlal talks about future with 'unity and progress'

Mohanlal tweeted, Standing tall with pride as we mark the grand occasion of India's 75th Republic Day. Today, let's cherish the legacy of our rich heritage, salute the sacrifices of our heroes, and look forward to a future where unity and progress reign supreme. Jai Hind!

Amitabh Bachchan shares video

Amitabh Bachchan shared a video of himself with some specially-abled children as they performed the national anthem. With it, he tweeted, "T 4901 - Happy Republic Day."

Yash says 'let's honour the past'

Sharing a painting of the tricolour, Yash tweeted, Wishing all my fellow Indians a very Happy Republic Day. Let's honour the past, take pride in the present and strive towards an even brighter future...

Kamal Haasan is 'proud to be an Indian citizen'

Veteran actor Kamal Haasan took to X and wrote in Tamil, "India is celebrating its 75th year of being a Republic, a pioneer in proclaiming to the world the great democratic philosophy of a government by the people, for the people. Heart is proud to be an Indian citizen. Happy Republic Day to all."

Mahesh Babu spoke about India's 'diversity'

He tweeted, "Saluting the spirit of unity, diversity, and resilience, on the occasion of India's 75th Republic Day!"

Jr NTR spoke about the Indian Constitution

Jr NTR tweeted, Saluting our democracy and the glory of the Indian Constitution. Happy 75th Republic Day!

Suniel Shetty shares a pic of himself

The actor took to X to share a photo of himself with the Indian flag, and wrote in Hindi, "Of all the places in the world, our India is the best."

Richa Chadha said we must 'protect' the constitution

The actor tweeted, 'Happy Republic Day India! We fought long and hard for this freedom, to no longer be enslaved by the British! Our values of freedom are enshrined in the constitution! We must protect it, because it protects us, the common citizens. That is why it is the most important. Jain Hind. Jai Bhim."

Sidharth Malhotra spoke about India's unity

He tweeted, "Happy Republic Day! Let us celebrate the freedom, unity, and diversity of our great nation."

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Padma Awards 2024: Legendary actor Vyjayanthimala will be honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, it was announced on Thursday. On Friday, veteran actor Hema Malini took to Instagram to gush over her 'role model' Vyjayanthimala, calling her an 'icon'. Hema also shared a series of pictures of herself with Vyjayanthimala, as the two met at the latter's Chennai home. Hema called it a 'memorable day'. Also read: Saira Banu congratulates 'akka' Vyjayanthimala for Padma Award Hema Malini poses with Vyjayanthimala. The latter was conferred Padma Vibhushan on Thursday.

Hema Malini poses with Vyjayanthimala

Hema Malini kept Vyjayanthimala close in the photos. Dressed in a yellow saree, Vyjayanthimala held Hema's hand in most of the pictures taken at her home in Chenani. Hema was in a green kurta set. The two actors were joined by Vyjayanthimala's family in a group photo.

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In her caption for Vyjayanthimala, Hema Malini wrote she was still in awe of the actor. She wrote, Most memorable day of my life  meeting my role model, the icon Vyjayanthimala along with her lovely family at her Chennai residence yesterday. She is so full of life, still so full of dance in her. She talks dance, lives dance and has a glow and aura around her. I was in as much awe as I was many years ago! Had a nostalgic discussion about her stint in films and her experiences in the industry. One has to learn a lot from her. It was a great moment for me to have been given so much love by this lovely lady  beautiful inside and out!

Vyjayanthimala's Padma Vibhushan

The Padma Awards 2024 were announced on the eve of Republic Day. Vyjayanthimala was conferred the Padma Vibhushan, the nation's second-highest civilian award. Veteran actor Saira Banu congratulated her, and said in an interview with ETimes, "I am so happy about this... the award is truly well deserved... I have grown up watching her films and she is 'akka (elder sister)' to me."

Vyjayanthimala made her acting debut with the Tamil film Vaazhkai (1949), and followed it with a role in the Telugu film Jeevitham (1950). Her first Hindi film was Bahar (1951), before her breakthrough role in the 1954 film, Nagin.

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The Oscar-nominated actor Austin Butler has opened up about his role as the villainous Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in the upcoming film Dune: Part Two, which is set to hit theatres on March 1. Austin Butler from the Apple TV+ series "Masters of the Air" in conversation at The 92nd Street Y on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Butler, who is 32 years old, described his character as ugly and bald during a panel discussion for his new Apple TV+ miniseries Masters of the Air, which took place on Wednesday at New Yorks 92nd Street Y.

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Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen is the nephew of the evil Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, played by Stellan Skarsgard, and a ruthless and violent adversary of the hero Paul Atreides, played by Timothee Chalamet.

ALSO READ| Dune: Part Two - Introducing the latest addition in Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya's space opera

Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen is ugly and bald

Butlers transformation for the role is so drastic that he is barely recognizable in the few glimpses that have been revealed so far. Butler told Josh Horowitz, who interviewed him for a live recording of his Happy Sad Confused podcast at the event, that he based his performance on animals, like a snake and a shark".

He also said that he did some research on certain cultures through time that have been bred in brutality. Because thats the thing, I was trying to find  I didnt want to play a caricature of him, but what does somebody become when theyre born in brutality? And they must act with violence in order to survive. Who does that person become? Horowitz joked, He looks like a sweetheart.

Yeah, said Butler. Hes ugly and bald.

The Elvis star said that he has watched Dune: Part Two, but did not share any more details. Dune: Part Two is the sequel to the critically acclaimed adaptation of Frank Herberts 1965 sci-fi novel, directed by Denis Villeneuve.

ALSO READ| Hollywood films to look forward to in 2024, from Deadpool 3 to Dune: Part Two

A quick Dune Par One recap

The first film ended with Paul Atreides escaping from the Harkonnens, who had killed his father and taken over his familys domain on the desert planet Arrakis. The second film will follow Pauls "mythic journey while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family, according to the official synopsis.

Zendaya will return as Chani, the young Fremen woman who helps Paul survive in the desert. Paul will have to choose between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, and try to stop a terrible future only he can foresee, the synopsis adds.

The cast of Dune: Part Two also includes new additions such as Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Lea Seydoux and Tim Blake Nelson. Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Charlotte Rampling and Javier Bardem will reprise their roles from the first film.

ALSO READ| Griselda first reviews are in: Sofia Vergaras crime drama is a fascinating and fun watch

This is not the first time that Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen has appeared on the big screen. In the 1984 version of Dune, directed by David Lynch, the character was portrayed by Sting opposite Kyle MacLachlan as Paul.
Amazon Prime Video is on a roll! Adding another comedy blockbuster to its new year roster, the streaming platform has revealed the Ricky Stanicky trailer. On January 26, the first good look at the upcoming American comedy film unveiled the star cast in action. Heading the shenanigans in question, John Cena steps in as the imaginary friend Zac Efron never had before! Zac Efron and John Cena in Ricky Stanicky trailer. Movie premieres on Prime Video in March 2024. (Prime Video)

A childhood bestie trio invents an imaginary member of their friend circle, named Ricky Stanicky. Using his excuse as an alibi to get themselves out of any trouble whatsoever, the best friends end up brewing an unprecedented storm for themselves. Dean, JT, and Wes, aka Zac Efron, Andrew Santino and Jermaine Fowler land in a major crisis when their missing partner in crime is called to attendance by their respective spouses.

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Also read: Austin Butler on playing the ugly and bald Feyd Harkonnen in Dune Part Two

In order to pull themselves out of this pickle, they hire a washed-up actor, Rod (John Cena), to step in as the man, the myth himself. As the mythical Mr Stanicky, Cena's fake friend persona butts into the trio's matters and takes things too far. Going over and beyond, he ends up turning into a nightmare come alive for Dean and his friends.

Watch the Ricky Stanicky trailer

The boys' families had already predicted the truth of Ricky's non-existence. However, when John Cena rolls out in his facade, all hell breaks loose. The lie takes flight, whereas Zac Efron's world falls apart. With all these frauds in the same room, audiences can expect a full blown-out chaotic unraveling unlike any other.

The Amazon MGM Studios film is directed by Peter Farrelly - the man who brought audiences the crazy Dumb and Dumber movies starring Jim Carrey. Ricky Stanicky will premiere digitally via Prime Video on March 7, 2024. Its supporting cast also features William H. Macy, Lex Scott Davis, and Anja Savcic.
The only Indian feature film at the Sundance Film Festival this year is debut director Shuchi Talati's Girls Will Be Girls, a complex mother-daughter coming-of-age story premiering at the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. Tender feelings emerge in the whirlpool of burgeoning sexual awareness of its teenage female protagonist Mira (Preeti Panigrahi), but is there a sure way to grow up? There are no easy answers. Confident and deeply empathetic, Girls Will Be Girls is a stirring debut  one that is destined to be a Sundance breakout this year. (Also read: Skywalkers A Love Story review: An exhilarating experience from start to finish) Preeti Panigrahi and Kani Kusruti in a still from Girls Will Be Girls.

The premise

For sixteen year-old Mira is the first female head prefect of her strict boarding school in the Himalayas. She is prim and proper, but never a mean girl. She takes on this new responsibility with seriousness, leading the school pledge during the morning assembly and reprimanding other girls for their dress code. It is with the arrival of a new student Sri (Kesav Binoy Kiron)- a handsome, well-travelled charmer when her calculated social standing begins to shake. She hides her interest in Sri from her strict mother Anila (Kani Kusruti), who is a former student of the school. Anila lives nearby, and unlike the other girls in her dorm, Sri stays with her on some days. She is a watchful parent, having been in her daughter's place just a few years ago, aware of the unassuming glances they share when Sri is invited to study with Mira under her supervision.

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Yet, a gentle but terrifying shift in tone occurs when Mira begins to notice Anila as her adversary in the private space. Suddenly, she is competing with her mother to vouch for Sri's attention as they share a few milkshakes and even plan a secret birthday party. Anila even shows Sri how to dance, coming in between the few precious moments Mira wants to have with his boyfriend. The tension rises and rises, until a gripping interpersonal exchange ensures. Talati handles the shift in tone with confidence and sensitivity, observing Anila and Mira from a delicate, empathetic distance. There are entire scenes where mother and daughter barely speak, yet their glances make room for a thrilling undercurrent of rebellious angst. Not a single moment rings false in these scenes, where I often caught myself breathlessly awaiting what comes next.

Final thoughts

This is a world that directs our gaze inwards, its walls brimming with the unsaid history of the conservative dominance only preserved for women. In school, when Mira complains about some boys clicking inappropriate pictures of girls, the teacher's immediate response is to warn the girls and not make it a bigger mess. The girls should maintain their standards- pull up their socks and wear skirts that cover their knees. Aided with Jih-E Peng's sensitive camerawork, Talati is sharply observant in mining how the invisible structures of patriarchy take shape from an institutional point of view, as the narrative pieces together its threads towards a rewarding (if slightly extended) climax.

Panigrahi gives a wonderfully nuanced performances as Mira, tracing the full fulcrum of her experiences with confidence and poise. She nails the body language of a girl whose curiosity and observation are the film's silent weapon. As Anila, the always dependable Kani Kusruti is terrific as the woman behind the mask of a watchful parent, walking a complex tightrope of emotions in her interactions with her daughter. An early scene, where both mother and daughter share a dance together, is unforgettable. Girls will be girls, but at the end of the day, no wonder they will know how men will also be men.

Santanu Das is covering the Sundance Film Festival 2024 as part of the accredited press.

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Padma Awards 2024 were conferred on the eve of Republic Day, with Chiranjeevi getting the Padma Vibhushan. After hearing this news, I am speechless, said the actor in a video he shared on X. Congratulations poured in for him from not just fans but also from Tollywood celebs and his family members, who took to social media to laud his achievement. (Also Read: An overwhelmed Chiranjeevi reacts to Padma Vibhushan honour: I have done so little) Chiranjeevi has been conferred with two Padma Awards in his career so far

Through sheer effort

Chiranjeevi is the outsider who proved you do not need to be from a star family to make it big in the film industry. Reminiscing about that, his brother, actor-politician Pawan Kalyan shared a press note that read, It has brought me immense joy that my elder brother Chiranjeevi, who made a place for himself in Indian cinema through sheer effort, has been conferred with the Padma Vibhushan.

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He added, Annayya (brother) entered into acting with much passion and gave his heart to every role and film that came his way. He won the audience's hearts and established himself as a leading actor. My elder brothers philanthropic forays have also become an example for many. I convey my heartfelt congratulations to Chiranjeevi for being selected for the Padma Vibhushan.

Your contribution shaped me

Congratulating his father and opening up on just how much Chiranjeevi shaped his life and career, Ram Charan wrote, Congratulations @KChiruTweets on the prestigious Padma Vibhushan! Your contribution to Indian cinema and society at large has played an instrumental role in shaping me and inspiring countless fans. You are an impeccable citizen of this great nation..

He added, Immense gratitude to Government of India & @narendramodi Ji for this honour and recognition. A big shout-out to all fans & well-wishers for their support.Heres to your well-deserved honour #Megastar #PadmaVibhushan #PadmaVibhushanChiranjeevi.

Exceptional contribution to Indian cinema

Congratulations to our legendary @KChiruTweets sir on being honoured with the #PadmaVibhushan. A well-deserved recognition for his exceptional contributions to Indian cinema, wrote Mahesh Babu, while Nagarjuna wrote, Many many Congratulations to dear @Kchirutweets garu for being honored with the #PadmaVibhushan!! Proud of you and an honour to be your friend!! #PadmaAwards2024.

From nowhere to here

Director SS Rajamouli also had similar praise to share when he wrote on X, From nowhere, a boy who laid the first stone for Punadhirallu to becoming the recipient of the second-highest civilian award in India Your journey inspires generations Chiranjeevi Garu. Congratulations on receiving the Padma Vibhushan. @KChiruTweets.

May it inspire generations to come

Jr NTR congratulated both Chiranjeevi and former Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu in his X post, writing, Congratulations to @MVenkaiahNaidu Garu and @KChiruTweets Garu on receiving the Padma Vibhushan! Also, congratulations to all the recipients of Padma Awards. May your remarkable achievement inspire generations to come

Keeping Telugu pride high

His nephew, actor Sai Dharam Tej, even attempted poetry on his X account, writing, Chiru is his name, Keeping Telugu pride high is his game. The remarkable civilian award #PadmaVibhushan honours. The one & only boss, the majestic, the man & his unparalleled legacy. Hearty congratulations pedha mama (uncle) @KChiruTweets.

More congratulatory messages

Upasana Konidela shared congratulatory messages for Chiranjeevi on her Instagram stories, writing, Congratulations dearest mamayya (father-in-law). Congratulations to all those who have supported and contributed towards making Chiranjeevi blood bank so successful.

A screen grab of Upasana Konidela's Instagram stories

Ravi Teja wrote, Padmavibhushan, Megastar @KChiruTweets. Congratulations Annaya (brother). We love you.

Varun Tej was also all praise, writing, Maa chiru navvu nuvvu, maa dhairyam nuvvu, maa garvam nuvvu! (You are our happiness, you are our strength, you are our pride)

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Actor Ravi Teja has seen almost everything in his career. He had massive successes but also equally massive failures. He has played the baddie, he has played the massy lead, he has played the lover boy - he has done it all. But one thing that has remained constant since he debuted as a lead in the 1997 film Sindhooram is that he has always stayed happy. Talking to TRS Clips, he once spilled the beans on the secret to his happiness. (Also Read: Ravi Teja to shoot for Telugu version of Raid in Lucknow) Ravi Teja says the key to his happiness is doing what he loves

I dont take any of it seriously

The actor was asked if he knew the secret to the mass pulse given that his films are a success among sections of the audience. He quickly replied, Theres no such thing as knowing the mass pulse. The only secret is to do work you like. Its different whether the film is a hit or flop. He added, I never take the ups and downs of my career seriously. I enjoy each and every moment, I enjoyed it when I struggled too.

He also stated that since Vikramarkudu was dubbed in Hindi in 2006, he found love nationwide. Many dont know I stayed in Delhi and Mumbai for a while. So many people have seen my dubbed films here since Vikram Rathod (Vikramarkudu) released. I love it when they recognise me here. I also wanted them to recognise my voice, so I dubbed for myself in Tiger Nageswara Rao.

Upcoming work

Ravi Teja will soon star in Eagle, directed by Karthik Ghattamaneni. The film was supposed to release for Pongal, but the makers took a step back as Guntur Kaaram, HanuMan, Saindhav and Naa Saami Ranga were already lined up for release. The film will see Kavya Thapar, Navdeep and Anupama Parameswaran as his co-stars. He will also star in Harish Shankars Telugu remake of Ajay Devgns Hindi film Raid. The film titled Mr Bachchan recently went on-floors.

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Ritesh Agarwal, 30, is the newest and youngest addition to Shark Tank India 3. The OYO Rooms founder and CEO, in an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, opened up about his experience on the show Shark Tank India 3, and termed it fascinating. Ritesh who has been following the show for years, shared how it is as real as it could be, amid funding allegations and claims of show being scripted. Also read: Shark Tank India 3, Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal joins panel along with OYO Rooms founder Ritesh Agarwal Ritesh Agarwal, founder and CEO of Shark Tank India, in chat with Hindustan Times about his television debut.

Excerpts

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How would you define your experience on Shark Tank India with other Sharks, especially being one of the youngest?

Fascinating, because essentially people feel through the show that entrepreneurship is as much appreciated as any other art or skill. I remember my first pitch. Right from there on the show, Amit Jain (co-founder and CEO of CarDekho) gave me feedback. Of course, with Vinita Singh, Namita Thapar, and Piyush Bansal, it has been an amazing experience. They are not only brilliant entrepreneurs, but great co-Sharks.

This is your television debut, What was most challenging about about the show?

I think it wasn't easy. We, as entrepreneurs, are used to taking our time. But here, someone comes to pitch, and you have instantly made a decision right after asking the right questions. Its almost like mental jogging. I think its really a huge deal for entrepreneurs, especially financially, whether you invest or not. Regardless of whether I and other Sharks invest or not, our focus is always on how we can add some value to the entrepreneur. Of course, the goal is to try and see if we can invest and make a deal.

Ritesh Agarwal on Shark Tank India 3.

Was there any quirky pitch that you remember fondly?

There were quite a few quirky pitches. But in the spirit of the show, I will try and keep all the excitement for you, so you can see it on the show. I think it ranges from an entrepreneur from Bihar, who was quite inspirational to an entrepreneur, who was a teenager with an incredibly personal story from the northeast. There was, of course, a pitch in which I was made to wear a saree. I did not know there was a male saree. I have learned quite a bit from all the quirky experiences so far.

One pitch that really touched my heart there was an entrepreneur, a woman, over 50 years. She came to Mumbai from her village for the first time when she went to Shark Tank India for the pitch. She did a fantastic business with revenues running into crores; huge profits. It touched me because I could relate. I come from a small town in the South of Odisha. I could relate to how it feels when you come to a big city. I watched 12th Fail. Vikrant Massey (as Manoj) goes to Gwalior from Chambal, his eyes lit up. I always felt that way.

You met director Vidhu Vinod Chopra and gave a glorious review to his film. Tell us about it.

I had the great opportunity to watch the film, while it was still in operation before its potential release. Vidhu sir was kind enough to offer me to watch the film in his office. I learned so many things about his life. What I liked the most about him is that he came from a small town in Kashmir, did not have any professional training but built himself as probably one of the excellent filmmakers of our country, and, he has remained close to the roots.

He said he wanted to meet me after he heard my mom saying to me 'Jo pair sabse bade hote hai woh pair sabse jhuke hote hai (the one who can bow down to everyone is the greatest of all). I saw that in him. He was very down-to-earth and humble. Along with him, everybody in the cast has done a great job. Both Vikrant Massey and Medha Shankar are one of the most underrated actors in the industry today.

Ritesh Agarwal praises Vikrant Massey and Madha Shankar's 12th Fail

You relate to the film. Everyone's story of struggle becomes inspiring only when there's a success. People don't talk about failures. What is your thought?

When you leave your small place to fulfil your dreams in a bigger city, you will find 50-60 people on the same bus or train with you; they will be just like you, looking for that opportunity. People say there are high chances you might not be successful. In my experience, I think if you try, there is a fifty percent chance that you might be successful. If you don't try then there is a hundred percent chance for you not to be successful. I try to take that chance.

Ritesh Agarwal on failure and success in life.

What about your share of challenges when you started off?

My perspective is that I am in love with failures and challenges. I try to embrace them as much as possible. For example, when my second hotel opened, first-day customers came to my property. There was a floor where water wasn't available and they wanted to stay there. Unfortunately, we had no choice but to let them in. And then, they wanted to take a shower at night. I thought that I will transfer the water from another tank to another myself. We, all in the middle-income family, know how to transfer water from one container to another by sucking out the air from a pipe (siphoning) and moving the air.

I was doing that, and then on another side, I got a call from a New York investor discussing how much million dollars they would like to invest. I felt so hard to believe. (laughs) I believe in life, every failure pushes you down, but it somehow sets you up for success as well. Those you know, how to fail, they eventually succeed very well. Somebody who has gotten their hands dirty, the probability of their success is more.

Tell us more about your early life

Earlier, when I was starting up, there was nothing to inspire people to pursue start-ups. For a long time, people in my family also thought, Why is he doing it? I have three elder siblings, and all of them are doing great jobs. My family thought that why am I not doing a job? For them, if I had gotten an entry-level job at an IT company, it would have been a huge success. They would have been very happy.

Ritesh Agarwal on how his family's reaction to his start up.

But things changed in 2016. Just a few years ago, an initiative was launched for startups by the government of India, and that made my family believe that it was a big opportunity. Of course, thanks to the honourable PM Narendra Modi. I remember he said Listening to Ritesh makes me feel like why I did not start a hotel chain. I think things like these can inspire lakhs of entrepreneurs.

Shark Tank India has been a popular show since its launch. But, there are also claims of delayed funds. Many still wonder if the show is scripted

There's a line in 12th Fail, Ye sirf tumhara ladai nahi hai, hum sab ka ladai hai (This is not only your fight, it is our fight). I think for me to join Shark Tank is to see what I can do in my own way to try and support the next generation. I believe founders should not be judged by how big or small their business is but also by the difference they can make; they should all support each other. I try to do the same.

Ritesh Agarwal on allegations against Shark Tank India funds.

My aim is to provide high transparency about the investments that we make. It is critical to make sure that there is a very high level of detailing about the investments we make. Maybe because the entrepreneurs changed their minds or the estimates of their financials are different I think our intention is to transparently communicate that. My job will be to see how much transparency I can bring in terms of start-up investment so that theres even more excitement among founders.

And what would you like to tell those, who question whether the show is scripted?

I have myself been in the tank now. The first time I see the company is when I am on my seat. When the door opens is the first time when the viewers see the founder, its also the first time I see them. I get to hear them and then ask questions before making the decision. This is truly how it is done.

Ritesh Agarwal on Shark Tank India being called scripted.

They work hard to make sure no way in which the sharks even know who is going to be the founder. There are different places from where they come in. I am not allowed to go places in the tank where founders come and the other way around. There is a lot of effort that goes into this to truly ensure it is authentic. I think the best way is to ask an entrepreneur themselves. Last but not least, I would encourage everyone, regardless of their views on the show, show try and support these founders because they come with significant challenges. Its their dream to come to Shark Tank India. I think its authentic, and I have experienced it.

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Sofia Vergaras new web series, Griselda, hit Netflix on January 25. The crime drama tells the story of a savvy and ambitious Colombian businesswoman called Griselda Blanco, who created one of the most powerful drug cartels in history, earning the moniker  the godmother of cocaine. The series has been rated 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and the IMDb rating stands at 8/10. Reviews have been mostly positive for the series, with Sofia being lauded for her performance. (Also Read: Sofia Vergara reveals the real reason which led to Joe Manganiello divorce: I didnt want to be an old mom) Sophia Vargara as the titular Griselda

What reviewers say

The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Sofia lends Netflixs soft Griselda some much-needed steel. They lauded Netflix for getting the representation right by hiring a Columbian actor for her role in the six-part series.

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The Guardian rated it four stars, calling the series pulpy and stylish. But they did point out that writer Doug Miro plays a little fast and loose with the narrative by taking cinematic liberties.

Variety wrote that Sofias turn as the vicious Narca Griselda is a fascinating watch. They lauded the actors transformation for the role, as well as for showcasing a woman who transforms into a predator after being prey for so long. Collider praised Sofias performance but pointed out that the series ending feels underwhelming and fails to explore the later stages of Griseldas life.

Indiewire called the crime drama predictable, writing that the series, while good, also felt like it couldve done with at least two more episodes instead of ending abruptly. They also praised Sofia for leaving a lasting impression. People called the series a romantic fantasy with cocaine and corpses. They wrote that everyone in the series only exists to serve Sofias titular character.

About Griselda

The series, directed by Andres Baiz, is based on the life of Columbian druglord Griselda Blanco Restrepo. Known as the godmother of cocaine in 1980s Miami, Griselda was eventually assassinated in Medellin on September 3, 2012, aged 69. Her life has often been mentioned in songs by Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Westside Gunn and others.

Catherine Zeta-Jones also once acted in a Lifetime movie based on her life in 2018 titled Cocaine Godmother. Interestingly, Jennifer Lopez has also acted in a film called The Godmother based on Griselda, but it never released.

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Karmma Calling review: In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Raveena Tandon maintained that she's poles apart from her character of Indrani Kothari, despite the fact that both were leading '90s Bollywood actors. As the show unravels, one wonders if Raveena, as we know her, couldve ended up as Indrani in real life. What did she do right for her to not land in the same world as her spruced up, high-society reel counterpart? (Also Read: Not Karmma Calling, Raveena Tandon's Hotstar debut could have been Aarya. Actor reveals why she said no to it) Raveena Tandon plays a '90s actor in Karmma Calling

Raveena vs Indrani

Indrani Kothari was a '90s actor, who gave up on her profession, married a wealthy businessman, had two kids whove grown up into adults now, and relocated to Alibaug, where she operates as the centre of a closed circle, so to say. She throws lavish Karva Chauth parties and seven-course charity dinners. She is dressed up to the hilt every day and expects her kids to not venture out of their social sanctum.

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In other words, Indrani is all about perception. When she gets on a chopper to hunt the moon on the night of Karva Chauth because it's too cloudy, she's sending out a statement. That she has the resources to trump adversity of any nature and degree. That her marriage is on the rocks is a fact that can be drowned out by the thickness noise and eclipsed by the heights the chopper can plunge into.

Costume designer Harsh Dedhia chooses outfits with a lot of flare and cuts for Raveena. Every costume screams drama. And Raveena makes them look even more operatic by mixing style with sadness. As director Ruchi Narain disrobes her character's past, Raveena keeps adding more cracks to her heart. Dressed to the nines, whether in a designer saree or a derby hat, Raveena makes her face tell a different story. Concern, trepidation, guilt, remorse  these hues spill all over her face, even though her power dressing suggests control and pride.

It then won't be far-fetched to say that Raveena, the actor, sees a part of her in Indrani, the character. A part that could've been, had she rested her integrity and self-worth in social capital than in tangible milestones, in perception than in creative fulfilment, and in past glory than in moving with the times. Raveena makes sure she consistently plays out Indrani like a cautionary tale, instead of a woman scorned. She strikes the sweet spot between not judging her character's actions and exercising her moral compass as an actor so as to not deify the powerful woman she could've been.

Before Raveena, her contemporary Madhuri Dixit played a 90s actor in The Fame Game on Netflix India in 2022. Her character symbolised the dilemma between killing her public persona to escape fame, and running back to it like the forbidden fruit she once tasted and still can't get enough of. Similarly, Raveena's Indrani also encapsulates a dilemma: of resigning to destiny like a '90s damsel in distress or reclaiming her identity like an actor of today.

Desi Revenge

Raveena gets the chance to reclaim ravishing, an alliterative adjective associated with her in the 90s. Karmma Calling gives her the space, treatment, positioning, and freedom to do so. Yet shes not the hapless do-gooder of that decade. She not only does bad things, but comes closer to being penalised in every episode. A girl called Karmma (Namrata Sheth) has some unfinished business in Alibaug and all the roads of revenge lead to Indrani. Her backstory is basic, but her devices to scale the social and justice ladder are fascinating.

Ruchi has adapted Karmma Calling from Mike Kelley's 2011-15 ABC show Revenge. Needless to say, there's a ready structure, character graphs, and direction for her screenplay, and she doesn't deviate much either. The surprise really comes from the show's desiness  what unites the haves and have-nots? It's as much the Indian festivals and culture as the urge for retribution. One doesn't have to look beyond the current climate to realise that: being Indian is increasingly being equated to being vengeful.

Yet all the pulp and underlying commentary aside, one can't overlook the mediocrity. Barring Raveena, barely any other actor makes a mark. It's ironic that a 90s actor is the only one bringing nuance to an OTT show filled with fresh actors hamming away to hell. Namrata is constantly carrying that catty glint in her eyes like the vamp of a saas-bahu soap, and Varun Sood as Indranis sweet, rebellious son can't get us to take him seriously. As the show goes forth in loops, it becomes repetitive and clunky, leading to a climax that feels more like a futile shot in the arm than an organic conclusion.

ABC's Revenge ran for four seasons. If Karmma Calling intends to follow suit, it must ensure that the drama transcends Raveena's costumes and permeates the rest of the show. That the intrigue Raveena brings to her role must be cast over the other characters as well. Revenge may be a dish best served cold, but its Indian adaptation doesn't have to be one. Karma must come calling with a broth that's still bubbling.

All episodes of Karmma Calling are now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

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Actor Neha Dhupia feels the free and fearless side of her personality is largely because her father served in the Indian Navy. Even if one family member wears the uniform in your house, your entire thought process towards patriotism changes, she tells us on the occasion of Republic Day. Actor Neha Dhupia opened up about growing up in an army household and how she celebrated the Republic Day as a kid.(Instagram/@nehadhupia)

The 43-year-old recalls how days like Republic Day had a big lead-up in the cantonment area she lived, for instance putting flags on bicycles and dressing up in the tricolor even before the big day.

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In Delhi, we would go and see the Republic Day preparations. The excitement in the air would be great. Even now, I would sit in front of our TV in the morning to watch the parade. My kids have also learned to do that, she says.

For Dhupia, it was a memory down the lane recently when she visited Kerala, where she grew up. Everything has changed, yet things havent changed at all! I saw the trees I climbed, subtle memories of always being outdoors. It used to be a sweet, secure life, the A Thursday (2022) actor adds.

She, however, refuses that she was an army brat. Its not over-confidence, arrogance or attitude. Its just that we have a little more self-assurance than others, Dhupia says.

The mother of two did assert that the least parents and schools can do today is tell their kids the importance of Republic Day. We should watch the parade even if on TV. People work so hard for it for months, the former beauty queen shares.

Ask her what quality she inculcated from her armed forced household that helped her in Bollywood, and she elaborates, That one ability to walk into a room and make a conversation. And this is for all fauji kids. Since we played a lot of sports, we also learned to fail, stand back and compete. All of this said in a very positive way. Non-fauji kids might also have it but in a different skill set.

Dhupia signs off by repeating her fathers words to be fearless and keep your chin between your shoulders.
His name became synonymous with villainous characters for his roles in films such as Dushman (1998), Sangharsh (1999) and Mulk (2018). Taking his quest to unravel grey shades further, actor Ashutosh Rana is now portraying the character of Ravana, in a play. This also marks his return to the Delhi stage and theatre after three decades! Actor Ashutosh Rana has returned to theatre and is performing in Delhi after three decades.(Photo: Raajessh Kashyap/HT)

The last time I performed at Kamani Auditorium in Delhi was in 1994. That was my last production, and I was still studying at the National School of Drama (NSD). Three decades after that, I am now restarting theatre from here. It feels like life has come a full circle, says Rana, who is in the Capital to perform the play Humare Ram.

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Actor Ashutosh Rana recounts how he'd participate in the local Ramleela in his hometown in MP, but couldn't play Ravana as he was too young at that time. (Photo: Raajessh Kashyap/HT)

Incidentally, Rana had always wanted to play the character of king of Lanka. Humare Gadarwara (Madhya Pradesh) mein Ramleela hoti thi par main kabhi Ravana ka kirdar nahin kar paya because I was very young back then and the character needed maturity. Yeh bachpan ki khwaish ab jaake poori hui hai, says the actor.

All this talk of drama invoked nostalgia, and Rana couldnt help but reminisce about his NSD days. Back then, the thought was that actors who wanted to do cinema were not serious about the craft, and I was told that NSD was not the right place for me... It was 1991, he shares, adding, But now that thinking has changed. During his days as a student at the institution, Ranas life was all about theatre. Subah 5.30 se raat ke 12 baje tak bas NSD hi chalta tha. When I recently visited the campus, I saw a lot of change, he adds.

Ashutosh Rana refers to NSD as his "mother institution" since that's where he learnt stagecraft.(Photo: Raajessh Kashyap/HT)

The Tiger 3 (2023) actor also fondly recalls the food scene around the NSD campus during his time spent as a student of theatre in Delhi. Humare time pe Tansen Marg mein ek fast food wali bus hua karti thi jahan achha jamavda hua karta tha... NSD ke bahar ek juice centre hua karta tha, ek chai ki dukan hua karti... Ab tasveer badal gayi hai, he wraps up.

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Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) recently announced the addition of a premium flight service from Kochi to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), marking a significant milestone in increasing connectivity between the two destinations. Beginning March 31st, this new addition will add up to a total of 10 flights a week between the two cities. These three weekly flights are offered by Thai Airways and will depart from Bangkok at 21:40 on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, arriving in Kochi at 00:30 the next day. The return flights will depart from CIAL every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. These three weekly flights are offered by Thai Airways and will depart from Bangkok at 21:40 on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, arriving in Kochi at 00:30 the next day.

According to CIAL's Managing Director, S. Suhas, this new flight marks a major success in the airports effort to offer diverse and convenient travel options. Currently, they handle flights from Air Asia to Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) and this addition would help visitors with more options to choose from.
Bengaluru The woman, identified as Mollera Rathna (48), a labourer in a coffee estate, was trampled by the elephant while she was going to fetch provisions for her home. (HT Archives (For representation))

A woman was killed in an elephant attack at Hosuru Bettageri village in Virajpet taluk in Karnatakas Kodagu district, forest officials said on Thursday .

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The woman, identified as Mollera Rathna (48), a labourer in a coffee estate, was trampled by the elephant while she was going to fetch provisions for her home.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at around 6.40 pm when the victim was going to the provision shop, Virajpet deputy conservator of forests (DCF) Sharana Basappa told HT.

The elephant might have come from Dubare or Chennangi reserve forest; our elephant task force officials are situated on the border of forests, but the incident occurred five kilometers from their presence, he added.

On Thursday, we handed over a cheque worth 15 lakh to the family members and would provide a monthly pension of 4,000 to the family for five years. We have written to the state government to erect a railway barricade fence and are yet to receive funds, he said.

The incident sparked outrage among the local villagers, who are pointing fingers at the alleged negligence of forest officials. The villagers claim to have made numerous calls to the forest officials, expressing their concerns about the presence of elephants in the vicinity. The locals assert that their calls went unanswered, leading to tragic consequences.

Wild elephants are destroying crops worth lakhs of rupees worth every night, but forest officials are not responding properly, B N Bopaiah, a coffee grower in Ammathi, said. Unless the government provides a permanent solution to prevent the entry of wild elephants into human habitats, the conflict will continue, resulting in the deaths of humans as well as elephants, he added.

Knowing about the incident, Virajpet MLA A S Ponnanna visited the spot to console the grieving family. The MLA directed forest officials to conduct immediate elephant operations in the area to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. The MLA assured the villagers that stringent measures would be taken to enhance the safety of residents and prevent elephant attacks.
India celebrates its 75th Republic Day on Friday, focusing on the Nari Shakti and Viksit Bharat themes. For the first time, the parade was heralded by 100 women playing musical instruments such as the Sankh, Nadaswaram, and Nagada. The parade will also witness a march-past by an all-women tri-service contingent at the Kartavya Path. A group of approximately 15 women pilots enthral the audience during the Indian Air Force's fly-past, symbolizing the strength and prowess of 'Nari Shakti.' An all-women contingent holds march-past during R-Day rehearsals.(ANI)

The contingents of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will also consist of only women personnel.

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Speaking about this year's Republic Day celebrations, defence secretary Giridhar Aramane said, The best representation of women will be seen in this year's Republic Day parade.

READ | Republic Day 2024: Emmanuel Macron chief guest, flag hoisting, parade time and other details. Top points

As many as 26 tableaux highlighting the theme of women's empowerment will be seen at this year's Republic Day celebrations. Showcasing the indispensable contributions of women in socio-economic endeavours, the Manipur tableau will feature women working with delicate fibres of lotus stems.

The Manipur tableau will also showcase women riding boats. Positioned behind the Manipur tableau is a replica of 'Ima Keithel,' an exceptional all-women market with a history spanning several centuries, entirely operated by women.

The Odisha tableau will exhibit the active participation of women in handicrafts and handloom sectors, while Chhattisgarh's presentation will highlight the predominant role of women in the tribal communities of Bastar.

In contrast, the Madhya Pradesh tableau aims to showcase the state's accomplishment of integrating women directly into the development process through its welfare schemes. Madhya Pradesh's tableau will feature Avani Chaturvedi, the Indian Air Force's first woman fighter pilot, standing next to a model of a fighter plane.

READ | Republic Day 2024: Over 260 female defence personnel to perform stunts on motorcycle

The Republic Day parade is slated to commence by 10:30 am. The ceremony will commence with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial, where he will guide the nation in paying heartfelt tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath.

Shortly after, President Murmu and her French counterpart Macron will arrive in the 'traditional buggy,' reinstating a practice that has been absent for 40 years, as stated by the defence ministry.

The unfurling of the national flag will be followed by the national anthem, accompanied by a 21-gun salute using the indigenous 105-mm Indian field guns.

(With inputs from agencies)
On Friday, the country will celebrate its 75th Republic Day, with January 26 being the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect, in 1950. As always, all eyes will be on the annual Republic Day parade, during which India's military might and cultural diversity is on display. A contingent of Women Army Medical Corps take part in the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade 2024, at Kartavya Path, in New Delhi on Tuesday (ANI)

French President Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest for this year's parade. He arrived in Jaipur on Thursday, beginning a 2-day visit.

Where to watch Republic Day parade live?

National broadcaster Doordarshan (DD) will begin its live coverage of the parade at 9 am on the day. You can watch the event live on DD's official YouTube channel, and on DD National, its news channel on TV.

Additionally, as the country whose leader is the chief guest, France will also participate in the parade  a 95-member marching contingent and 33-member band contingent from the European nation will march on Kartavya Path, formerly Rajpath.

President Murmu's Republic Day address

On the eve of Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu, as the head of state, addressed the nation. Murmu, who was elected to the topmost constitutional office in July 2022 and is the second woman to hold that post (after Pratibha Patil), will, as President, take salute from the contingents marching at the parade.
At least 9,000 candidates will appear for the physical test for 73 posts of forest guard in the Pune forest division on SRPF Ground, Shivajinagar from January 29 onwards. Earlier in August 2023, the department conducted the written exam for the said post, and out of those at least 9,000 candidates cleared the written exam and qualified for the next round which is the physical test. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

Considering the manpower shortage and available vacancies for the post of forest guard, the Maharashtra forest department started the recruitment procedure for this post.

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Earlier in August 2023, the department conducted the written exam for the said post, and out of those at least 9,000 candidates cleared the written exam and qualified for the next round which is the physical test.

Mahadev Mohite, deputy conservator, Pune forest division, said, Today we held a meeting for micro-planning on how the test will be conducted. All the range forest officials and the other forest staff were instructed accordingly.

The recruitment will not only help us in terms of manpower crisis but also to implementing various projects dynamically, said Mohite.

Earlier the recruitment was held in 2019. However, due to the pandemic, there was no recruitment was held in later years.
Around 960 million voters will be eligible to vote in the upcoming general elections across 1.2 million polling stations manned by 15 million personnel, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Thursday, giving details of its preparations for the worlds largest democratic exercise. President Droupadi Murmu with MoS Arjun Ram Meghwal during the 14th National Voters Day celebrations. (ANI)

Of the 960 million eligible voters, a 5.3% increase 2019s 912 million, 470 million are women, 489.952 million are men and 48,000 are classified as third gender, ECI said.

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Around 17.3 million voters are aged between 18 and 19, 8.1 million have disabilities, and 17.5 million voters are 80 or older, ECI added. Of the 17.5 million voters above 80 years of age, about 200,000 are above the age of 100.

Keeping [the faith of voters in us] in mind, ECI assures all voters, stakeholders and political parties that we are committed to providing a very pleasant experience in voting in 2024 and onwards, and also a level playing field during campaigning, said chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

There is no other example world over of logistical movement of man and material of this magnitude in any other place.

Read Here: BJP to target 50 per cent vote share in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, cluster meets to begin after Jan 15

The announcement came at the 14th National Voters Day to commemorate ECIs 75th anniversary.

Minister of law and judtice Arjun Ram Meghwal credited BR Ambedkar for ensuring that women were allowed to vote in elections from the beginning. Ambedkar flagged the issue of womens right to vote as back as 1928, he said.

ECI also underlined the increase in voter turnout.

Over the years, we have covered a lot of ground. Starting from 17.32 crore voters in 1952, today we have 96 crore voters in our electoral rolls, which includes 47 crore women voters. The voting percentage has increased from 45% in the first general elections [between 1951-52] to 67% in the last general elections, election commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey said.

Despite all these initiatives, there are 30 crore voters who do not vote. Urban apathy, youth apathy and migrant workers are the major challenges before the commission as far as increasing the voter turnout is concerned. Targeted strategies are being carried out to address all these three segments, Pandey added.

Both Kumar and election commissioner Arun Goel thanked political parties for cooperating with ECI, but Kumar flagged the dangers around social media use.

At this stage, political parties being the biggest stakeholder must become the best partners in assuring the ethical journey we have to take. We must ensure that the political scenario remains elevated, and the level of political discourse is maintained. ... Our aim in 2024 is to make sure that we provide a level-playing field and that elections should not only be peaceful but also have less noise, less clutter, and everyone should get equal opportunities, Kumar said.

Read Here: What may shape the 2024 Lok Sabha elections

In todays world, social media plays a very critical role however both positive and negative. Any attempts to undermine the fundamental tenets of faith and trust of people in the electoral process through false narratives will be met with swift, strong and robust measures to uphold the integrity of the elections, Kumar added.

ECI also gave out awards for best electoral practices across 13 categories. Chhattisgarhs chief electoral officer Reena Babasaheb Kangale received the award for best performing state for election management for 2023. She said that in the 2023 assembly elections, two security personnel died in the state, a sharp decrease from the 10 casualties in 2018.

There were fewer than ten IED blasts last year. In 2018, there were more than 25 . Violent incidents which include attacks on polling stations, vehicles and officials also drastically reduced from more than 40-50 in 2018 to about 20 in 2023. Voter turnout also increased by 2.5%. Ensuring peace during polls is necessary to ensure higher voter turnout, Kangale said.

District electoral officer from Dantewada (Chhattisgarh), Vinit Nandanwar, won the general award for election management. Divya Prabhu, DEO of Chitradurga (Karnataka), won the general award for electoral roll management. Saju Vaheed A, DEO of South Tripura, won the award for accessible elections.

Indias tryst with democracy is a story which needs to be told time and again, but any complacency enables authoritarian tendencies to gain ground. Today, we are at a juncture where safeguarding the independence of our institutions is paramount, so that democracy is protected and the Constitution is upheld, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said on X on the occasion ofNational Voters Day.

In a post on X, Union home minister Amit Shah said: Voters day celebrates constitutional values and underlines the responsibility of citizens to use their voting rights to build a powerful nation. I appeal to the youth to spread awareness in this direction.
New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sushil Gupta on Friday announced that the party will contest all 90 seats in the Haryana Assembly elections. He said the party's state unit is mulling the same for the Lok Sabha polls. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. (File Photo)

According to Gupta, they have communicated their stance on the upcoming general elections to the national leadership of the party.

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We will contest alone on all 90 assembly seats in Haryana. Regarding the Lok Sabha, we have communicated our stance to the national leadership of our party that we are strong and we can contest the elections in alliance also and independently as well. The final decision will be taken by the party leadership, Gupta told news agency ANI.

The assembly elections are due in Haryana later this year.

Since 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in power in the state with Manohar Lal Khattar at the helm. In the 2019 Haryana assembly elections, the AAP contested on 46 seats alone and got less than one percent of votes in the constituencies it had contested. The BJP had swept the state with a vote share of 58 percent.

Subsequently, during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, AAP contested the elections in alliance with Dushyant Chautalas Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) on three seats in Haryana - Ambala, Karnal, and Faridabad. The party managed to bag about 45,400 votes in the three constituencies - 0.9 percent of votes in Ambala, 1.7 percent votes in Karnal, and 0.84 percent votes in Faridabad.

Meanwhile, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party has been witnessing some high-profile exits from the party in the state. Recently, the party's key member Ashok Tanwar quit the party and joined the BJP.
West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Friday claimed that the Trinamool Congress government isn't giving permissions to public meetings linked to his party's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (PTI Photo)

In some places, we are facing roadblocks as we are not getting permission to organise public meetings, citing exams. The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra has faced problems in the Northeast, including Assam, and now it is facing problems in TMC-ruled West Bengal as well, Chowdhury was quoted by news agency PTI as saying.

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We thought we would get relaxations in some places in West Bengal but the administration is saying they cannot give it," he added.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Santanu Sen responded to Chowdhury's claims saying the state administration is free of political influences.

Adhir Chowdhury is responsible for the INDIA alliance falling apart in West Bengal. Secondly, all opposition parties conduct programmes in the state, nobody faces any problems. The administration must have taken the decision as there are board examinations in schools, Sen said.

This comes amid the ongoing political tussle between Adhir and TMC. On Thursday, TMC MP Derek O'Brien blamed the Congress leader for being the reason behind TMC contesting Lok Sabha elections solo. Alleging that Chowdhury speaks the language of BJP, O'Brien said, He regularly hosts press briefings to belittle Mamata Banerjee.

Three reasons for the alliance not working in Bengal - Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, O'Brien told reporters.

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

The Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which began in Manipur on January 14, entered West Bengal from Assam on Thursday - a day after the states chief minister Mamata Banerjee ruled out alliance with the Congress in the eastern state for the Lok Sabha polls. The yatra, which will halt for two days on January 26 and 27 in West Bengal, is set to cover Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Uttar Dinajpur, and Darjeeling before reaching Bihar.

Earlier in Assam, a massive row erupted as hundreds of Congress workers clashed with the police and broke through barricades after they were stopped outside Guwahati during the yatra. The clash set off a bitter war of words between Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Rahul Gandhi.
Patna: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will win all 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar if JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar joins hands with the JP Nadda-led party, said BJP MLA Gyanendra Singh Gyanu on Friday. The remark came amid rumours that Nitish Kumar is planning to dump ally RJD and stitch an alliance with the BJP. Patna: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav during the celebration of the 75th Republic Day, at Gandhi Maidan in Patna.(PTI)

The MLA said Prime Minister Narendra Modi likes Nitish Kumar. He said "everything will be sorted out in two days".

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"A change is certain. It is a matter of a short time now. In the BJP yesterday, the party has also taken a decision. Nitish ji is also ready. PM Modi also likes Nitish ji. NDA will win all 40 seats in Bihar if Nitish ji joins us....I think everything will get sorted in two days. There will be an NDA government in Bihar," he told news agency ANI.

Also read: RJD's curt response on Nitish Kumar-BJP rumours: Clear confusion by evening

BJP MLA and LoP of Bihar Legislative Assembly, Vijay Kumar Sinha, also gave a major hint about a possible alliance.

"Bihar's political situation has been discussed in Delhi, and only after analysing the situation, an able leadership will be decided upon... There is absolute anarchy and political instability in Bihar... The decision taken by the helm of the party will be accepted by all the party workers," he said.

Also read: JD(U) leader KC Tyagi reacts to 'Nitish Kumar joining NDA' speculation

BJP MLA Tarkishore Prasad said in politics, "doors never close".

"Yesterday, few Bihar BJP leaders were called for a meeting and a discussion on Lok Sabha elections was held. BJP takes decisions for the betterment of Bihar and the development of the nation. In politics, doors never close. The central leadership of the party will take decisions which are in the interest of Bihar," he said.

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan said there is a stir in Bihar's political situation.

"We are keeping an eye on the situation...Even today, the NDA can win all 40 seats in Bihar. I think in a matter of some time the picture will become clear. For the past few weeks, BJP leadership has been in touch with me regarding the Lok Sabha polls," he said.

INDIA bloc says all is well

The Congress and RJD, Nitish Kumar's INDIA bloc partners, however, expressed hope that he will remain with the Bihar Mahagathbandhan.

"I can say with confidence that Nitish Kumar will remain with the INDIA alliance. Nitish Kumar has resolved to throw BJP out of power, and we have trust in his resolve," said Congress leader Prem Chandra Mishra.

Also read: Bihar abuzz with rumours of Nitish Kumar breaking alliance with RJD, joining BJP-led NDA

RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari said "all is well in the Bihar government".

"Some elements have been trying to topple the government since the start. No one can topple the Bihar government," he said.

Nitish Kumar defeated the BJP in the 2015 assembly elections, in alliance with the RJD. However, two years later, he dumped Lalu Yadav's party and joined the NDA.

In 2022, Nitish Kumar broke away from the NDA and joined the Mahagathbandhan, forming a government with Lalu Yadav's party.

JD(U) on Thursday claimed all is well in the INDIA bloc. JD(U) leader KC Tyagi also claimed Nitish Kumar's "dynasty politics" jibe was not aimed at the RJD.

With inputs from ANI
As uncertainty looms over the future of the coalition government in Bihar with speculations about Nitish Kumar rejoining the BJP-led NDA, the focus has once again shifted to the numbers in the Bihar assembly. The rumors over Nitish getting back with the NDA began on Thursday after RJD supremo Lalu Yadav's daughter Rohini Acharya talked about "changing ideology as the winds change its direction in an X post. The speculations intensified as both JD(U) and RJD held separate meetings to discuss the developments with the party's top leadership. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar with deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav (HT File Photo/Santosh Kumar)

Let's take a look at the numbers in the Bihar assembly

There are a total of 243 members in the Bihar assembly with RJD having the largest number of MLAs in the state, followed by BJP and Nitish Kumar's JD(U). The total number of MLAs in each party in Bihar are:

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RJD - 79

BJP - 78

JD(U) - 45

Congress - 19

Left - 16

HAM - 4

AIMIM - 1

Independent - 1

Presently, the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar consists of RJD, JD(U), Congress, and three Left parties - which has a total of 159 MLAs. However, if JD(U) drops out of the alliance, they will be left with 114 MLAs, leading to the collapse of the coalition government.

Notably, if a party or a coalition wants to form a government in the 243-member Bihar assembly, then they must have the support of at least 122 MLAs.

Now, if Kumar's JD(U) joins hands with the BJP again, they will have 123 MLAs, along with four other MLAs belonging to Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM party which is a part of the NDA alliance - enough for them to form the government.

Nitish Kumar has been known for switching sides to keep his chief ministerial position over the years. In 2020, Nitish contested the assembly elections in an alliance with the BJP. While JD(U) received fewer votes than BJP, Kumar still became the chief minister owing to the pre-poll agreement between the two parties. However, in 2022, the Bihar CM left the NDA alliance and joined the Mahagathbandhan to form the government.
Kochi: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan during the customary policy address to begin the Budget Session of the State Legislative Assembly in Thiruvananthapuram. (Sreeram DK)

Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Thursday took his ongoing feud with the state government to another level by reading out only the last paragraph of his speech, prepared by the government, wrapping up proceedings in a couple of minutes, an act that was criticised by the main opposition party, the Congress.

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Khan arrived at the assembly at 8.57am and was welcomed with bouquets by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and speaker AN Shamseer. He did not shake hands or exchange pleasantries with the chief minister.

Following the national anthem, governor Khan rose to begin the policy address and said: Honourable speaker, chief minister, ministers, leader of opposition and members, it is my honour and privilege to address this august body of representatives of the people of Kerala, marking the beginning of the 10th session of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly.

Then the governor flipped to the last page of the 61-page policy address and read out the last paragraph: Let us remember that our greatest legacy lies not in buildings or monuments, but in the respect and regard we show to the priceless legacy of the Constitution of India and the timeless values of democracy, secularism, federalism and social justice. The essence of cooperative federalism is what has kept our country united and strong all these years. It is our bounden duty to ensure that this essence is not diluted. Together as part of this varied and beautiful nation, we will weave the tapestry of inclusive growth and responsible resilience, overcoming all the challenges that are thrown our way.

He concluded his address and walked out of the assembly at 9.04 am.

Reacting to the governors brief address, state law minister P Rajeev said: He has fulfilled his constitutional duty. He approved the policy address prepared by the cabinet. Its fine to read the first and last paragraphs of the address. It is seen as having entered the assembly records. It is equal to reading the policy address. I dont think its right to say that he insulted the assembly.

Rajeev, however, said he doesnt know why the governor chose to read only the first and last paragraphs.

A copy of the policy address, released to the media, showed that it contained criticisms of the Union government for pushing Kerala into a financial distress. In 2023-24, the discontinuation of GST compensation, a reduction in revenue deficit grant and restrictions imposed on off-budget borrowings of the State by the Union exacerbated the fiscal condition of the State. The State has been constrained to approach the Supreme Court for a solution to the financial impasse thrust on the State, the address said.

The state government has been locked in a standoff with the governor over various issues, for quite some time, including the appointment of senate members in universities and Khans pending assent to bills cleared by the state assembly.

In November last year, the governor cleared one bill and referred seven others to President Droupadi Murmu, after the Supreme Court asked him to read its ruling on a petition filed by the Punjab government against its governor.

This came after the Kerala government moved the top court last year, stating that the governor was not discharging his constitutional duties by sitting on bills passed by the assembly inordinately.

In several non-BJP-ruled states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, there has been friction between the Raj Bhavans and the state governments over various issues.

Last year, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Punjab approached the Supreme Court, seeking directives to their respective governors over pending legislations.

The Kerala governors address on the opening day of an assembly session is prepared by the state government and lists its policies, plans, and achievements. Sometimes, in states ruled by parties opposed to that in the Centre, it also has paragraphs critical of the Union government.

PDT Achary, former secretary general of the Lok Sabha, opined that the governors move on Thursday did not comply with requirements of Article 176 of the Constitution. Article 176 states that the governor shall address the assembly and inform the legislature of the causes of its summons. And how does he inform? It is through a speech written by the government that he has to read out. He cannot make additions or deletions to the address. By just reading the last paragraph, he is not informing the legislature of the causes of its summons, said Achary.

If the governor had any kind of health issues, he could have stated that and said that he was only going to read the last paragraph and the rest of the address should be taken as read, added the constitutional expert.

Khans speech was the shortest-ever policy address by a governor in the history of the Kerala assembly, assembly records showed.

Leader of opposition VD Satheesan said, We see the governors action as a sign of complete disrespect to the assembly. He has acted in contempt of the legislative procedures and constitutional directives. It was a sad end to the political drama between the state government and the governor in the assembly.

Culture minister Saji Cheriyan told reporters, The governor may have had some health issues.
New Delhi: After the ASI survey found remnants of a temple in Varanasi's Gyanvapi mosque, BJP leader and union minister Giriraj Singh said on Friday that the Muslim side should hand over the mosque to Hindus. Union minister Giriraj Singh said youths of the country will have to become Maharana Pratap.(ANI file photo)

'The Pran Pratishtha (consecration) at the Ram temple (in Ayodhya) has been done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Sanatanis have welcomed it... But our demand has always been Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura," Singh was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

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He said in order to maintain communal harmony, the Kashi mosque must be handed over to Hindus.

"I will appeal to my Muslim brothers, when all evidence is out, hand over Kashi to Hindus, so that communal harmony is maintained. We have not broken any mosques after independence, but there is no temple left in Pakistan," he said.

Singh said the youths of India will become Maharana Pratap if someone tries to be Babur.

"If someone tries to be Babur or Aurangzeb, youths will have to become Maharana Pratap. You should ensure peace is maintained, the ball is in your court," Singh added.

Also read: Gyanvapi mosque panel reacts to ASI's 'pre-existing temple' finding, says 'not final word'

Temple remains found at Gyanvapi site

Vishnu Shankar Jain, who represents the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath case, said on Thursday that the ASI survey suggests the mosque was built on the remains of a pre-existing temple.

He said the mosque was built in the 17th century after Aurangzeb demolished a grand Hindu temple.

Jain claimed the debris of the statues of Hindu gods was found in two basements during the survey. A stone with "mahamukti" inscribed on it has also been found, he added.

He said the western wall of the mosque has a ghanta and a swastik inscribed on it.

"These evidence indicate that when the temple of Adivishwara was demolished by Aurangzeb in the 17th century, a grand temple was pre-existing there," Jain claimed.

Meanwhile, the mosque's managing committee has said the report is not the final word of a court.

Mohd Yasin, the secretary of the committee, said, "This is just a report and not a 'faisala' (judgment). There are several kinds of reports. It is not the final word on the issue."

Asaduddin Owaisi yesterday said the report is based on conjecture.

"This wouldnt stand academic scrutiny before any set of professional archaeologists or historians. The report is based on conjecture and makes a mockery of scientific study. As a great scholar once said 'ASI is the handmaiden of Hindutva'," he wrote on X.

With inputs from PTI
West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Thursday hit back at Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien, who blamed the former for the INDIA bloc not working out in West Bengal, and called him a foreigner. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury at a rally. (Samir Jana/Hindustan Times)

Derek O'Brien had held Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury exclusively responsible for differences, a day after Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee ruled out any possibility of an alliance with the Congress for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the state.

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Reacting to O'Brien's statement that Chowdhury was working at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and it was because of him that the alliance between the TMC and the Congress did not work out in West Bengal, the Congress said, "He is a foreigner, he knows a lot more, you can ask him." Chowdhury was responding to a media query.

When contacted, O'Brien declined to comment on Chowdhury's remark, news agency PTI reported.

Speaking with news agency ANI on the Congress-TMC rift over seat sharing in Bengal, O'Brien earlier said, "INDIA alliance has two main detractors: The BJP and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. He speaks the language of the BJP. The three reasons for the alliance not working in Bengal: 1. Adhir Chowdhury 2. Adhir Chowdhury 3. Adhir Chowdhury."

His statement came after Mamata Banerje's announcement that the TMC will fight Lok Sabha polls alone in the state.

"I had no discussions with the Congress party. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I am not concerned about what will be done in the country but we are a secular party and in Bengal, we alone will defeat the BJP," Banerjee had said.

The move by Banerjee is seen as a big blow to the prospects of the India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance or INDIA, which was formed seven months ago to take on the BJP-led NDA in the Lok Sabha elections.

The senior Congress claimed that his party was facing problems in getting permission to organise some public meetings as part of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in West Bengal.

"The yatra will continue as scheduled in West Bengal, but in some places, we are facing roadblocks. We wanted to organise public meetings in certain places, but due to various kinds of exams, we are not getting permission in accordance with Supreme Court directives. We thought we would get relaxations in some places, but we are not getting it from the administration, they are saying that they can't give it. However, the yatra will go on, there will be no change in it," Chowdhury said.

The Rahul Gandhi-led yatra took a two-day break after entering West Bengal from Assam. It will resume on January 28.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi adopted a conciliatory tone saying that the INDIA bloc will fight "anyay" together. The Wayanad MP added that he was happy to have come to West Bengal.

"I am happy to have come to West Bengal. We have come here to listen to you and stand with you...BJP-RSS are spreading hatred, violence and injustice. So, INDIA formation is going to fight 'Anyay' together" Gandhi said.

(With inputs from agencies)
The Karnataka State Commission For the Other Backward Classes (OBC) will submit the caste survey report to the Siddaramaiah government before January 31, commission chairman Jayaprakash Hegde said on Thursday. OBC Commission chairman Hegdes tenure ended in November last year, but chief minister Siddaramaiah had extended it by two months (ANI)

The report is almost ready and it will be submitted to the government before January 31, Hegde said.

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The statement comes as two dominant communities in the state  Lingayats and Vokkgaliags  have raised objections to the report.

OBC Commission chairman Hegdes tenure ended in November last year, but chief minister Siddaramaiah had extended it by two months. The tenure of the current OBC panel will end on January 31.

When asked about the date of submission, Hegde said that it would be submitted to the government when the CM gives time. We have sought time from the chief minister to submit the report. He is busy with the budget preparations. We will submit the report when we get an appointment. Once the report is submitted it would be taken to the cabinet where they will decide on it, Hegde said.

The commission chairman said that it was a challenging task to analyse the data collected in 2015 and the results are satisfactory. The data was collected by visiting houses in the state. We sought an extension as we had to analyse the data. The report is in the final stage, Hegde added.

A schism had surfaced within the Karnataka Congress regarding the release of the survey findings, with Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar being at odds, issuing conflicting statements on the release of the report. While the CM has said a decision will be taken once he receives the report, Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief, has advocated for a re-conduct of the caste survey.

Vokkaliags and Lingayats have opposed the 2015 survey, calling it unscientific and have demanded that a fresh survey be conducted. The survey, parts of which were leaked ahead of the 2018 assembly polls, allegedly dispute the numerical strength of Lingayats and Vokkaligas.

When asked about the allegations of the report being unscientific, Hedge said, I dont understand how they are calling it unscientific even before the report has been submitted. Once we have submitted this to the government, it will come into the public domain. Then there should be a discussion on it.

Shivakumar, who is from the Vokkaliga community, was a signatory, along with a few other ministers, to a memorandum submitted by the community in November to the chief minister, requesting to reject the report along with the data.

The leaked data indicated that Scheduled Castes (SCs) accounted for 19.5% of the states total population, followed by Muslims at 16%. Lingayats and Vokkaligas represented 14% and 11% of the population, respectively. Within the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the Kuruba community alone comprised 7% of Karnatakas population, contributing to the OBCs overall representation of 20% in the state.

Collectively, these groups, including SCs, STs, Muslims, and Kurubas, formed a substantial portion of the population at 47.5%. The political implications of these findings could significantly impact the states political landscape, according to federations of marginalized sections.

Meanwhile, the Veerashaiva Mahasabha had asked its community members not to describe themselves as Hindu in the forthcoming census . This decision was taken among the eight resolutions adopted by delegates during the 24th annual convention of the Veerashaiva Mahasabha in Davangere in December.

Resolution number five taken during the convention calls on all community members to refrain from using the term Hindu, stating that it is in the best interest of society and aims to accurately represent the communitys specific numbers.

All community members should not use the term Hindu to describe their religion in the next census. They should shun names of sub-castes. They should only use the terms Veerashaiva or Lingayat to describe themselves. This is for the good of society and to tell the world about the specific numbers of our community, read the resolution.
India and France have agreed to a new road map for defence industrial cooperation to identify opportunities for partnership in the sector including co-designing, co-development and co-production of military hardware, the two countries will jointly produce a multi-mission helicopter in India, and French engine maker Safran is willing to transfer 100% technology to build fighter jet engines in the country, top officials said on Friday, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held extensive talks to deepen strategic ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday. (PTI)

The two counties have also reached agreements on defence space partnership, satellite launches, joint research in clean energy, health care cooperation, collaboration in the field of public administration, and activation of five-year validity of Schengen visas for Indian students pursuing their Masters degree in France, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said, briefing the media on the outcome of the talks between the two leaders.

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Tata and Airbus Helicopters will partner to produce the H125 helicopters in India with a significant indigenous and localisation component, he said.

This will be Indias first helicopter assembly line in the private sector under the governments Make in India initiative. The production of the first made-in-India H125 helicopter is expected to commence in 2026, people aware of the matter said. The helicopter can carry up to six passengers.

The two countries have agreed to adopt the defence production road map. The priority of defence cooperation through this road map is to actually identify opportunities for partnership in the defence industrial sector that prioritise co-designing, co-development, co-production and also building the defence supply chains between the two countries so that they cannot only fulfil the defence needs of India and France but also can be a useful contributor to the security partnership with other countries who might be in use of similar products, Kwatra said, in response to a question.

Elaborating on the scope of the cooperation, he said it will encompass both air and space technologies, maritime technology including underwater domain awareness, equipment and systems related to land warfare, robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and platforms, and cyber defence.

Read Here: How France's Macron powers PM Modis 'Viksit Bharat' ambition

This flows from what the two countries agreed to in the Horizon 2047 Roadmap last year...The focus is on defence production and manufacturing in a manner that you can harness the compatibilities and competencies which the two economies have and the two engineering systems have and then use it to further strengthen your defence cooperation.

Macrons visit seeks to consolidate the ambitious renewal of the India-France strategic partnership that the two leaders decided on in Paris last July through the Horizon 2047 Roadmap.

The French Presidents visit has been very heavy in terms of its substantive outcome as well as the richness of discussions between the two leaders, he said.

France could step in to help India design and develop fighter jet engines.

On the Safran engine for Indias fighter jet programme, Indias ambassador to France Jawed Ashraf, who was present at the briefing, said, The issue is really about arriving at a set of specifications that comply with our future fighter jet requirements. So this always features in the conversation between the President and the PM because what we are looking for is not just a manufacturing transfer of technology which essentially keeps you going with the same crutches that you have been going on for the last six decades. But to work in the actual design phase, metallurgical aspects etc. Safran is fully willing to do it with a 100% transfer of technology in design, development, certification, production and so forth. But it is obviously a very complex subject, and it has to fit in with the overall future requirements. These discussions will continue to take place and thats also a part of the defence industrial road map.

Read Here: PM Modi, Macron discuss tensions in Red Sea, Israel-Hamas conflict

Space has been one of the key anchors of the India-France strategic partnership, and Kwatra said that NewSpace India Limited and Arianespace have finalised an MoU to cooperate on satellite launches.

The letter intent that the two countries have agreed on this time would essentially focus on areas such as space situational awareness which is very important to build an understanding of the kind of traffic which is up there in the space, collision avoidance, again because of traffic, Earth monitoring from the space, remote sensing, communications and broadcasting.

There is also a related understanding which was arrived at between NSIL and Arianespace on the optimisation of satellite launches. France has some very strong satellite launching capabilities and so does India. And the idea is how do these two institutions come together to optimise these capacities including through the best and maximum use the satellite launch windows that might be available.

The salience of the India-France partnership has only grown in todays complex geopolitical environment and in pursuit of national priorities and interests, Kwatra said, adding that it has been agreed that the 2026 will be celebrated as India-France year of innovation.

Watch: PM Modi, French President Macron share cup of masala tea in Jaipur

He said the two sides had agreed on a young professional scheme to promote exchanges of professionals aged between 18 and 35 years under the overall framework of India-France migration and mobility partnership agreement.

The topics of discussion between the two leaders included areas of priority and focus in our bilateral partnership as also issues of interest and significance regionally and globally.

The two leaders have had extensive exchanges over the last year having met six times alone in 2023, and four times in the last six months alone, a clear reflection of the importance by both the leaders to this partnership as also the intensity of high-level supervision and direction to the relationship, Kwatra said.

The partnership over the years has shown all round progress across all the domains including defence, security, nuclear energy, space, clean energy, blue economy, biodiversity, science and technology, digital domain and in the field of commerce and economic cooperation.

Responding to a question on cooperation in the Indian Ocean region and Indo-Pacific, Kwatra said both India and France are resident powers in this part of the world and they can cooperate to mitigate the challenges and harvest the opportunities that exist. That has always been a very important priority of discussions between the leaders. And discussions this time were no exception.

The Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in Gaza and the Red Sea tensions also figured in the talks, he said.
NEW DELHI: West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Friday said he has expressed his regret to Trinamools Rajya Sabha leader Derek OBrien for calling him a foreigner. The Congress leadership is learnt to have nudged Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on the issue. (ANI Video/Screengrab)

I conveyed my regrets to MR DEREK OBRIEN for an word inadvertently uttered by me on him as FOREIGNER, Chowdhury said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday.

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The war of words escalated on Thursday with OBrien calling Adhir Chowdhurys relentless attack on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee as the main reason for Trinamools decision to go solo in the Lok Sabha polls.

Hours later when after Chowdhury was asked about OBriens statement that he and BJP were speaking in the same language, Chowdhury brushed aside the question: saying: He (OBrien) is a foreigner, he knows a lot of things. Ask him...

The Congress leadership is learnt to have nudged Chowdhury on the issue.

The attack on OBrien came amid Banerjee pulling out of the alliance in Bengal citing a delay in seat talks. While the Congress leadership is trying to placate Banerjee by hailing her as the tallest leader in Bengal and an inseparable part of the alliance, Chowdhurys barb is set to make the relationship more complicated.

Chowdhury, a fierce critic of Banerjee, has been known to oppose any alliance between the Congress and the TMC. The Trinamool has alleged that since the alliance was formed on June 23 last year, the Congress leader continued to attack Banerjee.

OBrien also accused that Chowdhury is the voice, but content is provided by the two people in Delhi.
No one is born a criminal but is made into one by circumstances, Supreme Court judge Sanjiv Khanna said on Thursday as he inaugurated a pan-India campaign by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) aimed at identifying juveniles in prisons and providing them with essential legal assistance to ensure their freedom from adult jails. SC judge Sanjiv Khanna inaugurated a pan-India campaign by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).

The campaign, called Restoring the Youth, envisages identification of individuals who were potentially minors at the time of the offence, assisting them in filing necessary applications for claiming juvenility before the appropriate court and facilitating their transfer to child care Institutions in appropriate cases.

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Criminals are made by circumstances. No one is born a criminal. The path towards criminality is often a result and consequence of experiences and circumstances mostly shaped by neglect, external influences or lack of guidance, justice Khanna, who is the executive chairman of NALSA, stressed while inaugurating the event.

The second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court added that the campaign aims to rewrite the narrative of juvenile justice by emphasising on compassion, redemption and a hope that no child remains confined within adult jails.

The pan-India campaign will be from January 25 to February 27, involving officials, lawyers and para-legal volunteers of NALSA from across the country for visiting prisons and identifying those who were juveniles at the time of the commission of the alleged offence. These teams will subsequently institute suitable legal proceedings to secure reprieve for the juveniles.

The campaign Restoring the Youth is a call to action, aligning with the principles of justice and the safeguarding of childrens rights, marking a significant step towards a more humane and developmentally appropriate treatment of juvenile offenders, an official release from NALSA stated.

The Juvenile Justice Act prohibits lodging of juvenile delinquents in adult jails as they can only be sent to special homes under the law that are meant to serve as correctional homes.

A slew of Supreme Court judgments has also clarified that the claim of juvenility can be raised before any court, at any stage, and even after final disposal of the case. According to these judgments, if the court finds a person to be a juvenile on the date of commission of the offence, it is to forward the juvenile to the Juvenile Justice Board for passing appropriate orders, and the sentence, if any, passed by a court, shall be deemed to have no effect.

As recently as on January 17, the Supreme Court freed a woman in a 23-year-old murder case after noting that she was a minor at the time the offence was committed. Without going into the merits of her appeal, the top court noted that she had to be acquitted solely because she was less than 18 when the offence took place and yet, she had to undergo incarceration for over eight years.
The Supreme Court said that the criteria to identify private forests cannot be uniform across the country. SC said that the existing criteria for identification of private forests in Goa are adequate and valid, hence, they require no alteration. (Representative file photo)

The Court gave the ruling in a recent judgement, while dismissing a petition challenging the criteria adopted in this regard by the Goa government.

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The Court upheld the state criteria which pegged private forest as lands with 40% tree canopy and 5 hectare land and said, The existing criteria for identification of private forests in the State of Goa are adequate and valid, hence, they require no alteration.

Dismissing the petition by NGO Goa Foundation to reduce the criteria to 10% canopy density and 1 hectare land, a three-judge bench of the top court headed by justice Bhushan R Gavai said that allowing such a prayer will open a pandoras box and will result in plantations and private farmlands growing bamboo, palm, cashew to be classified as forests, in a state which already has 60% forest cover, three times that of the forest cover in the country.

According to the India State of Forest Report, 2017 published by Forest Survey of India (FSI), forest cover in Goa extends to 2,229 sq km, which is 60.21% of 3,702 sq km, the total area in the state.

The national forest cover, according to the same report, is 21.54%.

Also Read: No coercive action against Halal Trust in FIR over sale of halal products: SC

The bench, also comprising justices Aravind Kumar and Prashant K Mishra said, None of the states have adopted the criteria, namely the 0.1 density criteria, as it would result in opening a pandoras box, and it would result in all the states undertaking the task of reassessing the forest area all over again which has since been settled on the basis of existing criteria.

Citing reasons, the bench said, The application of criteria cannot be universally standardised across the country, as it is contingent upon the specific geography and geographical conditions prevalent in each State.

This criteria may vary from state to state as each state possesses distinctive geographical features, it added.

The petition had relied on the celebrated judgment of TN Godavarman case passed on December 12, 1996 that gave a broad definition of the word forests for the purpose of Section 2(i) of the Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 1980.

The 1996 decision held that forest must be understood according to its dictionary meaning, covering all statutorily recognised forests, whether designated as reserved, protected or otherwise irrespective of its ownership.

Following this judgment, the Goa government constituted the Sawant Committee in 1997 which identified a total of 46.89 sq. kms as private forest.

Thereafter the Karapurkar Committee was constituted in 2000 to identify the remaining areas. This committee identified 20.18 sq. kms of private forests.

This determination was made based on the criteria announced in a public notice in 1997 that required forests to be lands with 75% of the tree composition to be forestry species, area to be contiguous to the government forest and if in isolation, the minimum area should be 5 hectares, and canopy density not less than 0.4 (40%).

Upholding the report of the expert committee constituted by Goa, the top court said, This Court on December 12, 1996, had expressly delegated the task of identifying forest areas to Expert Committees to be constituted by state governments, thereby recognising that there can be no uniform criteria for such identification across the country... It would be apt to consider the criteria/parameters formulated by various states to identify the private forest.

Further, the bench noted that by reducing the criteria, The effect would be that even for a minor development on the concerned land, the permission of the government under the FCA 1980, for the landholders, would become indispensable.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) guidelines, as well as the Scheduled Tribes & other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, exempts the application of 1980 Act on areas that are less than 1 hectare and where not more than 75 trees are to be cut.

For the state of Goa, advocate Nalin Kohli pointed out that if the criteria proposed by Goa Foundation is implemented, it would roughly mean that any area with 10 to 20 planted trees across 10,000 sq. metres space will be a deemed forest and prior approval from the central government under the FCA would be required.

Kohli argued that Goa is uniquely placed in the geographical ecosystem having forest cover of about 60.2% and another 8% as tree cover.

In addition, there are areas under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification; areas under Ecologically Sensitive Area, areas under riverine and other wetlands; and areas of no development.

During the hearing of the plea by Goa Foundation, the top court had on February 4, 2015, directed Goa not to issue any No Objection Certificate for conversion of any plot that has natural vegetation with tree canopy density exceeding 0.1 (10%) and an area above one hectare.

Following this order, the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) filed an application before the Court to set aside this order.

Justice Kumar, writing the judgment for the bench, said, If the criteria is reduced to 0.1 and 1 hectare as contended, it will result in the plantations of coconut, orchards, bamboo, palm, supari, cashew, etc., grown by farmers on their private lands into the category of private forest.

The Court vacated its February 2015 order and allowed the CREDAI application.

Senior advocate Sanjay Parikh appeared for the petitioner and claimed that the category of open forest or degraded forest with canopy density of 10-40% were omitted from the identification process by the expert committees formed by the state. The foundation had questioned the Karapurkar committee findings before the Bombay high court, which transferred the petition to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in October 2013.

The NGT had on July 30, 2014 ordered the petitioner to approach the top court as the issue involved determination of criteria for the identification of forest which forms part of the proceedings in TN Godavarman case, that is pending in Supreme Court.

The judgment examined the private forest criteria followed by different states and found that none of them had adopted the criteria of 10% tree canopy or 1 hectare.

Further it noted a contradiction in the argument of the petitioner which on one hand, challenged the criteria adopted by the Sawant and Karapurkar Committees for identification of private forests and on the other hand, relied on the same reports for the purpose of identification of forests, including private forests, before NGT.
A report by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has said that a large Hindu temple existed before the construction of the Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi, signifying a tipping point in the contentious community conflict that may have far-reaching effects even as the trial of the underlying civil suit filed in 2021 is yet to commence.

In April 2022, a civil court ordered a controversial survey of the complex by an advocate-commissioner, which quickly ran into protests. The survey was finally completed in May that year, but not before the Hindu side claimed that a Shivling was found in the final hours of the exercise even as the Muslim side disputed this. The civil court secured the entire complex despite the Muslim side arguing that the structure found was a ceremonial ablution fountain.

Then, last July, the Varanasi district court ordered an extensive survey of the mosque by ASI to ascertain whether it was built over a pre-existing temple, while holding that a scientific probe was necessary for the truth to come out. The judge, however, excluded the section over which a dispute had arisen, which remains sealed under the May 2022 direction of the Supreme Court. Following three extensions, ASI submitted its report on December 18. The main findings of the report were made public on Thursday by Vishnu Shankar Jain, the lead lawyer for four Hindu women plaintiffs seeking regular worshipping rights in the mosque complex. The report raises several crucial points in the fractious communal dispute that awaits a final word from the court.

ASI report findings

The extensive report of ASI cited its in-depth study of the existing structures, and alluded to features and artefacts recovered from the site to conclude that there existed a large Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure in the 17th century.

Read Here | Temple existed at Gyanvapi: Hindu side cites ASI survey

The body, restrained by an order of the Supreme Court on August 4, 2023, from carrying out any excavation at the site or using any invasive method that may damage the existing structure, says it employed a raft of advanced technologies and instruments to carry out the scientific survey.

It used ground penetrating radar (GPR) , a method of gathering data about whats below the ground using technology that sends electromagnetic energy signals into the subsurface. Other techniques used included differential global positioning systems (DGPS) and dating methods. While DGPS utilises differential correction techniques to enhance the quality of location data gathered using GPS receivers, dating is a method of calculating the age of very old objects.

Based on scientific studies/ survey carried out, study of architectural remains, exposed features and artefacts, inscriptions, art and sculptures, it can be said that there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure, stated the ASI report, relying on the tools it used.

The report highlighted some points to buttress its claims of the existence of a pre-existing structure upon which the Gyanvapi mosque was built.

Western wall and western chamber: The western wall, which is made of stones and decorated with mouldings, is remaining part of an earlier Hindu temple, declared the report. It cited existing architectural remains, decorated mouldings on the walls, karma-ratha and prati-ratha (something to depict Shiva and Parvati) of the central chamber, a large decorated entrance gate with ornamental skirting on the eastern wall of the western chamber, a small entrance with a mutilated image on the door jamb, birds and animals carved for decoration inside and outside, to suggest that the western wall is the remaining part of a Hindu temple. Art and architecture of any building not only indicate its date but also its nature...Based on art and architecture, this pre-existing structure can be identified as a Hindu temple, it maintained.

Read Here: Gyanvapi mosque panel reacts to ASI's 'pre-existing temple' finding, says 'not final word'

Pillars and pilasters: According to the report, ASI officials studied the pillars and pilasters used in the existing structure systematically and scientifically before holding that the parts of the pre-existing temple were used in the present structure. For the enlargement of the mosque and constructing the sahan (courtyard), parts of the pre-existing temple including pillars and pilasters were reused with little modifications. Minute study of the pillars and pilasters in corridor suggest that they were originally part of the pre-existing Hindu temple. For their reuse in the existing structure, vyala (a Hindu mythological figure with the composite features of a lion, elephant, and sometimes, a horse and a bird) figures carved on either side of lotus medallion were mutilated and after removing the stone mass from the comers that space was decorated with floral design, said the report.

Inscriptions: ASI heavily relied on the inscriptions noticed on the present and the pre-existing structure. During scientific investigations/ survey of the existing structure a number of Sanskrit and Dravidian inscriptions were noticed on the pre-existing structure and existing structure. Most of these inscriptions which can be dated from 12th to 17th century have been reused in the structure, suggesting that the earlier structures were destroyed and their parts were reused in construction/ repair later, the report said. It added that a comprehensive analysis of the data collected from these inscriptions revealed that they were mainly engraved by pilgrims sitting in the place spanning over three centuries -- from the 15th to 17th century. These inscriptions, the report said, suggested that the pilgrims offered obeisance to their deity that involved burning a lamp. The 34 inscriptions examined, ASI said, suggested reuse of earlier inscriptions in the structure. Three names of deities such as Janardhana, Rudra, and Umesvara are found in these inscriptions. Terms such as Maha-muktimendapa mentioned in three inscriptions is of great significance, it said. The report further noted that the Arabic-Persian inscription found inside a room mentions that the mosque was built in the 20th year of the reign of Aurangzeb (1676-77). Hence, the pre-existing structure appears to have been destroyed in the 17th century, during the reign of Aurangzeb, and part of it was modified and reused in the existing structure, held ASI.

Read Here | BJP's Giriraj Singh appeals to Muslim side: 'Hand over Gyanvapi mosque to Hindus'

Marks: The ASI report also referred to the marks found on the structure, including the swastika and the trident. The most common and most important mark is the swastika. It is known to be one the most ancient symbols in the world, and has been used in all old civilisations. In India this symbol is considered very auspicious by Hindus, said the agency. Another important symbol is the trishula (trident -- the distinct weapon of Lord Shiva) said the ASI, adding this divine symbol is commonly used as one of the principal symbols by Hindus, particularly by Shaivites and also Shaktas.

Sculptural remains in cellars: According to the archaeological report, a series of cellars were later constructed to the east to create additional space and a large platform in front of the mosque for accommodating large number of people for prayers. Pillars from earlier temples were reused while making cellars in the eastern part of the platform. A pillar decorated with bells, niches for keeping lamps on all four sides, and bearing an inscription of Samvat 1669 is reused in cellar N2, said the report. Sculptures of Hindu deities and carved architectural members were also found buried under the dumped soil in one of the cellars.

The report added that the pre-existing temple had a big central chamber and based on the study of the existing structures and available evidence it can be concluded that it had at least one chamber to the north, south, east and west respectively.

In the 17th century, part of the pre-existing structure was modified and reused in the existing structure. Animal figures carved on the pre-existing structure were not suitable for this purpose and therefore they were removed. A part of the pre-existing structure was utilised as the core of the existing structure, claimed the report.

Read Here: Asaduddin Owaisi's handmaiden of Hindutva dig over ASIs Gyanvapi survey report

Evidentiary value of an ASI report and the Ayodhya judgment

The 2019 judgment by a five-judge bench in the Ayodhya case sheds light on the evidentiary value of an ASI report during the trial in a civil suit.

When the Allahabad high court was seized of the trial of the suit in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, in October 2002, it ordered a GPR survey of the disputed structure to ascertain whether the mosque was built atop a pre-existing structure and the nature of that pre-existing structure. Later, in March 2003, the high court directed ASI to excavate the site to determine whether there was any temple or structure which was demolished, and a mosque constructed on the disputed site.

The ASI report in the Ayodhya case concluded that the mosque was over the top of a pre-existing construction , and constructed in the 16th century. There is sufficient proof of existence of a massive and monumental structure having a minimum dimension of 50x30 m in north-south and east-west directions respectively just below the disputed structure, the report said. It held that the mutilated sculptures and remains from the site are indicative of features which are distinctive features found associated with the temples of north India.

But the ASI report refrained from giving any finding on whether any underlying temple or structure was demolished to construct the Babri Masjid at the site.

In its 2019 judgment, the Supreme Cout held that ASI is an expert authority whose credentials and expertise are beyond reproach. In a matter pertaining to scientific investigation, the court lacks expertise on issues requiring domain knowledge which is why the Commissioner was appointed in the first place, the five-judge bench noted, referring to the pertinent provisions of the Civil Procedure Code.

Editorial: Whose place of worship is it?

At the same time, the apex court was unequivocal that such reports cannot be relied as the sole evidence of proof in a trial. The report, which has been submitted by ASI is an opinion; an opinion nevertheless of an expert governmental agency in the area of archaeology. The report constitutes the opinion of an expert. Expert opinion has to be sieved and evaluated by the court and cannot be conclusive in and of itself, it declared.

According to the judgment, it lies within the jurisdiction of the court to decide whether the findings that are contained in the report of ASI subserve the cause of truth and justice on the basis of relevance and preponderance of probabilities. Common sense ought to guide the exercise of judicial discretion, here as in other branches of the law, said the court, adding it is always open for a contesting party to raise objections to such a report and cross-examine the commissioners during the trial.

In the Ayodhya case, the bench noted that it is crucial for the court to sift between what the report finds and what it leaves unanswered.

While the ASI report does find the existence of a pre-existing structure and concludes on the basis of the architectural fragments found at the site and the nature of the structure that it was of a Hindu religious origin, the top court underlined, The ASI report has left unanswered a critical part of the remit which was made to it, namely, a determination of whether a Hindu temple had been demolished to pave way for the construction of the mosque. The judgment added that ASIs inability to render a specific finding on this facet is certainly a significant evidentiary circumstance which must be borne in mind when the cumulative impact of the entire evidence is considered in the final analysis.

Opinion: Gyanvapi gets a political edge

In its final analysis, the Ayodhya judgment held that a finding of title cannot be based in law on the archaeological findings which have been arrived at by ASI because it did not explain whether the earlier structure was demolished for the purpose of the construction of the mosque nor did it conclude that the remnants of the pre-existing structures were used for the purpose of constructing Babri Masjid.

Gyanvapi report goes a step further

Significantly, the ASI report in the Gyanvapi case plugs the gaps that the agency left in the Ayodhya case  it concludes that a large Hindu temple existed prior to the construction of the existing structure and that the parts of the pre-existing temple were used in the present structure.

While the evidentiary value of the ASI report is that of an expert opinion amenable to a challenge and scrutiny during trial, it does present a strong scientific view on the subject, arming the Hindu side with a document that they will certainly focus on while proving their claim of a pre-existing Hindu temple and an unbridled right to worship at the disputed site. Moreover, with the ASI report out in the public domain, the communally sensitive matter has suddenly become more delicate to handle for a trial court that is tasked with an adjudicatory function of unique dimension.
President Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who is also the chief guest of the 75th Republic Day celebrations, arrived at the majestic Kartavaya Path in the traditional horse-drawn buggy, accompanied by men in red uniforms atop majestic horses, the practice which is making a comeback after a gap of 40 years. President Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron IN buggy(ANI)

Upon arrival at Kartavaya Path, the national flag was unfurled followed by the national anthem with a booming 21-gun salute given with indigenous gun system 105-mm Indian Field Guns and then the Republic Day parade commenced.

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The presidential buggy was in use for Republic Day functions till 1984, but was discontinued after the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It was discontinued due to security reasons and presidents began using limousines for travel.

The horse-drawn buggy has gold-plated rims and is extremely comfortable. It was used by the Viceroy in the pre-independence era and later remained with the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Meanwhile, preserving a 250-year-old legacy, the president's bodyguard would stand as the senior most regiment of the Indian Army, cherishing a timeless bond with horses. Among the few in the world to don Napoleon boots, the regiment marks its presence one gallop at a time, renewing a proud tradition during the Republic Day Parade.

Earlier in 2014, then-president Pranab Mukherjee revived the presidential tradition by riding a six-horse buggy (carriage) while attending the Beating Retreat ceremony.

A total of 25 tableaux, including 16 from various States and Union territories and 9 from central government departments, will be on display at the Republic Day parade this year.

Republic Day is celebrated on January 26 every year to commemorate the day when our Constitution came into effect in 1950 and India was declared as a Republic.

(With inputs from agencies)
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday took suo motu cognisance of contradictory orders passed by two benches of the Calcutta high court in a matter alleging corruption in the admission of students to medical colleges this week. A special bench of five judges led by CJI Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud will hold the hearing at 10:30am on Saturday (Jitender Gupta)

A notice issued by the Supreme Court indicated that the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and the top courts four seniormost judges  justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant and Aniruddha Bose  will hold a special sitting on Saturday at 10.30am. The suo moto case has been titled - In Re: Orders of Calcutta High Court dated 24.01.2024 and 25.01.2024 and ancillary issues.

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The chain of events started on Wednesday when the single bench of justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe allegations levelled by petitioner Itisha Soren, alleging issuance of fake certificates of reserved caste candidates and their use for admission to medical colleges.

When the high courts division bench comprising justices Soumen Sen and Uday Kumar stayed the order on the states request, justice Gangopadhyay on Thursday made personal remarks against justice Soumen Sen and passed on the case records to a CBI officer and directed the agency to proceed with the case despite the stay granted by the division bench.

Also Read: Three orders in 1 day in legal drama over Calcutta HC judge in 2023

The state government approached the division bench of justices Soumen Sen and Uday Kumar by Wednesday afternoon which granted a stay on the CBI probe. As justice Gangopadhyay had directed the CBI official to be present at 2.30 pm that day, the division bench asked the registry to inform CBI that the officials presence was not necessary and listed the matter for Thursday.

Soon after lunch, the CBI official appeared before justice Gangopadhyay. The single judge bench handed over the papers of the case to the official despite being told about the stay granted by a higher bench of two judges. in his order, justice Gangopadhyay noted that although the petitioner submitted that the matter was mentioned before the division bench on behalf of the state, his bench had no such information from the state counsel.

The next day, acting on the single judges order, CBI registered a case in the matter. This despite, the division bench on Thursday morning, hearing the matter and taking exception to CBI going ahead with the probe in the case.

The division bench passed yet another order on Thursday saying, In view of the fact that we have stayed the order passed during the first half of 24th January, 2024, the subsequent order passed by the learned single judge during the second half of the day is void ab initio.

The order further directed CBI to immediately return all the documents received a day ago to the state counsel, adding the agency shall not proceed with the matter any further.

Later in the day, justice Gangopadhyay again took up the matter for hearing and questioned the legality of the stay granted by the division bench since no appeal had been filed in writing. In the said order (granting stay) I have not found any recording of any urgency in the matter. What was so urgent? justice Gangopadhyay said in his order.

The judge further stated, I have no other option but to ignore the order of the said division bench as the order has been passed in continuation of the illegal appeal void ab initio. I have ignored the said illegal order passed by the division bench for the reasons as has been stated above, including the ground of interested person Honble Justice Soumen Sen.

During the hearing, justice Gangopadhyay even cast aspersion on justice Sen.

To be sure, the petition by Soren that led to the row did not ask for a CBI probe. Justice Gangopadhyay said that when a scam is peeping its head, it is the duty of the court to pass an appropriate order for a thorough investigation into the matter, irrespective of whether the writ petitioner has prayed for a CBI inquiry or not.

The judge further stated in his first order issued on Wednesday that the special investigation team (SIT), constituted by another order of his court to investigate an alleged scam relating to the recruitment of teachers in the state, will probe the present case and that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) may also come in if there is evidence of money trail.

Justice Gangopadhyay also criticised the state police for not being able to arrest the accused involved in an attack on ED officials at Sandeshkhali when officials went to search the premises of Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam case in the states North 24 Parganas district.

The state government later told the division bench that the single judge passed the order without allowing it to place documents relating to the alleged corruption and show the steps taken by the state police to investigate the case.
The nation is celebrating its 75th Republic Day on Friday, with January 26 being the date on which, in 1950, the Constitution of India  adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949  came into effect, and the country became a Republic. India's national flag (File Photo)

On Republic Day every year, the President of India, who is the head of state, unfurls the tricolour, while on Independence Day (August 15), the prime minister, who heads the Union government, hoists the national flag. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, these represent different techniques of presenting the tricolour.

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Unfurling vs hoisting: What's the difference?

The crucial difference lies in how the tricolour is positioned during the two ceremonies. On January 26, the flag is folded or rolled-up, and attached to the top of a pole. It is then unveiled (unfurled) by the President, who does so without pulling it up.

On August 15, on the other hand, the flag, positioned at the bottom of the pole, is raised ('hoisted') by the prime minister, from the bottom to the top.

What does each exercise signify?

Unfurling is a symbolic gesture to renew the commitment to principles laid down in the Constitution, highlighting India's shift from being a British colony to becoming a sovereign, democratic Republic.

The Independence Day hoisting, meanwhile, symbolises the rise of a new nation; patriotism, and freedom, from the colonial rule. It includes a ceremonial event with a military or civilian honour guard raising the flag while the national anthem is played.
Foreign Secretary of India Vinay Kwatra on Friday said that the year 2026 will be celebrated as the India-France Year of Innovation. Speaking about the multiple documents agreed upon by the two countries in the fields of defence, Indo-Pacific security and green energy Kwatra said, "The salience of the India-France partnership has only grown in this complex geopolitical environment and in pursuit of our national interest and priorities". PM Modi along with French President Macron(PTI)

"In July last year, the two sides had adopted 'Horizon 2047' roadmap and Indo-Pacific roadmap, thus laying out clear long-term vision in bilateral space and shared partnership The partnership over the years has shown all-round progress, across all the domain, including defence, nuclear energy, security, space increasing green areas such as clean energy, commerce," he said.

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It's been agreed that 2026 will be celebrated as India-France year of innovation, he added.

Kwatra further said that the industrial partnership between Tata and Airbus helicopters and an MoU between New Space India Limited (NSIL) and Arianespace was agreed upon during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India.

"First is the roadmap on the India-France defence industrial roadmap. Agreement on Defence Space partnership, MoU between New Space India Limited (NSIL) and Arianespace with regard to satellite launches. An industrial partnership between Tata and Airbus helicopters for the production of H125 helicopters with a significant indigenous and localization component," Kwatra said.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra further said that an agreement was signed between the two ministries of health on healthcare cooperation, education, training and research. He added that this would include the space of digital health and the use of artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector.

Kwatra mentioned that the Indian consulate in Marseille and the French bureau in Hyderabad are fully prepared to commence operations. He added that both nations plan to establish a solar academy in Senegal as part of the Star-C program under the International Solar Alliance, a joint initiative initiated by India and France in 2015.

Macron, who arrived in India on Thursday in Jaipur also held a bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Modi. He was also a part of the Republic Day celebrations held in the national capital on Friday.

(With inputs from ANI)
Former Telangana director general of police (DGP) M Mahender Reddy was on Thursday appointed as new chairperson of the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC), said a communication from Raj Bhavan. An officer of 1986 IPS batch, 61-year-old Reddy served as the DGP of Telangana for four years, before relinquishing office on attaining the age of superannuation in December 2022.

As per the proposal sent by the state government last week, governor Tamilisai Soundararajan approved the appointment.

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An officer of 1986 IPS batch, 61-year-old Reddy served as the DGP of Telangana for four years, before relinquishing office on attaining the age of superannuation in December 2022. He will serve as the TSPSC chairman for a period of 11 months as the maximum age limit is 62 years.

The Raj Bhavan communication said, the governor approved the names of five others who would be appointed as the members of the TSPSC. They include retired IAS officer Anitha Rajendra, retired Indian Postal Service officer Amir Ullah Khan, senior academician from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Prof Narri Yadaiah, executive director of Telangana state power generation corporation (TSGenco) Yarabadi Rammohan Rao and an eminent person with background in education and law Palvai Rajani Kumari.

TSPSC was in the thick of controversy last year due to alleged leaking of question papers pertaining to various recruitment examinations, including the Group-I and Group-II services. The tests had been postponed, following the unearthing of the scam, in which more than 100 people were arrested.

Four days after the Congress party led by chief minister A Revanth Reddy formed the government on December 7, TSPSC chairman B Janardhan Reddy resigned from his post, followed by three other members of the commission. However, the governor refused to accept the resignations, on the ground that she cannot take a decision unless the investigation is complete, responsibility is fixed and action is taken against those involved in the scam.

She forwarded the resignations to the state government, seeking its opinion. Later, the chief minister met the governor and requested that the resignations be accepted so that the government could appoint a fresh board for TSPSC to ensure the completion of recruitment process at the earliest.

On January 10, Tamilisai accepted the resignations of Janardhan Reddy and three members  R Satyanarayana, Bandi Linga Reddy and Karem Ravinder Reddy. A day later, the government issued a notification seeking applications from eligible candidates for the appointment of chairman and members of the TSPSC.

The government received 371 applications, 50 of them pertaining for the chairpersons post. The applicants include retired bureaucrats, serving officers, retired vice-chancellors and university professors.

A search committee headed by chief secretary A Santhi Kumari was formed to scrutinise the applications and the shortlisted names were sent to the approval of the chief minister.

According to Raj Bhavan official, the governor also approved the names of two candidates recommended by the Telangana government for the appointment of members of state legislative council (MLC) under the governors quota.

They include former Osmania University professor M Kodandaram and senior journalist Amer Ali Khan, son of Zahed Ali Khan, managing director of prominent Urdu daily Siasat.

ormer Telangana director general of police (DGP) M Mahender Reddy was on Thursday appointed as new chairperson of the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC), said a communication from Raj Bhavan.

As per the proposal sent by the state government last week, governor Tamilisai Soundararajan approved the appointment.

An officer of 1986 IPS batch, 61-year-old Reddy served as the DGP of Telangana for four years, before relinquishing office on attaining the age of superannuation in December 2022. He will serve as the TSPSC chairman for a period of 11 months as the maximum age limit is 62 years.

The Raj Bhavan communication said, the governor approved the names of five others who would be appointed as the members of the TSPSC. They include retired IAS officer Anitha Rajendra, retired Indian Postal Service officer Amir Ullah Khan, senior academician from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Prof Narri Yadaiah, executive director of Telangana state power generation corporation (TSGenco) Yarabadi Rammohan Rao and an eminent person with background in education and law Palvai Rajani Kumari.

TSPSC was in the thick of controversy last year due to alleged leaking of question papers pertaining to various recruitment examinations, including the Group-I and Group-II services. The tests had been postponed, following the unearthing of the scam, in which more than 100 people were arrested.

Four days after the Congress party led by chief minister A Revanth Reddy formed the government on December 7, TSPSC chairman B Janardhan Reddy resigned from his post, followed by three other members of the commission. However, the governor refused to accept the resignations, on the ground that she cannot take a decision unless the investigation is complete, responsibility is fixed and action is taken against those involved in the scam.

She forwarded the resignations to the state government, seeking its opinion. Later, the chief minister met the governor and requested that the resignations be accepted so that the government could appoint a fresh board for TSPSC to ensure the completion of recruitment process at the earliest.

On January 10, Tamilisai accepted the resignations of Janardhan Reddy and three members  R Satyanarayana, Bandi Linga Reddy and Karem Ravinder Reddy. A day later, the government issued a notification seeking applications from eligible candidates for the appointment of chairman and members of the TSPSC.

The government received 371 applications, 50 of them pertaining for the chairpersons post. The applicants include retired bureaucrats, serving officers, retired vice-chancellors and university professors.

A search committee headed by chief secretary A Santhi Kumari was formed to scrutinise the applications and the shortlisted names were sent to the approval of the chief minister.

According to Raj Bhavan official, the governor also approved the names of two candidates recommended by the Telangana government for the appointment of members of state legislative council (MLC) under the governors quota.

They include former Osmania University professor M Kodandaram and senior journalist Amer Ali Khan, son of Zahed Ali Khan, managing director of prominent Urdu daily Siasat.
Four members of a family, including three children, were killed on Thursday after the car they were travelling in rammed into a bridge in Karnatakas Chitradurga district, police said. Police said the car rammed into a bridge near the Sanikere village in Karnatakas Chitradurga district. (HT Archives)

Three other people were seriously injured in the incident and were being treated at a hospital.

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The incident took place near the Sanikere village in Karnatakas Chitradurga district.

According to police, the car hit the bridge and was completely crushed.

Locals rushed to the spot and helped the police to take the injured to the hospital for treatment.

The car had left for Bangalore from Devadurga. There were seven occupants in the car including children. Those who left at night had crossed Challakere in the morning. The driver lost control and hit a bridge near Sanikere, said a senior police officer.

The car hit the bridge and the impact was such that the front portion of the vehicle was crushed.

SP Dharmender Kumar Meena, additional SP Kumaraswamy and Challakere PSI Shivraj visited the accident site to take stock of the situation.

A complaint has been registered at the Challakere police station.

.
Silchar: The Assam police on Thursday arrested four youths, all suspected cadres of the banned militant group United Liberation Front of Assam Independent (ULFA-I), from Guwahati, officials aware of the matter said. (Representative Photo)

According to the officials, based on specific information, a police team launched a search operation in different parts of the city ahead of the Republic Day celebrations and arrested four persons. The police, however, have not revealed the identities of the arrested accused.

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Also Read: ULFA-I claims drone attack carried out at its camp in Myanmar

We received specific information and nabbed the suspected youths. Later it was found that had links with ULFA-I, a police officer on condition of anonymity said.

Police said they have seized their mobile phones, and their social media accounts are being scrutinised for further information. Last year, several ULFA-I linkmen and cadres were arrested in Assam based on their social media posts.

Police said the accused are being interrogated, adding that an investigation into the matter has been launched.

Assam director general of police (DGP) Gyanendra Pratap Singh, in December last year, asked the youths to be conscious about their social media posts and not to fall prey to recruitment campaigns of such militant groups.
Sauli Niinisto, Finlands current president (Frank Augstein/PA) (PA Wire)

Finland is preparing for its next presidential election, with voters heading to the polls on Sunday (January 28).

The ballot will be the latest in a record number of elections taking place around the globe in 2024.

Finland's visibility on the world stage has grown since it joined NATO in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, so leaders around the world will no doubt be watching the results of the presidential election closely.

A Verian survey has shown that support for front-runners Alexander Stubb of the centre-right National Coalition Party and liberal Green Party member Pekka Haavisto has eased ahead of Sunday's poll. Meanwhile, their nationalist Finns Party rival Jussi Halla-aho has gained more support.

How is the Finnish president elected?

A Finnish president must be a native-born Finnish citizen and be directly elected by universal suffrage for a six-year term.

To win the presidency in the first round, a candidate must receive more than 50% of ballots cast. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, a second-round run-off will take place on February 11th between the top two candidates.

No president may be elected for more than two consecutive terms. This has been the rule since 1994.

When is the vote?

The vote will take place on January 28, with paolls opening at 9am EET (7am GMT) and closing at 8pm EET (6pm GMT) on Jan. 28.

When will the results be announced?

Results from advance voting will be announced shortly after polls close on Sunday.

Full results will most likely be announced as the vote count progresses, before midnight local time (10pm GMT) on Sunday.

The first-round results will be announced on January 30.

Who are the main candidates?

Alexander Stubb

Alexander Stubb is a 55-year-old, who served as Prime Minister of Finland from 2014 to 2015 for the National Coalition Party. He is pro-European and previously served as foreign minister and a member of the European Parliament.

In 2017, Stubb left Finnish politics to become vice president of the European Investment Bank and later director at the European University Institute in Florence, before returning to contest the presidential election.

Story continues

Alexander Stubb said: "I think Brexit is one of the biggest travesties that we have seen in the modern era." (PA)

Pekka Haavisto

Pekka Haavisto, is a liberal, a Green League member and a former United Nations diplomat. The 65-year-old has run for president twice before, in 2012 and 2018, both times finishing second behind retiring President Sauli Niinisto.

If elected, Haavisto would become Finland's first openly gay president.

Former Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images)

Jussi Halla-aho

Nationalist Jussi Halla-aho, former Finns Party leader and now parliament speaker, is known for critiquing the EU and immigration. Halla-aho was fined by the country's Supreme Court for racist remarks in 2012.

(Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images)

Olli Rehn

Economist and public official Olli Rehn is a member of the Centre Party and former EU economy commissioner. He has been serving as governor of the Bank of Finland since 2018. The latest polls have placed him fourth with 12% support.

Other candidates include Social Democrat EU Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen, Christian Democrat party leader Sari Essayah, Left Alliance leader Li Andersson, academic Mika Aaltola and businessman Harry Harkimo.
The French side has raised with India the issue of French journalist Vanessa Dougnac, based in New Delhi, after the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) issued a notice to Dougnac asking her to explain why her Overseas Citizen of India card should not be withdrawn. French journalist Vanessa Dougnac

The issue was brought to Indias notice by the French side both prior to the visit of President Emmanuel Macron and during the visit, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said.

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We are aware of the matter. It is being dealt by the relevant department in the government of India and I think the key element in this to focus is the frame of reference in which we look at it. The frame of reference to look at is the compliance with the rules and regulations of the country, he said.

Read Here: Govt issues notice to French journalist over malicious, biased reporting

FRRO, which operates under the Union home ministry, termed her journalistic work as malicious and allegedly creating a negative perception of India.

Dougnac works for French media outlet Le Croix and has been living in India for about two decades, She writes in French. The notice emerged on Tuesday, ahead of Macrons visit. He was the chief guest at this years Republic Day Parade. People are free to do what they are accredited to do in a given space. But here the principal issue is whether the person is compliant with the rules and regulations of the state under which they come, Kwatra said.

Her journalistic activities are malicious and critical in manner... they create biased perception about India, news agency AFP reported the notice as saying. In addition, her activities may also provoke disorder and disturb peace.
France brought to India's attention the matter of Indian authorities issuing a notice to Vanessa Dougnac, a French journalist based in New Delhi, reportedly for violating certain regulations. This concern was addressed during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, as confirmed by officials. French journalist Vanessa Dougnac

In response, India communicated to the French authorities that the issue revolved around compliance with the rules and regulations of the country, adding that the matter was not associated with Dougnac's journalism.

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Residing in New Delhi since 2001, Dougnac works for the French media outlet Le Croix and writes in French. The notice emerged on Tuesday.

AFP earlier reported the notice as saying, Her journalistic activities are malicious and critical in manner... they create biased perception about India. In addition, her activities may also provoke disorder and disturb peace.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra responding to a question during a media briefing said, This has been brought to our attention by the French side both prior to the visit (of President Macron) and during the visit.

He mentioned that the issue was currently under the purview of the appropriate government department.

The notice directed at Dougnac by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), operating under the Union Home Ministry, has requested an explanation regarding potential violations of rules. Specifically, it has asked her to justify why her Overseas Citizen of India card should not be withdrawn.

"We are aware of the matter and it is being dealt with by the relevant department," Kwatra stated. He added that the perspective to assess the matter revolves around ensuring compliance with the rules and regulations of the country.

He further said, I do not think this has got anything else to do with other aspects of journalism etc. The principal issue is whether the person is compliant with the rules and regulations of the state under which they come.

Kwatra conveyed that the Indian perspective on the issue was communicated to the French side, which acknowledged the context in which we are examining this.

The notice, dated January 18, was issued to her, granting a 15-day period for her response.
Google Doodle on Friday marked India's 75th Republic Day by showcasing the evolution of Republic Day parades through the decades. The doodle displayed the parades on different screens, including a black-and-white television set, a colour TV, and a mobile phone. The artwork depicted how the Republic Day parade would have appeared on these diverse screens. Before delving into the Doodle's intriguing art, the tech giant briefed the netizens about the significance of the historic day as well as the artist behind the impressive design. Google Doodle for Republic Day 2024.(Google)

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"This Doodle celebrates Indias Republic Day, which commemorates the day in 1950 when the Constitution of India was adopted and the nation declared itself a sovereign, democratic, and republic state. Todays Doodle, illustrated by guest artist Vrinda Zaveri, features the Republic Day parade as it would have been seen on different screens over the decades," it said, before wishing a happy Republic Day to India.

Last year, Doodle celebrated India's Republic Day by featuring a hand-cut paper to depict iconic elements of the parade, such as the Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, and marching contingents. It also featured the national bird peacock and lotus motifs, along with a human finger heart symbolising love and unity.

Google Doodles are temporary alterations of the logo on Google's homepages. They are aimed at commemorating major holidays, festivals, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers and scientists.

India is geared up to celebrate the 75th Republic Day with full pomp and grandeur while showcasing unity, diversity, and progress on Friday. President Droupadi Murmu will lead the nation in celebrating the 75th Republic Day, with French President Emmanuel Macron as the chief guest at the parade.

Under the thematic umbrella of 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka', the parade will be a vibrant display of India's cultural richness, military prowess, and the empowering force of Nari Shakti.

The day wil start with a tribute to the fallen heroes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the National War Memorial. To conclude the festivities, the Beating Retreat ceremony takes place on the evening of January 29.
Varanasi: The Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee, which manages Varanasi's Gyanvapi mosque situated adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, has reacted to the ASI survey report, saying the document is not a court judgment or the final word. The Archaeological Survey of India said in its report that the mosque had been built on the remains of a large Hindu temple. Varanasi: Muslims prayed at the Gyanvapi mosque on Friday amid tight security. (PTI)

The Gyanvapi panel said they are studying the ASI survey report.

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Mohd Yasin, the secretary of the committee, said, "This is just a report and not a 'faisala' (judgment). There are several kinds of reports. It is not the final word on the issue."

He said the Muslim side would present their views when the Supreme Court hears the matter linked to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who represents the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi Masjid-Kashi Vishwanath temple case, on Thursday said ASI had found remnants of a temple inside the mosque.

Also read: Gyanvapi case: Lawyer says ASI survey found remnants of Hindu temple in Varanasi mosque

He said the mosque had been built by Aurangzeb after demolishing a temple.

Jain also claimed remnants of the idols of Hindu gods were found in two basements during the survey.

Citing the report, Jain said several parts of the preexisting temple had been reused to build the mosque.

"The ASI has said that there existed a large Hindu Temple prior to the construction of the existing structure. This is the conclusive finding of the ASI," he added.

Also read: BJP's Giriraj Singh appeals to Muslim side: Hand over Gyanvapi mosque to Hindus

"Existing architectural remains, decorated moldings on the walls, a large decorated entrance gate, a small entrance with a mutilated image, and birds and animals carved for decoration in and outside suggest that the western wall is the remaining part of a Hindu temple. The Arabic Persian inscription found inside a room mentions that the mosque was built in the 20th regnal year of Aurangzeb. Hence the preexisting structure appears to have been destroyed in the 17th century, Based on the scientific studies survey carried out, study of architectural remains, exposed features and artefacts inscriptions, art and sculptures, it can be said that there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure," he added.

Also read: Asaduddin Owaisi's handmaiden of Hindutva dig over ASIs Gyanvapi survey report

The lawyer said the survey also found 32 inscriptions written in the Devanagari, Grantha, Telugu and Kannada scripts.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Giriraj Singh said on Friday that the Muslim side should hand over the mosque to Hindus.

Madhya Pradesh minister Prahlad Patel said the world will have to accept the findings of the ASI.

ASI is a prestigious organisation recognised world over. So, India and the world will soon accept the findings of ASI. On the Supreme Courts direction, it came out with a new report which I think makes things clear, he said.

Reacting to the report, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi called the ASI the handmaiden of Hindutva.

This wouldnt stand academic scrutiny before any set of professional archaeologists or historians. The report is based on conjecture and makes a mockery of scientific study. As a great scholar once said 'ASI is the handmaiden of Hindutva', he wrote on X.

The district court in Varanasi had asked the ASI to conduct a scientific survey and find out if a temple existed at the mosque site or not.

Earlier this week, the court ruled that both the Hindu and Muslims sides will get copies of the ASI survey report.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
Bihars capital was abuzz with rumours that chief minister Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United) could break his alliance with Lalu Prasads Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), dissolve the state assembly, and rejoin the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)  with the Congress, currently part of the grand alliance ruling the state, and the fledgling INDIA bloc of opposition parties being collateral damage. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. (Santosh Kumar/HT)

The official word from the JD(U) was that there is nothing wrong with the alliance, but it is clear that all is not well between it and the RJD. Both Kumar and the states deputy chief minister (and Lalus son) Tejashwi Yadav held meetings of their respective parties on Thursday, ostensibly to discuss the road ahead, even as state BJP leaders were summoned to Delhi to meet party chief JP Nadda and Union home minister Amit Shah. Shah, Nadda, national general secretary Vinod Tawde, who is in charge of Bihar, state BJP president Samrat Chaudhary, national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh and party leader Sushil Modi were present for the meeting. Former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi also separately met Shah and Nadda.

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In Patna, one RJD leader confirmed that senior leaders of the party, including former Union minister Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav, met Lalu at his 10 Circular Road residence, but called it an informal meeting. He also confirmed that the RJD chief had spoken to Kumar in the afternoon, but claimed it had little to do with politics, and that they spoke of Republic Day preparations.

Simultaneously, JD(U) leaders, including MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh and ministers Sanjay Jha and Vijay Choudhary, also met Kumar but they too, at least publicly, played down reports of a political crisis. Emerging from the meeting, Choudhary said, The government is running smoothly.

On Wednesday, while participating in the centenary celebrations of socialist Janata leader Karpoori Thakur (awarded the Bharat Ratna on Monday by the Union government), Kumar spoke up against dynastic politics, a comment widely seen as aimed at the RJD. On Thursday, Lalu Prasads daughter Rohini Acharya wrote on X: Those who claim to be socialist change their ideology like wind; what is the point when the problem is with self. There is no reason to get dejected as the inevitable will happen. Often some people are unable to see their own deficiencies but throw mud at others.

The comment was seen as a response to Kumar, whose party was part of the NDA till 2013, then broke and allied with the RJD and the Congress till 2017, then re-entered the NDA fold and stayed there till 2022, before breaking up with the BJP and partnering with the RJD and the Congress again.

RJD MP Manoj Jha said the media was trying to read a lot between the lines and too quickly. In politics and during election time, a lot of things happen. If we have to unitedly fight for a bigger cause, small differences dont matter. We should not speculate too much on the basis of a tweet that was not from any party functionary, he added.

JD (U) general secretary KC Tyagi said: Who is she (Rohini)? Children should not speak on matters of elders. That is our tradition also.

Still, it wasnt immediately clear whether Kumars comment was the trigger or just a symptom.

It is believed that JD(U) leader Lallan Singh, who recently gave up the party chiefs post at the insistence of Kumar who took it on himself, was becoming too close to Lalu Prasad, and that Kumar was upset at what he saw as an effort by the RJD to make inroads into the JD(U). HT also learns that Kumar isnt exactly pleased at the evolution of the INDIA bloc, an alliance which he got together, but where he sees his role shrinking. In a January meeting of members of the alliance, Kumar declined to be the convener of the opposition alliance, citing lack of consensus as West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav were not present at the meeting. The parties decided to appoint Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge as the alliance president and kept the decision on convener in abeyance.

BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, once known to be close to the Bihar CM, also defended Kumar. What is important is that Nitish Kumar has so sharply attacked the dynastic alliance despite knowing the reality of his alliance partner. But then, Nitish Kumar is a tough bargainer and one never knows what he will do, Modi told reporters.

A senior BJP leader said that what Nitish Kumar had said about dynastic politics was something Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been reiterating for long to ensure clean and vibrant democracy.  The opposition alliance is disintegrating because of this reason only. The BJP central leadership is watching the developments. At present, it is premature to say what turn Bihar politics will take, he added.

Poll strategist Prashant Kishor said the Bihar CM has a clear formula. If he has to go with the BJP, he talks against dynastic politics and if he has to go with the RJD, he speaks against communalism.

Manjhi said the sole objective of Lalu was to install Tejashwi as CM, which Kumar would never allow.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav responded to speculation that Nitish Kumar might join hands with the NDA again, claiming that the Bihar chief minister could become the prime minister if he remains with the INDIA bloc of the Opposition. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.(Deepak Gupta/HT)

Anyone can be considered for the post of Prime Minister (in the alliance), Akhilesh Yadav told India Today TV, suggesting that Nitish Kumar could be seen as a contender with the right backing.

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Akhilesh Yadav's statement comes amid indications that Bihar CM may revive ties with his former ally as his equations with the INDIA bloc coalition turned sour.

Notably, Nitish Kumar recently rejected the post of convenor of the INDIA bloc. Following this, JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha said, "The CM (Nitish Kumar) wanted that the INDIA alliance convenor should be from Congress only."

Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) is part of the opposition's alliance, INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance). As many as 26-28 political parties are part of this alliance formed ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

Some media reports claimed that it remained unclear if Nitish Kumar has finalised a deal with the BJP's top leadership.'

India Today reported that Nitish Kumar might take oath as chief minister for an unprecedented ninth time with support from the BJP as early as January 28.

Akhilesh Yadav said he wanted the JD(U) chief to remain within the INDIA bloc. Nitish Kumar took the initiative and formed the INDIA alliance, the SP chief said.

"The Congress should have come forward," Akhilesh Yadav said, in another attack on the grand old party while it contends with unhappy alliance partners, such as the Trinamool Congress and Aam Aadmi Party.

Akhilesh Yadav also clarified that he was not vying for the prime minister's office, advocating instead for regional parties to take precedence where they hold considerable strength.

Later, addressing the media in Kannauj, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said, "We hope that Nitish Kumar will not go to the NDA. He will strengthen the INDIA bloc."

Tejashwi Yadav holds meeting

Meanwhile, on Friday evening, a meeting between Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav and his RJD aides was held at the former's official residence in Patna.

Union minister Giriraj Singh said people come and go but currently, he has no idea on how the current situation will unfold in Bihar.

Nitish Kumar on Friday arrived at the Raj Bhavan in Patna to attend Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's 'At Home' reception event in Patna.

Tejashwi Yadav skipped the event, while RJD leader Alok Mehta, a cabinet minister, was present there.

When asked why Tejashwi Yadav did not come for the official event at Raj Bhavan, Nitish Kumar said, Ask those who did not come.

Earlier on Friday, LJP leader Chirag Paswan said the NDA was keenly watching the political scenario in the state, and was conducting meetings to discuss the situation and act upon it.

(With inputs from agencies)
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has convened a session of the legislative assembly from February 5 to discuss the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state, people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami. (File photo)

The state government issued a statement Friday that confirmed that the assembly has been summoned on Monday, 5 February but did not provide any other details.

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The five-member committee headed by Justice (retired) Ranjana Prakash Desai, formed to present a report on UCC, is expected to submit this on February 2. The committees term ended on January 26 but HT learns that it has been given an extension of two weeks.

UCC refers to a common set of laws that will subsume customary laws across faiths and tribes and govern issues such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and maintenance. In the run-up to the state assembly elections in February 2022, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that implementation of UCC would be the first decision of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government if voted to power.

Also Read: Homogeneity under UCC can be tricky legal terrain

The UCC has, for years, been a constant in the manifesto of the BJP, along with the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and the abrogation of Article 370, both of which have happened. In January 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that states have the power to constitute committees to examine the feasibility of implementing UCC.

Dhami, in his message on the eve of Republic Day, said that a session of the state assembly would be called to implement the UCC in the state.

Dhami said, Five-member committee formed for the Uniform Civil Code has completed the draft. As soon as the draft is received, a session of the Assembly will be called and the Uniform Civil Code law will be implemented in the entire Uttarakhand.

After theBJP came to power, theUttarakhand government in May 2022 formed the five-member draft committee headed by Justice (retd) Desai to prepare a draft for implementation of UCC in the state.

Dhami, sharing the reasons for implementing UCC in the state, had said earlier that it is being done to provide uniformity (in law) to all religious communities and to preserve the culture of Devbhoomi, the land of Gods.. as had been promised in our manifesto at the time of elections.

Uttarakhand has a 13.9 % Muslim population according to the 2011 census, mostly in the Terai area.
New Delhi Indias resilient agriculture sector has been a major shield against geopolitical upheavals such as the Red Sea disruptions, which prompted many countries to have a long-term understanding with India for food exports, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday adding that the government continues to boost the sector with enhanced focus on R&D aiming to bolster exports of value-added products. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman interacts with students during an event celebrating 125 years of Hindu College, University of Delhi, Thursday. (PTI)

Replying to a specific question on the features and future of Indian agriculture, she said: We should be extremely glad for one thing. There are countries, including some very big countries, who are not self-sufficient in food grains, who are not self-sufficient in horticulture, who are not self-sufficient in milk. Who [are] certainly not self-sufficient in fish and poultry And India Is self-sufficient in all these.

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In some of them India is the worlds number one or number two producer in terms of the quantity and is also in a position to export. Whether your milk and milk products. Whether it is your horticulture, your fruits. India is one of the top exporters, she said. The finance minister was addressing students of Hindu College in the Capital on the occasion of its 125th anniversary.

Indias exports of foodgrains registered a steady growth in the last few years as the countrys share in world foodgrain exports rose from 3.38% in 2010 to 7.79% in 2022, according to the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade) data. Top agricultural items exported from India included marine products, rice, sugar, spices, buffalo meat, wheat, castor oil and processed food items. Key export destinations for Indian products are the US, China, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.

Sitharaman said India may not be self-sufficient in pulses and oil seeds, but it is a leading producer of some commercial crops such as cotton, coffee, tea and rubber. India is one of the top countries which produces high quality rubber, natural rubber [which] is grown in Kerala and the northeast.

So, we are one of those very fortunate countries in the world -- which is affected by war [Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Hamas war], your Red Sea conflict  [making] movement of food grains becoming very, very logistically challenging and costly, she said.

FM asked students not to waste food. I, therefore, appeal to you, please dont waste food. We may be self-sufficient, but there are a lot of people even today, who find it difficult to buy all that they want to buy. So be caring. Take as much as you want... Dont fill your plate up and waste it. This is a wonderful country which can feed every one of us. But, we should not be greedy.

So, thats the feature. But whats the future?, the FM said while elaborating the second part of her reply. The future is  there are a lot of countries which want to have a long term understanding with India for food exports. Processing of food. Export of processed food. Export of value-added food. Immense possibility exists in agriculture, she added.

Addressing the youth of the country, Sitharaman asked them to actively participate in farming. We are investing in R&D in agriculture, and Im sure many of you who have interest in that area should go back to your respective villages. Even if there is a small holding, at least as a matter of hobby like pursuit. Start attempting to do something in agriculture. Its so rewarding, not just financially, even otherwise, she said.

Answering another question on direct benefit transfer (DBT), the Aadhaar-enabled digital mechanism to transfer money directly in the bank accounts of the poor, she said DBT brought transparency and efficiency besides stopping pilferage of subsidies for the vulnerable. It resulted in huge savings, she said as about 44 schemes under the DBT mode since 2020 saved syphoning of about 2.5 lakh crore by unscrupulous elements by eliminating unintended beneficiaries.

Sitharaman said the government is committed to provide benefits of welfare schemes to all eligible citizens and it is close to reaching the saturation level in several key schemes. The Modi government has laid the material foundation for a Viksit Bharat by empowering people by meeting their basic necessities.

She said the Modi government doesnt differentiate between people. The government has categorized India into four groups--Youth, Women, Farmers and Poor-- and efforts are made for betterment of these groups irrespective of caste, creed and religion, she added.
Hyderabad Ruling YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy will kickstart his partys campaign for the upcoming assembly and Lok Sabha elections with a public rally in the port city of Visakhapatnam on January 27, party leaders announced on Thursday. YSR Congress is hoping to mobilise over 3-4 lakh people from 34 constituencies in North Andhra to attend the meeting.

YSRCP general secretary and advisor to the state government (public affairs) Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy told reporters in Vijayawada that the public rally, christened as Siddham (Ready) would be held at Bheemili, about 25 km from Visakhapatnam city.

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The city of destiny was developed during the Jagan Mohan Reddy regime and is going to be the administrative capital of Andhra Pradesh soon. That is why he has chosen the place to kickstart the election campaign, he said.

Before the public rally, Jagan will address a party meeting at Bheemili. He would give a direction to the party cadre to reach out to the people and win their trust, Reddy said.

The party is hoping to mobilise over 3-4 lakh people from 34 constituencies in North Andhra to attend the meeting.

In the run-up to the Bheemili rally, the party has launched a massive publicity blitzkrieg to attract the people. The crispy one-word slogan  Siddham  will mark the official start of YSRCPs political campaign for the 2024 elections, a spokesperson of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), the strategy consultancy firm, overseeing the ruling party campaign, said.

All the major hot-spots in Andhra Pradesh have been adorned by posters, hoardings and billboards specially designed to highlight this one-word  Siddham. The publicity material projects Jagan in an aggressive, determined and confident postures, along with the image of his father late Y S Rajasekhar Reddy and YSRCP flag, to symbolise the dream and legacy being carried forward by the son, the I-PAC spokesperson said.

Apart from outdoor publicity, the Siddham slogan is being carried into the people extensively on all social media platforms in the next 50 days, particularly to attract the youth who are aggressively sharing the message across the state.

The slogan Siddham is intended to convey the message that Jagan is ready to take on the negative propaganda of the opposition parties, to fight any alliance, to counter-attack the conspiracy by the rivals who have pitched his sister against him, to present a bigger and better welfare plan and lay out a development blueprint never ever seen before, the I-PAC spokesperson added.
Protesters have started gathering at Mumbais Azad Maidan as activist Manoj Jarange-Patil insisted on sitting for another indefinite hunger strike there on Friday as the march he is leading to press for reservation for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category was set to enter the countrys financial capital. Jarange-Patil began the march on January 20. (HT PHOTO)

A social justice department secretary Sumant Bhange-led team of government officials earlier rushed to Vashi, around 30 km from Azad Maidan, to convince Jarange-Patil against entering Mumbai as the march there would lead to chaos and bring the city to a standstill.

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All efforts to dissuade him from continuing the march and sitting on a hunger strike have so far failed. Jarange-Patil was expected to address a rally at Shivaji Maharaj Chowk after his latest meeting with the officials.

Jarange-Patil began the march on January 20, saying he would sit on a fast unto death until the state government announced reservation for the community largely dependent on agriculture. Tens of thousands of people have joined him over the last week.

Police have rejected permission to take the march to Azad Maidan. As the protesters stand firm, the march may be allowed to enter the city via Eastern Freeway and P DMello Road to ensure there are no major traffic snarls.

Jarange-Patils protest has been described as the biggest in Maharashtras history. Organisers on Thursday asked community members to join the march at Vashi before it enters the countrys financial capital. They claimed over a million people were part of the march.

Aurangabads divisional commissioner Madhukar Raje Ardad met Jarange-Patil in Lonavala on Thursday to brief him about the action taken so far to meet his demand. Ardad sought to convince Jarange-Patil against taking the protest to Mumbai.

A defiant Jarange-Patil vowed to continue leading the march demanding the inclusion of all Marathas under the OBC category by giving them Kunbi sub-caste certificates. Kunbis have a quota in jobs and educational institutes under the OBC category.

Jarange-Patil rejected the governments appeals to stop the march and wait until February when it plans a special session for the passage of a law for Maratha reservation.

Chief minister Eknath Shinde said the government was positive towards Jarange-Patils demands. We will ensure the reservation is legally viable. I appeal to Jarange-Patil to stop the agitation, said Shinde on Wednesday.

Jarange-Patil earlier resumed his hunger strike in October after his 40-day deadline to the Maharashtra government for the reservation to all Marathas passed even as the state government requested the activist to call off the agitation.

The government has maintained it needs time for the reservation, which stands legal scrutiny, while promising to accede to Jarange-Patils demand. Jarange-Patil has insisted on continuing his agitation until the quota was announced.

Jarange-Patil, who has questioned the government for going back on its word, ended his previous 17-day hunger strike on September 14 in the presence of Shinde after an assurance that the government would take a call on the matter in 30 days.

The state government granted 16% reservation to the community in 2018 after protests, acceding to the decades-old Maratha demand. The Bombay high court slashed the quota to 13% in jobs and 12% in education before the Supreme Court in 2021 quashed the move.

The police lathi charge in Jalna at the site of Patils hunger on September 1 fuelled the agitation for the OBC status of Marathas.

Shinde later announced that Marathas from central Maharashtra could get quota under the OBC category if they produce certificates classifying them as Kunbi.

The state government in September appointed retired judge Sandeep Shinde-led committee to explore modalities of the reservation. The Maratha groups insisted they wanted reservations without any stipulation amid concerns among Kunbi and other OBC groups.

The state government has found 5.7 million Kunbi certificates. Jarange-Patil has insisted that all Marathas are Kunbi and should get quota under the OBC quota.
Members of a lion pride at the Ol Pejeta conservancy in Laikipia County, Kenya (AFP via Getty)

An army of invasive ants has been so disruptive to a Kenyan ecosystem that it has changed the hunting habits of a pride of lions.

The big-headed ant species, which originated on the island of Mauritius, is one of the most invasive insects in the world, with colonies found at 1,600 locations, from East Africa to states across the US south.

In warm climates, their arrival spells almost certain doom for native insects, where they use their disproportionately large heads to attack other ants and cut up prey, according to a 2014 study.

Research from the University of Wyoming, published on Thursday, reveals the impact of their arrival in Ol Pejeta, a wildlife conservation area in Kenyas Laikipia County.

The big-headed ants disrupted the symbiotic relationship between the regions native acacia ants and whistling-thorn trees.

Illustrations show how the lack of trees impacts the lions hunting grounds in Ol Pejeta (University of Wyoming)

The trees are the dominant species in much of East Africa, providing nectar and shelter for native ants. In turn, the ants defend the trees by emitting formic acid and biting herbivores who try to feast on them  a particularly effective strategy against elephants.

But when the big-headed ants move in, they not only kill off the native ants but also fail to protect the whistling thorns.

This allows elephants to overgraze on the trees, leaving them chewed up and broken at five to seven times the rate in areas with invasive ants compared to areas without the invaders.

Without the trees, the landscape is a lot more bare, leaving lions with few hiding places when stalking their preferred prey, zebras.

Ultimately, the study found that zebra kills by lions were nearly three times higher in areas that had not been invaded by big-headed ants.

While the lion population hasnt declined in response to the insect invasion, it hasnt been great news for the African buffalo. With fewer opportunities to hunt zebras, the lions have switched their attention to that species which are larger and harder to kill.

Over the last 20 years, the proportion of zebras killed by lions dropped from 67 per cent to 42 per cent in the area, while the number of buffalo kills jumped from 0 per cent to 42 per cent, researchers found.

We show that a tiny invader reconfigured predator-prey dynamics among iconic species, wrote researchers, led by PhD student Douglas Kamaru from the University of Wyomings Department of Zoology and Physiology.

The scientists hypothesized that the ants may end up changing the dynamics of lion prides in Ol Pejeta  but noted that the long-term consequences were unknowable as the invasion of big-headed ants continues.
Mumbai: Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil has given 24 hours to the Maharashtra government to issue orders related to his demands. He said that they will continue to stay at Vashi on Friday and wait till 12 on Saturday afternoon after which they will march towards Azad Maidan. The Maratha activist informed that the government has accepted all their demands and the time has been given to them to issue orders for the same. Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil and his supporters during their march for reservation, in Navi Mumbai, Friday.(PTI)

His main demands are: an ordinance to issue Kunbi certificates to all blood relatives of 57 lakh Marathas with Kunbi antecedents, arrangements for issuing caste certificates for all of them, free KG (Kindergarten) to PG (post graduate) education for Maratha boys and girls, allowing the (retired justice) Sandeep Shinde committee to continue to work for a year, no recruitment in government jobs without Maratha quota and withdrawal of all the criminal cases registered against them during protests held for Maratha reservation in the past.

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Jarange-Patil also declared he will take the march to Azad Maidan even if the government issued the respective orders by Saturday. We have not shunned our plans to march to Azad Maidan. We will go there to celebrate if the government issues all orders pertaining to all our demands, if not then we will begin our indefinite hunger strike from tomorrow, he stated.

It also means he will come to Mumbai at any cost. At the same time, he has started his hunger strike from Friday morning. The Maratha activist has stopped taking meals from 11 in the morning and is surviving only on water. He announced to begin a full fledged hunger strike at Azad Maidan if his demands are not met in the given time.

Also read: Jarange-Patil refuses to budge, insists on leading Maratha quota march to Mumbai

I respect republic day (January 26) and the law and thus not going to Azad Maidan today but I will not leave the city We have come here seeking justice and not to create trouble. If we do not get the ordinance copy by 11 am tomorrow then I will go to Azad Maidan, Jarange Patil announced.

Demanding reservation to the Maratha community from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota, Jarange-Patil was set to enter Mumbai on Friday. He changed the plan after a government delegation led by Sumant Bhange, secretary, general administration department reached APMC Market to convince him to refrain from entering Mumbai. Bhange also informed that the government has decided to accept all his demands and asked to drop his plan.

I have demanded issuing Kunbi certificates to all 57 lakh Marathas having Kunbi antecedents. Their blood relatives should also be made eligible for the same, else they will be deprived of the reservation benefits. These certificates need to be issued immediately based on an affidavit filed by the Maratha individual having Kunbi antecedents. The government can verify the claim later on, he said, adding, This requires an ordinance for implementation. We will wait till Saturday morning after which will take our decision.

Also read: Jarange-Patil open to talks but will still converge on Mumbai

Kunbis are a peasant sub-caste of Marathas but get reservation benefits under the OBC category in Maharashtra. By appointing a Shinde committee the government has managed to find 57 lakh records of Marathas with Kunbi antecedents based on which the Maratha activist is demanding reservation to the community from OBC quota.

Jarange-Patil, who has emerged as the new face of Maratha reservation demand, said that the GAD. I ask him to share the data of 37 lakh people because we also want to verify the governments claim.

The rest of 20 lakh will have to apply to get Kunbi certificates. We asked them to paste notices outside Tahsildar offices and organize camps to create awareness among the community members without which they will not be able to apply for it, he said.

Another demand that was accepted according to Jarange-Patil was to provide free education from KG to PG to all the Marathas boys and girls who do not have Kunbi antecedents and cannot prove their blood relation. The government should provide free education until a decision in a curative petition pending before the Supreme Court.

Also read: Who is Manoj Jarange-Patil, man at forefront of Maratha quota agitation

It was filed after the Supreme Court on May 5, 2020,quashed the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018, that provides 12% reservation in education and 13% reservation in government jobs to the Maratha community. A review petition filed by the state government was also dismissed by the apex court on April 21, 2023.

Jarange-Patil has further demanded no recruitment in government jobs until Maratha reservation is cleared. Even if the government wants to start the drive they will have to keep seats reserved for our quota, he said.

The march carrying a few lakhs Marathas embarked to Mumbai on January 20. The Maratha activist has declared to sit on a fast unto death until the state government declares reservation to the community that is largely dependent on agriculture is suffering with the income from the same dwindling and limited job opportunities due to less percentage of higher education among its youths.

After traveling for five days, they have reached Vashi, which is in Navi Mumbai, a satellite city of Mumbai.
A survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which said that a large Hindu temple existed before the construction of the Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi, is only a report and not a decision, the Muslim petitioners in the decades-old case said on Friday, adding that theyd study the document before deciding on their next move. The Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi. (PTI)

The statement came even as the Hindu petitioners, lead by lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain who made the ASI report public on Thursday night, said they will approach the Supreme Court for a fresh survey of the sealed area of the mosque which contains a disputed structure, seen as a Shivling by Hindus and a ritual ablution fountain by Muslims.

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SM Yasin, the joint secretary of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (AIMC) which manages the 15th century mosque, said the body will go through the ASI survey report, analyse it, consult experts and then decide on its next move.

In present circumstances, it is our first and foremost responsibility to keep the mosque safe ASI has given the report as per its reputation. This is a report and not a decision, Yasin said.

Explained: Decoding ASIs Gyanvapi mosque survey report

The ASI survey  which conducted a study of architectural remains, exposed features and artefacts, inscriptions, art and sculptures, to conclude that there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure  marked a decisive turn in the fractious dispute. The findings were a shot in the arm for Hindu petitioners who argue that the mosque was built by Mughal emperors after demolishing a temple and seek rights to the complex.

The report also suggested that the temple was destroyed during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The Arabic-Persian inscription found inside a room mentions that the mosque was built in the 20th regnal year of Aurangzeb hence, the pre-existing structure appears to have been destroyed in the 17th century, during the reign of Aurangzeb, and part of it was modified and reused in the existing structure, the report said.

But Yasin appeared to dispute this.

The Gyanvapi mosque was built 600 years ago by a zamindar (landlord) of Jaunpur. It was renovated by Mughal emperor Akbar during his rule. Then the expansion and renovation of the Gyanvapi mosque was done by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, said Yasin.

Read Here: Asaduddin Owaisi's handmaiden of Hindutva dig over ASIs Gyanvapi survey report

Muslims have been offering namaz for about 600 years ago and will continue to do so in future too.

Yasin said that committee was going through the report.

The report contains 839 pages. We will read the ASI survey report. Our team of counsel will study it. Its study and analysis will take time. After analysing all the things discussed in the report, an opinion will be taken from the experts. We will decide our further legal move.

Vishnu Shankar Jain, the lead lawyer for four Hindu women petitioners seeking regular worshipping rights in the mosque complex, said he will file a petition in Supreme Court seeking an order for an ASI survey in the sealed Wazukhana of the Mosque. The current survey had excluded that section.

The survey is required to make it clear if the structure is a Shivling or a fountain, said Jain.

The Gyanvapi dispute dates back decades but in August 2021, five women filed a petition in a local court demanding the right of unhindered worship at the Maa Shringar Gauri Sthal, located inside the complex that houses idols of Hindu gods.

Editorials: Whose place of worship is it?

In April 2022, the local court ordered a controversial survey of the complex, which quickly ran into protests. The survey was finally completed in May that year, but not before the Hindu side claimed that the Shivling was found in the final hours of the exercise even as the Muslim side disputed this. The court clamped security on the entire complex and ordered to seal wazukhana area inside the mosque complex, even as the Muslim side argued that the structure found was a ceremonial ablution fountain.

Then, last year, the Varanasi district court ordered an extensive survey of the mosque by ASI to ascertain whether it was built over a pre-existing temple, while holding that a scientific probe was necessary for the truth to come out. The judge, however, excluded the section over which a dispute had arisen, which remains sealed.

Another counsel for the four Hindu women plaintiffs, Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, said that images captured by GPR system during the survey showed that the remains of several Hindu signs, symbols, idols below the ground. We will file application to bring these remains and signs, symbols with idols out of the ground, said Chaturvedi.

Varanasi, Mathura and Ayodhya are part of a decades-old ideological project by Hindu groups who argue that medieval-era Islamic structures were built by demolishing temples and demand rights over those structures. The Supreme Court paved the way for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya in 2019, and the Mandir opened on January 22 in a major ideological win. Cases by Hindu groups and individuals in Varanasi and Mathura are currently being adjudicated in courts across Uttar Pradesh, even as a larger challenge to the Place of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991  it preserved the religious character of all shrines, except the Ayodhya dispute  is being heard by the Supreme Court.
Bihars ruling coalition appeared at breaking point on Friday with the Janata Dal (United), its ally Rashtriya Janata Dal, and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party all corralling their lawmakers and calling meetings over the weekend as speculation about chief minister Nitish Kumars joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) reached fever pitch. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav during a Republic Day event at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. (Santosh Kumar/HT Photo)

If Kumar makes the switch, as rumoured, it will be the fourth such move in the past decade and the second this term.

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Signs of plummeting ties in the ruling alliance were apparent after deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav skipped the Republic Day celebrations at Raj Bhavan, where Kumar was present. The two didnt exchange a word in the parade held in Patna soon after. Ask those who were not present why they skipped the function, said Kumar to reporters. At Raj Bhavan, the CM was seen chatting with the leader of the Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha, and JD(U) minister Ashok Choudhary was sitting on the chair allotted for the deputy CM.

The RJD has called a meeting of its legislators on Saturday, while the JD(U) scheduled its meeting on Sunday even as the BJP indicated it was open to joining hands with its friend-turned-foe-turned-friend-turned-foe.

We are keeping an eye on all the developments and if needed an appropriate decision will be taken. No door is permanently closed in politics and the door can be opened if needed, said BJPs Rajya Sabha MP and former deputy CM Sushil Modi.

If Kumar goes with the BJP, he is likely to remain CM till at least the Lok Sabha polls later this year, people aware of developments said. But disagreement is rife over whod become his deputy  Kumar favours Sushil Modi, with whom he worked for a decade in the past, but the BJP might want to go with another face. They may prefer someone from an extremely backward caste, or dominant OBC group such as Yadav or Kushwaha, said a person aware of the negotiations.

Hectic parleys were on in Delhi and Patna throughout the day as the BJP rushed key leaders to the state after a late-night meeting chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah. Sushil Modi flew to Patna on Friday and the states central in-charge Vinod Tawde is scheduled to hold a key meeting in Patna on Saturday.

The home ministers direction to us is very clear, said a BJP leader in Patna, on condition of anonymity. We have to speak to everyone so that we are ready for all eventuality. We are waiting for Nitish Kumar to take the final call and resign. Everything will become clearer tomorrow.

In Patna, the leading constituents of the six-party ruling coalition exchanged barbs.

There is a lot of confusion which is not in the interest of the people of the state. Only the CM can put an end to the confusion, said RJD MP Manoj Jha. JD(U) chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar shot back. Kumar plays politics from the front. He has no confusion.

The timing of these moves is crucial.

On Monday, Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra enters Bihar and the Congress had planned a show of strength with all members of the ruling alliance. But the people quoted above said that Kumar lost interest when it became clear that he would not be the face of the 28-party Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

Now the Congress fears that just as Milind Deora joined the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena on the day the Yatra started from Manipur earlier this month, the government in Bihar could collapse the day Gandhi enters the state, the people quoted above added.

A big political game is in the offing, said NDA member and former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi.

The JD(U) has 45 members in the 243-member Bihar assembly while the NDA has 82. A party or a grouping needs 122 lawmakers to form the government. The RJD, Congress, and Left parties have 114 lawmakers. The RJD is the single-largest party with 79 lawmakers.

In 2005, Kumar formed his first government in alliance with the BJP. He snapped ties in 2013, fought the 2014 Lok Sabha polls alone and the 2015 assembly elections in alliance with the RJD. He returned to the NDA in 2017. The JD(U) contested the 2019 national polls and 2020 Bihar elections as part of the BJP-led grouping. In 2022, Kumar quit the NDA to form the government again with the RJD, Congress, and Left parties.

A key reason for Kumars possible unhappiness could be the evolving dynamics in the INDIA bloc. At a meeting of the alliance on December 19, 2023, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee did not support Kumar as the convener when the Congress broached the subject, while there was unanimity on making Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge the chairman of the bloc. The question of convener was kept in abeyance and RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav were asked to keep Kumar happy, said people aware of developments.

This became difficult for two reasons, according to party insiders. First, Kumar realised that Kharge was finding greater acceptability as a Dalit leader for a larger role. Without the prospect of a pan-India role, there wasnt much motivation for Kumar. This was reflected in JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagis recent statements expressing dissatisfaction with the pace of coordination within the alliance.

The second problem was that despite being CM, some powerful areas were under the control of the RJD, said the party leaders quoted above.

For 19 years, Nitish Kumar has held the reins of Bihar government. But he suddenly realised that the power equation had shifted towards Tejashwi-Lalu, said a Congress leader in Patna. It is also believed that JD(U) leader Lallan Singh, who recently gave up the party chiefs post at the insistence of Kumar who took it on himself, was becoming too close to Lalu Prasad, and that Kumar was upset at what he saw as an effort by the RJD to make inroads into the JD(U).

We have no idea whats happening over there, said Rajya Sabha RJD member Misa Bharti Yadav.

In the NDA, the mood was mixed. Its true that where Nitish is now, he is very stressed. Almost feeling suffocated, said NDA partner Upendra Kushwaha, but voiced questions about Kumars reliability. If he comes in alliance with the BJP, its unsure if he will stay with them after the polls.

The people quoted above said the possibility of the BJP- JD(U) realignment could become clear over the weekend after the parties meet their lawmakers.

For now, everyone in Bihar is anxious, and waiting.
Patna: Nitish Kumar wasn't respected in Mahagathbandhan, said JD(U) MLA Gopal Mandal on Friday, amid reports that the Bihar chief minister is planning to dump Lalu Yadav's RJD and join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar during Republic Day function in Phulwarisharif, Patna.

Mandal claimed Nitish Kumar's existence is at stake and people can do anything to save their existence.

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"Wherever our national president (Nitish Kumar) goes, we will follow him. People can do anything to save their existence. His existence is at stake. He was not respected; he was being abused," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

"JD(U) MLAs are strong, so it is not possible to break them," he added.

RJD MLA Rital Yadav said his party will work for the people of Bihar even if it is not in power.

"No one has betrayed our Lalu Prasad Yadav nor can anyone betray him. Only the public can betray him, otherwise, no one has that power. It doesn't matter whether we are in the government or not, we will work for the people," he said.

Also read: Amit Shah joins Bihar BJP huddle amid Nitish Kumar alliance rumours; Tejashwi Yadav skips key event: Top Updates

RLJD chief Upendra Kushwaha claimed Nitish Kumar was eager to come out of the Mahagathbandhan.

"The situation we see in the Mahagathbandhan, JD(U) vs RJD, it is evident that Nitish Kumar is eagerly waiting to come out of it," he said.

The JD(U) has denied rumours of a split. However, tension became apparent in the Bihar alliance when deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav and other senior RJD leaders skipped the governor's high-tea ceremony.

Also read: Will Nitish Kumar quit INDIA bloc? Bihar assembly equation comes into focus

When asked about his deputy's absence, Nitish Kumar snapped at the media and said they should ask those who didn't turn up.

The reports of Kumar's latest change of heart has sent his alliance partners scrambling into a huddle.

Bihar Congress CLP leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan has called a meeting of Congress MLAs in Purnia, Bihar at 2pm tomorrow. Several RJD leaders also reached the house of Tejashwi Yadav.

Union home minister Amit Shah attended a meeting regarding Bihar in Delhi. BJP president JP Nadda, party's national general secretary BL Santosh were also present in the meeting.

Since 2017, Nitish Kumar has switched sides twice. In 2022, Kumar quit the NDA and joined the RJD-led alliance.

Earlier this week, he talked about dynasty politics at an event. Lalu Yadav's daughter Roshni Acharya posted an apparently critical post on X. The post was later deleted but it gave the BJP an opportunity to attack the ruling alliance in Bihar.

In the Bihar Assembly of 243, the RJD has 79 MLAs; followed by the BJP's 78; the JD(U)'s 45' the Congress's 19, the CPI (M-L)'s 12, two each of the CPI(M) and CPI, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)'s four seats, and the AIMIM's one, plus one Independent legislator.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
With hectic close-door parleys going on in Patna and New Delhi, and the strain in the Janata Dal-United and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) relationship now all too apparent, political analysts say that Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar seems to have made up his mind to sever ties with the RJD  forged lately, in 2022  and walk out of the Grand Alliance (GA) in favour of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by former ally, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Last week, Nitish even changed the portfolios of three of his cabinet colleagues  all from the RJD  including Chandrashekhar, who held the education portfolio, and whose comments on the Ram temple sparked a controversy some time ago.

On Friday, the CM sat through the Republic Day function with leader of Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha, while Tejashwi Prasad Yadav remained conspicuous by his absence. The JD(U) is believed to have called its lawmakers to Patna even as Ram Manjhi, whose Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) is an NDA constituent, reiterated a big political game was in the offing.

The RJD is not ready to make it easy for Nitish Kumar to switch this time around. There are times when the smart get outsmarted. We are ready for any situation should the situation arise. JD-U will also face the consequences of its constant flip-flop, as there are many leaders even there [in the Bharatiya Janata Party] who dont approve of it. They are ready to cross over should the situation demand and we will not let the GA government fall, said a senior RJD leader at the helm.

RJD MP Manoj Jha still exuded optimism about the situation. The chemistry and work ethics between the CM and the deputy CM is commendable... The BJP can feel an approaching disaster. This is why even after making a grand spectacle of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, they know that the 'Bahujan' community of Bihar still does not trust the BJP. This is why an emergency meeting was called... All is well between RJD and JDU.

Yet, later in the day on Friday, in a curt response to media queries, Jha said the Bihar chief minister must "clear the confusion" by evening.

Despite all the manoeuvres and posturing, JD-U is treading cautiously. It is dropping hints that the ties with the RJD may be over unless there is a change of heart in its chief, Nitish Kumar. Everything depends on the circumstances. Lets watch how things evolve. At present, the GA government is in place in Bihar, said a senior JD-U leader, who did not wish to be named. All the JD-U leaders this reporter spoke to refused to come on quote, saying the situation was fluid and they wanted to avoid making a premature comment.

Flip-flop, one too many times

If the speculations do turn out to be true, and Nitish severs ties with the RJD, this would be its fourth time doing so in just a decade. Yet, despite changing alliance partners, Nitish has managed to protect his own position as CM each time. He aims to remain indispensable in Bihars triangular politics (RJD, BJP, JD-U). He has been sworn in as CM eight times since 2005.

The first time he severed political ties, it was with the BJP in 2013 to join hands with the RJD. This was when Narendra Modi, then Gujarat chief minister was announced as BJPs prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Nitish batted for a secular face, sought a Sangh-mukt Bharat, and questioned the Gujarat model.

However, he was reduced to two seats when he fought alone in Bihar. He ended up resigning and installed Jitan Ram Manjhi as the Bihar CM. Later, ahead of the 2015 Assembly elections, he joined hands with the RJD and the Nitish-Lalu combine managed to halt the BJP surge at the peak of the Modi wave in 2015. The GA got 178 seats in the 243-member assembly.

However, the bonhomie did not continue for long. In July 2017 he severed ties with the RJD over corruption charges against his deputy, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav  Lalus son. He formed the next government with the BJP and in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA won an unprecedented 39 of the 40 Parliamentary seats. JD-U won 16 of the 17 seats it contested.

But the Assembly election a year later in 2020 sowed the seeds of bitterness between JD-U and BJP. Despite being in alliance, the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) fought independently and fielded its candidates on all the seats JD-U contested in. Though the LJP did not fare well, it recorded a pyrrhic victory by reducing the JD-U to the third position in terms of seats for the first time. The JD-U won 43 seats, too low, but just enough to remain a factor for any government to form in Bihar.

After this, JD-Us ties with the BJP hit rock bottom despite the BJP making Nitish Kumar CM though it won 77 seats. By August 2022, Nitish was faced with an assertive BJP in Bihar, forcing him to walk out of the NDA to form the government with the RJD and the Congress. He differed with the Centre over the Uniform Civil Code, population control, caste census and continued refusal of his demands for special status to Bihar and central university status to Patna University.

After joining the GA, Nitish made big plans with the RJD  he moved across the country to initiate opposition unity and invited all the top leaders of the non-BJP parties to Patna for a big meeting. The agenda was clear  to uproot the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre. And though the INDIA opposition bloc eventually came together, Nitish refused to be its convenor.

Read more: Why Nitishs refusal to take up the INDIA convenor post was expected

The opposition alliance should have handled a senior and politically smart leader like Nitish Kumar better, especially after constant signals from the Bihar CM that he was not happy with the goings on and delays in resolving core issues for a united fight. Having been virtually sidelined, it is quite expected for Nitish to weigh his options, as he always does. Nitish Kumar has sharp political acumen and he knows how to create a situation that is suited to his politics. Underestimating him has proved costly for both the BJP and the RJD. But in politics, one does not get what one wants each time. The BJP and the RJD must also have their strategies worked out, analyst Prof Nawal Kishor Choudhary said.

Nitish Kumar has been known for changing his alliance partners as required. If it happens again, it will be no surprise. Having not found adequate say in the united Opposition alliance, which he initiated, he has again found a reason to switch over. How far he will succeed, only time will tell. RJD may also have prepared itself for this situation, said political analyst DM Diwakar.
The discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron covered key developments in the region including the Red Sea tensions, the situation in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Friday. French President Emmanuel Macron being received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his arrival to attend the 75th Republic Day ceremony, in New Delhi (PTI)

The two leaders discussed not just areas of priority in our bilateral partnership but also focussed quite a lot on whats happening in different parts of the world, he said.

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An India-France joint statement said the two leaders strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October and expressed solidarity with the people of Israel. Condemning the huge loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict, they emphasised the need to respect international humanitarian law.

Modi and Macron on Thursday held extensive talks in Jaipur to deepen bilateral ties. The potential disruptions and the actual things happening in the maritime domain there (Red Sea), which is causing disruption to the commercial shipping is indeed a matter of serious concern and both leaders focussed on it, he said.

India is deeply concerned about the situation unfolding in the Red Sea and parts of the Arabian Sea as attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial vessels in the region impact its economic interests.

He said India has always had very strong partnerships with different stakeholders in this maritime space. We have always had very strong partnerships with different players. It is important because those partnerships help you build an information matrix in which you can respond to protect your commercial shipping interests and also other maritime security interests, Kwatra added.

The Indian Navy has stepped up surveillance in the troubled region substantially and deployed task groups consisting of around 10 warships following the recent attacks on India-bound merchant vessels, including MV Chem Pluto and MV Saibaba.

Read Here: How France's Macron powers PM Modis 'Viksit Bharat' ambition

The Iran-backed Houthi militia has been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea with missiles and drones after the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7.

The attacks on commercial shipping in the Red and Arabian Seas and the situation in Gaza were the focus of recent discussions between external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Tehran, with the Indian minister flagging concerns about a perceptible increase in threats to the safety of maritime traffic in the region including attacks in the vicinity of the Indian coast.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza, and its various dimensions, the terror dimension, the humanitarian dimension, the civil disruption dimension...all those things came up for discussion and both leaders shared their perspective, Kwatra said.

The joint statement, which was released late on Friday, added: Both leaders also called for an immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The two leaders reaffirmed that a political process leading to a two-state solution for the Israeli and Palestinian people is required for lasting peace and stability in the region.

Responding to a question on cooperation in the Indian Ocean region and Indo-Pacific, he said both India and France are resident powers in this part of the world and they can cooperate to mitigate the challenges and harvest the opportunities that exist. That has always been a very important priority of discussions between the leaders. And discussions this time were no exception.
On Republic Day morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the National War Memorial to pay tributes, marking the official commencement of the 75th Republic Day celebrations. After leading the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath, PM Modi and other dignitaries headed to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade. Republic Day 2024: PM Modi at National War Memorial.(YouTube/Narendra Modi)

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The arrival of the President of India Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron was escorted by the Presidents Bodyguard  Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak. The Presidents Bodyguard is the senior-most Regiment of the Indian Army. This Republic Day is special for this elite Regiment as the Angrakshak has completed 250 years of service since its raising in 1773. The two presidents arrived in the Traditional Buggy, a practice making a comeback after a gap of 40 years.

As per tradition, the National Flag was unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute given with the indigenous gun system 105-mm Indian Field Guns. This was then followed by Aavaahan, a band performance by over 100 women artists playing various types of percussion instruments, symbolizing Nari Shakti.

The parade then commenced with the president taking the salute.

ALSO READ- Padma Awards 2024: Full list of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan awardees

National War Memorial- a monument to honour fallen heroes

The National War Memorial, situated to the east of India Gate, stands as a structure to honour wars, victories, and those who died or were injured in independent India conflicts, post-1947.

The iconic India Gate, constructed in 1931 by the former British Empire, serves as a commemoration for the Battle Casualties of India during World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. While, the National War Memorial stands as a symbol of the nation's gratitude to its Armed Forces, testifying to their sacrifices in diverse conflicts, United Nations Operations, Humanitarian Assistance, and Disaster Response Operations since Independence.

Since Independence, more than 26,000 soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces have made the supreme sacrifice, defending the sovereignty and integrity of the country.

Amar Jawan Jyoti at the National War Memorial

Installed overnight under the Arch of India Gate in January 1972 to commemorate India's victory in the India-Pakistan War 1971, an inverted bayonet with a helmet structure, alongside Amar Jawan Jyoti, merged with the eternal flame of the National War Memorial on January 21, 2022, following the Memorial's inception.

ALSO READ- In historic move, Amar Jawan Jyoti merged with National War Memorial flame
France is internationally known for being the centre of arts, philosophy and culture and its universities are much sought-after by international students. Globally, France ranks 8th and 5th in Europe among the worlds top study destinations. Currently, there are 250,000 international students in France, including a total of 10,000 Indian students. With the French President Emmanuel Macron reiterating that the country is ready to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030, lets take a look as France as an attractive study destination for Indian students. France has a large number of higher education programmes available, accessible to foreign students whether they speak French or not.(HT PHOTO.)

France has a large number of higher education programmes available, accessible to foreign students whether they speak French or not - there are more than 3,500 public and private institutes of higher education in France: 72 universities, 25 multi-institute campuses, 271 Doctoral schools, 227 engineering schools authorised to award the title of engineer, 220 business and management schools, 45 post-secondary public schools of art, 22 schools of architecture and 3,000 private schools and institutes. More than 1,200 classes are provided in English.

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The acronym FUN, for France Universite Numerique (Digital University France), refers to the first French online course platform that provides nearly 300 courses from over 80 institutes, with enrolment near the one million mark (Source: Campus France).

Visa: Among the many advantages of studying in France is the streamlined visa process, including the 5-year short-stay Schengen visa for postgraduates. The visa process is relatively straightforward, with short-term visa taking around 6 days and long-term visa up to 1-month, with moderate fees.

Cost of Studies: Tuition fees are low in public higher education institutions because the French government subsidises higher education. The true cost of education is the same as it is elsewhere in the world - around 10,000 a year. The difference is that in France the government assumes a large share of that cost, according to Campus France.

Non EU-students: Non European Union (EU) students are required to pay differentiated registration fees if:

 Enrolling for the 1st time for a Bachelor's or Master's degree, or for an engineering programme;

 Within a higher education establishment that falls within the scope of the MESR;

 Provided the student is not permanently settled in France.

The state will thus cover two-thirds of the cost of studies. The total registration fee that the student will be required to pay is:

 2,770 per year at the licence (bachelor) level

 3,770 per year at the master level

If you enrol in a degree at Doctorate level, the French government will assume most of the cost of your education until you complete your degree programme. Non-EU doctoral students are not subject to new differentiated tuition fees.

Scholarships for international students: Campus Bourses (Campus Scholarships) provides information on the scholarships offered to foreign students and lists all of the assistance provided by the States (French and foreign), regional authorities, companies, foundations and institutes of higher education. Filter your search by nationality, field and level of studies to find the relevant scholarships.

The Foreign Ministry Scholarships: The French Foreign Ministry awards many different scholarships to foreign students. 25% of these scholarships are directly financed by the Ministry in the framework of Eiffel (for Master's or Doctoral level studies) or Major programmes (for the best foreign students who have graduated from French high schools abroad). The rest are provided by France embassies abroad.

Level of French required for international students: If you are taking a course provided in English, French is not required. Nonetheless, the institution in question may test your level of English.

If you are taking courses in French, you will have to present a document attesting to the level of French proficiency that can be obtained by sitting an official French examination or test, such as the DELF, the DALF, the TCF or the TEF. The common reference is that of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Level B1 or B2 is recommended for studying at the undergraduate and Master's level, and especially in the humanities and social sciences. Level B2 is required for admission to first year in the framework of the DAP (demande dadmission prealable - preliminary request for admission). Some French institutes of higher education may require a higher level, C1 or C2, for specific programmes.

Foreign students who have received a French high school diploma in an AEFE (Agence pour lEnseignement du Francais a lEtranger - the Agency for French Education Abroad) institution are exempt.

Medium of Instruction: The official and mandatory language of instruction in France is French and most academic programs at universities and educational institutions are conducted in French. However, there are also English-taught programs available, especially at the postgraduate level.

Top Universities (according to QS University World Ranking 2024)

1. Universite PSL (Paris): Rank: 24. Overall score: 85.8

2. Institut Polytechnique de Paris (Palaiseau Cedex): Rank: 38. Overall score: 79.5

3. Sorbonne University (Paris): Rank: 59. Overall Score: 71.7

4. Universite Paris-Saclay (Gif-sur-Yvette): Rank: 71. Overall score: 67.6

5. Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon (Lyon): Rank: 184. Overall score: 47.6

6. Ecole des Ponts Paris Tech (Paris): Rank: 192 Overall score: 46.7

7. University Paris Cite (Paris): Rank: 236 Overall score: 41.1

8. University Grenoble Alpes (Grenoble): Rank: 294 Overall score: 35.6

9. University Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne: Rank: 328 Overall score: 32.6

10. University de Montpellier: Rank: 328 Overall score: 29

Ranking by subject: In the Top 100 of each of the five main subjects, there are 21 French higher education institutions (QS World University Ranking):

 3 institutions in Arts and Humanities: Universite Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne (Rank: 17), Sorbonne Universite (Rank: 19), PSL Universite (Rank: 61)

 5 institutions in Engineering and Technology: Institut Polytechnique de Paris (Rank: 21), Universite Paris Saclay (Rank: 22), PSL Universite (Rank: 41), Sorbonne Universite (Rank: 64), Grenoble INP (Rank: 93)

 2 institutions in Life Science and Medicine: Sorbonne Universite (Rank: 43), Universite Paris Cite (Rank: 70)

 6 institutions in Natural Science: Sorbonne Universite (Rank: 13), PSL Universite (Rank: 14), Universite Paris Saclay (Rank: 19), Institut Polytechnique de Paris (Rank: 26), Universite Grenoble Alpes (Rank: 70), Universite Paris Cite (Rank: 72)

 5 institutions in Social Science and Management: INSEAD (International school, Rank: 31), HEC Paris (Rank: 51), Universite Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne (Rank: 59), Sciences Po (Rank: 74), PSL Universite (Rank: 79).
New Delhi: Indias strength as a democratic nation got special emphasis during the 75th Republic Day parade on Friday with both the Union culture ministry and the Election Commission of India (ECI) focusing on the theme India: Mother of Democracy. The tableau presented by the culture ministry showcased a replica of B R Ambedkar handing over the Constitution to the countrys first president Dr Rajendra Prasad (Twitter Photo)

The tableau presented by the culture ministry showcased a replica of B R Ambedkar handing over the Constitution to the countrys first president Dr Rajendra Prasad as 3-D technology helped depict how the roots of democracy were embedded in Indian ethos from ancient times, as it rolled down the Kartavya Path on Friday.

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The 75th Republic Day focused on the Nari Shakti and Viksit Bharat themes and for the first time, the parade was heralded by 100 women playing musical instruments.

Also Read: Chandrayaan, Aditya-L1, G20 among tableaux featured in R-Day parade

The same idea was echoed by the culture ministry as its tableau too went for an all-women contingent, with at least 22 women artists in the costumes of their respective states leading the first tractor  which also had a representation of the democratic traditions of the country following since the Vedic period.

The trailer behind the lead tractor had replicas of Buddha and Jain sages which displayed democratic symbols of Mahajanapadas (kingdoms that existed in ancient India) and a chariot of Humpy, and a replica of Ashokas inscription of Junagadh.

The second tractor had a huge replica of Ambedkar and Prasad exchanging the Constitution, followed by a 120-degree 3-D anamorphic display crafted with special LEDs for optimal viewing of a film on how the roots of democracy were embedded in Indian ethos.

Also Read: Haryana tableau showcases schoolgirl with e-tablet

Among the other highlights of the tableau were the inscriptions of Rudraman I, King Kharevala and the pillar of Samudragupta and a multi-layered system called Shrine Sangha exemplified in the town of Uthiramerur.

The Election Commissions tableau was on the theme of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and according to the poll body, it depicted the conduct of free, fair, inclusive, accessible and participative elections.

The front of the tableau was representative of an inked finger pressing a button and casting a vote on an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) with 96 crore (960 million) electors written on it.

The rear portion of the tableau showed ECIs effort towards No Voter Left Behind which the ECI said depicted how despite the extremeness of the situation, the poll body attempted to reach maximum voters in the country.
New Delhi: The Centre has announced that it would confer the Padma Shri, its fourth-highest civilian award, to four French nationals amidst French President Emmanuel Macrons visit to India as the chief guest of the 75th Republic Day, officials said. 100 year old French yoga teacher Charlotte Chopin met Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year (Twitter Photo)

The awardees include yoga teachers Charlotte Chopin and Kiran Vyas, Sanskrit professor and scholar Pierre Sylvain Filliozat and Indologist Fred Negrit.

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The government on Thursday unveiled a list of 132 individuals for the Padma Awards. Four people from France, the highest for any foreign country, have received the Padma awards this year.

100-year-old Chopin is said to have brought the yoga revolution to France when she began teaching in 1982. Till today, she continues to teach, and despite her old age, she is said to have achieved remarkable fitness. She began practising yoga at the age of 50.

Also Read: First woman elephant mahout among 34 unsung heroes awarded Padma Shri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also a promoter of Yoga, last year had visited her during his France tour. During the meeting. Modi had lauded Chopins deep faith in yoga and her ground-breaking work in its promotion in France.

Vyas, 79, is a philosopher and founder of the Tapovan Open University of Yoga and Ayurveda in Paris. An Indian origin, he chose to settle in France to make Ayurveda science of life known in Europe.

Filliozat, 87, has been immersed since childhood in the atmosphere of Indian and particularly Sanskrit studies. In 1959 he obtained a diploma in Hindi. Subsequently, from 1967 until today, he has been the director of Sanskrit studies at the Practical School of Advanced Studies. On 25 March, former President Pranab Mukherjee presented him the Letter of Recognition for Skill in Sanskrit Letters and erudition in Science, in recognition of his work on Sanskrit language and literature.

The fourth recipient of the highest civilian award, Negrit, is an Indologist fostering great awareness and appreciation of Indian culture. He is commended for his accomplishments in literature and education.
Heavyweights Germany, France and Spain are among ten member states that have joined Denmark in calling for a 2040 emissions reduction target in line with the advice of EU scientists who say net greenhouse gas output must be slashed to no more than a tenth of 1990 levels.

Denmark is the only country so far to have explicitly endorsed a 90% net reduction target, which equates to a seven-fold reduction from current levels over the next sixteen years. Climate minister Lars Aagaard made the announcement in early December during the COP28 climate conference in Dubai.

The joint statement, circulated by Denmark on Thursday, notes that EU heads of government welcomed at a mid-December summit the freshly struck global agreement to accelerate a shift towards net-zero emissions in line with the best available science in order to cap global temperature rise at 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

The [EU] target should be in line with the long-term temperature goal of 1.5 C and take into account the principles in the European Climate Law, such as best available science, cost-effectiveness, a fair and just transition and the costs of inaction, as well as the advice of the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change, the statement runs.

The document  also signed by ministers from Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Portugal  does not specify a preferred 2040 target, but the independent advisory board concluded last summer that the EU must adopt a 2040 target of 90-95% if it is to stand a fair chance of meeting its commitment to reach net-zero a decade later.

The EU executive plans to publish on 6 February a communication setting out its recommendation for a 2040 target. Newly appointed climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra has already committed to defend the target of at least 90% recommended by the scientific panel.

Climate minister Aagaard said today (26 January) that an ambitious target was necessary also to ensure Europes energy independence and future competitiveness. The office of the Danish permanent representation in Brussels said on social media the Scandinavian country had brought together a broad alliance of European countries from north to south, east and west in favour of high ambition.

Climate campaigners gave a mixed reaction to the joint statement, however. Sven Harmeling of Climate Action Network Europe told Euronews the campaign alliance welcomed the fact that several influential member states had called for an ambitious target, but noted the commission has been modelling higher targets as is finalises an impact assessment also due out next week.
India is gearing up to celebrate its 75th Republic Day with great enthusiasm and grandeur on Friday. The iconic parade will begin at Kartavya Path in Delhi at 10:30am and will display marches by several contingents of the Armed Forces, and tableaux from various states and central departments. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has also issued an advisory for commuters to avoid difficulties onboard during the celebrations. (PTI Photo)

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Ahead of the celebrations, the Delhi Metro announced that services would commence at 4am on Friday and commuters could use metro train services to reach Kartavya Path to attend the Republic Day parade.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has also issued an advisory for commuters to avoid difficulties onboard during the celebrations.

Metro timings and station alighting details:

The Metro Corporation took to X to share details about operation timings and information abput designated stations for alighting based on the entry gates used by passengers to reach the event site.

Delhi Metro will commence its services at 4:00 AM on all its Lines to facilitate the public to reach Kartavya Path to witness the Republic Day ceremony on 26th January 2024 (Friday). Train services will be available at a headway of 30 minutes till 6AM, and thereafter, a regular timetable will be followed for the rest of the day, it said.

The Delhi Metro also informed that people holding bona fide e-invitation cards or e-tickets for attending the Republic Day ceremony will be issued coupons upon presenting a valid government-issued photo identity card at metro stations which would be valid for exit from the Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan Metro station to reach the Kartavya Path. A similar coupon will also be applicable for the return journey exclusively from these two stations.

The metro corporation mentioned that regular announcements will also be made inside the metros to inform the passengers so that they deboard at designated stations to reach their enclosures smoothly.

The Delhi Metro has provided guidelines for passengers alighting at stations based on their assigned enclosure numbers.

Passengers holding e-Invitation Cards/e-Tickets with enclosure numbers 1 to 9, VI & V2 are instructed to alight at Udyog Bhawan Metro Station. Likewise, individuals with enclosure numbers 10 to 24 and VN are recommended to exit at the Central Secretariat Metro Station.

The Delhi Metro on Thursday unveiled a train exclusively wrapped to celebrate the 75th Republic Day. The train was flagged off from the Mandi House Metro Station on the Violet Line by Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Managing Director Vikas Kumar. The minister signed on the decorated train and also interacted with specially-abled children who were a part of the event, it said.

In a post on X, the DMRC said, A metro train specially wrapped to celebrate the 75th Republic Day was formally pressed into service today from Mandi House Metro station on the Violet Line in the presence of Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of Law and Justice, and DMRC MD Vikas Kumar.

Delhi traffic advisory: Know routes and parking to avoid

Ahead of the celebrations, the national capital's traffic police have issued a traffic advisory which includes the details on restrictions on various routes and suggested alternative routes along with parking arrangements for the general public.

According to the advisory, the Republic Day parade is scheduled to commence at 10:30 am from Vijay Chowk which would progress towards the Red Fort grounds. Simultaneously, a related event at the National War Memorial near India Gate is planned for 9:30 am.

There will be extensive traffic arrangements and restrictions along the parade route. The parade will pass through Vijay Chowk, Kartavya Path, C-Hexagon, the Subhas Chandra Bose roundabout, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Netaji Subhas Marg and Red Fort, the advisory said.

The police urged people to make the maximum use of public transport to reach Kartavya Path.

As per the advisory, traffic movement is prohibited on Kartavya Path from Vijay Chowk to India Gate, from 6 pm on January 25 until the parade concludes on January 26. No traffic is allowed on Kartavya Path at Rafi Marg, Janpath, Man Singh Road from 10 pm on January 25 until the parade ends.

The C-Hexagon-India Gate will be closed for traffic from 9:15 am on Friday until the parade crosses Tilak Marg. However, no vehicle movement is permitted on Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, and Netaji Subhas Marg from 10:30 am on Friday.

Alternative routes:

According to the advisory, commuters can use the route from Madarsa, Lodhi Road T-point through Aurobindo Marg, AIIMS Chowk, Ring Road-Dhaula Kuan, Vande Matram Marg, and Shankar Road to reach Mandir Marg.

Additionally, the commuters travelling to New Delhi Railway Station from South Delhi can travel through Dhaula Kuan, Vande Matram Marg, Panchkuian Road, the Connaught Place Outer Circle, and Chelmsford Road for the Paharganj side and Minto Road and Bhavbhuti Marg for the Ajmeri Gate side of the station.

From East Delhi, commuters can take Boulevard Road through the ISBT Bridge, the Rani Jhansi flyover, DB Gupta Road, Sheela Cinema Road, and the Paharganj Bridge.

For those heading to Old Delhi Railway Station from South Delhi, the advisory recommends taking the Ring Road, Ashram Chowk, Sarai Kale Khan, Rajghat, Chowk Yamuna Bazar, SP Mukherjee Marg, Chhatta Rail, and the Kauria bridge.

Parking advisory:

The traffic police also mentioned about the parking restrictions and arrangements in the Kartavya Path region to avoid congestion and regulate traffic smoothly.

As per the advisory, parking spots 3 and 4 behind Vigyan Bhawan have a capacity of 300 vehicles. Once the capacity exceeds these spots, the visitors are required to park on Maulana Azad Road near Vigyan Bhawan and their vehicles will be accommodated at parking spots 1 and 2 (behind Nirman Bhawan and Udyog Bhawan), 2A (inside Nirman Bhawan and Udyog Bhawan), 5 (behind Zabta Masjid), 6 (Kota House Jam Nagar House and Jailsaimer House), 7 (Vanijya Bhawan).

However, the authorities have also urged the general public to make maximum use of public transport to reach the Kartavya Path on Republic Day.

(With inputs from agencies)
India gears up for its platinum celebration of the country's Republic Day on Friday with an enthralling exhibition of its military prowess and rich cultural heritage at the majestic 'Kartavya Path' in New Delhi. The 75th Republic Day parade will then begin with President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute. (AFP)

French President Emmanuel Macron, the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day celebrations, began his visit with some sightseeing in Jaipur, where he visited a 17th-century fort and an 18th-century observatory. Later, Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood in an open jeep as they were driven for about 1.5 kilometres. Large crowds lining the streets welcomed them with a shower of rose and marigold petals.

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On Thursday evening, President Droupadi Murmu led the country in the grand celebrations of its journey of Amrit Kaal that began post the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations to commemorate 75 years of the country's independence. Follow Live Updates on Republic Day 2024 celebrations

Top points on Republic Day 2024 parade time, other details:
Republic Day 2024 Highlights: Welcome to our live blog coverage of the historic 75th Republic Day celebrations. The grand event at Kartavya Path in the national capital, graced by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was a breathtaking display of patriotic fervour and cultural richness. This year's Republic Day parade, set against the backdrop of a historic milestone, featured special moments, including the participation of French President Emmanuel Macron as its chief guest....Read More

The day kicked off with a solemn and heartfelt tribute to the fallen heroes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the National War Memorial. Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his tradition of wearing vibrant and colourful turbans for Republic Day celebrations. For the 75th Republic Day, he chose a multi-colored bandhani print safa 'pagdi' (turban), which he paired with a white 'kurta-pyjama' and a brown Nehru jacket.

Prime Minister Modi, along with other dignitaries, then reached the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the grand parade that encapsulates the spirit of India's diverse and vibrant heritage.

Discontinued after Indira Gandhi's death, buggy tradition' revived by President Murmu on 75th Republic Day

President Droupadi Murmu and President Emmanuel Macron were escorted by the illustrious Presidents Bodyguard - Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak. The Presidents Bodyguard is the seniormost Regiment of the Indian Army. This Republic Day holds a special significance for the regiment as they mark 250 years of dedicated service since their inception in 1773. The two Presidents will make a grand entrance in the 'Traditional Buggy', reviving a practice after a gap of 40 years.

Follow our live blog for real-time updates on the ceremonies, performances, and the camaraderie between Prime Minister Modi and chief guest Macron.
Squadron Leader Rashmi Thakur, a fighter controller, led the Indian Air Force's marching contingent at the 75th Republic Day parade on January 26 at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi. In addition to the IAF marching contingent, a tri-services contingent of Agniveer Vayu (women) participated in the parade. A total of 48 Agniveer Vayu were part of the contingent. Squadron Leader Rashmi Thakur leads the Indian Air Force's marching contingent at the 75th Republic Day parade on January 26.

Fifteen women pilots of the IAF also operated various platforms during the aerial fly-past that featured Tejas and SU 30 MKI combat jets as well as recently inducted C-295 transport aircraft.

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Squadron leader Thakur was flanked by three women supernumerary officers  squadron leader Sumita Yadav, squadron leader Pratiti Ahluwalia and flight lieutenant Kirti Rohil.

"I am really overwhelmed. It is going to be a proud moment for all of us," news agency PTI quoted Thakur, who hails from Shimla, as saying on Thursday.

"I was commissioned June 20, 2015. Since then, the IAF has given me all the opportunities. So it has been very fulfilling and satisfying, but at the same time very very challenging," the fighter controller added.

The key role of fighter controllers is to coordinate with fighter pilots on various aspects of air operations.

The contingent had 48 women personnel each from the Navy and the Indian Army as well. Out of the 15 women pilots who operated various platforms during the fly-past, six will be from the fighter streams.

Flight lieutenant Ananya Sharma and flying officer Asma Sheikh, both Su-30 pilots, presented on the tableau.

Flight lieutenant sharma's father was a MiG-21 fighter pilot in the IAF.

"It is a dream coming true for me. It is going to be a special moment for me," she told PTI.

The C-295 transport aircraft was flown by two women aircrew in the cockpit. The C-295 is a transport aircraft that has recently been inducted into the IAF and will be manufactured in India.

The theme of the IAF tableau was "Bharatiya Vayu Sena: Saksham, Sashakt, Atmanirbhar".

A total of 51 aircraft of the IAF, including 29 fighter jets and 13 helicopters, were part of the Republic Day fly-past.

(With inputs from agencies)
The sky above Kartavya Path became a zone of fervent activity when 54 aircraft, including three from the French Air and Space Force, gave a fly past in a grand salute, during the 75th Republic Day ceremony that took place in New Delhi on Friday. The Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft and two Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets (ANI)

The parade was held in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, defence minister Rajnath Singh, several cabinet ministers, India's military chiefs and other top dignitaries. France's President Emmanuel Macron was the chief guest.

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During the parade, Indian Air Force pilots enthralled the spectators with their acrobatics. With their enchanting display of air prowess, the pilots created the 'Prachand' formation comprising one LCH in lead with two Apache Helicopters and two ALH Mk-IV in echelon flying in five aircraft 'Arrow Formation.'

Next, the defence personnel created 'Tangail' formation comprising one Dakota in lead with two Dornier aircrafts in echelon flying in 'Vic' formation.

ALSO READ| Republic Day 2024: Over 260 female defence personnel perform stunts on motorcycle

The 'Arjan' formation comprised one C-295 aircraft in lead with two C-130J aircraft in the echelon flying in 'Vic' formation. The 'Netra' formation comprised one AEW&C aircraft and two X Su-30 aircraft in echelon flying in 'Vic' formation.

In the 'Varuna' formation, one p-8i aircraft and two X Su-30 aircraft in the echelon flew in 'vic' formation. A C-17 aircraft with two Su-30 ac in echelon (streaming fuel) flying past in 'Vic' formation displayed the 'Bheem' formation. The performance was followed by four X Tejas aircraft flying past in 'Diamond' formation.

The Amrit formation comprised six Jaguar aircraft flying past in 'arrow-head' formation. Six Rafale aircraft flew in 'Vajraang' formation.

In the last leg of the fly-past, three Su-30 Mk-I aircraft in 'Trishul' formation flew at 900 kmph over water channel north of Kartavya Path along with the IAF marching contingent. While approaching the dais, the formation pulled up outwards for Trishul's manoeuvre. Next was, one Rafale aircraft flying at 900 kmph behind Trishul formation over the north water channel. Approaching the dais, the aircraft pulled up for Vertical Charlie and carried out multiple turns.

This year's Republic Day parade was women-centric, with 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat-Loktantra ki Matruka' as the main themes. For the first time, an all-women tri-services contingent took part in the parade, which included women troops of the Indian Army's military police along with women from the other two services.

(With inputs from news agency PTI)
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) presented the historic lunar landing of Chandrayaan 3 at the 75th Republic Day parade on Kartvya Path in New Delhi on Friday. Republic Day parade 2024: ISRO showcased its tableau at the 75th Republic Day.(YouTube/Narendra Modi)

The ISRO tableau, themed "Chandrayaan 3: A Saga in Indian Space History," exhibited working models of the Pragyan Rover emerging from the Vikram Lander's capsule. The display highlighted the landing area near the Moon's South Pole, named Shiv Shakti Point to commemorate the remarkable achievement.

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ALSO READ- Republic Day 2024: From India's military might to Nari Shakti  10 key moments

Chandrayaan 3, India's third lunar mission, successfully landed on the lunar surface on August 23. This made India the first country to land near the lunar South Pole and the fourth to achieve a controlled lunar landing. After ten days of lunar exploration, the lander and rover entered sleep mode, while the propulsion module continued orbiting the moon.

The tableau, featuring eight women scientists, also depicted India's first solar space-based observatory mission Aditya L1 and the upcoming manned space mission Gaganyaan.

ALSO READ- Not only Chandrayaan 3, ISRO also conducted 7 other flawless launches in 2023

CSIR Tableau - Showcasing the Purple Revolution

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research tableau in the 75th Republic Day parade.(YouTube/Narendra Modi)

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) showcased its tableau at the 75th Republic Day Parade, aligning with the Viksit Bharat theme.

The visually enchanting tableau centred around the Purple Revolution, a CSIR-led initiative resulting in a significant increase in Lavender cultivation in Jammu & Kashmir. CSIR's role in taking lavender from the lab to the market and promoting Agri-start-ups was depicted through various sections of the tableau.

Under agro-mechanical technology, CSIR's indigenously developed Indias first women-friendly compact electric tractor, PRIMA ET11, was also showcased.

ALSO READ- How tulips that grow only in spring were made available for Ram Mandir ceremony in January?

MeitY Tableau - Responsible AI for Social Empowerment

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology tableau in the 75th Republic Day parade.(YouTube/Narendra modi)

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) tableau featured captivating visuals, with a female robot symbolising AI reflecting on its positive impact on global citizens. India's role as the lead chair at the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Annual Summit was highlighted, showcasing India's commitment to inclusive development and the responsible development and deployment of AI solutions globally.

The MeitY tableau depicted AI applications in Logistics, Healthcare, and Education through visually engaging models.

The portrayal included robotic-assisted surgeries, self-delivery drones, and innovative education methods, illustrating the diverse applications of AI in daily life. The rear portion emphasised AI's role in education, monitoring cattle health, and empowering women through the Digital India Programme, symbolised by female students on battery scooters riding through the Kartavya Path.
The Russian embassy in New Delhi joined the celebrations for India's 75th Republic Day in a unique style. Staffers of the embassy, professional dancers and children dressed up in colourful Indian attires danced to a popular song from the Hindi movie "Gadar: Ek Prem Katha". The Russian Embassy in India, has joined celebrations for India's 75th Republic Day in its own unique way. (X(formerly Twitter)/@RusEmbIndia)

"Happy Republic Day, #India! From Russia with love," the Russian embassy said while sharing a video on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.

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Russian ambassador to India Denis Alipov also took to X to extend greetings on the occasion of India's 75th Republic Day. In his message, Alipov hailed the friendship between Russia and India.

"Warmest congratulations on the #RepublicDay, India! Wishing our Indian friends prosperity, well-being and very bright #AmritKaal! Long live #Bharat! Long live Rusi-Bharatiya Dosti!," wrote Alipov.

ALSO READ| Republic Day 2024: Over 260 female defence personnel to perform stunts on motorcycle

The annual Republic Day parade took place at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. France's President Emmanuel Macron attended the parade as the chief guest. This year, the parade was women-centric, with 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat-Loktantra ki Matruka' as the main themes. For the first time, an all-women tri-services contingent took part in the parade, which included women troops of the Indian Army's military police along with women from the other two services.

The 90-minute parade involved the display of India's military capabilities and its rich cultural heritage. The Indian army displayed T-90 Bhishma tank, NAG missile system, infantry combat vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, weapon locating radar system 'Swathi', drone jammer system, and medium-range surface-to-air missile.

At the Republic Day parade 2024, 16 tableaux from states and Union territories and nine from central ministries and departments was showcased. Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana are the states and Union territories whose tableaux was on display.
Former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar, who had switched over from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the Congress ahead of the state assembly elections last year, rejoined his old party on Thursday ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha polls, citing his long association with the saffron party. Former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar rejoins the BJP in the presence of party national president JP Nadda, former CM BS Yediyurappa, and party state president Vijayendra Yediyurappa, in New Delhi on Thursday (ANI)

The senior Lingayat leader was welcomed in the BJP fold by former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa, state party chief BY Vijayendra, Union ministers Bhupender Yadav and Rajeev Chandrasekhar at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

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The party [BJP] gave me a lot of responsibilities in the past. Due to some issues, I went to the Congress party. In the last eight to nine months, there were a lot of discussions. Also, BJP workers asked me to come back to the party, Shettar said after formally rejoining the BJP. Yediyurappa ji and Vijayendra ji also wanted me to come back to the BJP. I am rejoining the party with the belief that Narendra Modi ji has to become the prime minister again.

The 68-year-old acknowledged that he received respectful treatment from the Congress during his brief stay, but thanked BJP leaders and workers for persuading him to return to his old party.

Shettar (68), a six-term former legislator from Hubli-Dharwad Central constituency, had quit the BJP on April 16 last year in the run-up to the assembly polls after being denied a party ticket, saying he felt humiliated by the party he served for more than 30 years. Subsequently, he joined the Congress and contested the assembly polls from the same constituency. However, he lost to BJPs Mahesh Tenginkai even when the Congress swept the state polls. He was later sent to the legislative council by the Congress.

On the return of his fellow community leader to the BJP, Yediyurappa, the tallest Lingayat leader in the southern state, said there was a demand from BJP workers to bring Shettar back to the party. On Thursday morning, Shettar, Vijayendra and I met [Union home minister] Amit Shah, who happily welcomed him into the party and Shettar joined the BJP, Yediyurappa said. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, it gives us strength.

The Congress, meanwhile, said the senior leader has broke the trust of the party.

I had spoken to him on Wednesday morning as well. He told me he would not leave and that the Congress party had given him a second chance in politics, senior Congress leader and Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said. We trusted him, but it has come to light that he has broken that trust.

When asked for his comment on the development, chief minister Siddaramaiah told reporters: Shettar quit the BJP citing disrespect to his leadership and for being denied the party ticket in the Assembly elections. He joined the Congress. A ticket was given to him to contest from Hubballi, but he lost the election. Nevertheless, the party made him an MLC. No injustice was done to Shettar in the Congress. He was treated respectfully.
The National Democratic Alliance government's flagship Smart Cities Mission (SCM) launched in 2015 is nearing its second deadline of June 2024. Aimed to improve the quality of life in urban India through the application of smart solutions, SCM has so far achieved a completion rate of 83%. Of the total 86,850 crore allocated over eight years by the Union and respective state governments, 72,571 crore has already been utilised by the participating cities.

Have the cities smartened up? Is the quality of life better for its residents? Are these projects worthy to serve as role models for other towns and cities facing the challenges of unsustainable urbanisation? HT takes stock of some of the key projects and what they hope to accomplish.

The Union government maintains the objective of the mission is to promote cities that provide core infrastructure and decent quality of life to their citizens, clean and sustainable environment through the application of smart solutions. The idea is to look at compact areas and create replicable models, which will act as role models for others.

The mission identified 21 sectors in which the 100 smart cities selected projects based on their specific needs. These include education, health, housing, water supply, solid waste management, roads, non-motorised transport, public transport, smart governance, recreational spaces, and energy-related infrastructure, among others.

An official of the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA)  the ministry running the mission  said that the cities were given the freedom to choose projects, and many catered to the sustainable development goals (SDG 2030) of clean water, sanitation, sustainable practises, clean energy and even decent work and economic growth. The SDGs were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 to end poverty, reduce inequality and build more peaceful, prosperous societies by 2030.

The Union government provides conditional fund transfers to states for specific developmental programmes. The fiscal burden under a CSS is shared by the states and the Union government equally. However, in addition to government grants, the smart city projects were permitted to access finances from other sources including private sector finance, debt, as well as through revenue like user charges, taxes, and surcharges.

Common to all cities

The integrated command and control centre (ICCC) was found to be the most common feature among all these cities. Through these ICCCs, and a host of connected cameras, sensors, and other Internet of Things devices, authorities can monitor, scrutinise, and improvise everyday functions like security surveillance, policing, waste management, street light management, traffic management, water supply and even respond to extreme weather situations like floods and storms.

Through the 3,000 public address systems active in 77 cities, authorities were able to issue warnings and advisories to the public in one go. There are 1,884 emergency call boxes in 56 cities through which citizens can alert the authorities about any distress situation.

More than 15 coastal towns incorporated their disaster response mechanism within the ICCCs to prepare for impending natural disasters at a micro-level; 11 cities started monitoring and managing flood situations with the help of the ICCCs and 62 cities adopted red light traffic violation systems even as 2,000 important traffic junctions were retrofitted with adaptive traffic control systems.

The ICCCs were also used to monitor waste collection and management processes with the help of cameras, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) equipped bins, automatic vehicle locators and other technological applications in more than 80 cities.

Rajkot used its ICCC to coordinate between the key stakeholders, as well as with other cities' departments to monitor the on-ground situation during the recent cyclone Biparjoy. Chetan K Nandani, CEO of Rajkot Smart City said flood monitoring sensors are placed at the Aji and Nyari dams as well as at elevated and ground-level reservoirs in and around the city to track and respond to flood situations in the city in real-time.

Transport, public infra

To improve urban mobility, over 2,500 km of smart roads have been constructed. A smart road comes with pavements and dedicated underground utility ducts for electricity, water, sewage, and optical fibre lines to negate the need for road digging. Apart from this, 7,500 public buses have been deployed, including over 2,000 e-buses and over 5,000 bus stops have been built. In a boost to non-motorised transport, 573 km of bicycle tracks have been built and more than 10,000 bicycles have been deployed under the public bike-sharing model.

So far, in the last eight years, 367 parks have been developed and redeveloped across 100 cities. Over 1,300 projects to improve other public spaces including 180 waterfront projects have been undertaken across 47 cities. More than 200 monuments have also been restored under the SCM project. In Udaipur, 10 city gates such as Satta Pol, Chand Pol, Hathi Pol, and a six-km long heritage fort wall around the walled city were restored among other structures of historical importance. In Srinagar, the conservation work of Naqashband Sahib, Khanqahi Moula Shrine, Hassanabad Imambara, Durga Nag Temple, St. Luke's Church, and Raghunath Temple were taken up.

More than 44,000 affordable housing units have been built and 6,300 rooms have been built in community housing projects. In all so far under the SCM, more than 300 health clinics have been developed, and more than 479 ambulances have been procured. So far 100 MW of solar energy capacity have been added in 100 cities and more than 50 lakh LED solar street lights have been installed.

Views and critiques

Dr Girdhar Gyani, director general of the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI), a conglomeration of private healthcare providers, said the Smart Cities Mission could have used their funds to reach the recommended ratio of three hospital beds per 1,000 people in all the 100 cities to stand out as lighthouses. Right now there is a huge disparity in terms of healthcare availability across the country and within states, he said.

Rakesh Verma, former IAS officer and a policy analyst based in Bengaluru said that the SCM unlike other national missions is a lateral entry in the urban infrastructure space. This has led to a lot of municipal functions being handled by consultants. Instead, he said the local municipal staff need to be trained. Moreover, the surge in digital infrastructure under the Smart City canopy raises significant data security and privacy concerns, necessitating stringent measures to ensure the protection of citizens' personal information and maintain public trust, he said.

In the recently launched India Infrastructure Report 2023, a chapter by Tathagata Chatterji, a professor of urban management and governance at the School of Human Settlements, XIM University, Bhubaneswar and Chetan Vaidya, an urban expert with over 30 years of experience have detailed some of the shortcomings of the SCM. The report is a compilation of authored papers on issues integrating infrastructure, and urban redevelopment by subject matter experts compiled by the National Institute of Urban Affairs, Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Ltd, and the IDFC Foundation.

In their chapter titled The Smart Cities Mission and the Digital Transformation of Urban India, Chatterji and Vaidya write: Many cities implemented public bicycle sharing schemes without proper integration with other transportation modes and inadequate attention towards operations and maintenance. Moreover, sometimes projects were rushed through to access project funding deadlines. Often this came in the way of participatory planning and effective citizen engagement. In many cities, while citizen participation happened at the initial stages subsequently, it was reduced due to exigencies of project execution. A more robust mechanism for citizen engagement on a continuous basis needs to be worked out.

However, this does not mean that success stories do not abound under the mission.

In central Karnatakas Davanagere, flooding was a regular feature with every instance of moderate to heavy rain due to inadequate drainage network. The Smart City Mission decided to lay a holistic stormwater drainage system for the entire city and after three years, 56.71 km of stormwater drains and sub-drains were constructed. Now, Veeresh Kumar, CEO of Davanagere Smart City said, there are hardly any major instances of floods.

Initially, it was a challenge to manage all these parallel projects that were running to make the drainage network ready. Tenders for 15 projects were issued at different times and we had to monitor their progress and quality simultaneously, Kumar said.

In Madhya Pradeshs Jabalpur, 2,000 households are going to be given 24x7 water supply under the area-based development scheme, CEO Chandra Pratap Gohal said.

At present, the challenge is to retrofit the existing infrastructure with new meters and sensors and implement the SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system, he said.
PATNA: Speculation about the return of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) continued on Friday even as JD(U) has called a meeting of party legislators on Sunday with Jitan Ram Manjhi, whose Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) is an NDA constituent, reiterating a big political game was in the offing. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar with RJD leader and deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav at a programme organised on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on Jan. 23 (PTI FILE)

Kumar and his deputy, Tejashwi Yadav, of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) sat together at the Republic Day function in Patna but did not appear to have spoken much.

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Union home minister Amit Shah meeting with state BJP leaders on Thursday evening also fuelled the speculation. Former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who is believed to have been among those who attended the meeting, on Friday said politics is about probabilities. In politics, doors can never be closed, he said in response to a query about JD(U)s return to the NDA. Whatever the central leadership decides, we will abide by it.

People aware of the matter said the BJP is likely to take a call on JD(U)s return after consultations with other allies including two factions of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).

LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, who left for Delhi on Friday, said he would talk with the BJP leadership while refusing to comment on JD(U)s return. Manjhi said his party would welcome Kumars return to the NDA.

JD(U) functionaries said Kumar has expressed his inability to attend a programme on Sunday. The party has called a meeting of party legislators and MPs on January 28 at Nitish Kumars 1, Anne Marg residence.

RJD leader Manoj Jha, who earlier downplayed the uncertainty saying the media were making a mountain out of a mole, on Friday asked JD(U) to make its position clear. There is a political confusion prevailing in the state. Chief minister Nitish Kumar should clarify as the onus (to do so) is on him, the RJD spokesperson said.

In response, JD(U) chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said there was no confusion in the mind of the chief minister and party chief. CM Kumar plays politics from the front. He has no confusion, Kumar said, explaining that Nitish Kumar was still the chief minister of the grand alliance.  We are not in any confusion or feeling any discomfort ...those feeling discomfort should explain it, he said.

People familiar with the matter said RJD chief Lalu Yadav and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar were both holding meetings with top leaders of their respective parties on Friday evening.

JD(U) state chief Umesh Kushwam said the party continued to be a part of the Opposition Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) while asking the Congress to fast-track the seat-sharing arrangement. There is no threat, he said.

The uncertainty comes against the backdrop of Kumars unhappiness over the delay in the seat-sharing arrangement and the blocs reluctance to give a prime post to him.

JD(U) leader KC Tyagi this week said Kumar flagged the issue of delay at INDIA bloc meetings and expressed his displeasure over West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjees push for making Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge as INDIA blocs prime ministerial candidate.

There was no need for Mamata Banerjee to put forth Kharges name. It was decided by all allies that the INDIA bloc would contest the polls without any face, Tyagi said.

The speculation about the friction within the ruling coalition of the RJD, JD(U), Congress, and the Left parties was also strengthened when Kumar thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conferring Indias highest civilian award Bharat Ratna posthumously on former chief minister Karpoor Thakur.

Kumar also said he never pursued dynastic politics and followed Thakurs principles. The statement was seen as an attack on the RJD and Congress.

On Thursday, RJD chief Lalu Yadavs daughter Rohini Archarya wrote a series of cryptic posts on X, taking potshots over the statement on dynastic politics. Acharya later deleted the posts with Tyagi calling them unwarranted even as he stressed that JD(U) was part of the INDIA bloc.

JD(U) has 45 members in the 243-member Bihar assembly while BJP and other NDA allies have 82. A party or a grouping needs 122 lawmakers to form the government. The RJD, Congress, and Left parties have 114 lawmakers. The RJD is the single largest party in the House with 79 lawmakers.

In 2005, Kumar formed his first government in alliance with the BJP. He snapped the ties in 2013 before returning to the NDA in 2017. JD(U) contested the 2019 national polls and 2020 Bihar elections as part of the BJP-led grouping. In 2022, Kumar quit the NDA to form the government again with the RJD, Congress, and Left parties.

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India's Tata group and France's Airbus have signed an agreement to manufacture civilian helicopters "with a significant indigenous and localisation component", India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Friday. FILE PHOTO: Students from the University of Stuttgart visit an Airbus H145M helicopter at the 54th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 21, 2023.(REUTERS)

The agreement was signed during French president Emmanuel Macron's state visit to India, he said.

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Foreign secretary Kwatra, announcing key outcomes of the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the French president in Jaipur last night, also said India and France have firmed up a defence industrial partnership roadmap. He added that this would provide for co-development and co-production of key military hardware and platforms and facilitate technology collaboration in a range of areas including space, land warfare, cyberspace and artificial intelligence.

At a media briefing Friday, Kwatra said the India-France defence industrial roadmap would also facilitate cooperation in areas of robotics, autonomous vehicles and cyber defence.

He said an MoU was sealed between New Space India Ltd and France's Arianespace for cooperation in satellite launches.

Modi and Macron also deliberated on the conflict in Gaza and its various dimensions including that of terrorism and humanitarian aspects, Kwatra said.

The two leaders also exchanged perspectives on the evolving security situation in the Red Sea including the potential disruptions and actual developments, he said.

Macron began his two-day trip to India with a visit to Jaipur.

The French president was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path on Friday.
President Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart, Emanuel Macron, arrived on Friday for the 75th Republic Day celebrations in a colonial-era horse-drawn buggy, reviving a tradition after 40 years. Macron attended the celebrations as chief guest, the record sixth time a French leader did so. President Droupadi Murmu with chief guest and her French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, during the 75th Republic Day celebrations. (PTI)

The elite Presidents Bodyguard regiment, Indias oldest cavalry unit raised 250 years back, escorted Murmu and Macron to Indias biggest ceremonial event. The troopers of the regiment are required to have a minimum height of six feet. Wearing bright red long coats, gold girdles, white breeches, and blue and gold turbans with fans as well as Napoleon boots with spurs, they escorted the presidential buggy last used for Republic Day ceremonies in the 1980s.

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Security concerns following Prime Minister Indira Gandhis assassination by her bodyguards in 1984 led to the discontinuation of the buggys use. Presidents would travel in the buggy for the Republic Day parade as well as the beating retreat ceremony. Limousines were used for these functions for four decades.

President Pranab Mukherjee (2012-2017) revived the presidential tradition of riding the six-horse buggy to attend in 2014 beating retreat ceremony marking the closure of Republic Day celebrations at the highly secured road leading to Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The buggy is adorned with traditional motifs and the national emblem Ashoka Chakra in gold. Indian and Austrian mixed-breed horses pull the buggy with gold-plated rims.

SM Khan, who served as the press secretary to President APJ Abdul Kalam (2002-2007), said the buggy has been used often at the Rashtrapati Bhavan for ceremonies in its forecourt. But its use was discontinued for Republic Day because of security reasons.

Khan said the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Union home ministry, and security agencies must have reviewed the matter and taken necessary precautions. They must have made necessary arrangements to use the buggy. It is good that they have started this practice and this should continue because it represents the real ceremony of the president arriving for the celebrations. It [buggy] looks more colourful and attractive than limousines.
President Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart Emanuel Macron arrived on Friday for the 75th Republic Day celebrations in a colonial-era horse-drawn buggy, reviving a tradition after 40 years. Macron attended the celebrations as chief guest, the record sixth time a French leader did so. President Droupadi Murmu arrives for the parade with Emmanuel Macron in the presidential buggy on Friday. (PTI)

The buggy, to be sure, has been used on occasions such as the Beating the Retreat ceremony in recent years, but it was the first time since the Republic Day in 1984 that the carriage was used on January 26.

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And it could soon make another appearance: If the weather doesnt play spoilsport, President Murmu will take the presidential buggy to reach the new parliament building on January 31 when she addresses the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament in the new Lok Sabha chamber, two Lok Sabha officials told HT, asking not to be named.

According to these officials, the secretariat has been informed about the plan and a full-dress rehearsal for her movement in the buggy has been scheduled on January 27. The rehearsal will be a timed exercise, starting from the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Republic Day 2024: Emmanuel Macron chief guest, flag hoisting, parade time and other things

The buggy, which is maintained by a separate cell in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, was used by the Viceroy. After partition, both India and Pakistan wanted to keep the buggy and ultimately a coin was tossed between Indias Lt Colonel Govind Singh and Yaqub Khan from Pakistan Army to decide the fate of the buggy. Singh won the toss.

The buggy has been used by Presidents for swearing-in ceremonies and Republic Day events in the past, but not for a joint session address of the President in the past few decades.

This would also be the first time Murmu will reach the new Parliament building, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28, 2023. The President will enter the new building through Gaja Dwarthe gate that is exclusively used by the PM.

Lok Sabha officials added that if there is any forecast of rains, the President will switch over to her limousine as per protocol.

While the buggy was used frequently by the earlier Presidents, in the later years, the use of buggy was limited due to tighter security protocol. It takes nearly 20 minutes to come from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the Gaja Dwar in a buggy, said a leader, asking not to be named.

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On Friday, the elite Presidents Bodyguard regiment, Indias oldest cavalry unit raised 250 years back, escorted Murmu and Macron to Indias biggest ceremonial event. The troopers of the regiment are required to have a minimum height of six feet. Wearing bright red long coats, gold girdles, white breeches, and blue and gold turbans with fans as well as Napoleon boots with spurs, they escorted the presidential buggy last used for Republic Day ceremonies in the 1980s.

Security concerns following Prime Minister Indira Gandhis assassination by her bodyguards in 1984 led to the discontinuation of the buggys use on Republic Day.

The well-decorated buggy has been used often by Murmus predecessors. Presidents Ram Nath Kovind, Pranab Mukherjee and Pratibha Patil  all have used the colonial-era buggy on special occasions such as their swearing in ceremony in Parliaments central hall or on the Republic Day.

President Pranab Mukherjee (2012-2017) revived the presidential tradition of riding the six-horse buggy to attend in 2014 beating retreat ceremony marking the closure of Republic Day celebrations at the highly secured road leading to Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The buggy is adorned with traditional motifs and the national emblem Ashoka Chakra in gold. Indian and Austrian mixed-breed horses pull the buggy with gold-plated rims.

SM Khan, who served as the press secretary to President APJ Abdul Kalam (2002-2007), said the buggy has been used often at the Rashtrapati Bhavan for ceremonies in its forecourt. But its use was discontinued for Republic Day because of security reasons.

Khan said the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Union home ministry, and security agencies must have reviewed the matter and taken necessary precautions. They must have made necessary arrangements to use the buggy. It is good that they have started this practice and this should continue because it represents the real ceremony of the president arriving for the celebrations. It [buggy] looks more colourful and attractive than limousines.
A Marshall Islands-flagged merchant vessel, which was attacked by a drone in the Gulf of Aden last week, is set to dock at the Tuticorin port in Tamil Nadu after the Indian Navys explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists undertook a thorough examination of the ship and declared it safe for port entry, officials familiar with the matter said on Thursday. The vessel will reach Tuticorin on Friday Indian Navys explosive ordnance disposal specialists undertook a thorough examination of the merchant vessel and declared it safe for port entry (Indian Navy photo)

Indias guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam had on January 18 responded to a distress call made by MV Genco Picardy after it was attacked and EOD specialists from the Indian warship boarded the ship to inspect the damage. The Indian Naval EOD team on board offshore patrol vessel INS Sunayna embarked MV Genco Picardy in the early hours of January 24 off Kochi. The EOD team undertook a thorough examination of the damaged area and rendered the MV safe for port entry, the navy said in a statement on Thursday.

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The navy is committed to the safety of merchant shipping and seafarers transiting in the Indian Ocean region, it added. The January 18 incident was the latest in a series of drone and pirate attacks on merchant vessels in the region including the Red Sea and parts of the Arabian Sea. MV Genco Picardy is carrying a crew of 22, including nine Indians.

The navy has stepped up surveillance in the troubled region substantially and deployed task groups consisting of around 10 warships in the face of the recent attacks on India-bound merchant vessels including MV Chem Pluto and MV Saibaba in December.

Read Here | Deeply concerned about Red Sea, Gulf of Aden situation: MEA

The drone attack on MV Chem Pluto took place around 220 nautical miles south-west of Porbandar, while the other vessel was targeted in the southern Red Sea.

Houthi militia has been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea with missiles and drones after the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels declared their support for Hamas. Several shipping companies have suspended their operations in the Red Sea following the Houthi attacks, which have forced mariners to change course and take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.

The situation in Gaza and the attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and parts of the Arabian Sea were on January 15 the focus of discussions between external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Tehran, with the Indian minister flagging concerns about a perceptible increase in threats to the safety of maritime traffic in the region including attacks in the vicinity of the Indian coast.

On January 18, the ministry of external affairs said that India was deeply concerned about the situation unfolding in the Red Sea and parts of the Arabian Sea as attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial vessels in the region impacted not only the countrys economic interests but of others too.
The French contingent with Rafale fighter jets flanked by a multi-role tanker transport aircraft roaring through Delhi's sky along with a 95-member marching contingent and a 33-member band contingent participated in the 75th Republic Day celebrations at a grand parade on Kartavaya Path on Friday. French Foreign Legion music band consisting of 30 musicians takes part in 75th Republic Day parade .(X/ @EmmanuelMacron)

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President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations of the Republic Day by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya, followed by the National Anthem, and the 21 Gun Salute was presented to the President. French President Emmanuel Macron is gracing the parade as the chief guest of Republic Day 2024.

As soon as around 95-member French troop marched down the Kartavya Path, the whizzing warplanes pierced the morning sky making thousands of spectators crane their necks in wonder. A 30-member band contingent also drew attention at the grand parade. The band contingent was headed by Captain Khourda and followed by a marching contingent led by Captain Noel.

The contigent was followed by the second Infantry regiment of the French Foreign Legion comprising 90 legionnaires led by Captain Noel. The Legionnaires were seen wearing the famous 'White Cap', which can be worn only by those who successfully went through four months of hard selection tests. The best legionnaires later get promoted and wear the 'Black Cap'.

The French detachment was drawn from the French Foreign Legion, a well-known elite military corps that is open to foreigners who want to serve in the French Army. Established in 1831, it is an integral part of the French Army. At present, it has almost 9,500 officers and legionnaires.

The French president also shared the visuals of the march past on his X platform thanking India for the opportunity. "A great honor for France. Thank you, India," he said.

A total of 25 tableaux, including 16 from various States and Union territories and 9 from central government departments, participated in the Republic Day parade this year.

Republic Day is celebrated on January 26 every year to commemorate the day when our Constitution came into effect in 1950 and India was declared as a Republic.

It was also the second time the French armed forces participated in India's Republic Day celebrations. In 2016, French troops became the first foreign military contingent to participate in the biggest ceremonial event of the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended the prestigious Bastille Day Parade as the guest of honour in Paris in July 2023. The Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter jets and a tri-services marching contingent also took part in the Bastille Day parade.

"This reciprocal invitation to national day celebrations is unprecedented, and shows the deep mutual trust and unwavering friendship underpinning Indo-French ties," a French readout said on India inviting Macron to the Republic Day celebrations.

This is the also sixth time (the highest for any country) a French leader is participating in India's Republic Day Parade. It began with President Jacques Chirac in 1976, followed by Valery Giscard d'Estaing in 1980, Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, and Francois Hollande in 2016.

(With inputs from agencies)
For ten years now, an empty streetcar has rolled silently through the streets of Warsaw on January 27. Instead of a route number, it has a large Star of David on the roof. Its route takes it through the part of the city that Poland's Nazi occupiers turned into Europe's largest Jewish ghetto in 1940. About 20,000 people in Poland have Jewish roots. One young couple is keen to learn about its Jewish family history. (Monika Sieradzka/DW)

The journey of this empty streetcar is a reminder of the Warsaw Jews murdered during the Second World War. Before Nazi Germany's persecution and killing of Jewish citizens, there were 330,000 Jews in Warsaw  a third of the capital's population. After New York, Warsaw was home to the second-largest Jewish community in the world.

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The main remembrance ceremonies commemorating the victims of the Holocaust are held at the former concentration camp in Auschwitz in southern Poland. About 1.1 million people were murdered in Auschwitz, the Nazi's biggest extermination camp, between 1940 and 1945. Over 90% of them were Jews from Poland and other Nazi-occupied countries in Europe.

Auschwitz was liberated by the Soviet Red Army on January 27, 1945. Since 2005, this day has been commemorated around the world every year on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, the vast majority were killed in occupied Poland, which is why many Jews continue to regard Poland as a large cemetery.

A place of huge historical significance

Franciszek Bojanczyk is often asked by foreign visitors how is it possible for a Jew to live in Poland today. Even though some of Bojanczyk's ancestors were killed in the Holocaust, the 30-year-old historian says he would never leave Warsaw.

"When I walk through the streets of Warsaw, I sometimes reflect on what happened here," he told DW, "but not all the time. If I were to think every day about how tragic this place is, I couldn't live here. You can't think about death all the time."

Since the beginning of the year, Bojanczyk has been responsible for Jewish diaspora communications at the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw.

Catholic converts

His wife, Zofia Bojanczyk, also works at the museum. She too has Jewish roots.

Her mother's family converted to Catholicism several generations ago. "At home, many of my parents' Jewish friends regularly came to visit, although we never marked any religious celebrations," she says. Nevertheless, she is familiar with Jewish life. "It's not like I had to go and discover it, or it was something that came as a surprise to me."

Her grandfather escaped extermination during the Holocaust. "He was adopted at a very early age by Polish parents, grew up in a Polish house, was baptized and is a devout Catholic," says Zofia.

Unfortunately, she says, her family doesn't like talking about it. "This story is kind of swept under the carpet," she told DW. She hopes to stop it being forgotten altogether and explore it with her father in the future.

Searching for their Jewish roots

It is not unusual in Poland for people to only discover their Jewish roots when they begin exploring their family history: After the Holocaust, many Polish Jewish families tried to keep knowledge of the horrendous fate of their ancestors from the younger generation.

When Franciszek started getting interested in Jewish history at school, his mother shared the memories of her grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, with him. Until then, he had no idea he had Jewish roots.

"In the notes of my great-grandfather, Tadeusz Neuman, I discovered an assimilated family that identified as Polish." The Neumans didn't go to the synagogue and were baptized before the war broke out. When the German occupiers forced all Warsaw Jews into the ghetto, the family managed to escape this fate.

The appalling fate of Europe's Jews

Tadeusz Neuman, who trained as an architect at the University of Munich, held senior positions in Polish industry before the war. His wife, Zuzanna Goldfeder, was a niece of the famous French carmaker Andre Citroen.

For years, the affluent family was able to obtain new papers, pay for hiding places or bribe the Gestapo, the Nazis' secret police. Tadeusz and his son survived. Zuzanna, however, was arrested by the Gestapo in 1942 and forced into the ghetto, where she was shot dead.

"Perhaps it happened here, or very close to the place I now work," says Franciszek pensively. The imposing building that houses the POLIN Museum stands on the site of the former ghetto, near the Umschlagplatz, the place where Nazi troops rounded up hundreds of thousands of Jews before sending them to the death camps. "But I also think of the people who built a new life on the ruins," he says.

Decline and revival of Poland's Jewish communities

Almost 3.5 million Jews lived in Poland before the Second World War. They made up 10% of the Polish population. Just over 400,000 survived the Holocaust.

Most of them left the country after the war  among other things because of the pogroms and antisemitic campaigns of the Polish Communists.

The collapse of Communism in 1989 was followed by a revival of Jewish communities. Today, it is estimated that about 20,000 people in Poland have Jewish roots.

'A friendly place for Jewish people'

Franciszek Bojanczyk says that Jews can feel safe in Poland. "Luckily, Poland doesn't have the kind of dramatic antisemitic incidents like the ones in Paris or the US that remind us of the pre-war years, like the daubing of Stars of David on doors," he says.

He goes on to say that while there has of late been an increase in antisemitic and anti-Israeli slogans on the Internet  above all because of the war in Gaza  Poland is still a friendly place for Jewish people.

Zofia and Franciszek Bojanczyk look to the future with hope. They plan to tell their two-year-old son directly about his roots. "I want to give him a Jewish upbringing, which I never had, so that it's natural to him  so that he doesn't have to dig deep into his memory to find it, or find out about it by chance," says Zofia.

Just like the Bojanczyks, many young Poles with Jewish roots are exploring their identity and hope that both in private and in public, difficult Jewish-Polish issues will no longer be seen as taboo.
A friend who was national sales director at a large FMCG / consumer goods multi-national company narrated this story to me almost 15 years ago. Their global CEO was making one of his visits to the provinces. As was the norm, he was taken to a local market, where he walked into a few modern-trade outlets (minimarts, hypermarts, etc) and a smattering of kirana stores.

The next day, in the boardroom, the global CEO posed a question to his India team: What is the current contribution of modern trade (MT) to our sales? And what do you think the contribution will be in 10 years? The team said the share was as yet small, contributing less than 5% of overall sales of the company. The consensus was that this figure would rise to 10% within a decade.

The global CEO emphatically said the number would be closer to 20% in that time. The team was curious to know how he arrived at this. His answer was that he would have doubled any number the team suggested. He based this on his extensive travels.

I have seen the way modern trade has grown around the world. In country after country, I have seen the local management underestimate the growth of MT. As a result, my simple guess is that it will be twice what the local team thinks it will be. So if you had said 15%, I would have said 30%, he declared proudly.

I have not exchanged notes with my friend at the 10-year mark, but my suspicion is that the global CEO, in the case of the Indian market, would have been wrong. The modern-trade outlet has not been able to steamroll the humble corner store here, the way it has in many other countries.

Neither has the newer evolution of delivery apps. Online grocery supply platforms, I am told, account for about 5% of total sector sales, and even this is an optimistic view.

So, how have the kiranas managed to prevail? What makes them tick?

It is said that India is a land of shopkeepers. We dont have the biggest retail brands in the world, but we have a multitude of tiny stores.

The local kirana store has a deep relationship with its community, one that it maintains by tailoring its requirements to local tastes. Bonds are maintained with individual customers such that the store owner knows which new products each might like to try  a suggestions metric that works considerably better than the advertiser-driven online algorithms, for instance.

It helps that the average kirana stores cost of operations is low, with many owners living above or behind the shop. Added to this advantage is the low cost of labour, since most of the family typically works at the store too.

And there is the unique khatha system (khatha being Hindi for account), of offering items on credit and collecting the money at a later date; an interest-free understanding predicated on the idea that the buyer will pay as soon as they can.

In his book It Happened in India (2007), Indias modern-trade veteran Kishore Biyani talks about how he wanted each of his Big Bazaar store managers to essentially be the local kirana (the word, incidentally, comes from the Sanskrit kritanna, for cooked food). He wanted them to understand the tastes of the locals and adapt the merchandise accordingly. If there is a temple in the neighbourhood, and a festival at that temple, he wrote, he wanted them to be ready to offer special deals around it.

This is hard to do across a chain, which is why the pandemic-era lockdowns were both a bane and a boon to the kirana.

On the one hand, these small standalone stores had to tackle, overnight, a spurt in demand, since consumers were worried about entering air-conditioned modern-trade stores. On the other hand, there was the challenge of getting the right stocks.

Covid-19 separated the not-so-agile kiranas from the agile ones. The latter managed to spruce up their stores and convert them into small modern-format self-service spaces. They quickly adopted digital payment systems. Many now place stocking orders on apps and track shipments there as well.

So, if one were to compare a successful kirana today with a successful one 10 years ago, one would see, in the now, a bigger, cleaner, better-laid-out space, more selective of what to offer, and technologically at par with modern-trade outlets.

Challenges remain. The biggest is the reluctance of the next generation to take up kirana shopkeeping. Can technology make the livelihood more alluring? This is as-yet unclear, but will likely become apparent, particularly in the prime metros, over the coming decade.

As I speak with store owners in my neighbourhood of Dadar, which could be termed middle-class Mumbai, I can see some moving out of general groceries and becoming specialist stores, selling just dry fruit, or just ready snacks.

No more gunny sacks of food grains for them. They want to move up the value chain.

Another significant change is set to be staffing patterns. Already, there is a growing influx of women visible, as shopkeepers and as attendants.

Remember the moustachioed utensil-store owner Vinod Sharmaji: Aap apne biwi se kitna pyaar karte hain?... Jo biwi se kare pyaar, woh Prestige se kaise kare inkaar? (How much do you love your wife A man who loves his wife truly, how could he ever deny her a Prestige (pressure cooker?). Well, the shopkeeper is no longer quintessentially male.

A lot else has changed since that 1982 Prestige ad. The general consensus is that, in the larger Indian cities, modern trade stores and e-commerce platforms are set to grow rapidly, and eat into the kiranas share of the pie. But the numbers do not, so far, bear this out. And this death knell has been rung before.

Liberalisation, globalisation, supermarkets, malls and e-stores were each expected to decimate the kirana. Instead, the corner store borrowed tips from each, stocking ready foods and sourcing salad dressing from overseas; adding specialty cheeses and stacks of Lindt to the shelves.

Meanwhile, they retained what theyd always had: proximity and trust.

Can they thrive amid instant-delivery apps and corporate giants in the online retail space? To my mind, the question isnt, can they. It is: What will the next reinvention look like?

Our kiranas remind me of the legend of the sage Markandeya. The story goes that his father, the sage Mrikanda, prayed to Shiva for a son, and was told that he could have a virtuous child who would live only 16 years, or a malicious one who would live to old age. Mrikanda, wanting only what was good, chose the former. He and his wife Manasvini were blessed with Markandeya, a child who lived a life devoted to Shiva.

At the time of his appointed death, in fact, he was doing what he always did: praying close to the lingam he worshipped. So close, that when Yama arrived to claim him, his noose encircled them both. An enraged Shiva reared out of the stone and brushed the God of Death away, and Markandeya lived on.

The way smart kirana stores can survive is by doing more of what they have been doing: serving the neighbourhood customer. And betting on the fact that the larger, lumbering behemoths simply cannot sprint and pivot as they can.

(Ambi Parameswaran is the bestselling author of 11 books on branding, advertising and consumer behaviour)
A controversy surrounding the First Lady of South Korea, Kim Keon Hee, accepting an expensive luxury bag from Dior as a gift has gripped the country. According to South Korean law, it is illegal for public officials and their spouses to accept any gift worth more than 1 million won in one go or a total of 3 million won within a year. The Dior bag costs 3 million won (USD 2,200 or 1,86,811). Scroll down to know how the costly fashion item has thrown the ruling People Power Party (PPP) into disarray and threatened the prospects of President Yoon Suk Yeol's party in April's elections. File photo shows South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee posing at the Samsung Guide Dog School in Yongin. (AFP)

South Korea's First Lady Kim Keon Hee's Dior bag controversy

A spy camera footage - released late last year - has revealed that Kim Keon Hee received a Dior bag as a gift presented to her by a pastor. A left-wing YouTube channel, Voice of Seoul, posted the clip. According to them, the pastor, Choi Jae-young, secretly filmed himself buying the bag and gifting it to Kim Keon Hee using a camera embedded in his watch. The video shows the pastor purchasing a greyish-blue calfskin Dior bag from a store. The receipt puts the bag's cost at 3 million won. After the purchase, he visits Covana Contents, a company in Seoul owned by the First Lady. There, she asks him, 'Why do you keep bringing me these things?' Reportedly, the bag was bought by pastor Choi Jae-young in September 2022.

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The video doesn't show Kim Keon Hee accepting the bag. However, according to the Korea Herald, the presidential office confirmed receipt of the bag and said it was "being managed and stored as a property of the government."

The video has caused an uproar in South Korea, with people demanding an explanation from the president about his wife's actions. The opposition also stated that the ruling party cannot dismiss the issue by apologising. And last week, Kim Kyung-yul, another PPP leader, compared the 51-year-old First Lady with Marie Antoinette, the notorious French Queen known for her extravagant ways.
Next week, the Union government will place an interim budget before Parliament. There is the natural temptation to make a pre-election interim budget more attractive for the voter and ignore uncomfortable issues, however pressing they may be.

The defence budget falls in this category, especially since there is seemingly no pressing security threat before us. But that should provide little comfort. Today, the flames of wars  in West Asia and Myanmar  are lapping on Indias shores. Other threats in the new domains of warfare  cyber, electromagnetic, space and information  are looming large. The Chinese challenge is exemplified by an unresolved standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In the words of Army chief, General Manoj Pande, the situation along the LAC remains stable, yet sensitive. Pakistan may be down and out, but its challenge across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir has not reduced. The incidents in the Poonch-Rajouri area are evidence of this.

In this context, it is important to understand the nuances of our defence spending. The Union budget pays for maintaining the Army, Navy and Air Force and provides support to defence public sector units and the research and development related to defence. This is an expensive business given the size of our Army and the need for equipment-intensive services such as the Air Force and the Navy.

Indias defence expenditure as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been drifting downward and is now below 2%. Almost a quarter of this budget is taken by pensions and India imports an unconscionably high proportion of high-end defence equipment. It is not surprising that budget allocations end up being lower than the projected needs of the armed forces. Some of these are fixed  salaries, pensions, and maintenance of facilities and equipment.

But the budget also includes money for acquiring new weapons, warships and aircraft, as well as building roads and other facilities that come under capital expenditure and can be flexible. Unfortunately, this flexibility plays out negatively and the one area that takes the hit in times of short budgets is capital expenditure. The Armys budget in 2023-24 shows that 70% of the 3.41 lakh crore allocation went to salaries and pensions, while modernisation accounted for just 9% and maintenance of existing equipment received 10%.

The fact is the armed forces get substantially less than what they ask for. In 2022-23, the amount was 28% lower than what had been sought. Since salaries and maintenance cannot wait, the casualty is capital expenditure, which means new equipment. This is the story budget after budget. This has had a significant impact on delaying the modernisation of our armed forces.

In 2018, the then vice-chief of Army staff, Lt General Sarath Chand, created a sensation of sorts when he told a parliamentary committee that Nearly 68% of our (the Indian Armys) equipment is of vintage category, with just 24% in the current and 8% in the state of art category. A year ago, speaking on the eve of Army Day in January 2023, current chief General Manoj Pande said 45% of the equipment was vintage, 41% current and only 12-18% was state of the art. He expressed the hope that India would have a state of the art military by 2030. But that would require a substantial boost in capital expenditure.

It would be unfair to blame the government for the state of affairs. Even though declining, defence accounts for 13% of central government expenditure, the largest among all the ministries. This government has spent an unprecedentedly high amount of money on civilian infrastructure and welfare measures. It has also taken tough, and some would say drastic, measures to curb expenditure including an outright ban on the importation of hundreds of systems. To deal with the burden of pensions, which account for almost a quarter of our defence budget, the government has forced the armed forces to accept the Agniveer scheme, in which 75% of the recruits are discharged after four years with a one-time payment. It is not clear whether the scheme can meet the needs of the services because four years is too short a time to develop the skills required in todays increasingly high-tech military.

Neither the interim budget nor the regular one by themselves make a difference to this predicament. India needs not just money, but effective political direction to move ahead. There is a need for the political class to involve itself deeply in discussions that take place around it and give directions that are in line with the resources it can make available.

In all fairness, the governments record is not that bad. It ordered the military to change its orientation away from Pakistan towards China. It also cut through the proverbial Gordian knot to appoint a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). However, more attention is called for. Besides the issue of the money apportioned for defence, the political leadership needs to provide sustained attention and take the Indian military to the next stage, where it is organised as theatre commands. Leaving it to the CDS has not worked, just as it has not worked in other countries. It needs political attention and direction.

Manoj Joshi is distinguished fellow, Observer Research Foundation and co-editor of In Hard Times: Security in a Time of Insecurity. The views expressed are personal
Prime Minister Narendra Modis clear message to the saffron brigade to maintain ' hosh in josh  (sensibilities in excitement) at the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya was lost in the hype and din of the inauguration. His message of peace and harmony was reflected in his statement, "Ram is not just ours, he belongs to all. Ram temple's construction is a reflection of Indian societys maturity. It is an occasion of not merely triumph but humility too."

While the minorities have either moved on, accepting the Supreme Court's verdict on Ayodhya in 2019 or are too fear-stricken to react, the overzealous Hindu brigade in their excitement may have missed out some important messages of the PM, whose focus has been on the temple's rejuvenation-Hindu consolidation and development-welfare schemes.

Changing the slogan

The PM has made a subtle yet significant shift from Jai Shri Ram, to Siyavar Ramchandra ki Jai after the Supreme Court verdict, which went unnoticed.

Jai Shri Ram was a battle cry associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi liberation movement and was often raised at both religious functions and election meetings. On the other hand, 'Siyavar Ramchandra ki Jai' has religious connotations and is an expression of the victory of Ram and Sita.

At the consecration ceremony on January 22, the PM started and concluded his speech with  Siyavar Ram Chandra ki Jai while greeting the invitees with Ram Ram.

At the Ram temple bhoomi pujan on August 5, 2020, PM had greeted people with Siyawar Ramchandra Ki Jai and Jai Siya Ram. He had concluded his speech by raising the religious slogan Siyapati Ramchandra ki Jai thrice.

In his message on the Pran Prathishta of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22, he began with Siyawar Ramchandra ki Jai, greeted people with Ram Ram and ended his message with Jai Siya Ram.

So, now its 'Siyavar Ramchandra ki Jai, Jai Siyaram and Ram Ram'. But on the streets, the overzealous warriors continue to raise 'Jai Shri Ram' in the same frenzy as before while the PM talks about devotion.

Raju Das, mahant of Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya explained: The slogans have the same meaning. The only difference is that while Siyavar Ramchandra ki Jai is more religious, said with bhakti ( devotion), Jai Shri Ram is the regular or zealous way of conveying the message.

The law

Even on the first page of our Constitution, Lord Ram is enshrined. Despite the existence in the Constitution, there was a legal battle over the existence of Lord Ram for decades. I express my gratitude to the Indian judiciary, which upheld the dignity of justice. The temple of Lord Ram has also been built in a just and lawful manner, Modi said at the consecration ceremony.

At the Bhoomi Pujan he had said: We displayed a similar discipline when the Supreme Court pronounced the historic decision. Back then, we witnessed how the entire nation accepted the decision peacefully and graciously keeping in mind the sensitivities of everybody.

His message is clear that the solution to their two pending demands for the liberation of Kashi and Mathura temples lies with the judiciary and not the kar sevaks.

It was a comforting message to the Muslims who fear the digging up of more mosques in the bid to find temples.

A day after the consecration ceremony, some enthusiastic members of the Hindu brigade had hoisted a saffron flag atop a mosque in Agra's Tajganj area during a shobha yatra. The administration promptly registered a case and arrested 11 culprits. Reports of similar unwarranted actions also came from Madhya Pradesh, where the targets were some churches.

Harmonious existence

Todays occasion is not just a celebration but also a moment of realisation of the maturity of Indian society. This occasion is not only about victory but also about humility for us, the prime minister said.

There was a time when some people claimed that if the Ram temple is built, it will lead to chaos. Such individuals failed to comprehend the sanctity of Bharats social sentiments. The construction of this temple for Ram Lalla signifies the peace, patience, mutual harmony, and coordination of Indian society.

At the Bhoomi Pujan too, he had said, Lord Ram has remained the source of inspiration for India for thousands of years. Lord Ram made social harmony the keystone of his rule.

The polarisation on communal lines is acute. Slogans are being raised outside mosques. From schools to colleges, from streets to offices, the communal temperatures have heightened. Muslims have so far remained cautiously silent, not responding to provocations. Perhaps, its the fear of bulldozers.

Cleanliness of temples

Soon after the prime minister picked up a broom to clean the Kalaram temple in Nashik on January 12, many of his chief ministers and ministers, as well as Bollywood actors and bureaucrats followed suit in Ayodhya. However, this remained a one-day affair. One has yet to see the cadre clean the temples like the way the devotees do in Gurudwaras. Instead, in violation of the guidelines laid down for the use of loudspeakers, bhajans were played at crossings and in the market. Even the public address systems were used.

Progress and development

The construction of the Ram Temple is also a symbol of inspiration for every section of society to progress on the path of a bright future: I would like to say to the youth of my country  in front of you lies the inspiration of thousands of years of tradition. You represent that generation of Bharat... which is hoisting the tricolour on the moon, which is making Mission Aditya successful by travelling 15 lakh kilometres, going near the sun, which is waving the flag of Tejas in the sky... and the banner of Vikrant in the ocean. Be proud of your heritage and write about the new dawn of Bharat.

But a large section of youth is immersed in a nationalistic fervour with communal tones.

The PM repeatedly referred to the country as Bharat and not India.

This magnificent Ram temple will bear witness to the rise of Bharat, the dawn of Bharat. This grand Ram Temple will bear witness to the prosperity of Bharat, the development of Bharat! This is Bharats time, and Bharat is now going to move forward."

It is likely to be adopted soon by the Sangh Parivar.

From her perch in Lucknow, HTs senior journalist Sunita Aron highlights important issues related to Uttar Pradesh
Anand Mahindra shared an emotional post on X on Republic Day and paid his tribute to the humble soldier. He shared an iconic patriotic song by Lata Mangeshkar along with a heartfelt note. His post prompted many to take to the comments section and share how they couldnt agree more with the business tycoon. Republic Day 2024: Anand Mahindra's post on X involving Lata Mangeshkars iconic song wowed people. (Twitter/@anandmahindra)

A Very Happy #RepublicDay to you all. We watch, with pride. the parade displaying all the might of our weaponry & missiles. But I hope we can take a few minutes from our day to also hear this incredible song once again. And remind ourselves that our real strength is the humble soldier, willing to lay down her/his life on a faraway border while we are safe at home with our loved ones, Anand Mahindra wrote. He also posted a video of the song Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon. Set to a background resembling the colours of the Indian National Flag, the video shows the lyrics of the song written in Hindi and English.

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Also Read: Farah Khan shares video of Sunidhi Chauhan singing Ae Watan to celebrate Republic Day

Take a look at Anand Mahindras Republic Day post:

The post was shared a few hours ago. Since then, the clip has collected close to 91,000 views. The tweet has also accumulated nearly 4,100 likes. People posted varied comments while reacting to the post.

Also Read: Russian Embassy celebrates Republic Day with dance to Main Nikla Gaddi Leke

What did X users say about this tweet?

Wishing you a joyful #RepublicDay! Your sentiment resonates deeply, acknowledging the courage of our soldiers is a beautiful reminder of the true strength of our nation, expressed an X user. What a pleasant tribute through this song, added another. Happy Republic Day, sir. Well said, joined a third. Our soldiers deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. Happy Republic Day! wrote a fourth.
India is celebrating its 75th Republic Day and the Russian Embassy joined in with a special video. They took to X to share a clip that shows staff members, children, and artists dancing to a Bollywood song. While some were amazed to see their way of celebration, others shared how the video left them happy. Republic Day 2024: The image, taken from a video by the Russian Embassy, shows dancers grooving to Main Nikla Gaddi Leke. (X/@RusEmbIndia)

The video is posted on the official X handle of the Russian Embassy in India. The clip is posted with a caption that reads, Happy Republic Day, #India! From Russia with love".

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In the video, a few people, including kids, are seen gathered in a courtyard wearing traditional Indian attire. Soon, they start dancing to the song Main Nikla Gaddi Leke. As the video progresses, a few professional dancers join the celebration. Dressed in white and red Russian outfits, the women include a few traditional Russian hook steps while grooving. The video ends with people holding placards that make up the phrase Happy Republic Day.

Take a look at this video by the Russian Embassy:

The video was shared a few hours ago. Since then, the clip has collected close to 1.2 lakh views. The post has further accumulated nearly 7,800 likes. People posted varied comments while reacting to the video.

What did X users say about this dance video?

This is amazing, wrote an X user. Thank you, Russia, posted another. Amazing post, added a third. This is so awesome, commented a fourth.

Republic Day parade:

The Republic Day parade is taking place at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. From states and union territories to ministries, various tableaux are being shown in the parade.

What are your thoughts on this video shared by the Russian Embassy? How are you celebrating Republic Day 2024?
India is celebrating its 75th Republic Day. The Indian constitution came into effect in 1950 and our country became a sovereign and democratic nation. Each year, this historic moment is celebrated with enthusiasm across the nation. Glimpses of the celebrations are also making their way onto social media, especially, X. Republic Day 2024: How are you celebrating? (HT)

Be it remembering the great personalities or dressing up in tricolour or preparing special food for the day or writing quotes, people are posting varied tweets on X.

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We have collected a few such posts that show how people are celebrating Republic Day 2024.

As we celebrate our nations essence, lets remember the sacrifices that shaped our destiny. Happy Republic Day, tweeted an X user. Happy Republic Day! I wish you to get the fearless energy like our jawans, joined another. On this 75th #RepublicDay, let us celebrate and recommit to the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity embodied by the unified spirit of India! added a third. As we celebrate our nations essence, lets remember the sacrifices that shaped our destiny. May the flag always wave high, symbolizing the strength, courage, and unity of our great nation, wrote a fourth. Many simply shared Happy Republic Day.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in India on January 25 to attend the Republic Day parade as the chief guest. Each year, the parade takes place at Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath). This year, the event is set to start at 10:30 am.

About 16 states and union territories are selected to be a part of this parade and show their tableaux. In a first, an all-women contingent of Delhi Police will also take part in the event. Other than that, a 33-member band contingent and a 95-member marching contingent from France will also attend the parade.
A restaurant owner in Australia claimed that he ended up losing a huge amount of money and blamed Apple Maps for it. As per reports, customers stopped coming to his place after the app incorrectly listed the eatery as permanently closed. The incident about Apple Maps took place at a restaurant in Australia. (Unsplash/@CardMapr.nl)

Chris Pyatt runs a Thai restaurant called Pum's Kitchen with his wife in Queensland's Sunshine Coast, reports ABC Australia. He has been running the place for almost ten years but during the last two months of 2023, he experienced a dip in the business after a decline in the number of customers.

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According to the outlet, Pyatt was oblivious to the fact that this decrease in customers was due to a wrong listing on the Apple Maps app. It was only when one of his regulars called him and asked why he had shut his eatery that he became aware of the issue.

What did Chris Pyatt do next?

The first thing that Pyatt did, as per ABC Australia, is to try and change the listing. However, he was unable to do so and shared that it is because neither he nor his wife have an Apple device. Afterwards, he reached out to the tech company.

Initially, the company said that they would not be able to help him and that he could raise the issue of the wrong listing from any other browser. Later, however, the opening hours of the restaurant were changed.

"We have no idea when this change went through, Pyatt told ABC Australia. "But we have seen a sudden and drastic change in customer behaviour towards the end of November and all of December, he added. Talking about how much business he lost, Pyatt shared, "We've noted a significant downturn, of around $12,000.

Though the opening hours of the restaurant have been changed, there is still another problem that exists. According to the outlet, the pin drop for the eaterys address on the app is still incorrect and it is creating confusion among new customers.
US' Alabama carried out the country's first execution using nitrogen gas as Kenneth Eugene Smith who was sentenced to death in 1996 for a 1988 murder, was pronounced dead. The controversial method has been likened by the UN to torture" however Alabama said that the process would be humane. Alabama Nitrogen gas execution: The gate at Holman Correctional Facility is monitored by law enforcement before the scheduled execution by asphyxiation using pure nitrogen of Kenneth Smith.(Reuters)

The 58-year-old was executed using breathing pure nitrogen gas through a face mask which causes oxygen deprivation. Lethal injection- introduced in 1982- is now the most commonly used method for execution in the US. Alabama had earlier tried to execute Kenneth Eugene Smith but the lethal injection was called off at the last minute because authorities couldn't connect an IV line, it was reported.

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Ahead of the execution, a last-minute legal battle was witnessed in which Kenneth Eugene Smith's lawyers argued that Alabama was making him the test subject for an experimental execution method which may violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Earlier federal courts rejected Kenneth Eugene Smith's bid after which US Supreme Court gave the last ruling.

US Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in the judgement, Having failed to kill Smith on its first attempt, Alabama has selected him as its guinea pig' to test a method of execution never attempted before. The world is watching.

Twice now this Court has ignored Smith's warning that Alabama will subject him to an unconstitutional risk of pain. I sincerely hope that he is not proven correct a second time," Sonia Sotomayor noted while Kenneth Eugene Smith's lawyers said, There is little research regarding death by nitrogen hypoxia. When the State is considering using a novel form of execution that has never been attempted anywhere, the public has an interest in ensuring the State has researched the method adequately and established procedures to minimise the pain and suffering of the condemned person."

Prior to Kenneth Eugene Smith's death, his spiritual adviser Reverend Jeff Hood said, The eyes of the world are on this impending moral apocalypse. Our prayer is that people will not turn their heads. We simply cannot normalise the suffocation of each other.

In his final hours, Kenneth Eugene Smith met with family members and his spiritual adviser, a prison spokesperson told Associated Press.

He ate a last meal of T-bone steak, hash browns, toast and eggs slathered in steak sauce. The spokesperson added, He's terrified at the torture that could come. But he's also at peace. One of the things he told me is he is finally getting out."
US President Joe Biden spoke Friday with Qatar's emir to discuss efforts to free the hostages still being held in Gaza by Hamas, the White House said. US President Joe Biden (Reuters/File)

The exchange came as the head of the CIA is to meet in Europe with his counterparts from Israel and Egypt and the prime minister of Qatar with the goal of negotiating a truce and the release of the remaining hostages in the Israeli-Hamas war, US media reported.

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Qatar is playing a key role as it brokered a hostage release deal in November.

Biden also spoke Friday with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said.

The November swap occurred during a week-long truce under which some 100 people were freed by Hamas in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Qatar, Egypt and the United States are attempting to negotiate a new truce, and Biden's Middle East envoy Brett McGurk is already in the region for talks.

The news outlet Axios has reported that Israel offered Hamas a two-month pause in fighting in Gaza in exchange for the release of all hostages.

Israeli authorities say 132 hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip, 28 of whom are presumed dead.

The war began when Hamas launched its October 7 attack, which resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Vowing to crush Hamas, Israel launched a relentless military campaign that has killed at least 26,083 people in the Palestinian territory, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Ahead of India's 75th Republic Day celebrations, France's President Emmanuel Macron on Friday shared the initiatives to invite 30,000 Indian students to study in France, an announcement he made a month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Paris as chief guest of France's National Day last year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron wave during a roadshow in Jaipur.(via REUTERS)

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the French leader shared the plan to invite around 30,000 students to study in France. "30,000 Indian students in France in 2030. Its a very ambitious target, but I am determined to make it happen. Heres how," Macron said.

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The French president explained that how new centres with a network of alliances francaises and international classes are being developed in the country to learn French. He added that France would also facilitate visa process for Indian alumni in the country.

"Coming to France means looking for excellence. We are launching new pathways in order to learn French in public schools with the "French for All, French for a Better Future". We are developing the network of Alliances francaises, with new centers to learn French. We are creating international classes which will allow students, who do not necessarily speak French, to join our universities. Last but not least, we will facilitate the visa process for any former Indian students who studied in France," it said.

Macron said France has 35 universities in the QS ranking, and about 15 in the Times higher education ranking.

"We have now 35 universities in the QS ranking, and about 15 in the Times higher education ranking. India and France have so much to do together, now and in the future. We will achieve this with you, our young people, in exchange and cooperation, in trust, in friendship!" it added.

Earlier in September 2023, after the announcement, the French embassy in India rolled out a number of measures, including a five-year short-stay Schengen visa to attract more Indian students. The initiatives are part of people-to-people ties envisioned as one of the three pillars of strategic partnership between the two countries.

In another post, the French president, also the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations, greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India on its Republic Day. "My dear friend @NarendraModi, Indian people, My warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you. Lets celebrate!"

President Droupadi Murmu will lead the country in the grand celebrations of its journey of Amrit Kaal that began post the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations to commemorate 75 years of the country's independence.

Viksit Bharat's rich cultural diversity, the 'Aatmanirbhar' military prowess and the growing Nari Shakti are the dominating themes of the 90-minute parade witnessing the classic display of the nation's defence forces with an exhilarating display of mighty cavalcades

Based on the twin themes of 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka', this year's parade will witness the participation of around 13,000 special Guests - an initiative that will provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life to take part in the celebrations and encourage Jan Bhagidari in this national festival.
India is cooperating with Canada and bilateral ties are improving after tensions spiked over the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia, a top Canadian official told CTV in an interview published on Friday. Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walks past Indian PM Narendra Modi (AP)

Diplomatic relations soured after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last year said Canada was "actively pursuing credible allegations" that Indian agents were potentially linked to the June 2023 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen. India has denied any formal government role in Nijjar's murder.

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"I wouldn't describe them (the Indians) as not cooperating. I think we've made advancements in that relationship," Jody Thomas, Trudeau's national security adviser, told CTV.

CTV published an excerpt from the interview on its website on Friday. The full interview will be aired on Sunday.

Canada has been pressing India to cooperate in its investigation of Nijjar's killing. Last November, U.S. authorities said they had thwarted a plot to kill a Sikh separatist in the United States.

"The information that they (the Americans) revealed supported our position and our assertions with India, and India is working with us ... far more closely to resolve this," Thomas told CTV. Trudeau said in December he sensed a change in New Delhi's tone with Ottawa after the U.S. case.

The acrimony has delayed discussions on a free-trade deal and threatened Canada's plans to expand its influence in the Indo-Pacific region, where New Delhi's cooperation is critical to efforts to check an increasingly assertive China.

"Our ability to function in the Indo Pacific does rely on having a healthy relationship with India. And I think that we are working back towards that," Thomas said. Around 2 million Canadians, or 5% of the population, have Indian heritage.

Canada withdrew 41 diplomats from India after New Delhi in September asked Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence following Trudeau's remarks.
According to a news report, Gurdaib Singh Pala Singh, 70, committed the offences between 2011 and 2016. HT Image

Even though the convict was struck off the rolls in 2018, he continued to act as an advocate and solicitor for a man the following year.

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In July last year, Singh, who used to be a lawyer at Gurdaib Cheong & Partners (GCP), pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal breach of trust involving nearly SGD 4,59,000 and an offence under the Legal Profession Act.

A third criminal breach of trust charge involving another SGD 21,000 was considered during sentencing.

In December 2010, Zulkifli Osman engaged GCP to provide services relating to the sale of his late father's flat. The flat was sold on July 29, 2011, and GCP later received the sale proceeds of more than SGD 3,56,000 on Zulkifli's behalf.

It was then agreed between Zulkifli and Singh that out of that sum, Zulkifli's brother was to receive SGD 1,38,876.50.

On December 15 of that year, Zulkifli deposited SGD 1,38,876 into GCP's client account to be held in escrow as his brother's share of the sales proceeds. But between Dec 20, 2011, and May 3, 2012, Singh misappropriated Zulkifli's funds in GCPs client account by issuing cheques for other purposes, such as paying the firm's office expenses.

Unaware that the money had been fully expended, Zulkifli made three requests to Singh between August 2012 and July 2014 to withdraw a portion of it. To meet the request, Singh disbursed SGD 10,156 to Zulkifli by using money in the GCP client account that belonged to the firm's other clients.

In June 2015, Zulkifli asked Singh to withdraw the remaining SGD 128,720 from the funds, but the offender failed to disburse any money to him.

In an unrelated case, a company called CH Assets International entered into a memorandum of agreement to borrow USD10 million (SGD13.4 million) from United Kingdom-incorporated firm OCS Capital on Nov 5, 2014. The same day, CH Assets and Singh signed an escrow agreement that the latter prepared.

Nine days later, CH Assets deposited SGD 320,000 into GCP's client account as a deposit for the loan.

In earlier proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Norman Yew said that between November 18 and December 23, 2014, Singh misappropriated the money and used it to pay for items such as GCP's office expenses.

In June 2015, CH Assets asked Singh to return its funds as OCS Capital did not provide the loan to it.

After repeated requests for the money, Singh handed SGD 5,000 to CH Assets in September 2015. CH Assets then alerted the Law Society of Singapore on September 15, 2015.

The DPP said that from September 2015 onwards, Singh made restitution totalling SGD 58,000 to CH Assets over nine payments. Singh was struck off the rolls on February 27, 2018.

Despite this, he agreed to represent a man in divorce proceedings after the latter met him in September 2019. Singh did not tell him that he had been struck off the rolls.

Between September 7 and 27, 2019, the man paid him SGD 1,750. The following month, Singh sent the man a draft affidavit which the former lawyer had prepared, and it was later filed with the courts.

Afterwards, Singh did not provide the man with any updates on the matter. On January 12, 2020, the man asked Singh for a full refund as he no longer wanted his services.

Singh has since returned SGD1,000 to him, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Yew.

The former lawyer's bail was set at SGD 1,00,000 on January 25 and he is expected to surrender himself at the State Courts on February 15 to begin serving his jail term of three years and 11 months.
International Court of Justice ruled on Friday, January 26, that it will not throw away the genocide case against Israel. Judge Joan E. Donoghue said the court has prima facie jurisdiction to entertain the case on the basis of Article 9 of the Genocide Convention. The court president adds that a panel of 17 judges concluded that it has appropriate jurisdiction and, therefore, cannot accede to Israels request for the case to be removed, per AP. Judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rule on emergency measures against Israel following accusations by South Africa that the Israeli military operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide, in The Hague, Netherlands, January 26, 2024. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw(REUTERS)

IOJ president says court will not throw away genocide case against Israel

A hearing was conducted on Friday regarding South Africa's application to the World Court for issuing provisional measures against Israel over alleged genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

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Addressing the Israel-Hamas war, Donoghue noted that the conflict is causing massive civilian casualties, extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure and the displacement of the overwhelming majority of the population in Gaza, per the outlet.

The court has also ordered Israel to take steps to try to reduce further deaths and damage in the Gaza Strip but stopped short of demanding a stop to the blistering offensive that has decimated the Palestinian territory.

Donoghue added that the court is of the view that Israel must take measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide.

Following the top court's decision, South African leaders have expressed their content. Today marks a decisive victory for the international rule of law and a significant milestone in the search for justice for the Palestinian people, South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation said in a statement, per Reuters.

South Africa sincerely hopes that Israel will not act to frustrate the application of this Order, as it has publicly threatened to do, but that it will instead act to comply with it fully, as it is bound to do, the statement adds.
State Sen. Lena Taylor has stepped down from her role in the Legislature after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Friday appointed her as a judge on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court.

Taylor, D-Milwaukee, will take on the new role Tuesday, filling the vacancy created when Judge Audrey Skwierawski resigned to become the director of state courts. Taylor resigned from the Senate on Friday and will complete the remainder of Skwierawskis term, which concludes July 31, 2025.

Evers in a statement described Taylor as a committed public servant who has dedicated her life to pursuing justice for her community and the people of Wisconsin.

I am confident that she will serve the people of Milwaukee County well as a circuit court judge, Evers continued.

Evers will call a special election this spring to fill Taylors seat, a district that has gone heavily Democratic in previous elections. The seat will be on the ballot again this November, meaning the winner of the special election will have to run again for a four-year term this fall.

Rep. LaKeshia Myers, D-Milwaukee, announced Friday she will run for Taylors seat to provide a continuum of service for the people of the 4th Senate District. Myers was elected to the state Assembly in 2018.

Taylor began her legal career in 1993 as a public defender in Milwaukee, where she represented indigent people in misdemeanor and felony cases. She opened a general practice in 1996 and worked in criminal, business, real estate and family law, as well as personal injury cases and bankruptcy law.

Taylor, 57, has served in the state Legislature for two decades, first as a state representative starting in 2003 after a special election victory. In 2005, Taylor was elected to the state Senate representing Milwaukees 4th District.

It is with great honor that I both thank the people of the 4th SD for the opportunity to serve them since 2005 and Governor Evers for the opportunity to take my life experiences, constant quest for the truth, and unwavering commitment to equity and justice for all to the Circuit Court of Milwaukee County, Taylor said in a statement.

She also ran for several other public offices, including an unsuccessful campaign for Milwaukee Municipal Court last year. She ran for Milwaukee mayor, Milwaukee County executive and lieutenant governor.

Taylor has chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee and served as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Finance, while also serving on Senate committees for judiciary and public safety, criminal penalties review, uniform law and the justice reinvestment oversight committee.

Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine described Taylor in a statement as a passionate advocate for Milwaukee and her beliefs.

Even when we werent able to reach an agreement, we were often able to reach understanding, Wanggaard said. I look forward to working with her in her new capacity as a member of the judiciary.

Taylor graduated from UW-Milwaukee and the Southern Illinois UniversityCarbondale School of Law. She was awarded the 2022 Regional Legislator of the Year Award by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

Today in history: Jan. 26 1915: Rocky Mountain National Park 1992: Bill Clinton 1993: Vaclav Havel 1998: Bill Clinton 2005: Train Crash 2009: Nadya Suleman 2012: Penn State 2017: Donald Trump 2020: Kobe Bryant 2022: Amy Schneider 2022: Neil Young 2023: West Bank raid
The Kremlin on Friday denied a Bloomberg report that President Vladimir Putin was "putting out feelers" to the United States for possible talks on ending the war in Ukraine and might consider dropping key demands on Ukraine's security status. Russia-Ukraine War: Russia's president Vladimir Putin is seen.(AFP)

The Bloomberg report said Putin was "testing the waters" on whether Washington was ready to engage in talks, and had reached out to the United States via indirect channels.

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It cited two people close to the Kremlin as saying Putin "may be willing to consider dropping an insistence on neutral status for Ukraine and even ultimately abandon opposition to eventual NATO membership - the threat of which has been a central Russian justification for the invasion".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked by reporters about the story, and specifically whether Moscow was really ready to give up its demands on neutrality and NATO.

"No, this is a wrong report. It absolutely does not correspond to reality," Peskov said.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday hit out at the World Court's order criticising Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, calling it outrageous. Responding to a genocide case brought by South Africa before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Netanyahu vowed to continue to do "what is necessary to defend the country". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Reuters)

We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our peopleLike every country, Israel has a basic right to defend itself ... The World Court in the Hague justly rejected the outrageous demand to deprive us of this right, Netanyahu said.

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The mere claim that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians is not only false, it's outrageous, and the willingness of the court to even discuss this is a disgrace that will not be erased for generations, he added.

The top UN court on Friday demanded that Israel must try to contain death and damage in its military offensive in the enclave - which was home to over 2.3 million people. However, it fell short of ordering a ceasefire in war-ravaged Gaza in a genocide case, which was the primary request of the litigant, South Africa.

The state of Israel shall.... take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of Article II of the Genocide Convention, the court said, adding that it would not throw out South Africa's genocide case against Israel.

The Israel-Hamas war

The war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7 after Hamas' attack in which around 1,200 Israelis were killed. Since then, Israel has been continuously attacking Gaza with the country's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressing that they will continue its war till victory is achieved despite international pressure. According to the latest data from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, the war has claimed over 26,000 lives, with thousands of people being injured and misplaced.

(With inputs from agencies)
King Charles was seen arriving with his wife Camilla for prostate treatment at the London Clinic where Prince William's wife Kate Middleton is resting after her surgery. The monarch has been absent from royal duties while he awaits surgery for an enlarged prostate as Buckingham Palace revealed last week that King Charles had been forced to cancel engagements for the "corrective procedure". King Charles surgery: Britain's King Charles III looks on.(AFP)

King Charles is delighted that news of his treatment for an enlarged prostate is raising public awareness of the health issue, Buckingham Palace said.

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"His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness," the palace said in a statement.

Queen Camilla told well-wishers earlier that King Charles is fine as a statement by the Palace said, "In common with thousands of men each year, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate. His Majesty's condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure. The Kings public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation."

King Charles' health scare came after Kensington Palace announced that Princess Kate Middleton had undergone an abdominal surgery and is recovering at the private London Clinic.

Kensington Palace announced that Kate Middleton had undergone the surgery, but confirmed it was not related to cancer.

The princess is expected to stay at the private clinic for up to 14 days before going home to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. In another health fright for the royals, it was revealed that Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson has been battling an aggressive skin cancer for the second time in just six months.

She had earlier been diagnosed with malignant melanoma after a mole was removed as she underwent treatment for breast cancer.
DENVER (AP)  An American founder of a Haitian orphanage who has been charged with sexual abuse was investigated by a grand jury about a decade ago but not indicted, according to a court document filed by his attorney on Thursday. HT Image

The revelation was included in a filing requesting that Michael Geilenfeld be released from custody while the current case proceeds. The detention hearing was delayed until Friday.

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Geilenfeld, 71, was indicted on Jan. 18 by a grand jury in Florida and accused of traveling from Miami to Haiti for the purpose of engaging in any illicit sexual conduct with another person under 18. He was arrested in Colorado on Saturday.

The behavior took place between November 2006 and December 2010, according to the indictment, a time period when Geilenfeld was operating the St. Josephs Home for Boys orphanage. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

Geilenfeld has not yet entered a plea and his attorney, Robert Oberkoetter, has declined to comment on the charges. But in the petition seeking Geilenfeld's release, Oberkoetter wrote that a federal grand jury in Charlotte, North Carolina, had already investigated his client in 2012. The jury subpoenaed Geilenfeld's travel documents, including those involving the time period at issue in the new case, and interviewed witnesses about allegations of pedophilia and child abuse, but did not indict him, Oberkoetter said.

Oberkoetter accused prosecutors of forum shopping," a practice in which lawyers try to have cases tried in a jurisdiction where they think they will be more successful. He said the government violated its own rules by not seeking permission to pursue the same case with another grand jury. Oberkoetter also asked that Geilenfeld be tried in Colorado, not Florida, where the charges were filed, but did not say why.

Justice Department spokesperson Scottie Howell declined to comment.

Lawyers had been set to argue in court on Thursday about whether Geilenfeld should be released from a suburban Denver prison where he is currently being held. But the debate was delayed until Friday after Geilenfeld said he has not yet been able to speak with Oberkoetter, who works in Massachusetts. U.S. Marshals agreed to take him to their holding cells in the courthouse after the hearing so he could talk to his lawyer privately by phone.

Defendants in unrelated cases often sit together in a jury box until they are called, but Geilenfeld was kept in a room away from others until his case was up for review. Dressed in a khaki prison uniform and with his wrists and ankles shackled, he told the judge he is being held in isolation and only allowed out of his cell for two hours each morning.

Authorities in Haiti have long investigated sex abuse allegations against Geilenfeld and arrested him in September 2014 based on allegations made against him by a child advocate in Maine, Paul Kendrick. Kendrick accused Geilenfeld of being a serial pedophile after speaking to young men who claimed they were abused by Geilenfeld when they were boys in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital where he founded the orphanage in 1985.

Geilenfeld called the claims vicious, vile lies, and his case was dismissed in 2015 after he spent 237 days in prison in Haiti. At some point, Geilenfeld and a charity associated with the orphanage, Hearts for Haiti, sued Kendrick in federal court in Maine. The suit blamed Kendrick for Geilenfeld's imprisonment, damage to his reputation and the loss of millions of dollars in donations.

Kendrick's insurance companies ended the lawsuit in 2019 by paying $3 million to Hearts with Haiti, but nothing to Geilenfeld.
Identical twins Amy Khvitia and Ano Sartania were taken away from their mother just after they were born and sold to separate families. But a TV talent show and a TikTok video made sure that the two discovered each other years later. Their case shows a larger problem in Georgia as the sisters are among thousands of babies in Georgia were stolen from hospitals and sold, some as recently as 2005. Amy Khvitia and Ano Sartania are seen.

Travelling from Georgia to Germany, Amy Khvitia and Ano Sartania finally met their birth mother as they built a picture of what happened.

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But the story of how they found each other starts when they were 12. When Amy Khvitia was at her godmother's house near the Black Sea watching her favourite TV programme, Georgia's Got Talent, she saw a girl dancing the jive who looked exactly like her.

"Everyone was calling my mum and asking: 'Why is Amy dancing under another name?'" she said. But her mother brushed it off by saying, Everyone has a doppelganger.

Then in November 2021, Amy Khvitia posted a video of herself with blue hair getting her eyebrow pierced on TikTok. This video reached Ano Sartania when her friend sent it to her as she thought it was "cool that she looks like me".

Ano Sartania tried to find the girl and shared the video on a university WhatsApp group to see if anyone could help. Someone who knew Amy Khvitia saw the message and connected them on Facebook.

"I have been looking for you for so long!" Amy Khvitia messaged to which Ano Sartania replied, Me too.

Both soon realised that something was not right as they disocovered that they were both born in Kirtskhi maternity hospital - which no longer exists - in western Georgia. As per birth certificates, their birthdays were a couple of weeks apart which means that they couldn't be sisters, much less twins.

It felt like they were unravelling a mystery together. "Every time I learned something new about Ano, things got stranger," Amy Khvitia said after which she met with Ano Sartania

"It was like looking in a mirror, the exact same face, exact same voice. I am her and she is me," Amy Khvitia while Ano Sartania recounted, I don't like hugs, but I hugged her.

Following the meeting, they decided to confront their families and for the first time they learned the truth that they had been adopted, separately, a few weeks apart in 2002.

Ano Sartania said that she "angry and upset with my family, but I just wanted the difficult conversations to be over so that we could all move on". The twins then found out that their birth mother, whom they found later, explained that she had been ill after giving birth and fell into a coma. When she awoke, hospital staff told her that shortly after the babies were born, they had died, she said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has lauded India's foreign policy and economic development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. In an interaction with university students on the occasion of 'Russian Student Day' in Russia's Kaliningrad region on Thursday, Putin highlighted India's high economic progress under PM Modi. Russian President Vladimir Putin(via REUTERS)

"India has one of the highest rates of economic development and growth in the world, and that too is due to the leadership qualities of the incumbent Prime Minister. It was during his leadership that India reached such a pace," Putin said as per the translation by Russia-based media network Russia Today (RT), reported news agency ANI.

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ALSO READ| I cherish the close bond: King Charles wishes India on 75th Republic Day

The Russian president said India is following an independent foreign policy which is not easy in today's world. But India is realising it under Modi's leadership.

"India is pursuing an independent foreign policy, which is not easy in today's world. But, India with a population of 1.5 billion has the right to do so. And under the leadership of the Prime Minister, that right is being realised. This is not just a statement, it is important from the point of organising joint work because it gives us the opportunity to forecast the actions of our partners in the medium and long terms," Putin said.

"This is important in practical work. Can we rely on a country and its leadership to cooperate or will it take decisions that do not even correspond to its national interest. With India, such games don't exist," he added.

During the interaction, Putin mentioned India's policy of 'Make in India' and reiterated Russia's commitment to help the country. He highlighted huge financial investments by a Russian company in India.

"India has made huge steps in development, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His campaign 'Make in India' has been heard by many including Russia. And we are trying with our Indian friends to bring to life all these plans...the largest foreign investment in India has come from Russia. USD 23 billion was invested by our company Rosneft, acquisition of an oil refinery, a network of gas stations, a port and so on," Putin said.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  A group of conservative state lawmakers in Pennsylvania filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging three voting-related executive branch actions designed to boost voter registration, including a 2021 executive order by President Joe Biden. HT Image

The lawsuit is expected to be one of many to litigate voting and election rules in a battleground state that is critical to 2024s presidential contest. In the 2020 election, Trumps campaign, state officials, the Democratic Party and others fought over the rules for mail-in voting, and Trump later baselessly smeared the election as rife with fraud and tried unsuccessfully to overturn it.

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The lawsuit, filed by 24 Republican state lawmakers, challenges the legality of a 2021 executive order by Biden that orders federal agencies to consider ways to expand access to registering to vote and information about voting.

It also challenges two state-level actions. One is last fall's introduction of automatic voter registration in Pennsylvania by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. The other is a 2018 state directive under then-Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. That directive said that counties cannot reject a voter registration application solely on the basis of finding that the applicant submitted a driver's license number or Social Security number digits that don't match what is in a government agency database.

The three actions needed  but never received  legislative approval, or conflict with existing law, the lawsuit contends.

Biden's executive order has been the subject of lawsuits and letters from conservative officials and organizations seeking information about federal agency plans under it. Republican state attorneys general and secretaries of state have asked Biden to rescind it.

The Brennan Center for Justice last year called Biden's executive order one of the most substantial undertakings by any administration to overcome barriers to voting.

The U.S. Justice Department declined comment on the lawsuit. Shapiro's administration said in a statement that the state had full legal authority to enact both of the challenged actions, both are consistent with the law and that it is frivolous to suggest that it lacks the authority to implement automatic voter registration.

This administration looks forward to once again defending our democracy in court against those advancing extreme, undemocratic legal theories, Shapiro's administration said.

The Shapiro administration in September instituted automatic voting, under which prompts on the computer screens in drivers license centers take the user to a template to register to vote. That leaves it up to the user to choose not to register. Previously, prompts on the computer screen first asked users whether they wanted to register to vote.

Twenty-three other states and Washington, D.C., already have varying models of what is called  automatic voter registration, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Still, former President Donald Trump has already accused Democrats of " trying to steal " Pennsylvania in 2024's election through automatic voter registration.

In the 2020 election, Trump and his allies went to court repeatedly to overturn Biden's victory and relentlessly criticized election-related decisions by the states Democratic-majority Supreme Court.

Many of the lawmakers on Thursday's lawsuit have sued previously to invalidate the state's vote-by-mail law, voted to contest the 2020 presidential election or protested the certification of the 2020 election for Biden.

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UN human rights chief Volker Turk Friday said the execution of a convicted murderer in the United States by nitrogen gas suffocation could amount to torture. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.(AP)

"I deeply regret the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith in Alabama despite serious concerns this novel and untested method of suffocation by nitrogen gas may amount to torture, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment," Turk said in a brief statement.
The UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees fired a number of its staffers in Gaza suspected of taking part in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and other militants on southern Israel, its director said Friday, prompting the United States  the agency's biggest donor  to temporarily halt its funding. UNRWA officials did not comment on the impact that the US halt in funding would have on its operations. (AP)

The agency, known by its acronym UNRWA, has been the main agency providing aid for Gazas population amid the humanitarian disaster caused by Israels offensive against Hamas in Gaza triggered by the Oct. 7 attack. UNRWA officials did not comment on the impact that the US halt in funding would have on its operations.

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UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said it terminated contracts with several employees and ordered an investigation after Israel provided information alleging they played a role in the attack. The US State Department said there were allegations against 12 employees. UNRWA has 13,000 staffers in Gaza, almost all of them Palestinians, ranging from teachers in schools that the agency runs to doctors, medical staff and aid workers.

In a statement, Lazzarini called the allegations shocking and said any employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.

He did not elaborate on what the staffers alleged role was in the attacks. In the unprecedented surprise attack, Hamas fighters broke through the security fence surrounding Gaza and stormed nearby Israeli communities, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping some 250. Other militants joined the rampage.

UNRWA reiterates its condemnation in the strongest possible terms of the abhorrent attacks of 7 October and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages, Lazzarini said.

Since the wars start, Israels assault has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, most women and children, and wounded more than 64,400 others, Gazas Health Ministry said Friday. The ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its death toll. More than 150 UNWRA employees are among those killed  the highest toll the world body has suffered in a conflict  and a number of UN shelters have been hit in bombardment.

More than 1.7 million of Gazas 2.3 million people have been driven from their homes by the war  with hundreds of thousands of them crowded into schools and other shelters run by UNRWA.

Israels near-complete seal on Gaza has left almost the entire population reliant on a trickle of international aid able to enter the territory each day. UN officials say about a quarter of the population now faces starvation.

The US State Department said it was extremely troubled by the allegations against the UNRWA staffers and has temporarily paused additional funding for the agency. The US is the biggest donor to the agency, providing it with $340 million in 2022 and several hundred million in 2023.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said a urgent and comprehensive independent review of the agency would be conducted.

UNRWA was created to care for millions of Palestinians across the Middle East whose families fled or were forced from properties inside what is Israel during the war surrounding Israels creation in 1948. Israel rejects a return of the refugees to their former lands.

Israeli officials and their allies  including in the US Congress  frequently allege that UNRWA allows anti-Israeli incitement to be taught in its hundreds of schools and that some of its staff collaborate with Hamas. The Trump administration suspended funding to the agency in 2018, but President Joe Biden restored it.

The agencys supporters say the allegations aim to diminish the long-festering refugee issue. Last week, Lazzarini said he would an appoint an independent entity to look into the claims  both what is true or untrue and what is politically motivated. He also said the accusations were hurting the agencys already stretched operations.

Thousands of Palestinians fled the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Friday as fighting between Hamas militants and Israeli forces intensified. Families were seen traveling on foot down roads, carrying possessions as smoke filed the skies above them.

Also Friday, the Israeli military ordered residents of three Khan Younis neighborhoods and the refugee camp in the city to evacuate to a coastal area. The military said its troops were engaging in close urban combat with Hamas fighters around the city.

The Khan Younis camp, like others in Gaza, was initially settled by Palestinians who fled or were driven from their homes during the 1948 war surrounding Israels creation and has since been built up into an urbanized district. The leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yehya Sinwar, and the commander of the groups military wing, Mohammed Deif, both grew up in the Khan Younis refugee camp.

In central Gaza, the other main focus of Israel's offensive currently, Israeli airstrikes on the Nuseirat urban refugee camp overnight killed at least 15 people, including a 5-month-old baby, an AP journalist at the hospital where the casualties were taken said.

The intense fighting came as the United Nations top court ordered Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza. But the International Court of Justice stopped short Friday of ordering it to end the military offensive. South Africa has accused Israel of genocide in its offensive, and the court dismissed a request by Israel, which rejects the accusation, that the case be thrown out.

Aid groups have struggled to bring food, medicines and other supplies to northern Gaza, where Israels ground invasion first targeted and where Israel says it now largely has control.

Uday Samir, a 23-year old Gaza City native, said many of the basic foods such as flour, lentils and rice are now impossible to find across the city.

Now, what is available is animal feed, said Samir. We grind it and bake it.

All supplies enter Gaza in the south, either through the Egyptian-controlled Rafah border crossing or Israels Kerem Shalom crossing. Aid groups say fighting and Israeli restrictions have made deliveries to the north difficult. When convoys do travel north, supplies are often snatched by hungry Palestinian before the trucks reach their destination.
Five people have been arrested for allegedly staging a hit-and-run crash in Ontario, California, and using the incident to file a fake insurance claim. Home surveillance video helped investigators crack the crime. Home surveillance video of the incident helped investigators crack the crime (Fox 11 Los Angeles screenshot)

The incident took place back in 2021, when the five people involved staged a car crash at an Ontario intersection in an attempt to later collect an insurance payout worth more than $30,000. The defendants were identified as 29-year-old Fontana resident Priscilla Carmona Arajo, 52-year-old Rancho Cucamonga resident Gabriella Cervantes, 40-year-old Chino resident Roberto Carlos Macias and 32-year-old Ontario resident Humberto Ortiz. 25-year-old Upland resident Juan Barajas was already in custody at the Orange County Jail at the time, for an unrelated case.

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Surveillance video that helped the investigation reportedly showed one of the people leaving a car in the middle of the intersection. Just moments later, another defendant crashed into the vehicle, which was vacant. The two then fled on foot.

Ontario Police Department officers arrived at the scene of the crash, where a woman told them she was the victim of a hit-and-run driver. Witnesses, however, claimed that she walked over to the two cars after the crash took place. Eventually, a task force of investigators from the California Department of Insurance, California Highway Patrol, San Bernardino District Attorney's Office and the Riverside District Attorney's Office determined that the incident was actually staged.

All the suspects were arrested between January 11 and January 23 of 2024. They were investigated by the Inland Empire Automobile Insurance Fraud Task Force and now face felony counts of insurance fraud.

"In this case, no innocent drivers were victimized, but the Department always urges drivers who suspect they or someone they know are the victim of a staged collision to insist on a police report," said a statement from the California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, according to CBS News.

One can report suspicious collisions to the California Department of Insurance at (800) 927-4357.
About 78 percent of German companies expect growth to be consistent in China in the next five years, while 54 percent plan to increase investments in the country, a survey published by the German Chamber of Commerce in China showed on Wednesday. According to the Business Confidence Survey for 2023 and 2024, 79 percent of German companies said it is necessary to remain competitive in China. The survey was conducted between Sept 5 and Oct 6 last year. A total of 566 member companies of the chamber responded to the survey. About 42 percent of German companies expect positive industry development in 2024, compared to only 21 percent in 2023, as per the survey. Ulf Reinhardt, chairperson of the board of the German Chamber of Commerce in China (South and Southwest China), said about 5 percent of the survey respondents currently regard Chinese companies as innovation leaders in their industry, but 46 percent foresee them becoming leaders within the next five years. German business leaders said China's significance to the German economy remains unique. As Germany's most important trading partner for seven consecutive years, the Sino-German economic relationship sustains millions of jobs in both countries, said Jens Hildebrandt, executive director of the German Chamber of Commerce in China (North China). The enormous size of the Chinese consumer market, advanced supply chain infrastructure, and status as an increasingly strong innovator make China one of the most important markets for many German companies, Hildebrandt said. The German Chamber of Commerce in China has more than 2,100 members, including Siemens AG, Mercedes-Benz Group, Covestro AG and Bayer Group. Upbeat about the Chinese market, logistics conveying equipment manufacturer Beumer Group became the 500th German company to settle in Taicang, in East China's Jiangsu province, early this month. The company plans to invest a total of 100 million euros ($108.74 million), with an annual output value of up to 1.4 billion yuan ($195.5 million) in Taicang, according to information released by the local government. Since the arrival of the first German company in 1993, Taicang has attracted 500 German enterprises. The first 100 German enterprises came to Taicang in a span of 14 years, but it only took two years for the last 100 German businesses to settle in the city. To become a manufacturing powerhouse, China needs to not only increase efforts aimed at independent research and development but also collaborate with countries like Germany to identify gaps and learn from each other's strengths, said Bai Ming, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing. Both China and Germany have achieved significant success in cooperation in high-end manufacturing industries, not only in areas like household appliances, construction machinery and communication equipment, but also in fast-growing sectors such as chemicals, new energy and autonomous driving systems, he said. Eager to enhance the country's strength in attracting foreign capital, China will roll out a package of measures this year to boost efforts in soliciting foreign investment. The government will work to solve existing problems that foreign businesses face in investing in its market, said Zheng Chiping, head of the National Development and Reform Commission's Department of Foreign Capital and Overseas Investment. China has shifted its utilization of foreign investment from being solely focused on scale and speed to a more quality-driven approach. The high-tech manufacturing sector has experienced rapid growth in attracting foreign investment, in line with industrial restructuring. This reflects a continuous upgrade in China's utilization of foreign investment structures, said Sang Baichuan, dean of the University of International Business and Economics' Institute of International Economy in Beijing. That sentiment is in line with the latest data. China's high-tech industries attracted 423.34 billion yuan of foreign direct investment in 2023, accounting for 37.3 percent of the country's total utilized FDI, data from the Ministry of Commerce showed.


SIDNEY, IOWA  Issac Doyle Koch, 38, of Richland, Nebraska, has been sentenced to 20 days in Fremont County Jail after a Fremont County jury convicted Koch of interference with official acts and disorderly conduct.

Fremont County Attorney Peter Johnson prosecuted the case at trial with the investigation of the Fremont County Sheriffs Office.

On Dec. 11, 2023, Koch entered the Sidney Elementary School (Iowa) gymnasium while elementary PE classes were in session. Koch was immediately told by the elementary school secretary to leave the school. Although Koch initially complied with the request to leave, he returned the next morning to the shared parking lot of Sidney Elementary and the Sidney Public Library. In response to the concerns raised by school administrators, Sidney School Resource Officer Logan Roberts initiated an investigation on the morning of Dec. 12.

According to police, Koch was non-compliant with Officer Robertss investigation, refusing to engage with Officer Roberts, refusing to roll down his car window or open the car door. Koch eventually exited the vehicle, continuing to obstruct Officer Robertss investigation. Koch then made a sudden effort to reenter his car, shoving Officer Roberts out of the way. Officer Roberts, with the assistance of Superintendent Tim Hood, who arrived promptly, successfully apprehended Koch.

The jury trial, held on Jan. 24, and presided over by Fremont County Magistrate Eric Checketts, lasted a full day, with multiple witnesses for the prosecution and defense.

The Fremont County Attorneys Office commends the vigilance of Sidney School officials who requested further investigation from the school resource officer and Fremont County Sheriffs Office. Kochs conviction underscores the critical responsibility of school officials to address potential threats on school property, ensuring the safety and well-being of all students, a press release from the county attorneys office said. The Fremont County Attorney's Office encourages all local schools to remain vigilant in monitoring and promptly addressing any suspicious or potentially threatening activity on school grounds.
A federal judge sentenced Peter Navarro, a former adviser of Donald Trump, to four months in jail on Thursday for his refusal to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The judge also imposed a fine of $9,500 on Navarro and rejected his claims of being a victim of political persecution. Former Trump White House official Peter Navarro who was convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, and sentenced on Thursday to four months behind bars. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)(AP)

Navarro was found guilty in September of two counts of criminal contempt of Congress for ignoring subpoenas from the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.

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The committee, which completed its report and disbanded in late 2022 after the Republicans regained the House majority, sought Navarros testimony and documents related to his role in spreading false claims about the 2020 election and promoting Trumps efforts to overturn the results.

The contempt charges carried a minimum sentence of one month in prison. The prosecutors asked for a six-month sentence, arguing that Navarro put politics, not country, first, and stonewalled Congresss investigation. They said Navarro chose allegiance to former President Donald Trump over the rule of law and thumbed his nose at the committee.

ALSO READ| South Carolina Primary: Can Nikki Haley pull off a surprise win in her home state?

What your obligation is as an American: Mehta

U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta delivered the sentence on Thursday and told Navarro that he was not a victim or a target of a political prosecution. He said Navarro had received due process and had no valid reason to defy the subpoenas.

Mehta also criticized Navarro for invoking executive privilege as a defense, saying that it was not a magical incantation or a get out of jail free card that could shield him from congressional oversight.

What I find disappointing is that in all of this, even today, theres little acknowledgment of what your obligation is as an American  to cooperate with Congress, to provide them with information that theyre seeking, Mehta said.

Fine, you think its a political hatchet job, its domestic terrorists running the committee. They had a job to do, and you made it harder. Its really that simple.

Navarro appealed his conviction right after the sentencing.

The prosecution is righteous

During the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney John Crabb said that the prosecutors in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia were committed to enforcing the law without fear, favor or political influence and called Navarros prosecution righteous.

The defendant believes he is above the law, but no one is above the law, Crabb said.

We are a nation of laws. The rule of law is crucial to a functioning democracy.

ALSO READ| Donald Trump briefly testifies in E Jean Carroll defamation trial

Navarro was one of the key figures in Trumps campaign to undermine the 2020 election. He authored a report that Trump falsely claimed showed that it was statistically impossible for him to have lost the election. Trump cited the report in his notorious will be wild tweet on Dec. 19, 2020, urging his supporters to come to Washington for a Big protest on Jan. 6. Many of the rioters who stormed the Capitol said they were inspired by that tweet.

Navarros lawyer, Stanely Woodward, asked the judge to stay the sentence pending appeal, citing novel issues in the case, such as Navarros belief that Trump had invoked executive privilege.
The application dates for the domestic H-1B Visa Renewal Pilot Program are trickling closer. Initially announced in December 2023 by the U.S., the renewal process will kick off on January 29. As a nonimmigrant visa allowing US corporations to employ foreign workers in occupations demanding technical expertise, the H-1B has been one of the most sought after work visas for Indian tech professionals. The renewal applications are restricted to certain noncitizens, read on to find out more about the eligibility criteria. H-1B visa renewal pilot program to open on January 28 through April 1, 2024.(File Photo)

Application Dates for H1B Visa Renewal Pilot Program

As per the official notice sanctioned by the Department of State, applications for the pilot program will be accepted from January 29 to April 1, 2024. The window may close sooner too if the slots are filled before the first day of April.

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The pilot's goal is to check the technical and operational abilities of the Department to resume visa renewals. Moreover, it will also help bring to attention the Department's efficacy in terms of the visa wait time reduction as the workload will be shifted to the domestic platform instead of being stationed overseas.

Also Read: UN rights chief on first nitrogen gas execution in US: May amount to torture

Read the official US government circular addressing the pilot program here

H1B Visa Pilot Program: Eligibility / Who can Apply

Only those applicants will be able to apply for the pilot program who meet the following requirements:

Foreign nationals obtaining their H-1B visas from an Indian US consulate between February 1 and September 30, 2021. In addition to that, foreign nationals receiving the H-1B visa from a Canadian US consulate between January 1, 2020 and April 1, 2023. Only applicants seeking to renew their H-1B visa will be permitted during the pilot program. No other visa classifications will be processed at this time. This limits the applications to Indians and Chinese born workers. These foreign nationals must not be subject to a nonimmigrant visa issuance fee, also referred to as the reciprocity fee. They must be eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview requirement. Applicants who've submitted ten fingerprints to the Department for a visa application previously. The prior visa must not be linked with a clearance received annotation. Applicants must not have visa ineligibility that requires a waiver prior to visa issuance. The applicant should have been most recently admitted to the US in H-1B status. Applicant still maintains H-1B status in the US currently. The period of authorized admission in H-1B status hasn't expired The applicant intends to reenter the US in H-1B status following a temporary period abroad.

H-1B Pilot Program: Where to Apply

Online applications will be accepted at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/domestic-renewal.html . A total of 4000 application slots will open on a weekly basis, starting January 29. Out of these slots, 2000 will be limited for applicants who'd previously issued H1B visas from Mission Canada, and the other 2000 slots for those applicants whose visas were issued from Mission India. By the end of the application period, the Department will have rolled out approximately 20,000 applications.

In a weekly order, the application dates are as follows: January 29, February 5, 12, 19 and 26.

H-1B Pilot Program: Documents Required

The candidates applying for the H-1B visa renewal are required to submit the below mentioned documents for their applications to be considered:

DS-160 barcode sheet for a completed and electronically filled form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. Passport valid for travelling to the US; it should be valid for at least six months after the visa application date and contains at least two blank, unmarked page for the visa foil placement. A passport containing the most recently issued H-1B visa is recommended if it is not in the passport being presently used. Non-refundable and non-transferable $205.00 MRV fee is needed for the application to be processed. Can be paid via the online portal after the completion of form DS-160. One recently clicked photo (has to be taken within the last six months). It should meet the specifications listed at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html A copy of current Form I-797 A copy of Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record

Initially, this entire process was facilitated by a US consulate situated abroad. Applicants would have to wait for quite a few weeks to get their passports back with the visa stamp. It wasn't an ideal procedure, and the uncertainty of further delays would often disrupt the foreign workers' schedules, in turn impacting their ties with the US employers too. Therefore, the latest development around the visa renewals is expected to work as a quick remedy whose scope and implementation will be further widened in the future.
Nikki Haleys campaign has launched a digital ad highlighting her record oftaking on South Carolinas political elite during her tenure as a governor.In this state, she served as governor for eight years. She has been widely appreciated for her work to address racial tensions. Nikki Haley holds a rally on January 24, 2024 in North Charleston, South Carolina (Photo by Allison Joyce / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

The ad features Haleys commentsat her primary night watch party in New Hampshire, where former president Donald Trump won the primary. It also claims that the fact that multiple current and former elected officials in her home state are endorsing Trump is because she is an outsider.

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Every time Ive run for office in South Carolina, Ive beaten the political establishment. Theyre lined up against me again, Haley says in the ad.

I dont want the political elite, thats not what Im looking for. And they, honestly, arent ready for me. Why? Because I keep saying we need to have term limits in Washington, she adds.

Trump has been endorsed by various South Carolina politicians, including Gov. Henry McMaster, Lieutenant Gov. Pamela Evette, state Attorney General Alan Wilson and state House Speaker Murrell Smith, Sens. Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham and Reps. Nancy Mace and Jeff Duncan.

Nikki Haley is the anti-establishment candidate who will take on the political elites just like she did in South Carolina, said spokesperson AnnMarie Graham-Barnes. From enacting term limits to calling for mental competency tests, Nikki is determined to clean house in Washington. This race is far from over and the American people have a real choice between a Trump-Biden rematch and Nikkis record of conservative results.

Meanwhile, Trump movedcloser to the Republican presidential nomination after defeating Haley in New Hampshires primary. Haley has refused to quit, insisting that she can still beat Trump. "This race is far from over," she told a crowd that had gathered in Concord, New Hampshire, for an election watch party. "There are dozens of states left to go and the next one is my sweet state of South Carolina."

"I'm a fighter, and I'm scrappy, and now we're the last ones standing next to Donald Trump," she added.
Nikki Haley came back to South Carolina on Wednesday as a political outsider in her own state. Nikki Haley makes a final appeal to her home state voters (AP Photo/Steven Senne)(AP)

After losing the New Hampshire primary, the former governor asked her supporters at a rally to stand by her as they did when they elected her governor.

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But Haley faces a tough challenge in her home state. She is 30 points behind Donald Trump in the polls. Most of the states Republican leaders have endorsed Trump, including her former ally Sen. Tim Scott.

Her supporters felt betrayed by them.

It bothers me that she did a lot of things for people, and theyve all turned their backs on her, Pat Pope, 67, said at the rally.

The Indian-American presidential hopeful is under pressure to quit the race after finishing third in Iowa and second in New Hampshire, both won by Trump.

But Rep. Ralph Norman, her only congressional backer, told POLITICO she has the courage to continue.

ALSO READ| South Carolina Primary: Does Nikki Haley have a chance in the coming GOP Primary?

Nikkis got the courage to continue on. She would have liked to have done better in both New Hampshire and Iowa. But it is what it is, and shes willing to put the work in. And Im with her, he said.

Haleys homecoming

Haley hopes to repeat her past victories in South Carolina primaries, where she beat the odds as a Tea Party candidate and became governor.

But this time, she faces strong opposition from the GOP establishment, which wants to end the primary and rally behind Trump.

The Republican National Committees chair, Ronna McDaniel, said Haley has no path forward. The Trump campaign said it got 50 new endorsements from South Carolina Republicans.

In a 40-minute speech, Haley appealed to her history with the voters, saying you have been with me before.

Join with me again, she said. One last time.

She urged her supporters to take yard signs and tell 10 people to vote for her on Feb. 24.

ALSO READ| Nikki Haley grapples dozens of fundraisers ahead of New Carolina Primary despite the poor result in New Hampshire

The former governor also criticized Trumps age, mental acuity and electability, and expressed discontent with a Trump-Biden rematch.

Haley refused to bow out of the race, pointing out that the contest was far from over. She reminded the crowd that only two states had cast their votes, and there were still 48 more to go.

There are delegates in every one of those states, Haley said, as the crowd cheered. Donald Trump has 32, and I have 17, she added.

We are not giving up just like that.

She also revealed that she had raised $1 million in the last 24 hours, since her speech in New Hampshire where she came second to Trump by 11 points.
A standoff between Texas and the federal government over border security is escalating, as state officials refuse to grant access to a park that is a hotspot for illegal crossings. As tensions rise, calls for President Biden's intervention mount, while bipartisan negotiations in Congress face hurdles with Trump's influence. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez (REUTERS)

The park, known as Shelby Park, is located along the Rio Grande and was taken over by the state earlier this month. The federal government has demanded that its border agents be allowed to enter the park by Friday, but Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said the state will not comply.

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Were talking about two and a half miles of a 1,260-something mile border along Texas and, suddenly, theyve gotta have access right here, he said in an interview with FOX News.

ALSO READ| Migrant deaths in Rio Grande intensify tensions between Texas, Biden administration over crossings

Why the standoff despite the Supreme Court's order?

The dispute over the park is part of a larger conflict between Texas and the federal government over how to handle the influx of migrants at the southern border. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has accused the Biden administration of failing to secure the border and has deployed the states National Guard and other resources to deter illegal crossings.

Abbott has also ordered the installation of more razor wire along the border, despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that gave the federal government the authority to remove it. Abbott argued that the state has a constitutional right to defend itself from the threats posed by illegal immigration.

It was the states that created the United States, he said in a FOX News interview.

And when the states voted to create the United States and have a constitution, included in that agreement was the compact that the federal government would take care of these states.

Regardless of what federal statute may exist, the supremacy clause means that the constitution itself is the supreme law of the land, he added. The constitution itself provides Texas with a right of self-defense, in this case, because the United States has abandoned its responsibility to defend Texas.

ALSO READ| FBI arrests Texas man for filming child gang-rape in mall restroom

What the Texas Governor has to say

The governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, stood by his actions on Wednesday and claimed that Texas had the right to do what it was doing. He also accused President Joe Biden of not enforcing the existing immigration laws, without giving any proof.

He said in a statement, President Biden has broken his oath to uphold the immigration laws that Congress passed. He is not prosecuting the immigrants who enter the country illegally, which is a federal crime. Instead, he is suing Texas in federal courts for trying to protect the border.

NBC News reported that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which is in charge of the Border Patrol, wrote a letter to the Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton, on Tuesday. The letter asked that the immigration officers be given access to the park.

Texas vs Feds

The conflict between Texas and the federal government intensified when state troopers and National Guard members seized Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, defying the city officials.

On Jan. 12, National Guard members at the park prevented a Border Patrol agent from reaching the river where three migrants had drowned and two more were in danger, as per a court filing by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The filing stated that Mexican immigration officials informed Border Patrol agents at 9 p.m. that night that two migrants needed help on the American side near the boat ramp at Shelby Park. An hour before, a mother and her two children had died in the same spot, as per the Justice Department. When a Border Patrol supervisor asked National Guard troops at the park gate to let him help the migrants, one of them said that they had orders to block Border Patrol access.

The Border Patrol agent requested to talk to a National Guard supervisor, who told the agent that Border Patrol was not permitted to enter the area even in emergency situations, as per the court filing.

ALSO READ| Thousands of migrants are bidding farewell to New York City for these states

#StandWithTexas

Netizens used the hashtag to show their support and solidarity for the people of Texas amid the border crisis, as well as to raise awareness and funds for relief efforts. Some celebrities, influencers, and politicians also joined the trend and shared their messages and donations.

Here are some of the posts-
A witness to 58-year-old Kenneth Eugene Smiths nitrogen gas execution has detailed how the Alabama inmate tossed and turned in pain as he suffocated to death. Inside the execution chamber at the William C. Holman prison in Atmore, a tight mask was placed over Smiths face. This undated photo provided by the Alabama Department of Corrections shows inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith, who was convicted in a 1988 murder-for-hire slaying of a preacher's wife (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP, File)

Spiritual guider Jeff Hood said the moment was the worst thing he had ever witnessed. He said that even prison officials gasped in horror as Smith writhed in pain for 22 minutes before he died. When they turned the nitrogen on, he began to convulse, he popped up on the gurney over and over again, he shook the whole gurney, Hood said.

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At one point, as Smith struggled against his restraints, his wife Deanna cried out for him from the witness box. He spoke his final words through the gas mask after making a heart sign with his left hand to his family. Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards... Im leaving with love, peace and light, he said, according to the Daily Mail.

Unbelievable evil was unleashed tonight in Alabama

Smith's pastor John Ewell said that the convicted killer was really struggling with the idea of how he was going to die. Officials said that he had hardly touched his final meal  T-bone steak, hash browns, eggs and A1 Sauce from Waffle House.

Hood said that the contraption used to kill Smith looked like a firefighters mask. I could see the corrections officers, I think they were very surprised that this didn't go smoothly - one of the state officials in the room was so nervous she was tap dancing, an emotional Hood said.

(Smith) kept breathing for what could possibly be up to nine minutes, ten minutes, unbelievable evil was unleashed tonight in Alabama, he claimed, adding that having witnessed five executions previously, he believed that lethal injection is preferable every single day.

A witness to 58-year-old Kenneth Eugene Smiths nitrogen gas execution has detailed how the Alabama inmate tossed and turned in pain as he suffocated to death. Inside the execution chamber at the William C. Holman prison in Atmore, a tight mask was placed over Smiths face.

Spiritual guider Jeff Hood said the moment was the worst thing he had ever witnessed. He said that even prison officials gasped in horror as Smith writhed in pain for 22 minutes before he died. When they turned the nitrogen on, he began to convulse, he popped up on the gurney over and over again, he shook the whole gurney, Hood said.

At one point, as Smith struggled against his restraints, his wife Deanna cried out for him from the witness box. He spoke his final words through the gas mask after making a heart sign with his left hand to his family. Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards... Im leaving with love, peace and light, he said, according to the Daily Mail.

Unbelievable evil was unleashed tonight in Alabama

Smith's pastor John Ewell said that the convicted killer was really struggling with the idea of how he was going to die. Officials said that he had hardly touched his final meal  T-bone steak, hash browns, eggs and A1 Sauce from Waffle House.

Hood said that the contraption used to kill Smith looked like a firefighters mask. I could see the corrections officers, I think they were very surprised that this didn't go smoothly - one of the state officials in the room was so nervous she was tap dancing, an emotional Hood said.

(Smith) kept breathing for what could possibly be up to nine minutes, ten minutes, unbelievable evil was unleashed tonight in Alabama, he claimed, adding that having witnessed five executions previously, he believed that lethal injection is preferable every single day.

Alabama officials, on the other hand, have praised the nitrogen hypoxia method as an effective and humane method of execution. Alabama is one of the three states, besides Oklahoma and Mississippi, to have authorised the use of nitrogen hypoxia.

Smith is accused of the murder-for-hire-killing of Elizabeth Dorelene Sennett in Colbert County in 1988. According to court records, he said he was paid $1,000 by the victims husband, Colbert County minister Charles Sennett Sr. Sennett was stabbed eight times in the chest and once on each side of the neck, according to the county coroner. Charles Sennett died by suicide before facing charges.
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday extended Republic Day wishes to India and said that the Constitution of India continues to provide an enduring framework for the world's largest democracy and a foundation of its global leadership. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.(AP)

"On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of India on India's Republic Day. The Constitution of India continues to provide an enduring framework for the world's largest democracy and a foundation for its global leadership," he said in an official statement.

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The statement read, "As President Biden has said, our relationship with India is one of the most consequential in the world. "

Blinken also highlighted India's successful G20 presidency and hoped for deepening ties with India.

He said, "The past year has been marked by important milestones in our Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership, including our cooperation throughout India's successful G20 Presidency and at the G20 Leaders' Summit. In the year ahead, we look forward to further deepening the vibrant people-to-people ties between our countries and advancing our ambitious agenda for cooperation on our most vital priorities. I warmly extend my best wishes to the Indian people as they celebrate this special occasion."

Earlier, US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said during a press briefing on Thursday (US local time) extended Republic Day wishes to India, calling the country a key strategic partner of the US.

"I would just note that - would wish a happy Indian Republic Day to anybody tuning in. India is a country - it is a key strategic partner of the United States and one that we look forward to closening our collaboration in a number of key areas on. And this is - was quite indicative in - during Prime Minister Modi's state visit here to the United States this past summer," he said.

India is meanwhile gearing up for a momentous platinum celebration of the country's Republic Day with an enthralling showcase of its military prowess and rich cultural heritage at the majestic 'Kartavya Path' in the national capital.

President Droupadi Murmu will lead the country in the grand celebrations in its journey of Amrit Kaal that began post the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations to commemorate 75 years of the country's independence.

Viksit Bharat's rich cultural diversity, the 'Aatmanirbhar' military prowess and the growing Nari Shakti are the dominating themes of the 90-minute parade that will be graced by French President Emmanuel Macron as Chief Guest.

For the first time ever, an all-women Tri-Service contingent is marching down the Kartavya Path. Women pilots will also enthral the audience during the Indian Air Force's fly-past, representing Nari Shakti (women power).

The contingents of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will also consist of only women personnel.

The parade will be heralded by over 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments. The parade would commence with the music of Sankh, Naadswaram, Nagada, etc., to be played by the women artists.

The ceremonial event will witness the classic display of the nation's defence forces with an exhilarating display of mighty cavalcades comprising of mechanised columns, state of the art equipment, marches of contingents and a display of varied culture and unity in diversity of the nation.

Based on the twin themes of 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka', this year's parade will witness the participation of around 13,000 special guests, an initiative which will provide an opportunity to people from all walks of life to take part in the celebrations and encourage 'Jan Bhagidari' in this national festival.

The ceremony will start with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the National War Memorial, where he will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath.

Thereafter, Prime Minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade.

After this President Murmu and her French counterpart Macron will be escorted by the President's Bodyguard, the senior most Regiment of the Indian Army. This Republic Day is special for this elite Regiment which has completed 250 years of service since its raising in 1773.

The two Presidents will arrive in the 'traditional buggy', a practice which is making a comeback after a gap of 40 years, the Defence Ministry said.

The National Flag will be unfurled, followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute given with indigenous gun system 105-mm Indian Field Guns.
Japans foreign worker population broke the two million mark for the first time ever, underlining the nations growing reliance on external manpower to mitigate its deepening labor shortage. People walk in front of an electronic stock board.(AP)

The number of foreign workers in Japan reached about 2.05 million as of October 2023, the most on record, the Labor Ministry reported Friday. The number grew by 12.4% from a year earlier, an acceleration compared with recent years but slower than in some years prior to the pandemic.

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Japan is increasingly reliant on foreign workers as its labor shortage worsens in line with broader demographic trends. The nations working-age population has been shrinking since it peaked in 1995. A think-tank study last year projected that the country will face a shortage of more than 11 million workers by 2040.

Small and medium-sized enterprises are among those most severely affected. The number of bankruptcies attributed to manpower constraints reached a record high last year, with 75% of those businesses employing fewer than 10 people, according to a report by Teikoku Databank.

Fridays report also showed that small businesses were more likely to rely on foreign staff. About three of five of the roughly 319,000 establishments that hire non-Japanese staff have no more than 30 employees in total.

According to the latest tally, the manufacturing sector had the largest number of foreign workers, followed by the service and retail industries. Construction workers also increased by 24% over the previous year, the largest hike for any industry. Thats consistent with a labor ministry survey that identified the building sector as one reporting the second most serious labor shortage after the healthcare sector.

Vietnam was the biggest supplier of workers as of the end of 2023, accounting for about 51% of people have entered the country as technical interns.

In response to criticism over human rights concerns, the government is now revamping the program. It was initially designed to teach foreigners new skills, but some workers claim they werent paid or faced other kinds of abuse. The government expects the numbers of interns to continue to grow under the scheduled revision.

Workers from other Asian nations, including Indonesia, Myanmar and Nepal, also surged last year, especially in the unskilled labor category, suggesting Japan remained a relatively attractive destination despite the weak yen.
There was a time when Kim Reynolds, the governor of Iowa, had no problem with Chinese investment. In 2012, when she was the states lieutenant governor, she met Xi Jinping, then Chinas vice-premier, on a visit to Beijing. In 2017, as governor, she visited again, this time posing with Vice-Premier Wang Yang. No longer. In her Condition of the State address to Iowas legislature on January 9th, Ms Reynolds claimed that China continues to grow more aggressive, and buying American land has been one of the many ways they have waged this new battle. Later this year she intends to introduce a new law that would toughen land-ownership reporting rules in Iowa. American farmland should stay in American hands, she says. FILE - A Chinese national flag flutters against office buildings in Shanghai, China, on April 14, 2016. China faces international scrutiny Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, over domestic polices in places like Hong Kong, Tibet and the western Xinjiang region as the global power receives its latest U.N.-backed review of its human rights record. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)(AP)

Ms Reynolds joins a chorus of state and federal politicians who worry about Chinese land grabs. On January 2nd Missouris governor, Mike Parson, issued an executive order banning foreign adversaries from buying land within ten miles of a military facility. Last October Arkansas ordered a Chinese-owned agricultural firm to sell 160 acres of land. Laws to restrict Chinese ownership of land have spread as far as Florida and Texas. Over the past few years the number of states with restrictions on foreign ownership has grown from 14 to 24, according to Micah Brown, of the National Agricultural Law Centre in Arkansas. Federal politicians are getting in on the act, too. Jon Tester, the Democratic senator from Montana, is among those to have proposed tighter federal laws on foreign land ownership.

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Yet there is little reason to think that Chinese firms are really buying much American land at allwhether near military bases or otherwise. In fact, if official data are to be believed, Chinese landholdings are both tiny and shrinking. And Chinese investment in general into America has collapsed in the past few years. Is it all a storm about nothing?

Since 1978 foreign owners of agricultural land have been required to declare it to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The agencys data show that, at the end of 2022, around 3% of privately held land nationwide was declared foreign-owned. The biggest holders were firms and individuals from Canada, followed by the Netherlands, Britain and a few other European countries. Declared Chinese entities held less than 1% of all foreign-owned land, or 0.03% of the total. People in Luxembourg own more. Foreign land ownership has grown by 40% since 2016, but China is not evidently the driver. From 2021 to 2022 the total amount of land owned in full or in part by Chinese firms shrank from 384,000 acres to 347,000. In Iowa, Chinese holdings totalled just 281 acresan area smaller than the state fairgrounds in Des Moines.

So why the panic? Mr Brown says that the surge of lawmaking is driven by a change in the political climate, caused by two relatively high-profile incidents of Chinese land purchases near military bases. One was for a grain-milling plant in North Dakota, a few miles away from Grand Forks Air Force Base. The other was land purchased to build a wind farm in southern Texas, near Laughlin Air Force base. Those, combined with the shooting down of a Chinese spy balloon last year, meant that: Nobody wanted to stand up against restricting [Chinese] purchases of land, says Mr Brown. Politicians of various stripes have suggested that the Chinese either want to spy, or to control Americas food supply, or both.

The patchiness of official data does not help. That 281 acres in Iowa, for example, is owned by Syngenta, an agricultural-science firm with its headquarters in Switzerland. The firm was purchased outright by ChemChina, a state-owned chemicals firm, in 2017. But until 2021 the land was listed as Swiss-owned in the USDA recordsas were several other Syngenta sites. Late last year, tax records revealed that Chen Tianqiao, a Chinese billionaire with past links to the Communist Party, who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, owns almost 200,000 acres of forestry land in Oregon, which was not declared as foreign-owned. (Mr Chens firm now says that, following media questions, it has submitted the relevant USDA filings.) A review by the Government Accountability Office published on January 18th found that the Treasury and Defence departments need timelier and more accurate data to judge security risks.

Still, it is unlikely that data gaps hide a surge of secret Chinese land purchases. Overall Chinese investment into America peaked in 2016, and has fallen off a cliff since the pandemic, says Derek Scissors, who maintains a database of Chinese foreign investment in America for the American Enterprise Institute, a think-tank. What investment is continuing is generally confined to the supply chain for electric vehicles. The flood of Chinese land purchases that began a decade or so ago was more to do with wealthy Chinese people trying to get their money out of China than about spying, according to Mr Scissors. The new laws are a bit like ones preventing snow emergencies in Florida, he says. That is to say, pointless.

Some politicians are frustrated with the endless focus on land. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic congressman who is the ranking member of the House select committee on China, admits that enforcement of filing requirements for USDAs database is pretty lax. But some laws intended to stop any Chinese-origin individuals buying any land at all, such as one passed in Florida last year that restricted even residential-property purchases, drift into outright racism and xenophobia, he complains. Mr Krishnamoorthi says he wishes politicians would focus more on improving American competitiveness in general. Sadly that is harder than blustering about farmland.

Correction (January 23rd 2024): This article was updated to note that Chen Tianqiao no longer has links to the Chinese Communist Party.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
The Hague: The United Nations' top international court has asked Israel to prevent a genocide in Gaza and punish those who are inciting such activities. Pro-Israel activists gather near the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday.(AP)

"The state of Israel shall.... take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of Article II of the Genocide convention," the court said, reported Reuters.

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The court, however, stopped short of ordering a ceasefire, which was the primary request of the litigant, South Africa.

More 26000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. The conflict started in response to Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, killing 1200 people, including women and children.

The court today said Israel must take measures to prevent its soldiers from carrying out genocide against the Palestinians. The court said it would not throw out South Africa's genocide case against Israel.

Israel has called South Africa's allegations false and "grossly distorted", and said it makes the utmost efforts to avoid civilian casualties.

Also read: Over 26,000 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza since October 7

"The court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is unfolding in the region and is deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering, Joan E. Donoghue, the court's president, said.

South Africa had asked the court to ask Israel to "immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza.

The court, however, declined the country's plea. It rules that Israel must try to limit death and damage to property.

South Africa also asked for Israel to take reasonable measures to prevent genocide and allow access for desperately needed aid.

The court ruled that Israel must try to limit death and damage.

In a statement Thursday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said he hoped the decision would include immediate action to stop the aggression and genocide against our people in the Gaza Strip ... and a rapid flow of relief aid to save the hungry, wounded and sick from the threat of slow death that threatens them."

On Thursday, Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy had said that Israel expected the court to toss out the spurious and specious charges.

With inputs from AP, Reuters
The voter initiative to repeal a new Nebraska tax credit law prompted more sparring Thursday over whether the effort should be on the November ballot.

The latest salvo came from Support Our Schools Nebraska, which sent a letter to Secretary of State Bob Evnen in response to arguments made by state Sen. Lou Ann Linehan earlier this month. Linehan, an Omaha-area lawmaker who championed the tax credit law, had asked Evnen to remove the initiative from the ballot; Support Our Schools is leading efforts to have voters repeal the new law.

Known as LB753, the new law established dollar-for-dollar tax credits for individuals and entities that make donations to scholarship funds that help students attend private and parochial schools.

Shortly after Gov. Jim Pillen signed the bill last year, Support Our Schools launched a petition drive to force the repeal vote. In October, the Secretary of States Office announced that the group gathered roughly 30,000 signatures more than the minimum required to place the issue on the ballot.

Earlier this month, Linehan wrote a letter to Evnen that argued the referendum violates a section of the Nebraska Constitution that explicitly places the power of taxation in the hands of the Legislature.

Thursday, lawyers for Support Our Schools said Linehan misinterpreted that part of the state constitution. Attorneys Scott Norby and Daniel Gutman said it only applies to revenue-generating legislation; LB753 would reduce state revenues. The letter also noted a different part of the constitution states that voters have the right to repeal any act of the Legislature  other than appropriations  through a referendum.

Linehan said Thursday that the Support Our Schools argument cherry picks parts of the constitution to give them more weight than others.

Supporters of the initiative say Evnen already determined that the referendum met the necessary constitutional requirements when he first certified it for the ballot. In a press release, Millard Education Association President Tim Royers accused Linehan of being afraid to leave the issue up to voters.

"Linehan and her lemmings failed miserably in their attempt to derail the petition drive so now theyre pushing a bogus legal claim in their desperation to deny Nebraskans their right to vote on the issue," Royers said.

Linehan said it is normal for referendums to receive legal challenges ahead of an election.

"The idea that it can't be decided before the election is just not true," she said. "It's January. The election is in November."

Photos: Hundreds of Nebraska educators gather at Capitol to protest LB753
Yemen's Houthis said on Friday their naval forces carried out an operation targeting "the British oil tanker Marlin Luanda" in the Gulf of Aden causing a fire to break out. The US and British militaries bombed multiple targets in locations used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. (AP/File)

They used "a number of appropriate naval missiles, the strike was direct," the Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement.
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in India on Thursday, Jan. 25 ahead of the country's Republic Day celebration over the weekend.

The invitation was apparently a response to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France on the occasion of Bastille Day last July.

Macron landed in Jaipur, in Rajasthan state, as he would be hosted by Modi at a banquet in a 19th-century maharaja's palace in the city, France 24 reported.

On Friday (Jan. 26), he would be India's guest of honor in New Delhi's Republic Day Parade, which would feature military units - from infantry to camel cavalry to tanks to fighter jet fly-pasts - marching past in colorful fashion.

Just as Indian troops marched down the Champs-elysees last year, a French military contingent would also join the parade in Delhi while French-built jets would be roaring overhead.

Read Also: UN Racism Rapporteur Lambastes Immigration Bill in France

Bienvenue en Inde!



President @EmmanuelMacron of France warmly welcomed by Governor @KalrajMishra of Rajasthan, EAM @DrSJaishankar & CM @BhajanlalBjp of Rajasthan as he arrived in the historic city of Jaipur.



President Macron is the Chief Guest at the 75th Republic Day pic.twitter.com/voJ6v6KKGl  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 25, 2024

Franco-Indian 'Strategic Partnership'

Historically, France had a very limited presence in the Indian Subcontinent during the age of colonialism. But this does not deter India from establishing what its foreign ministry called a "strategic partnership" between the two nations.

On the other hand, French government officials said that Macon's trip would "consolidate and deepen diplomatic and economic relations."

Despite concerns over human rights, press freedom issues, differences over the war in Ukraine, religious controversy, and Delhi's close ties with the Kremlin - which remained India's military supplier - the US and its European allies were courting India as a military and economic counterweight to China.

#WATCH | French President Emmanuel Macron visits Amber Fort in Rajasthan's Jaipur during his two-day state visit to India



EAM Dr S Jaishankar and Rajasthan Deputy CM Diya Kumari also present pic.twitter.com/giB38FZRzy  ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2024

India has also been observed to diversify its military arsenal after its defense ministry purchased French-made Rafale fighter jets and Scorpene-class submarines in multibillion-dollar deals.

In addition to defense assets, Macron was also hoping that his country could sell sex EPR nuclear reactors to India.

Related Article: India: PM Modi Opens Controversial Hindu Temple Built on Mosque Ruins
According to two US officials familiar with the matter, the United States has established a communication channel with Israel to address the concerns surrounding the recent incidents in Gaza. These incidents involve the loss of civilian lives and injuries caused by the Israeli military, as well as the targeting of civilian facilities.

Following a recent meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israel's war cabinet, concerns were raised about the frequent reports of Israeli strikes causing damage to humanitarian sites and leading to significant civilian casualties. As a result, the channel was established to address these concerns.

US Establishes Communication Channel With Israel

During the meeting, Blinken conveyed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Minister Benny Gantz the importance of providing clarity regarding reports of strikes. He expressed the need for a consistent and trustworthy means of communication between the United States and Israel to address these concerns on a regular basis, according to a US official.

This initiative has not been previously disclosed, and US officials have requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive details surrounding it. In light of the growing concerns surrounding the Biden administration's handling of the situation, a new channel has emerged.

The development follows the extensive casualties among Palestinian civilians during Israel's campaign against Hamas, resulting in a significant loss of life and the displacement of millions, as reported by the Palestinian health ministry. The situation highlights the growing frustration of Washington towards Israel's inability to improve the conditions for the civilian population in Gaza.

Since mid-October, the aid that used to reach Gaza has been severely limited, leaving over 62,000 people without proper medical care. According to another US official, Washington has been actively discussing and addressing specific incidents of concern related to Israel's military campaign in Gaza through a recently active channel. The Israelis conduct an investigation and offer feedback to the Americans.

There have been cases where the Israelis have provided more details to clarify an incident, while in other cases, they acknowledged making an error without giving specific examples. According to one official, the United States has established a process to ensure accountability for Israel.

The course of action that Washington might take in response to the information it receives from Israel remains uncertain. When questioned about the channel, a spokesperson from the State Department chose not to directly comment on it. However, they emphasized that it is crucial for Israel to safeguard humanitarian infrastructure and take all necessary measures to minimize harm to civilians.

In light of the growing concerns surrounding the Biden administration's handling of the situation, a new channel has been launched. This development follows the extensive casualties among Palestinian civilians during Israel's campaign against Hamas, resulting in a tragic loss of over 25,700 lives, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry. Additionally, millions have been displaced as a result of these events.

This further highlights the frustration of Washington towards Israel's inability to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza. Since mid-October, the aid that used to reach Gaza has been significantly reduced, leaving over 62,000 people without proper medical care.

Washington has been actively discussing with the Israelis any specific incidents of concern that have arisen during their military campaign in Gaza, through a channel that has been active for the past few weeks.The Israelis conduct an investigation and offer feedback to the Americans. There have been cases where the Israelis have provided information that clarifies an incident, while in other instances, they have acknowledged their errors.

Read Also: What's Next for Finland: Newest Member of NATO

Gaza Civilian Deaths

The US has established a process to ensure accountability for Israel. The course of action that Washington might take in response to the information it receives from Israel remains uncertain. Officials informed Reuters that the channel operates through diplomats stationed at the US embassy in Jerusalem, the State Department's regional bureau dedicated to the Middle East, and David Satterfield, US President Joe Biden's special envoy for humanitarian issues in the region.

In a recent incident, the US reached out through a certain channel to gather information regarding an alleged attack by Israeli tanks on a UN compound in Gaza, which was providing shelter to displaced Palestinians. The incident was reported by the UN on Wednesday. According to officials, it remains unclear how Israel responded.

The Biden administration has refrained from directly criticizing Israel for the civilian death toll, despite acknowledging that a significant number of Palestinians have lost their lives in the conflict. US officials have also refrained from commenting on whether Washington is considering an investigation into whether Israel's attacks have violated international rules of war.

Per The National, Israel receives $3.8 billion in annual military assistance from the US. Historically, Washington has employed aid as a means to shape the actions of its allies. However, when it comes to Israel, this approach has been largely dismissed, leading to concerns that it fosters a perception of impunity for the country.

According to State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel, the loss of civilian lives is deeply saddening. However, he emphasized that this incident was not carried out by the United States, and therefore, it is the responsibility of the Israeli army to address any credible allegations of law or war violations.

Related Article: Israel Vows to Fight Hamas to Gaza's Border, Igniting Tension with Egypt
The families of the Israelis held captive in Gaza have denied they were behind the leak of audio in which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Qatar's role in talks with Hamas over the release of the captives.

Following lengthy negotiations led by Qatar and the US, over 100 hostages were freed in late November in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails during a week-long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Families of Israeli Hostages Deny Leaking Netanyahu Qatar Audio

Haim Rubinstein, a spokesperson for the families, said on Thursday that the prime minister's office recorded all conversations in meetings with Netanyahu and his associates were at the meeting.

"The families participating in the meeting had their phones taken at the entrance," he claimed, adding that the leak was a "grave issue that indicates a loss of control."

His comment came a day after the prime minister's office accused a family member of the leak. According to Israeli media outlet Walla, the prime minister's office intensified its criticism of the families on Thursday. The office said it has evidence in the form of a text message from one of their members at the meeting.

"The girl next to me had a phone, it's a shame I didn't tip her off," the text message reads.

Israeli Channel 12 released an audio clip on Tuesday that triggered the controversy. Netanyahu was heard calling Qatar's role in the captive release "problematic." He also accused Qatar of financing Hamas. He said he was upset at a decision by the US to extend the presence of a military facility in the Gulf state.

Read Also: Trump Briefly Testifies in Defamation Trial

Qatar Slams Netanyahu's Alleged Criticism

On Wednesday evening, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman, Majed al-Ansari, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "These remarks, if validated, are irresponsible and destructive to the efforts to save innocent lives, but are not surprising."

He said Qatar has been in regular contact with the negotiating parties, including Israeli institutions, for months to establish conditions for a new hostage agreement and the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The agreement comes after last year's successful mediation, which resulted in the release of over 100 hostages.

Furthermore, he added that Netanyahu undermined the mediation efforts for reasons that appear to serve his political career instead of prioritizing saving innocent lives.

Bezalel Smotrich, the far-right finance minister of Israel, accused Doha of providing funds for terrorism in response to al-Ansari's statement. Smotrich said on X, formerly Twitter, that Qatar attacked southern Israeli villages on October 7.

He also noted that Qatar will not be involved in what happens in Gaza the day after the war. However, he urged Western countries to apply additional pressure on Qatar to ensure the hostages' immediate release.

The Qatari spokesman said that instead of concerning himself with Qatar's strategic relations with the US, they hope Netanyahu decides to operate in good faith and concentrate on the release of the hostages.

Related Article: Qatar Slams Netanyahu's Alleged Criticism of Doha's Mediation Efforts




Chinese officials have reportedly reached out to their Iranian counterparts, urging them to address the issue of ship attacks in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Houthis.

The Chinese government has expressed concerns that these attacks could potentially impact their business relations with Iran. According to four Iranian sources and a diplomat familiar with the matter, discussions are underway to find a resolution to this issue.

China Presses Iran to Reign Houthi Attacks

Discussions regarding the attacks and trade between China and Iran were held at various recent meetings in Beijing and Tehran, according to Iranian sources. However, they have chosen not to disclose specific details regarding the timing or attendees.

"In light of potential consequences to their business with Teheran, China has made it clear that any harm to their interests would not be taken lightly."

"The Houthis should be urged to exercise restraint," stated an Iranian official familiar with the discussions, who spoke to Reuters anonymously.

The attacks, claimed to be in support of Palestinians in Gaza, have had a significant impact on shipping and insurance costs. They have disrupted a crucial trade route between Asia and Europe that is heavily utilized by ships from China.

According to four Iranian sources, Chinese officials refrained from making any explicit comments or threats regarding the potential impact on Beijing's trading relationship with Iran in the event of Houthi attacks damaging its interests.

China has emerged as Iran's largest trading partner over the past decade, but their trade relationship is heavily imbalanced. In 2023, Chinese oil refiners dominated the market for Iran's crude exports, purchasing more than 90% of the total. This was largely due to US sanctions deterring other customers and Chinese firms taking advantage of significant discounts.

China's crude imports rely on a variety of suppliers, making Iranian oil only a small portion of their overall supply. According to Iranian sources, Beijing has expressed its strong disapproval of any potential harm to vessels associated with China or any negative impact on Chinese interests.

According to an Iranian insider, Iran's decision-making process is heavily influenced by its regional alliances and priorities. While China is an important player for Iran, Tehran also has proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen.

When questioned about the discussions with Iran regarding the Red Sea attacks, China's ministry of foreign affairs stated that China values its friendship with the Middle Eastern countries and is dedicated to fostering regional security and stability, as well as pursuing mutual development and prosperity.

Read Also: Unprovoked Fatal Shooting of American-Palestinian Teen in West Bank

US Asks For China's Intervention Over Red Sea Tension

According to American officials, the US has requested China's assistance in persuading Tehran to control the Iran-backed Houthi rebels who are targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea. However, there has been limited indication of support from Beijing.

Officials have consistently brought up the issue with high-ranking Chinese officials over the past three months, urging them to send a message to Iran about avoiding further escalation of tensions in the Middle East following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent conflict.

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and his deputy, Jon Finer, recently engaged in discussions with Liu Jianchao, head of the Chinese Communist party's international department, during meetings held in Washington, as confirmed by US officials. A state department official noted that Secretary of State Antony Blinken also brought up the matter.

However, US officials have stated that there is limited evidence of China exerting pressure on Iran to control the Houthis. China's recent statement, which urged "relevant parties" to ensure the safety of vessels in the Red Sea, a crucial trade route, was seen as a mild response.

On Wednesday, the Chinese foreign ministry expressed their concern about the disruption to civilian ships and emphasized their efforts to ease tensions in the Red Sea through close communication with relevant parties.

Nevertheless, the ministry expressed its concerns about the recent attacks on the Houthis, urging all parties involved to refrain from escalating the situation. It also emphasized that the UN Security Council has not authorized any country to use force in Yemen.

The Red Sea tension was also a result of the Gaza conflict, which needs to be resolved promptly, according to the ministry. In light of recent events, the United States and its allies have been actively targeting Houthi positions in Yemen. This military action is a direct response to a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which have occurred since mid-November. On Monday, there were widespread strikes conducted by the US and UK.

In recent years, China has developed stronger commercial and diplomatic ties with Iran, which in turn supports the Houthis.

According to one official, the United States plans to address the matter of Iran and the Houthi attacks with Beijing. However, there is little optimism regarding any potential change in China's stance, Financial Times reported.

Related Article: US, UK To Impose New Houthi Sanctions Over Red Sea Shipping Attacks
A Russian woman was sentenced to 27 years in prison on Thursday over the bomb assassination of an ultranationalist military blogger.

Courts imposed prison sentences in two telling cases that are connected to the region's war on Ukraine. One of which serves as a threat to pro-war Russians who criticize the military's performance on the battlefield while the other is a warning to Russians who support Kyiv.

Explosive Murder of Military Blogger

A military court in St. Petersburg sentenced Daria Trepova, a young anti-war activist, on terrorism charges connected to the murder of a prominent pro-war blogger in a cafe. The decision was the harshest known sentence for a woman in modern Russian history.

The 26-year-old defendant was arrested last spring and accused of giving a statuette that had a bomb inside to Maxim Fomin. The latter was a pro-war commentator and Telegram blogger who had half a million followers and was known by his pen name Vladlen Tatarsky. The resulting blast from the makeshift explosive resulted in Fomin's death, as per the Washington Post.

Russian investigators said that Trepova collaborated with a Ukrainian "sabotage and terrorism group." They argued that the latter gave her various tasks and requested that she track down Tatarsky, his fans, and Cyber Front Z, a pro-invasion online troll group that described itself as the "digital troops of Russia."

Authorities released and published videos on social media that showed Trepova handing Tatarsky the golden statuette, which subsequently exploded. Other footage showed her leaving the cafe in St. Petersburg where the incident occurred.

Trepova maintained in court that she did not know that the figure she handed Tatarsky had explosives inside and believed that it only contained a listening device. She argued that she believed that her mission was simply to establish audio surveillance on the military blogger.

The defendant's husband, Dmitry Rylov, said that he is convinced that her wife has been set up to take the blame for the murder of Tatarsky. The military blogger supported the war in Ukraine and gained popularity by providing analysis and commentary on Telegram. Much of his content advocated for a harsher approach towards Kyiv, according to CNN.

Read Also: Polish Prime Minister's Visit to Ukraine Signals Strong Support in Face of Rising Tensions with Russia

Sentenced to 27 Years

Tatarsky first created his Telegram channel in 2019 and named it in honor of the protagonist of Victor Pelevin's novel "Generation P." Since then, he has written several books and previously fought among Russian forces in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, in 2014.

Trepova was initially charged with "a terrorist act carried out by an organized group causing intentional death" as well as the illegal possession of explosive devices created by an organized group.

In court, the defendant gave evidence that she was following orders from a man in Ukraine who was known as Gestalt, which is German for "shape," and his true identity is still unknown. Trepova said she made contact with the man via Ukraine-based journalist Roman Popkov.

She said that under Gestalt's orders, she gained the military blogger's trust, introducing herself as an art student named Anastasia Kriulina and attending his talks. Trepova said that she felt great pain and shame that her gullibility and naivety led to catastrophic consequences, said BBC.



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Gaza's Health Ministry and eyewitness accounts reported that, on Thursday, a crowd of Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid in Gaza City encountered a violent confrontation with Israeli troops, leading to at least 20 fatalities and leaving dozens more wounded.

The Israeli military has acknowledged the reports and is currently conducting a thorough investigation to ensure an unbiased assessment of the situation. The details of the incident could not be independently verified, as per to Independent.

Israeli Forces Accused of Deepening Gaza Crisis

The National and Islamic Forces Follow-up Committee, a coalition comprising militant and political groups, accused Israeli forces of deliberately targeting civilians awaiting relief aid. In a strongly worded statement, the committee denounced the actions as a "war crime and genocide," underlining the severity of the situation.

Additional turmoil unfolded in central Gaza, where a nighttime Israeli airstrike on a house in the Al-Nusseirat refugee camp claimed six lives, according to Palestinian health officials. In the southern enclave, Israeli tanks pounded areas around two hospitals in Khan Younis, prompting displaced individuals to scramble for safety, witnesses reported.

As the conflict intensifies, the World Health Organization described the food situation in northern Gaza as "absolutely horrific." Humanitarian workers faced challenges delivering aid, with rare shipments being mobbed by visibly starving residents.

The dire circumstances have forced the majority of Gaza's 2.3 million population into Khan Younis and neighboring towns, following their displacement from the northern half due to the ongoing military campaign by Israel.

Gaza health officials reported a staggering toll, stating that at least 50 Palestinians lost their lives in the past 24 hours in Khan Younis. The Israeli military, in its latest update, highlighted ongoing close-quarters combat with militants in the area, deploying precision airstrikes and snipers against multiple Hamas targets, according to Reuters.

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Focal Point of Crisis as Israeli Forces Withdraw

The southern city of Khan Younis has become a focal point for military operations as Israel gradually withdraws forces from the north, claiming control over those areas.

Amid the escalating crisis, the plight of civilians is increasingly dire. Thousands of homeless individuals sheltering in Khan Younis sought refuge in Rafah, according to the UN relief agency for Palestinians (UNRWA). Israeli tank forces reportedly ordered over 30,000 civilians inside a UN center in Khan Younis to evacuate, further heightening the humanitarian crisis.

Urgent international appeals for a ceasefire have been met with defiance from Israel, which asserts its commitment to eradicating Hamas and securing the release of hostages. The conflict's impact is spreading beyond Gaza, posing a risk of destabilization in various Middle Eastern regions.

As the situation unfolds, the United States has established a communication channel with Israel to address concerns over civilian casualties. Washington is actively engaging with Israeli authorities, raising specific incidents for investigation.

Efforts for a month-long truce face challenges, with mediated talks snagging on differing perspectives on ending the war. Against this backdrop, the directors of Israel's Mossad intelligence service and the US Central Intelligence Agency are set to meet with Qatar's prime minister to discuss a potential ceasefire and the release of hostages.

The conflict's toll is undeniably severe, with thousands dead and large areas of Gaza reduced to rubble. As the world awaits a ruling from UN judges on South Africa's request to halt Israel's military operation, the gravity of the situation is evident, and the international community grapples with the urgent need for a resolution to prevent further loss of life and devastation in Gaza, CNN News reported.

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Canada and the United Kingdom are exchanging blame over the breaking down of negotiations over a free trade deal.

Britain has suspended talks on the matter with Ottawa amid disagreements about the lack of access to agricultural markets. The negotiations started in March 2022 and are among a number of discussions that Britain has launched worldwide in the wake of its decision to leave the European Union.

Canada-UK Trade Deal Issue

That particular decision excluded it from existing EU free trade deals. In a statement, a spokeswoman for Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng said that they were disappointed that negotiations with the UK were being suspended. They added that the decision to continue to maintain market access barriers has stalled the talks.

The spokeswoman added that Ng had contacted British business minister Kemi Badenoch to express Canada's disappointment regarding the development. The situation comes as Canadian farmers are complaining that they have been effectively shut out of the British beef market due to regulations that ban the use of hormones, as per Reuters.

In a social media post on X, formerly known as Twitter, a British government spokesperson said that they reserve the right to pause negotiations with any nation if no progress is being made. Prior to Britain leaving the EU trade sphere at the end of 2020, Canada rolled over existing trade agreements to ensure free trade could continue.

But now, a particular arrangement that dealt with cheese access has expired and a Canadian government official blames Britain for the lack of an extension agreement. The official spoke under the condition of anonymity and said that Britain did not act fast enough during the negotiations and simply expected Ottawa to just give it things.

The two sides have both said that they are ready to resume negotiations. Official British data showed that a total bilateral trade in goods and services was recorded at $32.9 billion in the year that ended June 30, 2023. This was the time when Canada was Britain's 18th largest trading partner.

Read Also: Families of Israeli Hostages Held in Gaza Deny Leaking Audio of Netanyahu Criticizing Qatar

Failure To Extend Measures

The situation marks the first time that the UK has formally suspended talks with a trade partner following leaving the EU trading regime. The development also means that the UK's trading terms with Canada will now become worse than when it was part of the EU's deal with the nation, according to BBC.

Now, British car companies face the prospect of higher tariffs, or import charges, to sell into the Canadian market from the beginning of April. Higher Canadian tariffs on British cheese already began earlier this month following the expiration of the previous terms at the end of last year.

Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay also defended Canada's dairy import quotas, which have long been known to cause tension with trading partners. The nation has controlled dairy supplies for several decades, limiting domestic production and applying heavy tariffs to imports to stabilize incomes for local farmers.

He noted that when it comes down to signing the trade deal, they will do so if it is good for Canadian farmers. MacAulay argued that the supply-management sector is protected in the country and always will be, said Yahoo News.

Related Article: China Urges Iran To Rule in Houthi Attacks Amid US Calls for Beijing To Help Curb Red Sea Tension
Binance.US Restricted in Florida and Alaska After Former CEOs Guilty Plea

Troubled cryptocurrency exchange Binance.US continues to face pressure from regulators in the United States after regulators in Florida and Alaska told the crypto exchange that it can no longer serve its residents.

Florida and Alaska regulators have informed Binance.US that the cryptocurrency exchange is no longer allowed to serve residents of their states, as The Wall Street Journal reported on January 25.

The Alaska Division of Banking and Securities reportedly denied the renewal of Binance.USs license in January 2024. In addition, Floridas Office of Financial Regulation issued an emergency suspension order against Binance.USs money transmitter license. This suspension reportedly occurred a week after Binances founder and former CEO, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), pleaded guilty to violating U.S. anti-money laundering policies on November 21, 2023.

Last fall, Binances founder Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to charges of violating U.S. anti-money-laundering requirements, a felony. Regulators in both states said that Zhaos guilty plea makes him unfit to control Binance.US, which caters to Americans who want to trade crypto. Zhao is a roughly 80% shareholder.

In a November 28 X (formerly Twitter) post, Binance.US reminded users the exchange was not a party to the $4.3 billion settlement between U.S. officials, Binance and CZ announced on November 21. However, Zhao agreed to step down as chair and will no longer be involved in the governance of Binance.US, transferring his voting rights through a proxy.

In December, a U.S. federal court accepted Zhaos guilty plea to one count of Bank Secrecy Act violations. As part of the settlement, Zhao stepped down as Binance.US chair and transferred his voting rights, removing his influence on the firms governance.

Binance.US Continues Operations Amid Regulatory Scrutiny and Legal Challenges



Despite the U.S. governments action against the global Binance exchange, its local business, Binance.US, continued to operate in the country. We remain fully operational and are committed to continuing to serve our customers with the same products and services as we always have, the U.S. exchange wrote on November 28.

Despite these challenges, Binance.US has maintained its operations, and regulators in Arkansas, Illinois, and South Dakota reportedly reached an agreement with the exchange in late December.

CZ, who stepped down as Binance.US chair following the guilty plea, has sought to pledge his $4.5 billion stake in Binance.US as security to travel to the United Arab Emirates. However, Judge Richard Jones denied his request and ordered the former Binance boss to stay in the United States until his February 23 sentencing date.

CZ is scheduled to be sentenced on February 23, 2024, facing up to 18 months in prison. However, Zhaos whereabouts within the country are unknown, and he has remained mostly inactive on X, having last posted on December 6, 2023.

Binance.US, while not a party to the settlement with the U.S. Justice Department, faces a lawsuit filed in June by the Securities and Exchange Commission against the crypto exchange Binance and CZ. The commission was reportedly investigating whether Binance.US had a backdoor to control user assetssimilar to what happened at FTX.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an inquiry into the dealings of major players, including Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., and Microsoft Corp.

The focus of the investigation is on their investments and partnerships with AI startups Anthropic and OpenAI, part of a comprehensive study on how these collaborations impact competition within the technology sector.

FTC Probes Tech Giants' $19B AI Investments

On Thursday, the antitrust and consumer protection agency announced that it had sent subpoenas to the aforementioned companies to gather crucial information. The investigation revolves around over $19 billion in investments made by Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet's Google, solidifying alliances between the leading cloud-services giants and premier developers of AI software.

Regulators worldwide are increasingly concerned as many promising AI startups heavily rely on established tech companies for funding and infrastructure, raising questions about potential market consolidation. During a public workshop, FTC Chair Lina Khan emphasized that the agency closely monitors the industry and cautioned AI companies against using claims of innovation as a shield for potential legal violations, asserting, "There is no AI exemption from the laws on the books."

Notably, Google, Amazon, and Anthropic declined to provide comments on the ongoing inquiry, while Microsoft and OpenAI have not responded to requests for statements.

The investigation comes at a time when major tech firms are taking a more prominent role in supporting agile AI startups, aiming to secure their positions in the flourishing AI sector. Microsoft, for instance, has revamped numerous products around AI tools powered by OpenAI's technology, while Google plans to integrate its powerful language model, Gemini, into its experimental search tool.

Microsoft's substantial investment of over $13 billion in ChatGPT maker OpenAI has sparked antitrust reviews in both the UK and the European Union. Google's commitment of $2 billion to Anthropic, and Amazon's investment of up to $4 billion, have also drawn regulatory attention. Anthropic, founded in 2021 by former OpenAI employees, has been at the center of disputes over the direction of the business.

Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, a Democrat on the FTC, criticized tech giants for structuring transactions to bypass US merger laws, expressing concern about potential market consolidation. However, she emphasized that studying the market complements, rather than substitutes, appropriate enforcement measures, as per Fortune.

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FTC Examines Microsoft's Non-Reported OpenAI Deal

Microsoft's failure to report the OpenAI transaction to the agency, citing non-control under US law and OpenAI's nonprofit status, has been reported. In the case of Google and Amazon, the deals were structured as convertible notes, delaying notification until their conversion.

The FTC is conducting the inquiry using its 6(b) authority, allowing it to issue subpoenas for market studies. Although the information is primarily collected for research, the agency can use it to open investigations or assist existing probes. The FTC has been debating internally with the Justice Department over jurisdiction on AI-related antitrust probes.

International scrutiny on digital market players and generative AI developers extends to the European Commission, which is investigating the impact of such partnerships on market dynamics. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority announced in December its intention to probe Microsoft and OpenAI's partnership.

The ongoing investigation represents the FTC's first significant effort to understand how partnerships and investments contribute to tech giants' expanding influence in AI. Lina Khan, appointed in 2021, has been a proponent of modernizing antitrust law to adapt to evolving industry dynamics.

The study will examine the influence of Microsoft, OpenAI, Amazon, Google, and Anthropic over their partners, as well as how they collaborate in decision-making. The agency will also request internal documents shedding light on potential impacts on competition.

As regulators globally focus on big tech's AI investments, the outcome of the FTC's inquiry could inform future antitrust investigations, as officials seek to strike a balance between fostering innovation and preventing anti-competitive practices, according to The New York Times.

Related Article: Microsoft Hits $3-Trillion Value, Second Company Ever to Top Record
After more than four decades of mystery surrounding the abduction and murder of Carol Ann Barrett during spring break in 1980, authorities have announced a breakthrough in the case.

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office revealed on Thursday that Billy Mansfield, Jr., now 68 years old and serving multiple life sentences for unrelated murders, has confessed to the kidnapping and killing of Barrett, who was just 18 years old at the time.

Carol Ann Barrett's Cold Case

The unforgettable happening occurred on March 23, 1980. Barrett, a resident of Zanesville, Ohio, was abruptly snatched from the comfort of the Treasure Island Motel in Daytona Beach Shores. The abduction, which took place in the early hours of the morning, caused a great deal of concern among the community and left investigators searching for answers. Despite initial efforts, investigators found Barrett's body the next day, on March 24, 1980, in a ditch by Interstate 95 near Pecan Park Road in Jacksonville.

The discovery of Barrett's remains marked the beginning of a long and arduous investigation, with law enforcement officials from Daytona Beach Shores and Jacksonville working tirelessly to piece together the events leading to her tragic demise. A police sketch, crafted with the help of Barrett's friends who were present during the abduction, provided a glimpse into the identity of the assailant but failed to yield significant leads in the case.

For years, the investigation into Barrett's murder remained unsolved, eventually succumbing to the annals of cold cases. However, in a remarkable turn of events, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit reignited efforts to solve the mystery in August 2017. With renewed vigor, detectives meticulously reviewed all available evidence, determined to bring closure to Barrett's grieving loved ones.

In 2020, investigators zeroed in on a person of interest, eventually identifying Billy Mansfield, Jr. as the prime suspect in Barrett's abduction and murder. Mansfield, who was 24 years old at the time of the heinous crime, became the focus of intensive scrutiny by law enforcement officials. Following a series of interviews spanning two years, Mansfield finally admitted his culpability in the abduction and subsequent killing of Barrett during a confession in September 2022, as per to News Journal.

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Billy Mansfield's Confession

Despite Mansfield's admission of guilt, the State Attorney's Office of the 4th Judicial Circuit opted not to pursue prosecution in Barrett's case. The decision stemmed from Mansfield's existing incarceration in California, where he is serving a life sentence for one murder and four concurrent life sentences for separate murder cases in Florida.

The State Attorney's Office concluded that additional legal action would not alter Mansfield's status or provide further resolution to the decades-long investigation.

Moreover, Mansfield's cooperation with detectives extends beyond Barrett's case, with authorities disclosing his involvement in assisting investigations into other cold cases in various jurisdictions. The revelation underscores the complex and interconnected nature of criminal investigations, offering a glimmer of hope to those still seeking answers in unsolved mysteries.

As the details of Carol Ann Barrett's tragic fate come to light after more than 40 years, her memory serves as a poignant reminder of the relentless pursuit of justice and the enduring resilience of those impacted by senseless acts of violence. While the resolution may not bring solace to all, it marks a significant milestone in the quest for closure and accountability in the face of unimaginable loss, according to Click Orlando.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Sun Weidong visited North Korea on Friday and led a delegation that would work on improving the relationship between the two countries.

North Korea announced that it was hosting a visit by the Chinese government delegation as it continues to strengthen its ties to Moscow amid rising tensions with Washington. The North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said that the Chinese foreign minister and his colleagues arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday.

China and North Korea Relations

The country's leader, Kim Jong Un, has recently tried to boost the visibility of its partnership with China and Russia. This is all part of his efforts to break out of diplomatic isolation and bolster his regional footing by working in a united front against the United States.

In September last year, the North Korean leader traveled to Russia's Far East for a rare summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Some experts have said that he is also likely to be seeking a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as per the Independent.

While Kim is prioritizing his ties with Moscow, which has already raised concerns about arms cooperation that would support Putin's war on Ukraine, he also invited senior Chinese officials to major state events. These events were held in recent months as the North Korean leader continued to vow to strengthen bilateral relations.

Last September, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong led a delegation that attended the celebrations for North Korea's 75th founding anniversary. Furthermore, in July last year, Kim invited Chinese ruling party official Li Hongzhong and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to a major military parade in the capital.

During that event, Kim rolled out his most powerful and potentially nuclear-capable missiles that are said to be capable of targeting the United States, South Korea, and Japan. Last month, Sun met with North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong in Beijing. They discussed the strengthening of bilateral ties and the coordination over unspecified "issues of common interest."

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Conducting Diplomatic Talks

Afterward, Pak met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as the two officials committed to expanding friendly exchanges and strengthening "strategic cooperation" this year. The Chinese foreign minister's visit to North Korea comes as U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan was planning talks with Wang in Bangkok this week, according to the Associated Press.

It was considered the latest high-level talks between Beijing and Washington amid tensions over a variety of issues, including trade, technology, and China's assertive policy in the region. China is a crucial partner for Kim's efforts to revive an economy that has been crippled by decades of mismanagement and U.S.-led sanctions.

The situation comes as last week, China said that it was willing to work with North Korea to address regional stability amid escalating tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang. Beijing's diplomatic chief Liu Jianchao said that China will increase strategic communications and jointly safeguard regional peace with the North.

The remarks were made during a meeting with North Korean envoy Ri Ryong-nam, who said that his nation firmly supports China's defense of its "core interests" on Taiwan, Hong Kong, human rights, and other issues, said the South China Morning Post.

Related Article: China Urges Iran To Rule in Houthi Attacks Amid US Calls for Beijing To Help Curb Red Sea Tension
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday said that his state has no plans to comply with the Supreme Court that orders local law enforcement to grant federal agents access to a riverfront park.

The statement comes as the Republican-led state has been in a border dispute with United States President Joe Biden as Border Patrol agents are unable to access some parts of the southern border.

Ken Paxton on Texas Border Dispute

Paxton's defiance comes after the Supreme Court issued a ruling earlier this week that cleared the way for Border Patrol agents to cut or remove razor wire that Texas authorities installed around Shelby Park. This particular area has become a popular corridor for migrants to illegally enter the United States, as per Fox News.

On top of the state attorney general's comments, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday accused the federal government of breaking the compact with the states following the high court's ruling.

The Republican official said that President Biden has refused to enforce proper immigration laws and claimed that the Democrat has even violated some of them. The situation is the latest escalation in a legal and political standoff between Texas and the federal government.

However, Abbott stopped short of announcing any specific measures against the Biden administration and its efforts. The Republican governor has been pushing constitutional boundaries on state versus federal jurisdiction of border and immigration enforcement for nearly two years.

Abbott's legal team, including Paxton, first publicly considered the idea of formally declaring a border "invasion" in April 2022. In November of that year, the governor wrote Biden invoking a state's constitutional right to wage war when it is being invaded but only made his official invasion declaration public in September last year.

Since then, the Texas official has methodically increased the border enforcement roles of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard. He cited the constitutional authority for a state to defend itself against invasion.

Read Also: Supreme Court Ruling Clears the Way for Removal of Texas Border Razor Wire

Supreme Court's Ruling

The governor said that that authority is the supreme law of the land and claimed that it supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary. The state's actions have precipitated several legal battles surrounding Operation Lone Star, the Republican's initiative to take greater control over the enforcement of immigration, according to The Hill.

The Supreme Court's ruling on the matter was a 5-4 decision that granted an emergency request filed by the Biden administration. The federal government had repeatedly claimed that the razor wire prevented agents from reaching migrants who had already crossed the border.

On Monday, a White House spokesperson said that Texas' political stunts only made it harder and more dangerous for frontline personnel to do their jobs. He added that they ultimately need adequate resources and policy changes to the broken immigration system.

On the other hand, Texas sued Border Patrol agents who cut through some of the razor wire installations, claiming that they had trespassed and damaged state property. Abbott's Operation Lone Star also includes giving authority to local law enforcement to arrest migrants on trespassing charges, said NBC News.



Related Article: Border Dispute: Chip Roy Urges Texas to Ignore Supreme Court Ruling on Razor Wire
A special session of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) made a preliminary ruling on Friday (Jan. 26) on the case South Africa brought to The Hague against what it alleged as Israel's intention to commit genocide.

According to Reuters, President of the ICJ Joan E. Donoghue read out the decision made by the panel of 17 judges, most of them favoring South Africa's motions to "take all measures" to prevent the genocide of the Palestinian people, but did not deliberately order a ceasefire or for Israel to halt its military operations.

"The court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is unfolding in the region and is deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering," she said.

While the ruling would only be an interim one, as it could take years for the full case to be considered, the South African delegation has asked the judges "as a matter of extreme urgency" to impose so-called provisional measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza.

Consequently, Israel rejected the accusation and its delegation in The Hague asked the court to dismiss the charges, the Associated Press reported.

South Africa vs. Israel

The South African delegation called on the court to order Israel to "immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza," as well as to ask Israel to take "reasonable measures" to prevent the alleged genocide and allow access to desperately needed aid.

In a statement before the ruling, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said that he hoped that the decision would "include immediate action to stop the aggression and genocide against our people in the Gaza Strip ... and a rapid flow of relief aid to save the hungry, wounded and sick from the threat of slow death that threatens them."

Top Hamas official Osama Hamdan said that his group would abide by a ceasefire if ordered and would be ready to release the hostages it still holds if Israel would also release Palestinian prisoners.

However, Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy responded that his country expected the court to toss out the "spurious and specious charges."

Israel often boycotted international tribunals and UN investigations, alleging that they were unfair and biased. The presence of a high-level legal team only meant that Israel was serious regarding the case, fearing that any court order to halt operations would be a major blow to the country's international standing.

Meanwhile, an Israeli official told reporters - on the condition of anonymity - that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with top legal, diplomatic, and security officials on Thursday (Jan. 25) in anticipation of the ruling, saying that the country was confident in its case but also discussed "all scenarios."

Read Also: South Africa Brings Genocide Case Against Israel to UN Court

Legal Expert Predicts World Court's Ruling

Prior to the ruling, Marieke de Hoon, an associate professor of international law at the University of Amsterdam, said that the court was unlikely to throw the case out since the legal bar South Africa had to preliminarily clear was lower than the one that would be applied for ruling on the merits of the accusation.

"The standard ... is not, 'Has there been genocide?' but a lower standard," she said. "'Is it plausible that there could have been a risk of genocide that would invoke Israel's responsibility to prevent genocide?'"

De Hoon added that she does not expect the ICJ to order a "full ceasefire" as she thought that such an order was "beyond their abilities" at this point.

While the ICJ's provisional measures were legally binding, it is not clear if Israel would comply with any order as enforcing such rulings has not been definitive.

Related Article: Harsh Israeli Rhetoric Against Palestinians Key to South Africa Genocide Case
Haim Raanan recounts enduring two harrowing experiences reminiscent of the Holocaust.

The first unfolded during his childhood in a Hungarian Jewish ghetto amidst World War Two. The second was on a southern Israeli kibbutz, where he, alongside his grandson-a similar age to him during the Nazi persecution-his son and their caregiver concealed themselves for hours in a small, cramped safe room.

They hoped to evade detection by the gunmen who infiltrated their town from the Gaza Strip on October 7 and seized control.

Raanan told Reuters that their house had not come under attack. However, more than 100 friends and neighbors from Kibbutz Beeri died or had been taken hostage to Gaza. About 1,200 people were killed and 240 taken captive by Hamas that day in the attack that triggered the more than three-month-old war in Gaza.

A Second Holocaust

Six million Jews perished in the Nazi Holocaust amidst the terror of hiding from bombs in crowded basements and living under the constant threat of Hungary's fascist Arrow Cross militias. Raanan vividly recollects those haunting moments through the lens of a young boy.

This year, he consented to be photographed and share his story at an event named 'Humans of the Holocaust.' This innovative showcase utilizes digital storytelling to establish a connection between the declining number of living survivors and a younger generation less versed in the details of Nazi atrocities.

Raanan, along with thousands of Jews, was rescued by Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who facilitated their move to a safer location by issuing diplomatic papers. Raanan was 10 years old at the time.

He suffered for years from the trauma of his childhood, he shared with Reuters. The Hamas Oct. 7 rampage hit him even harder on a personal level. Raanan remains aware that such a comment will not be easy for everyone to understand or accept. "Logically and emotionally, this (time) I will remember the tough feeling," he revealed from the retirement facility in Tel Aviv, where he and his wife have sought refuge following the evacuations of towns along the Gaza border.

Two days later, the 88-year-old attended the exhibition hosted by the European Union delegation in Israel ahead of Saturday's International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

In the exhibited photograph, Raanan is sitting on a sofa, wearing a dog tag around his neck in solidarity with the hostages still held by Hamas. He holds up a cell phone displaying a black-and-white picture. In the smaller, grainy photograph from decades earlier, he and his mother stand side by side, both donning the yellow star patches on their chests that Jews were once compelled to wear.

Reuters reported that Ranaan, from behind the podium, with the dog tag still dangling around his neck, spoke of the heavy emotions he felt from the Oct. 7 attack. The attack prompted the retaliatory Israeli offensive in Gaza, in which Palestinian health officials say at least 25,700 people were killed.

"In the Kibbutz Beeri massacre, I know every single person, every single member of my kibbutz and their children. For me, it was a second holocaust," he concluded.
On Friday, Moscow denied a recent Bloomberg report stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin was probing for ways to entice the United States into talks to help end the war in Ukraine and would even consider dropping key concerns regarding Ukraine's security status.

The report stated that Moscow was 'testing the waters' to see if Washington was ready to engage in such talks and was reaching out to the United States through indirect channels.

The article was said to have cited two people who were "close" to Putin, who allege he said he "may be willing to consider dropping an insistence on neutral status for Ukraine and even ultimately abandon opposition to eventual NATO membership - the threat oaf which has been a central Russian justification for the invasion ."

The Cost of War

According to the New York Post, Russia is spending around 40% of its national budget on the military and is even using Soviet-era weapons to rearm the frontlines.

"The ratio is about 10 to 1," a Ukrainian officer serving in the 93rd Mechanized Brigade told CNN, comparing Russia's munitions output to Ukraine's."Russia is a country that produces ammo, and they have strategic reserves. Yes, they use old Soviet systems. But Soviet systems can still kill."

The Bloomberg story states that Russia sent indicators to US officials with direct orders from Putin. Also conceding that negotiations may have been a ploy to wedge between Ukraine and its allies. The story also mentioned that a senior US official was made aware of these overtures sometime last month.

The Cost of Peace

According to the rumor, Russia would maintain control over territory it had already taken since the beginning of the war as part of the deal. Russia currently holds 18% of Ukrainian territory. The Ukrainian president has repeatedly stated that he will not sacrifice land for peace. This would not be the first time that Russia or the United States has been accused of negotiating for peace behind Ukraine's back.

A Newsweek article from 2023 quotes a CIA official as saying that a report in the Swiss-German newspaper Neue Zurcher Zeitung (NZZ) that CIA Director William Burns took a secret trip to Moscow was completely false.

"President Putin has stated numerous times that Russia was, is and will continue to be open for negotiations on Ukraine," a Kremlin spokesperson told Bloomberg.

However, United States officials denied receiving any messages or indications from Russia.

"We are unaware of the shifts in Russia's position described," a National Security Council official said, noting it was not the United States' place to negotiate the terms of Ukraine's war.

"It will be up to Ukraine to decide whether, when and how to negotiate with Russia."

Former White House Aide Fiona Hill believes the rumors are a classic move by the KGB meant to undermine Ukraine's faith in the United States by making it appear that they are going behind their backs to negotiate without them.

"It benefits [Russia] for everyone to think that there's a back channel and it's so secret no one can figure it out because it scares the hell out of the Ukrainians," Hill told Bloomberg. "The Russians want us to create this idea that the channel is there and that everything depends on the US so no one or nothing else plays a role," she said.
(Photo : (Photo by SAM PEDRO / AFP) (Photo by SAM PEDRO/AFP via Getty Images))

This photo taken on January 25, 2024 shows People standing and sitting outside a polling station on election day in Funafuti, the capital of the south Pacific nation of Tuvalu. Voters in Tuvalu went to the polls to elect a new government January 26, with the Pacific microstate's diplomatic recognition of Taiwan potentially in the balance.

Located in the Pacific, the tiny island of Tuvalu recently held an election that is being closely watched by the United States, China, Taiwan, and Australia.

There are a little over 6,000 registered voters on the island, which has a population of around 11,200 people. However, the big guys are keeping a close watch on the election for several reasons.

What Is The Election's Significance?

The election will be watched from Beijing and Taipei to Canberra, as citizens choose a 16-seat parliament followed by negotiations and then a prime minister.

The current Prime Minister, Kausea Natano, is attempting to raise the islands 4 to 5 meters above sea level through land reclamation, reported The Associated Press.

Another reason is that Tuvalu, unlike the United States and other nations, formally recognizes Taiwan as an independent nation. But the population, which is spread across nine islands, is deeply concerned with climate change. This puts them in a bind with China.

According to studies, the low-lying nation will be inundated by ocean water by 2050 and completely submerged by 2100. Both China and the United States have made overtures to Tuvalu, with each pledging to offer significant concessions.

The United States, for example, is offering to connect the population to global telecommunications by way of undersea cable. Tuvalu is but one of three remaining allies of Taiwan.

The nation of Nauru cut ties with Taipei this month to resume diplomatic relations with China, which has stated it would help the Micronesian island state to develop.

Worth noting is that Nauru uses the Australian dollar as its official currency and is geographically closer to Austrailia than to mainland China.

Taiwan believes that China is trying to usurp Tuvalu by manipulating its election and pushing it further away from Taipei. Tuvalu has been a diplomatic ally to Taiwan since 1979.

The country signed a security and migration agreement with Australia in November that allows Canberra, the capital of Australia, to vet security ties. Tuvalu rejected the deal but has stated it would consider certain aspects of it.
Finland will hold its presidential election in a matter of days. The election is the first to take place while the country is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

At one time, Finland considered itself a neutral country but dropped that designation at the fall of the Soviet Union.

The move to become a member of NATO was also sparked by Russia. But this time it was their invasion of Ukraine.

The frontrunners are center-right National Coalition Party candidate Alexander Stubb and liberal Green Party member Pekka Haavisto, whose support base has steadily swelled. Jussi Halla-aho, the candidate from the nationalist Finns Party, has gained ground in recent polling as well.

Finland's president leads foreign and security policy and represents the country at NATO's meetings. The president also acts as commander-in-chief of the Finnish Defence Forces, deciding on any significant changes in military preparedness.

The president appoints and discharges ministers, some high-ranking civil servants, and Supreme Court judges.

At the prime minister's request, the president can, if justified, order an early parliamentary election. The Finnish president must be a native-born citizen who is directly elected to a six-year term.

A candidate must gain 50% of ballots cast to win in the first round of voting. If no one wins more than 50% of the vote, a second-round run-off will be held between the top two candidates.

Finland opted for a direct popular vote, rather than an electoral college, in 1994. Under this format, no president can be elected for more than two consecutive terms.

The Top Candidates

Alexander Stubb of the National Coalition Party is considered a pro-European candidate. He recently served as prime minister and foreign minister of Finland, as well as a member of the European Parliament. Pekka Haavisto of the Green League is a liberal and a former UN diplomat who has run for president twice in the past, in 2012 and 2018 but failed to win.

If elected, he would become Finland's first openly gay president. Nationalist Jussi Halla-aho, former Finns Party leader and now parliament speaker, is a stern critic of the EU and immigration who was fined by the country's Supreme Court for racist remarks in 2012.
Estonia Renews U.S. Extradition of Crypto Businessmen Accused of $575 Million Ponzi Scheme: Report

The Estonian government has decided to renew the United States extradition of two alleged fraudsters accused of running a $575 million scheme, Estonian Public Broadcasting reports.

Justified in accordance with the rule of law



The extraditions approval reverses an earlier decision made by the Tallinn Circuit Court in November to block the extradition, citing procedural irregularities and conditions of detention in the United States.

However, Estonian Minister of Justice Kent Lalle stated the court verified that the conditions of the accused perpetrators upcoming detention facility in the U.S. were humane and lawful.

The government concluded that the extradition of the citizens to the U.S. is justified in accordance with the rule of law and does not disproportionately affect the rights of the citizens, Lalle said.

A half-a-billion-dollar global crypto scheme



News of the extradition comes just over a year after Estonian citizens Sergei Potapenko and Ivan Turogin were arrested for orchestrating the more than half-billion dollar fraud. U.S. prosecutors allege the duo lured victims to invest in crypto mining firm, Hashflare, and digital asset bank, Polybius Bank, before laundering funds into shell companies in order to purchase real estate and luxury cars.

The size and scope of the alleged scheme is truly astounding, U.S. Attorney Nick Brown of the Western District of Washington stated in a November 2022 press release.

They lured investors with false representations and then paid early investors off with money from those who invested later, Brown continued.

They tried to hide their ill-gotten gain in Estonian properties, luxury cars, bank accounts, and virtual currency wallets around the world.

Facing a lengthy prison sentence following extradition



U.S. Attorneys allege that Hashflare itself was a sham, performing Bitcoin mining at a rate of less than one percent of the computing power it purported to have.

Moreover, it was found that Polybius Bank was never established, as Potapenko and Turogin pocketed the $25 million they had raised for its creation.

The indictment alleges that the money laundering conspiracy involved at least 75 real properties, six luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency wallets, and thousands of cryptocurrency mining machines, reads the November 2022 press release.

Potapenko and Turogin are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and 16 counts of wire fraud.

Each of these crimes is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, continues the

U.S. Attorneys press release.It is currently unclear what detention facility Potapenko and Turogin will be extradited to.
The estate of George Carlin has filed a lawsuit against a media company that used artificial intelligence to create an hour-long comedy special that replicated Carlin's signature style, delivery, and subject matter.



The lawsuit was filed in a Los Angeles federal court on Thursday and asks a judge to order Dudesy, the podcast outlet, to immediately take down the "special," which is titled "George Carlin: I'm Glad I'm Dead."

Carlin died in 2008, but the special has the A.I. version of him discuss modern subject matter that has occurred since his passing. Kelly Carlin, the daughter of the late comedian, issued a statement on the matter.

The plaintiffs are calling it a "poorly executed facsimile cobbled together by unscrupulous individuals to capitalize on the extraordinary goodwill my father established with his adoring fanbase."

Carlin's estate, and executor Jerold Hamza, are plaintiffs in the suit, which alleges violations of Carlin's right of publicity and copyright. Dudesy, and podcast hosts Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen, are named the filing and defendants.

"None of the Defendants had permission to use Carlin's likeness for the AI-generated 'George Carlin Special,' nor did they have a license to use any of the late comedian's copyrighted materials," the lawsuit says.

The defendants have not filed a response to the lawsuit. The company also released a podcast episode with Sasso and Kultgen introducing and commenting on the artificial Carlin.

"What we just listened to, was that passable?" Kultgen says in a section of the episode cited in the lawsuit."Yeah, that sounded exactly like George Carlin," Sasso responds.

This lawsuit is among the first of its kind and will likely lead to increased legal moves being made to fight the regenerative aspect of artificial intelligence using the likeness of deceased entertainers to create new content without the permission of their estate or any living relatives.

Attorney Josh Schiller, who filed for the plaintiffs, said in a statement that the "case is not just about AI, it's about the humans that use AI to violate the law, infringe on intellectual property rights, and flout common decency."
On Thursday, workers at the New York Daily News and Forbes staged a walk-out, further heightening concerns within the US newspaper industry. The walk-out follows a week marked by the Los Angeles Times terminating over 100 journalists.

According to The Associated Press, both strikes are historic, as it's the first-ever at the business-focused magazine in more than a century and the first at the storied newspaper in more than three decades, according to the NewsGuild of New York.

The one-day strike at the Daily News coincides with the Forbes walk-out that runs through Monday.

In midtown Manhattan, dozens of Daily News staffers and their supporters picketed Thursday outside a small co-working space - the newspaper's office since its lower Manhattan newsroom shuttered in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, said the AP.

Using changes to overtime policy and "chronic cuts" as fuel for the first Daily News walk-out since 1991 - the year the paper was bought by the British press baron Robert Maxwell.

Alden, a "vulture" fund known for slashing newspaper budgets in search of profits, bought the company that owned the Daily News the following year, reported The Guardian.

The publication noted that The Daily News "once boasted the 'largest circulation in America' and was 4,000 employees strong." But "by 2000, circulation dropped by nearly half, and the publication underwent several rounds of devastating job cuts. Since the spring of 2022, 27 people have left, and the [News] Guild staff now totals 54 people."

Ellen Moynihan, the metropolitan desk reporter, explained to The Guardian: "Everyone I work with cares so much about this paper and this city, but Alden only cares about extracting money instead of investing in us. Reporting and producing a newspaper is not a job that fits neatly into an eight-hour box, and if we are not allowed to report the news as it happens, stories go untold."

ABC News quoted Michael Gartland, a reporter and the union's steward on X, "We are fed up with Alden Global Capital's constant cuts and apparent commitment to shrinking the paper." He cited efforts to curb overtime pay, among other problems.

In an email to ABC News, Forbes spokesperson Laura Brusca said the company is "working diligently" to reach a contract with the union. She also confirmed the company told employees Thursday it would lay off less than 3% of its staff.

"We are disappointed by the Union's decision to stage a walk-out, but respect their right to take this action," she continued.
For Edward Hensley, the prognosis seemed favorable only days before his fatal turn for the worse.

The Winnebago boy died on Jan. 29, 1899, while he was enrolled at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.

He was not able to pull through this his third or fourth attack of pneumonia, the Indian Helper, a student publication, reported on Feb. 3. His heart becoming involved there was little hope.

Like other Native American youths who died at the boarding school, Hensley was buried in a cemetery at Carlisle Barracks. A student for about four years, he was remembered as a band member and tinsmith by trade, a most excellent young man, beloved by all, the Helper article reads.

On Jan. 17, the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska sued the U.S. Army in federal court seeking repatriation of not only the remains of Hensley, but those of another boy named Samuel Gilbert who died of pneumonia on Oct. 24, 1895, just 47 days after his arrival in Carlisle.

Both boys are believed to be buried in the Carlisle Barracks Post Cemetery along Claremont Road. Their bodies may have been moved in 1927 from the original Indian School cemetery that was located in the vicinity of present-day Root Hall.

The lawsuit focuses on the Armys alleged refusal to follow the federal Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 to end the robbery, desecration and exploitation of Native American burial sites by the Army and other federal agencies, according to a news release issued by the tribe.

Instead of following NAGPRA to repatriate remains from Carlisle, the Army has been forcing tribal nations to follow a toothless process of the Armys own design, which contains none of the rights and protection for tribal nations granted by Congress, the tribe said in a statement.

The Disinterment and Return Process has been used for years by the Office of Army Cemeteries to evaluate requests for the repatriation of remains that are believed to be buried in the Post Cemetery. The office is one of the federal agencies named in the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The Army cannot speak to ongoing litigation, said Olivia Van Den Heuvel, Office of Army Cemeteries spokeswoman. The Army remains committed to working with all tribes and families to return their children who died while attending the Carlisle Indian Industrial School and are buried at the Carlisle Barracks Post Cemetery, to their native tribes and lands.

From 2017 to 2023, the Army, at its own expense, returned 32 sets of remains to their tribes and lands. The Office of Army Cemeteries has the documents to return an additional 30 sets of remains during 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, Van Den Heuvel said.

Of the 229 burial plots in the Post Cemetery, 180 are believed to contain the remains of Native American children and young adults who attended Carlisle, which was the first nonreservation boarding school in the country. Close to 8,000 youths went through the school while it occupied the Carlisle Barracks campus for almost 40 years from 1879 to 1918.

The school was designed as a social experiment to remove youths from tribal influence, assimilate them into the white mans culture and teach them a vocation. These goals traumatized many of the children and their families.

On Oct. 16, 2023, the Winnebago tribe sent a formal letter to the Army to repatriate the remains of Hensley and Gilbert within 90 days pursuant to the federal act. On Dec. 11, 2023, the tribe received a letter back from Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of the Office of Army Cemeteries, which denied the request and refused to repatriate the remains.

In her letter, Durham-Aguilera said the office would only consider processing the request under the protocols spelled out under the Disinterment and Return Process, according to information in the lawsuit. The lawsuit names Durham-Aguilera as a defendant, along with the U.S. Department of the Army, Secretary of the Army Christine E. Wormuth, Director of the Office of Arm Cemeteries Renea C. Yates and the current Carlisle Barracks garrison commander, Army Lt. Col. Priscella A. Nohle.

Defendants denial and continuing refusal to comply with Winnebagos repatriation request violates NAGPRA, the lawsuit reads. Under the process, defendants retain complete discretion over whether to return the boys remains at all. And if the defendants decide to return the remains, the process provides no timeline, allowing defendants to drag their feet and adopt generic protocols for disinterment instead of those aligned with Winnebago cultural traditions.

Defendants will not return Samuel and Edward to Winnebago directly or by its request alone, the lawsuit continues. Instead, defendants require a closest living relative  a concept that is nowhere defined and nearly impossible to apply in these circumstances  to initiate the OAC Disinterment and Return Process.

In September 1895, Army officials removed Gilbert and Hensley from their home in Nebraska and sent them to Carlisle, the tribe said. The school kept news of the boys deaths and burials from the families and Winnebago. According to Winnebagos traditional beliefs, Samuels and Edwards spirits will remain lost until they are returned home and laid to rest in accordance with Winnebagos customs.

As a mother and grandmother, I stand for Samuel and Edward, knowing that their parents and grandparents were never able to properly bury them and send them on their final journey, said Sunshine Thomas-Bear, NAGPRA representative and tribal historic preservation officer for Winnebago.

The traditional name for the Winnebago people is Ho-Chunk, which translates to the big voice, said Victoria Kitcheyan, chairwoman of the Winnebago. As we have always done, we will use our voice to hold our federal partners accountable for undermining NAGPRA and diluting the protections it guarantees to all Tribal Nations. Many leaders before us fought for that law and we will carry the battle forward.

The tribe is represented by its general counsel at Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP, and by legal counsel at the Native American Rights Fund and Cultural Heritage Partners.

The Army at Carlisle has been defying Congress and abusing Tribal Nations in the shadows, said Greg Werkheiser, a Cultural Heritage Partners attorney. Winnebago now brings this misbehavior into the sunlight, trusting the attention of the courts, Congress and the public will cure this injustice.
Daniel Braun joins Main Street Hospitality in February as the Regional Vice President of Operations. With 20 years of experience with renowned establishments such as Auberge Resorts Collection, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, and the Grand Del Mar Resort, where he has launched and overseen award-winning culinary institutions and programming. His invaluable expertise in luxury operations will be critical in preparing for the next phase of Main Street - elevating the service and operational standards across existing hotels, while also playing a pivotal role in preparing and guiding operational strategy for the development of new properties.

View Daniel Braun's LinkedIn Profile

Daniel Braun is a graduate of Les Roches in Bluche - Switzerland
Robert Garcia has joined the group as Corporate Controller where he will bring more than three decades of expertise in hospitality accounting, most notably a decade at Hay Creek Hotels where he served as Vice President of Finance. During his tenure, he played a key role in overseeing the company's growth from 5 hotels to over 20 while managing the Finance, IT, and Insurance departments. Garcia will be responsible for implementing highly effective financial strategies to maximize the profitability and financial health of the entire Main Street portfolio.

Main Street Hospitality Group

Stockbridge, Massachusetts

United States Website
Matthew Kristan will join in February as General Manager of the acclaimed Canoe Place Inn & Cottages in Hampton Bays, New York. Matthew brings 14 years of luxury hotel experience to this role with leadership roles spanning the famed NYC icon, The Carlyle, Four Seasons NYC, and the Mandarin Oriental NY. He was then brought on during the pre-opening phase as the opening Director of Housekeeping at the Equinox Hotel. At Canoe Place, he'll work to continue to build the reputation of the restored East End hotel while ensuring exceptional guest experiences.
Albemarle County police are circulating surveillance images they say show two men stealing an electric bicycle from the Public Lands sporting goods store at the 5th Street Station shopping center south of Charlottesville earlier this month.

The Albemarle County Police Department is seeking the publics assistance in identifying two suspects, according to a police statement, which said the reported theft occurred on Jan. 6.

An image shows one of the two men rolling what county police spokeswoman Logan Bogert said is a Cannondale Moterra Neo 5 bicycle out of the store. The electric mountain bike has a price tag of $4,550, although the model is currently advertised as on sale for $3,999.97 at the 5th Street Station store.

Police are urging anyone with information or who can identify the suspects to contact detective Garrett Moore with the Albemarle County Criminal Investigations Division at (434) 296-5807. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the Crime Stoppers tip line at (434) 977-4000.

The two were seen leaving in a white sedan of unknown make and model, the police statement noted.

While county police hunt for the two men, a man accused of stealing dozens of bicycles from Albemarle residents is making his way through the court system.

The 41-year-old suspect in that more high-profile case, Joe Abel Arevalo, has two pending felony charges for receiving stolen property, one in Albemarle and one in the city of Charlottesville.

Albemarle police arrested Arevalo in November of 2022 and seized dozens of bicycles stored under tarps at the house he was renting on Reservoir Road west of Charlottesville.

A U-Haul truck had to be rented to remove the massive amounts of stolen property, Albemarle detective Jordan Weethee wrote on one of Arevalos arrest warrants.
Marcus Lee is a Director with the HVS Los Angeles office, working within both the Consulting and Valuation and Asset Management divisions. Marcus has evaluated numerous hotels across the western United States ranging from limited-service hotels to luxury resorts. Marcus formerly served as Senior Manager of Development Feasibility for Rosewood Hotel Group, supporting this ultra-luxury groups development efforts across the Americas region. Marcus gained hands-on knowledge of luxury hotel operations at properties in the District of Columbia, as well as international markets including London and Singapore. Marcus background in hospitality includes management and guest-relations positions with premier luxury brands such The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Mandarin Oriental, and Capella Hotels & Resorts. Marcus earned a BA in International Relations and History from Boston University and a Masters of Tourism and Hospitality Administration from The George Washington University. He is a state-certified general appraiser. Contact Marcus at +1 (310) 614-9945 or [email protected].
Eric Guerrero is a Managing Director and Co-Head of the HVS Brokerage & Advisory Division. He has participated in hundreds of hotel transactions across the United States, with an aggregate value of over $600 million. Eric has advised both private investors and institutional clients and has extensive experience with IHG, Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt-branded select-service and full-service hotels, on both a single-asset and portfolio-sale basis. Managing hotel transactions of all classes and sizes, from independent $1 million limited-service hotels to $50-million select-service portfolios across multiple states, gives him a unique ability to understand and anticipate challenges for each transaction to ensure a seamless closing. Prior to joining HVS, Eric was a First Vice President at CBRE Hotels, during which time he worked to execute transactions in the South-Central United States, with an aggregate value of over $350 million. Before CBRE Hotels, Eric got his start in the hospitality brokerage industry at Marcus & Millichap, where he started as a Financial Analyst and ultimately served as a Director within the firms National Hospitality Group, working to execute transactions in Texas and Louisiana. He was consistently recognized as a top producer at both CBRE Hotels and Marcus & Millichap.
HOTCO is an international hotel investment conference focusing on the hotspots for hotel development in Europe: Central and Eastern Europe and Beyond. It is in the forefront of presenting global trends to help attendees interpret their impact on their local markets. It's time to get together again - HOTCO will set the stage on January 29th - 30th 2024 to gather investors, developers, hotel companies, real estate funds, private equity and bankers from the region to highlight creativity to succeed and discuss hotel deals!

FOUNDING PATRON

Horwath HTL Hungary celebrated 30 years in 2019, having successfully completed over 1,000 engagements on four continents. Horwath HTL is the global leader in hospitality consulting with 52 offices across the world providing expert local knowledge and quality solutions. Horwath HTL focuses 100% on hotels, tourism and leisure consulting and globally has successfully completed over 30,000 projects. With over two hundred professionals and membership of a top ten accounting network, Horwath HTL is the number one choice for companies and financial institutions looking to invest and develop in the industry.

This event is organized by Horwath

For more information please contact MARIUS GOMOLA
London  The Global Revenue Forum is pleased to announce a partnership with Sommet Education to provide enhanced learning programs and educational opportunities at its upcoming events in London, Milan, Stockholm and Lisbon.

Themed Roadmap to Resilience, The 30 January Global Revenue Forum will enable attendees to learn new strategies and solutions to help them adjust to todays evolving market conditions and adapt to the future of hospitality before it arrives.

As part of the partnership, Sommet Education will be onsite to meet with hospitality professionals to help build personal roadmaps for 2024, particularly at a time calling for increased flexibility, agility, and out-of-the-box thinking among hotel leaders. Sommet is the leading worldwide network of Hospitality educational institutions, including the Glion Institute of Higher Education, Les Roches, Ecole Ducasse, Invictus Education, and the Indian School of Hospitality. The company has been actively adapting its curriculum to the changes impacting todays industry and has developed a wide scope of new program offerings to support hotel operators and leaders across segments and geographies.

The Global Revenue Forum is a landmark event this year focused on building resilience throughout the hospitality industry. Our aim is to offer a specialized education in hospitality with a focus on human skills, such as emotional intelligence, which can impact a hotels operational success and the guest experience. Our programs are innovating new pathways for hotel leaders to acquire and retain talent while forging new routes for professional development throughout their careers, which matches exactly with the themes, speakers, and educational sessions featured at GRF 2024. We are pleased to have an active role and presence at this years conference. Conor Jackson, Associate Director of Postgraduate Admissions at Sommet Education

Topics and areas to be covered at GRF 2024 include :

How can hoteliers cultivate a culture wherein they can continue to thrive despite unstable market conditions?

How can technology be harnessed to support ongoing business uncertainty?

What strategies can help hoteliers excel despite the volatile market they continue to operate in?

What is the role of education and training in preparing hospitalitys future leaders to adapt to the unexpected?

How can we embrace sustainable practices to support long-term business success?

How can the successful implementation of change management principles drive organizational transformation and resilience in todays volatile business landscape?

How can we manage and nurture commercial teams through ongoing uncertainty?

What is the role of a diverse and inclusive culture in building robust and stable hotel operations?

What lessons can hoteliers learn from other industries?

Sommet Education provides best-in-class education to thousands in and around the hospitality industry, and we are honored to partner with them for Global Revenue Forum 2024. Hoteliers have had to adapt to a variety of unexpected shifts in business dynamics and guest expectations over the past three years, and educators such as Sommet have been instrumental in helping operators return to normalcy and even exceed yesterdays expectations while preparing for future challenges and building strong foundations for individual growth within our industry. We are grateful for Sommets partnership and participation. Ally Northfield, founder of Revenue by Design, which co-produces the event

Educational sessions and discussions at the Global Revenue Forum will include:

Is Your Leadership Team Ready?: Sommet Educations Conor Jackson leads an educational session exploring how targeted education strategies can bridge the skills gaps among hospitality leaders, identifying essential hard and soft skills necessary for achieving operational excellence and fostering a positive organizational culture.

Sommet Educations Conor Jackson leads an educational session exploring how targeted education strategies can bridge the skills gaps among hospitality leaders, identifying essential hard and soft skills necessary for achieving operational excellence and fostering a positive organizational culture. Road Map to Resilience: A discussion between Joe Pettigrew, chief commercial officer for hotel asset management at Starwood Capital Group, and Klaus Kohlmayr, chief evangelist and chief development officer at IDeaS, the lead sponsor of the event.

A discussion between Joe Pettigrew, chief commercial officer for hotel asset management at Starwood Capital Group, and Klaus Kohlmayr, chief evangelist and chief development officer at IDeaS, the lead sponsor of the event. Live Keynote From London: A keynote address, delivered by Greg Land, Global Segment Leader  Accommodation, Lodging, Casino & Cruise for Amazon Web Services, at the start of the event. During the keynote, Land will address more than 1,000 attendees across Europe and more than 300 live in London. Lands presentation will kick off the event, which includes innovators, industry leaders, and experts on increasing revenue and optimizing guest demand.

A keynote address, delivered by Greg Land, Global Segment Leader  Accommodation, Lodging, Casino & Cruise for Amazon Web Services, at the start of the event. During the keynote, Land will address more than 1,000 attendees across Europe and more than 300 live in London. Lands presentation will kick off the event, which includes innovators, industry leaders, and experts on increasing revenue and optimizing guest demand. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion come under the Spotlight: Georgine Muntz, CEO of Visual Matrix, leads a discussion on how the movement toward diversity and equity is helping reshape the hospitality landscape. This process includes bringing new voices forward and helping hoteliers as well as technologists more fully understand and serve key stakeholders  customers, employees, and others  by creating opportunities for collaboration alongside healthy competition.

A full day of rich programming in London, Milan, Stockholm, Lisbon and Germany will include dozens of educational sessions and networking opportunities, with details available at https://www.globalrevenueforum.com/en/.

For more information on attending or sponsoring the Global Revenue Forum, visit www.globalrevenueforum.com.

About Sommet Education

Sommet Education is the world's leader in hospitality education with a global network of 5 education brands.

It comprises two of the Top 5 globally ranked institutions: the prestigious Swiss originated hospitality business schools Glion Institute of Higher Education and Les Roches. Sommet Education reinforced its leadership with culinary and pastry arts schools Ecole Ducasse; South African Education leader Invictus and Indian School of Hospitality.

These institutions offer 400 undergraduate, graduate and technical training programs to 10,000 students and learners from 100 different nationalities in 10 countries. Teaching is offered on 20 campuses, as well as through state-of-the-art remote learning platforms. Together the schools have a network of 60,000 influential alumni in hospitality and beyond.

For more information, visit https://www.sommet-education.com/

Anouck Weiss

Chief Communication Officer Sommet Education

Sommet Education
Rotana announced its expansion plans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the second edition of the Saudi Tourism Forum (STF).

Held from 22 to 24 January 2024 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event provides Rotana with the ideal platform to engage with industry partners and stakeholders in the Saudi market.

Commenting on the expansion plans and participation in the Saudi Tourism Forum 2024, Rotana's Chief Operating Officer, Eddy Tannous, said: We are thrilled to return for the second edition of the Saudi Tourism Forum. With these ambitious developments and plans at hand, Rotana's continuous engagement showcases our commitment to shaping the future of tourism in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia presents one of the fastest-growing markets in the region, and Rotana is on track to meet its ambitious goal to double the number of rooms it currently runs in the Kingdom over the upcoming years.

Its significant expansion plan includes the launch of eight new properties across the kingdom, bringing the total key count to 4,400 across 16 properties.

The eight new properties include four "Edge by Rotana" and one "Rayhaan by Rotana" in Riyadh, Dar Rayhaan by Rotana in Al Khobar, Al Manakha Rotana in Madinah, and an Edge by Rotana in Al Baha.

The Saudi Tourism Forum initiated post-Saudi Arabia's 2019 global opening to worldwide visitors, serves as a collaborative space for private and government sectors, focusing on tourism within the Kingdom. The forum is a key hub for stakeholders to discuss and showcase tourism advancements, emphasizing Saudi Arabia's rich history and unique hospitality.

Rotana has made a commitment to participate in the forum since its inception in efforts to be in line with the tourism initiatives set in the kingdoms vision for 2030 and to take part in shaping the Saudi tourism sector.

Rotana currently operates 74 hotels in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkiye, serving more than six million guests per year. Its portfolio currently spans 19,237 keys and six superlative brands, including an impressive 10,159 keys across 36 hotels in the UAE and 2,200 keys across 8 hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

About Rotana

Rotana currently manages a portfolio of over 100 properties throughout the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, with an aggressive expansion plan in place. Rotana has chosen to acknowledge how precious time is by making all time spent in their range of hotels 'Treasured Time'. This means Rotana has pledged to understand and meet the individual needs of all guests. In so doing, Rotana has evolved its product brands to include, Rotana Hotels & Resorts, Centro Hotels by Rotana, Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts by Rotana, Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana and The Residences by Rotana. Treasured Time. The Rotana promise to you.

Further information on any Rotana property, its brands or reservations can be obtained by visiting rotana.com or by contacting one of the regional sales offices.
World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA) and The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (The Alliance) have unveiled a landmark partnership to recognise the torch bearers of sustainable tourism. The Alliance will help steer the WSTHA programme, including serving on its new Advisory Board. The announcement, made at Fitur 2024, comes ahead of the inaugural WSTHA Ceremony in Belize on 27 September 2024.

The WSTHA Advisory Board comprises leading authorities, academics and dignitaries in driving net positive hospitality. The experts will steer and govern the WSTHA programme to reflect the travel and hospitality ecosystem, including guiding on best practice, standards and the award category list.

Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, The Alliance will serve as Vice-Chair on the WSTHA Advisory Board. He will be joined by Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism, Belize; Chris Imbsen, Director of Sustainability, World Travel & Tourism Council; Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, Virgin Atlantic; Patricio Azcarate Diaz de Losada, General Secretary, Responsible Tourism Institute; Fran Brasseux, Executive Director, International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education; and Susan Hooper, Chair, Carbon Gap.

WSTHA will feature up to 30 award categories covering the full spectrum of the travel and tourism economy, from community initiatives and eco hotels to food sourcing and clean water. The winners will be revealed at the WSTHA Gala Ceremony 2024 in Belize, attended by leading figureheads of sustainable tourism.

WSTHA is delighted to welcome such high calibre experts to our Advisory Board. Our new team will play a fundamental role in steering our programme, with the goal of raising the bar for sustainable best practice and leading the net positive future of our industry. We look forward to welcoming them in Belize for the inaugural WSTHA Gala Ceremony on 27 September 2024. As Official Host Destination of WSTHA 2024, Belize holds responsible tourism at its core, and develops projects that encourage travellers to engage with its rainforests, reefs and unique culture in a sustainable manner. Justin Cooke, Executive Vice-President, WSTHA

The Alliance, in collaboration with strategic partners, addresses key global challenges affecting the planet, people, and places. As part of this partnership, The Alliance will establish and execute a process to collect and screen best practices exemplifying net positive hospitality. These best practices will be used to capture case studies that will foster advancement within the hospitality sector.

As we kick off 2024, we are excited to announce this partnership with World Travel Awards to foster the establishment of the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, which strengthens our position and network in leading the industry to net positive hospitality. The new programme will undoubtedly highlight the hospitality industrys expertise and collective efforts towards achieving net positive. It's an honour to join the Advisory Board, and I eagerly anticipate collaborating with these sustainability experts and leaders as we make a significant impact on capturing the best-in-class examples of sustainability progress within our industry. Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

Sustainable and responsible tourism has always been at the core of our value system in Belize. We are excited that Belize will be hosting the inaugural World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards in September 2024, allowing us to highlight our best practices and developing projects while encouraging attendees to engage with our rainforests, Barrier Reef, cultures, and local communities. We are honoured to be joined by a group of sustainability trailblazers as members on the awards Advisory Board. Their support to Belize and the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards will ensure that the event is a resounding success. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism, Belize

Hon. Anthony Mahler unveils WSTHA Advisory Board

WSTHA is the sister programme of the World Travel Awards, launched in 1993 to recognise and reward excellence in travel.

About World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards

World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards serves to recognise, celebrate and reward excellence in sustainable travel and hospitality. By acknowledging organisations pioneering best practice to safeguard our communities and destinations, WSTHA aims to catalyse a net positive future. Launched at COP28 in Dubai, it is the sister programme of World Travel Awards, established in 1993 to acknowledge excellence in travel. Our goal is for every organisation, in every sector of travel, to have a net positive impact.

About the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance brings together engaged hospitality companies and the wider hospitality value chain, along with strategic partners, to address key challenges affecting the planet, people and places around the world.

About the Belize Tourism Board

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is a statutory body within the Belize Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, and it is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation. The BTB works in conjunction with members of the private sector - including the Belize Hotel Association, Belize Tourism Industry Association, and Belize National Tour Operators Association - and is dedicated to building tourism in the most economically and environmentally sustainable manner. As a part of its responsibilities, the BTB promotes Belize as a premier tourism destination for both in-country and international consumers. Among its outreach to the international travel market, the BTB markets the country's unique attractions to travelers, members of the travel trade industry, and media outlets in key markets. The BTB is also dedicated to developing and implementing tourism programs that will help strengthen and grow the Belizean tourism industry; promote good destination stewardship; and instil high-quality standards for accommodations and travel experiences.

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Airbnb welcomes the latest vote in the European Parliament, marking a further step towards the adoption of the EUs new short-term rental rules.

New EU-wide rules are a watershed moment for Airbnb and our industry. For the last two years Airbnb has called for an EU-wide approach to short-term rental rules that will help make regulations more consistent across the bloc. Platforms and authorities will have clear guidance on how to share data and it should become simpler for Hosts to register with their local authority and adhere to proportionate rules.

Short-term rental hosts  like the ones hosting on Airbnb  make up nearly one-quarter of all EU tourist accommodation supply1 and the EU is home to more Hosts on Airbnb than any region in the world. The vast majority of Hosts share one listing and the typical EU Host earned just under 4,000 in 2022 with nearly half saying hosting helps them to make ends meet2.

Airbnbs priority is to expand our work with cities and governments to support the families who host and help tackle local concerns such as housing. We want to be good partners and will take the opportunity of new EU rules to kickstart a new chapter in our collaborations with governments across the EU.

1. Source: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_6493 2. Typical refers to all hosts and listings that were active on the site at some point in the prior 12 month time period

About Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 4 million Hosts who have welcomed over 1.5 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

About Airbnb.org

Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc.'s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org's charitable purpose. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows Hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, Hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for Airbnb.org supported stays on its platform.

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The Network of Executive Women in Hospitality (NEWH)s biennial Leadership Conference will take place in Nashville, Tennessee from February 15 - 17, 2024. Hosted at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, the event draws leaders in the hospitality industry from all over the world. Over the three-day conference, attendees will discuss strategy, share insights on emerging trends, and get to know their peers in a lively, encouraging environment.

Embodying NEWHs mission to support the advancement of professionals in hospitality, the 2024 Leadership Conferences schedule comprises insightful panel discussions, compelling breakout sessions, and immersive keynote speakers. In addition to exploring educational offerings, attendees can partake in social gatherings to foster connections and network with fellow professionals. This event provides unparalleled access to top hospitality leaders, allowing attendees to cultivate genuine relationships that leave a lasting impact on their professional development.

We eagerly anticipate the camaraderie, connection, and innovation that the Leadership Conference inspires. This event brings our mission to life, establishing a space for current and future hospitality leaders to share their passion and knowledge  resulting in ideas that shape the future of our industry and push us to evolve alongside it. Shelia Lohmiller, CEO of NEWH

The first day of the conference will kick off with the inauguration of NEWH POWERtalk LIVE Sessions, a fast-paced meeting event that invites high-level hospitality professionals from architecture, design, procurement, hotel brands, project management, development and ownership. Keynote addresses from Clodagh, founder and CEO of Clodagh Design, and Scott Stratten, president of UnMarketing, will open the events on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

The sessions held throughout the conference will focus on future business strategies, including impactful sessions and interactive events. These events explore a plethora of topics spanning design, development, and relationship building, including sessions focused on hotel renovations, product specification, sustainability, branding and networking. Participants can register for the conference and learn more about the opportunities offered at www.newh.org/2024-leadership-conference.

To learn more about NEWH, please visit www.newh.org.

About NEWH

NEWH, Inc. is a dynamic association dedicated to awarding scholarships to those wanting to enter the hospitality industry. Through educational programs, mentorship opportunities, and networking events, NEWH strives to foster leadership development and facilitate meaningful connections among industry professionals.
Saudi Arabias vision 2030 has placed a strong emphasis on women empowerment, making it a key reform plan and goal. Over the years, the contribution of women to the global workforce has seen significant growth, leading to a focus on creating more job opportunities for women in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabias vision 2030

Enabling and empowering Saudi women in every sector, utilizing their skills and potential for the progress and economic prosperity of the nation, is a fundamental aspect of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. With the goal of increasing women's engagement in the workforce to 30% by 2030, Saudi Arabia is committed to providing opportunities and support for women to thrive professionally.

To accomplish this objective, Saudi Arabia has taken the lead in implementing a range of initiatives aimed at fostering a supportive atmosphere for the economic advancement of women. The country has embarked on a mission to:

Empower women to have a strong presence in policy and decision-making by actively promoting and expanding their leadership roles within the civil service, as well as in middle and senior management positions. In addition to providing on-the-job training for employees, it is crucial to offer targeted training programs that align with labor market demands and cater specifically to unemployed women. Alongside this, it is essential to establish a reliable and affordable transport service, such as the Wussool program, to ensure safe and convenient commuting to and from the workplace. Implement the Qurrah program, which offers affordable childcare services to support working women in balancing their professional and personal responsibilities. Promote the significance of women's involvement in the job market through impactful media campaigns and public education initiatives that showcase inspiring role models and success stories.

Our economy will provide opportunities for everyone - men and women, young and old - so they may contribute to the best of their abilities. We will place a renewed emphasis on lifelong training, and we will seek to make the most of the potential of our workforce by encouraging a culture of high performance. One of our most significant assets is our lively and vibrant youth. We will guarantee their skills are developed and properly deployed. While many other countries are concerned with aging populations, more than half of the Saudi population is below the age of 25 years. We will take advantage of this demographic dividend by harnessing our youths energy and by expanding entrepreneurship and enterprise opportunities. Saudi women are yet another great asset. With over 50 percent of our university graduates being female, we will continue to develop their talents, invest in their productive capabilities and enable them to strengthen their future and contribute to the development of our society and economy. SAUDI VISION 2030



Women Empowerment in Saudi Arabia's hospitality industry

Just five years ago, women in Saudi Arabia faced significant barriers when it came to working in hospitality companies, as many Saudi families frowned upon this sector. Women had to go to great lengths to persuade their families to allow them to study or work in hospitality and tourism. Family support and trust played a vital role in women's decision to join this industry, and from the family's perspective, education, and healthcare were considered the top choices for women's work.

The Saudi government is actively working towards empowering women to take on leadership positions in both public and private sectors. In a bid to promote gender equality, the government has made it mandatory for companies in the tourism and hospitality sector to hire women in all departments. As a result, Saudi women now make up 22% of the total workforce in this sector (Ministry of Tourism, 2020).

Today, women in Saudi Arabia are making their mark in the field of hospitality management after participating in rigorous training programs.

The Ministry of Tourism and multiple Giga Projects, with the partnerships of several local and international institutions and universities, have been funding initiatives designed to meet the needs of the Kingdoms burgeoning hospitality labor market. And many of those participating in a range of training programs have gained invaluable practical experience in the industry while learning relevant hospitality and management skills.

The first Saudi female butler trained at Bunyan Academy

The advancement of women's empowerment in Saudi Arabia is evident through the growing array of job opportunities for women across various sectors. As part of this commitment, Red Sea Global (RSG) is on a journey to establish itself as a pioneer in vocational training, with a focus on transforming lives and challenging stereotypes. They have followed a holistic approach to talent development starting from program design (tailored educational programs, never seen before, backed up with global accreditations), to strategic partner selection, talent oversight, and securing job placements post-graduation, employing a comprehensive approach that ensures Saudi talents are not only trained but also thrive in their future roles at the Red Sea Project and its destinations.

Specifically, Bunyan Academy, located in KING Abdullah Economic city, contributes to the development of the hospitality and tourism industry, fostering collaboration with EHL to deliver cutting-edge human capital development solutions through the VET by EHL program.

Together, Red Sea Global and Bunyan Academy have reached a noteworthy achievement in this ongoing partnership within the hospitality industry, which is the emergence of the first Saudi female butlers. In a recent interview, we had the privilege of gaining insights from these trailblazing individuals who mark a significant milestone in the evolution of gender roles in the Saudi workforce.

1. What motivated you to become a butler, and how did you overcome any challenges or barriers you faced along the way?

Ms. Reem Alyami: At first, I was unfamiliar with the responsibilities of a butler - or even it being a possible avenue for a Saudi woman. Through persistent inquiries with my teachers and research, I gained insight into the unique role that butlers play in a hotel. I definitely identified with the part of a conductor, orchestrating various services at the hotel to meet the specific needs of guests. And furthermore, I felt confident that my strength, my assertiveness, and determination would be my driving force to overcome any obstacles that come my way and help me be successful in going above and beyond to deliver excellence service.

2. Please tell us about the training programs you underwent to acquire the necessary skills for this profession.

Ms. Haneen Ali Alqadi: The profession of butler is very new in Saudi Arabia, and therefore I felt pressure to live up to the expectations - and a little scared at first, to be honest. The VET by EHL program I attended at Bunyan played a crucial role in shaping me into a well-rounded professional and giving me confidence. As butlers, I find myself taking on diverse roles such as housekeeping, food and beverage management, or laundry services for my guests. This experience has not only broadened my skill set, but has also equipped me to handle various situations with responsibility, professionalism, efficiency, and dare I say CARE for the customer.

3. How do you envision your role as a butler contributing to the overall progress and economic prosperity of Saudi Arabia?

Ms. Reem Alyami: As a trailblazer in this newly established role for Saudi ladies, I recognize the pioneering nature of my position. In the absence of established precedents, I've faced the challenge of not being able to seek guidance from other professionals. Nevertheless, I embrace this opportunity to push boundaries. My vision for the role of a butler extends beyond individual service  I aspire to be a role model for future female butlers, setting the standard for excellence and contributing to the progressive evolution of Saudi Arabia's hospitality landscape. Through my commitment to impeccable service, I aim to inspire and pave the way for other Saudi women to excel in similar roles, thereby making a meaningful contribution to the overall progress and economic prosperity of the country.

4. In what ways do you believe your presence as a female butler challenges traditional gender norms in Saudi society? Have you faced any resistance or skepticism from individuals or families regarding your choice of profession? If so, how did you handle it?

Ms. Haneen Ali Alqadi: Saudi Arabia has undergone rapid transformations in recent years, reshaping societal norms and redefining the role of women. While these swift changes have been embraced by many, it's clear that not everyone can easily discard the past. I vividly recall my initial encounter with a guest at the hotel, who expressed surprise at having a female butler. However, as they witnessed my commitment and dedication, their perception shifted, and they became incredibly supportive.

Beyond the challenges posed by societal shifts, the unwavering support of our families has played a pivotal role in facilitating this transformative journey. Their encouragement empowered me to pursue education, enroll in the VET by EHL program at Bunyan, and eventually embark on my role as a butler. It's a testament to the collective efforts driving change and the importance of familial support in navigating these profound transitions.

5. What are some unique skills and qualities you bring to your role as a butler?

Ms. Reem Alyami: Beyond the obvious multitasking and organization skills this role requires; personally, I believe in the utmost importance of understanding a guest's emotions; they become like my family throughout their entire stay. Knowing what they require at different times and providing them with that experience contributes to a memorable stay they will cherish for a lifetime.

Ms. Haneen Ali Alqadi: Impeccable observation skills are paramount for me, requiring constant attention. While this is crucial, providing solutions to even the smallest issues is what sets me apart in my profession. I firmly believe that addressing every detail, coupled with my hospitality skills, is what makes me excel in my role as a butler."

6. Can you share any memorable experiences or interactions you've had while working as a butler?

Ms. Reem Alyami: I'm relatively new to the operations, and recently, I had the chance to engage with our first set of guests. Among them was a delightful small family with an adorable toddler, dressed in a beautiful rainbow-colored outfit. When I inquired about her preferences, she shared that rainbow colors were her absolute favorite. Taking this to heart, I decided to craft a surprise  a rainbow-colored plate filled with an assortment of candies. The joy on her face and the family's elation turned this gesture into an unforgettable experience. They even expressed their happiness by wanting to capture the moment in pictures, a request I gladly fulfilled. The smiles on their faces, especially the little girl's, truly made my day.

7. How do you balance your professional responsibilities as a butler with your personal life and family obligations?

Ms. Haneen Ali Alqadi: The hospitality industry requires a substantial amount of personal time and commitment, operating incessantly without breaks for holidays or celebrations. As a butler, I am committed to providing tailored support to my clients' unique needs, making myself available 24/7. This poses a dual challenge. First, in maintaining a consistent level of attention to detail, courtesy, and discretion for our clients, whose appreciation makes the extended hours worthwhile. Second, in managing relationships with family and friends who must adapt to my unconventional schedule. I must express deep gratitude to my family for their remarkable accommodation and unwavering encouragement; I couldn't be more thankful to them.

8. Do you see yourself as a role model for other Saudi women aspiring to enter non-traditional professions? If so, how do you hope to inspire them?

Ms. Reem Alyami: I certainly hope I can someday be a role model. I feel a profound responsibility not just to myself, but to my entire country, Saudi Arabia. I hope that the unique opportunity that was given to me will open the door to many more women, and that I will become an inspiration for women to enter unconventional professions. Through my journey of breaking barriers and challenging norms, I hope to instill in them the confidence and determination to pursue their dreams fearlessly. I want to convey that every woman has the potential to excel in any field she chooses, and by doing so, we collectively contribute to the progress and diversity of our nation.

9. What advice would you give to young Saudi women who are considering pursuing a career path that challenges societal norms?

Ms. Haneen Ali Alqadi: By sharing our experiences, we aim to inspire young Saudi women to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Success is a journey, often accompanied by setbacks and learning curves. The path to challenging societal norms may not be easy, but the rewards are worth the effort. Therefore, we advocate for resilience and tenacity, urging aspiring individuals to persist in the face of obstacles.

Ms. Reem Alyami: We will pave the way and serve as your guiding force. Count on us, and you are welcome to reach out anytime. We are committed to making ourselves available to any woman who has questions or wishes to delve deeper into the role of a butler. We aim to provide the guidance and mentorship that we didn't have - except from our teachers - when embarking on this new and groundbreaking role.

This remarkable achievement serves as a testament to the significance of adopting a comprehensive policy approach to address gender equality and empower women. By tackling obstacles that hinder women's employment, such as balancing work and family responsibilities and transportation issues, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a notable increase in women's participation in the labor force. From 2016 to 2019, there has been a remarkable rise of nearly five percentage points, from 17.7% to 23.2%, and the country is well on its way to achieving its target by 2030.

EHL Hospitality Business School

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+41 21 785 1354

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Sheraton Hotel McKinney

CBRE Hotels, as sole and exclusive agent for the owner, has been retained to offer for sale the fee-simple interest (with the leasehold interest in the Event Center) in the 187-room Sheraton McKinney. Positioned at the intersection of two prominent thoroughfares in the northern Dallas MSA, North Central Expressway (US-75) and Sam Rayburn Tollway (SH-121), the Hotel enjoys proximity to the Collin County Higher Education and Administration Center, Emerson Process Management, and several exciting developments. In addition, the Property is conveniently located near a rich array of both corporate and leisure demand drivers, including Medical City McKinney, McKinney ISD Stadium, and neighboring North Dallas corporations. This offering represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire a strategically located, cash-flowing, high quality full-service hotel in a thriving and fast-growing Dallas submarket, available unencumbered of debt and management.

Investment Highlights

Well-Built, High-Quality Asset Offered Well-Below Replacement Cost - Opened in 2015, the Sheraton McKinney was originally designed and built as a Westin. As a result, the upscale, full-service Hotel embodies an inviting contemporary aesthetic unique for the Sheraton brand. The Property further solidifies its premier market positioning as it is the only full-service Marriott-branded hotel in McKinney.

Opened in 2015, the Sheraton McKinney was originally designed and built as a Westin. As a result, the upscale, full-service Hotel embodies an inviting contemporary aesthetic unique for the Sheraton brand. The Property further solidifies its premier market positioning as it is the only full-service Marriott-branded hotel in McKinney. Strategic Location Proximate to Diversified Demand Drivers - Located at the intersection of two major thoroughfares in the northern Dallas MSA, North Central Expressway (US-75) and Sam Rayburn Tollway (SH-121), the 187-room Sheraton McKinney offers convenient access to key hotel demand generators, including the Credit Union of Texas Event Center, Collin College, Craig Ranch, Medical City McKinney, and McKinney ISD Stadium. Furthermore, the Property is also within a short distance to the areas diverse array of restaurants and vibrant mixed-use developments, including Hub 121 and District 121. Additionally, major development projects such as McKinney 121 and Ridgeline Plaza McKinney will further drive demand to the area.

- Located at the intersection of two major thoroughfares in the northern Dallas MSA, North Central Expressway (US-75) and Sam Rayburn Tollway (SH-121), the 187-room Sheraton McKinney offers convenient access to key hotel demand generators, including the Credit Union of Texas Event Center, Collin College, Craig Ranch, Medical City McKinney, and McKinney ISD Stadium. Furthermore, the Property is also within a short distance to the areas diverse array of restaurants and vibrant mixed-use developments, including Hub 121 and District 121. Additionally, major development projects such as McKinney 121 and Ridgeline Plaza McKinney will further drive demand to the area. Premier Events Hotel in the Market Driving Strong F&B Revenues - The Sheraton offers an impressive 16,310 square feet of well-appointed meeting and event space, far surpassing the competitors in the lodging market. With the tremendous amount of pent-up demand for weddings and other special events, coupled with the robust return of corporate event demand to the market, the Hotel is well positioned to capture significant existing demand in the market, as well as new business as corporate events continue to ramp back up.

In-Place Cash Flow with Market Share Upside through the Completion of the PIP - In 2021, the Sheraton recorded a 112.3 RevPAR index to the comp set and achieved a RevPAR ranking of 3 out of 8 hotels. However, as new supply has entered the submarket, the Propertys positioning has fallen. In 2023, the Hotel posted a 106.0 RevPAR index to the comp set, ranking 5 of 8 hotels. With a refreshed product following the completion of the PIP, and given the limited new supply in the pipeline, the Sheraton will be able to increase its market positioning by capitalizing on the strong corporate, group, and leisure demand in the market and drive top-line revenue.



In 2021, the Sheraton recorded a 112.3 RevPAR index to the comp set and achieved a RevPAR ranking of 3 out of 8 hotels. However, as new supply has entered the submarket, the Propertys positioning has fallen. In 2023, the Hotel posted a 106.0 RevPAR index to the comp set, ranking 5 of 8 hotels. With a refreshed product following the completion of the PIP, and given the limited new supply in the pipeline, the Sheraton will be able to increase its market positioning by capitalizing on the strong corporate, group, and leisure demand in the market and drive top-line revenue.  Dynamic and Thriving Economic Landscape with Continued Growth - DFW is the fourth largest metro in the U.S. and given the tremendous growth in the area, it is projected to bypass Chicago within the next 10 years. Contributing about one-third of Texas GDP, the areas economy is the most diverse in the state. DFW's central location, affordable living costs, favorable business environment, world-class cultural institutions, advanced healthcare facilities, universities, and extensive infrastructure network draw corporations and job seekers to relocate to the area.

- DFW is the fourth largest metro in the U.S. and given the tremendous growth in the area, it is projected to bypass Chicago within the next 10 years. Contributing about one-third of Texas GDP, the areas economy is the most diverse in the state. DFW's central location, affordable living costs, favorable business environment, world-class cultural institutions, advanced healthcare facilities, universities, and extensive infrastructure network draw corporations and job seekers to relocate to the area. Premium Full-Service Sheraton Branding and Globally Recognized Marriott Affiliation - The Sheraton McKinney is one of the top performing Sheratons in the Marriott system. Established in 1937, Sheraton became part of the worlds largest hotel company through the merger of Starwood Hotels and Resorts with Marriott International in 2016. As such, the Hotel benefits from the global Marriott Bonvoy program, a premier loyalty program and global distribution system, comprising 177 million members.

For inquiries visit here.
Charlottesville police have charged a man with a pair of attacks on the Rivanna River Trail, but in the course of their work they have sealed their search warrant, refused to return the suspects telephone a week after seizing it and have not submitted a written criminal complaint.

Thats concerning at least one legal analyst.

I find it highly unusual that so much information is concealed in a misdemeanor case, David Heilberg, who is a veteran defense attorney and the co-editor of a book on Virginia legal procedures, told The Daily Progress. Its really unusual to hide the ball on a misdemeanor.

Police alerted the public to two alleged assaults on the popular riverside trail the day they reportedly occurred: Jan. 12. Asking for the publics help to bring the assailant to justice, they issued a description of their suspect: a thin White male, 20 or 30 years of age and standing about 6-foot-2.

Six days later, police announced that they had arrested a man. Though no injuries were reported and theres been no mention of sexual assault in public documents, the charging paperwork suggests that police are treating the case like a sexual assault, with the name of one reported victim reduced to her initials: J.L. The name and likeness of the alleged perpetrator, meanwhile, has been widely disseminated: 37-year-old, 6-foot-4 technology worker Patrick Joseph McNamara.

However much he may physically resemble the suspects description, McNamara claims innocence. In an interview with The Daily Progress after his initial court appearance earlier this week, he said he was 100% innocent and asserted that GPS-powered location data in his seized phone as well as colleagues who were on a video conference call with him at the reported time of the attacks would exonerate him.

Police have declined to say whether they have contacted any of these possible witnesses. They have also declined to say how McNamara became their prime suspect.

Everyone is innocent until proven guilty, was all that Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis told The Daily Progress.

But already the landlord at McNamaras home has rendered a verdict. The company has demanded that he immediately leave his River Road apartment  but still pay rent.

Failure to vacate the premises on or before January 27, 2024 will result in legal action being filed against you, reads the Jan. 24 notice sent by Sarah Drumheller of Management Services Corporation. We will expect payment in full monthly.

An MSC spokesman subsequently told The Daily Progress the company values safety above all else.

MSC never makes the decision to terminate a lease agreement lightly, Stephen Colvin wrote in an email. Decisions of this magnitude are made by MSCs executive leadership team only after careful consideration of all available information and based on guidance from legal counsel.

Faced with the prospect of fighting eviction proceedings on top of an impending criminal court battle, McNamara said he may move in with a friend in Maryland if he can get his bail conditions amended to let him leave the commonwealth.

McNamara is a fairly recent arrival to Charlottesville. Hes been living in the city with his fiancee. His work as a senior director in business intelligence and analytics for a Boston-area software firm allows him to work remotely. Getting branded the Rivanna Trail attacker was not where he expected life would take him.

McNamara said that he cant understand how he could have been identified as the suspect since the only photograph police seemed to have of him prior to his arrest was an unclear image.

It was a side-face shot with me in headphones, he told The Daily Progress in an email. I do not know where it came from.

He said he was never asked to stand in a lineup. While such assemblies are typical of hard-boiled fiction, lineups are no longer common practice. Identifications today are more typically accomplished with a face-to-face meeting between a witness and a suspect called a showup. Even more common, Heilberg said, is the practice of police showing a sequential set of photographs.

They are supposed to do sequential photographs so as not to bias the witness, said Heilberg, who penned a chapter on identification procedures in Defending Criminal Cases in Virginia, a handbook for lawyers.

A terrible way to secure an identification would be showing a witness a single photograph, he said.

It doesnt disqualify the identification, but it makes it less reliable, said Heilberg. And misidentification is one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions.

Heilberg devoted a section of his legal handbook to a North Carolina case  a horror story, he calls it  in which the witnesses to one mans alibis were ignored for 44 years while he was wrongfully imprisoned.

McNamara isnt incarcerated, and hes urging police to keep it that way while they call his witnesses.

While hes free on $5,000 unsecured bail, he said that he has already had to step away from his job to focus on his defense.

Scott Goodman, another legal expert, said that police were understandably eager to reassure the public with a vigorous investigation after two attacks reportedly perpetrated by a stranger on the same day in the same area on a popular trail in the city.

Most of the cases that we see in court are people who know each other, said Goodman. But any case of stranger assault makes everyone afraid because anyone is a potential victim.

Goodman contends that the six days that elapsed between the day of the assaults and the day of McNamaras arrest suggest that police took their time and may have even consulted with the Charlottesville Commonwealths Attorneys Office.

I would guess that the commonwealth attorney thought there was sufficient evidence to charge this person, but probable cause and proven beyond a reasonable doubt are two different things, Goodman said.

Charlottesville Commonwealths Attorney Joe Platania, who typically avoids pre-trial comment, declined to address that assertion.

Still, fellow legal analyst Heilberg said hes troubled by all the secrecy which, McNamara said, included not receiving a copy of the affidavit that led to the search warrant on his apartment nor an inventory of his possessions that police seized.

Its definitely peculiar, said Heilberg. Hopefully theyll have some explanation at some point. Whether its a good one, I dont know.
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Some flurries this morning. Then cloudy skies through the afternoon. High 39F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 29F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.
Hudson, NY (12534)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. High 46F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A few flurries are possible. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Dalton Fire District Seeks to Renegotiate Ladder Truck Contract

DALTON, Mass.  The Board of Water Commissioners voted on Tuesday to have its internal legal team negotiate a new contract for a fire truck with Northern Fire Equipment.

The fire truck was ordered in late 2022 but its delivery date has been changed at least four time. Northern Fire Equipment has said staffing shortages, change orders and unexpected mechanical malfunctions have contributed to the delay.

The board, which oversees the Fire District, said the new contract would include the stipulation that the ladder truck must be done by April or May, and monthly reports with photos must be submitted to the Fire District.

The contract also would include a requirement that the truck pass various state tests, including a ladder certification test, state Department of Transportation roadworthiness test, and a commercial vehicle inspection.

If the ladder truck is not complete by May 15, the board voted to transfer the remaining amount of the American Rescue Plan Act funds back to the town.

The town must spend its ARPA funds by the end of fiscal 2024, June 30, or lose the money.

In 2022, the Select Board approved the transfer of $119,500 in ARPA funds to the Fire District for the purchase of the refurbished ladder truck.

A down payment of $77,000 was paid to Northern Fire Equipment on Oct.18, 2022. The district is holding the remaining $42,500 in a separate account.

Although the board was not "thrilled" with the decision it seemed like the most feasible and quickest option. The commissioners had three options to consider: go to court to attempt to reclaim the $77,000, take the truck, or do nothing.

"In New York State we can't attach legal fees to a lawsuit. So, whatever the legal costs are the Fire District will incur," Chair James Driscoll said.

"And [Harris Beach Attorneys at Law in Pittsford, N.Y.] have warned me that even if we get a settlement there's no way, even with a judgment against them, that we can get them to actually pay."

Harris Beach gave the district a quote of a $3,000 retainer and between $280 and $400 an hour depending on what they have to do. There were other price ranges but that was the biggest range they had, Driscoll said.

If the district were to have gone ahead with the lawsuit, the district's lawyer and the New York attorneys said the district has a strong case and "there shouldn't be any problems," he said.

"It doesn't matter whether we win this case or not. It's whether or not [the owner] has the money to give to us and if he doesn't, he'll just drag this out forever or just close down," Driscoll said.

Based on conversations with the owner, he said the shop is not working on any other projects so there's no reason not to complete the truck for the price agreed on, $119,500.

"We can move ahead with this as a legal matter or we can turn around and entertain the thought of getting something for the $77,000 that we already paid Northeast Fire," Driscoll said.

The owner's stance is that the truck belongs to the district. But it cannot be driven because of its condition. If the district decided it did not want to take the truck, the owner wants it out of the shop.

Commissioners questioned this as they never signed anything accepting the truck unless Town Hall signed something when it sent the down payment.

The biggest problem is that they do not know, Driscoll said. Town Hall will be contacted for information but the renegotiation will also provide them the paperwork that they are lacking.

"[The owner] wants [the truck] out if we're not going to do anything with it. They haven't done anything because we said we started legal action with our lawyers," Driscoll said.

Interim Fire Chief Robert Czerwinski asked what Northern Fire Equipment's insurance company has to say and if they are interested in settling.

"I would think that he's covered by some type of professional liability, and he didn't produce," Czerwinski said.

He also recommended that the district ask Northern Fire to show them the paperwork where it says the district owns the truck.

Although she isn't certain, Melanie Roucoulet, district treasurer and clerk, said she believes the previous contract included a stipulation that if the truck was not complete by a certain time then they would be given a discount. Roucoulet will look into this further.

Board members expressed a number of concerns regarding the truck's condition, including the uncertainty of how long the ladder truck would last when they did receive it.

"Well, I got mixed emotions. They've had it for two years, and theyve done nothing to it. I would hate to see what the truck looks like once they fixed it, sent it to us, and we had to pay the whole thing," board member Camillus B. Cachat Jr. said.

The employees who went to inspect the truck recommended the district not take it, Driscoll said.

"It will be a running truck when we get it. It will be completely finished the way they agreed originally," he said.

"And I only explored [the renegotiation option] because I'm not really thrilled with the thought of not getting anything back to the district and putting out best estimate guess of somewhere between $25,000 and $30,000 for legal fees to try to get the money."

Renegotiating a contract would also be a quicker process because the situation would be resolved in April or May, while a lawsuit would likely take longer, Driscoll said.

When asked his thoughts, Czerwinski said he was not certain how long the truck would last but was skeptical that it would make it through the year.

"I would think 30 to 90 days is going to be, probably about the max that you would get. I dont think you would get a year," he said.

Czerwinski reiterated that is why the truck needs to pass various inspections before they accept it.
Governor Launches Funding for Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund

BOSTON  The Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) launched the "Immediate Needs Grant Program," the inaugural program that will provide financial assistance from the state's Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund.

The first of its kind in Massachusetts, this new grant program will make financial assistance available for cannabis entrepreneurs from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. The program aims to increase equity and opportunity within state's regulated marijuana industry.

This funding round will make $2.3 million available to support qualified cannabis business license holders with urgent financial needs. It will be the first of several programs, which will launch as additional resources become available in the Trust Fund.

"The Cannabis Social Equity Fund was created to ensure that communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana regulations have an equal opportunity to engage in this new industry," said Governor Maura Healey. "The programs enabled by this fund highlights our commitment to supporting Social Equity businesses and will help strengthen the industry and our economy."

The Legislature enacted the enabling law for this program in August 2022. As part of the FY23 closeout supplemental budget enacted in November 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration partnered with the Legislature to resolve technical issues affecting the funding mechanism.

EOED is charged with administering the Fund, in consultation with the Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board. The Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board met five times in 2023 to help inform trust fund regulations and program development.

"For the past year, I've had the honor of working alongside my fellow board members to educate, advise and discuss the important, strategic, and beneficial topics and areas that we believed should be captured in regulating the fund and application process," said Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board Chair Keisha Brice. "The Social Equity Trust Fund will play a crucial role in upholding the Commonwealth of Massachusetts promise to support people and communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. In partnership with the EOED I believe what we have drafted is a reflection of a fair process that is equitable, commits to our fiduciary responsibilities and still allows room for growth as the industry evolves and we learn from this initial process. I look forward to our ongoing commitment to making an impact on what social equity in cannabis looks like in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and I encourage everyone to continue advocating for change as there's more work to be done."

The Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund was established by MGL Chapter 94G: Section 14A to encourage the full participation in the state's regulated marijuana industry of entrepreneurs from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement.

The Immediate Needs Grant Program will distribute grants from the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund to Massachusetts social equity entrepreneurs and businesses. EOED plans to launch additional programs later in 2024 to further support social equity in the cannabis industry.
Authorities say an Albany resident was shot in the head by his girlfriend.

The victim, 30-year-old Lucas Allen Forbes, is reportedly in critical condition.

Albany Police Department officers arrested Hami W. Lee, 34, on domestic violence charges, including second-degree assault, menacing and unlawful weapon use, according to a news release from the agency.

Podcasts 'A Place to Sleep' podcast: Catch all the episodes here Our podcast, A Place to Sleep, explores how Oregon cities are responding to a new law that is meant to provide homeless individuals a place to rest.

Forbes roommate called 911 shortly after 2 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, to report the shooting, which occurred at a residence in the 600 block of 34th Avenue Southeast in Albany, the release states.

Responding officers found Forbes near the front door of the home with a gunshot wound to the head, according to the release, which states Albany Fire Department members performed life-saving measures and took Forbes to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis.

Police contacted Lee, who reportedly cooperated with investigators at the scene. She was later taken into custody.

A handgun was used in the shooting, according to Laura Hawkins, public information officer with the Albany Police Department.

The Albany Police Department is thankful for the cooperation of the roommate for reporting domestic violence, and the Albany Fire Department and medical staff who provided care for the victim, the news release states.

The police department encourages anyone involved in a domestic violence situation or who knows of such a situation to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or a local law enforcement agency.

The Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence has a 24-hour crisis and support line and is local to Linn and Benton counties: 541-754-0110 or toll free at 800-927-0197

If you have information regarding the shooting, contact the detective unit at 541-917-7688 and reference APD Case No. 24-00473.
Last year, the Boys & Girls Club of Albany opened a satellite site at Waverly Elementary School, making use of the gym and cafeteria to host programs.

Next school year, the Boys & Girls Club hopes to open its own facility right on the property.

Earlier this week, the Greater Albany Public Schools school board approved a ground lease agreement with the organization. The move paves the way for the local chapter to construct its own building on the southwest corner of the Waverly Elementary property on Columbus Street.

Podcasts 'A Place to Sleep' podcast: Catch all the episodes here Our podcast, A Place to Sleep, explores how Oregon cities are responding to a new law that is meant to provide homeless individuals a place to rest.

Shawn Rubesh, the chapter's board vice-president, told school board members on Jan. 22 the proposed 3,000 square-foot, one-story space consisting of two classrooms, a tech lab, a restroom and office, would ease commute concerns for parents and allow the club to serve more students.

"This really just provides us with more space," Rubesh said.

The Boys & Girls Club of Albany, which runs programs at the Ron Loney campus at 1215 Hill Street SE, partnered with GAPS in early 2023 to host programs at Waverly as a satellite site.

At the time, the local chapter said they noticed a lack of Waverly students participating in their programming. GAPS teachers and administrators found transportation was a key hurdle for parents, with buses taking students to the Ron Loney campus, but not back  hence the push for a school-based site.

Waverly Club director Brandon Ward said 67 students are now enrolled in the Waverly site, with around 44 students participating in programs each day, whether they take place at the school's cafeteria, gym, stage or outdoor space.

At the Jan. 22 school board meeting, Rubesh told board members the club's goal was to serve as many as 125 to 150 children. He cited limited school space and transportation concerns as continuing barriers.

"It isn't that the school district won't bring the kids to us," Rubesh said. "It's their parents don't have the ability to bring the kids back home at 6 or 7 p.m. at night." He added that a new facility would allow children to walk home.

Waverly Elementary is a Title I school with over 95% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunches.

"It's a very high needs school," Ward told Mid-Valley Media.

He said Boys & Girls Club programs specifically help Waverly students with socio-emotional skills, a big focus after the pandemic. On top of after-school instructional time, participating students also get snacks and a dinner at 3 p.m. each day.

"For a lot of our kids, that's their last meal of the day," Ward said.

The idea for a new space took shape last fall, according to the ground lease agreement included in the school board meeting packet, which also included draft plans for the proposed building.

The building, however, is still in its design phase with no cost estimates yet, Ward said.

Rubesh told school board members GAPS wouldn't be footing the bill and that construction is planned to start this spring.

With school board approval, next steps for the Boys & Girls Club include surveying the land and finalizing the building's design, Ward said.

"It was definitely good news just to be able to keep the process going along," he said.
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Jennifer Lopez is set to produce a big-screen adaptation of popular childrens series Bob the Builder.

The film project is being developed by Mattel, who own the rights to Bob the Builder and who enjoyed blockbuster success with last years Barbie.

Bob the Builder first debuted on CBBC 25 years ago, but the new film is set to update his story.

The plot, from a script by Felipe Vargas, will see Roberto, or Bob, travel to Puerto Rico for a major construction job, where he takes on issues affecting the island and digs deeper into what it means to build.

Anthony Ramos, whose credits include In the Heights, will play Bob.

In a statement, Robbie Brenner, president of Mattel Films said: Pairing Anthony and Felipes genius vision for the story will capture this beloved character in a manner that audiences who grew up with Bob will recognise, and all-new audiences will enjoy.

Bob the Builder (left) and Jennifer Lopez (Getty)

Ramos, who is also producing alongside Lopez, said some parts of the film were inspired by his own life.

For years, Bob the Builders characters have inspired young people around the world, said Ramos. A movie about friends working together, a celebration of a beautiful home they share, and how love can help to conquer any obstacle in your way. Can we fix it? Yes, we can!

Bob the Builder first aired on CBBC between 1999 and 2011 and featured the titular masonry specialist and his colleague Wendy taking on a variety of construction jobs.

The animated series was a success worldwide, often with a country-specific voice cast. In 2011, Bob was sold along with Thomas & Friends to Mattel for $680m.

Mattel has been keen to capitalise on further properties following the success of Greta Gerwigs Barbie. Earlier this week, that film was nominated for a total of eight Oscars, including Best Picture.

The Academys failure to nominate Gerwig for Best Director or Margot Robbie for Best Actress has been widely debated, with even former US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton wading into the debate.

In her five-star review of Barbie, The Independents Clarisse Loughrey wrote: Barbie is one of the most inventive, immaculately crafted and surprising mainstream films in recent memory  a testament to what can be achieved within even the deepest bowels of capitalism.

Its timely, too, arriving a week after the creative forces behind these stories began striking for their right to a living wage and the ability to work without the threat of being replaced by an AI. Its a pink-splattered manifesto to the power of irreplaceable creative labour and imagination.
The Army Corps of Engineers is under scrutiny by state environmental regulators for its actions in the court-ordered drawdown of Green Peter Reservoir.

On Dec. 14, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality sent the Army Corps a pre-enforcement notice, alleging that the Corps has violated the states water quality standards due to the increased turbidity caused by the Green Peter drawdown.

Turbidity is the murkiness of a liquid.

Upon investigation, DEQ determined that the turbid discharge was a direct result of the Green Peter Dam drawdown, the letter states.

The drawdown has been a source of mounting concern among Linn County residents and local government officials, including thousands of dead fish, decreased water quality and hefty costs to ensure clean drinking water.

The alleged violations include pollution of state waters and reducing the water below water quality standards in what are classified as Class 1 violations, the most serious violations the DEQ issues.

The drawdown of Green Peter Reservoir generated a discharge of sediment that was released into the Middle Santiam River and conveyed to Foster Lake, the South Santiam River, the Calapooia River, and entered the Willamette River, the letter states. All of which are listed on DEQs impaired waters list and are designated as essential salmonid habitat by the state of Oregon.

The discharge of sediment can pollute waters by introducing contaminants and increase turbidity that can be detrimental to aquatic species and habitat, according to the letter.

The violations are based on an investigation prompted by a Nov. 3 complaint that informed the environmental regulators of a turbid plume entering the Calapooia River from the Albany Water and Hydroelectric Plant.

Usually when water comes to the Albany Water and Hydroelectric Plant, it has a turbidity between 4 to 20 nephelometric turbidity units in the fall before it is treated. But the turbidity of the reported plume was between 120 to 169 NTUs in November, said Albany Public Works Director Chris Bailey.

For comparison, Albanys drinking water is typically in the 0.03 to 0.04 NTU range after being treated.

Since the drawdown to historic levels, the turbidity has gradually returned to normal as the reservoir began to fill up again in December, Bailey said.

The complaint of the plume was one of seven incident reports, a public records request with the DEQ revealed. Three of the complaints were confidential and many were filed by Sweet Home residents.

The state ordered the Army Corps to take corrective action by submitting a comprehensive study identifying best management practices to reduce or eliminate water quality impacts during future drawdowns, and to perform a comprehensive sediment sampling and data analysis.

According to the letter, these actions must be completed by April 1.

DEQ determined that the U.S. Army Corps violated Oregon environmental law with the drawdown of Green Peter Reservoir, said DEQ Public Affairs Specialist Dylan Darling via email.

Army Corps caused pollution of waters of the state and reduced water quality to below state standards, he said.

The agency supports the goal of aiding the passage of salmon but noted the Army Corps, who is responsible for managing the site, had the duty to meet state and local water quality standards, according to Darling.

Army Corps also has a responsibility to communicate and coordinate with state and local officials, to provide an opportunity for affected communities to plan for potential impacts to drinking water resources caused by the drawdown, he said.

Darling said the agency is currently evaluating the appropriate enforcement response for the violations identified in the pre-enforcement notice.

When Mid-Valley Media reached out to the Army Corps of Engineers, this response was given:

"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District acknowledges the communication from Heather Tugaw of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality regarding reported turbid conditions in the Middle Santiam, South Santiam, and Calapooia Rivers. The communication is under review," said Army Corps Public Affairs Specialist John Morgan.

Mounting concerns

Last summer, the Army Corps of Engineers began to draw down Green Peter reservoir, the body of water behind the Green Peter Dam, in compliance with a 2021 court injunction.

The court order is designed to aid endangered salmon species as they migrate to the ocean. Willamette River Chinook salmon and steelhead populations have been declining for decades.

Environmentalist groups have attributed this decline in part to the presence of eight dams in the basin, which are all operated by the Army Corps.

The environmentalist-group plaintiffs allege the Army Corps failed to implement required measures to address fish passage and other harmful impacts from the dams and were in violation with the Endangered Species Act.

U.S. District Court Judge Marco Hernandez signed the drawdown order, attempting to accommodate endangered salmon species migrating from hatching grounds in the mountain creeks above the dam to the Willamette River, and eventually to the Pacific Ocean.

Army Corps representatives said in a news release that the drawdown wouldnt affect cities water supply.

But many cities in Linn County saw their water quality take a nose-dive. Sweet Homes public works department used more chlorine to keep drinking water clean. Meanwhile, city residents said the water tasted like bleach and appeared to have a yellow tint.

Before that, thousands of stocked fish were found floating dead south of the reservoir. Kokanee, a type of land-locked salmon, had undergone barotrauma  the damage caused when gasses expanded in their bodies as they swam from relatively high-pressure water, near the bottom of the reservoir, into a low-pressure system used to control the reservoirs level.

Taking action

Since then, dozens of local leaders banded together to convince Gov. Tina Kotek to have Oregon cover the $45 million or more in chemical costs used to clean city drinking water.

The Army Corps is refilling the reservoir after the scheduled drawdown ended in December. It is not yet clear how recent events may shape future drawdowns at Green Peter Reservoir.

Staff writer Cody Mann contributed to this article.
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China has revealed that a British businessman who disappeared from public view five years ago was secretly convicted of espionage charges in 2022.

The 70-year-old consultant, identified as Ian J Stones, was found guilty of committing the crime of illegally obtaining intelligence, a spokesperson for the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs said on Friday.

Mr Stones, who has spent around four decades working in China with major US firms such as General Motors and Pfizer, disappeared from public view in 2018, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. He had also established a Beijing-based investment management consulting firm 15 years ago, it said.

The reason for his disappearance was not known and the spying charges were officially confirmed for the first time by the Chinese government on Friday after a question was raised about the WSJ report in the briefing.

Mr Stones had reportedly appealed against the sentencing, but the ruling was upheld in September of the same year.

The secret detention and subsequent conviction will add to fears among foreign executives about visiting and residing in China.

Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the court had tried the case strictly in accordance with the law, adding that Beijing had fully guaranteed the various legitimate rights and arranged for British officials to visit him and attend his trial.

Mr Stones daughter told the WSJ that the family has not been allowed to see legal documents related to his arrest. While one family member was permitted to witness some hearings, nobody was allowed in the actual trial.

The revelation comes as concerns grow over the arrests of foreign nationals in China over spying charges. Earlier this month, another British citizen was detained by Chinese authorities for allegedly spying for Britains foreign intelligence service, MI6.

Beijing has launched public campaigns to raise awareness of foreign spying and encourage citizens to report suspicious activities.

Recently, the authorities have raided the offices of three foreign companies, two consultancies and one due diligence firm, increasing concerns among businesses owned by foreign nationals.

Both the US and the UK have warned their citizens about the risk of arrests in China under its national security laws.

You may be detained without having intended to break the law, the UK says in its foreign travel advice for the country.

However, the UK has maintained its policy of neither confirming nor denying claims related to intelligence issues.
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French president Emmanuel Macron on Friday attended India's Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi and extended his gratitude to the host nation for inviting French troops to participate in the parade.

Mr Macron arrived in India on Wednesday to attend India's 75th Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest.

Seated next to prime minister Narendra Modi, Mr Macron witnessed a march-past by different contingents of the Indian and French armed forces at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi, formerly known as the Rajpath.

"A great honour for France. Thank you, India," Mr Marcon shared on X, along with a video of the French marching contingent.

France last year invited Mr Modi as a guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade in Paris in July, where Mr Macron called India a key player "in our future".

The French prime minister travelled to the western city of Jaipur on Thursday afternoon and met Mr Modi at an 18th-century observatory, where the leaders stood in an open jeep as they were driven for about 1.5 km.

He was welcomed with a shower of rose and marigold petals as he waved at the crowds lining the streets of the popular tourist city.

French President Emmanuel Macron attends Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, India (REUTERS)

Mr Macron later held a meeting at a hotel in Jaipur before leaving for Delhi. However, no immediate official statement was released about the outcome of the meeting, which was expected to be on the lines of defence, economy and the role of France in the Indo-Pacific region.

Discussions around India's plans to purchase 26 French Rafale fighter aircraft for its navy were also on the cards during the visit but sources close to the talks have said they expect the trip to be more ceremonial than substantial in terms of deals done.

India's Defence Acquisition Council last year approved the purchase of the Rafale jets along with three Scorpene submarines, jointly developed by France and Spain.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi walks on the day of Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, India (REUTERS)

France has so far delivered 36 Rafale fighter aircraft ordered by the Indian Air Force, some of which were on display at the air during the Republic Day celebrations. Low visibility due to Delhis chronic winter smog hampered public views of the display, however.

"His presence not only strengthens the ties between our nations but also adds a significant chapter to our shared history of friendship and collaboration," Mr Modi said on social media X of Mr Macron.

France is looking to strengthen cooperation with India, despite frictions over the two countries attitudes toward Russias war on Ukraine. Macron is committed to the pursuit of a closer dialogue with India, a key player on the international scene from a demographic point of view, as well as economic, scientific and diplomatic, his office said in a statement on Wednesday.
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A groom has called out a bridal shop after his wife was asked to pay extra for undergarments to match her Black skin.

Bachelor in Paradise Canada season two star Joey Kirchner recently took to TikTok to alert wedding dress designers of a serious problem with his future wifes recent dress shopping experience.

Kirchner, who met his fiancee Tessa Tookes on the show in 2023, explained that she visited a bridal shop and wanted to purchase a beautiful wedding dress. But when she went to buy the gown, the woman who worked at the unnamed bridal shop told her that the undergarments only come in two options.

The standardised choice is nude, which is free. But if you would like the undergarment to match your skin tone, theres an up charge, Kirchner said in the clip, which has been viewed more than 3.5m times. So youre telling me that its free to be white, but if my bride has a different skin tone than white, she has to pay extra money to get the undergarment to match her skin tone?

He continued: First of all, why is the standard white? How f***ed is it that in 2024, the standard, which is free, is a nude skin tone? Nude can be a lot of different colours, but they decided to make white nude the standard?

Kirchner explained that Tookes was standing in the store awkwardly after she was told she needed to pay extra for the undergarment. Instead of paying the extra fee, which was around $200 more, Tookes decided to order the nude undergarment and dye it herself to match her skin tone.

Wedding dress designers, take goddamn note. This is b******t and you should be called out, he said, adding: Figure it out.

Speaking to The Independent, Tookes - who is set to tie the knot with Kirchner in September this year - explained that she came across her dream dress while scrolling on Instagram. When she discovered a boutique in Ontario, Canada, had carried the gown, she travelled all the way from New York City on 13 January to try it on. The moment that I stepped into it and they buckled it up in the back, I was just speechless and it was the most beautiful thing Id ever worn, Tookes told The Independent.

I really just felt like a bride in the moment. It was stunning, she said.

The undergarments in question were two beige-coloured breast cups that were sewed into the gown. However, if she wanted the brown-coloured breast cups, the bridal shop said she would have to pay more. According to Tookes, employees at the bridal shop didnt hesitate to inform her of the additional fee, which made her feel pretty caught off guard.

Once I heard its an extra charge, I was like, Oh, you know what? Ill just dye them on my own, to try to pivot the conversation because I felt so uncomfortable, she explained. But when she went to the front desk to purchase her dream wedding dress and the brown-coloured undergarments, she noticed that the final cost was around $200 more than the wedding gown with the sewn-in ivory cups.

I just couldnt believe it was happening, Tookes said. Being in a bridal gown and standing in front of sales associates, its your special day, youve got your bridal party there, and then suddenly theyre smacking on this extra charge just because you want to have that illusion bodice experience. Like, I wasnt asking for anything extra or fancy, just literally having the sheer look.

As for her fiance, who wasnt at the bridal shop when the incident occurred, Kirchner believed the extra charge was absolutely ridiculous but didnt expect his video to go absolutely viral. Nevertheless, the couple both understood that the bridal shop experience would resonate with viewers.

When youre navigating an intercultural or interracial relationship, so much of my experience Ive become desensitised to because Im so used to it, Tookes said. To be able to share an experience with Joey who, you know, isnt as privy to the experiences that Black women have when theyre shopping, I think its very new to him and thats why his reaction was so raw and unfiltered.

Joey Kirchner calls out bridal shop after fiancee Tessa Tookes was asked to pay extra for undergarments to match her skin tone (TikTok/@joeyandtessa)

Several people in the comments section of the video agreed that Tookes shouldnt need to pay extra for the undergarments to match her skin tone. The wedding dress store I went to had all undergarment shades free. I didnt realise that wasnt standard, that blows my mind! one TikTok user wrote under the video.

Thats terrible! They should have waived the up charge!! Unbelievable, another person said, while a third user commented: Thank you for feeling this rage with her. This is so validating.

Others took the opportunity to share their own negative experiences while shopping for wedding dresses.

The industry needs change! one person said. Im a plus-size wedding dress designer. Other brands always upcharge for larger sizes. Every size I offer is the same price.

I hate the wedding dress industry. The wedding dress people made me cry because I wasnt a size eight or less, another wrote. And told me I should lose weight before getting married.

Among the top comments, several women of colour expressed how validating it was to hear Tookes perspective because they too have been gaslit into feeling as though their real-life experiences are not as they seem.

Ive definitely, in the last week, been trying to wrap my head around how people can still dispute the argument that its fine to have beige as the standard. That blows my mind, Tookes said. Were in 2024, we know how vast the range of brides is in terms of skin tone. Its just so normalised in our society to expect fairer skin as the norm.

Tookes experience isnt exclusive to the bridal industry either, but also spans across the skincare, hair care, and fashion industries as a whole. Indeed, consumer markets still have a long way to go when it comes to inclusion and diversity in their products, advertising, and ethos.

The boutique later contacted the bride-to-be after her fiances PSA went viral on TikTok and offered to cover the entire cost of the wedding dress. However, Tookes believed that her dream dress is a little tainted due to her shopping experience. Instead, shes considering purchasing a wedding dress from one of the many designers who reached out to her. Ive been contacted by so many designers who want to work with me who are very inclusive in their practices, Tookes said. I think I would rather wear a dress by one of those people.

Since their TikTok went viral, the couple simply hopes that their video will open some peoples eyes to what non-white people experience on a daily basis. Take the time to actually understand something outside of your own personal experience, because I feel like thats largely part of the problem, Kirchner said.

Tookes urged viewers to challenge the standards set by society and understand why these so-called standards exist in the first place. As for brides, she recommended they do [their] research ahead of time in order to work with brands that are more inclusive in their practices.

If youre comfortable advocating for yourself in the moment, do it. If not, lean on people like your fiance, your family, your partners, to support you when you can, she added. Lean on your community.
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For those of us whove been watching the progress of Kia Motors over the decades, the arrival of the EV9 feels like something of a culmination, if not vindication.

The massive EV9 is in fact the biggest Kia ever to be offered on the British market, and its also an impressively advanced design  all-electric, enormously quick (at least in a straight line), super-comfortable and, youll agree, very strikingly styled.

For a firm that started out in the UK in the early 1990s with the little Pride hatchback, a hand-me-down Ford, there is no brand thats made more progress than this one, technologically and commercially. Once a fringe player, and a little disdained, Kia has already sold more than 100,000 units this year  around the same name number as Peugeot and BMW badged cars.

The EV9 has an anxiety-soothing 300-mile-plus benchmark range (Kia)

The EV9 is something of a showcase, even a halo model at the top of the range. For a start, it has great presence. Admittedly the look of the vehicle is a bit of a ripoff of a variety of traditional chunkadelic Jeep and Land Rover styling cues, and even a bit of Volvo with that strong shoulder line along the rear lights, but its a skilfully executed blend nonetheless.

The detailing around the distinctive strip LED headlights and those stunning 19 or 21 alloy wheels are nicely done. Its big but not vulgar, which is quite an achievement for an SUV with premium pretensions.

It can accelerate to 60mph in under six seconds  not bad for a near three-tonne machine (Kia )

Its finest quality is its comfort. The headrest, for example, is more of a pillow than a mere restraint, so cosseting and lovely that you find yourself sinking into it. Bio polyurethane filling I believe  recycled plastic. No matter. I think I enjoyed the same sybaritic thrill in a Rolls Royce or a Range Rover some year ago. Such opulence can now be had in a Kia, and its a small but telling example of how aspirational the brand now is.

THE SPEC Kia EV9 GT-Line S Price: 75,995 (range starts at 64,995) Propulsion: Two electric motor, front and rear, powered by 99.8kWh battery Power (kW): 318 Top speed (mph): 124 0-60 (seconds): 5.3 Economy (miles/kWh): 2.7 Range (miles): 300 CO2 emissions: 0

As a Kia, albeit a relatively expensive one, it offers the full suite of luxury features, including multi-zonal climate control, soft faux leather, two 12.3 screens for the dash and touchscreen controls, a 14-speaker Meridian sound system, and electric front seats with an extendable squab for added leg support  and obviously, theres a massage function thrown in as well.

The only quibble I have with the interior is that the trim only comes in mostly dark, subdued shades; aside from some bright highlights on the seating, its a sombre sort of tone, a little out of keeping with the otherwise upbeat adventurous vibe.

The headrest is more of a pillow  so cosseting and lovely that you find yourself sinking into it (Kia)

The pliant ride completes the limousine-like feel, along with some excellent intuitive driver assistance. Some might find the EV9s warning systems, such as for speed limits and straying out of lane, a bit irritating, but I really dont mind anything that helps keep me safe and lowers the risk of a speeding ticket.

Audible warnings for exceeding speed limits are mandatory now, in any case, which is fine except that the Kias system for detecting them isnt 100 per cent accurate  and I know this because it told me I could do 80 through Inverness, which is unwise as well as illegal. The Kia, by the way, is hardly alone in this  Ive driven a Mazda, Volkswagen and Lexus, to name a few, with the same bad habit. (When linked to an automatic speed limiter, it can occasionally lead to rapid unplanned deceleration, which is actually quite dangerous.)

The detailing around the distinctive strip LED headlights is nicely done (Kia)

I should add that the heads-up display, which projects basic information such as speed readings and satnav instructions onto the windscreen, works very well  you dont take your eyes off the road, and if you find it offered as an option on any car its worth taking.

Technologically, the EV9 is as advanced as anything this side of a Tesla, but it cant defy the laws of physics. Available as a rear-drive or four-wheel drive, in sport mode it can accelerate to 60mph in under six seconds  not bad for a near three-tonne machine. It will do all that with considerable aplomb  no sense of lack of control  and the suspension deals with the sheer bulk flying around a corner pretty well, too. Perhaps most pertinent for many buyers will be the 300-mile-plus benchmark range.

Large and powerful, driving the EV9 brings to mind Newtons second law of motion (Sean OGrady)

But the key to, and penalty for, that range of ability is the size of the battery pack, a near 100kWh unit, which makes up much of the cars bulk. As I was running it through the twistier roads around the Moray Firth I was acutely conscious of one of the few things I can remember from school physics: Force = mass x acceleration, and what putting your foot down in an EV9 at the wrong juncture could yield for anything that got in the way.

More prosaically, cars such as these do hammer roads and old bridges and shed an unhealthy amount of tyre particulates into the air.

With great presence, the EV9 is something of a showcase, even a halo model at the top of the range (Kia)

Overall, though, the EV9 is an endearing affair, and a versatile one. Unlike the Jeeps and the Land Rovers, it aint a true off-roader, but it does have decent ground clearance and settings for mud, snow and sand that should help it survive in the countryside.

It comes with three rows of seats, with six- or seven-seater configurations and the middle row can be rotated to face the rearmost, though not very comfortably. The back row can fold flat for a longer loadspace.

The best of the EV9 range is the base rear-drive model with Air trim, which gives you the best features for the least money. That comes a little later, next year. Its not cheap, but it looks and feels more expensive than it is. For all its move upmarket, Kia still gives good value. Thats comforting too.
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Kylie Jenner and Florence Pugh posed for a sweet photo together at Paris Fashion Week, and fans believe Timothee Chalamet is to thank.

The beauty mogul, 26, and the British actor, 28, were twinning at the Valentino haute couture show on 24 January, where Jenner famously brought her five-year-old daughter Stormi Webster as her date. The pair eagerly snapped photos together before the show, with Jenner pretending to kiss Pughs cheek as the Dont Worry Darling star let out a laugh.

Pugh - who has been a brand ambassador for the French fashion house since last year - wore a sleek, black one-shoulder gown to the fashion show. She paired the look with gold hoop earrings, her signature septum piercing, and a Valentino V motif gold cuff bracelet. Meanwhile, the Kardashians star donned a strapless black dress, complete with large gold earrings and a black fluffy shawl wrapped around her shoulders.

Its no secret that Jenners boyfriend, Timothee Chalamet, has formed a close friendship with Pugh over the years. The actors played love interests in the Greta Gerwig adaptation of Little Women in 2019. Theyre set to star alongside each other once more in the second installment of Dune this March.

Speaking to Variety in November 2022, Chalamet gushed over his former co-star and expressed his excitement to reunite with her in Dune 2. We were joking on set that we keep doing these movies, and we end up together even though we should be ending up with different people, he said about Pugh. Florence is really special. Shes an incredible actor.

Florence Pugh and Kylie Jenner attend Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 in Paris, France (Getty Images)

As for Pugh, she once revealed the endearing nickname she has for the 28-year-old Wonka star. I accidentally called him Timothee Chalamala-bing-bong to his face, she recalled to The Guardian in 2018. He was like: What? And I was like: Nothing!

The Call Me By Your Name star has reportedly been dating the Kylie Cosmetics founder since April 2023. While theyve kept details of their romance private, Chalamet and Jenner made multiple public appearances together over the summer. They confirmed their rumoured relationship in September when they attended a Beyonce concert together, before engaging in public displays of affection at the US Open later that month.

Most recently, Jenner and Chalamet shared a romantic date night at the 2024 Golden Globes. The cameras panned to the couple several times, with viewers capturing them kissing and looking happy together. However, there was one former co-star of Chalamet who was rumoured to have received a less than welcome greeting from his girlfriend.

Selena Gomez, who starred alongside Chalamet in the 2019 rom-com A Rainy Day in New York, was caught gossiping with pals Taylor Swift and Keleigh Teller at the awards ceremony. Several audience cameras captured the moment Gomez appeared to utter the word, No, to which Swift then let out a shocked gasp. In another video, Teller could be heard exclaiming, With Timothee? While its unclear exactly what the group was saying, some people on social media believed that Jenner allegedly told Gomez she was not allowed to take a photo with Chalamet.

Despite the speculation, the actor has since shut down rumours of a feud between the two stars. When asked by TMZ whether he was cool with the Rare Beauty founder, Chalamet responded: Yeah, of course. As for whether there was any beef between Jenner and Gomez, he simply said: No.
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Those looking for love this Valentines Day are being warned about rom-cons in which romance scammers target people on dating apps.

Across the whole of 2023, the average value of a romance scam was approaching 30,000, according to latest figures.

Fraudsters can spend weeks  or even months  grooming their victim before asking for money.

Once the fraudster believes their victim has developed an emotional attachment, this can be a trigger point for requests for money to be made, according to HSBC UK, which saw romance scams worth nearly 6 million attempted across last year.

The cases the bank dealt with remained consistent throughout the year, with between one and two dozen romance scams uncovered each month.

Often, victims lose much more than money, as they believe they are in a committed relationship with the person they are talking to.

In some cases, fraudsters may also persuade people to send explicit images, which they could then use to blackmail the person they have been talking to into handing over money.

Key warning signs to look out for Here are some red flag reminders from HSBC UK for warning signs to look out for when dating online: 1. Rapid emotional attachment While some scammers may take their time, others may try to progress relationships very quickly online. 2. Avoiding meeting face-to-face Scammers often avoid in-person interactions. Be cautious if your online date consistently makes excuses to meet or delays face-to-face encounters. 3. Asking for money Scammers may fabricate emergencies or hardships to manipulate your emotions. Do not send money to someone youve only met online. 4. Being encouraged to lie to your bank A scammer will often ask you to lie to your bank to give them a better chance of the payment not causing suspicion. Scammers will often coach their victim in how to respond to questions that may be asked. But telling the truth gives the bank the best chance of protecting your money  and you receiving money back if you do end up being the victim of a scam. 5. Inconsistencies in what you are told Pay attention to the information shared. Scammers may use different personas across different victims, with conflicting details. 6. Refusal to video chat If your online connection consistently avoids video interactions, it could be a red flag. 7. High-pressure tactics Scammers often use urgency or emotional manipulation to pressure victims into quick decisions. Take your time and remain sceptical of requests that seem overly urgent. 8. Unrealistic photos Be cautious if the persons online photos appear overly-polished or seem too good to be true. Scammers often use stolen images from other profiles. 9. Being asked for a lot of personal information Its natural for people starting a relationship to want to get to know each other better  but scammers will be after your information in addition to your money. Avoid sharing sensitive information, such as your address or financial details, with someone youve only met online. 10. Feeling caught up in the romance Stay vigilant, trust your instincts and verify information to protect yourself from falling victim to romance scams. You could also sound out friends and family members to get a second opinion from people you trust. Criminals committing romance fraud are experts at emotional manipulation, so here are some key warning signs to look out for.

Criminals will use fake profiles, with images stolen from elsewhere  so it could be worth doing a reverse image search to check whether a photo actually originates from someone else.

Scammers may even try to misuse celebrities profiles to lure people in.

Last October, Nottinghamshire Police warned that it had received reports of romance fraud involving people impersonating celebrities to catfish others into handing over money.

Romance scammers may also make promises that big sums of cash await.

They may claim they need money up-front in order to release funds, or suggest an investment opportunity that their victim should pay into.

David Callington, HSBC UKs head of fraud says: Romance scams do not just happen around Valentines Day, we see cases of innocent people who are looking for love being scammed all-year round.

It often takes many months before a scammer shows their true colours, asking for money to pay for what can be quite outlandish reasons.

There are common factors that should raise serious red flags  requesting money in the first place, being asked to lie to your bank and any payment request is made with absolute urgency and dire consequences if it isnt made.

These scammers are experts in emotional manipulation, tapping into the kind nature of their victims with no concern about the financial or emotional impact of their actions.

People can visit www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart on the Financial Conduct Authoritys website to help avoid pension and investment scams.

Criminals committing romance fraud are experts at emotional manipulation, so here are some key warning signs to look out for.
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Martin Scorsese has opened up about his recent appearances in viral TikToks.

The 81-year-old film director sure looked like an actor when he starred in his 24-year-old daughter Francescas video. Apparently, at home, she calls the shots when it comes to short films for social media.

Speaking to Stephen Colbert on his eponymous talk show, theKillers of the Flower Moon director explained how Francesca has been telling him what to do since his first TikTok in 2021. She would come over to me and say: Dad, do this, he said. I had a beard and she said: Just say this, and I said: Would you leave me alone?

His apprehension eventually went away, and he became a regular on Francescas page.

So finally, I said it and it wound up in a TikTok of some kind and it went viral, he continued. And I remember an Indian filmmaker - a friend of mine - came into New York and wanted to say hello. I walked in the room and said: I should tell you I have a beard, and he goes: Oh no, we all know. Its all over India.

Scorsese couldnt believe his video had reached and spread across the most populated country in the world.

Aside from footage of him making funny faces at the camera, playing with TikTok filters, and explaining the significance of the Academy Awards, the Goodfellas director won over app users with one video three years ago. In a 26 April 2021 post, Francesca had her father identify feminine products.

That is a, well, its some sort of cosmetic thing that you use, Scorsese said when shown a picture of a beauty blender.

Francescas caption read: I will probably regret posting this but.... he actually did much better than I thought!!

But to her surprise, her followers loved the hilarious video. Obsessed viewers flooded the comments, quipping about Scorsese seeming comfortable in front of the camera.

Hes an icon, hes a legend, and he is the moment... now come on now, one woman wrote, while another added: Its so nice that the greatest American director of all time is also seemingly such a sweet and genuine person :) thanks for sharing.

Scorsese thought this video was the most difficult one hes made with his daughter.

In conversation with Colbert, he admitted: I was trying to do something on Killers of the Flower Moon in the house I was living in and it was right before shooting started. She came up to me and said: Im going to ask you these questions.

I didnt know the answers, so I made my suggestions - I guessed and apparently, it was quite funny.
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The King arrived at a central London hospital today with the Queen by his side ahead of his scheduled treatment for an enlarged prostate.

Charles, 75, was seen entering the prestigious London Clinic on Friday morning, where his daughter-in-law Kate is also recovering after abdominal surgery last week.

Buckingham Palace revealed Charles took time to visit the Princess of Wales at the Marylebone hospital ahead of his treatment.

The future Queen was expected to remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days before returning home to continue her recovery.

Charle has postponed his upcoming public engagements to allow for his recovery once he leaves the hospital.

Heres everything we know about the hospital where the royals are getting their treatment:

King Charles is to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate (PA)

Everything we know about The London Clinic

The London Clinic, now one of the UKs largest independent hospitals, was officially opened by the Duke and Duchess of York, then the future King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth, back in 1932.

It was the brainchild of a group of Harley Street doctors, who set out to plan a new nursing home using the highest medical standards of the day, and its website says it was founded on the principles of providing excellence in one place.

Around 155 different conditions are treated at the hospital, which also operates as a charity, reinvesting in research, education and innovation.

Princess of Wales, 42, was admitted to The London Clinic last week (PA)

Both the royals are getting their care at the same hospital in central London (PA Wire)

Since the 1980s, a number of facilities at the site have been officially launched by members of the royal family.

King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales, opened the physiotherapy department in 1989, while Princess Margaret launched the MRI unit in 1991 and the late Queen unveiled a new cancer unit in 2010.

Past patients include the late Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Princess Margaret and former US president John F Kennedy. Former prime minister and current foreign secretary, David Cameron, was born at the central London hospital, and actress Elizabeth Taylor was also treated at the clinic after falling on a film set in the 1960s.

The latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), carried out in June 2021, rated The London Clinic as good overall.

Media gatherd opposite the London Clinic (PA)

According to the health watchdog, the hospital has about 23,000 inpatients a year, with a further 110,000 outpatients.

It is registered to provide surgery as well as diagnostics and screening, treatment of disease, disorder or injury, management of supply of blood and blood-derived products.

The building at 20 Devonshire Place has seven main operating theatres and three additional theatres, as well as six speciality wards for surgeries in urology, gynaecology, thoracic surgery, orthopaedics and spinal procedures.

In a statement released on Friday, the palace said His Majesty wanted to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness.

It is not known how long the King will spend in hospital or the exact nature of his treatment.

He was dressed in a smart suit and tie and navy overcoat for his arrival at the hospital, while Camilla was wearing a royal blue coat and carrying a green handbag.

Charles arrived back in London from Norfolk on Thursday afternoon ready for the procedure, after squeezing in a couple of behind the scenes official duties.
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Couples across the United States are hiring birds of prey as ring bearers for their weddings.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the use of hawks, falcons, and other birds of prey as ring-bearers has become popular among animal-loving brides, renaissance fair buffs, and Harry Potter-lovers who developed a fervent adoration for owls thanks to Hedwig from the series.

Harry Potter obviously did something for this line of work, falconer Jonathan Gonzalez told the outlet. Gonzalez is one of several falconers across the US who have begun to market their services to love birds far and wide. He owns Raptor Events - a business based in Long Beach, California - that offers all sorts of raptors and reptiles for educational shows as well as a variety of events including birthdays and weddings.

Gonzalez has been working with birds since high school, and decided to pursue a career working with raptors after graduation. He pursued an apprenticeship and later obtained a license from the state of California that allowed him possess and train raptors.

He told the outlet that he prices typically wedding services at $1,200, not including travel costs. He noted that he typically uses either his lanner falcon Marty or Eurasian eagle owls, such as Ollie or Marvin, for the job. The birds are trained to fly on queue down the aisle to the arm of a bride, groom, or other member of a wedding party. The birds also do a meet-and-greet after the ceremony. His birds participate in four to five weddings a year, and thus far, all have gone well.

They have never gotten poop on a dress, he quipped. To avoid any surprise droppings, Gonzalez said he tries to avoid feeding the birds before the ceremony. After they complete their tasks, he noted that he prefers to treat them with quail meat to avoid smellier options like dead mice.

He said his strategy is to blend in with the guests throughout the ceremony, but when its showtime for the birds, he takes off their hoods and lets them fly. The rings are usually safe and secure in a pouch tied to a contraption attached to the raptors ankle. He encourages his clients to place fake wedding rings inside instead of the real ones just in case the birds take off to the sky and never come back. Thankfully, this hasnt happened, according to Gonzalez.

One client, Jessica Huete, told WSJ that she and her husband opted to trust Marty the falcon with their real rings for their San Diego wedding ceremony. She said: We said: Itll be a sign if he flies off.

Another couple erred on the side of caution for their medieval-themed wedding, and chose to use fake rings for the ceremony. The bride, Christina Hermon-Hayes, told the outlet that it felt like the right decision for them at the time. She recalled that their ringbearer falcon had like a tiny bit of stage fright for like five seconds, she said. Then he swooped really low, right in between the guests.

Not only do these unique twists on the wedding ceremony set the event apart, but its also an opportunity for people to inadvertently learn about raptor conservation, Michele Losee - who runs the nonprofit International Raptor and Falconry Center - said to the outlet.

They think theyre being cool, Losee explained. But really theyre leaving with a whole lot more knowledge about what they can do with raptors.
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Brazils federal police are investigating the country's former intelligence chief as part of a wider probe into alleged spying on political opponents under former President Jair Bolsonaro, court records showed Thursday.

The former intelligence chief, Alexandre Ramagem, was among those targeted by the 21 search warrants that the Supreme Court authorized and that were carried out by police early Thursday morning.

Police are investigating an organized crime group that operated within the intelligence agency, known by its Portuguese acronym ABIN, during Ramagems tenure, according to a police statement.

The group essentially ran a parallel structure within ABIN, using the agencys tools and services for illicit actions, producing information for political and media use, to obtain personal benefits and interfere with police investigations, it said.

Police suspect Ramagem used a software known as FirstMile, developed by Israeli company Cognyte, to monitor targets and public authorities ... with the aim of creating false narratives," according to Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes' 38-page decision authorizing the warrants.

The document also detailed the group's purported modus operandi.

While some officers were allegedly tasked with merely monitoring targets and producing reports, others allegedly took steps to fabricate links between targets  such as lawmakers and Supreme Court Justices  and drug traffickers.

Police also said their investigations showed that the group allegedly sought to interfere in several police investigations, including some that targeted or involved two of Bolsonaro's sons, Jair Renan and Flavio, a sitting senator.

Ramagem denied having accessed, used or managed the system in question in an interview with television network GloboNews on Thursday.

He said he reviewed legal documents that led to the search, and that they contained a salad of narratives, even old and resolved ones, put there to criminally accuse us without proof.

The Globo television network reported in October that ABIN personnel employed the tracking software more than 30,000 times, of which 1,800 targeted politicians, journalists, lawyers and opponents of Bolsonaros government.

Bolsonaro appointed Ramagem to lead ABIN in May 2019. The right-wing leader had previously appointed him to be federal police chief, but quickly yielded to growing criticism around the nomination due to the fact that Ramagem was widely seen as too close to the president's family, and that he might give members preferential treatment.

In October, Brazils police arrested two people and carried out 25 search warrants related to the investigation.

De Moraes, the Supreme Court justice, on Jan. 22 authorized the search and seizure of documents, cell phones, computers, tablets and others electronic devices of 12 individuals, totaling 21 warrants. He also granted the federal police's request to prevent Ramagem and others from leaving capital Brasilia without previous authorization, or from accessing any federal police buildings without having been summoned.

De Moraes did not address a request that Ramagem, now a federal lawmaker, be suspended from his duties.

Ramagem is also a pre-candidate for mayor in Rio de Janeiro, with elections slated for October.

Local paper O Globo reported that Bolsonaro's son, Carlos, will coordinate Ramagem's social media during his campaign.
BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday delivered a video speech to a reception in Beijing celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France. The establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and France 60 years ago was a major event in the history of international relations. With extraordinary wisdom and courage, Chairman Mao Zedong and General Charles de Gaulle opened the door for exchanges and cooperation between China and the West, bringing hope to the world amid the Cold War, Xi noted. Over the past 60 years, China-France relations have always been at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries, bringing benefits to the two peoples and contributing to world peace, stability and development, Xi said. The unique history of the China-France relations has shaped the "China-France spirit" featuring independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, Xi stressed, adding that in the face of the new era, China and France should uphold the original aspiration of the establishment of the diplomatic relations, look forward to the future, and dare to make greater progress. The two sides should unswervingly develop bilateral relations and respond to world uncertainties with the stability of China-France relations. The two sides can take the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism and the Paris Olympic Games as opportunities to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges and promote closer people-to-people ties, Xi said. He called on the two sides to jointly advocate an equal and orderly multi-polar world and economic globalization that is inclusive and beneficial to all, and continue to contribute to maintaining world peace and stability and addressing global challenges. While deepening traditional cooperation, the two sides need to actively tap the potential of cooperation in emerging areas such as green industries and clean energy, make the "pie" bigger for mutual benefit, and pool cooperation forces and share development opportunities through openness, Xi said. Facing the next 60 years, China and France will work together to create greater glories, he added. French President Emmanuel Macron also delivered a video speech. Macron said that 60 years ago, General Charles de Gaulle went beyond the logic of camp confrontation and made the historic decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Today, the two sides have the responsibility to build on the ambitious goals set in 1964 and continue to work together to build a partnership that not only meets the needs of the two peoples, but also contributes to world peace and stability. France is willing to join hands with China to address global challenges and promote the resolution of international crises, he said. Noting that the year 2024 is the France-China Year of Culture and Tourism, and the two sides will hold a variety of activities, Macron said the two sides should take this opportunity to enhance the exchanges between the two peoples, especially the youth, and lay a more solid foundation for the future of France-China relations. The two countries will also hold an event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of the Cultural Tourism Year at the Palace of Versailles in Paris on Jan. 31, and broadcast video speeches from the two heads of state.


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A former elected official accused of killing a Las Vegas investigative reporter wants to go to trial in March, his new lawyer said Thursday, after a supervisory judge rejected his second bid to remove the state court judge overseeing his case.

Robert Draskovich, a criminal defense attorney who has handled several high-profile cases during more than 25 years in practice, told The Associated Press that Robert Rob Telles has hired him to represent him at trial, currently set to begin March 18.

We anticipate keeping the current trial date, Draskovich said.

Gary Modafferi, another lawyer who has advised Telles on pretrial matters, declined Thursday to comment.

Telles, now 47, was once the Democratic county administrator of estates. He has pleaded not guilty to murder in the September 2022 death of Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German and has remained jailed without bail while serving as his own defense attorney. A court hearing is scheduled Feb. 7.

German, 69, spent more than 40 years as an investigative reporter in Las Vegas. He was found stabbed to death in September 2022 outside his home, months after he wrote articles critical of Telles and his managerial conduct.

Telles is a law school graduate who practiced civil law before he was elected in 2018 as Clark County administrator. He was stripped of his elected position and his law license was suspended following his arrest. He has hired and fired several attorneys and was represented for a time by public defenders.

Telles could face life in prison if he is convicted. Prosecutors decided he wont face the death penalty.

Telles told the AP during a February 2023 jail interview that he had evidence that exonerates him, but he declined to produce it. He said he wanted to go to trial as soon as possible and tell his story to a jury.

He has argued repeatedly in writing and during court appearances that he has been framed, that police mishandled the investigation, and that the judge overseeing his case, Clark County District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt, has a deep-seated bias against him.

A ruling on Wednesday by the supervising state court judge in Las Vegas rejected Telles' latest effort to remove Leavitt from the case.

A reasonable person, knowing all of the facts, would not question Judge Leavitts impartiality, Chief District Court Judge Jerry Wiese II wrote in a six-page order that followed written filings from Telles and Leavitt and oral arguments last week. Wiese noted it was the second time Telles asked him to remove Leavitt. Wiese rejected a similar effort last April.

Telles lost a Democratic party primary just months before German's death, and prosecutors say the evidence is overwhelming that Telles killed German  including DNA believed to be from Telles found beneath Germans fingernails and videos showing a man believed to be Telles walking near Germans home about the time of the killing.

The police investigation and progress toward trial were slowed by a court order the Review-Journal obtained that blocked authorities from accessing what the newspaper maintained could be confidential files on the slain reporters cellphone and computers.

The newspaper argued that names and unpublished material on Germans devices were protected from disclosure by the First Amendment and Nevada state law. Police said their investigation wouldnt be complete until the devices were searched.

The state Supreme Court on Oct. 5 approved letting Leavitt appoint a retired U.S. magistrate judge and a former Clark County district attorney now serving as counsel for the Las Vegas police union as an independent team to screen the records for confidentiality before being opened by police.
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North Korea said Friday it was hosting a visit by a Chinese government delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, as it continues its efforts to strengthen ties with Beijing and Moscow in the face of deepening confrontations with Washington.

The Norths official Korean Central News Agency said Suns delegation arrived in the capital, Pyongyang, on Thursday after crossing the land border between the countries. The report didnt provide further details about the visit.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been trying to boost the visibility of its partnership with China and Russia as he tries to break out of diplomatic isolation and strengthen his regional footing by joining a united front against the United States.

Kim traveled to Russias Far East in September for a rare summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and some experts say he is also likely seeking a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

While Kim has prioritized his ties with Russia, which has raised concerns about an arms cooperation that would help fuel Putin's war on Ukraine, the North Korean leader has also invited senior Chinese officials to major state events in recent months while vowing to strengthen bilateral relations.

A Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong attended the celebrations for North Koreas 75th founding anniversary last September, shortly before Kim's trip to Russia. In July, Kim invited Chinese ruling party official Li Hongzhong and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to a major military parade in Pyongyang, where he rolled out his most powerful, potentially nuclear-capable missiles targeting the United States, South Korea and Japan.

Sun met with North Korean Vice Foreign Minster Pak Myong Ho last month in Beijing where they discussed strengthening bilateral ties and coordinating over unspecified issues of common interest. Pak then also met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as they pledged to expand friendly exchanges and strengthening strategic cooperation in 2024, as the countries mark their 75th anniversary of establishing bilateral ties.

Suns visit to North Korea comes as U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan was planning talks with Wang in Bangkok this week in the latest high-level talks between Washington and Beijing amid tensions over trade, technology and Chinas assertive foreign policy in the region.

As North Koreas major ally and economic lifeline, China is a crucial partner for Kims efforts to revive an economy crippled by decades of mismanagement and U.S.-led sanctions over his nuclear weapons and missile program, which he has aggressively expanded in recent years despite limited resources.

As permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, both China and Russia have been thwarting U.S.-led efforts to increase sanctions on the North over its intensified weapons testing activity in recent months, underscoring a divide deepened over Russias war on Ukraine.

Washington and Seoul have been urging Beijing to use its economic leverage on North Korea to help persuade Kims government to return to nuclear disarmament negotiations, which have stalled since 2019.

Experts say trade activities between North Korea and China are gradually expanding since North Korea eased its pandemic restrictions and reopened the border last year.

___

Follow AP's Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific
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A teenager has been jailed for killing a grandfather by sweeping his legs from behind and pushing him face-first into a pavement in a reckless and unprovoked attack.

The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named, was handed a two-year detention and supervision order for manslaughter after killing 62-year-old Jerald Netto in March 2023.

Mr Netto was left motionless on the ground in Hanwell, west London, with blood pouring from his mouth and nose after the killer attacked him and ran away in the early hours of the morning.

Passing sentence, HHJ Trowler KC said: You ran behind Mr Netto, who was posing no threat to you at all. You pushed him to his back with both your hands and swept away his legs, causing him to fall face-first onto the pavement.

He was then left on the ground motionless, and you were seen laughing as you jumped over his body before rejoining your group.

Jerald Netto, 62, was killed in a reckless and unprovoked attack after a 17-year-old boy pushed him face-first into a pavement from behind (Jennifer Netto)

Within seconds of leaving Mr Netto on the ground, you can be seen shaking hands with your friend with some enthusiasm.

Before the attack, Mr Netto had been drinking at a pub and happened to meet his killer and a large group of teenagers on his way home.

At first, his interactions were friendly. But the killer could be seen trying to pull Mr Nettos pants down and a scuffle ensued.

The group then ran away, but the 17-year-old returned and pushed him from behind. In footage of the attack, the killer could be seen running up behind Mr Netto before shoving him with both hands to the floor while sweeping his legs from underneath him.

He then ran away when approached by police, and tried to claim Mr Netto had sexually assaulted a young woman. He told officers: The guy touched the girl, he shouldnt have, what the f*** are you talking about?

Mr Netto passed away around 12 hours after the attack. A special post-mortem found he died due to a hypoxic brain injury caused by a long cardiac arrest due to the fall.

Judge Trowler described Mr Netto as intelligent, cheerful and nonviolent. He is survived by his son Stefan, 29, daughter Jennifer, 31, and 55-year-old wife Ligi.

Scarred for life: Ligi Netto (centre) with her children Jennifer and Stefan (Supplied)

Speaking at the Old Bailey, Ms Netto said: The day he died, the nightmare began. He has always been there for us and then he was suddenly gone.

He has left us and this world without getting a chance to say goodbye. The void in my heart will remain until the day I die.

His daughter Jennifer added: My fathers death was caused by the actions of a vile human being. We do not feel we have had any justice for this enormous loss.

He was cheerful and loved to make people around him laugh. We miss the constant humour and light that was once in our lives.

We are left scarred for life. We will never come to terms with what happened that night. He was attacked and killed by a sadistic criminal.

She told The Independent: I feel it is bittersweet. One year for manslaughter is quite lenient. But weve been coming to court for 11 months and feel our voice hasnt been heard. This is the first time weve left the courtroom feeling a little bit of peace.
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A Holocaust denier who described Nazi atrocities as crude slanders will be extradited to France after two years on the run in a Scottish fishing village.

French national Vincent Reynouard has lost his legal battle to remain in the UK after being caught living a double life in Anstruther, Fife.

Authorities in France launched an extradition bid citing videos where Reynouard allegedly denied the existence of gas chambers in concentration camps.

He was arrested in November 2022 on a domestic warrant issued by a French court regarding seven videos made between September 2019 and April 2020, including one where he allegedly described the Nazi atrocities as crude slanders and another where he spoke of the Jewish problem.

The alleged offences include public trivialisation of a war crime and public challenge to the existence of crimes against humanity committed during the Second World War.

Holocaust denial has been a criminal offence in France since 1990 and Reynouard has been convicted on previous occasions, including being handed prison sentences in November 2020 and January 2021.

Following a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in October last year, Sheriff Christopher Dickson said the YouTube videos were beyond the pale of what is tolerable in our society and were a breach of the Communications Act, and ruled that extradition could go ahead.

Reynouard challenged the extradition, but his application for leave to appeal has been refused.

Authorities in France launched an extradition bid citing videos where Reynouard allegedly denied the existence of gas chambers in concentration camps (PA Archive)

An Appeal Court written judgment from Lord Carloway issued on Friday said extradition cannot be regarded as disproportionate and that any reasonable person would be offended by the videos.

Lord Carloway said the criminality involved in sharing offensive videos online was one of relative seriousness judged by Scottish standards.

No specific crime exists in Scotland regarding Holocaust denial but the videos were branded grossly offensive by the Lord Justice, who said they were patent falsehoods and threaten serious disturbance in the community.

The videos included the denial of the massacre at Oradour, a small village destroyed by the SS on June 10 1944, with the deaths of 642 villagers, many of whom were burnt in a church, while another video denied the killing of 1.1 million people at gas chambers in the Auschwitz and Birkenau camps.

The judgment said: The videos were, taken at their highest, racist denials of the existence of the Holocaust and other war crimes.

Lord Carloway said the prohibitions of such statements were necessary in a democratic society.

The judgment added: The court has no hesitation in describing the appellants treatment of all three matters as grossly offensive. The phenomenon of fake news, in the context of the internet and social media, is well-known, as are its damaging effects.

It added: The denial of the holocaust is a gross insult to the members of the Jewish and other communities whose members perished at Auschwitz and Birkenau. The same applies to those living with the memory of Oradour.

It is not necessary to be a member of the relevant communities to be grossly offended by such statements; any reasonable person would be. The other statements by the appellant about the Jewish community are anti-Semitic racism.

Although it is not an offence to hold these views and, in certain contexts, to express them, it is a breach of section 127 of the 2007 Act to communicate them to the public on the internet.

Reynouards defence was that the videos did not involve a call to arms, however this was dismissed by the judge.

Lord Carloway added: This is the modern world in which posting videos on YouTube or social medial can have a significant practical and enduring consequence relative to the behaviour of others.

It is not too difficult, especially in the present climate of tension in several parts of the world, to envisage that a repeated publication of anti-Semitic, or other racist, material could provoke serious disturbance by certain sections of society.
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A dangerous paedophile has been jailed for orchestrating and paying for the sexual abuse of young children from all over the world.

Matthew Bower, 52, from Swanley, Kent was found to have paid 6,000 to the female relative of an American teenage girl mostly to sexually abuse her and send him images and live-streamed footage.

Chat logs were recovered which showed Bower  using the username evo5_mat - instructing the woman what he wanted her to do to the 15-year-old.

In some of the chat, he says OK KINDA LIKE TO SEE BOTH OF U PICS, SO MAYBE WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW IS SHE FREE and then SENT U 80 SO EXPECT A LOT.

He was identified by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers after the brave victim told the FBI that her abuse was photographed and the images were being sent to a man in the UK for various sums of money.

He was arrested on 22 August 2017 on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children and arranging & facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.

NCA found the mother had sent Bower 308 images of herself with the victim, as well as two live-streamed videos between 2016 and 2017.

NCA officers also found additional chat logs and online conversations where Bower was actively encouraging others to sexually abuse young children.

They also identified a woman in Romania who had been abusing a child under the age of two, as directed by Bower.

She was convicted in December 2019 of rape and child abuse offences and is currently serving more than eight years in prison.

Bower had also been contacting a number of children online via Skype, encouraging them to send him naked photos and perform sexual acts on camera.

Two girls, aged 8 and 15, from the United States were identified as having been coerced by Bower into sending indecent images. Both have since been safeguarded by the US authorities.

He initially told officers he had been the victim of hacking, but in October 2023, pleaded guilty to 15 offences including causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and making over 1,700 indecent images of children, including category A images.

Sentencing him at Croydon Crown Court HHJ Lowe handed Bower an extended sentence of 13 years in prison, saying he had no hesitation in concluding you are dangerous.

The offences Bower pleaded guilty to were committed between 2008 and 2017.

Jen Cruickshank, Senior Investigating Officer at the NCA, said: Bower is clearly a dangerous individual who has a depraved sexual interest in children. For a significant period of time he actively sought people online  both adults and children  whom he could coerce into sending him abuse material for his sexual gratification.

Id like to pay tribute to the victims who bravely spoke about the abuse they had suffered. The initial victim report was the catalyst for this investigation and ultimately led to us being able to identify Bower and ensure further victims were safeguarded.

The NCA is dedicated to protecting children and disrupting the highest harm offenders wherever they are in the world. Collaboration with our international colleagues is imperative in achieving this.
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Health experts have hailed a potentially ground-breaking vaccine to treat early bowel cancer set to go on trial in England and Australia.

The treatment will trialled at the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide.

Doctors plan to administer the vaccine to patients before surgery, in the hope that it will cause the body to attack the cancer.

It would make any surgery less invasive and medics hope that the strength of the vaccine could support the immune system to respond if there is a relapse and the cancer returns later on.

Dr Tony Dhillon, chief investigator of the trial and Surreys consultant medical oncologist, proposed the idea for the trial and has worked with Professor Tim Price in Australia for the last four years to develop the vaccine.

He said: This is the first treatment vaccine in any gastrointestinal cancer and we have high hopes that it will be very successful. We think that for a lot of patients, the cancer will have gone completely after this treatment.

The trial will be run by the Cancer Research UK Southampton Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Southampton in collaboration with Surrey and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

There will be 10 sites for patients to be enrolled  six in Australia and four in the UK, with 44 patients to be enrolled in the study over an 18 month period.

Dr Tony Dhillon ( Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust)

Patients will have an endoscopy, then a tissue sample will be tested to see if they are eligible for the trial. If they are, they will have three doses of the vaccine before having surgery to remove the cancer.

The trial will be available for just 44 patients around the world. After the trial finishes, the vaccine will either be licensed for use, or if its successful, a bigger study will be carried out.

The vaccine has been designed by Imugene Ltd, a clinical stage immuno-oncology company.

Dr Dhillon added: This is ground-breaking. I feel as if we are on the edge of something really big here. The vaccine makes the immune system go after the cancer.

It will be life changing because it means that potentially, patients may not need to have surgery  they may just have the vaccine.

The work we have done here at Royal Surrey is fantastic. We are hugely proud to have been involved in this worldwide trial and believe it could be key to treating bowel cancer in the future.

Louise Stead, Surreys chief executive, said: We are hugely proud to have been involved in the launch of this ground-breaking new vaccine.

As the fourth largest cancer centre in the UK, helping to fight cancer is a huge part of what we do and this will really provide an opportunity for bowel cancer patients and give them real hope of beating the disease.

I would like to say a huge well done to Dr Tony Dhillon and everyone associated with this trial for all their hard work.

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the third most common cancer, with a worldwide annual incidence of over 1.2 million cases and a mortality rate of approximately 50 per cent.
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A newborn baby who was found abandoned inside a shopping bag has been discharged from hospital and is in the care of foster parents.

The little girl, who was named Elsa by hospital staff, is believed to have been less than an hour old when she was found by a dog walker just before 9:15pm in sub-zero temperatures East Ham, London last Thursday.

(PA)

East LondonFamily Court heard how Elsas parents had not yet come forward and there was no information about her identity, the BBC - which was given special permission to cover the court hearing - reported.

Court documents show Elsa was very cold when she was first found wrapped in a towel and still had her umbilical cord attached. Weighing 6lbs 60z, doctors believe she was born at full term.

Court documents show Elsa was very cold when she was first found wrapped in a towel and still had her umbilical cord attached (PA)

However, the baby was crying, responsive and reported to have been feeding well as the night went on.

She is now medically fit and has been discharged from the hospital into the care of foster parents, who had been visiting her in hospital, the BBC reported.

At proceedings on Thursday, Judge Carol Atkinson issued an interim care order for the baby, as requested by Newham Borough Council.

The order will give the local authority parental responsibility for Elsa while more information is gathered about who she is. The court will then decide where her permanent home is at future hearings when more information comes to light.

The broadcasters also reported that Elsas court-appointed guardian requested to change her name as it may be considered gimmicky when shes older.

They argued the name appeared to reference the Disney character Elsa, from the Frozen movies, as she was found during one of the coldest nights of the year.

Detectives have appealed for the babys mother to come forward and said last week that they are extremely concerned for her welfare (PA)

However, this position was not agreed on by Judge Atkinson, who said the name was something they can on to after she lost everything the night she was born.

Detectives have appealed for the babys mother to come forward and said last week that they are extremely concerned for her welfare.

Chief Superintendent Simon Crick told reporters at the scene on Friday: We are extremely concerned for her welfare as she would have been through a traumatic ordeal and will be in need of immediate medical attention following the birth.

Trained medics and specialist officers are ready to support her and we urge her to get in touch by phone or walk into the nearest hospital or police station.

If you are the babys mother, please know that your daughter is well. No matter what your circumstances please do seek help.

They added that the mother would get support from the council and social workers if they came forward but it is not known whether she is local to the area.

Anyone who knows the mother is urged to contact police by calling 999 and using the reference CAD 6876/18 Jan.
King Charles III smiled as he got into a car and left hospital on Monday, 29 January, after undergoing a procedure for an enlarged prostate.

His Majesty spent three nights at The London Clinic, where he took time to visit his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, who is now recovering at home following abdominal surgery according to a statement from Kensington Palace.

The King was diagnosed with the benign condition on 17 January while staying at Birkhall, Aberdeenshire, after going for a check-up because he was experiencing symptoms.

Charles, 75, is understood to have wanted to share the news to encourage other men to get themselves checked.
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Britain needs to review the size and reach of its armed forces, a senior member of the US administration has warned, as the world becomes increasingly dangerous with conflicts in multiple arenas.

The US navy secretary said during a visit to London that more investment should be considered for the Royal Navy and it may also be necessary to strengthen the Army.

Carlos Del Toros assessment of the UKs defence capabilities came in the wake General Sir Patrick Sanders, the head of the British Army, saying his forces were too small to fight a major war, and there was a need for a citizens army to be formed.

File image: The HMS Argyll is one of two frigates the MoD is set to decommission, reducing its total to nine, due to problems with recruitment and retention (Reuters)

Speaking at RUSI (the Royal United Services Institute), Mr Del Toro, a US Navy veteran, spoke of his tremendous respect for this countrys military and the truly wonderful job the Royal Navy was doing alongside the US in operations against the Houthis on the Red Sea.

But he commented: I think it is important for the United Kingdom to reassess where they are today given the threats that exist today.

While he said it was entirely up to the British government to choose its own policies, I would argue, quite frankly, that given the near-term, economic threats to the United Kingdom and the United States that investments in their Navy are significantly important.

American and Nato commanders have warned that successive cuts to the defence budget have damaged the UKs military effectiveness. But it is unusual for a senior member of the US administration, the countrys chief ally, to raise these concerns in public.

The Ministry of Defence is to decommission two frigates, HMS Westminster and HMS Argyll, reducing its total to nine due to problems with recruitment and retention, while the government has pledged to increase Britains naval presence across the world.

The size of the regular Army has been reduced to 73,520. Speaking at an armoured warfare conference in London, Gen Sanders stated that his forces, including all reserves, would not be large enough to defend the country if there is a war with Russia, and that plans for national mobilisation were essential.

Mr Del Toro acknowledged the high cost of defence. But he pointed to the money ploughed into it by the US administration, stressing that this was absolutely necessary with Western democracies facing foes ranging from autocratic states to heavily armed, hostile militias.

The Red Sea mission had to be undertaken, he stressed, with attacks by the Houthis in Yemen sending reverberations across the global economy affecting every facet of our lives.

The lives of sailors were being saved, he said, by preventing Houthi missiles and drones from getting through. We need to continue doing that, even if it comes at great cost, said Mr Del Toro.
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Hundreds of thousands of EU citizens were wrongly fined for driving in Londons Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez), amid claims of a record data breach.

Several EU countries have accused Transport for London (TfL) of illegally obtaining the names and addresses of their citizens to issue the penalties, The Guardian reports.

The paper said more than 320,000 fines - some totalling thousands of Euros - have been sent out since 2021.

Michael Freilich, a Belgian MP, said it was possibly one of the largest data breaches in EU history and claimed TfL was using EU citizens as a cash cow.

The Liberal Democrats have called for an immediate investigation, warning that the issue could damage Londons reputation as being open to tourists.

The UK has, since Brexit, been banned from automatic access to the personal details of EU citizens and transport authorities in Belgium, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands confirmed to the Guardian that driver data cannot be shared with the UK for enforcement of Ulez.

They claimed registered keeper details were obtained illegally by agents acting for TfLs contractor, Euro Parking Collection.

Some 100 drivers in France have launched a lawsuit claiming their details were obtained fraudulently while lorry drivers in the Netherlands decided to take legal action against TfL over 6.5m of fines they said were issued unlawfully.

Michael Freilich, a Belgian MP, said it was possibly one of the largest data breaches in EU history (PA)

Many of the fines were handed out to drivers who visited the capital in Ulez-compliant vehicles and were not aware they had to be registered with TfLs collections agent -Euro Parking - at least 10 days before their visit.

According to Ulez rules, failure to register does not count as breaking the rules but some drivers still received penalties of up to five-figure sums, including a French driver who was fined 25,000 for an alleged breach of the rules despite his minibus being exempt.

TfL, speaking on behalf of Euro Parking, said: Any company working on our behalf is contractually required to ensure that data is processed in line with the relevant data protection legislation.

We work closely with European Parking Collection to ensure all elements of the contract are being adhered to and have mechanisms in place should they not be fulfilled.

Euro Parking make it clear when they submit requests for keeper data in EU countries that they are acting on behalf of TfL, for enforcement of road-user charging in London, even when they route those requests through a third party. Euro Parking has not been prevented from accessing keeper data for drivers in EU countries.

Caroline Pidgeon, the Lib Dem London Assembly member party spokesperson for the party, said: It is extremely worrying to hear that TfL could be collecting its data from drivers unlawfully.

The extent of fines being issued to visitors from the EU, many incorrectly, demonstrates that the rules are not being communicated clearly to tourists, something which I have raised with TfL in the past only to be brushed off. If this issue is not solved urgently, it risks seriously damaging Londons reputation as being open to visitors.
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Rishi Sunaks government has been hit by a new Brexit catastrophe, as talks aimed at reaching a trade deal with Canada collapsed in acrimony.

It had been hoped that a free trade agreement with Britains close Commonwealth ally would have been among the very easiest to strike after Brexit.

The Conservatives had boasted that post-Brexit Britain would be free to sign new economic pacts all over the world after quitting the EU.

Then-PM Boris Johnson pledged to sign a bespoke trade deal with Justin Trudeaus government to boost the economy after agreeing to temporary rollover arrangements in 2020.

But two years on from the launch of formal talks, the Sunak government has called off negotiations with the Canadians due to a fall-out over beef and cheese quotas.

The row erupted over Canadas pushing for Britain to relax its ban on hormone-treated beef, which its producers say effectively shuts them out of the British market.

Canadas government has been facing pressure from both its beef industry and domestic cheesemakers  also pushing to get better access to the UK market.

Canadians have told UK trade secretary Kemi Badenoch they are disappointed (PA)

But a spokeswoman for Canadas trade minister, Mary Ng, said she was disappointed at the talks had now fallen apart  saying as much to trade secretary Kemi Badenoch.

Ms Ngs spokeswoman told the BBC: Their decision to continue to maintain market access barriers for our agriculture industry and unwillingness to reach a mutual agreement has only stalled negotiations.

Ms Ng added on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the Canadian government will never agree to a deal that isnt good for our workers, farmers and businesses.

A UK government source said Canada appeared to have lost sight of the bigger picture  the British and Canadian businesses who do 26bn worth of trade a year and the people they employ.

The source added: If Canada come back to the table with a serious offer and desire to make progress were all ears, but in the meantime were going to focus on other trade deals that deliver for UK businesses.

The two nations have been negotiating for the last two years, with trade continuing under the arrangements brokered when the UK was a member of the EU.

Negotiations began on a new agreement in March 2022. The previous agreement had allowed the UK to continue to sell cars and cheese in the North American nation without Canada charging import tax.

Boris Johnson said post-Brexit deal with Canadas Justin Trudeau would boost economy (PA)

In November 2020, then-PM Mr Johnson claimed a new, post-Brexit deal with Canada would go even further in meeting the needs of our economy.

Hopes were raised that a deal could finally be done this year when Ms Badenoch worked closely with her Canadian counterpart in talks that saw the UK join its ally in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

However, Minette Batters, president of the Nation Farmers Union (NFU) of England and Wales, praised the Sunak government for having stuck to its line and not given way.

She told BBC Radio 4s Today programme it was essential that hormone-treated beef is not allowed into the country.

It is a relief for farmers. This has been going on for a long time and it is about enhancing the trading relationship between the UK and Canada.

The farming leader said agricultural products tended to be the first thing to be discussed and the last thing to be agreed  I am pleased the government has stuck to its line and not given way.

Ms Batters added: Canada has played hardball for a long time. It was always going to come to a crunch point as to who was going to capitulate.

The fresh Brexit blow comes after a top group of MPs wanted that Britons heading to Europe could face waits of 14 hours or more at border control because of looming travel rule changes.

And business chiefs have warned that a fresh wave of Brexit red tape coming at the end of January and April is already creating an existential crisis for Britains fresh food and flower firms.

We reserve the right to pause negotiations with any country if progress is not being made, a UK government spokesperson said. We remain open to restarting talks with Canada in the future to build a stronger trading relationship that benefits businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.
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A former Scotland secretary has accused David Cameron of breaching proper process when he gave Michelle Mone a peerage in 2015, the Guardian has reported.

David Mundell, the Conservative MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, said Lord Cameron gave Baronness Mone a position in the House of Lords without Street consulting the governments Scotland Office, which is standard practice before awarding peerages to Scots.

Mr Mundell, who was the secretary of state for Scotland from 2015 to 2019, said there was some opposition to Lady Mones among Scottish business people, but he was not given the standard opportunity to discuss his concerns with Downing Street.

Lady Mone and her husband, Doug Barrowman are facing a National Crime Agency investigation into the procurement of 203m of government PPE contracts during the Covid pandemic for PPE Medpro. Both admit involvement in the company but deny any wrongdoing.

The PPE Medpro contracts were awarded in 2020 via the governments VIP lane for politically connected people after Mone approached the Cabinet Office ministers Michael Gove and Theodore Agnew, offering to supply personal protective equipment.

David Mundell served as Secretary of State for Scotland (PA Archive)

Baronness Mone was appointed to the Lords after Lord Cameron, who was brought in as foreign secretary by Rishi Sunak, was impressed by Baronness Mone when she backed the union in the Scottish independence referendum. She was also the founder of a successful lingerie business, Ultimo.

The peerage was a fait accompli by the time we heard about it, Mundell said. I was unhappy that the proper process was not followed and that the Scotland Office was not asked to provide any background or input.

And I wasnt at all surprised to find that Scottish businesses were very, very unhappy about the appointment.

Baronness Mone is under criminal investigation for her involvement in a procurement scandal (PA Wire)

I did communicate with Downing Street that Scottish business figures were unhappy because they did not consider Michelle Mone to be a substantial businesswoman.

Lord Cameron had brough Baroness Mone into government in 2015 as his entrepreneurship tsar and she lead a review on supporting people in deprived areas to set up businesses.

Cameron then made her a Conservative life peer in his 2015 dissolution honours list, describing her as a leading entrepreneur.

Douglas Anderson, the managing director of the Glasgow-based plant hire company Gap Group, wrote a strongly worded letter to Cameron after reading reports that a peerage was being considered:

Doug Barrowman and Michelle Mone have admitted their involve with PPE Medro (PA Media)

Ms Mone is not a successful entrepreneur, she is a small-time businesswoman with a PR exposure far in excess of any actual success, Anderson wrote. Awarding her a peerage for a very mediocre business performance brings the awarding of titles into disrepute by rewarding failure.

A spokesperson for Baroness Mone has told the Guardian that the business woman is proud of her achievements, saying: [she] came from a working-class family in Glasgows East End and worked hard to become a successful entrepreneur, building one of the biggest independent lingerie brands in the world.

They added: Michelle was honoured to be asked to join the House of Lords by David Cameron after her role in the Scottish referendum campaign. Her appointment was duly vetted by Holac [the House of Lords appointments commission] at the time.

David Cameron has refused requests to comment.
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The row over the Tory plot to sack Rishi Sunak took a dramatic turn after an astonishing confrontation between a cabinet minister and rebel Conservative peer David Frost.

Former Brexit minister Lord Frost was ordered by Sunak loyalist Nicholas True, the leader of the House of Lords, to reveal the names of secret moneymen who funded a 40,000 poll that forecast a Labour landslide.

A defiant Lord Frost, who organised the survey, refused to reveal the names of the secret donors - or confirm rumours that the survey had been bankrolled from overseas.

The explosive YouGov poll was used by Lord Frost to claim that the Tories are doomed under Mr Sunak. Although the interpretation of its results has been challenged by experts, it has since been linked to an orchestrated right-wing revolt to oust the PM.

The face-to-face showdown between Lord True and Lord Frost is the latest sign that Mr Sunak is determined to fight moves to replace him by Tories close to his two recent predecessors, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.

As pressure mounts on the rebel Tory peer, Conservative grandees Sir David Davis and Sir Charles Walker have openly called for him to come clean and name the donor, or donors, behind the poll.

Michael Heseltine, the former deputy PM, said Lord Frost should be kicked out of the Tory party entirely over his betrayal. Someones got to confront that, he said.

The Tory grandee told Times Radio that right-wing Brexiteers such as Lord Frost are getting ever more desperate to try and pretend that there are alternatives to Britains current malaise.

The party is understood to be confident that the plot is not being funded by any current Conservative donors.

Insiders also concede that the whip cannot be removed from a politician simply because they do not back their leader. However, there is an established precedent to strip someone of the whip if they are found to have been working with another party.

The group behind the poll call themselves the Conservative Britain Alliance (CBA), though there is no official record of their existence or membership.

The survey revealed a 27-point lead for Labour, and predicted that the Tories could retain as few as 169 seats at the coming general election. Although the interpretation of its results has been challenged by experts, it has since been linked to an orchestrated right-wing revolt to oust the PM.

Days after it was published, former cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke called for Mr Sunaks resignation, also in the pages of the Telegraph.

Lord Frost is under pressure from party grandees (PA Archive)

Sir David called on Lord Frost to do the honourable thing and name the donors himself.

The former Brexit minister told The Independent: If you are in receipt of the Conservative whip, you owe a loyalty to your party. He did a very good job, one has to say, as a minister in a Conservative government, but he does also owe them a certain loyalty, particularly in the election year.

He added: That is why it is the honourable thing to do to reveal the source of these polls, because they do read as though they have been deliberately designed to create difficulties for the Conservative Party.

Sir Charles said: Many of us have had enough of Lord Frost and his noises off. Hes never stood for public office, hes never had his own constituents. He suffers in the eyes of many from a shortage of credibility.

Rishi Sunak pictured during a visit to the village of Bainbridge, North Yorkshire, on Friday (PA)

On Downing Streets efforts to flush out the plotters, Sir Charles added: No 10 should press home its advantage. It is coming from a position of strength, and the rebels from a position of weakness. Lord Frost and the rebels havent put up  so now its time for them to shut up.

Senior Sunak allies say Lord Frost should leave the Tory party if he is being funded by anyone working with Reform UK. One leading Tory moderate said: Lord Frost should certainly reveal the information [about funding]. We need complete transparency.

Another senior Sunak ally also said Lord Frost should put up or shut up, saying it was time to reveal the groups funders and come clean about his real intentions to replace the prime minister.
The collapse of the Canada-UK trade talks is a further, if minor, setback to a government that promised to capitalise on Brexit freedoms and negotiate new and better economic relationships after the UK left the European Union. Its an unwelcome reminder that despite the bullish talk about buccaneering Global Britain going out and conquering new markets, this scenario hasnt quite materialised, and that Brexit generally hasnt lived up to its promise  either because it was a bad idea in the first place or because it wasnt done properly, depending on who you ask.

Mercifully, in many ways, Brexit wont be an issue at this years national election  making it the first time it hasnt been a big part of campaigning since 2014 (when Ukip won the European parliament elections). But Brexit will lurk behind many of the policy debates, and its more baleful consequences will make themselves evident during this election year, no doubt to the Conservatives great embarrassment. As the party that was elected to Get Brexit Done, such failures dont reflect well on them... and there will be some high-profile examples of Brexit drawbacks on display through 2024.
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Rishi Sunak has been in crisis mode since the start of the year  battling to get his Rwanda bill through parliament and fighting to fend off a plot by right-wing Tory rebels to bring him down.

An ill-timed mega-poll forecasting a landslide win for Labour  commissioned by a shadowy Conservative group organised by leading Sunak critic David Frost  sent No 10 into a tizzy.

Senior MP Simon Clarke  the Liz Truss and Boris Johnson loyalist  sparked fury by calling for a new PM, before it emerged that a cabal of ex-advisers was organising anti-Sunak efforts behind the scenes.

No one likes that guy thats shouting iceberg, said Sir Simon on the backlash from Tory MPs over his warning of an electoral massacre unless they have the guts to get a new leader.

So how big is the group of Tory plotters? Has the conspiracy failed, or is just getting started? The Independent takes a closer look at how the secret plan to replace Mr Sunak has played out so far.

Frosts Labour landslide poll blames Sunak for Tory woes

Lord Frost is tied to an explosive YouGov megapoll  published in The Telegraph on 14 January with gloom-laden analysis  which shows that the Tories are on course to win as few as 169 seats at the general election.

Frost is behind the Conservative Britain Alliance, which paid for damaging poll (PA)

It is timed to inflict maximum damage on Mr Sunak just before the crucial Commons vote on the Rwanda bill, which sees heavy criticism from the Tory right but passes with a rebellion of just 11 hardline Conservative MPs voting against it.

While Lord Frost owns up to helping organise the poll, he gives nothing away on the shadowy Conservative Britain Alliance group covering the surveys estimated 40,000 cost.

Simon Clarke and Rees Mogg join Liz Trusss new group

Liz Truss reveals that she is setting up yet another right-wing Tory faction, a group of free-market low-tax advocates calling themselves Popular Conservativism.

The group  with ex-Truss ministers Simon Clarke and Jacob Rees-Mogg on board to speak at a launch event  is ostensibly aimed at helping shape the next Conservative manifesto in the months ahead.

But suspicions are raised that Truss allies are on manoeuvres for a fresh push against Mr Sunaks leadership of the party.

Simon Clarke unrepentant despite Tory backlash at his push against Sunak (EPA)

Simon Clarke calls for Sunak to be sacked to avoid Tory massacre

Ms Truss former levelling up secretary  a constant Sunak critic and one of the 11 MPs who voted against his Rwanda bill  said it was time for a new leader to avoid a massacre at the next election.

Senior Tories says as Priti Patel, David Davis and Ben Wallace lash out his foolish and facile move. Suella Braverman keeps quiet, while Ms Truss and fellow hardliner Robert Jenrick make clear they are not going to join the coup attempt.

Only the ardent Johnson fanatic Andrea Jenkyns, another consistent Sunak critic, joins Sir Simon in saying she had sent in her no-confidence letter. She claims more letters will go in. But a source close to the 1922 Committee tells The Independent, there is nothing close to the 53 letters needed to spark a leadership vote.

Defiant, and comparing the Tories to the Titanic, Sir Simon insists somebody had to shout iceberg. He suggests that he is putting a marker down for others to follow in the weeks ahead.

Ex-Sunak aide Will Dry says PM must go

It then emerges that a former No 10 adviser called Will Dry is working with a small cabal of ex-advisers and right-wing MPs to overthrow Mr Sunak.

Ahead of a report on the plot in The Times, Mr Dry makes a statement saying the Tories were heading for the most almighty of defeats unless Mr Sunak was replaced.

The rebel group is based in central London and is said to be working with around 10 Tory MPs  including Ms Braverman, who was sacked as home secretary by Mr Sunak in November.

Will Dry (centre) revealed he was plotting to get rid of Sunak along with Frost and Clarke (Getty/PA/Alamy)

Claims by Frost allies based on poll challenged by independent experts

The British Polling Council (BPC) reveals that it is looking into the Lord Frost-organised megapoll which caused such a stink in mid-January.

The watchdog said it wanted to make sure YouGov was formally hired by this organisation  the Conservative Britain Alliance. It later releases a statement saying there is no reason at present to believe that YouGov have not met their obligations.

Frost told by Sunak ally to reveal who paid for poll  or be thrown out

It emerges that the Conservative leader of the Lords, Lord True, is ordering Lord Frost to reveal the names of secret backers who funded the megapoll or be stripped of the Tory whip.

But the right-wing former Brexit minister is refusing to say, and wont reveal if foreign cash paid for the 40,000 exercise aimed at damaging Mr Sunak.

Lord Frost is said to have been warned that if the poll donor has backed Reform UK, then he will lose the whip for effectively collaborating with another party.

Sunak and his No 10 team planning to flush out plotters and draw a line under coup attempt (PA Wire)

Plotters eye by-elections and local elections for fresh push against Sunak

Allies of Sunak  keen to flush out the plotters before they can build support and strike again at the local elections  tell the Financial Times that they believe backers Ms Braverman are running the campaign.

Senior Sunak ally Harriet Baldwin suggests that the 1922 change its rules to raise the threshold of no-confidence letter from 15 per cent to 50 per cent  in order to prevent leadership elections.

But the idea quickly fails. 1922 Committee chiefs reject the idea of more than tripling the number of Tory MPs who would have to submit letters.

Despite the very small number of MPs involved, the anti-Sunak schemers are not giving up just yet. One told Politico: There are plenty of moments coming up  by-elections, the local elections, Reform continuing to tick up in the polls or if Farage entered the scene. Its about making the case and seeing if people will come round.

One Tory insider told The Independent that although theres enough time for another surprise or two before the May local elections, with March Budget drama and legal difficulty in getting Rwanda flights started still to come.
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There are no obvious alternatives to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader in an effort to win back voters who have deserted the party, a new poll has shown.

The striking survey comes after a former Sunak adviser at No 10 was revealed to be working with a group of Tory rebels in a plot to oust the prime minister.

Will Dry  reported to be working with a small cabal of ex-advisers and around 10 right-wing MPs  said the Tories were heading for the most almighty of defeats unless Mr Sunak was replaced.

Mr Sunaks leadership came under renewed speculation this week when Sir Simon Clarke, a senior ally of former PM Liz Truss, called for him to go so the party avoids a massacre at the next election.

But a poll by Ipsos UK suggests there are few compelling alternatives to Mr Sunak in the eyes of 2019 Tory voters, with the prime minister enjoying a higher favourability rating than the rest of his front bench.

Some 42 per cent of Tory voters at the last election said they had a favourable view of Mr Sunak, with chancellor Jeremy Hunt trailing on 38 per cent and home secretary James Cleverly on 28 per cent.

The PMs net favourability rating of +13 was also much higher than those of his chancellor and home secretary, on +7 and +2 respectively.

Rishi Sunak has the same kind of approval ratings as Boris Johnson (Getty Images)

There was little difference between Mr Sunak and possible candidates from outside the parliamentary party. Former PM Boris Johnson had a favourability rating among 2019 Tory voters of 43 per cent, but at 34 per cent his unfavourability rating was higher than that of Mr Sunak.

Reform UKs honorary president Nigel Farage  suggested by some as a possible future Conservative leader  was also virtually neck-and-neck with Mr Sunak in terms of popularity.

The Brexiteer was viewed favourably by 43 per cent of 2019 Conservatives, only one point more than Mr Sunak, and was viewed unfavourably by 29 per cent, tied with the PM.

Keiran Pedley, director of politics at Ipsos, said leadership speculation is to be expected given the Tories dire ratings and the fact that a majority of Britons have unfavourable views towards Mr Sunak.

However, it is unclear who would do a better job. No obvious alternative stands out amongst 2019 Conservative voters so far.

He added: Plus, given at least half of Britons have held unfavourable opinions towards the Conservative Party since early 2022, its not a given that a new leader will improve the party brand any time soon.

Commons leader Penny Mordaunt defended Mr Sunak in the Commons on Thursday, after her Labour shadow Lucy Powell raised the scathing comments made by ex-adviser Will Dry about the electoral disaster faced by the Tories under the current leader.

Ms Mordaunt  herself one of the favourites to succeed Mr Sunak  claimed that he had chosen a life in public service representing Gods own country despite having many career options. She said he represents the best of Great Britain.

Cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt is a favourite to succeed Sunak (PA Wire)

It emerged that ex-Sunak adviser Mr Dry helped develop questions for the YouGov megapoll  which predicted a landslide Labour victory  published in The Telegraph last week.

The polling was spearheaded by Conservative peer and leading Sunak critic David Frost, with the estimated 70,000 cost covered by the shadowy Conservative Britain Alliance group.

The rebel group is based in central London and is rumoured to be working with around 10 Tory MPs, including ex-home secretary Suella Braverman, according to The Times.

The British Polling Council (BPC) is now examining the controversial YouGov poll used by the anti-Sunak plotters. Nick Moon, of the BPC, said: Theyve said the client was the Conservative Britain Alliance. Were just making sure that they were formally hired by this organisation.

A YouGov spokesperson said: Over the past week, YouGov has sought guidance from the BPC and received assurances that we have followed the rules.

On Thursday, a GB News report suggested that some Tory rebels believe Ms Mordaunt is best-placed to replace the prime minister.

A rebel insider told the outlet that if Mr Sunak was replaced, the new leader should come up with a 100-day contract with Britain, followed by a general election within three to four months.

Meanwhile, a new YouGov survey showed that Reform have climbed to their highest-ever level of backing at 13 per cent  as support for Mr Sunak continues to get squeezed.

Leader Richard Tice said his party was closing in on the Tories  since they are just seven points behind Mr Sunaks party on 20 per cent.

Sir Keir Starmers party is an incredible 34 points ahead of Mr Sunaks party in 150 target constituencies, a separate YouGov poll for the Labour-aligned Fabian Society found.

The Ipsos poll, which surveyed just over 1,000 British adults between 12 and 14 January, found that around a fifth of 2019 Tory voters now said they were likely to consider voting for Labour. Some 28 per cent said they would consider voting for Reform.
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The row over the Tory plot to sack Rishi Sunak took a dramatic turn after a confrontation between a cabinet minister and rebel Conservative peer Lord Frost.

Former brexit minister Lord Frost was ordered by Sunak loyalist and Lords leader Lord True to reveal the names of secret backers who funded a 40,000 poll which forecast a Labour landslide or face losing the Conservative whip.

Defiant Lord Frost, who organised the survey, had refused to reveal the names of the secret donors - or confirm rumours that it was bankrolled from overseas. The group behind the poll is simply called the Conservative Britain Alliance (CBA), though there is no official record of their existence or membership.

The explosive YouGov poll was used by Lord Frost to claim the Tories are doomed under Sunak. It predicted a 27-point lead for Labour and the Tories to retain as few as 169 seats at the next election.

Although the interpretation of its results has been challenged by experts, it has since been linked to an orchestrated right-wing revolt to oust the PM.

Days after the poll was published, former cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke called for Mr Sunaks resignation in the pages of the Daily Telegraph, leaving many wondering if the damaging opinion poll and Sir Simons op-ed were related.

Rishi Sunaks allies close ranks around him while rebels plot their next course (PA Wire)

Just days before the polls publication, Mr Sunak faced an internal row over his Rwanda bill, where 60 Conservative MPs backed rebel amendments. Though the bill passed third reading unammended, Rishi Sunak had faced considerable, public damage to his authority.

It has also been revealed that Mr Sunaks former SPAD, Will Dry, had resigned his post back in December and was now working the shadowy CBA to help design the questions for their YouGov poll.

It has since been revealed that the group may contain as many as ten MPs and a dozen SPADs, and is bank-rolled by Tory donors, who are attempting to oust the PM and turn the party away from electoral oblivion.

Sir Simon Clarke has defended his attack on the Prime Minister (PA Archive)

The face-to-face showdown in a meeting this week between Lord True and Lord Frost is the latest sign that Mr Sunak is determined to fight moves to replace him by Tories close to his two predecessors Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.

Mr Sunak has had the public backing of several high-profile colleagues in the wake of the challenges to his authority, including from the likes of former leader David Davis, former secretaries of state, Priti Patel and Liam Fox.

Moderates in the party have also warned their colleagues both publicly and privately against staging a coup, for fear the public may never forgive yet another leadership change.

Harriet Baldwin, Tory backbencher and chair of the treasury committee, suggested to colleagues that the 1922 committee change its rules to raise the threshold of no-confidence letter from 15 per cent to 50 per cent  in order to prevent leadership elections.

Harriet Baldwin is one of a number of Sunak loyalists who have come out in support of the prime minister (AFP via Getty Images)

Now, the Times has reported that Lord True has repeatedly asked Lord Frost to declare who paid for the YouGov poll  and whether right-wing challenger Reform UK were behind its creation.

Reform UK, led by Richard Tice, is the latest threat to the Conservatives existence, with one poll suggesting that Reform could take up to as much as 12 per cent of the vote at the next general election.

Now, Lord True has warned Lord Frost that if he does not reveal the identities of the donors he could be stripped of the whip, while another warned he could be embroiled in an ethics scandal should he refuse to comment.

On Wednesday the British Polling Council examined the controversial poll after concerns were raised about its funding and the wording of the questions. But the BPC ultimately concluded that there was no reason to believe that YouGov have not met their obligations and were assured that they had followed the rules and sought the right guidance when being commissioned.

All that is left for Mr Sunak now is the hope that his backers remain loyal, but rebels say the next month is critical as the parts of the country take to the ballot boxes for a series of by-elections.

One Tory insider told the Independent that although theres enough time for another surprise or two before then, Sunak could face a flurry of more public calls to step down if the party loses any more seats before the next election, while another Conservative MP said a couple of bruising by-election defeats could spell more trouble.
 Close United Nations Says Alabama Execution With Nitrogen Could Be Torture

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Alabama death row inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith has been executed by nitrogen gas  making him the first person in US history to be put to death through the controversial method.

Smith, 58, was pronounced dead at 8.25pm CT on Thursday at the William C Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama, almost three decades after he was convicted in the 1988 murder-for-hire plot of Elizabeth Sennett.

His religious adviser Reverend Jeff Hood, who witnessed the execution, told reporters what he saw was a man struggling for their life for a staggering 22 minutes.

The White House condemned the execution on Friday. It is very troubling to us as an administration. It is very troubling to us here at the White House, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

Alabama authorities insist the execution went to plan, despite predicting the untested method would lead to unconsciousness within seconds and death in minutes.

But, witnesses said Smith appeared conscious for several minutes, shaking and writhing on the gurney.

We didnt see somebody go unconscious in 30 seconds, said Rev Hood. What we saw was minutes of someone struggling for their life.

Smiths death came after the US Supreme Court denied a final, 11th-hour bid to stay of execution. The ruling received dissent from Justice Sonia Sotomayor who wrote that the state had selected Smith as a guinea pig by using the untested method.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said that 43 more death row inmates have elected to die by nitrogen hypoxia. People incarcerated on death row are able to chose their preferred method from electrocution, lethal injection or nitrogen hypoxia.

What occurred last night was textbook, AG Marshall said. As of last night, nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution is no longer an untested method. It is a proven one.
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A trial date is yet to be set in the case of Bryan Kohberger  the man charged with the murders of four University of Idaho students.

The 29-year-old criminology PhD student and accused mass killer appeared in Latah County Courtroom for two hearings on Friday  one of which was be livestreamed by the judge for the first time in the cases history.

In the hearings, Mr Kohbergers legal team made another bid to have his indictment dismissed and to unseal documents in the case, which Judge John Judge denied.

Prosecutors had previously asked for a trial date of summer 2024 for the man whose alleged crimes shocked America and spread a wave of terror through the college community of Moscow, Idaho.

On Friday, prosecutor Bill Thompson said: I am still concerned about the victims and their families.

They have suffered for well over a year now with a lot of uncertainty. And thats painful, and its an everyday reminder, and they need some certainty and they need some closure in a timely fashion.

Bryan Kohberger in court on 26 October 2023 (AP)

But we know we also have to make sure, as Your Honor just said a few minutes ago, that we only do this case once.

However, judge Judge did not set a date for Mr Kohbergers high-profile quadruple murder trial  as had been expected  despite also raising concerns over further delay.

My heart goes out to the victims. I cant even imagine the pain, the grief... because you cant really go forward with your life with this hanging over your head, so, Im sorry, he said.

Lawyers for Mr Kohberger argued that a more appropriate date would be summer of 2025, claiming that there was a mountain of evidence including thousands of photographs, videos, and over 400 witnesses to interview.

The 29-year-old is is charged with four counts of murder and one count of burglary over the brutal murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

In the early hours of 13 November, Mr Kohberger is accused of breaking into an off-campus student home on King Road, Moscow, and stabbing to death the four students with a large, military-style knife.

Two other female roommates lived with the three women at the property and were home at the time of the massacre but survived.

One of the survivors  Dylan Mortensen  came face to face with the masked killer, dressed in head-to-toe black and with bushy eyebrows, as he left the home in the aftermath of the murders, according to the criminal affidavit.

For more than six weeks, the college town of Moscow was plunged into fear as the accused killer remained at large with no arrests made and no suspects named.

Then, on 30 December, law enforcement suddenly swooped on Mr Kohbergers family home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania and arrested him for the quadruple murders.

Investigators said he was tied to the murders through his DNA found on a knife sheath left on the bed next to Mogens butchered body.

The motive remains unknown and it is still unclear what connection the WSU PhD student had to the University of Idaho students  if any  prior to the murders. The murder weapon  a fixed-blade knife  has never been found.

The home where the murders took place was demolished in December (AP)

Mr Kohberger, who is facing the death penalty for the killings, has tried once already to get the charges thrown out.

That bid was rejected by the judge.

As a criminal justice PhD student at WSU, Mr Kohberger lived just 15 minutes from the victims over the Idaho-Washington border in Pullman.

He had moved there from Pennsylvania and began his studies there that summer, having just completed his first semester before his arrest.

Before this, he studied criminology at DeSales University under renowned forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland who interviewed the BTK serial killer and co-wrote the book Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer with him.

He also carried out a research project to understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision-making when committing a crime.

In December, the student home where the murders took place was razed to the ground  a decision that divided the families of the victims.
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A Colorado pastor accused of running a $3m cryptocurrency scam with his wife has claimed that the Lord advised him to carry out the venture.

Eligio Eli Regalado and his wife Kaitlyn Regalado have been charged with civil fraud offences by the Colorado Division of Securities after their cryptocurrency INDXcoin raked in almost $3.2m from more than 300 people, according to a press release by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.

The complaint alleges the couple created, marketed and sold a cryptocurrency to members of the Christian community.

Mr Regalado, who preaches for the online-only Victorious Grace Church, targeted believers, telling them that God had told him investors would end up wealthy if they put money into INDXcoin, the complaint alleges.

The couple also allegedly filled presentations with prayers and quotes from the Bible, telling investors that investment would lead to abundance and blessings.

They also allegedly offered their cryptocurrency through an online exchange platform, called Kingdom Wealth Exchange (KWE), which they created and controlled themselves.

The Colorado Division of Securities alleges that the couple had no prior experience in dealing with cryptocurrency and a third-party auditors report found the INDXcoin code to be unsafe, unsecure and riddled with serious technical problems.

However, despite the cryptocurrency being illiquid and practically worthless, the Regalados are accused of continuing to promote it as a low-risk, high-profit investment.

Eligio Regalado and his wife allegedly raked in almost $3.2m (INDXcoin/YouTube)

We allege that Mr Regalado took advantage of the trust and faith of his own Christian community and that he peddled outlandish promises of wealth to them when he sold them essentially worthless cryptocurrencies, said Tung Chan, the Colorado Division of Securities commissioner, in the statement.

New coins and new exchanges are easy to create with open-source code. We want to remind consumers to be very sceptical.

Hundreds of people have allegedly lost millions in the scheme, while the Regalados used the investor funds to pay for their lavish lifestyle, the commissioner said.

According to the complaint, from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, the couple spent tens of thousands of dollars on jewellery, luxury handbags, cosmetic dentistry and clothes.

They also splashed out on boat rentals, renovations to their home, and a Range Rover, but most gallingly, they transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to their church, the complaint states.

Mr Regalado spoke to his INDXcoin community in a video statement and allegedly admitted to spending money on home remodelling on the Lords instructions.

Out of that $1.3 (million), half a million dollars went to the IRS, and a few hundred thousand dollars went to a home remodel that the Lord told us to do, he said in the video posted on Friday, according to The Associated Press.

He also claimed that God appeared to him in a dream, giving him advice on how to run the cryptocurrency exchange.

God will work out a miracle to sort out the project, he claimed.

Either I misheard God  or God is still not done with this project, and He is going to do a new thing, he said in the video, reported CNN.

What were praying for, and what were believing for still, is that God is going to do a miracle. God is going to work a miracle in the financial sector  [and that] everyone [who invested]  is going to be able to receive money back.

The Independent could not independently verify the video as it appears to be private to members only.

An action was filed against the couple in Denver District Court seeking preliminary and injunctive relief, damages for investors, and a constructive trust to be placed on the couples property.

The Colorado Division of Securities has asked anyone who has invested in INDXcoin to contact them.

The Independent has contacted Mr Regalado via an email on the INDXcoin YouTube page.
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Authorities in New York City have launched an investigation after a severed head and other body parts were found inside a fridge in Brooklyn.

Heather Stines, 45, has been charged with concealment of a corpse in connection with the disturbing discovery on Monday at her Flatbush apartment. Stines, who has a history of minor crimes, claimed it was her now-jailed husband who allegedly killed a man following a dispute over drugs and dismembered the body to store it in the fridge.

The victim whose body parts were found inside the fridge has been identified by law enforcement as 39-year-old registered sex offender Kawsheen Gelzer.

Stines brother-in-law Timothy McGee told the New York Daily News that he did not believe she had carried out the murder.

She does not have it in her to do something like this. Its a lot of commitment, Mr McGee said.

Heres what we know about the case:

NYPD tipped off about body parts in freezer

Law enforcement was alerted of the gruesome contents in Stines fridge after an anonymous caller contacted the New York City Police Departments tipline.

Stines reportedly allowed officers inside the apartment, but when they tried to inspect a taped-up refrigerator, she became combative, according to NBC.

The refrigerator was taped up, said Joseph Kenny, NYPD chief of detectives, on Tuesday, according to The New York Post. They were trying to hole up, I guess, the smell inside.

Heather Stines faces charges of concealment of a corpse after a severed head and other parts were found in her refrigerator (Heather Stines/Facebook)

The officers later found plastic bags that contained the body parts inside.

Homicide detectives were called to the scene and Stines was arrested after undergoing a psychiatric evaluation on Wednesday.

The chief medical examiner is working to determine the victims cause of death.

Stines moved to NYC from Kentucky with husband

The womans aunt, Amy Stines, told DailyMail.com that her niece had moved there from Kentucky and was living with her husband. Both had longstanding drug problems, the aunt said, and had been arrested several times.

Oh god, I just cant fathom this, Ms Stines told the outlet.

The husband, Nicholas McGee, has been jailed in Virginia since September for allegedly trying to cash a fraudulent cheque.

At least twice, according to a neighbour, people had tried to break into the apartment searching for money she owed them for drugs.

McGees brother, Timothy McGee, told the Daily News that they had both moved to New York with their wives in 2014 and spent the first years in the city in shelters.

We were at the Third St Mens Shelter downtown. My wife was in [the] White Plains shelter, but Heather was put in [the] Tillary St Womens Shelter because she used to fight with everyone at the other shelter, Timothy McGee said. He seemed fine [last time I spoke with him] and he told me that his wife was holding the fort. He does not know whats happening here.

Stines alleged husband killed Gelzer

Law enforcement said following the arrest, Stines claimed her husband killed Gelzer while the two men argued over drugs.

Stines claimed McGee then dismembered the body and stored it in plastic bags that he placed inside the freezer. McGee has not been charged with any crimes involving the incident at this time.

Dorothy Williams, a neighbour of Stines, told The New York Post that she had been in Stines apartment a couple of times  but Stines never let her near the kitchen area.

She just told me that her caseworker was just here, Ms Williams told the outlet. But their caseworker, they dont come in and look through everything. They just kind of stick their head in and say everythings OK in here and then leave.

Stines had been previously arrested on charges of petty crime.

Gelzer was registered as a sex offender and given five years of probation after he abused a 12-year-old boy in 2004, according to the New York City Sex Offender registry.
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A convicted killer and friend of Jennifer Crumbley, the mother of the Oxford High School mass shooter, was removed from the courtroom during her manslaughter trial.

Megan Imirowicz, who was convicted at the age of 19 for killing her father by throwing corrosive lye powder and water onto him in 2021, befriended Ms Crumbley in prison.

Ahead of Thursdays opening statements in Ms Crumbleys trial, Oakland County assistant prosecutor Marc Keast said, Its come to our attention that one individual who was subpoenaed as a witness is in court today.

Mr Keast said he was talking about Imirowicz. Shannon Smith, the defence attorney, said, I dont even know who Megan Imirowicz is, while looking around the courtroom.

Imirowicz then seemed to leave the courtroom.

Megan Imirowicz, 19, was convicted for killing her father using lye powder and water. She said Jennifer Crumbley, the mother of Oxford school shooter Ethan Crumbley, helped her write her sentencing plea (Michigan State Police)

The judge explained that anyone who is a witness is under a sequestration order. Apparently, Ms Crumbley helped Imirowicz write her plea for mercy.

She helped me write the things out that I didnt know how to put into words, Imirowicz said in July 2023.

Imirowicz said that Ms Crumbley was her best friend.

Jennifer Crumbley is on trial for four counts of involuntary manslaughter (Oakland County Jail)

Ms Crumbley is on trial for four counts of involuntary manslaughter after her son, Ethan Crumbley, opened fire at his high school in November 2021, killing four classmates and wounding seven others. Crumbley was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole last month  a sentence which he appealed this week. His lawyers told the court that if he is called to testify, he has been advised to invoke his right to remain silent.

The judge said on Friday that she will prohibit the defence from calling the convicted school shooter to take the stand because of his plan to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights. She said she couldnt think of a single question, other than asking his name, that wouldnt result in him pleading the Fifth.

The trial of the shooters mother began this week while the trial of her husband is slated for March, as the pair asked for their cases to be severed. Her husband, James Crumbley, also faces four counts of involuntary manslaughter. They have both pleaded not guilty.

The parents have been accused of ignoring their sons declining mental health condition and making a gun accessible in their home.

Mr Crumbley purchased a firearm for their son and Ms Crumbley took Ethan to a shooting range just days before the massacre.

The school reportedly contacted the 15-year-olds parents to warn them about his violent drawings that they had found and had found him showing interest in finding ammunition.

Hours before the mass shooting, the parents were called in to meet with school administrators and their son. While the school urged the parents to take him home, the Crumbleys kept him in school.

The defence on Thursday emphasised this choice that the school gave the Crumbleys. It caused him great anxiety to miss school so Ms Crumbley encouraged her son to stay in school that day, her lawyer said.

Ms Smith told the jury that Ms Crumbley is a hypervigilant mother, while also saying that she didnt have it on her radar in any way that there was any mental disturbance, and that the school hadnt told her about any problematic issues regarding her son.

The evidence will show that the shooting was absolutely not foreseeable and absolutely not expected, Ms Smith said.

The prosecutors have painted the mother in a very different light. They werent in a car crash. They werent sick. They were murdered in an act of terror committed by Jennifer Crumbleys 15-year-old son, Oakland County assistant prosecutor Marc Keast said in opening statements.

Jennifer Crumbley didnt pull the trigger that day. But shes responsible for their deaths, he added.

On Thursday, an argument ensued between the lawyers when Ms Crumbley started audibly crying in the courtroom, despite the judge requesting that everyone try to remain composed to not sway the jury. She began crying after the prosecution showed video footage of her son roaming around the school hallways wielding the weapon.

Prosecutor Karen McDonald told the judge that she heard not only Ms Crumbley, but also her lawyer, Ms Smith.

I did not sob, Ms Smith snapped. We were not sobbing or making a scene. All my eye makeup is still on.

Ms Crumbleys trial continues.
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Police have arrested the girlfriend of Joliet mass murder suspect Romeo Nance for allegedly preventing police from finding her boyfriend after they said he killed seven members of his own family and one other person on 21 January.

Kyleigh Cleveland, 21, was charged with obstruction of justice on Wednesday after she allegedly told police she didnt know Nances phone number as the manhunt was underway.

Police said they first made contact with Ms Cleveland when they were looking for Nances three-year-old son after he was not found at either of the two family homes where the shootings took place.

When detectives found the child at a home in Plainfield with Ms Cleveland, the 21-year-old was cooperative with police, and agreed to be questioned, authorities said.

However, detectives believe she withheld critical information from them to prevent them from apprehending Nance.

Ms Cleveland, who is the mother of Nances three-year-old son, was ordered by a judge to be placed on home confinement and electronic monitoring.

Police believe Nance went on a deadly shooting spree on 21 January, shooting nine people in the Joliet area, eight of whom were killed.

Seven of the victims are believed to have been related to Nance, police said. The victims were later identified as Nances mother, aunt, uncle, brother and three sisters.

Romeo Nance took his own life in Natalia, Texas (REUTERS)

He is also believed to have shot two men at random, including the final victim, 28-year-old Toyosi Bakare.

Investigators do not believe that Mr Bakare was related to any of the other victims.

The ninth man, who was shot in the leg, is also not believed to have been connected to any of the other victims.

Nance later took his own life hundreds of miles away in Natalia, Texas, following a confrontation with law enforcement officials, police said.

Following the shootings, it remains unclear why Nance travelled to Natalia, which is more than 18 hours away from Joliet by road. Illinois authorities confirmed on Tuesday that Nance had no known ties to Texas.

Medina County, Texas, sheriff Randy Brown said he believes Nance was trying to reach Mexico.

It seems like they [criminal suspects] all head to Mexico, he said.

Police are now working to establish Nances motive for the killings.

We cant get inside his head, said Bill Evans, Joliets chief of police. We just dont have any clue as to why he did what he did.

We may never know the truth or motives, added Dan Jungles, Will County Sheriffs Office deputy chief of operations.

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden described the killings as tragic.

This tragedy underscores why I am doing everything in my power to keep guns off our streets and out of the hands of those who seek to harm themselves or others, he said. Its why my administration is strengthening the gun background check system and cracking down on gun trafficking through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Its why Ive taken dozens of executive actions to strengthen gun safety and end the gun violence epidemic. And its why I continue to call on Congress to pass universal background checks and a national red flag law, in addition to other commonsense gun safety measures.

It is within our power to stop the epidemic of gun violence tearing our communities apart. Congress must act now, he added.
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A California man accused of shooting and killing a six-year-old boy in 2021 has been convicted of murder.

Marcus Eriz, 26, of Costa Mesa, faces a maximum sentence of 40 years to life in state prison after he was convicted of killing a six-year-old, Aiden Leos, on the 55 freeway on 21 May 2021, a press release from the office of the district attorney of Orange County, California, said.

His charges include one felony count of second-degree murder, one felony count of shooting into an occupied vehicle, and two felony enhancements of the personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death.

Six-year-old boys should be playing outside in the sunshine, soaking in all the magic and wonder that is boyhood, not lying dead in a tiny, child-size coffin because a man he never met decided to execute him for no conceivable reason. said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer in the press release.

While we will never know what Aiden would have become, we know that the pursuit of justice did not end until his killer was captured and this child murderer was prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, he added.

The incident occurred just after 8am on that day back in 2021, when Aiden was sitting in the back seat of his mothers car driving northbound on the freeway and was killed while on his way to kindergarten in Yorba Linda.

Aidens mother, Joanna Cloonan, testified at trial she had flipped off the driver of a Volkswagen SportWagen after the driver cut her off.

Marcus Eriz, 26, has been convicted of murder (NBC Los Angeles)

After driving away, she said that she her a large noise followed by her son saying, Ow, the release stated.

She pulled over on the side of the road, took Aiden out of his car seat and called 911, yet Aiden later died at Childrens Hospital of Orange County in Orange, the release said.

District Attorney Daniel Feldman said in an opening statement at the trial that the shot pierced Aidens liver, lung and heart, according to the Associated Press.

The release said that the California Highway Patrol had launched into an intense manhunt for the shooter, searching across Southern California for the Volkswagen, which ended in Mr Eriz and the driver of the car, Wynne Lee, were arrested on 6 June 2021.

During police interviews, Mr Eriz admitted to firing a shot into the trunk of Ms Cloonans vehicle, but insisted he did not intend to harm anyone.

This is not a road rage case, Mr Feldman said. This is an expression by Mr Eriz of cold indifference. This is an expression by Mr Eriz of his callous and total disregard for human life.

Ms Lee, 26, has been charged with one felony count of accessory after the fact and one misdemeanour count of having a concealed firearm in a vehicle, facing a maximum of three years in state prison and one year in the Orange County jail if convicted of all charges, the release said.

She is awaiting trial and remains out of custody on GPS monitoring after posting a $100,000 in 2021.

Mr Eriz will be sentenced on 12 April.
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A 17-year-old murder suspect has escaped custody after being brought to hospital, launching a manhunt by Philadelphia police for a fugitive they consider dangerous.

Shane Pryor, a teenage prisoner, escaped from the emergency room parking lot of Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia just before midday on Wednesday after he was taken there for an apparent hand injury.

By 12.29pm on Wednesday, it is believed that Mr Pryor had obtained transportation out of University City. The US Marshals Service Philadelphia said in an update that they believe the fugitive may be operating a stolen Ford F-150 with PA Tag ZTS-0503.

Police announced on Friday that an 18-year-old named Michael Diggs has reportedly been arrested and charged with aiding the prisoner in his escape. He allegedly picked up Mr Pryor in a cream-coloured Ford.

Mr Diggs has been charged with hindering apprehension, escape, use of communication facility and criminal conspiracy, police announced.

Mr Pryor, who was taken to the hospital from the juvenile justice services centre, is thought to have run from the area on foot, said Frank Vanore, the deputy commissioner of investigations, in a news conference on Wednesday.

He had not even made it into the hospital when he escaped after exiting a vehicle and proceeded to run from building to building nearby, police said.

Pryor was caught on surveillance footage after he escaped custody (Philadelphia Police Department)

Mr Vanore described Mr Pryor as a Black male with a light complexion, 57" and weighing 180 pounds, the outlet said. He was last seen wearing blue sweatpants, a blue sweatshirt and slides with socks on his feet.

The prisoner was last spotted in the University Avenue and Civic Centre Boulevard area and is not thought to be near the hospital any longer, so no lockdown has been put in place in the area.

The US Marshals Service Philadelphia released surveillance footage of Mr Pryor on Thursday.

They said he was in the Hub for Clinical Collaboration lobby around five minutes after his escape.

Mr Pryor was not handcuffed when he made his escape from the parking lot, Mr Vanore said, and it is unclear whether he was shackled up to that moment.

The escapee has been in custody since 2020 at the age of 14, and is still awaiting a trial.

Mr Pryor was originally arrested over accusations that he shot and killed a woman in 2020 (US Marshals Service Philadelphia)

He is being accused of shooting and killing Tanya Harris in an alleyway in Holmesburg in October 2020, according to court documents seen by 6ABC.

The fugitive is alleged to have told police he solicited Harris for sex, but that another man shot her, the outlet reported.

His mother, who didnt want to be identified, is urging her son to turn himself back in, according to 6ABC.

Just turn yourself in so it dont get any worse than it has to be... mommy is fighting for you, Ill always be fighting for you, she said, according to the outlet.

Paul DiMaio, Mr Pyrors attorney, also said, according to CBS that this is a case where if hes innocent, hes maintained his innocence all along; lets prove that in court. We need to follow the procedure and not just be on the run.

Whether hes scared or whatever reason, he needs to turn himself in," he added.

Mr DiMaio also told NBC10 that his client has always maintained his innocence.

Harriss sister said that if Mr Pryor was innocent, he should turn himself in to clear his name in court.

"My family is going through it and its like my sister is murdered a second time," said Harriss sister, according to 6ABC.

Mr Vanore said that they dont want anyone to approach Mr Pryor, but if they see him they should give the authorities a call.

The Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information about Mr Pryor.
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At a park on the banks of the Rio Grande, in Eagle Pass, Texas, National Guard soldiers under the direction of the state are facing off against federal troops in a power struggle that has profound constitutional implications.

For the first time in nearly 70 years, a state governor  in this case, Greg Abbott of Texas  is defying the authority of the federal government not just in words, but with the implication of force.

In the past week, under Mr Abbotts orders, Texas National Guard troops have blocked federal Border Patrol agents from accessing a stretch of the US-Mexico border that has seen high numbers of illegal crossings, ostensibly so his forces can better secure the border with razor wire and other infrastructure.

Those troops have defied a Supreme Court order allowing federal Border Patrol agents to enter the area and dismantle the wire, which the Biden administration has argued is dangerous and prevents them from helping migrants in distress.

US border guards rescue undocumented migrants from flood then arrest them

It may sound like a potentially dangerous, if not slightly absurd bureaucratic nightmare, but at the root of this standoff is a disagreement about the US constitution, and who ultimately has the responsibility to protect and govern the countrys borders.

On the one side, Republican states believe the Biden administration is not doing enough to prevent illegal crossings into the US and have taken aggressive and potentially dangerous measures to do so in its place.

The Biden administration, meanwhile, has asserted the governments constitutional right to regulate immigration and argued that preventing Border Patrol agents from accessing the area imperils the lives of migrants trying to cross the river. The Department of Homeland Security noted the case of a mother and her two children who drowned while trying to cross where Mr Abbotts fortifications had been placed near Shelby Park.

Former president Donald Trump waded into the dispute on Thursday, accusing President Joe Biden of fighting to tie the hands of Governor Abbott and the State of Texas and calling on other states to send their troops to the border to assist Texas.

We encourage all willing States to deploy their guards to Texas to prevent the entry of Illegals, and to remove them back across the Border, he wrote on Truth Social.

Mr Abbott, in forcing a showdown on the Rio Grande, hopes he can persuade the Supreme Court to consider his argument that states have a right to play a greater role in protecting Americas national borders. If he wins, it would represent a seismic shift in how US borders are controlled.

David Coale, a constitutional lawyer from Texas who has followed the border fracas closely, said the dispute in Eagle Pass is part of a larger political battle.

Theres more here than just a petulant governor, he told The Independent. Its a broad strategy to change the balance of federal-state power, just like the long campaign to overturn Roe v Wade.

Mr Coale compared the crisis on the border to the showdown between Dwight D Eisenhower and the state of Arkansas over school desegregation in 1957. Then, as today, federal troops were sent to enforce the US governments authority.

You have a federal force and state force colliding with each other. That was a very difficult time. Those were not great moments in our nations history. To see that happening again is unfortunate, he said.

Mr Abbott, laying out his justification in a statement on Wednesday that invoked the constitutions authors Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, argued that President Biden has refused to enforce laws preventing illegal immigrants from entering the US, and claims he thus his state has the constitutional authority to defend itself.

The White House has described Mr Abbotts efforts to fortify the border as cruel, inhumane and dangerous, while the Department of Homeland Security has said Mr Abbotts actions conflict with the authority and duties of Border Patrol under federal law and improperly seek to regulate the federal government.

The Supreme Court has already considered the question of state versus federal power about the border. In 2012, the court partially struck down an anti-immigrant state law in Arizona  but upheld a provision allowing police to order anyone they suspect of being undocumented to turn over their papers. In essence, it ruled in favour of the federal government.

Today, the Supreme Court is much more conservative than it was in 2012. Mr Abbott may believe he has a shot at a different outcome this time.

But in the Texas case  much like with Arizona  the federal government will almost certainly get the last word, said Richard Albert, a constitutional law professor at the University of Texas.

Under the US constitution, the federal government has the power to regulate immigration  period, Mr Albert said. So, what that means is that its unconstitutional for a state to enact a law or to engage in conduct that interferes with the federal governments immigration regulations or operations.

However, there could be one narrow path to victory for Abbott.

If Texas can show that the federal government has completely abdicated its constitutional responsibility to regulate immigration, then Texas might have a chance at the Supreme Court, Mr Albert said. If it ever gets to that point  but that is a longshot.

In the meantime, Republican politicians have begun to rally around Mr Abbott and cast the standoff as something akin to a civil war.

The feds are staging a civil war, and Texas should stand their ground, Rep Clay Higgins, a GOP congressman from Louisiana, said following the Supreme Court decision.

Republican congressman Chip Roy encouraged officials in his home state of Texas to ignore the Supreme Court ruling entirely.

This opinion is unconscionable and Texas should ignore it on behalf of the [Border Patrol Union] agents who will be put in a worse position by the opinion and the Biden administrations policies, Mr Roy wrote on X on Monday.

Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida who earlier this week dropped out of the presidential race, said in a video that it was nonsense what Biden is doing.

Texas has every right to stand its ground, Mr DeSantis said.

Adding fuel to the fire, the Texas National Guard issued a blistering statement on Wednesday vowing to protect the sovereignty of our State as its troops were filmed adding more razor wire to the contested area in Eagle Pass.

The Texas Military Department continues to hold the line in Shelby Park to deter and prevent unlawful entry into the State of Texas. We remain resolute in our actions to secure our border, preserve the rule of law, and protect the sovereignty of our State, the Texas National Guard said in a statement.

Some Democrats, meanwhile, have urged Mr Biden to federalise the Texas National Guard.

Governor Greg Abbott is using the Texas National Guard to obstruct and create chaos at the border. If Abbott is defying yesterdays Supreme Court ruling, [Biden] needs to establish sole federal control of the Texas National Guard now, Joaquin Castro, a Democratic congressman from Texas, wrote.

Mr Coale said he wasnt expecting a gunfight at the OK Corral, but the standoff between two armed groups each with a different interpretation of the US Constitution does have its dangers.

You do have a situation fermenting there where you have armed law enforcement officers on either side of the contentious issue. Its dangerous. I dont think anyone thinks violence is gonna break out tomorrow, but somebody could get shot for sure, he said.

And in the courts, Mr Albert doesnt expect Texas will come out on top.

To me, its quite clear that theres a right side and a wrong side in terms of the legal arguments here, he said. Which means that if this dispute reaches the Supreme Court of the United States, the federal government is likely to win.
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Crater of Diamonds State Park lived up to its name as a French tourist found a 7.46-carat diamond during a recent visit.

Julien Navas, of Paris, found the diamond while visiting the Murfreesboro, Arkansas park earlier in January. The diamond was sitting on the surface in the parks 37.5-acre search area, according to a statement from Arkansas State Parks.

Mr Navas may have been aided by the weather; the region received more than an inch of rain just a few days before his visit. The muddy conditions may have helped to uncover the previously buried diamond, according to USA Today.

On the day of his discovery, Mr Navas rented a diamond-hunting kit from the park and began searching for the precious minerals.

"I got to the park around nine o'clock and started to dig," Mr Navas said. "That is back-breaking work so by the afternoon I was mainly looking on top of the ground for anything that stood out."

Julien Navas, of Paris, with the 7.46-carat diamond he found at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas (Arkansas State Parks)

During his search he scooped up a few minerals he thought looked interesting and, when he'd had enough digging in the mud, he took his findings to the park's Diamond Discovery Centre.

It was there he learned that he'd found something special  a brown diamond.

The park's press statement described the diamond as rounded, similar to a marble, and approximately the size of a gumdrop candy.

Mr Navas said he planned to name his diamond after his fiance, Carine.

"I am so happy! All I can think about is telling my fiancee what I found," he said.

He reportedly plans to have the stone cut into two separate rocks, one for his fiance and one for his daughter. Mr Navas said he hopes to make a return visit to the park with his daughter when she is a little older.

Mr Navas joins three other lucky visitors who have found diamonds at the park this year, according to officials. However, his is notable for being the largest diamond discovered at the park since 2020, and the eighth-largest found since the the park opened in 1972.

In 2020, visitor Kevin Kinard found a 9.07-carat diamond in the park, which he named the Kinard Friendship Diamond. That diamond was only the second largest found at the park. In 1975, a visitor found the park's largest diamond to date  a 16.37-carat diamond later named the Amarillo Starlight.

Since the park opened in 1972, more than 75,000 diamonds have been discovered on its grounds.
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The United Nations climate summit in Dubai was wrapping up last month when John Kerry went to a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua only to find a surprise waiting for him. Xie's 8-year-old grandson had brought Kerry a card for his 80th birthday.

The lanky American, who had signed the landmark Paris climate accord with his granddaughter on his knee almost a decade earlier, bent down to thank the boy and praise his grandfather, according to someone who described the private encounter on the condition of anonymity.

Just how overheated a planet those two grandchildren half a world apart will inherit has hinged in part on the unusually warm bond between Kerry and Xie, whose relationship for the past decade and a half helped forge the globe's stutter-step progress in curbing climate change. Xie, 74, retired in December, and Kerry recently announced that he's stepping down soon.

It was a partnership that defined one generation's hopes of saving a future one.

At a glance, the two men make an odd pairing. Xie is balding and bespectacled, with a face as round as Kerrys is narrow and angular. Xie got his start in the Chinese countryside during Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution before climbing the ranks of the Communist Party in environmental and economic agencies. Kerry is a son of New England privilege and boarding schools who fought in the Vietnam War and later protested against it. He became a politician and a diplomat, marrying into fabulous wealth along the way.

But over the years, Kerry and Xie forged a remarkable level of trust and respect in the world of international climate negotiations. They checked in on each other when they were sick, met each other's families and spent long hours debating, quarreling and compromising in the fight against global warming.

The result was a series of agreements despite rising tensions between the U.S. and China that have even raised fears of war. Kerry and Xie paved the way for progress at international summits that could have otherwise stagnated. Their passports read like a history of modern climate negotiations  Copenhagen, Lima, Paris, Glasgow, Sunnylands, Beijing, Dubai and many stops in between.

Christiana Figueres, a former United Nations climate chief who oversaw the Paris agreement in 2015, said she struggled to think of any parallel in recent history for the rapport between Kerry and Xie in terms of length and impact.

The two trusted each other, trusted each other's sincerity, trusted each other's attempts, each other's promises, she said.

Before the Paris deal, Earth was on a trajectory for about 3.5 degrees Celsius (6.3 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming over pre-industrial levels, scientists projected. Now Climate Action Tracker projects warming of 2.1 degrees (3.8 degrees Fahrenheit)  if world leaders follow through on their promises, that is.

However, even that level of warming may be catastrophic, and the departures of Kerry and Xie are reshuffling climate diplomacy at a moment when scientists warn that the move toward clean energy is still happening too slowly. Xies successor has been named, but its unclear what will happen with Kerrys position.

If the U.S. and China do not get along with each other, then global climate progress will be delayed, said Li Shuo, an analyst at the Asia Society who previously worked with Greenpeace in Beijing. It is imperative to kind of align these countries as much as possible if we want to achieve global climate progress.

-

Kerry was settling into a new role as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when he traveled to Beijing in 2009. It had been five years since he lost the presidential election to George W. Bush, but now he had a fresh opportunity to shape foreign policy during Barack Obama's administration.

The annual U.N. climate summit was being held in Copenhagen later that year, and Kerry was eager to talk about it with Chinese officials. Xie stood out to Kerry as someone who wanted to lean forward.

There was little progress at first, and the Copenhagen summit was widely viewed as a disappointment. Although China had become the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases around this time, it was reluctant to take any steps that could hinder its economic growth.

When Obama was reelected in 2012, he named Kerry secretary of state. Tackling climate change was a priority, and better relations with China was a key part of the strategy. The deadline was 2015, when the U.N. would hold a highly anticipated summit in Paris.

Todd Stern, then the top U.S. negotiator, described climate talks as a hard Rubik's Cube," with every turn of the puzzle creating new challenges to solve. He found Xie to be a tough yet amenable interlocutor.

He laughs, he finds things funny, he jokes back at you, Stern said. He also gets mad and indignant and all of that.

China was facing environmental problems that were creating political headaches, such as thick smog that choked cities. It was the opening that the U.S. needed to push for progress, and negotiations advanced behind closed doors.

In 2014, Obama traveled to Beijing to announce a surprise bilateral agreement with President Xi Jinping. The U.S. set a more ambitious target for reducing emissions by 2025, while China promised to peak emissions by 2030.

Stern said the deal ricocheted around the climate world" and convinced countries that we can actually get this done.

The importance of the deal became evident one month later. International negotiators were in Lima, Peru, to lay the groundwork for Paris, but they kept getting stuck. Figueres said Xie came to her office at 3 a.m. and asked, Can we talk?

Xie urged Figueres to use the earlier agreement between the U.S. and China to help break the gridlock. She spent the next two hours shuttling between the two countries' delegations until a deal was reached.

The next year, the Paris summit produced a milestone agreement by obligating all countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, creating the foundation for every subsequent negotiation over climate change.

It was the relationship with China, Kerry said afterward, that helped change the paradigm.

-

The warm feelings were short-lived. Donald Trump was elected president in 2016, and he promptly withdrew the U.S. from the Paris agreement after taking office. Kerry and Xie stepped away from government service.

The hiatus lasted four years. When Joe Biden defeated Trump in 2020, he asked Kerry to serve as special envoy for climate negotiations.

Xi responded by calling Xie out of retirement, seen as a clear signal that Beijing was ready to work together again.

If your president hadnt wanted you to come back, I wouldnt have come back either, Xie told Kerry, according to a person who requested anonymity to discuss a private conversation. "Ill be here roughly as long as youre here.

Despite Kerry and Xie's rapport, it was slow going. The coronavirus pandemic made it difficult to travel. And even with Trump gone, tensions remained. Biden described China as a top foreign policy challenge, and disputes piled up over intellectual property, maritime access in the South China Sea and the future of Taiwan.

These kind of things complicate the conversation," said Jonathan Pershing, who worked for Kerry then and is now the environment program director at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. (The foundation also supports The Associated Press coverage of climate change.)

Kerry and Xie stayed in touch informally even after Beijing cut off communications with the U.S. after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in 2022. Although the island governs itself as a democracy, China views it as part of its territory.

More hurdles were around the corner. First Kerry was waylaid by COVID-19 during the U.N. summit in Egypt. Xie checked in, asking Kerry's staff how is my brother John doing," according to a person briefed on the conversations.

Then Xie suffered his own health problems, believed to be a stroke, and Kerry returned the favor by calling and sending written messages.

They obviously didnt agree a lot of the time, said John Podesta, a climate policy veteran who works in the White House. You could only take a personal relationship so far."

However, Podesta said, "having that level of trust and dialogue was important.

Their work culminated in November, when Kerry and Xie met at the Sunnylands resort in California. China agreed to include methane, a particularly potent greenhouse gas, as part of its emissions target.

The next month was their final U.N. summit in Dubai, which ended with a global agreement to transition away from fossil fuels. It was a better outcome than expected for a summit hosted by the oil-producing United Arab Emirates, but not the aggressive move that some wanted at a time of record temperatures.

When the negotiations were over, Kerry and Xie held a joint press conference.

Kerry described his counterpart as a partner in this climate fight with many people for these years. Xie said that I feel so lucky that I can make such a good friend like Secretary Kerry." Mentioning his grandson, Xie said he hoped this cause will be carried forward, generation after generation.

There was no hug, but they shook hands warmly. Kerry leaned toward the microphone one more time, cracking his widest smile, to say how impressive the young boy had been  unbelievable, he's great.

It was the last public moment for the two grandfathers together.

___

Read more of APs climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment

___

Follow Chris Megerian and Seth Borenstein on X at @chrismegerian and @borenbears

______

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
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Convicted murderer Kenneth Smith thrashed violently and repeatedly gasped for air during a 22-minute execution as he became the first inmate to be put to death with nitrogen gas.

The 58-year-old was strapped to a gurney and fitted with a mask and a breathing tube that controlled the gas, slowly depriving him of oxygen, at William C Holman prison in Atmore, Alabama last night.

Moments before the execution, he said: Tonight, Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards... Thank you for supporting me. Love you all. He then turned to his family and signed the words I love you.

Journalists inside the room described how Smith appeared to struggle as he was put to death. Lee Hedgepeth said: Ive been to four previous executions and Ive never seen a condemned inmate thrash in the way that Kenneth Smith reacted to the nitrogen gas.

Kenny just began to gasp for air repeatedly and the execution took about 25 minutes total.

Kenneth Smith was executed with the use of nitrogen gas on Thursday night (AP)

Also present was the family of Smiths victim, 45-year-old Elizabeth Sennett, who was brutally murdered in a $1,000 killing-for-hire job set up by her husband, Charles Sennett, who planned to collect the insurance money.

The execution comes as The Independent continues its campaign to end the death penalty, having exposed the shortcomings of capital punishment as an effective crime prevention tool and as a morally abhorrent act of violence by the state.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, who did not respond to a request to attend the execution, said: On March 18, 1988, 45-year-old Elizabeth Sennetts life was brutally taken from her by Kenneth Eugene Smith. After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes.

The execution was lawfully carried out by nitrogen hypoxia, the method previously requested by Mr Smith as an alternative to lethal injection. At long last, Mr Smith got what he asked for, and this case can finally be put to rest.

Smiths spiritual adviser Jeff Hood described the execution as torture (Reuters)

I pray that Elizabeth Sennetts family can receive closure after all these years dealing with that great loss.

Before his execution, Smith was visited in prison by his wife and sons and was given a last meal of T-bone steak, hash browns, toast and eggs, which he reportedly hardly ate.

And despite late 11th-hour appeals made to stop the execution by the death row prisoners lawyers, who described it as cruel and experimental, the US Supreme Court declined, and Smith was led to the execution room where officials began administering the poisonous gas at 7.53pm.

The nitrogen flowed through a mask for around 15 minutes, said John Hamm, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections. Media witnesses in the room described how Smith appeared conscious before shaking and writhing within the restraints on the gurney, and was breathing heavily.

Mike Sennett, son of Elizabeth Sennett, said he had forgiven Kenneth Smith for the murder of his mother (AP)

Afterwards, Smiths spiritual adviser, Reverend Dr Jeff Hood told reporters: When they turned the nitrogen on, he [Smith] began to convulse, he popped up on the gurney over and over again, he shook the whole gurney,

I could see the corrections officers, I think they were very surprised that this didnt go smoothly  one of the state officials in the room was so nervous she was tap dancing.

(Smith) kept breathing for what could possibly be up to nine minutes, ten minutes, unbelievable evil was unleashed tonight in Alabama... that was torture.

The use of nitrogen gas was the first time a new execution method had been used in the US since 1982.

It followed a previous attempt to execute Smith with lethal injection in 2022 that was called off because authorities could not connect intravenous lines into his system.

Smith claimed the experience left him with physical and psychological pain, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

The state had predicted that the nitrogen gas in the second execution attempt would cause unconsciousness within seconds and death within minutes.

Alabama's commissioner of the Department of Corrections John Hamm confirmed Smiths death by execution at a press conference (Reuters)

But Rev Hood said: We didnt see somebody go unconscious in 30 seconds. What we saw was minutes of someone struggling for their life.

Among those present at the execution were the sons of Smiths victim. Afterwards, one of the sons, Chuck Sennett, told reporters hed forgiven Smith, but said: Kenneth Smith made some bad decisions 35 years ago and his debt was paid tonight.

In the weeks leading up to his execution, Smiths attorneys tried several last-ditch attempts to spare his life due to the risks associated with the new method.

In a federal appeal that made its way to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, justices were asked whether attempting a second execution on Smith would constitute cruel and unusual punishments under the Eighth and 14th Amendments of the US Constitution.

The court decided against intervening the day before Smith was put to death, as it did almost an hour over the scheduled time officials planned to administer the death penalty.

Earlier this month, a group of United Nations experts publicly stated they were alarmed at the thought of the state using the new method. The organisation said: We are concerned that nitrogen hypoxia would result in a painful and humiliating death.

Elizabeth Sennett was the victim of a for-hire killing in 1988 (Supplied)

Another group of experts, the American Veterinary Medical Association, revealed it did not use certain gases to euthanise specific mammals because they create an anoxic environment that is distressing for some species.

As part of its campaign to end the death penalty, The Independent has revealed how corrupt policing, racial bias, and federal law is sending people to death row at alarming rate. There are around 2,500 people on death row across America.

Smiths crime saw him play a part in a three-person murder-for-hire team who stabbed Ms Sennett in 1988. It was believed that Ms Sennetts debt-ridden husband, Charles, planned the murder to collect on her life insurance.

Mr Sennett killed himself days later  while the two other men were convicted. Billy Gray Williams was sentenced to life in prison without parole and died in 2020. John Forest Parker was executed via lethal injection in 2010.

Smiths remains will be released to the Escambia County Coroner and taken to the Mobile Lab of the Department of Forensic Sciences for a postmortem examination.
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Donald Trump faces four criminal indictments in three separate jurisdictions.

Nearly 100 felony criminal charges have been levelled against the former president, who remains the odds-on favourite to win the nomination to be the Republican Partys 2024 presidential candidate.

As his legal battles grow more complex by the day, a serious question has emerged: what happens if Mr Trump wins the nomination and campaigns for the general election as a convicted criminal?

That possibility, in turn, raises another simpler question: could the 45th president of the United States go to prison?

Between his 91 felony counts, Mr Trump faces a total of roughly seven centuries in total jail time, spread between dozens of various charges of differing seriousness.

Obviously Mr Trump is not going to be sealed inside a federal penitentiary for all of eternity but the increasingly wide range of actions for which he is now being prosecuted is slowly chipping away at the likelihood that he will evade the inside of a cell forever.

The ruling by a federal appeals court on 6 February that he is not entitled to immunity from prosecution for crimes committed while he was in office dealt a serious blow to his bid to evade criminal charges.

Here, we take a look at the four prosecutions Mr Trump currently faces and how each affects his chances of campaigning behind bars this year.

1. The New York case - maximum of 136 years

The first indictment to drop against the former president deals with conduct committed the longest ago.

Mr Trump was accused by Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg last April of 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, a felony under New York state law, in order to conceal hush money payments allegedly made on his behalf to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016 in order to secure her silence about a sexual affair they are accused of having a decade earlier.

Each count carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison.

However, such sentences are only doled out with mitigating circumstances, like previous felony convictions or based on the seriousness of the crime.

The accusation against Mr Trump is largely victimless and as such a judge is not likely to sentence him to anything more than fines or, at the most, probation and community service, were he to be convicted by a jury.

The trial for the case is set for 25 March.

Former president Donald Trump is escorted into court in New York in April 2023 (AP)

2. The documents case - maximum of 450 years

This case first exploded into the public eye when the FBI raided Mr Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida, in August 2022, carrying allegations that have earned the Republican serious criticism from his own former deputies, including his own US attorney general Bill Barr.

The president has been accused of mishandling classified information in an egregious manner by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith following the conclusion of his presidency in January 2021, including, in one instance, supposedly showing off top secret intelligence to guests at his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey.

He is also accused of obstructing justice and making false statements about the withheld documents.

All in, the ex-president faces a maximum of 10 years in prison per count of willfully retaining secrets and 20 years per count of obstructing justice.

While the latter comes with a higher maximum sentence, it is the former that Mr Trump truly should be worried about.

Convictions of willful and/or reckless retention of classified information frequently result in prison sentences of several years or more. Mr Trump faces more than 30 of those charges.

The trial in this case is set for 20 May.

Donald Trump appears at Wilkie D Ferguson Jr United States Courthouse, alongside his aide Walt Nauta and attorneys Chris Kise and Todd Blanche, in Miami, Florida, in June 2023 (Reuters)

3. The federal elections case - maximum of 55 years

The Justice Departments second indictment charges Mr Trump with crimes related to the 2020 election and the months-long effort by his team to oveturn the results in his favour.

There are two basic parts of this case that should concern the ex-president: the possibility that he will be convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiring against Americans right to vote in free elections and the possibility that he will be convicted of directly attempting to block the certification of the election via summoning a mob to attack the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.

The former is almost assuredly less of an uphill battle for prosecutors, given how much evidence is now public regarding the Trump campaigns election manipulation efforts. The real battle in this regard will be for prosecutors to prove that those efforts went beyond legal challenges to the election results.

The latter is somewhat harder to prove. Mr Trump and his allies have fiercely denied ever since the attack on the Capitol first took place that the pro-Trump mob that left lawmakers hiding in fear for their lives was directed by the president himself.

Mr Trump will likely point to his (belated) video message that day urging the rioters to go home as evidence that this was not the case.

Should he be convicted on either point, however, he faces steep maximum prison sentences for each count, in particular the obstruction of proceeding charges, which carry 20-year maximum terms.

The trial in this case was provisionally set for 4 March before that was scrubbed due to delays in resolving the immunity issue, with presiding judge Tanya Chutkan saying she would reschedule it if and when the matter is definitively settled, leaving the case in a temporary state of limbo.

Donald Trump claimed he witnessed filth and decay in Washington, DC, after his arraignment in early August 2023 (Getty)

4. The Georgia case - maximum of 76.5 years

The most recent indictment to drop, the case brought against Mr Trump by Fani Willis, district attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, is unique in that it also involves the only charges to carry minimum prison terms.

While Mr Trump is also accused of a host of minor to moderately serious felonies in the state, it is his charge of violating Georgias RICO statute that should have him the most worried. It carries a minimum prison term of five years, with a maximum of 20 behind bars.

A RICO charge will undoubtedly be the hardest for Ms Willis and her team to prove, as it involves fewer allegations (and less evidence) of specific illegality and instead relies on the prosecution convincing a judge and jury that the overall effort by Mr Trump to change the election results in Georgia crossed the boundary into becoming a fully-fledged criminal enterprise.

Should that fail, however, Mr Trump also faces 12 other felony counts, all of which carry the potential for incarceration.

Donald Trump appears in a police booking mugshot released by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office in Georgia in August 2023 (Reuters)

How likely is a Trump jail term?

It is hard to say, but one thing is clear: the situation is looking worse for Mr Trump every day.

Legal experts who have looked at the Justice Departments prosecution related to the election challenges have almost uniformly remarked on the strength of its case and the efforts made by the agency to narrow down the case to a point where it can proceed through the courts before the 2024 general election takes place in November.

The question also lingers as to how long Mr Trump can maintain costly legal defences in all four cases, given how many millions of dollars four high-profile criminal defence trials are likely to add up to.

In the end, it is quite possible that the answer to the question of whether Mr Trump will ever see the inside of a jail cell comes down to not whether he will be convicted, but whether jailing a former president is even feasible.

Should he win the general election next year, an entirely new layer of complexity is added to the mix.

The one certainty surrounding the multiple prosecutions is this: Donald Trump, regardless of the outcome of his many trials, has already pushed American democracy far into the bounds of the unknown and the unprecedented.

Whatever happens from here is an example of the worlds most powerful democracy making it up as it goes along.
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Nikki Haley is going all in on what she sees as the safest line of attack against Donald Trump  questions about his mental fitness and temperament in a year where the incumbent Democratic president is facing similar concerns.

The former South Carolina governor and UN ambassador sat down with NBCs Craig Melvin for an interview with the Today show on Tuesday as she prepares for a showdown with Mr Trump in her home state that is a litte more than a week away. The primary election in South Carolina could be a jolt in the arm of her campaign as she continues to steeply trail the frontrunner  or, it could be the death knell of her presidential bid. It could also be neither of those things, as she plods along towards Super Tuesday in March.

Ms Haley made some of her most forceful criticism of Mr Trumps mental state yet during the interview.

The problem now is, he is not the same person he was in 2016. He is unhinged; he is more diminished than he was, just like Joe Bidens more diminished than what he was, Ms Haley told NBC.

We have to see this for what it is, she went on. This is a fact: he is now saying things that don't make sense.

She contrasted Mr Trumps mood and temperament now with what she experienced during his administration, when the former UN diplomat said that Mr Trump was responsive when his deputy came to him with concerns. Two of those concerns she named directly: his response to a white nationalist riot in Charlottesville, Virginia, as well as his pattern of rhetoric about women.

If something was wrong ... I had a conversation with him about Charlottesville, I had a conversation about something that he would say about women, I had a conversation with him about multiple things, said Ms Haley.

Ms Haley has made her opponents age an issue the same way Trump-aligned Republicans have sought to cast doubts about Mr Bidens focus and mental clarity. Some of the ex-presidents more rabid supporters have even taken things a step further and openly suggested that the incumbent president has dementia.

Concerns about Mr Bidens memory were energised by the release last week of a report authored by Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Hur regarding the investiation into the presidents handling of classified documents. During interviews, Mr Hur described the president as severely forgetful and unable to recall details about major events from his life, including the death of his son Beau. Mr Biden would go on to angrily rebut that criticism at a press conference.

"You've got Joe Biden, where the special counsel said he was diminished, and he's not the Joe Biden he was two years ago," Ms Haley told NBC on Tuesday. "You've got a Donald Trump who's unhinged, and he's more unhinged than he ever was.

[W]hy are we settling for that when the country is in disarray and the world is on fire?" she aked. We don't want these two old men running. We want someone who's going to go and fight for us and work for us, with no drama, no vendettas."

The no vendettas line was a clear reference to Mr Trump frequent vows of revenge against his political enemies; he has told supporters that he will direct the Justice Department to prosecute Joe Bidens family if he is elected for a second term, and a group of conservative organisations is purportedly working on plans to seriously diminish the independence of the Justice Department to allow him to do so.

Ms Haley continues to trail Mr Trump according to all available polling, both in South Carolina and nationwide. Her campaign has begun looking ahead to primary states voting in March even as she hopes for a shock performance in her home state similar to the stronger-than-expected showing she had in New Hampshire.
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Nikki Haley is fighting on in the Republican presidential primary, but the mood among Washingtons Republicans is clear: this race is over.

While Speaker Mike Johnson has been on the Trump train for months, the leadership of the Senate Republican caucus has long been a source of resistance to some of the harder-right aspects of Trumpism and Donald Trumps rhetoric which flirts with the kind of authoritarian yearnings often expressed outright by his supporters.

If any of that resistance remains, its not showing this week as Republicans react to a second victory by the former president in the primary contest; this time in New Hampshire, where he won an 11-point victory over Nikki Haley, his last remaining prominent challenger. Ms Haley did better than some polling expected, but still heads into a contest in Nevada and her home state of South Carolina after that without a single clear victory over Mr Trump or even Ron DeSantis, who has now dropped out.

With New Hampshire in the rearview mirror, Mr Trumps last remaining foes within the Republican factions on Capitol Hill are joining the voices declaring the 2024 primary effectively over.

The clearest signal of that direction came from Mitch McConnell, who according to Punchbowl News referred to Mr Trump as the nominee during a closed-door meeting of Senate Republicans on Wednesday. His use of that descriptor comes as the former president is now reported to be urging Republicans in Congress to kill a deal being sought with Democrats on funding for border security, negotiations which Mr McConnell has supported.

Other allies of Mr McConnell, who has yet to formally endorse Mr Trumps candidacy, have thrown their support overtly behind the man they once accused of fomenting the attack on the Capitol that led to death threats against many of their own members. Senator John Cornyn did this week, while Senator John Thune described Mr Trump as having a commanding lead in the primary in an interview with The Hill. He went on to say that he would support Mr Trump in the general election, while noting that voters are breaking heavily in his direction.

Across town, the Republican National Committee (RNC), captained by longtime Trump loyalist Ronna Romney McDaniel, is taking things a step further. On Thursday, it was reported that the RNC was considering a draft resolution to declare Donald Trump the presumptive nominee  with only a handful of delegates yet awarded out of the 1,215 a candidate needs to win.

As usual, Mr Trumps loudest critics within the GOP are Republicans with nothing to lose; people like Mitt Romney, the retiring senator from Utah. Hes the only senator from his party who has openly pledged to vote for Joe Biden over Donald Trump should the two fight a rematch later this year.

Meanwhile, the former presidents meddling in congressional politics has once again stymied all action on Capitol Hill. Republicans now have their official marching orders to kill the immigration compromise their negotiators continue to game out, even as Joe Biden and the Democrats promise to bludgeon GOP members in moderate districts over their total unwillingness to work across the aisle. The odds of a deal that can pass the Senate emerging are higher than ever; resistance in the House is likely to rise in the wake of Mr Trumps urgings as well. In a way, the dynamics of the 2024 Republican primary have given Mr Trump the political capital he needs to assert a kind of faux-incumbent presidents pressure on Washington from his estate and resort at Mar-a-Lago.

The wrench in the machinery imperils more than just progress on immigration and border security talks. A deal being struck addressing some of those issues was for weeks understood to be a prerequisite to passing further funding for Ukraines military defence against Russia as well as military aid for Israel.

The White House has been sounding the alarm for weeks over the former issue.

Officials including National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan sat down congressional leaders last week and explained that Ukraines ability to effectively defend itself and counterattack against Russia would collapse over the next few months  possibly within weeks  if more aid was not approved by Congress.

Ms Haley is vowing to fight on; not just through South Carolina, where she is desperate for her first victory against Mr Trump, but beyond through Super Tuesday. Still, she heads into her home state with a mountain to climb in the polls and only a bit of momentum at her back. If she pulls off a victory next month against the frontrunner, it will be a reflection of how much better she and her campaign staff understand the state than do Mr Trump and his veterans. And shell have to do it against the expectations of her entire party.
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Thursday might be remembered as the day Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell lost the plot, the message and his power to Donald Trump.

For the past few months, Mr McConnell has dispatched Senator James Lankford, a conservative Republican from Oklahoma, to negotiate a deal with Democrats to add restrictions on immigration in exchange for more Ukraine aid to repel Russias aggression.

Republicans know Democrats would not normally agree to these types of restrictions if a Republican were president or Democrats would filibuster them if Republicans had the majority. So they are using the fact that Democrats desperately want money for Ukraine to extract as much as possible from Democrats.

But on Wednesday, Punchbowl News reported that Mr McConnell told the Senate Republican conference that politics on this have changed since Mr Trump wanted to run on immigration and we dont want to do anything to undermine him.

Those remarks immediately threw the Senate Republican conference into chaos. Immediately, some Republicans said that Mr McConnells words were misinterpreted.

Mr Lankford later told reporters that essentially, Mr McConnell was giving historical context and that when negotiations began last year, the election had not yet begun, but now it has.

But he was very clear, he's not making any recommendation, he said. He's not backing away from this. We're still working. I was not instructed by the leader to be able to stop working on this.

Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who was initially part of the negotiations, sounded even more furious, calling the allegation that McConnell pulled out of negotiations parallel universe s***.

He later elaborated, telling reporters that Republicans who support Mr Trump have not told him the truth about the bill, which remember, does not even have text since it has been tied up in negotiations.

I think we have to have people here who support Trump, who have endorsed President Trump, to go to him and tell him what a compelling case is for someone who is likely to be our next president United States, he said. Don't be a coward.

This goes to a central problem for many Republicans: they hoped that the legislation would be done before the campaign season began. And they essentially hoped that they could hand Mr Trump these draconian immigration restrictions once he came back to the White House.

But doing so would mean letting Joe Biden sign the legislation, which would inevitably allow him to claim credit on addressing immigration when polling shows many Americans do not approve of his handling of it. At the same time, Republicans cannot credibly say that the influx of migrants is a crisis if they are waiting until this time next year.

They call it a crisis and they [do] not want to act on it, Democratic Senator Alex Padilla, who despite being a Latino from the border state of California has been part of the negotiations, told me. "They had to figure out what they really believe in what they're really stand for.

Republican Senator John Cornyn, whose home state of Texas makes up half of the US-Mexico border, stressed the need to continue the negotiations and told reporters that the legislation would take the issue off the table for the election.

President Trump, you know, obviously he's an important voice, but we have a job to do and we intend to do it, Cornyn, who endorsed Trump this week, told me.

Senator Mitt Romney, who despite his moderate reputation was such a hawk on immigration in his 2012 presidential campaign that Mr Trump criticised his stance, told reporters that Mr McConnell was ambiguous in his words.

I didn't know where he was leaning, he said. I listened to what he had to say. He said the campaign politics have changed and that the former president's campaign would prefer not having a border deal.

The initial report and he-said-she-said represent a total collapse in Mr McConnells grip on the Republican conference. For years, Mr McConnell has been fastidious and frugal with his words. Longtime McConnell watchers have learned to follow what he does not say as much as what he does say. He served as a mirror image to Nancy Pelosis speakership: he could wrangle all of the unruly members of his flock and create a unified front to block Democratic legislation and remake the judiciary (though he never has been as effective at passing Republican priority legislation).

But he has not been able to clarify his message or correct the record. This has left the Senate Republican conference utterly rudderless.

And there is sign that Democrats are getting impatient.

Senator Jon Tester, a Democrat from the rural state of Montana running for re-election, responded to a question from NBC Newss Sahil Kapur by saying bull- before catching himself to say -loney.

There was a bipartisan group that worked together, he said. We need to get that deal done to secure the border. If they want to keep it as a campaign issue, I think they need to resign from the damn Senate.

Meanwhile, Senator Chris Murphy, who along with Independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema has been the Democrats point person in negotiations, seems at the end of his rope.

It's very clear that there is a fight happening inside the Republican conference between those that want chaos at the border and those that want to actually solve the problem, he said. I hope that the group that wants to solve the problem wins. But that is a real time fight that is playing out.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a Dear Colleague letter that an agreement being brokered in the Senate to restrict immigration in exchange for aid to Ukraine is dead on arrival in the House.

Mr Johnson sent the letter, obtained by The Independent, on Friday ahead of the House returning on Monday. While text of the Senate legislation has not been released, Mr Johnson said if rumors about the contents of the draft proposal are true, it would have been dead on arrival in the House anyway.

Many Republicans in the House of Representatives oppose providing additional aid to Ukraine and the House has not provided any more money to help the country push back against Russian President Vladimir Putins assault on the country.

Rather, Mr Johnson said any legislation on immigration must have transformative corrections included in legislation that House Republicans support called HR 2, otherwise known as the Secure the Border Act.

Since the day I became speaker, I have assured our Senate colleagues the House would not accept any counterproposal if it would not actually solve the problems that have been created by this administrations subversive policies, Mr Johnson wrote in the letter. The Washington Examiner first reported on the letter.

Earlier this month, House Republicans also said they would begin impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, which Mr Johnsons letter mentioned.

When we return next week, by necessity, the House Homeland Security Committee will move forward Articles of Impeachment against Secretary Mayorkas, he said. A vote on the floor will be held as soon as possible thereafter.

White House spokesman for oversight and investigations Iam Sams pushed back against the efforts to impeach the secretary.

Such a silly claim. Theres no necessity, he said on X. In factsince before they even took the majority, House Rs have been crowing about impeaching somebodyanybodyout of partisan political bloodlust.

Former president Donald Trump criticised the potential agreement being brokered in the Senate on his Truth Social site. The former president said we need a Strong, Powerful, and essentially PERFECT Border and, unless we get that, we are better off not making a Deal, even if that pushes our Country to temporarily close up for a while, because it will end up closing anyway with the unsustainable Invasion that is currently taking place.
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Nikki Haley called Donald Trump disgruntled and vengeful as she sparred with Fox News over her electability versus that of the former president.

Fox News host Bill Hemmer told the former UN ambassador and South Carolina governor, You went on to say there a moment ago that he was totally unhinged ... Coming out of New Hampshire, he won 74 per cent of Republicans. To date, 109 counties have voted and you've won two, and one of those by a single vote. When do you start winning Republicans?

Ms Haley said that she will win Republicans.

But guess who else I win? I win moderates. And I win independents, which he does not. That is why he lost in 2018. Thats why he lost in 2020. That's why he lost in 2022. And that's why in every poll, you see, he loses to Joe Biden, and I win, she argued. This is the issue  you can't win a presidential election without moderates and independents. I can get the support of Republicans, moderates and independents. I will do that.

I didn't get zero delegates. I've got 17 delegates, we moved 25 points in New Hampshire in the last three weeks of that race  we're going to continue to move in South Carolina. We moved from two per cent to 20 per cent. Now we're gonna do even better than that in South Carolina, she said.

Mr Hemmer pressed on, saying: With the schedule coming up, you're not really competing in Nevada, and they got Michigan, Idaho and North Dakota  there [are] 16 states that vote on March 5, thats Super Tuesday  which of those 16 will you win?

We're going to try and push for all of them, Ms Haley said. We're going to do everything and anything we can. But right now our focus is on South Carolina. We've always taken it one state at a time, we're gonna keep doing that.

Americans are coming on board with us. Everything that he does to talk about himself, [which] makes everybody realise we've got to be talking about America, the ex-governor said.

Only 31 per cent of eighth graders in our country are proficient in reading, she noted. We've got a border that's absolutely out of control. We've got wars around the world, and we've got to prevent our men and women that are in harm's way from getting hurt. There's some serious issues.

The last thing we need to talk about is how disgruntled he is or how vengeful he is weve got to start talking about solutions and how were going to get America back on track, she added about the former president.

To win the Republican nomination, a candidate needs to garner 1,215 delegates. Mr Trump has so far gathered 32 to Ms Haleys 17.

Mr Trump won the first two contests in Iowa and New Hampshire and Ms Haley is the last remaining candidate taking him on for the nomination going into the Granite State contest. After losing by about 11 points in New Hampshire, she said the race was far from over even as Mr Trump is expected to win big in her home state of South Carolina on 24 February.

The former president is facing a litany of legal problems, having been charged with 91 counts across four indictments, for election interference and mishandling classified information, in addition to other allegations of wrongdoing. Mr Trump has attended court this week, as his second defamation trial brought by writer E Jean Carroll, whom a previous jury found Mr Trump liable for sexual abuse in the mid-1990s, continues in a Manhattan court.
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Nikki Haley is trolling Donald Trump after he warned that all donors to her campaign would be permanently barred from the Maga camp.

Less than 24 hours after Mr Trumps threat, Ms Haley flipped the attack into a campaign merchandise opportunity, announcing that she is now selling T-shirts with Barred. Permanently. emblazoned across them.

Enough saidGrab your shirt here! Ms Haley said in a post on X, along with a link to buy a T-shirt.

Donald Trump said if you support me, he will permanently bar you from the Maga camp, Ms Haley wrote on the website.

I will not be intimidated. Chip in $5 to get your BARRED PERMANENTLY t-shirt and show him YOUwont be either.

This isnt a coronation. This is an election. I have always been the underdog and I have always fought back. Im not stopping now! Chip in and lets do this!

Nikki Haley is trolling Donald Trump after he warned donors to her campaign would be permanently banned from the Maga camp (AP)

On Wednesday evening, Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social: Anybody that makes a Contribution to Birdbrain, from this moment forth, will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp. We dont want them, and will not accept them, because we Put America First, and ALWAYS WILL!

Ms Haley responded to the former presidents threat almost instantly, writing on X: Well in that case donate here. Lets Go!

Posting a link to her donation page, she added that her campaign had already raised $1m in the 24 hours since the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday.

Mr Trumps threat against Ms Haleys supporters comes as he steps up pressure on his sole remaining rival in the Republican race, following his wins in both Iowa and New Hampshire.

Mr Trump sailed to victory over Ms Haley in the New Hampshire primary, with 54.4 per cent to 43.3 per cent.

But despite her loss, Ms Haley has vowed to stay in the Republican race for the presidential nomination.

This race is far from over, she told supporters on Tuesday.

Her decision to stay in the race seemed to rile up Mr Trump, who labelled Ms Haley an imposter who is still hanging around despite her loss, during his victory speech on Tuesday.

But Ms Haleys defiance could be short-lived, with billionaire donors to her campaign rumoured to have closed their wallets following her failure to win the New Hampshire primary.

Reid Hoffman, the billionaire co-founder of LinkedIn, who gave a six-figure sum to Ms Haleys campaign, is one such donor who is rumoured to have pulled out, according to multiple reports.

However, some donors saw Mr Trumps attack on Ms Haley as a further reason to support her.

Philanthropist Simone Levinson told The Financial Times that Mr Trumps victory speech was a sobering reminder of why he has not won a race, or brought our country together, since his election in 2016, and affirmed her support for the former UN ambassador.

Meanwhile, former Trump campaign staffer Sarah Matthews, who left the Trump administration after the January 6 attack on the Capitol, announced she was donating to Ms Haleys campaign.

Join me in donating to @NikkiHaley her, she wrote on X, along with a link to donate to Ms Haleys campaign.
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Republican lawmakers who have gotten behind Donald Trumps call to reject a bipartisan border deal sparked outrage on both sides of the aisle.

The one-term president privately directed some Republican senators to avoid making a bipartisan compromise over the US southern border, denying Joe Biden a campaign win, an anonymous source told HuffPost.

Trump wants to kill it because he doesnt want Biden to have a victory, the source said. He told them he will fix the border when he is president He said he only wants the perfect deal.

Punchbowl News reported that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told fellow Republican Senators that Mr Trump wants to run on immigration, and they, therefore, find themselves in a quandary.

Mr McConnell referred to the former president as the nominee and said, We dont want to do anything to undermine him.

Mr Trumps alleged demand  and some Republicans decision to heed it  has led to confusion, disappointment and condemnation.

This proposal would have had almost unanimous Republican support if it werent for Donald Trump, an anonymous Republican Senator told CNN on 25 January.

Utahs Republican Senator Mitt Romney slammed Mr Trump in an interview with CNN.

I think the border is a very important issue for Donald Trump. And the fact that he would communicate to Republican senators and congresspeople that he doesnt want us to solve the border problem because he wants to blame Biden for it is really appalling, he said.

But the reality is that, that we have a crisis at the border, the American people are suffering as a result, Mr Romney continued. And someone running for president ought to try to get the problem solved as opposed to saying, Hey, save that problem. Dont solve it. Let me take credit for solving it later.

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during his New Hampshire presidential primary election night watch party, in Nashua, New Hampshire on January 23, 2024. (REUTERS)

North Carolina Republican Sen Thom Tillis told NBC News: I didnt come here to have the president as a boss or a candidate as a boss. I came here to pass good, solid policy.

He continued, It is immoral for me to think you looked the other way because you think this is the linchpin for President Trump to win.

Two Democratic Senators facing re-election in the fall  Montanas John Tester and Ohios Sherrod Brown  also attacked Mr Trumps alleged demand.

I think its crap, Mr Tester told NBC News. We need to get that deal done to secure the border. If they want to keep it as a campaign issue, I think they need to resign from the damn Senate.

Mr Brown also told the outlet, They need to put politics aside and do this. The public wants it. They say they want it. We want it.

California Democratic Gov Gavin Newsom said on MSNBCs Alex Wagner Tonight that Mr McConnell was just completely rolling over and capitulating.

He added, Dont even get me started with the weakness of the current speaker of the House. I mean, they dont want a deal, period, full stop. They dont want a deal. They dont want to make this a quote-unquote campaign win for Joe Biden, Mr Newsom said.

It says everything you need to know about the fraud that theyre perpetuating on the issue of the border, he continued.

These guys are so weak. Its so pathetically weak, this Republican Party and the new speaker said, Oh yes, sir. What else would you like us to do? We dont care about America. We dont care about our freedoms and liberties, we care about politics exclusively at the expense of the American people. Cause all we care about is winning for winnings sake, Mr Newsom said.

Mr Trump has publicly signalled that he doesnt support the deal. On Truth Social on 17 January, he wrote: I do not think we should do a Border Deal, at all, unless we get EVERYTHING needed to shut down the INVASION of Millions & Millions of people, many from parts unknown, into our once great, but soon to be great again, Country!
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The wife of Republican senator John Barrasso has died after a two-year battle with glioblastoma brain cancer.

Mr Barrassos office released a statement thanking everyone on behalf of their family for their prayers and continued support.

After a courageous battle with cancer, Bobbi is now at peace and at home with the Lord, Mr Barrasso wrote.

In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Bobbi was a leader, fierce advocate for Wyoming, and friend to everyone she met. We miss her dearly, he added.

Bobbi Barrasso passed away in Casper, Wyoming, on Wednesday evening, Mr Barrassos office told Fox News Digital.

She was a Wyoming native and grew up in Thermopolis, according to a profile of her on the Meridian International Centers website, a non-profit diplomacy centre, whose 48th annual ball the couple co-chaired in 2016.

She graduated from the University of Wyoming, with degrees in both speech pathology and law and had a long career in public service, working for senators such as Malcolm Wallop and Craig Thomas.

She is most noted by Meridian for her work with the group Congressional Spouses for Suicide Prevention and Education.

Through this group, shes been able to lend her voice to promote awareness in an effort to save lives in Wyoming and across the country, the website stated.

Through this work, she was recognised with the award of the 2015 National Alliance on Mental Illness Wyoming Champion of Suicide Prevention.

Ms Barrasso worked with many different organisations championing suicide prevention, breast cancer awareness and the preservation of Wyomings historical places (Getty)

Meridian also disclosed that she was a breast cancer survivor, which led her to work with the Susan G Komen for the Cure breast cancer foundation.

The Wyoming congresswoman Harriet Hageman also released a statement following the death of Barrasso, reminiscing about their time at law school together.

I first remember Bobbi Barrasso as Bobbi Brown, that was her name when we met while attending law school together in Laramie, she wrote.

Bobbi was always warm to everyone, welcoming them with a big smile and a kind word. She served our state both in her career and alongside her husband, Senator Barrasso. My prayers are with Bobbis entire family.

Other politicians also sent their sympathies to Mr Barrasso, such as Mike Pence, speaker Mike Johnson and the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, whom Mr Barrasso is a member of.

The couple reportedly wed in 2008, and Mr Barrasso wore his love for Bobbi on his sleeve, the minority leader Mitch McConnell wrote in a statement on Bobbi Barrassos passing.
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The White House Medical Unit (WHMU) dispensed controlled substances to ineligible staffers and had severe and systemic problems under the Trump administration, according to a new report from the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General.

The report is based on 70 interviews with staffers employed between 2009 and 2018, as well as prescription records from 2017 to 2019. During those two years, the WHMU dispensed prescription medications, including controlled substances, to ineligible White House staff, according to the report.

These problems stemmed from the units reliance on ineffective internal controls to ensure compliance with pharmacy safety standards.

The White House Medical Unit dispensed nonemergency controlled medications, such as Ambien and Provigil, without verifying the patients identity, the report reads. The White House Medical Unit also left overthecounter medications in open bins for patient retrieval and use.

White House Medical Unit officials said they kept pharmaceutical records for only two years, according to the report, meaning investigators only had access to records 2017 to 2019.

The report also concluded the WHMU routinely requested brandname drugs rather than generic equivalents when ordering controlled substances from Walter Reed.

For example, over a 3year period, the White House Medical Unit spent an estimated $46,500 for brand name Ambien, which is 174 times more expensive than the generic equivalent, the report reads.

The Office of the Inspector General made several recommendations in the report, including developing a pharmaceutical oversight plan for the WHMU. The Department of Defense concurred with all recommendations listed in the report, according to an attached memo from Lester Martinez-Lopez, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs.

We recommend that the Director of the Defense Health Agency, in coordination with the White House Medical Unit Director, develop policy and procedures to manage controlled and noncontrolled medications, including, at a minimum, procurement, storage and inventory, prescribing and dispensing, and disposal, the report reads.

Keith Bass was appointed Director of the WHMU in 2013 and served until 2019, according to the Veteran Affairs website and his LinkedIn profile. He was the first non-physician appointed to the role, per his LinkedIn.

In this role, he planned, supervised, and oversaw the mission-critical 24/7/365 delivery of complex emergency and comprehensive medical care to the President, the Vice President, and their families across three Presidential Administration, according to his biography on the Veteran Affairs website.

The Independent has contacted Mr Bass for comment.

This isnt the first time the WHMU has made headlines in recent years.

In 2018, allegations arose that Ronny Jackson, former WHMU director 2010-2014 and White House physician 2013-2018, was drunk on the job and handed out drugs to staff members during work trips. President Donald Trump nominated Mr Jackson for Secretary of Veteran Affairs, but he later withdrew after these reports arose.

A report three years later from the DOD concluded Mr Jackson engaged in inappropriate conduct when he was the White House physician.

Mr Jackson served as Physician to the President and Chief Medical Advisor during the 2017-2019 timeframe highlighted in the report, a spokesperson told The Independent, meaning he had no association with the WHMU clinical practices.

He was Physician to the President and later Chief Medical Advisor, a spokesperson for Mr Jackson said. The Chief Medical Advisor is a policy role, not clinical. This healthcare policy role had no association or involvement with the White House Medical Units clinical delivery of care.

Mr Jackson is now a Republican representative from Texas.

The US Department of Defense declined to comment further on the report.The Independent has contacted the Office of Donald Trump for comment.
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Roughly 20 minutes after walking into the courtroom, Donald Trump stormed out of closing arguments in a civil trial to determine how much money he owes E Jean Carroll for repeatedly defaming her.

The former president returned to federal court in Manhattan on Friday morning after briefly testifying in his defence on Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, on his Truth Social, he has continued to attack the former Elle magazine columnist with more potentially defamatory statements.

In her closing statement, Ms Carrolls attorney Roberta Kaplan told jurors that the former president acts as if these rules of law just dont apply to him.

His attacks didnt stop after he was found liable for defamation and sexual abuse in a $5m (3.9m) jury verdict, she noted. Not at all, Ms Kaplan said. Not even for 24 hours.

Mr Trump then stood up from the defence table, where he was seated next to attorney Alina Habba, and walked out of the hearing, to which he had arrived late. The record will reflect that Mr Trump just rose and walked out of the courtroom, US District Judge Lewis Kaplan said.

Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower on 26 January before heading to a federal court for closing arguments in a defamation trial that will determine how much he owes E Jean Carroll (AFP/Getty)

Mr Trump returned to the courtroom for defence closing arguments from Ms Habba. As he returned, his Truth Social account fired off several posts repeating incendiary and potentially defamatory comments about the case, claiming he is a victim of extortion and falsely labelling the case a Joe Biden-directed Election Interference Attack against him.

A New York City jury is set to determine monetary damages owed to Ms Carroll, whom Mr Trump repeatedly defamed by claiming he had never met her, labelling her a liar, and denying that he had sexually assaulted her in a New York City department store in the 1990s. After a jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation last year, Ms Carroll is seeking millions of dollars in compensatory damages and punitive damages for additional claims.

The facts in the case have already been established, and Mr Trump is barred from disputing that he sexually abused Ms Carroll, leaving the trial to focus exclusively on damages owed.

Ms Carrolls legal team told the jury to consider at least $12m in compensatory damages, considering Mr Trumps ongoing attempts to smear her and reject the central claims in the case.

Ms Habba argued to jurors that Ms Carroll was obligated to mitigate the amount of backlash she received from Mr Trump and had enjoyed positive attention following his statements against her.

Judge Kaplan noted to jurors that Ms Habbas argument about Ms Carrolls obligation to mitigate harm was incorrect, and that jurors need not consider the attention she received when determining damages. Jurors began deliberations on Friday afternoon.

Mr Trump, meanwhile, has used the trial to amplify his defamatory statements and as a stage for his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, which has relied on his multiple lawsuits and criminal indictments to cast him as the victim of a baseless conspiracy theory that the justice system is being weaponised against him.

Hours before his appearance in court on Friday, he posted a video of himself to his Truth Social account in which he accused Ms Carroll of lying and being a paid political operative.

I have no idea who she is, where shes come from, he said. This is another scam and a political witch hunt, and somehow were going to have to fight this stuff. We cannot let our country go into this abyss. This is disgraceful.

During an appearance at a civil fraud trial targeting his Trump Organization last year, Mr Trump abruptly left the courtroom after the judge overseeing the case denied another of his attorneys multiple requests to drop the case altogether.

At that moment, the former president tossed up his hands in frustration and abruptly left the court, mumbling: Unbelievable.

Ariana Baio contributed reporting from the Daniel Patrick Moynihan federal courthouse
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A court in military-controlled Myanmar has ordered the family home of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, where she spent 15 years under house arrest, to be put on auction following a bitter decades-long legal dispute between her and her brother.

The decision by a district court in Yangon, the countrys largest city, came nearly 1 1/2 years after the Supreme Court upheld a special appeal lodged by Suu Kyis estranged older brother, Aung San Oo, granting him half ownership of the family property that the siblings inherited in Yangon.

A legal official familiar with the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release information, said the district court decided to auction the property on March 20 with a floor price of 315 billion Myanmar kyats (about $90 million). He said the auction will be held in front of the historic property.

The 1.923-acre (0.78-hectare) family property on Inye Lake with a two-story colonial-style building was given by the government to Suu Kyis mother, Khin Kyi, after her husband, independence hero Gen. Aung San, was assassinated in July 1947. Khin Kyi died in December 1988, shortly after the failure of a mass uprising against military rule in which Suu Kyi took a leadership role as a co-founder of the National League for Democracy party.

A Myanmar activist holds a portrait of Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi during a protest at the Chinese embassy in Bangko (AFP via Getty Images)

Suu Kyi was detained in 1989 ahead of a 1990 election. Her party easily won the polls but was not allowed to take power when the army annulled the results. She ended up spending almost 15 years under house arrest at the property at 54 University Avenue and stayed there after her 2010 release.

For most of the time she was detained in Yangon, Suu Kyi was alone with just a housekeeper, and at one point had to sell some of her furniture to afford food.

As she was gradually allowed her freedom, the property became a sort of political shrine and unofficial party headquarters. She was able to deliver speeches from her front gate to crowds of supporters gathered in the street outside, and in later years hosted visiting dignitaries including then-U.S. President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

In 2012 she moved to the capital, Naypyitaw, where she stayed part time after being elected to Parliament, and spent even more time after becoming the de facto head of government after the 2015 general election.

She was uprooted again in February 2021 when the army ousted her elected government and arrested her. After being tried on what are widely regarded as flimsy, politically motivated charges, she is serving a combined 27-year sentence in Naypyitaws main prison.

Her brother, Aung San Oo, first filed suit in 2000 for an equal share of the Yangon property, but his case was dismissed in January 2001 on procedural grounds.

He returned to court again and again over the following two decades to press his claim.

In 2016, the Western Yangon District Court issued a ruling dividing the plot equally between the siblings. Aung San Oo considered the decision unfair and appealed unsuccessfully multiple times for the court to have the property sold by auction and the proceeds split between him and Suu Kyi.

The Supreme Court agreed to allow his special appeal and decided in August 2022 - after the armys seizure of power from Suu Kyis elected government  to have the property sold by auction.

A month after that, Duwa Lashi La, the acting president of the National Unity Government, the countrys popular opposition organization which lays claim to being its legitimate government, designated the property as a cultural heritage site and prohibited its sale or destruction, under threat of eventual legal punishment.
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Outraged French farmers have blocked a motorway to Spain as part of a nationwide protest over complaints that they are not getting enough money for their produce as well as excessive bureaucracy.

Some Spanish trucks were also attacked at the border, Spains National Federation of Transport Associations said, with Madrids agriculture minister branding the incidents absolutely unacceptable.

Amid the tough economic climate, French farmers have been protesting to urge the government to do more to help them.

The protests are now affecting traffic trying to cross into France from Spain on the AP-7 highway that runs along the Mediterranean coast from southern Spain to the frontier. About 20,000 Spanish trucks cross into France daily.

Catalonias traffic service, Transit, said on X/Twitter that northbound lanes of the AP-7 were blocked at the border municipality of La Jonquera, and shared online video footage showing long lines of trucks.

Fenadismer, Spains Federation of Transport Associations, released footage of what it said was a Spanish truck driver being forced to empty 20,000 litres of wine from its tank, and accused French protesters of vandalism and destroying goods.

"Fair demands that involve intolerable acts lose all legitimacy," it wrote on X/Twitter.

Agriculture minister Luis Planas told reporters on Thursday that attacks on trucks were absolutely unacceptable.

French farmers block motorway to Spain (Reuters)

We fully respect the right to demonstrate and the right to freely express ones opinion but always with respect and peacefully, not with violent means and coercion, he said.

Andres Gongora, from the COAG farmers association, said Spanish farmers understood why French farmers were protesting and shared some of their demands.

What we cannot understand is that they are focusing their protests on Spanish production when we are members of the European Union, just like them, Gongora said. The free movement of goods must be guaranteed.

Protesters also blocked one of the main motorways linking Paris with the northern city of Lille and Belgium on Friday, causing lengthy traffic jams.

On a visit to the Haute-Garonne region on Friday, new French prime minister Gabriel Attal sought to assuage the anger of the farmers.

He told those present that his new government had decided to put agriculture above everything else.

Mr Attal said one of the measures he would implement would be to encourage French citizens to buy more homegrown products.
 Close Moment Russian plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war appears to crash

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At least seven people, including three children, have been killed overnight after a Russian drone hit a petrol station in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv.

The strike caused a massive fire that burned down 15 private houses, while 50 people were evacuated as emergency workers tackled the blaze.

It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sacked army chief Valeriy Zaluzhny and replaced him with Oleksandr Syrsky.

It follows days of speculation that Zelensky was considering dismissing Zaluzhny, who is seen by many Ukrainians as a national hero for overseeing the war effort since February 2022.

We discussed what renewal the Armed Forces of Ukraine need. We also discussed who could be in the renewed leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The time for this renewal is now, Zelenskys statement said on Telegram.

In other developments, Ukrainian troops have shot down a Russian attack helicopter in eastern Ukraine near the city of Avdiivka as soldiers step up street fighting, Kyiv claimed.

Meanwhile, Russian forces launched the second largest combined drone and missile strike on Ukraine this year with around 64 munitions hitting the country, according to a US think tank.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said a Russian military plane that crashed near the border with Ukraine on Wednesday was shot down by Ukrainian air defences, whether on purpose or by mistake.

Moscow accuses Kyiv of downing the Ilyushin Il-76 plane in Russias Belgorod region and killing 74 people on board, including 65 captured Ukrainian soldiers en route to be swapped for Russian PoWs. It has not presented proof.

Kyiv has neither confirmed nor denied that its forces downed the aircraft and said there is no proof of who was on board. It has challenged details of Moscows account and called for an international investigation.

Russia has sole access to the crash site and the claims could not be independently verified.

74 were killed when a Russian Ilyushin Il-76 plane was downed close to Belgorod

Russias state investigative committee said body parts were being collected and removed for genetic testing, and some of them bore distinctive tattoos like those worn by captured Ukrainians that Russia had interrogated.

It said the evidence collected also included documents of Ukrainian servicemen who died in the disaster, confirming their identities, as well as accompanying documents from the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia".

Russian state media quoted president Vladimir Putin on Friday as blaming Ukraine for downing the plane.

The missiles that shot down the Il-76 with captured Ukrainian armed forces military personnel were launched from Ukrainian territory, he said, according to TASS.

On Thursday the Investigative Committee said preliminary findings showed the plane was struck by a surface-to-air missile fired from Ukraine.

Ukraine has rejected a Russian assertion that it was forewarned that a plane carrying Ukrainian POWs would be flying over the Belgorod region at that time.

It has also pointed to discrepancies on a purported list of the names of the 65 Ukrainians that was published by Russian media, saying some of these were soldiers who had already returned in a previous swap.

Images released by Russias investigative committee purpot to show plane wreckage (AP)

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he was not aware any official list had been published. He told reporters he had no information on what would happen to the body remains and whether they would be handed to Ukraine.

Asked if Russia would provide the UN Security Council and other international organisations with evidence that Ukraine shot down the plane, Mr Peskov said: "I have nothing to add yet. Investigators are working, decisions will be made after the investigators receive all the necessary information."

Russian state media said the black boxes from the plane had been delivered to a special defence ministry laboratory in Moscow and investigators were already working on them.

Ukraine has opened a criminal complaint into the crash, which happened on Wednesday, and the countrys deputy ambassador to the United Nations said it would be the first case of Russia using human shields on aircraft to cover for transportation of weaponry if it was confirmed PoWs were on board.

Khrystyna Hayovyshyn said: Ukraine was not informed about the number of vehicles , roads and means of transportation of the captives. This alone may constitute intentional actions by Russia to endanger the lives and safety of the prisoners.

President Volodymyr Zelensky accused his opposite number Putin of playing with the emotions of the Ukrainian prisoners of war the plane was downed.

It is clear that the Russians are playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners, the feelings of their loved ones and the emotions of our society, Mr Zelensky said in his evening address.

He added that Russia must present the facts of the crash.

All clear facts must be established. To the extent possible, given that the aircraft crashed on Russian territory  beyond our control. Facts is the key word now, he said, without directly confirming who shot down the plane.

Ukraines GUR military intelligence wing said the country was not alerted about ensuring airspace security like in previous swaps, or the information of what transport will be used and which routes will be taken. No reliable information about who was on the downed plane was shared with Ukraine, officials said.

In other developments, the Kremlin was forced to deny that Putin had put out feelers to the United States about ending the war.

Citing two sources close to the Kremlin, Bloomberg said Russia had signalled to the White House in December that it was ready for talks.

No, this is a wrong report, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. It absolutely does not correspond to reality.
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UN judges today said that Israel must ensure its forces do not commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

In a hearing at The Hague on Friday, the 17-strong panel of judges said it would not throw out the genocide case against Israel and that it must provide basic humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire.

South Africa had asked for the court to order Israel to halt its operation, which has laid waste to much of the enclave and killed more than 25,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.

But the court instead urged Israel to try and contain death and damage in its military offensive, which is still ongoing and has prompted a humanitarian crisis.

The ruling comes as a blow to Israel, as it conveyed a powerful rebuke of the countrys conduct during the war and said that it must change substantially.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the genocide case is outrageous and Israel will continue to do what is necessary to defend itself.

Like every country, Israel has an inherent right to defend itself, he said in a statement. The vile attempt to deny Israel this fundamental right is blatant discrimination against the Jewish state, and it was justly rejected, he said.

Fridays ICJ findings also put pressure on Israels allies, such as the US, the UK and Germany, to ensure that the country abides by the courts measures.

In a hearing heavy with complex legal arguments, the UN top court:

Refused to throw out South Africas case and said that claims of genocide were plausible

Said that Palestinians appeared to be a protected group under the 1948 Genocide Convention

Condemned dehumanising language from Israeli officials

Said Israel must do all it can to prevent genocide, including refraining from killing Palestinians or causing them harm

Told the country it needed to prevent publishing comments that could be considered incitement to commit genocide

Ruled Israel urgently needs to get basic aid to people in Gaza

Joan E Donoghue, the courts president, who read out the ruling, opened the case by noting that Israels war against Hamas is causing massive civilian casualties, extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure and the displacement of the overwhelming majority of the population in Gaza.

The court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is unfolding in the region and is deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering, the judge said.

Presiding judge Joan E Donoghue opens the session at the International Court of Justice (AP)

Writing in The Independent, Tory grandee Sir Malcolm Rifkind praised the UN judges, arguing that they had reached no view on whether there has been genocide in Gaza  nor did they call for a permanent ceasefire  but they have treated the case with the seriousness it deserves.

Overall, the court ordered six provisional measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza and said that Israel must submit a report on its progress to meet the rulings within a month.

Following the ruling, a crowd of pro-Palestinian supporters that had gathered outside the building in The Hague waved Palestinian flags and chanted Ceasefire now! and Free, Free Palestine!

The South African government said it welcomed the provisional measures ordered by the ICJ, whereas Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israels security minister responded by tweeting: Hague Shmague.

Pro-Palestinian activists wave flags during Fridays session of the International Court of Justice (AP)

The Palestinian foreign ministry said it welcomed the findings and said the ICJ had ruled in favour of humanity and international law.

In a statement, it said: We call on all states to ensure that all provisional measures ordered by the court are implemented, including by Israel, the occupying power. This is a binding legal obligation.

States now have clear legal obligations to stop Israels genocidal war on the Palestinian people in Gaza and to make sure that they are not complicit.

The ICJ order is an important reminder that no state is above the law. It should serve as a wake-up call for Israel and actors who enabled its entrenched impunity.

Pro-Israel activists gather near the International Court of Justice in The Hague (AP)

Palestine reaffirms its eternal gratitude to the people and government of South Africa for taking this bold step of active solidarity and will continue to work closely with South Africa and other countries to ensure that justice is served.

Humanitarian organisations also welcomed the ruling on Friday, saying it was an important step in rectifying the unparalleled catastrophic situation in Gaza.

Balkees Jarrah, associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, said: The world courts landmark decision puts Israel and its allies on notice that immediate action is needed to prevent genocide and further atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza,

Lives hang in the balance, and governments need to urgently use their leverage to ensure that the order is enforced. The scale and gravity of civilian suffering in Gaza driven by Israeli war crimes demands nothing less.

Pro-Palestinian activists react near the ICJ building in The Hague (AP)

And Halima Begum, CEO of ActionAid UK, said: These measures  which include taking all measures to prevent acts of genocide, such as the killing of and causing of serious bodily or mental harm to Palestinians  are potent steps toward rectifying the unparalleled catastrophic situation in Gaza where more than 26,000 people have been killed, at least two-thirds being women and children, and UN human rights experts report that all children under five  335,000  are at high risk of severe malnutrition as the risk of famine conditions increase by the day.

We celebrate South Africas petition, and the 88 countries from the global South who supported it and see it as a bold display of moral courage borne out of its lived experience of colonisation and the horrors of apartheid.

Fridays decision is only an interim one and it could take years for the full case brought by South Africa to be considered.

Israel has called South Africas allegations false and grossly distorted, and said it makes the utmost efforts to avoid civilian casualties.

Israel began its offensive in Gaza after a terror attack by Hamas militants killed an estimated 1,200 people across southern Israel on 7 October.

The air and ground assault on Gaza, accompanied by a blockade on supplies entering the Strip, started in northern Gaza City before spreading to the south and is now focused on the city of Khan Younis.

More than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its operation, according to the Gaza health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties.

Israel strongly denies targeting civilians but many of the victims of the more than three-months-long war have been women and children. Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to fight on until his country achieves a complete victory with the eradication of Hamas.

Israel has faced growing pressure in recent weeks from even its closest international allies, with the US president Joe Biden saying last month that Tel Aviv was losing global support due to its indiscriminate bombing of Gaza.
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Two Norwegian Cruise Line passengers have been accused of bringing more than 100 bags of marijuana on board a ship heading from Miami to England.

Michael Quesenberry and Savannah Rose Minami allegedly brought 71.9 kilograms of marijuana on board the liner that was set to depart from Miami for Southampton, England, on 11 January, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida.

According to the affidavit, authorities initially found Mr Quesenberry and Ms Minami in a passenger room together.

However, Ms Minami claimed that she had never met Mr Quesenberry before they met at a bar on the ship. Based on her statements, law enforcement officers let her board the ship.

The criminal complaint added that a drug-sniffing dog alerted authorities to find 56 vacuum-sealed bags of a green, leafy substance in Mr Quesenberrys luggage.

Mr Quesenberry claimed that this marijuana was for personal use and that he had a medical marijuana card back in California, the affidavit said.

Following the discovery, Homeland Security officers were permitted to board the ship to find Ms Minami.

Finding her at a bar on board the ship, officers searched her luggage and found a further 56 bags of cannabis.

Investigators said the packaging and quantity of marijuana found was consistent with drug trafficking and distribution.

Based on my training and experience, the packaging and quantity of marijuana in the luggage belonging to each of Quesenberry and Minami is consistent with drug trafficking and distribution, the affidavit reads.

Further, based on my training and experience, drug traffickers are increasingly turning to exportation of marijuana from the United States to England, due to the higher price of marijuana in England.

Both suspects are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Two Norwegian Cruise Line passengers have been accused of bringing more than 100 bags of marijuana on board (Getty)

Cruise lines prohibit passengers from bringing marijuana on board, even in medicinal form.

Norwegian Cruise Line also prohibits all products containing CBD, oils, candies, and gummies or any product containing THC.

The safety and security of our guests is, as always, our top priority, the cruise line told USA Today in a statement.

As such, Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right to confiscate any items on the prohibited items list, and may notify authorities when necessary.

Despite cannabis being legal across 38 US states in varying degrees, possession, use and sale of cannabis remains illegal in Florida.

Cruise ships in the US are also required to follow federal law, which prohibits the possession and use of marijuana and other illegal substances.
A French tourist unearthed a 7.46-carat diamond during a visit to a US state park earlier in January.

Julien Navas, from Paris, was in Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, where he rented a diamond-hunting kit to search for precious stones.

Arkansas State Parks said the diamond was sitting on the surface in the parks 37.5-acre search area.

The weather conditions, such as rain and mud, may have helped Mr Navas find the diamond according to USA Today.
Impressive drone footage captures hundreds of manatees gathered in warm water springs in Florida.

The video was shared by the Citrus County government and shows the marine mammals gathered at Three Sisters Springs in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.

Manatees often seek springs to stay warm, as other waters can become cold over the winter months.

They need to be in water that is no colder than 68F (20C) to maintain a safe internal body temperature.

If the marine mammals are in water that is any colder for an extended period, they may get cold stress which makes them vulnerable to disease and death.
Two police dogs that were stabbed by a suspect during an arrest attempt in Boise, Idaho, were released from an animal hospital on Thursday, 25 January.

Ada County Sheriffs Office said officers were taking suspect Jeremiah Gaver into custody on Wednesday when the stabbings took place.

Police fired at Gaver who was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

K9s Meko and Astrid were badly injured and received emergency medical care.

Footage showed the pair leaving the WestVet Animal Emergency Hospital.
An Israeli politician clashed with a Sky News reporter on Friday (26 January) after the International Court of Justice said Israel must ensure its forces do not commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

A 17-strong panel of judges at the Hague said it would not throw out the genocide case against Israel and that it must provide basic humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip, but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire.

Danny Danon, a senior member of the Israeli Knesset, told Sky News: In Sky News and international media, even the esteemed court, didnt see any evidence about the idea of a genocide.
New energy player responds to price reductions from larger rivals by announcing another cut in its electricity tariffs

Energia is the latest energy company to announce another price cut.

It is the second reduction for its residential customers in six months, with the reduction taking effect from March 1.

Energia electricity customers will get a reduction of 7.5pc on their unit rates. This works out at an average saving of 129 a year, based on the average annual bill.

Gas customers will receive a reduction of 5pc on their unit rates, or an average of 65 a year.

Dual-fuel customers will get a reduction of 7.5pc for electricity and 5pc for gas on their unit rates. This will amount to a savings of 194 a year, Energia said.

There will be a reduction of 7.5pc on unit rates for customers on the Energia Smart Meter electricity plan, or an average of 105 a year.

Energia Smart Meter Dual-Fuel plan customers will receive a reduction of 7.5pc for electricity and 5pc for gas on their unit rates. This works out at an average of 170 a year, the company said.

There is no reduction in standing charges, with the company insisting its standing charges are some of the lowest in the market.

Following the cuts, the electricity 24-hour unit rate will go to 38.08c per kilowatt hour (kwh), inclusive of Vat.

What the company calls the Smart MCC12 day rate will go to 37.62c a kwh, with the Smart MCC12 night rate at 20.14c a kwh, and the peak rate at 39.43c.

The gas rate will be 11.26c a kwh, inclusive of Vat.

Gary Ryan, managing director of customer solutions at Energia Group, said: This latest price reduction, the second in six months, follows our 20pc reduction introduced in October 23.

It comes days after new energy provider Yuno Energy responded to recent price cuts from larger rivals by announcing a third cut in its electricity tariffs.

Yuno already put through a price cut at the start of this month, but the company responded this week to planned price cuts from Electric Ireland and Bord Gais Energy by moving to undercut them.

The firm is reducing its fixed rate from this week. It said this will mean its fixed rate will again be the cheapest in the market.

The new unit rate is 27.38c a kwh, including Vat. This is 5.4pc cheaper than its previous lowest unit rate.

In the past few weeks, the two largest suppliers of electricity and gas have announced their second price cuts since November. However, the implementation of the lower prices is weeks away.

Bord Gais is reducing electricity unit rate prices by 10pc and gas by 9.5pc. There is also an 8pc reduction in standing charges. The cuts take effect from February 29.

Two weeks ago, Electric Ireland said it is lowering electricity prices by 8pc from March 1, with the standing charge going down by the same percentage. Its gas prices are coming down by 7pc, with the gas standing charge falling by the same percentage.
Boeing is systemically important for the global economy, says Avolon CEO

Leasing firm chief Andy Cronin says the aircraft manufacturers issues will be resolved  but plan is tricky

Andy Cronin, CEO of Avolon. Photo: Bloomberg

John Mulligan Fri 26 Jan 2024 at 03:30

Boeing is systemically important to both the US and global economy and will eventually emerge from its latest crisis  but it will take years for undersupply of widebody and narrowbody aircraft to unwind, according to the chief executive of Dublin-based Avolon, one of the worlds largest jet lessors.
Belfast rap trio Kneecap have seen their biopic film land an Audience Award at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

The self-titled Kneecap marks the first Irish feature film to win at the festival since John Carneys Once in 2007 and is the first Irish language film ever to win an award at the festival.

"We are delighted to have such an award bestowed upon the first Irish language film at Sundance. Hopefully it will give people in Ireland the confidence to pursue the arts through their native tongue. Special thanks to our PR team at the DUP, the band joked, mocking their fractious relationship with the political party.

Speaking about the win, the films writer and director Rich Peppiatt said: Theres a saying in Irish  Ni mhaireann solas na maidine don la  which means no morning sun lasts all day. Well, the amazing week weve had here at Sundance since premiering our movie has certainly tested that wisdom  and were basking in every moment.

The Audience Award follows what has been a very successful festival for the film. Since its world premiere last week, Kneecap  which was the first-ever Irish language film to be selected for the festival  has been receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.

It also scored a major international deal with Sony Pictures Classics during the festival with the film now set for release in North America and other major, global markets.

Based on the origin story of the riotous and ground-breaking Irish-language rap trio Kneecap, the film stars the bands Mo Chara, Moglai Bap and DJ Provai in their acting debuts alongside Academy Award-nominated Michael Fassbender, Simone Kirby, Jessica Reynolds, Fionnuala Flaherty and Josie Walker.

Set in west Belfast in 2019, it chronicles how fate brings the trio together and how they then go on to change the sound of Irish music forever.

Described by the LA Times as reminiscent of the early Eminem, the band Kneecap is gaining critical acclaim for their artful blend of Irish and English rap about the gritty reality of growing up in post-Troubles Belfast.

Founded in 1978, the Sundance Film Festival is the world's most prestigious festival dedicated to independent films. Titles that have screened at the festival in the past include The Usual Suspects, Reservoir Dogs, Little Miss Sunshine, and In Bruges as well as Irish productions such as John Crowley's Brooklyn, Yorgos Lanthimos's The Lobster, John Carney's Once and Sing Street and Lee Cronins The Hole in the Ground.

Kneecap was produced by Jack Tarling and Trevor Birney for Fine Point Films and Mother Tongues Films, with Patrick ONeill at Wildcard acting as Co-Producer. The film will be released in cinemas later this year.
Three children whose father died and mother ended up with a catastrophic brain injury after a crash between a car and a tractor are to receive 300,000 in settlement of a High Court action.

The settlement against Cork County Council is without an admission of liability.

Teegan (16), Miley (15) and Daniel (12) Redmond OCallaghan are being raised by their grandmother, Norma Redmond, of Fairhill, Co Cork, who brought proceedings on their behalf.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told the two Redmond OCallaghan girls were less than four years old when the collision happened on the old Glanmire to Cork road in 2011.

Their father, Myles OCallaghan, Donoughmore, Co Cork, was the driver of the car. He died in hospital four days after the crash.

The childrens mother, Olivia Redmond OCallaghan, was 28 years of age and left with massive brain damage, needing 24-hour care for the rest of her life. In 2021, she settled an action over the crash for 14.75million.

She had sued her late husbands estate, the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI), which compensates victims of uninsured or untraced driving accidents, and Cork County Council. This settlement was against the MIBI and Cork County Council, who both denied the claims.

In its defence to that case, the MIBI claimed Ms Redmond OCallaghan failed to have regard for her safety and permitted herself to be carried in a car for which she knew there was no valid insurance policy in place.

The court heard then that Ms Redmond OCallaghan was 12 weeks pregnant at the time of the accident and gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Daniel, in March 2012 but she never realised she has a son and did not recognise her children.

In the proceedings against the council, Norma Redmond claimed there was a failure to erect warning signs along the old Glanmire to Watergrasshill Road to indicate there were dangerous bends ahead.

It was further claimed the camber of the stretch of road leading up to the site of the accident had been caused to become allegedly dangerous.

The council denied all claims and denied the camber of the road was dangerous or in a defective state. It contended the road surface was in a very good condition and the road was designed and constructed per best practice at the time. It further claimed the bend was visible for 210 metres.

Counsel for Ms Redmond, Hugh Mohan SC, told the court liability was significantly at issue in the case. He said the horrific collision was the beginning of all the trouble for the Redmond OCallaghan family. Olivia Redmond OCallaghan, who is now aged 40, remains in a non-communicative state.

Counsel said that in the crash, Mr OCallaghans car which was going down a hill on its approach to a sharp left-hand bend appeared to veer over onto the opposite carriage and collided with a tractor and trailer.

Counsel said Ms Redmond is in effect a mother now to her grandchildren.

Approving the settlement and the division of a further 25,000 statutory mental distress payment, Mr Justice Coffey said it was fair and reasonable.

He told Ms Redmond he wished to salute her for all she has done for her grandchildren and he was delighted that the matter has been resolved.
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
Government will sign off on an overhaul of the contentious 160 TV license before the summer, according to Media Minister Catherine Martin.

This is the first time the Minister has given a firm commitment and set a deadline for the reform of RTE and how it should be funded.

Minister Martin said a decision will be made on overhaul of the charge once Government receives two reports it commissioned into the broadcaster by the end of next month.

I said Id take that decision once we have those two main reports. I would like to move quickly on that and definitely have the decision before the summer, she said.

Im determined not only [to have] the decision done but that it requires legislation, that we would have the time to move that through before the fall of this Government.

There may be different views on what that [funding] model looks like but I think there is agreement that it needs to be done that quickly.

She is on a collision course with the rest of Government, as Finance Minister Michael McGrath laid out earlier this week his opposition to the directly funded model.

He said it would mean the money would have be to found every Budget and RTE would be left at the mercy of the Government of the day for funding.

However, Minister Martin said she believes the option should be left on the table.

There are many different views at the Cabinet table, thats what happens when you have a three party Coalition.

"What we need to do is whats right for public service media, not just for RTE but for newspapers, for the wider public service media, because it is essential that it is protected.

She said there are provisions already for so-called free licenses which households on lower incomes can avail of - meaning they dont have to pay the 160 annual charge.

She said free licenses cost 70m to the State annually, which has to be decided at Budget time - and TG4 received 57m this year, as well as RTEs own interim funding of 56m.

The exchequer funded model - there are safeguards there. It is already competing at the annual Budget estimates process with other Departments.

Over half of the funding for media was exchequer related, so it wouldnt be something that radical. We could look at what other countries do, which is the multi-annual funding model.

She said this Government needs to make the decision as consecutive Governments have failed.

A number of damning reports into RTE, commission by Government and RTE itself, are still to be published.

The Government commissioned Mazars to investigate corporate governance and the culture of the broadcaster and those two reports are expected at the end of February, according to the minister.

RTE will publish its inquiry into its voluntary exit scheme by the end of next week or in two weeks, the minister said.

The broadcaster also still has to publish its top 10 earners list and their earnings for 2023.

On Toy Show the Musical being allocated money despite it not being signed off on properly, Minister Martin said this shows complete dysfunctionality at the time between the RTE Board and the executive, which has now been overhauled.

We see somebody in [the Grant Thornton report] saying, We dont need to seek approval, why would we seek approval? and thats quite shocking, she said.

Minister Martin said people were working in silos and not as they should.

This comes as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he is very disappointed the musical went ahead without the RTE board approval.

I have confidence in the board of RTE. Im conscious there are more reports to come and they have further questions to answer but I do have confidence in them," he said.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (Brian Lawless/PA)

But I have to say I am very disappointed that Toy Show the Musical went ahead without board approval.

That is not correct and shouldnt have happened. Im not sure the board are entirely responsible for that, the executive has a role to play in that as well. But it was not a good thing.

He declined to share his views on the future of the funding model for RTE and public service broadcasting but acknowledged there was disagreement at cabinet level.

Speaking at the official opening of the BIA Innovator Campus, a new food innovation and incubation centre co-located on the Teagasc, Athenry, Co Galway campus, Mr Varadkar encouraged people to pay the TV licence.

Not because it is the law but because it funds essential public service broadcasting - Irish language, childrens (programming) arts, all those things that are really valuable and worth paying for in my view, he said

We are going to move towards a new model. Id like us to legislate for that this year, put it in place next year. There isnt an agreement at cabinet level yet.

Of course, I do (have a view about funding) but I am going to share that with my colleagues.

I think probably the most helpful thing would be for the government ministers to sit down together and make a decision on what we are going to do because the uncertainty itself is a problem.

"We need to fund public service broadcasting and public service media and its not just about RTE.

Its about local radio. Its about court reporting, reporting of council meetings, its about TG4, it's about independent broadcasters too.
Neale Richmond to push for support as families struggle with rising costs of baby formula

Some women are unable to breastfeed and have no choice but to use formula. Photo: Getty Images

The junior minister for retail business is examining if supermarket vouchers could be used to buy expensive baby formula, as hundreds of parents are struggling to afford price hikes.

Neale Richmond said that if support can be provided to help families, it should be done. But he said he would be against price caps on brands.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - January 26th 2024

The minister of state at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment said he had formula-fed two children and was well aware of the high cost of it.

We were lucky that we could afford the price of formula. Hundreds cant, he said.

Labour senator Rebecca Moynihan this week wrote to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) calling for an investigation into the baby formula market.

Discounts and advertising for infant formula is strictly regulated under EU legislation as part of a wider aim to promote breastfeeding.

However, Ms Moynihan said she believes that under EU law, Ireland could allow supermarket vouchers to be applied to stage-one infant formula.

Mr Richmond said he has agreed to discuss the proposal with the Department of Health.

He said some women had to switch to formula and had been unfairly stigmatised for being unable to breastfeed.

You dont need to punish women further with high prices, he said.

Mr Richmond said that while he supported policies that promoted breastfeeding, they may have had a knock-on effect of creating a policy where people can use supermarket vouchers on most items, bar alcohol and baby formula.

Breastfeeding is not an option for everyone. If we can look at it [a formula reform], then I think we should.

According to the Central Statistics Office, the price of baby formula in Ireland rose by 7pc in the year leading up to last month.

The price of the most popular brands of baby formula on the Irish market have risen sharply.

The average price per kg of SMA rose from 17.37 in 2021 to 20.47 last year. For Aptamil, the price rose from 17.87 per kg to 21.61.

Cow & Gate increased in price from 15.22 to 18.63. And parents who use Kendamil formula saw the highest price rise, with the cost for a kg of the infant formula climbing from 14.43 in 2021 to 19.16 last year.

All four brands represent 95pc of the formula market share.

In the UK, an investigation by its consumer watchdog resulted in formula giant Danone cutting the price of its powdered Aptamil formula brand in the UK by 7pc.

Danone, which produces both Aptamil and Cow & Gate, said: We understand that rising costs have affected households across the country, with many parents facing financial challenges.

During this period, we have tried to absorb costs and make savings to offer our best value for parents, minimising price increases where possible.

Nestle, which makes the SMA brand of formula, said that it had been working hard to keep products affordable and accessible for parents, despite significant increases in costs, while still paying fair prices to our suppliers, including farmers.
Possession of controlled drugs would remain illegal, but people found in possession of illicit drugs for personal use would have opportunity to get help, report recommends

Paul Reid chaired the Citizens Assembly on drugs use, which held a number of public meetings between April and October last year. Photo: PA

Junior health minister Hildegarde Naughton and Citizens Assembly chair Paul Reid at the launch of the report. Photo: Maxwells

Drug possession for personal use in Ireland should be met with a health  rather than a criminal justice  response, the Citizens Assembly on drugs use has recommended.

The assembly said that while possession of illicit drugs should remain illegal, those found in possession should be given first and foremost, extensive opportunities to engage voluntarily with health-led services.

It said such an approach would potentially completely remove the possibility of criminal conviction and prison sentences for simple possession.

It is one of a number of recommendations in the assemblys final report, published yesterday.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has previously said he will give careful consideration to any recommendations in the report.

The assembly, chaired by Paul Reid, has compiled the report after being asked by the Oireachtas to consider the legislative, policy and operational changes Ireland could make to reduce the harmful impacts of illicit drugs on society.

The report said: The State would respond to drug use and misuse primarily as a public health issue rather than as a criminal justice issue.

While possession of controlled drugs would remain illegal, people found in possession of illicit drugs for personal use would be afforded, first and foremost, extensive opportunities to engage voluntarily with health-led services.

Depending on how the legislation was designed, this approach would minimise, or potentially completely remove, the possibility of criminal conviction and prison sentences for simple possession.

A member of An Garda Siochana, on finding someone in possession of illicit drugs for personal use, would refer that person directly to a SAOR Brief Intervention, designed to assess, inform, dissuade and prevent people from developing problematic drug use and, where appropriate, offer a person an onward referral to addiction services.

This mirrors the practice in both Austria and Portugal, which both combine health diversion, decriminalisation and dissuasive sanctions.

There are several open questions about how Ireland might best legislate for this model, but it is clear that this approach seeks to combine the objectives of health diversion, dissuasion and decriminalisation.

Mr Reid said that following his meeting with Mr Varadkar earlier yesterday, there was a strong recognition that something needed to change.

We cant keep doing things the way we are and we do need to make a shift in our policy and our strategy and services, Mr Reid said.

Obviously, we recommend that a decriminalised model be put in place, to pivot and shift away from the current model of the first point of entry for somebody caught in possession for personal use, potentially being through the criminal justice system. There has to be a very fundamental shift in terms of how we approach that.

Secondly, we are calling for stronger political priority to push into the oversight of this issue. Yes, the departments and the agencies all have a key role, but we really want to see the political oversight of this being very strong and we are calling for a dedicated cabinet committee chaired by An Taoiseach.

Junior health minister Hildegarde Naughton said the Government is committed to taking a health-led approach to the issue of illicit drugs.

As were all aware, the misuse of illicit drugs affects every part of Irish society, she said. The misuse of drugs has devastating consequences not only for the individuals grappling with addiction, but also for their families and the communities where they live.

We are all aware of the consequences of poor health and mental-health outcomes for people in addiction, families torn apart, profiteering by unscrupulous gangs from the misery of others, drug-related intimidation of communities, just to name a few.
RTEs Bryan Dobson is to retire from the broadcaster in April after almost four decades as one of Irelands leading journalists and anchors.

The 63-year-old has conducted thousands of interviews over the years. Here are five of his best moments:

An appreciation for Anchorman

The RTE veteran has covered countless high-profile news stories over the years, but the journalist showed a lighter side when he admitted he was a fan of Will Ferrells slapstick Anchorman character.

Dobson told The Rumour Room on RTE2 in 2011: I watch quite a lot of news and current affairs. I like a thriller, a political thriller.

He added: Im a big fan [of Anchorman]. I model myself on Ron Burgundy.

The show then revealed a mocked-up version of Dobson as Ron Burgundy. He laughed along and said: Its the tache, isnt it?

Discussing Emma Mhic Mhathuna on The Late Late Show

Dobson told Late Late viewers that mother-of-five Emma Mhic Mhathuna, his late RTE News colleague, had revealed that her great fear was that her smallest child wouldnt remember his mother.

At just 37, she died from cervical cancer in 2018 and Dobson was completely in sync with the importance of marking her passing with a dignified and respectful tone.

He told then host Ryan Tubridy: To any parent, thats like a dagger through your heart. And yet facing that, she spoke out again and again.

Ms Mhic Mhathuna had become well-known for helping to highlight the CervicalCheck scandal.

Her family said they wanted Emmas tragic situation never to happen to another Irish mother or Irish woman again. I suppose if we can say that, at some point, she will certainly be one of those to whom the credit for that will go, he said.

Interview with with Bertie Ahern in 2006

It was one of the biggest TV moments in political history. Mr Dobson quizzed the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on payment irregularities, which rocked the Fianna Fail politicians world.

Ahern went on later to be questioned by the Mahon Tribunal, which had been established in 1997 to investigate allegations of corrupt payments to politicians.

With every question delivered by Dobson, Ahern trailed off on a long response, at times pausing, appearing close to breaking down.

Why was the money raised for you? Dobson asked, when Ahern claimed the money came from friends.

The journalist followed with: As we speak, none of the loan, none of the money, has been repaid. No interest has been paid?.

Ahern responded: Its a debt of honour.

To which Dobson said: You were Minister of Finance, perhaps the second most senior position in the country.

Did you have any qualms about taking this money from these individuals given the position that you occupied?.

Ahern explained the money had come from close personal and political friends and it wasn't big money.

Dobson calls protesters idiots live on air as they campaign against austerity

The then RTE News Six One anchor was interviewing economist Ronan Lyons on the housing crisis when a small group of campaigners gathered behind Lyons and made their views clear to the watching public.

One carried a placard emblazoned with the words: Burn the bonds, not the billions, and another held an Enda Kenny mask aloft.

We have some visitors there, but dont let them distract you from it, Dobson told Lyons.

But the campaigners were going nowhere and Dobson halted the interview.

Ill tell you what, Ronan, Im going to stop that here, as the idiots behind you are a bit of a distraction. So we will try and get rid of those and try to come back to you, he said.

Final goodbye

Dobsons final best bit has to be his final goodbye to his faithful RTE News audience in 2017, when he announced hed be joining Morning Ireland.

As she held back tears, RTE anchor Sharon Ni Bheolain revealed she calls the journalist Dobbo, just as many of his fans do.

She told him: Youve been a rock to us, youve been our anchor, figuratively and literally. Im not going to look at you because I know Im going to get all teary.

From my point of view, youve been a great friend and a mentor and Im sure the whole country joins me this evening in wishing you the very, very best.

She then introduced a package titled: Dobbo through the ages.

His 37 years were wrapped up to the musical backdrop of Dinah Washingtons soulful rendition of Mad about the Boy.

Im completely taken by surprise. Thank you, Sharon, for your kind words. Its been wonderful working with you and everybody now and over the years, Dobson said.

Its been a blast. Im looking forward to pastures new. Ill be on the radio on Morning Ireland from Wednesday of next week. I hate to go but Im afraid I have to leave, so goodnight.
"I never had any doubt that Ian Bailey killed Sophie Toscan du Plantier"

THE rented flat of Ian Bailey (66), the chief suspect in the Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder investigation, has been searched by Gardai on foot of a warrant.

The search of the flat in Bantry, Co Cork - where Mr Bailey had been living for the past year - took place five days after he collapsed and died while out walking in the west Cork town.

A number of items have been seized for analysis including personal diaries, correspondence, files, scrap books as well as electronic devices.

The electronic devices removed for examination include a personal computer, memory sticks and digital discs.

It is understood that the search operation - which involved the removal of a quantity of material from the property - was conducted by local detectives who have been working on the investigation into the murder of the French mother of one.

Gardai refused to comment beyond confirming that a search of a residential property took place in the Bantry area on foot of a warrant.

All the items will now be examined to determine if they have any evidential value or any relevance to the ongoing murder investigation.

Mr Bailey left an estate comprising only clothing, wood carvings, books and voluminous files about the Sophie Toscan du Plantier (39) case.

The chief suspect in the investigation into the December 1996 murder was living in modest rented accommodation in Bantry in west Cork and had been dependent on a State pension.

One friend admitted that he was effectively penniless when he died.

The Indo Daily: 'I never had any doubt that Ian Bailey killed Sophie Toscan du Plantier'

It is understood that Mr Bailey did not leave a will - and had not left any letters or documents with instructions that they should be opened after his death.

His only other source of income was the sale of wood turnings and his poetry books at farmers markets around west Cork.

The Manchester-born former freelance journalist collapsed and died while walking on Barrack Street in Bantry at lunchtime last Sunday.

Despite desperate efforts by pedestrians, first responders and paramedics to help him, he was pronounced dead before he could be transferred to Bantry General Hospital (BGH).

Because he had a history of cardiac problems and had suffered a number of heart attacks last year, no post mortem was required.

Mr Bailey was cremated after a low-key ceremony on Tuesday morning attended only by funeral director staff and crematorium personnel.

His ashes will now be shipped to his next of kin, his UK-based sister Kay Reynolds.

It is expected that a private funeral service will be held in the UK at a future date.

Mr Bailey had no property, savings or assets in Ireland.

Following the break-up of his 30 year relationship with Welsh artist Jules Thomas (73) in March 2021, he had to leave her property at The Prairie in Liscaha, just outside Schull.

For the past three years he had lived in various rented accommodation in Glengarriff and Bantry in west Cork having been unable to secure a landlord willing to have him as a tenant in either Schull or Skibbereen.

Mr Bailey's only possessions are clothing, his books which include poetry, history and law volumes, a small collection of wood carvings and multiple boxes of files in relation to the 27 year investigation into the killing of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

These include correspondence with his legal team over the years and a vast collection of cuttings from newspaper and magazine reports on the Garda investigation.

The case has been the focus of six books, several podcasts and a number of high-profile TV documentaries including productions by VirginMedia, Sky TV and Netflix.

Just last year, Mr Bailey completed his own podcast series and how his life was destroyed through being wrongly associated with Sophie's killing.

Mr Bailey was arrested twice by Gardai in 1997 and 1998 for questioning in respect of Sophie's murder.

He was released without charge on both occasions and has vehemently protested his innocence for the past 27 years.

No one has ever been charged in relation to Sophie's death in Ireland.

Mr Bailey sued eight Irish and British newspapers for libel in 2003 after claiming he was branded as the murderer.

He also took an action - which he lost - against the State for wrongful arrest in 2014/15.

After an eight year French investigation, he was prosecuted for Sophie's murder at a Paris trial in May 2019 and convicted of her murder.

He was sentenced to 25 years in prison - but had to be tried in absentia after he refused to attend the French hearing which he dismissed as "a show trial" and "a mockery of justice."

The French failed on three separate occasions since 2010 to have Mr Bailey extradited to France.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) studied the Garda case file but ruled out any charges in 2000/2001 citing lack of evidence.

A Garda cold case review is currently underway and will continue despite Mr Bailey's death.

The Garda investigation into Sophie's death has been open and active over the past 27 years.

It is planned that a revised and updated file will be submitted to the DPP.

Mr Bailey's long-time solicitor, Frank Buttimer, spoke with the poet and former freelance journalist just a few days before his death - and admitted it was apparent Mr Bailey was very ill.

He had suffered a number of heart attacks late last year - but doctors were unable to perform bypass and stent surgery until his health improved and he regained his strength.

"I do know that he felt his time was close," Mr Buttimer said.

"Looking back now - at one message I received from him - I picked up on the impact of it after his death."

Mr Buttimer said Mr Bailey had endured a terrible ordeal over the years through being constantly associated with the murder investigation despite his constant protestations of innocence.

"This was a State and media construct over the years....(I am convinced he) had nothing whatsoever to do with this crime."

Mr Buttimer refused to comment on whether Mr Bailey had left a will.

However, it is understood the poet never completed such a document.

Further, Mr Bailey did not leave any documentation with specific instructions that it was to be opened only after his death.

"Ian contacted me shortly before his death and we discussed his health and his personal circumstances and how those things might be addressed moving into the future. We did not progress our discussion very much I have to say. Regrettably, events overtook him."
Parent are being urged to book their children in for any missed MMR jabs (PA)

Ireland is vulnerable to measles outbreaks due to a fall in the uptake fo the MMR vaccine, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly warned today.

Mr Donnelly said he is to bring a memo to government to work on increasing uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which a recent report found had fallen to 87pc among junior infant schoolchildren, along with the four in one vaccine.

Several outbreaks have been reported in the UK and the World Health Organisation called for urgency in vaccination efforts this week after an alarming 30-fold rise in Europe.

"A lot of work is already being done by the HSE in reaching out to parents," said the minister, who was visiting the site of the new National Maternity Hospital in Elm Park in Dublin.

The UK has declared a national incident following a surge cases, and launched a campaign to encourage parents to get the MMR vaccine for their children.

Dr Hans Kluge, the WHO regional director for Europe, said: We have seen in the region not only a 30-fold increase in measles cases, but also nearly 21,000 hospitalisations and five measles-related deaths reported in two countries.

Vaccination is the only way to protect children from this potentially dangerous disease. Urgent vaccination efforts are needed to halt transmission and prevent further spread.

Measles can lead to serious complications, lifelong disability and death. It can affect the lungs and brain and cause pneumonia, meningitis, blindness and seizures.

It is vital that all countries are prepared to rapidly detect and timely respond to measles outbreaks, which could endanger progress towards measles elimination, he added.

Mr Donnelly said contractors for enabling works are on site at the location of the new maternity hospital.

These enabling works will deliver new boilers and upgrades to electrical systems on the campus, as well as new buildings to accommodate a neurology ward, medical records, and a staff canteen.

Those facilities are currently on the footprint of where the new hospital will be located and they will be completed in the first half of 2025.

Once a successful tenderer has been identified, the final business case will be updated with the results of the tender process and brought back to government for approval to proceed to award the main works contracts.
Minister Eamon Ryan attending launch of Urban Sense, a year-long project to measure and monitor greenhouse gas emissions in Dublin city. Picture: Maxwell Photography

Professor Rowan Fealy of Terrain-AI at Maynooth University shows Environment Minister Eamon Ryan how data from the new greenhouse gas sensors will be visualised for analysis. Picture: Maxwell

Sensors have been attached to mobile phone masts around Dublin to measure how much greenhouse gas the city emits.

The Urban Sense pilot project will help fill a vital gap in knowledge about the sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the countrys largest population centre and the conditions and activities that influence them.

It has been made possible because of the development of a lunchbox sized, low-cost sensor that fastens onto rooftop mobile phone masts.

A small radio that sits alongside transmits the data back to analysts on a minute by minute basis.

Prof Rowan Fealy, Maynooth University researcher with Terrain AI discusses the Urban Sense project with Minister Eamon Ryan attending launch of Urban Sense, a year-long project to measure and monitor greenhouse gas emissions in Dublin city. Picture: Maxwell Photography

Comparable sensors, the flux towers currently in use by Teagasc to measure methane emissions from farmland cost up to 250,000 each.

Ours costs a couple of hundred euro and that will make a huge difference in allowing them to be placed in multiple sites, said Dr Gary McDarby of Edgeliot, a start-up Dublin company that makes the sensors.

At the moment, theres a lot of guesswork in understanding emissions  in particular carbon dioxide emissions which primarily come from cities.

Its like using satellites in the sky to measure smoke but not knowing where the fires are. We dont know enough about carbon sources and sinks.

Cities have a massive role to play in climate mitigation. Worldwide, they occupy less than 3pc of the earths surface but consume 78pc of the worlds energy and produce more than 60pc of global emissions.

Urban Sense is a collaboration led by the Terrain-AI team at Maynooth University and including experts from University College Dublin, Dublin City University, University of Limerick, Teagasc and Dublin City Council are also involved.

Microsoft is funding the pilot and Cellnex, which has 2,000 mobile phone masts in Ireland, is providing access to its infrastructure.

Sabrina Dekker,(Dublin City Council), Prof Tim McCarthy (Maynooth University), Prof Rowan Fealy (Maynooth University), Minister Eamon Ryan, Dr Stephanie Keogh (Maynooth University), Professor Gerald Mills (UCD), Dr Ankur Sati (UCD). attending launch of Urban Sense, a year-long project to measure and monitor greenhouse gas emissions in Dublin city. Picture: Maxwell Photography

The Dublin sensors will capture data on carbon dioxide and methane as well as particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide which are the main pollutants affecting air quality.

Weed speed and strength, temperature, air pressure and relative humidity will also be monitored and microphones have been added to measure ambient noise.

Well be able to identify whats happening in the layer of air above the city and how activities in the city affect it, said Professor Rowan Fealy of Terrain-AI.

If we just focused our efforts on 3pc of the land area that account for 70pc of the emissions, imagine the impact we could have in terms of meeting our climate targets.

This is a project for public good, said Dr Sabrina Dekker, climate action coordinator at Dublin City Council.

Dublin is aiming to be climate neutral by 2030 and the data would prove extremely helpful, she said.

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said the project could prove transformative in demonstrating the effectiveness of climate action measures.

It has huge potential for application in rural areas too and on peatlands, forestry and farmland for us to be accurate and certain about the measures we take.

The Climate Change Assessment Report published this week highlighted gaps in accurate data on land use emissions as a major deficiency in planning mitigation measures.
The National Ambulance Service has said controls needed to be strengthened in light of the revelations. Photo: Getty

A row over shift payments within the National Ambulance Service (NAS) has raised fears of a national strike as two trade unions are poised to ballot for industrial action.

A directive was issued within the NAS by director Robert Morton following a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) hearing last month.

It warned that the special allowances can be paid only to staff who work a recurrent cycle of shifts which include days, nights and weekends.

The directive stressed that pay controls needed to be strengthened in light of the revelations about shift allowance payments within the service.

The NAS order followed a members challenge that resulted in a WRC hearing last August and a subsequent appeal last month.

It is understood many staff members received the payments despite not working shifts nor meeting the criteria for shift payments.

This shift payment entitlement and its qualifying criteria are set out under a 1978 agreement, confirmed by the WRC and Labour Relations Commission.

However, some in receipt of such payments effectively worked regular hours, were seconded to a day job or were on sick leave  yet still continued to receive the shift allowance designed to compensate staff who were required to work long, irregular and often unsocial hours.

It is understood the disputed shift allowance payment could involve up to 250 members, with the payments still being made up to last Thursday.

Unite and Siptu have written to NAS chiefs, warning that the cessation was a breach of existing local agreements and they sought urgent talks.

They warned that any deduction of shift overpayments without agreement was in breach of existing protocols.

The Irish Independent has seen an NAS memo sent to staff who do not work the qualifying hours but who have still received the allowance.

In a letter to Mr Morton on Tuesday, a Unite official said they were deeply concerned over the failure to engage with unions. Unite warned that it considered the changes to the payment of shift allowance to be a breach of existing agreements.

We would anticipate that the precise details outlined in the 1978 agreement would still be applicable and that the shift allowance will continue to be processed and paid on behalf of our Unite members since the 1978 agreement has been in effect for the past 45 years, it said.

As a consequence of the above, we are directed by our affected Unite and Siptu members to conduct a ballot for industrial action in furtherance of this trade dispute in question.

A HSE directive on shift payments, dated last December 15 warned that: The purpose of a shift allowance is to compensate staff who work both day and night shifts on a rotational basis and (is) intended to ensure the 24/7 availability of services to the public.

The directive specifically set out that shift allowances should be paid only under qualifying criteria.

The payment of a shift allowance should only be made to staff who actually work a recurrent cycle of shifts which include days, nights and weekends, it said.

The self-assessment of pay controls and the controls assurance review process has identified the need to strengthen pay controls in relation to the payment of the shift allowance.

However, the HSE insisted that no financial recoupment would be required over the matter.

A national agreement in 1999 extinguished overtime arrangements for ambulance service management, a spokesperson said.

However, in some former health board areas, local arrangements/deals existed. This affected a low number of staff and the NAS has no concerns about whether the hours claimed for overtime were worked. As such, no recoupment is required as per NAS. These arrangements are also all now resolved through NAS structures. The NAS continues to monitor staff overtime payments to ensure compliance with National Financial Regulations.

However, NAS sources indicated that shift allowances have been subjected for over two decades to local management agreements and have strayed from national agreement guidelines.
Researchers in Dublin have been given 2.5m to improve the diagnosis, management and care of patients who have "the most common form of dementia that no-one has heard of".

Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) accounts for more than a fifth of the nearly 65,000 people with dementia in Ireland but fewer than 5pc of those affected receive a formal diagnosis, meaning care and support can be significantly delayed.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - January 26th 2024

The funding from the Health Research Board has been given to Trinity College Dublin and it coincides with World Lewy Body day 2024 on Sunday.

The team will undertake the four-year EMERALD-Lewy programme.

Lewy body dementia (LBD) includes Parkinson's dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy body (DLB).

LBD can be characterised by cognitive difficulties, vivid hallucinations and sleep problems, but is a chameleon of sorts making its definitive diagnosis difficult.

Patients can endure years of misdiagnosis or remain undiagnosed making life incredibly challenging for them and those with caring responsibilities.

The EMERALD-Lewy programme aims to improve the diagnosis, management, and lived experience of patients with LBD and their carers, and is the first large scale program of research for the Lewy body dementias in Ireland.

Gaps in diagnosis and care will be addressed in several ways by improving the rate and quality of diagnosis and management of LBD.

Researchers led by Professor Iracema Leroi will support "living well" with LBD by better understanding quality of life, daily lived experiences and peer support.

Together with people with LBD and their families, the research team will shape policy and practice to improve quality of life and share knowledge about LBD in Ireland.

Professor Iracema Leroi, Geriatric Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, St Jamess Hospital, Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) and Principal Investigator, said: This funding from the Health Research Board is a fantastic opportunity to finally move the agenda forward for the 10,000 people with Lewy body dementia living in Ireland.

"Improving the recognition of and care pathways for LBD is essential to improve quality of life when living with dementia.

Ken Greaney, co-founder of Lewy Body Ireland and co-applicant for the EMERALD-Lewy programme and whose father, Dave, lives with LBD welcomes the prospect of the positive impact that the programme will make to the lives of people with LBD.

He said: It took seven long years for my dad, Dave, to get his diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia.

"While it is far too late for him, the Emerald Lewy Project can be part of his legacy, so that we know his suffering was not in vain.

"Thousands of other people because of Emerald Lewy will no longer travel that road. This project has the power the change the entire landscape of how this cruel illness is diagnosed and understood, helping those who need it, when they need it most.
An artists impression of the revamped South Docks in Cork city

Site works on the landmark South Docks project in Cork will commence within weeks.

The 350m South Docks project has been hailed as "a game changer" development for the city with a new hospital, three multi-storey office towers, an 11 storey apartment complex and the re-purposing of a giant 131 year old grain warehouse into a hospitality complex.

O'Callaghan Properties (OCP) confirmed that site works on the vast redevelopment will commence by the end of the month.

Amongst the initial works will be the demolition of the R&H Hall silos and the salvage of sections of the plant's industrial heritage for incorporation into the new development.

"Because of design and structural impediments and reasons of deterioration, it was not found possible to conserve or to safely repurpose the buildings," an OCP official said.

"The same was not true of the older Odlums Mills building, further eastward on Kennedy Quay, which is to be restored and reimagined with with retail, cafe, residential and office uses."

OCP stressed that a full archaeological recording process will be conducted  with the industrial machinery within the derelict R&H Hall complex to be conserved.

It is expected that the conservation and demolition process will take six months to complete.

Archaeologists and conservation specialists have hailed the approach to the historic complex as "dynamic and creative".

OCP managing director Brian O'Callaghan said they were determined to have "a respectful understanding" of the docklands area and the role it played in the industrial and social history of Cork.

The plan for Cork's South Docks has been hailed as "a game-changer" for the city in its bid to dramatically increase in size over the next four decades and rival Dublin as a southern powerhouse.

The project has also been hailed as the first step towards unleashing the vast potential of Cork's 1 billion dockland landbank.

O'Callaghan Properties said the project will create over 5,000 jobs when fully developed.

A core element will be the restoration of the historic Odlums Mills building which dominates Cork's quays - and the creation of a landmark rooftop destination offering panoramic views over the city centre.

The six storey brick building - constructed between 1890 and 1895 - is an iconic structure in Cork and is listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.

It has been derelict for some time and fears were raised about its future.

The South Docks project follows major developments at Penrose Dock and Horgan's Quay as well as the re-ordering of the Dunkettle Interchange to enhance access to Cork city from the east and north.

Two major buildings have also been developed on the approach to Cork's docklands, One Albert Quay and Navigation Square.

Cork Airport completed a 10 million runway refurbishment on budget and on time while a new light rail network is also proposed for the city.

Major developments have also been completed at Penrose Wharf and Horgan's Quay.

Mr OCallaghan said the South Docks project will involve an investment of 350 million over a one million sq. ft. development on a 4.162 acres site running from Marina Walk onto the River Lee at Kennedy Quay.

Cork citys population is projected to increase by 50pc by 2040," he said.

"The docklands will drive rapid economic development for Cork and already has shown itself capable of hosting large scale multinational and indigenous investment projects.

"It is largely underutilised and presents a wonderful opportunity for the city to expand eastwards.

South Docks has played a key role in the social and working life of the city and has constantly evolved and changed.

"The area has moved from industrial use to the new economy and our project not only facilitates that journey but creates a new focal point for the city, a new, sustainable amenity of scale."

A key element of the project will be the provision of 2,000 new homes.

The project revolves around 122,000 sq.ft, 130 bed rehabilitation hospital, 450,000 sq. ft. of office and mixed use in three buildings ranging in height from nine to 12 storeys, 80,000 sq. ft. 11 storey building with 80 build to sell apartments and the restoration and re-purposing of the derelict Odlums Mills to create two seven and nine storey buildings for residential, leisure, hospitality and commercial use.

The project also includes ambitious plans for a new connection to the river as well as pedestrian and cycleways.

Mr O'Callaghan said the South Docks is "a milestone project" for Cork and will help reconnect the city centre with the docklands.

The promenade at Kennedy Quay has the potential to become one of the citys primary pedestrian routes and a visitor attraction in its own right.

The developers insisted the project perfectly matches the Government's commitment to the development of a "15 minute city" across Irish urban locations - with everything being within easy access for residents.

OCP revealed the rehabilitation hospital will be operated by ORPEA Group, a French multinational healthcare company which has facilities in 22 countries with 68,000 employees.

The hospital will be the only such facility in Ireland outside of Dublin and will address a significant regional and national health infrastructure deficit.

OCP is also exploring opportunities with the Cork-based National Sculpture Factory over the residual elements of the dismantled R&H Hall machinery including the giant grain driers.
Eoin O Broin said Sinn Fein would be supporting the referendums, but the party has not officially clarified its stance. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Sinn Fein will announce its stance on the forthcoming referendums on families and carers after the partys powerful Ard Chomhairle meets.

The Ard Chomhairle, which is made up of elected and unelected Sinn Fein members from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, will meet on February 3 to discuss the partys position on the referendums.

The news follows confusion over the partys stance after Sinn Fein TD Eoin O Broin said the party would be supporting both referendums which take place on March 8, International Womens Day.

However, Sinn Fein chief whip Padraig Mac Lochlainn responded by posting a comment on X yesterday which said: Contrary to media reports, Sinn Fein has not yet taken a position on the upcoming referendums.

A number of Sinn Fein sources said the party may support the Governments proposed referendums, but there are concerns, specifically about the impact of the vote on changing the wording around the rights of women and carers.

A Sinn Fein source said the party want to examine what impact the change to the Constitution will have for women and carers. Another party source said they expected Sinn Fein to support the referendums but said proper processes need to be followed before a position is announced.

A third source said: Eoin O Broin expressed a view on Monday, but omitted to mention that had yet to agree its final position.

The Social Democrats and the Labour Party have said they are supporting both referendums.

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission chair Justice Marie Baker said durable relationships could be defined by a couple being invited to a wedding together or receiving a Christmas card in both names. Justice Baker said the term, which will be introduced to the constitution if one of the two referendums pass on March 8, would not be new to lawyers or judges.

Speaking at the launch of the Electoral Commissions referendum campaign, the judge said: There have been a few cases in the courts in the last few years, judgments from the Supreme Court and some judgments from the High Court, which have identified the various indicators as to durability in a relationship.

There are all kinds of things: some of them are subjective and some of them are objective. So subjectively, a relationship is durable if committed, if it presents itself as committed, if it means to be committed, if it intends to be committed.
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In towns throughout Ireland, youll find handsome old parochial houses, many built in the 19th century to accommodate the parish priest, his curate(s) and a housekeeper. How times have changed.

With vocations currently in freefall and the original occupants long since departed, its hardly surprising that these heavenly homes are now being snapped up by house-hunters seeking sturdy properties blessed with character and space.

The Old Parochial House in Glenmore, Co Kilkenny, is a fine example. Dating from the 1870s, its been transformed into an extended, 2,637 sq ft family home with a host of original features intact.

Stained glass windows, ornamental fireplaces, coving and an original oak-beam locking mechanism for the front door are among its carefully restored highlights.

The entrance hall

An entrance porch opens into a main hallway with a sitting room and living room on either side. Beyond that are a dining room, kitchen, home office and guest WC.

There are two bedrooms, a bathroom and another WC on the first-floor return and, above that, two double bedrooms (both en suite) and a study. The second floor has another bedroom and a music/storage room.

Outside is a 1.4-acre site containing an ornamental pond, perennial plants and outhouses.

Glenmore Village, with its shops, bars, national school and sporting amenities, is less than 2km away, while its a 10-minute drive to Waterford City.
Last week the news broke that the European Unions first directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence will not include the crime of rape. Why? A number of countries  including Ireland  could not agree on a legal definition.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said no one should conflate levels of crime and violence with the arrival of migrants into Ireland. Photo: Getty

Like many countries, Ireland finds itself coping with a mismatch in managing the growing numbers of people seeking a home here and the number we can realistically accept from outside the State.

The challenge is causing political and social stresses, bringing out both the best and worst of our country. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has now appealed to the Dail for a bit of help to prevent Ireland being angrily divided over the migrant question.

Independent Sligo-Leitrim TD Marian Harkin had asked him to appreciate womens concerns. She gave a scenario of 80 foreign men being inserted into a town being viewed by women as the same as 80 Irishmen suddenly arriving. They were men.

Some attitudes were unacceptable and racist, she said, and fomented by the far right  but there were other narratives that were being ignored.

Ms Harkin asked the Taoiseach to recall the words of so many Irish women after the murder of Ashling Murphy in January 2022.

Mr Varadkar said: I think to connect that to a debate about international protection of migration is really wrong. Please dont bring our country down into that spiral. To conflate crime, and violence against women in particular, with migration I think is profoundly wrong and profoundly dangerous.

He is correct. Clearly we have reached a defining moment in how we manage migrants in a humane way. Just as obvious is the fact that while we may not be able to do all we wish, common humanity demands we do all we can. And common sense demands we do not commit to doing what we cant deliver on.

But as a nation with a history of emigration, we have more reason than most to empathise with the brokenness of the shattered worlds of those who come to our shores. The issue challenges the political contours of Europe. Moderate Sweden is ravaged by gang violence as its integration plans fall apart.

President Emmanuel Macron is leaning more to the right in France to try to halt the march of Marine Le Pen. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has even promised to push for a referendum on Germanys EU membership if it ever gets into power.

The EUs Dublin Regulation, which holds the country of first arrival responsible for migrants while their asylum application is being processed, has not worked. The new migration pact, signed off by the bloc before Christmas, seeks to share new arrivals fairly between member states.

But some countries have already undermined it by refusing to take any at all. Former German chancellor Angela Merkels laudable slogan of Wir schaffen das (We can do it) after the response to the Syrian refugee crisis of 2015 now evokes mixed feelings.

So long as there is war, there must be safe havens. Only 10 days ago, five migrants died trying to cross the English Channel. Equitably balancing the rights of refugees with those of EU citizens cannot be avoided indefinitely. That bit of help has never been more needed.
Cost of housing support could greatly help in attracting recruits to frontline jobs

One of the saddest outcomes of the lack of housing is the negative impact on the mental health of the thousands of people in dire need of somewhere to live.

The cost to society is incalculable as people suffer for the rest of their lives. Is it too much to ask our elected representatives to make housing a plan for the common good?

Paul Doran, Dublin 22

Justice Department could attract garda recruits with cost of housing support

The Irish Prison Service in the 1970s provided a selection of accommodation, be it family houses or staff quarters, for the officers. Likewise, throughout the country, many gardai lived in government-built houses.

As the garda recruitment age has gone up to 50, an age at which many gardai may retire, is the Department of Justice hoping older recruits come with their own home and mortgage- free?

Most young people joining such jobs nowadays, including nursing and teaching, are priced out of the housing market.

Rather than recruiting older gardai, the department might invest in youth by providing housing and accommodation at a fair price for our future frontline servants.

John Cuffe, Co Meath

GAA should welcome anyone willing to pay cash when attending its games

I am delighted to see the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and ministers for finance and public expenditure are backing legislation to ensure the widespread availability of cash from ATMs.

Cash is still legal tender and should be accepted where payments need to be made.

I fully understand the GAA is not bound by the Constitution, but surely common sense should prevail. Where paying customers want to use cash to attend GAA games, there should be no No Cash Here policy.

As the Rebel County, we in Cork should welcome our patrons with a cead mile failte when a 10, 20 or 50 note is offered.

John Arnold, address with editor

Forget storms  we need a warning of when to expect rare good-weather days

Might I suggest that from now on, Met Eireann just issue a warning of the next fine day?

Seamus Kavanagh, Knockananna, Co Wicklow

South Africas genocide case was good gesture, but only US can end carnage

While the case against Israel brought by South Africa to the International Court of Justice, citing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza, was a noble gesture, its significance in strictly legal terms is limited in the short term.

As well as outlining examples of genocide, South Africa wants the court to order Israel to desist from further acts.

This is similar to our domestic civil law procedure of injunctive relief. It is an interim measure to stop a party from doing something until the full trial of the action and is usually an emergency procedure.

The International Court of Justice has no such power, and Israel can ignore any interim order due in a few weeks. The finding of genocide proper could take the court five years or more to decide.

Most neutral observers believe any interim order given by the court for Israel to stop the war will indeed be ignored.

Legal initiatives down through history have had little or no effect in the prevention of war. The importance of the legal process is usually when wars end, only then for the prosecution of war crimes.

It could be argued that war represents the failure of international law in the first place to prevent conflicts taking place.

The key to getting Israel to stop the carnage lies with the United States, which supplies the munitions and all the back-up for Israel to wage war.

Joseph Kiely, Letterkenny, Co Donegal

US media is very one-sided when it comes to covering Republican Party politics

I agree with J Anthony Gaughans letter (No matter what we think of Trump, the media must provide balanced reports, January 24).

American media group CNN is very one-sided regarding politics in the US. Unfortunately, it rarely reports on the Republican Party, and if it does its to tear it apart.

Surely that it is not democracy. No matter which party an individual supports, they need to listen to both sides of an argument.

As we have seen with the BBC and others, this only encourages other channels. For example, GB News broadcasts its views to the public so that we get both sides of political agendas.

S Burke, Cahir, Co Tipperary

Reforming the electoral database should be taken over by Revenue or welfare

The Electoral Reform Bill asks the public to update their information for the electoral register by adding their date of birth and PPS number, but failure to do so will not mean a person will be struck off the register  it is not mandatory.

The idea behind this electoral reform is to enable the automatic elimination of double or triple entries, removing also the names of those who no longer live in the country or who have died.

This is essential to the accuracy of the register and to eliminate its openness to voter fraud, creating a centralised voters database.

There are up to a million PPS numbers that are inactive, with citizens moving abroad or other EU citizens who have worked here returning to their home country.

The electoral register should have been given over to the Department of Social Welfare or Revenue instead of being left with the local authorities who do not have their own centralised database to check entries.

The department and Revenue know if a PPS number is active.

Nuala Nolan, Galway

Laws may help you keep cash in your pocket, that is if you dont give it away

News of government efforts to keep physical cash in the economy reminds me of the man who loaned a friend a 20 note.

After weeks with no sign of repayment, the man asked the borrower if there was any chance of getting his 20 back.

The borrower replied: No. Im not finished with it yet.

Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9
Donald Trump leads Joe Biden by six percentage points in a Reuters/Ipsos poll that showed Americans are unhappy about an election rematch that came into sharper focus this week.

The nationwide poll of 1,250 US adults showed Mr Trump leading Mr Biden 40pc to 34pc with the rest unsure or planning to vote for someone else or no one. The poll had a margin of error of three percentage points.

That represented a gain for Mr Trump after a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted earlier this month showed him and Mr Biden tied, though a nationwide survey does not capture the subtleties of the Electoral College contest that will be decided this fall in just a handful of competitive states.

As Trump handily beat his sole remaining primary challenger, Nikki Haley in New Hampshire, some 67pc of respondents said they were tired of seeing the same candidates in presidential elections and want someone new. Still, just 18pc said they would not vote if Mr Biden and Mr Trump were their choice.

The two candidates themselves seem ready for a rematch following Mr Trumps back-to-back wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, with the White House regarding him as a beatable challenge.

Mr Trumps six-point lead held even when respondents were given the option of voting for third-party candidates, including anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr, with Mr Trump drawing 36pc support, Mr Biden 30pc and Mr Kennedy 8pc.

Slightly more than half of respondents said they were dissatisfied with the US two-party system, with just one in four satisfied by it.

Overall, the poll gave numerous signs that voters are not happy with their choices. Seventy per cent of respondents  including about half of Democrats  agreed with a statement that Mr Biden should not seek re-election. Fifty-six per cent of people responding to the poll said Mr Trump should not run, including about a third of Republicans.

Mr Biden has been weighed down by the view that at 81, already the oldest person ever to be US president, he is too old for the job.

Three-quarters of respondents agreed with a statement that Mr Biden was too old to work in government, while half said the same about Mr Trump, who at 77 would also be among the oldest US leaders ever if returned to the White House.

Just over half of Democrats saw Mr Biden as too old while a third of Republicans viewed Mr Trump that way.
Protests have been taking place outside the old Capuchin Friary in Carlow town.

Carlow Womens Refuge Campaign group has condemned the use of the phrase protecting our women" at recent protests in Carlow against the housing of asylum seekers in the town.

The group branded the use of the phrase by protesters as an excuse for racism and fearmongering and rejected claims that protests outside of accommodation centres in Carlow earmarked to house asylum seekers, were being held to protect the women of Carlow.

"Look to the people who have been working to end domestic violence and gender-based violence and campaign for wraparound services. None of the people protesting are involved in these campaigns and long-standing issue, said Ger ONeill, spokesperson for Carlow Womens Refuge Campaign group.

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"They are not fighting for women, housing or Ireland. They are using the issue to spread racism.

Protests were recently staged in Carlow Town when news broke that the former Capuchin Friary on Dublin Street would be used to accommodate 50 males seeking international protection.

However, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth made a U-turn on that decision and announced that the building would be used to house women and children seeking international protection instead.

In a statement to the Irish Independent, the Department said it had been decided that the requirement to prioritise families must take precedence, despite a well-documented shortage of accommodation for single males across the country.

Protesters have made themselves known outside of the Capuchin Friary, with a group of 200 outside the building during the height of the protests.

Since then numbers have dwindled, but they have maintained a presence even as people were moved into the building.

We are calling on communities to recognise the hateful and misleading rhetoric that is behind this, and challenge it, said Ms ONeill.

"We fight for freedom from violence, and we fight for all people. Women, men, and children, all nationalities and creeds. Everyone wants to belong and be safe, and everyone has a right to safety and sanctuary.

"These poor kids are standing at the window looking out at these protests terrified of these protestors shouting and waving their Irish flags. They do not represent Carlow, absolutely not. There is four or five of them shouting their heads off but the population of Carlow as a whole is not against asylum seekers, just these four or five protesters shouting outside the centre and they do not represent us.

For Ger, who has worked tirelessly to protect women who have survived abusive situations, the narrative that the protests are there to protect the women from foreign men coming into Carlow sickens her.

"We reiterate the facts around violence against women. The dangerous myths about foreign men hides the fact that the majority of people who experience sexual violence know the perpetrators.

"According to the National Crime Survey carried out in England and Wales by the Office of National Statistics, one in two rapes against women are carried out by someone they know, explained Ger.

"In Ireland, between 1996 and January 2023, there were 256 incidents where women died violently, with one in every two femicide victims being killed by a current or former male intimate partner. Some 163 of these women have been killed in their homes.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - January 26th 2024

"In reality, women are most at risk from men they know. Women's Aid, Safe Ireland and other domestic violence agencies have condemned the attempts to spread these myths. We want to express in the strongest possible terms that there is no evidence to substantiate this perceived threat and Carlow politicians who stand in solidarity against it are unable to explain it.

Ger, alongside other womens refuge campaigners in Carlow have rejected the claims that protestors are protecting vulnerable women.

"The Carlow Womens Refuge Campaign condemns recent protests at the Capuchin Friary. We reject the misuse of the phrase protecting our women as an excuse for racism and scaremongering and urge people to question these claims.

"We are one of nine counties with no refuge. There is tremendous support for our campaign in Carlow, and we know that Carlow people care about the safety of women.

"But there are a tiny minority of people attempting to spread lies and misinformation about men. We are urging the community not to believe what they hear.

Although a provisional date in 2025 has been announced for the opening of a women's refuge in Carlow, Ger believes this is another empty promise that will not be fulfilled.

"I have heard promises like this before and I just dont believe it anymore, said Ger. "The problem with Carlow is, if in the middle of the night your partner threatens you, you have nowhere to run to. There is a refuge in Kilkenny but Kilkenny is a good bit away from Carlow and they may not even have room to help you. So where do you run to with a house full of kids?
Krispy Kreme Ireland has announced it will drop the price of the original glazed doughnut for one day only this January.

The chain doughnut shop located St. Patricks Street, Cork city, will be selling the classic favourite for just 31 cent on Wednesday, January 31, to celebrate the post-festive pay-day.

The 31 cent doughnuts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For those doughnut lovers who cant resist the temptation of just one, a dozen box of original glazed can be purchased for just 10, whilst stocks last.

Its a once off promotion with a single original glazed doughnut normally retailing for 3 and a dozen box is usually priced at 19.95.

Forget blue Monday or January doom and gloom, were all about helping the nation celebrate the joy of making it through January. We want to make this pay-day the happiest one yet and were so pleased to be offering our iconic original glazed doughnuts for just 31c all day on January 31, said Emma Colquhoun, Chief Customer Officer at Krispy Kreme.

The offer is not available online or in Tesco, Circle K, Plaza Group, Applegreen and Park Ri, Center Parcs, Uber Eats, Just Eat or Deliveroo.
Ian Bailey was included alongside other people who passed away recently in the vote of condolences passed at a recent full meeting of Cork County Council.

Mr Bailey, the chief suspect in the Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder investigation, collapsed and died while out walking in Bantry town on Sunday, January 21.

His remains were cremated in a private ceremony at the Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy on Tuesday, January 23.

A private funeral service is now expected to take place in England following consultations with his UK-based sister, Kay Reynolds.

Ian Baileys name was suggested by Independent councillor Marcia DAlton who said it was the flagship tragedy of her youth. All I know about the tragic case of Sophie Toscan du Plantier is what was reported in various media but I do know it was a flagship tragedy of my youth. I also know that one of the fundamental principles of criminal law and constitutional guarantee is that every person accused of a criminal offence is innocent until proven guilty, even if they are charged, she said.

Cllr DAlton said the late Mr Bailey lived 30 years of his life under the shadow of guilt. There was never enough evidence to prove Ian Baileys guilt in the murder of Sophie yet he lived 30 years of his life under that shadow of guilt largely because of what was described by the director of public prosecutions as a prejudice investigation on the part of the gardai. The State handed his file to the French authorities where he was convicted of the murder in his absence.

The Irish authorities would not enable his extradition and they committed to another review of the 1996 tragedy. We obviously have no idea who was responsible for the heinous murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, but should there be any chance that our State caused this man to live out 30 years of his life under the shadow of suspicion, then I think it appropriate that we recognise that this too is a terrible tragedy, she added.

Independent councillor Frank Roche also wished to be associated with the condolence. I also feel that it is very sad to think that this man has spent 30 years of his life under the shadow of being a criminal. It was never proven. I hope his life wasnt cut short because of the corruption of our State.

Mr Bailey was arrested twice by gardai in 1997 and 1998 for questioning in respect of Sophie's murder.

He was released without charge on both occasions and he had always vehemently protested his innocence for the past 27 years.

No one has ever been charged in relation to Sophie's death in Ireland.

After an eight-year French investigation, he was prosecuted for Sophie's murder at a Paris trial in May 2019 and convicted of her murder.

He was sentenced to 25 years in prison, but had to be tried in absentia after he declined to attend the French hearing.

A garda cold case review is currently under way and will continue despite Baileys death.
The adult learning groups have been recognised for their impressive work

The winners of the STAR Awards will be announced at an event in Croke Park on March 8.

Three Cork adult learning groups have landed a nomination for annual awards that recognise the work of initiatives which empower local communities through education.

The three groups are amongst the 25 to have been shortlisted for categories of the AONTAS STAR (Showcasing Teamwork, Awarding Recognition) Awards 2024, which will take place at Croke Park on March 8 in what will be the highlight of the AONTAS Adult Leaners Festival.

One of the Cork nominees is Kinsale-based Sailing Into Wellness. The group, which uses the sea as an educational and therapeutic tool for the personal growth of its participants, who come to it with a variety of needs and challenges, has been shortlisted in the Social Inclusion category.

The Tramore Road Campus CARE Team at the Cork College of FET have been shortlisted for the STAR Awards Third Level Access and Engagement category in recognition of their commitment to providing tailored support for different learners educational needs so that they can succeed.

Cork ETBs Learner Voices Programme has been nominated for the Learner Voice category of the STAR Awards. The learner-led initiative prioritises the perspectives and experiences of adult learners so they can have a say in their own education.

Speaking about this years STAR Awards, AONTAS CEO Dearbhail Lawless credited the impressive work of its shortlisted groups.

Theres such creativity and passion guiding adult learning in Ireland, Mrs Lawless said, and added:  Id also like to share my thanks to our judges who will meet the shortlisted groups in the coming weeks.

This year's event is shaping up to be an exciting day and the AONTAS team cant wait to meet all the groups involved. Best of luck!"
Leaving Certificate students across Cork are encouraged to try out this UCC course that brings together the worlds of business and information technology ahead of the upcoming CAO deadline.

Business Information Systems (BIS), part of the Cork University Business School, is hosting a hands-on event this Saturday, January 27, from 11am to 1pm at the ORahilly Building.

There will be demonstrations, presentations and opportunities to tour the dedicated BIS labs, as well as a chance to speak to lecturers and current students.

BIS is described as a practical course that provides students with a diverse set of skills and a broad understanding of business problem domains and emerging technologies.

A stand-out feature of the course is the six-month placement in third year. Many students choose to do their six months abroad in either the US or the UK, often returning to their placement employer for a full-time role after final year.

Graduates are employed in diverse roles across the financial services, pharmaceutical, logistics, IT, health, education, agriculture and semi state sectors.

We understand how difficult it can be for students to pick the course that is right for them. The taster day is an opportunity for students to get a taste of college life and experience the course for themselves before they complete their CAO application, said Dr Ciara Fitzgerald, co-director of the BIS degree programme.

Our advice for students is to think about the type of career you would like to have in eight or 10 years, that job may not even exist right now. Consider courses that have lots of transferable skills, courses that help you to develop personal agility and the flexibility to change, she added.

One of the many successful graduates of the BIS course is James ORiordan. James graduated in 2018 and now works as a Portfolio Consultant with BlackRock in New York. He was also named in Irish America Magazine Wall Street Top 50 for 2023.
A total of 2,064 new houses were completed in County Cork last year, which represents a 200% increase on the number of new houses that were completed in 2016.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West Michael Creed welcomed the figures released for new house completions in 2023. It is heartening to see that the number of houses completed in County Cork last year was three times the number completed in 2016, he said.

Last years total is an increase of almost 10% on the 2022 figure, Deputy Creed said. The total number of house completions in County Cork in 2023 was 2,064 new homes, which represents more than a 200% increase on the 671 houses completed here in 2016. Its clear that the Government is prioritising housing in an unprecedented way and giving more and more people the opportunity to own their own homes.

32,695 new homes were built around Ireland last year, representing an increase of 10% from 2022. In October, November and December of last year, over 10,000 new homes were completed, which was an increase of 13% on 2022, he added.

The experienced politician pointed out that the increase in County Cork reflected the national trend. This is the highest level of home building in 15 years. Under Fine Gael, home building has increased from just 5,000 per year to almost 33,000 more than a massive sixfold increase. 500 first time buyers are drawing down their mortgage each week. This too is the highest level of first time buyer activity in 15 years since the economic crash.
Members of St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church participated in a "Pray for Life" gathering at Johnny Henderson Park in Enterprise Jan. 19.

This event coincided with the National "March for Life" held in Washington, D.C., and supported the Youth Groups from the Archdiocese of Mobile who were part of the event.

Parishioners prayed for the sanctity of all life from the moment of conception to the time we leave our earthly bodies, said St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Womens Guild Board Member Kandi Kozlowski.
The notice was issued after a local councillor raised safety concerns about the pub

The owners of the once popular but now incredibly dangerous Lee Valley Inn have been served with a section 11 notice under the Derelict Sites Act.

A section 11, according to the Irish Statute Book, can be issued by a local authority, when deemed necessary, to prevent land in its area from becoming or continuing to be a derelict site.

The notice should specify the measures considered necessary and direct the person on whom it is being served to take such measures within a given period.

The section 11 was issued by the Macroom Municipal District council following a request by councillor Eileen Lynch, who said at an MD meeting in December that the derelict Dripsey pub was literally falling apart and could pose a safety risk.

Up to that point, council communications sent to the owners of the pub about the state of the building had gone unanswered according to MD officer Marie OLeary, who told Cllr Lynch that stronger correspondence would be sent to the owners.

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At the most recent MD meeting on Friday, Cllr Lynch enquired into the next steps following the issuing of the section 11 notice.

Mrs OLeary said that legal advice was required and told Cllr Lynch that the council was consulting with its legal team.

The MD officer said that, to her knowledge, no correspondence had been received from the owners of the Lee Valley Inn, which is currently subject to a planning permission request, following the notice.

Cllr Lynch thanked Mrs OLeary and said the work that had been done on the building was much appreciated.

Its an incredibly dangerous building and in a massive state of disrepair, she said.

The Irish Statute Book states that when a person served with a section 11 notice does not comply with its requirements, the local authority may take steps they consider reasonable and necessary to give effect to the terms of the notice.
Public protests on the ongoing issue of discoloured water in Cork city are to be held outside the offices of Uisce Eireann in Cork city, starting on Saturday, February 10.

It follows a public meeting held in the Maldron Hotel in Cork on Thursday evening to discuss to ongoing issues with discoloured water, a meeting that saw no representative from Uisce Eireann attending, despite an official invite.

Uisce Eireann has insisted that the problem of the brown water is coming from old cast iron pipes which could cost almost 500 million to properly fix.

Thursdays meeting gave householders who have been directly affected by this issue a chance to tell their story. Despite many expecting Irish water representatives to attend, Uisce Eireann eventually refused the invitation.

This decision has sparked outrage among many attending and a proposal for a citywide protest was then suggested by People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Mick Barry.

"If they won't come to talk to the people, then the people are going to have to talk about going to them. The plan for this meeting was to give householders who have been directly affected by the issue a chance to tell their story and then to give Uisce Eireann a chance to tell people what they are going to do to solve the problems, Deputy Barry told attendees.

Well, the agenda has just changed now. We're still going to give householders a chance to tell their stories but the second part of the meeting will now be given over to a discussion on a motion to organise a citywide protest at the Uisce Eireann offices here in the city centre. These problems have been going on for too long now and people's patience is exhausted," he added.

An empty chair with a large sign saying Uisce Eireann Representative was left at the top table throughout the meeting.

Deputy Barry confirmed that the first public protest on the issue will be held outside the offices of Uisce Eireann on Eglantine Street on Saturday, February 10, at 12noon after it was unanimously agreed during the meeting by over 40 people.
Two Cork men were chosen amongst a group of just 21 people selected for a prestigious activist bootcamp that took place recently.

Darren OConnor and Sam Galvin, who are both based in Cork were selected to participate in the Alice Academy for Activists due to their work on social justice campaigns.

Darren OConnor is an Activist, Artist and recent UCC Architecture graduate. His passion revolves around advocating for inclusive housing solutions and rights for marginalised communities, specifically focusing on addressing dereliction, the housing crisis, and advancing LGBTQ+ rights.

Dereliction and inadequate housing significantly impact vulnerable populations, leading to homelessness and perpetuating cycles of poverty.

By advocating for policy changes and community initiatives, I hope to combat dereliction by promoting affordable, safe, and accessible housing options for all and to ensure that these housing solutions are inclusive and supportive of LGBTQ+ individuals, said Darren.

Sam Galvin is a student at the Cork Centre for Architectural Education, and the 2022/23 Fundraising Officer for UCC Students Union. Sam is a union member and advocates for employment rights, particularly working conditions, security and pay for young people and those on the minimum and new living wage.

The bootcamp saw the two Cork men improve their skills and knowledge in areas such as campaign strategy, polling and research, fundraising, coalition-building, political engagement, media relations, and digital communications.

The whole thing was an absolutely brilliant experience and so much knowledge shared, delighted to have had this opportunity and to have met all of the other speakers and activists, added Darren.

The Alice Academy for Activists ran over the course of four days in Dublin, with a host of guest speakers and campaigners invited to inspire the young activists, including Ailbhe Smyth, who led Irelands campaign to repeal the Eighth Amendment, human rights lawyer and social justice campaigner Noeline Blackwell, migrant rights activist Teresa Buczkowska and Senator Lynn Ruane.
Tolteca has closed its four outlets in Dublin with immediate effect. Pic: Getty Images

Tolteca, one of Dublins best-known burrito spots, has announced the closure of its four outlets in the capital.

Tolteca took to social media last night to announce their immediate closure due to challenging trading conditions.

The Mexican eatery first opened its doors back in 2011 on Baggot Street. From that point, operations expanded with restaurants popping up in Rathmines, Suffolk Street, and on the Stillorgan Road near UCD.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, management from the popular Mexican restaurant said that operations have ceased from January 25 and extended their gratitude to their valued customers.

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They have been operating in Dublin for over a decade, and it has been said on social media that they will be sorely missed. It is believed the closures could impact around 50 employees.

The news comes as the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) announced earlier this month that it expects a wave of business closures to continue over the coming months.

More than 280 businesses shut up shop in the last six months of 2023. The association said the sector is in crisis due to high running costs and the increase in the VAT rate.

The RAI is appealing to the Government for support to save restaurants and eateries across the country.

They are also appealing for the 9pc VAT rate to be reinstated along with giving business owners more time to pay tax bills that were warehoused during the pandemic.

Chief executive of the RAI, Adrian Cummins, told RTE News that the industry is facing a crisis, and they are seeking immediate action from the government to intervene to save the industry.
A Dublin radio DJ is encouraging women to avail of cervical cancer screening after a routine check spotted early signs of the disease.

Spin 103.8 presenter Shireen Langan, who hails from Dundrum, said nobody should put off getting the smear test and to go when youre called.

Im normally on top of these things. Im 29 now and I got the routine test done twice before and it was fine, she said.

I got a letter again a few years later, and I just thought itll be fine, and it went to the back of my mind.

About five or six months later, I was in with the doctor for another reason, so they just did everything in one.

The next thing I got this letter in the post, saying they found abnormal cells, and it completely blindsided me.

My doctor rang, sent me to a screening in the hospital and said if I dont hear back from them within four weeks to call him. He was just so adamant on it.

I went in, met the nurse, she was the kindest woman ever. I asked her what the white stuff was. I just thought its the discharge, but she said theyre abnormal cells.

My heart just sank. You could see them; I didnt think it was going to be visible. She said she was going to be completely transparent with me, that Im on the more severe end and I wasnt leaving without a biopsy.

She started talking to me about the two routes it could go down. Route 1 is a very minor procedure and burns the cells away. Route 2 is a little more intense.

She said to be careful if youre Googling because itll say theres a chance of infertility in the future.

I got up on the bed and bust into tears, I was sobbing with the thoughts of having a big procedure. It freaked me out, she added.

Ms Langan believes nobody should put off getting the smear test.

The thing I would say is, do not be me. I was fully that person that was like, ah sure, itll be grand. Its only when you hear the words youre on the more severe end, you worry.

Then you have the thoughts of, what if I went a few months sooner? Would I be more likely to be getting the less extreme version or would I need to get treatment at all?

Everything just starts racing through your head. I dont want to be dramatic about it, but it just kind of shakes you.

Im ridiculously grateful that we have to go for routine screenings. Part of me thought it was fear mongering, this unnecessary thing.

But now I think its great because the abnormal cells I have are what leads to cervical cancer. Theyve essentially stopped me from getting cancer.

There can be so much negativity and taboo around all of this. But if the measure had not been in place, I wouldnt have been able to prevent it, which is terrifying, she added.
Proposed increase is wholly unjust and unfair for our community, locals say

A houseboat resident living on Dublins Grand Canal Dock has said a planned increase of nearly 7,000 in yearly fees is wholly unjust and unfair.

Houseboat owners may not be able to keep their heads above water if the permit hikes proposed by Waterways Ireland happen.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - January 26th 2024

Worried residents living in Grand Canal Dock would see their yearly permit payments go from 578 up to 4,000 initially, before rising to 7,500 in six years time.

David Blacoe, who has been living on Grand Canal Dock for three years, claimed he and other houseboat residents are being pushed out of the area through an exorbitant increase in fees that is not affordable or realistic.

If it goes ahead, there will be an immediate risk to the community of over 40 people, including very elderly members, families with children and everyone in-between, established over a decade ago.

Residents are calling on Malcolm Noonan, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, to reject the revision of the bye-laws until the rights of residential houseboat communities are protected, families are not displaced and a fair fees structure is in place.

A few months back Waterways Ireland proposed a new bye-law for the inland waterways. Our biggest issue is the level of fees theyre trying to introduce, Mr Blacoe said.

Theyre going to maintain the increase in fees, which we feel to be wholly unjust and unfair.

This really does present a huge threat to people in the dock in terms of their viability of living there and the community thats been built up over a decade.

There are people there in their 80s. Theres a couple there. One of the guys uses a frame, theres kids, babies, the whole works.

People cant afford it. They said theyll offer them a mooring in the west of Dublin somewhere along the canal.

The couple in their 80s need to be near hospitals, the kids are in schools down the road, none of it makes sense to us.

There just doesnt seem to be any kind of engagement from their end on that, or any kind of sympathy or consideration for the community.

We are content where we are, the community we live in. Ive lived in loads of different living situations all across the city. Its a fabulous community. Everyone knows each other.

Its very much the circular economy. I was throwing away a lamp there recently, but someone in our WhatsApp said they were looking for a lamp. The same thing happened with a rug recently too.

We all have our own skill sets and trades. Im a carpenter. If people need work done, I go over and do it. We dont charge each other. Its probably the most sustainable way you can be, Mr Blacoe added.

The residents have met with Waterways Ireland, but they havent been given any reassurance on their homes.

The houseboat community in Grand Canal Dock has been built up over the last decade

Its the gentrification of the dock as we see it and we just feel like, if you look down Ringsend or Pearse Street, the communities are very much working class.

Theres no way the State would take that approach to those communities and try and break them up.

Theres definitely a lot of people who cant afford this fee. A lot of people have loans out on these boats, its not like theyre providing the property like a landlord would.

We all provide the homes, and they provide a parking space on the water. Theyre looking for seven grand a year to park a boat. Its just unsustainable for a lot of people.

We met with them and they basically said youre lucky to be where you are and stop complaining.

They dont want to deal with people, communities living on boats. Its too much of a headache for them and they would rather see the community pushed out. Thats the vibe that weve been getting off them.

For the fees theyre charging, that would be more related to being a landlord, which they refuse they are.

Waterways has a strict rule that you cant rent out your boat, even if youre gone. This is in your contract, only immediate family can stay too.

Whilst some people are a little bit against that, it does keep a certain level of security in place that theres not everyone and anyone coming and going on a daily basis.

But its a strange one because theyre acting like landlords in that sense. Theyre trying to impose rules and what you can do with your own home.

But then theyre refusing that theyre landlords. In their eyes they dont have to comply with rent pressure zones or rent cap rules.

They dont have to comply with the RTB, but it suits them to sort of pick and choose bits and pieces of the mechanism as they see fit, he added.

A spokesperson from Waterways Ireland said the current bye-laws have been in place since the 1980s and are no longer fit for purpose.

Waterways Ireland is currently proposing to revise its bye-laws. As part of the draft revisions Waterways Ireland wishes to regularise the houseboat situation by introducing Houseboat permits while also introducing safety and environmental standards, they said.

To this end, Waterways Ireland is currently undertaking a public consultation. Phase 1 ran from June 19 to October 27 and included public meetings in 8 locations which were attended by more than 600 people.

Waterways Ireland held 24 meetings with relevant stakeholder groups and local authorities and conducted a series of webinars with invitations issued to 695 elected representatives.

933 submissions to the public consultation were received and Waterways Ireland would like to outline the following points which should address many of the comments made.

In 2010, Grand Canal Dock was opened to houseboat dwellers. The existing bye-laws do not provide for the regulation and charging for houseboat berths and, as such, dwellers have availed of this facility for a considerable period of time for an unrealistic fee.

Waterways Ireland recognises that for those in Grand Canal Dock, an annual charge of 4,000 - 7,500 appears to be a large increase. For this reason, a stepped approach over six years has been introduced.

In addition, the demand for access to Grand Canal Dock (GCD) in the heart of Dublin is high and the existing houseboat facilities are superior to other locations on the canals.

Should an existing houseboat dweller in GCD not wish to take up the offer of a berth on the outlined terms, they will be facilitated at an alternative location subject to acceptance of the terms for that location.

Waterways Ireland acknowledges multiple responses requesting services to be provided before fees are raised.

Going forward, all income derived from houseboat permits will be ringfenced and used to improve services for houseboat dwellers.

Waterways Ireland has plans to improve services at houseboat locations and to increase the number of moorings available for houseboats.

It is likely that these plans will be subject to planning permission being received and as such cannot be published at this time.

Waterways Ireland is currently in Phase 2 of a public consultation on revising the bye-laws. This opened on January 15 and will close on February 26.

Minister Malcolm Noonan has been contacted for comment.
Oran OKelly hopes to raise awareness for the sport thats in trouble in Ireland

The two-week race is considered one of the most gruelling in the world

Oran O'Kelly celebrates at the finishing line of the Dakar Rally

After completing one of the most gruelling races in the world, Dublin motorcyclist Oran OKelly hopes to raise awareness for the sport thats in trouble in Ireland.

Mr OKelly returned home yesterday after becoming the first Irish competitor to take part in the Dakar Rally in over 15 years.

From placing 95th in Stage 1 of the bike category, Oran made significant progress throughout the two-week event, placing 58th in the final race.

Its a very unusual time, a very difficult time for motorcycle racing in Ireland as a whole, he said.

At the moment theyre struggling enormously with insurance and theres been no local or national motorcycle races or practice days for the sport in almost two years now.

I hope I can use my story to help raise awareness for the sport thats in a bit of trouble at the moment.

Covering over 9,000km, the route includes some of the most challenging off-road terrain in the world, from high mountains, dangerous sand dunes, and extreme weather conditions.

It was incredibly tough and challenging. I honestly thought I was quite well prepared. I spent the last four years working towards it, Oran said.

I was knocked on my ass many, many times during the event and had to just pick up the pieces and pull myself together and keep going.

They made it challenging this year. Its similar to doing 14 ironmans in a row in terms of calories burned and energy expended.

The first day and the 11th day were incredibly tough, incredibly difficult. I spent two and a half hours on my own on the first day during a particularly challenging part of the route.

I was 100pc sure I was lost, but I got back to the camp and it was honestly like being in a war zone with broken men and women. Some were shocked they managed to pull through. I think that day itself was 875 kilometres.

The two-week race is considered one of the most gruelling in the world

Just crossing the finish line was a huge dream of Orans as the Dakar Rally has a 50pc completion rate which underpins the testing and arduous conditions he had to endure.

It was unbelievable when I finished. It felt like I had finished something Ive been working on for years. Id compare it to a university degree or college degree, it felt 10 times that, Oran told the Irish Independent.

Almost four years ago, I sold my car valeting business which Id built from the ground up in order to fund training, equipment, and race entry fees.

I relocated to Dubai to focus on making my dream a reality. So to achieve this dream and cross the finish line of the Dakar Rally is something Ill never forget.

I just got back in last night and had a very warm welcome. I landed at Dublin Airport and there were a heap of people there.

I wasnt really expecting it, so it was a nice surprise. It was nice to have so many people from the bike community and those who just got behind the story. Im buzzing to be home now.

The race itself is over two weeks. The preparation, the planning, all the work that goes in, its really years in advance, so it felt like such a journey just to get to the start line, let alone once the actual racing began.

Its incredible to know that I finished and managed to get a medal in my first year. Its incredibly rewarding.

Less than 50pc of the competitors finished, so just to complete it, I feel an enormous achievement, particularly in my first year.

I met a lot of people on their second and third go. Im very happy to bring that medal back to Ireland and to represent Ireland at such a prestigious motorsport event.

I would do it again, 100pc. I feel theres unfinished business there already. So if the opportunity arose, Id be incredibly grateful to make it happen again, he added.
Listry's Paul Murphy pictured with his loving family, his wife Linda and his children Harry and Sadie as he continues his against his Mitochondrial Myopathy Disease.

It was last June that The Kerryman first covered the story of Listrys Paul Murphy who told us his story of his now years-long battle with Mitochondrial Myopathy Disease, a condition similar to Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and one which has left former rugby player, Paul, wheelchair bound with his motor skills also impaired.

While Paul, originally from Wexford, continues to fight the good fight following his diagnosis back in October of 2019, it is the support of his family, the local Killarney community and his friends around the country that have kept him going throughout the darkest moments of his battle.

The most recent example of Pauls friends rising to the occasion can be seen in the A Push for Paul fundraiser that was launched this week by a group of Pauls friends from all around Ireland. The event, starting on April 21, will see a team doing a sponsored wheelchair push all the way from Drogheda to Killarney, where they will finish six days later on Saturday, April 27 at the Killarney Racecourse.

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John Heavey, one of the many of Pauls close friends involved in organising the event, spoke to The Kerryman on Thursday about how the idea came about and what it will entail.

"It all came about from a conversation with Paul and Linda. I became aware or I wasn't aware of and its something Paul has said as well, that he didn't know how difficult it was for a person in a wheelchair until he had to use one himself. That sparked something. Accessibility issues that wheelchair users encounter daily, its an area that people with disabilities, they need more representation and advocates to help raise awareness of this issue, said John.

As well as raising vital funds to help support Paul and his family, the campaign is one that also hopes to raise awareness of the great work that the Irish Wheelchair Association does.

"We're starting off in Drogheda on April 21 and the event will see us head from Drogheda to Trim, Trim to Tullamore, Tullamore to Nenagh, Nenagh to Adare, Adare to Castleisland and then Castleisland into Killarney where we'll finish at the Killarney Racecourse on Saturday, April 27 John said, detailing the route.

We'll be pushing a teddy bear or a something like that wearing a sponsored jersey, something along those lines and we're currently looking for people or companies to come onboard as a sponsor for the event. It's a team event so it'll be run on relays. There's not going to be one person just doing the whole lot, John continued.

"We have indications from different companies that they are currently doing a January walking challenge that is in aid of our 'Push for Paul' initiative so all the money raised from that will go towards us. It's open for all people and all companies to get involved and if they want to run their own initiatives on their and donate the funds to 'A Push for Paul', that would be amazing, he added.

The sponsorship packages available for the 'A Push for Paul' event.

As the start date edges closer and closer, John said that he and the rest of Pauls friends involved in the event are busy training away behind the scenes for the approximately 350km journey. As well as this, they are flat out, he said, trying to spread the word of the event as much as possible.

The group have set up online fundraising page which can be found at https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/apushforpaul and they also have a selection of sponsorship packages as well for anyone interested. The details of these sponsorship packages can be found on the poster in the picture gallery above.

For more information on the event and sponsorship, you can email apushforpaul@gmail.com
Gavin Murphy with Kathleen O' Sullivan from Currow who graduated from Kerry College in Tralee this week. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Messiah Chirwa at the Kerry College graduation in Tralee this week. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Liam Tagney from Beaufort and Max Savchenko from Tarbert at the Kerry College graduation in Tralee this week. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Stephen Foley from Listowel at the Kerry College graduation in Tralee this week. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Ana Shaviidze from Tralee at the Kerry College graduation in Tralee this week. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Klaudia Rzeznik from Tralee pictured outside the Brandon Hotel following her graduation from Kerry College in Tralee this week. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Gail Tangney and Aidan McCarthy pictured with Blathnaid McCarthy who graduated from Kerry College in Tralee this week. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Delight for Charlotte Scannell from Killorglin who graduated from Kerry College in Tralee this week. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Holly Adair, Gneeveguilla and Jade Van Deventer, Kenmare at the Kerry College graduation in Tralee this week. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

It was a day never to be forgotten for students from the Kerry College of Further Education and Training in Tralee last Thursday as surrounded by their friends and family, they celebrated their long awaited graduation.

The ceremony, which took place in the Brandon Hotel in Tralee, saw over 500 graduates from Kerry College's various campuses, including Clash Road, Denny Street, Killorglin, Listowel, and Monavalley celebrate the milestone moment in their young lives as the fruits of their labour paid off.

The event marked the first ever graduation to include Kerry Colleges Pathway learners from Killarney, Killorglin, Listowel, and Tralee.

Gail Tangney and Aidan McCarthy pictured with Blathnaid McCarthy who graduated from Kerry College in Tralee this week. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

The ceremony featured the presentation of certificates to graduates across a diverse range of fields and delivery methods, including part-time, online and full-time programmes.

Killarney native Ian OConnell, who currently works as a podcaster and a presenter with Radio Kerry, was the featured guest speaker at the ceremony and his speech which centered on the importance of positivity, resilience, and gratitude  "the only disability is a bad attitude," he said  struck a chord with all in attendance.

Cllr. Jim Finucane, the Chairman of Kerry ETB, extended his best wishes to the graduates in their future endeavours, expressing the privilege of facilitating them on their lifelong learning journey. He also strongly urged anyone considering Further Education and Training to visit the Kerry College Admissions Offices in either Tralee or Killarney.

Klaudia Rzeznik from Tralee pictured outside the Brandon Hotel following her graduation from Kerry College in Tralee this week. Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Addressing the graduates, Mr. Owen O'Donnell, Director of Further Education and Training at Kerry ETB, expressed his delight at marking this pivotal milestone in their journey.

He congratulated the graduates, recognising their unwavering determination and diligence, and praised the dedication of Kerry College staff for their commitment in supporting learners throughout their educational pursuits. He acknowledged, in particular, the role of the graduates support system and was happy to see so many friends, families, and graduate guests in attendance.

To learn more about becoming a Kerry College Graduate in the future, then contact the Admissions Office on (066) 71 49696 or (064) 66 22593 or visit www.kerrycollege.ie to find out more.
Weekly vigils in support of Palestine, like this one recently held in Cahersiveen, are growing across Kerry and are being organised by the Kerry Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Weekly vigils showing solidarity with the people of Palestine are continuing to attract more and more people in various locations across Kerry and now, members of the Kerry Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (Kerry IPSC) looking to spread the word about when and where these vigils are taking place every week.

The Kerry IPSC said this week that citizens from all across the county continue to be horrified at the atrocities that are unfolding in Gaza and in front of their eyes all across social media.

Like many in our communities, we are frustrated with the Irish Governments lack of meaningful action following their vote not to support South Africas case against Israel in the International Court of Justice, the group said in a release to the media this week.

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Speaking to The Kerryman on Friday, Jack ODonovan Tra, a volunteer with the Kerry IPSC, said that its been amazing to see the vigils grow and grow since the start of the year.

They [the vigils] really kicked off from the New Years Eve vigils that were held across the county. The attendance at them has been growing. Every week people are joining, he said.

Basically, people are driving past and seeing everyone out with the flags and they have decided to come along too. Its just been growing very organically. People are asking who is organising these? and there's no-one that really organises them, its just members of the community coming together, he continued.

"Every week in Cahersiveen, were getting about 50 people which is amazing. Its great to see too that a lot of Ukrainians are coming out in solidarity with Palestine and obviously, theres such similarities with what they, the Ukrainians, have gone through themselves, he said, adding, its also just such a lovely way for more local people to meet new members of the community, such as the Ukrainians that have made Kerry their home.

The details of upcoming weekly vigils can be found below:

- Killorglin Vigil: Mondays, Library Place, 7pm

- Cahersiveen Vigil: Wednesdays, 7pm

- Dingle Vigil: Fridays, The Old Boatyard, 7pm
People in Australia making less than $150,000 will see positive changes in their taxes starting July. The government has given the green light to modify the tax code, especially benefiting those earning below $45,000.

This adjustment, initially excluded in the previous governments tax cuts, will now help over a million Australians. It ensures that individuals with lower incomes either maintain a lower tax rate or are exempt from the Medicare levy. Despite the positive implications for individual taxpayers, there is a potential downside that may affect small businesses and their advisors.

The adjustments to Stage 3 income tax cuts could introduce subtle but significant compliance costs. This implies that small businesses may encounter additional administrative burdens and complexities in adapting to the altered tax landscape. As a result, business owners and their advisors will need to navigate and address these compliance challenges effectively to ensure a smooth transition and continued financial stability for SMEs.

Breakdown of stage-three tax cuts

From 1 July 2024, the Albanese Labor Government will:

Reduce the 19 per cent tax rate to 16 per cent (for incomes between $18,200 and $45,000).

Reduce the 32.5 per cent tax rate to 30 per cent (for incomes between $45,000 and the new $135,000 threshold).

Increase the threshold at which the 37 per cent tax rate applies from $120,000 to $135,000.

Increase the threshold at which the 45 per cent tax rate applies from $180,000 to $190,000.

As a result of these changes, on July 1:

All 13.6 million taxpayers will receive a tax cut  and 2.9 million more taxpayers will receive a tax cut compared to Morrisons plan.

11.5 million taxpayers (84 per cent of taxpayers) will now receive a bigger tax cut compared to Morrisons plan.

5.8 million women (90 per cent of women taxpayers) will now receive a bigger tax cut compared to Morrisons plan.

A person on an average income of around $73,000 will get a tax cut of $1,504  thats $804 more than they were going to receive under Morrisons plan.

A person earning $40,000 will get a tax cut of $654  compared to nothing under Morrisons plan.

A person earning $100,000 will get a tax cut of $2,179  $804 more than they would receive under Morrisons plan.

A person earning $200,000 will still get a tax cut, which will be $4,529.

In addition, the Government will increase the Medicare levy low-income thresholds for 2023-24.

Tax changes criticized for insufficient focus on productivity

Innes Willox, Chief Executive of Ai Group, expressed disappointment in the Australian Governments recently announced tax scale adjustments. Willox argued that the changes fail to address the countrys persistent low productivity growth, claiming that they provide minimal incentives for investment, employment, and savings.

The changes to the legislated tax scales announced by the Government today once again demonstrate that the Government attaches little weight to addressing the problems created by Australias endemic low productivity growth, Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group said today. The Governments new tax scales will barely touch the sides on improving incentives to invest, employ and save. As with its workplace relations changes, the new tax scale will detract from the productivity improvement imperative that features in the Governments rhetoric but sadly not in its actions.

The legislated complete removal of the 37 per cent tax rate, which has now been abandoned, would have provided a significant boost to productivity, living standards and the tax base. Further, sharply reducing the difference between the personal and company tax rates, as had been legislated, would have seen effort redirected towards business (and employment) expansion rather than on juggling between personal and business tax structures. This would have been particularly important for small and family-owned businesses and for the wealth they generate.

The Governments decision to walk away from its commitment to this important tax reform will undoubtedly undermine the ability to deliver on more fundamental tax reform in the future. As evident in the Governments own 2023 Intergenerational Report, such reform is clearly needed if we are to successfully meet our growing fiscal challenges.

Major tax reform needs much more than short-term ad hoc measures. It requires a consistent, far reaching, long-term focus on phased changes to keep Australia more competitive and Australians more incentivised to invest, work and save, Mr Willox said.

The changes to the personal income tax system will have a net cost of $1.3 billion over the forward estimates. The total impact of these tax cuts is expected to be $107 billion over the forward estimates.

The increase to the Medicare levy low-income thresholds is expected to cost $640 million over four years from 2023-24. This was accounted for in the 2023-24 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

To find out how much the Governments tax cuts will benefit you, use the calculator on the Treasury website: Tax cut calculator.

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There was great news for the village of Sneem this week with the announcement that 10 new social houses are to be allocated to those hoping to live in the rural area.

Many families who had wanted to live in the locality had been forced to move to nearby Kenmare to access social housing and this had a detrimental effect on the fabric of the village.

The lack of available housing had even raised concerns about the loss of a teacher in the local school as families were unable to live in the village and send their children to the local school.

This week, Friday January 26, Council management have received the good news that they have been given the green-light to purchase 10 houses in the village to provide social housing.

The houses are already constructed and will therefore be ready to be allocated quickly.

The 10 houses will be in Ard an Oir  a one-time ghost estate that has been plagued by controversy.

Houses in the estate have been renovated by the Remcoll group and put on the market and now Kerry County Council are set to buy 10 of these houses for social housing. There are 42 houses in the development.

Councillors have long campaigned for housing for the rural village to protect the long-term future and sustainability of the area.

In recent years, Sneem has evolved as a popular remote working hub but to ensure this continued success housing is key.

The news of vital social housing for the Kerry village has been welcomed today as the news filtered through during a local council meeting.

10 houses in Sneem is the same as 100 in Killarney or 1,000 in Dublin, said Cllr Johnny Healy-Rae (IND)

"Families had to leave the area and this had an effect on the school, he said.

This is of the utmost importance to the village for the year ahead.

Cllr Patrick Connor Scarteen (FG) said It was a positive morning for Sneem. 10 houses is huge, he said.

"It is a win win for Sneem.

Cllr Dan McCarthy (IND)said the new houses are great news for the people of the locality.

Manager of Kenmare Municipal District Martin ODonoghue said that the news is even better because it is a turn key project.

The houses are substantially completed , it is not a new construction project.
When Kildare woman Anna Martin walked onto our TV screens last night at the First Dates restaurant, she came across as a bubbly, self-assured 22-year-old.

But what the cameras didnt show was the hamster wheel inside her head telling her run before she had even met her date.

But once 21-year Ailish Carrol from Co Louth walked in the door, the pair connected instantly bantering over their mutual love for spuds and even jumping straight into talk of babies.

But what made Anna want to apply for First Dates?

Journalist Anna explained there were two reasons; one was that her younger sister and her best friend begged her to and the second reason was, ah sure feck why not.

In that moment Anna made the decision to not let anxiety and the fear of what others thought hold her back from living life the way she wanted to.

Im quite anxious believe it or not. I know I didnt come across as anxious last night but I have diagnosed generalised anxiety disorder. I chronically overthink things. The difference between being a journalist, you have writing that people criticise, but if you go on TV, it's you they criticise so I was very in my head about it.

I applied with a glass of wine in my hand and I just took the absolute mick out of the application. I didnt think I would get it so I just thought I would write whatever, so when they asked what I wanted in a partner I said a heart beat, joked Anna.

"I was in the shower when I got the call from First Dates Ireland and I nearly threw the phone. I was gobsmacked. Even thinking about it now I am lost for words.

But when the day arrived for the first date, Anna said she was a ball of anxiety and ready to sprint out of the door of the First Dates restaurant.

They didn't really show it in the episode but when I was sitting at the bar, the hamster wheel was turning in my head. I was thinking can I run out the door? Can I flee? But once Ailish approached I was put completely at ease. Ailishs energy was perfect and we just matched straight away, it was lovely.

As soon as we sat down at the table I just felt like I could keep talking, like I am a complete waffler, but Ailish was there with me completely at the same level. We jumped into talking about babies straight away, talking about who would carry the child, laughed Anna.

While it was clear the pair had humour in common, they also had shared mental health experiences. Ailish opened up about their struggles with being mis-gendered and how they used to cry their heart out to their rescue dog.

Anna then shared that she had struggled with depression and anxiety and that her dog had also helped her during the dark times.

Looking back on the date afterwards, Anna said this was a standout moment for her, as she felt a weight being lifted off her shoulders.

Being able to open up to Ailish reassured her that everyone goes through difficult times in their lives.

"It was so reassuring to be able to open up because sometimes when you're in that bubble of being extremely anxious or if you are at your lowest you feel like you are going crazy alone, you feel like you are completely in your own head and no one else has ever had these thoughts. You dont feel like you are grounded at all.

"But to have someone else turn around and say actually I find comfort with my animals as well and I have had similar struggles made me realise that I am not crazy.

For Anna, her anxiety and depression was rooted in a number of things. "I think I wasnt comfortable in myself. Im from a very small area in Kildare, everyone knows everyone and I couldnt get married there because they would end up being my cousin, laughed Anna.

"I was trying to come into my own and be comfortable in my own skin. Im still very hard on myself and I still dont like things about myself but Im trying to practice being neutral instead of complete body positivity, just body neutrality instead.

"But also when I lost my granny, she was one of my bestest friends, which I know isnt proper English, but she was my bestest friend. She taught me how to read and I have a ring that she left me. But I think it was my first time confronting grief and it was something I had pushed down. I also had grief about myself and my body, but all of this became so heavy and there was no hiding it anymore. I realised I couldn't handle it alone because it just became overwhelming and dark. But I still didnt get help until the Covid lockdowns. I knew I was struggling but it got to a breaking point where I was like I have to sort this out or else there will be no more Anna.

The fear of coming out as bi-sexual was also something that weighed heavily on Annas shoulders. But she explained that the response she has gotten from being on First Dates has reassured her that she had nothing to be worried about.

"I was terrified about coming out to people especially because Im from a small village. I pushed it down, I only came out to my friends in Transition Year in school and when I got into college I started peppering it into conversations, but you always end up getting looks and comments. I cut my hair before and I ended up being called a slur which I didnt appreciate, so I grew the hair back out and I wore fake tan for my debs. I did go to the debs with my best friend so that was scary. We were met with parents telling us you cant go together youre both girls. All these experiences kind of pushed me back again.

"But there comes a point when you have to tell yourself, I have to f*cking live as myself. For example a lot of my family only found out last night for sure that I was bi-sexual and it wasnt half as scary as I thought it would be. Everyone has been so supportive, I have had so many messages from people telling me they hope I find my dream girl and Im like Im not a lesbian but close enough, laughed Anna.

"Since the show, I feel like I am walking on air. There are people that I didnt think would reach who have been messaging saying Anna was fantastic, shes brilliant, she was so funny and there was no mention of sexuality which I thought would be the forefront of the conversation. Don't get me wrong Im very proud of my queer identity but I dont just want to be known as The Gay, so to be recognised for other things, it means Im not just being branded with this one word which was so lovely.

Although both Anna and Ailish agreed to a second date once Anna got back from her two weeks interrailing, things havent worked out quite as they expected.

"I'm going to ruin the romance story, we didnt get to meet up for a second date. I smashed my foot so I was at home for six weeks so it just fizzled out. But in the last two weeks we have been back chatting and we are really good friends now. I am delighted I met Ailish.

Even though Anna didnt get her happily ever after story with Ailish, she would encourage all the singletons out there to just feck it" and sign up for First Dates.

"I would 100% recommend First Dates, I was bricking it before the episode came out but they handle it so well. All the staff and the crew behind the scenes really look after you.

"Honestly just feck it, life is too short to be too self conscious. The problem with anxiety is it will make you try and calculate all the outcomes. But you cant, so you need to just release that need to control, and just wait and find out what will actually happen instead of worrying about.
Louth winners of ZEVIs EV Dealership of the Year Awards

Zero Vehicles Emissions Ireland (ZEVI) and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) have announced the county winners of ZEVIs EV Dealership of the Year Awards 2024, with Western Motors Ltd (Drogheda) announced as Louths winner. Now in their third year, these awards recognise and reward excellence in the promotion and sale of electric vehicles (EVs) in Ireland.

In total, 134 car dealerships from 23 counties participated in the awards, up from 124 dealerships in 2023. Funded by ZEVI, these SEAI-administered awards recognise dealerships working to build consumer understanding and experience of EVs and ultimately their roll-out on Irish roads.

Car dealerships are a vital part of the transition to clean and efficient transport. Increasing the amount of EVs on Irish roads means drivers will pollute less, reduce their motoring costs and benefit from the latest technology.

Participating car dealers were assessed through a mystery shopping exercise where they were scored on factors including EV prominence in the showroom, salesperson knowledge of EVs, and overall sales approach. Other evaluation areas included EV training, sales trends, and the dealerships website.

The winners announced are on the shortlist for the regional awards which will be announced at this years Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) Annual Dinner taking place on February 22, 2024. One of the four regional winners will then be announced the overall national winner at the SEAI Energy Show taking place in the RDS, Dublin on March 20  21, 2024.

Commenting on todays announcement Declan Meally, Director of Business, Public Sector and Transport at SEAI said:

I want to congratulate this years county award winners, with extremely high standards demonstrated by all competing dealerships. It is inspiring to see the continued commitment to reducing emissions on our roads, helping Ireland to achieve a cleaner, more efficient transport future. It is great to see a significant increase not only in EV sales, but in participation in the 2024 awards. SEAI recognises that car dealerships and their staff are a key enabler of EV uptake and is delighted to reward excellence in the field.
Concerns have been aired over the ability of gardai to confront drug dealing on the streets of Meath after it emerged just two out of ten garda stations in one half of the constituency operate on a full-time basis.

Fresh fears over the Gardais ability to tackle openly visible drug dealing on the streets of Meath have surfaced after it emerged just two out of ten stations in one half of the county operate on a full-time basis.

Sinn Fein TD Johnny Guirke said the discernible lack of garda numbers across the entire Meath West constituency was causing a palpable sense of fear among the wider public.

He said that level of anxiety had plummeted to such depths that certain sections of the local population now believed gardai had given up tackling even the lowest levels of criminality owing to a lack of resources.

We have ten Garda stations located in Navan, Trim, Athboy, Enfield, Ballivor, Longwood, Oldcastle, Summerhill, Castlepollard and Delvin, he told the Dail yesterday (Wednesday).

Of those, only two are manned on a full-time basis.

Mr Guirke referenced the closure of 95 Garda stations across rural Ireland in 2013, leaving a number of those left behind to be manned on a part-time basis.

Antisocial behaviour, robberies and openly visible drug dealing on our streets are happening every day, he added.

The people I represent figure that the Garda Siochana has given up on small-time drug dealing because it does not have the resources to devote to combating the problem.

It is disheartening to hear from gardai based in rural stations that new recruits are being disproportionately assigned to larger towns, which means that rural Ireland is being neglected and forgotten.

Addressing those remarks, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar conceded there was a shortage of gardai all over the country, a situation not helped by the enforced closure of Templemore Garda Training College during the pandemic.

He said but for that unforeseen complication, the State would have 1,000 more frontline officers at its disposal.

We are recruiting again and we will see Garda numbers increase, he said, adding the recruitment of civilian staff to free up more gardai alongside the rollout of new technology would help strengthen efficiency levels within the force.
As Irish Rail Chief executive states he supports keeping the rail line between Collooney and Claremorris for rail traffic and nothing else, Mayor of Sligo hosts reception for Western inter-county railway committee at City Hall.

At the Mayoral Reception for the members of the Western Inter-County Railway Committee: Martin Lydon, Chief Executive Sligo County Council, Cllr Declan Bree, Mayor of Sligo, Cllr Michael Connolly, Chairman of the Western Inter-County Railway Committee and Mr David Kiely, Sligo Chamber of Commerce.

There can be no justification for ripping up the railway and replacing it with a bicycle track. I am supportive of greenways but it must be pointed out that there are enough alternative routes to build a greenway/bicycle track between Collooney and Charlestown without interfering with the existing rail infrastructure, the Mayor of Sligo, Cllr Declan Bree, said, when he addressed members of the Western Inter-County Railway Committee at a Mayoral Reception in Sligo City Hall.

Cllr Bree hosted the reception to mark the occasion of the Railway Committee holding its first meeting of 2024 in Sligo.

Welcoming the Chairman and members of the Committee to City Hall Cllr Bree said I believe it is fitting that an important body like the Western Inter-County Railway Committee would hold its first meeting of the new year in this building, in the capital of the North West.

We in Sligo are very much aware that the Western Inter-County Railway Committee, composed of elected representatives nominated by the local authorities in the West of Ireland, is committed to the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor and the establishment of a full rail service between Limerick and Sligo via Mayo, Galway and Clare.

Now more than ever before, more and more people are recognising that the development of strong transport infrastructure is critical to the future of this region

The fact that the EU has downgraded the status of the West and North West region from developed region to a region in transition is reflective of the fact that our region is falling behind and not seeing the same levels of investment in infrastructure by central government as other areas of the country.

According to the most recent statistics published by the European Union we learned that out of the 234 designated regions across the European Union, this region ranks at 218th for infrastructure.

This places our region in the bottom 7 per cent, alongside some of the poorest regions in the E.U., in Latvia, Romania and Bulgaria.

Therefore, in terms of ensuring balanced regional development the re-opening of the rail line from Sligo to Galway offers the greatest potential for economic and social improvements .

In my capacity as a member of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly I recently had the opportunity of participating in a meeting with the Taoiseach and making the case for the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor.

As committee members will be aware the re-opening of the Sligo to Galway Western Railway line is included as a key objective in the North West Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy.

The strategy includes the objective to deliver the Athenry-Tuam-Claremorris-Sligo rail line to an appropriate level of service and to a standard capable of facilitating passenger and freight transport.

The re-opening of the rail service from Sligo to Galway will enable regional development in line with the National Planning Framework strategy, as a contributory driver of economic growth helping to create sufficient scale to allow the West to compete on an equal footing with Dublin and the East and it will significantly improve the linkage of towns and cities stretching along the Atlantic Economic Corridor from Limerick to Galway to Sligo.

By allowing a sustainable commuting option, rural, village and small town residents along the route will have the option of living at home and working in the larger urban centres. This will certainly help rural regeneration and social inclusion.

The recent proposal to reactivate the section of the rail corridor from Athenry to Claremorris as part of a strategic freight route is most welcome as is the Government decision to apply for EU funding for the initiative.

And the members of Galway County Council and Mayo County Council are to be congratulated for bringing about this breakthrough.

It is clear evidence that where there is the will, central government can be won over.

However I was extremely disappointed to see the omission of any serious proposal for the final 47 mile section of the rail line linking Claremorris with Collooney.

This, I believe, is due to the fact that there are mixed messages emanating from Sligo.

Unfortunately, there are some elements who believe that ripping up railway infrastructure and replacing it with a bicycle track is the way forward.

Sligo will need a lot more ambition than that if we want to be serious about re-opening the remaining section of the railway from Collooney to Claremorris.

In my view there can be no justification for ripping up the railway and replacing it with a bicycle track.

I am supportive of greenways but it must be pointed out that there are enough alternative routes to build a greenway/bicycle track between Collooney and Charlestown without interfering with the existing rail infrastructure.

In saying that I warmly welcome the most recent comments made by Mr Jim Meade, the Chief Executive of Irish Rail, when he stated that he and Irish Rail certainly would support the ambition to keep the Claremorris to Collooney section of the corridor for rail traffic, and not for anything else.

That view is shared by the Western Inter-County Railway Committee, it is shared by the Northern & Western Regional Assembly and it is shared by the vast majority of people in this community who support the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor.

That message must be repeated and must go out loud and clear  we want to keep the Collooney to Claremorris section of the corridor for rail traffic, and not for anything else.

All of us are aware that the rail corridor is a key piece of infrastructure for the West and will link the economies of three major centres, Sligo, Galway and Limerick

The Planning Guidelines for this region have consistently and collectively called for the provision of inter-city passenger and freight services on the Western Rail Corridor between Limerick and Sligo.

While the re-opening of the final stretch of the rail corridor is still under consideration at a national level we all know that Dublins growth has been allowed to spiral out of control while token gestures at balanced regional development has left our capital city bursting at the seams.

If central government seriously wants to achieve balanced regional development, it needs to facilitate it happening by investing in our rail infrastructure, particularly in terms of re-opening the Western Rail Corridor. the Mayor said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive of Iarnrod Eireann, Mr. Jim Meade, has told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport that Iarnrod Eireann supports keeping the railway from Collooney to Claremorris for rail traffic and not for anything else.

In a wide-ranging commentary he also indicated that the next phase of the rail corridor will require a lead-in period of two years for planning and preparation at an estimated cost of 7m to 12m and that it will then require a three year construction period.

Speaking to the Committee on Transport on Wednesday 24th January 2024 Mr. Meade said:

We know its an ambition of our own Minister to reinstate it (the WRC) if he can. Its called out in the Strategic Review.

We have started doing some vegetation works on it recently to keep the line clean and open, some de-vegetation. But particularly for a freight corridor, the review is saying its very viable for a freight corridor and you would do it probably in stages from Athenry to Claremorris.

Beyond Claremorris, we certainly would support the ambition to keep that for rail traffic, not for anything else, and in time if the decision is made to connect to Collooney, so be it.

His comments were welcomed by Councillor Michael Connolly, Chair of the Western Inter-County Railway Committee.

Speaking at a meeting of the Committee in Sligo City Hall Councillor Connolly said: I want to warmly welcome the comments by the Chief Executive of Iarnrod Eireann at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport yesterday, where he said that Iarnrod Eireann would support the ambition to keep the railway from Claremorris to Collooney for rail traffic, and not for any other use.

The 47 miles of existing railway from Claremorris to Collooney is an extremely valuable piece of state-owned public transport infrastructure, passing an international airport (IWAK) and connecting many towns, which would cost many hundreds of millions to acquire today. To build an equivalent line to the Mayo-Sligo section from scratch could potentially cost 15m/km or close to 1.5bn. It is therefore essential that the rail alignment is protected for future rail use.

The likelihood that the Galway line is soon to reopen as far north as Claremorris offers an important opportunity for Sligo as it means that the Sligo-Galway line will then be more than 60% in operation. Mayos industries will then be able to use the WRC line for moving raw materials and finished products, saving time and money and reducing their carbon footprint.

The same opportunity needs to be afforded to Sligo, he concluded.
Sligo students, Esier Bairova and Ben Gray,from Corran College, Ballymote, were among twelve award winners of this years Green-Schools Marine Spatial Planning Poster Competition. What Id like to see for the sea.

The students were celebrated at an award ceremony in Cork this past week for their posters depicting their vision for the future of Irelands ocean and coast.

In partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Green-Schools asked students to create posters showing how they would like Irelands seas to be used in the future. The competition ties in with the National Marine Planning Framework, which aims to balance the different demands for using Irelands marine territory, including the need to protect and conserve the marine environment. It's about planning when and where human activities take place at sea and ensuring these activities are as efficient and sustainable as possible.

The competition was open to schools taking part in the Green-Schools Marine Environment theme, which encourages schools to learn about the importance of the ocean, and to take action to reduce marine litter and raise awareness in their local community, about ways we can help the marine environment.

As part of their work on the Marine Environment theme, schools are asked to investigate sources of marine litter, take part in a #2minutebeachclean and carry out a Marine Litter Awareness survey, which demonstrates significant increases in awareness among school populations about these issues, year on year. Schools also learn about Irelands marine biodiversity, investigate issues such as the impact of climate change on the oceans, and learn together through workshops and events nationwide.

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Kieran ODonnell TD congratulated the schools at the award ceremony: Irelands maritime area is one of the largest in the European Union. With such significant resources comes the responsibility of ensuring that they are managed in the right way for us and for future generations. Therefore it is very important that we engage with young people and encourage them to think about the maritime area and what the sea means for them.

"My Department has ensured we get our message about marine planning into schools to make sure that children are aware that Ireland has this very valuable asset and that we need to protect it. This What Id like to see for the Sea poster competition is the third marine spatial planning competition and we have seen each year the number of entries and understanding of marine planning increasing.

I could see the strong messages in the winning posters and I know that the future of Irelands maritime area is in good hands.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Green-Schools National Manager, Joanne Scott, said: I am so impressed with the winning entries, the students really understood the theme and highlighted many creative ways to use and protect our seas. Thanks to everyone who participated, it's fantastic to be able to celebrate in person with you all at today's event.
Gardai have launched a public appeal for information after an elderly man (80s) was assaulted in his own home during an aggravated burglary in Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath on Tuesday morning.

Senior detectives investigating an aggravated burglary in Westmeath earlier this week during which an elderly pensioner was assaulted in his own home are hoping a public appeal for information will throw up vital clues in the search for his attacker.

The victim, aged in his 80s, was rushed to hospital after being assaulted by his assailant at his home along Kilbeggans main street during the early hours of Tuesday morning.

An undisclosed sum of cash was taken during the incident with the elderly man being taken to Tullamores Midland Regional Hospital for treatment.

Gardai attended the scene soon afterwards and carried out a thorough technical examination in a bid to find potentially crucial forensic evidence that might identify a suspect.

The victim is understood to be recuperating after being discharged from hospital with gardai also hoping to further their investigation courtesy of a public appeal.

Gardai are investigating an aggravated burglary which occurred at a domestic residence on Main Street, Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath in the early hours of Tuesday 23rd January 2024, said a garda spokesperson.

The incident is believed to have occurred shortly after 1am. A male, aged in his 80s, was assaulted and a sum of cash was taken during the course of this incident. The injured party received medical treatment at Tullamore hospital but has since been discharged.

A technical examination of the scene has been conducted by Gardai and investigations are currently ongoing.

Gardai are appealing for anyone with any information regarding this incident to come forward.

As part of that appeal, gardai are especially anxious to speak to anyone who was in the Main Street area of Kilbeggan between midnight and 3am on Tuesday morning and who may have seen anything suspicious.

Any road users who may have video camera footage (including dash-cam) from this area at this time, are asked to make it available to Gardai, added the spokesperson.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mullingar Garda Station on 044 938 4000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
A new Independent candidate has put themselves forward as a candidate for this year's local election.

Previously on the Town Council in 2014 before it was disbanded, Eamonn Doyle from Enniscorthy says he is ready to represent the people of Enniscorthy again.

The 56-year-old is the son of retired County Councillor Sean Doyle . Sean spent 40 years on the Urban and then Town Council and 20 years representing the district on the County Council.

Sean will turn 90 this year and Eamonn says he believes it would be a fitting gift to win back his seat.

In 2010, Eamonn was the sole founder of Enniscorthys Rock n Roll music Festival, then known as the Riverside Jump. That event subsequently joined forces with a new street food festival in 2015 organised by the local Chamber to become the Rockin Food Festival.

Eamonn retains responsibility for organising the music part of the event and says he is honoured to be involved in building something special.

He has also been one of the main organisers of a series of annual community-based music festivals like the Roots Rhythms Festival (formerly Strawberry Roots Festival), the Slaney Bluegrass Festival and he has also helped out on the Blackstairs Blues Festival.

Eamonn Doyle

He is Chairperson and a founding member of the Southeast Rock n Roll Club, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion of 1950s music, dancing and lifestyle.

The club has organised hundreds of gigs and events since formation in 2011 and brought thousands of visitors to Enniscorthy from all over the world.

As a music promoter Eamonn has also been involved in bringing many different styles of music to town especially in the areas of Folk, Blues, Country and good old fashioned Rock Music.

Eamonn is also currently a member of the Enniscorthy East Community Development Committee who are formulating and driving plans for a series of exciting community and tourism-based initiatives including a potential amphitheatre for the Turret Rocks.

Eamonn says he will aim for equality in Enniscorthy and equality for Enniscorthy if elected.

"Living on the Shannon side of Enniscorthy for over 50 years means I am acutely aware of the disparity in resources and facilities between the two parishes in Enniscorthy and if elected I will offer a voice to an entire community who currently dont have one, he said.

"I strongly believe that the best is yet to come for Enniscorthy & District, and we have huge potential for growth in the coming decades, but this future growth and prosperity must be shared across all sections of our population not just on one side of the river. Temple Shannon and the Eastern Quay were once thriving business hubs and they must be revitalised asap for the benefit of everyone in the district.

I wont just represent the east however, everyone who wants and needs my help will receive equal representation no matter where in the district they come from. I will be a proud member of Team Enniscorthy as we fight to retain our status at county and regional level, battling with the other districts for the meagre available resources," he added.
Byron (33), an archaeologist from Gorey, delighted the nation when he arrived into the Gibson Hotel for his blind date.

Byron arrived first and waited at the bar until the suave maitre d, Meteo Saina, introduced him to his date for the evening, Emma Flanagan. Nervous smiles and giddy laughter ensued before they were led to their table by the window of Coda Restaurant.

Emma from Dundalk, works part-time in a clothes shop and also works in the area of dog training and pet nutrition. Byron enjoys his work as an archaeologist and said a highlight is when someone finds a coin on site.

They were off to a strong start as they both opted to skip starters and mains and go straight for dessert. Thats not where the similarities ended either as they bonded over their shared love of fitness and being outdoors.

Byron moves around a lot and has played with four different GAA teams over the past four years.

As the conversation progressed throughout the evening, the pair felt comfortable enough to discuss their mental health and wellbeing. Emma spoke about her battle with eating disorders following a six stone weight loss. Id be stepping on the scale and Id say, Oh I lost weight, not eating works. Next day you go again and Id be like, Oh it actually became like a game like how long can I go without eating anything, she said.

Byron was able to relate to her as he has struggled with bullying and depression in the past. Therapy had helped them both cope and overcome their issues and in their thirties theyd found that they cared less about what others thought.

After their date ended, the daunting part began as Emma and Byron sat down with the producer to decide if theyd see each other again. Byron described Emma as really stylish and very good looking and unsurprisingly said yes to a second date. Emma then agreed to a second date as long as it included an outdoors activity. They shared a hug before walking out of the Gibson Hotel together. However despite their shared love of the outdoors the couple didnt end up in a relationship.

One viewer wrote: Its great to see people talk so openly about mental health, eating disorders and weight loss. Not easy topics to discuss on TV but fair play.
Co Wexford Scoliosis sufferer Katie (15) is ready to take on Tom Crean challenge in Iceland

Katie is not letting the painful condition hold her back from achieving her many dreams

Katie Franklin on top of Carrauntoohill,

David Looby  New Ross Standard Fri 26 Jan 2024 at 04:00

Having been diagnosed with Scoliosis as a child, teenager Katie Franklin was urged to have an operation last year for the condition. Instead she decided to commit to an active lifestyle to battle the condition, one which saw her climb Carrauntoohil in mid-January, on one of the coldest days of the year.
Hong Kong: DC poll interim report submitted

The Electoral Affairs Commission today submitted to the Chief Executive an interim report on the investigation into the failure of the Electronic Poll Register (EPR) system of the District Council Ordinary Election.

The EPR system failed in the evening on polling day and polling stations were unable to use it for issuing ballot papers. An investigation group that was set up to look into the incident released the probe's findings today.

The group said that at the time of the incident, the utilisation of the central processing unit (CPU) of the EPR system's server had almost reached full capacity. Simulations revealed design problems with two of the system's programmes, causing the computation time to increase as polling progressed.

The CPU was overloaded 11 hours after polling started. In addition, owing to another design issue, sequential requests queued up in the database and unnecessarily tied up a substantial amount of resources in the servers.

Since these resources were shared with other programmes, the issues caused difficulties for the system in executing the ballot paper issuing process.

The investigation group noted that the design problems of the two programmes that led to the incident involved design changes made by the Registration & Electoral Office's information technology team to meet the operational needs of the district council election.

Investigations indicated no record of any external device attempting to access the EPR system, ruling out an external attack. A police probe also found that there was no evidence to suggest any malicious attempt to sabotage the system.

The Electoral Affairs Commission, which set up the group to conduct the investigation, highlighted another issue related to the election, namely an error in the total voter turnout and voter turnout rate announced after the election.

According to a post-election review conducted by the commission, the actual voter turnout should have been 1,195,331, not the 1,193,193 initially announced - a gap of 2,138 voters.

The commission said the error was mainly due to the failure of the EPR system on polling day, which activated the fallback mode for issuing ballot papers until the close of polling at midnight.

Following the submission of the mid-term report, the investigation group will follow up on the findings and analyses then submit a comprehensive report to the Chief Executive within three months after the election.

The commission said the upcoming report will incorporate detailed findings on the incident and the recommended improvement measures.

This story has been published on: 2024-01-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Australian government recently made a new law that lets them make businesses share user information, even if its protected by secret codes.

If businesses cant access encrypted data for the government, they have to make tools so the police can get to users info.

Starting in 2024, small businesses cant escape privacy rules. This affects a lot of businesses, and if they dont follow the rules, theyll get fined and might damage their reputation if data gets leaked.

For small business owners, making a privacy plan that follows the rules can be hard. Thats why its crucial to get help from privacy experts. A privacy plan is like a set of rules inside the company that makes sure they follow the privacy laws. With the right help, businesses can put in good processes to lower risks from data and privacy rules and stick to their business goals.

Hana Lee, qualified data privacy expert and start-up and capital leader at Melbourne law firm, Burch&Co, urges small businesses to take a proactive approach and start building a fit-for-purpose privacy program to navigate the sweeping reforms in data privacy. In 2024, there is not a single business that does not work with or store customer data in some way, Hana said. When it comes to privacy considerations, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The Privacy Act amendments serve as a motivator to learn about essential privacy protections and take a more mindful approach to storing sensitive customer information.

The removal of the small business exemption to the Privacy Act in 2024 increases compliance demands on small businesses and startups, particularly those reliant on technology and customer data collection.

With over 92% of businesses to be impacted, those that fail to comply with the Privacy Act will face increased financial penalties, in addition to reputational risk from data breaches.

In February 2023, the Australian Attorney-Generals Department revealed 116 recommendations derived from insights provided by stakeholders over the previous two years, addressing 30 key themes. While acknowledging the positive impact of Australias digital economy on innovation and productivity, the report also voiced concerns about data breaches and privacy issues.

In response to these concerns, the report put forward a comprehensive proposal to modernize privacy laws, adapting them to the demands of the digital age. The objective is to combat identity fraud and scams while ensuring the global competitiveness of Australian businesses.

Out of the 116 recommendations, the government embraced a total of 106 proposals. Among these, 38 are categorized as agreed, while 68 are labeled as agreed in-principle. Its essential to note that both classifications hinge on focused and broader consultations before arriving at a final decision. The government aims to enshrine these recommendations into legislation in 2024.

Furthermore, alongside accepting the majority of recommendations, the government took note of 10 suggestions but chose not to adopt them. These specific recommendations primarily concern political exemptions and specific protections for deidentified information.

No matter if a business is big or small, having a good privacy plan means they know where theyre not following the rules and have a plan to fix it. While Australias privacy laws are getting stricter, there are good examples from other countries that small businesses can follow. Privacy pros know the best ways businesses in countries with strict privacy laws do things and can give custom advice to follow the rules in every part of the business.

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Staff told they can take up work with new Postmaster or be redeployed

An Post is delivering sweeping changes to the business model of its post office in New Ross, having announced it will become a contractor run facility, most likely later this year.

Staff were informed Thursday evening about the change which will see a new Postmaster take over running the business, providing the interest is there.

In a statement released Friday afternoon, An Post said: An Post staff formerly employed there will take up a number of possible options, including taking up employment for the new Postmaster or being redeployed within the An Post network. It is likely that a new location for the post office will be sought by the new Postmaster.

In this event the landmark red brick building on Charles Street will be sold as it is owned outright by An Post.

In line with the ongoing transformation of the national post office network An Post has announced that its office in New Ross will become a contractor run post office. New Ross joins the mainstream of national post offices of which more than 95pc of the countrys 900 plus offices which are run by contractors. Fewer than 40 post offices nationally are run directly by An Post.

The move  which was decided upon before Christmas by An Post management  represents a significant business opportunity for the newly appointed Postmaster, An Post Public Affairs Manager Angus Laverty said.

"The change in business model of our post office in New Ross will not in any way change the range or extent of the services offered by An Post. We remain committed to providing New Ross with the highest level of services for the future.

Changing the business model of a post office, does not impact on the level or variety of services which are available to customers. Continuation of service is of key importance to An Post. All services available before the change remain available after the change. In addition, in many cases the premises and facilities available have been improved. We will continue to provide a top-class service.

An Post, as a commercial semi state company, has an obligation to operate in a commercial manner, the statement continued.

"In the late 1990s we recognised the challenges that we faced in our retail business. This arose principally from greater choice being available to customers for many of our traditional services and the move to online and digital services. These included the direct transfer of funds for social welfare payments, the availability of direct debit and online channels for bill payments.

"The development of An Post banking and financial services for customers and SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) has been a feature of the transformation of the company in recent years. Our task has always been to build a sustainable national post office network which remained relevant to the people of Ireland, both now and for the future.

Other leading post offices following the New Ross route include Phibsboro, Rathmines and Tallaght (Dublin), Roscommon and Tipperary town offices.

The timescale for the change in New Ross and other locations will be over the coming months.
A deceased Wexford man whose remains lay undetected in a London apartment for an undetermined time is to be the subject of a special investigative piece by BBC journalists. Patrick Redmonds body was found in his Ealing home in 2020.

From Co Wexford, Patrick was born in February 1944 and was 76 at the time of his passing. He married Sheila Anne Redmond (nee Mooney) in Ealing, London 1972 and they had one daughter, Patricia Redmond.

He lived in west London for approximately 50 years and in the same neighbourhood for the majority of that time.

Abiona Boja from BBC London has contacted The Wexford People in the hope that someone within the county knows Patrick or his family members as she and her team are working on an article regarding his life.

Wed like to tell his story because of the sad circumstances surrounding his death, she said. He was left in his flat for quite a long time after death and we dont think any family attended the funeral. We would like to write a tribute piece about his life in west London and before, but we need some photos and because his name is quite common its been hard to locate any.

In addition to documenting Patricks life, the BBC also wish to write about what Abiona described as local authority failures in London, failures which led to this Wexford mans body lying undiscovered for such a long time after his passing.

If you know who Patrick might be or have any details regarding his life, Abiona has asked that you contact her on the following email address predmond@bbc.co.uk
A Europe-wide project which seeks to make outdoor adventure activities and tourism more accessible for people with disabilities has been informed by service users and businesses in Wexford. The ONAT4ALL project runs across Ireland, Spain, France, Belgium and Italy with the Irish arm operated by Wexford-native Hazel Nicholl.

A researcher and consultant with I&F Education and Development Limited, Hazel liaised with a number of local organisations as she worked on the project, using their views to help create a set of online tools which will be showcased at a special event in the Talbot Hotel on January 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Co-funded by the European Union (EU), the ONAT4ALLs aim is based on re-boosting EU tourism by providing SMEs with the necessary skills, competences, and knowledge to deal with accessibility requirements. The project revolves around the achievement of a more inclusive society by promoting the access of people with disabilities (PWDs) to adventure and outdoor tourism.

We ran focus groups and gathered information over a two-year period with the aim of creating these free tools, said Hazel. Service users from the Windmill Therapeutic Unit came on board and offered their insights, it was invaluable to get that first hand information from them. Carmel Tennant from the International Outdoor Adventure Centre (IOAC) in Tagoat also provided invaluable assistance as an operator of a tourism destination.

The aim of the project is to give organisations the tools to make their businesses more accessible to those with disabilities, it helps companies to educate themselves on the changes they can make, theres a free online training course they can take to help them with this. And this is happening not just in Ireland but across Europe. The hope is that businesses from across the country will take these courses and make their companies more accessible.

"The ONAT4ALL project is an important step towards achieving a more inclusive society by ensuring equal opportunities for people with disabilities in outdoor adventure activities and tourism."

The event in The Talbot Hotel will offer businesses and service users the opportunity to learn more about the ONAT4ALL project with guest speakers present on the day.

We want it to serve as a networking venue for organisations and services to link up with one another too, its open to people not just from Wexford but from all over, said Hazel who wished to thank everyone at the Windmill Therapeutic Unit, as well as staff from Rag Tree Equine Assisted Learning, Nathan Nicholl from Mountain Mischief, Farm Tours Ireland, Wexford County Council, QuadVenture, Blackwater Open Farm, Johanne Murphy from Irish Sailing and The IAAT for their assistance.
Pupils from Scoil Realt na Mara in Kilmore will be travelling to France next year as part of a project which seeks to broaden their understanding of their homeland and its neighbouring countries. Entitled Promoting Sustainability at our Seashore Environment, the project will highlight local issues around sustainability and will see the school community conduct a series of projects to examine the local coastline.

School Principal Micheal Martin said: Like all schools, our school has changed significantly in recent years with an influx of new pupils and the addition of new teachers. While our standards of education remain exceptionally high, we wish to broaden the understanding of our school within the context of the local environment and community.

"Our location beside the sea and in a large catchment area gives all of our community an opportunity to learn more about our area and compare and contrast it to other areas of Europe, while further learning about the necessity to care for our environment. The seashore close to our school is a popular area but the problem of climate change and coastal erosion is significant and one that we wish to highlight for future generations.

Scoil Realt na Mara has a tradition of environmental care having been awarded Wexfords cleanest school in 2023 and the school has been awarded The Green Flag on seven occasions. The project will see the school apply for the award of the European Blue flag certification for Coastal Care.

The overarching objective is to enhance our sense of school community in a European context in light of the changing demographic within our school, continued Mr Martin. The staff mobility and attendance at courses will ensure that we develop a sense of successful initiatives of school communities elsewhere in Europe while the culmination of the project will see a group of pupils travel to France in 2025.

The school has recently commenced French lessons under the The Say Yes to Languages Programme as it prepares for its trip overseas.
The Wicklow Barn Owl Group are offering their 2024 Barn Owl desktop calendar to friends and supporters.

The Wicklow Barn Owl desktop calendar featuring a different photograph and a fun fact per month is a great way of learning more about the lifecycle of these fascinating birds and includes contact details for the Wicklow Barn Owl group.

The group was formed in 2022 and was initiated by the Heritage Office of Wicklow County Council in partnership with local National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), with the aim of gathering baseline data on this species in County Wicklow and providing suitable supplementary habitat through the installation of Barn Owl nesting boxes where appropriate.

The project received co-funded by The Heritage Council and Wicklow County Council as an action of the County Wicklow Heritage Plan. NPWS supplied the nesting boxes and managed the considerable task of erecting these in suitable interior and exterior locations throughout the county, enlisting professional tree climbing expertise as required.

The Barn Owl is a Red-listed Bird of Conservation Concern in Ireland, due to extensive declines in their breeding population and range.

Anyone wishing to avail of the desktop calendar can send their name and Eircode to wicklowbarnowlgroup@gmail.com.
An elderly Wicklow man suffered fatal injuries after falling through a Perspex roof at his home in Arklow three years ago, an inquest had heard.

Matthew Shelton (83) died on July 24, 2021 at St Vincents University Hospital in Dublin as a result of multiple traumatic injuries sustained in the fall earlier that day at his home on Griffith Street, Arklow.

A sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court heard that there was no evidence that gardai had examined the scene of the accident after they had been notified of Mr Sheltons sudden death by hospital staff.

However, a Garda witness told the inquest that there was no concern that Mr Sheltons death was due to any foul play.

Mr Shelton, a father of four and former factory worker and fisherman, had been climbing a ladder to work on the roof of his house, the inquest heard.

The deceaseds widow, Margaret Shelton, said she was in the house and went outside when she heard a noise.

The inquest heard she discovered her husband lying on the ground and making moaning noises.

I was calling him. I got such a fright. I actually thought he was dead, said Ms Shelton.

She said it looked like he had fallen through the Perspex roof.

However, Ms Shelton she could not really understand why he would have been up on the roof and she did not believe he would have tried to stand on the Perspex structure.

She said she had wondered if her husband, whom she described as being very active for his age, had suffered a heart attack while up on the ladder.

The coroner, Crona Gallagher, said Mr Shelton had been brought to St Vincents by ambulance but that his condition had deteriorated quickly after arrival in the hospital.

Dr Gallagher said his blood pressure had dropped rapidly and he had required a blood transfusion.

She said he had suffered chest injuries which resulted in doctors being concerned he had some internal bleeding.

The coroner said postmortem results showed he had not suffered any acute cardiac event but had sustained fractured ribs and internal bleeding including a brain haemorrhage which were consistent with a fall from a height.

Dr Gallagher described Mr Sheltons injuries as not survivable.

She said it could not be discounted that he had experienced some kind of turn or lost his concentration while on the ladder.

Returning a verdict of accidental death, Dr Gallagher offered her condolences to the deceaseds relatives on what was a major fright and shock over the manner of his passing.

The coroner said she was struck by Mr Sheltons energy levels and stubbornness.
The TFI Local Link 129 bus service will soon run from Dunlavin in west Wicklow to Newbridge in County Kildare.

The National Transport Authority has confirmed that a contract for an enhanced 129 bus service running from Dunlavin in west Wicklow to Newbridge in County Kildare, through Kilcullen, will be awarded before the end of March.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the expansion of the route at a meeting with the Kildare County Council in June last year, wherein they outlined the increased frequency of the new service, which will run from Dunlavin to Kilcullen, then on to Newbridge, operating seven days a week, with regular times throughout the day.

Outlining the current status of the expanded route and the timeline for the tendering process after her correspondence with the NTA, local Councillor Avril Cronin explained that submissions from interested bus operators were due by Friday, January 19.

This will be a real game-changer for people in west Wicklow, and hopefully, after the tendering process is over, the route will be up and running shortly after, Cllr Cronin said.

The bus service at the moment in Dunlavin only goes to Newbridge a couple of times a week, with a couple of runs, and it can be packed sometimes in the mornings. Its the only bus service we have going out of Dunlavin, so to get an expansion of the services is going to be of benefit to so many people.

Over the past couple of months, we have seen a huge improvement in transport links within the rural areas in west Wicklow, but there are still some communities that arent on the routes, so expanding that and getting more services is still a big priority.

For example, at weekends, a service runs from Dunlavin to Donard, Knocakanarrigan, the Glen of Imaal, Stratford, Grangecon and Baltinglass. That is a brilliant service, but it only goes on a Saturday evening.

Even if that was expanded to a Friday and Sunday, it would make a huge difference.

Its about trying to expand the routes, but also to include other towns and villages because I know places like Hollywood, for example, have very limited Local Link services.

There is one that goes from Arklow into Blessington, onto Sallins, but it doesn't go into Hollywood. If they had that, it would be great for people who may have hospital appointments in Naas or even something simple like using the bank because the cash services are gone from our banks.

Theres always a fear that there isn't enough demand for these services, but if you provide them, people will use them.
The comedy nights at the Brass Fox in Wicklow town return in February with another star-studded line-up to fill you with laughter.

Februarys show is headlined by the hilarious Eric Lalor.

Eric drew a full crowd to the Brass Fox in his last performance back in March and returns due to popular demand. With gags that always hit the spot, his engaging, high intensity performances make him one of the top names of must book comedians.

The second act lined-up on the night is one of the most in demand acts on the Irish circuit at the moment. Co. Down born Richie Bree has quickly become a staple of the Irish comedy scene as the resident host of Cherry Comedy at Dublins iconic Whelans venue and has supported the likes of Des Bishop, Deirdre OKane and Jason Byrne.

Act number three is Padraig Williams, one of the rising stars of Irish comedy, headlining clubs from Cork to Belfast. Padraig also brought his one man show to the Edinburgh fringe the last couple of years to great reviews.

Your MC for the night is one of Dublins best known comedians and the resident MC at the fantastic Comedy Crunch. Colm McGlinchey is a fast paced, gag filled comedian that be hosting this talented bunch for what promises to be a great night.

The comedy night takes place on Friday, February 23, starting at 8.30 p.m. Tickets costing 12 can be purchased at allevents.in. Just search Brass Fox Comedy'.
Sharon Stone has shared some insight into her experiences with online dating as part of her search for a meaningful relationship.

The Hollywood star, who was previously blocked from the dating app Bumble, after it was assumed that her profile was an impostor, has been married and divorced twice: first to television producer Michael Greenburg from 1984 to 1990, and then to newspaper editor Phil Bronstein from 1998 to 2004.

In a new interview with The Times, the Basic Instinct actor spoke about looking for love online, rather than in real life.

At one first date from an app, she said she met a heroin addict whos clearly 20,000 heroin injections later than the picture he sent me and left shortly after.

Stone also noted that she does not try to hide her identity on dating apps. I go on as myself. Its not like I can fake it, she reasoned.

In 2019, after being blocked by Bumble, Stone expressed her upset about her exclusion on X, then known as Twitter, and her account was reinstated.

Elsewhere in the interview, Stone noted that she wanted to use dating apps as a way to connect with someone on an emotional level, rather than finding purely physical connections.

I didnt want to just go on Tinder and f*** somebody. Do you know what I mean? she quipped.

Its so easy to f*** somebody. You dont have to go on Tinder; you go to f***ing [coffee shop chain] Coffee Bean. Its not hard.

As Stone was one of the definitive sex symbols of the Nineties, many may assume that shed find it easier than most to easily find a partner in a random scenario. Yet, according to her, its not that hard for anyone.

Stone continued: Men f*** flashlights; a warm can of beans. Lets get into reality.

You go to the supermarket if you just want to have sex, but if you want to have a connection

At the time of the interview, Stone was meant to attend an Emmys party shortly after, but decided to cancel due to her social anxiety.

Its just too f***ing much she explained. I have paralytic social anxiety. I have always had it. Im fantastic in a crisis. If youre bleeding to death, Ive got you covered.

What I dont like is 17 people talking all at the same time. I just would like to go home. Enough with the chaos and the noise of nothing.

As well as having two relationships from the apps during the Covid lockdowns, Stone found that the downtime also provided her the space to channel her creativity into visual art. Now she exhibits her paintings at exhibitions across the world.

In December, she told The Independent how she began the process of being a regular painter.

We were going through Covid and I was not working as an actress, she said.

I was shedding a lot of emotional things. It seemed like every painting was about an emotional experience; I was leaving it all on the canvas.
Sabrina Dhowre Elba said using virtual reality (VR) to step inside the lives of those experiencing poverty will help rebuild empathy for those struggling.

The activist and model, who is married to British actor Idris Elba, has helped launch a VR film titled On The Brink which brings to life the consequences of the global hunger crisis amid conflict, climate change and spiralling food prices.

The film, from charity Save The Children, comes as an estimated 18.3 million people have died globally from hunger since the Ethiopia famine in 1984, according to new statistics from Hungry For Action.

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While not directly connected with the production of the film, the attention for the issue is something that I have been working for and resonates quite closely with the work that I do, its an important issue to me, Ms Dhowre Elba told the PA news agency.

We all feel that there is so much happening in the world right now, but because of everything going on, it does feel that were becoming more conditioned to this type of issue and that it isnt as impactful as it maybe should be.

The word famine alone should be enough to haunt all of us, its a very jarring situation and the extremeness of it should be something thats taken very seriously, but I think unfortunately, it isnt.

It doesnt resonate in quite the same way especially when you see governments cutting budgets and short-sighted funding.

On The Brink was shot in drought-affected communities in Somaliland last year, where years of failed rains, conflict and rising food prices have plunged millions into poverty.

Idris Elba and wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba (Ian West/PA)

Using 360 technology, photographer and Save The Children ambassador Misan Harriman captured the story of Ayan, who lost her four-year-old son to malnutrition, and Faisa, whose one-year-old grandson died from hunger-related illnesses.

UN Goodwill Ambassador Ms Dhowre Elba told PA: I think this type of VR tech allows for someone to feel they are in that persons shoes, theyre on the land, they are in the situation, in a way that we couldnt do before.

We used to see on TV child after child, and you start to feel disconnected, but now with this type of technology, to see peoples stories and to feel like youre inside, and youre there where they are, I think that kind of changes things and allows us to connect a bit more emotionally.

I think the biggest distance between two people is a story.

Its just about learning each others stories to rebuild that empathy.

The films production creates interactive scenes by stitching together thousands of pictures to make a fully immersive experience.
Sok Eysan, a spokesman of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), on Sunday highlighted the important role by Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in Cambodia's victory over the Khmer Rouge 45 years ago.

They helped liberate the Cambodian people from the genocidal regime swiftly in a timely manner, he said.

Tourists walk outside the Royal Palace in central Phnom Penh. Photo by Reuters

Speaking at a meeting to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Cambodian people and army's victory in overthrowing the genocidal regime (January 7, 1979-2024) held by the CPP in Phnom Penh, Eysan affirmed that this is a historic event for the Cambodian people and closely associated to Vietnam - its neighbor.

All the Cambodian people always understand and grateful to the sincere support of the Vietnamese volunteer army, Party and State for Cambodia in their hardest time, he said.

In localities of Cambodia, there are memorial monuments for the common victory, which was made by the strength and great solidarity between Cambodia and the Vietnamese army, he noted.

"We will never forget the contributions by the Vietnamese volunteer army, the Party and State of Vietnam, who helped Cambodia get free from the genocidal regime," Eysan said, affirming that his country considers this an unforgettable historical truth of Cambodia.

Uch Leang, Deputy Director of the Department of Asian, African, and Middle-East Studies under the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, said that the victory was a historical event that demonstrated the spirit of international solidarity between the peoples and armies of Cambodia and Vietnam, opening up a new page in the neighborly relations and friendship between the two countries.

According to him, through the successful implementation of the win-win cooperation policy in the spirit of national solidarity and unity, the Cambodian government has concluded the persistent war, restored and preserved peace and security for the people.

History professor Sombo Manara from Cambodia's Panasastra University in Phnom Penh also praised the role of the Vietnamese Party, State, people and volunteers in the event, saying that from the human perspective, the assistance helped rescue the Cambodian people from being killed by the genocidal regime.

Forty-five years ago, on January 7, 1979, patriotic forces gathered with the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation (KUFNS), with the support of Vietnamese volunteer troops, liberated Phnom Penh, overthrowing the regime, promptly rescuing millions of Cambodians from genocide.

This important historical event marked the moment of revival of the country and people of Cambodia under the brutal genocidal regime which killed nearly 3 million Cambodian civilians - a quarter of the country's population at that time - and pushed Cambodia to the brink of perdition.
X is racing to remove deepfake explicit images of the singer Taylor Swift after they went viral on the social network.

Sexually explicit false images depicting the popstar, which appeared to have been developed by artificial intelligence tools, were widely shared on social media on Thursday in one of the first cases of so-called deepfake pornography going viral.

X said it was actively removing all identified images.

It said: Posting Non-Consensual Nudity images is strictly prohibited on X and we have a zero-tolerance policy towards such content.

Our teams are actively removing all identified images and taking appropriate actions against the accounts responsible for posting them. Were closely monitoring the situation to ensure that any further violations are immediately addressed, and the content is removed. Were committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all users.

One tweet featuring the material was reportedly viewed more than 45m times before being taken down. The website has been accused of failing to moderate content under Elon Musks ownership, which has seen thousands of staff laid off.

Facebook owner Meta is also attempting to block the images. It said: This content violates our policies and were removing it from our platforms and taking action against accounts that posted it.

Were continuing to monitor and if we identify any additional violating content well remove it and take appropriate action.

The rise of increasingly sophisticated AI image generation tools, which can depict photo-realistic pictures of celebrities and landscapes, has raised growing concerns that they will be used for non-consensual pornography. Sharing deepfake images is illegal in the UK under the newly introduced Online Safety Bill.

While major image generation tools have introduced restrictions on generating explicit imagery, some users have developed workarounds to get past major tools controls. Other tools have been developed specifically to make sexually explicit images.

According to the news website 404 Media, the Taylor Swift images were traced back to a group chat on the messaging app Telegram.

Users of the group have recommended using a Microsoft tool called Designer to generate AI images. Designer has rules that try to prevent users generating images of celebrities, although people have in the past shared simple workarounds.

Taylor Swift is known for having a large and dedicated online fanbase. Hundreds of users sought to drown out people sharing the explicit images by flooding searches with terms such as Protect Taylor Swift.

Ms Swift and her representatives are yet to comment on the case. Microsoft was contacted for comment.
Grace was a gift and we will look for answers  father of Irish student killed in Nottingham knife rampage hits out at police

Grace OMalley-Kumar (19) was stabbed to death along with her friend Barnaby Webber (19) and caretaker Ian Coates (65) last June Mr Webbers mother said police chief has blood on his handsKiller Valdo Calocane had repeatedly avoided contact with community mental health team before the attack and was found guilty of manslaughter

Grace O'Malley-Kumar. Photo: Facebook

Holly Evans  UK Independent Fri 26 Jan 2024 at 03:30







The family of a student stabbed to death in Nottingham, in what a judge described as a series of atrocities across the city, have said that true justice has not been served as his killer was hospitalised and not jailed.
Traffic police stand guard on a road near the crash site of the Russian Ilyushin Il-76 military transport plane in the Belgorod region. Photo: Reuters

A senior Russian politician has said Ukrainian military intelligence was given a 15-minute warning before a Russian military transport plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war entered an area where it was shot down on Wednesday.
Explainer | How genocide officially became a crime, and why South Africa is accusing Israel of committing it

The murder by Nazi Germany of 6 million Jews in the Holocaust horrified the wold, which vowed: Never again

Holocaust survivor urges people to stand up against hatred and prejudice

Mike Corder Fri 26 Jan 2024 at 14:57







In the aftermath of World War II and the murder by Nazi Germany of six million Jews in the Holocaust, the world united around a now-familiar pledge: Never again.
Ireland getting urgent legal advice on whether to join genocide case against Israel after UN court ruling

International Criminal Court demands Israel ensure humanitarian access to GazaCourt stops short of calling for a ceasefireMicheal Martin now strongly considering an intervention

ICJ hears South Africas genocide case against Israel

Fri 26 Jan 2024 at 14:00







The Irish Government is getting urgent legal advice on whether to intervene in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel after a panel of 17 judges ordered Israeli leaders to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza.
Palestinian teenager Rafat Al-Satari, a kidney patient whose mother and two of his siblings were killed in an Israeli strike, holds a red flower handed out to him by florist Hussam Abdulhadi, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip January 23, 2024. REUTERS/Saleh Salem

Israel faces a growing risk of damaging its peace with neighboring Egypt as its military pushes the offensive against Hamas further south in the Gaza Strip. Already, the two sides are in a dispute over a narrow strip of land between Egypt and Gaza.

Israeli leaders say that to complete their destruction of Hamas, they must eventually widen their offensive to Gazas southernmost town, Rafah, and take control of the Philadelphi Corridor, a tiny buffer zone on the border with Egypt that is demilitarized under the two countries 1979 peace accord.
Photo Courtesy: PIB

New Delhi: In a notable acknowledgment of his distinguished contributions to the tread and industry sector, Young Liu, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Foxconn, the Taiwanese multinational electronics contract manufacturer, has been honoured with the prestigious Padma Bhushan award.

Young Liu, a seasoned entrepreneur and innovator, possesses an impressive career spanning more than four decades.

On behalf of the ROC(Taiwan) Government, TECC wishes to congratulate Chairman and CEO Young Liu of Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) for receiving the Padma Bhushan 2024 bestowed by the Govt.of India in recognition of his contribution to India in the field of trade and industry. pic.twitter.com/96m3vig1WR  Taiwan in India (@TWIndia2) January 26, 2024

His entrepreneurial journey started in 1988 with the founding of Young Micro Systems, a motherboard company.

Later, in 1995, he entered the field of IC design, with a specific focus on PC chipsets.

The year 1997 witnessed the creation of ITE Tech, also known as ITeX, marking the third successful venture in his illustrious career.

I am deeply honoured to receive the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India. My heartfelt thanks to the Prime Minister, President and the wonderful people of India for this tremendous distinction. I firmly believe this is an affirmation of a collaboration that benefits Indias long-term development and supports the growth of local economies."I will continue to inspire my team. Lets do our part for manufacturing in India and for the betterment of society, he said on being conferred the prestigious award.

Based in Taiwan, Foxconn holds the title of the world's largest contract manufacturer and is responsible for assembling approximately 70% of iPhones.

The company has strategically shifted its production away from China, a move prompted by disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing geopolitical tensions.

In the past year, Foxconn has made substantial investments to expand its presence in India, particularly in the southern regions.

This strategic expansion aligns with the company's broader goal of reducing reliance on Chinese manufacturing and capitalizing on the growing opportunities presented by the Indian market.

Young Liu has actively supported India's potential in the electronics manufacturing sector. In a statement last year, he expressed optimism about the future, emphasizing that "India will be a very important country in terms of manufacturing in the future."

This underscores the significant role India is expected to play in the global manufacturing landscape.

The Padma Bhushan award, announced on the eve of Republic Day, holds prestige as one of the highest civilian honors in India.

This year, the President approved 132 Padma awards across various fields, encompassing art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.

The awards ceremony, scheduled to take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, signifies a significant moment to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of individuals across diverse sectors.
L to R: Arjit Walia, Sumitra Ray, Nita Nijhara and Namrata Jain

In a harmonious blend of artistic expression and literary enrichment, Muskaan, in collaboration with Co-Scholastic, recently organised a captivating event featuring guest artist and author Namrata Jain at the Bal Bharati Public School, Ganga Ram Road, New Delhi.

The session started with a welcome address by Dr Arjit Walia the founder of Co-Scholastic and Sumitra Ray, student programme advisor of Prabha Khaitan Foundation introduced Namrata Jain to the audience.

The workshop session, a one-of-a-kind, unique book reading event, featured Namrata introducing dohas written by famous poets such as Tulsidas, Kabir, and Rahim.

The session unfolded with vibrancy, capturing the children's interest as they immersed themselves in the poetic stories that highlighted the morals of the dohas.

Namrata introduces dohas by poets such as Tulsidas, Kabir, and Rahim.

Her book Namaste series serves as a testament to Namrata's commitment to instilling fundamental values in the next generation.

Through storytelling, she introduces Indian couplets with their morals, emphasising the works of renowned poets like Tulsidas, Kabir, and Rahim.

Designed for children aged 3-12, the trilogy uniquely presents dohas in both Hindi and English, ensuring accessibility to a broader audience.

Born and raised in New York, Namrata's journey unfolded at Columbia University, where she pursued a double major in Economics and Asian Studies.

Namrata Jain with the students.

However, her passion for the intricate world of Kathak dance took centre stage, setting her on a unique path that would later intertwine with her role as a prolific author.

"It was enthralling to see the energy and enthusiasm of students at the Bal Bharati Public school as we read and discussed books, dohas and poetry. Thanks to the Prabha Khaitan Foundation for enabling this fun-filled Monday morning session," said Namrata Jain.

"Students were enthralled by her charm and grace and asked numerous questions related to her passion for reading, writing and how her work, The Namaste Series transformed her life.

"It was a successful event with students cheering for the trilogy and the importance of literature and culture in contemporary times," said Mrs Nita Nijhara, Headmistress, Middle School  Bal Bharati Public School, Ganga Ram Road, New Delhi.

Question and Answer session in progress.

Muskaan, a joint initiative of Prabha Khaitan Foundation and Education For All Trust is a skill development initiative for children, focuses on providing valuable skills that extend beyond traditional academic learning. Not only does the program prioritise essential life skills, but it also seeks to popularize heritage literature and culture among the younger generation.

The interactive nature of the presentation added to the session's allure, culminating in a fun and engaging Q&A session.

Students of Bal Bharati Public School, New Delhi.

The children's enjoyment was palpable, making the event a memorable fusion of art, literature, and cultural exploration.

Namrata Jain's ability to seamlessly weave together dance, literature, and cultural heritage left an enduring impact on all participants, marking a successful collaboration between Muskaan and Co-Scholastic in their mission to enrich young minds.

(Photo courtesy: PR Team)
Chinese tourists pose for photos with the Merlion statue at Marina Bay in Singapore, May 3, 2023. Photo by Reuters

Singapore and China have agreed to a 30-day mutual visa-free entry for their citizens, which will formally come into force on Feb. 9 - the eve of the Lunar New Year.

As reported by the Channel News Asia, plans for the 30-day mutual visa exemption agreement were announced last December during the two countries highest-level annual bilateral forum, which was co-chaired by Singapores Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.

Singaporeans holding ordinary passports can currently enter China without a visa for 15 days for purposes like sightseeing, visiting family and business.

China resumed this arrangement in July last year, more than three years after it was suspended because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Chinese citizens currently require a visa to enter Singapore.

Between January and November 2023, Singapore welcomed a total of 12.4 million tourists, of which the number of Chinese visitors was just over 1.2 million.
On January 23-25 of this year, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev is paying a state visit to the People's Republic of China, which will undoubtedly be of high significance and will give a new impetus to the expansion and deepening of Uzbek-Chinese cooperation.

At present, despite geopolitical tensions and growing instability in the world, the relations between Uzbekistan and China are experiencing the best stage in their development, demonstrating an excellent model of bilateral interaction.

Promotion of Comprehensive Political Dialogue

For more than 30 years, Uzbekistan and China have been continuously strengthening political mutual trust and developing bilateral relations based on the principles of equality, friendship, good-neighborliness, mutual support, mutual benefit, respect and consideration of each other's interests.

With the election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev as President of Uzbekistan, Uzbek-Chinese interaction has entered a trajectory of more dynamic development. This is facilitated by both regular political dialogue at the highest level and the existing friendly and trusting relations between the leaders of the two countries.

Thanks to the political will and efforts of the heads of state,in September 2022, bilateral relations were raised to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership in a new era, which reflects the similarity of their views and geopolitical priorities, the mutual desire to take cooperation to a higher level and fill it with new content.

Since 2017, 3 telephone conversations and 8 meetings have taken place. Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Uzbekistan in 2022. In turn, the leader of Uzbekistan visited China 5 times (in 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023).

As a result of mutual state visits over the past two years, about 60 documents have been signed, agreements have been reached on the implementation of trade contracts and investment agreements worth more than 40 billion dollars.

Active dialogue supported at the intergovernmental, interparliamentary, and interdepartmental levels also plays a key role in deepening multifaceted interaction.

Since 2011, meetings of the Uzbek-Chinese Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee, which includes 7 specialized subcommittees, have been held. An agreement has been reached in 2022 on the creation of a subcommittee on poverty reduction.

Since 2017, the Inter-Parliamentary Group on Cooperation between the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the National People's Congress has been operating, which helps to intensify mutual visits of parliamentary delegations and conduct joint events to exchange experience in the field of rule-making. In addition, political consultations are held on a regular basis at the level of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries.

In November 2023, the first Strategic Dialogue between the foreign ministers of the two countries was launched in Beijing, which became a new mechanism for the implementation of agreements reached at the highest level.

At the same time, interregional exchanges have been noticeably intensified. Last year, delegations from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shaanxi, Shandong, Jiangsu and Jiangxi provinces visited Uzbekistan. As a result of the visits, more than 100 investment contracts and agreements worth a total of $3.5 billion were signed. A number of agreements on establishing partnership relations between cities and regions of Uzbekistan and cities and provinces of China have also been signed.

Over the years of cooperation, a solid legal framework of over 285 documents has been created, covering virtually all areas of interstate relations. To date, the Program for the Development of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a New Era for 2023-2027, as well as the Program for the Development of Trade, Economic and Investment Cooperation between China and Uzbekistan for 2022-2026 are being implemented.

In addition to the bilateral agenda, China and Uzbekistan have significantly enhanced coordination within regional and international organizations such as the UN, SCO, CICA, BRICS Plus and others. The two sides provide each other with mutual support, demonstrating proximity and similarity of positions on the most pressing global and regional issues.

Beijing has supported a number of resolutions initiated by Uzbekistan at the UN in recent years. Tashkent, in turn, highly appreciates and supports the initiatives promoted by China on global development, global security and global civilization, which are of key importance for the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring peace and security, and strengthening inter-civilizational dialogue.

To date, the Central Asia-China format at the level of heads of state has become a new platform for China's interaction with Central Asian countries. As a result of the first face-to-face summit of the heads of state of Central Asia and China, held in May 2023, the Xi'an Declaration was signed, which established the institutional basis for deepening cooperation in the new format.

The interaction of the parties within the framework of China's flagship project "Belt and Road" is of no small importance for the intensification of bilateral cooperation. The leader of our state has already participated three times in the work of the international "Belt and Road" forums held in 2017, 2019 and 2023.

As rightly characterized by our President, speaking at the jubilee third forum dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the initiative: "over the years, the ambitious idea to revitalize the Great Silk Road has gained many supporters and turned into a sought-after, inclusive and open platform of interaction".

At the same time, Uzbekistan's priority areas of cooperation within the framework of this initiative are:

1) implementation of transport and logistics projects that increase transit potential and can provide our state with the shortest possible access to world markets;

2) realization of investment projects in the sphere of high technologies, providing for the creation of integrated industrial technoparks, scientific and innovation clusters, free and special economic zones for the production of competitive and knowledge-intensive products;

3) adaptation to climate change and intensification of cooperation within the framework of the "Green Silk Road", providing for the development of renewable energy sources, water-saving technologies, "smart" agriculture, etc.;

4) development of cultural and humanitarian ties by using the huge tourism potential of our republic, as well as strengthening cooperation in education, science, culture and health care.

Expansion of mutually beneficial economic and investment cooperation

The central place in bilateral relations is given to trade, economic and investment cooperation, which in recent years has demonstrated positive dynamics and stable growth.

China has become a leading trade partner and a major investor in Uzbekistan's economy. According to the results of 2022, the volume of mutual trade amounted to about 9 billion dollars (increased by 20% compared to 2021) and increased almost two times compared to the indicator of 2017.

In January-November 2023, bilateral trade turnover increased by 34% and exceeded 12 billion dollars. In the total volume of Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover, the share of China amounted to about 20%. At the same time, there is every reason to bring the trade turnover to 20 billion dollars in the next five years.

The basis of Uzbek exports to China are mineral fuels, petroleum products, copper and copper products, cotton yarn and silk, and plastics. The basis of Uzbek imports from China are machinery and equipment, vehicles, plastics, rubber, and metals. At the same time, most of the imports account for the purchase of high-tech equipment, machine tools and machines necessary to modernize the industrial sector of our country's economy.

It is pleasant to note that with the signing of a package of protocols on phytosanitary requirements in 2018, the nomenclature and volumes of agricultural and food products exported by Uzbekistan to PRC have significantly increased.

Today, Uzbekistan has received permission to export 21 types of such products (mash, dried grapes, cherries, melon, peanuts, pomegranate, sesame, apricots, honey, dried prunes, lemon, beans, dried melon, chicken feet, etc.).

For example, exports of mash and dried grapes have increased significantly in recent years. Uzbekistan's share in the total volume of Chinese imports of mash has reached 37%, and in the import of dried grapes - 50%.

Since the launch of large-scale reforms and an open foreign economic policy, Chinese investors have demonstrated a steady interest in Uzbekistan, investing heavily in the oil and gas, chemical, telecommunications, hydropower, agriculture, light industry, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and construction materials sectors.

The total volume of Chinese investments in Uzbekistan for 2017-2022 has increased five times, reaching almost 11 billion dollars. Today, we have 2,125 enterprises with Chinese capital participation, which is 15% of the total number of enterprises established with the participation of foreign capital.

A number of large projects have already been implemented with Chinese partners, such as the Kungrad soda plant, the Dehkanabad potash fertilizer plant, the Huaxin Cement Jizzakh and Farg'ona Yasin Qurilish Mollari cement plants, the Navoiazot joint-stock company complex for the production of polyvinyl chloride, caustic soda and methanol. In 2023, the largest cement plant with a capacity of 3 million tonnes per year was opened in the Samarkand region in partnership with Energy China, and a truck production plant was established in the Andijan region in partnership with the Chinese automobile company FAW.

It is important to note that Chinese investors are actively participating in the creation of joint high-tech industrial parks in our country. A successful example in this direction is the park "Peng Sheng", which was established in 2009 in free economic zone "Jizzak".

In this park, together with the Chinese company "ZTE" was built a line for the production of smartphones, were opened factories for the production of fittings, ceramic tiles, sanitary ware and footwear products based on domestic raw materials. Their activity has brought 40-50% of the region's income in foreign currency and created jobs for about 2,000 local people.

In the near future, it is planned to create an Uzbek-Chinese agro-industrial park, an agro-innovation park, and an Uzbek-Chinese biotechnological cluster, which will also contribute to the deepening of bilateral cooperation in the production of high-tech products and the creation of new jobs.

At the same time, the countries are deepening cooperation in the production of new-generation cars based on electric and hybrid engines. In 2023, relevant agreements were signed with the Chinese companies EXEED and BYD Auto Industry.

In addition, agreements have also been signed on the joint development of technologies and the installation of chargers for electric vehicles. According to the plans, by 2033 70 centralized and 50 thousand decentralized electric filling stations will be built in all regions of our country.

In the context of the global trend towards a transition to "green" development, the implementation of joint projects on the widespread introduction of renewable energy sources (solar, wind and hydroelectric power plants) is an important area of Uzbek-Chinese cooperation.

China is the undisputed global leader in the introduction of renewable energy sources (RES). By the end of 2023, the total installed capacity of green energy in the country's energy balance reached 49.6%. Chinese manufacturers of solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries hold about 70% of the global market share.

Strengthening Uzbek-Chinese interaction in the field of RES implementation will undoubtedly contribute to improving energy security and environmental sustainability of our republic. It will also contribute to a more effective implementation of the "Program on Transition to a Green Economy and Ensuring Green Growth in the Republic of Uzbekistan until 2030", according to which it is planned to increase the RES capacity in the total energy balance of the country up to 30%.

Chinese companies are already implementing a number of projects for the construction of solar and wind power plants in the Kashkadarya, Bukhara and Andijan regions. Moreover, in May 2023, new agreements were reached on the construction of 11 solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 4.8 GW at a cost of 4.4 billion dollars. In addition, the Chinese side is actively involved in the preparation of feasibility studies for hydropower construction projects in the Namangan and Tashkent regions.

Another promising area of Uzbek-Chinese partnership is digital development. In the last decade, China has made a great leap in the field of digital innovations, taking the lead in the development of 5G, blockchain, big data, artificial intelligence and e-commerce technologies.

Thanks to the development of e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba, Taobao, AliExpress, China has become a global leader in e-commerce with a total transaction volume of 2 trillion dollars.

Given China's rich experience and success in this area, Uzbekistan is interested in technology transfer and attracting Chinese investments in the development of electronic commerce, digital platforms, creation of centers for processing and storage of big data, and others.

In recent years, the interaction between the two countries in the sphere of e-commerce development has entered a new stage of development. Thus, In September 2022, a permanent national pavilion of Uzbekistan was launched on the Alibaba platform, where more than 100 items of textile, agricultural and food products were placed. In the future, it is planned to open new industry sections and increase the number of product names to 300.

Strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties

Uzbekistan and China pay special attention to the expansion of cultural and humanitarian ties, which contribute to the full rapprochement, deepening mutual understanding and mutual enrichment of the cultures of the two peoples.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his author's article published on the eve of his state visit to Uzbekistan in September 2022, focused on the fact that the Great Silk Road testifies to friendly contacts between our peoples for more than 2000 years. The countries still keep a good memory of such pioneers and envoys of Sino-Uzbek friendship as Zhang Qian, Xuan Zang, Wu Zhu, Seyid Ajal Shamsuddin and others. Such centuries-old Chinese-Uzbek friendship, passed down from generation to generation, still serves as a solid foundation for further strengthening multifaceted cooperation.

The Uzbekistan-China Friendship Society, the China- Central Asia Friendship Society, as well as the Chinese National Cultural Center in Tashkent make a worthy contribution to strengthening mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Cooperation in the fields of education, science, tourism, healthcare, sports, and archaeology is actively developing every year, and exchanges between educational and academic institutions, youth organizations, and the media are strengthening. This is facilitated by regularly held joint conferences, symposiums, exhibitions, tourist fairs, cultural and film days, concerts and festivals.

The year 2023 was busy in terms of holding various joint cultural events. For example, in October, an exhibition of Uzbek historical heritage was organized at the Archaeological Cooperation Exhibition within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative at the Gugun Palace Museum in Beijing. In addition, Chinese Culture Days were held in Uzbekistan.

It is also necessary to emphasize the growing interest among the youth of the two countries in mutual language learning. For example, two Chinese universities have opened departments for the study of the Uzbek language, and a Center for Uzbek Language and Culture has been established. In Uzbekistan, Chinese is taught in six universities of the country.

At the same time, the basic university specializing in the training of Sinologists is the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, where a separate faculty of Chinese Studies has been opened in the following three areas: "Chinese Language and Literature", "Politics, History and International Relations of the People's Republic of China" and "Chinese Economy". The entire teaching staff of the faculty is trained and regularly improves their qualifications at prestigious universities in China.

The activities of the Confucius Institutes opened in Tashkent and Samarkand make a great contribution to the study of the Chinese language and the popularization of Chinese culture. It is important to note that China signed the first agreement on the opening of the Confucius Institute in Central Asia with Uzbekistan in 2004.

As we know, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the first Confucius institutes in the world. In this regard, the academic circles of Uzbekistan and China could consider the possibility of holding a joint scientific and practical conference in Tashkent dedicated to the legacy of Confucius.

Cooperation between the countries in the field of tourism is also developing steadily. Uzbeks and Chinese are interested in the common history of the two ancient Eastern civilizations, which were connected by Great Silk Road, rich historical and cultural heritage and unique ancient architectural monuments located on the territory of the states, which serves as the basis for the intensification of tourist exchanges.

Since 2010, Uzbekistan has been granted the status of a tourist country for group travel of Chinese citizens, and since 2021, a 10-day visa-free regime has been in effect for residents of the People's Republic of China.

In addition, a lot of work is being done to popularize the Uzbek tourism brand in the territory of the People's Republic of China. In particular, study tours to Uzbekistan have been organized for popular Chinese media and journalists, and videos about Uzbekistan are being broadcast on Chinese channels.

Thanks to the measures taken, the flow of Chinese tourists to Uzbekistan has significantly increased in recent years. At the end of last year, their number exceeded 40 thousand people.

Thanks to the measures taken, the flow of Chinese tourists to Uzbekistan has increased significantly in recent years. By the end of last year, their number exceeded 40 thousand people.

In addition, the number of flights between the countries is increasing. Currently, three airlines "Uzbekistan Airways", "China Southern Airlines" and "Loong Air" carry out 11 flights per week between the cities of Uzbekistan and China (Urumqi, Beijing, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Chengdu).

In general, the high dynamics of development of the entire spectrum of Uzbek-Chinese relations observed today gives a clear reason to assert that this trend will grow and gain new momentum. However, despite the successes achieved, bilateral cooperation has a great untapped potential that needs to be explored and used for the benefit of the peoples of the two States.

The countries need to continue searching for new "points of growth" in bilateral interaction by intensifying cooperation in the following areas:

First, strengthening political dialog. Against the background of ongoing geopolitical turbulence and growing instability in the world, strengthening strategic mutual trust and dialog between the countries, both at the bilateral level and within the framework of regional and global structures, will contribute to strengthening common positions and promoting the interests of the two countries in the international arena;

Second, expansion of trade, economic and investment interaction. In particular, by strengthening industrial cooperation, balanced growth of trade turnover, attracting Chinese investments in high-tech sectors of Uzbekistan's economy for the production of high value-added products, as well as creating joint production facilities for the cultivation and processing of agricultural products;

Third, strengthening cooperation in the development of transport and logistics interconnectivity. Under current conditions, it is important for the countries to strengthen cooperation in building a multivariate system of transportation and logistics routes that will facilitate access to new export markets.

In this context, the implementation of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan, Termez-Mazari-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railways and other alternative routes is of particular importance;

Fourth, the intensification of cooperation on the transition to "green" development. Further exchange of experience and attraction of Chinese investments in the field of alternative energy development, introduction of modern resource-saving, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies in Uzbekistan will play an important role in this direction;

Fifth, deepening cultural and humanitarian ties. In particular, by expanding interaction in the spheres of culture, science, education and tourism. For example, in order to increase mutual tourist exchanges, the countries need to work out issues related to the reduction of visa restrictions, and to expand cooperation in education, it is important to accelerate the launch of double degree programs between leading universities of China and Uzbekistan.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that the upcoming high-level contacts will undoubtedly contribute to bringing the bilateral interaction to a higher level, strengthen the bonds of traditional friendship and good-neighborliness, as well as identify new promising areas of multifaceted strategic partnership.




Photo Courtesy: PIB

Indian PM Narendra Modi, who is leading the nation in celebrating Republic Day during an annual grand event in New Delhi, on Friday (January 26, 2024) wished people on the social media platform.

"Best wishes on special occasion of the 75th Republic Day. Jai Hind!" Modi posted on X.

         -   !



Best wishes on special occasion of the 75th Republic Day. Jai Hind!  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2024

The grand Republic Day parade will begin at 10.30 am.

India will display its enthralling military prowess and cultural heritage at the iconic 'Kartavya Path' in the national capital.

The event will be attended by French President Emmanuel Macron as the Chief Guest.

Modi, Emmanuel Macron participate in Jaipur mega road show

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron Thursday (January 25, 2024) evening held a mega roadshow in Jaipur which was attended by hundreds of people who gathered on both sides of the road to greet the two leaders.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Jaipur on Thursday as part of his two-day state visit to India.

He is visiting the country as the chief guest in the Republic Day ceremony this year.

On his arrival, Marcon was greeted with a warm reception followed by the roadshow.

President mentions Ram Temple, Chandrayaan 3 in her Republic Day address

Stating that there have been many events including the G20 summit under India's Presidency and Chandrayaan-3 in the last year for the citizens to rejoice and take pride, President Droupadi Murmu in her address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day 2024 said that consecration of idol of Lord Ram is a landmark ceremony in Indias continued re-discovery of its civilisational heritage.

"Earlier this week, we witnessed the historic consecration ceremony of the idol of Prabhu Shri Ram in the glorious new temple constructed at His birthplace in Ayodhya. When this event is seen in the wider perspective, the future historians will consider it a landmark in Indias continued re-discovery of its civilisational heritage," President Murmu said.

She noted that the construction of the Ram temple commenced after the due judicial process and the decision of the country's highest court.

Also Read: Ram temple consecration is a landmark ceremony in Indias continued re-discovery: Droupadi Murmu

"Now it stands as a grand edifice, giving a befitting expression not only of peoples faith but also as a testament to peoples enormous trust in judicial process," Murmu said.

Listing out the achievements in space science, especially Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1, the President said that these feats had fired the imagination of the young generation.

"It will also inspire more youngsters, especially young women, to pursue careers in science and technology," she said.
Photo Courtesy: PIB

New Delhi/UNI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders greeted people on the occasion of the nation's 75th Republic Day on Friday.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi said, "Best wishes to all family members of the country on Republic Day. Jai Hind!"

French President Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest at the day's main programme and parade on Kartavya Path.

Extending his "warmest wishes" to PM Modi and the people of India, Macron said in a social media post: "Proud to be with you. Lets celebrate!"

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also extended "warm" greetings on the "joyous" occasion.

"Seventy-five years ago, the founding fathers of our Constitution envisioned a nation where justice, liberty, equality and fraternity would be the guiding principles of the worlds largest and the most inclusive democracy," he said on X.

Dhankhar said , "On this day, in the Amrit Kaal of our Republic, we reflect upon the struggles, sacrifices and accomplishments that have shaped Bharat as a beacon of hope for the rest of humanity."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah in his message said, "On this auspicious occasion of democracy, I salute all the freedom fighters, constitution makers and brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the unity and integrity of the country."

He urged one and all to take a pledge to protect India's democratic values and contribute in realising "Prime Minister Nerendra Modi's resolve of a developed India".

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for reaffirming the commitment towards making India a strong and developed country, on this historic occasion.

The Republic Day parade will commence at 10-30 am from New Delhi's Vijay Chowk.

This year's top attractions include the participation of a women's tri-service group and a French contingent. India's use of Artificial Intelligence and ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 are among other highlights in this parade.
Photo Courtesy: PIB Video Screen Grab

PM Narendra Modi led the world's most populous nation in celebrating Republic Day with the country showcasing its military might and cultural heritage during a spectacular 90-minute parade at the iconic Kartavya Path on Friday.

The celebrations centred around the theme of highlighting women's power and democratic values, were graced by the president Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This year, French President Emmanuel Macron attended India's annual grand event as the chief guest.

The main function began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in honour of the Braveheart soldiers.

Minutes later, President Murmu and her French counterpart Macron arrived at the Kartavya Path in the 'traditional buggy', a practice which made a comeback after a gap of 40 years.

President Murmu unfurled the National Flag at Kartavya Path, amidst the playing of the National anthem and a 21-gun salute.

Scripting history at #KartavyaPath!



An all women contingent of the Armed Forces Medical Services marches ahead for the first time at #RepublicDay parade, led by Major Srishti Khullar with Captain Amba Samant from Army Dental Corps, Surg Lt Kanchana from Indian Navy, Flight Lt pic.twitter.com/sQ8FOHqbv9  PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2024

For the first time in the history of the Republic Day parade, a contingent of women soldiers from the tri-services  Corps of Military Police of the Army, Navy and the Air Force  marched down the Kartavay Path.

Led by 26-year-old Captain Sandhya, the smartly turned-out contingent represented jointness, integrity and synergy among the services.

The parade was heralded by over 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments such as Sankh, Naadswaram, Nagada for the first time instead of the traditional military bands.

In a spectacular display of cultural opulence and Nari Shakti, the Vande Bharatam showcased the theme Cultural expression of women's power accomplishment through resolve.

A group of 1,500 dancers under the banner of Vande Bharatam-Nari Shakti graced the parade with a message of unity in diversity.

The performance showcased 30 distinctive folk dance styles, including Kuchipudi, Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Satriya, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, Manipuri, contemporary classical dance, and Bollywood styles.

#SWATHI, the Weapon Locating Radar System, showcased its prowess under the command of Lieutenant Deepti Rana from the Regiment of Artillery at the #KartvyaPath#75thRepublicDay #RepublicDay2024 pic.twitter.com/8TjPOYo7EY  PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2024

During the parade, the armed forces exhibited a diverse range of domestically produced weaponry and military equipment, including missiles, drone jammers, surveillance systems, vehicle-mounted mortars, and BMP-II infantry combat vehicles.

Kartavya Path also witnessed a march past by a combined band and marching contingent of the French Armed Forces.

French connection:

A French Foreign Legion music band consisting of 30 musicians and the French marching contingent from the 2nd Infantry Regiment of the French Foreign Legion marched at the Kartavya Path with Macron attending the event as the chief guest.
Photo Courtesy; Maldives President website

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu greeted India on Republic Day and said the two countries share a bond nurtured by centuries of friendship, mutual respect, and a deep sense of kinship.

He made the comments amid ongoing diplomatic tension between the two countries over remarks made against PM Narendra Modi's recent visit to Lakshadweep, an UT having the potential to compete with tourism major Maldives, by three ministers of the Island Nation.

Modi visited the Indian UT to promote tourism in the region.

"President Dr Muizzu conveyed good wishes from the Government and the people of the Maldives to the Government and the people of India," read the statement issued by the Maldives President's website.

"He underscored the Maldives-India bond nurtured by centuries of friendship, mutual respect, and a deep sense of kinship," the statement said.

"The President expressed hope for continued peace, progress, and prosperity for the Government and people of India for years to come," the statement further said.

Muizzu sets March 15 deadline for Indian military personnel to withdraw

Muizzu has set a March 15 deadline for India to withdraw its military personnel from the country, an episode that may further escalate tension between the two nations.

The fresh development also occurred just days after Mohamed Muizzu visited China and met President Xi Jinping.

Mohamed Muizzu is considered close to Beijing.

He came to power banking on his "India Out" campaign.

India-Maldives diplomatic row

A diplomatic row erupted between India and Maldives after certain Maldivian politicians, including ministers, made disparaging remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Also Read: Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu sets March 15 deadline for Indian military personnel to withdraw amid escalating row

The ministers opened a verbal attack, saying that it was an attempt to divert tourists from the island country.

After India raised the issue with the Maldives, three ministers were removed from their positions on January 7.

On the following day, the Maldivian representative to India was summoned to the External Affairs Ministry, where strong reservations were conveyed over derogatory social media posts targeting PM Modi.

The comments made by Maldives' ministers have stirred discontent among Indians, leading to the cancellation of their scheduled vacations to the island nation.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Nitish Kumar

New Delhi/IBNS: Nitish Kumar will be sworn in as Chief Minister of Bihar for a ninth time on Sunday with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party, after his speculated u-turn from the INDIA alliance, media reports said.

The BJP plans to get two Deputy Chief Minister berths, similar to the deal after the 2020 election.

Kumar has reportedly called a meeting of the legislative party at 10 am.

Large-scale transfers of district magistrates are happening in Bihar, amid reports of an impending change in government.

The Assembly won't be dissolved, and a poll won't be held, at this time. Bihar will vote next year anyway, so, understandably, neither party is in a rush. The immediate focus will be on the Lok Sabha election to be held in a few months.

Both the BJP and the Janata Dal (United) have summoned their respective MPs and MLAs to close the deal.

Kumar met Governor Rajendra Arlekar this evening, for a tea party hosted on Republic Day every year.

However, his deputy Minister Tejashwi Yadav, whose Rashtriya Janata Dal is part of the present government, was absent.

Kumar may even share the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his February 4 rally in Bettiah, said reports.

With this, the INDIA bloc will receive a major jolt as besides Kumar's u-turn politics, two key leaders Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal had announced to contest alone in the Lok Sabha polls ruling out any alliance with the Congress and saying they would go solo in Bengal and Punjab.

Significantly, the terms of Nitish Kumar's ghar wapsi are said to include a reduction in Lok Sabha seats offered to the JDU.

In 2019 the party contested 17 and won 16 seats, but will have to settle for 12-15 seats now, given its weakened position - coming off this switch - and the need to accommodate other NDA partners.
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court will start a special hearing on Saturday after it took suo motu cognisance of Calcutta High Court Judge Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay's accusation against a colleague.

Five senior judges of the Supreme Court, including Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, will hear the case at 10:30 am.

In an unprecedented instance, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay accused his colleague, Justice Soumen Sen who presided over a division bench that stayed a single-judge order for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into medical admission irregularities, of working for the ruling political party in Bengal.

Justice Sen stayed an order passed by Justice Gangopadhyay, who had ordered a probe by the CBI into allegations of fake caste certificates being issued in Bengal.

However, after his order was stayed by Justice Sen's division bench, Justice Gangopadhyay took up the matter again and ordered the CBI to take up the probe.

In his later order, Justice Gangopadhyay not only ignored the Division Bench's order but also asked for a relook by the Supreme Court into the orders passed by Justice Sen whom he accused of working for a political party.

"Justice Sen is clearly working for some political party in this state. Therefore, if the Honorable Supreme Court thinks so, then there is a need to re-look at the orders passed in cases related to the state. What Justice Sen has done today is to further his personal interest to save some political party in power in this state. Therefore, his actions clearly amount to misconduct," Justice Gangopadhyay said.

Justice Gangopadhyay also questioned why Justice Sen remained a Calcutta High Court judge despite a Supreme Court Collegium recommending his transfer in 2021.

In his order, Justice Gangopadhyay revealed a purported private chat between judges.

He alleged that Justice Sen called Justice Amrita Sinha to his chambers on the last day before the recent court vacation and told her that Abhishek Banerjee has a political future and that he shouldn't be disturbed.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/ DK Shivakumar

Bengaluru/IBNS/UNI: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to woo Congress leaders and legislators.

These comments came a day after former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar returned to the BJP after resigning from the Congress party.

He had joined the Congress ahead of the 2023 Karnataka assembly poll last year after being denied a ticket by the BJP.

Shivakumar, however, hinted that he is also not keeping quiet and several BJP leaders who want to join the Congress are in talks with him.

The Karnataka Congress President did not disclose the names of the BJP leaders who have been in touch with him. "Should I read the list...let's not do it now."

He also said that the Congress gave Shettar a ticket to contest the assembly election by sacrificing party loyalists, and yet his party made him an MLC.

"We were aware of BJP leaders contacting him from the last two or three months, and he kept saying he would not go. The day before yesterday I had spoken to him, but all of a sudden, he announced quitting the party," the DyCM said.

Shivakumar said Shetar's resignation from the Congress will not have any bearing, and on the contrary, the party leaders are happy over his desertion to the BJP.

Congress will give the seat vacated by Shettar to a loyal Congress worker, he added.

However, Shivakumar said that Laxman Savadi who had joined the Congress ahead of the last state assembly election will remain with his party.

Taking a dig at JDS and its leader HD Kumaraswamy for aligning with BJP, the Deputy Chief Minister accused them of bringing down the Congress-JDS government with the saffron party's help.

"Kumaraswamy has become the spokesperson of the BJP," he alleged.
Photo Courtesy: Raveen Tandon Instagram page video download

Actress Raveena Tandon is back in the world of web series with her latest release Karmma Calling which was released on Disney Hotstar on Friday (January 26, 2024).

Raveena, earlier, made a strong mark in the world of the digital space with her earlier web series Aranyak.

It marked her debut in the web series genre.

Informing her fans about the release of her latest web series, Raveena posted on Instagram: "#HotstarSpecials #KarmmaCalling - All episodes now streaming."

Directed by Ruchi Narain, the web series features Namrata Sheth, Varun Sood and Vikramjeet Virk in the lead roles.

The series is produced by Ashutosh Shah under the banner of R.A.T Films.

It is the remake of ABC series Revenge.
Photo Caption: Taylor Swift's AI-generated images go viral on social media. Photo Courtesy: Taylor Swift Instagram page

AI-generated pornographic images of internationally acclaimed singer Taylor Swift are currently going viral on social media, triggering fear over the potential negative outcome of the use of the technology.

The images predominantly circulate on the micro-blogging site X platform. It was previously known as Twitter before billionaire Elon Musk bought it.

One of the most prominent examples on X attracted more than 45 million views, 24,000 reposts, and hundreds of thousands of likes and bookmarks before the verified user who shared the images had their account suspended for violating platform policy, reported The Verge.

According to reports, the post was live on the platform for over 17 hours before it was removed.

This is a prime example of the ways in which AI is being unleashed for a lot of nefarious reasons without enough guardrails in place to protect the public square, Ben Decker, who runs Memetica, a digital investigations agency, told CNN.

Decker said the exploitation of generative AI tools to create potentially harmful content targeting all types of public figures is increasing quickly and spreading faster than ever across social media.

The social media companies dont really have effective plans in place to necessarily monitor the content, he said.

Informing users about policies regarding synthetic and manipulated media and nonconsensual nudity, X posted on its page named Safety: "Posting Non-Consensual Nudity (NCN) images is strictly prohibited on X and we have a zero-tolerance policy towards such content. Our teams are actively removing all identified images and taking appropriate actions against the accounts responsible for posting them. We're closely monitoring the situation to ensure that any further violations are immediately addressed, and the content is removed. We're committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all users."

The platform shared the statement at a time when Swift's fake images went viral.

Posting Non-Consensual Nudity (NCN) images is strictly prohibited on X and we have a zero-tolerance policy towards such content. Our teams are actively removing all identified images and taking appropriate actions against the accounts responsible for posting them. We're closely  Safety (@Safety) January 26, 2024

X, however, did not mention the developments around Swift's images in its post.
When representatives of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and several Venezuelan opposition parties, called the Unitary Platform, signed what is known as the Barbados Agreement in October, both sides pledged to work toward free and fair elections in the second half of 2024. The United States praised the agreement, and shortly after announced it would temporarily lift a swath of sanctions on Venezuelas oil and gas industry.

More progress was made in U.S. and Venezuela relations in December, when a prisoner swap occurred between the two countries in a deal that also included a pledge by the Maduro regime to release almost two dozen Venezuelan political prisoners.

Now, however, the United States is deeply concerned by the issuance of arrest orders and detentions against at least 33 Venezuelans, including members of the democratic opposition, civil society, former members of the military and journalists, said State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller in a written statement.

Venezuelas attorney general Tarek William Saab announced the individuals are charged with conspiring against the Maduro government, though he cited no evidence. In a chilling statement, he told reporters those in custody have confessed and revealed information about the plans.

In its latest human rights report published in March 2023, the U.S. State Department noted that while Venezuela is legally a multiparty, constitutional republic, the regime of Nicolas Maduro claims control over all public institutions. Among significant human rights abuses, the State Department included serious problems with the independence of the judiciary; the inability of citizens to change their government peacefully through free and fair elections, and unreasonable restrictions on political participation.

Concerning the latest arrest orders and detentions, Spokesperson Miller noted, Arrests without due process run contrary to the spirit of the October 2023 electoral roadmap agreement signed between the United Platform and representatives of Nicolas Maduro. We call for the end of politically motivated harassment, including attacks upon opposition campaign offices and all efforts to stifle the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people through fear and intimidation.

Spokesperson Miller declared, Actions that run counter to the spirit and letter of the Barbados Agreement will have consequences. We urge Maduro and his representatives to adhere to the electoral roadmap agreement, including by announcing a clear timeline for the 2024 presidential elections and to reinstate all political candidates.

The United States, said Spokesperson Miller, continues to support the Venezuelan people in their desire for a peaceful restoration of democracy.
Photo Courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

New Delhi/IBNS: Telugu film superstar Chiranjeevi has thanked his audience and friends after he was named in the list of Padma Awards, which was released by the central government on Thursday.

In a video message, Chiranjeevi said, "I am really overwhelmed, humbled, and grateful for this honour. It is only the unconditional and invaluable love of the people, audiences, my friends, my blood brothers and sisters. I owe this life and this moment to you. I have always tried to express my gratitude in the ways that I can. Though I know nothing can ever be enough.

"On-screen, in the last 45 years of my career, I have tried to entertain you with the best of my abilities. Off screen, I tried to help the needy by taking part in relevant social and humanitarian causes."

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for honouring him, the actor said, "I have done so little. Yet, you have given me such recognition and honour."

Chiranjeevi, who is one of the most popular actors in the history of Indian cinema, has worked in over 150 films.

Though he has primarily worked in Telugu films, the 68-year-old also features in projects made in other languages like Hindi, Tamil and Kannada.

Some of his notable works include Vijetha, Indra, Bholaa Shankar.

In 2008, Chiranjeevi entered into politics and founded his own party but later merged it with Congress.

Apart from Chiranjeevi, the Padma Vibhushan has been awarded to Vyjayantimala Bali, M Venkaiah Naidu, Bindeshwar Pathak (posthumous), and Padma Subrahmanyam.
Indian origin student facing trial in a court in Spain over his in-flight 'Taliban joke. Photo Courtesy: Screen grab from viral video posted on I MemeTherefore I Am X page

A British-Indian student is facing trial in Spain after he was accused of causing public disorder by sending a Snapchat message where he joked about blowing up a plane in which he was flying.

The student was identified as Aditya Verma.

According to reports, he commented on Snapchat when he was on his way to the island of Menorca with friends in July 2022.

The message, sent before Mr Verma departed Gatwick airport, read as quoted by BBC: "On my way to blow up the plane (I'm a member of the Taliban)."

During the hearing, he told the Madrid court that he never intended to cause public distress or public harm.

If found guilty, the university student faces a hefty bill for expenses after two Spanish Air Force jets were scrambled, BBC reported.

The UK security services reportedly flagged the information to Spanish authorities after the message was picked up by them.

A court in Madrid heard it was assumed the message triggered alarm bells after being picked up via Gatwick's Wi-Fi network, the British media reported.

The court was informed that two Spanish F-18 fighter jets were sent to flank the aircraft after the message was received.

One of the jets followed the flight till it landed in Menorca. The plane was searched extensively there.

Verma, who was 18 at the time of the incident, was arrested.

After being kept in the police cell for two days, he was later released on bail.

British intelligence agencies MI5 and MI6 questioned him after he arrived in the UK.

He later returned to his home in Kent.

Appearing in court on Monday (January 22, 2024), Verma - who is now studying economics at Bath University - said the message was 'a joke in a private group setting', reported BBC.

"It was just sent to my friends I was travelling with on the day," the Indian-origin student was quoted as saying by BBC.

"Since school, it's been a joke because of my features... It was just to make people laugh," he said.

Police experts told the court that they combed Verma's phone and, although they found that he had researched clashes between Pakistan and India and the possibilities of an Islamic State attack in that area, they did not find anything of interest that linked Verma to jihadist radicalism, reported BBC.

He is not facing jail terms or terrorism charges.

However, he could be fined up to 22,500 (19,300) if found guilty and the Spanish defence ministry is demanding 95,000 in expenses, reported BBC.
An Indian-origin British student acquitted by a Spanish court after he was facing trial in Spanish court for his in-flight Taliban comment. Photo Courtesy: Screen grab from viral video posted on I MemeTherefore I Am X page

A Spanish court has acquitted an Indian-British man who landed himself in trouble after he joked to friends about blowing up a flight from London Gatwick to Menorca.

If he had been found guilty, the university student faced a fine of up to 22,500 (19,300) and a further 95,000 in expenses to cover the cost of the jets being scrambled, reported BBC.

The student was identified as Aditya Verma.

According to reports, he commented on Snapchat when he was on his way to the island of Menorca with friends in July 2022.

The message, sent before Mr Verma departed Gatwick airport, read as quoted by BBC: "On my way to blow up the plane (I'm a member of the Taliban)."

During the hearing, he told the Madrid court that he never intended to cause public distress or public harm.

The UK security services reportedly flagged the information to Spanish authorities after the message was picked up by them.

A court in Madrid heard it was assumed the message triggered alarm bells after being picked up via Gatwick's Wi-Fi network, the British media reported.

The court was informed that two Spanish F-18 fighter jets were sent to flank the aircraft after the message was received.

One of the jets followed the flight till it landed in Menorca. The plane was searched extensively there.

Verma, who was 18 at the time of the incident, was arrested.

After being kept in the police cell for two days, he was later released on bail.

British intelligence agencies MI5 and MI6 questioned him after he arrived in the UK.

He later returned to his home in Kent.
Tehran: Pakistan's Ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, left Islamabad on Friday for Iran's capital to resume his diplomatic duties, according to Iran's official news agency, IRNA.

Announcing his return in a post on social media platform X, Mudassir Tipu said he was en route to Tehran in "conformity with the sincere and good wishes of Pakistan's leadership."

"A strong Pakistan and Iran were critical for the region and to promote historic people-to-people ties," and it was "time to turn a new leaf," he noted.



In a joint press statement on Monday, Iran and Pakistan said they had mutually agreed that both countries' ambassadors would return to their respective posts by Friday.

The statement added that the decision had been made following the telephone conversation between Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

It said that Amir-Abdollahian would also pay a visit to Pakistan on January 29 at the invitation of Abbas Jilani.

Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moqaddam, who had left for Iran on January 16, would also most probably return to Pakistan on Friday, according to the Iranian Students' News Agency.

On January 18, Pakistan carried out a missile strike on a border village in the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan.

Also Read: Pakistan hits 'terrorist centres' in Iran after Tehran's airstrikes in Balochistan

The Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the Pakistani charge d'affaires in Tehran later in the day to voice Iran's official protest against Pakistan's military move.

The Pakistani strikes came after an Iranian attack killed two children and injured another three in Pakistan's Balochistan province. Pakistan condemned "Iran's violation of its airspace" and recalled its ambassador from Iran.

(With UNI/Xinhua inputs)
Photo Courtesy: Jesse Jane Instagram page

Adult film actress Jesse Jane and her boyfriend Brett Hasenmueller were found dead at their home in Moore, Oklahoma, media reports said.

Adult film actress Jesse Jane and her boyfriend Brett Hasenmueller were found dead at their home in Moore, Oklahoma, media reports said.

She was 43.

According to reports, they were found deceased after officers conducted a welfare check at their home in Moore.

Officials told KFOR that the couple had not been heard from in several days and police suspect a drug overdose could be to blame.

Lt. Francisco Franco of the Moore Police Department in Moore, Okla told New York Times that the cause of the death was believed to be a drug overdose.

He said the death of the couple is currently under investigation.

However, the medical examination will confirm the cause of the death.

Who was Jesse Jane?

Born on July 16, 1980, Jesse Jane's orginal name was Cindy Howell.

She entered the pornographic film industry in the early 2000s.

She retired from the adult film industry in 2017.

Before securing a position in a commercial for restaurant chain Hooters, Jane, who was known for her blonde hair and vivacious nature, had previously modelled for retailers such as 5-7-9 and Davids Bridal.

She distinguished herself as one of the few adult film stars who was successful in her transition into mainstream Hollywood.

In 2004, the actress made a cameo appearance in the film Starsky & Hutch and appeared on the cover of Drowning Pool's album Desensitized.

The gorgeous actress even appeared as a guest star on the HBO dramedy series Entourage.
Actor Chiranjeevi has been bestowed the second highest civilian honour awarded for his exceptional and distinguished service in Arts.
Starring Sofia Vergara in the role of Griselda Blanco aka the Godmother of Cocaine, who was only person fared by Pablo Escobar, Griselda has been released on Netflix recently. Here's what fans have to say about the web series that has an 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8on 10 rating on IMDb.

Here's fans' review of Griselda streaming on Netflix

Twitter

"Griselda is Breaking Bad meets Narcos. Its plot is not as interesting as either, but its look and sound are exceptional Sophia Vergara is electric"



"Just watched the first episode of the Sofia Vergara Netflix Show (Griselda) and it is very good, very much what Narcos *should* have been".

Twitter

Another fan didn't agree with this and said, "2 episodes in and #Griselda on @netflix is IIIGHTT !!! Its no Narcos, it's no 'El Patron Del Mal' (Pablo Escobar's story) .It's just a show. Who and Why did they cast Sofia Vergara to play Griselda?!! They must have a Harvey Weinstein up there at Netflix checking off his hitlist. I keep expecting Al Bundy to show up in a scene. Hoping the show gets better as it progresses."



While another said, "Truthfully did not expect Sofia Vergara to be as good as she is in Griselda. But wow, shes a hell of an actress. And the Arturo character is hilarious. Great show. #Griselda #Narcos #Miami".

Twitter

"#Griselda had me hooked the whole way through chile! If Sofia Vergara doesnt get an Emmy, Golden Globe, or even an Oscar nod for this series then I dont know what will Stellar performance! if you havent seen #Griselda on @netflix yet, do yourself a favor and watch it," said another user on X.



"Watching '#Griselda' on Netflix & I can't help but laugh at the fact that the male druglords & detectives couldn't fathom the idea that a woman could be a calculated & diabolical narco. Sexism really helped her get away with so much and you know what? I love that for her," a fan said.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
The Republic Day 2024 is here, and for many people, it also means a long weekend. Therefore, if you don't want to step outside in this cold weather, you can relax and watch a few films that were just nominated for Oscars 2024. You can choose from a variety of titles, such as Leonardo DiCaprio's Killers of the Flower Moon and Margot Robbie's Barbie.

Heres Where You Can Watch The Oscar-Nominated Movies

1. Barbie

As per IMDB, "Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans."

Barbie

Where To Watch: Jio Cinema

2. Oppenheimer

Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. assigns physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer to the top-secret Manhattan Project during World War II. The atomic bomb was developed and designed over several years by Oppenheimer and a group of scientists. On July 16, 1945, the world witnessed the first nuclear explosion, which permanently altered the path of history, and their labors were rewarded.



Oppenheimer

Where To Watch: Prime Video (Rent)

3. Poor Things

Resurrected by an unconventional scientist, a young lady sets off on a fast-paced transcontinental journey with a lawyer. Liberated from the biases of her day, she becomes ever more committed to her cause of emancipation and equality.



Poor things

Where To Watch: The film is not available on OTT Yet but is running in theaters internationally.

4. Anatomy Of The Fall

The 2023 French judicial drama thriller film Anatomy of a Fall is directed by Justine Triet, based on a script that she co-wrote with Arthur Harari. Sandra Huller plays a writer who is attempting to clear her name of any involvement in her husband's passing.



Anatomy of the fall

Where To Watch: Apple TV

5. Killers Of The Flower Moon

As per IMDB, "Real love crosses paths with unspeakable betrayal as Mollie Burkhart, a member of the Osage Nation, tries to save her community from a spree of murders fueled by oil and greed."

Killers Of The Flower Moon

Where To Watch: Apple TV



6. Past Lives

After Nora's family leaves South Korea, their close childhood friends Nora and Hae Sung are torn apart. After many years apart, they finally get back together for a crucial week where they must face love, fate, and the decisions that define a life.



Past Lives

Where To Watch: Prime Video

7. Maestro

As per the streaming platform, " This fearless love story chronicles the complicated lifelong relationship between music legend Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein."

Maestro

Where To Watch: Netflix

Which of these Oscar-nominated movies are you planning to watch this weekend? Let us know which one is your favourite in the comments section below.


If you are planning to head out to theatres to watch Siddharth Anand's Fighter, starring Deepika Padukone and Hrithik Roshan, read fans' reviews of the movie below. The audience verdict is out!

Fighter Review

twitter

Star Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor

Director: Siddharth Anand (known for Pathaan, War and Bang Bang among others)

Producers: Siddharth Anand, Mamta Anand, Jyoti Deshpande, Ajit Andhare, Anku Pande, Ramon Chibb and Kevin Vaz

Story By: Ramon Chibb and Siddharth Anand

Plot: Inspired by the Pulwama attack and Balakot airstrike, the story revolves around the Air Headquarters's forming a new and highly skilled unit known as the Air Dragons to combat the increasing militant activities in the Srinagar Valley. It delves into the lives of these Air Dragons, dedicated individuals ready to sacrifice everything for their nation, navigating the peaks and valleys of both internal and external struggles.

Here's Fighter review by fans

Twitter

Twitter

Siddharth Anand on comparisons with Tom Cruise's Top Gun

Ever since the trailer of the movie was released, fans have been comparing the movie with Tom Cruise's Top Gun. Talking about the comparisons, the director of the movie said, "It is inevitable. As a filmmaker, you have to be prepared that if you make a film on planes they will call it Top Gun because they have no reference point so they believe that we are not so creative, that we will do things that will be a rip-off. We need to start looking at our films with a little bit more respect and not constantly believe that things are being ripped off. People do get inspired, even in the West, by content that is created in the East."

He added, "I have many instances where lately also where I did some sequences and those sequences were similar to a film that came out later, a very very big franchise film in the West." He added that he was "not saying they copied us and there is no way they would copy us so lets be real. There are only that many things that you can do in action. and there will be overlaps. You just have to do it with an X-factor that makes it different."



For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
75th Happy Republic Day Wishes And Quotes: India is celebrating its 75th Republic Day (also known as Ganatantra Diwas) on 26 January this year. 26 January or Ganatantra Diwas is one of three Indian national holidays and it commemorates the enactment of the constitution of India, which took place on 26 January, 1950.

On the event of Republic Day every year with full fervour and cheer people of all religions, cultures, and communities come together to celebrate the rich history and culture of our country. Republic Day was celebrated for the first time on 26 January 1950. On this day the first President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad hoisted the flag with a 21-gun salute and declared India a republic. Since then Republic Day is celebrated in India on 26 January every year.

India is all set to celebrate its 75th Republic Day on 26th January this year, security will be extra tight in the country's capital Delhi where about 60 to 65 thousand people are expected to watch the parade in Delhi's Kartavya Path on 26 January.

Happy Republic Day 2024 Wishes: 55+ Best Republic Day Messages And Quotes For Friends And Family

Happy Republic Day Wishes 2024

Here are some Republic Day wishes, statuses, Ganatantra Diwas shayari, patriotic messages and images that you can share with your loved ones on this special day.

1. India is a country of diversity bonded by love and affection. On the auspicious occasion of Republic Day, let us come together to celebrate this day with respect and love for each other.

2. Thousands laid down their lives for us to celebrate this day, On this 75th year of this significant day, lets take a pledge that we will never forget their sacrifices. Happy Republic Day 2024!

3. 31 states,

1618 languages,

6400 castes,

6 religions,

6 ethnic groups,

29 major festivals & 1 country!

Be proud to be an Indian!

Happy Republic Day 2024!

4. On this day, think of our past and,

Try to build a better future for all of us.

It is a duty of all of us!!

I am proud to be an Indian.

Happy Republic Day!

5. Watan hamara aisa koi na chhod paaye,

Rishta hamara aisa koi na tod paaye,

Dil ek hai ek jaan hai hamari,

Hindustan hamara hai hum iski shaan hain.

Happy Republic Day 2024.

6. On this special day, let's remember the sacrifices of our heroes and the privilege of living in a free and democratic country. Happy Republic Day to you and yours!

7. May the tricolour always fly high, symbolizing the strength and unity of our diverse nation. Wishing you and your family a Happy Republic Day!

8. Happy Republic Day! Let's cherish the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity that our constitution upholds. May our nation continue to prosper.

Happy Republic Day 2024 Wishes: 55+ Best Republic Day Messages And Quotes For Friends And Family

26 January Wishes 2024

Let's salute the sacrifices made by freedom fighters and soldiers who made us realise the dream of an independent and unified India. Happy Republic Day!

On the 75th Republic Day, let's pledge to nurture our India with love, compassion and dedication. May our country always prosper and flourish. Happy Republic Day!

I wish all the people of India a very Happy Republic Day. May the unity and strength of our country stay now and forever.

Freedom is our birth right, but was snatched away from us, Our nation earned this freedom after making great sacrifices, Let's never take it for granted! Happy Republic Day!

May this Republic Day bring lots of happiness and prosperity in our lives. Happy Republic Day 2024!

With my heart swelling with pride, I wish you a very happy 70th Republic Day. Jai Hind!

Happy 75th Republic Day to you and your family members. Jai Hind!

Happy Republic Day 2024 Wishes: 55+ Best Republic Day Messages And Quotes For Friends And Family

Ganatantra Diwas Wishes 2024

We Indians are known for our generosity and kind heartedness. Let us evoke our patriotic spirit and pay our deepest respect to the mother India. Wishing you all a Happy Republic Day.

On this special day, Lets promise our motherland that We will do everything to enrich and preserve our heritage our ethos and our treasure. Happy Republic Day 2024.

May we always have freedom to choose, freedom to live and freedom to dream...Happy 75th Republic Day!

On this Republic Day, let us enjoy the freedom of our country and be thankful about it. Happy Republic Day 2024!

t is the time to show our love toward our nation. Happy Republic Day 2024 to all my friends and people in association.

Happy Republic Day 2024. We should feel blessed to be a part of country that is full of strength and resilience.

May the tricolour always fly high and keep displaying the unity and diversity of our nation. Happy Republic Day 2024!

Freedom In The Mind, Strength In The Words, Pureness In Our Blood, Pride In Our Souls, Zeal In Our Hearts, Lets Salute Our India On Republic Day. Happy Republic Day!

Happy Republic Day 2024 Wishes: 55+ Best Republic Day Messages And Quotes For Friends And Family

Happy Republic Day 2023 WhatsApp Status

Freedom in the mind, Strength in the words, Pureness in our blood, Pride in our souls, Zeal in our hearts, Lets salute our India on Republic Day. Happy Republic Day 2024.

A thousand salutes to this great nation of ours. May it become even more prosperous and great. Happy Republic Day 2024!

"Happy 75th Republic Day! May the spirit of unity and freedom continue to guide our nation towards greater heights.  #RepublicDay2024 #IndiaAt75"

"On this historic 75th Republic Day, let's celebrate the milestones of our journey and look forward to a future filled with progress and prosperity.  #RepublicDay #IndiaAt75"

"Wishing everyone a joyous 75th Republic Day! Let's honor the sacrifices of our heroes and work towards a harmonious and inclusive India.  #IndiaAt75"

"Happy 75th Republic Day to all fellow citizens! May the principles of justice, liberty, and equality continue to shape the destiny of our great nation.  #RepublicDay2024"

"As we mark the 75th Republic Day, let's reflect on our collective achievements and renew our commitment to building a stronger and united India.  #IndiaAt75"

Happy Republic Day 2024 Wishes: 55+ Best Republic Day Messages And Quotes For Friends And Family

75th Republic Day Quotes for WhatsApp

"On this momentous 75th Republic Day, let's take pride in our diverse heritage and contribute to the growth of our incredible nation.  #RepublicDay #IndiaAt75"

"Wishing a Happy 75th Republic Day to the resilient and vibrant citizens of India! May the journey ahead be filled with peace, progress, and prosperity.  #IndiaAt75"

"Happy 75th Republic Day! Let the tricolor fly high, symbolizing the strength and unity of our nation. Here's to the spirit of democracy and freedom.  #RepublicDay2024"

"As we celebrate the diamond jubilee of our Republic, let's embrace the values that define us as proud Indians. Happy 75th Republic Day!  #IndiaAt75"

"On the 75th Republic Day, let's salute the past, cherish the present, and envision a future where every citizen contributes to the progress of our nation.  #RepublicDay"

"Happy 75th Republic Day to one and all! May the ideals of our constitution continue to inspire and guide us towards a brighter and inclusive India.  #IndiaAt75"

"Wishing fellow citizens a joyous 75th Republic Day! Let's celebrate the resilience and diversity that make our nation unique and strong.  #RepublicDay2024"

"Happy 75th Republic Day! May the principles of democracy, justice, and equality lead us to a future of prosperity and unity.  #RepublicDay #IndiaAt75"

"On this historic occasion of the 75th Republic Day, let's unite in the spirit of patriotism and work towards a progressive and harmonious India.  #IndiaAt75"

"Wishing a Happy 75th Republic Day to the proud citizens of India! May the journey ahead be marked by growth, success, and a deep sense of national pride.  #RepublicDay2024"

"Happy 75th Republic Day! Let's celebrate the rich tapestry of our nation and strive to build a future where every citizen thrives.  #IndiaAt75"

"On this milestone 75th Republic Day, let's honor the legacy of our freedom fighters and pledge to uphold the values that make India great.  #RepublicDay"

"Wishing a joyous 75th Republic Day to all fellow Indians! May the spirit of unity and diversity continue to shine bright in our nation.  #IndiaAt75"

"Happy 75th Republic Day! Let's come together to celebrate the achievements of our nation and commit to building a future of progress and prosperity.  #RepublicDay2024"

"On this historic 75th Republic Day, let's cherish the freedom we enjoy and commit to contributing to the growth and unity of our great nation.  #IndiaAt75"

Republic Day 2024 LIVE Updates: Republic Day Greeting Card Images

Happy Republic Day Messages and Greetings 2024

May the tricolor always fly high, symbolizing the spirit of a united India. Happy Republic Day!

Wishing you a day filled with patriotic fervor and moments of pride. Happy Republic Day!

May the principles of justice and equality resonate in our hearts this Republic Day.

Happy Republic Day! Let's honor the sacrifices of our heroes and build a stronger nation.

On this special day, let's pledge to uphold the values that make our country great. Happy Republic Day!

May the spirit of patriotism inspire you to contribute to the progress of our nation. Happy Republic Day!

Wishing you a day filled with grand celebrations and a year filled with prosperity. Happy Republic Day!

May the legacy of our freedom fighters inspire us to work towards a better tomorrow. Happy Republic Day!

Happy Republic Day! Let's cherish the freedom we have and strive for a brighter future.

May the tricolor always remind us of the sacrifices made for our freedom. Happy Republic Day!

Wishing you a day filled with pride, joy, and gratitude for the gift of freedom. Happy Republic Day!

May the ideals of our Constitution continue to guide us towards progress and unity. Happy Republic Day!

Let's celebrate the diversity that makes our nation strong and resilient. Happy Republic Day!

Happy Republic Day! May the spirit of freedom and democracy shine brightly in your life.

On this special day, let's salute the brave souls who made our nation proud. Happy Republic Day!

Happy Republic Day Shayari 2024

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  2024  !

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  2024   !

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On his trip to Nigeria, Secretary of State Antony Blinken marked the opening of American Corner Lekki, the newest addition to the United States global American Spaces, a network of more than 600 cultural and information centers in over 140 countries.

Last year, Nigerias American Spaces and Affiliates reached nearly 100,000 participants in 21 cities through programs focused on civic engagement, media literacy, womens participation in politics, STEM education, creative industries, entrepreneurship, and youth development.

It is evident that the future lies with Africa, said Secretary Blinken.

Its no secret to anyone that in the coming years one in four inhabitants of the planet will be from this continent, and so we would ignore Africa at our peril. But we also see the incredible power of these partnerships in actually solving problems together, he said.

It is also clear that Nigeria plays a leading role on the continent, declared Secretary Blinken:

The largest country; the largest economy; the largest democracy. It is a natural partner for the United States. And as were looking at what were doing together  trying to address the climate crisis thats affecting all of us in different ways, developing artificial intelligence for good, accelerating inclusive economic growth  all of that is strengthened powerfully by one thing, and that is the tens of thousands of Americans who are here in Nigeria working, studying, coming together with Nigerians around joint ventures, and the more than 500,000 Nigerian Americans who are such a powerful part of our own community.

Not surprisingly, there is a growing and significant American interest in investing in Nigeria, said Secretary Blinken.

And we see many American companies ... who are already working to help meet President Tinubus goal of one million digital jobs. The worlds largest subsea cable is on its way. It will reach Lagos next month. And as Ive looked at the numbers, more than a quarter of American venture capital coming to Africa is coming to Nigeria.

American Corner in Lekki, said Secretary Blinken, will reinforce that incredibly vibrant relationship between our countries and between our peoples.
Long weekends are a gift, little escapes from the daily grind where we can finally catch our breath and indulge in the things we love, like reading a good book. But with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose just one.

9 popular fiction books that are guaranteed to captivate you from cover to cover.

1. "Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir

For fans of science fiction thrillers, Andy Weir's latest masterpiece, "Project Hail Mary," is a must-read. Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. His only clues are a damaged spacecraft, a logbook filled with cryptic messages, and a mission of monumental importance: saving humanity from extinction.



Amazon

2. "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig

If you're in the mood for a heartwarming and thought-provoking read, Matt Haig's "The Midnight Library" is the perfect choice. Nora Seed finds herself standing at the Midnight Library, a place between life and death where she can explore all the different lives she could have lived if she had made different choices. Through these alternate realities, Nora confronts her regrets and discovers the beauty and possibilities of the life she already has.



Amazon

3. "Circe" by Madeline Miller

Madeline Miller's enchanting retelling of the Greek myth of Circe, the exiled sorceress daughter of the sun god Helios, is a captivating blend of fantasy and historical fiction. In a world dominated by powerful gods and vengeful mortals, Circe must rely on her wit, her intelligence, and her burgeoning magical abilities to survive and carve her own path.



Amazon

4. "The House in the Cerulean Sea" by T.J. Klune

For a delightful dose of cosy fantasy, look no further than T.J. Klune's "The House in the Cerulean Sea." Linus Baker, a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, is tasked with investigating the mysterious orphanage known as the House in the Cerulean Sea. There, he encounters six peculiar children with extraordinary abilities and their enigmatic caretaker, Miss Peregrine. As Linus spends more time at the orphanage, he begins to question everything he thought he knew about the world and himself.



Amazon

5. "The Thursday Murder Club" by Richard Osman

Richard Osman's debut novel, "The Thursday Murder Club," is a charming blend of cosy mystery and heartwarming comedy. Four unlikely friends  Joyce, Ibrahim, Ron, and Edith  who gather weekly at their retirement village to discuss unsolved crimes, stumble upon a real-life murder mystery.



Amazon

6. "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett

Brit Bennett's "The Vanishing Half" is a powerful and timely novel that explores themes of race, identity, and belonging. Stella and Desiree Vignes, identical twin sisters born into a Black community in Louisiana, make the life-changing decision to pass as white and flee to the North. The novel follows their separate journeys over the next three decades, as they grapple with the consequences of their choices and the complexities of racial identity in America.



Amazon

7. "The Guest List" by Lucy Foley

This suspenseful thriller takes place on a remote island off the coast of Ireland, where a wedding celebration turns deadly. As the guests begin to die one by one, it's up to Detective Sergeant Aoife Healy to uncover the killer before it's too late. It's a fast-paced read with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end.

Amazon

8. "The Dutch House" by Ann Patchett

This sweeping family saga follows the lives of two siblings, Maeve and Danny, who grow up in a lavish mansion after their father inherits a Dutch paint company. It's a story about love, loss, and the challenges of navigating life's unexpected turns.

Amazon

9. "The Lincoln Highway" by Amor Towles

This epic historical novel follows four young men in 1954 Nebraska who are falsely accused of a crime and go on the run. Their journey takes them across the country, from the Midwest to New York City, and they encounter a cast of unforgettable characters along the way. It's a sweeping story about friendship, loyalty, and the American Dream.

Amazon

Happy reading!

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The High Commission of Canada in India extended its congratulations to India on its 75th Republic Day, expressing warm wishes in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter). The bilingual post in Hindi and English conveyed, "Wishing India a very happy Republic Day."

ANI

Strained relations between India and Canada

This message comes amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, particularly regarding reports suggesting Canada's examination of alleged Indian interference in its last two general elections in 2019 and 2021.

The strained relations have also been influenced by the controversy surrounding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.



Canadian PM Justin Trudeau| Image by TIL

The diplomatic discord escalated when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations on September 18, insinuating a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar's killing on June 18 in British Columbia, Canada.



India vehemently rejected Trudeau's claims as "absurd" and "motivated," emphasising that Nijjar had been designated a terrorist by India in 2020.



The tensions between the two nations led to diplomatic expulsions and the issuance of travel advisories. On September 21, India halted visa services for Canadian citizens, but e-visa services for Canadians were reinstated in November after nearly two months of suspension.



Threats from Khalistani terrorist Pannun

On January 16, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun issued fresh threats ahead of India's 75th Republic Day celebrations, as reported by ANI.



Photos of pro-Khalistani graffiti threatening to "avenge" the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Khalistani terrorist killed in Canada in June 2023, emerged on social media, painted across New Delhi.



Pannun, the founder of Sikh For Justice (SFJ), a group advocating for the establishment of Khalistan, has actively used social media to incite gangsters and young individuals to support the cause.



Gurpatwant Singh Pannun| Image by TIL

Established as a 'designated individual terrorist' by the Indian government in 2020, Pannun has a history of issuing threats against India, including a video in December last year threatening an attack on Parliament.



Pannun's provocations extend beyond verbal threats; in November 2023, he urged the Sikh community not to fly on Air India after November 19, resulting in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) registering a case against him.



The SFJ was banned as an "unlawful association" in 2019 due to its involvement in "anti-national and subversive" activities. Pannun has been under the NIA's scrutiny since 2019, with non-bailable warrants issued against him in February 2021, leading to his declaration as a 'Proclaimed Offender (PO)' on November 29, 2022.



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Young Liu, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Taiwanese technology giant Foxconn has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India.

Liu has been awarded the Padma Bhushan to recognize his contributions as a global business leader.

BCCL

In fact, Liu is the first foreigner to be bestowed the Padma Bhushan.

Who is Young Liu

The 68-year-old was appointed the chairman of Foxconn after the retirement of founder Terry Gou in 2019. Liu was the special assistant to former chairman Terry Gou and the head of business group S (semiconductor) before he became the CEO of the Taiwanese electronics contract manufacturer, established in 1974.

According to Foxconn's website, Liu oversees the company's global operations, encompassing over one million employees across 24 countries.

PMO

Liu is a recognised entrepreneur and innovator with over four decades of industry experience.

Young Liu's education and career

He has founded three companies-- a motherboard company in 1988 known as Young Micro Systems; a northbridge and southbridge IC design company in 1995 focused on the PC chipset and an ITE Tech and an ADSL IC design company, ITeX in 1997.

Liu earned an M.S. degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Southern California in 1986 and a B.S. degree in Electrophysics from Taiwan's National Chiao Tung University in 1978.

REUTERS

Young Liu thanks India

Liu said he was honoured and thanked PM Modi for recognising him with Padma Bhushan.

I am deeply honored to receive the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India. My heartfelt thanks to the Prime Minister, President and the wonderful people of India for this tremendous distinction. I firmly believe this is an affirmation of a collaboration that benefits Indias long-term development and supports the growth of local economies. I will continue to inspire my team. Lets do our part for manufacturing in India and for the betterment of society, he said.

Reuters

Foxconn in India

Foxconn entered India in 2005 with its first manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur. Foxconn has since expanded its presence in India rapidly and the company already operates an iPhone factory in Tamil Nadu employing around 40,000 individuals.

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In a significant move to strengthen academic ties between the two nations, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday that France aims to welcome 30,000 Indian students to its universities by 2030, highlighting his determination to achieve this goal.

AFP

Using his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Macron spotlighted an initiative to strengthen France's relationship with India, acknowledging India's importance as a crucial partner in the Indo-Pacific region. This initiative was announced after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France in July 2023.



30,000 Indian students in France in 2030: Macron

30,000 Indian students in France in 2030.



Its a very ambitious target, but I am determined to make it happen.



Heres how: pic.twitter.com/QDpOl4ujWb  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2024

"30,000 Indian students in France in 2030. It's a very ambitious target, but I am determined to make it happen," Macron posted on Friday.

"We will achieve this with you, our young people, in exchange and cooperation, in trust, in friendship," he added, affirming France's commitment to facilitating the visa process for former Indian students.

Macron also announced the launch of new pathways for learning the French language in public schools with the "French for All, French for a Better Future" initiative.



He underlined the development of the network of Alliances francaises, introducing new centres for learning French and creating international classes to allow students, regardless of their proficiency in French, to join French universities.



Macron emphasised that France has 35 universities in the QS ranking and approximately 15 in the Times Higher Education ranking, underscoring the pursuit of excellence.



Macron's promise to PM Modi in 2023

During PM Narendra Modi's visit to Paris last year as the chief guest for the country's National Day on July 14, the French President expressed his commitment to hosting 20,000 Indian students by 2025 and increasing the number to 30,000 by 2030.



Macron, the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day parade in New Delhi, arrived in Jaipur on January 25. During their meeting, PM Modi gifted him a replica of Ayodhya's Ram Temple, and the two leaders engaged in discussions to further consolidate strategic cooperation in security, trade, defence, and clean energy.



Reuters

Last year, the French Ambassador Thierry Mathou acknowledged the visa challenges faced by Indian students planning to pursue higher education in France.



However, he expressed optimism about the situation improving, noting France's eagerness to welcome 30,000 Indian students in its higher institutions by 2030a commitment conveyed by President Emmanuel Macron.



During an interaction with IANS, Ambassador Mathou discussed recent measures, including the five-year short-stay Schengen visa.



He emphasised France's belief that even a semester spent by an Indian student in the country establishes a meaningful connection that should be nurtured.



Notably, Indian students with a Master's degree or higher who have spent at least a semester studying in France are now eligible for this special visa, allowing them to maintain lasting connections with France and their French counterparts.

Notable year for India-France relations

Macron's visit to India marks the culmination of a significant year for India-France relations, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership.



This partnership, the first of its kind that India established with any Western nation, has witnessed substantial advancements across bilateral, regional, and global domains.



As a senior official noted, the collaboration draws strength, trust, and consistency from a shared commitment to strategic autonomy and sovereignty, a vision for a multipolar world, and a mutual embrace of democratic values and the rule of law.



AFP

The key pillars of this partnership encompass defence and security, civil nuclear matters, and space, with a recent addition of a robust Indo-Pacific dimension.



The comprehensive roadmap, initiated during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit in July as the Guest of Honour for Bastille Day, is structured around three pillarsPartnership for Security and Sovereignty, Partnership for the Planet, and Partnership for People.



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Captain Anshuman Singh (late) of the Indian has been honoured with the Kirti Chakra gallantry award for his heroic effort that saved the life of 4-5 army personnel during a fire incident.

Captain Singh was awarded Kirti Chakra, posthumously after he made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in July 2023.

ADGPI

Captain Anshuman Singh

Captain Anshuman Singh, a doctor with the Army Medical Corps, 26TH Battalion Punjab Regiment, was posted as a medical officer in the Siachen Glacier area. On July 19, 2023, there was a fire incident in which he saw a fibreglass hut engulfed in fire, after which he helped save 4-5 individuals.

He went inside the medical investigation room, which was also on fire, to retrieve the critical medical aid box but could not make it out due to heavy fire amid strong winds.

Fighting with heavy fire amid strong winds, Captain Singh made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

#LtGenUpendraDwivedi, #ArmyCdrNC & All Ranks #DhruvaCommand offer deepest condolences & salute the braveheart, Captain Anshuman Singh, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, in #Siachen Sector. #IndianArmy stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief. pic.twitter.com/PshjN5z1Gm  NORTHERN COMMAND - INDIAN ARMY (@NorthernComd_IA) July 19, 2023

Captain Singh was the son of a veteran Subedar and an alumnus of AFMC.

Kirti Chakra

Kirti Chakra is the second in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards after Ashoka Chakra and is given in recognition of valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, including posthumous awards.

80 Gallantry awards

Captain Singh was one of the 80 Armed Forces personnel who were awarded gallantry medals on the eve of the 75th Republic Day.

This includes six Kirti Chakras (three posthumous) 16 Shaurya Chakras (two posthumous) 53 Sena Medals, including seven posthumous; one Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry); and four Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

.gallantryawards

Captain Singh, Havaldar Abdul Majid of 9 Para Special Forces unit and Sepoy Pawan Kumar of 55 Rashtriya Rifles (Grenadiers) were awarded Kirti Chakra, posthumously.

Havaldar Abdul Majid

Havildar Abdul Majid of 9 Para Special Forces was operating as a squad commander in a search operation in forested areas of the Rajouri sector on November 22 last year. He first helped evacuate wounded Captain MV Pranjal of 63 RR. He then took position near a natural cave where terrorists were hiding.

ANI

Despite being injured in the terrorist firing, he lobbed a grenade to force the hiding terrorist to come out. Sensing danger to his team, he moved towards the terrorist, killed him and succumbed to his injuries later. He has been awarded the Kirti Chakra posthumously.

Sepoy Pawan Kumar

Sepoy Pawan Kumar of 55 Rashtriya Rifles Grenadiers was part of an operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 27, 2023, when, during a room intervention exercise, he killed a terrorist and injured another in hand-to-hand combat while laying down his own life.

ANI

He has been awarded the Kirti Chakra posthumously for exceptional bravery.

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Amidst the historic commemoration of India's 75th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu and French President Emmanuel Macron adorned the grand parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, breathing life into a long-forgotten tradition.

Replacing the usual armoured limousine, the distinguished leaders rode in a beautifully revived horse-drawn carriage for the short, decorous trip, adding a layer of richness to the occasion reminiscent of the colonial era.

TIL

Features of President's Buggy

This six-horse-drawn carriage was owned by the Viceroy of India during British rule. Its black exterior with gold-plated rims and red velvet interiors give it a luxurious look, while the elegantly embossed Ashoka Chakra symbolises its heritage.



A symbol of timeless elegance, the presidential buggy is drawn by a mix of Indian and Austrian horses. It is not merely a mode of transportation but also a part of a significant historical narrative.

Dispute and toss for President's Buggy

After gaining independence, India and Pakistan disputed ownership of the buggy, which became the centre of a unique decision-making process.



A coin toss, led by Colonel Thakur Govind Singh of India and Sahabzada Yaqub Khan of Pakistan, determined the fate of a luxury carriage. In a fortunate twist of fate, Colonel Singh was able to secure the buggy.

Following years of ceremonial use, the open-carriage tradition faced discontinuation in 1984 due to security concerns after the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, giving way to modern bullet-proof cars.



X (Twitter)

However, a nostalgic resurgence occurred in 2014 when President Pranab Mukherjee chose the historic buggy for the Beating Retreat ceremony. In 2017, upon taking the oath, former President Ram Nath Kovind also utilised the buggy while inspecting the Guard of Honour.



The President's Bodyguard, a.k.a Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak

The 75th Republic Day celebrations witnessed a grand return to tradition as Presidents Murmu and Macron, escorted by the venerable President's Bodyguard, "Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak", made their way along the newly redeveloped Kartavya Path.

Rehearsal by PBG before 60th Republic Day in 2009| Image by Wikimedia Commons

Founded in 1773, the President's Bodyguard (PBG) is the senior-most regiment of the Indian Army. The unit played a pivotal role in this momentous occasion while celebrating 250 years of service.



PBG comprises skilled cavalry horseriders, paratroopers, and an armoured fighting vehicle crew, who showcased their expertise during this momentous parade.

Bred at the Army's Remount and Veterinary Corps depots, the horses epitomised a perfect blend of tradition and discipline.

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As India celebrated the 75th Republic Day on Friday, a tradition that was associated with the official ceremony was also revived.

President Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who is the Chief Guest arrived on the Kartavya Path for 75th Republic Day celebrations in a traditional buggy, which made a comeback after 40 years.

Presidents escorted by President's Bodyguard

The presidents were escorted by the President's Bodyguard  "Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak". The President's Bodyguard is the senior most regiment of the Indian Army.

The Commandant of the President's Bodyguard Colonel Amit Berwal, rode to the right of the President's Buggy, leading this elite body of horsemen. To the left of the President's Buggy is the Second-in-Command of the Regiment Lt Col Ramakant Yadav.

VIDEO | President Droupadi Murmu, along with chief guest French President Emmanuel Macron are set to arrive at the Kartavya Path, where Republic Day parade will be held shortly. #RepublicDay2024 #RepublicDayIndia pic.twitter.com/GgLxufT8ax  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 26, 2024

Buggy used on Republic Day after 40 years

The horse-drawn buggy was used by the Viceroy before the Independence and later became a part of the President of India's cavalcade for the Republic Day celebrations.

The buggy was in use for Republic Day celebrations till 1984, but the horse-driven cart was discontinued in favour of a limousines, following the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

In 2016, the then President Pranab Mukherjee had used it for the 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony.

BCCL/FILE

President Murmu leads Republic Day celebration

On Friday, President Droupadi Murmu led the Nation in celebrating the 75th Republic Day as she unfurled the national flag at Kartavya Path in the national capital and the parade began with Aavaahan, a band performance by over 100 women artists playing various types of percussion instruments, symbolising Nari Shakti, a new element added to the customary march.

BCCL

Traditional instruments at Republic Day parade

For the first time ever, the parade was heralded by over 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments. The parade commenced with the music of Sankh, Naadswaram, Nagada, etc. played by these women artists.

Kartavya Path also witnessed a march past by a combined Band and Marching contingent of the French Armed Forces. A 30-member band contingent headed by Captain Khourda, which was followed by a 90-member marching contingent, led by Captain Noel.

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At the recently held convocation ceremony at the University of Leicester in the UK, a student reportedly touched his teacher's feet and chanted 'Jai Siya Ram.'

This act, grounded in Indian tradition, brought a sense of diversity and inclusiveness to the occasion, illustrating the varied cultural fabric within the academic community. The overall message, according to the tweet accompanying the video, was to "Take pride in your heritage, values, and culture."

What Happened During The Convocation Ceremony?

During the convocation ceremony at the University of Leicester in the UK, a student wearing the convocation gown and cap surprised onlookers | Image: X

During the convocation ceremony at the University of Leicester in the UK, a student wearing the convocation gown and cap surprised onlookers by after touching his teacher's feet and chanting "Jai Siya Ram."



This traditional Indian custom, symbolising profound respect and gratitude, was met with a combination of surprise and applause from the audience, as not everyone was familiar with the cultural significance of the gesture.

The chant 'Jai Siya Ram,' associated with reverence for Lord Ram, added a spiritual dimension to the event | Image: X

The chant 'Jai Siya Ram,' associated with reverence for Lord Ram, added a spiritual dimension to the event. The caption accompanying the video shared by X user 'Megh Updates' read: "Take pride in your heritage, values, and culture  A student touching the feet of a teacher and chanting 'Jai Siya Ram' at the Convocation Ceremony in Leicester, UK."

Be proud of your roots, values and culture - Student touches feet of the teacher and chants 'Jai Siya Ram' at Convocation Ceremony in Leicester, UK pic.twitter.com/LYTKybw4hl  Megh Updates  (@MeghUpdates) January 25, 2024





Here's How The Internet Reacted:





x

What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.



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Embarking on a meaningful journey, Mysore Army couple, Major Jerry Blaize and Captain Supreetha CT, are poised to create an indelible mark on Republic Day 2024.

Defying convention, they will be the inaugural pair to march along the esteemed Kartavya Path, representing different regiments.

Their coordinated strides epitomize unity, love, and a shared dedication to duty. Having exchanged vows in June 2023, Major Jerry and Captain Supreetha exemplify military prowess and underscore the resilience of their marital connection.

As the nation readies for festivities, all attention will be focused on this exceptional couple, crafting a new chapter in the annals of Republic Day parades.

Who Is This Mysore Army Couple?

Captain Supreetha hails from Mysore, Karnataka, and is an alumna of JSS Law College in Mysore. Major Blaize, on the other hand, is a native of Wellington in Tamil Nadu and graduated from Jain University in Bengaluru.

Reflecting on their college days, Major Blaize shared that he and his wife were actively involved in the National Cadet Corps (NCC).

In 2016, Captain Supreetha walked the Kartavya Path as an NCC Cadet during the Republic Day parade, while Major Blaize had his march down the path in 2014 as part of the NCC Republic Day Parade.

Their shared NCC experiences add a layer of significance to their joint participation in the upcoming Republic Day parade.



What Is All Happening On Republic Day 2024?

Army couple from Mysore is all set to make history to march for the first time on Republic Day 2024 | Image: Instagram

In an unprecedented occurrence, history will be made on January 26, 2024, as a couple marches down the Kartavya Path, each serving in distinct regiments.



Major Jerry Blaize and Captain Supreetha CT are at the forefront of this groundbreaking event.

Presently residing in New Delhi, the couple's commitment to service extends beyond their personal lives, marking a significant moment in the military tradition.

This unique union celebrates their martial dedication and reflects the evolving dynamics within the armed forces.

According to reports, the couple clarified that their joint march down the Kartavya Path is coincidental. Captain Supreetha explained that she initially underwent a selection test and secured her position.

The Republic Day Parade begins at 9:30 am. The Republic Day Parade begins at 9:30 am | Image: X

Subsequently, her husband, Major Blaize, successfully cleared the test and earned his spot in his regiment.



Major Blaize serves in the Madras Regiment, while Captain Supreetha is a member of the Corps of Military Police Contingent.

The convergence of their journeys has resulted in this unique and historic coincidence as they prepare to make their mark on Republic Day.

What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.



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is proceeding with its strategy aimed at strengthening its brand in the Greek market . The company inaugurated its first branch in Greece, specifically, in Athens with the

Mitsubishi Electric Europe: Strategy to strengthen its brand in Greece -  
SPRING CREEK  Two people were arrested on Wednesday in connection with an armed robbery at a Spring Creek home and a slow-speed chase, according to the Elko County Sheriffs Office.

The second of the two suspects was taken into custody over four hours after the reported robbery, sheriffs officials said, in part because deputies had to back off from a foot pursuit because of a nearby Elko police standoff.

The victim, who was not identified, called dispatchers about 4:13 p.m. Wednesday to report he had been robbed at his home on Lamont Street in Spring Creek. He said the suspects fled in a gray Toyota Tacoma.

A sheriffs deputy and sergeant called to the area spotted the pickup and began a relatively low-speed pursuit near Spring Valley Parkway and Empress Drive, according to the Sheriffs Office.

But when the driver reached a dead end on Katie Drive, the two suspects, a man and a woman, ran from the vehicle.

The woman, who was driving, was taken into custody quickly. She was identified as Tessa Patchett, 32, of Elko.

Her passenger, the male suspect, was identified as Casey Quigley, 29, also of Elko. Quigley ran up Elko Mountain and deputies tracked him through the snow, over the mountain, and toward the area of Powder House Road, sheriffs officials said.

However, when they neared another crime scene  an ongoing standoff involving a man and the Elko Combined SWAT unit that ended in the mans death  the pursuit was discontinued.

A homeowner on Powder House Road dialed 911 and reported he saw a man jump his fence. Quigley was subsequently arrested in a barn at approximately 8:30 p.m., according to the Sheriffs Office.

Sheriffs officials said the robbery was not random. Rather, the suspects knew the victims.

One victim received a cut on his head in the armed robbery. It was unclear on Thursday what was taken in the robbery.

The investigation is ongoing pending search warrants and follow-up procedures, the Sheriffs Office said.
Although Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis could not attend the JP Morgan conference in New York and participated online , lowering the expectations, investors showed a strong interest in businesses and Greek

What did foreign investors ask Greek banks in New York? -  
A High Court in Kano State, on Thursday, convicted and sentenced five members of a vigilante group to death by hanging over the death of a 17-year-old boy.

It was gathered that the convicts, identified as Emmanuel Korau, Elisha Ayuba, Irimiya Timothy, Auwalu Jafar and Mustapha Haladu, who were attached to Sani Abacha Youth Centre arraigned before the court over the death of Ahmed Musa.

According to Lamido Dinki, the lead prosecutor, said that the offenders committed the crime on January 22, 2022, at Sabon Titi, Panshekara, Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state.

He said: The defendants came out from a tricycle and started beating the deceased with a long wooden hard stick (club), in the process, the deceased held the stick, and as a result, he sustained grievous injuries which led to his death.

READ MORE: Kano Court Sentence Nigerien To Death For Murder

However, the presiding judge Chief Judge, Justice Dije Aboki, said the prosecution counsel presented five witnesses to the court and proved his case beyond reasonable doubt.

He said: The prosecution has presented its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Im fully satisfied with the evidence adduced by the prosecution, Lamido Abba Soron Dinki.

Meanwhile, Justice Dije Aboki therefore sentenced the five defendants to death by hanging.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, has urged Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano state to leave the ruling All Nigeria Peoples Party and join the opposition APC.

Speaking on Thursday at an APC stakeholders meeting in the state, Ganduje promised to receive Yusuf wholeheartedly if the Governor decides to dump the NNPP.

He assured that APC would provide an enabling environment for Yusuf and his supporters to enjoy peace and harmony when they join him.

Ganduje said: We have achieved in wooing some governors to join APC. Very soon some governors will join our party. So, if we can do this at national level, why cant we do it at state level?

READ MORE: SCourt Reverses Yusuf, Lawal, Mutfwangs Sack; Upholds Nwifuru, Otu, Bala Mohammeds Election

Our hands are wide open. We are appealing to those who like to join our party. In particular, we are inviting the governor of Kano state to dump his party, NNPP, and join APC.

We are calling him. We promise to create enabling environment for the governor of Kano State so that we make a solid, a very big followership.

This is a reflection of our population since we are the most populous state in the federation.
Former Governor Oserheimen Osunbor of Edo State says he is optimistic about returning to the Government House on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at the APC National Secretariat while speaking with journalists after picking the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the election.

Osunbor was elected as the State Governor in April 2007, but his election was quashed by the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal which declared it as invalid on March 20, 2008.

According to him, he left his footprint in the area of infrastructure, civil service reforms, health and education sectors during his short stay at the government house.

The September 21 governorship election, he expressed, is a must-win for the APC, as the Party could not afford to lose.

For many of us, this coming election is a must-win for Edo, no impediment, no matter how contrived and from whatever source, can stop our great party: APC from reclaiming Edo in 2024.

The mistakes which made APC lose the state to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2020 must not be allowed to afflict us a second time.

For APC as a Party, Edo is a low-hanging fruit.

READ ALSO: Edo 2024: Nobody Can Stop My Governorship Ambition  APCs Ize-Iyamu

We must not lose this opportunity to reclaim it with me as candidate, my popularity and acceptability spread across the three Senatorial Districts of Edo and even beyond APC, he said.

Osunbor said his supporters and well-wishers across Edo and beyond would be elated and relieved to see him return to the government house.

He added that the people of the State were yearning for good governance and desired to see its resources being used to develop it and transform the lives of its people for the better.

I want to go there to be able to positively impact the people of Edo. They are waiting to give me a resounding victory in the September 21 governorship election.

They remember very well my excellent performance as governor for over 17 months from 2007 to 2008.

They want to see me back in Osadebe Avenue as governor, hence I have christened my manifesto: The Rebirth of Edo for Excellence.

Now we have taken the first step, we will not look back, rather, we are looking forward to the direct primaries promised us by the leadership of the party, he said.

Those saying am too old for the job, should come challenge me on a race or press-up, it is all about how healthy you are, not about age.

Im as healthy as any young man, if you doubt it, come lets take a work, Osunbor added.
Edo State Deputy Governor and aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming governorship election, Philip Shaibu has expressed confidence that his boss, Godwin Obaseki will back his gubernatorial bid.

Recall that Shaibu and his principal, have been at loggerheads over the formers ambition to succeed the latter whose second term tenure is winding down.

Speaking on Channels TVs Politics Today, on Thursday, the deputy governor described Obaseki as his elder brother and boss.

He disclosed that the issue of whether Obaseki will support him or not had been resolved during the PDP stakeholders meeting.

He said: Mr. Obaseki, the governor of Edo State, my boss and my senior brother will support me.

He had said it at the secretariat when we had our stakeholders meeting that whoever wins, he will support and whoever that will win is nobody else but Philip Shaibu.

READ MORE: Edo Guber: Were Not In Competition  Shaibu Tells Obaseki

We started the journey of rescuing Edo State in 2006, and we were conscious of what we wanted to achieve.

We said that we needed to take our state back and return it to the people, and we did take the state back and return it to the people. Along the line, something happened, and the state is about to be hijacked again, so we said no.

This election is another challenge, they want to take the state from Edo people and return it to businessmen, and we are saying no! Because Edo State cannot return to Egypt.

Edo State will continually move forward, and the only way it can move forward is if power resides with the people. PDP says power to the people, not power to business friends or business colleagues.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Thursday, issued a stern warning that war would breakout in the country if its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, dies in custody or is killed by the government.

The caution was conveyed through a statement by IPOBs media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful.

This is as Femi Adesina, former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Muhammadu Buhari, revealed that Buhari opted for Kanus trial instead of assassination during a meeting with a delegation of Igbo elders seeking Kanus release.

Powerful in the statement said, We assure the Nigerian government that they can not murder Nnamdi Kanu without consequences that will shake the foundation of their one Nigeria.

Femi Adesina claimed in his book that Nnamdi Kanu was arrested and extradited to Nigeria to face trial in their court.

To put the record straight, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was not arrested but was kidnapped in Kenya, tortured for eight days, and extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria by the government of Muhammadu Buhari.

Even when the Court of Appeal in Abuja discharged and acquitted Nnamdi Kanu, the government of Buhari refused to obey the judgment of the court.

READ ALSO: I Left My Church Because The Pastor Exhibited Prejudice Against Buhari  Femi Adesina

Moreover, the current APC government of Bola Ahmad Tinubu has continued with the persecution and illegal detention of Nnamdi Kanu.

IPOB wants Nigerias past and present governments to understand that Nnamdi Kanu has no charges against him. Kanu is being persecuted and detained extrajudicially for championing a lawful Biafra Self-Determination movements referendum.

The IPOB spokesperson further stated that Those who will contemplate eliminating him directly or indirectly should be ready for a brutal war.

Should they dare, we promise all collaborators and their families that they will equally be eliminated irrespective of their country of residence.

The earlier the Nigerian government releases Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and negotiates a peaceful desolution of Nigeria, the better.

But in the event that the Nigerian government eliminates our leader, Nigeria will not only violently disintegrate, but the perpetrators and their families will also be eliminated in revenge.

The earlier the Nigerian government releases Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and negotiates a peaceful desolution of Nigeria, the better.

But in the event that the Nigerian government eliminates our leader, Nigeria will not only violently disintegrate, but the perpetrators and their families will also be eliminated in revenge.

We are IPOB, and we are global. IPOB worldwide is under oath to avenge the death of our leader. We shall not forget, and we shall not forgive.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, has acknowledged the efforts of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike after the Supreme Court upheld his election as the States number one citizen on Thursday.

A five-member panel of the apex court led by Ibrahim Saulawa dismissed the appeal by Tonye Cole, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the 2023 elections, challenging Fubaras election as lacking merit.

The Court further held that the appellants (Cole and the APC) failed to prove the issues bordering on non-compliance with the 2022 Electoral Act in seeking the nullification of Fubaras election.

Fubara, via his media aide, Boniface Onyedi, however thanked God for the victory shortly after the apex court delivered the judgment.

The Governor also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fatherly role in every issue that concerns our state, not just the crisis but also this particular litigation.

He added that it would be unfair for him not to appreciate Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who he described as Oga (boss).

About an hour ago, the supreme court revalidated our mandate in the election. It is a victory for the entire state, Fubara said.

READ ALSO: Fubara Sponsoring Kidnappings In Abuja To Discredit Wike  Rivers Local Govt Chairman Alleges

It is important for us to note that we need this victory to consolidate the purpose of governance. Prior, we have had a few distractions here and there.

And the good news that came to us this morning is a refreshing strength that will encourage us to continue the good works in governance, he said.

According to him, his goal is to develop Rivers to be economically viable and competitive like Lagos.

We have a dream of making it a highly competitive state that will measure, if not up to Lagos but close to becoming like Lagos.

We can only achieve this in an atmosphere of peace. So I am calling on everyone, not just on our internal issue but those members from other parties, the issue is settled, come and lets build the Rivers State of our dream.

We will continue to protect and provide the basic needs of governance to everyone who is doing business and who lives in Rivers State.

We would address our state very soon on the victory, but for now, let everybody be happy that one elephant is out of the road, the other one, by Gods help, will be resolved amicably and the family will be one, Fubara added.
A 37-year-old man, Saifillahi Rabiu, on Thursday, resorted to hanging himself over inability to procure the right visa for some persons.

However, the suicide plan was thwarted by the Kano State Fire Service.

Details of the incident contained in a statement issued by the Fire Service Public Relations Officer (PRO), Saminu Abdullahi, disclosed that the incident happened at State Road, Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano.

We received a distress call at about 10:07 a.m. from the Ministry of Works and Housing, Kano state, about a suicide attempt by hanging on a tree.

On receiving the information, we quickly sent our fire fighting vehicle to the scene at 10:10 a.m., the statement read.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Troops Kill Three Bandits In Taraba

According to the statement, Rabiu, a resident of Semegu Quarters, attempted to hang himself over his inability to refund N2 million to those he tried to assist in obtaining a travel Visa.

Those he helped secure visa rejected the type of visa he got them as that wasnt what they agreed on.

During interrogation, we gathered that Rabiu connected some people to those that process travel visas to foreign countries, which was successful.

Those he tried to help, however, rejected the visa, saying it was not the type they paid for and demanded for a refund of their money already paid to the processors.

We reliably gathered that he was able to raise half-a-million naira only.

But pressure and threats from the people he wanted to assist made him to try to take his own life, the PRO added.

Rabiu, according to the PRO, was rescued alive and handed over to Zaharaddini of Farm Centre Police Division.
The Labour Partys 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has added his voice to the recent private visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Paris, France.

He further urged Tinubu to use his personal money for private journeys as part of the cost-cutting measures desperately needed by the nation.

Obi said this via X in a series of posts on Thursday.

Recall that Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity on Wednesday said that President Tinubu departed Abuja for Paris, France, on a private visit and is expected to return to the country in the first week of February, 2024.

I have been wondering what is private for a sitting president who is not on vacation to embark on a publicly funded private visit. May I humbly remind the president that he is now a public national asset.

Therefore, all his movements now should be public knowledge and matters of public interest. Even when he needs a private visit like a holiday, family gathering, etc, he should state so, which is graciously allowed, but private visits, like the one he has embarked on now, should be done at his expense and not at public cost, Obi said.

READ ALSO: Your Private Visit To France Shows Lack Of Empathy  Kenneth Okonkwo Slams Tinubu

The former Anambra State Governor furthered that such measures by President Tinubu are part of the cost-cutting measures desperately needed, as the nation requires savings of sorts to deal with every little issue that requires attention, like the maintenance of small public assets.

He queried, Otherwise, how do we explain as a country that for the past three months both the escalator and elevator at the domestic wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, have remained dysfunctional?

I often wonder how we the leaders feel traveling in sophisticated manners while the majority of our infrastructure being used by the majority, including our foreign investors, is left dilapidated. The situation we find ourselves in calls for such drastic cuts in the cost of governance, and attendant savings, to be appropriately used for every minor public good. That is the spirit of the New Nigeria we are clamoring for.
While Donald Trump could credibly claim a record-setting victory in the Jan. 15 in Iowa GOP caucuses, it was based on a very meager turnout of Iowa Republican voters.

Only 14.6% of Iowas registered Republican voters bothered to caucus. It was the lowest turnout in any contested Iowa GOP caucus since 2000. Roughly 110,000 people participated, down from 187,000 in 2016.

Some of the decline can be attributed to severe weather, but Trumps 51% share of the caucus vote means that over 92% of Iowa Republicans either favored other candidates or just stayed home.

Republican campaigns spent more $123 million in Iowa on advertising, amounting to over $1,000 for every caucus participant.

Contrast the Iowa caucus with New Hampshires Jan. 23 presidential primary.

Turnout in the Granite State set a record on Tuesday  exceeding 325,000 voters. While Iowas population (3.2 million) is more than twice that of New Hampshire (1.4 million), participation in New Hampshires primary was three times greater than Iowas caucus.

In Iowa, the GOP caucus was limited to the states 752,000 registered Republican voters. In New Hampshire, the GOP primary was open to 268,000 registered Republicans and 343,000 unaffiliated voters  but not registered Democrats.

Iowa has a long history of glitches and problems with political party run caucuses. The last three presidential races  2012, 2016 and 2020  were a mess with confusion over who won the first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Trump even claimed there was fraud when he lost the caucuses in 2016 to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) during his first presidential campaign.

The 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses were a disaster.

The Iowa Democratic Party results were delayed due to technological inconsistencies. The app the party used didnt work and the process broke down.

No winner was declared on the day of the caucus, with Bernie Sanders declaring himself the winner three days later despite the national party calling for a recanvass in the wake of inconclusive results.

Over three weeks later, the Iowa Democratic Party certified results declaring Pete Buttigieg the winner.

The fiasco of 2020 was a repeat of the previous election in 2016. Once again, technological problems led to confusion in understanding just who won the caucuses  Hillary Clinton or Sanders.

Chaos ensued when untrained volunteers were unable to handle the number of caucus participants.

As a partial result of these Iowa caucus disasters, Democrats stripped the Hawkeye State of its first-in-the nation status.

And, Iowa Republicans named the wrong caucus winner in 2012.

Mitt Romney was declared the Iowa caucus winner by state party officials, but Rick Santorum was found to be the actual winner eight days later.

Also in 2012, Nevada Republican caucus results came two days late, with the Nevada GOP taking the blame for a total breakdown in the count of caucus votes.

In 2020, Nevada Democrats feared a complete disaster of a technological meltdown. There was chaos in reporting caucus results, leading both Buttigieg and Sanders to request recounts.

In response, the Nevada Legislature in 2021 passed a bipartisan bill (AB 126) that ditched the traditional caucuses and embraced a state-run primary.

The vote in both the Assembly (30-11) and Senate (15-6) was a constitutional super-majority. Eight Republican legislators joined Democrats to approve the measure.

Ironically, Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald, who now insists on a legally unnecessary GOP presidential caucus to benefit Trump, was a supporter of switching to a primary in 2016 in the aftermath of the GOPs 2012 caucus fiasco.

The current primary/caucus chaos and confusion is the sole responsibility of the Nevada GOP.

The Las Vegas Sun reports (Jan. 17): The Clark County Republican Party is still without a clear list of venues in the Las Vegas area for its planned presidential nominating caucus next month.

Presidential caucuses are an historic mess  and archaic. Caucuses are exclusionary; primaries increase participation.
The Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has urged the citizens to shun the abuse of the Nigeria Police Force emergency numbers.

Olumuyiwa made this known during an interview on Miliki 101.3 radio station, Lagos, when he was asked if the emergency numbers for every state command was still active for response.

The forces PRO responded that the numbers were all functioning, but noted that most Nigerians abuse the purpose of the emergency numbers.

He said: When citizens dial emergency numbers, they use them for the wrong cause. When you call the numbers that robbery is happening somewhere, you do not have to ask me, the welfare of my family. You are not expected to ask about the police recruitment process on the numbers.

You cannot call to wish me happy celebrations. It is not meant for that, it is an emergency line. You cannot be asking for directives on how to fill your details on the police portal.

Many citizens misuse the emergency service, and it infuriates those assigned to respond to calls at that desk.

READ MORE: Policemen Collecting N100 On Roadsll Soon Meet Their Waterloo  Adejobi

Let me say this here, we are not customer care attendants, especially those network service providers. Those ones cannot cut off your calls. If you call the police control room, and you are talking too much, or off point, they will abort it. They are at their duty posts, we are not customer care attendants. That will be tolerating your shenanigans.

If you call the police emergency numbers, and you are blabbering, the officers in charge will cut off. That is not what they are there for.

Stop asking for my wife, my children on emergency calls. Many individuals abuse it, that it is what is making it look as if, the numbers are not functioning.
Chukwudi Ogbueche-Ifediora, a Nigerian physiotherapist and PhD candidate, passed away in the United Kingdom.

On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, his brother @DedeUmuahia made the report on his X account.

Sad to say my brother is on the list. @Ifediorachuddys body is yet to be conveyed to his home country. Like my dad said if the country is good, tell me why we would have to go fend in another mans land?

This is coming after another Nigerian, Saheed Wahab, died just 24 hours after arriving in the UK for postgraduate study.

Chukwudi Ogbuche-Ifediora worked as a postgraduate researcher at Glasgow Caledonian University SHLS prior to his passing.

On their Twitter page, The Nigerians In The UK Community also posted an obituary.

READ MORE: Parents Struggling To Settle Bills Of Child Who Uses Iphone 15 Promax  Isreal DMW

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of

@Ifediorachuddy

, a Nigerian student in the UK.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

Lets come together as a community to offer support and extend our deepest condolences. , they wrote.

SEE POST:
The Plateau State Police Command, has paraded 17 suspects, allegedly connected to the recent attacks on the Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

It was gathered that the culprits were paraded on Thursday, by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 4, Ebong Eyibio, at the headquarters in Jos.

Eyibio disclosed that eight of the criminal elements were arrested in connection with the 2023 Christmas Eve attacks, while the rest were apprehended for their alleged involvement in the recent security breach in Mangu LGA of the state.

He said: The Plateau State Police Command has successfully repelled an attack on villages in Mangu LGA of the State.

On 24/01/24 at about 22:00 hours, we received intelligence concerning an attack which was targeted on the Ntam community and the ASTC Company, both of Mangu LGA.

Our team of agile police officers from the IGP Special Intervention Squad stationed at the ASTC in conjunction with the Area Commander Pankshin and the DPO swung into action and thwarted the attempted attack.

In a separate incident, an attempt by some criminal arsonists in Panyam District to set fire on some worship centers was prevented by swift intervention from the police and with help from some elders of the community.

Also in another development, to further strengthen the existing security architecture in Mangu LGA and ensure compliance with the curfew imposed by the government and prevent further escalation of the incidence which is almost snowboarding into an ethno- religious crisis.

READ MORE: Govt Declares Curfew As Many Feared Dead In Fresh Plateau Crisis

The Command is grateful to inform you that the situation as at today, is under control and so far, 9 suspects have been arrested.

Exhibits recovered from them include dangerous weapons, such as machetes, kegs containing Petrol, and other items. The area remains highly secured by security forces and strict compliance to the curfew is being complied with.

Before you are the 8 suspects from the December 24th, 2023 attack and the 9 suspects arrested in connection with the recent attacks in the state.
Kemi Olunloyo, a Nigerian journalist, launched another contentious attack against artist Davido and his wife Chioma.

A viral video circulated online, capturing the return of the couples.

Chioma arrived in Nigeria for the first time after giving birth to her twins in the United States.

Kemi Olunloyo responded by sharing on her X account, what she thought of Davidos planning and organising prowess.

She chastised the musician for returning to Nigeria when the Grammy Awards is slated for next week.

In her perspective, Davido should have stayed in the United States until the Grammy Awards concluded.

She warned him that there might be people watching him and scolded him about revealing his moves all the time.

The musician and his spouse came under fire from Kemi Olunloyo, who claimed that they had left their newborn twins with nannies so that they could go out and enjoy themselves at clubs.

READ MORE: People Abroad Cant Be Sending You Money Always  Woli Arole Addresses Entitled Nigerians

She wrote:

DAVIDO AND CHIOMA UPDATE: 

Davido is disorganized and doesnt plan well. Dont want to see any rubbish comments under my post because many of you are simply not intelligent and you will be blocked ASAP

Why travel to Nigeria yesterday when the Grammys are NEXT WEEK. You should be in a protective state so you can attend. Nigeria is hot right now with kidnappers and evil eyes. You land with your twins and first stop is the club to celebrate Chiomas return. The twins are being dumped with nannies again. Sophias goons are scoping you, evil eyes are tracking your movements since youre filming it. Stop this mess Davido. You should have finished the Grammy awards first then bring your family home UNANNOUNCED 

Kemitalks.

SEE POST:
American artists, Dr Fortunate and Prince both known as Esquare has denied hitting Nigerian vocalist Portable in a viral video.

Portable, who had been engaged for an event by two black Americans, claimed that over 40 people assaulted him and severely injured him, shattering his leg.

In December of last year, he had a booking for the event and had even agreed to produce a video for them. However, they asked for a refund as they were not satisfied with what he pushed out for them.

Rumours circulated that Esquare beat Portable up at his house, but they insisted that it took place at a hired venue. The musician didnt get to make the song and music video, despite being paid N2.5 million to do so, because he lived too far away.

When they arrived, he requested an additional N1 million, which they provided. They then proceeded to his home in Ogun to pick him up for the video shoot in Ajah, Lekki. After giving his manager the N1 million, they demanded it back, escalating the situation.

In their words,

I am Dr Fortunate and Prince and we are Esquare

There is a viral video going on where my brother and I happened to be on those videos. I just want to address the public misconception because a lot of false information was given out.

Sometimes last year May, our manager in the United States contacted Portables manager and they reached an agreement on the collaboration. We agreed on N2.5 million. When we paid the N1.5 million, the beat was sent to Portables manager and he did his own version and brought it back to us and we did some changes and everything came out perfect.

We agreed that the music video would be done on September 23rd. My brought and I made the necessary arrangements on how to fly down to Nigeria to do the music video, and we saw on his managers Instagram handle that he would be on a tour during that time.

We decided to postpone it to the festive period in December, which Portables manager agreed to. Then we had a change of mind and wanted to do the video shoot in Houston, Texas where we are based, since he was on tour in the US but Portables manager declined.

A date was later fixed for January 21st. He failed to show up on time to the music video shoot and when we called our manager to inform his manager of the appointment, our manager realized that Portables manager had sent a message canceling the shoot as it was too far from Portables location which is Sango, Ogun State.

Through a friend, we were able to reach Portable directly. At first, he denied us and asked for proof, which we sent to him and he demanded an extra N1 million, claiming that his manager had collected N500,000 from the N1 million they sent to him.

READ MORE: Police Detain Mr Ibus Son, Adopted Daughter For Allegedly Stealing N55m From His Donations

We gave him the money and even had to drive from Ajah, Lekki to Ogun State to pick him up and when we got to the location, he started exhibiting erratic behavior and demanded we make it snappy since he has out her engagements.

When we tried talking things with him after the shoot about the extra money we paid him, he flared up and said he was a member of a cult group and would call Area boys to cancel the event and kill us.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW
Despite the strained relationship between Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki, Shuaibu dismissed concerns about the Governors influence on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure, asserting that it belongs to the Party itself.

Addressing his ambition and his principals support for another aspirant, Asue Ighodalo, he said that Obaseki would ultimately extend support to him.

Speaking on Channels Televisions Politics Today on Thursday, Shuaibu said he is confident about securing the PDP ticket for the gubernatorial race.

According to him, the true owner of the structure would be revealed after the primary elections on February 3.

He said, Mr. Obaseki, the governor of Edo State, my boss and my senior brother will support me. He had said it at the secretariat when we had our stakeholders meeting that whoever wins, he will support and whoever that will win is nobody else but Philip Shaibu.

We said that we needed to take our state back and return it to the people, and we did take the state back and return it to the people. Along the line, something happened, and the state is about to be hijacked again, so we said no.

READ ALSO: We Wouldve Assassinated Kanu At His Hideout, But For Respect I Have For Judiciary  Buhari

This election is another challenge. They want to take the state from Edo people and return it to businessmen, and we are saying no! Because Edo state cannot return to Egypt.

Edo state will continually move forward, and the only way it can move forward is if power resides with the people. PDP says power to the people, not power to business friends or business colleagues.

We are standing on the mandate of the people. My support is organic, and with Philip Shaibu, the PDP will retain its seat in Edo state.

Shuaibu, unbothered by the Governors alleged backing of another aspirant, highlighted the difference in their experiences, stating, I am bringing value to governance, administratively governing for the betterment of the people.

He underscored the significance of experience in leadership, asserting that Edo State cannot afford another experiment.

Confident in his campaign based on organic support, Shuaibu shared his vision for immediate actions upon winning the PDP ticket, including the announcement of key appointments and portfolios.
Pastor Robert Jr., a Nigerian, has openly expressed his support for the recently founded True Salvation Ministry of Nollywood star Yul Edochie.

Alongside the endorsement came a strong warning about the possible repercussions for anyone who is criticising the actor-turned-pastor.

A recent Facebook post by Pastor Robert, senior prophet of Grace Confirmation Church Worldwide, highlighted how anyone can be used by God, regardless of background, and included a soft copy of Yul Edochies ministry.

The prominent pastor continued by ranking Yul Edochie higher than well-known Nigerian televangelist Chris Okotie, using the latters previous marriages as the foundation for his comparison.

He went on to call attention to Chris Okoties three divorced marriages, raising doubts about the legitimacy of someone holding the title of pastor in spite of such private circumstances.

In his words;

God can use anybody!

This Yul Edochie is even better than Chris Okotie.

Chris Okotie who married three different women in different times and yet ended up divorcing all. Yet his a pastor!

Who is Yul that God cant call?!!!

Is his sin the worse sin? Or are you people just hating on him? Becareful, man is not God!



READ MORE: Omah Lay, Asake, And Seyi Vibez Are Upcoming Artists  Victor Osimhen

See some reactions to his comments,

Roselyn Bankong said; Thank you so much sir for telling them, Because the h@te is to much on him.

Ijeoma Kenneth said; God bless you. Some people are questioning his discipleship. Saying he needs training, what if he gone through that but decided not to bring it on social media. God have his own way.

Melody C. Unah said; Why is he telling us. Let him go ahead and d what he want we dont care. Is he the only one to have been called by God if at all its true.

SEE POST:
Convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, on Thursday, posited that the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike is not ready for peace in the political crisis rocking the State.

In a Thursday statement in Abuja, the Ijaw leader again urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sanction Wike and call him to order so as to allow the elected Governor, Siminalayi Fubara to govern Rivers peacefully.

The elder statesman said, The continuous activities of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, are clear indications that he is not ready for peace in Rivers State.

He has been to Rivers State a number of times, where he brags, making inciting and provocative statements.

For instance, on Saturday 6th January, 2024, in Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, when he went to visit Hon. Victor Giadom, he reminded his audience that he is still in-charge of the State. How? Can there be two Governors in a State at the same time?

All of Nyesom Wikes actions, is no doubt a clear case of disobedience to Mr. Presidents authority.

Let the truth be told to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nyesom Wike is not ready for any form of peace.

Therefore, I call on the President, once again, to sanction Mr. Wike and call him to order to allow the elected Governor, Siminalaye Fubara, whom he, Nyesom Wike, claimed he made to govern Rivers State peacefully.

READ ALSO: Rivers Resolution: Tinubu Ambushed, Intimidated Fubara; His Interference Dictatorial, Unconstitutional  Clark

Over the past few months, there has been a crisis in Rivers as a result of the fracas between Fubara and Wike, Minister of the FCT.

In the wake of the crisis, the Rivers House of Assembly commenced impeachment proceedings against Fubara but his loyalists kicked against the moves.

Thereafter, 27 lawmakers believed to be loyal to Wike defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Subsequently, Edison Ehie, factional speaker of the Rivers assembly, declared the seats of the lawmakers who defected to the APC, vacant.

On December 18 2023, Fubara and Wike agreed to end the political feud between them following Tinubus intervention.

According to the resolutions reached at the end of their meeting with Tinubu, all parties to the crisis in Rivers agreed that all matters instituted in courts should immediately be withdrawn.

In the eight-point resolution signed by Fubara, Wike, and other Rivers stakeholders, it was agreed that all impeachment proceedings against the Governor should be dropped.

They also agreed that Martin Amaewhule should be recognised as the speaker while the 27 lawmakers who defected should be taken back as members of the assembly.

Following the agreement, Wike in a visit to Victor Giadom, a chieftain of the APC, in Bera, Gokana LGA of Rivers, said the individual who wields political control in Rivers would be known at the appropriate time.

Firing up the political crisis, Wike said the person in charge of the States political structure would be unveiled soon.
Nearly every computer system performs multiple tasks using shared resources. One of the perennial questions of computer programming is how closely or loosely the bits of code that perform those tasks should be coupled. One answer is the microservices architecture, which consists of discrete chunks of functionality that interact with other discrete chunks to create a larger system. Each chunk is a microservice.

Although the idea of connected components isnt new, microservices have gained popularity as a natural foundation for cloud-based applications. Microservices architecture also dovetails with the devops philosophy, which encourages rolling out new functionality rapidly and continuously.

This article introduces you to microservices, including the pros and cons of migrating to a microservices architecture.

What are microservices?

The micro in microservices implies small applications. That is sometimes true, but a better way to think about them is that they should be only as big as needed to do one specific thing, or to solve a particular problem. That problem should be conceptual, not technical. The documentation for Microsoft Azure explains it well: Microservices should be designed around business capabilities, not horizontal layers such as data access or messaging.

Microservices communicate with other microservices and outside users via relatively stable APIs to create larger applications. Thus, the internal functionality of an individual microservice can be tweaked or radically upgraded without affecting the rest of the system. Segmenting the specific functions of a larger application into discrete, independently operating pieces of code makes it easier to create the CI/CD (continuous integration and continuous delivery) pipelines at the heart of devops. Well-defined APIs also make microservices easier to test automatically.

What is a microservices architecture?

Youll often hear microservices talked about in terms of a microservices architecture. This phrase encompasses not just the microservices themselves but the infrastructure required to support them, including:

Automated components for service management and discovery, as well as failover and resilience. (We'll discuss some of the more popular platforms for these purposes momentarily.)

A simple method for routing communications between services.

An API gateway that handles communication between microservices and the outside world.

The overall goal is an architecture that is resistant to failure and can evolve to meet changing needs without requiring a complete overhaul.

Microservices vs. monolithic architecture

Before we had microservices, we had just one style of architecture, and that was monolithic. The so-called monolithic architecture is a retronym for an application where all the code is in one large binary executable file.

Monolithic architecture has its place. While a monolithic application is generally harder to scale and harder to improve than microservices, it also doesnt require as much management. Monolithic applications are also simpler when it comes to data storage. Individual components in a microservices architecture are generally responsible for persisting their own data, so each microservice requires its own database. A monolithic application uses just one database for all its data operations.

What do we mean by 'microservice'?

Lets back up for a moment to my earlier statement that microservices should do one specific thing. Thats easy to say, but drawing those functional divisions is harder than it looks. Domain analysis and domain-driven design are the theoretical approaches that will help you tease apart big-picture tasks into individual problems that a microservice can solve. An illuminating series of blog posts from Microsoft describes this process. A first step is creating an abstract model of your business domain, which you can use to discover the bounded contexts that group functionality.

Consider a shipping application as an example. A real-world physical object would have both a price and a destination, so you might have one bounded context for accounts and another for shipping. Each microservice you create should exist entirely within one bounded context, though some bounded contexts might encompass more than one microservice.

Microservices vs. SOA and web services

If youve been around for a while, the idea of small individual programs working together might remind you of both SOA (service-oriented architecture) and web services. These are two buzzwords from the heady days of web 2.0 in the early 2000s. While in one sense there is truly nothing new under the sun, there are important distinctions between the three approaches:

SOA vs. microservices : In a service-oriented architecture, individual components are relatively tightly coupled, often sharing assets such as storage, and they communicate through a piece of specialized software called an enterprise storage bus. Microservices are more independent, share fewer resources, and communicate via more lightweight protocols. Microservices are sometimes considered a kind of SOA, or successor to the SOA concept.

: In a service-oriented architecture, individual components are relatively tightly coupled, often sharing assets such as storage, and they communicate through a piece of specialized software called an enterprise storage bus. Microservices are more independent, share fewer resources, and communicate via more lightweight protocols. Microservices are sometimes considered a kind of SOA, or successor to the SOA concept. Web services vs. microservices: A web service is a public-facing set of functionality that other applications can access via the web; probably the most prevalent example is Google Maps, which some shops embed in their website to provide directions for customers. Unlike microservices, web services do not necessarily connect to other services. They are more loosely connected than youd see in a microservices architecture.

How microservices communicate

Something youll often hear about microservices architectures is that they should feature smart endpoints and dumb pipes. In other words, microservices should aim to use fairly simple and well-established communication methods.

In general, communication between microservices should be asynchronous, in the sense that code threads arent blocked waiting for responses. (Its still fine to use synchronous communications protocols such as HTTP, though asynchronous protocols such as AMQPAdvanced Message Queuing Protocolare also common.) This kind of loose coupling makes a microservices architecture more flexible in case individual components or parts of the network fail.

Pros and cons of microservices

Now that you have a sense of the microservices architecture, let's sum up some of its main benefits:

Fast development lifecycle : In a microservices architecture, individual service components each have their own development and update lifecycle, with a relatively small team of developers in charge of it. This means the application as a whole can be advanced incrementally, feature by feature, instead of making users wait for a "big bang" update. This style of development is what makes devops and CI/CD possible.

: In a microservices architecture, individual service components each have their own development and update lifecycle, with a relatively small team of developers in charge of it. This means the application as a whole can be advanced incrementally, feature by feature, instead of making users wait for a "big bang" update. This style of development is what makes devops and CI/CD possible. Service isolation : The idea of separation of concerns is a foundational computer science design principle. Having individual microservices encapsulate a distinct and coherent set of functionality should make those services easier to maintain and reason about. On a more practical level, having services isolated from one another makes it possible to build different parts of the same application using different languages, which can be helpful in specialized situations. It also makes it easier to isolate and diagnose faults.

: The idea of separation of concerns is a foundational computer science design principle. Having individual microservices encapsulate a distinct and coherent set of functionality should make those services easier to maintain and reason about. On a more practical level, having services isolated from one another makes it possible to build different parts of the same application using different languages, which can be helpful in specialized situations. It also makes it easier to isolate and diagnose faults. Scalability : If you need to scale up some aspect of your application, a microservices architecture allows you to do so without pulling the entire codebase into the process. Service orchestration platforms (more on these in a moment) can take care of this scaling for you, deploying multiple instances of a service as needed or moving it to higher-performing hardware.

: If you need to scale up some aspect of your application, a microservices architecture allows you to do so without pulling the entire codebase into the process. Service orchestration platforms (more on these in a moment) can take care of this scaling for you, deploying multiple instances of a service as needed or moving it to higher-performing hardware. Re-use : A service you build for one application may be useful for future applications; building up a library of such services can accelerate the development of new products.

: A service you build for one application may be useful for future applications; building up a library of such services can accelerate the development of new products. Third-party service integration: Because microservices communicate through standardized APIs, you can integrate services developed elsewhereeither commercial or open sourceinto your application.

There are also challenges associated with microservices:

Architectural complexity : A distributed microservices architecture has a lot of moving parts. Automated orchestration platforms like Kubernetes can abstract some of the management toil away. On the downside, those platforms often have steep learning curves.

: A distributed microservices architecture has a lot of moving parts. Automated orchestration platforms like Kubernetes can abstract some of the management toil away. On the downside, those platforms often have steep learning curves. Performance bottlenecks : An API-based communications system is flexible and easy to develop, but it's not as speedy as interprocess communication within a single monolithic binary. An orchestration platform is a heavy-duty piece of infrastructure in its own right. For applications, the tradeoffs in development ease are well worth it, but the extra strain on computing resources can take a toll.

: An API-based communications system is flexible and easy to develop, but it's not as speedy as interprocess communication within a single monolithic binary. An orchestration platform is a heavy-duty piece of infrastructure in its own right. For applications, the tradeoffs in development ease are well worth it, but the extra strain on computing resources can take a toll. Concerns aren't always easy to separate : While an ideal microservices system consists of perfectly discrete microservices, in the real world things aren't so neatespecially if you don't have the time or resources to perfectly design your application before you start building it. In practice, you might end up implementing similar functionality in multiple services, with separate teams duplicating efforts in parallel. Some business transactions may end up spanning multiple services, which will require multiple development teams to coordinate with one another.

: While an ideal microservices system consists of perfectly discrete microservices, in the real world things aren't so neatespecially if you don't have the time or resources to perfectly design your application before you start building it. In practice, you might end up implementing similar functionality in multiple services, with separate teams duplicating efforts in parallel. Some business transactions may end up spanning multiple services, which will require multiple development teams to coordinate with one another. Security concerns : To a malicious hacker, a monolithic binary is a black box whose inner workings are difficult to understand and attack. A microservices architecture provides a greater attack surface; for instance, API calls can be intercepted and modified in transit.

: To a malicious hacker, a monolithic binary is a black box whose inner workings are difficult to understand and attack. A microservices architecture provides a greater attack surface; for instance, API calls can be intercepted and modified in transit. Culture shift: While CI/CD and devops are considered de rigueur by many in the industry, there are still plenty of shops that don't operate in accordance with those practices. A move to microservices will entail a big organizations shift for these shops and developersperhaps for the better, but definitely disruptive in the short term.

More microservices pros and cons Check out these points and counterpoints of using microservices from InfoWorld: Why you should use a microservice architecture and The downsides of microservices architecture.

Microservices design patterns

No matter what language you use to develop microservices, youll face issues that other developers have encountered before. Design patterns are formalized, abstract solutions to recurring problems in computer science, and a number of them are specifically for microservices. Devopedia has a great list, which includes:

Service Registry: For connecting clients to available instances of microservices.

Circuit Breaker: To prevent failed services from being called repeatedly.

Fallback: For providing an alternative to a failed service.

Sidecar: For providing an auxiliary service to the main container, such as for logging, synchronizing services, or monitoring.

Adapter: To standardize or normalize the interface between the main container and the external world.

Ambassador: To connect the main container to the outside world, such as for proxying localhost connections to outside connections.

Microservices with Docker and Kubernetes

The underlying technology that has gone furthest toward getting microservices into the mainstream is containers. A container is similar to a virtual machine (VM) instance; however, while a VM includes an entire self-contained operating system, a container is just an isolated user space that makes use of the host OSs kernel but otherwise keeps the code executing inside of it self-contained. Containers are much smaller than VMs; they can be deployed quickly and easily, either locally or in the cloud, and can be spun up or down to match demand and available resources.

The appeal of containers for microservices should be obvious: Each individual microservice can run in its own container, which cuts the overhead of managing services significantly. Most container implementations have complementary orchestration tools that automate the deployment, management, scaling, networking, and availability of container-based applications. Its the combination of small, easy-to-build microservices and easy-to-deploy containers that makes the devops philosophy possible.

There are several implementations of the container concept, but by far the most popular is Docker, which is generally paired with Kubernetes as an orchestration platform.

Container-based systems are intrinsically polyglot: Any programming language that the operating system supports can run in a container, which gives programmers flexibility. Indeed, a big advantage of microservices is that each service can be written in whatever language makes the most sensein fact, a service could be completely rebuilt in a new language without affecting the system as a whole, as long as its APIs remained stable. This might be more appealing than a platform like Spring Cloud, which is based in Java. (Note, though, that this isn't necessarily an either/or choice, as Spring Cloud can be integrated with Kubernetes.)

Microservices with AWS and Azure

The advantages of using containers is that they can be easily deployed to the cloud, where flexible compute resources are available so you can maximize your applications efficiency. As you might imagine, the major public cloud vendors are all eager for you to use their platforms to run your microservices-based apps. For more information, check out the resources from the three major cloud vendors, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.

Should I migrate to microservices?

It is worth considering what it will take to move your own codebase to a microservices architecture. In many ways, migrating existing functionality can be trickier than building a new microservices-based application from scratch. On the upside, thanks to the nature of microservices, you don't have to do it all at once. You can build individual services that take on part of your old monolithic application's functionality while leaving the rest of it intact.

For more about the nitty-gritty of such a migration, including best practices, check out InfoWorld's guide, How to get started with event-driven microservices. And good luck on your journey!
Black N Brew at 1523 E Passyunk Ave. has an Isaiah Zagar mural on the exterior. The shop's landlord, the Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corp., has declined to renew its lease. Read more

East Passyunk coffee shop Black N Brew has been a fixture on the avenue for 17 years, a well-loved corner cafe clad in an Isaiah Zagar mural.

So there was outcry in South Philly when its owners announced on social media that the shops landlord declined to renew their lease with two months notice.

Commenters responded in droves, suggesting potential spaces to move and calling out Black N Brews landlords, the Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corp. (PARC), on Facebook and Instagram.

Why is this happening!? We want answers, one wrote.

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According to PARC, its simple: Black N Brew missed rent and utility payments. After years of failed negotiations around pandemic-era lapses and two one-year lease extensions, executive director Alex Balloon said, PARC decided to look for a new tenant.

During the pandemic we provided thousands of dollars in rent relief and utility waivers for Black N Brew and our other commercial tenants, Balloon said. Im unaware of other landlords on Passyunk Avenue providing such generous financial relief.

Black N Brew owners Jennifer and Colleen DeCesare have disputed PARCs assertions in interviews with other media outlets, citing canceled checks and an identity theft-induced snafu as possible explanations for the discrepancies.

But Black N Brews financial challenges date to before the pandemic. Court records show liens for nonpayment of state sales taxes beginning in 2018, with the latest, for roughly $50,000 including interest and fines, coming earlier this month.

In a statement to The Inquirer, Jennifer DeCesare said, The outstanding tax liabilities are a separate issue and have nothing to do with making our monthly rent payment. We have been in an active payment agreement with the state, which was approved well before PARC made a decision to not renew our lease.

She added that her wife, Colleen, had nothing to do with the circumstances that led to the liens. I do the finances; I made mistakes.

This tale of small-business hardship seems to have gained outsized attention because its set in one of Philadelphias most successful neighborhood commercial corridors. PARC  a nonprofit dating to when Passyunk Avenue struggled with vacancy and rundown buildings  has its share of supporters. Balloon said PARC depends on rent payments to fund its operations, such as daily cleaning of the avenue and other services.

Following Black N Brews public pleas, however, some have cast PARC as a villain. Many have rallied behind the cafe, with neighbors attesting to its presence in the community and launching a GoFundMe for a move to a new location.

PARC has been accused of pushing Black N Brew out in favor of higher-end businesses  which Balloon adamantly denies.

The antidote to gentrification is working to retain the existing businesses you have, said Balloon, who has been with the organization for two years. Were not out trying to recruit Starbucks to Passyunk Avenue.

Black N Brews backstory

The DeCesares declined to talk with The Inquirer about specifics of their situation. According to accounts the DeCesares gave other news outlets, they became aware that their lease renewal was in question in early December, when PARC notified them of an outstanding balance tied to pandemic rent.

The DeCesares have said they supplied proof of payment soon after. When they didnt hear back, they thought the situation had been resolved. Then, on Dec. 27, they were notified the lease wouldnt be renewed, and they would have to vacate by end of February.

The dispute centers on outstanding rent and utility payments from 2020 and 2021, which were difficult years for many in the food service industry. The shop closed in March 2020 and did not reopen until October 2020 after the city allowed indoor dining to resume.

In September 2020, Jennifer DeCesare (then Jennifer Kaufman) published an online petition asking the community to back the shops request that PARC extend the rent repayment deadline. We do not need a rent freeze; we need time [to] get back on our feet, the petition said.

Asked how the situation resolved, Jennifer DeCesare declined to comment further to The Inquirer. In 2021, court records show, a judge ordered Black N Brew to pay over $42,000 to Deck Capital, a national lender. In 2022 and 2023, further state liens were filed against the business.

Jennifer DeCesare disputed the accuracy of the numbers in the court records. The states department of revenue declined to comment on the specific case but confirmed lien amounts reflect interest, fines, and fees.

Balloon said PARC needs to find a more reliable tenant for the Black N Brew space: Every dollar we lose [on back rent] and trying to collect it is dollars we cant spend on cleaning and other public space enhancements.

Backlash against PARC

A neighbor launched a new petition online after Black N Brew learned its lease would not be renewed. It contended that PARCs decision was at odds with its mission statement. Some Passyunk Avenue business owners reacted by criticizing PARC on social media.

For 17 years  before we or the (increasingly ironically named) Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation (@passyarc) existed  Black N Brew has been a pillar of the community, wrote Passyunk restaurant Le Virtu on Instagram. Stewardship of the avenue, @passyarcs putative mission, shouldnt include destroying viable businesses and damaging the community.

Reached by phone, Le Virtus Francis Cratil-Cretarola said he had air-conditioning and insulation issues that impacted his business that went unaddressed as a PARC tenant. He also felt PARC had a track record of glossing over the mix of businesses on the street and their proximity to competitors of a similar bent.

Former Alphabet Academy owner Jim Gallo responded to Black N Brews Instagram post by saying: As a former PARC board member, I can go on and on about how PARC made several poor financial decisions over the years, but I find it strange why they never really supported minority-owned businesses on the avenue ... continuing a pattern one has to question with Black & Brew.

Balloon said PARC has received a flood of email accusing the organization of everything from gentrifying the avenue to being responsible for the recent influx of convenience stores and vape shops. He notes that none of the nonprofits seven commercial storefronts are rented out for such uses.

Passyunk Avenue has a vacancy rate of below 5%, Balloon said. If you go to Fishtown, theyre building lots of housing and lots of new commercial space. Theres lots of room to add concepts and open businesses. But were full. We dont have a vacancy problem here.

PARCs deep roots

Other business owners on the avenue reported positive experiences with PARC.

Theyve been easy landlords, said chef Joncarl Lachman, who has been PARCs tenant for more than a decade, as a resident and owner of the former Noord. They worked with us through the pandemic and all of that.

Heather Thomason, whose Primal Supply butcher shop closed last May, said PARC allowed her to exit her lease early. I didnt have too much interaction with the current leadership, which changed in my final year, but they kept taking care of my needs.

PARCs roots date to the days of Democratic State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, who represented South Philly from 1978 to 2008. In the 1990s, he founded the Citizens Alliance for Better Neighborhoods, a nonprofit that he used to  among other things  acquire properties in South Philadelphia.

Back then, the neighborhood around Passyunk Avenue and South Philadelphia generally was coming out of decades of population loss. The Citizens Alliance bought 15 dilapidated commercial-residential buildings on the avenue in the early 2000s and renovated them, attracting Black N Brew among other tenants.

The Citizens Alliance was the centerpiece of the federal investigation that sent Fumo to prison. In the aftermath, the attorney generals office asked Paul Levy of the Center City District to analyze whether the organization could be salvaged. He recommended rechristening it as PARC and selling off everything but holdings around Passyunk Avenue.

The appearance of new restaurants, cafes, a hardware store, boutiques, and design shops attracted other investors to the street, reads a report by Levy in 2009.

This week, Levy said the organizations track record since remains strong.

What is so lacking on so many neighborhood commercial corridors is an entity that can own and strategically lease property and throw off income to do more, said Levy, who stepped down as head of the business advocacy group Center City District last year. It is not like a private developer making money off the corridor. It has a public purpose.
I really dont like Trump much. There is no reason for a liberal to gloat over a statement like this, even from a paleoconservative, because the implications are possibly damaging to us all.

If the election this year comes down to a choice between Trump and Biden, I will vote for Trump. Senator Romney once suggested that Trump was a con, but like a clock, a con will be right twice a day. Biden isnt even a clock. The man, being an empty shell, is a disaster.

CNN apparently runs more stories about Trump than Fox News. CNN needs Trump, Fox not so much. The same holds for Biden. He could be reelected for the same reason I would vote for Trump. Liberal voters will look at the candidates and cast a vote for anyone except Trump.

If Americans are forced to vote either for Trump or Biden, then irrespective of who wins, it will be all Trump. If the democrats cant find a way to get rid of Biden, then they desperately need Trump. On the other hand, looking at Biden, even people who dont like Trump will vote for him if it comes down to a Biden-Trump choice.

While the majority of Americans would experience a negative election, i.e., voting against rather than for a candidate, there is one wild card in the mix. Trump has MAGA.

MAGA people are said to comprise only 15% of the population, however, that is probably more wishful thinking on the part of democrats than reality. A headline from Iowa put this into perspective. It read, Iowa caucus-goers go full MAGA as Trump projected to win in landslide. A survey found that over two-thirds of voters who arrived early to caucus sites (in weather that would put to shame a day in Antarctica) said they did not believe that Biden was legitimately elected.

Ive been around Iowa farmers. They are not hicks from the sticks. They are, for the most part, very competent and sophisticated business people. So, why are they backing MAGA?

The MAGA folks dont believe in the Insurrection and the release of hours of surveillance videos tend to back them up. The way the government and Biden administration has handled this has made MAGA stronger. Attempts to put Trump in prison months before an election reinforces MAGA and brings in more Trump supporters.

If you are an average American, commentators like Tucker Carlson maintain the ruling class does not like you, and they will not look after your interests. Biden responds by giving a speech in which he legitimatizes Carlson, essentially demonizing half of American citizens. Ironically, the only time the administration uses the term citizen is when talking about illegal aliens.

Those running the government appear almost totally tone deaf to the reaction of many Americans to all this. Either that, or their hubris has encouraged them to act stupid. It reminds one of a comment once made by a European about the American elite. It stated that it was difficult to tell whether the Americans were serious  or if they were simply putting us on.

As an example, why would fundamentalist Christians support Trump? One would suspect he is not the type of person Christians would want to support. Instead of asking why, the establishment tells us how stupid and creepy fundamentalist Christians are and arrests another person praying outside an abortion center.

The people who hate Trump created Trump who then created Biden, and here we are. All of this should bring a smile to the globalists. Giving democracy the finger, the elites have done what they can to give us an election in which more than half of the citizens dont like either candidate.

Unless something changes, Americans really have no choice. You can vote, but either way, you lose.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has slapped $1.5 million in penalties, refunds, and interest on consultant Aon Investments USA Inc. to settle charges the Chicago firm misled the Pennsylvania Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) about errors that caused an exaggerated profit report for 2011-2020.

The miscalculation was a subject of two federal investigations. It also figured in a boardroom fight over the agencys investments that led to the 2021 retirement or resignation of top PSERS executives and a multibillion-dollar reallocation away from private investments by its governing board.

After correcting the error, PSERS had to boost payroll deductions from 100,000 of the public school employees who contributed to the retirement plan to help cover its poor results. PSERS manages investments worth around $70 billion to help pay pensions to half a million current and retired public school staff.

Investment advisers must be scrupulously honest with their clients, LeeAnn G. Gaunt, chief of the SECs Public Finance Abuse Unit, said in a statement. Pension funds and other municipal entities should be able to trust that their investment advisers are telling them the truth.

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Aon spokesman Robert Elfinger said, We are pleased to have resolved this matter, which didnt affect PSERS actual assets.

In 2020, when data that Aon provided PSERS for the 2011-2020 calculation didnt match PSERS published quarterly returns for some periods, state Treasurer Joe Torsella, who served on the board, asked PSERS executives to explain. Reassured by Aon, the PSERS leaders convinced its board to approve the report in December anyway.

According to the SEC, when PSERS repeatedly questioned the discrepancy, Aon partner Claire P. Shaughnessy, who oversaw Aons work calculating PSERS returns, failed to adequately investigate that discrepancy and instead gave reasons that Aon already knew werent accurate. She denied Aon had erred, when, in fact, she did not know the reason for the discrepancy, the SEC said.

Shaughnessy was at least negligent and willfully violated securities law, the SEC concluded. She failed to check data when PSERS asked for explanations and instead made false claims  alternately citing public and private investment valuation errors for the discrepancy.

Aon willfully violated securities law by giving PSERS inaccurate information and then made material misstatements and omitted facts even after PSERS realized that the numbers were wrong and that it had to restate its results, the SEC said.

Under terms of the settlement, neither Shaughnessy nor Aon admitted wrongdoing.

The miscalculation, along with PSERS purchase of unappraised properties, was investigated by a federal grand jury in Philadelphia in a probe that ended without charges in 2022. The separate SEC investigation focused on the miscalculation and also on PSERS advisers possible exchange of gifts with money managers who sought to be hired by PSERS.

The SEC has told PSERS that investigation will not result in enforcement actions against the pension plan, PSERS said in its statement Thursday.

Im pleased that the SECs investigation has cast light onto how these reporting inaccuracies occurred, current Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who led calls for new pension leadership and now heads the boards audit committee, said in a statement. She added that recent reforms should help ensure a culture of independent oversight as the board tries to improve disclosure and investment reporting.

SEC and PSERS officials would not comment on whether the agency is still investigating PSERS outside consultants and money management firms. (Update Feb. 10:) The Inquirer has since confirmed that the SEC has alerted at least three of the consultants that they will not face enforcement actions related to information collected in the investigation.

We are pleased with the developments today from the SEC and equally excited to be sharing such positive news with our members, PSERS new board chairman Richard Vague said in a statement.

Under federal laws governing nonprofits, Aons error forced PSERS to recalculate returns. Under state pension law, when the new, slightly worse returns were posted in spring 2021, the agency was forced to boost payroll deductions from 100,000 mostly younger teachers and other early-career employees to help cover its poor results. Based on the earlier incorrect data, PSERS had announced no increase would be needed.

That extra charge, which took 50 to 75 cents of every $100 from the affected staffers pay, will end in July, thanks to better returns in 2020-23. Most teachers will go back to putting 8% of their annual pay into the plan next fiscal year, or over $1 billion total. PSERS also collects over $5 billion a year from state and local taxes and a varying amount from investment profits.

In addition to the penalty against Aon, Shaughnessy was fined $30,000. Shaughnessy left Aon in late 2022 and joined another national financial consulting firm. Aon declined to comment on her departure.

Aon also faces a PSERS lawsuit in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, demanding the firm compensate PSERS for at least $8.8 million it spent on defense lawyers, advisers and consultants since the miscalculation came to light. That case is scheduled for trial later this year.

PSERS said it is reviewing the SEC settlement against Aon. Neither side would comment on its effect on PSERS lawsuit.

Aon has argued in court that it should not have to pay PSERS damages because it was following accepted procedures and that PSERS had extra expenses due to reasons unrelated to the miscalculation.

PSERS hired Aon to produce investment data starting in 2010. The agencys board agreed in 2022 to cancel Aons most recent, five-year $3.4 million contract and prepare the lawsuit, though Aon continued advising PSERS as recently as last year and continued to use its data in calculating investment returns.
Shane Pryor, 17, is seen on a store security camera in the area of Godfrey and Mascher Street, after he escaped from juvenile jail staff custody outside of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Read more

Seventeen-year-old Shane Pryor was handcuffed and shackled before being driven from the citys juvenile detention center to a local hospital, law enforcement sources say, calling into question how he was able to break free of those restraints before escaping  and whether anyone helped him.

That has become a key part of the investigation into how Pryor, who is accused of killing a woman in 2020, escaped from the custody of juvenile jail staff on Wednesday afternoon, said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. And it comes as officials have zeroed in on at least one person they believe helped him: Michael Diggs, an 18-year-old suspected getaway driver who sources said Pryor met inside the juvenile jail a few years ago.

Diggs was charged Friday with escape, hindering a police investigation, criminal conspiracy, and related crimes, police said.

Pryor was being taken to the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia just before noon Wednesday, for treatment of a hand injury when police say he emerged from the vehicle unshackled and without handcuffs. He then pushed past the two unarmed staffers and fled.

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Within minutes, he approached a bystander, saying he had just been in a fight and needed to make a phone call, said Supervising Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Clark. He then used the womans phone to call Diggs, Clark said, and by 12:30 p.m., Diggs had picked him up and driven him out of the University City area in a tan Ford Fusion.

Within the hour, Clark said, the two were spotted in the Olney section of the city. Video showed them near Godfrey Avenue and Mascher Street from 1:15 p.m. until about 2 p.m., when they then drove off together in the tan car.

About four hours later, police pulled Diggs over in that same car, but Pryor was no longer with him.

Law enforcement officials have declined to share specifics on whether Pryors escape was planned or if any jail staffers may have helped him, saying only that investigators are looking into all possible angles.

U.S. Marshals said that as of Friday afternoon, they believed Pryor was still in the city. The video of him in Olney on Wednesday afternoon remains the last known sighting, Clark said.

Anyone who aids Pryor will be charged, he said. Pryor is known to have connections in the Mayfair section of the city, and investigators have focused some of the search in that area, Clark said.

Right now, were trying to shrink his world down, were trying to cut off his resources and cover every avenue of escape that he could have, said Clark. Remember, hes only 17 years old, hes been in jail the last three years. How many resources ... can he have?

Im extremely confident were going to find him, its just a matter of when, he said.

Who is Michael Diggs?

Detectives believe Pryor and Diggs met over a year ago inside the citys Juvenile Justice Services Center, and have kept in touch since, sources said.

Pryor has been in custody since October 2020, when he was arrested at age 14 along with another teen and charged with killing 54-year-old Tanya Harris.

 READ MORE: Disturbing new photos inside Phillys juvenile jail show kids sleeping on floors in crowded, filthy cells

Court records show that Diggs was arrested in June 2022 when he was 16, and charged with attempted murder, illegal gun possession, and related crimes after police accused him and three others of shooting two teens as they left Simon Gratz High School one afternoon.

But last year, Common Please Court Judge Lillian Ransom threw the case out after Diggs attorneys successfully argued that police and prosecutors did not have enough evidence tying Diggs to the shooting. Court records show that prosecutors did not appeal, and Diggs was released from custody in March 2023.

Young people accused of homicides are typically held in a separate wing of the juvenile jail, but one source said investigators believe the two met in a holding cell, where those in custody are typically held before being transported off site to court hearings or doctors appointments.

What happened to Tanya Harris?

Pryor and 15-year-old Kiyan Williams were charged with murder after police said that on Oct. 10, the two teens met with Harris in an alleyway, paid her for sex, then shot her in the head. A passerby found Harris body hours later, leaning over a railing near 7400 Torresdale Ave.

According to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest, Pryor told police he was in the alley but did not shoot Harris. Pryors mother has said her son has always maintained his innocence and that they intend to take the case to trial. She has encouraged her son to turn himself in.

Williams also remains in custody awaiting trial.

Pryors escape has again put the spotlight on potential failings of the citys jails and prisons, and the longstanding issues within the juvenile detention center, which is run by the citys Department of Human Services. It follows the breakouts of four adults from city prisons over the last year.

Pryors lawyer, Paul DiMaio, said he believes Pryor was fearful of facing adult prison, as he is just two weeks away from turning 18. He said he and his client had asked a judge to send his case back to juvenile court last month, but the request was denied  allowing the case to move forward through the adult system.

DiMaio said that may have led Pryor to lose hope and decide to flee.

Clark, of the U.S. Marshals, said Pryors escape would only exacerbate his legal troubles.

He should be fighting his case in the courtroom, he said, and surrender to the nearest police officer immediately.

Staff writer Rodrigo Torrejon contributed to this article.
Gov. Josh Shapiro on Friday announced a blueprint to overhaul how Pennsylvania funds its colleges and universities to make attending a state-run or community college significantly more affordable.

Shapiros pitch for sweeping changes to the higher education system is expected to be a signature part of the budget proposal he delivers to the General Assembly next month. The initiative received support Friday from Democrats, Republicans, and higher-education officials  all of whom are stakeholders hell need to get his pitch across the finish line and fix the states struggling system.

Pennsylvania spends less on higher education than every other state except New Hampshire. The long-term erosion of state support in Pennsylvania has increased the financial burden on students and institutions, resulting in tuition hikes, cuts in services, and the need to take on more debt, the governors office said.

Shapiros announcement Friday did not include how much these changes could cost the state, and many details of how it would be implemented were not immediately available. Full details of the plan will be released as part of his full budget pitch on Feb. 6. And as Pennsylvania approaches a fiscal cliff next year  with spending expected to outpace revenue  any major funding increases could be a sticking point in budget negotiations between Republicans, who control the state Senate, and the Democratic governor and Democratic-controlled House.

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Part one of Shapiros three-part plan called for a cap of $1,000 per semester on tuition and fees at state-owned universities and community colleges for median-income Pennsylvanians making $70,000 or less. It would also increase Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency grants by $1,000 for all students attending state-related universities and independent colleges. PHEAA administers financial aid, and disbursed more than 103,000 grants to Pennsylvania college students in the 2021-22 academic year, according to the agencys data.

For the fifth consecutive time, a tuition freeze was approved last year for in-state students at state-owned universities, keeping the tab at $7,716. But the annual cost for Pennsylvania residents, including room and board, exceeds $22,000.

The plan also called for the unification of the 10 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities and the 15 publicly run community colleges under a new governance system, which Shapiro argues would improve coordination between schools and improve affordability.

The governors proposal is a real opportunity to build upon the strengths of PASSHE universities and the community colleges, said PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein in a statement. Together, we can create a new, larger system with better collaboration that gives students more pathways to a degree or credential, rapidly adjusts to the changing knowledge and skills employers want, and provides the lowest-cost option for students throughout their lifetime.

An effort to address structural issues and declining enrollment

Over the last decade, enrollment has declined 30% across the PASSHE universities and 37% for the publicly run community colleges, the governors office said.

Some higher education officials previously blamed part of PASSHEs slowing enrollment on Penn States opening of more branch campuses around the state, leading to overcrowding of higher education in the state and making schools compete for students. But even Penn State is cutting back on its branch campuses, which are slated to lose $54 million this year, Spotlight PA reported.

Shapiro also proposed creating a performance-based funding formula that rewards public and state-related colleges and universities for achieving outcomes that benefit Pennsylvania. As part of this, Shapiro would end the two-thirds vote requirement from both chambers to fund Pennsylvanias four state-related schools  Temple and Lincoln Universities, Penn State, and the University of Pittsburgh  which have been tied up in political fights that delayed approval of their funding over the last few years.

The funding formula under Shapiros new proposal would weigh factors such as increasing enrollment, the number of first-generation college students who receive credentials, and the graduation rate.

Shapiro argued that his new higher-education funding formula would create incentives for institutions to recruit and support students to complete degrees and earn credentials in fields facing workforce shortages, such as nursing and teaching, and growing sectors, such as biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.

Lincoln University President Brenda Allen, who leads one of the states two historically Black universities, said Shapiros blueprint for higher education would support us in our work by delivering additional funding to support our historic mission, while also giving state-related universities like Lincoln stability and a chance to plan for the future needs of our students.

In his budget address next month, Shapiro will propose funding increases for state-owned universities, community colleges, and their students, the governors office said. This year, the state spent $585 million on its PASSHE schools, $262 million on its community colleges, and sent another $604 million to the four state-related schools.

Shapiro worked with higher-education leaders to develop his plan

The blueprint is based on the work of a group of higher-education leaders from across Pennsylvania appointed by Shapiro to develop a series of recommendations, the governors office said.

Every Pennsylvanian deserves the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed, Shapiro said in a statement. For some, that means going right into the workforce  but for those who want to go to college or get a credential, we need to rethink our system of higher education.

Thats exactly what my plan will deliver, and well build a higher-education system that opens up doors of opportunity, prepares our workforce, and serves as the linchpin to Pennsylvanias economic success, Shapiro added.

Several Republicans said they wanted to see more details of Shapiros plan for fixing the states higher education system, but praised the governors early ideas.

Jason Gottesman, a spokesperson for House Republicans, said the caucus was glad to see the Shapiro administration join with House Republicans in prioritizing students and families while balancing the financial needs of the Commonwealth.

I appreciate the perspective put forth by Gov. Shapiro within his proposal and believe his plan is well intended, said Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana). The types of changes being proposed are no small undertaking and notably absent from the announcement is the amount of funding required to effectuate the plan.

Two key considerations with any substantive changes must be the additional costs to taxpayers, as well as the impact on local communities where our states higher education institutions are located, Pittman added.
Philadelphias school board reversed its position on a city charter Thursday night, granting Southwest Leadership Academy a reprieve after it had initially moved to close the school.

The charter school, which educates children in grades K-8, had been cited for academic, financial and operational deficiencies in 2022. After a nonrenewal hearing in 2023, the board said the evidence for closure was strong, and voted to close. The school appealed.

CEO Leigh Purnell said that while the school at 71st Street and Paschall Avenue had some remaining struggles, it has made significant academic strides since 2022.

Last school year, Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School students posted big gains on standardized tests. The school bested the districts median test score, grew faster than the state average, and fared better than most of its neighborhood competitors.

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Purnell said the school has added academic interventionists to help zero in on individual student needs, but also added more social-emotional supports, such as individual counseling. It now has Saturday programming and a summer bridge program.

All those factors caused the district to take another look at its case, Purnell said.

The board Thursday night reversed its vote to non-renew the schools charter, and gave Southwest Leadership a five-year charter retroactive to 2022, Purnell said, with 19 conditions including those related to standards around academics and changes to the composition of its board.

Charter chief Peng Chao cited updated and positive outcomes from the 2022-23 school year as a main reason for the about-face.

School board president Reginald Streater said he is cheered by the academic progress and wants to continue our partnership in the best interest of students, but things are not perfect.

I do remain concerned about the schools current financial position, Streater said. It is imperative that the schools board of trustees prioritize the critically important work it must to do to stabilize the schools finances.

Board member Sarah-Ashley Andrews also said questions remain surrounding the schools governance and organizational compliance, but the school and charter office are working together, and that gives me hope that the school is headed in the right direction.

Purnell said the process was exhaustive, and, in a sense, destabilizing; some teachers and families left because they were worried about a possible closure. But, she said, the tide is turning, and applications are up.

We fought against all of those factors, and our students and staff were able to be successful, said Purnell. Im really grateful we were able to persevere.

Multiple Southwest Leadership Academy parents, students and staff told the board how much their school means to them, calling it a place of caring and standards.

This school has helped me flourish and become the overachieving student I am, eighth grader Djibrill Koita said. When I came to school, I felt safe.

More students participated in criteria-based school applications

Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said changes to the way students apply and are admitted to criteria-based schools meant more children participated in the selection process.

Overall, 17,401 students applied in 2023; 16,503 applied in 2022.

As a team, I think weve done a much better job, not a perfect job at the school-selection process, Watlington said.

But a number of speakers raised objections to the process, including a handful of students from Mayfair Elementary in the Northeast and one of their teachers, Kristyn McCrohan.

Lowering some schools standards is the reason more students are applying to criteria-based schools, McCrohan said, and that shouldnt be the case. Instead, it should be because the district has done the work to produce equal opportunities in middle schools.

Friday is the deadline for students to accept or reject their school-selection offers. Once those decisions are registered, the district will begin making offers to students on wait-lists.

Masterman families complain about fewer opportunities

A number of students asked for district leaders to intervene at Masterman, a top city magnet. The students said changes to the schools schedule have lessened opportunities in world language offerings, science labs and extracurriculars.

Deputy Superintendent Jermaine Dawson said he met with Mastermans Home and School Association this week and is working on resolving some of the issues.

We do believe in Masterman, as we do in all schools in the School District of Philadelphia, Dawson said.
Madonna, who brought her Celebration Tour to the Wells Fargo Center on January 25, performs in Brooklyn, NY in December 2023 Read more

Round about midnight during Madonnas Celebration Tour at the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday, a video montage flashed highlights of her long and illustrious career.

Emphasis was on outrage elicited and headlines generated by the sexually frank and provocative performances that made the superstar infamous  and massively popular  as she reshaped pop music in the 1980s.

But the point of the interlude  and the crux of the shows career-spanning, jam-packed-with-hits message  was pointedly made at the end of the clip.

Aging is a sin, Madonna declared. I think the most controversial thing Ive ever done is stick around.

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And stick around she has, reaching back to her early Material Girl years when she built on David Bowies shape-shifting model of constant image reinvention, and then, designing the instruction manual brand-name pop stars follow in bringing underground dance music cultures into the mainstream.

It was no accident that Beyonces Queens Remix of her 2022 Break My Soul hit was built on the foundation of Madonnas 1990 Vogue. That ballroom-celebrating hit was a centerpiece of Thursdays concert, serving as a showcase for Madonnas team of dancers, including her 11-year-old daughter, Estere.

Madonna as pioneer who continued to survive and thrive  despite the haters, then and now  was the theme that underscored the evening.

She was introduced by Ru Pauls Drag Race winner Bob the Drag Queen, who initially appeared dressed as Marie Antoinette and proclaimed that he knew he was in Philadelphia because I can smell the cream cheese in the air. (Kudos to him and Madonna for not making a single cheese steak reference all evening. Wawa did get a brief mention, however.)

More than once, Bob referred to the star of the show as the icon, the innovator. And the idea that shes still going strong  after a health scare last year when she was hospitalized with an infection and had to delay the start of the tour  was emphasized throughout.

The show began with Nothing Really Matters, a about the primacy of maternal love, from her 1998 album Ray of Light, performed while crowned with a golden halo. She then jumped to the mid-1980s with Everybody and Into the Groove  disco-derived songs that put a pep in the step of a not-quite-sold-out crowd that was largely in the 65-year-old stars age cohort.

Then she moved to an area of the expansive stage in the center of the arena. She had a brace on her left knee, which she wore early on and late, but discarded in the middle of the show. Ive still got it, right?, she asked the crowd.

It wasnt really a question, but more of a statement of pride which would largely be born out over the course of the two-hour show, plotted as a musical autobiography of sorts, full of good stories, bad stories, sad stories, and hopefully, some sexy stories.

And all of them, of course, were late-night stories  including Bedtime Story, a highlight toward the end of the show.

The Celebration Tour made headlines when a show last month in Brooklyn led to two fans filing a lawsuit because it didnt start till close to 11. This week, Madonna and promoter Live Nation said they would defend this case vigorously.

On Thursday, the Wells Fargo Center sent out an early evening message on social media warning that the show, which was scheduled for 8:30 p.m., would start late due to the current weather conditions. It was over 50 degrees and not raining at the time.

So in that context, her arrival on stage at 10:06 p.m. didnt seem all that outrageous. Her audience knew what they were in for. When in her presence, one lives on Madonna time.

The show largely proceeded chronologically, with some exceptions, such as the aerobic burner Hung Up, from 2005s Confessions on the Dance Floor, immediately following 1985s Justify My Love, with which it meshed effortlessly.

Madonna has a lot of great songs, and also a lot of ideas, that can sometimes come across as heavy-handed hodgepodge. The flamenco-flavored La Isla Bonita, which featured her son David on guitar, was a charmer, but it segued into a stilted Dont Cry for Me Argentina which was, for some reason, performed with the star standing on the stage alongside photos of Bowie and Nina Simone, and then Marlon Brando and James Baldwin.

The shows family affair vibe was furthered when Madonnas daughter Mercy James accompanied her mother on piano during Bad Girl. The 1992 ballad, a self-destructive confession, came across with emotional clarity and was oddly staged with the singer in a red slip on top of the piano, seemingly in reference to Michelle Pfeiffer in The Fabulous Baker Boys.

The show was celebratory by definition but also a serious affair that left some big hits off the set list. Material Girl was omitted and Like a Virgin only included in a prerecorded version, mashed up with Michael Jacksons Billie Jean in a nostalgic costume change interlude.

The most powerfully effective segment came with Live to Tell, from 1986s True Blue. It was the centerpiece of an in-memoriam segment that honored people who died during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s.

Black-and-white photos of those that were lost  Keith Haring, Arthur Ashe, Rock Hudson, and others not so well-known  shown on video screens as Madonna moved above the crowd on a mini-stage. It was staged with dignity and grace.

Also, effective was a version of Express Yourself, performed on acoustic guitar in a cowgirl outfit, and sung as a missive to her children, urging them to boldly take on the world with the same verve their mother has. The crowd sang along with gusto.

 READ MORE: That time Madonna auctioned her Mercedes Benz to fund a Philadelphia art exhibit

The theme of perseverance  and the showbiz spirit that the show must, and will, always go on  was stressed in Die Another Day, Madonnas James Bond movie song and in Dont Tell Me, from 2000s Music, in which she makes it clear she never intends to end the lifelong performance project of being Madonna.

The show ended somewhat anti-climactically. Ray Of Light, from the 1998 album of the same name, was fantastic, with the star in a silver jumpsuit and black sunglasses that made it seem like lasers were shooting out of her eyes.

But the big finale was built around Bitch Im Madonna, the 2015 hit with Nicki Minaj coproduced by former Philadelphian mixmaster Diplo.

Dancers were costumed as different Madonnas through the various stages of her career, including Estere outfitted as a baseball player inspired by the 1992 movie A League of Her Own.

It was cleverly conceived, and it stated an incontrovertible truth. But it didnt really work as a show closer because the song is lacking in comparison to the choicer material that all those Madonna iterations created throughout the one-of-a-kind career that had been celebrated over the previous two hours.

Heres the set list for Madonnas Celebration Tour at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Jan. 25, 2024.

Nothing Really Matters

Everybody

Into the Groove

Burning Up

Open Your Heart

Holiday

Live to Tell

Like a Prayer

Erotica

Justify My Love

Fever

Hung Up

Bad Girl

Vogue

Human Nature

Crazy for You

Die Another Day

Dont Tell Me

Mother and Father

Express Yourself

La Isla Bonita

Dont Cry for Me Argentina

Bedtime Story

Ray of Light

Rain

Bitch Im Madonna

 READ MORE: Madonna and 14 other concerts to warm up the Philadelphia winter
Customers enjoy food and drink at Moriarty's Restaurant in 2020, shortly before the pub was temporarily closed due to pandemic restrictions. Read more

Moriartys Restaurant and Bar in Midtown Village is under fire from city officials and LGBTQIA groups after a discriminatory and transphobic help wanted ad in its name appeared on Craigslist.

The Jan. 24 listing, which has since been taken down, advertised an opening for a Male Bartender (Center-City Philadelphia) at Moriartys. Under qualifications, skills, and requirements, it said: Must be biologically male.

This is extremely problematic and absolutely transphobic, said Celena Morrison, executive director of the citys office of LGBT Affairs, about the ad first flagged online by customers and LGBTQIA advocates. There are laws that say its illegal for employers to make decisions based on a persons race, religion, gender, or sexual identity. This is the kind of thing that fuels a culture of people facing unfair treatment.

Morrison said her office will be reporting the posting to the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.

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We cannot send a message that this is OK, she said. Thats not how we operate in Philadelphia.

Moriartys management did not return several calls for comment. Housed in a historic, red-brick building steps from the Forrest Theatre, Moriartys has long been a staple of the Midtown bar scene. Its current owner, John Ferry, bought the pub in 1974. His wife and son help run it.

The pubs location is just blocks from the heart of the Gayborhood.

My first thought was what the hell are they thinking?  said Deja Lynn Alvarez, deputy director of World Health Care Infrastructures and the first openly transgender woman to run for City Council. There are very few places where LGBTQIA people can feel safe and Center City is one of these places. To have this pop up in Center City is definitely distressing.

Councilmember Rue Landau, the commissions longtime director, and first openly LGBTQIA person to serve on City Council, said the job posting was in clear violation of the Fair Practices Ordinance. The city ordinance offers protections against unlawful employment practices. Violators can face fines, training, and compensatory damages.

I am confident it will be an easy, open and shut case, Landau said, of a potential investigation.

The commission was unfamiliar with the ad and could not comment directly on it, said Saterria Kersey, a spokesperson. But she added that soliciting employment based solely on gender violates the Fair Practices Ordinance, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Eric Meyer, a Philadelphia-based attorney, who handles employment practice law, said if the pub actually acted on the job posting, it would be violating federal, state, and city anti- discrimination laws, including the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. In 2018, the act was amended to include gender identity and expression as a protected class.

Employers can seek out candidates of specific gender in limited situations, he said. But only when being of a particular sex is a bona fide occupational requirement. Tending bar is not one of those situations, he said.

What you cant do is hire based on sex to appeal to the preferences of coworkers or employers or customers or clients, he said. You cant hire an individual based on the stereotypical characteristics of sex.

David Weisberg, a spokesperson for the Mazzoni Center, which provides health and legal services to the LGBTQIA community, said the center was happy to see the ad had been taken down.

We hope they would refrain from any future discriminatory job requirements, he said.

The job posting described a part-time job with potential to become something greater. Moriartys bartenders typically average between $20-$45 per hour, the listing said. Besides being biologically male, all candidates would be required to communicate and understand our guests predominant language(s). Prior bartending experience, it added, would be a plus.

Alvarez said some online are calling for protests and sit-ins at the bar. First, she wants to have a conversation  to figure out how the posting could even happen.

How could a restaurant that is still considered to be in the Gayborhood still think this was OK? she asked.
New Jersey plans to suspend two New Jersey nursing nursing homes from Medicaid. Read more

New Jersey plans to suspend two South Jersey nursing homes from Medicaid, state regulators said on Thursday, citing the facilities poor care and evidence in New York of massive Medicaid fraud by their owners.

The suspension takes effect on May 25.

The facilities facing suspension by the New Jersey Comptrollers Medicaid Fraud Unit are Deptford Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare and Hammonton Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare. Both have one-star quality ratings from the federal government and have been cited repeatedly for health and safety violations, according to the comptroller.

The owners, Kenneth Rozenberg, Beth Rozenberg, and Daryl Hagler, have faced sanctions in New York, including a judges appointment of a financial monitor and a health monitor to oversee four facilities there. The monitors were appointed following a New York Attorney Generals Office lawsuit alleging that the Rozenbergs and Hagler siphoned $83 million from four New York nursing homes between 2013 and 2022 in order to enrich themselves.

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When there is evidence of fraud of this magnitude, and when a judge has acted to prevent further siphoning and self-dealing, we have a duty to act. To protect New Jersey Medicaid and the residents who rely on it, we must stop the flow of Medicaid funds to these individuals, and we must require them to step aside, acting State Comptroller Kevin Walsh said in a news release.

Jeff Jacomowitz, spokesperson for the company that manages the facilities, said in an email: Centers Health Care does not comment on pending litigation. We will continue to fight the New York Attorney Generals spurious claims and will respond to the New Jersey copycat claims in due course.

Hundreds of nursing home beds affected

Deptford Center and Hammonton Center both have 240 beds. Details on how many people are being cared for in the two nursing homes were not immediately available.

Laurie Facciarossa Brewer, New Jerseys long-term care ombudsman, said it is likely that the majority of them have Medicaid, which is a joint federal and state insurance program for low-income individuals.

Facciarossa Brewer called the suspension of the two nursing homes richly deserved. Losing Medicaid would put the owners in a difficult spot, she said.

The owners could sell the facilities or close them, but its rare for a New Jersey nursing home to close, she said. Buyers typically take over.

Thats what happened in 2017, when another Centers Healthcare facility lost access to both Medicare and Medicaid. The closure was announced, but a buyer stepped in before that happened.

If Deptford and Hammonton were to close, the ombudsman office would help find new placements for the residents, Facciarossa Brewer said.
Veronica McKee, Christine Johnson, Teresa Lundy and Adriana Dawson participate in a virtual panel discussion on Jan. 25, 2024, held by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. Amanda Landrey provided American Sign Language interpretation. The discussion touched on the reasons women have not been ascending to leadership positions in the workplace at the same rate as men, and solutions that could close the gap. Read more

Women are gaining ground in the C-suite, but progress in lower ranks of management is stalling.

That finding by consulting firm McKinsey & Co., in its latest Women in the Workplace survey report, was the root of a discussion held Thursday by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. Business leaders who are women explained some of the typical workplace policies and norms that have created gender inequity, and how they can be changed.

Theres not enough progress at the middle, said Christine Johnson, a partner at McKinsey. Directors and below are actually leaving the workforce at the highest rates weve seen.

Johnson said promotions to middle manager for first-level manager roles are extremely low among women, and even lower for women of color. McKinsey has called this the broken rung on their career ladders.

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So whats the cause? Its not a lack of ambition, Johnson said, citing data from the survey.

One of the greatest threats to women in the workplace is burnout, Johnson said, and women who experience microaggressions are much more likely to simply leave the workplace and suffer from burnout.

What do microaggressions look like?

McKinseys survey found that microaggressions  incidents of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination  are more commonly noted by women working in-person with colleagues vs. remote workers, communications professional Teresa Lundy noted, and many companies have been increasing expectations of in-person work in the past year.

Adriana Dawson, a director of community engagement at Verizon, said even well intentioned comments can be harmful.

They feel as though they are complimenting me when they tell me how well spoken I am because its surprising to them that I dont have an accent, Dawson, who identifies as Latina, said. Its rooted and based on this perception that folks might have about how people like me should speak.

Another example, she said, is the expectation that professionals should dress in muted or neutral colors. Dawson said she prefers to wear red lipstick, animal prints, and occasionally some hoop earrings to work.

I am going to show up my whole self [and that] may make others feel uncomfortable because theyre not used to that, Dawson said. I just had to learn thats their problem, not mine.

The panelists noted an area of progress in that regard, with the passage of the CROWN Act in nearly two dozen states. These laws prohibit discrimination based on hair texture or style.

Family leave for men can help women advance

Johnson, whose consulting clients are in the chemicals and energy industries, said one of the most encouraging changes shes seen in recent years is not just for women. Its the expansion of parental leave to include secondary parents, who are often men.

Women often return from parental leave feeling like theyre months behind their colleagues and unable to catch up, Johnson explained. They may view having children as a choice that keeps them from advancing their career.

At companies that encourage all parents to take leave after welcoming a child, Johnson said, its not just mothers that have to bear the burden of the career choice.

Hybrid work and flexibility

The challenges of balancing childcare duties with work extends beyond parental leave, Dawson noted. We recognize that childcare is a workforce development issue and a lot of women bear the brunt, she said.

Dawson suggested that companies should provide childcare subsidies, schedule flexibility, or other support so parents are able to continue working. She mentioned that oftentimes it doesnt make sense financially to continue working a rigid or demanding work schedule because of the care costs required.

Having adequate pumping space available to lactating parents also removes a barrier to staying in the workforce, she said.

At the Haverford Trust Co., flexible hours and hybrid work arrangements are part of planning career paths and retaining workers, said chief marketing officer Veronica McKee. The company has seen 95% employee retention over the last decade, she said, and its employees are about 50% women throughout all levels of the company.

Weve kept a permanent hybrid working condition as a result of the productivity that we saw, McKee said. We feel like its working for our employees.

Frequent mental-health checks and breaks

Like expanded parental leave and hybrid work, the business leaders said burnout prevention benefits everyone and can help with retaining women.

For McKee, of Haverford Trust, that sometimes means making sure we measure our time off in hours, not in days. Especially during the early days of COVID-19 lockdowns, she explained, people were working long hours and canceling vacation time to save it for later.

We encouraged people and reminded them to take two hours off, go for a long walk, do whatever it is to be recharged [and] reduce the stress, McKee said. That practice has continued even with the return of some in-person work, she added.

The leaders also emphasized the importance of checking in regularly on team members mental state. Dawson suggested doing so for three to five minutes at the start of any meeting, asking attendees about their energy levels.

Johnson said she recently experienced that kind of interaction when a male colleague checked in before starting work on a project. She happened to be late to the meeting, coming in with other stresses on her mind.

And he actually wasnt feeling that well. So he didnt put it all on me, Johnson said. Stop apologizing for being your whole self and start realizing that can be your superpower.

Its a feeling of belonging, Dawson added. Were being seen.
The applause is muted in the video, but a Chester County commissioners opening remarks about a controversial plan to build a campground there set the tone for the standing-room-only meeting.

I cannot, in good conscience, support the construction of new campgrounds in Big Elk Creek State Park, Commissioner Eric Roe told the crowd at a charter school in West Grove earlier this month.

Hundreds attended the Jan. 10 joint town hall meeting between Franklin and Elk townships to discuss the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources plans for Big Elk Creek State Park. Many attendees spilled out into hallways, and others watched at home via livestream for over three hours. The 1,700-acre parcel that is Big Elk Creek State Park was unveiled by the state in September 2022; DCNR presented preliminary plans for a campground during a Nov. 6 meeting at Lincoln University.

They hid this from everyone, Franklin Township resident Anteia Consorto, co-founder of Save Big Elk Creek, said in December.

Consorto said the opposition group is concerned about the impact camping and its accompanied infrastructure would have on the watershed, local wildlife, and local roads.

The group, she said, was feeling confident but cautious after the Jan. 10 meeting.

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They have taken camping off the table for now, but its the for now aspect of it that bothers us, Consorto said recently. Will it be revisited down the road? We hope they would take it off the table forever.

DCNR spokesperson Wesley Robinson, in a statement to The Inquirer, said the agency is not considering camping as a recreational feature of the park at this time. DCNR is creating an advisory task force for Big Elk Creek State Park, he said, that will include local elected officials, township officials, and residents.

Our efforts at Big Elk Creek are focused on ecological restoration at the park and the best ways to convey the rich cultural and natural history the park holds. We are listening to the community and its environmental concerns. Our top goal is to get this right, Robinson said in a statement.

While most of the crowd was against the campground, Ellie Kerns, a Chester County resident and field organizer with the nonprofit PennEnvironment, read a statement in support.

Im excited that other Pennsylvanians and visitors will be able to enjoy these beautiful natural and wonderful open spaces through the addition of Big Elk Creek State Park to Pennsylvanias network of public lands and state park system, Kerns told the audience.

SaveBigElkCreek.org has called for a balanced approach at the state park, including ADA-accessible bathrooms and trails, along with youth group primitive camping to members of recognized organizations accompanied by responsible adults.

Consorto said her group is trying to lobby Gov. Josh Shapiro to turn Big Elk back to a nature preserve.

Approximately 37.9 million people visited state parks last year, and DCNR said overnight reservations were higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic. The bulk of the campgrounds are in north and south-central Pennsylvania. Thats one reason the Sierra Clubs Pennsylvania chapter supports the campground plan.

The Sierra Club is in favor of reducing barriers to access and creating safe and welcoming spaces for all to recreate in the great outdoors, deputy director Sarah Corcoran told tThe Inquirer in the statement.

Anyone interested in commenting on the project can email DCNR at BigElkCreekSP@pa.gov.
A New Jersey DJ who told authorities he joined the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, hoping to produce a viral video of the insurrection was sentenced Thursday to 45 days behind bars.

The footage filmed that day by James Douglas J.D. Rahm III has since been used in congressional investigations and by the FBI to charge others who participated in the attack.

I got what I wanted, Rahm later told members of the House committee that probed the events of Jan. 6. But at what cost?

At a sentencing hearing Thursday in Washington, Rahm, 29, of Atlantic City, maintained that he was not a particularly avid supporter of former President Donald Trump and that it was only his desire to capture an historic event that led him to the Capitol that day.

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His lawyer, H. Heather Shaner, insisted that Rahms subsequent cooperation with Congress and federal authorities should be enough to keep him out of jail on the misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct on restricted grounds to which he pleaded guilty last year.

But U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper disagreed, spurred by prosecutors who noted that Rahm had repeatedly ignored warning signs  ranging from shattered windows and blaring alarms and numerous tussles between police and the intruders  that should have signaled that he was not allowed in the building.

At one point, Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer noted, Rahms own footage appears to show him lighting up a joint in the Capitol Rotunda.

Oh my f God, he shouted over the recording amid the chaos unfolding around him. We just stormed the Capitol.

 READ MORE: A Douglassville man stole a sign from the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, agents say. Three years later, it led to his arrest.

Thursdays sentence makes Rahm the 28th New Jersey defendant to be sentenced for participating in the riot, which caused millions in damage, injured scores of officers and threatened the peaceful transition of presidential power.

Among them is his father  James Douglas Rahm Jr., 64, of Philadelphia and Atlantic City  who accompanied his son to the Capitol that day and later boasted on social media that he should have relieved himself on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis chair.

The elder Rahm was sentenced to 12 months incarceration last year. A federal judge has since allowed him to delay his prison stint while he appeals his conviction.

His son, in a letter sent to Cooper in advance of his sentencing Thursday, said that while he voted for Trump in the 2020 election he did so only because his parents were avid supporters.

He maintained he had no plans to head to Washington on Jan. 6 until his dad announced he was going.

I was driven by a sense of responsibility towards my fathers safety, since he was going alone and not in perfect health, Rahm III wrote. I was also intrigued by the opportunity to document a historic gathering.

After attending Trumps rally on the Ellipse together on the morning of Jan. 6, the Rahms later separated as they joined the large crowd marching toward the Capitol building, where members of Congress were convening to certify President Joe Bidens victory.

 READ MORE: South Jersey farmer sentenced to prison for shoving against police lines during Capitol attack

But as the younger Rahm pressed forward, filming the action with a GoPro camera hed recently purchased, signs of trouble abounded.

Near the scaffolding erected on the northwest side of the Capitol for Bidens upcoming inauguration, he filmed visibly injured officers. But he continued to climb the steps.

Reaching the Upper West Terrace, he panned over the crowd where numerous rioters brawled with police.

He pressed onward through the Senate Wing Doors, filming shattered glass on the ground and intruders singing the national anthem over blaring alarms.

And he wandered into the office suite of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi  where staffers had locked themselves in an office, cowering behind furniture  only to capture another rioter on video shouting: Lets get those dirty politicians!

At one point, prosecutors said, Rahm joined a crowd that shoved aside officers who were struggling to keep the Capitols East Rotunda doors sealed to keep the hordes outside at bay.

Unbeknownst to him until weeks later, his father was on the other side of the door and made his way into the building once the mob inside managed to fling the doors open.

All told, prosecutors said, Rahm spent roughly an hour in the Capitol building before leaving, reuniting with his father, and making his way back to Philadelphia.

 READ MORE: The Bucks County man behind the moment that allegedly incited the Jan. 6 Capitol riot takes his case to trial

When FBI agents tracked him down a month later, he immediately confessed and agreed to cooperate. But he told the judge Thursday hed suffered significantly since.

His DJ business has fallen off, he said, noting that hed been banned from all major social media platforms due to the publicity around his arrest.

He also complained that he now routinely gets stopped for extra security screening at airports and that his account on Airbnb has been suspended, making it difficult for him to travel.

And yet, Rahm added, he hoped hed done enough to make amends.

My participation had enormous consequences for America, for which I grieve, he told the judge. But I hope my actions since that day, in some small way, can help to heal our country.
Among all festivals in China, the Spring Festival is the most important. It symbolizes a farewell to the past and a greeting to the new one. Celebration of the Spring Festival features a blend of folk rituals and customs and encapsulates peoples gratitude for their family, and veneration for ancestors and Nature.

Although the Lunar New Year officially starts from the first day of the Lunar January, the festive vibe of the Spring Festival can normally be felt strongly early in Lunar December. Lunar December, known as La Yue in Chinese, marks the end of the lunar year. According to tradition, the term La Yue originates from the ancient La Ji (), a winter ritual where offerings were made to ancestors by sacrificing animals. Simultaneously, there was the homophonous La Ji () dedicated to the god of all grains. Over time, these two rituals were merged, signifying prayers for a bountiful harvest and blessings for the upcoming new year. The month in which these ceremonies took place came to be known as La Yue.

In this poster, join us on a journey to explore the unique charm of the kaleidoscopic customs of Chinese Lunar New Year .

Laba Porridge On the eighth day of lunar December, China observes the Laba Festival, which is associated with consuming Laba Porridge. This porridge typically comprises glutinous rice, sesame seeds, coix seeds, longans, red dates, shiitake mushrooms, lotus seeds, and other ingredients, symbolizing the abundance of grains and the forthcoming happiness and auspiciousness in the new year.

Xiao Nian The 23rd or 24th day of lunar December is known as Xiao Nian or Minor New Year. The specific date may vary slightly based on regional customs. On this day, besides partaking in the Reunion Dinner, a crucial tradition is the Providing Offerings to Kitchen God. According to legend, the Kitchen God is a celestial official delegated by the Jade Emperor to oversee the hearths of each household. On the 23rd day of lunar December, the Kitchen God ascends to report the deeds, both virtuous and malevolent, of the family to the Jade Emperor. Based on the Jade Emperors decree, rewards are granted and punishments meted out. Hence, on Minor New Year, families bid farewell to the Kitchen God, hoping for a favorable report on their behalf in the celestial court.

House Cleaning The custom of House Cleaning typically takes place on the 24th day of lunar December, which implies a thorough year-end cleaning, symbolizing the expulsion of any lingering misfortune or negativity, which paves the way for the auspicious and joyful blessings of the upcoming new year.

Tofu Making On the 25th day of lunar December, grind the millstone to make tofu. The term tofu sounds similar to fu, the word for happiness in Chinese, symbolizing good fortune. Making tofu on the 25th day of lunar December expresses peoples aspirations and visions for a better life, encapsulating a wish for prosperity and well-being.

Cutting New Years Meat In Chinese folk tradition, theres a saying: On the 26th day of lunar December, slaughter pigs and cut New Years meat. In times when the agrarian economy was underdeveloped and people made a meager living, the consumption of pork, also known as New Years meat, was often a luxury reserved for the Lunar New Year. Hence, the act of slaughtering pigs on the 26th day symbolizes the anticipation and preparation for a festive and prosperous celebration.

Slaughtering Chicken On the 27th day, slaughter New Years chickens. On the 27th day of lunar December, households traditionally slaughter chickens. The act of slaughtering chickens is a symbol of embracing auspice, as chicken (and auspicious are both pronounced ji in Chinese, symbolizing good fortune, auspiciousness, and good wishes.

Leavening White Dough On the 28th day of lunar December, its time to prepare wheaten food. In ancient China, where modern fermentation techniques were not yet available, regular dough prepared in advance could spoil after a few days. However, leavened dough would remain fresh longer. Thus, on the 28th day, people would start the fermentation process to prepare the main dishes for the first five days of lunar January. Despite advancements in fermentation technology today, the tradition of leavening white dough on the 28th day of lunar December has endured.

Journey Home During the Spring Festival, the world witnesses the largest human migration, predominantly occurring within China. Countless Chinese migrant workers from various regions return to their hometowns, bringing not just their physical presence but also their hearts back home. The nationwide return to family not only marks a significant demographic movement, but also reflects a profound emotional journey as individuals reconnect with their roots and loved ones during this festive period.

Pasting up Chunlian and Fu Before Lunar New Years Eve, every household customarily pastes Chunlian, or Spring Couplets, on the door frames and places the character  (fu) in their homes. Spring Couplets consist of pairs of neatly balanced and auspicious verses, with some calligraphy enthusiasts writing their own couplets to display on their door frames. The content of these couplets usually revolves around blessings, auspiciousness, and joy. Spring Couplets adorn not only individual homes but also the entrances of offices, malls, and various public places, expressing the collective hope and blessings for a splendid new year. Wear New Clothes  Purchasing new clothes or ordering tailor-made ones means embracing good fortune and energy in the new year.

Lunar New Years Eve Dinner The lunar New Years Eve dinner, known as  (nian ye fan), is the most important meal during the Spring Festival. Every household across the nation brings forth their culinary prowess for this special occasion. Beyond ensuring a sumptuous feast, there is a strong emphasis on positive symbolism. For example, fish is a common dish on every familys lunar New Years Eve dinner table as the word fish in Chinese, pronounced yu, sounds similar to the word for surplus or abundance, which symbolizes the wish for a surplus of good fortune and prosperity every year.

According to tradition, it is customary to eat dumplings on lunar New Years Eve and the first day of the Lunar New Year. These two moments mark the transition between the old and the new years, hence dumplings are also referred to as  (jiao zi), with  meaning the exchange or transition between years. Consuming dumplings during the Spring Festival signifies reunion, auspiciousness, prosperity, and happiness. Shou Sui  The tradition of  (shou sui) involves staying up on the last night of the old year, ushering in the arrival of the new year without sleeping. On lunar New Years Eve, families gather together to joyfully welcome the beginning of the new year, staying awake throughout the night as a symbol of anticipation and readiness for a fresh start.

Watching Spring Festival Gala The first CCTV Spring Festival Gala took place in 1983, and since then, it has been an annual tradition, airing on the eve of the Lunar New Year and continuing into the wee hours of the first day of the new year. This program is themed around celebrating the Spring Festival and features a diverse array of performances, including song and dance, comic dialog, acrobatics, magic, and various artistic acts. Renowned artists and celebrities are often invited to participate, presenting a vibrant and culturally rich spectacle for the audience. The gala has been an indispensable cultural phenomenon during the Chinese New Year.

Setting off Firecrackers On the first day of the Lunar New Year, people set off firecrackers near their homes or in front of their shops to ward off misfortune and welcome good luck. Red Packets  During the Chinese New Year, elders give red packets to the younger generation, wishing them a safe and prosperous year ahead. New Year Visits  The first day of the lunar New Year marks the beginning of the Spring Festival. On this day, people exchange New Years greetings, wishing each other good health and all the best in the coming year. In ancient times, individuals visited temples to pray for blessings, but in modern times, the focus has shifted towards visiting relatives and friends. People come together for meals, conversations, and activities like playing cards. During these New Year visits, its common to exchange gifts as a way of expressing blessings and affection.

Second Day of the Lunar New Year: Married Women Return to Their Parents Home On the second day of the lunar New Year, a tradition in Chinese culture involves married women returning to their parents homes, bringing along their husbands and children. On this day, sons-in-law generally send New Years greetings to their fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law. During this visit, daughters often bring gifts as a gesture of filial piety and gratitude towards their parents.

Po Wu The 5th day of lunar January in China is traditionally known as Po Wu, or the "Breaking Five festival. On this day, people break certain taboos that are observed during the Spring Festival, such as refraining from cleaning or avoiding breaking objects. Businesses also resume normal operations, anticipating a fresh influx of prosperity. According to folk beliefs, Po Wu is also the birthday of the God of Wealth. On this day, people offer prayers to the God of Wealth, seeking financial success and good fortune in the coming year.

Lantern Festival The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, marking the final significant celebration of the Spring Festival. On this day, people eat Yuanxiao (sweet dumplings), participate in traditional activities like lantern appreciation, and engage in the challenging fun of solving lantern riddles. Yuanxiao, circular delicacies made from glutinous rice flour, come with various delectable fillings. On this day, people generally stroll around to admire the beauty of lanterns and colorful lights, creating a romantic atmosphere. Lantern riddles add an element of intellectual playfulness, blending wit and humor. During the Lantern Festival, fireworks, dragon and lion dances are also performed, celebrating the conclusion of the Spring Festival and the commencement of a new year.

Editor: WJH
ATMORE, Ala.  A man put to death using nitrogen gas shook and convulsed for minutes on the gurney as Alabama carried out the first-of-its-kind execution that has ignited debate over the humaneness of the method.

Breathing through a nitrogen-filled face mask that deprived him of oxygen, 58-year-old convicted killer Kenneth Eugene Smith convulsed in seizurelike spasms for at least two minutes of the 22-minute execution by nitrogen hypoxia Thursday. The force of his movements at times caused the gurney to visibly shake. That was followed by several minutes of gasping breathing until his breath was no longer perceptible.

Smiths supporters expressed alarm at how the execution played out, saying it was the antithesis of the states promise of a quick and painless death. But Alabamas attorney general characterized the execution as textbook during a Friday news conference.

As of last night, nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution is no longer an untested method. It is a proven one, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said, extending an offer of help for states considering adopting the method.

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Asked about Smiths shaking and convulsing on the gurney, Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Q. Hamm said they appeared to be involuntary movements.

That was all expected and was in the side effects that weve seen or researched on nitrogen hypoxia, Hamm said. Nothing was out of the ordinary from what we were expecting.

Marshall said he anticipated Alabama will definitely have more nitrogen hypoxia executions. More than 40 death row inmates have selected nitrogen as their preferred execution method over lethal injection but did so at a time when the state hadnt developed nitrogen procedures.

Attorneys for those inmates have asked the court to order Alabama to turn over records and information about Smiths execution. Litigation will almost certainly focus on Smiths convulsions and movements during the execution.

The State promised the world the most humane method of execution known to man. Instead, Mr. Smith writhed and thrashed before he died. No further executions should take place by this method until the events of this evening are examined by an independent body, Assistant Federal Defender John Palombi, who represents death row inmates who requested nitrogen, said in a statement.

Smiths spiritual adviser, the Rev. Jeff Hood, agreed that the execution did not match the state attorney generals prediction that Smith would lose consciousness in seconds followed by death within minutes.

We didnt see somebody go unconscious in 30 seconds. What we saw was minutes of someone struggling for their life, said Hood, who attended the execution.

Dr. Philip Nitschke, a euthanasia expert who designed a suicide pod using nitrogen gas and appeared as an expert witness for Smith, said the description of Smiths thrashing matches what he would expect to happen when nitrogen gas is used in a mask and someone holds their breath or takes the smallest possible breaths.

I think this outcome is inevitable if the nitrogen gas is to be used in execution where people do not want to die and will not cooperate, Nitschke said.

Outside the country, the European Union and the U.N. Human Rights Office expressed regret Friday over the execution. The 27-nation EU and the Geneva-based U.N. rights office say the death penalty violates the right to life and does not deter crime.

Smith, who was paid $1,000 to kill an Alabama woman more than 30 years ago, said in a final statement: Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards. Im leaving with love, peace and light.

He made the I love you sign with his hands toward family members who were witnesses. Thank you for supporting me. Love, love all of you, Smith said.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said the execution was justice for the murder-for-hire killing of 45-year-old Elizabeth Sennett in 1988.

After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes, Ivey said in a statement. I pray that Elizabeth Sennetts family can receive closure after all these years dealing with that great loss.

Mike Sennett, the victims son, said Thursday night that Smith had been incarcerated almost twice as long as I knew my mom.

Nothing happened here today is going to bring Mom back. Its kind of a bittersweet day. We are not going to be jumping around, whooping and holler, hooray and all that, he said. Ill end by saying Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett got her justice tonight.

Alabama had previously attempted to execute Smith in 2022, but the lethal injection was called off at the last minute because authorities couldnt connect an IV line.

The execution came after a last-minute legal battle in which his attorneys contended the state was making him the test subject for an experimental execution method that could violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Federal courts rejected Smiths bid to block it, with the final ruling coming Thursday night from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented.

Having failed to kill Smith on its first attempt, Alabama has selected him as its guinea pig to test a method of execution never attempted before. The world is watching, Sotomayor wrote.

The White House also expressed concern over the execution method, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying during a media briefing Friday that reports about Smith and his death were very troubling.

Sennett was found dead in her home March 18, 1988, with eight stab wounds in the chest and one on each side of her neck. Smith was one of two men convicted in the killing. The other, John Forrest Parker, was executed in 2010.

Prosecutors said they were each paid $1,000 to kill Sennett on behalf of her pastor husband, who was deeply in debt and wanted to collect on insurance. The husband, Charles Sennett Sr., killed himself when the investigation focused on him as a suspect, according to court documents.
The exterior of the cheesteak shop run by Anthony Lucidonio Sr. and his sons known as Tony Luke's at 39 E. Oregon Ave. on July 2022. The sandwich spot was forced to change its name to Tony & Nick's Steaks as a result of a civil settlement arising from a messy family battle over control of the business. Read more

The father-son duo behind the iconic South Philadelphia cheesesteak spot best known as Tony Lukes were sentenced to nearly two years in prison Thursday on tax fraud charges  the conclusion of a long-running prosecution and messy family row that now threatens the future of the operation.

Lawyers for Anthony Lucidonio Sr., 84, and son Nicholas Lucidonio, 57, said there is no one else the men trust to run the business. If they both end up behind bars at the same time, the lawyers said, theyd likely have to shutter the storefront in the shadow of I-95 from which theyve slung their signature sandwiches for more than 30 years.

During a hearing Thursday in federal court, U.S. District Judge Gerald A. McHugh said he was open to letting the Lucidonios serve their prison terms back-to-back. But he deferred making a final decision on the question and requested further input from prosecutors.

The 20-month punishment he doled out to both men came after they admitted theyd cheated on their payroll and personal income taxes for years, hiding more than $8 million in sales.

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Ive spent all of my life trying to provide for my family, and made some bad decisions along the way, the elder Lucidonio, known as Tony Luke Sr. or Papa Luke, told the judge in front of a courtroom packed with friends and family members. He pleaded with McHugh, in a statement read by his lawyer, to send him to prison and spare his son a similar fate.

For his part, Nicholas Lucidonio  voice shaking, eyes wet with tears  apologized for his crimes and the damage theyd inflicted on the business his family had built over three decades.

I hurt my familys reputation that was built through many years of hard work, he said. This is the burden I carry with me every day.

Though the duos tax crimes resulted in prison terms for both and an order that they pay back more than $1.3 million in back taxes to the IRS, they may never have come to light were it not for a bitter dispute over the future of the business and betrayals by other members of the Lucidonio family that eventually brought IRS agents to their door.

Lucidonio Sr. opened Tony Lukes at Oregon Avenue and Front Street in 1992 and has since grown it into a global franchise with more than a dozen locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Washington, Maryland, Texas and Bahrain.

Nicholas ran day-to-day operations at the original storefront for many of those years, while his brother Anthony Jr. became the face of the brand and the man who led its expansion.

Anthony Jr.s business relationship with his family members soured in 2015, and he was fired.

A lawsuit followed and the company split in two  The Original Tony Lukes, which operates the Oregon Avenue store, and Tony Lukes franchises, which are run by Lucidonio Jr. and business partner Ray Rastelli.

The litigation later forced the family to change the name of its original location to Tony and Nicks Steaks in 2022.

Anthony Jr.s two sons  Anthony III and Michael, who were also employed at the sandwich empire  followed him out the door, taking copies of the companys financial records with them and turned them over to federal investigators.

Those documents revealed that Lucidonio Sr. and Nicholas Lucidonio hid the success of their business from tax collectors by keeping two sets of books almost from the day the sandwich shop opened.

They purposefully kept cash profits out of their business bank accounts and developed a complicated method of paying their workers partly in cash to avoid having to pay taxes.

Only a portion of employees hours would be reflected on the checks they received each payday.

Workers were instructed to endorse those checks back to their manager, who would redeposit them in the business accounts and then hand employees envelopes stuffed with cash, reflecting the compensation for the real number of hours theyd worked.

When Anthony Jr. was fired from the business in 2015, his father and brother became so concerned their scheme would be exposed in the resulting court battle that they amended several years tax returns to reflect their true earnings, prosecutors said.

But they attempted to offset their new tax obligations by claiming phony business expenses.

Theyve been lying to and stealing from the federal treasury for upward of two decades, and by extension every honest taxpayer in this country, said Assistant U.S. Attorney John Noel Kane Jr.

Lawyers for Lucidonio Sr. and Nicholas Lucidonio urged the judge Thursday to spare both men time behind bars, saying theyd already suffered enough and suggesting that all of the sandwich shops 24 employees could lose their jobs should it be forced to close.

Under a clause in the 2018 settlement that resolved the lawsuit with Anthony Jr., he must be offered an opportunity to buy his father and brother out of the business should the original cheesesteak shop close for more than 10 consecutive days.

We dont deny on any level the seriousness of the offense, said Walter Weir Jr., lawyer for Lucidonio Sr. But theyre going to lose everything.

McHugh, who acknowledged patronizing Tony Lukes in the past, said Thursday he recognized the havoc that the case  and the dispute that spawned it  had wreaked upon the Lucidonio family and their business.

Still, the judge said, a price had to be paid.

We rely on an honor code as part of our tax system, he said. If there is no consequence, people lose faith in the system.
Domestic workers display their tally of members of Philadelphia City Council who have signed up to support them in the hallway at City Hall on Thursday. Read more

As City Councils new term began, workers gathered at City Hall to seek Councils support for labor rights legislation in the 2024 agenda.

The Council has passed labor legislation in recent years, including the domestic workers bill of rights. But, due to underfunding and increasing employer retaliation against workers who assert their rights, the promise of that legislation is not fully realized, according to Nicole Kligerman, director of the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

About 45 domestic workers, temporary workers, and restaurant workers gathered at City Hall on Thursday. In a busy day for Council, amid the first day of the new session and a news conference by critics of a proposed Sixers arena in Chinatown, they asked Council members to support workers rights and rallied for an anti-retaliation bill that advocates have been working with Councilmember Kendra Brooks office to shape.

House cleaner Guadalupe Canchola, 65, got the first pledge of the morning, after Councilmember Mark Squilla signed a white paper with red letters that read:

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I, Councilmember ____, pledge to make protecting Philadelphia workers a priority in 2024.

He was one of eight of Councils 17 members who voiced support Thursday.

They provide a great service for residents of the city of Philadelphia, its important for them to know they have support of elected officials, Squilla said, while emphasizing the legislative bodys current focus is on public safety, homelessness, and addiction.

For Canchola, after years of experiencing verbal abuse, wage theft, and retaliation, that signature made her feel seen. City Hall recognizes our work; they know we are here and that we will fight for our rights, she said.

Why is anti-retaliation legislation being sought?

The Domestic Worker Alliance has educated workers on their rights, Kligerman said. However, some workers have been fired or blacklisted after attempting to negotiate a contract.

Workers are deemed as a problem for speaking up, Kligerman said. Thats exactly why we need better anti-retaliation language in our laws, so there are real consequences when employers violate a law like this, she added.

What could this new legislation entail?

Kligerman said groups like hers are pushing for legislation to improve labor enforcement and enhance anti-retaliation protections to include:

A fast-track unit for retaliation cases, where employers are told immediately that they are under investigation. A worker-justice fund to financially support workers who have been unfairly fired, or are in need of mental health support for abuse they have experienced on the job. Having a bad actor database, where workers can look up employers. Hiring more labor lawyers, translators, and interpreters.

However, this is contingent on funding. The Office of Worker Protections would need at least a $2.5 million budget to turn such legislation into reality, Kligerman said.

We need the Office of Worker Protections to be fully funded under Mayor Parkers new budget. Right now there are long wait times and chronic understaffing ... . The result of claims taking so long is that workers are really disheartened and losing faith in the process, Kligerman said.

Who signed the petition?

By the end of the Councils first session, those who had signed the pledge included Councilmembers Squilla, Jamie Gauthier, Curtis Jones Jr., Isaiah Tomas, Rue Landau, Nicholas ORourke, Cindy Bass, and Jeffery Jay Young Jr.
Members of the Save the Train Coalition pose for a group photo in front of the High Point Cafe at the Richard Allen Lane Regional Rail Station in Philadelphia on Thursday. Read more

Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

We made it to Friday. Its still quite foggy, and it turns out all the vanishing snow is to blame. Expect more patchy fog and cloudiness throughout most of the day, with a high near 53.

SEPTA faces drastic service cuts after losing out on a $295 million boost in state aid for public transportation. Philly neighborhood groups are urging Gov. Josh Shapiro to protect the regional transit system before its too late. Our lead story follows their campaign to save the train.

 Paola Perez (@pdesiperez, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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In Northwest Philly, neighborhood groups are banding together to put pressure on Gov. Josh Shapiro to protect the Chestnut Hill West Regional Rail line  and the regional transit system.

Their main concern: The train line will be one of the first things axed as SEPTA drastically slashes service on bus, subway, trolley and Regional Rail service by up to 20% to deal with major financial challenges.

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The rail lines they are worried about connect Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy and Germantown to Center City, but are lightly used compared to others. And ridership is a key factor when considering transit service levels.

What theyre saying: Gov. Shapiro is not making it a priority, said Anne Dicker, an organizer of the effort called Save the Train and president of West Mt. Airy Neighbors. Theres money. He can move a mountain to get I-95 fixed, but not to fund transit?

What SEPTA is saying: The transit agency doesnt want the burden of cuts to fall disproportionately on any one area served by the system, according to spokesperson Andrew Busch. There havent been any decisions around specific routes or lines, he said. Were evaluating all modes.

Keep reading for more on what the group is doing in hopes that Shapiro finds a way to fund SEPTA.

City officials and LGBTQIA groups are sounding the alarm on an explicitly discriminatory job listing that appeared on Craigslist in the name of Moriartys Restaurant.

The Jan. 24 ad specified that the pub was looking for a Male Bartender (Center City). Under qualifications, skills and requirements, it said: Must be biologically male.

The listing has since been taken down. The pub, located just blocks from the heart of Philadelphias Gayborhood, has long been a staple of the midtown bar scene.

Notable quote: This is extremely problematic and absolutely transphobic, said Celena Morrison, executive director of the citys office of LGBT Affairs. There are laws that say its illegal for employers to make decisions based on a persons race, religion, gender or sexual identity. This is the kind of thing that fuels a culture of people facing unfair treatment.

Management did not return several calls for comment at the time of publishing.

Philly protections: The city follows a Fair Practices Ordinance, which offers protections against unlawful employment practices and holds violators accountable with fines, trainings, and compensatory damages. Councilmember Rue Landau said Moriartys job posting was in clear violation of this ordinance.

Keep reading to hear more from local experts and officials on the controversial listing.

What you should know today

 Trivia time

This spring, in a once-in-a-lifetime event, two broods of cicadas will emerge at the same time in the U.S. (We might not hear the noise in Philly, though.)

In what year did this historic ecological event last take place?

A) 1776

B) 1803

C) 1901

D) 2021

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we're...

 Hearing: Some Brits are salty over a Bryn Mawr professors tea-making techniques.

 Eating: Our way through Center City District Restaurant Week, now through Feb. 3.

 Picking: Which Eagles players should stay or go next season.

 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: One of the regions most flood-prone waterways

BECKY DINNERWARE

Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Rick Eynon who correctly guessed Thursdays answer: Rhys Hoskins.

Photo of the day

Thanks for hanging out with me this morning. Have a great weekend, and Ill be back in your inbox on Sunday with the latest news.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
Recently, the 2023 Basic Education Funding Commission published its report and made recommendations for changing Pennsylvanias school finance system. As someone who follows issues of Pennsylvania school funding, the obstructionist and delay tactics of Republican lawmakers are giving me an ominous sense of deja vu.

As a professor at Swarthmore College, I often tell my students that we study the history of education policies and the actions of policymakers so were not doomed to repeat the same inequitable decisions of the past. Understanding this history helps us respond in the current moment.

Racial disparities in Pennsylvania school funding first came to light during the 2014 Basic Education Funding Commission hearings. David Mosenkis, a data scientist and member of POWER Interfaith, a racial justice organizing group, testified to his finding that whiter school districts received more state funding than majority-minority districts, when controlling for poverty and other factors. The finding that Pennsylvania distributes school funding in ways that privilege whiter school districts has been confirmed by other studies.

After Mosenkis testimony, Republican State Sen. Pat Browne, cochair of the first Basic Education Funding Commission in 2014, responded the way a politician in a public setting would be expected to: surprise and a promise to do better. Browne stated that he didnt want funding formulas to have any unintended consequences, because at a minimum level, it sends a bad public policy message. He added that theres no reason in regards to what we do in the future that should continue to allow that.

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And yet, shortly after the first commission issued its report, Pennsylvanias Republican-led General Assembly enacted a law that preserved racial inequities in school funding. Although the 2016 law, based on the commissions recommendations, adopted a fair funding formula, the fine print dictated that the formula would only be applied to new money (i.e., increases to the state education budget). In 20172018, this meant that only 8% of the total education budget was distributed fairly  that is, in a racially equitable manner.

Tactics to evade the implementation of racially equitable school funding policies are part of Harrisburg culture and are common enough outside of Pennsylvania that education scholars refer to these as the tricks of the trade of state legislators.

Another trick of the trade included the use of not-nearly-enough earmarked funding to specific underfunded districts. The practice, according to state legislators, has been around for decades but only drew scrutiny in 2013. Earmarked funding was a poorly constructed stopgap effort that diverted attention away from the systemic problem of educational underfunding. It pacified constituents by giving the appearance that legislators were fighting for school funding when, in reality, it was a sloppily adhered Band-Aid. Browne was able to secure multiple years of earmarked funding for his underfunded school district in Allentown. So much state legislative activity produced so little change.

To be sure, the recent Basic Education Funding Commission report has more to recommend than its previous counterpart. For one, it acknowledges that there is a significant gap between what Pennsylvania currently provides and what is needed for an adequate education. And it attached a figure  $5.4 billion  to plug the adequacy gap, though this is still less than the $6.2 billion calculated by Matthew Kelly, a Pennsylvania State University professor.

But todays Republican lawmakers are up to their tricks of the trade again, finding ways to maintain the racial school funding status quo, despite the Commonwealth Courts 2023 ruling that Pennsylvanias school funding system is unconstitutional and in need of reform.

In a move to delay and undermine racial equity in Pennsylvania school funding, Republican commission members voted against the final report, issuing their own bootleg version. The Republican report rehashes the same tired narrative of the potential consequences of a formula that does not allocate to each district at least the same level of proportion of state basic education funding as the district received in the prior school year.

In other words, Republican commission members are calling to preserve the policy of hold harmless that maintains the school funding privileges of predominantly white districts.

Racial inequity in school funding is not, primarily, a problem rooted in poor policymaking; it is a problem rooted in the differential valuing of childrens lives.

Those who reject the premise that certain children are worthy of greater educational investment because of the color of their skin should also reject the delay tactics of Republican lawmakers. We should communicate our urgency to Gov. Josh Shapiro and our state legislators as they decide whether to continue to delay justice or to act now to transform Pennsylvanias racially inequitable school funding system.

Roseann Liu is the author of Designed to Fail: Why Racial Equity in School Funding Is So Hard to Achieve. She is a visiting assistant professor of Asian American studies and educational studies at Swarthmore College and an assistant professor of education studies at Wesleyan University.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the Parental Rights in Education Act, also known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, at Classical Preparatory School on March 28, 2022, in Shady Hills, Fla. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP, File) Read more

There are plenty of reasons to be glad Gov. Ron DeSantis gave up running for president.

First on the list: Now he can go back home to Florida and return to the important work of banning dictionaries.

Yes, thats actually happening.

Thats actually happening.

In response to laws passed last year in Florida, the School District of Escambia County  which includes Pensacola, in the states northwest corner  removed more than 1,600 books from school libraries and placed them into storage.

Included in that sequester: Merriam-Websters Elementary Dictionary, The American Heritage Childrens Dictionary, and Websters Dictionary and Thesaurus for Students.

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Also on the list: The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Anne Franks The Diary of a Young Girl, Ernest Hemingways For Whom the Bell Tolls, and William Goldings Lord of the Flies.

While Florida has passed plenty of problematic legislation in recent years, the current controversy is a result of the states HB 1069, which prescribes what Florida students learn related to sex and gender (ideally: nothing at all) and how they learn it (ideally: while wearing potato sacks and puritan bonnets).

In June, a month after DeSantis signed the bill, the School District of Escambia County decided to adopt emergency rules necessitated by a danger to health, safety, and welfare. Pending further review, it removed every book it could think of that might give students  information?

One could give Escambia County credit for comprehensiveness: What adolescent hasnt endeavored their own sex ed by consulting the dictionary?

As with much terrible legislation, the problem lies with the laws lack of precision. Also: the fact that it simply makes up what it wants certain words to mean.

Thats not how language works.

The opening lines of the bill define the word sex as the classification of a person as either female or male based on the organization of the body of such person for a specific reproductive role, as indicated by the persons sex chromosomes, naturally occurring sex hormones, and internal and external genitalia present at birth.

No reputable dictionary defines sex that narrowly. Neither the Merriam-Webster nor the Oxford English Dictionary definition is what anyone would consider radical wokeism, but, like any dictionary, both contain multiple definitions that encompass the ways that sex appears in our lexicon.

Lawmakers dont get to decide words definitions. Neither do school boards, failed presidential candidates, or even grammar columnists.

From there, HB 1069 places all sorts of restrictions on how people talk about and reference sexual classification  all of them meant to squeeze discussion of sex into a traditional binary. Its hard to say which is worse: when the law is vague and calls into question any material  which  depicts or describes sexual content, or when its hyper-specific and mandates such instruction as teaching the benefits of monogamous heterosexual marriage.

 READ MORE: Defining woman is complicated for everyone, including Supreme Court nominees | The Grammarian

Dictating language use from the top down is never wise. Even if someone were to try to do so, it would be a job for linguists and lexicographers  not the Florida Legislature. But those linguists and lexicographers are smart enough to know not to try.

The slightly good news is that, after a round of review, the district appears to have removed the dictionaries from its list of banned books; presumably, students are once again allowed to look up definitions. No such luck for Anne Frank, Malcolm X, William Golding, or Ernest Hemingway, all of whom are among the hundreds of books still pending approval.

It would do DeSantis some good to read a few of the books on that list. Lucky for him, he should have some free time now.

The Grammarian, otherwise known as Jeffrey Barg, looks at how language, grammar, and punctuation shape our world. Send comments, questions, and syllepsis to jeff@theangrygrammarian.com.
Managing Director Adam Thiel speaks to press after Mayor Cherelle Parker announced him as the new Managing Director. Thiel emailed department leaders recently to request that all public posts go through the Mayor's communications office. Read more

Sunshine is the best disinfectant, the old credo goes. So Clout was intrigued to learn that Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration has implemented a new policy that one might compare to applying SPF100 on public information before it hits the beach.

In a heavily caps-locked email last week, Managing Director Adam Thiel told department leaders that all public statements  from news releases to the mundane social media posts  need to be sent up to the top of the City Hall food chain for approval.

To be absolutely clear, NO MEDIA INTERVIEWS, SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, OR STATEMENTS OF ANY, KIND-UNTIL/UNLESS APPROVED IN ADVANCE BY MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS, Thiel wrote on Jan. 18.

Previous mayors have handled communications in different ways. But for years, most agencies have had in-house communications staffers who can post about broken water mains or street re-pavings without bothering the mayors top advisers.

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Parker apparently has a different vision.

Were leaning in, said spokesperson Joe Grace. Were leaning in on every front. We want to speak with one voice.

He said the approval process ensures accurate, cohesive, unified messaging and would not slow down city operations.

Clout wondered where all this came from. Did a rogue city official trigger a gag rule by running their mouth on a news broadcast? Did someone share an inflammatory social media post on main?

Grace said no. But he said an incident on Wednesday illustrated the need for the new policy.

Someone in Parkers inner circle had heard a rumor that the 17-year-old inmate who escaped police custody at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia had been apprehended. Grace, who had spent the afternoon approving public posts from the Police Department, per the new policy, said that was false.

The point is that it didnt go public, but it went up high enough, he said. This was somebody above me, not the mayor, saying I have some information that the prisoner has been apprehended. I said no, thats not accurate.

(The mayors communications office did not approve this Clout column.)

A rematch is brewing in West Philly

A primary battle for a West Philly state House seat is shaping up to be Brown vs. Green vs. Purple. Again.

At least two primary challengers intend to take on State Rep. Amen Brown, a two-term Democrat and unsuccessful mayoral candidate who represents the citys 10th legislative district. Both challengers  progressive Cass Green and community activist Sajda Purple Blackwell  are running for the second time.

But much has changed since the 2022 primary, when Brown nearly got kicked off the ballot for failing to disclose debts, then narrowly edged out Green to win reelection by fewer than 200 votes.

Last year, Brown ran a failed bid for mayor  he also had to fight to stay on that ballot  and won less than 2% of the vote citywide.

Browns candidacy initially drew buzz. He ran with a tough-on-crime platform and, in a literal smoke-filled room, a group of wealthy benefactors signaled theyd support him.

But despite rumors of a $5 million super PAC, none ever materialized. And many questioned if Brown was ready for prime time.

He was the talk of Phillys political scene after his campaign launch because he sat down for an interview with Fox 29s Jeff Cole and didnt know the size of the city budget. The following month, an Inquirer review found that Browns business and real estate dealings had been mired in repeated accusations of impropriety.

Now, the battle in his 10th District  which includes Mantua, Powelton, and parts of University City and Logan Square  is likely to be one of the most closely watched Pennsylvania House races in the city this spring.

Green, a community activist, is likely to draw support from progressive organizations that have targeted Brown because of his positions in favor of charter school expansion and mandatory minimum sentences.

Meanwhile, Blackwell hails from the storied West Philly political family and her husband, Thomas W. Blackwell VI, is the grandson of the late U.S. Rep. Lucien Blackwell. Shes likely to receive support from current and former elected officials, and Clout noticed that Sheriff Rochelle Bilal was at her campaign launch.

Dave McCormick states the obvious

Kudos to Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick for honesty on the campaign trail, though were not sure how well it will play with average Pennsylvanians.

McCormick, a former hedge fund CEO, speaking to Ivy League business students last week, gave a glimpse into an average day spent running for higher office.

Im spending half my time with donors, McCormick told a crowd at Dartmouth College.

Essentially, its going to be the most expensive race in the countryhigh profile. Im nationalizing the race. If you vote for me youre voting for winning the Senate blah blah blah, so Im everywhere prospecting mostly with really wealthy people, where you will all be in 20 years  or many of you.

(Ouch.)

McCormick went on to say hes spending the other half of his time in Pennsylvania where the median income is $55,000 to $60,000.

The audio was published online by the progressive media organization Heartland Signal and the Pennsylvania Democratic Party wasted no time blasting it out in an email slamming him.

Weve watched this movie before. The 2022 Senate race was the most expensive in state history and with control of the chamber again in the balance, its hard to imagine this one not breaking that record.

McCormick is extremely wealthy  an Inquirer analysis of his finances in 2022 put the lower end of his net worth at around $116 million. He put $1 million into his campaign so far this cycle and raised another $5.4 million since announcing in September.

Democratic incumbent, Sen. Bob Casey, said he raised $3.6 million in the last quarter, his third straight in which he raised more than $3 million.

Full reports are due out at the end of next week, though, so well get a glimpse of who McCormicks been spending half his time with.

Clout provides often irreverent news and analysis about people, power, and politics.

Inquirer staff writers Aliya Schneider and Sean Collins Walsh contributed to this article.
President Joe Bidens granddaughter, Naomi Biden, is speaking out against Fox News host Jesse Watters over a segment on the network she says crossed a line. Read more

Naomi Biden is speaking out against comments Fox News host Jesse Watters made about her father and grandfather.

During a segment Monday afternoon about President Joe Bidens approach to immigration and the southern border, Watters compared Bidens political approach to his parenting.

I knew Biden was bad on the border because hes not the best father, said Watters, a Philly native. He contended that the president couldnt say no to his own son.

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Hunter Biden has been public about his struggles with alcoholism and drug use. Still, throughout Joe Bidens political career, Hunters personal life, addiction, and alleged tax fraud have been a pain point used by his critics. Over the years, Joe Biden has voiced his support and love for his son.

On Wednesday, Hunter Bidens daughter and Joe Bidens granddaughter Naomi Biden  a Penn graduate  took to X (formerly Twitter), calling Watters comments a step too far.

I have heard so many lies about my family, it takes a lot to make me upset, Naomi wrote. This crosses the line. Not sure how this man can call himself a reporter and I hope he never has a son or daughter who struggles with anything.

Watters, Foxs opinion host, replaced Tucker Carlson last year for the 8 p.m. hour and cohosts The Five. Watters did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
At left is Kenneth A. Divers, SEPTA, Director of Outreach Programs walking across Kensington Avenue with Quetcy Lozada. Councilmember Lozada held a press conference in October about neighborhood clean up and the opioid epidemic in Kensington. Read more

Some businesses along the Kensington Avenue corridor, home to the citys largest open-air drug market, may be required to close at 11 p.m. if Council approves legislation introduced Thursday.

City Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, who has championed a stronger law enforcement response in the neighborhood, authored the bill, which would require commercial establishments and restaurants to adhere to a curfew if they are located in the area bounded by East Lehigh Avenue, Kensington Avenue, D Street, East Tioga Street, and Frankford Avenue.

The establishments would be allowed to reopen at 6 a.m.

The move comes as Lozada, in partnership with recently sworn-in Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, has vowed a new approach in Kensington, which has long been the epicenter of the citys drug overdose crisis. Parker has said ending the open-air drug market is a key priority for her administration, and the Police Department recently tapped a top deputy commissioner to oversee the law enforcement strategy in the neighborhood.

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Lozadas bill adding new regulations on businesses came as part of a package of legislation that would also require the administration to provide City Council with regular updates and data on city operations related to the opioid crisis.

Parker praised the bills, saying in a statement they address social ills that erode quality of life in neighborhoods across our city, including Kensington.

The rampant illegal drug activity and other quality-of-life nuisances taking place in Kensington will not be tolerated by the Parker administration, she said.

Lozada is seeking two key pieces of information from the administration as part of her push.

First, she is pushing forward a bill that requires the citys managing director to transmit quarterly reports, beginning this fall, about how frequently and where first responders use the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone. Those reports, according to the legislation, must include the number of treatments provided to repeat opioid antidote recipients, which is defined as people who have been administered naloxone at least twice within a one-month period.

In addition, Lozada wants a report every other month from the managing directors office on the number and locations of illegal encampments, as well as how frequently city officials interacted with people camping on public space.

Pedro Rosario, the new deputy commissioner, said in a recent interview that the Police Department would not seek to criminalize homelessness.

Any plan has to be collaborative, he said. The Police Department will have a large portion of that strategy, especially when it goes to attacking the open-air drug market.
Tinashe performs on the Rocky stage during the Made in America festival in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, September 5, 2021. . Read more

Hi folks!

The weather is dreary but no fear  January, arguably the longest month of the year, is almost over. That being said, theres still a lot of fun to be had.

This weekend, explore the best upcoming concerts, see new art exhibits, snag Phillies tickets, and make those Valentines Day reservations.

 Rosa Cartagena (@_RosaCartagena, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

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If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

 Winter concerts are heating up

Kicking off tonight with the one and only Madonna, theres a huge list of excellent upcoming concerts this season. Its great news for fans of Mitski, Boyz II Men, Tinashe, Stevie Nicks and many more.

 Your weekly social calendar

 Act fast: Tickets for the Phillies home opener (facing the Atlanta Braves on March 28) went on sale today. Heres everything you need to know.

 Make that rez: Valentines Day dinner reservations are disappearing as we speak, so its best to snag that spot now.

 And the (almost) winners are: Philadelphias restaurants! The James Beard Awards announced ten semifinalists in Philly, including outstanding chefs and restaurants. Find out where you should be eating.

 For sad, beautiful listening: Brahmss popular but rarely performed composition A German Requiem will be performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra this weekend with renowned violinist Gil Shaham. Find out more.

 Get in, loser: Were going to Mean Girls Drag Brunch. Wear pink and cheer for the queens in a Mean Girls themed brunch at Dock Street South on Saturday.

 Changing city: In the newly opened exhibit Ducktown: An Atlantic City Immigration Story at the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, artist Janice Merendino examines how one neighborhood in Atlantic City has experienced immense change and shifting demographics. Though her focus began with wondering who now lives in her grandmothers house, the show also incorporates drawings from new residents to reflect Ducktowns recent evolution.

 My calendar picks this week: Explore Dinos After Dark at the Academy of Natural Sciences, get new ink at the Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Festival, and get discounted dishes for Center City Restaurant Week.

 The thing of the week

Two new exhibits showcase artists creatively responding to whats happening all over the city: construction.

 Construction Time Again at the Hicks Art Center Gallery: Named after Depeche Modes 1983 album, this exhibit features more than nine artists responding to building demolition and new construction in Philadelphia and beyond. Sculptor Nicolo Gentile created artworks from melted down metals from the 12th Street Gym, which was a center of the local gay community before it was demolished. (The exhibit runs through March 9.)

 Hearth, Frame, Foundation at Park Towne Place Museum District Residences: Nonprofit arts organization InLiquid installed artworks from five Philadelphia artists using construction materials like Tyvek and brick to reflect urban landscapes. See elaborate woven Jacquard tapestries created by Annette Cords and Cimone Kind Bermans glassworks. (The exhibit runs Jan. 26 through May 12, by appointment only.)

 Festive winter fun

 If youre in New York: I know this isnt in Philly (bring on the angry emails) but if youre a theater fan looking for affordable opportunities to see Broadway shows, heres one suggestion  take your family to Kids Night on Broadway on Feb. 13. You pay for an adult ticket to one of 14 shows and you can bring along a child or teen (18 and under) for free. Tickets are on sale now.

 Whos coming to town: Are your favorite comedians stopping in Philly this year? We rounded up the funniest stand-up shows that were most excited to see.

 Get outside: Weve got recommendations for the best spots to ski, snowboard, and snowshoe in the Philly area.

 Test your Philly film knowledge: Last week, we published our list of the 50 best Philly movies and Ive heard so much feedback debating the rankings, praising the effort, and pointing out titles we missed. Well have more stories about Philly movies in the coming months, but in the meantime, did you take our quiz? See if youre a trivia whiz by guessing where some iconic scenes were shot in the city.

 New comic: Up-and-coming comic Hannah Berner is coming to the Fillmore in March to film her first Netflix special  and the shows are already sold out.

Pop quiz

Where did Madonna perform the last time she came to Philly?

A) The Fillmore

B) The Met

C) Franklin Music Hall

D) The Mann Music Center

 To let me know which of the above is correct, write me back.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

This week, Ive been listening to so much Shakira, from Laundry Service (real ones know!) to her searing Bizarrap collab. What are you listening to these days? Let me know!
Performers and spectators practice Baduanjin, a martial art for fitness purpose, in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Fangqiang)

A cultural troupe from central China's Henan Province staged a stunning performance in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa Tuesday as part of the Spring Festival -- the Chinese New Year -- celebrations.

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A cultural troupe from central China's Henan Province staged a stunning performance in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa Tuesday as part of the Spring Festival -- the Chinese New Year -- celebrations.

Performers performed an array of acrobatics, martial arts, face-changing skills, Chinese dances, and traditional Ethiopian dances to an enchanted audience at the Ethiopian National Theater.

An actor performs "bian lian," or face-changing skills, in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Jan. 23, 2024. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

Welcoming the guests at the event, Shen Qinmin, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, said Henan is a province rich in culture and history, and the cultural troupe would show a "great performance" to the delight of the audience.

"The cultural show is part of the commitment to promote equality and exchanges among different peoples," Shen said.

Speaking on the occasion, Manyazewal Endeshaw, general manager of the Ethiopian National Theater, said Ethiopia and China are known to have ancient civilizations with a long history and splendid cultures.

"Both peoples created rich and colorful cultures and arts, crystallizing their wisdom and creativity," said Endeshaw, noting that Ethiopia will work with China and other countries to build a community with a shared future.

Kebede Kassa, an employee in the Addis Ababa City Administration, told Xinhua that he enjoyed the cultural show very much, noting that the Chinese cultural shows have been his favorite ones since childhood.

"I am so happy that the Chinese cultural troupe has come to Ethiopia. This event was unique in that it displayed a mix of Chinese and Ethiopian (African) cultures," said Kassa, indicating that such kinds of cultural exchanges would help promote people-to-people and cultural relations between China and Ethiopia.

A Chinese actress shows traditional Kongzhu, also known as diabolo, to a local spectator in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Fangqiang)

According to Xu Na, chief director of the cultural event, the whole troupe, consisting of 19 performers, will present a series of shows in Addis Ababa in the next few days.

"The performers have to overcome the stress of high altitude (about 2,400 meters above the sea level) here. But our efforts all paid off when we saw the smiles and applause from the audience," Xu said.

In accordance with the lunar Chinese calendar, the year 2024 will be the Year of the Wood Dragon, with the Spring Festival or New Year's Day to fall on Feb. 10.

Editor: GSY
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Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a video speech to a reception celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday delivered a video speech to a reception in Beijing celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France.

The establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and France 60 years ago was a major event in the history of international relations. With extraordinary wisdom and courage, Chairman Mao Zedong and General Charles de Gaulle opened the door for exchanges and cooperation between China and the West, bringing hope to the world amid the Cold War, Xi noted.

Over the past 60 years, China-France relations have always been at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries, bringing benefits to the two peoples and contributing to world peace, stability and development, Xi said.

The unique history of the China-France relations has shaped the "China-France spirit" featuring independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, Xi stressed, adding that in the face of the new era, China and France should uphold the original aspiration of the establishment of the diplomatic relations, look forward to the future, and dare to make greater progress.

The two sides should unswervingly develop bilateral relations and respond to world uncertainties with the stability of China-France relations. The two sides can take the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism and the Paris Olympic Games as opportunities to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges and promote closer people-to-people ties, Xi said.

He called on the two sides to jointly advocate an equal and orderly multi-polar world and economic globalization that is inclusive and beneficial to all, and continue to contribute to maintaining world peace and stability and addressing global challenges.

While deepening traditional cooperation, the two sides need to actively tap the potential of cooperation in emerging areas such as green industries and clean energy, make the "pie" bigger for mutual benefit, and pool cooperation forces and share development opportunities through openness, Xi said.

Facing the next 60 years, China and France will work together to create greater glories, he added.

French President Emmanuel Macron also delivered a video speech.

Macron said that 60 years ago, General Charles de Gaulle went beyond the logic of camp confrontation and made the historic decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Today, the two sides have the responsibility to build on the ambitious goals set in 1964 and continue to work together to build a partnership that not only meets the needs of the two peoples, but also contributes to world peace and stability.

France is willing to join hands with China to address global challenges and promote the resolution of international crises, he said.

Noting that the year 2024 is the France-China Year of Culture and Tourism, and the two sides will hold a variety of activities, Macron said the two sides should take this opportunity to enhance the exchanges between the two peoples, especially the youth, and lay a more solid foundation for the future of France-China relations.

The two countries will also hold an event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of the Cultural Tourism Year at the Palace of Versailles in Paris on Jan. 31, and broadcast video speeches from the two heads of state.

Editor: GSY
For more than 20 years, weve been providing personal health guidance to clients and helping them access expert medical opinions to ensure the right diagnoses, treatment and care, Varn said. Were pleased to expand our support to help more people navigate often complex healthcare situations to allow them to focus on healing with the goal of improving outcomes.
Its not just about having the large global brokers and insurers, said Marsh. We are trying to showcase some of the smaller broking firms and agencies as well because we want to show that the insurance industry is diverse and broad and you dont need to work for a big global company because you can be very successful working for a regional independent broker.
In its annual cyber readiness report, Hiscox revealed the median cost of cyber-attacks decreased for small businesses in the US from $10,000 in 2022 to $8,300 in 2023. At the same time, the median number of attacks has risen from 3 in 2022 to 4 in 2023.
Trust in businesses has been increasing year over year for a long period of time, as trust in government, media and non-profit organisations either stalls or declines depending on the year, Chapman said. What that tells you is that people are looking to businesses to help drive that change, and that changes the role of companies  not only do we need to have a voice in the right and credible areas, but we need to help drive change.
Our UK branch marks our first physical branch outside Malta; an exciting milestone as we begin celebrating our centenary. These advancements are a testament to our commitment to innovation and responding to emerging needs of our international customers and partners, Atlas CEO Matthew von Brockdorff said.
We get excited each time a new cohort is about to start because of the potential for the new ways of thinking that they're going to bring and how they're able to help us reduce our reliance on the norm on established ways of doing things, Lipman said. Lloyd's has been around for 330 years now, and we're proud of our history of innovation, but there's lots for us to learn.
Virginia lawmakers nominated experienced attorneys on Tuesday to fill two long-standing vacancies on the states powerful regulatory panel that oversees interests ranging from utilities to insurers.

The openings on the three-judge State Corporation Commission have gone unfilled, in one case for nearly two years, due to political gridlock. But with Democrats in charge of both General Assembly chambers after elections last November, the majority party is free to advance its own nominees.

House and Senate committees voted after a brief joint hearing to approve Kelsey Bagot and Samuel Towell for the vacancies. No one voiced opposition to the appointments, which still must be approved by both full chambers.

Bagot is currently employed by Florida-based energy giant NextEra Energy. She previously worked at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as a legal advisor to Commissioner Mark Christie, a former chairman of the State Corporation Commission.

Towell currently serves as an in-house attorney for meat producer Smithfield Foods and previously worked in the state Office of the Attorney General as deputy attorney general for civil litigation.

The State Corporation Commission, or SCC, is an independent state agency with a staff of hundreds. It has a purview that includes the regulation of utilities, insurance, state-chartered financial institutions, railroads, business filings and other matters. The commissioners oversee the agencys work.

The decisions of the panel typically generate the most news in electric utility cases.

The first of the current openings on the commission arose in early 2022, when the House of Delegates, then controlled by Republicans, effectively removed a nominee of former Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam. The 2022 session and a special session came and went without an agreement on a replacement for Angela Navarro, who had previously worked as an environmental attorney and in Northams administration.

Then another commissioner, Judith Jagdmann, resigned before the start of the 2023 session. She told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that she thought her decision would help lawmakers agree on filling the vacancies  presumably with the then-GOP-controlled House of Delegates getting one pick and Senate Democrats getting another.

That did not come to pass. Jehmal T. Hudson, an appointee of Northam, is currently the sole judge.

The debate over the vacancies has transpired mostly behind closed doors, with minimal public discussion.

This years pool of applicants was winnowed down in private meetings, and the nominees names were made public shortly before Tuesdays meeting. The brief hearing featured just a few questions of Bagot about her work at NextEra from one Republican lawmaker.

The nominations of Bagot and Towell were welcomed by environmental advocates, whose policy goals generally align with Democrats aims.

Walton Shepherd, a senior attorney and the Virginia state director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said Bagot and Towell would bring stability and expertise to the bench. Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation voters, said he thought the two would serve Virginians well in the new roles.

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin looks forward to the State Corporation Commission operating at its full capacity, spokesman Christian Martinez said in a statement.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Virginia
New Jerseys Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that an Atlantic City casino is not entitled to payouts from business interruption insurance for losses during the COVID-19 outbreak, determining that the presence of the virus did not constitute the kind of direct physical loss or damage required for such a payout.

The case involved the Ocean Casino Resorts claims against three insurance companies  AIG Specialty Insurance Co., American Guarantee & Liability Insurance Co. and Interstate Fire & Casualty Co. Those insurers largely denied payouts to the casino, saying it did not suffer direct physical loss or damage because of the virus.

The casino sued and defeated an attempt by the insurers to dismiss the case. But that decision was reversed by an appellate court.

The high court agreed to take the case in order to resolve the legal question of what constituted loss or damage.

Based on the plain terms of the policies, we conclude that in order to show a direct physical loss of its property or direct physical . . . damage to its property under the policy language at issue, (parent company AC Ocean Walk LLC) was required to demonstrate that its property was destroyed or altered in a manner that rendered it unusable or uninhabitable, the court wrote in a unanimous decision.

At most, it has alleged that it sustained a loss of business during the COVID-19 government-mandated suspension of business operations because it was not permitted to use its property as it would otherwise have done, the opinion read.

It concluded that the casinos pleadings do not support a finding that it is entitled to insurance coverage.

The casino declined comment Wednesday.

The ruling is similar to others reached in state and federal courts around the country, including cases where payouts were denied involving a chain of California movie theaters; a Los Angeles real estate firm; a group of hotels in Pennsylvania; and a group of hotels and a law firm in New Jersey.

During arguments in September before the Supreme Court, Stephen Orlofsky, a lawyer for Ocean, said the casino took several steps to respond to the virus, including employing air filtration systems and using industrial-strength cleaning supplies.

But David Roth, a lawyer for American Guarantee, said the policies require there to be physical damage to the property, which he said did not occur at the casino. He said 14 state Supreme Courts around the nation have held that the mere interruption of business activity during the pandemic does not constitute physical losses.

Ocean maintained that in addition to an order by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy closing the casinos for 3 1/2 months in 2020, it also shut down because of the concern that the virus was having on the physical surfaces and the air inside the casino.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation New Jersey COVID-19
Greater New York Mutual Insurance Co. signed a lease at the Empire State Building.

GNY Mutual, which currently has offices on Madison Avenue, agreed to a 17-year deal for a full floor at the famous New York tower, with 52,116 square feet (4,841 square meters) of space, according to a statement Thursday.

The Empire State Building opened in 1931 and has undergone more than $650 million of capital improvements from 2008. The owner, Empire State Realty Trust Inc., has also struck deals recently with companies including Starbucks Corp. and LinkedIn Corp. recently. And the tower has more than 65,000 square feet of amenities including a fitness center, conference area and dining options.

GNY Mutual was attracted to the Empire State Building for its industry-leading sustainability measures and excellent tenant amenities which aid in employee recruitment and retention in addition to our hybrid work environment, Elizabeth Heck, chief executive officer of GNY Mutual, said in the statement.

Tenants have been flocking to newly built or renovated buildings with amenities, helping those landlords offset pressure from the more than 18% of office space thats available to rent in Manhattan. Solomon Partners is relocating its headquarters to the former Exxon Building at 1251 Avenue of the Americas. Merchant bank BDT & MSD Partners recently took space at 550 Madison Ave.

Photo: The New York City skyline seen from the Summit One Vanderbilt observation deck during the grand opening in New York, U.S., on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021. The attraction takes visitors to the 93rd floor, high above iconic skyscrapers like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, and features an immersive art installation called Air, created by artist Kenzo Digital.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Carriers New York
A Brazilian federal judge ruled that miners Vale and BHP and their joint venture Samarco must pay 47.6 billion reais ($9.67 billion) in damages for a 2015 tailings dam burst, according to a legal decision on Thursday seen by Reuters.

Vale and BHP said in separate statements they were not informed by the judiciary about the decision. Samarco declined to comment.

The dam collapse in the southeastern city of Mariana caused a giant mudslide that killed 19 people and severely polluted the Rio Doce river, compromising the waterway to its outlet in the Atlantic Ocean.

In the decision, judge Vinicius Cobucci wrote that the amount was fixed taking as a parameter the value of expenses already acknowledged by the companies in repair and compensation actions. He added the 47.6 billion reais need to be adjusted by monetary correction and late payment interest.

It was not immediately clear how much of the total stipulated in the sentence each company owes.

The judge wrote in the legal document that the money would be put in a state fund and used for projects and initiatives area affected by the dam collapse.

The companies can appeal the decision.

In the securities filing, Vale said the Renova foundation, which the companies have been using to pay for some of the repairs, had paid until last December 34.7 billion reais in socioeconomic and environmental compensation.

($1 = 4.9237 reais)

(Reporting by Marta Nogueira; writing by Andre Romani; editing by Brendan OBoyle and David Gregorio)

Photograph: In this Nov. 8, 2015, file photo, rescue workers search for victims at the site where the town of Bento Rodrigues stood, after two dams burst on Thursday, Nov. 5, in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)

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In Kharkiv region, due to damage to regional power company's equipment during shelling by Russian occupiers on Thursday evening and at night, one of the facilities of NPC Ukrenergo and several regional power company's facilities were de-energized, as a result of which more than 16,500 consumers were without power supply, the system operator reported .

On its Telegram channel on Friday, it noted that emergency restoration work was continuing.

The Ministry of Energy, in a message on the Telegram channel on the situation in Kharkiv region, noted that as a result of shelling, 110 kV overhead lines were turned off, which led to the shutdown of the line and substation of Kharkivoblenergo and Ukrzaliznytsia. As a result, household consumers and local industry were cut off. Also, as a result of the hostilities, power equipment caught fire in one of the districts of the region, as a result of which household consumers in three settlements were left without electricity.

In total, about 33,000 consumers in the region are without power.

Massive artillery shelling of the border areas of Sumy region led to the simultaneous cut-off of more than 40,000 consumers, and there was damage to the equipment of regional power companies. In the morning, all consumers are powered using backup circuits, Ukrenergo notes.

The Ministry of Energy added that the site of JSC Sumyoblenergo was shelled, fortunately, there were no casualties.

In total, due to hostilities and other reasons, 358 settlements remain without electricity in the morning.

According to the company, due to bad weather, one settlement in Chernihiv region was cut off in the morning. The Ministry of Energy indicates that in Khmelnytsky region, due to bad weather, 16 settlements were without power - a total of 2,200 consumers.

For technical reasons, there are outages in Kyiv, Poltava, and Sumy regions.
Colombia declared a national disaster as wildfires spread through drought-hit forests and filled the capital, Bogota, with smoke.

Environmental authorities reported 31 separate blazes on Thursday, after months of hot, dry weather caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon. Some cities posted record high temperatures.

Firefighters and the armed forces have struggled since Monday to contain a series of fires that broke out in the Andean mountains that loom over Bogota.

Climate Change Drives Amazon Rainforests Record Drought: Study

The emergency declaration by President Gustavo Petro allows the government to transfer funds from the national budget for disaster relief. Petro said that the drought is expected to intensify in February and most of March. The country has requested international help, including from the European Union, the U.S., Chile, Peru, Canada, and the UN, he added.

Colombias weather agency IDEAM said theres a high risk of new fires in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Andean regions. Despite the high temperatures, reservoir levels in the hydroelectric plants that supply most of Colombias electricity have held up better than expected, Petro said.

The central bank has been monitoring the effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon on food prices and energy. Central bank co-director Bibiana Taboada said earlier this month that those effects havent been significant so far.

Photograph: Flames rise from a wildfire in Bogota, Colombia, on Wednesday. Photo credit: Guillermo Munoz/AFP/Getty Images

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire
Google on Wednesday reached a settlement in a patent infringement lawsuit over chips that power the companys artificial-intelligence technology, according to a filing in Massachusetts federal court.

The settlement comes the same day that closing arguments were scheduled to begin in a trial on Singular Computings lawsuit, which had sought $1.67 billion in damages for Googles alleged misuse of its computer-processing innovations.

Details of the settlement were not immediately available. Representatives for Google and Singular confirmed the settlement but did not provide more information about it.

Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said that the company did not violate Singulars patent rights and that it was pleased to have resolved this matter.

Singular, founded by Massachusetts-based computer scientist Joseph Bates, claimed that Google incorporated his technology into processing units that support AI features in Google Search, Gmail, Google Translate and other Google services.

The 2019 lawsuit said that Bates shared his inventions with the company between 2010 and 2014. It argued that Googles Tensor Processing Units copied Bates technology and infringed two patents.

Google introduced the units in 2016 to power AI used for speech recognition, content generation, ad recommendation and other functions. Singular said that versions 2 and 3 of the units, introduced in 2017 and 2018, violated its patent rights.

Internal emails cited during the trials opening statements on Jan. 9 showed that Googles now-chief scientist, Jeff Dean, wrote to others about how Bates ideas could be really well suited for what Google was developing.

Google countered that the employees who designed its chips never met Bates and created them independently. The company said its technology was fundamentally different than what is described in Singulars patents.

Topics Lawsuits InsurTech Data Driven Artificial Intelligence Google
The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) said President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Donnell plans to retire in February 2025 after about 10 years with the organization.

Its been such a privilege to lead this organization and this amazing group of professionals, said Donnell. The work weve done together, in support of this noble profession of workers compensation, will live on to positively influence the lives and safety of workers across the country. I feel lucky to have been a part of NCCI as it completed its first century of outstanding service and began the pursuit of its next.

A committee is being formed to find the next CEO, NCCI said, as Donnellwho came to NCCI in 2015 and is credited with leading the organization toward a more forward-looking, innovative, and thought-leading role within the industrycontinues running operations.

The NCCI Board thanks Bill for his leadership and service during his outstanding tenure as head of the organization, said Brandon Fick, NCCI board chair and chief underwriting officer at Liberty Mutual Global Risk Solutions North America. Under his watch, the organization continues to deliver unwaveringly on its promise to its stakeholders and bravely took on topics and challenges to help lead the industry into the decades ahead. But perhaps what is most impressive is the great humanity and heart he displays as a leader, genuinely caring a great deal for the people he leads.

Donnell has over three decades of industry experience specializing in property and casualty insurance/reinsurance in both global and domestic US leadership roles. Immediately prior to joining NCCI, he was the president of Swiss Res Property and Casualty Reinsurance business.
The number of North Korean-linked hacks of cryptocurrency platforms rose to a record high in 2023, though the actual amount of funds stolen dropped around 40%, a report Wednesday from blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis Inc. showed.

In a series of 20 hacks throughout the year, cybercriminals linked to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea siphoned slightly more than $1 billion worth of cryptocurrency, compared to $1.7 billion in 2022. North Korean hackers often target cryptocurrency to raise money as a way around international sanctions, according to US officials.

The drop in funds stolen by North Korean hackers mirrors a larger trend in the cryptocurrency security landscape: an overall decline in hacks of the once-lucrative decentralized finance, or DeFi, protocols. In 2023, the total amount stolen from DeFi protocols was $1.1 billion, a 64% decrease from the $3.1 billion pilfered in 2022, according to Chainalysis.

There have been some positive aspects that have started to slow their success in making off with hundreds of millions of dollars in one attack, said Erin Plante, vice president of investigations at Chainalysis. But the threats not going away by any means.

Over the past few years, DeFi protocols have been increasingly targeted by hackers because their source code is freely available online, allowing criminals to more easily find bugs to exploit.

Better security practices, coupled with an overall decrease in DeFi activity, were most likely behind the decline in funds stolen in 2023, Chainalysis said. More DeFi applications are improving their code auditing and receiving guidance from companies like Microsoft Corp. and Alphabet Inc.s Google on how to strengthen their networks, according to Plante.

As cryptocurrency platforms fortify their networks, North Korean hackers are racing to keep up by employing more diverse and sophisticated tactics, Plante said. More criminals are waiting patiently for an opportunity to strike by accessing networks undetected and sometimes gathering intelligence for months.

They look at whats changing, whats evolving, and how they can use that malicious intent, said Joe Dobson, principal analyst at the cybersecurity firm Mandiant. Whatever the advancement is, theyre going to find a way to take advantage of it.

In one stealthy hack this past June, TraderTraitor, a group with ties to North Korea, swiped around $129 million from thousands of users on cryptocurrency wallet service Atomic Wallet, according to Chainalysis. The group worked by chain-hopping, moving between different cryptocurrencies quickly to avoid being traced. They went on to hit two other crypto payment platforms, Alphapo and CoinsPaid, later that month, according to the report. Atomic Wallet said in a statement at the time that less than .1% of app users had been affected.

Investor behavior in the volatile cryptocurrency markets could be another underlying reason North Korean-linked hackers are stealing less. Fueled by the collapse of FTX Trading Ltd. and the vulnerability of these companies to large hacks, investors may be diversifying their currency among many platforms to avoid risk, according to Allan Liska, senior intelligence analyst at cybersecurity firm Recorded Future Inc. This means cryptocurrency exchanges may have a smaller pool of funds for hackers to steal.

Theres less trust in many of the traditional big exchanges than there used to be, Liska said.

Photo: Photographer: Paul Yeung/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Cyber Fraud
HOUSTON (AP) Heavy rains in Texas on Wednesday closed schools and elevated flooding risks around Houston in another round of soaking downpours that have made for a soggy and dangerous week across large portions of the U.S.

A stretch of wet and freezing winter weather has swept away vehicles in San Diego, led to high-water rescues in San Antonio and coated roads with ice in the Midwest. Rain was expected to continue pushing across the Gulf Coast on Thursday and Friday.

In San Antonio, a police vehicle on Wednesday was stuck on a heavily flooded access road to Interstate 35, with moving water reaching almost to the door handles. A police spokesman told KSAT television station that the officer was there to block traffic because of the rising waters, but ended up getting stuck. Police said the officer got safely out of the vehicle.

The morning downpours in Texas canceled classes in rural counties outside Austin, where some areas had received more than 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain within 48 hours. In Fayette County, the rain closed all local government offices and threatened to bring the Colorado River to minor flood stage.

Flood warnings were also in effect around Houston, snarling morning commutes.

Periods of showers and thunderstorms were expected in the area through Thursday morning, and the main concern is that the soil is already quite saturated, said National Weather Service meteorologist Cameron Self. Runoff from swollen rivers will also be a factor, he said.

Its just going to be one of those watch the radar kind of evenings and nights to see where those heavier showers and thunderstorms develop, Self said Wednesday.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom this week declared a state of emergency for Ventura and San Diego counties, with the latter being hit by heavy rains and high surf that caused flooding. The rain had submerged streets and freeways, halted traffic, buses and trolleys, and caught many people off guard.

In Texas, Lake Conroe, located about 54 miles (90 kilometers) north of Houston, has been temporarily closed because of high lake levels. The San Jacinto River Authority said that after the heavy rainfall, many docks, bulkheads and small islands are submerged and that can be dangerous for boaters.

Residents of a subdivision of about 45 homes in Livingston, located about 70 miles (112 kilometers) miles north of Houston, were told to shelter in place after a road washed out Tuesday evening. By Wednesday afternoon officials had repaired the road enough that it was once again passable for residents, said Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy. The rains had caused severe road damage across the county, officials said.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Texas Flood
For the second time in three months, Houston plaintiffs attorney Eric B. Dick has been ordered to reimburse an insurer more than $100,000 for filing a frivolous, groundless lawsuit made solely for the purpose of harassment.

Galveston County District Court Judge Kerry L. Neves said in a Jan. 23 summary judgment that a lawsuit filed by Dick against Standard Casualty Co. on behalf of plaintiffs Steven and Jacqueline Burns was brought forth in bad faith. Dick and the Dick Law Firm failed to provide any admissible evidence that Standard violated its policy contract to the Burns over damage the plaintiffs alleged they incurred during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, the order states.

[The] Court finds that there is no evidentiary support for any claim pled by Plaintiffs in this lawsuit and that the lawsuit was groundless and brought for an improper purpose, including to cause unnecessary delay and the needless increase of the cost of litigation, Neves wrote.

The court awarded Standard $101,671 in attorneys fees and $12,848.68 in costs against the plaintiffs, Dick and the Dick Law Firm.

The order comes not even two months after a Harris County Civil Court sanctioned Dick $137,000 for acting in bad faith for filing a frivolous and groundless lawsuit against the same insurer. The court said Dick failed to submit evidence that Standard owed coverage to a plaintiff property owner.

In both cases, Dick named expert witnesses to testify about the loss who were either unaware that they had been named as experts or who had not inspected the alleged damage.

Both courts called out Dicks practice of designating the same experts in every one of his matters without having actually formally retained them in the specific case and asking them to formulate opinions, said Steven Badger, a partner with the Zelle law firm who has defended insurers against other lawsuits filed by Dick.

Dick did not respond to Insurance Journals request for comment.

Ana Nguyen, a licensed public adjuster, was designated as an expert in the Burns lawsuit. Nguyen testified that she had never seen or approved her designation. As of the date of her disposition, she did not even know what her opinions would be or the basis on which she would rely to support any opinions, Neves wrote.

Nguyen did not prepare a report, only an excel spreadsheet of damaged items. Nguyen asked the plaintiffs to provide any photographs, but she did not receive them. They could not provide the requested proof of ownership, nor any price paid for any item, the age of the item, or the date required.

Nguyen would not testify under oath that the plaintiffs sustained replacement cost value loss at the amount on her spreadsheet: $544,131.

The court wrote that the counsels failure to present evidence to support the claims is evidence that the lawsuit, from its inception, was frivolous, groundless, and made solely for the purpose of harassment.

Badger said that the sanctions order illustrates that the mass-lawsuit filing model employed by Dick does not work with first-party claims.

This requires the policyholder attorney to actually investigate and prove their claims, Badger said. Obviously, this is not something Dick is prepared to do with his mass-lawsuit filings.

Dick is well-known in the Houston area as an aggressive plaintiffs attorney with a history of taking on insurance claims. Dick leans into crude puns in billboard and television advertising with phrases like Hire a Dick and Ill work long and hard for you.

Dick told Claims Journal in November that the Harris County sanctions were 100% political. Dick accused the judge, LaShawn Williams, of weaponizing the justice system because she is a Democrat whereas Dick is a registered Republican.

This is how these corrupt judges do it, Dick said. This is the same way they are doing it with Donald Trump.

Dick has been accused of violating campaign finance laws in his 2022 run for Harris County treasurer. In September the Texas Elections Commission ordered him to pay a $10,000 civil penalty for failing to report $151,166 in campaign expenditures in his campaign for treasurer.
The Biden administration intends to announce its strategy on Friday for beefing up environmental scrutiny of applications to export natural gas, according to people familiar with the matter.

President Joe Biden will order the Energy Department to halt reviews of applications to ship natural gas abroad, allowing time for officials to better factor in the long-term climate impacts of expanded LNG exports, according to the people who asked not to be named because the plan isnt public. The pause is set to at least temporarily stall projects in development, including Commonwealth LNG, Energy Transfer LP and Venture Global LNG Inc. facilities planned in Louisiana.

Spokespeople for the Energy Department and White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

At issue is whether additional exports are in the public interest, a threshold under federal law. An Energy Department review and rulemaking could set new requirements for determining what constitutes the public interest, giving great weight to the potential climate consequences of additional exports.

The effort responds to concerns from climate activists who say additional approvals will only prolong the worlds reliance on natural gas and discourage investments in cleaner, emission-free alternatives. The issue has taken on higher prominence after nearly 200 nations agreed last month that the world must transition away from fossil fuels  and ahead of November US elections in which climate is a key issue. Activists have planned a Feb. 6-8 sit-in at the Energy Department to demand it halt new LNG approvals.

The US is already the worlds largest LNG exporter  and the planned halt isnt likely to change that. The multibillion-dollar facilities to liquefy natural gas for export around the globe take years to build, and developers must clear multiple federal government reviews to start shipping. The US has issued dozens of LNG export licenses, but the pause is set to apply only to applications now awaiting review at the Energy Department.

Natural gas advocates argue the delay will chill development, limit potential future shipments to European allies and undercut at least some short-term environmental gains tied to displacing coal. Any action to halt US LNG export approvals would be a major mistake that puts American jobs and allies at risk while undermining global climate goals, nearly three dozen oil and gas groups said in a letter Wednesday to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

Environmentalists argue that far from simply displacing dirtier-burning coal as a power source, US LNG is crowding out potential investments in clean energy alternatives. And, they say, concerns about Europes need for US LNG are overrated, with its gas demand projected to fall.

Photo: Over land gas pipeline system LNG tank storage at natural gas station.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
West Virginias Republican-dominated Legislature pushed forward a slate of contentious bills Wednesday that would arm teachers, allow people to sue libraries over books that offend them and restrict where transgender kids can use the bathroom at school.

Described by conservatives as efforts to protect children while they learn, the legislation comes as GOP-led state Legislatures across the country are embracing bills expanding gun rights and restricting LGBTQ+ rights.

This is the only way really that I can see to defend these students, Republican Del. Bill Ridenour said before lawmakers in the House Education Committee greenlit the bill allowing K-12 public school staff with concealed carry licenses to volunteer to carry firearms on campuses.

All three bills are opposed by the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia. The states only LGBTQ+ advocacy organization has decried the bathroom and book proposals.

The bills that would allow teachers to carry guns in schools and bar transgender kids from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity were easily passed by a House legislative committee and must get approval from another before being advanced to the full chamber.

During the debate on the bathroom bill, Republicans shot down an amendment from a Democrat that would have allowed students to use the bathroom that corresponds with the gender on their most current birth certificate.

No GOP lawmaker provided a detailed explanation about why they supported the measure, but lead sponsor and school teacher Del. Dave Foggin said people have complained at his school about students bathroom use. Democratic Del. Mike Pushkin, who is chair of the states minority party, said he wasnt buying it.

Its not just harmless election year red meat type of legislation, because it does have the potential to harm children, Pushkin said, adding that transgender youth are more likely to be bullied in a public restroom. At least 10 other states have laws restricting transgender students bathroom use.

In 2020, the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a Virginia school boards transgender bathroom ban was unconstitutional. West Virginia is in the 4th Circuits jurisdiction.

During a public hearing hosted by the House Judiciary Committee, librarians, parents and teachers expressed fear and concern surrounding the book bill, which has yet to come before lawmakers for a vote. It would make schools, public libraries and museums criminally liable for distributing or displaying obscene materials to children.

Eli Baumwell, interim executive director for the ACLU of West Virginia, said existing legal precedent provides a narrow definition for proving obscenity that prohibits banning material that has cultural, educational or historical value.

Over the years, conservative officials across the country have increasingly tried to limit the type of books that children are exposed to, including books that address structural racism and LGBTQ+ issues. Last year alone, more than 120 different proposals were introduced in state legislatures targeting libraries, librarians, educators and access to materials, according to EveryLibrary, a national political action committee.

People speaking in favor of the proposed policy said kids are being exposed to immoral content at libraries and schools and read passages and showed photos in books checked out from their local or school libraries young adult section depicting sexual acts and sexual anatomy.

Carol Butler described a passage from Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out, a critically-acclaimed book that has been banned in several U.S. school districts, where it has been deemed anti-family and inappropriate for children.

We need to return to a God-fearing country again, she said. Do you think God is happy with this?

Other supporters chaffed at accusations that they are trying to ban books. Carol Miley, a former elementary school librarian who retired in 2011, said the proposal is really about protecting our minor students from being abused.

She said the past few years visiting libraries, shes noticed books with vulgar descriptions of sexual acts, filthy language and pornographic depictions, many in books that describe homosexual acts and relationships.

Many of the offensive titles are even award winners, she said. The community standards against obscenity are being openly mocked and defied.

Those opposed called the policy unconstitutional and referenced descriptions of rape, assault and other violent acts depicted in the Bible, calling supporters relying on religious justification for the policy hypocritical. Librarians said they operate with limited resources as it is, and are concerned about increased costs associated with insurance and legal representation.

Megan Tarbett, president of the West Virginia Library Association, said putting the threat of jail time in front of our staff as they select books does not foster a collaborative spirit between staff and patrons.

Educator Mickey Blackwell holds up the books Howl and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn  novels written in America during the early 2000s and 1880s, respectively, that have been subject to obscenity allegations.

Parents are responsible for deciding what their children should or should not be allowed to read, said Blackwell, who is the executive director of the West Virginia Association of Middle and Elementary School Principals. Throw a few of them in jail and see how it goes, he quipped as he finished his remarks.

Andrew Schneider, executive director of LGBTQ-advocacy nonprofit Fairness West Virginia, said, LGBTQ-plus people are not obscene. The stories and books about our lives are not obscene and nothing in the proposed bill changes that.

But lets be clear, Schneider said. This is a bad bill. Its clear that some lawmakers want to eliminate any mention of LGBTQ-plus people in our schools museums and libraries, and although this bill wont accomplish that goal, it could have a chilling effect on free speech.

Barbara Steinke said she fears a book like Heather Has Two Moms might be considered obscene because it depicts a child with two mothers like her son has.

There are many age-appropriate books and art that relate to different forms of families. If its not a traditional family, does that make it obscene? Who decides?

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Virginia K-12 Gun Liability West Virginia
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  Opening a spillway as a flood-control measure in 2019 sent polluted fresh water from the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico and killed bottlenose dolphins that live in saltwater, according to a new lawsuit.

Several local governments and business groups on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, calling themselves the Mississippi Sound Coalition, filed the federal lawsuit Monday against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The lawsuit argues that the Marine Mammal Protection Act requires federal agencies, including the Corps of Engineers, to obtain a U.S. Department of Commerce permit when their actions may disrupt the behavioral patterns of an animal such as the bottlenose dolphin.

The massive volumes of polluted fresh water diverted through the Bonnet Carre Spillway and into the Mississippi Sound caused direct and indirect mortality of resident bottlenose dolphins, the lawsuit says. Many of the dolphins that did survive developed extremely painful and debilitating skin lesions.

The lawsuit seeks a court order that would require the Corps of Engineers to comply with any obligation to obtain a permit before any further opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway.

The Associated Press sent an email Wednesday to the U.S. Department of Justice, which represents the Corps of Engineers, seeking a response to the lawsuit. A spokesperson said the department declined to comment.

The Bonnet Carre Spillway is upriver from New Orleans. Opening the spillway diverts Mississippi River water to Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne, after which it flows to the Mississippi Sound in the Gulf of Mexico.

When the river is high, opening the spillway eases pressure on the levees that protect New Orleans.

However, opening the spillway also carries pollutants and nutrients into the Mississippi Sound and reduces salinity. The result can be damage to oyster, fish and crab habitats, and algae blooms that affect marine life and beaches.

Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann has said the Corps of Engineers ignored its own procedures in opening Bonnet Carre Spillway in 2019, causing an environmental and economic disaster.

Robert Wiygul, one of the attorneys representing the Mississippi Sound Coalition, said the group and Mississippi leaders have no conflict with protecting New Orleans.

We do have a conflict with the Corps of Engineers and the Corps position that the Mississippi Sound and our dolphins have to be sacrificed to prevent flooding, Wiygul said in a statement Wednesday. We need to look for alternatives that can protect everyones interests, but the Corps refuses to even discuss them. The Mississippi Sound Coalition is working on win-win solutions that protect everyone.

The new lawsuit is similar to one that some of the same coastal Mississippi governments and business groups filed in 2019 against the Corps of Engineers. The earlier lawsuit said the corps was required to consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service before opening the spillway.

In January 2023, U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. of Gulfport, Mississippi, ruled in favor of those who sued. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that ruling in June.

Photo: Workers open bays of the Bonnet Carre Spillway to divert rising water from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain, upriver from New Orleans, in Norco, La., May 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

Topics Lawsuits Louisiana Mississippi
A group of 12 insurance companies cannot yet appeal a trial courts finding that contamination exclusions did not bar coverage for a chemical plant that was damaged when 90 tons of liquid chlorine leaked from a ruptured rail car in 2016, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals said this week.

We conclude that the circuit courts orders are not final orders subject to appeal at this stage of the proceedings, the court wrote in its opinion that was released Thursday. Issues of causation and damages remain unresolved, the justices said.

National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh, Allianz Global Risks, Ace American, Zurich American Insurance and other insurers had appealed three orders from a Marshall County Circuit Court judge stemming from the chemical spill, which sent a cloud of chlorine gas over Natrium, West Virginia and forced an evacuation of hundreds of residents.

The chemical firm, Axiall Corp., had purchased 13 all-risk policies from the 12 carriers, each of which had subscribed to quota shares of the insurance program, the court explained.

The recently repaired rail car ruptured inside the Axiall plant, causing as much as $400 million in corrosion and other damage to equipment, according to the chemical companys claims. The insurers denied the claims, noting that policies excluded corrosion, faulty workmanship and contamination. Axiall and Westlake Chemical Corp., which had purchased the plant shortly after the accident, sued the insurers for breach of contract and bad faith.

The Marshall County judge agreed, granting partial summary judgment to the chemical companies. The judge, in a decision that insurers strongly objected to, wrote that the policies corrosion exclusions did not exclude corrosion damage from a loss, but only excluded coverage for claims where corrosion was the cause of the loss. He also said that faulty workmanship exclusions barred recovery only for damage to the rail tank car, not for the damage to the chlorine manufacturing facility.

Lastly, the trial court found that the contamination exclusions were designed to address only environmental pollution, which is not what this case is about. The insurers appealed those orders.

The state Supreme Court found that the orders were not final and that the complex litigation is continuing.

The applicability of any of the policy exclusions at issue, which is the focus of the declaratory judgment count, is dependent on a determination of causation, one of many issues which are not yet resolved in this case, Justice William Wooten wrote in the opinion.

Although a Pennsylvania jury in a separate case decided against the rail-car repair firm awarded $6 million to Axiall and Westlake, other parts of the litigation are far from over.

Stated succinctly, because the facts of this case are so complex (we are told that more than a million documents have been disclosed and exchanged during the discovery process), because the petitioners will still have to litigate the breach of contract and bad faith claims regardless of what happens with the declaratory judgment claim, because all three of the causes of action are so factually and legally intertwined, and because significant factual and legal issues remain as to damages, piecemeal review of any issues by this Court would serve only to delay final resolution of the matter, including all claims and all defenses presented by the parties, the high court opinion reads.

Related: Rail Car Leak at the Axiall Plant Led to Safety Recommendations

Topics Carriers West Virginia
All pensions for Jan already been paid, in Feb all pensions to also be funded  Shmyhal

All Ukrainian pensioners received payments for January, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said and added that all pensions will also be funded in February.

"For almost two years of war, we have never delayed the payment of pensions, nor the payment of subsidies, nor the payment of other social benefits. This week, the payment of all pensions for January was completely stopped. That is, every pensioner received his funds," Shmyhal said on government meeting on Friday.

According to him, a total of almost UAH 58 billion were allocated for these purposes.

"In February, we will also finance all pensions, all subsidies, all benefits in full. This is our obligation to Ukrainians," Shmyhal said.
Los Angeles County agreed to pay $5 million to the founder and CEO of a software company who was briefly accused of stealing data on county poll workers in a case he said was pushed by conspiracy theorists.

The Board of Supervisors voted without public discussion to approve the settlement of a lawsuit filed by Eugene Yu of Michigan-based Konnech Corp. over his 2022 arrest and prosecution, KNBC-TV reported.

County lawyers had urged approval of the settlement in a letter to the board, the station said.

Konnech is a small company based in East Lansing, Michigan. In 2020, it won a five-year, $2.9 million contract with LA County for software to track election worker schedules, training, payroll and communications.

Yu was arrested in Michigan in October 2022 and computer hard drives were seized. The LA County District Attorneys Office alleged that Konnech had violated its contract requirement to keep data in the United States and improperly used servers in China to store information on hundreds of county poll workers.

Yu and his company were charged with conspiracy to embezzle public funds and grand theft by embezzlement of public funds. The case was dropped 37 days later.

Yu sued the county, alleging that District Attorney George Gascon had targeted him based on allegations of conspiracy theorists and election deniers.

Plaintiffs alleged Mr. Yus arrest and the seizure of Konnechs property was without probable cause and a violation of Mr. Yus civil rights causing damage to Konnechs business and Mr. Yus reputation, according to the letter by the county lawyers.

An after-hours email from The Associated Press to the District Attorneys Office seeking comment wasnt immediately returned.

Yus attorney, Dean Z. Pamphilis, told KNBC-TV that utterly false charges and resulting publicity cost Mr. Yu his life savings and Konnech over 50% of its customers.

Mr. Yu is extremely pleased that his innocence has now been publicly confirmed, and he and Konnech look forward to start to recover from the significant losses which they suffered, the attorney said.

The lawsuit alleged that the prosecution of the company and Yu, who was born in China, was based on debunked conspiracy theories that the company secretly had ties to the Chinese Communist Party and supplied information as part of a Chinese campaign to manipulate votes.

At one point Yu received threats and went into hiding, The New York Times reported.

After his arrest, which came about a month before the November 2022 general elections, the LA District Attorneys Office said the allegations only involved poll workers, not voting machines or vote counts and didnt alter election results.

However, the office told NPR following Yus arrest that the investigation began after a tip from Gregg Phillips, an election denier associated with the controversial group True the Vote.

In legal filings for the lawsuit, Yu noted that Los Angeles County continues to use Konnechs services and is, in fact, its largest customer.

On its website, Konnech said it currently has 32 clients in North America.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California Michigan
January 25, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao is the most popular personality in the cryptocurrency industry, a new study has revealed.

The study, conducted by cryptocurrency tax software CoinLedger, combined social media followings from both X and Instagram to reveal which well-known cryptocurrency popularities are statistically the most popular worldwide.

The ten most popular personalities in cryptocurrency

Rank Name Number of X and Instagram followers combined 1 Changpeng Zhao 9,071,000 2 Vitalik Buterin 7,700,000 3 Jack Dorsey 6,400,000 4 Michael Saylor 3,244,000 5 Cathie Wood 1,602,090 6 Chamath Palihapitiya 1,600,000 7 Marc Andreessen 1,300,000 8 Barry Silbert 1,252,400 9 Brian Armstrong 1,204,547 10 Sam Bankman-Fried 1,066,300

With a combined social media following of more than nine million (9,071,000) on both X and Instagram, Changpeng Zhao is the most popular personality in the cryptocurrency industry. More than 8.6 million of his followers are from X, which is the most of any character on the platform. Zhao is the co-founder and CEO of Binance which - as of July 2022 - is the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume.

Vitalik Buterin is the second most famous personality in cryptocurrency, with a combined social media following of 7.7 million. The Ethereum co-founder is also the most popular personality on Instagram, with 2.7 million followers on the website.

Block Inc. CEO Jack Dorsey ranked third with a combined social media following of 6,400,000. All his followers came from X (formerly known as Twitter) after he deleted his Instagram account. Dorsey co-founded Twitter and was previously the company's CEO before selling it to Elon Musk.

Executive chairman and co-founder of MicroStrategy, Michael Saylor, is the fourth most famous personality in cryptocurrency. The American entrepreneur has a combined social media following of over 3.2 million (3,244,000) with 3.1 million coming from X.

With a combined social media following of more than 1.6 million, Cathie Wood, CEO of investment management firm Ark Invest, ranked fifth. Wood has been named one of 50 people shaping global business by Bloomberg.

Chamath Palihapitiya is the sixth most famous personality in cryptocurrency with a social media following of 1.6 million, all of which are on X. Palihapitiya was an early investor in Bitcoin and at one point personally held around 5% of Bitcoin's circulating supply.

Marc Andreesen is the seventh most famous personality in cryptocurrency, with a social media following of 1.3 million. Andreesen is a cofounder of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, and an inductee in the World Wide Web Hall of Fame.

With a combined social media following of more than 1.25 million (1,252,400), Barry Silbert is the eight most famous personality in cryptocurrency. He is the second most followed personality on Instagram, with 493,000 followers, and is the founder and CEO of the blockchain company Digital Currency Group.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong (1,204,547) ranked in ninth. Armstrong also co-founded GiveCrypto, a platform that encourages giving cryptocurrency to underprivileged people who otherwise cannot access finance opportunities.

Despite his fraud convictions, Sam Bankman-Fried (1,066,300), ranked in tenth.

Meanwhile, Tyler Winklevoss (1,058,000) and his twin brother, Cameron (767,800) also ranked in the top 15. The brothers are known for co-founding HarvardConnection - later renamed ConnectU - along with Harvard classmate Divya Narendra. In 2004, the brothers sued Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg, after he allegedly he stole their ConnectU idea to create the popular networking site.

David Kemmerer, Co-Founder and CEO of CoinLedger, commented on the findings: "This data offers a fascinating insight into the people within the crypto sphere who hold the most influence, and many of the names that feature in this study helped to popularize the cryptocurrency industry. Without their influence, hundreds of millions of people who now invest in cryptocurrencies wouldn't have been afforded the opportunity to do so."

CoinLedger conducted the research.

Methodology: After compiling a list of the 30 most influential people in cryptocurrency in 2023 (according to CryptoWeekly), the study combined their respective social media followings to determine which personality is the most popular worldwide.

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January 26, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Investorideas.com, a global news source and a trusted source for retail investors for over 25 years, announces today's roundup of stocks to watch in Mining.

The newest companies added to Investor Ideas stock directories are mining for silver, gold, and lithium, with operations in North and South America, New Guinea and Australia.

New Stocks Added to the Mining Directories:

Silver Elephant Mining Corp. (TSX:ELEF; OTCQX: SILEF) is an active silver mining and exploration company advancing its flagship Pulacayo silver project in Bolivia.

Eureka Lithium Corp. (CSE: ERKA; OTCQB: UREKF) is the largest lithium-focused landowner in the northern third of Quebec, known as the Nunavik region, with 100-per-cent ownership of three projects comprising 1,408 square km in the emerging Raglan West, Raglan South and New Leaf lithium camps. These claims were acquired from legendary prospector Shawn Ryan and are located in a region that hosts two operating nickel mines with deep-sea port access. The recent acquisition of the La Motte lithium project near Val D'Or, Quebec broadens Eureka Lithium's holdings into the heart of Canada's major lithium production district.

QcX Gold Corp. (TSXV: QCX) is exploring for gold and VMS style mineralization on its highly prospective and well-located properties in Quebec, Canada. The Golden Giant Project is located in the James Bay region, only 2.9 km from Azimut Exploration Inc.'s Patwon discovery on their Elmer gold project. The Fernet Project is located in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt and is contiguous with Wallbridge Mining Company Limited's Fenelon/Martiniere property. Both properties are in close proximity to major discoveries which bodes well for exploration.

Silver Bullet Mines Corp. (TSXV: SBMI; OTCQB:SBMCF) engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and extraction of natural resources in Arizona, Idaho, and Nevada. The company explores for silver, gold, and copper deposits.

Iceni Gold Ltd. (ASX:ICL) is a Perth based exploration company that is focused on the 14 Mile Well Project area in the Laverton Greenstone Belt, consisting of 7 key prospect areas.

Tolu Minerals Ltd. (ASX:TOK) engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties in Papua New Guinea.

MTB Metals Corp. (TSXV:MTB; OTCQB:MBYMF) has six active projects spanning 580 square kilometres (58,000 hectares) in the prolific Golden Triangle of northern British Columbia. With the focus on the Telegraph project, discussions are now underway leading to joint ventures and/or spinouts of other projects.

Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc. (OTCQB:THMG; TSXV: THM) a junior exploration company founded in 1935, owns interests in base and precious metals projects in the western U.S. The Company's principal asset is The South Mountain Mine, a historic former producer of zinc, silver, gold, lead, and copper, located on private land in Owyhee County Idaho. Thunder Mountain Gold also owns 100% of the Trout Creek Project - a gold exploration project located along the western flank of the Shoshone Mountain Range in the Reese River Valley, adjacent to and surrounded by Nevada Gold Mines, a joint operating agreement between Barrick and Newmont Gold, Inc. private mineral lands.

The directories are not meant as recommendations but as a research tool to discover opportunities and trading ideas in a particular sector.

For avid mining investors looking for the next great mining play, the Exploring Mining Podcast features expert advice in the sector from some of the best though leaders as well as interviews with CEOs in the industry.

Recent podcasts

Exploring Mining Podcast - 'All in for Gold in 2024' - Interview with President of Getchell Gold Corp.

Exploring Mining Podcast Interview with Silver Expert Peter Krauth

Exploring Mining Podcast Interview with Gwen Preston - How you can find opportunities in Junior Miners in a bad market

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January 26, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) From 1950 to 1990, the biggest threat to the planet was not global warming, but nuclear war.

The Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik, the first satellite, spurred the United States to develop rockets that could carry objects into space, which culminated in NASA's moon landing of 1969.

The competition between the US and the USSR over space exploration morphed into the Cold War, as the two superpowers began developing nuclear weapons, first (and only ever) used at the end of the Second World War with the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.



Hiroshima after a 15-kt bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945.

Source: US Air Force Photo Library

The world's first nuclear explosion occurred on July 16, 1945, when a test code-named Trinity set off a plutonium detonation device at Los Alamos, New Mexico. The event is the basis for the plot of the recent movie 'Oppenheimer', about American physicist Robert Oppenheimer, who headed the Manhattan Project during WW II.

(The blast was much stronger than anticipated - the irradiated mushroom cloud went 50,000-70,000 feet into the atmosphere. Recent research reveals that radioactive fallout reached 46 states, Canada and Mexico within 10 days.)



Source: Department of Energy

On August 29, 1949, the Soviet Union detonated its first nuclear device at a remote site in Kazakhstan.

The phrases "nuclear deterrence" and "mutually assured destruction" entered the lexicon, as both sides envisioned having so many "nukes" - both land and sea-based - that to deploy even one would result in a retaliatory strike that could bring about nuclear war.

For civilians, the constant threat of nuclear annihilation was reinforced through public education programs like "duck and cover", which taught students in the 1950s how to dive under their desks and cover their heads in the event of a nuclear attack; and the documentary 'If You Love This Planet', released in 1982 to educate/ scare Canadians about the horrors of nuclear war and the arms race.

The threat and consequences of nuclear war have manifested in various ways throughout popular culture. Nuclear weapons have been a central theme of movies since 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' in 1951. Probably the most famous was Stanley Kubrick's 1964 masterpiece, 'Dr. Strangelove'. More recent examples include 'The Day After', 'Crimson Tide', 'The Sum of All Fears' and 'The Fourth Protocol'.

Dystopian novels such as 'Alas', 'Babylon' and 'On The Beach' portray the grim aftermath of nuclear war.

Musicians warned of nuclear destruction in 1980s rock music such as '99 Luftballoons' by Nena, 'Seconds' by U2, 'Atomic' by Blondie, '2 Minutes to Midnight' by Iron Maiden and 'Blackened' by Metallica.

The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1989 officially ended the Cold War, but has not resulted in the elimination of nuclear weapons. Despite several nuclear disarmament treaties (for a list consult this Wikipedia page), world peace is still very much threatened by the outbreak of nuclear war.

Who's armed?

According to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), there are currently nine countries that possess atomic weapons: Russia, the United States, China, France, United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea. Between these states, they have 12,700 nuclear warheads, of which 9,400 are in military stockpiles. While this is down significantly from the 70,000 warheads owned by nuclear-armed states during the Cold War, "nuclear arsenals are expected to grow over the coming decade and today's forces are vastly more capable," states ICAN.

There are also five countries that "host" US nuclear weapons - Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey - and 29 that "endorse" the possession and use of nuclear weapons by allowing the potential use of nukes on their behalf as part of defense alliances including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). These 29 countries include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Japan, and South Korea.



Source: ICAN



Source: ICAN



Source: ICAN

Potential scenarios

Today there are numerous global flash points that, if escalated, could result in the release of a nuclear weapon that kills and maims tens, possibly hundreds of thousands of people, causes radiation sickness, cancer, and wreaks environmental devastation the likes of which we haven't seen since the atomic bombing of Japan in 1945.

One has only to glance at last week's headlines to see that nuclear-armed Pakistan has just attacked Iran, which thankfully does not yet have the bomb but is trying hard to acquire the materials to build one.

According to Reuters, Iran launched missiles strikes on Iraq, Syria and Pakistan - all of which were responses to attacks carried out on its soil or against Iranian targets.

In Pakistan, Iranian state media said Iran destroyed two bases of Baluchi militant Jaish al Adl, a Pakistan-based group that claimed a December attack which killed Iranian security forces. Pakistan launched strikes on separatist militants inside Iran on Thursday in response.

The news outlet says the greatest risk of escalation lies in a miscalculated attack carried out by Iran or its proxies on one side, such as the killing of US troops, or America and its allies on the other.

There is also the possibility of Russia getting involved, given that Iran and Russia have grown closer recently, united in their isolation under US sanctions and their opposition to US global hegemony. Iran provides Moscow with drones for its assault on Ukrainian cities, and both countries intervened in Syria to support their mutual ally President Assad, Reuters noted.

Speaking of Russia, back in August, former Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev threatened to use nuclear weapons if Ukraine's counter-offensive threatens Russian territory. On Sunday, a large-scale attack on a market in the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk left 27 people dead and 26 injured. Russia blamed Ukraine for the carnage but a regional Ukrainian army group denied it, according to CNBC.

One could easily envision a scenario whereby Russia, penned in by NATO countries and facing advances by Urkrainian troops on its territory and/or attacks by weaponry provided by the West, retaliates by firing off a short-range nuclear weapon. This could then spiral into the use of longer-range missiles carrying nuclear warheads directed at Ukrainian cities or even European countries Ukraine has allied with.

Russia has the most nuclear warheads of any nation, 5,997, narrowly edging out the United States' 5,428.

But remember, India and Pakistan are nuclear-armed, so is Israel and, most frighteningly, North Korea.

Last year, a US intelligence report raised concerns over the possibility of India retaliating against Pakistan in the event of a terror attack, or if there is "violent unrest in Kashmir" orchestrated by extremist groups based in Pakistan. (Mint, March 9, 2023)

January 23 was Israel's deadliest day since the Gaza war began, after two buildings collapsed on Israeli soldiers. Wall Street Journal reported 21 of 24 soldiers were killed when two structures they were rigging for demolition caved in, after militants fired rocket-propelled grenades at one of the buildings.

In November, Israeli Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu said a nuclear bomb on the Gaza Strip was "an option", a statement condemned by China, Iran and several Arab nations, and for which Eliyahu was later suspended from Cabinet meetings.

While not specifically a nuclear threat, the fact that the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have been flinging missiles at ships in the Red Sea and at southern Israel, should raise alarm bells. Forbes said the Aqeel guided missile has an approximate range of 620 miles (1,000 km), the Houthis have a mid-range variant of Iran's Zolfaghar ballistic missile, also capable of traveling 620 miles, and a longer-range Toufan (Typhoon), able to strike targets 840-1,180 miles away, has been linked with Iran's Ghadr ballistic missiles. This is a degree of military sophistication far greater than the shoulder-fired RPGs used by the Taliban or the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by ISIS.

Does anyone really believe that Iran, if it gets the bomb, or its proxies Hezbollah, Hamas or the Houthis, would hesitate to use it?

Finally, the ever-present possibility of a nuclear attack by North Korea is again making the news. Earlier this month, the North tested what it says is a solid-fueled hypersonic missile and an underwater nuclear drone, in response to a large joint naval exercise by the US, South Korea and Japan.

Leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly given up on the idea of peaceful reunification with the South, designating it a hostile state and warning of possible war.

On New Year's Day, ICAN said South Korea's defense ministry repeated previous threats to destroy the North Korean regime if it uses nuclear weapons.

Analysts believe Pyongyang is developing both so-called strategic and tactical nuclear weapons in order to deter the US which is committed to use nuclear weapons in South Korea's defence.

North Korea has been testing more and more advanced ballistic missiles and warheads, some with the range to reach the US and has also said it is developing ship-launched cruise missiles, while the Americans have been mounting repeated shows of force including military exercises using nuclear-capable aircraft and the visit of a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea.



North Korea launched a Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile on Dec. 23, 2023.

Source: Korean Central News Agency

Nuclear winter

While the above-mentioned 'Oppenheimer' has renewed interest in the history of the atomic bomb, one thing you won't learn about from the film starring Cillian Murphy ('Peaky Blinders') are the potential effects of a nuclear winter.

The term was first brought to the world's attention by Carl Sagan, the astrophysicist and author, in 1983.

Wikipedia defines nuclear winter as a severe and prolonged global climatic cooling effect that is hypothesized to occur after widespread firestorms following a large-scale nuclear war. The hypothesis is based on the fact that such fires can inject soot into the stratosphere, where it can block some direct sunlight from reaching the surface of the Earth. It is speculated that the resulting cooling would lead to widespread crop failure and famine.

Encyclopedia Britannica goes further into detail on the causes of nuclear winter, stating that,

The basic cause of nuclear winter, as hypothesized by researchers, would be the numerous and immense fireballs caused by exploding nuclear warheads. These fireballs would ignite huge uncontrolled fires (firestorms) over any and all cities and forests that were within range of them. Great plumes of smoke, soot, and dust would be sent aloft from these fires, lifted by their own heating to high altitudes where they could drift for weeks before dropping back or being washed out of the atmosphere onto the ground. Several hundred million tons of this smoke and soot would be shepherded by strong west-to-east winds until they would form a uniform belt of particles encircling the Northern Hemisphere from 30 to 60 latitude. These thick black clouds could block out all but a fraction of the Sun's light for a period as long as several weeks. Surface temperatures would plunge for a few weeks as a consequence, perhaps by as much as 11 to 22 C (20 to 40 F). The conditions of semidarkness, killing frosts, and subfreezing temperatures, combined with high doses of radiation from nuclear fallout, would interrupt plant photosynthesis and could thus destroy much of the Earth's vegetation and animal life. The extreme cold, high radiation levels, and the widespread destruction of industrial, medical, and transportation infrastructures along with food supplies and crops would trigger a massive death toll from starvation, exposure, and disease. A nuclear war could thus reduce the Earth's human population to a fraction of its previous numbers.

Using computer models, researchers found that the ignition of 100 firestorms, each comparable in intensity to the Hiroshima blast, could produce a "small" nuclear winter that would cool the global climate by approximately 1 degree Celsius, canceling out the effects of global warming for two to three years. The injection of 5 teragrams (Tg) of soot into the stratosphere would lead to mass food shortages. According to one model, livestock and aquatic food production could not compensate for reduced crop output in almost all countries.

In the event of an American-Soviet war, climate modelers in the 1980s speculated that a much larger number of firestorms, in the thousands, would plunge the Earth into a nuclear winter lasting up to a decade. During this period, summers could be 20 degrees cooler in agricultural regions of the US, Europe and China, and 35 degrees colder in Russia. Cooling would be produced due to a 99% reduction in the amount of solar radiation reaching the planet's surface.

Other studies focused on the layer of ozone in the stratosphere that shields living things from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Nuclear explosions containing large amounts of nitrogen oxides could potentially deplete the ozone layer.

Rutgers University paper

A 2010 research paper by Rutgers University contains the following nuggets of information, lightly edited:

Smoke from the fires started by nuclear weapons, especially the black, sooty smoke from cities and industrial facilities, would be heated by the Sun, lofted into the upper stratosphere, and spread globally, lasting for years. The resulting cool, dark, dry conditions at Earth's surface would prevent crop growth for at least one growing season, resulting in mass starvation over most of the world. In addition, there would be massive ozone depletion, allowing enhanced ultraviolet radiation. More people could die in the noncombatant countries than in those where the bombs were dropped, because of these indirect effects.

A nuclear war between India and Pakistan could produce so much smoke that it would produce global environmental change unprecedented in recorded human history. Although the number of nuclear weapons in the world has fallen from 70,000 at its peak in the 1980s to less than 10,000 currently deployed, a nuclear war between the United States and Russia could still produce nuclear winter.

On August 6, 1945, a 15-kt nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, killing approximately 150,000 people. The total explosive power of the current arsenal becomes more meaningful when considered in perspective. There is the equivalent explosive power of more than 1 ton of TNT for each human on the face of the Earth. The 15-kt Hiroshima bomb was only 0.00018% of the current global arsenal.

The total explosive power of all bombs dropped in all of World War II, during which 50,000,000 people died, including Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was 3 Mt. The total explosive power of all bombs ever used in the history of the world in wars is 10 Mt, with 4 Mt of those dropped in the Vietnam war. Yet we now have 850 times that explosive power in the world arsenals.

About one-third of the energy of a nuclear explosion is in the form of light or heat. Like a giant match, it causes cities and industrial areas to burn. Following the flash of light comes the blast wave (like thunder following lightning) which will break apart many structures and blow out the flames, but crumpled structures burn more easily and fires would be reignited by burning embers and electrical sparks. Imagine how easily a house would burn with open gas lines or a filling station with gas pumps knocked over. In fact, there are many flammable sources of fuel for fires in cities, including buildings and their contents, trees, and even asphalt. Modern materials, such as plastics, not only burn with a sooty smoke, but also produce high levels of toxic chemicals.

The direct effects of the nuclear weapons, blast, radioactivity, fires, and extensive pollution would kill millions of people, but only those near the targets. However, the fires would have another effect. Massive amounts of dark smoke from the fires would be lofted into the upper troposphere, 1015 km above Earth's surface in the tropics and 68 km above the surface in higher latitudes, and then absorption of sunlight would further heat the smoke, lifting it into the stratosphere, a layer where the smoke would persist for years, with no rain to wash it out.

Effects on agriculture/ biological consequences

The most important consequence of nuclear winter for humans is the disruption of food supplies. This comes from environmental disruptions that reduce or completely wipe out agricultural production and the disruption of the distribution mechanisms.

Not only would it be virtually impossible to grow food for 45 years after a 150-Mt nuclear holocaust, but it would also be impossible to obtain food from other countries.

Only one day with the temperatures below freezing is enough to kill rice crops. Colder temperatures mean shorter growing seasons, and also slower maturation of crops; the combination results in much lower yields. Most of the grains that are grown in midlatitudes, such as corn, are actually of tropical origin, and will only grow in summer-like conditions. For example, a study done in Canada shows that with summer temperatures only 3C below normal, spring wheat production would halt. Insufficient precipitation would also make agriculture difficult.

Farmers depend on fuel for their machinery, fertilizer, and pesticides, none of which would be available or distributed in the aftermath of a war. Furthermore, insects have a higher tolerance for radiation and the stresses that would follow than do their predators, such as birds. Whatever might grow would be eaten by pests, already a significant problem in today's production. Also, the seeds that are in use were designed to yield high productivity assuming the current climate and inputs of chemicals and energy as discussed above. These seeds would not grow well in a radically altered growing environment.

Most of the world's people are threatened with starvation following a full-scale nuclear war. Each person who will survive becomes a vegetarian and eats the minimum needed for survival. In many nations, people would be reduced to a hunter/gatherer existence with nothing to hunt and precious little to gather.

The effects on health would add to the misery. Immune deficiencies can be produced by any of the following: burns and trauma, radioactivity, malnutrition, psychological stress, and UV-B radiation. All of these would be present for the survivors in the target nations. Pollution from dioxins, PCBs, asbestos, and other chemicals will make the air unhealthy to breath.

Although the ocean would not cool very fast, the darkness would decimate the phytoplankton, which are at the base of the oceanic food chain. That, combined with toxic and radioactive pollution, would severely limit the food sources in the oceans.

Shades of winter

The 2010 Rutgers University paper, and later research by the Alliance for Science, detail a few different scenarios that could plunge the Earth into a nuclear winter of varying degrees.

If 50 nuclear weapons were dropped on two countries, they could produce 5 Tg of black smoke, after accounting for the amount emitted by the fires and immediately washed out in rain.

A war between the US and Russia could produce 150 Tg of smoke.

Rutgers says the climatic effects of smoke from burning cities and industrial areas would last for several years, much longer than previously thought. A nuclear war between India and Pakistan, with each country using 50 Hiroshima-sized bombs as airbursts on urban areas, could produce climate change unprecedented in recorded human history - and that's with less than 0.02% of the explosive power of the current nuclear arsenal. The same scenario would produce global ozone depletion.

The injection of just 5 Tg of smoke into the upper troposphere would cause global temperatures to plummet to values below those of the Little Ice Age (1500-1850). I.e., during the Little Ice Age, global temperatures were half a degree Celsius cooler, but in a nuclear winter scenario they would fall by about 1.25 degrees, last for several years, and after 10 years would still be 0.5 degrees colder than normal.

Global precipitation would be reduced by 10%.

Rutgers says while these temperatures would not be winter-like, growing seasons in midlatitudes of both hemispheres would be shortened by up to a few weeks, with potentially large impacts on agricultural production.

A nuclear war between the United States and Russia could produce 150 Tg of smoke and nuclear winter, with temperatures plunging below freezing in the summer in major agricultural regions, threatening the food supply for most of the planet, the researchers say.

In 2022, the Alliance for Science asked the question: Could humans survive a nuclear war between NATO and Russia? The short answer is yes, But the vast majority of the human population would suffer extremely unpleasant deaths from burns, radiation and starvation, and human civilization would likely collapse entirely. Survivors would eke out a living on a devastated, barren planet.

The Alliance quotes a study published three years ago looking at the likely impacts of a nuclear exchange of about 100 Hiroshima-sized detonations on the most populated areas of India and Pakistan. This scenario, the same as the one described by Rutgers, would generate about 5 Tg of soot-filled smoke, dropping the Earth's surface temperature by 1.8 degrees in the first five years.

The Alliance notes this would cause more cooling than any recent volcanic eruption (see section below), and more than any climate perturbation for at least the last 1,000 years. Rainfall patterns would be greatly altered and total precipitation would fall about 8%.

Food exports would collapse as stocks are depleted within one year, and by the fourth year 1.3 billion people face losing about 20% of their current food supply.

A 2014 study using the same scenario found that the soot entering the stratosphere would severely damage the ozone layer, increasing UV penetration by 30-80% over the mid-latitudes. This would cause "widespread damage to human health, agriculture, and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems," the researchers wrote. "The combined cooling and enhanced UV would put significant pressures on global food supplies and could trigger a global nuclear famine."

As for the US-Russia nuclear war scenario, the Alliance for Science quotes a 2008 study estimating it would cause 770 million direct deaths and generate 180 Tg of soot from burning cities and forests. About half the US population would be within ground zero and a fifth of the country's citizens would be killed outright.

A subsequent study in 2019, which used a slightly lower 150 Tg soot injection, found that an equivalent-scale nuclear war would cause so much smoke that only 30-40% of sunlight would reach the Earth's surface for six months. What happens next is worth quoting in full:

A massive drop in temperature follows, with the weather staying below freezing throughout the subsequent Northern Hemisphere summer. In Iowa, for example, the model shows temperatures staying below 0C for 730 days straight. There is no growing season. This is a true nuclear winter.

Nor is it just a short blip. Temperatures still drop below freezing in summer for several years thereafter, and global precipitation falls by half by years three and four. It takes over a decade for anything like climatic normality to return to the planet.

By this time, most of Earth's human population will be long dead. The world's food production would crash by more than 90 percent, causing global famine that would kill billions by starvation. In most countries less than a quarter of the population survives by the end of year two in this scenario. Global fish stocks are decimated and the ozone layer collapses.

The models are eerily specific. In the 4,400 warhead/150 Tg soot nuclear war scenario, averaged over the subsequent five years, China sees a reduction in food calories of 97.2 percent, France by 97.5 percent, Russia by 99.7 percent, the UK by 99.5 percent and the US by 98.9 percent. In all these countries, virtually everyone who survived the initial blasts would subsequently starve.

Analogs

While the characteristics of a nuclear winter cannot obviously be replicated in the natural world, we do have analogs we can draw upon. For example, researchers use the conventional bombing of Hamburg, and the Hiroshima firestorm as examples of events that injected soot into the stratosphere. (As devastating as Hiroshima was, it was not enough to cause a nuclear winter).

Large wildfire firestorms can produce enough particulate matter to block out the sun, thus simulating nuclear winter conditions.

We can also examine the consequences of major volcanic eruptions, and the asteroid strike that hit Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, causing the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Asteroid strike

Regarding the latter, Rutgers says the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) extinction that happened about 65 million years ago caused a gargantuan dust cloud, that mixed with smoke from fires, blotted out the sun, killing the dinosaurs and starting the age of mammals. The K-T extinction may have been exacerbated by massive volcanism in India at the time, the researchers said.

(The Alliance for Science maintains that even the 150 Tg of soot released into the upper atmosphere in a full-scale nuclear war scenario is orders of magnitude less than the amount of smoke and particulate matter caused by the asteroid strike. This implies that a species-level extinction of Homo sapiens is unlikely, and that some humans would survive to eventually re-populate the planet.)

Volcanic eruptions

One of the best analogs for a nuclear war scenario is the eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia in 1815 - the largest of the past 500 years. An aerosol cloud of fine particulate matter the size of Australia reached the stratosphere, blocking sunlight from reaching the Earth, and cooling the planet by an average of 3 C. The climate effects lasted at least three years.

According to an article by the National Park Service, during what should have been the summer of 1816, Crops failed across Europe and the U.S. due to the cold or lack of sunshine causing grain and oat prices to soar, torrential rains flooded crops in Ireland, novel strains of cholera killed millions in India, crime became rampant, and people starved in many countries.

Other effects included crop-killing frosts every month of the summer in New England, plummeting livestock prices as farmers sold the animals they couldn't feed, and the beginning of a mass migration westward from the US East Coast across the Appalachians to the Midwest.

Eruptions with similar effects occurred at Krakatoa, Indonesia, in 1813, and at Pinatubo, the Philippines, in 1991. Rutgers says that following the Pinatubo volcanic event, global precipitation, river flow, and soil moisture all were reduced, since cooling the planet by blocking sunlight has a strong effect on reducing evaporation and weakening the hydrologic cycle.



The Krakatoa eruption of 1883. Source: Library of Congress

Forest fires

Less impactful but worth mentioning, are smoke from forest fires and cities burning. A 2006 study by Mike Fromm of the Naval Research Laboratory found that each natural occurrence of a massive wildfire firestorm, much larger than that observed at Hiroshima, can produce minor "nuclear winter" effects, with short-lived, approximately one month of a nearly immeasurable drop in surface temperatures, confined to the hemisphere that they burned in. This is somewhat analogous to the frequent volcanic eruptions that inject sulfates into the stratosphere and thereby produce minor, even negligible, volcanic winter effects. (Wikipedia)

Rutgers notes that smoke from large forest fires sometimes is injected into the lower stratosphere, and the smoke travels large distances, producing a cooling effect under the smoke.

Cities burning

There have been several examples of cities burning, whereby firestorms created by the intense release of energy pumped smoke into the upper atmosphere. These include San Francisco following the 1906 earthquake, and cities bombed during World War II, such as Tokyo, Dresden, Hamburg, Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

More recently, Iraqi troops set fire to about 700 oil wells in Kuwait, at the end of the 1991 Gulf War.

Conclusion

In 1962, we sat perched on the brink of nuclear war when the United States and the Soviet Union stared each other down over nuclear missiles placed on the island of Cuba.

For many people, this is ancient history and the idea of nuclear war is an anachronism - a relic of the 20th century that could never happen in the modern world.

The reality is we are closer than ever to a nuclear confrontation, evidenced by a number of global spots involving nuclear-armed states, most obviously Russia and Israel but also North Korea, which is back to rattling sabers with South Korea and testing nuclear weapons including a hypersonic missile and an underwater nuclear drone.

In fact there is a way of measuring the threat of nuclear war or other means of planetary destruction; it's called the "Doomsday Clock". Created in 1947 to warn humankind as to how close it is to destroying the world, the Doomsday Clock currently reads 90 seconds to midnight. It was set on Tuesday by The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, to the same time as last year, the theoretical point of annihilation.

Reuters reported the atomic scientists set the clock based on "existential" risks to Earth: nuclear threats, climate change and disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence and new biotechnology.

Regarding AI, scientific journal 'The Bulletin' called the technology "the most significant development" in the disruptive technology space, and mentions it increasingly being used by the military and information operations. Despite some countries taking steps to regulate artificial intelligence, the paper via Cointelegraph points out that AI and other information technologies have also been a cause for acceleration of the ability of authoritarian regimes to monitor citizens' activities and liberties.

Via Reuters, The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists identified the following as factors driving the risk of global catastrophe:

China, Russia and the United States are all expanding their nuclear arsenals, boosting the risk of nuclear war through mistake or miscalculation;

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has escalated tensions with the West to their most dangerous levels since the Cold War;

Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2023 suspended Russian participation in the New START treaty with the United States, that limits both countries' strategic nuclear arsenals.

There is also the March 2023 announcement of Russia's deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belurus, and the Russian parliament's October 2023 passage of a law withdrawing ratification of the global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests.

Israel's war with Hamas is another potential nuclear trigger. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists worry the conflict could escalate (it already has - Rick), drawing in more nuclear or near-nuclear powers;

Climate change was added as a factor in setting the clock in 2007. Last year was the hottest year on record.

As the Alliance for Science puts it, "we are no longer in peacetime and the shadows of multiple mushroom clouds are looming once again over our planet."

It wouldn't take much for one of the world's nine nuclear-armed states to deploy a small nuclear weapon to end a conflict. The most obvious examples are Russia, Israel or North Korea, but the United States cannot be eliminated, not should it be discounted, as a nuclear threat. Always remember it was the US that invented the atomic bomb, tested it in the desert, and dropped it on two Japanese cities.

Also, the first casualty of war is truth. In the 2003 documentary 'The Fog of War', former Secretary of State Robert McNamara admitted that the supposed Aug. 4, 1964 attack on the USS Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin - the precursor to US involvement in Vietnam - never happened. A similar mistake that involves launching a nuclear weapon in retaliation is a distinct possibility.

Researchers have modeled a "modest" nuclear exchange of about 100 Hiroshima-sized detonations on the most populated areas of India and Pakistan, would generate about 5 Tg of black smoke, dropping the Earth's surface temperature by 1.8 degrees in the first five years.

Food exports would collapse as stocks are depleted within one year, and by the fourth year 1.3 billion people face losing about 20% of their current food supply.

Virtually every climate model has confirmed that nuclear war would cool the planet, with devastating effects on agriculture and many negative impacts on human mental and physical health.

As CBC notes, "A full-scale nuclear war and a global famine resulting from nuclear winter would lead to the collapse of industrial society and human civilization," although those who have studied the topic believe that it wouldn't necessarily extinguish the human species. The small number of people able to survive a nuclear winter could conceivably re-populate the planet.

Yet this shouldn't be a reason to resist nuclear disarmament, or to not do whatever we can to avoid a nuclear incident. A 2022 paper in 'Nature Food' found that up to 5.3 billion people would die from starvation two years after a full-scale nuclear exchange between the US and Russia and the ensuing nuclear winter. The paper, via CBC, also found 99% of Canadians would starve to death.

Richard (Rick) Mills

aheadoftheherd.com

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Founding director and shareholder of WLR fm Des Whelan announced he will step down from his role as chief executive of the Waterford radio station.

WLR fm will remain in the ownership of Mr Whelan and The Irish Times Group, which owns a number of radio stations and regional newspapers in addition to the Irish Examiner.

Mr Whelan will be succeeded by Michael Byrne, who is currently the programme and operations director at WLR. Mr Byrne will officially take up his new role at the end of February.

"WLR holds a significant place in the fabric of everyday life in Waterford, and I look forward to working with the brilliant team at the station to deliver the best possible service on air and online to our valued listeners and customers," said Mr Byrne.

In 1989, Mr Whelan secured a licence for local radio in Waterford City and County and in 2002 he founded Beat 102-103.

He was also chairman of Red FM from 2009 to 2023, a founding shareholder and director of Radio Nova and Newstalk, and helped establish the Broadcast Centre at Ardkeen.

Having thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my 45 years in radio, I consider myself immensely fortunate to have made a livelihood doing what I love, said Mr Whelan.

Mr Whelan is currently chairman at the Waterford Museum of Treasures and Mount Congreve Gardens.
Full-time employment protections for Europe's gig economy workers are unlikely to be approved anytime soon, as discussions around the EU Platform Workers Directive are making slower progress than anticipated.

The directive seeks to give full-time worker protections to EU-based workers operating via apps for a central platform employer; e.g. app-based taxi drivers and food delivery workers. However, the political discussions around the presumption of employment mean that these gig economy workers will continue to have self-employed status for the time being.

Political analysts believe that the discussions will not conclude during the current European Parliament. Thus, the directive is likely to be held over until after the outcome of the June 2024 European Parliament elections.

The directive is not being dropped, but the impetus behind it may stall as Europes politicians switch their focus in the coming months to getting themselves re-elected. While it was widely believed that seven EU member states opposed the directive, the latest European Commission discussions suggest that has now risen to 12 states.

While the Commission has not hosted a formal vote, European press agencies have widely reported that Estonia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden all oppose the current wording.

The directives latest  and most significant obstacle yet  has been Frances opposition. A few weeks ago, French Labour Minister, Olivier Dussopt, told the Permanent Representation in Brussels to vote against the directive.

I do not understand how France is not willing to give platform workers, who are one of the most precarious categories of workers in the EU, basic social rights, said Elisabetta Gualmini, the European Parliament rapporteur designated to manage the directives passage, in an interview with the Euractiv news service in Brussels.

Emmanuel Macron is one of the most passionate promoters of Europe. He has always fought for a stronger and more autonomous Europe, she said.

Ms Gualmini said the French opposition risks being the killer of Social Europe. She added: This is completely unacceptable and not understandable to me.

Elisabetta Gualmini, the European Parliament rapporteur designated to report on the EU Platform Workers Directive.

In 2022, there were an estimated 28 million platform workers in the EU. That number is expected to rise to 43 million by 2025. Employment analysts believe that around 5.5 million of these workers should be classified as full-time workers, but are currently denied the EU protections that come with that status.

The political and legal debates centre on whether or not these 5.5 million workers are incorrectly classified as self-employed (termed as bogus self-employment) and, as a result, are losing out on important labour and social protection rights.

The new rules aim to protect a presumption of an employment relationship that is deemed to exist when two out of a list of five indicators of control or direction are present. In due course, this list can be expanded by member states.

The indicators include: Determining the level of remuneration or setting upper limits; Supervising the performance of work through electronic means; Restricting the freedom to choose one's working hours or periods of absence, to accept or to refuse tasks, or to use sub-contractors or substitutes; Setting specific binding rules with regard to appearance, conduct towards the recipient of the service or performance of the work; Restricting the possibility to build a client base or to perform work for any third party.

When first proposed in 2021, there had been general support within the European Parliament for the directive. While political agreement was reached on the wording in December, the rules have since moved to platform workers to needing three out of seven indicators to attain full-time worker status.

The political opposition means that the directive is also unlikely to reach the majority it needs for EU Parliament approval. A file is adopted in Council when at least 55% of member states vote in favour, backed by member states accounting for at least 65% of the EUs total population.

Read More Business movers: People starting new jobs in Ireland

In late December, Tarun Tawalkey, a partner with law firm Lewis Silkin, wrote: We covered the somewhat tortuous progress of this new law in our previous article EU Platform Workers Directive  a further step forward. In a final meeting that is reported to have lasted for some 11 hours, the European Parliament and EU Member States have now reached political agreement on the wording of the draft Directive.

With over 28 million people working on digital platforms across the EU, a model commonly known as the gig economy, the European Commission first drafted legislation on platform working in 2021. The directive focuses on the employment status of platform workers and proposed new rights for individuals whose work involves the use of algorithmic technology.

From the information that we have so far in the draft press releases, it does not seem that any significant changes have been made to the provisions on automated decision-making. The position will be clearer once the draft agreed text has been published.

Tarun Tawalkey, a partner with law firm Lewis Silkin.

The next step is the formal approval of the agreement by the European Parliament and the Council. Member states will then have two years to incorporate the EU Directive into national law.

Mr Tawalkey added: Assuming the process can be concluded before the terms of the current Commission and Parliament end in spring 2024, the usual two-year implementation period for Directives would mean that the member states have until spring 2026 to make the necessary changes to their domestic law.
The UK has halted trade talks with Canada, with discussions breaking down after a disagreement over beef and cheese.

The two countries have been negotiating for the past two years in the wake of Britain leaving the EU, with trade continuing under the same deal brokered before Brexit.

A UK government spokesperson said: We have always said we will only negotiate trade deals that deliver for the British people. And we reserve the right to pause negotiations with any country if progress is not being made.

We remain open to restarting talks with Canada in the future to build a stronger trading relationship that benefits businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.

The talks, which started in March 2022, are among a number of negotiations Britain has launched around the world after its decision to leave the EU, which excluded it from existing EU free trade deals.

The previous agreement had allowed the UK to continue to sell cars and cheese in Canada without it charging import tax. However, Canadas government has been facing pressure from the beef industry and domestic cheesemakers.

The UK had been trading with Canada on terms that largely replicated the arrangements in place from the UKs time in the EU.

A spokesperson for the Canadian trade minister, Mary Ng, said: We are disappointed that negotiations with the UK are being paused. Their decision to continue to maintain market access barriers for our agriculture industry and unwillingness to reach a mutual agreement has only stalled negotiations.

Read More Sunak warned personal tax cuts will not do much to boost British economy

Guardian service
The fodder situation is relatively stable on both dairy and beef farms, but the risk of shortages is dependent on spring weather and managing turnout of livestock to grass, Teagasc has said.

A meeting of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) took place this week to update members on the livestock fodder and feed situation on farms, with Joe Patton and Pearse Kelly from Teagasc outlining a number of key points.

It was estimated that 15% of farms could see significant deficits if February/March weather conditions are poorer than normal.

They also pointed out that silage is available to purchase, and that some farmers had included the option of purchasing fodder in their winter feed budgeting plans.

According to Teagasc, beef farms are judged to be in a relatively secure position, with feedback from the commercial farms participating in the knowledge transfer programmes that they are in a good position for feed at present.

Grass growth

Head of the Grassland Research Department in Teagasc, Michael ODonovan, presented the grass growth figures for 2023, which were in line with the 10-year average.

He particularly pointed to the grass growth over the winter period, which has yielded strong pasture covers on farms.

This grass will be available for grazing once cows calve and are turned out.

It was also said that farmers should plan for early nitrogen and slurry applications to improve spring grass production, while following best practice guidelines on managing risks of nutrient losses.

Planting delays

Michael Hennessy, head of tillage knowledge transfer, has urged growers to carefully inspect winter crops, which are patchy due to the rainfall levels over the winter.

He said it might not be profitable to replant.

In terms of the upcoming spring crop planting season, he advised growers to maximise the planting of winter wheat up to the middle of February, spring wheat, beans, and oats, and to explore forage market opportunities.

Given that seed availability will be very tight or may not be available when needed, he advised farmers to assess their seed requirements as soon as possible and order from their merchant.

Planting delays in spring 2023, challenging harvest conditions, and a reduction in the winter planted area have combined to create seed shortages for tillage farmers this spring.

Estimates, Mr Hennessy explained, suggest that the area planted under winter cereals is approximately 78,000-80,000 hectares - 60-62% of the planned normal planting area.

Additionally, issues around harvest time, including challenging harvesting conditions, lower yields, and a higher level of rejections, have reduced the availability of Irish-grown seed stocks, creating the need to look elsewhere to source supplies.

Adding to this, the same challenging weather conditions experienced in Ireland have reduced the availability of seed supplies in the UK, Denmark and Nordic countries, meaning that seed houses are having to look further afield to the eastern bloc countries within Europe to secure seed.

Straw imports

The concern of straw availability will give rise to farmers prioritising straw for calving and lambing, according to Teagasc.

There are some reports of straw being imported, Teagasc said, and the potential risk around issues such as potential blackgrass seeds was highlighted as needing consideration when handling and moving imported straw.

The committee discussed how greater ongoing attention to the national requirement for straw and ongoing monitoring of stocks in a similar way to fodder would be beneficial, as would the ongoing efforts to increase the overall tillage area.

The potential for linkages between tillage and livestock farmers for supply contracts of forage crops is also an important option, the committee agreed.
How is the Irish Eurovision entry chosen?

Each of the six acts chosen will perform on the Late Late Eurosong Special tonight.

Then, a yet-to-be-announced national jury, an international jury, and a public vote will decide who will head to Sweden for the semi-finals.

What can I expect from the Eurosong Special?

The aim is that the set for this year's show feels like a mini version of the real thing.

The audience will be seated at individual tables rather than the usual tiered seating.

Host Patrick Kielty with the six 'Late Late Eurosong Special' acts. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

This will be Patrick Kielty's first time hosting Eurosong so he might do things a little differently in order to put his own stamp on things.

There is some controversy surrounding this year's competition over Israel's inclusion amid the ongoing war in Gaza. There have been calls for Ireland to boycott the Eurovision.

In recent weeks, pro-Palestine protesters have disrupted live broadcasts so there is a possibility that tonight's show could see some form of protest.

Where is the Eurovision being held this year?

Eurovision 2024 will be held in Malmo, Sweden after Loreen won the competition last year in Liverpool.

Isabella Kearney, a contestant in the 'Late Late Eurosong Special'. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

It will mark the third time the city has hosted the Eurovision, having held it in 1992 and 2013.

When are the semi-finals?

The semi-finals will be held on Tuesday, May 7, and Thursday, May 9. It is not yet known which night Ireland will perform. This will be decided by a draw.

A total of 31 countries will compete in the semi-finals, with 10 entries chosen from each semi-final going on to the grand final.

Are there any changes from Eurovision 2023?

Luxembourg will return to the Eurovision for the first time in 30 years, while Romania is the only country from 2023 that will not participate this year.

When did Ireland last made it to the grand final?

The last time Ireland was in the grand final was in 2018 when Ryan O'Shaughnessy entered with the song 'Together'.

When did Ireland last win the Eurovision?

Ireland has not won the Eurovision since Eimear Quinn took the prize in 1996 with 'The Voice'. It was Ireland's fourth win in a five-year period.
Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm by Siobhan McDermott; Hodder Childrens Books, 9

Everything in Hok Woh is shadowed in mystery and little is as it seems.

In this underwater realm, where jellyfish serve as messengers for the immortals, young apprentice Silhouettes face terrifyingly dangerous challenges in order to graduate from school.

Those who fail at any stage are cast out, their memories of Hok Woh permanently erased. Worse, there are rumours that failed Silhouettes are disappearing, possibly taken by the evil Fui Gwai spirit and turned into grey-eyed zombie thralls.

Yet getting to Hok Woh is everything Zhi Ging has worked for. With no knowledge of her real parents, she was brought up in the village of Fei Chui by local healer Aapau and studied hard for her Silhouette entrance exam.

Only one Silhouette is selected from each village, and as a misfit outsider, 12-year-old Zhi Ging fears a terrible fate if she is not the chosen one. She will spend the rest of her life cleaning a narrow glass post pipe, wherein the last two pipe scrubbers drowned in their first month of employment.

Unfortunately for her, the village above the cloud sea where she was raised is ruled by glassmiths, chief among them the Lead Glassmith, whose daughter Iridill is chosen ahead of Zhi Ging as Fei Chuis Silhouette.

Outraged at this injustice, Zhi Ging tries to win over Reishi, a Silhouette scout, by retrieving his lost jade stone. In the process, however, she precipitates a dragon attack on the mountain near her village and is accused by superstitious locals of summoning the Fui Gwai.

Her chances of reaching Hok Woh now seem in tatters, but Zhi Ging is beginning to discover that she possesses powers so extraordinary that they cannot be ignored by the age-shifting immortals the Cyo BAhon.

Since the dragon attack, delicate gold lines have been curling their way up her arm. Then, faced with another life-or-death situation as she recovers Reishis jade stone, Zhi Ging finds she is able to grasp hold of invisible air rails, by which she pulls herself to safety.

These ethereal rails happen to be the subject of long-term research by Reishi, who concedes to take Zhi Ging to Hok Woh, where she defies tradition by becoming an unprecedented second Silhouette.

The venomous Iridill is less than ecstatic about having to share her Silhouette status, and for the rest of this debut novel from Hong Kong-Irish author Siobhan McDermott, the resentment between them festers.

Mocking the fact that Zhi Ging was the only person in their village whose hair did not glow near dragons, Iridill refers to her as

NoGlow with a sneering snobbery reminiscent of Draco Malfoys Mudblood jibes.

Indeed, right from its prologue, where the infant Zhi Ging is deposited in Aapaus care, this magical boarding school adventure, the first in a series for readers aged nine-plus, has strong Harry Potter vibes, one of the fearless Zhi Gings stand-out qualities being compassion, even for her most deadly enemies.

Though few authors possess JK Rowlings intricate plot-weaving skills, McDermotts is a fresh approach to the topic of impossibly dangerous cryptic school challenges, infused with fragments of Chinese legends and her own childhood memories.

McDermott, a Trinity Arts graduate who worked in publicity for Penguin Ireland, could usefully have enlightened readers, before the books end, as to the meaning of the Chinese terms and words of her own invention (Cyo BAhon, for instance, is a Cantonese pronunciation of the authors own name, Siobhan).

But perhaps that would be to remove too much of the mystery from the unfathomable depths of this story of hidden dragons and undiscovered talents, whose February release coincides with the start of the Chinese Year of the Dragon.

An Crann Cois na Tra by Debbie Deegan and Bronagh Lee; Clo Iar Chonnacht/COGG, 10

Ba bhronach an radharc e an stumpa de chrann, cludaithe le caonach, thios cois na tra.

Bhi an crann ag fail bhais, bhi an nadur faoi bhron; ag caoineadh is ag gol, is ag olagon.

The transformation by tree sculptor Tommy Craggs of a dying Monterey cypress in Raheney, Dublin, into a stunning work of art was the inspiration for the debut book by childrens charity founder Debbie Deegan.

Translated into Irish by Fearghas Mac Lochlainn, the tale imagines the creatures who live in the tree gathering together in fears that it will be felled and sending a note to Craggs, asking him to come to their aid.

After Craggs carves the stump into a wooden menagerie of animals and birds, it develops a different kind of magic, making the whispered wishes of children who visit the tree come true.

With a cast of characters including owls Tubhuit and Tubhu and Sophie an Ealla, this is a celebration not only of a craftsmans artistry but of the wonders of Irish nature.

A skunk called Maidhci is something of a surprise addition among the native species, but finds his place in a spirit of inclusivity and diversity.

The Treasure Hunt by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and illustrated by Gordy Wright; Hodder Childrens Books, 21

X marks the spot, or does it? Some of the worlds greatest treasures have been lost or stolen, perhaps never to be found, but young readers will discover much about history, and code-breaking, as they hunt for priceless paintings, absent artefacts, and historic hoards in this intriguing book.

A series of clues leads to information about missing Faberge eggs, Viking chess pieces, pirates booty, and Russias lost Amber Room.

It all starts with a message in a bottle, apparently from the ghost of Scottish pirate Captain Kidd, who seems to have adapted to dry land in attempts to continue his thievery.

Readers are required to develop their map-reading skills, plot co-ordinates, puzzle out ciphers, and try elementary rune reading in order to follow the trail of the time-travelling thief.

They must crack codes and solve clues to progress to the next location.

With global warming and melting ice caps revealing archaeological treasures hidden for thousands of years, it is not a stretch for readers to imagine making an astounding find themselves.

As author Leisa Stewart-Sharpe notes, the person who led to the discovery of one of the most famous of all treasure sites, King Tutankhamuns tomb, was not Howard Carter, the British archaeologist who was searching for it, but 12-year-old water-carrier Hussein Abdel-Rassoul.

How he stumbled across a stone step in the sand, the top of a staircase leading down to the sealed entrance of Tutankhamuns tomb and its treasures, undisturbed for 3,000 years, is just the sort of inspiration young treasure-seekers may be looking for.
PJSC Ukrnafta purchased 12 specialized buses for transporting employees.

"12 specialized Temsa buses were purchased from the winners of the open tender  Avto-Region LLC. These are reliable Turkish cars with Japanese engines and a 20% localization rate in Ukraine," the company said in a press release on Friday.

As stated in the document, the company's specialists took into account the operating experience of existing buses, the conditions in which they will operate, their quantity and delivery time. In particular, a galvanized body was required to increase the service life to a minimum of ten years, and a Euro six engine, since the buses are used, among other things, on the territory of nature reserves.

"Buses are an important element of the work of a company like Ukrnafta, where many work in shifts and must travel to the field. On average, a company must transport from 4,500 to 5,000 workers per shift," the company said.

Currently, the transport department of Ukrnafta has 275 buses, of which 213 are in operation. All buses are involved in transporting workers to places of work in accordance with routes  both those working on a rotational basis and on one-time requests. The average age of these vehicles is 30-50 years.

"New buses for 29 passengers each were delivered to all regional divisions at the end of 2023," Ukrnafta said.

It is indicated that it is also planned to purchase 28 buses in the first quarter of 2024 through the leasing procedure.
Save on eco-friendly essentials at Faerly

Faerly's end-of-year sale has plenty of offers on eco-friendly essentials across kitchen, bathroom and more. Included in the sale is refillable cleaning products from neat, mineral suncreams from Amazinc!, menstrual cups from Grace & Green and a number of books on topics such as how to quit fast fashion, going plastic free and going digital free. Another gorgeous brand included in the sale is Be Kind Industries, a Wicklow-based brand selling luxury incense sticks. We adore Oud Noir, sale price 8.95 for 10 sticks (RRP 9.50). See faerly.ie.

Update your office wardrobe for less at Penneys

Paula Echevarria Single-Breasted Blazer, available in pink and charcoal variations, 24 at Penneys

Looking to update your office wardrobe? Penneys' latest collaboration with Spanish actress and influencer Paula Echevarria has some chic but affordable options. For inspiration, look to the Single-Breasted Blazer, available in pink and charcoal variations, priced at just 24. For an option you can jazz up or down, the Bonjour slogan jumper, 17, is another nice pick. See primark.com/en-ie

Get a glazed doughnut for just 31c

Doughnut franchise Krispy Kreme has 12 locations in Ireland including storefronts in Cork and Dublin.

To help make this years January payday even sweeter, Krispy Kreme is dropping the price of its iconic Original Glazed doughnuts to just 31c on January 31. The so-called 'PayYay' doughnuts will be available on a first-come-first served basis in Krispy Kreme shops across Ireland (note, the offer is not available on donuts sold in Tesco, Circle K, Plaza Group, Applegreen and Park Ri, Center Parcs, Uber Eats, Just Eat or Deliveroo). The offer is limited to one redemption, per person, per day, and needs to be redeemed via the Squid loyalty app. In addition, you can also pick up an Original Glazed dozen for just 10 (usually 19.95), same restrictions apply. See krispykreme.ie

Bag luxury brands for less at Arnotts

Ted Baker Altheea Puff Sleeve Floral Midi Tea Dress, was 255, now 127 at Arnotts

Have you a roster of weddings, christenings, communions or other such events looming in 2024? Now might be the time to get your outfit sorted with Arnotts' ongoing sale on brands like Ted Baker, Reiss and Phase Eight, with up to 70% off. We found a gorgeous floral midi tea dress from Ted Baker reduced to 127 (was 255) and a stunning pink cut-out midi dress from Reiss down to 111 (was 325). See arnotts.ie

Save 20% at Camile Thai

Save 20% at Camile Thai Monday through Thursday for the rest of January

There's nothing quite like a comforting curry after a busy day. Save on wash-up and treat yourself to a takeout with 20% off at Camile Thai from Monday to Thursday until the end of January. Discount code COSYUP20, can be used on the website and the app. See camile.ie

Save up to 70% off at Regatta

Orla Kiely Long Sleeve Winter Tee | Apple Blossom Yellow now half price at Regatta

Is one of your New Year's resolutions to get out in the fresh air more? Whether you're hoping to walk, jog or run, keep yourself warm with up to 70% off a range of Hepley lightweight half zip fleece's at Regatta, now just 14.95 (was 50). A range of long sleeve winter tees from Orla Kiely are also on offer, down to 25 from their RRP of 50. We love the apple Blossom Yellow. See regatta.com/ie/
Imagine how it would feel to apply for 60 or so jobs, be interviewed for a handful, and then be offered a grand total of zero. Ashling Delaney from Johnstown in Kilkenny doesnt have to imagine as she went through this experience last year.

I had a job at the time, but Id gone as far as I could in it, says the 49-year-old. I wanted something more challenging. I must have applied for 60 odd jobs and got as far as the second or third round in several interviews, but but I didnt get offered any of them. It was so disheartening. I started to think it was an age thing and that Id have no option but to remain where I was for the rest of my life.

We are all likely to be rejected at some point in our careers. Like Delaney, we may not be called to interview for positions we apply for or may not make it past the first or second round of the selection process. We might put ourselves forward for promotion only to see someone else chosen.

Ashling Delaney at SCL, Shannon, Co Clare. Picture : Eamon Ward

Organisational psychologist Niamh Gaffney is the founder of www.directionality.ie, which supports people in overcoming personal and professional challenges to reach their goals. She explains how such knockbacks can trigger negative emotions.

Humans want to be accepted and feel a sense of belonging, she says. Being rejected in any way can undermine that and cause us to feel self-doubt, anxiety and worthless. Its as if were being pushed out of the group and for many, thats our worst fear.

Some react so badly to rejection that they decide never to risk it again. They stay in jobs even when unhappy, says Gaffney. They dont ask for a raise or speak up in meetings. They keep themselves small and dont take a chance, all because they fear rejection.

Full esteem ahead

Ray McKiernan

Ray McKiernan is a director and training consultant with the Stress Management Institute of Ireland and the founder of Resilience International, which designs and delivers skills development programmes for organisations.

He believes resilience helps us to deal with rejection: When your resilience is low, its harder to bounce back and try again. But resilience is a capacity: we can learn how to increase it.

One of the most effective things we can do is remind ourselves that not being selected for a job doesnt define our value as a person or as a professional  something McKiernan acknowledges isnt always easy.

If youre applying for a job, youre probably not happy with the job you have or you may even have lost it, so youre already vulnerable, he says. Thats the worst possible time to experience rejection. But its vital you tell yourself that your application was rejected, not you.

This is especially true now that organisations increasingly use algorithms to exclude candidates based on the words used in their CVs. That could explain why youre not being called to interview and its definitely not a personal reflection on you, he says.

McKiernan also advises employees not to rely on work as their only source of self-esteem.

If anything negatively impacts your work, if you get ill, have to take time off or lose your job, then your self-esteem will be affected, he says. Work is an easy place to get esteem when its going well but that esteem is quickly lost if things go badly.

He recommends building a portfolio of other resources. It could be relationships with family and friends, being involved with social or voluntary groups and organisations, even exercising, he says. Anything that gives you a sense of purpose and meaning will bolster your resilience.

While building resilience is vital for maintaining equilibrium, Gaffney argues that its just as crucial to allow yourself time to process the negative experiences that batter your confidence. Being rejected is painful and we should acknowledge that, she says.

Doing so will allow us to move on and learn from rejection. Its all part of developing a growth mindset, says Gaffney. This is when we try to learn from our experiences, both good and bad.

Developing a growth mindset starts with self-reflection.

We need to ask ourselves why being rejected caused us such pain, says Gaffney. Was it because the job was one we really wanted? Or was it down to a mistake we made during the interview process? It could be any number of things, but if we can learn from our experiences of rejection, we can see those experiences as stepping stones to improvement rather than as blocks in our way.

Constructive debrief

Niamh Gaffney

Asking the interview panel for feedback can accelerate this learning curve. Gaffney once did this herself.

Years ago, I applied for a job that I thought was made for me and was so upset when I didnt get it, she says.

I summoned the courage to ask why and was told that Id appeared meek in the interview, and they wanted someone more robust. That was huge information for me. Being meek isnt part of my personality but as a woman, Id been brought up to think it was best to come across that way. Immediately after that feedback, I changed tactics and did my best to seem confident and competent.

We can do other practical things to bounce back from professional rejection. Spend time investing in yourself, says McKiernan. Do some courses. Upskill in new technologies. Talk to people and get support. Start exercising more. If nothing else, it will make you feel better, which will boost your confidence walking into any interview situation.

Another strategy that should boost your confidence is listing all your accomplishments and contributions to the workplace. Think of all the things you do or have done, including things that come easily to you, says Gaffney.

We often downplay our skills or competencies, assuming they are obvious, but they are not. You have to spell them out.

"You have to explain how good you are. You have to convince yourself that youre the right person for the job if you hope to have any chance of convincing an interview panel.

She suggests a constructive debrief for those who feel down in the immediate aftermath of a disappointing interview. Humans are hardwired to pay more attention to the negative than the positive, she says.

After an interview, youll be kicking yourself for what didnt go well. Instead, I suggest asking yourself to identify three things that did go well and three things you did better than you had previously. Youll notice that youre making progress, which should give you the motivation you need to put yourself forward and try again.

Delaney employed some of these tactics when she had her crisis of confidence last year. Im a member of Network Ireland, and I talked to people there about how I was struggling, she says. Their support was crucial. I also did some courses to update my qualifications and used LinkedIn to raise my professional profile.

Ultimately, her job search ended when she was headhunted for her current role as a recruitment, learning and development manager with SCL Sales. Its a much better fit for me than my old job, she says.

Her advice to others is to persevere. There were times when I considered giving up because my confidence was so shattered, she says. But we spend so much of our time at work. It should be a place where we can be happy.
The Annals of the Four Masters has a much more colourful explanation for the geographic origins of Strangford Lough in the North than the prosaic geological textbooks inform us. The latter are correct, of course: the loughs supposed 366 island (an exaggeration that merits comparison with Clew Bays similar claim) were formed by retreating glaciers at the end of the last ice age about 12,000 years ago. And like Clew Bay in County Mayo, they left behind hundreds of islands peeping above the surface comprised of their stony deposits, and sometimes storied deposits.

The medieval manuscript on the other hand relates how at Loch Cuan (original Irish name) in 1654BC an inundation of the sea over the land at Brena which was the seventh lake eruption that occurred in the time of Parthalon and this is named Loch Cuan. This did not occur any more than the Earth being formed in 4,004 BC did as surmised by the 17th century Bishop of Armagh James Ussher according to his interpretation of the Book of Genesis.

However, it is likely that some sort of inundation did occur around 1,654 BC which formed the basis of the Strangford Lough theory. The name Strangford relates to the Viking word for fjord of the strong current, Strangfjorthr.

Cattle Move to Trasnagh Island on Strangford Lough https://t.co/560E2UEilK pic.twitter.com/4V1wvVFYo9  AfloatMagazine (@AfloatMagazine) January 19, 2020

Trasnagh Island is located near the western shore of the lough just above the midway point near the village of Killinchy. At 24 acres it is one of the largest islands on the lough, though there are several much larger ones. It has about a dozen near neighbours including Bradock Island, Inishanier, and Drummond Island where population over the years has always been almost non-existent.

Trasnagh is virtually treeless and possesses a fairly flat topography which generations of shelduck are known to frequent and are a standout avian feature there.

The island is uninhabited today but once supported a family of 13 people who occupied a house that can be seen on the old Ordnance Survey maps. By the 1840s, with the arrival of the Famine, the Patton family was dispersed with some emigrating to New Zealand. The name is prominent in New Zealand to this day with many businesses of the name trading.

A project commenced four years ago saw a small herd of Scottish Highland cattle brought to Trasnagh Island. It was the first time cattle had been grazed on the island in more than 70 years. The cattle were brought ashore to Trasnagh to avail of the ample grazing there in a project supported by the National Trust. A carpet of luscious green grass awaited them.

An Irish Farmers Journal video shows the animals curiously disembarking the cattle carrier before being dispersed along the shoreline towards the pasture. The islands owner John McCann told afloat.ie at the time that the Scottish Highland cattle were joining 10 Highland cattle, 50 ewes, four Suffolk ewes with baby lambs, and two goats. Hay storage barns and other buildings were also built as part of the project.

Like dozens of other islands, Trasnagh went through myriad changes to its name. First recorded in the 12th century as Trasne it mutated through Trashnagh-iland, Tranagh, Irasnagh, and Transnaugh according to the Northern Ireland Placename Project which is the corresponding body to logainm.ie here. Its Irish name is Oilean Trasna. Transverse Island or Cross Island indicating it may have been a staging post for fishermen or others intending to cross to the eastern shores of Strangford Lough.

In company with several islands around the coast such as Sandycove Island, near Kinsale, County Cork, Trasnagh is a focal point for swimmers who frequently circle its shores from Whiterock just outside Killinchy and less than a kilometre from the island.

And also in common with many islands, Trasnagh is a focal point for local regattas which have taken place in its waters for more than a century. And finally, in a West Cork connection, Lough Trasnagh is the Irish name for Roaringwater Bay.

How to get there: Kayak from Whiterock Bay, just east of Killinchy, County Down.

Seek permission to land as Trasnagh is privately owned.

Other: Robert Patterson

The Irish Naturalist, 1893

placenamesni.org
Update, 2.25pm: Catherine - who also goes by Conor - O'Kelly has been located safe and well.

Gardai thanked the public for their assistance with the matter.

Update, 9.45am: Gardai are appealing for the public's help in tracing the whereabouts of a missing Dublin teen.

Catherine  who also goes by the name Conor  O'Kelly has been missing from Sandyford since Thursday, January 25.

They are described as being 5'4", of slim build with red wavy hair and black glasses.

When last seen, they were wearing a brown school jumper, green coat, black trousers, and tan Ugg boots.

They were last seen at St Vincent's University and both gardai and their family are concerned for their welfare.

Anyone with information on the teenager's whereabouts is asked to contact Donnybrook Garda Station on 01 666 9200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Colleagues of former RTE newsreader Angie Mezzetti have expressed their shock upon hearing she had been denied a pension at the broadcaster for nearly 20 years.

Members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Dublin Broadcasting branch said they wished to express solidarity with Ms Mezzetti. It comes after the Irish Examiner reported she had been informed she had been a full employee of RTE, despite being graded as a casual worker during her time there.

Ms Mezzetti had worked at RTE between 1984 and 2001, first as a television continuity announcer and later as a newsreader.

In a statement, the NUJ branch said its members had been shocked to read details in the Irish Examiner of how our former colleague Angie Mezzetti was treated by RTE.

It said Ms Mezzettis case was unlikely to be an isolated one, and that she was among possibly hundreds of workers at the station who were treated as contractors when they should have been employees and were denied vital securities such as pensions as a result.

For some, the issue is ongoing, the branch said, adding Ms Mezzettis terrible ordeal amounts to a stark example of the them and us culture that prevailed for so long at the broadcaster.

The Dublin branch added that culture has particularly damaged women  both emotionally and in terms of their careers.

We send our full solidarity to Angie, the branch said.

RTE has been asked to comment on the Dublin Broadcasting Branch statement.

RTE previously had declined to comment on Ms Mezzettis case, with a spokesperson saying it cannot comment on individual cases.

In 2000, she took a case to the then Labour Relations Commission, claiming she had effectively been unfairly dismissed when RTE stopped giving her work in 2000. That case was eventually settled privately.

However, having recently requested an insurability of employment review from the Department of Social Protections employment status unit, Ms Mezzetti was told an investigation was unnecessary as she had been correctly classified as a PAYE worker for the duration of her time with RTE.

It transpired Ms Mezzetti, who now works as a podcast producer and communications trainer, had been paid as a Class A PRSI worker  that is, as a direct employee  for her entire career with the State broadcaster.

Responding to her request, a department investigator told her the documents they had received from RTE regarding Ms Mezzettis employment are consistent with documents provided in relation to employees, rather than self-employed contractors.

Despite this, when a claim was taken on behalf of Ms Mezzetti by the NUJ to the then Rights Commission in September 2000, in which she said she had been unilaterally removed from RTEs newscaster roster, RTE claimed it could not have unfairly dismissed Ms Mezzetti as she had only ever been a casual employee.

As part of that claim, Ms Mezzetti said by removing her from the working rosters RTE had broken a de facto contract of employment without agreement or notice.

As a casual employee, Ms Mezzetti was denied access to RTEs pension schemes, despite having worked there for nearly 18 years. She was also denied natural increments to her salary, and was always paid a flat rate even when working as a national newscaster.

Ms Mezzetti said of her case she had always felt aggrieved that I wasnt recognised as an employee and wasnt allowed access to the pension scheme.
A ruling by the UNs top court that orders Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians has been welcomed by Irish campaign groups and charities.

The International Court of Justice stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case filed by South Africa.

But it demanded that Israel tries to contain death and damage in its military offensive.

Trocaire, an aid agency of the Irish Catholic Church, welcomed the decision  particularly the measures Israel has been ordered to take to ensure humanitarian access.

We cannot remain on the fence in the face of such horror in Gaza.



Given the court has issued its preliminary decision, there is now no excuse for Ireland to hold back its full support for the case.



We urgently need you to help pressure our TDs.



Act NOW: https://t.co/xDrWO7MxoA  Trocaire (@trocaire) January 26, 2024

Trocaires CEO, Caoimhe de Barra, said: While we would like to have seen an order for a full and immediate ceasefire, we welcome the provisional measures which we hope will serve to protect the people of Gaza.

Trocaire is now calling on the Irish government to ensure that Israel complies with all of the provisional measures imposed by the ICJ and that Ireland engages with its partners in the EU and USA to in particular to achieve this.

Were asking the Irish government to join the substantive case with South Africa as soon as possible and we continue to call for full ceasefire and a political resolution that respects the legitimate rights of Palestinians and which achieves a just peace for Israelis and Palestinians.

More than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed, the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run enclave said on Friday.

A spokesperson for Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign said the only way to implement the ICJ ruling is by imposing an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

While we would like to have seen an order for a full and immediate ceasefire we welcome the provisional measures which we hope will serve to protect the people of Gaza.

Chief among these measures is the demand that Israel acts to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip, the spokesperson said.

This is an implicit recognition that Israels attack on Gaza, which has killed more than 1% of population in just four months, is indeed plausibly an act of genocide.

The measures also call for the immediate opening up for Gaza to humanitarian aid, and for the prevention and punishment of incitement to genocide by Israeli officials.

Lastly, it is now an undisputed fact that Israel is now on trial for the crime of genocide. This should put all of Israels international backers on notice, because complicity with genocide is also a crime.

This is an historic defeat for the genocidal apartheid state of Israel, and its backers, in both the world court and the court of public opinion.

The group backed calls for Ireland to intervene at the ICJ on the side of South Africa.

A march in support of Palestinians will take place in Dublin on Saturday.
The garda cold-case file on the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier will go all the way to the Garda Commissioner for his assessment before being sent to the DPP, it is understood.

The death of chief suspect Ian Bailey last Sunday removed the possibility of him ever facing charges for the murder of the French national in Schull, West Cork, in December 1996.

The cold case investigation was established in June 2022 and is being conducted by the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT).

Garda authorities are believed to be very conscious of the huge level of resources and staff hours that have gone into the investigation, but are equally conscious of the wishes of the family and relatives of Ms du Plantier.

Gardai say the team will complete its investigation and they point out that they also have to exhaust all lines of inquiry, including any conspiratorial theories.

It is understood that the investigation file, when completed, will be sent to Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime, Justin Kelly, and then to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, both of whom will review the file.

Unless there is a decision to pull the plug on the probe, Mr Harris, once he has reviewed the file and is satisfied that everything possible has been done, will send it back to the SCRT, which will submit the final file to the DPP.

If the file points to Mr Bailey, it is unclear whether the DPP will make an assessment as to whether or not there is sufficient evidence to have brought charges if he was still alive, or whether that decision would be made known.
A man is due to appear in court on Friday in relation to robberies in Cork City this week.

The man has been charged following an investigation into two robberies carried out on Monday, January 22.
A GP role in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry, has been advertised four times since last summer as the HSE struggles to fill this role permanently despite significant changes recently in how GPs are supported.

The role is currently filled by a locum temporary doctor since the retirement of a permanent GP last year.

It is also understood the remaining permanent doctor in the town is nearing retirement.

A spokeswoman for HSE Cork/ Kerry said arrangements are in place to ensure medical card patients, grouped in a GMS list, have access to a doctor in south Kerry.

We are constantly reviewing our efforts to ensure that we are availing of any opportunity to highlight the vacant panel, and the delivery of a safe, quality, and accessible GP service under the GMS contract remains a key priority, she said.

Previous vacancies were dealt with quickly and appropriately, usually by advertising the contract and filling the position, she said.

The HSE said nationally the number of times a post is re-advertised depends on factors including location, panel size, patient profile, and GP numbers locally.

They are aware of the growing problems and support a multi-annual investment programme with training partners the Irish College of General Practitioners to increase the number of new GPs coming through.

Training places have increased from 259 in 2022 to 285 in 2023, with a planned intake of 350 for this year.

A new non-EU, GP training programme, also with the college, saw 112 doctors recruited last year with 75 already placed around the country. It is expected to roll out again this year.

It is believed most of these doctors were already in Ireland working in various roles, with about 20% travelling from abroad.

The HSE also said a 2023 GP agreement includes a new practice grant. This contributes to the cost of employing additional staff and/or increasing hours for existing staff as well as a new role titled GP practice assistant.

Responding to the concerns, the Department of Health said GPs are private practitioners.

They acknowledged GPs hold contracts with the HSE for medical card and GP visit cardholders.

GPs receive payment through capitation and also fee-per-item payments for certain services, a spokesman said. Supports for rural practices and those in disadvantaged urban areas have been provided.

Responding to concerns by the Rural, Island and Dispensing Doctors group around the removal of a distance coding system, the department indicated other funding has replaced this.

Capitation rates still vary according to patient age and gender, he said. GMS capitation rates were increased in total by 48.5% from 2019 to 2022.

The 2023 GP agreement with the Irish Medical Organisation on behalf of general practitioners increased the rural GP practice supports by 10% and the specific fees in place for dispensing doctors by 28%, he said.

Rural GPs also benefit from agreement around increased capitation rates for children following extension of free GP care to under eights, he said.
There are so many stories about Ian Bailey that some of them are bound to be true  maybe even the one about him having a brief job scaring away the birds, shotgun in hand, on a farm in Co Waterford.

Bailey's long-time solicitor, Frank Buttimer, believes that one. But as ever with the English-born writer and poet, who has died following a heart attack, we are never absolutely sure.

What is certain is that the former journalist found himself at the epicentre of the most high-profile unsolved murder in modern Irish history, and that he has taken his consistent claims of innocence with him to the afterlife.

"That fateful day," as Frank Buttimer describes it, was the discovery of the body of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier outside her home at Toormore near Schull on December 23, 1996.

A crime shocking in its brutality, it robbed a family of a wife and mother and stunned the nation. It also set in train an investigation that has still failed to bring a suspect before the Irish courts and introduced a cast of characters which highlighted West Cork's sometimes otherworldly aspects  with Bailey at its core.

It had all started so differently.

In 2003, Bailey brought a libel action against a string of newspapers, in what seemed an opportunity to repair his reputation. He won two but lost six of the eight actions. File picture: Dan Linehan

Bailey was born in Manchester, one of two children to their craft butcher father, Ken, and mother, Brenda. Bailey told a court in 2014 that the family lived in Stockport, before later moving to Hucclecote, near Gloucester.

On deciding to become a journalist he underwent a traineeship and later moved to Cheltenham, from where he began freelance work which included contributions to the famed Insight team at the Sunday Times. His first marriage was to fellow journalist Sarah Limbrick, but it ended after a few years and it later emerged there had been an allegation of assault by Bailey.

As the 1990s began, his thoughts began to wander away from journalism and towards the possibility of a new life in Ireland, which he had first visited in 1986.

Bailey gravitated towards Schull following a spell in Kilmacthomas in Co Waterford  that job of scaring away the crows  and he secured a position at a fish factory. He then met Welsh-born artist Jules Thomas, who was raising her three daughters at her home at the Prairie, Lissacaha.

Bailey first moved into an adjacent property and as the relationship flourished, later into the family home. He had begun sending stories into newspapers prior to Ms Du Plantier's murder, and it was as a journalist that he attended the scene following the discovery of Sophie's body.

Books, documentaries and podcasts, as well as acres of newsprint have followed regarding the details and unanswered questions about both the murder and the subsequent investigation, an ill-starred enterprise that seemed to misfire from the very start. Bailey was quickly identified as a suspect and with his first arrest in February 1997, his life was changed forever. Jules Thomas was also taken into custody at that point, and both were released without charge.

Ian Bailey was born in Manchester, one of two children to their craft butcher father, Ken, and mother, Brenda. File picture: Dan Linehan

On his return Bailey addressed the media, denying any involvement. Gardai evidently thought otherwise, arresting him for a second time in January 1998, when he was again released without charge. The rumours and the conjecture never went away.

In 2003, Bailey brought a libel action against a string of newspapers, in what seemed an opportunity to repair his reputation. He won two but lost six of the eight actions, yet the damage was worse than that.

With the extraordinary testimony of Marie Farrell, the woman who had made anonymous calls to gardai around the time of the murder alleging she had seen a man of similar bearing at Kealfadda Bridge, his conviction in the court of public opinion seemed complete. Except it wasn't, not least because of the even more extraordinary volte-face by Ms Farrell just two years later. In repudiating her earlier statements, she threw the focus back on the garda investigation.

But as ever, there were more twists in the tale.

According to Frank Buttimer, Bailey should never have been described as "the self-confessed prime suspect" in the case.

"When he acknowledged he was the prime suspect he developed this superb tag  'the self-confessed prime suspect'. A confession [that he was simply being treated as a suspect] was conflated with becoming almost a confession for doing the crime for which he was never charged," Mr Buttimer said.

Life back at the Prairie sometimes spiralled out of control. Bailey was arrested in August 2001 for assaulting Jules Thomas and later admitted it was the third time he had done so.

The ruling of the Paris court also seemed to speed up the ageing process. In recent years Ian Bailey could still be seen shuffling around the markets in Bantry and Glengarriff, looking increasingly disheveled if not downright unwell. File picture: Dan Linehan

Much later, when Bailey was on trial in Paris in absentia for the Du Plantier murder, a statement given by one of Mr Thomas's daughters alleged that as far back as 1995 he had made an advance on her.

Through it all, the Bailey-Thomas axis survived, but a number of people have attested to the strain the relationship was under over the years.

"His dark side was alcohol," Mr Buttimer said on the topic of the physical assaults on Ms Thomas. "He never would have conducted himself like that but for alcohol and he recognised himself and he said it himself, that alcohol was a malign influence on him and the only time he conducted himself in that fashion was under influence of alcohol."

A High Court appeal in 2007 over his libel action against the newspapers, settled after a few days, was the forerunner to a legal action against the then minister for justice and the then garda commissioner regarding his treatment in the course of the Du Plantier investigation.

But if it seemed like Baileys luck was changing, in 2010 he was before the High Court on a European arrest warrant after French authorities launched a bid to extradite him. It would begin almost a decade of efforts to have him brought before the courts in France, all rebuffed by the courts in Ireland.

Bailey himself turned to the law, graduating with an honours degree from University College Cork and later completing a Masters, anchored around a thesis on police accountability in Ireland.

This reporter recalls a rather dry legal seminar a decade ago in which Bailey discussed his findings at the West Cork Hotel. At that stage, his hair still black and the suit and tie still on display, he maintained a striking, hulking presence.

But that too would start to slip. By 2019, he had been convicted in Paris for the 1996 murder  a trial completed without his presence or involvement and utterly rejected by him and his legal team.

Bailey's relationship with truth

It is intriguing to imagine him in the French court. For all the steadfastness of his denials of any involvement in the murder, his relationship with the truth has always come under scrutiny.

The scarecrow story mentioned at the top of this piece should be factual  after all, he said it in a witness box in 2014, ahead of losing his legal action against the State and the gardai, for which he was ultimately hit with a huge bill.

Yet he told that same court in Dublin that he'd first read All The President's Men aged 14, and it was this which initially drove him towards a career in journalism. However, when Bailey was 14, that seminal book was still four years away from being published.

This very week, RTE journalist Philip Boucher Hayes described how he had met Bailey some weeks before that court appearance and told him about his own journalistic epiphany, one that involved All The Presidents Men  only to then hear it repeated by Bailey in court.

So what was this? A scatty memory? A buffoonish tendency to embellish his own story? Or something else?

Bailey always denied any involvement in the Du Plantier murder, yet just weeks after the killing, schoolboy Malachi Reid told gardai Bailey had said he "went up there with a rock and bashed her fucking brains out.

Others have also told of would-be confessions. If they could be attributed to, say, black humour, it was further proof of Bailey's inability to stem his worst instincts, to keep out of his own way, and that of others. Plenty of people approached this week for comment have declined to do so, and not always out of a respect for the dead.

Strangeness of Baileys life

Frank Buttimer, his long-time advocate, admits that Bailey's proclivity in recent years to sound off about the case had made his own job more challenging, but he also challenged the notion that Bailey was inherently arrogant, claiming his clients pronouncements were typically down to "the acquisition of a greater degree of confidence in his own communication capacity while being quintessentially English in his delivery.

Buttimer also argued that the sheer strangeness of Baileys life may also have amplified certain aspects of his character.

"Ian Bailey had a public persona and he had a private persona. His public persona was deeply affected by the perception of him by others at the outset. He perceived himself, in the eyes of others, as a man who killed Madame Du Plantier, which he did not, and then therefore in the eyes of people who looked at him like that, he had got away with murder," Mr Buttimer said.

That is a very hard burden to carry when you are walking up and down the street. He was stared at, approached, discussed about in his presence  he was the guy who had 'gotten away with murder'.

"And to deal with that he had to become almost aloof, cold, dispassionate, observant, careful, fearful of his physical wellbeing and all those things  it was like the creation of a shield. Imagine being the guy who is innocent but who was seen as having got away with murder? Privately, he was more relaxed, much more at ease, much better in his humour and demeanour. But he always knew he had to go out and face the public because some form of life had to go on publicly."

The Paris judgement and related 25 years sentence was never going to be served as long as Ireland refused to extradite him, but the threat of his removal had already impacted his life, not least when he could not attend his mother's burial in England for fear that authorities there would transfer him across the Channel.

The ruling of the Paris court also seemed to speed up the ageing process. In recent years Bailey could still be seen shuffling around the markets in Bantry and Glengarriff, looking increasingly disheveled if not downright unwell. There is a telling scene in the 2021 Jim Sheridan documentary on the Du Plantier case where Bailey is holding court in a pub, the camera lingering on him as he slips into a rolling, intoxicated wreck before our eyes.

Break-up with Jules Thomas

Amid all the hubbub, Ms Thomas ended their relationship.

Even then it took months for Bailey to move out of her home and since then he has occupied various short-term accommodation, before his final berth in the centre of Bantry town. When the relationship break-up became known, Ms Thomas gave an extensive interview with a Sunday newspaper in which she re-affirmed her belief in Baileys innocence, but stressed how she was sick and tired of the circus around him.

"If I had left him in the middle of all that it would have looked like he did it, so I just gritted my teeth, she said in 2021.

He is very hard going. I put up with him for far too long and I realise now that it was a waste of time it was always a one-way flow; men like him dont ever bend or accommodate its to do with their egos.

According to Ray Hennessy, the Bantry-based solicitor who represented Bailey in the district court, it was the sundering of this relationship that had the biggest impact of all  the one constant in Bailey's life gone, leaving him unmoored.

Unreliable narrator

In recent years Bailey did most of his talking on social media, initially on Twitter, and more prominently on TikTok, which became his platform of choice.

He seemed to delight in online battles with a persistent critic who he labelled a troll and he rarely missed a chance to hawk his wares online. Theoretically, his own podcast, In His Own Words, should have been popular, yet by the time it appeared in 2022 it raised barely a murmur.

Maybe, with the verdict in France and the intense focus of the Sheridan and Netflix documentaries, people were less inclined to dive into Baileys own ramblings. There was also a sense that by then, he was an increasingly unreliable narrator of his own life story.

Bailey was the subject of an assault in Bantry and was also back before the courts himself, convicted in 2021 of drug-driving and other offences, all relating to being initially stopped at a Garda checkpoint near Schull on August 25, 2019.

Those matters were all under appeal at the time of his death  more unfinished business.

Bailey's long shadow

In addition, the health scares became more pointed. Last year saw two heart-related episodes and the coverage since his death indicates that he knew his time may shortly be up.

In some ways Bailey was perfect for social media, given how he polarised opinion.

Ray Hennessy said people would sometimes shout murderer at Bailey at the markets, yet others would pay him for shout-outs on TikTok or have their photo taken with him.

According to Frank Buttimer, it was often simply a case of Bailey communicating with anyone who would speak to him. Plus its said he had an abiding affection for Ireland, which was one of the reasons he never took early opportunities to start his life again elsewhere.

(Left to right) Jules Thomas and Ian Bailey in 2015. Bailey was arrested in August 2001 for assaulting Ms Thomas and later admitted it was the third time he had done so. File picture: Courts Collins

Bailey had cut an increasingly isolated figure and died in penury. The speed of his interring at a crematorium in Cork on Tuesday took everyone by surprise, but it was also a lonely exit, his sister Kay, ever supportive, not in attendance.

Ultimately, the journalist became the story. Following his death, Jules Thomas said Bailey couldnt have committed the murder because he was incapable of keeping a secret, but if he was an open book, everyone is still left with more questions than answers.

And even in death, Bailey is still casting a shadow  on the Mizen Peninsula, in France, and beyond.

Back in that courtroom in 2014, Bailey's barrister, Martin Giblin, queried him about his time out in the fields. You were kind of a walking scarecrow, Giblin said.

"Yes," came the reply.
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said that the meeting in Uzhgorod of head of the presidential office Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto would be "related to the preparation of a future visit of Prime Minister Orban to Ukraine," Radio Liberty reported on Thursday.

"The last time the Prime Minister was in Ukraine was in 2010  in a country that we barely remember. It is important for us that he came. Therefore, first of all, the concentration is on the bilateral agenda," the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

Stefanishyna did not respond to Radio Liberty's request to clarify whether Viktor Orban should come to Kyiv, or Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Budapest. She referred to the fact that the Foreign Minister should be better informed about this nuance, however, she noted that she sees the point in the visit of the Hungarian prime minister: "It is important for me to see Prime Minister Orban in Kyiv, because he plays a difficult role in making historical decisions for Ukraine. And it is important for me that this person sees the country as Ukrainians see it."

Earlier it was reported that on January 29 in Uzhgorod a meeting is planned between Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and head of the presidential office Andriy Ermak with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.
In a moment of new year self-reflection it dawned on me that I have been on X, formerly known as Twitter, for nearly 15 years.

I even briefly flirted with the idea of totting up how much of my life I had invested in the X sphere during that time. Thankfully, I got distracted by another tweet.

What prompted this momentary self-reflection was a video that appeared on my 'For You' feed. It captured what were, I assume, the last moments of an African woman's life as she lost her grip on a window ledge.

I quickly scrolled on, but was left with that stomach-churning feeling of nausea which prompts you to ask; what in the name of hell am I doing here?

It was ironic, therefore, that the editor of this fine institution suggested this week that I elaborate on an observation I had made about Twitter / X at a recent meeting at which several colleagues revealed they had taken a break from the platform as the result of a perceived decline in the quality of 'content' and 'commentary'.

The discussion moved me to suggest that decision would be to their own detriment as journalists and would be to the peril of media companies in general if they followed suit.

The purpose of this article, however, is not a love letter to X. Those seeking that are directed towards Ben Sixmith's brilliant musings on Twitter / X, which appeared first in the Spectator last year. It includes as succinct a summation of the platform's (and social media's) strengths and weaknesses as you are likely to find.

On its flaws, he writes: "It strongly encourages habitual use. It incentivises the rapid consumption of content, and in doing so lowers our attention spans and raises our time preferences. It offers information in fragments, which are often partial and misleading and encourages division and hysteria. It enables nastiness. It is vulnerable to being exploited by bad actors."

On its positives he goes on: "Social media isnt going anywhere. You can read Ted Kaczynskis manifesto all you like but you are not going to wish away the internet any more than you are going to wish away the morning sun ... and among the degrading, dangerous social media apps, Twitter does the most to also encourage valuable content.

"It (X) is more intellectual than Instagram. It is funnier than Facebook. It is more self-aware than Tumblr. Unlike TikTok, it is not filled with kids, nor is it owned by the Chinese. Unlike LinkedIn, it is not seething with Patrick Bateman-esque psychopaths. Mastodon is ugly and all but unusable."

He concludes: "Perhaps Twitter is going to muddle through ... because I cant think of a better alternative."

It is this concluding line that underpins the premise on which my prediction was based, that is, my suggestion that those who turn their back on X will do so to their own peril in the future.

A more nuanced explanation for that claim begins in that rarely visited part of media websites, the 'About' section.

I would encourage everyone  no matter where they spend their time on the internet  to pay much more attention to the 'mission', 'principles', and 'value' statements usually contained within these sections.

I have rarely left an 'About' section  be it on a legacy, social, new, or independent media website  without considerable food for thought.

The 'About' section on Twitter is certainly no different.

In a blog post shortly after the Elon Musk purchase in 2022, the company restated the overriding mission of the platform.

"Twitters mission is to promote and protect public conversation  to be the town square of the internet. We have always understood that to reach this goal we must give everyone the power to create and share ideas and information, instantly without barriers.

Speaking shortly after his takeover, Musk went further and told the Reuters news agency he wanted X "to become the most accurate source of information in the world".

The platform's mission and its owner's aspiration are met with much scepticism, and even mirth, particularly in the media.

And why not? The vast majority of content and commentary you encounter on X cannot in any way be squared with Musk's aspirations or the company's mission.

But what is lost on many X sceptics  and what sees me keep faith with the platform  is that X's mission (to be a town square of the internet) and its owner's aspiration (to be the source of the most accurate information) are uniquely brave in the face of their near mutual exclusivity.

They speak perfectly to what should in my view be the mission and aspirations of every local, regional, national, or international news media company who aspires to continued relevance among the people they serve.

Yet we in that space struggle even to admit that the long-standing and founding mission statements that underpin most, if not all, publicly and privately owned public service journalism platforms are, like X, compromised daily by the shifting economic, societal, and cultural realities of the world's we live and operate in.

We do not, will not, and should not give up on these titles because we know that the aspirations and values that underpinned their foundation will always be more important and will outlast the latest owners, transitory management, and executive teams, editors and journalists and the cultural vagaries and fashions of the day.

In short, I retain what, admittedly, was a faltering faith in Twitter because I believe that under Elon Musk they, more than any other social media platform, retain the bravery of mission that underpinned the hopes and aspirations of socialised and democratised digital media in the '90s.

Amid the never-ending feed of dross, disinformation, abuse, and time-wasting I do believe X is committed to facilitating the discovery, sharing, and debate of and about ethically and accurate journalism of all shades and perspectives.

That is an aspiration and 'town square' I believe all journalists and media companies who wish to remain part of the discussion should support and, dare I even suggest, embrace. They fail to do so at their peril.

A parting note: My faith in Twitter has been renewed on many occasions over the last 15 years by my carefully curated 'Lists'. For some great tips on setting up 'Lists' and filtering out the noise in your feeds check out this blog - https://blog.hootsuite.com/twitter-lists-new-follow/.

Dolan O'Hagan is a journalist and a digital product and projects editor at the Irish Examiner
Earlier this month, the High Court issued an important ruling about the rights of citizens. The citizens in question are children.

The rights concern their entitlement to an education. These children, for the greater part, are suffering from one form of disability or other but the State ostensibly recognises that they are entitled to the same rights as every other child.

The State has also, through various agencies, long attempted to deny, or at least undermine, those rights.

Assessment of need process

The High Court ruling concerned a challenge taken by the parents of a child who had received an assessment of need (AON).

An AON is the first and vital step in determining if a child has a disability. From that, the childs needs are identified as are the kind of services required that will ensure the child can meet his or her potential. This process is so important that it is written into law with the highly unusual feature of a time limit included.

The 2005 Disability Act provides that an AON must be carried out within three months of an application. Urgency is injected into the process for the good reason that time is a vital component in addressing a childs needs.

Earlier this month, Justice Marguerite Bolger, criticised the assessment of need process outlined in a High Court case, and determined that it did not meet requirements under the Disability Act. Picture: Maxwell's

As long as a condition goes undiagnosed or untreated, whether the disability is physical or psychological, the greater the chance of regression, sometimes to a point where potential is completely depressed. This matter can have lifelong consequences for any child who requires treatment.

On the face of it, the enactment of the 2005 Act recognises all this and accommodates it. In reality, State agencies, principally the HSE and Tusla, have continually ignored the law.

Over the last 10 years in particular, there has been a whole raft of legal challenges in which parents have asked the court to force the state agencies to obey the law. These parents generally spend much of their days fighting one organ of the State or another in an attempt to have their childrens rights asserted. And then they find themselves having to enter a legal system freighted with stress and the possibility of financial ruin.

Yet they quite obviously feel they have no choice if they want to do right by their offspring.

Recent case in the High Court

The recent High Court ruling illustrates some of the shortcomings of the State in observing the law. The challenge was on behalf of a child, anonymised as D, for whom an AON was carried out. One element of the AON is possible educational needs. For a long time, there was suspicions that the practices deployed in assessing educational needs was at times cursory, and certainly not of a standard that might be expected. One issue was the appointment of teachers who were not suitably qualified to conduct elements of the assessment. That practice arose in this case.

The deputy principal of the school where D attended was one of three teachers asked to assess the childs needs in October 2022. In the legal challenge, the deputy principal swore an affidavit setting out his role and candidly admitted the shortcomings.

Whilst he was of the view that he was not qualified to do what he referred to as a true assessment because he said he was not qualified to run certain tests on D that he considered to be necessary, he did complete the report out of compliance and because he did not want to let D down, Judge Marguerite Bolger ruled.

In his affidavit, he set out his concern about the short period of time he was given to complete the report which he described as a box-ticking exercise with no real engagement with Ds educational needs or the educational services required to meet those needs.

Judge Bolger criticised the process and determined that it did not meet requirements under the Disability Act.

What exactly replaces it is a matter now due to be heard before the court. There is now the prospect that thousands of children who had their assessment under the system at issue may now require to be reassessed. Time, more precious in this respect than it is in general, has been lost.

What the case did do was illustrate once more how children have been shortchanged by state agencies in attempts to have their rights asserted when a concerned observer such as a senior teacher describes one element of the process as a box-ticking exercise.

Criticism of procedures in another case

This is just the latest shortcoming in the process that has had to be rectified by a court. In 2019, the HSE introduced what might best be described as a shortcut to providing an AON. This was known as a standard operating procedure (SOP) which cut out or curtailed aspects of the assessment. Ostensibly this was done to shorten waiting lists. In other words, rather than applying extra resources required to meet the needs of children with a disability, the HSE simply provided an expedited, substandard service.

This was referenced in a High Court judgement ruling the SOP to be illegal.

It is acknowledged by the respondent [HSE] that prior to the adoption of the SOP, AON were more extensive and involved a range of diagnostic assessments, Judge Siobhan Phelan ruled.

The evidence suggests that some assessments took as long as 90 hours of clinical time, with an average time of 29 hours clinical time. In contrast, due to the changes introduced by the respondent in relation to the nature of how assessments are completed by way of a preliminary team assessment, such assessments conducted under the new SOP are typically completed within 60-90 minutes of clinical time.

Both cases highlight flaws in the system

In both of these cases, the system was shown to be flawed in a manner that delivered an inferior service to that provided for in law. The State agencies, principally the HSE, were found to be doing a disservice to one of the most vulnerable constituencies in society.

Yet it should also be acknowledged that the HSE, as with other agencies, often prioritise services where most political pressure is applied.

That has not happened here. The only time that pressure is applied to do right by children with disabilities is when the media highlight a personal story that illustrates the neglect and challenges in this sector. The subsequent public outcry is transient as is any political pressure applied following such exposes.

What is required is a strategy that ensures sufficient resources and attention are given to this area by a vigilant body politic.

Such an approach might at last engrain a culture in the system in which children who need services are accorded the proper status and recognition that they deserve.
Is this one of the best people-watching perches in Cork? The foyer, bar and hospitality areas at Cork Opera House are stealing the limelight thanks to a revamp.

You might have first filed into the theatre as a ballet-loving tot to be dazzled by Swan Lake. Maybe your initial trip was when you were corralled into the auditorium among a throng of teen students to watch the Shakespeare play on the exam curriculum.

But if youre fortunate, like Cork native Laura OKeeffe, your earliest memory of the grande dame of Munsters cultural scene might be a little more magical. My first association with Cork Opera House was being onstage there as one of the little extras in the pantomime, Laura says.

Id say I was about eight years old, and I was only ever in the one panto, but the memory has stuck with me. I will always remember being backstage and feeling like the most glamorous person around.

Lucky then Laura was one of the key members of a team that joined forces with Cork Opera House when its hospitality spaces needed a revamp. Laura has worked with another Cork company since she left college, EZ Living Interiors whose director, Gavin White is a fellow Leesider.

Gavin reveals he was on the other side of the footlights as a youngster as he recalls making the annual pilgrimage to the venue to watch the pantomime with his parents. Continuing the tradition with his own family, it was while attending last years production he says he noticed the furniture in the hospitality areas looking what he describes as tired.

By coincidence, Cork Opera House CEO Eibhlin Gleeson was planning an overhaul long overdue and needing proper investment, she says.

Later when Cork Opera House asked EZ Living Interiors to sponsor its Half Moon Cafes summer mini-concert programme it proved serendipitous.

"We furnished the space with new chairs and bar stools, which led to a conversation about a possible revamp of the bars, Gavin says. Were often contacted by different companies looking to collaborate with us but as a company founded and headquartered in Cork, and with the necessary products, knowledge and interior design skills, we really wanted to do it.

Laura Noonan, Cork Opera House's partnerships and development manager, was key to this conversation. "Cork Opera House is central to the cultural identity of the city," she says.

"Over its almost 170-year history, it has continued to feature in our collective discourse as a place of significant legacy and tradition. Being from Cork myself, this deep affiliation guides my day-to-day work."

Enter the design team: EZ Living Interiors creative manager Emma Murphy and stylist Sarah Commane took the lead on the interiors revamp of the Blue Angel and main theatre bars in response to a brief from the venues CEO Eibhlin.

Initially, the team had provided bar stools and chairs for the Half Moon Cafe located in the venues entrance foyer, where the public and arts community are encouraged to drop in for coffee, and where art exhibitions are hosted.

Read More Look inside the chic home of interior architect Tullio Orlandi

Working closely with the venues team, Emma and Sarah produced 3-D virtual floor plans for the bars with various layout and furniture options.

Positioned at the front of the building with floor-to-ceiling windows, the bars interact by day with the public plaza outside and riverside city views. By night, a concern for the venue was how the huge windows took on the look of black walls.

Emma and Sarah addressed this by turning alcoves into inviting snugs and designing armchair and sofa groupings to facilitate conversation.

The result is a reimagining of the bar areas in an up-to-date style, with hints at the buildings 1960s design, referenced in mid-century modern furniture features.

Heritage paint colours, meanwhile, are a nod to the Victorian origins of the old Cork Opera House which once stood on the site. We approached the project with the sole purpose of giving the Opera House bar areas that did the building justice, according to Emma.

Cork Opera House is an iconic part of Cork Citys landscape and holds a special place in so many peoples hearts. We knew it needed a top-to-bottom revamp with fun, comfort and style in mind. Delighting people with beautiful furniture and making them feel comfortable is our aim every day.

The colour scheme leans towards deep shades and includes Farrow & Balls Green Smoke.

Warm shades like saffron yellow together with soft greens and pinks in chair upholstery, and metallic accents and biophilic design give these open bar spaces a sense of intimacy and opulence.

Sculptural brass feature lighting mitigates the glare of overhead lights, and rich tan leather sofas and bar stools add comfort and style and a wine-bar vibe in the main theatre bar, while upstairs in the Blue Angel bar, organic-form blue velvet banquette seating is accented with tan leather bistro chairs, gentle pink upholstery pops and relaxing armchairs.

But its a metallic, copper-based wallpaper choice that perfectly illustrates the collaborative nature of the project.

They didnt have to travel far for inspiration. We went across the road from the Opera House to The Drapery Haus and pored through book after book of wallpaper, editing as we went, Emma says.

When Eibhlin pulled out this particular design, Karakusa in Copper by Designers Guild, we immediately knew it was the one. It has character, worked perfectly with the Green Smoke paint and had a light metallic finish to it that gently reflected the light.

The Bowl armchairs in saffron yellow were chosen by Eibhlin. These were brand new and had sold out immediately so it took two months for us to get our hands on them, says Emma.

They were worth the wait. We also included some of my absolute favourite pieces the Scott leather sofa which we use for so many projects, adds Emma. It has a timeless quality that was perfect for the space. We mixed in green velvet sofas and tan leather and metal bar stools.

"I love the mix of materials. It offers interest and keeps your eye moving around the space.

This is the first phase of a revamp of the hospitality spaces, with the Elbow Room suite scheduled for similar treatment.

Eibhlin adds: People are delighted with it. It has elevated the building. The public feels it has ownership of the Opera House and theyre always delighted to see it being looked after.

Meanwhile, the cafe downstairs is the best people-watching spot in the city, adds Laura OKeeffe, EZ Living Interiors.
Thousands of Australians protested on the anniversary of British colonisation of their country on Friday, with large crowds calling for Australia Day to be moved and for a day of mourning on the holiday some call Invasion Day.

The holiday marks the arrival of 11 British ships carrying convicts at Port Jackson in present-day Sydney on January 26, 1788.

For many activists, the day marked the beginning of a sustained period of discrimination and expulsion of indigenous people from their land without a treaty.

A protester carrying an Aboriginal flag is apprehended by security on the second day of the cricket test match between Australia and the West Indies in Brisbane (Darren England/AAP/AP)

Thousands of people, many of whom waved indigenous flags, demonstrated in front of the Victoria state parliament in Melbourne, calling for an official day of mourning to be declared across Australia.

Roads and tram lines were shut down for more than four hours.

Large crowds in Sydney chanted for the Australia Day date to be moved, thousands of protesters rallied in Brisbane, and the second day of Australias cricket match against the West Indies was briefly disrupted.

Major sports have stopped calling the holiday Australia Day, and the Australian Football League Players Association, several clubs and hockey teams have called for the date to change.

On Thursday, two monuments symbolising Australias colonial past were damaged in Melbourne.

A man holds an Aboriginal flag at a protest in Sydney (Rick Rycroft/AP)

A statue of British naval officer James Cook, who in 1770 charted Sydneys coast, was sawn off at the ankles, and a Queen Victoria monument was doused in red paint.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represented 3.8% of Australias population of 26 million, according to a Bureau of Statistics census in 2021. Indigenous people are the nations most disadvantaged ethnic minority.

Tensions are high after Australian voters in October resoundingly rejected a referendum to create an advocacy committee to offer advice to parliament on policies that affect indigenous people.

The government had proposed the first constitutional change since 1977 as a step forward in indigenous rights.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday that the national day was an opportunity for Australians to pause and reflect on everything that we have achieved as a nation.
Britain's King Charles has been admitted to hospital for treatment on his enlarged prostate, Buckingham Palace said.

Charles, 75, was seen entering The London Clinic in London on Friday morning with Camilla at his side.

It is the same hospital where Kate Middleton is recovering after undergoing successful abdominal surgery last week and it is understood Charles has visited her.

The King during a visit to the Royal Courts of Justice in December (Hannah McKay/PA)

The Palace spokesman said: The King was this morning admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment.

His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness.

Charles arrived back in London from Sandringham in Norfolk on Thursday afternoon ready for the procedure.

He was diagnosed with the benign condition on January 17 while staying at Birkhall in Scotland, after going for a check-up because he was experiencing symptoms.

He is understood to have wanted to share the news to encourage other men to get themselves checked.

The King, Queen and the royal family at church on Christmas Day (Joe Giddens/PA)

Charles, who only acceded to throne 16 months ago, cancelled engagements, and was urged to rest by his doctors ahead of the corrective procedure.

Camilla had previously said her husband is fine and looking forward to getting back to work.

News of his diagnosis came on the same day that Kensington Palace announced Kate was in hospital after undergoing major abdominal surgery.

Kate, 42, remains in The London Clinic and is not expected to carry out official engagements until after Easter, with William clearing his diary of official duties for the time being.

The Princess of Wales with the Prince of Wales during the South Korean state visit to the UK (Chris Jackson/PA)

One in every three men over the age of 50 will have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, which include needing to visit the toilet more frequently, with more urgency, and difficulty emptying the bladder.

An enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), does not usually pose a serious threat to health, and it is not cancer.

But patients may need to have several tests for the condition to rule out the possibility they have another illness with similar symptoms, such as prostate cancer.

Surgery is usually only recommended for moderate to severe symptoms that have not responded to medicine, the NHS website says.

Treatment can include a number of procedures, including removing part of the prostate gland with a laser, water ablation using the pressure of the water to destroy prostate tissue, or urethral lift implants, which hold the enlarged prostate away from the urethra so it is not blocked.

Other options include a prostate artery embolisation, during which tiny plastic particles are injected into blood vessels to shrink the prostate gland by reducing its blood supply.

NHS England said the enlarged prostate page on the NHS website received one visit every five seconds on the day Charless diagnosis was announced, with further huge boosts in visits in the days that followed.
The World Court ordered Israel on Friday to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire as requested by the plaintiff South Africa.

While the ruling denied Palestinian hopes of a binding order to halt the war in Gaza, it also represented a legal setback for Israel, which had hoped to throw out a case brought under the genocide convention established in the ashes of the Holocaust.

The court found that there was a case to be heard about whether Palestinian rights were being denied in a war it said was causing grievous humanitarian harm. It also called for Palestinian armed groups to release hostages captured in the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel that precipitated the conflict.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the decision was a welcome reminder "no state is above the law". Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters the decision would contribute to "isolating the occupation and exposing its crimes in Gaza".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will continue to do what is necessary to defend itself, following a ruling from the top UN court that harshly criticised Israels war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

After the ruling, Mr Netanyahu said the fact that the court was willing to discuss the genocide charges was a mark of shame that will not be erased for generations, and he vowed to press ahead with the war.

Like every country, Israel has the basic right to defend itself. The court in the Hague rightfully rejected the outrageous request to take that away from us. We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our people, he said.

A protester wears a shirt depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attempt during a demonstration to demand the release of the hostages taken by Hamas in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday Jan. 20, 2024.Picture: AP Photo/Leo Correae

Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir mocked the ruling in a two-word social media post with a Yiddish-style putdown: "Hague shmague".

REPORT BACK IN A MONTH

Israel had sought to have the case thrown out when it was brought to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) earlier this month. South Africa accused Israel of state-led genocide in its offensive, begun after Hamas militants stormed into Israel killing 1,200 and kidnapping more than 240.

It asked the court to grant emergency measures to halt the fighting, which has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians and displaced the majority of the population in a more than three-month campaign of intensive bombardment.

The ICJ judges ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent its troops from committing genocide, punish acts of incitement, take steps to improve the humanitarian situation and report back on its progress in a month.

Presiding judge Joan Donoghue, centre, speaks during session at the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands. Picture: AP Photo/Patrick Post

It did not decide the merits of the genocide allegations, which could take years. Although the ruling cannot be appealed, the court has no mechanism to enforce its decision.

In reading out the decision, ICJ President Judge Joan Donoghue described the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, singling out harm to children and quoting detailed descriptions of the humanitarian emergency from U.N. officials.

This, she said, justified the court's decision to take emergency action to prevent irreparable harm. She also read out a series of remarks from Israeli officials calling for a harsh campaign, which she said justified the court's order to Israel to punish people guilty of incitement.

Israel called South Africa's allegations false and "grossly distorted". It says it has acted in Gaza in self defence against a foe that attacked first, and blames Hamas for harm to civilians for operating among them, which the fighters deny.

The South African government, allowed to make the case under the legal principle that genocide is such a grave crime that all countries are duty-bound to prevent it, hailed the court order as a "decisive victory" for international rule of law.

The European Union echoed South Africa in saying it expected Israel to implement the court's orders immediately and in full.

ASSAULT ON KHAN YOUNIS

On the ground in Gaza, the war has entered a particularly destructive phase, with the heaviest fighting in weeks now taking place in crowded areas jammed with hundreds of thousands of people who fled from earlier fighting elsewhere.

Palestinians gather around the bodies of those who were killed in the Israeli ground offensive and bombardment of Khan Younis. Picture: AP Photo/Fatima Shbair

On Friday, Israel kept up its bombardment of the main southern city of Khan Younis, where it said it was involved in "intensive battles", with forces striking dozens of Hamas fighters and infrastructure from the air and ground.

Residents said gunbattles raged overnight, with Israeli forces blowing up buildings and houses in the western part of the city.

Israel said it had discovered some 200 tunnel shafts and destroyed more than 130 militant infrastructure sites in its latest operations, as well as killing "numerous militants".

Palestinians say Israel has blockaded hospitals making it impossible for rescuers to reach the dead and wounded. Israel denies blockading hospitals and says Hamas fighters are to blame for operating near them.

We believe many victims are still under the rubble and on the roads, the occupation prevents ambulance and civil emergency teams from reaching them, Hamas-run Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra said.

Palestinians carry a a body of a person killed in the Israeli bombardment at a building of an UNRWA vocational training center which displaced people use as a shelter in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Picture: AP Photo/Ramez Habboub

In a further setback for stricken Palestinians, the United States said it was pausing funding to the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) after Israel alleged that 12 UNRWA employees were involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

UNRWA said earlier that it was urgently investigating and would hold accountable "any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror". Israel accused the aid agency of announcing the news while the world's attention was focused on the World Court.
The sentence of Nottingham knifeman Valdo Calocane has raised questions about what other options could be available if Court of Appeal judges did reconsider the case.

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer added his voice to calls for an inquiry into any failings that led to the attacks after the families of the three people Calocane killed reacted angrily to the sentencing, accusing prosecutors of a fait accompli in accepting a guilty plea to manslaughter by diminished responsibility rather than pursuing murder charges.

Judge Mr Justice Turner said Calocane would very probably be detained in a high-security hospital for the rest of his life as he sentenced him to a hospital order for the atrocious killings, as well as the attempted murder of three others.

The British Attorney General Victoria Prentis is now considering whether senior judges should review Calocanes sentence after receiving a submission that it could be unduly lenient.

Sentencing Valdo Calocane, Mr Justice Turner said he would very probably be detained in a high-security hospital for the rest of his life (PA)

Under the scheme which allows any person or institution to ask for a sentence to be reviewed, the Cabinet minister has 28 days from sentencing to consider the request and decide whether to refer the case to the Court of Appeal to rule on whether the sentence was appropriate.

With a hospital order in place, this poses questions as to what other sentences could be available if Court of Appeal judges were asked to consider the case.

The complex arrangements are essentially a direction for treatment rather than seen as a penal punishment and, as such, it is not entirely clear at this stage how judges could increase the sentence to make it more stringent.

Judge Mr Justice Turner made a hospital order for Calocane to be re-admitted and detained at Ashworth High Security Hospital, near Liverpool, under sections 37 and 41 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

It means Calocane will be detained in a psychiatric hospital for treatment and will not be discharged until he is deemed well enough and either the Justice Secretary or a Mental Health Tribunal assess that he no longer poses a risk to the public.

During sentence, the judge said he was entirely satisfied on the evidence, in the particular circumstances of this case and for the reasons I have given that this was the proper sentence to impose.

The Attorney Generals considerations are unlikely to look at whether the correct charge was pursued in Calocanes case, the PA news agency understands.

Another sentencing option is to reconsider whether it is appropriate for Calocane to spend some time in jail for his crimes, if he was ever deemed suitable for discharge from hospital.

But, during sentencing, Judge Mr Justice Turner set out his reasons as to why a 45A hospital order  known as a hybrid order as it imposes a prison sentence and directs admission to hospital  would not be appropriate.

He said there were significant concerns that if Calocane relapsed in prison he would present a real danger to prison officers and fellow prisoners alike.

It came after psychiatrist Dr Nigel Blackwood warned the court imposing a hybrid order could lead Calocane  who has a treatment-resistant form of paranoid schizophrenia  to stop taking medication while in jail which would carry a significant risk of lethal behaviours returning.

If Calocane did go to prison, and in the unlikely event he was ever released, the judge said he needed to consider which regime would provide the greatest level of protection for the public and raised concerns that he would not be supervised by mental health experts post jail.

Instead, on release from prison, he would be monitored by probation officers who would lack sufficient training and knowledge to spot the warning signs of deteriorating behaviour as well as not having the powers to intervene and arrest him if required, the judge added.

If the case is referred to the Court of Appeal, judges could also rule the sentence should remain the same, or decide to refuse to hear the case altogether.
Malis junta has terminated a crucial agreement with local rebels that helped maintain a fragile peace in the countrys north, the government announced, raising concerns about a possible escalation of violence.

The 2015 peace deal with Tuareg rebel groups is ending with immediate effect because the rebels have failed to comply with its terms and because of acts of hostility by Algeria, which has been the main mediator in the peace efforts, acting prime minister Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga said on state television on Thursday night.

Representatives of the rebel group did not immediately comment but Algerias ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement that it deeply regrets Malis decision to end the agreement and denied working against it.

The Malian people must know that such unfortunate and unwelcome decisions have proven in the past that the military option is the first threat to the unity and territorial integrity of Mali

The Malian people must know that such unfortunate and unwelcome decisions have proven in the past that the military option is the first threat to the unity and territorial integrity of Mali, that it carries within it the seeds of a civil war in Mali, that it differs national reconciliation instead of bringing it closer together and that it finally constitutes a source of real threat to regional peace and stability, the statement said.

The campaign by the Tuareg rebels to create an independent state of Azawad in northern Mali threw the West African nation into a violent conflict for over a decade.

In 2012, they dislodged the Malian military from the town of Kidal, setting into motion a series of events that destabilised the country.

The peace deal backed by Algeria and welcomed by the United Nations reduced hostilities in the northern region before it appeared to collapse last year after both parties accused each other of failing to comply with it.

Malian authorities also announced the prosecution of some rebel leaders.

Analysts said the formal end of the deal did not come as a surprise following months of tension between the government and the rebel groups and after years in which both sides failed to fulfil its terms.

Mali and Algeria have also fallen out over the deal.

The collapse of the agreement comes after the end of a UN peacekeeping mission deployed to help contain the rebellion.

It also comes as Malis military leaders  in power for more than three years  struggle to contain an Islamic extremist insurgency that has ravaged the north since 2012.
Russian president Vladimir Putin pledged on Friday to make public the findings of Moscows investigation into the crash of a transport plane on Wednesday.

He alleged that Kyivs forces shot down the aircraft despite having been informed that Ukrainian prisoners of war were on board.

In his first public remarks on Wednesdays crash, Mr Putin repeated previous comments by Russian officials that everything was planned for a prisoner exchange that day when the Ilyushin IL-76 military transport went down in a rural area of Russias Belgorod region with 65 Ukrainian POWs on board.

Knowing (the POWs were aboard), they attacked this plane. I dont know whether they did it on purpose or by mistake, through thoughtlessness, Mr Putin said of Ukraine at a meeting with students.

I will ask the investigative committee to make public, to the maximum extent possible, all the circumstances of this crime  so that people in Ukraine know what really happened

Authorities in the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, said all 74 people on the plane, including six crew members and three Russian servicemen, were killed when the aircraft crashed in a huge ball of flames.

Mr Putin offered no details to support the allegation that Ukraine was to blame, which other Russian officials have also made.

Ukrainian officials have not said whether their military shot down the plane, but they called for an international investigation. Independent verification of Moscows claim was not possible.

Both sides in Russias 23-month-long war in Ukraine have often used accusations to sway opinion at home and abroad.

Wreckage of the transport plane which the Russians say was carrying Ukrainian POWs (Russian Investigative Committee via AP)

Wednesdays crash triggered a spate of claims and counterclaims, but neither of the warring countries offered evidence for its accusations.

Ukrainian officials confirmed that a prisoner exchange was due to happen on Wednesday but said it was called off.

They cast doubt on whether POWs were on the IL-76 and put forward their own theories about what happened.

They also implied that the plane may have posed a threat. They said Moscow did not ask for any specific airspace to be kept safe for a certain length of time, as it has for past prisoner exchanges.

Mykola Oleshchuk, Ukraines air force commander, described Moscows claims as rampant Russian propaganda.

Mr Putin said the planes flight recorders had been found and Russian investigators findings will be published.

There are black boxes, everything will now be collected and shown, Mr Putin said.

I will ask the investigative committee to make public, to the maximum extent possible, all the circumstances of this crime  so that people in Ukraine know what really happened.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has requested an international investigation.
Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said that the Russian list of prisoners of war who were allegedly on board the Il-76 plane includes Ukrainian citizens who had already been exchanged earlier.

"Yes, we found Ukrainian citizens on the list who had already been exchanged before," Sky News quotes the ombudsman.

At the same time, a report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), published on Thursday morning, said that at least one person on this list had already been exchanged on January 3.

As reported, on the morning of Wednesday, January 24, an Il-76 plane crashed near the Russian city of Belgorod, on board which, according to Russian media reports, could have been Ukrainian prisoners of war.

The Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense indicated that the Russian Federation does not officially publish through the relevant authorities lists of prisoners of war who were supposed to be exchanged on January 24, the information is deliberately publicly disseminated by Russian propaganda.
Friday, Jan 26th, 2024 (1:46 pm) - Score 1,360

Internet, phone and TV provider BT (EE) has long bundled Xbox Game Passes on some of their broadband packages, particularly full fibre (FTTP) plans, which until recently often included a free 6-12 month subscription to the online gaming service. But some customers now complain the ISP has charged them for the service, without their knowledge or consent.

According to the BBC News, affected customers have been sporadically complaining about the problem on BTs Community Forum for several months, although the issues experienced do seem to vary. For example, some customers complain about being charged for an Xbox Game Pass that they never asked for, activated or wanted. Meanwhile, others claim to have activated the free game pass on their package, only to later find they were being charged for it (while still within the free period).

NOTE: After any free periods have expired, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate usually costs 10 a month via After any free periods have expired, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate usually costs 10 a month via BT or EE , which is a little cheaper than the market price (12). But once enabled, the pass adopts an auto-renewal, so you have to cancel it manually to stop future charges.

In other cases, BTs customers have reported being able to use the free pass for a month or two, only to then find it gone from their Xbox accounts before theyve even come close to finishing the free period (this is despite the pass and discount still being applied to their BT bills).

Suffice to say, weve seen quite a few different complaints about billing and application of the Xbox Game Pass to BTs customer accounts. The broadband provider does seem to be aware of this, at least about some of the issues.

A spokesperson for BT said: Were very sorry that the customers mentioned in this article have had Xbox Game Pass Ultimate added to their account without their knowledge. We recommend that all of our customers remain vigilant and if they notice changes to their account that are suspicious, to contact us as soon as possible to report this. We will support and guide them on how to take steps to ensure their account is secure.

The situation is eerily reminiscent of the recent problems at Virgin Media, where some customers found themselves having to battle phantom Netflix bills (here). Indeed, weve often seen problems occur when third-party subscription services are bundled, usually alongside a discounted period of use, with broadband packages from ISPs.

Resolving such issues can be tricky, as it may involve broadband providers having to navigate different layers of responsibility between different companies, with different rules and separate accounts. Meanwhile, BTs response above appears to allude to a security concern with customer accounts and billing, although at present only one of the individual complaints weve seen appears to have been hacked.

Finally, one of BTs own support workers has allegedly suggested that the issue of Xbox passes being randomly enabled on accounts reflects a known problem between BT and Microsoft, which could indicate more of an administrative bug.
France transferred to Ukraine two additional LRU multiple launch rocket systems, an analogue of the American MLRS M270, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reports with reference to the French Ministry of Defense.

"France transferred two additional LRU multiple launch rocket systems to Ukraine," the State Border Guard Service said in a statement on its Telegram channel on Thursday.

"France has the right to lead this coalition, taking into account the artillery equipment transferred to Ukraine: about thirty Caesar self-propelled guns, while we had only 75, four LRU multiple launch rocket launchers, TRF1 cannons and 120 mm mortars," head of the Artillery for Ukraine coalition said in an interview with the press service of the French Ministry of Defense.

LRU or lance-roquettes unitaire is the French variant of the American M270 MLRS. The installations are equipped with: an upgraded EFCS fire control system, a new navigation system (using GPS), a new communication system.

As reported, France, the United States and more than 20 other countries on Thursday, January 18, created an artillery coalition in Paris to assist Ukraine in repelling Russian aggression.
Shelton, CT  January 26, 2024  As the ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW, one of the largest and longest-running business technology events, approaches, we are pleased to announce the addition of Tech Hub South Florida to the already impressive lineup of exhibitors and sponsors.

ITEXPO, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, once again projects total attendance of more than 7,000 business and technology professionals.

Tech Hub South Florida will showcase their innovations and contribute to the dynamic discussions shaping the future of business technology.

Details:

Event Name: ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW

Dates: February 13-15, 2024

Location: Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Event Website: https://www.itexpo.com

Exhibitor Company: Tech Hub South Florida

Exhibitor Booth Number: #473

Exhibitor Website: www.techhubsouthflorida.org

Media Opportunities at the ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW:

Explore innovations and new releases from more than 400 exhibitors.

Conduct interviews with company representatives.

Gain insights into the latest business technology trends, including AI, automation and new contact center technologies.

For Media Inquiries or Press Passes:

Michelle Connolly

Senior Marketing Manager

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Edited by Greg Tavarez
1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
Russian occupation forces are increasingly using chemical weapons in Ukraine, continuing obvious violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which the Russian Federation is a party, a report from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted on January 25.

"Spokesperson for the Ukrainian Center for the Research of Trophy and Prospective Weapons and Military Equipment of the Ukrainian General Staff Captain Andriy Rudyk stated on January 25 that Russian forces began using RG-VO grenades with chloroacetophenone, a type of tear gas used for riot control (also known as a Riot Control Agent [RCA]), in December 2023 and that Ukrainian officials observed 81 instances of Russian forces using the RG-VO grenades in December 2023. The Ukrainian General Staff reported on January 13 that Russian forces began using a new type of special gas grenade containing CS gas (2-Chlorobenzalmalononitrile  also an RCA) on December 14 and that Russian forces have used chemical weapons at least 51 times in the first two weeks of 2024," the report notes.

The ISW emphasizes that the Russian Federation is a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits the use of chloroacetophenone as a method of warfare.

"The Russian 810th Naval Infantry Brigade previously acknowledged on December 22 that the brigade deliberately uses chemical weapons by dropping K-51 grenades with CS gas from drones onto Ukrainian positions near Krynky in the east (left) bank of Kherson Oblast," analysts said.
The creation of an open international commission to investigate the crash of the Russian Il-76 military transport aircraft near Belgorod is "logical;" the Russian Federation currently rejects the possibility of the commission's work, said Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

"As for the specific reasons for the crash of this plane, then, of course, the demand for the creation of an open international commission is logical and justified. Because in order to find out what exactly caused the crash of the plane, you can study the remains, the wreckage of the plane, 'black boxes,' and of course, carefully study the location of the aircraft track. Now, as we hear, the Russian Federation rejects the possibility of such a commission," Yusov said on air at the telethon.

He emphasized that we are talking about a military plane that was involved in transporting Russian weapons and personnel, and also that the Russian Federation did not inform Ukraine that Ukrainian prisoners of war would be transported by plane.

The Intelligence Agency also indicated that January 24 was supposed to be one of the largest exchanges during a full-scale war.

As reported, on the morning of Wednesday, January 24, an Il-76 plane crashed near the Russian city of Belgorod, on board which, according to Russian media reports, could have been Ukrainian prisoners of war.
In the Tavria direction, the Russian occupiers have increased the number of offensive and assault operations, said the commander of the Tavria operational-strategic group of troops, Oleksandr Tarnavsky.

"In the Tavria operational zone, the enemy carried out ten air strikes, carried out 50 combat clashes and 624 artillery shelling. Our defenders are staunchly holding the line and carrying out active operations in certain directions," he wrote on the Telegram channel.

The total enemy losses over the past 24 hours amounted to 480 people and 23 units of military equipment, not counting UAVs. In particular, two tanks, seven armored fighting vehicles, six artillery systems, five vehicles and three units of special equipment. The Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed two enemy ammunition depots.

Tarnavsky also noted that 161 UAVs of various types were neutralized or destroyed.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  Israel is losing its campaign against Gaza not so much on the battlefield  though it is unclear that very many of its military goals have been accomplished  but in the court of public opinion. The Israeli far right has long ignored such PR setbacks, convinced that as long as the US government protects it at the United Nations, it retains impunity.

The Biden administration cannot, however, veto public opinion. A new You.gov opinion poll finds that 34% of Americans believe Israel is committing a genocide against the Palestinians of Gaza. I cant tell you what an incredible statistic this is. In previous decades polling generally found that most Americans had no sympathy whatsoever for the Palestinians, who might as well have been gum stuck to the soles of the boots of Israeli troops.

These Americans are not just saying that the Israelis are oppressing the Palestinians (which most of them wouldnt even have admitted 20 years ago). Theyre saying that they think the Israelis are trying to wipe out the Palestinians of Gaza.

Moreover, it isnt just that a third of Americans believe there is an ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza. An absolute majority  55%  of Americans aged 18 to 30 see it as a genocide. That isnt a good sign for Israels future.

Moreover, a simple majority of Democrats believe the Israeli Gaza campaign is a genocide, some 51%. Again, Israels impunity has resulted from bipartisan support in the US, which is now shifting.

It is also true that 39% of Americans believe that Hamas tried to genocide the Israelis on October 7. The Israeli government should not, however, take it as a compliment that so many Americans view its tactics and goals as identical to those of Hamas.

It is also significant that 20% of Republicans think Israel is committing a genocide. The tone in the Republican Party is set by the evangelical Christian Zionists who generally think Israel can do no wrong and that its brutality against the Palestinians is necessary to usher in Christs second coming. (I worry a little that typing that sentence made me stupider.) Accusing Tel Aviv of genocide isnt just a criticism, it is a severe condemnation.

These numbers spell at least some trouble for the deeply unpopular Joe Biden, whose enthusiastic embrace of the Israeli campaign and denial of Palestinian deaths is deeply alienating for youths and progressives. While it is true that they wont vote for Trump, they could just stay home next November out of apathy, which would not be good news for the Biden campaign.

King Pyrrhus of Epirus (northern Greece and Albania) bestowed his name on a military campaign where you win at such a devastating cost that the triumph turns to dust in your mouth and becomes a kind of defeat. Pyrrhus, fighting on the Italian coast, proved the victor in two initial battles with the Romans, but so depleted his army of 25,000 men than he lost the third, decisive, encounter.

The extremist government of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, chock full of full-on fascists and unabashed racists, waged war against the Hamas terrorist organization by targeting its known middle and lower management in their apartment buildings, blowing up the entire complexes and killing everyone living there  women, children, non-combatant men. They couldnt do the same to the top leadership because of the hostages or because the latter were better hidden. The Israeli government also designated civil society institutions such as schools, universities, hospitals, clinics, municipal administrative centers and Non-Governmental Organizations as what they called power centers and subjected them to intensive aerial bombardment and shelling, oblivious to the well-being of innocent civilians. Apparently the theory was that university presidents, provosts, faculty, staff and students were all Hamas operatives with blood on their hands and so all universities had to be destroyed. The theory, of course, was monstrous and did not differ from Usama Bin Ladens declaration that no Americans were civilians. Israels +972 Mag called this tactic a mass assassination factory. These acts of savagery have so far racked up over 25,000 deaths and over 60,000 woundings of Palestinians some 70% of them women and children and most of the rest non-combatant men. Of 25,000 Hamas fighters, it isnt clear that any significant number have been killed.

In addition to razing entire residential blocs with 2,000-pound bombs, the rules of engagement set for Israeli ground troops apparently directed them to shoot to kill any person moving in the streets, regardless of whether they were waving a white flag.

A video caught such a war crime and was replayed on Britains ITV on Wednesday, provoking widespread public revulsion and condemnations in Parliament.

Its a war crime: ITV News Gaza clip sparks outrage from charities, US and Westminster | ITV News Video

Israels atrocities against Palestinians in recent years have increasingly ended up being recorded on smartphone video, and were only covered up by the neglect of the major European and American news organizations, which largely declined to broadcast them. Mark Zuckerbergs Meta (Facebook and Instagram) has intentionally used algorithms to shadowban news about Palestinians (and, increasingly, news in general).

The situation is so horrible now, however, that even mainstream outlets like Britains Sky TV are beginning to report when Israel fires tank rounds into a UN training center being used as a refugee shelter, killing 9 and wounding 75.

Sky News Video: UNRWA: At least nine people killed in attack on UN agency centre | Israel-Hamas War

ITV and Sky TV are playing catch up, however. TikTok, run by a Chinese company, freely allows video from Gaza to be shared and to go viral, and Americans thirty and under have therefore seen the war unfold before their eyes. Old people glued to CNN or Fox might not even know that a war is going on, and they certainly would have no sense of the magnitude of Israels atrocities. Not so for the under-30 population, which is why 55% of them have decided this is a genocide.
Committee on Academic Freedom | Middle East Studies Association of North America | 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Prime Minister, Ministers, Major General:

We write to you on behalf of the Committee on Academic Freedom of the Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) to vehemently condemn the ongoing brutal military campaign against the Palestinians of Gaza and demand its immediate cessation. The death toll since 7 October 2023 of Gazan Palestinians has reached a devastating 25,000, with at least 62,000 wounded as a result of Israeli attacks. In this letter, as in our previous one ( 21 November 2023 ), we focus on the decimation of the education sector in the Gaza Strip through the Israeli militarys killing of students, faculty, and staff and its targeted destruction of schools and university buildings, including laboratories, libraries and classrooms.

MESA was founded in 1966 to promote scholarship and teaching on the Middle East and North Africa. The preeminent organization in the field, MESA publishes the International Journal of Middle East Studies and has nearly 2800 members worldwide. MESA is committed to ensuring academic freedom and freedom of expression, both within the region and in connection with the study of the region in North America and elsewhere.

Over the past 15 weeks, the unprecedented level and extent of death and destruction wrought by Israels war on Gaza has devastated the educational sector. According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ( OCHA ), more than 625,000 students90,000 of whom are university studentsand close to 23,000 teachers have been impacted by attacks on educational facilities and school closures. All remain without access to education or even a safe place to shelter.

The Ministry of Education in Gaza reports that between 7 October 2023 and 17 January 2024, 4,327 Palestinian students and 231 teachers and school administrators were killed, while 7,819 students and 756 teachers and administrators were injured. To date, 281 government schools and 65 schools belonging to UNRWA have been completely or partially destroyed. In addition to UNRWA schools, some 133 government schools are being used as shelters for Palestinians who have fled and/or lost their homes. However, roughly 90% of school buildings in Gaza, including those being used as shelters, have sustained varying degrees of damage; 29% have been completely or partially destroyed. Combined, these schools previously served some 433,000 children and employed more than 16,200 teachers.

Israeli forces have also targeted universities and colleges in the Gaza Strip with particular ferocity. These attacks began with the bombing and near total destruction of the Islamic University of Gaza (12 October 2023), the University College of Applied Sciences (19 October 2023), and Al-Azhar University (6 November 2023). They also severely damaged the University College of Applied Sciences and Technology, Al-Aqsa University, and the Palestine Technical College. The bombardment and eventual destruction of Al-Quds Open University (15 November 2023) and Gaza University (4 December 2023) followed. With the complete demolition of Al-Israa University (17 January 2024), Israeli forces destroyed the last remaining major university in Gaza.

Prior to their destruction, some university facilities were occupied by Israeli military forces, while adjacent structures were transformed into detention and interrogation centers for Palestinians. After seizing Al-Israa University and using the site as a military barrack and an ad hoc detention/ interrogation center for 70 days, Israeli forces detonated explosives and demolished the university on 17 January. Drone video footage of this demolition was widely distributed on Israeli media. Prior to the Israeli armys occupying the university, there was no evidence that it had been used for any military activities.

In addition to the massive destruction of Gazas physical educational infrastructure  the rebuilding of which will require many years and billions of dollars  is the systematic killing of our colleagues there. Scholars from across the humanities, social sciences and STEM, widely respected by their peers and students, have been targeted and murdered. These academics represent the intellectual leadership of the Palestinian community in Gaza and were the foundation for the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge.

The Euro-Mediterranean Observatory for Human Rights announced on 20 January that it had documented the killing by Israeli military forces of 94 Palestinian university professors. As precise documentation is encumbered by the targeted destruction of communications towers, routine internet blackouts, and deliberate attacks on Ministry of Education administrative staff and their families, we provide below only a partial list of the names of those scholars and, where available, their academic affiliation. These individuals represent only a small percentage of the hundreds of faculty and staff and thousands of students and their families who have been killed in military assaults, bombings, or through prolonged exposure to starvation and disease since 7 October 2023.

University Presidents:

Professor Sufyan Tayeh, Islamic University of Gaza

Professor Said Al-Zibda, University College of Applied Sciences

Professor Muhammad Eid Shabir, former President, Islamic University of Gaza

Deans:

Dean Ibrahim al-Astal, Islamic University of Gaza

Dean Khitam Al-Wasifi, Islamic University of Gaza

Dean Mahmoud Abu Daf, Islamic University of Gaza

Dean Omar Farwanah, Islamic University of Gaza

Dean Taysir Ibrahim, Islamic University of Gaza

Dean Ahmed Abu Absa, University of Palestine

Dean Ahmed Al-Dalu, University Of Palestine

Professor Adham Hassouna, Al-Aqsa University

Professor Ahmad Mahmoud al-Qara, Al-Aqsa University

Professor Nesma Abu Shaqra, Al-Aqsa University

Professor Abdel-Nasir Al-Saqqa, Al-Aqsa University

Professor Nidal Qaddura, Al-Aqsa University

Professor Wiesam Essa, Al-Aqsa University

Professor Fadil Abu Hain, Al-Aqsa University

Professor Jihad Al-Masri, Al-Quds Open University

Professor Hassan Kafarneh, Al-Quds Open University

Professor Muhammed Atef Awad, Al-Quds Open University

Professor Muhammad Al-Nabahin, Al-Quds Open University

Professor Ibrahim Barhoum Abu Salah, Islamic University of Gaza

Professor Islam Suleiman Haboush, Islamic University of Gaza

Professor Midhat Saidem, Islamic University of Gaza

Professor Nahed Al-Rafati, Islamic University of Gaza

Professor Refaat AlAreer, Islamic University of Gaza

Professor Mohammed Awad, Islamic University of Gaza

Professor Rizq Arruq, Islamic University of Gaza

Professor Amin Al-Bahtiti, Al-Azhar University of Gaza

Professor Ali AlQirinawi, University of Palestine

Professor Ibrahim Saidam, University of Palestine

Professor Mustafa Al-Laqta, University of Palestine

Professor Mustafa Al-Naqib, University of Palestine

Professor Naim Baroud, Islamic University of Gaza

Professor Azzu Affanah, Islamic University of Gaza (Deputy Dean)

Professor Muhammad Bakhit, Islamic University of Gaza

Professor Salem Abu-Mukhdah, Islamic University of Gaza

Professor Muhammad Dabbour Assad, Islamic University of Gaza

Director Tareq Thabet, University College of Applied Sciences

Professor Shaher Yaghi, University College of Applied Sciences

Dr. Rafet Lobad

Professor Khalil Abu Yahya

Professor Wael Al-Zard

Dr. Maisara Al-Rayyes

Professor Sereen Al-Attar

Professor Usama Al-Muzayni

Professor Ismail Abu Saadah

Professor Khaled Al-Ramlawi

Professor Said Al-Dahshan

Professor Raed Qaddura

Professor Muhammad Abu-Zur

Professor Yusuf Jumaa Salameh

Professor Nida Affanah

Professor Mumin Shuwaydah

Professor Siddiq Nassar

Professor Ahmad Abu Saadah

Professor Jamilah Al-Shanti

Professor Muhamamd Jamil Zaanin

Professor Ismail Al-Ghamri

Professor Walid Al-Amudi

Professor Abdullah Al-Amudi

Professsor Hassan Al-Radi

Professor Muhammad Abu Amara

Professor Mahmud Al-Loh

Professor Khalid Al-Najjar

Professor Muhammad Al-Najjar

Professor Sharif Al-Assali, Islamic University of Gaza

Professor Muhammad Hassounah

Professor Yasir Radwan

Professor Jihad Al-Baz

Professor Hazem Al-Jamali

Professor Nasir Al-Yafawi, Islamic University of Gaza

Professor Jihad Al-Masri

Professor Ismail Abu Saada

Professor Muhammad Nassar

8 February 2022; 21 July 2021; As evidenced by the many letters our committee has written to you (among them, letters dated: 26 May 2022 13 April 2021 ), your government and armed forces have engaged in persistent gross violations of international legal norms in your unrelenting attacks against Palestinian academics and students. In our previous letter on Gaza ( 21 November 2023 ), we insisted that as the occupying authority, your targeting of Palestinian educational buildings through bombings and other forms of aggression and incursions constituted a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, relating to the protection of civilians in time of war. Your government and militarys resultant obstruction of education has also been a clear violation of the right to education enshrined in Article 26 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 13 of the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. The right to education is binding under all circumstances and to be protected in all situations, including during crises and emergencies resulting from civil strife and war . Israel is a party to the UDHR and a signatory to the ICESCR and is therefore obligated to uphold them.

The depth and breadth of the killing and destruction have now gone far beyond any previous violations your government and its military have committed. Rather, the massive assaults against educational infrastructure, educators and students at all levels and throughout Gaza since 7 October have emerged as part of a larger campaign of ethnic cleansing intended to destroy the very foundations and bases of continued Palestinian life in Gaza.

We thus join the millions of protestors around the world and call in the strongest possible terms for an immediate cease-fire, a lifting of the siege and the termination of what appears to be a genocidal campaign against the people of Gaza.

We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Asl U. Bali

MESA President

Professor, Yale Law School

Laurie Brand

Chair, Committee on Academic Freedom

Professor Emerita, University of Southern California

pmoh@pmo.gov.il . . .
Maha Hilal

( Tomdispatch.com )  In a New Yorker piece published five days after the attacks of September 11, 2001, American critic and public intellectual Susan Sontag wrote, Lets by all means grieve together. But lets not be stupid together. A few shreds of historical awareness might help us understand what has just happened, and what may continue to happen. Sontags desire to contextualize the 9/11 attacks was an instant challenge to the narratives that President George W. Bush would soon deploy, painting the United States as a country of peace and, most importantly, innocent of any wrongdoing. While the rhetorical strategies he developed to justify what came to be known as the Global War on Terror have continued to this day, they were not only eagerly embraced by Israel in 2001, they also lie at the heart of that countrys justification of the genocidal campaign thats been waged against the Palestinian people since October 7, 2023.

On September 20, 2001, President Bush delivered a speech to Congress in which he shared a carefully constructed storyline that would justify endless war. The United States, he said, was attacked because the terrorists hate our freedoms  our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other. In that official response to the 9/11 attacks, he also used the phrase war on terror for the first time, stating (all too ominously in retrospect): Our war on terror begins with al-Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped, and defeated.

Americans are asking, he went on, why do they hate us? And then he provided a framework for understanding the motives of the terrorists precluding the possibility that American actions prior to 9/11 could in any way have explained the attacks. In other words, he positioned his country as a blameless victim, shoved without warning into a post-9/11 world. As Bush put it, All of this was brought upon us in a single day  and night fell on a different world, a world where freedom itself is under attack. As scholar Richard Jackson later noted, the presidents use of our war on terror constituted a very carefully and deliberately constructed public discourse specifically designed to make the war seem reasonable, responsible, and inherently good.

Your Fight Is Our Fight

The day after the 9/11 attacks, then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon gave a televised address to Israelis, saying that the fight against terrorism is an international struggle of the free world against the forces of darkness who seek to destroy our liberty and way of life. Together, we can defeat these forces of evil. Sharon, in other words, laid out Israels fight in the same binary terms the American president would soon use, a good-versus-evil framework, as a way of rejecting any alternative explanations of those assaults on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center in New York City that killed almost 3,000 people. That December, Sharon responded to an attack in Jerusalem by two Palestinian suicide bombers by saying that he would launch his own war on terror with all the means at our disposal.

On the day of Bushs September 20th speech, Benjamin Netanyahu, then working in the private sector after holding various positions within the Israeli government, capitalized on the presidents narrative by asserting Israels enthusiastic support for the United States. In a statement offered to the House Government Reform Committee, emphasizing his countrys commitment to fighting terrorism, Netanyahu stated, I am certain that I speak on behalf of my entire nation when I say today, we are all Americans  in grief, as in defiance.

Israels 9/11

Just as the 9/11 attacks did not speak for themselves, neither did Hamass attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. In remarks at a bilateral meeting with President Biden 11 days later, however, Prime Minister Netanyahu strategically compared the Hamas attacks to the 9/11 ones, using resonant terms for Americans that also allowed Israel to claim its own total innocence, as the U.S. had done 22 years earlier. In that vein, 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 20 9/11s. That is why October 7th is another day that will live in infamy.

But 9/11 doesnt live in infamy because it actually caused damage of any long-lasting or ultimate sort to the United States or because it far exceeded the scale of other acts of global mass violence, but because it involved Americans as the victims of terror, not as the perpetrators and because of the way those leading the country portrayed it as uniquely and exceptionally victimized. As Professor Jackson put it, 9/11 was immediately iconicized as the foremost symbol of American suffering. The ability to reproduce that narrative endlessly, while transforming 9/11 into a date that transcended time itself, served as a powerful lesson to Israel in how to communicate suffering and an omnipresent existential threat that could be weaponized to legitimize future violent interventions. By framing the Hamas attacks on October 7th similarly as a symbol of ultimate suffering and existential threat, Israel could do the same.

Giving Israel further license for unfettered state violence under the guise of a war on terror, in remarks in Tel Aviv President Biden stated that since this terrorist attack took place, we have seen it described as Israels 9/11. But for a nation the size of Israel, it was like 15 9/11s. The scale may be different, but Im sure those horrors have tapped into some kind of primal feeling in Israel, just like it did and felt in the United States.

It bears noting that while Israel quickly deployed the rhetoric of the War on Terror on and after October 7th, weaponizing the language of terror was not in and of itself novel in that country. For example, in 1986, Benjamin Netanyahu edited and contributed to a collection of essays called Terrorism: How the West Can Win that spoke to themes similar to those woven into the U.S. war on terror narrative. However, in responding to Hamass attacks, Israels discursive strategy was both to capitalize on and tether itself to the meanings the U.S. had popularized and made pervasive about the 9/11 attacks.

Surprise Attacks

The power of that primal feeling was intensified by the way both the United States and Israel feigned surprise about their countries being targeted, despite evidence of impending threats both were privy to. That evidence included a Presidents Daily Brief that Bush received on August 6, 2001, entitled Bin Laden Determined to Strike in US, and the possession by Israeli officials of a Hamas battle plan document detailing the potential attack a year in advance.

Just as Bush referred to the 9/11 attacks as a surprise, despite several years of conflict with al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden (who clearly stated that U.S. violence in Muslim-majority countries was the motivation for the attacks), Netanyahu claimed the same after the Hamas attacks, ignoring Israels longtime chokehold on Gaza (and Palestinian areas of the West Bank). Addressing Israeli citizens on the day of the attack, Netanyahu asserted that we are at war, not in an operation or in rounds, but at war. This morning, Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens.

By portraying terrorism as a grave, unparalleled, and unpredictable danger, both the United States and Israel framed their brutal wars and over-responses as necessary actions. Even more problematically, both tried to evade accountability for future acts by characterizing themselves as coerced into the wars they then launched. Netanyahu typically asserted on October 30th that, since October 7th, Israel has been at war. Israel did not start this war. Israel did not want this war. But Israel will win this war.

All of these tactics are meant to create and perpetuate an extremely narrow set of political truths (or untruths, if you prefer). Whether ingrained in the public consciousness by the United States or Israel, such truths were meant to dictate just who the terrorists were (never us, of course), their irrational, barbaric, uncivilized nature, and so, why intervention  full-scale war, in fact  was necessary. An additional rhetorical goal was to position the dominant narrative, whether American or Israeli, as a natural interpretation of reality, not a constructed one.

Israel has relied on such a framework to consistently peddle a depoliticized narrative of Hamas, which roots any violence committed in a fundamental and irrational opposition to the state of Israel and inherent hatred of the Jewish people as opposed to the longstanding regime of occupation, apartheid, and now genocide of Palestinians. Hamas and other non-state actors are, of course, always portrayed as driven by fanaticism, as Scott Poynting and David Whyte note, while state violence, in contrast, is presented as defensive, responsible, rational, and unavoidable  and not motivated by a particular ideological bias or political choice.

The Threat of Terrorism and Moral Equivalencies

Terrorist violence in these years has regularly been weaponized in the service of state violence by conceiving of its threat as almost unimaginably dangerous. Both the United States and Israel have represented terrorism as catastrophic to democracy, freedom, civilization and the American [or Israeli] way of life, and a threat commensurate with Nazism and Communism.

As with Bushs argument that the 9/11 attackers were the heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the twentieth century and that they follow in the path of fascism, and Nazism, and totalitarianism, Netanyahu urged a mobilization of countries across the world to eliminate Hamas on a similar basis. To this end, he asserted that just as the civilized world united to defeat the Nazis and united to defeat ISIS, the civilized world must unite to defeat Hamas.

American officials regularly frame U.S. violence as a function of the countrys inherent goodness and superiority. For example, in September 2006, responding to criticisms of the moral basis for the War on Terror, Bush said at a press conference: If theres any comparison between the compassion and decency of the American people and the terrorist tactics of extremists, its flawed logic I simply cant accept that. Its unacceptable to think that theres any kind of comparison between the behavior of the United States of America and the action of Islamic extremists who kill innocent women and children to achieve an objective.

By the time Bush made those remarks, the invasions of and wars in both Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as other counterterrorism operations across the globe, had been underway for years. Given the staggering number of civilians already killed, drawing a demarcation line between the United States and Islamic extremists based on the slaughter of innocent women and children should hardly have been possible (though when it came to those killed by Americans, the term of the time was the all-too-dehumanizing collateral damage).

No stranger to weaponizing the language of moral equivalencies, Netanyahu has repeatedly highlighted the victims of Hamass attacks in order to distinguish them from Israels. For example, he described Hamas as an enemy that murders children and mothers in their homes, in their beds. An enemy that kidnaps the elderly, kids, youths. Murderers who massacre and slaughter our citizens, our kids, who just wanted to have fun on the holiday. But like the United States, Israel has killed women and children on a strikingly greater scale than the non-state actors they were comparing their violence to. In fact, in the last 100 days of Israels war, it is believed to have killed more than 10,000 children (and those figures will only rise if you include children who are now likely to die from starvation and disease in a devastated Gaza).

Birds of Violent Rhetorical Feathers Flock Together

In a White House briefing a week after the Hamas attacks, Biden said, These guys  they make al-Qaeda look pure. Theyre pure  theyre pure evil. Then, nearly three weeks after those October 7th attacks, in a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Netanyahu asserted that his country was in a battle with the Axis of Evil led by Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, and their minions. More than two decades earlier, President George W. Bush had uttered similar words, referring to Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as an axis of evil, who were arming to threaten the peace of the world.

In each case, the evil they were referring to was meant to communicate an inherent and innate desire for violence and destruction, irrespective of the actions of the United States or Israel. As the saying goes, evil is as evil does.

As scholar Joanne Esch has noted, If they hate us for who we are rather than what we do, nothing can be gained from reexamining our own policies. In other words, no matter what we do, the United States and Israel can insist on a level of moral superiority in taking on such battles as the harbingers of good. And it was true that, positioned as a battle of good versus evil, the all-American war on terror did, for a time, gain a kind of divine sanction, which Israel has used as a blueprint.

In response to the recent International Court of Justice complaint submitted by South Africa charging Israel with genocide, a defiant Prime Minister Netanyahu tweeted that his country would continue its Gazan war until it was over. He also mentioned a meeting he had with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in which he told him, This is not just our war  it is also your war.

If Israels U.S.-backed genocide of the Palestinians has revealed anything about the power of discourse, its that the war on terror narrative has proven to be remarkably enduring. This has enabled both states to make use of specific schemas that were constructed and deployed in Washington to explain the 9/11 attacks  and now to justify a genocidal war in a world where terror is seen as an eternal threat to liberal democracies.

In his book Narrative and the Making of US National Security, Donald Krebs argues that, when it comes to politics, language neither competes with nor complements power politics: it is power politics. In this vein, it remains critical to subvert such destructive and pervasive narratives so that countries like the United States and Israel can no longer maintain necropolitical rule domestically or globally  that is, in the words of Cameroon historian and political theorist Achille Mmembe, the power and the capacity to dictate who may live and who must die.

Copyright 2024 Maha Hilal

Via Tomdispatch.com
January 26, 2023  TheNewswire - Vancouver, B.C., Canada; Belmont Resources Ltd. (Belmont or the Company) (TSX.V: BEA; FSE: L3L2) announces initial results of the A-J 2023 2,000 meter, nine drill hole A-J drilling program in southern British Columbia.

A-J 2023 drill plan over geophysics

2023 Drilling focused on two zones on the property.

North Zone: (Drill holes AJ23-01-05) drilling involved exploring largely untested, open ground in the northern portion of the property where targets were chosen between the Golden Crown and Athestan-Jackpot mines. Drill assays are pending.

South Zone  Athelstan mine area: (Drill holes AJ23-06-09) drilling involved testing for potential mineralized feeder systems along and directly beneath the Athelstan mine, one of two historic gold mines on the A-J 1.5km mineralized gold trend and related historic mine workings.

Initial results have been received for South Zone, Athelstan mine area for drill holes AJ23-06  AJ23-09.

As reported in previous news releases dated October 31 and November 16, 2023, all four drill holes (AJ23-06, AJ23-07, AJ23-08, and AJ23-09) beneath the Athelstan gold mine intercepted over 100 meter duration of extensive silicic and phyllic alteration accompanied by widespread sulphide mineralization. These zones included multi-metre quartz shear and stockwork style vein intersections with all lithologies hosting widespread pyrrhotite and pyrite and lesser chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite.

Although long grades of gold mineralization were intercepted (up to 150m) the grades were minimal with only two gold intercepts of note:

AJ23-07 from 28m: 3.8 meters @ 0.4 g/t Au including 1.9m @ 0.60 g/t Au

AJ23-08: from 26m depth: 1.1 meters @ 1.1 g/t Au

A-J Drill Sections beneath the Athlestan mine

A-J South Zone mineralized gold trend and 2023 drill holes.

The long grades of gold mineralization albeit low grade, correlates in most part with the extensive quartz veining, semi-massive pyrite, pyrrhotite, and sulphides along with intensely phyllic alteration as reported in previous news releases dated October 31 and November 16, 2023.

DH AJ23-07 Extensive quartz vein stockwork intersection, sheared and brecciated with pyrrhotite and pyrite stringers, chalcopyrite

DH AJ23-07 Abundant brittle fracturing and pyrrhotite mineralization in intensely silicic altered plutonic host rock

This is a strong indication of a peripheral alteration zone to a deep-seated copper-gold porphyry. The surficial gold along the mineralized trend of the south zone and even the low gold mineralization in the drill core is interpreted as major structural seepage from this porphyry. This major structure may refer to the Jackpot fault which may be providing a conduit for hydrothermal mineralized fluids to travel from the porphyry to the surface.

As for a deep seated porphyry model, one model suggests that there may be in fact linkage between the A-J property and Belmonts nearby CBC property where exploration is also targeting a large copper-gold porphyry system at depth.

A-J may be linked to the nearby CBC property

George Sookochoff, President & CEO Belmont Resources commented While the Athelstan zone may serve as the feeder system for the 7,000 ounces of gold mined from the 2 gold mines as well as an estimated resource of 2,0005,000 ounces of gold in the surface and near surface mineralized areas, based on previous trenching results and sampling of mine dumps (2002 Summary Report on the A-J Group, Greenwood Mining Division by R.E. Miller B.Eng. Sci., P.Geo February 2002), the presence of extensive quartz veining, semi-massive pyrite, pyrrhotite, and sulphides, coupled with intensely phyllic alteration, strongly indicates our proximity to the target.

Our updated database provides exploration vectors pointing eastward, specifically towards the Jackpot gold mine and the Jackpot fault which is where we will focus our 2024 drill program.

2024 Drilling Program

Drilling of the Jackpot mine and Jackpot Fault zones area planned for Q2 2024. As the deepest South Zone 2023 drill hole was only 245 meters, proposed 2024 drill holes will extend down to approximately 300-500 meters in order to intersect the porphyry at depth or to locate the surficial mineral feeder zones beneath the Jackpot mine and along the Jackpot fault.

2024 Planned Drilling Along Jackpot Fault  Section A1

2024 Planned Drilling Along Jackpot Fault  Section A2

North Zone on strike with adjacent Golden Crown Mine  Assays Pending

About Belmont Resources

Belmont Resources has assembled a portfolio of highly prospective copper, gold, lithium, uranium and rare earths projects located in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Washington and Nevada States. Its holdings include:

Athelstan-Jackpot (A-J): 2 former gold mines. 2,000m drilling targeting multi-coincident geophysical anomaly on strike with neighboring gold trend and gold mines completed.

CrackingstoneUranium-Rare Earths: Some of the highest grade Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are being discovered in Northern Saskatchewan due to the presence of Uranium, Thorium Pegmatites. Crackingstone project meets the criteria for potentially discovering a large REEs deposit with its high grade uranium along with thorium and pegmatite. A review of 3,000m of 2008 drill data shows a 1.3km pegmatite dyke drilled but only assayed for uranium at that time. 2023 plans are to re-assay pegmatite sections for REEs ;

Come By Chance (CBC): 2021 geophysics delineated potential large copper-gold porphyry

2022 drilling provided further vectors towards potential core of porphyry;

The Lone StarCopper-Gold: optioned to Australian Marquee Resources ASX:MQR. MQR has spent in excess of $2.5M in drilling, completed new resource in Dec. 2022, and is currently preparing a Preliminary Economic Assessment in order to earn 80% interest.

The Kibby Basin Lithium project located 60 kilometers north of the lithium rich Clayton Valley Basin: Optioned 80% of the central Kibby Playa claim block to Australian Marquee Resources - MQR. MQR has spent in excess of $2.5M in drilling in 2022 for potential deep seated lithium brine. 2022 Drilling confirmed high levels of lithium-bearing sediments along with dissolved lithium in the groundwater.

NI 43-101 Disclosure:

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in National Instrument 43-101 and has been reviewed and approved by Laurence Sookochoff, P.Eng.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

George Sookochoff

George Sookochoff, CEO/President

www.belmontresources.com

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 news release.

This Press Release may contain forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties, based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events or results that may prove to be inaccurate as a result of exploration and other risk factors beyond its control. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Companies forward-looking statements and expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval; that we may not be able to raise funds required, that conditions to closing may not be fulfilled and we may not be able to organize and carry out an exploration program in 2023, and other risks associated with being a mineral exploration and development company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements.




PJSC Cherkasyoblenergo has allocated UAH 142 million to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.

UAH 120 million is direct assistance to military units, another UAH 22 million are payments to employees defending Ukraine as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the company said in a press release on Thursday.

It is clarified that the total amount of assistance for 700 days of the great war is more than 20 cars, 3 pickup trucks, more than 20 ATVs, almost 50 quadcopters, more than 70 thermal imagers, 18 thermal sights, 20 optical devices, more than 60 gasoline and diesel generators, chainsaws, walkie-talkies, solar panels, kamikaze drones, equipment, medical supplies, instruments and other necessary things.

In addition, the company also makes monthly payments of UAH 10,000 of material assistance to 156 company employees who defend Ukraine as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In total, in 2023, the company paid a total of about UAH 22 million of such assistance.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 26, 2024) - Blackrock Silver Corp. (TSXV: BRC) (the "Company" or "Blackrock") is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced and upsized "bought deal" public offering of 28,750,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.20 per Unit (the "Offering Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of $5,750,000 (the "Offering"). The completed Offering includes the exercise in full of the Underwriters' (as defined herein) over-allotment option for the sale of 3,750,000 Units for proceeds of $750,000.

Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share of the Company at a price of $0.30 at any time on or before January 26, 2027.

The Offering was conducted by Red Cloud Securities Inc., acting as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters which included Leede Jones Gable Inc., PI Financial Corp. and Research Capital Corporation (collectively, the "Underwriters"). In connection with the Offering, the Company paid to the Underwriters a cash commission of $336,000 and issued to the Underwriters 1,680,000 Common Share purchase warrants (the "Compensation Warrants"). Each Compensation Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.20 per Common Share at any time on or before January 26, 2027.

The Offering was completed pursuant to a prospectus supplement of the Company dated January 19, 2024 to the short form base shelf prospectus of the Company dated August 4, 2023 in each of the provinces and territories of Canada (except Quebec), and in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and applicable state securities laws and other jurisdictions. The Offering remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V").

The net proceeds raised under the Offering will be used by the Company to complete the final option payment on the Company's flagship Tonopah West project ("Tonopah West") in Nevada, after which the Company will own 100% of Tonopah West, for expansion drilling and to continue with metallurgical characterization, engineering evaluation, and hydrological assessment at Tonopah West, as well as for general working capital and corporate purposes.

One insider of the Company purchased or acquired direction and control over a total of 75,000 Units under the Offering. The sale to such person constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of TSX-V Policy 5.9 (the "Policy") and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 -Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") adopted in the Policy. The Company has relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of the related party participation in the offering as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involved the related party, exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101).

The securities offered pursuant to the Offering have not been, nor will they be, registered under 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, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Blackrock Silver Corp.

Backed by gold and silver ounces in the ground, Blackrock is a junior precious metal focused exploration company driven to add shareholder value via the drill bit. With 6.12 million tonnes grading 508.5 g/t silver equivalent[1] at its Tonopah West project, and a new bonanza-grade gold discovery at its Silver Cloud project, the Company has a proven track record of exploration success. In addition to its gold and silver project portfolio, the Company is credited with a lithium discovery, the Tonopah North project, which is under option to a lithium exploration group. Anchored by a seasoned Board of Directors, the Company is focused on its 100% controlled Nevada portfolio of properties consisting of low-sulphidation, epithermal gold and silver mineralization located along the established Northern Nevada Rift in north-central Nevada and the Walker Lane trend in western Nevada.

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Pollard, President & Chief Executive Officer

Blackrock Silver Corp.

Phone: 604 817-6044

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements concern, without limitation, the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering and receipt of final approval from the TSX-V. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; accuracy of assay results; geological interpretations from drilling results, timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services; future operating costs; and the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors, including the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation and uncertainties of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; availability of funds; failure to delineate potential quantities and grades of the target zones based on historical data; and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

1 Technical information relating to the Tonopah West project is based on and derived from the National Instrument 43-101 technical report prepared for Blackrock entitled "Technical Report for Updated Estimate of Mineral Resources, Tonopah West Silver-Gold Project, Nye and Esmeralda Counties, Nevada, USA" effective October 6, 2023 and dated November 8, 2023 authored by Jeffrey Bickel, C.P.G. (the "Technical Report"). The Technical Report outlines 6.12 million tonnes at a block diluted grade of 242 grams per tonne (g/t) silver (Ag) and 2.9g/t gold (Au) for a total inferred mineral resource of 47,738,000 ounces Ag and 570,000 ounces Au, or 508.5 g/t silver equivalent (AgEq) for 100.04 million oz AgEq. AgEq equivalent grade is based on silver and gold prices of US$22/ounce and US$1,850/ounce, respectively, and recoveries for silver and gold of 87% and 95%, respectively.
Authorities in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip said Thursday that Israeli forces had killed 20 people waiting for humanitarian aid to be distributed, as Israel pressed its blistering assault in the territory.

Israel has launched a relentless offensive in Gaza in response to the Palestinian militant group Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attacks.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said the attack occurred on the outskirts of Gaza City, in the north of the territory, with 150 people also wounded.

Hamas said the incident amounted to a "horrific war crime".

Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said they were killed by "artillery shells and missiles", a claim AFP was unable to verify independently.

The Israeli army did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

Witnesses said they had been targeted by Israeli forces.

"People were going to get food and flour as they had nothing to eat," Abu Ata Basal, the uncle of one of the injured, told AFP.

"Suddenly, tanks appeared and started firing shells at the people, who were cut into pieces."

"We were heading to get flour, and they shelled us four times, and some people were martyred and injured," said Mohammed al-Rifi, who was injured in his hand and leg.

The casualties were brought to Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, where bodies were seen lying on the floor, an AFP journalist said.

- Fierce clashes -

The incident came a day after the United Nations said tanks shelled a UN shelter in the southern city of Khan Yunis, the current focus of Israel's military campaign, killing 13 people.

Khan Yunis -- the hometown of Hamas's Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar, the suspected mastermind of the October 7 attacks -- faced relentless bombardments Thursday, an AFP journalist said.

Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, reported fierce clashes in the centre and west of the city, where fighting has been inching closer to hospitals sheltering thousands of displaced people.

Israel's army said several militants were killed in "close-quarters combat" in the city.

Over the past 24 hours, the army had captured over 100 prisoners in Khan Yunis who had come up from tunnels, said Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, visiting a unit in Gaza.

Israeli troops had also found weapons including rifles, grenades and mortar shells in the city, the army said.

Palestinians were fleeing Khan Yunis any way they could, with belongings piled on cars, in donkey-drawn carts, on tractors and on foot.

"I don't know where I'm heading," said Mousa Abu Youssef, explaining he decided to leave the city after tanks opened fire close to him.

"I've taken nothing with me, no blankets, no sheets, no (tent) -- nothing at all."

- UN shelter shelled -

The war erupted when Hamas and other militants from Gaza launched the unprecedented October 7 attacks on Israel which resulted in about 1,140 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.

Militants also seized 250 hostages, and Israel says around 132 remain in Gaza. That number includes the bodies of at least 28 dead hostages, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

Israel in response vowed to crush Hamas and launched a military offensive that the Palestinian territory's health ministry says has killed at least 25,900 people, about 70 percent of them women and children.

Wednesday's deadly attack saw two tank shells hit a UN shelter where thousands had taken refuge, according to the United Nations.

On Thursday, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said the Israeli army had ordered people sheltering at the site to leave by Friday afternoon.

"No specific evacuation request was communicated to UNRWA or those staying in its (the shelter's) vicinity," Israel's military told AFP.

Thomas White, the Gaza director of UNRWA, denounced "persistent attacks on civilian sites" in Khan Yunis as "utterly unacceptable".

Asked about the shelling, the Israeli army said "a thorough review of the operations of the forces in the vicinity is underway", adding it was examining the possibility that the strike was a "result of Hamas fire".

The Israeli military is the only force known to have tanks operating in the Gaza Strip.

- Fears for world trade -

The UN's International Court of Justice will on Friday hand down its initial ruling on a genocide case brought against Israel by South Africa.

The ruling could potentially order Israel to stop its Gaza military campaign, although The Hague-based court has little power to enforce its judgements.

Hamas said Thursday it would abide by a ceasefire if the court ordered one and if Israel did the same.

But Netanyahu has already hinted he would not feel bound by any ICJ order, saying on January 14 that "no-one will stop us -- not The Hague".

The Gaza war has sparked fears of a wider escalation, with a surge in violence involving Iran-aligned Hamas allies across the Middle East.

Yemen's Huthis have been firing missiles at shipping in the Red Sea since mid-November, prompting the United States and Britain to launch air strikes on the Iran-backed rebels.

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On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging that Israel had violated its obligations under the Genocide Convention concerning the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. South Africa also sought provisional measures, meaning that parties may request urgent measures to prevent imminent harm while the case is pending. A decision on the provisional measures is expected today, January 26.

It is the first time that Israel is on trial before an international court.

In the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, law and legal institutions have been extensively mobilized at both national and international levels. The Israeli High Court of Justice through Universal Jurisdiction, up to the ICJ and the International Criminal Court (ICC), lawyers on both sides have demonstrated creativity over decades. For both parties, legal institutions have been perceived both as tools for legitimization, and, simultaneously deemed politically biased and ineffective. At the international level, criticism of double standards has proliferated, yet institutions continue to be actively mobilized, sparking media and public debates: In the ICJ on the 11 and 12th of January, the pressroom was filled with Israeli journalists from both written and TV media, underscoring the importance with which Israel approached the proceedings.

This procedure, framed through the lens of genocide, was the only avenue to secure standing before the ICJ. However, the limitation of this procedure is that the law governing the conduct of hostilities, including allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, will not be examined, as the ICJ's jurisdiction is confined to the Genocide Convention. This implies that if the case is rejected on its merits, it might be viewed in Israel as alleviating any responsibility.

The choice of Judge Barak

Currently, an advisory opinion is also pending before the ICJ. Submitted in early 2023 by the UN General Assembly, it requested the court to address the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories. In these proceedings, 57 states have decided to intervene and submit their observations on the matter. They are scheduled to be heard on February 19th 2024. Twenty years ago, in 2004, the ICJ already issued an advisory opinion concerning Israel/Palestine, on the legality of the wall constructed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories. At that time, Israel chose not to participate in the proceedings. This decision faced internal criticism, notably from the former President of the Israeli Supreme court, on the ground that it missed an opportunity to justify its actions in light of international law. This may explain, in part, why Israel has opted to participate in the proceeding this time.

Both South Africa and Israel had the right to designate ad hoc judges from their respective countries: Judge Dikgang Ernest Moseneke and Judge Aharon Barak.

The nomination of Judge Barak should be put into context: Between the submission of the case by South Africa and the setting of the hearings two weeks later, the Israeli Supreme Court rendered an decision that annulled the initial step of a contentious judicial reform that posed a threat to destabilize Israels democratic structure. The ruling faced strong criticism from the government. This long-awaited decision arrived following a year of political turmoil in Israeli society in which an pro-democracy camp was mobilized, with the active participation of Judge Barak, saying: If being executed could put an end to this drastic reform, I am ready to face the firing squad." In the 90s, Judge Barak introduced through jurisprudence a constitutional framework for the protection of fundamental rights in a country where no constitution existed. The proposed government reform specifically targeted that competence, leading to portray Barak as "the enemy of the people". Against this tense backdrop, the Prime Minister decided to nominate Barak as the Israeli ICJ ad hoc judge. While Judge Barak enjoys a high international reputation, human rights lawyers have accused him of legitimizing Israel's occupation. Sitting on this trial, a notable professional achievement, could provide an opportunity for him to reestablish his legal authority, detached from any obligation to be apologetic to Israels Prime Minister.

At a particularly challenging moment in the hearing on January 11, when grim details about the human conditions of Palestinians were being described, the camera suddenly zoomed in on Justice Barak, born in 1936, himself a survivor of the Holocaust, for a few seconds.  International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The old ties between South Africa and Palestine

In the case against Myanmar brought by The Gambia the Court ruled that any state party to the genocide convention could bring a claim without being directly affected by such alleged violations. There is an increasing trend where African states ('the Global South'), are actively asserting a role in pursuing justice in the name of humanity. South Africa's international lawyers have maintained a longstanding alliance with the legal representatives of the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian NGOs. This collaboration extends beyond professional and academic connections and is rooted in the historical struggle against apartheid  a significant aspect of the current Palestine investigation at the ICC. For example, John Dugard, one of the senior lawyers in the South African legal team, is a former Special Rapporteur on Palestine, and a figure of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. He was part of the legal team advising the Palestinian Authority to submit an ad hoc recognition of ICCs competence already in 2009, a move considered judicially avant-garde at that time.

As argued by Line Gissel, a Professor at Roskilde University, what is particularly interesting is that South Africa itself suffered from being governed by a racist government in its apartheid era and has overcome this. The analogy is compelling: Israel is presenting criticism of its violence as a threat to its existence. However, it is possible to separate the state from its violence, as South Africa did in the 1990s. South Africa still exists even after dismantling its apartheid state.

South African lawyer John Dugard arguing before the International Court of Justice, on 11 January 2024.  International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Revisiting the genocide definition can be tricky

Genocide is legally defined by the 1948 Convention as the commission of acts with the intention to destroy (in whole or in part) a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. This intent can be inferred from explicit policies of political and military decision-makers or, as developed by jurisprudence, deduced from the acts of the state. The obligation pertains to the prevention and repression of genocide.

The Convention envisioned the creation of an international criminal court, which materialized 50 years later. Notably, the Rome Statute of the ICC adopted the same narrow definition of genocide as outlined in 1948, encompassing only four groups and excluding others. This contrasts sharply with the evolving definitions of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Rome Statute, indicating a deliberate effort by states to maintain a high threshold for the definition of genocide.

Consequently, it is not surprising that the ICJ has historically favored a rather restrictive interpretation. For example, on the intention, in the absence of direct proof of such intent the court ruled that if the intention is to be deferred from the acts, then it can be done if this is the sole explanation.

However, very recently, a group of six Western states  France, Canada, the UK, Germany, Denmark and the Netherland  in a legal opinion submitted in the Case of Myanmar in November 2023, just a few weeks before the South African application, proposed to introduce a more balanced interpretation to the convention, particularly regarding how intent can be inferred from acts. Their legal position, based on the jurisprudence of the ICJ and international criminal tribunals, asserts that contextual elements, including the scale and nature of atrocities, supports a broader discretion in determining genocidal intent through inferred acts.

As noted by Kerstin Carlson, professor at the American University of Paris, these legal conversations are part of how jurisprudence develops and can be integral to judicial decision-making. While presenting this stance, the states' legal advisors considered not only Myanmar but also the potential ICC arrest warrant against Putin. Intriguingly, just weeks later, it became legally relevant in a less politically convenient case  the case against Israel. This could potentially expose their own contradictions regarding how genocidal intent should be legally determined. Indeed, UK, Canada and the US have rejected South Africa accusation of genocide. Germany, has announced that it would intervene in the proceeding in support of Israel. In France, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs stated at the National Assembly that accusing the Jewish State of genocide is crossing a moral threshold ... one cannot exploit the notion of genocide for political ends.

As the legal advisors of these states know well, unlike political battles, the law aims to establish a stable framework applicable to various situations. What was ruled yesterday remains applicable today, even if the political context has changed. In this sense, once the ICJ process is underway, it represents a rare moment when the law can prevail over politics, at least within the wall of this forum.

The South African plea

Provisional measures necessitate a much lower threshold of evidence, only prima facie evidence indicating that the claim is plausible. The requested provisional measures include an immediate suspension of Israel's military operations in Gaza, prevention of genocide, avoidance of specific acts, and protection of the Palestinians' conditions of life. 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, pleaded a South African lawyer in the hearing at The Hague two weeks ago.

In support of its application for provisional measures, South Africa's first lawyer provided a detailed account of the acts, including killings, prevention of humanitarian assistance, destruction of livelihoods, and starvation. The presented facts aimed to establish the systematic nature of Israel's military attacks, which involved mass displacement, the intentional creation of conditions leading to a slow death, and a clear pattern of conduct targeting family homes, civilian infrastructure, and causing extensive destruction in Gaza. The lawyers supplemented their arguments with visual evidence profoundly distressing.

Regarding Israel genocidal intent, two arguments were advanced. First, South Africa argued that Israel's genocidal intent toward Palestinians in Gaza could be deduced from the acts, which form a calculated pattern of conduct indicating a genocidal intent. Second, South Africa presented a significant amount of quotations official statements (p 33-40), enumerating explicit intent declared by the highest political and army echelons to the soldiers on the grounds. Civil society is also involved in such collection. For example, an exhaustive collection of statements has been conducted by an NGO named Law for Palestine, which has established a detailed Database of Israeli Incitement to Genocide. John Dugard, of the South African team, sits on its board of trustees.

The Israeli plea

Israel mobilized top Israeli and foreign professors and lawyers, including, quite surprisingly, Professor Benvenisti, a former professor at Tel Aviv University who is currently at Cambridge. He is known for his strong criticism against the Israeli army's violations of international humanitarian law, as highlighted in his seminal book "The Law of Military Occupation". The main pleading lawyer was Malcolm Shaw, whose book on international law is studied in leading universities. He appeared with his British wig.

British lawyer Malcolm Shaw arguing for Israel before the International Court of Justice, on 12 January 2024.  International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Israel claimed that there is no prima facie jurisdiction based on three arguments:

First, the lack of genocidal intent: Israel described the October 7th attacks by Hamas and their consequences, maintaining that all subsequent acts were aimed at protecting Israeli citizens and defeating Hamas. Regarding the statements collected, Israel contended that these do not represent the state's policy and were only random personal remarks. Second, self-defense: Israels lawyer emphasized that the rights to be protected in the provisional measures procedure cover also the rights of Israel to act to defend itself and its citizens. Third, Israel also raised a technical issue, arguing that there was no dispute between Israel and South Africa under the Genocide Convention at the time of submission of the application, as alleged by South Africa and as required for prima facie jurisdiction.

Parallel proceeding at the ICC

On November 17, 2023, a month before submitting the case to the ICJ, the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC received a referral of the Situation in the State of Palestine from South Africa, along with Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros, and Djibouti. This referral reinforces an investigation initiated on March 3, 2021, that include the October 7, 2023, terror attacks by Hamas and Israels repost.

The ICC has jurisdiction as Palestine ratified the Rome Statute in January 2015. Several lawyers from South Africas legal team had previously advised the Palestinian Authority in the long legal saga on admission at the ICC or in previous ICJ advisory opinion. This suggests a continuity of legal representation and expertise and underscores the international collaboration and support that the Palestinian Authority has garnered in pursuing its legal claims.

The ICC Prosecutor's Office has confirmed that the investigation is a priority for its Office. In December 2023, the ICC Prosecutor visited Israel and Palestine, meeting with victims on both sides. Notably, Israel permitted this entry following demands from civil society and legal representatives of victims and hostages' families  a departure from previous instances like the Goldstone mission, where fact-finding missions were denied entry.

Given the current situation, where it seems that Israels Prime Minister Netanyahu is willing to prolong the war for personal political survival, potentially leading the country towards more violence and international law violations, ICC intervention, in collaboration with internal opposition and Israeli pro-democratic forums could be instrumental in assisting in dismantling a government that has delegated increased power to far-right religious ideology, leading to an ongoing authoritarian transformation. Drawing on the ICC's role in Colombia, I have previously argued that a transitional process can be a way of foreseeing a constructive role for the ICC in the Israeli/Palestinian context.

Recommended reading Israel-Palestine: the legal battle has started
To listen to the podcast, click on the "play" button below:

French cement company Lafarge has lost its most recent appeal in Frances highest court, meaning an investigation into its alleged complicity in crimes against humanity in Syria can continue.

The company has admitted to paying the armed militant groups Islamic State and al Nusra front around $5 million to keep its factory running in Syria after war broke out in 2011.

In 2022 they reached an agreement with the United States Department of Justice, paying them $777 million and accepting responsibility for paying the armed groups in order to keep their facilities running. But in France, Lafarge has rejected charges of complicity in crimes against humanity. Crimes that were carried out by the very same Islamist groups.

Lafarge was also successful in one part of their appeal, with the court dropping charges of endangering the lives of its local staff in Syria.

Its a ruling that puzzles Cannelle Lavite, Co-Director Business and Human Rights Program at the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights. This week Cannelle talks us through the case and details the French courts ruling. What it means for Lafarge but also for its employees in Syria.

We also sit down with friend of the pod Tara Van Ho, Senior Lecturer at the University of Essex, School of Law and Human Rights Centre. Tara gives us an overview of how corporations, such as Lafarge and Lundin are now starting to be held accountable for their role in conflicts overseas and what more needs to be done.

Recommended reading Lafarge and the judicial twists and turns of corporate liability in France
The UN's top court on Friday said Israel must do all it can to prevent genocide in its war with Hamas and allow aid into Gaza, as alarm has grown over Palestinians trapped by the conflict.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) also said Israel must facilitate "urgently needed" humanitarian aid to Gaza, in a landmark decision in a case that has sparked global attention.

The court based in The Hague -- while stopping short of ordering an immediate halt to the almost four-month-old war -- said Israel must do everything to "prevent the commission of all acts within the scope" of the Genocide Convention.

South Africa had brought the case against Israel, accusing it of breaching the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, set up in the ashes of World War II and the Holocaust.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and the council of South Africa's governing party erupted in cheers after the ruling, which the foreign ministry hailed as a "decisive victory".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the ruling as "outrageous".

Netanyahu had already suggested he does not feel bound by the court, saying: "No-one will stop us -- not The Hague, not the Axis of Evil and no-one else".

Hamas hailed the decision as "an important development which contributes to isolating Israel and exposing its crimes in Gaza".

Mushtana Musalim, a 56-year-old displaced man from Gaza City, expressed gratitude to South Africa for bringing the case against Israel.

"This in itself is an achievement in our favour, but going back in history, Israel has not recognised international decisions," he told AFP. "As Palestinians, we support the step and we feel proud of it."

Israeli flag carrier El Al said Friday ahead of the ruling that it would scrap direct flights to South Africa following "a significant fall in demand by Israeli travellers".

The war started with the October 7 attack by Hamas that resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.

Militants also seized about 250 hostages and Israel says around 132 of them remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 dead captives.

Israel has vowed to crush Hamas and launched a military offensive that Gaza's health ministry says has killed at least 26,083 people, about 70 percent of them women and children.

'Catastrophic situation'

On the ground, AFPTV images from Gaza City on Friday showed hundreds of Palestinians crowding around a truck delivering aid.

Footage from Maghazi refugee camp in nearby Deir al-Balah showed scores of decomposing bodies amid the rubble.

"We are suffering from a catastrophic situation and real famine is taking place throughout Gaza," said one displaced man in Gaza City's Zeitun neighbourhood.

In Khan Yunis, south Gaza's main city, health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said Nasser Hospital had "completely run out of food, anaesthetics and painkillers as a result of the Israeli siege".

Thousands of displaced people faced "starvation" at the facility, along with 150 staff and 350 patients, he said.

The UN humanitarian agency OCHA said the hospital was only functioning "minimally" as it was surrounded by the army and was experiencing intense fighting.

Elsewhere, in Khan Yunis, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said Israeli tanks were targeting the Al-Amal hospital which was "under siege with heavy gunfire".

Attacks on civilians

The scenes of desperation came a day after the Hamas-controlled health ministry accused Israeli forces of killing 20 people waiting for aid to be distributed on Gaza City's outskirts.

AFP was unable to verify those claims, and Israel had yet to respond to a request for comment.

It was the second such attack in two days, after the UN said tanks had shelled one of its shelters in Khan Yunis, killing 13 people.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said the Israeli army had ordered people to leave the site by 5:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Friday, although the military denied issuing a specific evacuation request.

The Israeli military is the only force known to operate tanks in Gaza.

Hamas also reported fierce clashes in the centre and west of Khan Yunis, the hometown of Hamas's Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar, the suspected mastermind of the October 7 attacks.

The army said Friday one more soldier had died in Gaza, bringing to at least 222 the overall number killed since Israeli ground operations started in late October.

'Sea of people'

The Gaza health ministry said 120 people were killed across Gaza overnight.

Many thousands have fled to Rafah, on the southern border with Egypt, where most of the 1.7 million Palestinians displaced by the war have gathered.

They piled their belongings into cars, tractors and donkey-drawn carts while many others fled on foot.

"I don't know where I'm heading," said Musa Abu Yussef. "I've taken nothing with me, no blankets, no sheets, no (tent) -- nothing at all."

UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said on social media platform X that "a sea of people" had been forced to flee Khan Yunis for the border with Egypt.

An AFP journalist in Rafah said there was no more space left for the tens of thousands escaping Khan Yunis and that fears were growing about Israeli troops reaching Rafah.

US media reported late on Thursday that CIA director William Burns would travel to Europe soon to meet his Israeli and Egyptian counterparts, as well as the Qatari prime minister, in a bid to negotiate another Gaza truce and the release of hostages.

The New York Times and Washington Post quoted unidentified officials as saying Burns would seek to launch a new round of talks, although the US intelligence agency and the White House declined to confirm his travel plans.

Under a week-long truce in November, about 100 hostages were freed by Hamas in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Application of the convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide in the Gaza strip (South Africa v. Israel) - Read the order of the ICJ (PDF)
Spain, one of the most critical voices in Europe of Israel's offensive against Hamas, welcomed a ruling by the United Nations' top court on Friday that Israel should act to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.

"We welcome the decision of the International Court of Justice and ask the parties to apply the provisional measures it has decreed," Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on social network X, the former Twitter.

"We will continue to advocate for peace and an end to war, the release of hostages, access to humanitarian aid and the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, so that both nations coexist in peace and security," he added.

Diplomatic tensions between Israel and Spain have soared following repeated remarks by Sanchez and other top members of his government criticising Israel's military campaign in Gaza that came in response to Hamas's October 7 attack.

Israel in November recalled its envoy to Madrid after Sanchez said that he had "serious doubts" over the legality of Israel's actions in the war-torn Gaza Strip but she returned to Spain earlier this month.

The UN court said Israel must take "immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians," but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire.

At this stage, the ICJ was not considering whether Israel is actually committing genocide in Gaza -- that process will take several years.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday he hoped a UN court ruling that Israel must prevent acts of genocide in Gaza will halt "inhumane" attacks against civilians.

"I find the interim injunction decision taken by the International Court of Justice regarding the inhumane attacks in Gaza valuable and welcome it," Erdogan said in a social media statement.

"We hope that Israel's attacks against women, children and the elderly will come to an end," he said, adding that Turkey would continue trying to "establish a ceasefire and ensure the path to permanent peace".

Erdogan has emerged as one of the Muslim world's harshest critics of Israel for the massive toll of its reprisal campaign against Hamas militants, who staged an unprecedented attack against Israel on October 7.

Erdogan had earlier said that Turkey was providing South Africa with documents to support its "genocide" case against Israel at the top UN court.

"We will continue to follow the process to ensure that war crimes committed against innocent Palestinian civilians do not go unpunished," he said on Friday.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen announced his arrival in Ukraine.

"Today is the fourth time as Minister of Foreign Affairs in Ukraine. However, we did not have a good rest, as there was an air raid ssiren last night, and we had to go to the shelter of the hotel," the minister wrote on his Instagram on Friday.

Later, the Danish Foreign Ministry said on X that the minister is in Mykolaiv.

"Today, I met a group of very impressive young people in Mykolaiv. Despite Russias two attacks on the university they continue to pursue their dreams of a future in a free Ukraine. Denmark will stand by them all the way," the Foreign Ministry quoted the minister as saying.
This "Our Beloved Summer" star became the center of attention online for her captivating glow-up.

Can you guess who this celebrity is?

Roh Jeong Eui Turns Heads at 'Badland Hunter's' Press Conference

On January 25, the cast members of the upcoming Netflix movie "Badland Hunters" attended the media conference to further discuss the film.

Among the stars present were Ma Dong Seok, Lee Hee Joon, Roh Jeong Eui, and Lee Jun Young.

"Badland Hunters" is about an apocalyptic Seoul after an earthquake. The people who survived must deal with threats from nature. Seoul has become lawless after the disaster.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 'Concrete Utopia' Sequel? 'Badland Hunters' To Premiere on Netflix Starring THESE K-Stars

Meanwhile, Rising actress Roh Jeong Eui became a total head-turner at the event as people noticed her incredible glow-up. She was the only woman out of the main cast and stood front and center at the press conference.

The young star looked radiant with light makeup and natural brows. Her skin shined and looked smooth. Netizens who saw her in person uploaded some of her snaps and people on the internet were blown away by her beauty.

K-Netz expressed their appreciation for Roh Jeong Eui's glow-up. Someone even mentioned that she's like the girl version of Cha Eun Woo.

"She's a human right? You couldn't even make her through CG if you tried."

"Wow, Roh Jeong Eui is getting prettier bit by bit."

"Her face seems perfect, there's nothing to criticize."

"My eyes are cleansed after seeing her."

"Roh Jeong Eui is the girl version of Cha Eun Woo. Her features are perfect."

What's Next for Roh Jeong Eui

Meanwhile, apart from her forthcoming movie "Badland Hunters," set to hit the big screen in the first half of 2024, Roh Jeong Eui is returning to Netflix with a new series "Hierarchy." This marks her drama comeback following the success of "Our Beloved Summer."

"Hierarchy" is a high-teen drama about love and jealousy that tells the stories that occur at Jooshin High School where the top 0.01 percent of students have gathered. It is a prestigious institution attended only by children who were 'selected' from birth.

She will share the frame with Lee Chae Min, Kim Jae Won, Ji Hye Won, and Lee Won Jung.

Roh Jeong Eui received recognition and rose to stardom through her roles in "18 Again," "Our Beloved Summer," "Dear. M," and more.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Our Beloved Summer's' Roh Jeong Eui Sparks Concern in Latest Livestream - Here's Why

What can you say about Roh Jeong Eui's glow-up? 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.
K-drama actress Shin Se Kyung was quick to change her opinion regarding her statement of not wanting to get married.

Keep on reading to know what made the female star change her mind!

Shin Se Kyung Changes Her Mind And Expresses Interest in Getting Married

On January 25, Shin Se Kyung appeared as DEX's celebrity guest on his YouTube talk show. While having a casual talk, the host mentioned the actress' past comment about marriage.

"Did you say in a previous interview that you wouldn't consider getting married until you finished traveling around the world?"

In response, Shin Se Kyung was also shocked to say those things. "I can't believe that I said something like that. Why on earth did I say that? Maybe I was just too young at that time." As she elaborated on what she said, DEX playfully asked if the "Run On" star was already retracting her past message.

With wit and honesty, Shin Se Kyung nodded turned to the camera took back what she said, and pretended that she never said such a thing before. DEX then clarified to the viewers that the actress is now open to getting married, and she confirmed it with a yes answer.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Shin Se Kyung Facts: 4 Things To Know About 'Arthdal Chronicles 2' Star

The actress clarified that she was still young at that time to say such statement.

As their conversation continued, another past comment from the K-drama star resurfaced where she mentioned that her ideal type was "Optimus Prime" from the famous movie "Transformers."

Shin Se Kyung's Ideal Type is 'Optimus Prime'?

Upon hearing it, she automatically laughed and explained that there was a reason for it back then. According to the actress, whenever she was asked about her ideal type and dropped the name of an actor, it always made buzz. For that reason, she was not comfortable mentioning other names as it might lead to awkward situations.

She chose to avoid getting someone else involved with her, that's why she answered Optimus Prime as her ideal type. As she reminisced about those times, Shin Se Kyung laughed and thought that she did a great job preventing awkward situations from happening.

Meanwhile, Shin Se Kyung has returned to the small screen with a historical series "Captivating the King." She joined forces with brilliant actor Jo Jung Suk for this project.

You can watch the drama every Saturday and Sunday on tvN at 9:20 p.m. (KST).

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:Jo Jung Suk & Shin Se Kyung Display Regal Chemistry In New 'Captivating the King' Teasers

What can you say about the news? 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.
Child star Jo Si Yeon is receiving praise as she left an impact with her delicate acting in the hottest thriller drama "A Shop for Killers."

Jo Si Yeon Finds Herself in Crisis in 'A Shop for Killers'

In the "A Shop for Killers" episodes 3 and 4, which aired on January 14, Jo Si Yeon appeared and starred as the 13-year-old Jeong Ji An.

When she is faced with a choice, she remembers what her uncle Jin Man (Lee Dong Wook) said in the past. Ji An brought a sick abandoned cat home when her uncle asked him, "Whatever you choose, I'll leave it up to you this time. What are you going to do?" to which she replied that she would want to raise the cat and would save it.

In response, Jin Man said firmly, "Every choice comes with responsibility. If that cat happens to die, Jeong Ji An will be responsible for all of your sorrow," and this memory played an important role in Ji An's current choice.

ALSO READ: Lee Dong Wook's Intense Acting in 'A Shop for Killers' Garners Anticipation

Just like what her uncle said every choice comes with responsibility, Ji An's choice comes with a high price. He chose Bae Jeong Min (Park Ji Bin), who saved her from the crisis, but later on betrayed her. Ji An lost her mind due to what Jeong Min did

Jo Si Yeon Applauded for Short Yet Impactful Performance in 'A Shop for Killers'.

Through these episodes, Jo Si Yeon left a short but strong impression as the young version of Ji An.

In particular, she not only showed great chemistry with Lee Dong Wook as her uncle but also delicately expressed everything from her eyes that changed firmly in response to his uncle's advice to her sad tears over the death of her cat, increasing the level of immersion in the drama.

Accordingly, expectations for the young star increase in her future works. Jo Si Yeon already appeared in various hit dramas such as "Hi, Bye Mama!" "D.P." "The Red Sleeves," and "From Now On, It's Showtime!" Despite acting at a young age, Jo Si Yeon has shown stable acting.

"A Shop for Killers" is based on the novel "The Killer's Shopping List" written by Kang Ji Young. It is adapted to an action series that foretells the story of Jung Ji An.

After she loses her parents, she lives with her uncle Jin Man, who runs a shopping mall. However, following the sudden death of her uncle, she receives a dangerous inheritance and becomes the target of suspicious killers.

Catch "A Shop for Killers" every Wednesday on Disney Plus.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:Lee Dong Wook's New Drama 'A Shop for Killers' Tops Global Ranking After Debut

What can you say about Jo Si Yeon's performance in "A Shop for Killers"? 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.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Headquarters on Friday to address the issues of ammunition and drone supply as well as consider the situation at the south front.

"Andiyivka, Kupyansk, the south  the most important directions in our operations. Detailed reports by Commander-in-Chief [of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy] Zaluzhny, commanders [of the Ground Forces Oleksandr] Syrsky, [of the Tavria Operational and Strategic Group of Forces Oleksandr] Tarnavsky, [of the Odesa Operational and Strategic Group of Forces Eduard] Moskaliov, [of the Odesa Operational and Strategic Group of Forces Andriy] Hnatov and others," the head of state said on the Telegram channel.

"Another issue in the spotlight is ammunition. Search for new contracts, cooperation with partners on the rhythm of international technical assistance, constant build-up of our own production. Also, drones, the work on increasing them in number and range of application," Zelenskyy said.

The president also heard a report on the protection of the frontline and borderline territories, particularly against Russia's air terror, ordered to draw up detailed plans of further protection of cities, communities and critical air targets.


Friday, January 26, 2024  A South African woman, Onthantile Sebati, has been found guilty of organising the brutal murders of her parents, and two siblings in 2016.

Onthantile, who was 15 years old at the time of the crime, paid her two cousins, Tumelo Mokone and Kagiso Mokone, R50,000 each from monies she received as payouts following her family members' deaths.

The trio, who appeared in the High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, were charged with murder, theft, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Gauteng Division, Pretoria, Lumka Mahanjana, in a statement on Thursday, January 25, said Onthantile conspired with her co-accused to kill her police officer father, nurse mother, as well as her 19-year-old pregnant sister and six-year-old brother.

The Pretoria High Court found three accused Tumelo Mokone (24), Kagiso Mokone (24), and Onthantile Sebati (21,) guilty of four counts of murder, theft, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition, the statement read.

"This is after the state was able to adduce evidence, that Sebati conspired with her two male friends to kill her family members while the family was at their home in Mmakau, in the Northwest Province.

"During the day on 06 December 2016, the two went to Sebati's house to collect her fathers firearm. In the evening of that same day, they returned to the house.

"Sebati went outside pretending to dispose of water but went to open the gate for the two and gave Kagiso her fathers car keys that was parked outside. Tumelo then proceeded to enter the house where he shot and killed Sebatis 42-year-old father, a 40-year-old mother, a 19-year-old pregnant sister and her 6-year-old brother.

"The two then drove off in the vehicle belonging to Sebatis father. However, they abandoned the vehicle after it got stuck in the mud a few meters away from the house.

"On 17 December 2021, Sepati handed herself to the police and made a confession which led to the arrest of Tumelo and Kagiso on 18 December 2021.

"After their arrest the two also made confessions to the police, stating the role they each played the night Sebatis family was killed.

"However, during the trial, they all pleaded not guilty to the charges and disputed the confessions. After the trial within a trial, the judge ruled that the confessions were admissible.

"Prosecutor Advocate Eric Sihlangu then led evidence that indeed Sepati organised a hit against her family and paid the two R50 000 each for the job.

"Furthermore, Kagiso was also linked to the offence by his fingerprints which were found in the car.

"During the judgment, the judge agreed with the state that it had overwhelming evidence against the three and the state was able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. Therefore, the three were found guilty of all the charges preferred against them.

The matter was postponed to 16-19 April 2024, for sentencing proceedings.


Friday, January 26, 2024  A professional dancer in New York City, USA, has died after eating an incorrectly labeled holiday cookie containing peanuts from the popular supermarket Stew Leonards leading to the store and wholesaler blaming each other for the tragedy.

A law firm representing her family said in a statement on Wednesday, January 24 that Orla Baxendale, 25, went into anaphylactic shock from a severe allergic reaction to a Vanilla Florentine cookie on January 11.

Orlas passing stemmed from an unfortunate incident involving the consumption of a cookie manufactured by Cookies United and sold by Stew Leonards, which contained undisclosed peanuts, attorney Marijo Adimey said in the statement.

This tragic oversight has led to the recall of the Vanilla Florentine Cookies from Stew Leonards stores in Danbury and Newington, CT, for the period of November 6  December 31, 2023.

Adimey alleged that an investigation into Baxendales death revealed gross negligence and reckless conduct of the manufacturer and/or sellers for not stating on the cookies packaging that the product contained peanuts.

This failure in proper disclosure has led to this devastating yet preventable outcome, the attorney wrote.

Baxendale, a UK native, ate the cookie at a social gathering in Connecticut, according to News 12.





The lady from Manchester in the UK moved to New York City to train as a scholarship student at the Ailey School in 2018, according to the schools website.

Baxendale had performed during New York Fashion Week and had been involved in dance productions at Lincoln Center.

Im here with our family and, I mean were just all devastated, very sad. I have four daughters, one of them is in her 20s. I can imagine how that family feels right now, Company CEO Stew Leonard Jr. said in the released video, according to News 12.

The wholesaler, Cookies United, however, claimed it did share the change in ingredients with the regional supermarket chain months before Baxendales death.

Stew Leonards claimed in an earlier press release that the cookies contain peanuts, which was an ingredient not disclosed to Stew Leonards by the manufacturer, United Cookies wrote in a statement Tuesday.

Unfortunately, considering the tragedy of these circumstances, we need to point out that Stew Leonards was notified by Cookies United in July of 2023 that this product now contains peanuts, and all products shipped to them have been labeled accordingly.


Friday, January 26, 2024  American actor, Kevin Spacey's $5.65 million Baltimore home is facing foreclosure auction after he fell behind on mortgage payments in the wake of his assault scandals. American actor, Kevin Spacey's $5.65 million Baltimore home is facing foreclosure auction after he fell behind on mortgage payments in the wake of his assault scandals.

The sprawling riverside property was where Spacey lived while he was filming Netflix hit House of Cards, with its ownership listed under Clear Toaster LLC. confirmed to be linked to the 64-year-old actor during one of his trials in April 2022.

According to Mail Online, Spacey fell almost a year behind on his payments, leading a judge to approve a foreclosure sale last August. The auction is to be held on February 29.

However, although it is listed at $5.65 million, the starting bid for the waterfront home will not be announced until the auction.

The five-level home boasts six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and a private spot in Baltimore's historic Inner Harbor seaport.

Spacey had been spotted at the 9,000+ square foot property more than once in 2019 while he was awaiting arraignment on assault charges, with the property seemingly perfect for a homeowner looking to live in a secluded gated community.

According to court documents via The Baltimore Banner, 'all or most' of the real estate purchased by Spacey was structured to protect his 'privacy and safety.'

The home's situation in Baltimore allowed easy access for Spacey to film the Netflix show House of Cards, where he portrayed fictitious US President Frank Underwood for five seasons before he was hit with assault allegations.


Friday, January 26,2024 - President William Rutos ambitions of making every Kenyan own a house in the country suffered a major blow after the Court of Appeal banned the government from collecting the housing levy until the court cases were heard and determined.

In a ruling delivered by appellate judges Lydia Achode, John Mativo, and Mwaniki Gachoka, the judges said it would be against the interest of the citizenry if the stay orders against the affordable housing program issued by the High Court were lifted without the case being determined.

"In our view, the public interest lies in awaiting the determination of the appeal.

"This is because if the stay sought is granted at this stage, should the appellate Court affirm the impugned decision, then some far-reaching decisions that will have been undertaken pursuant to the impugned laws may not be reversible.

"Public interest in our view tilts favour of not granting the stay or the suspension sought.

"Public interest tilts in favour awaiting the determination of the issues raised in the intended appeals," the judges said.

Furthermore, the judges ordered four consolidated appeals to be heard as soon as possible to allow issues raised in the appeals to be resolved.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.


Friday, January 26, 2024 - The Media Council of Kenya has suspected three journalists based in Siaya following a public brawl during an event held by Gem Member of Parliament Elisha Odhiambo.

The journalists engaged in a public brawl while fighting over cash handouts dished out by the MP.

The brawl, which happened on January 20, 2024, saw The Stars Josiah Odanga, Ramogis George Amolo, and K24s Mary Goretty Juma fight it out in public.

Odanga was left nursing injuries and his camera was destroyed.

The Media Council of Kenya investigated the matter after the attack was reported to the police.

It was established that they were fighting over cash handouts despite earlier claims of marking territory over counties news coverage.

Considering your admission of engaging in unprofessional conduct, such as demanding and fighting for handouts, the Council hereby suspends your accreditation until further notice, said MCK CEO David Omwoyo.

The journalists bosses were also informed of the suspension.

MCK boss added that the journalists had been given a fair hearing and the administrative action taken was necessary to restore sanity and discipline in the media industry.

The Council views the journalists actions as a violation of the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalist in Kenya, specifically Articles 4 and 5 on Integrity and Accountability respectively, which requires journalists to desist from soliciting or accepting gifts, favors or compensation from those who might seek to influence coverage and actively encourage adherence to these standards by all journalists and media practitioners, read the press release from MCK.


Friday, January 26, 2024 - President William Ruto has vowed to ignore the court order suspending his Housing Programme until the case is heard and determined.

Speaking in Meru County, minutes after the Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of the High Court which declared the levy deductions as unconstitutional, Ruto expressed his desire to continue with the Affordable Housing Programme despite the court ruling otherwise.

He noted that he would listen to the voices of Kenyans to continue the programme.

Ruto likened the voice of Kenyans to that of God and vowed to do what God wanted him to do.

The Head of State maintained that the housing programme was important and had created job opportunities for Kenyans.

Also, the head of state deviated from his past criticism of the Judiciary, which he accused of graft and sabotaging his deals.

The President met the Chief Justice and the head of the Judiciary, Martha Koome, and National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula on Monday and ended the squabble which had attracted nationwide attention.

"I have heard what the people in the opposition are saying and they are opposed to the housing programme. I asked them what is the alternative and they said Maandamano.

"Do you want the housing programme to continue? Aren't you the ones who have a say here?

"Isn't your voice the voice of God? Now I have the command to continue with this programme," he stated.

Ruto's housing plan suffered a blow on Friday after the Appellant Court declined to grant the government its request to continue deducting 1.5% from employees' salaries.

The government wanted to be allowed to continue with the deductions even as Parliament moved to draft laws for the programme.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Friday, January 26, 2024  Former Trump White House Advisor, Peter Navarro was sentenced on Thursday, January 25, to four months in jail for contempt of Congress after defying a subpoena related to the congressional investigation into the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack.

Navarro was convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress in September for not complying with a subpoena from the House select committee that investigated the attack.

The judge overseeing Navarros case said today that the former Trump advisers sentence is of his own making as he tore into Navarro for claiming that his prosecution was politically motivated.

I guess what bothers me ultimately is that here we are after a year and a half plus and you still want to suggest to me that this is a political prosecution. You want me to believe this is a political prosecution, US District Judge Amit Mehta said during the sentencing hearing, raising his voice.

When the evidence is completely to the contrary. You are not a victim. You are not the object of a political prosecution. These are the circumstances of your own making. the judge added

Judge Mehta also fined Navarro $9,500.

Navarro quickly appealed the case on Thursday to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. His attorneys say they plan to file an appeal to raise issues related to his claim that he didnt comply with the subpoena because Trump had invoked executive privilege.

Each count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of one month in prison, but prosecutors had asked Mehta to sentence Navarro to six months for each count running concurrently and fine him $200,000.

Prosecutors told the judge last week that a sentence of one month apiece for the two counts is insufficient to account for, punish, and deter the Defendants criminal offenses, arguing that Navarros decision to not comply with the subpoenas was akin to the conduct of some of the people who participated in the riot.

The Defendant, like the rioters at the Capitol, put politics, not country, first, and stonewalled Congresss investigation, prosecutors wrote. The Defendant chose allegiance to former President Donald Trump over the rule of law.

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon was also convicted in 2022 on two contempt counts and later sentenced to four months in prison. Bannons case is currently on appeal.

Navarros attorneys are seeking a sentence of no more than six months of probation for each count, and they asked Mehta last week to pause the sentence he imposes as they appeal the conviction.


Friday, January 26, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has blasted Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga and his Muranga counterpart, Joe Nyutu, over engaging in premature 2027 political debates.

Speaking in Meru County yesterday, Gachagua asked the two senators to focus on their oversight roles and keep off things that do not concern them.

"Those of us who have been specifically elected under UDA and Kenya Kwanza, we should focus on development, and articulate our statements because some, when they go on TV, get excited, lose focus, and engage in unnecessary matters.

"We want senators to be careful because we have also seen another senator from Murang'a also speaking rubbish, Gachagua stated.

The DP asked Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi to summon Nyutu and Wamatinga and advise them to keep off early political debates.

Kathuri Murungi, you are the deputy speaker call those senators from Murang'a and Nyeri, sit them down, and tell them they are out of order, Gachagua told Murungi.

Last week, Senator Nyutu said Gachagua is losing popularity in the Mt Kenya region and should be dropped as President Rutos running mate in the 2027 general election in favor of Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.

I would not want to see the president coming in with a running mate who is not popular.

"I think there will be challenges with Gachagua hence Nyoro will be preferred as we are on the ground listening to people, said Nyutu.

On the other hand, Wamatinga has been calling for the formation of a Mt Kenya political party ahead of the 2027 election, saying the region lacks a voice to bargain in the current administration.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has announced a visit to the Russia-occupied Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) within the next two weeks.

The IAEA has sent a total of 102 missions to Ukraine, Grossi said at a meeting of the UN Security Council on January 25, adding that he would lead another one to the ZNPP within the next two weeks.

The IAEA head recalled that the 15th IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to the ZNPP (ISAMZ) is currently working at the power plant. A total of 37 employees of the agency have visited the facility since September 1, 2022, and some of them were a part of the mission more than once, he said.

Another more than 100 IAEA representatives are working at three nuclear power plants (NPP) operating on the government-controlled territory of Ukraine as well as the Chornobyl NPP, Grossi said.


Friday, January 26, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odingas Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has issued a statement after the Court of Appeal, sitting in Nairobi, on Friday, halted the house deduction levy until cases filed before it are heard and determined.

The three-judge bench, composed of Justices Lydia Achode, John Mativo, and Mwaniki Gachoka, upheld the High Courts decision to suspend the levy, which has attracted opposition and support in equal measures.

This is because if the stay sought is granted at the stage, should we affirm the challenged decision, then some far-reaching decisions that will have been undertaken pursuant to the challenged laws may not be reversible.

Public interest in our view tilts favour of in not granting the stay or the suspension sought, the judges said in their ruling.

Reacting to the ruling, ODM through its official X account, welcomed the move terming it a big win for Kenyans

We thank the Court of Appeal for standing with the people of Kenya on the controversial issue of Housing Levy.

"This is a victory for Kenyans, ODM stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Friday, January 26, 2023 - A section of senators allied to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is yapping after Kiharu Member of Parliament, Ndindi Nyoro, met Council of Governors chairperson, Anne Waiguru.

Today, we held a meeting with the Council of Governors, Chairperson Gov Ann Waiguru. Gov Gladys Wanga, Gov Sang, and Gov Kahiga attended, Nyoro wrote on his social media page on Friday.

The meeting made gains in unlocking the County Government Additional Allocation Bill, he added.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale was the first to oppose the meeting arguing that the lawmaker sidelined the Senate.

Ndindi Nyoro you are leading the National Assembly team, and I am leading the Senate team at this important mediation talks.

"Meeting the governors alone is the best way how NOT to make the mediation talks succeed, Khalwale warned.

He indicated that the meeting could prolong the impasse.

Kiambu Senator Karungo Thangwa termed the meeting null and void.

This meeting is deemed null and void. The County Governments Additional Allocation Bill, having been passed by the Senate with amendments, faced rejection of said amendments by the National Assembly, he explained.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Friday, January 26, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sent a direct message to former Prime Minister Raila Odingas Azimio to keep Mt. Kenya politics for their own good.

This came hours after ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna claimed Mt Kenya residents were tired of the DP.

Speaking in Meru County, Gachagua said Mt Kenya politics was too complicated for ODM and Azimio people to understand.

The second in command told the Opposition to keep off the Mt Kenya region, saying they cannot succeed in the region as they are known for demonstrations and chaos.

Gachagua maintained that the Mt Kenya region is united under President William Ruto and urged ODM to instead focus on other regions where they can be heard.

"I want to tell ODM people, Mt Kenya politics is too complicated for you to understand. Even the day you tried to climb the mountain, you slipped.

'They had Uhuru Kenyatta and the system, and they failed," Gachagua stated.

Mt Kenya has its owners, and right now, we are united behind President Ruto.

"You ODM people should go look for votes where you'll be heard; here on the mountain, we know you are people of protests and chaos. That is something not welcomed in this area, so keep off Mt Kenya," he added.

During an ODM recruitment rally in Kilifi, Sifuna said the recent supremacy battle between Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and Gachagua in Mt Kenya is because the locals are tired of the Deputy President.

The Nairobi Senator went on to say the problem in Kenya Kwanza is Ruto and he will lose the 2027 re-election bid even if he picks Nyoro or Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Friday, January 26, 2024  King Charles has been admitted to a private London hospital to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate.

The monarch, 75, appeared in good spirits as he arrived with Queen Camilla on Friday January 26, at the London Clinic in Marylebone, where Princess Kate is recuperating from her abdominal surgery.

That Sun's Matt Wilkinson said he is expected to stay for two nights.

The King is understood to have visited Kate ahead of his own treatment, sources said.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: The King was this morning admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment.

His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness.





A spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: He sends him his very best and wishes him a speedy recovery.Buckingham Palace said last week that Charles would need a procedure for a benign condition which was common among men over 50.

The Queen said ahead of the treatment that Charles was "fine" and "looking forward to getting back to work" with his public engagements postponed to allow a short period of recuperation.

Usually, the royals do not disclose details of illnesses, regarding all medical issues as a private matter, but Charles was keen to share details of his condition to encourage other men experiencing symptoms to have a medical check.

Kate, 42, the Princess of Wales, is still recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery for a non-specified, but non-cancerous, condition.

Meanwhile, Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Charles' younger brother Prince Andrew, said on Monday she was in shock after being diagnosed with a malignant form of skin cancer.

However, patients may need to have several tests for the condition to rule out the possibility they have another illness with similar symptoms, such as prostate cancer.

Surgery is usually only recommended for moderate to severe symptoms that have not responded to medicine, the NHS website says.





Treatment can include a number of procedures, including removing part of the prostate gland with a laser, water ablation using the pressure of the water to destroy prostate tissue, or urethral lift implants, which hold the enlarged prostate away from the urethra so it is not blocked.

Other options include a prostate artery embolisation, during which tiny plastic particles are injected into blood vessels to shrink the prostate gland by reducing its blood supply.


Friday, January 26, 2024  Ukrainian officials have dismissed Kremlin claims that 65 prisoners of war died when a Russian transport plane was shot down.

They accused Russia of inventing the story of the tragedy as a propaganda stunt. They believe the aircraft was empty when it was shot down.

Mail Online reports that Western security officials have shared the Ukrainians' suspicions over who was or was not, aboard the aircraft. One aspect of Moscow's account which appears to be bogus surrounds the publication of so-called passenger manifests.

Suspicion also surrounded the content of video footage taken of the crash site in western Russia, which showed a small amount of human remains.

Within hours of Wednesday's crash, Russian media outlets shared lists of who was supposedly aboard the aircraft when it was shot down. But Ukraine said some of those listed had been repatriated as part of previous POW exchanges.

The Kremlin claims more than 70 people were travelling in the Ilyushin II-76 aircraft  the POWs and the crew members.

But a video released by Russia's Investigative Committee showed a block of twisted metal and wires and some human remains from either one or two people. No other human remains were shown.

Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said: 'We found Ukrainian citizens on the list who have already been exchanged.

'Also, if there were photographs and videos of our POWs (at the crash site) Russia would already have posted it.

'There are not any signs that there were such a large number of people on the plane.'

Lubinets added he was 'very surprised' how quickly Russia reacted publicly to the crash.

He has called for the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to be allowed to inspect the crash site.

The ICRC did not respond to Kyiv's request, but it described the reports of the crash as 'worrisome' in a statement to the AFP news agency.

'We will not make any comments or speculations at this stage until facts are established,' it said.

The Mail has also been told the Ilyushin II-76 aircraft had been used to deliver Iranian missiles.

Ukrainian military spokesperson Andriy Yusov said Russian emergency workers were forbidden to inspect the crash site near Yablonovo.

Only five bodies were recovered from the wreckage. The remains of the pilot and crew members were taken to a nearby morgue, he said.Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded an independent investigation into the incident.


Friday, January 26, 2024  A man who politely robbed a bank twice has now been found guilty.

Mohamed Worku, a 31-year-old man from Chicago, walked into a bank two years ago, walked up to a teller and pressed a note against the glass which read: Give me the money please, thank you.

He left with around $595 and managed to spend around a hundred before his arrest half an hour later.

Last Friday, Jan. 19, a jury found him not guilty of robbing the bank after his defence argued there were no implicit or explicit threats of any kind, a court heard.

Workus attorney, Mary Judge, admitted her client had committed a crime but argued it didnt amount to robbery, which involves stealing something by force or intimidation.







On Monday afternoon, Jan. 22, 2024, three days after his release, he allegedly walked into another bank and handed an employee a similarly polite note.

Please Give me the money, Ill pay it back soon, Bankers Give to me in advance, it said, according to a criminal complaint against him.

The worker gave him more than $2,000 to set him on his way, and he was again arrested half an hour later, around $200 short of what he left with, the complaint says.

This time, though, hes set to be charged with both bank robbery and bank theft, a charge which does not require force or intimidation to be involved.





Ms Judge, who is no longer representing Worku, told the Chicago Tribune the jury made the correct decision in his last case, and that including theft charges in such cases is how it should be done.


Friday, January 26, 2024  Locals in a small village in Thailand are pointing fingers at one another as bestiality fears mount after a mutant calf with human head was born.

The weird-looking calf was born on a farm in Thailand, but didn't survive for long. However, it survived long enough to stoke the rumours of a curious intercourse between man and beast.

But scientists quickly dashed those rumours, explaining that human DNA is too different from bovine to create any offspring, mutant or not.

The rumour mill continued to churn despite the science.

One local said: "It's a half child."

Another exclaimed sceptically: I've got to ask, did anyone romp with a cow?




Friday, January 26, 2024 - President William Ruto has maintained that his Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) program is unstoppable and every Kenyan must register.

Speaking on Thursday in Meru County, Ruto said every Kenyan must be ready to pay for the new SHIF rates that will be announced by the Ministry of Health.

Ruto reiterated that the elevated rates were essential to bolster the country's healthcare system and ensure its sustainability.

The head of state further said he would defy court orders against the implementation of the scheme despite growing concerns among citizens about the looming financial burden.

"Those who have gone to court to block the new rates are conmen and crooks.

"The program will go with or without court orders whether they like it or not.

"We cannot allow them to block us from lowering contributions for hustlers," Ruto said.

New regulations published by Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakhumicha indicate that current National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) members must register afresh on SHIF.

The new scheme will be managed by the Social Health Authority Board chaired by Timothy Olweny, and the rate charged is 2.75% of gross salary.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Friday, January 26, 2024  A South Africa-based Pastor, Prophet Lincoln has been arrested after stealing a car in Zimbabwe.

The cleric who is popular with his followers online for allegedly ''foreseeing other countries' future events, reportedly connived with two men to steal a car in Kuwadzana. The trio successfully took away the car and parked it at a house belonging to one of them.

The car however had a tracker and it was tracked to the thieves house. The police rounded up the Prophet and his accomplices and made them lie on the ground. They thoroughly thrashed them with a tree branch as they haplessly tried to explain.

Confirming his arrest, Zimbabwean police said in a statement;

ZRP reports that lnnocent Chigwaza (40), Johannes Matema (28) and Lincoln Tichaona Fero (29) were arrested in connection with a case of theft of a motor vehicle which occurred in Kuwadzana 3 on 23/01/24 in which a Nissan Atlas motor vehicle was stolen. The stolen motor vehicle was tracked and recovered at the suspects place of residence.


Friday, January 26, 2024  A Las Vegas pastor was shot and killed in front of his family following a feud with a neighbour over the chickens and dogs she kept on her property.

A disturbing image shows the moment Grace Point Church pastor, Nick Davi, 46, was fatally shot by his female neighbour Joe Junio, 36, who also wounded his wife Sarah Davi on December 29, 2023

According to Mail Online, the shooting happened after Junio had allegedly harassed the family for weeks, throwing feces in their backyard, flooding their home, and issuing threats after the Davis complained to the gated community's homeowner's association.

During one of the incidents, Junio allegedly 'ran her finger across her throat in a cutting motion and told them they were next,' per court documents seen by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Sarah, who survived the shooting, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking unspecified damages. The court documents include the horror image of the shooting, taken by one of her children.

In the suit, Sarah claims Junio had terrorized the family for weeks before unleashing the deadly assault inside the gated Courts at Aliante community.

Junio allegedly started harassing the family after they filed a complaint about her to their gated community's homeowner's association.

The complaint involved violations related to chickens and dogs Junio owns.





The family was leaving their home when Junio drove by them before parking her car and rolling down her windows, per legal filings.

Pastor Davi stepped out of the car and asked Juno what her problem with the family was before taking a step toward her car. That's when Junio shot Davi in the stomach and then turned the weapon on Sarah Davi.

Luckily, Sarah fought with Junio over the gun and managed to disarm her before Junio ran away into her apartment.

The children, 12 and 15, reportedly recorded the incident from inside the family's car.

The widow claims in the suit that Junio had shown 'escalating threatening behavior' in the weeks before the shooting, which forced the family to call police twice in one month.

The family claims Junio threw rocks and feces onto their property, flooded their home, and threatened to kill them following the complaint.

A fellow pastor at Davi's church said the harassment got so bad that the family had left their home and were staying elsewhere, as reported by Fox5.

The family had filed a restraining order against Junio and was reportedly at the home picking up some belongings when the shooting happened.

The suit does not name the homeowner's association but does say it knew or should have known that 'Defendant would likely perform violent actions against deceased and Plaintiff as a result of on-going association dispute.'





Junio, a licensed real estate agent in Nevada, did not have a license or permit to carry a firearm, the suit adds.

She was arrested at the shooting scene and has been charged with multiple crimes including open murder with a deadly weapon, attempted murder, and child abuse.

Grace Point Church held a memorial service for Davi earlier this month.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen has said during his visit to Mykolaiv that he and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba agreed to start negotiations on security obligations.

We feel responsibility to help Ukraine achieve full territorial integrity, fight the Russian invasion forces and become a full member of the EU. I discussed this with my good friend Dmytro today. And we have agreed that we will now begin specific negotiations on security commitments. We hope that in the not too distant future we will agree on a bilateral agreement between Denmark and Ukraine, Rasmussen said at a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart in Mykolaiv.

Also, according to Rasmussen, he and Kuleba discussed concrete steps on how Denmark can help Ukraine regain full control over its territories.
Friday, January 26, 2024 - Githunguri Member of Parliament, Gathoni Wamuchomba, has termed President William Ruto's flagship project on affordable housing as the "biggest scam in Kenyan history".

In an interview with KTN News on Friday, Wamuchomba, who is among United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leaders opposed to the government, said Rutos housing program is a plan by his coterie to steal public money.

This issue will be the biggest scam in the history of this country, Wamuchomba stated.

The reason why I have been criticizing this housing levy is because somebody is using the name housing levy to collect tax but the said tax is not going to the housing program, Wamuchomba added.

She further slammed the affordable housing project affirming that it is punitive and that there are other alternative ways to solve the housing crisis in the country.

The Githunguri MP went on to allege that the government is using the housing levy as a cover-up to pay the national debt.

The thinking behind the housing levy is a means of collection of money that we desperately need to pay loans.

Someone wittingly crafted it as a housing program so that people can accept it because lack of decent housing is one of the countrys pressing needs, the Githunguri lawmaker stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Friday, January 26, 2024  SAG-AFTRA has come to the defence of actor Alec Baldwin following his second indictment over the fatal shooting of cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins.

The actors' union criticized the New Mexico prosecutors' decision to charge Baldwin, 65, with involuntary manslaughter again for the accidental shooting that took place on the set of his film Rust in October 2021.

'An actor's job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert,' the union shared in a statement.

'Firearms are provided for use on set under the guidance of multiple expert professionals directly responsible for the safe and accurate operation of that firearm.'

However, the late cinematographer's family attorney, Gloria Allred, slammed the defence, saying it 'flies in the face of common sense and the law.'

The SAG-AFTRA statement went on to express that performers shouldn't be expected to have experience with gun handling - something the professionals are there for.

'Performers train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use. The industry assigns that responsibility to qualified professionals who oversee their use and handling in every aspect.'

'Anyone issued a firearm on set must be given training and guidance in its safe handling and use, but all activity with firearms on a set must be under the careful supervision and control of the professional armourer and the employer.'

In her response to the union's defence Allred shared in a statement on Thursday: 'The notion that an actor is not responsible if that actor holds a gun points it at someone on a movie set, and discharges the weapon flies in the face of common sense and the law.'

'Safety protocols may be considered at trial, but they are not the law,' she continued.

'This indictment was the result of a careful assessment by the grand jury of all the facts and the law. It is important to respect the grand jurys decision to indict, and to allow the criminal justice system to proceed to trial where the case will be decided on its merits,' she concluded.

The new involuntary manslaughter charges have been 'frustrating' and 'very stressful' for the actor and his wife Hilaria, according to People.

A source said, 'They had a great Christmas and New Year. Hilaria also just turned 40. This is not how they wanted to start the new year.'

'It's stressful for Hilaria. It's frustrating for them both that Alec is being recharged. They knew there was a possibility there would be a new indictment. The back and forth is hard. It's very stressful.'

The indictment was returned on Friday and charges Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter on the grounds of negligent use of a firearm and disregard for others' safety.

If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.


Friday, January 26, 2024  Saudi Arabia has revealed new rules on alcohol as it prepares to open the first-ever liquor store in the capital, Riyadh.

Alcohol sale and consumption in Saudi Arabia is strictly forbidden, and is punishable by lashes, deportations, fines and imprisonment.

The rules regulating alcohol quotas for non-Muslim diplomatic missions are being introduced to counter the illicit trade of alcohol goods, the governmental Center of International Communication (CIC) said in a statement.

According to Reuters who released the report, the first alcohol store in the capital Riyadh will serve exclusively non-Muslim diplomats.

The CIC responding to the report said that a new process will focus on allocating specific quantities of alcohol goods when entering the Kingdom to put an end to the previous unregulated process that caused an uncontrolled exchange of such goods in the Kingdom.

The CIC did not clarify if a shop will be opened but said the new regulatory framework has been introduced to counter the illicit trade of alcohol goods and products received by diplomatic missions, the CIC said.

Despite the ban on alcohols, Saudi Arabia under Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman has moved towards the remodeling of its tourism industry as part of a grand vision to diversify the economy leading to speculation that it could legalize alcohol in the Kingdom very soon.


Friday, January 26, 2024  Six nuns and two other people who were kidnapped in Haiti have been released after the captors demanded $3.5 million for their freedom

Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Bishop Max Leroy Mesidor confirmed their release on Thursday, January 25.

Mesidor told The Associated Press that the group was released late Wednesday and that everyone was in good condition.

'Thanks to God for helping us,' he said.

The nuns from the Congregation of the Sisters of St Anne and two other people - a bus driver and a nun's niece - were traveling on a bus in Haiti's capital city of Port-au-Prince when they were abducted last Friday.

The captors were demanding a $3.5 million ransom, according to the Vice-President of Haiti's Bishops' Conference, Bishop Pierre-Andre Dumas.

Mesidor declined to say whether a ransom was paid to secure the release of the victims. He did not provide other details, including who was responsible for the kidnapping.

Pope Francis addressed the hijackers Sunday while speaking from a window of the Apostolic Palace to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square and called on them to release the nuns and the two other people.

'In asking fervently for their release, I pray for social harmony in the country,' he said. 'And I ask all to put stop to the violence, which causes so much suffering to that dear population.'


Friday, January 26, 2024  In a surprising turn of events, President William Ruto has been ranked as the worst head of state the country has ever had since independence by his own supporters.

According to an online poll conducted by UDA fun page, late President Mwai Kibaki was ranked the best-performing president in the countrys history.

By the time we were going to press, 90 percent of UDA supporters had voted for William Ruto as the worst president.

Rutos government has been facing backlash from citizens over the recent hike in the cost of living, coupled with high taxation as well as a high rate of unemployment.

For instance, the majority of Kenyans are either in severe financial distress or struggling to make ends meet pointing to the urgent need to correct the countrys economic situation before things go further south.

An Infotrak survey conducted in Kenyas 47 counties and 8 regions of the country revealed that only 5 percent of the sampled population are comfortably managing economic situations.

Despite criticism from Kenyans and opposition leaders, Ruto has defended his tax regime, saying it is the only way Kenya can avoid more debts that are not good for the country.

He said Kenyans must pay their taxes diligently if the country is to return to a state similar to President Mwai Kibakis regime when he said the economy boomed.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Friday, January 26, 2024 - Controversial city prophet David Owuor of Repentance and Holiness Ministry church brought business to a standstill along Kimathi Street in Nairobi CBD when he went shopping for suits in a high-end clothing store.

The flamboyant prophet arrived at the shop in a convoy of SUVs.

He was surrounded by his bodyguards as he made his way into the shop.

The heavily built bodyguards blocked the entrance to the shop until the prophet finished shopping.

They didnt allow anyone to get into the shop as Owuor was being attended to.

Watch the video.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.


Friday, January 26, 2024  A British rancher in Brazil has accused his wife of kidnapping him before sending him to an illegal rehab after he refused to pay for her family to fly out to visit them over Christmas.

Robert Witchell, 59, was locked up for a month before he could escape the clinic in Caldas Novas, Goias State.

He told detectives he had been window shopping shortly before Christmas when he was snatched off the street by four men, who bundled him into the back of a car.

He was then driven 90 minutes to the Novo Dia, or New Day, a drugs rehab clinic, and locked up until police rescued him on 22nd January.

Witchell said he was told his wife had signed the order for his detention in the 'private prison' because of his drinking.

In reality, he told police, they had fallen out when he refused to pay to have her entire family flown in to spend Christmas with them.

He said: 'I was outside a shop close to my ranch. I was talking to a friend of mine when four people approached me and three of them grabbed me by my arms and by the legs.

'They said: "You're coming to the clinic. You have problems with your drinking, blah blah blah, you have to come with us."'

Witchell said he told them: 'I'm not going anywhere with you. It's a kidnap.'

He said they replied: 'We have had a call. We are authorised to take you by force.'

Witchell was then allegedly physically lifted and bundled into the back of a car and driven for 90 minutes to the clinic.





He adds in the interview released on 24th January: 'They put me there and locked me in a room.'

Witchell says: 'My wife had signed the authorisation to put me in there, I think, over an argument we had at Christmas.

'She wanted her family to come and I said I couldn't afford to pay for it. Then all of a sudden I've got these people kidnapping me.'

Witchell was only rescued when he managed to email a friend from a computer he was allowed access to, who called the police.

Police have since shut down the Novo Dia clinic, and its unnamed manager has been charged with kidnapping and false imprisonment.

A Military Police of Goias statement read: 'The Military Police closed this Tuesday (23rd January) a recovery clinic for drug users at Residencial Eldorado PARK II, in Caldas Novas, after a request for help from an inmate of English nationality who was being held in this private prison.'

They added: 'The Englishman was rescued from the clinic after reporting the irregularities via e-mail, claiming that around 30 days ago he had been kidnapped by four men, supposedly employees of the clinic, and that since then he had been kept in prison.'

'In an interview with the victim, he reported that around 15th December, his wife asked him for a large amount of money,' the statement went on.

'Faced with his refusal, his partner, without judicial authorisation, hired a clinic in Caldas Novas, which kidnapped him, coerced him, and kept him in a private prison.'

There is no information on Witchell's current condition, and his wife has not been named.

The investigation continues.
Friday, January 26, 2024 - Controversial lawyer and barrister, Miguna Miguna, has blasted the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) after it moved to court to sue the Supreme Court after it banned lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi from appearing before it.

In a statement on Thursday, the lawyers body said the decision to bar Ahmednasir together with employees of his law firm from appearing before the court is unconstitutional and unreasonable.

In the case filed under a certificate of urgency, LSK argues that Ahmednasir,, together with his employees, was never given an opportunity to be heard.

It failed to consider other avenues of redress that were available, reads the petition.

LSK further argues that the court did not consider the harm that would be caused to the lawyer and his employees as well as his clients.

"A democratic country requires pluralism, tolerance and broadmindedness which respectfully, the Supreme Court has failed to exercise," reads court papers.

However, reacting to LSK's move, Miguna said it is childish since a lower court cannot decide a ruling issued by a superior court.

You cant sue a court for a decision it has made.

"You certainly cant sue the Supreme Court in an inferior court.

"Thats basic common sense. The Law Society of Kenya should stop these childish games. The @ahmednasirlaw issue isnt for litigation, Miguna added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
Denmark to allocate DKK 60 million to Ukraine to support fight against corruption as part of EUACI

Denmark will allocate 60 million DKK ($8.75 million) to Ukraine to support the fight against corruption within the framework of the EU anti-corruption program (EUACI), the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports.

Denmark has been heading the EU Anti-corruption Program in Ukraine (EUACI) since 2016. During today's visit to Ukraine, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen announced support for the third phase of the program.

Even before Russia's illegal invasion, Ukraine had made significant progress in the fight against corruption, and even while the country was at war, it managed to continue its positive development. But there are still areas that can be improved, and it is extremely important for Ukraine's dream of the EU that we help it achieve its goals," the Foreign Ministry's press service quoted Rasmussen as saying.

It is indicated that the EU is contributing more than DKK 70 million to the upcoming phase of the program, and Denmark is contributing almost DKK 60 million.

Among other things, the program is aimed at promoting openness and honesty in the restoration of Mykolaiv through close cooperation with the mayor and his team. It is planned to develop the best practices for the reconstruction of Mykolaiv, which can be used in other cities of Ukraine.

The ministry reported that Rasmussen provided information about Denmark's support for the EU anti-corruption program at today's meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. The foreign ministers of the two countries met in the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, for the restoration of which Denmark has a special responsibility.

At the same time, they discussed, among other things, how Denmark and Ukraine can further develop cooperation on Mykolaiv, and how Denmark can continue to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark met with students of Mykolaiv Shipbuilding University, as well as the city authorities.
Stealth firing is a term used to describe the cold, unexpected firing of employees by their managers and/or individuals from human resources (HR) departments  sometimes without the managers awareness and even after years of loyalty for some. The Bureau of Labor Statistics cannot adequately track this statistic because its definition lacks precision, but it is not uncommon in certain practice areas, such as law, tech, and financial firms. The health industry is not immune to stealth layoffs given economic and other downturns and the fact that most health providers are employed, and the trend toward employment over private practice is growing.

Brittany Pietsch worked as an account executive at Cloudflare, a provider of cloud-based networking and cyber-security services. Several months after starting her job, Pietsch was suddenly contacted by email by someone from HR and asked to join a conference call. Pietsch had a hunch that her job might be on the line because another coworker was recently fired under similarly hastily arranged circumstances.

In anticipation of losing her job, Pietsch videotaped the conference call and posted it on TikTok. Within days, the viewership amount of the post and reposts added up to nearly 6 million social media users. Pietsch told the Wall Street Journal that she has no regrets about sharing her video because it has brought a flood of support. Whereas getting laid off was once a private matter, it has increasingly become fodder for social media content, according to the WSJ.

The New York Post wrote about the incident under the headline I got laid off  my know-nothing bosses blamed my performance, but I fought back and won. The fact is, Pietsch lost. Her termination was not rescinded. On her LinkedIn account, Pietsch wrote that her contentious exchange with HR resulted from an attempt to understand the reason behind her firing  she defended her performance, which the HR team and a company spokesperson said was subpar.

The reaction on TikTok and LinkedIn was quite mixed, with internet views expressing sympathy with Pietsch, to views that said, in essence, she should suck it up, learn from the experience, and move on. Many people felt it was a bad idea for Pietsch to post the video in the first place, that it could harm her reputation and chances of obtaining another job lest she be seen as some sort of trouble-maker or loose cannon. Others questioned Pietschs decision to record the video, seemingly without the awareness or permission of the two HR participants.

Pietsch said that she felt as though she were in the twilight zone during the call. And that is probably the one thing everyone agreed on, especially those who have been targets of a stealth firing. Its happened to me twice, and I can attest to the surreal experience. However, getting laid off could be an opportunity in disguise and a catalyst to making a positive change in your career, as it did to mine.

Still, it begs the question: What do you do when you are the subject of a stealth firing, and how do you compose yourself in the moment? What should you do when you come under attack? Surrender  or fight back like Pietsch?

The whole purpose of a stealth firing is to disarm and dehumanize you. When your time comes  and make no mistake, for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee  the company has already determined that you are dispensable and must go without exception. The best you can do is act professionally regardless of the circumstances and fulfill your remaining responsibilities to the best of your abilities. (Some individuals who are fired stealthily may be granted a short time to stay with the company and even given a severance package.)

You must act quickly as you are being fired and document everything during the meeting, especially all the interactions, decisions, or changes that you find suspicious or that contribute to your firing. Note the people involved in terminating you and the reason for dismissal. Clarify any confusion or misconceptions. Ask for clear explanations and expectations if they are not provided.

Seek advice from a labor attorney if you believe youre being unfairly treated or discriminated or retaliated against. Lawyers can provide advice based on employment laws in your area. Remember, in most circumstances, your employment is at will, meaning you can be dismissed by an employer for any reason (that is, without having to establish just cause for termination), and without warning.

Update your resume and begin your job search right away. Reach out to colleagues, mentors, and others in your industry. They may be able to provide support, advice, or job leads. Remember, its important to stay calm and composed during this difficult time. Reacting impulsively may harm your professional standing or future job prospects.

Pietsch received an indirect response from Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince, but surely not one she had hoped for. Prince wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that Pietschs video was painful for him to watch. It was painful because he felt the company could have done a better job firing her. We try to fire perfectly. In this case, clearly we were far from perfect, he wrote.

Prince added: No employee should ever actually be surprised they werent performing, affirming what HR had told Pietsch, that in the companys opinion, her performance did not measure up.

Finally, Prince wrote that Cloudflares mistake wasnt letting go of someone who wasnt performing well, but rather it was not being more kind and humane during the firing process.

Corporations are not meant to be kind. Dont think for one minute that corporations care about you. Corporations exist to make money, whether they are publicly owned or not. There are only a handful of truly exceptional corporations that unabashedly value their employees and view them as their most important asset. You should be prepared to walk away from your employer faster than they can say: Youre fired!

Arthur Lazarus is a former Doximity Fellow, a member of the editorial board of the American Association for Physician Leadership, and an adjunct professor of psychiatry at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He is the author of Every Story Counts: Exploring Contemporary Practice Through Narrative Medicine and Medicine on Fire: A Narrative Travelogue.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga has attributed the persistent poverty in Busoga sub-region to the relocation of industries after the Idi Amin regime, which left many unemployed.

Poverty is not just in Busoga. If it was only in Busoga, we wouldnt be talking about the 39 percent poor people in Uganda but some of the policies have affected the productivity for instance the flight of industries from the Jinja area it created unemployment, Kadaga said.

Kadagas comments come at a time when Busoga sub-region is hosting the 38th Liberation Day anniversary celebrations at St John Wakita SS playground in Jinja City.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has directed Prime Minister Robinnah Nabbanja to address the issue of Minister of Internal Affairs Kahinda Otafiires possession of land on the Njeru government farm in Mukono district.

Mr. Tayebwas directive comes after Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemuju Nganda raised the matter on the floor of Parliament, expressing concern about Mr. Otafiires alleged high-handedness. Mr. Ssemuju claimed the Minister had the farms breastfeeding manager arrested for attempting to prevent the land grab.

He urged the government to stop this level of impunity by arresting those who sold the government farm to Mr. Otafire.

If we dont stop this level of impunity, we will wake up one day when Mr Speaker you are also taking over Parliament and you will say someone has sold it to me because how can a government minister [Otafiire] say that a government farm was sold to him? Ssemujju said.

In response, the Deputy Speaker instructed Prime Minister Nabbanja to investigate the matter and report back to Parliament within two weeks. He noted that the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee had previously conducted an extensive investigation into the issue and submitted a report with recommendations, including repossessing the Njeru farm land and compensating Mr. Otafire.
President Museveni has directed the Minister of Transport Gen Katumba Wamala to start investigations into Mukono Katosi Nyenga Road which has started developing potholes barely two years after construction.

Speaking at the 38th NRM/A Victory Day anniversary in Jinja, President Museveni said he took keen interest after locals narrated to him about the shoddy works, leaving the road in a sorry state.

That new road from the bridge to Mukono through Buikwe was finished two years ago but potholes have already started developing. I had not paid attention to them [potholes] but when they told me I saw some between Nyenga and the bridge. I want Gen Katuba to check that road and find out what happened because we have just finished construction, Museveni said on Friday.

Meanwhile, President Museveni has revealed that government will soon kick off a new campaign to educate children from low-income families.

This years celebrations are being held under the theme, Building a country we all shall all cherish.
KYIV  The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has warned of dramatic humanitarian suffering throughout Ukraine and worsening conditions as war-affected civilians suffer in the depths of winter.

Grandi wrapped up his week-long visit to the country late yesterday, his fourth since the full-scale Russian invasion two years ago, reaching some of the most destroyed and damaged parts of Ukraine, including areas affected by an increase in aerial attacks that have recently killed and wounded civilians and damaged homes and civilian infrastructure.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi met with Svitlana, a woman whose apartment was impacted during the missile attack in Dnipro on 29 December 2023.

 UNHCR/Iryna Tymchyshyn

He appealed in the strongest terms for much more international humanitarian support to the country, including to those displaced by the horrific violence and who are subjected to the harsh winter.

The fighting has escalated and the humanitarian situation in the country is dramatic and urgent. Millions have been forced to flee the war and Russian attacks, and they are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, said Grandi. Under the strong leadership of the Government, the United Nations and partners  especially Ukrainian organisations  have been doing all that they can to help, but without much more international support and funding, Ukrainian civilians will continue to suffer.

Throughout his visit, including to Odesa, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Kyiv, Grandi was humbled by the efforts of ordinary Ukrainians who, despite the war and the hardship, refuse to give up and are returning to their homes, rebuilding and recovering in the midst of this awful war.

UNHCR continues to support those who are displaced within the country and is stepping up its help to those choosing to return to their areas of origin, including by launching a Ukraine is Home platform, with important up-to-date information for refugees and internally displaced people.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi visits the Transfiguration Cathedral that was heavily damaged by a Russian missile attack on 23 July 2023. Directly after the missile attack, UNHCRs partner The Tenth of April provided 100 emergency shelter kits.  UNHCR/Iryna Tymchyshyn

In Odesa, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi met with Hanna whose house was severely damaged by the missile attack on 29 December 2023. Hanna received assistance through UNHCR partner TTA including: Emergency Shelter Kits, essential items, psychological consultations, and legal counselling to obtain financial compensation including for damaged and destroyed property.  UNHCR/Iryna Tymchyshyn

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi visits war-affected families in Kryvyi Rih. Serhii Beresnev, 57-year-old, was impacted by an attack on the morning of 8 January 2024. Through UNHCRs partners Proliska and Right to Protection, Serhii received immediate emergency assistance in the form of emergency shelter, essential items, psychosocial support, and legal counselling.  UNHCR/Iryna Tymchyshyn

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi meets with war-affected families in Kryvyi Rih. This multi-storey building was hit by a missile on 31 July 2023. Flippo Grandi was accompanied to the site by the city authorities and NGO partners. UNHCRs partners immediately responded with tarpaulin sheets, Emergency Shelter Kits, Psycho-social support, social accompaniment (Proliska) as well as cash assistance and legal counseling (Right to Protection) to support affected people.  UNHCR/Iryna Tymchyshyn

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi visits sites of recent missile attacks in Kharkiv.  UNHCR/Iryna Tymchyshyn

Ukrainian resilience remains strong and inspiring, Grandi said while surveying the neighbourhood of Irpin, which is being rebuilt with UNHCR support. But their fortitude cannot be taken for granted and the international community must step up and help with both humanitarian and recovery support  and must do so now!

Grandi also paid tribute to the Governments leadership and coordination of aid, adding, The cooperation with the Government continues to go from strength to strength. UNHCR has been in the country for 30 years and we will stay with Ukraine and the people as long as it takes.

In the past two years, UNHCR and its partners, almost all of which are Ukrainian organizations, have reached millions of people  more than 4.3 million in 2022 and 2.6 million in 2023  with assistance and support.

More than 27,500 homes across the country have been rebuilt or repaired, and more than 270,000 Ukrainians have received emergency shelter kits allowing them to fix light damage to their homes. More than $470 million has been distributed directly to people as cash assistance, while last year alone more than 178,000 people received legal support to help them obtain civil documents damaged or lost due to the war; often a precursor to being able to access services and other forms of assistance.

If funding is available, UNHCR plans to deliver almost $600 million worth of assistance to reach 2.7 million Ukrainians in 2024.

UN High Commissioner meets with war-affected people in Kyiv region. When the hostilities started in Horenka, Lidiia, 69, and her relatives managed to evacuate to southern part of Kyiv oblast. She came back as soon as the area was retaken. UNHCR has fully replaced the roof and assisted in repairing six windows in the house in August 2023.  UNHCR/Alina Kovalenko

UN High Commissioner meets with war-affected people in Kyiv region. When the hostilities started in Horenka, Lidiia, 69, and her relatives managed to evacuate to southern part of Kyiv region. She came back as soon as the area was retaken. UNHCR has fully replaced the roof and assisted in repairing six windows in the house in August 2023.  UNHCR/Alina Kovalenko

UN High Commissioner meets with war-affected people in Kyiv region. Tetiana, 56, used to live in her private house in Horenka. When the full-scale invasion started, she had no place to go to and spent the whole occupation period in the village, hiding in the cellar of one of the neighboring houses.  UNHCR/Alina Kovalenko

Kyiv Oblast Administration approached UNHCR with a request to repair 35 houses and completely rebuild 35 private houses. The project is led by the Kyiv Oblast Administration under Kyiv Oblast Recovery umbrella: UNHCR will support by providing building materials - metal roofing slate, aircrete blocks, wooden timber and mineral wool ; Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) provides doors and windows, and Irpin city council supports with repair works.  UNHCR/Alina Kovalenko

UN High Commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi together with the United States Embassy in Ukraine co-hosted a Roundtable on enablers of voluntary return and rebuilding homes in Ukraine. UNHCR/Alina Kovalenko

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By AFP

The International Court of Justice will hand down a landmark ruling Friday in South Africas case against Israel over alleged genocidal acts in Gaza.

Here are some key questions about a case that has drawn global interest:

No. At this stage, the ICJ is only deciding whether to impose emergency orders on Israel (provisional measures in the courts jargon).

A ruling on whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza will be for a second stage of the procedure and will likely take years.

The war started on October 7 when Hamas staged an unprecedented attack on Israel that left about 1,140 people dead, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Israels relentless military campaign on Gaza since has left at least 25,900 dead, about 70 percent of them women, children and adolescents, according to the Hamas governments health ministry.

At this stage, South Africa does not need to prove that Israel is committing genocide, Juliette McIntyre, a lecturer in international law at the University of South Australia, told AFP.

They simply need to establish that there is a plausible risk of genocide occurring.

Even if the court rules against Israel, it means that there is a plausible risk of genocide. Not that there is genocide, she said.

South Africa has asked the ICJ to impose nine orders on Israel, including to immediately suspend military activity and to enable more humanitarian access.

The court could order all nine of the orders, none of them, or even make up its own completely different orders.

It seems likely that the Court will grant some of the requests made by South Africa, said Cecily Rose, an assistant professor of public international law at Leiden University.

Israel argued during the hearings that a ceasefire was unrealistic as the court could only order that on one party  since Hamas is not part of the proceedings.

The court may order a ceasefire, but more likely in my opinion is an order that Israel take all measures within its power to ensure access to adequate food, water and humanitarian assistance, McIntyre said.

From the courts viewpoint, the case moves onto the merits stage, where it will determine whether Israel is actually committing genocide in Gaza.

The key is whether Israel will abide by any potential ICJ ruling. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already hinted he does not feel bound by the court.

Regardless of Israels reaction, the ruling will have important ripple effects, McIntyre said.

If the court rules there is a risk of genocide, it makes it much harder for other states to continue to support Israel states may withdraw military or other support.

ICJ rulings are binding, but it has little way of enforcing them and some states ignore them completely  Russia was ordered to stop its invasion of Ukraine, for example.

However, it creates an important historical record which may not change things on the ground right this moment but can be essential in future negotiations under new governments, McIntyre said.

Finally, there is the symbolic aspect which given Israels context is huge.

South Africa brought the case against Israel because both countries have signed the UN Genocide Convention, drawn up in 1948 as the world vowed never again after the Holocaust.

Its filing states that Pretoria is acutely aware of the particular weight of responsibility in accusing Israel of all countries of breaking the Genocide Convention.

But it also says that no attack can justify alleged breaches of the Convention and that Israel has its own obligation as a signatory to prevent genocide.

South Africa has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, with the governing African National Congress (ANC) often linking it to its own struggle against apartheid.

The two countries have in the past cut off diplomatic ties over the issue.

The ICJ rules on disputes between countries and is often confused with the International Criminal Court (ICC), also based in The Hague, which prosecutes war crimes by individuals.

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan has started an investigation into events in Gaza and vowed to step up his probe.

Five countries including South Africa called in November for an ICC investigation into the Gaza war, and Khan says his team has gathered a significant volume of evidence.

International legal experts have told AFP that war crimes have probably been committed by both sides.

Finally, the United Nations has asked the ICJ to look into the legal consequences of Israels actions in the Palestinian Territories.

This will be an advisory opinion and will not focus on the military operation after October 7 when Hamas militants crossed into Israel.
The deputy Irish premier has said the government will strongly consider an intervention in South Africas genocide case against Israel at a top UN court.

Micheal Martin said it will carry out detailed analysis of a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday that harshly criticised Israels war in Gaza.

The ICJ stopped short on Friday of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case filed by South Africa.

My statement on the final and binding ICJ orders today in the South Africa v. Israel case pic.twitter.com/D5fvZAGogf  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 26, 2024

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party had lodged a motion in the Dail to be debated next week calling on the Irish government to back South Africa in holding Israel to account.

In a statement, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Martin said he has asked his officials to prepare legal advice for his consideration on an urgent basis.

I strongly welcome the courts orders which are final and binding, Mr Martin said.

These are measures that Ireland has been consistently calling for from the start of this conflict.

Today's Hague ruling against Israel is decisive. The Irish government must now join with South Africa in their case to hold Israel accountable for their crimes against the Palestinian people. Sinn Fein has just lodged a motion in the Dail to do just that   @MaryLouMcDonald pic.twitter.com/njrUi0DNrF  Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) January 26, 2024

Ireland has a deep and longstanding commitment to international law and is a strong defender of the international rules-based system.

The International Court of Justice is one of the cornerstones of this system. We expect Israel to implement all provisional measures that have been ordered by the court, in good faith and as a matter of urgency.

Todays orders relate to a specific case under the Genocide Convention. Irrespective of whether any actions are eventually judged to meet the threshold of genocide, we must ensure that all parties to this conflict are held to account for their actions.

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is continuing to investigate all serious allegations of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in and from Gaza, whether committed by Israel or by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or other non-state armed groups.

All states must redouble their efforts to support the investigation by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court into the situation in Palestine.

The Irish premier Leo Varadkar said he will respond to the ruling after the government has analysed it.

Speaking while the ICJ was giving its ruling on Friday, Mr Varadkar said he will consider its contents.

As a country that respects the ICJ, Ireland will, of course, abide by any rulings that the court makes, Mr Varadkar said.

But one thing I would say is that if a war has ever been ended by a court order, Im not sure what war that was.

The truth is war is ended three ways  military victory by one side over the other, an armistice, or through politics and diplomacy.

Thats why our focus has been on that, on politics and diplomacy, looking for a ceasefire so that the hostages can be released, so the humanitarian aid can get in, so that the killing of Palestinian civilians can stop and also a move towards a permanent ceasefire, which would have to involve Hamas leadership and Hamas fighters leaving Gaza, allowing new Palestinian leadership to take over.

We will consider the case and once South Africa lodges its main case, we will be in a position to decide whether or not we make an intervention and what the nature of that intervention would be.

But this case could go on for three or four years. I dont think people on the ground in Israel or Palestine have three or four years.

Wars dont end by court orders. Wars end through politics and diplomacy and thats why our focus is on that, trying to get a humanitarian ceasefire so that the killing can stop, so aid can get in to help civilians, so that the hostages could be released.

So that we can talk about the day after Gaza, about rebuilding but that of course has to mean Hamas not being involved in that, it has to mean Israel conceding the right of Palestinians to have their own state, and Gaza should be part of it.

Mrs McDonald said there now had to be a full, permanent and complete ceasefire following the ruling.

She said: We want to see that call now, not just made internationally, but vindicated internationally.

Irsael must stop and stop now.

The Irish government has seen the ruling of the court and now they must make very, very clear that they will join with South Africa in holding Israel to account.

We have brought forward a motion, we have lodged it with the Dail, it will be debated next week.

We expect the Irish government will support this motion and make our position clear.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 27. Azerbaijan plans to reopen the representative office of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic in Russia in 2024, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu told TASS in an interview, Trend reports.

"In 2024, it is planned to resume operations of the representative office (tourist office) of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Russian Federation, which will contribute to further strengthening of bilateral tourist ties," the Ambassador said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. Russia is ready to continue efforts on achieving peace and stability in the South Caucasus, the country's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said during a weekly briefing in response to a question about whether Moscow is ready to become a partner in Armenia's transfer of mine maps to Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

"We have always paid increased attention to the humanitarian issues of the Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement," she said, adding that Russia provided active assistance in the search for missing persons and the transfer of maps of minefields.

Armenia's National Security Service reported the discovery of eight new forms containing information on minefields in Karabakh. This information is expected to be transferred to the Azerbaijani side through established channels in the coming days.

It was noted that Armenia will pass the copies to international partners.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, in turn, said that it expects Armenia to provide accurate maps of all mined territories.

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PEAKnx, Darmstadt-based manufacturer of KNX products for building control (www.peaknx.com) and the HVAC solutions company Airzone, headquartered in Malaga/Spain (www.airzone.com), have entered into a strategic partnership in the areas of technology and marketing.

New partnership ensures a positive climate

The collaboration between the two companies is a win-win situation. The Spanish company Airzone, founded in 1997, sought contact with the Darmstadt-based PEAKnx GmbH in November 2022, and after the initial talks it was clear: the companies complement each other excellently, benefiting from each other and creating synergies. The interpersonal climate and personal touch also align well.

Lorenz Rohrmann, CEO of PEAKnx GmbH, emphasizes: For us, the partnership is the starting point for entering the field of climate technology and exploring the Spanish market. The integration of Airzones Aidoo KNX into our visualisation software YOUVI is straightforward, and control via our ventilation widget is self-explanatory. Soon, Aidoo Pro, the gateway for cloud-based air conditioning control, will be seamlessly integrated into our visualisation. We also look forward to collaborating in the areas of sales and marketing. In the future, we will support each other in PR and marketing activities and at international trade fairs.

Fernando de la Cruz, Area Manager for Central Europe, the UK and Ireland at Airzone, is also pleased about the collaborative partnership: We are delighted about the new partnership and are confident that it will provide progress for us in the German market. Together, both brands represent the concept of smart air conditioning in line with our core values at Airzone. The list of air conditioning units compatible with the PEAKnx products is expanded on a regular basis. Thanks to the innovative plug-and-play modules of Aidoo KNX and Aidoo Pro, integration opportunities are greater than ever.

With more than 400 employees, Airzone is among the worlds leading providers of control technology and components for air conditioning systems in residential and commercial buildings. The collaboration with PEAKnx creates new market opportunities for the company: In addition to its existing activities in the field of air conditioning, Airzone is making strides in international market segments, particularly in the German KNX sector, with its manufacturer-specific Aidoo-KNX gateways for automated buildings.

PEAKnx, as a manufacturer of innovative hardware and software components for building automation, gains access to numerous ventilation systems with two Airzone products, expands the sale of its product range to the Spanish market, and strengthens its competitiveness. PEAKnx will offer the products Aidoo KNX and Aidoo Pro for sale in the future. This allows new air conditioning systems in buildings to be equipped with Airzones Aidoo KNX and Aidoo Pro products, or existing air conditioning units can be retrofitted.

Joint solutions for room climate at the ISE and Light + Building trade shows

The products of both companies will have their first joint appearances at the ISE Integrated Systems Europe in Barcelona, Spain, and Light + Building in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. At their respective booths, both companies showcase the products of their cooperative partner, demonstrating the latest solutions for climate control in KNX-controlled buildings to their customers on-site.

Trade show dates

ISE 30th January to 2nd February 2024, Barcelone/Spain

PEAKnx and Airzone: Joint KNX stand 2L300, Hall 2

Airzone: Stand 2G550, Hall 2

Light + Building 3rd to 8th March 2024, Frankfurt am Main/Germany
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. India's global trade aspirations are ambitious, with a goal to double from $1.6 trillion to $3 trillion by 2030, said India's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Sridharan Madhusudhanan during the event dedicated to India's Republic Day, Trend reports.

"We see that Azerbaijan, along with stability, attaches great importance to economic diversification. We have developed bilateral trade relations. India is among the seven largest trade partners of Azerbaijan, and there is a serious prospect of growth in trade turnover," the ambassador said.

He noted that in 2023, India has become the third-largest destination for crude oil exports from Azerbaijan.

India is also the largest tourist center for Azerbaijan. I am confident that flights from Baku to Delhi and Mumbai, operated seven times a week, will expand relations between our nations," the diplomat added.

The Embassy of India, Baku, has invited members of the Indian community and friends of India in Azerbaijan to mark the 75th Republic Day of India, on Friday, January 26 at the Embassy premises.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 25. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree celebrating the 530th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet Muhammad Fuzuli, Trend reports.

This year marks the 530th anniversary of the birth of the genial Azerbaijani poet and thinker Muhammad Fuzuli.

He is a powerful master holding a unique place in the development of Azerbaijani literary and artistic thought, exerting a significant influence on the literature of the countries of the Middle East.

The multifaceted artistic and philosophical legacy of the poet, as a thinker with comprehensive knowledge, instilling deep love for life and humanity, constantly urging to live by great ideals with a sense of beauty, is one of the unparalleled spiritual treasures contributed by the Azerbaijani people to the treasury of global culture.

Fuzuli created exemplary works of poetry in his native language, further enriching the Azerbaijani artistic language and raising it to new heights. His works, embodying the bright genius and still read with great love to this day, spread widely from the very beginning and earned the author great acclaim.

Besides, Fuzuli formed an entire literary school, known for its talented representatives. All prominent writers, from his contemporaries to the followers of Fuzuli's traditions in subsequent periods, always spoke with respect about this mighty master of words.

The worthy celebration of Fuzuli's anniversary at the international level, in accordance with the decision of UNESCO, is associated with the name of the national leader Heydar Aliyev, who always showed special attention and care for the preservation of national cultural values.

The 500th anniversary of the immortal poet was the first grand celebration of culture and art on a global scale, held in the independent Azerbaijan.

Muhammad Fuzuli is the pride of the history of Azerbaijani literature and culture.

The decree, guided by Article 109, Paragraph 32, of the Constitution of Azerbaijan, to ensure the celebration of the 530th anniversary of the birth of the genial Azerbaijani poet and thinker, tasked:

The Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan and the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, with preparing and implementing a plan of events related to the 530th anniversary of the genial Azerbaijani poet Muhammad Fuzuli.

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan - with resolving issues arising from this decree.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to the Governor-General of Australia David John Hurley on the occasion of the country's national holiday - Australia Day, Trend reports.

"On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincerest congratulations to you and your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Commonwealth of Australia.

I believe that the relationship between Azerbaijan and Australia will continue to flourish in an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation, serving the interests of our peoples.

On this festive day, I wish you good health, success in your endeavors, and the friendly people of Australia peace and prosperity," the letter reads.
Buck Wealth Strategies LLC lifted its stake in shares of AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV  Free Report) by 0.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 37,907 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 299 shares during the quarter. AbbVie accounts for about 2.3% of Buck Wealth Strategies LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest position. Buck Wealth Strategies LLCs holdings in AbbVie were worth $5,650,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. boosted its stake in shares of AbbVie by 5.0% during the second quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 372,189 shares of the companys stock worth $50,154,000 after buying an additional 17,879 shares during the period. DDD Partners LLC increased its holdings in AbbVie by 9,979.7% in the second quarter. DDD Partners LLC now owns 135,673 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,279,000 after buying an additional 134,327 shares in the last quarter. Polar Capital Holdings Plc raised its position in shares of AbbVie by 11.6% during the 2nd quarter. Polar Capital Holdings Plc now owns 358,872 shares of the companys stock worth $48,351,000 after purchasing an additional 37,368 shares during the last quarter. Altfest L J & Co. Inc. raised its position in shares of AbbVie by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Altfest L J & Co. Inc. now owns 23,346 shares of the companys stock worth $3,480,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in AbbVie in the 2nd quarter valued at $486,807,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.86% of the companys stock.

Get AbbVie alerts:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on ABBV shares. StockNews.com started coverage on AbbVie in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of AbbVie from $157.00 to $150.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of AbbVie from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $173.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of AbbVie from $193.00 to $196.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of AbbVie from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $167.13.

AbbVie Stock Performance

ABBV traded up $0.94 on Thursday, hitting $165.16. 4,465,842 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,518,799. The firm has a market cap of $297.29 billion, a PE ratio of 45.24, a P/E/G ratio of 2.99 and a beta of 0.50. AbbVie Inc. has a twelve month low of $130.96 and a twelve month high of $167.95. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $152.72 and a two-hundred day moving average of $148.63. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.59.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 27th. The company reported $2.95 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.09. AbbVie had a net margin of 11.81% and a return on equity of 152.70%. The firm had revenue of $13.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.72 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.66 earnings per share. AbbVies quarterly revenue was down 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that AbbVie Inc. will post 11.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AbbVie Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 16th will be issued a $1.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 12th. This is a boost from AbbVies previous quarterly dividend of $1.48. This represents a $6.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.75%. AbbVies dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 169.86%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Nicholas Donoghoe sold 2,912 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $154.72, for a total value of $450,544.64. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 55,903 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,649,312.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About AbbVie

(Free Report)

AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune, intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq, a JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, and ulcerative colitis; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat hematological malignancies.

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Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Occasional snow showers. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A few flurries are possible. Low 27F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
BENTON, La.  The pastor and leadership team of First Bossier were unsuccessful Thursday in getting a Bossier District Court judge to dismiss 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. The Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Union (EU) both pursue pro-Armenian policies; in particular, the Armenian Diaspora in France is engaged in this issue and has so affected the political approach of France and Germany, the Head of the Turkiye's International Law Firm Arturk & Partners Zeki Arturk said, Trend reports.

Arturk stated that the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) was made at the initiative of the German representative. The PACE representatives were not invited to the presidential election in Azerbaijan on February 7 and were also barred from entering the Lachin corridor.

"The PACE ruling particularly seeks to portray Azerbaijan as a country with an authoritarian leadership, undermining Azerbaijan's international image while exonerating Armenia. Unfortunately, the Armenian Diaspora and Christian European identity are being used as prejudice and political weapons against Azerbaijan, and Turkiye in particular, to question the legality of the election, generating the appearance that the election in Azerbaijan is held under pressure," Aryturk emphasized.

Azerbaijan's delegation has chosen to suspend its interaction and presence in PACE until further notice due to the organization's oppressive atmosphere of racism, Azerbaijanophobia, and Islamophobia.

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Data Protection Day

A head of Data Protection Day on 28 January, V era Jourov a , Vice-President for Values and Transparency, and Didier Reynders , Commissioner for Justice, issued the following statement:

 This year the General D ata P rotection Regulation (GDPR) will celebrate its 6th anniversary as the EU flagship data protection law and a global benchmark for privacy regulation. It is delivering for citizens and businesses. Continuing to ensure its full implementation and robust enforcement remains our top priority. Therefore, last July we presented new rules to improve the cooperation of national data protection authorities in cross-border cases. This is relevant in particular to ensure compliance of the big tech multinational s . This year, we will issue the second report on the application of the GDPR.

In an interconnected digital world, protecting the rights of Europeans does not stop at the borders of the EU. This is why ensuring that protection travels with the data is a key objective of our mandate. Important developments have recently taken place in this area, such as the adoption of the EU-US D ata Privacy Framework, strengthening of the 11 adequacy decisions, on which we issued a detailed report earlier this month, and progress made in negotiations with Brazil. We will further step up our engagement with international partners to develop this network even further.

Background

In 2006, the Council of Europe launched a Data Protection Day to be celebrated each year on 28 January.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. Azerbaijan, with its position, pointed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to its place, former ambassador of Turkiye to the country, representative of the IMZA Social Development Support Public Association in Turkey, and honorary member of the Union of Elders of Azerbaijan Hulusi Kilic told Trend.

"I welcome the decision of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE to terminate cooperation with this organization and consider this a historical example of courage," Kilic said.

He noted that the Council of Europe has, from time to time, committed significant injustices against Turkiye.

"Terrorist representatives seeking to divide Turkiye have comfortably met with high-ranking representatives of the organization, held negotiations, and de facto obtained a special status within the Council of Europe, constantly and unjustifiably accusing Turkiye," the former ambassador reminded.

"Naturally, the influences of countries like France and Germany, where there are serious complications of Turkophobia, are evident here. They are trying to influence Azerbaijan based on these criteria. These individuals talk about human rights and have not exerted serious influence on Armenia to restore the violated rights of one million Azerbaijanis," Kilic explained. "The report prepared by the Council of Europe's rapporteur on human rights, Dunja Mijatovic, is a disgrace in itself for not addressing the rights of Western Azerbaijanis."

Besides, he emphasized that the Council of Europe should not forget the Turkic world is taking serious steps towards integration.

"One should never forget that such a rude and unjust attempt to interfere with the right of the Azerbaijani delegation to speak will have a very negative impact on the determination of countries fighting against separatism. I say this as an experienced diplomat," Kilic pointed out. "Through such means, they will never be able to keep Azerbaijan under pressure, and by what right are they doing this? Azerbaijan is absolutely right as a country that has eradicated separatism."

"International law and regulations are entirely on the side of Azerbaijan. The deeper the Council of Europe goes, the more it will suffer; that is, it will never be able to explain why it is trying to suppress a country that has eradicated separatism on its territory in such a shameful way and by such methods. They must face the facts. Azerbaijan is the most powerful country in the region, a key state on the continent and in the world," the former ambassador said.

"The Council of Europe can benefit only by cooperating constructively with Azerbaijan. Unjust attacks will lead to nothing. The Azerbaijani delegation in PACE has already put them in their place with its firm stance, he added.

On January 24, in the face of the current unbearable atmosphere of racism, Azerbaijanophobia, and Islamophobia in the PACE, the delegation of Azerbaijan decided to cease its engagement with and presence at the PACE until further notice.

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New Delhi [India], January 26 (ANI): As the country marked its 75th Republic Day, Union Minister Piyush Goyal engaged in a spirited interaction with innovators and entrepreneurs in the national capital.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, acknowledging the pivotal role of women in India's growth story, Goyal celebrated the 'nari shakti' exposition at the Republic Day Parade, hailing it as a powerful testament to women-led development.

Also Read | IND vs ENG 1st Test Day 2 2024 Stumps: KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja Help India Grab a Commanding 175-Run Lead Over England.

Goyal underscored the significance of women's inclusion in the formal labour force, emphasizing its potential to significantly boost India's journey towards becoming a developed nation.

He expressed delight at more women contributing to the startup ecosystem and generating innovative ideas. Goyal revealed that 20 of the unicorns in India are led by women, and there has been a notable increase in women patent holders, read the press release.

Also Read | Bihar Political Crisis: Tension Deepens Between CM Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav Amid New Government Rumours.

The Indian Patent Office has granted a remarkable 75,000 patents in the last 10 months, showcasing India's prowess in innovation and rapid growth.

Highlighting efforts to improve the ease of doing business, Goyal shared that 40,000 compliances across the country have been either eliminated or simplified to ease the burden on entrepreneurs, read the press release.

He emphasized the reduction of criminalization of laws related to businesses in India, aiming for a trust-based governance atmosphere conducive to business operations.

On Ease of Doing Business, the minister said that 40,000 compliances across the country have either been eliminated or simplified in a focused effort to release the burden on entrepreneurs. "There has been a significant push to reduce the criminalisation of laws regarding businesses in India.", said Minster Goyal.

Goyal applauded the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), recognizing its pivotal role in empowering entrepreneurs to be self-reliant and contribute to the country's growth story.

He credited PMJDY for propelling India from the 'fragile five' to being the fifth-largest economy globally, read the release.

Goyal expressed confidence in the youth, particularly women, playing a collective role in making India corruption-free and envisioning India's economy reaching thirty-five trillion dollars.

With optimism, Goyal shared insights into India's economic trajectory, emphasizing that the launch of the 'Lakhpati Didi Scheme' positions the country for rapid growth, with entrepreneurs and innovators leading the way.

He urged startups and innovators to contribute to India's innovation-led growth story as the nation marches towards its 100th year of Independence, aspiring to be a developed nation by 2047.

In the background of the government's commitment to fostering innovation, startups, and investments, the Startup India initiative has played a crucial role, read the release.

Recognized startups, now numbering over 1,17,000 across all states and Union Territories, have created more than 12 lakh jobs.

Legislative reforms, modernizing IP laws, streamlining administrative processes, and incentivizing innovation capacity in academic institutions have been at the forefront of the government's efforts. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Aizawl, Jan 26 (PTI) Mizoram police has arrested four Myanmar nationals for the murder of a local resident.

Three of the suspects were apprehended on Thursday, while the fourth was taken into custody from the outskirts of Siaha town in south Mizoram on Friday, police added.

Also Read | Delhi Fire: Six Rescued After Blaze Erupts in Building in Shahdara Area.

The victim, KL Zoasha, a resident of Siaha town, had given a ride to the Myanmar nationals in his auto-rickshaw to Lawngtlai town near the Myanmar border on Wednesday, police added.

Zoasha's family became worried when he failed to return home on Wednesday night and his phone was also switched off. On Thursday morning, his vehicle was spotted on the outskirts of Siaha and his body was found later in the day near Lawngtlai town, police added.

Also Read | Assam: Rare 'Golden Tiger' Spotted in Kaziranga National Park, State CMO Shares Video on X.

The Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Mizoram's leading student organization, has alleged that the perpetrators are from Myanmar's Rakhine state and have ties to the Arakan Army, an armed organisation. The MZP also said the suspects are not refugees and had come to Mizoram for business.

(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 26: Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh unfurled the National Flag at his Delhi residence on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day. "Today, on the occasion of 75th Republic Day, he hoisted the national flag at his official residence in Delhi. Saluted the flag. Colleagues and employees together celebrated this sacred festival of democracy with great enthusiasm," Deputy Chairman Harivansh posted on X.

Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day on Friday by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path. President Murmu on her arrival at Kartavya Path was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Republic Day 2024: CSIR's Tableau Showcases Purple Revolution, Electric Tractor at Kartavya Path (See Pics).

Simultaneously, the National Anthem was played and the 21 Gun Salute was presented to the President. As per tradition, the National Flag was unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute given with indigenous gun system 105-mm Indian Field Guns.

President Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who is the chief guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations were escorted by the President's Bodyguard- 'Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak'. The Gun Salute was presented by the Ceremonial Battery of 871 Field Regiment (SHINGO) ex HQ 36 Artillery Brigade. The Ceremonial Battery is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Vikas Kumar, SM. Republic Day 2024: Delhi Police Make History With All-Women Band, Marching Contingent (Watch Video).

21 Gun Salute is the highest military honour presented to the National Flag from the Kartavya path. The gun salute is synchronized with three simultaneous actions viz-a-viz, unfurling of the National Flag, Playing of the National Anthem by the Service bands and the national salute rendered by the President's Bodyguard.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Purnia (Bihar) [India], January 26 (ANI): Bihar Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan said that the claims made by the media that there is a possibility of Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar joining hands with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) again are 'baseless'.

"There is no confirmation regarding the reports that are floating in the media. The claims being made by the media reports are baseless. I condemn this behaviour. I would appeal the media not to promulgate the matter," Ahmad said in a video message.

Also Read | Delhi Fire: Blaze Erupts in Building in Shahdara Area; Four Killed, Two Injured (Watch Videos).

The unity of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) appeared in jeopardy amid growing speculation that Nitish Kumar, a key figure in the bloc may exit the 28-party opposition bloc formed to take on the BJP-led central government.

Earlier, former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD President Lalu's daughter, Rohini Acharya, took a swipe at RJD's ruling ally, JDU, on X, posting that while the 'socialist party' (JDU) styles itself as progressive, its ideology shifts with the changing wind patterns, a statement that triggered cracks within the ruling alliance.

Also Read | Delhi Fire: Six Rescued After Blaze Erupts in Building in Shahdara Area.

However, a few hours later, all three posts by Lalu's daughter were deleted.

If Nitish Kumar crosses over to the NDA, this would be the fourth time he would be switching sides.

Amid talk of a deepening rift, the RJD and JD (U) held separate meetings on Thursday, while BJP state president Samrat Choudhary left for Delhi to hold discussions with top BJP leaders.Giving more weight to the possible entry of Nitish Kumar into the NDA, Bharatiya Janata Party MP and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Sushil Kumar Modi, said on Friday that doors are never closed "permanently" in politics.

"In yesterday's meeting, strategies for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections were discussed. But as far as Nitish Kumar and JD (U) are concerned, doors are never permanently closed in politics. Now our central leadership will decide whether the door will open or not," Sushil Modi told reporters before returning to Patna.

"A change is certain. It is a matter of a short time now. In the BJP yesterday, the party also took a decision. Nitish Ji is also ready. PM Modi also likes Nitish Ji. NDA will win all 40 seats in Bihar if Nitish ji joins us. I think everything will get sorted out in two days. There will be an NDA government in Bihar," BJP MLA Gyanendra Singh Gyanu told ANI.

Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar on Friday arrived at the Raj Bhavan in Patna to attend Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's 'At Home' reception event in Patna.Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader, skipped the event, while RJD leader Alok Mehta, a cabinet minister was present at the event.

At the event, Kumar and former Bihar CM and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi greeted each other. Kumar was also seen having interactions with Leader of Opposition (LoP) Vijay Sinha. (ANI)

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Patna, January 26: A meeting between RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and his close aides is underway at the former's official residence in Patna. The meeting was called by the Bihar Deputy Chief Minister. The political suspense in Bihar has heightened after speculations about JDU rejoining the BJP-led NDA picked pace.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh said that people come and go but currently, he has no idea on how the current situation will unfold in Bihar. On the question of whether Nitish Kumar-led JDU will tie up an alliance with BJP, Giriraj Singh said, "People come and go. We will have to wait to see how the current political landscape turns out. I have no idea." Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Likely To Form New Government With BJPs Support Next Week.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday arrived at the Raj Bhavan in Patna to attend Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's 'At Home' reception event in Patna. Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader, skipped the event while RJD leader Alok Mehta, a cabinet minister was present at the event.

When asked why Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav did not come for the official event at Raj Bhavan, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said, "Ask those who did not come." Earlier today, LJP leader Chirag Paswan said that the NDA is keenly watching the political scenario in the state, and is conducting meetings to discuss the situation and act upon it. Bihar Political Crisis: State Minister Ashok Choudhary Removes Slip of Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadavs Name During Official Event in Patna, Takes His Seat Beside CM Nitish Kumar (Watch Video).

"LJP (Ram Vilas) is monitoring every second of the political scenario in the state. We even held a meeting yesterday to discuss the prevailing situation. The party has bestowed upon me, the responsibility to make decisions as far as the NDA alliance is concerned. We are cancelling plans for the next 2-3 days and going to Delhi. Whatever the decision will be, LJP and BJP will take it together," he said.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party MP and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Sushil Kumar Modi on Friday said that doors are never closed "permanently" in politics. Earlier, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi said that the ruling Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) government will not last for long.

Also when Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD President Lalu's daughter Rohini Acharya took a swipe at RJD's ruling ally, JDU, on X posting that while the 'socialist party' (JDU) styles itself as progressive, its ideology shifts with the changing wind patterns, a statement which triggered cracks within the ruling alliance.

However, a few hours later, all three posts by Lalu's daughter were deleted. The INDIA bloc is largely a creation of Nitish Kumar, who crisscrossed the country to pull together opposition parties, including those not always friendly with the Congress. If Nitish crosses over, this would be the fourth time he would be switching sides.

In the Bihar Assembly of 243, the RJD has 79 MLAs; followed by the BJP's 78; the JD(U)'s 45' the Congress's 19, the CPI (M-L)'s 12, two each of the CPI(M) and CPI, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)'s four seats, and the AIMIM's one, plus one Independent legislator.

Amid talk of a deepening rift, the RJD and JD(U), on Thursday, held separate meetings while BJP state president Samrat Choudhary left for Delhi to hold discussions with top BJP leaders. Sushil Modi was Deputy Chief Minister in the NDA government in Bihar in 2022, before Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar severed ties with the ally BJP and partnered with the RJD and the Congress again. Armed with the support of the 'Mahagathbandhan' (Grand Alliance) Kumar quit the BJP in August 2022 and stripped the party out of power.

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Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], January 26, (ANI): Following the recent rulings by the Punjab and Haryana High Court to conduct mayoral polls on January 30, the Chandigarh administration issued a notification in this regard on Friday.

As per the notification, the election meeting will be held on January 30, 2024, at 10 am under the directive of UT Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh.

Also Read | Bihar Political Crisis: State Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav Calls Meeting of Close Aides at His Official Residence in Patna.

"In response to the recent rulings of the Hon'ble Punjab and Haryana High Court in CWP No. 1260-2024 and CWP No. 1350-2024, dated January 24, 2024, and in adherence to the specified directives the recent judicial pronouncements have underscored the significance of Section 38 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, as extended to the Union Territory, Chandigarh," the notification mentioned.

"Vinay Pratap Singh, Deputy Commissioner, U.T. Chandigarh, acting as the Prescribed Authority has directed that the election meeting in accordance with the provisions of Section 38 of the aforementioned Act will be held on 30.01.2024 at 10:00 AM at Assembly Hall of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation in the presence of the presiding authority, Anil Masih," it read.

Also Read | Nagaland: Six Die, Four Injured in Illegal Coal Mine Accident in Wokha District.

The notification further stated that the Divisional Commissioner or Prescribed Authority is responsible for convening the election meeting for the Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor, and Deputy Mayor.

"The Department of Local Government, Chandigarh Administration, has designated the Deputy Commissioner, Union Territory, Chandigarh, as the "Prescribed Authority" through Notification No. 5620-UTFI(4)/13157, dated October 4, 1994," the notification said.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court earlier this week directed the Chandigarh Administration to conduct elections for the post of Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation on January 30 at 10 am setting aside the latter's order deferring the polls.

The HC also directed the Chandigarh police to ensure that "no ruckus takes place in or around the Municipal Corporation Office prior to or during or after the election process."

The decision came on a petition challenging an order of the Chandigarh deputy commissioner, who is the authority for holding the mayoral polls, postponing the election from January 18 to February 6.

AAP councillor, Kuldeep Kumar had moved the High Court challenging the order rescheduling of the mayoral election "illegally" and seeking directions to conduct fair and transparent elections for the post of mayor, senior deputy mayor, and deputy mayor of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation immediately within 24 hours.

It was submitted that if the impugned order is not quashed and the elections are not scheduled and held immediately, then the whole election process will be jeopardised, and there will be horse trading and intimidation of councillors against the settled principle of free and fair elections.

As part of the alliance, AAP will be contesting for the mayor's seat, while Congress candidates are in the contests for the senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor posts. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Jan 26 (PTI) The Delhi Police's all-women contingent marched down the Kartavya Path on Republic Day for the first time in its history on Friday.

The contingent was led by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Shweta K Sugathan.

Also Read | Pallavaram DMK MLA E. Karunanithis Son, Daughter-in-Law Arrested for Torturing Dalit Domestic Help.

The Delhi Police contingent comprised one female gazetted officer, three women sub-inspectors, 44 women head-constables, and 100 women constables, all draped in red 'safa'.

Sugathan had led the male marching contingents in 2023 too, when a woman officer led the male soldiers for the first time.

Also Read | Republic Day 2024: President Droupadi Murmu Unfurls Tricolour on 75th Republic Day at Kartavya Path, Takes Ceremonial 21-Gun Salute (Watch Video).

The Delhi Police's contingent has a unique distinction of participating in every Republic Day parade since the country became a republic on January 26, 1950.

It has been adjudged the best marching contingent 15 times -- the last being in 2021. Its motto is "Shanti, Seva aur Nyaya" -- "Peace, Service and Justice".

The Delhi Police's all women pipe band also participated in the march which was led by band master sub inspector Ruyangunuo Kense. This was also for the first time in the history of Delhi Police where a female officer led the band.

Last year, a female-dedicated pipe band was inducted in the parade, but it was led by a male inspector, Rajender Singh.

This year, Delhi Police Brass and Pipe Band comprised four women sub inspectors and 81 women constables. The band played the "Delhi Police Song".

The band's 80 per cent of the participants are from the northeastern states.

The Delhi Police follows a policy of recruiting people from the eight states in the northeast to "bridge the gap" between the force and the people from that region.

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Gurugram, Jan 26 (PTI) The Gurugram Police arrested accused Ravi Banga on Friday from Jaipur in ex-model Divya Pahuja murder case. The police had announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for providing information regarding Banga.

Banga, a resident of Gurudwara Road Model Town in Hisar, had allegedly disposed of Pahuja's body along with another accused Balraj Gill.

Also Read | Bihar Political Crisis: Tension Deepens Between CM Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav Amid New Government Rumours.

The police had already arrested six accused in the case, including main accused Abhijeet Singh, Hemraj, Om Prakash, Megha, Pravesh and Balraj Gill.

"The police team produced the accused before the court and took him on remand for three days. During the remand, the accused will be interrogated thoroughly," said Varun Dahiya, ACP crime.

Also Read | US Aviation Regulator Restricts Boeing 737 Max Aircraft Production, Here's How it Impacts Indian Airlines.

After Pahuja was shot dead on January 2 in a hotel room, Gill had allegedly kept her body in the trunk of a BMW car and later threw her body in the Bhakra Canal near Munak in Sangrur, Punjab. Police said he carried out the the alleged act with his aide Banga at the behest of hotel owner Abhijeet Singh --- the main accused -- who is also in judicial custody.

Pahuja's's body was recovered from the canal on January 13, 11 days after she was killed. On January 2, Pahuja was taken to Hotel City Point by five people and shot in the head because she had allegedly been extorting money from Singh by blackmailing him with his "obscene pictures", a claim denied by her family.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. The Bulgarian media published articles about the significance and reasons that led to the holding extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan scheduled for February 7, Trend reports, referring to the country's Central Election Commission (CEC).

As the media explained, the main reason is that this will be the first election to take place across the entire territory of Azerbaijan.

The materials noted that the country's victory in the 2020 second Karabakh war, economic growth, and international achievements indicate the people will vote for the continuation of the current political course.

Besides, the articles emphasized that this election will mark the beginning of a new stage characterized by the full restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

According to the articles, over the last 20 years, Azerbaijan has transformed into a dynamically developing state, gaining significant achievements in various spheres.

The articles also discussed Azerbaijan's contribution to Europe's energy security, the extensive activities undertaken by Azerbaijan in transitioning to green energy, and the development of regional connections, emphasizing the effective results achieved.

To note, the ''Election 2024'' Independent Media Center was launched by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], January 26 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that IIT Indore's Ujjain satellite campus has received approval from the central government.

This Satellite Campus is an important project, which will benefit the students, teachers and industrial workers and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has given in-principle approval to the satellite campus, the CM said.

Also Read | Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, January 26, 2024.

CM Sharma called on Union Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Pradhan at his residence in New Delhi on Thursday and discussed in detail issues related to education and skill development.

CM Yadav said that a project for setting up a satellite campus in Ujjain was prepared by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore and sent to the Education Ministry for approval in 2023.

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During the meeting, the Chief Minister also informed Union Minister Pradhan that four future skill courses were being run by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, in Madhya Pradesh.

"Augmented Reality-Virtual Reality (AR/VR) courses being taught in Mahila Polytechnic College, Bhopal, Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) courses being set up in Jabalpur Engineering College and Blockchain courses have been set up in Ujjain Engineering College, which provide skill development and are being run under the Sankalp Yojana of the Ministry of Entrepreneurship. 1000 youth of the state are being trained in each course," CM Yadav said.

He has further said that a Center of Excellence is being established in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality by the IIT Delhi in Sant Shiromani Ravidas Global Skill Park set up by the state in Bhopal.

He also informed that it was decided to appoint IIT Delhi as the technical advisor in place of ITE, Singapore for the course to be conducted at Sant Shiromani Ravidas Global Skill Park. (ANI)

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Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], January 26 (ANI): Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has responded to the summon issued to him by the Directorate of Enforcement in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged land scam, sources said on Thursday.

As per sources, the Jharkhand Chief Minister has said that he has received the agency's letter and will reply to this in due course.

Also Read | Elephant Attack in Karnataka: 65-Year-Old Farmer Trampled to Death by Wild Elephant on Outskirts of Bengaluru; BJP Demands Action.

The ED on January 22 issued a fresh summons to Soren, asking him to be available for questioning between January 27 to 31, in the case.

Earlier on January 20, the Enforcement Directorate arrived in Ranchi to question the Jharkhand Chief Minister in the land scam case.

Also Read | Republic Day 2024: India to Display Military Might, Women Empowerment at R-Day Parade on Kartavya Path.

The state Chief Minister was questioned for 7 hours at his official residence.

Earlier this month, Soren wrote to the federal agency stating that it could record his statement in the land scam case at his official residence on January 20.

ED issued Soren the eighth summons on January 13, asking him to join the investigation between January 16 to 20.

ED had previously issued a summons to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's press advisor, Abhishek Prasad, to join its investigation on January 16 into an alleged money laundering probe linked to an illegal mining case.

The central agency concluded its day-long search of Soren's media advisor Abhishek Prasad's residence in Ranchi earlier on January 3. (ANI)

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Hyderabad, January 26: Amid the rift within the INDIA bloc following West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) Chief Mamata Banerjee and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's vow to go solo in their respective states in Lok Sabha polls, Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) leader KT Rama Rao, popularly known as KTR, has hinted at the possibility of a 'third front', to be led by party chief and former Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR).

In an exclusive interview with ANI, KTR said, "If the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has to be stopped, then the people should support regional leaders like KCR, Mamata or Kejriwal (Delhi Chief Minister) because Congress cannot stop the BJP. On one side, Rahul Gandhi is doing Bharat Jodo but on the other side, the INDI alliance is developing differences. Only regional parties and strong regional leaders can stop the BJP. So, we should strengthen the regional forces. Only the Congress and Rahul Gandhi can't defeat the BJP. KCR knew that Congress would not give any respect to any party. That is why we have been talking about a non-Congress and non-BJP coalition; a third front or federal front should be formed." Dont Pay Power Bills Until Free Electricity Is Provided by Telangana Congress Under Gruha Jyoti Scheme, Says KT Rama Rao.

"However, we hope that discussions take place on this. We made efforts towards it around two years ago. Unfortunately, it did not succeed. However, we are focusing on Telangana now. If we get a good number of seats in Telangana in the Lok Sabha polls, maybe we can succeed in the talks with regional forces like Akhilesh (Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav), Mamata, Kejriwal and others," he added.

The BRS leader further said that the meeting of the INDIA bloc was merely a 'Chai-biscuit' meeting. "No one can form any alliance with the Congress by tolerating their arrogance. We earlier also said that the INDI Alliance meeting is just a chai-biscuit meeting. It has turned out to be true. The TMC and the AAP have proved this. Others will also not be with them (Congress). The party is 'Ghamandi' (arrogant) and they don't believe in taking anyone along," he said. Telangana: KT Rama Rao Takes Jibe at Congress, Says YouTube Channels Instead of Medical Colleges May Have Helped BRS.

The INDIA bloc is currently attempting to combat the inner differences emerging within the alliance. Earlier, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and his West Bengal counterpart, Mamata Banerjee, announced they would go solo in their respective states in the Lok Sabha polls. However, a day after the duo made the announcement, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi adopted a conciliatory tone, saying that the INDIA bloc will fight 'Anyay' together.

"BJP and RSS are spreading hatred, violence and injustice. So, INDIA formation is going to fight 'Anyay' together," he said while addressing a public gathering during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. The conciliatory tone was also sounded by Jairam Ramesh who reiterated that Mamata was an important part of the INDIA bloc.

"I have said that TMC is an important pillar of INDIA bloc which comprises 28 parties. Mamata Banerjee is an experienced and energetic leader of the country, a tall leader. We respect her...Everyone knows that she holds a special place and identity in the politics of our country. I am very confident that she too wants to defeat the BJP, we also want the same. We will fight together. We will make INDIA Alliance successful. That is our duty" Jairam Ramesh said

Meanwhile, AAP leader Sushil Gupta said earlier today that the party would contest all the Lok Sabha seats in Haryana alone, which was a huge blow to the grand-old-party. The INDIA bloc is an alliance of 28 parties, formed to take on the BJP in the coming Lok Sabha polls.

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New Delhi [India], January 26 (ANI): Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu who has been conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour in the country, has said he was truly humbled by it and dedicated the award to farmers, women, youth and all fellow citizens.

Emphasizing his longstanding commitment, Naidu said, "I am really humbled on the conferment of the second highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan by the government. Right from the beginning, in my public life, I have been maintaining values and moving forward with conviction and whatever responsibility I got to be a student leader, youth leader, MLA or MP, party functionary at the state level or national level, minister, rural development, urban development and various other portfolios. I always worked for the welfare of the farmers, women and youth of the country. To take it forward, I dedicate this award that is being given to me, to the farmers, to the women, the youth of India."

Also Read | Padma Bhushan 2024: Foxconn Chairman Young Liu Says 'Deeply Honoured' To Receive Award From Indian Government.

In his acceptance speech, he urged fellow countrymen to unite for the common goal of achieving a self-reliant India. Recognizing the global interest in India, he stressed the importance of maintaining unity and integrity while working towards the nation's self-sufficiency.

"I appeal to all of us, all our friends and fellow countrymen that we should all join together to take the country forward, to make it a self-relevant India at the earliest. The world is looking at India with eagerness, with interest and we Indians should maintain unity, and integrity and work together towards making India Aatmanirbhar," he said.

Also Read | Telangana: Two Youth Die of Electrocution During Republic Day 2024 Event in Mulugu District.

The former Vice President conveyed sincere thanks to the government and Prime Minister for the conferred honor. Acknowledging the responsibilities associated with the award, Naidu pledged to continue his mission for the overall welfare of the people, assuring the public that he will strive to meet their expectations.

He further said, "This award has put onerous responsibility on me to take my mission forward with all the force I have. I would like to once again thank all the people who have been sending me their wishes since yesterday and I would like to assure them I will try to work to meet their expectations."

Former Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, along with four other recipients, including the late social worker and founder of Sulabh International Bindeshwar Pathak, were honoured with the country's second highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, on the eve of Republic Day.

Popular Indian actress Vyjayantimala Bali; actor, film producer, and former politician Konidela Chiranjeevi; and classical Bharata Natyam dancer Padma Subrahmanyam have also been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan on Thursday.

There are 132 names on the list of Padma Awardees this year, including two duo cases (in a duo case, the award is counted as one), as per the list below. The list comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri Awards. 30 of the awardees are women, and the list also includes 8 persons from the categories of foreign non-resident Indian (NRI), person of Indian origin (PIO), overseas citizenship of India (OCI), and nine posthumous awardees. (ANI)

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Bathinda (Punjab) [India], January 26 (ANI): The Bathinda police on Friday arrested two people for allegedly killing a friend of theirs over a dispute in Punjab's Bathinda, police said on Friday.

Meanwhile, both accused hid his body in a pit dug at a residence in Bathinda, according to the police.

Also Read | Delhi Air Pollution: Air Quality Continues To Be 'Severe' at Some Stations in National Capital.

The locals informed the police when bad odour started spreading in the locality where the body was kept hidden.

"The deceased, named Harshdeep (21) had been missing since January 17. In this case, an FIR was already registered with the Bathinda police and a probe was on. Meanwhile, the police were informed of the bad odour that started spreading in the locality where his body was disposed. On reaching the place, it was learned that the body was of the missing person," said Mohit Aggarwal, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Bathinda.

Also Read | Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Likely To Form New Government With BJP's Support Next Week.

"After we launched an investigation into the matter, we found that Harshdeep had been killed by his friend, Gurpinder aka Goldy. He killed him along with another friend named, Baljeet Singh, by strangulating him over a dispute. Later, the duo hid his body in a pit, which was already dug by him at his residence," DSP Aggarwal added.

"Both the accused have been arrested by the police. A probe is underway," he further said.

More details are awaited. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Jan 26 (PTI) The role played by armed forces' veterans during and after their service was depicted in a tableau that rolled down the Kartavya Path during the 75th Republic Day parade on Friday.

The theme of the float was -- "Rashtra Nirman - Pehle Bhi, Ab Bhi, Aage bhi aur Hamesha".

Also Read | Republic Day 2024: President Droupadi Murmu Unfurls Tricolour on 75th Republic Day at Kartavya Path, Takes Ceremonial 21-Gun Salute (Watch Video).

The front part of the tableau depicts a major phase in the lives of armed forces personnel, when they "gallantly defended our country at all costs", read a description about the tableau in an official booklet on the 75th Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path here.

These capable forces along with availability of modern indigenous war fighting platforms clearly reflect that the security of the country is impenetrable, it read.

Also Read | Republic Day 2024 Celebrations Begin with PM Narendra Modi Paying Homage to Bravehearts at National War Memorial (Watch Video).

The central part of the tableau showcases the role of armed forces personnel after their retirement from active service. The veterans have made valuable contributions in myriad aspects of nation building and they act as pillars of the country's growth in various sectors, read the description about the float in the booklet .

The tableau also depicts the supreme sacrifice made by armed forces personnel. "Our country and all its citizens salute the indomitable spirit of our soldiers and get motivated to share the responsibility of the national security," it read.

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Guwahati (Assam) [India], January 26 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma chaired a meeting with a 13-member delegation of the pro-talks faction of ULFA, which is now disbanded, and discussed the issues of rehabilitation of its ex-cadres here in Guwahati.

The meeting held on Thursday discussed the demands of the delegation, which according to the members would help them to lead a respectable life.

Also Read | Union Budget 2024: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Set To Create Equal Record of Former PM Morarji Desai by Presenting Six Budgets in a Row on February 1.

The Chief Minister upon receiving the demands said that a mechanism of rehabilitation would be formulated for expeditiously meeting their demands.

Also Read | Union Budget 2024: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Set To Create Equal Record of Former PM Morarji Desai by Presenting Six Budgets in a Row on February 1.

The Chief Minister upon receiving the demands said that a mechanism of rehabilitation would be formulated for expeditiously meeting their demands.

He said that the government will proactively address all the issues to ensure that the ex-cadres and their family members can lead a decent life.

Also Read | Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Bengal Police Deny Permission to Rahul Gandhi's 'Nyay Yatra' Event in Siliguri on January 28.

Chief Minister Sarma also said that he will work with all for the expeditious implementation of Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) that was signed in a tripartite agreement between Central government, State government and the pro-talks faction of ULFA on 29 December in the national capital.

The delegation was led by its president Rajib Rajkowar and general secretary Golap Barua.

DGP GP Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Home and Political Avinash Puroshattam Das Joshi, ADGP Hiren Nath and other senior officers of Home department were present at the meeting.

The pact signed in December was significant as the banned ULFA-Independent is the only major insurgent outfit in the state after the ULFA pro-talks faction signed the agreement with the Centre and Assam government.

The separatist ULFA was formed in April 1979 in the aftermath of an agitation against undocumented immigrants from Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan).

It split into two groups in February 2011 with the Arabinda Rajkhowa-led faction giving up violence and agreeing to unconditional talks with the government. Paresh Baruah, who leads the other rebranded ULFA-Independent faction, is against the talks.

A series of talks with officials concerned in the Central government has taken place since the delegation arrived in Delhi for signing the settlement pact.

The Union government has signed peace deals with rebel Bodo, Dimasa, Karbi, and Adivasi outfits in Assam over the last three years, bringing an end to the decades-long instability. (ANI)

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Ayodhya, January 26: About 3.25 lakh devotees offered prayers at Ayodhya's Ram Temple on Friday. "Amidst the holiday situation on Republic Day, about 3.25 lakh devotees gathered in Ayodhya, queued up, waited for their turn and then easily got the darshan of Shri Ram Lalla," the release said.

On the instructions of the Chief Minister, once again on Friday, Principal Secretary (Home), Sanjay Prasad and DG Law and Order, Prashant Kumar, reached Ayodhya and took stock of the arrangements. Both the senior officers returned to Lucknow late in the evening and informed the Chief Minister about the general conditions in Ayodhya. Ayodhya: Ram Temple Extends Darshan Time Till 10 PM for Devotees To Deal With Rush.

Devotees Offer Prayers in Ram Temple

#WATCH | Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: On the fourth day after the Pran Pratishtha, devotees throng the Ram Temple to have darshan of Shri Ram Lalla pic.twitter.com/lb0trprMk9  ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2024

Both the senior officers who reached Ayodhya visited the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex along with the Inspector General of Police, Divisional Commissioner, District Officer, Senior Superintendent of Police etc. Also interacted with the devotees and made necessary arrangements to ensure easy darshan. Ram Mandir Inaugurated: Devotees Take Darshan of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on First Day Post Pran Pratishtha Ceremony (Watch Video).

Earlier on Friday morning also the temple premises were inspected by senior officials of the local administration. In view of the huge crowd of devotees, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust has released the time list of Aarti and Darshan. According to Sharad Sharma, media in-charge of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Mangala Aarti of Shri Ram Lala will be at 4:30 in the morning and Shringaar Aarti (Utthaan Aarti) will be at 6:30 in the morning.

After this, the devotees will be given darshan from seven o'clock. After this, Bhog Aarti will be held at 12 noon, Evening Aarti at 7:30 pm and Bhog Aarti at 9 pm and Shayan Aarti at 10 pm. The doors of the temple will remain closed for general visitors during the morning Mangala Aarti, a statement said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], January 26 (ANI): The session of the Uttarakhand Assembly will be convened from February 5 in Dehradun.

A note issued on Friday from the Uttarakhand Assembly Secretariat stated that Uttarakhand had summoned the Fifth Vidhan Sabha of Uttarakhand to meet for the second session.

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"Whereas Governor, Uttarakhand had summoned the Fifth Vidhan Sabha of Uttarakhand to meet for the second session of the year 2023 at 11 am on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, in the Sabha Mandap, Vidhan Sabha Bhawan, Dehradun and which as adjourned sine die on September 8, 2023, in continuation there of the Speaker of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly again summoned the House from Monday, February 5, 2024, at 11 am in the Sabha Mandal, Vidhan Sabha, Dehradun," the notice stated.

Earlier in September last year, the three-day monsoon session of the fifth assembly of Uttarakhand was postponed indefinitely.

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"The second session of the year of the fifth Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, which commenced on September 5, adjourned sine-die after its sitting on September 8," read a press note from the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly Secretariat. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Patna, Jan 26 (PTI) Amid speculations that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may pull out of the ruling 'Mahagathbandhan' and return to the BJP-led NDA, leader of opposition in the assembly Vijay Kumar Sinha on Friday said the saffron party's state unit will accept whatever its the central leadership decides.

Talking to PTI, Sinha said, "Our central leadership is watching the political situation in Bihar. Whatever decision is taken by our central leadership, will be accepted by BJP leaders here".

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Asked whether the party will join hands with Kumar's JD(U) in forming the government in the state, Sinha said, "I have already made it clear that we will accept our central leadership's decision."

He, however, denied that the BJP has convened a meeting of its legislature party on Saturday in the backdrop of recent political developments in the state.

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"We have not called a meeting of our legislature party tomorrow", he said.

On Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav's absence from the governor's high tea ceremony at Raj Bhavan, organised on the occasion of the Republic Day, Sinha said, "What can I say on that? You people should ask them (RJD). It was a state function, which had nothing to do with any political parties."

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. Political parties are actively participating in the electoral process in connection with the presidential elections scheduled for February 7 this year in Azerbaijan, Trend reports, referring to the Central Election Commission (CEC).

Political parties, whose primary purpose is to participate in political processes, are also involved in the electoral process in various capacities. Numerous political parties that do not run candidates in presidential elections but actively participate in ensuring election transparency by sending a large number of observers and members of advisory commissions with voting rights are also showing serious interest in the presidential elections. Thus, having achieved accreditation in the Central Election Commission and district election commissions, 30,000 observers from 19 political parties now have the right to monitor the elections. This process is ongoing and demanding.

To note, political parties are key electoral subjects with a unique role and weight in the country's elections. The current electoral system in Azerbaijan also provides comprehensive and broad options for political parties to participate in elections based on their goals and objectives. Election experience demonstrates that political parties' participation in elections and their ability to influence social-political processes are expanding year after year. The country's favorable climate for the formation and strengthening of political parties, as well as their active participation in sociopolitical processes, undoubtedly plays a significant role in this.

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New Delhi, Jan 26 (PTI) Walmart group firm Flipkart continues to dominate the e-commerce segment with 48 per cent market share while Softbank-backed Meesho has emerged as the fastest growing e-commerce platform in terms of user base in India, a latest report by AllianceBernstein said.

According to the report, Flipkart's user base grew 21 per cent year-on-year (YoY), Meesho accelerated at 32 per cent while Amazon lagged at 13 per cent user growth primarily due to relative premium offerings as compared to peers.

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" As of FY23, Flipkart was the market leader, with a 48 per cent share in India eCommerce. Flipkart continues to grow faster than the industry... Mobile and apparel to be the largest categories for Flipkart with around 50 per cent and 30 per cent mix. Flipkart is estimated to hold 48 per cent and 60 per cent market share in online smartphone and online fashion market respectively," the report said.

The report attributed growth in Meesho's market share primarily to its strategic focus Tier 2 and smaller cities due to its mass positioning, operating through a zero commission model.

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"In the last 12 months, Meesho's order volume grew 43 per cent YoY with revenue growth at 54 per cent through healthy take rates, repeat customers are around 80 per cent," it said.

The report said that Meesho's around 80 per cent of the sellers are retail business owners and about 95 per cent of the selection on the platform is unbranded.

"Meesho is the fastest growing e-commerce platform in India with around 120 million average monthly active users (MAUs)," the report said.

According to AllianceBernstein analysis, current GMV (gross merchandise value) run rate of Meesho business is over USD 5 billion with around 50 per cent GMV from apparel, BPC (beauty and personal care) is around 8-10 per cent and home and kitchen contributing in the range of of around 8-10 per cent.

"We expect Meesho to be the key gainer with over 48 per cent downloads in Indian eCommerce and gain incremental market share," the report said.

A Nielsen Media study, commissioned by Amazon India, in September had found Amazon India to be the most preferred online brand for the respondents across India.

In fashion e-commerce, Reliance owned Ajio has been acquiring users and currently holds around 30 per cent market share based on MAUs, however, Flipkart Group firm Myntra continues to hold the highest market share in terms of active users with over 50 per cent share.

"In December 2023, Myntra exhibited the highest growth rate amongst peers at 25 per cent. A closer look at the business suggests that users on the app are not transacting as much as previous trends, Myntra's GMV grew only 12 per cent in FY 23 as compared to 35 per cent in FY22," the report said.

Amongst e-grocery players, Blinkit continues to grow the fastest driven by maturity in the market.

Zepto, which began its operations in April 2021, however lags as compared to Blinkit in terms of product offerings and reach, the report said.

"As per our industry discussions, quick commerce is a 3 player structure in India with Blinkit as a market leader with nearly 40 per cent share, Instamart at 37-39 per cent and Zepto at around 20 per cent share from a GMV perspective," the report said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ghaziabad, January 26: A traffic constable allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at the police lines in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, officials said on Friday. The incident took place on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, they said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kavinagar, Abhishek Tripathi said, "Constable Pankaj Kumar hanged himself from a pull-up bar at the police lines. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead." Uttar Pradesh Shocker: PhD Student at IIT-Kanpur Dies by Suicide in Hostel Room, Probe Underway.

"Pankaj Kumar joined the police force in 2016 and was unmarried. Prima facie, he took the extreme step as he was frustrated over some personal issues," the officer said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Sydney, Jan 26 (AP) Thousands of Australians protested the anniversary of British colonisation of their country with large crowds on Friday urging for Australia Day to be moved and for a day of mourning on the holiday some call "Invasion Day".

The holiday marks the arrival of 11 British ships carrying convicts at Port Jackson in present-day Sydney on January 26, 1788. For many activists, the day marked the beginning of a sustained period of discrimination and expulsion of Indigenous people from their land without a treaty.

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Thousands of people, many of whom waved Indigenous flags, rallied in front of the Victoria state parliament in Melbourne, calling for an official day of mourning to be declared across Australia. Large crowds in Sydney chanted for the Australia Day date to be moved. Protests have been organized in every major city in the country.

On Thursday, two monuments symbolising Australia's colonial past were damaged in Melbourne. A statue of British naval officer James Cook, who in 1770 charted Sydney's coast, was sawn off at the ankles, and a Queen Victoria monument was doused in red paint.

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represented 3.8 per cent of Australia's population of 26 million, according to a Bureau of Statistics census in 2021. Indigenous people are the nation's most disadvantaged ethnic minority.

Tensions are high after Australian voters in October resoundingly rejected a referendum to create an advocacy committee to offer advice to parliament on policies that affect Indigenous people. The government had proposed the first constitutional change since 1977 as a step forward in Indigenous rights.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday that the national day was an opportunity for Australians to pause and reflect on everything that we have achieved as a nation". (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Toronto, Jan 26 (AP) The lawyer for a Canadian man accused of selling lethal substances on the internet to people at risk of self harm said he will be pleading not guilty to upgraded murder charges.

Kenneth Law was charged in December with 14 counts of second-degree murder, and his lawyer, Matthew Gourlay, confirmed Friday those have now all been upgraded to first-degree murder.

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An international investigation is underway following the arrest in Canada last year of the 58-year-old Law, who was initially charged with two counts of counseling and aiding suicide last year. More charges were announced in December.

Canadian police say Law, from the Toronto area, used a series of websites to market and sell sodium nitrite, a substance commonly used to cure meats that can be deadly if ingested. He is accused of shipping them to people in more than 40 countries.

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British police said they are investigating the deaths of 88 people in the U.K. linked to the websites. Authorities in the United States, Italy, Australia and New Zealand also have launched investigations.

Law's case was set to return before a Newmarket, Ontario, court on Tuesday, but Gourlay said that will not take place as scheduled since the case will instead go directly to trial in Superior Court. Gourlay said his next court appearance is now expected to be next Thursday in Superior Court.

The Ministry of the Attorney General didn't immediately respond to a message asking why the charges were upgraded to first degree murder. Peel Regional Police referred comment to the ministry.

Police have said all charges against Law relate to the same 14 alleged victims, who were between the ages of 16 and 36 and died in communities across Ontario. The believe more than 1,200 packages were sent out globally, and about 160 were sent in Canada.

It is against the law in Canada for someone to recommend suicide, although assisted suicide has been legal since 2016 for people aged at least 18. Any adult with a serious illness, disease or disability may seek help in dying, but they must ask for that assistance from a physician. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 26 (ANI): On the occasion of 75th Republic Day, the envoys of various countries, ranging from the United States, Israel and Russia wished India and called for further prospering ties with New Delhi.

US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti congratulated India and emphasised on building a forward-looking partnership.

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"Congratulations India on your 75th Republic Day! As we celebrate this special day at our embassy, let's continue building a forward-looking partnership and a future of even closer ties, shared values, and mutual pride taking," Garcetti posted on X.

He also shared the post of US Embassy in India, which showed the celebrations of Republic Day taking place in the embassy with 'rangoli' and flags.

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https://x.com/USAmbIndia/status/1750709704303820853?s=20

Israeli Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon congratulated India on the Republic Day with a post in Hindi, and said that the ever-growing India-Israel relationship is built on shared values and mutual respect.

"Best wishes to India! I stand before the grandstand #IndiaGate with heartfelt appreciation for the incredible progress made by India. I join my Indian friends in this celebration of the spirit of unity, diversity and democracy. Our relationship, built on shared values and mutual respect, is growing stronger with each passing year. Jai Hind", he posted on X.

https://x.com/NaorGilon/status/1750694981625422036?s=20

Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov congratulated India wishing for a bright 'Amrit Kaal' and a strong 'Russia-Bharatiya Dosti' (India-Russia friendship)

"Warmest congratulations on the #RepublicDay, India! Wishing our Indian friends prosperity, well-being and very bright #AmritKaal! Long live #Bharat! Long live Rusi-Bharatiya Dosti!" he posted on X.

https://x.com/AmbRus_India/status/1750668330451583285?s=20

Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green congratulated India on the Republic Day, and Australia Day, and hailed the prospering India-Australia ties.

"Wishing Happy Australia Day & Happy Republic Day to everyone celebrating today!" he posted on X.

"On 26th January, we share a day of concurrence, Australia Day and Republic Day in India. In Australia, we think of our indigenious people, who have nurtured our bountiful lands for 60,000 years. We also think of so many immigrants, including many who come as people of Indian origin," envoy Green said in the video message.

"On Republic Day, we think of the great successes of this country since independence. India has become one of Australia's most consequential partners, across security, trade and economics, and as human bridge between Indians who made their homes in Australia," he added.

Notably, Australia also celebrates on January 26 known as 'Australia Day'. It marks the anniversary of the British flag first being hoisted at Sydney Cove in 1788.

https://x.com/AusHCIndia/status/1750698224976081322?s=20

Denmark Ambassador to India, Freddy Svane also congratulated India on the Republic Day.

"Happy Republic Day to all Indians and friends. May Vijay and Vinay inspire all of us," he posted.

https://x.com/svane_freddy/status/1750715718717620466?s=20

Japan Ambassador to India, Hiroshi Suzuki wished India on the Republic Day by posting a video of him waving the tricolour.

https://x.com/HiroSuzukiAmbJP/status/1750588904158445836?s=20

The Republic Day parade will commence at 10.30 am and run for approximately 90 minutes.

President Droupadi Murmu will lead the country in the grand celebrations of its journey of Amrit Kaal that began post the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations to commemorate 75 years of the country's independence.

The ceremonial event will witness the classic display of the nation's defence forces with an exhilarating display of mighty cavalcades comprising mechanised columns state-of-the-art equipment, marches of contingents and a display of varied culture and unity in the diversity of the nation.

Based on the twin themes of 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka', this year's parade will witness the participation of around 13,000 special Guests - an initiative that will provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life to take part in the celebrations and encourage Jan Bhagidari in this national festival.

French President Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest at 75th Republic Day celebrations today.

He arrived in Jaipur on Thursday was given a red carpet reception and held bilateral talks with PM Modi and exchanged perspectives on a wide-range of bilateral and global issues. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Melbourne, Jan 26 (PTI) The Indian community in Australia is mourning the tragic death of four compatriots, including three women, who drowned at an unpatrolled beach in Phillip Island this week.

Jagjeet Singh Anand, a 23-year-old male nurse, Suhani Anand and Kirti Bedi, 20-year-old nursing students, and Reema Sondhi, 43, died in the tragic incident on Wednesday. They were part of a group of about 10 people who were enjoying a day out at Phillip Island, near Melbourne in Victoria.

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A close relative, who was too devastated to speak at length, said Sondhi was visiting her family in Australia and had arrived there two weeks earlier, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Sondhi was the daughter-in-law of industrialist Om Sondhi from Phagwara in India's Punjab state. Reema's husband Sanjeev too was part of the group but he survived.

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Jagjeet Singh Anand, a Melbourne-based nurse, was a permanent resident in Australia while Suhani Anand and Bedi were on student visas. The three younger victims were all residents of Clyde, a suburb of Melbourne.

Ravinder Singh, who is close to the family of the victims and is organising a fundraiser, said the community was struggling to comprehend the scale of the tragedy.

"It is so sad, we have no words," he told ABC News.

"They were very kind members [of Melbourne's Indian community], they were very down to earth.

"This is a loss that will never be filled. It is the darkest day of my life."

Singh said he also wanted to raise the community's awareness of the danger of swimming at the beach, to try to prevent future heartache.

"It is very important to teach the community about rip currents," he said.

Friends have also started a GoFundMe campaign to help "fulfil the wishes" of the family.

"Shivam, a registered nurse with a heart of gold, saved many lives throughout his career but was unable to be saved when needed himself. Suhani and Kriti, both nursing students, had planned to stay home and focus on their studies, but life had other plans," campaign organiser Ankur Chhabra said.

"In this time of immense grief, we can come together, not just in mourning, but in a tide of compassion that lifts their families above the depths of despair.

"We can help by raising funds to assist the family in fulfilling their wishes, whether it be transporting the remains back to India or supporting the cremation ceremony in Australia," Chhabra told 9News channel.

The Indian high commission in Australia on Thursday in a post on X spoke about the heartbreaking tragedy in which four Indians lost their lives.

The commission said the consulate general of India in Melbourne was providing support to the family and friends.

Bass Coast Mayor Clare Le Serve, expressing her condolences to the victims' families, said the Forrest Caves tragedy and other recent drownings had deeply saddened the Phillip Island community.

Whilst we live in a beautiful region surrounded by beaches, this is sadly a tragic reminder of how dangerous the ocean can be, she said.

Victoria Police Eastern Region Assistant Commissioner Karen Nyholm said the victims entered the water near Forrest Caves -- close to Cape Woolamai -- on the Bass Strait side of the Phillip Island's south-eastern peninsula.

Off-duty lifeguards surfing nearby rushed to their aid after the group got into difficulty, pulling three people from the water unresponsive.

Life Saving Victoria commander Kane Treloar said lifeguards from Cape Woolamai were called at about 3.40 pm on Wednesday and a rescue boat retrieved the fourth personall required CPR.

Three of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene while one of the 20-year-old women was resuscitated and flown to The Alfred. She died in hospital, police said on Thursday morning.

We all worked tirelessly to help those people, Ambulance Victoria manager Paul James said. It's tragic  only a week ago we had three other separate drownings here in Gippsland.

Treloar said Wednesday's tragedy was the worst drowning incident in Victoria in almost two decades.

It's not since 2005, [when] a tragedy occurred at Stingray Bay, that we've seen these sorts of numbers, he said, referencing a drowning at Warrnambool's Middle Island that killed five people from one family.

Treloar urged those on Phillip Island to swim at three patrolled beaches, including Cowes Beach on the protected Western Port side of the island.

The exposed beaches along Bass Strait  are a dangerous, but really beautiful stretch of coastline that a lot of people want to come and enjoy this summer, he said.

A spokesperson for Phillip Island Nature Parks, which manages the Forrest Caves area, said the authority would review warning signs at the beach, which already had a no-swimming symbol and met Australian standards.

Police are still trying to piece together what led to Wednesday's tragedy, but are not treating the deaths as suspicious. Emergency services warned against swimming at the relatively remote Forrest Caves beach.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Singapore, January 26: An Indian-origin former Singaporean lawyer has been sentenced to jail for close to four years for misappropriating SGD 4,80,000 entrusted to him by three clients. According to a news report, Gurdaib Singh Pala Singh, 70, committed the offences between 2011 and 2016.

Even though the convict was struck off the rolls in 2018, he continued to act as an advocate and solicitor for a man the following year. In July last year, Singh, who used to be a lawyer at Gurdaib Cheong & Partners (GCP), pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal breach of trust involving nearly SGD 4,59,000 and an offence under the Legal Profession Act.

A third criminal breach of trust charge involving another SGD 21,000 was considered during sentencing. In December 2010, Zulkifli Osman engaged GCP to provide services relating to the sale of his late father's flat. The flat was sold on July 29, 2011, and GCP later received the sale proceeds of more than SGD 3,56,000 on Zulkifli's behalf. On My Way to Blow Up the Plane: British-Indian Student Aditya Verma Faces Trial Over Taliban Joke.

It was then agreed between Zulkifli and Singh that out of that sum, Zulkifli's brother was to receive SGD 1,38,876.50. On December 15 of that year, Zulkifli deposited SGD 1,38,876 into GCP's client account to be held in escrow as his brother's share of the sales proceeds. But between Dec 20, 2011, and May 3, 2012, Singh misappropriated Zulkifli's funds in GCP's client account by issuing cheques for other purposes, such as paying the firm's office expenses.

Unaware that the money had been fully expended, Zulkifli made three requests to Singh between August 2012 and July 2014 to withdraw a portion of it. To meet the request, Singh disbursed SGD 10,156 to Zulkifli by using money in the GCP client account that belonged to the firm's other clients. In June 2015, Zulkifli asked Singh to withdraw the remaining SGD 128,720 from the funds, but the offender failed to disburse any money to him.

In an unrelated case, a company called CH Assets International entered into a memorandum of agreement to borrow USD10 million (SGD13.4 million) from United Kingdom-incorporated firm OCS Capital on Nov 5, 2014. The same day, CH Assets and Singh signed an escrow agreement that the latter prepared. Nine days later, CH Assets deposited SGD 320,000 into GCP's client account as a deposit for the loan.

In earlier proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Norman Yew said that between November 18 and December 23, 2014, Singh misappropriated the money and used it to pay for items such as GCP's office expenses.

In June 2015, CH Assets asked Singh to return its funds as OCS Capital did not provide the loan to it. After repeated requests for the money, Singh handed SGD 5,000 to CH Assets in September 2015. Indian-Origin Entrepreneur Jai Malik's Early-Stage Venture Capital Firm Countdown Capital To Shut Down by March-End Amid the Funding Winter: Reports.

CH Assets then alerted the Law Society of Singapore on September 15, 2015. The DPP said that from September 2015 onwards, Singh made restitution totalling SGD 58,000 to CH Assets over nine payments. Singh was struck off the rolls on February 27, 2018.

Despite this, he agreed to represent a man in divorce proceedings after the latter met him in September 2019. Singh did not tell him that he had been struck off the rolls. Between September 7 and 27, 2019, the man paid him SGD 1,750. The following month, Singh sent the man a draft affidavit which the former lawyer had prepared, and it was later filed with the courts.

Afterwards, Singh did not provide the man with any updates on the matter. On January 12, 2020, the man asked Singh for a full refund as he no longer wanted his services. Singh has since returned SGD1,000 to him, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Yew. The former lawyer's bail was set at SGD 1,00,000 on January 25 and he is expected to surrender himself at the State Courts on February 15 to begin serving his jail term of three years and 11 months.
Tel Aviv [Israel], January 26 (ANI/TPS): The Director General of the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMoD) Maj.-Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir concluded a working visit to Washington D.C., on Thursday after meetings with US Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of State (DOS) leadership and Lockheed Martin and Boeing executives.

The IMoD said the visit underscored the "close cooperation between Israel and the United States since the beginning of the ongoing Swords of Iron war."

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Maj. Gen. (Res.) Zamir engaged in discussions with his American counterparts about armament procurement, aligning with preparations for evolving combat scenarios. The discussions also focused on plans for force build-up in the upcoming multi-year strategy, including the acquisition of advanced platforms and capabilities to maintain the IDF's qualitative military edge and readiness for diverse scenarios.

"This approach integrates lessons learned from the war into strategies for obtaining military equipment," said IMoD.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron Hold Roadshow in Rajasthan's Jaipur (Watch Video).

In meetings with senior government officials, Zamir addressed the current combat situation in Gaza and the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah in the north. Additionally, discussions focused on countering Iranian aggression seeking to harm Israel and destabilise the Middle East.

The Director General also met with executives of major American defense industries including Lockheed Martin's Senior Vice President of Global Business Development & Strategy, Mr. Michael Williamson, Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President of Aeronautics, Mr. Greg Ulmer, and President Boeing Defense and Space, Mr. Ted Colbert.

They discussed existing agreements as well as the IMOD's plan to advance new agreements for the procurement of military armaments and advanced equipment. (ANI/TPS)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Arunachal Pradesh [India], January 26: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) soldiers deployed at the peaks of the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh celebrated the 75th Republic Day of India.

Marking the occasion, Indian soldiers marched near the border area, waved the Indian flag and raised 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai" slogans. Republic Day 2024 Special: Mountaineer Virendra Sisodia From Lucknow To Hoist India's Tricolour and Shri Ram Temple Flag on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania Today (See Pic).

ITBP Jawans Celebrate 75th Republic Day

India-China border near Arunachal Pradesh has been in headlines after a face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector led to minor injuries "to a few personnel" from both sides, sources said and noted that both sides immediately disengaged from the area.

The sources said on December 9, 2022, PLA troops contacted the LAC in the Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh which was contested by Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner.

India is meanwhile gearing up for a momentous platinum celebration of the country's Republic Day with an enthralling showcase of its military prowess and rich cultural heritage at the majestic 'Kartavya Path' in the national capital.

President Droupadi Murmu will lead the country in the grand celebrations in its journey of Amrit Kaal that began post the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations to commemorate 75 years of the country's independence.

Viksit Bharat's rich cultural diversity, the 'Aatmanirbhar' military prowess and the growing Nari Shakti are the dominating themes of the 90-minute parade that will be graced by French President Emmanuel Macron as Chief Guest.

For the first time ever, an all-women Tri-Service contingent is marching down the Kartavya Path. Women pilots will also enthral the audience during the Indian Air Force's fly-past, representing Nari Shakti (women power).

The contingents of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will also consist of only women personnel.

The parade will be heralded by over 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments. The parade would commence with the music of Sankh, Naadswaram, Nagada, etc., to be played by the women artists. Republic Day 2024 Greeting: PM Narendra Modi Wishes People on India's 75th Gantantra Diwas.

The ceremonial event will witness the classic display of the nation's defence forces with an exhilarating display of mighty cavalcades comprising mechanised columns, state-of-the-art equipment, marches of contingents and a display of varied culture and unity in the diversity of the nation.

Based on the twin themes of 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka', this year's parade will witness the participation of around 13,000 special guests, an initiative which will provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life to take part in the celebrations and encourage 'Jan Bhagidari' in this national festival.

The ceremony will start with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the National War Memorial, where he will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade.

After this President Murmu and her French counterpart Macron will be escorted by the President's Bodyguard, the senior most Regiment of the Indian Army. This Republic Day is special for this elite Regiment which has completed 250 years of service since its raising in 1773.

The two Presidents will arrive in the 'traditional buggy', a practice which is making a comeback after a gap of 40 years, the Defence Ministry said.

The National Flag will be unfurled, followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute given with indigenous gun system 105-mm Indian Field Guns.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 26 (ANI): External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, met with his French counterpart, Stephane Sejourne and held a discussion on a range of regional and global issues.

The meeting, held in the spirit of the enduring India-France strategic partnership, focused on key matters pertinent to both nations.

Also Read | US Aviation Regulator Restricts Boeing 737 Max Aircraft Production, Here's How it Impacts Indian Airlines.

"Great to meet with French FM @steph_sejourne. A good discussion on regional and global issues, befitting our strategic partnership. Look forward to staying in touch," Jaishankar said in a post on X.

The dialogue between the two foreign ministers was held as French President Emmanuel Macron is on a State visit to India on the occasion of Republic Day.

Also Read | Israel-Hamas War: United Nations' Top Court Says It Won't Throw Out Genocide Case Against Israel As It Issues Preliminary Ruling.

Macron, who arrived in India on Thursday in Jaipur, held a bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PM Modi said that it is a matter of great pride that the French President is participating in the 75th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote," Welcome to India, my friend President @EmmanuelMacron. I am happy that President Macron begins his India visit from Jaipur in Rajasthan, a land with rich culture, heritage and talented people. It is a matter of great pride that he will be taking part in our Republic Day celebrations tomorrow, 26th January, in Delhi. His presence not only strengthens the ties between our nations but also adds a significant chapter to our shared history of friendship and collaboration."

This momentous visit by President Macron culminates in the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the Strategic Partnership between India and France.

Macron and PM Modi have engaged in a series of high-profile meetings throughout 2023, underscoring the strength and depth of the bilateral relationship.

Their interactions have spanned various global platforms, including the COP 28 Summit in Dubai, the G20 Leaders' Summit, and the G7 Summit in Hiroshima. Notably, President Macron was also the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Celebrations in France in July 2023.

This visit by President Macron marks the sixth time a French leader has been invited as the Chief Guest on India's Republic Day. This tradition began with President Jacques Chirac in 1976, followed by Valery Giscard d'Estaing in 1980, Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, and Francois Hollande in 2016. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. The Germans regard the citizens of the small town of Waltrop as ordinary and hardworking. Unusually, Frank Schwabe, who was born in Waltrop 54 years ago, appears to have chosen to break the mold and stick out of the crowd by altering the perception of this town in the German province of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Frank Schwabe has been a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany since 2005, and he presently leads the Social Democrats' faction in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

Notoriously enjoying disrepute and known as "Korrupte Seele" ("Corrupted Soul" in German), he has been chameleonizing a variety of strategies to strengthen his position in PACE and eventually gain participation in the European Parliament.

Frank Schwabe's recent efforts in PACE, particularly his principal demand for the non-ratification of the Azerbaijani delegation's powers, are not entirely this troublemaker's own initiative.

Schwabe effectively carried out a political directive by accepting the resolution, which represented the consistent stance of political forces in France and Germany.

However, his goals extend beyond simply supporting a resolution intended to considerably chill relations with Azerbaijan, a country of special importance in terms of geopolitical, economic, and geostrategic interests for both the European Union and the Council of Europe in the South Caucasus.

According to the preamble of the guidelines Schwabe received, Europe is in charge of regulating communications between the EU and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which are acknowledged as Europe's two principal political bodies.

This demand stems from France's losing influence in the European arena during the last four years, the increased significance of the European Parliament and PACE, and, ultimately, the strengthening of the French government's authority over these institutions.

For this reason, Schwabe, dissatisfied with penalties imposed merely on the Azerbaijani delegation, has included the OSCE as a target in the process.

In an interview with the BBC Azerbaijani service, he made statements that are expected to have a considerable impact on the European Union.

"Our rapporteurs in Azerbaijan requested to visit Baku, but they were denied entry into the country. Similar instances have occurred. Additionally, the organization was not extended an invitation to observe the extraordinary presidential election scheduled in Azerbaijan for February 7. This is a universal obligation for every country, and all others adhere to it. However, Azerbaijan invited the OSCE instead of us. Such decisions are not solely at the discretion of Azerbaijan. The government of Azerbaijan cannot unilaterally decide which organization to invite for election observation. We should have received an invitation," he said.

"Now, they are aware that a substantial critical report on the election will come from the Council of Europe, and they are hopeful that the OSCE report will not be as critical. This underscores the importance of upholding democratic values and rules that prevail in Europe and within our organization without allowing room for manipulation or games," he added.

Frank Schwabe is evidently attempting to sow discord between the PACE and the OSCE regarding the division of power and the definition of their operational mechanisms. Simultaneously, he openly asserts that PACE, the organization he represents, is "more objective, honest, and realistic" when compared to the OSCE.

This represents a challenge to the political constructs of the European Union, as it accuses the OSCE of corruption, inferiority, and a subjective approach without valid grounds. To be more specific, Schwabe generally asserts that OSCE election monitoring and observation missions are pointless, superficial, and unnecessary.

What the German MP stated in his interview with the BBC, to be direct, amounts to a humiliation of the OSCE and an insult to its leadership and spokespersons.

Going further, Schwabe accused Azerbaijan of "playing a game" against the OSCE, expressing dissatisfaction with that aspect as well.

"I am dissatisfied with the OSCE's visit to Azerbaijan because we have an agreement that no country should use us against each other. Therefore, either we are invited together or none of us go to that country. This is what I expect from the OSCE. Although the OSCE is aware of our stance, negotiations are ongoing in this regard, but they are facing pressure from the Azerbaijani side. They understand that during the discussions on the future of the OSCE in October this year, they will require the support of all countries, including Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan prefers to invite the OSCE and keep the Council of Europe at a distance. This is unacceptable, and we will not allow this to happen," Schwabe noted.

Azerbaijan's expectations and desires from the OSCE, PACE, European Parliament, and EU in general are simple, known, and transparent.

The Government of Azerbaijan insists that these organizations adopt a democratic, objective, truthful, impartial, and honest approach grounded in the norms and principles of international law.

So far, both PACE and the European Parliament have frequently endorsed documents demonstrating a biased, subjective, and selective approach to international law. Most concerning is the substitution of double standards for the principles outlined in the preamble of the law.

Engaging in racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, Turkophobia, overtly supporting Armenia and Armenians, and baselessly leveling paranoid accusations against Azerbaijan cannot be deemed actions within the realm of partnership or cooperation.

Frank Schwabe's statements suggest that he categorizes any politician, structure, or organization providing truthful, fact-based, and objective assessments about Azerbaijan as "captured," "oppressed," or "corrupt."

In the vocabulary of this political figure, synonyms for the word "Azerbaijan" exclusively consist of terms associated with negative or illegal actions.

In contrast to political figures like Schwabe, the leadership of the EU, NATO, and OSCE, as well as authoritative experts and rapporteurs within these organizations, comprehends the core of Azerbaijan's domestic and foreign policy, Baku's strategy, and regional tactics. They recognize that Azerbaijan is not only a formidable force in the South Caucasus but also a state capable of influencing processes in Central and West Asia. This acknowledgement extends from ensuring the energy security of the European Union to implementing an objective policy in the fight against international terrorism and countering the irrational behavior of states vying for geopolitical hegemony.

Frank Schwabe portrays an image of a politician who, despite possessing the capability to analyze the situation, seemingly fails to comprehend these dynamics.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have dismissed as a trivial matter the undeniable fact that PACE had virtually no impact on Armenia during the years of Armenian occupation, where 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories were taken, and remained indifferent to the fate of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs.

PACE, which, after Azerbaijan acceded to the Council of Europe in 2001, seemed to ignore the Armenian occupation, separatism, and widespread violations of the rights and freedoms of Azerbaijanis by Armenia until 2020, now aims to advocate for the rights of Karabakh Armenians by asserting alleged pressure on them.

"This was clear to everyone. But we are not an organization dealing with territorial conflicts; there are other organizations handling these issues." With such an absurd statement, Frank Schwabe dodged the question about it.

Azerbaijan sought PACE to play a genuine and practical role, not in resolving the territorial conflict but in putting an end to the severe violation of the rights of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis by both Armenia and Karabakh Armenians.

This did not happen because PACE was and continues to be more concerned with the implementation of mercantile goals than with human rights.

Regarding Frank Schwabe's efforts to incite intrigue and confrontation between PACE and OSCE, we hope that the relevant entities within the European Union will make efforts to understand the motivations behind these counterproductive games.

This time, the OSCE has become a target amid the devastation of the European apparatus for political cooperation and communication.

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Brussels, Jan 26 (AP) NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed optimism on Friday that Sweden could be ready to join the military organization by March, after receiving positive signals this week from holdouts Hungary and Turkey.

Sweden, along with its neighbour Finland, set aside decades of military non-alignment after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 to seek protection under NATO's collective defense umbrella. Finland has since joined, and it along with the other 30 allies must all agree for Sweden to join.

Also Read | Turkey Road Accident: Six Passengers Killed, 33 Injured As Bus Overturns in Kastamonu Province.

But Turkey and Hungary have held up proceedings.

Sweden's entry into NATO will make the whole alliance stronger, Stoltenberg told reporters as he provided details about talks this week with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and noted new developments in Turkey.

Also Read | Brazil Plane Crash: Two Killed As Small Aircraft Crashes in Forest in Sao Paulo State.

The message I have received from Budapest is that the parliament will reconvene at the end of February, so we have to wait for that. But I'm absolutely confident, and I count on Hungary, Stoltenberg said.

Initially, Hungary gave no clear reason for the delays, and Orban had insisted that his government wouldn't be the last to endorse Sweden. But the tone toward Stockholm hardened, as the European Commission refused to allow Hungary access to EU funds over democratic backsliding.

Budapest accused Swedish politicians of telling blatant lies about the state of Hungary's democracy.

Orban, who has broken ranks with NATO allies by adopting a Kremlin-friendly stance toward Russia's invasion of Ukraine, said Tuesday that he had invited Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to Budapest to discuss future cooperation in the field of security and defense as allies and partners.

Unless an emergency session of parliament is called to debate Sweden's bid, the assembly is due to sit on February 26.

To let Sweden join, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan imposed a series of conditions including a tougher stance on groups that Turkey considers to be threats to its security, like Kurdish militants and members of a network he blames for a failed coup in 2016.

Separately, but linked to his approval, Erdogan insisted on a fighter-jet deal with the United States.

On Tuesday, Turkish lawmakers finally held a vote on the issue and ratified Sweden's accession protocol by 287 votes to 55. The Turkish government finalized the step Thursday by publishing the measure in an official gazette.

Stoltenberg welcomed the fact that on Thursday night Erdogan gave his signature to the decision of the parliament, so now all decisions are in place in Turkey.

Sweden will become NATO's 32nd member once Hungary completes its procedures and the instruments of ratification of all allies have been received by the US State Department. (AP)

(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 26: Six persons, including a child, were rescued after they got trapped due to fire in a building at Delhis Shahdara area on Friday, a fire department official said. The Director of Delhi Fire Service (DFS), Atul Garg, said that a call regarding a blaze in a house in the Shahdara area was received at 5:23 p.m.

A total of five fire tenders were rushed to the spot, said Garg. At 6:55 p.m., the flames were doused. The fire broke out in a wiper, rubber and cutting machine on the ground floor, said Garg. Delhi Fire: Massive Blaze Erupts at Kitchen Utensils Manufacturing Factory in Wazirpur Area, Fire Tenders Rush to Spot (Watch Video).

Six people (five adults and one child) were rescued and shifted to a nearby hospital. The building comprises ground plus four floors and the area is about 50 sq yards, said Garg.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 26, 2024 08:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Bhopal, Jan 26: A woman from Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal has filed for divorce after eight months of marriage because her husband took her to Varanasi and Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh along with his parents instead of Goa for honeymoon, an official has said.

The application for divorce is pending at the counselling stage and efforts are on for an amicable solution between the woman and her husband, Family Court marriage counsellor Shail Awasthi told PTI on Thursday. Madhya Pradesh: Woman Files for Divorce in Bhopal As Husband Takes Her to Ayodhya, Not Goa, for Honeymoon.

They got married on May 3 last year. The woman insisted on going on a honeymoon abroad as they are earning well. The husband is an IT professional, while the woman works in a private company, Awasthi said.

The husband was reluctant to go abroad for honeymoon and later settled for Goa or somewhere in south India as possible destinations claiming he also had to look after his parents, the official added.

The man booked flight tickets to Ayodhya and Varanasi without informing his wife and told her about the trip just a day before departure, Awasthi said.

He told his wife his mother wanted to visit Ayodhya before the idol

consecration of the Ram Temple. The woman did not object at the time but had an argument over it once the family returned and later filed for divorce. Bhopal Woman Files For Divorce After Husband Takes Her to Ayodhya Instead of Goa for Honeymoon.

The woman in her statement has claimed the man took greater care of his parents than her, the official said, quoting the divorce application.

The couple is being counselled but it may take time for the matter to be resolved, Awasthi added.
Chennai, January 26: The Tamil Nadu Police have arrested the son and daughter-in-law of the ruling DMKs Pallavaram MLA, E. Karunanithi in a case related to the alleged physical assault and abuse of an 18-year-old Dalit domestic help.

The Greater Chennai Police booked Anto Mathivanan and daughter-in-law Marlina Ann for allegedly physically torturing their teenage domestic aide. The Neelankarai police in Chennai had registered a case under sections pertaining to causing hurt, obscene words, sections of Women Harassment Act and SC/ST Act along with sections of JJ Act. Trouble For DMK Leader's Son: Domestic Help Files Complaint Against Pallavaram MLA's Daughter-in Law, Alleges Torture & Harassment.

Police sources told IANS that the couple was arrested from a relative's house in Andhra Pradesh where they were hiding. The 18-year-old Dalit domestic help had alleged that the husband and wife used to make her work for long hours well into midnight and used to physically torture her. BJP Only Wins in Gau Mutra States: DMK MP DNV Senthil Kumars Remarks Trigger Row; Congress, BJP Condemn.

The girl in her complaint also stated that she was not given her salary and that Marlina Ann used to tell her that they were very powerful and that she won't be able to do anything to them. After the Dalit girl raised the allegations there was an uproar in Tamil Nadu calling for the immediate arrest of the couple.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 26, 2024 11:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
New Delhi, January 26: The Indian airlines may suffer as a result of the US aviation regulator's decision to limit the production of the divisive Boeing 737 Max. Hundreds of different models of the plane have already been ordered by Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air. Following a near-catastrophic panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines aircraft three weeks ago, Boeing is coming under increased scrutiny for its quality control procedures. Thankfully, the plane made a safe landing and the passengers only suffered minor injuries. However, the fallout has made people and various authorities pay closer attention to Boeing's production methods.

The Boeing 737 MAX 9 incident on January 5 came after months of minor issues with the same kind of aircraft. The Alaska Airlines incident is Boeing's most significant operational issue since two 737 MAX 8 disasters in 2018 and 2019 left 346 people dead and forced the plane to be grounded for an extended period of time. Alaska Airlines Incident: DGCA Confirms Satisfactory Operational Checks on Boeing 737 Max Aircrafts in India.

Boeing cannot increase manufacturing of the contentious aircraft until it gets its act together, according to a recent decision by the Federal Aviation Administration, the US aviation regulator. A recent statement by the FAA reads, "We will not agree to any request from Boeing for an expansion in production or approve additional production lines for the 737 MAX until we are satisfied that the quality control issues uncovered during this process are resolved."

The statement presents a noteworthy obstacle for Indian carriers, such as Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, which have together placed orders for several Boeing 737 Max models. US FAA Grounds Certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 Planes for Immediate Inspections After Alaska Airlines Aircraft Window Blows Out Mid-Air.

As part of a $70 billion agreement struck last year, Air India Express has orders for 181 737 Max aircraft, while Akasa Air and SpiceJet have orders for 204 and 142 Max aircraft, respectively. All Boeing 737 Max aircraft operating in India have previously undergone inspection by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which has expressed concerns about safety. Although the precise effects of the FAA's ruling on Indian airlines are yet unknown, it may have an effect on Boeing's intentions to start a new 737 Max production line.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 26, 2024 06:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
New Delhi, January 26: Apple released its new iOS 17.4 beta 6.42GB update with major changes, especially for the European region. The new iOS 17.4 update is available for the developers to test and check the list of features coming in the future. The update gives significant heads-up to the EU, allowing the third-party app marketplaces. The company highlighted major iOS, Safari and App Store changes in the new update.

In the iPhone mobile operating system, Apple has allowed alternative browser engines for iOS but limited to European users. Apple announced that the changes include more than 600 new APIs and expanded app analytics. Amid all these changes, Apple is said to have ensured maximum safety against risks related to privacy and security. India Republic Day 2024 Celebrated With Special Google Doodle: Search Giant's Doodle on 75th R-Day Shows India's Transition From Analogue to Digital Era.

Apple's new changes and capabilities in the iOS 17.4 beta will be available for users in the 27 countries in the EU starting March 2024. The recent changes include,

Option for distributing iOS apps on alternative app marketplaces, allowing developers to offer their iOS apps for download from different marketplaces than the App Store and protect intellectual property.

iOS 17.4 beta also includes a new framework and APIs to create alternative app marketplaces, allowing developers to install and manage updates on behalf of a dedicated marketplace app.

The update includes the introduction of an alternative browser engine option that allows the developers to use browser engines different from WebKit.

The new iOS 17.4 beta update provides contactless payment in the European Economic Area and allows the use of NFC technology.

Users can select and manage app marketplace/contactless payments in the default in Settings and choose the default browser.

The new Interoperability request form allows the developers to submit requests for interoperability with iPhone and iOS hardware and software features.

For the App Store, the new iOS 17.4 beta update offers alternative payment service providers to process payments for digital products and services. It acts as an alternative to in-app purchases of the App Store. Microsoft Translator Update: Microsoft Announces Chhattisgarhi and Manipuri Languages to Its Multilingual Cloud Translation Service.

Besides the features and changes for the EU, here are the changes,

New Emoji - Head shaking vertically/horizontally, Brown Mushroom, Broken Chain, Phoenix Bird, and Lime.

Siri - Upgraded with support of reading messages

Apple Music - Renamed 'Listen Now' which now called 'Home' tab

According to the report by MacRumors, the developers can choose between new business terms in the EU or the App Store terms. The report mentioned that the company dropped commission from 30% to 17%, and 15% commission "paid for subscriptions over a year old or by small businesses will drop to 10 per cent." Apple reportedly said that most apps would qualify for the 10 per cent rate. The report mentioned that the developers can pay 15 to 30% commission to maintain their status quo.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 26, 2024 09:48 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Bengaluru, January 26: ISRO has successfully deployed the magnetometer boom on board the Aditya-L1 satellite to measure the low intensity interplanetary magnetic field in space. The six metre-long magnetometer boom is deployed in the Halo orbit at the Lagrange point L-1, on January 11, the space agency said, noting that the boom had been in stowed condition for 132 days since the Aditya-L1 launch.

According to ISRO, the boom carries two state-of-the-art, high-accuracy fluxgate magnetometer sensors that measure the low intensity interplanetary magnetic field in space. India Creates Yet Another Landmark: PM Narendra Modi Hails ISRO Scientists as Aditya L1 Mission Successfully Injected Into Final Orbit.

"The sensors are deployed at distances of 3 and 6 metres from the spacecraft body. Mounting them at these distances minimises the impact of the spacecraft generated magnetic field on measurements, and using two of them assists precise estimation of this influence. The dual sensor system facilitates cancelling out the spacecraft's magnetic influence," it said. The boom segments are constructed from carbon fibre reinforced polymer and serve as interfaces for the sensor mounting and mechanism elements, ISRO said. Aditya-L1 Mission Update: L1 Point Insertion of Aditya L1 Will Be Done on January 6, Says ISRO Chief S Somnath (Watch Video).

The articulated boom mechanism comprises five segments interconnected through spring-driven hinge mechanisms, allowing for folding and deploying actions, it was noted. India's maiden solar mission Aditya-L1 reached the L1 point, located roughly 1.5 million km from earth enabling the spacecraft to view the sun continuously, on January six, 127 days after it was launched on September 2, 2023.

The solar observatory at L1 is aimed at Observing and understanding the chromospheric and coronal dynamics of the Sun in a continuous manner.
Michael Geilenfeld, a 71-year-old Iowa native and founder of a Haiti orphanage, St. Joseph's Home for Boys, is confronting a criminal charge in the United States following an investigation that uncovered allegations of sexual abuse against a minor during his travels to the country according to Des Moines Register.

Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI have indicted Geilenfeld, accusing him of traveling from Miami to Haiti between November 2006 and December 2010 "for the purpose of engaging in any illicit sexual conduct with another person under 18," as per charging documents.

The charge of traveling in foreign commerce with the intent of engaging in illicit sexual conduct carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

READ NEXT: Haiti Judge Issues Arrest Warrants Against Ex-Presidents, Prime Ministers for Corruption

Michael Geilenfeld's Legal Proceedings and Past Accusations

Geilenfeld made an initial court appearance on Monday, where he did not enter a plea, AP reports.

While he has previously denied accusations of sexual abuse, his Massachusetts attorney, Robert Oberkoetter, declined to comment on the recent case.

Michael Geilenfeld, who was arrested in Colorado, is scheduled for a detention hearing before being transported to Miami, where the case originated.

Authorities in Haiti have long probed sex abuse allegations against Geilenfeld. In 2014, he was arrested based on accusations made by child advocate Paul Kendrick.

Kendrick claimed Geilenfeld was a serial pedophile, with allegations stemming from young men who asserted they were abused by Geilenfeld in Port-au-Prince, where he founded the Haiti orphanage in 1985.

The case in Haiti was dismissed in 2015 after Geilenfeld spent 237 days in prison.

Subsequently, he and a charity linked to the orphanage sued Kendrick in a federal court in Maine, attributing Geilenfeld's imprisonment, harm to his reputation, and loss of donations to Kendrick.

The lawsuit was resolved in 2019, with Kendrick's insurance companies paying $3 million to Hearts with Haiti, the associated charity, and nothing to Geilenfeld.

At the recent hearing, prosecutors secured their request to keep Michael Geilenfeld in custody as the case unfolds.

A detention hearing on Thursday will allow them to present evidence supporting his continued incarceration and initiate the process of transferring him to Miami for prosecution.

The Haiti Orphanage

The Haiti orphanage founder, Michael Geilenfeld, established St. Joseph's Home for Boys in 1985, receiving support from the non-profit Hearts With Haiti, based in Raleigh, The News&Observer reports.

Despite accusations, Hearts With Haiti consistently defended Michael Geilenfeld.

The organization continues to support the St. Joseph Family, providing education and housing to individuals with disabilities and economically disadvantaged children in Jacmel, Haiti.

According to Emily Everett, executive director of Hearts With Haiti, the original St. Joseph's Home for Boys closed in 2014.

Michael Geilenfeld has not been associated with the St. Joseph Family ministries since 2014, and Hearts with Haiti severed all ties with him years ago, clarifies Everett.

The organization expresses no knowledge regarding Haiti orphanage founder's guilt or innocence concerning the sexual abuse federal charges.

READ MORE: Largest Union Holds 12-Hour Protest Against Argentina President Javier Milei

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Hearts with Haiti defamation lawsuit settled - From NEWS CENTER Maine
In the trial concerning the Michigan school shooting in November 2021, Jennifer Crumbley, the mother of the suspect, Ethan Crumbley, is set to testify in her defense, according to her lawyer, Shannon Smith, according to ABC News.

Facing four counts of involuntary manslaughter, Jennifer Crumbley plans to share insights into her life, her son, and the events leading up to the tragic incident.

"Jennifer Crumbley is going to take the stand and tell you about her life, her son ... and when he did something she could not have predicted," Smith said.

However, the Michigan school shooting suspect's mother's testimony date has not been specified.

Her son, Ethan Crumbley, is accused of a school shooting that resulted in the death of four students and injuries to seven others.

The trial marks a rare case where parents face charges related to their child's mass shooting. The father, James Crumbley, will face a separate trial in March, also on four counts of involuntary manslaughter.

READ NEXT: Michigan School Shooting Gunman Says He's a 'Really Bad Person

Prosecution's Perspective

Assistant prosecutor Marc Keast presented the prosecution's case, asserting that Jennifer Crumbley was aware of her son's declining mental health and social isolation, AP reports.

He highlighted a concerning incident where Ethan drew a gun on a math assignment, similar to one used at a shooting range. Keast quoted an Instagram post by Jennifer celebrating the gun purchase.

"This was a purchase celebrated by Jennifer on Instagram: 'Mom and son day testing out his new X-mas present,'" Keast said, citing Jennifer's social media post.

After noticing the drawing, the Crumbleys left a school meeting early, allowing Ethan to remain, ultimately leading to the tragic outcome.

Keast argued that, even though Jennifer didn't pull the trigger, she bears responsibility for the deaths. He focused on the accessibility of guns at the Crumbley home and the school's failure to address warning signs.

"Even though she didn't pull the trigger, she's responsible for those deaths," Keast said.

Keast emphasizes two crucial themes: the accessibility of a gun at the Crumbley home and the school meeting where the teen's alarming drawing and plea for help were presented.

James and Jennifer Crumbley's silence and inaction, despite having crucial information, are highlighted as key factors in the tragedy.

They failed to follow through on "small and easy things that would have prevented all this from happening," he said.

Defense's Response

Meanwhile, the defense emphasized that Jennifer was unaware of her son's mental condition, placing responsibility on the husband's love for guns, per The Independent.

Smith quoted Taylor Swift, stating that the prosecution's attempt to fix deep-rooted problems with a "Band-Aid" wouldn't bring back lost lives. She painted Jennifer as a "hypervigilant" mother who cared deeply for her son.

The defense argued that Jennifer had no knowledge of the gun's storage, claiming her husband kept it secured.

Smith asserted that the Michigan school shooting suspect's actions were unpredictable and not foreseeable.

The defense aimed to portray Jennifer as an attentive mother, listing her involvement in her son's activities and highlighting her lack of knowledge about firearms.

The trial began on January 23, with jury selection completed on Wednesday.

The unique case draws attention to parental responsibility in instances of mass shootings at schools.

Michigan school shooting suspect's mother, Jennifer Crumbley, maintains her plea of not guilty to all charges.

READ MORE: State Trooper Who Murdered Man During Traffic Stop in Michigan Faces Charges

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Trial underway for Michigan school shooter's mother - From CBS News
Former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon is in hot water again after a woman who previously worked for WWE filed a lawsuit against him and the pro wrestling giant for sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Also named in the lawsuit is former head of talent relations John Laurinaitis, who has also been accused of sexual abuse in the past.

The lawsuit was filed in Connecticut, and USA Today managed to get access to the filing. It details the experience of the former employee, identified in the suit as Janel Grant. She used to work at the WWE Headquarters in Connecticut.

In that lawsuit, Grant claimed that McMahon made her sign a non-disclosure agreement about their relationship and paid her $3 million to keep quiet. However, McMahon and the WWE did not pay her the full amount, so she is now suing the company and wants the agreement to be void.

This new lawsuit came two years after reports of McMahon using company money to pay four women over $12 million in total across 16 years, accusing the wrestling boss of sexual misconduct and infidelity. WWE was also investigating a secret $3 million settlement to pay to an employee with whom he allegedly had an affair.

In her suit, Grant also accused the former WWE chairman of taking part in sex trafficking and putting her through sexual acts that were done with "extreme cruelty and degradation." She also claimed that McMahon showed sexually explicit images of her to other WWE employees, as well as a popular WWE talent, in an effort to get him to come back to the company.

WWE Parent Company TKO Reacts To New Lawsuit Vs. Vince McMahon

"Ms. Grant hopes that her lawsuit will prevent other women from being victimized. The organization is well aware of Mr. McMahon's history of depraved behavior, and it's time that they take responsibility for the misconduct of its leadership."

READ MORE: Dominik Mysterio: From Rey Mysterio's Son To One of the Biggest Wrestling Bad Guys in the World

Meanwhile, WWE's parent company, TKO, has also already learned of the new lawsuit and sexual abuse allegations against Vince McMahon. It has now issued a statement saying the company is taking the allegations seriously, per the Associated Press.

"Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE," said the TKO Group in its statement. "While this matter pre-dates our TKO executive team's tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant's horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally."

Vince McMahon Had 'Aggressive Sexual Behavior,' Says Sexual Abuse Accuser

In her lawsuit, Grant claimed that McMahon demanded that she send him explicit photos. She also described him as having aggressive sexual behavior that caused "physical injuries, including bleeding and pain, from forceful use of sex toys."

According to CBS News, the former WWE head also named his sex toys after WWE wrestlers. "[F]or example, a black 'dildo' would be named after an African American wrestler and a white 'dildo' would be named after a Caucasian wrestler," the filing stated.

McMahon also described his sexual fantasies to Grant and showed her explicit photos to her male co-workers. "I just passed my phone around to a bunch of guys on the tech crew. They were screaming!! ... "Look at that a**," he allegedly wrote.

READ NEXT: Rey Mysterio Net Worth

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Disturbing new Vince McMahon allegations emerge | Wrestling Observer Live - F4WOnline
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. Azerbaijani Foreign Affairs Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Argentinean Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Diana Mondino have held a telephone conversation, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani ministry.

Bayramov congratulated Mondino on her appointment to the post and wished her success in her career.

During the talks, the current state and prospects for relations between Azerbaijan and Argentina were discussed, with a focus on the need of political contacts between the two nations. Both sides emphasized the increasing activities of the joint working group on Azerbaijan-Argentina trade and economic cooperation, emphasizing the necessity of planning for the future meeting.

The parties underscored the potential for broadening cooperation across various sectors, encompassing economic, agricultural, alternative energy, education, culture, and other spheres. They also acknowledged the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries last year and discussed plans for organizing joint events in this regard.

It was highlighted that Azerbaijan's hosting of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) this year holds great significance. The event is expected to serve as a crucial platform for high-level interactions between the two countries.

During the call, the parties also shared perspectives on other matters of mutual interest.

The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023.



Besides Azerbaijan, both Armenia and Bulgaria nominated their candidatures. However, after direct negotiations between the Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia on December 7, 2023, Armenia decided to withdraw its candidacy in favor of Azerbaijan. Bulgaria followed suit and also withdrew its candidacy.



On January 4, 2024, Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, was appointed as President of COP29.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The violence gripping the state of Guerrero in Mexico continued as warring drug cartels have caused the popular tourist town of Taxco to basically shut itself down thanks to all the violence that is happening there.

Taxco used to be a colonial town famous for its silver workshops that drew a lot of tourists from all over the world. However, in recent months, the town has been known to be the site of warring drug cartels, with grisly killings becoming a norm.

The latest bout of violence in the once-popular tourist town involved the deaths of two detectives, whose bodies were found on the outskirts of Taxco. These two detectives worked for the state prosecutor's office and had been reported missing the day before.

According to the Associated Press, this happened as Taxco was in the middle of a days-long strike by private taxi and van drivers who were refusing to work after several drivers were killed after getting caught in the crossfire between warring drug cartels vying for control of Guerrero State.

The lack of transportation got so bad in the town that its government had to offer people rides in the back of police pickup trucks, with vehicles not daring to travel because of the rising violence there, with taxi and van drivers continuing their refusal to work.

The town has effectively been shut down due to the lack of transportation, as many drivers are too afraid to be targeted as one of the local drug gangs, the Tlacos drug gang, accused some taxi drivers of working as look-outs for their rival, Familia Michoacana, one of the largest drug cartels in Mexico. The local gang threatened to "eliminate" those drivers "one by one."

READ MORE: Mexico: Mexican Journalist Abducted by Armed Men in Broad Daylight

Mexico Journalists Previously Abducted and Almost Killed in Guerrero State

Just a few months before the deaths of the two detectives and the transportation strikes happening all over the violence-plagued Guerrero state, the area was also the scene of attacks on four journalists.

The incident happened in the city of Chilpanicgo, which is currently being plagued by gang violence as well. The victims all appeared to work for local newspapers or websites, and they were all returning from an evening event when the attack took place.

All four survived but were hospitalized, according to UPI. Prosecutors are considering the incident as attempted murder and abductions, with drug gangs becoming much bolder these days as the attack happened outside a local army barracks.

Violence and Insecurity Persist in Mexico's Guerrero State

The Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Justice in Mexico Project at the University of San Diego have released a paper that details the ongoing violence happening in Mexico, particularly the southern state of Guerrero.

The paper found that "Insecurity and violence associated with organized criminal activity are pervasive" in the state, which now has the highest homicide rate in Mexico. It also found that extortion and kidnapping are commonplace, with drug cartel members carrying out their crimes near complete impunity as several drug trafficking organizations vie for control.

READ MORE: Journalist in Mexico Tells Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador He's Afraid for His Life During Press Briefing

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WATCH: Bringing Care to People Trapped by Violence in Guerrero, Mexico - Doctors Without Borders / MSF-USA
Students attending 12 Florida public universities will see changes in their general education core curriculum as the state university system's board of governors announces the substitution of sociology with American history, HuffPost reports.

This decision aligns with a recent move by the Florida Board of Education, which prohibited the use of public funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in state colleges.

The Principles of Sociology course, formerly fulfilling the core curriculum's social sciences requirement, will now be replaced by the Introductory Survey to 1877.

This new option aims to provide a historically accurate account of America's founding, the challenges of slavery, the subsequent Civil War, and the Reconstruction era, according to the Board of governors.

Chancellor Ray Rodrigues expressed pride in the decision, anticipating a positive impact on students' education.

He stated that Florida's State University System students will now have the opportunity to learn about the nation's creation and development through the core course options.

READ NEXT: Florida School Board Wants Moms for Liberty Co-Founder To Resign

Challenges to Sociology and Responses

Efforts to defend sociology in Florida have been ongoing since November, with some within the discipline contributing to the critique, according to Common Dreams.

Sociology professor Jukka Savolainen from Wayne State University characterized the field's shift from scientific study to left-wing advocacy.

Sociology professor Heather Gautney from Fordham University expressed concern about the ease with which suppression is occurring, noting the crucial role sociology plays in offering systematic analysis, understanding, and policy solutions.

"It's not surprising that people in power would actively suppress efforts to question their power and expose the dynamics underlying it," Gautney said.

The move has prompted concerns about declining enrollments, potential major recruitments, and the vulnerability of sociology departments to elimination and faculty layoffs.

Anne Barrett, a sociology professor at Florida State University, warned that these policies could have devastating effects on sociology in Florida, anticipating a decline in enrollments and diminished opportunities for recruiting majors.

She highlighted the broader societal impact, emphasizing that sociology equips students with the skills to assess claims about the social world, critique power distribution, and be engaged citizens.

United Faculty of Florida's Condemnation

Teresa M. Hodge, president of the United Faculty of Florida, a union representing educators in the system, voiced disappointment in the decision, emphasizing that both boards prioritize political games over students' robust education.

The United Faculty of Florida, representing over 25,000 faculty members, condemned the decision to remove 'Principles of Sociology' as a general education core course option, per WQCS.

They expressed disappointment, noting that Florida is now the only state in the nation no longer including sociology in its general education curriculum.

Meanwhile, Florida's Education Commissioner, Manny Diaz, supported the removal, citing sociology's theoretical nature and departure from scientific roots.

"When you look at the concepts that are discussed in sociology, they're very theoretical. While that field was very scientific, at one point, it has moved away from that."

The decision raises concerns about the diversity and critical thinking opportunities available to students in Florida public universities.

READ MORE: LA Times Sacks Over 100 Employees

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WATCH: Florida removes sociology from core courses, bans DEI funding at colleges - From WPTV News - FL Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast
One of Donald Trump's most infamous aides is going to prison, as a judge has sentenced former Trump adviser Peter Navarro to four months for Contempt of Congress. Navarro was previously found guilty over his refusal to comply with a subpoena from the January 6 committee.

US District Judge Amit Mehta also fined the MAGA loyalist $9,500 as part of his punishment. It was noted that Navarro's sentence was lighter than what prosecutors wanted, but was similar to the 4-month sentence handed to fellow Trump adviser Steve Bannon over a similar crime.

Navarro has been using the Trump playbook with the case, claiming he is being unjustly persecuted, just like Donald Trump. However, as he was getting sentenced, Judge Mehta scolded him, telling him, "You are not a victim, you are not the object of a political prosecution. These are circumstances of your own making."

As The Guardian noted, Navarro was sentenced last September for repeatedly ignoring January 6 Committee subpoenas. He became a person of interest in the investigation because of his proximity to Trump and also his involvement in his boss's plot to overturn the 2020 election results.

"They had a job to do and you made it harder," the judge added. "It's really that simple."

"He cloaked his bad-faith strategy of defiance and contempt behind baseless, unfounded invocations of executive privilege and immunity that could not and would never apply to his situation," wrote prosecutors in their sentencing memorandum for Navarro.

Immediately after he was sentenced, Navarro's attorneys, John Rowley and Stanley Woodward, filed a notice of appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the DC circuit. Because of this, his punishment will be deferred pending appeal.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Gets Laughed at in Court During Latest Rape Trial in New York

Peter Navarro Defends Actions That Led To His Sentencing

While his lawyers initially indicated that he would not be speaking at his sentencing hearing, Navarro changed his mind and insisted to the judge that he thought he was protected by executive privilege when he ignored the committee's subpoena, according to The Daily Beast.

"I just want you to know that when I received that congressional subpoena, you acknowledged correctly that I had an honest belief that privilege had been invoked and I was torn," he told the judge. "The minute that violence erupted on Capitol Hill was one of the worst days of my life."

Protesters Heckle Peter Navarro After Sentencing

After the jury ruled that he should spend four months in prison for defying Congress, former Trump adviser Peter Navarro tried talking to right-wing network, Newsmax. However, he kept being interrupted by protesters.

As he was speaking, several protesters could be seen holding up signs against Navarro that read, "Peter Navarro is a liar." Meanwhile, another protester was ringing a cowbell while he was speaking with Newsmax, while another was blowing a loud whistle.

MeidasTouch noted that in most instances, the protesters heckling Navarro have received more press coverage than what Navarro actually said.

READ MORE: Donald Trump is Confused Why Co-Defendants Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro Pleaded Guilty

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WATCH: 'You are not a victim': Judge scolds Navarro during sentencing - CNN
Eva Mendes, a luminary in the realms of acting, modeling, and entrepreneurship, has etched her name into the global consciousness with her captivating presence.

Beyond the surface of her striking beauty lies a tapestry of talent, charisma, and a multifaceted personality that has resonated with audiences worldwide.

In this exploration, we uncover lesser-known facets of Eva Mendes, traversing her early life, the genesis of her career, and the intricacies of her personal and philanthropic pursuits.

Brace yourself for these fascinating and lesser-known Eva Mendes facts that shed light on the woman behind the spotlight.

Early Life

Miami, Florida, saw the birth of Eva de la Caridad Mendez in 1974 to parents of Cuban descent, Juan Carlos Mendez and Eva Perez Suarez.

At the age of 10, Mendes underwent a significant change in her life when her parents divorced, leading her to relocate to Los Angeles with her mother.

In her youth, Eva Mendes initially harbored aspirations of becoming a nun, says SunSigns.

However, her trajectory shifted when a Hollywood casting agent stumbled upon her photographs in a friend's portfolio.

This discovery prompted a change in her ambitions. At the time, Mendes was pursuing a marketing degree at California State University in Northridge, but she opted to leave school to pursue her newfound passion for acting.

READ NEXT: Eva Mendes Movies

Early Career

Before making her mark on the big screen, Eva Mendes graced the music video realm.

She featured prominently in the Pet Shop Boys' music video for "Se a vida e (That's the Way Life Is)" in 1996

Building on this exposure, Mendes continued her foray into music videos, making an appearance in Aerosmith's "Hole in My Soul" in 1997 and later joining the cast of Will Smith's video for "Miami" in 1998.

Her music video journey extended into 2004 when she played a role in The Strokes' "The End Has No End."

These early ventures in the music industry laid the foundation for Mendes's subsequent success in the world of film.

She Was a Victim of Bullying

Reflecting on her formative years, Eva Mendes candidly shared her early struggles.

"I was a gawky, skinny girl with big teeth, and that made me an easy target," she said.

Mendes disclosed that she endured torment from two bullies throughout junior high school, according to Inquisitr.

At that time, the actress admitted her inability to comprehend the incessant taunting.

"Only later could I see that I was showing them my fear and that's what they were pouncing on," she added.

Cemeteries Fascinate Her

Expressing a unique fascination, Eva Mendes revealed her enduring interest in cemeteries.

"I've always had a fascination with them," she stated.

She clarified that while she doesn't spend extended periods in such places, she finds a sense of tranquility while walking through ancient cemeteries adorned with beautiful tombstones.

Mendes noted a particular preference for cemeteries with a rich history, expressing that some in Los Angeles lack the ancient quality that resonates with her.

"My all-time favorite cemetery is Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, where Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde are buried. That's one of my favorite places on Earth," Mendes said.

She Made a Temporary Hiatus from Acting to Be a Mom and an Entrepreneur

Eva Mendes chose to step away from the film industry in 2014, dedicating her time to the upbringing of her two daughters with partner Ryan Gosling, tvovermind noted.

The couple welcomed Esmeralda Amada Gosling in 2014, followed by the birth of Amada Lee Gosling in 2016.

Throughout this hiatus from acting, Eva Mendes has also directed her energy towards her fashion endeavors.

Notably, she has immersed herself in the fashion business and assumed the role of creative director for the makeup brand CIRCA Beauty.

READ MORE: Eva Mendes Net Worth

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Watch Eva Mendes Dance to Dua Lipa's Song from Partner Ryan Gosling's Movie 'Barbie' - From People
During Jair Bolsonaro's tenure as president, he may have spied on his political opponents, even ordering his own intelligence chief to do so, as Brazil's former intelligence chief, Alexandre Ramagem, was targeted by search warrants authorized by the Supreme Court.

This is part of the wider probe of Bolsonaro's alleged spying on political opponents during his presidency. Police are also investigating an "organized crime" group that operates within the country's intelligence agency, known as ABIN, a Portuguese acronym.

According to the Associated Press, this particular group ran a "parallel structure" within ABIN and used the agency's various tools and services "for illicit actions, producing information for political and media use, to obtain personal benefits and interfere with police investigations."

Ramagem allegedly used software developed by Israeli company Cognyte known as FirstMile "to monitor targets and public authorities ... with the aim of creating false narratives." This is according to a report found by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

Former Brazil Intelligence Chief Supplied Intelligence Regarding Prosecution of Jair Bolsonaro's Son

This political spying by the Brazilian intelligence chief on behalf of then-President Jair Bolsonaro was also used to interfere with police investigations, particularly those that involved two of Bolsonaro's sons, Jair Renan and Flavio, the latter being a sitting senator.

Reuters received a copy of the decision, and it showed Ramagen used ABIN resources to help Flavio Bolsonaro in his defense in a corruption case. The Bolsonaro son, however, denied that he used ABIN in his favor, while his brother, Jair Renan Bolsonaro, declined to comment.

READ MORE: Trials for Jair Bolsonaro Supporters Begin Over the January 8 Riots

For his part, Ramagemn denies these allegations, telling a local Brazilian news network that "It is a mix of old and outdated narratives used to criminally accuse people without any evidence." He is currently running to be mayor of Rio de Janeiro.

Brazilian police carried out a total of 21 search and seizure raids across Brazil, including in Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro. They seized cell phones and laptops, including one that was ABIN's property, in one of Ramagem's apartments.

What Brazil Police Found in Their Investigations of Former Jair Bolsonaro Intelligence Chief

Supreme Court justice and electoral court chief Alexandre de Moraes wrote in his order that "Federal police have identified the existence of a criminal organization set up to illegally monitor individuals and public authorities... without judicial authorization," leading to the raids against former ABIN officials.

The former intelligence chief, a well-known Bolsonaro loyalist, used the resources of his agency to look into the activities of Moraes himself, as well as fellow Supreme Court Justice Gilmar Mendes, former lower-house speaker Rodrigo Maia, and now Education Minister Camilo Santana, who was the governor of Ceara state at the time of the spying. All of whom are considered political opponents of Jair Bolsonaro.

ABIN personnel reportedly used the tracking software more than 30,000 times and targeted 1,800 people, including journalists, lawyers, and critics of the Bolsonaro administration.

READ MORE: Brazil: Jair Bolsonaro Tried To Hack the 2022 Election, Says Hacker

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WATCH:Brazil's Lula says intelligence services failed in riot - Reuters
A tragic chapter unfolded in Southern California as Marcus Anthony Eriz, 26, was found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2021 road rage shooting that claimed the life of 6-year-old Aiden Leos, according to CNN.

The Orange County District Attorney's Office confirmed the verdict, which also included charges of shooting into an occupied vehicle and discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury and death.

The California boy, Aiden Leos, seated in a booster seat in his mother's car on the way to school, became the victim of the road rage incident on May 21, 2021.

The California man, Marcus Anthony Eriz and his girlfriend, Wynne Lee, 26, were apprehended weeks later in connection with the tragic incident.

READ NEXT: California Boy Fatally Shot in Front of Parent

Dispute Escalates Into a Deadly Shooting

The unfortunate chain of events began with a dispute between Lee and the victim's mother, Joanna Cloonan, CBS News reports.

Lee's abrupt maneuver led to Cloonan braking suddenly to avoid a collision.

A series of gestures and provocations followed, culminating in Eriz firing shots at the rear of Cloonan's car.

The bullet penetrated the vehicle, passing through the trunk, backseat, and Leos' car seat before fatally striking the young child.

The California boy succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital.

During the trial, video footage showed the California man's stoic reaction to the jury's verdict.

The prosecution, led by Senior Deputy District Attorney Dan Feldman, pressed for a second-degree murder conviction, emphasizing the alleged "implied malice" in Eriz's actions.

Feldman argued that Eriz, by grabbing a firearm and firing at Cloonan's car, exhibited premeditation and disregard for human life.

Eriz's defense, represented by Randall Bethune of the Orange County Public Defender's Office, contended for a voluntary manslaughter conviction, citing provocation by Cloonan's gestures.

The key legal question revolved around whether Eriz had the requisite time to reflect on his actions.

Following the verdict, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned Eriz's "reckless and cold-hearted behavior."

Meanwhile, Lee faces a separate trial for her involvement in the incident.

Aftermath of the Tragedy

A two-week manhunt ensued after the incident, leading to the arrest of Eriz and Lee.

Lee, accused of driving the car during the shooting, faces charges of being an accessory after the fact and having a concealed firearm in a vehicle.

She awaits a separate trial with a pretrial hearing scheduled for February 9, ABC 7 noted.

Eriz, now 26, and Lee had both pleaded not guilty to the charges. The jury's deliberation centered on Eriz's intent and state of mind during the fatal shooting.

While Eriz admitted to firing the weapon, his defense argued it was a spontaneous act with no intention to kill Leos.

In his closing statement, Bethune stressed Eriz's willingness to accept responsibility for a lesser charge, characterizing the incident as voluntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors, however, contended that the California man, Eriz, regardless of intent, displayed implied malice resulting to California boy's tragic death.

Joanna Cloonan, recounting the aftermath during her testimony, described the confusion and shock on the freeway after the shooting.

The trial underscored the devastating consequences of California road rage, leaving a community in mourning for the young life lost in the senseless act.

READ MORE: Michigan School Shooting

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Marcus Eriz found guilty in road rage murder of Aiden Leos - From KTLA 5
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev thanked Mevlut Cavusoglu and Fahrettin Altun for supporting Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

Dear Mevlut Cavusoglu, thank you for your strong and unequivocal position expressed regarding the injustice in PACE regarding Azerbaijan. You have always been with Azerbaijan! I hope to see you soon in our country, Hikmet Hajiyev wrote in his page on X.

In another post, Hikmet Hajiyev expressed gratitude to the head of the communications department of the Administration of the President of Turkiye Fahrettin Altun.

Dear brother, thank you for your constant support of Azerbaijan. You have always been with Azerbaijan, says the post.

It should be noted that Mevlut Cavusoglu and Fahrettin Altun demonstrated a firm and unequivocal position on the injustice towards Azerbaijan in PACE, saying that the PACE decision against Azerbaijan is biased and unconstructive.

Mevlut Cavusoglu wrote: I am very sorry that PACE did not approve the credentials of the members of the Azerbaijani delegation. This is truly a serious blow to the reputation of PACE. I hope that this decision that does not promote cooperation and dialogue based on the fundamental principles of the Council of Europe and does not serve peace and stability in the region will be cancelled. PACE must correct this mistake as soon as possible."

Fahrettin Altun said on his social media account that Turkiye will continue to support Azerbaijan's struggle in the fight against disinformation. He noted that he is working in coordination with the Hikmet Hajiyev: For us, this is a very important and fundamental issue - to convey the fair position of Azerbaijan to the world as a friendly and fraternal country, and to expose the false information being disseminated.

He emphasized that both Azerbaijan and Turkiye today are subject to disinformation and slander campaigns on various platforms.

We will continue to fight together against this disinformation, added Fahrettin Altun.
While Super Bowl 2024 isnt until February 11, you can already get a front-row seat on these TV deals from Samsung.

Samsung is holding a huge Super Sunday Sale with discounts up to $3,000 off its top-rated smart TVs.

The sale features 4K and 8K models ranging from 55 to 98-inches. Even the fan-favorite Frame TV is discounted $1,000 off in the 75-inch and 85-inch sizes and includes up to $400 off on the 50-, 55- and 65-inch units.

Youll also want to checkout the big markdowns on Samsungs Neo QLED 8K TVs that feature enhanced sound and picture quality. These TVs also have added picture detail with more than 33 million pixels using a grid of Quantum Mini LEDs.

Other deals from the Samsung Super Sunday Sale include price drops on sound bars, laser projectors and speakers.

So, if youre looking to upgrade your TV before the big game, you arent going to want to miss this sale from Samsung.

Heres a look at some of the best TV deals from Samsungs big Super Sunday Sale.

Shop all the Super Sunday deals from Samsung online here.

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Dawn Magyar can be reached at dmagyar@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/.
A group of conservative state lawmakers in Pennsylvania filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging three voting-related executive branch actions designed to boost voter registration, including a 2021 executive order by President Joe Biden.

The lawsuit is expected to be one of many to litigate voting and election rules in a battleground state that is critical to 2024s presidential contest. In the 2020 election, Trumps campaign, state officials, the Democratic Party and others fought over the rules for mail-in voting, and Trump later baselessly smeared the election as rife with fraud and tried unsuccessfully to overturn it.

The lawsuit, filed by 24 Republican state lawmakers, challenges the legality of a 2021 executive order by Biden that orders federal agencies to consider ways to expand access to registering to vote and information about voting.

It also challenges two state-level actions. One is last falls introduction of automatic voter registration in Pennsylvania by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. The other is a 2018 state directive under then-Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. That directive said that counties cannot reject a voter registration application solely on the basis of finding that the applicant submitted a drivers license number or Social Security number digits that dont match what is in a government agency database.

The three actions needed  but never received  legislative approval, or conflict with existing law, the lawsuit contends.

Bidens executive order has been the subject of lawsuits and letters from conservative officials and organizations seeking information about federal agency plans under it. Republican state attorneys general and secretaries of state have asked Biden to rescind it.

The Brennan Center for Justice last year called Bidens executive order one of the most substantial undertakings by any administration to overcome barriers to voting.

The U.S. Justice Department declined comment on the lawsuit. Shapiros administration said in a statement that it is frivolous to suggest that it lacks the authority to implement automatic voter registration.

This administration looks forward to once again defending our democracy in court against those advancing extreme, undemocratic legal theories, Shapiros administration said.

The Shapiro administration in September instituted automatic voting, under which prompts on the computer screens in drivers license centers take the user to a template to register to vote. That leaves it up to the user to choose not to register. Previously, prompts on the computer screen first asked users whether they wanted to register to vote.

Twenty-three other states and Washington, D.C., already have varying models of what is called " automatic voter registration, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Still, former President Donald Trump has already accused Democrats of " trying to steal " Pennsylvania in 2024s election through automatic voter registration.

In the 2020 election, Trump and his allies went to court repeatedly to overturn Bidens victory and relentlessly criticized election-related decisions by the states Democratic-majority Supreme Court.

Many of the lawmakers on Thursdays lawsuit have sued previously to invalidate the states vote-by-mail law, voted to contest the 2020 presidential election or protested the certification of the 2020 election for Biden.

By MARC LEVY

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A 52-year-old Lebanon County man is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in the early hours of Nov. 7 and then fatally crashing his car in Warren County while fleeing the homicide scene, authorities said.

North Lebanon Township Police said Alejandro Reyes-Moya sometime prior to 4:13 a.m. entered the home of 42-year-old Teresa Sanchez De-Sena in the 2000 block of Church Street in West Lebanon Township, Lebanon County. The pair were involved in a romantic relationship that recently ended, township police said.

Police on Friday morning confirmed Reyes-Moya is believed to be the sole suspect in the womans death, but little details have been released on how she died or if a weapon was used in the killing. Lebanon County Coroner Jeffrey Yocum said Friday Sanchez De-Senas cause and manner of death is pending an autopsy.
By Governors Ed Rendell and Mark Schweiker

Few issues in Pennsylvania have united Republicans and Democrats over the years like the prospect of ensuring that our youngest learners are ready to succeed through high-quality pre-k programs like Pre-K Counts and Head Start. In fact, a September 2023 Susquehanna Polling and Research poll showed that 94% of PA voters believe that early learning is important, and 71% support increasing state funding to serve more eligible children in pre-K programs.
Supermac's restaurants around the Midlands are the big winners at the Irish fast food company's Annual Awards.

Laois, Tipperary and Kildare branches are among the midlands winners who scooped several of the top awards at the Supermac's Annual Awards that were held at the Castletroy Park Hotel in Limerick this week.

The manager at the Supermac's in the Portlaoise Plaza, Shane Byrne Comerford, was selected as Manager of the year.

Both the Barack Obama Plaza and Supermac's Roscrea received awards for increased sales while Junction 14 received the award for best franchised outlet.

Pictured accepting the Outlet of the Year Award from Pat and Una McDonagh at the Supermacs Annual All-Star Awards are members of the Supermac's team at The Kinnegad Plaza.

Supermac's at The Kinnegad Plaza won outlet of the year.

John Kennedy has picked up the coveted Franchisee of the Year Award for running the Athlone, Ferbane and Birr restaurants. He received the award for outstanding achievement in service, operations, marketing and public relations.

Pictured accepting the prestigious Franchisee of the Year Award from Pat and Una McDonagh at the Supermacs Annual All-Star Awards is John Kennedy of Supermac's Athlone, Ferbane and Birr.

Speaking at the event Supermacs MD, Pat McDonagh, paid tribute to the Supermac's teams.

All of our winners have worked very hard to get to a level where they win an award, Pat McDonagh said. There are 120 outlets so the competition is strong and to achieve an award-winning year is something all our winners should be proud of he said.

46 years ago, Supermacs 1st opened its door in Ballinasloe and a year later made its first venture outside of County Galway by opening an outlet on OConnell St in Ennis.

The group currently employs over 4,000 people throughout the country.

Supermacs also operates Papa Johns Pizza, SuperSubs and Macs Place Diners. The So Hotel Group is also owned by Pat and Una McDonagh which includes the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise.
Illegal dumpers have left rubbish near one of Laoiss leading tourist attractions.

The scenic location was targeted by illegal dumpers last summer when boxes of old broken tiles were discarded by the roadside.

The incident led to calls for a tougher clampdown on illegal dumping throughout Laois.

The illegal activity has now returned and rolls of old carpet have been dumped at the tourists hotspot.

Fine Gael Cllr PJ Kelly took to social media to express his disgust at the latest incident. He posted images of the dumping.

This is the Church of Ireland Anglican Church beside the car park for the Rock of Dunamase, one of the finest tourist attractions in Co Laois and this is what I found dumped on their grounds beside the public road, he wrote.

The leftovers of what possibly looks lovely in someone's home just dumped. I done what those people should have done, I brought it home and put it in my bins for collection Monday morning. No shame for those who dump, said Cllr Kelly.

Cllr Kelly has repeatedly sought action to tackle illegal dumping in Laois.
Tanaiste and Uachtaran Fhianna Fail Micheal Martin has paid tribute to former Laois/Offaly TD Ger Connolly.

Mr Martin said he is deeply saddened to learn of the death of former Councillor, TD and Minister, colleague and good friend, Ger Connolly.

Ger Connolly was a passionate and deeply committed former councillor, TD and Minister who cared deeply about his community, constituency and country.

A native of Bracknagh, Co Offaly, Ger Connolly was first elected to Dail Eireann in 1969 and had an unbroken service for 28 years as TD for Laois Offaly, until his retirement in 1997. He served as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment on three occasions: 1979-1981, 1982, 1987-1989.

Commenting on his passing, Mr Martin said I am deeply saddened to learn of the death today of my good friend and former councillor, TD and Minister Ger Connolly. Ger was a man with a deep commitment to public service and to the betterment of his community. He had a boundless energy and an infectious enthusiasm and was a larger than life presence in Offaly and Irish politics for many decades. He worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those communities and people he represented. Ger was a diligent and hardworking public representative who never forgot where he came from and campaigned continuously for its development and improvement. As Minister of State, he brought that same energy and commitment to the national stage and impacted positively on peoples lives and communities right across the country.

Ger loved working with people and was in politics for all the right reasons. He made a real mark and difference on those who he represented in his beloved Offaly, and particularly North Offaly. Ger was a true community champion.

After his retirement from national politics, Ger remained an active and valued member of Fianna Fail in Offaly, willingly sharing his insights and sage advice and wisdom. More recently, Ger served as President of Offaly Comhairle Dailcheantair of Fianna Fail.

Ger loved his party, his county and country. I always enjoyed meeting him and getting his advice and insights. Today, Fianna Fail is the poorer for his passing.

On my own behalf, and on behalf of the Fianna Fail organisation, I want to express my deepest sympathies to his family, his children Caitriona, John, Stephen and Ger Jr, his grandchildren and the wider Connolly family. RIP.
A handful of Mountmellick people ventured out on the evening of Storm Jocelyn to give their opinions at the public consultation on the new Mountmellick Local Area Plan.

Laois County Council held the event in Mountmellick library on Tuesday evening, January 23.

Senior Planner David OHara told the Leinster Express / Laois Live what issues were highlighted by local people to them.

Traffic is a big issue. The lack of a bypass, and the atmosphere that creates.

It impacts on pedestrians and cyclists.

The road is the elephant in the room. It is still a big priority for us, he said.

However he agreed that without any priority for the bypass by the Government in the National Development Plan, and therefore no funding to be allocated to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), it will not be built.

The TII would be a big player with the road, Mr O'Hora said.

The absence of a train connection has been mentioned to us as well.

Jobs, the employment situation was highlighted. That is dependent on the IDA and Enterprise Ireland.

People are also bringing up the flooding risk, he said.

The positives in Mountmellick also came up.

People are complimenting the Townlink bus service.

The heritage of Mountmellick is also quite impressive, there is a very nice Main Street and fine buildings and history in the town.

The theatre has been complimented too, he said.

Cllr Paddy Bracken was at the evening. He said that the former Central Garage on Emmet Street, vacant since 2011, must be tackled.

Mr O'Hora listed possible carrot and stick approaches that could be used by the council to change its future.

They include Compulsory Purchase Orders, vacancy taxes and Croi Conaithe grants.

The public are being asked to give their views on any or all all aspects of the town, including housing, economic development, urban design and regeneration, transport and travel, the environment, heritage and landscape.

Submissions can be made up to 5pm on February 5, by post to: Laois County Council, Senior Planner, Aras an Chontae, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

Online comments can be sent via the website consult.laois.ie and by email: mountmellicklap@laoiscoco.ie

The draft plan will be published in spring, followed by more public consultation. The final plan will be adopted by September 2024.
ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, January 26. A regular meeting of the working group on environmental issues at the Interdepartmental Center, operating under the Coordination Headquarters for the centralized solution of issues in the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan liberated from Armenian occupation, is currently being held in Zangilan, Trend reports.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the relevant state structures included in the working group, as well as the special representatives of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Gubadli, Jabrayil, and Zangilan districts of the East Zangezur Economic Region, the special representatives of the President of Azerbaijan in the liberated territories of the Karabakh Economic Region (except Shusha district), special representative in Lachin district included in Zangezur economic region, representatives of the Restoration, Construction and Management Service in the Karabakh Economic Region, Restoration, Construction and Management Service  1 and 2 in the East Zangezur Economic Region

The session addressed matters related to restoration and construction, with a focus on ensuring environmental sustainability in the execution of projects across various districts. This encompassed discussions on Gubadli, Jabrayil, and Zangilan districts, integral components of the East Zangezur economic region.

The meeting also delved into the initiatives undertaken in the Jabrayil district under the umbrella of Azerbaijani-Turkish collaboration in forestry. Additionally, there were deliberations on the ongoing projects related to the reconstruction of drinking and wastewater systems in the Zangilan and Jabrayil districts. The restoration of kahrizs (a system for transporting water from an aquifer or water well to the surface, through an underground aqueduct) in the Jabrayil district and the potential utilization of these systems in water resources management were also explored.

Concerns regarding the minimization of environmental impact during the execution of road infrastructure projects, the procurement of essential raw materials for road construction endeavors, and the strategic organization of the judicious utilization of mineral deposits were brought to the forefront of discussions.

The meeting also addressed mine clearance initiatives carried out as part of environmental assessment and greening projects in the recently liberated territories. Additionally, discussions centered on solid waste management and the environmental evaluation of projects implemented in the East Zangezur economic region.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Culture minister Catherine Martin has said that the current RTE board should remain in place for now, so it can remain accountable for a failed musical that recorded multimillion euro losses.

RTEs Toy Show The Musical recorded more than 2.2 million euro in losses after a season at Dublins Convention Centre in 2022.

An independent report into the controversy found that the musical required board approval but it was not sought or provided, and also identified additional costs of 69,000 euro  bringing the total losses to 2,272,859 euro.

Ms Martin said that report, compiled by Grant Thornton, makes for grim reading.

Firstly, to say that this report does make for a very grim reading and it highlights very serious failings in governance, oversight in financial management and in the control procedures that you would expect in relation to any project of this size, Ms Martin told RTEs Morning Ireland radio show.

I also think it points to a really dysfunctional relationship that was there at the time between the executive and the board.

There seems to be a clear awareness of risks to be considered, but for some reason, the focus was on the softer risks and the damage to the brand rather than, you know, musicals are a really big gamble, how competitive the Christmas season is with established events, that RTE expertise lies in broadcasting and not in live events.

I think what we see too is information, which the board should have expected, was not provided.

Also at some stage, information was changed from an executive meeting by the time it was forward briefed (to a board meeting), approval was never on an agenda, approval was never administered.

Ms Martin said the five board members who were in place at the time of the RTE musical should remain.

She said she wants to see the board members and the executive to appear before an Oireachtas committee.

I believe accountability is key in this and I have heard many members of the Oireachtas committees, whove done invaluable work in relation to the crisis that emerged in June, say they want accountability, Ms Martin added.

They want the board members and the executive to appear before the committee.

If I remove the board members, firstly, that accountability is gone because theres no onus on members, if theyre removed, to attend.

So Ive listened to the concerns of the committee. RTE is at a really critical time in relation to the development of its strategic vision, in relation to the reform, in relation to building public trust.

I believe its in the best interest of the staff and the organisation as a whole and in recognition of the significant change that we have seen take place and that is ongoing.

What Im saying is that, for now, I believe the current board, what is best for RTE, for the staff and in the public interest, is given the value of our national public service broadcaster to the public interest, that the current board should remain in place to facilitate a the ongoing functioning of the organisation.

Further reports on RTE governance are expected at the end of February.

The report also found there was no justification for the way the broadcaster recorded 75,000 euro in advertising money and that the musical would have struggled to break even under the proposed number of shows.

The report does not publish any names and refers only to those interviewed as Person 1 through to Person 26.

Ms Martin said this decision was made for legal reasons but that the removal of peoples names from the report was a distraction.

You find yourself, as youre reading it, nearly trying to work out who was who, she added.

I dont think identities can be revealed, but I have spoken to the chair and to the DG (director-general) this week, and I have been given assurance of full cooperation.

I know that the board members themselves and those on the interim leadership team are absolutely willing to go into the Oireachtas and reveal who they were in that report.

The RTE board said it has informed the Public Accounts Committee and the Media Committee that it is happy to attend further sessions following the publication of the Grant Thornton report into the matter.
A new mother has been ordered to community service for money laundering.

Money mule Sentebaleng Selebalo was spared prison when she appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court.

Judge John Aylmer said that he considered such charges to be serious and imposed 240 hours of community service.

Selebalo, a 30-year-old whose address was given as Clonard Park, Ballybeg, Waterford - but who has recently moved to Clare - pleaded guilty to a charge that on June 26, 2020, at a place within the State, converted, transferred, handled, acquired, possessed or used the property, namely 2,015 in a Revolut account in her name knowing that or was reckless to whether or not the property was the proceeds of criminal conduct.

Sergeant Maurice Doyle told Mr Donal Keane BL that Selebalo, who is originally from South Africa, opened a Revolut account on June 12, 2020.

On June 26, 15 was transferred from a card and four further transfers, each of 500, were made later the same day.

Three days later, 1,750 was transferred to another account, while 260 was moved to a banking circle. After the remaining 5 was spent in Tesco, the account was closed on July 3, 2020.

Selebalo told gardai that she was unaware that there was money coming through the account, but admitted that the account was hers.

Sergeant Doyle told the court that Selebalo was a small part of a wider investigation. She was a very minor part of a much larger investigation, he told Judge John Aylmer.

It emerged during the investigation that a brother of Selebalos ex-partner, who was part of a wider probe into the activity, had benefited from the transfer of 1,750.

Bar the 5 spent in Tesco, Selebalo did not have any financial gain out of the incident Ms Fiona Crawford BL, barrister for the accused, said.

She didnt in any way duck or dive, Ms Crawford said. She pleaded guilty in June on a full facts basis.

Selebalo was on Jobseekers benefit at the time and she has since separated with the man in question. Selebalo is in a new relationship and gave birth in December 2022.

Ms Crawford outlined that Selebalo has managed to put money aside and has saved up 2,015 which she was willing to donate to charity. Ms Crawford said this showed the embarrassment and shame the matter had caused Selebalo.

The Probation Service deemed her a low risk of reoffending and she has not come to adverse garda attention before or since.

Judge Aylmer said it was through recklessness that Selebalo allowed the Revolut account to be used by her partner and hence how his brother came to benefit from the money that was passed through her account.

While placing the offence on the lower end of the scale, Judge Aylmer said it still merited a custodial sentence of 18 months before considering the mitigating factors.

Selebalo, Judge Aylmer said, is a young woman without any previous or subsequent convictions who entered an early plea.

It appears that she had no knowledge of what was going on and she was as cooperative as could be, Judge Aylmer said. It is clear that she is remorseful, embarrassed and very anxious about the situation.

Judge Aylmer said Selebalo is a young mother who has modest circumstances.

Judge Aylmer said it was appropriate to deal with the matter on a non-custodial basis and imposed 240 hours of community service in lieu of 12 months imprisonment. Selebalo was given 12 months for the community service to be completed. The 2,015 is to be given to the local branch of St Vincent de Paul.
The Laois branch of the National Learning Network have marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a touching series of events that call for acceptance and non-labelling by society.

The National Learning Network in Portlaoise held the special ceremony a day ahead of the international commemoration day which is on January 27.

They planted a native Irish Silver Birch tree and added crocuses around it, they each decorated paper butterflies, read a Butterfly Poem and ended the commemoration with singing, helped by Laois Music Generation musician Terry Byrne.

Team Leader Rhoda Walsh from NLN told the Leinster Express / Laois Live why they held the event.

"It is the first time we did it. The United Nations were asking projects to get involved in inclusive events. We chose this one because like the star of David that was sewn onto a lot of the Holocaust victims' clothes to identify them as Jews, a lot of our students are labelled too.

"There isn't acceptance or inclusion in society yet, although we have come a long way. This is about promoting acceptance," she said.

"After the ceremony, we brought the students into the recreation area where Terry from Laois Music Generation who was there to give lessons, led them in a positive song. It was actually very emotional," Rhoda said.

NLN Portlaoise has 67 adult students, at their base on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise.

They provide a range of courses for people who have had an accident, illness, mental health issue, injury, or have a disability and need extra supports to learn. They include training modules for Employability Skills awards, as well as horticulture, music and songwriting and rehabilitation programmes.

The tree was kindly donated by SAP Landscapes, while Rushall Plant Hire prepared the ground for it.

The event was organised by team leaders Rhoda Walsh and Brendan Brogan. The centre is managed by Cian Doyle. For more on NLN Portlaoise see their Facebook page here and their webpage here.
The death has occurred of Kathleen Malone

Beechwood, Raheens, Caragh, Kildare.

January 25, 2024, peacefully at Tallaght Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Pre-deceased by her parents Laurence and Mary, brother Paddy, sister-in-law Elizabeth, brother-in-law Jimmy, nephews Declan and James, and grandnephew Ciarain.

Deeply regretted by her loving sisters Mary and Betty, brothers Tom, Fr Lar, John and Vincent, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives and friends.

Rest In Peace.

Funeral arrangements later.

Family flowers only.

Funeral Arrangements Later.

The death has occurred of Ludmila Donoaga (nee Sava)

Louisa Park, Leixlip, Kildare / Moldova.

January 22, 2024, peacefully after a short illness, sadly missed by her husband Ueaceaslav, daughter Delia, extended family and friends.

Rest In Peace.

Reposing at Oliver Reilly's Funeral Home, Leinster Street, Maynooth (W23 V99E) on Saturday (January 27) from 4pm to 6pm, followed by repatriation to Moldova.

For all enquiries, please contact Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors on (045) 868230.

The death has occurred of Cathleen (Kay) Burns (nee O'Connell)

Lakelands, Naas, Kildare / Beaumont, Cork / Ranelagh, Dublin.

In the tender care of the staff of Naas General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Beloved wife of the late Martin and much loved mother of Trevor and Graham.

Sadly missed by her loving sons, grandchildren Killian and Lorcan, daughters-in-law Tanya and Beatriz, sisters and brothers Charlie, Marita, Stella, Joe and Connie, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.

May Cathleen rest in peace.

Reposing at her home on Sunday (January 28) from 4pm to 7pm with Prayers at 6.30pm.

Funeral on Monday with Requiem Mass at 10am in the Church of Our Lady and St David, Naas followed by burial in St Corban's Cemetery.

Funeral service: https://www.naasparish.ie/our-parish/naas-webcam/

The death has occurred of Joseph (Joe) Campbell

Raheens, Caragh, Kildare

January 24th 2024, peacefully at St Brigid's Hospice, The Curragh, surrounded by his loving family.

Pre-deceased by his parents Patsy and Nett, sister Breda, brother-in-law Robbie, nephew Shane.

Deeply regretted by his loving brothers Sean, Paddy, Richie and Dominic, sisters Bernadette, Mary, Geraldine, Cora and Evelyn, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, relatives and friends.

Rest In Peace.

Reposing at his residence on Sunday (January 28) from 4pm to 8pm with evening prayers at 7pm.

Removal from his residence on Monday (January 29)at approx. 10.30am to arrive at the Church of Our Lady and St Joseph, Caragh, for 11am Funeral Mass, followed by burial in Caragh Cemetery.

The Funeral Mass can be viewed live here: https://caraghparish.net/webcam

Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors accept no responsibility for any live webcam interruptions or issues.

For all enquiries, please contact Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors on (045) 868230.

The death has occurred of Annette Connolly (nee Hanlon)

1743 St Evin's Park, Monasterevin, Kildare.

Predeceased by her parents Michael and Sinead, brother Michael and baby brother Patrick.

Deeply regretted by her loving sons Paul, Graham, Pierce and Craig, daughter Elaine and their father Oliver, brother John and sister Martina, daughters-in-law Helen, Shareen and Sonia, her adoring grandchildren, extended family, neighbours and friends.

May She Rest In Peace.

Family Flowers Only Please.

Donations, if desired, To Dementia Ireland.

Donation box at residence and in the Church.

The family would like to thank you for your help and understanding at this sad and difficult time.

Funeral Arrangements Later,

The death has occurred of Patricia Malone

Old Greenfield, Maynooth, Kildare.

Died peacefully in the tender care of the staff of Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown on January 25, 2024.

She will be sadly missed by her loving sister Monica, brother-in-law Pat, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

May She Rest In Peace.

Reposing at Oliver Reilly's Funeral Home, Leinster Street, Maynooth (W23 V99E) on Monday from 4.30pm, followed by removal to arrive at St Mary's Church, Maynooth for 6pm.

Funeral Mass on Tuesday at 11.30am, followed by burial in Laraghbryan Cemetery.

Family flowers only, please.

Donations, if desired, to SightSavers by clicking on the following link: Sight savers donate

The Funeral Mass can be viewed live on Tuesday morning at 11.30am by clicking on the following link: https://maynoothparish.org/webcam-2/

Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors accept no responsibility for any live webcam interruptions or issues.

For all enquiries, please contact Oliver Reilly Limited Funeral Directors on (045) 868230.

The death has occurred of Noel Sheridan

Naas, Kildare.

Sheridan (Naas)  January 24, 2024, (peacefully), surrounded by his loving family, at The Beacon Hospital.

Noel, beloved husband of the late Philomena and dear father of Anne-Marie (deceased) and Maeve.

Pre-deceased by his son-in-law Seamus;

Sadly missed by his loving daughter, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, grandson John, nephews, nieces relatives, neighbours and friends.

Reposing on Friday from 5pm to 7pm with Prayers at 6pm at Murphy Brothers Funeral Home, Church Lane, Naas, W91 VY71.

Removal on Saturday to the Church of Our Lady and St David, Naas arriving for 10am Mass.

Funeral immediately afterwards to St Corbans Cemetery.

Enquiries to Murphy Brothers Funeral Directors, Church Lane, Naas. Phone: 045 897397.

The Funeral Mass can be viewed by clicking on the following link: https://www.naasparish.ie/our-parish/naas-webcam/

"May He Rest In Peace."
Newbridge Silverware welcomed the Chair of Irelands independent electoral commission on Thursday Justice Marie Baker visited the Newbridge factory to talk to management and workers about voting in the upcoming 8 March referendums.

An Coimisiun Toghchain, Irelands independent electoral commission is responsible for explaining the issues to be voted on in the two 8 March Referendums and for encouraging people to get out and vote. The Commission is totally independent and not backing any side in the campaign.



These information campaign featured visits to:

 The Newbridge Silverware Factory (Thursday)

 Tullamore GAA Centre (Thursday)

 Sligos Hawkswell Theatre (Friday)

 The Galway Traveller Movement in Ballybane Community Resource Centre, Galway City (Friday).



An Coimisiun Toghchain, The Electoral Commission

An Coimisiun Toghchain is a statutory, independent body, established on 9 February 2023 with responsibility for a broad range of electoral functions set out in the Electoral Reform Act 2022. An Coimisiun is central to Irelands electoral system, carrying out a range of existing electoral functions, including:

 the decision-making, oversight, secretariat and supporting services associated with explaining the subject matter of referendum proposals, the promotion of public awareness of referendums and encouragement of the electorate to vote at referendum polls

 the conducting of reviews and making reports in relation to the constituencies for the election of members to the Dail and the election of members to the European Parliament.

 responsibility for the registration of political parties, and

 making reports for the Minister in relation to local electoral boundaries.

An Coimisiun is also tasked with several new electoral roles, including:

 preparing research programmes and conducting research on electoral policy and procedure, and providing advice, as required, to the Minister and Government.

 promoting public awareness of, and working to increase public participation in the States electoral and democratic processes through education and information programmes;

 overseeing the modernised Electoral Register, making recommendations and setting standards in relation to its maintenance and updating;

 the regulation of online paid-for political advertising, ensuring transparency in respect of online political advertisements during the period of an election or referendum campaign; (Legislation not yet commenced)

 responsibility for the investigation and monitoring of online disinformation, online misinformation and manipulative or inauthentic behaviour online during election campaign periods, as well as functions to prevent manipulative or inauthentic behaviours online. (Legislation not yet commenced)

 the preparation of ex-post reports on the administration of electoral events.

It is anticipated that the initial set of functions assigned to An Coimisiun will be expanded upon as it builds capacity and expertise.
By Eimear Dodd and Fiona Ferguson

A man who stole his pregnant girlfriend's phone after assaulting her at her home has been given a suspended sentence.

Daragh Houlihan (33) of Chapel Lane, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery on May 4, 2021 on Rathmines Road. He has no previous convictions.

Judge Orla Crowe today said Houlihans behaviour on the day was utterly reprehensible and exacerbated by fact that the woman was pregnant at time.

She said that this was intimating partner violence but noted the relationship between the parties was now at an end. She said addiction played a significant role in Houlihans offending, which was not an excuse but provided some explanation.

She said he had been assessed as at moderate risk of re-offending and the Probation Services had concerns about victim insight, but were prepared to work with him.

Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of three years, which she reduced to two year and three months in light of the mitigating factors. She suspended the sentence for three years on strict conditions.

The conditions include no further direct contact with the injured party and notifying the Probation Service if he begins a new intimate relationship. He has undertaken to cooperate with a program to address intimate partner violence, anger management and offence-focused intervention.

Judge Crowe told Houlihan the court was giving him a real opportunity as this was a very serious matter. She said this was to allow him to rehabilitate further and undo the harm he has done and prevent harm into the future.

At an earlier hearing last year, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the injured party was making dinner at 5.30pm, while Houlihan was in the kitchen with her.

The victim attempted to make conversation with the defendant, but he didn't respond. She then suggested he went home, as they weren't living together. Houlihan then walked over to where the victim was standing and asked her why she didn't want to talk to him.

The victim was holding a knife, which he asked her to drop, then he went to grab it. She turned round, and Houlihan was holding the blade with both hands. The pair wrestled for the knife for about one minute. The victim was crying and asking Houlihan to let go of the blade, afraid of what might happen if she let go.

The injured party shouted blood after seeing it on her thumb. Houlihan let go of the knife and it transpired that it was his blood on the victim.

He accused her of stabbing him. She suggested they call an ambulance, but Houlihan said she wanted her phone to call the gardai.

Her phone then started to ring and Houlihan grabbed it, demanding she give him the code to unlock it. He then pushed her several times, including onto the ground.

Houlihan left the apartment and the victim heard him lock the front door from outside. From the window, she saw Houlihan pick up her phone, which led her to believe that he had thrown it.

The defendant shouted abuse up at her. She asked him to return the keys, which he threw up to her.

Houlihan then walked towards Rathmines and the victim followed him to ask for her phone back. During this encounter, Houlihan pushed her again, and struck her with his leg. He then threw her phone over a wall then ran through a set of closing gates.

The victim went to the garda station where she was observed to be in a distressed state.

Gardai went to the Mater Hospital the next day, where Houlihan was being treated for an injury to his hand. He accepted that he had stolen the victim's phone, which he gave to gardai.

Houlihan was arrested and told gardai during interview that he had taken the phone, but denied pushing her or any violent behaviour. He told gardai he felt ridiculous and sorry so he went to retrieve her phone.

The defendant said he took the phone as he believed the injured party was texting someone about him, and this upset him.

He accepted he was cut while trying to grab the knife. Houlihan told gardai he didn't believe the injured party would stab him during the course of an argument, but he wanted to put the knife out of reach. Houlihan also said the victim threatened to jump out of a window during the argument, and he may have used force to stop her.

A victim impact statement was read by Shaun Smyth BL, prosecuting. In it, the woman said the incident had destroyed any sense of safety she felt in the apartment and she was left terrified.

She said she blamed herself for what happened and suffers from flashbacks. The victim said she was broken down so much that she thought what happened was her fault, but now realises it was not.

The investigating garda agreed with defence counsel that his client was cooperative and made a partial admission when interviewed. It was also accepted that the guilty plea was of value to the prosecution.

Defence counsel said his client has addiction issues with cocaine and heroin, but is completing a residential treatment programme. His client has a history of employment, and worked for periods abroad.

Counsel asked Judge Crowe to be as lenient as possible when sentencing Houlihan and to consider finalising the case with no immediate custodial sentence.
Two doctors who were arrested as part of a fraud investigation have been released without charge, gardai have confirmed.

The two males, aged in their mid 40s and late 50s, were arrested in the Dublin Region on Wednesday on suspicion of alleged fraud against the Exchequer and the HSE.

It has been widely reported that both are GPs who previously worked at a medical practice in the Midlands.

In a statement, confirming the arrests, a garda spokesperson said: "The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau are investigating the complaint of alleged fraud that took place between 2017 and 2019. Investigating gardai have arrested the two men on suspicion of an offence contrary to Section 71 Criminal Justice Act 2006."

In an update, this Thursday morning, gardai confirmed that the men, who were detained under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007, have now been released.

Gardai say the investigation is ongoing and that a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Trade unions have agreed on a proposed public sector pay deal which will provide for increases of 10.25% over two-and-a-half years, it has been confirmed.

Government officials are finalising the proposals of the financial package which amounts to 3.6 billion euro spread over four budgets.

Negotiations on the deal ran into the early hours of Friday morning at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) headquarters in Lansdowne House.

The proposals will see the 385,000 public servants getting a pay rise worth 10.25% over two-and-a-half years.

Kevin Callinan, general secretary of the Forsa union, said on Friday: Well, just in the last few minutes the congress group has a finalised agreement with the Government side.

I am conscious that some of our non-congress associations are still in discussion in relation to various matters and Id like to respect that. Weve worked closely with the Garda associations and the non-congress health unions.

So weve reached a point where weve concluded pay terms totalling 10.25% over two-and-a-half years.

Like all of these things, we would have liked it to have been more but we have succeeded in improving the last Government offer on January 11.

Weve got more money and weve got it sooner. So we will be taking that detail back to all our affiliates in a meeting (on Friday), and we will release more details after that.

We want to bring the news directly to them first.

Union representatives from Forsa, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) will release a statement on Friday.

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe welcomed the proposed public pay agreement.

Mr Donohoe said: Collective agreements have an important place in public service industrial relations.

They provide a means to ensure we can deal with public pay issues in a fair, equitable and affordable way. I welcome the proposed agreement that was reached in the early hours of this morning at the WRC.

I recognise that the commitment, flexibility and agility of our highly skilled public servants is fundamental to the delivery of quality public services. I believe that this agreement will provide certainty and stability for public servants as well as the Government and public service users over the coming years.

I have always been clear that I wanted to reach an agreement that was both affordable and fair and I believe both of these objectives have been achieved.

The agreement provides for increases of 10.25% over a two-and-a-half-year period. This is made up of pay increases totalling 9.25%, as well as a provision for a Local Bargaining mechanism equivalent to 1% of pay.

The pay measures in the agreement are weighted towards those on lower incomes. Those on lowest incomes will receive up to 17.3% over the lifetime of this agreement inclusive of the Local Bargaining provision.

I believe the new Local Bargaining process in this proposed agreement is an innovative and positive development that will support ongoing industrial peace.

This process will allow grades, groups and categories of public servants to progress proposals or address issues while also providing cost certainty to the Government.

Continued reform of our public services remains a key priority for Government and this is reflected in the agreement, which builds on the achievements that have been made in every facet of the public service in recent years. I acknowledge the positive engagement by the unions and staff associations in this regard.

I will now take this proposed agreement to Government for approval and I hope the proposals will be endorsed by public service unions and associations in the ballots that will follow.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. Another group of families of former IDPs who left the Garadagh district of Baku has arrived in Fuzuli city liberated from occupation, The State Committee for Refugees and IDPs of Azerbaijan told Trend.

According to the information, the families arriving in Fuzuli were handed keys to their apartments.

The ceremony of handing over the keys was attended by employees of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs, Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the territories of the Garabagh Economic Region (except Shusha district) liberated from occupation, and other officials.

In this stage, 30 families - 104 persons were resettled to Fuzuli city. Thus, 500 families (1,854 persons) have a permanent settlement in Fuzuli.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Revenue has confirmed that it has written to 142 influencers about their tax obligations, it has been confirmed.

Revenue has said it is educating young influencers on tax by sending out correspondence on their obligations.

The letter were sent by Revenue to influencers last year under a Level 1 Compliance Intervention. This is an early warning that income, gifts, free goods and services, virtual currency or token payments needed to be properly accounted for.

"It's a new industry but the tax rules apply to them just like they apply to anybody else," Revenue Chairman Niall Cody told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) this week.

"So it comes down to the basic income tax rules," he added.

"So, if they're getting an income in money or in kind, they're liable to the self-assessment system," Mr Cody told Fianna Fail TD Paul McAuliffe.

Deputy McAuliffe had asked Mr Cody at the PAC meeting this week how physical gifts sent to influencers and free hotel breaks would be treated by Revenue Commissioners.

Mr Cody said there were complex rules around sponsorships and influencers being given a complimentary hotel room and meal to post a review of it online.

New guidelines for influencers were published last year by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI) on labeling sponsored content and advertising.

Under the Consumer Protection Act 2007, influencers must make it clear if their posts are of commercial nature, or they could be breaching the law.

This is because the 2007 Act bans certain commercial practices that are deemed to be unfair or misleading to consumers. Traders engaging in such practices may face enforcement action.

The CCPC has a range of enforcement tools to ensure that consumer protection law is adhered to, including compliance notices, fixed payment notices, undertakings, prohibition orders and prosecution.
On Tuesday February 13 Sligo Traveller Support Group (STSG) will be hosting a Pancake Tuesday fundraiser in aid of North West STOP from 10.30 am-2pm. North West STOP provide free counselling supports, education and other suicide prevention services and resources across the region for anyone that may be struggling with poor mental health.

The fundraiser will take place at the office of STSG located in Cranmore (F91Y59C) and is open to all to attend.

Mental Health worker with Sligo Traveller Support Group Jamie Murphy said There is no community in Ireland that has not been impacted by the issue of poor mental health and suicide and unfortunately for the Traveller community it is beyond crisis point. Suicide accounts for approximately 10-11% of Traveller deaths and the rates are at least 8 times higher than the general population. The issue was also highlighted recently in the heartbreaking RTE documentary on 12 year old Patrick McDonagh who died by suicide. While its vital that we highlight what is happening on the ground and tackle the crisis its critical we also focus and promote the existing help out there that is available for people that may be struggling. We would always recommend to first contact your GP but there are also lots of brilliant organisations that can provide free, non judgemental and confidential supports. One of those groups is North West STOP who have being providing such support across Sligo, Leitrim and the wider region for many years. We would ask as many people as possible to come to our fundraiser and help this brilliant organisation. If you are not in a position to donate please still do come along for a chat and some pancakes. Bringing people together to meet and talk is just as important as fundraising
EastGroup Properties Announces the Income Tax Treatment of its 2023 Distributions





JACKSON, Miss., Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE: EGP) (the "Company" or "EastGroup") announced today the income tax treatment of its 2023 distributions as described below. Shareholders are encouraged to consult with their personal tax advisors as to their specific tax treatment of EastGroup distributions.

Common Stock:

Ticker Symbol EGP, CUSIP #277 276 101

Record Dates Payment Dates Total Distributions Per Share (1) Ordinary Dividends Capital Gain Distributions Unrecaptured

Sec. 1250

Gain (2) Nondividend Distributions (3) Section 199A

Dividends (4) 12/30/22 01/13/23 $0.25425 $0.25425 $0.00000 $0.00000 $0.00000 $0.25425 03/31/23 04/14/23 1.25000 1.25000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 1.25000 06/30/23 07/14/23 1.25000 1.25000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 1.25000 09/29/23 10/13/23 1.27000 1.27000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 1.27000 12/29/23 01/12/24 0.99658 0.99658 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.99658

















TOTALS $5.02083 $5.02083 $0.00000 $0.00000 $0.00000 $5.02083 Form 1099-DIV box

1a 2a 2b 3 5

(1) Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Section 857(b)(9), cash distributions made on January 12, 2024 with a record date of December 29, 2023 are treated as received by shareholders on December 31, 2023 to the extent of 2023 undistributed earnings and profits. (2) Unrecaptured Sec. 1250 Gain (box 2b) is a subset of, and is included in, the Capital Gain Distributions amount reported in box 2a of Form 1099-DIV. (3) Return of Capital (4) Represents qualified REIT dividends that may be eligible for the 20% qualified business income deduction under Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that is available for non-corporate taxpayers and is included in "Ordinary Dividends."

The Company did not incur any foreign taxes in 2023. Of the total distributions during 2023, none are considered qualifying dividends for purposes of the federal 15% income tax rate.

EastGroup, a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 1000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina. The Company's goal is to maximize shareholder value by being a leading provider in its markets of functional, flexible and quality business distribution space for location sensitive customers (primarily in the 20,000 to 100,000 square foot range). The Company's strategy for growth is based on ownership of premier distribution facilities generally clustered near major transportation features in supply-constrained submarkets. EastGroup's portfolio, including development projects and value-add acquisitions in lease-up and under construction, currently includes approximately 59.2 million square feet.

EastGroup Properties, Inc. press releases are available at www.eastgroup.net.

SOURCE EastGroup Properties

25 january 2024 at 17:38

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Locked-in syndrome is predominant outcome when children survive drowning, larger study confirms





Researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) were the first to report in peer-reviewed medical literature that, after non-fatal drownings, children would be "locked in," unable to move or speak but awake and fully aware of their surroundings.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- It is a far cry from the traditionally thought-of "vegetative state" in which the mind is absent while the body lives on. Indeed, it is the opposite. Children with "locked-in syndrome," unable to move or speak, are awake and fully aware of their surroundings.

Researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) were the first to report in peer-reviewed medical literature that, after non-fatal drownings, children would be locked in. The team, directed by Peter T. Fox, MD, professor of radiology and neurology and director of UT Health San Antonio's Research Imaging Institute, described a set of features in brain imaging studies that identified the cause and explanation of locked-in syndrome.

The first 11 pediatric drowning survivors were imaged at UT Health San Antonio in the 2010s. Now, in follow-up research published in the journal Pediatric Neurology, the team reports the largest study to date on the subject. The recently published analysis of 154 children confirms that the predominant outcome of non-fatal pediatric drowning is locked-in syndrome.

In the research, 60% of children who survived drowning events (93 of 154) were classified as locked in by family caregivers surveyed by UT Health San Antonio.

"The range of disability in the children was large," Fox said. "About one-fourth were mildly impaired, very nearly normal in all functions. Half were moderately impaired motorically but with preserved cognition and perception. One-fourth were severely impaired motorically, but less spared cognitively. Of the moderate and severe groups, nearly 80% were locked-in."

Caregivers in tune with the children

Caregivers were identified and surveyed between 2018 and 2021 after Fox and colleagues published the initial brain imaging studies of pediatric non-fatal drowning in 2016 and 2017. Fox said the data obtained from the survey was clear and powerful.

"The take-home from this is that the parents and other caregivers of locked-in children really understand the cues they see and do an exceptional job sensing whether the children are responding or not responding," Fox said.

"Physicians and the health care team should find more ways to engage the parents and caregivers and trust their observations," he said. "Caregivers are a very underutilized resource. We need to be more respectful and aware of the quality of their observations."

Remembering Conrad

The first child survivor to be imaged at UT Health San Antonio was Conrad Tullis of San Antonio.

Conrad, born in 2002, survived drowning in 2004 and lived to be 20. He inspired many and attended all 12 grades of school, graduating in the Alamo Heights School District in San Antonio.

"The locked-in state of Conrad and the other children was recognized first by the parents, which is very important to note," Fox said. "This condition was brought to my attention by Liz Tullis, Conrad's mom, who noticed her son was responsive even though she was being told he could not understand her. Tullis, along with other parents from a support group for parents of children who survived a drowning, helped the team recruit for the studies.

"As parents, we know our children, and we can tell the difference between responsive and unresponsive," Tullis said. "While doctors were telling me my child would never lead a meaningful life, I knew he was capable of understanding and communicating with us, albeit he was non-verbal."

Imaging gleans answers

The parents had read news stories about the Research Imaging Institute, a highly specialized center at UT Health San Antonio that brings multiple imaging modalities (magnetic resonance imaging, functional MRI, positron emission tomography and more) to bear on research questions. "They came to ask if imaging could tell whether the doctors were right in telling them that the children were not conscious, or whether they, the caregivers, were right," Fox said.

The Research Imaging Institute's imaging studies revealed that cognitive and sensory networks are preserved in the brains of these children. The injury does not, as formerly believed, impact the entire brain, but is confined to a small area. The findings supported parents' conviction that their children are experiencing emotions, learning new ideas and developing personalities. The research also created hope that someday the brain injury might be treatable.

The new research did not include imaging but added experiences and observations of a much larger group of affected individuals. "I'm hoping that this new publication will make it feasible to do more investigation in this larger cohort of children, both imaging and other tests," Fox said.

Conrad Syndrome

The researchers asked Pediatric Neurology editors to dedicate the article to Conrad Tullis and endorse the eponym "Conrad Syndrome" for locked-in state. The journal agreed.

Children admitted to the hospital after non-fatal drownings had better outcomes if their hospital stay required no medical intervention such as intubation, the survey indicated. If the children were responsive, not in a coma, at admission and at discharge, their outcomes were better.

It may be possible in the future to use portable imaging systems to test patients at home for locked-in syndrome, Fox said.

Long-term Neurocognitive Outcomes in Pediatric Non-Fatal Drowning: Results of a Family Caregiver Study

Muslima S. Razaqyar, PhD; Eri Osta, BS; Jonathan M. Towne, BS; Mariam Ishaque, MD, PhD; Florence L. Chiang, MD, PhD; Peter T. Fox, MD

First published: Nov. 11, 2023, Pediatric Neurology

https://www.pedneur.com/article/S0887-8994(23)00391-0/fulltext

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) is one of the country's leading health science universities and is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. With missions of teaching, research, patient care and community engagement, its schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions, graduate biomedical sciences and public health have graduated more than 42,550 alumni who are leading change, advancing their fields and renewing hope for patients and their families throughout South Texas and the world. To learn about the many ways "We make lives better," visit https://www.UTHealthSA.org.

Media Contact

Steven Lee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 210-450-3823, [email protected], https://news.uthscsa.edu/

SOURCE The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

25 january 2024 at 20:45

News published onand distributed by:
Skanska signs the firm's largest single lease for the office building The Eight in Bellevue, Washington, USA





STOCKHOLM, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska has signed a long-term lease agreement for approximately 48,900 square meters, at the office building The Eight in Bellevue, Washington, USA, of which 14,150 square meters is parking. With this contract, 72 percent of the space is now leased making it the largest lease in the company's history. The tenant is expected to take occupancy beginning January 2025.

The Eight, located in downtown Bellevue at the intersection of Northeast 8th Street and 108th Avenue Northeast, is the largest single investment in Skanska's portfolio. The 67,800 square meter Class A+ office tower includes four levels of tenant parking.

The project has achieved WiredScore Platinum and Salmon-Safe certifications while targeting LEED Platinum, Fitwel, SmartScore certifications. The building is developed and built by Skanska with expected completion in 2024.

The Eight represents Skanska's sixth development project in the Puget Sound region and its second project in Bellevue since it began development operations in Washington state in 2011.

For further information please contact:

Alicia Jones, Director Communications, Skanska USA, tel + 1 703 835 2762

Andreas Joons, Press Officer, Skanska Group, tel +46 76 870 75 51

Direct line for media, tel +46 (0)10 448 88 99

This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com.

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3915860/2563807.pdf 20240126 US largest lease https://news.cision.com/skanska/i/image-1---the-eight-washington,c3261028 Image 1 - The Eight Washington https://news.cision.com/skanska/i/image-2---the-eight-washington,c3261030 Image 2 - The Eight Washington https://news.cision.com/skanska/i/image-3---the-eight-washington,c3261029 Image 3 - The Eight Washington https://news.cision.com/skanska/i/image-4---the-eight-washington,c3261031 Image 4 - The Eight Washington

SOURCE Skanska

26 january 2024 at 01:42

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CPower Announces "Customer-Powered Gridtm Award" Winners during GridFuture 2024 Conference





The awards honor CPower's customers and partners who are making exceptional strides in distributed energy management to help their organizations, communities and our planet

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CPower Energy (" CPower "), the leading, national Distributed Energy Resource (DER) monetization and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) provider, announced the winners of the Customer-Powered Gridtm Awards during the 2024 GridFuture event, an industry-event hosted by CPower focused on the future of DERs and VPPs.

The awards honor CPower's commercial and industrial (C&I) energy users and technology partners who are making exceptional strides in distributed energy management to support their organizations, communities and our planet as we work towards a clean and dependable energy future. CPower selected the winners by surveying its customers and examining metrics including grid program participation, carbon reduction metrics, years of participation, and more. The winners were chosen amongst CPower's 2,500+ customers.

"Our customers are the backbone of everything we do. We are thankful for their partnership and support in helping us to leverage their distributed energy assets to balance the grid when and where it's needed the most," said Michael Smith, CEO, CPower. "These awards honor specific customers who have gone above and beyond in supporting the acceleration of our clean energy grid through their commitment to grid service programs and clear dedication to their decarbonization goals. We look forward to continued partnerships for years to come."

Winners of the awards are as follows:

The Flexibility Award was presented to Metal Technologies, the largest solely electric-melt North American foundry operator, for its innovative approach to grid services participation in PJM, leveraging EnerWise  Site Optimization to maximize grid revenue and on-bill savings.

was presented to Metal Technologies, the largest solely electric-melt North American foundry operator, for its innovative approach to grid services participation in PJM, leveraging EnerWise Site Optimization to maximize grid revenue and on-bill savings. The Innovative Solutions Award was presented to Energy Toolbase for its integration with CPower and work to enable their customers' participation in grid service programs. Partnering with CPower has enabled Energy Toolbase to extend services in regions other grid services companies cannot and bring inventive ways for its customers to curtail load.

was presented to Energy Toolbase for its integration with CPower and work to enable their customers' participation in grid service programs. Partnering with CPower has enabled Energy Toolbase to extend services in regions other grid services companies cannot and bring inventive ways for its customers to curtail load. The Decarbonization Industry Trailblazer Award was presented to Blockfusion for the organization's commitment to carbon reduction in the crypto -mining sector. The company identifies carbon reduction as a corporate goal and has put measurable factors in place, including grid services participation as a means to achieve its clean energy objectives.

About CPower Energy

CPower Energy is the leading, national Distributed Energy Resource (DER) monetization and Virtual Power Plant provider, creating the Customer-Powered Gridtm that will enable a flexible, clean and dependable energy future. With 6.7 GW of capacity at more than 27,000 sites across the U.S., we unlock the full value of DERs to strengthen the grid when and where reliable, dispatchable resources are needed most. CPower is based in Baltimore, Maryland, and is owned by LS Power, a development, investment and operating company focused on the power and energy infrastructure sector. For more information, visit: www.cpowerenergy.com .

SOURCE CPower Energy Management

26 january 2024 at 08:00

News published onand distributed by:
Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick joins The Vistria Group





Trailblazing leader to bring unparalleled public sector and impact investment expertise to Chicago-based next generation private investment firm

CHICAGO, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Deval Patrick, former two-term governor of Massachusetts and impact investment leader, has joined The Vistria Group as Senior Advisor. Patrick will leverage his expertise across fundraising, deal sourcing, and portfolio performance to further The Vistria Group's goals of achieving both strong financial returns and significant social impact. Patrick is a pioneer in impact investing, having launched Bain Capital Double Impact, the first such fund in a major investment firm, in 2015 after leaving the governor's office.

"As a true believer in impact investing, a long-time friend of the firm, and a Chicago native, I'm excited by the opportunity to work with The Vistria Group," Patrick said. "Like the founders, I believe that private capital should be the engine for innovation and prosperity, and that's what The Vistria Group is all about. I look forward to working with the team to build upon their impressive record of generating superior outcomes for investors and broader stakeholders alike."

Patrick brings extensive public and private sector experience to The Vistria Group. After serving as a staff attorney at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, a partner in two Boston law firms, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the Justice Department in the Clinton administration, and a senior executive at both Texaco and Coca-Cola, Patrick was elected governor of Massachusetts in 2006. In his two terms as the governor of Massachusetts, Patrick focused on job growth, healthcare expansion, education reform, improving transportation infrastructure, and far-reaching climate initiatives. Under his leadership, the commonwealth emerged from the Great Recession with nation-leading outcomes in employment, healthcare coverage, student achievement and energy efficiency. More recently, in addition to his work at Bain Capital, Patrick has been a Professor of Practice and Co-director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School.

"Governor Patrick shares our strong conviction that private capital is an essential lever to help build a thriving economy and society. Since our founding in 2013, our focus has been building value in sectors that are at the intersection of the public and private sectors including healthcare, knowledge and learning solutions, financial services and housing. Governor Patrick's experience will be invaluable in driving outsized social impact in these areas," said Marty Nesbitt, The Vistria Group's Co-CEO and Senior Partner.

"We're excited to welcome Governor Patrick to our team ? someone whose private and public sector work represents the bold, innovative and transparent leadership we foster at The Vistria Group. Attracting leaders who are passionate about long-term value creation and community is essential to our next decade of growth," said Kip Kirkpatrick, The Vistria Group's Co-CEO and Senior Partner.

Deval Patrick was raised on Chicago's South Side. As an eighth grader, he earned a scholarship to a boarding school outside Boston and eventually graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School. He also clerked for a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Patrick is a Rockefeller Fellow, a Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute, the author of two books, and the recipient of twenty honorary degrees. He will split his time between western Massachusetts and Chicago where a block on Wabash Avenue where he was born and raised is named in his honor.

About The Vistria Group

The Vistria Group is building a new kind of private investment firm that seeks to deliver both financial returns and societal impact. It invests in essential industries like healthcare, knowledge and learning, financial services and real estate that deliver value for investors as well as communities, employees, and consumers. With over $11 billion in AUM, The Vistria Group works as a true partner with its portfolio companies, drawing on its deep sector knowledge, operational expertise, unique network, diverse team, and impact orientation to achieve transformational growth. To learn more about The Vistria Group's approach to investing, click here. For more information, please visit www.vistria.com.

SOURCE The Vistria Group

26 january 2024 at 13:00

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The French Constitutional Council rejected significant portions of the immigration law passed by Parliament at the end of 2023, in a decision on Thursday, January 25. The highly awaited decision, after the government's law was adopted with the support of the right and the far right, was the second longest in the Council's history, with 276 paragraphs and 52 pages.

The ruling answers referrals to the Council by the left-wing opposition, President of the Assemblee Nationale Yael Braun-Pivet, and President Emmanuel Macron. After the Council's decisions, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced that the law would be promulgated "in the coming hours."

Thirty-five of the 86 articles passed by Parliament on December 19, 2023, were rejected by the Council. Thirty-two of these were considered "legislative riders"  in other words, not sufficiently related to the bill under consideration. In those cases, the Council did not decide on the substance of the proposals; only on the procedure. They may well be the subject of new bills or proposed legislation. Nevertheless, the pruning is severe.

The decision scraps some of the text's most controversial measures, most of which were introduced by the right-wing Les Republicains as part of their deal with the government to support the bill. Notably, the Council rejected restrictions on foreigners' access to social benefits, which opponents of the law equate to the "national preference" consistently put forward by the far-right Rassemblement National party.

These provisions stipulated that non-EU foreign nationals must have resided in France for at least five years or have been employed for a specified duration to be eligible for housing aids, disability aids, and family benefits.

Established case law

The Council also rejected articles tightening family reunification rules; the end to the automatic right to citizenship for children born in France to foreign parents; the exclusion from emergency accommodation for homeless undocumented migrants; stricter access to residence permits for students or sick foreigners; the introduction of a deposit for foreign students; and the end of free transportation in the Paris region for undocumented migrants.

The re-introduction of a 3,750 fine for illegal residence was also struck down. Additionally, a lesser-known measure regarding the automatic issuance of long-stay visas to British second-home owners in France was also annulled.

The nine members of the Council also partially or fully invalidated three of the law's articles on substantive grounds, in particular a provision in Article 1 that mandated an annual debate in Parliament on immigration and the establishment of immigration quotas.

You have 61.38% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
Storage tanks and gas-chilling units are seen at Freeport LNG, the second largest exporter of US liquified natural gas, near Freeport, Texas, February 11, 2023. ARATHY SOMASEKHAR / REUTERS

Joe Biden's administration announced Friday, January 26, it was pausing new liquified natural gas (LNG) export facilities, citing the urgent need to tackle the climate crisis by accelerating the transition from fossil fuels. "This pause on new LNG approvals sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time," said Biden in a statement. "While MAGA Republicans willfully deny the urgency of the climate crisis, condemning the American people to a dangerous future, my Administration will not be complacent."

It comes as the president looks to shore up his liberal base in a tough election rematch later this year against likely Republican candidate Donald Trump, who has falsely called human-caused global warming a "hoax" and vowed to torpedo his Democratic opponent's climate agenda. The United States is the world's leading LNG exporter, averaging 11.6 billion cubic feet (328 million cubic meters) per day according to the tracker CEDIGAZ, with seven terminals currently in operation.

Under the plan, new export applications would be subjected to an indefinite review considering climate and wider environmental and economic impacts. Facilities impacted include Venture Global's proposed Calcasieu Pass 2 (CP2) in Louisiana, which would be the biggest terminal in the country and release the equivalent annual emissions of 42 million cars, according to a letter penned to Biden in December by 170 scientists.

Read more Subscribers only 2024: A crucial year for climate diplomacy

Scientists and environmental activists welcomed the move, while fossil fuel industry groups predictably reacted strongly. The Independent Petroleum Association of America said in a statement the plan would "bolster Russian influence" in the European gas market.

But according to a recent letter by 60 European parliamentarians to Biden, while US LNG had previously helped the continent avoid an energy crisis brought on by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, EU member states are now reducing their gas demand. "Europe should not be used as an excuse to expand LNG exports that threaten our shared climate and have dire impacts on US communities," they wrote.

Read more Subscribers only 'Carbon bombs': The fossil fuel projects dooming the world's climate efforts
ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, January 26. Major projects will be undertaken in the 'Green World Solidarity Year', said Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, head of the working group Vugar Karimov during the meeting of the working group on environmental issues in Zangilan, Trend reports.

According to Karimov, Azerbaijan will host COP29 this year, with Baku serving as the primary venue for deliberations on global climate issues and environmental challenges. This underscores Azerbaijan's standing and influence on the world stage.

"The proclamation of the current year as the 'Green World Solidarity Year' by President Ilham Aliyev marks a significant development, bringing a substantial responsibility. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, in collaboration with several relevant entities, has devised an action plan in response to this initiative. This plan encompasses significant nationwide projects, extending to Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur," the working group head added.

Today, January 26, a regular meeting of the environmental issues working group within the Interdepartmental Center, which operates under the Coordination Headquarters for the centralized solution of issues in the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan liberated from Armenian occupation, is currently being held in Azerbaijan's Zangilan.

The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023.



Besides Azerbaijan, both Armenia and Bulgaria nominated their candidatures. However, after direct negotiations between the Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia on December 7, 2023, Armenia decided to withdraw its candidacy in favor of Azerbaijan. Bulgaria followed suit and also withdrew its candidacy.



On January 4, 2024, Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, was appointed as President of COP29.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Commissioner-General of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini at the UNRWA headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon on December 6, 2023. BILAL HUSSEIN / AP

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Friday, January 26, said it had sacked "several" employees Israel accused of involvement in Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack that triggered the Gaza war. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said he took the decision "to protect the Agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance" and launched an investigation after Israeli authorities provided information about the staff members' alleged involvement.

Lazzarini said that "several" employees had been fired and that an investigation was underway after Israeli authorities provided information about the staff members' alleged involvement in the October 7 bloodshed.

The US State Department said in a statement that it was "extremely troubled" by the allegations against the agency and has "temporarily paused additional funding... while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Thursday with the head of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, "to emphasize the necessity of a thorough and swift investigation of this matter," the statement said. "We also welcome the UN's announcement of a "comprehensive and independent" review of UNRWA. There must be complete accountability for anyone who participated in the heinous attacks of October 7," the State Department said.

The statement underlined that "UNRWA plays a critical role in providing lifesaving assistance to Palestinians, including essential food, medicine, shelter, and other vital humanitarian support." "Their work has saved lives, and it is important that UNRWA address these allegations and take any appropriate corrective measures, including reviewing its existing policies and procedures."
A LIMERICK couple have resolved their High Court challenge over what they claimed was an unconstitutional attempt by the local council to take charge of a part of their home property.

Judith Dixon and Liam McLoughlin claimed the move was unconstitutional because a section of the Act under which Limerick and City Council had cited as the legal basis for its acquisition of part of their property has never been 'commenced' or legally brought into force by the State.

The failure to commence the section, they claimed, meant that they could not appeal the council's decision to take charge of part of their property.

The couple who reside with their children at The Station House, Curraghbeg, Adare, Co Limerick, which is a protected structure, launched judicial review proceedings challenging a notice from the local that it intended to take charge of part of their property.

The action was against Limerick and City Council, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Ireland and the Attorney General.

Represented by Oisin Collins SC, and instructed by solicitor Patrick Cunningham in a case that may have implications for other similar actions, the couple sought various orders and declarations from the court including an order quashing the notice.

On Wednesday, Ms Justice Niamh Hyland was informed by Mr Collins that the case had been settled, and could be struck out.

As part of the settlement it had been agreed that the notice issued by the council concerning the couple's property could be quashed.

It was also agreed that the council would pay the couple's legal costs.

The action centred around the council's decision last September to issue a notice stating that under provisions of the 2007 Water Services Act that it intended to take charge of part of their lands, which includes an open cut drain, located at Blackabbey, Adare.

The applicants were informed that the council wanted the lands, for which the owners are entitled to claim compensation for, to facilitate the construction of residential units in Adare Village.

The couple wanted to appeal that decision on grounds including that the taking of charge of their land would allow the local authority to come and go over their property which they said would adversely affect their privacy.

However they claimed they were unable to advance an appeal because the Minister for Housing and Local Government failed, by way of statutory instrument, to bring into being a section of the 2007 Act that allows an appeal to be brought against decisions allowing local authorities to acquire land.

They claimed that the failure to commence that particular section of the Act denied them their constitutional right to an appeal.

In their action they also sought various declarations including that the council's notice that it intends to take charge of the applicants' lands amounted to a breach of their constitutional rights, including their rights to fair procedures, and was unreasonable.
STAFF and students are celebrating this week after their school was honoured by technology giant Apple.

Limerick Educate Together Secondary School, which is located at Ballysimon Road on the edge of the city, has been named a distinguished school by Apple.

Its only the second school in Limerick to achieve this accolade - alongside Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh, which opened new premises in the past week.

Both schools are among only eight in the Republic of Ireland, 200 in Europe and 500 in the world to have the honour bestowed by Apple.

Educate Together principal Eoin Shinners said: Its an amazing feat for a school only in its sixth year. We are one of the only schools in the country to be recognised by Apple for our commitment to innovative teaching and learning using Apple technology, namely the Ipad.

It's an exclusive group of schools to be associated with, he acknowledged.

It comes off the back of six years hard work since the school opened in 2018. Since then, weve embedded Apple technology across the school and we are seeing the fruits of it now, added Mr Shinners.

In order to secure this designation, staff and students at both Educate Together and Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh had to undergo a rigorous assessment from Apple executives.

The status lasts for three years, before the schools must re-apply for the designation.

The award comes after a big year for Limerick Educate Together.

In September, it moved from its temporary premises at the former Salesian Secondary School in the city centre to a purpose-built complex at Towlerton, Ballysimon.

The second phase of the campus opened before Christmas, with the school increasing its student numbers to 1,000.
A LARGE attendance is expected to attend a public meeting, at Charleville Park Hotel on Monday, January 29 at 7.30pm.

Charleville Community Forum will be facilitating this meeting.

Invitations are extended to representatives from Cork County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Irish Haulage Association, the Office of Public Works, along with three Cork North West TDs and our four local councillors.

This meeting is an opportunity for any persons, impacted in any way by the traffic situation in Charleville, to engage with the relevant representatives.

The public make reference to the severe traffic congestion that occurs on a daily basis. They outline the impact on health and the environment, from the carbon and nitrogen monoxide emissions.

The vast amount of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) passing through the town, causes lots of frustration and fear for pedestrians, with many stating they are a negative image of the town, relating the town to a highway.

Other issues include the frightening speed of traffic during non business hours, from both cars and HGVs.

Pedestrians make reference to the lack of digital signage, reminding drivers of the speed limit.

The most pressing question the public ask is why is there not a ring road in Charleville after 10 pedestrian fatalities in as many years.

Charleville Community Forum, from hearing these concerns, believe its time for stakeholders, and Cork County Council to finally consider the residents of Charleville, the general public who come into the town for work, shopping, attending various schools, church, sporting activities and socialising to make Charleville a safer place for everyone.

The people of Charleville have endured the town being abandoned, in relation to infrastructure for many years.

Now is the time to deliver for Charleville.

Enough is enough!

Charleville Community Forum
WHAT NEXT Dance Festival returns for a seventh edition at Dance Limerick.

This years festival gathers performers from across Ireland and internationally to create three days of discovery and celebration packed with fresh and vibrant performances, workshops and discussions.

Since 2018, the festival has been an important platform which shines a light on new creations from local and international artists.

Thanks to our funders, volunteers and supporters, WHAT NEXT Dance Festival and Limerick city have become a household name for contemporary dance in Ireland and beyond.

WHAT NEXT co-curator and director of Dance Limerick Mary Wycherley is delighted to welcome audiences to Limerick to Dive in and Discover Dance. The festival is a wonderful opportunity to gather and experience the humour, pleasure, curiosities and joy of dance.

Central to WHAT NEXT since its inception is the Artists Creative Exchange.

Each year the festival artists spend 3 days together at Dance Limerick, sharing their practice. This allows them to connect, reflect and be inspired, have fruitful discussions and interactions and gain invaluable insights into each other's work.

Dance Limericks Performance Space at St. Johns Church will be the stage of three mixed-bill nights featuring a total of nine performances by exceptional dance artists such as the Limerick- based Parsley Collective, a group of five dance artists with a shared interest in improvisation and exploration into the raw materials of movement.

Rosie Stebbing - TEST 1 - Photo by Simon Lazewski

Other Irish artists featured in this edition are Jessie Keenan, with her exploration of bodies and buildings in The Picture Palace, Siobhan Ni Dhuinnin, who will be asking us Can I have your best move? and Amir Sabra, who will offer a personal take on traditional Palestinian Dabke in Within this Party.

WHAT NEXT will also present work by emerging Irish dance artists Ghaliah Conroy, exploring the perception of the black female body in Sunken Works, and Rosie Stebbing, who will be presenting her original choreography TEST 1 in which she explores the relationship between the real and the virtual self with Jessie Thompson.

Audiences will also be able to enjoy the work of Aerowaves Twenty23 artists Structure-couple and Jean-Baptiste Baele, who will present their awarded pieces.

In Believe, French duo Structure-couple, formed by artists Lotus Edde Khouri and Christophe Mace, engage in a choreographic miniature based on the principle of an original movement that is progressively deformed in response to the distortions of a popular music track.

Jean-Baptiste Baele - Nabinam - Photo by David Jacobs

Belgian choreographer Jean-Baptiste Baele will close the festival with Nabinam, an autobiographical account about his adoption story.

Originally from Madagascar, Jean-Baptiste weaves the many different challenges faced growing up into his work to create a roller coaster of emotions in its unpredictable change of paces that is sure to be one of the highlights of WHAT NEXT 2024.

The piece will be followed Catherine Young and The Welcoming Projects Ceili Afro Dabke Ukraine, an upbeat world music ceili dance with live music where all are welcome to dance the night away!

Sioban Ni Dhuinnin - Can I have your best move? - Photo by Clare Keogh

In addition to the performances, this years festival includes open workshops with Jean Baptiste Baele and Sonia Sabri, who will teach the fundamentals of traditional Kathak dance; as well as a roundtable discussion on Dance and Cultural Identity featuring festival and visiting artists.

Events take place at Dance Limerick Performance Space in Johns Square and feature a range of affordable prices.

Mixed performance bills ensure there is a show to suit everyones taste.

Why not discover dance in 2024, at WHAT NEXT dance festival from 8-10 February.

Tickets available at www.dancelimerick.ie

For further enquiries please contact info@dancelimerick.ie or call 061 400994.

Tag or find us on social media #whatnextlimerick

Facebook: @DanceLimerickHub

Twitter: @DanceLimerick

Instagram: @dancelimerick

*Sponsored Content
Stock Market News

Wall St - Wall Street Journal reporter jailed in Russia loses appeal, meaning hell stay in jail through March 26-01-2024 02:17



Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk
Tesla plummeted over 12 per cent on January 25 after CEO Elon Musk hinted slowdown in sales this year despite price cuts that have already hurt margins at the world's most valuable automaker and fueled investor concerns about soft demand and Chinese competition, according to a Reuters report.

Tesla's stock suffered its sharpest intraday percentage loss in more than a year, with $80 billion in market value wiped out on January 25. That pushed its market capitalization loss for the month to about $210 billion.

Elon Musk said on January 24 that growth would be "notably lower" as Tesla is focusing on a cheaper, next-generation electric vehicle to be made at its Texas factory in the second half of 2025, which is expected to spark the next boom in deliveries.

"The Tesla headlines have essentially gone from bad to worse," said TD Cowen analysts, noting that the fourth-quarter revenue and profit were also below expectations.

According to Elon Musk, revisiting the production of the new model would be a challenge because it would involve cutting-edge technologies. Shares of other EV makers also fell, with Rivian Automotive Inc, Lucid Group and Fisker down between 4.7 per cent and 8.8 per cent.

The EV industry has been grappling with a slowdown in demand for more than a year and the price cuts by Tesla will likely worsen the pressure on the startups and automakers such as Ford.

"The problem for Tesla is any significant attempt to boost sales from here on will probably need to be achieved at the cost of further falls in operating margin, due to having to compete with BYD in China, as well as increased competition elsewhere," said Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, as quoted by Reuters.

At least nine brokerages downgraded the stock, while seven raised their ratings. The company, on average, has a "hold" rating with a median price target of $225, 23 per cemt higher than the share's closing price of $182.63 on Thursday.

Tesla short sellers have made $3.45 billion so far this year, making it the most profitable U.S. short trade, according to data and analytics firm Ortex.

The company's stock trades at nearly 60 times its 12-month forward earnings estimates, according to LSEG data. That gives it a more premium valuation than the other "Magnificent Seven" stocks  a group that includes Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia.

Some analysts said valuation could become tough to justify if Tesla's sales growth and margin weaken further.

"Tesla is increasingly looking like a traditional auto company," said Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi, as quoted by Reuters.

(With Inputs from Reuters)

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Microsoft Corporation has issued warnings to organisations, indicating they are targets of the Russian-sponsored group, Midnight Blizzard or Cozy Bear, the same group that hacked into the company's executives' emails late last year, Bloomberg reported.

The disclosure came through a blog post by Microsoft's Threat Intelligence team, stating that the group has been targeting various organisations. Microsoft has initiated notification processes for the targeted entities.

Also Read | FTC launches inquiry into artificial intelligence deals such as Microsoft's OpenAI partnership

Midnight Blizzard an Expanding Threat

Recent developments suggest that Midnight Blizzard's activities extend beyond Microsoft. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. (HPE) reported a breach in its cloud-based email system on January 24, attributing it to the activities of Midnight Blizzard. This signals a broader reach for the hacking group.

In a prior disclosure, Microsoft revealed that the group compromised a "legacy non-production test tenant account" to gain access to a "small number" of email accounts, including those of senior leadership and employees in cybersecurity and legal roles.

Also Read | Microsoft lays off 1,900 Activision Blizzard, Xbox staff: Report

The initial target was information about Midnight Blizzard itself. The investigation later revealed that the compromised email account lacked multifactor authentication, a standard security measure.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), an information technology provider, reported that it was notified on December 12 about a breach by a nation-state hacking group in its email systems. Investigators believe the hackers accessed and infiltrated data starting in May, primarily targeting a small percentage of HPE mailboxes from employees in cybersecurity and other departments.

Also Read | AI race propels Silicon Valley tech firms Microsoft, Meta, and Google to new highs. Here's why

Russian Link to Midnight Blizzard

The hackers, identified as Russia's SVR foreign intelligence agency, gained access to Microsoft by compromising credentials on a "legacy" test account, hinting at outdated code.

The United States government has linked the hacking group, also known as Nobelium, to Russia. This group gained notoriety for breaching SolarWinds Corp. in a massive cyber-espionage campaign against several federal agencies.

Also Read | Microsoft creates new Gen AI team to develop smaller and cheaper language models: Report

Microsoft highlighted that the recent breach shares a commonality with the SolarWinds hacking campaign, considered "the most sophisticated nation-state attack in history." The SVR primarily focuses on intelligence-gathering, targeting governments, diplomats, think tanks, and IT service providers in the US and Europe.

The recent activities of Midnight Blizzard further highlight the persistent threat posed by this Russian-linked hacking group.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. The first meeting of the Economic Council of Azerbaijan in 2024 has been held, the Cabinet of Ministers told Trend.

During the meeting, conducted under the leadership of the Chairman of the Economic Council, Prime Minister Ali Asadov, detailed discussions were held on the indicators of the country's socio-economic development for 2023, the agenda of the Economic Council for 2024, the evaluation of the effectiveness of benefits and exemptions in the tax and customs sectors, and the enhancement of the assessment mechanism. The meeting also covered the prospects of elevating the sovereign credit rating of the country, the report on the activities of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communications (CAERC) for 2023, and the economic development plans for Azerbaijan in 2024.

During the meeting, reports were presented by Finance Minister Samir Sharifov, Deputy Finance Minister Azer Bayramov, and Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication Vusal Gasimli.

At the conclusion of the meeting, decisions were made on the discussed issues, taking into account the opinions and proposals of the members of the Economic Council. Instructions were issued to the relevant bodies based on these decisions.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Delhi Assembly Budget Session 2024 will be held from February 15-20. The Arvind Kejriwal government is expected to table the 2024-25 budget of the city government on February 17. According to officials, the focus of the budget is likely to be on health, education, roads and infrastructure.

It will be the first budget presentation by Delhi Finance Minister Atishi, who was given the finance portfolio last year. A file of the budget session has been sent to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena for his approval, news agency PTI reported while citing a statement from the Delhi government.

ALSO READ: Home ministry asks Kejriwal govt to resubmit Delhi budget - here's why

What Delhi budget could focus on?

In the upcoming budget, the Arvind Kejriwal government is likely to address several issues, especially focusing on education, health, electricity, water, roads, and infrastructure and various developmental projects, the statement read.

AccordIng to the report, the Delhi government is considering to initiate the 'Business Blasters' programme for final-year and pre-final-year students in colleges. The idea aims at enabling them to start their businesses after leaving college. Funds for entrepreneurship programmes may be allocated in the budget," the statement said.

ALSO READ: Delhi Budget gets Centre's approval after delay, say LG Office sources

The Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena will address the Delhi Assembly on the first day of the budget session and the Outcome budget (report card of government) will be tabled in the House on the next day.

During the preparation of the budget, the government sought suggestions from all stakeholders in Delhi and the noteworthy recommendations from them have been included in the budget, the statement said.

ALSO READ: Parliament budget session to take place from January 31 to February 9: Report

What happened in last Delhi Budget session

In the financial year 2023-24, the Kejriwal government had a whopping 78,800-crore budget outlay, with focus on a 'Clean, Beautiful, and Modern Delhi'. An allocation of 21,000 crore was made for Delhi's infrastructure.

In 2014-15, Delhi's budget was only 37,450 crore, which more than doubled in the last fiscal year.

(With inputs from agencies)

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As the Indian stock market maneuvered through a shortened trading week, comprising only three open sessions due to public holidays, the Nifty 50 encountered its second consecutive week in the red. The continued underperformance of banking heavyweights cast a lingering shadow over the market, significantly impacting the index's overall performance.

In addition, the dimming hopes for an early rate cut by the US Fed, geopolitical tensions in the red sea, and rising US bond yields have also dampened investors' sentiment. This led them to book profits amid a significant rally in the Indian stock market in CY23, causing stocks to trade at expensive valuations. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have withdrawn 12,140 crore from Indian equities this week alone.

Also Read: FII selling in Indian stock market may continue despite 27,000 crore outflow in Jan so far, say analysts; here's why

Subpar results

The Q3 FY23 earnings season, thus far, has failed to provide the robust momentum needed to boost investor sentiment. Banks are grappling with tightening credit costs, adversely affecting their Net Interest Margins (NIMs). Despite strong performance in other metrics like loan growth and asset quality, the decline in NIMs has raised concerns among investors, given its significance in assessing a bank's profitability and financial health. Analysts expect that the NIMs will be more likely to remain under pressure for 23 quarters.

Further, major IT companies have reported mixed earnings. This scenario has added to the cautious approach among investors, affecting overall market dynamics. Further, FMCG Major Hindustan Unilever (HUL) posted weak numbers for the December ending quarter, propelling its stock to touch an 18-month low during Tuesday's trading session.

Additionally, concerns over increasing crude oil prices and China reportedly seeking to inject 2 million yuan into its declining stock market have further weighed on investors. This situation is expected to influence FPI flows, especially considering the already elevated valuations of the Indian market.

Also Read: Oil prices rise 2% driven by Red Sea tensions, US crude stock draw; Brent reaches $81/bbl

27 stocks finished the week in the red

Amid this backdrop, Nifty 50 concluded the week in negative territory, registering a decline of over 1%, settling at 21,352 points. Among the index constituents, 27 finished the week in the red, with Asian Paints leading the decline with a fall of 6.8%. Following closely were IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Life Insurance Company, HUL, HDFC Bank, Divi's Laboratories, Wipro, Bajaj Finance, State Bank of India, Tech Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services, and ITC, all experiencing drops between 1.5% and 6.5%.

On the positive side, Bajaj Auto's stock touched a new all-time high of 7,625 apiece, finishing the week with a gain of 7.3%. Bharti Airtel shares also reached a record high of 1,200 apiece, propelling the company's market capitalization close to the 7 lakh crore mark. Power-related stocks, including NTPC and Power Grid Corporation, also achieved new highs at 325 and 248, respectively.

Also Read: HDFC Bank, ICICI, Axis, Kotak Bank shares volatile as Q3 results reflect margin pressures; heres why banks are falling

Commenting on the market performance, Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, said," The broader market is unable to hold gains due to high valuations, subpar results, and persisting geopolitical tension in the Middle East, followed by an F&O expiry weighing down the market. Going forward, global market factors like the policy rate decisions of major countries will affect the market, and markets are likely to witness stock-specific actions during the ongoing earnings season."

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 making any investment decisions.

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U.S. antitrust enforcers are opening an investigation into the relationships between leading artificial intelligence startups such as ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and Anthropic and the tech giants that have invested billions of dollars into them.

Were scrutinizing whether these ties enable dominant firms to exert undue influence or gain privileged access in ways that could undermine fair competition," said Lina Khan, chair of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, in opening remarks at a Thursday AI forum.

Khan said the market inquiry would review the investments and partnerships being formed between AI developers and major cloud service providers."

The FTC said Thursday it issued compulsory orders" to five companies -- cloud providers Amazon, Google and Microsoft, and AI startups Anthropic and OpenAI -- requiring them to provide information regarding investments and partnerships.

Microsofts years-long relationship with OpenAI is the best known of the partnerships. Google and Amazon have more recently made multibillion-dollar deals with Anthropic, another San Francisco-based AI startup formed by former leaders at OpenAI.

Amazon, Google, Microsoft and OpenAI didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Anthropic declined comment.

The European Union and the United Kingdom have already signaled that they might also scrutinize the relationship with Microsoft and OpenAI. The EU's executive branch said in January it was checking whether the partnership might trigger an investigation under regulations covering mergers and acquisitions that would harm competition in the 27-nation bloc. Britains antitrust watchdog opened a similar review in December.

Antitrust advocates welcomed the actions from both the FTC and Europe into the deals that some have derided as quasi-mergers.

Big Tech firms know they cant buy the top A.I. companies, so instead they are finding ways of exerting influence without formally calling it an acquisition," said a written statement from Matt Stoller, director of research at the American Economic Liberties Project. Enforcers need to step in, and they are."

Microsoft has never publicly disclosed the total dollar amount of its investment in OpenAI, which CEO Satya Nadella has described as a complicated thing."

We have a significant investment," he said on a November podcast hosted by tech journalist Kara Swisher. It sort of comes in the form of not just dollars, but it comes in the form of compute and what have you."

OpenAIs governance and its relationship with Microsoft came into question last year after the startups board of directors suddenly fired CEO Sam Altman, who was then swiftly reinstated, in turmoil that made world headlines. A weekend of behind-the-scenes maneuvers and a threatened mass exodus of employees championed by Nadella and other Microsoft leaders helped stabilize the startup and led to the resignation of most of its previous board.

The new arrangement gave Microsoft a nonvoting board seat, though we definitely dont have control," Nadella said at Davos. Part of the complications that led to Altmans temporary ouster centers around the startups unusual governance structure. OpenAI started out as a nonprofit research institute dedicated to the safe development of futuristic forms of AI. Its still governed as a nonprofit, though most of its staff works for the for-profit arm it formed several years later.

Microsoft made its first $1 billion investment in San Francisco-based OpenAI in 2019, more than two years before the startup introduced ChatGPT and sparked worldwide fascination with AI advancements.

As part of the deal, the Redmond, Washington software giant would supply computing power  such as from one of its data centers in rural Iowa  needed to train the AI models on huge troves of human-written texts and other media. In turn, Microsoft would get exclusive to rights to much of what OpenAI built, enabling the technology to be infused into a variety of Microsoft products.

Nadella in January compared it to a number of longstanding Microsoft commercial partnerships, such as with chipmaker Intel. Microsoft and OpenAI "are two different companies, answerable to two sets of different stakeholders with different interests," he told a Bloomberg reporter at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

So we build the compute. They then use the compute to do the training. We then take that, put it into products. And so in some sense its a partnership that is based on each of us really reinforcing what  each other does and then ultimately being competitive in the marketplace."

The FTC has signaled for nearly a year that it is working to track and stop illegal behavior in the use and development of AI tools. Khan said in April that the U.S. government would not hesitate to crack down" on harmful business practices involving AI. One target of popular concern is the use of AI-generated voices and imagery to turbocharge fraud and phone scams.

But increasingly, Khan also made clear that it's not just harmful applications but the broader consolidation of market power into a handful of AI leaders that deserves government scrutiny. "Companies may use this market tipping moment to leverage anticompetitive tactics to lock in their dominance and block competition," the FTC said in a preview of Thursday's forum.



AP business writer Kelvin Chan in London contributed to this report.

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India and France finalized their defence industrial roadmap and a slew of other strategically important agreements on Friday during French President Emmanuel Macrons visit to New Delhi.

The new roadmap is expected to help the Indian and French defence sectors to partner in projects requiring joint designing and production, said foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra at a press conference here. The focus will be on air, space, maritime, land warfare, robotics and artificial intelligence technology, among other areas. New Delhi and Paris had agreed to pursue the roadmap during Prime Minister Modis visit to France in July 2023.

Two sides also agreed on a letter of intent to boost defence space cooperation. The goal, Kwatra said, is to enhance space situational awareness, preventing collisions in space and other activities like earth monitoring and remote sensing. New Space India Ltd (NSIL) also signed an MoU with Frances Arianespace on satellite launch capabilities.

Kwatra also announced that Tata and Airbus are set to establish a final assembly line (FAL) to make H125 helicopters in India. The two firms also hope to export the helicopter to neighbouring countries. Airbus stated that the move was a push forward the Make in India" campaign.

However, the visit did not see a major announcement on the purchase of Rafale marine aircraft or Scorpene submarines from India. The visits are not focused on individual transactions," Kwatra said in response to queries on the status of the deals.

Modi and Macron held talks in Jaipur on bilateral ties and other regional and global issues. The ongoing Red Sea crisis and the Ukraine war also featured in the discussions.

With regards to developments in the Red Sea, the potential disruptions and the actual things happening in the maritime domain there which are causing disruption to commercial shipping, is a matter of serious concern and both leaders focused on it," Kwatra said.

He also confirmed that an agreement was reached on mobility for young professionals and stated that a five-year Schengen visa provision for Indian students completing their Masters in France will be activated.

New Delhi and Paris also discussed the controversy surrounding French journalist Vanessa Dougnac. According to numerous reports, Dougnac was asked by the Indian government to explain why her OCI card should not be withdrawn after allegations of malicious" reporting. Kwatra explained that the matter had been discussed by the two sides but also stated that the case concerns whether Dougnac was complying with the appropriate rules and regulations.

External affairs minister S. Jaishankar also met with his counterpart, Stephane Sejourne, during the visit. Macron was accompanied by a 40-member delegation. On Friday, he attended Indias 75th Republic Day parade as the chief guest. Macron is the fifth French leader to receive this honour and the fourth consecutive French President to be the chief guest at the celebrations. This was also Macrons third visit to India, after his previous visits in 2018 and 2023.

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New Delhi: Defence sectors in India and France are set to come closer, with the two countries finalizing a defence industrial road map during French president Emmanuel Macrons visit to India. New Delhi and Paris had agreed to pursue the road map during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to France in July last year.

The road map is expected to help the Indian and French defence sectors partner in projects requiring joint design and production, foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said. It will focus on air, space, maritime, land warfare, robotics and artificial intelligence technology, besides other areas.

Macron, who was chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, held talks with Modi in Jaipur on bilateral ties, and regional and global issues. The Red Sea crisis and the Ukraine war also figured in the discussions. Macron has previous visited India in 2018 and 2023.

Earlier in the day, Macron announced a target of 30,000 Indian students in French institutions by 2030. On social media platform X, the French president said France will do this by launching new pathways to learn French; developing the Alliances Francaises network; creating international classes for non-French speakers; and easing the visa process for those who have studied in France.

The two sides also agreed to sign a letter of intent to boost defence space cooperation. The goal, foreign secretary Kwatra said, is to enhance space situational awareness" to prevent collisions in space and other activities like earth monitoring and remote sensing. New Space India Ltd (NSIL) also signed an MoU with Frances Arianespace on satellite launches.

Airbus Helicopters, based in France, said it will partner the Tata group to establish a final assembly line for helicopters in India, which will be its second final assembly line in the country. The assembly line will produce Airbus H125 helicopters from its civil range for India and as well as for exports to some of the neighbouring countries.

Kwatra also confirmed an agreement on mobility for young professionals, saying a five-year Schengen visa provision for Indian students completing their Masters in France will be activated.

However, the visit did not see any announcement on the purchase of Rafale marine aircraft or Scorpene submarines by India. The visits are not focused on individual transactions," Kwatra said.

With regards to developments in the Red Sea, the potential disruptions and the actual things happening in the maritime domain there which are causing disruption to commercial shipping, are a matter of serious concern and both leaders focused on it," Kwatra said.

The two sides also discussed a controversy surrounding French journalist Vanessa Dougnac. Recent reports said India has asked Dougnac why her OCI card should not be withdrawn over allegations of malicious" reporting.

Macron, who was accompanied by a 40-member team, is the fifth French leader to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

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The Varanasi district court has decided to provide both litigants with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey report on the Gyanvapi mosque complex.

As reported by ANI, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, expressed that the ASI's findings are conclusive. According to Jain, the survey affirms the presence of a substantial Hindu Temple predating the construction of the current structure at the Gyanvapi mosque complex.

Here are the ten interesting facts about the Gyanvapi case:

1. As reported by ANI, the ASI report on the Gyanvapi mosque complex disclosed that a pre-existing structure seemed to have been dismantled in the 17th century, with a part of it was modified and reused". The report further asserted, relying on scientific studies, that there existed a large Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure."

Also Read: Hindu temple existed before: Gyanvapi Mosque case takes fresh turn as ASI releases survey report



2. The ASI noted in the report that the Arabic-Persian inscription found inside a room mentions that the mosque was built in the 20th regnal year of Aurangzeb (1676-77 CE). Hence, the pre-existing structure appears to have been destroyed in the 17th century, during the reign of Aurangzeb, and part of it was modified and reused in the existing structure," it added.

3. Earlier on Wednesday, a Varanasi court, under the jurisdiction of District Judge A K Vishvesh, ruled that the ASI survey report about the Gyanvapi mosque complex near the Kashi Vishwanath temple would be made accessible to both the Hindu and Muslim parties involved.

Also Read: Gyanvapi mosque controversy: Why archaeological survey of the religious site was requested?

4. The ASI additionally stated that the western wall of the current structure represents the remaining section of a pre-existing Hindu temple. The ASI report highlighted that, concerning the expansion of the mosque and the creation of the 'sahan,' elements of the pre-existing temple, such as pillars and pilasters, were repurposed with minor alterations.

5. In the eastern section, a set of cellars was built to expand the available space, accompanied by the creation of a sizable platform in front of the mosque to accommodate a large congregation for prayers. During the construction of cellars in the eastern part of the platform, pillars from previous temples were repurposed.

Also Read: ASI team concludes survey for the day, Hindu side lawyer claim fragments of idols found

6. Notably, a pillar adorned with bells, niches for placing lamps on all sides, and featuring an inscription from Samvat 1669 was reused in cellar N2. The report also mentioned the discovery of sculptures depicting Hindu deities and carved architectural elements buried beneath the deposited soil in cellar S2.

7. A total of 34 inscriptions were recorded during the present survey and 32 estampages were taken. These are, in fact, inscriptions on the stones of the pre-existing Hindu temples, which have been re-used during the construction/ repair of the existing structure. They include inscriptions in Devanagari, Grantha, Telugu and Kannada scripts," the report added.

8. Earlier, on January 16, the Supreme Court approved a request from Hindu women petitioners, directing the cleansing of the entire 'wazukhana' area within the Gyanvapi mosque. The aim was to ensure that the space, where an alleged 'Shivling' was discovered, is maintained in a hygienic condition.

9. In 2022, the wazukhana area was sealed following a Supreme Court order, triggered by the identification of what the Hindu side claimed to be a 'Shivling' and the Muslim side referred to as a fountain. This discovery occurred on May 16, 2022, as part of a court-ordered survey of the building adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Also Read: Gyanvapi mosque case: Allahabad HC rejects Masjid Committee's challenge

10. Earlier on December 19, the Allahabad High Court had ruled that civil suits filed by Hindu worshippers and deities inter alia seeking restoration of the temple on the mosque premises are not barred by the Places of Worship Act.

(With inputs from ANI)

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French President Emmanuel Macron, on the social media site X (formerly Twitter), announced the goal of welcoming 30,000 Indian students to France.

He added that the country will open new pathways for students, and also facilitate visa processes for Indians who have once studied in the country.

Also Read | PM Modi, French President Macron interact over a cup of chai in Jaipur, use UPI for payment | Watch video

Macron is in India as chief guest at today's Republic Day celebrations in the national capital Delhi.

Macron Makes Commitment to Students

Stating his goal of welcoming 30,000 Indian students in France in 2030, Macron called it a very ambitious target", adding that he is determined to make it happen". He also outlined how the goal will be met.

Also Read | Republic Day 2024: Know significance, parade and flag unfurling timings. Full schedule

"We are launching new pathways in order to learn French in public schools with the initiative "French for All, French for a Better Future". We are developing the network of Alliances francaises, with new centres to learn French. We are creating international classes which will allow students, who do not necessarily speak French, to join our universities. Last, but not least, we will facilitate the visa process for any former Indian students who studied in France," the statement read.

He also extolled the benefits of students choosing France. Coming to France means looking for excellence. We have now 35 universities in the QS ranking and about 15 in the Times higher education ranking. India and France have so much to do together, now and in the future. We will achieve this with you, our young people, in exchange and cooperation, in trust, in friendship!" he wrote.

Also Read | Padma Awards 2024: French dominance in India's highest civilian honour, Fred Negrit among 6 foreign recipients

Chief Guest for R-Day

Macron who is the chief guest for this years Republic Day, visited a tea stall with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and interacted with each other over a cup of tea at Jaipur's famous Sahu tea stall on 25 January. The French President also used UPI to make a payment there.

People in large numbers welcomed PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron during their roadshow in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Macron waved at the people who gathered there, acknowledging the warm welcome.

Also Read | Google Doodle celebrates India's 75th Republic Day. See here

Before the roadshow, Macron arrived at Jantar Mantar in Pink City, Jaipur. Prime Minister Modi was pictured extending him a warm welcome at Jantar Mantar.

The two leaders warmly greeted each other and posed for the cameras. They then headed to see Jantar Mantar. Jantar Mantar is a famous solar observatory established by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2010.

Track | Republic Day 2024 LIVE Updates here

Macron also visited the Amber Fort in Rajasthan's Jaipur. He also met school students who gathered there to welcome him. On his visit to the fort, the French President was accompanied by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari.

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Activist Manoj Jarange Patil gave the Maharashtra government another ultimatum over the issue of Maratha reservation in the state. Patil warned on Friday that Marathas will march towards Mumbai if the state government fails to issue a GR (Government Resolution) regarding the Maratha reservation by Friday night.

"If by tonight GR is not issued by the Maharashtra government, Marathas will march towards Mumbai tomorrow morning," he was quoted by ANI as saying.

Protesters demand Kunbi (OBC) status to the Maratha community. On January 16, Jarange had demanded that 54 lakh Marathas should be issued Kunbi caste certificates within two days.

"So far, 54 lakh records showing members of the Maratha caste as belonging to the agrarian Kunbi community have been found, and all these persons (or their descendants) should be given Kunbi certificates immediately," Jarange said.

ALSO READ: Maratha reservation: OBC leaders protest, Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal under fire | 5 things to know

Thousands of protesters, led by Manoj Jarange, reached Navi Mumbai on Thursday night and the government is trying to persuade them not to enter Mumbai. As per his plan, Jarange, along with his supporters, was to begin his hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Friday.

Hundreds of protesters demonstrated near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in south Mumbai, blocking the traffic on Friday. Despite the Mumbai Police issuing a notice to him denying him permission to hold a hunger strike in the city, Jarange announced on Thursday that he will reach Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on January 26.

"The protesters, who were going to Azad Maidan, sat at the intersection near CSMT and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters," an official was quoted by news agency PTI as saying. "Police rushed to the spot and asked the agitators to go to Azad Maidan," the official added.

On Thursday, the Mumbai police issued a notice to Jarange, saying no ground in the city could accommodate the large number of protesters accompanying him, and advised him to hold his agitation in Navi Mumbai instead.

While Jarange remained firm on marching towards Mumbai despite the police notice, he said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar should personally come forward for a discussion to solve the issue.

Marathas will not go towards Mumbai on Friday and will stay in Navi Mumbai only for now.

"We are now left with one last stop, which is at Vashi. After Vashi, we will go towards Mumbai peacefully, but we will not come back without reservation. From today on, our number will increase and all the Maratha people from all over Maharashtra will gather in Mumbai. The people of Mumbai are also with us," Patil was quoted as saying earlier this week.

ALSO READ: Pune's Maratha community to stage candlelight march today

A delegation, led by senior government officials including the divisional commissioner of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, had met Jarange to convince him not to go to Mumbai. It was conveyed to him that another delegation would meet him with more government decisions.

Navi Mumbai police officials also met Jarange and requested him to change the route of his march as a hospital is in the route. Police requested the organisers to change their route and travel from the old Pune-Mumbai highway.

ALSO READ: Maratha Quota Stir: Will quit drinking water from this evening if', Activist Jarange

Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde had earlier reiterated his government was committed to providing reservation to Marathas without disturbing the existing quotas of other communities.

"My government will give reservations which will pass the legal scrutiny. A total of 1.4 lakh people are participating in the survey that is currently underway. They are working in three shifts. So far, discussions with Jarange have been positive," the chief minister said.

ALSO READ: Maratha quota: All-party meeting agrees on Maratha reservation within legal framework, says CM Eknath Shinde

Shinde had last month said a special session of the state legislature would be held in February, if necessary, to provide reservation to the Maratha community.

In October last year, the Maharashtra government published an order asking officials concerned to issue fresh Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Maratha community members, paving the way for them to avail reservation benefits under the OBC category.

A government resolution (GR) had asked the officials to translate old documents having references to Kunbis and written in Urdu and 'Modi' script (which was used to write Marathi language in earlier times), PTI reported.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Known for adding distinctive Indian headwear to his Independence Day and Republic Day outfits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's yellow pagdi for Republic Day celebrations today was seen as a tribute to Lord Ram, as per a News18 report.

The first glimpse of PM Modi's attire for this Republic Day came when he arrived at the National War Memorial to pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation before the Republic Day parade.

Track | Republic Day 2024 LIVE Updates here

The prime minister is known to incorporate elements of a particular tribe or area to respect the local culture. Earlier this week on January 22 Modi was in Ayodhya to inaugurate the newly built Ram Temple in the city. He also conducted a 'Ramayana Connect' tour across the country ahead of the ceremony.

In a consistent effort to symbolize India's diverse culture, PM Modi showcased a multi-coloured Rajasthani turban during the Republic Day ceremony last year. In 2022, he broke tradition and opted for a Uttarakhand cap, adorned with the official flower of the hill state. Further back, during the Republic Day celebrations in 2021, PM Modi donned a special 'Pagdi' from Jamnagar, Gujarat. The pagdi, with yellow dots, was reportedly a gift from the royal family of Jamnagar. And for the 71st Republic Day celebrations in 2020, Modi sported a saffron 'bandhej' headgear (safa) with a long tail.

Also Read | Republic Day 2024: French President Emmanuel Macron announces visa, classes for Indian students

Republic Day Celebrations

India is celebrating its 75th Republic Day today 26th January 2024. President Droupadi Murmu hoisted the national flag at 8 am at Kartavya Path. This year French President Emmanuel Macron is attending as the chief guest.

This year's Republic Day theme is 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Loktatantra ki Matruka'.

Also Read | Republic Day 2024: Here's how the world is celebrating India's 75th R-Day. Watch

The Republic Day 2024 parade commenced at 10:30 am (IST) from New Delhi's Vijay Chowk, it is following the route from Vijay Chowk to Kartavya Path. It will start at Rashtrapati Bhawan and proceed to the Rajpath. The venue accommodates around 77,000 people, with 42,000 reserved for the general public.

Numerous tableaus showcasing India's rich cultural history, culture, and tradition are part of the parade. The cultural pageantry of the R-Day includes vibrant fold dance performances and patriotic songs.

Also Read | Republic Day 2024: From France Emmanuel Macron to Anthony Albanese, world leaders wish India on 75th Gantantra Diwas

This year's top attractions include a women's tri-service group parade, a French contingent to join the R-Day parade, six Indians to join the French military team in the Republic Day parade, AI to take space in the parade, ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 to be highlighted, and so on.

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The BJP-led Uttarakhand government will reportedly take up and pass the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill during its special one-day special session on February 5, reported The Indian Express.

A five-member committee, led by former Supreme Court judge, Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, is expected to hand over a report on the matter to the government on February 2 or February 3, sources told IE.

Also Read: Telangana Election: In manifesto, BJP promises UCC, 4 gas cylinders in a year, to scrap 4% Muslims reservation

According to the English Daily, the report emphasised gender equality and women's rights on ancestral properties, however, there was no recommendation related to the marriage age of women.

A few days ago, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami gave a hint on the implementation of UCC in the state. He had said that the government would soon bring the code.

Also Read: Kapil Sibal urges PM Modi to reveal proposal for UCC, asks On what issues does he want uniformity

"The draft has been prepared by the draft committee. Soon we will implement this..." Dhami said on Wednesday.

On December 22, the Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the recommendations of the five-member panel formed to prepare the draft of the UCC in the state.

The recommendations of the committee were approved by a meeting chaired by Dhami. The detailed report of the committee will be submitted at the beginning of February.

Also Read: UCC row: Sharad Pawar seeks 'clarity', expresses concern on Sikh community's opinion

The Uttarakhand assembly speaker has summoned a session of the House in February. A notice has also been issued for the same, Vidhan Sabha Secretary Incharge Hem Chandra Pant told PTI.

According to the news agency, there is no official information about the agenda of the session and it will be decided at a meeting of the business advisory committee of the House.

On the Republic Day eve, Pushkar Singh Dhami had said that the five-member expert committee had completed the UCC draft and would soon hand it over to the state government.

Also Read: Not against UCC, but dont support the way BJP': Mayawati

The committee is headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai. She is currently heading the Delimitation Commission of India. The committee also includes retired Delhi High Court judge Pramod Kohli, social activist Manu Gaur, ex-chief secretary and IAS officer Shatrughan Singh, and Doon University Vice-Chancellor Surekha Dangwal.

The UCC drafting committee's tenure has been extended by the government for 15 days. During the 2022 Assembly elections, the Bhartiya Janata Party had promised the enforcement of uniform civil laws in the state.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. The expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor, which supplies gas from the Caspian Sea region to Europe, was among the topics discussed at the Black Sea Security Conference organized by Caspian Policy Center, Trend reports.

During the conference, it was highlighted that three years of concerted action and planning have led to significant developments, including Turkiye's emergence as a regional gas supplier through agreements with Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Moldova. Additionally, there has been considerable progress in enhancing Turkiye's natural gas import infrastructure, facilitating the delivery of gas to Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor. Discussions also touched upon the potential for increased gas delivery volumes through this corridor.

The importance of the Southern Gas Corridor's full operationalization was underscored during the conference. Partners are actively engaged in efforts to double the volume of gas transported through the corridor by 2027, marking a positive development. These initiatives align with broader strategies aimed at gradually reducing dependence on Russian fuels within the European Union.

Furthermore, attention was drawn to offshore drilling operations in the Black Sea, which are aimed at bolstering the energy security of both Turkiye and Romania while decreasing import reliance. These endeavors reflect a concerted effort to diversify energy sources and enhance regional stability.

Southern Gas Corridor started transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe on December 31, 2020. It transports of gas from the Caspian Sea region to European countries through Georgia and Turkiye.

This large-scale project is aimed at diversification of energy supply routes and sources, thereby contributing to strengthening Europes energy security. The projects cost totaled $33 billion, as compared to the forecast $45 billion. Capital expenditures on the SGC project are expected to be fully reimbursed within 8-10 years.

Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn
The ongoing controversy over West Bengal's fake caste certificate case between the Calcutta High Court and the division court has been taken up by the Supreme Court.

The case will be heard by a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud on Saturday after it took suo moto cognisance in the matter.

Also Read: Bharat Jodo Yatra faced problems in Assam, now in Bengal': Congress complains of hurdles in organising gatherings in WB

The other four members of the bench will be justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant, and Aniruddha Bose.

The case title "In Re: Orders of Calcutta High Court dated 24.01.2024 AND 25.01.2024 and Ancillary Issues," arose out of some orders passed by Calcutta High Court's single judge bench and division bench disagreeing with each other.

Also Read: Bengal conundrum plaguing INDIA Bloc? Mamata vs Adhir vs CPI(M) cast aspersion ahead of Lok Sabha Polls

In the HC order, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay has accused Justice Soumen Sen, who is heading the division bench, of acting for a political party in West Bengal.

The controversy erupted after a single judge bench of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay sidelined HC's division bench order and directed the CBI to begin its probe into the fake caste certificate matter.

Also Read: Mamata Banerjee says no relation with Congress, TMC to fight Lok Sabha polls alone in Bengal

Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay said that Justice Sen is acting clearly for some political party in the WB State and, therefore, the orders passed by the bench led by Justice Sen need to be relooked if the Supreme Court thinks so.

Justice Sen's acts were aimed to save some political party in power, and are a clear misconduct, said Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, reported ANI.

Fake Case Certificates Scam in Bengal

The matter came to the fore after a petition in HC alleged the issuance of fake caste certificates to employees to ease their admission to medical courses.

On January 24, the single judge bench of Justice Gangopadhyay asked the West Bengal Police to hand over documents related to the matter to the CBI. However, the order was stayed by the single judge's order after it was mentioned before a division bench of Justice Sen and Uday Kumar.

The matter was again taken by Justice Gangopadhyay's single judge bench and it asked the state police to give the paper to CBI. However, the division bench on Thursday did not let the order be approved. In the end, the single-judge bench passed the remark against the judge on January 25.

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Tesla Inc.s $85 billion wipeout, spurred by investor anxiety about slowing growth, saw Eli Lilly & Co.s market value overtake the carmaker Thursday.

That Lilly is among the latest companies to surpass Tesla signals a shift in investor appetite. No longer are electric vehicle makers and suppliers bought on the promise of mass uptake. Instead, all things weight loss have come into favor.

Lillys soared on hope for its drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, making it the worlds largest health-care company. Similar hopes for medicines from Novo Nordisk A/S have catapulted the Danish firm to the top in Europe where it is the most valuable listed company.

Markets tend to favor big broad trends and certainly one of those trends at one point was electric vehicles and all things Tesla," said Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers. Right now, the trends that are really gripping investors are artificial intelligence and GLP1 weight loss drugs."

Tesla, once the fifth biggest company in the S&P 500 Index, is now losing ground to Lilly and Broadcom Inc. as it struggles to stay in the top 10. The automakers 13% tumble Thursday brought its market capitalization below $580 billion following earnings that came with a warning that its rate of expansion will be notably lower" this year. Lillys valuation stood at roughly $595 billion.

Lillys climb was primarily fueled by its pipeline of a new class of drugs dubbed  GLP1s  to treat obesity and diabetes, along with an experimental treatment for Alzheimers disease. After last years 59% rally, shares of the pharmaceutical company are advancing another 7% so far in 2024 and sales of Mounjaro and Zepbound are expected to propel the stock even higher.

Lillys market value last closed above Teslas in early 2023, though its been about four years since the drugmakers market value has steadily held above the EV companys.

Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs analyst Mark Delaney said slowing growth both in terms of vehicle deliveries and profits will be an overhang on Teslas stock. Its shares have lost more than a quarter of their value in January, making it the only losing stock so far in 2024 among the Magnificent Seven tech megacaps.

If youve been selling a futuristic vision  that to be fair has been working very well  and yet youre not willing to offer any concrete guidance about the near future, thats going to whack your stock," Interactive Brokers Sosnick said.

--With assistance from Esha Dey.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

2024 Bloomberg L.P.

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The government unveiled a list of 132 individuals on Thursday, marking the 75th Republic Day , with six individuals receiving Padma Shri awards and one foreigner being honoured with a Padma Bhushan award.

However, the list also featured recipients from non-resident Indian (NRI), person of Indian origin (PIO), and overseas citizenship of India categories.

One foreign recipient was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, while three foreigners, all of Indian origin, were bestowed with the Padma Bhushan. Additionally, among the Padma Shri awardees, three foreigners were recognized, with two of them originating from France.



Also Read: Padma Awards 2024: Check the full list of 132 winners of India's second-highest civilian honour

Check the complete list here:



Padma Bhushan

1. Young Liu in the field of Trade and Industry from Taiwan.



Young Liu is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Taiwanese technology giant Hon Hai Technology Group, commonly known as Foxconn. Foxconn stands as the world's largest electronics manufacturer and a prominent global provider of science and technology solutions.

Padma Shri



1. Charlotte Chopin, representing France, is honoured for her contributions to the field of Yoga.

2. Pierre Sylvain Filliozat, a recipient of Literature and Education from France, is recognized for his noteworthy work.

3. Kiran Vyas, acknowledged in the "Others-Yoga" category from France, is celebrated for his contributions to Yoga.

4. Prakash Singh, hailing from Mexico, receives recognition in the field of Science and Engineering.

5. Sasindran Muthuvel, recognized for achievements in Public Affairs and originating from Papua New Guinea, is honoured with a Padma Award.

6. Fred Negrit, from France, is commended for his accomplishments in Literature and education.

Also Read: Google Doodle celebrates India's 75th Republic Day. See here



Established in 1954, the Padma Awards are prestigious civilian honours in India, announced annually on Republic Day eve. They are presented in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order), and Padma Shri (distinguished service).

These awards aim to acknowledge outstanding achievements across various fields that involve an element of public service.

The Padma Awards are granted based on recommendations put forth by the Padma Awards Committee, formed annually by the Prime Minister. This committee, led by the Cabinet Secretary, consists of key officials such as the Home Secretary, Secretary to the President, and four to six distinguished individuals. Following the committee's recommendations, the final approvals are sought from the Prime Minister and the President of India.

Also Read: First woman mahout among 34 unsung heroes awarded Padma Shri

In the previous year, the government announced a total of 106 Padma Awards, which included three cases involving duos. The breakdown comprised six Padma Vibhushans, nine Padma Bhushan, and 91 Padma Shri Awards.



(With inputs from agencies)

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated on January 24 that the "Chinese automakers will 'demolish' global rivals without trade barriers," underscoring the intense competition faced by the US electric vehicle market leader from companies like BYD, which are aggressively expanding worldwide, according to a report Reuters.

Elon Musk's comments followed the recent achievement of Warren Buffett-backed BYD, whose more affordable models and diverse lineup allowed it to surpass Tesla as the world's top-selling EV company in the last quarter, despite Tesla's significant price reductions throughout 2023, the report added.

According to Elon Musk, Chinese car companies are the "most competitive" and could achieve considerable success outside China, depending on trade barriers. He emphasized that without such barriers, Chinese automakers could potentially outshine most global counterparts, describing them as "extremely good," the report further added.

In response to Musk's comments, the Chinese foreign ministry, during a regular briefing on January 25, expressed unawareness of the reports but emphasised the importance of maintaining a fair, just, and open business environment.

Musk has raised concerns about a price war initiated last year to attract consumers facing high borrowing costs, resulting in squeezed margins for Tesla and causing investor worries. On Wednesday, Musk cautioned that Tesla was approaching the "natural limit of cost down" with its existing lineup.

Tesla's plans to introduce a more affordable mass-market compact crossover, codenamed "Redwood," in mid-2025 to compete with cheaper rivals were confirmed by Musk. However, with Chinese EV manufacturers adept at cost management and rapidly expanding their foreign presence, Tesla faces increased competition.

While Chinese car companies are making strides with their stable supply chains and competitive pricing, their low brand awareness and perceived reliability, durability, and safety challenges in the United States may hinder their progress in winning U.S. market share, according to industry experts.

Musk's comments coincide with the U.S. presidential election gaining momentum. President Joe Biden has expressed concerns about China's determination to dominate the EV market, vowing not to let it happen. Former President Donald Trump, a potential frontrunner for the Republican nomination, has signaled a willingness to impose stronger tariffs on Chinese imports if elected.

Musk clarified on Wednesday that there is currently no obvious opportunity for partnership with Chinese rivals. Still, Tesla remains open to providing access to its charging network and licensing technologies such as self-driving to Chinese companies.

In Europe, a protectionist stance toward Chinese EV makers has been evident, with the European Commission investigating the imposition of tariffs to counter alleged benefits from state subsidies for Chinese EV imports.

According to industry analysts, rather than tariffs, the US and Europe need policies that support their automakers in building diversified supply chains over time.

(With Inputs from Reuters)

ACC More Information

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Dear Reader: This is serious. So pay close attention. Today, we roll out our wishlist for the honourable finance minister. If you find this wishlist a little extreme, dont worry. It is deliberately so. When it comes to getting things done, nothing works like shock therapy.

My first recommendation to the minister will be to further complicate, I mean, simplify the capital gains tax. To the existing two brackets of capital gain taxationlong-term and short-term, we need to add two more. Ultra short-term and ultra long-term.

The ultra short-term tax should be double the rate that is applied on short-term gains. If you are currently taxed at 30% on short-term gains, for ultra short-term gains the tax needs to be 60%.

If this upsets you, dont worry. Theres something to soothe you as well. The ultra long-term gains, which should be defined as profits on holdings of longer than 10 years, should be tax-free. Yes, no tax! This should end the obsession with short-term trading, and encourage super long-term investing. Both are much needed.

The second recommendation relates to another favourite topicfutures and options (F&O) trading. Retail investors should be allowed to trade futures and options proactively. Even encouraged. Having said that, the rules should be tweaked for retail investors to make the margin requirement for them 100%.

Yes, 100% of the total value of the exposure. So effectively, the F&O market would start working like a cash market. But because it would still be headlined F&O, we think it will still draw in retail punters, many of whom we suspect have no clue of how F&O works anyway! This way, we could end up saving the most gullible investors.

The third recommendation is less extreme. Relatively speaking, of course. The finance minister should make it mandatory for investors to draw up an asset allocation plan for themselves and submit it along with their tax returns. In the plan, they should share details of where they are now, where they need to be, and how they plan to get there.

Now, dont worry about all the manual work required to assess these submissions. Technology companies, with all their AI tools, will review documents and verify and grade them. Good asset allocators should get a tax rebate. For not-so-good asset allocators, well, maybe start with a warning and take it forward from there. This should finally ensure that asset allocation is taken seriously by all.

Fourth, its high time that investors are penalised for owning too many mutual fund schemes. Now, I know the blame needs to be shared with the adviser. I have already factored that in. The finance minister and her income tax team, who now know exactly what we own, should start sending out IT notices to investors who have more than a fair number of funds.

Whats fair? Well, I would start with five fundstwo for equity, two for debt, and one for liquid funds. If you insist, this could be made six funds, but no more. Once a notice is served, the investor, and their adviser, will need to explain why there are so many funds in their portfolio.

Again, we will leverage AI tools to assess all returns and responses. Failure to answer satisfactorily or take corrective action should be taken as a serious breach by the IT department (but lets not push it to a survey-level breach; just a warning for the breach).

My final suggestion has to do with financial advice given by the mahagurusthe finfluencers. Although the regulator has come up with clever ideas on how to tackle finfluencers, I think the finance minister could also play a huge role. Heres my billion-dollar ideaimpose a notional capital gain tax on all claims made by unregistered finfluencers! I bet this will singlehandedly put this menace to an end.

So this is my wishlist. And I am all set to send it to the finance minister. If you have suggestions, drop in a line at contramoneyindia@gmail.com.

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.
Oscar nominations rarely make anyone sit up the way this years have. Was it a classic preference for serious cinema or an old gender bias that swayed Hollywoods Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences? Of last summers two most hotly raved-about movies, Greta Gerwigs Barbie and Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer, the award contenders picked for 2024 display a clear tilt towards the biopic of a scientist credited with the worlds first nuclear weapon. It was nominated this week for awards in 13 categories, including for Best Picture and Best Director, the two big ones, while the feminist remake of an iconic dolls legend got eight call-outs, with Gerwig left out of the contest as an award-worthy director. It is a gasp-worthy omission, even if her blockbusterit raked in about $1.5 billion globally at the box officeis still in the running for a best-film Oscar. Gender equity in Hollywood matters not just because it holds global audiences in its thrall, but for its signalling effect. It is a creative industry in the worlds most advanced large country, and to the extent creativity needs a storm of diverse ideas, its easy to assume it must necessarily stay open to all forms of diversity to thrive. But then, it was just over half a decade ago that Hollywoods #MeToo scandal revealed a power equation so starkly loaded against women, it shook us. Could much have improved since?

As worthy cinema goes, Oppenheimer has obvious merits. On gravitas, its up there. In its depiction of how Americas Hiroshima bomb of 1945 came to be, it doesnt merely remind us of why the Doomsday Clock is only 90 seconds to midnight, it also gives us an inner view of the physicists moral dilemma. No less critically, the biopic holds a mirror to Uncle Sams paranoia back then over an alien ideology, Communism, even though the US and Soviet Union were on the same side in World War II against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. In Nolans look-back, a suspicion of red sympathy in US academia almost stalled its spectacle of power. From this angle, the film may be taken as a warning of how a countrys self-interest could fall victim to nationalism gone awry, which remains relevant today as polarized politics reduces academic space for dissent. In other words, there is plenty that loads those golden statuettes in this biopics favour. But yet, the whole point of Oscars is to honour filmmaking. And Barbie was Hollywoods break-out smash. Not just as a blockbuster, but, above all, as a work of art. The very gall of Gerwigs comedy glowed with novelty. It took a plastic doll rejected by feminists for objectifying women with its archetypal mould, and re-moulded it as a satire on the patriarchy of this age, serving us one rib-tickler after another on gender roles as it rolled out a pink fantasy, all in good humour. Its bold and out there, this romp, not least for how elegantly it goes meta-fictive with a few spoofy jokes at the expense of its own gender activism too. Pack a movie hall with women on one side and men occupying the other half, and a screening would probably get laughs all around. This merits an ovation in itself, for it takes artistry for a flick to reach across the aisle with a well packaged message.

America is far older than India as a republic, in its rejection of anybodys divine right to rule, but a glaring if glittery gender gap suggests that the wisdom of its implied equalitythe common sense that male privilege has no logicis still some way off. Alas, its not just the US.
Aditya Verma, a British-Indian student, can hardly be faulted for thinking two F-18s flanking his flight to Menorca in Spain were holding an exercise in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war. But then, maybe he can be.

Pre-boarding, he joked with buddies on Snapchat of an intent to blow up the plane as a Taliban member. The context of his jest was his appearance, but eavesdropping security authorities in the UK were not amused; they alerted the Spanish, who scrambled those jets. This was back in mid-2022, and Verma, who was arrested on landing, has still not been able to extricate himself from his legal entanglement. A police search of his phone revealed research of clashes between India and Pakistan and potential Islamic State attacks in the region, but nothing to link him with jihadist radicalism.

Back in the UK, intelligence officers grilled him too. He now awaits a ruling from a Spanish court and faces a fine of up to 22,500, while Spain wants 95,000 in compensation for expenses. After 9/11, most air travellers learnt not to use alarm-triggering words, but it seems younger generations did not fully get the memo. As for the privacy of private chats, well, welcome to the real world.
The Biden administrations so-called day after" plan for the Gaza Strip has not been going well, especially in eliciting support from Americas partners in the Middle East.

Not long before Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in the Turkish capital in early January to discuss the war in Gaza, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is richer than Hitler" and gets all sorts of support" from the U.S. The Turkish leader has a long history of blood-curdling rhetoric that links Israelis with Nazis and has long supported Hamas in word and deed. Still, after his meetings in Turkey, Blinken told reporters that its clear that Turkey is prepared to play a positive, productive role in the work that needs to happen the day after the conflict ends."

Nor did the Secretary of State fare well through the rest of his trip, returning home with very little to show for his efforts. Indeed, if Blinkens recent tour of the Middle East revealed anything, it is that Americas regional partners are deeply reluctant to help with President Joe Bidens diplomatic push to reinvigorate" the Palestinian Authority (PA), extend its rule to the Gaza Strip and cajole the Israelis and Palestinians to resume long-suspended negotiations to end their conflict. Even the plan to end the war announced by the Arab states last weekend is little more than a warmed-over peace initiative that has been rattling around since 2002. Still, even though it is tempting to write off Americas regional partners as timorous, weak and skeptical, much of the problem lies with Washington.

The Biden administration would have a better chance of securing help from friends in the region if it was not so passive. It is not that the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E. and Bahrain are opposed to Bidens effort to revive the PA and the two-state solution. But no one is going to lend a hand to the U.S. unless Washington takes decisive action to reform the PA, confront Irans axis of resistance" and isolate the regions arsonists, notably Qatar and Turkey.

The regions key players are hemmed between domestic political support for the Palestinians and their strategic ties with the U.S. The Jordanians, who have long and deep ties to the U.S., have done nothing except issue increasingly strident condemnations of Israel from Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Queen Rania. No doubt this is a function of the political pressure in a country where a majority of citizens, including the queen, are of Palestinian origin.

In Egypt, President Abdel Fatah el Sisi is surely aware that any number of groups that were involved in instigating the 2011 uprising against President Hosni Mubarak originated in Palestinian solidarity committees that sprung up during the second intifada in the early 2000s. He has thus been cautious about working with the Biden administration, which many Egyptian activists charge with facilitating a genocide" in Gaza. Still, Egypt has been more active than Jordan. Cairo has helped win the release of Israeli hostages and is the only pipeline for whatever aid is getting to the people of Gaza.

Then there are the Saudis, who want to be the regions most influential power but have not exerted themselves to help Washington. Instead, throughout the conflict, Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salmans primary concern has been to ensure that he does nothing that would provoke the Iranians and undermine the de-escalation that Riyadh and Tehran agreed to under Chinese auspices in March 2023. The Iranians demonstrated capacity to sow chaos across the region since Hamass attack on Israel has no doubt made an impression on the Saudis. As a result, they have elected to remain on the sidelines, issuing blandishments about a cease-fire and the need to resolve the Palestinian question, even though the combination of Saudi financial resources and influence in Jerusalem would be useful.

For their part, the EmiratisIsraels closest partner in the Arab worldwant to help but remain skeptical of American efforts. That is because they have found the Israelis to be impervious to advice and are dubious that the Biden administration is willing to pressure the Israelis to negotiate with the Palestinians. Without a resolution to the conflict, the Emirati leadership, which does not have relations with the PAs Mahmoud Abbas, also refuses to be treated as the ATM for Gazas reconstruction," as one Emirati official derisively quipped. Officials in Abu Dhabi fear any investment in the Gaza Strip will be lost in the next round of conflict between the Israel Defense Forces and Hamas. Bahrains leaders view the situation similarly, though they have little capacity to act without their larger and wealthier neighbors.

Then there are the Qataris, who along with the Turks have long supported Hamas. It is true that Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani used his good offices to secure the release of 110 hostages in November and recently brokered a deal to provide the remaining ones with medicine. But over the last decade, it was under the nose of a senior Qatari diplomat posted in Gaza and charged with distributing aid and reconstruction funds that Hamas built up its military capabilities. The American plans for the day after" hinge on the destruction of Hamas, but there is no indication from Doha that it is willing to give up that relationship. The same is true for Turkey, whose leaders have declared Hamas to be a national liberation movement.

Under these circumstances, it is no wonder that Blinkens periodic visits to the Middle East have not produced anything. If the Biden administration were more proactive, however, it might have a chance of breaking down regional resistance to its approach.

For starters, U.S. officials could cut the Turks and Qataris out of the process. Both countries seek to enhance their prestige in the Arab and Muslim world by playing both sides of the fence, and they are never held accountable for their solicitous approach toward Hamas. Blinken must drop the fantasy that either Doha or Ankara is prepared to be constructive in the Biden administrations endgame plans for Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Biden must also be tougher on Abbas. Instead of vague plans about reinvigorating the PAwhich could take yearsWashington needs to apply pressure on the aging, corrupt and ineffectual leader either to leave now or cede power to a prime minister who can act independently of him and build the political coalitions necessary to run Gaza. It would also be a welcome move among people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Then there is Iran and its axis of resistance," which has sowed chaos around the region for years. It is hard not to conclude that the escalating violence in the Middle East since Hamass October 7 massacre of Israelis is the beginning of a larger conflict that Iran and its proxies have long wanted. It is not too late for Washington to nip this in the bud and take a tougher stand on Tehran. The Iranians see the limited nature of U.S. military operations and incessant statements about not wanting escalation as nothing but American weakness.

Instead of pinprick strikes on the Houthis in Yemen, the U.S. must destroy their ability to target shipping in the Red Sea. More sustained military action against the Houthis would all at once secure freedom of navigation, which is a core American interest, mitigate the Iranian threat and demonstrate to Washingtons partners that it is willing to take decisive action to ensure regional stability.

Of course, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not making it any easier on Biden and Blinken with his wholesale rejection of their postwar vision. That is a problem that could be mitigated, however, if Washington drove developments in the region rather than merely responded to them. If the Biden administration is opposed to another Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, then the best chance for it to realize its goals is to bring Blinkens listening tours to an end in favor of resolute American action.

Steven A. Cook is the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Rahul Gandhi -led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is facing hurdles in West Bengal, ruled by INDIA bloc member TMC. The Nyay Yatra is facing problems in getting permission to organise public meetings and other events in the state.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi dares Assam Police during Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, says 'file 25 more cases' | Top 5 quotes

"In some places, we are facing roadblocks as we are not getting permission to organise public meetings, citing exams. The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra has faced problems in the Northeast, including Assam, and now it is facing problems in TMC-ruled West Bengal as well," said West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Friday.

Also Read: Himanta Biswa Sarma directs DGP to register case against Rahul Gandhi for provoking' crowd: Such naxalite tactics

While speaking to the reporters in Siliguri, Chowdhury said that the Congress party was planning to organise public meetings in certain places, but it is facing challenges in getting permission due to school examinations.

Also Read: Congress says BJP workers attacked Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, security forces escort Rahul Gandhi | Watch

Chowdhury also claimed that the party was hoping for some relaxation in some places in the state, but the administration is saying that they can't give it."

Rahul Gandhi's Yatra, initiated in Manipur on January 14, has now reached West Bengal after traversing through Assam. The journey, currently on a two-day hiatus, is scheduled to recommence on January 28.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi faced serious security issues during Congress yatra, Kharge writes to Shah

Contrary to claims by the ruling Trinamool Congress, asserting the non-interference of political influences in West Bengal's administration, TMC MP Santanu Sen attributes the breakdown of the INDIA alliance in the state to Adhir Chowdhury.

Additionally, Sen argues that opposition parties routinely organize events in the state without encountering any issues, suggesting that the administrative decisions may be influenced by the ongoing school board examinations.

Few days ago, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had declared that her party, TMC, would fight Lok Sabha elections alone in the state.

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Taking a U-turn from his earlier stance, Congress's Adhir Chowdhury on Friday apologised to TMC leader Derek OBrien for calling him a foreigner.

Taking to X, the senior Congress leader said, I conveyed my regrets to Mr "Derek OBrien for a word inadvertently uttered by me on him as foreigner."

Sources said the TMC leader accepted the apology.

The tension between the two leaders started when CM Mamata Banerjee's TMC announced that it would contest the election in West Bengal alone, hinting at a split from the opposition bloc - INDIA.

ON Thursday, Derek O'Brien directly blamed Adhir Ranjan for creating hurdles for seat-sharing talks between the two parties.

O'Brien said the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) had many detractors but only two -- the BJP and Chowdhury -- have repeatedly spoken out against the bloc.

O'Brien had on Thursday alleged that Chowdhury was working at the behest of the BJP.

"Three reasons for the alliance not working in Bengal  Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury," O'Brien told reporters in Delhi on Thursday.

Responding to it, Chowdhury hit back saying, Derek OBrien is a foreigner, he knows a lot of things. Ask him."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. Bulgarian gas transmission operator Bulgartransgaz EAD, and Turkiye's gas transmission system operator BOTAS A.S, have signed an operational interconnection agreement for IP Strandzha/Malkoclar, Trend reports via Bulgartransgaz.

This agreement delineates technical specifications, including minimum transmission pressure and natural gas quality parameters, along with procedural guidelines applicable to both sides of IP Strandzha/Malkoclar.

As per the terms outlined in the agreement, the technical capacity of IP Strandzha/Malkoclar in the Turkiye-Bulgaria direction within Bulgartransgaz EAD's gas transmission network is established at 117,677,153 kWh/d, and in the Bulgaria- Turkiye direction at 504,138,541 kWh/d.

The significance of this interconnection agreement between the gas transmission networks of Bulgaria and Turkiye at IP Strandzha/Malkoclar cannot be overstated. It plays a pivotal role in diversifying natural gas sources not only for Bulgaria but also for the broader regional and European gas markets. Through Turkiye's extensive gas transmission network, access is facilitated to natural gas originating from local fields, Azerbaijan, Iran, and the global LNG market via Turkiye's regasification terminals.

Nomination matching and quantity allocation will be conducted in accordance with the terms outlined in the agreement, ensuring smooth operations and efficient gas transportation between the two countries.

Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Israels conflict with Hamas is set to be a long onewith both sides struggling to accomplish their fundamental aims and no clear path to any kind of enduring peace. -

Israel has sworn to destroy Hamas as a significant military and political force. Hamas is committed to the long-term goal of erasing the Israeli state.

The irreconcilable stakes are existential for both. And that means that even if a cease-fire halts the current round of fighting in Gaza, the struggle between Israel and Hamas will continue.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said his country would continue its current war in Gaza until it achieves Hamass complete destruction. There is no substitute for total victory over our enemies," Netanyahu said Thursday.

The Israeli militarys limited progress so far in eliminating Hamas in the enclave is increasingly sowing doubt in Israel about whether Netanyahus stated goal is achievable any time soon.

International pressure is rising for a lengthy cease-fire that would allow the freeing of more than 100 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, as well as increased deliveries of humanitarian aid for the enclaves civilian population.

The cease-fire terms demanded by Israel and Hamas remain far apart, and a deal is uncertain. So too is whether a prolonged cease-fire would mark the end of the current war or merely a pause.

If there is no cease-fire, senior Israeli officers say the military is likely to keep fighting Hamas in Gaza for many months, possibly for the rest of this year, until it has taken full control.

At that point, Israel would face a dilemma. If Israeli forces maintain a lengthy occupation of Gazawhich Netanyahu has said wont happenthey could become the target of a prolonged insurgency.

If Israel quickly leaves Gaza, Hamas could regenerate itself and return as the enclaves de facto controlling force. Preventing such an outcome would require a new governing entity, introduced quickly with support from Gazas population as well as Israel and outside players. That scenario looks distant.

In recent decades, the regular armies of advanced industrial countries have struggled to fully suppress irregular insurgent forces that have a fraction of their resources. Most recently, the U.S. and its Western allies failed to suppress the Taliban and build a stable alternative government in Afghanistan despite 20 years of trying.

Hamas has some advantages in Gaza that other irregular militant groups in recent times lacked, say analysts.

Hamas enjoyed a high degree of independence for almost 20 years to develop its capabilities in a highly defined territory and population that was entirely under its control," said Ofer Fridman, a war-studies scholar at Kings College London.

Hamas prepared itself for war knowing exactly where the fighting would take place, and that it could use its tunnel network as well as its power to control and coerce Gazas population to its advantage, Fridman said. All this makes the goal (of destroying Hamas) more difficult from a military perspective," he said.

Other experts agree that Israels central war aim will be hard to achieve soon, even if Israeli forces conquer all of Gazas surface area.

Unless the people of Gaza are obliterated or expelled, it is extremely likely that Hamas will survive in one way or another," said Hussein Ibish, a scholar at the Arab Gulf states Institute, a think tank in Washington.

If Hamas were a list of individuals or equipment, that can be destroyed," Ibish said. But Hamas is a political brand that can replace its fighters and leaders and reconstitute itself, he said.

The Islamist groups long-term goal of replacing Israel with a Palestinian state spanning the land between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea looks even more far-fetched. Hamas itself tacitly acknowledged as much when it revised its charter in 2017, dropping its overt call for Israels destruction and instead demanding a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza.

However, Hamass top leader in Gaza and mastermind of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Yahya Sinwar, has said an agreement on the coexistence of two states along 1967 borders wouldnt be the ultimate historical solution. Rather, Sinwar has said, it would be an interim stage, lasting perhaps a generation or more but giving way eventually to a Palestinian state covering the entire land.

For Sinwar, armed struggle against Israel is aimed at strengthening the Palestinians bargaining position for future negotiations, while making Hamas the leader of the Palestinian national cause.

For most Israelis, however, the gruesomeness of the Oct. 7 attack has shattered any belief that Hamas could become a pragmatic actor open to a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Fundamentally, they are not looking for a settlement with us, theyre looking to kick us out," said Eyal Hulata, a former head of Israels National Security Council. And if they need to slaughter all of us for that, they will do it."

Hulata said he hoped more pragmatic figures might rise and take over Hamas if the present leadership around Sinwar can be eliminated. So far, Israeli forces havent managed to find or kill Hamass top leaders in Gaza.

Hamas, which was estimated to have around 30,000 fighters and several thousand rockets before the war, is too weak to threaten the existence of the state of Israel, which remains the strongest military power in the Middle East.

However, the wider struggle against Hamas and other groups opposed to Israel, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Islamist regime in Iran that supports them, is seen as existential in Israel because their arsenals and radical aims threaten Israels ability to offer its own population a secure way of life.

That view reinforces Israeli determination to keep up a long struggle against Hamas and other foes, even at a painful cost to Israel in casualties and economic damage. In a country still traumatized by the brutality of Oct. 7, a clear majority of public opinion remains supportive of the war in Gaza, even as worries grow that its in danger of becoming a quagmire.

On Monday, Israel suffered its deadliest day since the invasion began: 24 soldiers died, including 21 when two buildings collapsed on them. The incident raised the death toll of Israeli soldiers in Gaza to at least 221, representing around 10% of the total number of Israeli troops killed in the enclave.

Hamas killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in its Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. More than 25,000 people, the majority women and children, have been killed in Gaza since the start of Israels bombardment and invasion, according to Palestinian authorities. That figure doesnt distinguish between combatants and civilians.

Israeli forces have inflicted significant casualties on Hamass army. But U.S. intelligence agencies doubt Israels claim that it has killed 9,000 militants and think Israel remains far short of its goal of crushing Hamass military forces.

Despite Israeli tactical victories against Hamas in Gaza City, Khan Younis and elsewhere, the groups fighters are proving harder to stamp out than Israel hoped when it launched the invasion in October.

Extensive aerial bombardment of the northern part of the Gaza Strip destroyed large urban areas, killed many thousands of civilians and displaced most of the population. Israel says it dismantled Hamass battalions in the north as organized military units.

Pockets of resistance continue in Gaza City and other parts of the north. Small groups of Hamas fighters continue to ambush Israeli troops, using their elaborate network of tunnels to maneuver and hide. To the Israelis frustration, they also continue to fire rockets at Israel, albeit sporadically.

As Israel has withdrawn army brigades from northern Gaza, Hamas has begun to re-emerge in the area. In southern Gaza, Israels military mission is even more difficult because nearly two million displaced civilians are crowded into that part of the Gaza Strip.

Complicating Israels effort in Gaza is the sheer scale of Hamass tunnel network. Israeli forces are finding it difficult to truly clean out Hamas from any of the urban areas that Israel has taken at ground level. The tunnels are proving so numerous, long and intricate that Israels best efforts to blow them up, flood them or fight in them have so far made no more than partial progress.

Even killing Sinwar or other Hamas leaders in Gaza is unlikely to eliminate the group as a military threat, because it has a diffuse power structure that isnt focused on any individual, according to Tahani Mustafa, a senior analyst at International Crisis Group.

Previous assassinations, including the recent targeted killing of Hamass deputy political leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut, have failed to disrupt the groups operations, and Hamas is emerging politically strengthened among Palestinians as a result of the conflict, she said.

Mustafa said Hamas doesnt define victory in military terms, but rather in terms of the diplomatic and political consequences of the war. And in that sense, I think Hamas is doing very well," she said.

Write to Marcus Walker at Marcus.Walker@wsj.com and Rory Jones at Rory.Jones@wsj.com
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has extended Republic Day greetings to India. This gesture comes amid the diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Male.

President Muizzu's message, addressed to both Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasised the longstanding ties and mutual respect shared by the two nations.

The Maldives President's office released a statement highlighting President Muizzu's wishes for India's continued peace, progress and prosperity.

"President Muizzu conveyed good wishes from the Government and the people of the Maldives to the Government and the people of India. He underscored the Maldives-India bond nurtured by centuries of friendship, mutual respect and a deep sense of kinship," ANI quoted the Maldives President's office as saying in a statement.

The President expressed hope for continued peace, progress, and prosperity for the Government and people of India for years to come," the statement added.

Alongside President Muizzu, former Maldives President Ibrahim Solih also conveyed his wishes to India. In his message, Solih stressed the enduring and unbreakable bond between the two countries, wishing for it to grow stronger.

"On the joyous occasion of India's 75th Republic Day I extend best wishes to Pres Murmu (@rashtrapatibhvn), PM @narendramodi, the government and people of India. May the unbreakable bonds of friendship that have long existed between Maldives and India go from strength to strength," Solih wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Solih was one of the first prominent leaders from the island nation to condemn the derogatory remarks made by some junior ministers. It led to a diplomatic standoff between the two nations.

On January 14, India and the Maldives "agreed to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel" from the island nation, according to the Maldives' Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(With ANI inputs)

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Uncertainty that loomed over the future of Mahagathbandhan in Bihar ended as the Janata Dal (United) (JDU) snapped ties with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and returned to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation to the Bihar Governor and later staked claim to form the next government in the state, in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Follow LIVE Updates in Bihar politics here

Nitish Kumar will be taking the oath as the Bihar chief minister for the ninth time. He formed the Bihar government in alliance with Lalu Yadav's RJD, the Congress and Left parties in 2022 after snapping ties with the NDA. Nitish Kumar is also a key member of the Opposition's INDIA bloc.

ALSO READ: Nitish Kumar may take oath as Bihar CM on Sunday with BJP support: Report

Here's a look at the composition of Bihar Assembly today:

As of now, the RJD is the single-largest party in the Bihar Assembly. The Bihar Assembly has a total of 243 members. Here's what the party-wise composition looks like as per data available on Bihar Vidhan Sabha website:

The RJD has 79 MLAs

The JD(U) has 45 MLAs

The BJP has 78 MLAs

The CPI(M-L)(L) has 12 MLAs

The Congress has 19 MLAs

The HAM (S) has 4 MLAs

The AIMIM has 1 MLA

The CPI(M) has 2 MLAs

The CPI has 2 MLAs

There's one Independent MLA

A political party needs 122 (half) of the total 243 seats to form government in Bihar. The Mahagathbandhan in Bihar had 159 MLAs in total.

ALSO READ: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar handed JD(U) mantle for second time

What if JD(U) pulls out?

Nitish Kumar's JD(U), which has 45 MLAs in the Bihar assembly, is forming the government in alliance with the BJP, which has 78 MLAs. Both parties together will have 123 MLAs, just one more than the half-way mark required to form the government. The Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM [S]) had also joined the NDA in July 2023, making the task easier for Nitish Kumar.

ALSO READ: Is Nitish Kumar returning to NDA? A guide to what's happening in Bihar politics

If the RJD plans to stake claim for the government in alliance with the Left parties, then the coalition would need eight more MLAs to come into power in the state. Without the JD(U), Lalu's party RJD, along with the Left, would make 114 MLAs  eight short of the halfway mark.

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Amid the rumors of a rift in Bihar, leaders on both sides INDIA and BJP are trying hard to lure Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. While Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the JD(U) chief could become the PM face for INDIA bloc, BJP MP and former Bihar deputy CM Sushil Modi said, doors are never closed in politics hinting at possible reconciliations.

Anyone can be considered for the post of Prime Minister (in the alliance), Akhilesh Yadav told India Today TV, suggesting that Nitish Kumar could be seen as a contender with the right backing.

"There are no rumours and we hope that Nitish ji will not join the NDA. He will strengthen the INDIA bloc."

The SP leader also said that Congress has a "big responsibility" of taking along smaller parties.

Meanwhile, Sushil Kumar Modi, who has been among the state leaders consulted by the BJP top brass, told reporters that doors are never closed permanently for anyone in politics. They open and close as per the necessity, he said, when asked about the party's earlier stand that its doors were closed for Kumar forever after he snapped ties with the BJP in August 2022.

Modi said, "As far as Kumar or the JD(U) are concerned, doors are never permanently closed in politics. Closed doors open when the time comes but whether they will open or not is for our central leadership to decide."

In a similar note, BJP leader Giriraj Singh earlier today said, "The central leadership (of BJP) will decide about it (Nitish Kumar's return to NDA). Whatever the decision the central leadership will take, we will welcome it."

Congress sources close to India Today cited that they are closely monitoring the situation, expressing skepticism about Nitish Kumar's potential return to the BJP.

They, however, added that Nitish Kumar shifting gears back to the BJP won't be easy, showing scepticism regarding Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) supremo Chirag Paswan and Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal's chief Upender Kushwaha. "Moreover, this time, Assembly speaker is from our side (RJD)," the Congress sources said.

Rift in Mahagatbandhan and shifting of stances

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday attended the high tea ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan on the occasion of the Republic Day with his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD remaining conspicuous by absence.

When Kumar asked about Yadavs absence at the function, he gave a curt reply, Ask those who did not turn up (jo nahin aaye unse puchhiye)", and drove back to his official residence.

Meanwhile, the leader of the opposition in the assembly, Vijay Kumar Sinha of the BJP, who was present at the event, was seen exchanging pleasantries with Kumar.

This was hours after, the Bihar JD(U) chief said that they are still with the opposition bloc but the Congress needs to do some serious introspection on alliance and seat sharing to keep the alliance running.

"All is well in Bihar's ruling Mahagathbandhan and the media speculations are driven by some agenda," he added.

Such shifting of stances throughout the day has further stirred the speculations around which way JD(U) is moving - NDA or INDIA.

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BRUSSELSDonald Trumps free-form stump speeches bounce around the globe, ticking off problems and grievances with foreign governments. Until recently, world leaders had tuned him out.

Now they are parsing Trumps words and making plans for the possibility he will return to the White House.

The former president is the Republican front-runner and, after a resounding win in New Hampshires primary on Tuesday, appears on course to secure his partys nomination. In some opinion polls he leads President Biden in a general-election face-off.

Trump has promised mass deportations, a quick resolution of the war in Ukraine and a crackdown on imports, calling himself a Tariff Man." He has accused Taiwan of snatching the microchip industry from the U.S. He has also pledged tough lines on China, Iran and European countries not spending enough on defense.

Leaders in many of Americas closest allied nations fear an administration willing to ignore diplomatic norms and traditions. Some also worry that a second Trump administration would slash the U.S. security umbrella at the core of a postwar order that brought peace, democracy and rising prosperity to much of the world. Others see a potential upside in a president who has emphasized business-world pragmatism.

To prepare, foreign governments are working their Washington contacts in the hope of learning who might join Trumps inner circle and what their policy ideas look like. Leaders are touting steps they have taken over recent years, such as increasing military spending, that they know are important to Trump. And they are bracing for a much more inward-looking U.S.

We want to help the globe if possible," Trump said in a campaign speech on Friday in New Hampshire. He added a caveat: Weve got to help ourself first. Our country is in horrible distress."

He dismissed Nikki Haley, his sole rival for the Republican nomination, as a globalist fool." Haley, who served as Trumps ambassador to the United Nations, can be easily manipulated to obtain and send hundreds of billions of dollars to Ukraine."

I want to help Ukraine too," Trump said. The problem I have is it never should have happened."

Trump said there was zero chance Putin would have done it with me there," referring to Russian President Vladimir Putins large-scale invasion two years ago. I used to talk to him. I was the apple of his eye. But he was never gonna do it because I told him what we would do to them."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Trumps contention that he could quickly end the war.

It is very dangerous, what hes saying," Zelensky said in an interview this month with Britains Channel 4. The possibility that Trump would make decisions and strike a deal with Putin without consulting Ukraine is a bit frightening," he said.

Other leaders are avoiding comments about Trump. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses government will work with whatever the outcome is because the relationship between Australia and the United States is not just a relationship between individuals or leaders," he said in an interview with Sky News Australia on Monday.

French President Emmanuel Macron, in a press conference in Paris last week, said: I take the leaders that people give me, and I engage in dialogue with anyone in the service of France and its interests."

Macron said he had achieved significant accomplishments with Trump as president, despite failures on issues including climate change and taxation.

Some politicians are dancing around the issue. Polands new foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorskiwho in his previous position as a member of the European Parliament accused Trump of harming trans-Atlantic relationslast week was asked at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, about prospects for Trumps return. It is a great question which I would have answered you clearly in my previous capacity as a member of the European Parliament," he said, chuckling. But in my current capacity, Ill have to tell you that Poland will work with every American president and we will want to have the best possible trans-Atlantic relations."

Trump, in his speech Friday, took European governments to task for insufficiently supporting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and boasted of how he compelled them to spend billions and billions of dollars" more on defense.

Theyre not in love with me," he said of European governments. I got them to do things nobody thought possible."

In Asia, U.S. allies are concerned about a possible American pullback from the region.

Biden has sought to rebuild ties that his aides say frayed under Trump. In August, Biden hosted a summit at Camp David with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Under Yoon, South Korea and Japan have patched up some of their longstanding differences and agreed to cooperate alongside the U.S. in responding to North Korean provocations.

Biden has also reached deals to cooperate with South Korea on nuclear deterrence and to supply nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. And, going beyond official U.S. policy, Biden has repeatedly stated that the U.S. would help defend Taiwan if the self-ruled island democracy were invaded by China.

All of those positions could be at risk if Trump returns to office, say some in the region.

If Trump is elected, South Koreas relationship with the U.S. will change drastically," said Yang Kee-ho, a professor of Japanese studies at Sungkonghoe University in Seoul. Thats why officials have been moving quickly on cooperative measures between Washington, Tokyo and Seoul, to make the trilateral framework difficult to overturn."

A leading concern is how Trump would respond to potential Chinese hostility toward Taiwan. Unlike Biden, he has declined to say if he would defend the island.

I was very tough on China. I tariffed them to a level 25 and 50% everything," he said in an interview on Fox News in July. With that being said, Taiwan did take all of our chip business. You know, we used to make our own chips. Now theyre made in Taiwan, 90% of the chips."

It is possible, hypothetically, he will say, Lets finish this conflict by way of America allowing [Chinese President] Xi Jinping to claim annexation of Taiwan," said Haruo Shimada, a Japanese economics professor and former government adviser, at a Tokyo event Tuesday.

Shimada observed that Japan, with encouragement from the Biden administration, has agreed to nearly double its military spending, largely to counter the Chinese threat. If Trump said he was yielding to China and didnt care about that, I think the Japanese government would face a tremendous shock," Shimada said.

Not all leaders are voicing concern about a potential Trump win. Polish President Andrzej Duda, a self-described conservative, said Trump is perfectly aware" of threats from Russia, and it was he who first moved to block Russias Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany, which Poland long deemed a security threat. The project was halted, before coming online, two days before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

I dont think he is naive about Vladimir Putin," Duda said in an interview.

And many countries see a less-globalist U.S. as positive.

We would really welcome his presidency," said Ugandan government spokesman Ofwono Opondo on Wednesday. During Trumps first term, American intervention in the world was really minimal." Trumps campaign performance also shows that America is not different from Africa," Opondo said.

Trump is someone who refused to concede an election loss. He is facing numerous criminal charges. These are the same things the Americans have accused African leaders of doing," Opondo said. They say African leaders have no morals, yet Americans are electing someone with such a tainted record."

Nicholas Bariyo, Dasl Yoon and Peter Landers contributed to this article.

Write to Daniel Michaels at Dan.Michaels@wsj.com
In a shocking revelation, reports have emerged suggesting that iPhone users may be at risk of having their data and activities spied on through in-app ads and push notifications. A recent 9to5Mac report highlights that certain in-app ads are being exploited to gather sensitive information from iPhone users, which is then allegedly sent to security services, as reported by 404media. Another report claims that popular apps such as Facebook, TikTok, FB Messenger, Instagram, Threads, and others are utilizing a vulnerability in push notification services to collect user data without their knowledge.

It's worth noting that Apple had previously taken steps to enhance user privacy by requiring companies to seek explicit permission before tracking users. However, some app providers reportedly sought alternative methods to bypass these restrictions, leading to the adoption of the controversial "device fingerprinting" technique.

Security researchers at Mysk shed light on how certain iPhone features are exploited for spying purposes. Many apps, according to Mysk, utilize this opportunity to quietly send detailed device information in the background. The information gathered includes system uptime, locale, keyboard language, available memory, battery status, device model, and more.

Responding to these security concerns, Apple announced forthcoming measures to address the misuse of push notifications. Starting from Spring 2024, developers will be required to declare the reasons for using APIs that provide unique device signals commonly used for fingerprinting.

The report adds that California based tech giant Google, in its response, disclosed that it has severed ties with a company employing the device fingerprinting technique to track users. Both Apple and Google seem committed to addressing the issue and safeguarding user data.

As users await the implementation of these new rules and measures, the reports underscore the ongoing challenges tech companies face in balancing user privacy with the functionalities of third-party apps on their platforms.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. First Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Elnur Aliyev met with Chief Executive Director of Saudi Fund for Development Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad during his visit to Saudi Arabia, Trend reports.

According to the information, the sides discussed directions of cooperation on projects in the field of renewable energy, Azerbaijan's cooperation with ACWA Power Company, and the investment potential of the Azerbaijani territories liberated from occupation.

Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad emphasized the possibilities of implementation of joint projects with Azerbaijan and the prospects of their financing.

To note, Acwa Power is implementing a wind farm construction project in Azerbaijan ( the works are to be launched in February) and several other projects in the field of "green" energy, including researching the potential of "green" hydrogen and ammonia production.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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Fianna Fail TD for Longford / Westmeath, Joe Flaherty, has welcomed the publication by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage of its monthly data on the number of Commencements Notices (residential construction starts) for December 2023 which shows the total number of all new homes commenced in 2023.

The data shows that between January and December, 32,801 Commencement Notices for new homes were received by the Building Control Authorities.

This is the highest number of annual commencements on record, an increase of 21.7% compared to 2022 (26,957) and is the highest number of annual residential commencements since records began in 2014.

In County Longford, a total of 117 new homes commenced in 2023, up from 47 in 2022.

Deputy Flaherty said, "Supply is key to addressing the housing challenges we face. The latest monthly data on commencement notices, showing that a record number of new homes were commenced in 2023, outlines the real progress Fianna Fail in Government is making in tackling what is the defining issue of this generation.

"The facts show that in 2023, 32,801 Commencement Notices for new homes were received, the highest number of annual commencements on record. In December alone, 3,167 Commencement Notices were received, which is an increase of 76% on December 2022.

"I'm delighted the figures show the number of new homes commenced in County Longford last year was more than double the previous year. A total of 117 new homes commenced in the county last year, up from 47 in 2022.

"All the key housing indicators-commencements, completions and planning permissions are trending upwards which bodes well for future supply. Fianna Fails top priority remains doing everything we can to help people to afford to buy or rent a home. The figures show that our plan is working and my focus is on doing whatever I can to keep this positive momentum going.

Meanwhile, according to the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report, published on Tuesday, January 23, 111 residential buildings were under construction in Longford in December 2023, while 116 new address points were recorded.

Vacant and Derelict Properties

The residential vacancy rate in Longford was 7.7% in December 2023, higher than the national average of 3.9%.

The national average vacancy rate dropped 0.1 percentage point to 3.9% in the twelve months to December 2023.

After Q2 2023, this is the second consecutive report in which the residential vacancy rate has dipped below 4.0% and remains the lowest recorded by GeoDirectory since reporting started in 2013.



In total, there were 81,449 vacant units identified nationwide.

The highest residential vacancy rates continue to be found in the west of the country, with Leitrim (12%), Mayo (10.7%) and Roscommon (10.4%) recording the highest levels of vacancies.

Average Property Prices

There were 384 residential property transactions in Longford in the twelve months to October 2023, with an average property price of 176,823.

The average residential property price increased by 4.7% to 370,709 in the twelve months to October 2023, with the average price rising in every county.

The average cost of a residential property in Dublin was 536,472, while Longford was the county with the lowest average price at 176,823.When Dublin is excluded from the study, the national average house price falls to 300,319.
Longford County Council is calling on local business owners to seize the opportunity and apply for funding under the EU Just Transition Fund's Digital Transformation Programme.

The grant aid offers 100% funding and a specialist consultant's expertise in the vital digital transformation field.

A local information meeting will be hosted by Longford County Council in PVs Red Room, Ballymahon Streeet, Longford, on Thursday, February 8 at 7pm for anyone interested in learning more.

Longford County Council's new Tourism Activator, Ciaran Mullooly, who is dedicated to facilitating tourism-related projects under the EU Just Transition Programme, will be on hand to assist with application development or review of ideas and projects.

Under the Just Transition Fund, Longford is one of five counties eligible to access a total of 17 million allocated to the tourism sector. Private and community-led businesses in Westmeath, Roscommon, Laois, and Offaly, as well as from two smaller municipal areas in Kildare and Galway may all apply.

The first scheme, the Digital Transformation Grant, is currently open for Expressions of Interest (EOI), and submissions must be made before 30 January 2024. Successful applicants will have access to grants ranging from 7,500 to 58,000 over two years, specifically dedicated to developing a business website.

Failte Ireland and leading industry experts will closely collaborate with businesses to identify their specific digital needs. This support aims to enhance their online presence, drive more business, boost productivity, and save valuable time and money.

Expressions of Interest may be submitted on the EU Just Transition Digital Transformation Programme page on the Failte Ireland website.

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Cllr Colm Murray said, "I'm looking forward to the great opportunities that this funding source will open up for County Longford, allowing tourists to fully appreciate what this beautiful county has to offer. I would encourage anyone with even an inkling of an idea to come forward to our new Tourism Activator for support in working it out."

Chief Executive Paddy Mahon added, "Longford's new Tourism Activator will offer dedicated support to those looking to transform business ideas and opportunities into viable and sustainable additions to the county, further rejuvenating rural communities and economies in the county that need it."

To contact the Just Transition Tourism Activator for further information, or to discuss ideas and proposals, please email Ciaran at cmullooly@longfordcoco.ie or call 043 334 33 00.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 26. Kazakhstan has called on Croatian businesses to participate in projects along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), said Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov, Trend reports.

He made the remark during the first meeting of the Kazakh-Croatian intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation in Zagreb.

"We call Croatian businesses to participate in logistics and infrastructure projects along the Middle Corridor, including Caspian Sea ports such as Aktau and Kuryk," he said.

In addition, the minister noted the key role of Kazakhstan in the development of the Middle Corridor in the context of the current geopolitical situation in the world.

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.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: January 26 2024

Every Long Islander knows how important our waterways are to our way of life, creating good paying jobs and giving our families a great way to spend quality time together, said LaLota.

Last week, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County) testified at the Natural Resources Committee at a hearing on the importance of passing H.R. 5441, the bipartisan Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act. LaLota also questioned Chris Pickerell from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County on the importance of reauthorizing the program.

As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Long Island Sound Caucus, I was proud to speak in support of my bill to reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program. Every Long Islander knows how important our waterways are to our way of life, creating good paying jobs and giving our families a great way to spend quality time together, said LaLota. Protecting the Sound has been one of my top priorities in D.C. and today we are one step closer to reauthorizing this important program. I am committed to working with all of my colleagues to pass this legislation as soon as possible.

To watch LaLotas testimony, click HERE. To watch LaLotas questioning, click HERE.

Background:

Last week, LaLota testified at the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in support of including a reauthorization of the Long Island Sound Program in the biannual Water Resources Development Act.

In September, LaLota introduced the Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act with Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT). In March, LaLota and Courtney were named Co-Chairs of the Long Island Sound Caucus. In January 2023, LaLotas amendment to protect the Sound and waters off the coast of Long Island from oil and gas drilling passed the House as a part of a larger energy bill.

The Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act would reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program through 2028.

In 1985, Congress created the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) to identify and address the major environmental problems affecting the Long Island Sound. The LISS brings together the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), New York State, Connecticut, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions to help restore and protect the Long Island Sound, including the watershed, which spans up towards New Hampshire and Vermont into Canada.
IDF troops struck dozens of Hamas terrorists as they continued to operate in the southern Gaza strip, the IDF said on January 26. (IDF)

A key priority for Israel in the wake of October 7 has been re-establishing security along its border with Gaza. When Hezbollah began attacks against Israel on October 8, the issue of border security in the north was also thrust upon the Israelis. As a result, Israel evacuated communities along its borders with both Gaza and Lebanon. Now four months into the conflict, Israel is seeking to alter long-term security on both fronts. In the north, Israel says it is seeking a diplomatic solution that would see Hezbollah withdraw its forces from the border. In Gaza, the dismantling of threats has been underway since late October.

The January 22 detonation of munitions which caused 21 IDF reservists to be killed became the deadliest day for Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza. It also shed light on how the IDF is seeking to create a buffer zone along the border. The reservists from the IDFs 261st Brigade were operating to dismantle terrorist infrastructure. Israeli media has now focused on the issue of the buffer zone. Yediot, Israels largest daily newspaper, noted the building collapse disaster that claimed the lives of 21 IDF soldiers highlights a major Israeli operation watched anxiously by US  destroying thousands of border-adjacent Gaza buildings to secure a buffer zone.

There are thousands of structures within the buffer zone being established along the border. The Wall Street Journal reported that 40% of these buildings have already been demolished. Its not clear what date the data is from, but the process essentially is ongoing along the 40-mile Gaza border. Israel had invested heavily in the hi-tech security fence that proved vulnerable on October 7. The fence was designed in part to prevent tunnels and had sensors underground. Its above-ground sensors didnt prevent Hamas from attacking and tearing down the fence at almost 30 different locations using simple equipment like bulldozers. Towers with remote-controlled weapons also proved ineffective after the human wave of attacks.

Hamas had been able to conduct this operation by continually approaching the fence over the last several years, such that the Hamas presence close to the hi-tech fence became normalized. A buffer zone would keep Hamas further away and provide more warning in case of a similar attack in the future. It also removes buildings that were used by Hamas as staging grounds. For instance, the communities of Khirbat Ikhzaa and Khuzaa near Khan Younis sit directly on the border and were used by terrorists on October 7. Reports say this area is the most densely populated in the buffer zone. The final details of the zone are not clear, but it could be half a mile wide. Considering that Gaza itself is only several miles wide, this is a major development.

The IDF also continues to destroy other types of terrorist infrastructure inside Gaza. The IDF said on January 26 that soldiers of the combat team of Unit 636 of the Border Protection Corps in cooperation with the Air Force and other IDF ground forces divisions and brigades located approximately 200 tunnel shafts, destroyed over 130 sites of terrorist infrastructure, struck approximately 10 rocket launchers and eliminated anti-tank cells and numerous terrorists. This adds to the 800 tunnels Israeli forces had already uncovered as of early December. In Khan Younis where IDF forces have expanded operations and encircled the city, dozens of Hamas terrorists were targeted, the IDF said on January 26. The number of incidents in Khan Younis points to the intensity of the clashes with Hamas. IDF forces have generally shifted to lower intensity conflict in other areas of Gaza.

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi HaLevi visited Khan Younis on January 25 and discussed the challenge of uprooting terrorists in an urban setting: tall buildings, a dense area, a large civilian population, a lot of enemy forces, underground, booby-traps, snipers, a lot of damage, which means that the fighting was very intense. Defeating Hamas in Khan Younis will place Israeli forces astride a portion of southern Gaza, essentially cutting off Rafah along the Egyptian border from central Gaza. That will limit Hamas operatives to pockets in just a few areas. It will also raise questions about Israels next steps in Rafah as well as near the sensitive Egyptian border area.

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.
Israels Chief of Staff Herzi HaLevi visited Khan Younis to conduct a situational assessment on January 25. (IDF)

The Israel Defense Forces carried out strikes deeper than usual inside Lebanon following a Hezbollah drones attack on Israel on January 25. One Hezbollah UAV fell near Kfar Blum in northern Israel, southeast of Kiryat Shmona on the border with Lebanon. Israel evacuated more than 80,000 people from this area in October due to Hezbollah attacks.

The IDF said on January 25 that fighter jets struck a series of Hezbollah military targets in the areas of Tyre and Mghayre in Lebanon. Among the targets struck were military compounds and sites used by Hezbollahs Aerial Unit. The IDF also struck a military airstrip used by Hezbollah in the mountains of Lebanon near the Syrian border, approximately 15 miles north of the Israeli border. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant highlighted this site during a September 2023 speech at Reichman University in which Gallant said Iran was behind the construction of the airstrip. In the pictures, you can see the Iranian flag flying over the runways, from which the ayatollah regime plans to operate against the citizens of Israel, Gallant said.

Iran has sought to move drone or UAV capabilities to its proxies in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon over the last several years. The Alma Research and Education Center which covers security threats to northern Israel estimated in 2023 that Hezbollah had 2,000 drones. Since October 8, Hezbollah has used drones in dozens of attacks on Israel. Hezbollah has also launched more than 2,000 rockets and numerous anti-tank guided missile attacks on Israel. In recent weeks, Hezbollah has sought to target more sensitive targets in Israel, including a facility on Mount Meron, Israels northern command, as well as an Iron Dome battery and a surveillance site.

Over the last week since January 21, Israel has carried out a number of strikes in Lebanon in response to Hezbollah threats. On January 23, the IDF said that fighter jets completed a series of strikes on terror targets in Lebanon, including a military asset used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization and operated by Iranian forces. Additionally, a military compound in which Hezbollah terrorists operated was also struck. Throughout the day, IDF soldiers struck in several additional areas in Lebanon. Israel also struck terrorist infrastructure near Yaroun in southern Lebanon. According to the IDF, it used artillery and tanks to strike areas inside Lebanon near Tayr Harfa and Ayta ash Shab, as well as terror infrastructure in the area of Kfarkela, as well as a Hezbollah observation post in the area of Blida in Lebanon.

In addition, Israel continued to increase pressure on Hamas in southern Gaza. Israel Chief of Staff Herzi HaLevi travelled to Khan Younis where he conducted a situation assessment and met with IDF Southern Command head Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman as well as with the head of the IDFs 98th Division, Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfuss. The 98th Division has spearheaded IDF operations in Khan Younis since early December. The Division is made up of commandos and paratroopers and works with the Givati infantry and the 7th armored brigade in its operations against Hamas in Khan Younis.

HaLevis trip to Khan Younis comes a week after his visit to northern Israel. He said that the likelihood of war in northern Israel is now higher than it has been in the past. HaLevis two trips highlight Israels ongoing operations on two important fronts while IDF strikes in Lebanon showcase deeper operations against Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

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.
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In a first of its kind for Luxembourg, the Ministry of the Economy is spending up to 2.95m over three years on a research project in collaboration with the SnT

Minister of the Economy Lex Delles, seen with Minister of Finance Gilles Roth, said he hoped other companies would follow BGL BNP Paribass lead by launching AI-related R&D projects

Minister of the Economy Lex Delles, seen with Minister of Finance Gilles Roth, said he hoped other companies would follow BGL BNP Paribass lead by launching AI-related R&D projects  Photo credit: SIP/Emmanuel Claude

Minister of the Economy Lex Delles, seen with Minister of Finance Gilles Roth, said he hoped other companies would follow BGL BNP Paribass lead by launching AI-related R&D projects  Photo credit: SIP/Emmanuel Claude

Luxembourgs government will be spending millions on a research project to help develop AI solutions for the financial sector in a public-private partnership that officials hope will boost more investment into research and development.

The increasing strategic importance of Artificial Intelligence in the financial sector has brought with it not only opportunities, but several challenges in terms of security and regulation in particular. BGL BNP Paribas is pursuing a research programme that aims to develop an intelligent and secure monitoring system for these AI solutions the bank stated at the launch of the project on Thursday.

The project is being co-financed, to the tune of up to 2.95 million, by the Ministry of the Economy. It is the first time a bank in Luxembourg has submitted a project linked to AI that will benefit from the governments Research-Development-Innovation aid scheme. The project - in collaboration with the University of Luxembourgs Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT)- represents a total investment of nearly 7.4m over three years.

The project addresses a technological challenge that has yet to be fully explored, but which is nonetheless key to accelerating the industrial development of AI and its uses in our bank, said Beatrice Belorgey, Chairman of the Executive Committee of BGL BNP Paribas and Head of BNP Paribas Group entities in Luxembourg on Thursday, calling the undertaking bold.

The research project with the SnT has two main pillars, Fabrice Cucchi, the banks Chief Innovation and Transformation Officer explained. Firstly, the industrialisation of AI. That means the capability to permanently pilot the evolution of AI. The second volley is being able to ensure security in a difficult environment. AI is technology that is constantly evolving and learning, so you have to be able to master the basic technology, Cucchi added.

Minister of the Economy Lex Delles said the project will make a significant contribution to the development of skills in the field of AI in Luxembourg. AI is a promising technology of the future that can contribute to Luxembourgs competitiveness by helping us to become more productive. I hope that other major players in Luxembourg will follow suit and also launch AI-related R&D projects, the minister said at the presentation.

Finance Minister Gilles Roth said it was encouraging to see a leading bank tackle the opportunities and challenges of AI head on. The BGL BNP Paribas project demonstrates that international groups can take advantage of their presence in the Grand Duchy to develop and implement new technologies, Roth concluded.

Ethical, responsible and robust

SnT director Yves Le Traon said the project would develop AI that was ethical, responsible and robust.

Researchers and bankers shared an almost unprecedented enthusiasm for the project, he said. That is no coincidence. Because the first AI collaboration between the SnT and BGL-BNP Paribas date back to 2016, Le Traon explained. That allowed the SnT team to better understand the world of finance, while conversely giving the bankers insight into the science of AI.

Le Traon also hinted that some of the results from the research project will be generic solutions that could even be shared with other players in the banking sector. One of the SnTs key missions is to develop quality research that is internationally recognised and that, in this case, can contribute to the digital transformation of the finance sector.
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

Cloudy this morning. A few snow showers developing during the afternoon. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 30%..

Tonight

Variable clouds with snow showers. Low 28F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 26. Kyrgyzstan exported 288,818 tons of ores and concentrates of precious metals from January through November 2023, which is three times more than in the same period of 2022 (94,406 tons), Trend reports.

Data from Kyrgyzstans State Statistical Committee shows that the value of these exports amounted to $179.517 million, which is an increase of 54 percent compared to the figures from January through November 2022 ($116.502 million).

During the reporting period, Kyrgyzstan exported ores and concentrates of precious metals to the following countries:

Country Volume Value Kazakhstan 275,511 tons $145.373 million China 10,719 tons $29.180 million Turkiye 2,587 tons $4.964 million

Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover reached $13.9 billion from January through November 2023, which is a 29 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022 ($10.7 billion).

Kyrgyzstan's exports totaled $2.8 billion, which is a 36.7 percent growth compared to the corresponding period in 2022 ($2.05 billion). The country's imports amounted to $11.1 billion, increasing by 27.2 percent compared to the same period in 2022 ($8.7 billion).
A 33-year-old Boston man was sentenced to 22 years in prison for pretending to be a teenager on TikTok to coerce a minor into sending him child sex abuse material, Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy announced on Wednesday.

Hector Acevedo, 33, of Jamaica Plain, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris to 22 years in prison and five years of supervised release on Jan. 24. Acevedo pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography as a Level 3 registered sex offender.
A Berklee College of Music student was convicted by a federal jury in Boston for stalking and threatening someone who shared fliers calling for democracy in China, Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levys office announced.

Xiaolei Wu, 26, a Chinese citizen, was convicted of one count of cyberstalking and one count of interstate transmissions of threatening communication, Levys office said in a statement Thursday. Wu was arrested in December 2022 and indicted in January 2023.

On Oct. 22, 2022, an individual posted near Berklees campus that said, Stand with Chinese People, as well as, We Want Freedom, and We Want Democracy. Between then and Oct. 24, Wu communicated with the person on Instagram, WeChat and by email, Levys office said. At one point, Wu threatened the person and said if they kept posting fliers, he would chop your bastard hands off.

Wu also said he told Chinas public security agency about the persons actions and that the agency would greet the persons family, Levys office said. Wu then solicited others to find out where the person lived, shared their email address to hope they would be cyberstalked and cyberbullied and reported the persons information to a member of the Chinese government.

No one in this country should ever be subjected to threats of violence or a cyberstalking harassment campaign for expressing their political views, Levy said in the statement. Mr. Wu now stands as a convicted felon for his illegal efforts to suppress speech by a fellow Berklee School of Music student who was critical of the government of China.

This type of conduct will never be tolerated, Levy said. The Department of Justice is committed to safeguarding the fundamental right to free speech for all. Our office will hold accountable individuals whose actions threaten or violate this fundamental tenet of our democratic society.

The charge of cyberstalking provides for a sentence up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of interstate transmissions of threatening communication provides for a sentence up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled Wus sentencing for April 24.
With the help of a Brighton woman, a Dorchester man defrauded a bank from inside his prison cell, a conspiracy that resulted in federal charges, Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levys office announced.

Glenroy Miller, 27, and Nadaje Hendrix, 26, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, Levys office said Thursday in a statement.

Hendrix worked as a loan officer and assistant branch manager for a credit union, Levys office said. Between December 2019 and August 2021, she and Miller agreed to defraud the credit union by receiving loans in the names of other people, including Millers inmates.

From inside, Miller gave Hendrix information about his fellow inmates and Hendrix used that information to create fake loan applications, Levys office said. Co-conspirators were arranged to go to the credit union pretending to be the inmates and signed loan forms in exchange for money.

Miller and Hendrix stole $134,000 from the credit union in about two months in 2021 using inmates stolen identities, Levys office said.

Hendrix was arrested Thursday and Miller had previously been arrested in October 2023 on unrelated charges.

The charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million.
A Boston Housing Authority property will soon be equipped with the citys first networked geothermal heating system, replacing a gas boiler system with renewable energy.

Franklin Field Apartments in Dorchester was selected by National Grid for its Networked Geothermal Demonstration Program, the city announced Thursday.

Design will be begin this year. Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2025.

The upgrades also will provide residents of seven buildings containing 129 apartments with in-unit cooling for the first time. Theyll replace the window air conditioners that had to be purchased by tenants.

Every Boston family deserves a home that is affordable, safe and healthy, and we know that Bostons buildings in our older historic city account for a lot of how healthy and safe we are, Mayor Michelle Wu said at a press conference.

We cant just rely on minor tweaks and adjustments here and there or steps that are going to be comfortable and convenient and take a long time, Wu continued. We need to take bold decisive action to update our energy infrastructure all across the city.

Read more: Upgrades to Arlington public housing could cut energy use in half this winter

The pilot program will be not just the first of its kind in Boston, but the third in Massachusetts. National Grids first project was in Lowell, which broke ground last year, according to the companys website. The first geothermal system, under construction by Eversource in Framingham, is expected to be operational this spring.

Networked geothermal energy uses the ground temperature and an underground piping network to heat and cool buildings by bringing heat up from underground in the winter and transferring indoor heat to the ground for cooling in the summer.

Geothermal heat pumps are four times more efficient than standard electric resistance heating. And the widespread deployment of the systems throughout the country could result in $1 trillion in savings on electricity, reducing the wholesale price of electricity by up to 12%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

As part of the pilot program, National Grid will connect buildings seven through 13 at the complex, located on Ames Way, Ames Street and Stratton Street, with a horizontal distribution loop and a thermal bore field, as well as install a pumphouse to operate the network.

The citys Housing Authority will be responsible for work within the buildings, including retrofits, electrical upgrades and replacements for appliances and heating equipment.

The city said construction will cause minimal disruption for residents, and will require no more than a few days temporary relocation for work to be done.

This isnt just an investment in the housing that keeps so many of our young people, our veterans, seniors, children and residents with disabilities in the communities that we love, Wu said. Its also a huge opportunity for our workforce. Well be creating good paying green jobs that protect the health of our residents and ensure Boston is a livable city for generations to come.

Wu said the city has also received $1 million in federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency to replace 80 gas stoves in Dorchester with electric ones, including 40 at Franklin Field and 40 at Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporations Talbot Bernard Homes.

The city will work with the CDC to identify units to retrofit and train residents on how to use the new induction stoves, and will also partner with Boston University to study the impact on indoor air quality of the project.

For many residents, new home appliances that make life better and healthier can be the starting point to decarbonization. This project will result in invaluable findings on air quality benefits, as well as a template for how we can scale up delivery of electrical upgrades and fossil fuel-free equipment for residents who live in affordable and public housing, Oliver Sellers-Garcia, the director of Bostons Green New Deal, said in a statement.

The project is the latest work toward meeting the citys goal for the Boston Housing Authority to be fossil fuel-free by 2030.
A cafeteria-style deli in Tewksbury that has been filling stomachs for more than four decades is shutting down next week, according to WCVB.

Deli King, located at 885 Main St., has served hungry people Greek and American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner since 1989, the news outlet reported.

Owners Arthur Agganis and Dimitrios Gomatos, who are brothers-in-law, plan to close the restaurant on Tuesday, Jan. 30, according to the outlet.

According to Deli Kings website, the restaurant was known for its cafeteria style in a comfortable family dining atmosphere.

One Yelp reviewer said this style was helpful because it allowed them to see exactly what they ordered.

We just needed sandwiches. My sister wanted egg salad. The server actually made/got a fresh tub from the back and my sister said it was very good. My turkey and cheese sandwich had a generous amount of meat on it, he wrote. The employees were very friendly and helpful. The restaurant has plenty of seating and is sparkling clean. Recommended.

Deli Kings menu features a rotating list of specials that switch up each day. The delis everyday specials include spinach pie, roast beef, corned beef, sliced turkey and the Greek Locanico dinner.

Super different but cool set up. Friendly staff. Quick service. Delicious food, a Yelp reviewer from Chicago, Illinois said. If I lived in town, this would be my go to breakfast spot.

Once the restaurant is closed, Gomatos and Agganis hope they can finally go on vacation.

Hopefully, Im going to vacation to Greece. I have to go visit the old country, Agganis told WCVB.

We missed for so many years, Gomatos added. We werent able to go all the time.
A Willimantic, Connecticut, man had his charges upgraded to include murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a Fall River man, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn IIIs office announced.

An arrest warrant charging Angel Fabian Robles-Nicasio, 22, with murder, carrying an illegal firearm and conspiracy to traffic cocaine, was filed by investigators, Quinns office said Thursday. Robles-Nicasio remains in Willimantic police custody after an arrest on Tuesday.

Robles-Nicasio was arrested with 11 other people following a long-term investigation by Willimantic police looking into a pattern of racketeering and gang activity, Quinns office said. He was initially charged with corrupt organization and racketeering, and was held on $75,000 bail.

At around 5:18 p.m. on Dec. 23, Fall River police arrived at 326 Bank St. after receiving a 911 call about a man who was shot, Quinns office said. First responders found a 44-year-old man on the porch with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead.

With a murder charge, Robles-Nicasio cannot be released from custody even if he posts his bail in Connecticut, Quinns office said. He will be arraigned as a fugitive from justice and if he waives rendition, he will likely return to Massachusetts to be arraigned in Fall River District Court. If he refuses to waive rendition, the process for having him return to Massachusetts could take longer.

The multi-state investigation has been overseen by Bristol County District Attorney Homicide Unit Prosecutors Russ Eonas and Daniel Walsh, and was conducted by the Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to Quinns office, Fall River police detectives and Willimantic police.

This is a great example of multiple agencies working together on a very serious investigation to solve a senseless homicide, Quinn said in the statement.
A Holyoke man who served on the USS California at Pearl Harbor will be buried on Saturday, with flags across the state ordered to raise at half-staff, Gov. Maura Healey announced.

Pharmacists Mate 2nd Class Hillman, a Holyoker assigned to the battleship USS California, was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. His remains were recovered, but unidentifiable with the technology of the day. He was one of 25 unknowns from the California interred with his shipmates at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii.

Visitation will be held at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home in Holyoke from 9 to 10 a.m., his obituary read. A prayer service will follow, then the procession to Saint Jerome Cemetery. Hillman will be buried there with his brother Donald F. Hillman at 11 a.m.

The military was working to identify the remains of the 25 unknowns, matching bones with the names of service members who died.

Crew abandoning the damaged USS California (BB-44) as burning oil drifts down on the ship, at about 1000 hrs on the morning of 7 December 1941, shortly after the end of the Japanese raid. An Officers' Motor Boat is at left. This view is cropped from Photo # NH 97399. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, NHHC Collection.The Republican

Then we kind of forgot about it, Hillmans neice Cheryl Hillman Quinn told The Republican.

But in 2018, the military disinterred those remains and began identifying them. The military was working to match the names of the long-dead but still remembered sailors, marines and soldiers to those skeletons. But on Nov. 1, 2023, a match was confirmed to be Hillman.

Then  of all days, Dec. 7  the Navy met with Quinn and her son, Brendan, in the family home, the same Oak Street house where Hillman lived before he enlisted in 1937. The Navy filled in some gaps in Hillmans story, bringing his medical records from his time in the service, along with photos of the remains.

Cheryl Hillman Quinn and her son Brendan with items related to Cheryl's uncle, Pharmacists Mate 2nd Class Merle Hillman, a Holyoker assigned to the battleship USS California who was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. DNA testing has recently identified his remains and he will come home to Holyoke for burial. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 1/18/2024The Republican

Remains are identified using a combination of techniques, according to Laurel Freas, a forensic anthropologist and project lead with the Pearl Harbor Ships Project.

Techniques include forensic anthropology, dental analysis, personal effects and DNA analyses of bone samples, the Navy said. DNA is compared to the service members medical records and DNA reference samples from USS California families. Only five identifications from those onboard the California have been identified since the attack.

The California, flagship of the Battle Force, filled with water over the following three days and eventually sank. There were 104 men killed and 61 wounded. Four California sailors were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for displays of heroism during the attack.

Crews were able to refloat the California in March 1942. Repair and modernization work lasted until January 1944, more than two years after she was sunk.
Saugus police have arrested a Saugus Middle High School teacher after a suspicious substance was found in a faculty bathroom, according to multiple media reports.

Saugus police did not immediately return a request for comment on Friday morning.

The teacher, Roxanne Plaskon, 52  a science teacher  was charged with possession of a Class A substance, according to WCVB. The news outlet was not told specifically what drug was found, but Class A substances include certain narcotics sold in pure, liquid or powder form, including heroin, morphine, methamphetamines, ecstasy and ketamine, according to WCVB.

Michael Hashem, the superintendent of the Saugus Public School District, wrote in a statement to Boston.com that the charge was deeply concerning.

The allegations concerning this employee are deeply concerning to the Saugus Public Schools and the Town of Saugus and the employee was arrested at that time, read the statement, which did not identify Plaskon. The school department has worked cooperatively with the Saugus Police Department and will continue to do so.

Saugus police confirmed with The Daily Item that the police were called to the school shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.

As Plaskon left the police station, she told Boston 25, Its not true... its not true, according to the news outlet.
Majority Democrats in the state Senate are expected to vote as soon as next week on a wide-reaching gun law reform bill that aims to rein in the proliferation of untraceable firearms, builds on the states red flag law, bans possession of so-called Glock switches and similar devices, and more.

Months after the House advanced its own sweeping and controversial gun bill, Senate President Karen Spilkas, D-MiddlesexNorfolk, office said her caucus proposal will hit the Senate floor for debate on Thursday, Feb. 1.
Les membres du gouvernement ont pris note que la Social Contribution and Social Benefits (Independence Allowance) Regulations 2024 sera promulgue avec effet retroactif depuis le 23 novembre 2024, des activites qui seront organisees pour le 189 anniversaire de lAbolition de lEsclavage a Maurice, de lannonce par Iberojet pour desservir Maurice entre autres.

1. Cabinet has taken note that the Social Contribution and Social Benefits (Independence Allowance) Regulations 2024 would be promulgated to provide for, where an eligible youth is a person with disabilities and is unable to open a bank account, the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) would effect payment of the allowance, administratively, in a bank account held by another person as the Director-General of the MRA may approve. The Regulations would be deemed to have come into effect as from 23 November 2023.

2. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology Ltd and the Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd. The Memorandum of Understanding would provide, inter alia, for cooperation in the following areas:

(a) support implementation of project involving production of antibodies from transgenic animals in Mauritius;

(b) protect Intellectual Property related to the project;

(c) facilitate funding of the project;

(d) setting up of biotechnology laboratory facilities; and

(e) marketing and commercialisation of products.

3. Cabinet has taken note of the activities being organised for the commemoration of the 189th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery in Mauritius, which also coincides with the 30th Anniversary of the UNESCO Routes of the Enslaved People and the end of the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024. HE Mr Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles would be the Chief Guest for the occasion. The Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage in collaboration with Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund, the National Heritage Fund and the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture would organise, inter alia, a series of activities as follows:

(a) a wreath laying ceremony at Bassin des Esclaves, Pamplemousses on 30 January 2024;

(b) a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument aux Esclaves, Pointe Canon, Mahebourg on 31 January 2024;

(c) a wreath laying ceremony at the International Slave Route Monument and a cultural programme at Le Morne Public Beach on 01 February 2024;

(d) live cooking and culinary tasting of traditional food by Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund in collaboration with Ecole Hoteliere Sir Gaetan Duval at the Mahogany Shopping Promenade, Beau Plan on 03 February 2024; and

(e) an exhibition cum sale of artworks on the theme A New Iconography of Slavery by the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture at Lespas Lar, La Tour Koenig, on 15 February 2024 followed by the launching of a comic book on slavery by author Stanley Harmon.

4. Cabinet has taken note that Iberojet, a Spanish airline, has announced the operations of:

(a) a weekly flight from Madrid to Mauritius from 17 June to 23 September 2024 (15 flights); and

(b) a weekly flight from Lisbon and Barcelona to Mauritius from 27 June to 12 September 2024 (12 flights).

5. Cabinet has taken note that the 4th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was held on 24 January 2024 at the United Nations Office in Geneva and 122 Member States participated in the exercise. The UPR Working Group was scheduled to adopt the recommendations on 26 January 2024.

6. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Veterinary Council of Mauritius for the period 2024 to 2026.
In his annual letter published today, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman called for philanthropists to give more and give now to meet the unprecedented challenges nations across the globe face in combatting poverty, eradicating disease, and fighting inequality.

In the years since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the world has seen a backslide in progress at a time when low-income countries have fewer resources to meet basic human needs. And yet, there is a robust pipeline of health and technological innovations and proven solutions that could be scaled up or catalyzed with the advent of additional philanthropic dollars.

Philanthropy can take risks and help fill gaps that would otherwise be overlooked or underfunded, Suzman writes. We have the opportunity to realize the full potential of philanthropy at the moment when the world needs it most. 

According to Forbes, the net worth of the worlds 2,640 billionaires is at least $12.2 trillion. Suzman points out that with just $1 billion in additional givinga tiny fraction of that amountphilanthropists could fund a set of high-impact, low-cost interventions that could save the lives of 2 million additional mothers and babies by 2030. With $4 billion, they could help half a billion smallholder farmers become more climate resilient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 1 gigaton a year by 2030. With a little more than $7 billion, they could get vaccines to 300 million people, preventing at least 7 million deaths.

This immense potential to respond to compounding global crises and accelerate progress is why the

Gates Foundation is stepping up its funding support. Earlier this month, the Gates Foundations board of trustees approved a 2024 budget of $8.6 billionthe largest everwhich the foundation will use to fund innovative ways to save and improve lives. In 2022, the foundation announced its intent to increase its annual payout to $9 billion by 2026, and it is committed to spending down its endowment within 20

years of its founders deaths to focus on solving urgent problems now and helping set up sustainable systems for the future.

Suzmans letter also highlights the growth and evolution of philanthropy globally, citing organizations such as the African Philanthropy Forum that is helping African donors work together to drive inclusive, sustainable development across the continent and foundations based in countries like India, China, and Singapore are taking on more local and global problems. The philanthropic ecosystem looks different

than it did when I started doing this work over 15 years ago, and thats a good thing, he writes. Donors around the world are bringing bold vision and lived experience to complex challenges.

Small donations made by millions of people worldwide are also having an enormous impact. Suzman underscores that nearly half the worlds countries participate in Giving Tuesday, a movement that has facilitated more than $13 billion in donations since 2012.

As Suzman writes,
Secretary of State Blinken and Bank President Adesina Highlight Africas Efforts to Feed Itself and Rest of World; Welcome Increased Support and Investment in African Initiatives.

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has praised the African Development Bank Group for the exceptional efforts it is undertaking to help Africa feed itself and the rest of the world.

Extraordinary work is being done to get to a place where Africa feeds itself and a place where Africa feeds the world. Im convinced that can happen, Secretary of State Blinken said during a visit hosted by African Development Bank Group President, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina in Abidjan on Tuesday. The two met at the headquarters of AfricaRicea pan-African centre of excellence for rice research, development, and capacity building that implements Bank agricultural programmes.

Welcoming Secretary Blinken, President Adesina said,

This is the first time that a US Secretary of State would visit the African Development Bank and its work. Secretary Blinkens visit is historic and provides great momentum for our work to feed Africa. I applaud Secretary Blinkens strong leadership and commitment to food security and look forward to working closely with him and the US government to advance our joint efforts to support Africa to feed itself and help feed the world.

Thanking the US for its support to the Bank Groups key agricultural initiatives, Dr. Adesina said: I applaud the work President Biden is doing for global food security. Im delighted with the partnership we have with the US Government to help us move forward on food security in Africa.

Dr. Adesina also thanked Secretary Blinken for a new grant of $9.5 million to support the Banks Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation initiative, or TAAT. The grant, which is a part of the larger US Government Feed the Future global hunger initiative, will be used for the second phase of the Bank programme called TAAT II, to help African countries increase food production, introduce climate-smart technologies, and expand extension services. To date TAAT has deployed climate-resilient agricultural technologies and fertilizers to 13 million African farmers in 40 African countries to help boost the continents food production and food security. The USAID grant will help expand the reach of TAAT II further.

The United States will work with the African Development Bank to identify opportunities to partner with the US State Departments Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) activities and develop an investment strategy.

TAAT aims to double the productivity of staple crops, livestock, and fisheries, by making proven technologies available to more than 40 million agricultural producers by 2025. This will produce an additional 120 million tons of food.

Alluding to that work, Blinken said: The African Development Bank is making the necessary investments in sustainable production in a smart effective way and along with its AfricaRice programme maximising crops and producing crops that can stand up to climate change.

Commending the African Development Bank President Dr. Adesina for his global leadership, Secretary Blinken said, I applaud the Bank and your leadership for the powerful and inspiring impact of your initiatives. You are setting an example for others about how a bank is run.

Beyond crops such as rice, Secretary Blinken said the Biden administration was convinced that there is tremendous potential in investing in the production of crops that are climate-resilient and are highly nutritious including some of Africas neglected traditional foods.

The Bank launched the AfricaRice initiative in 2018 to boost rice production. It now has 28 country members across Africa with some 15 of those expecting to shortly reach rice self-sufficiency.

Since 2018 rice yields have increased by 25% and livelihoods by more than 31%, said AfricaRice Director General Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, who also took part in the visit.

The United States of America is the second-largest shareholder of all African Development Bank member countries, and the largest contributor in cumulative terms to the African Development Fund, which provides concessional funding to Africas poorest countries. During the visit, President Adesina highlighted the sustainable impact of United States investment in Bank operations that align with shared priorities in Africa.

The Bank and the US Government share a long-standing, results-oriented track record of collaboration on several issues, including:

Food Security: In December 2022, the United States announced $15 million (https://apo-opa.co/498phii) to support the Banks African Emergency Food Production Facility, introduced in May 2022 in response to food supply disruptions across the continent arising from the Russia-Ukraine war.

Agricultural Transformation: The US Administration also recently pledged support for the Africa Disaster Risk Financing Programme (ADRiFi) to help African nations be more resilient to climate shocks like flooding and drought.

Corridors: The US and the African Development Bank are among the signatories to a memorandum of understanding that joins global partners to mobilize resources for the Lobito Corridor. When completed, the rail and road programme will expand an economic corridor connecting Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia to global markets. The programme will also provide opportunities for agricultural value chain development that use the transport infrastructure along the Lobito corridor. The Bank has committed $500 million to support this project. The Bank is also working with the US and other development partners to approve and fund corridors across the continent.

The African Development Bank Group is contributing to the sustainable economic development and social progress of African countries. The Bank operates around five strategic priorities: Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, Light up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, and Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa.
Orla Loftus, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Knock Medical Centre in Co. Mayo has spoken out for Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2024.

Recipient of the Irish Healthcare Award for Practice Nurse of the Year 2021, Loftus speaks of a time when there was very little awareness of cervical cancer; when screenings was haphazard, and the results took ages.

She describes the 2008 introduction of CervicalCheck as an uplifting moment: To have it for the women we serve and care forbecause the bottom line is  cervical screening prevents cancer.

Loftus began her nursing career in 1997 when she joined her fathers GP practice in Crossmolina. She says her father, Dr Michael (Mickey) Loftus, inspired her to take up a role in caring for women in her community.

She completed a Masters in Womens Health from the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland in 2005, learning more about HPV and cervical screening along the way, saying that being a sample taker is an opportunity to put the core values of nursing  compassion, care, and commitment, into practice.

Being on the front line, face to face with women, is a special and important place to be. General practice is the ideal place to provide most cervical screening. It means women can access screening locally with someone they know.

When the cervical screening programme was introduced Ms Loftus says her practice at Knock Medical Centre took it and ran with it.

Ive been working in practice for 26 years. I understand my patients and take a holistic approach in providing care. Some of the patients I vaccinated when they were babies are now coming to me for cervical screening. Its a privilege and opportunity as part of an ongoing therapeutic relationship to be able to offer our patients cervical screening.

Loftus aims to make the screening process as normal as possible for people.

That first screening consultation can lead on to so much more. Its so important to give that extra time to show a woman the instruments we use and let her know that you can stop the screening any time she wants you to, especially if women find the idea of screening daunting. The patient can learn to trust you if they have a good experience.

CervicalCheck, she says, supports her to do her work, and following work as a facilitator for an Irish College of General Practitioners training course, Ms Loftus completed CervicalChecks experienced sample taker training course, which has helped her to explain the benefits and limitations of screening to her patients in a clear way.

Its a complex consultation and you dont want to overwhelm people. Were supported to explain the benefits and limitations and to explain how results will be communicated and what happens next.

Refresher training is always good. Doing the training reassured me and reinvigorated my practice. I would encourage everyone, new or experienced, to use the education resources available from CervicalCheck.

Talking about Irelands target to eliminate cervical cancer, Loftus says the progress with HPV vaccination has been wonderful and my two daughters have benefited from it.

For Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, the Mayo nurses message to women is simple: Cervical screening prevents cervical cancer.

She stresses how far screening have come since she began her career, and urges those who are due a screening, to make that appointment, and for those just looking for more information, to come and talk to us, even if youre not ready to come for screeningwere happy to answer all your questions.

For more information, see here.
The Chair of the Western Inter-County Railway Committee has welcomed comments from the Chief Executive of Iarnrod Eireann that the Claremorris to Collooney line will remain for rail traffic and not for anything else.

The Chief Executive of Iarnrod Eireann, Mr. Jim Meade, has told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport on Wednesday that Iarnrod Eireann supports keeping the railway from Claremorris to Collooney for rail traffic.

We know its an ambition of our own Minister to reinstate it [the Western Rail Corridor] if he can. Its called out in the Strategic Review. We have started doing some vegetation works on it recently to keep the line clean and open, some de-vegetation. But particularly for a freight corridor, the review is saying its very viable for a freight corridor and you would do it probably in stages from Athenry to Claremorris.

Beyond Claremorris, we certainly would support the ambition to keep that for rail traffic, not for anything else, and in time if the decision is made to connect to Collooney, so be it, Mr Meade told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport.

The all-island strategic rail review recommended that reinstatement of the western rail corridor from Athenry to Claremorris via Tuam be commenced by 2030 with the project to cost between 400 million and 600 million.

Mr Meade also indicated that the next phase of the rail corridor will require a lead-in period of two years for planning and preparation at an estimated cost of 7m to 12m and that it will then require a three year construction period.

His comments were welcomed by Cllr Michael Connolly, Chair of the Western Inter-County Railway Committee, which is an association of elected members drawn from five local authorities committed to the restoration of passenger and freight train services between Limerick, Galway, Mayo and Sligo.

I want to warmly welcome the comments by the Chief Executive of Iarnrod Eireann at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, where he said that Iarnrod Eireann would support the ambition to keep the railway from Claremorris to Collooney for rail traffic, and not for any other use, Cllr Connolly said at a meeting of the Committee in Sligo City Hall.

The 47 miles of existing railway from Claremorris to Collooney is an extremely valuable piece of state-owned public transport infrastructure, passing an international airport [Ireland West Airport Knock] and connecting many towns, which would cost many hundreds of millions to acquire today. To build an equivalent line to the Mayo-Sligo section from scratch could potentially cost 15m/km or close to 1.5bn. It is therefore essential that the rail alignment is protected for future rail use.

The likelihood that the Galway line is soon to reopen as far north as Claremorris offers an important opportunity for Sligo as it means that the Sligo-Galway line will then be more than 60 percent in operation. Mayos industries will then be able to use the WRC line for moving raw materials and finished products, saving time and money and reducing their carbon footprint. The same opportunity needs to be afforded to Sligo, the Galway-based councillor concluded.
WESTPORT councillors have amended their local area plan to include an objective that planning permission should be given for one off houses for the sons and daughters of 'townies'.

A special meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District took place on Friday morning where local councillors agreed to make amendments to the Draft Westport Local Area Plan 2024-2030.

Among the amendments agreed by the councillors was to include an objective to facilitate single houses for 'people with a genuine housing need, sons and daughters of long-term Westport town residents or any individuals in permanent employment' living within the boundary of the local area plan.

Fine Gael councillor Peter Flynn proposed the amendment telling the meeting that young Westport people cannot afford to buy in Westport and they should be given the opportunity to build their own home.

One of the things which has been a bugbear for a lot of people in the Westport area over the last number of years has been the difficulty in getting planning on the edge of town. We are conscious of the fact that more and more people are moving into Westport having sold a house in Dublin or London or wherever and it is not a level playing field for young local people trying to establish themselves in Westport.

We will propose an objective very similar to the rural planning guidelines but is one of the townies if you like. For too long the townies have been disadvantaged in the way planning is developed right around the country, he explained.

Cllr Flynn added that this objective should be facilitated for people with 'fully serviced non-tier one and tier two land within the local area plan'.

The reality is not everyone wants to live in an estate or can afford to live in an estate in Westport, he added.

The starting price is now 450,000 for a house in Westport town and it is out of the reach of the vast majority of local people.

There is nothing radical in it and we are highlighting the fact that the land has to be fully serviced. We are giving people that may only be able to put up the shell of a house but at least they can do that because people do not have 450,000 to buy a fully completed house, he said.

The proposal was seconded by Cllr Brendan Mulroy and supported by the four councillors in the Westport Electoral Area.

Independent councillor John O'Malley told the meeting that young people in Westport were being priced out of housing and the plan has to support local people who want to live locally.

Young people around Westport are at an awful disadvantage because planning is difficult and the houses are such a price. What we really need is to be able to give them more planning and more land for housing so the price of houses will come down. Local people are leaving and the strangers are coming in, he commented

Cllr Christy Hyland said a Western Development Commission report stated that the west of Ireland is emerging as an attractive destination for remote workers and planners have to take this into account for the future.

People want to get out of the smog filled city of Dublin and relocate to a beautiful town like Westport. We are in a changing world and while Covid brought a lot of terrible things to us it did bring remote working right to the top of the agenda. They want to relocate to a nice place like Westport so planners have to take note of that moving forward, he added.

The councillors also amended the draft plan to extend the town boundary to the Belclare junction with this land to be zoned as agriculture land. They also agreed to zone sites at Horkan's Hill and along the West Road for new housing but changed the zoning of the playing field at Springfield from residential to recreational.

The councillors outlined their reasons for making the changes and stated that they have done so in a reasonable manner.

The amended plan will be prepared by the council planners to be put on public display at a later date for four weeks to allow the public as well as the Office of the Planning Regulator to make submissions on the amendments.
Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Seamus Heaney's literary legacy: Listen Now Again is the name of the current exhibition presented by the National Library of Ireland.

Westport House proudly hosts this highly acclaimed exhibition, which has garnered widespread acclaim for its exploration of the revered Irish poet Seamus Heaney's life and work.

The exhibition draws on the extensive archive that Seamus Heaney and his family donated to the National Library of Ireland in 2011. Heaney's own writing desk is the focal point of the experience, with original manuscripts, diary entries, photographs, personal artefacts and multimedia recordings painting a fascinating picture.

Scheduled to run from February 1 to February 18, the exhibition will be housed in the historic Long Gallery on the ground floor of Westport House.

There is no need to book in advance, tickets for this literary celebration are available to walk-in visitors at the front door of Westport House. Included is a visit of the main floor of Westport House at no additional cost.

The official launch event is scheduled to take place in Westport House on Thursday, February 1, from 5pm to 6pm, with the director of the National Library of Ireland, Audrey Whitty, in attendance. The launch is an open event, and all are welcome.

To find out more about the exhibition go to www.nli.ie.
At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly Dennis Francis will visit China from January 27 to 31.

China Daily: As we celebrate the first International Day of Clean Energy today, we noted that the International Energy Agency (IEA) recently published a report saying that China is on track to meet the 2030 wind and solar target this year, six years ahead of schedule. By 2028, nearly 60 percent of the worlds electricity from renewable energy will be generated in China. Whats your comment?

Wang Wenbin: Energy transition is an intrinsic path toward realizing the Paris Agreement targets and achieving a green and sustainable future. China is a doer in global clean energy transition. China has turned from a follower to a forerunner and to a pacesetter in a short time span, making a positive contribution to the global transition to clean energy and low-carbon economic growth.

In recent years, China has made notable progress in developing clean energy, including solar power, wind power, NEVs and nuclear energy. By the end of 2023, Chinas installed capacity of renewable energy accounted for over half of the total installed power capacity. In 2023, NEV production and sales in China reached 9.587 million and 9.495 million respectively, up by 35.8 percent and 37.9 percent year on year respectively. Chinas NEV production and sales account for over 60 percent of the global total, ranking first in the world for nine consecutive years. The IEAs report Renewables 2023 pointed out that Chinas installed solar PV capacity last year is equal to the global total of 2022 and Chinas installed wind power capacity soared by 66 percent year on year, registering a remarkable growth rate. That said, to achieve global goals, global joint efforts are required. In particular, favorable conditions need to be created for extensive international cooperation, and protectionism, unilateralism and politicization must be abandoned.

While pursuing its own clean and low-carbon development, China has made an active contribution to the global energy transition and response to climate change. A large number of clean energy projects, including the Al Dhafra PV2 Solar Power Plant in the UAE, the Noor III solar-thermal power plant in Morocco, the De Aar Wind Power Project in South Africa, and the Karot Hydropower Project in Pakistan, are typical examples of Chinas extensive cooperation with other countries on clean and renewable energy. During COP28 to the UNFCCC concluded last month, parties attending the conference spoke highly of Chinas vision of transition to low-carbon energy and achievements in the development of clean energy. They noted that Chinas solutions have pointed to the direction of the global energy transition, as they are important, practical and feasible solutions for countries, especially developing ones, to advance energy transition, accelerate economic growth and improve the ecological environment. This is of great significance to global energy transition and climate governance.

Green is a defining feature of Chinese modernization. China will continue to uphold the vision of seeking harmony between humanity and nature, take solid steps to advance the energy transition, and make a greater contribution to the global response to climate change.

Reuters: Taiwanese officials have said that the Chinese mainland seeks to seize Taiwans diplomatic relations. In fact, it does not rule out the possibility that the Chinese mainland will use the Tuvalu elections to maliciously manipulate issues and influence specific candidates. What does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have to say about this?

Wang Wenbin: The resumption of China-Nauru diplomatic ties shows to the world again that the one-China principle is where global opinion trends and the arc of history bends. The big family of nations committed to the one-China principle will continue to expand, which is a fact that will not change no matter how Taiwan independence and their supporters think otherwise or what the DPP authorities say. We urge a handful of countries who still keep so-called diplomatic ties with Taiwan to keep up with the trend of the times and join the family of nations that endorse the one-China principle as soon as possible.

TASS: I have two questions. First, on January 24, Ukrainian air defenses shot down a Russian Il-76 transport aircraft at the Russia-Ukraine border, which crashed in Russias Belgorod region after being hit by several missiles. The aircraft was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war. What is the comment of the Foreign Ministry? The other question is, the UK-based Financial Times reported that the US has asked China to urge Tehran to exert influence on the Houthi forces attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea, but has seen no sign of help from the Chinese government. What is the Foreign Ministrys comment on this?

Wang Wenbin: On your first question, we noted the reports. On the Ukraine crisis, Chinas position is consistent and clear. We always believe that dialogue and negotiations are the only viable way out of the Ukraine crisis. We hope all parties will be committed to a political settlement of the crisis, stop the fighting as soon as possible and work together to alleviate the situation.

We answered your second question the day before yesterday, which you may refer to.

Global Times: Its reported that the US Space Force in its assessment report Competing in Space said that China and Russia are testing and developing anti-satellite weapons to deny, disrupt or destroy satellites and space services. The two countries often mask or conceal these activities to avoid international condemnation. To counter these threats, the US Space Force launched new early warning satellites to track Chinese or Russian spacecraft. Whats Chinas comment?

Wang Wenbin: The US has long been repeatedly hyping up China as a threat in outer space to smear and attack China, which is only an excuse for the US to expand its forces in outer space and maintain military hegemony.

In fact, the US openly characterized outer space as a battlefield, made great effort to develop outer space military and provoke major-power rivalry, making itself the biggest factor in militarizing outer space and turning it into a battlefield, and the biggest threat to outer space security. The US has long been abusing space technology and maliciously tracking and approaching other countries spacecraft in a dangerous manner, which increases the collision risk in space and is seriously irresponsible.

China sticks to the peaceful use of outer space and opposes the arms race there. We strive for legal instruments on space arms control through negotiations in the international community and protection of the peace and security of the outer space by legal means. China once again urges the US to stop spreading disinformation, expanding military build-up and stepping up war preparation in outer space, and to genuinely shoulder its due responsibility.

AFP: Chinas Vice Foreign Minister is in Pyongyang today for a meeting with his North Korean counterpart. Do you have any details on this meeting and if the visit will pave the way for senior visit, maybe the North Korean leader's visit to China?

Wang Wenbin: At the invitation of the DPRK, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong arrived in the DPRK on January 25 for a visit. We will release relevant information in due course. Please check back for updates.

Financial Times: Yesterday there was a Wall Street Journal article about Ian Stones, a British businessman who was detained in China over breaches of Chinas national security laws. Could you provide any more information about the casewhy he was detained, when he was tried, what he was convicted on, and what evidence there was against Ian Stones?

Wang Wenbin: British defendant Ian J. Stones was accused of buying and unlawfully supplying intelligence for an organization or individual outside China. On August 23, 2022, Beijing No.2 Intermediate People's Court publicly announced in accordance with the law the sentencing for the first instance of the case and ruled that Ian J. Stones was guilty of that crime and sentenced him to five years imprisonment. After the sentencing, he appealed against the ruling. The Beijing High People's Court heard the case in accordance with the law and announced publicly in the second instance on September 8 last year that the appeal was dismissed and the original ruling was upheld. The Chinese courts heard the trial strictly in accordance with the law, guaranteed Ian J. Stones various procedural rights, and allowed the UK to visit him and sit in on the sentencing.

China is a law-based country. Its judiciary handles cases strictly in accordance with the law and protects the lawful rights of Chinese and foreign parties.

AFP: Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will visit Thailand today and will meet with the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Do you have any details to offer on his visit?

Wang Wenbin: To maintain strategic communication between Director Wang Yi and Advisor Jake Sullivan is an important common understanding between the two presidents of China and the US. During the new round of meetings, Director Wang Yi will state Chinas position on issues such as China-US relations and the Taiwan question and exchange views with the US on international and regional issues of mutual interest.

Associated Press of Pakistan: A senior Pakistani official yesterday said that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Pakistani citizens on Pakistan soil. Earlier this week, Global Times also reported that there were solid evidences proving that India supports terrorist forces in some Pakistani areas such as Balochistan Province, providing them with money, weapons and training. As a major country in the region, what is Chinas response?

Wang Wenbin: I have no information on the first matter you mentioned.

On the second matter, we stated our position on similar issues before. Terrorism is a common enemy of humanity. China firmly opposes double standards on counterterrorism. Such practice will only backfire. China stands ready to step up cooperation with other countries and jointly combat all forms of terrorism.

Reuters: Reuters reported that China has asked Iran to help rein in attacks in the Red Sea and said if not, it would harm China-Iran relations. Can you confirm that?

Wang Wenbin: Our position on the situation in the Red Sea is clear. We are deeply concerned about the recent escalating situation in the Red Sea. The Red Sea is an important international trade route for goods and energy. From day one, China has actively deescalated the situation, called for an end to the disturbance to civilian ships, and urged relevant parties to avoid fueling the tensions in the Red Sea and jointly protect the safety of international sea lanes in accordance with the law. What must be underlined is that the tensions in the Red Sea is a spillover of the Gaza conflict, which should end as soon as possible to prevent it from escalating or spiraling out of control. The UN Security Council has never authorized the use of force by any country against Yemen. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen and other coastal countries along the Red Sea need to be earnestly respected. China stands ready to work with all parties for the deescalation of the situation and security and stability of the Red Sea.
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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 26. Kyrgyzstan and the UN discussed collaboration plans for 2024, Trend reports.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, the discussions took place during a meeting between Kyrgyzstan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeenbek Kulubayev, and the UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan, Antje Grawe.

The parties reviewed their joint efforts in 2023, and outlined future plans, upcoming visits, as well as international and regional events.

The meeting touched upon the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027. Grawe expressed readiness to continue working on ongoing projects in Kyrgyzstan aimed at achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

Additionally, the parties discussed the need for practical implementation of the country's roadmap of the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions (2023-2027). This includes attracting investments from international partners and donors. Grawe expressed willingness to collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant Kyrgyz government bodies on mountain-related initiatives.

During the talks, Kulubayev affirmed Kyrgyzstan's interest in further developing cooperation and assured support for the UN's activities in Kyrgyzstan.

In conclusion, the UN Resident Coordinator emphasized that all their efforts are geared towards supporting the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, its governmental bodies, and the country's population. She expressed a positive outlook on expanding and strengthening the partnership between Kyrgyzstan and the UN, assuring that every necessary effort will be made for this purpose.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is not new and neither is generative AI -- a type of AI that can instantly create content in the form of text, as well as various types of images including stills, video, 3D renderings and more. But when OpenAI released its first version of ChatGPT in November 2022, it captured the worlds imagination. But when OpenAI released its first version of ChatGPT in November 2022, it captured the worlds imagination.

Its easy user interface and ability to churn out expressive and literate text in a matter of minutes, or even seconds, prompted millions of consumers to try out the technology within hours of its release.

The company also has several generative AI image-creating tools including DALL-E that it has continued to refine and develop new iterations of over the past year. This is also the case with the ChatGPT tool. In 2023 the company launched several updated versions including an enterprise grade version with enhanced security and privacy, higher-speed GPT-4 access, longer context windows for processing longer inputs, advanced data analysis capabilities, customization options, and more. In November, at its first developer conference in San Francisco, OpenAI announced dozens of new product additions and improvements across its platform.

Some agencies and marketers have spent years working to adapt AI tools to enhance a variety of products and services. The National Association of Advertisers Marketing Word Of The Year was Artificial Intelligence back in 2017.

But the release of ChatGPT added new urgency to those efforts and prompted players throughout the industry to assess just how far ahead or behind the AI curve they were and how that would impact their businesses.

In addition, the release of the platform also helped catapult AI more visibly into mainstream culture, for better or worse. Many concerns surround the technology including privacy, brand safety and concerns that the technology will be applied to engage in a range of illicit activities. Lawmakers around the globe are grappling with how to regulate AIs future use. OpenAI itself made headlines in November due to an internal management battle over responsible development of future applications.

And once again, this year AI was voted marketing word of the year by the ANA, whose members cited reasons such as Generative AI will be the most disruptive technology for years to come and AI has dominated the marketing conversation this past year like nothing else.

While OpenAI is not an agency per se, it is a highly creative technology platform that has had an outsized impact on the agency world over the past year. And thats just a tiny sliver of its overall impact on markets, industries and society. Given its impact and potential to be a major change agent for the advertising and marketing sector MediaPost has named the company its 2023 Creative Agency Of The Year.

Much has been written about the accelerated arms race among the major tech platforms to develop advanced forms of AI and GenAI, and many credit OpenAI as being at least one of the catalysts for that acceleration. Microsoft has been a major investor in OpenAI, while Google, Facebook, Amazon, Nvidia and others are vying to outdo one another in coming up with innovative and marketable AI products.

And its fair to say that Adland is engaging in its own AI arms race to impress clients with its ability to create cutting-edge tools to help them succeed with marketing and growth goals.

Throughout the past year, holding company CEOs have talked enthusiastically about strides their companies are making on the AI front.

For example, in October Interpublic CEO Philippe Krakowski noted that the firm has hundreds of new AI pilots underway across the company.

Of particular interest, he noted, are a group of promising programs with a strong focus on three new areas, including using AI to generate content  text, video and more  in the companys ideation and creative processes.

Another batch of pilots is focused on using the technology as a research tool to enhance strategy and insights as well as business trends for brands.

He also noted the use of tests using intelligent chatbots to automate some tasks like product recommendations in the ecommerce space.

Given the impact AI will continue to have on all businesses, including ours, we are fully engaged with leading AI innovators, including Adobe, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Nvidia and Salesforce, Krakowski noted.

On the product development side, he noted that Huge recently launched a tool designed to help clients anticipate the big shifts that GenAI will have in their industry, and identify opportunities for growth.

Speaking to analysts and investors earlier this year, Omnicom CEO John Wren talked about the impact AI is having on creative, media and back-office operations.

By way of example, Wren noted that Omnicom currently has a multitude of databases covering its 318-building real-estate portfolio and 70,000-person workforce, estimating it would take an internal team a full week, "if they worked really hard, to compile it into a report to give to him.

"If I type it into OpenAI, I can get the answer by myself in five minutes," he said. That speed and efficiency could lead to automation of rote tasks and the elimination of some jobs. The goal, he added, is to reduce workflow and overhead in a way that enables Omnicom's "knowledge workers" to be more productive and competitive in the marketplace.

He noted that Omnicom was testing various AI-enabled ways of creating ads utilizing "artbots." As to media, "AI can give you a plan," he said, noting: "What it cant do is give you information about every individual who lives in the New York metropolitan area."

Some have suggested that AI could put advertising and marketing agencies out of business  that with the right AI-configurated tools, marketers could absorb all of what agencies do for them in house.

When asked about that possibility during a recent CNBC interview, S4 Capital chief Martin Sorrell said that was something some smaller agencies might have to worry about, but not scaled enterprise businesses like the holding groups. But he did say some lower-level positions could be affected. Why rely on a 25-year-old media buyer when an algorithm can do it more efficiently and well be there to check the results? he said.

For agencies, Sorrell added, AI is a super tool that helps deliver hyper personalization at scale quickly and efficiently. He likened the technology to a new industrial revolution.
by Barbara Lippert , Columnist, January 25, 2024

One mark of a genius TV spot is that it's so immediately identifiable it can be parodied.

To that end, it seems the world is not finished with Jeremy Allen Whites spot for Calvin Klein.

His cup runneth over.

Given that CK laid the groundwork in the 1980s with ads combining beefcake with fine art, this spot is familiar but also energetically breakthrough and distinctive.

It boasts beefcake a plenty, but without the obsessive perfectionism of previous Calvin ads (or a Leni Riefenstahl film about Olympic athletes.)

While White eventually reaches the sky and strips to his tighty whities, he stays grounded in his white socks and wrestling sneakers, a funny touch. Whats more, the clever choice of music -- Leslie Gores early 1960s cry of female liberation -- is an amusing riffs on contemporary gender. It seems this sort of objectification allows it to be equally enjoyable to men and women.

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White's bit was such an immediate hit that Away Luggage had a CK parody out the next day  a series of black and white shots showing one of its larger carry-ons dressed in a humongous pair of Calvins, posed on a rooftop.

The lower body coverage made the rolly bag look very squat, which perhaps was a subliminal reminder about the fact that White, despite that David-like torso, happens to be a short king.

Ive heard other complaints: Yes he has a beautiful body, but he has a butterface.

Still, every detail of the video is alive. The red couch, which looked like it was salvaged from a 1970s rec room, caused a huge stir when it popped up on Facebook marketplace, apparently as a stunt to promote said Marketplace. It was being sold for the startling price of $0 and Must be willing to pick up in New York.

So though the original broke in early January, which seems like an eternity in marketing years, ecstatic cries of Yes, chef! are still being emitted around the world.

This just-released German parody for BROL nonalcoholic beer proves it.

Substitute a hairy, comically jiggly-bellied, red-bearded man for hunky White, and youve pretty much got it, shot-for-shot. I thank the Norse gods that by the time Mr. Large Ginger climbs up to the sofa to drink his non-beer and removes his underwear, his bouncing manhood is pixelated.

I enjoyed seeing the Berlin skyline, with its distinctive TV tower, built in communist East German days and now a symbol of freedom. With its tall, um, shaft, and large, rounded observation tower, it also expresses a certain man/woman vibe.

The parody is funny, and will no doubt pay for itself in social media cred.

But the only tie-in, which is a stretch, comes at the very end, with a title card reading Drink Naked. Later we see the tagline German beer/Berlin attitude and a mention about dry January.

But I can just hear hardworking copywriters calling it lazy or just meh. Sometimes parodies have that second-generation smarts that can be funnier than the original. In this case, the spot mostly recapitalizes on distinct creative, and you really must wonder about copyright law.

Making the originals use of You dont own me even funnier.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, January 25, 2024

Hugging Face, an artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) repository, has partnered with Google Cloud to let developers build, train and deploy AI models without the need to pay for a Google Cloud subscription.

"Google Cloud and Hugging Face share a vision for making generative AI more accessible and impactful for developers," Thomas Kurian, CEO at Google Cloud, wrote in a blog post. "This partnership ensures that developers on Hugging Face will have access to Google Cloud's purpose-built AI platform, Vertex AI, along with our secure infrastructure, which can accelerate the next generation of AI services and applications."

The AI revolution has begun for the advertising and retail industries, and this partnership with allow developers to use Google Cloud's infrastructure for all Hugging Face services to create applications.

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It also gives developers access to Googles tensor processing units (TPU) and GPU supercomputers, which will include thousands of Nvidias H100 to support AI applications.

Google, along with several other big technology companies, invested in Hugging Faces $235 million funding round in August 2023, valuing the company at $4.5 billion. Other investors include Salesforce Ventures, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, Qualcomm Ventures, and IBM.

There are hundreds of thousands of models hosted on Hugging Face. It stores open-source foundation models like Metas Llama 2, and databases for training models.

Googles Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) are custom and application-specific integrated circuits that power services like Search.

Hundreds of thousands of interconnected chips create one supercomputer to handle some of the worlds largest records and processing functions.

The company also uses optical circuit switch technology that allows the super computers to reconfigure themselves to scale the processing capabilities up or down as needed.

For those who want to look into the future, Samsung this week launched a pilot program -- an AI integration to support hospitality and retail.

The company said it will install AI-powered digital screens in three high-traffic areas in Chevron gas station convenience stores in California and Washington, and retail locations.

The pilot program also introduced digital humans to assist customers in the San Diego ExtraMile store. Sam the Sommelier, per Samsung, is a hyper-realistic generative AI-powered virtual being that can interact with customers via voice or live chat through an app and provide recommendations for wine pairings with their food purchases.

Consumers will have the ability to learn about wine, take a quiz to find their ideal bottle and get immediate assistance to complete their transaction through a natural conversation with the virtual and visual assistant.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, January 26, 2024

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging that Meta Platforms helped fuel the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar.

In a ruling issued Thursday, U.S. District Court Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the Northern District of California said the complaint, which was filed in 2021, fell outside the 2-year statute of limitations. The ruling was with prejudice, meaning the plaintiffs can't revise their allegations and bring them again.

The decision stemmed from a class-action complaint brought by a refugee who fled Myanmar after her father was detained by the military in 2012. Proceeding anonymously, she alleged that Meta's algorithms spread anti-Rohingya sentiment by promoting extremist content, including hate speech about the Rohingya ethnic minority. A second anonymous plaintiff later joined the complaint.

The lawsuit came around three years after a Facebook-commissioned report concluded the company didn't do enough to prevent people from using the platform to incite violence in Myanmar.

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The complaint included a claim that Facebook should be liable for introducing a defective product -- meaning that its social networking service and the algorithms that recommend content -- into the marketplace. The complaint also claims Facebook acted negligently.

Meta argued the case should be dismissed at an early stage for numerous reasons, including that the plaintiffs waited too long to sue.

The company also argued that the allegations, even if proven true, wouldn't show how Facebook actions by the Myanmar military. Additionally, Meta said the claims are precluded by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects web companies from lawsuits over material created by users.

Rogers' decided the case solely on the ground that the plaintiffs waited too long to sue.

Metas purported role in the Rohingya genocide was publicly available beginning at least as of 2018, she wrote. Plaintiffs arguably should have been able to identify, through reasonable diligence, Metas potential nexus with their injuries by at least 2018.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, January 26, 2024

M&C Saatchi reports that full-year 2023 net revenue is expected to be down 7% to approximately 252 million GBP (about $320 million at todays exchange rate).

The London-based agency said that cost-saving initiatives implemented in the second half of the year helped to boost pre-tax profit margin to 16% from 8% in the first half.

advertisement advertisement Earlier the firm noted that first-half media revenue was down 30% while advertising revenue fell 16%. It did not provide updated figures for the second half. More detailed results for 2023 will be reported in April, the agency said.

Net cash at year end 2023 was 8.2 million GBP. The firm said it had access to 31 million GBP from a revolving credit facility.

The companys board has appointed Odgers Berndtson to assist with the search for a new CEO to succeed Moray MacLennan, who stepped down at the end of September after 30 years with the company. Zillah Byng-Thorne, the Board's Non-Executive Chair, is leading the company in the interim.

Whilst economic headwinds remain, we are pleased with the progress we are making on building an enhanced and more connected operating model, stated Byng-Thorne.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, January 26, 2024

Meta Platforms is urging a federal appellate court to halt a Federal Trade Commission administrative proceeding that could result in an order prohibiting the company from monetizing teens' data.

In papers filed Thursday with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, Meta argues that the FTC is wrongly attempting to revise a settlement approved in 2020 by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Kelly in Washington. The company contends that only a federal judge -- and not the FTC -- can order changes to that settlement.

Meta's new papers come in a battle dating to last May, when the FTC proposed modifying the 2020 settlement by adding terms prohibiting Meta from using minors' data to fuel ad targeting or algorithms. The original settlement stemmed from charges that Meta allowed Cambridge Analytica and other outside developers to access users' data. That deal required Meta to pay $5 billion, implement new privacy oversight and obtain an independent assessment.

When the FTC proposed the new terms, it served Meta with a demand to appear at an in-house administrative proceeding -- similar to a trial, but in front of the agency, as opposed to a judge. The FTC alleged that an evaluator had identified gaps and weaknesses in the company's privacy program, and that between 2017 and 2019, Meta's Messenger Kids had coding errors that allowed children to communicate with people who hadn't been approved by parents, in violation of representations about the feature.

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Meta sued in federal court to prevent the FTC from moving forward with an in-house hearing, arguing that only Kelly or another judge could modify the 2020 settlement.

Kelly rejected that argument in November, ruling that he lacked jurisdiction to intervene in the current dispute. He ruled that even though Meta's agreement with the FTC was attached as an exhibit to the judgment he approved, he didn't retain jurisdiction over the terms.

Meta has appealed that decision to the D.C. Circuit, and is also asking the appellate court to prevent the FTC from conducting an in-house hearing while the appeal is pending.

Meta will suffer irreparable harm by being ... forced to relitigate a settlement with its counterparty as adjudicator, the company argues in its request for an injunction halting the FTC's in-house proceeding.

Meta adds that it never agreed the FTC could unilaterally modify the settlement terms.

The government has not pointed to any instance in which the commission has modified a consent order without such consent, Meta writes.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 26. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan discussed matters concerning the demarcation of the shared state border, Trend reports.

According to the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, a meeting was held in the city of Buston in the Sughd region of Tajikistan with the co-chairs of the government delegations of Kyrgyzstan, Kamchybek Tashiev, and Tajikistan, Saymumin Yatimov.

During the meeting, specific instructions were given to the working groups of the government delegations to continue their work in further determining the border line between the two countries on the remaining sections.

On October 2, 2023, in the Kyrgyz Batken, delegations from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan met regarding border issues and signed a new protocol after negotiations. The parties said that this document, when implemented, would contribute to the resolution of border disputes.

Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have a common border of around 970 km, but some areas still require identification and marking. Meetings between delegations are held alternately on the territory of each country.
Vercingetorix surrenders to Julius Caesar

The story of Julius Caesars military career is the story of the special relationship between a brilliant commander and an elite fighting force.

The legions of the Late Republic were superb instruments of war. Recruited from the citizen farmers of Italy and the more Romanised provinces of the fast-growing empire, they were largely formed of volunteers, and increasingly of long-service veterans choosing a military career.

Highly drilled, heavily armoured, and tightly disciplined, they had an exceptional esprit de corps. Their weapons system had been refined over three centuries of battle against Samnites, Greeks, Carthaginians, Gauls, and Celtiberians. It comprised three elements.

The scutum was a large oval or rectangular body-shield that could be used to form a defensive shield-wall, to give protection in attack, and as a weapon in its own right, when used to punch an enemy and knock him off balance.

The pilum was a heavy javelin comprising a wooden shaft, a long metal projection, and an armour-piercing triangular head. It could be hurled either in defence or, more typically, in attack, devastating and traumatising the enemy line before contact.

The gladius was the short, stabbing sword of the legionary, an ideal weapon in close-quarters action, where the aim was to keep up ones guard, avoid exposing the body, and thrust forwards through gaps in the opponents defence so as to inflict deep, deadly wounds to abdomen and groin.

Regiments of free men, fighting in closepacked order, trained to manoeuvre, with superb morale, protected by first-class armour, and equipped with scutum, pilum, and gladius: these were the world-conquering legions of the 1st century BC.

And the greatest commander of the legions in Roman history was surely Julius Caesar.

Bust of Julius Caesar

He was both an imperialist  a conqueror of new provinces  and a civil-war generalissimo, the destroyer of the Republic and the creator of the Empire.

Not only that, he was a skilled politician before all else, whose desire for power was his most consistent, driving characteristic. Passing through a remote Alpine settlement, he is said to have remarked that he would rather be first man in a village than second at Rome.

The available sources suggest that Caesar exercised a hands-on, personal style of leadership. There is little evidence of the systematic use of written orders or of what we might recognise as specialised staff work.

In the search for useful intelligence, Caesar interrogated prisoners and deserters in person, and summoned councils of war when he saw fit. In combat, he moved around the field to assess the changing situation and to encourage his troops, his trademark scarlet cloak making him easily recognisable.

Perhaps Caesars most important quality was his boldness and speed in action. Contemporaries regarded this as the mark of a good leader. A notable example was his crushing of a major uprising of the tribes of north-east Gaul in 54 BC.

As with many successful commanders, Caesar did not owe his successes to striking tactical innovations, but to a remarkable ability to use the methods and resources to hand. His key qualities were his decisiveness, a readiness to cast caution aside, and his excellent relationship with his troops.

He was capable of great ruthlessness, though he was never wantonly sadistic. When he was cruel  for example, when he ordered the hands of the defenders of Uxellodunum to be cut off, after the capture of this Gallic town  he acted out of a desire to deter further resistance. As a rule, he preferred to win over his vanquished adversaries by a display of mercy.

As the Siege of Alesia showed, he was also a master of military engineering. Underlying all his successes was a keen understanding of human nature and an ability to grasp changing realities. In his own time, and indeed in the military history of the ancient world, he had few, if any, equals.

This is an extract from a 13-page special feature on Julius Caesar, published in the July 2019 issue of Military History Matters.
The PACT Act, which was meant to help veterans receive care and benefits after being exposed to toxins and burn pits while serving their country, was billed as the most sweeping piece of veterans health care legislation ever passed.

But for some veterans, like those exposed to things like the "black goo" and even cyanide at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base, also known as K2, in Uzbekistan, it was not sweeping enough.

Military.com's veterans and health reporter Patricia Kime spoke to several veterans about being left out of this law after years of advocacy and months of political turmoil. What does being left out mean for their futures? How are they grappling with illnesses that advocates say should be covered by the VA's biggest health care law?

Main Topics

Host Drew F. Lawrence speaks with Military.com's veterans health care reporter, Patricia Kime

Interviews Disabled American Veterans Deputy National Legislative Director and Marine Corps veteran Shane Liermann

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Transcript:

SPEAKERS

Jon Stewart, John Feal, Patricia Kime, Drew F. Lawrence, Shane Liermann, Rosie Torres

Drew F. Lawrence

The PACT Act, which was meant to help veterans receive care and benefits after being exposed to toxins and burn pits while serving their country, was billed as the most sweeping piece of veteran healthcare legislation ever passed. But for some veterans, like those exposed to things like the black goo and even cyanide at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base, also known as K2  it was not sweeping enough.

Jon Stewart

I'm not sure I've ever seen a situation where people who have already given so much had to fight so hard to get so little. I hope we learned a lesson.

Drew F. Lawrence

That was Jon Stewart, comedian and toxic exposure advocate who was at the Capitol about a year and a half ago after the PACT Act was finally passed after three tries in Congress and round-the-clock protests by veterans looking to get care. But according to advocates and veterans who have been left out of the PACT Acts benefits, a lesson hasnt been learned, and more needs to be done for those not supported by the narrowly written law.

Shane Liermann

I get very, I don't want to say upset, but it just makes me feel very disconcerted when there are attempts to remove things or change things solely based on costs. Whereas for the PACT Act, a lot of these go back to the first Persian Gulf. So we waited 30 years to grant some of these benefits. Maybe if we didn't wait 30 years, it wouldn't be so expensive, and then cost wouldn't become this main argument against doing it.

Drew F. Lawrence

Military.coms veterans and health reporter Patricia Kime spoke to several veterans about being left out of this law after years of advocacy and months of political turmoil. What does being left out mean for their futures? How are they grappling with illnesses that advocates say should be covered by the VAs biggest healthcare law? For Military.com, my name is Drew Lawrence  it is Friday January 26th, and this is Fire Watch. Hi Patricia, thanks for joining us on Fire Watch today. So tell us, what are veterans telling you about some of these gaps in the PACT Act?

Patricia Kime

The PACT Act broadened benefits for many service members of Iraq, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf War as well as the Vietnam War and pockets of veterans exposed to toxic substances overseas. But there are vets who have pressed for years for investigations into illnesses they think are related to serving on U.S. bases that have been listed as hazardous by the Environmental Protection Agency. I spoke with Julie Akey, a former soldier who lived at Fort Ord, California, which has been declared a hazardous site for the level of lead in its soil and chemicals in its water. Years later, she developed cancer, and after reaching out to other veterans once stationed at Fort Ord, found that this was not that unusual. She now has a spreadsheet of more than 1,300 veterans who served there and have various types of cancer. You know, she fought for years to get benefits from the VA and told me that, you know, she was exhausted but she was keeping up the fight for these other veterans. The day that our story came out, she went to the mailbox and found out the VA had finally approved her disability claim.

Drew F. Lawrence

And as a reminder, the VA billed this PACT Act as the largest toxic exposure legislation that has ever been passed. So I guess I'm wondering why does it seem to be lacking for those other veterans if it was so big?

Patricia Kime

Well, Drew. The PACT Act was primarily intended to provide health care and benefits mainly to post 9/11 veterans exposed to burn pits used to dispose of waste in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom to dispose of waste those pits, sometimes acres wide, belched black smoke over work spaces and bases and have been blamed for causing a number of severe diseases in what was a relatively young population. As a result of congressional negotiations, it also included pockets of veterans exposed to radiation at several nuclear cleanup sites, new illnesses linked to Agent Orange included. It was never intended to be all-inclusive, and there are many locations that could be considered hazardous to ones health  At Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan, a commercial incinerator located just off base, belched potentially cancer-causing smoke over the installation for several years. The Navy has said that the emissions may have contained contaminants that put service members and their families at increased risk for cancer and other health effects. Theres K2, a former Soviet air base in southeastern Uzbekistan, which was included in the Act but only for burn pit exposures. Veterans say the environment  the ground and water  was a toxic cesspool of contaminants. And there are many more. These veterans, who believe they are sick from other exposures  industrial chemicals and solvents, hazardous materials used in weapons manufacturing and maintenance, possible exposure to chemical weapons and radiation, unsuprisingly feel left out.

Drew F. Lawrence

I talked to Shane Liermann, who our listeners heard at the top of the show. He is the Deputy National Legislative Director for Disabled American Veterans. Heres what he said.

By including them under burn pits as part of the pact act. A lot of people think they fix the issuewhen we bring it up to members of Congress, they're like, Oh, no. K two was added in the pact act. And we're, I know, just exposure to burn pits, not the specific toxic exposures, they're in any diseases related.

Patricia Kime

Its definitely no small feat that it was passed. A decade ago, there were a handful of veterans and their spouses knocking on doors on the Hill trying to get anyone to pay attention  I sat in Defense Department meetings where top-level installation chiefs flatly denied that burn pits were toxic. Given the scope of the bill and the potential cost, it wasnt surprising that it required intense scrutiny and negotiations.

Drew F. Lawrence

What is the VA saying about the veterans who say theyve missed out on these benefits?

Patricia Kime

VA Secretary Denis McDonough points out that just because a veteran is not covered by the pack, that doesn't mean they can't file disability claim. If they have an illness or injury they believe is connected to their service, they may file a claim, but because they are not considered under what the department calls a presumptive illness, it makes it much harder.

Shane Liermann

There's three things to service connection, the diagnosis, the in-service event or the exposure, and the third thing is the medical link, when they do a presumptive, they're conceding you are exposed to that chemical or that toxin. And then they're presuming a disease is related to that conceded exposure. So they haven't even conceded the exposure to those yet, VA hasn't. And so we need one them to concede that exposure. And then two, we need a list of diseases related to it.

Drew F. Lawrence

That was Shane Liermann again. Now, it seems like Congress is always fighting about legislation, so its relevant that chaos likely contributed to some of those groups you mentioned being left out.

Patricia Kime

Thats right. The PACT Act was on the table three times, with lawmakers concerned largely about the cost of the bill, which advocates said shouldnt matter  that the government should pay benefits to those sickened by their military service  and fiscal conservatives raising issue with its broad language and potential to contribute significantly to the federal deficit. In the end, 11 Republicans still voted against it, all for various reasons  but mostly because of cost and how it would be paid for.

Drew F. Lawrence

Right, I think Rosie Torres, co-founder of BurnPit 360  an advocacy group for these issues  put it best at the time regarding the struggle in Congress.

Rosie Torres

I mean, we walked the halls for years, 13 years, year after year after year of dealing with gatekeepers, and political bureaucratics, just bullshit excuses about why they wouldn't, why they couldn't and why they shouldn't. And in the end, it was very clear that they were playing partisan politics on the backs of sick and dying veterans.

Drew F. Lawrence

Shane told me that when it was passed there was almost this, wary elation. Veterans were happy for the win, but it had come after so much struggle that there was almost, we got what we could get type of outlook.

Shane Liermann

But when they started stripping away some of these things like the retro application, and then they're going to take away hypertension. I know, our organization was getting very concerned, we were very leery of what was going to happen next, because it started feeling like they're just starting to strip things out to make it more palpable, to make it easier to pass so people don't worry about the cost.

Drew F. Lawrence

And I should say that hypertension was eventually included after what Shane described as a hard fight, but it added to that sense of incompleteness to such a large bill.

Patricia Kime

Right, and Drew, you were there when it was passed, tell us what it was like.

Drew F. Lawrence

Right, yeah, I was there. I was outside of the Capitol. What I can tell you is that there was a lot of elation. Veterans had spent nights and days camped outside of the Capitol in protest. Frequently, lawmakers would come out with updates. But, as the sun set after the act was passed, there was also a sense that the fight was not over. Here's John Feal, an advocate and veteran.

John Feal

Where's, where's the celebration that we're gonna have? The hard part hasn't begun. Getting a bill passed is easy. You just got to beat up the Senate and the House. But these people behind me now, they actually have to advocate. They got to take that bill from it's infant stage, and make sure that Congress and the VA and the Senate do the right thing. They got to do that for the rest of their fucking lives.

Drew F. Lawrence

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of Fire Watch. Thank you to our guests, Patricia Kime and Shane Lierman. Thanks also to executive producer Zachary Fryer-Biggs. If you liked this episode and want to let us know, give us a rating  wherever you get your podcasts. And as always, thanks for listening.
JERUSALEM  Yemen's Houthi rebels launched a missile Friday at a U.S. warship patrolling the Gulf of Aden, forcing it to shoot down the projectile, the U.S. military said Friday.

The attack on the destroyer USS Carney marks a further escalation in the biggest confrontation at sea the U.S. Navy has seen in the Middle East in decades. It represents the first time the Houthis directly targeted a U.S. warship since the rebels began their attacks on shipping in October, a U.S. official said on the condition of anonymity because no authorization had been given to discuss the incident.

That contradicted a statement by the U.S. military's Central Command, which said the Houthis fired toward the Carney. As it has in previous strikes, the Pentagon has said it was difficult to determine what exactly the Houthis were trying to hit.

Ever since the Israel-Hamas war broke out, the U.S. has tried to temper its descriptions of the strikes targeting its bases and warships to try to prevent the conflict from becoming a wider regional war.

Acknowledging Friday's assault as a direct attack on a U.S. warship is important, said Brad Bowman, a senior director at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.

Theyre now finally calling a spade a spade, and saying that, yeah, theyre trying to attack our forces, theyre trying to kill us, Bowman said.

Tempering the language, while aimed at preventing a wider war, has had the opposite effect of further enabling the Houthis, he said.

In Fridays attack, an anti-ship ballistic missile came near the USS Carney, an Arleigh-Burke class destroyer thats been involved in American operations to try and stop the Houthi campaign since November, Central Command said.

The missile was successfully shot down by USS Carney, Central Command said. There were no injuries or damage reported.

The attack was the latest assault by the rebels in their campaign against ships traveling through the Red Sea and surrounding waters, which has disrupted global trade amid Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels did not immediately acknowledge the attack, though they typically take several hours afterward to claim their assaults.

The U.S. and Britain have launched multiple rounds of airstrikes in the time since targeting Houthi missile depots and launcher sites in Yemen, a country that's been wracked by conflict since the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014.

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 between Asia, the Mideast and Europe.

Since the airstrike campaign began, the rebels now say theyll target American and British ships as well. On Wednesday, two American-flagged ships carrying cargo for the U.S. Defense and State departments came under attack by the Houthis, forcing an escorting U.S. Navy warship to shoot some of the projectiles down.

The U.S. Navys top Mideast commander told the AP on Monday that the Houthi attacks were the worst since the so-called Tanker War of the 1980s. It culminated in a one-day naval battle between Washington and Tehran, and also saw the U.S. Navy accidentally shoot down an Iranian passenger jet, killing 290 people in 1988.

___

Copp reported from Washington.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 26. The first flight on the Beijing-Bishkek-Beijing route landed at Kyrgyzstan's Manas International Airport, Trend reports.

According to the Manas, the flights on the route are operated by China Southern Airlines,utilizing Airbus A320neo aircraft. Flights on the new route will operate three times a week -- on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The first flight from Beijing to Bishkek brought in 90 passengers, while 150 people departed from Bishkek to Beijing.

According to Director of Commerce of Manas Airport Satybek Kanybekov, regular flights between China and Kyrgyzstan could boost tourism development. This collaboration is also expected to enhance aviation ties between Beijing and Bishkek, thereby increasing trade and investment between the two countries.

According to Manas International Airport, which serves as the operator for all airports in Kyrgyzstan, the company handled 4.2 million passengers from January through September 2023. Compared to the nine-month figure of 2022 (3.8 million passengers), the passenger traffic in Kyrgyzstan's airports increased by 10 percent.
When Roger H.C. Donlon joined the Army in 1958, he was already familiar with military life. He had enlisted in the Air Force in 1953, but left to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. In 1957, he resigned from the academy to just get into the Army -- and maybe meet his destiny, if you believe in that sort of thing.

After Officer Candidate School, he qualified for Special Forces. He was sent to Vietnam in 1964, where he would receive the Medal of Honor for his courageous and nearly fatal defense of an American training camp in July of that year.

Donlon died on Jan. 25, 2024, just five days before his 90th birthday.

Roger H.C. Donlon receives the Medal of Honor from President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. (U.S. Army)

In the early morning hours of July 6, 1964, then-Capt. Roger Donlon was about to wake up the next guard for duty when a white phosphorus round came hurtling through the hut's thatched roof, lighting it on fire. The training camp at Nam Dong was already surrounded by the time the Americans scrambled to their defensive positions. As the commander of the detachment, it was up to Donlon to mount the defense, and he had his work cut out for him.

"It was the first time the North Vietnamese Army came down and linked up with the Viet Cong guerrillas in the south to overrun an American Special Forces training center," Donlon told the American Legion in 2016.

In 1964, the United States had a presence in South Vietnam, but hadn't yet committed the tens of thousands of combat troops it would in the years to come. Americans were focused on equipping, advising and training the South Vietnamese, while U.S. Special Forces soldiers trained indigenous groups on conducting irregular warfare, a program called Civilian Irregular Defense Group, or CIDG.

It was at one of these CIDG indigenous training bases in Vietnam that Donlon would lead his Vietnamese trainees and their Australian and Special Forces advisers in a five-hour firefight so intense that American helicopters could not land to extract the wounded.

Donlon was on guard duty when 800 North Vietnamese troops blew the roof off their makeshift chow hall at 2:30 in the morning. Inside the camp were just 360 CIDG trainees, 12 Green Berets and one Australian adviser. As mortars rained down, he marshaled his men to move ammunition from the burning buildings and set up defensive lines. He then started moving ammo where it needed to go.

Camp Nam Dong, a Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) training base in Vietnam. (U.S. Army)

As he began running ammo to his gun crews, he saw the camp's main gate was under attack by a team of Viet Cong sappers. To prevent them from breaching the outer perimeter, he stopped his ammo run to eliminate all three of the sappers. Then, through a hail of enemy grenades, he dashed for a mortar pit, taking a severe stomach wound as he moved. When he got to the pit, he found the gun crew there had also been wounded. He shoved a handkerchief into his stomach wound and covered its withdrawal.

As he dragged the team's wounded sergeant out of the pit and to the next defensive position, Donlon was wounded again, this time by a mortar in his left shoulder. Despite these injuries, he had to keep moving. Through enemy fire, he carried a 60-millimeter mortar to a new location, where he found more wounded men, administered their first aid and armed them with the mortar and a 57-millimeter recoilless rifle he'd picked up from another gun pit. As he left to return with more ammunition for the weapons, he was wounded a third time, as a grenade sent shrapnel into his leg.

Now crawling, he directed mortar fire to the eastern sector of the camp. He would have to move from position to position for the rest of the battle, directing his men while lobbing grenades of his own. He was wounded a fourth time as a mortar peppered his face and body. When daylight came and helicopters were finally able to remove the wounded, about 60 enemy troops were dead, along with 57 South Vietnamese, two Americans and their one Australian adviser. He waited until every last one of his wounded soldiers were evacuated before he allowed himself to be taken.

Retired Army Col. Roger H.C. Donlon poses next to the bust supporting his Medal of Honor after a ceremony held in his honor at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. (Sean Hall/U.S. Army)

Donlon was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson in a White House ceremony on Dec. 5, 1964. He was the first of 268 Medal of Honor recipients of the Vietnam War. He spent the rest of his 30-plus-year career in the Army, retiring as a colonel in 1988.

"I wear this award on behalf of those who didn't come home," he later said. "I've had many great opportunities to share their sacrifices."

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Feb. 3 marks the anniversary of the sinking of the United States Army Transport Dorchester and the selfless acts of four Army chaplains aboard during World War II.

The four chaplains, also known as the "Immortal Chaplains" or the "Dorchester Chaplains," represented three faiths: Catholic, Jewish and Protestant.

The Four Chaplains Story

The 368-foot steamship Dorchester, operated by the War Shipping Administration, was part of a convoy that left New York in January 1943 bound for the Army Command Base at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland.

To sail from Newfoundland to Greenland, the ship would have to navigate icy seas and pass through waters infested with German U-boats.

After midnight on Feb. 3, 1943, the Dorchester was torpedoed by a U-boat in the Labrador Sea off Greenland and went down in 20 minutes, according to official records.

Of the 904 aboard, 675 drowned or died of hypothermia in the frigid waters. It was believed to be the worst single death toll for a U.S. convoy during WWII.

The Dorchester's loss is remembered most for the sacrifice of the "Four Chaplains" -- two Protestants, a rabbi and a Catholic priest. They were all Army first lieutenants who went down with the ship.

On Feb. 3, 1943, the U.S.A.T. Dorchester, a luxury ship converted into an Army transport, ship was part of a convoy in icy waters, 150 miles from its destination, an American base in Greenland. It carried 902 servicemen, merchant seamen and civilian workers. Photo via Wikipedia

The four chaplains had spent much of their time calming nervous young soldiers, even putting on evening variety shows to help pass the time.

When the torpedo hit, the chaplains guided men below decks to the lifeboats and handed out life jackets.

"Just before our ship went down, these chaplains took off their own life preservers and gave them to us," one of the survivors, 19-year-old Daniel O'Keefe of the U.S. Merchant Marine Service, said a few weeks after the tragedy. "They were standing on the deck praying hand in hand as our lifeboat drifted out of sight."

Survivor John Ladd also recalled the chaplains giving away their life vests, according to the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation. "It was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven," he said.

Another survivor, William Bednar, told The Baltimore Sun in 1997: "I could hear men crying, pleading, praying and swearing. I could also hear the chaplains preaching courage to the men. Their voices were probably the only things that kept me sane."

Who Were the Four Chaplains?

The Four Chaplains were Lt. George L. Fox, a Methodist minister from Pennsylvania; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, a Reform rabbi from New York; Lt. Clark V. Poling, a Reformed Church in America minister from Ohio; and Lt. John P. Washington, a Roman Catholic priest from New Jersey.

The four became friends after they were all sent to Camp Myles Standish in Massachusetts en route to overseas duty.

Their fate was sealed when they were all assigned to the USAT Dorchester, a former luxury liner filled to capacity in February 1943 with 751 troops.

They were each posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart.

There were attempts in Congress to award the four chaplains the Medal of Honor, but the efforts did not succeed under the strict guidelines for awarding the medal.

Instead, a Special Medal for Heroism was authorized by Congress and awarded by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1961.

Lt. George L. Fox



As soon as he learned of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the Rev. George L. Fox knew what was to come. "I've got to go," Fox told his wife, Isadora. "I know from experience what those boys are about to face. They need me."

At age 17, the Lewistown, Pennsylvania, native had lied about his age during World War I to enlist in the Marines as a medical assistant and train as an ambulance driver.

Between the world wars, Fox finished high school, married and began his religious career.

"He later graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington and studied at the Boston University School of Theology, where he was ordained a Methodist minister on June 10, 1934," according to the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America.

After the outbreak of World War II, the 42-year-old Fox immediately enlisted for chaplain duty. He began active duty on Aug. 8, 1942.

Read More: Chaplain George L. Fox

Lt. Alexander D. Goode

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Alexander Goode had been an outstanding athlete and scholar whose dream was to become a rabbi like his father, according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

He displayed heroism from a young age, saving his family's home when he was a child by extinguishing flames from a kitchen fire before firefighters arrived, according to the National Museum of the United States Army.

After high school, he received rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College in New York in 1937; later served at Temple Beth Israel in York, Pennsylvania; and earned his Ph.D. in Middle Eastern languages from John Hopkins University.

After the Pearl Harbor attack, he joined the Army Air Forces as a chaplain and later lobbied to serve on the front lines.

Goode left behind his wife, Theresa, and 3-year-old daughter, Rosalie.

"He believed that life would not be worth living in a world under Axis domination, and he was prepared to sacrifice even life itself for the cause of human freedom," Rabbi Philip S. Bernstein of the National Jewish Welfare Board said a few weeks after the chaplains were lost.

Lt. Clark V. Poling

The youngest of the four chaplains, Clark V. Poling "asked his father to pray for him when he left for the war," according to PACOM.

Poling, a seventh-generation Dutch Reformed minister, said: "Just that I shall do my duty and have the strength, courage, and understanding of men. Just pray that I shall be adequate."

Poling, who came from a long line of clergymen, was ordained to the Christian ministry in 1936 at age 26.

On the evening of the ceremony, his father, the Rev. Daniel A. Poling, told him: "I do not wish for you a life of ease nor do I desire to see you free from suffering and heartache. Rather do I desire for you a life of real conflict against the forces of evil. Be true to your calling," according to an article in The Day newspaper of New London, Connecticut.

Poling served at the First Dutch Reformed church of Schenectady, New York.

Lt. John P. Washington

John P. Washington was born to a large Irish family in New Jersey. As a child, he loved music, took piano lessons and sang in the church choir.

A graduate of Seton Hall, he later studied at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington, New Jersey, before being ordained as a priest.

He served as assistant pastor of St. Stephen's Church in Kearny, New Jersey.

He joined the Army in May 1942 after the Navy rejected him due to his poor eyesight, according to the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation.

Racing to Save Lives

When the Dorchester was going down, the Coast Guard cutter Comanche ignored the threat of another U-boat attack and raced through heavy seas to pick up survivors.

The Comanche lowered a cargo net, but many of those in the lifeboats were too weak and numbed by the cold to climb aboard.

Steward's Mate 1st Class Charles Walter David Jr., 26, of New York City, known for his fierce loyalty to his ship and shipmates despite the second-class status afforded Blacks during World War II, jumped into the lifeboats and began hoisting survivors aboard.

In the course of the rescue mission, Lt. Langford Anderson, the Comanche's executive officer, slipped and fell into the frigid waters. Without hesitation, David dove into the icy sea, swam to Anderson's rescue and brought him to the net.

After helping the last survivors scramble aboard, David went up the net himself to the Comanche's deck, but his friend, Storekeeper 1st Class Richard 'Dick" Swanson, could make it only halfway up after being in the freezing water, according to an account by William H. Thiesen, the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area historian.

From the Comanche's deck, David shouted encouragement: "C'mon, Swanny, you can make it." But Swanson couldn't move. David went down the net again and lifted Swanson to safety.

Several weeks later, David died of pneumonia at a hospital in Greenland from the hypothermia he suffered during the rescues.

"Despite his secondary status in a segregated service, Charles Walter David Jr. placed the needs of others before his own. For his heroism, David was posthumously awarded the Navy & Marine Corps Medal and, in 1999, was recognized with the Immortal Chaplains Prize for Humanity," Thiesen wrote.

In 2013, the Coast Guard named a Sentinel-class fast response cutter the Charles Walter David Jr. in honor of his exemplary service.

How to Observe Four Chaplains Day

On Feb. 3, 1951, President Harry S. Truman dedicated the Chapel of Four Chaplains in Philadelphia.

Since then, thousands of Four Chaplains interfaith memorial services are held around the nation every year, including at American Legion posts.

The American Legion's recommended guidelines for hosting a Four Chaplains memorial service include:

Ensuring that representatives of different faith groups are invited to participate.

Displaying photos of the four chaplains, and/or four red roses, life jackets or four empty seats near the altar or podium.

Including a candle lighting or wreath laying.

Including a message about selfless service.

Collecting an offering to support the work of the Chapel of Four Chaplains.

The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation also offers suggestions for hosting services, which go into much more detail. They include three suggested formats for memorial services: a breakfast or banquet program, a comprehensive program and a short program.

Related: WWII Chaplain Who Comforted Sailors in Shark-Infested Waters Awarded Posthumous Navy Cross

Bethanne Kelly Patrick contributed to this report.

For more military history features and resources, visit the Military.com History Center.
Jorge Soler is one of the better hitters still available in free agency. Hes surely seeking a multi-year deal on the heels of a 36-homer campaign that led him to decline a $13MM player option with the Marlins.

At the beginning of the month, Soler told reporters in Cuba that Miami hadnt shown any interest in a reunion. A return to South Florida still seems a long shot. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald wrote yesterday the Fish have had some contact with the free agent slugger but would likely only bring him back on a cheap deal.

The Marlins opted against a $20.325MM qualifying offer at the start of the offseason. While that wasnt surprising for a low-payroll franchise, it didnt bode well for their chances of re-signing him. Even if Soler doesnt secure that kind of salary on an annual basis, he should handily surpass that guarantee over a two- or three-year term.

Boston, Seattle, Arizona and Toronto have reportedly shown interest in Soler at points this offseason. Of that group, the Blue Jays appear the strongest suitor. The Mariners and D-Backs are almost certainly out; Seattle signed Mitch Garver and acquired Mitch Haniger, while Arizona re-signed Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and agreed to a $12.5MM deal with Joc Pederson this evening.

The Red Sox are still open to adding a right-handed bat, but Boston officials have indicated theyre working without much payroll flexibility. They reportedly didnt want to go beyond two guaranteed years for Teoscar Hernandez; its possible theyre taking a similar approach with Soler.

On the other hand, the Jays clearly remain involved in the market. TSNs Scott Mitchell tweeted this morning that Torontos interest in Soler is very real. Jon Heyman of the New York Post wrote tonight the sides remain engaged in discussions. The Jays still have a clear need for offensive help, particularly at designated hitter. Toronto allowed Brandon Belt to hit free agency and hasnt landed a replacement.

Roster Resource projects the Jays right at the $237MM base luxury tax threshold. They surpassed the threshold in 2023, so theyll be taxed at the rate for second-time payors this year. Theyd owe a 32% tax on spending between $237MM and $257MM with escalating penalties beyond the $257MM mark.
KEWEENAW COUNTY, MI  The U.S. Coast Guard was left puzzled after responding to a bizarre incident in the Upper Peninsula.

A crew from Air Station Traverse City responded to the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula after the USCGs Portage Station received a report of a possible snowmobiler in distress on Lake Superior between High Rock Bay and Manitou Island.

A snowmobiler had sent an emergency message via the Polaris app indicating he was floating to Canada and that the ice was melting fast.

The crew arrived at the scene and searched the area with its helicopter but did not find the snowmobile or any evidence of an ice floe.

The Coast Guard suspended the search around 5:08 a.m. after determining that ice conditions and weather did not support the probability of an ice floe substantial enough to carry a snowmobile away from the mainland.
A man who was deer hunting in the Upper Peninsula on the second day of firearm season made a miraculous recovery after a tree fell on him and he had to be rescued by two officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Officers Alex VanWagner and Kyle Romzek were dispatched to the scene after receiving a report of an injured hunter and when they arrived, another hunter in the group led them to the area where the man was hurt. The man explained that the group used radios to contact one another throughout the day to check in on each other. When the victim did not reply to a call, some of the hunters went to check on him and discovered the tree had fallen on him, likely due to the high winds that day.

The officers determined that an ambulance would not be able to get back to the victim, so they found another access point that could be reached by truck. The officers loaded EMS personnel and their equipment onto a patrol truck and drove back out to the injured hunter. EMS personnel determined the man had possible head and spinal injuries before loading the man onto a backboard and transporting him out of the woods with the patrol truck.

After getting to the main road, the hunter was loaded into an ambulance and transported to Iron River Hospital before he was then sent to a hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin via EMS MedEvac helicopter.

VanWagner made contact with the hunters family a few days later and they told the officer that when the hunter arrived at the hospital he was in critical condition and may not survive. Doctors also told the family the victim may not walk again after he underwent surgery on his head and vertebrae.

However, shortly after the family spoke with VanWagner, the hunter regained movement in his limbs and stood up for the first time since the tree fell on him. He was also able to have a conversation with his family for the first time since the incident happened.

Doctors at the Wisconsin hospital described the mans recovery as miraculous according to VanWagner and the officer says he is continuing to stay in touch with the family.
WARREN, MI  A Michigan business owner will spend time in prison after he was found guilty of a hate crime.

Anthony Mangiapane, 56, was sentenced to 14 months to four years in prison for assault with a deadly weapon and ethnic intimidation and two years in prison for felony firearm. The sentences will be served consecutively.

A Macomb County jury convicted Mangiapane on Nov. 21, 2023 after a three-day trial.

On July 25, 2022, Mangiapane was at his business in Warren when the victim walked by on the sidewalk. Mangiapane yelled racial slurs and fired shots at the victim.

Police responded to the scene, but Mangiapane refused to come outside of the building. Police quickly noticed a rifle casing on the ground directly in front of the building.

After testing, the forensic lab concluded that the shell casing matched a rifle in the building that belonged to Mangiapane.

Todays sentencing is a solemn reminder that our community rejects intolerance. We strive to build a society where every individual can live free from fear, said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
ANN ARBOR, MI -- The person who sent a threatening email to an Ann Arbor school has been identified as a student, school officials said.

The email was sent to Greenhills School, 850 Greenhills Drive in Ann Arbor, prompting it to close Jan. 24-25, Peter Fayroian, head of the school, said in an email sent to parents Thursday night, Jan. 25.

The sender of the emails meant only to disrupt and to close the school, with no intention or plan to cause physical harm to any person or persons, Fayroian wrote, citing police who investigated the incident.

The student is no longer enrolled in the school, Fayroian said. Officials declined to release how old the student is.

Read more: Threatening email closes Ann Arbor school for 2 days

The email, sent late in the evening on Tuesday, Jan. 23, threatened both a bombing and a shooting at the school, a school official confirmed.

Although the threat did not appear to be credible, Fayroian previously said, officials decided to close school Wednesday and Thursday and contact police.

Fayroian thanked Ann Arbor police, the FBI and University of Michigan for their help with the investigation.

Most importantly, the authorities have made it very clear that they believe the young person neither was nor is a danger to themselves or anyone else, Fayroian said. And I know you join me in being buoyed by my report that the family of this young person is, while sad, eager to support their child with the resources necessary for growth and continued development.

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FLINT, MI -- An Alabama man pleaded guilty this month to federal charges in the case stemming from his involvement in a murder-for-hire scheme in Flint.

Reginald L. Hunter, 27, appeared before U.S. District Court Judge F. Kay Behm and pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and murder-for-hire, according to federal court records.
MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI -- A week after a judge determined Ottawa County would not be liable for a $4 million settlement with its health officer, legal wrangling continues in the case.

The attorney for Health Officer Adeline Hambley has filed motions, asking Muskegon County Circuit Court Judge Jenny McNeill to unseal information from a Jan. 19 evidentiary hearing.
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  A man accused of throwing hot coffee at a gas-station clerks face on Christmas morning has been charged with unarmed robbery, sheriffs deputies said.

Austin Buter, 22, of Zeeland Township, was arraigned Thursday, Jan. 24, in Holland District Court.

He allegedly entered Oasis Mobil Mart, on Adams Street near 96th Avenue in Holland Township, around 12:40 a.m. on Dec. 25.

He approached the clerk then threw a cup of hot coffee in her face and grabbed cash from the register, police said. He fled with an undisclosed amount of money, police said.

Ottawa County sheriffs deputies arrested Buter earlier this week without incident.

The victim, a 45-year-old woman, has made a full recovery, police said.

Holland District Judge Bradley Knoll set bond at $25,000.

The unarmed-robbery charge carries a potential 15-year prison sentence but the maximum could be higher because Buter is charged as a fourth-offense habitual offender.
JACKSON, MI  In September of 2023, Jackson resident Danielle Hintons car broke down, leaving her to find a new way to take her kids to school, drop them off at practices and run occasional errands.

She ended up borrowing a friends car, but promised her family she would try to find a new car very soon. Finding a reliable and affordable vehicle proved to be difficult.

That was until November, when a coworker told her about Ultimate Auto Repairs annual Christmas Car Giveaway. She told some friends and other coworkers about the giveaway, asking them to nominate her for the care if they had the time.

Having nearly forgotten about the event, Hinton received an unexpected call in January while she was at work at Victorian Villa Assisted Living.

Hinton was sitting and watching TV with the residents, when Ultimate Auto Repair owners Karl Roekle told her she was selected as the winner of the free vehicle, she said.

I was like, Oh my gosh, and then I started crying and freaking out, Hinton said. Im forever grateful and thankful.

Hinton is the sixth annual winner of Ultimate Auto Repairs Christmas Car Giveaway event. The event started as a way for the repair shop to give back to its community and has become a yearly tradition, Roekle said.

Each year, Ultimate Auto Repair allows residents in Jackson County to nominate themselves or a loved one to be considered to win a free car. A panel of judges, often local business owners in the area, look through nomination letters to decide who should win the car.

There are only two rules to submit a nomination: the resident must be of Jackson County, and they must be in need of a hand up, not a handout, he said. Roekle stays out of the judging process to remain unbiased, he added.

(They choose) someone who legitimately fell on hard times, and for one reason or another, didnt have transportation that needed it, Roekle said.

In 2023, Ultimate Auto Repair received around 150 nominations, making it difficult to choose a winner. However, selecting Hinton was an easy choice after looking through her nominations from friends and coworkers, Roekles wife Diana Roekle said.

The people that talked about her just talked about how caring and compassionate (she is), Diana said.

The nominations discussed how Hinton cares deeply about her children, shes always there to help her friends and shes a passionate and hard worker at her job at Victorian Villa Assisted Living, she added.

Hinton was handed over the keys to a free 2013 Hyundai Azera around a week ago. Previously, she was driving a 2008 Chevy Malibu, a vehicle she described as unreliable and an A to B type of vehicle.

The first thing she did with the new vehicle is take it for a drive around town. Hinton is especially excited to be able to take the car out of town as well, she said.

I love my kids, I love doing things and Im more excited because we do a lot of stuff in the summer, Hinton said. We go camping, we go to different lakes and were into sports, Detroit Pistons games, the Lions. So, just being able to do that stuff with the kids, Im excited.

Hinton lives within walking distance of her job, but now she will be able to drive herself to work, she said. She also plans to use the car to pick her kids up from school or take them to friends houses.

Hinton said she is thankful for Ultimate Auto Repair for choosing her to receive the vehicle. It means she is now able to spend more time with her kids, and maybe save some money to buy a house, instead of paying for a car payment, she said.

Regardless of what kind of car it is, a van, bus or truck, I was thankful for that, Hinton said.

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MUSKEGON, MI  A large West Michigan homebuilder plans to build 36 rental houses on lots scattered throughout the city of Muskegon that will be affordable to working class families.

The plan by Allen Edwin Homes of Portage is the latest development in a significant push by the city to increase its housing stock. A study released last year found there is a need for 3,000 additional housing units in the city over the next five years.
MID-MICHIGAN  The Michigan State Police have launched a landing page for those interested in supporting the family of Trooper Joel Popp, who died Wednesday evening, Jan. 24, while in the line of duty.

Popp, 39, was struck by a vehicle driven by an 81-year-old man while conducting a traffic stop on northbound I-75, near Birch Run Road. He leaves behind a wife and 8-year-old daughter.

This is a message none of us wishes to deliver. With a very heavy heart I confirm the death of one of our own, Tpr. Joel Popp, Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP, said in a statement. I ask that you please keep his family, fellow troopers and all whose lives he has touched in your thoughts.

MSP announced Thursday that the agency had created a webpage for Popp in case anyone wanted to send their condolences or donations to his family.

According to the website, notes of condolences can be sent to:

Michigan State Police Directors Office

Attn: Heather Luebs

7150 Harris Drive

Lansing, MI 48909

Those interested in making monetary donations to the Popp family can do so through the Michigan State Troopers Assistance Fund. In the tribute section, note that the donation is for the Popp family.

Another way to support the family is through holdthelineshop.com, which MSP officials said is operated by a family with ties to the state police.

The website lists memorial hooded sweatshirts, T-shirts and other items for Popp, with all proceeds going to his family.

Popp joined the MSP on Jan. 26, 2020, when he was 35. He graduated as a member of the 137th Trooper Recruit School and served at the Tri-City Post his entire career.

Popp and his wife were wed at Saginaws Montague Inn in 2008. The family resided in Frankenmuth Township, with their daughter being named Little Miss Saginaw County in September.

MSP officials said the landing page made for Popp will eventually be updated when funeral arrangements have been made.
SAGINAW, MI  Its uncommon for someone at age 35 to shift careers and become a police officer. Yet, that is the path taken by Joel E. Popp, as he was moved to better his community.

Especially in todays day and age, we didnt recruit him  he came to us, said Michigan State Police 1st Lt. Eric Wilber, adding the average age of new troopers is 22 to 24. That says a lot about him, his character, and his willingness to serve.

Popp, a Bridgeport Township native and avid outdoorsman, joined the MSP on Jan. 26, 2020, and graduated as a member of the 137th Trooper Recruit School that June. He served at the Tri-City Post his entire career, until he was killed in a collision on Interstate 75 while investigating a suspected impaired driver on Wednesday, Jan. 24.

Before becoming an officer, Popp worked in the private sector as a commercial driver, Wilber said.

He probably saw a lot of trooper exposure in Saginaw and wanted a change of pace, so he came to us, Wilber said.

Popp is survived by his wife, Stefanie, and 8-year-old daughter, who in September was named Little Miss Saginaw County. The Popps, who reside in Frankenmuth Township, have served as foster parents in the past, another testament to Popps nature, Wilber said.

He was an all-around good guy, who came to a lot of events at the post with his family, said Wilber, who is the commander of the Tri-City Post. He was a family man. He flew under radar, in a good way, and kept to himself. I literally never had a complaint filed against him. He was just a genuine person.

Michigan State Police Trooper Joel Popp, 39, died Wednesday after he was struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop.Michigan State Police

Its an assessment seconded by Assistant Post Commander Lt. James Lang.

He was a kind-hearted individual who really tried to make Saginaw a better place, Lang said.

Popps primary assignment was patrolling Saginaw streets as part of the citys Secure Cities Partnership. In this capacity, Popp was involved in several critical incidents over the years, Wilber said.

The MSP has been in contact with Popps family, and funeral services are being handled by Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, Wilber said. The service is planned for next week, though the date hasnt been set.

The service will likely take place within the Ryder Center at Saginaw Valley State University to accommodate the more than 1,000 people expected to attend. The service will feature a full honor guard at the familys request, Wilber said.

Wilber and Lang expressed their appreciation for the communitys outpouring of support. In particular, he singled out The 100 Club of Saginaw County, an organization of Saginaw area residents who contribute money each year for families of police officers, firefighters, and FBI and ATF agents who have been killed in the line of duty in Saginaw County.

They were one of the first entities that reached out to us and the family, Wilber said. Im extremely grateful for groups like theirs, what they represent, and what they do for us.

At 7:12 p.m. on Jan. 24, Popp and other troopers were investigating a suspected impaired driver stopped on northbound I-75 near Birch Run in a curved lane of travel. As Popp was outside his vehicle, a minivan driven by an 81-year-old man crashed into him and two patrol cars.

Popp was taken to Hurley Medical Center in Flint where he died of his injuries. The civilian driver had serious injuries but is expected to survive. No other troopers were injured.

The MSP has launched a landing page for those interested in supporting Popps family. Those interested in making monetary donations to the family can do so through the Michigan State Troopers Assistance Fund. In the tribute section, note that the donation is for the Popp family.

Notes of condolences can be sent to:

Michigan State Police Directors Office

Attn: Heather Luebs

7150 Harris Drive

Lansing, MI 48909

A GoFundMe page has also been started by a relative of Stefanie Popp, which has raised more than $16,000 as of 11:30 a.m. Friday. The MSP have encouraged donors to use their website to ensure a larger portion of the contributions go toward the family.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 26. Uzbekistan and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are implementing important projects in the field of energy, water supply, reconstruction of roads and railroads, as well as entrepreneurship development, Trend reports.

This was discussed during a meeting between president of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev with the bank's President Jin Liqun. Uzbek president visited the headquarters of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as part of the state visit to China.

The sides discussed topical aspects of further strategic partnership expansion.

Cooperation with the bank has reached an unprecedentedly high level in recent years. The portfolio of joint projects has exceeded $3 billion. The volume of attracted investments reached $1 billion in 2023.

The head of state spoke in favor of increasing the financing of projects for deep processing of strategic raw materials and implementation of socially important programs on the principles of public-private partnership.

As part of the ongoing structural reforms, Uzbekistan has adopted a joint program of cooperation until 2026 on the implementation of projects in priority areas.

Special attention was paid to the matters of supporting strategically important infrastructure projects in the Central Asian region.

The parties also discussed practical aspects of preparation and holding the annual meeting of Bank's Board of Governors in Samarkand on September this year.

Earlier, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has invested $25 million in Uzbek Industrial and Construction Bank (Uzpromstroybank) sustainability bonds.

The proceeds will be used to finance green projects, including ones to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ensure water security, support women-led initiatives, and finance small and medium-sized businesses.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Jason Howland, co-founder of American Patriot Council with friend and ex-GOP governor candidate, Ryan Kelley, was arrested in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot the day before Kelley was set for release from prison.

Howland, 47, of Clinton Township, is named in a criminal complaint alleging felony and misdemeanor charges in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.
Cincinnati Reds minor-league infielder Nick Quintana announced his retirement this week after battling injuries last season.

Quintana, 26, was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the second round (47th overall pick) of the 2019 draft after a college career at the Univerity of Arizona.

Quintana struggled to get on track after the 2020 minor-league season was canceled due to COVID, and the Tigers traded him to the Reds for catcher Tucker Barnhart after the 2021 season.

Quintana never advanced beyond the Class AA level with the Reds. He hit just .135 in 137 plate appearances with Double-A Chattanooga in 2023.

Despite missing on their second-round pick, the Tigers can still point to a fairly strong draft class in 2019.

Six players on the current 40-man roster were drafted in 2019: outfielders Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter; infielder Andre Lipcius; and right-handed pitchers Beau Brieske and Brendan White.
Masters of the Air premieres Friday, January 26 on Apple TV+. Stream the new period series for free with a week-long trial.

About the show:

Starring Barry Keoghan, Austin Butler, Ncuti Gatwa, and more, Masters of the Air follows the 100th Bomb Group, also known as the Bloody Hundredth, an airborne military squad charged with carrying out bombing missions during World War II.

Adapted from Donald L. Millers novel, the series details the horror the men endured while flying thousands of feet above Nazi Germany  harsh weather, in-flight combat situations, and watching their fellow soldiers get shot down, abducted, and disposed of  it all cleaved something from those who survived the war. Per Apple TV+ Press, Portraying the psychological and emotional price paid by these young men as they helped destroy the horror of Hitlers Third Reich, is at the heart of Masters of the Air.

Watch the Masters of the Air series premiere today on Apple TV+ (7 days free). For $9.99/month (after trial), subscribe and stream award-winning shows, movies, Apple TV originals, and more. Click here to get started
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 26. Uzbekistan and China signed an agreement to increase number of flights between the countries, Trend reports.

The agreement was signed as a result of negotiations held in Beijing between the delegation of Uzbekistan's Transport Ministry and the Aviation Administration of China.

The protocol of the agreement provides for increasing the number of flights between the parties to 100 per week (50 flights by airlines of both countries), changing the pre-established 7 cities for flight geography to a choice of an unlimited number of cities, as well as changing the number of serving 3 airlines to an unlimited number of airlines.

The agreement will enter into force after an additional meeting of the aviation administrations of the two countries in April this year upon completion of China's internal procedures in accordance with the country's legislation.

Meanwhile, Tajikistan's Somon Air has increased a number of flights to Uzbekistan.

Thus, flights from Dushanbe to Tashkent will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. All flights will be conducted using Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-900 aircrafts.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 26. Georgian Geo Sky airline has received permission to fly to Uzbekistan, Trend reports.

The operating permit was issued by Civil Aviation Agency under the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzaviation Agency) on January 25 on the basis of the intergovernmental agreement between the two countries on air communication.

The carrier will launch flights on the route Tbilisi - Tashkent - Tbilisi under the Georgian Wings brand.

The route will be served by Boeing 737-300 airplane, designed for 149 passengers. Flights between the capitals will be operated twice a week - on Tuesdays and Saturdays, starting February 20.

Geo Sky was founded in 2017. It is engaged in cargo transportation with specialization in flights between Europe and Southeast Asia, as well as passenger transportation between Georgia, Moldova, Azerbaijan and now Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's Centrum Air and Qanot Sharq airlines plan to launch flights to Chinese cities.

In the upcoming spring-summer season, flights between the countries will be operated on the directions Tashkent-Beijing, Tashkent-Xinyang and Tashkent-Chengdu.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 26. Russian Pobeda (Victory) airline plans to connect St. Petersburg and Samarkand with regular flights from February 16, 2024, Trend reports.

The air service on the route St. Petersburg - Samarkand - St. Petersburg is planned to be operated once a week - on Fridays, by Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

To date, the air carrier has successfully operated flights on a daily basis on the route Moscow - Samarkand - Moscow.

Pobeda is a Russian low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Aeroflot (Russian Airlines Group), headquartered at Vnukovo Airport (Moscow).

Meanwhile, Georgian Geo Sky airline has received permission to fly to Uzbekistan.

The carrier will launch flights on the route Tbilisi - Tashkent - Tbilisi under the Georgian Wings brand.
Abbas Ganbay

During the visit of a delegation headed by First Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev to Saudi Arabia, a number of meetings were held, as well as discussions on the development of partnerships in various directions, Azernews reports.

The meeting was held with the First Deputy Minister of Economy and Planning of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ammar Nagadi, and Deputy Minister for International Economic Affairs, Albara Alaskandarani.

In the meeting, it was stressed that economic relations with Saudi Arabia are developing and trade turnover is increasing. It was noted that the exchange of experience between the two countries in priority spheres of the economy, as well as in the field of social and economic programmes, will give impetus to the partnership.

The meeting stressed the importance of identifying priority areas for the development of cooperation in the private sector. The sides exchanged views on the agenda of our bilateral economic relations and the development of mutual investments.

The importance of developing mutual cooperation in various directions was highlighted at the meeting with Saudi Deputy Minister of Investment for International Partnership, Awad Mashni. Opportunities for effective cooperation with Saudi Arabia in trade, investments, energy, including green energy, infrastructure, reintegration projects implemented in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, tourism, and other spheres were noted.

At the meeting, information was presented on the favourable business environment in Azerbaijan, opportunities created for business, and Saudi investors were invited to active cooperation.

The sides discussed the expansion of investment partnerships in various spheres, possible joint projects, cooperation in construction, and other spheres.

At the meeting with Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development, information was presented on the work done in the direction of renewable energy in Azerbaijan, cooperation with "ACWA Power" company in this field, as well as the investment potential of the liberated territories. Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad noted the possibilities of realising joint projects with Azerbaijan.

The meeting considered issues of cooperation on financing projects in priority spheres in Azerbaijan.

At the meeting with Suleyman Alrumaih, CEO of Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC), information was presented on Azerbaijan's food security strategy, agricultural products, and the geography of their exports.

It was stated that our countries have wide opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of food security. It was noted that a number of measures have been taken in Azerbaijan to facilitate exports and trade, including the establishment of trade missions in foreign countries.

It was noted that Azerbaijan has great potential for investment in the agricultural sector, production, and export of strategic food products. In addition, information was also provided on transport, transit, tourism, and other opportunities in our country.

Presentations of business and investment opportunities in Azerbaijan, as well as information about SALIC subsidiaries in foreign countries and their production activities, were presented at the meeting. Besides, issues of the export of agricultural products of our country to the Saudi Arabian market and other possible areas of cooperation were discussed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. The latest press conference of Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan is regrettable, both in terms of content and tone, said spokesperson Maria Zakharova of the Russian Foreign Ministry during a weekly briefing, Trend reports.

"Rather than drawing realistic conclusions, especially from their own faults and miscalculations, there is another attempt to transfer all blame to Russia. This is baseless because these are the Armenian government's regretful mistakes, not ours. These comments contain distortions and factual manipulations in nearly every area, both in terms of relations with our side and the broader framework of Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization," she said.

Zakharova pointed out that Mirzoyan's interpretation of the events related to Yerevan's appeal to Russia and the CSTO during the escalation on the border in September 2022 does not align with reality.

Zakharova mentioned that if the Armenian side had not obstructed the process, the CSTO mission could have effectively operated on the ground in Armenia. However, they opted to bring in observers from the EU instead.

She added that the primary objective of the EU mission is to gather intelligence information.

In a recent press conference, Mirzoyan called on the Russian side to "accurately recount the chronology of events and establish a cause-and-effect relationship, rather than accusing Armenia of something it is not guilty of."
Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (OTCMKTS:BKKLY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 10,800 shares, an increase of 414.3% from the December 31st total of 2,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 19,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.6 days.

Bangkok Bank Public Stock Performance

OTCMKTS BKKLY remained flat at $20.50 during trading hours on Thursday. The company had a trading volume of 2,379 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,367. Bangkok Bank Public has a 52-week low of $19.63 and a 52-week high of $25.77. The businesss fifty day moving average is $22.03 and its 200 day moving average is $23.06.

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Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited provides various commercial banking products and services in Thailand and internationally. The company operates through Domestic Banking, International Banking, Investment Banking, and Others segments. It offers various personal banking products and services, including savings, current, fixed deposit, foreign currency, and other accounts; home and personal loans, as well as loans for pensioners; mutual funds; investments products and services, such as bonds and debentures, as well as agency services; life and non-life bancassurance products; payment, funds transfer, currency exchange and foreign instrument, and SMS services; debit, credit, and prepaid cards; and phone and Internet banking, mobile banking, ATMs, and other services.

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Bank of China Limited (OTCMKTS:BACHY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 40,200 shares, a decrease of 73.6% from the December 31st total of 152,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 74,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.5 days.

Bank of China Price Performance

Shares of Bank of China stock remained flat at $9.44 during trading on Thursday. The stock had a trading volume of 128,096 shares, compared to its average volume of 48,042. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 0.87. The company has a market capitalization of $111.16 billion, a PE ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 0.29. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $9.20 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $8.89. Bank of China has a 12-month low of $8.16 and a 12-month high of $10.87.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Bank of China from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st.

Bank of China Company Profile

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Bank of China Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking and financial services in Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and internationally. It operates through Corporate Banking, Personal Banking, Treasury Operations, Investment Banking, Insurance, and Other segments. The Corporate Banking segment provides current accounts, deposits, overdrafts, loans, payments and settlements, trade-related products, and other credit facilities, as well as foreign currency, derivative, and wealth management products for corporate customers, government authorities, and financial institutions.

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Boliden AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:BDNNY  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,600 shares, a decrease of 77.4% from the December 31st total of 15,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 18,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Boliden AB (publ) Trading Down 0.8 %

Shares of OTCMKTS:BDNNY traded down $0.43 on Thursday, hitting $53.60. 27,362 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 20,586. The firms 50-day moving average is $57.69 and its 200 day moving average is $55.80. Boliden AB has a 1-year low of $48.66 and a 1-year high of $92.60.

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Boliden AB (publ) engages in the exploring, extracting, and processing of base metals and precious metals in Sweden, other Nordic region, Germany, the United Kingdom, the rest of Europe, North America, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Business Area Mines and Business Area Smelters.

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Community Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE:CYH  Get Free Report) shot up 6% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $3.91 and last traded at $3.89. 2,270,597 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 15% from the average session volume of 1,979,256 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.67.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CYH has been the subject of a number of research reports. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of Community Health Systems from $7.00 to $6.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 30th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Community Health Systems from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Tuesday. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Community Health Systems from $5.00 to $3.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 20th. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Community Health Systems from $5.00 to $3.50 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $5.50.

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Community Health Systems Trading Up 6.8 %

The businesss fifty day moving average price is $3.10 and its 200 day moving average price is $3.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $536.26 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.69.

Community Health Systems (NYSE:CYH  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 25th. The company reported ($0.33) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.16) by ($0.17). The company had revenue of $3.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.04 billion. Community Health Systems had a negative return on equity of 5.51% and a net margin of 1.88%. Community Health Systemss revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.52) earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Community Health Systems, Inc. will post -0.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Wayne T. Smith acquired 1,000,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 31st. The stock was bought at an average price of $2.11 per share, with a total value of $2,110,000.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 5,107,901 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,777,671.11. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 9.90% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Community Health Systems

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of CYH. Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in shares of Community Health Systems by 364.7% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 8,824,501 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,122,000 after buying an additional 6,925,737 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in Community Health Systems by 3,799.4% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,887,785 shares of the companys stock worth $14,150,000 after buying an additional 2,813,728 shares during the period. Intrinsic Edge Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Community Health Systems in the second quarter worth $7,290,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in Community Health Systems by 558.7% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,750,920 shares of the companys stock worth $6,566,000 after buying an additional 1,485,122 shares during the period. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Community Health Systems in the third quarter worth $2,891,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.80% of the companys stock.

About Community Health Systems

(Get Free Report)

Community Health Systems, Inc owns, leases, and operates general acute care hospitals in the United States. It offers general acute care, emergency room, general and specialty surgery, critical care, internal medicine, obstetrics, diagnostic, psychiatric, and rehabilitation services, as well as skilled nursing and home care services.

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Curi Wealth Management LLC trimmed its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 5.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 34,829 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 2,185 shares during the period. Mastercard comprises about 2.0% of Curi Wealth Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th largest position. Curi Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $13,789,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Naviter Wealth LLC increased its stake in shares of Mastercard by 31.1% during the 2nd quarter. Naviter Wealth LLC now owns 4,582 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,802,000 after acquiring an additional 1,087 shares during the last quarter. Mendel Money Management increased its stake in shares of Mastercard by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. Mendel Money Management now owns 2,133 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $839,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. ARS Wealth Advisors Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Mastercard by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. ARS Wealth Advisors Group LLC now owns 24,680 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $9,707,000 after acquiring an additional 173 shares during the last quarter. Klingman & Associates LLC grew its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 5.9% during the 2nd quarter. Klingman & Associates LLC now owns 7,433 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $2,923,000 after purchasing an additional 411 shares during the period. Finally, Neo Ivy Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 2nd quarter worth about $1,196,000. 74.94% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Mastercard

In other news, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $425.00, for a total value of $1,700,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 6,235 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,649,875. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Mastercard news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $386.20, for a total value of $48,590,139.20. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 98,172,589 shares in the company, valued at $37,914,253,871.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $425.00, for a total value of $1,700,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 6,235 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,649,875. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 520,262 shares of company stock valued at $201,031,282. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Mastercard Stock Performance

NYSE MA traded down $1.90 on Thursday, hitting $436.80. The stock had a trading volume of 2,976,059 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,459,588. Mastercard Incorporated has a one year low of $340.21 and a one year high of $440.94. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24. The stock has a market cap of $409.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.10. The companys 50-day moving average is $419.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $405.46.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The credit services provider reported $3.39 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.21 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $6.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.53 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 44.85% and a return on equity of 188.83%. Mastercards quarterly revenue was up 13.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.68 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.17 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard declared that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Tuesday, December 5th that allows the company to buyback $11.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the credit services provider to reacquire up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 9th will be paid a $0.66 dividend. This is a positive change from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 8th. Mastercards dividend payout ratio is currently 23.00%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on MA. Seaport Res Ptn reiterated a buy rating on shares of Mastercard in a report on Thursday, October 12th. KeyCorp boosted their target price on Mastercard from $430.00 to $475.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 8th. HSBC began coverage on Mastercard in a report on Friday, October 13th. They set a hold rating and a $424.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com started coverage on Mastercard in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on Mastercard from $441.00 to $432.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Mastercard presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $461.90.

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About Mastercard

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services.

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Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI lowered its holdings in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR  Free Report) by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 47,000 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 315 shares during the period. Danaher comprises 0.9% of Parsons Capital Management Inc. RIs holdings, making the stock its 21st biggest holding. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RIs holdings in Danaher were worth $11,661,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in DHR. AXS Investments LLC raised its stake in Danaher by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. AXS Investments LLC now owns 2,780 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $667,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Plimoth Trust Co. LLC raised its stake in shares of Danaher by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Plimoth Trust Co. LLC now owns 1,720 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $413,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Hawaii raised its stake in shares of Danaher by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Hawaii now owns 12,578 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $3,019,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC raised its stake in shares of Danaher by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC now owns 2,729 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $655,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV grew its position in shares of Danaher by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 6,064 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,779,000 after acquiring an additional 46 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.71% of the companys stock.

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Danaher Price Performance

Shares of Danaher stock traded down $1.25 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $227.36. 3,468,288 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,850,228. The company has a market cap of $168.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a current ratio of 2.26, a quick ratio of 1.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $225.92 and a 200 day simple moving average of $231.91. Danaher Co. has a fifty-two week low of $182.09 and a fifty-two week high of $242.23.

Danaher Cuts Dividend

Danaher ( NYSE:DHR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The conglomerate reported $2.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.19. Danaher had a net margin of 20.01% and a return on equity of 13.71%. The firm had revenue of $6.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.60 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.56 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 10.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Danaher Co. will post 7.39 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 29th will be given a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.42%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 28th. Danahers dividend payout ratio is presently 12.11%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

DHR has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Barclays cut Danaher from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $240.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Wednesday. HSBC assumed coverage on shares of Danaher in a research report on Monday, December 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. TheStreet raised shares of Danaher from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Friday, December 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Danaher from $250.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Finally, Raymond James reduced their price target on shares of Danaher from $250.00 to $240.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Danaher has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $261.07.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on DHR

Danaher Company Profile

(Free Report)

Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes and services; and healthcare filtration solutions.

Further Reading

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EDP  Energias de Portugal, S.A. (OTCMKTS:EDPFY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 6,100 shares, an increase of 577.8% from the December 31st total of 900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 24,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days.

EDP  Energias de Portugal Stock Performance

Shares of EDPFY traded down $0.51 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $45.97. The company had a trading volume of 22,965 shares, compared to its average volume of 18,887. EDP  Energias de Portugal has a 52 week low of $37.25 and a 52 week high of $57.63. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $48.57 and a 200 day moving average price of $45.68.

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About EDP  Energias de Portugal

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EDP  Energias de Portugal, SA engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and supply of electricity in Portugal, Spain, France, Poland, Romania, Italy, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Greece, Colombia, Brazil, North America, and internationally. It operates through Renewables, Networks, and Client Solutions & Energy Management segments.

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Euro Pacific Asset Management LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas S.A. (NYSE:CCU  Free Report) by 25.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 234,069 shares of the companys stock after selling 80,673 shares during the quarter. Euro Pacific Asset Management LLC owned approximately 0.13% of Compania Cervecerias Unidas worth $2,954,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in CCU. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas during the first quarter worth $26,000. American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 12.3% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 26,174 shares of the companys stock valued at $392,000 after purchasing an additional 2,861 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its stake in Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 11.0% in the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 192,041 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,873,000 after purchasing an additional 18,967 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its stake in Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 13.2% in the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 461,665 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,907,000 after purchasing an additional 54,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 22.3% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 29,938 shares of the companys stock valued at $448,000 after purchasing an additional 5,468 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 18.24% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Compania Cervecerias Unidas in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. They issued a buy rating and a $15.22 target price on the stock. StockNews.com raised Compania Cervecerias Unidas from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on Compania Cervecerias Unidas from $14.80 to $12.90 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. HSBC upgraded Compania Cervecerias Unidas from a hold rating to a buy rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $18.00 to $15.00 in a report on Friday, October 27th. Finally, Bank of America lowered Compania Cervecerias Unidas from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their target price for the company from $20.00 to $11.70 in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $13.71.

Compania Cervecerias Unidas Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of CCU traded up $0.08 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $12.12. 118,724 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 169,860. The company has a quick ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 2.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88. Compania Cervecerias Unidas S.A. has a 1 year low of $10.82 and a 1 year high of $17.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.57, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.94. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $12.53 and its 200-day moving average price is $13.40.

Compania Cervecerias Unidas (NYSE:CCU  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 8th. The company reported $0.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $824.01 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $888.41 million. Compania Cervecerias Unidas had a return on equity of 7.46% and a net margin of 3.88%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Compania Cervecerias Unidas S.A. will post 0.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Compania Cervecerias Unidas Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, January 1st were given a dividend of $0.1146 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 22nd. This represents a dividend yield of 3.3%. This is a boost from Compania Cervecerias Unidass previous semi-annual dividend of $0.03. Compania Cervecerias Unidass dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.74%.

About Compania Cervecerias Unidas

(Free Report)

Compania Cervecerias Unidas SA operates as a beverage company in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The company operates through three segments: Chile, International Business, and Wine. It produces and sells alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer under proprietary and licensed brands, as well as distributes Pernod Ricard products in non-supermarket retail stores.

Further Reading

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Greggs plc (OTCMKTS:GGGSF  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 500 shares, a growth of 400.0% from the December 31st total of 100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.4 days.

Greggs Stock Performance

GGGSF remained flat at $31.20 during midday trading on Thursday. Greggs has a 52-week low of $31.20 and a 52-week high of $31.20. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $31.17 and its 200 day simple moving average is $31.69.

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About Greggs

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Greggs plc operates as a food-on-the-go retailer in the United Kingdom. It offers a range of fresh and frozen bakery products, sandwiches, and drinks. The company sells products to franchise and wholesale partners for sale in their own outlets. It is also involved in the property holding, non-trading, and trustee businesses.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. The Governor of Texas activated Article 1 of Section 10, Paragraph 3 of the US Constitution, which allows to declare martial law in the state and act without regard to the federal government, The Economist said, Trend reports.

A state can now bypass US President Joe Biden by requesting assistance from other states or even foreign countries. Some other US states have already expressed support and willingness to send aid.

On January 22, the US Supreme Court supported Biden in a dispute with Texas and declared the actions of state security forces to capture migrants unconstitutional. The court also gave federal authorities the right to demolish border barriers that were erected on the orders of state authorities. However, Texas refuses to comply with the court's decision.

On January 23, the US Department of the Interior demanded that the Texas National Guard provide federal security forces with access to the refugee accommodation facility, but Governor Abbott refused to comply with the demand.
Imperial Brands PLC (OTCMKTS:IMBBY  Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $22.77 and traded as high as $24.45. Imperial Brands shares last traded at $24.43, with a volume of 2,385,779 shares traded.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Citigroup raised Imperial Brands from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 6th. Royal Bank of Canada cut Imperial Brands from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, December 8th.

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Imperial Brands Price Performance

Imperial Brands Increases Dividend

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $23.70 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $22.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a current ratio of 0.72.

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 16th will be paid a $0.6544 dividend. This is a boost from Imperial Brandss previous dividend of $0.64. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 15th.

About Imperial Brands

(Get Free Report)

Imperial Brands PLC, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, imports, markets, and sells tobacco and tobacco-related products in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. It offers a range of cigarettes, tobacco accessories, vapour, heated tobacco, and oral nicotine. The company sells its products under various brands, including JPS, Davidoff, Gauloises, West, Winston, Kool, Lambert & Butler, Fortuna, Nobel, News, Backwoods, Champion, Golden Virginia, Rizla, Blu, Pulze, Skruf, and Zone X.

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Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF (NYSEARCA:XMHQ  Get Free Report) shares saw an uptick in trading volume on Thursday . 1,073,535 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 291% from the previous sessions volume of 274,428 shares.The stock last traded at $90.53 and had previously closed at $90.20.

Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF Stock Up 0.6 %

The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $86.64 and a 200-day simple moving average of $83.09. The company has a market capitalization of $1.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.13 and a beta of 1.03.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 76,493 shares of the companys stock worth $5,779,000 after purchasing an additional 3,235 shares during the last quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF by 33.7% in the 1st quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,062 shares of the companys stock valued at $836,000 after acquiring an additional 2,791 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in shares of Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 43,442 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,282,000 after purchasing an additional 420 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new position in shares of Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $1,900,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new position in shares of Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $122,000.

Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF Company Profile

The Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF (XMHQ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P MidCap 400 Quality index. The fund tracks the S&P mid-cap 400 Quality Index, which screens stocks based on fundamental factors and weights them using a multi-factor approach. XMHQ was launched on Dec 1, 2006 and is managed by Invesco.

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Leelyn Smith LLC cut its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 2.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,576 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 201 shares during the period. Mastercard accounts for about 0.9% of Leelyn Smith LLCs holdings, making the stock its 20th biggest position. Leelyn Smith LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $3,791,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard in the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. GeoWealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Mastercard during the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. Hibernia Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Mastercard during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Bollard Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Mascoma Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard during the third quarter worth about $38,000. 74.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Mastercard Stock Down 0.4 %

MA stock traded down $1.90 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $436.80. 2,976,059 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,459,588. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $419.92 and a 200-day moving average price of $405.46. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12-month low of $340.21 and a 12-month high of $440.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $409.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24.

Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The credit services provider reported $3.39 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.21 by $0.18. Mastercard had a net margin of 44.85% and a return on equity of 188.83%. The firm had revenue of $6.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.53 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.68 EPS. The firms revenue was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.17 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, December 5th that authorizes the company to buyback $11.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the credit services provider to buy up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally a sign that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 8th. This is a boost from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.60%. Mastercards dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.00%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $386.20, for a total transaction of $48,590,139.20. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 98,172,589 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $37,914,253,871.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 98 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $439.52, for a total transaction of $43,072.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 6,235 shares in the company, valued at $2,740,407.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $386.20, for a total transaction of $48,590,139.20. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 98,172,589 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $37,914,253,871.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 520,262 shares of company stock valued at $201,031,282 over the last 90 days. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on MA shares. Mizuho upped their price objective on Mastercard from $420.00 to $462.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Mastercard from $479.00 to $470.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 30th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an outperform rating and set a $475.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Tuesday, December 5th. Tigress Financial upped their price target on Mastercard from $476.00 to $495.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Mastercard from $433.00 to $482.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Mastercard presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $461.90.

View Our Latest Research Report on Mastercard

About Mastercard

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services.

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Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI raised its position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 0.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 81,908 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after purchasing an additional 375 shares during the period. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RIs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $7,933,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Eley Financial Management Inc grew its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 0.9% during the second quarter. Eley Financial Management Inc now owns 10,594 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $1,155,000 after purchasing an additional 94 shares during the period. Patriot Investment Management Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Patriot Investment Management Group Inc. now owns 3,236 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $356,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Camden National Bank boosted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. Camden National Bank now owns 4,637 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $506,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Carlson Capital Management grew its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 0.8% during the second quarter. Carlson Capital Management now owns 12,886 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,405,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the period. Finally, Oxbow Advisors LLC increased its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 1.2% in the second quarter. Oxbow Advisors LLC now owns 8,350 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $910,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.70% of the companys stock.

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Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 1.6 %

NYSE ABT traded up $1.73 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $112.50. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,648,684 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,189,615. Abbott Laboratories has a 52 week low of $89.67 and a 52 week high of $115.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.74 and a quick ratio of 1.23. The stock has a market cap of $195.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.27, a P/E/G ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.73. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $108.35 and a 200-day simple moving average of $103.74.

Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.19. The company had revenue of $10.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.19 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 12.92% and a return on equity of 20.15%. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.03 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 12th will be given a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.96%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 11th. This is an increase from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is currently 74.83%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently weighed in on ABT. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $128.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday. UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $118.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 19th. TheStreet raised Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $120.00 to $112.00 in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $119.75.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Abbott Laboratories

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total transaction of $1,620,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,022,916. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

About Abbott Laboratories

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI decreased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 2.0% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 27,101 shares of the companys stock after selling 566 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company makes up approximately 1.2% of Parsons Capital Management Inc. RIs portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest position. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RIs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $14,557,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Thompson Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the third quarter valued at about $27,000. Retirement Group LLC boosted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 159.1% during the second quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 57 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the second quarter valued at about $33,000. Legacy Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the third quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Activest Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter worth about $40,000. Institutional investors own 81.38% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have weighed in on LLY. Barclays raised their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $630.00 to $680.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and issued a $650.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $630.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday, November 8th. Finally, UBS Group restated a buy rating and issued a $710.00 price objective (up from $612.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Friday, October 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $589.90.

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

Shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock traded down $5.96 on Thursday, reaching $627.74. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,407,030 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,948,765. The company has a market capitalization of $595.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 113.72, a PEG ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.31. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52-week low of $309.20 and a 52-week high of $647.73. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $600.22 and a 200-day moving average price of $562.39. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.08) by $0.18. The business had revenue of $9.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.88 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 48.12% and a net margin of 15.55%. Analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 6.54 EPS for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be given a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 14th. This is a boost from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.83%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 81.88%.

Insider Activity

In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 34,538 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $631.81, for a total value of $21,821,453.78. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 99,719,884 shares of the companys stock, valued at $63,004,019,910.04. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Eli Lilly and Company news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total transaction of $382,637.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 4,708 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,688,738.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 34,538 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $631.81, for a total value of $21,821,453.78. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 99,719,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $63,004,019,910.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 63,120 shares of company stock worth $39,862,068 over the last three months. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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Shares of Petards Group plc (LON:PEG  Get Free Report) dropped 3.8% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as GBX 2.51 ($0.03) and last traded at GBX 3.75 ($0.05). Approximately 117,864 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 7% from the average daily volume of 110,270 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 3.90 ($0.05).

Petards Group Trading Down 3.8 %

The stock has a market cap of 2.12 million, a P/E ratio of 475.00 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a current ratio of 2.19, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65. The stocks fifty day moving average price is GBX 4.49 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 5.85.

About Petards Group

(Get Free Report)

Petards Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, supplies, and maintains technologies used in advanced security, surveillance, and ruggedized electronic applications in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. It offers rail technology solutions, such as eyeTrain, a solution for digital on-train surveillance subsystem; and RTS, a solution that provides safety for railway infrastructures by supporting rail companies and sub-contractors with resources, assets, safety, and failure management software.

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Euro Pacific Asset Management LLC lowered its position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 1.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 156,326 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,502 shares during the period. Philip Morris International comprises approximately 3.4% of Euro Pacific Asset Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 8th largest position. Euro Pacific Asset Management LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $14,495,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. acquired a new position in Philip Morris International in the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. Spotlight Asset Group Inc. acquired a new position in Philip Morris International in the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. Legacy Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Philip Morris International in the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, VitalStone Financial LLC raised its holdings in Philip Morris International by 950.0% in the 2nd quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC now owns 420 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 380 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.70% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PM has been the subject of several analyst reports. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $113.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $114.00 price target on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Redburn Atlantic started coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, November 16th. They issued a neutral rating and a $95.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $111.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $108.65.

Philip Morris International Price Performance

Philip Morris International stock traded up $0.32 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $91.20. The stock had a trading volume of 7,212,561 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,521,283. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $93.62 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $94.10. Philip Morris International Inc. has a twelve month low of $87.23 and a twelve month high of $105.62. The firm has a market cap of $141.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.72, a PEG ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 0.67.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 21st were given a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 20th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.70%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is 100.97%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Philip Morris International news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.25, for a total value of $942,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 198,447 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,703,629.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Philip Morris International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Shenzhou International Group Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS:SHZHY  Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,100 shares, a growth of 1,266.7% from the December 31st total of 300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 65,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Shenzhou International Group Stock Performance

Shenzhou International Group stock remained flat at $9.28 during trading hours on Thursday. 31,292 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 37,855. The firms fifty day moving average price is $9.91 and its 200-day moving average price is $9.84. Shenzhou International Group has a 52-week low of $7.77 and a 52-week high of $13.83.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of Shenzhou International Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 6th.

Shenzhou International Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, manufactures, processes, and sells knitwear products in Mainland China, European Union, the United States, Japan, and internationally. It produces and sells sportswear, casual wear, and lingerie wear. The company is also involved in the import and export of commodities; print and sale of knitwear products; aircraft leasing; and property management activities.

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TELUS International (Cda) Inc. (TSE:TIXT  Get Free Report) shot up 1% on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as C$12.18 and last traded at C$11.95. 97,541 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 32% from the average session volume of 142,618 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$11.83.

TELUS International (Cda) Stock Down 2.3 %

The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 90.14. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of C$10.88 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$11.14. The firm has a market capitalization of C$867.28 million, a P/E ratio of 45.08 and a beta of 0.85.

About TELUS International (Cda)

(Get Free Report)

TELUS International (Cda) Inc design, builds, and delivers digital solutions for customer experience (CX) in Europe, North America, the Asia-Pacific, and the Central America. The company provides digital experience solutions, such as AI and bots, omnichannel CX, enterprise mobility solutions, cloud contact center, big data analytics, platform transformation, and UX/UI design; and customer experience solutions, including work anywhere/work from home, contact center outsourcing, technical support, sales growth and customer retention, healthcare/patient experience, and debt collection.

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Aldebaran Financial Inc. decreased its position in shares of The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Free Report) by 18.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,867 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,100 shares during the period. Aldebaran Financial Inc.s holdings in Southern were worth $315,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Southern in the second quarter valued at $27,000. Intrepid Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Southern in the second quarter valued at $30,000. Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. bought a new position in shares of Southern in the second quarter valued at $34,000. VitalStone Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Southern in the second quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, RVW Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Southern in the third quarter valued at $35,000. Institutional investors own 62.85% of the companys stock.

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Southern Price Performance

SO stock traded up $1.04 during trading on Thursday, hitting $69.24. The company had a trading volume of 3,897,746 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,144,785. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $70.51 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $69.16. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59. The company has a market cap of $75.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.00, a P/E/G ratio of 4.30 and a beta of 0.53. The Southern Company has a fifty-two week low of $61.56 and a fifty-two week high of $75.80.

Southern Announces Dividend

Southern ( NYSE:SO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.42 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $6.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.38 billion. Southern had a net margin of 11.60% and a return on equity of 10.26%. Equities research analysts expect that The Southern Company will post 3.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th will be given a $0.70 dividend. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.04%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 16th. Southerns payout ratio is presently 101.08%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Southern

In other news, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,099 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.96, for a total value of $706,526.04. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 28,691 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,007,222.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Southern news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.39, for a total value of $341,950.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 111,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,610,712.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,099 shares of Southern stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.96, for a total transaction of $706,526.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 28,691 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,007,222.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 35,099 shares of company stock worth $2,458,476. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on SO. Citigroup started coverage on Southern in a report on Friday, December 8th. They set a buy rating and a $82.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Southern from $66.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Guggenheim decreased their price objective on Southern from $80.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Monday, October 9th. BMO Capital Markets upgraded Southern from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $72.00 to $77.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Southern from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $74.00.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Southern

Southern Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It operates through three segments: Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Pipeline Investments, and Gas Marketing Services. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi told reporters he planned to visit "Zaporozhye <> Kiev and Russia" within the next ten days, Trend reports.

"I prepare to return to Zaporozhye, within the next ten days or so I will be there, [and] also in Kiev and Russia," the official told reporters after taking part in a UN Security Council briefing about the situation at the Zapororzhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

Grossi said he planned to meet with representatives of Russias state-run nuclear corporation Rosatom during his upcoming visit.

Later, the official told reporters that he was planning to visit Moscow to engage in "political and technical dialogue."
Leelyn Smith LLC boosted its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 5.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,878 shares of the medical research companys stock after acquiring an additional 290 shares during the period. Leelyn Smith LLCs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $2,975,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TMO. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 140.6% in the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 91,666 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $46,399,000 after buying an additional 53,563 shares during the period. Kavar Capital Partners Group LLC grew its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. Kavar Capital Partners Group LLC now owns 29,589 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $14,977,000 after acquiring an additional 220 shares in the last quarter. Wilbanks Smith & Thomas Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter. Wilbanks Smith & Thomas Asset Management LLC now owns 2,290 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,159,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. Ieq Capital LLC grew its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 3.6% during the 3rd quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 34,984 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $17,708,000 after acquiring an additional 1,230 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Breakwater Capital Group acquired a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $234,000. 87.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. Raymond James decreased their price target on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $580.00 to $515.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 26th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $640.00 to $600.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $670.00 to $630.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 17th. Citigroup raised their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $530.00 to $575.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a market perform rating on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Monday, January 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $595.76.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Trading Down 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE TMO traded down $1.65 on Thursday, reaching $538.34. 1,748,005 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,961,863. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $415.60 and a fifty-two week high of $597.54. The company has a 50 day moving average of $517.27 and a 200 day moving average of $512.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $208.00 billion, a PE ratio of 35.28, a P/E/G ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 25th. The medical research company reported $5.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.61 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $10.57 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.60 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 13.68% and a return on equity of 18.88%. The firms revenue was down 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $5.08 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Investors of record on Friday, December 15th were issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.26%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 14th. Thermo Fisher Scientifics payout ratio is 9.17%.

Thermo Fisher Scientific declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, November 14th that allows the company to repurchase $4.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the medical research company to reacquire up to 2.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Thermo Fisher Scientific

In related news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $454.41, for a total value of $4,544,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 131,175 shares of the companys stock, valued at $59,607,231.75. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Company Profile

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the United States and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, clinical next-generation sequencing, bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TMO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report).

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. US President Joe Biden's administration has announced a temporary pause on pending decisions of LNG exports, Trend reports.

According to the White House, this will come along with the exception of unanticipated and immediate national security emergencies.

"During this period, we will take a hard look at the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs, Americas energy security, and our environment. This pause on new LNG approvals sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time," Biden's statement reads.

President Biden also pinted out that the US on an unprecedented course to tackle the climate crisis "at home and abroad".

Meanwhile, according to Kpler, the United States shipped out 86 million tons of LNG last year, boosted by the commencement of Calcasieu Pass LNG and the resumption of production at Freeport LNG. In December 2023, monthly LNG exports hit a record high of 8.6 million tons.
Meghna Mittal MEGHNA MITTAL is Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 26. The US authorities have demanded that the state of Texas allow federal agents to access the section of the border with Mexico by the end of Friday to dismantle the barriers, according to a letter from the country's Department of Homeland Security, Trend reports.

The document is based on a ruling of the US Supreme Court.

Authorities have clarified that they need access to the Shelby Park area, which is currently being blocked by Texas. At the same time, the department did not specify what measures will be taken in case of non-compliance with the order.

The Texas National Guard previously took control of a section of the border between the United States and Mexico, which displeased the White House. Access to federal border service employees was blocked. This comes amid an uncontrolled flow of migrants into the state.

Lieutenant Governor of the state Dan Patrick later noted that the biggest mistake that US President Joe Biden could make is to confront Texas security forces and authorities. He also called on the head of state to get out of the way and not interfere with border protection. According to him, the state will do its job no matter what, and he does not need federal power.
Karishma Vaswani is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Jitender Bhargava is Former Air India executive director and also the author of the book 'Descent of Air India'
Andy Mukherjee is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies and financial services. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Vaishali Nigam Sinha is Co-founder and Chairperson of Sustainability at ReNew. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
As you already know, RALF TECH does nothing like other watch brands. But really nothing!

Back in 2022, when China and Chinese communities around the world were celebrating the Chinese New Year and, more specifically, the Year of the Tiger, the French watchmaker launched an ultra-limited series of 8 dragon-themed timepieces entitled "En attendant l'annee du Dragon" (Waiting for the Year of the Dragon)!

But in 2024, the temptation was too strong... Because according to the Chinese zodiac based on the lunar calendar, 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon. And, exceptionally, we decided to follow the lead of other watch brands by launching two series on the theme of Asian dragons.

2024 marks the return of the Dragon. After a 12-year absence from the Chinese calendar, this celestial creature returns. Associated with prosperity, symbolizing luck, strength and wisdom, the dragon is also an imperial emblem, embodying life and immortality.

Corresponding to the year 4722 on the Chinese calendar, the year 2024 celebrates the wooden dragon. And we've decided to decorate the dial base of our new WRX Automatic "Dragon" with a warm brown color reminiscent of this material.

WRX Automatic "Black Dragon"  Ralf Tech

In popular culture, the dragon is the mark of strong, courageous and virile men, but also the attribute of benevolence, prosperity and good luck. Dragons in Asian mythology are bearers of good news.

Thus, 2024 - or the Year of the Dragon - is also imbued with special significance, reminding the Chinese of their cultural heritage and underlining the importance of balancing tradition and renewal.

Named "Black Dragon" and "Golden Dragon", these new versions revisit the 2022 WRX Automatic "Dragon", adding new colors and finishes while retaining the spirit of the 2022 model. A balance between tradition and renewal, as we saw earlier.

Based on the WRX Automatic series, the "Dragon" is distinguished by new technical features never before seen at RALF TECH.

Equipped with the traditional Swiss movement RTA001 on an ETA 2824-2 base, the WRX Automatic "Dragon" proudly displays a matte dial depicting a traditional Chinese dragon.

WRX Automatic "Golden Dragon"  Ralf Tech

Their bezels, now in Ceramfine (a ceramic/titanium alloy), echo the case colors.

Another special feature is the case backs, decorated with the same dragon finely chiselled in steel, and indicating the number of the piece in the series.

And while we're on the subject of series, and limited series at that, the WRX Automatic "Black Dragon" is a one-off made at the request of a discerning collector, while the "Golden Dragon" series features the magic number 8, a symbol of infinity and success.

The new WRX Dragons are both ultra-elitist and bearers of universal values. They will undoubtedly bring good luck to their future owners.

The WRX Automatic "Dragon" will be available from February 2, 2024 in boutiques and at www.ralftech.com

WRX Automatic "Black Dragon", unique piece,  5,000

WRX Automatic "Golden Dragon", 8 pieces,  4,500
The 40-year-old son of Ukraine's traitor Taisiya Povaliy, musician Denis Povaliy, began to ask from abroad how to sell Russian rubles in Ukrainian banks. In his comments, he joked that he was thinking about "crumbling a golden loaf."

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Looking ahead, the son of a trafficker failed to get rid of his Russian money. He wrote about this on his Facebook page for a limited number of people, and journalist Alina Dorotyuk showed the screenshots.

"Is it possible to sell rubles in Ukrainian banks?" asked the "refugee" of military age, who has settled in Spain and sometimes mentions his homeland on social media.

In the comments, he was asked why the musician needed this information, and in response, he told about the debt he allegedly wants to close with the Russian Sberbank in this way, and shared why he could not sell rubles.

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"I had to request it from Deutsche Bank, and I tried through Diia. The iPhone's biometrics were blocked, and Monobank was never opened. In short, I was deprived of all opportunities," Denis Povaliy wrote.

Earlier, it became known that the traitor's son does not plan to return home and is looking for work abroad. His active resume was posted on one of the social networks.

He also criticized the mobilization and the military, saying that he would not be able to shoot at Russians, and that Ukrainians were allegedly "made to believe that war is a holy cause."

The artist, who has not spent a day on the front line and does not know what shelling is, is probably hinting to his followers that the Russian occupiers will leave the Ukrainian land by themselves, and he, sitting abroad, can judge such pressing issues as mobilization, the moral side of killing in war, and sins.

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We should add that Denis has no one to protect him. His young son is growing up in a European country, and his wife does not risk dying from a missile or a drone that terrorizes Ukrainians every day.

"A coward, you may say? But the coward lives and will not be chased by enemies at night," the traitor's son defamed the exploits of Ukrainian soldiers who give their lives.

Earlier, the musician was nostalgic for his homeland and thought about returning to Kyiv. He also hinted at the collapse of the terrorist country, which he called "Rassiushka." A little later, Denis Povaliy congratulated his mother on her birthday and said that he would love her, despite everything she did or did not do.

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Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that the son of the traitor Povaliy called the war a "bloody game " that allegedly "benefits someone." Using the example of the harassment of his Putinist mother, Denys Povaliy suggested that the government deliberately created "traitors."

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Irfan Amin Malik is a freelance journalist based in J&K. He tweets @irfanaminmalik
It's been less than a day since the "Maldives adventures" of millionaire Ukrainian blogger Tatiana Prentkovich and her volunteer husband Andriy Gonkovsky went public, but Ukrainians have already forced the couple to change their rhetoric from "we can do it" to "we fully understand that we made a mistake." However, the couple's apology did not seem sincere to their fans and haters.

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Moreover, some of the bloggers' assurances have further convinced the public that they are confused by their own lies and continue to deceive the people by inventing "sudden" date shifts and a seemingly spontaneous decision to "spend time with family." OBOZ.UA will tell you what's wrong with Gonkovsky and Prentkovich's apology and what kind of "scheme" their subscribers have revealed.

The background

The other day, a photo of the influencer in the Maldives with her friend Alina Frendiy, children and Gonkovsky, who was supposed to be in Poland at the time and preparing for one of his events, surfaced online. The couple did not deny that the man was vacationing with his family on exotic islands, but made it seem like "they are allowed to go because they let volunteers who have done a lot for the Armed Forces go abroad."

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Prentkowich said in personal correspondence that she sees no fault in what happened, as the family simply took the opportunity to relax together due to the postponed date of the event in Poland.

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However, a day after the dispute with her subscriber, the blogger suddenly changed her rhetoric and called her reaction "emotional." Like, she was just defending a loved one, so she wrote that she considered such actions normal.

Official apology

The incident quickly went viral, and by the evening the couple suddenly announced that they realized they were guilty, even though they had managed to manipulate family values.

"When we had the opportunity to spend a week together with our children and family due to the rescheduling of the event in Warsaw, we took advantage of it. Unfortunately, we did not realize the consequences of these actions. We fully realize that we made a mistake and understand the scale of the problem! Morally, we did wrong to other people and families and we sincerely apologize for this," the bloggers wrote.

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The lovers said they had drawn all the conclusions and would help the state as actively in the future.

What's wrong with the couple's post and what "scheme" the bloggers' followers revealed

Analyzing the correspondence between Prentkovich and SMM strategist Valeria, we can conclude that the couple initially believed that they were not in danger because of their volunteer work.

In the post with their excuses, the couple pretended that they did not understand the problem of a Maldivian vacation in the midst of war.

However, the subscribers did not believe either the first or the second thesis, and all because they followed the blogger's stories closely. During a flight to the Maldives, Prentkovich took to Twitter to lament how difficult it was to travel with children without her husband.

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The followers noted that the Ukrainian woman deliberately lied about being on vacation alone, as she fully understood that her husband was acting illegally.

Further, the subscribers mentioned that at that time, Gonkovsky's blog was posting pre-recorded videos of him in Poland. The couple, according to the subscribers, deliberately created the illusion that they were doing different things.

Also, in the photo posted online, you can see that the volunteer is having dinner in summer clothes, which he has already shown on the blog in the warm season. Ukrainians wondered why Gonkovsky was taking summer clothes to Poland in the dead of winter.

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There are other controversial moments that outraged the public: a photo with the wrong date on the computer, the question of how the couple took tickets without booking them in advance, why the table in some photos is set for 4 people if only two adult women were vacationing, and so on.

Summing up, the bloggers' followers concluded that the couple could have planned the trip in advance, faked screenshots with a "postponed date," shot videos from Poland, and made their followers think that Gonkovsky was only going to volunteer.

Reaction

Ukrainians do not believe that bloggers have the right to use the right to travel abroad for vacation under the guise of the Armed Forces.

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Wives of military personnel who defend Ukraine expressed their indignation. They demand that the couple be held accountable according to the law, not "draw conclusions."

Melania Podolyak, the girlfriend of the late Ukrainian hero, pilot of the "Juice" aircraft, addressed Prantkovich from his grave, reminding her that she is "not special." The dying volunteer emotionally explained that taxes and volunteering are a duty and a condition of life in Ukraine, not an achievement that makes her family better than others.

However, there were also defenders of Prentkovich. In particular, her fellow blogger from Ivano-Frankivsk, Sasha Bo. She said that the social media star, who deceived the audience and "protected" the elected official, should not be criticized. The responsibility lies solely with him.

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As a reminder, Prentkovich deliberately avoided showing Gonkovsky in the Maldives in her blog, and then convinced people that he could go to the resort because he volunteers a lot.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall forfakes!
Ukrainian actress Aanna Koshmal, who starred in the TV series The In Laws, shared her unfortunate experience in Chisinau, Moldova. The actress, who did not speak Russian with the locals as a matter of principle, faced condemnation, ridicule, and even outrageous words about the occupation of Ukraine.

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This is how the Ukrainian woman was met at the country's airport, where she was looking for her son's lost bag. The "Matchmakers" star shared her impressions of the trip on Instagram.

"I got the impression that if Chisinau were a person, it would be a pro-Russian poor pensioner," the actress began.

She shared that she forgot her bag of toys on the plane, and now she owes her son new ones. However, they first tried to search for the missing bag by communicating with the staff in English.

"In this short time here, there have already been several situations where people have rolled their eyes or laughed at my unwillingness to speak Russian (like the airport worker I asked for help finding my bag). As it turned out, I am very well known here, too well. People recognized me everywhere, and some even said that I was their "Russian actress" and that they were glad that part of Ukraine was gone," said Anna Koshmal.

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She added that she would not want to judge an entire country based on a few people, but overall she had a bad impression of the people of Moldova. Although the employee at the reception of her hotel was happy to speak English and was very friendly.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Croatia will hand over to Ukraine the Royal Romance yacht belonging to Viktor Medvedchuk, a former MP and godfather to Russian President Putin, accused of treason, as ruled by a court in Split. After the yacht is appraised, it is planned to be sold. The departure of the impounded vessel from the mooring is not an attempt to hide it to avoid handing it over to Ukraine; on the contrary, the court granted permission for this. The purpose is to check the technical capability, buoyancy, and operation of the engines.

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This information was reported by the head of the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA), Olena Duma. She noted that to ensure the legality of the technical inspection, the process was monitored by the port captain with the participation of the Croatian police.

"The State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia has informed us that the District Court of Split has decided to transfer the Royal Romance yacht to Ukraine based on a request for international legal assistance. Assurances were received that Croatia expects the vessel to be transferred to Ukraine as soon as possible. According to the Croatian side, there are no legal obstacles to the realization of this intention," the statement said.

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After receiving the vessel, with an estimated value of 200 million euros, ARMA intends to sell it. If successful, Duma emphasized that the sale "will be the first example of the sale of seized assets located abroad."

What is known about the yacht

The luxurious 5-deck yacht Royal Romance with a length of 92.5 meters was built by the famous Dutch shipbuilder Feadship. It is equipped with:

4 x 12-meter swimming pool.

An elevator.

The yacht can accommodate 14 guests and 22 crew members at a time.

The yacht, transferred to ARMA in April 2022, can accommodate 14 guests and 22 crew members.

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Medvedchuk has a new yacht

Medvedchuk, accused of treason, purchased a new high-speed yacht after being taken to Russia (as part of an exchange for captured Mariupol defenders). The cost of the vessel is estimated at almost $9.6 million.

It is 28 meters long, with four cabins and eight beds on board, capable of accommodating up to 20 guests in total. According to journalists, Medvedchuk's new yacht was launched in 2023, making it a brand new vessel.

Meanwhile, a branch of the Russian public organization "Other Ukraine" was established in Serbia. This structure was created in Russia by Medvedchuk, as reported by OBOZ.UA.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Stefen Camacho appears via Zoom from the Department of Corrections at his arraignment hearing on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in the Superior Court of Guam.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Mr. David John Hurley, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, on the occasion of the national holiday of the Commonwealth of Australia, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

Dear Mr. Governor-General,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincerest congratulations to you and your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Commonwealth of Australia.

I believe that the relationship between Azerbaijan and Australia will continue to flourish in an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation, serving the interests of our people.

On this festive day, I wish you good health, success in your endeavours, and the friendly people of Australia peace and prosperity.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
The Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin has once again started his record about the alleged "genocide of Russians in Donbas". The Russian president also promised again to fulfill the "goals and objectives of the SMO" with which he has been "feeding" the citizens of the aggressor country for about two years.

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Putin made this statement at a meeting with students who have already become occupiers and visited the frontline in Ukraine. Russian propagandists spread similar statements.

"Everything that happened in Donbas was genocide, and Russians were declared a non-title nation on our historical territory. We will achieve the realization of the tasks and goals of the DPR," the dictator said.

According to him, he launched a large-scale war against our country to end "the war that Ukraine started in 2014 in Donbas."

The dictator also complained that "nationalists were allegedly the actual owners of Ukraine after the collapse of the USSR."

At the same time, Putin disclosed the number of occupants in Ukraine. According to him, 600 thousand people are taking part in the fighting at the front.

"Probably, there are issues that need additional attention, solutions, something always needs to be adjusted, because the combat zone is large - almost 2,000 kilometers, and there are more than 600,000 people in the combat zone. The mechanism is huge," the Russian leader said.

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As a reminder, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has found "a lot in common" between Russia and the Non-Aligned Movement, whose 19th summit was recently held in the Ugandan capital Kampala with the participation of about 130 countries. In a letter to the latter, he falsely claimed that Russia "supports" the unconditional equality and sovereignty of all states.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Guam Fire Department responds to a fire near the Tow Pro junkyard in Harmon on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 24, 2024.
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign event before the South Carolina Republican presidential primary election in North Charleston, South Carolina, U.S., January 24, 2024.
Ukraine's diplomats are currently working on organizing a visit by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Kyiv. The foreign ministers of Hungary and Ukraine are scheduled to meet on this issue on Monday, January 29.

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Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanyshyna told Reuters. This may be the first visit since the Russian invasion by a person considered a supporter of Russia among all NATO leaders.

The work of the foreign ministers of both countries was confirmed by an aide to Stefanyshyna. And the head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Andrii Yermak, clarified that a visit by Orban himself could be discussed.

Hungary and Ukraine

In December last year, it was Hungary that did not allow the European Union to provide Ukraine with 50 billion in aid for 4 years. In addition, the country's authorities are blocking the allocation of the last, 500 millionth tranche from the European Peace Fund to Ukraine.

However, regarding the 50 billion euro aid package, Hungary has already stated that it will agree to unblock its provision to Ukraine but only on condition of annual review of funding.

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Only verified information on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
San Andreas, CA  Calaveras County Public Health (CCPH) is urging the public to be aware of respiratory virus symptoms and prevention measures.

Those include COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Earlier this month, Tomas J. Aragon, the California Department of Public Healths State Public Health Officer, released new COVID-19 prevention guidance, including recommendations for close contacts, cases, and outbreaks.

Respiratory viruses can also create a strain on the healthcare system, so its important to be aware of ways to slow the spread of any illnesses. Stated Calaveras County Health Officer Dr. Rene Ramirez.

To lower the chances of catching a respiratory virus, the CCPH recommends taking the following measures:

Vaccination: Ensure that you and your family are up-to-date on vaccinations for COVID-19, flu, and other preventable respiratory illnesses. Hygiene Practices: Practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing, wearing masks in crowded or indoor settings, and avoiding close contact with individuals who are sick. Test: Get tested and stay home if you are feeling sick. Treatment: Seek treatment as needed. Healthcare System Awareness: Stay informed about the current state of healthcare resources in your area, and utilize medical services responsibly.

Symptoms of respiratory viruses include fever, chills, cough, runny nose, and fatigue. Those experiencing symptoms should get tested for COVID-19, stay home, and contact their doctor as needed, according to CCPH. Click here for more details and here for more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding what to do if you get sick.
In Lviv, the facades and roofs of high-rise buildings on Stryiska Street, which were destroyed during a massive attack by the aggressor country, Russia, have been repaired in six months. On July 6, the occupiers targeted the city's residential buildings with Kalibr missiles, resulting in seven casualties and dozens of injuries.

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Mayor Andriy Sadovyi announced that the housing had been partially restored. He shared photos of the houses taken six months apart.

According to him, specialists will be completing the final works on strengthening and re-roofing the houses that were destroyed in the summer by the end of February.

The next phase of restoration will involve repairing the apartments inside the buildings, and the financing for this will also come from the city budget.

Sadovyi emphasized that due to the historical location of these houses on Stryiska Street, the restoration process requires more time and precision, particularly in dealing with old documentation to preserve the original appearance of the facades and structures.

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"We are rebuilding everything with great attention to detail. Our goal is not only to restore but to make it better!" added the mayor of Lviv.

Lviv residents expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to return to their homes that were destroyed by the Russian aggressor.

"It's heartening to see this. Because I constantly hear that no one is compensated for anything, and no one is helped." "With this approach to the case, Ukraine will not be destroyed! Well done!" "The residents of the house will have to wait a little longer! Thanks to everyone who helps to restore the building!" - wrote the netizens.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Prison officer and suspected armed robber charged with forging medical report, face justice

In a shocking turn of events, a Harare prison officer has been accused of forging a medical report in an attempt to secure the release of a suspected armed robber. The accused officer, identified as Takawira Taderera (42), made his appearance before Magistrate Dennis Mangosi on Wednesday, where he faced a charge of defeating the course of justice.

Accompanying Taderera in court was the alleged armed robber, Witness Nyarupa (44). Both individuals have been remanded in custody until tomorrow, pending a bail ruling. Taderera, who serves as an employee of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS), was represented by legal counsels Malvin Mapako and Joseph Nemaisa.

According to State prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, the incident unfolded on December 2, 2021, when Nyarupa was apprehended by detectives from CID Homicide Harare on charges of armed robbery. During Nyarupas time at the remand prison, the trial proceedings encountered an unexpected hurdle when Nyarupa claimed to be suffering from hearing problems.

In response, the State sought permission to have Nyarupa examined by an audiologist to verify his claims. Subsequently, on June 23, 2023, Nyarupa was taken to Audiomax Clinic in the capital for a comprehensive evaluation. The attending doctor, after conducting audiological tests, concluded that Nyarupa did not exhibit any hearing impairment.

The medical report was sent to the ZPCS Harare Remand Prison for further management. However, it was at this point that Taderera, who serves as a court orderly within ZPCS, intercepted the report and proceeded to forge another one, falsely affirming that Nyarupa indeed suffered from hearing difficulties. The forged report was then presented to Harare Magistrates Court on January 17, 2024.

In a bid to shed light on the matter, the prosecutor requested the presence of the audiologist in court to testify regarding the authenticity of the medical report. Much to the surprise of those present, the audiologist swiftly distanced herself from the forged report, discrediting its validity. Consequently, on January 23, 2024, Nyarupa made a shocking admission, confessing to colluding with Taderera in the act of forging the report. This admission ultimately led to Nyarupas subsequent arrest.

The case has sent shockwaves through the judicial system, highlighting the potential for corruption and deceit within the ranks of law enforcement. As investigations continue, many are left questioning the integrity of those entrusted with upholding justice and maintaining order.

Breaking News via Email
Yves here. I hate to be a dour realist. Even with Israels and the US military position in the Middle East weakening, as we discussed long-form yesterday, the US is joined at the hip with Israel. The only possible way the US might throw its muscle behind a ceasefire (say by telling Israel no more UN Security Council vetos of reasonable resolutions), as opposed to mere lip service, is the International Court of Justice finding for most of South Africas provisional measures and the most Western media outlets backing the ruling.

By Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies, the authors of War in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict, published by OR Books in November 2022. Medea Benjamin is the cofounder of CODEPINK for Peace, and the author of several books, including Inside Iran: The Real History and Politics of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Nicolas J. S. Davies is an independent journalist, a researcher for CODEPINK and the author of Blood on Our Hands: The American Invasion and Destruction of Iraq

In the topsy-turvy world of corporate media reporting on U.S. foreign policy, we have been led to believe that U.S. air strikes on Yemen, Iraq and Syria are legitimate and responsible efforts to contain the expanding war over Israels genocide in Gaza, while the actions of the Houthi government in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Iran and its allies in Iraq and Syria are all dangerous escalations.

In fact, it is U.S. and Israeli actions that are driving the expansion of the war, while Iran and others are genuinely trying to find effective ways to counter and end Israels genocide in Gaza while avoiding a full-scale regional war.

We are encouraged by Egypt and Qatars efforts to mediate a ceasefire and the release of hostages and prisoners-of-war by both sides. But it is important to recognize who are the aggressors, who are the victims, and how regional actors are taking incremental but increasingly forceful action to respond to genocide.

A near-total Israeli communications blackout in Gaza has reduced the flow of images of the ongoing massacre on our TVs and computer screens, but the slaughter has not abated. Israel is bombing and attacking Khan Younis, the largest city in the southern Gaza Strip, as ruthlessly as it did Gaza City in the north. Israeli forces and U.S. weapons have killed an average of 240 Gazans per day for more than three months, and 70% of the dead are still women and children.

Israel has repeatedly claimed it is taking new steps to protect civilians, but that is only a public relations exercise. The Israeli government is still using 2,000 pound and even 5,000 pound bunker-buster bombs to dehouse the people of Gaza and herd them toward the Egyptian border, while it debates how to push the survivors over the border into exile, which it euphemistically refers to as voluntary emigration.

People throughout the Middle East are horrified by Israels slaughter and plans for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza, but most of their governments will only condemn Israel verbally. The Houthi government in Yemen is different. Unable to directly send forces to fight for Gaza, they began enforcing a blockade of the Red Sea against Israeli-owned ships and other ships carrying goods to or from Israel. Since mid-November 2023, the Houthis have conducted about 30 attacks on international vessels transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden but none of the attacks have caused casualties or sunk any ships.

In response, the Biden administration, without Congressional approval, has launched at least six rounds of bombing, including airstrikes on Sanaa, the capital of Yemen. The United Kingdom has contributed a few warplanes, while Australia, Canada, Holland and Bahrain also act as cheerleaders to provide the U.S. with the cover of leading an international coalition.

President Biden has admitted that U.S. bombing will not force Yemen to lift its blockade, but he insists that the U.S. will keep attacking it anyway. Saudi Arabia dropped 70,000 mostly American (and some British) bombs on Yemen in a 7-year war, but utterly failed to defeat the Houthi government and armed forces.

Yemenis naturally identify with the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza, and a million Yemenis took to the street to support their countrys position challenging Israel and the United States. Yemen is no Iranian puppet, but as with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Irans Iraqi and Syrian allies, Iran has trained the Yemenis to build and deploy increasingly powerful anti-ship, cruise and ballistic missiles.

The Houthis have made it clear that they will stop the attacks once Israel stops its slaughter in Gaza. It beggars belief that instead of pressing for a ceasefire in Gaza, Biden and his clueless advisers are instead choosing to deepen U.S. military involvement in a regional Middle East conflict.

The United States and Israel have now conducted airstrikes on the capitals of four neighboring countries: Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Iran also suspects U.S. and Israeli spy agencies of a role in two bomb explosions in Kerman in Iran, which killed about 90 people and wounded hundreds more at a commemoration of the fourth anniversary of the U.S. assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in January 2020.

On January 20th, an Israeli bombing killed 10 people in Damascus, including 5 Iranian officials. After repeated Israeli airstrikes on Syria, Russia has now deployed warplanes to patrol the border to deter Israeli attacks, and has reoccupied two previously vacated outposts built to monitor violations of the demilitarized zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Iran has responded to the terrorist bombings in Kerman and Israeli assassinations of Iranian officials with missile strikes on targets in Iraq, Syria and Pakistan. Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdohallian has strongly defended Irans claim that the strikes on Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan targeted agents of Israels Mossad spy agency.

Eleven Iranian ballistic missiles destroyed an Iraqi Kurdish intelligence facility and the home of a senior intelligence officer, and also killed a wealthy real estate developer and businessman, Peshraw Dizayee, who had been accusedof working for the Mossad, as well as of smuggling Iraqi oil from Kurdistan to Israel via Turkey.

The targets of Irans missile strikes in northwest Syria were the headquarters of two separate ISIS-linked groups in Idlib province. The strikes precisely hit both buildings and demolished them, at a range of 800 miles, using Irans newest ballistic missiles called Kheybar Shakan or Castle Blasters, a name that equates todays U.S. bases in the Middle East with the 12th and 13th century European crusader castles whose ruins still dot the landscape.

Iran launched its missiles, not from north-west Iran, which would have been closer to Idlib, but from Khuzestan province in south-west Iran, which is closer to Tel Aviv than to Idlib. So these missile strikes were clearly intended as a warning to Israel and the United States that Iran can conduct precise attacks on Israel and U.S. crusader castles in the Middle East if they continue their aggression against Palestine, Iran and their allies.

At the same time, the U.S. has escalated its tit-for-tat airstrikes against Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. The Iraqi government has consistently protested U.S. airstrikes against the militias as violations of Iraqi sovereignty. Prime Minister Sudanis military spokesman called the latest U.S. airstrikes acts of aggression, and said, This unacceptable act undermines years of cooperation at a time when the region is already grappling with the danger of expanding conflict, the repercussions of the aggression on Gaza.

After its fiascos in Afghanistan and Iraq killed thousands of U.S. troops, the United States has avoided large numbers of U.S. military casualties for ten years. The last time the U.S. lost more than a hundred troops killed in action in a year was in 2013, when 128 Americans were killed in Afghanistan.

Since then, the United States has relied on bombing and proxy forces to fight its wars. The only lesson U.S. leaders seem to have learned from their lost wars is to avoid putting U.S. boots on the ground. The U.S. dropped over 120,000 bombs and missiles on Iraq and Syria in its war on ISIS, while Iraqis, Syrians and Kurds did all the hard fighting on the ground.

In Ukraine, the U.S. and its allies found a willing proxy to fight Russia. But after two years of war, Ukrainian casualties have become unsustainable and new recruits are hard to find. The Ukrainian parliament has rejected a bill to authorize forced conscription, and no amount of U.S. weapons can persuade more Ukrainians to sacrifice their lives for a Ukrainian nationalism that treats large numbers of them, especially Russian speakers, as second class citizens.

Now, in Gaza, Yemen and Iraq, the United States has waded into what it hoped would be another US-casualty-free war. Instead, the U.S.-Israeli genocide in Gaza is unleashing a crisis that is spinning out of control across the region and may soon directly involve U.S. troops in combat. This will shatter the illusion of peace Americans have lived in for the last ten years of U.S. bombing and proxy wars, and bring the reality of U.S. militarism and warmaking home with a vengeance.

Biden can continue to give Israel carte-blanche to wipe out the people of Gaza, and watch as the region becomes further engulfed in flames, or he can listen to his own campaign staff, who warn that its a moral and electoral imperative to insist on a ceasefire. The choice could not be more stark.
One of the advantages of being a pessimist is that being wrong is a positive event. Like Norman Finkelstein, I had worried that there was still enough fear of crossing the US that the International Court of Justice jurists would use shortcomings in how South Africa had teed up its case procedurally to demur, at least until South Africa tried again. The other end of the spectrum that yours truly had anticipated was that the Court would rule significantly for South Africa by supporting its provisional measures calling for humanitarian relief, provision of medical services, and similar requirements, as well as less controversial but important steps like the preservation of evidence but not constrain the Israeli army, as South Africa had also sought via asking for a ceasefire.

I am basing this post on notes taken from the live presentation, where President Joan Donaghue read most of the ruling verbatim. We have embedded the video below and [in a 9 AM EST update] have added the text of the order.

Of critical importance, and a huge smackdown to Israel, is the Court came as close as it reasonably could to calling for a ceasefire in ruling for the provisional measure (which it devised itself) for Israel to cease military action against Palestinians as members of a protected group under the Genocide Convention.1 I had opined that the Court could not call for a ceasefire since it could not bind Hamas to comply. It would not be sound or shrewd to give Israel an easy pretext for defying the court by saying that a one-sided ceasefire would leave it defenseless. But impressively, the court went as far as it could, and way way further than I expected, in constraining Israel military operations against the Palestinian population.

Experts will soon opine but I assume this would still allow Israel to pursue Hamas members if it could do so without violating the Genocide Convention. This was 15 to 2, with the only dissents Uganda and the ad hoc judge from Israel.

The Court also implemented a measure which sounded like, and may have indeed been, the third requested by South Africa3 which I thought the Court would likely not implement as pretty much amounting to a reiteration of Israels existing obligations under the Genocide Convention. Including them came off as an additional rebuke as well as serving for further grounds for ruling against Israel in the upcoming trial if they continued to act wantonly against Palestinians.

It was not all that far into President Donaghues reading of the ruling that it was clear the Court had not even slightly bought what Israel was selling. I was surprised to see the Court rely on an Israel FAQ from its Foreign Ministry as the basis for Israel having responded to South Africa. As we pointed out earlier, these sort of media communications are normally not considered to be formal responses. But perhaps in this era of intense narrative management, those boundaries may have shifted somewhat. But the noteworthy part was not the Courts conclusion here but that it didnt deign to dignify Israels attempt to dispute the dispute by mentioning its arguments,

Instead, the Court spent a great deal of time on facts and Israels unabashed conduct. It was very far into the recitation that the ruling stooped to address one of Israels lame defenses, that they had provided humanitarian aid and the Attorney General, very late in the game, fingerwagged officially about not trash talking Palestinians. The text barely politely brushed that aside, saying that was inadequate.

I would need to read the ruling against earlier material (and remember each side did submit further backup) but the Court clearly went beyond what both sides provided. For instance, the ruling referencing findings from UN officials and agencies after January 12, when Israel made its oral argument. The Court appeared to give very heavy weight to the many dehumanizing statements made by Israel official (and again, my impression was the judges went beyond the ones provided by South Africa) and the findings of UN officials and agencies on the horrific conditions in Gaza.

In addition to requiring Israel to provide aid and services, stop dehumanizing Palestinians, and quit destroying infrastructure, the provisional measures included the preservation of evidence and requiring Israel to make a written report to the Court in a month on what it was doing to comply with the provisional measures, with South Africa then having the opportunity to comment on the report.

Well post the actual order shortly after it is up on the Courts website. I may also add some hot takes from the Twitterverse. It will be interesting to see how the MSM organs like The Economist, which had vigorously defended Israel, and even more so Tony Blinken and Biden, try to splain this outcome. It will be even more reveling to see how Israeli politicians and its press try to rationalize this ruling when the vote on every count were so lopsided, and even the US jurist and expected stalwarts like Australia did not side with Israel on any of the provisional measures.

Update 9;00 AM EST: Here it is, over an hour since the ICJ presentation, and I have yet to see a newsflash in my e-mail inbox from The Hill, the New York Times. or other usual suspects. It appears porcine maquillage is in short supply.

____

1 From the South Africas December 29 application:

(1) The State of Israel shall immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza.

(2) The State of Israel shall ensure that any military or irregular armed units which may be

directed, supported or influenced by it, as well as any organisations and persons which may be

subject to its control, direction or influence, take no steps in furtherance of the military

operations referred to point (1) above.

2 From South Africas December 29 application:

3) The Republic of South Africa and the State of Israel shall each, in accordance with their

obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,

in relation to the Palestinian people, take all reasonable measures within their power to prevent

genocide

____
Yves here. This new development, of Russia shifting from its careful avoidance of supporting either Israel or the Middle East states and interests demanding an end to the war on Gazans, is a big deal and like to either have contributed or be about to contribute to the US rethinking its posture. Notice, for instance, CIA chief Richard Burns, who appears to be the only adult in the senior ranks of the Biden Administration, has gone to the Middle East to try to negotiate a ceasefire.

Notice Helmers headline point, which I missed apparently due to the mainstream media ignoring it, that the Houthis have asked for an end of the Gaza blockade as a condition for ending their blockade of Israeli ports, and Russia is amplifying that as a quid pro quo. The post also includes how Russias economic interests, both security and preserving/boosting oil profits, are playing into its political moves in the Middle East.

By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears

For the time being, there are no official photographs of the meeting in Moscow on Thursday evening at the Russian Foreign Ministry between Mikhail Bogdanov, the deputy foreign minister and chief Russian negotiator in the Middle East and Africa, and Mohammed (Mukhameddov) Abdelsalam leading a delegation of the Ansarallah government of Yemen, known as the Houthi movement.

Bogdanovs communique said special attention was paid to the development of tragic events in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, as well as the aggravation of the situation in the Red Sea in this regard. In this context, the missile and bomb attacks on Yemen undertaken by the United States and Great Britain, which are capable of destabilizing the situation on a regional scale, were strongly condemned.

This is the plainest signal to date of Russian backing for the southern front of the Arab war against Israel, and the link which the Houthis have made between the Israeli blockade of Gaza, the genocide of the Palestinians, and the Red Sea blockade which the Houthis have imposed on vessels owned or directed by Israeli shipowners, US naval fleet, and American-flagged and other vessels carrying military and civil cargoes to Israel or reload ammunition for future attacks on Yemen.

At the same time across Moscow, unusually large delegations of officials of the Russian Security Council, led by Nikolai Patrushev, and Ali-Akbar Ahmadian, special presidential representative and Secretary of Irans National Security Council, have been meeting to discuss a detailed agenda which Patrushevs communique calls a wide range of Russian-Iranian security cooperation and the practical implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level.

In an open statement for reporters, Ahmadian told Patrushev: Americas grandeur has shattered, and today, it cannot even rally its traditional allies. A country that considers itself a superpower is engaged in war against resistance groups and the people of the region.

The display of Russian support for the Axis of Resistance against Israel and the US is unprecedented. The Foreign Ministry and Security Council meetings confirm there is now a new definition of terrorism in Russian warfighting strategy, in which there is both public and secret support for Hamas, the Houthis, and other groups in Lebanon and Iraq fighting for national liberation against Israel and the US.

On the differentiation between national liberation which Russia supports, and terrorism which it condemns, click to read this.

Source: https://johnhelmer.net/

Bogdanovs meeting with Abdelsalam was not the first high-level Russian contact with the Houthis, nor their first negotiation. The two officials had met in Moscow on July 24, 2019, when they discussed terms for ending the civil war in Yemen; Bogdanov was also meeting at the time with other Yemeni political factions. Abdelsalam said then: The meeting discussed the most important issues related to the Yemeni policy and the steps of the national delegation [the Houthi delegation] in the Stockholm Agreement in addition to the regional crisis, in addition to the importance of the Russian role at the regional level, and its reflection on the situation in Yemen to calm the escalation and prevent further tension as Yemen represents a key point towards regional calm that will be positively reflected in the tense regional situation.

Bogdanov met Abdelsalam again in Oman on August 30, 2019.

Above: Bogdanov (left) meeting Abdelsalam (2nd left) in Moscow on July 24, 2019.

Below: Abdelsalam meeting Bogdanov in Muscat on August 30, 2019.

So long as the agenda was limited to the Yemen civil war and the intervention of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, the Israelis were not exercised. But they are now, as the Russian Foreign Ministry announcement of Thursday evenings negotiations caught Israeli intelligence agents and government officials by surprise. The first Israeli press reports over Thursday night cribbed from Reuters which had followed Tass in reading the Foreign Ministry communique; no Israeli officials were available to comment to their reporters.

The Russian-Houthi negotiations took place in parallel with the talks between the Russian Security Council and their Iranian counterparts headed by Ali-Akbar Ahmadian, head of Irans Security Council. Tass reported that Nikolai Patrushev had invited Ahmadian to the talks. Ahmadian issued a statement through the Iranian Embassy in Moscow to say the Supreme National Security Council secretary hailed Iran-Russia cooperation in the fight against terrorism, particularly in Syria, saying that cooperation must continue. By terrorism Ahmadian meant Israeli attacks on Iranian military advisers in Syria, as well as the bombing of civilians at the Kerman cemetery on January 3.

Patrushev (ring) on the left meets Ahmadian, sitting directly across the table, 2nd from right.

Here is the full text of the Bogdanov-Abdelsalam communique:

On the meeting of the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mikhail Bogdanov with a delegation of the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement

On January 25, the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mikhail Bogdanov received a delegation of the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement headed by Mohammed Abdelsalam.

During the in-depth conversation, an in-depth discussion took place on the issues of a comprehensive settlement of the military-political crisis in Yemen, which has been going on for almost nine years. At the same time, the importance of increasing international efforts to create the necessary conditions for establishing a full-scale inter-Yemeni national dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations was emphasized.

Special attention was paid to the development of tragic events in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, as well as the aggravation of the situation in the Red Sea in this regard. In this context, the missile and bomb attacks on Yemen undertaken by the United States and Great Britain, which are capable of destabilizing the situation on a regional scale, were strongly condemned.

Here is the Russian Security Council communique following the plenary session between Patrushev, Ahmadian and their delegations, before they broke up into working-group meetings:

In Moscow Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev held talks with the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Ahmadian -- http://www.scrf.gov.ru/

A wide range of Russian-Iranian security cooperation was discussed. The focus is on the interaction of the security councils, law enforcement agencies and special services of the two countries. Special attention is paid to the fight against terrorism, information security issues, problems of ensuring the economic security of Russia and Iran in the face of sanctions pressure from Western countries, as well as countering attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states. The development of a new bilateral comprehensive long-term agreement was touched upon. It was emphasized that the conclusion of this fundamental document will give a powerful impetus to the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation in all spheres.

In addition, the conversation discussed global and regional trends, as well as the upcoming bilateral and multilateral contacts between the Security Councils of Russia and Iran in 2024. The schedule of activities of the working groups of the Security Councils of the two countries on issues of mutual interest has been agreed.

The parties noted that relations between Russia and Iran continue to strengthen and reach a qualitatively new level across the entire spectrum of areas. The focus on the practical implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level was confirmed.

Hours after this meeting in Moscow, but before the Houthis arrived at Bogdanovs office in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a press conference at the United Nations in New York. Lavrov did not mention the Houthis explicitly nor did he condemn their blockade of Israeli ports, shipping and deliveries, but he did attack the Anglo-American bombings of Yemeni territory.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/

Regarding the Red Sea, Lavrov said, there is a direct and illegal aggression there in violation of all international norms. Those taking part in it and who are behind this aggression are lying when they claim that this is an act of self-defence in accordance with the UN Charter. Our mission in New York has circulated a real document that reviews all the arguments put forward by the UK and the US and exposes their actions as outright robbery rather than self-defence.

Asked about Russias relationship with India and the plan for an eastern maritime corridor for shipping between the two countries, Lavrov replied by emphasizing Russias strategic priority is to defend against US and NATO attacks, including economic warfare against its oil exports. A question of this kind calls for a lengthy answer. To put it briefly, just like most countries on the Eurasian continent, Russia needs new corridors as a way of cutting logistics costs and ensuring faster deliveries compared to using the Suez Canal or sending ships around Africa. Everyone is interested in creating these transport and logistics chains and ensuring that they are independent from the West and those who regularly abuse their standing in global trade and along the shipping routes.

There is the North-South corridor that ensures quick, effective and reliable shipments from the Baltic Sea to the Persian Gulf. There are plans to link Russian ports in the Far East with India. There is also an initiative called EuropeMiddle EastIndia, backed by western Europeans. For us, the North-South corridor remains a priority and India stands to directly benefit from it. This route will cross Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran and go all the way to India. Pakistan is also interested.

There has been much talk about this lately. India is looking at the Northern Sea Route with a lot of interest. The same goes for China. Considering global warming and the fact that it is expected to become operational year-around, the Northern Sea Route can directly compete against all other routes since it cuts shipping time by a third compared to the Suez Canal, to give you one example. We have been discussing it with our Indian colleagues but, of course, not at the Foreign Ministry level. The ministers of economy, finance, transport and our prime ministers are working on this matter. This is one of the most promising tasks in terms of our regional development.

Source: https://splash247.com

Moscow sources say the official communiques indicate the multi-track approach Russian strategy is adopting, and speak for themselves, requiring no comment at this stage

Vzglyad, the semi-official Moscow website for security analysis, which has followed a pro-Israel, anti-Hamas line since October 7, reported on January 24 that their sources are confident that Russian oil shipments to India and China, through the Suez Canal and Red Sea, remain secure from attack by the Houthis, anf also that there will be no behind-the-scenes interference from Saudi Arabia. Without saying as much, the Vzglyad reporter conceded this is only possible because there have been direct Russian agreements with the Houthis and Iran.

Source: https://vz.ru/

Russia has not changed logistics at all, Vzglyad reported a source, Igor Yushkov, an analyst of the National Energy Security Fund. Ships with our oil are still sailing through the Red Sea past Yemen, and we will most likely be the last to leave the Suez Canal. Russia will [sic] obviously try to negotiate with Iran to coordinate the passage of Russian tankers through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.

In general, Russia, of course, benefits if all the other oil producers are forced to send their ships around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope, while Russia itself retains the shorter, previous route through the Suez Canal and the Red SeaBecause the logistics will become more expensive for all other companies, these costs will be included in the cost of oil, and so that will grow. Whereas Russias transportation costs will remain the same, and it will then be possible to sell Russias oil more expensively. As for Saudi Arabia, Russia has many more points of common interest with it than differences. Therefore, the Wests bet on a contest between the two countries over the entire situation with navigation in the Red Sea is premature.

Premature is official Russian-speak for wishful thinking.

Boris Rozhin, chief of the Colonel Cassad internet platform and one of the leading military analysts in Moscow, noted on the evening of January 25: Since the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement began its operations against shipping related to Israel, the volume of cargo traffic through the Suez Canal has decreased by about 85%. Navigation on the Suez Canal has almost completely stopped after the attacks in the Red Sea. This has a serious impact on the Israeli economy. Rozhin, who has been writing on the Yemen conflict for several years, has not yet commented on the Houthi visit to Moscow.

According to Vzglyads source, I dont see any serious reduction in Russian oil supplies to India and China. Moreover, by itself Russia is now reducing production and exports; these are included in the new commitments under the agreement with OPEC+. At the same time, Russia is still the largest supplier for both India and China. Therefore, it is not worth saying that we have left these markets or someone has pushed us out There are no problems with the sale of Russian oil, and it is unclear why Saudi Arabia would squeeze Russia out of the Asian market. In the previous two years, we have swapped markets  the Saudis got the European market after Russia left. At the same time, Saudi Arabia is still represented in Asia, where Russia has now become a strong player. It makes no economic sense to compete and knock the ground out from under each others feetIn order to displace Russian oil from the Asian markets, the Saudis would have to offer the same price as Russia offers. However, it is more profitable for Saudi Arabia to send oil to Europe, even around Africa, than to give the same discount of $10 per barrel which Russia gives to India and China.

CURRENT PRICE QUOTES IN THE CRUDE OIL MARKET (BEFORE DISCOUNTING)

Source: https://oilprice.com/

Vzglyad concludes: Even if Saudi Arabia gives this discount, Russia will still have nowhere to go, because we cannot supply this oil to Europe. This means that we would have to give an even bigger discount to Asian customers. Why should Saudi Arabia compete with us in the amount of this discount in order to supply oil to China and India, if they have the European marketOne more point: if Saudi Arabia and Russia supply oil to Asia, who will supply oil to Europe? Then there will be a shortage of oil in Europe, the price will rise, and the Europeans will lure nonRussian oil at a high price.

Moscow sources note that since this is the consensus calculation of the Russian oil exporters, the political and military calculation follows that agreement on terms with the Houthis and Iran is a must. There is no place left for Israel in this calculation of Russias national interest, one of the sources adds.
In the United States of America, a court sentenced former White House counselor under President Donald Trump, Peter Navarro, to four months in prison for contempt of Congress. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $9,500.

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This was reported by CNN on Thursday, January 25. The case against Trump's former adviser concerns his refusal to appear at a meeting of the House committee investigating the circumstances of the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

In September, Navarro was found guilty of two counts of contempt of the US Congress. Prosecutors asked for six months in prison for each but the court merged them and reduced the sentence to four months in prison.

Mr. Navarro claimed that he considered the case against him to be politically motivated. In response, Judge Amit Mehta said that the former Trump adviser was not a victim or target of political persecution.

"You are not a victim. You are not the object of political persecution. Unfortunately, when you were called to testify, you did not show an equal branch of government (Congress) the same degree of respect. These are circumstances that you created yourself," the journalists quoted the judge as saying.

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As noted, Navarro has already filed an appeal with the District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Yves here. Honestly, its a disgrace that this long overdue move to end crypto lawlessness has started to gain some traction. And it wasnt clear instances of societal harm, like ransomware attacks on government bodies, utilities, and hospitals that got officials out of bed. No, it was all the bad press connected to the extreme, large-scale and shockingly lazy fraud committed by Sam Bankman-Fried, the recoil factor amplified by the fact that hed gotten fawning media treatment before.

By Felicity Bradstock, a freelance writer specialising in Energy and Finance. Originally published by OilPrice

The U.S. government cracked down on crypto companies with legal action in 2023, highlighting the need for comprehensive regulations in the industry.

Environmental and energy concerns are yet to be addressed, with crypto mining consuming vast amounts of energy, posing a threat to global efforts for a green transition.

There is a variation in global regulatory approaches, with some countries like China and the EU implementing strict measures, while the U.S. struggles to establish a clear framework.

Crypto companies worldwide have carried out mining and trading activities relatively unchecked in recent years, as governments have dragged their feet in establishing adequate regulations to manage the sector. Meanwhile, many companies have been using vast amounts of energy to power the activities required to mine crypto, as demand for the digital currency has steadily increased. The U.S. is now taking legal steps to punish companies that have abused their position of economic power. However, the lack of regulation shows the need to develop a clear political and legal framework to manage the sector, in such a way as has been seen in Canada, Europe and other parts of the world.

The U.S. had a busy year last year when it comes to crypto crimes, having carried out severe legal action against several major firms over the last year. In 2023, the crypto miner Binance was ordered to pay over $4 billion to U.S. authorities following a guilty plea for money laundering from the companys CEO, Changpeng Zhao. Meanwhile, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty in November of stealing from customers, leading to the bankruptcy of the company. This shows the need to enforce strict regulations on the sector, to ensure these crimes cannot take place in plain sight.

Note that in the US, the rules are clear that taxpayers are to report and pay taxes on crypto profits. The IRS has only done limited enforcement so far. Tightening up within existing rules could force some improvement in behavior. I am waiting for more whistleblowing to the IRS by jilted spoused and unhappy ex-employees

But its not just crypto-related crime that the U.S. and other governments are trying to tackle. While cryptocurrency has played a major role in the global economy in recent years, providing key funds in some instances  such as to Ukraine throughout the ongoing war with Russia  it also presents a threat to energy and environmental security. Mining cryptocurrency requires vast amounts of energy, with the production of Bitcoin alone using around 127 terawatt-hours a year, more than the energy usage of some countries, such as Norway. Crypto mining in the U.S. is estimated to produce between 25 to 50 million tonnes of CO2 a year. This threatens environmental security and undermines government efforts to achieve a green transition, meaning that countries must work quickly to ensure that adequate regulations are in place to curb energy usage in the crypto industry and decarbonise the sector.

Renato Mariotti, a former prosecutor in the U.S. Justice Departments Securities and Commodities Fraud Section explained of the U.S. situation, Other countries have a comprehensive regulatory framework in place. We dont As a result, issues that should be determined by legislation or regulation are instead litigated. He emphasised that the use of legal action in the U.S. reflects a regulation by enforcement approach. To date, the White House has not introduced comprehensive regulations on digital currencies, although certain states have introduced state-level legislation on crypto. And the industry does not expect new legislation to be enacted any time soon.

Alyse Killeen, the managing partner of Stillmark Capital, stated Clearer regulatory frameworks and stance from regulators globally have provided a sense of legitimacy and security, encouraging more widespread participation in the bitcoin market, urging the U.S. government to provide clear guidelines for the sector.

In contrast, several countries around the globe have introduced national-level cryptocurrency regulations. China has some of the strictest limitations on digital currencies, having banned the mining of Bitcoin in 2021 and forbidding crypto exchanges from operating in the country. However, China has been developing its own digital currency  the digital yuan (e-CNY)  since 2022. Canada has also been proactive in its approach to crypto regulation, classifying all crypto investment firms as money service businesses and requiring them to register with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). It was also the first country to approve a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), with several trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has not introduced any cryptocurrency-specific laws to date and cryptocurrency is currently considered as property, rather than legal tender.

In April last year, the EU approved the worlds first comprehensive framework for crypto regulation, introducing the Markets in Crypto Act, or MiCA. The Act imposes several requirements on crypto platforms, token issuers and traders around transparency, disclosure, authorisation, and supervision of transactions. Customers are informed on crypto platforms about risks associated with digital currencies under the new rules. Further, the European Securities and Markets Authority can intervene if it deems a crypto platform is not properly protecting investors or threatens market integrity or financial stability. MiCA also responds to environmental concerns by requiring crypto companies to disclose their energy consumption and the impact of their digital assets on the environment.

Countries have been managing the rapidly emerging cryptocurrency sector in a range of ways, from allowing them to operate unchecked to introducing national regulations or carrying out legal action on any criminal activity in the sector. However, it has become clear that the regulatory path works in a preventative way, ensuring that best practices are followed in the industry and that crypto companies can be monitored to better manage both economic and environmental security.
The iron river continues to flow.

Heres a wee data point youre unlikely to hear mentioned in the countless Hollywood movies or series about Mexicos drug cartels: around 70% of the weapons the cartels use come from the United States. Thats according to an estimate by the Mexican government based on the proportion of weapons seized by Mexican law enforcement agencies that have been traced, with the help of the ATF, to US manufacturers or vendors. And according to fresh allegations south of the border, some of those weapons are US army-issued.

On Monday, Mexicos AMLO government said that weapons (supposedly) exclusively intended for the US armed forces are entering Mexico and finding their way into the hands of the countrys drug cartels. In June last year, the Defence Ministry announced the seizure of 221 fully automatic machine guns, 56 grenade launchers and a dozen rocket launchers from drug cartels since late 2018. Now, Mexicos chief diplomats are calling for US authorities to investigate how these military-grade weapons are reaching Mexicos most dangerous gangs.

The Secretariat of Defence (Sedena) has informed the US government that some of the weapons entering Mexico are for the exclusive use of the US army, said Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena, adding that it is very urgent that an investigation be carried out into the matter.

Military-grade U.S. weaponry, which cartel members have openly displayed in social media posts, poses an added threat to Mexicos embattled security forces. They include belt-fed machine guns, rocket launchers and grenades, according to AP News. The sale and possession for civilian use of this type of weaponry is prohibited by law in the United States, meaning these weapons must have found some other way of reaching Mexico.

American Military News claims the weapons were not identified as sourced directly from the U.S. military. Other potential sources, it said, include black-market trading or previous conflicts in the region.

But how would these weapons get on to the black market? As the Associated Press notes (emphasis my own), Central America was awash with U.S. weaponry during the conflicts of the 1980s. Also, some manufacturers who sell arms to the U.S. military might also have sold some abroad or on the black market. But heres the money quote: military grade weapons sometimes go missing from stocks in the United States. Just like that.

Of course, Mexicos drug cartels have been using military-grade equipment for years, if not decades. During the last decade of the Cold War the country was a key conduit for US covert weapon flows to the Contras in Nicaragua as well as paramilitary forces in countries like El Salvador and Guatemala.

What makes this latest development noteworthy, however, is that it is the first time Mexicos government has acknowledged the issue in public. The insinuation is clear: the US armed forces are, directly or indirectly, complicit in the illegal flow of military-grade weapons to Mexicos cartels. Indeed, according to the veteran Mexican journalist Raymondo Riva Palacio, this is the first time a senior public servant of any foreign country has denounced the US Pentagon for corruption of this nature. Crates of weapons, he said, are essentially leaving storage sites in the US and finding their way to the drug cartels in Mexico.

What if Mexico is not an anomaly, and US army weapons are finding their way to drug cartels or criminal organisations in other parts of Latin America, or indeed other parts of the world? There is also the issue of all the weapons flowing to Ukraines armed forces. How many of those are going missing? As an article in Reason magazine reported last year, two separate Department of Defense inspector general reports revealed poor monitoring when U.S. weapons are transferred to Ukraine.

One thing that is clear is that the Pentagon is perfectly capable of such corruption and/or incompetence. This is, after all, an organisation that has never passed an audit and until 2018 had never completed one, as documents an article we recently cross-posted here:

In its most recent audit, the Pentagon was able to account for just half of its $3.8 trillion in assets (including equipment, facilities, etc). That means $1.9 trillion is unaccounted for  more than the entire budget Congress agreed to for the current fiscal year. No other federal agency could get away with this. There would be congressional hearings. There would be demands to remove agency leaders, or to defund those agencies. Every other major federal agency has passed an audit, proving that it knows where taxpayer dollars it is entrusted with are going.

A Highly Charged Issue

Ken Salazar, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, said the US government would work closely with Mexicos Defence Department to resolve the issue. We are going to look into it, we are committed to working with Sedena to see whats going on.

Naturally, the subject of weapons control is a highly charged issue in the US, especially in an election year. In February 2022, President Joe Biden triggered a storm of protest among second amendment defenders when he said at a Gun Violence Prevention Task Force meeting in New York City that gun manufacturers are the only industry in America that is exempted from being sued by the public. Even AP Newss fact-checking service said the statement was false:

While gun manufacturers have legal protections that shield them from most lawsuits, this does not mean they are exempt from being sued, according to legal experts. Nor are they the only industry with such protections. For example, COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers have legal shields as well.

In June 2022, Biden signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which introduced the first significant changes to US gun safety laws since the federal assault weapons ban of 1994. Since its introduction more than 100 people have been charged under its gun trafficking and straw purchasing provisions.

Meanwhile, controversy continues to swirl around the Operation Fast and Furious scandal, in which ATF agents in the Tuscon and Phoenix area purposely allowed licensed firearms dealers to sell around 2,000 weapons, including semi-automatic guns, to illegal straw buyers, with the ostensible aim of tracking the guns to Mexican drug cartel leaders and arresting them. Yet after five years of the program, none of the targeted capos had been arrested while some of the weapons had been found at crime scenes on both sides of the US-Mexican border, including at the scene where United States Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was killed in December 2010.

In 2012, Jesus Vicente Zambada-Niebla, a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa cartel who was being held in U.S. custody, alleged that the operation was in reality part of an arrangement to finance and arm the Sinaloa cartel in return for information used to eliminate rival cartels.

Ioan Grillo, the Mexico-based British crime journalist and author of Blood Gun Money: How America Arms Gangs and Cartels, remarked in an interview with Jordan Harbinger that he was initially hesitant to write a book about [the illegal arms trade between the US and Mexico] because I was thinking, well, you have the Second Amendment in the United States. And this is such a powerful thing. You know, what difference does it make? You know, people have got the right to bear arms. Theyre going to buy guns and bring them to Mexico.

But when he realised the sheer scale of the problem after meeting a gun trafficker in prison in Ciudad Juarez and learnt how easily and wantonly gun makers, gun shops and gun runners were exploiting glaring loop holes in US law in order to traffic firearms that are legal in many US states, including semi-automatics, to the drug traffickers south of the border, where ownership of firearms is much more stringently controlled, he decided to delve deeper:

[T]heres a lot of kind of holes in these laws or law enforcement, which is not happening, even beyond the issue of right to bear arms or not. So for example, [the gun runner] was going to Dallas to gun shows and he was buying them and he said, Theres a black market at gun shows so I can buy them with no paperwork at all, no paper trail. I walk in there, I buy 12 to 15, mainly AR-15s every week, every weekend, and take them down to Mexico.  [O]ne of the biggest ways these cartels are acquiring the firearms is through what they call straw buyers, straw purchases. Youve got a clean record. I pay you some money. You go there and buy the guns for me. Now, theyre only paying them often things like $100 to buy a rifle, $50 to buy a pistol. And the reason its so low is because the recommended punishment is probation [T]heres one case where a guy went in, bought 10 AK-47s, identical weapons. So he is buying like 10 of those. Obviously something suspicious, youre buying 10 Romanian-made AK-47s, buying them for a guy who was working for a Mexican cartel, the Zetas, supplying the cartel. The cartel used them in the murder of an American agent.

The Iron River

The Mexican government has repeatedly accused US arms manufacturers and traffickers of fuelling the violence between drug cartels in the country. Just as the flow of fentanyl into the US costs tens of thousands of lives each year, so too does the southward flow of the iron river into Mexico. Over 200,000 guns flood across the US southern border each year, according to one official estimate  a number that is redolent of a full-scale war zone such as Ukraine.

Some estimates, including those of the Mexican government, are even higher. The death toll has been staggering: in the past six years alone, 134,000 people have been killed by firearms in Mexico.

In 2021, the AMLO government filed a $10 billion suit against seven US gun makers, including Smith & Wesson Brands, Sturm and Ruger & Co, contending that the companies were well aware that their weapons were being resold on the black market, and in fact actively encouraged it. The governments of the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize and St. Lucia have also joined the suit.

In 2022, a judge threw out the case on the grounds that a US law  the 2005 Federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA)  provides the firearms industry broad immunity from lawsuits over their products misuse. But earlier this week, a US appeals court revived the lawsuit. From US News:

Mexicos lawyers argued the law only bars lawsuits over injuries that occur in the U.S. and does not shield the seven manufacturers and one distributor it sued from liability over the trafficking of guns to Mexican criminals. U.S. Circuit Judge William Kayatta, writing for the three-judge panel, said that while the law can be applied to lawsuits by foreign governments, Mexicos lawsuit plausibly alleges a type of claim that is statutorily exempt from the PLCAAs general prohibition. He said that was because the law was only designed to protect lawful firearms-related commerce, yet Mexico had accused the companies of aiding and abetting illegal gun sales by facilitating the trafficking of firearms into the country.

The bottom line is that Mexico has plausibly alleged at least some injuries that it has suffered directly from the illegal trafficking of guns into Mexico, wrote Judge William Kayatta. Mexico alleges that defendants know that their guns are trafficked into Mexico and make deliberate design, marketing, and distribution choices to retain and grow that illegal market and the substantial profits that it produces.

Barcena described the ruling as great news while her predecessor as foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard, who brought the lawsuit in 2021, wrote in a tweet that a significant step has been taken that may help us to reduce violence in Mexico.

It could also hit the profits of US gun makers, shops and runners, as the Mexican journalist and news presenter Denise Maerker notes (translation my own):

There is a huge business in the United States that thrives from organised crime in Mexico, which is the monstrous demand for weapons. You only need to see how many gun shops there are on the US-Mexico border [T]hey are there simply to satisfy the demand. Its interesting to see the adverts produced by the companies that manufacture these weapons and how the laws are designed in such a way that it is easy to violate them, so that anyone can buy a weapon and pass it on to a drug trafficker Obviously its an enormous business and the United States has not decided or wanted to turn off the taps. We all know the power the arms manufacturers have in the US.

Maerker also makes a key point regarding the Mexican authorities responsibility in facilitating, or at least not stemming, the flow of weapons. As she notes, a recent documentary by the N-Mas news agency highlighted how easy it is for the gun traffickers to cross the Mexican border with their contraband. Put simply, Mexican border agents are not stopping and checking vehicles coming in from the US. If the Mexican government wants to seriously tackle the river of iron flowing into the country, says Maerker, the law enforcement agencies will have to do a better job policing the border.

Meanwhile, the ruling of the US appeals court resolves only a small part of the broader legal case against the US gun makers, which now must return to the same court in Boston that first rejected the lawsuit. But it does appear to have set an important precedent. From now on, it seems, US gun manufacturers are not immune from prosecution for injuries caused by criminal misuse of their weapons overseas. And that is surely a small step in the right direction.
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajic to NATO Headquarters on Friday (26 January 2024). They discussed preparations for the upcoming Washington Summit and continued efforts to bolster the Alliances deterrence and defence.

The Secretary General outlined Montenegros contributions to Allied security, including deploying troops to multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria and Latvia. Montenegro also contributes to building more effective and inclusive security forces as a part of NATOs training mission in Iraq, he added.

Mr Stoltenberg stressed Montenegros critical role in securing stability in the Western Balkans. He welcomed the Prime Ministers strong commitments to reform, as well as Montenegros path to Euro-Atlantic integration. Condemning last years outbreaks of violence in Kosovo, the Secretary General highlighted NATOs swift response, deploying 1,000 additional troops and heavy armour. He underscored that NATO is committed to ensuring that KFOR continues to fulfil its UN mandate.

The Secretary General also noted that NATO ambassadors will visit Sarajevo next week, calling this a demonstration of strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

On support for Ukraine, Mr Stoltenberg thanked Montenegro for its contributions through NATOs Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) and urged Allies to continue stepping up support for Ukraine at this critical time.

Looking ahead to the upcoming Washington Summit, the Secretary General said Swedens entry into NATO will make the whole Alliance stronger. He thanked President Erdogan for swiftly signing the recent ratification of Swedens NATO membership by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and I look forward to Hungarys ratification as soon as the parliament reconvenes, he said.
From 27 January to 1 February 2024, the NATO Secretary General, Mr Jens Stoltenberg, will travel to the United States of America.

On 29 January, the Secretary General will be in Washington DC to have bilateral meetings with senior officials including the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and the Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, as well as U.S. National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan.

On 30 January, Mr Stoltenberg will meet with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, Democratic Leader of the House, Hakeem Jeffries, Republican Leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell, as well as other Democratic and Republican Representatives and Senators.

On 31 January, the Secretary General will deliver a speech at the Heritage Foundation. On the same day, he will also travel to Troy, Alabama, and visit the Missiles and Fire Control Facility of Lockheed Martin.

On 1 February, Mr Stoltenberg will be in Tampa, Florida, to visit the headquarters of the US Special Operations Command.

Media Advisory

29 January, 15:15 (EST) Joint press conference by the Secretary General and the US Secretary of State

31 January, 10:30 (EST) Speech by the Secretary General, followed by Q&A, at the Heritage Foundation

Media Coverage

The Secretary Generals joint press conference and his speech at the Heritage Foundation will be streamed live on the NATO website.

Transcripts of the Secretary Generals remarks at the joint press conference and of his speech at the Heritage Foundation, as well as photographs, will be available on the NATO website.

For more information:

Contact the NATO Press Office

Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @NATO, @jensstoltenberg and @NATOPress.
(As delivered)

Prime Minister Spajic,

Dear Mickey,

Welcome to NATO. Its great to see you again and a pleasure to receive you here at the NATO Headquarters.

Montenegro is a highly valued NATO Ally.

You have deployed troops to our battlegroups in Bulgaria and Latvia,

helping to deter Russian aggression.

In Iraq, Montenegro is contributing to building more effective and inclusive security forces, as part of NATOs training mission.

Montenegro also plays an important role in the Western Balkans,

A region of strategic importance to NATO,

which I visited last autumn.

So Prime Minister, I welcome your strong commitment to reforms and Montenegros path to full Euro-Atlantic integration.

This is even more important as stability in the broader region remains fragile.

Last years outbreaks of violence in Kosovo were unacceptable.

And NATO responded swiftly, deploying 1,000 additional troops and heavy armour.

We are committed to ensuring that KFOR continues to fulfil its UN mandate.

We also spoke about the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The North Atlantic Council  all 31 NATO Ambassadors  will visit Sarajevo next week.

A demonstration of strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

All political leaders must work to preserve unity.

This is crucial for the stability of the country and the region.

Russias war against Ukraine is nearing the two-year mark.

And I welcome Montenegros support for Ukraine, including through NATOs comprehensive assistance package.

But NATO Allies and the European Union need to step up and provide even more funding for Ukraine at this critical time.

Because if President Putin wins in Ukraine, there is a real risk he will use force again.

Today we also discussed the preparations for our next Summit in Washington in July, and our work to bolster NATOs deterrence and defence.

Swedens entry into NATO will make the whole Alliance stronger.

So I welcome this weeks vote by the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye to ratify Swedens NATO membership.

And I thank President Erdogan for his swift signature of the decision.

I also welcome this weeks clear message of support from Prime Minister Orban and his government.

I look forward to Hungarys ratification as soon as the parliament reconvenes.

So Prime Minister, once again, thank you for coming here.

And thank you for your strong support for our transatlantic Alliance.

Please.

Acting NATO Spokesperson Dylan White

Thank you, we'll go to questions starting with Radio Television Montenegro here please.

Ivan Mijanovic (Radio Television Montenegro)

Thank you very much Ivan Mijanovic, Radio Television Montenegro. Mr. Secretary General, how do you assess the security situation now in the region after recent events in Kosovo, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the presence of the third parties in the region of Western Balkans? Do you think that this presence has increased since Russian aggression to Ukraine and what are mechanisms that NATO has in order to tackle this phenomena?

And in other question, if I may for you, Turkish parliament as you said, gave a long awaited approval to membership of Sweden to NATO. And you recently had a call with Prime Minister Orban do you expect that all the procedure could be finished until the next ministerial meeting in February and that NATO can welcome Sweden as a full-fledged member until then, and for Mr. Prime Minister, does Montenegro have plans maybe to reinforce its presence in the NATO led missions in the region and on the eastern flank of the Alliance? Thank you very much.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

First, on the situation in the Western Balkans. Of course, the Western Balkans is of great importance for NATO. We have a history there, we have presence there, because peace and stability in the region matters for the whole of NATO, and therefore we were very concerned when we saw an uptick in violence and tensions throughout last year, with some very serious incidents, especially in Kosovo, and that led to the decision by our military commanders to reinforce the KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo with additionally one thousand troops, because NATO has to be able to ensure that we are delivering our UN mandate to ensure stability and the freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo. And that was my main message also when I visited Kosovo and the region last fall, and we are constantly assessing any need for further adjustment or a presence. In Bosnia Herzegovina, the message is that all parties should refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and the territorial integrity and the international recognised borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina must be respected. We worked closely with the European Union, both in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we actually are working on the ground together. But also we support by our military presence in Kosovo. The EU facilitated dialogue and dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade is the only way forward to find a lasting solution. Then on Sweden's accession into NATO. Swedish membership in NATO will make NATO stronger and all of us safer. And therefore I welcome that Montenegro actually very rapidly ratified and accepted the Swedish accession into our Alliance. I welcome the decision by the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye to ratify and also that President Erdogan shortly after the decision, actually last night, gave his signature to the decision of the parliament. So now all the decisions are in place in Turkiye. I spoke with Prime Minister Orban of Hungary, earlier this week, he very clearly conveyed that he support, he supports the accession of Sweden into NATO. And it has been made clear that the parliament will take up this as soon as the parliament convenes and the message is that the parliament will then support the ratification of Swedish membership. The message I have received from Budapest is that the parliament will reconvene at the end of February so we have to wait for that. But I'm absolutely confident and I count on Hungary that the ratification of Sweden will be ratified as soon as the parliament convenes at the end of February.

Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajic

As in regards to Montenegros commitment to Western Balkans, it's absolutely clear why we are stressing out and why we think it's so important for Montenegro because we are in the heart of Western Balkans. We are surrounded by the countries of Western Balkans and it's in our deep national interest that Western Balkans is peaceful, prosperous, that lacking the foreign malign influence and having an opportunity to become a true part of NATO, Europe, EU and other organisations that are democratic, and they're helping the region to step forward in terms of the economy and democracy. As per our commitment in, we are already very present in Kosovo. We stand ready to strengthen our position in Kosovo. We are we think that situation has calmed down recently, but as we have discussed, we are always ready to help. And it's in our deep national interest as I said that we maintain peace in Kosovo, the same goes for Bosnia Herzegovina, our unwavering commitment to Bosnias territorial integrity and peace is utmost importance for Montenegro. As I say we share the big border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. We have offered our help in terms of the experts and training to KFOR  to the people in Bosnia so we are definitely ready to be credible Ally to in NATO in any shape and form.

Acting NATO Spokesperson Dylan White

Seeing no further questions, that concludes this press point. Thank you all very much.
Republicans question Biden admin over $3 billion loan to Sunnova, which has been accused of scamming elderly dementia patients into signing expensive solar panel leases

Republican lawmakers have begun questioning the administration of President Joe Biden for a $3 billion taxpayer-funded loan to solar energy company Sunnova, which has been accused of "scamming" and taking advantage of elderly dementia patients by tricking them into buying long-term solar panel leases

Terry Blythe, a Texas resident, informed the Washington Free Beacon that a door-to-door Sunnover salesman convinced her 86-year-old father diagnosed with dementia to sign a 25-year solar panel lease back in 2020. When her father passed away earlier in 2023, Bylthe said she was left saddled with the $34,000 contract.

"It was truly ripping off old people," said Blythe. "It was the biggest ripoff I've ever seen.

Another Texas resident, Mary Loller, said that her father was senile and had been given months to live when a door-to-door Sunnova salesman sold him a $60,000 solar system for his mobile home last year. (Related: Relying solely on wind and solar power requires the TAKEOVER of so much land compared to fossil fuels.)

"My dad told [the salesman] at that time he was in hospice and dying. And basically, he wasn't in his right mind," said Loller. Her father passed away soon after. Loller said Sunnova placed a line on the mobile home, which prevented the family from selling the property.

It has been reported that the Sunnova salespeople have been approaching vulnerable elderly patients for multi-decade solar panel leases that cost up to $60,000. There have been over 50 complaints filed against the company since last year. Some of the issues included delays to maintenance as well as "predatory sales tactics." At least 1,000 more complaints have been filed against Sunnova in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico alone.

"We are alarmed about recent, credible reports that Sunnova has racked up numerous consumer complaints, including those alleging troubling sales practices," wrote Chair of the Senate Republican Conference John Barrasso (R-WY) and Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) in a letter to the director of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) loan programs office, Jigar Shah.

As a result, both Barroso and Rodgers have demanded that all documents related to the loan  the largest ever made to a solar power company  and communication between the DOE and the company be turned over to them for oversight.

"These allegations are particularly troubling, as LPO has stated this program focuses on disadvantaged communities," they added.

Green energy agenda for low-income families

In September last year, the DOE loan programs office announced that it had closed on a $3 billion partial loan guarantee to Sunnova's Project Hestia, which is to provide solar and battery storage to low-income individuals, as part of Biden's green energy agenda. The agreement marked the federal government's largest commitment ever made to solar power/

The Sunnova deal specifies that the project will provide loans for green energy systems for approximately 75,000 to 115,000 homeowners throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

But, while the reports cited in the letter by Rodgers and Barroso focus on specific incidents, the Republican leaders wrote in their letter that those reports "are not isolated incidents."

"Whether it's a lease, a loan or a power purchase agreement, we are ensuring that customer's power flows for 25 years," said Kelsey Hultberg, Sunnova's executive vice president for corporate communications and sustainability.

Sunnova, however, has received numerous customer complaints. "Customer disputes alleged deceptive sales practices, poor customer service, and they further report installation and repair technicians do not arrive as scheduled," the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said.

Sunnova's BBB accreditation has not been renewed since 2019 due to the pattern of complaints  including over 500 in the past 12 months  and a government action against the company in Puerto Rico that has since been resolved.

"Consumer's complaints stated Sunnova assigned resolution specialists who are unreachable through phone or email causing delays in diagnosing and repairing under-producing panels or panels that are not operational at all," the BBB alert reads. "While Sunnova Energy Corporation has responded to complaints and many of which were closed as resolved, [customers] felt their concerns were addressed only after filing a complaint with the BBB."

Visit SolarPanels.news for more information on solar panel use in the United States.

Watch this video of Fox News reporting on the "nationwide solar scam" that is Sunnova Energy.

This video is from Son of the Republic on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Solar researcher warns of solar activity decrease, imminent MINI ICE AGE and GLOBAL FAMINE by 2030.

"Green" energy isn't: New analysis tears down lies about renewables, reveals solar panels to be carbon-intensive.

Federal data shows WIND and SOLAR energy overtaking coal for the first time.

Solar farms sucking up California's water  so much for "sustainability."

Concerns regarding use of forced labor in manufacturing process hampering future of solar power.

Sources include:

TheNationPulse.com

FreeBeacon.com

Brighteon.com
Can America survive its traitors?

This weeks decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the federal government to remove razor-wire barriers set up by the State of Texas to discourage illegal border crossings was a slap in the face to every law-abiding American citizen.

(Article republished from LeoHohmann.Substack.com)

An estimated 5 million foreign nationals, the vast majority of them males between the ages of 18 and 40, have illegally crossed into the U.S. since Biden took office. And this doesnt include the gotaways, which are those who cross over under the radar of Border Patrol rather than giving themselves up and claiming asylum.

This is an invasion of military-aged men, who by all accounts appear well-fed and well-clothed. We should assume most of them are here for no good reason.

If you think about the ramifications of this decision  all of the death and destruction that will take place in Texas and beyond as a result  its not difficult to conclude that its more than just your typical bad legal decision. No, this was a criminal decision. And it was made possible by a Trump-appointed justice, Amy Coney Barrett, who along with Chief Justice John Roberts voted with the Marxist wing of the court.

Remember this decision next time Trump brags about putting three great justices on the Supreme Court.

It seems that in almost every crucial decision, either Justice Barrett or Justice Kavanaugh sells conservatives out. These two Trump-appointed justices do not hold anything close to a coherent or consistently conservative legal philosophy.

And this latest decision outs Barrett as an outright traitor to her country.

Ive heard some conservatives suggest that maybe Barrett had her life or the lives of her family members threatened. If this is the case, she needs to resign and go public. She needs to call a press conference and explain to the American people that she is resigning because, in 2024, being a Supreme Court justice is no longer safe. And if thats true, it means we live in a banana republic run by narco-mafia terrorists using violence to get their way.

So lets not try to make her into some kind of martyr. More likely, Barrett, like Roberts and Kavanaugh, are not experiencing serious threats to their safety. Its more likely that they are simply not what we were told they were at the time of their appointment to the court. These are wolves in sheeps clothing. Not to be trusted.

The same could be said for three former presidents of the United States who have started a new non-governmental organization with the explicit purpose of chartering flights to import illegal aliens into the United States.

According to a report by Just The News, the group Miles4Migrants, founded by former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, is teaming up with two other organizations, American Express Global Business Travel and Welcome.US, to expand upon a previous effort that focused on importing Afghan refugees following the disastrous withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan in 2021.

Even before 2021, the United States has imported tens of thousands of Afghan refugees, some of which have been involved in horrific crimes that I documented in my book, Stealth Invasion.

Welcome.US was originally launched for the purpose of bringing in at least 85,000 Afghan refugees, and also has ties to the far-left billionaire George Soros and his Open Society Foundation, Just the News reports. The new coalition between Welcome.US, Miles4Migrants, and American Express Global Business Travel will seek to raise money to import illegals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Ukraine.

Donations are needed to fund the flights for newcomers to travel to the United States, states the initiatives webpage, adding, Those forced to flee often leave behind all but what they can carry, and the costs of international travel can be prohibitive. Welcome Connect Travel removes the cost of travel as a barrier for both sponsors in the United States and the displaced families they are supporting through humanitarian sponsorship.

This new effort by the NGO is in addition to ongoing importation efforts by the Biden regime, with the Department of Homeland Security chartering flights to bring illegals further into the interior of the United States.

The Roman statesman Cicero once stated (some say the quote actually originated from author Taylor Caldwell), A nation can survive its fools and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within.

Read more at: LeoHohmann.Substack.com
Gay justice minister announces that criticizing transgenders will soon be CRIMINALIZED in Poland

The new deputy justice minister announced recently that they would soon send to jail and penalize those who criticize transgenderism and other LGBTQIA ideologies.

Krzysztof Smiszek, who is also a gay activist, said that the move would include the amendment of the provisions of the Criminal Code, prohibiting the so-called hate speech about categories such as gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or disability. "It's a pretty simple legislative procedure. Work has been launched, also at my request, in the Ministry of Justice. By the end of February, such regulations should be drafted and left the Ministry of Justice after inter-ministerial consultations," said the justice head. Smiszek pointed out that such regulations apply in most European Union countries. These are the same laws that govern "hate speech" because of race and ethnicity. It will be the same penalty compartment, he added.

However, the populist Konfederacja (Confederation) political alliance questioned the planned speech restrictions, which were included in the coalition agreement between the three globalist political alliances that were combined to govern Poland. "What is hate speech? The tradition of the Polish language does not know such a term. In practice, this means nothing more than criminal prosecution for expressing views that are inconsistent with a specific ideology that is close to the new coalition, warned Sejm member Konrad Berkowicz, who happened to be from the Konfederacja party. "This is obvious censorship, an obvious attack on freedom of speech and obvious, creeping totalitarianism." (Related: Americans repeatedly warned not to mislabel transgenders  but most transgenders actually WANT to CONFUSE people about their gender, especially "binaries.")

Mainstream media has proliferated how it is hard for the LGBTQIA community to thrive in Poland. According to the annual Rainbow Europe index released in May 2023 by ILGA-Europe, a Brussels-based NGO, Poland remains the worst country in the European Union for LGBT people. They have held this title since 2020.

Poland remains the EU's worst country for LGBT people, according to the annual Rainbow Europe ranking https://t.co/j83yAOtrcT  Notes from Poland ?? (@notesfrompoland) May 11, 2023

Members of the said "rainbow community" were hopeful that last year's parliamentary elections could end the rule of the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party. PiS has established what it calls "LGBTQ-free zones" across the country.

"During these difficult eight years, we were humiliated, discriminated against, used in a political game and indicated as a public enemy," said Grzegorz Garboli?ski, an LGBT activist affiliated with the New Left (Nowa Lewica) party that is part of the broader Left (Lewica) alliance that stood in the elections. "[These] last [few] years, we were in a permanent state of tension, getting bad news from different parts of Poland," Anna Wrzeszczynska, the head of communications for the LGBT advocacy group Campaign Against Homophobia (KPH) said. "So, we were really excited and happy after [the election] because we felt that, finally, something is possible, that change is possible."

However, three opposition groups set to form a new coalition government. The Left, which has the most ambitious program for LGBT rights, did worse than expected, winning only 8.6 percent of the vote and 26 seats in parliament. The center-right Third Way, which is moderately conservative on social issues, exceeded expectations, with 14.4 percent and 65 seats. The dominant group in the new government is the centrist Civic Coalition (KO), with 30.7 percent and 157 seats. It has pledged to improve LGBT rights, including introducing same-sex civil partnerships and a simpler gender-recognition process, but its disappointing record in office between 2007 and 2015 makes activists doubt it.

Now, the coalition agreement signed between the three groups after the elections is being carried on through the Criminal Code amendment to be finalized next month. They also pledged to restore the rule of law, annul the near-total abortion ban, depoliticize public media and dichotomize the church and state.

Polish government to fast-track same-sex marriage

As Polish Prime Minister Donald Franciszek Tusk was busy installing his executive cabinet with hard-left radicals, his government may be poised to fast-track the legalization of same-sex marriage following a legal diktat from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

The ECHR issued their verdict back in December, declaring that current Polish statutes, which recognize marriage as between a man and a woman, violate the "right to respect for private and family life" outlined under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights in a six-to-one decision. While the ruling stressed that it could not force any nation-state to legislate for or against same-sex partnerships, it did minimize the Polish state's "traditional concept of marriage as a union of a man and a woman" that was given as one of the reasons not to recognize homosexual unions by the past PiS government.

Back in 2010, ECHR was already accused of meddling in the affairs of sovereign nations around LGBT issues when it strongarmed the Italian government into recognizing same-sex partnerships with the similarly worded Oliari v. Italy case.

Check out CultureWars.news for more stories like this.

Sources for this article include:

TheNationalPulse.com

Dorzeczy.pl

NotesFromPoland.com

EuropeanConservative.com
The International Court of Justice in The Hague has ordered Israel to "take all measures" to prevent the genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian terrorist group Hamas has already welcomed the court's decision, and Israel has called it a "disgusting" attempt to deprive the country of its right to defense.

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This was reported by the Israeli English-language online newspaper The Times of Israel. The publication described the decision of the UN court in The Hague and published the reaction of the parties to the conflict to it.

So, on January 26, the International Court of Justice adopted a number of temporary measures against Israel on the grounds that the rights of Palestinians must be protected before the court can make a final decision on the merits of the case. This refers to South Africa's demand for an immediate unilateral ceasefire during Israel's military operation against Hamas in Gaza because Tel Aviv is allegedly committing genocide against Palestinians.

The court issued a preliminary ruling that Israel must "take all measures within its power" to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians, as provided for in Article 2 of the Genocide Convention.

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The judgment states that Israel must prevent the killing or injury of Palestinians in Gaza and prevent conditions calculated to bring about the total or partial destruction of the population of the Strip. The Court also orders Israel to take measures to prevent and punish incitement to genocide against Palestinians, as well as to take measures to provide "urgently needed assistance to address the adverse living conditions in Gaza".

Hamas' reaction

The Palestinian terrorist group Hamas approved and welcomed the decision of the UN Supreme Court, calling it important because it "contributes to the isolation of Israel".

"The decision of the International Court of Justice is an important event that contributes to the isolation of Israel and the exposure of its crimes in Gaza," the newspaper quoted the statement of the terrorist organization ruling in Gaza as saying.

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Israel's reaction

After the preliminary ruling of the International Court of Justice, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel rejects the "disgusting" attempt to deprive it of the right to defense and will fight until "complete victory" in the "just war" against Hamas.

"Israel's commitment to international law is unwavering. Equally unwavering is our sacred commitment to continue to defend our country and our people," Netanyahu said in a video posted online.

Netanyahu called Israel's accusations of genocide false and outrageous.

"The disgusting attempt to deprive Israel of this fundamental right is a clear discrimination against the Jewish state, and it was rightly rejected. The accusations of genocide against Israel are not only false, they are outrageous, and decent people around the world must reject them," he continued.

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Netanyahu called Hamas a "genocidal organization," recalling that the group has promised to repeat the atrocities committed on October 7 "again and again."

The prime minister claims that Israel's war is against "terrorists, not Palestinian civilians."

"Despite the war, we will continue to facilitate humanitarian aid and do everything we can to keep civilians out of harm's way, even if Hamas uses civilians as human shields," Netanyahu said.

Former IDF commander and politician Yoav Gallant sharply criticized the decision of the International Court of Justice, saying that Israel "does not need to be lectured about morality" while fighting Hamas in Gaza.

"The International Court of Justice in The Hague overstepped its bounds when it granted South Africa's anti-Semitic request to discuss the Gaza genocide claim and now refuses to dismiss the petition entirely," he said.

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"Those who seek justice will not find it in the leather chairs of courtrooms in The Hague - they will find it in the Hamas tunnels in Gaza where 136 hostages are being held and where those who murdered our children are hiding," Gallant emphasized.

He also promised that Israeli forces will continue to work to "dismantle" Hamas and return the hostages.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the Hamas terrorists have named the conditions under which they will be ready to cease fire against Israel. They stated that they would observe the truce if the International Court of Justice approves a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Israel supports it.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Elon Musk tours Auschwitz to DISTRACT THE WORLD while Israel bombs tens of thousands of Palestinians to death

Elon Musk recently visited Auschwitz with The Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief Ben Shapiro as he tries to play the victim and denounce genocide against the Jewish people  all while Israel continues to bomb thousands of Palestinians to death.

The trip came after Musks social media platform, X, came under fire for antisemitic content. Some of the platforms biggest advertisers have either paused their ad spending or left the platform altogether in response to Musk describing a post by another user that many perceived to be an antisemitic conspiracy theory the actual truth.

The advertiser exodus deepened after the watchdog group Media Matters released a report showing ads from major companies appearing next to posts on X in support of Nazism. IBM, Apple and Disney were among the big names who pulled their ads.

Musk later apologized for the post and called it the dumbest one he had ever made.

Musk and Shapiro visited the former Nazi concentration camp site with Holocaust survivor Gidon Lev, Musks three-year-old son, and European Jewish Association (EJA) Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin. The EJA challenged Musk to visit the site a few months ago in a Zoom conference focused on antisemitism in social media. More than 1.1 million people were murdered there by Nazi Germany during World War II; a million were Jews, and 200,000 were children and young people.

It was incredibly moving and deeply sad and tragic that humans could do this to other humans, Musk said about the visit. Im a student of history, so I had seen the pictures, Id seen the videos, but ... it hits you much more in the heart when you see it in person.

Musk claims he is "aspirationally Jewish"

He then gave a speech in nearby Krakow about the rise in antisemitism that has been seen since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

He added that he had been naive about antisemitism up until recent times because the majority of his friends are Jewish.

He told Shapiro: In the circles that I move, I see almost no antisemitism. And, you know, theres this old joke Ive got like this one Jewish friend. No, I have like two-thirds of my friends are Jewish. I have twice as many Jewish friends as non-Jewish friends. Im like Jewish by association, Im aspirationally Jewish.

In November, Musk traveled to Israel, where he proclaimed that he was against antisemitism and anything that promotes hate and conflict  an ironic statement for someone who was standing in a country that continues to kill countless civilians in response to the October 7 assault by Hamas.

He toured Auschwitz under the banner of Never Again, yet Israel has been carrying out an extensive campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people of Gaza. There is no denying that the Holocaust is one of the darkest and most horrific chapters of modern history, but murdering tens of thousands of innocent people, including children and babies, in Gaza while cutting the enclave off from food, water and electricity is not much better. Not content to stop there, they also cut off supplies of crucial medications and other medical supplies, forcing doctors to perform complex surgeries like amputations without anesthesia in some cases to try to save peoples lives.

The situation has grown so horrifying that the country was accused of genocide by South Africa in a case before the International Court of Justice, but apparently Musk doesn't care about who is promoting "hate and conflict" when it's against the Palestinian people.

Sources for this article include:

InformationLiberation.com

Reuters.com
Louisiana lawmaker accuses Biden administration of staging civil war with removal order targeting Texas border razor wire

Representative Clay Higgins (R-Louisiana) has accused President Biden of staging civil war by asking the Supreme Court to intervene and allow them to have Border Patrol agents cut down razor wire installed by the state of Texas at the border with Mexico to deter illegal immigrants from crossing.

In a post on X, he posed a question about the ruling to himself and then shared his answer, writing:

"Media: 'Congressman Higgins, the Supreme Court just ruled in favor of the Biden Admin over the State of Texas, saying that the federal government can remove physical barriers at the border put in place by Texas. What are your thoughts?'"

Me: My thoughts are that the feds are staging a civil war, and Texas should stand their ground."

There have been hundreds of posts on X bearing the hashtag Texit in response to the ruling, suggesting that Texas should secede from the U.S.

One user wrote: "The federal government has all but declared war on Texas. We will not continue to tolerate this blatant usurpation of Texas' sovereignty and Constitutional right to defense."

It appears Texas intends to stick to its convictions, with Governor Greg Abbott saying: This is not over. Texas razor wire is an effective deterrent to the illegal crossings Biden encourages. I will continue to defend Texas' constitutional authority to secure the border and prevent the Biden Admin from destroying our property.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton agreed, posting on X: The destruction of Texass border barriers will not help enforce the law or keep American citizens safe. This fight is not over, and I look forward to defending our states sovereignty.

Abbott has pointed to constitutional protections under Article IV, Section 4, giving states special powers to protect each of them against invasion.

Emergency 5-4 ruling allows wire to be cut so immigrants can invade the U.S.

Last October, Border Patrol agents began cutting through razor wire installed by Texas officials to protect the state from an influx of illegal immigrants. Texas sued, claiming that the agents were not only trespassing but also damaging state property. Although an appeals court ruled agents could not move or cut the wire except in cases of medical emergencies, the Biden administration asked the Supreme Court for an emergency ruling.

The Supreme Courts decision was a close one, with the 5-4 vote ultimately granting the emergency request the Biden administration filed arguing the state had been stopping its agents from performing their duties. Four of the justices would have rejected the request: Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh.

Texas has also placed buoys in the Rio Grande to stop illegals from crossing. The Biden administration has sued the state over that move as well, but the barriers are still in place during ongoing litigation.

Country struggling to deal with record influx

Governor Abbott has been frustrated with the Biden administrations lack of action at the border as record numbers of illegal immigrants continue to enter the country through his state. He has started busing some immigrants to cities like New York and Chicago, which have declared themselves sanctuary cities but are now struggling to handle the influx.

Many Americans feel that the Supreme Court's move is only going to make immigration worse at a time when record numbers of illegals are entering the country and threatening national security due to poor vetting.

CBP sources report that migrant encounters hit 302,000 incidents in December 2023, which is the highest total for one month on record and the first time that monthly migrant encounters have surpassed the 300,000 mark. There have been several days when migrant encounters exceeded 12,000.

Sources for this article include:

ThePostMillennial.com

Newsweek.com

FoxNews.com
Report: Michelle Obama preparing to replace Biden for White House run against Trump

(Article by Jamie White republished from Infowars.com)

According to the New York Post, citing credible sources few have access to and usually not meant for the noses of the media, Michelle Obama is positioning herself to become the Democrat presidential nominee ahead of the DNC convention this summer.

Obama has polled donors, The Posts Cindy Adams wrote Monday.

From the New York Post:

His plan? Around May, Biden announces hes not running (even mentally). The so-called plot is that come the August convention, Michelle gets nominated. Our fan-favorite Turbo Force Plus is now 40% off! See for yourself the delicious one-of-a-kind energy boost infowarriors CRAVE! Next step, Hunters father  the temp  drops out just before that convention. For now, he still play-acts like hes a real candidate. Announcing today our dodo-in-chief would have to stop quacking and become a lame duck. Their plan is currently being tweaked.

Michelle has already reportedly sent surveys to heavy-duty donors to probe their reaction to her jumping into the race.

The process has begun, Adams wrote.

Additionally, a centrist political organization called No Labels is fielding Obamas candidacy and murmurs of her entering the race may emerge into the mainstream conversation in the coming weeks.

The assumption is they name some appealing candidates after March 15 whom they are now quietly vetting, Adams wrote. Mid-February we should hear murmurs.

Big Mike in a recent interview said shes kept awake at nights over a possible Trump victory in November, insisting that leaders matter.

I am terrified about what could happen, because our leaders matter, she said. Who we select, who speaks for us, who holds that bully pulpit, it affects us in ways sometimes I think people take for granted.

Michelle Obama says she is kept awake at night due to the upcoming election: "I am terrified about what could happen" pic.twitter.com/3kOCmJe9jB  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 8, 2024

This comes amid claims by former President Donald Trump himself that Joe Biden will soon drop out of the 2024 race.

NOW - Trump says he thinks Biden will drop out of the race.pic.twitter.com/oOg28rsp89  Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) January 22, 2024

Trump confidante Roger Stone has likewise predicted for years that Michelle Obama would be the Democrats standard bearer for 2024.

Joe will wrap up enough delegates so that no one else can be nominated, then at the last minute he will announce that for reasons of health, hes going to step aside, Stone told Alex Jones on Sunday.

EXCLUSIVE: @RogerJStoneJr Exposes The Plot To Dump Joe Biden And Replace With Michelle Obama At The DNC Convention pic.twitter.com/VogHWXYiyj  Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) January 22, 2024

Read more at: Infowars.com
Washington State Democrats move to ban natural gas in new residential and commercial buildings

The Democratic Party-dominated Washington State House of Representatives has passed a bill banning the connection of new natural gas lines to new residential or commercial buildings.

This comes after the state government's failed attempt to get natural gas consumers to turn down their thermostats to reduce the strain on the natural gas-dependent energy grid amid a frigid cold snap earlier this month.

By a vote of 52 in favor, 44 against and two abstaining, House Bill 1589, "An Act Relating to Supporting Washington's Clean Energy Economy and Transitioning to a Clean, Affordable and Reliable Energy Future," passed even with four Democrats voting against it and another two abstaining.

The bill would ban any gas company in the state that serves more than 500,000 customers from connecting new natural gas lines to new residential or commercial buildings with limited exemptions for certain manufacturing, medical care, correctional and military facilities. This provision was specifically crafted to target Puget Sound Energy (PSE), which serves natural gas to more than 900,000 customers in the Puget Sound area.

PSE would also no longer be required to provide natural gas service to existing customers, which state law currently mandates. (Related: Washington state Democrats propose ban on gas-powered lawn equipment to fight climate change.)

H.B. 1589 primary sponsor Rep. Beth Doglio (D-Olympia) said that the bill "has tools that help to protect ratepayers and increases transparency. Rather than looking at their gas system and their electric system separately, they'll be able to look at the system as an energy system."

Doglio added that she and other state Democrats will be continuing discussions with energy companies in the state about the future of natural gas use in Washington. State lawmakers are hoping to slash energy consumption in new construction by 70 percent by 2031, and by 2050 to achieve a state-wide target of economic carbon neutrality.

The measure now moves to the State Senate, also controlled by Democrats. But it should be noted that a similar bill banning new natural gas connections died in the state senate last session.

The latest attempt is part of an effort by Democratic lawmakers for "emission reduction periods" every five years until 2050 despite builders and developers opposing the plan.

Banning new natural gas could have detrimental effect on Washington homeowners

The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) has voiced its opposition to the bill, warning of the potentially detrimental effect this has on homeowners.

"In voting for this bill, legislators are showing just how out of touch they are with the reality facing homeowners," said BIAW Executive Vice President Greg Lane. "Not even two weeks have passed since thousands of Washington families fought bitter cold winter weather causing PSE to ask them to curb their energy use to reduce strain on the grid."

"Removing natural gas as a source of heating homes and water will cause our electrical grid to fail," Lane said. We will continue to fight efforts to threaten Washingtons energy security."

BIAW said that it will continue to work with legislators to encourage other policies that can reduce the state's negative effects on the environment but without causing undue harm to homeowners. BIAW has also been fighting efforts by the State Building Code Council to restrict natural gas and propane gas use in new residential and commercial construction.

Watch this clip from Fox Business featuring former Energy Secretary Rick Perry discussing how natural gas bans are ways for Democrats "to control your life."

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

CONFIRMED: State and local governments are passing laws and ordinances that ban gas stoves.

New York becomes first U.S. state to ban gas stoves, heaters in all new buildings  energy grid to suffer as a result.

City of Eugene in Oregon bans natural gas hookups in new homes.

Gas industry forms coalition to stop Biden from shuttering everyones gas appliances.

NO ENERGY FOR YOU! SF Bay Area to phase out heating appliances powered by natural gas.

Sources include:

ThePostMillenial.com

BIAW.com

MyNorthwest.com

Brighteon.com
TOXIC COVER-UP: Watchdog group demands EPA records of Facebook censorship surrounding East Palestine train derailment posts

The Government Accountability Project (GAP), a whistleblower protection organization, has announced a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request aimed at shedding light on Big Tech's involvement in censoring posts and content about the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

The incident, which occurred in early February 2023, received global attention due to the "hazardous" materials loaded onto as many as 38 of the train's freight cars. Some of these materials burned for several days before being extinguished, sending massive plumes of who-knows-what into the skies.

The entire fiasco became a scandal after it became clear that a coverup was taking place. That coverup involved social media platforms like Facebook (Meta) that, according to GAP, silenced user posts that questioned the official story about what happened.

"Facebook (Meta) was, according to the Government Accountability Project, fairly quick to try to suppress  by means of deleting or flagging  posts that raised the issue of possible health risks related to the derailment," reported Reclaim the Net about the matter.

(Related: The areas in and around East Palestine are now ripe for "cancer clusters" due to all the chemical dioxins and other poisons released by the derailed train.)

EPA suspected as being behind Facebook's East Palestine censorship

The FOIA filing wants to know which government entities are behind Facebook's censorship of East Palestine content, suspecting that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was actively communicating with Facebook about how to control and steer the narrative.

Pages like "East Palestine Off the Rails" that allowed users to discuss details about the train derailment were removed, while specific users who were identified as being ringleaders in the conversation were censored.

A scientist by the name of Scott Smith, for example, posted about elevated dioxin levels in East Palestine following the disaster. His official "public figure" account on Facebook was flagged as a result.

Another person named Jamie Rae Wallace who had previously tagged Smith with the link to a mainstream media article about the topic "received a text from Mark Durno, EPA Region 5 leader on the ground and Homeland Security Advisor, telling her to remove her Facebook post where she posted to think critically about answers the EPA was giving residents regarding their health."

Facebook's determination based on all of this was to censor Smith's post by tagging it with a notice that said:

"This post may go against our guidelines on suggested content."

Another bizarre tag that Facebook was using to censor people's posts read:

"This post may show content that is broadly disliked."

Smith, who is part of the FOIA request, commented on all this with the following statement:

"Anyone who cares about their constitutional rights and free speech needs to pay attention to what is happening in East Palestine, Ohio. That is why we need EPA records to shine light on any coordination with Facebook to suppress the free sharing of information on what is currently happening to residents there. The government should not be serving as a mechanism of censorship to protect multi-billion-dollar corporations."

You can read the entirety of the FOIA request at this link.

GAP's environmental investigator, Lesley Pacey, further commented on the matter by stating that Facebook should never censor independent science, especially when it comes from people who are "understandably concerned about pollution in their backyards."

"The public has a right to discuss and debate the government's response to this environmental disaster as well as post news articles that legitimately address potential health risks," she added.

The latest news about social media's antagonism towards the First Amendment can be found at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

NaturalNews.com

ReclaimTheNet.org

Whistleblower.org
Arizona GOP chairman RESIGNS after being caught trying to bribe Kari Lake to stay out of Senate race

Arizona Republican Party Chairman Jeff DeWit has been caught on a leaked audio recording attempting to bribe Arizona 2022 gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake into staying out of the state's Senate race. He immediately resigned after the leaked recording was published

DeWit handed in his resignation on Wednesday, Jan. 24, after serving in his role as GOP chairman for only a year. In the recording that forced him to resign, DeWit appears to be asking Lake to name her price to stay out of politics for two years. (Related: Damning report reveals Big Tech's interference in Kari Lake's election.)

Lake can be heard in the audio pushing back on DeWit, refusing to leave the Senate race and stating that she can't be bought. Lake is currently running for the Republican Party's nomination for Senate in Arizona. She is expected to face off against Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, who does not have any serious challengers in the Democratic primary. Newly independent incumbent Sen. Krysten Sinema has not announced whether or not she will run for reelection.

British tabloid the Daily Mail broke the story regarding the recording on Tuesday, Jan. 23. Following the leak of the recording, Lake immediately called for DeWit's resignation, telling one reporter that "he's got to resign."

"We can't have somebody who is corrupt and compromised running the Republican Party," she added.

DeWit claims audio recording taken out of context

In his message announcing his resignation, DeWit said the Daily Mail "selectively edited" the recording it published. Without providing any evidence, DeWit further claimed that Lake's team informed him ahead of time that they would release the recording if he did not voluntarily step down.

"I am truly unsure of its contents," DeWit said of the alleged recording. "But considering our numerous past open conversations as friends, I have decided not to take the risk. I am resigning as Lake requested, in (the) hope that she will honor her commitment to cease her attacks, allowing me to return to the business sector  a field I find much more logical and prefer over politics."

DeWit said he did not intend to bribe Lake but was only offering advice for her to sit out the Senate race and instead run again for governor in 2026. At the time, Lake was employed at DeWit's private company and they had had "many conversations where I was looking out for her financial interests."

"Our relationship was based on friendship, and the conversation that is now being scrutinized was an open, unguarded exchange between friends in the living room of her house," said DeWit. "I genuinely believed I was offering a helpful perspective to someone I considered a friend."

"I question how effective a United States senator can be when they cannot be trusted to engage in private and confidential conversations," DeWit concluded.

Lake's campaign team has denied that anyone from the team "threatened or blackmailed" DeWit into resigning. Lake herself asserted to reporters that the audio recording was authentic.

DeWit's resignation comes as more moderate and establishment Republicans are openly discussing plans to seek Republican Senate nominees who they believe are more electable to the general public. DeWit reportedly represents a significant section of the Arizona GOP that believes Lake is unelectable.

"There are very powerful people that want to keep you out," DeWit said in the recorded conversation with Lake. "But they're willing to put their money where their mouth is in a big way."

DeWit's resignation also compounds the problems for the Arizona Republican Party, which has been beset with financial problems over the last couple of years due to poor fundraising and previous large amounts of spending to help former President Donald Trump's legal challenges to the 2020 election.

"This isn't the kind of dissension you want if you're the Arizona Republican Party," commented Ja'han Jones for NBC. "Now the party is steeped in chaos just as the primaries are set to kick off."

Watch this Jan. 24 episode of "The Blessed To Teach Show" as host Scott Bennett discusses DeWit's resignation.

This video is from the Blessed To Teach channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Republican county supervisors charged with election interference and conspiracy, Arizona AG announces.

SMOKING GUN OF ELECTION FRAUD: Over 200,000 FAKE ballots printed on different paper types found in Maricopa County.

Kari Lake vows to KEEP FIGHTING after Arizona judge dismissed her stolen election case.

Kari Lake bombshell: Freedom of information request reveals some 200K FAILED votes occurred on election day in Arizona.

Is Katie Hobbs involved in the Arizona steal to make herself governor?

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

Politico.com

MSNBC.com

APNews.com

Brighteon.com
British army chief calls for creation of citizen army amid rising threat to the U.K.

Gen. Sir Patrick Sanders, head of the British Army, has called for the creation of a "citizen army" in the United Kingdom that is prepared to engage in land-based warfare.

Expressing heightened concerns about the evolving threat from Russia, he underscored the limitations of relying solely on increased reserve forces and stressed the imperative for a broader strategy. While not advocating for conscription, Sanders emphasized the need to cultivate a mindset among the British public that would willingly embrace voluntary service in the event of war.

Sanders pointed to the steps taken by other European nations to ready their populations for a "war footing" and urged a similar shift in mindset within the United Kingdom. He made it clear that preparing the "pre-war generation" for the potentiality of war was a "whole-of-nation undertaking," emphasizing the gravity of the situation. (Related: British Defense Secretary warns of WORLD WAR with China, Iran, North Korea and Russia in FIVE YEARS.)

"We need an army designed to expand rapidly to enable the first echelon, resource the second echelon, and train and equip the citizen army that must follow," said Sanders. "Within the next three years, it must be credible to talk of a British Army of 120,000, folding in our [Army Reserve] and strategic reserve. But this is not enough."

"Our friends in Eastern and Northern Europe, who feel the proximity of the Russian threat more acutely, are already acting prudently, laying the foundations for national mobilization," he added.

Sanders' address also delved into the necessity of modernizing and equipping the U.K.'s armed forces to effectively meet the challenges of contemporary conflicts. He called for a strategic shift that would enable the British Army to rapidly expand, envisioning a force of 120,000 within the next three years, incorporating both regular and reserve components.

Highlighting examples from Sweden and Finland, where the proximity of the Russian threat looms large, Gen Sir Patrick emphasized the need for the UK to adopt a proactive approach to national defense.

Sanders' outspoken advocacy for a robust military capability echoes broader concerns about the adequacy of the U.K.'s defense preparedness. He has been a vocal critic of reductions in troop numbers and military spending, advocating for a more substantial investment to address contemporary security challenges.

Britain considering changes to conscription rules

Despite the British Ministry of Defense's hesitancy, the prospect of active conscription is becoming all the more plausible in the U.K. in the event of World War III or another national security threat to the country.

Military authorities in Britain have expressed doubts about the adequacy of the current armed forces and reserves to safeguard the country, discussions have arisen regarding the country's rules regarding conscription.

Conscription was formally abolished in the U.K. in 1960. The Defense Ministry has stated that it was not calling for peacetime conscription, and Sanders himself has noted that his call for a citizen army does not entail conscription but merely underscores the importance of cultivating a sense of readiness and commitment among the public, aligning British armed forces policy with the changing dynamics of modern warfare.

However, discussions about possibly changing conscription rules have once again arisen as military recruitment numbers fall to their lowest levels in more than 300 years despite rising tensions in Ukraine, the Red Sea and Israel and Palestine.

Furthermore, despite the Defense Ministry's hesitancy to admit publicly, the prospect of conscription in the U.K. is plausible if the country is directly threatened. Army bosses note that this would have to be done as the country  as Sanders pointed out  does not have a large enough active and reserve force to defend the country, especially from potential large assailant like Russia.

Wyn Rees, a geopolitics expert from the University of Nottingham, asserted that while World War III still isn't around, the world is currently navigating a period of great uncertainty.

As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the need for a comprehensive and forward-looking national defense strategy becomes increasingly apparent, and Sanders' message resonates as more and more call for the U.K. to adapt and fortify itself against potential threats.

Watch Chair of the NATO Military Committee Adm. Robert Bauer discuss how civilians in Europe must prepare for war with Russia and its allies.

This video is from the Evolutionary Energy Arts channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Prominent leaders and personalities all over the world are warning that World War III is coming.

DANGER AHEAD: Major Jeffrey Prather and Mike Adams warn of Middle East escalation to WORLD WAR III.

Leaked Pentagon documents prove that World War III has been in the planning stages for years.

UKs ammo stockpiles are dangerously low after sending generous military aid to Ukraine.

Sources include:

BBC.com

Express.co.uk

Brighteon.com
BIOWEAPONS SMOKING GUN: Chinese scientist who mapped SARS-CoV-2 two weeks before China told world about COVID received CASH from NIH

Documents unearthed last month by the U.S. House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Committee as part of an ongoing investigation into the origins of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) reveal that a Chinese scientist receiving U.S. tax dollars from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) mapped SARS-CoV-2 just two weeks before China officially announced COVID and its sequence to the world.

Investigative journalist Paul D. Thacker uncovered the revelation from the documents, which were submitted to a United States government database in December 2019. They show that Dr. Lili Ren, who is affiliated with the Institute of Pathogen Biology in Beijing, is the scientist that did the deed in mapping SARS-CoV-2 right before China unveiled it on the world stage.

Dr. Ren not only has connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People's Liberation Army of China, she is also pals with Dr. Tony Fauci, one of the U.S.-based ringleaders of the COVID scam.

According to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the story on January 17, the Institute of Pathogen Biology in Beijing is part of the state-affiliated Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

The documents show that, in the days leading up to COVID's unveiling on the world stage, Dr. Ren, who mapped it, was on the payroll of the NIH, the agency that oversees the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which was directed by Fauci at the time.

"The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has confirmed that Dr. Ren's Dec. 28, 2019, sequence was nearly identical to the sequence later made public by the China CDC on Jan. 10, 2020, which at the time was the first known sequence," the committee that obtained these incriminating documents said about them in a statement.

The WSJ also commented on the revelations, stating they raise "questions anew about what China knew in the pandemic's crucial early days."

(Related: Did you catch the news about Children's Health Defense's new "Vax-Unvax" bus tour that is collecting stories from the vaccine-injured for "The People's Study?")

NIH deleted Dr. Ren's SARS-CoV-2 sequence following submission

Thacker, writing for The Disinformation Chronicle, also wrote that these disclosures are "calling into further question what officials at the [NIH] knew about research they were funding in China where the pandemic began."

It was a grant awarded to none other than Peter Daszak's EcoHealth Alliance that exposed Dr. Ren as being on the NIH's payroll in December 2019. The grant came in 2014 and was purposed for a multi-year project called, "Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence."

"The grant shows that taxpayers paid Ren a salary, although NIH redacted the amounts for salary and benefits," Thacker writes.

The documents showing all this only came about after the committee threatened to subpoena the HHS, which reluctantly produced a letter on Dec. 21, 2023, confirming that Dr. Ren submitted the genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 to GenBank, a database operated by the NIH, on Dec. 28, 2019.

Interestingly, the nearly-completed COVID sequence that Dr. Ren submitted was never published, and was subsequently deleted from the database entirely.

"Dr. Ren's submission was missing some of the technical (not scientific) information required for publication on GenBank," the committee said. "She was notified by NIH staff on Dec. 31, 2019, that her submission would be deleted without the additional information."

According to the New York Post, Dr. Ren's SARS-CoV-2 submission to GenBank "was nearly identical to what Beijing eventually presented to the World Health Organization on January 11, 2020." The HHS also confirmed that the sequence published on Jan. 12, 2020, "was nearly identical to the sequence that was submitted by Lili Ren" on Dec. 28, 2019.

The latest news about bioweapons development projects in China can be found at CommunistChina.news.

Sources for this article include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

NaturalNews.com
Abbott declares the federal government HAS FAILED TEXAS by refusing to protect the border and defend against migrant invasion

Gov. Greg Abbott has declared that the federal government has failed Texas by breaking "the compact between the United States and the states" with its refusal to enforce the country's immigration laws and protect Texas against the invasion of illegal immigrants it is currently experiencing.

In a statement, Abbott asserted that Texas has a constitutional right to defend itself from invasion if the federal government refuses to do its duty.

"The Executive Branch of the United States has a constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting States, including immigration laws on the books right now," said Abbott. "President [Joe] Biden has refused to enforce those laws and has even violated them. The result is that he has smashed records for illegal immigration." (Related: Texas takes control of park in Eagle Pass along the U.S.-Mexico border to halt endless flow of migrants.)

Abbott's current feud with the federal government came after he challenged Biden's policy of destroying the razor wire that the Texas National Guard placed along the Rio Grande to deter illegal immigrants from attempting border crossings. Abbott pointed out that Biden's policy is more dangerous to illegals, as it incentivizes illegals to attempt the dangerous illegal crossings along the river where they are likely to drown rather than try to claim asylum at legal points of entry.

Biden brought this case to the Supreme Court, which voted in favor of the administration to allow federal Border Patrol agents to continue cutting the wire.

"By wasting taxpayer dollars to tear open Texas' border security infrastructure, President Biden has enticed illegal immigrants away from the 28 legal entry points along this State's southern border  bridged where nobody drowns  and into the dangerous waters of the Rio Grande," said Abbott. "This illegal refusal to protect the States has inflicted unprecedented harm on the People all across the United States."

Abbott also referenced how the framers of the U.S. Constitution, including Founding Fathers James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, "foresaw that States should not be left to the mercy of a lawless president who does nothing to stop external threats" such as Mexican cartels who smuggle illegal immigrants across the border.

The governor argues that this is why these Founding Fathers included a clause in the Constitution that mandates that the federal government "shall protect each [State] against invasion."

Abbot further argues that the federal government's failure to fulfill its constitutionally bound duty allows Texas to invoke its constitutional right to self-defense and its constitutional authority to protect its borders.

"That authority is the supreme law of the land and supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary," said Abbott. "The Texas National Guard, the Texas Department of Public Safety and other Texas personnel are acting on that authority, as well as state law, to secure the Texas border."

My statement on Texas constitutional right to self-defense. pic.twitter.com/seNFZdmujP  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 24, 2024

Democrats calling on Biden to invade Texas and seize control of state's National Guard

As Abbott continues to tout the state's right to defend itself from the migrant invasion, Democratic lawmakers are calling on Biden to act decisively, not by enforcing the country's migration laws but by taking control of the Texas National Guard.

Democratic lawmakers like Rep Greg Casar of Texas' 35th congressional district have accused Abbott of orchestrating a "political stunt" and taking a play out of former President Donald Trump's playbook.

"Greg Abbott has continued to use political stunts and inflammatory language to advance his own agenda, violating the Constitution and endangering both U.S. citizens and asylum seekers," said Casar. "Abbott is following the Donald Trump playbook: Making immigration harder and more dangerous, so asylum seekers are pushed into the hands of cartels and the system remains broken."

"I agree with [Rep. Joaquin Castro]: If Abbott is defying yesterday's Supreme Court ruling, [the president] needs to establish sole federal control of the Texas National Guard," continued Casar. "We can create an immigration system that is safe, orderly and humane. It's Democrats' job to push back on razor wire, inhumane cages and broken policies of the past."

Failed Senate and gubernatorial candidate and former Rep. Beto O'Rourke also called out Abbott for using the Texas National Guard "to defy a Supreme Court ruling."

"When Gov. Orval Eugene Faubus [of Arkansas] did this in 1957, [President Dwight] Eisenhower federalized the Arkansas Guard to ensure compliance with the law," said O'Rourke. "Biden must follow this example of bold, decisive leadership to end this crisis before it gets worse."

Watch this special report from the Next News Network as anchor Gary Franchi discusses the ongoing battle between Texas and Abbott and the federal government and the Supreme Court.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

National Border Patrol Council president says the only way to fix the border crisis is to re-elect Trump.

Biden regime threatens WAR with Texas over border security: "Give us access, or else."

TEXAS takes over: Biden asks SCOTUS to stop Gov. Abbott from blocking his Border Patrol in Eagle Pass.

50 Texas counties have now passed resolutions declaring an INVASION.

Texas DPS spokesperson states the obvious: There are criminal networks operating in America that are involved in human smuggling.

Sources include:

Twitter.com

InfoWars.com

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.com
Video shows illegal aliens lining up to receive FREE housing in New York City

A video uploaded on X, formerly Twitter, shows a large line of illegal immigrants in New York City waiting to apply for "free" housing that was funded by taxpayers

The taxpayer-funded housing program is part of the city's "sanctuary city" policy that ensures free housing for illegal migrants, who are apparently abusing the system.

In the clip posted on X, taken from a show on Fox Business, reporter Madison Alworth talked about the valid concerns because migrants are "coming in faster than normally seen." She added that it still hasn't been confirmed how much the influx will cost the city.

Alworth added that, up to this point, the migrant crisis has cost the Big Apple a whopping $3 billion. Worse, costs continue to skyrocket as more migrants arrive in the city.

According to Alworth, New York is struggling because it's not just dealing with newly arrived migrants. The city is also stuck with people who have already been in New York City housing but are being reticketed.

Illegal migrants who have already had free housing in New York City eventually receive 30- to 60-day eviction notices telling them that they have to leave their shelter. However, since New York is a sanctuary city, housing is guaranteed for illegal migrants. This means if they wait in line again, migrants can easily reapply and be rehoused.

As of writing, at least 70,000 illegal aliens are residing in NYC. The city has faced an even greater surge of illegal migrants because of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott busing them into the city from the border.

Abbott posted on X, saying that the state has transported more than 95,000 migrants to sanctuary cities.

"Sanctuary cities like NYC & Chicago have seen only a FRACTION of what overwhelmed Texas border towns face daily. We will continue our transportation mission until Biden reverses course on his open border policies," wrote Abbott. (Related: REPLACEMENTS: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to issue work permits for ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.)

Mayor Eric Adams restricts migrant buses going to NYC, but migrants simply take the train instead

Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been urging Congress and the federal government to send financial aid to the city so it can deal with the surge of illegal migrants while also condemning Abbotts political tactic.

Adams said the city is in dire need of federal and state help to resettle and support the remaining 68,000 migrants currently in New York, along with "the thousands of individuals who continue to arrive every single week."

Over the past year, New York City has seen tens of thousands of asylum-seekers arrive, in part due to Texas' busing campaign.

Adams and other Democratic Party leaders have denounced Abbott's busing campaign as cruel, while also denouncing the refusal of Texas officials to coordinate the arrivals of migrants with their New York counterparts.

Overall, officials in the states targeted by the busing have said the migrants are arriving with little to no warning. In some cases, people are being dropped off in the middle of the night in winter weather.

To fight Abbott's efforts, Adams issued an order requiring all charter buses whose operators know they are carrying migrants to drop off their passengers at the Port Authority during normal business hours.

However, instead of following that order, Texas officials are directing buses to smaller communities around the city, where migrants are given train tickets bound for New York City.

Several local media reports have revealed that many communities in both New York and New Jersey are being affected. Some are already acting to issue similar orders banning surprise arrivals.

Since early January, nine buses of migrants from Texas and one from Louisiana had been reported by state officials in New Jersey. Many or all of those on board seemed to be bound for New York. In total, at least 400 people arrived in the latest bus group.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy's spokesperson said that the administration has tracked the recent arrival of several buses of migrant families at various train stations. The spokesperson added that New Jersey is mainly being used as a transit point for these families and that all or nearly all of them continued with their travels on the way to New York City.

The spokesperson concluded that they are coordinating with federal and local partners on this matter, including colleagues across the Hudson.

Visit InvasionUSA.news for more articles about illegal immigrants overtaking cities in America.

Watch the video below as New York kicks children out of school to make room for illegal immigrants.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Illegal immigrants in New York City are leaving their shelters to go door-to-door begging for money and food.

Picky guests: Illegals REFUSE accommodation in tent city, return to Manhattan HOTELS they were formerly housed in.

There are now more illegal immigrants than homeless people housed in New York Citys shelters.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

Twitter.com 1

Twitter.com 2

News.Yahoo.com

Brighteon.com
The United States believes that by the end of 2024, Ukraine will be stronger and better positioned to determine its future. And the future for Ukraine is American assistance to win the war with Russia.

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This was stated by US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien in a speech on January 25 at the German Marshall Fund think tank in Washington. His words were quoted by Voice of America.

"As President Biden said, we will help Ukraine win. So, this is a strategic goal," the official explained.

According to him, this will be achieved through the still-expected further US financial assistance and European commitments. In particular, he pins his hopes on the EU's decision to allocate 50 billion in aid to Ukraine. European leaders are expected to consider the issue at their summit next week.

As for American assistance, the State Department official acknowledged that there are ups and downs on Washington's part.

"But I will say two things: there is tremendous support for Ukraine in both houses of Congress, and the only problem is when the leaders will be ready to put it to a vote. Every day people are fighting and dying to protect their security and ours. And I think now is the time for us to stand with them as we move forward," O'Brien said.

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The diplomat for European and Eurasian Affairs at the US State Department recently returned from Romania, which he called a key ally in supporting Ukraine and Ukrainian exports, and in particular, maintaining security in the Black Sea. And last month he visited Kyiv.

"Ukrainians continue to choose democracy, justice and a European future, just as they did twice on the Maidan, and as they do every day on the front lines of the fight against Russia," the official said.

In his opinion, the Kremlin intends to continue its war "until it sees the results of the American elections in November." Therefore, O'Brien expects tense coming months and notes that winter in war is always hard and brutal.

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As for financing Ukraine's needs on the way to victory, he added that a powerful international coalition is helping Ukraine, although Kyiv is financing two-thirds of its military needs from domestic resources.

The official is convinced that the strategy of this year's military campaign to defeat Russia is offensive and will be based on "what was done in 2023." Especially on "the outstanding success in securing access to the Black Sea and destabilizing Russia's ability to use Crimea."

Speaking about the alternative scenarios being considered in the United States today in case aid to Ukraine is not voted on in Congress, he noted that he would "resist the temptation to discuss a 'plan B'.

"It's time for leaders to say that we recognize the urgency of making decisions to move forward. It will make America safer and more prosperous. The question is whether we have the leaders today to rise to the occasion," O'Brien summarized.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA, the White House expressed confidence that there is no weakening or disunity in the West's support for Ukraine. They emphasized that the countries that have taken an active stance in repelling the Russian invasion continue to provide continuous assistance to Kyiv.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
RSV introduced into population by polio vaccines; now Pfizers RSV vaccines risk harming, killing people

The dreaded "new" disease known as RSV, short for respiratory syncytial virus, is the target of Pfizer's new RSV vaccine, called "Abrysvo"  but are Americans aware of the true history of RSV and how it is actually caused by Big Pharma's polio vaccines of old?

It is true. The polio vaccines our parents and grandparents received contained a monkey virus called the coryza virus that, once it was injected into tens of millions of bodies, the medical establishment quietly renamed it as RSV to hide its true origins as a vaccine-induced illness.

Most of America has no clue that RSV is basically a vaccine side effect, even as millions are herded into taking Abrysvo for their own "protection."

On Aug. 21, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quietly approved Abrysvo. Pregnant mothers are being told to take it despite the fact that it greatly increases the risk of pre-term birth and all of the short- and long-term health complications for the baby that often ensue.

Had polio vaccines never been widely administered, followed by a slew of other vaccines over the years that contain hidden viruses of their own, i.e., simian virus 40 (SV40), there probably would not even be an RSV "crisis," assuming one is real, in the first place.

Even so, Pfizer was given the green light to peddle yet another death drug on the masses, which the company proudly announced is the only RSV injection currently on the market for elderly people and pregnant mothers.

"Pfizer currently is the only company with an RSV vaccine to help older adults, as well as infants through maternal immunization," Pfizer boasted back in September.

(Related: Back in 2022, experts Lyn Redwood, RN, MSN, Dr. Meryl Nass and Dr. Ryan Cole issued a warning to presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., that RSV vaccines must be stopped because they are dangerous.)

EU approves Abrysvo for adults 60 and older, pregnant mothers

Just two days after the FDA green-lighted Abrysvo here in the States, the European Union (EU) granted bloc-wide market authorization for the drug to similarly be administered there to adults 60 and over, as well as to pregnant mothers.

About a month after that, the United Kingdom's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) gave the green light to Abrysvo for basically these same demographics as well, this following a Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommendation.

Since that time, Abrysvo has been unleashed in Canada, while a similar drug called Arexvy, an RSV injection produced by UK-based drug giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), was unleashed in Australia.

"The GSK and Pfizer RSV vaccines are similar," Medical Xpress reported.

"They both contain a small component of the virus, called the pre-fusion protein ... Abrysvo, the Pfizer RSV vaccine, has been trialled in pregnant women ... It has been approved in pregnant women in the United States, but is not yet approved in Australia."

Del Bigtree of The Highwire examined the package insert for Abyrsvo, noting that it increases the risk of pre-term birth, not to mention it contains toxic "buffer" ingredients like polysorbate 80 and residual DNA from host cell proteins collected from Chinese hamster cell lines.

"[RSV] came from a monkey virus that in the manufacturing of the polio virus we introduced to the world," Bigtree said following the discovery.

As explained by The Expose, the polio viruses cultivated for use in vaccines are cultured on monkey kidney tissue and associated cell lines. This tissue is naturally infected with monkey (simian) viruses and other microorganisms and agents such as protozoans and amoebas that have no business getting injected into human bodies.

As long as We the People continue to let it happen, Big Pharma will trounce all over our health and our rights. Find out more at BadMedicine.news.

Sources for this article include:

Expose-News.com

NaturalNews.com

MedicalXpress.com
COME AND TAKE IT! Texas DEFIES cease-and-desist order from Biden administration amid Border Patrol access dispute

Texas refuses to comply with a cease-and-desist letter from the Biden administration after the state blocked the U.S. Border Patrol agents from reaching the epicenter of southwest border illegal immigration in Eagle Pass.

On Jan. 21, the Biden administration urged Texas to cease impeding U.S. Border Patrol access in Shelby Park, which the Texas National Guard took control of that week. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) General Counsel Jonathan Meyer wrote to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that the combination of Texas National Guard soldiers, equipment and physical barriers is unconstitutionally restricting Border Patrol access to approximately 2.5 miles of the border.

"The recent actions by the State of Texas have impeded operations of the Border Patrol. Those actions conflict with the authority and duties of the Border Patrol under federal law and are preempted under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution. Texass actions also improperly seek to regulate the federal government," wrote Meyer. (Related: Biden regime threatens WAR with Texas over border security: "Give us access, or else.")

Meyer emphasized the conflict between the recent actions of Texas and the federal authority and the duties of the Border Patrol, citing violations of the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution. He insisted that Texas must immediately cease any actions that hinder the full access of Border Patrol to the U.S.-Mexico border, particularly in the Shelby Park area.

But Paxton strongly rejected the cease-and-desist order in his response to the DHS.

"Because the facts and law side with Texas, the state will continue utilizing its constitutional authority to defend her territory, and I will continue defending those lawful efforts in court," Paxton wrote.

DHS blames Texas for Rio Grande drowning incident

The letter pointedly noted a recent incident wherein a woman and two children tragically drowned in the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas. Meyer argued that even in cases of imminent danger to life and safety, the actions of Texas persist in obstructing the access of Border Patrol agents to the border for law enforcement and emergency response activities.

"Texas has demonstrated that even in the most exigent circumstances, it will not allow Border Patrol access to the border to conduct law enforcement and emergency response activities," wrote Meyer.

Federal officials confirmed the drownings on Jan. 20 and revealed that Texas National Guard troops acting under the direction of Governor Greg Abbott prevented Border Patrol agents from entering the area. However, the Texas Military Department contested the DHS statement, claiming that their personnel were aware of a distress report but couldn't locate the migrants. Paxton also noted that federal officials did not request access to the park on the night of the incident.

"Your attempt to blame Texas for three migrant deaths on January 12, 2024, is vile and, as you now should be aware, completely inaccurate. Three individuals drowned that night on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande, but that tragedy is your fault. Contrary to your letter, [the Texas Military Department] did not prevent U.S. Border Patrol from entering Shelby Park to attempt a water rescue of migrants in distress," Paxton said.

The Biden administration contends it is complying with asylum law by detaining and processing unauthorized border crossers, but Paxton offers a different interpretation.

"Quite apart from the Shelby Park specifics, your demand letter rests on a more fundamental misunderstanding of federal law and the role of sovereign states within our constitutional order. This much is clear from your invocation of a federal statute that gives U.S. Border Patrol warrantless access to land within 25 miles of the border, but only for the purpose of patrolling the border to prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the United States. President Biden has ordered your agency to do the exact opposite, in keeping with his open-borders campaign promise. There is not even a pretense that you are trying to prevent the illegal entry of aliens," wrote Paxton.

Visit BorderSecurity.news for more stories about Texas implementing measures to secure the southern border.

Watch Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) say that the Biden administration is "encouraging the chaos" and "more flow" of illegals across the southern border.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Texas border sector reports 10K known border crossers in single week.

Should Texas ban Biden from the ballot for not securing the border?

Texas DPS troopers rescue over 900 SMUGGLED CHILDREN at the southern border.

24 Republican governors pledge to support Texas in securing US-Mexico border.

Texas to place FLOATING BARRIERS along Rio Grande River to block border crossers.

Sources include:

Yahoo.com

NBCNews.com

MSN.com
Ukraines barbaric Donetsk market attack kills 27 civilians, seriously injures 25 more

The number of fatalities from the Ukrainian shelling of a busy Donetsk market on Sunday, Jan. 20, has climbed to 27 people while another 25 people were injured, some of whom are in serious condition due to "penetrating wounds" in the area of vital organs and traumatic amputation of limbs. Meanwhile, two children who were wounded in the bombardment are in moderate condition.

The latest tally was recently announced by the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) head Denis Pushilin, who blamed the violent attack on the suburb of Tekstilshchik on the Ukrainian military. He said that the area had been hit by 155mm caliber and 152mm caliber artillery and that the shells had been fired from the direction of Kurakhove and Krasnohorivka to the west. "This again confirms [the Wests] direct involvement in the conflict and makes it complicit in the criminal acts of the Zelensky regime, which has once again displayed its inhumanity and hatred towards innocent people," the ministry added.

Pushilin announced a day of mourning last Monday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's government has called on governments and international bodies to condemn this "treacherous attack on the civilian population," with Russias Foreign Ministry stating that failure to do so would be a sign of "silent approval of the murders of civilians" that would only encourage Kyiv "to commit even more bloody atrocities."

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not address Tekstilshchik in his nightly video address. However, he said that in a single day, Russia had shelled more than 100 cities, towns and villages in nine regions of Ukraine and that the attacks in the Donetsk region had been "particularly severe." Ukraine's forces in the southern zone of Tavria also posted on Facebook that soldiers under its command were not responsible for the market shelling. "Donetsk is Ukraine!" it said. "Russia will have to answer for taking the lives of Ukrainians."

Donetsk is one of four regions in Ukraine's east and south that Russia claimed to have annexed in late 2022 in a move condemned as "illegal" by most countries at the United Nations General Assembly.

UN lambasts Kyiv's barbaric terroristic act

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the attack on the city of Donetsk but refused to assign blame for the shelling that left many civilians dead and over two dozen injured, including several children. The capital of the DPR, which is still claimed by Ukraine, is about 12 miles from the conflict frontline.

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including today's shelling of the city of Donetsk in Ukraine," the spokesperson for the UN chief said in a brief statement on Sunday night. "Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international humanitarian law, are unacceptable and must stop immediately," it added.

The UN Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is reportedly trying to obtain more information about the attack, despite its lack of access to the city and other occupied areas in Ukraine, Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement on Monday. "Thorough, prompt and independent investigations must be carried out to determine the facts and responsibility for this attack," she said. "The investigation should establish whether this attack violated applicable law on the conduct of hostilities, to ensure accountability." Shamdasani also stressed the need to ensure strict respect for international humanitarian law and for the parties to the conflict to take all necessary precautions to protect civilians from harm.

Moreover, addressing the Security Council on Monday morning in New York, Deputy UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Adedeji Ebo reiterated the "duty" of warring sides to protect civilians. "This is an unambiguous obligation," he said, briefing ambassadors. "Let me say it again: attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international law. All such attacks must stop immediately."

Ebo said continued attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure were seriously distressing, adding that the use of aerial drones and missiles had resulted in many deaths and injuries. "Just like any other weapons or weapons systems, armed uncrewed aerial vehicles and missiles must not be used in a manner inconsistent with international humanitarian law," he stated and reiterated Guterres call on all states to help prevent further escalation and bring about sustainable peace. "The only way to end the suffering and devastation is by ending this war," Ebo said.

Still at the Security Council, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that "the absolute majority of unbiased experts" see clearly that the key factor impeding peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis "is the continued support on the part of the West to the regime in Kyiv." He added that the reality is that "despite the complete failure" of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the battlefield, "Western patrons of the Kyiv regime" continue to push them towards a senseless military confrontation.

As of Sunday, OHCHR has verified that 10,287 civilians were killed and a further 19,444 injured since Russia's full-scale invasion began on 24 February 2022. The actual figures are said to be likely higher. (Related: Former high-ranking official says Ukraine has 500K CASUALTIES, urges Zelensky to be transparent about losses.)

Check out UkraineWitness.com for more updates on the continuing Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

AlJazeera.com

MirageNews.com
U.S. forces strike Hezbollah facilities in Iraq

The United States has executed precision airstrikes in Iraq, strategically targeting facilities allegedly associated with the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah and its affiliated militant groups. These unilateral airstrikes, orchestrated by the U.S. Central Command, were directed toward three facilities extensively used by the Kataib Hezbollah Shia terror group in Iraq.

Kataib Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization since 2009 according to the U.S. State Department, is led by its key leader, Ahmad al-Hamidawi, who was recognized as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" in February 2020.

The airstrikes focused on critical locations, including Kataib Hezbollah's headquarters, storage areas and training facilities, all geared toward rocket, missile and one-way attack UAV capabilities.

Following the U.S. airstrikes, reports from CNN confirmed at least one fatality and one injury. According to information from Kataib Hezbollah's Telegram channel, the individual killed was identified as a member of the militant group.

In a separate statement, Jafar al-Hussaini, the military spokesman for Kataib Hezbollah, articulated the group's commitment to persistently target enemy strongholds in support of their compatriots in Gaza. (Related: Hezbollahs initial response to assassination of top-ranking Hamas leader involved striking Israeli intelligence base with more than 60 rockets.)

Al-Hussaini conveyed a strong message, asserting that these actions would continue until what he referred to as the "brutal, American-backed killing machine" ceases, and the siege is entirely lifted.

The backdrop of these airstrikes lies in the escalating tensions involving repeated attacks on U.S. forces in both Iraq and Syria.

The catalyst for the recent military action was the assault on al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq on January 20. Iranian-backed militants within Iraq launched multiple ballistic missiles and rockets, resulting in four U.S. personnel sustaining traumatic brain injuries, as disclosed by the U.S. Central Command.

Sabrina Singh, the deputy Pentagon press secretary, highlighted the uniqueness of the al-Asad Airbase attack during a press conference. The coordinated barrage of missiles and rockets fired "all at one time," inflicted substantial damage not only on personnel but also on the base's infrastructure. The airbase, situated approximately 100 miles west of Baghdad, hosts the majority of the roughly 2,500 American troops stationed in Iraq.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a subsequent statement, characterized the U.S. retaliatory strikes as "necessary and proportionate."

He underscored that these precision strikes were in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks by Iranian-sponsored militias targeting U.S. and Coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria.

Acknowledging the broader context, the Defense Department reported at least 151 attacks on service members in Iraq and Syria since October 17. The frequency of these attacks escalated in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas war.

Iraq condemns U.S. strike

Meanwhile, the Iraqi government vehemently condemned the US strikes on Wednesday, denouncing them as a blatant violation of the country's sovereignty.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani expressed strong disapproval, emphasizing that the attacks targeted sites used by Iranian-backed groups.

The Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), predominantly composed of Iran-backed Shia Muslim militias, labeled the U.S. action as "treacherous" and reported the death of one fighter, with several others injured in strikes on their bases in al-Qaim and Jurf al-Nasr.

Major General Yehia Rasool, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Sudani, also slammed the U.S. action, stating that it contributed to a reckless escalation. He highlighted the detrimental impact on years of cooperation, particularly amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

Rasool emphasized that Iraq would consider the U.S. operations as acts of aggression against its people and urged the international community to assist in restoring peace.

Iraqi National Security Adviser Qassem al-Aaraji, meanwhile, criticized the U.S. strikes on social media, stating that they would not contribute to calm and urging the U.S. to focus on pressuring a halt to the Israeli offensive in Gaza rather than targeting Iraqi national body bases.

Watch Hezbollah rain rockets on Israel in the video below.

This video is from the White Knight channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Israel cannot beat Hezbollah, DIA's secret assessment concludes.

Israel warns it will extend military offensive to Lebanon if Hezbollah attacks don't cease.

Lebanons Hezbollah says it is prepared and ready to join the war against Israel.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

BBC.com

Brighteon.com
A Dutch court ruled that officials may shoot paintball guns at wolves at a popular national park to scare them away after a study said some animals were exhibiting unnatural behavior.

Serious Threat

The ruling was a victory for Gelderland, the eastern province that had used paintball guns to scare wild wolves away. Wolves are protected in the Netherlands and cannot be hunted.

After a lengthy legal battle, a court in Utrecht ruled that the behavior of some wolves in the De Hoge Veluwe National Park posed "a serious threat to public safety.".

The park is popular among hikers and cyclists, and it also houses the Kroller-Muller Museum, a world-renowned art institution. It is also home to species such as deer, mouflon sheep, and wild boar. Wolves have routinely assaulted these creatures in recent years.

According to the court, one female wolf has been observed approaching bikers and walkers and showing no fear when photographers approached her.

"The fact that the wolf seems to be less and less afraid of people does not mean that the animal can no longer become aggressive and bite," the court said in its ruling.

Other ways of scaring off the wolves at the national park, such as shouting, had been ineffective, the court said, and pepper spray was deemed unsafe for the animals.

In an interim verdict issued in September of last year, the court ruled that Gelderland's strategy had been haphazardly constructed and was not sufficiently motivated.

Among other things, the province did not provide conclusive evidence that the wolf was demonstrating problematic behavior and did not fully investigate alternatives to the paintball gun.

In the interim, Gelderland consulted a wolf behavior expert with vast expertise in studying and investigating the animal. His study cited 14 sightings of wolves in De Hoge Veluwe Park and concluded that one or more wolves exhibit abnormal behavior.

Another wolf expert from the University of Ljubljana corroborated the results.

The expert decided that if the paintball gun is used correctly and not pointed directly at the animal's eyes, it is a safe tool.

Read Also: Wolves Attacking Livestock On The Rise In EU; Officials Reviewing Their Conservation Status

Protection Status

The decision came as Europe grapples with a wolf population that has recovered from near extinction.

The European Commission announced in December that it intended to change the animals' protected status, allowing them to be hunted, after evidence revealed they were posing a growing threat to livestock.

Brussels has asked EU member countries to change the protection classification of wolves from "strictly protected" to "protected," allowing them to be hunted under strict regulations.

The commission stressed that there are around 20,300 wolves throughout the EU, and "damage to livestock has increased as the wolf population has grown.".

According to commission research, wolves kill at least 65,000 head of livestock in the EU each year, with sheep and goats accounting for 73%, cattle for 19%, and horses and donkeys for 6%.

Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, lost her beloved senior pony, Dolly, to a wolf that entered its enclosure in her family's rural home in northern Germany in September.

Related Article: "Conflict Between Wolves and Humans" Becomes the Reason Behind Swedish Government's Decision to Cull Wolf Population by Half
The idea of animals having a voting right has sparked debate among experts.

Animals' Legal Right

Recent research published in Analysis suggests that it may be time to give animals voting rights.

While the idea of animals having a right to vote may appear ludicrous, the paper argues that it is simply an extension of existing procedures, in which certain nations allow the enforcement of animals' legal rights through representatives. Animals, for example, are named as plaintiffs in a large number of US federal lawsuits.

In his work, Professor Ioan-Radu Motoarca, a professor in the philosophy department at Rowan University in New Jersey, admits that "the idea that animals should have the right to vote sounds absurd."

"However, I will argue that we can understand this idea as a natural outcome of our fundamental democratic commitments," he continues.

He proposes an animal voting system in which appointed representatives--either individuals or entire companies--vote on behalf of animals.

Under his proposed system, people would only be nominated as representatives to vote on animal welfare issues. This could include legislation governing animal husbandry, meat production standards, fishing regulations, or pet care.

Animals would not be compelled to vote on difficult moral issues such as abortion or the legalization of prostitution since they are unconcerned about them.

In some controversial policies, such as numerous environmental issues that will undoubtedly have an impact on animal welfare, there would be a choice between having no animal representatives vote on such proposals and having the proxies vote based on their best judgment of what would benefit animals the most.

Motoarca sees parallels with representatives acting on behalf of minors or people with mental disorders, who "need someone else to assert their rights."

He also claims that the inability of animals to exercise their voting rights is not a valid reason to exclude them.

Read Also: Experts Says to Give Legal Rights to Animals, Trees, and Rivers

Concept Of Voting For Animals

The concept of animal voting is an example of how the "all affected interests" approach might be put into practice: everyone who is affected by a government's choices should be able to participate in it. Motoarca argues that everyone who has an interest in and is affected by governmental decisions should have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process that leads to those decisions.

However, some experts do not argue with this idea.

According to Matthew Kramer, a professor of law and political philosophy at Cambridge University, giving a non-human animal the right to vote is 'risible'.

More realistically, such a system would entail assigning an additional vote to every human being voting on behalf of an animal.

"That human being, rather than the animal itself, is the party who would make a choice on whatever matter is under consideration in the voting," he added.

This is also the sentiment of Thom Brooks, a professor of law and government at Durham University.

"At a time where public trust in our politics is at all time low, I believe time and energy is best spent focused on ensuring the voices of our fellow citizens are heard and their votes counted," he pointed out.

Related Article: Will Dolphins and Whales Get Legal Rights?
Scientists created a functioning replica of an early flying dinosaur to test a theory about how the appendages evolved.

Dinosaur Robot and Grasshopper

Many dinosaur species developed wings long before they flew.

Scientists believe that these early structures may have assisted the animals in anything from attracting mates to protecting hatchlings. However, a robot dinosaur produced by South Korean researchers implies a quite different function.

The scientists created the robot to test their theories concerning the origins of bird wings and tails.

Dinosaur experts have proposed a variety of benefits for little "proto-wings." They could have served as insect nets, preventing prey from escaping, allowing for lengthy hops and gliding, and warming the animal and its newborn progeny.

An additional theory is that dinosaurs utilized their feathery appendages in intimidating displays to flush insects and other prey from their hiding spots. The South Korean team's "flush and pursue" method is still used successfully in the northern mockingbird and bigger roadrunner.

To test their theory, the scientists placed Robopteryx, a peacock-sized machine with paper wings based on Caudipteryx, a winged, flightless dinosaur, in front of unsuspecting grasshoppers and had it execute various wing and tail movements.

These were created to imitate demonstrations that Caudipteryx may have conducted approximately 124 million years ago in the early Cretaceous.

The researchers report how grasshoppers were more likely to flee when Robopteryx used its wings than when it didn't. In the most successful demonstrations, the robot swept them back before swooping down and forward.

The insects fled more frequently when the researchers added white patches to the black wings, and Robopteryx added huge tail feathers to the show, according to the authors.

Some grasshoppers hopped away as Robopteryx approached, but many would freeze or hide beneath a plant stem, shifting their position in preparation for escape.

"In that situation, they are quite well camouflaged and not as easy to spot as during a sudden jump," said Prof Piotr Jablonski, a behavioral ecologist on the team at Seoul National University.

Read Also: WATCH: Real-Life Jurassic Park? Japanese Company Unveils Robot Dinosaurs for Theme Park

Flush Display

The researchers believe that flush displays activate ancient escape circuitry that is built into the insect's brain. The defense mechanism sends the grasshopper running, but once out in the open, it is more likely to become the predator's food.

If some feathered dinosaurs hunted in this manner, the behavior could have influenced the evolution of larger and stiffer feathers, they argue.

Other scientists, however, may require some convincing. Jablonski stated that the researchers received "multiple refusals" from 11 publications before the study was assessed and accepted for Scientific Reports.

Michael Benton, a professor of vertebrate paleontology at the University of Bristol stressed that they are correct that flight-like feathers evolved in dinosaurs when they only had little wings that were too small for powered flight.

"However, these pennaceous feathers are very much adapted to make an unbroken wing surface, and the first feathered dinosaurs may have used them in gliding from spot to spot," he added.

People frequently remark 'half a wing is no use', although many current gliding lizards and mammals have half a wing, which is a great adaption for non-powered flying or gliding.

Related Article: Meet Spinosaurus: The First Swimming Dinosaur
School cancellations and flight delays were reported in Columbia's capital due to raging forest fires in the country. Firefighters worked hard to extinguish the devastating wildfires, calling for international support.

Widespread smoke can be seen in the country's capital due to the deadly forest fires. Columbia recorded hotter temperatures in January due to the El Nino phenomenon and climate change.

In the recent NWN report, dry vegetation and rising temperatures are favorable to ignite raging wildfires exacerbated by strong winds. As the country experiences hotter weather, it helps to burn vast forests.

Devastating Forest Fires Spread in Colombia

According to the latest weather report, about 600 firefighters, with volunteers, were immediately deployed to put out the widespread forest fires above Bogota. With the fires, smoke conditions and poor air quality unfolded.

School classes were suspended to avoid prolonged exposure to unhealthy air. Flight cancellations were reported at the El Dorado International Airport due to the reduced visibility.

Firefighters worked together and extinguished hundreds of blazes. International support aid was also announced to rapidly put out the raging forest fires.

Meanwhile, Colombia announced a natural disaster to prevent the conditions from exacerbating. Recent reports added that the country sought international help, from Canada, the US, Chile and Peru, including the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN).

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro warned that the situation could get worse. More funds are expected to be redirected in dealing with the latest fire crisis. Fire concerns were also reported in the El Cable neighborhood.

Affected residents were evacuated. It is best to stay alert for the weather forecast before returning to homes due to potential fire risks.

However, the strong winds can help ignite more fires in the country, making it more difficult for firefighters.

Poor Air Quality in Colombia

The widespread fire concerns have caused poor air quality in the region. Unhealthy air can threaten the health of older adults, people with medical conditions children. It is best to wear face masks to avoid exposure to smoky conditions.

People should limit outdoor activities, especially unnecessary travel conditions. Meanwhile, authorities will provide relief to affected residents. Road hazards are also possible due to the weather conditions.

Furthermore, the hottest January was recorded in the country. People should watch out for signs of heat-related health stress, including heat stroke and heat fatigue.

Also Read: Forest Health, Tree Growth Threatened By Climate Change, Disease Outbreaks

Impact of Wildfires on Wildlife and Ecosystems

The deadly wildfires can impact wildlife and ecosystems. The decline in forests can become devastating for the survival of animals in the affected areas.

The decline in trees can affect the forests' carbon sequestration, bringing hotter temperatures and frequent dry conditions.

Related Article: Global Heating Decreases Rainfall, Increases Heat In Amazon Making Drought 30 Times More Likely

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News
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Facebook parent company Meta will build one of its first data centers dedicated to generative AI workloads in Jeffersonville, Indiana, creating roughly 100 operational jobs and about 1,250 in construction work at a cost of $800 million.

The new data center, which Meta expects to be operational by 2026, was announced yesterday by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and Meta executives. According to a statement issued by Indianas Economic Development Corporation, the data center will be powered solely by renewable energy sources.

Covering a total of almost 700,000 square feet, Metas new data center will be among the companys first to be designed first and foremost with AI workloads in mind, according to a company spokesperson. Its hardware will be a mix of custom, in-house silicon and GPUs, and feature high-density racks, along with colocation of servers with the network (servers and networking equipment will share the same physical infrastructure).

This also enables efficiency in our fiber deployment, because we need a significant [amount] of fiber to interconnect these servers, said Meta infra data center global engineering director Alan Duong, in a presentation on the companys data center plans last year.

The facility will also feature direct-to-chip liquid cooling, similar to the liquid cooling loops available in enthusiast desktop PCs, but on a grand scale. Such cooling systems are said to be more cost-efficient than either immersive liquid cooling or air-cooling technology.

In exchange for siting the new data center on 619 acres of land in Jeffersonvilles River Ridge Commerce Center, Meta will receive a 35-year sales tax exemption from the state of Indiana  a time period which can be extended if the company decides to expand its data center plans for the area.
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A release from the U.S. Department of Justice alleges the three siblings conspired to bring two minor girls from Guatemala to the U.S. to work in Domingo-Castanedas and Domingo-Juans homes in the Shadowwood Trailer Park in Champaign between December 2015 and March 2021.
In a recent study published in the journal Nature, researchers conducted cutting-edge genomic research on 2,000-year-old Brazilian human remains to investigate the evolution and emergence of ancestral treponemal genomes within the Americas and the Old World. They reconstruct four such ancient genomes and find that the prehistoric treponemal pathogen's most closely related extant relative is Treponema pallidum endemicum, the pathogen responsible for bejel. These findings challenge the previous hypotheses characterizing treponeme subspecies and highlight that treponemes are much more adaptable than hitherto thought.

Study: Redefining the treponemal history through pre-Columbian genomes from Brazil. Image Credit: bekirevren / Shutterstock

What are treponemes?

Treponemes are a genus of spiral-shaped bacteria, some of which are responsible for treponemal infections such as syphilis Treponema pallidum pallidum [TPA]), bejel (T. pallidum endemicum [TEN]), and yaws (T. pallidum pertenue [TPE]). While conventional antibiotics have significantly reduced the burden of these pathogens, recent research is increasingly finding evidence of treponemes developing multi-antibiotic resistance, causing a resurgence in medical and scientific studies of these bacteria.

Despite varying by only 0.03% of their genome sequences, TPA, TEN, and TPE display remarkably different ecologies and pathologies. Bejel is found in the hot, arid regions of western Asia and the eastern Mediterranean, yaws are restricted to the humid tropical parts of Africa and South America, and syphilis is global. Medical records reveal that while syphilis is indiscriminative of its hosts' regional development status, bejel and yaws can only be found in developing countries and have been eradicated from the developed world.

What do we know about their history?

Syphilis and T. pallidum pallidum have received much more academic interest than bejel and yaws despite all three diseases having similar symptoms and clinical interventions. This is probably due to the former's notoriety  syphilis was responsible for a devastating European outbreak in 1495. While Europe has been proposed as a potential origin for ancestral strains of treponemes, there remains a depth of literature testing this hypothesis, made more difficult by the diagnoses of historical infections that only leave visible markings on 5-30% of advanced cases.

Presently, two competing hypotheses exist for the presence of syphilis in Europe have been proposed  the pre-Columbian hypothesis and the Columbian hypothesis. The former is supported by palaeopathological evidence and postulates that the bacterium existed and probably originated in Europe hundreds or thousands of years before Columbus' first American expedition. In contrast, the second postulates that it was Columbus and the colonists that followed that carried treponemes to the continent.

The few studies that have attempted to unravel the genetics of treponemes have proven challenging, given the severe lack of ancient treponemal DNA. Understanding these pathogens' evolutionary history and systematics would inform future studies on optimal policies to prepare for potential disease outbreaks.

About the study

In the present study, researchers used nearly 2,000-year-old human remains from the Jabuticabeira II burial site to reconstruct four ancestral T. pallidum genomes with up to 33.6 coverage. The sample group comprised 96 specimens from the burial site, both with (n = 32) and without suspected treponemal pathologies. Preliminary screening revealed 37 specimens with usable treponemal DNA.

All samples were radiocarbon-dated, with four bone samples yielding the necessary genomic DNA. Shotgun sequencing was used for preliminary pathogen screening. Target enrichment of sequenced DNA revealed nine samples with more than 5,000 reads mapping to T. pallidum reference genomes (acquired from BosniaA, CDC2, and Nichols). The four aforementioned bone samples (ZH1390, ZH1540, ZH1541, and ZH1557) were found to have reads covering 9.2-99.4% of the BosniaA reference genome.

Base deamination was estimated to verify the authenticity of recovered ancient DNA. High-throughput Illumina sequencing of ZH1390, ZH1540, ZH1541, and ZH1557 was used to generate reads for ancestral genome reconstruction. These reads were subsequently mapped to reference TPE (CDC2), TEN (BosniaA), and TPA (Nichols) genomes.

"The final sequence obtained for the ZH1540 sample resulted in 99.38% coverage with respect to the TEN reference genome (BosniaA), a minimum coverage depth of 5 and a median depth of 33.6."

The newly generated ZH1540 ancient genome was assembled (aligned) and analyzed together with 98 treponeme genomes, including TEN (8 strains), TPE (30 strains), and TPA (60 strains), all acquired from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) databases. The resulting alignment spanned 1,141,812 nucleotides and included 6149 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Inheritance patterns and phylogenetic analyses were carried out using a recombination analysis with the phylogenetic incongruence method (PIM). Relatedness was visualized using Maximum-likelihood tree-building approaches. To determine the age of the reconstructed genome, molecular clock dating was performed.

a, A map showing the location of the Jabuticabeira II archaeological site on the south coast of Santa Catarina state, Brazil, and the samples ZH1390, ZH1540, ZH1541 and ZH1557, for which genomes were reconstructed. b, A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree of the modern and ancient T. pallidum strains using GTR + G + I as the evolutionary model and 1,000 bootstrap repetitions. All ancient genomes used in this study (newly reconstructed and previously published ancient genomes; see Supplementary Table 3) are marked in bold. Pink dots represent nodes with bootstrap values exceeding 70%. The scale bar is in units per substitutions per site.

Study findings

The present study generated four ancient treponeme genomes, all of which were unexpectedly most closely related to the bejel-causing T. pallidum endemicum. While syphilis and yaws have been identified from Old and New World ancient genomes, these represent the first TEN-like pathogens ever isolated from archaeological remains.

"Our findings in this study only enforce this view: an ancient, TEN-like agent, identified far from the disease's modern-day geographical niche, in a humid Brazilian coastal region attests to the ability of treponemes to adapt to various climates and geographic locations. High-quality treponemal DNA recovered from a prehistoric source validates the use of ancient DNA techniques in establishing an entirely novel, more informed hypothesis on the events leading to the spread of Treponema pallidum across the world."

Molecular clock analyses reveal that the T. pallidum cohort is much older than previously believed, by more than 1,000 years. The cohort is also seen as being highly adaptable, suggesting that its ancestral range far exceeds today's.

"Finally, as the breakthrough discovery of a pre-Columbian treponematosis here is the result of a combination of ancient pathogen genomics and the careful selection of archaeological samples, we can expect future findings to illuminate the events leading to the rise and spread of venereal syphilis, and help resolve the evolutionary factors responsible for the global success of the Treponema family."
Researchers from INGENIO, a joint center of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) and the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV), have recently published, together with two co-authors from the University of Sussex (UK), the results of a study on the organization of the laboratory network to perform Covid-19 PCR testing during the Covid-19 pandemic in Spain and the UK and its subsequent implications.

The work shows how the criteria of medical professionals in Spain (in this case clinical microbiologists in public hospitals) were more influential in the organization of testing laboratories than in the United Kingdom. In the latter country, criteria related to efficiency were imposed, with experts having less influence over decisions on testing activities. These conditions led to creation of new centralized mega-laboratories - the so-called 'Lighthouse Labs', which were criticized for their high cost and low quality of testing.

The consequences of these decisions have been very different in the two countries: while in Spain the influence of microbiologists helped public hospital laboratories to be more prepared today than before the pandemic, in the United Kingdom the large centralized laboratories that were built during the crisis have been dismantled and it seems that they have not helped to improve the country's capabilities." David Barbera, researcher at INGENIO and one of the authors of the study

The study is based on 44 interviews conducted with expert personnel from both countries, from heads of laboratories to health policy makers or public health specialists in both countries, in addition to the analysis of multiple documents.

"Our analysis focuses on the discourses and practices used in the two countries that we conceptualize as "boundary work", i.e., discourses and practices aimed at excluding from the system laboratories that had PCR technology but did not meet the criteria set by the logic of medical professionals (in Spain) or the logic of efficiency (in the United Kingdom)," explains Enrique Meseguer, INGENIO researcher and co-author of the study.

Thus, the study highlights that while in the United Kingdom the established publicly funded clinical laboratories were limited in their testing volumes, in favor of Lighthouse Labs, in Spain university or research laboratories were de facto excluded.

This work is part of the OCTS (Optimising Coronavirus Testing Systems) research project led by the University of Sussex and funded by UKRI (United Kingdom Research & Innovation), the British government funding agency. The project has studied the organization of the testing system in eight countries during the Covid-19 crisis (United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, South Korea, South Africa, Ireland, Australia and Canada). An interdisciplinary team, composed of specialists in innovation in medicine, health emergencies or epidemiology, met weekly during the period June 2020 to May 2022 to discuss different aspects of pandemic testing systems in the countries studied. Investigations have been carried out on issues such as the relationship between testing system capacity and excess mortality in all countries studied, or the organization of testing for international travel. This comparative work focused on Spain and the United Kingdom is the first article published as a result of the research project.
A U.S. Senate committee on Thursday launched an examination of assisted living, holding its first hearing in two decades on the industry as leaders of both parties expressed concern about the high cost and mixed quality of the long-term care facilities.

The federal government has minimal oversight of assisted living, which is regulated by states, unlike skilled nursing homes. Both the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate Special Committee on Aging said their inquiry aimed to detail the financial practices and quality levels in the industry so that consumers would be better able to choose facilities. Lawmakers expressed little appetite for Congress to take a more direct role in regulating the sector, such as by setting federal standards for staffing levels and how workers are trained.

Prompted by a New York Times-KFF Health News series, Sen. Bob Casey, the Pennsylvania Democrat who chairs the panel, put out a call for residents and their families to submit their bills so the panel could assess the industry's business practices.

"I want to know more about what people are paying for assisted living and to have people tell their stories," Casey said. "We want to hear from you about the true cost of assisted living and understand whether families have the information  the information that they need  to make this difficult financial and health care decision for a family member and for the family."

Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana, the ranking Republican on the committee, endorsed the inquiry while cautioning against actions that would lead to new financial burdens on the federal budget. "When you're promoting transparency, it can bring odd partners together," Braun said.

More than 800,000 older Americans reside in assisted living facilities, which cater to people who have dementia or trouble walking, eating, or doing other daily activities. Most residents have to pay out-of-pocket because Medicare doesn't cover long-term care and only a fifth of facilities accept Medicaid, the federal-state insurance for people with low incomes or disabilities. The industry is quite profitable, running median operating margins around 20% and often charging residents with extensive needs $10,000 or more a month. The national median cost of assisted living is $54,000 a year, according to a survey by the insurer Genworth.

The New York Times-KFF Health News series detailed industry's pursuit of maximum profits by charging residents extra at every opportunity. Facilities have billed residents $50 for each injection, $12 for a single blood pressure check, and $93 a month to order medications from a pharmacy.

The quality problems in assisted living have been widely exposed by national and state news organizations. At the Jan. 25 hearing, Patricia Vessenmeyer, a Virginia woman, described the poor care and overwhelmed workers she observed at a dementia care facility where her late husband, John Whitney, lived.

"I once believe I saved a man's life," she said, describing how she helped stop a resident who was beating another resident using the victim's cane. "It took several minutes before a staff member finally heard me and came to help," she testified. Vessenmeyer said the facility, which she did not name, charged her husband around $13,000 a month.

Testimony From Hearing on Assisted Living Facilities Play

Jennifer Craft Morgan, director of the Gerontology Institute at Georgia State University, testified that state governments have inconsistent and nontransparent monitoring and enforcement of quality at facilities. She said fewer than 10 states shared information about these procedures in a manner easily accessible to the public.

She said the crux of the problem is that assisted living "is marketed to those who can afford it with a hospitality mindset. They advertise and compete on the basis of amenities, beautiful campuses, luxury food and furnishings, and concierge service."

Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy group, testified there is "an escalating demand for federal involvement," which he said is justified by the fact that a large amount of federal Medicaid funds are going to facility operators, some of which also get loans from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

While some assisted living can be wonderful places to live and to work, too many take in or retain residents for whom they are unable to provide safe care and dignified living conditions," Mollot said. "Too many residents and families are at risk for financial exploitation and even fraud."

Casey and other Democratic senators on Jan. 24, citing the Times-KFF Health News series, sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office requesting it study how much Medicaid and other federal agencies pay for assisted living.

Sen. Casey at Hearing on Assisted Living Facilities Play

A GAO report in 2018 called for improved federal oversight and found that state Medicaid agencies spent $10 billion to provide care in assisted living for 330,000 people in 2014.

In a news release, the National Center for Assisted Living, an industry trade group, said the overall quality of facilities is strong and best overseen by states. It acknowledged that the U.S.' method of funding long-term care is "broken" and that assisted living is "out of reach for too many seniors."

Julie Simpkins, co-president of Gardant Management Solutions, which operates senior living facilities in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia, testified that a national standard for all assisted living facilities would be "both unworkable and irresponsible for resident care," and that injuries, neglect, and deaths are rare. She called for government and private entities to work to develop more affordable options and address the shortage of caregivers.

"These efforts could make a real difference," she testified.
Currently used Food and Drug Administration-approved transplant drugs -; with the addition of an also already FDA-approved complement inhibitor -; are the optimal immunosuppression regimen for pig-to-human kidney transplants, according to a landmark discovery by University of Alabama at Birmingham investigators. The peer-reviewed research is published today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

These findings establish the ideal immunosuppression regimen for pig-to-human kidney xenotransplantation, and it is a regimen that is already FDA-approved and that we routinely use for human-to-human allotransplantation. Our research found combining common immune-suppressing drugs with a complement inhibitor effectively managed the initial human immune response against transplanted pig kidneys. It's a major departure from what's been tried before in most non-human primate experiments and living human heart transplants, but it's with a treatment regimen transplant doctors work with every day." Jayme Locke, professor of surgery in UAB's Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine and lead author of the paper

The paper marks the third major peer-reviewed, published xenotransplant finding for UAB surgeon scientists since 2022. In each case, the team used the Parsons model, a pioneering pre-clinical human research model in a recipient experiencing brain death. The findings also continue to advance the science and promise of xenotransplantation as a therapy to potentially cure end-stage kidney disease -; just as human-to-human allotransplantation can -; and addresses the worldwide kidney organ shortage crisis. Currently, more than 800,000 people in the United States are living with kidney failure and 90,000 people are awaiting a kidney transplant.

Previously, in 2022, UAB's research team announced the first peer-reviewed, published research in the American Journal of Transplantation which established that genetically modified pig kidneys were successfully transplanted into a recipient after brain death. That groundbreaking paper also recognized the Parsons model -; developed at UAB in partnership with Legacy of Hope -; could evaluate the safety and feasibility of pig-to-human kidney transplants without risk to a living human. It is named for transplant pioneer Jim Parsons, an organ donor whose family generously donated his body to advance xenotransplant kidney research.

And just last summer, in a paper published in JAMA Surgery, UAB's research team established for the first time that pig kidneys could provide life-sustaining kidney function in humans.

JCI paper details

The peer-reviewed findings in today's JCI online publication examine the case series of the three decedent model xenotransplants Locke's UAB team has conducted.

Researchers used standard immunosuppression in the first decedent model, but they did not use a complement inhibitor. While the biopsies of the pig kidneys were histologically normal in the first model after being transplanted on the first day, they began to show some signs of rejection the day after transplant.

With the second and third decedent model studies, UAB researchers used standard immunosuppression and added a complement inhibitor, which is already a common, FDA-approved regimen for patients with a rare kidney disease known as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome or AHUS. The complement inhibitor prevented the immune system from forming a membrane attack complex -; a microscopic battering ram that breaks through a cell's defenses, ultimately causing organ failure. Instead, when the complement inhibitor was used, the transplanted pig kidneys did not reject and were able to provide life-sustaining function.

"The membrane attack complex essentially sets up like a little drill on the surface of a cell and it drills holes in the cell," Locke said. "If you drill holes in the cell, it weakens and it dies. If you kill enough cells, then the tissue dies. If you kill enough tissue, then the organ dies. The complement inhibitor prevents the formation of this drill on the surface of the cell. It's like creating a force shield around the kidney.

"This finding is great news. We now know that we have an FDA-approved immunosuppression regimen already available. It's a regimen that we know the patient can tolerate, and it is a treatment transplant doctors are familiar with and already know how to use. This is another critical piece that I hope will soon lead to FDA clearance for a Phase I clinical trial in living humans."

Study support

These studies are supported by biotechnology pioneer United Therapeutics Corporation, which awarded a grant to UAB to launch the innovative xenotransplantation program. Revivicor, Inc., a subsidiary of United Therapeutics, provided the genetically modified pigs that were the source of the investigational xenotransplant kidneys called UKidney. The 10-gene edited pigs are raised in a secure, pathogen-free facility by UAB animal care experts and are regularly tested for porcine cytomegalovirus (pCMV) and porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV), including PERV-C. The pigs used in these studies tested negative for PERV-C and pCMV.

"Our partners at Revivicor and United Therapeutics have been incredibly supportive of Dr. Locke and our entire UAB research team, and we are grateful for the progress we have made together," said UAB Heersink School of Medicine Dean and Senior Vice President of Medicine Anupam Agarwal, M.D. "We hope these efforts continue to move us forward toward FDA clearance for a Phase I clinical trial in living humans and hopefully add a new, desperately needed solution to address an organ shortage crisis responsible for tens of thousands of preventable deaths each year."

This xenotransplantation study was led by the Division of Transplantation in the Department of Surgery, in close partnership with Legacy of Hope. Other key contributors to this work have included members of the Division of Infectious Diseases and the Division of Nephrology in the Department of Medicine; the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine; and the Department of Pathology. In addition to these specific contributors, the xenotransplantation program at UAB encompasses multiple departments and divisions of the Heersink School of Medicine and is also supported by numerous administrative and regulatory departments.

In addition to Locke, other UAB and Legacy of Hope authors on the JCI paper include Maggie Jones-Carr, M.D.; Huma Fatima, M.D.; Vineeta Kumar, M.D.; Douglas Anderson, M.D.; Julie Houp; Jackson Perry; Gavin Baker; Leigh McManus; Andrew Shunk; and Paige Porrett, M.D.
In a recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health, researchers conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to understand the causal effect of snoring on total stroke, hemorrhagic stroke (HS), and ischemic stroke (IS) among Chinese adults using data from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB).

Study: Causal association between snoring and stroke: a Mendelian randomization study in a Chinese population. Image Credit: F01 PHOTO/Shutterstock.com

Background

MR studies have evaluated the association between snoring and stroke in the European population; however, this data for the Asian populations is scarce, partially due to the non-availability of genetic variants, as revealed by the extensive search done by researchers on PubMed and Google Scholar.

A few observational studies did estimate the relationship between snoring and stroke in people from different ancestries, but their findings were inconclusive.

Here, it is noteworthy that snoring may cause stroke via several pathways. For instance, it can cause anoxemia, resulting in oxidative stress responses and endothelial disturbance, which might lead to atherosclerosis and a stroke eventually.

Similarly, snoring might transmit a high-level vibration to the carotid artery, triggering a cascade effect on the arterial wall cells that might end in a ruptured vessel.

About the study

In the present study, based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) of snoring among CKB and UK Biobank participants, researchers constructed genetic risk scores (GRS).

They used this data for causal inference of snoring on stroke among Chinese adults aged 3079 years living in ten study areas across China.

Multivariable MR (MVMR) included additional adjustments for the GRS of body mass index (BMI) and used SNPs from CKB, UKB, and Biobank Japan.

Participants in the study self-reported their snoring status in the baseline survey, with those reporting frequent or occasional snoring classified as snorers and others as non-snorers.

The three study outcomes were incident stroke, HS, and IS. The researchers confirmed the validity of the registry and insurance-based definition for stroke cases by reviewing medical records and achieving a 91.8% diagnosis confirmation rate.

During statistical analysis, the team used the Efron pseudo-R2 and F statistics to estimate the variance explained by GRS for snoring. Likewise, they used a two-stage method to determine the causal hazard ratio (HR), adjusting for multiple factors.

Furthermore, the team used MR with the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method to examine the causal effect of snoring and stroke using three SNPs identified in the CKB GWAS as genetic instrumental variables (IVs) for snoring.

They tested for pleiotropy and heterogeneity via MR-Egger regression and Cochrane's Q tests. Sensitivity analysis excluded SNPs associated with adiposity.

Results and conclusion

The present MR analysis of snoring and stroke encompassed 82,339 unrelated participants of Asian descent in CKB with baseline and genotyping data.

During a median follow-up of 10.10 years, 19,623 developed strokes, with 11,483 IS cases and 5710 HS cases. The MREgger regression test showed no horizontal pleiotropy (P>0.05), and Cochrane's Q test showed no heterogeneity (P>0.05).

The results confirmed a positive association between snoring and total stroke, as well as HS and IS, with the corresponding HRs (95% CIs) of 1.56, 1.50, and 2.02 using GRS of 100,626 CKB participants. Likewise, the corresponding HRs using the GRS of UKB were 1.78, 1.94, and 1.74.

Due to adiposity, i.e., fat deposition in the structures close to the upper airway or the tongue, snoring occurs. Accordingly, some studies have shown that oropharyngeal exercises and mandibular advancement devices can treat snoring.

In the present study, researchers conducted several sequential analyses to address the confounding bias introduced by adiposity.

Yet, they observed that these associations remained stable across the MVMR analysis, MR analysis using the IVW method, and MR among the non-obese group (BMI<24.0 kg/m2), suggesting that BMI pleiotropy did not affect the causal effect of snoring on stroke.

Thus, they concluded that snoring interventions targeting physical structure management could be more beneficial than weight management in preventing stroke.

Overall, this study found snoring as a potential causal factor for the increased risk of stroke and its subtypes among Chinese adults, which remained stable, independent of the effect of BMI, a well-established factor for stroke.
Delhis Industrial Institutes of Technology (ITIs) have achieved an impressive placement rate of 72.3 per cent this academic year. Among the 19 ITIs in Delhi, ITI Vivek Vihar and ITI Dheerpur have emerged as the leaders with placement rates of 97 per cent and 94 per cent respectively. Graduates from these ITIs have secured positions in esteemed companies such as Hero, LG, LnT, Bharat Electronics, Tata Group, and more, reported Career360.

Out of the total 14,800 students enrolled in the 19 ITIs across Delhi, a remarkable 10,700 students have secured placements in various companies, while others have opted for self-employment.

Delhi government manages a network of 13 co-ed and 6 women ITIs in the region. The 19 ITIs collectively offer courses in 61 trades, encompassing 38 engineering trades and 23 non-engineering trades. The placement success of Delhi ITIs is attributed to the focused Placement Strategy implemented by the Kejriwal government for these institutes.

At a press conference, Minister of Technical Education, Atishi stated, The placement numbers of Delhi ITIs are the result of the Kejriwal governments focused placement strategy for these institutes. Our commitment to providing quality technical education and ensuring robust placements has resulted in empowering students and bridging the gap between education and employment.

Atishi further mentioned, To ensure better placement opportunities and industry exposure for ITI students, the government has formed the Centralised Placement and Industry Outreach Cell. This cell has adopted a transformation strategy for Placement, aiming to modernise the placement approach by focusing on academia-industry collaboration, career services, flexible learning options, entrepreneurship support, job fairs, and more.

She emphasised that the main goal of this strategy is to connect traditional education with the changing demands of the workforce, creating a dynamic and industry-aligned placement system.

Delhi Governments Transformative Placement Strategy for ITIs:

1. The approach to improve ITI placements centers around maintaining a dedication to providing a strong foundation in skill education. This involves training teachers through ToT (Train-the-Trainer) programs.

2. There is an emphasis on strengthening collaboration with local industries to provide students with valuable exposure through industry visits, internships, and on-the-job training.

3. The strategy includes developing comprehensive career services that cover resume building, interview preparation, and soft skills training.

4. It aims to offer flexible learning options that align with the changing demands of the job market.
France is making a strong effort to become a more desirable option for Indian students, which is a significant departure from the historically preferred United Kingdom and Canada. On his official X (formerly Twitter) account, President of France Emmanuel Macron presented an ambitious plan to welcome 30,000 Indian students to France by 2030. The post shared by President Macron reads, 30,000 Indian students in France in 2030. Its a very ambitious target, but I am determined to make it happen.

30,000 Indian students in France in 2030.Its a very ambitious target, but I am determined to make it happen. Heres how: pic.twitter.com/QDpOl4ujWb  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2024

President Macron outlined a comprehensive plan to ease the influx of Indian students and stated his determination to accomplish this goal. The initiative, named French for All, French for a Better Future, calls for the establishment of new language learning pathways in public schools to promote proficiency in French. The launch of new French learning centres and the growth of the Alliances francaises network will mark the beginning of the initiative.

Furthermore, France intends to establish international classes that will allow students without prior French competence to enrol in the countrys universities. Not to mention, there would be a simplified visa application process for former Indian students who have studied in France.

With 35 French universities presently included in the QS Ranking and roughly 15 in the Times Higher Education Ranking, President Macron underlined that Coming to France means looking for excellence. This commitment is consistent with Frances goal of establishing itself as a major international academic hub.

Also Read |Next Target is to Reach 30,000 Indian Students Coming to Study at France: French Education Counsellor

The move comes at a time when the United Kingdom and Canada, previously renowned for their academic excellence and multicultural environments, are experiencing a decline in international student allure. Changes in the UKs policies, such as the tightening of post-study work visas, and challenges like the housing crisis in Canada have led students to explore alternative destinations for higher education.

With this announcement, President Macron offers students looking for viable alternatives a ray of hope and presents France as a plausible choice. The French governments pledge to accept a sizeable influx of Indian students by 2030 demonstrates how much it values the contributions that foreign students make to the nations academic environment and cultural diversity.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has issued the ICAI CA May-June Exam 2024 date sheet. Candidates who are planning to appear for the next Chartered Accountants Foundation, Intermediate and Final Examinations can visit the official website of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India at icai.organd check the timetable.

According to the official notice, the CA Foundation course exam will be conducted by the institute in the month of June. The dates are as follows: June 20, June 22, June 24, and June 26, 2024. In addition to that, the notification stated that the Foundation Paper 1 and 2 exams will take place for a duration of 3 hours, from 2 PM to 5 PM, whereas Papers 3 and 4 will be conducted for 2 hours, from 2 pm to 4 pm.

For the CA Intermediate course, the institute has set the dates for the Group 1 exam on May 3, May 5, and May 7, 2024. Moreover, the Group 2 exam will be held on May 9, May 11, and May 13, 2024. The timings for all Intermediate papers will remain the same, i.e., 2 PM to 5 PM.

The CA final course examination for Group 1 is scheduled to be conducted on May 2, May 4, and May 6, 2024, while the Group 2 examination will be held on May 8, May 10, and May 12, 2024. Talking about the exam timings, papers 1 to 5 of the final course will take place from 2 PM to 5 PM, and Paper 6 will be conducted for 4 hours; it will start at 2 PM and culminate at 6 PM.

The institute further states that in Papers 3 and 4 of the Foundation examination and all papers of the Post Qualification Course examination, there will not be any advance reading time, whereas, in all other papers, an advance reading time of 15 minutes will be given, i.e., from 1.45 PM to 2 PM.

International Taxation: The assessment test is scheduled to be conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India on May 10 and May 12, 2024. It is to be noted that all papers on International Taxation (INTT-AT) will be held for 4 hours from 2 PM to 6 PM.

ICAI CA May-June Exam 2024: Important Dates To Remember

For Main & PQC Exams [May 2024]

 Commencement of submission of online examination application forms-February 2, 2024

 Last date for submission of online examination application forms (without late fees)-February 23, 2024

 Last date for submission of online examination application forms (with late fees of Rs 600 or US $10)-March 2, 2024

For Foundation Exam [June 2024]

 Commencement of submission of online examination application forms-February 2, 2024

 Last date for submission of online examination application forms (without late fees)-February 23, 2024

 Last date for submission of online examination application forms (with late fees of Rs 600 or US $10)-March 2, 2024
The final SSC Grade C Stenographer LDCE 2017 results were made public by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). Applicants who participated in the Grade C Stenographers Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), 2017 Computer Based Test can see their final results at ssc.nic.in, the SSCs official website.

The SSC Stenographer LDCE 2017 Grade C test was administered on October 21, 2022. The Grade C Stenographers LDCE 2017 was organised by the commission to include the following services/cadres in the Grade C choose list:

 Central Secretariat Stenographers Service Grade C;

 Stenographers Cadre of Indian Foreign Service (B) Grade-II;

 Armed Forces Headquarters Stenographers Service Grade C;

 Railway Board Secretariat Stenographers Service Grade C;

 Election Commission of India Stenographers Service Grade C

The SSC Grade C Stenographer LDCE 2017 results were announced on April 13, 2023, and 249 candidates qualified for the SSCs Stenography Skill Test, which was administered on July 9, 2023. December 3, 2023, saw the release of the Skill Test results, which were used to assess the APARs of eligible candidates.

SSC Grade C Stenographer LDCE 2017 Final Result: How to check

Step 1: Go to ssc.nic.in, the SSCs official website.

Step 2: Open the homepage and select the link titled Declaration of Final Result of Grade C Stenographers Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2017.

Step 3: Following that, a PDF will appear on the screen. Review all of the details given.

Step 4: Download the Grade C Stenographer LDCE 2017 Final Result PDF and print it for future use.

Applicants from restricted categories can view their category status with the help of their roll numbers. If candidates find that the category that appears next to their roll number does not match the real category they belong in, they should get in touch with the Commissions Regional Director (NR) shortly thereafter to resolve the issue.

The Commissions website will eventually provide information regarding the qualifications and disqualifications of candidates. Consequently, candidates must to keep a close eye on the official SSC website.
A 21-year-old Mumbai girl was allegedly drugged, and raped on January 13 by a man, whom she met on social media. The case comes under the limits of south Mumbais Worli police station, who are now investigating the charges.

In a distressed post on Instagram, the victim shared her ordeal and narrated the most traumatic experience of her life when she decided to meet the accused and hang out with him.

I went out for drinks and partying in town, starting at place A, said the woman adding that she later met his friends and went for Bastian. She narrated that after some tequila shots, she became intoxicated.

After some tequila shots, I became intoxicated, feeling anxious and alone at the party. He insisted I drink more, and I had a blackout episode, not recalling what happened next, she said.

The victim added that she suspected of being roofied. The word is a slang for someone being raped or sexually assaulted after being in a drugged position.

I suspect I may have been roofied. I woke up to him raping me, and despite my efforts to stop him, he continued and even slapped me three times with intense rage, leaving me scared and intimidated. she said, adding that the incident happened at one of his friends house, who later intervened to help the accused.

His friends intervened to protect him. He tried to get me out before I could call for help, even threatening me in their presence. After leaving, he (accused) attempted to flee the scene. said the 21-year-old woman.

In bruised and hurt situation, she called her cousin and said I couldnt bring myself to tell my parents about that night. The victim said that when her family found about the incident, they stood stunned and immediately filed an FIR.

When my family found out, they were stunned. I filed an FIR against him later that week. added the victim. The accused also sent an apology for the incident, the next morning, claimed the woman, who has also attached a screenshot of the alleged message.

Hi Im genuinely sorry for whatever happened tonight didnt mean to do what happened, the situation got heated up and escalated and Im really very sorry, I hope we can get over this and leave this behind us, Im again very apologetic and sorry. read the screenshot.

The 21-year-old victim is now seeking justice as 12 days have been passed but no arrest has been made so far by the Mumbai police.

His morning apology means nothing to me, and he has absconded because he knows what he has done. 12 days have passed and he hasnt been arrested. He has applied for anticipatory bail. she said.

The Mumbai police has booked the accused under various section of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 376 (punishment for rape) and 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt).

She concluded by saying that she seeks justice and urge other girls to be wary of who they talk to and go out with.

I seek justice and urge other girls to be more wary of who they talk to and go out with. If you have any links/ resources/ advice/ connections/NGOs that can be of help to me. This would mean the world to me said the woman.
Nigar Hasanova

Azerbaijani Ambassador Mammad Talibov presented his credentials to the President of Panama, Laurentino Cortiso.

Azernews reports that the ambassador shared a post about this on his X social page.

"It is my honour to present my credentials confirming my accreditation as Azerbaijan's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Panama. I conveyed the sincere greetings of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and confirmed that we are ready to further develop friendly and cooperative relations between our countries," it was said in the post.

It should be noted that at the end of last year, Mammad Talibov, as an Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Peru, made a wide presentation about Azerbaijan during a videoconference organised for a large student audience at the National University of San Marcos (Spanish: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, UNMSM), one of the main higher education institutions of Peru. At the conference, the Dean of the Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Dr. Augusto Hidalgo Sanchez, Associate Dean Dr. Enrique Cornejo, as well as Sara Manchego and Marco Mayer, assistant professors of the faculty, participated. Ambassador Talibov informed the event participants about the history and rich culture of Azerbaijan, the first democratic republic of the Muslim East, the difficulties encountered in the first years of the restoration of independence, and, despite this, the successful development path it took in a short period of time.
Even as French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday watched Indias 75th Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path as the chief guest at the ceremony, four people from France, the highest for any country, have been conferred with the Padma Shri awards, which were announced on Thursday.

It was the sixth time that a French leader was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.

My dear friend @NarendraModi,Indian people,My warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you. Lets celebrate! pic.twitter.com/e5kg1PEc0p  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2024

FOUR PADMA SHRI AWARDEES

Charlotte Chopin: The 100-year-old yoga exponent from France has been awarded the Padma Shri for defying age limiting norms by learning yoga post turning 50 Kiran Vyas: The 79-year-old global yoga and Ayurveda practitioner founded the Tapovan OpenUniversity. Pierre Sylvain Filliozat: Distinguished Sanskrit scholar and Professor in France, the 87-year-old is dedicated to advancing Indic cultural studies. Fred Negrit: A dedicated Indologist and Teacher from French Guadeloupe, he fostered greater awareness and appreciation of Indic culture.

MACRON AND MODI

A great honour for France. Thank you, India," President Macron posted on X in a caption to a video of the French band and the military contingents marching down in front of around 70,000 spectators.

Macron also greeted Prime Minister Modi and the people of India on the occasion of Republic Day.

My dear friend @NarendraModi, Indian people, My warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you. Lets celebrate!," he said. In another post on X, Macron said it was both an honour and a mark of friendship to be invited to India on this occasion. I come to celebrate and consolidate our exceptional partnership. First step: bringing our youth together. We have so much to do together!," he said in French.

On Thursday, Macron held wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Modi in Jaipur. A 95-member marching contingent and a 30-member band contingent from France also took part in the parade. Two Rafale fighters and an Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft of the French air force will also feature in the celebrations.

With PTI Inputs
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has again requested all states to recommend officers for the position of Joint Secretary (Security) in the Lok Sabha. The recent communication, sent last week by the MHA, urges all state governments (excluding Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and the Union Territories) to nominate within one week eligible individuals willing to assume the post in Delhi.

The post has been vacant for more than almost two-and-a-half months, a fact that shot to the spotlight on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on December 13 when two persons jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by some MPs.

This is the second time the MHA has asked states to recommend names of officers for the post, that too in given time of one week.

Sources indicate that the central government it yet to receive enough names to consider for the position, prompting the need to seek submissions once again from the states. Despite the central governments urgency to fill the vacancy following the Parliament security breach last month, some states are not keen to put forward nominations.

I am directed to refer to this Ministrys letter on the subject mentioned above and to request that nominations of willing and eligible IPS officers for the post of Joint Secretary (Security) in Level 14 in the Pay Matrix in Lok Sabha Secretariat may please be provided to this Ministry, within a week from issuing of this letter, to enable us to forward the panel of suitable IPS officers to Lok Sabha Secretariat, the MHA said in the fresh communication to all Chief secretaries last week.

At the epicentre of Parliaments security is the Joint Secretary (Security), a figure entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing operations involving Parliament Security Services, Delhi Police, Parliament Duty Group, and various allied security agencies.

On December 13, two men  Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D  barged into the Lok Sabha and released yellow smoke from canisters, raising concerns over security. Two others  Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi  released coloured smoke from canisters while shouting Tanashahi Nahi Chalegi outside the Parliament premises.

The next day, the MHA wrote a letter to all states and emphasised the urgency of filling the post. The communication had stated: I am directed to refer to the aforementioned subject and to convey that the Lok Sabha Secretariat is in the process of filling the position of Joint Secretary (Security) in Level 14 of the Pay Matrix in the Lok Sabha Secretariat, to be filled on a deputation basis among officers of the Indian Police Service empanelled to hold IG level posts at the Centre. State Governments are, therefore, requested to submit nominations of eligible and willing IPS officers to this Ministry by the latest deadline of 20.12.2023 via E-mail. While forwarding the nominations, the vigilance status should also be intimated.

The government is in process of overhauling the security structure of the Parliament complex where now the CISF has been roped in for frisking and checking.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked French President Emmanuel Macron, who was the chief guest at the at 75th Republic Day celebrations, for joining the grand event at the majestic Kartavya Path on Friday.

Thank you to the President Emmanuel Macron for joining our Republic Day celebrations. Your presence will add great impetus to Indo-French relations. Your presence will add great impetus to Indo-French relations, Prime Minister Modi wrote in French while responding to the selfie uploaded by the French President on X (formerly Twitter).

Merci au President @EmmanuelMacron d'avoir participe a nos celebrations du Jour de la Republique. Votre presence ajoutera un grand elan aux relations indo-francaises. https://t.co/NxwgrGO5ev pic.twitter.com/G0w01b48X2 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2024

In an earlier tweet, Modi said, Grateful for the French participation in our Republic Day celebrations. The military band, marching contingent, jets and Multirole Aircraft Tanker contributed to the parade being a memorable one.

The prime ministers tweet was in response to Macrons selfie with PM Modi during a tour of Jaipur with the iconic Hawa Mahal in the background.

Macron posted the photograph captioning, My dear friend Narendra Modi, Indian people, My warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you.

A great honor for France.Thank you, India. pic.twitter.com/fXfp4hdCsb Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2024

In an another post on X, Macron wrote, A great honor for France. Thank you, India.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday watched Indias 75th Republic Day celebrations at the majestic Kartavya Path, joining a select group of global leaders to have graced the nations biggest ceremonial event in the last seven decades.

As the chief guest at the ceremony, Macron witnessed the grand military parade and the cultural performances along with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, members of the Union Cabinet, foreign diplomats and a host of other dignitaries.

Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet in honour of his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital.

President Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet in honour of His Excellency Mr Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Murmu expressed satisfaction that both sides have outlined an ambitious vision of our partnership for India's Amrit Kaal and pic.twitter.com/qw3ostDLll President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 26, 2024

President Murmu expressed satisfaction that both sides have outlined an ambitious vision of our partnership for Indias Amrit Kaal and added that this visit has strengthened our resolve to realise this vision.

Macron began his two-day trip to India with a visit to Jaipur. The French president was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path on Friday.
Thousands of supporters of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Friday gathered in parts of Mumbai to hold a massive protest to demand reservation in government jobs and education for the Maratha community on the occasion of Indias 75th Republic Day.

Addressing the agitators at Shivaji Chowk in the Vashi area of neighbouring Navi Mumbai, Maratha quota leader Jarange said that they wont abandon the protest midway till their demands are accepted.

Jarange said that they demand that the family members should also get the benefits and 57 lakh records have been found. 37 lakh people have been distributed certificates.

On the other hand, Maharashtra minister Deepak Kesarkar said the activists demands have been accepted. Earlier, Jarange held a meeting with a government delegation.
India will soon compete with some of the most sought-after tourist destinations of the world. Often, a ropeway project is what sets such destinations apart. Realising this, the Centre is working on a plan to have ropeway projects across the country that will not just ease urban mobility but also act as an attractive feature for tourists.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari has announced the launch of the National Ropeways Development Programme, called Parvatmala Pariyojana  aimed at developing 200 ropeway projects at a cost of Rs 1.25 lakh crore in the next five years.

The investment corpus is large, one that speaks to the seriousness the Narendra Modi-led government attaches to this programme. Under Parvatmala Pariyojana, the central government plans to provide substantial construction support of 60 percent under the hybrid annuity mode for ropeways.

By doing so, the government wants to attract more private players to take part in the development of ropeways. Since the plan is to build hundreds of such projects over the next five years, onboarding the private sector is crucial.

The government is looking at addressing certain fundamental issues relating to urban mobility and transport with its ambitious project. First, it wants to integrate ropeways into the urban rapid transport system to alleviate congestion in cities, reduce pollution, and streamline travel times.

Second, apart from transforming public transport in urban centres, the ropeways programme can play an instrumental role in ushering a new era for Indias hilly regions by making them tourist hubs.

Third, the Centre wants the Parvatmala Pariyojana to catalyse development of indigenous and cost-efficient ropeway solutions under the Make in India umbrella.

Gadkari spoke about the importance of such indigenous solutions, saying, Priority is to bring standardisation of existing policies and codes and transform the ropeway industry by encouraging the manufacturing of ropeway components under the Make-in-India initiative.

The private sector has already shown an interest in developing a robust ropeway infrastructure across India. These players, however, want the government to address some concerns.

Global industry majors have urged the Centre to focus on carrying out perfect feasibility studies, better estimate of costs and setting realistic deadlines for ropeway projects. The developers say these measures are necessary for timely completion.

Importantly, private players are being assured that states will contribute land for ropeway projects without the need for environmental clearances. Often, deficient feasibility reports result in project bids getting delayed.

For example, the Gaurikund to Kedarnath and Govindghat-Hemkund Sahib ropeway projects in Uttarakhand have not been bid out more than a year after their foundations were laid.

Why the sudden interest in ropeways?

The initiative can prove particularly transformative for Indias hill stations and mountainous areas with significant tourist footfall. Building roads, rail networks or even pushing more buses in such areas is not always possible due to rough terrain and congestion.

Ropeway projects will help circumvent these issues while also providing mobility a fillip. It will also push tourism as people will no longer need to travel abroad to get the ropeway experience.

The added advantage is that unlike conventional modes of transport, ropeways will not pollute the environment. They can revolutionise urban travel in hilly regions.

In November last year, Shimla emerged as the first urban hotspot to be given a ropeway project. With construction on the 14-km ropeway line expected to begin this September, once completed in 2029, it will become the worlds second longest ropeway network. The ropeway will have three lines and initially there will be 220 cabins, which will be upgraded to a total of 660 with a carrying capacity of eight to nine passengers. At least 20,000 people are expected to gain direct and indirect employment from the project.

Similarly, Dehradun and Mussoorie in Uttarakhand will get linked with a ropeway line soon, reducing travel time between the two towns to a mere 15 minutes. In fact, Uttarakhand is emerging as the ropeway hub of India. In September last year, the state government signed a pact in London with ropeway construction firm Poma Group for investments worth Rs 2,000 crore.

Besides, News18 recently reported that Amarnath, Kamakhya, Kedarnath and Mahakaleshwar temples are among the 30 projects identified for ropeway connectivity, covering a distance of more than 120 km. Ropeway connectivity to Tawang monastery in Arunachal Pradesh, Sabarmati riverfront and Statue of Unity in Gujarat, Gwalior Fort in Madhya Pradesh and Marina Beach in Tamil Nadu is also being planned.

The decision to have hundreds of ropeway projects up and running across India in the next five years must be seen with the larger goal of the Centres will to transform the urban landscape with a special focus on sustainable mobility. In a similar move in August last year, the government launched the PM e-Bus Sewa programme. Under this, 10,000 e-buses will be deployed across 169 cities, and the scheme will cover cities with a population of more than three lakh while priority will be given to those that do not have organised bus services.

By 2040, 270 million more people will live in Indian cities. And, they will need better housing and transport as well as more jobs. Aware of the challenges population expansion in urban centres can pose to mobility, the Centre is continuously devising new plans to address present and future challenges. It bodes well with the larger plan of turning India into a developed country by 2047 under the Viksit Bharat mission.
After an Archaeological Survey of Indias (ASI) report confirmed the existence of a temple before the construction of Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, Hindu Mahasabha president Swami Chakrapani Maharaj appealed to the Muslim side to give the rights of the Hindus back to them and set an example.

In the Gynavapi case, the ASI has given a decisive report. It is clear that before the current structure, there was a huge Sanatani Temple. I appeal to the Muslim side that they should hand the rights of the Hindus back to them and set an example that if the Mughals did something incorrect, then the present Muslim generation does not support it, Swami Chakrapani was quoted by ANI as saying.

ALSO READ: What Is The Gyanvapi Mosque Case? History & Timeline of The Legal Battle Explained

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who represents the Hindu side, said, According to the ASI report, the present structure was made on a Hindu Temple. The Western wall is around 5000 years old and it belongs to a Hindu Temple. It has carvings of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Inscriptions are in Telugu and Kannada Broken idols are found. An inscription installed by Aurangzeb has been found which clearly states that the structure was built after tearing down a temple GPR survey also says that a lot is there underneath the sealed area.

Jain further claimed that the ASI report suggests that the temple was destroyed to build the mosque.

All the objects which were discovered were documented. No damages were caused to the structure. Based on scientific study, there is use of pillars of previous structure in the existing structure. The pre-existing structure was there, Jain told reporters.

This temple had a big central chamber and at least one chamber to the north, south-east and west respectively. Remains of three chambers to the north, 8. south and west still exist but the remains of the chamber to the east and any further extension of it could not be ascertained physically, as the area is covered under a platform with stone flooring, the ASI report said.

The report further stated that for the enlargement of the mosque and construction sahan, parts of the pre-existing temple including pillars and pilasters were reused with little modifications.

Minute study of the pillars and pilasters in the corridor suggests that they were originally part of the pre-existing Hindu temple. For their reuse in the existing structure, vyala figures carved on either side of lotus medallion were mutilated and after removing the stone mass from the corners that space was decorated with floral design, Page 134 of the ASI report read.

Dr Subhash C Gupta, who is a senior legal consultant for ASI in various matter pointed out that these reports are submitted after detailed scientific study and are crucial piece of evidence.

Though its discretion of judge to admit or not admit a report, however, its very difficult to junk or not rely on such reports which are filed after an extensive study conducted by experts. said Gupta. However, the findings of the report clearly shows that there were Parthi Rath, symbols and flowers which are used in Hindu prayers.

Mosque Management Committee Issues Statement on ASI Report

The mosque management committee, Anjuman Intezamia Masjid (AIM) raised questions on the findings by the ASI saying it has given the report as per its reputation.

This is a report and not a decision. The report covers about 839 areas. Its study and analysis will take time. Opinions will be taken from experts and will be sent to the courts for consideration. This mosque was built during 804-42 Hijri by a noble Muktaki of Jaunpur, Hez Gar Muslim. Muslims have been offering Namaz for about 150 years before the reign of Emperor Akbar and will continue to do so in future also, Inshallah. Our responsibility is to keep the mosque occupied, AIM said in a statement appealing to Muslims to maintain peace.

The ASI had begun working on a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in August 2023 to determine whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.

Based on the courts order, the ASI report on Gyanvapi Mosque was provided to both Hindu and Muslim sides.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is someone who is known for his style statement and selection of clothes for a grand event. The Prime Ministers 2024 Republic Day look also became the talk of the town, as this time he was seen donning a yellow coloured pagdi, a tribute to Lord Ram.

The first glimpse of PM Modis this years attire was revealed as he arrived at the National War Memorial to pay homage to those who laid down their lives in the service of the nation before the Republic Day parade.

Dressed in a white kurta pajama, PM Modi wore a brown jacket amid the cold weather conditions in the national capital. The yellow-coloured bandhani turban with a long tail stood out on the white and brown aesthetics donned by the Prime Minister for the 75th Republic Day celebrations.

Last year, PM Modi in efforts to portray the symbolic representation of Indias diverse culture was seen wearing a multi-coloured Rajasthani turban during the Republic Day ceremony.

A Look at PM Modis Traditional Attires on R-Day

Multi-coloured Rajasthani turban in 2023: Symbolising the diversity of India on the occasion of the 74th Republic Day, PM Modi decided to wear a multi-coloured Rajasthani turban with a long tail. While his turban was multi-colored, the PM chose black and white colour for the rest of his attire. He completed his look with a white stole.

Uttarakhand Cap in 2022: Making everyone astonished by his choices again, the Prime Minister in 2022 ditched the traditional turban and was seen wearing a beautiful Uttarakhand cap. Interestingly, the cap was inscribed with the official flower of the hill state.

Pagadi from Jamnagar in 2021: Prime Minister Modi wore a special Pagdi from Jamnagar during the celebrations of Republic Day 2021. The pagdi with yellow dots was reportedly gifted to PM Modi by the royal family of Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Saffron Safa in 2020: PM Modi sported a saffron bandhej headgear (safa) with a long tail for the 71st Republic Day celebrations.

PM Modis choice of attire on the two occasions  Independence Day and Republic Day  gathers a lot of attention as PM Modi is seen wearing traditional dresses during such events. In fact, the Prime Minister during his visits to different parts of the country often wears an element of a particular tribe or area in efforts to show his respect towards them and their culture.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday witnessed Indias 75th Republic Day celebrations at New Delhis majestic Kartavya Path joined by prominent leaders including Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh among others.

Macron was joined by the members of the Union Cabinet, foreign diplomats and a host of other dignitaries during the celebrations led by a grand military parade and cultural performances.

Before the ceremony, the French leader took to social media to extend Republic Day wishes to India and said he was proud to be a part of the celebrations. My warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you. Lets celebrate!

My dear friend @NarendraModi,Indian people,My warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you. Lets celebrate! pic.twitter.com/e5kg1PEc0p  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2024

French President Macron was also seen riding in a special presidential carriage along with Droupadi Murmu escorted by the Presidents Bodyguard making their way to Kartavya Path.

Macron later shared a post on social media platform X with a video of the French contingent marching and said, A great honour for France. Thank you, India. The leader was also seen smiling as the contingent passed before Macron.

A great honor for France.Thank you, India. pic.twitter.com/fXfp4hdCsb Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2024

Upon his arrival in Jaipur on Thursday, the French leader was welcomed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar post which Macron held a grand roadshow with Prime Minister Modi.

Macron also visited Pink Citys iconic sites of Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal, which tourism trade stakeholders believe will further boost the tourism industry.

Modi and French President Macron on Thursday held wide-ranging talks to further consolidate India-France strategic cooperation, especially in areas of defence, security, trade and clean energy, after the French leader was accorded a red-carpet welcome.

The talks took place at a 19th-century palace after Modi and Macron held a roadshow from the astronomical observation site of Jantar Mantar to the iconic Hawa Mahal in the Pink City.

This is the sixth time (the highest for any country) that a French leader is participating in Indias biggest ceremonial event. This tradition began with President Jacques Chirac in 1976, followed by Valery Giscard dEstaing in 1980, Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, and Francois Hollande in 2016.
As India celebrated its 75th Republic Day on January 26, 2024, the sky above the Kartavya Path became a zone of fervent activity when 54 aircraft, including three from the French Air and Space Force, gave a fly past in a grand salute, during the grand ceremony. The spectators were dazzled with the scintillating air show that served as the grand finale of the Platinum Republic Day function.

The pilots began with the Prachand formation comprising one LCH in lead with two Apache Helicopters and two ALH Mk-IV in echelon flying in five aircraft Arrow formation. It was followed by the Tangail formation comprising one Dakota in lead with two Dornier aircraft in the echelon flying in Vic formation.

The Varuna formation comprised one p-8i aircraft and two X Su-30 aircraft in echelon flying in vic formation. A C-17 aircraft with two Su-30 ac in echelon (streaming fuel) flying past in Vic formation displayed the Bheem formation.

The performance was followed by four X Tejas aircraft flying past in a Diamond formation.

Next was the Amrit formation of six Jaguar aircraft flying past over the water channel north of Kartvya Path in Arrow-head formation.

The Vajraang formation consisted of six Rafale aircraft flying in the Marut formation.

#WATCH | Six Rafale aircraft fly over Kartavya Path in 'Marut' formation during #RepublicDay2024 celebrations. pic.twitter.com/iBwwxWnfpm ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2024

The last leg of the flypast exhilarated viewers as three Su-30 Mk-I aircraft in Trishul formation flew at 900 kmph over a water channel north of Kartavya Path along with the IAF Marching Contingent. Approaching the dais, the formation pulled up outwards for Trishul manoeuvre.

C-295 aircraft flanked by two C-130 aircraft in echelon, flew as the Arjan formation. Netra formation, comprising one AEW and C aircraft and two Su-30 aircraft in the echelon, was flown in Vic Formation.

An Indian Navy P-81, flanked by two IAF Su-30 aircraft were flown as the Varuna formation.

Next was, one Rafale aircraft flying at 900 kmph behind Trishul formation over the north water channel. Approaching the dais, the aircraft pulled up for Vertical Charlie and carried out multiple turns.

Earlier, the band and marching contingent of France was accompanied overhead by two Rafale fighter jets and one Airbus A330 Multi-Role Transport Tanker (MRTT) flying in a triangle formation.

The two Rafale come from the 104 Al Dhafra air base, located in the UAE.

Their unit traces its origin back to World War I and II, and was the first unit to get the Rafale in early 2006, as a replacement for the Jaguar. The Rafale were followed by Phoenix MRTT, capable of refuelling two fighters simultaneously or a single surveillance aircraft. It carries up to 110 ton of fuel.

(With agency inputs)
Nearly six months after all the 14 adult cheetahs were re-captured and put back into enclosures, the Kuno National Park is now gearing up to release all the remaining adult cheetahs into the wild again. However, the total count is now down to 13 after one of the Namibian cheetahs mysteriously collapsed in the enclosure last week.

Last December, the forest department started the phased release with four cheetahs  Agni-Vayu male coalition, female cheetah Veera and feisty male cheetah Pawan which has been recaptured multiple times in the past. However, challenges remain as the animals tend to venture far out of the park boundaries, making tracking difficult.

We have released a few of them, while the rest are still within the large enclosures, where they are also hunting on their own. Now we have to release all of them into the wild, but we will do it in a phased manner. Next course of action will be decided in the next Steering Committee meeting, said Dr Rajesh Gopal, Chairman of the Cheetah Project Steering Committee.

However, Namibian cheetahs Jwala and Aasha that gave birth to two litters this January will be held in the enclosure for more time along with the cubs.

The felines are being made to breed inside the enclosures. Three cubs were born to Jwala on January 3, followed by another litter of four cubs born to Aasha on January 23. However, the first cheetah cub born in India last March to Jwala turns a year old and is being raised by the forest officials, after it was rejected by its mother.

The sudden death of three cheetahs in July last year due to a winter-coat issue worsened by the weather had compelled the forest department to re-capture all the remaining 14 cats and put them back into the larger enclosures (bomas). According to experts, African cheetahs develop a thick layer of skin during winters, which proved to be a killer for the felines in the humid monsoon in Madhya Pradesh.

While prolonged captivity of the cheetahs, especially the Namibian cats remains a concern as cheetahs are naturally free-ranging wild animals and expected to fend for themselves, the officials are wary of any more mortality and keen to improve their prospects of survival.

According to experts, the captive-born cubs will also be re-wilded gradually as they wean away from the mother cheetah and become independent, and hone their hunting skills. The objective is to ensure the African cheetahs remain ecologically functional in Kuno where they can survive in natural environments that support the full array of prey species and competing predators.

Project Cheetah is one of Indias biggest ever wildlife experiments to revive the population of cheetahs in the country  animals which were declared extinct almost 70 years ago. At least 20 cheetahs  10 males and 10 females  have been translocated in two batches from Namibia and South Africa since September, 2022. Seven of them have died due to multiple causes, including three of the first litter born in March last year.
Former Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Mahmood Ali fainted during the Republic Day celebrations at Telangana Bhawan in Hyderabad on Friday.

The BRS leader was immediately helped by fellow leaders present during the Republic Day celebrations. However, his current medical state is not yet known.

#WATCH | Hyderabad: Former Telangana Deputy CM Mahmood Ali faints during #RepublicDay2024 celebrations at Telangana Bhawan. pic.twitter.com/GCzoMb9l8U ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2024

A video shows Ali Mahmood getting unconscious while fellow leaders offering assistance by supporting him and rubbing his hands to help him regain consciousness.

Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy unfurled the national flag at his residence and offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and BR Ambedkar. Later, he also paid tributes to war heroes at the Veerula Sainik memorial at the Parade Grounds in Hyderabad.

Several political parties in Telangana on Friday celebrated Republic Day at their respective party offices. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, offered floral tributes to the portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Gandhi Bhavan, the state headquarters of the Congress party.

BRS Working President K T Rama Rao unfurled the national flag as part of the Republic Day celebrations at the partys headquarters in Hyderabad.

Rajya Sabha member and BJP OBC Morcha president K Laxman unfurled the national flag at the partys state headquarters here. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi unfurled the tricolour at Madina Circle.

(With inputs from PTI)
It goes without saying how gorgeous and great performer Karishma Tanna is. Having won hearts and awards with her performance in Hansal Mehtas Scoop, where she played a journalist, Tanna proved her calibre as an artiste. While she is often credited for her Indian and Western style, the actress never fails to stun with her beach outfits.

Recently, Karishma flew to Dubai with her husband and shared gorgeous pictures from her travel diaries. So far, the actress has shared 2 posts on her Instagram from her visit and they are already grabbing everybodys attention. Karishma is, unquestionably, one of the most visually appealing people. Immediately after she released her photographs in black monokini, it caused a stir on Instagram. Karishmas black monokini and effortless styling did the magic and she looked drop-dead beautiful. Her outfit is a perfect fit for those who feel underconfident in pulling off a bikini and dont like showing their skin much.

The black bikini did an excellent job of highlighting her curves. Absolutely stunning, isnt it?

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karishma Tanna Bangera (@karishmaktanna)

Karishmas photographs showed her towering figure where she looked simply stunning. The pictures showed her striking a pose outside of the aquapark in Dubai with hubby.

The breathtaking scenery of Dubai served as a backdrop for Karishma and there is no doubt that she is having a wonderful time on her vacation. She is a beautiful example of those actresses who begin their careers with television and then make it big on the big screen.
REPUBLIC DAY 2024: India gears up to celebrate its 75th Republic Day on January 26. This day marks the commemoration of the enactment of the Indian Constitution in 1950. Although India had achieved freedom from British rule on August 15, 1947, and observes the day as Independence Day and a distinct national holiday, the initial three years witnessed the governance predominantly guided by the Government of India Act of 1935.

Following the declaration of Independence, a constituent assembly, elected by provincial assemblies, embarked on the task of drafting a constitution to govern the newly independent nation. After a process spanning over two years, the Constitution of India was finalised, establishing the framework for the countrys independent democratic government. The date  January 26 was chosen as the official enactment date, paying homage to the Purna Swaraj (complete self-rule) declaration made by the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1930.

The adoption of the 1950 constitution officially designated the country as the Republic of India. The preamble of this constitution articulates the nation as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic committed to ensuring Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity for all its citizens. Here are ten inspirational quotes, slogans by freedom fighters that motivates generations to work for the betterment of the country, upholding its values of national integration, fraternity and unity.

Inspiring Quotes and Slogans by Freedom Fighters
REPUBLIC DAY 2024: The Beating Retreat Ceremony serves as the majestic conclusion to the week-long Republic Day (R-Day) celebration. It is scheduled to take place on January 29 at Vijay Chowk, Delhi. This years ceremony promises to be a spectacular event presided over by the President Droupadi Murmu.

A highlight of this years Beating Retreat Ceremony will be a grand fanfare featuring 29 tunes inspired by Classical Ragas. The tunes will be played by bands of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and CAPFs. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Additionally, the event boasts the distinction of hosting the largest Drone Show to date, with 3,500 indigenous drones illuminating the sky over Raisina Hill, providing a breathtaking visual spectacle.

How to LIVE Stream Beating Retreat Ceremony Online?

For those unable to attend in person, there are various options for catching the live broadcast. The Beating Retreat Ceremony will be streamed live on the Doordarshan National YouTube channel, allowing viewers to experience the grandeur from the comfort of their homes.

How to watch the Beating Retreat Ceremony LIVE on TV?

Television enthusiasts can tune in to the Doordarshan National channel to witness the live broadcast of the Beating Retreat Ceremony on TV, capturing all the cultural richness and patriotic fervour of the event.

How to watch live from the venue?

For those eager to be part of the live audience at Vijay Chowk, tickets must be booked in advance. The nearest Metro stations to the venue are Shivaji Stadium, Janpath, and Udyog Bhawan, offering convenient access for attendees.

How to Book Tickets For Beating Retreat Ceremony Online?

Booking tickets for the Beating Retreat Ceremony 2024 can be done online through the official website www.aamantran.mod.gov.in. The process is simple:

Visit the website and register with your mobile number. Enter the provided Captcha code and fill in the necessary personal details of the attendees. Complete the registration by entering the OTP received on your mobile. Choose the desired ticket category, such as FDR  Republic Day Parade, Republic Day Parade, Rehearsal  Beating the Retreat, Beating the Retreat  FDR, or Beating the Retreat Ceremony. Make an online payment to secure your tickets. A QR code will be generated for enhanced security, containing the venues address.

Its important to note that these tickets are non-cancellable and non-transferable. Each registered mobile number is limited to booking a maximum of 10 tickets, ensuring a fair distribution of available slots for this remarkable event.
Bigg Boss 17 is currently gearing up for its grand finale. However, days ahead of the same, it has now been reported that filmmaker Rohit Shetty will soon be seen in Salman Khans show as a special guest. As reported by E-Times, Rohit Shetty entered the Bigg Boss 17 house on Thursday night when he offered his stunt-based reality show, Khatron Ke Khiladi 14 to Abhishek Kumar.

However, it has also been reported that Abhishek did not accept the offer immediately but told the filmmaker that he would make a final decision once he is out of the Bigg Boss house.

Last year too, Rohit Shetty had offered Khatron Ke Khiladi to Bigg Boss 16 finalist Shalin Bhanot. However, the actor had also rejected the show citing his fear of creepy crawlies. After Shalin rejected KKK, it was then offered to Shiv Thakare, who was one of the finalists on the show.

Bigg Boss 17 finale is scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 28. Five contestants who are competing for the trophy are  Ankita Lokhande, Mannara Chopra, Munawar Faruqui, Arun Mahshetty and Abhishek Kumar.

Vicky Jain was also a part of the finale week. However, he was eliminated on Tuesday during a surprise eviction. Bigg Boss called the contestants to the activity area following which they were asked to open their respective letters. The letters had their fate written on them. Abhishek Kumar opened his letter and jumped with joy as it had finalist written on it. Following him, Mannara Chopra and Munawar Faruqui also found out that they were the finalists of the controversial reality show. When Arun, Ankita and Vicky were asked to read their letters, Vickys letter had evicted written on it.

ALSO READ: Bigg Boss 17 Finale: How To Vote For Ankita Lokhande, Munawar Faruqui and Other Finalists? Know Here

Voting lines for Bigg Boss 17 finale are currently open.
It is no secret that Vicky Jain had a party at his place following his eviction from the Bigg Boss 17 house recently. Several pictures from the party in which Ankita Lokhandes husband was seen posing with Isha Malviya, Ayesha Khan and Sana Khan went viral on social media. However, a new photo has surfaced online which has left fans of the Pavitra Rishta actress shocked.

In the photo shared on her Instagram handle by influencer-actress Purva Rana, she was seen posing with Vicky Jain. The evicted Bigg Boss 17 contestant held her close as they flaunted their smile for the camera. Check out the photo here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Purva Rana (@purva_rana)

However, the photo left Ankita Lokhandes fans disappointed. Soon after it was shared online, several users rushed to the comments section and slammed Vicky Jain. Aur inki mummy ko lagta hai mera beta kuch nhi karta, one of the users wrote. Another commented, Galti se yeh photo ankita tk ni pauchni chaiye. Yar Vicky bhaiya Ankita ka trust mt todna yrr plz bahot pyar krti hain aapse, a third comment read.

Later, Purva Rana also addressed trolls via a comment on her post and accused them of spreading hate. Why so much of hate guys??? Both of my besties are super happy, most fun & together for life. Dont look for drama coz no one is going to get any, she wrote.

Ankita Lokhande and Vicky Jain entered the Bigg Boss 17 house together in October last year. During their journey in the show, the two had several major arguments. Vicky was also accused by fans of not behaving with his actress wife respectfully. Several also questioned the businessmans close friendship with co-contestants Sana Khan and Ayesha Khan.

While Vicky is now eliminated from Bigg Boss 17, Ankita Lokhande is eyeing the trophy. The grand finale of the show is scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 28.
Veteran actor Chiranjeevi was among 132 people conferred with Padma awards, the government announced on Thursday i.e. on Republic Days eye. He has been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour awarded for exceptional and distinguished service. Hours after the big announcement, the actor issued a video statement and expressed his gratitude to his fans and well-wishers.

Chiranjeevi shared that he was speechless after he got to know about the honour and said that he is overwhelmed, humbled and grateful about it. It is only the unconditional love of the audience, my friends, my blood brothers, and sisters. I owe this life and moment to you. I have always tried to express my gratitude in the ways I can, though I know I can never do enough, he said.

Talking about his films and philanthropic deeds, the megastar further added, On screen, in the last 45 years of my film career I have tried to entertain you to the best of my capabilities and off screen, I try to help the needy by taking up relevant social and humanitarian causes from time to time. I have done so little, yet you have given me such great recognition and honour. I always remain indebted to you for your love and support.

Chiranjeevi concluded by thanking the government of India as he said, At this moment of pride, I would like to thank the government of India and our honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji for bestowing on me Padma Vibhushan. Thank you. Jai Hind.

Chiranjeevi made his acting debut with the 1978 movie Punadhirallu. However, he got his major breakthrough with Sindhooram in 1997. In his career of more than four decades, Chiranjeevi has worked in over 150 feature films in several languages including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil and Kannada. Some of his popular films are  Rudra Veena, Indra, Tagore, Swayam Krushi, Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, Stalin and Gang Leader.

Besides Chiranjeevi, Vyjayanthimala will also be honoured with Padma Vibhushan. She is one of Indian cinemas finest actors and has worked in several films from the 1950s and 1960s, including Devdas, Naya Daur, Aasha, Sadhna, Gunga Jumna, Sangam, and Jewel Thief.
Expats Series Review: Alienation, despair, grief, guilt, and wistfulness  these are the ingredients of Lulu Wangs savoury Expats. The Amazon Prime Video series is empirical of the fact that the right actors can make or break a story. Nicole Kidman might be the incandescent tip of refulgence. And Ji-young Yoo, Saraya Blue, and Jack Huston match up to her luminosity with their applaudable acting chops. The immersive cinematography seizes the nuances of human emotions in the backdrop of chaotic and bleached-out Hong Kong, a city that celebrates diversity but is a hazy quagmire for those who dont belong to that world.

The stage is set by Mercys (played by Ji-young Yoo) voice that narrates a string of unfortunate incidents caused due to callousness, and how that is a subject of morbid fascination for her. The frame cuts to Margaret (Nicole Kidman), a seemingly nonplussed landscape architect amid a meeting with an event planner for a special birthday party for her husband. In that conversation, the name Gus props up and pulls her out of her mental reverie. Her husband Clarke (Brian Tee) is attending a sermon at church, for what seems like an undisclosed tragedy. We are then introduced to other characters like Hilary (Sarayu Blue) and David (Jack Huston) who are Margarets neighbours but have grown some animosity towards them.

Mercy, the voice in the prologue, is working in the catering industry and feels disjointed from her surroundings despite belonging to the same racial identity. She is a Korean who often gets mistaken for a Chinese local, an occurrence that is too common for her and yet oddly alienating, as reflected through her eyes. This close-knit community of expatriates is connected by a tragedy that is not instantly shared with the viewers, but the hint of it in the narrative keeps one invested throughout.

Expats is like that chocolate truffle cake that you eat on your cheat days. With every bite, it tastes even yummier. The more you indulge in, the more you get sucked into the storyline.

Expats is a show that will come across as relatable not only to the expatriates who are mingling with a different diaspora but also to the folks sitting in the comfort of their native countries. The Hong Kong aesthetics is interspersed with themes about universal alienation. For instance, in a scene, David tries to chat with his chauffeur but gets disappointed when he doesnt get an expected reaction, something he would have gotten if he was in his native country London. In a different scene, Mercy feels invisible to his group of friends and individuals around her. She finds herself alone in the crowd more often than not and is fixated on something that her mother has said to her in her childhood.

Several instances like these bind you to the dysfunctional lives of these characters. Despite thriller being the crux of the main story, Expats vows to deconstruct a lot of social issues around it through a profound feminine lens. Perhaps what lends to the inclusive and intersectional tone and style of visual narration is Lulu Wangs quest to present human emotions with no compromise to depth.

Whether its feminism, mental illness, the politics of Hong Kong, or the two different sides of China, its all enmeshed within the premise of Expats. The dialogues pour in inconspicuously, without hampering the main storyline.

Expats is thoroughly nuanced but to get there, one has to sift through the first two episodes that might test your patience. The non-linear style of storytelling might discombobulate you but the gravity around Gus will keep you by the hooks and eager to find out the reason behind the mess in their upscale expatriate life. Many poignant shots of the actors in different situations form the subtext of their expressions and reactions. Expressions of anxiety, grief, longing, non-belongingness, fear, dejection, trauma, companionship, and intimacy are accompanied by visually appealing shots often a mirror to their predicaments.

The cast of Expats couldnt be more perfect than what it delivers. Nicole Kidman as Margaret conveys the soul of a mother and an expatriate longing for home and identity.

Ji-young Yoo speaks through her eyes in between scenes where there is no dialogue. She represents most of us who feel lost and out-of-sync with our surroundings, someone who is trying to hustle in a foreign country. Sarayu Blue as Hillary treasures friendship but aptly portrays the struggles of her character, the pressure from her Indian parents to have a baby and the conundrum of whether she wants to take up that responsibility. Brian Tree as Clarke might not be explicitly expressive with his share of grief but he is mindful of his wife and kids. Jack Huston as David aces the role with his ability to empathise with others, all while dealing with a falling marriage in the household. Other actors like Bonde Shamz and Ruby Ruiz have played their parts equally well.

Expats is a melting pot of a thriller laced with emotions that are raw but too heavy to process. It is impeccable to witness a story by a director that incorporates multiple genres within the various timelines and characters of the story. It does the job of presenting a gripping and thoughtful portrayal. It unpacks a lot at us in a short period. But if one resists that overwhelming feeling, it introduces you to a lot of cultural tidbits, of course, all within the purview of morality regarding whats right and whats not. Expats undeniably exceed in all departments and it would be a disappointment if it doesnt secure a string of Emmys.
Hours after it was announced that Vyjayanthimala Bali has been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan Award 2024, Saira Banu has congratulated the veteran actress. Banu was speaking to E-Times recently when she said that Vyjayanthimala is truly deserved for the honour.

I am so happy about thisthe award is truly well deservedI have grown up watching her films and she is akka (elder sister ) to me, Saira Banu said.

Interestingly, in September 2023, Saira Banu went down memory lane when she revealed that she was once left jealous when she saw her late-husband Dilip Kumars photo with Vyjayanthimala on a magazine cover. The two had worked together on the 1958 romantic drama Madhumati.

It was a beautiful photo, and in my childishness, I got so jealous of Sahibs proximity to her face that I took a pair of scissors and deftly started to snip away that portion of the photograph. Just imagine! I am hysterical with laughter when I recall this. Until then I had never seen her in any film and as fate would have it, I grew up to meet, admire, and associate with her as a member of my family. There are many interesting memories with her wherein I hold Akka in high esteem and shall narrate it one day, Saira had written in one of her Instagram posts.

Vyjayanthimala Bali is one of the Indian Cinemas finest actors. She made her acting debut at the age of 16 with the Tamil film Vaazhkai (1949). Her first Hindi movie was Bahar, which was released in 1951. Later, Bali also worked in several films from the 1950s and 1960s, including Devdas, Naya Daur, Aasha, Sadhna, Gunga Jumna, Sangam and Jewel Thief. Interestingly, she was also awarded Padma Shri in the year 1968.

Besides Vyjayanthimala Bali, Chiranjeevi has also been bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan award. He is one of the most popular stars from the South cinema. He has worked in over 150 feature films in several languages including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil and Kannada.
The other name for disruption is artificial intelligence (AI). This is a disruption pegged to be bigger and far more impactful than the coming of the internet and the World Wide Web. India realises that AI will be the next frontier of cutthroat global competition. Today, India is a country on a mission. A mission to not just develop an indigenous and sovereign AI ecosystem in the country, but to also become a net exporter of AI technologies to the world, especially to countries in the Global South.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi alluded to this last year, when in a social media post he said, India reaffirms its commitment to harnessing technology, particularly AI, for the welfare of people, ensuring that nations of the Global South are not the last to reap its benefits.

To build an indigenous AI ecosystem in the country, the Ministry of Electronics and IT will soon seek the Union cabinets approval for an India AI Mission. This is an ambitious program which includes the setting up of GPU-based servers in public-private partnership mode with an outlay of over Rs 10,000 crore. Under the mission, India aims to build a compute capacity of anywhere between 10,000 to 30,000 graphic processing units (GPUs) under the public-private partnership model. Further, about 1,000 to 2,000 GPUs will be built through the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), which is a public sector undertaking.

The move comes in the backdrop of dedicated working groups being formed by the Modi government on AI, recommending setting up a three-tier compute infrastructure comprising 24,500 GPUs. The groups have also recommended setting up best-in-class AI computing infrastructure at five locations with 3,000 AI Petaflops computing power, with 15 times more capacity than the highest capacity installed at present.

The government is moving at a rapid pace to catch up with international leaders in the world of AI. At present, the US and China lead in computing infrastructure required for the development of AI technology. According to the Top 500 website, top-performing supercomputers are located in the US, Europe, Japan, China, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia where purchasing power parity is high. India is keen to be a part of that club, which will further bolster its credentials as a leader of the Global South that developing countries can rely on for AI technologies.

In order to motivate private players to set up computing centres in the country, the Centre is devising various incentive structures  ranging from a capital expenditure subsidy model like has been done in the semiconductor sector, to even offering companies a usage fee. This will enhance Indias computing capacity, which will, in turn, prove to be a game-changer for domestic AI startups.

Consequently, startups will not need to invest in GPUs, and will instead be able to use government-provided computational capacity at much lower costs. Needless to say, this will give Indian startups a competitive edge globally. This will also strengthen Indias already incredible Digital Public Infrastructure, which has earned accolades around the world for the scale of transformation it has ushered in.

In December last year, Minister of State (MoS) for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar revealed that the Centre will also deploy financial resources to build foundational AI models, large language models (LLMs), and various use cases for emerging technology.

Keeping Track of the India AI Buzzword

Indias messaging has been on point so far. It is determined to play a major role internationally in shaping the way countries deal with the emergence of AI and its continuously evolving nature. At the heart of Indias approach is a willingness to embrace all emerging technologies, including AI, with necessary guardrails of course. In December 2023, India hosted the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence Summit in New Delhi, where influential minds from various sectors gathered to discuss and collaborate on the future of AI.

India is home to more than 70 GenAI startups that have raised capital in excess of $440 million between 2019 and Q3 2023. According to Inc42, the homegrown GenAI market of India is expected to grow to a market size of $17 billion by 2030 from $1.1 billion last year. Moreover, it is expected that the digital economy will contribute to 20 per cent of Indias GDP by 2026, and AI will play an instrumental role in achieving this goal. Also, by 2026, India hopes for the size of its digital economy to be $1 trillion alone. In 2014, the share of the digital economy to the GDP was a mere 4.5 per cent, so the jump will definitely be stark.

India is aware of the risks that are typically associated with new and emerging technologies. Therefore, the government plans to restrict access to datasets to only those artificial intelligence models that are trusted. The Centre is also considering issuing a directive to big tech companies like Facebook, Google and Amazon to share anonymised personal data in their possession with the India Datasets platform.

Indias ambitious plans for AI reflect a commitment to global leadership in technology. Its strategic investments, public-private partnership push in AI, and incentives for private players position India as an upcoming force in the ever-evolving AI landscape. With a focus on responsible AI deployment, India aims to contribute significantly to the digital economy and shape the future of artificial intelligence on the global stage.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
The bubble of mendacity is at bursting point. The Archaeological Survey of Indias report on the Gyanvapi mosque complex has unearthed what was always known.

It has concluded that, there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure.

The ASI had carried out a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi premises, located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple, to determine whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed over the original temple dedicated to Mahadev.

The Hindu side that wants to reclaim the site on which the Gyanvapi mosque has been built is convinced that it was built upon the original temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The Muslim side, represented by the Gyanvapi Masjid Committee, denies this. And for good measure, it has also rejected the ASIs findings.

This will not be the first time either. After the Ayodhya judgement, the Muslim petitioners in that case too never tired of pointing out that the ASI had also not been able to conclusively conclude that the ruins of a temple found under the Babri Masjid belonged to a temple that had been actually destroyed by the Mughals to build the mosque.

Just as with Ayodhya, the contest over the Gyanvapi mosque is also playing out in court.

While it is always advisable to wait for the reports findings to be thoroughly scrutinised, there is, aside from archeological evidence, widespread historical consensus that the site of the Gyanvapi mosque was witness to a terrible desecration.

The most convincing account of this odious vandalism is offered by the vandal himself: Emperor Aurangzeb.

Saqi Mustad Khan, an official in Aurangzebs court, was tasked by the bigoted Mughal himself to chronicle his rule  past, present, and future. The chronicle called Maasir-i-Alamgiri records with unabashed admiration that Aurangzeb gave orders to destroy all schools and temples in Varanasi and other parts of India. Khan notes that on September 2, 1669, Aurangzebs orders were duly carried out by his bigoted cohorts, and the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple was demolished.

Even if we are to discount this most consequential proof, other equally persuasive accounts exist, confirming the tyranny unleashed by Aurangzeb on the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Peter Mundy, a self-professed East India Company servant, wrote in his memoir A journey from Agra to Puttana of a time in September 1632 when he chanced upon Hindu women pouring libations over the lingam in Varanasi. Moved by their devotion, he drew a sketch of the scene titled Mahadev.

Mundys account is critical to the case as it was penned 37 years before Aurangzeb gave his order to demolish the Kashi Vishwanath temple. As such, he was one of the last persons to have recorded the existence of the fabled temple.

Then theres British administrator James Prinsep, who noted the oddity of a Muslim structure straddling a Hindu temple by remarking pithily that the dome & minaret surmounting the Hindu walls were the work of Aurangzeb.

Incidentally, the authenticity of these accounts has never been called into question and therefore constitute important evidence in support of the Hindu claim.

Above and beyond the historical record, theres an even more compelling fact.

This fact confirms that the land on which the Gyanvapi mosque stands today was sullied by an unforgiving act of religious zealotry.

The Allahabad High Court itself notes that there is no material on record to demonstrate the creation of Waqf and construction of Mosque.

Its a well-established fact in Islamic religious law that a waqf can only be established for the construction of a mosque on pristine land. Any mosque built on impure land is not deemed suitable enough for the purpose of offering prayers.

Had the land not been desecrated by a wanton act of blind fury brought on by Aurangzebs inherent hate for Hindus, the waqf would have been created on paper and a record of it would have existed.

Theres also, of course, the weight of lived experience. Hari Shankar Jain, representing five women petitioners from the Hindu side, has collected testimonies of 10 witnesses who said that puja of deities was conducted continuously at the Gyanvapi mosque.

In 1993, however, Mr Jain notes, the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led SP government fenced off the mosque, denying Hindus their right to worship at Gyanvapi.

Indeed, establishing the Hindu character of the Gyanvapi mosque will be easy. But, thanks to the ideological left, taking possession of it wont be.

Thats because, in 1991, the then Congress-led PV Narasimha Rao government at the Centre enacted the Places of Worship Act.

Whether this was done to appease the Muslim community or not is irrelevant. At least in the legal context. But the fact is that the 1991 law effectively froze the status of any place of worship as it was before August 15, 1947. In other words, the law stands in the way of Hindus reclaiming the Gyanvapi mosque site to alter its status.

True, the battle to overturn the law is being waged in the Supreme Court. But a resolution is unlikely anytime soon. Especially because the present CJI DY Chandrachud has himself vouched for the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship Act 1991.
Indias herbal diplomacy, which gained momentum under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has effectively used Ayurveda as a soft power tool to secure enduring relations with countries overseas. India is the largest producer of global Ayurvedic products and is emerging as an export hub for international markets.

The countrys ancient medicinal wisdom, unparalleled in the history of age-old knowledge systems, has become the new therapeutic model, augmenting the scope for alternative medicines in the global healthcare system. The Charaka Samhita, a Sanskrit text of Indian medicine that was translated into Arabic in the eighth century, has resurfaced as Rising Ayurveda in the medicinal space of the Gulf countries as a holistic wellness and sustained therapy to overcome the impending healthcare challenges. Moreover, a significant presence of Ayurvedic companies and burgeoning demand for such products in the UAE entails Indias robust herbal diplomacy with the Emirates.

The word Ayurveda etymologically means knowledge of life. This compound Sanskrit word is composed of two words, Ayur meaning life and Veda denoting knowledge. This medicinal tradition, mainly based on herbal compounds, is a gift of Bharat to the world. It gives a comprehensive cure with non-chemical intervention. Its healing involves physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The great Indian antiquity enjoyed a special status in Asia, Africa, and Europe for exploring remedies to human pathology in the world of nature. Its historicity began at least three thousand years ago or way above the projected temporality.

The continuity of this chemical-free, organic, and sacred medicinal tradition experienced neglect during the colonial introduction of modern medicine. Allopathic medicine and its chemical content have indubitably made significant progress as modern medicine but carry no permanent cure and is clueless for several diseases. The lifestyle change, high consumption of junk and other unhealthy food without any regulative restriction, and sedentary culture in the workspace have given rise to strange ailments that find no effective cure in the chemically reliant medicinal system.

This has shifted the global attention to the alternative modes of cure. They include Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH). This shift in attention does not mean the end of chemically reliant modern medicine. It means relying on other modes of cure and remaining healthy. In this context, the UAE has made significant efforts to attract alternative modes of cure. It has issued a professional licence to give clearances to Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine (TCAM). Indias traditional medicinal practices of Ayurveda have greatly interested the Emiratis. Its effectiveness in curing diseases has enhanced its popularity.

India organised the ninth World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo in Goa on December 8, 2022, and several countries participated in observing the therapeutics of Ayurveda by Indian healthcare professionals. The critical aspect of this exercise was to give Ayurveda a global outreach and secure for India the prestige of maintaining the continuity of its ancient healing heritage against challenges of all kinds, especially colonial modernity.

Prime Minister Modis herbal diplomacy has seen definite success as the sale of Ayurvedic products, especially Indian AYUSH, and other herbal products, made a quantum jump by 2023. This is Indias achievement in projecting Ayurveda as a comprehensive, enduring, and effective curative. This has also given India a diplomatic heft on the global stage. Politics apart, the urgency of revamping the international healthcare order seems more crucial in this connection. Pathology is not a comprehensive response to a health disorder. A holistic healing that includes equitable attention to the physical, mental, spiritual, and measured lifestyle and avoiding stress and indulgences is the perfect recipe for happy and healthy living.

Ayurveda, as a natural curative procedure, aims at delivering it. Keeping this in mind, the Government of India has developed a New Health Policy 2017, embodying the vision of a healthy and happy India. This can be the best blueprint for other nations to seek inspiration from. In this direction, the Government of India has signed an agreement with WHO in 2022 to set up the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) at Jamnagar, Gujarat.

This collaborative exercise aims to provide low-cost and effective traditional medicine to the United Nations member states to ensure global health. This also conjoins with initiatives such as Heal in India and Heal by India. The Heal in India exercise invites people worldwide to get cured in India through Ayurveda and its herbal and spiritual modalities. The Heal by India entails exporting Ayurvedic medicine, herbal products, and Indian medicinal knowledge to the world through its qualified professionals. This explains Indias concern and care for global health and a happy earth. This is Indias herbal diplomacy. Through non-chemical herbal cures, India gives the world Ayurveda and wins global confidence as a bankable partner.

The UAE has made definitive efforts to ensure the circulation of Ayurveda products and their purchase, usage, and extension of its treatment modalities in its Emirates to obtain a healthy life. The clearances given to TCAM indicate the Emirati openness and acceptance of this chemical-free treatment modality with the most negligible side effects.

The number of clinics and centres that follow the Ayurvedic treatment modes using herbal and non-chemical materials is phenomenal. They are Ayurmana Ayurveda & Panchakarma (Dubai), Swasthya Ayurveda (Dubai), Kottakkal Ayurvedic Treatment Centre (Dubai), Santhigiri Holistic Health Centre (Dubai), Pearl Ayurveda (Ras al Khaimah), Meznah Ayurveda, (Sharjah), Kottakkal Treatment Centre (Ajman), Mantra Ayurveda (Dubai), Dr Jasnas Ayurveda Clinic & Treatment Centre (Dubai), 22 Ayur (Dubai), Ayurcare Ayurvedic Wellness Centre (Dubai), Herbal Park Ayurvedic Health Centre (Abu Dhabi), etc.

Several of them are based in Dubai and provide nature-based holistic treatment. This shows the importance Ayurveda had received across the UAE. It has also generated employment space for many Indians who have studied and practised Ayurveda as an effective way of treating human ailments. The robust bilateralism that has been witnessed between India and the UAE since 2014 and Prime Minister Modis determination to globalise Ayurveda like Yoga to ensure global health, happiness, peace, and well-being constitute Indias herbal diplomacy and Ayurveda as a soft power modality in renewing Indias international image as a caregiver and curing nation that believes in its perennial wisdom of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

The UAE also sees rising demand for Indian herbal products, from cosmetics to capsules. The made-in-India herbal products, which include Hamdard, Baidyanath, Dabur, Kama Ayurveda, Vicco, Biosync, Charak, Just Herbs, Patanjali, Vee, Forest Essentials, Hope Ayurveda, Himalaya Wellness, Navayur, Arlak, Swastik, Surya Herbal, etc, dominate the global wellness and cosmetic market space and the UAE is no exception to this market appetite.

The global demand for herbal products and the supply in India build a solid international profile for India as a land of herbal medicine. It cures through time-tested, nature-based traditional practices. This constitutes Indias herbal diplomacy which embodies, on one hand, health, happiness, and effective cure and also, on the other, gives India political dividends to prove its strength and genuineness of concern for global wellbeing along the line of its ancient wisdom: Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah/ Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu, Maa Kashcid Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet/ Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih (May all beings be at peace, may no one suffer from illness, May all see what is auspicious, may no one suffer. Om! Peace Peace Peace).

Dr Jajati K Pattnaik is an Associate Professor at the Centre for West Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Dr Chandan K Panda is an Assistant Professor at Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Whenever the United States-led Anglosphere sees a potential threat to its global hegemony, it acts swiftly and ruthlessly.

Germany was a growing threat in 1914. By 1945, two world wars later, Germany was neutralised. After nearly 80 years, it remains an obedient ally of the US.

Japan received the same treatment, though it took two atomic bombs and over 2,50,000 lives to end Japans military threat in the east.

The Soviet Union posed a tougher challenge. It controlled over a dozen European countries right up to the doorstep of (then) West Germany. It took the US 40 years to dismantle the Soviet threat to its global hegemony.

Having dismembered former Soviet satellites like Yugoslavia into several small separate countries, the US enjoyed a brief moment of being the worlds only superpower between 1990 and 2010.

Chinas rise came as a rude shock. Beijing had followed President Deng Xiaopings advice: hide your strength, bide your time. For 30 years from the 1980s to the 2010s, China quietly stole US military technology from under the Pentagons nose and deeply infiltrated Silicon Valley.

President Xi Jinpings aggression in the South China Sea woke Washington up. China was not just a military threat as the former Soviet Union had been. It was a far more serious economic threat than the Soviets had ever been.

Washington moved quickly, lockstep with its Anglophone cousins  Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand  to thwart Chinas rise.

President Donald Trump imposed far-reaching trade sanctions on Beijing which President Joe Biden has deepened. When faced with a foreign challenge, US Democrats and Republicans, sharply polarised over domestic politics, have an uncanny ability to join forces.

Biden doubled down on Trumps trade war against China by imposing wide-ranging technology sanctions on Beijing. He banned Western, Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese companies from sharing advanced semiconductor technology with China.

Since China no longer has access to the latest wafer-thin chips from Nvidia and other Western firms, it will take years to catch up on new-generation chips in mobile phones, cars, computers and AI-powered electronic devices.

Hegemony birthright

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill used to say that the English-speaking nations (known today more commonly as the Anglosphere) had prevailed in the social Darwinian battle.

According to Churchill, white Christian Protestants occupied the top rung in the hierarchy. In the second tier were white Christian Catholics. Then came Indians and Chinese and in the fourth tier Africans.

Churchill, an amateur historian himself, knew that his social Darwinism theory was drivel. Before 1700, Britain was a mid-level European country in awe of the Ottoman and Mughal Empires.

British envoys like Sir Thomas Roe were for years denied an audience in the 17th-century Court of Emperor Jehangir.

The Chinese were more direct, sending back British envoys with a threat of beheading if they retuned.

Churchill also knew that a rare combination of science, slavery, industry and invasive colonialism had elevated Britain to a global hegemon by the mid-1800s. Social Darwinism had little to do with it.

The hegemonic baton passed from Britain to its colonial cousin America around 1900. There it has stayed for over a century.

Reining in China remains a work in progress. Hawks in Washington believe Chinas moment has come and gone. Expected to surpass US GDP by 2030, they now believe China may never catch up, allowing the US to be the largest global economy for the foreseeable future.

The problem with that thesis is that the future is unpredictable. International financial institutions have warned that India could overtake both the US and China as the worlds largest economy sometime between 2052 and 2075.

US vs China vs India

The Anglosphere has held global hegemonic power for 200 years since the defeat of French Emperor Napoleon by the British at Waterloo in 1815.

Farsighted American policymakers have sought for years to draw India into its Anglospheric orbit as it did with Japan and South Korea.

Xi Jinping, alive to the US ploy, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for three congenial summits between 2014 and 2019  in Ahmedabad, Wuhan and Mahabalipuram  to wean India away from the US.

The deal Xi offered was peace and tranquillity along the LAC in return for Indias geopolitical equidistance from the US and China.

But China is a ruthless power itself. At the very first Modi-Xi summit in Ahmedabad in 2014, the PLA made an incursion across the LAC. It took a quiet but firm word from Modi to Xi to order the PLA back.

China increased the pressure on India in 2017 with the Doklam standoff that lasted over 70 days.

Despite his misgivings over Beijings intent, Modi met Xi again for an informal summit in Wuhan in 2018, followed by another in Mahabalipuram in 2019.

By now Modi had gauged Xi accurately: he was not to be trusted. India deepened its relationship with the US, Australia and Japan in the Quad.

China took the gloves off. The April 2000 incursion across the LAC followed.

The Galwan Valley clash took the lives of 20 Indian soldiers and an estimated 45 PLA troops (though China has admitted to losing only four soldiers).

Galwan ended Indias brief dalliance with China. Washington was pleased. Over the last four years, it has elevated its relationship with India to a strategic partnership and signed a slew of agreements on sharing critical technologies as well as joint defence production.

Its conditional

But  and there is a but  nothing the US and its Anglospheric allies do comes without riders.

India presents the Anglosphere with an unusual problem. It is not communist like the Soviet Union was or China is. It is a former colony, poor, noisy and democratic.

It is also independent-minded. New Delhis neutral position on Ukraine annoys Washington. Indias leadership of the Global South is another irritant.

Washington welcomes Indias economic rise and growing military strength. But it knows that India needs to be periodically reminded of who calls the shots.

Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand in consonance ensure that India stays just a little off-balance with well-timed pinpricks.

Since Independence in 1947, it was Britains job among the Anglophones to back Pakistan against India. The US played a particularly toxic role in the 1971 Bangladesh war.

Indias economic and military rise makes such geopolitical blackmail impossible today.

The US knows that by 2050 it will be a white-minority country. Blacks, Hispanics and Asians will be the majority, with white Protestants of European descent dropping to below 25 per cent of the US population and white Catholics to 20 per cent.

History turns in circles. American and British policymakers know what their countries were in 1700.

The US did not exist as an independent nation. Neither did the UK. It was only in 1707 that the kingdoms of England and Scotland merged to form the United Kingdom.

Anglospheric hegemony came a century later. It could end within decades.

The writer is an editor, author and publisher. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
In the post-independence timeline of the nation, the Ram Janmabhoomi (birthplace) Movement will be remembered as the largest socio-cultural movement touching the masses. It is a 500-year-old struggle which has culminated in justice and vindication of our heritage and ethos. History will remember the day of Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram as the day we reinstated our cultural pride and self-respect.

It is in this social, cultural and political context that the movement has become the collective call of aspirations, inspiring men and women alike. The participation of women in the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement played an unprecedented role in stirring the consciousness of society.

The clarion call to join the Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 resulted in womens participation from all walks of life. It was not just a symbolic representation. Centuries of invasion had limited the role of women to home and hearth in the last 1000 years. During the independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi had mobilised women in large numbers to participate in the cause of the national freedom struggle and post-independence, women took charge as planners and executors in the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement, their voices reverberating in public spaces and in the privacy of homes.

The Ram Janmabhoomi Movement gave women a platform to express their emotions and to exhibit leadership. It altered the social assumptions on the role of women in society.

When Shalini Dabir, a 96-year-old lady from Maharashtra, received the invitation to attend the Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya on 22 January, she recollected the memories of her walking for 60 km during the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement in the year 1990 when all modes of transport to Ayodhya had been suspended. Shalini, then 63, recalled that she, along with many other women from Dadar in Mumbai, were jailed inside a school as all the jails in the vicinity of Ayodhya were packed with Karsevaks. Bindu, a local from Ayodhya bore witness to women doing multiple tasks  holding gatherings for bhajans, communicating between groups who were shielding themselves as well as rescuing others from the bullets being fired on them and giving shelter to the wounded. Bindu said that she left her 20-day-old son in someones care to join the procession that was heading towards the Ram Janmabhoomi site.

Hansmukhi Joshi, a former councillor from Madhya Pradesh recalled that she was with a group of women heading towards Ayodhya when they were stopped at Gwalior by the police threatening them with dire consequences. The women refused to return to their homes and were then taken to another town Jhansi and were detained there for days. She reminisces that many locals used to visit them to show solidarity with the movement. In Aligarh, Poonam Bajaj went door to door to mobilise women to go to Ayodhya in 1991. She, along with a group of women, travelled surreptitiously as there was heavy police deployment to deter people from going to Ayodhya.

There are innumerable incidents where women from all across the country plunged into the movement.

Women amplified the cause of the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement and led from the front, inspiring men and women alike. Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia, hailing from the royal family of Rajasthan, was a popular leader who had been imprisoned during the Emergency. The proposal for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was introduced in the national executive meeting of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) held at Palampur in 1989 by none other than Vijaya Raje which became the foundation of the phenomenal mobilisation for the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement. She was present in Ayodhya along with the Karsevaks and addressed the public from Ram Katha Kunj on December 6, 1992.

Vijaya Raje accompanied Lal Krishna Advani in the Ram Rath Yatra undertaken in 1990 covering a 10,000 km journey across ten states. Sadhvi Rithambara and Uma Bharti emerged as the ascetics with powerful oratory skills in the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement. Their speeches were replayed in audio cassettes in large gatherings called to motivate the masses. Sadhvi Rithambaras spiritual discourse and bhajans were pivotal in strengthening the ideological ground of the Karsevaks. The presence of sadhvis like Pragya Singh Thakur, Sadhvi Prachi, Sadhvi Saraswati, Aastha Ma, Sadhvi Kamal and others led to a paradigm shift in the perception of women in socio-cultural mobilisation.

At this juncture, one needs to pause and pay homage to the 27 women and 20 children who had travelled to Ayodhya in 2002 to participate in the Purnahuti Mahayagna at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi and were burnt in a train near a town called Godhra near Ahmedabad, while returning from Karseva.

For decades, no one knew the names of these women and children who became a part of the long list of martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the struggle to reclaim the Ram Janmabhoomi. The sacrifices and struggles undertaken by women gave shape to the movement which has now culminated in witnessing the long-awaited celebrations across the country. The Ram Janmabhoomi Movement for Ayodhya Ram Temple can be hailed as the crusade where womens agency was integrated with the cultural and historical pride of the nation.

The author is the Director, Non-Collegiate Womens Education Board, University of Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Upon waking up on Friday morning, I glanced at the complete list of the Padma awardees. Recognisable names such as Dr Tejas Patel and journalist Kundan Vyas appeared in the Padma Bhushan list. The name of Bihars Bindeshwar Pathak, who has been posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan, also caught my eye. I remember meeting him several times during my extended stay in Gujarat. Despite his deteriorating health, he participated in a Network18 programme related to cleanliness at my request. Thats how much affection he had for sanitation and campaigns connected to it.

After reading the names on the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan lists, my eyes moved to the list of Padma Shri awardees. They stopped on one name  Surendra Kishore. While one might assume we have a close relationship, the truth is we have only spoken over the phone two or three times in the past two decades, most recently two days ago when the Narendra Modi government announced the Bharat Ratna for Karpoori Thakur.

I have never met Surendra Kishore in person. I have never undertaken any significant work in Bihars capital, Patna, nor have I been posted there. My time in Gujarat, spanning over two decades, has kept me engaged with numerous journalists and prominent figures in society. However, my acquaintance with selected journalists from Bihar, including Surendra Kishore, is limited, and even more so with other members of society.

Model of simplicity

Then why discuss Surendra Kishore? There is a particular reason. Like Karpoori Thakur, Surendra Kishore is also an embodiment of simplicity  a consummately honest individual, authentic, and a true socialist in thoughts and actions, yet not blinded by ideology. He appreciates what is good, raises his voice and cautions against the bad, and expresses himself through his pen. The image in my mind is crafted from his writings, discussions with those who know him, and the few but memorable telephonic conversations with him.

As a matter of record, Surendra Kishore hails from Bharhopur-Rampur, a village near the capital Patna in Bihars Chapra block. His family is prosperous, engaged in farming, but Surendra Kishore has been a rebel since his youth. During a time when taking dowry was a prevalent social practice in Bihar, he rejected it when he got married, going against his father Shivanandan Singhs wishes. Upset, his father did not attend the wedding. However, the most notable guest at the event was Karpoori Thakur.

Meeting Karpoori Thakur

The connection between Karpoori Thakur, Bihars two-time chief minister and now Bharat Ratna awardee (posthumous), and Surendra Kishore is special. During the days when Karpoori Thakur was the deputy CM, a spirited youngster approached him with a recommendation to address the problems faced by students. After presenting a well-written application in beautiful handwriting, he left. Someone sitting there mentioned to Karpoori Thakur that the youngster had diligently spoken about the problems of students, highlighting the concerns of others, while not uttering a word about himself. He seemed honest because people generally approach politicians with their own troubles and this youngster was fighting for others.

Karpoori Thakur appreciated this and then his attention shifted towards a problem of his own. Although he was an advocate of honesty and integrity in politics, he couldnt find a personal assistant who was both honest and proficient in working swiftly and efficiently. If a person is honest, they often become passive in most cases under the burden of their honesty, or end up becoming unjust or defiant. While if someone is adept at their work, they are usually not honest, and prone to dubious activities and corrupt practices.

Karpoori Thakur took the initiative to connect with this young man. He sent his two key colleagues, Sabhapati Singh and Ram Bahadur Singh, to meet the youngster. Surendra Kishore was studying at the famous Rajendra College in Chapra at that time, had already joined the socialist movement, and was rapidly rising through the ranks of the student organisation Yuvjan Sabha. However, Surendra Kishore did not go along with the two leaders, who were prominent figures in Bihar politics, and Ram Bahadur Singh went on to become a central minister.

Finally, Karpoori Thakur thought of trying to convince Surendra Kishore himself. By then, Thakur had completed his first term as the chief minister of Bihar between December 1970 and June 1971, and he was the opposition leader in the Bihar legislative assembly. Before becoming the CM, he had served as the deputy chief minister and education minister in Mahamaya Prasad Sinhas government in 1967-68.

The next meeting between Karpoori Thakur and Surendra Kishore was also interesting. In 1972, while pursuing a Bachelors degree in history at the college, Surendra Kishore had already become the secretary of the district unit of the Samajwadi Party in Chapra. He was also associated with a weekly magazine called Saran Sandesh. When Surendra Kishore reached the party office after completing his day in college, he saw a person sleeping on a spread-out mat on the floor. Observing closely, he realised it was Karpoori Thakur. The person who had been the chief minister of Bihar until the previous year was now asleep on the floor. When asked, Karpoori Thakur explained that he had come to persuade him. He insisted, Work with me. Its hard to find a person like you, a private assistant who will be both efficient and honest.

Always grounded

Surendra Kishore had to give in. As Karpoori Thakurs private assistant, he lived with him in his house in 1972-73. He observed Karpoori Thakurs simplicity, honesty, and integrity up close and was deeply influenced. Concerned about a space crunch in the government accommodation, Karpoori Thakur had removed the beds and stools from his home without worrying about his own and his familys needs. People slept on the floor on mats and among them was Surendra Kishore.

While working with Karpoori Ji, Surendra Kishore witnessed the student movement, which started from Gujarat as Navnirman and evolved into a sweeping revolution under the leadership of Jayaprakash Narayan in Bihar as he gave the slogan of Sampoorna Kranti. To crush this movement, the then Bihar chief minister Abdul Ghafoor even allowed police firing on students.

Soon after, Surendra Kishore witnessed the Emergency and by then had become associated with the weekly magazine Pratipaksha. He and his wife, Rita, were actively fighting against the Emergency. When the threat of arrest loomed, Surendra Kishore went underground to keep alive the flames of the agitation that was starting to spread like wildfire. Rita packed some belongings and crossed the Ganga on a steamer to reach their ancestral home in Chapra. When she arrived, Surendra Kishores father asked her why she didnt dump the bundle that she had with her in the Ganga. It turned out that all it contained was clippings from newspapers and a collection of books and magazines.

His father harboured a disappointment. After all, he had been a modest zamindar and his son had disobeyed him while getting married, and in a display of his anger, he stayed away from the wedding. When Surendra Kishore got married, the barat (wedding procession) went to Sonpur, and among the Thakur present was none other than Karpoori Thakur. Surendra Kishore accepted the blessings of a Hajam Thakur, but not the Rajput Thakur who was his father.

His father-in-law, Satyanarayan Singh, was also a staunch socialist, and his wife was a firebrand too. Getting married without dowry and tilak was a revolutionary act at that time, something only a strong-willed person like Surendra Kishore could do, without heeding his fathers advice. He also brushed aside Raj Narain, the vanquisher of Indira Gandhi, who wanted him to marry a doctor.

Plot during Emergency

Surendra Kishore has maintained his audaciousness throughout his life. During the Emergency, he was closely associated with George Fernandes. He underwent training with George Fernandes to detonate dynamite in Bengaluru. When George Fernandes was arrested in the Baroda dynamite case, the Indira Gandhi government and the police were keen to arrest Surendra Kishore as well. They wanted to portray that the popular movement against the Indira government during the Emergency was sponsored by China. Surendra Kishore was to be set up with the charge that he had gone to Nepal and collected funds from a Chinese agent for the dynamite plot. But he thwarted the governments plan to arrest him, though his wife spent time in jail for her searing articles against the Emergency.

After the Emergency, when the Janata Morcha came to power, George Fernandes became the industries minister and wanted Surendra Kishore to be his assistant, but the latter declined the offer.

Never holding back

Instead, Surendra Kishore did not stay silent when there were allegations that George Fernandes received financial help from influential coal mafioso Suryadeo Singh, to contest the elections. He also did not refrain from expressing his displeasure when Chandra Shekhar, the then Prime Minister, had chuda-dahi at the same Suryadeo Singhs house. He didnt hesitate to tear into his socialist leaders when they did something wrong, showing his uncompromising stance.

Surendra Kishores socialist ideology hasnt stopped him from appreciating and supporting anyone doing good work, regardless of their political affiliation. He has even praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his governments policies on several occasions in recent years, something thats unexpected coming from a socialist.

While his ability to speak the truth has remained unfettered by his ideology, in his personal life he remains a socialist through and through. Though he pursued his journalistic career in Patna, he couldnt manage to build a home in Bihars capital. He lives in Korji village, several kilometres away from Patna, where he has built a house with the few lakh rupees he had in savings, without taking any help from his father. Apart from a few chairs and stools, there are no signs of any comfort at the house. After all, doing journalism on the ground with integrity doesnt bring in the big bucks. His wife also had a modest teaching job and retired from it several years ago.

Links with Lalu, Nitish

Born on January 2, 1947, just before Independence, when Surendra Kishore was actively involved in socialist student movements during his youth, Lalu Prasad Yadav was also engaged in student politics during those days, and they shared a deep connection. He had similar relations with Nitish Kumar too. Since 1990, the reins of power in Bihar have been in the hands of Lalu and Nitish. In the first 15 years or so, it was Lalu who held sway, followed by Nitish. But this senior colleague from their days in student politics didnt accept any help from them.

Its said that when Lalu Prasad was contemplating building a residential colony for journalists in Patna after he became the chief minister of Bihar in 1990, a list of names was presented to him and Surendra Bhai was missing from it. When Lalu asked, he was told that Surendra Kishore had declined to give his name. Lalu Prasad responded that if the colony was not for journalists like Surendra Kishore, then what would be the point if it, and he threw the file away. This incident tells a tale about Surendra Kishores life, honesty, and integrity.

In the current era, when criticising journalists and journalism has become commonplace, every political party and leader accuses journalists of being sold-out on not receiving favourable coverage, and incidents of journalists being found involved in corruption have also mushroomed, Surendra Kishore is renowned for boldly writing about burning national and global issues while sitting in his village, staying away from the temptations of perks and power.

Although financial prosperity eludes him, his intellectual wealth is vast. People like Namvar Singh, Rajendra Mathur, Ganesh Mantri, and Prabhash Joshi have been impressed by his extensive library. The library is full of documents and books, and so he writes all his articles with well-sourced facts that no one can counter. Even at the age of 76, and having retired after working in publications like Pradeep, Janta, Aaj, Dharmayug, Maya, Dinman, Ravivar, Nai Dunia, Jansatta, and Hindustan, Surendra Kishore continues to write passionately as a freelancer. He contributes to the business worlds leading website, Moneycontrol.

Living life on own terms

Surendra Kishore is socialist in ideology, honest in writing, and follows a lifestyle similar to Morarji Desai. Like the former prime minister, he practises restraint in food and drink, and does not compromise on how he lives his life. Its said that as Morarji Desais government was collapsing, he still went to bed at 10pm, asking his assistant to wake him up only if a bomb were dropped on the country.

Surendra Kishore too likes to go to bed early, mostly stays away from the mobile phone, and prefers to spend time writing rather than making television appearances. He says that in this advanced age, it is best to spend as much time writing as possible because one never knows when death will come calling. In the last few months, he has been writing his autobiography at the request of his colleagues and friends. If completed, it will not only cover the last seven decades of Bihar but also provide reliable documentation of the countrys political and social conditions.

Surendra Kishore being awarded the Padma Shri despite being far removed from the corridors of power is remarkable. He has never advocated for himself. The one person who could, Karpoori Thakur, also passed away in 1988. But it is a happy coincidence that in a span of three days, the Modi government announced the Bharat Ratna (posthumous) for Karpoori Thakur and then the Padma Shri for Surendra Kishore on the eve of Republic Day. The two socialist stalwarts receiving these honours under a government run by Narendra Modi, who joined the RSS at a young age and then led the BJP to power at the Centre in 2014, is also an indication and a message. The Modi government has made it clear that the nation will express its gratitude if you work for society with honesty and integrity. Narendra Modi has done what leaders from socialist backgrounds couldnt do while they were in power at the Centre. This will also be recorded in Surendra Kishores diary as an imprint of time. For now, congratulations, Surendra Kishore Ji!
Macron was welcomed in the state amidst colourful folk dance and music. Decorated elephants and camels will also be there defining the cultural and traditional beauty of Rajasthan.(Image: News18)
The plot thickens as far as the Mahua Moitra case is concerned. The TMC leaders former partner Jai Anant Dehadrai, who was the first to complain about her setting the wheels in motion for her expulsion from Parliament, has submitted a 100-page affidavit about their interactions when they were a couple.

The affidavit, which was accessed by News18, also contains details of his allegations that Moitra took cash and expensive gifts as bribe in exchange for sharing her MP login ID to benefit Dubai-based businessman and friend Darshan Hiranandani.

The affidavit also provides plans of her government accommodation, which she has since vacated. Dehadrai has made the point that the house was renovated with money given by Hiranandani. It also gives details about some confidential papers pertaining to the Adani Group.

In the affidavit, Moitras former partner has stated that Moitra had given Hiranandani access to senior officials and politicians in West Bengal, so they could be of service to him when needed.

The CBI, which asked Dehadrai to join the probe in the Lokpal-referred corruption complaint agains ther, was interrogated for more than five hour. The central agency asked him questions about Moitras other acquaintances.

Moitra is yet to respond to the latest developments. Sources close to her told News18 that the CBI has emailed her a set of questions, which she will respond to in good time. They said the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) did not find any such evidence in her house that could show she had lavishly renovated it.

Dehadrais counsel, Pulkit Agarwal, told News18 that the advocate had submitted the affidavit but they cannot comment on it as the matter is sub-judice.
A series of recent political moves in Bihar has once again ignited speculations that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar might be considering switching sides and returning to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in less than two years after the controversial breakup with its saffron partner.

The Bihar CM indicated that he is contemplating parting ways with the Mahagathbandhan, which consists of Lalu Prasad Yadavs Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress party.

Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) has called a meeting of its MPs and MLAs on Sunday at the CMs residence in Patna, leading to speculations of returning to the NDA alliance.

The BJP leaders also dropped major hints about Kumars reported discussions with the partys senior leaders. Meanwhile, talking to reporters, senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said, No door is closed in politics. The door can be opened if needed.

If this turns out to be true, the Janata Dal (United) boss will once again change the course of Bihar politics marking his fifth flip-flop in the past decade. This decision is expected to have a significant impact ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections and turn the stakes in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

On Friday, Kumars visit to the Raj Bhawan for the high tea and his deputy Tejashwi Yadavs absence from the same event only fanned the fire. Amid such speculations, BJP ally and ex-CM Jitan Ram Manjhis son Santosh Kumar Suman said that the Bihar government may fall in a day or two.

According to sources, Nitish Kumar is now hours from confirming re-allying with the BJP and cancelled all his engagements for Sunday. They said that the negotiations between the JD(U) and BJP are on in Bihar. Though Nitish is insistent on being the chief minister, BJP is making efforts to make Nitish understand that he shouldnt be CM if they join hands.

However, the move did not come as a shock as indications were crystal clear. Kumar, who had earlier been vocal about his dissatisfaction with Congresss conduct in the INDI alliance, openly refused to attend Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

While the strained relationship between state partners JDU and RJD has been quite visible for quite some time now, the final straw is reportedly a social media post on the Chief Minister by Lalu Yadavs daughter, Rohini Acharya.

The Final Damage: Infamous Nitish-RJD Social Media Clash

Tensions have reached a boiling point when Lalu Yadavs daughter Rohini Acharya took a direct jab at Nitish Kumar. While she didnt explicitly mention his name, the implications were clear and led to a heated exchange.

The situation unfolded when Acharya responded sharply to a comment about dynastic politics, igniting a firestorm of controversy. While she later deleted the posts, the damage had already been done.

Even though Nitish Kumars party clarified that his comments were not aimed at the RJD or its leader, Lalu Yadav, the fact that two of Lalu Yadavs sons hold prominent positions in Nitish Kumars cabinet added fuel to the fire.

Reports suggested that BJP leaders had been instructed to refrain from targeting the JDU chief.

Bharat Ratna for Karpoori Thakur

Notably, Nitish Kumar recently made headlines by taking a swipe at the Congress-led UPA government for not honouring socialist leader and former Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur with the Bharat Ratna, who has been conferred with the honour posthumously under the Modi government

Nitish Kumar and INDIA Future

Owing to the turn of events, the future INDIA bloc, which is considered a brainchild of Nitish Kumar, also faces scrutiny. Despite his instrumental role in uniting these opposition parties, the blocs decision not to recognize Nitish Kumar as a potential candidate for Prime Minister has left him feeling miffed.

It was revealed that Kumar questioned the Congress focus on Rahul Gandhis Yatra, instead of working collaboratively with their allies to address seat allocation issues. Disagreements over seat division have emerged in states such as Bengal, Punjab, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, making it a challenging task to prepare for the upcoming Lok Sabha poll campaigns.
It took a couple of calls from senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa and state BJP chief BY Vijayendra, along with the promise of a Lok Sabha ticket, and the persistent feeling of being a fish out of water in the Congress, for Jagdish Shettar to be persuaded to return to the saffron fold.

In a significant setback for the Congress, former chief minister Shettar, who left the BJP in frustration after being denied a ticket in the 2023 Assembly elections, is now back in the party that he describes as having given me a lot of responsibilities in the past and also the opportunity to be the CM of Karnataka.

Was Shettar sidelined in the Congress? Political analysts think so and concur with the fact that he certainly felt out of place in the ruling party, which had a completely different ideology and setup compared to the BJP, where the leader had spent four decades of his political career. He belongs to the Lingayat community, which forms close to 17 to 18% of Karnatakas voting population and also has a significant say in the formation of governments in the state.

It was a foregone conclusion that Shettar would not last long in the Congress. Born into a Jan Sangh family and given the fact that he has been anti-Congress, his blood is also anti-Congress. It was unnatural for him to be in that party, explained political analyst SA Hemanth.

The analyst also adds that the leader lost his political credibility the day he left the BJP for the Congress.

What did he achieve by going to the Congress? Except for the fact that he was made an MLC by the Congress, he was unable to defeat the BJP candidate from his own constituency, Mahesh Tenginakai, who stood against him. Tenginakai won with a thumping majority, said Hemanth.

A Congress insider told News18 that in the past couple of months, there was an inkling that some Congress Lingayat leaders had sensed that the former CM was on his way back to the BJP. These leaders even advised the Karnataka Congress leaders to be wary of the development, especially while discussing the Congress strategy for Lok Sabha elections.

Boost to BJP for LS Polls

The political move is crucial, especially for both the Congress and the BJP, with the Lok Sabha polls around the corner.

Shettar is a senior Lingayat leader who hails from the North Karnataka region, which is also known to be one of the strongholds of the BJP. His exit to the Congress in April last year dealt a blow to the BJP, as Shettar called the denial of a ticker a snub to the Lingayat community by the party.

His return to the BJP has been described as a masterstroke by Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra, who, after assuming the role, has been involved in a massive effort to strengthen the party and bring back upset leaders from various communities back to the BJP fold. By persuading Shettars return, Vijayendra is also looking at solidifying his position and getting the BJP maximum seats in the general elections.

When a senior BJP leader was asked about how many more such ghar wapsis (homecomings) will be seen closer to the elections, the leader remarked that efforts are being made to convince many more such aggrieved leaders.

They know that their heart and soul is in the BJP. They may have left for various reasons, but your love for your home will always remain wherever you are, right? Thats what the BJP is, the leader, who did not wish to be identified, said.

Shettars return has also made two major impressions on the minds of those supporting the BJP, as well as the Lingayats. The first one being that BJPs tallest Lingayat leader and former CM BS Yediyurappa continues to be the man in charge in the state party unit, while his son BY Vijayendra has also been making every effort to rope in leaders who will help the BJP win as many seats as possible in the Lok Sabha polls.

Shettars homecoming, however, will have many clauses, say BJP insiders.

What Shettar Said on Joining BJP

Shettar claims that he went to the Congress due to some issues that he faced with the party. In the past nine months, there have been a lot of discussions and deliberations. My party workers who were upset with my decision to move to the Congress made me rethink. Yediyurappaji and Vijayendraji also wanted me to come back to the BJP. With the belief that Narendra Modi will be PM again and in the interest of the nation, I am rejoining the BJP, said Shettar before he took the joining certificate.

What Shettar Wanted Before He Joined Congress

Jagdish Shettar, who was utterly disappointed, quit the BJP after he felt he was denied another opportunity to become CM when BSY stepped down in 2019. Basavaraj Bommai was chosen as BSYs successor. Shettar at the time had warned the party that his resignation and future decisions would impact at least 20-25 seats in the state in the assembly elections. The BJP won just 66 seats out of the 224-strong Karnataka Assembly.

I have not been involved in any scams or scandals. I have no corruption or criminal charges against me. I neither demanded any important post like that of a CM or a specific ministry. Then why was I denied a ticket? he had earlier questioned the BJP.

Shettar, a six-time MLA from the Huballi-Dharwad central constituency, was among the few leaders whom the BJP had asked to stand down and not seek a ticket for the upcoming Assembly elections.

Shettar had made as many as five visits to Delhi to meet the BJP central leadership when rumours were rife that he was being denied an Assembly ticket. He had set a deadline until April 16, 2023, to see if the party high command would accept his demand for a ticket. When it was clear that the BJP was in no mood to field him from his North Karnataka seat, he resigned, and joined the Congress the next day.

Shettars Political Past

Known to have been a BSY loyalist, Shettar had succeeded Sadananda Gowda in 2012. Gowda, who was forced to resign after serving for 11 months, as Yediyurappa launched a rebellion and convinced the BJP leadership to opt for a change in leadership in Karnataka and install a fellow Lingayat in the saddle. Yediyurappa pointed out that the people knew of Shettar only because of the BJP and that the latters statements have made him very unhappy.

The people of Karnataka will not forgive Jagadish Shettar. We had offered a ticket to a member in Shettars family, a ministerial position, but he did not accept any, a visibly agitated Yediyurappa said in 2023.

What the Congress Said

Until a day ago, Shettar had discussed with Deputy CM DK Shivakumar about the BJP approaching him with the Lok Sabha polls in mind and assured the Karnataka Congress chief that he was in no mood to return to the BJP. Hours later, Shettar flew to Delhi to meet the BJP central leadership and announce his return to the BJP.

I spoke to him, and he told me that the Congress gave my political career a second life, and Shettar said he will not go there. We trusted it. We treated him with respect as he is a senior leader. You all are witness to the double standards. Let him say whatever he wants to, we will react later, said Shivakumar to the media.

Another Congress leader and Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad were critical of Shettars move and denied that Shettar was sidelined. He said that this development only showed the desperation of the BJP to keep itself relevant and try and win a losing battle.

We gave him everything in the Congress. He did not have a corporator to back him, yet, seeing his seniority, we gave him an MLC post. He clearly is a man of opportunism, and his decision is condemnable, Arshad told News18.

The Congress did not make Shettar a minister in the government, and he would not have accepted it as well after having served as the chief minister of the state. It would have been a step down for him, explained analyst Hemanth.

It was a cul-de-sac for him. Shettar also realized that if under a Congress ticket he loses the Lok Sabha polls, his credibility would have been further shattered, he added.
The coalition politics is once again rife in Bihar, where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who switched sides from the BJP to join the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan in 2022 is expected to take a U-turn and enter into the saffron fold once again.

Amid the speculations of rift, Nitish Kumar attended the high tea ceremony at the Raj Bhavan in Patna on the occasion of the Republic Day.

However, his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD remained absent. Yadav and many other party leaders, including Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, did not turn up for the celebrations.

The seat next to that of Nitish Kumar was occupied by senior JD(U) leader and minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary who removed the slip said to be bearing the name of Yadav before occupying the chair.

When reporters asked the Bihar CM on Tejashwis absence he curtly reacted to his deputys absence from the high-tea event by saying, Joh nahi aaye unse puchiye (Ask those who did not come).

Nitish Kumar may rejoin the BJP-led NDA on Sunday as reports claimed the Bihar CM was unhappy with the current Mahagathbandhan, which includes parties like the Congress, RJD, and the Left parties.

The JD(U) has called a meeting of its MPs and MLAs at the Chief Ministers residence in Patna on January 28 (Sunday) at 10 am.

The RJD urged Nitish Kumar to clear the confusion that was casting a shadow on the ruling Mahagathbandhan in the state. RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha told reporters here that he expected Kumar, who heads the JD(U), to make a clean breast of rumours that he was planning to vault back to the BJP-led NDA.

We formed a government together for the welfare of the people and to defeat the BJP. The prevailing confusion is affecting public life in Bihar. Only the chief minister can dispel the confusion. We hope he will do so by this evening, said Jha.

Meanwhile, hectic activity was seen at 10, Circular Road, the bungalow allotted to party president Lalu Prasads wife Rabri Devi who shares the house with her husband and younger son Tejashwi Yadav, the deputy CM.

Meanwhile, the JD(U) leaders have also been maintaining that the party was firmly with the opposition bloc INDIA.

The leader of opposition in Bihar Vijay Kumar Sinha said the BJPs state unit will accept whatever its the central leadership decides. Talking to PTI, Sinha said, Our central leadership is watching the political situation in Bihar. Whatever decision is taken by our central leadership, will be accepted by BJP leaders here.
Congress MP K Muraleedharan on Friday said that former party president Rahul Gandhi will be contesting in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Wayanad constituency. Muraleedharan said that all sitting MPs from Kerala are expected to contest from the same seats, except in Kannur.

That is the arrangement as of now, I believe. Rahul Gandhi will be contesting from Wayanad. There is no change to that, he told reporters here. Gandhi was elected from the Wayanad constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Muraleedharan also downplayed the ongoing issues in the INDIA alliance with regard to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. There are no problems in the INDIA alliance. When they all come to the Centre, everyone will be together against the BJP, he said.

The Congress MP said that as far as the Bihar CM was concerned, he may stay or leave the alliance as per his wish, but the party will not push him out. Regarding the differences with Banerjee over sharing of seats in that state, Muraleedharan said that talks were still going on.

He further said that there would be contests between members of the alliance in some states like Kerala and Punjab, but any splitting of votes would not benefit the BJP in any way in those places.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday sought time from the Raj Bhavan in the evening, amid the possibility of him joining hands with the BJP yet again. His differences with INDIA bloc allies have only deepened, with sources in the JD(U) saying the old formula is likely to be repeated if he returns to the NDA fold  Nitish Kumar as CM and two deputies from the BJP.

Earlier in the day, the Janata Dal (United) cancelled all its upcoming programmes, including the Maharana Pratap rally on January 28 that was to be attended by the chief minister. According to party sources, the BJP may insist on their CM face for the 2025 assembly elections but there will be no compromise on the CM post for Nitish. They said the whole situation will take at least two days to settle while further negotiations will start on Saturday (January 27).

What is the BJP saying?

Leaders from the BJP, meanwhile, held hectic meetings on Thursday (January 25) amid the political turmoil in Bihar. Samrat Choudhary, who is the Bihar BJP president, and other senior leaders from the state including Sushil Modi and Vijay Kumar Sinha, met the party top brass, including Amit Shah.

Bihars longest-serving CM has been cut up with the INDIA bloc for not getting a position in the alliance commensurate with his stature and also favours an early assembly poll to go with the Lok Sabha elections. This suggestion, however, has not drawn a positive response from the RJD, the biggest party in the states ruling alliance, sources said.

State BJP leaders have also not given their opinion in support of holding the assembly and Lok Sabha polls simultaneously. Sources in the BJP said the assembly polls will not be held along with Lok Sabha in Bihar and the saffron party has not yet taken a decision on this.

Sources further said the BJP will continue to take feedback in the coming days and also assess the situation while taking feedback from allies like Upendra Kushwaha, Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan. The saffron camp is in no hurry to decide, they added.

The BJP, however, has been showing signs of warming up to Nitish. The CM has swapped his alliance preference between the saffron party and the RJD-Congress-Left camp frequently while remaining in power, with its leaders toning down their criticism of him of late  even praising him at times.

Shah himself sounded more open to such a possibility in a recent interview. Asked about the likelihood of the JD(U) presidents return to the BJP-led alliance, the union home minister said the party will consider if such a proposal is ever made. Earlier, he had often said the doors had been closed for the CMs return to the ruling alliance at the Centre.

What are the Congress, RJD and others saying?

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has suggested that there should be consensus on the post of the convener of the INDIA bloc, said JD(U) sources. As far as Nitish was concerned, the alliance was the breakpoint and this was despite Sonia Gandhi already proposing the Bihar CMs name, sources added.

On the current political situation, however, some in the Bihar Congress have expressed confidence that Nitish will remain with the INDIA bloc. I can say with confidence that Nitish Kumar will remain with INDIA. Nitish Kumar has resolved to throw BJP out of power, and we have trust in his resolve, said party leader Prem Chandra Mishra.

Even those in the RJD said the BJP is scared when it comes to Bihar. Bihar Mahagathbandhan government is progressing keeping the welfare of the people in mind. Only those who have fear in their hearts say All is well repeatedly. The BJP is scared regarding Bihar, leader Prem Chandra Mishra expressed said RJD leader Shakti Yadav.

Kushwaha, in a subtle dig at Nitish, questioned if the CM will stay with the NDA after the elections. There is talk that he may join the NDA. It is true that CM Nitish Kumar is considering leaving the (INDIA bloc). If he joins the NDA, the big question is whether he will stay after the elections What is the guarantee that he will not leave the NDA after the Lok Sabha elections? he asked.

What are the political developments in Bihar of late?

Lately, JD(U) and RJD leaders have been sniping at each other amid apprehensions among supporters of Nitish that their ally has been trying to undermine him in matters of governance as well as politics. The Bihar CMs decision to take over as the party president by cutting short the tenure of Lalan Singh was seen as a determined effort by him to take firm control of its organisation amid suggestions by a section of JD(U) leaders that the CMs confidant may have grown too close to the RJD or was pursuing an independent agenda.

The RJD has, however, taken some placatory moves by first agreeing to the relegation of education minister Chandra Shekhar to the relatively insignificant portfolio of sugarcane industries. Party president Lalu Prasads daughter Rohini Acharya also deleted some posts targeting Nitish without naming him, hours after putting them out.

Turmoil in the INDIA bloc?

The INDIA bloc has been marred by incoherence and distrust, with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and her Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Singh Mann dealing double blows on January 24 that their parties, the TMC and AAP, will go solo in the Lok Sabha polls expected in April-May.

Signs of disconnect among the INDIA allies in Bihar will suit the BJP just fine as the elections loom. The same alliance had handed the saffron camp a big defeat in the 2015 assembly polls before Nitish joined hands again with the BJP-led NDA, which then swept the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. He vaulted into the oppositions alliance in 2022 as the BJP grew increasingly assertive following his partys sub-par performance in the 2020 assembly polls.
Google Pixel 8 Pro launched in 2023 had some interesting additions which included the physical thermometer within the camera band at the back. The company limited its functionality to object temperature reading since its launch but now a new update is unlocking the ability to measure body temperature as well.

The latest Pixel Drop update for January brings the new feature along with other anticipated additions like click to search and magic compose for Messages app among others.

But the main feature of this Drop has to be the body temperature tool, which works in a unique way that Google clearly thought about while making the device and also getting it approved by the health authorities. Google is even calling it a medical-grade feature that can be accessed from the Thermometer app on the Pixel 8 Pro.

So, how does the scanning work? Google explains that you can scan your forehead with your phone to get an accurate body temperature measurement. You dont need the phone to be touching the forehead, as the infrared sensors along with the cameras LDAF can detect if the phone is in close proximity to the forehead to start the reading.

The company points out that the temperature reading can be done for you or your friend. Now that Google has Fitbit in its catalogue, the results from the thermometer can be saved to your Fitbit profile. We dont expect Google to enable this feature for all markets, especially the likes of India, where the medical approvals are done by a different entity.

Having said that, we do expect circle to search, magic compose and photomoji to get a wider release that will be done on January 31 via a regular over the air update.
Today, India is donning its festive attire as it cheers on the 75th Republic Day, commemorating the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950. The atmosphere is not just charged with pride and happiness but also with a collective determination to elevate the nation to new heights. From President Droupadi Murmus early morning flag hoisting at Kartavya Path, followed by the Republic Day 2024 parade, to the spirited special assemblies in schools and government institutes celebrating Gatantra Diwas, the festivities are in full swing.

Amidst the festivities, whats keeping the internet buzzing with excitement is the flood of wishes and greetings. But thats just the tip of the iceberg. This year, social media is a time machine, transporting Indians back to the days when attending Republic Day celebrations in schools was the epitome of cool. The images of everyone in crisp white uniforms, marching in the parade, and indulging in Laddoos and Boondi Sev are painting a vivid picture of nostalgia.

In that case, memes have emerged as the go-to medium for expressing these sentiments. The micro-blogging site X is currently ablaze with a riot of viral memes capturing the essence of the day and the emotions of the public.

#26January2024I miss going to school l . Everything about this video feels warm I still remember how I used to be so particular with the braids I want that day with f new handbands and cleaned shoes . Happy republic day pic.twitter.com/jl77cJq8LK  kyakarogejaanke (@jain_richu) January 26, 2024

Republic day ft. school days pic.twitter.com/thZP1p6kDt Succinct (@ChanchalKamini) January 26, 2024

Chief guest in school saying "2 shabd" on Republic Day pic.twitter.com/LMIGW2CXkj Sagar (@sagarcasm) January 26, 2024

When you realise you can't go to school on Republic Day and won't get laddo barfi. pic.twitter.com/rm6e3u32Gw Sanskriti (@snskritinaruka) January 26, 2024

From being happy for not carrying a bag to school on Republic day to being happy because republic day came on weekends, we grew up! Bhumi (@bhumii_jain) January 26, 2024

Meanwhile, at the heart of the nations capital, a grand parade is unfolding at Kartavya Path. Its not just a display of Indias military prowess and cultural diversity; this year, theres a special spotlight on Nari Shakti, celebrating womens empowerment. In a historic first, an all-women tri-services contingent is taking center stage in the parade. The excitement doesnt stop there  French President Emmanuel Macron, the chief guest, has graced the occasion, joining hands with Indian President Droupadi Murmu to lead the revelries.
Hollywood delivered one of its biggest films last year with Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer, which truly created waves worldwide. Being described as intense and a masterpiece by many, the film presently is the top contender in the upcoming Academy Awards. Based on atomic bomb creator J. Robert Oppenheimer, the film has already won a series of accolades including the Golden Globe and the Critics Choice Award, thus becoming a new favourite ever since the award season commenced.

While it has been months since the Christopher Nolan film hit theatres, it seems like fans still cant stop praising and applauding the movie all across social media. There is ample content in this regard and one thing has caught our attention will leave you speechless as well.

Viral video shows Oppenheimer Coffee

Inspired by the movie and its impressive VFX that shows the atomic blast, content creator Quek Shio gave an Oppenheimer twist to a cup of his coffee and we can say it is quite amazing!

While the name itself is pretty unique, what is more interesting is the coffee-brewing video and the sound effects. While the sound follows the same practical effects as used in the movie, one can also hear Ludwig Goranssons iconic music playing in the background.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Quek Shio (@quekshio)

As the video plays, it shows the explosive process of making a good and strong cup of coffee, beginning from the mechanics of grounding the beans to using the coffee machine and finally the addition of cream. Along with the video, Shio also mentioned that the entire clip was prepared without any CGI and with practical effects just like Nolan.

Oppenheimer Coffee. All practical effects, no computer-generated imagery. 5 days of filming + editing. Shot with Sony a7sIII + Panasonic Lumix gh6, edited and color graded in DaVinci Resolve, he wrote in the caption.

Apart from the coffee-making video, he has also shared a series of reels on his Instagram handle, showing how he shot the entire sequence, which seems extremely satisfying to the eye.

Internet reacts

Reacting to the video, many took to the comment section and expressed their amazement over the creation. A user wrote, I am becoming coffee, destroyer of bowels, while another one wrote, Coffenheimer.

I have become espresso, the destroyer of depresso, a third user commented.

For the unversed, Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer, which features Cillian Murphy in the titular role, is a top contender for the upcoming 96th Academy Awards.
A recent incident at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru has brought to light the alarming issue of unexpected fare hikes faced by passengers using ride-hailing services. Anurag Kumar Singh, a college student who had just arrived from Kolkata, found himself at the centre of this ordeal when he booked a cab through the Ola app. Singh, opting for a mini taxi, boarded the first cab in line at the airports taxi bay. Everything seemed routine until he reached his destination in the Mathikere area. To his astonishment, the fare displayed on the app was Rs 730, but the driver demanded an exorbitant Rs 5,000 upon arrival.

Speaking to The Times of India, Singh expressed his shock at the unexpected surge in fares, stating that even if he had toured the entire city, he wouldnt have incurred such high charges. Upon closer inspection of his phone, Singh discovered that the trip had been mysteriously cancelled, and he wasnt officially on the ride.

Following a personal practice of taking screenshots after booking a ride, Singh realised that fare discrepancies could be reported to the customer support of the cab aggregator. However, Singh faced a language barrier as he did not know Kannada. Seeking assistance from his neighbours, who were fluent in the local language, negotiations were initiated with the driver.

After a tense exchange, the driver eventually agreed to settle for Rs 1,600, which was still twice the initially quoted fare. Singh emphasised the lack of response from Ola to his complaints raised through the app and on social media, leaving him frustrated and dissatisfied with customer support.

Earlier, in another incident in Bangalore, a Reddit user exposed a taxi scam. The user, operating under an anonymous name, shared her mothers experience when flying out of Bangalore T2. According to the post, the Uber driver falsely claimed the drop location was T1, demanding an additional Rs 75. Despite the users mothers awareness that T2 was the correct drop point, she paid the extra amount, only to discover on the app that she had indeed booked the ride to T2.

The Reddit user aimed to raise awareness about this scam affecting unsuspecting passengers.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk Friday on Friday said the execution of a convicted murderer in the United States by nitrogen gas suffocation could amount to torture. This comes after the southern US state of Alabama put to death a convicted murderer using nitrogen gas, for the first time in the country.

Kenneth Eugene Smith was pronounced dead at 8:25 pm (local time), according to the state attorney general. Justice has been served. Tonight, Kenneth Smith was put to death for the heinous act he committed over 35 years ago, the statement by Attorney General Steve Marshall said. I deeply regret the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith in Alabama despite serious concerns this novel and untested method of suffocation by nitrogen gas may amount to torture, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, Turk said in a brief statement.

#USA: UN Human Rights Chief @volker_turk deeply regrets the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith in Alabama despite serious concerns this novel & untested method of suffocation by nitrogen gas may amount to torture, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. pic.twitter.com/NPfjXwyOmh UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) January 26, 2024

In a statement, the EU deeply regretted the execution of the convicted murderer by nitrogen gas. According to leading experts, this method is a particularly cruel and unusual punishment, a European Union spokesman said in a statement. The 27-nation EU has a blanket opposition to the death penalty and regular criticised executions carried out around the globe.

Who Was Eugene Smith?

Smith, 58, was on death row for more than three decades after being convicted of the 1988 murder-for-hire of a pastors wife. He was put to death at Holman Prison in Atmore, Alabama by nitrogen hypoxia, which involved pumping nitrogen gas into a facemask, causing him to suffocate.

According to media witnesses, he began writhing and thrashing for approximately two to four minutes, followed by around five minutes of heavy breathing, local news outlet AL.com reported. Smith appeared to be holding his breath as long as he could and there was involuntary movement and gasping, Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm told reporters.

The curtain over the media witness room opened at 7:53 pm, AL.com said, with Smith pronounced dead less than 35 minutes later. Robin Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, called it an untested, unproven method of execution. Its never been used before to execute anyone in the United States, or anyone in the world as far as we know, Maher told AFP.

Step backward

Smith was subjected to a botched execution attempt in November 2022, when prison officials were unable to set intravenous lines to administer a lethal injection. Smiths last words Thursday were, Tonight, Alabama caused humanity to take a step backward, according to the local CBS affiliate. I am leaving with love, peace and light I love you. Thank you for supporting me. I love all of you, Smith said. According to the Alabama Department of Corrections, Smith had a last meal of steak, hash browns and eggs on Thursday morning.

The last US execution using gas was in 1999 when a convicted murderer was put to death using hydrogen cyanide gas. There were 24 executions in the United States in 2023, all of them carried out by lethal injection. Alabama is one of three US states that have approved the use of nitrogen hypoxia as a method of execution, along with Oklahoma and Mississippi.

Particularly cruel

While nitrogen gas had never previously been used to execute humans in the United States, it is sometimes used to kill animals. But Turks office pointed out before the execution that even the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends giving large animals a sedative when being euthanized in this manner.

Alabamas protocol for execution by nitrogen asphyxiation makes no provision for sedation. The state of Alabama defended the method as perhaps the most humane method of execution ever devised. Smith and an accomplice, John Parker, were convicted of the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Sennett, for which they were each paid $1,000. Parker was executed by lethal injection in 2010.

Charles Sennett, who had arranged his wifes murder, killed himself a week after her death. Speaking to reporters after the execution Thursday, Elizabeth Sennetts son Mike said it had been a bittersweet day for his family, as nothing that happened here today is going to bring Mom back. Earlier, the US Supreme Court rejected Smiths appeal for a stay of execution. According to a recent Gallup Poll, 53 percent of Americans support the death penalty for someone convicted of murder, the lowest level since 1972.

(With agency inputs)
The US state of Alabama on Thursday carried out the countrys first execution using nitrogen gas, a controversial method the UN has likened to torture.

Kenneth Eugene Smith, who was sentenced to death in 1996 for a 1988 murder, was pronounced dead at 8:25 pm (0225 GMT Friday), according to local media, citing a statement from the southern states Governor Kay Ivey.

Alabama is using an untested, unproven method of execution, said Robin Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center.

Its never been used before to execute anyone in the United States, or anyone in the world as far as we know, Maher told AFP. No one knows whats going to happen, including Alabama officials themselves.

Smith was subjected to a botched execution attempt in November 2022, when prison officials were unable to set intravenous lines to administer a lethal injection.

In an interview with National Public Radio in December, Smith said he was absolutely terrified about his upcoming execution and still suffering trauma from the previous failed attempt.

Everybody is telling me that Im going to suffer, he said.

The last US execution using gas was in 1999 when a convicted murderer was put to death using hydrogen cyanide gas.

There were 24 executions in the United States in 2023, all of them carried out by lethal injection.

Alabama is one of three US states that have approved the use of nitrogen hypoxia as a method of execution, along with Oklahoma and Mississippi.

Torture

Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the UN rights office in Geneva, urged Alabama last week to abandon the plan to execute Smith using what she called a novel and untested method.

Shamdasani said it could amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, under international human rights law.

While nitrogen gas has never been used to execute humans in the United States, it is sometimes used to kill animals.

But Shamdasani pointed out that even the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends giving large animals a sedative when being euthanized in this manner.

Alabamas protocol for execution by nitrogen asphyxiation makes no provision for sedation.

The state of Alabama has defended the method of execution, claiming it is perhaps the most humane method of execution ever devised.

Smith and an accomplice, John Parker, were convicted of the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Sennett for which they were each paid $1,000.

Charles Sennett, who had arranged his wifes murder, killed himself a week after her death. Parker was executed by lethal injection in 2010.

Smith appealed to the US Supreme Court for a stay of execution but the nations highest court denied the request on Wednesday without comment.

Further appeals for a stay are pending but the conservative-dominated court has rarely granted such requests in recent years.

According to a recent Gallup Poll, 53 percent of Americans support the death penalty for someone convicted of murder, the lowest level since 1972.

Capital punishment has been abolished in 23 US states, while the governors of six others  Arizona, California, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Tennessee  have put a hold on its use.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again praised Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership and underlined how initiatives like Make in India have helped the country make huge progress in recent years. He made these remarks during an interaction with university students in the Kaliningrad Region on Russian Student Day.

India has one of the highest rates of economic development and growth in the world, and that too is due to the leadership qualities of the Prime Minister. It was during his leadership that India reached such a pace, Putin was quoted as saying in the interaction with students, according to the Russian television network RT.

Putin Admires Indias Huge Steps  Worlds New Super Duo? (RT A.I. Voiceover)Make in India is making massive waves under PM Modi, the Russian President said. Putin stressed his nation is demonstrating its faith in New Delhi by being its greatest foreign investor  and pic.twitter.com/4cKwEmXji4  RT_India (@RT_India_news) January 25, 2024

Foreign policy

The 71-year-old leader, who is running for another presidential term in March, lauded Indias economic development, which he attributed to Modis leadership. He stressed that Russia can rely on India as he expressed confidence that New Delhi wont engage in strategic games against them on the international stage.

Putin said Russia is one of the highest investors in the country and underlined the countrys commitment to invest in India. He cited a $23 billion investment by Rosneft in areas including an oil refinery, gas stations, and a port. And there are also plans for the future, he added.

India has made amazing progress under the governance of PM Modi  Putin pic.twitter.com/mlk33F88pL RT (@RT_com) January 26, 2024

Modi-Putin Phone Call

Modi earlier this month discussed regional and global issues with Putin and agreed to chalk out a roadmap for future initiatives. We also had a useful exchange of views on various regional and global issues, including Russias Presidency of the BRICS, Modi said in a social media post on January 15. In a separate statement, the Kremlin said that the two leaders expressed interest in further intensifying bilateral ties and touched upon the issue of Ukraine.

Last month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also visited Russia, as a part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between the two strategic partners. During his visit, Jaishankar called on Putin and held discussions. In Moscow, the two sides inked three documents, including the Kudan Kulam Nuclear Power Plants, an MoU on cooperation in pharmaceuticals and a Protocol on Foreign Office Consultation.
A lawsuit by former WWE employee Janet Grant revealed that wrestling magnate and former CEO of the professional wrestling promotion Vince McMahon sexually abused her using sex toys and defecated on her during a sexual encounter.

McMahon also allegedly forced Grant to send sexually suggestive videos to wrestlers and also sex trafficked her to other WWE executives and wrestlers, according to the filing submitted to the Connecticut federal court this week.

Grant revealed that McMahon hurt her during the sexual encounters where he penetrated with sex toys that he named after wrestling stars, leading to bleeding and bruising.

McMahon defecated on Grants head during a forced threesome in May 2020, a sexual act involving three people, where John Laurinaitis, WWEs former head of talent relations, was also present. He is also named as a defendant in the court filings.

McMahon and Laurinaitis allegedly said offensive remarks like No means yes and Take it, bh during the assault on Grant, as mentioned in the lawsuit during an encounter in June 2021.

He also forced Grant to visit Laurinaitis in his hotel rooms where she had sex with him before workdays.

The WWE in 2023 opened an internal investigation into an alleged $3 million payment from McMahon to a departing female employee following a consensual affair.

Grant says she received an initial instalment of $1 million but no further payments afterward in the new lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges that McMahon forced himself upon her at a massage table in WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

He also forced Grant to film a sexually suggestive video and send it to wrestler Brock Lesnar to lure him back to the WWE. The wrestler shifted to the UFC  a mixed martial arts sporting promotion  and McMahon allegedly tried to use Grant to bring him back to the WWE.

She said that McMahon sent her texts like: Im the only one who owns U and controls who I want to f U. He shared her nude photos and explicit videos without her consent to other WWE employees. He also allegedly directed Grant to have sex with other executives and a wrestling star.

An internal investigation found that McMahon paid $14.6 million to several women who accused him of sexual misconduct.

In July last year, federal agents executed a search warrant and served a grand jury subpoena to McMahon, as stated in a regulatory filing. WWE reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that ongoing government investigations into McMahon havent resulted in charges.

(with inputs from the New York Post)
Farmers blocked one of Frances main motorways linking the French capital with the northern city of Lille, the Benelux and Britain on Friday, causing long traffic jams, the first major traffic disruption caused by the protests.

Farming unions have called for roadblocks in and around Paris on Friday to step up the pressure on the government which the farmers accuse of not helping them enough to cope with low food prices and excessive regulation. The roadblock on the A1 north of Paris leads to traffic jams of around 4 km in the morning, Reuters reported.

French media reported farmers had also set up first roadblocks on traffic axes in the Essonne department south of Paris in the early morning hours, while most protests were expected to start in the early afternoon. The government said it would announce first immediate measures aimed at taming the farmer outrage later on Friday with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal expected to speak in the afternoon.

Expect urgent measures

The powerful FNSEA union demanded immediate answers on pay, urgent aid for sectors worst hit by the crisis and, in the long term, a plan to reduce regulations. Protest leaders said farmers would closely scrutinize measures expected Friday from the government in response to their demands before deciding on next steps. The determination is total, said Arnaud Rousseau, the FNSEA president. We expect urgent measures.

In Brussels, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opened a discussion panel to try to put farming on a new footing, hoping to take into account some of the complaints raised by protesters around the 27-nation bloc. The strategic dialogue comes as campaigning for the June 6-9 EU parliamentary elections is picking up steam and the fate of the farm sector is expected to be a hot-button issue.

We all agree that the challenges are, without any question, mounting, said von der Leyen, be it competition from abroad, be it overregulation at home, be it climate change, or the loss of biodiversity, or be a demographic decline, just to name a few of the challenges. In recent weeks, farmers have staged protests in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania.

(With agency inputs)
King Charles III was admitted to a private London hospital on Friday to undergo a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate, informed Buckingham Place.

The 75-year-old king will be treated at the London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales is recovering after undergoing abdominal surgery. The king visited Kate at the hospital after he arrived.

The King was this morning admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment, the palace said, adding that his Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week.

Charles became king upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022. He is the oldest person to become Britains monarch, having been the longest-serving heir apparent.

He was diagnosed with the benign condition on January 17 after going for a check-up because he was experiencing symptoms. He canceled engagements and was urged to rest ahead of the procedure.

The palace said the king was delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness.

The king, whose mother died aged 96 and father died aged 99, has generally enjoyed good health, although has twice been struck down by coronavirus and suffered sporting injuries when he was younger.

Benign prostate enlargement is common in men aged over 50, is not related to cancer and is not usually a serious threat to health, according to Britains National Health Service.

(with inputs from agencies)
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu extended his greetings to India on the occasion of 75th Republic Day on Friday, the Maldivian Presidents office said. Muizzu referred to the centuries old friendship between the two nations founded on mutual respect and a deep sense of kinship.

President Mohamed Muizzu sent greetings and good wishes to the President and Prime Minister of India on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day of India. In separate messages to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Muizzu conveyed greetings and extended his heartfelt felicitations on commemorating the 75th Republic Day of India, the Maldives President office said in a statement.

President Muizzu conveyed good wishes from the Government and the people of the Maldives to the Government and the people of India. He underscored the Maldives-India bond nurtured by centuries of friendship, mutual respect, and a deep sense of kinship. The President expressed hope for continued peace, progress, and prosperity for the Government and people of India for years to come, the statement added.

Maldives foreign minister Moosa Zameer also extended greetings to the people of India on the occasion of Republic Day in a post on social media site X. Warmest greetings and sincere good wishes to Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar and the friendly people of India, on the joyous occasion of the 75th Republic Day of India. I am confident that the close bonds of friendship and cooperation between Maldives and India will continue to flourish in the years ahead, Zameer said.

Warmest greetings and sincere good wishes to Minister of External Affairs @DrSJaishankar and the friendly people of India, on the joyous occasion of the 75th Republic Day of India.I am confident that the close bonds of friendship and cooperation between and will continue  Moosa Zameer (@MoosaZameer) January 26, 2024

This is the first time since a Maldivian government representative has posted a message addressing a counterpart since tensions erupted between the two nations over deputy ministers making racial statements insulting Indians and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leading to a boycott of the travel destination by Indians who flock to the island-nations on vacations.

The spat started when three deputy ministers posted derogatory remarks on social media responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modis pictures of himself walking and snorkelling in Lakshadweep, the archipelago that looks nearly identical to islands in the Maldives.

They saw it as a move by him to lure tourists away from its famous beaches and island resorts.

Tensions heightened as Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, following a visit to China, expressed intentions to reduce reliance on India for healthcare, medicines and essential imports.

The largest number of tourists who visited Maldives last year were from India but Muizzu said that Chinese visitors had been leading the way before the COVID-19 pandemic. He said steps will be taken to double the number of Chinese tourists. He also falsely accused India of bullying Maldives because of its small size and lauded China for respecting the island-nations territorial integrity.
The man whose dismembered body was found stashed in a refrigerator inside an apartment in New York Citys Flatbush area was a drug dealer and a registered sex offender who was earlier arrested by police on several occasions for molesting children, the New York Post said citing people familiar with the matter.

Kawsheen Gelzer, 39, was on the sex offender registry of the state of New York since 2005 when he was convicted of molesting a 12-year-old boy. He was killed in September, chopped up and stored in plastic bags inside the freezer of a tenant, who has been identified as Heather Stines.

Stines says her husband, 45-year-old Nicholas McGee, who is currently jailed in Chesapeake, Virginia on an identity fraud case, killed Kawsheen Gelzer after getting into a fight over drugs.

The New York-based newspaper said that Gelzer was arrested five times earlier and he also served two years in state prison on a first-degree sexual abuse conviction and was released in 2012.

The apartments occupants and people familiar with the developments also told the newspaper that the man who was beheaded and chopped up was Kawsheen Gelzer.

Stines and McGee have not been charged in Gelzers disappearance and death but the former has been identified as a person of interest in the case by the police. Cops told the newspaper that Stines identified Gelzer from photographs and from one of his tattoos.

New York police responded to the fourth floor on Monday morning after they received a tip from CrimeStoppers that there was a body inside the home and found a dismembered body in a fridge that was sealed with tape. They stacked nearly a dozen bags of evidence, most of which were Gelzers dismembered body parts.

Memorial

The newspaper said people in the apartment set up a makeshift memorial for Gelzer and had prior information regarding what may have happened. Everybody in the building knew it. Everybody knew he went in there and never came back out. We all talked about it, a tenant told the newspaper.

He didnt deserve to die like that. Nobody deserves to die like that. You can see the ladies in the building, were putting up pictures of him and writing stuff like, you know, rest in peace and stuff like that, she further added.

Stines, meanwhile, was sent to Brookdale Hospital for psychiatric observation following the discovery of the body parts.
Nepals top diplomat has asked Russia to send back hundreds of its nationals who were recruited to fight against Ukraine and repatriate the bodies of those who died in the conflict.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud said the Russian army is estimated to have recruited more than 200 Nepali nationals to fight in Ukraine and at least 14 of them have died there. We have asked Russia to immediately stop the recruitment of Nepali nationals in their army, immediately return those who are already serving in the army, repatriate the bodies of those killed, and treat and return those who were wounded in the fighting, he said.

For centuries, Nepali nationals were recruited by the British army to fight as famed Gurkha soldiers and later by India when it gained independence from Britain. That arrangement was made in 1816 after signing a treaty between Nepal and Britain. In the interview, Saud said Nepal is also seeking monetary compensation from Russia for the families of those Nepali nationals who were killed in the fighting.

Among the 14 confirmed killed Nepali nationals, Russia has said it has 12 bodies, according to media reports. Most Nepali people want the bodies of their deceased relatives to be cremated following religious rituals. We have information that five of our citizens who fought on behalf of the Russians are being held captive by the Ukraine side. We are asking the Russian side to take initiatives to get them freed, Saud told AP.

Russian officials have not commented on the recruitment of foreign nationals for military service in Ukraine, but media reports have said that along with Nepal the Russian military has recruited some people from Cuba. Russian law allows foreign nationals to enlist in its army after they sign a contract with the Defense Ministry. In September, Cuban authorities arrested 17 people in connection with what they said was a network to recruit Cuban nationals to fight for Russia in Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that speeds up a path to Russian citizenship for foreigners who enlist in the countrys military as Moscow tries to replenish its troops in Ukraine by various methods, including the recruitment of migrants. Ukraine is also believed to have hired some Nepalis to fight as soldiers, but Saud said he did not have more information on this.

Nepals government has banned its citizens from traveling to Russia or Ukraine for employment, saying many have been recruited by the Russian army to fight in the conflict in Ukraine. Thousands of Nepalis go abroad in search of work each year and are required to get a permit from the government before leaving the country for employment. Those who made it to Russia are believed to have traveled through a third country pretending to be tourists.

Saud met with Russian officials on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement conference in Uganda earlier this month and discussed the issues with them. We have clearly conveyed to them that our citizens are not allowed to be recruited in the army and to immediately send them back, Saud said.
Pakistan army chief General Syed Asim Munir said the life of a single Pakistani citizen is more important than the entire Afghanistan this week during a discussion with students from public and private sector universities of the country.

When it comes to the safety and security of every single Pakistani, the whole of Afghanistan can be damned. (We have provided food to Afghanistan for 50 years but) when it comes to our children, we will pursue those who attack them, Munir said.

Munir also ruled out reconciliation with India. India has not reconciled with the concept of Pakistan, then how can we reconcile with it, he said.

Munir accused Afghanistan of aiding the insurgency in Balochistan and said it was never friendly towards Pakistan. He also said that Afghanistan opposed Pakistans entry to the UN after Pakistans birth.

Our people do not read history. Do not look towards Pakistan. We are ready to sacrifice anything and everything, Munir said.

Pakistan, after decades of providing shelter to Taliban and helping them retake control of Afghanistan in 2021 after US exit, has fallen out with the terrorist group which rules Afghanistan now because the latter has show reluctance in reining in the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whose actions have unleashed a new wave of terror in Pakistan, leading to the killings civilians and armed forces in several terrorist attacks in the past two to three years.

General Munir warned Iran against backstabbing the neighbour while referring to the missile attacks on Jaish-al-Adls bases in Balochistan. You cannot backstab us, and if you do, you will get a befitting reply, he said, reiterating that no one would be allowed to breach Pakistans sovereignty and territorial integrity, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan-based newspaper The Tribune.

No one would be allowed to breach Pakistans sovereignty and territorial integrity, Munir further added. Are the neighbours of Afghanistan, India, and Iran happy? The answer is no, Munir said when asked about instability around Pakistans security situation.

He highlighted that the Panjgur attack and the retaliatory strikes marked the swiftest de-escalation and normalisation of relations between two nations in history. This includes the reestablishment of ambassadorial ties and an upcoming visit by the Iranian foreign minister next week.
At the OIC ambassadorial meeting in New York, Pakistan has once again tried to meddle in Indias affairs. Pakistans UN envoy Munir Akram raised the issue of Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya on Wednesday. Not only that, Pakistan even went a step further, asking the UN to safeguard the threat to the well-being of Muslims in India.

In a letter addressed to Miguel Angel Moratinos, an official for the UN Alliance of Civilisations, Akram condemned the construction and consecration of the Ram Temple. This trend poses a significant threat to the social, economic, and political well-being of Indian Muslims, as well as to the harmony and peace in the region, he alleged in the letter shared during the meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

This is not the first time that Pakistan has made such attempts to interfere in Indias internal affairs. In the past, it has unsuccessfully tried to internationalise the Kashmir issue at the UN stage. Earlier this week, top government sources in New Delhi told CNN-News18 that Pakistan has no business in Ayodhyas Ram Mandir.

We are not a banana republic like them  where judiciary is fixed and works on the directions of the ISI (Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence), foreign ministry officials said, in a reference to Pakistans much-criticised judicial system.

They underlined the court proceedings that preceded the construction of the temple and added that Indias top court had heard the matter. This case has undergone many decades of judicial scrutiny. It has gone through all courts, including the apex court. No major judgment was by a single bench, and minority judges were also involved in the verdict, the officials said.

Highlighting that India has given space to all religions, the officials added that Pakistan was trying to create trouble by provoking Indian Muslims who took part in celebrations in the Uttar Pradesh city of Ayodhya, where the deitys pran pratishtha ceremony took place in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A top US antitrust regulator on Thursday said it was probing investments made by Microsoft, Google and Amazon into generative AI startups OpenAI and Anthropic.

The move is part of efforts by authorities to make sure regulatory oversight can keep up with developments in artificial intelligence and stop major players shutting out competitors in a field promising upheaval in multiple sectors.

Our study will shed light on whether investments and partnerships pursued by dominant companies risk distorting innovation and undermining fair competition, said Lina Khan, head of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in a statement.

One major concern is that generative AI, which allows for human-level content to be produced by software in just seconds, requires a massive amount of computing power, something that big tech companies are almost uniquely capable of delivering.

Amazon  through its Amazon Web Services (AWS) arm  Microsoft and Google are the worlds biggest providers of cloud-based data centers, which store and process data on a vast scale, in addition to being some of the worlds richest companies.

Microsoft has moved the fastest in the generative AI revolution with a reported $13 billion investment into OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.

And after a boardroom fight that saw OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman temporarily sidelined, Microsoft now holds a non-voting seat on the companys board.

Anthropic, founded by former staff of OpenAI, received major investments from both Google and Amazon last year and is seen as a potential major player in the fast-emerging generative AI sector.

Amazon had already announced it aimed to soup up its Alexa voice assistant with generative AI, which the firm said would allow users to have smoother conversations with the device.

Anthropic also agreed to use Amazons chips to develop its next models and the two firms said they would collaborate on developing a next generation of AI chips.

The startup also agreed to use Amazons cloud infrastructure.

Such cooperation is what the FTC will be taking a closer look at.

With regulators in Britain, the European Union and now the FTC investigating, the walls are quickly closing in on these so-called AI partnerships  better described as acquisitions in all but name, said Max von Thun, Europe Director for Open Markets, an anti-monopoly activist group.

House of horrors

FTC studies are intended to gain a deeper understanding of market trends and business practices and any conclusions can guide the commission toward taking legal action, the regulator said.

In a statement, Microsoft Vice President Rima Alaily said it would provide the FTC with the information it requests.

Partnerships between independent companies like Microsoft and OpenAI, as well as among many others, are promoting competition and accelerating innovation, she added.

Google said it hoped the FTC will shine a bright light on companies that dont offer the openness of Google Cloud or have a long history of locking-in customers  and who are bringing that same approach to AI services.

This seemed to be a veiled swipe at Microsoft and its close partnership with OpenAI that gives Microsoft exclusive access to OpenAIs industry-leading technology and profits until its investment is recouped.

Anthropic and Amazon declined to comment.

Khan, a former antitrust academic, has targeted big tech since taking office in 2021 but has yet to score any major victories.

This summer, for example, the FTC had to suspend its proceedings to block Microsofts acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the video game giant, after a judge threw out the commissions bid.

The FTC launched a major case against Amazon in September, for allegedly making it harder for small businesses to compete on its platform.

The European Commission, the EUs executive arm, earlier this month started its own preliminary study of Microsofts multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI to see if it could be a disguised merger.

Britains competition watchdog launched a similar case in December.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to become antitrusts house of horrors if we do nothing, said Benoit Coeure, chairman of the French Competition Authority, in November.
Qatar has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing and undermining mediation efforts in the Gaza war after a leaked recording allegedly caught him calling the Gulf state problematic.

We are appalled by the alleged remarks attributed to the Israeli Prime Minister in various media reports about Qatars mediation role, Qatars foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, wrote on X. If the reported remarks are found to be true, the Israeli PM would only be obstructing and undermining the mediation process, for reasons that appear to serve his political career instead of prioritising saving innocent lives, including Israeli hostages, he wrote.

We are appalled by the alleged remarks attributed to the Israeli Prime Minister in various media reports about Qatars mediation role. These remarks if validated, are irresponsible and destructive to the efforts to save innocent lives, but are not surprising.For months, and  .    Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) January 24, 2024

I havent thanked Qatar

In a leaked recording from a meeting with hostage families that aired on Israels Channel 12 news on Tuesday, he was purportedly heard saying, You havent seen me thank Qatar, have you noticed? I havent thanked Qatar. Why? Because Qatar, to me, is no different in essence from the UN, from the Red Cross and in a way its even more problematic. However, Im willing to use any mediator now who can help me bring them (the hostages) home.

Asked to comment on Qatars statement and whether the leaked recording was authentic, an Israeli government spokesperson said Israel cannot go into details regarding the efforts and steps taken to release the hostages. In response Qatari spokesperson, Israels finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, accused Doha of supporting and funding terrorism.

Smotrich said that Qatar was largely responsible for the October 7 attack on southern Israeli communities and called on Western countries to apply more pressure on it to bring an immediate release of the hostages. One thing is clear: Qatar will not be involved in what happens in Gaza the day after the war, Smotrich wrote.

Qatar, where several Hamas political leaders are based, has served as the main mediator between the movement that governs Gaza and Israeli officials in the conflict. Back in November, Qatar helped secure a week-long pause in fighting, during which 110 Israeli and foreign hostages were released from Gaza in return for 240 Palestinians released from Israeli captivity.

The Israeli PM went on to say that Qatar has leverage over Hamas because it funds the movement. Netanyahu told the hostage families that he recently got very angry with the Americans for renewing a deal to extend US military presence at a base in Qatar. The Qatari spokesperson said: Instead of concerning himself with Qatars strategic relations with the US, we hope Netanyahu decides to operate in good faith and concentrate on the release of the hostages.

(With agency inputs)
WASHINGTON: The White House is laying out a new set of guidelines to ensure it will be informed any time a Cabinet head cant carry out their job after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins secret hospitalization this month was kept for days from President Joe Biden and his top aides.

The new guidelines include a half-dozen instructions for Cabinet agencies to follow when there is a delegation of authority, or when secretaries temporarily transfer their authority to a deputy when unreachable due to medical issues, travel or other reasons. White House chief of staff Jeff Zients launched a review of existing notification procedures earlier this month shortly after Austins hospitalization was disclosed, along with the Pentagons failure to immediately alert the White House.

Through your submissions, you demonstrated your commitment to notifying the White House in the event of a delegation  and upon assumption of a delegation, establishing contact with the White House, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients wrote in a memo sent to the rest of the Cabinet on Friday. The memo was obtained by The Associated Press.

Zients noted that some existing guidelines among agencies differed because of various laws, regulations and executive orders.

But through this process we are assured that all agencies have a set of standard protocols they must follow in the event of a delegation of authority, he wrote.

From now on, Cabinet agencies must notify the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs and Zients office when theyre anticipating a delegation of authority and again when the delegation actually happens. It must also put in writing that the delegation is in effect and once that delegation has ended.

Once the interim leader has assumed authority, that person must contact his or her primary counterpart at the White House and the agency must follow any other notifications that are required under law  such as informing key lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Agencies should ensure that authority is transferred when a Cabinet official 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 reads.

The Pentagon said earlier this month that Austin had a prostatectomy to treat prostate cancer on Dec. 22, for which he underwent general anesthesia at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He did not tell the White House about the procedure, but he did temporarily transfer some of his authorities to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.

Austin returned to Walter Reed on Jan. 1 after being in severe pain and was admitted to intensive care. The next day, he again transferred some authorities to Hicks, who was on vacation in Puerto Rico. In both instances, Hicks was not told why she was having authorities delegated to her.

The Pentagon did not tell the White House about Austins hospitalization until Jan. 4, when national security adviser Jake Sullivan was informed and in turn told Biden.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
A professional dancer who moved to New York City from the UK to pursue her dreams died this month after eating a mislabeled cookie. Orla Baxendale, 25, died on January 11 after eating a Vanilla Florentine at an event; she had a peanut allergy, but peanuts were not listed in the ingredients, according to lawyers representing her family. "Orla was very careful and hypervigilant about everything she ate, and always thoroughly checked the ingredients on all packaging," one of the attorneys says. Her allergy was so severe, he adds, that despite her EpiPen being administered after she started having an anaphylactic reaction, it was not effective.

The cookies were sold at a Stew Leonard's store, and the Connecticut grocery chain has since issued a recall for them; they were sold as holiday cookies between November 6 and December 31 of last year, USA Today reports. The store says it bought the cookies from an outside supplier, Cookies United, and it accuses that supplier of changing its recipe from soy nuts to peanuts without informing Stew Leonard's. But Cookies United says that's not true; an attorney for the manufacturer says it informed the grocery chain of the ingredient change in July of 2023, and that all packages shipped to them since were labeled correctly, People reports. Stew Leonard's created an "incorrect label" and applied it to the repackaged cookies, which were sold under the Stew Leonard's brand, the lawyer says.

The Cookies United lawyer expressed condolences to Baxendale's family, as did Stew Leonard's. Baxendale "was an embodiment of enthusiasm, strength, and beauty," reads her obituary. "Known for her quirky character and boundless love for those around her, she was a source of joy and inspiration to everyone. Her presence was a constant reminder to live life to its fullest, a lesson she embraced wholeheartedly and urged others to adopt." The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection and the Connecticut Department of Public Health are investigating. (More peanut allergy stories.)
Police called to perform a welfare check at a home in Moore, Oklahoma, on Wednesday morning found an adult film star and her boyfriend dead. Causes of death have not yet been determined for Jesse Jane and Brett Hasenmueller, but police believe drug overdoses are to blame, Fox 25 reports. Jane (whose real name is being variously reported as Cindy Howell or Cindy Taylor) was 43. TMZ reports Hasenmueller's employer requested the welfare check after having not heard from him in a few days. The gossip site calls Jane one of the biggest adult film stars of her time; she launched her career in 2002.
New Orleans' longtime vaunted district attorney and the father of one of the city's more famous musicians died Thursday at age 97. Harry Connick Sr. died peacefully at his home in New Orleans with his wife, Londa, and childrenSuzanna and musician and actor Harry Connick Jr.by his side, according to an obituary distributed by Harry Connick Jr.'s publicist. A cause of death was not provided, the AP reports. Connick dethroned an incumbent prosecutor, Jim Garrison, in a 1973 election. He won reelection four times, and successfully built biracial support as the city's political power base shifted to African Americans.

Connick remained undefeated, and retired in 2003. But he was attacked by anti-capital punishment groups for his insistence that prosecutors often seek the death penalty, and was later dogged by questions about whether his office withheld evidence that favored defendants. The issue came to the forefront with a 2011 US Supreme Court ruling in a lawsuit filed by John Thompson, who was exonerated after 14 years on Louisiana's death row for a killing he didn't commit. In a 5-4 decision, the high court overturned a $14 million award for Thompson, ruling that the New Orleans district attorney's office shouldn't be punished for not specifically training prosecutors on their obligations to share evidence that could prove a defendant's innocence. In a scathing dissent, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg decried "Connick's deliberately indifferent attitude."

The issue was revived in 2014 when a murder conviction against Reginald Adams was reversed. Attorneys for the Innocence Project New Orleans presented evidence that detectives and prosecutors in the case had withheld critical information before Adams' 1990 conviction. Adams later received $1.25 million in a court settlement. Connick, who was also acquitted in 1990 of racketeering and aiding a sports-betting operation, in 2012 defended his legacy in an interview with the Times-Picayune. Connick, a Navy veteran who served in the South Pacific during World War II, for years performed weekly at French Quarter nightclubs and nurtured his son into becoming a jazz piano prodigy, partly by arranging for the boy to sit in with New Orleans Dixieland players and legends such as pianist Eubie Blake and drummer Buddy Rich.

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New Orleans' current district attorney, Jason Williams, expressed condolences to Connick's family. "Mr. Connick remains the longest tenured District Attorney, serving from 1973-2003. Such a longstanding public servant gives an enormous amount of themselves to their communityas do their families. Our thoughts are with the Connick family during this difficult time," he said in a statement.

(More obituary stories.)
A US Postal Service employee was almost run over by mail thieves who raided a post office in Orange County, California. In video that went viral after it was posted on Instagram, the woman stands in the way of a vehicle as the suspects try to drive away from the Fullerton office with stolen mail. She was pushed into the street by the car and fell to the ground. Police say the three thieves, who made off with a crate containing hundreds of pieces of mail, were arrested after officers spotted the vehicle and found the stolen mail inside, KTLA reports. The men were arrested on suspicion of robbery, mail theft, and assault with a deadly weapon.

The woman suffered only minor injuries and has returned to work, Fox 11 reports. Fullerton Police Department Sgt. Ryan O'Neil tells KTLA that the thieves snatched a bin from the post office's rear dock. The US Postal Inspection Service has launched an investigation and the suspects are likely to face federal charges as well as local charges. "I've seen a lot of stuff in my career as far as stealing mail," O'Neil says. "This is my first time seeing suspects steal a crate of mail from the post office." Mail theft is a federal crime with a penalty of up to five years in prison. Fox 11 reports that the USPS says carrier robberies are rising, with around 300 in the first half of last year. (More US Postal Service stories.)
People who lived with painful mouth and skin sores on the south coast of Brazil some 2,000 years ago carried the oldest known evidence of a syphilis relative. Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis, is "one of the least well understood common bacterial infections," one expert tells CNN . Yet a new study offers some interesting clues about how it came to be. Researchers examined evidence of a bacterium eating away at bones in skeletons buried at the Jabuticabeira II site near Brazil's southern city of Laguna. They found treponemal DNA in bones from 37 of 99 individuals sampled. From four samples, dated from 350 BC to AD 573, researchers were able to construct "the oldest-known genome of a syphilis relative yet discovered," per Live Science .

"Unexpectedly, these genomes are remarkably similar to those of the causative agent of modern day bejel," or endemic syphilis, according to the study published Wednesday in Nature. The causative agent of bejel is Treponema pallidum endemicum, which is "virtually indistinguishable" from T. pallidum when viewed under a microscope, according to the National Organization of Rare Disorders. It's usually found in arid regions, so "this is a completely different environment than where you expect to find it," lead study author Verena Schunemann, a paleogeneticist at the University of Basel, tells Business Insider. In the ancient population, "the bacteria likely also caused similar skin lesions [to bejel]," Schunemann adds, per Live Science.

The first genetic evidence of a syphilis relative prior to Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas pushes back the origin of T. pallidum by millennia. The analysis also suggests T. pallidum and T. pallidum endemicum diverged from a common ancestor about 14,000 years ago, per Business Insider. This doesn't disprove the long-held theory that syphilis was carried from the Americas to Europe by Columbus and his Spanish conquistadors. But it "means these bacteria could easily have traveled around the world several times with the different human migrations, much earlier than Columbus' expeditions," per Insider. Live Science highlights a 2015 study that found evidence of congenital syphilis in a juvenile who lived in what is now Austria prior to 1492. (More discoveries stories.)
Former President Trump has waded into the dispute between Texas and the federal government over razor wire along the Rio Grande , urging states to deploy National Guard members to Texas. "We encourage all willing States to deploy their guards to Texas to prevent the entry of Illegals, and to remove them back across the Border," Trump said in a statement Thursday. The Supreme Court ruled this week that Border Patrol agents could cut wire placed along the border by the Texas National Guard but Texas Gov. Greg Abbott challenged the ruling, saying the Constitution gives the state the right to defend itself against an "invasion," the Texas Tribune reports. He has vowed to install more razor wire.

"We encourage all willing States to deploy their guards to Texas to prevent the entry of Illegals, and to remove them back across the Border," Trump said in a statement Thursday. He accused President Biden of "aiding and abetting a massive Invasion of illegal migrants," the Hill reports. "In the face of this National Security, Public Safety, and Public Health Catastrophe, Texas has rightly invoked the Invasion Clause of the Constitution, and must be given full support to repel the Invasion," Trump wrote. Since the GOP frontrunner "is no longer commander-in-chief, this is just a press release," but it foreshadows the coming general election campaign, Axios notes.

In a statement Wednesday, Abbott called Biden a "lawless president" and said Texas' constitutional authority to defend itself is the "supreme law of the land." Trump is far from the only Republican supporting Abbott against the Biden administration. Some 25 of the 26 Republican governors outside Texas released a statement of solidarity Thursday, the BBC reports. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott was the only holdout. Abbott has also won praise from dozens of congressional Republicansand been condemned by Democratic lawmakers from his state, the Tribune reports. Abbott "is trying to pick a fight with President Biden to score political points, and he is abusing the National Guard resources at his disposal," said US Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democrat. (More Texas stories.)
Republican primary candidate Mike Lynch didn't sugarcoat the question to his opponent on the crammed debate stage, Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, who hopped into the race last month partly over fear of a loss in the district she currently represents. "Could you give the definition of 'carpetbagger?'" Lynch asked at the first Republican primary debate in Colorado's 4th District. It was expected, per the AP : The accusation had already been lobbed at Boebert after she joined the packed primary race, escaping a rematch against Democrat Adam Frisch, who nearly beat her in the last election and had already raised more money than she had.

On the debate stage, Boebert didn't hesitate in response to the attack. "The crops may be different in Colorado's 4th District, but the values are not, and I'm a proven fighter for the values that you all believe in," said Boebert. Colorado's congressional representatives don't have to live in the district they represent, only the state. Boebert is moving to Weld County in her new district, jokingly described by the debate moderator as "the most heavily Republican seat on the planet Earth." Boebert's primary rivals largely seemed hesitant to directly attack her, which was reminiscent of the Republican presidential primary candidates who avoided criticism of Trump in early debates.

The debate also largely centered on national political issues, including border security, abortion, and fentanyl, on which Boebert could laud her stubbornly conservative voting record. Boebert was caught on video vaping and groping with a date in September, but the episode went unmentioned at the debate. Still, the scandal may be hard to shake in Boebert's new electoral stomping grounds, where voters hold tight to conservative Christian values some feel she transgressed. Boebert focused on her experience in Congress as the key factor separating her from the other candidates. "Everyone will talk like a Freedom Caucus member, but there is only one who governs as a Freedom Caucus member," she said. "I am here to earn your support, earn your vote. This is not a coronation."

(More Lauren Boebert stories.)
The Biden administration is delaying consideration of new natural gas export terminals in the US, even as gas shipments to Europe and Asia have soared since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The decision aligns with environmentalists who fear the huge increase in exports, in the form of liquefied natural gas, is locking in potentially catastrophic planet-warming emissions after Democratic President Biden pledged to cut climate pollution in half by 2030. "While MAGA Republicans willfully deny the urgency of the climate crisis, condemning the American people to a dangerous future, my administration will not be complacent,'' Biden said in a statement Friday, per the AP . "We will not cede to special interests. We will heed the calls of young people and frontline communities who are using their voices to demand action.''

The current economic and environmental analyses the Energy Department uses to evaluate LNG projects don't adequately account for potential cost hikes for American consumers and manufacturers or the impact of greenhouse gas emissions, the White House said. Industry groups condemned the pause as a "win for Russia," while environmentalists cheered an action they have been seeking to counter Biden's approval of the huge Willow oil project in Alaska last year. "This decision is brave, because Donald Trump (the man who pulled us out of the Paris climate accords on the grounds that climate change is a hoax) will attack it mercilessly,'' environmental activist Bill McKibben posted online, per the AP.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, who declined to say how long the pause will last, said it will not affect already authorized export projects and pointed out that US gas exports reached record highs last year. The pause will not immediately affect US supplies to Europe or Asia, Granholm said, since seven LNG terminals are currently in operation, with several more expected to come online in the next few years. "We remain committed to ensuring our partners' medium-term energy needs are met,'' she said. If necessary, the Energy Department can allow exceptions for national security needs, Granholm said. The American Petroleum Institute said, "This is a win for Russia and a loss for American allies, US jobs and global climate progress."

(More President Biden stories.)
An 18th-century British painting stolen by mobsters in 1969 has been returned more than a half-century later to the family that bought the painting for $7,500 during the Great Depression, the FBI's Salt Lake City field office announced Friday. The 40-inch-by-50-inch John Opie paintingtitled "The Schoolmistress"is the sister painting of a similar work housed in the Tate Britain art gallery in London, per the AP . Authorities believe the Opie piece was stolen with the help of a former New Jersey lawmaker, then passed among organized crime members for years before it ended up in the southern Utah city of St. George.

A Utah man had purchased a house in Florida in 1989 from Joseph Covello Sr.a convicted mobster linked to the Gambino familyand the painting was included in the sale, the FBI said. When the buyer died in 2020, a Utah accounting firm that was seeking to liquidate his property sought an appraisal for the painting, and it was discovered to likely be the stolen piece, the FBI said. The painting was taken into custody by the agency and returned on Jan. 11 to Dr. Francis Wood, 96, of Newark, the son of the painting's original owner, Dr. Earl Wood, who bought it during the 1930s.

"This piece of art, what a history it's had," said FBI Special Agent Gary France. "It traveled all through the UK when it was first painted, and owned by quite a few families in the UK. And then it travels overseas to the United States and is sold during the Great Depression and then stolen by the mob and recovered by the FBI decades later. It's quite amazing." According to the FBI, "The Schoolmistress" was taken from Earl Wood's house by three men working at the direction of former New Jersey state Sen. Anthony Imperiale, who died in 1999.

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Authorities say the thieves broke into the house in July 1969 in a bid to steal a coin collection, but were foiled by a burglar alarm. Local police and Imperiale responded to the attempted burglary, and the home's caretaker told the lawmaker that the Opie painting in the home was priceless, the FBI said. The men returned to the house later that month and stole the painting, the FBI said. One of the thieves, Gerald Festa, later confessed to the burglary and said the trio been acting under Imperiale's orders. But the claims against the state lawmaker were not sufficiently corroborated, and he was never charged.

(More stolen art stories.)
Peter Navarro was sentenced Thursday to four months in jail for contempt of Congress after defying a subpoena related to the congressional investigation into the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack.

Navarro was convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress in September for not complying with a subpoena from the House select committee that investigated the attack.

The judge overseeing Navarros case said Thursday that the former Trump advisers sentence is of his own making as he tore into Navarro for claiming that his prosecution was politically motivated.

I guess what bothers me ultimately is that here we are after a year and a half plus and you still want to suggest to me that this is a political prosecution. You want me to believe this is a political prosecution, US District Judge Amit Mehta said during the sentencing hearing, raising his voice. When the evidence is completely to the contrary.

You are not a victim. You are not the object of a political prosecution, the judge said. These are the circumstances of your own making.

Mehta also fined Navarro $9,500.

Navarro quickly appealed the case on Thursday to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. His attorneys have long said they plan to file an appeal to raise issues related to his claim that he didnt comply with the subpoena because Trump had invoked executive privilege.
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By H.E. VINOD K. JACOB AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

I take this opportunity to convey my warm greetings and felicitations to the members of the Indian community and friends of India in Bahrain on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day of India.

On the 75th Republic Day, we celebrate the incredible journey from the day the Constitution went into effect to the present, one that has served as an inspiration to many other countries.

On Republic Day, we commemorate the accomplishments that our country has made as a whole. There is good cause for pride in the Indian Story for all Indian nationals, both domestically and overseas.

On the bilateral front, our relations between India and the Kingdom of Bahrain continue to be on an upswing. Our cooperation is diversifying and expanding into new and emerging areas. It is also strengthening in economic & commercial, education, health and pharma, IT, space technology, food security and renewable energy sectors.

India is the sixth largest investor in Bahrain contributing roughly 4% of FDI in Bahrain. Embassy of India, Bahrain is committed to taking political exchanges, defence and higher education cooperation, trade and economic relations and people-to-people linkages with the friendly Kingdom of Bahrain to new heights and call upon the Indian community to continue to actively support the economic prosperity of the friendly Kingdom of Bahrain.

The rich Indian culture and its legacy is appreciated across the world and is exemplified by the vibrant Indian community in Bahrain. They are a key pillar in our two-way relationship. The Indian government is dedicated to closely interacting with the Indian diaspora, working for their welfare, and integrating them into Indias development narrative.

I wish continued progress, well-being and prosperity to the friendly people of the Kingdom of Bahrain.




The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, has hinted at reconciling with Rabiu Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, in the 2023 general election.





Ganduje said reconciling with Kwankwaso could happen through divine intervention.





Speaking with BBC Hausa, the APC national chairman said he was out to unify his Kano base because more people would join the party.





On having a good working relationship with Kwankwaso, Ganduje said, Certainly, we share roots and lineage. A division occurred, and now (there is) a potential for reunification through divine intervention. What could be better?





Ganduje and Kwankwaso have had a long-standing rivalry over who leads the political space in Kano State.





But there are indications that President Bola Tinubu is working to reconcile both politicians, and bring Kwankwaso back to the APC.





Confirming the reports, former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bahir Ahmad, had said it would be game over for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, should Tinubu reconcile Ganduje and Kwankwaso.




Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara has sworn in the nine re-nominated commissioners who resigned from his cabinet.





Speaking while swearing-in the commissioners at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Friday, Fubara noted that they resigned from his cabinet because they were caught in a crossfire.





The nine commissioners took their oaths at once, beginning with the oath of allegiance before taking the oath of office.





Congratulating the commissioners, Fubara urged them to do what is right for the state.





I dont think I have any charge for you. You have already read your charge to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I urge you to do the right thing.





I can see how heavy your hearts are. I dont blame you. You were caught between the crossfire, Fubara said.





The commissioners had initially resigned their appointment due to the rift between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.




Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has installed and presented a Staff of Office to the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Mohammed Anaje.





The Ohinoyi stool became vacant in October last year following the demise of 95-year-old Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Ibrahim.





Bello, while presenting the Staff of Office to the 49-year-old monarch on Thursday at the Ohinoyi Palace in Okene, Kogi Central Senatorial District, charged him to promote unity, development and greatness of the people.





The Governor, who said he was fulfilled by performing the all-important task of the appointment and installation of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, charged the royal father to ensure the safety and security of the people and the land.





I want to call on all of you, the sons and daughters of Ebiraland, that we should all come together and rally around our Ohinoyi of Ebiraland for the greatness of our land, he said.





He said that God Almighty had chosen and enthroned Alhaji Anajeh out of the 70 eminently qualified contestants that applied to ascend the throne.





Bello appreciated the contestants for their sportsmanship and display of maturity, unity and comradeship throughout the process of selecting the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.





The governor charged the newly installed paramount ruler on inclusiveness saying, Today, you dont belong to any religion. You belong to both Islam and Christianity. You equally belong to those of us that believe in our culture.





You dont belong to only the former clan you belonged to. You belong to every clan that exists as far as Ebiraland is concerned. You belong to every district, every royal district that exists in Ebiraland.





You must bring everybody together. I want to assure you that you are going to have the government of Ahmed Usman Ododo to support you and consolidate on all the successes that I have achieved in these eight years of my administration.





I want to assure you that even after leaving office, I will be by your side to always render any helping hand and to support you.





In his post installation speech, the new Ohinoyi Anaje, said he was humbled and honoured to be installed as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland adding, My heart is filled with a multitude of emotions, joy, determination to serve with integrity and a profound sense of gratitude.





I extend my sincere gratitude to His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, for his unwavering commitment to the overall development of Kogi State and well-being of Ebiraland.





Your leadership and trust in our people have paved the way for this new dawn. My appreciation equally goes to His Excellency Alh. Usman Ahmed Ododo.





Anaje held that the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company and Itakpe Iron Ore Mining Company posed immense promise for Ebiraland and the nations economic future.





The Ohinoyi also implored the Federal Government to consider the establishment of the North Central Development Commission, NCDC.




South Africa has won the case it filed at the International Court of Justice, seeking to stop Israels attack on Gaza.





South Africa had approached the court, asking that the ICJ, as a matter of extreme urgency, to ask Israel to immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza.





The court on Friday ruled on provisional requests from the African nation in the case where the country accused Israel of genocide in Gaza.





Fridays ruling, however, did not dwell on whether or not Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.





The International Court of Justice, among other things, said that Israel must take steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire.





Reacting to the ruling, a former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, wrote on X, I wish to congratulate the Government and the good people of the Republic of South Africa for the victory of the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. South Africa has proven itself to be a world moral leader and history will record you as the upholder and defender of international law and Justice.





The people of Palestine had stood on the side of Africa during the Anti-Apartheid struggle and today South Africa has reciprocated the revolutionary gesture.





Supporters on Apartheid colonialism, occupation and bloody mass killings in Gaza are put to shame. No nation should be treated above international law and justice.




Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal has extended his hands of fellowship to the first executive governor of the State, Senator Sani Ahmed Yarima and other former governors.





The past governors include Alhaji Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi, Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari and the Minister of State for Defense, Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle.





Governor Lawal also invited them to the official inauguration of the local security outfit, Community Protection Guards, CPG, to restore peace and stability in the State.





This was contained in a statement issued to newamen in Gusau, the State capital by the chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Hon. Mukhtar Lugga, who doubles as the Chief of Staff to the Governor.





According to the statement, the occasion is expected to be graced by governors from the Northwest and other prominent individuals from the northern part of the country.





Governor Lawal has been calling on the former governors of the state to abandon their differences to work together for the progress of the state.





He promised to be fair, open and transparent in his personal and official interaction in conformity with his oath of office, he stated.





The state has been a colony of banditry for more than one decade, leading to massive destruction of lives, kidnappings and destruction of property.





The CPG was initiated by Governor Dauda Lawal as soon as he assumed office, aimed at addressing the incessant security challenges in the State.





Recall that some months ago, the State Government recruited 4,200 Community Protection Guards, CPG, from the 14 Local Government Areas to fight the ravaging bandits.




The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, on Thursday paid a visit to female soldier undergoing rehabilitation, Ruth Ogunleye.





Ohanenye revealed this on her X handle.





She wrote: In keeping with my earlier resolve, I was at the facility where the female soldier, Ruth Ogunleye, is undergoing rehabilitation earlier this week.





Aside from the noticeable improvement from my last visit to her, she was in high spirits and we interacted cordially.





I am impressed and must commend the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja for the top notch care and attention given to her by the Army through the deployment of their personnel to the facility.





On our own part, the Ministry also deployed a desk officer to monitor her recovery in keeping with our mandate to promote the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerian Women.





Recall that in a video that went viral on social media, Ruth Ogunleye claimed that she experienced stigmatization, intimidation and sexual harassment in the hands of a colonel and two other senior officers.





She accused the colonel of disrupting her life since she rejected his sexual advances.





Furthermore, she claimed that he halted her salary in February 2023.
Operatives of the Special Intervention Squad, Federal Capital Territory Police Command, have neutralised three notorious bandits in a forest within the Bwari area of Abuja.

The bandits were killed in the early hours of Friday, January 26, at about 2 am, in a forest linking Abuja to Kaduna State.





Amongst the three bandits killed was their gang leader, Mai Gemu popularly known as Godara, who, alongside his gang members have been terrorising the FCT and neighbouring states.





The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed the development in Abuja on Friday during the parade of about 20 criminal suspects arrested for various offences across the country.





Adejobi said, Weve recorded another significant stride towards fortifying the security landscape in the Federal Capital Territory following the recent launch of the Special Intervention Squad under the command of the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun.





The SIS, in the early hours of Friday neutralises one of the most wanted kidnap kingpins, Mai Gemu aka Godara and two other members of his gang in an exchange of gunfire in the Bwari area of Abuja in a forest linking Abuja with Kaduna State.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Special Intervention Squad had taken over a major route in Usafa, Bwari Area Council, used by bandits to transport their victims out of Abuja into neighbouring states of Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, and Kogi.





The FCT SIS Commander, Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igwe confirmed the development last Saturday when a team of armed policemen and crime reporters stormed the bushy and hilly parts of Ushafa community as SIS operatives mounted guards to flush out bandits.









The FCT is facing an alarming surge in insecurity, prompting growing concerns among residents and authorities. The capital city, once considered relatively immune to the prevalent security challenges in other parts of the country, is now grappling with an escalating wave of criminal activities, particularly kidnappings.





The most notorious among the incidents over the past seven months include the abduction of 23 persons including some members of the Al-Kadriyar and the Ariyo families on January 2, 2024, in the Bwari Area Council.




The Supreme Court has affirmed the five-year jail term handed to a former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan by the Court of Appeal.





Lawan was convicted and sentenced to prison in 2021 for accepting a $500,000 bribe from businessman Femi Otedola, Chairman, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd.





In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-member panel affirmed the 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal which upheld Lawans sentencing to five years in respect of only count three on the three-count charge on which he was tried at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.





In the lead judgment prepared by Justice John Okoro, but read on Friday by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, the apex count found that Lawans appeal was without merit and proceeded to dismiss it.




Elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark has told President Bola Tinubu that Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCT, is not ready for sustenance of peace in the political crisis rocking the state.





Clark, in a statement on Thursday, in Abuja, said the continuous activities of Wike are clear indications that he is not ready for peace in Rivers State.





Tinubu intervened in the crisis when he issued an 8-point pact to both parties that the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and his allies should withdraw all court cases pertaining to the matter, which is against the 1999 Constitution and against popular opinion of Rivers people and indeed Nigerians.





Fubara and his associates, including the Speaker recognised by the court, Edison Ehie, have complied with the agreement.





According to the statement, The expectation is that the 26 decamped legislative members who had filed cases in court, would have also done the same. But they refused, giving rise to the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotoso on January 22, 2024, stating amongst other things, the nullification of the 2024 Budget which was presented by Governor Fubara, passed and signed into law.





Justice Omotoso also said he based his judgment on the fact that the legislatures said there was no evidence of settlement of the matter before him.





Clark, an Ijaw leader, said it showed clearly that Fubara obeyed Tinubu and carried out his directive in violation of the 1999 Constitution for the sake of peace, except that which he is currently precluded from doing by the courts, adding that even though majority of Nigerians were not happy with the terms of the settlement.





He said having done all these against the Constitution, which Fubara, as Governor of Rivers State swore to uphold, Wike cannot be seen as advancing peace in the State.





He urged Tinubu to caution Wike to allow Fubara to govern the State peacefully.








Bayer Leverkusen manager, Xabi Alonso has refused to rule out the possibility of replacing the departing Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.





Klopp made a shock announcement on Friday that he would be leaving the role at the end of the current campaign.





Alonsos name has been mentioned as one of the strong candidates to succeed the German, following his impressive stint at Leverkusen.





The former midfielder played for the Reds in the mid-2000s and was part of Rafael Benitezs side that conquered Europe in Istanbul in 2005.





When Alonso was asked on Friday if he could become the next Liverpool manager, he said: Thats a direct question! I dont have a direct answer. Im happy here right now, thats for sure, and only thinking about Leverkusen.





On Klopps exit, he added: I was surprised by Jurgens news. I have huge respect for Jurgen and Liverpool. At the moment I am really happy here and enjoying my work. Each day and game is a challenge. We are on an intense and beautiful journey here at Leverkusen.
The United States is interested in working with Azerbaijan to achieve climate goals at COP29, Azernews reports.

This was said by Laura Loxman, adviser to the US Deputy Secretary of State for Energy Diplomacy, at a conference on security in the Black Sea region organized by the Caspian Policy Center.

Loxman noted that Georgia and Azerbaijan are good examples of the fact that the Black Sea is not just a hydrocarbon exploration and development region.

"These countries have great opportunities in the field of renewable energy, especially wind energy. The proposed Black Sea power cable will improve the connection between the South Caucasus and EU energy markets and will allow to benefit from the existing large wind resources," she stressed.

Loxman believes that considering the COP29 conference to be held in Azerbaijan, all this is of greater importance.

"Thus, we look forward to working with Azerbaijan, the private sector, and, of course, many other countries to achieve our clean energy transition and climate goals at the COP29 conference," she added.

It should be recalled that on December 17, 2022, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary signed a strategic partnership agreement, which envisages the construction of an energy bridge from the Caucasus region to Europe. Within the framework of the agreement reached, it is expected to lay the Black Sea Energy undersea electric cable with a capacity of 1000 MW and a length of 1195 kilometers. The cable will transport green electricity produced in Azerbaijan to Hungary and the rest of Europe via Georgia and the Black Sea to Romania.

The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced on December 11, 2023, in Dubai. Azerbaijan will host this event in November this year.
Former detainees at a New Jersey halfway house allege they were threatened, humiliated and denied their basic rights during a 2014 mass strip search, according to a lawsuit now in appellate court.

A group of detainees at the Kintock Groups halfway house in Cumberland County filed a lawsuit alleging about 250 male detainees were ordered to undress in a hallway in front of each other and surveillance cameras over 3 1/2 hours.

The lawsuit was dismissed in 2022. However, the former detainees appealed the ruling and are awaiting a decision by a panel of state appellate court judges.

One of the plaintiffs said the group strip search by state corrections officers made him feel like a slave on the auction block. Another former detainee said he remains upset about his treatment that day more than nine years ago and wants to see the case go to trial.

Im still real angry about it, said plaintiff Fountain Hamlett. Theyre trying to call us liars and act like it didnt happen. I dont want nobody to forget. You cant get away with treating people like that, no matter who they are.

Officials with the state Department of Corrections and the Kintock Group, which operates the halfway house, declined to comment on the lawsuit or the allegations.

Kintock Group Chief Operating Officer Paul J. Taggines said he could not comment on ongoing litigation or state Department of Corrections procedures.

In a statement, state Department of Corrections officials said officers conduct targeted searches in community reintegration facilities when the department becomes aware of credible information regarding potential threats or concerns for the safety of individuals through an investigation by the Special Investigation Division or other intelligence gathering.

The department also said it prioritizes the dignified treatment of all persons in custody, while ensuring the safe and orderly operation of all facilities, and allegations of abuse, neglect or violations of an incarcerated persons rights are thoroughly investigated.

Officials would not say if the allegations made about the 2014 search were investigated.

State Department of Corrections officers with the Special Operations Group arrived at Kintocks halfway house in Bridgeton on Nov. 18, 2014, and ordered roughly 250 detainees in Building 1 to undress, according to court documents.

The searches took place in a common hallway running the length of the building under the view of surveillance cameras and a control room.

The detainees claimed the search was done in a public area and violated federal and state constitutional protections against unreasonable searches, the New Jersey Civil Rights Act and state Department of Corrections and Attorney General strip search guidelines. Those rules guarantee searches will be conducted in private spaces in a professional and dignified manner.

Instead, the ex-detainees claim officers told groups of them to stand close to each other front to back and side to side. They were told to strip naked at the same time as other residents, run their fingers through facial and body hair, lift their testicles, squat, and cough, the lawsuit alleges.

Plaintiffs claim corrections officers threatened to beat them and send them back to prison if they didnt comply. The suit claims the searches were recorded on surveillance video and Kintocks civilian staff, including women, could see the process.

In court filings, Kintock stated the searches were not recorded and its staff, apart from a man in the control room, were reassigned to other areas of the facility during the search.

The plaintiffs argued the searches could have been conducted in private areas of the facility, as is done in state prisons.

Halfway houses are intended to ease the transition back to the community for inmates leaving prison. During their stay in these facilities, detainees typically have jobs outside of the facility and also learn life skills that will help them once freed.

The Kintock Group also operates a halfway house in Newark and other community reentry programs in Newark and Paterson, as well as facilities in Philadelphia.

George Bresnihan was in a group of nine detainees who had to undress at the same time and remain naked until everyone in that group had been searched during the 2014 incident, according to the lawsuit.

In an interview with NJ Advance Media, Bresnihan said he told the officers strip searches were not supposed to take place in an area with cameras.

I know my rights, Bresnihan said. They know theyre not supposed to strip us in the view of cameras. Im explaining it to them and theyre telling me, Shut the f up or youre going to be carried out.

Bresnihan, who is from Roselle and served time for a gun charge, said he didnt want to derail his efforts to go home to his family, so he complied.

Now 59, he recalled the experience as demeaning and said it left a lasting impact.

I felt like a slave that was on an auction block, being watched by the cameras and being bid on for the highest bidder, he said. Thats the first thing that came to my mind. Why are they doing this to us?

The suit names only the Kintock Group as a defendant and argues the company contracted by the state to run the reentry facility had a duty to protect detainees in their custody from the Department of Corrections allegedly improper search.

Under its contract with the state, Kintock shall assume all risk and responsibility and indemnifies the state from any legal claims related to the halfway house operation, the plaintiffs said in court documents.

In his March 2022 decision dismissing the suit, Superior Court Judge James Swift found Kintock was not responsible for the search because it was conducted entirely by state Department of Corrections staff and the company cannot be held liable for the states actions. He rejected the claim that Kintock had a duty to intervene to stop the search.

It would not be reasonable for a Kintock employee to believe they have the authority to interfere with a NJDOC search, he wrote. The Kintock facility exists as a place of confinement only with the blessing of the NJDOC.

The judge said the plaintiffs may have had more success if they sued the state Department of Corrections.

The original lawsuit was filed in 2016, two years after the strip search was conducted, which was too late to sue the state Department of Corrections under the states tort claims law. That law requires that notice of an intention to sue a public body be filed with the Superior Court within 90 days of an incident.

In the appeal, the five plaintiffs maintain the judge was wrong in finding Kintock did not violate its duty to care for the detainees. The company had a responsibility to intervene to stop the officers disregard of strip search guidelines and violation of detainees constitutional rights, they argued.

The 2014 search was prompted by a handful of detainees smoking synthetic marijuana at Kintock, said Bresnihan, the former detainee. He said the five ex-detainees who filed the lawsuit were not the ones breaking rules.

Bresnihan said he couldnt believe violations committed by a few would prompt such a large response involving the entire halfway house population.

Whats all this for  for a few guys thats getting high? he said. Why are you doing this to everybody?

Strip searches in state prison were more respectful than the hallway strip search at the halfway house, Bresnihan said.

When you get strip searched, theyve got dividers up, he said. You dont see nobody else naked beside you.

For Hamlett, the search was complicated by a prior accident in which he broke his neck and shoulder, requiring reconstructive surgery that limited his range of motion. Detainees were told to stand with their hands behind their heads in the air, he recalled.

When I told the DOC officer that I cant keep my arms up over my head long enough because I have implants in my neck and implants in my shoulder  he told me if I move hes gonna take me the f down, he doesnt care about my restrictions, Hamlett said.

Adding to the humiliation of the experience, he said, was that he felt self-conscious about the extensive scars on his body from his injuries and they were on full display as he stood naked with his fellow detainees.

Now 52 years old, the Atlantic City residents anger about the experience hasnt subsided.

Both Hamlett and Bresnihan said they know people at Kintock who told them a strip search like the one in 2014 was never conducted again at the facility, reinforcing their view that what happened that day was wrong.

The men said they plan to continue pursuing their case, even if the appellate court rules against them. They want to draw attention to their experience to ensure its not repeated, they said.

What they did to us was wrong, Bresnihan said. We want to put this out there so that nobody goes through what we went through.

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
A man was convicted Thursday of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl in Cumberland County in 2021, authorities said.

Marvin Stidham, age 64, of Millville, was found guilty by a jury of second degree sexual assault and third degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to a release from the Cumberland County Prosecutors Office. He was acquitted of one count of first degree aggravated sexual assault, the office said.

The assaults took place in Commercial Township between June 1 and Nov. 11, 2021 and after authorities became aware, an investigation was launched by the office and the New Jersey State Police, officials said. Few other details about the assaults were released by authorities Thursday.

He now faces a state prison sentence of between five and ten years, but prosecutors said they would push for an extended term of 15 to 25 years.

Regardless of the length of his prison stay, Stidham will still be required to register as a sex offender and will be under parole supervision for life once he is released, the office said.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
A state appeals court on Thursday found no merit in arguments that errors occurred at serial killer and rapist Khalil Wheeler-Weavers trial in Essex County. The decision also upheld his prison term.

A jury convicted Wheeler-Weaver in 2019 of killing three women, Sarah Butler, 20, Robin West, 19, and Joanne Brown, 33, between August and November 2016. They convicted him of attempting to kill a fourth, who escaped and testified against him at trial.

A judge sentenced the Orange resident to 160 years in prison.

In early 2023, he was charged with a fourth murder, of a 15-year-girl in October 2016, who authorities had found in a vacant building in Orange. That case is pending against Wheeler-Weaver, 27, who is incarcerated with the last name, Wheelerweaver.

The appeal of his 2019 convictions argued several points: that he should have been tried separately for each victim, the judge erred in explanations to the jury on how to consider multiple crimes, and that police detectives violated his Miranda rights and the judge also bungled jury instructions about that as well.

Wheeler-Weavers appeal defense attorney also argued his sentence is excessive.

The appeals court did find a slight issue with two sentences the judge told to the jury when instructing them about the Miranda warnings, but they did not lead to reversible error, considering the strength of the case prosecutors had against Wheeler-Weaver.

The jury also watched the police interrogation of Wheeler-Weaver, the decision says.

The appeals judges said they were unpersuaded by arguments that Wheeler-Weavers sentence  handed down by Essex County Judge Mark Ali - was too long.

Wheeler-Weavers attorney argued the judge did not properly weigh his lack of criminal history and his youthful age, and that the judge didnt provide an adequate explanation of the term, which included consecutive sentences that tallied 160 years.

The decision notes that Ali said, [t]he purpose of this sentence again is that this defendant never walks among society again, and it justifies the actions of the defendant.

That was OK, and Ali gave a comprehensive explanation of his decision.

In the final analysis, the enormity of the sentence is amply justified by the horrific nature of defendants crimes, the decision says.

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Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com
A pedestrian was struck and killed by an SUV along Routes 202 and 31 in Hunterdon County on Friday morning.

The 64-year-old man was crossing the highway at 5:55 a.m. at the corner of Commerce Street in Raritan Township when he was hit by the northbound vehicle, local police said.

Emergency workers brought the man to an area hospital, where he died of his injuries. His identity was not released, pending family notification.

The 44-year-old man driving the SUV stopped and spoke to officers, a Raritan Township police spokesman said. The crash remains under investigation and no charges have been filed.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
A person died Thursday afternoon after being hit by an NJ Transit train in Monmouth County, officials said.

The man was hit by the train shortly before 5 p.m. at the White Road Crossing in Little Silver, an NJ Transit spokesperson told NJ Advance Media. None of the 110 customers or crew aboard the train were hurt.

The North Jersey Coast Line train was originally scheduled to arrive at New York Penn Station at 6:25 p.m., authorities said.

As of 6:25 p.m., North Jersey Coast Line rail service was suspended between Red Bank and Long Branch, the spokesperson said.

No other information was released Thursday evening as the incident was still under investigation by the NJ Transit Police.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
With the first day of February next week, the start of Daylight Saving Time 2024  when clocks move ahead one hour  is inching closer as days continue to get longer.

Daylight Saving Time will begin when clocks spring forward at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10.

The sun will set at around 6 p.m. in New Jersey on Saturday, March 9. The following day, after the time shift and the end of standard time, sunset is at 7 p.m. The sun will, however, rise nearly an hour later  at about 7:16 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, after coming up at 6:18 a.m. on Saturday, March 9.

Spring will officially arrive at 11:06 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19.

In the meantime, the amount of daylight we have each day continues to increase. Though sunrise is still a few minutes after 7 a.m., sunset is now shortly after 5 p.m. in New Jersey. By the time January ends next week sunset will be 5:15 p.m. Sunset will be 5:30 p.m. by mid-February.

Daylight Saving Time, sometimes incorrectly referred to by the plural Daylight Savings Time, begins the second Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November.

Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2024, when clocks will spring forward one hour.

When does Daylight Saving Time end in 2024?

This year, Daylight Saving Time ends on Nov. 3, 2024 at 2 a.m.

Until 2007, Daylight Saving Time began at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in April and ended at 2 a.m. on the last Sunday in October.

While most states change clocks for Daylight Saving Time, there are some holdouts.

Most of Arizona and all of Hawaii does not observe Daylight Saving Time. In addition, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands do not participate in Daylight Saving Time.

Indiana didnt start observing Daylight Saving Time until 2006.

The Uniform Time Act of 1966 allows states to exempt themselves from observing Daylight Saving Time.

Four bills were introduced in the state legislature in New Jersey in 2022 that would establish Daylight Saving Time as the official time year-round, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Two are pending, but any bill would need authorization of the U.S. Congress to be implemented as federal law does not allow year-round Daylight Saving Time

While the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act in March 2022, the House of Representatives didnt act on it so it never reached the desk of President Joe Biden.

In 2023, 12 U.S. senators re-introduced the bill to make Daylight Saving Time permanent.

Nineteen states have either passed resolutions or passed legislation calling for permanent Daylight Saving Time, the NCSL said.

A CBS News poll in 2022 showed 46% of Americans prefer year-round Daylight Saving Time, with 33% wanting year-round Standard Time and the remaining 21% happy to continue to switch back and forth.

Benjamin Franklin is credited with coming up with the notion of making better use of the days light. While visiting Paris in 1784, Franklin came to believe that sunlight was being wasted during the day. In a joking letter to the editors of a Paris newspaper, Franklin proposed a tax on all Parisians whose windows were closed after sunrise.

He believed that this would encourage the economy of using sunshine instead of candles, according to Michael Downing, author of Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time.

During World War I, the German Empire implemented an idea that most resembles the Daylight Saving Time that we observe today.

Believing that it would conserve fuel during the war, the German Empire in 1916 became the first to switch its clocks to save daylight.

In 1918, the U.S. enacted the first Daylight Saving Time law as a way to conserve fuel. It was reintroduced during World War II.

The U.S. put nationwide, year-round daylight saving into effect during World War II starting on Feb. 9, 1942, thinking it would help conserve energy, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Nicknamed War Time, it remained in effect until September 1945 when Japan surrendered.

In 1973, President Nixon signed into law the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act, which made DST permanent in the U.S. This helped reduce confusion throughout the country with some regions of the U.S. participating in the practice and some regions opting out. The law was redacted less than a year later, though.

A common misconception is that Daylight Saving Time was implemented as a way to improve farming practices. However, this is a myth.

During the early adoption of the practice in the U.S., farmers were among the biggest opponents of Daylight Saving Time, believing that it would disrupt their farming practices.

Not really, even though that was cited in the 2005 Energy Policy Act that extended Daylight Saving Time by a month.

A study three years later by the U.S. Department of Energy determined that the extended daylight throughout the year of 2005 saved a mere .5% in electricity use per day and only about .3% over the entire year.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
A man from New Hampshire who traveled to New Jersey to film himself sexually assaulting a 12-year-old has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, federal prosecutors said.

Scott Wilkinson, 39, of Concord, New Hampshire, was sentenced on Thursday after pleading guilty to production of child pornography and possession of child sexual abuse material in October 2023, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey said in a news release.

Wilkinson communicated with the child online for about a year before he traveled to New Jersey in April 2022, officials said.

A video that Wilkinson made of himself assaulting the pre-teen was found on his cell phone, in addition to other images and videos depicting child sexual abuse, according to court documents.

As part of his sentence, Wilkinson is subject to 10 years of supervised release.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
The former mayor of Ocean Gate as been sentenced to three years in state prison for stealing public money through a variety of schemes, officials said.

Paul Kennedy will have to serve two years before he is eligible for parole and can never again hold office or a public job, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said Friday.
A kayaker was hospitalized on Friday after falling into the water in an Ocean County bay.

The kayaker was in a single-person craft in the Swan Point State Natural area in Brick Township around 9:12 a.m. when they fell into the water, State Police Trooper Troy McNair said.

A call was received around that time for a report of a person floating distressed in the water. Brick Township fire officials said state police sent a team from its marine unit to the scene.

The kayaker was rescued in the area of Beaton and Mantoloking roads. He was treated by first responders for hypothermia and brought to a hospital, McNair said.

No other information about the rescue was available.

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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
One of Arjumand Juwerias biggest dreams was to see the contributions of her fellow Muslim Americans being recognized and celebrated in New Jersey. The community activist, who lives in Jersey City but was born in Hyderabad, India, tells me shes long admired the powerful way Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month, honor the triumphs and struggles of Black and Latino people in the U.S., and says for years she was wanting and hoping for something similar for our community.

But, of course, Arjumand, didnt just wish for it. She jumped into action to try to make it a reality in cities and towns throughout Hudson County. To advocate for Muslim Heritage Month  which is now January statewide thanks to a resolution signed by Gov. Phil Murphy  Arjumand reached out to elected officials at the local and county level. She wrote them letters and sent them emails. She made countless calls and follow-up calls. She went to city and town halls. And drummed up support for it among other Muslims at mosques, local events and basically any other place I could think of.
Funeral arrangements are set for Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik, who sources said fatally shot himself in the bathroom of a restaurant in Clifton earlier this week.

The five-term sheriff will be laid to rest following a funeral mass that is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. at The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson.

The cathedral will be open Tuesday from 3 to 8 p.m. for visitation. The cathedral is located at 381 Grand Street, one block from the Passaic County Courthouse and across the street from the county jail.

The Shook Funeral Home in Clifton is responsible for the arrangements and has a page on its website for residents to post tributes to the fallen sheriff.

Meanwhile, the investigation continues into the sudden, shocking death of the sheriff. So far, the Passaic County Prosecutors Office has said almost nothing about what happened at Toros Restaurant in Clifton on Tuesday afternoon.

Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday. The sheriffs spokesman, Bill Maer, also declined to comment.

Sources told NJ Advance Media that Berdnik and a member of his staff were eating at the restaurant around 3:30 p.m. Berdnik got up from the table and went to the bathroom, and was apparently there alone when a shot rang out. The staff member who sources said was with Berdnik also did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

Texts quickly circulated among sheriffs officers and officials that Berdnik had killed himself, sources said. Members of the Passaic County Board of Commissioners had been set to meet on Tuesday evening, but cancelled the meeting amid the shock and grief, members of the board told NJ Advance Media.

Condolences poured in from political leaders all over the state, and on Wednesday, Undersheriff Gary Giardina was sworn in as acting Passaic County Sheriff. And the county began preparations for what likely will be a large funeral procession on Wednesday.

Berdnik, a Democrat, was in his 13th year as sheriff. He was selected by the Passaic County Democratic Committee in 2010 to replace the incumbent, Jerry Speziale, who dropped his reelection bid to take a job with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Prior to being elected sheriff, Berdnik spent 28 years on the police department in Clifton, his hometown.

Editors note: NJ Advance Media typically limits reporting on suicides to those that occur in crowded public places, involve public figures or, in special circumstances, where there is a larger public impact. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be reduced with the proper mental health support and treatment. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

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Richard Cowen may be reached at rcowen@njadvancemedia.com.
A Nebraska man pretended to be a 13-year-old boy on SnapChat and exchanged explicit messages with an 11-year-old New Jersey girl, authorities said.

Daniel J. Boesch, 23, of Blair, Nebraska, is charged with two counts endangering the welfare of a child and attempted cyber harassment, the Warren County Prosecutors Office said Thursday.

Lopatatcong police and the prosecutors office began investigating in July, eventually tracking the messages to Boesch, prosecutors said.

Nebraska authorities executed a search warrant at Boeschs home and seized multiple electronic devices, prosecutors said. He was arrested on several unrelated warrants before being charged in New Jersey.

Attorney information for Boesch wasnt immediately available.

Anyone with information about Boesch and the ongoing investigation is asked to call the prosecutors office at 908-475-6275.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
A 52-year-old Pennsylvania man is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in the early hours of Nov. 7 and then fatally crashing his car on I-78 in Warren County while fleeing the scene, authorities said Friday.

Police in North Lebanon Township, Pennsylvania said Alejandro Reyes-Moya entered the home of 42-year-old Teresa Sanchez De-Sena in West Lebanon Township sometime before the crash and killed her. The pair were involved in a romantic relationship that recently ended, township police said.

Police on Friday morning confirmed Reyes-Moya is the sole suspect in the womans death, but little details have been released on how she died or if a weapon was used in the killing. The Lebanon County Coroners Office didnt immediately respond to a request for more information about the death Friday morning.

The crash occurred at 4:13 a.m. Nov. 7 along Interstate 78 East at mile 4.2 in Greenwich Township, Warren County. Reyes-Moya was driving an SUV when he struck the rear of a semi-truck with a utility trailer parked on the right shoulder of the highway, New Jersey State Police Sgt. Charles Marchan said.

North Lebanon Township police found the body of Sanchez De-Sena after they went to her house to make notification of Reyes-Moyas death on I-78.

The incident is being treated as a homicide investigation by North Lebanon Township Police and the Lebanon County Detective Bureau, as well as New Jersey State Police. New Jersey State Police and the Warren County Prosecutors Office also continue to investigate the Greenwich Township crash.

Police said investigators continue to await final reports from a forensic pathologist and a forensic scientist for more details about Sanchez De-Senas death.

Police could not confirm if Reyes-Moya was living at the Church Street address leading up to the incident, but did say he had lived there previously.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
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Harry Connick Sr., a hard-nosed district attorney for New Orleans over the citys bloodiest era and author of a legacy that would be stained by a parade of tossed convictions, died Wednesday in New Orleans after years of failing health. He was 97.

Connick, the father of pop crooner Harry Connick Jr., was beloved by former prosecutors, reviled by defense advocates, and widely admired for a political acumen and staying power that carried him through his own federal prosecution.

He left the helm of the DAs office in 2003, at 78, and remains the longest-serving district attorney in New Orleans history.

Connicks reputation suffered after his departure, as the U.S. Supreme Court repeatedly flagged his prosecutors over lapses in turning over favorable evidence to the defense under Brady v. Maryland, the 1963 decision that requires it.
Two chain stores are leaving Oakwood mall on the West Bank after Chick-fil-A departure

But they plan to reopen at a shopping center two miles up West Bank Expressway
Marie Curie needs people of Devon to spring into action and volunteer for this years Great Daffodil Appeal.

Everyone deserves expert care and support at the end of life and thats why Marie Curie, the UKs leading end of life charity, is calling on the residents of Devon to support its Great Daffodil Appeal this March by giving up a few hours of their time to distribute the iconic daffodil pins in exchange for a donation.

Today one in four people dont get the end of life care they need, and Marie Curies Great Daffodil Appeal encourages people to donate and wear a daffodil pin to help the charity continue to support people with any illness theyre likely to die from.

The charitys flagship fundraiser, supported by headline partner Superdrug, helps raise much needed funds for Marie Curie Nurses and healthcare professionals to provide expert support and hospice care in the comfort of peoples own homes across Devon.

Marie Curie is dependent on public donations and last year supporters helped the charity provide direct care to more than 44,200 people across the UK through overnight nursing care in peoples own homes and via its nine hospices.

The money raised also funds the charitys free support line and webchat, which is available to anyone with an illness theyre likely to die from and those close to them. It offers practical and emotional support on everything from symptom management and day-to-day care to financial information and bereavement support.

Georgia Brooks Marie Curie Community Fundraiser for Devon said: Whether youre an Arthur, an Aliyah, a Zoe or a Zayn  everyone deserves expert end of life care and support. The Great Daffodil Appeal, now in its 38th year, is a brilliant and fun way to join in and give back to our local community here in Devon whilst also helping us provide a vital service to those in the final chapter of their lives.

We have lots of collections taking place across Devon in February and March this year. Volunteering is super simple, and our team will be on hand to support you throughout to make sure you have everything you need, including the (optional) big yellow hat, and ensure its the best experience possible.

By giving up your time to collect this Great Daffodil Appeal, you will be helping Marie Curie continue to provide expert end of life care and support for people with any illness they are likely to die from. If youre interested, wed love to hear from you.

To find out more about how you can volunteer contact your local Community Fundraiser, Georgia 07515133895 / Georgia.brooks@mariecurie.org.uk
Texas National Guard works to place more barriers up at Shelby Park on the U.S.Mexico border, in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday said he will add more razor wire at the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent more illegal immigrants from entering the United States, coming after the U.S. Supreme Court sided with the Biden administration and allowed federal agents to cut the wire.

We are adding more razor wire as we speak right now to make sure that we are doing even more to secure the border, the Texas Republican said in an interview Thursday with Bloomberg TV.

The governor said his state has the authority to defy the U.S. government under the U.S. Constitution because its authorsthe Founding Fathersbelieved that there would be times when the federal government does not do its job and states have a right of self-defense.

Lt. Chris Olivarez, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, wrote that the states Operation Lone Star will keep its current posture of setting up razor wire and other barriers to block illegal immigration into the state.

The logical concern should be why the federal government continues to hinder Texas ability to protect its border, all while allowing for the exploitation, dangerous, & inhumane methods of permitting illegal immigrants, including children, to illegally cross a dangerous river where many have lost their lives, Mr. Olivarez said on social media.

On social media, the Texas Military Department recently posted pictures showing Texas National Guard members and Department of Public Safety officials adding more razor wire.

Mr. Abbots comment signals an escalation in a legal battle between the state of Texas and the federal government after Texas seized Shelby Park near Eagle Pass, while there are lawsuits against the Biden administrations recent moves to cut razor wire that was set up by the Texas National Guard. Texas also set up a floating barrier in the middle of the Rio Grande border crossing area, although a court ordered the state to remove that barrier.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with the Biden administration when it granted an emergency appeal to allow federal agents to cut the razor wire. The 54 order allows federal agents to only cut the razor wire, and it does not prohibit Texas from setting up the wire, some legal analysts have noted.

The Supreme Courts order did not provide an explanation. Those who voted in favor include Chief Justice John Roberts as well as Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Elena Kagan. Those who voted against include Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh.

That ruling set aside a lower court decision that blocked federal officials from cutting the wire, installed along the shore of the Rio Grande inside Texas. The order did not touch on a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in October to block agents from destroying or seizing the razor wire barriers.

As Mr. Abbott vowed to set up more razor wire, a spokesperson for the White House described it as a mere political stunt, which will make it harder and more dangerous for frontline personnel to do their jobs, according to a statement. Ultimately, we need adequate resources and policy changes to address our broken immigration system.

In a separate statement, Mr. Abbott accused the Biden administration of breaking its compact with Texas and other states because, according to him, the federal government currently is not enforcing federal laws protecting states, including immigration laws on the books right now. Regarding the U.S.-Mexico border situation, the Biden administration, he added, has refused to enforce those laws and has even violated them.

It comes as a top federal immigration official told The Associated Press last month that illegal crossings topped 10,000 during some days in December. Arrests for illegal crossings topped 2 million for the first time each of the U.S. governments last two budget years, reflecting technological changes that have increased global mobility that has prompted people to leave their homes.

Our officers and agents are responding to large groups of migrants, which means that some of our agents arent on the line, not really monitoring for some of those cuts, Troy Miller, U.S. Customs and Border Protections acting commissioner, told AP. If we dont have anybody to respond, then youre going to see what youre seeing.

Arrests of people in families neared 72,000 in the Tucson sector from Oct. 1 through Dec. 9, more than nine times the same period last year. Thats a big change from when almost all migrants were adult men. Arrests of non-Mexicans topped 75,000, nearly quadruple the number from a year ago and more than half of all sector arrests.

Republicans have said that the increase in illegal immigration is largely due to the Biden administrations lax policies, noting that early on in his term, President Biden rescinded a number of Trump-era immigration rules.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From The Epoch Times
Want to paint?

In the WhatsApp group shared by artist Imon Boy and his friends, that simple question is enough to kickstart the action. Armed with cans of paint and rollers, this young man sets out each morning to the chosen location. He chats there with his friends as they paint, snap photos with their hoodies up, and leave without a trace. Back in the tranquil solitude of home, Imon Boy reflects on life and transfers these thoughts onto canvas with deliberate strokes. Few know the identity of the artist who leaves his signature in every city he visits, and also exhibits in museums and galleries in Ibiza, Dubai, Los Angeles and London. Born in Malaga (southern Spain) in 1992, Imon Boy combines the furtiveness of street art with incognito appearances at gallery exhibitions of his work. That waiter actually follows me on social media, but he has no clue who I am, the artist says casually over breakfast at a nearby seaside cafe. He just returned from Havana where he recently took part in a collaborative project by the Figueroa-Vives Studio. Imon Boy will travel next to Hong Kong for his We Have it All exhibition, which runs from January 5 through February 3.

Like many other graffiti artists, including the famous Banksy, Imon Boy decided to remain anonymous out of safety concerns. No one  especially the police  would be able to associate him with his street art. Nowadays, he maintains this anonymity for convenience and peace of mind. He prefers not to be recognized or singled out for what he does or doesnt do. This leads to interesting situations, like when people occasionally introduce themselves as Imon Boy. He recalls a guy revealing to him that he was Imon Boy, and then began to explain the inspiration behind a recent piece they had just passed on the highway. So, when I got off, laughed Imon Boy, the driver, who actually knew me, told the guy, Man, you really screwed the pooch!

His real name remains a mystery, but his favorite places are no secret. He captures them in artwork where the Mediterranean presence is unmistakable, revealing his deep connection to the Costa del Sol. Sunsets, palm trees and beaches sprawl over his canvases, portraying sunbathers lazily whiling away the hours and snorkeling in the waters of his beloved Nerja coast. His paintings are a sort of diary, reflecting his daily life at home, on the coast or in the countryside. These are the places that energize him, where inspiration flows as he spends time with his friends  the same ones he had at 13 when he first picked up a can of spray paint. What started as a lark became a passion. He developed his own style, discovered new places to express himself, and explored various techniques along the way. But not without collecting many police warnings and fines. Almost everything you do on the street is illegal. But personally, I always go for spots that wont bother anyone. I dont go around painting cars, shop windows or any place where I wouldnt want to see graffiti myself, he said.

Imon Boy in front of of his pieces in Velez-Malaga, Spain. Garcia-Santos

He started by painting on walls, street furniture, platforms, breakwaters and abandoned houses. When he studied art at the University of Malaga, the experience expanded his perspective and gave him a more comprehensive understanding of the art world. That really helped me envision my work in other places, not just on the street, he said. He made his first sale in his early twenties. It was a drawing on paper made during one of his university classes. A young Swiss man who followed him on social media saw it and bought it for 100. That changed everything. All of a sudden, there was this unknown person who showed interest in my work and bought it, no middleman involved. It felt very pure. Imon Boy says he could probably sell that same piece today for $1,000.

He initially uploaded photos of his early work on Esflog and later on Fotolog. Instagram has now become his platform of choice, with over 76,000 followers. His first clients and offers from galleries came to him through direct messages on social media. In 2016, he made his debut with other artists in a Sydney gallery, and had his first solo exhibition in Cordoba (Spain) in 2017. Since then, he has exhibited in galleries all over the world, including Barcelona, Marbella, Chicago, Madrid, Geneva, London, Shanghai, Dubai, New York, Taiwan, Hawaii, Ibiza, Mexico, and Japan.

Nineties influences

Imon Boy had his solo debut exhibition in Asia on January 5 in Hong Kongs influential Aishonanzuka Gallery. The gallery has also exhibited work by Javier Calleja, another very successful artist from Malaga. He [Calleja] is someone who has helped me a lot. Not just because of the conversations weve had or the people Ive met thanks to him, but also because hes showing me whats possible. Hes opening a path that other artists of my generation are now following, he said. The We Have it All exhibition sums up Imon Boys work well. The pieces are like an album of summertime memories of Malaga  a popular vacation spot he is lucky enough to call home. He paints friends enjoying a beer at sunset, snorkeling in crystal-clear water, walking to the beach with surfboards, and taking late-night swims in the pool, all moments that exemplify the carpe diem spirit of his work.

Imon Boys subjects exude sympathy and innocence, embodying youthfulness shaped by the movies, video games and everyday life of the 1990s. They indulge in beach trips, music, phone browsing, reading, snorkeling, drawing, preparing for dates, and late-night fridge raids. Their experiences are enriched by picturesque and bucolic landscapes and vibrant sunsets. They could be my friends, or it could be me. Everything is open for interpretation, said Imon Boy. He has also turned some of his paintings into sculptures for his exhibitions and art objects sold by AllRightsReserved. The police make regular appearances in his work, and anecdotes about his run-ins with the law are a frequent artistic muse.

Imon Boy in front of another of his graffiti art pieces in Velez-Malaga, Spain. Garcia-Santos

Sketchbooks are scattered all over Imon Boys simple apartment. They show how he explores creative ways to express himself on walls, abandoned public works and old highway billboards. Only a few sketches make it onto the canvases in his living room, surrounded by jars, brushes and markers. His two cats, Benito and Pompon, roam around stealthily. The artists most recent paintings are in the Hong Kong exhibition, and will then be shipped for an exhibition in Barcelona in February.

Imon Boy is currently considering which other projects he wants to join in 2024. He has some doubts, but still he smiles because for the past four years, he has enjoyed the luxury of making his own choices and setting his own work schedule. Making a living from art can be challenging, but for now, Imon Boy is doing just that. Its not easy to pay rent and living expenses just from selling your work. Only a few people from my generation have managed to do it, and that really keeps me grounded, you know? Having the freedom to choose who I work with and set my own schedule, now thats real freedom, said the artist who now paints more on canvases than on walls. But he says hell never stop going out on the street or driving around in his camper plastered with stickers. Want to paint?

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June Squibb is perhaps the busiest 94-year-old in Hollywood. This year alone shell voice a role in Inside Out 2, head to New York to star in Scarlett Johanssons directorial debut and film a television series that she cant quite talk about just yet.

And for the first time in her rich and varied career which has brought her from the stage to an Oscar nomination at 84, she is the lead of a film, Thelma. Its a grounded but also Mission: Impossible-inspired comedy about a grandmother trying to get her money back from a phone scammer. Thelma goes on a scooter ride across Los Angeles, with the late Richard Roundtree in tow, to right the wrong.

My friends all laugh at me, like What are you doing next? Squibb said in an interview with The Associated Press. Sometimes I say to my agent, who is here, why are people still asking me to work? But I love it and I do it and its been great.

The charming film from first-time director Josh Margolin premiered Thursday at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, where it quickly became one of the must-sees. The filmmakers are looking for distribution partners at the festival.

I just knew that the minute I read it that I wanted to do it. Thats how I decide, because I truly read everything, Squibb said. I thought it was beautifully written. And I got excited about that scooter right away. I thought that would be a hoot to drive around on that.

Thelma is the name of Margolins grandmother, who was an inspiration for the story. Squibb was on his mind while writing, too, and it was a mutual friend, Beanie Feldstein, who connected them.

Beanie knows my sister and he knows my real grandma and she was like, Oh, you writing about your grandma? Its got to be June, Margolin said. I said, 'Yes thats exactly what I want.'

Feldstein had recently acted in  The Humans  with Squibb and texted her: Im going to send you a script. One read and a 30-minute conversation later and she was in.

In Thelma, shes a widow living alone in her beautiful apartment. Her family is busy living their own lives but also concerned about her and wondering when theyre going to be able to convince her to go into assisted living. Thelma is especially close with her grandson, played by The White Lotus Fred Hechinger, who feels personally responsible that his beloved grandmother has gone missing. Of course, the audience knows she hasnt simply wandered off  shes on a mission, which she knows well she has to do on her own as her family would never let her do anything that potentially dangerous. Its something that resonated for Squibb.

I think were all stronger than anyone thinks we are, in many different ways, Squibb said. I mean, I have friends that dont get out of the apartment, but they have strength in other areas.

Her accomplice in this is Roundtree, who is delightful in one of his last film roles as the owner of the scooter she so desperately needs. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died in October at age 81. Squibb hadnt known the Shaft star before Thelma. The first thing she said was, Its about time. Shes not entirely sure why she said it, but was glad that he thought it was funny.

He was so good and lovely. He was just a joy, Squibb said. And he would have gone on working. He was only in his early 80s.

Squibb loved shooting Thelma all over the Valley and Brentwood in Los Angeles, with co-stars like Parker Posey, Clark Gregg and Malcolm McDowell, who made a big impression in his two days on set. Hes a hell of an actor, she remembered telling her assistant.

We all knew, I think, that we were doing something special, she said. We had no idea that people would relate to it and react to it the way they are.

The real Thelma and Squibb have yet to meet, but theyd like to. She gave the actor a beautiful needlepoint pillow and theyve spoken over the phone about their favorite cop shows.

My favorites are the FBI on Tuesday night  all three of them, Squibb said. Oh, boy. You cant drag me away, I love them.

She doesnt seem too impressed with the leading lady designation. For her, it doesn't change the work and some of her favorite roles have been supporting, especially those in Alexander Payne's About Schmidt and Nebraska, for which she received her first Oscar nomination 10 years ago. Both were turning points in her career, she said.

I'm aware of what Alexander Payne did for me, she said. It made a tremendous difference.

One thing that hasnt changed is her refusal to watch dailies, the raw, unedited footage made during the making of a film.

Some editors go crazy with me because they try so desperately to get me to come in and watch whats been shot. And I will not do it. I just dont want to, she said. "When I worked with Jack Nicholson, he wanted me to come in. I said, No, Im not. My early training was on the stage and you really learn not to look at yourself. Dont think about yourself. You just do it. And I think Im sure thats probably what it is.

She has no trouble watching the finished product though  she can even dissociate and just watch it as a film. And shell keep working as long as she keeps finding interesting parts.

When I came out of the womb, I said, Im an actress. I did it at a very young age and I decided This is it. And I never varied from it or wavered, Squibb said. Its just something that I have always loved doing.
CROWN POINT  The case of an Ohio teenager accused of making threats to a Hobart school last year will be adjudicated in adult court, seven months after Porter County courts waived him to adult court for a similar case.

A Lake County juvenile court magistrate determined Ryan Krajewski, 17, of Medina, Ohio, would be more appropriately suited to stand trial as an adult because his alleged acts are part of a repeated pattern, according to a motion filed Wednesday. He faces felony intimidation and false reporting charges in Lake County and intimidation charges in Porter County in addition to another juvenile case in his home state. His juvenile case in Lake County was filed in August.

Magistrate Jeffrey Miller wrote in the order that Krajewski is beyond rehabilitation by the juvenile justice system and it is in the best interest of the safety and welfare of the community that he be charged as an adult.

Hobart High School administrators received a voicemail on Jan. 26, 2023 from an individual who said he was going to "blow up" the school. Schools in Valparaiso, Portage and Wheeler had received similar calls earlier that day. All the buildings were locked down until police determined the threat was not credible.

"You have an hour until I come into your school and blow everything the (expletive) up!" the caller said in a voicemail. "And I'm going to shoot everybody who remains. Do you understand? I'm not having a (expletive) good day here. So you can enjoy that."

Valparaiso police quickly developed a possible suspect and shared the name with Hobart detectives, according information in the motion. A Hobart detective used specialized software to trace the call to a location in Medina, Ohio, and compared his information with Valparaiso detectives. They recruited help from the United States Secret Service, who while executed search warrant at Krajewski's home and collected multiple pieces of technology. The agency will forensically search the items to determine they were used to place the threatening phone calls.

Detectives submitted an audio recording of the threatening calls made to both high schools to a forensic audio and video analyst who determined Krajewski was responsible for making the calls.

Defense attorney John Vouga expressed disappointment in the judge's order, but knew it wasn't an easy choice because Krajewski had already been waived to adult court in Porter County. Krajewski's waiver hearing in Lake County was held Nov. 15 and the judge issued his decision Wednesday.

"I believe the judge was in a difficult position," Vouga said. "The length of time which the court took to decide shows how difficult of a decision this was."

He said Krajewski has been out on bond in the Porter County case since June.

"I think the environment in juvenile court would have been better in this kind of case," Vouga said. "Services they provide are directed towards the youth. Whereas, in the adult courts, the only remedy is incarceration, and I don't believe that is appropriate in this case."

Krajewski's bail was set at $5,000 cash or $50,000 surety, online records show. Vouga said the next step for Krajewski is to surrender himself to Lake County.
LAPORTE  The arrest this week of a 28-year-old LaPorte man on a rape charge stemmed from a traffic stop Nov. 12 during which the officer noticed the female driver bleeding and claiming she had just been sexually assaulted, according to a now-unsealed court document.

The woman told police she had met up with a close friend, identified as Kyle Terusiak, earlier that day at a local pool hall and agreed to go with him to a small house party after which she claimed he raped her in her vehicle, LaPorte County police said.

The woman said while their sexual activity started consensually, she changed her mind but was unable to stop Terusiak from raping her, according to police.

Terusiak had consumed the illegal drug ecstasy and the woman admitted to using cocaine and drinking alcohol on the day in question, according to the charging document.

The pair went to a friend's house and consumed alcohol and then she drove him home where the alleged rape took place in the vehicle, the woman reportedly told police. The woman said she consensually took part in some sexual activity with Terusiak but he would not stop.

Judge reluctantly accepts plea in Region fraud case that could return $604,500 to victims "I don't believe that you're sorry," Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer said after 59-year-old Donald Johnson voiced regret for his actions.

"A man has never come on to me that aggressively before," she reportedly told police. "I guess I just let it happen because I didn't know what else to do."

Police said they received a call from Terusiak claiming he was falsely being accused of rape in what he called harassment.

He pointed out, as did the woman, that moments after the alleged rape, he asked her to drive back and return a bottle of alcohol he left in her vehicle and she did, police said.

Sex offender found at Valpo church with child; faces new charges, records show Adam Zuleger was found Tuesday at the Living Hope Church at 115 Calumet Ave. in the presence of the child who was also staying at the site, Valparaiso police said.

"If I did that to you why would you come back and bring my bottle?" he asked police.

Terusiak was arrested Tuesday and is charged with a felony count of rape that carries a potential sentence of three to 16 years in prison, records show.

Bond was set at $25,000 cash and he appeared to still be in custody Friday morning at the LaPorte County Jail.
The Indiana Senate has cleared a path for the Lake County Council to exercise direct oversight of annual spending by the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority.

Senate Bill 37, which now goes to the House, was unanimously approved by the Senate Thursday to ensure a local elected body can keep an eye on the taxpayer dollars being spent by the appointed county tourism board.

The sponsors of the measure, state Sens. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, and Dan Dernulc, R-Highland  both former Lake County Council members  said they believe the county's financial governing authority is the elected body best suited to keep tabs on SSCVA finances.

"I think there should be some type of review like this," Dernulc said.

The legislation does not automatically subject the SSCVA's annual budget to biding review and approval by the county council before it can take effect.

Instead, binding SSCVA budget review by the county council would go into force if the council agrees to increase the Lake County innkeeper's tax in connection with the development of a Lake County convention center.

Dernulc added the innkeeper's tax increase trigger to the legislation earlier this week. The measure still may be further revised next month when it's reviewed by the 100 state representatives.

In accordance with Senate Enrolled Act 434 (2023), the Lake County Board of Commissioners soon is expected to begin soliciting convention center proposals following completion of a feasibility study by the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority.

The state has pledged to put up $5 million a year to fund a Lake County convention center, provided the money is matched locally on an equal basis by the convention center's host community or another entity qualified to fund and operate a convention center.

Money for the state's share is set to come from the estimated $18 million a year the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary is due to begin paying Indiana starting July 1, 2025, when a tax break linked to the development of the land-based casino expires.

The statute also permits the Lake County Council to decide whether to increase up to 10% the county innkeepers tax thats sat at 5% since 1993 to create a reserve fund for convention center additions, refurbishment or similar expenses.

If the convention center ultimately moves forward, it will be overseen by a seven-member board supported by the RDA and regularly monitored by the State Budget Committee.

An initial decision on whether the county should begin development of a convention center project must be made by Dec. 1, 2024.

Meet the 2024 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago State Sen. Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr. State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage State Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville State Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point State Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie
Herbert Coward, the actor whose modest career included the small but memorable role of Toothless Man in the 1972 thriller Deliverance, was killed on Thursday in a motor vehicle accident in North Carolina. He was 85.

Mr. Coward died after he drove onto U.S. Highway 23 in Haywood County in the western part of the state and was struck by a truck, said Sgt. Marcus Bethea, a North Carolina State Highway Patrol spokesman. A passenger in Mr. Cowards vehicle, Bertha Brooks, 78, was also killed, as were a Chihuahua and pet squirrel, Sergeant Bethea said.

Mr. Coward, who lived in Canton, N.C., in Haywood County, was often seen with his pet squirrel, according to local news reports.
Jesse Jane, a onetime Hooters waitress and beauty pageant contestant who went on to star in the highest-budget series in pornographic film history, was found dead on Wednesday at a home in Oklahoma. She was 43.

The cause was believed to be a drug overdose, said Lt. Francisco Franco of the Moore Police Department in Moore, Okla. He said that officers responded on Wednesday morning for a welfare check at a house where Ms. Jane and her boyfriend, Brett Hasenmueller, had been staying. They were both found dead, Lieutenant Franco said, adding that the deaths remained under investigation.

Ms. Jane, with her sweeping blond hair, high-arched eyebrows and vivacious personality, was a defining pornography star in the early 2000s as the internet transformed the industry. She then crossed over into some mainstream productions.

She was a performer during an era where adult films were seen all over the world, and the promotions were massive, Brian Gross, a publicist for the industry, said in a text message to The New York Times. She made sure that she gave her all, not only in performing, but in promotion as well.
The House Ethics Committee on Thursday dropped its investigation into Representative Jamaal Bowman of New York for pulling a House fire alarm, but released a report that found his explanations less than credible and otherwise misleading.

Mr. Bowman, a Democrat, has repeatedly said that he pulled the alarm last September because he was rushing to make a vote to avert a government shutdown and mistakenly believed it would open a locked door. The false alarm prompted an evacuation of one of the main House office buildings.

But the 16-page report included previously unreleased encrypted text messages between the congressman and his staff that appeared to show he was not, in fact, on his way to vote at the time, but to an emergency meeting of the Democratic caucus.

And ethics investigators said video showed Mr. Bowman casually walking away without ever looking back to determine whether the alarm facilitated the opening of the emergency doors. He did not alert anyone to the false alarm, despite passing several police officers.
Recently, while browsing in the Museum of Modern Art store in New York, I came across a tote bag with the inscription, You are no longer the same after experiencing art. Its a nice sentiment, I thought, but is it true? Or to be more specific: Does consuming art, music, literature and the rest of what we call culture make you a better person?

Ages ago, Aristotle thought it did, but these days a lot of people seem to doubt it. Surveys show that Americans are abandoning cultural institutions. Since the early 2000s, fewer and fewer people say that they visit art museums and galleries, go to see plays or attend classical music concerts, opera or ballet. College students are fleeing the humanities for the computer sciences, having apparently decided that a professional leg up is more important than the state of their souls. Many professors seem to have lost faith too. Theyve become race, class and gender political activists. The ensuing curriculum is less How does George Eliot portray marriage? and more Workers of the world, unite!

And yet I dont buy it. I confess I still cling to the old faith that culture is vastly more important than politics or some pre-professional training in algorithms and software systems. Im convinced that consuming culture furnishes your mind with emotional knowledge and wisdom; it helps you take a richer and more meaningful view of your own experiences; it helps you understand, at least a bit, the depths of whats going on in the people right around you.

The novelist Alice Walker lamented that she lacked models. She wasnt aware of enough Black female writers who could serve as exemplars and inspirations as she tried to perceive her world and tell her stories. Then she found the novelist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, who, decades before, had pointed the way, shown her how to see and express, enabled her to write about her mothers life, about voodoo, the structures of authentic Black folklore. Thanks to Hurston she had a new way to see, a deeper way to connect to her own heritage.
FRONT PAGE

An article on Thursday about Republicans in Congress who are now endorsing Donald Trump after his New Hampshire primary win misquoted Senator John Thune, Republican of South Dakota. He stated he has always said he would support the eventual Republican Party presidential nominee, not that he would endorse the nominee.

A picture caption with an article on Jan. 19 about the U.S. funding of the atomic bomb misstated which structures remained in the area of Hiroshima immediately affected by the blast. Several structures beyond the frame of the photograph still stood; the structure pictured, now referred to as the A-Bomb Dome, was not the only one that remained. The caption also misstated the buildings current function. While it is known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, it does not house a memorial. It is instead one part of a larger Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and museum.

INTERNATIONAL

An article on Thursday about a U.N. shelter in Gaza that was struck by tanks misstated the day that the Israeli military ordered evacuations from parts of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, that included two hospitals. It was Tuesday, not Wednesday.

Because of an editing error, an article on Thursday about the ways that NATOs role has shifted since Russia invaded Ukraine misstated the number of years that the fighting in Ukraine has been underway. Its been nearly two years, not three.
For most people the pandemic is over. For arts institutions, were still in it.

PETER GEIB, the general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, on the company withdrawing nearly $40 million in additional funds from its endowment to cover expenses on top of the $30 million it took out last season. Page A17.
An opinion piece that you describe, praises or criticizes, on the whole or partly, to cultural or entertainment work. It must be written by an expert on the matter

For those who live in chains, freedom is a malleable concept. The horizon, far from being a flat line, can be drawn in the air from scratch, with the elasticity of free jazz. Hence, the music of freedom is not confined to melodious comforting songs, but can consist of saw-like pianos, discordant notes from wind instruments, such as saxophones, horns, flutes and clarinets, and choruses and cries that emerge from a range of tongues.

This notion of an open horizon is the theme of the recently released album Spiritual Healing: Bwa Kayiman Freedom Suite, by Montreal native Jowee Omicil, 46.

A virtuoso Canadian saxophonist and member of the Haitian diaspora, Omicil uses free jazz to recount how his ancestors fought for freedom to break the chains of slavery that had trapped them on the shores of West Africa, thereby laying the foundations of a new state.

In the case of Haiti, the slaves who escaped and hid in the mountains were known as the Maroons, scattering in the hidden corners of that region of America. It was they who laid the foundations of an island nation that managed to shake off its colonial past, using the language of Creole  a mix of French and African languages such as Wolof, Fon, Ewe, Kilongo, Yoruba and Igbo, with expressions from Taino languages (the Arawak) and other Native American tongues thrown in for good measure.

In fact, Haiti, which in Arawak means land of mountains, was the first Latin American country to proclaim independence, which it did in January 1804, following an abolitionist revolution initiated by Afro-descendants a decade earlier. It is precisely about these first revolts, known as Bois Bwa Caiman, that Omicil speaks of in his sixth album, which is a tribute to the essence of freedom.

That slave rebellion of August 14, 1791, in the Cayman Forest in what was then the French colony of Saint Domingue on the island of Hispaniola has become a healing ceremony for which Omicil summons the souls of the living and the dead to celebrate the courage and bravery it required. Because you have to tell your children how freedom was achieved, he says.

Known lately for his role in The Eddy, the series produced by La La Lands Damien Chazelle for Netflix and, in the jazz world, as Mr. BasH, Omicil explains that the making of this album in the summer of 2020 while confined to his home in Paris involved suffering and reciting certain texts while in a trance as he tried to capture the initiation rites of his ancestors and embrace the spectrum of West Indian diversity.

Drawing from the styles he learned at the prestigious American music college, Berklee, but also from street and contemporary sounds, Omicil, who has played with Branford Marsalis, Richard Bona, Marcus Miller, Wyclef Jean and Roy Hargrove, is convinced that truth is liberating. And his way of approaching that truth is through improvisation using his body, thereby accessing the doors opened by ancestral ritual. The result is an hour of music in 21 segments that are naturally integrated into what could be interpreted as a story of those revolts, complete with the first calls to clandestine meetings, the debate that ensued, the threats, the commitment to action and the dynamics of the struggle that accelerates with each step towards a new horizon.

Like many of the descendants of those enslaved who crossed the Atlantic against their will, Omicil knows that his ancestors arrived on the new continent accompanied by gods venerated in ancient African kingdoms, such as the kingdom of Dahomey  present-day Benin. From the voodoo and Yoruba rituals came spirits or Iwas who, in Haiti, are called Papa Legba or Eshu in Brazil, and who guard the borders between the present-day and a timeless universe, and allow exchanges between the visible and supernatural worlds.

That Afro-Atlantic 18th century universe was governed by Bantu-Kongo principles and, therefore, populated by people who fraternized from different shores and dimensions thanks to messengers providing communication between gods and men. For these messengers, time and space was no obstacle, and so it also ceased to be impassable for slaves. For example, one legend describes how Eshu killed a bird with a stone he threw yesterday. The poetry embedded in spirituality gave the slaves the courage to achieve radical change and is the source of inspiration from which Omicil seeks to nurture himself, several generations after his great-great-grandparents landed in the Caribbean. Helping him create the magic is Randy Kerber and Jonathan Jurion on piano, percussionists Arnaud Dolmen & Yoann Danier and Jendah Manga on bass.

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Relatives of tourists killed in the 2002 terrorist bombing in Bali, Indonesia, spoke of endless, devastating grief, and two prisoners who conspired in the attack renounced violence in the name of Islam on Thursday for a U.S. military jury assembled at Guantanamo Bay to deliberate their sentence.

The prisoners, Mohammed Farik Bin Amin and Mohammed Nazir Bin Lep, both Malaysians, pleaded guilty last week to war crimes charges for conspiring with an affiliate of Al Qaeda that carried out the attack. The bombings killed 202 people from 22 nations.

No God of any religion rewards such acts of horror, said Solomon Lamagni-Miller, 18, of London. He was born after his uncle, Nathaniel Dan Miller, 31, was killed in the bombing and read a statement written by the victims mother, his grandmother.

Christopher Snodgrass of Glendale, Ariz., said the loss of his daughter, Deborah, 33, in the bombing and other terrorist activities worldwide left him despising over 20 percent of the world population, Muslims. Im a religious person, and the hate-filled person I have become is certainly not what I wanted.
Former Representative Liz Cheney urged Nikki Haley to stay in the Republican primary race through Super Tuesday in an episode of Pod Save America that will be released on Friday. Ms. Cheney, an outspoken critic of former President Donald J. Trump, called his candidacy an existential threat to the nation and commended Ms. Haley for running against him, despite her long odds.

We need to make sure that were challenging him and working to defeat him at every step of the way. And right now, Nikki Haley is in this fight, and I think she ought to stay in it, Ms. Cheney said, according to a transcript of the interview shared with The New York Times.

Ms. Cheney has not endorsed a presidential candidate, and has teased the possibility of a third-party run herself. She didnt rule that out on the podcast, and she told Jon Favreau, the podcasts host and a former speechwriter in the Obama administration, that she certainly thinks a third-party candidate, whether her or someone else, will enter the race before November.

I think well see what happens, she said. You know, my No. 1 priority is defeating him and I think thats going to guide whatever ultimately I decide Im going to do.
One of Donald J. Trumps key allies inside the Republican National Committee withdrew a planned resolution to try to force the partys official body to say that the G.O.P. presidential nominating contest is effectively over, even though only two states have voted and Nikki Haley has vowed to continue her campaign against the dominant front-runner.

David Bossie, an R.N.C. committeeman from Maryland and a longtime Trump confidant, had proposed a draft resolution proclaiming Mr. Trump the partys presumptive nominee, according to two people with direct knowledge of his role in the effort.

But he withdrew the plan to push the resolution after Mr. Trump posted on his Truth Social website that he did not want such a measure.

While I greatly appreciate the Republican National Committee (RNC) wanting to make me their PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE, and while they have far more votes than necessary to do it, I feel, for the sake of PARTY UNITY, that they should NOT go forward with this plan, but that I should do it the Old Fashioned way, and finish the process off AT THE BALLOT BOX, he wrote.
Lawyers for former President Donald J. Trump on Thursday joined an effort to disqualify Fani T. Willis from leading the election interference case against Mr. Trump in Georgia, on the grounds that she created a conflict of interest by hiring her romantic partner to help prosecute the case.

Mr. Trumps lawyers also raised a new argument for ousting Ms. Willis, the Fulton County district attorney: that she violated state bar rules when she claimed in a recent speech that racism was behind the effort to remove her.

The relationship claim surfaced on Jan. 8 in a filing from Michael Roman, one of Mr. Trumps co-defendants in the Georgia case. Six days later, Ms. Willis, who is Black, gave a speech at a church in Atlanta in which she suggested that her critics were playing the race card by criticizing her hiring of the special prosecutor, Nathan J. Wade, who is also Black.

Ms. Willis has neither confirmed nor denied a relationship with Mr. Wade, though she has been ordered to provide a written response to Mr. Romans motion by next week.
The artist Richard Prince agreed to pay at least $650,000 to two photographers whose images he had incorporated in his own work, ending a long-running copyright dispute that had been closely monitored by the art world.

Two judgments filed on Thursday in New York awarded damages to the photographers, Donald Graham and Eric McNatt, and barred Prince from reproducing the photographs known as Rastafarian Smoking a Joint and Kim Gordon 1 (of the musician Kim Gordon).

Those images were part of a Prince installation, called New Portraits, in which he printed several Instagram photos on large canvases and added his own Instagram-style comments below them.

Grahams image was incorporated into a work referred to as Portrait of Rastajay92, which was exhibited at a New York gallery in 2014. McNatts image was used in a work referred to as Portrait of Kim Gordon, which was shown at a gallery in 2015.
Students on school trips to a Holocaust museum outside Detroit would stand riveted at one stark display: a Nazi officers black uniform with a red swastika armband, guns and a whip.

Some couldnt resist snapping selfies.

Now, however, the exhibit, at the Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills, Mich., has been redone as part of a major redesign. The showcase with the uniform is still there, but the view of those artifacts is partially blocked by photographs of German soldiers lounging at ease or leading Jews to mass shooting sites.

I dont want them to see this uniform without facing the truth of these people who wore these uniforms, said Mark Mulder, the museums curator and a scholar of what is called atrocity imagery.
In late 2010, on the verge of signing a contract to appear on a new reality TV series about fashionable young people in one of Londons wealthiest boroughs, Ollie Locke, then 23, had a moment of hesitation.

Locke  with his glossy hair falling past his shoulders, Queens English and predilection for wearing designer shirts open to the sternum  worried that he might be depicted as garish, affluent, out of touch with the common man. He voiced his concerns to an executive, Locke recalled in a recent interview, who reassured him by explaining that it was basically out of his control: The show could make Locke appear that way only if he already had those attributes.

When Made in Chelsea premiered in the spring of 2011, Locke had a starring role among a coterie of chic socialities. The show was a stylized observational documentary in the style of MTVs The Hills, and a consciously upper-class counterpoint to The Only Way Is Essex.  Made in Chelsea followed Locke and his circle as they navigated the often tumultuous ups and downs of friendships and relationships, all while dining at Londons swankiest restaurants, sipping cocktails at exclusive nightclubs and cheering on polo matches.
Distant plans for a postwar Gaza

What could happen to Gaza in the aftermath of Israels war? A clear line between war and peace in Gaza is deeply implausible, with Israeli forces likely to come in and out of the territory for a long time, and the future is murky at best, Steven Erlanger, our chief diplomatic correspondent, writes in an analysis.

Any sustainable settlement would most likely require a regional deal involving countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar and led by the U.S., Israels most trusted ally. Such a settlement would require new leadership both in Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as well as a deal to release Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees.

President Biden has said that he would like a revitalized Palestinian Authority eventually running Gaza as a stage toward an eventual two-state solution  an independent Palestine, largely demilitarized, alongside Israel and committed to a lasting peace. The prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has expressed strong opposition to a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu: The Israeli leaders vision is unclear. He continues to insist that Hamas will be destroyed and all the hostages released, but those goals seem more contradictory as casualties on both sides mount. He has also denied wanting to reoccupy Gaza for the long run, but insisted that Israel retain security control over both Gaza and the West Bank.
Just as senators were closing in on a deal that Republican negotiators said would constitute the most conservative border security bill in decades, Donald Trump was closing in on the G.O.P. presidential nomination.

And his vocal opposition to the compromise, which would also send tens of billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine, now threatens the chances of the entire package in a divided Congress.

Trumps twin primary victories have forced Republicans to once again fall in line. Now, he is wielding a heavier hand over his partys agenda in Congress than at any other time since leaving office.

Republicans are in a quandary, Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader, told his conference in a closed-door meeting on Wednesday, according to lawmakers who attended. What was supposed to be the sweetener for conservatives opposed to sending tens of billions of dollars to Ukraine had become as politically treacherous as the foreign aid itself, he said. Trumps growing influence was dividing Republicans on an issue that once united the party.
The Biden administrations decision to delay approval of new liquefied natural gas terminals in the United States has been hailed as a major victory for environmental advocacy groups, but it is creating unease outside the United States about future energy supplies.

I think U.S. allies and trade partners will have some concerns about this, because in the past two years U.S. L.N.G. exports have been a real boon to global energy security, said Ben Cahill, a senior fellow in the energy security and climate change program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a research institution in Washington.

The Biden administrations move on Friday to pause the permitting process for new liquefied natural gas export facilities is not expected to have an impact on global gas supplies soon. But it could create uncertainty, especially in Europe, which has only recently weathered a major energy shock after Russias invasion of Ukraine almost two years ago.

Interruptions of gas supplies from Russia in 2022 contributed to soaring energy prices in Europe, especially for electric power, that hurt businesses and consumers and pushed governments to spend heavily to ease energy bills. Tankers full of liquefied gas from the United States helped mitigate what could have been a dire situation.
It is increasingly difficult to keep our money safe and not fall into the trap of cloned websites. In recent months, fake stores that imitate well-known brands have grown considerably, such as Hoff, Lefties, Abercombrie, Adidas, Asics, Billabong and Converse. The extensive list goes on. These pages proliferate in times of high commercial demand and, above all, sales season, although it is a constant threat throughout the year, acknowledge financial sources. They all have something in common and that is that they usually feature products at very low prices in order to attract victims. Police note that criminals post ads on social platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, which redirect the user to the fraudulent website in just one click.

Scammers copy the design and interface of legitimate stores. They use names very similar to those of the original brand, introducing or eliminating a barely perceptible character, or registering the page under domains with a .shop ending. I placed two orders on the Leftiess.shop website believing it was the original website, recalls one victim on the website of Spains consumer association OCU. In addition, thieves use SSL certificates that encrypt the data and use the HTTPS protocol, which in turn displays a padlock in the navigation bar, which until now was believed to be an indicator of a trusted site.

The help of artificial intelligence

The pandemic accelerated the rise of e-commerce, which in turn created new opportunities for cybercriminals. Furthermore, we foresee that this trend will continue and that thanks to tools that use artificial intelligence, the fake stores will increase in quality, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish them from the real stores, says Luis Corrons, from the security software company Avast.

When victims of fake businesses realize the fraud, they must act quickly. You must first contact the bank to inform and stop future transactions and change your passwords, warns Corrons. Once the entity is notified, the affected party does not have to accept any charges for unauthorized operations that may occur from that moment on. It is important to keep all the information related to the fraud, such as screenshots of the website, emails or any other messages that could help prove how it was committed. The next step is to file a complaint with law enforcement.

Financial sources emphasize that while banks do everything possible to safeguard the interests of clients, it is not easy to recover the money that was paid for the purchased item, even if it is a scam. Clients could also check whether their credit card has some type of insurance associated with it allowing them to claim money back. In the U.S., victims can file a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and/or report the instance to the Federal Bureau of Investigations Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Experts at the law firm Legalitas have also noticed a surge in this type of fraud since the pandemic, and note consumers have the obligation to know the company with which they are contracting, that is, if it is a company of recognized prestige that operates in the market and if it is legally established, says Araceli Duran, a lawyer specializing in consumer affairs at the firm.

Other sources advise people not to be in a hurry to make a purchase, to be wary of excessive discounts, look for comments on the website and check that the purchase data seems correct, especially the destination bank account and the amount. The police recommend double-checking that the name of the store is spelled correctly in the URL and paying attention to poor quality images, poorly translated texts or misspellings.
JPMorgan Chase is reshuffling its leadership team, a move that many consider a succession plan even though its longtime chief executive, Jamie Dimon, has signaled he is staying put.

Mr. Dimon, 67, has been head of what is now the largest bank in the United States for nearly two decades, and repeatedly brushed off suggestions that he might step aside. The specter of his eventual departure, however, hangs over JPMorgan as outsiders question whether he might run for public office or serve in a presidential administration.

In a memo to employees Thursday, JPMorgan muddied the matter further. Daniel Pinto, the banks chief operating officer and Mr. Dimons deputy, is surrendering his title as head of the corporate and investment bank. Mr. Dimon said he and Mr. Pinto would continue to jointly manage the company.

Mr. Pintos former responsibilities will be split by Jennifer Piepszak and Troy Rohrbaugh, who will serve as co-chief executives of an expanded commercial and investment bank that brings several lines of the company into one unit. Other banks, including Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, have also simplified their operations in an effort to focus on their highest-earning units, particularly after last springs regional banking crisis hammered lenders that had expanded too quickly.
Theres a shift underway in Asia thats reverberating through global financial markets.

Japans stock market, overlooked by investors for decades, is making a furious comeback. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index is edging closer to the record it set on Dec. 29, 1989, which effectively marked the peak of Japans economic ascendancy before a collapse that led to decades of low growth.

China, long an impossible-to-ignore market, has been spiraling downward. Stocks in China recently touched lows not seen since a rout in 2015, and Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index was the worst-performing major market in the world last year. Stocks stemmed their slide only when Beijing recently signaled its intention to intervene but remain far below previous highs.

This year was set to be a tumultuous one for global markets, with unpredictable swings as economic fortunes diverge and voters in more than 50 countries go to the polls. But theres one unforeseen reversal already underway: a change in perception among investors about China and Japan.

Seizing on this shift, Japans prime minister, Fumio Kishida, addressed more than 3,000 global financiers gathered in Hong Kong this week for a conference sponsored by Goldman Sachs. It was the first time a Japanese prime minister had given a keynote address at the event.
JetBlue Airways said on Friday that it might back out of a $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines after a federal judge blocked the deal.

The announcement came just a week after JetBlue and Spirit had said they would appeal the decision, which was made in an antitrust case brought by the Justice Department.

In a regulatory filing on Friday, JetBlue said the deal could be terminated after Sunday if certain conditions werent met. Spirit said in its own filing that it disagreed with JetBlue and believed there is no basis for terminating the deal.

A federal judge in Boston blocked the proposed merger on Jan. 16, ruling that Spirit plays an important role in keeping airline fares low and that a takeover by JetBlue would hurt travelers. The ruling was a win for the Justice Department, which under President Biden has sought to limit corporate consolidation across the economy.
Even as the Biden administration, under pressure from environmentalists, hits pause on its approval of a major natural gas export terminal in the United States, it faces another big gas decision overseas.

A $13 billion natural gas export project in Papua New Guinea led by TotalEnergies and Exxon Mobil is on a shortlist of projects set to receive financing from the U.S. Export-Import Bank, or Ex-Im, which supports American businesses around the world.

The Papua LNG gas project would join a portfolio of oil and gas projects the bank funds, including an oil refinery in Indonesia and an oil tank project in the Bahamas. The bank is also considering financing an offshore pipeline and natural gas plants in Guyana.

Some climate activists see a big contradiction between climate actions the government is taking in the United States versus around the world.
The Department of Justice concluded that former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York and his executive staff subjected female employees to a sexually hostile work environment, and then retaliated against several who complained, according to a settlement announced on Friday.

The findings appear to largely substantiate the investigation by the New York attorney general, Letitia James, who concluded that Mr. Cuomo had sexually harassed 11 women, amid a culture of fear and intimidation. Mr. Cuomo, who denied having sexually harassed anyone, resigned in August 2021, shortly after the release of Ms. Jamess report.

Since his departure, Mr. Cuomo has engaged in a multipronged campaign to discredit the report and Ms. James as being politically motivated, and has been slowly maneuvering toward re-entering political life.

But Mr. Cuomos efforts may be sharply compromised by the Justice Departments investigation, which determined that he repeatedly subjected women who worked for him to unwelcome sexual contact, comments and looks, and gave preferential treatment to some women based on their physical appearance.
In 1979, five years before he died and four years after his exile from the Upper East Sides social cockpit, Truman Capote appeared on a talk show as a friend of the common man. The host, David Susskind, remained unpersuaded. You are always on peoples yachts and in great mansions on Long Island, he pointed out. The thing in Spain with the Pamplona bull runs. Come on.

Capote gave up, reverting to a defense of his affection for the moneyed class. It had come to define him as much as his written work, the output of which had notoriously stalled after the publication of In Cold Blood in 1966. I like rich people, Capote said, because they arent always trying to borrow something from me.

The joke sprang from the underbrush, inadvertently poignant. If Capote was not on loan, he was there  at the most rarefied parties and dining halls, as the favored guest at Cap Ferrat  to be bartered. The terms of the exchange were relatively simple: his wit and company, his brocaded stories and dazzlingly foul mouth, traded for the devotion of the thin, beautiful, unhappily married women, up and down Fifth Avenue, who were still wearing white gloves past Stonewall and Woodstock, past Watergate and the fall of Saigon.

This world and the writers place in it has come up for re-evaluation with the arrival of Feud: Capote vs. the Swans, an eight-part television series on FX. The impressive cast includes Naomi Watts, Demi Moore and Diane Lane as women who contained their subversions to bed, sleeping with men who were not their husbands, and to lunch with Truman  Tru  Manhattans most celebrated gay confidant.
My insistence is what has prevented  over the years  the establishment of a Palestinian state that would have constituted an existential danger to Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday. As long as I am prime minister, I will continue to strongly insist on this.

There is politics here, as everywhere. A two-state solution is dismally unpopular in Israel. A Gallup poll found backing for it among 25 percent of Israelis. The Israel Democracy Institute posed the question to Jewish Israelis with even more torque: Would you support a two-state solution if it were the only way to continue receiving American assistance? A majority said no.

Perhaps the only thing as unpopular in Israel right now as a two-state solution is Netanyahu himself. A recent Maariv poll found 28 percent of Israelis believe Netanyahu is still suited to be prime minister. If elections were held today, his party would be crushed. There are few paths to victory, much less absolution, for him, but this is one of the few that might work: persuade Jewish Israelis hes the only leader tough enough to beat back American and European pressure to form a Palestinian state.

But consider Netanyahus boast. He is not just saying he opposes a Palestinian state now. He is saying he has opposed it for years. That he has worked to make it impossible. That he has succeeded.
Back in 2012, long before Nikki Haley hit the presidential campaign trail  and years before Hillary Clinton faced off against Donald Trump  Ms. Haley, then the governor of South Carolina, told this newspaper, The reason I actually ran for office is because of Hillary Clinton.

Everybody was telling me why I shouldnt run, she elaborated. I was too young, I had small children, I should start at the school board level. I went to Birmingham University, and Hillary Clinton was the keynote speaker on a leadership institute, and she said that when it comes to women running for office, there will be everybody that tells you why you shouldnt, but thats all the reasons why we need you to do it, and I walked out of there thinking, Thats it. Im running for office.

Ms. Haley hasnt been keen on sharing her political origin story of late: Just this month she denied ever saying that Mrs. Clinton was an inspiration, as her male primary opponents were trying to weaponize her words against her. But there is a fresh poignancy to her anecdote and her experience these days as her candidacy has struggled to catch fire, especially in light of what I saw and heard at her events in the closing days of the New Hampshire primary this week.

At every stop, Haley supporters expressed their longing for a younger, fresher face in the White House. Several of them specifically noted how great it would be to have the first woman president come from the Republican Party. (These folks really, really hated the idea of Kamala Harris claiming the honor of being the first female president.) At the same time, there was often an equivocal or even embarrassed tinge to any talk of Ms. Haley breaking that glass ceiling  an ambivalence about emphasizing gender that the candidate herself seems to share.
Technically speaking, Donald Trump is still far from winning the Republican presidential nomination, but his victory on Tuesday in the New Hampshire primary was enough to push the Republican National Committee off the sidelines and into his corner.

I do think there is a message that is coming out from the voters which is very clear. We need to unite around our eventual nominee, which is going to be Donald Trump, and we need to beat Joe Biden, Ronna McDaniel, the R.N.C. chairwoman, said in a recent interview on Fox News.

Other high-profile Republicans, like Senator John Cornyn of Texas, have followed suit, endorsing the former president even as he still has an opponent, Nikki Haley, in the nomination contest. To beat Biden, Republicans need to unite around a single candidate, and its clear that President Trump is Republican voters choice, Cornyn said on the X website.

But at least one Republican has, unsurprisingly, sounded a sour note about the prospect of another candidacy for Trump. When I have people come up to me who voted for Reagan in 76 and have been conservative their whole life say that they dont want to vote for Trump again, thats a problem, said Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who recently left the race for president (and who also endorsed Trump). So hes got to figure out a way to solve that. I think theres an enthusiasm problem overall, and then I also just think there are some voters that have checked out at this point that you got to find a way to get them back.
One night in November, a procession of young artists, critics and curators climbed the creaky stairs of a building in Chinatown in Lower Manhattan to attend an opening at a buzzy little gallery, Ulrik. The show, Bettina: New York 196586, was made up of rarely seen photographs and sculptures by an enigmatic artist who lived for five decades at the fabled Chelsea Hotel, where she created her works in a cluttered fifth-floor apartment until her death in 2021.

Writers for Artforum and Frieze pushed through the crowd to get glimpses of the black-and-white street photography. Students from Pratt Institute drank cans of Budweiser as they studied the wavelike wood sculptures. A Museum of Modern Art curator watched grainy footage of the artist in 1976 while she filmed herself taking the very photos of Manhattan skyscrapers now displayed in the exhibit.

The shows gallerists, Anya Komar, 37, and Alex Fleming, 39, sold three pieces right out of the gate. A few of Bettinas old Chelsea Hotel neighbors showed up, including her longtime caretaker, Rachel Cohen, a jewelry and eyewear designer who has lived in the building since the 1970s.

Everyone at the Chelsea Hotel knew Bettinas art needed to be appreciated, but for some reason, it didnt happen for her, Ms. Cohen, 74, said after the opening. So that night at the gallery seemed impossible to me. Everyone was so young and different. I was happy to see her art appreciated. Bettina wasnt an easy person. She was rarely delighted by anything, but I think she would have loved it.
Raji Sourani (Gaza, 1953) left the Strip over a month ago when his house was bombed  but his mind and heart are still there. I never wanted to leave, but I had no choice. They would have killed me, he repeats, as though needing to justify the decision. Sourani, who spoke with EL PAIS upon his recent arrival to Madrid, is a lawyer and the founder and director of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), which has worked since 1995 to document the impacts of the Israeli occupation. He is also a member of the South African delegation that has accused Israel of committing genocidal acts before the U.N. International Court of Justice (ICJ) and has requested the implementation of precautionary measures to halt the ongoing military offensive in Gaza.

Israeli attacks have killed more than 25,000 Palestinians in Gaza since the Islamist movement Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, carried out an unprecedented assault on Israeli territory, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping over 200 others.

Despite his more than 40 years of experience, Sourani still cries when he talks about the thousands of wounded who will die if they dont receive adequate medical attention, or the corpses eaten by dogs in the ruins of Gaza, or the families sleeping in the streets with no food to feed their children. Hes exhausted, but he cant stop. After travelling to The Hague he went to Brussels, and from Madrid he will travel to Dublin, aware that time is running out. Running out, he says, for the Gazans who will eventually have no choice but to make a desperate attempt to force entry into Egypt, and for the West, which risks paying a very high price for its inaction.

Question. Whats your reading of what happened at The Hague on January 11?

Answer. South Africa made history. A country that bears immense moral and legal weight, as the very embodiment of resistance to apartheid, accused Israel of genocidal acts before the ICJ, the most important court in the world, by invoking a convention created precisely to prevent another Holocaust. This is historic. The legal team presented a masterful overview of the facts, which are incontestable, as well as Israels genocidal intentions in committing them, which were also proved beyond any doubt. They were able to do this because the Israelis are arrogant and believe theyre above international law, which led officials, including the president, the prime minister and others, to openly say that they were going to cleanse Gaza, that they were going to deprive us of water, food, electricity and fuel, that there are no innocent people in Gaza, that were all animals. The evidence is irrefutable.

Q. You participated as a member of the legal team, but you are also a witness.

A. Yes, thats right. The South African lawyers contacted me because were colleagues, because they know my work and the work of the PCHR. And because they needed us, given our ties with Irish lawyer Blinne Ni Ghralaigh. Ireland, Palestine and South Africa speak the same language, we have the same spirit.

Q. Are you hopeful about the courts decision? Is there a risk it might be influenced by political interests?

A. No one can question the integrity of the judges in The Hague. They are committed professionals with a ton of experience, and theyre carefully selected. This case is not some farce, its a real case, and a very well-founded one. Ive been practicing law for 43 years and I can say with confidence that the case presented is airtight. I think that the court will rule, at the most, on the precautionary measures weve requested: ending the aggression and allowing entry of humanitarian aid. [The ICJs ruling on precautionary measures is expected this Friday]. A decision on the merits of the case, on the accusation of acts of genocide, may take one or two years, at least.

Q. But even with that decision pending, you dont have any qualms about using the word genocide.

A. We say it loud and clear: this is a genocide. And if people went to Gaza, they would see for themselves that it goes even beyond that, because of the way people are killed, the way everything is being destroyed, how people are being pushed to the limit. Gazans die many times a day in different ways. No one in Gaza knows if theyll still be alive in an hour. Ive witnessed several wars and documented them, but I never imagined something like this. I never imagined there could exist, in the minds of the Israelis, the intention to carry out even 5% of what Ive seen happen in Gaza since October 7.

Q. What is your last memory from Gaza?

A. My broken heart as I fled south with only the clothes on my back. I never wanted to leave, and to this day I blame myself for leaving. The night my house was bombed, I looked into my wifes eyes and said to myself: Its happening. These are our last hours. And you feel useless, you cant do anything and you see it all fading away. They bombed the area for over two hours until a bomb hit our house. I still dont know how we got out. We fled with our passports and nothing else. I had no choice. Im sure I would have been killed. I came back two days later just to see what my house looked like, and its clear that it was intentional. During these past 100 days and more of war, Israel has carried out strikes against very precise targets. Eventually I was able to cross the border to Egypt thanks to the help of some friends, both inside and outside of Gaza. They convinced me that I was more useful alive.

Q. Unlike in 2006, 2008 or 2014, this time neither you, nor the majority of people in Gaza, have a home to return to.

A. There are no houses, there are no streets... This is all very deliberate. But people will come back, even if its to tents. And so will I. I think 70 to 80 percent of the people in the Strip will want to go back. But if Gazans dont come out on the other side of this war with justice and dignity, the West will pay a very high price. The law of the jungle applied by Israel is a two-way street, and anger at the West is growing. Thats why this has to stop now. Because the international communitys complicity with Israel will come with a cost. One cannot eternally render the executioner as victim and vice versa.

Q. But the shelling is relentless, even in Rafah, in the south, where the vast majority of Gazas population has been displaced on Israels orders.

A. Every day, 300 to 700 people die in the Gaza Strip. Israel can easily make that number jump to 3,000 to 5,000, and then people who are in Rafah will start jumping the border and Egypt wont shoot them, because they cant shoot them. Why hasnt this happened yet? Because were resilient people. Israel has not succeeded, for example, in displacing the entire population to the south, as it originally intended. There are still tens of thousands of people in the north. And its also suffering significant military losses.

Q. Last Friday, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, accused Israel of having financed Hamas for years in an effort to undermine Palestine.

A. The EU and the U.S. have the blood of Palestinians in Gaza on their hands. They have given Israel full political support, backed Israel with vetoes against a ceasefire, and have bought the line that this all started on October 7, when really it started 75 years ago. They also backed Israels position that it has the right to defend itself. Since when does an occupying belligerent power have that right? These countries are witnessing war crimes, are witnessing a genocide happen in real time, and are choosing to ignore it? Support a ceasefire now! Sanction Israel. Europe has to take a clear position and call for this genocide to stop. Theyre fully capable of it.

Q. And this will be your message to the Spanish officials you plan to meet with?

A. It seems like what Europe was saying is: Palestinian pain doesnt matter; we dont care about their suffering. But Spain, Belgium, Ireland and Luxembourg have said no, this is not the case. When Pedro Sanchez and the Prime Minister of Belgian went to the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, they sent a strong message. We need more governments to wake up, we need to go further and secure a ceasefire. Were here in Madrid, speaking in comfort; meanwhile, people are going without food and water in Gaza. Yesterday, several thousand people sheltering in schools were forced to flee. Where are they now? We may be a resilient people, but everyone has a limit.

Q. Does Israels bombing have any effect on support for Hamas in Gaza?

A. I dont care about Hamas. And neither do the people. On the streets of Rafah, parents are just trying to protect and feed their children. Israel is pressuring civilians, trying to convince them that Hamas is to blame for all this, for the October 7 attacks, and its perfectly understandable that there are Palestinians who feel that way. But the Israeli offensive has made it clear that Hamas isnt just some small gang of thugs. If it were, this would all have been over in two weeks.

Q. While the world is focused on Gaza, the situation in the West Bank is also worsening.

A. When we use the term genocide, were not just talking about Gaza  it applies to the West Bank and Jerusalem as well. Genocide doesnt just mean killing someone, it means forcing them to lose their identity. To make Palestinians literally cease to exist. Israel is carrying out raids and offensives in various parts of the West Bank, where there are also dozens of dead. And these attacks are not just against Hamas. There, too, the ground is slowly being prepared for mass displacement. We cant take it anymore. We have a right to live in peace, to have a job, to educate our children Its not possible to be constantly terrorized with the threat of a new war, to feel that were hanging on by a thread and that were alive almost as if by accident.

Translated by Max Granger.

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For more than a decade, the pioneers of the cryptocurrency industry envisioned digital coins as an alternate branch of finance, a renegade sector that would operate outside the reach of big banks and government regulators.

But as digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ether became more mainstream, the crypto industry collided with a 1946 Supreme Court decision that created what is known as the Howey Test, a legal analysis that determines when a financial product becomes subject to the same strict rules as stocks and bonds.

In recent years, regulators have seized on that legal precedent to argue that cryptocurrencies are just another security, like shares of Apple or General Motors. The crypto industry has fought back, leaving it in a legal gray zone with an uncertain future in the United States.

Now the long-running dispute is edging closer to a resolution, as federal judges begin weighing in on a series of lawsuits by the nations top securities regulator against some of the largest crypto firms. This month, judges held hearings in two of the most consequential cases, which could dictate whether the multitrillion-dollar crypto industry can continue growing in the United States.
Zoomers, the new play written and directed by Matthew Gasda, explores the specific milieu of artsy 20-something transplants, largely the same population that frequents the Greenpoint loft of the Brooklyn Center for Theater Research, where the show is currently running.

Its immediately clear that the 30-something Gasda, whose 2022 play Dimes Square captured the crowd of artists, writers and scenesters in New York Citys downtown, has spent significant time observing his younger subjects. With the exception of a few awkward phrases, his naturalistic play captures the way Gen Z talks.

Zoomers opens with three roommates ambling around their Brooklyn apartment in Bushwick, a land where shaggy hair is a personality trait and hard kombucha might as well be on tap. Michael (Jonah OHara-David), Jacob (Henry Lynch), and Jada (Renee-Nicole Powell) are recovering from a night of respective drinking, smoking weed and existential dread. The cure for their ills? Intense rounds of Super Smash Bros.

The video game is their other vice. For the emotionally stunted Jacob in particular, its a pleasurable escape whenever conversations get too heated. Any time characters dare to reveal their anguish  Michaels commute is interrupted when a man jumps in front of the L train; Jada dreams of metastasizing tumors in her eyes  their traumas are swept aside by a call to play Smash or a damning accusation of killing the vibes. It is not until the penultimate scene of the play, when a new roommate named Ella (Sophia Englesberg) presses her much older architect boyfriend (George Olesky) about his emotional detachment, that we see any of the characters scale the hump of adversity and land somewhere close to catharsis.
The race for the Republican presidential nomination is not quite over  notwithstanding what Donald Trump and many Republican leaders have asserted since Trumps victory in New Hampshire on Tuesday. Nikki Haley is still running and attacking the former president as she moves around South Carolina, which will hold its Republican primary on Feb. 24.

But for all that, its never too early to cast an eye on another competition playing out in the background: the early race for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, in particular the contest between Trumps two strongest rivals, Haley and Ron DeSantis.

How Haley, the former United Nations ambassador, and DeSantis, the governor of Florida, emerge from this contest, and particularly how they manage their relations with Trump, could have significant bearing on how they are positioned to run in 2028, should they decide to jump into the presidential pool again, as they are widely expected to do.

If Trump secures the nomination and wins in November, the 22nd Amendment says he will have to leave the White House after the 2028 election. If he loses in 2024, he could run again in 2028; at that point, though, he would be a two-time loser.
Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, who has complained that his states higher education isnt working, proposed on Friday a sweeping overhaul of the states sprawling college and university system that would reduce tuition for many students and determine funding for individual schools based in part on their performance.

The plan would consolidate 10 of Pennsylvanias state universities and all 15 of its community colleges under one governance umbrella, boost state funding for public higher education, and allow students with low to middle incomes to pay only $1,000 a semester in tuition.

Most of the plan would not affect Pennsylvanias best-known public universities, including Penn State, Pittsburgh and Temple.

After 30 years of disinvestment, too many of our colleges and universities are running on empty, and not enough students have affordable pathways into good jobs, Mr. Shapiro said in a statement.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken wrapped up a four-nation tour through Africa on Thursday with a visit to Angola, an oil-rich former Cold War battleground that has become the site of a struggle for 21st-century economic influence.

During his visit to the coastal capital, Luanda, Mr. Blinken spotlighted major American investments in Angola, including more than $900 million for solar energy projects and $250 million to upgrade a rail corridor that carries critical minerals, including cobalt and copper, from central Africa to Angolas Atlantic port of Lobito.

Those solar investments help to advance President Bidens climate agenda while the transportation improvements further his goal of diversifying American supply chains  in part to reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese control of the vital ingredients for a modern economy.

Just over 20 years since the end of Angolas civil war, which left perhaps as many as one million people dead, the country has rebuilt, modernized and developed friendly relations with Washington, which once funded rebels against a government backed by the Soviet Union and Cuba.
A Kenyan court on Friday prohibited the deployment of 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti, jeopardizing a multinational security force charged with stabilizing the chaos-hit Caribbean island nation before it even got off the ground.

The force, which is backed by the United Nations and financed by the United States, had been stalled since October, when Kenyan opponents of the mission challenged it in court, calling it unconstitutional. The High Court upheld those arguments on Friday, throwing into doubt the latest international effort to rescue an impoverished country that is spiraling ever deeper into violence and instability.

An order is hereby issued prohibiting the deployment of police officers to Haiti or any other country, Justice Chacha Mwita said at the conclusion of a judgment that took over 40 minutes to read.

The international force was meant to help break the grip of the armed gangs that control most of Haitis capital, Port-au-Prince, and that have turned Haiti into one of the worlds most dangerous nations. Haitis government has pleaded for foreign military forces to restore order, but the United States and Canada have been unwilling to commit their own troops.
Venezuelas highest court ruled on Friday that a top opposition leader cannot run for president, dealing a crippling blow to prospects for credible elections that the government had agreed to hold this year in exchange for the lifting of crippling U.S. economic sanctions.

The courts decision bars the opposition figure, Maria Corina Machado, from taking part in an election for 15 years, upholding the Venezuelan governments decision to exclude Ms. Machado over what it claimed were financial irregularities that occurred when she was a national legislator.

The move comes after Ms. Machado overwhelmingly won an opposition primary election for president that was held in October without official government support and in which more than 2.4 million Venezuelans voted. Analysts say Ms. Machado poses the biggest electoral threat to President Nicolas Maduro.

In a post on the social media platform X, Ms. Machado said on Friday that Mr. Maduro and his criminal system chose the worst path for them: fraudulent elections. She added, What is NOT ending is our fight to conquer democracy through free and fair elections.
When the owner of an underground club in Kyiv reached out to Western musicians to play in Ukraine, long before the war, there were not so many takers.

But an American from Boston, Mirza Ramic, accepted the invitation, spawning a lasting friendship with the clubs owner, Taras Khimchak.

I kept coming back, Mr. Ramic, 40, said in an interview at the club, Mezzanine, where he was preparing for a performance during a recent tour of Ukraine.

The country, he said is one of the places that has welcomed me most and been the most supportive of my music. And so especially after the Russian invasion two years ago, he added, I wanted to come now, to show my support in these hard times.
Officials in Israel on Friday denounced the International Court of Justices order seeking to prevent genocidal acts in its offensive against Hamas in Gaza but also expressed relief the court did not order it to halt its military campaign.

Israeli officials had feared the judges would order an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, as South Africa had requested in its initial petition. The U.N. court ultimately ordered Israel to act to ensure that its soldiers and leaders were adhering to the 1948 U.N. genocide convention, but stopped short of demanding an end to the war.

Israel has strongly rejected the accusation that it is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. After the interim ruling on Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at the court.

The very notion that Israel is perpetrating genocide is not only false, it is outrageous, and the courts willingness to discuss it is a mark of shame that will last for generations, Mr. Netanyahu said.
Palestinian American plaintiffs asked a federal judge in California on Friday to force the White House to withdraw U.S. support for Israel pending a cease-fire in Gaza and accused President Biden and other administration officials of abetting a genocide of the Palestinian people.

In more than two hours of testimony before Judge Jeffrey White in U.S. District Court in Oakland, plaintiffs in the unusual lawsuit expressed grief and outrage, choking back tears as they spoke of their loved ones who have been killed in Gaza.

One Palestinian immigrant, who lives in Fairfield, Calif., said seven members of his family had been killed in airstrikes in Gaza, including the children of a cousin who is like a brother to me. Another, living in San Ramon, Calif., said his family had lost more than 100 members, and a single Israeli attack had killed his cousin, his cousins son, and 14 members of a neighbors family.

The testimony came in the second judicial proceeding in a day to frame Israels bombardment of the embattled Palestinian enclave as a potentially grave violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention. Hours earlier, the United Nations highest judicial body ordered Israel to prevent genocidal acts by its forces, as part of that courts consideration of formal charges that Israels response to Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Oct. 7 was crafted to deny Palestinians the right to exist.
Members of an Iraqi Shiite militant group carry the coffin during the funeral of a fighter with the Kataib Hezbollah, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 25, 2024.

The United States and Iraq expect to begin talks soon to wind down the mission of a U.S.-led military coalition formed to fight the Islamic State group in Iraq, both governments said Thursday.

The announcement comes as U.S. forces in Iraq have been increasingly targeted by Iran-backed militias, though the U.S. says the time frame for the discussions is not related to the attacks.

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, they have struck American military installations in Iraq more than 60 times and more than 90 times in Syria, with a mix of drones, rockets, mortars and ballistic missiles.

On Saturday, Kataib Hezbollah launched the militias most serious attack this year, firing multiple ballistic missiles at al-Asad Air Base, a large air base in western Iraq where U.S. troops have trained Iraqi security forces and now coordinate operations to counter IS. The U.S. responded Tuesday, hitting three known Iranian militia locations and killing some of those fighters, while leading to protests for U.S. forces to leave.

The situation highlights the risk of the U.S. being drawn into a wider conflict in Iraq and beyond as anger over Israels bombardment of Gaza and U.S. support for Israel fuels the strikes by Iranian proxies.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the talks between the U.S. and Iraq are part of a higher military commission that was agreed upon last summer, before the war. The discussions will focus on the transition to an enduring bilateral security partnership between the two countries.

Iran-linked factions in Iraq are likely to claim as a victory the announcement about the talks on ending the U.S.-led mission.

A U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss details of the discussions said the U.S. and Iraq have been discussing this for months and the timing is not related to recent attacks. The U.S. will maintain the full right of self-defense during the talks, he said.

Iraqs foreign ministry said in a statement that Baghdad aims to formulate a specific and clear timetable that specifies the duration of the presence of international coalition advisors in Iraq and to initiate the gradual and deliberate reduction of its advisors on Iraqi soil, eventually leading to the end of the coalition mission and a move to comprehensive bilateral political and economic relations with the coalition countries.

The ministry said Iraq is committed to ensuring the " safety of the international coalitions advisors during the negotiation period in all parts of the country and to maintaining stability and preventing escalation.

Iraqi officials have periodically called for a withdrawal of coalition forces for years, particularly in the wake of a U.S. airstrike in January 2020 that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis outside the Baghdad airport. On Tuesday at the funeral for one of the Kataib Hezbollah fighters killed in a U.S. counterstrike launched

The U.S. has had a continuous presence in Iraq since its 2003 invasion. Although all U.S. combat forces left in 2011, thousands of troops returned in 2014 to help the government of Iraq defeat IS.

In the years since, the presence of U.S. forces conducting counter-IS missions and training has been a lightning rod for an increasingly influential faction of Iran-aligned militias and politicians in the country. There are an estimated 2,500 U.S. troops deployed to Iraq now.

Scores of U.S. personnel have received minor injuries including traumatic brain injuries from the militia attacks against U.S. bases there. The U.S. has struck militia targets in return, including some linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of mainly Shiite, Iran-backed paramilitary groups that is officially under the control of the Iraqi military although in practice it largely operates on its own. Iraqi officials have complained that the U.S. strikes are a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said there is no longer justification for the coalitions presence in the country and that the Iraqi army is capable of tracking and fighting the remaining IS cells.

We are a sovereign country, and therefore it is only natural that we moved towards this position, he said. This is a request from the people, and this is a democratic country.

An Iraqi government official said Baghdad had sent a written request to the White House in November for the withdrawal of the coalition forces. The official said that Iraqi and U.S. officials were at odds over the time frame, with U.S. officials proposing a two- to five-year timeline while the Iraqis wanted a more immediate withdrawal.

The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

U.S. forces would likely remain in the semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region, whose government has closer ties to Washington.

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The United Nations on Friday fired 12 of its employees in Gaza and began an investigation into them after accusations by Israel that they had helped plan and had participated in the Oct. 7 terrorist assault that left about 1,200 Israelis dead and more than 240 others captured.

The workers, all men employed by the U.N. agency that aids Palestinians, known by the acronym UNRWA, are subject to a criminal investigation, two U.N. officials said.

UNRWA reiterates its condemnation in the strongest possible terms of the abhorrent attacks, said Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the agency. Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.

In addition, a senior U.N. official, briefed on the accusations, called the allegations extremely serious and horrific.
PANAMA CANAL Colon Atlantic Ocean Lake Alajuela Gatun Lake Panama City PANAMA Ship traffic Pacific Ocean PANAMA CANAL Colon Lake Alajuela Atlantic Ocean Gatun Lake Panama City PANAMA Pacific Ocean Ship traffic PANAMA CANAL Colon Lake Alajuela Atlantic Ocean Gatun Lake Panama City PANAMA Pacific Ocean Ship traffic PANAMA CANAL Atlantic Ocean Colon Lake Alajuela Gatun Lake Panama City PANAMA Ship traffic Pacific Ocean PANAMA CANAL Atlantic Ocean Colon Lake Alajuela Gatun Lake Panama City PANAMA Pacific Ocean Ship traffic PANAMA CANAL Atlantic Ocean Colon Lake Alajuela Gatun Lake Panama City PANAMA Pacific Ocean Ship traffic Source: MariTrace Ship movements from Jan. 19 to Jan. 21, 2024.

Panama Canal Drought Slows Cargo Traffic

The lake that allows the Panama Canal to function recorded the lowest water level ever for the start of a dry season this year, which means that vastly fewer ships can pass through the canal. The extreme drought, exacerbated by an ongoing El Nino that is affecting Gatun Lake and the whole region appears likely to last into May.

The Panama Canal Authority has reduced daily traffic through the narrow corridor by nearly 40 percent compared with last year. Many ships have already diverted to longer ocean routes, which increases both costs and carbon emissions, while the global shipping company Maersk recently announced they will shift some of their cargo to rail.

Gatun Lake Water Levels 19652024 88 feet above sea level Each line is one year 201920 84 1997-98 2023-24 Projected 80 May July Sept. Nov. Jan. March May Gatun Lake Water Levels 19652024 88 feet above sea level Each line is one year 201920 84 1997-98 2023-24 Projected 80 May July Sept. Nov. Jan. March May Gatun Lake Water Levels 19652024 88 feet above sea level Each line is one year 201920 84 1997-98 Projected 80 2023-24 May July Sept. Nov. Jan. March May Gatun Lake Water Levels 19652024 88 feet above sea level 201920 84 1997-98 Projected 80 2023-24 May July Sept. Nov. Jan. March May Gatun Lake Water Levels 19652024 88 feet above sea level 201920 84 1997-98 Projected 80 2023-24 May July Sept. Nov. Jan. March May Gatun Lake Water Levels 19652024 88 feet above sea level Each line is one year 201920 84 1997-98 2023-24 80 Projected May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec Jan. Feb. March Apr May Source: Panama Canal Authority Note: Water levels reflect a seven-day rolling average.

Panama typically sees a dry season from January to May, but climate change has made rainfall patterns much less predictable. The result is that the increasingly severe droughts and extreme deluges can push canal infrastructure past its operational limits. Rising temperatures also evaporate a significant amount of moisture from the reservoir and its watershed.

In previous droughts, weight restrictions were imposed because heavier boats risk running aground in the shallower water. The canal typically handles an estimated 5 percent of seaborne trade, including 46 percent of the container traffic between the East Coast of the United States and Northeast Asia. But last summer, the Panama Canal Authority began taking the drastic measure of reducing traffic. Toll revenues have dropped by $100 million per month since October.

Each maneuver takes around 50 million gallons from its reservoirs to raise and lower vessels through the locks before spilling into the sea.

The fact that the Panama Canal operates on freshwater is a major disadvantage compared to other water routes, said Ricaurte Vasquez Morales, the administrator of the Panama Canal Authority, in a video address last month.

Gatun Lakes Recent Decline Current lake levels cant meet the demand for ship traffic. 88 feet above sea level 86 TREND 84 82 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Gatun Lakes Recent Decline Current lake levels cant meet the demand for ship traffic. 88 feet above sea level 86 TREND 84 82 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Gatun Lakes Recent Decline Current lake levels cant meet the demand for ship traffic. 88 feet above sea level 86 TREND 84 82 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Gatun Lakes Recent Decline Current lake levels cant meet the demand for ship traffic. 88 feet above sea level 86 TREND 84 82 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Gatun Lakes Recent Decline Current lake levels cant meet the demand for ship traffic. 88 feet above sea level 86 TREND 84 82 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Gatun Lakes Recent Decline Current lake levels cant meet the demand for ship traffic 88 feet above sea level 86 TREND 84 82 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Source: Panama Canal Authority Note: Water levels reflect one-year rolling average. Line indicates trend.

This is certainly a low input year  one of the lowest, one of the driest on record, said Joshua Tewksbury, the director of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute based in Panama.

But there are two variables when it comes to lake levels: what goes in and what goes out. And demands on water have grown significantly.

Panamas population has quadrupled since the 1950s, and more than half the country relies on the canals reservoirs  Gatun Lake and the smaller Alajuela  for clean drinking water.

Before it was a very small percentage of total water use, and now it's the equivalent of four or five lockages per day, said Gloria Arrocha Paz, a meteorologist at the Panama Canal Authority.

Demand for global shipping has risen steadily since the canal first opened in 1914. Cutting through the narrow isthmus saves thousands of miles on trips that might otherwise need to route around the tip of South America or through the Red Sea, where Houthi attacks have thwarted traffic in recent months.

An expansion completed in 2016 added two new locks to accommodate significantly larger neo-Panamax ships, which are bigger, heavier and require deeper water to move through the corridor when fully laden. A previous Times investigation found that canal officials ignored warnings that they would need new sources of water in order for the expansion to succeed.

All of the demands on that water have increased over the last hundred years and none of the inputs have, said Dr. Tewksbury.

The Panama Canal Authority is also exploring longer term fixes.

The most prominent candidate may be a new reservoir on the Indio River, west of Gatun Lake. But any meaningful next steps will first need to contend with a standing law that prohibits the Panama Canal Authority from constructing reservoirs in watersheds beyond the one that feeds its existing lakes.

The Authority has also looked to Bayano Lake to the east, but tapping it would involve piping the water miles and miles away from a reservoir that also supplies Panama City with hydroelectricity.

Decades of deforestation have degraded the landscapes potential for absorbing flood waters. The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute has been working with the Panama Canal Authority on forest restoration projects and research into which planting strategies best support the forests sponge effect to mitigate wet and dry spells, as well as to deliver other climate and ecological benefits.

But it may not be enough to meet the pressing demand for cargo traffic through the Panama Canal. Whats happened this year has emphasized the urgency of obtaining more water sources, said Ms. Arrocha Paz. Whatever can be done inside the watershed is not going to be enough for the next 50 years.
Moana Bikini, a swimwear company founded by Australian body-positivity influencer Karina Irby, has come under fire for having a male model pose in a womens swimsuit.

Australian swimwear brand Moana Bikini sparked controversy after posting a video of male Moana babe Jake Young parading in a white womens swimsuit on its Instagram page. The backlash was almost instantaneous, with thousands of people leaving critical comments and slamming the company for going too far with what they called a marketing scheme. The company and its founder have hit back at critics, claiming that Moana Bikini has been empowering ALL bodies for years, so a man in a womens swimsuit shouldnt really shock anyone.

Photo: Moana Bikini/Instagram

Moana has been empowering ALL bodies since 2011. This video really should [sic] shock you at all. If you have to announce your anger I strongly urge you to listen to  YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN by Taylor Swift, as I believe it was written for you, Karina Irby commented on the situation.

Its important to note that the controversial clip of male model Jake Young got thousands of likes on Instagram alone, but the comments section told a different story. Of the over 2,000 comments, most are critical of the company, claiming that using a male model for female clothes is not how you empower women.

This is bad advertising if the target audience is women. A man wearing a piece designed for women.not going to make most women want to buy it, one comment read.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by MOANA BIKINI (@moana_bikini)

Is that a man? I thought you were about empowering women? Men seem to be trying to take over everything women hold sacred. Our safe spaces, our identity and now our fashion. Im sorry you support whatever you like but I dont agree with men in womens swimsuits and trying to market it towards women. Ive been a loyal customer for ten years but Im done, a disgruntled Moana customer wrote.

As for the model, Jake acknowledged that he was not a woman and that he was never claimed to be one, but added that the clip was empowering a minority, for which he is forever grateful.

There are many different types of women. Women with different anatomy to what you consider, Young wrote in the comments. This post is simply empowering a minority & Im forever grateful for that. Your hate is a reflection of your own insecurities, not mine.

The reaction of Moana Bikini to the criticism has been quite unapologetic. Acknowledging that it was impossible to please everybody, the company accused those complaining about the company not empowering women of being homophobic, and wrote that if they arent happy with this individual post of a proud, gay man wearing a piece of clothing he feels confident in they can just keep scrolling or unfollow, cant they?
"An election year can bring uncertainty," according to D S Simon Media CEO Doug Simon, "and that uncertainty might not be good for business or for clarity about your public relations plan."

However, Simon says a look back at the 2020 election cycle shows that opportunity can come along with that uncertainty, and he offers some tips and information that might make communications pros feel more comfortable about their prospects for snagging media coverage in 2024.

"It turns out that in the 2020 election, cable news spent 667 percent more of its time covering politics than local TV news did," he says.

D S Simon Media recently did an analysis of a heavy news day following one of the early Republican presidential campaign debates in this cycle. "We studied the coverage on local TV morning news in Los Angeles, New York, Austin, Milwaukee, and Orlando, giving us geographic coverage all across the country. What we found was local TV news only spent 9 percent of its show covering political news. Networks, cable news, thats a different story, but local TV news is an opportunity."

And there's more local TV news than ever, Simon adds. "The National Association of Broadcasters has found a 35 percent to 40 percent increase during the last ten years in the amount of local TV news. When it comes to Spanish-language newscasts, that number has doubled."

He also says there's a reason that local TV stations dont cover politics as intensively as you might think. "They know if one of their viewers is a political junkie, theyre going to be watching one of the cable stations that align with their political beliefs," he says.

Trump's large win in Iowa was also good news for PR people. "Its going to be certain fairly soon that its going to be a Trump, Biden matchup," Simon notes. "And there will be less news, even for cable and national networks to cover. So, when making your plan for 2024, its still possible to get your story on television, especially if you think local news, which in our survey data is far more trusted than any other media outlet."

D S Simon has created a anonymous survey to measure how the 2024 election will impact media relations strategies: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FRNZ8T9

View all of the interviews in the PR's Top Pros Talk series. Subscribe to get notified when new episodes are available.

Interested in taking part? Contact Doug Simon at [email protected]

D S Simon Media helps clients get their stories on television through satellite media tours and by producing and distributing content to the media. The company also produces live social media events.
Brownstein Hyatt Farer Schreck has lined up Zhejiang Geely Holding Group as a client as the Chinese automaker slates a push into the US for its electric vehicles.

The Detroit News has reported that Geely has big plans for its Polestar Swedish premium electric brand.

It expects to start production of the Polestar 3 SUV during the summer at a Volvo Car facility near Charleston to sidestep US tariffs.

Geely owns a 50.5 percent stake in Polestar, while Volvo has a 49.5 position. It controls a 6.8 percent stake in Swedens Volvo.

The Chinese automaker also owns Lotus Cars and shares 50/50 ownership of the smart brand with Mercedes-Benz.

Geelys 2023 sales rose 20 percent in 2023 to 2.8M units with EVs accounting for about 35 percent of the total.

Brownstein shareholder Alfred Mottur, a top Democratic fundraiser and former tech/technology advisor to the Senate Commerce Committee, spearheads the Geely effort.

Senior policy advisor Greg Sunstrum, deputy chief of staff to Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and her late husband, John; also works on the Chinese business.
RESIDENTS of the Clara Road in Tullamore have said they are angered by An Bord Pleanala's decision to allow the demolition of a house to make way for a construction entrance to the new Redwood residential development.

In a statement released this week by a spokesperson, Clara Road Residents Association outlined how they had submitted observations on the demolition application in early August 2022.

The submission to Offaly County Council was signed by 75 residents who were then alarmed at the speed at which the council granted planning permission on August 22.

The spokesperson said the consent was granted without requesting any further information considering that a total of 21 observation and objections were submitted by local residents and four Tullamore Municipal County Councillors.

On September 15 2022, the Clara Road Residents Association appealed to An Bord Pleanala and also requested an oral hearing but were told on November 22 the request was turned down and written procedures would be adequate to determine the appeal.

The spokesperson said: It is a statutory objective of An Bord Pleanala to ensure that every appeal received is determined within eighteen weeks beginning on the date of receipt of that appeal and An Bord Pleanala were due to decide on the case by the 24th of January 2023. However on the 23rd of January 2023, An Bord Pleanala notified the Clara Road Residents Association that 'The Board hereby serves notice under section 126(3)(a) that it will not be possible to determine the case within the statutory objective period due to a backlog of cases. The Board now intends to determine the above appeal before the 17th April 2023'.

On April 14 last the Residents Association received further notification from An Bord Pleanala informing them of a further delay.

Permission was granted for the demolition on November 28 last, subject to five conditions.

The board said the proposed creation of a construction access along a speed controlled section of a regional road within the town of Tullamore, to serve development currently under construction, which has sub-optimal construction access, would facilitate the construction of residential development on appropriately zoned land, would unduly impact on pedestrians or other users of the public road, would not seriously injure the amenities of residents in the vicinity, and would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The association spokeperson said residents were enraged that in their view the following concerns were not adequately addressed by An Bord Pleanala - nature, scale and the use of the proposed development, issues raised in the planning assessment, third party submissions, existing pattern of development in the vicinity, the current Development Plan, the interests of residential amenity, pre-planning consultations, the interests of proper planning and sustainable development of the area, and the request for an oral hearing.

The associaton said documents relating to An Bord Pleanala case reference number 314599 granting permission for the demolition of the house on the Clara Road, Tullamore to create a construction entrance can be viewed on the Bord Pleanala website.

The Redwood developers, Capital Homes, had been using an entrance off the Clara Road close to the Grand Canal where many houses in the first phase of the scheme are already sold and occupied.

They applied for permission to create a second temporary entrance by demolishing the house and then attempted to use a different entrance at another point along the road but were ordered to close it after it became subject of an enforcement notice.

There are over 100 houses in the first phase and more than 170 residential units are planned for the remainder of the site, which is known locally as Kearney's Field.

The permission for the entrance at the site of the demolished house is limited to five years, unless the council allows its retention.
Supermac's restaurants in Offaly were among the big winners at the Irish fast food company's Annual Awards.

Branches in Offaly were among the Midlands winners who scooped several of the top awards at the Supermac's Annual Awards that were held at the Castletroy Park Hotel in Limerick this week.

John Kennedy has picked up the coveted Franchisee of the Year Award for running the Ferbane, Birr and Athlone restaurants. He received the award for outstanding achievement in service, operations, marketing and public relations.

Barack Obama Plaza received awards for increased sales and customer service.

Staff from Barack Obama Plaza with their Customer Service Award

The manager at the Supermac's in the Portlaoise Plaza, Shane Byrne Comerford, was selected as Manager of the year.

Supermac's at The Kinnegad Plaza won outlet of the year.

Pictured accepting the Outlet of the Year Award from Pat and Una McDonagh at the Supermacs Annual All-Star Awards are members of the Supermac's team at The Kinnegad Plaza.

Speaking at the event Supermacs MD, Pat McDonagh, paid tribute to the Supermac's teams.

All of our winners have worked very hard to get to a level where they win an award, Pat McDonagh said. There are 120 outlets so the competition is strong and to achieve an award-winning year is something all our winners should be proud of he said.

46 years ago, Supermacs 1st opened its door in Ballinasloe and a year later made its first venture outside of County Galway by opening an outlet on OConnell St in Ennis.

The group currently employs over 4,000 people throughout the country.

Supermacs also operates Papa Johns Pizza, SuperSubs and Macs Place Diners. The So Hotel Group is also owned by Pat and Una McDonagh which includes the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise.
Ireland's Eurovision 2024 entry will be selected on the Late Late Show tonight (Friday January 26).

A very special Late Late Show Eurosong will air this evening featuring six of Ireland's Eurovision hopefuls who will battle it out to represent their country in Malmo, Sweden in May at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest.

Viewers have the opportunity to cast their vote for their favourite song, with the winner decided by a combination of National Jury, International Jury and Public Vote.

This year's competing acts include Erica-Cody (Love Me Like I Do), AILSHA (Go Tobann), JyellowL (AKA Jean-Luc Uddoh) (Judas), Isabella Kearney (Let Me Be The Fire), Bambie Thug (Doomsday Blue), and Next in Line (Love Like Us).

The artists were selected from hundreds of entries received by RTE following a callout for submissions last year.

Host of The Late Late Show Eurosong Special, Patrick Kielty said, "I am really looking forward to hosting my first Late Late Eurosong party this Friday. Like so many people, Im part of the generation who cheered on Ireland when we became the high kings and queens of Eurovision.

"It would be amazing to think that one of our six acts this year might be able to go to Sweden and bring back the glory days. Heres to us picking a Eurovision winner on Friday night!"

Ireland now shares the record with Sweden for most Eurovision wins with a tally of seven victories each, with Ireland becoming the first country to win three times in a row in the 1990s.

The selected act will perform to a worldwide audience of over 160 million people in Sweden this May.

Watch the special at 9.35pm on RTE One and RTE Player.

Photography: Andres Poveda
The death has taken place on former Laois/ Offaly TD and Minister of State, Ger Connolly. Mr Connolly, in his late 80s, passed away on Thursday night.

Tributes have been paid by his former colleagues in Fianna Fail and from across the political divide.

Born in 1937), Mr Connolly, a farmer and auctioneer, was first elected to the Dail Eireann in the 1969 General Election and was re-elected on each subsequent election until his retirement in 1997.

When Charles Haughey became Taoiseach in 1979, he was appointed Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and was re-appointed to the same position during the Haughey Governments of 1982, 1987 to 1989, and 1989 to 1992.

He was not appointed a Minister of State under the succeeding Albert Reynolds government and retired in 1997.

He was the classic political animal, a traditional Fianna Fail politician in the old mould, a great vote getter who was passionate in serving his county and community.

A great orator, he didn't suffer fools gladly. He had the rare ability to command a crowd, to spell bind them with the power of his words and the party faithful loved hearing him in full flow at election rallies, graveside orations and in the Dail and council chambers.
Abbas Ganbay

Despite all threats, Turkiye will always support Azerbaijan with its strength, Azernews reports, citing Dr. Eray Gucluer, a lecturer at Turkish Alt?nba? University and head of the Eurasian Centre for Strategic Studies (ECSS), telling in an interview with TurkicWorld.

"The European Union wants to take revenge on Azerbaijan with all its bodies, institutions, and organizations. The European Union, which is on Armenia's side, cannot accept Azerbaijan's liberation of Garabagh. That is why they intend to invent silly excuses and impose sanctions against Azerbaijan.

He noted that there is a concept in the European imperialist mindset always to support Armenia, cooperate with the Armenian diaspora, and encourage Armenia's invasion policy. However, in the end, they will have to realize the greatness and power of the Azerbaijani state. Being an element of stability in the region, Azerbaijan also hinders imperialist policies. Moreover, it neutralizes the attempts of the US and Western imperialist states to destabilize the Caucasus.

"I strongly condemn this unjust, illegal and insidious behaviour of the European Parliament. No coercion and no pressure can force Azerbaijan to abandon its legitimate work.

There can be some unjust and immoral actions against Azerbaijan by the EU institutions. Because imperialist powers will always want to support Armenia. However, Azerbaijan is never alone. Turkiye is always on Azerbaijan's side with all its strength. We condemn these actions of the European Union and declare to the whole world that we will not accept them in any case," added Erai Gucluer.

It should be noted that in the face of unbearable racism, Azerbaijanophobia and Islamophobia formed in PACE, the Azerbaijani delegation decided to stop interaction and activity in PACE until further notice.
According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the Russian military aircraft that crashed on Wednesday in the Russian province of Belgorod was not carrying prisoners of war. Moscow claims that the Il-76 was shot down by Ukrainian anti-aircraft missiles and that it was carrying 65 Ukrainian soldiers for a prisoner exchange that was to take place that day. On Thursday, Andriy Yusov, the spokesman for the Ukrainian Defense Ministrys Intelligence Services (GUR), asserted that they only have evidence that five crew members were on board the aircraft; theirs were the only corpses that entered the morgue.

On Wednesday, the GUR confirmed that a prisoner exchange was to take place that day, but Russia canceled it because Ukrainian servicemen allegedly died on the plane. Yusov said in an interview on Radio Svoboda that the crashed plane was actually supposed to carry prominent Russian political and military representatives, but at the last moment the Security Services (FSB) prevented them from boarding. According to the GUR, the Il-76 took off from Belgorod with only five crew members. This coincides with a report published on Wednesday morning by the Ukrainian news agency Interfax, according to which the Ukrainian military shot down the plane as it was leaving the Belgorod airport.

Along with the Ukrinform agency and the daily Pravda, Interfax quoted sources from the General Staff and the Defense Ministry as saying that the aircraft was carrying armament, specifically S-300 missiles. Yusov has not ruled out that the aircraft was also carrying units of these anti-aircraft rockets.

On Wednesday, the GUR and President Volodymir Zelenskiy himself had conveyed messages that assumed the possibility that the POWs were indeed on the Il-76. Defense intelligence stressed that Moscow had not followed the usual protocols for reporting the arrival of an aircraft with prisoners. Perhaps we are talking about planned and deliberate actions by Russia aimed at destabilizing the situation in Ukraine and weakening its international support, the GUR said in a statement. Zelenskiy charged that Russia is playing with the lives of prisoners, with the feelings of their relatives and the emotions of Ukrainian society. The president demanded an international investigation to clarify what happened.

The Security Services of Ukraine (SSU), which belong to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, have opened a criminal investigation to determine the prisoners whereabouts and to assess whether Russia has violated international law, which requires the state that has imprisoned them to guarantee their safety.

Yusov explained that, according to information gathered by the GUR in Belgorod  a province bordering Ukraine and intensively infiltrated by its agents  the Russian FSB prevented civilian emergency services personnel from accessing the site of the incident.

The Ukrainian Ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, has also questioned the lack of evidence provided by Russia about the truthfulness of the prisoners deaths. In an interview on state television news, Lubinets said that, based on the information obtained so far, it cannot be certain that dozens of people were flown on the Il-76: We cannot say that there were prisoners of war. From analysis of the photos and videos that have come to light, if there were corpses, if the Russians had provided images or videos of our prisoners, they would have used them. Lubinets insisted on the theory that the plane landed in Belgorod, loaded material and took off. Thus, contrary to what Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed, the plane would not have been shot down on its approach to the province bordering Ukraine to carry out the exchange.

Russia maintains that the aircraft was transporting prisoners of war and has called an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to address the catastrophe, to be held this Thursday.

In nearly two years of war, Ukraine and Russia have done 48 prisoner exchanges, which have allowed over 2,800 Ukrainians to return to their homes, according to the Ukrainian government. Russia has not made public the total number of its military returnees.

In July 2022, 51 Ukrainian prisoners were killed in a bombing of the facilities where they were being held in Donetsk province. Each country accused the other of being responsible for the attack. Kyiv and Moscow reached an agreement with the United Nations and Turkey for an independent international investigation to determine what happened, but in the end Russia backed out of the agreement.

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Tanaiste and Uachtaran Fhianna Fail Micheal Martin TD has said he is deeply saddened to learn of the death of former Councillor, TD and Minister, colleague and good friend, Ger Connolly.

Ger Connolly was a passionate and deeply committed former councillor, TD and Minister who cared deeply about his community, constituency and country.

A native of Bracknagh, Co. Offaly, Ger Connolly was first elected to Dail Eireann in 1969 and had an unbroken service for 28 years as TD for Laois Offaly, until his retirement in 1997. He served as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment on three occasions: 1979-1981, 1982, 1987-1989.

Commenting on his passing, Tanaiste and Uachtaran Fhianna Fail Micheal Martin TD said, I am deeply saddened to learn of the death today of my good friend and former councillor, TD and Minister Ger Connolly.

"Ger was a man with a deep commitment to public service and to the betterment of his community. He had a boundless energy and an infectious enthusiasm and was a larger than life presence in Offaly and Irish politics for many decades.

"He worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those communities and people he represented. Ger was a diligent and hardworking public representative who never forgot where he came from and campaigned continuously for its development and improvement. As Minister of State, he brought that same energy and commitment to the national stage and impacted positively on peoples lives and communities right across the country.

Ger loved working with people and was in politics for all the right reasons. He made a real mark and difference on those who he represented in his beloved Offaly, and particularly North Offaly. Ger was a true community champion.

After his retirement from national politics, Ger remained an active and valued member of Fianna Fail in Offaly, willingly sharing his insights and sage advice and wisdom. More recently, Ger served as President of Offaly Comhairle Dailcheantair of Fianna Fail.

Ger loved his party, his county and country. I always enjoyed meeting him and getting his advice and insights. Today, Fianna Fail is the poorer for his passing.

On my own behalf, and on behalf of the Fianna Fail organisation, I want to express my deepest sympathies to his family, his children Caitriona, John, Stephen and Ger Jr, his grandchildren and the wider Connolly family. RIP.
IT was with much delight that Finbarr Spain, Chairman of Birr Historical Society welcomed architect/town planner Fergal MacCabe and photographer, Paul Moore to Birr in January 2024 to talk about their recent publication Faithful Images.

This book is about architectural history and through the medium of photography examines close up, nineteen sculptures in Offaly  their stories, settings, qualities and symbolism. Finbarr reflected, that we often dont stop to think about the work of art on display in public spaces and sometimes we hurry past without taking notice or even knowing their names.

Fergal MacCabe, recalled how Birr meant a lot to him, and that his love of sculpture started in Birr, the first time he visited the town. In the week after completing his Leaving Certificate, he cycled from Banagher into Birr, arriving along by the walls of the Castle, and suddenly he found himself in a small square. This was when he fell in love with the Maid of Erin, the first work of public art which had an impact on him and this sculpture was the inspiration for the book Faithful Images. In 1966 he won a scholarship from Offaly County Council to study architecture in University College Dublin.

Fergal explained, that public art is part of public history and sculptures reflect change over time. In Ireland, prior to 1900, it is about dominance, overlordship. For example, in Birr, the Duke of Cumberland and in Edenderry the Marquess of Downshire. Post 1920, it is about grief, remembering, the war of independence. By 1950, it is Catholic iconography.

In 1973 Ireland joined the European Community (now the EU) and money flowed into the country for public art schemes. Local people too, were inspired to pursue projects about their own stories. For example Horseleap has Prancing Horse' Geashill, Lady Muc  The Pig on the Green and Killeigh, the world famous greyhound Mick the Miller.

Paul Moore spoke about, how his interest in photography began as an hobby in his early 40s. During a family walk in Lough Boora Parklands, he took a photo using his I-phone of the Boora Bog Train, put the image up on Facebook and sometime later, he was contacted by a company in California, asking for permission to use this image in an exhibition.

A former accountant, he is now a professional photographer and some of his work includes taking photographs for book covers. In his illustrated talk, Paul talked about his role as the photographer capturing images which interpret another persons work. For example, the Pilgrim based in Clonmacnoise, a close up shot with the hands over the face, shows the emotion of grief. The Hurler in Birr, an image taken beneath the sculpture, shows the physical power of the player. The Phoenix in Tullamore commemorating the story of when a balloon set the town on fire, required the reflective material to be captured up close.

During their presentation, both Fergal and Paul gave the audience a new appreciation of how public sculptures in Offaly contribute to our unique local history and culture. They connect us with our past and present. The Turf Cutter, the symbol of our bogland heritage, was photographed in the wilderness of Blackwater Bog carpark, near Shannonbridge. A close-up image of the Maid of Erin, erected in 1894, details a young woman, with her faithful Irish wolfhound at her side, holding a celtic cross in her hand, with the harp next to her skirt. The Third Earl of Rosse (The Astronomer Earl) is located in the beautiful setting of Johns Mall, Birr.

The book Faithful Images contains stunning photographs of public art, with detailed information on the significant story behind them. The audience was inspired to take time to look  then to look again at our public art with a new vision and to find out more about their local place.

Chairman, Finbarr Spain thanked Fergal and Paul on behalf of Birr Historical Society for their wonderful presentation, his committee and everyone who attended the talk.
A convent in Co. Limerick is set for a new lease of life as it is being turned into apartments - almost 120 years after it was built.

St Paul's Convent in the village of Kilfinane has been empty for a number of years, and now Sophia Housing Association and Limerick City and County Council have begun works to renovate the building.

Sophia works with people who, for any number of reasons, find themselves out of their own home. They provide homes and support to vulnerable people throughout Ireland.

Permission was granted, in 2021, for the housing body to turn the convent into nine self-contained apartments.

The organisation applied for permission for change of use, refurbishment and alterations to the existing convent building and school, in part a protected structure.

The apartments will be constructed within the existing convent, which was built in 1905.

Eight one-bed and one two-bed apartments will be built as well as a new lift and lobby.

Works will include the demolition of two ancillary buildings, internal alterations, layout changes and the provision of nine car parking spaces.

Local councillor PJ Carey says the projects is great news for the locality.

It is good to see the building being renovated and there are more houses being refurbished and built in the town as well. Two of the Sisters of St Paul who once lived in the convent will be housed in the new apartments as well which is great.

While they no longer teach, they are still very much a part of the school community.

Four Sisters of St Paul first arrived in the village in 1903 and taught in the local primary school, Scoil Fhionain as well as the secondary school, Scoil Pol.

Works are expected to be complete by the end of 2024.
A scout leader who sexually abused three teenage boys almost 30 years ago has been jailed for six years.

The 61-year-old man, who can't be named to protect the anonymity of the victims, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault on dates between 1991 and 2000 at the scouting den in Dublin and at a location in Co. Waterford.

The three victims were aged between 11 and 14 at the time. They were each members of a scouting troop, which the man was involved with as a well-respected leader.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the abuse included inappropriate touching, masturbation and oral sex. Two of the victims were told by the man that a girl liked them and they were made to cover their heads before he abused them under the guise of the so-called girl.

Imposing sentence this Friday, Judge Martin Nolan said the man's behaviour was very serious and very reprehensible.

He said the defendant had abused his position of trust and authority over the young boys who were impressionable and vulnerable. The judge noted that the man abused the trust of the boys, their families and the wider community.

He imposed three year sentences in relation to each count, but directed that two of these sentences should run consecutively, meaning the man was handed an overall sentence of six years' imprisonment.

The victims and their families were present in court and there was some applause after Judge Nolan concluded his remarks.

He said while the court understood their emotions in the moment, the applause was not appropriate as the courtroom was a place of objective justice.

Three victim impact statements were prepared, with two read aloud in court.

Prosecuting counsel Fionnuala O'Sullivan BL read one of these statements. He (the victim) outlined how the scout leader's actions sculpted how he deals with people and has destroyed his trust.

He said the man took his innocence and turned it against him. He said he buried everything to do with the abuse, and while he found the judicial process hard, it has provided some relief.

He said the man destroyed his past and what he could have been. What he did affected by my whole life...[he] robbed us of our potential.

The third victim read his victim impact statement to the court. He said his family was involved in scouting and had full trust in the organisation and in the man who was a well-respected, trusted member of the community.

He said he came to the attention of the paedophile predator at a time when he was vulnerable as his mother was seriously ill and later passed away. He said he has blocked out memories from this period due to the abuse.

He said he has struggled with his mental health, anxiety, depression and alcohol. He said he also had feelings of guilt as the man had access to other children, though he is relieved this is no longer the case.

He added that he started to understand through counselling what happened to him, but he had to relive the traumatic experiences during the investigation and legal process.

He said he doesn't know if he will allow his children to join the scouts as he and his partner are too scared to trust their children's safety to any person or organisation.

Shane Costelloe SC, defending, told the court his client wished to express his remorse and apologise to the victims. He said the man is deeply ashamed of his actions.

A psychological report was handed to the court. Mr Costelloe said his client had issues with alcohol but has been abstinent since the 2000s. He has a long work history and was a carer for his mother, who passed away recently.

Defence counsel told the man was himself sexually abused by two priests and is aware that he has perpetuated the trauma of what was done to him as he knows exactly what he did to these men.

He asked the court to take into consideration his client's otherwise unblemished life and that there is a low risk of him re-offending.

Judge Nolan said the victim impact statements were compelling and he outlined how the victims had suffered by reason of the actions and abuse by the defendant.

He said he took into account the mitigating features including the guilty plea, the man's work history and his lack of relevant convictions.

Judge Nolan said there is also a small degree of mitigation as the man was himself the victim of sexual abuse, adding this gives him no excuse at all in relation to his own behaviour.

Previously, the court heard the first victim was 12 when the abuse occurred on two occasions in 1991 while he was staying with the accused at the scout den. This victim told gardai that he saw the man as a father figure.

The accused asked the boy if he wanted to play a game, then told him an older girl liked him and wanted to play with his private parts. The boy was told the girl didn't want him to know who she was and that he had to put a sleeping bag over his head.

The boy was uncomfortable, but the defendant reassured him and he agreed to do it. The victim lay down with the sleeping bag over his head, then heard the sound of high heels on the ground and panicked. The man came and reassured him again.

The boy heard the sound of high heels and someone masturbated him. The man came in afterwards and praised him.

This also took place the following night and the man told the boy that the girl wanted to look at him naked through a keyhole. The boy did this, remaining in a lit room with the door closed until he heard the man say he could get dressed.

The second complainant was sexually abused by the man in 1993 when he was 14 years old. The court heard the boy went on a scouting trip to the United Kingdom, during which the man took some of the boys to a pub near the campsite.

The man told the teenager that a girl from the village liked him, but was shy. He told the victim to go into a tent, take his pants off and put a sleeping bag over his head.

The man then performed oral sex on the teenager, who believed it was a local girl. This occurred around three or four times.

The victim became suspicious after the trip when the man told him the girl had come to visit him. The abuse was repeated at the scout den around four or five times.

At this stage, the teenager had begun to understand that there was no girl and it was the man who had been performing oral sex.

The third victim was aged between 11 and 14 and the abuse occurred between 1997 and 2000, while on trips. The court heard that the victim had consumed alcohol on each occasion.

One incident took place in a hotel in Cork. The man asked the boy for a massage and started to strip off. He then suggested the boy remove his top to avoid getting massage oil on it.

The accused then massaged the boy, masturbating him then the boy had to masturbate him.

Further incidents took place at two locations in Waterford and in a bed and breakfast in Monaghan. The abuse followed a similar pattern and involved oral sex and masturbation.

When interviewed by gardai, the man denied all the allegations. Several trial dates were set, but the case could not proceed before the man entered a guilty plea.

The investigating garda agreed with Mr Costelloe that his client's guilty plea meant that the victims did not have to give evidence during a trial.

It was further accepted that the man was co-operative with gardai during the investigation and that he has two minor unrelated convictions dating back to the 1980s.
WORK on the second Aldi store in Tullamore is continuing at pace as old buildings are still being demolished.

Aldi has confirmed that the new store which is located at Kilbride Plaza will create 30 new permanent jobs while up to 50 jobs are being supported during the construction period.

The new store will open later this year.

In a statement the supermarket giant said the new store will bring greater choice and value to shoppers, ''while creating important well-paid jobs in the community. We look forward to opening the store and bringing unbeatable Aldi value to even more people in Tullamore. Aldi's first store is located at Cloncollig, Tullamore.

Earlier this year Aldi announced a 33.6 million investment in four Midlands counties over the next two years.

As part of the companys overall growth and development strategy in Ireland the supermarket chain has plans to open four new stores across the Midlands, in Tullamore, Moate, Granard (Longford) and Kilcock (Kildare). If they all go ahead the proposed stores are set to all open by 2025. The company said these stores will create 120 permanent jobs across the region, with 200 jobs will be supported during the construction phase.
Nicolas Maduro meets with members of the military at the Ministry of Defense in Caracas, on December 28.

Venezuelas Ministry of Popular Power for Defense has published a statement indicating that 33 active military personnel  including a division general, two colonels, six lieutenant colonels and several captains  were subjected to a public act of demotion and expulsion for allegedly being involved in conspiratorial, criminal and terrorist activities against the legitimately constituted authorities, that is to say, against the government of Nicolas Maduro.

This information was released very shortly after the government announced that it had dismantled a conspiracy to assassinate Maduro, extending a repressive escalation that landed a teacher leader in prison. Authorities also announced the arrest of 32 more activists.

Maduro spoke again about the existence of a plan to assassinate him, and added: Today the Barbados agreements are mortally wounded, I declare them in intensive care. Hopefully we can save those agreements, without plans to murder me. The president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Jorge Rodriguez,  one of the leaders of the PSUV party and head of the government delegation in the political negotiations with the opposition  issued some harsh statements in one of his parliamentary speeches, aimed at damaging the mood of consensus, attacking the opposition and galvanizing Chavista sympathizers around the slogan of Bolivarian fury declared by veteran politician Diosdado Cabello three days before.

Rodriguez also stated that the Barbados agreements were hanging (on hold), lambasting the Venezuelan opposition for its alleged conspiratorial activities. Im tired of hearing about free and fair elections, said Rodriguez. Free elections for whom? They ask for electoral conditions, while President Maduro cannot go out on the streets for fear of an attack.

Nicolas Maduro during an event to commemorate the 1958 coup against the government of Marcos Perez, in Caracas, this Tuesday. Jesus Vargas (AP)

He added that there is no way that this lady, referring to opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, is going to be a candidate for anything in 2024. With or without opposition, with or without sanctions and with or without international observers, there will be presidential elections in Venezuela in 2024.

While all this was happening, the vice president of the Republic (and Jorge Rodriguezs sister), Delcy Rodriguez, met with a diplomatic delegation from the European Union in order to discuss the possibility of an electoral mission in the country.

European diplomats issued a statement in which they expressed their willingness to discuss with authorities the feasibility of this mission. Jorge Rodriguez had recently assured European diplomats, especially the head of diplomacy, Josep Borrell, that Europe would not participate in any electoral mission in Venezuela as long as he was in charge of that decision.

Throughout the month of January, the Supreme Court of Justice has been delaying an appeal by Maria Corina Machados lawyers to be informed about the causes of the ban against her holding office, and to invoke the violation of her political rights. This procedure had been suggested within the framework of the Barbados agreements.

On January 23  the day on which the fall of the last military dictatorship in the country and the advent of democracy in 1958 is commemorated in Venezuela  Chavismo woke up on high alert and denounced a conspiracy. Several offices of Maria Corina Machados campaign headquarters were vandalized with graffiti, and two regional officials from her team were taken to prison.

Machado later published a video in which she denounced the Chavista attacks, and sent a message to its leaders: Leave the fear, agree to put yourselves to the test in elections. Your time has passed, the people do not want you. Although the Maduro government refuses to recognize it, Maria Corina Machado is, by far, the most popular political leader in the country, according to all recognized surveys, at a time of particularly low popularity rates for Maduro and Chavismo.

But, as in 2018, Maduro recently launched his electoral forecast at a public rally: Even if it burns, even if it hurts, I will continue governing this country after 2024. We will win the presidential elections. We are joy and we are the majority.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on Colombia President Gustavo Petro to help secure the release of the 136 people being held by Hamas  including a Colombian citizen. In a letter dated January 11 but released on Thursday, Netanyahu writes that Colombia has a common cause with Israel to fight for the release of the hostages, who were captured during the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. This attack sparked a fierce response from Israel, with its offensive in Gaza killing more than 25,000 people in three months.

In the letter, Netanyahu points out that three months have passed since the hostages were brutally abducted from their homes and from a music festival. The Israeli prime minister claims that many of the hostages saw their loved ones raped, mutilated, tortured and gruesomely slaughtered before their eyes.

Among the captives, Netanyahu continues, is Colombian national Elkanah Bohbot, who, he says, has been denied assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross, like the rest of the hostages. Bohbot is an Israeli citizen married to a Colombian national, Rebeca Gonzalez, with whom he has a daughter. He worked as a member of the logistics team of the Supernova festival, which was targeted by the Hamas attack in October. Last November 21, Petros government granted him Colombian nationality, which was expected to facilitate his release and reunification with his family. The measure, however, has had no effect.

In the letter, Netanyahu argues that Iran has supported Hamas for many years without facing international censure. The Israeli prime minister states that the same is true of Qatar and Turkey, which, he says, provide safe havens for the masterminds of Hamas terror campaign against Israel. He also claims that the International Committee of the Red Cross has been unacceptably passive to the needs of the Israeli hostages, and that the organization has avoided making an unequivocal statement of Hamas culpability for violating the most fundamental norms of civilized conduct.

In the missive, Netanyahu calls on Petro to join the fight against the terrorists. Any pressure you can exert towards this end [the release of the hostages], specifically vis-a-vis Iran, Qatar and Turkey, as well as the ICRC, will be invaluable and help save innocent lives.

Less than a month before Hamass incursion into Israel, Petro spoke at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where, in addition to calling for urgent action to address the climate emergency, he spoke about the need to open peace negotiations both in Ukraine and in Palestine. What is the difference between Ukraine and Palestine? Isnt it time to end both wars? he asked. The same reasons they used to defend [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskiy are those same reasons that should be used to defend Palestine.

Netanyahus letter to Petro marks a new chapter in relations between Israel and Colombia, which have been on tense terms since the beginning of the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip. Petro has been one of the Latin American leaders to accuse Israel of using excessive force in its offensive against the Palestinian enclave. In response, the Netanyahu government argued its operation was legitimate self-defense. Tensions peaked in October, when Petro and the Israeli ambassador to Colombia, Gali Dagan, got into a heated exchange on X, formerly Twitter. I was in the Auschwitz concentration camp and now I see it in Gaza, Petro posted on the social media site, sparking outrage from the Jewish community.

Israel condemns the presidents statements that reflect support for the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists, stoke anti-Semitism, affect representatives of the State of Israel and threaten the peace of the Jewish community in Colombia, Lior Haiat, spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, posted in response, adding that Israel was halting security exports to Colombia.

Petro responded: If we must suspend diplomatic relations with Israel, then that is what we will do. You cannot insult the president of Colombia.

The Colombian presidents criticism of Israels offensive in Gaza has not been limited to social media. Petro has reiterated his position in international forums such as the COP28 climate summit, and announced the opening of a Colombian embassy in Ramallah, in the West Bank, and said he would ask the United Nations to accept Palestine as a full member.

The Colombian government has also supported South Africas case against Israel at the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ), which accuses the Jewish state of genocidal intent.

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Brazils Federal Police have opened an investigation into the former head of the intelligence agency during Jair Bolsonaros presidential term on suspicion that he organized a large illegal espionage operation against the latters rivals, including a governor who is now a minister, judges, lawmakers, politicians and journalists for a total of about 30,000 people, as revealed by the head of the Federal Police a couple of weeks ago. Officers on Thursday raided several locations with ties to Alexandre Ramagen, who in the period 2019-2022 directed the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (ABIN). Police Commissioner Ramagen, 51, is now a federal lawmaker.

Ramagen is very close to the former president, so this case adds to Bolsonaros multiple headaches. The 68-year-old former president has faced various investigations and judicial processes since he lost the election in 2022 and the immunity he had enjoyed for three decades. Disqualified for abuse of power, he cannot run in the next two presidential elections. He is also being investigated for inciting the riots of Jan. 8, 2023 when thousands of Bolsonaros supporters stormed the presidential palace, Congress and the Supreme Court building. He has additionally been charged with trying to keep jewels given by the Saudi royal family. A former justice minister and Bolsonaros personal secretary are behind bars for the antidemocratic acts of January 2023.

The Supreme Court, which ordered this latest operation, suspects that Ramagen was part of a criminal organization that sought to illegally monitor people and public authorities for the benefit of the Bolsonaro family.

Among the espionage operations without a court warrant, investigators mentioned the surveillance of the then governor of Ceara, Camilo Santana, of the Workers Party, now serving as education minister in the government of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva; also the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Rodrigo Maia, as well as a wayward Bolsonaro lawmaker and the prosecutor investigating the murder of Marielle Franco (a leftist councilor from Rio).

Investigators said that one of the tools used by the spying ring was a software called FirstMile, manufactured by the Israeli company Cognyte, with which they infected the cell phones of their victims without a court order, according to the news outlet O Globo. The purchase of this spy program and its use have been the subject of media coverage and political debate in Brazil for years, but this is the first time that the investigation officially reaches a former director general of the ABIN agency, who is also close to Bolsonaro.

The most notorious case of telephone spying in recent times in Brazil targeted former president Dilma Rousseff, whose communications were monitored by the United States National Security Agency (NSA) in 2013, during the presidency of Barack Obama. The wiretaps were part of the massive espionage program revealed by analyst Edward Snowden. That scandal led the Brazilian president to suspend a state visit to Washington and to cancel the purchase of American fighter planes.

Along with Ramagen, 10 other people are also targeted by the operation launched on Thursday, including seven Federal Police officers who have already been suspended from their duties.

The former director of the intelligence agency is not in Brasilia, according to the Reuters news agency, and has not yet made any statement since the police announced the investigation. Brazil is immersed in the southern summer holidays and Congress is in recess. According to the Brazilian press, the police have seized four personal computers, six cell phones and 20 memory pen drives.

The country is already gearing up for municipal elections in October, in which Ramagen is emerging as a Bolsonaro candidate for mayor of Rio de Janeiro, the second most important city in Brazil. This same weekend, the former spy chief was scheduled to meet with former president Bolsonaro, who spends his summers nearby, to campaign together.

The former president has not made any statements either, but his political circle says that the accusations against Ramagen are part of a persecution orchestrated by Judge Alexandre de Moraes, one of the 11 members of the Supreme Court and the person who has headed other judicial cases against Bolsonaro aides.
Your parents fought against apartheid, a young woman wearing a Palestinian flag for a headscarf shouted at a long wall of police officers, and now you are doing the opposite! This is exactly what it was like during apartheid! On a grassy field on Cape Towns Seepunt promenade, thousands of demonstrators wearing Arafat scarves and Palestinian flags faced hundreds of police officers equipped with large plexiglass shields and bulletproof vests.

That same morning, an interreligious prayer session had been scheduled to be held right here, in front of the stately apartment complexes of the predominantly Jewish seaside district. The Jewish organizer of the event wanted to show that Israel can also count on the support of South Africa. For Zions sake we will not be silent, could be read on their flyers, which were distributed via WhatsApp in recent days.

But as soon as those messages reached Cape Towns large pro-Palestinian movement, thousands of demonstrators carrying Palestinian flags marched to Seepunt. Even before the prayer session could start, the handful of pro-Israel demonstrators were escorted from the field by the officers present, for fear of a violent confrontation. And the buses full of pro-Israel demonstrators who had arrived from elsewhere were forced to turn around on orders from the police.

Since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas, demonstrations have been taking place almost every day in several parts of South Africa, while the government has also remained anything but aloof. As a people and as an organization who have fought against an oppressive apartheid regime, we pledge solidarity with the Palestinian people, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a speech on October 15.

It only takes one malicious person who thinks that, emboldened by the presidents radical words, he can attack Jews Karen Milner, South African Jewish Council

To reinforce that statement, Ramaphosas government withdrew its diplomatic mission from Israel on November 8, calling the bombing of Gaza a genocide. After that, South Africa even filed a case with the International Court of Justice in The Hague. During that the hearings that have been ongoing so far, South Africa explained why it thinks Israel is violating the 1948 Genocide Convention, and why the court must take provisional measures as quickly as possible to stop Israel from further bombing Gaza, where over 25,000 people have died according to local authorities. A decision is expected on Friday.

The South African stance is understandable from the perspective of the countrys recent history: In South Africa (which is located about 9,000 kilometers from Gaza), people sympathize with the Palestinians. We went through the same thing not so long ago. Their struggle touches my heart, said Alie Komape, campaign manager for Africa4Palestine, an organization that regularly organizes pro-Palestinian rallies. On the back of Komapes Free Palestine shirt is a quote from anti-apartheid fighter Nelson Mandela: Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.

A Jewish child looks at photos of hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, on a wall in Johannesburg, December 2023. Joost Bastmeijer

Even after the abolition of apartheid in 1994, the ties between the South African anti-apartheid organization ANC and the Palestinian liberation organization PLO remained close.

In recent decades, according to Komape, both parties have been united in their struggle against apartheid and oppression. That there is also contact between the contemporary ANC and the radical Islamic group Hamas that governs Gaza became apparent when the ANC Minister for International Relations called Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on October 18, claiming to discuss humanitarian aid.

The telephone call is seen by South African opposition parties as undeniable support for Hamas. Komape hints that he would not mind such support. Many people seem to have forgotten that the ANC also committed attacks, he says. As South Africans, we know better than anyone that you must use violence against an oppressive regime that only understands violence.

Israel has copied and perfected the South African system of apartheid Imraan Moosa, activist and demonstrator

At demonstrations, pro-Palestinian demonstrators demand sanctions against Israel and call for boycotts of pro-Israeli businesses  no other African country trades with Israel as much as South Africa. According to Komape, the protests have nothing to do with anti-Semitism. There is no hatred of Jews here, he says firmly, That is a European problem. When the Holocaust was committed in Europe, we were already fighting against apartheid. To me, members of the Jewish community are nothing more than white people.

The activists hope that their protests will provoke a response from the international community, like the one that followed the South African struggle against apartheid. We want the international community to turn against Israel, Komape says, as they did after the Soweto uprising against the white government here.

During that uprising, on June 16, 1976 in the Johannesburg township of Soweto, the police shot live ammunition at a peaceful student protest. Hundreds of people were killed at the rally and subsequent demonstrations. The international shock caused by the police violence put so much pressure on the apartheid government that the events are seen as the tipping point that led to the abolition of apartheid.

In Johannesburg, which is about 1,200 kilometers northeast of Cape Town, many experienced the Soweto uprising up close. In the southern suburb of Lenasia (which borders Soweto), this translated into a small-scale pro-Palestine rally, held on a recent day in a park. About 40 people were painting flags and banners that would later be hung along the highway. Who kills a child every 10 minutes? Genocidal Israel, four teenagers write on a large white canvas. With red paint they painted drops of blood dripping from the word Israel.

Israel has copied and perfected the South African system of apartheid, said Imraan Moosa, an older man attending the pro-Palestine meeting who fought as an activist against the apartheid regime in the 1970s. But what the residents of Gaza are experiencing now goes far beyond apartheid. At least we South Africans were not bombed by the state.

But there are also neighborhoods in Johannesburg where a different sentiment is felt. In Glenhazel, for example, a vast district full of heavily guarded villas where the lions share of South Africas Jewish community lives, the largest in Africa with 50,000 people. Here, particular attention is paid to the hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas, as is evident at the entrance to the Jewish supermarket Kosher World. There, women in long dresses and men with yarmulkes on their heads pause to take a look at the wall covered with hundreds of posters.

Lets have a look. It takes a while before Zelda (she doesnt want her last name to appear in print) finds the one shes looking for. Ah, look. She points to the photo of Aviva Siegel, who was kidnapped by Hamas, it says. Aviva is a friend of her mother, Zelda says, and she often visited her parents. She is a South African citizen, Zelda continues, bewildered, but you only hear from President Ramaphosa about the Palestinian cause.

A few weeks ago, a pro-Palestinian group entered the neighborhood, where they tore down pamphlets depicting the faces of people kidnapped by Hamas. The event made a deep impression on many in the neighborhood. We fear an attack, says Karen Milner of the South African Jewish Council. It only takes one malicious person who thinks that, emboldened by the presidents radical words, he can attack Jews. Milner says her community is being harassed in the hopes that it will respond with violence. Its a word I dont often use, but we used to call this Jew-baiting. We are deliberately being provoked.

Around the corner from Kosher World, Benji Shulman, a representative of the South African Zionist Federation, is sitting in front of a large bowl of sweet potato fries with monkey gland sauce. The male Black employees of the snack bar are about the only ones here who do not wear a yarmulke. The others do not hide their religion.

The pressure on the Jewish community is increasing, says Shulman, but he thinks, like Komape, that the protests have little to do with anti-Semitism. He points to the other side of the street. There is a Jewish school there, he explains, and unlike in Europe, there are no swastikas painted on the wall. He is still safe in his neighborhood, even though concerns are increasing. We dont have to hide. Not yet, Shulman says, nodding to the Jewish families sitting on the covered terrace. But hate starts with words.
I recently traveled home to America for three weeks to visit with family and friends. I very much missed and enjoyed being home, especially in the fall and at Christmas time with all of the comforts of family, friends, food, familiar places, sights, and sounds. But after six years of living in the European Union, and gaining some valuable insight and outside perspective, it's been heartbreaking to witness the metamorphosis that we have undergone as a people and as a nation.

On January 21, 2017, in New York City, a group of my friends and I met at a restaurant a few blocks northeast of Grand Central Terminal. The air was filled with a charged electric energy. Millions of other women who joined us all around the country were as determined and pissed off as we were. It was palpable and it felt like the beginning of a genuine movement of, by, and for the people. The signs were everywhere - literally, and figuratively. We were not going away quietly. We were taking action and making ourselves seen and heard. And we were resolute.

Fast forward seven years and what I see and feel everywhere from nearly everyone in America now is exactly the opposite of that day at that period, not too long ago. The energy and passion? Gone. Informed debates and discussions? Less likely. Resolve toward a better future? Meh. Protest? Nope. In a climate where an open, rapidly growing threat of an authoritarian or even neofascist takeover from the Republican Party in America is evident, it has been frightening to witness the current, general response, which seems like high-stakes apathy. When I've been home more recently, I feel like I am the only one who notices this massive elephant in the room.

Has the barrage against democracy by the wealthy and powerful created a learned helplessness? Have we been intimidated into complacency? Have we been woefully uninformed of the true nature, or the stakes involved in the threat? After my many conversations with fellow citizens, any scan of social media on any single day, listening to US radio shows, or regularly reading what comes out of the American press, sadly, it may well be all of the above.

A recent New York Times digital cover caught my eye from December 21, 2023, and is just one small example indicative of where we are in this present moment.

The right side top story: "Just How Rich Were the McCallisters in 'Home Alone'?" In the sub-title: "We asked the Federal Reserve for answers". Several stories down the page, and in much smaller print, read: "Federal prosecutors were given access to phone messages of a G.O.P. lawmaker who discussed overturning the 2020 election." Really? Are we supposed to care more about the wealth of a fictional family, and not so much about audio proof of a real coup attempt on our country by the Republican half of our political system? Why wasn't this a huge top story? This is one of our country's leading legacy newspapers after all.

Unfortunately, journalism in America has been failing miserably to report the full and honest truth about what's happening around us. Why else would so many hard-working Americans consistently vote against their own best interests in favor of what benefits only the very wealthy? Deficiency to outright propaganda in the American media landscape, has made too many people want to lump all Democrats and Republicans in the same corrupt pile or just tune out altogether. The result is groupthink confusion, disengagement, and apathy.

The United States is currently ranked 45th in the world for press freedom (Ireland, where I live now, is ranked 2nd). From the outside looking in at various media reporting, or lack thereof, it is no surprise. The guardrails on media companies, once put in place to protect the public, have since been removed. If eyeballs, ratings, and profits are all that matter to a shrinking news media owned by a small billionaire class, truth and democracy will inevitably suffer. Public perceptions of reality will continue to become even more deeply skewed and warped.

Sabrina Haake stated it perfectly in a brilliant recent article on the subject for Raw Story:

"-- democracy depends for its survival on an informed public. Addictive anger-tainment is the opposite of information, and it is ripping us apart."

There is another area that I find extremely alarming for the future of our democracy. That is the intentional creation of an atmosphere of paranoia, fear, and despair to silence dissent. Authoritarians know that a despondent populace is much easier to manipulate and control than an empowered one.

I could make a very long list of successful, ongoing efforts by the far right to target, and take down progress, and remake our policies, laws, and institutions from public education and universities to the court system and even our own constitution. Racial equality, voting rights, women's and LGBTQ rights, history itself, and much more have also been in their crosshairs. As a woman of color, it's been downright frightening to experience. There has been some good reporting on it that I will leave to the experts, but this is just a piece of an insidious long-game effort that we should all be well aware of.

The other piece of it is well-funded campaigns to intimidate the media, fake ("pink slime") publications to spread propaganda and disinformation, targeted campaigns of bullying, sophisticated troll operations, threats of violence by white supremacist and extremist groups, swatting, social media algorithms boosting hate and distortions. There has also been an ongoing normalization of violence, easy access to weapons of war, and mass gun deaths in our country that do not exist in other industrialized nations. With that, there is open spouting of "second amendment solutions" by right-wing extremists. All of these tactics have the intended consequence of coercion, fear, and intimidation of the general public, but in particular those of us in marginalized groups.

The net objective is for the powerful to maintain their grip on power and privilege at all costs, as they see it begin to slip away. This includes maintaining their massive tax breaks, preserving racial order, and gender hierarchies, controlling the freedom of speech, critical thinking, and education, and manipulating the workings of government and the courts to benefit themselves. To inflict pain, to control. They see any passion and resolve for democracy as a threat to their power.

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Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

When US President Joe Biden was elected in 2020, he had first considered appointing William J. Burns as Secretary of State, but eventually chose Antony Blinken. Burns was later tapped to be the Director of the CIA. Sources close to Biden say that should Biden be re-elected in 2024, he may replace Blinken with Burns.

Burns left a diplomatic career in 2014 after 32 years, and took the position of president at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace before becoming the head of the CIA in 2021. Last month, Zaha Hassan wrote on their website, "For Palestinians, the 'Day After' Starts with a Plan for Ending Israel's Occupation".

The mission of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is "reducing global conflict, and promoting active international engagement between the United States and countries around the world." At the CIA, Burns does not make US policy, but at the State Department Blinken does.

Blinken told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his visit to Israel was "not just as secretary of state, but also a Jew".

Blinken's statement, as an American-born official representing the government of the United States as Secretary of State in a secular government and society, is repugnant, unacceptable and undiplomatic.

Blinken arrived in Israel on an US government plane, fuel by gasoline that the US tax-payers paid for. He did not go to Israel as a private citizen on vacation.

Blinken does not represent the American people in the current Israeli war on Gaza. He represents the interests of Israel. He has been called an "Israeli agent" anonymously behind his back in diplomatic circles in Washington, DC and dozens of staffers have sent him letters of protest against his handling of the Gaza war.

A diplomat can only work representing one country at a time. Blinken is on the US government payroll, but also working for the benefit of Israel, making him a double-agent.

Biden won 2020 in part because he appealed to the younger voters. Now, the younger voters are disgusted with Biden's handling of the genocide in Gaza. If Biden loses in November, it could be in part because of the Israeli attack on the people of Gaza, in an act of revenge for the horrific attack on the Israel by Hamas on October 7, in which 1,300 died, and 200 were taken as hostages to Gaza.

Israel receives its weapons, humanitarian supplies and cash benefits from the US, paid for by the American taxpayers. In good times, the taxpayers don't seem to mind, but when they see images out of Gaza showing the wholesale destruction of homes, infrastructure, and the accompanying slaughter of over 23,000 people, most of which are women and children, they want it to stop immediately.

Americans are independent thinkers, value hard work and struggle, and have an entrenched sympathy for the under-dog. The US mainstream media has covered the plight of the Palestinian civilians suffering, but they also cover the domestic election, which prevents the American people from being over-whelmed by the news and videos coming out of Gaza. The closest any American media gets to the story is their journalists reporting from Tel Aviv, which means the audience will hear the Israeli spin on the story.

In the age of internet, where young people, and increasingly middle-aged people, are spending a great deal of time on their mobile phone, the viewers are see the images and reports coming out of Gaza directly. Americans have an innate hatred of injustice, and have a growing distrust in their own government.

If the current situation was made into a Hollywood movie, with an actor like George Clooney playing the US president, the actor would forcefully tell the Israeli Prime Minister to stop the wholesale bombing of civilians in Palestine, or face being cut off from US funds and weapons. The actor would make a speech to the American people, saying that a fundamental American value is human rights, the value of every life, and the hope of freedom for all peoples, everywhere, even in Palestine. But, we are not in Hollywood.

If freedom and human rights are an American value, then why doesn't Biden call for a ceasefire in Gaza? He can't because it is an election year. AIPAC is the Israel lobby that exerts control on the US government and Congress. Every politician knows that if you come out against Israel on any issue, you face being targeted by AIPAC. The lobby will make your re-election impossible, and their attack can ruin careers, and even families.

Reported by Medium recently, anonymous members of Biden's campaign staff demanded in a letter that Biden call for a ceasefire, citing concerns for the election outcome.

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The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel must cease its warmaking in Gaza -- cease committing and inciting genocidal acts -- and that the case charging Israel with genocide must proceed.

DETAILS OF THE RULING:

By 15-2: Israel shall take all measures within its power to prevent all acts within the scope of Genocide Convention article 2 15-2: Israel must immediately ensure that its military does not commit acts within the scope of GC.2 16-1: Direct and punish all members of the public who engage in the incitement of genocide against Palestinians 16-1: Ensure provision of urgently needed basic services, humanitarian aid 15-2: Prevent the destruction of and ensure the preservation of evidence to allegation of acts of GC.2 15-2: Israel will submit report as to how they're adhering to these orders to the ICJ within 1 month

This is Article 2 of the Genocide Convention:

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.

Therefore, Israel must cease killing Palestinians.

This was a make or break moment for international law, or rather a break or make-a-first-step moment. There is hope for the idea and reality of international law, but this is only a beginning.

The president of the International Court of Justice, who read the ruling, is Judge Joan Donoghue, former top legal advisor under Hillary Clinton at the U.S. State Department during the Obama Administration. She previously was the lawyer for the United States in its unsuccessful defense before the ICJ against charges by Nicaragua of minining its harbor.

The court voted for portions of this decision by 15-2 and 16-1. The "No" votes came from Judge Julia Sebutinde of Uganda and Ad Hoc Judge Aharon Barak of Israel.

The case presented by South Africa was overwhelming (read it or watch a key part of it), and Israel's defense paper-thin. And the case just grew more overwhelming during the bizarre delay (yes, courts are slow, but this genocide is swift).

People all over the world built the pressure to move South Africa to act and other nations to add their support. Over 1,500 organizations signed a statement. Individuals signed a petition by CODEPINK, and sent almost 500,000 emails to key governments' United Nations consulates through World BEYOND War and RootsAction.org. Click those links because more emails are needed now. While several nations have made public statements in support of South Africa's case, we need them to file papers officially with the International Court of Justice. To reach out to additional national governments, go here.

Governments that have made statement in support of the case against genocide include Malaysia, Turkey, Jordan, Bolivia, the 57 nations of the Organization of Islamic Countries, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Maldives, Namibia, and Pakistan, Colombia, Brazil, and Cuba.

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First, in today's discussion, the nations supporting and endorsing South Africa's case versus Israel are: Egypt, Somalia, Qatar, Belize (the first in the western hemisphere), Slovenia (the first in Europe), Bangladesh, Jordan and Indonesia. Indonesia has the largest number of Islamic Moslems in the world.

As Founder of United Nations Santa Fe, I encourage more to step forward as participants, litigants, and not just in an "amicus curiae" capacity (Friends of the Court) to both of the Hague's older court and the newer court, the International Criminal Court, in the striking modern architecture by Schmidt, Hammer, Lassen, the Danish firm in 1986 in Aarhus, Denmark, with three offices in Copenhagen and Aarhus, as well as Shanghai, China.

Second: Mahayana Buddhism means "greater vehicle," the Buddhism inherent in politics and in war, whereby victims and potential victims are protected, and those victims gone are brought justice, retribution, and a kind of delayed retribution.

Theravada (from Pali, literally "School of the Elders") is Buddhism's oldest extant school. The school's adherents, termed theravadins, have preserved their version of the Gautama Buddha's teaching in the Pali Canon.

The best personal example that comes to my mind, was what Morris Udall did about the My Lai Massacre in Vietnam, and what it cost him in terms of a shortened life.

_______________

When President Kennedy appointed Stewart Udall as USA Secretary of Interior, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors scheduled a special election in which Morris was elected to the House of Representatives.

As a Mormon grandson of Ella Stewart Udall, the first telegraph operator in the Arizona Territory, Congressman Morris was disturbed by the reports of the My Lai Massacre in Vietnam, in which hundreds of women, children and elderly (504) were gunned down next to trough/ditch, then the corpses were shoved into the ditch, by order of Lt. William Calley, later convicted, still alive and lives in Miami.

Morris was later a leading contender for the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination, which went to James Earl Carter Jr., the peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia, who had been Governor of Georgia.

In the Electoral College, Carter then bested Leslie Lynch King of Omaha, Nebraska, whom you may remember as "Gerald Rudolph Ford" of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

_____________________

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Although, according to the UN Charter, the United Nations was established to "maintain international peace and security". it has often fallen short of this goal. Russia's ongoing military invasion of Ukraine and the more recent Israeli-Palestinian war in Gaza provide the latest examples of the world organization's frequent paralysis in the face of violent international conflict.

The hobbling of the Security Council, the UN agency tasked with enforcing international peace and security, bears the lion's share of the responsibility for this weakness. Under the rules set forth by the UN Charter, each permanent member of the Security Council has the power to veto Security Council resolutions. And these members have used the veto, thereby blocking UN action.

This built-in weakness was inherited from the UN's predecessor, the League of Nations. In that body, a unanimous vote by all member nations was required for League action. Such unanimity of course, proved nearly impossible to attain, and this fact largely explains the League's failure and eventual collapse.

The creators of the United Nations, aware of this problem when drafting the new organization's Charter in 1944-45, limited the number of nations that could veto Security Council resolutions to the five major military powers of the era--the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain, China, and France.

Other nations went along with this arrangement because these "great powers" insisted that, without this acceptance of their primacy, they would not support the establishment of the new world organization. The Charter's only restriction on their use of the veto was a provision that it could not be cast by a party to a dispute--a provision largely ignored after 1952. Fortifying the privileged position of these five permanent Security Council members, the Charter also provided that any change in their status required their approval.

In this fashion, the great powers of the era locked in the ability of any one of them to block a UN Security Council resolution that it opposed.

Not surprisingly, they availed themselves of this privilege. By May 2022, Russia (which took the seat previously held by the Soviet Union), had cast its veto in the Security Council on 121 occasions. The United States cast 82 vetoes, Britain 29, China 17, and France 16.

As the Council's paralysis became apparent, proponents of UN action gravitated toward the UN General Assembly. This UN entity expanded substantially after 1945 as newly-independent countries joined the United Nations. Moreover, no veto blocked passage of its resolutions. Therefore, the General Assembly could serve not only as a voice for the world's nations, but as an alternative source of power.

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The United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday ordered Israel to adopt all necessary measures to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinian population in Gaza, but it avoided adopting the most emphatic measure: demanding a ceasefire. The court did not tell Israel to stop its military offensive in the enclave, where the death toll is upwards of 26,000, but demanded that it take immediate and effective measures to ensure the provision of urgently needed humanitarian aid and basic services. This shows that the court, the highest judicial body of the United Nations, is aware of the human tragedy that is taking place in the area, as its president, Joan Donoghue, has indicated.

The ruling stems from the case brought in late December by South Africa to the ICJ, with the argument that Israel has genocidal intention against the Palestinian population (more than 1% of the population of the enclave has died since the start of the military incursion). To this end, South Africa invoked the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, to which both countries are parties. South Africa also stressed in its allegations that what happened in the Strip exceeds legitimate defense. It demanded immediate precautionary measures to prevent this alleged case of genocide. Fridays decision involves only those emergency measures. The core of the case  whether or not genocide is being committed in Gazamay take years to resolve.

Among the measures dictated by the ICJ is the demand that Israel ensure that its troops do not commit acts of a genocidal nature; that incitement to genocide be prevented and punished; and that the destruction of evidence of crimes be avoided. In addition, Israel must inform the ICJ of compliance with these measures within one month.

During the reading of the decision, Donoghue made it clear that the court is fully aware of the context in which events are unfolding. Not only because of what Israel is doing in Gaza, but also because of the reasons it gives for launching its offensive after the Hamas attack on October 7. She described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as catastrophic, and said that there is urgency due to the risk that the situation will worsen, but she also mentioned Hamas. In this context, the court urged for the immediate and unconditional release of the Israeli hostages who are in the hands of the Islamist militia and other groups.

The ICJs decision has been one of the most complicated and politically tense faced by this court. It has carefully considered the allegations made against Israel by United Nations experts and officials to justify its measures, says Asier Garrido Munoz, a former ICJ lawyer, on the phone. In his opinion, although the court did not demand a halt of hostilities, the judges have gone as far as the convention allowed them. And the provision about allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza indicates that the court understands the terrible humanitarian situation of the Palestinian population. Does this ruling isolate Israel? International pressure on Israel will from now on be very strong, so that even if it does not stop the military operation, it will at least carry it out in a very different way from now on.

Although the precautionary measures are binding, it is possible that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government will not comply with them because the court does not have the capacity to enforce its decisions. Hence the use of the executive mechanism applied by judges asking Israel for reports on what it is doing. Article 41 of the ICJ Statute indicates that it must inform the U.N. Security Council about the decision it has adopted. The Council can remind Israel to comply with what the judges have ordered, or take its own measures. But it is not obliged to do the latter and, if it does so, it is bound by the Charter of the United Nations.

The panel was made up of 17 judges: the 15 ordinary ones plus two other ad hoc judges, appointed by the parties in dispute, who did not have anyone representing their nationality. On the Israeli side, there was Aharon Barak, former president of the Supreme Court of his country. He voted for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza, and for Israel to prevent and penalize incitement to genocide. Dikgang Moseneke, who was vice president of the Supreme Court, intervened on the South African side.

If South Africa moves forward with this case from now on, the merits of the case will be evaluated and Israel may file preliminary objections to the courts jurisdiction. Overall, a ruling on whether there has been genocide in Gaza could take several years to be handed down.


International stances on South Africa v. Israel lawsuit.svg.

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There's nothing in David Swanson's lopsided screed today's Opednews about the ICJ's ruling about Hamas and its actions aside from this weak promise, more like a suggestion:

"Hamas said that it would cease fire if Israel does, and release all prisoners if Israel does."

As usual, Hamas and its supporters get a pass from the U.N. and in this case, its court.

The ruling is not as terrible as it could have been since it did not call for unilateral end to Israel's self-defense. But the conditions imposed on Israel in an urban warfare setting are so unrealistic that it might just as well have done so.

To be clear, and according to the U.N. itself: in urban warfare, the ratio of civilians to combatants killed is typically 9:1. In Gaza, thanks entirely to Israel's preventative actions, the ratio is 1.5:1, probably a record low for this kind of intense urban warfare in modern times. It's clear that many Hamas members are slipping away with civilians or using them as human shields, whenever Israel tries to prevent civilian deaths, postponing or making it ultimately impossible for Israel to rid Gaza of Hamas and its threat to the very existence of Israel - which, of course, is exactly what Hamas is committed to doing, in its charter, words, and deeds. The only genocide practiced is from Hamas, notably but far from exclusively, when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th. It continues to attack Israel, firing 1,000s of rockets - some of which malfunction and land in Gaza, causing death and destruction that is then blamed on Israel too, by Hamas and its too credulous media supporters.

Those who claim to want to protect human life from loss or maiming are hypocrites if they do not in at least equally loud and consistent voices, call for Hamas to surrender and release all hostages who, unlike legitimate prisoners in Israel, have committed no crimes and were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some of them employed and tried to help Palestinians who crossed the Gaza border daily to have better lives; i.e. they were from Israel's rapidly disappearing pro-peace "Left." That has all stopped now, and will probably never resume, as Israel does all that is necessary to preserve its existence. It should be remembered, but seldom is, that the region's lands of Arabs are Islamic states to a greater or lesser degree, and they occupy geographically an area 800 times as large as Israel. If they wanted to make a land for Palestinians, they could have easily done so and barely noticed the effort, geographically, economically, and culturally. They - including Jordan which is now majority Palestinian, and Egypt, which rigidly closes its border with Gaza while Israel has opened two border crossings that the U.N. and others have failed to supply sufficient aid and food through - have chosen not to, for decades. It's not hard to understand why, since everywhere Palestinians have gone, they have tried to revolt or even overthrow their host governments. But it's more than that: Islamic countries in that region are among the most repressive regimes on Earth, and the Palestinians serve as useful pawns to distract their own populace from rebelling against the dire conditions in those countries. It's a virtually direct relationship between tyranny (what is now called "authoritarianism" in the too apologetic West) and Islamic rule. The more there is of the latter, the more there is of the former. So-called progressives are clueless, and they incredibly fail to recognize that the freedoms they enjoy would be most likely to be preserved in Israel and most likely to be lost in any of the Islamic countries they side with, and their lives would most likely be lost altogether in regions like Gaza. Today's progressives, while failing to identify what river or sea is meant in the oft-repeated mantra "From the river to the sea, Palestine shall be free!" are siding with the least progressive and most racist regimes on Earth. The history of Arab on African/Black people's is one of the most brutal in history, yet African Americans somehow think the ordinary Arab struggle to escape the yoke of oppression is theirs too. It defies both logic and history. So does this ruling from the ICJ.
Today 26 January 2024 (after 112 days of carnage), the International Court of Justice issued a decision /injunction with six "provisional" measures (available here click here) amd will continued deliberation. The six provisional measures requested are an important win for human rights and could be a game changer even as Israel tried to dismiss them..... more at ular-resistance.blogspot.com/2024/01/icj-rules.html [we will also discuss this at our weekly meeting Sunday]

More than 12,000 children killed so far in the Gaza Strip. This website lists the first 10,000 "Know their names" click here

A few days ago I shared the links to intention to prosecute US and European officoials complicity in genocide. I was alerted to presence of British similar initiatives here: click here

Towards the abyss: United States fatal relationship with Israel eb10gmailcom.substack.com/p/toward-the-abyss

Naomi Klein writes "We have a tool to stop Israels war crimes: BDS" In 2005, Palestinians called on the world to boycott Israel until it complied with international law. What if we had listened? click here

Stay Human and keep Palestine alive

Mazin Qumsiyeh A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine siyeh.org estinenature.org facebook pages Personal .facebook.com/mazin.qumsiyeh.9 Institute .facebook.com/PIBS.PMNH
Jordan Pope buried a three-pointer with time expiring as Oregon State stunned No. 9 Arizona 83-80 Thursday night at Gill Coliseum.

With the score tied at 80-80, Pope brought the ball up the floor, waited for an opening, then let a shot fly from the left side. As the ball went through the net, the buzzer sounded and students immediately engulfed the Beavers on the floor.

It is the first time Oregon State has beaten a top 10 team since Jan. 11, 2015, when the Beavers defeated No. 7 Arizona 58-56.

MORE: They started to believe: Gill Coliseum erupts as OSU scores historic win

Pope scored a career-high 31 points, hitting 9 of 15 shots and five three-pointers. Tyler Bilodeau added 22 points, hitting 8 of 10 shots.

JORDAN POPE AT THE BUZZER 



DOWN GOES #9 ARIZONA 



(via @BeaverMBB)

pic.twitter.com/IqTbu2wVFS  NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) January 26, 2024

The Beavers shot 56% in the game, and 64% during the second half.

Oregon State (10-9, 2-6) ended a five-game losing streak. The Beavers, 18-point underdogs to Arizona, were coming off a two-game trip in which they lost by a collective 60 points to Utah and Colorado.

Caleb Love led Arizona (14-5, 5-3) with 23 points.

Oregon State led by nine points with two minutes remaining, but a 12-3 run tied the game when Pelle Larsson hit two free throws with 11 seconds remaining.

Arizona led 44-36 at halftime, a first half that the Wildcats controlled but were unable to pull away. For a good part of the first half, it was a free-flowing game with a lot of offense. Arizona scored 23 points in the first eight minutes, and led 35-24 with seven minutes left.

The Beavers defensive aggressiveness inside led to numerous fouls, but it began to slow down the Wildcats late in the half. Arizona made only one basket during the final seven minutes.

OSU was able to whittle a 12-point deficit to 41-36 with 1:05 left before halftime on two free throws by Pope.

Oregon State remained in hang-around mode for a good part of the second half. Arizona rebuilt its lead to nine at 56-47 with 14 minutes left when the Beavers made their move.

Michael Rataj hit a three, then drove the length of the floor for a layup to trim the Arizona lead to 56-52. Later, Pope hit back-to-back threes to tie the game at 58-58. OSU then grabbed its first lead of the second half when Bilodeaus contested three put the Beavers in front 64-62 with 7:30 left.

After falling behind 68-66, Oregon State went on a 90-second tear, as Pope, Rataj and Bilodeau hit consecutive threes to key an 11-0 run as the Beavers took a 77-68 lead.

Arizona didnt wilt. Love got the Wildcats engaged with a four-point play, and soon Arizona was within 77-74 with 90 seconds left.

After Pope hit three free throws to put OSU up six, Arizona scored consecutive baskets to pull to within 80-78 with 52 seconds left. Larsson then tied the game with a pair of free throws, setting the stage for Pope.

-- Nick Daschel reported from Corvallis.

@nickdaschel

MORE BEAVERS COVERAGE
REI is laying off 357 employees as the company braces for a challenging year, CEO Eric Artz told employees on Thursday.

The cuts represent 2.2% of REIs total workforce. According to the memo, layoffs will affect 200 headquarters employees, six from sales and customer support, 30 from teams that support classes and multiday trips, and 121 in distribution centers.
Portland police have identified the man shot and killed in a Southeast Portland motel parking lot last week as 25-year-old Rametheus Clenese Hill, of Fairview.

On Jan. 19, officers responded to reports of a shooting at the Dar-Ron Motel at 7707 S.E. 82nd Ave. They found Hill dead when they arrived. Police have announced no arrests in the case.
Three Portland teenagers have pleaded guilty to charges related to a string of arsons during the 2022 fire season in and around Mt. Tabor Park.

Malik Hares, Samuel Perkins and Wayne Chen, all 19, admitted to starting fires in Northeast and Southeast Portland in July and August 2022.
While its moody images of clouded skies, hilly neighborhoods, and the Astoria-Megler Bridge spanning the wide Columbia River may make the new movie Sometimes I Think About Dying seem like a grim tale, star Daisy Ridley disagrees.

Even with that downbeat title, Ridley says, I never feel like this film is melancholy. For one thing, Ridley says that Fran, the character she plays, is many things, but melancholy isnt one of them.

And both Ridley and Rachel Lambert, the director of Sometimes I Think About Dying, say the experience of filming on location in Astoria was a gorgeous time.

Ridley, whos best known for playing Rey in the Star War sequel trilogy, The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, recently joined director Lambert for a Zoom interview, talking about Sometimes I Think About Dying, which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, opens in New York and Los Angeles on Jan. 26, and comes to Portland on Feb. 2.

The film, which is written by Kevin Armento, Stefanie Abel Horowitz and Katy Wright-Mead, stars Ridley (who is also a producer) as Fran, a woman who works in an office located in a town on the Oregon coast.

While her coworkers chat about ordinary officemate topics, Fran generally keeps to herself, working at her computer and going home to eat a microwaved dinner and drink a glass of wine. Her inner world seems to consist mainly of visions of herself, seemingly lifeless, and picturesquely arranged in tableaus in the woods, on the beach, or other locations.

Daisy Ridley in the movie, "Sometimes I Think About Dying," which filmed on the Oregon coast.Oscilloscope Laboratories

But Frans isolated routine begins to change with the arrival of Robert (Dave Merheje), a new coworker whose relaxed, outgoing manner makes Fran feel a growing connection with him and makes her think about her life.

The film came about, Ridley says, because she had been wanting to work with Lambert, and we were able to, which obviously doesnt happen all the time. Sometimes, with the best will in the world, things just dont come together.

But in the case of Sometimes I Think About Dying, Ridley says, it worked out. The casting was fabulous, so we all got on really well, Ridley says. It was like sitting down at an amazing banquet and going, Great, lets all enjoy this meal together.

Its written in the script for Sometimes I Think About Dying that the characters live on the coast, Lambert says. While no town is specified, the script also says that theres an industry around fishing.

The writers were very open as to the choices I would make, Lambert says. She had ideas about setting the film in the western part of the United States, because theres something quite sweeping and romantic about the region.

A location on the Oregon coast would have a lot of space, which felt right, Lambert says. The isolation would feel, I think, just much more pronounced, but in the right tone and atmosphere.

Lambert says she had never spent any time in Oregon before arriving to look at locations, and she found Astoria during a drive along the coast. There were a couple of other towns we had in mind, but driving north, I kind of had to swing through there to get back to Portland. And I saw that bridge, and I saw that town, and it felt like a relic, and yet was modern. So it was something stuck between eras. It was stuck in time, somehow. And that felt like Fran, and it felt incredibly cinematic and picturesque. I love that it was tucked away in this little corner, as well, literally in the corner of the state. So that all kind of came together in terms of how Astoria was selected as the principal filming location.

Filming happened in the fall of 2021, which Ridley says brought its own distinctive feeling.

There was a real sense of community among people working on the film, Ridley says, because it was at the tail end of (Covid) lockdown, and I was like, people! Oh, my God, we could go for a meal together. Usually, after work I go home and go to bed, but this was really the most Ive ever been with people out and about because it was just so lovely to be together.

Ridley has good memories, for example, of a cafe called the Blue something, that did a vegan Reuben sandwich that was unbelievable!

I found the community to be wonderful, Ridley says of Astoria. She was impressed by the Astoria Co-op grocery store, which she calls a proper cooperative. Ridley also recalls visiting the Oregon Film Museum and the Columbia River Maritime Museum.

And the beach we were on, they filmed a bit of The Goonies on, Ridley says. So it felt very rich in film history, too. It was just wonderful. It was a really gorgeous time.

Lambert echoes Ridleys sentiments. It was a gorgeous time, Lambert says, one of the happiest of my life. On a personal note, Lambert says, she just fell in love with that part of Oregon.

Like the film, the character of Fran is complex. Sometimes she seems depressed and introverted, and at other times, her sense of humor comes through, and she makes surprisingly bold choices.

I think many things can be true at the same time, says Ridley. And Fran is a multitude of things. She is isolated and struggles to connect with people. But sometimes, she doesnt want to connect with people. And then, shes funny, but only if she feels comfortable enough to make the leap to the joke.

Ridley says, I loved playing all these sort of different parts of her, and thats why I never feel like this film is melancholy, because she isnt. Sometimes shes sad, and sometimes things are overwhelming, and she says something that is a transgression and she has to deal with the shame that she has brought upon herself. But otherwise, she does like her life. She likes her routine, she likes her job.

Those complications, Ridley says, arent unique to Fran. I think we can all recognize a lot of that. Some days, Im like, hey guys, Im feeling great. And other days, I dont want to look at another person.

Peoples responses may be very different, Ridley says, but I think we all recognize her, or pieces of her in ourselves, or in the people around us.

Sometimes I Think About Dying is a quiet, thoughtful movie that pays close attention to details of human behavior and how people interact. Both Ridley and Lambert hope viewers may come away from the film thinking about those moments of connection.

I hope people pick up their cup of coffee at the coffee shop and make eye contact when they ask the person how theyre doing, Lambert says. I hope that somebody reaches out to a friend that maybe they havent talked to in a while, and not over text, but actually make a phone call.

Ridley says, I would hope when people see someone and ask how they are, that theyre really open to the answer. We dont need to solve each others problems all the time, Ridley says. Instead, we can just listen, and care, and be present.

Sometimes I Thing About Dying is scheduled to open at the Regal Fox Tower in Portland on Feb. 2.

 Kristi Turnquist

503-221-8227; kturnquist@oregonian.com; @Kristiturnquist

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Dry January has gained popularity over the past few years  whether youre just taking a break after the food and drink of the holidays or exploring a sober-curious lifestyle.

As demand for no-alcohol drinks has increased, more producers have begun to offer dry options. Theres a much wider array of non-alc (as they say in the industry) spirits, beers and wines than ever before  including many local options. As the options have increased, so has the quality.

We experimented with some NA cocktails for this Dry January and came up with one option per week to replace that regular Friday night cocktail.

Heres what we tried:

NA Sangria

We saw people on social media calling this idea sans-gria and we love a good pun, so well done.

This was an all-around fave for everyone who tried it  Dry January devotees, sober folks and those who just prefer not to drink on a Tuesday.

Its also an excellent use of that bottle of alcohol-removed wine that didnt live up to expectations.

NA Blood Orange Cosmopolitan

This was another crowd favorite in the newsroom.

It featured locally-crafted NA spirits from Dhos and Wilderton, and Grandpa Jacks cranberry syrup produced in Oregons cranberry capital.

NA Old Fashioned

This was pretty good, but not universally loved. If youre a connoisseur of real bourbon, getting used to the spiritless version is more of a lift.

The Spiritless Kentucky 75 smells like real whiskey  an impressive accomplishment  but doesnt quite nail the taste.

The Spiritless website recommends a 50-50 version of this cocktail for those of us who are damp not dry  and that seems like the way to go for this drink if its accessible to you.

Rhubarb Spritz

One taster described this as a grown-up soda. Its a little sweeter than the other options, so keep that in mind. We made ours with homemade rhubarb syrup made from fresh rhubarb, and that really up-leveled the taste.
Lily Gladstone knew she wanted to be somewhere special when the Oscar news came. And that somewhere was not home, watching on TV, but in Oklahoma with the Osage community, where the real-life version of her character lived and where Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon is centered.

I decided that I wanted to be on the Osage reservation, should this news come in today, Gladstone said in an interview shortly after receiving her historic nomination for best actress, the first Native American so honored. I wanted to be as close to Mollie Kyle and her family as I could be. So Im here in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Once things wrap up, I think Im gonna load up and drive out to Fairfax and Gray Horse and pay my respects there.

Meanwhile Gladstones parents were FaceTiming her as the nominations were announced. She asked them not to show her the TV screen, but instead to focus on their own faces.

Flip the camera around, she says she told her mother. I want to see your and dads reactions! And sure enough, I could kind of hear them starting to say my name, but then it just got drowned out by my parents cheering, and my dog started barking.

Gladstones nomination was hardly a surprise. The accolades for the 37-year-old actors performance have been flowing since the film came out in October, and she won a Golden Globe earlier this month. Shes had both time and opportunity to articulate what feels historic about this moment, and remains just as passionate.

Its what Ive been saying this whole time and I still absolutely feel it, she said. It happens to be that Im carrying this honor right now  (but) its all so long overdue. Its a real moment of restoration, placing Indigenous talent in these roles, spotlighting their humanity.  I think it is shattering a lot of stereotypes people have about Indigenous women, particularly Native American women.

Were taking our place where we belong, she said of Indigenous actors and storytellers. And its taken a long time to get here. But its so necessary.

Gladstone, who grew up between Seattle and the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, and learned the Osage language for the film, added that the recognition comes in a time where across the country, stories like this are getting buried, are being considered too woke. So she is gratified, she said, to be in a film that cements this history in the public eye, that makes it accessible for people to see, to get inside of in a way that only film can bring you inside of, as brutal as it can be, as heartbreaking and challenging as it can be.

Killers of the Flower Moon, adapted from David Granns real-life whodunit of the same name, focuses more than the book did on the relationship between Mollie and her husband, Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio), who loves her but somehow also participates in a sinister plot with his uncle (Robert De Niro , also nominated ) to eliminate her family and acquire their oil-rich land.

But Gladstone pointed out that the film was not only about what she called the horrible, complicated, skewed love between Mollie and Ernest. It is also, she said, about the love that Mollie and her community had for each other. The one that carries everybody forward.

We carry forward by passing our stories forward, by passing our sense of self and our knowledge forward, by adapting and growing, she said. So having the story be passed forward on such a massive scale, I hope it just ignites a curiosity that maybe wasnt there before for most people.

Whatever happens at the Oscars, Gladstones upward trajectory has been swift. So what is next for her?

Ive got some great things that I can announce soon, she said. Some other things that Ive been ruminating on for years with collaborators, with incredible filmmakers. And now theres definitely more green lights for those stories to progress. Im just so incredibly blessed being a working actor, period. So to even make a living doing what I love feels like an immense win.

Gladstone added she was really excited for anything thats to come from it. As an actor and then, how I can help get other stories told that deserve to be out there. A lot of marginalized stories, and particularly in Indian country.

___

By JOCELYN NOVECK AP National Writer
Oregons newest governor  the Kid Governor  was sworn in Thursday during a ceremony in the Oregon State Capitol Senate chambers.

Kid Governor Zoya Shah is a fifth-grader from Findley Elementary in the Beaverton School District. She was elected by fifth-graders across the state on her platform of mental health awareness.
Curra, a two-ton southern white rhinoceros, was killed by microscopic bacteria of the genus Clostridium on November 25 in Kenyas Ol Pejeta reserve. But her death after this mismatched biological struggle was not in vain. Curra was carrying the first embryo created in a laboratory and successfully implanted by the German consortium BioRescue in her species. It is the only, risky gateway to the survival of the northern white rhinoceros subspecies, of which only two females remained: Najin and her daughter Fatu. Curras experience as a surrogate mother showed, for the first time, that such a scientific maneuvering is possible. Her legacy is the hope of avoiding another extinction.

Najin and Fatu, both of them descendants of Sudan, who died in 2018 from natural causes, live on in Ol Pejeta with the sad honor of being the only two survivors of the northern white rhinoceros subspecies. Their imposing presence is a shameful reminder for humanity, which is responsible for having pushed these animals into critical danger of extinction through hunting and climate change.

The BioRescue consortium, funded by the German government and formed by a dozen international entities, began a scientific program 15 years ago to produce and preserve, in liquid nitrogen at -320.8 degrees Fahrenheit, 30 embryos fertilized in laboratories in Berlin and Cremona, Italy, from the eggs and sperm of the last 12 northern white rhinos that had made it to this century alive, in reserves and zoos. All but Najin and Fatu have died. In 2019, research will begin on developing an implantation technique for surrogate mothers.

BioRescue follows alternative scientific approaches for creating new offspring for the northern white rhinos and ensuring the highest genetic diversity of their future population But all of these strategies converge at producing embryos in vitro and successfully transferring them into surrogate mothers to create a pregnancy, says Susanne Holtze, project scientist.

Thomas Hildebrandt, head of the BioRescue-Leibniz-IZW project, displays the 70-day-old rhinoceros fetus that was gestated by Curra. Jon Juarez / BioRescue

The scarcity of northern white rhino embryos and specimens make it necessary to start out by trying with the southern subspecies, of which there are just over 10,000 animals left. And so, eggs from Elenore, who lives in the Belgian zoo Pairi Daiza, are fertilized by introcytoplasmic injection (direct to the egg) in an Italian laboratory with sperm from Athos, who lives in the Austrian zoo Hellbrunn.

It was necessary to decode the rhinos complex fertility cycle to determine the precise moment this transfer would take place. To figure this out, Curra lived with Ouwan, a vasectomized male who acted as stand-in. Scientists observed their mating, presumably sterile barring a vasectomy failure, on September 17 and 18, evidence that Curra was ready for insemination. BioRescue scientists and veterinarians, led by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW), implanted two embryos in Curra on September 24. Days later, Ouwan lost sexual interest in her: she was pregnant.

Although embryo transfer is a common technique among humans and in domestic and livestock species, it had never been achieved in rhinos. If the transfer were to work, the viability of the only path to the survival of Najin and Fatus lineage would be confirmed. It has been completely uncharted territory and anything from the approach over procedure protocols to required equipment had to be invented, developed, tried and tested to be safe for use, said Thomas Hildebrandt, head of the BioRescue-Leibniz-IZW project.

Hildebrandt clarifies that the technique his team used is very similar to that which is used for people or with cattle and horses. But it requires a different kind of technology, he says. Its not an experiment because we are not doing any harm to the animals. We only want to make calves, which is technically approved by the Kenya Forest Service, through the Kenyan government, because it is not of an experimental nature.

The implant is not performed through the rhinos reproductive organ, but rather its digestive tract, which is previously disinfected. A long catheter is inserted through its rectum to carry the embryo to the oviducts, where gestation begins. The success rate is very high, even though the technique is challenging, says the scientist.

Susanne Holtze and Thomas Hildebrandt, during the moment in which the embryo was implanted in Curra in Kenyas Ol Pejeta reserve last September. Jan Zwilling / BioRescue

Everything is measured down to the second and millimeter, from anesthesia to the loading of the embryo into the implantation device. There are several very difficult and challenging elements to this procedure. However, our team is so well-trained that we are already preparing the next implant, says Hildebrandt, who plans to perform the next implantation in May.

The white rhino requires a mating process that lasts for more than an hour and necessitates up to six ejaculations to naturally fertilize the egg, about six days after ovulation. The female cervix is extremely long and intricate, explains the project head. If the implant were to be performed using the uterus, it would cause irritation and damage that could impede the operations success. With his technique of reaching the oviducts through the rectum, the procedure is brought down to 20 minutes.

The technique worked, and Curra fulfilled her role as surrogate mother to perfection. She gestated the male embryo for 70 days, during which it grew to 2.5 inches in length. Its chance of being born alive after a gestation period between 16 and 18 months rose to 95%.

But, despite her pleasant life in Kenya and constant supervision, this time, the enemy was invisible. An adverse period of torrential flooding spread bacterial strains of Clostridium Paraclostridium bifermentans and Paenicolostridium sordelli throughout the Ol Pejeta reserve, causing a fatal infection in Curra and her companion Ouwan, who died three days before her.

Curra, moments after receiving anesthesia for the administration of her implant. Jan Zwilling / BioRescue

Frank Goritz, head veterinarian in the project, lamented this outcome. Witnessing the death of an animal you have worked with for so long for reasons that are beyond your control is depressing. We try to take control of every factor that affects the well-being of the animals, but in nature you cannot control everything and sometimes your plans are thwarted by heavy rains and a disease. It is very sad, but we try to look forward and to see it as a milestone for the BioRescue mission.

Immediately following the incident, the team set up an emergency vaccination, isolation and redistribution program of the rhinos home range, including that of the only two existing northern white rhinos.

The next step was to analyze fetal tissue samples at Germanys Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine and Leibniz-IZW to ensure that Curra and Ouwans mating was sterile and that the pregnancy was in fact caused by the artificial implantation of the embryo. In January, hope for saving the northern white rhinoceros was confirmed.

The German consortium announced on Wednesday that it has already begun the next phase of the subspecies rescue, with the selection of a new surrogate mother, decoy male and implantation, which could take place with a northern white rhino embryo within two to three years.

The programs director believes that the embryo and surrogate mother being different subspecies will not pose a disadvantage. A rhino with northern and southern parents was born naturally in 1978. We are very confident that the northern white rhino embryos in our southern surrogate will be successful, says Hildebrandt.

He adds: We could produce between 20 and 25 northern white rhino calves in the next two to three years. Even though there are only two females left, we cannot settle for the extinction of this subspecies. We can now say that we will succeed. Success has come just in time to make this happen. We want the calves to live with Najin and Fatu for years to learn the social behavior of their species, Hildebrandt says. A six-year grant from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) ends in 2025, so a parallel race is on to secure funding for the project so that the embryo implants will be possible.

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Cairo, Egypt (PANA) - Mass evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military to the people of Gaza continue to push them into ever smaller areas amid ever-intensifying violence in likely violation of international humanitarian law, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Friday
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - A meeting of senior Libyan officials here Thursday was devoted to monitoring the expenditure of the government of national unity for the year 2024
Photo: (Photo : Tamir Kalifa / Getty Images)

A newly proposed law in Missouri, the Parents Bill of Rights, was halted this week to add a further amendment, which is the transgender bathroom restrictions.

The amendment will prohibit any transgender student from accessing restrooms and locker rooms that are not aligned with their biological identity.

The amendment, spearheaded by former committee chairman Senator Andrew Koenig, has not only ignited passionate debates but has also led to the removal of Koenig and other members of the Senate's Freedom Caucus from their committee positions.

Amendment of the Missouri Parents Bill of Rights

During an exhaustive nine-hour session, Senator Koenig's eleventh-hour inclusion of the bathroom amendment prompted intense discussions.

Advocates, including Senator Nick Schroer, contend that aligning restroom usage with biological sex addresses a statewide concern, underscoring the necessity of such regulations.

However, the contentious nature of the debates ultimately resulted in the removal of Koenig and fellow caucus members from their committee roles, marking a significant shift in leadership dynamics.

Amid the fervent debates, Senator Greg Razer, a Democrat from Kansas City, introduced amendments aimed at enhancing protections for LGBTQ students.

Razer's proposals involve the Missouri Department of Social Services in cases where parents are notified about their child's LGBTQ status, aiming to mitigate potential risks of homelessness or abuse.

Republican Senator Rick Brattin opposed these amendments, dismissing them as redundant and emphasizing the principle of presuming parental innocence.

This clash of perspectives highlights the intricate balance between LGBTQ rights and parental concerns embedded within the proposed legislation.

The original proposed Missouri Parents Bill of Rights states that it is the responsibility of the school to notify the parents of a student within 24 hours if they have seen the minor experiencing some type of discomfort or confusion about their documented identity.

The bill also states that parents will also have the right to be immediately informed if their child wishes to change their pronouns.

Additionally, it is also proposed in the bill that school staff and faculty in Missouri are not allowed to encourage a student under the age of 18 to adopt any other gender identity or sexual orientation.

Read Also: Illinois Father Arrested in Gruesome Family Shooting: Wife, Three Daughters Dead

Bill Advances Amidst Opposition: Implications for LGBTQ Students

Despite opposition from Democratic committee members and Senator Elaine Gannon, Koenig's amended bill, mandating swift reporting to parents on students' discomfort or desire to change pronouns, successfully navigated through the committee.

The legislation is now under the oversight of the new committee chairperson, Senator Curtis Trent.

Lingering concerns persist among opponents, who fear potential adverse consequences for LGBTQ students in Missouri, as the bill progresses through the legislative labyrinth.

As the Show-Me State grapples with the convergence of parental rights, LGBTQ student protections, and the intricacies of transgender bathroom restrictions, the contentious nature of the Parents Bill of Rights debate intensifies.

This newly proposed bill in Missouri does not veer far from other legal restrictions other states have imposed on their area targeting the LGBTQ community, most of these stringest restrictions are found in Republican-led areas.

These transgender bathroom restrictions prohibit them from using bathroom facilities such as shower rooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, and other sex-segregated spaces that is not in accordance with their biological identity.

Some of these policies apply to K-12 school settings, while others apply more broadly to government-owned buildings and spaces.

The ongoing deliberations echo the diversity of perspectives within the state's legislative body, illustrating the formidable challenge of forging a consensus on sensitive issues that profoundly impact the rights and well-being of students across Missouri.

Related Article: Woman Seen Dragging Newborn Baby's Umbilical Cord After Giving Birth on Sidewalk
Conference Talks: The Two Ways in Ancient Egyptian Religion and Israelite Temple Theology, presented at the 2018 Temple on Mount Zion Conference by John Thompson

The fourth Temple on Mount Zion Conference was held on Saturday, November 10, 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 5: I Will Prepare the Way before You: 1 Nephi 16-22

During 1988, 1989, and 1990, Hugh Nibley taught Honors Book of Mormon classes for four semesters at Brigham Young University. The lectures were video-taped and audio cassettes and printed transcripts were made of the lectures. We believe these recordings will be interesting to listen to and valuable to your Come, Follow Me study program this year. Each week, we will include the lectures covering the Book of Mormon chapters being studied that week. This week, we have lectures 14 and 15, covering 1 Nephi 15-19 and 22. All 112 lectures are immediately available in PDF, audio, video, and electronic formats, as well as in paperback books that are available for purchase. Links for all of the available online sources can be found in the Complete Bibliography for Hugh Nibley at https://interpreterfoundation.org/bibliographies/hugh-w-nibley/lectures/.

The Book of Mormon in Context Lesson 5: I Will Prepare the Way before You: 1 Nephi 16-22

In the 7 January 2024 Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, Spencer Kraus, Martin Tanner, Hales Swift, and Brent Schmidt discussed Book of Mormon lesson 5, I Will Prepare the Way before You on 1 Nephi 16-22. That discussion, liberated from commercial interruptions, has now been archived and made available for your listening pleasure. The other segments of the January 7 radio show can be accessed at https://interpreterfoundation.org/interpreter-radio-show-january-7-2024. The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640, or you can listen live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com.

Come, Follow Me  Study and Teaching Helps (2024): Lesson 5, January 29-February 4: 1 Nephi 16-22: I Will Prepare the Way before You

Editors Note: Four years ago, Jonn Claybaugh began writing the Study and Teaching Helps series of articles for Interpreter. We now have these wonderful and useful posts for all four years of Come, Follow Me lessons. Beginning this year we will be reposting these articles, with dates, lesson numbers, and titles updated for the current years lessons. Jonn has graciously agreed to write new study aids for those lessons that do not directly correspond to 2020 lessons.

An occasional reader of this blog who (Im guessing) would probably prefer that I not name him here has called my attention to two relatively short videos featuring the Oxford mathematician and Christian apologist John Lennox. Ive enjoyed several prior speeches and debates from Dr. Lennox, and, despite the rather hyper-enthusiastic first title, I look forward to watching these, as well:

I call your attention to an interesting article in the Deseret News. (Other outlets have also picked the story up already, but they are all, thus far, situated behind pay walls.). Here it is: Survey offers new answers to an old question: What do religious nones believe? Youve heard of the rise of the nones. But do you really know who they are?I offer some quotations from it, with commentary:

For the first time in decades, the rise of religiously unaffiliated Americans is slowing and potentially reversing course.

If this is true, Im not especially surprised at it  such things tend to be cyclical and, for many people, I would expect, a life lived without larger meaning and without a sense of community can easily become its own antidote  though I could not have predicted its timing. (I recall a historian of modern Europe confidently predicting to me, several decades ago, that the secularization of that continent would eventually reverse itself as Europe recognized its own hunger and emptiness; the reversal has not yet taken place.).

There are, of course obstacles that stand in the way of those working to bring [the nones back] to church, but there are also, according to the Pew Foundation survey data discussed in the article, many positive links that exist between religiously unaffiliated Americans and organized religion.

The label [nones] implies, at least to some Americans, that nones have no attachment to religion. In reality, the nones are a complex group with varied ideas about God, spirituality and religious institutions. Theyre linked together not by a shared set of beliefs, but by what they say when asked about their religious affiliation. Religious nones are people who describe themselves as atheist, agnostic or nothing in particular when asked about their religious affiliation in our surveys, Pews report explains. Among the 28% of U.S. adults who fall into the broad category of nones, [only] 17% identify as atheists, 20% as agnostics and 63% as nothing in particular, Pew found. . . . Fully 7 in 10 nones say they believe in God or a higher power and 63% believe theres something spiritual beyond the natural world, according to the survey.

To me, at least, the fact that at least 83% appear to be potentially open for some sort of religion is encouraging, and I remind you again in this context of Gary Lawrences stimulating book Millions Believe As We Do, which I briefly discussed here in this space back on 3 January 2024.

Although much of the debate around nones centers on whether theyll become religiously affiliated in the future, a growing group of community leaders is worried about their civic participation more broadly. The fear is that when people drop out of organized religion, they also drop out of other social groups.

Since religiously-affiliated people have a strong record of charitably giving and community involvement, we have reason to believe that private philanthropy, charity, and civic participation will be diminished to the extent that religious commitment declines, to say nothing of the mental health issues that ensue upon social isolation. Meaning that, most likely, the government will need to intervene in order to maintain the social safety net.

Heres a new item that has been retrieved from the Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File: In Cambodia, Elder Renlund Visits Prime Minister and Ministers to Saints:Apostle also announces US$2 million donation for a heart hospital in Siem Reap. (It might be worth keeping the fact in mind that Elder Renlund is himself a retired cardiologist.)
Gavin Ortlund is a Reformed Baptist author, speaker, pastor, and apologist for the Christian faith. He has a Ph.D. from Fuller Theological Seminary in historical theology, and an M.Div from Covenant Theological Seminary. Gavin is the author of seven books as well as numerous academic and popular articles. For a list of publications, see his CV. He runs the YouTube channel Truth Unites, which seeks to provide an irenic voice on theology, apologetics, and the Christian life. See also his website, Truth Unites and his blog. His words will be in blue. I use RSV for Bible passages.

*****

Im responding to Gavins article, Why Not Grandchildren? An Argument Against Reformed Paedobaptism (Themelios, Vol. 45, No. 2 (2020): 333346. Themelios is an international, evangelical, peer-reviewed theological journal that expounds and defends the historic Christian faith. Its primary audience is theological students and pastors, though scholars read it as well. So this is a serious scholarly / academic article. Gavin, as a Reformed Baptist, adheres to an adult, believers baptism, and this is his argument against one particular Reformed Presbyterian case for infant baptism, by virtue of the analogy to circumcision.

B. B. Warfield gave a helpfully succinct summary of the Reformed case for paedobaptism:

The argument in a nutshell is simply this: God established His Church in the days of Abraham and put children into it. They must remain there until he puts them out. He has nowhere put them out. They are still then members of His Church and as such entitled to its ordinances. Among these ordinances is baptism, which standing in similar place in the New Dispensation to circumcision in the Old, is like it to be given to children.

This article probes these words standing in a similar place. How similar, precisely? Typically, Reformed paedobaptists describe this similarity as one of identity, or near identity. John Calvin, for example, asserted that whatever belongs to circumcision pertains likewise to baptism  baptism has taken the place of circumcision to fulfill the same office among us. John Murray claimed that there is an essential identity of meaning between circumcision and baptism. Geoffrey Bromiley used the word equation to describe the relationship between the two rites.

Gavin didnt mention that this broad Reformed paedobaptist argument is ultimately drawn straight from St. Paul:

Colossians 2:11-13 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; [12] and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. [13] And you, who were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

I have summarized this motif as follows:

Paul in Colossians 2:11-13 makes a connection between baptism and circumcision. Israel was the church before Christ (Acts 7:38; Rom 9:4). Circumcision, given to 8-day old boys, was the seal of the covenant God made with Abraham, which applies to us also (Gal 3:14, 29). It was a sign of repentance and future faith (Rom 4:11). Infants were just as much a part of the covenant as adults (Gen 17:7; Deut 29:10-12; cf. Mt 19:14). Likewise, baptism is the seal of the New Covenant in Christ. It signifies cleansing from sin, just as circumcision did (Deut 10:16; 30:6; Jer 4:4; 9:25; Rom 2:28-9; Phil 3:3). Infants are wholly saved by Gods grace just as adults are, only apart from their rational and willful consent. Their parents act in their behalf.

John Calvin wrote:

Paul . . . adds that the Colossians had been buried with Christ through baptism [Col 2:12]. By this he means that baptism is today for Christians what circumcision was for the ancients. (Institutes of the Christian Religion, edited by John T. McNeill, translated by Ford Lewis Battles, Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1960, Book IV, ch.14, sec. 24; v. 2, 1300)

Calvin also noted that the analogy (like most analogies) was not a complete one:

But since before baptism was instituted Gods people had circumcision instead, let us examine how these two signs differ from each other, and in what respects they are alike. From this will appear the anagogic relationship of one to the other. (Ibid., Book IV, ch. 16, sec. 3, entitled Circumcision and Baptism, v. 2, 1325-1326; editors note: Calvin regards circumcision anagogically as the anticipation of baptism.)

The editor of this standard version of Calvins Institutes cites the same comparison in St. Augustine, City of God, Book XVI, ch. 27, and in Protestant theologian Oscar Cullmann, Baptism in the New Testament, ch. 4. Additionally, Lutheran theologian Philip Melanchthon makes the same argument in his Loci Communes [1555 edition], ch. 21). My reply will be along the same lines as Calvins: focusing on the disanalogies involved, which lie next to the analogies.

. . . a credobaptist can agree with Warfield that baptism is similar to circumcision, but will take this similarity as most paedobaptists take the relation of the Passover meal and the Lords Supper, in that one fulfills the other but not in so identical a manner as to justify paedocommunion.

It seems at first glance that this argument is implausible, seeing that  arguably  the biggest thing that circumcision and infant baptism have in common is the fact that both are done to very young children. I dont see how that aspect can be removed, without wrecking the analogy altogether. It would no longer be an analogy, I submit.

I offer a further objection to the Reformed paedobaptist argument . . . that the practice of baptizing the infant children of believers is not, in fact, identical with the practice of circumcision throughout the Old Testament.

It is in the sense of being an initiation rite into the believing community, of very young children, along with several other similarities that I summarized above.

. . . the problem is not simply with the equation of baptism and circumcision, but with how circumcision has been construed in the first place.

Okay; lets see what Gavin comes up with.

The proper subjects of circumcision are identified in Genesis 17:9 as you (Abraham) and your seed after you, for the generations to come. The children in view here (Hebrew  , seed, [KJV], or offspring [ESV], or descendants [NIV, NASB, RSV]) are the inter-generational descendants of Abraham that would comprise the nation of Israel. Hence the words for the generations to come here, and every male throughout your generations a few verses later in Genesis 17:12. It is to this national and intergenerational body that God commands: every male among you shall be circumcised (Genesis 17:10).

Sure; but that is the analogy to the Church of Christ; not a perfect one, but close enough to be a forerunner or type of what was to come: similar to many Old Testament precursors to the new covenant and Church age.

Thus, the children to whom circumcision was pledged are something less than identical to the children envisioned by paedobaptism. The lines of covenant throughout the Old Testament were not drawn around particular believing households within Israel, but around the national family of Abraham that comprised an intergenerational people. It was not the spiritual or covenantal status of the mother and/or father of an infant Israelite boy, in itself, that established their right to circumcision, but rather their identification as the offspring ( ) of Abraham.

This lines up with the NT vision of the Church eventually incorporating the entire world, or at least seeking to do so. Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation (Mk 16:15). I dont see how it disproves the analogy. The Jews were the chosen people, after all, so the analogy to the Church would be those who have yielded their lives to God as His disciples. They then become in effect the new [or additional] chosen people. God chose you from the beginning to be saved, . . . (2 Thess 2:13).

This raises the question: if the basis for infant baptism is infant circumcision, and infant circumcision was practiced intergenerationally, should not infant baptism be practiced intergenerationally as well? In other words, why should the grandchildren of believers not be considered eligible for baptism? Consider the following scenario: John Sr. is a devout believer in a particular paedobaptist church; John Jr. attends the church semi-regularly but has never personally professed faith in Christ or become a member, though he attends church nominally; John III is one week old. Should John III be considered a member of the church and a proper candidate for baptism? Most contemporary paedobaptists say no to this question, while historically, more have said yes (more on that a bit later).

But if the argument for baptizing infants arises from continuity with circumcision, why not baptize grandchildren (and great grandchildren, etc.) of believers? On what basis do we differentiate the covenantal status of John Jr. and John III?

This is the heart of Gavins argument, per the title. I think this ties in to the question of religious freedom. As the stand-in for John III, John Jr. decides whether to baptize his son or not. It comes down to what the parent believes. Its their right to raise their children as they so choose. The grandparent cant supersede that. Gods grace can find ways to positively affect an unbaptized child.

To get from you and your seed after you for the generations to come to those who believe and their children is not the continuation of an established practice. It is a movement, a development, a change.

Thats correct. This is the portion of the comparison that is a disanology; while there are relatively more elements that are analogous. Its still enough of an analogy overall to be considered a development of how children become initiated into the believing community or the kingdom of God. The Old Testament had the similar notion of kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex 19:6) and The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all (Ps 103:19) and Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom (Ps 145:13; cf. Dan 4:3; 7:14, 18, 22).

There is a sense in which credobaptists can affirm a stricter continuity between the old and new covenants than paedobaptists insofar as they designate the church as the children of Abrahamdefined in the Genesis 17:9 sense during the old covenant, and defined in the new covenant in the sense of Galatians 3:7: it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham (cf. Philippians 3:3, Romans 2:29). This is a continuity that also embraces typological movement and fulfillment.

Belief and faith is central in both belief-systems. Its just that the believing parents stand in for the infants and God extends (supernatural) blessings to the children, without their knowing what is going on. There are numerous scenarios where someone prays for another, in a state of unconsciousness (say, a coma) or, for example, severely disabled, where the recipient doesnt know what is happening. The disciples raised the dead, according to the gospels. When that happened, it was all because of people completely separate from the dead person, extending Gods power and grace. Ditto with infant baptism. St. Paul refers to future faith:

Romans 4:9-13 Is this blessing pronounced only upon the circumcised, or also upon the uncircumcised? We say that faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness. [10] How then was it reckoned to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. [11] He received circumcision as a sign or seal of the righteousness which he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised and who thus have righteousness reckoned to them, [12] and likewise the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but also follow the example of the faith which our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. [13] The promise to Abraham and his descendants, that they should inherit the world, did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.

St. Peter seemed to refer to something similar on the Day of Pentecost:

Acts 2:38-39 And Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him.

The notion of households being baptized is also a similar thing (Acts 16:15, 33-34; 18:8; 1 Cor 1:16; cf. Gen 18:19; as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD: Josh 24:15).

But it is difficult to regard eligibility for circumcision as conditional on the faithfulness of ones parents.

Its no more difficult than regarding eligibility for believers baptism as conditional on the faith of the one seeking baptism. In each case its a free will decision. Parents make lots of decisions on behalf of their children who are too young to make them. Why not include spiritual things in that category? God desires that all come to repentance and salvation (2 Pet 3:9) but not all do because of free will. If God honors that free choice, so must we. We can hope and pray that any individual person will be saved (with baptism as a big part of that, since it regenerates), but Gods allowance of human free will precludes the possibility that all will be.

No, Joshua 5:8 records that the entire nation was circumcised becauseas specified by Genesis 17circumcision was for the entire nation, not just for believers and their children within the nation.

Thats right, because thats how it worked in Old Testament times. Likewise, entire countries were judged, even though there were righteous people in those judged nations who were killed like the others. But the analogy is between the chosen people and nation of the Jews and the those chosen as members of the Christian Church and new covenant. Its not between nation and new nation, but between geographical nation and spiritual nation or kingdom. Jeremiah and Malachi foretold what was to come:

Jeremiah 31:31-34 Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, [32] not like the covenant which I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant which they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. [33] But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [34] And no longer shall each man teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, `Know the LORD, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts.

But it is not easy to construe how children of Abraham might entail children of believers.

It is in the sense that Abraham was the father of faith, and Christian believers are children of faith. Paul could still refer to our father Abraham as a Christian (Rom 4:12), as did Stephen (Acts 7:2) and Jesus, four times (Lk 1:73; 16:24, 30; 8:53).

. . . standard paedobaptist claim that paedobaptism is a continuation (not merely an implication) of Old Testament practice, as represented by the assertions of Warfield, Calvin, and the like quoted at the beginning of this article.

As I said, every analogy is imperfect, and I cited Calvin, who wrote (my italics), let us examine how these two signs differ from each other, and in what respects they are alike.

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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: image from the article, Themelios: A Wealth of Evangelical Scholarship (Phil Gons, Logos, 5-1-09).

Summary: Gavin, a Reformed Baptist, adheres to an adult baptism. This is his argument against a Presbyterian case for infant baptism, by virtue of the analogy to circumcision.
Fanatics convinced that a god created the world as it is  the so-called creationists  have viciously attacked Richard Lenski. In 1988, this American biologist began one of the most daring experiments in history. He began to cultivate 12 populations of identical bacteria in independent containers, to observe their evolution firsthand. The project was to last a few months, but its results were so striking that Lenskis team from Michigan State University has been overseeing these microbes every day for more than 35 years. There are about 75,000 generations  the equivalent of seeing the human lineage transform over more than a million and a half years. Spanish biologist Alejandro Couce, 42, and his colleagues have now immersed themselves in Lenskis microworld and have reached an extraordinary conclusion: Evolution can be predictable in the short term.

Couce, born in the Spanish town of Irixoa, cites a famous thought experiment proposed by paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould in his 1989 book Wonderful Life. If you could rewind the Earth back hundreds of millions of years and start again, would the same thing happen? Would intelligent bipedal beings capable of writing Don Quixote emerge again? Would giraffes and butterflies appear? Goulds big question was whether evolution depends on chance or whether it is determined.

Lenski has produced a massive amount of work since 1988. The bacteria under investigation is Escherichia coli, which is present in human intestines. Almost seven generations live in a single day. Scientists have to change their culture medium every day, whether it is a public holiday, weekend or in the middle of the summer vacations. The 12 populations have lived all this time on water, salts and glucose, but the result is surprisingly different in the 12 containers. In the 31,500th generation, one of the colonies learned to feed on sodium citrate, one of the ingredients of its culture medium, which this type of bacteria had previously rejected. A new, de facto species appeared, but only in one of the 12 populations.

Lenski has patiently stored frozen samples of his bacteria every 500 generations. In his freezers, it is possible to explore what has happened since 1988, and address an even more ambitious  and almost philosophical  question: could it all have happened differently? Couce, from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, explains that his team asked Lenski for microbes from different generations. Their goal was to thaw the microbes, multiply them and test hundreds of thousands of mutations to analyze how each of them was affected.

Biologist Richard Lenski (right) and his colleague Zachary Blount, in front of hundreds of lab plates used to grow bacteria. Brian Baer / Universidad Estatal de Michigan

If you go back 75,000 human generations to 1.5 million years ago, Homo sapiens did not yet exist. What we have done is like taking a Homo erectus, making all the possible mutations to all of its genes and asking yourself if those mutations are going to give rise to a Neanderthal, the Homo antecessor of Atapuerca or Homo sapiens, says Couce. His team, he says, has been able to predict up to 75% of the first adaptive steps of bacteria. Their results were published on Thursday in the prestigious journal Science.

However, Lenski, a co-author of the new study, is cautious. His experiment has maintained the same, fully controlled conditions since 1988, day after day, which is very different from what happens on planet Earth, subject to climate change, meteorites, solar flares and endless interactions between living beings. I am excited by these new results, but science is still far from being able to predict evolution in the vast and complex natural world. In any case, thats how science usually works: advancing gradually, not solving everything at once, says Lenski, who was involved in the investigation of the anthrax attacks following the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.

Gould's enigma will probably never be answered. These new data, as well as other findings from the experiment I began in 1988, show that, even under these simple conditions, evolution produces a rich and fascinating mix of the predictable and the unpredictable. I suspect that the same thing happens when evolution is expanded to the large planetary scale that Gould was thinking about, explains Lenski.

The 12 bacterial populations cultured by Richard Lenski's team, in an image taken on June 25, 2008. Brian Baer y Neerja Hajela

Couce says that his team applied the new massive genetic engineering techniques to the so-called Long-Term Evolution Experiment. The Spanish biologist believes that the results allow him to dream of making concrete predictions about the evolution of pathogens and pests, as science can already do with the climate. This work opens the door to predicting what is important for a new virus to jump from the pangolin and adapt to humans, he says.

Microbiologist Sara Hernando Amado praises the brilliant idea of Couce and his colleagues. Not only do they raise one of the most interesting questions that can be asked in biology  whether it is possible to predict evolution  but they also lead us to a question that is key to solving one of the greatest health challenges we face: is it possible to predict the emergence of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria? says Hernando Amado, a researcher from Spains National Center for Biotechnology, in Madrid. We have a tool  evolutionary knowledge  that can allow us to stop or slow down the emergence of resistance associated with the use of antibiotics, simply by choosing them better, she adds.

Microbiologist Jeronimo Rodriguez Beltran also applauds the new study, in which he did not participate. It shows that, at least in the laboratory, evolution is to some extent predictable. As long as conditions remain constant, the tape of life would play the same song. At least the first chords, says the researcher, from the Ramon y Cajal Institute for Health Research, in Madrid. It is a tremendously important discovery, because it opens the door to predicting bacterial evolution, which has applications in fields as diverse as biotechnology, where bacteria are used to produce compounds of interest, or medicine, in which bacteria resistant to antibiotics are becoming alarmingly prevalent, he adds.

A report by the British government warned in 2016 that drug-resistant microbes  especially bacteria  were killing 700,000 people globally every year. According to the document, antimicrobial resistance could kill 10 million people a year by 2050, a higher figure than cancer. Rodriguez Beltran points out that the new data are only valid for bacteria that do not exchange genetic material with each other, a very common phenomenon in other microbes, which is behind the spread of antibiotic resistance. The microbiologist, however, is optimistic: The results of this work are a boost to scientists who are trying to predict the emergence of multiresistant bacteria: they tell us that it is possible. That there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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I am delighted to have the opportunity to offer a brief review of Mireille Hadas-Lebels book Les Pharisiens: Dans les Evangiles et dans lHistoire. It accomplishes a great many important things in a manner that will be of interest to scholars and yet is presented in a way that should reach a much wider audience. Having a scholar who has previously published on other aspects of Jewish history in the same period tackle this topic is a definite gain.

In the book there are a number of positive features that stand out. Hadas-Lebel highlights and explores the Pharisees political involvement more clearly than in most other treatments, including under the Hasmoneans, but also in their close connection with the demand for freedom from Roman rule in response to the census. The author understandably begins with Josephus and also seeks to correlate with other sources. The focus on pre-70 rabbinic tradition with the aim of avoiding anachronism (p.51) is, at least in principle, a praiseworthy procedure and it is initially implemented in an impressive manner. The effort is made to note the continuities, the disjunctures, and the simple differences between Josephus information about the Pharisees (both as a group and in his mentions of individuals) and Rabbinic texts from a later time. There are occasional exceptions to this overall admirably critical approach. For instance, even though it seems clear that the Talmud preserves a distant memory of the same citron-pelting incident recorded by Josephus (p.66), it must still be considered that the Talmudic characterization of the incident in terms of Sadducean failure to accurately carry out ritual might be a later reinterpretation. Even when it comes to the dominance of Pharisaic over Sadducean ways of performing rituals in the temple, Hadas-Lebel seems to me too quick to assume that the alternate view of what should be done that is attributed by the Talmud to the Sadducees, accurately reflects views held in the first century. This is certainly possible, but cannot be assumed. It is of course the case that this book was not engaging in extremely detailed critical analysis of the tradition history of each pericope brought in as evidence, but without such arguments here or reference to where they are provided elsewhere, a critical reader will likely be dissatisfied and unpersuaded. This point should not however be overemphasized. There is certainly evidence of continuity between matters in Josephus time and in the Talmud, and Hadas-Lebel provides examples thereof. (See for instance the illuminating discussion of laws on p.78). My point is that there are also discontinuities, and thus we must treat each case on its own merits, neither presuming that the Talmud reflects first century belief and practice, nor that it does not.

Reading a book in another language than ones native tongue, including its quotations from the Bible, always challenges and provokes in ways that an author may not even notice. For instance, there is a long history of rendering the repeated phrase in Matthew 23 a particular way. When the book has it without punctuation, it highlights to readers familiar with it another way that it was a decision, and not a necessary one, to render it as woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! as is typical in English, rather than woe however to you hypocritical scribes and Pharisees (denoting a subset of these groups). Hadas-Lebel is following the rendering in the Louis Segond translation at this point and so may not even be aware that English speakers would be familiar with a more problematic different punctuation.

There are plenty of points that are not central to the book that I either particularly appreciated or found problematic. In the former category, the usefulness of a variety of ancient sources to historians is captured in a nutshell on p.93: It often happens that texts devoid of any historical pretension nonetheless constitute historical sources through all the information that they provide almost in spite of themselves on the framework in which they are located. In the sentence that immediately follows, Hadas-Lebel adds that The Gospels are not a history of Jesus. Yet this seems insufficiently reflected in the treatment of some specific details such as the assumption of the historicity of Lukes depiction of the young Jesus (pp.85-86). Legends and fabricated symbolic stories about individuals childhood are a standard feature of Greco-Roman biographies (lives, bioi). Likewise the description of Matthew as the most Jewish of all the Evangelists  (p.84) reflect widely held popular views but ones that scholarship presumably ought to problematize as at best an oversimplification. Also, although a somewhat tangential matter, we still encounter generalizations about Hebrew and Greek conceptualities and languages in popular thought that it is important for scholars to avoid, and indeed challenge. The notion (p.60) that a language may be inherently better or worse equipped to express abstract notions is problematic, and certainly at the very least debatable. The consensus of linguists appears to be that any culture and language may move in that direction and use language accordingly. Some traditions may not have developed vocabulary to express something succinctly (the famous example is Pirahas lack of numbers) but that does not mean that they could not develop the necessary concepts and vocabulary if need or desire arose.

The analogy of the Sadducees stance as akin to that of sola scriptura (p.52) is one that I cannot criticize as I have used it myself in an effort to help students understand. Pondering the topic further as I was reading Hadas-Lebels book, I nonetheless found myself forced to ask myself how useful a misleading slogan of Protestantism really is in describing a movement (the Sadducees) that, as far as we know, never used it. Where I think the phrase is useful is precisely in the context and for the aims with which Hadas-Lebel uses it: because it makes those who use Pharisee and Sadducee as negative epithets consider that they may have things in common with them.

On the whole Hadas-Lebel offers a presentation of the Pharisees that recognizes their diversity, their positive contributions in their era, and the resemblance of Jesus of Nazareth to them. In seeking to adjudicate between an array of literature with polemical features, it is perhaps inevitable that the Pharisees, what became Christianity, and other groups will all at times be cast in a negative light because the only lens through which we can view them is one provided by their opponents. That Hadas-Lebel for the most part manages to avoid this is remarkable. The books overall success in this regard nonetheless makes the very few exceptions stand out all the more. The remark on p.100, Such severity for such a trifle, veers into the disparagement of Judaism that the author otherwise seeks to combat. Keeping the Sabbath is not a trifle within that context and those who recognize that rest and wellness go hand in hand will likely be the first to admit that compromising time that is designated for family or recuperation with work is indeed a slippery slope. Even if one agrees with Jesus rather than his critics on the specific points of plucking grain or healing, the underlying question is not a trifling one. I suspect, in view of other parts of the book, that Hadas-Lebel may have written this to reflect not her own view but what other readers say, writing it with more than a hint of irony. If so, I will just point out that this does not come across as clearly as it might have. In the same vein, the discussion of fasting misses that Jesus teaching about fasting was when you fast, do not make a show of it. Unless his response to critics of the failure of his disciples to fast is recognized as a misperception, we will misunderstand his response to them (pp.103-104). Jesus does not, in my reading, in any way criticize the tithing of mint and cumin (p.107) but mocks the ability of some to achieve such precision in the realm of tithing while at the same time neglecting much bigger things. Even so, Hadas-Lebel ensures that the reader grasps that Jesus, although not a Pharisee, was more similar in his stances to them than to other groups in his era. The rediscovery of Jesus as Jewish that has been an important part of recent scholarship should point to him as one who was akin to the Pharisees (p.170).

In conclusion, if there are some relatively minor details or ways of putting things that I have criticized, it is only because the book is on the whole so fantastic in its critical rigor and its aim of combatting Christian antisemitism with regard to the Pharisees that these seeming exceptions stood out. None of what I have written here should detract from the fact that the book provides most of us, even scholars, with angles on the Pharisees that we need to hear if we are to understand ancient Judaism and/or Christian origins correctly. Readers will come away having understood a group that, if they know the Pharisees only through the Gospels and sermons about them, they will perceive them as stock villains with no seriousness or depth to them. In reality, as the evidence makes abundantly clear, this was a distinguished and influential movement in Judaism in that era, one that was politically engaged and a vibrant positive force, if not for that reason one that was above criticism. To the extent that the later rabbinic tradition reflects the legacy of the Pharisees, there have been few traditions that have managed to so effectively balance the creation of a common identity while also leaving room for vigorous debate and disagreement. To the extent that Jesus disagreed with them more frequently than others on the pages of early Christian literature, that is because he had more in common with them than others, making his points of disagreement with them all the more contentious. Even in these moments, as Hadas-Lebel shows the reader so well, the diversity of this vibrant movement was such that Jesus would have had allies within it, and had he wished to he could in all likelihood have engaged in the same arguments within the movement as he did from outside. I hope that the volume will reach a wide audience in the Francophone world and beyond, and have an impact not only on our historical appreciation but on interreligious understanding and appreciation in our time.
As prices of onion continue to rise, the commoditys sellers are in fear of losing their livelihoods due to low patronage.



The country currently imports about 70 percent of its onions mainly from Niger, a major dry onion supplier in West Africa, despite having suitable land for its cultivation.



But as prices keep rising as a result of a weaker cedi and instability in the Sahel Region, contributing to higher cost of importation of onions, traders at Agbogbloshie and other major markets in Accra say the situation is posing a real threat to their livelihoods.



For instance, the price of a bigger bag  100kg  of the bulb-shaped onion soared by 78 percent from GH900 in Q3 2023 to GH1,600 in January 2024.



Also, the price of a smaller bag  25kg  has gone up by 100 percent from GH300 in Q3 of last year to GH600 in January 2024, with smaller quantities of onions in measuring cans, popularly known as olonka, surging from GH15 in Q3 2023 to GH60 in January 2024  representing an increase of 300 percent.



Sufyan Ibrahim, an onion trader at the Agbogbloshie Millennium Market in Accra, speaking on behalf of the commoditys chief trader at Agbogbloshie, cited the depreciation of the cedi against major trading currencies, including the CFA, and persistent highway robbery attacks on transporters as some of the factors occasioning the price surge.



He lamented that onions are increasingly becoming a luxury for most shoppers due to the rising prices amid the current harsh economic conditions.



Due to frequent attacks, truck drivers are afraid to travel the routes to and from Niger. They complain that the Police are unable to protect them from highway robbers who not only take their money, but sometimes kill them. They also tell me that the road to Niger is among the most dangerous within ECOWAS, he added.



He explained that the current instability in the Sahel, which has persisted for about a year now, is the reason there has not been an onion glut in Ghana in a long while.



While expressing worry about dwindling customer patronage due to the high cost of onions, he called on the government to put in place measures to stabilise the cedi. He also charged regional and international leaders to speed up efforts to restore peace to the Sahel.



More importantly, Mr. Ibrahim implored the government and private investors to promote domestic onion production, highlighting the benefits of doing so to the economy.



Sleeping on opportunities



Plant biologist and lecturer at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, Dr. Agyemang Danquah, in an interview with the B&FT, stressed the need for government to take onion production seriously.



By promoting investment in domestic production, he said the government could kill two birds with one stone  reduce the import burden on the cedi and at the same time create sustainable jobs. He added that there is a ready market for onions and any investment in local production would yield returns.



While urging farmers to adopt smarter methods of cultivation, he appealed to government to provide assistance to enable farmers to produce all year round to maintain price stability.



It is high time we shifted from traditional ways of onion cultivation to adopting modern ones, such as the greenhouse system, to maximise production for local consumption and export, he added.



He further implored government to facilitate access to research funds to enable the countrys crop research institutions to produce breeder and foundation seeds for the vegetable while also coming out with other suitable varieties to boost local production.



This, when done, the plant biologist reiterated, will enable the country to beat competition from Niger, Nigeria and other places where it is sourced.



In West Africa, onions are highly valued and often used in the cuisines of various people, especially Ghanaians. Many meals include onions as a garnish, whether they are boiled, fried, caramelised or even served raw. According to experts, it improves blood sugar management and boosts bone density, among other health benefits.

Source: B&FT









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Nutrifoods Ghana Limited, a leading player in the food industry, has received strong endorsements for its safety and quality protocols from the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) following the renewal last week of the facilitys FSSC 22000 certification for both its Biscuit and Culinary operations.



Nutrifoods Ghana shot into the industry spotlight in 2016 when the company was accorded West Africas first FSSC 22000 certification, elevating it to the forefront of industry standards and showcasing its unwavering dedication to global best practices.



The FSSC 22000 certification is a global food safety initiative benchmark that enjoys international recognition and worldwide credibility and offers a common language and communication for food safety across the supply chain.



The GFSI benchmarks the various food safety standards against a basic set of criteria and those standards that meet the criteria are accordingly recognized. The process is accomplished through collaboration amongst the worlds leading food safety experts from retail, manufacturing, and food service companies as well as from international organizations, government agencies, academia, and service providers to the global food industry.



The certification gives credence to Nutrifoods' commitment to food safety and the companys willingness to embrace a proactive approach to managing food safety.



Amitabh Coomar, Business Head for Nutrifoods Ghana emphasized the companys commitment to quality and food safety and the positive impact of the certification on the companys manufacturing processes.



The Implementation of FSSC 22000 has had a significant impact on processes, documentation, and communication within our factories. This has resulted in increased operational efficiency and has also helped us to save costs. I want to thank the team for this remarkable achievement and the constant commitment to the culture of safety within the workplace.



Having successfully cleared surveillance audits year after year, Nutrifoods Ghana continues to showcase a steady improvement and progress in terms of FSSC 22000 certification, said Mr. Coomar.



Nutrifoods recently launched new varieties of cookies to its line of biscuits following heavy investments in systems and production line upgrades all of which paved the way for the introduction of the Perk Danish Cookies - a combination of butter cookies, choco butter, chocolate chip, and coconut cookies.

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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A high-level bilateral discussion on the significance of digitalization in a modern economy was held Wednesday afternoon in Tallinn, between Ghana, Africas fastest digitizing country, and Estonia, renowned as one of the worlds most digitized countries.



The Ghanaian delegation led by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who has spearheaded Ghana's remarkable digital transformation, and is on a three-day working visit to Estonia held talks with Estonian President, Alar Karis, before also calling on the Prime Minister, Ms. Kaja Kallas and other officials including Luukas Ilves, Undersecretary for Digital Transformation, Government CIO at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.



As a global leader in digital economic transformation, Dr. Bawumia's visit to Estonia is to examine the remarkable story of the Northern European country vi's a vis Ghana's own digitalization journey which has set Ghana apart as a reference point in Africa.



At all the meetings with the Estonian President, Prime Minister and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the hosts shared how their country's investment in digitalization and their commitment to implementing same, in over two decades now, has resulted in a massive economic transformation while Dr. Bawumia also shared Ghana's digitalization story of the past seven years and how it is already positively impacting the nation, especially in combating corruption, making things easier for the people and impacting on government revenue.



Interestingly, in spite of being years ahead of Ghana in its digitalization journey, Estonia's digitalization, christened "e-Estonia", shares striking similarities with Digital Ghana in the areas of national identification, addressing system, online government services and financial inclusion.



Digital Ghana vs e-Estonia



Just like the Ghana Card, e-Estonia is built on its digital national identity card system which is mandatory for every Estonian citizen and can also be used as a digital signature without the person being present.



The Estonian national ID is the catalyst for everything including filing tax returns, booking train tickets, banking and even voting just as the Ghana Card is now the basis for many things in Ghana including banking and seeking government services such as applying for passports, drivers license, social security, travel document among others.

Another similarity between e-Estonia and Digital Ghana is Estonia's famed e-Government service which has built an online presence for many public services just as the Ghana.Gov online platform.



Estonia's e-Government has brought over 100 public services online including filling forms online, paying fines, booking an appointment with a doctor, checking the expiry date of licenses and insurance, filling of tax returns and many others, same as the Ghana.Gov does in Ghana.



Financial inclusion is another digital success story Digital Ghana shares with e-Estonia.



It is estimated that 99% of bank transfers in Estonia are made electronically on a mobile phone or a computer, the national ID card or Mobile-ID in the same fashion as in Ghana, mobile money interoperability has become the biggest method for financial transaction.



Dr. Bawumia and his delegation are expected to hold further discussions with Estonian authorities later on Thursday and Friday.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Authorities in worlds most digitalized country, Estonia, have expressed surprise at the success story of Ghana's digitalization journey and the impact it is having on the Ghanaian society.



Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is on a working visit to the Northern European Country which has carved a niche for itself as a global leader in digitalization with 99% of its public services delivered online including an incredible 98% of online banking transactions.



Ghana, in the past seven years, has also become a reference point for digitalization in Africa, having built a world-standard digitalization network with a digital national identity system, a nationwide property address system as well as an interoperable database and financial sector to underpin the delivery of many public services online.



During meetings with high-ranking officials of Estonia, Ghana's remarkable digitalization story was discussed at length and hailed for its impact within a short period.



"It has taken us over 20 years to get to where we are now but you have done so well and you have achieved a lot in seven years," Estonia's Chief Government Information Officer, Luukas Ilves, who is also Undersecretary for Digital Transformation said.



The Estonian official asked Dr. Bawumia which countries have been building Ghana's digital platforms and he was surprised when the Vice President answered that all the digital initiatives have been made possible through the ingenuity of young Ghanaians.



"The talent is local. It is right in Ghana. Everything we have done have been done by young talented Ghanaians back home and they have been so efficient that I could call them at midnight for a discussion on projects."



In spite of the long gap in years of implementation, over 20 years for Estonia and 7 years in Ghana, Estonia's digitalization framework and output is similar to Ghana's as both are anchored on a digital national identity system.



In Estonia, every digital initiative operates on the national identity card managed by the Civic Registry, similarly as Ghana's digital interventions are operated through the Ghana Card managed by the National Identification Authority.



Again, Estonia's unique national identification number also serve as tax identification, social security, drivers license and other national identification numbers just as the Ghana Card number serves as identification numbers for SSNIT, health insurance and others.



Ghana has also achieved the convergence of public services online through Ghana.Gov just as Estonia whose online public service delivery is called e-Government.



However, contrary to Ghana's digitalization initiative which has faced pessimism from a section of the public as it gets rid of corrupt practices, the situation is different in Estonia as their digital journey has received support, especially from the private sector.



"We have received tremendous support in this mission, especially from the private sector", the Chief Government Information Officer also said.



He added that the banks supported them so much for online banking when they sensed they could be out of business and as a result, about 98% of banking transactions in Estonia are now done online.



Dr. Bawumia is leading the Ghanaian delegation for a three-day working visit to Estonia and on the first day of his visit on Wednesday, he held bilateral discussions with the President and Prime Minister of Estonia.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Past students of the Kumasi Academy Senior High School (Akunni Global) have generously donated 1,000 mono desks and 60 bunk beds to their alma mater.



This benevolent gesture was prompted by a recent request from the school authorities to the association for additional bunk beds.



He explained, As Akunni, we were able to organize and procure 60 beds, which can accommodate 150 ladies. Boakye emphasized that beyond the physical furniture, the donation represented a foundation for hope, a sail for growth, and a tangible investment in the future.



Expressing gratitude to all those who contributed to the initiative, Boakye encouraged fellow alumni to continue working hand in hand to further enhance their alma mater.



He highlighted that the noble initiative not only signified their commitment to education but also emphasized the transformative power of collaboration and support for their school.



The headmaster of the school, Samuel Kwame Gato, expressed joy and excitement over this timely intervention.



Describing the donation as unprecedented, he acknowledged Akunni Global as critical and relevant stakeholders whose contributions to the schools development agenda remained indispensable.



On behalf of the Board of Governors and the entire Kumasi Academy community, the headmaster conveyed profound gratitude and appreciation to Akunni Global for their generous donation.



During a brief ceremony held to hand over the furniture, the President of Akunni Global, Harry Boakye, expressed the alumni's sense of fulfilment in meeting a critical need at a school they hold in high esteem.



Boakye mentioned that the decision to make this contribution was influenced by the school authorities' revelation that some newly enrolled female students lacked beds to sleep on.



I stand before you all with immense gratitude and a sense of fulfilment as we together present and hand over 1,000 mono desks and 60 3in1 bunk beds, he stated.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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A report yet to be submitted to the presidency has found the military guilty of brutalizing some residents of Ashaiman in March 2023 after the death of a soldier  citinewsroom.com has reported.



Their action was widely condemned by Ghanaians after a committee was set to investigate the incident.



The Committee on Defence and Interior in Parliament has finalized its investigation with recommendations yet to be submitted to the presidency.



According to the committee, persons brutalised by the military in Ashaiman on 7th March 2023, who sustained various degrees of injury should be promptly and adequately compensated by the state.



The compensation must be extended to cover those persons whose properties were destroyed in the course of the military swoop, the report further indicated.



The Committee also condemned hate for any form of torturous handling of civilians by the military and other security agencies.



The committee, in its report, indicated that the actions of the military contravene Section 32 of the Ghana Armed Forces Act, 1962 (Act 105).



The Committee further recommends that the soldiers who indulged in the excesses associated with the operation should be identified and dealt with in accordance with section 32 of the Ghana Armed Forces Act, 1962 (Act 105), which stipulates that: Every person in the Armed Forces, who behaves in a cruel or disgraceful manner shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to any less punishment provided by this Act.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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Dr Richard Amoako Baah, former head of the Political Science Department at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has expressed concern over the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) decision to allow its General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, to represent the party at the Manhyia Palace on behalf of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Bernard Antwi Bosiako.



At the just gone vetting of prospective parliamentary candidates of the NPP at the Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia campaign office at Asokwa in the Ashanti Region, the Regional Chairman of the party, also popularly called "Chairman Wontumi" made certain remarks perceived as disrespectful to the occupant of the Golden Stool.



After his comments went viral, the Kumasi Traditional Council summoned Chairman Wontumi through the national leadership of the NPP on Monday, 22nd January, 2024. A delegation of the party led by its General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, was at the Manhyia Palace to request clemency for him



Dr. Baah in an interview on Joy FM's Top Story criticised the party's handling of the issue, pointing out the need for a representative from the National Council of Elders to intervene to address such a sensitive matter. He implied that the General Secretary is inexperienced to handle matters of such magnitude and that his role as an emissary was a total misrepresentation.



I am very sad to see that the General Secretary is the one who is speaking for the party. Yes, he is the General Secretary, but in this instance, it is not appropriate for him to be the one speaking. So you see the inexperience at play here



It should be a member of the National Council speaking, with the General Secretary standing beside him because they are older people, they are elders. Dont they have any Ashanti region member in their rank to speak to this, an elder to speak to this? he asked.



Footage from the Manhyia Palace on Monday, 22nd January, 2024, exposed Justin Kodua Frimpong's inability to defuse tension, prompting Dr. Baah's strong reaction and criticism of his action.



The retired lecturer also raised concerns about the rising levels of indiscipline in the ranks of the party, attributing it to lack of firm leadership. He explained that the tension between the Kumasi Traditional Council and the New Patriotic Party over a comment made by Chairman Wontumi could have been avoided with proactive measures.



Recent reports suggest electoral risks for the NPP, with the incompetent and inexperienced General Secretary for prioritising personal gains and in pursuit of excessive imaginary powers.



Political observers recommend proactive intervention by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the party's flagbearer, to guarantee victory in 2024.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Some delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Dome-Kwabenya constituency have said they are still in love with their sitting Member of Parliament (MP), Lawyer Sarah Adwoa Safo, and would vote massively to retain her.



This, they noted, would send a very strong signal to the party hierarchy that without Adwoa Safo, the NPP would struggle to retain the seat for the party.



What is motivating them to go out in droves to vote massively to retain the former Deputy Majority Leader, they said, is her competency which has never been questioned despite the mistakes she made last year when the party needed her most in Parliament to pass some critical government policies.



According to them, on Saturday, January 27, 2024 NPP parliamentary primary in the constituency is all about legacy and trump card, two distinct features which they claim, separate the incumbent from the rest of her competitors, Mike Oquaye Jnr and Sheela Oppong Sakyi.



In an exclusive interview with The Chronicle, the delegates described Adwoa Safo as the hen that lays the golden eggs and argued that the constituency under her leadership has seen tremendous growth, especially, in the areas of road infrastructure, health, water and sanitation, education, energy (power supply), and security among many others.



They contended that Dome-Kwabenya has always got it right in choosing the best to represent them, stressing that the outcome of Saturdays polls would not depart from the previous elections.



Not tired of re-electing Safo



We have no time to play any try-and-error game. The legacy of Lawyer Sarah Adwoa Safo is there for all to see. In fact, anybody in the constituency can feel and experience it. She is already on the ground working; to me, she is our best bet for 2024. I have been in the constituency for the past 26 years and I can confidently tell you that Adwoa Safo is loved by the majority of the constituents, and we, the delegates, still love her She listens to our concerns and acts upon them. That is why we are not tired of re-electing her, Mama Gee, a delegate at Agbogba-Konongo Polling Station, told The Chronicle.



Shadrach Gyimah, a delegate at the Old Ashongman Presbyterian School, said the only candidate among the three contestants who poses a great challenge to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is Adwoa Safo



If Adwoa Safo is to contest the seat 10 times, I will vote for her and urge others to also vote for her. If you consider our experienced MPs going out, it is incumbent on us to retain Adwoa Safo. Come to Abokobi-Boye, and you will see heavy-duty machines and / or equipment fixing our road network. You can also see so many public health infrastructure around us. All these had to do with someone who has a very good lobbying skill. So, for me, no Adwoa Safo no vote, he noted.



No legacy



Commenting further, Gyimah noted that none of the candidates contesting Adwoa Safo has any legacy project to pinpoint to, a key factor, which he added, plays a big role in such a contest.



The other candidates have no legacy project in the constituency to convince us to vote for them despite having been appointed to occupy various positions in government. We want to set a record this year by demonstrating our special love to Adwoa Safo by voting massively for her. This will send a signal to our big men that without Adwoa Safo, Dome-Kwabenya will struggle to garner the much-needed votes to assist in breaking the eight-year governance cycle, he stressed.



While the lawmaker was away in the United States of America attending to family matters, the constituency voters album for the election of polling station executives and electoral area coordinators was compiled.



625 delegates said to be aligned with the vision of Adwoa Safo, a former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, were allegedly removed from the album with perceived followers of a particular candidate, replacing them. The constituency has 1,807 delegates.



Many have since accused the constituency executives of working in favour of a particular candidate. The executives have since denied working in the interest of a particular candidate.



Responding to the issue, Gyimah noted that the mischief that the new voters album had sought to create had been cured with the good message of Adwoa Safo that seeks to economically empower the constituents.



Dependable candidate



Nana Nkrumah, also a delegate at Zonal Council Polling Station, on his part, told The Chronicle that his assessment of the three candidates singled out Adwoa Safo as someone whom the NPP can heavily rely on to retain the seat for the party.



There is only one person who stands tall among the rest. That person is Adwoa Safo, who has proven to be a dependable candidate. In terms of competency, track record and one who has demonstrated or proven with a track record is Hon. Adwoa Safo. She took over from Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye with 35,000 votes. Today, she has around 75,000 votes. She appeals to all members of the various political parties in the constituency, which is her major strength, he said.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has referred former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah's case to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).



According to a statement from the OSP, By operation of law, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has a specific and direct mandate in respect of suspected cases of money laundering and its attendant activity of structuring. Consequently, the Office is referring the case to EOCO for continued investigation and further action. The Office will be in close collaboration with EOCO and continued collaboration with the FBI"



Meanwhile, a little over an hour ago, the Office discontinued its application that was pending before the High Court for a confirmation of the seizure and freezing orders in pursuance of the referral of the case to EOCO.



The Office also discontinued the procedural criminal charge against Ms. Dapaah for failure to return forms on declaration of property and income.

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Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Everyone needs sleep. When humans or animals dont get enough sleep, they may have difficulty paying attention, experience irritability, or suffer from other negative effects. The Australian antechinus, however  a small, mouse-like creature  doesnt seem to care: this little creature sacrifices hours of sleep to have as much sex as possible.

Over the course of the three intense weeks of the breeding period, the males of this small marsupial species seek to copulate with the greatest number of females in sessions lasting up to 14 hours. Researchers from La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, have identified this behavior. They published their findings on Thursday, January 25, in Current Biology.

The 13 known species of the antechinus live mainly on the Australian mainland and on the island state of Tasmania. They have a short lifespan of only 11 months, while males usually die just after mating season. This unusual factor was what attracted scientists to study them.

As catching them isnt easy, animal science researcher Erika Zaid and her colleagues recorded the movements and metabolic measurements of 450 of these animals, so as to study their sleep routines. They found that, on average, males sacrificed at least three hours of rest each night during the three weeks that females were in heat.

Zaid explains that the urgency of male antechinuses lies in the fact that theyre semelparous  that is, they reproduce only once in their lives. On the contrary, females live twice as long and have more opportunities to reproduce. This means that they dont want to waste time sleeping and copulating for 12 or 14 hours. They dont need to look for a mate, nor do they need to store sperm from multiple males. If a female stops sleeping, its because of the male harassment she suffers from during the mating season.

To ensure their reproductive success in the sperm contest, males also compete with each other physically, to access as many females as possible. Those who sleep less will be more successful. According to experts, sleep reduction could be adaptive when the need to reproduce is extreme.

Death from too much sex?

There are three things that all animals must do: eat, avoid being eaten and reproduce. The ability to meet these goals depends on the amount of sleep one gets, as the functions that rest provides cannot be circumvented. Theres no animal that stops sleeping completely, but there are some  such as the antechinus  that prefer to ensure reproductive success rather than restfulness. The most extreme case is that of the male pectoral sandpiper (a small, migratory bird), which spends up to 15 days without sleeping, also to copulate with as many females as possible.

Lack of sleep, however, takes its toll. After the mating season, male antechinuses develop skin lesions, fur loss and decreased performance while awake, an effect that worsens night after night, Zaid emphasizes. Other previous research has proposed that these marsupials live short lives precisely because of this lack of sleep, in what they call reproductive suicide. But after this experiment, Zaids team doesnt completely agree about this: Eight out of 10 survived beyond the mating season, [while] the two who died synchronously were not the ones who slept the least, the authors say.

Researchers want to learn more about how antechinuses handle sleep loss, which reaches a level that would cause human beings to act as if they were legally intoxicated. Are [they extremely] committed, so they just keep going? the researchers ask. Or are they simply resistant to the negative effects of sleep [deprivation]?

Unfortunately, after all this effort, the offspring of these marsupials dont have it so easy. Females are capable of giving birth to up to 18 babies, but since they only have six teats to feed them, only a third of them survive.

Antechinuses arent listed as an endangered species, but habitat loss due to human development certainly represents a threat to their survival. The authors of the study warn that its very difficult to catch specimens, meaning that the number of animals present in nature today isnt close to what was recorded in the 1970s.

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A 52-year-old Lebanon County, Pa., man killed his ex-girlfriend Nov. 7 and then fatally crashed his car in Warren County, N.J., while fleeing the homicide scene, authorities said.

North Lebanon Township Police said Alejandro Reyes-Moya entered the home of 42-year-old Teresa Sanchez De-Sena in the 2000 block of Church Street in West Lebanon Township, Lebanon County, early that day. The pair had been involved in a romantic relationship that had recently ended, township police said.

Months later, police on Friday confirmed that Reyes-Moya is believed to be the sole suspect in the womans death, but few details have been released on how she died or if a weapon was used in the killing. The Lebanon County coroners office didnt immediately respond to a request for more information about the death Friday morning.

The crash on Nov. 7 happened at 4:13 a.m. along Interstate 78 East in Greenwich Township, Warren County. Reyes-Moya was driving a Honda CR-V when he hit the rear of a Freightliner truck with a utility trailer parked on the right shoulder of the highway, New Jersey State Police Sgt. Charles Marchan had told lehighvalleylive.com.

Marchan confirmed Reyes-Moya suffered fatal injuries in the crash. Its unclear if he died at the scene or at a hospital.

North Lebanon Township police found Sanchez De-Senas body at her home around 11:30 a.m. Nov. 7, hours after trying to notify someone there of Reyes-Moyas death.

The incident is being treated as a homicide investigation by North Lebanon Township Police and the Lebanon County Detective Bureau, as well as New Jersey State Police. New Jersey State Police and the Warren County Prosecutors Office also continue to investigate the Greenwich Township crash.

Police said investigators continue to await final reports from a forensic pathologist and a forensic scientist for more details about the womans death.

Police could not confirm if Reyes-Moya was living at the Church Street address leading up to the incident, but did say he had lived there before.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
The two owners of a popular cheesesteak restaurant in Philadelphia were sentenced to 20 months in prison with three years of supervised release after committing tax fraud over a decade, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Nicholas Lucidonio, 57, and Anthony Lucidonio Sr., 84, both of New Jersey, failed to report more than $8 million in cash receipts while owning and operating Tony Lukes in South Philadelphia from 2006 to 2016, according to a press release.

The DOJ said the owners would only deposit a portion of the cash they received at Tony Lukes into their business bank account while also providing falsified information to their accountant. This led to substantially underreported tax filings for Tony Lukes.

The Lucidonios also committed employment tax fraud throughout the 10 years, paying employees in cash while only reporting a portion of their wages to avoid detection, the press release said.

Then, in 2015, the Lucidonios got into a dispute over Tony Lukes franchising rights, which prompted the duo to amend their business tax return from the previous year while continuing to hide their payroll tax fraud scheme, the DOJ said.

The Lucidonios defrauded the United States out of a total of $1,321,042, according to the release.

The IRS Criminal Investigation handled the case. Acting Section Chief John Kane of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney and Criminal Division Chief Richard Barrett for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.
Adams County Winery, Gettysburgs original winery and the fifth oldest continually operating winery in Pennsylvania, is getting ready to release a new seasonal wine that will recognize to Goldie, its lovable golden retriever.

Goldies Apple Berry Bliss will debut on Feb. 3.

Those who purchase this strawberry and apple wine will immediately see Goldie, who can occasionally be seen roaming the grounds of the Farm Winery location with her owners, John Kramb and Katherine Bigler.

We wanted to design a label that would make everyone smile, Dan Baumgardner, general manager of the winery, says in a new release. The cold winter months can be gloomy for many, but Goldies smile has a way of brightening up someones day. We wanted that happiness to shine through on the label, and I feel we accomplished that by including Goldie. I smile every time I look at it and hope it has the same effect on others as well.

Adams County Winery is planning a wine release event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 3 at its main location in Orrtanna, hosting several local vendors, including Cherrys Chocolate Studio, Maganda Nails, Handcrafted by Lori, and the Farnsworth House with pumpkin fritters. The event will also feature strolling live musical performances by Betsy Barnicle from 1 to 4 p.m.

Goldies Apple Berry Bliss will debut on Feb. 3.Adams County Winery

Throughout the event, participants will be able to taste and purchase Goldies Apple Berry Bliss.

I enjoyed making this wine because of its unusual components and the fact that we used strawberry juice to sweeten the apple wine base, Bernard Cannac, winemaker for Adams County Winery, says. That is unusual, and it preserves the fruity strawberry aromas. It also reduces the alcohol content of the blend, which makes you want to drink more of it.

The winery, which operates out of an 1860s registered historic Pa. bank barn, has been in operation since 1975. Its vineyard covers 12 acres and includes five varieties of grapes.
By Rosa Cartagena, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

PHILADELPHIA -- Late last year, Rev. Alfred Bradley planned a Christmastime surprise for the neighborhood he grew up in. He was bringing back the sound of church bells to the Fishtown neighborhood.

Thanks to two crafty volunteers and two generous families, the Holy Name of Jesus Church on E. Berks and Gaul streets received a bell tower upgrade with a new electronic carillon system and big speakers. The entire project cost less than $5,000.

It was just our attempt to, we thought in a positive way, contribute to the sound of the city and maybe bring a bit of spirituality into an urban landscape, the priest said. The chimes began days before Christmas, ringing on the hour between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. with longer peals at noon and 6 p.m. for the prayer of St. Angelus.

A couple weeks and 980-plus chimes later, one Fishtown resident complained on a neighborhood Facebook page: Can someone pass along that I hate hearing the bells and it should be illegal to terrorize your neighbors with the sounds of impending doom thank you  who can I speak with that has the authority to make this stop, the post read.

The group lit up. The post prompted nearly 1,000 comments, most voicing support for the ringing bells, and telling the original poster  a newcomer to the neighborhood  to go back to Brooklyn, or wherever they moved from. There were some crude insults and comparisons to Satan (the devil, reportedly, hates bells), but overall the Philly pride jumped out in a response that was fiercely protective of Holy Name, its (electronic) bells, and Fishtowns Irish and Polish Catholic roots.

It was the first time Holy Name Church has [rung bells], but not the first time the neighborhood has  for many, especially old-time parishioners and neighborhood people, its a familiar sound, Bradley said. A block away, the beloved St. Laurentius Church, built by Polish immigrants in 1882, tolled its bells for the last time in 2014. The building was demolished in 2022; its parishioners merged with Holy Name.

For folks who moved to the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood in the last decade, though, the sound could reasonably catch them off guard. But for many, the noise isnt a problem.

I work from home, I hear them everyday. They dont bother me, said Ashleigh Sullivan, 26, whos lived in Fishtown for about a year. Some people are just dramatic.  People find a problem with everything around here.

Alex Paramntic, 68, has been in the neighborhood for more than 25 years. He was surprised when the bell tolls began, but he didnt get why anyone would complain. Church is church, he said.

The bells give an old country feel for Jayanthi Sarathy, in her 50s, who walks around Fishtown all the time. Its like Notre Dame or something. I hope they dont stop it, she said.

The sound resonates throughout the homes closest to Holy Name, raising concerns about interruptions to sleeping schedules of the neighborhoods infants.

They are loud.  I am indifferent. Like as long as it doesnt wake up my kid, Im really not too bothered, said one resident who lives behind Holy Name and did not want to be identified.

Mjaan McIvor, 29, a nanny in the neighborhood, said the bells provide a sense of nostalgia, and she hears similar bells ring in Old City, where she also works. To cancel out street sounds, the baby has a white noise machine; McIvor observed that its usually construction noise, not chimes, that cuts through most.

I find it ironic that people would get angry at bells in the city of Philadelphia, where our symbol is the Liberty Bell, said University of Pennsylvania religion professor Justin McDaniel, who years ago spoke in support of preserving and saving St. Laurentius. Theyre certainly more pleasant than sirens and cars honking.

Bell tolls date back centuries, and the practice of ringing bells or other percussion in prayer and ritual cuts across religions, said McDaniel. They signal mass, calls to prayer, the time, or big announcements, but more importantly they offer a communal experience.

More:

A school, firehouses and a church are among Historic Harrisburg preservation priorities

96-year-old Cumberland County church building sold

Dirty Pa. church windows end up being rare Tiffany glass
Cities across the country have banned plastic bags in the hopes of reducing waste.

According to a recent report, such bans may actually be doing just that.

PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group  the latter of which, according to its about page, is on a mission to [provide] information and ideas to build a healthier, more sustainable America  sent out this report last week under the rather direct title of Plastic bag bans work.

This report was based on various case studies concerning single-use plastic bag bans that have gone into effect. One of their findings was that five locations  Philadelphia, Pa., included  with a combined population of over 12 million cut single-use plastic bag consumption by about 6 billion bags per year.

However, the study does note a loophole that allows businesses to replace thin plastic bags with thicker ones labeled reusable, as often seen at checkout lines. And since people tend to use these thicker bags only once as well before throwing them out, plastic bag waste has gone up even though its distribution has gone down.

The bottom line is that plastic bag bans work, says Faran Savitz, zero waste advocate with PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center. Millions of Pennsylvanians have realized that its easy to live without plastic bags and get used to bringing a bag from home or skipping a bag when they can.

That means less waste and less litter. For our children to inherit a less polluted earth, thats exactly what we need.
By STEPHEN GROVES, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)  House Speaker Mike Johnson took a strong stand Friday against a bipartisan Senate deal to pair border enforcement measures with Ukraine aid, sending a letter to colleagues that aligns him with hardline conservatives determined to sink the compromise on border and immigration policy.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said that the legislation would have been dead on arrival in the House if leaked reports about the legislation were true. While the core group of senators negotiating the deal have not yet released text of the bill, it has nevertheless come under fire from Republicans, including Donald Trump, the likely presidential nominee, who eviscerated the deal this week as a political gift to Democrats.

Johnson in the letter said, Rather than accept accountability, President Biden is now trying to blame Congress for what HE himself intentionally created.

The message added to the headwinds facing the border and Ukraine deal, closing a week in which Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged to his colleagues that the legislation faced tough opposition from Trump that could force them to pursue Ukraine aid another way. He later clarified that he was still supportive of pairing border measures with Ukraine aid  an arrangement that Senate Republicans initially demanded to gain their votes for funding Ukraines war.

The diminishing prospects for a deal leave congressional leaders with no clear path to approving a $110 billion White House request for emergency funding for Ukraine, Israel, immigration enforcement and other national security needs. President Joe Biden has made it a top priority to bolster Kyivs defense against Russia, but his administration has run out of money to send ammunition and missiles. Ukraine supporters warn that the impasse in Congress is already being felt on battlefields and leaving Ukrainian soldiers outgunned.

Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford, the lead GOP negotiator in the border talks, has repeatedly urged lawmakers to refrain from passing final judgment on the bill until they receive legislative text and said some of the reports of its contents in conservative media are not accurate depictions of the bill. Negotiators were hoping to release text next week, but have struggled to finalize the package.

The Republican speaker was already deeply skeptical of any bipartisan compromise on border policy. On Friday, he again pointed to a sweeping set of immigration measures that the House passed last year as being the answer to the nations border challenges. But that bill failed to gain a single Democratic vote then and has virtually no chance of picking up Democratic support now, which would be necessary to clear the Senate.

As they enter an election year, Republicans are seeking to drive home the fact that historic numbers of migrants have come to the U.S. during Bidens presidency. His administration has countered that global unrest is driving the migration and has sought to implement humane policies on border enforcement.

Leaning into the push on immigration, the speaker said in his letter that the House would hold a vote on impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas as soon as possible after a committee advances articles of impeachment against him next week. Johnson also said he was standing with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has refused to give federal Border Patrol agents access to a riverfront park that is a popular corridor for migrants illegally entering the U.S.

But the speaker is also under potential pressure himself.

If the Senate were to pass an immigration and Ukraine package, he would face a decision about whether to bring the measure to the floor. And while the speaker is skeptical of continued funding for Ukraine, he has also expressed support for halting Russian President Vladimir Putins advance in Europe.

At the same time, hardline House conservatives have become vocal opponents of any compromise on immigration policy. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a hard-right Republican of Georgia, has threatened to initiate an effort to oust Johnson if he put the Senate deal on the House floor.

This bill represents Senate Republican leadership waging war on House Republican leadership, said Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican of Texas, at a news conference this week.

Still, other Republicans have lamented that conservatives are throwing away an opportunity to gain a victory on an issue they have talked about far more than Democrats. The proposal would enact tougher standards on migrants seeking asylum as well as deny asylum applications at the border if daily migrant encounters grew to be unmanageable for authorities.

But reports about the details of the bill among conservative advocacy groups and in conservative media have focused on the measures intended to aid migrants already in the country.

Opposition from the right has stymied efforts to reform immigration law in Congress for decades. Trump allies have argued that Congress does not need to act because presidents already have enough authority to implement tough border measures.

Johnson echoed that sentiment in his letter, arguing that Biden could start to fix the border problems with the stroke of a pen.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, said earlier this month that conservative reports on the bill had ginned up a lot of the base voters against the proposals, even as the policy represented meaningful changes to immigration enforcement.

This is a national security issue, Mullin said. And if youre waiting until another president gets in, youre playing politics with it.
UPDATE: No bomb found at central. Pa business after phone threat

A business was evacuated after employees discovered a message on the companys phone system advising them that the building was going to explode Friday morning.

East Hempfield Township police were dispatched to Shanks Extracts located at 350 Richardson Dr. At 6:25 a.m. for a bomb threat after they said employees discovered the message.
Gov. Josh Shapiro on Friday joined a cadre of pro-abortion rights advocates to reaffirm Pennsylvanias commitment to protecting reproductive rights, an issue poised to play a pivotal role in the 2024 presidential race.

The roundtable discussion, which included members of the Womens Health Caucus and the statewide leadership of Planned Parenthood, is the latest sign that Democrats are coalescing behind the Biden Administrations pledge to protect access to abortion services across the country and also leverage it at the ballot box.

Shapiro outlined a series of measures he has rolled out since taking office to protect and strengthen access to abortion, including ending state funding for a group that runs several dozen crisis pregnancy centers in Pennsylvania. Abortion rights advocates long criticized the crisis pregnancy centers run by Real Alternatives for using deceptive tactics to steer patients away from abortion.

Shapiro last year launched a website that outlines access to services and informs the public that abortion medication is legal and available.

Others joining the governor in the forum included Senators Amanda Cappelletti and Judy Schwank; state House Representatives Gina Curry, Mary Jo Daley, and Patty Kim; as well as Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh.

Shapiro along with five other governors has urged the Biden administration to ensure that a new over-the-counter birth control pill is covered by insurance.

Pennsylvanians can still access the abortion drug mifepristone, despite a court ruling that attempts to ban the pill nationwide. The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to rule on the issue this spring.

Im very mindful that we live in a really scary time nationally given everything that is going on, everything that could go on, Shapiro said. I want everyone to know that as long as Im governor, we will continue to protect abortion access in Pennsylvania and the full range of reproductive health care options. We will make sure Pennsylvania is a model for freedom to the rest of the country.

The forum, held at the state Capitol, is the latest salvo in a growing political show of force among Democrats to stand in solidarity with the Bidens Administration pledge to not only protect reproductive rights but to hoist the issue front and center of the election cycle.

This is going to be a decades long battle to take back our right, said Alexis McGill Johnson, head of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. As we start this critical year approaching the most critical election of our lifetime. The last thing we will want to feel is that we could have and should have done more. We need all hands on deck. She laid out data showing the wide impact of the so-called Dobbs decision, which in 2022 overturned federal protection for abortion rights.

Since the ruling, 21 states have passed bans or restrictions on abortion access, many making the procedure a crime. More than 160 anti-abortion bills have been filed across 25 states.

Its only January 26, McGill Johnson said. We must keep fighting until everyone has access to this essential health care. Protecting and expanding access to abortion services in Pennsylvania is absolutely critical.

She noted the tide of patients who have had to flee their homes and travel across state lines to access health care. Pennsylvania has seen an uptick in the numbers of patients coming from across state lines.

We continue to hear story after story from patients showing that abortion bans not only make pregnancy more dangerous, they put people in danger for being criminalized for their pregnancy outcomes.

A leading anti-abortion rights advocacy group excoriated the Shapiro Administration and abortion-rights advocates.

An extreme agenda is being pushed by the abortion industry that stands to profit from more unborn lives being aborted, said Dan Bartkowiak, spokesman for PA Family Institue, a conservative group. They want unrestricted abortion paid for by PA taxpayers, with a repeal of laws like the bipartisan 2011 regulations for abortion facilities, passed after the horrors of Dr. Kermit Gosnell were uncovered. This type of extreme lobbying clearly does not put first the well-being of women and families in PA.

The General Assembly, in the wake of a horrific 2011 case involving Gosnell, a Philadelphia doctor convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of three babies born alive in his clinic, passed a law that put stricter requirements on abortion clinics and held to the same standards as outpatient surgery centers.

McGill Johnson urged lawmakers to continue to fight to safeguard abortion access in Pennsylvania; she said the Commonwealth could become a beacon for other states as a symbol of what reproductive freedoms look like.

The forum was held just days after President Biden along with Vice President Harris on Tuesday reminded voters in northern Virginia that former president Donald Trump and his re-constituted U.S. Supreme Court had nixed abortion rights that had been constitutionally guaranteed for more than 50 years.

The 1973 Roe v. Wade law guaranteed abortion rights across the land. The 2022 Dobbs decision shifted abortion regulatory oversight to state governments.

Shapiro is part of a coalition of 20 Democratic governors pushing for stronger abortion access. The network - the Reproductive Freedom Alliance - is led by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and advocates a range of strategies for ensuring abortion rights for 170 million residents of their states.

The fight to protect reproductive rights has won every statewide ballot referendum since the high court decision - including in solidly conservative states such as Ohio, Kansas and Kentucky.

The issue is widely regarded as having diminished Republican gains in the 2022 midterm election.

Editors note: This story was updated to include comment from the PA Family Institute.
A Lancaster County business reopened Friday and employees were let back inside after police searched the property and didnt find anything suspicious after a bomb threat.

The threat was reported at 6:25 a.m. after employees at Shanks Extracts - 350 Richardson Dr., discovered a concerning message on the companys phone system advising them that the building was going to explode.

The bomb threat forced evacuations of the building along with neighboring businesses, according to the police.
A district judge in western Pennsylvania is accused of impropriety with three teen boys and could be removed from office.

District Judge Anthony Saveikis, whose district covers communities in western Allegheny County, is the subject of a complaint filed by the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board, according to KDKA-TV and WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh.

A 12-page complaint outlines incidents involving three teenage boys, including two who came before Saveikis as defendants, KDKA reported.

The first incident occurred in November 2018 when Saveikis went to a diner and followed a 17-year-old male employee into a walk-in freezer. The complaint says that the district judge touched the teens shoulders, arms and back, making him feel very vulnerable.

Another situation occurred in March 2022 after Saveikis ordered a 17-year-old defendant to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and do community service at a local fair.

The judicial board says that Saveikis frequently went to the fairgrounds to see the boy, offered to take him out socially and texted him.

A third incident involved a 14-year-old boy who was a defendant before Saveikis. In April 2022, the judge sentenced the boy to serve community service at another fair where Saveikis would visit the teen.

The complaint said that Saveikis, at one point, took the boy away from the fair to a convenience store and made the boy uncomfortable by touching his arms and shoulders.

KDKA reported that the March 2018 and April 2022 incidents were reported to Findlay Township police. However, that department referred the cases to the Allegheny County District Attorneys office, which did not file charges.

The district attorneys office did, though, report the incidents to the countys president judge who, the complaint says, strongly cautioned Saveikis about his behavior, reported KDKA.

Saveikis, who has been on paid leave for a year, has 30 days to submit a response to the charges. His attorney would not comment to either news station.

The Judicial Conduct Board told WPXI that Saveikis could face penalties ranging from a reprimand to a suspension to removal if found guilty by the Court of Judicial Discipline.
Last December, the Whale SETI scientific team had a 20-minute conversation with a humpback whale. The experiment, which took place on the Alaskan coast, entailed reproducing sounds made by a whale attempting to make contact, through an underwater loudspeaker. The University of California Davis Dr. Brenda McCowan, lead author of the study, stated that this was the first communicative exchange between humans and humpback whales in humpback language. Or as Finding Nemos Dory would put it, it is the first time that humans have managed to speak whale.

The arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have set expectations on their head when it comes to achieving complex communication with other species. These technologies allow experts to analyze animals sounds, movements and behaviors with a speed and precision that would be impossible for unassisted humans. In the Whale SETI teams study, for example, this technology was essential to be able to decode and reproduce the whales calls. They used advanced equipment to listen and analyze recordings of the animals sounds, which helped scientists to detect patterns and variations in their communication, as well as variations in the tone of their calls and in the way they produce sounds.

Kate Armstrong, director of the Interspecies Internet program, is convinced that in the future, we will be able to decode and understand the language of various animal species with a high level of precision. In a certain sense, were already doing it, she explains on a videocall, pointing out that one of the great challenges in the compilation of data for communication with other species is the presence of noise. Thats why most of the studies that have been reported on by the media have been done on species who live underwater, where it is easier to extract data, she says. This technological advancement brings with it the need to think carefully about how we use these tools and consider implementing regulations to ensure ethical and responsible use.

The worlds limits

Speaking with an animal using their own language has certain limitations. For example, the recent interaction with the humpback whale was not a conversation in the human sense. That is to say, there was no exchange of ideas or complex meaning. Instead, it was an exchange of sounds that showed that whales can respond in an intelligent and adaptive manner to auditory signals. Researchers interpreted this as proof that whales can participate in a kind of dialogue using their own system of audio communication. Although we can decode their sounds or gestures, differences in cognition and behavior between humans and other species can limit the depth and kind of communication possible, says Armstrong.

A person with a dog looks through the fence at Amalienborg Palace Square in Copenhagen on January 13, 2024. MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN (AFP)

Linguist Mamen Hornos questions if it is really possible to translate thought between species. Hornos argues that, even if we share some experiences of reality with other animals, like cause-effect relationships and spatial orientation, we dont know if they can understand profound human ideas. And there could also be important things for animals that we dont understand.

Hornos mentions philosopher Ludwig Wittgensteins famous aphorism: The limits of my language are the limits of my world. This idea suggests that our way of seeing and understanding the world is closely connected to our language. When it comes to human-animal communication, each species may be limited by its own linguistic and conceptual perception of the world. Interspecies communication might never be completely symmetrical or complete, since each species perceives and understands the world through its own linguistic and cognitive lens.

The limits of language

Before anyone believed that it was possible to decode the language of whales, there were scientists who conducted famous experiments in an attempt at teaching human language to animals. For example, in 1966, only three years after the novel Planet of the Apes came out, two researchers named Allen and Beatrix Gardner adopted a chimpanzee named Washoe in order to investigate the linguistic capabilities of primates. They treated her as if she were a human child and taught her how to communicate using American Sign Language, a method of communication used by Deaf people. Washoe learned more than 350 signs and could use them to form simple phrases and express ideas of some complexity.

In another case in 1977, a researcher named Irene Pepperberg worked with a parrot named Alex. She taught him more than 100 words and Alex learned to recognize shapes, materials and numbers. He even invented a new way to say apple, because the original word was hard for him to pronounce with his beak, which is designed for cracking nuts and seeds. Dr. Pepperberg later recalled that he last words Alex said to her before he died in his cage were, You be good. I love you. See you tomorrow.

J.M. Mulet, scientific researcher and author, says that, even though there have been very optimistic studies at certain points that announced that their researchers had achieved complex communication with animals, these ultimately did not convince language experts. He cites the case of the gorilla Koko, who was trained by psychologist Francine Patterson. It was said that Koko had learned more than 1,000 words in sign language and could carry on conversations. But Mulet doubts that Koko really understood that she was using a new language.

Koko the gorilla with trainer Francine Patterson, who taught her sign language, in a photo taken on March 3, 1978. Jerry Telfer (Getty)

In a passage in which he examines similar work done with other primates, Mulet writes, It would not be normal, if a chimpanzee was aware of knowing a new communication system, for it not to try to teach it to other chimpanzees, or ask any questions. In fact, theres no proof that any non-human animal has asked a question in the sense that humans understand and use questions. Asking questions does not just entail the use of a symbolic language: it also requires self-awareness and the understanding of concepts that are more complex than the communication of basic needs. The chimpanzee only uses this language when their human instructor directs it at him. For him, it is not communication, but rather, a game, says the expert.

For Hornos, what keeps an animal of superior intelligence, like some primates, from being able to use human language in the same way that we do, is that they dont have a hierarchical understanding of language, but rather a linear one. To understand this, think of the phrase the cat eats fish. In linear processing, we would understand this sentence by simply reading it word by word, in order: The, cat, eats, fish. Each word is understood individually, one after the other. Now, in hierarchical processing, we analyze how the terms are grouped and related. The cat is the subject and eats fish is the predicate. In this view, we see not only individual words, but also how they relate to each other: the subject the cat performs the action of eating the object fish. Thus, while linear processing sees words one after another, hierarchical processing sees more complex relationships and structures between groups of words.

There is a hierarchical structure in human language that animals do not have, explains Hornos. Animals understand signs and symbols, but they do not have the capacity to understand the syntactic structure and more complex implications of language.

However, some scientists argue that, given that humans evolved from ancestors that they have in common with other species, there should be a certain continuity or evolutionary relationship between our communication systems and those of other species. Hornos says that the evolution of language doesnt have to be a linear or progressive process. Evolution is not always gradual. Similar to life itself, which has significant moments that change us, when it comes to evolution, important leaps also take place, she says.

Will our relationship with animals change?

Armstrong holds that one of the most significant goals of the Interspecies Internet project is that a better comprehension of the language of animals will increase our empathy towards them. Understanding the language of endangered species can give us valuable information when it comes to their conservation. For example, knowing what animals communicate about their threats or mating needs can help conservationists make better informed decisions when it comes to protecting habitats and species. According to the expert, as we better understand how animals communicate, we may come to recognize and value their intelligence and cognitive abilities more highly, and change the way we view and treat them legally and socially.

According to Marta Amat Grau, a PhD in veterinary medicine who is head of the ethology service at the Autonomous University of Barcelonas faculty of veterinary medicine, progress in the understanding of animal language and communication is positively influencing our relationship with pets. Grau explains that many behavioral problems stem from a lack of understanding of how we communicate with dogs and cats.

Today, we have ample knowledge to interpret, for example, a cats meows or a dogs barks, especially when we analyze them in conjuncture with their body language, which can indicate whether they are experiencing anxiety or seeking attention, she explains. She also mentions that in recent years, apps have appeared that are designed to translate the sounds or behaviors of pets into a language more understandable to humans. However, she warns that most of these apps have no scientific backing.
Two men were found guilty in federal court on Wednesday for killing dozens of protected birds in 2020 by feeding them poisoned corn.

Robert Yost, 52, of New Galilee, Beaver County, and Jacob Reese, 27, of Enon Valley, Lawrence County, will be sentenced on May 29, according to TribLive.

Prosecutors said that the pair, who farmed soybeans on a leased property in Lawrence County, had become angered by the damage the birds had been doing to their crops.

After firing guns to scare them off and trying leg traps, they decided to try lacing seed corn with Carbofuran, a pesticide.

In June of 2020, the property owners found 17 Canada geese, a mallard duck and 10 red-winged blackbirds dead in their field, all near a 100-yard-long trail of corn, TribLive said.

When a Pennsylvania Game Commission officer confronted the two men, they said they were just trying to get the birds to eat the seed corn instead of their soybeans.

When the officer asked to show them the bag of corn, they said they burned it, TribLive said.

Examination of the birds and the corn found traces of carbofuran, which was deemed unsafe by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2009.

Yost and Reese were then charged with conspiracy, unlawful use of a restricted pesticide and unlawful killing of migratory birds. The birds are protected because migrate into Mexico and Canada.

A bench trial was held in 2022, but the pair were not found guilty until this week. One of the defense attorneys protested the lengthy period between the trial and the verdict.

You have a right to a speedy trial, but apparently not a speedy verdict, he said, according to TribLive. I just wish it wouldnt have taken this long on a day-and-a-half trial.
People are eating toothpicks, and one countrys government has had to go and issue a warning that they shouldnt, you know, be eating toothpicks.

Thats the news of the day, and a sign that 2024 might be just about as brutal for the human race as the past three or four years have been.

Good news for folks here in the states is that the toothpick eating has, thus far, been contained to South Korea.

Bad news is, it was a trend that was picked up on TikTok and Instagram so  well, lets be honest, we had folks eating Tide Pods a couple of years ago so its probably only a matter of time.

Anyway, according to CNN, South Koreas food ministry is asking folks not to eat deep-fried starch toothpicks.

Now, starch tells us this isnt a full-on, wooden toothpick, so maybe, somehow, this isnt as bad as what we might think of here in America. Turns out, folks in South Korea were seasoning up these toothpicks with powdered cheese and other fixings, frying those suckers up, then snacking down for social media.

Toothpicks, wooden or potato, should not be eaten, though, South Korea says.

Their safety as food has not been verified, the coutnrys Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, Wednesday. Please do not eat (them).

CNN found one TikTok user who posted a video eating the fried toothpicks.

Its very crispy, that person wrote.

Good rule for 2024: If something is labeled a toothpick, regardless of what it is made of, maybe dont eat it.
By Jacob Geanous, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)

The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh on Thursday said they would be staffing armed officers in schools amid concerns over safety and security.

The announcement came during a news conference where diocese schools Superintendent Michelle Peduto released a report on its 45 schools. Officers will respond to grade schools through high schools.

Ms. Peduto was joined by Wendell Hissrich, who was hired as a security expert by Bishop David Zubik in August to expand the response to school safety threats.

Mr. Hissrich, the former director of public safety for Pittsburgh whose law enforcement experience includes 25 years with the FBI, said the diocese hired four regional security supervisors, all with law enforcement backgrounds  including former state troopers and county officers  about two weeks ago.

The four supervisors are assigned to the three regions in the diocese and the high schools.

He said conditional offers of employment are expected to go out to six additional officers within a week.

The officers will act as the liaison between school officials and local public safety agencies, Mr. Hissrich said. He said there was strict criteria for hiring the officers.

The experience we were looking for in hiring these officers was that they are able to deal with people, deal with parents, deal with students and de-escalate situations, Mr. Hissrich said.

Once those officers are onboarded, Mr. Hissrich said he would be looking into adding more.

The ideal situation is having more and more officers as time goes on so they can spend more time in each school, but were just not at that point yet, Mr. Hissrichsaid.

Mr. Hissrich said he hopes school officers never have to unholster their firearm, but emphasized the random nature of school shootings.

We hope that we never have to draw a weapon, at the same time, in this day and age, we dont know when and where its going to happen, Mr. Hissrich said.

The announcement comes after a series of 911 calls falsely reporting active shooters rattled schools across the state last spring, including Oakland and Central Catholic, prompting lockdowns.

Mr. Hissrich said the decision to employ officers was not made in direct response to the swatting incidents, although he called school shootings the hot button issue and said he felt it necessary that the officers be armed.

We need to give the officers the tools to respond to any type of threat, he said. Were also giving them tools like medical supplies as well.

Mr. Hissrich said he has not received any pushback on the decision from parents.

The feedback Ive received so far is When is this going to happen, he said.

Alongside the new security plan, Ms. Peduto also released a report on demographics, testing and governance at diocese schools.

Currently, there are 9,424 and 3,520 students enrolled at diocese K-8 schools and high schools respectively, with student-teacher ratios of 10:1 at high schools and 14:1 at middle schools and elementary schools, according to the report.

The report also touted Iowa Assessment test scores that exceeded national standards in all subjects among students in grades 3-8 at diocese schools in 2023.

Our teachers, staff and administrators worked and prayed alongside parents to keep our students on task and learning through some very challenging years, Ms. Peduto said in the report. This shows not only in their test scores and 100% graduation rate, but in their love for Jesus and their commitment to serving their community in the world.

(c)2024 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at www.post-gazette.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
State police have charged a western Pennsylvania school board director and Democratic committee member with brandishing a gun during a supposed road rage incident in December.

Phillip Heasley, 33, of Butler, Pa., has been charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. Online court records show that he has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb. 20.

According to ButlerRadio.com, the charges stem from a road rage confrontation on Dec. 27 in Center Township, Butler County, when police were called for Heasley pointing a hand gun at two people.

Heasley told the website that the matter was a self-defense situation.

A short public report issued by state police only said that Heasley was arrested for pointing a gun at two victims. It did not provide details on what preceded the incident.

WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh reported that Heasley is accused of following a couple before pointing a gun at them.

ButlerRadio.com reported that Heasley said he did not point the gun at the people and was on the phone with his girlfriend during the incident. State police said, though, that the girlfriend told them she was not on the phone with Heasley.

Heasley is on the Butler Area school board and says on his social media accounts that he is a member of the Butler County Democratic Committee, an at-large northwest state committeeman and a partner in a gymnastics training center.

Butler Areas solicitor told the website that the district is monitoring the situation.
I think I know why the two Republican Lebanon County Commissioners decided to remove the countys only ballot box. During the last election, the 3,000 plus voters who used the drop box and mail-in ballots were 60 percent Democrats and 40 percent Republicans.

The Republican commissioners are trying to suppress the Democratic vote.

The commissioners cited election integrity for their decision, but the drop box is secure. It is guarded by a deputy and three cameras and is only available during business hours. There are also multiple other steps taken during an election to prevent fraud.
In this screenshot from a video called School Board Crimes, Vernon school trustees leave a meeting after a member of the public harangues them with a speech against SOGI. Trustees have now barred the public from the future meetings for an indefinite period.
After a 70-year hiatus, the first alcohol store will open in Saudi Arabia. But these drinks will be sold only to diplomats of foreign countries, Azernews reports, citing foreign mass media.

This decision was made to prevent the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages in Saudi Arabia. The world's media also draw attention to the fact that under the leadership of the Crown Prince of the Kingdom, Mohammed bin Salman, in recent years, Saudi Arabia has been guided by Sharia law within the framework of the 2030 vision.

The ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages and the punishment of drunken people in the Kingdom was introduced 70 years ago  in 1952. At that time, a tragic incident occurred at a drinking party between one of the princes and a British diplomat.

In most Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, there are strict restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages. Only persons over the age of 21 can buy and drink these drinks in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
ChatGPT logo and AI Artificial Intelligence words are seen in this illustration taken, May 4, 2023.

U.S. antitrust enforcers are opening an investigation into the relationships between leading artificial intelligence startups such as ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and Anthropic and the tech giants that have invested billions of dollars into them.

The action targets Amazon, Google and Microsoft and their sway over the generative AI boom thats fueled demand for chatbots such as ChatGPT, and other AI tools that can produce novel imagery and sound.

Were scrutinizing whether these ties enable dominant firms to exert undue influence or gain privileged access in ways that could undermine fair competition, said Lina Khan, chair of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, in opening remarks at a Thursday AI forum.

Khan said the market inquiry would review the investments and partnerships being formed between AI developers and major cloud service providers.

The FTC said Thursday it issued compulsory orders to five companies -- cloud providers Amazon, Google and Microsoft, and AI startups Anthropic and OpenAI -- requiring them to provide information regarding investments and partnerships.

Microsofts years-long relationship with OpenAI is the best known of the partnerships. Google and Amazon have more recently made multibillion-dollar deals with Anthropic, another San Francisco-based AI startup formed by former leaders at OpenAI.

Google and Microsoft didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Amazon, Anthropic and OpenAI declined comment.

The European Union and the United Kingdom have already signaled that they might also scrutinize the relationship with Microsoft and OpenAI. The EUs executive branch said in January it was checking whether the partnership might trigger an investigation under regulations covering mergers and acquisitions that would harm competition in the 27-nation bloc. Britains antitrust watchdog opened a similar review in December.

Antitrust advocates welcomed the actions from both the FTC and Europe into the deals that some have derided as quasi-mergers.

Big Tech firms know they cant buy the top A.I. companies, so instead they are finding ways of exerting influence without formally calling it an acquisition, said a written statement from Matt Stoller, director of research at the American Economic Liberties Project. Enforcers need to step in, and they are.

Microsoft has never publicly disclosed the total dollar amount of its investment in OpenAI, which CEO Satya Nadella has described as a complicated thing.

We have a significant investment, he said on a November podcast hosted by tech journalist Kara Swisher. It sort of comes in the form of not just dollars, but it comes in the form of compute and what have you.

OpenAIs governance and its relationship with Microsoft came into question last year after the startups board of directors suddenly fired CEO Sam Altman, who was then swiftly reinstated, in turmoil that made world headlines. A weekend of behind-the-scenes maneuvers and a threatened mass exodus of employees championed by Nadella and other Microsoft leaders helped stabilize the startup and led to the resignation of most of its previous board.

The new arrangement gave Microsoft a nonvoting board seat, though we definitely dont have control, Nadella said at Davos. Part of the complications that led to Altmans temporary ouster centers around the startups unusual governance structure. OpenAI started out as a nonprofit research institute dedicated to the safe development of futuristic forms of AI. Its still governed as a nonprofit, though most of its staff works for the for-profit arm it formed several years later.

Microsoft made its first $1 billion investment in San Francisco-based OpenAI in 2019, more than two years before the startup introduced ChatGPT and sparked worldwide fascination with AI advancements.

As part of the deal, the Redmond, Washington software giant would supply computing power  such as from one of its data centers in rural Iowa  needed to train the AI models on huge troves of human-written texts and other media. In turn, Microsoft would get exclusive to rights to much of what OpenAI built, enabling the technology to be infused into a variety of Microsoft products.

Nadella in January compared it to a number of longstanding Microsoft commercial partnerships, such as with chipmaker Intel. Microsoft and OpenAI are two different companies, answerable to two sets of different stakeholders with different interests, he told a Bloomberg reporter at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

So we build the compute. They then use the compute to do the training. We then take that, put it into products. And so in some sense its a partnership that is based on each of us really reinforcing what  each other does and then ultimately being competitive in the marketplace.

The FTC has signaled for nearly a year that it is working to track and stop illegal behavior in the use and development of AI tools. Khan said in April that the U.S. government would not hesitate to crack down on harmful business practices involving AI. One target of popular concern is the use of AI-generated voices and imagery to turbocharge fraud and phone scams.

But increasingly, Khan also made clear that its not just harmful applications but the broader consolidation of market power into a handful of AI leaders that deserves government scrutiny. Companies may use this market tipping moment to leverage anticompetitive tactics to lock in their dominance and block competition, the FTC said in a preview of Thursdays forum.

The companies have 45 days to provide information to the FTC that includes their partnership agreements and the strategic rationale behind them. Theyre also being asked for detailed information about decision-making around product releases and the key resources and services needed to build AI systems.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) and technology giants utilize everyones personal data, including billions of citizens from less developed nations, without providing any compensation or benefits. These companies contribute very little wealth to the Spanish-speaking community, yet they profit from the data we generate in Spanish, free of charge, said Luciana Benotti, who earned a doctorate in computer science specializing in computational linguistics. Benotti argues that the unrestricted use of data represents a new form of extractive colonization. The data is captured from the same places where slaves were once captured, and moved to the same places where slaves were once taken.

The researcher at Argentinas National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) is the first Latin American chair of the executive board of the North American Association in Computational Linguistics (NAACL), an association of 5,000 researchers and language model developers from universities and large technology companies like Google and Meta. Benotti also collaborates with the Via Libre Foundation for digital rights, and is a member of the steering committee of Khipu, a community of AI researchers and developers in Latin America.

Benotti was the only Latin American academic who participated in the most recent 2023 Security Summit on Artificial Intelligence in the United Kingdom. Latin America was the least represented region at the summit, and Spanish wasnt one of the seven languages that had simultaneous translation, she said. Currently, Benotti leads a research team developing a tool to detect social biases in Spanish-language AI models.

Question. How does the Spanish-speaking world contribute to developing AI tools?

Answer. According to data from the Inter-American Development Bank (2020), Latin America and the Caribbean are underrepresented in patents and scientific articles on AI development. The upcoming conference in Singapore on natural language processing (NLP) and language models for AI has over 3,000 registered attendees, with only 23 from Spain and 13 from Spanish-speaking Latin America. A language analysis of scientific articles in the computational linguistics field over the past decade ranks Spanish as the eighth most studied language, lagging behind English, Chinese and German, which represent over 70% of the research.

Q. Does AI speak English?

A. Even when the AI speaks Spanish, it thinks in English or Chinese because most of its training data is in those languages. The AIs positionality [where one is located in relation to their various social identities] is influenced by individuals born in English and Chinese-speaking countries. Recent research shows that publicly available AI models largely align with white, college-educated, native English speakers from the Northern Hemisphere.

Q. Is this a new form of colonization?

A. Indeed, it represents a modern form of extractive colonization. The data is captured from the same places where slaves were once captured, and moved to the same places where slaves were once taken. While oil, mining and intensive agriculture yield royalties to their owners, data extraction does not. However, it does consume the time of the individuals who generate the data.

Q. How can the Spanish-speaking world play a leading role in this field?

A. Companies dont sell AI  they rent it by storing their clients data (companies and governments) on cloud computing networks. This data usually becomes their property and is used to train new AI models. One way to protect our data or charge for it is to reconsider the moratorium on customs taxes on data leaving Spanish-speaking countries. This would require big tech to not only pay for the hardware but also for the data, which is the raw material. This approach could encourage the creation of companies or institutions that store data in Spanish-speaking territories and leverage it for AI development. But its very challenging to compete with big tech these days.

Q. So, its important to ensure you position yourself well in the AI race.

A. AI is already impacting the labor market and will have a greater influence in the future. Its effect on employment is an unavoidable issue. Enhancing productivity should directly improve working conditions and employment quality, particularly for vulnerable populations. However, if imported AI is used, it becomes challenging to achieve this. Transforming the labor market requires proactive and effective measures to address unemployment and job insecurity. This is crucial for our communities.

Q. Is the cultural perspective of Latin America present in AI?

A. Companies like OpenAI, Meta, Google and others likely have access to Spanish data, but the extent and specifics are unknown. Its possible that they use our personal data from sources like WhatsApp and Google apps to develop language models like ChatGPT. These models have evolved into powerful technologies with innovative capabilities. However, cultural contexts shape human behavior, which may not be fully captured in the data used to train NLP models.

Q. So, the models that appear to represent us actually dont?

A. Current language models like ChatGPT are multilingual and primarily trained on English and Chinese data. Thus, the positionality of ChatGPT is typically that of someone from an English-speaking culture, while Baidus Ernie Bot reflects Chinese culture.

Q. Is it fair to say there is little diversity in AI?

A. Yes, it is. While diversity is emphasized in these events [like the 2023 Security Summit on Artificial Intelligence], there are no concrete measures in place. Investment to improve diversity is lacking compared to countries that already dominate the field. The global summit had over 100 participants, but Spanish speakers were very underrepresented.

Q. How does the low Latin American representation in AI impact our economies?

A. Big tech AI companies are currently some of the richest in the world, and AI is a major source of economic wealth globally. Six of the eight most valuable companies in the world rely heavily on AI. Unfortunately, very few of these companies contribute to the Spanish-speaking community, despite using our data for free. At the summit, I mentioned the need for representation from the global South, but no one paid much attention. While diversity was discussed in general terms, only Chinas Minister of Science addressed the lack of representation in AI from the global South.

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Rep. James Comers Biden impeachment investigation failure rolled on by featuring a witness who has never spoken or communicated with the President.

House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) said in a statement about Mervyn Yans testimony:

Just like every other witness in Chairman Comers clueless investigationthat even House Republicans are calling a parade of embarrassments and a disasterMervyn Yan testified to the Committee today that he has no evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden and that, to his knowledge, President Biden was not involved in, did not profit from, and took no official actions in relation to his familys business dealings.

Further undercutting Republicans lies about President Biden, Mr. Yan testified that he never once did business with or had any personal or professional communication with President Biden.

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Chairman Comers allegations have been disproven time and again, as he continues to embarrass himself and House Republicans. Yet, House Republicans have spent 13 months and millions of tax dollars in feckless pursuit of political revenge demanded by former President Donald Trump.

According to Republican investigators, these transcribed interviews and depositions are supposed to be central to closing out 13 months of clueless investigation into President Biden, and I think they are right: Every single witness called by House Republicans has refuted their increasingly desperate and outlandish efforts to smear President Biden. It is time to end this slapstick comedy of an investigation and instead focus on delivering for the American people.

If my Republican colleagues are interested in a private citizens business with CEFC, then surely they must be distressed that an American President, Donald Trump, collected at least $150,000 from CEFC and more than $5.5 million from the Chinese government and Chinese state-owned enterprise while sitting in the Oval Office and presiding over the federal government.

House Republicans have turned on Comer and called his investigation an embarrassment and a disaster. Since Rep. Comer cant find an impeachable offense committed by the President, he has spent more than a year going down conspiracy rabbit holes and interviewing what seems like everyone in Hunter Bidens life even if they have never met his father.

James Comer has no case, and apparently no idea what he is doing. Rep. Comer seems to be hoping that can string together something that sounds ominous or infers an impeachable offense, but hes got nothing, and this Biden impeachment investigation appears to be going nowhere.

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The RNC has drafted a resolution that would virtually end the Republican primary after two small states have voted and declare Donald Trump the Republican nominee.

The Dispatch reported:

RESOLVED that the Republican National Committee hereby declares President Trump as our presumptive 2024 nominee for the office of President of the United States and from this moment forward moves into full general election mode welcoming supporters of all candidates as valued members of Team Trump 2024, reads a key portion of the draft resolution.



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But passage of this resolution, possibly next week at the RNC winter meeting in Las Vegas, could begin a preemptive process of the national party working with the former president as if he had already done so. And under RNC rules, that is permissible. This resolution, even in draft form, also functions as another sign that the GOP establishment is anxious to coalesce behind Trump and put an end to a presidential primary that, after his victories in Iowa and New Hampshire, the former president looks poised to win.

Trump would still have to earn the required number of delegates to be the official nominee, but that process would be a foregone conclusion if the party passed a resolution declaring Trump the nominee.

Donald Trump is attempting to end democracy in the Republican Party, and the RNC is helping him do it.

One of the reasons why the 2024 primary was a fraud is that Donald Trump controls the RNC. The Republican National Committee has been helping Trump pay his legal bills for years. The RNC resolution is a move against democracy, and it is an example of what Donald Trump intends to do to the rest of the country if he returns to the White House.

If Nikki Haley wont quit, Trump will just have the RNC declare the primary over.

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Shortly after Donald Trump stormed out of the courtroom during closing arguments, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan shut down his lawyer Alina Habba as she tried to gaslight about the established fact that Donald Trump was found liable by a federal jury for the rape of E. Jean Carroll.

Donald Trump, however, acts as if these rules or law just dont apply to him, lawyer Roberta Kaplan said, The Messenger reported Friday.

Legal reporter Adam Klasfeld is continuing to update from the courtroom, including the Judge shutting down more gaslighting and defamation from Trumps lawyer.

In May of 2023, Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation of E. Jean Carroll, but he keeps on calling her crazy sick wack joband a liar. His lawyer, Alina Habba, tried to gaslight about Trump being found liable for rape by suggesting that he was found liable by a jury so it doesnt count:

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Trumps lawyer Alina Habba appears again to deny Carrolls claims, prompting an objection.

Judge Kaplan reminds the jury that its been established that Carroll wasnt lying.

Habba: It is established by a jury.

Judge snaps to Habba: It is established and you will not quarrel with me. You will finish your statement.

Then she tried to suggest that Trump team has a right to speak, to which the judge countered some kinds of speech and not others.

Trumps lawyer Alina Habba:

Ladies and gentlemen, in our country, you have a constitutional right to speak.

Objection

Kaplan: Sustained. You have a constitutional right to do some kinds of speech and not others.

Habba ridicules Carrolls expert for noting that Trumps supporters were less likely to believe Carroll:

Trumps attorney Alina Habba ridicules Carrolls expert for noting that the former presidents supporters were less likely to believe Carroll:

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, duh!

Habba had minutes before this claimed that E. Jean Carroll was enjoying this, thereby suggesting that a rape victim who had been and continues to be defamed by a president of the United States and now former president but front-runner for the Republican nomination enjoys the threats and attacks that come from standing up to Trump and his sometimes violent cult.

Carrolls lawyer Shawn Crowley rebutted according to Klasfeld, The idea that the positive attention that Carrolls gotten somehow cancels the harm from Trump for years? Thats nonsense.

It should be noted that Trump stomped out of the courtroom during closing arguments that he obviously couldnt tolerate hearing. That is to say, hearing someone say things about him that he felt were not true was so painful that he couldnt handle staying in the courtroom.

Yet, Trump is only in this courtroom because he defamed E. Jean Carroll  not just in court, but in front of the entire world. And additionally, he did rape her and lying about it while attacking her claiming she is a liar is a grotesque abuse of his power.

Trump followed his exit of the court by ranting on social media about both the Judge and E. Jean Carroll, though he returned to hear his lawyer try to defame Carroll again, and suggest nullifying a jurys finding.

Carroll is seeking at least $10 million dollars this time, in an effort to force Trump to comply with the law and stop defaming his rape victim.

Team Trump tried to argue that the law doesnt apply to them, and that when it goes against them, it should be ignored. The Judge wasnt having it, and thats a good sign for democracy.

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Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 62F. WNW winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

A clear sky. Scattered frost possible. Low 32F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster remains supportive of the Savannah River National Laboratory.

McMaster called for the South Carolina General Assembly to provide $20 million to fund the state's part of the Battelle Savannah River Alliance during his State of the State address Wednesday evening.

"I propose continued funding of $20 million for the Battelle Alliance, a collaborative nuclear sciences research partnership between the University of South Carolina, Clemson University, South Carolina State University, and the Savannah River National Laboratory," according to prepared remarks shared ahead of the address.

McMaster also called for the General Assembly to provide $15 million to SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy, a consortium targeting innovation and efforts geared toward enhancing energy generation, distribution and storage, during his address.

SC Nexus includes the Savannah River National Laboratory, the state's research universities, technical colleges, economic development nonprofits and private businesses.

McMaster said the U.S. Department of Commerce recently designated SC Nexus as a regional technology and innovation hub, allowing it to compete for federal funding.

"SC Nexus will compete for federal grant funding valued between $40-$70 million annually," McMaster said. "My Executive Budget includes $15 million to support SC Nexus and serve as the state 'match' required for this competition. We are going to win."

Each year, South Carolina's governor submits an executive budget to the South Carolina General Assembly. In theory, this budget is used as the basis for development of the state budget. However, often, the General Assembly creates a new budget that includes some of the governor's priorities in the executive budget.

About a year after the state reached a $600 million settlement with the federal government over plutonium stored at the Savannah River Site, McMaster called for $120 million of the settlement to go to the Battelle Savannah River Alliance.
RIDGELAND  A chart tracking the population of Ridgeland shows an unusual growth curve.

For the entirety of the 1990s, the population of the Jasper County town hovered within spitting distance of 1,100 residents. By the end of the year 2000, the population was more than 4,800. The town grew 343 percent in a single year.

The number of residents has slowly decreased over the intervening years. In 2023, estimates put the population at just under 3,800 people.

Looking forward 20 years, the growth curve is forecast to make another dramatic turn. Growth projections for Ridgeland, which refers to itself as the "high point of the Lowcountry," are staggering.

The town expects to add 40,000 residents in the next two decades, which would make the population more than 10 times larger than it is today. The Ridgeland of 2044 will, if the projections hold true, be larger than the current populations of Myrtle Beach, Sumter, Florence and nearby Bluffton.

Against this backdrop, Town Council this month considered a petition to annex nearly 3,000 acres of unincorporated county land, along with a large residential and commercial development plan.

Complicating the request is a moratorium on residential and commercial development the county enacted in June. It has a nine-month term and expires in March.

After passage of the first reading of the moratorium ordinance, the county asked that Ridgeland and Hardeeville officials cooperate with the purpose of the moratorium by not entertaining annexation applications in the region impacted by the moratorium.

"Ridgeland has a lot to be proud of," said Grant McClure of the Coastal Conservation League. "We would love to see the town invest in those existing communities and not sprawl outward in a way that is unsustainable, and in way that would contradict the Jasper County comprehensive planning process."
First things first: I think a Trump versus Biden rematch would be an embarrassment for the United States, a sign of our decline as a great nation and a threat to our countrys future.

I also think its going to happen.

That said, as the two major parties hurtle toward giving us that election choice from hell, the question is: what can we do about it?

In terms of the Democratic and Republican parties, nothing. The die is cast, the nominees are all but certain and the choice is bleak.

The old parties offer us two doddering old men (with Trump gaining fast on Biden in the dementia derby). Further, both of those old men have highly questionable ethics and lowly placed expectations for success (or even survival) in a second administration that neither deserves.

But another choice may be coming, one that could involve Nikki Haley. And she should be thinking about it.

The former SC governor and UN ambassador is now the last person standing in opposition to Donald Trump in the Republican field. That is something nobody saw coming when the race began with 14 GOP candidates, including big name challengers like Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, Mike Pence, etc....

But as her political history in South Carolina shows (two huge upsets to win a House seat and then the governorship), Haley has both the ability to campaign and the will to win. Underestimating her has sent candidates who thought they would easily defeat her to their own demise instead.

While I dont think Haley can beat Trump in any Republican primary (sadly including South Carolina), I do think she could help knock off both Trump and Biden as a part of a potential No Labels third party ticket.

Yes, assuming Trump and Biden are in fact the major party nominees, I think it could be Ross Perot time again.

In the June 1992 Washington Post poll, the eccentric Texas billionaire led the three-way presidential contest. He was at 36 percent, with Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton at 30 percent and incumbent President George H.W. Bush at 26 percent.
GREENVILLE  Greenville County's coming Republican primaries in June were already shaping up to be a crowded contest.

Seven County Council seats are up for reelection this year, and the Greenville County GOP is recruiting candidates to run against four incumbents from its own party after they voted for a budget that raised property taxes for the first time in about 30 years.

But now, with both of the councilmen the county party planned to back announcing campaigns for state office, the stakes are getting higher.

Councilman Stan Tzouvelekas announced this week he is stepping down from his current seat to run for the state House of Representatives seat held by state Rep. Jason Elliott.

Steve Shaw, the other councilman supported by the party, announced his candidacy for state Senate last month. Shaw is running to replace Dwight Loftis as District 6's state senator. Loftis is retiring after spending close to 30 years at the Statehouse, one term as a senator and 23 in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

As it stands now, Shaw is set to challenge Elliott for Loftis' position. Elliott has represented District 22 since 2016, when he ousted longtime incumbent Wendy Nanney.

Tzouvelekas, meanwhile, is running for Elliott's current seat.

Council approved the tax increase at the center of a growing rift within the local party in an 8-4 vote last year. Shaw and Tzouvelekas are the only members of council whose terms end in 2024 to vote against it.

The additional levy, which comes out to about $58 a year on a $200,000 home, drew rancor from some conservative circles and drove members of Greenville County's state legislative delegation to file a lawsuit challenging the county's budget process.
Yuk Hui, one of the most influential philosophers of technology in AI debates, also uses ChatGPT. Immanuel Kant writes very long sentences in German with no punctuation. It can be very confusing. So, it suggests where to put commas or a full stop, to break the sentence [when translating]. It does it much better than me, he explains in a small room at the Center of Contemporary Culture in Barcelona, Spain, where he gave a lecture recently. Born in Hong Kong, he never tells his age. His sober style  turtleneck, black jacket, discreet glasses  and a wise mans gaze that lights up with curiosity, make it impossible to guess.

He studied computer engineering, but the questions he asked himself led him to philosophy. He earned his doctorate from Goldsmiths, University of London, under the supervision of French philosopher Bernard Stiegler, and now teaches at Erasmus University Rotterdam. He has published several books that have been translated into a dozen languages. His position on artificial intelligence differs from the hegemonic view, which expects this technology to reach a point where it either frees us from work or kills us all. Influenced by Gilbert Simondon, Martin Heidegger, Henri Bergson and the science of cybernetics promoted in the 1940s by Norbert Wiener, he tries to understand how our relationship with technology works, and advocates a view that takes into account the diverse forms of knowledge of each culture.

Question. How did you go from computer engineering to philosophy?

Answer. I studied in Hong Kong, and I was very interested in artificial intelligence. I found that what artificial intelligence was doing was actually philosophy. Its a philosophical question. For example, what is perception? What is action? What is morality? If a robot comes into this room and looks at us, how can it know what is important in this setting? This kind of questions led me to the phenomenological critique of artificial intelligence that started in the 1960s. There was a famous American philosopher called Hubert Dreyfus who said that the AI that they were doing at MIT at the time was Cartesian AI. And he said Cartesian AI is actually a mistake when you look at the history of philosophy. He proposed what he called Heideggerian AI.

Q. What does that mean?

A. Its an AI that is embodied, it embodies the world and its embedded in the world. He believed that the AI scientists at the time were not really understanding what we mean by intelligence, that everyday experience was not well understood in the research of AI. It was really eye-opening for me to understand that, when you are a computer science student, you learn how to program, you know that if you want to do this, then you copy and paste this algorithm, but without really understanding what is happening. Now the situation has changed a little bit.

Q. It has also accelerated. In your essays, seven years ago you quoted Putin: Whoever leads in AI will rule the world. Where are we now?

A. Before Putin, Xi Jinping was saying this. And last week, Emmanuel Macron said that the European countries are going much slower in this domain. So in general, politically speaking, we are in an AI competition. So where are we going? Where are we speeding to? This falls into what the transhumanists call technological singularity, a superintelligence with which we wont need governments anymore. But this narrative of going towards a technological singularity is more or less like a narrative of apocalypse: we move towards somewhere we dont know. What Im trying to propose is moving towards a technological diversity, a diversity of thought, a biodiversity, as an alternative to this narrative of apocalypse.

Q. Technology companies also exploit this apocalyptic narrative.

A. AI right now is not just a technology; it is a financial tool to get investments. This fear of AI is what the industry has to say in order to justify what they are doing. To attract investment.

Q. With the tension in the world  in Taiwan, for example  can this competition lead to a war?

A. I am trying to analyze this question in my new book, Machine and Sovereignty. What is the relation between technology and war? Of course, technology can be used in wars, but its not so simple. I try to perform a new reading of a speech given by the French philosopher Henri Bergson in 1914, right after the outbreak of the First World War. He believed that in the past 100 years Europe had produced many machines, and that each machine is a new organ for us. Before the First World War we witnessed a sudden expansion of our artificial body. But we were not able to deal with this sudden expansion of the artificial body. That is the source of war for him. The Greek code of hubris cannot be pacified. We see that now with the reactionary movements in Russia. Alexander Dugin was a big voice behind that. There was a lot of discussion about how Russia was repressed by Europe and by the West, especially in terms of technology and science.

Q. You write about the paradox of intelligence: it produces tools that can threaten it. Is it inherent to human evolution?

A. Humans are technological beings. We invent technology, but at the same time we are invented by technology: we develop our gestures, we reconfigure our central nervous system. And the technological evolution is much faster than the biological evolution. Before the industrial revolution, craftsmen worked with multiple tools. And then in the time of the encyclopedia there were bigger factories, but people still worked manually, with simple mechanical machines. But then came the industrial revolution with a different kind of machine. That is the machine that Karl Marx described: closed, autonomous. All the workers have to do is put things in and collect the result at the end. They are no longer using their body as they did before. They lost their knowledge. The machine is purely the externalization of the intelligence, but they dont know how to deal with it. Thats one of the dimensions of the source of alienation. Today we are confronting a different kind of machine that is almost biological. It comes from the development of cybernetics, proposed in the 1940s: machines govern themselves through feedback.

Q. How can we understand technology from other places?

A. This is what I call technodiversity. I am not referring to the defense of the local and the traditional that the right does. It has nothing to do with identity, but with the fact that each locality has a form and history of knowledge. With modernization, these forms became fragile: indigenous knowledge cannot be used to make a machine. Its not about preserving local knowledge in a museum; its about understanding how it is relevant to what we are doing today, how it helps understand technology. We cannot let economic reason and individualism dominate our use of technology. Lets study ways to develop alternatives that serve the community.

Q. Can art play a role in this matter?

A. In the past century, art has been pressured by a kind of technological determinism. Like Walter Benjamin said years ago about the work of art in the age of technical reproducibility: lets not ask if cinema and photography are art or not, rather, lets ask how the nature of art is transformed by technology. This still continues. Art, business, everything is transformed by AI. My proposal is to think, through technological diversity and artistic varieties, how our experience on Earth could help us transform technology.

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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
Charleston County plans to finish work on a half-cent tax referendum to fund the Mark Clark Extension by mid-August.

County Council would need to hold several votes on an ordinance to place the referendum on the November ballot. The council is moving to schedule those votes while the public is getting a first look at what the potential $5.4 billion tax would fund.

At the top is the Mark Clark Extension, the only "priority project" the county has listed for the spending. It would consume more than a third of the potential funds.

The South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank in late 2023 agreed Charleston County Council can tackle the county's more than $1.8 billion share of the Mark Clark project by asking voters to extend the existing half-cent tax, but insisted the county get the ballot question settled by by mid-August.

The full council's Finance Committee has laid the ground for a vote Jan. 30 on a resolution responding to the demands.

Just because we can do it until mid-August, lets not wait until mid-August," said West Ashley Councilman Brantley Moody.

In December the Joint Bond Review Committee also insisted the referendum will "without question or ambiguity" identify the Mark Clark Extension project as one to be funded with the tax.

Some council members have urged that a tax to fund the Mark Clark Extension should go to voters as a stand-alone question, not as a $5.4 billion tax that would also fund other road projects, mass transit and green space preservation.

That, said East Cooper Councilman Larry Kobrovsky, would give voters a real choice and avoid the risk of important county projects going unfunded if voters were to reject the tax extension because of opposition to the Mark Clark project.
NORTH CHARLESTON  To continue efforts to become the Coast Guard's "operational center of gravity" on the East Coast, officials broke ground Jan. 26 on its new $160 million campus.

This 64-acre site along the Cooper River  just south of the former naval base that closed in 1996  will house an administration building and redesigned 1,100-foot concrete pier.

Construction is expected to begin later this year and be completed in 2026.

"This Charleston campus will have improved infrastructure that translates into more productive personnel and more efficient operations," said Capt. Neal Armstrong, the commanding officer of facilities design and construction.

The 51,500-square-foot administration building will provide training and conference room space, and additional rooms dedicated to cutter ship support.

Sustainability is a priority, so the new facility will achieve net-zero energy usage and a net-zero carbon footprint, Armstrong said.

The current Pier November will be replaced with a pier more than three feet taller to enhance durability during coastal storms. It will provide utilities to support five national security cutters and a 90-ton crane, which is critical for dockside maintenance, Armstrong said.

During the design and construction phases nearly 60 subcontractors will support the two main contractors on the project, Whiting-Turner Contracting Company and RQ Construction LLC, providing work for nearly 900 people.

Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Linda Fagan, who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony, said every Coast Guard mission begins and ends at a shore facility. When the ships are not at sea, they need a base that can provide necessary maintenance, she added.

The missions conducted at Base Charleston are vital to protecting national security and economic prosperity, Fagan said, adding that the new campus will aid in "lifesaving work," including patrolling the waters for smuggled narcotics.
ST. GEORGE  After SLED agents busted a Lowcountry farmer and destroyed his hemp crop, the deadline is here for Chief Mark Keel to turn over information regarding his agency's conduct.

It was nearly a year ago that a circuit judge sanctioned Keel for willfully abusing the rules of discovery in a civil case pending here and ordered him to pay more than $11,000 in attorney fees for the opposing side. Last month, the S.C. Supreme Court refused to hear Keel's protests.

The Insurance Reserve Fund, which provides liability coverage to government agencies across the state, has paid the five-figure fee, according to a SLED spokeswoman. Keel has until Jan. 26 to turn over the remaining discovery.

The order, signed by Circuit Judge Maite Murphy, described in 31 blistering pages how SLED's conduct in a lawsuit brought by a farmer arrested on the charge of unlawfully growing hemp, a strain of cannabis, was dilatory, prejudicial, willful, intentional and in bad faith."

Murphy's order amounted to an extraordinary rebuke of the leader of South Carolina's top law enforcement agency.

The order was filed in a lawsuit scrutinizing how law enforcement in South Carolina regulates the production of hemp  a strain of cannabis popular for its health benefits that the Legislature permitted farmers to grow in 2018 on the heels of a change in federal law.

The Hemp Farming Act directed the state's Agriculture Commission to report violations to SLED, but the legislation was silent regarding what procedures police should follow to enforce the law.

Charleston School of Law professor Miller Shealy said he has rarely seen a circuit judge so severely admonish a defendant  much less the states premier law enforcement agency  for its conduct in discovery.
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  The mayor of Lake City touted the city's accomplishments during her first year in office as well as soon-to-be-completed projects in her Jan. 25 state of the city address.

Yamekia Robinson is the first Black female mayor of Lake City. Robinson replaced Mayor Lovith Anderson Jr., who served as mayor for 16 years. Anderson decided to not seek re-election.

Robinson served on city council prior to her election as mayor.

She gave her speech, which included updates on the Cole Road Events Center, drainage and stormwater projects and upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant and lab, at The Continuum to a crowd of around 60 people.

Robinson said her term officially began only an hour after being sworn in when a 25-car train derailed after colliding with a car on Kelley Street on Jan. 9, 2023. No one was injured and no chemicals were involved.

I know that we all remember that, right? Robinson said.

Construction of the Cole Road Events Center should be completed by May, Robinson said. The Center will be in a building once used by Florence-Darlington Technical College until it moved o The Continuum in 2019.

The construction has a $3.7 million price tag and will include a 300-seat event hall, catering kitchen, bridal room, two offices and storage rooms.

A second phase of the project would be known as a multipurpose center would cost another $5 million.

City Administrator William Hall said he wanted the center to serve as a more affordable option for hosting events. Other event venues in the city include The Bean Market, The Lake City Event Center and the Senior Center, which does its own programming.

The Senior Center is one of the more affordable spots to host an event but isnt always available due to programming it holds during the weekdays.

We don't want to give the facility away, Hall said. We want to make sure we're within reason that people can afford it.

The facility, Hall said, will allow the city to perform more programming for more people.
COLUMBIA  The South Carolina House of Representatives will soon take up legislation limiting the length of time laid-off residents will be eligible for unemployment benefits.

The bill, which advanced out of the House Ways and Means Committee by an 18-4 vote this week, would index the maximum duration of South Carolina's unemployment benefits with the current unemployment insurance rate.

For every half-percent increase in the statewide unemployment rate, the length of time a resident can receive benefits increases by one week. When the state unemployment rate is less than 5.5 percent, for example, the proposed legislation would set the maximum length of time a beneficiary can receive unemployment benefits at 12 weeks. If the unemployment rate reaches 9 percent or more, the maximum length of time someone can receive unemployment benefits is 20 weeks  which is still six weeks less than the default maximum benefit in states like Texas or New York.

The bill results from a study conducted last year by the House Ways and Means Committee as part of an effort to explore ways to expedite the return of displaced workers to the labor force. Today, some 11 states have revised their benefits plans to match the unemployment rate to the maximum benefit allowed, while just three of them  Kansas, Florida and Georgia  have unemployment insurance funds at risk of insolvency.

But in a rapidly-growing state, Rep. Micah Caskey, R-West Columbia, said he believed the changes could help put a dent into the state's ongoing labor shortage at a time the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports the state has just 43 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Its called ANYmal and, true to its name, it functions like an animal. This robot, about the size of a dog, boasts impressive autonomy. Locomotion  the ability to move from one place to another  is one of the most challenging skills for machines to master. Typically, they learn to walk in controlled environments to avoid accidents, but researchers at ETH Zurich University in Switzerland have trained ANYmal to face real-world challenges. The latest version can climb stairs, walk on narrow beams, and navigate natural environments with rough and slippery surfaces. ANYmals inventors recently described their progress in an article for Science Robotics magazine.

ANYmal was designed to navigate through obstacle-filled courses on 76,000 square meters of specially designed terrain. The challenge required precise steps and versatile mobility skills to avoid falls. We recreated challenging environments similar to those at natural disaster sites, where debris could crumble when stepped on, and at construction sites with oily and slippery surfaces, said Fabian Jenelten, a professor of robotics at ETH Zurich and lead author of the study.

The robot can operate independently, making decisions and adapting without constant human intervention. Equipped with cameras, sensors, gyroscopes and Lidar (light detection and ranging sensors), it can perceive its surroundings, measure distances, create maps and detect gas leaks. It can also carry payloads of up to 10 kilos (22 pounds).

Quadruped robots learn to walk in two ways: through deep learning methods for handling different terrains or traditional methods for more precise movements. This can lead to a trade-off between versatility and accuracy, causing problems for robots in the real world. Jeneltens team tackled this by combining the precision of traditional methods with the versatility offered by deep learning. As a result, ANYmal was able to achieve proprioception (the sense that lets us perceive the location, movement and action of our body parts) similar to humans and animals. In our work, we aim to combine both aspects, enabling quadruped robots to conquer new environments relevant for future applications, said Jenelten.

ANYmal isnt unique. Its distant relative Spot, made by Boston Dynamics, is a quadruped robot with very similar capabilities. Ford has deployed some in its factories to monitor and prevent potential breakdowns on assembly lines. Sword Defense Systems has equipped robots with a precision rifle for long-distance targeting and thermal vision for night operations. Other Spots have been taken to New Zealand to work as shepherds.

The creators of ANYmal anticipate that, in a few years, the robots will actively aid humans in rescue missions after disasters such as earthquakes and explosions. By utilizing Lidar, they will map out areas to predict landslides and unsafe routes. Looking to the future, Jenlets said: These robots have great potential to substitute humans in dangerous and potentially lethal environments.

Robots: not replacements but assistants

Rodolfo Haber, director of Spains CSIC Center for Automation and Robotics, believes these robots will be more like assistants and companions rather than complete replacements for humans. In large cities, they can assist people with hearing, visual and other disabilities. The machines will not necessarily replace workers. A robot can help a construction worker reach the age of 60 in a stronger physical condition, said Haber.

Robot locomotion using legs was popular in the past, with researchers in Spain creating six-legged machines to detect explosive mines. Although many quadruped robot projects were abandoned, Haber believes that advances in artificial intelligence can enhance newer models, leading to renewed interest from various industries and significant market and social impacts.

ANYmals inventors and Rodolfo Haber view the advancements in locomotion achieved by ANYmal as crucial for the future of legged robots. With this progress and the ongoing evolution of technology and artificial intelligence, its plausible that in a few years, four-legged robots assisting people will be a common sight on the streets.

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SPARTANBURG  The Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office is facing a lawsuit after refusing to release public incident reports from its annual Operation Rolling Thunder, which is aimed at pulling over what are believed to likely be criminals with the payoff of large drug and gun busts.

During the weeklong effort, officers use traffic violations to pull over drivers on Interstates 85 and 26 and then find probable cause for a search.

Following Rolling Thunder, the sheriffs office offers a summary of how many stops were made and how much cash and drugs were confiscated under a process known as civil asset forfeiture, which allows law enforcement to seize property from people they suspect are criminals, even before theyre charged or convicted of any crime.

The Virginia-based legal nonprofit Institute for Justice is behind the records request and lawsuit. It hopes to learn more about how the operation is conducted.

What was the probable cause that law enforcement was relying on to stop people, what was the reason they were giving for pulling people over? the Institute's senior attorney, Rob Johnson, said in an interview with The Post and Courier. Were they following any of these stops up with criminal charges, or were they just taking property and keeping the property and then letting the people go?"

Asset forfeiture disproportionally affects Black people in South Carolina. According to a congressional report from December 2022, while Black people make up 27 percent of the state population, they make up 71 percent of forfeitures, which amount to millions of dollars per year. Most of it is kept by law enforcement.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Home Care Advisory Group , whose personalized approach helps New Yorkers on Medicaid to find home care aides, is now working with the agencyHome Care for Adultsto provide comprehensive services. With the partnership, the two organizations are, in effect, creating a one-stop shop for patients who need long-term care, from inquiries and consultations all the way to enrollment in the CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Program) and other home care options.Home Care Advisory Group: Expert guidance on home care for New Yorkers on Medicaid The mission of Home Care Advisory Group is to simplify the journey of individuals on Medicaid to obtain long-term managed home care in New York State. By helping their clients to understand Medicaid and home care, the company's Senior Care Advisors empower them to choose the solution that is right for their situation. Home Care Advisory Group regularly works with patients and their loved ones, discharge planners, attorneys, veterans, and social workers, and its team is specifically trained in the CDPAP, Medicaid, Medicare, and pooled income trusts as well as options for consumers who might not qualify for Medicaid.The company's new partnership with Home Care for Adults will leverage this industry expertise to bring non-medical home health care services to patients across New York. Home Care for Adults specializes in easing the daily challenges that individuals face at home, whether they have mobility issues, dementia, chronic illnesses, disabilities, or injuries. Its Senior Care Specialists help with the burden of at-home care and focus on professionalism, respect, and dignity.The two organizations will now focus on helping their clients to obtain home care more quickly and efficiently. Consumers in counties across New York State are able to receive a complimentary consultation on home care and Medicaid, and all are able to speak to a specialist with Home Care Advisory Group. Clients are encouraged to ask as many questions as they need to so that they can feel comfortable making their choice of home care for themselves or a loved one. Home Care Advisory Group will then help them with all paperwork and patient evaluations for Medicaid, the CDPAP, and Managed Long-Term Plans.Once the patient is enrolled, a professional caregiver will be assigned by Home Care for Adults, who will manage all visits to ensure customer satisfaction. Depending upon the level of care required, aides will prepare meals, do laundry and light housekeeping, run errands and do grocery shopping, help with grooming, provide cognitive stimulation services, and remind patients about medications.To enroll in the CDPAP and other long-term home care options, New Yorkers on Medicaid are invited to call Home Care Advisory Group at 212-540-2984 or contact the companyonline .About Home Care Advisory GroupHome Care Advisory Group strives to make the journey of finding home care and navigating Medicaid services as smooth as possible. Its team assists with gathering the necessary documentation, completing applications, and troubleshooting any issues that may arise along the way. It aims to minimize delays and ensure a hassle-free experience for clients and their families.About Home Care for AdultsHome Care for Adults offers services designed to help clients achieve overall wellness. To execute its mission, the company offers various non-medical home care services that are made specifically to meet health and personal needs. Its team of professional caregivers is ready to assist clients with their daily routines and can help patients who are elderly, have dementia, struggle with mobility, or require live-in care.For more information about Home Care Advisory Group or Home Care for Adults, please contact:Eli Bronstein212 540 2984info@ homecareadvisory.org SOURCE: Home Care Advisory Group
Brazilian traveler Nataly Castro with the passports she used to travel to over 180 countries and territories. Lela Beltrao

At 29 years old, Nataly Castro has already filled six passports with visas and stamps long before their expiration dates. After visiting 180 countries in the last 16 months, she returned home to Sao Paulo suffering from severe anemia. Castro is a journalist, and the daughter of a teacher and a cabinetmaker, who aims to visit 200 countries and territories in 18 months to set a Guinness World Record. Natalys grandmother sold her car to help pay for her granddaughters travels, and remembers her as curious child fascinated with her globe of the world. Nataly funds her adventures with sponsorships and shares them on Instagram with 200,000 followers (@viajesemlimites).

Question. You can do a lot of traveling in a big country like Brazil. When did you first go abroad?

Answer. On October 29, 2013, I headed to Ireland with a scholarship from the State of Sao Paulo to learn English for a year. Those medieval settings were like something out of a movie. So fascinating!

Q. If it werent for a storm, youd be in the Falkland [Malvinas] Islands right now.

A. Yes. The bad weather delayed my first flight and then another one. So I missed my connection to the sole weekly flight to the islands. The British Embassy in Brazil invited me there to promote tourism. I was in Brazil recovering from an illness, so I decided to grab the opportunity. I only have 20 countries left to visit.

Q. Have you read Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne?

A. No, but Ive read stories by people who have.

Q. Does getting a Guinness World Record involve a lot of red tape?

A. Yes. The record I aim to beat is traveling around the world in 18 months. Ive been at it for 16 months, so times running out. I have to document my journey daily with photos and videos. I carry six passports and all my plane tickets. In each country, I need two witnesses to fill out a form for Guinness.

Q. It sounds stressful.

A. Yeah, its a lot! You need to handle all the logistics, study maps, plan routes, and make sure you pack appropriate clothing for local customs.

Q. When are you leaving again?

A. As soon as possible. I need to recover from my anemia and secure funding and sponsors to complete my goal of visiting all 193 U.N.-recognized countries, including the two non-member observers (the Holy See and Palestine), Taiwan, and the four countries of the United Kingdom [England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland], which are counted separately. This brings the total to 200, including territories.

Q. What was Afghanistan like?

A. Epic. I applied for a visa in Pakistan since its cheaper there. But I had lots of misgivings. After waiting for an hour, I met the ambassador who said, Nataly, we like what youre doing and were going to give you the visa. But tell the world that there is more than war in Afghanistan. We have history, culture You are the first woman authorized to enter and travel alone in Afghanistan.

Q. What was it like?

A. Many curious women and men approached me. Others angrily told me to call my [male] guardian. But I didnt have one, of course. I was there for 19 days, staying with a local family. I tried to leave the country by land and traveled to the border with Uzbekistan, but the crossing was closed. I started pleading for them to let me cross the border, but I had to return to Mazar-i-Sharif [northern Afghanistan] where the Taliban said, Welcome back, sister. I disagree with the Talibans ideas, but they didnt give me any trouble  maybe because I was a foreigner. When I went to take a bus back to Kabul, they were surprised by a woman traveling alone. They called a Taliban leader who eventually made a video authorizing my safe conduct. I was seated next to a woman on the bus and four male passengers were assigned to protect me. It seemed like they saw it as an opportunity to showcase the positive aspects of Afghanistan.

Q. Its uncommon for a woman to travel alone in many places.

A. Yes, its still considered taboo in many places. I arouse a lot of curiosity, but I also aim to inspire people. You learn to appreciate being alone and its an opportunity to make friends along the way. The visa for Kuwait involved five months of paperwork and a pregnancy test.

Q. A what?

A. A pregnancy test. They said it was because Im single. I guess its so you dont end up giving birth in the country.

Q. The Brazilian passport opens a lot of doors, right?

A. Its impressive. You can enter 170 countries without a visa. Sometimes I sleep in five-star hotels thanks to sponsorships, and sometimes I sleep on a mat on an airport floor.

Q. Why did you embark on this adventure?

A. Travel around the world? Before this, I had lived in five countries and visited about 20. I wanted to be a digital nomad, so I started researching how to do this in 2019. I want to be the first Brazilian to go around the world.

Q. Perhaps youre so resilient because you had problems in school.

A. Problems? It was racism! In school, there were only a few other Black kids. Despite being a good student, I faced constant rejection. It was tough  I even had to eat lunch in the bathroom to avoid bullying. It was relentless, and I felt like there was no way out. I attempted suicide three times  the last time when I was 14. But then I thought, Imagine if I could go somewhere and nobodys judging me for my class, money or skin color. Thats when I began dreaming of studying abroad. When I finally got the scholarship, I was working in telemarketing.

Q. What do you carry in your backpack?

A. I used to carry more baggage than I do now. I wash my clothes every other day. I have a sponsored GoPro camera, a mobile phone and a computer. I also had a compact camera that was stolen from me in Oman, which ironically is one of the safest countries.

Q. You said that going to Africa felt like coming home.

A. It was like returning to a house Ive never been to. Millions of Africans were brought to Brazil on slave ships. I deeply wanted to reconnect with my roots in Angola and Portugal, and to uncover our hidden history.

Q. Brazil is a mestizo country, but did you encounter racism in other countries?

A. During my first visit to Poland in 2019, people who cross to the other side of the street to avoid me. My most recent trip to Poland went well. However, in a hostel I had booked in Belarus, I faced blatant racism. The owner demanded more money because of my race, and when I refused, he insulted me and kicked me out. My hands were trembling as I typed those awful insults into Google Translate. I left the hostel and recorded a video to expose his racism in online reviews.

Q. In some countries of Africas Sahel region you didnt leave the airport. Does that count?

A. Yes, it was in this final stretch of the journey  and it does count. I left the Burkina Faso airport for about 20 hours, but I couldnt in Niger, Sudan and Chad due to security concerns.

Q. After traveling around the world, where would you return to without any reservations?

A. Iran, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Ghana, Vanuatu

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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2024 / The Cymbiotika COO Durana Elmi's Businesswoman of the Year Award has been announced, with the honor being presented to Elmi by the San Diego Business Journal. As founder and COO of Cymbiotika, Elmi has made major contributions to the La Jolla and San Diego business communities. Under her leadership, Cymbiotika has grown into the largest wellness brand in North America.Since 2018, Elmi has been guiding Cymbiotika to excellence. The company has earned honors including the Fortune's Great Places To Work and secured a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of America's Fastest Growing Companies. Elmi has been recognized by several prestigious organizations, earning titles like Female Executive of the Year, Globee Female Leader of the Year, and Dynamic Woman of San Diego.A proud advocate for women's empowerment and an inspiration for immigrants searching for success, Elmi accepted the honor of the Businesswoman of the Year Award. "I am deeply honored to receive the Business Woman of the Year award from the San Diego Business Journal. This achievement is not just a personal milestone but a celebration of the incredible women who inspire and drive positive change worldwide. I dedicate this win to the women all over the world who strive for excellence, overcome challenges, and lead with resilience," she said.This latest award affirms the importance of Elmi's focus on workplace culture and dedication to promoting diversity. As an Afghan immigrant, she constantly seeks ways to empower other immigrants and female leaders. Her journey is an inspiration to those in difficult circumstances all over the world. She strives to create an environment at Cymbiotika where women can thrive and lead confidently. Elmi is a thought leader in the wellness industry and the business world for her determination to give a voice to female entrepreneurs like herself.Elmi's deep connection to the San Diego and La Jolla communities makes the Business Woman of the Year Award particularly significant. Elmi chose San Diego as the location for Cymbiotika and the place to raise her family because of her love and appreciation of the city. The San Diego Business Journal's decision to show that same love to Elmi and her company makes this award very meaningful. Elmi's mission to create an inclusive, empowering culture extends from her workplace to her city and is embodied by the Business Woman of the Year Award.About Cymbioktika:Cymbiotika is the most significant wellness brand in North America. The San Diego-based wellness company is known for creating innovative, science-backed supplements and products celebrated for their health benefits. Cymbiotika's supplements address various health issues and nutritional deficiencies, identifying the root of symptoms and healing from within.The supplements are designed to promote cognitive function, strengthen the immune system, increase energy, and much more. Cymbiotika is committed to producing high-quality products and only uses ingredients sourced from the most pristine places in the world, from the hot springs of Iceland to the Himalayan mountains. Their supplements and home care products improve nutrition and sustainability. The brand was founded in 2018 after years of development and research by award-winning entrepreneur Durana Elmi, who currently serves as COO.Media DetailsWebsite URL: https://www.wn-agency.com/ Company Name: Warrior Network Agency Email address: Nik@ WN-Agency.com SOURCE: Warrior Network Agency
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ADM Investors with Substantial Losses Encouraged to Contact Hagens Berman, National Trial AttorneysSAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Hagens Berman urges Archer Daniels Midland Co. (NYSE:ADM) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.Class Period: Apr. 30, 2020 - Jan. 22, 2024Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Mar. 25, 2024Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/adm Contact An Attorney Now: ADM@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) Securities Fraud Class Action:The litigation focuses on Archer Daniels' statements about the performance of its Nutrition segment, a business the company poured billions of dollars into to protect against commodity price volatility in its legacy agricultural commodities trading business.The complaint alleges Archer Daniels made misleading statements and concealed that: (1) the Nutrition segment's financial reporting and accounting practices did not provide investors with an accurate impression of the company's performance and future prospects, including reported operating profits; (2) the Nutrition segment's accounting practices created a heightened risk of regulatory scrutiny and adverse impacts to the company's business; and (3) based on the foregoing, the defendants lacked a reasonable basis for their positive statements about the Nutrition segment and related financial results, growth, and prospects.Investors began to learn the truth on Jan. 21, 2024, when Archer Daniels announced that it had placed CFO Vikram Luther on leave effective immediately. The company said that Luther's "leave is pending an ongoing investigation being conducted by outside counsel for ADM and the Board's Audit Committee regarding certain accounting practices and procedures with respect to ADM's Nutrition segment, including as related to certain intersegment transactions." Archer Daniels also revealed that its investigation was initiated in response to its receipt of a voluntary document request by the SEC.The company further stated that it is delaying its Q4 and FY 2023 earnings release and withdrew its outlook for the Nutrition segment.This news sent the price of Archer Daniels shares crashing as much as $14.46 (or about 21%) lower during intraday trading on Jan. 22, 2024.If you invested in Archer Daniels and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses now If you'd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Archer Daniels case and our investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Archer Daniels should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email ADM@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.Attorney advertising.Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.Contact:Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2024 / Consumer Electronic Show (CES) welcomed Reach CEODylan Huey . Huey was a featured speaker at the January 11, 2024 event produced by the Consumer Technology Association. On the panel, "Speaking GenZ," Huey was one of six industry professionals discussing the unique ways in which younger generations communicate and engage with technology."The first generation of digital natives has come of age, followed closely by the new Gen Alpha," the CES website says in its description of the "Speaking GenZ" panel. "Born digital, mostly mobile and AI-savvy, they seek a different type of relationship with the media they consume, their education, and their social lives. How should you be speaking to this new generation?"As an influencer since the age of 15, achieving more than 2 million followers and 10 million daily views,Dylan Hueyalso worked as a talent manager for influencers before founding Reach, the only collegiate organization for Influencers. His transformation from an influencer to an entrepreneur facilitating networks of influencers has given Huey insight into the function of social media. He has become intimately familiar with its strengths, weaknesses, and potential."At Reach, we aim to create a community for influencers, digital marketers, and anyone interested in social media. We just recently expanded our club to 55+ other universities - including the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Loyola Marymount University, Chapman University, and Harvard University," Huey says. " During the semester, we feature creator workshops, influencer content days, student socials, guest speakers, and more." In his panel appearance at CES, Huey discussed the evolution of the landscape of digital marketing. He explained that influencers are functioning as not just celebrities, but also as advertising platforms, which has driven TikTok to become a retail competitor for Amazon. This has altered its platform by becoming more integrated with social media and influencers.Other professionals appearing at the CES panel included Tami Bhaumilk (Vice President of Civility and Partnerships for Roblox), Lori Schwartz (Found and CEO of StoryTech), BJ Pichman (Direct of Consulting for Mintel), Robit Bhargava (Founder of Inc Magazine) and Rohan Bhargava (Marketing student at George Washington University). CES is the world's largest technology conference, regularly drawing over 100 thousand attendees. A complete video of the "Speaking GenZ," panel is currently available on the CES website.Dylan Hueyhas appeared at past CES conferences and other events, including Vidcon, San Diego Comic-Con, and TedX. His Ted Talk, "Social Media Saved My Life," was given in June 2020 and is available online.About ReachReach is the first and only collegiate organization for influencers and social media personalities. Founded at USC, the organization has since expanded to more than 55 other universities, including the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Loyola Marymount University, Chapman University, and Harvard University. The organization boasts more than 2,000 members who have a collective follower count of more than 300 million. Many of Reach's member content creators have follower counts between 10,000 and 40 million.Reach provides creator workshops to improve professional skills, hone member talents, and bring in guest speakers from large media companies such as Meta, Coca-Cola, Old Spice, Nintendo, Warner Brothers, Amazon, and MGM Studios.Media Details:Website URL: https://www.ces.tech/ Company Name: Consumer Electronic ShowEmail address: Consumerelectoronicpr@ ces.com SOURCE: Consumer Electronic Show
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 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 Nathanson 332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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DAVOS-KLOSTERS, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Sector agnostic investment and advisory firm Domad Capital has announced that its CEO and senior partner, Dominik Madani, is representing the company at the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), held in Switzerland.CEO and senior partner, Dominik MadaniDomad Capital prioritized attendance of the respected economic forum due to the firm's awareness of the WEF as a global platform for collaborative dialogue among the world's leaders in business, politics, academia, and civil society."The importance of this forum lies in its unique ability to convene diverse stakeholders to address pressing global challenges and explore sustainable solutions," says Domad CEO Madani.Madani states that the WEF facilitates an intersection of ideas and strategies, encouraging cross-sector collaboration that is essential for handling complex, interconnected global issues."We felt that it was vitally important for us as an investment and advisory firm to participate in the conference," Madani shares. "We focus our investments on the sectors of finance and technology - and their intersection, fintech - and we prioritize areas like renewable energy and artificial intelligence." Madani states that his firm's participation in the WEF aligns with several key objectives. He and his team felt that the WEF provided an excellent opportunity for Domad Capital to engage with global leaders, policymakers, and industry innovators. The forum is an ideal platform where Madani can foster relationships and alliances crucial for future collaborations and business ventures."The WEF is a melting pot of global challenges, cutting-edge ideas, trends, and solutions that can solve these challenges," says Madani. "It's an opportunity for us to gain access to a wealth of insights on the latest technological advancements, economic trends, and regulatory landscapes. We're optimistic that this will enhance our strategic planning and decision-making processes." He continues that the WEF is where the industry's thought leaders congregate and he is particularly interested in hearing the most recent ideas and research pertaining to sustainable investment and technological innovation, two areas where Domad Capital focuses its investments. Madani hopes to share his firm's own expertise during the global discourse and contribute toward shaping policies and strategies on crucial issues.Madani recognizes that an appearance at WEF has the potential to raise a company's global visibility and reputation, but as the leader of a progressive and socially responsible firm committed to addressing global challenges, his main focus lies in acquiring knowledge on the latest Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) being presented.CEO and senior partner, Dominik Madani"The WEF targets sustainable and inclusive development - and this resonates with Domad Capital's commitment to responsible investment," Madani states. "Being able to attend this forum offers a platform to align with and contribute to global efforts towards achieving the SDGs." While having a diversified investment portfolio at Domad Capital, he's also serving as senior advisor to 8090 Industries, a decarbon & aerospace fund led by some of the strongest industrial families."It's important to understand various angles of a sector and connect the dots," Madani says. "While some might have a deep knowledge in a particular space - i.e sustainability and decarbonization - I like to add value by understanding policies and opening the doors to large corporations and governments." He adds that the WEF is a strategic nexus for his company. It offers avenues for growth, collaboration, and contributing positively to global economic and social progress. This is why Madani was keen to represent Domad Capital at the forum; he plans to take everything he observes and learns back with him to continue the growth of his company to the benefit of his clients and partners.About Domad CapitalDomad Capital is a sector agnostic investment & advisory firm that invests in ambitious companies and seeks to elevate large corporations through strategic advisory services. The firm invests and advises in different sectors, with a focus in advanced and innovative technologies. The team at Domad Capital invests in emerging tech and serves as a tech incubator to work with early stage startups. The firm focuses on disruptive companies that provide solutions to global challenges.Website: https://domadcapital.com/ Contact Dominik Madani -Info@ domadcapital.com SOURCE: Domad Capital
eFrancisco Motors and HDEX Sustainable Transit Initiative Accelerates Hydrogen Adoption Across the Transportation Sector

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Manila, Philippines, Jan 25, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - eFrancisco Motor Company (eFMC) and HDEX, the worlds first hydrogen exchange, are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking initiative that transcends mere transactions. This endeavor goes beyond innovation; it's a movement towards a more connected and environmentally responsible future for public transportation in the Philippines.Imagine a world where your daily commute not only takes you from point A to B but also contributes to a greater cause  Tied to the heartbeat of the Philippine Peso, the eFMC token brings stability to your financial journey, ensuring peace of mind with every transaction. Yet, what truly sets this system apart is its commitment to sustainability. It's not just a mode of payment; it's a pledge towards a cleaner, greener environment. Powered by a closed-loop hydrogen ecosystem, this token symbolizes a harmonious blend of technology and nature, creating a symphony of progress in the realm of public transportation.Elmer Francisco, CEO of eFrancisco Motor Company, added, "Our vision is to create more than a mode of transportation  we aim to create a lifetime bond with our users. This is an opportunity for everyone to embrace a journey towards a sustainable and fulfilling future." Aron Dutta co-founder of HDEX, shared, "We believe that true innovation goes beyond functionality; it touches the hearts and minds of individuals. This is our way of fostering a connection between technology and the emotions of those who dream of a better, greener world." Visit to join us in revolutionizing transportation in the Philippines.About eFrancisco Motor Company: ( https://efmc.ph/) eFrancisco Motor Company is more than a vehicle manufacturer; it's a storyteller of journeys towards sustainability. With a focus on electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, eFMC invites individuals to be a part of a narrative that transcends mere transportation.About HDEX: ( https://hdexgroup.com) At HDEX, we are committed to advancing the possibilities within the evolving hydrogen market, offering a reliable platform for seamless trade and contributing to the sustainable future of energy. HDEX is a global company based in the United Kingdom.Contact Details:HDEXinfo@ hdexgroup.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-26 10:01:23

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is investigating potential claims on behalf of purchasers of Evolution AB ("Evolution" or "the Company") (OTCMKTS:EVVTY; EVGGF). Investors who purchased Evolution securities are encouraged to obtain additional information and assist the investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/EVVTY-EVGGF Investigation Details:On January 24, 2022, Analyst Alpha Generation Limited released a report on Evolution (the "Report") to certain institutional investors. According to subsequent media coverage, the Report stated that (1) a significant portion of Evolution's revenue "could be at risk due to future regulatory clampdowns," and (2) Evolution was "exposed to revenues from what we [the authors of the Report] believe to be illegal gambling activities." On this news, Evolution's American Depositary Share ("ADS") price fell $19.78 per ADS, or 14.68%, over the following three trading sessions, to close at $115.00 per ADS on January 27, 2022.On April 26, 2022 (that is, on April 25, 2022 in the United States), Australia's gambling regulator announced that it had requested that Australian internet service providers block six online gambling sites, the operators of at least five of which were direct or indirect customers of Evolution's, alleging that the sites were engaged in illegal gambling. On this news, Evolution's ADS price fell $6.02 per ADS, or 6.22%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $96.73 per ADS on April 27, 2022.On May 4, 2022, industry press reported that the Swedish Administrative Court had upheld most of the record Swedish fines of 175 million Swedish Krona (approximately $17.8 million) that had been imposed on brands operated by ComeOn Group, a subsidiary of Cherry AB (publ), a customer of Evolution's, in relation to breaches of Swedish online gambling regulations. On this news, Evolution's ADS price fell $12.34 per ADS, or 10.88%, to close at $101.09 per ADS on May 5, 2022.On May 7, 2022, media outlets reported that industry participants had lobbied the UK government against an overhaul of gambling laws in the UK. On this news, Evolution's ADS price fell $14.84 per ADS, or 14.54%, over the following three trading sessions, to close at $87.25 per ADS on May 11, 2022.On April 27, 2023, Evolution released its financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2023. Among other items, the Company disclosed that Evolution's revenue from the RNG segment of its business did not grow, and that its North American business segment had experienced a low growth rate. On this news, Evolution's ADS price fell $11.24 per ADS, or 8.23%, over the following four trading sessions, to close at $125.26 per ADS on May 2, 2023.Finally, on October 26, 2023, Evolution released its financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2023 and held an analyst call to discuss the results. In its quarterly report and on the analyst call, Evolution disclosed that the Company faced delays in opening new studios and that revenues for its RNG and North American business segments did not grow. On this news, Evolution's ADS price fell $7.15 per ADS, or 7.61%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $86.80 per ADS on October 27, 2023.What's Next?If you are aware of any facts relating to this investigation or purchased Evolution securities, you can assist this investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/EVVTY-EVGGF . You can also contact Peretz Bronstein or his law clerk and client relations manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC: 332-239-2660.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-26 00:30:12

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This Is LD's Data-Driven Integrated Marketing Strategies Delivered Industry Growth, Acquisition and Client EndorsementLONDON, ENGLAND / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2024 /This Is LD, a top global digital marketing agency based in London, UK, with offices in Vancouver, Canada, announced today the launch of its U.S. market expansion. This is LD's full-service digital marketing and IT services for enterprise-level businesses have consistently delivered significant client successes for healthcare and medical technology companies operating in the U.S., paving the way for market expansion to meet industry demand.This Is LD, a Global Marketing Agency Serving the Healthcare and MedTech Industries "We take a holistic and collaborative approach with our data-driven digital partnerships, which in turn drives revenue, delivers return on investment (ROI), and successfully fuels our clients' market growth," said CEO Lisa Eyo Andrews. "We are excited to share our expertise and proven track record of success to meet U.S. medtech and healthcare industry demand for customer-focused and results-driven marketing." This Is LD creates full-funnel ROI-delivering marketing success through a combination of data insights, lifecycle strategy, and industry expertise, powering an integrated range of digital marketing activities, including SEO, paid media, social and content marketing, web development, managed IT services, and more.This Is LD's specialization in the healthcare and medtech industry offers the depth and breadth of knowledge that comes with experience:Acquisition and ROI: This Is LD80% of LD clients stay with the agency for five or more years thanks to success stories such as the following:Acquisition: One of This Is LD's U.S. clients achieved such industry success and heightened profile that a competitor extended an acquisition offer to the client, which was accepted."Lisa and her team at LD developed insightful digital marketing campaigns that were on deadline and on budget. Their impactful digital designs and target marketing increased our web traffic by 482%, which resulted in increased patient volume" - Anita Taylor, AchieveTMS (Acquired by Greenbrook TMS)Swift ROI: Another client earned record-breaking ROI in less than a year of partnership, thanks to This Is LD's lead-generation strategies."Over the last 12 months, This is LD has significantly improved our digital marketing presence, which has resulted in a 400% increase in website views and reaching our inbound lead goals for the year" - Parker Mooney, Chief of Staff at IML (International Medical Lasers)About This Is LDFounded by CEO and global marketing expert Lisa Eyo Andrews, This Is LD is headquartered in London, UK. This global digital marketing agency offers an agile and holistic approach to building client success, with an execution that is full-funnel, data-driven, and ROI-focused.This Is LD's expert services include brand development and strategy, content creation and copywriting, animation and motion graphics, graphic design and digital illustration, search engine marketing, web design and development, search engine optimization, social media management, public relations, and managed IT services and support.This Is LD enables clients to focus on running their business while the agency team does everything else. For more information, visit: ThisIsLD.com Contact Information Pam AbrahamssonMedia Relationspam@ thisisld.com +15032989749SOURCE: This Is LDView the original press release on newswire.com
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No golden ticket needed to experience this delicious new collectionLIBERTY, KY / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Invite the charming and magical world of Willy Wonka into your home with the new 3-Wick candle collection, Wonka x Goose Creek.Wonka Golden Ticket Goose Creek x Wonka Candle Collaboration Goose Creek has collaborated with Wonka to create an immersive experience of the classic musical movie. This whimsical collection of nine 3-wick candles features an array of scents inspired by the 1970s classic movie "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory." Each fragrance creation was carefully crafted by world-renowned fragrance professionals.Immerse yourself in the rich aroma of River of Chocolate, reminiscent of a velvety smooth chocolate waterfall. Or indulge in the sweet and tantalizing scent of the Golden Ticket, which will transport you straight to the iconic scene of Charlie discovering his winning ticket. And for those who crave a hint of mystery, Everlasting Gobstopper will leave you wondering what magical surprises lie ahead..."Both the Goose Creek and Wonka teams spent the last year creating something spectacular for this collaboration," says Jordan Meece, CMO of Goose Creek. "This collection is designed to transport you to the enchanting world of Willy Wonka through the sense of smell. We're excited to share these candles with our customers and bring a little bit of Wonka's eccentric world into their homes." Goose Creek was founded by Chuck Meece in 1998 and has grown to become one of America's top candle and fragrance brands. The company's full product lines are available online, and select fan-favorite fragrances are available in Walmart stores nationwide. Goose Creek candles promise a long-lasting, ultra-fragrant, lead-free, and clean burning experience, with a price range falling between $13.99 and $25.50, depending on the collection and seasonality.The Wonka collection is the latest addition to Goose Creek's line of premium fragrance products. Other brand collaborations include the recent collection with Little Debbie, where Goose Creek captures the aromas of America's Favorite Snacks, and Elf, a collection of 3-Wick candles that capture the adventures of Buddy the Elf and his comical holiday spirit, all the way from the North Pole to New York City.Visit goosecreekcandle.com to shop the entire Wonka collection and other premium fragrance options. See 3-Wick Candles, Single-Wick Candles, Wax Melts, and more.Learn more about the Wonka x Goose Creek candle collaboration here.Contact Information:Leann MeecePublic Relationssupport@ goosecreekinc.com 8007751388Related ImagesRelated VideoSOURCE: Goose CreekView the original press release on newswire.com
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NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2024 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until February 20, 2024to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE:INSP), if they purchased the Company's shares between May 3, 2023 and November 7, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.What You May DoIf you purchased shares of Inspire 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-insp/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byFebruary 20, 2024 .About the LawsuitInspire Medical and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On November 7, 2023, post-market, the Company disclosed disappointing financial results for 3Q 2023, including "a decline in prior authorization submissions for patients seeking Inspire therapy," as well as problems with its highly touted "Acceleration Program" requiring "some corrective action." On this news, shares of Inspire Medical plummeted approximately 20%, from a closing price of $161.74 per share on November 7, 2023, to a closing price of $129.95 per share on November 8, 2023.The case is City of Hollywood Firefighters' Pension Fund v. Inspire Medical Systems, Inc., No. 23-cv-03884.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, Delaware, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit http://ksfcounsel.com/ CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
Georgia lawmakers passed a bill Thursday that would define antisemitism in state law, with Republicans uniting in support of Israels war on Hamas and some Democrats splitting over fears of suppressing support for Palestinians.

Today we can fight a pervasive and escalating threat in our state and fight it together, said Senate President Pro Tem John Kennedy, a Macon Republican who guided the bill to Senate passage by a 44-6 vote. The measure had stalled in a Senate committee in 2023.

The House later agreed to changes, passing the measure 129-5 and sending it to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature or veto.

Sponsors say adopting the definition put forward by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance would help prosecutors and other officials identify hate crimes and illegal discrimination targeting Jewish people. Georgia has a hate crimes law that allows higher criminal penalties for crimes motivated by some types of bias.

The definition, which is only referred to in the bill, describes antisemitism as a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

Some lawmakers opposed the bill, saying they thought it would be used to censor free speech rights.

The First Amendment guarantees our rights as citizens to criticize any government, foreign and domestic, said Sen. Nikki Merritt, a Lawrenceville Democrat. Does our Constitution not mean anything? Do our federal laws not mean anything?

But supporters say the definition will only come into play after someone has committed a crime.

This legislation is not about stifling free speech, Kennedy said. Nor is it about the government stopping someone from simply sharing their views. It is about safeguarding the dignity and the safety of our Jewish friends and neighbors.

In at least eight states nationwide, lawmakers are working on measures to define antisemitism, part of an upsurge of legislation motivated in part by the Israel-Hamas war. Arkansas passed such a law last year, and like in Georgia, a South Carolina measure passed one chamber in 2023. New bills are pending this year in Indiana, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey and South Dakota.

Sponsors say adopting the definition put forward by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance would help prosecutors and other officials identify hate crimes and illegal discrimination targeting Jewish people. Georgia has a hate crimes law that allows higher criminal penalties for crimes motivated by some types of bias.

What was already a fraught topic in early 2023 has become downright raw with the Israel-Hamas war. Some protesters chanting Free Free Palestine! were dragged from the committee room Monday by police officers after the vote and one was arrested. That came after some Jewish residents of Georgia testified they had experienced a surge of bias incidents, including an antisemitic group that hung a Jew in effigy outside a Macon synagogue over the summer.

State Rep. John Carson, a Marietta Republican who sponsored the bill, told the House that the measure shows Georgia stands with our friends in the Jewish community. Rep. El-Mahdi Holly, a Stockbridge Democrat and one of a handful of Georgias Muslim lawmakers, retorted that I wish that was true of Palestinians as well.

Some opponents said Thursday that they didnt in the Israel-Hamas war. We can mourn the loss of both Israeli and Palestinian lives, said Sen. Kim Jackson, a Stone Mountain Democrat. We can both condemn the unacceptable acts of antisemitism that are plaguing the Jewish community around our state and acknowledge that our citizens have the right to voice their dissent about the tremendous harm being visited upon Palestinian civilians.

Some Democrats said that if Georgia moves to define antisemitism, then it should also define what prejudice against Muslims, African Americans or LGBTQ+ people looks like.

If were going to define antisemitism in the law, then there a lot of other groups that experience racism, and they should also have definitions and explanations of what racism looks like, said Sen. Sally Harrell, an Atlanta Democrat who didnt vote on the bill.

But other Democrats said they wanted to support their Jewish constituents and allies, with some recalling the historic support of Jewish people for Black civil rights. An Atlanta synagogue was bombed in 1958 by racists striking out against a rabbis opposition to segregation.

The Jewish community stood hand-in-hand with us, said Senate Minority Gloria Butler, a Stone Mountain Democrat. Today I return their favor and stand with them.

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LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Karma and Luck, a Vegas-owned brand renowned as the "Nike of the spiritual world," is thrilled to announce the grand reopening of its flagship store at the Grand Canal Shoppes. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and event, held from 5:30-8 PM PST on December 17, 2023, was an uplifting affair that combined luxury, spirituality, and community engagement.The store, located at 3377 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, offers a unique shopping experience that blends ancient traditions with modern life. The interior features natural elements and timeless styling, providing a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that transports customers to a world of spiritual and aesthetic wonder.During the grand reopening, notable influencers graced the event, including Captain Kate (@captainkatemccue), alongside other local celebrities. The event featured unique experiences like Crystal Singing Bowl Healing by Obsidian Whyte (@obsidianwhyte), tarot readings, and an Aura Photography experience by Synergy Life Events, offering guests a glimpse into their unique energetic signature.Karma and Luck's flagship store showcases a wide range of products designed with intention in mind, such as their Signature Tree of Life collection for manifestation and Signature Red String Bracelets said to invite divine protection.The store's product range includes handcrafted jewelry infused with potent gemstones for women, men, and children, plus intentional Home Decor. Additionally, the store features a Mineral Collection, candles, Pure Aura scents, and more.As a brand deeply committed to giving back, Karma and Luck proudly support charities like Make A Wish Nevada, Eco Drive and Three Square, reflecting their dedication to positively impacting the community.In just three years, Karma and Luck has dramatically expanded its retail presence, beginning with a move to a larger location at Mandalay Bay in December 2020. New locations include their first out-of-state location in Houston in December 2021 and prestigious openings at the Oculus, Grand Central, and CityWalk. While no new locations are planned for this year, there are plans to enrich the customer experience at existing stores, with ambitious expansion goals for 2025."As I look around the room, I am filled with a deep sense of accomplishment for what we have built here, and for the extraordinary journey it represents," said CEO and Founder, Vladi Bergman. "One year ago, we embarked on a bold mission: not just to rebuild our flagship store but to reimagine itTo create something never seen before. Tonight we celebrate this vision becoming a reality." For more information on the store, its offerings, and locations, please visit www.karmaandluck.com Contact:Lauren Marie CappelloMarketing & Communications Manager707-245-9593 Lauren@ KarmaandLuck.comwww.karmaandluck.com SOURCE: Karma and Luck
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KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - KJTS Group Berhad (KJTS or the Company), a building support services provider in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, proudly marked the Companys debut today on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. The shares opened at RM0.44 per share, showcasing a significant 62.96% premium over the IPO price of RM0.27 per share.KJTS is listed under the stock name KJTS with the stock code 0293.Specialising in cooling energy management, cleaning, and facilities management services, KJTS and its subsidiaries (KJTS Group) is an established player in the building support services industry. The Companys in-house engineering capabilities and commitment to sustainability have been instrumental in delivering high-quality services and contributing to clients' environment, social and governance (ESG) targets, including reducing carbon dioxide emissions.The successful initial public offering of KJTS Group Berhad raised RM58.87 million, allocated as follows: RM44.92 million towards the expansion of the cooling energy segment and office expansion in Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore; RM8.12 million for working capital; and RM5.83 million set aside for listing expenses.Independent Non-Executive Chairman of KJTS Group Berhad, Puan Azura Binti Azman expressed excitement: This successful listing marks a new chapter for KJTS. It is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our team and the confidence the market has in our vision and strategy. We are excited about the opportunities this will bring, allowing us to further expand and enhance our services in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The positive investor response to our IPO underscores the market's belief in our capabilities and growth potential. We look forward to utilising this momentum to drive KJTSs growth and to solidify our position in the building support services sector. Hong Leong Investment Bank Berhad is the Principal Adviser, Sponsor, Sole Underwriter, and Sole Bookrunner.
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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Neolynx , a web design and development firm, is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary of operation, and its team is celebrating by seeking out new partnerships. The anniversary also coincides with the company's recent accolade from The Web Excellence Awards, a prestigious international interactive web awards competition; it also comes as Neolynx opens up new services to its clients.Neolynx has been honored with the 5th Web Excellence Award for web design and development, specifically recognized for their notable work in the healthcare services category. The international competition attracted over 900 entries from around the globe, including entries from 45 different US states and 30 countries such as Australia, Canada, France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Austria, Bulgaria, and Turkey. The competition was intended to showcase the talents of digital media artists and developers. An international panel comprising industry professionals with varied backgrounds judged the entries across multiple categories, including online advertising and mobile applications.The team at Neolynx expressed great pride in receiving this accolade, viewing it as recognition of their dedication and skill in the field. This award demonstrates the company's expertise in web design and development and is a prestigious nod to their commitment to excellence in digital media.In the wake of this accolade, Neolynx has been strategically expanding its portfolio with a series of new initiatives, particularly emphasizing support for businesses engaged in AI and Web3 projects. This move represents a natural progression from their established strength in data-driven website development, a cornerstone service they have provided since their foundation in 1999.The team at Neolynx feel that this is a logical and necessary evolution in their business approach, since the company has vocalized a firm dedication toward staying at the forefront of technological advancements and aligning their services with the latest trends in the digital landscape.Neolynx's newest services will focus on integrating AI to enhance user experience and operational efficiency on websites, as well as incorporating Web3 technologies to offer decentralized and blockchain-based web solutions. These services are designed to empower businesses with more secure, efficient, and forward-thinking digital strategies to align with the evolving needs of the modern digital landscape.As Neolynx finalizes its newest services, the company is also actively broadening its horizons by welcoming partnerships with both emerging startups and well-established companies. The goal of this move - a move that reflects a versatile and adaptive approach in the dynamic digital landscape - is to foster innovation across various business stages and industries.The team will leverage its extensive experience in web design and development, coupled with their proficiency in cutting-edge technologies like AI and Web3, to provide tailored digital solutions that cater to the unique challenges and opportunities of both nascent ventures and seasoned enterprises. This has the potential to greatly diversify Neolynx's portfolio, and it will enable the team to apply their expertise in a wide array of contexts to drive digital transformation and growth for businesses of all sizes.About NeolynxFounded in 1999, Neolynx is a web design and development company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. The firm specializes in creating digital solutions, bespoke web designs, and development services for a diverse range of industries. Neolynx employs emerging tech such as AI and Web3 and the team is experienced in aesthetic web design and functional backend development.Website: http://www.agfreights.com./ Media contact:Armen Mardirousi armen@ neolynx.com SOURCE: Neolynx
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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Nextech3D.AI(the "Company") (OTCQX:NEXCF)(CSE:NTAR)(FSE:1SS) announces today that Nextech3D.ai has made the decision to terminate its previously announced letter agreement (the "Agreement") with VCI Global Limited ("VCI"), pursuant to which VCI was granted the right to earn up to a 51% interest in the Company's proprietary artificial intelligence platform for 3D modeling and associated assets (the "Transaction"). The Company determined to terminate the Agreement as VCI has been unable to satisfy its conditions precedent to the completion of the Agreement in accordance with the mutually agreed timelines. The Company presently has no plans to sell its 3D modeling business; instead, it will persist in building its AI technology stack for scaling 3D modeling as well as owning, operating, and developing this business. The Company perceives substantial growth potential through Amazon and other large enterprise clients which the Company believes represent substantial growth opportunities.About Nextech3D.ai The Company is a diversified augmented reality, AI technology company that leverages proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) to create 3D experiences. Its main businesses are creating 3D WebAR 4K photorealistic models for the Prime Ecommerce Marketplace as well as many other online retailers. The Company develops or acquires what it believes are disruptive technologies and once commercialized, spins them out as stand-alone public companies issuing a stock dividend to shareholders while retaining a significant ownership stake in the public spin-out.On October 26, 2022, the Company spun out its spatial computing platform, " ARway.ai'' as a stand alone public company. ARway.ai is disrupting the augmented reality wayfinding market with a no-code, no beacon spatial computing platform enabled by visual marker tracking. The Company retained 13 million shares in ARway and distributed 4 million shares to Nextech3D.AI shareholders. ARway.ai is currently listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE:ARWY), in USA on the OTCQB (OTC:ARWYF) and Internationally on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE:E65).On June 14, 2023, the Company completed its second spinout of Toggle3D.ai , a groundbreaking SaaS solution that utilizes generative AI to convert CAD files, apply stunning 4K texturing, and enable seamless publishing of superior 4K 3D models. The Company retained 13 million shares in Toggle3D.ai and distributed 4 million shares to Nextech3D.AI shareholders. Toggle3D.ai is trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE:TGGL) and in the USA (OTC:TGGLF). To learn more, please follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, or visit our website: https://www.Nextechar.com For further information, please contact:Investor Relations Contact Julia Violainvestor.relations@nextechar.com Nextech3D.ai Evan GappelbergCEO and Director866-ARITIZE (274-8493)Disclaimer for Forward-Looking InformationThis news release includes certain statements and information that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to the proposed future operations of the Company and the prospectivity of its technology.Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainty affecting the business of the Company. Such statements can generally, but not always, be identified by words such as "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "forecasts", "schedules", "prepares", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. All statements that describe the Company's plans relating to operations and potential strategic opportunities are forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. These statements address future events and conditions and are reliant on assumptions made by the Company's management, and so involve inherent risks and uncertainties, as disclosed in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking information, actual results could materially differ from those currently projected, and there is no representation by the Company that the actual results realized in the future will be the same in whole or in part as those presented herein. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. Readers are referred to the additional information regarding the Company's business contained in the Company's reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. For more information on the Company and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedar.com The Company provides no assurance that forward-looking statements and information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company does not undertake to update any for-ward looking statements, other than as required by law.SOURCE: Nextech3D.ai
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LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Orosur Mining Inc. ("Orosur" or the "Company") (TSXV:OMI)(AIM:OMI) the minerals developer and explorer with operations in Colombia, Argentina, Nigeria and Brazil announces its unaudited results for the quarter ended November 30, 2023 ("Period" or the "Quarter"). All dollar figures are stated in US$ unless otherwise noted. The unaudited condensed interim financial statements of the Company for the quarter ended November 30, 2023 and the related management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") have been filed and are available for review on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca . The financial statements and the MD&A are also available on the Company's website at www.orosur.ca A link to the PDF version of the financial statements is available here:A link to the PDF version of the MD&A is available here:HIGHLIGHTSIn Colombia, whilst exploration activities have been wound back during the Period, some mapping and surface sampling were undertaken largely to meet the regulatory work requirements of the licences. In addition, a variety of licence processes, such as the integration of smaller licences have been advanced; and Monte Aguila has continued to fund the promotion of relationships with local community groups to strengthen the social licence to operate the Anza Project. In Brazil, the Company had previously announced that given the success of the regional stream sediment program performed across the Company's Ariquemes district, it had decided to move to the next phase which has targeted two prospects at Oriente Novo (in the east of the Company's tenements) and at Paraiso in the west and to the north of the Bom Futuro tin mine. Sampling was performed during July and August. Some issues were encountered with the accuracy and reliability of the sampling and assaying of alluvial mineralisation. In an attempt to resolve these issues, some test programs were undertaken during the quarter to better define these field practices so that subsequent results would be reliable and reportable. In Argentina, sampling and ground magnetic surveys recommenced after the winter recess in September with the plan of completing coverage of the highest priority parts of the project before more detailed work could be commenced with a view to defining drill targets. This work is near completion, and field teams will be returning to project early in 2024. In Uruguay, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Loryser, continues to focus its activities on the final stages of the Creditors Agreement. In line with the Creditors Agreement, Loryser has sold all of its assets. It has paid for the settlements with all of its former employees; it has finalised the reclamation and remediation works on the tailings dam and has successfully concluded a one-year post-closure control phase. Loryser is well advanced in distributing the proceeds to Loryser's trade creditors in accordance with the Creditors' Agreement, via a Court approved settlement agent. On October 16 2023, the Company announced that it had signed a joint venture ("JV") agreement over four licences in the Nigerian lithium belt (the "Lithium Project"). The Company, via its new 100% owned UK subsidiary, Lithium West Limited ("Lithium West"), may earn up to 70% equity in the Lithium Project in two phases: Phase 1 - Lithium West can earn 51% equity in the Lithium Project by spending a total of US$3m over a maximum of three years. Phase 2 - Lithium West can earn an additional 19% equity in the Lithium Project, up to a total of 70%, by spending an additional US$2m over a maximum of two years. Field work began immediately after signing of the JV with the first results released at the end of November 2023. In Nigeria, on November 28 2023, the Company announced positive results from an initial mapping and sampling program that was carried out on the Lithium Project. Several hundred samples of various outcrops were taken, with approximately 70 then being analysed by way of XRF and LIBS for lithium content as well as a number of other pathfinder elements. Mapped pegmatite systems were noted over substantial strike lengths of several km's and of varying widths from sub-metre, to over 30m in one massive example. Numerous pegmatite samples returned high levels of lithium, with several over 2% Li2O. Also announced on that day was the acquisition of a further two new exploration licences in Nigeria taking the total area of prospective land under title to 533km2, representing one of the more dominant land positions in Nigeria. In Colombia, post the Period end on January 23, 2024, the Company announced that discussions with Monte Aguila are currently focussed on exploring options whereby Orosur would acquire MMA's interest in the Anza Project. Such an outcome, if achieved, would see the Company returning to having a direct or indirect interest of 100% in the Anza Project. Negotiations are progressing towards this objective; however, these are not final and as such there is no certainty that such a transaction will be agreed, and if so, on what terms. The parties are examining a range of commercial and structuring options, as well as undertaking prudent due diligence, and as such, finalisation of any agreement may take some time. Financial and CorporateOn November 30, 2023, the Company had a cash balance of $2,104,000 (May 31, 2023 $3,748,000). As at the date of this MD&A the Company had a cash balance of $1,722,000. Post the period end, at the Company AGM held on December 19, 2023 all resolutions put to shareholders were duly passed. The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost method except for certain financial assets and liabilities which are accounted for as Assets and Liabilities held for sale (at the lower of book value or fair value) and Profit and Loss from discontinuing operations. This accounting treatment has been applied to the activities in Uruguay and Chile. Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars)UnauditedAs at November 30, 2023 $ As at May 31, 2023 $ ASSETS Current assetsCash 2,1043,748Restricted cash 1212Accounts receivable and other assets 464219Assets held for sale in Uruguay 934898 Total current assets3,5144,968 Non-current assetsProperty, plant and equipment 211123Exploration and evaluation assets 4,4713,334 Total assets8,1968,425 LIABILITIES AND DEFICIT Current liabilitiesAccounts payable and accrued liabilities 247336Liabili
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TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / In a landmark move set to redefine the dental industry, Patient Prism and Curve Dental have joined forces to launch an innovative integration aimed at accelerating growth in dental practices nationwide. This partnership challenges the status quo, urging dental professionals to embrace digital and AI transformation for outsized returns in the coming decade.The collaboration brings together Patient Prism's sophisticated AI platform and Curve Dental's world-class practice management software solution, offering an unprecedented view of the patient journey from marketing to production and re-engagement. This integration is a first in the industry, providing end-to-end funnel metrics powered by Curve data - a crucial tool for business success.Revolutionizing the Dental Industry with AI and Digital Innovation Amol Nirgudkar, CEO of Patient Prism, emphasized the significance of this integration. "End-to-end funnel metrics is the holy grail in any business," he said. "Our partnership with Curve Dental equips practices with a predictable way to grow their top and bottom lines, leveraging the power of AI and digital innovation." Jana Macon, President of Curve Dental, also expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. "Combining forces with Patient Prism, the most sophisticated conversational AI platform in dentistry, was a logical step to redefine growth for our customers. Our commitment to this partnership, including alliances with world-class companies like Pearl and Patient Prism, demonstrates our dedication to bringing the best technology to our customers and helping them manage and grow their practices." Challenging the Status Quo As the dental industry stands at a crossroads, with rapid consolidation, technological advancements, and evolving patient acquisition strategies reshaping the landscape, this partnership is timely. The integration between Patient Prism and Curve Dental is not just a technological leap but a call to action for dental practices to adopt digital transformation and AI to remain competitive and achieve remarkable growth.About Patient Prism Patient Prism is a leading AI technology firm in the dental industry, focused on providing innovative solutions to enhance patient acquisition, engagement and practice growth. Patient Prism AI harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to seamlessly optimize marketing, sales, and operations across dental organizations. This ensures robust top and bottom line growth by enhancing patient acquisition, engagement, and overall practice efficiency. For more information, contact Michelle Holguin at 800-381-3638 or Michelle@ patientprism.com About Curve Dental Founded in 2004, Curve Dental provides the leading cloud-based practice management software for over 70,000 dental professionals across the United States and Canada. From the start, Curve has been singularly focused on the dental industry and is committed to delivering the best all-in-one dental practice management and patient engagement software for practices of all sizes. The company is privately-held, with offices in Provo, Utah; Atlanta, Georgia; Calgary, Alberta; and Aberdeen, Scotland. Visit www.curvedental.com or call 1-888-910-HERO for more information.Patient Prism Media Contact:Michelle Holguin800-381-3638 Michelle@ patientprism.com Curve Media Contact:Shahrzad Nadizadeh470-480-4280 shahrzad.nadizadeh@curvedental.com Media Contact Organization: Patient PrismContact Person: Michelle HolguinWebsite: https://www.patientprism.com/ Email: michelle@ patientprism.comCity: TampaState: FloridaCountry: United StatesSOURCE: Patient Prism
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KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Tryp Therapeutics, Inc. ("Tryp" or the "Company") (CSE:TRYP)(OTCQB:TRYPF), a pioneering clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing intravenous-infused psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) for diseases with high unmet medical needs, today announced that in a strategic move to foster a robust market for their combined entity, Tryp and Exopharm Limited have been granted a pivotal 2 cent waiver by the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX"). This waiver is a fundamental step in enhancing the market dynamics and financial framework of the merged company.Consequently, Tryp has announced an amendment to its arrangement agreement with Exopharm Limited, originally dated December 8, 2023. This amendment is a direct result of the 2 cent waiver granted by the ASX and aligns with the recent trading history of Exopharm. It is important to note that these modifications are essential components of the waiver.Under the revised terms, Exopharm will acquire all issued and outstanding common shares of Tryp, in exchange for 3.616 ordinary shares of Exopharm for each Tryp share, a change from the previously stated ratio of 4.52. Additionally, there will be a consolidation of Exopharm shares before completing the transaction, adjusting from a 2:1 to a 2.5:1 consolidation ratio. Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, holders of convertible securities of Tryp, including stock options, common share purchase warrants, secured convertible debentures and unsecured convertible notes will receive replacement securities of Exopharm having substantially similar economic terms in accordance with the rules of the ASX.Detailed information about this arrangement will be provided in a management information circular by Tryp, which will be prepared, filed, and mailed to Tryp's securityholders in anticipation of an annual and special meeting to consider the Arrangement. It is crucial for all securityholders to review this circular once available, as it will contain important information pertinent to the arrangement and its implications.About Tryp TherapeuticsTryp Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing proprietary, novel formulations for the administration of psilocin in combination with psychotherapy to treat diseases with unmet medical needs. Tryp's lead program, TRP-8803, is a proprietary formulation of IV-infused psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) that alleviates numerous shortcomings of oral psilocybin including: significantly reducing the time to onset of the psychedelic state, controlling the depth and duration of the psychedelic experience, and reducing the overall duration of the intervention to a commercially feasible timeframe. The Company has completed a Phase 2a clinical trial for the treatment of binge eating disorder at the University of Florida, which demonstrated an average reduction in binge eating episodes of greater than 80%. The Company also recently announced commencement of patient dosing in a Phase 2a clinical trial for the treatment of fibromyalgia in collaboration with the University of Michigan and is preparing to initiate a Phase 2a clinical trial in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital for the treatment of abdominal pain and visceral tenderness in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Each of the studies is utilizing TRP-8802 (synthetic, oral psilocybin) to demonstrate clinical benefit in these indications. Where a positive clinical response is demonstrated, subsequent studies are expected to utilize TRP-8803 (IV-infused psilocin), which has the potential to further improve efficacy, safety, and patient experience. For more information, please visit www.tryptherapeutics.com Investor & Media ContactPeter Molloy Chief Business Officer Tryp Therapeutics Inc. pmolloy@ tryptherapeutics.com Forward-Looking InformationCertain information in this news release, including statements relating to the anticipated completion of the Arrangement and the holding of the annual and special meeting of Tryp's securityholders, constitutes forward-looking information. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events.Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Tryp as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Tryp's final prospectus available at www.sedar.com . These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect Tryp; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and Tryp expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.SOURCE: Tryp Therapeutics
Review of

Mr. Fuji: Barry WonderThe First Episode of the Fuji Documentary

Produced and Directed

by

Professor Saheed Aderinto

Winner, the 2023 Dan David Prize (The Largest History Prize in the World)

Florida International University, USA

Reviewer

Professor Emeritus Karin Barber

University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

This engaging and richly informative documentary explores fuji, one of Nigerias most popular music genres, through the life and work of its founder Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.

Combining archival photos and film clips, contemporary performances, and interviews with a wide range of the musicians associates  band members, sound engineers, actors and actresses, family members, friends, fuji artists, media scholars, fan club organisersits expert editing moves us swiftly and satisfyingly through a multitude of facets of the art of Barry Wonder.

These include the historical context of the Nigerian civil war followed by the oil boom; Barristers biography, from a disadvantaged childhood to extraordinary fame, wealth and social prominence achieved through the sheer genius of his musical creativity; the history of the fuji musical genre itself; the internal dynamics of the band and Barristers relations with patrons, politicians and the press; Barrister as husband and father; his last years, illness and death in 2010; and the impressive efforts made by his legions of fans to come together to create lasting memorials.

The director and producer of the film, Professor Saheed Aderinto, is a leading cultural historian and authority on Nigerian popular music.

His immersive, participatory research method has yielded remarkable results in this project. Participants are clearly at ease in the interview situation and are given space to elaborate commentaries that are both thoughtful and candid.

Each recorded interview is divided into sections and distributed throughout the film, so that by the end you feel you are getting to know the participants as distinctive, often eloquent individuals.

There are also many beautiful performances by fuji artistes in Barristers honour sprinkled throughout the film.

Though factually detailed and sophisticated in approach, the dominant note is one of respectful admiration for a unique cultural figure.

How he envisaged his own legacy, how people remember him, and how his influence lives on, are key themes throughout the documentary.

Aderinto himself not only speaks movingly to the camera on the impact of Barristers art but closes the documentary with a performance of a fuji praise poem of his own. The film is beautifully put together and entirely captivating  a landmark in popular music documentation.

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The International Court of Justice on Friday ordered Israel to prevent genocide in the Gaza Strip as it carries out its military operations.

Reading the decision on provisional measures, the courts president, Judge Joan Donoghue, said, The State of Israel shall in accordance with its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, in relation to the Palestinians in Gaza, take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of Article Two of the convention.

Article two of the Genocide Convention defines genocide as any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, as such: Killing members of the group; Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

The court listed in particular, killing members of a group, causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group, deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part and imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group, as acts Israel must prevent.

The court reminded parties to the case that the ruling creates international legal obligations on Israel.

Todays ruling was not meant to decide whether or not Israel has committed genocide in Gaza but to rule on South Africas nine provisional requests including that Israel halts its military operations in Gaza and that Israel should allow unhindered humanitarian access into Gaza.

South Africa on 29 December instituted proceedings at the ICJ against the State of Israel for committing genocidal acts in Gaza.

In the 84-page document submitted to the court, South Africa said, The acts and omissions by Israel  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 part of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip.

Although the court did not adopt South Africas nine provisional measures including asking Israel to halt its operations in Gaza, the court asked Israel to ensure with immediate effect that its military does not commit any acts described in point one above.

The ICJ also asked Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip.

It also ordered Israel to take immediate and effective measures to ensure the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The State of Israel shall take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence related to allegations of acts within the scope of Article Two and Article Three of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide against members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip, the court ordered.

Israel will also submit a report to the court on all measures it is taking to implement the courts orders within one month from the date of the order.

The court established that it has jurisdiction to preside over the case and that sufficient evidence exists for a genocide case.

It also rejected Israels request to suspend the case brought forward by South Africa.

The court noted that Israels military operation has resulted in a large number of deaths and injuries as well as massive destruction of homes.

The court noted that Palestines rights are protected under the Genocide Convention.

How it started

The ongoing war that has led to this point started on 7 October, 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel killing over 1,000 people and taking over 200 people hostage.

Israel responded by declaring war on Hamas and soon began a military operation and bombardment of the Gaza Strip which according to the Gaza health ministry has killed over 26,000 Palestinians including women and children.

Several attempts at a ceasefire have failed as the UN Security Council failed to agree on resolutions calling for a ceasefire.

READ ALSO: ICJ to rule on South Africas request to stop Israeli attacks on Gaza

Following these failures, South Africa went to the ICJ seeking to stop what it called genocidal acts in Gaza.

The World Court heard arguments from Israel and South Africa on 10 and 11 January where South Africa reiterated its arguments and asked the court to prevail on Israel to quit its bombardment of Gaza.

In its argument, Israel said it was defending itself and blamed Hamas for the woes of Palestinians in Gaza.

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The police in Abuja engaged in a shootout with bandits and killed three of them, an official has said.

Police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi said operatives of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS), Federal Capital Territory Police Command, shot dead three notorious bandits during the shootout.

Mr Adejobi said the shootout occurred on Friday around 2 a.m. in a forest that links Abuja to Kaduna State.

He disclosed this during a parade of 20 suspected criminals in Abuja.

The police said the gang leader with the name, Mai Gemu, also popularly known as Godara, was shot dead along with two others.

The bandits are known for terrorizing Abuja and its surrounding states, the police said.

Weve recorded another significant stride towards fortifying the security landscape in the Federal Capital Territory following the recent launch of the Special Intervention Squad under the command of the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, the spokesperson said.

The SIS, in the early hours of Friday, neutralised one of the most wanted kidnap kingpins, Mai Gemu aka Godara and two other members of his gang in an exchange of gunfire in the Bwari area of Abuja in a forest linking Abuja with Kaduna State.

Last week, the FCT SIS Commander, Commissioner of Police Bennett Igwe, said members of the squad had been stationed in major routes including the one in Usafa, Bwari Area Council.

The places, according to the commander, were routes used by bandits to move their victims out of Abuja into neighbouring states of Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, and Kogi.

Mr Egbetokun inaugurated the SIS on 17 January to tackle crime in the Nigerian capital where kidnappings appear to be on the rise.

The police chief said the squad would restore peace in the state and reduce crime.

The squad comprises trained, well-equipped and highly mobile police officers who will also be practising community-oriented policing in Abuja, he said.

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Peter Navarro, former advisor to former US President Donald Trump, arrives to his sentencing hearing for his contempt of Congress conviction, at the Courthouse in Washington, DC, January 25, 2024.

Trump White House official Peter Navarro, who was convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, was sentenced on Thursday to four months behind bars.

He was the second Trump aide convicted of contempt of Congress charges, after former White House adviser Steve Bannon, who also got a four-month sentence but is free pending appeal.

Navarro was found guilty of defying a subpoena for documents and a deposition from the House Jan. 6 committee. He served as a White House trade adviser under then-President Donald Trump and later promoted the Republicans baseless claims of mass voter fraud in the 2020 election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

He has vowed to appeal the verdict, saying he couldnt cooperate with the committee because Trump had invoked executive privilege. A judge barred him from making that argument at trial, however, finding that he didnt show Trump had actually invoked it.

Navarro said in court before his sentencing Thursday that the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack had led him to believe that it accepted his invocation of executive privilege. Nobody in my position should be put in conflict between the legislative branch and the executive branch, he told the judge.

The judge told Navarro that it took chutzpah for him to assert that he accepted responsibility for his actions while also suggesting that his prosecution was politically motivated. You are not a victim. You are not the object of a political prosecution, the judge said. These are circumstances of your own making.

Navarros lawyers had advised him not to address the judge, but he said he wanted to speak after hearing the judge express disappointment in him. Responding to a question about why he didnt initially seek a lawyers counsel, he told the judge, I didnt know what to do, sir.

The judge is allowing Navarros defense to submit a written brief on the question of allowing him to remain free pending appeal.

Justice Department prosecutors said Navarro tried to hide behind claims of privilege even before he knew what the committee wanted, showing a disdain for the committee that should warrant a longer sentence. Prosecutors had asked a judge to sentence him to six months behind bars and impose a $200,000 fine.

Defense attorneys said Trump did claim executive privilege, putting Navarro in an untenable position, and they asked for a sentence of probation and a $100 fine.

Bannon, who also made executive-privilege arguments, was convicted of two counts.

Navarros sentencing comes after a judge rejected his bid for a new trial. His attorneys had argued that jurors may have been improperly influenced by political protesters outside the courthouse when they took a break from deliberations. Shortly after their break, the jurors found Navarro guilty of two misdemeanor counts of contempt of Congress.

But U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta found that Navarro didnt show that the eight-minute break had any effect on the September verdict. He found no protest was underway and no one approached the jurors  they interacted only with each other and the court officer assigned to accompany them.

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Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State said he will continue to pursue peace irrespective of the cost.

Mr Fubara stated this on Friday in a state broadcast following the validation of his election as governor of the state by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the appeal filed by Tonye Cole, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and affirmed the election of Mr Fubara as governor.

Shortly after the court ruling on Thursday, Mr Fubara told reporters that everybody should be happy that one elephant is out of the road.

Apparently referring to the feud with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, Governor Fubara said, The other one, by Gods help, will be resolved amicably and the family will be one.

In Fridays broadcast, Mr Fubara reiterated his desire to pursue peace no matter the cost.

The oil-rich Rivers have been engulfed in crisis, triggered by the struggles over the control of the governance and politics in the state between the governor and his predecessor, Mr Wike, who is now the FCT minister.

The crisis, which had split the Rivers House of Assembly into two factions, prompted the intervention of President Bola Tinubu who brokered a controversial peace deal between Messrs Fubara and Wike.

Despite the criticisms that trailed the deal, Mr Fubara has begun its implementation, saying that the deal is not a death sentence.

READ ALSO:

The crisis, which had split the Rivers House of Assembly into two factions, prompted the intervention of President Bola Tinubu who brokered a controversial peace deal between Messrs Fubara and Wike.

Despite the criticisms that trailed the deal, Mr Fubara has begun its implementation, saying that the deal is not a death sentence.

In the broadcast, Mr Fubara thanked Mr Tinubu for his role in the peace process and extended an olive branch to members of the opposition political parties in the state to join hands to build the state.

I believe we are all Rivers people and by that brotherhood, let us therefore, put aside our differences and bond together to build one indivisible and greater Rivers State that posterity will remember us for.

In addition, we have made some substantial progress in infrastructure, housing, security, urban renewal development as well as rural healthcare. We intend to sustain the tempo and expand the development net in the great ride to prosperity in our state, Governor Fubara said.

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The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has mandated the chairmen of the six Area Councils of the FCT to hold mandatory monthly security meetings to improve the security situation in their respective area councils.

Mr Wike, who gave the directive during a security town hall at Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), in Abuja on Friday, urged to be notified if any chairmen failed to hold the monthly security meeting.

According to him, any council chairman that does not hold monthly council security meetings is a threat to the security of the council.

Therefore, I will be calling meetings of all traditional leaders, meeting with all council chairmen and meeting with all security agencies.

If there is no monthly meeting held in terms of security meeting in the councils, I should be aware, and I will hold that chairman responsible for any security breach.

If you do your job, I do my job, traditional leaders do their own job, and security agencies do their own job, we wont have problems.

But if you dont do your own part, I dont do my own part, he does not do his own part, then we are bound to have security problems.

He assured residents that the government would provide everything that security agencies require to help them to perform their duties.

He pointed out that some of the security agencies do not have the needed equipment and operational vehicles to perform optimally.

They dont have the needed logistics and communication gadgets, yet we want them to perform wonders, we want them to perform miracles.

If they dont have information, they will not perform miracles; if they dont have information no wonders would be performed, Mr Wike said.

The minister stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together and support security agencies to succeed.

Our is not to carry guns; ours is to provide information through the area councils, through our traditional rulers; and through my office, then to security agencies.

When we give them information, they will take proactive actions, he said.

He promised to construct a police station and some access roads as requested by the council chairman, Christopher Maikalangu.

Earlier, the Chief of Karshi, Ismaila Mohammed, who spoke on behalf of the traditional leaders at the meeting, called for working synergy between security leaders and community structures.

Mr Mohammed warned politicians against provocative statements with respect to the security situation in the FCT.

Please do not politicise the security situation in the FCT. Leave the security challenge out of your politics.

God forbid, if there is a problem here, all of you will run back to your states. We dont have anywhere to go, so please, dont create problems for us here, he pleaded.

The chief asked the minister to compel the council chairmen to hold the mandatory monthly peace and security meetings.

He explained that the meeting was supposed to be monthly where all the Divisional Police Officers, Area Commanders, Heads of Department of State Services meet to exchange security information.

The Chairman of AMAC, Mr Maikalangu, said that insurgents activities in the neighbouring and other states, had led to an upsurge of migration of people into FCT as their safe haven.

This, according to him, had increased the rate of crime in rural communities and the city centre.

He applauded the minister for initiating the FCT Ministerial Taskforce, adding that the initiative was already yielding positive results.

He pointed out that lack of access roads to some of the communities that became kidnappers hideouts, particularly Kabusa, Ketti, Gbawu was compounding the security challenge in the area.

He appealed to the minister to support the construction of the access roads in the communities including Ketti, Takushara, Burum, Gidan Kwano, Leka, Kutasa, for the good and safety of the people.

He also appealed for the establishment of a police division within the Takushara axis to provide security presence in all the surrounding communities.

(NAN)

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on African leaders to root out terrorism and violent extremism on the continent.

Mr Guterres made the call at a two-day top-level meeting of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact at UN headquarters in New York.

The meeting, which started on Wednesday, will address rising violence and the spread of terrorist networks.

According to Mr Guterres, in just a matter of years, Africa has become the global epicentre of terrorism, with groups such as Daesh, Al-Qaida and their affiliates exploiting local conflicts and fragilities to serve their own ends.

He empahsied that violent extremism should be rooted out, noting that terror groups are shredding the social fabric of entire countries with the blades of violence, mistrust and fear.

Community by community, terrorist groups are extending their reach, he said, adding that networks are widening, adding fighters and resources, and making common cause with transnational organised crime.

In every case, civilians are paying the highest price and, in the end, all of humanity pays.

Addressing an audience of counter-terrorism experts, government officials and civil society and private sector representatives, Mr Guterres said the crisis must be tackled head on before it spins out of control.

He highlighted initiatives such as the multinational task force in the Lake Chad Basin countering Boko Haram as well as the African Union (AU) Transition Mission in Somalia in addition to Security Council Resolution 2719 on financing AU-led peace support operations.

But, we need urgent action on a much larger scale than weve seen to date, the UN chief said.

The root causes of terrorism  fragility and instability  must be addressed, he continued, pointing to the New Agenda for Peace he launched last July.

He said efforts to counter terrorism must be anchored in human rights and strategies focus on the marginalized and vulnerable.

Participants at the meeting will also consider how counter-terrorism efforts can be aligned with the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and the AUs Agenda 2063.

Launched in 2018, the Counter-Terrorism Compact is a network of 46 UN and non-UN entities.

It also includes INTERPOL, the World Customs Organisation and the Financial Action Task Force, which combats money laundering and terrorism financing. (NAN)

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says the recent publication claiming that paracetamol drugs in Nigeria are under-dosed is fake.

There is nothing wrong with our paracetamol.The publication is fake and Im speaking from the perspective of a professor, Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

Mrs Adeyeye said that the publication was a disservice to Nigeria, adding that academic publications need to be more rsponsive to issues of public health.

A 2023 study with samples from five paracetamol brands claiming to contain 500mg paracetamol as its active ingredient were said to have been tested and analysed using the spectrophotometric method.

But the paracetamol concentrations were reportedly found to range from 185mg to 358mg, which is less than the recommended 500mg.

The studys researchers raised concerns about the possibility of treatment failure due to under-dosed paracetamol tablets.

Mrs Adeyeye, however, said that findings have shown that the said publication has been retracted.

The NAFDAC boss, who cautioned against playing on the intelligence of Nigerians, enjoined all Nigerians to use paracetamol.

There is nothing wrong with our paracetamol. The publication is fake and Im speaking from the perspective of a professor, she said.

She said as a scientist she proved the publication wrong and immediately the agency instructed its staff to do sampling.

And when you are doing sampling, you dont do sampling in one place. We used 36 made RS2 software of mathematical package to know where to go, to know how many samples to take.

So that statistically when the results come out it can be validated. So they went and took samples from Abuja and Lagos.

But as a scientists we did the test using international standard not a Nigerian university standard, not a Nigerian standard, not a West African standard, she said.

She argued that there is no single lab in Nigeria that is better than that of NAFDAC, adding that the agency had been judicious in its financial management.

She added: That lab were these products were tested this week is a WHO pre-qualified laboratory and we have been working on that for about six years.

We got that in September 2023, WHO pre-qualified laboratory, only few countries have such attainment or laboratory have such attainment in Africa.

The NAFDAC boss said that the agency was building quality culture in the industry and encouraging local production of food and drugs to allow for more jobs and save foreign exchange. (NAN)

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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, on Thursday, invited Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State to join the APC.

The invitation followed speculations earlier this week that President Bola Tinubu was in the process of reconciling Mr Ganduje and his former boss, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to have the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) back in the APC.

Mr Kwankwaso had left the APC to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following differences with the then governor, Mr Ganduje, before moving to the NNPP to run for president in last years elections.

When a PREMIUM TIMES editor spoke with Mr Kwankwaso on the speculation that he was about to return to the APC, he neither denied nor confirmed it. I am outside the country, he said before abruptly cutting the call.

An aide of Mr Ganduje, however, confirmed that the APC national chairman was in his home state to consult with leaders of the party drawn from the 44 local government areas of the state on the discussion at the highest level of the party to have Mr Kwankwaso and his followers back in the ruling party.

It was in continuation of that process that Mr Ganduje, who is the immediate past governor of the state, was in Kano late Wednesday on his first visit to the state since he left office last May.

He thereafter convened the APC stakeholders meeting in Kano on Thursday, the first gathering of leaders of the party since the Supreme Court settled its bitter dispute over the states 2023 governorship election in favour of Mr Yusuf of the NNPP.

After the meeting in Kano, on Thursday, Mr Ganduje said the APC plans to absorb the NNPP and make Kano a one-party state. NNPP had won the presidential and governorship polls in the state as well as a majority of the state and federal legislative seats in the state.

We have resolved (at the meeting) to open our hands widely, we have resolved to provide an enabling environment to get more people into our party, and very soon we are starting with the electronic registration and we have resolved that Kano will produce the highest number of APC membership, Mr Ganduje said at the meeting.

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This is not possible until we open our doors for others to come in. Myself, as the National Chairman of our party, we are working very hard round the clock with members of the national working committee to get more members into our party.

We have many senators and members of the House of Representatives who have joined the party and very soon, some governors will join our party, Mr Ganduje continued.

If we can do this at the national level, why cant we do it at the state level? Our hands are open, and we are appealing to those who like to join our party, in particular, we are inviting the governor (Abba Yusuf) and his officials to join our party, the APC.

We are calling him with a loud voice that we are creating an enabling environment for the governor of Kano State and his party to come into our party so that we make a solid and large followership. Since we are the most populous state in the federation, also we must have the highest followership of APC in Nigeria, Mr Ganduje said.

Mr Ganduje said Kano is critical in determining Nigerias presidency, saying no party can afford to lose the state.

Kano State is a swing state, to win the presidency, the votes of Kano State are critical, essential and indispensable. Therefore, we will work day and night to ensure that Kano is converted to a one-party state, that is, an APC state.

Our discussions have gone far with all the smaller political parties apart from the NNPP, and we are appealing to them to come back to our party, to abandon their party. And from the looks of things, Kano state will be a one-party state, Mr Ganduje added.

APC wooing Kano for 2027

Sources said Mr Ganduje was tasked by President Bola Tinubu to meet APC members in Kano over the Supreme Courts judgement and brief them about discussions to have Mr Yusuf and his political godfather, Rabiu Kwankwaso, back in the APC.

The source said Mr Ganduje is expected to brief the president on the feelings of the party members in Kano, after which the president will host Mr Yusuf and his team.

The development followed the Supreme Courts judgement that affirmed Mr Yusufs election as governor. The judgement brought wild criticism of President Tinubu by the members of the APC in Kano who accused the president of betrayal. Some members of the APC in the state reacted immediately by uploading photos of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, to indicate their rejection of the president for the 2027 election.

Mr Tinubu had last week met behind closed doors with leaders of the Kano APC. Those in attendance were Mr Ganduje, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; the partys governorship candidate, Nasiru Gawuna; the state minister of FCT, Mariya Mahmoud; and a member of the House of Representatives Alhassan Doguwa.

A communique jointly signed by Messrs Doguwa and Gandujes chief of staff, Muhammad Garba, said the meeting agreed to reposition the APC in Kano.

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The UK said it is sending some looted Ghanaian crown jewels back to the West African country on a renewable three-year loan arrangement, 150 years after stealing them from the court of the Asante king.

According to the BBC, 32 items are returning under the loan arrangement. The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) is lending 17 pieces and 15 are from the British Museum.

Ghanas chief negotiator Ivor Agyeman-Duah said he hoped for a new sense of cultural co-operation after generations of anger.

Some national museums in the UK including the V&A and the British Museum are banned by law from permanently giving back contested items in their collections, and loan deals such as this are seen as a way to allow objects to return to their countries of origin.

However, some countries laying claim to disputed artefacts fear that loans may be used to imply they accept the UKs ownership.

A gold peace pipe, a sword of state and gold badges worn by officials charged with cleansing the soul of the king are some of the items to be returned.

Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, told the BBC that the gold items of court regalia are the equivalent of our Crown Jewels.

Most of the returning items were looted during 19th-Century wars between the British and the Asante Kingdom of Ghana.

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Mr Hunt said when museums hold objects with origins in war and looting in military campaigns, we have a responsibility to the countries of origin to think about how we can share those more fairly today.

He argued that museums will not fall down if they build these kinds of partnerships and exchanges.

He said the new cultural partnership is not restitution by the back door  meaning it is not a way to return permanent ownership back to Ghana.

This loan agreement is not with the Ghana government but with Otumfo Osei Tutu II, the current Asante king known as the Asantehene, who attended the coronation of King Charles last year.

Although the Asante Kingdom is now part of Ghanas modern democracy, the Asantehene still holds an influential ceremonial role

The items will go on display at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, the capital of the Asante region, to celebrate the Asantehenes silver jubilee.

The Asante gold artefacts are the ultimate symbol of the Asante royal government and are believed to be invested with the spirits of former Asante kings.

Nana Oforiatta-Ayim, special adviser to Ghanas culture minister, told the BBC: Theyre not just objects, they have spiritual importance as well. They are part of the soul of the nation. Its pieces of ourselves returning.

She said the loan was a good starting point on the anniversary of the looting and a sign of some kind of healing and commemoration for the violence that happened.

UK museums hold many more items taken from Ghana, including a gold trophy head that is among the most famous pieces of Asante regalia.

The Asante built what was once one of the most powerful and formidable states in west Africa, trading in, among others, gold, textiles and enslaved people.

The kingdom was famed for its military might and wealth. Even now, when the Asantehene shakes hands on official occasions, he can be so weighed down with heavy gold bracelets that he sometimes has an aide whose job is to support his arm.

Europeans were attracted to what they later named the Gold Coast by the stories of African wealth and Britain fought repeated battles with the Asante in the 19th Century.

In 1874 after an Asante attack, British troops launched a punitive expedition, in the colonial language of the time, ransacking Kumasi and taking many of the palace treasures.

Most of the items the V&A is returning were bought at an auction on 18 April 1874 at Garrards, the London jewellers who maintain the UKs Crown Jewels.

They include three heavy cast-gold items known as soul washers badges (Akrafokonmu), which were worn around the necks of high ranking officials at court who were responsible for cleansing the soul of the king.

Angus Patterson, a senior curator at the V&A, said taking these items in the 19th Century was not simply about acquiring wealth, although that is a part of it. Its also about removing the symbols of government or the symbols of authority. Its a very political act.

The British Museum is also returning on loan a total of 15 items, some of them looted during a later conflict in 1895-96, including a sword of state known as the Mpomponsuo.

There is also a ceremonial cap, known as a Denkyemke, richly decorated with gold ornaments. It was worn by senior courtiers at coronations and other major festivals.

The British Museum is also lending a cast-gold model lute-harp (Sankuo), which was not looted, to highlight its almost 200-year-old connection with the Asantehenes.

The Sankuo was presented to the British writer and diplomat Thomas Bowdich in 1817, who said it was intended as a gift from the Asantehene to the museum to demonstrate the wealth and status of the Asante nation.

Ms Oforiatta-Ayim, the Ghana culture ministers adviser, said of course people will be angry at the idea of a loan and they hoped to see items eventually returned permanently to Ghana.

We know the objects were stolen in violent circumstances, we know the items belong to the Asante people, she said.

The British government has a retain and explain stance for state-owned institutions, which means contested objects are kept and their context is explained.

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The Supreme Court, on Friday, affirmed five years of jail time for a former federal lawmaker, Farouk Lawan, who was convicted of receiving a $500,000 bribe in 2012 during a legislative probe into the fuel subsidy regime.

Upholding the former lawmakers conviction, a five-member panel of the court in its unanimous judgement, dismissed his appeal challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal which had also affirmed his conviction by the trial court.

In the lead judgement prepared by John Okoro but read by Tijjani Abubakar on Friday, the Supreme Court held that Mr Lawans appeal lacked merit.

The Court of Appeal, in February 2022, narrowly affirmed Mr Lawans conviction after exonerating him of two out of the three counts he was earlier jailed for by the trial court,

As a result of the partial acquittal, the Court of Appeal reduced the seven years of jail time imposed on him by the trial court in February 2021 to five years.

Fridays judgement of the Supreme Court, being the final stage of appeal, seals Mr Lawans fate as a convict.

He is now in his third of the five years he is to serve in jail, starting from June 2021 when he was sentenced by the trial court

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, had in June 2021, convicted Mr Lawan, a four-time member of the House of Representatives, to seven years imprisonment for receiving a N500,000 bribe while serving as the chairman of the Houses ad-hoc committee investigating the fraud around fuel subsidy in 2012.

Angela Otaluka, the trial judge, found Mr Lawan guilty of all three counts of corruption and bribery.

Delivering judgment in the case, Ms Otaluka said Mr Lawan demanded N3 million and received $500,000 from Femi Otedola, a Nigerian billionaire oil mogul in 2012.

He took the bribe to remove Mr Otedolas oil company, Zenon Oil and Gas, from the list of firms indicted for fraud in the fuel subsidy regime, the judge ruled.

The prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant (Mr Lawan) demanded and received the sum of $500,000 from Mr Femi Otedola in order to exonerate his oil firm from an investigation by the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on fuel subsidy probe.

Appeal Court decision

Mr Lawan appealed against the trial courts decision at the Court of Appeal, which ended up exonerating him of two out of the three counts he was convicted of by the trial court.

Dismissing the first two counts, a three-member bench of the Court of Appeal led by the courts president, Monica Dongban-Mensem, unanimously ruled that the prosecution failed to prove that Mr Lawan demanded and agreed to accept a $3 million bribe from Mr Otedola to exonerate the businessmans company from the list of firms indicted for fuel subsidy fraud in 2012.

The decision capitalised on a major investigative flaw in the case, with the court holding that the prosecution failed to establish whether it was Mr Otedola who offered the bribe or it was Mr Lawan who asked for it.

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David Igbodo, the police investigative officer, who testified as the second prosecution witness (PW2), was evasive at the trial court on the issue of the telephone conversations the two men had on the bribery, Mrs Dongban-Mensem said in her lead judgement.

She said the prosecution could have obtained the call logs of both men to determine who initiated the bribery conversation, but they failed to so do.

The respondent did not find it necessary to contact the service providers to establish that the appellant demanded $ 3 million from PW5 (Mr Otedola), she said.

She added that Mr Otedolas claim that Mr Lawan asked for the bribe was not corroborated by any evidence.

There is no scintilla of evidence from PW2 (Mr Igbodo) establishing or proving that the appellant (Mr Lawan) corruptly asked for $3 million from PW5 (Mr Otedola). There is also no evidence that the appellant agreed to accept $ 3 million from PW5 to remove Zenon Oil and Gas Limited and AP Petroleum from the list of indicted firms, the judge held.

Dismissing the two charges, she held: There is a very big lacuna in Counts 1 and 2.

There is no compelling evidence against the appellant in Counts 1 and 2, she added.

But the panel affirmed the decision of the lower court that Mr Lawan, indeed, accepted a $500,000 bribe from Mr Otedola, an offence that attracted five years imprisonment at the lower court.

Mrs Dongban-Mensem held that Mr Lawans claim that he collected the $500,000 as evidence of bribery against Mr Otedola did not hold water.

The judge pointed out from the trial courts records that Mr Lawan admitted that he did not report the money he received from Mr Otedola to any law enforcement agency.

It is curious that he accepted the $500,000 as evidence of bribe but failed to report it to any law enforcement agency, she held.

She also referred to the testimony of one of Mr Lawans contemporaries at the House of Representatives, Adams Jagaba, who testified as the fourth prosecution witness (PW4) to the detriment of the convicts line of defence.

Mr Jagaba said it was untrue that Mr Lawan submitted the money to him as an exhibit with a cover letter.

No such money or memo was given to PW4, the court held.

Affirming Mr Lawans conviction and sentence of five years imprisonment on the charge of taking a $500,000 bribe from Mr Otedola, the court held that the prosecution proved it beyond reasonable doubt.

The Court of Appeal affirmed both the conviction and the sentence passed by the lower court on the offence. But it discharged and acquitted him regarding the two other counts of demanding and agreeing to accept $3 million from Mr Otedola to clear his company.

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The founder of I Reign Christian Ministry, Oluwafeyiropo Daniels, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a church member.

The trial judge, Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, found the Lagos-based pastor guilty of rape and sexual assault of a female worshipper.

The Lagos State government had re-arraigned Mr Daniels in May 2023 on an amended three-count charge, bordering on rape and sexual assault of three women.

An unnamed witness had testified in court about how Mr Daniels raped her while praying at the clerics residence in Lekki, Lagos.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the witness, who was a member of a church founded by the defendant, was led in evidence by the state lead counsel, Babajide Boye.

She said that the defendant raped her on other occasions and she got pregnant for him but lost it in an accident on the Ilorin-Ibadan road.

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Nigeria is not certain to see a serious financial commitment from the government towards the expansion of its largely inadequate infrastructures in 2024, PwC said in its Nigeria Economic Outlook 2024 report issued on Thursday.

The government will also struggle with the maintenance of the few infrastructures that exist as it stakes much hope on other funding sources rather than financing projects from its purse.

Infrastructure funding may remain insufficient in 2024, PwC said in its report.

The allocated infrastructure spending budget for 2024 is 1.32 trillion, falling short of both the World Banks suggested 70% infrastructure-to-GDP benchmark (currently at 30%).

Weighed down by years of stifled growth, public infrastructures in Nigeria are dysfunctional at the best of times as the availability of such facilities lags behind a rapidly growing population, the largest on the continent, causing them to age ahead of their time.

Nigeria, with 213.4 million people, owns 195,000 kilometres of road, according to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, the watchdog agency that regulates the governments public-private-partnership programmes.

That compares with South Africa, which runs a road network of 750,000 kilometres, whose population is less than one-third of Nigerias.

The deficit, coupled with low investment in rail lines that could efficiently connect key agrarian states to cities and ports, where produce could bring in strong export earnings, has denied the economy much-needed revenue and worsened post-harvest losses for farmers and traders.

A Moodys projection in 2020 reckoned that Nigeria required sustained investment of $3 trillion over the next 30 years to bridge gaps in critical infrastructures that will put the economy on a sound developmental footing.

Wale Edun, the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, has affirmed that attention will shift to drawing foreign capital inflow to boost growth after rampant oil theft in the Niger Delta left the government with weaker revenue to fund its spending plan.

The government has made reasonable progress in courting international investors after a series of trips abroad and has secured commitments for projects in energy, tech, and solid minerals among others.

That said, the deals have largely excluded critical infrastructural projects, especially in the transportation sector, where connecting remote areas to towns and cities remains a pretty big impediment to commercial activities.

Limited fiscal space for public investment and difficulty attracting private investments constrain the ability to make essential infrastructure improvements, the PWC report stated.

Inadequate provision of ports, power, and roads is impeding economic progress, leaving large parts of the country without essential services.

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Following a PREMIUM TIMES expose on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olus abandonment of work for a fun trip to Grenada for days, the Lagos State helmsman has been making frantic efforts to misinform and mislead citizens and residents to believe he travelled to the Island for state business.

In a tweet on his official X account @jidesanwoolu, which was later edited multiple times, Mr Sanwo-Olu suggested he travelled on purpose to Grenada to advance the economic interests of his state.

Last weekend in St. Georges, I presented Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell with a miniature of the Blue Line Rail and we engaged in extensive discussions on various aspects of our bilateral relations, focusing particularly on tourism, agriculture, and other economic interests that could benefit both our regions.

Prime Minister Mitchell also shared exciting plans for Grenadas upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations in February. It was a productive and enriching exchange, setting the stage for deeper collaboration between our regions, he tweeted.

In subsequent edits of the post, he admitted attending some social events while in Grenada. He was, however, not specific on the events he attended.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to attend several social events, further strengthening the ties between our two nations, Mr Sanwo-Olu added in one of the edits.

However, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively report that Mr Sanwo-Olu was not in Grenada for official duties. Rather, he travelled there specifically to attend a series of lavish parties organised by Abuja-based businesswoman and socialite, Aisha Achimugu, who was celebrating her 50th birthday.

According to sources, who were also in Grenada for the birthday party, the photographs of Mr Sanwo-Olu and Prime Minister Mitchell, which the governor is using as evidence of his bilateral talks, were images taken during a meeting planned while Mr Sanwo-Olu was already in Grenada.

Prime Minister Mitchell attended one of the numerous events of Mrs Achimugus birthday festivity. He was by her side when she cut her elaborate peacock-like cake. Mr Sanwo-Olu was at the event too. It is unclear if that was where they first connected.

Mrs Achimugu recently obtained Grenadian passport through that countrys Citizenship By Investment programme and is regarded there as a hugely successful businessperson. The millions of dollars she spent on her weeklong birthday festivity on the Island were more than enough incentives for top government officials in that tiny country to want to meet her and her delegation.

A visit to the official Facebook page of the Office of the Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell, which updates official activities of the PM, did not bear evidence of the Lagos State governors official visit.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that while attending the several social events held to commemorate Mrs Achimugus birthday, Mr Sanwo-Olu consciously avoided being photographed. But as hard as he tried, he was caught in some shots.

The Lagos State governor only returned to Nigeria Wednesday morning after spending days on the Caribbean Island. While away, many officials of his government did not know his whereabouts for days.

Mr Sanwo-Olu did not answer calls made to him by one of our reporters seeking his comments on this matter. He also did not respond to a message sent to him on the matter. Below are the questions we wanted to ask him. We await his response.

Questions Mr Sanwo-Olu should answer

 If the travel was official, were there correspondences between the governments of Grenada and Lagos State with detailed plans and purposes of meetings to be held in the country, and which culminated in the governors visit to that country?

 Was the trip on Mr Sanwo-Olus official itinerary as governor? Why was the trip not announced beforehand or documented in Lagos States records?

 Since the governor claims his visit to the Island was official, who are the officials of the Lagos government who accompanied him on the trip? Which media organisations or journalists were on his delegation?

 Who paid for Mr Sanwo-Olus flights, lodging and other expenses in Grenada? The governor will do well to furnish Nigerians with documentary evidence(s).

 How come the Lagos State helmsman (who governs a state of more than 13.5 million people) needed a week in Grenada, a country of about 125,000 (one hundred and twenty-five thousand) people, to meet with the Islands prime minister even when he travelled there by private jet?

 In what specific ways will the trip benefit Lagos State?

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The second time around, Alabama achieved its goal of killing Kenneth Eugene Smith. Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican, confirmed that the state had executed the inmate with an experimental method: nitrogen asphyxiation. Smith, who was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m., had been sentenced to death for the contract killing of a preachers wife in the late 1980s.

It was a trial run, and it was successful within minutes. The southern state tested the nitrogen hypoxia technique, criticized as inhumane by anti-death penalty activists and the United Nations, on a prisoner who had already been sent to the execution chamber to receive a lethal injection in 2022. However, executioners were unable to find the right vein in time before the death warrant expired; after being tied to a gurney for four hours, he was sent back to his cell.

Witnesses to the execution described two to four minutes of convulsions and five minutes of heavy breathing, and said that Smith gave a final statement: Tonight, Alabama caused humanity to take a step backward. Im leaving with love, peace and light. Thank you for supporting me, love all of you. When the gas started to flow, he looked at his wife and added: I love you.

The governors office released a statement that said: After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes. Before the execution, the state had claimed that nitrogen hypoxia is the most painless and humane method of execution known to man.

On Thursday, shortly before 7 p.m., the Supreme Court reaffirmed a ruling from the previous day denying the stay of execution. Witnesses, including five journalists who were allowed to attend the execution, the condemned mans lawyers, Smiths wife and the children of both the murderer and the victim, boarded a van bound for the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore to witness the execution. Prison workers strapped a commercial industrial-safety respirator mask to his face, and left the room. Smith was left alone with his spiritual adviser, the Reverend Jeff Hood.

Smith spent his final moments saying goodbye to his wife and family members and ordering a last lunch: steak, hashbrowns and eggs, topped with gravy, ordered from the Waffle House fast food chain. Meanwhile, his lawyers asked the Supreme Court to stop the execution in extremis. The defenses argument was based on doubts about the process, despite the fact that it was Smith himself who had opted for hypoxia when he was given the choice after the failure of the previous attempt with lethal injection. In a concern shared by doctors, anti-capital punishment activists and the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, there were fears that death would be slow and painful, that inhalation of the gas would cause vomiting and the prisoner would drown, that the gas would not do its job and the prisoner would be left in a vegetative state, or that there would be a deadly gas leak endangering the life of Reverend Hood.

Demonstration last Tuesday in front of the Montgomery, Alabama, capitol to demand that Gov. Kay Ivey halt Smith's execution. In the center, from left, three exonerated death row inmates, Randall Padgent, Gary Drinkard and Ron Wright. Mickey Welsh (AP)

Mr. Smith was selected for execution even though he has not been able to fully exhaust claims raised in a separate proceeding arising from that failed attempt, which is a deviation from the States custom, and treats Mr. Smith differently than other similarly situated inmates, the filing said. And the State is proceeding ahead despite the mounting evidence of Mr. Smiths escalating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, which create a substantial risk that he will vomit during the execution and asphyxiate, causing prolonged or superadded pain and suffering.

Grasping at straws

The Alabama attorney generals office disdained those aspirations, saying Smith was grasping at straws. The district court found (twice over) that Smiths fear was speculative, theoretical, and unlikely, the response said. And the 11th Circuit agreed there is no evidence that Smith is likely to vomit at the moment in which nitrogen is introduced into the mask.

The protocol approved by Alabama promised that after the introduction of nitrogen gas [into the inmates body], it will be administered for 15 minutes or for five minutes after the EKG shows a flat line. Whichever comes first.

Smith, 58, was convicted of participating in the 1989 contract killing of Elizabeth Sennett, along with another man named John Forrest Parker. The pair stabbed her and beat her to death with a fireplace poker in exchange for a $1,000 payment promised to each of them by the victims husband, an adulterous preacher who later called the police and tried to pass off the plot as a violent raid on the family home. When he found himself cornered, he committed suicide. Alabama killed Parker with a lethal injection in June 2010. A third person involved in the murder, Billy Gray Williams, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and died behind bars in 2020.

The use of nitrogen hypoxia is due to the difficulties encountered in recent years with lethal injection, a method that was introduced in 1982 in Texas and has been used to kill 1,377 convicts in the last 42 years.

The search for alternatives has intensified in recent times, in view of the fact that pharmaceutical companies have been refusing, as a matter of corporate image, to sell these drugs to the States, whose stocks have already expired. Moreover, in 2011, the European Union banned the export of these drugs to the United States. This is one of the reasons why only five states carried out the death penalty in 2023. Smith was the third prisoner in a row to be sent to die in Alabama only to be returned to his cell when the vein could not be found.
The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos State chapter, Philip Aivoji, has been kidnapped.

He was reportedly kidnapped at the Ogere area of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Thursday, while returning from the partys Stakeholders Zonal Caucus Meeting held in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

When contacted, Ogun state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Omolola Odutola, told PREMIUM TIMES that there was an abduction, but failed to name the victim.

However, the partys publicity secretary in the state, Hakeem Amode, in a statement on Friday, confirmed the abduction of its Mr Aivoji. He called on security agencies and government authorities at all levels to intervene promptly and secure the release of its chairman.

Mr Amode noted that it was disheartening that kidnapping had become prevalent in the country. He described as deeply concerning the governments inability to address this menace.

The abduction of Aivoji underscores the pressing need for decisive actions from the government and stakeholders to eradicate this menace. Aivojis abduction was a violent incident, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.

We implore the governments of Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos States, alongside security agencies, to expedite efforts and secure his safe return to his family and well-wishers, the statement read.

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The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) says it will unveil its 2022/2023 reports on oil, gas and solid minerals industries on 24 September.

Executive Secretary, NEITI, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, said this at the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) media briefing on Friday in Abuja.

He said NEITI focused more on content and that the two separate reports would be presented simultaneously to ensure current and globally acknowledged reliable data.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the international partner sent a delegation to Nigeria to assess NEITIs post validation plans and how to support the EITI implementation in Nigeria.

The international delegation was led by Bady Balde, Deputy Executive Director, Global EITI Secretariat.

Mr Orji said some local challenges, including time of resettlement affected the production of the reports, adding that the challenges had been sorted out and by September the reports would be published.

He said it received the delegation of its international partners, following the performance of Nigeria in the last EITI validation that was conducted, adding that the visit would feature knowledge sharing and capacity building, among others.

Validation is a global assessment that holds all implementing countries to the same standard and Nigeria scored 72 per cent, excelled and recorded over 90 per cent in quality and reliability of data.

Their visit is timely because we are trying to align our operations and mandates to the priorities and strategic development goals of the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration, he said.

The executive secretary said the organisation also had engagement with the National Assembly on the review of the NEITI Act and received assurances that it would be taken seriously.

He said the idea was to align the NEITI Act with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021) and the current economic realities of the government, which was focussing more on revenue.

We have done an in-house review of that Act and are seeking legal opinion. Consultants are working on it while we are working with the national assembly to see how to help us, he said.

He said his management had looked at the EITI 23 standard agreed upon in Senegal and emerging issues in the global EITI, which included energy transition, contract transparency and beneficial ownership.

According to him, the issues also include open and accessible data, climate change and gender inclusiveness, environment and a number of areas where the law is deficient.

We also want to see what could be done to make NEITI less dependent on government for funding.

Also to see if there are windows where our reports which usually lead to recovery of huge revenue could aid in giving some soft landing in terms of supporting government for funding instead of relying wholly on government, he said.

Speaking earlier, Balde, the official from the Global EITI Secretariat, had expressed dissatisfaction with the publication of old data, adding that timeliness of data was necessary to cover current relevant issues.

Balde said data publishing should not be delayed, adding that many countries had gone far in producing data in the public domain including Senegal, Zambia, Norway, among others.

Balde, while describing NEITI as the largest secretariat by staff in the world with twice the number of staff at its headquarters, called for more technical assistance, engagement and timely data publication to avoid speculation.

He urged the internal governance of NEITI to sustain its principle and uphold values by practicing what it preached and maintain highest level of transparency and credibility.

He supported the amendment of NEITIs act to address the imperfections of the law. (NAN)

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we passionately highlight the need for prevailing in the principles of dialoguing and debating in the best manner, in all matters of life, as our true religion taught us. Our guide in this is the Book of our Lord and the Sunnah of our Prophet (Peace be upon him). Dialogue is a refined approach and an ideal means to reach goals with soundness, tranquility, politeness, and effectiveness.

In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation  may He extol the Messenger in the highest company of Angels and send His peace and blessings upon him  likewise upon his family, Companions, and true followers.

Dear brothers and sisters! Thanks be to Allah the Almighty, as two warring parties, Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara State, and Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, have expressed their readiness to work together to fight insecurity in their state.

Governor Dauda Lawal and Muhammad Bello Matawalle, also a former governor of Zamfara, spoke on Wednesday after a two-day roundtable meeting on insecurity in northern Nigeria organised by the Coalition of Northern Groups.

Bello Matawalle served as governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023.

He lost his re-election bid in the last elections to Dauda Lawal, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While speaking with reporters, the governor of Zamfara State said it is time to keep politics aside and come together with his predecessor for the development of the state.

On his part, Bello Matawalle said he would work with his successor to fight insecurity in Zamfara.

He said his portfolio as a defence minister would go a long way in helping to improve the security situation in the state.

Also in Kano State politics, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has kick-started moves to reconcile the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Multiple sources reported that the president has communicated his intention to both leaders separately and has given them some time to inform their stakeholders of his intention, and return at a later date to finalise the reconciliation process.

President Tinubu met with Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and some select APC stakeholders from Kano State last week Thursday, and met with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on Sunday, just as he plans to personally chair a reconciliation meeting where the two former governors of Kano State are expected to come with two persons each. Sources close to Abdullahi Umar Ganduje confirmed that the president had asked the APC leader to meet with APC stakeholders in Kano on Thursday (yesterday), and commence the process of solidifying the unity of purpose amongst them.

Dear brothers and sisters! In the darkest of nights, even the full moon goes missing. And amid the turbulence of trials and disagreements that surge like waves of the ocean, along with everyones admiration of their own opinion, the wise person searches for a glimmer of light to illuminate the way, or for a lifeline to save them from the turbulence of a deep sea engulfed by waves upon waves, over which are cyclones and whirlwinds that leave even the wise bewildered.

Nowadays, we live in a time whereby the channels of information have increased and reached such rapid rates that people wake up to new developments, and end their days with new developments. To the point that sometimes, searching for the truth is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Herein, lies the challenge. And the consequences are dangerous.

And the approaches of yesterday may not be as effective as they once were, due to the tyranny of distractions and the weakening of moral restraint.

This makes discussion and debating in the best manner the best approach especially in the spheres of advising, guiding, upbringing, criticising, and disputing.

From this standpoint, we passionately highlight the need for prevailing in the principles of dialoguing and debating in the best manner, in all matters of life, as our true religion taught us. Our guide in this is the Book of our Lord and the Sunnah of our Prophet (Peace be upon him). Dialogue is a refined approach and an ideal means to reach goals with soundness, tranquility, politeness, and effectiveness.

Respected servants of Allah! Dialogue, is the exchange of talking between two or more people, intended to prove an argument, establish a right, refute a doubt, or dispel falsehood in speech, action, or belief. It is a significant method in the Quran and Sunnah. The Quran contains dozens of verses that include the concept of dialogue. And the pure Sunnah is full of this style, emanating from the Prophetic character aimed at guiding people, caring for them, and being merciful to them. As Allah the Almighty says:

There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you [i.e., your guidance] and to the believers is kind and merciful. [Quran, 9:128]

Dialogue in our noble religion is distinguished for its applicability in all aspects of life, starting from matters of creed, leadership, to the upbringing of children. An example from the domain of creed is the dialogue that each Prophet had with his people, dialoguing with them in the best manner, hoping to guide them to the straight path of Allah. Adiy Ibn Hatim, who was initially a Christian, entered upon the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and heard him reciting the verse of Allah:

They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah, and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. [Quran, 9: 31] Adiy said, We do not worship them. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) replied: As for them, they did not worship them, but when they made something lawful for them, they considered it lawful, and when they made something unlawful for them, they considered it unlawful. [Sahih At-Tirmithi]

Respected servants of Allah! This is an example of the Prophets dialogue in matters of creed, to serve as a beacon for every Muslim, eager to guide others, to follow the guidance of the Prophet (Peace be upon him). Allah the Exalted says:

There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often. [Quran, 33: 21]

Dear brothers and sisters! Indeed, engaging in wholesome and constructive dialogue is the best way to reach the truth and certainty for those who have a heart or lend an ear while being attentive.

When lust takes control of a persons heart, and their heart longs for sin, mere reproach, rebuke and reprimand, far from the approach of constructive dialogue, are unlikely to uproot the lure of indulging in desires. This is where the true benefits of dialogue lie.

A young man once came to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and said:

O Messenger of Allah, grant me permission to commit adultery. The people around him reprimanded him, saying, Woe to you. But the Prophet said, Bring him closer. So the young man came close and sat down. The Prophet asked him, Would you like it for your mother? He replied, No, by Allah, may I be sacrificed for you. The Prophet said, Nor do people like it for their mothers. He asked, Would you like it for your daughter? He replied, No, by Allah, may I be sacrificed for you. The Prophet asked him, Would you like it for your sister? He replied, No, by Allah, may I be sacrificed for you. The Prophet said, Nor do people like it for their sisters. The Prophet asked him, Would you like it for your paternal aunts? He replied, No, by Allah, may I be sacrificed for you. The Prophet said, Nor do people like it for their paternal aunts. The Prophet asked him, Would you like it for your maternal aunts? He replied, No, by Allah, may I be sacrificed for you. The Prophet said, Nor do people like it for their maternal aunts. Then the Prophet placed his hand on the young man and supplicated, O Allah, forgive his sin, purify his heart, and guard his chastity. After that, the young man never turned to anything sinful. [Ahmad]

This is the essence of dialogue and its impact in clarifying matters and removing doubts, and extinguishing the blind flames of lust and desire.

Dialogue is also crucial in removing the cloud of suspicion and doubt that leads to falsely questioning motivations and honour. A Bedouin came to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and said:

My wife has given birth to a dark-complexioned boy, and I have disowned him. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said to him, Do you have camels? He replied, Yes. The Prophet asked, What colour are they? He said, Red. The Prophet asked, Is there any grey in them? He said, Indeed, there is some grey. The Prophet said, How do you think that came about? The man said, O Messenger of Allah, perhaps it is a strain [in their lineage]. The Prophet said, And perhaps this [boy] has a strain [like that], and he did not permit him to disown the child. [Bukhari and Muslim]

This dialogue removed the mans suspicions and ill thoughts towards his wife, thereby cutting the roots of doubt and closing the door to family discord or marital problems. How great is the impact of dialogue when someone is skilled, calm, purposeful, driven by sincerity and the pursuit of truth and far from slandering and quarreling.

In the realm of raising children, dialogue has a more profound impact than mere instruction or forced imposition. Once, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw Al-Hasan Bin Ali  may Allah be pleased with them  putting a date from the charity dates in his mouth. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

Kakh (an expression of disapproval). Kakh (an expression of disapproval), leave it. Do you not know that we do not eat (what is given in) charity. [Bukhari and Muslim]

Indeed upbringing coupled with explaining the rationale and wisdom is superior to upbringing devoid of it. And if mere prohibition was sufficient in upbringing, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) would have sufficed with saying Kakh (an expression of disapproval). However, adding some dialogue with reasoning instilled the correct understanding, rather than imposing it without the slightest explanation.

Fellow servants of Allah! Any society that cultivates proficiency in conveying ideas convincingly through dialogue and transparency and debating in the best manner and not in the roughest fashion, will convey ideas with clarity and understanding and without arrogance. If the outcome is not as desired, at least the evidence was established, and ones duty is fulfilled, echoing the believers sentiment in the Quran:

So you will remember what I [now] say to you, and I entrust my affair to Allah. Indeed, Allah is Seeing of [His] servants. [Quran, 40: 44]

We ask Allah Almighty to enlighten our hearts with Iman (faith) and bless us with wisdom to convey the truth in the best manner. Indeed Allah is All Hearing, Answering.

I conclude with this and send prayers of blessings and peace upon your Prophet as your Lord commanded:

Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace. [Quran, 33: 56]

O Allah, guide us with those whom You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, be an ally to us along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless what You have bestowed upon us, and save us from the evil of what You have decreed. For verily You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You support can never be humiliated. Glory is to You, our Lord, You are Blessed and Exalted.

O Allah, We ask You for all that is good, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we seek refuge with You from all evil, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked You for, and we seek refuge with You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge. O Allah, we ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed, and we seek refuge in You from Hell and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we ask You to make every decree that You decree concerning us good.

Dear servants of Allah! Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.

Remember Allah, the Great  He will remember you. Thank Him for His favours  He will increase you therein. And seek forgiveness from Him  He will forgive you. And be conscious of Him  He will provide you a way out of difficult matters. And, establish the prayer.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and upon his family, his Companions and his true and sincere followers.

Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of: Nagazi-Uvete Jumuah Mosque; and Late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com; or +2348038289761.

This Friday sermon (Jumuah Khutbah) was prepared for delivery today Friday, 14 Rajab, 1445 AH (January 26, 2024).

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As a law enforcement agency which has seriously been accused of perpetrating fraud in the course of discharging its mandate, having a revamped e-auction platform will be a game changer for the Customs. If the process of disposing seized good or overtime cargoes are transparent for the public, it will further guarantee just and fair service delivery to citizens, while boosting national revenue.

In recent years, one of the challenges bedeviling Nigerian ports is the issue of overtime cargoes. From Apapa to Tin-Can, and Onne Ports, sights of abandoned and overtime container boxes and vehicles, are conspicuous.

In terms of what their presence at our sea ports causes, overtime cargoes threaten port efficiency through congestion. They also necessitate high cargo dwelling time, and delay the turnaround time of ships, as vessels spend between 18 to 25 days waiting, before being able to discharge at the ports.

A recent report indicates that there are over 10,000 overtime cargoes worth billions of naira abandoned by importers last year, with some of these cargoes being in the ports for between seven to 10 years, having taken 30 per cent of port space, which invariably congests the various terminals at occupy precious space.

Terminal operators and users of port services, who suffer incalculable economic losses as a result of the congestion of ports, have not relented in calling on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in particular, to wade in and arrest the situation.

Through on-the-spot auctions of overtime goods by the Customs, experts believe Nigerian sea ports would be decongested. Expectedly, the NCS, in hearkening to the demands of critical stakeholders, recently revamped its e-auction Platform.

The move was geared towards fast-tracking the effective and transparent disposal of goods impounded, together with overtime cargoes. According to a statement from the NCS, This strategic move aligns with the guidelines outlined in the newly enacted Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, showcasing the agencys dedication to efficiency and fairness.

The new platform is an upgraded version of the previous portal designed to provide Nigerians with an equal opportunity to participate.

Since its relaunch, the platform has recorded impressive results, including: 1137 number of bids; 1099 registered applicants; 652 successfully paid administration fees; 100 vehicles uploaded on the window; 86 vehicles bided and won.

The NCS emphasizes that successful bidders should promptly download their winning certificates through the provided link in the confirmation email. Subsequently, winners are required to present the certificate where the goods are domiciled, and the clearance process is expected to be done within seven days, said Customs spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement.

According to the statement, the auctions are periodic and open every Tuesday from 12 noon to 6 pm, providing the public with regular opportunities to select and bid for desired items.

The statement further reads that, For comprehensive details and guidelines on the e-auction process, interested participants are encouraged to visit the NCS website. Any concerns or complaints can be directed to the NCS Helpdesk.

While we acknowledge occasional glitches reported by participants, potentially attributed to high traffic, our dedicated technical team is actively addressing the situation. We assure the public that initial issues will be swiftly resolved to ensure a seamless experience in all subsequent exercises.

The NCS remains committed to transparency, accessibility, and public engagement through its revamped e-auction platform, fostering a fair and efficient process for the disposal of seized and overtime goods.

As a law enforcement agency which has seriously been accused of perpetrating fraud in the course of discharging its mandate, having a revamped e-auction platform will be a game changer for the Customs. If the process of disposing seized good or overtime cargoes are transparent for the public, it will further guarantee just and fair service delivery to citizens, while boosting national revenue.

One thing is also pertinent for mentioning. The Customs men to handle the process should eschew acts that will again smear the platforms integrity. In other words, those that will be handling the exercise should not manipulate the electronic system to the benefit of their fronts.

Doing so will be a terrible drawback for the leadership of CGC Adewale Adeniyi, who is bent on changing the narrative of the Nigeria Customs for good, and from what Nigerians hitherto ascribed to the NCS, albeit negatively.

Abdulsalam Mahmud writes from Abuja and can be reached via: babasalam1989@gmail.com.

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The 2024 budget is a budget of renewed despair and frustration for the Nigerian people. The budget reflects the lack of patriotism, foresight, and accountability on the part of those who swore to defend the constitution and portrays a prioritisation of interests of a few over the needs and aspirations of the whole. It is incumbent upon the leadership to engage themselves in a collective introspection, fostering a sense of responsibility, patriotism, and a shared vision for a brighter future for Nigerians.

On 29 November, 2023, Nigerias President presented the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the joint session of the National Assembly, with a total expenditure of N27.5 trillion, which was later hiked to N28.7 trillion by the parliament. The President claimed that the budget, themed Budget of Renewed Hope, seeks to achieve job-rich economic growth, macro-economic stability, a better investment environment, enhanced human capital development, as well as poverty reduction and greater access to social security. However, a closer look at the budget reflects greed by those who penned it and those who signed off and reveals a picture of hopelessness and a betrayal of the Nigerian people.

Lets look at the budget in relation to what the Presidency and National Assembly carted away and what the rest of 240 million Nigerians are left with and what is left to secure Nigeria.

One pertinent question is, what was the budget performance for capital projects in 2023? Less than 38 per cent.

Critical Analysis of the National Assemblys Budget

One of the most glaring problems with the 2024 budget is the humongous allocation to the National Assembly, which amounts to N344.85 billion. This represents an increase of 74.23 per cent from the N197.9 billion proposed by the President, and the highest-ever budgetary allocation to the legislature. The National Assembly has failed to justify this outrageous increase, which comes at the expense of other critical sectors that are in dire need of funding.

For instance, the budget of N50billion allocated for the not-fit-for-purpose students loan, an unfair, ineffective, and detrimental scheme to the welfare of about seven million Nigerian students as at 2023, using a 2018/2019 projected yearly enrolment figure of 1.8 million into the tertiary institutions and the expectation from such students who are the future leaders of the country, vis-a-vis the output that will be generated from the lacklustre 10th National Assembly, shows a lack of priorities. Also the amount allocated to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, which is a paltry sum of N131 billion, as reduced from N201 billion, and also that proposed for the Ministry of Police Affairs at N969 billion, compared to the challenges facing Nigerians and the police outfit, are definitely like a drip in the ocean in relation to what they intend to achieve. Will much come out of the two ministries?

scrutiny must be applied to the budget earmarked for the Presidency. The allocation reflects the lack of commitment to steering the nation through the storm of socio-economic challenges, but the manifestation of a Presidency cocooned in luxury while the masses face the harsh realities of everyday life.

Likewise, the amounts allocated to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, which is a paltry sum of N131 billion, reduced from N201 billion and also that of the Ministry of Police Affairs at N869 billion, from a proposed figure of N938 billion are drips in the ocean, which are inadequate for the challenges they seek to tackle. Also, a look at the budgets for health at N1.33 trillion, education at N2.18 trillion, and agriculture at N12 billion, which are essential for the well-being and development of citizens, are only 5 per cent, 7.9 per cent, and 0.04 per cent of the total budget respectively. Their percentages falls far below the international standards and commitments that Nigeria has signed up to, such as the 2001 Abuja Declaration that requires at least 15 per cent of the budget to be allocated to health, and the 2003 Maputo Declaration that requires no less than 10 per cent of the budget to be allocated to agriculture. This is a skewed and unfair distribution of resources. The national parliament should protect and serve the peoples interests, not enrich itself at their expense.

Budget Earmarked for the Presidency

Similarly, scrutiny must be applied to the budget earmarked for the Presidency. The allocation reflects the lack of commitment to steering the nation through the storm of socio-economic challenges, but a manifestation of a Presidency cocooned in luxury, while the masses face the harsh realities of everyday life.

As the ink dries on the signed 2024 budget of N28 trillion, it has dawned on Nigerians that the country is teetering on the edge of a fiscal abyss, as certain sectors are left gasping for resources, in stark contrast to the apparent opulence enjoyed by those straddling the corridors of power. This monumental financial blueprint, while ostensibly meant to steer the nation towards prosperity, raises concerns regarding its implications, and the harsh predicaments it imposes on the lives of everyday Nigerians.

Some example, of the major allocations in the budget of the Presidency, there is N1.2 billion for the purchase of vehicles, N1.1 billion for the maintenance of the presidential fleet, N1 billion for the construction of the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, and N500 million for the renovation of the State House Clinic, which became operational only in 2023 and is not meant for public use, and is said to be a world class infrastructure with every needed gadget installed in there. Yet, will there be justification for the number one to visit France for a medical check up?

In diving deeper, the supplementary budget also makes allocations for renovation of the residential quarters of Mr President at N4billion, revamping of Aguda House at N2.5 billion, renovation of Dodan barracks  the official residence of Mr President in Lagos at N4 billion, refurbishment of the official quarters of the Vice President in Lagos at N3 billion, and all these are to be carried out with borrowed money. Isnt this fantastically senseless and silly?

Take a look at the supplementary budget signed about two months back which also has purchase of vehicles for the Nigerian presidency at N6.9 billion and N1.5 billion allocated for vehicles for the office of the First Lady which constitutionally does not have an inkling of a provision in the constitution. Is the presidency a transport authority?

In diving deeper, the supplementary budget also makes allocations for renovation of the residential quarters of Mr President at N4 billion, revamping of Aguda House at N2.5 billion, renovation of Dodan barracks  the official residence of Mr President in Lagos at N4 billion, refurbishment of the official quarters of the Vice President in Lagos at N3 billion, and all these are to be carried out with borrowed money. Isnt this fantastically senseless and silly?

In conclusion

The 2024 budget is a budget of renewed despair and frustration for the Nigerian people. The budget reflects the lack of patriotism, foresight, and accountability on the part of those who swore to defend the constitution and portrays a prioritisation of interests of a few over the needs and aspirations of the whole. It is incumbent upon the leadership to engage themselves in a collective introspection, fostering a sense of responsibility, patriotism, and a shared vision for a brighter future for Nigerians.

Adamu Rabiu writes from Kaduna.

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Terrorists who abducted 31 people in Tashar Nagulle, Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State are demanding a N60 million ransom for their release, residents of the community have told PREMIUM TIMES.

The victims were taken during a night attack on the community last Sunday when the terrorists, wearing military camouflage, deceived the residents that they were soldiers sent to protect them.

The terrorists used one of their victims phones to call his family members and instructed that the phone should be taken to the ward head.

We are poor, we cant even provide N60,000 not to talk of millions of naira, a member of the ward head office, who was present during the negotiations, told PREMIUM TIMES.

So it doesnt make any sense to talk of getting N60 million from us. We are appealing to the authorities to come to our aid because things have completely worsened. We cant go to our farms neither do weve have the means to patronise local markets, so how exactly are we supposed to gather N60m, the source, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, said.

A religious leader in the area, who also sought anonymity, said the terrorists were angry when the residents told them they couldnt gather N60 million.

Yesterday, they called and asked that we should provide a sack of processed grain, two empty jerry cans for their water need and some vegetables. We hope that theyll understand the situation and accept the one million naira we are negotiating with them, he said.

Paying ransom in Nigeria has been criminalised as the federal government says giving terrorists money or other materials as ransom emboldens them.

A few weeks ago, the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, urged Nigerians to stop paying ransom to the terrorists operating in the North-west.

But the religious leader in Tashar Nagulle said the people have begun taxing themselves to provide something out of the money the terrorists are demanding.

We are already gathering the money. These are our children, friends, wives, relatives so we cant abandon them with the terrorists, the religious leader, who said his two oldest brothers and son were abducted during the attack, said.

Batsari (in Katsina State) and Zurmi (in Zamfara State) are the two local government areas now witnessing a surge in terrorist activities.

In the last 14 days, a military camp and a mobile police checkpoint were attacked in Batsari amid several other attacks, while over 10 people have been killed with several others abducted in Zurmi.

The two areas share boundaries with the dreaded Rugu and Dumburun forests believed to be infested by terrorists.

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Terrorists have killed five residents and wounded seven others in an attack on Gangara, a community in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, on Thursday night.

The attackers also abducted 24 residents, most of them being women and children.

The terrorists also burnt down six houses and the market in the community.

All the five killed were married men, the ward village head of Gangara, Aliyu Abubakar, told PREMIUM TIMES over the phone.

The terrorists launched the attack around 10 p.m. They started shooting from Sabon Garin Gangara, where they killed one person, to the main community, Gangara where four men were killed, Mr Abubakar, who spoke to this reporter from the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina where he had led the wounded persons to, said.

He said the terrorists went from the outer part of the community to the inner part, unchallenged, going from house to house.

We dont know what was the motivation because it had been long that they last attacked us. But yesterdays attack was terrible. Seven people got serious injuries and we have taken some to the orthopaedic and specialist hospital while others are here (Federal Teaching Hospital) receiving medical attention. They were selective of who to abduct but we still cant say what the motivation is, he said.

The traditional ruler said the remains of the dead had been buried with the help of vigilante members.

He said the arrival of vigilante members stopped the carnage, saying it could have been worse.

ALSO READ: Terrorists demand N60 million ransom for 31 kidnapped residents

The vigilante members really helped us because when they came, they also started shooting at the terrorists. This morning (Friday) I was told that a helicopter (an air force jet) had gone to the community, he said.

The police spokesperson in the state, Abubakar  Sadik Aliyu, was not available for comment as his phone number was unreachable. He has not responded to an SMS sent to him.

Terrorists have renewed activities in areas around Rugu and Dumburun forests in both Zamfara and Katsina States. Jibia shares border with Niger Republic and Zamfara State.

In the last 14 days, a military camp and a mobile police checkpoint were attacked in Batsari amid several other attacks, while over 10 people have been killed with several others abducted in Zurmi, all areas that share boundaries with Jibia local government.

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The Rivers House of Assembly on Friday stripped Governor Siminalayi Fubara of power to appoint a caretaker committee for local government areas in the state after rejecting the governors veto against the legislation.

The lawmakers overwhelmingly voted against Mr Fubaras veto, before passing the bill into law, thus barring the governor from exercising the power enjoyed by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

With the bills now becoming laws, it means the governor will conduct an election at the expiration of the tenure of the current officials.

The three-year tenure of the current council officials in the state who were elected in 2021 will expire within the first quarter of this year.

The Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, during Fridays plenary, read four letters addressed to him by the governor wherein Mr Fubara declined assent to four new bills which had been sent to him for assent, Channels TV reported.

The lawmakers, who cited Section 100, subsection 5 of the Nigerian Constitution, said the assent of the governor was not required for the passage into law of the said bills.

The section states that, Where the Governor withholds assent and the bill is again passed by the House of Assembly by two-thirds majority, the bill shall become law and the assent of the Governor shall not be required.

The speaker accused the governor of not planning to conduct local government elections in the state.

The speaker said, The key thing here is that this law removes the power of the Governor to appoint caretaker committee chairmen for the local governments, the governor is not happy that were removing his powers to appoint caretaker chairmen.

The lawmakers also passed into law three other bills which the speaker said were vetoed by the governor. They are the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Amendment Law; the Rivers State Advertisement and Use of State Owned Property Prohibition repeal law; and the Rivers State Funds Management and Financial Autonomy Law.

This is the first time that the assembly has overrode Governor Fubaras veto.

Coming days after a controversial peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu, it appears the Rivers political crisis is far from over.

The crisis had split the state assembly into two factions  with 27 members pledging their loyalty to Mr Wike while four stood with Mr Fubara.

The seats of the pro-Wike lawmakers were declared vacant after their defection to the APC but Governor Fubara and the other lawmakers would later allow them return to the assembly with the rights and privileges restored as part of the peace deal.

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Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, Thursday, visited Willie Obiano, a former governor of the state who is facing trial over alleged money laundering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Mr Obiano for allegedly laundering over N4 billion from the states security vote account.

The former governor was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday.

He faces nine counts of money laundering, including bypassing financial institutions in several unlawful cash transactions involving money allegedly stolen from the states account.

The EFCC said the amount of cash involved in the transactions was beyond legally permitted cash limits. The charges also include spending funds allegedly stolen from the states security vote account for other purposes.

The trial judge, Inyang Ekwo, during the arraignment, granted the former governor bail but ordered him not to leave the country unless with the express permission of the court throughout his trial.

The judge fixed 4 March for the commencement of trial.

It will pass

Mr Soludo, who took over as governor from Mr Obiano in March 2022, expressed hope that the former governors predicament would pass away.

Today, accompanied by the APGA National Chairman, Ezeokenwa Sly Jr., I paid a solidarity visit to my respected predecessor, Chief Willie Obiano, in Abuja, the governor wrote on his X handle on Thursday night.

He said he had a two-hour chat with the former governor over his trial.

By His (God) Grace, this too shall pass, Mr Soludo said of Mr Obianos court trial.

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Unlike other posts, the governor did not upload any photographs of the visit to his predecessor on the micro-blogging platform.

Mr Obiano served as the governor of the South-east state from March 2014 to March 2022 under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Before exiting office, the former governor helped to install Mr Soludo as governor of the state after he (Soludo) had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APGA.

Hours after Mr Obiano handed over as Anambra governor on 17 March 2022, the EFCC arrested him at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, as he was preparing to board a flight to Houston, in the United States.

He was released on bail after spending days in the EFCC custody.

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Sister, what do you need? I sell good winter jackets for men and women. I will give you a good price. Sister, come with me, let me show you my shop, Olufemi Agbaoye, 39, called out to me as I approached the popular Yaba Market. Despite expressing my disinterest in his merchandise with a simple headshake, he pressed on.

Mr Agbaoye is one of hundreds of hustlers around Yaba Market. They position themselves strategically around the entrance of the market, targeting persons they perceive to be shoppers. They are often relentless, as they earn their livelihood by convincing a shopper to go with them into a shop and make a purchase.

Fearing that I might be in the market to buy something else, he switched to other items. Aunty, I also sell fine womens jeans, tops and gowns. Very nice ones, please come with me. Let me show you my shop. At this point, I began to wonder how many shops Mr Agbaoye had. While many would tag his unsolicited consultancy as annoying, his offer to take me to where I could purchase my items is popularly known as hustling in the Yaba market.

Who are the hustlers of Yaba market?

According to Mr Agbaoye in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, hustlers are men who stand at the entrance of the market on the lookout for shoppers. Their job is to convince shoppers to patronise them. Once they agree, the hustler leads the way to the desired shop.

We call customers from outside because most people just pass by, they do not know what goods are sold in the market. So when we come outside, we inform them of what is available in the shops and ask them what they are in the market to buy. Once they inform us, we let them know we know where they can get those items and take them there, he explained.

Mr Agbaoye started hustling in 2019 after a section of the market was affected by a fire incident. He said his shop, where he sold womens denim trousers, was also affected.

After the incident, I didnt have money to cope again, so I had to start hustling to get some money to start afresh.

Asked how profitable the business is, Mr Agbaoye said Hustling is not profitable, but we do not have an option because of the situation of the country. Everything is now expensive, so the little money we make goes into our daily survival.

Chinedu Anukem, who specialises in male footwear, shares a similar fate with Mr Agbaoye. The 35-year old said he resorted to hustling after his shop was demolished by the Lagos State Government.

I used to sell shoes at the railway side, but I lost everything when the Lagos State Government chased us out of the place. The government scattered our goods. We left, then came back again, but the government chased us away again and scattered our goods. So instead of going back to the East (the Nigerian south-east region), I decided to hustle to make money. Anytime I have money, I will start my business again, Mr Anukem narrated.

Unlike Mr Anukem who started hustling a few years ago, some of the hustlers have been in the business for more than a decade. Wearing a white T-shirt under a brown jacket and black shorts, Sikiru Fashola said he had been hustling for 10 years. The Lagos-born hustler plans to rent his own shop from the proceeds of his hustling business.

I want to open my shop this year. I am also buying the goods and keeping them somewhere till I have enough money to rent a shop. I dont plan to work on the street forever. I have dreams of owning a shop, building a house and having a successful business. I am praying for all of these and I believe God will do it for me, Mr Fashola told PREMIUM TIMES.

Hustlers make money without owning shops or goods in the market

For hustlers, convincing a potential customer to go with them into a shop is the first step. The hustler only makes money when a sale is made beyond the selling price of the original shop owner. If that is not achieved, thats a loss for the hustler.

Sometimes we do not make a profit. If the customer beats down the price of the item to the selling price of the shop owner, there is no money for such a hustler, Mr Agbaoye explained.

But not all days are bad. He said a hustler could make as much as N15,000 in a day if they seal an average sale of N2,000 and N4,000 per customer.

Silent millionaires?

The average Yaba hustler is male and often looks rough. He dresses simply as if to personify the nature of his job. But this may be a facade, as a simple analysis of the average gain of a hustler tells a different story. So if the average gain per day is N10,000 in six working days, Monday through Saturday, he has made N60,000 in just one week, double Nigerias monthly minimum wage. What that means is that the average hustler can make as much as N2.8 million annually. He neither owns goods nor pays rent for a shop. He also does not pay tax to anyone.

However, not all traders are happy with them.

Trouble in paradise

A trader who deals in second-hand cardigans and joggers expressed his disapproval of hustlers in Yaba Market. The trader who is in his 50s pleaded to speak anonymously. He said hustlers most times inflate the price of goods with the goal of gaining more than the shop owner. I believe in making sales from buyers who are passing by. I do not deal with hustlers. They make money more than the traders, he said.

Another trader, Umo Sylvester, who sells womens clothes in the main Tejuosho Shopping Complex, shares the sentiment. He said while hustlers sometimes help when sales are down, they often hike the prices of goods, thereby scaring away potential buyers. For instance, I sell these gowns for N6,000, but a hustler will charge the customer N10,000.

Reacting to the allegation, Mr Anukem said hustlers are not to blame for the high prices of goods. In Nigeria, everything is now expensive, he said.

He insisted that his cut is linked to the customers negotiating power. If something is sold for N10,000, and I tell you to give me N20,000 and you price it down to N15,000, that is how God wants it since I did not force you to bring out money from your pocket. But if I put a selling price of N10,000 on an item that is usually sold for N5,000 and you say you can only buy it at N6,000 I have made a profit of N1,000. Thats how it works.

Mr Fashola was visibly angry about the allegation against hustlers. He said it is wrong. According to him, hustlers help traders make sales, and assist customers to locate shops where they can purchase the items they want.

They are lying, we the hustlers make them happy. We are the ones who convince customers to come into their shops. Sometimes they can even buy goods worth N50,000. Next time, such a customer goes directly to the trader and buys more valuable goods. They cant even complain, we are the ones making them happy. We make very little, but they make all the profit. We are usually under the sun trying to avoid incoming vehicles, but they are cashing out and building houses for themselves.

A shop assistant, Christian Nse, who sells female clothing at the main Tejuosho Shopping Complex, agreed with Messrs Fashola and Anukem. He said hustlers improve sales by bringing in customers who may find their shops difficult to locate. The hustlers stay outside because not all customers can locate the shop because of the way the market is. So they help us make sales in shops

Allegations of harassment

In their desperation to make a sale, some hustlers go beyond the basic marketing strategy of convincing the buyer. Women have complained of being dragged and touched inappropriately by the hustlers. Sometimes, rebuffing them is met with insults.

Recounting her ordeal, Mojisola (not her real name) who regularly visits the market said she is always mentally prepared to ward off any unsolicited attention.

Yaba market is not for the faint-hearted, she said. You must be mentally and physically prepared. There was a day when one particular hustler kept touching and following me, even after I told him that I was not interested. Such a situation is very annoying and discourages a lot of women from patronising the market.

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In 2018, a group of women staged a protest at the Yaba market to express their displeasure over the incessant harassment of young girls and women by hustlers.

Confirming the behaviour of some hustlers, Mr Fashola said not all hustlers behave that way. We have different characters here, but I am decent. We have good guys and touts here. I really dont know why some of them behave that way. 

Why hustling may continue to thrive

The complex layout of the new Tejuosho Shopping Complex and the spillover shops around make it very difficult for buyers to locate shops, some of which are situated in hidden corners. A first-time shopper who is unfamiliar with the terrain and placement of certain merchandise may have to walk the length of the market.

To avoid the discomfort and to make shopping easier, many customers would overlook the extra charge and go along with the hustlers. Once a buyer follows the hustler and is shown the shop, the price of whatever is bought increases to the extent of the customers ability to negotiate.

In a digital world, hustling has been modernised

Rather than stand at the entrance of a market and hope your persuasion skills are good enough, the advent of digital marketing can give hustling a new definition.

In comes drop-shipping.

Drop-shipping is when a person, or company, sells goods on their website that they do not keep in stock. According to a digital marketing expert, Miracle Obasi, drop-shipping and hustling as practised in Yaba market are quite similar.

Online drop-shippers and hustlers do not own goods, but reach a business agreement with wholesalers or traders to sell items at a higher price, in order to make profit. The only difference is that while the activities of hustlers are based offline, drop-shippers operate online. So drop-shipping is more or less an online form of hustling, Mr Obasi said.

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KYODO NEWS - Jan 26, 2024 - 22:46 | All, Japan

Tokyo police are questioning a man, believed to be Satoshi Kirishima, who is wanted for his suspected involvement in a bombing, one in a string of explosions that rocked the capital in the 1970s, at a hospital in Kanagawa Prefecture, investigative sources said Friday.

The man, who checked into the hospital in Kamakura under a different name to receive treatment for terminal cancer, was reported to the police by hospital staff after he confessed to being Kirishima, they said.

Kirishima, who would now be 70, was a member of the radical group East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front. He has long been wanted on suspicion he planted and detonated a homemade bomb near an office of the Economic Research Institute of Korea in a building in Tokyo's Ginza district on April 19, 1975.

According to the sources, the man has informed the police that he has a serious medical condition and expressed his desire to live out the remainder of his life under his real name. Police are now trying to confirm his identity.

The extreme left-wing group that Kirishima belonged to carried out a number of attacks on Japanese companies and entities, including a bombing at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.'s headquarters building in Tokyo in 1974 that killed eight people and injured 165 people.

The organization also targeted companies operating overseas, including major trading house Mitsui & Co. and construction companies Taisei Corp. and Kajima Corp., as a protest against Japan's military and commercial expansion in East Asia before and after World War II.

In May 1975, police arrested eight individuals, including Masashi Daidoji, over their involvement in the attacks. Daidoji died in May 2017 of blood cancer while in prison after his death sentence was finalized in March 1987.
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Udaipur: The 75th Republic Day was celebrated today at the Rural Congress office located in Surajpol. Kachru Lal Choudhary, the President of Udaipur Rural Congress Committee, unfurled the national flag on this occasion. Addressing the present office bearers and activists, he expressed pride in the nation celebrating its 75th Republic Day. He emphasized the historical significance of sacrifice, penance, dedication, and struggle embedded in the golden history of our country.

Choudhary highlighted the vital contribution of the Congress party in the illustrious history of India. He underscored that the Constitution of India is rooted in the social, economic, and political values of ancient Indian civilization. While acknowledging the constitutional rights granted to every citizen, he expressed concerns about the current challenges to these rights. Despite the perceived threats, he assured that Congress party workers are determined to protect these values and work towards reinstating social, economic, and political justice.

The leader asserted that the Congress party will empower citizens, safeguard their rights, and work towards restoring justice. He believes that the victory of the Constitution will be the triumph of India.

Notable attendees at the event included Dinesh Paneri, Ratan Lal Purbia, Madan Babarwal, Panna Lal Meghwal, Suresh Karathi, Harish Dhahbai, and former head Reshma Meena. The gathering aimed to reiterate the commitment of the Congress party towards democracy, constitutional values, and the welfare of the people.

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STOKE-ON-TRENT, England, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Steelite International, a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of award-winning tabletop, buffet products and lighting solutions for the global hospitality industry, is pleased to announce an unparalleled service offer starting January 31st. Featuring an impressive 3,500 SKUs all available directly from stock via their UK Distribution Warehouse, allowing Steelite to bring world-class hospitality solutions to the industry quicker than ever!

Steelite Distinction - Alina

Rob Price, Global Operations Director commented: "Our journey has been to deliver on a plan with no deviation; to invest in people to rebuild and reaffirm our factory community, and to invest in equipment and infrastructure for sustainable growth. These investments are the fundamental foundation to realise our subsequent investment in readily available inventory and a European warehouse  for products to flow and for us ALL to grow."

Jackie Stait, Commercial Supply Chain Director added: "It's simple, we've listened to our customers, they want the quality and innovation Steelite offers, but they want it quickly. We are excited to offer an unmatched breadth of brands & products, with over 3,500 (items) Tabletop & Buffet solutions available from stock."

Alongside this game changing incentive, Steelite launch unmatched innovation with over 300 new products at this year's leading exhibition dedicated to the catering and hospitality sector, Ambiente Frankfurt. Renowned as the global hub for the tableware and hospitality industry, Ambiente has long been a key event in the hospitality calendar. As Steelite prepare to exhibit at this esteemed trade fair from 26th  30th January, there's excitement to unveil an extensive range of new products that embody their unmatched commitment to excellence in design, innovation and craftsmanship.

Tim Harper, Senior VP Sales & Marketing EMEA stated: "Moving to ex-stock delivery is a game-changer for Steelite and for all of its customers and I'd like to thank the team in manufacturing, planning and supply chain for all their work to get to this level of service performance. This coupled with the launch of over 300 new products at Ambiente Frankfurt puts Steelite back as the unmatched supplier to the hospitality trade!"

From visionary new tableware ranges to ingenious service solutions, Steelite's new product launches promise to captivate, inspire, and elevate dining experiences around the globe.

Steelite invites you to visit their stand at Ambiente Frankfurt, Stand C79, Hall 11.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Steelite International

Steelite International is a world-leading manufacturer and supplier of award-winning, inspirational table top ranges for the international hospitality industry.

Steelite International has industry roots which span more than 100 years.

The company's Mission Statement is centered around 'The Art of Presentation' At Steelite, we believe that tableware should do more than serve your food  it should serve your vision. We design, craft, and curate the very best in tableware for chefs and concepts across the globe.

The company's core tableware products are manufactured at its factory in Stoke-on-Trent  one of the most modern and efficient production units in the world. Up to half a million pieces of ware are made every week.

 one of the most modern and efficient production units in the world. Up to half a million pieces of ware are made every week. Steelite trades with more than 140 countries across the globe and its products are the favoured brand of hotel chains such as Hilton and Four Seasons as well as pub and restaurant giant Whitbread and P&O Cruises.

Steelite International's business spans a number of industry sectors including commercial catering, ranging from staff restaurants and retirement homes to contract caterers and cruise lines; and the leisure and hospitality market including restaurants, casinos and hotels.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteeliteInternationalEMEA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steelite_emea/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SteeliteEMEA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steelite-international

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2324892/Alina.jpg
First Ascent Ventures, Spring Mountain Capital, BDC Capital and Espresso Capital lead Thentia's latest $38M Series B extension round, supporting the company's continued growth.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thentia, a leading innovator in regulatory technology, announced today that it has closed a US$38 million Series B extension round. The fundraise, led by existing investors including First Ascent Ventures, Spring Mountain Capital, BDC Capital, and Espresso Capital, reflects a continued commitment to Thentia's vision. The funds will be strategically utilized to scale operations, propel accelerated growth, invest in artificial intelligence, and enhance Thentia's ability to meet the evolving needs of its rapidly expanding global client base.

First Ascent Ventures, Spring Mountain Capital, BDC Capital and Espresso Capital lead Thentias latest $38M Series B extension round, supporting the companys continued growth.

"We are thrilled to continue our support for Thentia with this latest investment. The remarkable strides they've made, coupled with their unwavering dedication to innovation in the government technology space, solidify our confidence in their inevitable global prominence," says Richard Black, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, First Ascent Ventures. "As existing investors, we remain excited about the impressive momentum they have gained, and we look forward to witnessing their continued success in shaping the future of government technology and regulation," Black adds.

"Thentia's cutting-edge platform stands as a cornerstone for government agencies embarking on the journey of digital transformation. By seamlessly transitioning processes into the 21st century, Thentia empowers organizations to elevate user experiences for citizens while delivering indispensable data crucial for informed decision-making. These strides signify a pivotal shift in advancing government capabilities," says Jamie Weston, Managing Director, Spring Mountain Capital.

"We're pleased to continue our ongoing partnership with Thentia as it enters a new phase of rapid expansion and growth. The company's cutting-edge platform delivers tremendous value to customers across North America and Europe by bringing innovation and efficiency to the regulatory industry," says Will Hutchins, Managing Director, Espresso Capital.

"Thentia has brought together an exceptional group of leaders and subject matter experts who grasp the unique challenges facing regulators" says Mark Smith, Partner of BDC Capital's Industrial, Clean and Energy Technology (ICE) Venture Fund, which has been an investor in the business since 2020. "Their differentiated expertise is what truly sets them apart and has enabled them to develop a platform that addresses key regulatory functions, and positions Thentia as a leader in the regulatory licensing category."

Designed for regulators, by regulators, Thentia's end-to-end SaaS ERP platform, Thentia Cloud, adeptly digitizes, streamlines, and consolidates all essential regulatory functions within a single and secure cloud-based environment. Empowering regulators with a comprehensive 360-degree view of all licensee activities, the platform facilitates a shift from suboptimal and inefficient processes to a modern, streamlined approach, elevating their ability to fulfill their paramount duty of safeguarding the public. Customers of the platform have demonstrated manifold improvements in their ability to regulate effectively and efficiently.

Trusted by millions of licensed professionals, businesses, and entities globally, Thentia has gained recognition from regulators worldwide for its unmatched blend of technological innovation and regulatory proficiency.

"We're grateful for the steadfast support of our investors who have played a pivotal role in our journey. Together, we have not only built the regulatory platform of the future, but have also achieved remarkable success, becoming a leading force in enabling regulators to stay a step ahead with the rapidly evolving technology landscape," says Julian Cardarelli, CEO, Thentia.

"Looking ahead in 2024, we are poised to unveil an array of innovations that promise to redefine the industry landscape. These transformative capabilities are not just enhancements; they are industry-altering advancements that will set a new standard for what is possible, forever changing the way we operate and leading us into a new era of excellence and innovation."

As Thentia charts its course for continued growth, the company stands resolute in its dedication to excellence and the ongoing innovation of its platform that is committed to supporting regulators in their mission of public protection. Moving forward, Thentia will strategically allocate the recently secured funds to drive geographical expansion, unveil new cutting-edge features, and attract top-tier talent. This comprehensive strategy aims to elevate every aspect of its team, ultimately ensuring a world-class experience for its valued customers.

About Thentia

Thoughtfully built for regulators, by regulators, Thentia is driving regulatory transformation for hundreds of regulators and regulatory agencies worldwide with a platform that handles all key department functions including licensing, investigations, enforcement, fitness to practise, quality assurance, scope of practise, continuing education, board management, data analysis, and more. Thentia Cloud empowers regulators to transcend the constraints of legacy processes, custom-built solutions, and a web of disparate applications with a single unified 360-degree platform, setting new standards in efficiency and effectiveness.

Thentia Cloud is available on all major cloud providers, including Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), IBM Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. For more information, visit thentia.com.

About First Ascent Ventures

Founded in 2015 by Richard Black and Tony van Marken, First Ascent Ventures invests in early-stage, emerging, and growth-oriented enterprise software companies in the information technology sector. The First Ascent Ventures team bring deep bench strength as operating executives and investors having built and invested in significant, global enterprise software companies.

About Spring Mountain Capital

Spring Mountain Capital is a New York-based investment management firm with $1.7 billion of assets under management that focuses on alternative asset investing. The SMC Growth equity team focuses on providing expansion capital to companies capitalizing on breakthrough innovations, paradigm shifts, or fundamental market or behavioral changes. SMC invests in two sectors of the U.S. economy undergoing the most change and with the highest growth potential: enterprise technology and healthcare companies. For more information, visit: smcgrowthcapital.com.

About BDC Capital

BDC Capital is the investment arm of BDC, Canada's bank for entrepreneurs. With over $6 billion under management, BDC Capital serves as a strategic partner to the country's most innovative firms. It offers businesses a full spectrum of capital, from seed investments to growth equity as well as ownership transition solutions, supporting Canadian entrepreneurs who have the ambition to stand out on the world stage. Visit bdc.ca/capital.

About Espresso Capital

Espresso Capital has been empowering fast-growing technology companies with innovative venture debt solutions since 2009. During this period, we've funded over 330 companies in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., helping to accelerate growth, extend runway, and increase strategic flexibility with non-dilutive capital. Espresso is headquartered in Toronto, with offices in San Francisco, Chicago, and London. To learn more about how you can use venture debt to grow your business, visit espressocapital.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Kerri-Lynn Kilbey

Communications Manager

T: (437) 703-9412

E: kerri-lynn.kilbey@thentia.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327781/Thentia_Corporation_Thentia_secures__38M_to_drive_global_expansi.jpg
New YouTube short film series "On the Frontline" will follow inspiring changemakers protecting threatened species and ecosystems around the world

Diving deeper into the film industry, Age of Union Founder Dax Dasilva also invests in three new environmental documentaries

MONTREAL, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Age of Union Alliance, the non-profit environmental organization led by Emmy award-winning executive producer, Dax Dasilva is harnessing the power of film by launching a short film series about the changemakers behind their global conservation projects. These mediums have proven to be effective tools for raising awareness, fostering positive change, and forging strong alliances dedicated to safeguarding our planet's species and ecosystems.

Balandra Beach, 2023. (CNW Group/Age of Union Alliance)

Released today, " On the Frontline ," is Age of Union's new YouTube series following the people driving change and protecting our planet's vulnerable wildlife and ecosystems across their grassroots projects. The series brings you up close and personal with the environmental guardians making a real difference on the planet. Each episode is a bite-sized window into Age of Union's world, showcasing the highs and lows of conservation efforts. From Canada to Trinidad and more, these films explore diverse corners of our planet, bringing you stories that transcend borders in the global mission of environmental preservation.

The launch of the series follows Age of Union's global acclaim in 2023 for Wildcat which Founder Dax Dasilva co-executive produced and was awarded with the prestigious distinction of "Outstanding Nature Documentary of 2023" at the 44th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards. In 2024, Age of Union is sustaining its momentum by executive producing three additional film projects crafted by renowned figures in the industry.

Firstly, the team behind the Emmy award-winning documentary Wildcat has partnered with Dax Dasilva and Age of Union again to produce their second feature documentary about a father and son who are wildlife rescuers in South India. The film is tentatively titled The Snake Rescuer's Son, and Dasilva is executive producing alongside Melissa Lesh and Trevor Frost who are directing and producing. Principal cinematography is underway and will largely take place in India, and post-production will begin in 2025. Wildcat partner 30 West is also on board as the sales agent.

Dasliva will also serve as an executive producer on Malaika Pictures' latest film, set to be announced later this year. The film is produced by the acclaimed Richard and Anita Ladkani and directed by Richard, whose previous work includes the Oscar shortlisted The Ivory Game (2016), available on Netflix, and Sundance winner Sea of Shadows (2019), currently streaming on National Geographic and Disney+. Both films were executive produced by Oscar-award-winning actor and producer, Leonardo DiCaprio.

Lastly, Dasliva will be an executive producer of an upcoming National Geographic Society film. The film is a project of the Society's Impact Story Lab, an award-winning creative unit that combines world-class storytelling with social and behavioral science in order to drive positive change for National Geographic Explorers.

"Film possesses an unparalleled capacity to evoke emotion, challenge perspectives, and inspire change," says Dax Dasilva, Founder of Age of Union. "At Age of Union, we believe in the profound influence of cinema to not only grab people's attention but to serve as a catalyst for positive change on a global scale."

Since the initial launch in October 2021, Age of Union has produced an array of short independent documentaries, including The Heart of a Mission , spotlighting a small startup non-profit of local and international conservationists, Junglekeepers, who come together to protect an area of rainforest in the Peruvian Amazon the size of Rhode Island; We Are the Saint Lawrence River , educating the public on how changing our behaviors will make a difference to the future of the Saint Lawrence River as well as the communities and wildlife that depend on it; and CAUGHT , unveiling the shocking consequences of industrialized fishing and bycatch, which has led to the depletion of oceanic ecosystems and the loss of marine life. As a result of the film CAUGHT and Sea Shepherd France's efforts, The Council of State recently ordered the French government to establish no-fishing zones and implement other measures to protect dolphins in the Atlantic. Age of Union's latest short film, The Corridor, follows Congolese environmentalist Dominique Bikaba and a team of international partners, who are on an ambitious mission to secure twenty-one interconnected land titles in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This would establish one of the largest wildlife corridors of community-managed forests on the planet.

"Although we have only recently begun our work in the film industry, we have already seen incredible triumphs," adds Dasilva. "I look forward to working on many more exciting cinematic projects over the coming years that will shed necessary light on the greatest challenges our planet and its most vulnerable species face today."

About Age of Union Alliance

Age of Union is a non-profit environmental alliance that supports and makes visible a global community of changemakers working on the ground to protect the planet's threatened species and ecosystems. Launched in October 2021 by tech leader and environmental activist Dax Dasilva in Montreal, Canada, Age of Union seeks to ignite a flame within every person through conservation efforts that solve critical environmental challenges around the world and inspire high-impact change by showing the positive impact that every individual can make. Age of Union is also actively involved in environmental documentary filmmaking. The organization has produced impactful short and feature documentaries that delve into the stories of dedicated changemakers. One such production, "Wildcat," earned acclaim as the "Outstanding Nature Documentary of 2023" at the prestigious 44th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards.

For more information, please visit: AgeofUnion.com

On social media: Facebook, Instagram , YouTube, and Twitter

SOURCE Age of Union Alliance
DUBLIN, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Antibacterial Drugs Market Report 2024-2034" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

World revenue for the antibacterial drugs market is forecast to surpass US$ 39.17 billion in 2024

Difficulties in R&D

Antibacterial drug research and development has been impacted due to limited attractiveness of the market. Major factors that restrict entry of companies are low profit margins for short-course antibacterial treatment as compared to chronic disease drugs, limited marketing lifespan due to emerging resistance, availability of cheap generic drugs, necessary healthcare stewardship to limit antibacterial drug use. Hence, many public-private partnerships have been implemented with government, academia, and the pharmaceutical industry to provide financial and technical support for developing antibacterial drugs.

According to WHO, there were only 27 new antibiotics in clinical development against priority pathogens in 2021 as compared 31 in 2017. In the preclinical stage, the number of products has remained constant over the last 3 years. Of the 27 antibiotics in clinical trial stage, only 6 fulfil at least one of WHO's criteria for innovation. The lack of innovation weakens the effectiveness of the limited number of new antibiotics.

Shortage of antibiotics

According to the US Pharmacopeia Medicine Supply Map Analysis, there is an increased shortage risk for antibiotics, supply chain risks that can lead to antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotics shortage is 42% more likely compared to all other drugs. The analysis is derived from 40 external datasets and proprietary information about the use of USP quality standards, covering 92% of generic medicines approved in the US. Antimicrobial shortage affects addressing the issue of AMR. As per the study, of all types of antibacterial drugs, cephalosporin are at elevated risk for shortage, driven by price.

Additionally, 40% of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used for cephalosporin are currently in shortage. Furthermore, poor-quality medicines drive antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by exposing microorganisms in the body to sub-therapeutic doses of medicines. This leads to patient not receiving enough of the medication's active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), helping the pathogen to evolve and form more resistant strains can emerge.



Likewise, the European Commission, the Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) issued recommendations in July 2023 to prevent shortages of antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, penicillin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime and piperacillin-tazobactam) crucial in the treatment of respiratory infections.

The recommendations were developed by the Executive Steering Group on Shortages and Safety in Medicinal Products (MSSG). EMA and the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) will work with marketing authorization controllers to ensure first and second-line antibiotics for respiratory infections to match demand and avoid shortages.

Forecasts to 2034 and other analyses reveal commercial prospects

In addition to revenue forecasting to 2034, the new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares.

You will find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments.

Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), cost structure, impact of rising Antibacterial drugs prices and recent developments.

Segments Covered in the Report



Drug Class

-lactams

Quinolones

Macrolides

Tetracyclines

Aminoglycosides

Sulfonamides

Phenicols

Other

Route of Administration

Enteral

Parenteral

Other

Distribution Channel

Hospital Pharmacies

Retail Pharmacies

Online Pharmacies

Leading companies profiled in the report

AbbVie Inc.

AstraZeneca

Bayer AG

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Johnson & Johnson

Merck & Co., Inc.

Novartis AG

Pfizer Inc.

Sanofi

The report provides you with the following knowledge:

Revenue forecasts to 2034 for Antibacterial drugs Market, 2024 to 2034 Market, with forecasts for drug class, route of administration and distribution channel each forecast at a global and regional level - discover the industry's prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues.

Revenue forecasts to 2034 for five regional and 20 key national markets - See forecasts for the Antibacterial drugs Market, 2024 to 2034 market in North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , Latin America , and MEA. Also forecasted is the market in the US, Canada , Mexico , Brazil , Germany , France , UK, Italy , China , India , Japan , and Australia among other prominent economies.

, , , , and MEA. Also forecasted is the market in the US, , , , , , UK, , , , , and among other prominent economies. Prospects for established firms and those seeking to enter the market - including company profiles for 10 of the major companies involved in the Antibacterial drugs Market, 2024 to 2034.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/f61e6g

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88% of employees who reviewed Aura would recommend the company to a friend; 92% approve of Hari Ravichandran as CEO

BOSTON, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aura , the first truly intelligent safety solution for families, was recently recognized by Glassdoor as one of 2024's "Best Places to Work: Small & Medium Businesses." The annual list honors standout businesses (with fewer than 1,000 employees) for their commitment to compensation, flexibility and company culture.

The rankings of the list are determined based on employee reviews on Glassdoor. Nine workplace attributes are taken into consideration when ranking: overall company rating, career opportunities, compensation and benefits, culture and values, diversity and inclusion, senior management, work-life balance, recommendation to a friend and six-month business outlook.

"Aura's missionto make the internet safer for allstarts with passionate, well-rounded people," said Aura Founder and CEO, Hari Ravichandran. "I'm glad our commitment to fostering a workplace of excellence is validated by the voices of our employees."

Aura's corporate culture has been cultivated by the People Experience team, who effortlessly engage employees despite operating in a remote-first environment. Personal well being and professional development are at the forefront of the People Experience team's mission, which is demonstrated through inclusive programming, virtual and in-person community-building events, leadership and skills-building training programs.

Glassdoor published its ranking on January 24th. The full list can be found on their website .

ABOUT AURA

Aura is the first truly intelligent safety solution, protecting everything your family does online. With an easy-to-use, AI-powered platform that continuously adapts to evolving online risks1, Aura mitigates threats before they become real problems. By focusing on preventative protection  leveraging our #1 rated identity protection services, automatically updating breached passwords found on the dark web, auto-blocking call and SMS scams, and alerting parents to cyberbullying and online predators  Aura puts families a step ahead of cybercriminals for the first time. To learn more, visit www.aura.com .

About Glassdoor

Glassdoor is a thriving community for workplace conversations, driven by a simple mission: helping people everywhere find jobs and companies they love. Since 2007, their vision is to make positive workplace changes through radical transparency. Through the products they make and the communities they create, they strive to break down barriers that lead to discrimination, pay gaps, and toxic work environments. Glassdoor aims to foster a world where people have the support and resources they need to find a job that loves them back.

1 Not all features use AI capabilities.

SOURCE Aura
By Rosi Byard-Jones, KYODO NEWS - Jan 26, 2024 - 10:02 | All, World

One of the British post office operators falsely accused of embezzlement due to faults in Fujitsu Ltd.'s accounting system said its local unit should be "open and honest" about their role in the scandal.

Speaking to Kyodo News, Lee Castleton described the behavior of staff at Fujitsu's European arm as "not very honorable," after it emerged last week at the public inquiry into the scandal that a Fujitsu manager in a 2006 email called him "a nasty chap" who wanted to "rubbish" the company's name.

In the same email, the Fujitsu Post Office Account Security Team member expressed his desire for Castleton to be "hung out to dry," despite never having met or spoken to the operator himself.

"I'd like (the company) to be open and honest about what they find internally, and let the people of the U.K. know that they're doing something about it," Castleton said in a recent interview.

Two of Fujitsu's engineers, who are key witnesses in the case, are under criminal investigation, with London's Metropolitan Police saying it will conduct a wider national investigation once the public inquiry concludes later this year.

While Castleton said he has no issue with Fujitsu as a whole, he believes its European operations based in Britain need a major overhaul if the company is to take full responsibility.

"I wish that (the company) would allow people to understand the why, who, what, where and when. I think it would make the trauma of the whole journey for the group of victims a lot easier," he said.

Castleton, one of the victims of the scandal portrayed in a new TV drama called "Mr Bates vs. The Post Office" in the first week of January, was made bankrupt in 2007 following a three-year court battle with the government-owned Post Office Ltd.

He has called the accounting system helpline 91 times over 12 weeks between 2003 and 2004 about shortfalls of 25,000 pounds ($32,000) at his post office in Bridlington, Northeast England.

The former subpostmaster was among some 700 post office operators prosecuted for stealing money from the Post Office between 1999 and 2015, after glitches in the Horizon accounting system caused balances at postal stores to appear lower than the actual amounts.

Castleton and his wife bought their Bridlington post office branch in July 2003, and everything went smoothly until they noticed their balance discrepancy of 1,103.18 pounds that December, which he ended up "making good" out of his own pocket.

After the Post Office insisted there were no issues with Horizon, Castleton was suspended in March 2004 and taken to court, where the Post Office pursued him for 321,000 pounds in legal costs.

Two decades later, the Post Office's case against him at Britain's High Court is yet to be dropped and he is still awaiting final compensation, despite receiving some interim payments from the government to cover legal costs.

Not only did the ordeal cause Castleton to go bankrupt, but it came at the immense cost of his family's health and wellbeing.

"We were abused in the street, called thieves," he said. "This led to my wife's anxiety and epilepsy. My daughter was spat at on the school bus and became very anxious. She had a 10-year battle with an eating disorder."

Castleton said he has a problem with blood pressure and has passed out in the past. While his son was not directly affected as he was so young, he will not speak of the Post Office "at all."

"To the subpostmasters and their families...Fujitsu apologizes and is sorry for this appalling miscarriage of justice," Paul Patterson, the director of Fujitsu's European operations, said at the public inquiry last week.

This is only the second time a public apology has come from the company, with Patterson's initial apology on Jan. 16 stating that the organization has a "moral obligation" to compensate the victims.

"They had a moral obligation to do the right thing from the very beginning. Having been found out, an apology is not really very effective. Actions speak louder than words," Castleton said in response.

However, Castleton views the pledge made by Patterson to review the conduct of Fujitsu staff still employed by the company as a positive step.

"I thought Mr Patterson showed empathy," Castleton said. "I am happy he was open with his thoughts with respect to how badly we were treated, and hope it is another significant step towards the end of this."

Related coverage:

Fujitsu responsibility in focus in redress over U.K. postal scandal
Integrations include CarNow, Skaivision, Orbee & Tealium with connectors via the Mastermind API Solutions Suite

NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- automotiveMastermind (aM), part of S&P Global Mobility and the automotive industry's trusted data and technology provider, today announced it has made significant enhancements to its Mastermind technology through strategic integrations that will make it easier for dealers to connect mission critical data across their technology stack to drive improved consumer experiences and streamlined marketing.

Mastermind's latest integrations incorporate a unique set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and connections that will enhance its powerful predictive analytics to provide unique insights into consumer profiles and vehicle preferences. The value these integrations provide is deeper consumer intelligence enriched by Mastermind data and machine learning AI, enabling dealers to more effectively offer the right vehicle for the right price to the right customer at the right time. Mastermind has also augmented its assets by integrating Polk Signals data attributes, part of S&P Global Mobility's Polk Automotive Solutions product suite.

Over the past year, Mastermind has focused on deeper integrations with dealers' operational systems, including the industry's most prominent dealer management systems (DMS)  Reynolds & Reynolds, DealerTrack, CDK and Tekion  and customer relationship management tools (CRM)  Elead, Dealer Socket and VinSolutions.

Mastermind can now embed data into critical areas of the dealers' operational workflow through expanded integrations with digital retailers like CarNow, who will be able to surface Mastermind intelligence and insights within their platforms to drive a truly unique consumer experience completing the journey from demand generation to purchase. The Mastermind API set allows these mission critical dealer systems to work together as a cohesive unit as opposed to stand-alone solutions.

aM has also focused on developing additional integrations with dealers' marketing stacks by enabling customer data platforms (CDPs) like Orbee and Tealium to provide clean, enriched first-party data. CDPs have gained momentum in both the OEM and dealer space in the past couple of years with the promise of unifying customer records and providing visibility into customer lifecycles. The Mastermind CDP integration provides this clean, rich data set and makes it available to any dealer marketing partner for campaign activation and execution.

"In today's competitive auto retail environment, dealership and dealer group sales and marketing teams must be able to harness as much data and insights as possible," said Mastermind Chief Technology Officer Kos Jha. "Unfortunately, this data tends to be disparate and locked away in silos through different partners, including Mastermind. These new Mastermind integrations give our dealer partners the ability to unlock comprehensive data sets and produce seamless, real-time connections with other technology platforms, ultimately enabling dealers and groups to create the best possible experience for consumers. Our hope is the quality of Mastermind data and predictions will power the dealership's end-to-end sales and marketing operations."

With these new integrations, Mastermind will provide access to the advanced data enrichment, data cleansing and identity resolution services that has defined the quality of Mastermind data in the automotive industry. These new APIs give dealers access to enrich their data beyond Mastermind by providing advanced abilities to identify customers in real-time, unifying customer records and appending data with the most current information. This data can be easily connected to CRMs, CDPs, Digital Retailers and more, making it easier for dealers and dealer groups to create a unified data strategy via the Mastermind API.

Mastermind has also partnered with Skaivision, a computer vision AI technology that integrates with a dealership's existing security camera network. Through Mastermind, dealers can leverage the plate recognition technology to provide a consumer look-up, real-time equity valuation in the car and real-time notifications when a customer visits the service drive. The introduction of this new type of data provides Mastermind with unique insights on physical activity within the dealership.

"Computer vision AI is a new frontier for automotive," said Mastermind Chief Product Officer Aaron Baldwin. "Our partnership with Skaivision gives Mastermind a new type of real-time behavior data. This unique data will help uncover insights for dealers that the industry has struggled to provide for decades. It's truly exciting!"

Visit automotiveMastermind at booth #2927W at NADA Show to learn more about its latest integrations to the Mastermind technology.

About automotiveMastermind

Founded in 2012, automotiveMastermind, part of S&P Global Mobility, is the automotive industry's trusted data and technology provider, driving value through actionable intelligence and personalized experiences. The company's proprietary Mastermind solution uses the power of predictive analytics to enable retailers to connect with buyers and deliver an exceptional purchasing experience. Through a combination of behavioral predictive analytics, targeted marketing outreach and expert consulting, Mastermind empowers dealers and OEMs to deliver automotive retail sales by seamlessly blending data and intelligence with personalized insights. automotiveMastermind is headquartered in New York City. For more information, visit automotiveMastermind.com .

About S&P Global Mobility

S&P Global Mobility is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI). S&P Global is the world's foremost provider of credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets.

SOURCE automotiveMastermind
Digital Health Platform Delivers Evidence-Based, Wellness-Focused Programming 'Anytime, Anywhere, On Any Device'

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bounceback, a digital health platform that delivers wellness-focused professional development (PD) to K-12 educators, today announced a new partnership with Ohio's Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) to provide on-demand PD for educators, administrators, and support staff.

Bounceback is a collaboration of career educators, researchers, and wellness instructors who joined together to tackle K-12 educator stress. Reimagining PD as a digital health offering  a concept that Bounceback refers to as "job-embedded wellness"  helps educators manage stress to improve their personal health and well-being, which ultimately benefits students.

"Educators deserve engaging, wellness-focused PD that's available anytime, anywhere, on any device," said Dorothy Morelli, M.Ed., Founder and CEO of Bounceback. "We're proud to partner with CMSD to support the personal and professional growth of educators in Cleveland."

CMSD is a national leader in the delivery of evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) programs. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) describes SEL as "the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions."

Bounceback is intentionally aligned with the CASEL Framework to advance educators' social and emotional skills and competencies.

"At CMSD, we look across the K-12 education field for high-quality programs to support the professional development of our hard-working faculty and staff," said Jason Tidmore, Executive Director of Social Emotional Learning for CMSD. "Bounceback offers a unique combination of on-demand PD and evidence-based content focused on educators' social-emotional health and well-being."

"Burnout is real for our teachers and educators," added Jillian Ahrens, a CMSD educator and 3rd Vice President of the Cleveland Teachers Union, which represents teachers, paraprofessionals, and other personnel. "In addition to supporting students, teachers often carry their own stress and trauma. Bounceback is part of how we address educator well-being."

Produced by award-winning content creators, Bounceback features a diverse cast of career educators and wellness instructors. More than 120 lessons cover topics including: Understanding Stress; Exploring Mindfulness; Focused Breathing; Intentional Movement; and Adult SEL. Scientifically validated screeners help educators gauge stress, anxiety, and mindful awareness. At key milestones, Bounceback's platform generates completion certificates that educators can download for PD credits or points, and license renewal.

Bounceback's wellness-focused programming is aligned with Learning Forward's Standards for Professional Learning and meets school districts' and states' PD requirements.

"Numerous studies confirm that teaching is the most stressful job in America," Morelli said. "We know from experience: For educators to support student well-being and academic needs, they've got to first prioritize their own mental, emotional, and physical health needs."

She added: "Bounceback is all about helping the adults in our school communities so that they're better equipped to help our kids succeed in life."

Bounceback is part of 3LS Ventures and 3LS Inc., a Nashville-based employee-owned company that supports youth, families, and educators in building stronger communities.

On the web: MyBounceback.com

SOURCE 3LS Ventures Inc
PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the California Partners Project released the Board Culture Playbook , designed to help companies increase and retain the number of women  particularly women of color  on their boards of directors. The unique and free resource is the second in a series of Playbooks that began with last year's Board Diversity Playbook . The Playbooks were co-created with Stanford's VMware Women's Leadership Innovation Lab, with additional support from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. The new Board Culture Playbook is available here . Photos from the event are here .

"It is not enough to call for more women in leadership  we must actively increase diverse women's representation at the tables of power where decisions are made. I'm immensely proud that California is leading the nation on this issue that's not just vital to our economy and corporate culture, but also to the well-being of women and families," said First Partner Siebel Newsom and Co-Founder of the California Partners Project. "The latest Board Culture Playbook is a fantastic tool to help retain and incorporate diverse voices, and I encourage boards of all kinds to take advantage of this free resource available to all."

Increased board gender diversity also increases corporate revenue and improves board performance. According to California Partners Project's "The Big Picture report ," companies with 30% or more women directors on their board correlated with higher revenue than companies with less than 30%. A 2023 directors' survey found 82% of directors believe diversity enhances board performance. A 2017 study also found U.S. companies with three or more female directors reported earnings 45% higher per share than companies with no female directors.

While the topic of diversity and representation has been at the forefront for years, the topic of inclusion and how it can be effectively realized is more novel. The Board Diversity Playbook focuses on recruitment: how to attract, recruit, and onboard talented women board members. The Board Culture Playbook offers action-oriented strategies to harness and utilize diverse voices in the boardroom. The Board Culture Playbook is based on focus groups of board directors, leaders from Fortune 100 companies, and relevant research.

"As modern boards encounter and navigate complex, multidimensional issues, building an inclusive culture that strengthens board effectiveness is more necessary than ever before," said Lori Nishiura Mackenzie, co-founder of the Stanford VMware Women's Leadership Innovation Lab. "What we've learned in speaking with dozens of board directors is that the decision-making contextor culturecan enhance or inhibit good decision making, and decades of research backs that up."

Senate Bill 826, which was signed into law in 2018, required all public companies in California to have one to three women on their board of directorsdependent on board sizeby the end of 2021. When the law took effect, the percentage of board seats held by women increased significantlymore than doubling the 15.5% of seats held by women in California in 2018 and nearly 4% above the national average. Despite significant momentum from SB 826, since the start of a legal challenge, the percentage of California public company board seats held by women slightly stagnated in 2023  from 33.3% to 32.73%.

Through California for ALL Women , First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom has made it a priority to center the needs of women as she makes strides to build economic equity, equal representation, and advance a family-first agenda. Through California for ALL Kids , the First Partner is championing initiatives and policies that support children's mental and physical health and working to provide families with the tools they need to ensure their children get the best start in life.

About the California Partners Project: Co-founded by California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Olivia Morgan in partnership with the people of California, the California Partners Project is dedicated to championing gender equity across the state and promoting the mental, behavioral, and physical well-being of California's children. For more information about the non-profit organization, visit https://www.calpartnersproject.org/ . Connect with the California Partners Project on LinkedIn and Instagram .

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE California Partners Project
BEIJING, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from China.org.cn on China-France relations:

In 1698, a large barque took off from La Rochelle, a port city in France, and sailed all the way to Guangzhou, China.

The barque, the Amphitrite, navigated to China's shores fully loaded with western goods like glass and woolen fabrics; when it returned to France, it shipped Chinese specialties like porcelain and lacquerware. On the Amphitrite came several western scientists, including Joachim Bouvet, Dominique Parrenin and Jean Regis, who not only introduced China's Confusion classics and history to France and even Europe as a whole, but also stayed in China for years, facilitating exchanges in culture and science between the two countries.

This vessel, quoting French Sinologist Paul Pelliot, is the "origin" of the relationship between China and France. Several centuries later, a kite again connected the two countries.

In the 1950s, a "monkey-king" kite along with a letter from a Chinese child, fell from the skies and onto a tree in Paris. Two French children found the kite and embarked on a journey to find its owner. After some magical experiences, the French children finally "met" the Chinese child at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Hand in hand, they flew the "monkey-king" sky-high

This children's movie, "Cerf-Volant Du Bout Du Monde," "The Magic of the Kite" in English, was co-produced by China and France, making it the very first film that China made with other countries since 1949. Kites, in Chinese cultural contexts, denote exploring the wider world and connecting with the unknown; the film, with the whole story centered around a kite, in a sense signifies the communication between the then newly founded People's Republic of China and western countries: Back in the 1950s, China and France hadn't established formal diplomatic ties, but co-producing a film has no doubt facilitated people-to-people exchanges. "The Magic of the Kite" was once played in French schools for over three decades, serving as the first window for generations of French to know China.

On January 27th, 1964, the People's Republic of China and the French Republic officially established diplomatic ties, and France became the first major western country to set up diplomatic relations with China. In the following six decades, the two countries forged a comprehensive partnership, launched the Strategic Dialogues, set up cultural centers in each other's territories, and held the Year of China in France and the Year of France in China. The two countries also opened China's first flight route with a western country, and initiated the first instance of civil nuclear energy cooperation. Pragmatic collaboration and friendly exchanges of such kind between China and France were all unprecedented ventures for China's relations with western countries. The fruits of their cooperation also brought concrete benefits to the people of both countries.

Moreover, China and France have joined hands on the restoration of the Notre Dame, and carried out technical training and communications on the protection of the Terracotta Warriors at Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum. The efforts are not made for the two countries only, but for preserving the treasures of humanity for all of human civilization. China and France also worked in the same spirit to facilitate the realization of the Paris Agreement, and later they collaborated to transform the China-France Carbon Neutrality Center from a concept to reality. Via such practices, they are using their bi-lateral cooperation to seek a greater good in tackling the challenges facing all humanity.

The friendship between China and France dates back to the Amphitrite centuries ago. Since the two countries officially established diplomatic ties, the ship of China-French relations has sailed for 60 years. There were ups and downs along the way, but friendly cooperation has always been the sailing route, which is exciting among the uncertainties in the current world. Facing the future, the two countries are bound to continue such relations, share challenges and development through cooperation, and inject further impetus for Europe and even the world.

China Mosaic

http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm

SOURCE China.org.cn
CHICAGO, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The growing need for mobile applications is expected to propel the Cloud Mobile Backend as a Service (BaaS) market's explosive expansion. Integration with emerging technologies, security and compliance as top priorities, multi-cloud and hybrid solutions, and enhancing the developer experience are some of the major developments.

The Cloud Mobile Backend as a Service (BaaS) Market size is expected to grow from USD 4.1 billion in 2023 to USD 9.2 billion by 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Cloud Mobile Backend as a Service (BaaS) Market"

260 - Tables

70 - Figures

290 - Pages

Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=813

Report of the Scope

Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 20192028 Base year considered 2022 Forecast period 20232028 Forecast units Value (USD Million/Billion) Segments Covered Service Type, Application Type, Platform, Deployment Model, Organization Size, and Vertical Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America Companies Covered Some of the significant cloud mobile BaaS market vendors are AWS (US), Google (US), Microsoft (US), Oracle (US), MongoDB (US), IBM (US), Rackspace Technology (US), Progress (US), Temenos (Switzerland), Cloudflare (US), Couchbase (US), Twenty57 (Mauritius), Oursky (Hong Kong), Contentful (Germany), Pragma (Colombia), Heroku (US), brainCloud (Canada), and Addon Solutions (India).

By Service Type, the user authentication & authorization segment is expected to capture the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The service type segment of the cloud mobile BaaS market is segmented into cloud storage & backup, user authentication & authorization, database management, push notification, and other service types. The user authentication & authorization segment is estimated to hold the highest CAGR during the forecasted period. The user authentication & authorization service type segment, encompassing traditional authentication, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and single sign-on (SSO), plays a crucial role in the cloud mobile BaaS market. These services are fundamental in ensuring the security and integrity of mobile applications by managing user access to backend resources. Traditional authentication methods, though foundational, are complemented by the rising prominence of multi-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of security through multiple verification steps. Additionally, single sign-on solutions streamline the user experience by allowing seamless access across multiple applications with a single set of credentials.

In the dynamic landscape of mobile app development, where security is paramount, these authentication & authorization services not only protect sensitive user data but also enhance user convenience. As the demand for secure and user-friendly mobile experiences grows, the integration of robust authentication & authorization mechanisms within mobile BaaS becomes imperative, empowering developers to implement effective security measures without compromising the accessibility and usability of their applications. Therefore, the user authentication & authorization segment serves as a cornerstone in fortifying the overall integrity and trustworthiness of mobile applications in the cloud environment.

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Based on the platform, the Android segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period.

The cloud mobile BaaS market, by Android, is segmented into iOS, Android, and other platforms. It is expected that during the forecast period, the Android segment is expected to hold the largest market size and share in the cloud mobile BaaS market. The Android platform segment in the cloud mobile BaaS market plays a pivotal role in facilitating the seamless integration and functionality of mobile applications on Android devices. As the dominant operating system in the global mobile market, Android compatibility within mobile BaaS is essential for ensuring widespread app accessibility. This segment encompasses tools, APIs, and services tailored specifically for Android app development, enabling developers to leverage cloud-based backend services effortlessly. It streamlines data storage, user authentication, and other backend functionalities, allowing developers to focus on creating feature-rich and responsive applications. The Android platform segment in mobile BaaS not only addresses the diverse needs of Android app developers but also ensures interoperability and optimization, contributing to a consistent and efficient mobile app experience across the vast Android ecosystem. As businesses increasingly prioritize mobile app development, the Android platform segment within cloud mobile BaaS emerges as a critical component in driving innovation, scalability, and user engagement for applications targeting the Android user base.

North America is projected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period.

By region, North America is projected to hold the most market share in the worldwide cloud mobile BaaS market in 2023, and this pattern is anticipated to be true throughout the forecast period. In North America, cloud mobile BaaS solutions play a pivotal role in accelerating and simplifying mobile app development. These platforms offer a robust and scalable infrastructure for developers and businesses, allowing them to focus on building innovative mobile applications without the complexities of managing backend infrastructure. With the increasing demand for mobile apps across various industries, mobile BaaS solutions in North America facilitate rapid development cycles, enabling quicker time-to-market for products and services. The US and Canada are the major contributors, as most of the major companies in the cloud mobile BaaS market are based in these countries.

In this region, where mobile devices are ubiquitous, mobile BaaS providers cater to the diverse needs of developers ranging from startups to large enterprises. The flexibility and ease of integration provided by these platforms empower businesses to leverage advanced features such as authentication, real-time data synchronization, and serverless computing. Moreover, the competitive nature of the North American market demands agile and efficient development processes, making cloud mobile BaaS solutions a strategic enabler for businesses aiming to stay ahead in the dynamic mobile landscape. As security and compliance are paramount concerns, leading mobile BaaS providers in North America adhere to stringent standards, ensuring data protection and regulatory compliance for applications across various domains, including finance, healthcare, and eCommerce.

Top Key Companies in Cloud Mobile Backend as a Service (BaaS) Market:

Some of the major cloud mobile BaaS vendors AWS (US), Google (US), Microsoft (US), Oracle (US), MongoDB (US), IBM (US), Rackspace Technology (US), Progress (US), Temenos (Switzerland), Cloudflare (US), Couchbase (US), Twenty57 (Mauritius), Oursky (Hong Kong), Contentful (Germany), Pragma (Colombia), Heroku (US), brainCloud (Canada), and Addon Solutions (India).

Recent Developments:

In October 2022 , Google launched the latest Firebase SDK for C++ (v11.7.0. This release includes changes to Analytics and Google Mobile Ads, a bug fix in Authentication, and other changes.

, Google launched the latest Firebase SDK for C++ (v11.7.0. This release includes changes to Analytics and Google Mobile Ads, a bug fix in Authentication, and other changes. In November 2023 , AWS announced a new capability that makes it easy to build scalable, secure GraphQL interfaces over existing relational databases with AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK). The AWS Amplify GraphQL API CDK is constructed with the user's database credentials stored securely in the AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store as a SecureString and starts authoring the user's GraphQL API to execute SQL statements. This new capability works with any MySQL and PostgreSQL databases on Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS) or externally hosted MySQL and PostgreSQL databases.

, AWS announced a new capability that makes it easy to build scalable, secure GraphQL interfaces over existing relational databases with AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK). The AWS Amplify GraphQL API CDK is constructed with the user's database credentials stored securely in the AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store as a SecureString and starts authoring the user's GraphQL API to execute SQL statements. This new capability works with any MySQL and PostgreSQL databases on Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS) or externally hosted MySQL and PostgreSQL databases. In September 2023 , Oracle announced new application development capabilities to enable developers to rapidly build and deploy applications on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). Designed for cloud-native and Java developers, the new capabilities will help developers build highly responsive and efficient cloud-native applications while reducing costs. In addition, Oracle is building generative AI capabilities for application development to take advantage of cutting-edge large language models with the level of security and privacy that enterprises demand.

Inquire Before Buying@ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=813

Cloud Mobile Backend as a Service (BaaS) Market Advantages:

By providing pre-built backend services and APIs, BaaS platforms streamline the development process. By using these services, developers may create and deploy apps more quickly, saving time on backend infrastructure creation and management.

Businesses no longer have to spend a lot of money developing and maintaining backend infrastructure thanks to BaaS. Pay-as-you-go options enable enterprises to cut costs by only paying for the individual services they use, eliminating the need to manage servers, databases, and other components.

Because BaaS platforms can scale automatically, applications can adapt to changing workloads without the need for human intervention. This guarantees that the backend infrastructure may expand or contract in response to demand, giving users a smooth experience even during times of high traffic.

Cross-platform compatibility is a feature that BaaS solutions frequently provide, enabling developers to create applications for several operating systems (Android, iOS, etc.) without needing to modify the backend code. Time to market is accelerated and the development process is made simpler as a result.

Strong security measures are usually implemented by BaaS providers to safeguard data and guarantee application integrity. Developers won't have to work as hard to implement data encryption, authentication, and authorization processes when these functionalities are included.

Report Objectives

To define, describe, and forecast the cloud mobile BaaS market based on service type, application type, platform, deployment model, organization size, vertical, and region.

To project the market sizes of the following five major regions: Latin America , Middle East & Africa , Asia Pacific , Europe , and North America

, & , , , and To strategically examine each market segment's growth trends, opportunities, and contributions to the overall market

To give comprehensive details about the main elements (drivers, constraints, opportunities, and challenges) affecting the market's growth

To assess market potential for stakeholders and give important actors specifics about the competitive environment.

To examine market trends, patents, developments, and pricing information pertaining to cloud mobile BaaS.

In-depth examination of the fundamental skills of significant participants

To monitor and assess the effects of the recession as well as market competition changes like M&As, new product launches, and alliances and collaborations.

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DUBLIN, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Crop Spraying Drones Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The crop spraying drones market was worth US$1.39 billion in 2021 and is projected to achieve a remarkable CAGR of 35.79% during the forecast period, reaching a total market size of US$11.9 billion by 2028.



Crop-spraying drones also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) play a crucial role in applying pesticides within agricultural fields, with their design aimed at improving overall agricultural efficiency, crop yield, and growth monitoring. Additionally, these drones employ sensors and advanced imaging technology to provide farmers with detailed insights into their fields.

Globally, drones have brought about a significant transformation in the agriculture sector by enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing profitability. The crop spraying drones market is experiencing growth driven by rising awareness regarding the detrimental effects of pesticides on the environment and human well-being is a key factor fueling the need for crop spraying drones.



Increase in government initiatives



The ultraviolet rays from the sun are causing various diseases such as melanoma, and skin cancer. In recent years government initiatives have gained momentum, aiming to integrate drone technology into agriculture and boost crop spraying drones market growth. Various programs and grants have been introduced to encourage the adoption of drones in farming practices. As an example, in April 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced grants worth USD 4.4 million distributed among seven universities for research, education, and drone training in support of this endeavour.



Increasing number of drone registrations and ROI



The remarkable increase in drone registration is playing a pivotal role in driving the agriculture industry, particularly in the crop spraying drone industry. Drones have revolutionized agriculture by offering cost-effective and efficient solutions for crop spraying. With the rising number of drone registrations, more farmers and agricultural businesses are adopting this technology.

According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, in 2023, the total number of drone registrations in the United States was approximately 3,52,222 thousand units for recreational flying and around 5,06,635 thousand units for commercial purposes. The increasing adoption of drones is not only a growing trend but also a solution to labor shortages and enhanced efficiency in agriculture. Research in the United States indicates that the use of agricultural drones is substantially benefiting farmers' budgets. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the average U.S. farmer employing drones experiences a return on investment of $12 USD per acre for corn and $2 to $3 per acre for soybeans and wheat.



It is projected that the crop spraying drone market in the United States will grow steadily.



In the United States large farm owners are using this technology as it helps in precision agriculture and increasing involvement of new technology in faring. Additionally, increasing investment in research and development to enhance the agricultural produce of the country is one of the primary factors aiding the crop spraying drones market growth. For instance, in August 2023, Central State University received more than US$ 1.6 million in funding under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the funding is divided for the study of three main agricultural issues. In this, US$ 5,98,814 will be used to strengthen the research for unmanned aerial systems education capacity, develop new courses, and provide practical teaching materials.



Increasing product launches in the United States



The increasing product launches in the market are pushing the crop spraying drones market in an upward direction. For instance, in January 2022, Eavision, a company with research and development facilities in Silicon Valley, the United States, and Suzhou, China launched a new product called EA-30X, it is an intelligent agriculture spraying drone designed by Italian care manufacturer Pininfarina. The drone will be very helpful in hilly and mountainous flying and crop protection. Hence such intelligent product launched in order to promote agriculture with the help of science and technology is aiding the crop spraying drones industry growth for crop spraying drone in the United States in the forecasted period.

Segmentation:

By Type

Fixed Wing Drone

Rotary Blade Drone

Hybrid Drone

Companies Profiled

Fly Dragon Drone Tech.

SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd

shenzhen GC electronics

Prodrone Co., Ltd.

Parrot Drone SAS

HSE TTA-AMERICA

ASTA Technology Co. Ltd.

Xi'an Wideworldz Aviation Technology Co.,Ltd.

AirBoard Inc.

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National distribution available for PDV via Seelbach's

Paczki Party Scheduled on Saturday, February 10

DETROIT, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at 8 a.m., Detroit City Distillery (DCD) marks the culmination of months of meticulous distillation and bottling efforts with the online launch of their sought-after Paczki Day Vodka (PDV) and its variant, Orange Cream Paczki Day Vodka, along with Hometown Horseradish and the newly introduced Espresso Martini and Polish Bloody Mary bottled cocktails. These products are now available for purchase at www.detroitcitydistillery.com/shop.

On Sale Today - PDV Lineup of Spirits

Detroit City Distillery's Paczki Day Vodka 2024 - Sales begin Jan., 26, 2024 Detroit City Distillery's Paczki Day Vodka 2024

Paczki Day Vodka ( $35 per bottle): This 80-proof Polish vodka is a crystal-clear spirit distilled with fresh raspberry paczki from the renowned New Palace Bakery in Hamtramck . It boasts a smooth, buttery texture with a distinctive raspberry finish, making it perfect for savoring chilled over ice, blending into cocktails, or using as a unique paczki chaser.

( per bottle): This 80-proof Polish vodka is a crystal-clear spirit distilled with fresh raspberry paczki from the renowned New Palace Bakery in . It boasts a smooth, buttery texture with a distinctive raspberry finish, making it perfect for savoring chilled over ice, blending into cocktails, or using as a unique paczki chaser. Orange Cream Paczki Day Vodka ( $35 per bottle): Similar to the original PDV, this variant is an 80-proof Polish vodka that's crystal clear and distilled with fresh orange cream paczki from Hamtramck's New Palace Bakery. It shares the same smooth, buttery qualities with a unique orange cream finish.

( per bottle): Similar to the original PDV, this variant is an 80-proof Polish vodka that's crystal clear and distilled with fresh orange cream paczki from New Palace Bakery. It shares the same smooth, buttery qualities with a unique orange cream finish. Hometown Horseradish Vodka ( $30 per bottle): This clear, 80-proof Michigan vodka is infused with freshly-ground horseradish, offering a bright, crisp taste that is ideally suited to making the perfect Bloody Mary.

( per bottle): This clear, 80-proof vodka is infused with freshly-ground horseradish, offering a bright, crisp taste that is ideally suited to making the perfect Bloody Mary. Espresso Martini Bottled Cocktail ( $10 per bottle): Crafted with PDV, DCD's proprietary coffee liqueur, coffee, and Demerara sugar, this bottled cocktail is ready to pour and enjoy.

( per bottle): Crafted with PDV, DCD's proprietary coffee liqueur, coffee, and Demerara sugar, this bottled cocktail is ready to pour and enjoy. Polish Bloody Mary ( $14 per bottle): Featuring DCD's Hometown Horseradish Vodka and a specially crafted Bloody Mary mix, this bottled cocktail offers a unique twist on the classic Bloody Mary.

How to Buy

All spirits are available for online purchase at www.detroitcitydistillery.com/shop and will be available for pick up at DCD's Tasting Room at 2462 Riopelle Street in Eastern Market starting at 4 p.m. today.

For those outside Michigan, Paczki Day Vodka can also be purchased online and shipped nationally via Seelbach's.

Paczki Day Vodka Party  February 10

On Saturday, February 10, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., DCD will once again host their annual Paczki Day Party at their Tasting Room at 2462 Riopelle Street in Eastern Market, indoors and outdoors, with limited capacity and free admission. The outdoor patio area encompasses an entire city block. Food, including Polish favorites, will be available for sale, along with PDV cocktails and DCD's regular menu of spirits.

How Paczki Day Vodka is Made

Paczki Day Vodka is made by distilling fresh raspberry paczki in 100 percent potato vodka from Poland and Michigan in a 500-gallon copper pot still. The result is a crystal-clear one-of-a-kind spirit that is smooth, buttery and has a distinct raspberry finish. It can be enjoyed chilled over ice, mixed in a cocktail or as a paczki chaser.

There are no artificial ingredients, flavors or sweeteners commonly used in mainstream flavored vodka. DCD's goal is to make a true craft spirit that highlights the taste of these perfectly handmade, glazed raspberry paczki from Hamtramck's New Palace Bakery.

Detroit City Distillery is renowned for their award-winning small batch artisanal bourbon, whiskey, rye, gin, and vodka, crafted using the finest local ingredients sourced from farms near the distillery. The distillery achieved global acclaim at the 2023 World Spirits Competition in San Francisco, where its Butcher's Cut Bourbon and Homegrown Rye whiskies each won a Double-Gold Medal, the event's highest honor. This achievement underscores DCD's commitment to excellence, with Butcher's Cut Bourbon receiving its second Double Gold and Homegrown Rye its third, having previously won in 2020 and 2022. Additionally, DCD's Four Grain Bourbon was awarded Gold for the second time.

Editor's Note:

Detroit City Distillery representatives are available for demonstrations and interviews.

Photos and Video are available here via Google.

SOURCE Detroit City Distillery
NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Disposable Medical Supplies market is set for substantial expansion, forecasting a robust USD 604.17 billion growth at an impressive CAGR of 17.3% between 2023 and 2028. This growth is primarily attributed to the surge in hospital visits, driven by the escalating prevalence of lifestyle and chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPDs). The market is witnessing an increased demand for disposable medical supplies. Emergency visits and surgical procedures are the key drivers fostering market growth. The necessity of disposable items such as syringes, needles, and oxygen masks for patient monitoring and treatment during hospitalization further contributes to the market's growth. For a better understanding of market dynamics and trends, download a free sample report.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Disposable Medical Supplies Market 2024-2028

Regulatory Challenges and Market Segmentation

Hospitals are adopting preventive measures during medical procedures, such as using disposable items. This is to comply with regulatory standards set by agencies like the FDA and OSHA, driving the growth of the global market for disposable medical supplies.

The Disposable Medical Supplies Market is segmented into product types and end-users.

Type: Gloves, Drapes, and Gowns.

End-users: Hospitals and Clinics and Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Regional Analysis: North America is projected to contribute 39% to the global market growth during the forecast period.

"The gloves segment is forecasted to significantly drive market growth. Rising concerns about hygiene and safety, coupled with the increasing number of surgeries, contribute to the market share growth of disposable medical gloves." - Technavio Explore the market contribution of different segments by downloading the free PDF sample report

Disposable Medical Supplies Market 2024-2028 : Competitive Analysis

Some of the leading companies, including 3M Co., Ambu AS, Ansell Ltd., Johnson and Johnson, and others are implementing various strategies such as strategic alliances and product launches to strengthen their market presence. The report provides a detailed analysis of 15 market companies, offering insights into their market positioning and competitive strategies. For a comprehensive overview of the competitive landscape and detailed company analyses, buy the report now.

Disposable Medical Supplies Market 2024-2028 : Segmentation

Disposable Medical Supplies Market is segmented as below:

Type

Gloves



Drapes And Gowns



Masks



Others

End-user

Hospitals And Clinics



Ambulatory Surgery Center



Others

Geography

North America



Europe



Asia



Rest Of World (ROW)

Disposable Medical Supplies Market 2024-2028 : Scope

Disposable Medical Supplies Market size

Disposable Medical Supplies Market trends

Disposable Medical Supplies Market industry analysis

This study identifies Technological advances to enhance product quality as one of the prime reasons driving the disposable medical supplies market growth during the next few years.

Related Reports:

The US - Disposable Gloves Market size is estimated to grow by USD 1.01 billion at a CAGR of 6.16% between 2023 and 2028.

The surgical suction instruments market share is expected to increase by USD 109.66 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.09%.

About US

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

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Media & Marketing Executive

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Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
During Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month this February, love is respect, a project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline will host events and share resources on what healthy relationships look like.

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This February, love is respect , the prevention program of the National Domestic Violence Hotline , is launching its annual Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) campaign to promote healthy and safe relationships among young people. Nationally, 1 in 3 U.S. teens will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they're in a relationship with before becoming adults. And nearly half (43%) of U.S. college women report experiencing violent or abusive dating behaviors.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is led nationally by love is respect and focuses on education, engagement, and empowerment. This year's theme, "Love Like That" was selected by the love is respect national youth council to uplift positive, healthy relationships while celebrating that love looks different for everyone.

"This theme is so empowering to me personally because I can choose love that works for me," said Kate Nechanicky, a love is respect youth council member.

The campaign will kick off with a webinar hosted by love is respect Director, Angela Lee on January 30. The session will emphasize the importance of establishing foundations for positive connections, understanding dating violenceespecially in marginalized communitiesand providing essential resources for support. It will include tangible ways to identify unhealthy behaviors, resolve conflict, and healthy ways to express love in relationships. The launch will be accompanied by the release of an Action Guide that includes resources on everything from body shaming to revenge porn, issues teens are especially susceptible to.

"We all know that love can be complicated, especially for teenagers," said Angela Lee, director of love is respect. "Their day-to-day reality as a digital-first generation  and the social media and digital monitoring from partners that can come with it  opens them up to a world of risk, questions and concerns. Rather than bog young people down in fear, the theme, 'Love like That' shows them what a healthy relationship looks like and teaches them the skills to engage in one on their own."

Throughout the month, love is respect and its partners will hold calls-to-action on social media to empower teens and young adults to learn and share more about healthy relationships. Individuals can engage with Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month on social media with the hashtag #LoveLikeThat and download and use the 2024 Action Guide .

To learn more and see the full calendar for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, visit www.loveisrespect.org/getinvolved/tdvam .

love is respect is the national resource to disrupt and prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence by empowering young people through inclusive and equitable education, support, and resources. A project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline , love is respect offers 24/7 information, support, and advocates to young people who have questions or concerns about their romantic relationships. love is respect is a safe, inclusive space for young people to access help and information in a setting specifically for them. Learn more at loveisrespect.org

SOURCE The National Domestic Violence Hotline
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a monumental stride towards improving the lives of children affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne), Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) proudly announces that Minnesota has approved the addition of Duchenne to the state's newborn screening panel. This remarkable milestone comes after years of dedicated advocacy by PPMD, in collaboration with partners and families, to break down barriers to treatment and care for the Duchenne community.

Once implemented, every one of the approximately 63,000 babies born in Minnesota annually will undergo newborn screening for Duchenne, ensuring not only early diagnosis but also equitable access to care. This program is projected to identify at least six babies with Duchenne each year, significantly improving the prognosis for affected individuals and their families.

Minnesota is now the third state, after Ohio and New York, to approve newborn screening for Duchenne. This milestone represents a significant advancement in the broader effort to expand newborn screening for Duchenne to other states.

Pat Furlong, PPMD's President and CEO, passionately emphasizes the significance of newborn screening in Minnesota, stating, "PPMD's mission is to accelerate research, impact policy, demand optimal care for every single family, and strive to ensure access to approved therapies. Families with newborns identified through the newborn screening program will benefit from monitoring their child's development, receiving appropriate physical and speech therapy, genetic counseling, and carrier screening for family members. With seven FDA-approved treatments for Duchenne, including four approved for infancy and additional potential therapies in development, our commitment to demanding optimal care and ensuring access to therapies means care when it has the ability to provide the most benefitearly in a child's life."

PPMD remains unwavering in its commitment to breaking down barriers related to the diagnosis, care, and treatment of individuals living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at all stages of life. This commitment extends to supporting families with newborns identified through newborn screening by providing educational resources, connecting them with experienced peer mentors, and educating healthcare providers involved in the screening process.

Lauren Stanford, PPMD's Director of Advocacy, acknowledges the remarkable impact of the Duchenne community in the passage of this legislation, stating, "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the determined families and dedicated clinicians who provided compelling testimony in Minnesota throughout this process. It is your unwavering dedication, passion, and tireless efforts that have played a truly pivotal and transformative role in achieving this success."

PPMD has been building the infrastructure for early identification of newborns with Duchenneincluding a robust therapeutic pipeline, regulatory infrastructure, and clinical care network and guidelinessince its inception and preparing for the implementation of NBS for Duchenne for almost a decade.

To learn more about PPMD's work in newborn screening, click here.

About Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne is a genetic disorder that slowly robs people of their muscle strength. Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) is the largest, most comprehensive nonprofit organization in the United States focused on finding a cure for Duchenneour mission is to end Duchenne.

We demand optimal care standards and strive to ensure every family has access to expert healthcare providers, cutting edge treatments, and a community of support. We invest deeply in treatments for this generation of Duchenne patients and in research that will benefit future generations. Our advocacy efforts have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in funding and won seven FDA approvals.

Everything we doand everything we have done since our founding in 1994helps those with Duchenne live longer, stronger lives. We will not rest until we end Duchenne for every single person affected by the disease. Join our fight against Duchenne at EndDuchenne.org and follow PPMD on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

SOURCE Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD)
Breakthrough and pioneering technologies from the US will be on show during Arab Health 2024, to be held from January 29 to February 1 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

UAE and US-based healthcare company Envision Global will debut four innovative womens health brands hailing from Minnesota, known as the healthcare innovation capital of the US. The four companies represented by Envision include fem-tech leaders Pelvital with Flyte Therapy, inclusive healthcare apparel brand Mawadda, wearable cool products company Opal, and breast milk freezing solution, MILKworx.

The health and wellness products featured - by women, for women include the pioneering Flyte Therapy which offers a simple, effective, discreet, proven at-home device that is an easily accessible and cost-efficient alternative to hospital therapy in treating pelvic floor disorders including Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI). With over 60% of women encountering urinary incontinence at some stage of life during pregnancy, after childbirth or throughout menopause, with two clinical trials undertaken, and a treatment effect comparable to surgery, it is the only product to use the treatment modality of mechanotherapy.

Cool therapy products

Opal from Xena Therapies showcases clinically tested cool therapy products for hot women at every stage of life, from motherhood through menopause, designed to also treat MS and heat stress, pain relief, injury repair, cramps and fevers.

Featuring FDA compliant plant-based cooling technology, formulated for therapy and comfort, the range of wraps and pads are safer than ice with no risk of burn or frostbite and can be placed in the refrigerator or re-cooled at room temperature within 30 minutes for on the go relief.

Inclusive healthcare apparel brand Mawadda will debut a disposable hijab referred to as the Hygienic Hijab, a patented, FDA-compliant, eco-friendly, proprietary design derived from extensive user testing.

The hygienic Hijab was designed by two Muslim, front-line healthcare workers to better protect against exposure and spread of infectious diseases via antimicrobial, disposable, easy-to-wear isolation hijab covers - with comfort and support. The product is manufactured in the US with a specially spun-bond fiber that breathes and fits easily over an existing hijab or can be worn alone.

MILKworx

Award-winning MILKworx provides convenience for breastfeeding parents with their unique milk storage solutions. The MILKworx products, Freeze It Flat, are engineered for stress-free pumping and storing, to instill confidence in new parents in their 4th and 5th-trimester pumping journeys through functional products and tactical support.

Brand representatives including Lydia Zeller, CEO, Pelvital, and Dr Nissrine Nakib, MD Medical Director of Urology, University of Minnesota, will be on hand at Arab Health to discuss the Flyte Therapy technology and answer any questions, alongside Traci AlShaali, CEO of Envision Global.

We are proud to showcase breakthrough technology and pioneering brands at Arab Health this year. Every company we represent offers the finest quality health and wellness products created by women for women, and we are excited to see them enhance the lives of women in the Middle East, said Traci AlShaali, CEO of Envision Global.--TradeArabia News Service
KYODO NEWS - Jan 26, 2024 - 11:14 | All, World, Japan

U.S. President Joe Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for an official visit on April 10, including a state dinner, to discuss efforts to reinforce the bilateral alliance and cooperation in dealing with challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region, the White House said Thursday.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement that Kishida's visit to Washington will emphasize "the enduring strength of our alliance partnership, the unwavering U.S. commitment to Japan and Japan's increasing global leadership role."

In Tokyo on Friday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a regular press conference that Kishida's trip "will be extremely meaningful to further deepen close bilateral cooperation and demonstrate strong Japan-U.S. relations to the world."

The announcement comes as Kishida has been struggling with low approval ratings, particularly since a political fundraising scandal involving lawmakers of his ruling party surfaced.

Biden is also grappling with weak public support and is increasingly busy campaigning for the November presidential election that could see a rematch with his predecessor Donald Trump, the clear front-runner in the race for the Republican nomination.

Kishida, who disclosed Biden's invitation in November, and his aides are believed to be seeking to shore up his flagging popularity through the upcoming trip to Washington.

"Japan is one of our closest allies in the whole world, certainly a very critical alliance in the Indo-Pacific," John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman, told reporters.

"I think you can expect to see a robust discussion about how we're deepening our bilateral cooperation with Japan, and improving our alliance capabilities across the board, but also how we're working together across a range of other threats and challenges in the Indo-Pacific," Kirby said.

"That also includes improving trilateral cooperation with South Korea," he added.

The Biden administration has recognized that deepening ties with Japan and South Korea is critical to the United States in its intensifying competition with China and in responding to security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including those posed by North Korea's rapid development of nuclear and missile capabilities.

Biden hosted what he called a "historic" trilateral summit with Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in August last year at the U.S. presidential retreat of Camp David near Washington.

Biden also hosted Yoon for a state visit in April 2023 to mark the 70th anniversary of the alliance between their countries.

The forthcoming trip to the Washington area by Kishida will be his third since January last year, which marked his first visit to the U.S. capital after taking office in 2021. The Japanese prime minister last held in-person talks with Biden in San Francisco in November.

According to the White House, Biden's and Kishida's wives will both be in attendance during the upcoming visit.

The last Japanese leader to visit the United States as a state guest was former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2015, during the administration of then President Barack Obama.

Kirby described the upcoming event as a "formal state visit," but a Japanese official said it would be an "official visit," in line with the White House statement, and added that Kishida will be "treated as a state guest."

In terms of diplomatic protocol, there are differences between the two types of visits. A state visit involves more pomp and pageantry in almost all countries.

Related coverage:

Japan, U.S. arranging summit around April 10: sources

Japan PM Kishida arranges to visit U.S. as state guest in early March

U.S., Japan, S. Korea ties sustained by shared interests: U.S. envoy
The innovative financing partnership unites visionary entrepreneurs, community members, public agencies and housing developers to create affordable and disaster-resilient homes that serve as models for future developments.

HONOLULU and EAST PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a collaborative effort, Elemental Excelerator , a nonprofit investor scaling climate technologies with deep community impact, and Finance New Orleans (FNO), a housing and development finance agency on a mission to improve the quality of life in New Orleans, launched a housing fund and innovation challenge with the goal of using community-centered financing to deploy climate technologies in new and retrofitted single-family homes.

The initial $2M fund, alongside the existing FNO Green Mortgages Program, will finance the development of well-built, resilient homes in New Orleans that are responsive to local climate and context while incorporating sustainable technology in home design, construction and operation.

The NOLA Affordable and Resilient Homes Challenge, set to open applications in March, will initially fund the development and retrofit of six sites in the Gentilly and Pontchartrain Park neighborhoods as well as fund innovative clean energy and water efficiency technologies. The solutions demonstrated in New Orleans will be replicable by housing development organizations for cities across the U.S. The innovation challenge is a tool that Elemental created to unlock a deep pool of entrepreneurs, dedicated funds and key decision makers to drive concrete results.

With the increasing intensity and frequency of climate-related events, it is vital to not only innovate the processes, materials and technologies in home construction to mitigate the impact of climate change, but it is also critical to develop new ways to finance the development, retrofit and pathways to affordable home ownership in communities across the country. The $2M fund and NOLA Affordable and Resilient Homes Challenge seek to bring together forward-thinking entrepreneurs, funders, community members, public agencies and housing developers to use new financing tools and blended investments to create more climate-responsive, affordable housing that meets the present and future needs of New Orleanians.

"New Orleans has long been a city with a rich tapestry of history and culture but is committed to improving and adapting to new ways of how we better serve our residents," Mayor LaToya Cantrell said. "The NOLA Affordable and Resilient Homes Challenge demonstrates how we are leveraging green financial strategies and technologies for key climate projects that will lead to a more resilient and sustainable city. We are excited to see our local businesses, entrepreneurs and developers collaborate to bring more climate-friendly, affordable housing to our community. These types of innovative partnerships are helping build a better, cleaner, greener and brighter future for our people."

One of the ways in which this Challenge is novel is that it includes a community and stakeholder engagement phase, commencing this month, to embed meaningful local input in solution selection and deployment. Elemental and Finance New Orleans will partner with the National Association of Local Housing Finance Authorities (NALHFA) and other local housing authorities to advise on this challenge. In addition, the Coalition of Green Capital (CGC) will work with Elemental and Finance New Orleans to amplify best practices from the Challenge across its broad network of state and local green banks, CDFIs and other finance institutions.

"Building strong communities through homeownership is crucial as we address the pressing challenges of climate change, housing affordability and energy costs," Finance New Orleans CEO Damon Burns said. "This partnership with Elemental is yet another step forward in serving the New Orleans community and setting an example for other local and national housing finance organizations to innovate in the ways we drive sustainable solutions for the challenges we face today."

"Elemental is thrilled to invest with Finance New Orleans in a way that brings innovation to communities and improves health and affordability," Elemental Excelerator COO Avra van der Zee said. "This moment requires new, creative ways to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency so that families can truly benefit, and we're excited to launch the first of many such collaborations around the country."

"We are honored to support this Innovation Challenge as a prime example of how our nationwide network can accelerate green technology and increase energy abundance by, for and with communities," Coalition for Green Capital Executive Director & COO Eli Hopson said.

"Accelerating the adoption of environmentally friendly affordable housing solutions not only creates more resilient and eco-friendly communities but it also helps local economies and increases job growth by leveraging public and private funds to increase earnings, increase tax revenue and put people to work. NALHFA-member Finance New Orleans and its partners are leading the way in creating replicable models for affordable homes that are also resilient and sustainable  we look forward to bringing this type of innovation to our nationwide network," National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies President and Executive Vice President & COO of Invest Atlanta Dawn Arnold said.

As Elemental and Finance New Orleans deepen this collaboration, they look forward to co-creating climate innovation strategies with New Orleanians to achieve lasting positive impact for housing development, economic growth and community resilience. To learn more and get involved, sign up here to help shape the future of sustainable housing in New Orleans.

About Finance New Orleans

Finance New Orleans is a housing and development finance agency serving all New Orleanians to better our community. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in New Orleans by directly investing in the creation of affordable housing and economic development projects that produce quality jobs and wealth for residents.

About Elemental Excelerator

Elemental is a nonprofit investor in climate technologies with deep community impact. We bring more than a decade of experience across the climate sector, with an active and maturing portfolio of 150+ companies. Elemental fills two gaps fundamental to addressing climate change: funding projects for climate technologies in communities and embedding equity and access into climate solutions. We invest in transformative technologies to create a systems change for a more resilient, equitable future.

Contact: [email protected].

SOURCE Elemental Excelerator
DUBLIN , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Europe Space Carbon Fiber Composite Market: Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Europe space carbon fiber composite market was valued at $124.6 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $487.1 million. The market for space carbon fiber composites is anticipated to experience growth primarily due to several key factors. This includes the rising demand for lightweight small satellites, especially for communication and Earth observation purposes. The commercial space sector's expansion and the emergence of reusable launch vehicles are also significant drivers of this market's growth trajectory. Moreover, advancements in manufacturing techniques and materials play a pivotal role in propelling market expansion.



The European space carbon fiber composite market is poised for significant growth driven by several compelling factors. One of the primary drivers is the increasing demand for small satellites designed with a lightweight profile, particularly for applications in communication and Earth observation. Carbon fiber composites provide the ideal material solution for reducing satellite weight, enhancing payload capacity, and optimizing overall performance.



Furthermore, the booming commercial space sector in Europe is contributing to the market's expansion. Private companies and startups are actively participating in space exploration and satellite deployment, leading to a growing need for advanced materials like carbon fiber composites.



The development of reusable launch vehicles is another noteworthy factor fostering market growth. These vehicles require lightweight yet durable materials, making carbon fiber composites a preferred choice.



Advancements in manufacturing technologies and materials, particularly in Europe, are bolstering the production and adoption of space carbon fiber composites, further driving the market's upward trajectory. With these factors in play, the European space carbon fiber composite market is poised for remarkable development, offering opportunities for innovation and progress in the aerospace industry.

Key Market Dynamics

Drivers

Increase in the Demand for Satellites

Growing Number of Deep Space Exploration Programs

Increase in the Utilization of Carbon Fiber Composite in Small Launch Vehicles

Challenges

High Production Costs

Utilization of Alternate Materials

Opportunities

Opportunities for Satellite Manufacturers

Opportunities in the Launch Vehicle Manufacturing

Opportunities in Deep Space Exploration

Market Segmentation

Segmentation by Application

Satellites

Launch Vehicles

Deep Space Exploration

Segmentation by Country

France

Germany

Russia

U.K.

Rest-of- Europe

Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis

Airborne

CarboSpaceTech GmbH

Oxeon AB

Peak Technology

RUAG Group

SGL Carbon SE

Key Topics Covered:



1 Markets

1.1 Industry Outlook

1.1.1 Composite Materials for Space Applications: Overview

1.1.2 Trends Fueling Space Carbon Fiber Composite Market

1.1.3 Ongoing and Upcoming Programs

1.1.3.1 European Union Space Carbon Project

1.1.3.2 NASA's Super Lightweight Aerospace Composites (SAC)

1.1.3.3 Oak Ridge National Laboratory Carbon-Carbon Composites

1.1.4 Key Composite Suppliers

1.2 Business Dynamics

1.2.1 Business Drivers

1.2.1.1 Increase in the Demand for Satellites

1.2.1.2 Growing Number of Deep Space Exploration Programs

1.2.1.3 Increase in the Utilization of Carbon Fiber Composite in Small Launch Vehicles

1.2.2 Business Challenges

1.2.2.1 High Production Costs

1.2.2.2 Utilization of Alternate Materials

1.2.3 Business Strategies

1.2.4 Business Strategies

1.2.4.1 New Product Launch

1.2.5 Corporate Strategies

1.2.5.1 Partnerships

1.2.6 Business Opportunities

1.2.6.1 Opportunities for Satellite Manufacturers

1.2.6.2 Opportunities in the Launch Vehicle Manufacturing

1.2.6.3 Opportunities in Deep Space Exploration



2 Europe

2.1 Space Carbon Fiber Composite Market (by Region)

2.2 Europe

2.2.1 Markets

2.2.2 Application

2.2.3 Europe (by Country)

2.2.3.1 Germany

2.2.3.2 France

2.2.3.3 Russia

2.2.3.4 U.K.

2.2.3.5 Rest-of-Europe



3 Markets - Competitive Benchmarking & Company Profiles

3.1 Market Share Analysis

3.2 Composite Companies

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/x902b2

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
BOSTON, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DYNE Maritime, a $100M Series A focused, dual-use venture fund announced today that the former Australian Prime Minister, the Honorable Scott J. Morrison has joined their strategic advisory board. Mr. Morrison, the founding principal in the conceptualization and formation of AUKUS, will be an invaluable asset to DYNE as the fund looks to catalyze innovation and national security know-how to partner with the next generation of defense and commercial technology companies.

On the international stage, Prime Minister Morrison was the architect of the landmark AUKUS trilateral defense agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States that secured coveted access to US nuclear submarine technology and was a founding member of the Quad Leaders Dialogue. During Morrison's term as Prime Minister, Australian defense spending increased to more than 2% of GDP and he updated Australia's defense strategy and security posture to address an increasingly assertive China. Mr. Morrison also established the first ever reciprocal access defense agreement with Japan and the first ever Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between ASEAN and any other country.

Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison joins DYNE as a Strategic Advisor Post this

Prior to becoming Prime Minister, Mr. Morrison held three Cabinet portfolios in the Australian Government from 2013-2018 serving as Federal Treasurer, Minister for Social Social Services and Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Mr. Morrison first entered the Australian Parliament as the Federal Member for Cook in 2007.

DYNE founder Tom Hennessey, a Navy Intelligence Officer and surface warfare expert who spent six years on active duty (veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom) and also spent time conducting technology evaluation and support to USSOCOM, said: "Having the actual architect of the agreement is a huge show of strength for the alliance; this is bigger than any one country or any one firm. AUKUS' Pillar II is about leveraging the strengths of each participant and utilizing the best of private markets to catalyze advanced capabilities in the Indo-Pacific for the public good. We're honored to have Mr. Morrison aboard so we can fully capitalize on innovation across geographies and do our part to bring critical technologies to market."

Mr. Morrison's acceptance to join DYNE's advisory board helps cement DYNE's footing as the first maritime-focused dual-use fund investing in early-stage technology companies. We are excited for a strong 2024, one which will enable growth by uniting technology, policy, and markets to give the free world the greatest advantages possible.

SOURCE DYNE Ventures
Trailblazing leader to bring unparalleled public sector and impact investment expertise to Chicago-based next generation private investment firm

CHICAGO, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Deval Patrick, former two-term governor of Massachusetts and impact investment leader, has joined The Vistria Group as Senior Advisor. Patrick will leverage his expertise across fundraising, deal sourcing, and portfolio performance to further The Vistria Group's goals of achieving both strong financial returns and significant social impact. Patrick is a pioneer in impact investing, having launched Bain Capital Double Impact, the first such fund in a major investment firm, in 2015 after leaving the governor's office.

"As a true believer in impact investing, a long-time friend of the firm, and a Chicago native, I'm excited by the opportunity to work with The Vistria Group," Patrick said. "Like the founders, I believe that private capital should be the engine for innovation and prosperity, and that's what The Vistria Group is all about. I look forward to working with the team to build upon their impressive record of generating superior outcomes for investors and broader stakeholders alike."

Patrick brings extensive public and private sector experience to The Vistria Group. After serving as a staff attorney at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, a partner in two Boston law firms, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the Justice Department in the Clinton administration, and a senior executive at both Texaco and Coca-Cola, Patrick was elected governor of Massachusetts in 2006. In his two terms as the governor of Massachusetts, Patrick focused on job growth, healthcare expansion, education reform, improving transportation infrastructure, and far-reaching climate initiatives. Under his leadership, the commonwealth emerged from the Great Recession with nation-leading outcomes in employment, healthcare coverage, student achievement and energy efficiency. More recently, in addition to his work at Bain Capital, Patrick has been a Professor of Practice and Co-director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School.

"Governor Patrick shares our strong conviction that private capital is an essential lever to help build a thriving economy and society. Since our founding in 2013, our focus has been building value in sectors that are at the intersection of the public and private sectors including healthcare, knowledge and learning solutions, financial services and housing. Governor Patrick's experience will be invaluable in driving outsized social impact in these areas," said Marty Nesbitt, The Vistria Group's Co-CEO and Senior Partner.

"We're excited to welcome Governor Patrick to our team  someone whose private and public sector work represents the bold, innovative and transparent leadership we foster at The Vistria Group. Attracting leaders who are passionate about long-term value creation and community is essential to our next decade of growth," said Kip Kirkpatrick, The Vistria Group's Co-CEO and Senior Partner.

Deval Patrick was raised on Chicago's South Side. As an eighth grader, he earned a scholarship to a boarding school outside Boston and eventually graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School. He also clerked for a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Patrick is a Rockefeller Fellow, a Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute, the author of two books, and the recipient of twenty honorary degrees. He will split his time between western Massachusetts and Chicago where a block on Wabash Avenue where he was born and raised is named in his honor.

About The Vistria Group

The Vistria Group is building a new kind of private investment firm that seeks to deliver both financial returns and societal impact. It invests in essential industries like healthcare, knowledge and learning, financial services and real estate that deliver value for investors as well as communities, employees, and consumers. With over $11 billion in AUM, The Vistria Group works as a true partner with its portfolio companies, drawing on its deep sector knowledge, operational expertise, unique network, diverse team, and impact orientation to achieve transformational growth. To learn more about The Vistria Group's approach to investing, click here. For more information, please visit www.vistria.com.

SOURCE The Vistria Group
TAIPEI, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Taiwan-based Formosa Pharmaceuticals ("Formosa", 6838.TWO) announced today that the company has entered into a licensing agreement with CRISTALIA PRODUTOS QUIMICOS FARMACEUTICOS LTDA ("Cristalia"), for exclusive Brazilian rights to the commercialization of APP13007 (clobetasol propionate ophthalmic nanosuspension, 0.05%) for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. APP13007 is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of March 4, 2024. The licensing deal includes upfront, development milestones, and sales royalties, with additional considerations throughout the term of the agreement.

APP13007's active ingredient is the superpotent corticosteroid, clobetasol propionate, and is derived from Formosa Pharma's proprietary APNT nanoparticle formulation platform. The novel formulation enables a convenient and straightforward dosing regimen (twice daily for 14 days) while providing rapid and sustained relief of inflammation and pain, which in Phase 3 trials proved statistically and clinically superior to its matching placebo (p<0.001). If approved, APP13007 will join in a potential and growing market in Brazil for topical ophthalmic steroids.

"We are honored to establish this partnership with Cristalia, with its storied history in Brazilian pharmaceuticals and expertise in eye health. Given their dedication to bringing innovation to the market, we are confident APP13007 will reach its potential in providing ophthalmologists and patients a powerful option in recovering from ocular surgery," said Erick Co, President and CEO of Formosa Pharmaceuticals.

Ricardo S. Pacheco, Chairman of Cristalia stated: "We are pleased to have entered into this agreement with our development partner, Formosa Pharmaceuticals. If approved, APP13007 will be an attractive new treatment option to ophthalmic surgeons and their patients in Latin America with a convenient posology. Once is approved, Cristalia will go full steam ahead with commercialization."

About Formosa Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Formosa Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (6838.TWO) is a clinical stage biotechnology company with primary focus in the areas of ophthalmology and oncology. The company's proprietary nanoparticle formulation technology (APNT), through which APP13007 was developed, improves the dissolution and bioavailability of APIs for topical, oral, and inhaler administration. Resulting formulations have high uniformity, purity, and stability, thereby allowing the utilization of poorly soluble or extremely potent drug agents which otherwise may face insurmountable challenges in delivery and penetration to target tissues. For more details about Formosa Pharma and APNT, visit www.formosapharma.com.

About Cristalia

Established 51 years ago, Cristalia Laboratory is a 100% Brazilian Pharmaceutical, Pharmochemical, Biotechnological, Research/Development/Innovation-based Industrial Complex. It is a pioneer in thoroughly executing a drug production chain, from its molecule design to the finished product. The company holds 127 patents  a national record  and is a market leader in anesthesia in Latin America. Occupying a forefront position when it comes to innovation, Cristalia produces 53% of the raw materials of its drugs at its Pharmacochemical plant. The company is present in over 95% of Brazilian hospitals, being an international reference in active substances and finished products exportation to over 30 countries. For the last 20 years, the company has been investing in biotechnology, owning some of Brazil's first private Biotech plants. Cristalia Group has about 5,000 colleagues. | www.cristalia.com.br.

SOURCE Formosa Pharmaceuticals Inc.
CBMAS Celebrates Beverage Marketing Excellence with New Categories, New Design Challenge, and Expands Outside of Beer

NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Craft Beer Marketing Awards (CBMAS), fondly known as The Crushies, proudly announces the commencement of its 2024 Awards Season, and marks a significant milestone as they enter their fifth year of competition. The CBMAS is open for submissions from creative minds in the craft beverage industry worldwide, including craft beverage makers, their agencies, artists, and marketing partners.

Global Competition, The Craft Beer Marketing Awards (CBMAS), Marks its Fifth Season with Exciting Innovations

Founded in 2019 by Jim McCune, Jackie DiBella-Curry, and Ernie Canadeo of The EGC Group, CBMAS has evolved into the first international awards program dedicated exclusively to recognizing the artistry and creative marketing and branding endeavors that brewers, designers, and agencies bring to the craft beverages industry. These efforts play a pivotal role in distinguishing their product within the retail marketplace.

None of this would be possible without the generous support of this year's presenting sponsor, The BevPros  a company of DHL that provides the beverage industry with keg management and beverage supply chain expertise.

What's New for the 2024 Award Season:

Global-Only Categories

The CBMAS has transitioned to a fully global competition, eliminating regional distinctions and enabling all entrants to vie for the title of the world's best in their respective categories. The judging process relies on a robust and transparent digital scoring system, assessed by a distinguished panel of more than 600 international experts in beverage, marketing, and design.

"We did away with local regions, now every entry competes against others like it submitted from anywhere in the world. I believe this change will fuel the creativity and innovation of an already fierce competition." Jim McCune, Co-founder, CBMAS

Global Crushies will be awarded exclusively to the top performer in each category, with Platinum and Gold Crushies recognizing those who achieve the next highest-ranked scores. The full list of categories can be explored on the official website here.

Compete by Beverage-Type

Acknowledging the expanding world of craft beverages, CBMAS invites entries from beyond craft beer, now hard seltzer, non-alcoholic beer, ready-to-drink cocktails (RTD), and cider/mead can compete exclusively within their own beverage type, and not against each other.

Isuzu Beer Truck Design Competition

CBMAS partners with Isuzu Commercial Truck of America for an exciting new free category. Design a beer truck wrap celebrating craft beer for a chance to see it displayed on Isuzu's Ultimate Craft Beer Truck at the 2024 Craft Brewers Conference in Las Vegas! Designer wins bragging rights and (4) CBC event passes!

"Isuzu is proud to collaborate with the CBMAS, and sponsor the celebration of craft beer's creativity!" Brian Tabel Assistant Vice-President, Marketing. "Our Ultimate Craft Beer Truck will make a great canvas to show off the creative muscle in the industry during the 2024 Craft Brewers Conference. Cheers to all the creators who drive our industry forward in style!"

Crushie Winners Map for Consumers

A new feature this season, the Crushie Winners Map aims to drive foot traffic to award-winning brands by boosting exposure to their business location to consumers.

"Our vision behind the new Crushie Winners Map is to help craft enthusiasts uncover exciting new beverage brands from within our Crushie winners universe." Jackie DiBella-Curry, Co-founder, CBMAS

Consumers can explore and plan visits to award-winning locations at crushiesmap.com.

CBMAS Competition Timeline

Early Bird Entry Period: October 9, 2023 , through November 27, 2023

, through Full Entry Period: October 9, 2023 , through February 5, 2024

, through Judging: March 6, 2024 , through April 11, 2024

, through Winners Announced: Week of April 21-24 during the Craft Brewers Conference

The live-streamed awards ceremony is scheduled during the 2024 Craft Brewers Conference in Las Vegas, NV in April, and entries are open to marketing professionals in the brewing industry, including hard seltzer, RTD, cider/mead worldwide.

During the 2023 CBMAS award season, which was the largest to date, a remarkable 320 Crushie Awards were bestowed upon outstanding brewers, designers, and marketing agencies from across the globe. This momentous occasion unfolded during a live ceremony hosted at the Craft Brewers Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, in May.

In anticipation of the forthcoming awards, the next presentation will take place at the conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, scheduled for April. The esteemed "Crushie" trophy, ingeniously crafted as a fully functional tap handle, is a testament to industry craftsmanship and proudly manufactured in the United States by Steel City Taps.

About Craft Beer Marketing Awards

Established in 2019, the Craft Beer Marketing Awards (CBMAS) is committed to recognizing excellence in marketing within the craft beverage industry. From "Best Can Label Design" to "Coolest Taproom" and "Best Website" to "Best Original Videos," CBMAS offers a platform to showcase outstanding work across all facets of craft beverage marketing. For more information, please visit the official website at thecrushies.com

Press Contact:

Jackie DiBella

516-241-3972

http://www.craftbeermarketingawards.com

SOURCE Craft Beer Marketing Awards
CLEVELAND, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Embrace Pet Insurance, a leading provider of pet health insurance for dogs and cats in the United States, is proud to announce a significant milestone insuring 500,000 pets across the nation. Since selling its first policy to a cat named Lily in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, on October 10, 2006, Embrace has grown significantly as a business, marking a journey of development and dedication to pets and pet parents for the past 17 years.

One of the keys to Embrace's success is its dedication to customer satisfaction. Embrace prioritizes efficient claims processing, having handled over 4.6 million claims to date, including more than 1 million in 2023 alone. Embrace's Apollo AI claims processing technology speeds up claims processing by 75% compared to traditional methods, ensuring customers receive their reimbursements faster. In fact, Embrace's claims team was involved in another milestone for Embrace in 2023the largest single claim covered in the company's history--$48,534 for a mixed breed dog with aspiration pneumonia and pyloric valve repair.

Embrace's achievements are part of a larger trend in the rapidly growing pet insurance market. In 2021, NAPHIA reported the industry's total in-force premiums in North America reached about $2.84 billion USD, which was over a 30.5% increase from 2020. The growth trend continued into 2022, with the industry experiencing a 23.5% increase in revenue compared to 2021.

"Today marks a significant chapter in Embrace Pet Insurance's story as we celebrate insuring our 500,000th pet," said Brian Macias, CEO of Embrace Pet Insurance. "It's more than just a number for us; it represents half a million stories of love, care, and commitment to the wellbeing of pets across the country. Our dedication to providing peace of mind to pet parents with our comprehensive coverage plans remains unwavering. We believe every pet deserves the best care, and we're here to ensure they receive it."

In a tribute to Lily, the first pet insured by Embrace, the company is donating $5,000 to Stay-A-While Cat Shelter in North Royalton, Ohio. This gesture honors Lily's memory and Embrace's ongoing commitment to the welfare of pets, aligning with the company's core values.

For more information about Embrace Pet Insurance, visit EmbracePetInsurance.com or call (800) 660-3817.

###

About Embrace Pet Insurance

Embrace Pet Insurance, a top-rated pet health insurance provider for dogs and cats in the United States, offers one simple yet comprehensive accident and illness insurance plan. In addition to insurance, Embrace offers Wellness Rewards, a non-insurance, optional preventative care product that is unique to the industry. Wellness Rewards reimburses for routine veterinary visits, grooming, vaccinations, training, and much more, with no itemized limitations. Embrace has received numerous accolades for customer and employee satisfaction, including being named the top pet insurance provider on the Forbes list of America's Best Insurance Companies 2022 and receiving the Great Place to Work certification. Embrace is a proud member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) and continues to innovate and improve the pet insurance experience for pet parents across the country. Embrace Pet Insurance is a privately held organization, backed by JAB Holding Company.

For more information about Embrace Pet Insurance, visit EmbracePetInsurance.com or call (800) 660-3817.

SOURCE Embrace Pet Insurance
NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hudini, a leader in digital transformation solutions for the hospitality industry has been appointed by SH Hotels & Resorts, an affiliate of global private investment firm Starwood Capital Group, that operates 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels and Treehouse Hotels, to streamline services and deliver exceptional guest experiences through a new innovative custom mobile app.

Hudini provides SH Hotels & Resorts with a new brand App to elevate the hotel guest journey

Hudini has developed iOS and Android guest facing apps for each of SH Hotels & Resorts' three iconic brands: 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotel, and Treehouse Hotels. Using a proprietary middleware engine that integrates key hotel systems, the guest facing app supports the entire guest journey from pre-check in to post-check out. It does so while enabling personalized services and increased guest engagement as well as simplifying backend processes to improve operational efficiency and sustainability.

The Hudini app enables guests to skip the front desk and check in directly. It also doubles as a guest room mobile key and TV remote. Guests can place in-room dining orders through the app's dynamic menu, which provides information about the hotels' sustainably produced farm-to-table dishes; it also lets guests customize their meals with locally sourced ingredients. By leveraging data, the digital platform delivers a more intuitive and immersive experience for each guest as well as provides revenue generating opportunities with upsell options from booking to ordering room service.

Each SH Hotels & Resorts' brand is distinctive, and the technology ensures that guests can explore and enjoy everything that makes these hotels unique. For example, 1 Hotels have high standards of sustainability at its nature-inspired properties, Baccarat Hotels' sophisticated design is based on the rich history of the crystal brand, and Treehouse Hotels recreate the playful and carefree comforts of childhood. By implementing Hudini's digital platform, all the hotel brands can enhance their guest engagement and services.

Hudini can also deliver these services as a web-based app with full functionality if guests don't want to download an app. Hudini's solution is operated in a multi-tenant model that can be either cloud based or on-prem and is priced on a per room, per month basis.

Prince Thampi, Founder & CEO of Hudini, says, "The result is thoughtful, custom tailored experiences that guests will love coming back for. SH Hotels & Resorts fully recognized the potential of emerging hospitality technology and had a very clear vision in approaching us - driving great experiences for guests at their hotels. These experiences will only become more personalized as the technology evolves, and we're excited to partner with them in this transformation."

Denise Walker, Chief Information Officer, SH Hotels & Resorts, says, "The 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels and Treehouse Hotels mobile applications, powered by Hudini, provide seamless interactions, personalized services and robust features that align perfectly with our strategy to redefine hospitality in the digital era. The new customer journey and accompanying mobile app is a tremendous achievement that reflects our commitment to provide unique, elevated, and personalized experiences to our guests."

About SH Hotels & Resorts

SH Hotels & Resorts, an affiliate of global private investment firm Starwood Capital Group, is a sustainable hotel brand management company that operates 1 Hotels, a nature-inspired lifestyle brand that launched in 2015 with properties in South Beach and Manhattan and now includes Brooklyn Bridge, West Hollywood, Sanya (China), Toronto, San Francisco, Nashville, the recently opened Hanalei Bay flagship property and the brand's first European property in Mayfair (London) with projects in development in Cabo San Lucas, Paris, Elounda Hills (Crete), Austin, Copenhagen, Riyadh and Melbourne; Baccarat Hotels & Resorts, a luxury brand that made its debut in March 2015 with the opening of its flagship property in New York, with projects under development in Brickell (Miami), Florence, Riyadh, Dubai and Rome; and Treehouse Hotels, which premiered in London in 2019 and with projects under development in Manchester, Sunnyvale, Brickell (Miami), Riyadh and Adelaide (Australia). Leveraging its marketing, design, operational and technological expertise, SH Hotels & Resorts is the force behind some of the most groundbreaking and dynamic hotel brands in the world.

About Hudini

Hudini is the leading digital transformation platform for the hospitality industry. Powered by a proprietary middleware and an omnichannel (App, Web, TV) guest interface that leverages data + AI to increase guest engagement and hotel revenues, Hudini delivers an enhanced guest experience. Through its 100+ pre-built integrations across all functionalities, Hudini delivers personalised, immersive guest experiences that enable guests to communicate, control and interact with hotels closer than ever before. Working with over 400 hotels across 25 countries, Hudini is fast becoming the industry benchmark for digital transformation in the hospitality industry. To learn more about Hudini, visit www.hudini.io .

SOURCE Hudini
NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Human Insulin Drugs Market in Brazil report has been added to Technavio's offering. The human insulin drugs market in Brazil is estimated to grow by USD 181.76 million during 2023-2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.5%. Demographic transition is a key driver for the growth. The country has witnessed a shift from communicable to non-communicable diseases, with the latter now being a leading cause of mortality. The prevalence of type I diabetes, affecting individuals at a young age, is significant, offering opportunities. However, the challenges are due to the high cost of human insulin drugs. With a rising prevalence of diabetes and hypertension, financial constraints among a considerable portion of the population hinder access to these drugs, affecting patient adherence in Brazil. For Comprehensive details on the size of the historical period and forecast period - View a FREE Sample Report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Human Insulin Drugs Market in Brazil 2024-2028

"The increasing initiatives by companies emerge as leading trends fueling the growth", says a senior analyst at Technavio.

Technavio has identified key trends, drivers, and challenges, which will help clients improve their strategies to stay ahead of their competitors. - View a Sample Report



The human insulin drugs market in Brazil is concentrated; the vendors are competing with competitors and are trying to get a greater share. The market is growing, and the chances of new entrants cannot be overlooked. The major vendors have well-established economies of scale and presence and generally rely on positioning technological advances, and the price of the products -The report provides a full list of key vendors, their strategies, and the latest developments. Buy Now

The human insulin drugs market in Brazil report includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors including Becton Dickinson and Co., Biocon Ltd., Biomm, Eli Lilly and Co., Empreendimentos Pague Menos SA, Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries, MannKind Corp., Medtronic Plc, Merck and Co. Inc., Novartis AG, Novo Nordisk AS, Sanofi SA, and Wockhardt Ltd.

The report includes competitive analysis, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their industry position score and performance score. The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in share, among others.

Based on the Product,

The basal insulin analog segment is poised for significant share growth in Brazil's Human Insulin Drugs Market. Essential for insulin replacement therapy, basal analogs play a crucial role in maintaining constant insulin levels for normalized blood glucose, offering improved therapeutic outcomes with longer duration, predictability, and reduced hypoglycemia.

Factors Shaping the Growth

The market is characterized by the dominance of insulin analogs such as Glargine, Lispro, Aspart, and Detemir. Major players like Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, and Eli Lilly contribute significantly. The industry includes insulin pumps, and pen needles, and emphasizes diabetes management in both Type 1 and Type 2 patients. Factors like the Public Health System (SUS), the private healthcare sector, regulatory oversight by Anvisa, and healthcare expenditure shape the growth. Patient education programs, clinical trials, and evolving trends impact access and reimbursement policies, with a focus on pharmacoeconomics and local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Related Reports:

The Global Insulin Pump Market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 16.25% between 2022 and 2027. The size is forecast to increase by USD 5,465.96 million.

The global insulin market size is estimated to grow by USD 1,662.41 million between 2022 and 2027 accelerating at a CAGR of 1.77%.

ToC

Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Segmentation by Product

7 Segmentation by Application

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 trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their 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 insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The information and communications technology services in education market size to grow by USD 89.72 billion from 2023 to 2028, progressing at a CAGR of 9.42% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall environment. AdEPT Technology Group plc, Adobe Inc., Apple Inc., Blackboard Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., D2L Corp., Dell Technologies Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Gaia Technologies Plc, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Infosys Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Larsen and Toubro Ltd., Lenovo Group Ltd., Microsoft Corp., Oracle Corp., Promethean World Ltd., Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., Zunesis Inc., Bell Techlogix Inc., and Joskos Solutions Ltd. are the key companies.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Information and Communications Technology Services in Education Market 2024-2028

Here is an Exclusive report talking about Market scenarios. Download a Free Sample Report in minutes!

Adobe Inc - The company offers Adobe Creative Cloud to help students develop skills needed in K-12, higher education, and the modern workforce.

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform

The rising investments are key factors driving the growth. Governments in developed and developing nations are significantly increasing their spending on (ICT) in educational institutions due to technological advancements and heightened student competition. Additionally, government initiatives like India's Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) focus on establishing smart schools and enhancing ICT skills among secondary-stage students.

The increasing adoption of DevOps is a major trend in the growth.

is a major trend in the growth. The lack of skilled IT professionals in educational institutes is one of the key challenges hindering growth.

The market cover the following areas:

The market analysis include End-user, Component, and geography landscape. This study identifies the growing demand for software-defined infrastructure, Increasing adoption of DevOps in the education market, and rising demand for application outsourcing as the prime reasons driving the information and communications technology services in the education market growth during the next few years.

The pre K-12 segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Schools worldwide use a range of information and communications technology tools for communication, content creation, storage, and management. Modern technologies like adaptive learning, learning analytics, and support systems such as learning and content management systems have led to increased adoption of cloud computing. This trend, including the rise of software as a Service (SaaS), drives growth, with many companies offering cloud-based solutions to schools.

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 Sample Report

Impact of ICT Services on Education: Transforming Learning Through Technology

ICT services in education sector, such as e-learning platforms and LMS, offer numerous benefits, including improved accessibility, interactive learning experiences, and personalized education. Cloud-based solutions enable flexible and scalable infrastructure, while video conferencing tools facilitate remote learning. Mobile apps and adaptive learning tech enhance engagement, and VR/AR tools provide immersive learning environments. AI-powered systems and educational ERP streamline administrative tasks. Cybersecurity and IoT ensure a secure and connected learning environment, while 3D printing and blockchain drive innovation. Digital accessibility tools and open-source resources foster inclusive education, shaping the future of learning.

Related Reports

The microlearning market size is forecast to increase by USD 4,028.21 million a CAGR of 17.95% between 2023 and 2028.

The education consulting market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.78% between 2023 and 2028. The size is forecast to increase by USD 771.98 million.

ToC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Historic Sizes

Five Forces Analysis

Segmentation by End-user

Segmentation by Component

Segmentation by Geography

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Drivers, Challenges, & Trends

Company Landscape

Company Analysis

Appendix

About US

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their 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 insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential and assess their competitive positions within changing 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
KYODO NEWS - Jan 26, 2024 - 20:52 | All, Japan

The number of foreigners entering Japan jumped about six-fold from the previous year to 25.83 million in 2023, following the end of COVID-19 border control measures in April, data from the Immigration Services Agency showed Friday.

With the return of inbound tourists, foreign entries to Japan have recovered to 80 percent of their highest-ever recorded level of 31.19 million, logged in the pre-pandemic year of 2019, the data showed.

The short-term stay visa, issued for purposes such as tourism and business trips, was the most common permit to be issued at around 23.13 million, surging eight times from the previous year.

About 180,000 foreign nationals received the technical intern training visa, the second highest, followed by student visa at around 130,000, according to the data.

Entrants with visas for engineer/specialist in humanities/international services, and specified skilled workers, launched in 2019 to compensate for labor shortages in Japan, also contributed to the surge in foreign entries with over 40,000 each.

Foreign nationals with those visas are allowed to work in Japan over a mid- to long-term period.

By country and region, South Koreans were the national group to be issued the highest number of visas at around 6.81 million, a seven-fold increase from the previous year, followed by entrants from Taiwan at around 4.07 million and Hong Kong at about 2.03 million.

The number of Japanese nationals who went overseas in 2023 more than tripled from a year earlier to over 9.62 million, but the figure was less than half of the record 20.08 million logged in 2019.

Related coverage:

Japan's foreign worker population tops 2 million for first time

FOCUS: Tokyo bus operator banks on foreign drivers as shortage looms

Foreign visitors to Japan in 2023 jump over sixfold to 25.07 mil.
HSINCHU, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and Intel Taiwan have inaugurated the ITRI-Intel Joint Lab for HPC Cooling Certification. This facility is dedicated to the development and validation of industrial immersion cooling solutions for high-performance computing. Targeting liquid cooling technology, the lab offers comprehensive verification services, including materials property testing, compatibility assessments with server components, and service life cycle evaluations. A letter of intent was signed between Intel Taiwan and ITRI.

The ITRI-Intel Joint Lab for HPC Cooling Certification focuses on developing and validating industrial immersion cooling solutions for high-performance computing.

Dr. Shih-Chieh Chang, General Director of Electronic and Optoelectronic System Research Laboratories at ITRI, emphasized the critical need for enhancing data center efficiency while reducing energy consumption. "According to the International Energy Agency, the energy consumption of data centers around the world ranged from 0.9% to 1.3% of total electricity consumption in 2022, with carbon emissions accounting for 0.3%. The global proliferation of data centers, driven by the surging demand for data volume and transmission speed, underscores the urgency of our mission," he stated.

Tzong-Ming Lee, Vice Present President and General Director of Material and Chemical Research Laboratories of ITRI, states that compared to the conventional data center devices, the immersion cooling technology can dissipate the heat from components to liquid coolant with no other active cooling devices, which could reduce 45% of the carbon emission and become one of the best heat dissipation options. ITRI is developing the single-phase immersion coolant technology with the features of extremely low energy consumption and fluoride-free, aligning with the requirements of EU legislation.

Grace Wang, Intel Vice President in the Sales, Marketing and Communications Group and General Manager of Intel Taiwan, affirmed Intel's commitment to sustainable solutions for enterprises. "Our recently launched Open IP Immersion Cooling Solutions were designed to enhance operational efficiency. As a leader in data center innovation, Intel is collaborating with ITRI to explore further advanced immersion cooling technology. ITRI's active support in providing real-world machine verification and testing platforms will facilitate the industrial adoption of the technology. Through this collaboration, we aspire to promote advanced cooling solutions within Taiwan's supply chain, contributing to the realization of sustainable data centers."

About ITRI

Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is one of the world's leading technology R&D institutions aiming to innovate a better future for society. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan's industries from labor-intensive into innovation-driven. To address market needs and global trends, it has launched its 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap that focuses on innovation development in Smart Living, Quality Health, Sustainable Environment, and Resilient Society.

Over the years, ITRI has been dedicated to incubating startups and spinoffs, including well-known names such as UMC and TSMC. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branch offices in the U.S., Europe, and Japan in an effort to extend its R&D scope and promote international cooperation across the globe. For more information, please visit https://www.itri.org/eng.

Media Contact

Alex Chang

Office of Marketing Communications, ITRI

+886-3-591-8165

[email protected].tw

SOURCE Industrial Technology Research Institute
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This Valentine's Day, LA's new Kakkoi Sushi is rewriting the love story! We believe that every heart, whether paired or flying solo, deserves a celebration on Valentine's Day.

Introducing Kakkoi's Valentine's Day Packages for one  a testament that solo celebrations can be just as sweet. Priced at an affordable $39 each, these packages are designed to bring joy to those flying solo on February 14th.

Love Bites Package

Choose between miso soup or seaweed salad. Enjoy five pieces of the gluten-free Nasu Maki Roll, a fusion of Philadelphia cream cheese, mango covered in seared salmon; Citrus Roll; a combination of crab and cucumber covered in tuna and dressed with yuzu koshu sauce and lime juice; selection of 2 pieces of salmon or tuna sashimi and 2 pieces of salmon nigiri. Dessert is a heart-shaped chocolate cake.

Solo Soiree Package

Choose between miso soup or a seaweed salad. 5 pieces each of our Philadelphia Roll, a fusion of nori, rice, creamy Philadelphia cheese, cucumbers, avocado, salmon and topped with salmon caviar, our gluten-free Karaya Roll; salmon, tuna, yellowtail, cucumber, covered in avocado, California Crab Roll; crab, cucumber, and avocado. Topped with black tobiko caviar. The finale is a heart-shaped chocolate cake.

"I believe that everyone deserves a taste of love, whether solo or paired." Said Chef/Owner Ole Tsoy

Available for ordering on Postmates, Door Dash, and Uber Eats, these packages can be delivered straight to your doorstep on Wednesday, February 14, between 11:30 AM and 9 PM.

For media inquiries, contact:

Brad Saltzman

[email protected]

323-844-0096

www.kakkoi.la

IG: @kakkoi.la

About Kakkoi Sushi

Kakkoi Sushi, having just debuted last week in the vibrant culinary landscape of Los Angeles, brings an exciting fusion of Russian and European influences to the city's sushi scene. Chef Ole Tsoy, renowned for her successful fusion sushi restaurant in Barcelona, has planted the Kakkoi flag in Los Angeles, tantalizing taste buds with a unique blend of flavors. As we eagerly search for our permanent brick-and-mortar home in LA's Westside, Kakkoi Sushi is currently available exclusively for delivery on Postmates, Door Dash, and Uber Eats from our kitchen in West Hollywood, CA, ensuring our delectable creations reach your doorstep from Tuesday through Sunday, 11:30 AM to 9 PM.

SOURCE Kakkoi Sushi LLC
Levang v. Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity

Case: 2:24-cv-00316-MHW-KAJ



COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Alumnae of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority have filed a lawsuit, Levang et al. v. Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, et al., in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against Kappa's governing officials for alleged multiple violations of Kappa's governing rules, fraudulent activity, failure to abide by Ohio's free speech laws, defamation, and breaches of contracts. The suit is led by Independent Women's Network (IWN) members Patsy Levang and Cheryl Tuck-Smith, both of whom were removed from Kappa after more than 50 years of service to the sorority, for speaking against Kappa's hidden policy promoting the initiation of men despite the clear prohibition in Kappa's governing documents. Ms. Levang and Ms. Tuck-Smith are joined by Susan Jennings, Margo Knorr, Karen Pope, and Ann Witt as co-plaintiffs.

Independent Women's Law Center Director May Mailman, who is serving as co-counsel for the plaintiffs in Levang v. Kappa Kappa Gamma, said, "Kappa leadership continues to disrespect its members not only by denying them the single-sex organization they were promised, but by lashing out in hopes of silencing the truth. This violates Kappa's Bylaws and the basic freedoms women deserve." May also serves as lead counsel for Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnae file lawsuit, Levang v. Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, for subverting its sisterhood mission. Post this

Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnae issue the following statements on the filing of Levang v. Kappa Kappa Gamma:

Patsy Levang, esteemed past Kappa Kappa Gamma National Foundation President and member of Independent Women's Network: "As a prior foundation President of Kappa Kappa Gamma, I felt obligated to stand up for the young women in Wyoming. The current leadership in Kappa has deliberately engaged in a campaign to undermine the Bylaws of Kappa which harms not only these young women, but the entire organization. I'm not surprised that they also disregarded the value of lifetime membership and my 56 years of dedication by sending me a removal letter."

Margo Knorr, Kappa Kappa Gamma alumna, daughter of Levang, and Independent Women's Network North Dakota Chapter Leader: "It's hurtful that Kappa would oust Patsy and Cheryl in retaliation for supporting our sisters in Wyoming. At some point, to stand up for ourselves and for our beloved sorority, we need legal intervention. Women still have the right to say 'no' to any male being admitted into their sorority and uphold their organizational Bylaws in doing so."

Cheryl Tuck-Smith, long-time member and active contributor to Kappa Kappa Gamma and member of Independent Women's Network:

"Kappa Kappa Gamma has successfully promoted women and high standards for 150 years. It is incomprehensible that current leadership would discard that success by prioritizing men over women. I have learned through decades of experience how important it is to preserve and protect safe and secure places for women, which allow us to develop skills in leadership, community involvement, and maintaining lifetime bonds. Kappa must remain true to its existing mission, to support and promote women."

Kappa was formed in 1870, when collegiate men outnumbered women 5-to-1, as a single-sex organization for women. Kappa has maintained this single-sex status through its governing documents, which restrict membership to women only.

As described in the complaint, starting in 2015, Kappa's Fraternity Council (its governing body) unilaterally and deceptively took steps to broaden membership to men who identified as women. At no point did the Fraternity Council take the required steps to inform Kappa members of a change to the membership requirements, nor did they ever invite discussion or debate on the issue.

Moreover, the Fraternity Council continually demonstrated bias against women, in favor of men who identify as women. For example, the Fraternity Council admitted a male through its alumnae admission process and fast-tracked him to leadership despite his lacking the years of service to the sorority consistently required of female members.

The Fraternity Council also encouraged the admission of a male collegiate member whose grades did not meet Kappa's baseline requirements by bypassing the anonymous voting system required for female candidates.

All the while, Kappa leadership sought donations from alumnae based on representations that Kappa had not altered its mission and continued to promote sisterhood and a woman-only environment.

Kappa leadership then retaliated against Ms. Levang and Ms. Tuck-Smith who exposed these improper actions by removing them from membership and falsely accusing them of injuring Kappa and violating "human dignity."

This lawsuit follows on the heels of Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma , an Independent Women's Law Center suit, which is before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Yesterday, IWLC filed its final brief in Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma, demanding that Kappa Kappa Gamma leadership adhere to Kappa's governing documents, which limit membership to women. IWLC is representing six women in the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority who were forced to initiate a man into their chapter. Three groups filed briefs in support of IWLC, including 450+ Kappa alumnae and feminist organizations Women's Declaration International USA and Women's Liberation Front (WoLF) .

Direct all media inquiries to [email protected] .

www.iwlc.org

Independent Women's Law Center advocates for equal opportunity, individual liberty, and the continued legal relevance of biological sex.

www.iwnetwork.com

Independent Women's Network, a project of Independent Women's Voice, in partnership with Independent Women's Forum, is a positive, supportive community of engaged, informed, and activated women working together to inspire, interact, influence, and have impact.

SOURCE Independent Womens Network
Change will protect more pollinators, create more sustainable produce supply chain

CINCINNATI, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced a new goal to advance sustainability in its fresh produce supply chain, further protecting pollinators and biodiversity. Kroger will require all of its fresh produce suppliers to use Integrated Pest Management practices for all products supplied to Kroger by 2028 or 2030, based on the grower's size. Medium- to large-sized growers will be expected to meet the goal by the end of 2028, and small-sized growers by 2030.

"We depend on a healthy and resilient agriculture supply chain to keep bringing fresh, affordable food to more of America," said Lisa Zwack, head of sustainability for Kroger. "This new goal reflects Kroger's evolving approach to sustainability and resource conservation, including setting clear expectations with growers to support the transition to more sustainable fresh food production."

Protecting biodiversity is an important part of Kroger's community impact strategy, Thriving Together. By encouraging growers to use less pesticides, the company is taking meaningful steps to improve pollinator health outcomes. This work builds on Kroger's existing focus on conserving natural resources in our supply chain, including through our seafood sustainability and no-deforestation commitments.

Kroger worked with the Sustainable Food Group, a branch of IPM Institute of North America, to develop the goal and roadmap to compliance. The company also consulted current best practices and interviewed suppliers to ensure the goal was both impactful and achievable.

"We are incredibly proud to have supported Kroger in the development of this policy, which will drive positive outcomes for biodiversity, including pollinator and broader agroecosystem health through adoption of robust Integrated Pest Management and other sustainable agriculture practices across fresh produce supply chains," said Ariel Larson, Senior Project Manager at Sustainable Food Group.

Suppliers can comply by achieving one of the following certifications:

Bee Better

Biodynamic

Certified Sustainably Grown

Equitable Food Initiative

Fair Trade International

Fair Trade USA

GLOBAL G.A.P.

LEAF MARQUE

MPS-ABC

Rainforest Alliance

Regenerative Organic

Sustainable Food Group Sustainability Standard

USDA Organic, or international equivalents

Kroger will continue to expand its focus on sustainable agriculture, biodiversity and conservation. To take additional steps toward a more sustainable food system, the retailer will conduct a supply chain biodiversity risk assessment, pilot biodiversity metrics with row crop and specialty crop suppliers and conduct targeted climate risk assessments within its supply chain.

To learn more about Thriving Together, download Kroger's 2023 report.

About Kroger

At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. We are, across our family of companies nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names , serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.
NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LatinFinance's Deals of the Year Awards are the landmark recognition of stand-out transactions and institutions in the capital markets of Latin America and the Caribbean. This year's awards are based upon published results during the eligibility period of October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023. The winners were determined by LatinFinance's editorial panel following a thorough and independent judging process.

The full list of winners can be found in a special Deals of the Year supplement to LatinFinance magazine. Winners were recognized at LatinFinance's Capital Markets Dinner on January 25, 2024, in New York City.

Winning deals and institutions

Sovereign Issuer of the Year: United Mexican States

Corporate Issuer of the Year: Cemex

Sustainable Sovereign Issuer of the Year - Sovereign: Republic of Chile

Sustainable Corporate Issuer of the Year - Corporate: Grupo Bimbo

Sovereign Bond of the Year: Republic of Chile US$3 billion USD and EUR Sustainability-Linked Notes

Quasi-Sovereign Bond of the Year: Codelco US$2 billion Notes due 2034 & 2053

Corporate High-Grade Bond of the Year: JBS US$2.5 billion Dual-Tranche Notes due 2034 & 2053

Corporate High-Yield Bond of the Year: Cemex US$1 billion Green Subordinated Perpetual NC5 9.125% Notes

Sovereign ESG Deal of the Year: The Oriental Republic of Uruguay's inaugural US$1.5 billion 5.75% Sustainability-Linked Bond due 2034

Corporate ESG Deal of the Year: CMPC $500 million Hybrid Green & SLB

Sovereign Liability Management of the Year: Republic of Peru US$2.5 billion PEN 7.300% Sustainable Notes due 2033 and Exchange

Corporate Liability Management of the Year: Vale US$1.5 Billion 6.125% Notes due 2033 and Exchange

Subnational Deal of the Year: Companhia Paranaense de Energia (Copel) US$1 billion privatization

Initial Public Offering of the Year: Vesta US$445 million US IPO

Equity Follow-On of the Year: FEMSA Exchangeable Concurrent EUR 7 Billion Heineken ABOs

Private Equity Deal of the Year: GEB / Argo Acquisition of Brookfield energy assets

Cross-Border M&A Deal of the Year: VINCI airports Acquisition of OMA stake from Fintech Advisory

Domestic M&A Deal of the Year: Cosan Acquisition Financing of Vale Stake

Loan of the Year: TC Energy $2.3 billion Term Loan & Revolving Credit Facility

Financing Innovation of the Year: Republic of Ecuador US$656 million Galapagos marine conservation debt conversion

Corporate Restructuring of the Year: LATAM Airlines US$2.75 Billion Exit Financing Following Chapter 11

Financial Institution Deal of the Year: BBVA Mexico US$1 Billion Basel 3-compliant Tier 2 Subordinated Preferred Capital Notes

Sovereign Local Currency Deal of the Year: Dominican Republic US$1.25 billion DOP Notes due 2035 & Exchange

Corporate High-Grade Local Currency Deal of the Year: America Movil US$1 billion Global MXN 9.5% Sustainable Notes due 2031

Corporate High-Yield Local Currency Deal of the Year: Eletrobras R$ 7 Billion Sustainability Debentures

Structured Financing of the Year: Chile Electricity Lux MPC US$1.8 billion A/B facility and securitization

Law Firm of the Year - Mexico: Galicia Abogados

Law Firm of the Year - Brazil: Machado, Meyer, Sendacz e Opice Advogados

Law Firm of the Year - Argentina: TCA Tanoira Cassagne

Law Firm of the Year - Chile: Garrigues

Law Firm of the Year - Colombia: Brigard Urrutia

Law Firm of the Year - Peru: Miranda & Amado

Sustainable Law Firm of the Year: Allen & Overy

Law Firm of the Year - Latin America: Cleary Gottlieb

Investment Bank of the Year - Mexico: Bank of America

Investment Bank of the Year - Brazil: Itau BBA

Investment Bank of the Year - Chile: Scotiabank Chile

Investment Bank of the Year - Colombia: J.P. Morgan

Investment Bank of the Year - Peru: J.P. Morgan

Bond House of the Year: J.P. Morgan

M&A House of the Year: J.P. Morgan

Equity House of the Year: BofA Securities

Loan House of the Year: Citi

Investment Bank of the Year - Latin America: BofA Securities

Upcoming award nominations

Sign up to be notified when LatinFinance's 2024 awards nominations open at https://latinfinance.com/awards/

For more information about the selection process, visit https://latinfinance.com/2023-deals-of-the-year-awards/

About LatinFinance

LatinFinance is the leading global platform providing intelligence on the financial markets and economies of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Drawing on more than 30 years of editorial excellence, its English-language publications deliver high-value information to an international readership of companies, governments, financiers and investors, while its events convene those communities for high-level networking forums focused on the dynamics of those markets, by geography and sector.

Media contact: [email protected]

SOURCE LatinFinance
INTIMINA surveyed more than 2,000 girls to find out what they want and need

NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a time when Gen Z has become the focal point for numerous brands, there is a prevalent assumption that we understand how these young individuals think and what matters most to them. Gen Z is driven by purpose and world change. They are socially conscious and aim for success. As an intimate health brand, INTIMINA wanted to find out more about what young girls and women need and want in the complex tapestry of their lives - and has asked them directly.

Mental health and confidence - priorities for the girls of Generation Z

The results gave us a peek into the perspectives of young women belonging to Gen Z (13-20 years old), showing us what's important to them and their aspirations and providing valuable insights that might assist parents in better understanding and supporting their daughters.

INTIMINA's survey conducted on 2,003 girls aged 13-20 in the UK, Italy, France and Spain, shows that the most important aspects of life for Gen Z girls are confidence (63%) and mental health (62%), followed by body image (47%) and successful career (45%).

Mental health takes center stage for Gen Z girls, highlighting its significance in shaping their well-being and life experiences. For the surveyed girls, the best way of maintaining positive mental health is by talking to friends (60%), talking to family (51%), physical exercise (47%), and creative activities (art, writing etc.) (31%), seeking professional help when needed (22%) and talking to teachers, school counselors or mentors (14%).

Gen Z girls know they need many things to feel good about themselves. Whether it's a confidence boost or embracing a positive body image, they're looking for different sources to help them out. Mostly, they turn to friends (54%) and parents or family members (46%). Many find confidence in their personal achievements (38%) and positive affirmations (32%). Still, social media (26%) and role models (16%) play a significant role in helping girls feel confident and positive about their bodies, influencing how they perceive themselves in today's interconnected world.

Periods are a normal part of life, but there's still a lot of hush-hush around them. For Gen Z girls, it's essential to chat about how they feel talking about periods and break those taboos. INTIMINA's survey shows that there is a general openness towards this topic for young women, and 22% of respondents say menstruation is openly discussed, and they feel comfortable talking about it with everyone. 19% say that sometimes it's openly discussed, while other times, it's considered taboo. Many respondents (19%) appreciate the openness about menstruation in their social circles and feel at ease discussing it. Still, 11% feel menstruation is a private matter and should be discussed discreetly, while 11% think there is room for improvement in breaking the taboo around menstruation. Only 6% say menstruation is still seen as a taboo in their circles, and open discussions are limited.

Intimina's survey also shows what kinds of content or support girls find helpful in dealing with their current needs and concerns. 51% turn to conversations with family and friends, and 33% find support in personal stories and experiences others share. 31% use educational resources such as books, articles, short videos, or webinars. 27% use access to mental health resources and tools. 19% choose interactive workshops or events focused on well-being and self-development and 19% visit online forums and communities for open discussions.

In conclusion, it is reassuring and comforting, especially for parents, to witness the awareness among young women regarding the significance of a positive attitude towards themselves, their bodies, and good mental health. This heightened self-awareness is a promising foundation for their growth into happy and confident individuals.

Encouraging open discussions within families about the mental and physical changes that girls and young women undergo is crucial for maintaining mental health. Equally important are conversations with partners and fostering an environment that promotes communication. Furthermore, incorporating physical exercise and a healthy lifestyle is key to nurturing overall well-being. As we collectively embrace these principles, we contribute to a future where young women flourish with resilience, confidence, and a genuine sense of well-being.

Censuswide conducted the research on behalf of Intimina with 2,003 girls, aged 13-20 in the UK, Italy, France and Spain in January 2024.

About Intimina: Established in 2009, Intimina is Swedish brand complete line of products for women's intimate well-being. With three care ranges - Menstrual Care, Pelvic Floor Strengthening, and Feminine Wellness - Intimina has products for women of all ages. Every product is made from the highest quality body-safe materials, and has been designed and tested with the support of a worldwide group of medical consultants and gynecologists.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327777/INTIMINA.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2018148/INTIMINA_Logo.jpg

SOURCE INTIMINA
Provides Narxoz students with access to Queen's University Belfast, a leading UK institution

Allows students to attend and receive degrees from both universities

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Narxoz University, a preeminent private university in Almaty in the Republic of Kazakhstan, has entered into a historic Institutional Partnership and Double Degree Agreement with Queen's University Belfast, a prestigious Russell Group UK university.

Narxoz University

The agreement provides Narxoz students with the opportunity to study joint programs from Queen's Business School and Narxoz School of Economics and Management in English. As part of the Double Degree program, Narxoz students can receive a degree (BSc Business Management, BSc Business Economics or BSc Finance) from Queen's, a degree (Bachelor of Business Administration) from Narxoz University and the opportunity to undertake internships and employment with British companies.

Signed with the participation of Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Lord Malcolm Offord, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Exports of the United Kingdom, the agreement will further educational and scientific cooperation between the two countries.

Narxoz University has an extensive history of cooperating with British universities through joint degrees, summer schools and research. Several grant research projects were conducted in cooperation with the University of Birmingham.

Miras Daulenov, President of Narxoz University commented: "This agreement opens a new chapter for Narxoz and higher education in Kazakhstan. Narxoz has become the first university in Kazakhstan and Central Asia to form an institutional partnership with Queen's University Belfast. The 24 Russell Group universities provide students with the best educational and research programs, and their graduates with leading international career opportunities in the private and public sectors."

Professor M.N. Ravishankar, Dean, Queen's Business School, Queen's University Belfast commented: "Queen's Business School looks forward to partnering with Narxoz University and building valuable relationships in Kazakhstan. We are a welcoming community at Queen's, and Narxoz students will get an enriching educational and cultural experience in Northern Ireland. This Narxoz-Queen's partnership will help both institutions nurture principled and effective leaders ready to take on the big global challenges of our times."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327868/Narxoz_University.jpg
NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Personal Mobility Devices Market is set to experience substantial growth, projecting an increase of USD 3.75 billion at a notable CAGR of 7.68% between 2023 and 2028, as forecasted by Technavio. The surge in orthopedic and neurological conditions is identified as a key driver propelling the demand for personal mobility devices. Orthopedic issues such as arthritis, knee problems, and post-surgery recovery necessitate devices like wheelchairs, while the rising incidence of spinal muscular atrophy amplifies the demand for mobility aids. The market caters to diverse needs, including specialized products like bariatric electric wheelchairs for obese individuals. The increasing prevalence of orthopedic and neurologic disorders is projected to fuel market growth during the forecast period. For a better understanding of market dynamics and trends, download a free sample report.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Personal Mobility Devices Market 2024-2028

Market Segmentation and Challenges:

The report delves into market dynamics, highlighting the trend of automating manually operated personal mobility products as a primary driver. Automation, technological advances, and the addition of new features contribute to the growth of the Personal Mobility Devices Market. However, the high cost associated with personal mobility devices poses a challenge, hindering market growth.



This report has segmented the market based on end-users, products, and geography.

End-users: Homecare, Hospitals, and others

Products: Wheelchairs, Walking aids, Scooters, and others

Regional Analysis: North America is projected to contribute 37% to the global market growth, with the US dominating the region.

"The increasing aging population and the prevalence of conditions like arthritis and brain strokes drive the demand for personal mobility devices in the region."  Technavio Explore the market contribution of different segments and regions by downloading the free PDF sample report.

Personal Mobility Devices Market 2024-2028 : Companies Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the Personal Mobility Devices Market, including some of the vendors such as vendors Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the Personal Mobility Devices Market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

A few leading companies in the Personal Mobility Devices Market include Comfort Orthopedic Co. Ltd., ComfyGO Inc., GF Health Products Inc., Golden Technologies, Hoveround Corp., Invacare Corp., Karma Medical Products Co. Ltd., and others are working on their strategies such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches to fortify their market presence.

For a comprehensive overview of the competitive landscape and detailed company analyses, buy the report now.

Personal Mobility Devices Market 2024-2028 : Segmentation

Personal Mobility Devices Market is segmented as below:

End-user

Homecare



Hospitals



Others

Product

Wheelchairs



Walking Aids



Scooters And Others

Geography

North America



Europe



Asia



Rest Of World (ROW)

Learn more about the additional trends impacting the future of the market and the positive and negative consequences on the businesses., download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR77253

Market Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our personal mobility devices market report covers the following areas:

Personal Mobility Devices Market size

Personal Mobility Devices Market trends

Personal Mobility Devices Market industry analysis

This study identifies Automation of manually operated personal mobility products as one of the prime reasons driving the personal mobility devices market growth during the next few years.

Related Reports:

The global walking canes market size is estimated to grow by USD 162.25 million, at a CAGR of 3.98% between 2023 and 2028.

The Global Patient Monitoring Equipment Market size is estimated to grow by USD 20.39 billion at a CAGR of 8.48% between 2022 and 2027.

Table Of Contents :

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation by End-user

7 Market Segmentation by Product

8 Customer Landscape

9 Geographic Landscape

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

11 Competitive Landscape

12 Competitive 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 provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
ADDISON, Ill., Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PirTano Construction Company, Inc. ("PirTano"), a leading Midwest-based infrastructure and utility services-focused underground construction company operating in the communications and sewer & water sectors, is pleased to announce its acquisition of Powerlink Electric ("Powerlink"). The transaction closed on November 17, 2023.

Mike Piraino, President of PirTano, said, "The acquisition of Powerlink will operate as a new electrical division, and brings additional service offerings and bench strength of employees as we look forward to continuing to support our customers while capitalizing on additional opportunities."

Founded in 2006 by Doug Pantle and Steve Lipinski, Powerlink Electric ("Powerlink"), is a full-service electrical and telecommunications contractor based in Vernon Hills, Illinois with an outstanding reputation in its regional marketplace and is well known for the reliability and quality of its service. Powerlink primarily focuses on commercial and industrial projects and operates in Northeastern Illinois and surrounding areas. Powerlink will continue to operate under the current leadership as a wholly owned subsidiary of PirTano.

Rising Point Capital ("RPC"), commented on the transaction, "Doug and Steve have built a tremendous reputation in its marketplace. We are very excited to partner with them to help accelerate their growth and with leading a new division at PirTano."

Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, served as the exclusive advisor to Powerlink. Generational Equity Executive Managing Director of M&A  Central Region, Michael Goss, Stephen Dinehart, a Generational Group Authorized Affiliate, with support from Vice President, M&A, Lance Thomasson successfully closed the deal.

About PirTano Construction Company, Inc.

Located in Addison, Illinois, PirTano is a multi-dimensional construction company that was founded by Mike Piraino, Joe Pantano, and Jack Horn in 1982. Now spanning more than four decades, PirTano has thoughtfully expanded its services from the early days as an Underground Utility Contractor; installing sewer and water systems and installing coax cable throughout the Chicagoland area into three areas of business, but also as an impressive Contractor for both public and private customers. In addition, PirTano has provided an array of infrastructure and land development services and has expanded as a Communications Contractor, adapting to the ever-evolving communications business. As a communications contractor they provide services such as fiber projects, fiber splicing, directional boring services, underground and aerial construction and ultimately entering the Contract Communication Installation business. This brings Internet, CATV and telephone into the homes of thousands upon thousands of customers throughout the Chicagoland, other areas of Illinois and Indiana areas. For more information, please visit www.pirtano.com.

About Rising Point Capital

Rising Point Capital (RPC), is a Chicago-based private investment firm that provides partnership and capital to transform and grow businesses. RPC primarily invests in business and consumer services companies in the lower middle market. RPC is growth-focused, and its primary goal is to build great businesses. They help develop data-centric strategic plans to drive organic and acquisition-based growth and obtains the optimal capital structure to support that growth. For additional information, please visit www.risingpointcapital.com.

About Generational Equity

Generational Equity, Generational Capital Markets (member FINRA/SIPC), Generational Wealth Advisors, Generational Consulting Group, and DealForce are part of the Generational Group, which is headquartered in Dallas and is one of the leading M&A advisory firms in North America.

With more than 350 professionals located throughout 16 offices in North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing growth consulting, merger, acquisition, and wealth management services. The Generational suite of advisory services includes strategic growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A services, digital services, and wealth management. For additional information, please contact:

Carl Doerksen

972-342-0968

cdoerksen@generational.com

SOURCE PirTano Construction Company
WEST CHESTER, Pa., Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- VESTECK, Inc. is excited to announce that the "SUTURE-TIGHT"tm catheter technology was presented at the iconic ISET meeting in Miami FL on January 24, 2024.

During the main stage sessions, Sean Lyden MD, Professor and Chairman Vascular Surgery Cleveland Clinic discussed endovascular (EVAR/TEVAR) "Aortic Fixation, what can we do to improve?"

Prof. Lyden explained the "risk of device failure" (in EVAR/TEVAR) can be attributed to "aortic degeneration, material fatigue and morphologic changes."

Later in his presentation, Prof. Lyden highlighted the "SUTURE-TIGHT"tm catheter, as a potential solution and the progress VESTECK is making around the world.

The "SUTURE-TIGHT"tm catheter was used by 8 different clinicians in 12 successful First in Human cases, completed in N. America, Europe and Australia.

VESTECK, Inc. is preparing to begin their pivotal trial for FDA 510k clearance to market.

Remember "The case isn't finished until it is "SUTURE-TIGHT"tm"

About VESTECK, Inc.(WWW.VESTECK.com) is a clinical stage medical device company focused on bringing a platform technology to the aortic repair, structural heart, peripheral vascular markets. The "SUTURE-TIGHT"tm catheter comes preloaded with 4 pair of nitinol sutures, it secures EVAR/TEVAR grafts to the aorta on initial implant or during repair procedures. "SUTURE-TIGHT"tm brings a precise, easy to use technology to physicians, patients and payors.

The VESTECK, Inc. "SUTURE-TIGHT"TM is not commercially available in the USA or OUS.

MEDIA CONTACTS: VESTECK CEO, Joe Rafferty, [email protected]

Please note that this document reflects statements that may constitute forward-looking statements and projections that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including information about possible or assumed future events, results of economic conditions and VESTECK's business, results of operations, plans and objectives. These statements are based on management's beliefs, assumptions and expectations of VESTECK's future performance, taking into account information currently available to it. You should not place undue reliance on such statements, as new risks and uncertainties may arise and it is not possible for management to predict those events or how they may affect VESTECK, Inc.

SOURCE VESTECK, Inc.
By Takuya Karube, KYODO NEWS - Jan 26, 2024 - 11:18 | All, World

Unlike many other parts of the United States, New Hampshire, where the second contest in the Republican presidential nominating process took place, has little ethnic diversity.

It is one of the whitest U.S. states, with Asian Americans -- the fastest-growing group of eligible voters in the country -- accounting for only about 3 percent of its population, about half of what they represent nationally.

Official data have shown that Joe Biden, the incumbent Democratic president seeking re-election in 2024, enjoys loyal support from the group, which has the highest levels of educational attainment among eligible voters, and other non-white citizens.

An analysis by the Pew Research Center, based on U.S. Census Bureau data, has found that the Asian electorate's expansion has been accelerated by naturalized immigrants, rather than those born in the country.

Many of them live in so-called blue states such as California, New York and Hawaii, where most people usually pick Democratic candidates.

The Republican primary in New Hampshire, held Tuesday about a week after the opening battle in Iowa, was won by former President Donald Trump, boosting the odds of a rematch against Biden in the general election later this year.

Coupled with backing from younger voters, support from Americans whose ancestry traces to countries outside Europe was invaluable for Biden to defeat Trump when they first opposed each other for the presidency in 2020, and the same appears to be true for the upcoming election in November.

But there are Asian Americans who are strongly frustrated with Biden and his administration's policies.

This sentiment was seen in New Hampshire, a small but important general election battleground with a population of about 1.4 million.

Lily Tang Williams, who is running for Congress in the New England state as a Republican, is one such voter. She believes that American ideals such as freedom, equality and meritocracy have been under attack by the Democratic Party and that the situation has become even worse under the Biden administration.

Williams, who left her home country of China in 1988, said that instead of cherishing "common ground," U.S. politics have never been more divisive than they are now.

"As immigrants, we love this country," said the 59-year-old, who was born to illiterate working-class parents in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu before the Cultural Revolution was launched by Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong. "We are losing American ideals. We are losing the American dream."

Before arriving in the United States with only $100 in borrowed money, she studied law at Fudan University in Shanghai, a prominent educational institution in China, with ambitions to transform the Asian country's society to one governed by law from one ruled by the Communist Party.

But she became disillusioned with the reality of the country, and opted instead for a graduate degree in the United States. Later, she married an American man, raised three children and worked as a businesswoman.

Williams, who was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1995, is now what she calls an "accidental politician" out of concern that her country could become like China.

In her view, Democrats are leaning more progressive, with socialist policies such as tightening regulations and imposing higher taxes, and fueling a "class struggle."

Williams said she chooses to be a Republican because she can never support politics that aim to improve the welfare of certain people based on their identities, including ethnicity, religion or social background.

"It's not about skin color," she said.

Iang Jeon, a Republican living in Nashua, New Hampshire, thinks the biggest issue in the presidential race is the "Democrat disregard for the rule of law," saying it is "fundamentally changing America in many negative ways."

Jeon, who was born in Seoul and immigrated to the United States in 1965 with his family, underscored that he is an American, first and foremost, regardless of his roots, and said the real question should be why U.S. voters back the Republican Party.

His view was that the party has been the guardian of American values, such as promoting what he recognizes as "equality of opportunity, not equity (as in) forced outcomes" and "equal justice under the law, not favoring certain parties or groups above others."

A 63-year-old independent consultant after working for more than three decades in the technology and financial service sectors, Jeon stopped short of disclosing whom he voted for in the primary, noting that it should be a personal matter.

In New Hampshire, which has a large share of independent-minded voters and is known for its motto "Live Free or Die," Trump was defeated by Biden in the 2020 general election and narrowly lost to Hillary Clinton in 2016.

In the head-to-head matchup against Trump in the 2024 Republican primary, Nikki Haley, a 52-year-old former ambassador to the United Nations, urged that the party needs a new generation of conservative leaders.

But Haley, considered a moderate if compared with Trump, could not beat the 77-year-old former president, representing an early watershed moment in the race for the White House.

Charlie Wu, a Chinese-American who came from New Jersey to work for Trump's campaign team as a volunteer, said he has high expectations for the Republican front-runner to return to the presidency.

After knocking on the doors of about 340 New Hampshire voters in one week for Trump's second consecutive victory in the race for the Republican nomination, the 63-year-old IT engineer said the former president's attractiveness is that he is a "grassroots" leader.

Originally from the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, Wu first came to the United States in 1987 to pursue a Ph.D. in physics and obtained U.S. citizenship in 1999.

Since then, Wu said he has registered himself as a Republican and always voted for candidates of the party.

Asked why, Wu said he cannot go along with Democrats as he feels they tend to focus too much on the "differences" between people, while negating old ideas, culture and tradition.

Drawing parallels with what happened during China's Cultural Revolution, he said, "Particularly, I'm very sensitive (to such a proclivity)."

Related coverage:

Trump wins again in race for U.S. Republican presidential nomination

U.S. to keep supporting Ukraine if Trump returns to power: Mike Pompeo

DeSantis exits 2024 U.S. presidential race, endorses Trump
STOCKHOLM, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska has signed a long-term lease agreement for approximately 48,900 square meters, at the office building The Eight in Bellevue, Washington, USA, of which 14,150 square meters is parking. With this contract, 72 percent of the space is now leased making it the largest lease in the company's history. The tenant is expected to take occupancy beginning January 2025.

The Eight, located in downtown Bellevue at the intersection of Northeast 8th Street and 108th Avenue Northeast, is the largest single investment in Skanska's portfolio. The 67,800 square meter Class A+ office tower includes four levels of tenant parking.

The project has achieved WiredScore Platinum and Salmon-Safe certifications while targeting LEED Platinum, Fitwel, SmartScore certifications. The building is developed and built by Skanska with expected completion in 2024.

The Eight represents Skanska's sixth development project in the Puget Sound region and its second project in Bellevue since it began development operations in Washington state in 2011.

For further information please contact:

Alicia Jones, Director Communications, Skanska USA, tel + 1 703 835 2762

Andreas Joons, Press Officer, Skanska Group, tel +46 76 870 75 51

Direct line for media, tel +46 (0)10 448 88 99

This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com.

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3915860/2563807.pdf 20240126 US largest lease https://news.cision.com/skanska/i/image-1---the-eight-washington,c3261028 Image 1 - The Eight Washington https://news.cision.com/skanska/i/image-2---the-eight-washington,c3261030 Image 2 - The Eight Washington https://news.cision.com/skanska/i/image-3---the-eight-washington,c3261029 Image 3 - The Eight Washington https://news.cision.com/skanska/i/image-4---the-eight-washington,c3261031 Image 4 - The Eight Washington

SOURCE Skanska
DUBLIN, Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Taiwan Social Commerce Market Intelligence and Future Growth Dynamics Databook - 50+ KPIs on Social Commerce Trends by End-Use Sectors, Operational KPIs, Retail Product Dynamics, and Consumer Demographics - Q2 2023 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The social commerce industry in Taiwan is poised for significant expansion, with an anticipated growth rate of 31.7% year-on-year, culminating in a market valuation of US$1.92 billion in 2023. The sector demonstrates a robust upward trend, with projections of a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.6% from 2023 to 2028, subsequently ushering the social commerce Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) in Taiwan to an estimated US$6.51 billion by the end of the forecast period.

This invigorating uptrend signifies a sizeable shift in consumer buying patterns and the integration of social platforms with ecommerce activities. According to a comprehensive Q2 2023 market intelligence update, the industry's forward trajectory is fueled by a rich tapestry of over 50+ key performance indicators (KPIs), offering an extensive analysis of social commerce trends by end-use sectors, operational KPIs, retail product dynamics, and consumer demographics within the Taiwanese market.

The data-centric report sheds light on the burgeoning opportunities and potential risks within the social commerce space. This 360-degree view is pivotal for stakeholders seeking to navigate the intricacies of a rapidly evolving market landscape. The research adheres to industry best practices, utilizing a proprietary analytics platform to ensure an objective presentation of budding business and investment prospects.

Vital Segments in the Expanding Social Commerce Ecosystem

Data-driven insights spanning from 2019 to 2028, encompassing market size and sectorial KPIs.

Comprehensive market size and forecasts, segmented by popular retail product categories such as clothing, beauty products, and electronics.

Examination of market size and forecasts within key end use segments, including B2B, B2C, and C2C models.

Detailed forecasts by device usage, focusing on mobile versus desktop preferences.

Geographical market size assessments, from domestic transactions to cross-border trade and the prominence of social commerce in various city tiers.

An extensive review of payment method trends and forecasts, including digital wallets and traditional payment forms.

An exploration of diverse social commerce platforms, like video commerce and social network-led avenues.

Behavioral analysis of the market, outlined by consumer demographics such as age, income levels, and gender.

Strategic Implications for Market Players

The report is an indispensable resource for businesses and investors alike, designed to inform market-specific strategies by highlighting growth segments and pinpointing targeted opportunities. Essential insights into the social commerce landscape allow for the formulation of strategic initiatives, while also detailing the drivers and risks pertinent to the industry's success.

As the Taiwan social commerce market continues to expand, the value encased in the report is immeasurable for decision-makers seeking an in-depth understanding of market dynamics and consumer tendencies within this flourishing digital economy.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/php07o

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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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Osteopathic Medical Board of California (OMBC) announced at their January Quarterly Board meeting that for the first time they will consider patient testimony before disciplining a doctor.

The Board will begin accepting patient impact statements from families whose consumer complaints about a doctor's care have been forwarded for investigation. The statement gives families the opportunity to describe, in their own words, the harm caused themselves or a loved one. The statement is one of the new patient rights that Consumer Watchdog and its volunteer advocates moved the Medical Board of California to embrace, and that was passed by the legislature last year in the medical board sunset bill, Senate Bill 815.

Consumer Watchdog's volunteer team of patient advocates testified before the Osteopathic Medical Board to encourage them to also adopt these rights that would bring the patient voice into the enforcement process. Consumer Watchdog places a focus on physician accountability for all doctors including medical doctors licensed by the Medical Board of California as well as Doctors of Osteopathy licensed by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California.

Kimberly Turbin, a patient advocate from Los Angeles, advocated for this patient right that was not available to her when her complaint was investigated for the medical battery she experienced during delivery of her son. "I was interviewed by an investigator but I was unable to speak with him again and had no idea what happened to my complaint," stated Kimberly. "I later read that my doctor surrendered his license just before his death. My patient impact statement would have given the decision makers the information they needed to move this complaint through the process more effectively and would have saved more women from experiencing the pain and trauma that I was forced to endure."

For decades, the Osteopathic Medical Board has decided doctor disciplinary cases without taking into consideration the testimony of the patients impacted or their loved ones. That's part of the reason only 2 percent of investigated cases receive any disciplinary action, said Consumer Watchdog.

The OMBC's new Executive Director Erika Calderon made the surprise announcement at the January board meeting. Only the Medical Board of California was required by SB 815 to implement the new patient impact statement but the Osteopathic Medical Board, under the leadership of Calderon, took the proactive step to provide this patient right to consumers. The patient impact statement will finally ensure that decision makers keep the patient in mind just as much as the doctor when reaching a decision on physician discipline.

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog
Reflecting on a Journey of Personal Growth and Artistic Expression in London, Taipei, and a Notable Debut in Ho Chi Minh City

BREA, Calif., Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ViewSonic Corp., a global leader in visual and EdTech solutions, celebrates the successful conclusion and significant expansion of the 4th ColorPro Awards. Themed "RISE," this edition symbolized growth and resilience, harmonizing with the event's expansion into a physical exhibition in Vietnam and the introduction of a new videography category. These developments embodied the essence of "RISE," signifying a journey of transcendence within the global creative community. The events across London, Taipei, and Ho Chi Minh City showcased ViewSonic's dedication to delivering tailored visual solutions for diverse markets, as well as its commitment to fostering a global community of creators through its innovative ColorPro solutionswhere advanced monitor technology meets creativity and precision.

The 4th ColorPro Awards: RISE - Highlights of the UK, Vietnam, and Taiwan Exhibitions. ViewSonic's 4th ColorPro Awards Titled Rise Concluded Successfully.

"We feel honored to have reached new heights of participation worldwide, with entries for the ColorPro Awards growing fivefold since its inception," said Oscar Lin, General Manager of the Monitor Business Unit at ViewSonic. "As we continue to deliver advanced color-critical solutions, we are committed to bringing the ColorPro Awards to more realms and regions, uniting more creators in our journey. The expansion into new regions, like this year in Vietnam, and the introduction of the videography category, reflect our dedication to exploring new possibilities in the creative field and amplifying our global impact."

The London ceremony of the ColorPro Awards' winning artworks marked the beginning of the global tour. Showcasing the latest innovations in the ColorPro lineup, the event featured the new ColorPro Sense and ColorPro Integrate software, along with product demonstrations that emphasized color accuracy and efficiency in creative workflows. This London event not only demonstrated ViewSonic's leadership in visual solutions but also celebrated the artistic achievements of the ColorPro Awards winners.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the inaugural ColorPro Awards event symbolized a celebration of ViewSonic's achievements in the Vietnamese market, acknowledging the company's engagement with the local creative community and partners. Initiated by a large-scale press event with more than 100 participants, this dynamic and immersive experience showcased ViewSonic's diverse product range, presenting a harmonious blend of art and technology. Accompanied by a series of targeted events for key partners and distributors, the occasion highlighted ViewSonic's commitment to delivering comprehensive visual solutions. Additionally, the ColorPro Talks held during the event exemplified ViewSonic's dedication to cultivating innovation and creativity, providing an enriching platform for the creative community to network and share insights.

In Taiwan, the ColorPro Awards media gathering showcased the latest in ColorPro monitor solutions and the broader ecosystem. The event infused ViewSonic's Taiwan office with the finalists' artwork, creating an immersive exhibition. Attendees experienced the innovative ColorPro wheel and witnessed demonstrations highlighting ViewSonic's diverse monitor solutions for various user groups. Reflecting ViewSonic's dedication to advancing visual technology and creative expression, the event emphasized the company's comprehensive ecosystem through the demonstration of the practical benefits of precise color calibration and streamlined creative workflows.

The 4th ColorPro Awards by ViewSonic set a new standard in creative expression and technological innovation. The expansion into new regions and the addition of new categories underscores ViewSonic's growing global influence and commitment to the creative industry. The events in London, Ho Chi Minh City, and Taipei not only celebrated artistic talent but also showcased ViewSonic's leadership in the visual solutions sector through the convergence of art and technology.

About ViewSonic

Founded in California, ViewSonic is a leading global visual solutions provider, conducting business in over 100 countries worldwide. As an innovator and visionary, ViewSonic is committed to providing comprehensive hardware and software solutions that include monitors, projectors, pen displays, commercial displays, All-in-One LED displays, ViewBoard interactive displays, myViewBoard software, and its ecosystem. With over 35 years of expertise in visual technology, ViewSonic has established a strong position for delivering innovative and reliable solutions for education, enterprise, consumer, and professional markets and helping customers "See the Difference." To find out more about ViewSonic, please visit www.viewsonic.com

SOURCE ViewSonic Corp.
NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Workforce Management (WFM) Software Market is set for substantial expansion, projecting a robust USD 3.08 billion growth at an impressive CAGR of 7.66% between 2023 and 2028. WFM software automates critical processes like employee scheduling, time tracking, and attendance, aiding enterprises in optimizing resource planning and achieving business objectives. An emerging trend shaping market growth is the high utilization of social media for recruitment. The integration of social media with WFM software facilitates job sharing, contributing to the market's growth. For an overview of the market trends, download the Free Sample Report within minutes.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Workforce Management Software Market 2024-2028

Market Segmentation and Challenges:

The market growth is attributed to factors such as regulatory compliance, streamlined HR functions, and increased software budgets by organizations.

Key segments include End-user, Deployment, and Region.

End User: IT and telecom, BFSI, healthcare, manufacturing, consumer goods and retail, and others

Deployment: Cloud-based and On-premises

Regional Analysis: North America is forecasted to contribute 38% to the global market growth during the forecast period.

"The high implementation and maintenance costs of WFM software pose a significant challenge. Continuous upgrades are essential post-implementation, contributing to ongoing expenses, and potentially hindering the market's growth." -

Technavio Learn more about market trends, challenges, and opportunities by viewing the free sample report

Preclinical Animal Behavior Market 2024-2028 : Competitive Analysis

A few companies like ActiveOps PLC, Automatic Data Processing Inc., ATOSS Software AG, Bamboo HR LLC, International Business Machines Corp., Koch Industries Inc., and others are implementing various strategies, including alliances, partnerships, and mergers, to enhance their market presence. The report provides detailed analyses of 20 market companies, offering insights into market positioning and competitive strategies. For a detailed overview of the competitive landscape, buy the report now.

Some of the key market players, including ANY-maze, Biobserve GmbH, Columbus Instruments LLC, Conduct Science Inc., Harvard Bioscience Inc., and others, are implementing various strategies such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and product/service launches.

For a comprehensive overview of the competitive landscape and detailed company analyses, buy the report now.

Preclinical Animal Behavior Market 2024-2028 : Segmentation

Application

Small Animals



Large Animals

End-user

Industrial Laboratories



CROs



Academic



Government Research Laboratories

Geography

North America



Europe



Asia



Rest Of World (ROW)

Preclinical Animal Behavior Market 2024-2028 : Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our preclinical animal behavior market report covers the following areas:

Preclinical Animal Behavior Market size

Preclinical Animal Behavior Market trends

Preclinical Animal Behavior Market industry analysis

This study identifies Increase in digitization and automation in healthcare sector as one of the prime reasons driving the preclinical animal behavior market growth during the next few years.

Related Reports:

The Europe workforce management software market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.89% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 737.35 million.

The cloud-based workload scheduling software market share is expected to increase by USD 4.04 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 10.33%.

Table Of Contents :

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation by Application

7 Market Segmentation by End-user

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 provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Jason Meador appointed Head of Direct Markets as Vince Santivasi retires; Dalynn Hoch rejoins Zurich North America to lead RCIS.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zurich North America, a market leader in insurance and risk management services, announced key leadership changes in its Direct Markets and Crop businesses today.

Zurich NA Leadership changes

Jason Meador , currently Head of Zurich's crop insurance business, Rural Community Insurance Services (RCIS), has been appointed to lead the Direct Markets business that serves auto dealers and rental operations following the impending retirement of the Head of Direct Markets, Vince Santivasi .

, currently Head of crop insurance business, Rural Community Insurance Services (RCIS), has been appointed to lead the Direct Markets business that serves auto dealers and rental operations following the impending retirement of the Head of Direct Markets, . Dalynn Hoch , currently Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Zurich Insurance Group, will rejoin North America succeeding Meador as the Head of RCIS.

Direct Markets leadership transition

Jason Meador will become Head of Direct Markets on February 1. Meador will continue to report to Zurich North America CEO, Kristof Terryn, as a member of Zurich North America's Executive Committee.

Vince Santivasi will stay on through April 5 to assist in Meador's transition. Santivasi's retirement comes after 20 years with Zurich. During that time, he solidified Zurich's position as one of the largest Finance & Insurance and Property & Casualty insurance providers to franchised auto dealers across the United States.

"In honoring Vince's remarkable twenty-year tenure with Zurich, we express gratitude for his exceptional leadership. With his extensive knowledge and expertise in the automotive industry, Vince has fostered invaluable customer and industry relationships that have been instrumental in our success within the franchised auto dealer space," said Terryn. "As Vince moves on, Jason, who currently leads our Crop business, will take over as leader of the Direct Markets business. We extend our appreciation to Vince for his exemplary service and anticipate continued success under Jason's leadership."

Meador, a Navy veteran, has a rich background in the insurance industry. Most recently, he served as the Head of RCIS, leading the crop insurance business at Zurich. Meador joined Zurich over 10 years ago and has held several leadership roles since that time, including Head of Strategic Execution for North America, Chief Operating Officer of the former Alternative Markets business unit and Head of Captives. Prior to joining Zurich, Meador was a Principal with The Boston Consulting Group serving clients in the Insurance and Financial Services industry.

Meador holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland, a Master of Science in Engineering Science from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University.

RCIS leadership transition

Dalynn Hoch has been appointed Head of RCIS, Zurich's crop insurance business, effective February 1. Hoch will report to Zurich North America CEO Kristof Terryn and be a member of Zurich North America's Executive Committee.

Hoch most recently served as the head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Zurich Insurance Group. Prior to this, she worked as the Chief Financial Officer at Zurich North America for seven years. Previously, she held a position as a Partner with KPMG. Hoch holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northwestern  St. Paul (Minnesota), with a triple major including international business and accounting.

"We're fortunate to have strong leaders across North America and our Group, which ensures seamless transitions," said Terryn. "We're thrilled to welcome Dalynn back to North America. With her background growing up in the family agriculture business and the wealth of finance and transformation experience she gained during her 14 years at Zurich, Dalynn is a strong fit to lead our Crop business."

About Zurich North America

Zurich North America is one of the largest providers of insurance solutions and services to businesses and individuals. Our customers represent industries ranging from agriculture to technology. Zurich North America is part of Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich), a leading multi-line insurer serving people and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. Founded 150 years ago, Zurich is transforming insurance. In addition to providing insurance protection, Zurich is increasingly offering prevention services such as those that promote wellbeing and enhance climate resilience.

Reflecting its purpose to "create a brighter future together," Zurich aspires to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world. It is targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 and has the highest-possible ESG rating from MSCI. In 2020, Zurich launched the Zurich Forest project to support reforestation and biodiversity restoration in Brazil.

The Group has about 60,000 employees and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information is available at http://www.zurich.com/ and http://www.zurichna.com/.

Visit us on social media: LinkedIn and X

SOURCE Zurich North America
KYODO NEWS - Jan 26, 2024 - 20:48 | All, Japan

Tokyo prosecutors indicted a former ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker on Friday for allegedly failing to report millions of yen in political fundraising revenue, concluding an investigation into a slush fund scandal that has rocked the party led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The indictment of House of Representatives member Yoshitaka Ikeda, 57, rounded off a series of criminal cases against 10 lawmakers and accountants over violating the political funds control law. His secretary, Kazuhiro Kakinuma, 45, was also indicted.

The prosecutors, however, have not built cases against seven senior members of the party's largest faction at the center of the scandal, prompting a citizens' group to submit a request the same day that prosecutors review the cases against them.

"The LDP is trying to downplay the issue. We want a thorough review," said Yoshio Hayakawa, a representative of the group, at a press conference in Tokyo.

Ikeda belonged to the faction, whose undeclared funds are suspected to have totaled roughly 600 million yen ($4 million) in the five years from 2018.

He has allegedly received around 48 million yen from the faction's slush funds and colluded with his secretary to write down false revenue figures in the political funds reports of his fund-management body.

Ikeda, a former senior vice education minister, was arrested in January, with Tokyo prosecutors saying the action was taken out of fear that he could attempt to destroy evidence.

A source familiar with the matter said a computer at Ikeda's office was found to have been destroyed, possibly with a screwdriver.

At question in the scandal are funds raised by lawmakers for selling tickets for faction events beyond their assigned quotas. The excess funds were allegedly not reported while being distributed to the lawmakers.

While many in the LDP's largest faction, formerly led by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, are suspected of having received the funds, the prosecutors targeted those who gained hefty sums.

The Political Funds Control Act requires an accountant to submit a report on income and expenditures, and a failure to report can be punishable by imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 1 million yen. Lawmakers could also face criminal charges if suspected of colluding with accountants.

Since the scandal emerged late last year, a lawmaker, his secretary and an accountant from the Abe faction, as well as a former accountant of a faction led by former LDP Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai, have been indicted without arrest and will stand trial.

Another four, including a former accountant of Kishida's faction and a secretary of Nikai, were issued summary indictments and will not appear in court.

The Kishida and Abe factions are among the LDP's intraparty groups that have decided to disband in the wake of the scandal.

Related coverage:

Prosecutors indict several LDP faction members over funds scandal

Prosecutors to build case on Kishida faction over LDP funds scandal

Japan ruling party lawmaker Ikeda arrested over slush fund scandal
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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Bengaluru, Jan 26 : A 65-year-old farmer was killed in a wild elephant attack on Thursday in Geralli village of Kanakapura taluk on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

The victim, identified as Puttananjaiah, along with three others had gone to keep a vigil on his Ragi crop on Wednesday night. The three slept on one side while the victim was sleeping separately.

In the morning, a wild elephant came there from a nearby forest and trampled Puttananjaiah to death. The three others however managed to escape from there.

Reacting to the incident, Karnataka's Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka said that Kanakapura and Ramanagara regions are continuously witnessing elephant attacks. "Unfortunately, three persons, including a woman, have lost their lives in a row".

He further said that more than 30 elephants staying in the surrounding villages of Kanakapura and Ramanagara regions. "The people who are living on the fringes of forests are not able to come out of their houses. The Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre should wake up to the issue and give immediate orders to catch the elephants which are causing menace and rehabilitate them to ensure the lives of farmers," the BJP leader said.

"I also demand CM Siddaramaiah to provide appropriate compensation to farmers who suffered crop loss due to elephant menace," Ashoka added.
Padma Shri to Dr Chandrashekar: 'People's Psychiatrist' who adopted villages, went to doorsteps to treat patients. Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru, Jan 26 : Dr. Chandrashekar Channapatna Rajannachar is a well-known psychiatrist and philanthropist in Karnataka. He is fondly called a "People's Psychiatrist". His yeoman services have earned him the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2024.

During his career, he had adopted villages around Bangalore and went to individual houses to treat patients and create awareness. He has been a consultant to UNICEF, many NGOs and government agencies.

Dr. Chandrashekar was born to Jeweller B.M. Rajannachar in Channapatna town. After early education at Channapatna, he joined the Government Medical College at Bangalore and completed a degree in Medicine in 1973.

Then he earned a Diploma in Medicine and an M.D. (Psychology) in 1978.

Later, he joined NIMHANS as Resident Doctor and worked there until his retirement in 2013.

Dr. Chandrashekar was a pioneer in designing training programmes for counsellors at the grassroots level.

He started the Samadhana Counselling Trust Centre on February 9, 2007, to provide free counselling for people going through mental health problems.

The 75-year-old veteran psychiatrist is providing free mental health treatment to 50,000 patients and trained 20,000 professionals.

He has been involved in training doctors, health workers, school and college teachers, NGOs, and volunteers, in mental health work.

He is also involved in the implementation of the National Mental Health Programme in India.

He is the editor of more than 100 books on health.

Dr. Chandrashekar encouraged many medical professionals to write medical literature in Kannada and contributed to the development of popular medical literature in Kannada and English. He is the founder member of Kannada Vaidya Sahitya Parishat.

He authored more than 280 books in Kannada and more than 30 books in English.
Gaza, Jan 26 : Hamas has announced that the group is ready to observe a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip if the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issues a ruling calling for it as long as Israel reciprocates.

"If the court issues a ceasefire decision, the Hamas movement will adhere to the ceasefire as long as Israel adheres to that," the group said in a statement on Thursday.

In addition, it said that Hamas will release the Israeli prisoners detained by it if Israel releases the Palestinian prisoners detained by it," noting that Israel must "end the siege that has been ongoing for 18 years on Gaza and allow the entry of all necessary aid for relief and reconstruction", Xinhua news agency reported.

The ICJ is set to deliver a ruling on South Africa's case against Israel on Friday in Hague. It will also rule on South Africa's demand for the court's urgent intervention to stop Israel's military operation in Gaza.

On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide related to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
New York, Jan 26 : Ever since former President Donald Trump contested the 2020 elections as a "stolen one" by Democrats, state and local officials have faced a surge of violent threats, harassment, and intimidation. Especially from his supporters following the infamous attack on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021, when Trump lost the election to Joe Biden.

These threats, harassment and intimidation are virtually reshaping the way public officials across the US do their jobs, making them less likely to engage with constituents, hold public events, advocate for government policies that could lead to blowback, or run for re-election, the Time Magazine reported in a special dispatch this week.

Quoting a new report published on Thursday by the Brennan Center for Justice, the journal laid out how this abuse was interfering and affecting the efficiency of public officials.

More than 40 per cent of state legislators surveyed reported being threatened or attacked in the past three years. Nearly 90 per cent said they had suffered less severe abuse, including harassment, intimidation, and stalking.

Almost 40 per cent of local officials, including 50 per cent of women, said the ongoing harassment made them less willing to run for re-election or to seek higher office. This tally includes many state and local election officials, who in 2020 bore the brunt of the anger of Trump's supporters, who falsely accused them of rigging that race and subsequently hounded many out of office, the journal said.

The resulting turnover means that more than 1 in 5 election administrators will be doing the job for the first time in 2024, according to the Brennan Centre's data.

"We never thought our lives, or most importantly, our family members' or significant others' lives, would be in jeopardy," former Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, a Democrat, said in the Brennan Center survey. "I think you're going to lose a lot of good people because of it."

Public officials have of late faced some level of anger from constituents who disagree with them. And this disagreement and the severity and scale of this "constant barrage of intimidating behaviour is now [having] an impact on the way they do their jobs," Gowri Ramachandran, the Deputy Director of the Elections and Government Program at the Brennan Center, told TIME.

"It's made people less willing to lead and legislate on so-called 'contentious issues', and all of those things are having really severe impacts on the democratic system."

The report is based on a series of national surveys conducted last year of more than 1,700 state legislators and local officials from all 50 states, as well as three dozen interviews with the Brennan Center. Approximately 1 in 5 state officials, and 40 per cent of local officials, said they were less willing to work on policies considered controversial, like gun regulation or reproductive rights, due to harassment. More than half of state lawmakers said they believed this atmosphere was deterring their colleagues from advocating for these issues, the report found.

"I've had people who believe in the abolition of abortion make death threats against my family, my children, myself," a Republican state legislator described as having "moderate views about abortion".

"I've had people advocating to legalize marijuana make threats. It's constant. It comes from every direction," he told the Brennan Center.

Republican legislators reported the incidence of "abuse" was higher with them than Democrats. The report's authors partly attribute this to Republican officeholders being targeted by the party's far-right "for refusing to back extreme positions", paired with GOP leaders' unwillingness to condemn violent rhetoric. This dynamic "likely distorts policymaking in ways that fail broad constituencies and makes nuanced, bipartisan law-making often impossible", the report's authors say.

Threats against officials advocating gun regulation have faced severe reactions in some cases. Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, a Democrat, said that she decided against spearheading bills on the topic because "my kids were too little, the threats were too common and too on point." Several other officials mentioned feeling increasingly nervous while holding events or debates, even in government buildings.

"Sometimes we're on the legislative floor, and in the galleries above us there are people who are armed," Texas State Rep. Mary Gonzalez, a Democrat, said in her survey. "Especially when we're having those controversial debates, I'm thinking, 'God, one person. It just takes one person.' We're like sitting ducks."

Such threats raise the spectre of violence with the upcoming election in 2024. High-profile acts of political violence, like the hammer attack on Rep. Nancy Pelosi's husband, by a right-wing conspiracy theorist, have not only drawn public ire but also widespread attention.

Public officials have reported receiving bomb threats and letters with suspicious substances, being confronted with guns, having their homes shot at, and seeing their addresses and photos of their homes and their children's schools posted online.

The abuse has often been more severe and directed at officials who were women, people of color, religious minorities, or LGBTQ community. One female state legislator told the Brennan Center it had become common to see people making online threats of rape or death "identifying my address or talking about my daughter or my mom".

Another female legislator said those targeting her for her public role "don't directly say, 'I'm going to kill her children'. But they'll make comments like, 'We're going to take over her home. Here's the address. Here's a photo of it. She lives here in [town], but her kids don't go to school [in town]  they go in [neighbouring town]'."

Female state officials, especially women of colour, reported they were nearly twice as likely as men to change their travel routes due to safety concerns, and were six times as likely to avoid travelling alone, the Brennan report made a chilling revelation.

Some officials are spending their own money on extra safety precautions like security cameras to protect themselves, their staff, and their families. The rise in violent threats has also made others reconsider how much exposure is possible to their constituents without the risk of threats.

Threat assessments are becoming an ordinary routine and almost 1 in 4 officials surveyed said they were less likely to hold constituent events in public spaces due to safety concerns, while half of all officials said they were more reluctant to post and engage on social media.

Though the report offered some recommendations, like regulations for carrying of firearms in public places or at public or shielding officials' home addresses, and more closely monitoring these threats to better allocate resources, experts warn these are just stopgap measures. A long-term measure for public safety has become increasingly imperative.

"I'm worried about the impact this will have on the pipeline of candidates for public office," says Ramachandran, noting that the normalization of violent rhetoric directed towards public officials will continue to have a chilling effect. "Even before this kind of other behaviour escalates into physical violence, it does have this corrosive effect on our democracy."
Delta Corp shares sink up to 25% after GST hit on online gaming. Image Source: IANS News

Lucknow, Jan 26 : A 17-year-old boy, who had allegedly immolated himself after losing money in a mobile game, died at the Civil hospital in Lucknow.

The victim had set himself ablaze in Banthra on the outskirts of Lucknow on Monday.

"The family took the body to their village in Hardoi. The information is being collected and based on investigation, necessary action will be taken," said station house officer Banthra Hemant Raghav.

The family said the boy had suffered 70 per cent burns.

"His father works as a security guard and the family lives in a rented house in Banthra. The boy had two sisters and was a student of Class 10," said police.

"The boy had been given a new mobile phone by his parents for his studies. However, he started playing online games on it and lost Rs 10,000 in a betting game. He then borrowed money from his cousins to pay to repay the debt. But he failed to return the loan to his cousins and died by suicide," police said.

Some neighbours claimed that the boy was beaten up by his father on the night before he immolated himself.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 26, 2024 - 22:50 | All, Japan

The Japanese Defense Ministry punished the Ground Self-Defense Force's vice chief of staff and two others on Friday over the use of official cars for their group visit to Tokyo's war-linked Yasukuni shrine, often seen as a symbol of the country's past militarism.

The ministry, however, added that the visit itself to the Shinto shrine on Jan. 9 was a private one and "based on their free will," and thus not subject to any penalty. The trip was made by 22 GSDF members in total including Lt. Gen. Hiroki Kobayashi, the vice chief of staff.

The ministry had been investigating whether their action violated a directive issued by the then vice defense minister in 1974 prohibiting group visits by SDF members to a religious facility.

According to the ministry, Kobayashi had invited his colleagues to take the afternoon off and visit the shrine, which is a 30-minute walk from where they worked.

Kobayashi and his two colleagues received reprimands, while Gen. Yasunori Morishita, the chief of staff of the GSDF, and three staff members were handed a written warning as they were held ultimately responsible. Two other GSDF members were verbally cautioned.

While Morishita and Kobayashi gave their consent for their names to be made public, the ministry refrained from identifying the seven other punished officers as it could infringe their freedom of religion.

Past visits to Yasukuni shrine by Japanese lawmakers have been a source of diplomatic friction with China and South Korea as the shrine honors the World War II dead including Japanese leaders who were convicted as war criminals in an international tribunal.
Tel Aviv, Jan 26 : The director of the American spy agency, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the chief of the Israel Spy agency, Mossad, will be meeting the Prime Minister of Qatar in a European capital for reaching a temporary ceasefire into the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza strip.

The release of Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity will also be discussed in the meeting along with the temporary ceasefire.

The chiefs of Shin Bet and the Egyptian intelligence will also be present, according to Hebrew media.

CIA director William Burns and Mossad chief David Barnea will meet with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani to discuss the release of the remaining 132 hostages held by Hamas on October 7, and a pause in fighting in the Gaza strip.

White House Middle East czar Brett McGurk was in Qatar and Egypt this week for talks on the same subject.

Israelas war cabinet met on Thursday night at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv to discuss the hostage talks.

IDF hostage envoy Nitzan Alon and PMO hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch were also in attendance.

Burns and Barnea were involved in the earlier meeting with Qatari and Egyptian officials that led to a temporary weeklong ceasefire between November 24 and December 1,2023 that saw 105 hostages freed.

Efforts to secure another agreement to release the remaining hostages, among them children and women, have since not yielded any desired results and hit a road block.

Sources in Israel defense ministry told IANS that while Israel was willing for a one month ceasefire, Hamas wants a permanent end to the war which Israel has rejected outright.

Hamas has also insisted for the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from the Gaza strip which was also rejected in toto by the Israel side.

On October 7, when Hamas terrorists swarmed into southern Israel and slaughtered 1,200 people, 240 people were kidnapped. Of this, 105 hostages were released during the one week truce from November 24-December 1.

Four of the hostages were released early and a woman IDF soldier was rescued by Israeli army. Three of the hostages were killed in an accidental fire by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). According to IDF and Israel Military Intelligence, 28 of the Israel hostages in Hamas captivity are dead.

Since the Israel army began its counteroffensive, more than 25,000 Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed.
Chennai, Jan 26 : The Tamil Nadu Police have arrested the son and daughter-in-law of the ruling DMK's Pallavaram MLA, E. Karunanithi in a case related to the alleged physical assault and abuse of an 18-year-old Dalit domestic help.

Chennai, Jan 26 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu Police have arrested the son and daughter-in-law of the ruling DMKas Pallavaram MLA, E. Karunanithi in a case related to the alleged physical assault and abuse of an 18-year-old Dalit domestic help.

The Greater Chennai Police booked Anto Mathivanan and daughter-in-law Marlina Ann for allegedly physically torturing their teenage domestic aide.

The Neelankarai police in Chennai had registered a case under sections pertaining to causing hurt, obscene words, sections of Women Harassment Act and SC/ST Act along with sections of JJ Act.

Police sources told IANS that the couple was arrested from a relative's house in Andhra Pradesh where they were hiding.

The 18-year-old Dalit domestic help had alleged that the husband and wife used to make her work for long hours well into midnight and used to physically torture her.

The girl in her complaint also stated that she was not given her salary and that Marlina Ann used to tell her that they were very powerful and that she won't be able to do anything to them.

After the Dalit girl raised the allegations there was an uproar in Tamil Nadu calling for the immediate arrest of the couple.
New Delhi, Jan 26 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended greetings to the nation on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President J. P. Nadda also greeted the countrymen.

Prime Minister Modi posted on X in Hindi: "Best wishes on the special occasion of the 75th Republic Day. Jai Hind!".

Union Home Minister Shah remembered and saluted the fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the unity and integrity of the country.

"Hearty greetings to all the countrymen on Republic Day. On this auspicious occasion of democracy, I salute all the freedom fighters, constitution makers and the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the unity and integrity of the country. Let us all together take a pledge to protect our democratic values aaon the occasion of Republic Day and contribute in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve of a developed India," posted Shah on X.

Nadda also posted on X: "Heartiest greetings to all the countrymen on the 75th Republic Day. Today, on this occasion, I salute all our freedom fighters, brave soldiers and constitution makers, who gave everything for the sovereignty, integrity and unity of the nation. Let us all together contribute to the fulfillment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve of a capable, self-reliant and developed India.

Nadda unfurled the national flag at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi on the occasion.
San Francisco, Jan 26 : Google-owned YouTube has deleted more than 1,000 deepfake scam ad videos of celebrities from its platform.

YouTube said it is "investing heavily" to stop AI celebrity scam ads.

After a 404 Media probe into such fake celebrity ads, YouTube deleted more than 1,000 videos tied to an advertising ring that used AI to make celebrities like Taylor Swift, Steve Harvey, and Joe Rogan promote Medicare scams.

Such videos had nearly 200 million views, with both users and celebrities regularly complaining about them, said the report.

YouTube is "aware" that its platform is being used with AI-generated ads of celebrities, and is working hard to stop such celebrity deepfakes.

The YouTube action came as non-consensual deepfake porn of Taylor Swift went viral on X, with one post garnering more than 45 million views and 24,000 reposts before it was removed.

The post was live on the platform for around 17 hours prior to its removal.

A report from 404 Media found that the images may have originated in a group on Telegram, where users share explicit AI-generated images of women.

Users in the group also reportedly joked about how the images of Swift went viral on X.

According to the latest research from cybersecurity firm Deeptrace, about 96 per cent of deepfakes are pornographic, and they almost always portray women.
London, Jan 25 : British-Indian student Aditya Verma is facing trial in Spain after he was accused of public disorder for sending a message joking about blowing up a plane in which he was travelling along with his friends.

Verma, a student of economics at Bath University, was on his way to the island of Menorca with friends in July 2022 when he made the remarks on Snapchat, claiming that he is a member of the Taliban, the BBC reported.

"On my way to blow up the plane (I'm a member of the Taliban)," the message, sent before Verma departed Gatwick airport, read.

A court in Madrid heard on Monday that the message was picked up by the UK security services on Gatwick's Wi-Fi network, who then alerted Spanish authorities, following which two Spanish F-18 fighter jets were sent to flank the aircraft with Verma onboard.

Verma, who was 18 at the time, was arrested and kept in a police cell for two days and was later released on bail, the court was told.

Back in the UK, he was questioned by the British intelligence agencies MI5 and MI6, before he returned home to Orpington, Kent.

Appearing in court Verma said the message was "a joke in a private group setting" and that "the intention was never to cause public distress or cause public harm".

"It was just sent to my friends I was travelling with on the day... Since school, it's been a joke because of my features... It was just to make people laugh," he was quoted as saying in the BBC report.

While Verma is not facing terrorism charges or a possible jail term, he could be fined up to 22,500 euros (19,300 pounds) if found guilty.

The Spanish defense ministry is demanding 95,000 euros after two Spanish Air Force jets were scrambled to follow Verma.

A verdict on Verma's case is expected in the next few days, the court told BBC.
Chiranjeevi says 'have done so little' on being feted with Padma Vibhushan. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, Jan 26 : Chiranjeevi has been feted with Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour in the country.

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the actor said that he has done so "little" and yet, he has been given "such recognition".

Chiranjeevi took to Instagram, where he shared a video thanking everyone after he was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan.

Padma Awards 2024 were announced on Thursday.

In the clip, Chiranjeevi said, "After hearing this news, I became speechless."

"I am really overwhelmed, humbled, and grateful. It is only the unconditional love of the audience, my friends, my blood brothers, and sisters. I owe this life and moment to you. I have always tried to express my gratitude in the ways I can. But, nothing can be ever enough.

"On-screen, in the last 45 years of my career, I have tried to entertain you with the best of my abilities. I tried to help the needy by taking part in relevant social and humanity causes," he said.

Chiranjeevi then thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I have done so little. Yet, you have given me such recognition and honour. I always remain indebted to you for your love and support. At this moment of pride, I would like to thank the government and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bestowing on me Padma Vibhushan. Thank you. Jai Hind."

Veteran star Vyjayanthimala was also feted with Padma Vibhushan.
London, Jan 26 : Man City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that Erling Haaland isn't ready to return for Friday night's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Tottenham Hotspur, although the Norwegian is close to a first-team comeback after recovering from a foot injury.

The Norwegian has been absent since our 1-0 loss to Aston Villa in early December with a foot injury. The City boss admitted the initial prognosis was not too bad, but after further investigation, a longer recovery period was needed to heal the issue.

aHeas on the verge of coming back. Tomorrow, still he is not ready but he is close. Some training sessions he has trained in the last two days. Itas not perfect so we wait a little bit more," Guardiola told club's official website.

Haaland was pictured back in training at City's Abu Dhabi warm-weather training camp as part of the mid-season player break.

While the striker has not played for Man City since a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on 6 December, he remains the top goalscorer in the league with 14.

Guardiola also gave an update on John Stones, saying the defender could be available to face Spurs.

Stones has also been out since being forced off in the win at Everton after Christmas while Akanji was injured in the third round FA Cup win over Huddersfield. "John has come back. He will be in contention for team selection but he is back with us," the City boss said.
New Delhi, Jan 26 : Tanishq, from the house of Tata, celebrates life's little moments with the enchanting Festival of Diamonds. Breaking away from the wait for significant milestones, the brand welcomes you to embrace the magic now, adorned with the timeless allure of diamonds. The Festival of Diamonds displays an extensive range of diamond jewellery pieces, the perfect addition to your jewellery trousseau box. It is a celebration of precious moments and joy found every day, amplified by the sparkle of exquisite diamonds.

New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANSlife) Tanishq, from the house of Tata, celebrates lifeas little moments with the enchanting Festival of Diamonds. Breaking away from the wait for significant milestones, the brand welcomes you to embrace the magic now, adorned with the timeless allure of diamonds. The Festival of Diamonds displays an extensive range of diamond jewellery pieces, the perfect addition to your jewellery trousseau box. It is a celebration of precious moments and joy found every day, amplified by the sparkle of exquisite diamonds.

Discover countless little wins that deserve celebration, often overlooked in the hustle of life. The brand nudges you to cherish them and bookmark them for life. Explore a delightful array of curated diamond earrings, bracelets, neckwear, finger rings, and more await you. This Festival of Diamonds, one can experience the delight of choosing from a unique yet wide range of assortment which is perfect for self-indulgence, birthdays, smaller milestones, and other special occasions. Explore the elegance of Tanishq's delightful Diamond Treats starting from Rs. 15,000 only.

This extensive range comes with the trust and promise of Tanishq Diamonds offering avid diamond collectors an unmatched variety of unique, high-quality diamonds to choose from, providing stunning variety for discerning tastes. Step into the radiance and elegance of our studded collections, marking each piece as a testament to your unique journey.

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 26 : Gearing up for Republic Day, India comes alive with a kaleidoscope of festivities that extend beyond the iconic parades and flag-hoisting ceremonies. As gullies and mohallas are adorned with tricolour flags in the spirit of patriotism, we bring you a selection of audio shows, web series, and films to elevate your sense of national pride and unravel the rich fabric of our country's history.

This Republic Day, let these engaging audio shows and films deepen your connection with India's glorious past and inspire renewed patriotism in you. Enjoy the festivities and the remarkable stories that make our nation truly extraordinary. Jai Hind!

LISTEN

Malabar Rebellion

Platform: Audible

Step back in time with aMalabar Rebellion,a a podcast narrated and directed by Sashi Kumar, with a poetic touch by P. Bhaskaran, which brings to life the sacrifices and heroism of a pivotal moment in Indian history. It is a fascinating story that captures the six months of intense struggle by Muslim peasants against British colonial rulers and feudal landlords. A must-listen for those seeking a vivid portrayal of the resilience and courage displayed by the citizens during challenging times.

Ambedkar's Preamble

Platform: Audible

Have you ever pondered over the visionary mind behind the Constitution's preamble? This audiobook establishes Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's crucial role in crafting it. It sheds light on the six central conceptsa"justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, dignity, and nationa"unveiling Ambedkar's revolutionary political thought. It is an interesting and insightful listen to understand the foundational principles that shape the democratic fabric of India.

The Origin Story of India's States

Platform: Audible

Deep dive into the roots of India's political map with this on Audible. This meticulously researched audiobook explores the historical circumstances surrounding the birth of India's states and union territories. It is a must-listen for those wanting a deeper understanding of how the geographical boundaries of modern India took shape, offering insights into the nation's complex and interconnected history.

Long Story Short S1 and S2

Platform: Audible

Take a journey into India's rich and unforgettable past with aLong Story Short.a Each episode unveils lesser-known stories with lasting legacies, offering a unique perspective on our nation's past. The stories will transport you to distant lands, making history come alive! It is the perfect podcast for those curious about untold tales that have shaped India's diverse and remarkable cultural heritage.

WATCH

Sardar Udham

Platform: Amazon Prime

Embark on an emotional journey as it unravels the heart-wrenching story of Udham Singh in the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy. Fleeing to the mountains of Afghanistan, he eventually finds himself in London, reigniting the flames of revolution. Udham Singh takes a historic step by assassinating Michael O'Dwyer, the influential figure at the helm of affairs in Punjab during the tragic events of April 1919. This film unfolds the powerful story of resilience, retribution, and the unwavering pursuit of justice.

Indian Police Force

Platform: Amazon Prime

Dive into the adrenaline-fueled world of the aIndian Police Forcea, a riveting series crafted in, signature Rohit Shetty style. The series follows the relentless journey of Delhi Police Officer Kabir Malik as he confronts insidious adversary Zarar, who has chosen the path of terrorism. This high-octane cop drama unfolds a gripping tale in the pursuit of justice and the sacrifices made in the line of duty. Make sure to add this electrifying experience to your must-watch list for an exhilarating ride through the challenges and triumphs of the law enforcement world.

Sam Bahadur

Platform: Zee 5Directed by Meghna Gulzar, this Vicky Kaushal-starrer, chronicles the life of Sam Manekshaw, India's first Field Marshal and most revered military figures. The film explores the highs and lows of Manekshaw's career, offering a glimpse into the remarkable leadership that defined crucial moments in Indian military history. If you are interested in biographical films and the stories of iconic figures who shaped the destiny of a nation, this is for you. You can stream it on ZEE5 from January 26.

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 26 : With the upcoming Lok Sabha elections round the corner and the Congress party in all likelihood to allow the 14 sitting MP's to contest, it has to find new candidates in only two seats -- Kannur and Alappuzha.

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 26 (IANS) With the upcoming Lok Sabha elections round the corner and the Congress party in all likelihood to allow the 14 sitting MPas to contest, it has to find new candidates in only two seats -- Kannur and Alappuzha.

This was hinted by none other than state Congress president and sitting Kannur Lok Sabha member K. Sudhakaran, who dropped enough hints that he will not be seeking re-election.

With him dropping out, the party will have to find a new candidate there besides at Alappuzha, which the Congress-led UDF candidate lost to the CPI(M) candidate in the 2019 polls.

At the 2019 polls, the Congress-led UDF won 19 out of the 20 seats in the state, losing just the Alappuzha seat.

The UDF allies -- IUML won both the seats, so did the RSP candidate at Kollam, and the Kottayam constituency was won by Kerala Congress (Mani) partyas candidate, who later moved to the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Front.

Sudhakaran, who returned after a brief tour to the US for medical attention, has hinted that in a matter of 10 days, the party will be naming their candidate from Kannur and Alappuzha.

Incidentally, the Congress being the party that leads the UDF, has already commenced talks with allies and they have finished the first round with the Kerala Congress party headed by veteran legislator P.J. Joseph, who has staked claim to the Kottayam Lok Sabha seat. The seat was held by the erstwhile Kerala Congress(M) to which Joseph belonged till a faction moved out and went on to become the third biggest ally of the ruling Left.

Even though the second biggest ally in the UDF -- the IUML, which has two seats, has expressed their desire to get a third one, itas unlikely to get the nod from the Congress party.

They have asked for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, if sitting member Rahul Gandhi decides not to seek re-election from his seat as there has been speculation that he might move out to another South Indian state.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 26, 2024 - 15:09 | All, Japan

The defense team for the arsonist in the 2019 attack on a Kyoto Animation Co. studio that killed 36 people has appealed his death sentence, the Kyoto District Court said Friday.

Shinji Aoba, 45, was found guilty Thursday of conducting what has gone down as one of the worst mass murders in Japan's history. The trial centered on whether his mental state meant he could be found criminally responsible. The court sided with the prosecution to rule that while he was subject to delusional thinking, his state of mind had limited effect on his actions.

The defense had sought an acquittal or lesser sentence. Aoba said he staged the attack because he believed the animation firm plagiarized a novel he unsuccessfully submitted to a contest run by the firm.

Kyoto Animation, often referred to as "KyoAni," is known worldwide for producing hit anime works including "K-On!" and "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya."

According to the ruling, Aoba entered the firm's Studio 1 in Kyoto, western Japan, at around 10:30 a.m. on July 18, 2019, and started the fire using gasoline. There were 70 employees in the building at the time of the fire, which also injured 32 others.

Related coverage:

Man sentenced to death over 2019 Kyoto Animation arson that killed 36

Death penalty sought for man over 2019 Kyoto Animation arson attack

Defense in Kyoto Animation arson trial says suspect not mentally fit
San Francisco, Jan 26 : Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, has termed Apple changes to its App Store in the European Union ahead of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) as "hot garbage".

San Francisco, Jan 26 (IANS) Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, has termed Apple changes to its App Store in the European Union ahead of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) as "hot garbage".

His company, however, announced that their popular Fortnite game will return to iOS in Europe this year. In a lengthy post on X, Sweeney called the Apple update "a devious new instance of malicious compliance".

"They are forcing developers to choose between App Store exclusivity and the store terms, which will be illegal under DMA, or accept a new also-illegal anticompetitive scheme rife with new Junk Fees on downloads and new Apple taxes on payments they don't process," Sweeney alleged.

Apple could block Epic from launching the Epic Games Store and distributing Fortnite through it, for example, or block Microsoft, Valve, Good Old Games, or new entrants.

"Epic has always supported the notion of Apple notarisation and malware scanning for apps, but we strongly reject Apple's twisting this process to undermine competition and continue imposing Apple taxes on transactions they're not involved in," said the Epic Games CEO.

"There's a lot more hot garbage in Apple's announcement," he added.

Meanwhile, his gaming company posted on X that Fortnite will return to iOS in Europe later this year, distributed by the upcoming Epic Games Store for iOS.

"Stay tuned for details as we figure out the regulatory timeline. We'll continue to argue to the courts and regulators that Apple is breaking the law," said the company.

Fortnite hasn't been available on iOS for more than three years, after Apple removed it from the App Store and banned Epic for sneaking in third-party in-app payments.

Last week, the US Supreme Court declined to hear the appeals filed by both Apple and Epic Games, following a judge's ruling that Apple must allow developers to offer alternative methods to pay for apps and services other than through the App Store.

"The court battle to open iOS to competing stores and payments is lost in the United States. A sad outcome for all developers," said Sweeney.

--IANS

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Agartala, Jan 26 : Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu on Friday appealed to the people to boycott the drugs peddlers and those who are involved with the drugs menaces and make the state a 'drug-free' state.

Agartala, Jan 26 (IANS) Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu on Friday appealed to the people to boycott the drugs peddlers and those who are involved with the drugs menaces and make the state a adrug-freea state.

Unfurling the national flag at the Republic Day's main function at Assam Rifles ground, the Governor said that the child marriages should be stopped and the divisive forces should be boycotted by the society.

He said that in adherence to the quadripartite agreement signed on January 16, 2020, for the permanent rehabilitation of Reang tribal migrants in Tripura from Mizoram, 12 locations have been identified in different parts of Tripura for the resettlement of 6,959 displaced families and all the tribal people have successfully relocated in those locations.

The Governor said that the Tripura government has actively implemented e-office on a mission mode with the objective of going green by paper free works since May last year.

Tripuraas delicious aQueen varietya pineapples are being exported to Dubai and Qatar after having international market linkage, the Governor said adding that a total quantity of pineapple traded outside the state is around 12,555 MT till last year.

Besides pineapple, Jackfruit, wood-apple, tamarind, ginger among other products have been exported to Bangladesh, UK, Germany, Dubai and other countries, he added.

Reddy Nallu said that Tripura is rich in bamboo industry resources with 21 species available in the state.

The state had the glory of supplying 75 per cent handmade agarbatti sticks requirement of the countryas agarbatti industry till 2011.

Tripura is the second largest producer of natural rubber in the country after Kerala with current production is about 90,712 MT per year, the Governor pointed out.

The Republic Day was also celebrated across the state through numerous functions and performances.
Guwahati, Jan 26 : Assam Police have arrested four persons on the suspicion of having links with banned militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I), according to police sources.

The police have conducted raids at several locations in the Guwahati city on Thursday night and a police source said following that the arrests were made.

However, the police have not divulged the details of the individuals arrested. Further investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, Paresh Baruah-led ULFA-I on Thursday announced that it has boycotted the R-Day celebrations and stressed their demand for a sovereign Assam.
New Delhi, Jan 26 : Enterprise software major Salesforce has become the latest tech company to make job cuts, according to a media report on Friday.

The company is laying off around 700 employees, said a person familiar with its plans, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The layoffs comprise around 1 per cent of the roughly 70,000-person company that makes cloud-based customer relationship management software. One year ago, it cut 10 per cent of its workers or around 8,000 employees, amid pressure from investors to cut costs, the report said.

Owing to global macroeconomic conditions, Salesforce in January 2023, laid off 10 per cent of its workforce, impacting about 7,000 employees. The employees were laid off during a two-hour, all-hands meeting over a call.

In February, CEO Marc Benioff in an interview with The New York Times, said the call wasn't the best idea. He said it was "hard to have a call like that" and "we paid a price".

Salesforce joins Chinese short-video making app TikTok, Google, YouTube Amazon, Unity, and Discord in the Big Tech layoffs in 2024.

Google has laid off nearly 1,000 employees in several departments, including Google's hardware, central engineering teams, and Google Assistant.

The tech giant is reportedly slashing "a few hundred" more jobs in its advertising sales team as part of an ongoing restructuring exercise.

YouTube is also reportedly laying off at least 100 employees from its creator management and operations teams.

In just two weeks into the New Year, at least 46 IT and tech companies (including startups) have laid off more than 7,500 employees and the number is growing by the day, as generative AI (GenAI) threatens millions of jobs.

Tech companies, including startups, around the world fired more than 425,000 employees in 2022 and 2023, with more than 36,000 employees being sacked in India in the same time frame.
New Delhi, January 26 : Shantanu Goel, an NRI and a resident of New York visiting family in India, has accused staff of German Airlines Lufthansa of insult and dismissive attitude, and urged fellow Indians to reconsider travelling with the airline.

In a detailed post on his social media account, Goel highlighted various issues he encountered during his recent journey from New York to India via Frankfurt.

According to his post on X, a request for information on where to fill his water bottle was met with a dismissive response, leaving Goel displeased with the level of customer service.

"Ground service agents at Frankfurt were not helpful, specifically Lufthansa employees. One such an example: I asked an airline representative where I could fill my water bottle in Frankfurt, he replied by saying "Do I look like the information desk to you, don't ask me," Goel wrote.

"On my flight to India, two crew members insulted passengers, specifically those who were older and could not speak English that well. I saw this occur multiple times with different passengers sitting in front of me. One lady was pointing to tea on the beverage cart and saying "yes," because she could not articulate what she wanted well. Instead of being understanding, a crew member almost yelled at her (I could hear this through my headphones) and said "open your mouth, and use your words."

When passengers were holding trays up for collection after meals, this same crew member said "I should spill this on you." Like what. Lecturing customers about how they "need to wait their turn" when they're asking for simple things like a napkin is insane," his post read.

Furthermore, Goel detailed an incident where a crew member refused to replace a meal after a passenger received the wrong food due to a special meal request error.

"This was comical, considering that Lufthansa had messed up the catering for the flights, and had made all the vegetarian dishes into vegan ones, which were almost inedible (I honestly do not know what happened or how. It was very confusing)," his tweet further stated.

"A crew member gave a woman in front of me chicken when he had ordered vegetarian, as a special meal request. She was given this before everyone. When she opened it, realised it was chicken, and asked a crew member to replace it, he said they can't replaced it since she opened it, and went on to say that "you don't you to a restaurant, eat the food, and ask for it to be taken back." Not sure what restaurants he's been to," his post read.

"None of these issues are that serious, but I could not even imagine them treating American or European customers this way without significant pushback. I understand the cabin crew role is difficult and demanding. However, I cannot justify spending -800 dollars on a ticket and seeing that the crew can just treat people in an insulting way," his tweet concluded.
New Delhi, Jan 26 : The most eagerly awaited part of the Republic Day Parade on Friday was 'The Flypast' -- a breathtaking airshow by 54 aircraft and helicopters.

New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) The most eagerly awaited part of the Republic Day Parade on Friday was aThe Flypasta -- a breathtaking airshow by 54 aircraft and helicopters.

These included three aircraft from the French Air and Space Force, 46 from the Indian Air Force, one from the Indian Navy, and four helicopters from the Indian Army.

aVintage as well as modern aircraft such as Light Combat Aircraft aTejasa, Rafale, Su-30, Jaguar, Dakota, Dornier, C-17, C-130J as well as Light Combat Helicopter aPrachanda, Advanced Light Helicopters and Apaches displayed various formations, including 'Tejas', 'Netra', 'Varuna', 'Vajraang', 'Trishul', 'Amrit', 'Prachand', 'Arjan' and Tangail.

The concluding Vertical Charlie maneuver was performed by a Rafale fighter aircraft.

The 54 aircraft comprising 29 fighter aircraft, eight transport, 13 helicopters and one heritage aircraft participated in the flypast.

Rafel, Sukhoi, Jaguar, C-295, C-17, LCH Prachand helicopter and Mig-29 aircraft were the part of the flypast during the Republic Day. Four Tejas aircraft made their debut in the Republic Day Parade.

Four aircraft from the Indian Army and one from the Indian Navy also flew in two separate formations with the IAF aircraft. All these aircraft operated from six different bases.

The IAF said that participating aircraft flew in several formations. It included Dhwaj Formation, Rudra formation, Baaz Formation, Prachand Formation, Tangail Formation, Arjan Formation, Netra Formation and Varuna Formation.

Dhwaj formation comprising four Mi-17 IV helicopters were flown in an 'Inverted Wine Glass' formation, trooping the National Ensign, as well as those of the three services. Helicopters of the formation showered flower petals on the audience.

The 'Rudra' formation comprised helicopters from the Army Aviation Corps and included one LCH Prachand and three ALH WSI helicopters flown in a four aircraft 'Diamond' formation and Baaz Formation.

Three MiG-29 aircraft also participated in flypast in a 'Vic' formation, the IAF said.

According to the IAF, Prachand formation had an LCH Prachand helicopter in lead, with two Apache and ALH MK-IV aircraft together flying in a five aircraft 'Arrow' formation.

Tangail formation, comprising one Dakota aircraft in lead, with two Dornier aircraft in echelon, flew in 'Vic' formation. A C-295 aircraft flanked by two C-130 aircraft in echelon, flew as the Arjan formation.

Netra formation, comprising one AEW and C aircraft and two Su- 30 aircraft in echelon, were flown in 'Vic' Formation.

An Indian Navy P-81, flanked by two IAF Su-30 aircraft were flown as the 'Varuna' formation.

The IAF said that Bheem formation comprising a C-17 and two Su-30 aircraft in echelon (streaming fuel) did flypast in 'Vic' formation.

Making its debut in the Republic Day Parade, was the Tejas formation, comprising four Tejas aircraft in 'Diamond' formation.

Vajraang formation, comprising six Rafale aircraft, were flown in 'Inverted wine glass' formation.
Kolkata, Jan 26 : University Grants Commission (UGC) has cautioned that as many as 21 universities in West Bengal have defaulted in appointing ombudsmen meant for addressing the grievances of the students' there.

Kolkata, Jan 26 (IANS) University Grants Commission (UGC) has cautioned that as many as 21 universities in West Bengal have defaulted in appointing ombudsmen meant for addressing the grievances of the studentsa there.

Among the 21 universities, 17 are state-run while the remaining four are private operating universities.

UGC has not disclosed the names of the universities.

Sources said among 21 universities also include two iconic institutions: University of Calcutta and Jadavpur University (JU).

However, the JU authorities have claimed that there might be some miscommunications regarding the name of the university appearing among the list of defaulters since an ombudsman has already been appointed by the university authorities within the specified date.
10 injured after cruise ship collides with breakwater in Japan. Image Source: IANS News

Tokyo, Jan 26 : At least ten people were injured after a night cruise ship collided with a breakwater at Japan's Yokohama Port, local media reported.

A distress call was received by The Japan Coast Guard, saying that "a cruise ship that had departed on Thursday from Yokohama Port for guests to enjoy the nightscape hit a breakwater and is inundated," Japanese daily Mainichi Shimbun said Friday.

The vessel sustained damage to the bow and experienced minor flooding, but there was no risk of it sinking, the report said.

The injured were rushed to hospital, Xinhua news agency reported quoting Yokohama City Fire Bureau as saying.

A total of 13 passengers and crew members were on board, Yokohama Coast Guard Office said.
Seoul, Jan 26 : Sam Altman, CEO of US artificial intelligence company OpenAI, has visited South Korea to discuss ways to set up a global network for artificial intelligence (AI) chip manufacturing with key chipmakers here, industry sources said on Friday.

Altman looked around the semiconductor production line of Samsung Electronics Co. in Pyeongtaek, some 65 kms south of Seoul, and met with Kyung Kye-hyun, who heads the chip business at the Korean company, according to the sources.

The American businessman arrived in Seoul the previous day. Scheduled talks with SK hynix Inc. CEO Kwak Noh-jung and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won are also on the agenda during his two-day visit, reports Yonhap news agency.

It is Altman's second visit to South Korea after his first in June last year, when he met with Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and had a conference with local startups.

Altman's recent move has been drawing attention as the businessman is seeking a new partnership in a bid to shake up the AI chip market, which the U.S. tech company Nvidia Corp. has largely dominated.

South Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are two of the few companies in the world that produce the premium high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, tailored for AI processors. Their combined market share in the global HBM market reaches more than 90 percent.

SK hynix is providing the fourth-generation HBM3 chips to Nvidia and gearing up to mass produce the fifth-generation HBM3E.

Samsung Electronics, the world's largest memory chipmaker, has both memory chip and foundry, or also called contract manufacturing, businesses.
Bengaluru, Jan 26 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said that the British were successful in ruling over India for 400 years as our own people hatched conspiracies against their people and land.

The Chief Minister warned against the people who are against social change, equal opportunities and with the mindset of denying equal opportunities for all.

"They are people amongst us who want to deny equal opportunities for all. They are very dangerous. People should beware of them," the Chief Minister said while addressing the gathering during the memorial day of freedom fighter martyr from Karnataka, Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna at Khodey Circle in Bengaluru.

He said that the freedom lover, patriotic Sangolli Rayanna was caught by the British due to the conspiracy of our own people.

"Rayanna should not only be respected as he hails from the Kuruba community. He must be honoured for his patriotism and sacrifice. In every home Rayanna should take birth," the Chief Minister said.

The state government has also asked the Central government to change the name of Hubballi airport to Sangolli Rayanna.

"We have created the KempeGowda Authority. We recommended the name of Kempe Gowda for the Bengaluru International Airport. The names of great personalities like Kempe Gowda, Rayanna, Basavanna, Kuvempu, Kanakadasa, Mahatma Gandhi and Vivekananda are given so that their lives should inspire people," Chief Minister said.

He said that some sections of the people who want to sit without hard work and eat the fruits of others are conspiring to change the Constitution.

"They want destruction of ideals of these great personalities and don't want the Constitution and continued inequality. Utmost care should be taken in this regard," the Chief Minister said.

"In our country, one king was hated by another. Making use of this weakness, Ghazni Mohammad, British and French invaded our country. The opportunities in the country should be made available to people of all sections. This is the objective of the Constitution of India. Basavanna, Kuvempu and even Rayanna also stood for this," he said.
GAZA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Palestine welcomed the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the situation in the Gaza Strip in favor of humanity and international law, said the Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki on Friday.

Al-Maliki stressed Palestine's welcome to the ICJ's ruling that "Israel should take all measures to prevent genocide in the Gaza Strip."

He said that now there are clear legal obligations to stop Israel's "genocidal war" on the Palestinian people in Gaza, calling on all states, including Israel, to ensure all provisional measures ordered by the Court are implemented.

The minister said the ICJ order is an important reminder that no state is above the law, adding that it should serve as a wake-up call for Israel and actors who "enabled its entrenched impunity."

He added that Palestine reaffirms its eternal gratitude to the people and government of South Africa for taking this bold step of active solidarity and will continue to work closely with South Africa and other countries to ensure that justice is served.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Islamic movement (Hamas) on Friday welcomed the ICJ's decision, calling on the international community to compel Israel to implement the important decision issued by the ICJ.

The ICJ in The Hague on Friday ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent "genocide acts" in the Gaza Strip and demanded Israel to report on the measures regarding the order within one month.

While the court did not order Israel to suspend its military operations in Gaza, one of the main requests submitted by South Africa. The court also called on Hamas to release all Israeli hostages.

On Dec. 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide related to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. 
Bengaluru, Jan 26 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said that Congress is like an ocean and no matter who exits, the party won't get affected.

"BJP is trying to pull everyone and not sparing anyone. We are also familiar with the act. If we had to do the same, many would have been pulled into the party," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

He said that former chief Minister Jagadish Shettar had joined Congress after making allegations against BJP as he was worried over the internal fighting there.

"Shettar lost the assembly elections by 35,000 votes on the Congress ticket. Even though we had nominated him as a MLC," the Deputy Chief Minister said while addressing the media at the Congress office in Bengaluru.

In a major development, former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who had joined the Congress before the 2023 Assembly election, rejoined the BJP on Thursday.

"Our party has won 136 seats. We have lost 7 to 8 seats due to our own mistakes. Even now many are looking forward to joining the party," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

"We carry out politics on ideologies and morals. The leaders from Belagavi and other regions have opined that exit of Shettar is a good development for the party. Shettar was given an opportunity keeping long term interests in mind. He must answer for his statements against the BJP. We need not speak about them. The post vacated by his exit would be given to a Congress loyalist," Shivakumar said.

He said that upholding the Indian Constitution is the primary objective of the Congress party.

"It is a national scripture. The history of India is all about the history of the Congress party. If Congress comes to power people of all sections would get power. The party will take everyone along," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

"We are inching close to elections. The debate is on in the media. INDIA bloc will face election unitedly," he stated.

He attacked former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy that he was made the chief minister by the party and now he has become the spokesperson of the BJP.

He said that he had taken the advice of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge that in future people with ideology should be welcomed into the party.

--IANS

mka/dan
New Delhi, Jan 26 : The Delhi High Court has rejected the plea to suspend the 10-year sentence of Jaideep Singh Sengar, the brother of expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar.

Jaideep was convicted in March 2020 for his involvement in the death of the father of the 2018 Unnao rape victim.

The court, led by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, dismissed Jaideep's application seeking suspension of his sentence during the pendency of his appeal.

The decision was made considering factors such as his medical condition, the severity of the offence, and public confidence in the judiciary.

While in custody, Jaideep claimed to be diagnosed with oral cancer and received interim bail in November 2020, extended until January 18 last year.

The court had temporarily suspended his sentence in June, citing his fragile health, a measure that was subsequently extended.

Despite arguments for parity with the five co-accused persons whose sentences were suspended, the court found no merit in Jaideep's plea.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opposed the plea, saying that he had served only about 30 per cent of his ten-year sentence.

The court, after reviewing AIIMS' medical report, concluded that Jaideep's health condition did not warrant relief from serving his sentence in jail.

The observations made by the court clarified that they should not be construed as an opinion on the merits of the case.

The high court has now scheduled Jaideep's appeal against the sentence and conviction for a hearing on May 5.

The trial court had convicted Kuldeep Sengar on December 16, 2019, under various provisions of the IPC and also imposed a fine of Rs 25 lakh on him.

The trial started on August 5, 2019, after the Supreme Court on August 1 directed to transfer all five cases related to the matter from Unnao to Delhi.

The top court had directed to hold trial on a daily basis and complete it within 45 days.
Mumbai, Jan. 26 : On Republic Day, lakhs of Marathas waving the Tricolour and saffron flags, marched into Mumbai from different entry points in what is considered as the "final battle" for reservation in education and jobs for the community, here on Friday.

The Shivba Sanghatana President Manoj Jarange-Patil, who marched for six days from Jalna to Mumbai and is presently stationed in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, said that he has started an indefinite hunger strike from today to press for the qoutas.

Simultaneously, he held rounds of negotiations with government officials and emissaries of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on a new set of proposals.

Later, Jarange-Patil said that the delegations have submitted a fresh proposal which he will study, consult his expert team and then take a final decision today, as he prepared to address a rally this afternoon.

Rattled by the massive crowds virtually at Mumbai's doorsteps, the government is making last-ditch efforts to convince Jarange-Patil that the reservation will be given but he should take back his sea of Maratha humanity that can paralyse the country's commercial capital besides posing administrative, logistics and law-and-order issues.

The Opposition Congress President Nana Patole warned that "even if Jarange-Patil is touched, we will not spare the state government", and demanded full security to the Shivba Sanghatana leader.

Many of the Marathas who entered the city were from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, who commuted by suburban trains from places in Palghar, Thane, Raigad and also residents of Mumbai to join the last war for quotas, reaching either Dadar, Churchgate or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and thousands came by road.
Imphal, Jan 26 : Unlike the previous years, the 75th Republic Day was celebrated in ethnic violence ravaged Manipur in a subdued fashion as six prominent student bodies as well as several militant outfits earlier appealed to the people to boycott the Friday's celebrations.

Six influential student bodies including All Manipur Student' Union had earlier pleaded to students and the people, urging them not to participate in Republic Day celebrations and use black flags as a symbolic protest to the ongoing ethnic violence.

The student bodies, which represent various segments of Manipuri society, expressed their dissatisfaction with the current state of the government's policies towards the over nine month long ethnic crisis in the state.

Like previous years, several militant outfits also earlier gave a call to boycott the Republic Day celebrations.

However, no untoward incident was reported so far from any of the 16 districts, where the Republic Day was celebrated under a heavy security cover.

Day's main function was held at the famous Kangla Fort in Imphal, where Governor Anusuiya Uikey unfurled the national flag and took salute from different march-past contingents.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, his cabinet colleagues and high dignitaries participated in the event.

Meanwhile, delivering his speech to the participants of march-past at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Parade Ground, Chief Minister expressing his unhappiness with the present ongoing situation in the state, said that the "present crisis can be faced only when we stand united".

Saying that every Manipuri has a responsibility towards building a united Bharat, the Chief Minister urged the people to respect the Constitution and to exercise their rights and fulfil their responsibilities to protect the unity of Manipur and unity of India.

Stating that it is the duty of each and every Indian to show respect to the Constitution, Singh said that it is under this Constitution that the citizens of the country exercise their rights and fulfil their duties to become responsible citizens.

"Under such democratic process, we should respect one another, be secular, and not hinder others in their efforts to develop and preserve their own culture, language, traditions," he added.

The Chief Minister also expressed gratitude to the Central government for conferring the Padma Shri awards to Machihan Sasa, (Nungpi Pottery) and also congratulated the artist.

Bharat, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has witnessed huge developmental changes since 2014, occupying a spot among the superpowers of the world in the fields of space, defence, economy, he added.

After the celebration at Kangla, the Governor along with the Chief Minister, Speaker, Manipur Assembly, Ministers and MLAs visited Rani Gaidinliu Park at Mantripukhri in Imphal and paid homage to the statue of freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu on her 109th birth anniversary.
New Delhi, Jan 26 : In conjunction with the state visit of the French President Emmanuel Macron to India, Akasa Air and France origin company, CFM International on Friday announced an agreement to purchase CFM LEAP-1B engines to power 150 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, the sale of which was announced last week.

The agreement also includes spare engines and a services contract.

Akasa Air, the Mumbai-based operator launched its operations in August 2022 and had previously ordered a total of 76 LEAP-1B- powered 737-8 aircraft, of which 22 are currently in service.

"This significant, long-term agreement is testament to the confidence that CFM International has in Akasa Air. Continuing to partner with CFM as our engine maintenance provider not only reaffirms our focus on operational reliability but equally underscores Akasa Air's relentless pursuit of world class safety," said Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO of Akasa Air.

"With CFM as our long-term engine maintenance provider, we remain confident in our path to becoming one of the top 30 leading airlines in the world, by the turn of this decade," he said.

This new order grows CFM's footprint in India, with more than 400 CFM-powered aircraft in service and 2,500 LEAP engines in the backlog.

Both CFM's parent companies GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines have also significantly invested in India to build state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to LEAP production and maintenance, while signing strategic partnerships with Indian aerospace companies as part of the "Make in India" policy.

"Our customers, including Akasa, are seeing 15 to 20 percent better fuel efficiency with their LEAP-powered fleets and it has the highest reliability and daily utilisation rates in this thrust class," said Gael Meheust, president and CEO of CFM International.

Meheust said that today's order will continue to bring these benefits to Akasa and support their continued growth, as well as play an important role in India's economic development.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 26 : The happenings of the past two days in which the central character appeared to be Governor Arif Mohammed Khan have irked the ruling Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government with one of its ministers V. Sivankutty saying that 'Kerala will not bow before the arrogant governor'.

On Friday soon after Khan finished his Republic Day address where he applauded the Centre and took potshots at Vijayan's governance, Sivankutty said, "Kerala will not bow before the arrogance of the governor, who is out to portray the state and those who run the administration in a poor light. Khan literally abused eminent historian Irfan Habib and termed him as a goon. Former apex court judge Rohington Nariman and leading lawyer Fali S.Nariman also were rebuked by Khan."

Sivankutty also expressed his ire at the way Khan was behaving with Vijayan.

"How can any Keralite tolerate such a behavior as Khan has taken such a negative approach," asked Sivankutty.

Governor Khan surprised all when he in a minute read the first and last paragraph of his address at the state Assembly on Thursday. The CPI(M) hit back by saying that "maybe the governor had some health issues and hence did not read the entire pages".

And on both these occasions Khan and Vijayan did not exchange any pleasantries which is the norm when the head of the state and head of the government meet in public space.
Dhaka, Jan 26 : Pakistani all-rounder Shoaib Malik found himself at the centre of controversy as his Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) contract was reportedly terminated amid suspicions match-fixing.

The speculations emerged after Malik, who played for Fortune Barishal, bowled three no-balls in a single over in a match against Khulna Tigers.

While reports circulated on social media about Malik's contract termination being linked to match-fixing suspicions, the Barishal team's media manager, Sikander, refuted such claims and insisted that "Malik's contract was terminated through mutual agreement", Samaa TV reported.

Contrary to the media reports, Malik himself refuted the match-fixing allegations. He clarified that he was in Dubai for pre-arranged personal commitments and expressed his desire to return and play for Barishal. However, he claimed that the league administration did not agree to his proposal, leading to the termination of his contract, the reports said.
Ludhiana, Jan 26 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday recalled the stellar role played by the Punjabis in attaining the freedom of the country and then carving out the modern day Indian republic by preserving its unity, integrity and sovereignty through countless sacrifices.

Addressing the gathering after unfurling the national Tricolour in a function here to mark 75th Republic Day, the Chief Minister said this day assumes "a lot of significance for us because Punjabis had brought it after enormous sacrifices".

He said during the pre-Independence period, many January 26 had passed but no one was allowed to unfurl the national flag. "Now only we have the right to celebrate this day but it is unfortunate that the tableau of state was deliberately kept out of the Republic Day parade (In Delhi)."

The Chief Minister said it is surprising how national festivals can be celebrated without Punjab, adding those who had deliberately kept Punjab's tableau out of the parade must tell what is wrong in them. He said the rich culture and heritage of the state has been duly showcased in the tableaus made by the state government because "we can't compromise with the pride of the state".

Mann said the "mockery" of the supreme sacrifices made by the Punjabis, by the Union government, is intolerable and unwarranted due to which the state has vehemently raised this issue.

The Chief Minister said the Union government has "insulted" the great martyrs, including Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Mai Bhago, Ghadri Baabe and others, by rejecting the tableau of the state.

He said that the Union government has "belittled" their contribution and sacrifice of these heroes by not including their tableaus in the Republic Day parade. Mann said this cannot be tolerated as it is the grave insult of these great patriots and national leaders adding that the state government has now duly showcased this immense contribution in tableaus across the state.

The Chief Minister said the government has decided to name the upcoming international airport at Indian Air Force Station Halwara in Ludhiana as Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha International Airport. He said due to strenuous efforts of the government, the Mohali international airport has already been named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh, adding naming of the Halwara airport after Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha will be a humble tribute to the martyr.

He said naming the airports, universities and other institutions in the name of these iconic martyrs is important to perpetuate their glorious legacy.

Striking an emotional note with the people, the Chief Minister urged them to end gender discrimination amongst boys and girls. He said this is the need of hour to give wings to the girls for excelling in each and every field thereby enabling them to script new success stories.

Mann said the girls of the state are very brave and they can achieve any goal if they are given a chance.

The Chief Minister said Punjab produces 182 lakh metric ton paddy by over exploiting its only available natural resources in terms of water and fertile soil. He said then only the country has been made self-reliant in terms of food production due to which it has emerged as a strong nation across the globe.

However, Mann said conspiracies are being hatched to deprive the farmers of the state from the minimum support price (MSP), which is discriminatory and pathetic.

However, the Chief Minister said Punjab was a frontrunner and will always continue to be that as Punjabis have been blessed with indomitable spirit of hard work and resilience.

He said the state is performing its duty meticulously and zealously to ensure that Punjab leads the country in every sphere. Mann said he is not worried for the next elections but he is working for the welfare of the next generation due to which several path-breaking initiatives have been taken.

The Chief Minister said the government is making concerted efforts for the welfare of the youth. The focus of his government is to ensure that youth become job givers instead of job seekers.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the parade led by parade commander Akarshi Jain. He also took a salute from an impressive march past by contingents of Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, Punjab Armed Police, NCC girls and boys, Bharat Scouts and Guides, besides the Punjab Police Brass band.

On the occasion, students of local schools presented a colourful variety programme.
Hyderabad, Jan 26 : AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi unfurled the national flag at a madrasa in the old city of Hyderabad on 75th Republic Day on Friday.

The Hyderabad MP participated in the event held at Madrasa Jamiatul Mominat, an Islamic seminary for girls.

He along with teachers and other staff members and students sang the national anthem.

Like in the past, Owaisi also unfurled the national flag at Madina Circle in the old city.

The MP also participated in another Republic Day event organised by AIMIM in Yakutpura constituency. After unfurling the national flag, he distributed free sewing machines among women.

The Republic Day programme was also held at Darussalam, the headquarters of AIMIM.

"My solemn hope on this Republic Day is that hate is bulldozed, injustice is encountered and oppression is eliminated," Owaisi posted on 'X'

Unfurling of the national flag marked the day at the offices of other political parties.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and ministers D. Sridhar Babu and Ponnam Prabhakar celebrated the Republic Day event at Gandhi Bhavan, the Congress headquarters.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao led the Republic Day celebrations at Telangana Bhavan.

At the BJP office, party MP. K. Laxman unfurled the national flag.
Patna, Jan 26 : RJD MP Manoj Jha on Friday said that RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has asked the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to clear his stand over INDIA alliance.

He said that in the last one week there have been several news stories on social and mainstream media which are creating confusion about Nitish Kumar's stand on INDIA alliance.

"As Nitish Kumar is Bihar's Chief Minister, he is the right person to resolve the confusion. It will be in the interest of common people of Bihar to get this confusion resolved," Jha said.

Reportedly, Nitish Kumar is in constant touch with the BJP and speculation is rife that he may dump the RJD and other alliance partners again in coming days.
SHANGHAI, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Standing at the forefront of China's reform and opening up, Shanghai registered record high actual utilization of foreign investment totaling 24 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, remaining a much favored destination for international investments.

The city's gross domestic product (GDP) hit 4.72 trillion yuan (about 664.1 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, up 5 percent year on year, according to the government work report delivered at the annual session of the municipal people's congress.

Last year, Shanghai saw an increase of 65 regional headquarters of multinational companies and 30 foreign-funded research and development centers, bringing the total number to 956 and 561, respectively.

"The data shows that Shanghai's attractiveness to foreign investment has not declined. The city is still regarded as a pioneer and pacesetter of China's reform and opening up by international investors," said Chen Huawen, head of Shanghai's Minhang District and a deputy to the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress.

Dora Liu, deputy CEO of Deloitte China, also a deputy to the municipal legislature, said that as the foreign investment utilization reached a record high, the structure and quality of foreign investment have also been optimized, which echoes with China's high-quality development.

Moderna, a biotech giant from the United States, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization and the Minhang District government in July last year. With an estimated investment of 3.6 billion yuan, the project is one of the largest foreign investments in China's biomedical field.

To facilitate the investment, the district set up a special work team working around the clock to address relating issues. It took the company about only three months to start the construction of its first pharmaceutical plant in China following the signing of the investment agreement.

Allen & Gledhill LLP, one of the leading law firm from Singapore with a history of 120 years, opened its first representative office in China on Wednesday in Shanghai's Pudong District.

The promising market in Shanghai and the welcoming business environment are the key reasons to invest in Shanghai, according to the firm.

"We are looking forward to expanding our business in China and eager to see how we can better serve our clients with this new venture," said Jerry Koh, Managing Partner of Allen & Gledhill LLP, also expressing his confidence on the Lujiazui Financial City, which has advantages including a high level of internationalization and business service.

According to Shanghai's government work report, a new round of reform on business environment with 150 tasks and measures will be carried out this year. It will improve the communication mechanism, upgrade the service for key enterprises and take steps to align with high-standard international economic and trade rules.

"To attract more quality enterprises and businesses from all over the world, we plan to visit more headquarters of international companies abroad this year. We will communicate with their executives face to face, to enhance their confidence of investing and developing their businesses in Shanghai," said Chen, head of Minhang District. 
Mumbai, Jan 26 : Actor and judge of 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa', Arshad Warsi has lauded the performance of Manisha Rani and Adrija Sinha on the iconic Bollywood song 'Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aaja', and said that they reminded him of Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit from 'Dola Re Dola'.

In the 'Maha Sangam Mai Maha Sangram' episode of the celebrity dance reality show, the contestants were challenged to perform in jodis.

The twist is that these celebrity jodis performed without their choreographers, and each contestant was scored separately for the act, based on individual merit.

Judge Farah Khan brought together the dynamic duo, Manisha and Adrija, and they delivered a fusion act to the song 'Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aaja'. The song is from the 1982 movie 'Disco Dancer', starring Mithun Chakraborty.

Both Manisha and Adrija have left everyone stunned with their never-seen-before avatars and exceptional fusion dance skills.

Talking about the performance, Arshad said: "Very nicely choreographed act. The mood of the song and your movements were excellent. You all know I have a soft spot for this little girl, Adrija, because right from the start, she has given such great performances that I find myself compelled every time."

"And now, here comes another one, Manisha, you dance really well. I mean, if someone tells me that you're not a dancer, I won't believe it. You danced like a professional dancer," said the 'Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.' fame actor.

He further added: "You both reminded me of Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit from aDola Re Dolaa, both were fab dancers but still there was a difference. In this act too, you both were good and had your own style."

The song 'Dola Re Dola', sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shreya Ghoshal, and KK is from the 2002 period romantic drama 'Devdas', starring Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai.

Impressed by the act, Farah said: "We know that Adrija is the pride of our show, and everyone is afraid of her, but when the shadow play was happening, I swear I couldn't make out who Adrija was and who Manisha was. Manisha, you were that good."

"The song was really unexpected, and performing on 'Jimmy Jimmy,' adding semi-classical elements, and then incorporating all those Mithun Da touches in between was amazing. Manisha, it was amazing how well you coordinated with Adrija. The solo pieces were so good; it's hard to say who was better or if anyone lacked in comparison. Adrija, thank you for trying something new," she added.

'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' airs on Sony.
London, Jan 26 : An elderly British Sikh former post office operator has claimed that she faced discrimination due to her Asian heritage and was urged by the auditors to confess to stealing 30,000 pounds.

Kuldeep Kaur Atwal, 73, was accused of stealing the money over a period from July 1995 until November 1996, when Post Office auditors made a morning visit to the Coventry branch in 1997.

Before her trial at Coventry Crown Court in 1997, Atwal, then 46, was told by the auditors that her cultural background may have played a role in her criminality, The Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday.

While she was cleared of all charges later, Atwal claims it was suggested by the auditors that if she admitted to being at fault, she may be able to avoid the harshest sanctions.

A mother of three, Atwal said the auditor's alleged comment had made her angry at the time but she had felt powerless to respond.

"One of the auditors commented to me... that 'It is quite common in your society that women come under pressure to take money on the side, they don't tell the family. Is someone putting pressure on you?" Atwal recounted.

"He meant being an Asian woman, the culture is such that the rest of the family puts pressure on the woman (leading to theft). I said, 'Don't be silly'."

While Atwal was declared not guilty due to lack of evidence, the Post Office went on to demand that Atwal pay the money she had been falsely accused of stealing, following which she had to sell off her branch for a fraction of its market value.

Last year, the Post Office apologised after a document was discovered in which operators like Atwal were categorised as "negroid types", "Chinese/Japanese types" and "dark-skinned European types".

After this, many individuals came forward, alleging that racial biases influenced their prosecutions with one claiming that he was told by a Post Office staff member that "all Indians are doing it".

"Looking back, I feel like saying they were bullies, to be honest. I lost my job and everybody judges you. The Post Office was so strong -- everybody feared them," Atwal told The Guardian.

"I felt for my husband more than anything with all the staff, all the students, looking down on him," she said.

The accounting system that Atwal used in her branch in Coventry was 'Capture' -- a predecessor to the infamous Horizon IT software, whose malfunctioning led to the wrongful conviction of more than 900 people.

Internal documents seen by the Guardian suggested the Post Office had also been aware of "serious problems" with Capture, prompting a series of software upgrades.

"What makes me angry is that the Post Office knew all along about the problems with Horizon, and now they are not coming clean about the pre-Horizon system. The Capture system was full of bugs and errors," Labour MP Kevan Jones, who has been prominent in the campaign for the post office operators, told The Guardian.

Meanwhile, London's Metropolitan Police has opened a new investigation into the Post Office over potential fraud offences. The UK government said earlier this month that it will introduce new legislation to overturn the convictions of hundreds of post office managers who were wrongly convicted of theft and fraud.

--IANS

mi/vd
Patna, Jan 26 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is likely to form the new government in the state next week with support of BJP by once again ditching his alliance partners RJD and other members of Mahagathbandhan.

Sources said that the final round of talk is currently underway between JD-U and BJP and are likely to be finalised by next week.

"The next Bihar government is likely to be an alliance of JD-U, BJP and Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular (HAMS) alliance," sources said.

JD-U has 45 MLAs, BJP has 76 and HAMS has 4 MLAs putting them at 125. Bihar Vidhan Sabha has 243 seats while 122 MLAs are required to form the government.

On Friday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also attended the High-Tea party at Raj Bhawan on Republic Day and was accompanied by Ashok Choudhary.

Sources said that Nitish Kumar has also discussed the possibility of forming the new government with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

Bihar Leader of Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha -- who recently participated in a meeting headed by Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi -- said that the top leadership of BJP is closely monitoring the political situation of the state.

BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi said that Nitish Kumar is a hard bargainer and will bargain on the seat sharing formula for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as well as.
Cooch Behar: West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury receives the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' flag and welcomes Rahul Gandhi and other leaders as the 'yatra' enters the state. Image Source: IANS News

Kolkata, Jan 26 : West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Friday promised to intervene in the matter of denial of police permission for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's proposed public meeting in Siliguri in Darjeeling district on Sunday as a part of the party's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

"The matter is being looked into by the administration. If the administration fails to act, I will personally look into the matter," the Governor told mediapersons, hours after it surfaced that the police have denied permission for the proposed public meeting.

As per the plans of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC), a meeting was scheduled in Siliguri on Sunday, followed by Rahul Gandhi addressing a gathering.

However, according to state Congress leaders, the Siliguri Metropolitan Police have denied permission for the public meeting at the last moment citing certain examination to be held in Siliguri on that day.

The Congress leadership has now decided to go ahead with the proposed rally and cancel the meeting.

Meanwhile, state Congress chief and five-time MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has launched a scathing attack against the state administration over the denial of permission.

"The Nyay Yatra faced a lot of resistance in Manipur from the BJP-led government there. But it was unexpected that we would receive similar non-cooperation from the administration in West Bengal as well. It is most unfortunate that police permission has been denied for our proposed meeting on Sunday," Chowdhury said.

The Congress leadership also alleged that the party is facing administrative hurdles in conducting the Nyay Yatra in West Bengal ever since it entered the state through Boxirhat in Cooch Behar district on Thursday morning.
New Delhi, Jan 26 : The preparation of the Interim Budget 2024 has entered the last lap with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her team of top Finance Ministry officials giving the final touches to the document as North Block has been put in lock-down mode to ensure complete secrecy after the 'halwa ceremony'.

According to sources, there is a lot of back and forth with the team of PMO officials headed by P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, and the Finance Ministry officials.

These discussions ensure that the thrust of the schemes drawn up by the Prime Minister with his close understanding of the ground realities, are adequately presented in the fine-print of the budget.

Finance Secretary TV Somanathan, a Tamil Nadu cadre officer who served as additional secretary in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) before joining the Finance Ministry, is a key link between the two teams.

The top members of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's team spearheading the budget-making exercise in the ministry include Sanjay Malhotra, the Revenue Secretary, Ajay Seth, Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Secretary of the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management, Vivek Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services and V Anantha Nageswaran, the Chief Economic Advisor.

During the printing of the Union Budget in North Block, most officials have to stay put in the office with no communication with the outside world during the days ahead of the budget. It is only after the budget is presented on Feb1 that they will be allowed to go home.

The last week is the culmination of a 6-month budget preparation exercise in which all the ministries such as agriculture, rural development, industry, power, highways and ports prepare their estimates and present them to the Finance Ministry.

The Finance Minister assisted by her team then goes through the proposals and puts them together in close consultation with the PMO taking into account the overall fiscal deficit and the relative allocations that have to be made with the government policies aimed at pushing growth and inclusive development.

Sitharaman is poised to present the interim budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 on February 1, making her only the second finance minister of the country to present a budget in Parliament for the sixth time in a row after Morarji Desai.

The full budget for 2023-24 will be presented after the formation of the new government following the 2024 general elections.

An Interim Budget is presented by a government that is in its last year in office ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

The need for an interim budget arises because a fresh approval is required from Parliament to withdraw money from the Consolidated Fund of India to run the government as the existing 2023-24 Budget is valid only till March 31 this year.

Since the Lok Sabha elections are being held in April-May this year, funds will be required to run the country till the new government takes over. The interim budget is a practical arrangement that enables the government to fill this gap.

An Interim Budget is similar to a Union Budget in that ruling government tables in Parliament the estimates of its expenditure, revenue, fiscal deficit and financial performance and projections for the upcoming financial year.

Although major tax proposals are not made, the ruling government can tweak some taxes as it did when it raised the income tax deduction limit to give salaried professionals some relief ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The government does not make any major policy announcements during the Interim Budget which could financially burden the next elected government that will present the full Union Budget.

According to the Election Commission's Code of Conduct, the government cannot include any major scheme in the Interim Budget as it could influence voters.

The government also does not present the Economic Survey along with the Interim Budget which is done a day before the presentation of the main budget.
Patna, Jan 26 : Tensions between Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav have deepened which was visible during the Republic Day function at Gandhi Maidan.

The two leaders were sitting some distance away from each other while the chair of Deputy Chief Minister was placed at least five feet away from the Chief Minister. They even did not interact with each other during the function.

Generally, both the leaders sit together during the official functions and frequently interact with each other.

Tejashwi also did not attend the High-Tea party at Raj Bhawan and changed his programme at the last minute while the Chief Minister along with Building Construction Minister Ashok Choudhary and Finance Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary attended the function.

At the Raj Bhavan, a chair was placed for the Deputy Chief Minister next to the Chief Minister but Ashok Chaudhary removed the name plate and sat next to the Chief Minister during the function.

Bihar Chief Minister is likely to form the new government next week with support of BJP by ditching his alliance partners RJD and others of Mahagathbandhan once again.

Sources said that the final round of talk is currently underway between JD-U and BJP and are likely to be finalised by next week.

"The next Bihar government is likely to be an alliance of JD-U, BJP and Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular (HAMS) alliance," sources said.

JD-U has 45 MLAs, BJP has 76 and HAMS has 4 MLAs putting them at 125. Bihar Vidhan Sabha has 243 seats while 122 MLAs are required to form the government.
Chennai, Jan 26 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday handed over the Kottai Ameer Communal harmony award 2024 to Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair during the Republic Day celebrations.

Zubair is a native of Denkanikottai in Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu.

Alt News portal is a fact-checking portal and analyses the veracity of the social media posts.

"His work helps to prevent the occurrence of violence in society likely to be caused by fake news," reads the citation given to Mohammed Zubair.

The citation said that the example of Alt News bringing out the truth behind fake news which said that migrant workers were being attacked in Tamil Nadu.

Zubair, after verifying the video footage, said that the video of migrant workers being attacked in Tamil Nadu was fake. His fact checking, apparently, prevented major violence in Tamil Nadu.

The Chief Minister also handed over the Chief Minister's Special Award to U. Aayi Ammal alias Poornam who donated her 1.52 acre of land for the upgradation of Madurai East Panchayat Union Middle School as High School at Y. Kodikulam.

She had donated her land in memory of her daughter Janani who passed away.

The Chief Minister also distributed the Anna Medal for Gallantry, 2024 to fisherman Yasaar Arafat of Kayalpattinam in Thoothukudi district who led over a dozen fishermen from Singithurai to rescue about 250 people from the devastating floods.
New Delhi, Jan 26 : The Tata Group and France's Airbus have signed an agreement to manufacture H125 helicopters "with a significant indigenous component" as part of the growing defence industrial partnership between the two countries, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Friday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron have firmed up a roadmap for defence industrial partnership roadmap that provides for co-development and co-production of key military hardware and facilitate technology collaboration in a range of areas including space, cyberspace and artificial intelligence, Kwatra said.

The Foreign Secretary was briefing the media on the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Jaipur on Thursday night.

Kwatra further stated that the talks prioritized defence cooperation, with a focus on recognizing opportunities for collaboration in the defence industrial sector, and this involves collaborative design, development, production, and the creation of defence supply chains between the two nations.

He said an MoU was signed between New Space India Ltd and France's Arianespace for cooperation in satellite launches.

PM Modi and President Macron also held discussions on the Israel-Gaza war and its geopolitical fallout including the disruption of shipping in the Red Sea region.

Kwatra said that athe two leaders discussed not just areas of priority and focus in our bilateral partnership, but also focused quite a lot on what's happening in different parts of the world. Naturally, the ongoing conflict in Gaza and its various dimensions, the terror dimension, the humanitarian dimension, the civil disruption dimension, all those things came up for discussion and both leaders shared their perspectives.

"With regard to developments in the Red Sea. Naturally, the disruptions, the potential disruption and the actual things happening in the maritime domain there, which is causing disruption to commercial shipping, indeed is a matter of serious concern and both leaders focused on it," he added.

--IANS

pannu/pgh
Kohima, Jan 26 : Nagaland Governor La Ganesan on Friday expressed his displeasure over the unresolved Naga political issue, which has posed constraints in the development and growth of the state, as he appealed to all to rise above their differences to push for a final solution on the issue at the earliest.

Addressing a Republic Day programme at the Secretariat Plaza here, Ganesan said the state government is keen and committed for an early solution to the problem.

"Nagaland was formed six decades ago with special Constitutional safeguards to protect its culture, identity and interest of the people," the Governor said.

he added that the state has been an active partner in contributing to the overall development and growth of the country.

"However, we are all aware of the constraints posed by the Naga political issue, the solution to which still eludes us, in spite of the best efforts and good wishes of everyone concerned," he stated.

Thanking all the stakeholders "for working tirelessly to find a peaceful, honourable and acceptable resolution to the Naga political issue", the Governor appealed to all the stakeholders to rise above their differences and give a united final push to arrive at the eagerly-awaited solution.

The Naga political issue is considered one of the longest insurgency problems of the country, while the Centre has been holding separate negotiations with NSCN-IM and other Naga outfits since 1997 and the Naga National Political Group since 2017.

Stating that compared to the other parts of the state, eastern Nagaland areas are lagging behind in terms of infrastructure and socio economic parameters, the Governor said the state and the Central government are aware of this issue and both are firmly committed to suitably address it with the urgency it deserves.

The Nagaland Legislative Assembly recently passed the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2023 and the relevant Rules have also been framed by the state government which is committed to hold the urban local body elections soon, he said.

Ganesan also said that the Sydney Morning Herald, a leading daily in Australia, has identified Nagaland as one of the 16 most exciting tourist destinations in the world for 2024.

In the 10-day long Hornbill Festival held in December last year, more than 1,54,000 people, including over 2,000 foreign tourists, participated. The annual festival became a global showcase of Nagaland's rich culture and diplomatic success with the participation of the US, Germany and Colombia as partner countries, the Governor said.

He also told the gathering that Nagaland would host the three-day 'Asia Music Summit' in Kohima from February 1 which would be one of the country's biggest international music events with participants expected from more than 15 countries.
TEHRAN, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa vowed to further improve bilateral relations and expand ties in various areas.

The two leaders held a phone call Thursday, during which the two also discussed the latest development in Gaza, according to a statement published on the website of Iran's Presidency Office on Friday.

Raisi expressed the determination to further improve bilateral relations with South Africa, highlighting the necessity to use diverse mutual capacities to expand bilateral relations in political, economic, scientific and technological areas.

He also praised the South African government for filing a case against Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) late last December, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide related to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

For his part, the South African president described Iran as a "true and reliable friend" that had always stood by his country in times of difficulty.

He stressed that his government and people highly respected Iran, voicing his country's willingness to promote all-out relations with Iran.

Ramaphosa also said he was very pleased to see that "influential and peace-loving" countries like Iran were supporting Palestinians and seeking to uphold their rights.

The ICJ is set to deliver a ruling on South Africa's case against Israel on Friday in Hague. It will also rule on South Africa's demand for the court's urgent intervention to stop Israel's military operation in Gaza.

Israel has been fighting with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, after the group launched a surprise attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks in the enclave has risen to 25,900, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry on Thursday. 
Mumbai, Jan 26 : Shivba Sanghatana leader Manoj Jarange-Patil on Friday gave a day's ultimatum to Maharashtra government to issue a notification on the Maratha quotas and other demands.

Sitting on agitation at Navi Mumbai along with lakhs of Marathas, Jarange-Patil has demanded that the government should immediately suspend all job recruitments till the Supreme Court decides on the curative petition and free education to Maratha boys on the lines of KG-to-PG given to girls.

He said that even if the recruitments are to be taken up, then vacancies for the Marathas must be kept till the SC case outcome.

"Till now, the government has found over 54 lakhs Kunbi-Maratha and Maratha-Kunbi records from various districts in the state. The authorities have claimed that so far 37 lakh certificates have been issued, we want the full data on this," said Jarange-Patil.

Lakhs of Marathas are currently waiting for the governmentas response in Navi Mumbai with government and police officials maintaining close contact with Jarange-Patil who has started a hunger strike this morning.

The Shivba Sanghatana leader reiterated that he would not return from here till the Maratha brothers and sisters are given their due quota as promised by the government.

Earlier, on Republic Day, lakhs of Marathas waving the tricolour and saffron flags, marched into Mumbai from different entry points in what is considered as the "final battle" for reservation in education and jobs for the community.

Jarange-Patil unfurled the national tricolour at a function outside the Vashi Assistant Police Commissioner's office and saluted the flag as thousands of Marathas cheered and clapped.

Rattled by the massive crowds virtually at Mumbaias doorsteps, the government initiated frantic efforts to convince Jarange-Patil that the reservation will be given but he should take back his sea of Maratha humanity that can paralyse the countryas commercial capital besides posing administrative, logistics and law-and-order issues.

The Opposition Congress President Nana Patole warned that "even if Jarange-Patil is touched, we will not spare the state government", and demanded full security to the Shivba Sanghatana leader.
Chandigarh, Jan 26 : Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday hoisted the tricolour at the state-level 75th Republic Day celebrations in Karnal, where he announced that under the Mukhya Mantri Shehri Awas Yojana, a portal will be opened on February 1 for the allocation of plots measuring 30 square yards in 11 cities.

Applicants can participate by depositing a nominal amount and avail loans from banks, along with assistance from the Central and state governments, to build their homes on these plots, he said.

Khattar said the state government has initiated this scheme to provide roofs over the heads of the poor and needy. Through advertisements, applications were invited for plots or flats under this scheme. So far, 1 lakh people have applied under the scheme.

Khattar also announced that statues of Dr Mangal Sen and Kalpana Chawla would be installed at the Dr Mangal Sen Auditorium and Kalpana Chawla Medical College, both in Karnal, respectively.

The Chief Minister said the aAtal canteensa are being operated in 25 mandis to provide nutritious food at affordable rates to the poor and farmers. Starting February 1, such canteens will be opened in 15 more places and all 40 mandis will now operate throughout the year instead of just five months.

The Chief Minister said there was a demand from the people to receive electricity bills every month instead of every two months. As a pilot project in the first phase, monthly bills will be issued from February 1 in four districts -- Hisar, Mahendragarh, Karnal and Panchkula.

Initially, Nigam employees will go for meter readings, and later consumers will send meter readings through a mobile application.

The Chief Minister also paid homage to the freedom fighters and the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the wars of 1962, 1965, 1971 and Kargil.

He expressed gratitude to the scientists, farmers, labourers, and the people of the country, who, after Independence, together made India a significant power in the world.

Khattar said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is making consistent strides towards progress and development, especially in the field of agriculture. The farmers of Haryana and Punjab have demonstrated their commitment to providing sustenance for the people, he said.
Mumbai, Jan 26 : Actors Mohit Sehgal and Sanaya Irani celebrated their eight wedding anniversary in Santorini, Greece, and shared some dreamy pictures from their vacation.

The lovebirds have shared the screen space in the teen drama 'Miley Jab Hum Tum'. They had announced their relationship in November 2010, the last day of the shoot of the show.

They tied the knot on January 25, 2016 in Goa.

On the eight years of marital bliss, the couple is in mesmerising country Greece, celebrating their love and togetherness.

The photos that were shared on the social media by the actors, features Sanaya in a red sleeveless short dress, with her hair styled in beautiful curls.

Mohit is wearing a white tee and blue denims. The couple is enjoying a wine against the beautiful backdrop of the country, and are posing candidly for the lenses, laughing their heart out.

The string of photos were captioned as: "Happy (infinity symbol) to us", followed by a red heart emoji.

Mohit took to Instagram Stories, and shared a happy picture with his better half, as they can be seen sitting for their lunch.

It was captioned as: "Brunch date with my Number 8".

Sanaya's BFF and actress Dhami Drashti dropped red heart emojis in the comment section.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Sanaya was recently seen in the web series 'Cyber Vaar a" Har Screen Crime Scene'.

Mohit last featured in 'Naagin 5'.
Mumbai, Jan 26 : Star Ram Charan has congratulated his father Chiranjeevi on being feted with the Padma Vibhushan and said that his contribution to Indian cinema and society has played an instrumental role in shaping him.

"Congratulations @KChiruTweets on the prestigious 'Padma Vibhushan'! Your contribution to Indian cinema and society at large has played an instrumental role in shaping me and inspiring countless fans. You are an impeccable citizen of this great nation," Ram Charan wrote on X.

The 'RRR' star then thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the recognition.

"Immense gratitude to Government of India & @narendramodi Ji for this honour and recognition. A big shout-out to all fans & well-wishers for their support. Here's to your well-deserved honour #Megastar #PadmaVibhushan #PadmaVibhushanChiranjeevi."

Chiranjeevi has been feted with Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour in the country on the eve of Republic Day on Thursday.

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the actor said that he has done so "little" and yet, he has been given "such recognition".

Chiranjeevi took to Instagram, where he shared a video thanking everyone after he was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan.
Melbourne, Jan 26 : Daniil Medvedev advanced through to the final of the Australian Open for a third time after producing a dramatic comeback to beat Alexander Zverev 5-7, 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(5), 6-3 in the second semifinal clash at Rod Laver Arena here on Friday.

With his 27th match win in Melbourne Park, Medvedev is the 13th man in the Open Era to reach the Australian Open final on three or more occasions, having lost in 2021 and 2022, when he led Rafael Nadal by two sets.

The script initially favoured Zverev, who stormed into a 4-1 lead in the first set with a double break, seemingly dictating the narrative. However, Medvedev, battling the physical toll of gruelling matches, refused to succumb to the German's dominance.

The pivotal moment arrived at 5-5, a juncture where Medvedev, fueled by an indomitable spirit, fought back into contention. A dramatic 51-shot rally unfolded, leaving spectators in awe, but it was Zverev who clinched the set with a decisive winner.

As the second set commenced, Zverev continued his surge, securing a break at 2-2 and consolidating his advantage to go 4-2 up. Unyielding in his pursuit, Zverev closed out the set with clinical precision, leaving Medvedev with a mountain to climb. Undeterred, the Russian took a strategic bathroom break at the end of the set, emerging with a renewed vigour that belied the physical toll.

The third set unfolded as a captivating battle, with both players matching each other shot for shot. The set culminated in a tie-break, a fitting conclusion to a battle marked by equality. Medvedev, seemingly on the brink of defeat at 3-1 down, seized the moment as cracks appeared in Zverev's game. With unwavering focus, he capitalised on his opponent's errors, forcing a fourth set against all odds.

What ensued was a war of attrition, with Medvedev adopting a relentless baseline grind that stifled Zverev's pace. The momentum had shifted, and the Russian maestro took control, breaking Zverev to go 3-2 ahead. The tension mounted as they reached another tie-break, where Medvedev, propelled by a remarkable forehand drop shot, secured a set point and aced Zverev to force a decider.

Now in the ascendancy, Medvedev continued to dictate the rallies, forcing errors from Zverev's racket. A crucial break at 3-2 paved the way for Medvedev to serve out the match, completing a comeback for the ages. The 5-7, 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(5), 6-3 triumph catapulted Medvedev into his sixth Grand Slam final, setting the stage for a showdown with the formidable Jannik Sinner.
Vijayawada, Jan 26 : Andhra Pradesh faced numerous challenges head on and thanks to the cooperation of people, the state made remarkable progress in various sectors, surpassing past achievements, Governor S. Abdul Nazeer said on Friday.

Addressing the Republic Day parade at IMGC Stadium here, he outlined the initiatives taken by the government and the reforms introduced to distinguish Andhra Pradesh on the national stage.

Elaborating on the schemes being implemented by the government, he claimed that in the past 56 months, it provided a direct benefit transfer of Rs 2,52,943 crore and a non-DBT transfer of Rs 1,68,151 crore, a total of Rs 4,21,094.56 crore.

"Our government aims to bring joy to every underprivileged individual, cutting across caste, religion, class, region and political affiliations. We are committed for delivering welfare schemes effectively and without any discrimination, in a saturation mode," said the Governor.

He mentioned that marking the 75th year of the Republic, the 206-foot-tall statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, unveiled a week ago, stands as a symbol of our allegiance to the Constitution.

Reflecting the values of secularism, socialism, democracy, and republic, the state government, over the past 56 months, has been a testament to these principles, he said.

He stated that the state's initiatives are designed to proactively address the needs of citizens and these efforts are yielding positive results.

"A key feature of my government is the prompt and transparent delivery of welfare and development schemes, ensuring they reach beneficiaries satisfactorily. Over the past 56 months, we've embarked on a transformative journey, bringing administrative reforms to every village in the state, thereby breathing life into the concept of Gram Swaraj or village self-governance. Our government's initiatives have been pivotal in reshaping the rural landscape, ensuring that development reaches even the most remote villages."

Nazeer said a major step towards empowering citizens was the establishment of 15,004 village/ward secretariats, which have been instrumental in delivering over 540 government services right at the people's doorstep. This system is supported by a robust network of over 1.35 lakh permanent Gram/Ward Secretariat employees and 2.66 lakh dedicated volunteers.

He also claimed that with abundant resources and immense opportunities, Andhra Pradesh has become an attractive destination for industrialists. Implementing a single-window policy, it has been granting all necessary approvals within 21 days of application. This has led to a significant influx of investors into the state.

In the last 56 months, over 311 large and mega industries have been established, providing employment to more than 1.30 lakh people.

In the Global Investors' Summit held last March, the state secured 386 agreements worth Rs. 13.11 lakh crore, which will create job opportunities for an additional 6.07 lakh individuals.

"Our state has joined the ranks of those with the highest GSDP growth rates in the country. Consistently ranked number one in Ease of Doing Business for three consecutive years, we have also received numerous prestigious awards."

He noted that for a long period, Andhra Pradesh had only 6 ports and in order to give boost to port-led development, the government was adding four new ports at Ramayapatnam, Moolapet, Machilipatnam, and Kakinada Gateway, with an investment of Rs 16,000 crore.

This will increase the cargo handling capacity to 110 million tonnes, directly and indirectly creating jobs for 75,000 people, he said, adding that construction of 10 fishing harbours and 6 fish landing centres with world class infrastructure is under brisk progress to benefit fishermen.

The government is taking steps towards construction of a port or a fishing harbour for every 50 km of coastline in the state.

The construction of the Bhogapuram International Airport, with an investment of Rs. 3,200 crores, is progressing rapidly, he said, noting that this project is expected to provide direct employment to 5,000 people and indirect employment to over 80,000.

Airports in Gannavaram, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Kurnool, and Kadapa have been expanded too. He claimed that the government has implemented 99.5 per cent of the promises made in the manifesto.

The Governor unfurled the national flag, took salute of the contingents, inspected the parade and presented mementos to the best contingents, and awards to the best tableaus on the occasion.

Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, ministers and senior officials attended the programme.

--IANS Ms/
Hyderabad, Jan 26 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) President K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday asked the party MPs to raise their voice in the coming Parliamentary session to safeguard the interests of Telangana.

The BRS chief presided over a meeting of party MPs at his farm house at Erravalli in Siddipet district on Friday.

Stating that BRS is the only party which fights for the rights of Telangana, he directed the party MPs to raise their voice to achieve the stateas rights.

BRS leader in Rajya Sabha, K. Keshav Rao, party leader in Lok Sabha, N. Nageswara Rao, all the MPs and senior leader Harish Rao attended the meeting.

This was the first meeting held by KCR after suffering hip fracture last month, which necessitated a hip replacement surgery.

The BRS chief asked the MPs to strongly raise their voice in the Parliament session which is beginning towards the month end and is likely to continue for a week.

He claimed that it was only the BRS which fought for allocation of river water, distribution of common assets and for fulfilling the commitments made at the time of state bifurcation.

KCR said like in the past, the BRS MPs have the responsibility to fight for the rights of Telangana.

During the meeting that lasted for nearly three hours, KCR gave guidance to the MPs on the strategy to be adopted in both the houses of the Parliament.

Later, Harish Rao told mediapersons that the meeting felt that handing over management of irrigation projects to Krishna River Board is not a correct decision as this would do grave injustice to Telangana

He asked how the Congress government could agree to hand over projects to Krishna River Board without a decision on the allocation of stateas share in Krishna waters. The BRS leader mentioned that Telangana officials canat even step into the projects.

He also alleged that by signing the file to hand over the projects to Krishna River Board, the Telangana government has totally failed in protecting the stateas interests.

Harish Rao said a delegation of BRS MPs will meet the Union Minister for Water Resources in this ragard.

He also alleged that the BJP and the Congress had always done injustice to Telangana.

Demanding that the Backward Classes caste census should be conducted, the BRS leader said the MPs would raise their voice in both the houses of the Parliament.
New Delhi, Jan 26 : Six persons, including a child, were rescued after they got trapped due to fire in a building at Delhi's Shahdara area on Friday, a fire department official said.

The Director of Delhi Fire Service (DFS), Atul Garg, said that a call regarding a blaze in a house in the Shahdara area was received at 5:23 p.m.

"A total of five fire tenders were rushed to the spot," said Garg.

"At 6:55 p.m., the flames were doused. The fire broke out in a wiper, rubber and cutting machine on the ground floor," said Garg.

"Six people (five adults and one child) were rescued and shifted to a nearby hospital. The building comprises ground plus four floors and the area is about 50 sq yards," said Garg.
New Delhi, Jan 26 : The Supreme Court has taken suo moto cognisance of the unprecedented differences arisen between a division bench and a single judge bench of the Calcutta High Court over a CBI probe into alleged irregularities pertaining to admissions in medical colleges in West Bengal.

As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, the five senior most judges of the Supreme Court will hear the suo moto matter in a special sitting on Saturday.

Initiated by the top court on its own motion, the case titled "In Re: Orders of Calcutta High Court Dated 24.01.2024 and 25.01.2024 and Ancillary Issues" will be heard by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B.R. Gavai, Surya Kant, and Aniruddha Bose.

In an order passed on Thursday, a single-judge bench of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay "ignored" a decision passed by the division bench and asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to "immediately" start investigation in a case involving fake caste certificates in admission for medical colleges and hospitals in the state.

The order passed by the single-judge bench on Wednesday calling for a CBI probe in the matter was stayed by a division bench of Justices Soumen Sen and Uday Kumar. Justice Gangopadhyay even accused one of the two judges of the division bench of "acting clearly for some political party".
New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with the party leaders Jairam Ramesh and KC Venugopal during the launch of logo and anthem for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru, Jan 26 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday asked the party's Karnataka leadership to appropriately evaluate the ideology and background of the leaders who are brought into the party.

It should not be a situation of they came today and exited tomorrow, he added.

In his address at the party headquarters on Friday against the backdrop of former CM Jagadish Shettar quitting the party to rejoin the BJP from Congress, Kharge maintained that it is fair to strengthen the party by pulling leaders from other political outfits, but there is a need to verify their loyalty.

"In rural regions at the time of purchase of animals, they (the buyers) think many times and check their weight, measurement. Likewise, while taking others into the Congress, there must be careful consideration. It is important to ascertain the character, the situation they were in and their belief in ideologies while bringing them to party. The party stands on the pillars of ideology and principles. The leaders of the party have sacrificed their lives for the unity of the country. Late PM Indira Gandhi took 32 bullets and gave away her life for the unity of the country. Late PM Rajiv Gandhi had taken a pledge that even if his body withers away into pieces, he would uphold unity and integrity of the country.

"Our party is concerned about the poor, laborers, students, women, SC and ST communities. In many countries especially in developed nations, there was no voting rights given to women until recent two to three decades. But, in this country, the voting rights for women were given when the Constitution came into force for the first time in the world," Kharge said, adding that then PM Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar were behind it.

The Constitution has given equal rights for all and these values need to be protected, he said.

The Congress has secured them, he said.

"Many do not know history. Youths do not know who carried out the freedom struggle and who brought freedom to the country. The Prime Minister and Union Home Minister are trying to make the Constitution their puppet. If liberty and the Constitution are preserved, the future generation would get opportunities.

"Ambedkar had stated that the people who implement the Constitution must be rightful people then it will have good implications otherwise the results wonat be good. The statement by Ambedkar in 1949 is coming true in the present day. As people who are implementing the Constitution do not have good intentions, the nation is facing many crisis situations," Kharge said.
JUBA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The South Sudan ministry for wildlife conservation and tourism has signed a partnership agreement with the African Tourism Board to boost the country's tourism prospects after years of insecurity.

The deal, signed Thursday by Rizik Zakaria Hassan, minister for wildlife conservation and tourism, and Cuthbert Ncube, president of the African Tourism Board, aims to support funding and technical know-how and promote South Sudan's tourism sector.

James Wani Igga, vice-president in charge of the economic cluster, said South Sudan is ready to attract tourists traveling to the country, adding that they will be safe and protected.

"We need to involve the local communities in the tourism sector. The protection of animals needs the involvement of all, especially those in rural areas," Igga said during the signing of the partnership agreement in Juba, the South Sudanese capital.

He said that South Sudan, though often viewed as a place of conflict, boasts unique attractions, from the confluence of the Blue and White Nile rivers to ancient temples and pyramids.

Hassan said that the partnership agreement will help promote South Sudan's nascent tourism sector.

"What we have inked is about the silence diplomacy, how to change the narrative of South Sudan. What we have inked is about promoting tourism, funding and technical know-how," the minister said.

He said the deal would connect and market the country to the outside world and portray South Sudan positively.

Ncube said that they have joined hands with authorities to present a positive image of South Sudan internationally.

"No matter how they tried to paint us (Africa) negatively, there is not a continent that can surpass what God has endorsed upon this beautiful continent," Ncube said. 
Patna, Jan 26 : After returning from a high tea event held at the Raj Bhavan here, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held a meeting with his trusted ministers and MLAs at his residence on Friday evening. The Chief Minister also called for a meeting with all the JD-U MLAs at his residence on Saturday.

Speculation are rife that Nitish Kumar will soon be sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a seventh term with the support of his previous ally BJP. The BJP will get two Deputy CM posts for backing Nitish Kumar, as was done after the 2020 Assembly elections, sources said.

As per sources, Nitish Kumar is formulating strategy to form the government with the BJP and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) in Bihar.

Nitish Kumar's trusted leaders such as Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Lalan Singh, Ashok Chaudhary, Bijendra Gupta and Sanjay Jha, among others, were present at the CM's residence during the meeting on Friday evening.

Meanwhile, the CMO has asked all the JD-U MLAs to reach Patna by Friday night.

Nitish Kumar is expected to announce his resignation before them and also give clarification as to what prompted him to take such a step.

Following the meeting, Nitish Kumar will submit his resignation officially to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. He will also claim to form the government with the support of the BJP and HAM.

At present, JD-U has 45 MLAs, BJP 76 and HAM 4, totalling 125 MLAs, three more than 122 -- the magic figures required to form the government.

It will be interesting if a few MLAs don't turn up for Saturday's meeting, as that might make life tough for Nitish Kumar as well as the NDA.

Besides JD-U, the BJP and the RJD have also called meeting of their MLAs on Saturday.

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad is monitoring the situation very closely. At present, RJD has 79 MLAs, Congress 19 and the Left parties 12.
Bathinda : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during the launch of various develoment projects. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Jan 26 : The Delhi Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approved the proposal to convene the Budget Session for the fiscal year 2024-25 in February, commencing from February 15 and ending on February 20, an official said on Friday.

The Delhi government said that the file to convene this proposed budget session has been sent to the Lt Governor for his approval.

During the preparation of the budget, the government sought suggestions from all stakeholders in Delhi, and "good recommendations" have been included, the official added.

A Delhi government official said that it will present the 'Outcome Budget' for the financial year 2023-24, showcasing the achievements and progress made in the previous fiscal year.

According to the official, through the Outcome Budget, "complete transparency is provided to the people of Delhi regarding the public expenditure of the previous budget".

In a way, the Outcome Budget serves as a report card of the performance of various departments based on the allocated funds in the previous fiscal year, the official added.

This time, the Delhi government is presenting the budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 in February instead of March.

"Similar to the previous fiscal year, there is an expectation that this year's budget will also be substantial," the official added.

The Delhi government said that in the upcoming budget, it will address several significant issues, placing particular emphasis on education, health, electricity, water, roads, and infrastructure.

The government has highlighted education and health as key priorities for the upcoming financial year, emphasising their importance for all residents of Delhi, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds, a statement read.

An official said that the budget allocates special attention to crucial areas such as water, roads, urban development, and various developmental projects.

These aspects have been identified as top priorities for the forthcoming fiscal year, reflecting the government's proactive approach towards addressing the diverse needs of the city and its residents, the official added.
WASHINGTON, July 30, 2019 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before leaving the White House in Washington D.C. the United States, on July 30, 2019. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua/IANS). Image Source: IANS News

Washington, Jan 26 : With former US President Donald Trump bulldozing his way to secure the vital GOP nomination for the 2024 Presidential race, fresh after his victories in the Iowa and New Hampshire voting, speculation is once again rife over whom he will pick as his running mate to become the Vice President, the media reported.

Though Nikki Haley's fight is far from over, with her home turf South Carolina set to vote followed by New York and California, Trump's nomination by the GOP is almost certain. Focus is now on who will be his running mate and names of several firebrands crop up.

With Donald Trump poised to capture the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, the former president is effectively holding auditions for a running mate -- and a growing list of vice presidential hopefuls is starting to surface, media reports said.

Many hopefuls quite literally lined up behind Trump as he delivered a victory speech after winning the GOP primary in New Hampshire, where he easily overcame a challenge from former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley by 11 percentage points, reports said.

Principal among them are -- Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, all of whom stood with confident smiles, nodding along in agreement as Trump attacked Haley and her decision to stay in the race post-New Hampshire.

While media speculation throws up several candidates, Trump has said very little about whom he or she he has shortlisted or even what qualities heas looking for in a potential candidate, media reports said.

"The person that I think I like is a very good person, pretty standard," he said in a recent Fox News interview.

"I think people won't be that surprised, but I would say there's probably a 25 per cent chance it would be that person," he said.

A closer look at the list reveals the following names for the post.

Gov. Doug Burgum -- The North Dakota governor, one of the earliest to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, ran on small-town, business-savvy, conservative-values charm. The investor turned politician, who shot to the top spot in his state's government in 2016, used his personal wealth to sustain his short-lived campaign. He was on hand in New Hampshire on primary day, stumping for Trump and glad-handing with voters.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene -- The Georgia Republican congresswoman made a name for herself as a firebrand, former Freedom Caucus conservative, and has remained for long as a staunch Trump ally and a central player in his grip over House Republicans and their agenda. She has been calling for the Republican Party to fall in line behind Trump for months now, and attempted to put a fine point on that message ahead of the New Hampshire contest.

Kari Lake -- The former TV anchor and long-time Trump ally lost her bid for Arizona governor in 2022 a" one of several high-profiles, Trump-endorsed candidates who lost in the midterm election cycle. She has been a strong ally supporting his false claims of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election, and even challenged the results of her own governor's race. She is currently running for a Senate seat and had campaigned for Trump in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Vivek Ramaswamy -- Shortly after dropping out of the 2024 presidential primary, Ramaswamy was on the trail with Trump, delivering fiery speeches across New Hampshire in preparation for the primary there. The former pharmaceutical executive and hedge fund manager, who at 38 years old was the youngest in the primary. Ramadwamy ran an aggressive campaign, staking out Trumpian or farther-right stances on issues like state-level abortion bans and affirmative action.

Sen. Tim Scott -- The South Carolina senator, who was first appointed to that position by Haley, is one of the most prominent Black Republicans in the country. Once Trump's challenger in the primary, he ran an optimistic campaign about the American Dream, pulling from his personal narrative and focusing on the importance of faith and a good education.

Rep. Elise Stefanik -- the New York congresswoman is the highest-ranking woman in House GOP leadership. Once concerned with keeping Trump at armas length, she made a household name for herself defending Trump during his first impeachment proceedings and for later castigating university presidents for failing to counter anti-Semitism.

Sen. J.D. Vance -- the "Hillbilly Elegy" lawyer turned author turned Ohio politician rode to GOP fame on the coattails of Trump a" a high-profile candidate who Trump endorsed and actually won in the 2022 midterm elections, in which Republicans otherwise underperformed. Like others among the former president's allies, Vance was once a staunch Trump critic, but he is now one of his most allegiant foot soldiers in the Senate.
United Nations, Jan 26 : The World Court on Friday ordered Israel to ensure that its military does not commit any actions that could be genocide in its campaign in Gaza against Hamas, but it did not dictate a ceasefire.

The court, formally known as the International Court of Justice, also ordered Israel to immediately allow "urgently-needed basic services and humanitarian assistance" to the Palestinians of Gaza.

Citing inflammatory rhetoric from some Israeli leaders, the court also ordered Israel to punish and prevent incitement to genocide.

The court, which is based in The Hague, has no way of enforcing its judgments and countries can  and do  flout them.

It also turned down the request of South Africa to order a ceasefire, while considering whether a genocide had been committed.

The interim judgment delivered by the court's President Joan Donoghue spoke at length about the sufferings of the people of Gaza and the long-term effects of Israeli action.

"The court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is unfolding in the region and is deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering," it said.

The court reserved judgment on the crux of the case whether Israel had committed genocide, but said that "in the court's view, at least some of the acts and omissions alleged by South Africa have been committed by Israel in Gaza appear to be capable of falling within the provisions of the [genocide] convention".

South Africa, with searing memories of apartheid and the suppression of the majority by the White minority rulers, took on the Palestinian cause, and brought the case against Israel to the court.

South Africa invoked the international convention on preventing genocide to allege that Israel was committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel launched a counterattack after Hamas had attacked it killing about 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostage on October 7.

Israel's counterattack has led to the killing of about 25,000 people, many of them women and children, and the displacement of about 85 per cent of Gaza's population of about 2 million.

The judgement noted both the attacks.

The court functions totally independently of the UN, with none of its bodies like the Security Council or the General Assembly having a say other than electing the judges.

Neither does the UN Secretary General has any role in it.

Although its rulings are legally binding, the court does not have the power to enforce its rulings and countries can scoff at them with no consequences.

The 15 judges of the court were joined by two ad hoc judges each appointed by South Africa and Israel under its procedures.

The court issued a set of six orders, four of them relating to preventing what could constitute genocide, and two on procedural matters.

Fifteen judges, including Dalveer Bhandari of India, agreed with all the orders of the court, while Israel's Judge Ahron Barak dissented on some of them and Julia Sebitunde on all of them.

The two judges did not issue formal dissents.

South Africa cited the deaths of about 25,000 people  most of them women and children  in the Israeli counterattacks and asserted that they "are genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group".

Israel countered South Africa's allegations saying that it has the right to self-defence and that it took steps to protect civilians by warning them about bombings in advance so they can move out of harm's way and even abandoning some sorties when civilians are in danger.

Israeli leaders have reacted with outrage at the suggestion of genocide as the Jewish people were victims of the crime by Nazis in Europe and have found refuge in Israel.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
New Delhi, Jan 26 : The son of a Delhi Police ACP was allegedly thrown into a canal in Haryana by two men, including a clerk with a lawyer in Tis Hazari court, who had accompanied him to a wedding in Bhiwani, police said on Friday.

The entire incident was unearthed after a 19-year-old Abhishek, a resident of Narela, was arrested and questioned, prompting police to add Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code in the FIR which was earlier registered as an abduction case at Samaipur Badli police station.

The case initially began as a missing person complaint filed by ACP Yashpal Chauhan, who reported the disappearance of his son Lakshay, 26, who failed to return home after attending a wedding in Bhiwani.

"Abhishek was nabbed today and on interrogation, it was revealed that on the noon of January 22 (Monday), Vikas, the lawyer's clerk, contacted him and asked him to come with him to attend a marriage function in Bhiwani," Deputy Commissioner of Police, Outer North, Ravi Kumar Singh said.

Vikas had told Abhishek that Lakshay, who also practises in Tis Hazari Courts, had taken a loan from him and when he asked for his money back, Lakshay misbehaved with him.

The duo hatched a plan to eliminate Lakshay, deciding to throw him into Munak Nahar in Haryana.

"They started on the Monday afternoon from Mukarba Chowk where Lakshay met him in a car. Abhishek sat inside the car with Lakshay and later Vikas also joined them," the DCP said.

The crime unfolded during the return journey.

"By late night, they reached the marriage function in Bhiwani and left after 12 a.m.," said the DCP.

Stopping at Panipat, the trio got out of the car for relieve themselves.

"Seizing the opportunity, Abhishek and Vikas allegedly pushed Lakshay into the canal and fled the scene in Lakshay's car. Vikas later dropped Abhishek off in Narela before making his escape," the DCP said.

"Police have subsequently added sections 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code in the FIR, based on the evidence gathered so far. Efforts are underway to locate the victim's body and the whereabouts of the second suspect, Vikas," he added.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 26 : CPI-M's Kerala state secretary M.V. Govindan on Friday clarified that the February 8 event at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his entire cabinet besides law makers is not a meeting, but a protest against the Centre's "wrong attitude" towards the state.

Vijayan and his team from Kerala will march from the Kerala House to Jantar Mantar and stage a sit in protest.

Govindan was peeved after the media here reported that the protest that was earlier announced has been changed to a meeting. What more hurt the CPI-M the most was when the Congress-led opposition took pot shots against Vijayan and his cabinet that they changed from protests to meeting because they are scared of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The media made this assessment based on the letter that Vijayan had written to his counterparts in Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Odisha, Punjab, and Delhi besides former Chief Ministers Sharad Pawar, Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah that it was a meeting against the dilution of federal principles by the Modi government.

"Itas not a meeting but itas a protest," Govindan told the media, adding that when the protest will be staged in Delhi, all across Kerala, Left Front activists will stage protests expressing solidarity with the Delhi protesters.

Of late, numerous state ministers and even Vijayan have slammed the Centre for its "anti-Kerala attitude", which is going to be the highlight of the Delhi show.

--IANS

sg/vd
Bengaluru, Jan 26 : Karnataka unit BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra on Friday said the saffron party in the state has been focussing on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections while underlining there were no plans for 'Operation Lotus' in the state.

Vijayendra said this while interacting with the media here when asked if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would be "targetting" Congress MLA Laxman Savadi as well -- since former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar is back to the saffron camp after his less than a year's stint with the grand old party.

Savadi, a former Karnataka deputy chief minister, switched to the Congress from the BJP last year before the 2023 Assembly polls.

Savadi, however, said on Thursday after Shettar's "home-coming" that he was "very clear about not re-joining the BJP".

Meanwhile, Vijayendra, while talking on party's preparations for the upcoming general elections, said: "It would sound funny if I say that the BJP would win all 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka. But there is a BJP wave in the state. We will welcome those who come to the party and agrees to the ideology of the BJP, and accepts Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. There is no question of outsiders and insiders. The high command will finalise the candidates for the Parliamentary elections."

Answering a question on row over Mandya seat as both JD-S and Independent sitting MP Sumalatha Ambareesh are keen on contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from there, Vijayendra said he had spoken to Sumalatha in this regard over phone and he will meet her soon.

"I will also speak to former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy in this regard and discuss the matter," he added.

He further said that he has not spoken to mining baron-turned-politician Gali Janardhana Reddy.
Mumbai, Jan 26 : A Mumbai woman on Friday has alleged rape as she slept by an Instagram friend and narrated her ordeal that took place at the home of the accused's friend almost a fortnight ago.

The 21-year-old woman has identified the alleged accused as one Heetik Shah, who has been booked by the Worli Police Station.

Recounting her nightmare under an account 'Punish My Rapist', on January 25, the victim has demanded justice and advised other women to beware of talking to or socialising with people on social media.

The woman said that she had gone for drinks and party with Shah to a couple of places along with his pals, and after some shots of tequila, she felt intoxicated, as the accused had reportedly forced her to drink more.

She suspected that he may have laced her drink with something which blacked out her mind that night.

"I woke up to him raping me and despite my efforts to stop him, he continued and even slapped me thrice with intense rage, leaving me scared and intimated," she wrote.

Shah also threatened her, but the next morning he rendered an apology, pleading to leave the episode behind -- which she said meant "nothing" -- and he went missing later.

The victim added that 12 days have passed since she was violated but he is evading arrest and has even filed for anticipatory bail as the police probe the case.
Johannesburg, Jan 27 : South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that the country welcomes the measures that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered by majority decision, asking Israel to take all possible measures to prevent genocide acts in the Gaza Strip.

"Earlier today, the ICJ in The Hague issued a ruling that is a victory for international law, for human rights, and above all, for justice," Ramaphosa said in a televised address to the nation on Friday.

"The ICJ, as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, has handed down a ruling that the State of Israel should immediately implement a set of provisional measures to prevent any further acts of genocide in Gaza, to desist from such acts, and to take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence relating to acts of genocide. As the South African government, we welcome the decision of the ICJ," Ramaphosa was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying.

The order is binding on Israel, and must be respected by all states that are party to the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, he said, adding that South Africa expects Israel, as a self-proclaimed democracy and a state that respects the rule of law, to abide by the measures handed down by the ICJ.

"As South Africa, we thank all in the international community who have supported our application, including a number of countries who have declared their intention to be part of our application," he said.

"It is our earnest hope and wish that this court order paves the way for an end to this crisis, for an end to the terrible loss of life and hardship, and for the crucial first steps to be taken towards reconciliation and a just, lasting peace," said Ramaphosa.

South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation on Friday also welcomed the ICJ's order, saying the ruling marks a decisive victory for the international rule of law and a significant milestone in the search for justice for the Palestinian people.

On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide related to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Despite the challenges of 2023 and escalating geopolitical tensions, business leaders remain surprisingly optimistic for 2024, according to new research from Economist Impact and DP World, unveiled today at the World Economic Forum.

The primary driver is a growing belief that technology will transform the efficiency and resilience of supply chains. Amid escalating concerns about protectionism, global fragmentation and political instability, businesses are reassessing risks within their supply chains and pivoting towards friendshoring and dual supply chain strategies, the report said.

The fourth annual Trade in Transition study, commissioned by DP World and led by Economist Impact, captured the perspectives of trade experts and senior executives across a variety of regions and sectors. This period of unprecedented transformation  heightened geopolitical risk, the urgent realities of climate change and significant advancements in technologies  is causing businesses to face complex challenges. Yet there are also opportunities.

2023 a pivotal year in supply chain innovation

The global survey of 3,500 company executives found technologies that improve supply chain efficacy and resilience to be the main source of optimism for business leaders when asked to assess the future of global trade. At the core of this sentiment is the widespread adoption of AI, with 98% of executives already using AI to revolutionise at least one aspect of their supply chain operations.

From solving inventory management issues and reducing trade expenses to optimising transport routes, executives are taking advantage of integrating AI. A third of businesses are utilising AI to deliver a reduction in overall trade operation costs and the same amount to enhance resource and supply chain planning. Over one-third of companies view boosting the use of digital tools for enhanced inventory management as the most effective strategy in cutting overall trade and supply chain costs, the report said.

Businesses expect to ramp up their technological adoption further this year, a proactive approach that underscores a commitment to deploying innovation to navigate the evolving business landscape with increased efficiency and resilience. Of those surveyed, a third will focus on advanced automation and robotics for logistics efficiency; 28% will turn to blockchain for enhanced traceability and data security; and 21% will embrace artificial intelligence, big-data analytics and predictive analytics for real-time insights and disruption forecasting.

Supply chains adapt

In the new era of globalisation, a landscape of heightened geopolitical risk is shaping the contours of global trade as businesses attempt to reduce risks across their supply chains. More than a third of companies are using friendshoring to shape trade and supply chain operations, while 32% are creating parallel supply chains or dual sourcing.

In addition, more than a quarter are opting for fewer suppliers  a 16-percentage point increase from the previous year  as businesses weigh the advantages of consolidation against diversification and control against resilience.

Concerns that political instability, rising trade friction and global fragmentation could hamper growth are increasing. A fifth of businesses are concerned with higher tariffs, or uncertainties around tariffs, in key markets they export to or import from. In fact, 22% of executives emphasised the challenge of political instability in their sourcing markets, while almost a quarter (23%) are concerned about heightened geopolitical uncertainty.

Economist Impact conducted a quantitative trade analysis through the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) platform to estimate the potential global output loss from hypothetical scenarios of further geo-economic fragmentation. In a scenario focused on significantly increased trade barriers on high-tech goods  a focal point in the current geopolitical climate  it projected a 0.9% decline in worldwide GDP.

Remarkable optimism

Speaking at the launch of the report at the World Economic Forum in Davos today, DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said: The findings in this report reveal a remarkable optimism, despite businesses having to operate in an increasingly uncertain environment. Governments can maximise the significant economic benefits of trade by providing the predictability that businesses need, while reducing trade friction. This entails not only tariff reduction, but also collaborating with the private sector to roll-out technological advancements  most notably in digitalisation, automation and AI  that enable greater efficiency, visibility and adaptability.

John Ferguson, Global Lead, New Globalisation, Economist Impact, added: In 2024, amidst heightened geopolitical risk and the rising impact of climate change, there is an observable increase in the variability of approaches businesses are taking to their supply chains. This reflects a growing understanding that no single strategy will meet the needs of different businesses. Whats clear is that technology is being implemented across supply chains to ensure business can adapt faster and smarter.
HANOI, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The off-season Monthong durian price in Vietnam has surged 50 percent compared to the main season last year as traders scrambled to find supply to meet Chinese demand, VnExpress reported Friday.

Price of Monthong durian now ranges from 178,000 Vietnamese dong (7.23 U.S. dollars) to 185,000 dong (7.52 dollars) per kilogram, rising 23 percent from last month and 50 percent from last year's main season which lasts from September to November.

The newspaper cited Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of Vietnam Fruits and Vegetables Association, as saying that Chinese people were buying durians in large amounts as gift for the upcoming Lunar New year holiday.

Traders said durian prices increased sharply before the holiday as supply is limited while demand for export remains high, Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reported.

Monthong durian is a Thai variety that has been grown in Vietnam in recent years.

Last year, Vietnam's durian export revenue posted 2.2 billion dollars, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the country's total fruit and vegetable exports, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. 
The secrets out: two heavy-hitters in the realm of childrens historical fiction and nonfiction, Carnegie Medalist Ruta Sepetys and Newbery Honor-winning author Steve Sheinkin, have joined forces for a new middle grade adventure blending history and mystery. The Bletchley Riddle is set in the summer of 1940 at Bletchley Park in England, nerve center for the highly classified work of the Allied codebreakers of WWII. The book is due October 8 from Viking Books for Young Readers, with an announced first printing of 250,000 copies. The cover, designed and illustrated by Jim Tierney, is revealed here for the first time.

Prior to teaming up as co-authors, Sepetys and Sheinkin had been friends through the conference circuit and long admired each others work. They can pinpoint the exact time and place that the idea for a joint project first sparked. In 2019, they participated in a panel in New Orleans, hosted by reading specialists and bloggers Erin OLeary and Mary Varney Cotillo, aka the Crazy Reading Ladies. When asked if you were ever to collaborate on a book, who would be your dream co-writer?, Sepetys said, I literally looked down the panel and pointed at Steve. The rest, as they say, is historyor, in this case, historical fiction.

Describing the brainstorming process that led them to their novel, Sheinkin said, At first, the sort of logical idea was we would pick something, a moment in history. Ruta would do a fictional treatment of it, and I would do more nonfictionso basically, what weve each been doing for the last 1520 years. But after further reflection, the duo landed on a more unified approach. We thought, wouldnt it be more ambitious and exciting to come up with one story and find a way to tell it together?

During the pandemic, the authors began discussing the book in earnest, sharing a list of possible topics via email, with Sheinkin at his home in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and Sepetys in Nashville. For many years, Sheinkin had kept Bletchley in his internal history nerd file, thinking, Maybe Ill write about this one day. He said, Ive also been long obsessed with codes and codebreaking. And so I was thinking, Is there a book there?, and I was just so happy when I threw that idea out there and it grabbed Rutas imagination, too.

Sepetys recalled the lightbulb moment as well. I will not forget when he brought up the idea of writing something that had to do with codebreaking and set at Bletchley Park, which, of course, is such a rich atmosphere, she said. Even though I did know of the important role that Bletchley played in shortening the duration of the war, Steve mentioned a hidden history element, which I had been unfamiliar with. As soon as he shared that, I said, Thats it. 

Cracking the Code

Sepetys described the resulting story as Enola Holmes meets WWII. The novel follows 19-year-old Jakob Novis, a member of the elite team of codebreakers at Bletchley Park that is urgently trying to crack the Nazis Enigma cipher, and his younger sister, Lizzie, who is 14. Meanwhile, Lizzie is determined to solve the mystery behind their mothers disappearance. Could the two be connected?

Like their teen characters, the authors brought their own investigative skills to the assignment. Im just a collector of stuff. And you can sort of see a little bit here. You cant see the floor, which is the really messy part, Sheinkin said, gesturing via Zoom to the cozy disarray of his office. I buy tons of used books and love to read old newspapers. Due to the Official Secrets Act, which kept the existence and inner workings of Bletchley under tight wraps both during and after the war, he said, Of course, nothing about Bletchley would have been in the newspaper for decades. But I read as much as I could to start with, because I didnt know exactly what I needed to know.

It was this shroud of mystery that drew Sepetys to the subject. Something that really intrigued me was the aspect of secrecy, and how long these people who had given years to such an enormous undertaking didnt tell anyone, not even their spouses.

Middle grade turned out to be a natural fit for the story. Sheinkin pointed out, There really were a lot of young people who were instrumental at Bletchley Park, including teenagers, as messengers and even codebreakers. We wanted to explain how it worked and what they did.

Sepetys said she had always envisioned the book as middle grade. Theres this sense of enchantment, she said. And there were some eccentric details that I just love, of the cast of characters and how they assembled and chose the people to create this code-breaking factory. Having previously written YA, she welcomed the shift to middle grade. It was wonderfully freeing, she reflected, in that so many of the topics Ive written about not only involve hidden history, but violence, or brutality, oppression, and systems of power that are quite intense. Mind you, this is set during the Battle of Britain, and it was absolutely intense. But it was a more imaginative take for me, and it was absolutely delightful.

The pairs research brought them across the pond to the Bletchley Park headquarters. Ruta said early on that it was almost Wonka-like inside the gates of this rural estate, Sheinkin said. It looks very much like the pictures from the 40s. And there is something Wonka-like about it that just appeals to the imagination of grown-up kids like us.

Fictionalized versions of Bletchley Park have appeared on the screen in recent years, including in the 2014 film The Imitation Game and the 20122014 television miniseries The Bletchley Circle, but Sheinkin felt that the codebreaking process was so frustratingly oversimplified. As a viewer, I wished they could have tried a little bit harder to explain how incredible it was, technically, what they did, and how they did it. So, I wanted that to be a piece of research. I felt like that was actually part of my assignment: to try to really understandnot in the way Alan Turing would, because thats impossiblebut in the way I could.

Sepetys likened their writing method to a kind of codebreaking. Steve has a very defined process that works. At the end, his practice is to tear things down and take it all apart! And even though there were times that I couldnt see exactly where this was going, he knew and could help direct us. And you know, the same applied to codebreaking.

Each took on the perspective of one of the protagonists, she explained. Steve really had the herculean task: he was writing the code-breaker character. I was writing the little sister. He had to convey to the readers the scope of what they were trying to achieve in the war and breaking the Enigma code, which was really complex. And he did it in such an amazing, engaging way.

Kelsey Murphy, senior editor at Viking, said, It has been an absolute joy watching Ruta and Steve collaborate to bring this incredible story to light. And readers couldnt be in better hands, as they are both absolute experts in their field, so well-researched and precise, enthusiastic, inventive, and surprising with every choice they make.

Going Undercover

The final piece of the puzzle was the cover art. Sepetys said, When Kelsey sent us the name of the designer, Jim Tierney, and his website, we thought, absolutely. We did see a few different designs, but this one I felt really captured the story. The illustration centers a figure on a motorbike, silhouetted against a glowing sky with warplanes overhead and lines of code woven throughout. It has motion to it and all the elements: its the war, its codebreaking, its a story of young people. I just loved it, she said.

Sheinkin agreed, saying, I think it does a really good job of visually getting across the excitement and adventure and codes and mystery. As for the content between the books covers, Setepys said, We asked ourselves, what types of books delighted us as kids? And that inspired us to layer in some secrets. They might not be readily evident on the first read, but we both know from doing so many school visits there are young readers who really do read between the lines, and hunt and peck and search, and weve layered in some surprises and Easter eggs for them.

She expressed gratitude for the other historical investigators who helped light the way. Steve and I greatly benefited from all of the research that has been done on Bletchley; our book sits on the shoulders of the work that came before us. She also credited research historian David Kenyon for spending time with them at Bletchley. Imagine the gift of being able to sit down with him and peel back all those layers, literally, in the mansion itself, on-site at Bletchley Park. That was very special.

Sheinkin said, Every time we talk about the book, we get excited again. He stressed the importance of inviting children to wonder about the past. Something that captivates the young reader and makes them want to turn the pages is so valuable. That, to me, is the most important goal. And thats the beauty of really diving into history: that it sparks the individuals curiosity about something. And that will always be relevant to whats going on in their lives and the world today.

Echoing his sentiment, Sepetys added, I hope the book engages readers to understand what a treasure trove the history of Bletchley Park is, and all of the human beings who gave their time and their energy and their intelligence to that effort. She concluded with a promise. There are so many more secrets to uncover and discover.

The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin. Viking, $18.99 Oct. 8 ISBN 978-0-593-52754-2
2024 is off to a busy start for the Academy of American Poets. The national organization and publisher of contemporary poetry, along with Scholastic, has announced author-illustrator Jack Wong as the artist for its annual Poetry Month poster. Featuring lines from Lucille Cliftons poem blessing the boats, the poster will be distributed free of charge to 85,000 classrooms, libraries, bookstores, community centers, and homes to commemorate the month-long event in April.

The Academy of American Poets, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary, is also collaborating with 826 National, the countrys largest youth writing network, on Dear Poet 2024. For the first time since its 2015 inception, the multimedia educational project will highlight a series of poems in both English and Spanish to promote bilingual readership.

Illustrating Innocence

Wong was selected by Scholastic to create the artwork for the 2024 poster, which includes the poems line, and may you in your innocence / sail through this to that. Andrea Davis Pinkney, v-p, Scholastic Trade Publishing, commented on Wongs fitting vision for the poster: His rendering of a child gleefully taking a plunge into a wide-open lake is emblematic of poetrys power, freedom, and joyful abandon.

This year marks the second time that the Academy and Scholastic have teamed up on the poster, which is distributed via the American Booksellers Association, the American Library Association, and the National Council of Teachers of English. Free copies are also available online, and a lesson plan including the poster and Cliftons blessing the boats can be accessed here.

Also with the aim of fostering students interest in poetry is the Academys partnership with 826 National on its Dear Poet 2024 program. For the past nine years, aspiring writers in grades five through 12 are encouraged to compose letters and send questions to award-winning poets. Selected letters are then read by the poets, including chancellors who serve as artistic advisors to the academy and national ambassadors of poetry. (Clifton herself held a chancellor position from 19992004.) This years poets are Leila Chatti, Chen Chen, Nicole Cecilia Delgado, John James. and Mara Pastor, along with chancellors Marilyn Chin, Nikky Finney, Ed Roberson, and Patricia Smith.

After receiving an unprecedented number of letters from students and teachers over the last few years, we wanted to figure out ways to make the project as accessible, engaging, and timely as possible, while still being able to spend time with each student letter received, said Academy of American Poets president and executive director Ricardo Maldonado. Through 826 Nationals nine in-person chapters of volunteers and educators, Dear Poet will now be able to reach hundreds of thousands of students nationwide.

The Academy has also tapped Delgado and Pastor, both Spanish-speaking poets, to share their work in its original and translated forms, marking what Maldonado calls a first step toward offering programs that reflect the language diversity of communities we serve across the country. Two short supplemental lesson plans are available online, here and here.

Dear Poet 2024, which is supported by Penguin Random House, is accepting submissions through April 22. To participate, visit the Academy of American Poets website. A booklet containing the poems read by this years poets, along with student letters and poet responses, will be published online in June.
An expansive new show devoted to childrens literature, Building Stories, is the most ambitious exhibition ever mounted by the National Building Museum, said Aileen Fuchs, the museum's president and executive director. The 4,000 square-foot show, which opened on January 21, explores the architecture, engineering, construction, and design within childrens books and will anchor the ground floor of the museum for the next decade. The museum partnered with childrens literature historian and visiting curator Leonard S. Marcus; the experiential design studio Plus and Greater Than; and with two award-winning childrens authors and illustrators, David Macaulay and Oliver Jeffers.

In describing the importance of the show, Fuchs said, Books have magic. They transport us to other worlds. They show us how other people live in the world and they give us the ability to dream. Building Stories brings childrens books to life through a series of linked and immersive landscapes, guided by principles that the built world is exploratory, personal, surprising, inspiring, and transformative.

The exhibition targets a broad, intergenerational audience, and features both classic and newer titles. There is something for everyone, Marcus told PW. In remarks he made at the opening, Marcus stated, This show has so many of the attributes of what makes illustrated childrens books dramatic, engaging, and almost performative. And as W.H. Auden said, there are no good books which are only for children.

The show includes 150 books from 28 countries produced over two centuries and will include hundreds more books for browsing in the many reading nooks throughout the galleries. The gallery rooms explore the themes of building readers, home, scale play, and the wider world, and include gems such as an early dummy of Goodnight Moon, a round theater that highlights Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold and The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, and a tunnel that acts as a magic portal to create the illusion of changing size. Marcus said that after years of planning, to see it come to life is staggering.

The development of the exhibition took six years, and over that time the team deepened their understanding of built spaces and construction within stories. Deputy director for interpretive content Cathy Frankel observed, We came to realize that many of the buildings and cities in childrens books are not just backdrops, but are another character in the book, sometimes grounding, sometimes challenging, and usually inspiring the protagonist. In this exhibition and through the books that we feature, we hope that our visitors will better understand the impact of the built world on our lives.

Macaulays creative process occupies an entire side gallery. From the projects inception, the themes of architecture and engineering in Macaulays work made him an ideal collaborator. When given the space, he decided to choose one of his books and visually describe how it was constructed. I chose Rome Antics because it was the most inefficient, insane undertaking I think I have ever done after 50 years of doing this. Macaulay told PW in a gallery walk-through.

The gallery shows the transition from the chaos of Macaulays ideas, sketches, and creativity to the order of a finished book about Rome. Thought bubbles that offer playful insight into his internal dialogue along the way hang from the ceiling, such as who is this book for anyway, shouldnt this be easier by now, and must be time to walk the dog again. By illustrating the circuitous creative evolution of this book, Macaulay hopes visitors will come away with a deeper understanding of how childrens books are made. The whole point was to take one very inefficient process apart, and suggest its connection to all the other books out there. It makes you think about it because it looks so simple, right? How hard could this be? Well, just try it.

The final gallery devoted to the wider world. includes a mural and interactive blocks inspired by Oliver Jefferss work as well as other books that focus outward. Frankel highlighted this calming and inspirational space that is also part of a call to action for all of us to work together to create a better world.

For more information on the exhibit, click here.
Librarians braved snow and freezing temps to gather in Baltimore for the American Library Association's second in-person LibLearnX conference, held January 1922. And despite a dip in attendance, the event once again showed flashes of delivering what ALA members said they wanted most from their reimagined winter event: strong programming, hands-on learning, great authors, and time to network with colleagues and vendors.

ALA officials put total attendance for LibLearnX 2024 at 2,006, down 25% from the 2,659 reported attendance at the 2023 event in New Orleans. The decline was not unexpected, however, with the biannual Public Library Association annual conferenceone of ALAs most popular and well-attended conferencescompeting for librarians limited travel budgets. The 2024 PLA conference is set for April 35 in Columbus, Ohio.

Kudos to American Libraries for an incredible job of rounding up LibLearnX 2024. You can read extensive coverage of the speakers and sessions on their Scoop blog. Among the shows highlights: an inspiring opening reception honored the winners of the 2023 I Love My Librarians Awards. (This alone was worth the trip for me.) The main speaker program featured compelling talks from authors including Mia Armstrong, Kate DiCamillo, Antonya Hylton, George M. Johnson, Michele Norris, and Jesus Trejo. In the professional program, hot topics included defending the freedom to read, sustainability, and AI.

ALA officials hope that the lure of warm weatherand no competing PLA eventwill mean bigger numbers at next years LibLearnX, which is set for January 2427, 2025, in Phoenix, Ariz.

Just when you thought things couldn't get more cynical, the Oklahoman this week reports that Oklahoma's state schools superintendent Ryan Walters has named a prominent conservative social media provocateur, Chaya Raichik, the woman behind the controversial Libs of TikTok social media account, to the Oklahoma library media advisory committee. In a media statement, Walters said he put Raichik on the advisory committee because she was on the front lines showing the world exactly what the radical left is all aboutlowering standards, porn in schools and pushing woke indoctrination on kids.

Meanwhile, an editorial in Tulsa World reacts to Raichik's appointment. Oklahoma children and youths need champions. They need people at the state level who understand their challenges and are willing to represent all of them, the editorial states. Raichik is not that person; she is a far-right conservative caricature concerned about a national profile. Walters has embarrassed the state by associating us with her, and it likely wont be the last time he does so.

 By creating a villain of the biggest professional organization for library workers, book banners pound away at the institutions that establish and uphold librarianship as a profession. 

In West Virginia, the local Parkersburg News & Sentinel reports that lawmakers in the state could open another front in the culture wars by looking to lift criminal liability protections for librarians and educators. West Virginia House Bill 4654 would expose librarians and teachers to penalties for making available obscene content to minors, defined as anything an average person believes depicts or describes sexually explicit conduct, nudity, sex or certain bodily functions; or anything a reasonable person would find lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.

Paywalled, but in Georgia, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that a new bill, Senate Bill 390, is going after the ALA. The legislation seeks to ban government funding for libraries affiliated with the American Library Association, which, they claim, is influenced by Marxist ideology.

Over at Book Riot, Kelly Jensen leads off her must read weekly censorship roundup with another post drawn from the publications recent survey conducted with EveryLibrary. This post focuses in on the issue of trust, pointing out why book banners have sought to attack the ALA. By creating a villain of the biggest professional organization for library workers, book banners pound away at the institutions that establish and uphold librarianship as a profession, Jensen writes. Hope is not lost, though. Returning back to the parental perceptions survey, its clear that even at its lowest, 4 out of 5 parents trust school librarians. Nine out of ten trust public librarians.The opportunity is here to amplify this trust parents have in their public institutions.

Better news in Vermont, where indie paper Seven Days reports that legislators have introduced legislation to head off book bans and attacks on libraries. H.806 is one of a few bills introduced this year aimed at library censorship; another is S.220, a bill covering several topics that was created in response to a November report on the status of Vermont libraries. S.220 contains a section on intellectual freedom. Another bill, H.807, addresses bans at school libraries only.

And in Massachusetts, a MassLive editorial supports two new state bills also aimed at combating book banners. S.2528 and H.4229 would prevent people from weakening libraries by using personal or political objections to wheedle local officials to censor books, the article states.

And finally this week, the Seattle Times reports that the Washington state senate has passed a bill designed to help protect libraries. Senate Bill 5824, passed unanimously by the Senate on Wednesday, comes in response to an effort last year to close the only library in rural Columbia County. It would make such attempts more difficult, requiring more signatures to get proposed shutdowns on the ballot and then allowing a larger population of voters to decide a librarys fate. The proposal now goes to the house.
In a bid to strengthen the Canadian publishing industry, the Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP) has teamed up with lAssociation nationale des editeurs de livres (ANEL) to launch an online letter writing campaign urging the Canadian government to increase the Canada Book Fund (CBF), which offers publishers support to promote the production of Canadian literature. The fund has been fixed for more than 20 years at C$39.1 million per year, of which C$30 million goes directly to support publishers; the organization provides support for some 125 small and midsize publishers.

In 2021, Canada's current Liberal government committed to providing as much as 50% additional funding to programs that support Canadian authors and book publishers through the Canada Book Fund, but this has not yet happened. Now, in an effort to hold the government accountable, the ACP and ANEL are calling on the public for support in making sure the government keeps its promise to the publishing sector in the upcoming 2024 budget. The associations are asking individuals to send a letter to their member of Canadian parliament, stating that publishers play a vital role in sustaining a thriving Canadian publishing ecosystem and ensuring that Canadian stories continue to be published.

The associations feel that the federal investment in book publishing has failed to keep pace with the evolving industry's needs, leading to adverse consequences for Canadian publishers. The current federal investment in book publishing has not kept pace with the needs of an evolving industry, resulting in serious consequences for Canadian publishers, the associations asserted in a press release announcing the letter writing campaign. This lack of support from the federal government is creating an unstable environment that will have a negative ripple effect on the future of Canadas publishing sector. If the government does not invest in Canadian stories, they will cease to be published.

In recent years, the Canadian government has failed to act on a number of measures that have adversely impacted the countrys publishing sector, including a failure to strengthen the loose copyright laws that have been in place in Canada for nearly a decade, which have enabled the education sector to use books under a controversial fair use clause. The ACP and others estimate that this law has cost Canadian publishers hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue.
Dmitry Polyanskiy (front), Russia's first deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks at an emergency meeting of the Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York, on Jan. 25, 2024. Polyanskiy on Thursday blasted France for what he said was a delay of an emergency meeting that Moscow requested following the crash of a Russian military plane. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Russian envoy on Thursday blasted France for what he said was a delay of an emergency meeting that Moscow requested following the crash of a Russian military plane.

"We would like to express our indignation given the partiality shown by the French presidency (of the Security Council) as regards organizing emergency meetings that we have asked in the council," said Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia's first deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that Russia requested the emergency meeting to be held on Wednesday, but the meeting was eventually held on Thursday evening.

"As is a practice for the council meetings, a conscientious presidency usually meets those requests and convenes such meetings within three hours over the request," said Polyanskiy at the beginning of Thursday's emergency meeting.

The timetable of the Security Council allowed for an emergency meeting to take place on Wednesday, said Polyanskiy.

"But the French presidency (of the Security Council) categorically refused to do this," he said, adding that France should not place the interests of NATO and Ukraine above its duties as president of the Security Council.

"We are wondering whether this kind of behavior is worthy of you," said Polyanskiy.

The Russian ambassador also said France "delayed as much as possible" a Security Council meeting in the wake of U.S.-led strikes on Yemen over Houthi attacks on the Red Sea earlier this month.

French ambassador to the United Nations, Nicolas de Riviere, who chaired Thursday's meeting as president of the Security Council for January, said that the emergency meeting could not be arranged on Wednesday as requested. Security Council members, particularly the elected ones, needed time to get informed of the incident. 

Nicolas de Riviere (C, with a gavel in hand), French ambassador to the United Nations, chairs an emergency meeting of the Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York, on Jan. 25, 2024. A Russian envoy on Thursday blasted France for what he said was a delay of an emergency meeting that Moscow requested following the crash of a Russian military plane. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)
By Lee Fang, RealClearInvestigations & LeeFang.com

January 25, 2024

Brian Murphy, a former FBI agent who once led the intelligence wing of the Department of Homeland Security, reflected last summer on the failures of the Disinformation Governance Board  the panel formed to actively police misinformation. The board, which was proposed in April 2022 after he left DHS, was quickly shelved by the Biden administration in a few short months in the face of criticism that it would be an Orwellian state-sponsored "Ministry of Truth."

Brian Murphy , Logically.AI executive and ex-U.S. security official: "The government has a major role to play" in censorship, but "cannot be out in front.

In a July podcast, Murphy said the threat of state-sponsored disinformation meant the executive branch has an ethical responsibility to rein in the social media companies. American citizens, he said, must give up "some of your freedoms that you need and deserve so that you get security back."

The legal problems and public backlash to the Disinformation Governance Board also demonstrated to him that "the government has a major role to play, but they cannot be out in front.

Murphy, who made headlines late in the Trump administration for improperly building dossiers on journalists, has spent the last few years trying to help the government find ways to suppress and censor speech it doesnt like without being so out in front that it runs afoul of the Constitution. He has proposed that law enforcement and intelligence agencies formalize the process of sharing tips with private sector actors  a hybrid constellation including the press, academia, researchers, non-partisan organizations, and social media companies  to dismantle misinformation campaigns before they take hold.

More recently, Murphy has worked to make his vision of countering misinformation a reality by joining a United Kingdom-based tech firm, Logically.AI, whose eponymous product identifies and removes content from social media. Since joining the firm, Murphy has met with military and other government officials in the U.S., many of whom have gone on to contract or pilot Logicallys platform.

Logically says it uses artificial intelligence to keep tabs on over one million conversations. It also maintains a public-facing editorial team that produces viral content and liaisons with the traditional news media. It differs from other players in this industry by actively deploying what they call countermeasures to dispute or remove problematic content from social media platforms.



The business is even experimenting with natural language models, according to one corporate disclosure, to generate effective counter speech outputs that can be leveraged to deliver novel solutions for content moderation and fact-checking. In other words, artificial intelligence-powered bots that produce, in real-time, original arguments to dispute content labeled as misinformation.

Shown: A screenshot from Logically.AI -- a vast public-private partnership to shape social media.

In many respects, Logically is fulfilling the role Murphy has articulated for a vast public-private partnership to shape social media content decisions. Its technology has already become a key player in a much larger movement that seeks to clamp down on what the government and others deem misinformation or disinformation. A raft of developing evidence  including the Twitter Files, the Moderna Reports, the proposed Government Disinformation Panel, and other reports  has shown how governments and industry are determined to monitor, delegitimize, and sometimes censor protected speech. The story of Logically.AI illustrates how sophisticated this effort has become and its global reach. The use of its technology in Britain and Canada raises red flags as it seeks a stronger foothold in the United States.

Lyric Jain, Logically.AI's founder: The once-minor startup now has broad contracts across Europe and India and is expanding into the U.S.

Logically was founded in 2017 by a then-22-year-old British entrepreneur named Lyric Jain, who was inspired to form the company to combat what he believed were the lies that pushed the U.K. into voting in favor of Brexit, or leaving the European Union. The once-minor startup now has broad contracts across Europe and India, and has worked closely with Microsoft, Google, PwC, TikTok, and other major firms. Meta contracts with Logically to help the company fact-check content on all of its platforms: WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook.



The close ties to Silicon Valley provide unusual reach. When Logically rates a piece of content as false, Facebook will significantly reduce its distribution so that fewer people see it, apply a warning label to let people know that the content has been rated false, and notify people who try to share it, Meta and Logically announced in a 2021 press release on the partnership.

Meta and Logically did not respond to repeated requests for comment.



During the 2021 local elections in the U.K., Logically monitored up to one million pieces of harmful content, some of which they relayed to government officials, according to a document reviewed by RealClearInvestigations. The firm claimed to spot coordinated activity to manipulate narratives around the election, information they reported to tech giants for takedowns.

The following year, the state of Oregon negotiated with Logically for a wide-ranging effort to monitor campaign-related content during the 2022 midterm elections. In a redacted proposal for the project, Logically noted that it would check claims against its single source of truth database, which relied on government data, and would also crack down on malinformation  a term of art that refers to accurate information that fuels dangerous narratives. The firm similarly sold Oregon on its ability to pressure social media platforms for content removal.

Oregon State Rep. Ed Diehl has a led push against the state from renewing its work with Logically for the election this year. The company, he said in an interview, violates "our constitutional rights to free speech and privacy" by "flagging true information as false, claiming legitimate dissent is a threat, and then promoting "counter-narratives" against valid forms of public debate.



In response, the Oregon Secretary of States office, which initiated the contract with Logically, claimed no authority, ability, or desire to censor speech. Diehl disputes this. He pointed out that the original proposal with Logically clearly states that its service enables the opportunity for unlimited takedown attempts of alleged misinformation content and the ability for the Oregon Secretary of States office to flag for removal any problematic narratives and content. The contract document touts Logically as a trusted entity within the social media community that gives it preferred status that enables us to support our clients needs at a moments notice.



Ed Diehl, Oregon state legislator: Hiring Logically.AI gives the state the opportunity for unlimited takedown attempts.

Diehl, who shared a copy of the Logically contract with RCI, called the issue a vital civil rights fight, and noted that in an ironic twist, the states anti-misinformation speech suppression work further inflames distrust in election systems and government institutions in general.



Logicallys reach into the U.S. market is quickly growing. The company has piloted programs for the Chicago Police Department to use artificial intelligence to analyze local rap music and deploy predictions on violence in the community, according to a confidential proposal obtained by RCI. Pentagon records show that the firm is a subcontractor to a program run by the U.S. Armys elite Special Operations Command for work conducted in 2022 and 2023. Via funding from DHS, Logically also conducts research on gamer culture and radicalization.

The company has claimed in its ethics statements that it will not employ any person who holds a salaried or prominent position in government. But records show closely entrenched state influence. For instance, Kevin Gross, a director the U.S Navy NAVAIR division, was previously embedded within Logically's team during a 2022 fellowship program. The exchange program supported Logicallys efforts to assist NATO on the analysis of Russian social media.



Other contracts in the U.S. may be shrouded in secrecy. Logically partners with ThunderCat Technologies, a contracting firm that assists tech companies when competing for government work. Such arrangements have helped tech giants conceal secretive work in the past. Google previously attempted to hide its artificial intelligence drone-targeting contracts with the Defense Department through a similar third party contracting vendor.

But questions swirl over the methods and reach of the firm as it entrenches itself into American life, especially as Logically angles to play a prominent role in the 2024 presidential election.

Pandemic Policing

In March 2020, as Britain confronted the spread of COVID-19, the government convened a new task force, the Counter Disinformation Unit (CDU). The secretive task force was created with little fanfare, but was advertised as a public health measure to protect against dangerous misinformation. Caroline Dinenage, the member of parliament overseeing media issues, later explained that the units purpose was to provide authoritative sources of information and to take action to remove misinformation relating to misleading narratives related to COVID-19.

Silkie Carlo, Big Brother Watch : Far-reaching surveillance dinged her for criticizing vaccine passports.

The CDU, it later emerged, had largely outsourced its work to private contractors such as Logically. In January 2021, the company received its first contract from the agency overseeing the CDU, for 400,000 , to monitor potentially harmful disinformation online. The contracts later swelled, with the U.K. agency that pertains to media issues eventually providing contracts with a combined value of 1.2 million and the Department of Health providing another 1.3 million, for a total of roughly $3.2 million.

That money went into far-reaching surveillance that monitored journalists, activists, and lawmakers who criticized pandemic policies. Logically, according to an investigation last year in the Telegraph, recorded comments from activist Silkie Carlo criticizing vaccine passports in its Mis/Disinformation reports.

Logicallys reports similarly collected information on Dr. Alexandre de Figueiredo, a research fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Figueiredo had published reports on the negative ways in which vaccine passports could undermine vaccine confidence and had publicly criticized policies aimed at the mass vaccination of children. Despite his expertise, Logically filed his tweet in a disinformation report to the government. While some of the reports were categorized as evidence of terms of service violations, many were, in fact, routine forms of dissent aired by prominent voices in the U.K. on policies hotly contested by expert opinion.

Marketing materials published by Logically.AI suggest its view of COVID-19 went well beyond fact-checking and veered into suppressing dissent.

The documents showing Logicallys role were later uncovered by Carlos watchdog group, Big Brother Watch, which produced a detailed report on the surveillance effort. The CDU reports targeted a former judge who argued against coercive lockdowns as a violation of civil liberties and journalists criticizing government corruption. Some of the surveillance documents suggest a mission creep for the unit, as media monitoring emails show that the agency targeted anti-war groups that were vocal against NATOs policies.

Carlo was surprised to even find her name on posts closely monitored and flagged by Logically. We found that the company exploits millions of online posts to monitor, record and flag online political dissent to the central government under the banner of countering disinformation, she noted in a statement to RCI.

Marketing materials published by Logically suggest its view of COVID-19 went well beyond fact-checking and veered into suppressing dissenting opinions. A case study published by the firm claimed that the #KBF hashtag, referring to Keep Britain Free, an activist group against school and business shutdowns, was a dangerous anti-vax narrative. The case study also claimed that the suggestion that the virus was created in a Chinese laboratory was one of the conspiracy theories that have received government support in the U.S.  despite the fact that a preponderance of evidence now points to a likely lab leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology as the origin of the pandemic.

Logically was also involved in pandemic work that blurred the line with traditional fact-checking operations. In India, the firm helped actively persuade patients to take the vaccine. In 2021, Jain, the founder and CEO of the company, said in an interview with an Indian news outlet that his company worked closely with communities that are today vaccine hesitant. The company, he said, recruited advocates and evangelists to shape local opinion.

Questionable Fact-Checking

Logically.AI worked on behalf of Canadian authorities to target the 2022 trucker-led Freedom Convoy.

In 2022, Logically used its technology on behalf of Canadian law enforcement to target the trucker-led Freedom Convoy against COVID-19 mandates, according to government records. Logicallys team floated theories that the truckers were likely influenced by foreign adversaries, a widely repeated claim used to denigrate the protests as inauthentic.

The push to discredit the Canadian protests showed the overlapping power of Logicallys multiple arms. While its social media surveillance wing fed reports to the Canadian government, its editorial team worked to influence opinion through the news media. When the Financial Times reported on the protest phenomenon, the outlet quoted Murphy, the former FBI man who now works for Logically, who asserted that the truckers were influenced by coordinated "conspiracy theorist groups" in the U.S. and Canada. Vice similarly quoted Joe Ondrak, Logically's head of investigations, to report that the "Freedom Convoy" had generated excitement among global conspiracy theorists. Neither outlet disclosed Logically's work for Canadian law enforcement at the time.

Will Jones, Daily Sceptic editor: He cited accurate statistics, Logically.AI conceded, but said he was still misleading by suggesting that vaccines are ineffective.

Other targets of Logically are quick to point out that the firm has taken liberties with what it classifies as misinformation.

Will Jones, the editor of the Daily Sceptic, a British news outlet with a libertarian bent, has detailed an unusual fact-check from Logically Facts, the companys editorial site. Jones said the site targeted him for pointing out that data in 2022 showed 71% of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were vaccinated. Logicallys fact-check acknowledged Jones had accurately used statistics from the U.K. Health Security Agency, but tried to undermine him by asserting that he was still misleading by suggesting that vaccines are ineffective.

But Jones, in a reply, noted that he never made that argument and that, Logically was batting away at a straw man. In fact, his original piece plainly took issue with a Guardian article that incorrectly claimed that "COVID-19 has largely become a disease of the unvaccinated."

Other Logically fact-checks have bizarrely targeted the Daily Sceptic for reporting on news in January 2022 that vaccine mandates might soon be lifted. The site dinged the Daily Sceptic for challenging the evidence behind the vaccine policy and declared, COVID-19 vaccines have been proven effective in fighting the pandemic. And yet, at the end of that month, the mandate was lifted for healthcare workers and the following month, all other pandemic restrictions were revoked, just as the Daily Sceptic had reported.

As far as I can work out, its a grift, said Daily Sceptic founder Toby Young, of Logically. A group of shysters offer to help the government censor any criticism of its policies under the pretense that theyre not silencing dissent  God forbid!  but merely cleansing social media of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech.

Jones was similarly dismissive of the company, which he said disputes anything that runs contrary to popular consensus. The consensus of course is that set by the people who pay Logically for their services, Jones added. The company claims to protect democratic debate by providing access to reliable information, but in reality, it is paid to bark and savage on command whenever genuine free speech makes an inconvenient appearance.

Logically.AI has piled on to news stories to help discredit voices of dissent -- including that of comedian Russell Brand, above, accused of sexual misconduct.

In some cases, Logically has piled on to news stories to help discredit voices of dissent. Last September, the anti-misinformation site leaped into action after British news outlets published reports about sexual misconduct allegations surrounding comedian and online broadcaster Russell Brand -- one of the outspoken critics of government policy in Britain, who has been compared to Joe Rogan for his heterodox views and large audience.

Brand, a vocal opponent of pandemic policies, had been targeted by Logically in the past for airing opinions critical of the U.S. and U.K. response to the virus outbreak, and in other moments for criticizing new laws in the European Union that compel social media platforms to take down content.

But the site took dramatic action when the sexual allegations, none of which have been proved in court, were published in the media. Ondrak, Logicallys investigations head, provided different quotes to nearly half a dozen news outlets  including Vice, Wired, the BBC, and two separate articles in The Times  that depicted Brand as a dangerous purveyor of misinformation who had finally been held to account.

He follows a lot of the ostensibly health yoga retreat, kind of left-leaning, anti-capitalist figures, who got really suckered into Covid skepticism, Covid denialism, and anti-vax, and then spat out of the Great Reset at the other end, Ondrak told Wired. In one of the articles published by The Times, Ondrak aired frustration on the obstacles of demonetizing Brand from the Rumble streaming network. In an interview with the BBC, Ondrak gave a curious condemnation, noting Brand stops short of airing any actual conspiracy theories or falsehoods, but is guilty of giving audiences "the ingredients to make the disinformation themselves.



Dinenage, the member of parliament who spearheaded the CDU anti-misinformation push with Logically during the pandemic, also leapt into action. In the immediate aftermath of the scandal, she sent nearly identical letters to Rumble, TikTok and Meta to demand that the platforms follow YouTubes lead in demonetizing Brand. Dinenage couched her official request to censor Brand as a part of a public interest inquiry, to protect the "welfare of victims of inappropriate and potentially illegal behaviour."

Logically.AI aims to play a prominent role in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. It is now a member of the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing & Analysis Center (EL-ISAC).

Logically's editorial team went a step further. In its report on the Brand allegations published on Logically Facts, it claimed that social media accounts "trotting out the 'innocent until proven guilty' refrain" for the comedian were among those perpetuating common myths about sexual assault. The site published a follow-up video reiterating the claim that those seeking the presumption of innocence for Brand, a principle dating back to the Magna Carta, were spreading a dangerous "myth."

The unusual advocacy campaign against Brand represented a typical approach for a company that has long touted itself as a hammer against spreaders of misinformation. The opportunity to remove Brand from the media ecosystem meant throwing as much at him as possible, despite any clear misinformation or disinformation angle in the sexual assault allegations. Rather, he was a leading critic of government censorship and pandemic policy, so the scandal represented a weakness to be exploited.

Such heavy-handed tactics may be on the horizon for American voters. The firm is now a member of the U.S. Election Infrastructure Information Sharing & Analysis Center, the group managed by the Center for Internet Security that helps facilitate misinformation reports on behalf of election officials across the country. Logically has been in talks with Oregon and other states, as well as DHS, to expand its social media surveillance role for the presidential election later this year.

Previous targets of the company, though, are issuing a warning.

It appears that Logicallys lucrative and frankly sinister business effectively produced multi-million pound misinformation for the government that may have played a role in the censorship of citizens lawful speech, said Carlo of Big Brother Watch.



Politicians and senior officials happily pay these grifters millions of pounds to wield the red pen, telling themselves that theyre protecting democracy rather than undermining it, said Young of the Daily Sceptic. Its a boondoggle and it should be against the law.
Last month, two Washington, D.C., residents awoke to the news that an authoritarian government halfway across the world had slapped a bounty on their heads. Sadly, their experience is not unique. It represents an increasingly widespread phenomenon that threatens human rights here in the United States.

On Dec. 14, the Hong Kong government announced HK$1 million bounties against five human rights activists, including Frances Hui, who received political asylum in the U.S. in 2022, and Joey Siu, a U.S. citizen. They joined eight others, including U.S.-based Anna Kwok and Dennis Kwok (no relation), who had the same action taken against them in July. Their crime? Collusion with foreign countries or external elements to endanger national security. In laymans terms, they advocated for democracy and human rights in their native city and asked the U.S. and other foreign governments to do the same.

The Hong Kong governments long-arm repression should worry Americans of all stripes. Not only does it threaten the constitutional rights guaranteed to people on U.S. soil, but Sius targeting shows that even U.S. citizens arent safe. This is especially concerning given Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chius pledge to pursue [the targeted activists] for the rest of our lives even if they run to the ends of the earth.

Hong Kong used to be a bastion of freedom. Even after the UK handed the city back over to China in 1997, mainland Chinese dissidents would flock to Hong Kong, and Beijing usually left them alone, in deference to Hong Kongs autonomy under the one country, two systems framework agreed to before the handover.

Everything changed in 2020 when, after a year of unrest sparked by the governments callous response to pro-democracy protests, Beijing imposed a draconian National Security Law (NSL) on the city, which banned a broad range of political speech. Many freedom-loving people have since fled Hong, but even now they arent truly free. The NSL is extraterritorial, meaning it applies to activities conducted anywhere in the world, as the experiences of these 13 activists show.

The crimes for which they stand accused arent illegal in the countries where they operate, nor were they considered unlawful in Hong Kong until 2020. Nevertheless, if the Hong Kong authorities ever get their hands on them, these individuals face possible life imprisonment or even prosecution in mainland China, where the outcome could be even worse. Though they are theoretically safe in America, they must live the rest of their lives knowing they have targets on their backs.

The State Department condemned the bounties and reiterated that Hong Kong authorities have no jurisdiction within United States borders, where the advocates for democracy and freedom will continue to enjoy their constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and rights. Statements such as this are helpful, but more must be done to ensure activists are protected not only in word but also in deed.

In 2022, I wrote about Operation Sky Net, a Chinese government program under which its security services conduct unsanctioned operations abroad to harass and intimidate wanted persons to return to China and face prosecution. Under this program, Chinese police pressure their targets relatives in China, employ local thugs to harass targets abroad, and even enter the U.S. and other countries on tourist visas, where they illegally intimidate their targets into returning to China.

Fortunately, Hong Kong law enforcement have not yet emulated their mainland counterparts extreme disregard for other countries sovereignty. But its likely only a matter of time before either mainland Chinese or Hong Kong authorities use these tactics in their efforts to repatriate Hong Kongers in the U.S.

Hong Kong has already begun applying pressure on family members and associates of some activists on its bounty list. Furthermore, in May a Boston man was charged with giving Chinese government officials information regarding activists, including participants in pro-Hong Kong democracy protests that Frances Hui organized back in 2019. Hui also faced stalking and death threats at the time, harassment that went unpunished.

In December testimony to the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Anna Kwok described what its like to live in the U.S. while being wanted in Hong Kong. Even though I [am] in the Land of the Free," she said, "I [am] not free; I [am] trapped in the constant mental pressure of being hunted. Kwoks testimony further explained the chilling effect such transnational repression has, not only on the targeted individuals, but on entire communities, where free expression is stifled by the fear of suffering similar consequences.

Washington must use all the diplomatic and legislative tools at its disposal to clamp down on these repressive acts by Hong Kong, China, and other hostile foreign forces inside the United States. Such activities violate Americas sovereignty and the rights which the U.S. Constitution guarantees to everyone in this country.

Congress should pass legislation requiring the State Department to report on cases of transnational repression on American soil, create a tip line for victims and witnesses, and require U.S. government employees to be trained to recognize and deal with such repressive acts.

More fundamentally, the entire justice system needs training. Police departments and courts at the federal, state, and local levels arent prepared to deal with the influx of transnational repression now taking place on U.S. soil. Education is needed to train law enforcement and justice officials and to ensure immigrant communities understand their rights and how to report transnational repression to the authorities.

Hostile foreign forces routinely stifle the constitutional rights of people in America, including U.S. citizens. America must awaken to this threat and act now to safeguard both U.S. sovereignty and the rights of everyone who lives in this country.

Michael Cunningham is a research fellow in the Heritage Foundations Asian Studies Center.
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HOME > OTHER ENTERTAINMENT NEWS > NEWS Brian Tee, Jack Huston: 'Expats' are traumatized, trying to heal

UPI News Service, 01/26/2024



Chicago Med actor Brian Tee and Boardwalk Empire alum Jack Huston say all of the characters are traumatized, but doing their best to move on from their grief in their new Prime Video drama, Expats. The series premieres Friday. ADVERTISEMENT Posthumous and The Farewell filmmaker Lulu Wang created the six-episode series based on Janice Y.K. Lee's novel, Expatriates. It follows seemingly perfect couple Clarke (Tee) and Margaret (Nicole Kidman) -- Americans living in Hong Kong -- whose lives are turned upside down by the disappearance of their toddler. Sarayu Blue plays Margaret's best friend, Hilary, and Huston plays Hilary's husband, David, who is cheating on her with Mercy (Ji-young Yoo), the young former nanny Margaret blames for the loss of her youngest child. "He wants them to be the family they were. It's such a journey," Tee told UPI in a recent Zoom interview. "Everyone deals with such trauma and tragedy in so many different ways. With grief, there are so many different stages and they are all mixed up and out of order and kind of blend," he added. "He's going through so much emotion, yet still trying to hold it all together." "Everyone deals with such trauma and tragedy in so many different ways. With grief, there are so many different stages and they are all mixed up and out of order and kind of blend," he added. "He's going through so much emotion, yet still trying to hold it all together." Clarke also blames himself for the tragedy that befalls his family since it was his job that brought them to Hong Kong. "That's what makes this character, for myself, so compelling," Tee said. "It was because of him that they moved to Hong Kong and it was because of him that they were expats. Had he not taken those steps forward, would this have happened?" FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS!

Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Tee, who is married with a 9-year-old daughter in real life, said he found it easy to relate to Clarke. "He was the one character I connected with on a personal level because we have so many similarities," he said. "Clarke is a father doing his best to be a father and lead with love. Personally, that's what I try to do." Huston, who worked previously with Wang on Posthumous, was eager to work with her again on Expats. "When I got the call, I said 'yes' before even reading it. I was right there. There's nothing you enjoy more in this business than working on something or with someone -- or many people in this instance -- that you really love and respect," Huston said. "That's when you say, 'It's not a job any more,' and you just feel grateful because you really get to explore something and take on a character and go deep. The conversation was never not exciting and interesting -- off camera, as well as on camera." Huston described David as "a perfectly flawed man," haunted by a mysterious past from which he's been running for most of his life. "You realize he could be a little bit of a villain. But then you realize he's going through his own [expletive], as we all are. Humans are flawed. We make mistakes," Huston said. "He's suffering like everybody in this show, and that's sort of the brilliance of it. It shows it from all different perspectives." "You realize he could be a little bit of a villain. But then you realize he's going through his own [expletive], as we all are. Humans are flawed. We make mistakes," Huston said. "He's suffering like everybody in this show, and that's sort of the brilliance of it. It shows it from all different perspectives." David feels like an outsider, which is one of the reasons why he is drawn to Mercy, an emotionally damaged woman who is seeking a fresh start in a new land when the series begins. Yoo calls Mercy a "complicated girl who has heard a lot in her life that she is not deserving of love and she won't amount to anything." "I like to say that Mercy -- when presented with two options -- will probably pick the worst one because she doesn't really believe she'll get a good outcome," Yoo said. "So, I'm very protective of Mercy. That was one of the first things i felt -- like i almost needed to shelter her and keep her safe because she just feels injured, and a lot of the show is her learning to heal." Blue noted Hilary's appearance as a "put-together, well presented woman" belies her insecurity and depression. "She is very controlled and seems really sure of herself. She's in these neutral, tightly, perfectly tailored suits and high heels. She's got it all down to a 'T' and I think that we really just watch the unraveling of Hilary," Blue said. "She's at a real culmination point with so many people in her life and you just watch it all fall apart and how she treads that experience." At the opening of the show, Hilary's marriage to Davis is suffering. "Their relationship is fractured and, unfortunately, her closest friendship is also fractured and, by the time we meet Hilary, it's already at a breaking point -- all of it," Blue said. Mercy is dazzled by her employers' beauty and wealth, and hopes their sphere of success will eventually expand to include her. "She believes she is cursed and that bad luck follows her," Yoo said. "She sees Margaret and the Wu family and Clarke and hopes that she can get some sort of good luck through osmosis if she sticks around, that things will turn up for her," she added. "When tragedy hits, I think it just further confirms what she's believed her whole life about herself. Margaret becomes this point of deep regret and also longing." Hilary and Margaret, who live in the same apartment building in Hong Kong, enjoy a very close friendship until Margaret's child disappears and she starts blaming others for their role in the tragedy. "I've seen a lot of friendships. I've been a part of friendships that have fallen apart and it is a part of life as we grow and grow up," Blue said. "One of the things we really see Hilary do in the show is grow up. it's so cool to see a 40- year-old woman grow up. That is actually life, although it is rarely given space for." Wang said she was a fan of the book because it depicted the "texture" of different characters and beautifully conveyed a sense of time and place. "It felt like a world I wanted to be in and to learn more about and interrogate," she added. "Ultimately, I wanted to make a show about resilience -- the hope that we all need to hold onto ourselves in order to cope with whatever we've been through or will go through." << PRIOR STORY

'Bachelor' alum Amanda Stanton gives birth to third child NEXT STORY >>

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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/26/2024



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alum Amanda Stanton has given birth to her third daughter, her first baby with husband Michael Fogel.Amanda took to Instagram on Thursday, January 25 and wrote in a joint post with Michael, "She's finally here. 1.24.24 at 1:40PM in Room 42."Amanda welcomed her little bundle of joy in Newport Beach, CA, and the baby joins Amanda's two pre-teen daughters from her first marriage to Nick Buonfiglio: Charlie and Kinsley.Alongside the caption, Amanda and her husband uploaded photos of themselves holding their baby girl in the hospital.In the background of one of Amanda's photos, a sign can be seen that says, "Rosie," which is apparently the newborn's name.Amanda also revealed in her Instagram Stories that all three of her girls were born on the 24th of a month.Congratulatory messages poured in from Bachelor Nation."Can't get over her!!! Congrats sweet friends," Lauren Bushnell commented. Ashley Iaconetti wrote, "So adorable!! Congratulations!! Love this little girl group." Rachel Recchia gushed, "Congratulations to your beautiful family."Amanda announced she was pregnant with Baby No. 3 in early August 2023."Mom + Dad," Amanda captioned two photos in which alum was showing off her bare baby bump in a white T-shirt and jeans.Michael posed with Amanda for the photo, which was posted in black-and-white as well as color, and Amanda added, "Baby Fogel due in January."The Bachelor in Paradise alum shared at the time, "I have been dreaming of this day for so long & I am so excited to finally share the news with you all!!"Amanda said of the last few months of her third pregnancy, "[They've] truly been everything I have dreamt of and more and I'm finding myself constantly trying to just slow down & soak up every second!"Amanda went on to "thank" family and close friends for being "so supportive," and she continued, "To all of you who secretly knew and were so gracious & patient with me (lol)."The blonde beauty concluded, "I think it's normal to be a bit nervous when deciding to plan a pregnancy and I'm happy to answer questions and share my own personal experience... Can't wait to share the rest of this journey with you all!"Amanda and Michael were reportedly friends for two years before they began dating. Michael popped the question and the couple got engaged in December 2021.Amanda married Michael in California in September 2022. Amanda called her wedding "pure magic."Amanda revealed in April 2023 that she and Michael, a real estate entrepreneur, would "love to start trying at some point soon" for another child.And during a March 2023 Instagram Q&A with her followers, Amanda discussed potentially expanding her family. (She also scolded fans for constantly asking if she was expecting).When a person asked if Amanda wanted more babies, Amanda replied, "Yes! I'm not going to lie, though. I'm so nervous. I thought we would have started trying by now, but maybe a few more months?!"Amanda, however, elaborated how it was difficult to truly prepare for having a third baby."But then I keep thinking, 'Will we ever feel 100 percent ready for another baby?!' Whenever it happens, I'll be so so excited, whether we're ready or not," Amanda said.Amanda also shared that if she and Michael did try for another baby, she hoped to get pregnant with a little boy "that is exactly like Michael."Amanda was married to Nick from 2012 to 2015. One year after their divorce, she appeared on Ben Higgins ' season in 2016.After Amanda introduced Ben to her two girls and finished Season 20 in third place, the Lani the Label founder looked for love on Season 3 of Bachelor in Paradise.Amanda accepted a marriage proposal from Andi's ex-fiance Josh Murray during the finale, but they called it quits on their engagement and announced their split in December 2016.Amanda and Josh had a nasty public breakup, with Amanda calling Josh "the worst" and admitting she had mistakenly ignored friends' grim warnings about his personality and character.Amanda decided to search for The One on television again by participating in Bachelor in Paradise's fourth edition the next summer, when JoJo's ette runner-up, Robby Hayes , pursued her.However, Amanda and Robby's romance was short-lived and she confirmed their breakup in September 2017."Robby was somebody who was doing all these sweet things for me and saying that he wants a family and a future, and then we get off the show and all he wanted to do is party and not call me ," Amanda told People at the finale taping.Amanda subsequently got romantically involved -- off-camera -- with Tillow co-founder Bobby Jacobs and the couple went Instagram official in May 2018.Bobby, however, appeared to break Amanda's heart just about one year later. I'm sad. I cried a lot ... I was completely blindsided [by the breakup] and it just happened very suddenly," Amanda told her fans on social media in April 2019.After a series of heartbreak and men letting her down, Amanda told Us Weekly in April 2020 that dating and getting married again weren't high on her list of "priorities" considering she had "so many other things to worry about" in her life.But Amanda proceeded to date attorney Oren Agman in 2020 before finally getting involved with Michael in early 2021.Amanda made her romance with Michael Instagram official during a vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in February 2021."It's still new, so they're taking things slow and just enjoying their time together," a source told Us at the time. "He has met her daughters, of course, since they're with her half the time."Amanda apparently fell hard and fast for Michael, because in August 2021, she said that she was hoping her man would pop the question soon.When an Instagram user asked when she wanted to get engaged, Amanda reportedly replied, "If we're being honest, yesterday."Interested in more news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
COLOMBO, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday urged all political party leaders in parliament to engage in discussions regarding the country's stance on an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and whether any amendments are needed.

The president said he has extended an invitation to the leaders to engage in discussions with managing director of the IMF on the implementation of the agreement, the President's Media Division said in a press release.

The president said political parties must collaboratively explore different perspectives and propose modifications if deemed beneficial.

He added that while the amending process for the agreement is open for consideration, it is imperative to acknowledge the existing agreement and work towards its implementation.

The president emphasized the importance of unity in leading the country to success, and highlighted that withdrawing from the IMF agreement would jeopardize the trust in Sri Lanka's economy.

He stressed that the nation's economy suffered due to the politics of promises, emphasizing the need for all political parties to formulate comprehensive plans for the country's development when gearing up for an election.

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. 
Airbus Helicopters will partner with the Tata Group to establish a final assembly line for helicopters in the country, a development that will help in boosting indigenous manufacturing activities.

Photograph: Regis Duvignau/Reuters

This will be the second final assembly line that will be built by Airbus in India after the 'Make in India' C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility in Gujarat.

The Final Assembly Line (FAL) will produce Airbus H125 helicopters from its civil range for India and for exporting to some of the neighbouring countries, Airbus Helicopter said in a statement.

The facility will also be the first instance where a private sector player will set up a helicopter manufacturing facility in India, providing a major boost to the Indian government's 'AatmaNirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) programme, the statement said.

The FAL is expected to be set up in 24 months and deliveries of the first 'Made in India' H125s are expected to commence in 2026.

The location of the FAL will be jointly decided by Airbus and the Tata Group.

Financial details were not disclosed.

Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said it is a historic day and the collaboration marks a significant milestone in promoting indigenous manufacturing and it will also be boosting the economy by creating diverse job opportunities.

Under the partnership, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), a subsidiary of the Tata Group, will set up the facility along with Airbus Helicopters.

The announcement was made during the two-day visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India as Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

The FAL will undertake the integration of the major component assemblies, avionics and mission systems, installation of electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel system and the engine, Airbus Helicopters said.

Besides, it will do testing, qualification, and delivery of the H125 to customers in India and the region.

"Helicopters are crucial for nation building.

"A 'Made-in-India' civil helicopter will not only be a symbol of the confident New India but will also unlock the true potential of the helicopter market in the country," Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said.

He also said the FAL is a reaffirmation of Airbus' commitment to developing the full spectrum of the aerospace ecosystem in India.

"This will be the second final assembly line Airbus is building in India after the 'Make in India' C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat," Faury said.

Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran, said the Tata Group is delighted to set up India's first helicopter assembly facility in the private sector.

"This facility will have the final assembly line in partnership with Airbus for the world's bestselling Airbus H125 single engine helicopter for the Indian as well as export markets," he added.

This multi-mission workhorse will revolutionise passenger and goods transportation and will also be used for segments such as emergency medical services (HEMS), disaster management, law enforcement, tourism and aerial work missions, the statement said.

Providing last-mile connectivity to remote areas, the H125 will significantly contribute to the Central Government's regional connectivity scheme 'UDAN'- that will further promote the tourism sector in the country, it added.

In a post on X, Scindia said the partnership will empower the Make In India initiative.

It will also give a major boost to the country's economy by creating diverse opportunities for employment and job creation, unlocking the potential of the Indian aerospace sector, and further solidifying Indo-France relations, he added.

Earlier in the day, Scindia, after a meeting with Faury, said India has huge potential to become a global aircraft manufacturing hub.
Amid speculations of a rift in the ruling 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday attended the high tea ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan in Patna on the occasion of the Republic Day with his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal remaining conspicuous by absence.

IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attends the 75th Republic Day celebrations at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on January 26, 2024. Photograph: @NitishKumar/X

The seat next to that of Kumar was occupied by senior Janata Dal-United leader and minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary who removed the slip said to be bearing the name of Yadav before occupying the chair.

Leader of the opposition in the assembly, Vijay Kumar Sinha of the BJP, sat next to Choudhary and he was seen exchanging pleasantries with Kumar.

The high tea was organised on the occasion of Republic Day.

Though education minister Alok Kumar Mehta, who is also a national general secretary of the RJD, was among the attendees, Yadav and many other party leaders, including Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, did not turn up.

When Kumar was approached with queries about Yadav's absence at the function, he gave a curt reply, Jo nahin aaye unse puchhiye (Ask those who did not turn up), and drove back to his official residence.

Speculations are rife that Kumar was unhappy with the Mahagathbandhan, which includes the Congress and the RJD with three Left parties supporting the government from outside.

There are also rumours that he might be planning a return to the BJP-led NDA, though leaders of the saffron party have maintained that doors were closed for the JD-U supremo.

JD(U) leaders have also been maintaining that the party was firmly with" the opposition bloc INDIA.

However, when Sinha was approached with queries by journalists after the function was over, he replied, I am here in my capacity as the leader of the opposition. I have no knowledge about the truth behind the speculations. The BJP is a party in which decisions are taken collectively, by the leadership. We will all abide by whatever decision is taken.

Notably, Sinha was also present at a meeting of Bihar BJP leaders held at Union Home Minister Amit Shah's residence in Delhi late Thursday night.

He also declined to comment on the rumours of a rift in the 'Mahagathbandhan', saying It is a question you should ask members of the coalition.
SYDNEY, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Six among a group of approximately 61 heavily disguised people boarding a train in Sydney were arrested and taken to the police station following a police operation on Friday, said the Police Force in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW).

A further 55 men were issued Rail Infringement Notices for offensive behavior, the police added.

The police said that they were alerted to the group boarding a train at the Artarmon railway station and waited for the train to arrive at the North Sydney railway station, which is four stops away. On arrival, members of the public were directed to leave the train while officers boarded and contained the group to a few carriages.

The police said that the group all had their faces concealed and were carrying a number of items, including shields and a flag.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that the group of people were wearing all black, including balaclavas. It quoted NSW Premier Chris Minns as saying that there was absolutely no tolerance for this behavior.

"Normal people don't celebrate Australia Day with a balaclava on," he said. "Due to great police work millions of Aussies were able to celebrate and come together without a potentially ugly confrontation."

Held every year on Jan. 26, Australia Day marks the anniversary of the 1788 landing of the British First Fleet in the country. 
President Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart Emanuel Macron arrived on the Kartavya Path in New Delhi for 75th Republic Day celebrations in a traditional buggy, which made a comeback after 40 years.

They were escorted by the President's Bodyguard -- "Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak".

The President's Bodyguard is the senior-most regiment of the Indian Army.

This Republic Day is special for this elite regiment, with the "Angrakshak" completing 250 years of service since its raising in 1773, and for India's old tradition where Murmu let go of the modern sedan in favour of the quaint horse-drawn buggy.

"President Droupadi Murmu and the French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the Kartavya Path in the traditional buggy which made a comeback after 40 years," the Rashtrapati Bhawan said in a post on X.

The gold-plated, horse-drawn buggy is a black carriage with the national emblem embossed in gold. The buggy, drawn by a mixed breed of Indian and Austrian horses, has gold-plated rims.

The presidential buggy was in use for Republic Day functions till 1984 but was discontinued after the assassination of the-then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

The buggy was last used by Giani Zail Singh in 1984. It was discontinued due to security reasons and presidents began using limousines for travel.

It was only in 2014 when former president Pranab Mukherjee used it again for the beating retreat ceremony.

His successor Ram Nath Kovind continued the tradition of riding the buggy. He inspected the Guard of Honour in the presidential buggy after taking oath in 2017.

During the British era, the buggy belonged to the Viceroy of India. After India's independence in 1947, a row erupted between India and Pakistan regarding claims over the carriage.

With no immediate solution and higher authority to decide on the row, India's then Lt Colonel Thakur Govind Sing and the Pakistan Army's Sahabzada Yaqub Khan took full responsibility for the fact that the ownership of the buggy would depend on a coin toss.

India is believed to have won the toss and the buggy has been with the country since then. The same carriage has been used by several presidents on various occasions.

Almost three decades ago, former president Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed used the buggy to reach the exit gate of the Rashtrapati Bhavan from where he took a car to attend the Republic Day ceremony.

The carriage was also used by presidents to pay homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti during Republic Day celebrations.

Besides, the heads of the country used the buggy to move around in their 320-acre residential space.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday presented the state government's award for promotion of communal harmony to fact-checker Mohammed Zubair "in recognition of his contribution in prevention of violence" by debunking claims in social media that migrant workers were under attack in Tamil Nadu.

Co-founder of AltNews, Zubair was presented the award by Stalin at the 75th Republic Day celebrations in Chennai.

The government said in March 2023, claims were made in social media that "migrant workers were being attacked in Tamil Nadu."

After verifying the authenticity of the video clips that made such claims, Zubair made it amply clear in AltNews that such claims were false and such attacks did not take place in Tamil Nadu at all.

"Thus, he stopped the spread of rumours against Tamil Nadu and acted to prevent violence caused by caste, religion, race and language," in the state, the government said in the citation.

"In appreciation of the services rendered by him in maintenance of communal harmony, Thiru Mohammed Zubair is presented with the Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony Award for the year 2024."

Further, the government said that he has been "rendering various services to promote communal harmony."

The Tamil Nadu government instituted the Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony Award in the year 2000 for nurturing communal harmony.

It is being given to a person belonging to the state in recognition of outstanding services in building harmony. The award carries a medal, a cash component of Rs 25,000 and a certificate honouring the services. The government said Zubair is a resident of Denkanikottai taluka of Krishnagiri district.
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A woman works at an enterprise producing net and rope products in Lizhuang Town of Huimin County, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

Investors and Western news outlets focus on a narrow set of indicators and neglect the robust base when evaluating China's economy, according to U.S. observers.

NEW YORK, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Investors and Western news outlets focus on a narrow set of indicators and neglect the robust base when evaluating China's economy, according to U.S. observers.

Despite the heavy economic headwinds caused by the property sector, China is still putting out reasonable macroeconomic growth numbers as well as displaying microeconomic robustness across a number of private-led industrial sectors, including in advanced manufacturing, said Sourabh Gupta, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Institute for China-America Studies.

"Furthermore, this is all happening without the government having to take recourse to 'flood irrigation' measures (huge fiscal and monetary subsidies)," Gupta told Xinhua in a recent interview.

All this plus the heavy government emphasis over the past eight months on supporting the private sector bodes well for the future, especially once the property sector's health becomes more aligned with fundamentals, Gupta said.

"Western news outlets are more interested in dwelling on bad, scandalous or short-term news out of China rather than objectively assessing issues from a more considered or medium-term perspective," Gupta further said.

Gupta suggested one must bear that in mind when reading analyses by Western news outlets.

The volatility in the Hong Kong stock market on Jan. 17 was not due to economic releases from China but rather forced selling from popular Callable Bull/Bear Contracts (CBBCs), said Brendan Ahern, chief investment officer with U.S.-based asset management firm Krane Funds Advisors LLC, a specialist investment management firm focused on China, climate, and other uncorrelated assets.

"We believe equity investors may be placing too much emphasis on weaker demographic data," Ahern told Xinhua.

Export-driven economies don't need populations as large as domestic-driven countries for their stock markets to perform well, said Ahern, citing the examples of Japan and South Korea.

Still, Ahern added that over the long run, the demographic issue will have to be addressed as China's economy becomes increasingly oriented toward the consumer.

The reason the Chinese economy is being held back is because of "legacy" reasons, which primarily refers to the property sector, said Gupta.

Indeed, there are multiple reasons to be upbeat about the Chinese economic outlook.

"The Chinese economy enjoys healthy economic growth drivers, as can be seen in the private fixed asset investment numbers. Entrepreneurs and business folks are investing in the future," Gupta added.

China's consumer recovery in 2023 was focused on services and not as broad as markets had anticipated, noted a report on the outlook for China in 2024 issued by Krane Funds Advisors on Jan. 16.

"In 2024, we believe the recovery could broaden and accelerate while stimulus measures implemented in 2023 may begin to have a positive impact on the economy and stock market," said the report.

China's gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates in Q4 and 2023 fell largely in line with market consensus and expectations of Bank of America (BofA) Global Research, according to a research note by BofA Global Research on Jan. 17.

"We believe Chinese policymakers are fully aware of growth headwinds, and will step up their effort in policy easing going forward," said economists with BofA Global Research.

China's GDP grew 5.2 percent year on year to a new high of 126.06 trillion yuan (about 17.7 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023, higher than 3 percent in 2022 and the government's annual target of around 5 percent, according to data issued by China's National Bureau of Statistics on Jan. 17. 
Chief executive says only after the completion of legislation can Hong Kong strive for economic development.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee leaves after a question and answer session regarding the legislation of Article 23 national security law, at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, Jan. 25, 2024.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has vowed to complete legislation of the citys own security laws this year, reiterating its priority on national security in the face of what he describes as increasingly complex geopolitics and secretive espionage tactics over public discontent as well as economic and social issues.

To effectively deal with sudden and unpredictable new risks, Lee stressed that legislating Article 23 of the Basic Law  Hong Kongs mini constitution  with laws to prohibit acts of treason, secession, sedition and subversion against Beijing is urgent.

Lee was responding to questions from lawmakers of the Legislative Council, or LegCo, on Thursday about the progress of legislation on Article 23, and what the government is doing to revive Hong Kongs economy, which is being hammered by underperforming stock and property markets.

With legislation completed, Hong Kong can only then fully strive for economic development, Lee told lawmakers, revealing that the work has entered the final stage and will be completed this year.

But such a move has been controversial. A previous attempt in 2003 failed following mass protests and was shelved until Beijings imposition of the National Security Law in 2020.

The Hong Kong National Security Law helps us deal with the most critical national security issues in 2019. But there are still many issues, such as treason, and the management of some political organizations and political activities with foreign contacts. The relevant laws have not yet been perfected, Lee said.

He argued that compared with foreign countries, which often have more than 20 national security-related laws, Hong Kong has just one, and this would be clearly explained internally and to external stakeholders. A response and refutation team and an interpretation team will be established to respond to propaganda from hostile forces during the legislative process.

But exiled former legislator Ted Hui said Lees argument that foreign countries have multiple security-related laws is aimed at downplaying the damage and impact of such laws on Hong Kong.

Since Lee took the helm as chief executive, he has not only taken a tough position politically but also on policies relating to peoples livelihood, cracking down on areas such as traffic violations and hawking, sparking criticisms even from pro-government lawmakers.

At LegCo on Thursday, pro-communist legislator Paul Tse criticized the government for overreaching  law enforcers issuing traffic tickets 24/7 and penalizing hawkers heavily for road obstruction, plainclothes officers lurking to catch jaywalkers, and authorities cracking down on bookstores and factory canteens.

Will the government review its heavy-handed enforcement of alleged excessive fines and money grabbing? Tse said.

Lee said such opinions only evoke conflicts, likening Tses vocabulary to terms used during the 2019 anti-government protests, which Beijing and the Hong Kong authorities described as black terror.

Still, even pro-communist organization Patriotic Force founder Chan Ching-sum could no longer stay silent.

Since Lee Ka-chiu took office as the chief executive, I have only seen the current government trying every means to mentally abuse the people, she posted on Weibo, referring to Lees Chinese name. I cant stand the Lee Ka-chiu government! But there is no way to complain. Now as an ordinary Hong Kong citizen, I now make a complaint on Weibo against Lee Ka-chiu!

Chans post was quickly deleted but not before being circulated widely online.

Translated by RFA staff. Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn.
The meeting stresses Thailands strategic position as the middleman for the super powers, says expert.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, left, speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 16, 2024. At right, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi gives a speech in Beijing, Jan. 24, 2024.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi are set to meet in Bangkok Friday and Saturday to build on a pledge to deepen their dialogue, despite the two superpowers differences on Taiwan.

This meeting will be the first high-level talk between the two nations since the U.S. President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met in the United States in November.

During the new round of meetings, (Wang) will state Chinas position on China-U.S. relations, including the Taiwan issue, and exchange views with the U.S. side on international and regional issues of common interest, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wengbin told reporters at a regular press conference on Friday.

Upon his arrival in Thailands capital Friday, Sullivan first met with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara and discussed ties between the two nations as well as regional and global issues, including efforts to address the worsening crisis in Myanmar.

During the meeting, Sullivan emphasized U.S. commitment to expanding collaboration on trade and investment, accelerating the transition to a clean energy future, deepening the two nations people-to-people ties, and broadening our security cooperation as we promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, according to a White House statement.

Thailands Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, left, talks with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. (Government Spokesman Office via AP)





Thailand, one of the U.S.s major non-NATO allies and geographically important to the region, however, reaffirmed its non-interference approach.

On the China-Taiwan issue, for instance, the Thai side reiterated before the meeting its vision on Thai-Chinese relations, based on Thailands One China policy as well as common interests and international principles that the two countries adhere to, towards the building of a Thailand-China community with a shared future for enhanced stability, prosperity and sustainability.

Regarding planned talks between Sullivan and Wang, Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kanchana Patarachoke said: The meeting is actually arranged bilaterally between the two sides. We did not have any role in organizing for the meeting or anything but we are pleased that Thailand is the venue for such a meeting.

And we are confident that the dialogue between the two sides will contribute to peace and security and development of the countries in the regions also at the global stage as well.

Dr. Isa Gharti, a public policy researcher at Chiang Mai University, believes the meeting between Sullivan and Wang stresses Thailands strategic position as the middleman for the super powers.

The country has a long history of balancing its relationship with China and the U.S., which is appropriate for it to be the host, Gharti told Radio Free Asia.

The role as a facilitator to solve high-level conflict is a positive thing for the Srettha administration, he added, referring to the current prime ministers government.

Thailand and China will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2025.

Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn.
This aerial photo taken on Sep. 19, 2023 shows a solar photovoltaic power project under construction in Zhangye, in China's northwestern Gansu province.

Chinas clean energy sector saw an unprecedented surge in 2023, injecting a staggering 11.4 trillion yuan (US$1.6 trillion), almost a third more than the previous year, into the nations economy, new analysis by a nonprofit think tank has shown.

This green energy boom accounted for the entire investment growth and eclipsed all other sectors in driving the countrys economic expansion, according to the sector analysis by the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

It was first published Thursday on Carbon Brief, a website that posts news and policy analysis on climate and energy.

In 2023, Chinas GDP was reported at 126 trillion yuan ($17.8 trillion), so the clean energy sectors contributed 9% of the total, Lauri Myllyvirta, CREAs lead analyst and the author of the analysis, told Radio Free Asia.

Chinas GDP saw a 5.2% increase last year, surpassing the governments target. However, without the boost from clean-energy sectors, growth would have been approximately 3%, he said.

This would have missed government growth targets at a time of increasing concerns over the nations economic prospects amid the ongoing real-estate crisis and declining population, CREA said in its analysis.

Clean energy was a top driver of Chinas economic growth in 2023. (Carbon Brief and CREA.)

The investment surge was in what the Chinese officials and state media call the new three industries: solar power, electric vehicles and batteries, the focus of Beijings clean-energy investments in 2023.

China, the worlds largest emitter, dominates the global market in these key green technologies, with over 80% of solar exports, half of lithium-ion battery production, and above 20% of electric vehicle manufacturing.

Clean energy investment rise eclipses real estate drop

The clean energy sector as a whole was the largest driver of Chinas economic growth overall, accounting for 40% of the expansion of GDP in 2023, CREA said.

Investment in the sector soared by two-fifths in a year to 6.3 trillion yuan ($887 billion) in 2023, matching the total global investment in fossil fuels and equating to the GDP of Switzerland or Turkey.

Chinas installed record amounts of new solar capacity, in gigawatts, in 2023. (Carbon Brief and Chinas NEA)

Solar led most of it, with its value soaring 63% to 2.5 trillion yuan. Electric vehicle production reached 9.6 million units, a third of all vehicles produced in the country, according to CREA.

Chinas total investment in fixed assets was reported by the National Bureau of Statistics at 50 trillion yuan ($7.1 trillion) in 2023. Investment in clean energy industries made up 13% of the total, Myllyvirta told RFA.

In 2023, total investment rose by 3% despite a consecutive annual decline in real estate investment, which dropped by 9.4% from January to November.

The net increase came entirely from investment in clean energy industries, so in that sense, clean energy made up for the fall in real estate, he said.

Experts say the shift elevates the clean-energy sector to a crucial role in Chinas energy and climate initiatives and broader economic and industrial strategies.

Despite the boom in clean energy, experts say integrating all the new renewables into the existing power system and managing the electric grid more efficiently pose a severe challenge in China.

Another key challenge is rationalizing and consolidating those manufacturing sectors where overcapacity is starting to build up because of the major wave of investment, Myllyvirta told RFA.

Coal is still king and the biggest problem

According to the International Energy Agency, global coal use in 2023 hit a record high, surpassing 8.5 billion tons for the first time.

As the dirtiest and most significant greenhouse gas emitters, tackling coal is crucial for significantly reducing global carbon emissions and combating climate change.

Guohua Power Station, a coal-fired power plant, operates in Dingzhou, Baoding, in northern China's Hebei province, Nov. 10, 2023. (Ng Han Guan/AP)

In China, coal still provides 65% of electricity and more than half of the worlds coal-fired generation occurs in China.

As the countrys electricity demand increased amid the heat wave and post-COVID rebound, thermal power generation came to the rescue since hydropower struggled due to drought.

Chinas energy strategy at the moment is definitely 'all of the above,' with a lot of investment in coal mining, coal-fired power, domestic oil, and gas production, as well as clean energy, Myllyvirta said.

However, in terms of investment volumes, clean energy trumps fossil fuels.

He added that the total investment in coal-fired power plants in 2023 was 90 billion yuan ($13 billion), while investment in clean power generation was more than eight times larger.

Myllyvirta said the country has to go from investing in new coal power plants to dismantling existing ones to meet climate goals.

The reason for my optimism is that maintaining the current level of investment in clean energy will ensure that the use of coal and other fossil fuels begins to fall, he said.

Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.
Sources hint that there are emerging signs of a potential leaders summit between the two countries this year.

China and North Korea flags are seen during the medal ceremony for the Marathon at 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games on Oct. 5, 2023.

China sent its vice foreign minister to Pyongyang for a discussion that could set the stage for high-level bilateral engagements including a summit, as North Korea aims to concrete its relations with its regime backer in the face of its economic difficulties.

A delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Peoples Republic of China headed by Sun Weidong, Vice Foreign Minister, arrived in Pyongyang via Sinuiju, on the 25th, North Koreas state-run Korean Central News Agency said Friday.

He was greeted at the border bridge by the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK and the minister of the embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in the DPRK, KCNA added, referring to North Koreas formal name.

The visit comes as China and North Korea mark the 75th anniversary of normalization of bilateral relations. The two countries last month vowed to use this occasion as an opportunity to further upgrade their cooperation in the fields of mutual interest.

Separately, in December, North Koreas vice foreign minister Pak Myong Ho visited Beijing and met with Sun, as well as Chinas foreign minister Wang Yi.

The meeting was described by the Norths state media as a platform where both sides exchanged views on strengthening and developing bilateral relations in 2024, marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of North Korea-China diplomatic relations.

The report added that the two sides will continue to discuss ways to enhance their mutual interest and strategic cooperation.

Kim In-ae, South Koreas vice spokesperson for the unification ministry, said in a regular briefing Friday that Seoul saw Suns visit as an extension of the December talks, indicating ongoing discussions to further boost cooperation between the two countries.

South Koreas government and parliamentary sources who are familiar with the development, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told Radio Free Asia that there have been constant signs of a summit preparation between China and North Korea since last year.

Apart from China, North Korea has recently beefed up its efforts to enhance relations with Russia. In September, for instance, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held a summit in Russias Far East and agreed to upgrade their relations in all fields including economy, technology and military.

Since then, accusations have been made that Pyongyang and Moscow are engaged in arms trading, with Ukraine alleging that North Korean missiles have been used in Russias aggression against Ukraine  a claim that both Pyongyang and Moscow have denied.

China, on the other hand, has kept a distance from the Pyongyang-Moscow cooperation so far, but this might change.

The sources who talked to RFA said Putins possible visit to Pyongyang this year, as discussed during North Koreas foreign minister Choe Son Huis visit to Moscow last week, may expedite a summit between China and North Korea, adding that China is likely to intervene in regional diplomacy to optimize its diplomatic interests.

Economic hardship

North Koreas economic struggles could be prompting Pyongyang to seek closer ties with regional allies.

Its leader Kim made a rare acknowledgement this week of the dire state of his countrys economy, labeling the economic problem as a serious political issue.

His government revealed the inability to provide even basic necessities such as food, groceries, and consumer goods to the local people, Kim said, adding that the overall local economy is currently in a very pitiful state, lacking even basic conditions.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 19th expanded political bureau meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers Party of Korea, which was held from Jan 23 to 24, in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this image released by the Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 25, 2024. (KCNA via Reuters)





North Koreas economy contracted for the third consecutive year in 2022, according to the Souths Statistics Korea report in December. The latest available data showed a 0.2% year-on-year drop in North Koreas GDP in 2022, following a 0.1 % decrease in 2021, and a 4.5 % contraction in 2020.

But the Norths economic hardship may be eased this year, with support from its regime backers, according to the Korea Development Institute.

The South Korean think tank said in a report released earlier this month that North Koreas economy could experience a turnaround, contingent on economic support from China and Russia.

It also noted that resuming and expanding tourism cooperation with China and Russia is one of Pyongyangs prioritized economic goals for this year.

Pressure from Seoul

Besides economic difficulties, Pyongyang is also facing intensified diplomatic pressure from South Korea on the international stage.

Kim Gunn, South Koreas Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, for instance, requested the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in raising international awareness about North Koreas human rights issues during his visit to Geneva on Thursday.

The South Korean envoy lamented North Koreas intensification of social control and oppression to support its military buildup at the expense of the economy and peoples livelihoods, the Souths foreign ministry said in a statement Friday, at his meeting with with the Acting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif.

Separately, Kim Gunn also visited the E.U. headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday and emphasized the necessity of collective responses, proposing collaboration in blocking funding for North Koreas nuclear and missile development.

Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn.
Three months hard labor for tapping into wires that supply electricity to factories or hospitals.

Eric Lafforgue/Art In All Of Us/Corbis via Getty Images

North Korea is cracking down on electricity theft, punishing not only residents who tap into factory supply wires, but also the corrupt officials that sell them access, residents in the country told Radio Free Asia.

Electricity is not supplied to residential areas all day and all night in North Korea.

Instead, rolling blackouts are common everywhere, with some rural parts of the country only getting one hour of power each day so that they can prepare dinner.

But factories, hospitals and other important government facilities receive a steady supply. Shrewd employees at those facilities make extra cash by charging residents to run wires from their houses to connect with the industrial wires.

The social security department is patrolling each neighborhood of the town at night, cracking down on houses that secretly use industrial electricity, a resident in Kyongwon county in the northeastern province of North Hamgyong told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for personal safety.

They regularly go to factories and institutions to check to make sure there are no electric wires connected to homes, he said. Two days ago, a house was caught using electricity at night by tapping into an industrial wire. Six houses have been cracked down on by the county, just this month alone.

Location, location, location

The amount of electricity the government supplies to your home depends greatly on where you live, he explained.

Kyongwon is a typical agricultural county with a few small local industrial plants and coal mines, he said. Electricity was well supplied until the fall threshing season, but now it is only available for about an hour a day.

Juche Tower glows over a darkened Pyongyang, May 5, 2015. (Wong Maye-E/AP)

Though the capital Pyongyang is given priority, even residents there usually go without power for some of the day. Areas close to the border with China also receive more electricity because the government wants to give a good impression to the outside world.

Kyongwon county borders China, but the populated areas are some 5 kilometers (3 miles) away, so they have not been deemed important enough for constant supply.

On January 1st, the New Years special electricity supply lasted less than six hours that day, the resident said.

Least wonderful time of the year

Most of the electricity in the border areas is generated by hydroelectric power, and output is lower in the cold winter months, another resident from North Hamgyong told RFA on condition of anonymity to speak freely.

As winter approaches and electricity is not readily available, there are many cases of people being caught secretly using industrial electricity, he said. Around January 10, a house in Kilju town that had been secretly using the military hospitals electricity for over three months was caught.

The resident said that the wires had been installed in such a way that detecting them was not easy.

Also they dug into the ground about 30 meters (98 feet) away from the hospital and buried the electric cables all the way to their house, he said. The next-door neighbor never noticed the house was using industrial electricity.

The police investigated the situation and discovered that a hospital employee who oversees its electrical equipment connected the cables in exchange for 100,000 won (US$12) per month, he said.

The hospital employee and the male head of the house were punished with three months in a disciplinary labor center, the second resident said.

Using industrial electricity in the home is common practice for government officials and rich residents, he explained.

The rich and powerful can usually bribe or bully their way out of punishment in North Korea.

It is only the powerless residents who are caught and punished, he said.

Translated by Claire S. Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
They are believed to have been involved in illegal scamming operations.

Myanmar junta authorities released this photo of Chinese nationals arrested in Namhsan, southern Shan state, Jan. 26, 2024. Blurring in photo is from source.

Myanmar junta authorities arrested more than 1,000 Chinese citizens in Namhsan, in southern Shan state, who had possibly fled from online scam crackdowns in the north, the ruling military council and area residents said.

Of the 1,038 Chinese nationals who illegally entered Namhsan, capital of the Pa Laung Self-Administered Zone, on Jan. 23, some 1,002 were men and three dozen others were women, the junta announced on Friday. They were arrested in three different areas of the town.

More than 200 of those arrested are being temporarily detained in an indoor stadium, said a local resident who declined to be named for fear of his safety, adding that he didnt know the whereabouts of the others.

The Chinese nationals may have been involved in online scamming gangs and fled to Namhsan on account of armed conflict between junta forces and ethnic armies and resistance fighters, and a crackdown on Chinese cybercrime rings in Laukkaing, Tachileik and Mongla  other towns in Shan state  residents said.

A hub for crystal methamphetamine trafficking, Shan state is rife with other illegal activities in enclaves along the Chinese border, as criminals take advantage of ongoing civil unrest and armed conflict under the junta which seized power in a 2021 coup.

Northern Shan state has become a focal point for Chinese scammers who target their own citizens.

In August 2023, Chinese authorities initiated a crackdown on online scam operations on the border between China and northern Shan state. Chinese nationals involved in the illegal activities in the Wa region and Mongla were arrested for the first time.

Fighting in Shan state intensified following a offensive on Oct. 27, 2023, by three allied rebel ethnic armies on junta outposts in different locations, including the strategic towns of Laukkaing, Namhkan, Kutkai and Lashio.

The ethnic armies, known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance, said they launched the armed assaults to exert greater control over the self-administered regions within their territories, reduce the juntas air and artillery strike capabilities, and crack down on criminal activities  including online scam operations  along the countrys northeastern border with China.

Since Dec. 10, Chinas Ministry of Public Security has issued arrest warrants for 10 people, including Bai Suocheng, the Kokang Self-Administered Zones former leader and a former member of parliament from the pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party, for their involvement in online scams.

This prompted thousands of Chinese nationals who worked in online scamming operations to flee to the interior of southern and northern Shan state, people who used to work at the illegal businesses told Radio Free Asia.

Chinas state-owned CCTV reported on Jan. 5 that more than 40,000 suspects from scamming gangs in Myanmar were handed over to Chinese authorities in 2023.

Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw for RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
Arakan Army has steadily seized junta-controlled camps and land, putting the military on its heels.

Thousands of residents have fled the capital of western Myanmars Rakhine state in anticipation of a looming battle between the rebel ethnic Arakan Army and junta soldiers, local residents told Radio Free Asia.

Fighting in the fortified administrative and military hub of Sittwe is expected to be intense, and would come after close to three months of heightened conflict between the military and the Arakan Army, or AA.

In recent weeks, the AA has seized several junta military camps in the townships that encircle Sittwe, including Mrauk-U, Minbya, Kyauktaw and Rathedaung.

The military junta has blocked highways and waterways throughout Rakhine since November, making it hard for people to leave the state capital.

Those who have decided to stay are digging bunkers at their homes, placing sandbags nearby and otherwise searching for safe places or moving to nearby rural areas, local residents said.

In Sittwe, you cannot use roads or waterways, a resident of the state capital told RFA. So, some leave for Yangon out of fear  and they have to go there by air.

There are four flights a day with about 50 people on each flight, according to the resident, who did not want to be named for security reasons. Several local residents told RFA that plane tickets from Sittwe to Yangon are fully booked until the end of March, and some people are chartering planes to get out.

Sittwes population is over 120,000, including students from several universities, according to 2019 statistics from the general administration department. Some local residents estimated that as many as 30 percent of residents have already left.

Gaining ground

The AA and two other rebel groups make up the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which launched a campaign in October on junta forces in the northern and western parts of the country.

Last week, nearly 300 junta troops surrendered to the AA after it took control of two major military junta encampments in Kyauktaw. And on Wednesday, the Three Brotherhood Alliance said in a statement that the AA had won full control of Pauktaw, a port city just 16 miles (25 kilometers) east of Sittwe.

Landline and internet connections have been shut down in northern Rakhines townships, including Sittwe, residents said. In some areas, only the Mytel telecom network has been available.Residents said they have had to wait one or two days to withdraw cash from banks in Sittwe and are also having difficulty buying basic commodities such as food and oil as prices rise.

Plane tickets to Yangon cost between 350,000 kyats (US$166) and 500,000 kyats (US$238), the Sittwe resident said.

Impoverished individuals and people who cant afford to buy airline tickets cant run anywhere, he said. They cant afford to live in Yangon. So there are many people who have to stay here.

RFA couldnt immediately reach Rakhine states junta spokesperson Hla Thein to ask about the steady stream of residents leaving Sittwe.

At a Jan. 20 meeting with state level departmental officials, junta-appointed Rakhine chief minister Htein Lin said security has become the administrations top focus in the state.

The Sittwe resident who spoke to RFA about flights to Yangon said he and his family are also trying to travel to Myanmars biggest city.

Im worried about being unable to flee home if something happens. I have a family and children, he said. Battles can affect children emotionally. I dont want to force them to live with such hardships.

Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
Nay Y Blang, who held church meetings in his home, was accused of trying to form a separate state.

The People's Court of Phu Yen province sentenced religious freedom activist Nay Y Blang to four years and six months in prison for the crime of "abusing democratic freedoms" during the trial on Jan. 26, 2024. (Courtesy Cong An Nhan Dan)

Vietnam on Friday sentenced religious freedom activist Nay Y Blang to four years and six months in prison for crimes he is said to have committed while holding religious meetings in his home, state media reported.

Blang, 48, is a member of the Ede ethnic group from the countrys Central Highlands.

He was accused of using these meetings to gather forces, divide the national unity bloc, incite secession, self-rule, and establish a separate state for ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands, and was convicted of abusing democratic freedoms, the Tuoi Tre Online newspaper reported.

No defense lawyer was present at his trial, family members said. In protest, Blang's relatives boycotted the trial.

Blang admitted and clearly declared his crime, asking the jury to consider reducing the penalty so he can return to his family soon and reintegrate into the community and become a good citizen who is useful to society, Tuoi Tre reported.

The report said that from the end of 2019 to 2022, Blang used his private home in the eastern coastal province of Phu Yen, to gather for meetings, pray and have online fellowship with some key figures of the Central Highlands Evangelical Church of Christ, an independent religious group founded that is considered a reactionary organization by the Vietnamese government.

He was additionally accused of "providing false information about freedom of religious belief, slander, distorting religious policies, and violating the interests of the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. He was arrested on May 18, 2023.

Unapproved group

Supporters said Blang was being punished for his association with the Central Highlands Evangelical Church of Christ, which is not recognized and approved by the Vietnamese government.

North Carolina-based Pastor Aga, who founded the organization, told RFA Vietnamese that even though the family had signed a contract with lawyer Ha Huy Son and had been granted a defense certificate by the investigation agency of Phu Yen province, no lawyer was there to defend Blang.

Aga accused Phu Yen province police of forcing Blang's family to sign a paper denying their acquaintance and not inviting the lawyer to defend him.

This is unacceptable. If lawyer Ha Huy Son had been present , it would have clearly been fair and transparent trial to see if Mr. Blang is guilty or not, said Aga. But in reality, only people from the government were present, meaning the government can give Blang any sentence they want. Why were there no lawyers to defend or argue about legal issues?

Son, the lawyer, confirmed to RFA that his contract to defend Blang was canceled. However, he refused to provide a specific reason.

RFA contacted the Security Investigation Agency of the Phu Yen provincial police to ask about the incident, but the officer on duty refused to answer questions over the phone and hung up.

Aga denied all of Blangs charges.

Blang has told the truth with evidence, from invitations to summons, video images from Phu Yen province police to suppression of harassment, arrests, confiscation of motorbikes, and fines. There is evidence, it is not slandering the government or slandering the police of Phu Yen province.

No political agenda

Aga said that the group he founded is purely religious, "not reactionary, not against the state, not intending to establish a separate state."

"We just want to express our religious beliefs, our own religion, to worship God and follow the religion that suits us, while still following the laws of the Vietnamese government.

Blang and many followers of the Central Highlands Evangelical Church of Christ have been continuously harassed in recent years.

In August 2022, Blang met with a diplomat from the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Afterwards, he and his family were harassed by local authorities, asking for information about the meeting.

A month later, he was invited to meet with a religious delegation from the U.S. State Department. However, he could not go to the meeting because he was detained by security agents at a bus station.

Fridays verdict was the second time Blang has been sentenced to prison. In 2005, he was sentenced to 5 years and 6 months in prison for "undermining the unity policy."

It was the third time he has been legally punished for his activities.

In 2010, the same year he was released from his first prison sentence, Blang was sent to an Educational Facility for 24 months for Abusing the rights to democratic freedom and freedom of belief to entice and incite others to violate the law, interests of the State, legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals.

Translated by Hahn Seide. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
There are stark differences in the ways the United States and Vietnam approach their relationships with China, participants at a recent U.S.-Vietnam conference in Washington, D.C. said.

Yet they agreed that the strategic alignment between Vietnam and the United States is not all about how Washington deals with Beijing.

The strategic interests that the U.S. and Vietnam share  are about far more than China and how we think about the China relationship, Lindsey Ford, deputy assistant secretary of defense for South and Southeast Asia, told the meeting held by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank.

We should avoid looking at U.S.-Vietnam security ties through the lens of U.S.-China competition, said another participant, Bich Tran, postdoctoral fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore (NUS).

Vietnam and the U.S. elevated their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest level in international cooperation, in September 2023 during President Joe Bidens visit to Hanoi. The upgrade is seen by some as part of the efforts by both countries to manage security and economic challenges posed by an increasingly powerful and assertive China.

Hanoi in particular has been worried about tensions in the South China Sea between China and other countries in the region.

I think in some ways  some of the concerns we may have about the behavior that we're seeing coming out of Beijing are similar it doesn't mean though that the only reason the United States and Vietnam have or would want to work together is because of China, Ford said, I would say the United States and Vietnam have a lot of interests in rule of law, in seeing operational behavior that accords with rule of law.

Some of Chinas activities in the maritime domain, including in the South China Sea, were extremely unsafe and dangerous for us, according to the U.S. defense official.

We believe that countries and their military and law and law enforcement forces should operate in a way that accords with international law, she said.

In terms of U.S. and Vietnamese leadership, they all agree that China's behavior is their concern [but] I think Vietnam and U.S. leaders have different emphases on their approach, said Bich Tran. The U.S. focuses mostly on competition, but Vietnam is focused on cooperation with China because of the geographical proximity and the similarities of the political systems.

Vietnamese senior diplomat, Nguyen Hung Son, said that while the U.S. and Vietnam see eye to eye on very clear violations of international law, especially in the South China Sea we also agree that there is a necessity to manage the relationship with China.

Even a superpower like the U.S. also needs to manage its relationship with China. Youd rather have a good relationship with China than a troubling one, said Son, who serves as vice president of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

We are an immediate neighbor to China, the risk for anything that goes wrong in our relationship with China is a lot higher than that of the United States and therefore you will see that theres a lot of prudence in our handling of the bilateral relationship with China, he added.

Vietnam is carefully watching recent developments between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea and drawing lessons from it.

We are also exploring opportunities to collaborate with other ASEAN member states as the South China Sea is a concern not only to Vietnam and other littoral states but to the whole ASEAN, the diplomat said.

Policies around the South China Sea should be founded around strengthening international law and building capabilities to help countries in the region enforce international law in the region.

Military-to-military relationship

There was a certain over enthusiasm about U.S.-Vietnam military cooperation after the two countries agreed on their comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP), according to Nguyen Hung Son.

Barely 10 days after President [Biden] visited Hanoi and upgraded the relationship there was this report on Reuters which alleged that there were talks between Vietnam and U.S. officials on a sale of F-16 [fighters] to Vietnam, Son said.

If you believe, or are made to believe, that defense sales are the thing that follows the CSP, Im sorry, youre going to be disappointed, he said. While the U.S. might think about the CSP in terms of deterrence, the Vietnamese, and probably the rest of ASEAN, thinks of the CSP more in terms of resilience.

The purpose [of the CSP] is to strengthen Vietnams capability to resist influence and to lessen dependencies on nearby major powers, Son added.

The U.S. donated a decommissioned Hamilton-class cutter to Vietnam in July, 2021. (U.S. Embassy in Hanoi)





The U.S. will continue to work with Vietnam to enhance military cooperation, according to deputy assistant secretary of defense Lindsay Ford.

In terms of emerging areas of cooperation, theres obviously an awful lot were doing related to maritime security. We are doing a lot and want to continue with helping Vietnam build its own maritime domain awareness capabilities, she said, adding that the U.S. continues to look at new technologies and capabilities that we can help with.

Cyber security is something that  remains a key vulnerability for militaries across the world. U.S. Congress has been very focused on a pilot Southeast Asia cyber capacity building program and this is an area we want to continue to grow with partners including Vietnam.

The U.S. official said defense trade is also a potential area of cooperation.

In December 2022, Hanoi held the first trade Expo to showcase its defense industry as well as to seek potential providers in order to diversify the market.

Another is planned for December, Vietnam's defense ministry said Friday.

The U.S. plans to be there again this year, Ford said.

This is an area that is not just about what the U.S. through commercial or other means has to offer, but increasingly where there may be opportunities for us to think about research or co-production together in the future, she noted.

Vietnamese officials have been speaking of the concept of strategic trust that Hanoi wants to grow with its major strategic partners.

The United States is an important security partner of Vietnam and Hanoi has become increasingly more comfortable in working with Washington, said Bich Tran from the NUS.

Since Washington lifted its arms embargo against Hanoi in 2016, American drones and coast guard cutters have been transferred to Vietnam.

It appears that more arms transfers may be in the pipeline.

Is there room for sales of F-16? I would say that I wouldn't foresee that is coming tomorrow but I wouldn't rule that out to come at some point, said Nguyen Hung Son. Im not going to rule out that defense trade and defense cooperation is going to be at some point a very important pillar of Vietnam-U.S. cooperation.

Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.
BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The State Council has set up an inquiry team to investigate the building fire that broke out on Wednesday in the city of Xinyu in east China's Jiangxi Province.

The fire that broke out at around 3 p.m. Wednesday killed 39 and left nine others injured.

The investigation team held the first meeting Friday afternoon, during which Song Yuanming, head of the team and vice minister of the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEE), delivered the investigation arrangement and put forward the work requirements.

The meeting called for efforts to identify the cause of the accident as soon as possible, find those accountable, and conduct widespread safety hazard inspections swiftly around the small-scale business premises to eliminate major risks.

The team is led by the MEE, with the participation of the Ministry of Public Security, All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the National Fire and Rescue Administration, and the Jiangxi provincial government. 
For its part, the United States spent nearly two decades mapping and exploring before finalizing its claim, publicly released on December 19: The largest offshore mapping effort ever conducted by the United States.

The claim extends north, toward the North Pole, away from the exclusive economic zone. Its located entirely in the Beaufort Sea and includes the undersea formations known as the Beaufort Shelf and the Beaufort Slope. It also includes part of a formation called the Chukchi Shelf and the Chukchi Borderland. It does not include any claim to territory west of a maritime boundary that the United States and the Soviet Union agreed on in 1990.

In Russia, the U.S. move was met with skepticism, if not hostility.

The unilateral expansion of borders in the Arctic is unacceptable and can only lead to increased tensions, Nikolai Kharitonov, a lawmaker who heads the Russian parliaments Arctic committee, told RIA Novosti. Before anything, its necessary to prove the geological affiliation of these territories, as Russia did in its own time.

Neither Denmark nor Norway responded to requests for comment. A spokeswoman for Canadas Foreign Ministry said in an e-mail: The government of Canada will continue its efforts to obtain international recognition of the outer limits of Canada's extended continental shelf. Canada and the U.S. are in frequent communication with regards to the continental shelf in the Arctic, and have expressed their commitment along with other Arctic states to the orderly settlement of overlapping claims.

In its announcement justifying the claim, the U.S. State Department said that Washington had strongly supported the treaty and that it has been the policy of the United States to act in a manner consistent with its provisions with respect to traditional uses of the ocean.

Asked for further response to the criticism of the U.S. position, a State Department spokesperson said UNCLOS reflected customary international law -- a legal concept that basically says if a general practice or norm is widely accepted by nations and consistent and recognized over time, then it essentially amounts to a law.

Like past administrations, both Republican and Democratic, this administration supports the United States joining the Law of the Sea Convention, the spokesperson said in an e-mail. The United States has consulted widely with UNCLOS parties on this matter and will continue to do so. Our approach is inclusive and transparent.

Elizabeth Buchanan, an expert on polar geopolitics with the Modern War Institute at the U.S. Military Academy in New York, called the U.S. claim somewhat schizophrenic.

This erodes credibility of an international system the West has worked tirelessly to achieve, promote, and protect.

It appears to be a political signal with no clear direction or intention beyond clarifying there is a thinning line between customary law and American exceptionalism, she told RFE/RL in a text message. This erodes credibility of an international system the West has worked tirelessly to achieve, promote, and protect.

Pincus echoed the notion that the claim was consistent with the treaty.

But yeah, at the same time, it's what our competitors are saying. You look at the Russian coverage of this and it's once again, The United States is not playing by the rules that, you know, everyone wants everyone else to follow, she said. There is certainly that interpretation out there.

Also raising eyebrows among Arctic experts and cartographers: the fact that Washington justified the announcement by citing a treaty clause -- Article 76 -- which it said allowed the United States to submit the claim to the UNCLOS commission even though it is not part of UNCLOS.

For example, when countries submit technical data to the commission, Steinberg said, the understanding is that the commission will review them -- a peer-review process, essentially.

I do see where Russia has a perspective to say, How do we know the U.S. claims are valid? he said. That said, I wouldnt say necessarily its an inherently belligerent act.

The claim, Pincus said, highlights how political paralysis in Congress is impacting the U.S. ability to be effective or lead in the Arctic.

While Russia is pouring billions of dollars into building out Arctic infrastructure, and building yet more icebreakers to add to its fleet, already the worlds largest, the United States is unable to confirm ambassadors for Arctic affairs, or vote on UNCLOS, or even allocate money to update [the] over-the-horizon radar station, she said.

From a State Department perspective, this is something that they can do, they can get this announcement out there, and I kind of get it, she added. You can sort of understand why they would say, Well, it seems like we might as well just put this out there. You know, in the meantime, because it seems very unlikely that we're going to get UNCLOS ratification anytime soon.
Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here.

I'm Abubakar Siddique, senior correspondent at RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm keeping an eye on in the days ahead.

The Key Issue

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that an unseasonably dry and warm winter could have devastating consequences for Afghanistan.

Without substantial snowfall soon, the country could experience a severe drought, the agency said on January 23, adding that a lack of water could wreak havoc on rain-dependent crops and prevent pastures from recovering, prompting the rural population to move in search of water.

Afghan farmers said they are already feeling the devastating impact of drought.

People are facing hunger and poverty. There is no work, and most have not cultivated their lands, Farhad Gul, a farmer in the central province of Ghazni, told RFE/RLs Radio Azadi. Our cattle are hungry because there is no grass.

During the past two decades, droughts have sporadically hit the mountainous country, where most of its population of 40 million needs humanitarian aid to survive, according to the UN.

Why It's Important: Drought is a major threat to the livelihoods of rural Afghans, many of whom depend on subsistence agriculture and raising livestock.

Parts of Afghanistan were already reeling from persistent drought before the winter. Decades of war, environmental degradation, and climate change have made the country increasingly vulnerable to drought, according to experts.

Severe droughts could exacerbate the devastating economic and humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, where millions are on the verge of starvation.

The lack of winter rain and snowfall could cause a food shortage, with Afghan farmers unable to cultivate spring crops. Their livestock, too, could be threatened by the lack of water.

This, in turn, could threaten the Afghan economy, which is stabilizing at a very low level of activity after shrinking 27 percent since 2020, according to the UN.

For two successive years, 4 out of 5 households were impacted by drought and/or economic shocks, the UN report said, adding that 69 percent of Afghans are subsistence insecure -- meaning they do not have adequate resources for basic subsistence living.

What's Next: Amid the gloomy predictions, the United States Agency for International Developments Famine Early Warning Systems Network has predicted rain and snowfall across the country in February.

While the rainfall is likely to be lower than during typical winters, it could provide relief to some of the most vulnerable Afghans.

What To Keep An Eye On

The Taliban has continued to wage a violent crackdown on independent media, forcing a growing number of journalists to abandon their professions.

"Before I was released, my family was forced to guarantee that I would no longer work with the international media, an unnamed journalist recently released from Taliban detention told Radio Azadi.

"They slapped me, threatened me, and tied me up, said another journalist who was also recently detained by the Taliban. "They told me: 'Don't dig around for the truth. Just take care of your family.'"

Both reporters talked on condition of anonymity due to fears of retribution.

Why It's Important: Since seizing power, the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on the media and access to information, and increased detentions of reporters, activists, and other critics as part of its brutal crackdown on dissent.

That has forced hundreds of reporters and media workers to flee their homeland or abandon their professions.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. You can always reach us at azadi.english@rferl.org.

Until next time,

Abubakar Siddique

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday. You can always reach us at azadi.english@rferl.org.
It's a classic of Bulgarian literature, penned by one of the country's greatest bards.

I Am A Bulgarian by Ivan Vazov, a 19th-century literary luminary, has been a staple of the educational curriculum in Bulgaria for years, recited annually by schoolchildren in classrooms across the country.

But now, according to a blast of unsubstantiated reports, Bulgaria wants to change that, and it's all part of a plot, so the argument goes, to placate migrants and undermine the Balkan nation's traditions and culture.

Bulgarian officials have stressed that no such plans exist, but that hasn't stopped the disinformation from spreading on social media and elsewhere in the country of nearly 7 million, much of it fanned by Kremlin-friendly websites and public figures.

It was the mention of the poem in an opinion piece -- written by journalist and sociologist Svetlana Encheva and published by RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service earlier this month -- that appeared to be the spark that lit the fake-news flame. Encheva's January 4 article -- titled Demographic Crisis? Migrant Crisis? What Does The Fear Of Losing Identity Lead To? -- examined Bulgaria's shrinking population and asked whether migrants might be part of the answer.

Encheva said she was shocked by how her words were twisted and distorted.

"It would never occur to me to propose such a thing," Encheva told RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service when asked whether she supported the idea of doing away with the recital of the poem.

I Am A Bulgarian was written by Vazov after World War I, in either 1919 or 1920. Besides being a poet, Vazov was also a novelist and even served as minister of education.

Bulgaria has long proven prone to pro-Kremlin disinformation campaigns, with the country traditionally scoring low in the EU's annual Media Literacy index. Experts fault Sofia for doing too little to address this.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bulgaria suffered some of the EU's highest death rates amid low inoculation rates. Spreading disinformation on social media, anti-vaxxers fueled much of the skepticism toward vaccines and other public health measures taken to address the crisis.

A Disinformation Campaign Is Born

On January 11, an article written by Nedyalko Nedyalkov -- titled Shocking, Radio Free Europe Demands A Ban Of 'I Am A Bulgarian'! -- was published on PIK, a website run by the author that is stocked with extremist material, earning it not only opprobrium from media monitors but fines from Bulgarian courts, including for posting libelous content.

A day later, on January 12, the disinformation metastasized further. Bnews, a right-wing website run by Nikolay Barekov, piled on with its own news item, titled: [Radio] Free Europe: Remove Ivan Vazov's 'I Am Bulgarian' From Textbooks So It Doesn't Interfere With The Children Of 100,000 New Migrants.

Barekov wears many hats, being described as a former journalist, former TV host, politician, and businessman. Since 2014, he has been at the helm of the populist Bulgaria Without Censorship, which was later rebranded as Reload Bulgaria, a rightist populist party. One of the party's key financial backers was Tsvetan Vassilev, the former owner of the bankrupt KTB bank, who is now reported to be living in Belgrade. Serbia has refused to extradite Barekov to Bulgaria, where he faces accusations of corruption during his time at the bank.

The news item later appeared on multiple Facebook groups, many Kremlin-friendly, including United Nationalists, Russia Is Invincible, and Bulgarians Love Russia, giving the disinformation even more traction.

At no time and in any form has there been any discussion of a change to the study of the poem I Am A Bulgarian by Ivan Vazov."

Meanwhile, on January 13, the PIK website published another item by Nedyalkov, this one with even bolder false claims. It reads: "Everything Bulgarian is under the knife! Before that, it was everything Russian. That was a rehearsal. And this is not about ideology or geopolitics but about a religious crusade against Orthodox Christianity."

The fake news spread not only on traditionally pro-Russian websites, according to Nikola Tulechki, a data analyst and member of a Bulgarian media monitoring group, factcheck.bg, but also on so-called "mushroom" sites. These websites, media experts say, are created in bulk with the sole aim of seeding disinformation and fake news.

'Mushroom Sites'

Almost 400 such "mushroom" sites are spreading Russian propaganda in Bulgaria, according to a study released in June 2023 by the Sofia-based Human and Social Studies Foundation, which investigates Russian online propaganda.

In her article, Encheva discusses how immigration could help solve Bulgaria's demographic crisis. Encheva does mention the poem I Am A Bulgarian, but only to argue that merely teaching it to immigrants will do little to integrate them into society.

"There is no way for the children of 100,000 immigrants to feel like a full part of Bulgarian society if they are obliged to learn I Am A Bulgarian without the education system thinking that they, too, could teach Bulgarian children something and enrich their lives," Encheva said.

This is the sole reference to the poem in the text. There is no suggestion, let alone demand, to drop the poem from school curriculums.

As the disinformation spread, politicians began reacting to the fabricated news.

Ivan Geshev, dismissed from his post as prosecutor-general amid long-standing suspicions of corruption at home and abroad, was among those not only repeating the fake news but also echoing other false reports that recently went viral in Bulgaria that Sofia had allegedly agreed with Brussels to allow in thousands of migrants in exchange for being allowed to partially join Europe's visa-free Schengen Area from March. There is no evidence to support this claim.

Kostadin Kostadinov, the pro-Russia leader of the Revival party, didn't miss the chance not only to spread the disinformation but to add, falsely, that it was all part of a U.S. effort "to destroy Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people," he wrote on Facebook on January 13.

Two days later, Kostandinov published a video on Facebook with his baseless claims of a U.S. plot against Bulgaria, citing the removal of Soviet war monuments in Sofia, Varna, and Plovdiv, as well as the visit of Defense Minister Todor Tagarev to the United States as proof.

"Dear compatriots, a war is being waged against us. The aim is for us Bulgarians to simply be destroyed as a people," he said.

Kornelia Ninova, the leader of the pro-Russia Bulgarian Socialist Party, was among the more prominent public figures to express outrage at the nonexistent plan to ban I Am A Bulgarian.

On January 16, the Union of Bulgarian Writers, a conservative organization dating to the communist era and largely eschewed today by younger writers, issued a statement that repeated false claims that RFE/RL had called for the poem to be dropped from the school curriculum.

Because of the volume of such remarks and rebukes, the Council of Ministers, the top executive body of the Bulgarian government, issued a point-by-point rebuttal on January 16 to the false claims raised by the disinformation campaign.

The Education and Science Ministry was also moved to issue an official statement, saying that "at no time and in any form has there been any discussion of a change to the study of the poem I Am A Bulgarian by Ivan Vazov."

Encheva noted that up until the PIK website issued its fake news report, discussion of her January 4 opinion piece was conducted in a "civilized" tone, even by those critical of her views.

Even media monitor Tulechki, a seasoned fact-checker, was surprised by how quickly the narrative around the article morphed into something more sinister.

"Almost immediately, a parallel narrative was spun that this is almost a future state policy -- that Vazov's poem will be banned in schools."
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 the White House National Security Council spokesperson saying they "are obviously not free nor fair given how Mr. Putin has imprisoned political opponents and prevented others from running against him."

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said "this is not what free and fair elections look like," adding in his message on X, formerly Twitter, that illegal elections have also been held on occupied Ukrainian territory.

The French Foreign Ministry said Putin's reelection came amid a wave of repression against civil society. It also praised in a statement the courage of "the many Russian citizens who peacefully protested against this attack on their fundamental political rights."

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 importants 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.

WATCH: Leading psychiatrists discuss how excessive power can impact brain functioning and what the impulse for total control reveals about the mind and personality traits of authority figures.

Putin was opposed by three relatively unknown, Kremlin-friendly politicians whose campaign was barely noticeable. The main intrigue was whether Russians would heed opposition calls to gather at polling stations at noon on March 17 to silently protest against Putins rule.

Russian media had reported in the months leading up to the election that the Kremlin was determined to engineer a victory for Putin that would surpass the 2018 results, when he won 77.5 percent of the vote with a turnout of 67.5 percent.

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 overwhelming support for Putin and his war, experts said.

Independent election observers were barred from working at this years presidential election for the first time in post-Soviet history, experts said. Russian elections have been notorious for ballot stuffing and other irregularities.

The vote was also held in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, where hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers are located.

The United States called the elections neither fair nor free.

'Noon Against Putin'

With options to express resistance severely limited by the lack of competition and repressive laws, opposition leaders called on voters opposed to Putin to gather near polls at noon to show the Kremlin and the country that they were still a force.

Russia's opposition movement suffered a serious blow last month when Aleksei Navalny, 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.

Long lines formed at polling stations across Russia's 11 time zones at the designated time for the "Noon Against Putin" protest, including in Novosibirsk, Chita, Yekaterinburg, Perm, and Moscow among other Russian cities.

"We're not really expecting anything, but I'd somehow like to make a record of this election for myself, tick the box for myself, so, when talking about it later, I could say that I didn't just sit at home, but came and tried to do something," said one Russian who came to vote at noon.

"The action has achieved its goals," Ivan Zhdanov, the head the Anti-Corruption Foundation formerly headed by Navalny, said in a YouTube video. "The action has shown that there is another Russia, there are people who stand against Putin."

The Moscow prosecutor's office had earlier warned of criminal prosecution against those who interfered with the vote, a step it said was necessary due to social-media posts "containing calls for an unlimited number of people to simultaneously arrive to participate in uncoordinated mass public events at polling stations in Moscow [at noon on March 17] in order to violate electoral legislation."

Lawyer Valeria Vetoshkina, who has left the country, told Current Time that if people do not bring posters and do not announce why they came to the polling station at that hour, it would be hard for the authorities to legitimately declare it a "violation."

But she warned that there were "some basic safety rules that you can follow if you're worried. The first is not to discuss why you came, just to vote. And secondly, it is better to come without any visual means of agitation: without posters, flags, and so on."

Ella Pamfilova, head of Russia's Central Election Commission (TsIK), on March 16 said there had been 20 cases of people attempting to destroy voting sheets by pouring liquids into ballot boxes and eight incidents of people trying to destroy ballots by setting them on fire or by using smoke bombs.

Russians living abroad also took part in the "Noon Against Putin" campaign, with hundreds of people lining up at 12 p.m. outside the Russian embassies in Sidney, Tokyo, Phuket, Dubai, Istanbul, Berlin, Paris, and Yerevan among other capitals.

"It's not an election. It's just a fake. And so we're here to show that not Russians elect the current leader of Russia, that we [are] against him very severely, and that lots of people had to flee their country to be free," said Anna, a Russian citizen living in Berlin and who gathered outside the embassy in the German capital.

Putin was challenged by Liberal Democratic Party leader Leonid Slutsky, State Duma deputy speaker Vladislav Davankov of the New People party, and State Duma lawmaker Nikolai Kharitonov of the Communist Party, none of whom opposed the war.

The Russian leader had the full resources of the state behind him, including the media, police, state-owned companies, and election officials.
When Iran seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker last year, Tehran said the transporter had collided with and damaged an Iranian vessel in the Gulf of Oman.

Now, nearly one year later, Tehran said it will confiscate the cargo of the Advantage Sweet, which was transporting oil from Kuwait to the U.S. state of Texas, in retaliation for crippling American sanctions against the Islamic republic.



The Mizan news agency, which is affiliated with Iran's judiciary, reported on March 6 that a Tehran court had ruled in favor of confiscating the oil, which is valued at around $50 million.



The 55th branch of the Tehran Court of Justice said funds from the sale of the oil will be used to compensate patients suffering from epidermolysis bullosa, a rare skin disease. The court ruled that U.S. sanctions have prevented a Swedish company from selling medicine to Iran that is used to treat the disease and caused Iranian patients severe emotional and physical damage.



EB Home, an Iranian nongovernmental organization representing over 300 epidermolysis bullosa patients, had brought a case against the United States in the Tehran court. In a statement following the court ruling, the NGO described U.S. sanctions as criminal and unilateral.



U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller criticized the ruling and demanded that the tanker be immediately released.



Irans continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights and freedoms in the regions vital waterways is a threat to maritime security, regional stability, and the global economy, he said in a press briefing on March 6.

The U.S. military said in January that Iran was holding five ships and over 90 members hostage from vessels it seized in 2023. Most Iranian tanker seizures are carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the elite branch of Irans armed forces.



Iran said it seized the Advantage Sweet in April 2023. The tanker was chartered by U.S. oil giant Chevron and was carrying oil to the U.S. port of Houston, according to ship tracking data.

Irans capture of the Advantage Sweet came days after the United States seized Suez Rajan, an oil tanker that was transporting sanctioned Iranian oil to China.



Months after seizing the Suez Rajan, and despite Tehrans threats, Washington begun unloading the ships oil in August 2023.



Sanctions And 'Butterfly' Patients



The Tehran courts ruling has put the spotlight on the impact of U.S. sanctions on the health sector in Iran.



In 2018, then-U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew Washington from a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and reimposed sanctions against Tehran.



Iranians have witnessed rising prices and faced shortages of life-saving medicine -- including drugs for cancer treatment and insulin -- in recent years due to U.S. sanctions and corruption.



U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran exclude food and medicine. But in practice, the restrictions have made it difficult for Tehran to purchase some drugs, according to human rights groups.

That includes specialized bandages produced by Swedish firm Molnlycke that are used to treat epidermolysis bullosa patients, who often develop painful blisters and wounds, similar to third-degree burns. They are sometimes referred to as butterfly patients due to the fragility of their skin.

State Department spokesman Miller told reporters on March 6 that U.S. sanctions have always had a carveout for humanitarian purchases.

We have never prevented medicine from reaching the Iranian people, he added.



EB Home, the Iranian NGO, had previously filed an unsuccessful complaint against Molnlycke in Sweden in 2021.



In its failed complaint, the NGO claimed that Molnlycke had informed it in March 2019 correspondence that it had decided not to conduct any business with relation to Iran for the time being. This also applies to business conducted under any form of exceptions to the US economic sanctions.



In a 2021 report, United Nations experts warned about the consequences of over-compliance with U.S. sanctions on butterfly kids, who they said can no longer enjoy the right to health.



The following year, the Swedish government provided financial support to the United Nations Children's Fund to procure and deliver specialized bandages to Iran.



The lack of availability of certain medicines and health products in Iran is a humanitarian concern, affected by the impact of the sanctions regime on financial transactions, Swedens then-ambassador to Iran, Mattias Lentz, said. We do hope a solution will be found and will continue to support such a solution.
THE HAGUE, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Friday ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent genocide acts against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The court, by a large majority of the 17 judges, ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide acts, to ensure that its military does not commit genocide, to halt incitement against Palestinians as a group, to preserve evidence and to take immediate measures to ensure humanitarian aid.

"The court is aware of the human tragedy in the region," Judge Joan E. Donoghue, president of the court, said. "The plight of children is particularly heartbreaking. An entire generation of children in Gaza is traumatized. Their future is in jeopardy."

In addition, the court asked Israel to report on the measures regarding the orders within one month. The orders are, according to the court, legally binding.

The court did not order Israel to suspend its military operations in Gaza, one of the main requests submitted by South Africa. The court also called on Hamas to release all Israeli hostages.

Judge Donoghue said that an indication of provisional measures was justified as at least some alleged acts and omissions by Israel in Gaza fall under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Therefore, the court rejected Israel's wish to drop the case.

On Dec. 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention of Genocide related to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

In this application, South Africa also requested the court to indicate provisional measures in order to "protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention," and "to ensure Israel's compliance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention not to engage in genocide, and to prevent and to punish genocide."

Judge Donoghue said that a definite ruling on committing genocide by Israel is not possible yet. Observers say that such a ruling could take years.

Two groups of several dozen demonstrators, pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli, waited outside the Peace Palace for the court ruling. Both groups were significantly smaller than those on the two previous public hearing days on Jan. 11-12, 2024.

As the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, the ICJ was established by the UN Charter in 1945. It has the power "to indicate, if it considers that circumstances so require, any provisional measures," while resolving legal disputes between countries. Its judgment is final and without appeal. 
On a rainy afternoon in 1891, five years before he would be crowned tsar of Russia, Nicholas Romanov was riding a rickshaw through the narrow streets of Otsu, Japan, when one of the policemen tasked with guarding the tsarevich rushed at him with a saber. The attacker slashed the 22-year-old Russian twice across the head before being tackled to the ground.

Japanese reaction to the attempted assassination was deeply remorseful. Resignations were offered, thousands of telegrams from Japanese civilians were sent to the Russian delegation, and one young woman publicly killed herself in an act of extreme penance. But the tsar's memory of standing "alone, in the middle of the street" in front of crowds who quietly looked on as he bled, fostered a deep hatred for the Japanese, whom Nicholas referred to as "macaques."

A decade after the Otsu incident, Nicholas II was on the throne of Russia and a major clash with Japan seemed inevitable. Causes for the hostilities were unrelated to the sword attack, but the scars on his scalp and the headaches the tsar still suffered certainly did nothing to avert the looming war.

After centuries of isolation, Japan in the late 1800s was a rapidly modernizing country and a rising military power. Japan had routed the Chinese military in a conflict over Korea and taken over territory including the Liaotung Peninsula, a finger of land just west of Korea with a prized naval port. But Russia, France, and Germany, worried at Japan's rising influence in the region, strong-armed Tokyo into handing back the strategically crucial peninsula to China.

The handover was a humiliation for Japan, compounded by St. Petersburg then leasing the Liaotung Peninsula and its warm water harbor, Port Arthur, from China for 25 years. Russian warships were soon docked in the Asian port, and the trans-Siberian railway was extended down the peninsula, meaning soldiers and materiel could be sent from St. Petersburg to Port Arthur in a matter of days.

Russia's tsar at the time was faced with a disaffected and increasingly restless population. One adviser had warned Nicholas that "to hold back a revolution, we need a small, victorious war." Such a conflict could have rallied Russians around the autocracy and won enough land and resources to potentially relieve the dire economic situation in Russia.

Japanese society was outraged at losing the Liaotung Peninsula, which was viewed in the country as the rightful spoils of war, but Tokyo had no choice but to accept the diktat. Japan had zero chance of winning any potential conflict with the combined powers of Russia, France, and Germany.

But Japan soon received its ticket to push back in the form of a complex treaty with Britain. The 1902 Anglo-Japanese alliance bound each country to defend the other if it was attacked by two or more other countries. If war broke out between Russia and Japan, and a second country sided with the tsar, Britain would be obliged to enter the fray on the side of Japan.

Emboldened by the treaty, Japan began secretly planning for war, pouring most of its state budget into military preparations. Then, late on the night of February 8, 1904, a Japanese naval fleet launched a sneak torpedo attack on Russia's 1st Pacific Squadron inside Port Arthur. Three hours later, Japan declared war. Despite damage to its fleet in Port Arthur, St. Petersburg believed the war would be a walkover. A Russian lieutenant remarked that his country's naval strength in Asian waters meant "we will easily beat not only the Japanese but also any combined Anglo-Japanese fleet if the British decide to get involved here."

Russian author Leo Tolstoy reacted with horror to news of the conflict. "Again war. Again sufferings, necessary to nobody, utterly uncalled for," he wrote. "Again the universal stupefaction and brutalization of men."

On February 8, ships from several countries in the neutral port of Chemulpo, todays Incheon, were warned by Japan to "keep away," vowing that two Russian ships in the port would be targeted the following afternoon. The Russian vessels chose to steam into open water to face the waiting Japanese fleet, cheered, as one witness recalled, by "about 400 British officers and men, who felt very sorry for them, and admired their pluck in giving battle." The engagement ended with the outnumbered Russian vessels being riddled with shells and scuttled. The resounding defeat was a theme that would be repeated on sea and land for the Russian forces.

On a misty morning in April 1904, three battleships led by Russian Admiral Stepan Makarov steamed out to engage Japanese ships that had been prowling near Port Arthur. It was a trap. Several other Japanese vessels lying in wait joined the fight. When Makarov attempted to flee back to port, his vessel, the Petropavlovsk, struck a mine and he and nearly 700 other men went down with the ship.

Makarov's replacement was Admiral Wilgelm Vitgeft, who in August the same year sailed into battle and was also killed when a salvo of Japanese shells smashed into his ship. Stunned by the string of defeats, St. Petersburg ordered Russia's remaining naval forces on a seven-month journey from the Baltic Sea, halfway around the world, to the waters off Korea. "Sacrifice the fleet if need be," Russian Admiral Zinovy Rozhestvensky said gloomily of the 33,000-kilometer naval mission. "But at the same time deliver a fatal blow to Japanese naval power."

On land, further defensive collapses followed for Russia, partly due to Japan's effective use of the new technology of machine guns, as well as the near suicidal bravery of Japanese soldiers. Japan's emperor had urged his soldiers to remember that "duty is heavier than a mountain...while death is lighter than a feather."

Russians attempting to hold onto land they occupied faced horrifying human wave attacks on fortified positions. The Japanese referred to the tactic as "human bullet" attacks. Such tactics were eventually effective but were staggeringly costly for Japan. In one assault on a hilltop Russian position, some 4,000 Japanese soldiers were killed in a single day.

The Japanese besieged Port Arthur, picking off the remaining trapped Russian vessels from positions in the hills around the port. On January 2, 1905, Russian forces surrendered to the Japanese in Port Arthur.

Adding to woes in Russia's palace halls, protests erupted in St. Petersburg in January 1905 over the catastrophic war and the shortages it was causing in Russia. On January 22, thousands of protesters approached the Winter Palace in the center of St. Petersburg. The military opened fire on the marchers, killing at least 96 people.

By the time the weary crews of the Baltic Fleet finally arrived in Asian waters, the Japanese had complete control of land and sea. Admiral Rozhestvensky, the commander of the motley array of vessels, cabled to St. Petersburg that, given the circumstances, he had "not the slightest prospect of recovering command of the sea with the force under my orders."

Rozhestvensky was soon proven tragically correct. While trying to steam through the war zone to the safety of the Russian port of Vladivostok, his fleet was noticed by Japanese spotters and attacked. In what became known as the Battle of Tsushima, nearly all of Russia's remaining naval vessels were either sunk or surrendered to the Japanese. Some 5,800 Russian sailors were killed or wounded.
The mayors office in the southern Russian city of Volgograd announced on January 17 that a stretch of road in the city will be named after Aleksei Nagin, a former convict who joined the notorious Wagner mercenary group and was killed outside the Donetsk region city of Bakhmut in September 2022.

Despite the June 2023 Wagner mutiny against Russias senior military leadership and the mysterious death in a plane crash two months later of the companys outspoken leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, municipalities across the country continue naming public spaces after mercenaries who were killed in Ukraine.

However, it appears the authorities are choosing their heroes more selectively than in the past and are increasingly ignoring their Wagner connections. The goal, analysts say, is to boost the ideological motivation for new volunteers and to reassure current mercenaries that they will not be forgotten.

"The glorification of mercenaries, whether from Wagner or other groups, is certainly supported by the authorities and [pro-Kremlin] propaganda," said political analyst Ivan Preobrazhensky. "This is because the Russian Army has become essentially a mercenary formation, whether through contracts [with the Defense Ministry] or the various volunteer formations. They are all essentially mercenaries."

'Proper Life Values'

A few months after Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Wagner began recruiting convicts in Russian prisons to fight, promising them pardons after they served six-month stints. Ultimately, tens of thousands of prisoners, many of them serving long sentences for horrific crimes, were recruited, with thousands being killed and thousands of others being sent back to Russia as free men.

I think it is important to constantly remind people that these Putinist 'heroes' have committed crimes, many of them quite serious ones."

Many Russian towns have been outraged by official honors bestowed on slain men that locals remember fearfully as hooligans, troublemakers, and criminals. The return of pardoned convicts after their relatively brief service in Ukraine has also exacerbated social tensions in many cases.

Nagin, by contrast, had a less colorful civilian past and more solid military credentials. In 2014, he was given a suspended seven-year sentence for theft after he stole a car and forced the owner to sign a fictional sales agreement on threat of violence. According to court records, the judge showed leniency because Nagin had already served military stints in Chechnya, Georgia, Syria, and Libya, and had been awarded five military medals.

In Ukraine, he was commander of a Wagner unit. Before the full-scale invasion, Nagin served in the Moscow-stoked separatist conflicts in parts of eastern Ukraine, training fighters from those areas at a base in the Russia-occupied Ukrainian region of Crimea.

He was seriously wounded in May 2022, but returned to the front after he recovered. He was reportedly killed on September 21, 2022, at the age of 41. He was awarded the Hero of Russia order, as well as the highest military honor of the Russia-installed administrations of the occupied parts of Ukraines Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and the platinum star of the Wagner Group.

The funeral of the Volgograd native was a major event in the region, with the service being held in the panorama museum of the Battle of Stalingrad under the iconic Motherland Calls statue. Prigozhin and Volgograd region Governor Andrei Bocharov attended the event, at which it was announced that President Vladimir Putin had posthumously awarded him the Hero of Russia honor.

He has already had a classroom in one local school named after him and a memorial plaque installed at the school he attended. Volgograd Duma Deputy Andrei Gimbatov has pushed to have that school officially named for him, offering to pay for the new sign himself.

"Without doubt, this will help cultivate in the younger generation, using Alekseis example, a love for the motherland and inculcate in them proper life values," Gimbatov wrote in his letter to the municipal government.

'Grassroots Diplomacy'

In the citys announcement about naming the street after Nagin, Mayor Vladimir Marchenko stressed that the idea came from "an initiative group of Volgograd citizens." Denis Eliseyev, a former official in the Volgograd city administration who left Russia shortly after the full-scale assault on Ukraine, told RFE/RL that this assertion may well be true.

"It is possible that some smart Volgograd people decided to [rename] their street, in the hopes of getting lighting, sidewalks, and proper paving," he said. "After all, they cant leave a lot of unplowed snow or uncollected garbage on a street named after a Hero of Russia."

"I expect that within months other active locals who live on unpaved and unimproved streets will also ask to have them named for Heroes of Russia," he added. "Lets call it 'grassroots diplomacy.'"

Maria Khudoyarova, an activist with the Dozor anti-war movement, said the practice of naming public spaces after fallen mercenaries is part of the normalization and legitimization of the invasion of Ukraine and an important aspect of the governments "overall propaganda algorithm."

"Judging from the posts on pro-government Telegram channelsthe authorities prefer to ignore the fact that he committed theft," she said. "Some of them piously claim that he 'washed away his sin with service to the motherland.'"

She noted that local court records have already expunged Nagins name from its files.

"I think it is important to constantly remind people that these Putinist 'heroes' have committed crimes, many of them quite serious ones," Khudoyarova said, adding that future citizens of a democratic Russia will have no compunctions about renaming such spaces yet again.

Retired army Colonel Vitaly Votanovsky, who runs a Telegram channel focused on Krasnodar and keeps track of the number of slain Wagner mercenaries and Russian military personnel buried in the city, agreed with Khudoyarova.

He noted that official attitudes toward Wagner had changed after the group's fighters, led by Prigozhin, carried out a short-lived mutiny in the city of Rostov-on-Don in June 2023.

"I guess this will continue as long as Putin is alive," he told RFE/RL. "Then it will all be undone and no one will complain. Earlier, there were banners featuring killed convict-volunteers in Krasnodar, but they were all removed after the mutiny.

"In the first year of the war, before Prigozhin got into politics, the authorities didnt distinguish between contract soldiers with the Defense Ministry and the mercenaries," he continued. "But when his company acted against the government, they practically forgot all about them."

'Fight For An Idea'

In the fall of 2023, a memorial plaque in the Stavropol region honoring a Wagner mercenary who was killed in Ukraine was removed after local police retirees complained that he had been convicted of the "heinous murder" of a police officer.

Political analyst Sergei Zhavoronkov said the authorities have yet to form a coherent policy regarding the Wagner fighters.

"The authorities overall are trying to pursue a dualistic approach, like the attitude of the Chinese authorities to [communist dictator Mao Zedong] -- that he was 'two-thirds correct and one-third mistaken,'" he said. "The most scandalous murderers and rapists who have been pardoned by Putin are not going to be honored, but among the present-day 'heroes' there are still people with criminal pasts."

Analyst Preobrazhensky said the Volgograd authorities have selected Nagin because they wanted a patriotic example whose criminal past was not so off-putting. A key objective is to motivate future volunteers.

"Volunteers go to fight for an idea rather than for money," he said.

Written by RFE/RLs Robert Coalson based on reporting by RFE/RLs Caucasus.Realities
Two French nationals have told RFE/RL they're both very much alive and living in France, despite Russian state media claims they were in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv at the time of a Russian missile strike on January 16. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed 60 "foreign fighters," most of them French, were eliminated in a precision strike on a single building.
9 Popova tries to evacuate animals across the border into the European Union as quickly as possible but says it has become more difficult with time.



"At the beginning of [the] war, Europe was more enthusiastic about taking animals in. We have transported over 200 animals, but they don't have an unlimited number of enclosures either," she said.




I'm Steve Gutterman, the editor of RFE/RL's Russia/Ukraine/Belarus Desk.



Welcome to The Week In Russia, in which I dissect the key developments in Russian politics and society over the previous week and look at what's ahead.

Nearly a decade after the downing of MH17, a military transport plane that Moscow says was carrying 65 Ukrainian POWs crashes in a region bordering Ukraine. Meanwhile, one of the Russians convicted of murder in a Western court over the MH17 disaster is sentenced in Russia  but not for that crime.

Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward.

10 Years, Two Crashes

When a passenger jet carrying 298 people blew to pieces in the air over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, there was a flood of disinformation and competing claims about the case, but the facts ultimately came to light.

MH17 was shot down by a missile from a Russian launcher that was brought into territory held by Moscow-backed anti-Kyiv forces three months into the Donbas war and spirited back into Russia shortly afterward.

Its unclear how much the world will ever know for sure about a plane crash on the other side of the border on January 24, when a Russian military transport jet slammed into the ground in the Belgorod region.

Russia said that there were 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war on board, along with six crew members and three guards. It said there were no survivors, something that footage of the fiery crash strongly supported.

But the veracity of some of Russias other assertions about the plane  such as the claim that it was carrying POWs and the claim that it was shot down by Ukraine -- may never be established.

Why not?

For one thing, unlike MH17, the Il-76 crashed in Russia. There is zero chance that Moscow will heed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiys call for an international investigation -- with the possible exception of a scenario in which the Kremlin would agree to such a probe for the purpose of imagery but set about to thwart it in various ways.

Claims And Blame

If any of Russias main claims about the crash is shown to be false, the whole narrative  the assertion that Ukraine killed its own citizens in a reckless attack on Russia -- would fall apart.

The Russian narrative would be severely undermined if Kyivs claim that Moscow had not given Ukraine proper notification of the flight in advance, as it said has been done for previous prisoner swaps, proves to be accurate. That would suggest that Russia  deliberately or negligently  put the plane and everybody on board at risk of a Ukrainian attack.

Regardless of the cause, there are obviously many differences between the Il-76 crash and the downing of MH17, which killed all 298 passengers and crew on board the commercial flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur  men, women, and children from the Netherlands and nine other countries.

One difference is that while a single, coherent Russian narrative took shape very soon after the crash this week, Russia presented an array of sometimes conflicting claims and insinuations after MH17 crashed in an area held by Russia-backed forces.

Eventually, they all fell apart. In terms of efforts to bring people involved in the shoot-down to justice, the main results so far are the murder convictions and life sentences handed down in absentia to two Russians and one pro-Moscow Ukrainian separatist by a Dutch court in November 2022.

That ruling came nine months after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine  which, in turn, followed almost eight years of war fomented by Moscow in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. The downing of MH17 drew the worlds attention to the Donbas war, which had started three months earlier.

Given the enormity of the war in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion -- the biggest in Europe since 1945 -- the events of 2014 can seem distant and are sometimes forgotten, despite their direct link to the current phase of the conflict.

'Cowardly Mediocrity'

But a key figure in Russias seizure of Crimea and the start of the Donbas war was in the news again this week: Igor Girkin, who is one of the two Russians convicted of murder by the Dutch court for the downing of MH17.

Girkin, who was better known at the time by his made-up name, Strelkov, was convicted by a Russian court on January 25  not in absentia this time, as he has taken refuge from international justice in Russia  and sentenced to four years in prison.

But not for MH17.

Girkin -- a Russian nationalist who supports Russias war on Ukraine but has criticized the way Putin has waged it, calling him a nonentity and a person of cowardly mediocrity -- was convicted of making public calls for extremist activities.

The conviction was a signal to other nationalist hawks whose criticism of the Kremlin comes from the opposite side as that of the much-persecuted liberal opposition. It suggested that Putin felt it could be dangerous to leave Girkin without punishment.

But the relatively moderate statute and sentence may indicate that the Kremlin does not want to come down on Russians who are in favor of aggression against Ukraine.

The Clampdown

By contrast, critics who oppose the war have received longer sentences  in some cases much longer.

Vladimir Kara-Murza, an opposition politician who accused what he called the dictatorial regime in the Kremlin of committing war crimes in Ukraine shortly after the full-scale invasion, was convicted of treason and sentenced 25 years in prison last April.

The trials of Kara-Murza and other critics of the war are part of a clampdown that has intensified in the last decade and has been ramped up still further by the state since February 2022.

The state has targeted opposition activists, civil society, independent media, and all forms of dissent  and in some cases, Western journalists.

Alsu Kurmasheva, an RFE/RL journalist and dual U.S.-Russian citizen who was prevented from leaving Russia last June and was arrested in October, spent her 100th day behind bars on January 25.

Kurmasheva has been charged with failing to ask the Russian government to register her as a foreign agent and of spreading falsehoods about the Russian military. She and RFE/RL deny the charges  which carry maximum prison terms of five and 10 years, respectively -- and say Moscow is punishing her for her journalistic work.

One day later, a Moscow court denied a request for U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal correspondent held in pretrial detention since March 2023 on an espionage charge that he, the newspaper, and the U.S. government reject, to be released to house arrest. He could be sentenced to 20 years in prison if convicted.

That's it from me this week.



If you want to know more, catch up on my podcast The Week Ahead In Russia, out every Monday, here on our site or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts).



Yours,



Steve Gutterman



P.S.: Consider forwarding this newsletter to colleagues who might find this of interest. Send feedback and tips to newsletters@rferl.org.
FUNAFUTI, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Voters went to polls in the general election in the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu on Friday, according to media reports.

Voters will select two lawmakers in each of the atoll nation's eight constituencies. All candidates run as independents as Tuvalu has no political parties.

The post of prime minister is expected to be contested in the newly elected parliament.

The last general election in the island nation of some 11,200 people was held in 2019. 
JAKARTA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of Indonesia and its neighboring country Timor-Leste met at the presidential palace in Bogor, West Java province on Friday to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in cross-border, economy, investment and information technology.

It was the first time for Timor-Leste's Xanana Gusmao to visit the Indonesian presidential palace in Bogor since he was inaugurated as prime minister of the Southeast Asia's youngest country in July last year.

During a joint press statement, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said Indonesia and Timor-Leste agreed to reactivate the joint-border committee to manage the border issues between the two countries with the reopening of the cross-border posts.

"I also appreciate Timor-Leste's trust in Indonesia's state-owned enterprises in a number of projects, including the road construction in Oecusse, as well as the expansion of Dili International Airport," he said.

Widodo added that the two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding on the sector of information technology. 
Auto giant General Motors (GM) has revealed that its self-driving car division Cruise is under investigation by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission after the October incident involving the company's robotaxi.

The investigation is based on the October 2 accident, where a woman who had been initially hit by a human-driven auto was dragged for around 20 feet by the company's robotaxi, injuring her grievously.

After the incident, the Cruise officials tried to share details of the accident with the regulators through a video, but due to certain "technical issues" the regulators were unable to see the full video clearly. Cruise, then, also failed to provide a verbal description of the incident to the regulators.

In the blog post, GM said that the investigation report from the law firm Quinn Emanuel revealed no evidence that Cruise executives or staff intentionally misled or hid any details from regulators.

Another report by an engineering firm Exponent revealed that the Cruise vehicle had identified hitting the woman as a side-impact collision, the blog post said. Later, Cruise updated its software.

The reports concluded that Cruise failed to handle the incident properly due to "inadequate and uncoordinated internal processes, mistakes in judgment, an 'us versus them' mentality with government officials, and a fundamental misunderstanding of regulatory requirements and expectations".

However, Cruise stated in the post that its response to the incident can be characterized as the "mistakes made by a relatively new company inexperienced in dealing with regulators, the media and the public".

In December, California officials said that the company's failure to disclose the incident fully to the regulators could invite a heavy fine of $1.5 million along with other sanctions. Further, the company's permission to operate autonomous cars was ceased in October.

Following the incident, Cruise's CEO and a Co-Founder resigned. The company fired nine executives and cut a quarter of its workforce.

On February 6, Cruise officials will meet the regulators to discuss further the incident report and to decide an appropriate fine. Earlier, Cruise had offered to pay $75,000 as a settlement.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Rhodes University and Allan Gray representatives on the steps of the Main Administration Building

By The Division of Communications and Advancement

A visit by the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) to Rhodes University provided an opportunity for the AGOF team to meet with the champions of innovation, leadership and community engagement initiatives at Rhodes University, and together explore ways to strengthen the partnership between AGOF and the institution 'where leaders learn'.

Since the inauguration of the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, great strides have been made to forge links that create a better life and environment for students and Makhanda residents. Such is the nature of the relationship with long-term partners such as AGOF. The collaboration between the two institutions is not just a partnership, it is a shared vision for a brighter future. The relationship includes support from other Allan & Gill Philanthropies Group of Entities, such as Funda Wande to develop the Rhodes University Advanced Certificate in Foundation Phase Literacy Teaching, which graduated its second cohort in 2023, and the 2012 establishment of the Allan Gray Centre for Leadership Ethics.

AGOF contributes to the collective aspirational goal of "Ten million lives meaningfully improved by 2030," which represents the overarching objective of the Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies group of entities. Their drive is to promote and encourage enterprise and entrepreneurship among the youth of South Africa.

In this structured engagement between Rhodes University and AGOF, specific themes emerged between teams led by executives from both institutions. Themes and synergies included those of ethical leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, social justice, and the 'scholarship of engagement' infused throughout the curriculum at the University. Director of the Rhodes Business School, Professor Owen Skae, noted that, Together stakeholders, supporters, students and the community can 'galvanise and unite for something bigger than ourselves.

Presentations covered opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship and enterprise offered by the Rhodes University Biotechnology Innovation Centre (RUBIC), which engages with the community via a network of partnerships, including a water testing facility and small-scale cannabis farmers. RUBIC is also working with UNICEF on foetal and maternal health. The University's Technology Transfer Office is housed in RUBIC, and serves the research community of Rhodes University, creating awareness of the importance of intellectual property in the innovation and entrepreneurial space. The newly-formed Rhodes University Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (RU-CFERI) nurtures these skills of enterprise, development and marketing.

Rhodes University Community Engagement (RUCE) is infused throughout the Rhodes University curriculum  a 'scholarship of engagement' promoting the values of ethical leadership and social justice. The VC's Education Initiative takes a multi-stakeholder approach, harnessing the social capital of Rhodes University students, with a near 50% volunteer rate. Its aim is to create community-university partnerships which cover the full educational spectrum, and to establish effective communities of practice in the public school sector.

RUCEs flagship 9/10ths programme targets Matrics, but other interventions include Early Childhood Development, and bridging interventions between the intermediate phase and high school, and between high school and university. The positive impact of the Initiative can be seen in the 2022 Matric results, with 305 Bachelor passes from Makhanda public schools, and two no-fee schools in the top three for matric passes. At the behest of the VC, a city-wide education summit will be held in January 2024, representing the collective ownership of the education sector within Makhanda  and to officially launch Rhodes Universitys 120th year of academic excellence.

Social justice is an important value held by both Rhodes University and AGOF. Once students are admitted to Rhodes University, their welfare and access to learning are of primary importance. The residences are 'Living and Learning' spaces, with a wide diversity of students accommodated. The University has an active Disability Committee, recognising both visible and invisible disabilities, and the Gender Action Forum works with staff and students towards making the campus a place for LGBTQIA students to flourish. Each residence has a RUCE representative and takes on a community engagement project each year.

In closing this first meeting, Head of Programmes at AGOF Charleen Duncan reiterated that the goals of Rhodes University and AGOF were closely aligned: We have a lot of work to do and we cannot do it by ourselves. Collaboration is so important, she stated.

Entrepreneurship Education Programme Director, Jalal Ghiassi-Razavi, added: "Rhodes University is special. Without the University in Makhanda, without the ecosystem the University provides, the town will not thrive. It's a challenge, but the spirit to do it ourselves makes it special.

Professor Mabizela noted that Rhodes University and AGOF are firmly united in their joint purpose and praised the strong partnership between the two.

"We invite organisations and individuals to join us on this transformative journey. Together, we can unlock new opportunities, empower the next generation, and make a lasting impact on South African youth and communities," he concluded.

For more information, visit https://www.ru.ac.za/givingtorhodes/ or contact Ellen e.duplessis@ru.ac.za or on +27 46 603 8509 if you would like to join us in creating a better tomorrow, together.
Sedan sales saw a sharp drop of 13.70% YoY and 6% MoM in December 2023 with Maruti DZire being the only sedan to cross sales above the 10,000 mark

Earlier this month we listed out top 10 cars sold during December 2023 while now let us look sedan sales in the past month. Sedan sales in December 2023 stood at 28,850 units, down 13.70 percent from 33,430 units sold in December 2022. This was a volume de-growth of 4,580 units. MoM sales also fell by 5.92 percent from 30,665 units sold in November 2023.

Maruti DZire Rules Top 10 Sedan Sales List

Maruti Suzuki DZire was the best-selling sedan and the only model on this list to cross sales above the 10,000 unit mark. Sales of the DZire improved YoY by 16.80 percent to 14,012 units sold in December 2023 from 11,997 units sold in December 2022. This was a volume growth of 2,015 units with the DZire commanding a 48.57 percent share on this list. However, on a MoM basis, DZire sales fell 12.23 percent from 15,965 units sold in November 2023.

At No. 2 was the Hyundai Aura, sales of which dipped 8.28 percent YoY and 0.99 percent MoM to 3,812 units. There had been 4,156 units and 3,850 units sold in December 2022 and November 2023 respectively. Honda Amaze also posted YoY and MoM decline in sales down to 2,414 units sold last month. This was a 33.20 percent YoY de-growth over 3,614 units sold in December 2022. MoM sales fell by 8.53 percent from 2,639 units sold in November 2023.

Sales of the VW Virtus sedan have increased both on YoY and MoM basis to 2,199 units in December 2023. This was a 16.47 percent YoY growth over 1,888 units sold in December 2022 while sales grew significantly by 87.31 percent from 1,174 units sold in November 2023. The company is continually adding some freshness to Virtus. In October 2023, there was the Virtus matte edition while in November 2023, the Volkswagen Taigun and Virtus Sound Edition came into effect.

Tata Tigor at No. 5 saw its sales dip 46.58 percent YoY to 1,960 units in December 2023 while there had been 3,669 units sold in the same month last year. This was a 1,709 unit volume de-growth. On a MoM basis, however, sales went up by 10.42 percent over 1,775 units sold in November 2023. Tata Motors now gears up to launch the Tigor CNG AMT, making it the first sedan in India to be offered with CNG with automatic transmission.

Skoda Slavia, Honda City, Hyundai Verna

Lower down the list was Skoda Slavia, sales of which fell 13.16 percent YoY to 1,960 units in December 2023. It was however a 12.60 percent MoM growth from 1,749 units sold in November 2023. Honda City (1,112 units) and Hyundai Verna (712 units) both saw a YoY and MoM decline in sales.

Maruti Ciaz sales fell 57.63 percent YoY to 489 units in December 2023 from 1,154 units sold in December 2022. MoM sales however went up by 75.90 percent over 278 units sold in November 32023. Toyota Camry trailed the list with 180 units sold last month, a YoY growth of 153.52 percent from just 71 units sold in December 2022. MoM sales dipped 9.09 percent from 198 units sold in November 2023.
A child poses for photos with a C919 passenger aircraft at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai, east China, Jan. 26, 2024. Flight MU9197, carrying 111 passengers, departed from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport for Chengdu Tianfu International Airport at 8:35 a.m. on Friday.

It was the first time for C919, China's self-developed large passenger aircraft, to carry out flight missions during China's Spring Festival travel rush period. (Xinhua)

Passengers line up to board a C919 passenger aircraft at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai, east China, Jan. 26, 2024. Flight MU9197, carrying 111 passengers, departed from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport for Chengdu Tianfu International Airport at 8:35 a.m. on Friday.

It was the first time for C919, China's self-developed large passenger aircraft, to carry out flight missions during China's Spring Festival travel rush period. (Xinhua)

Passengers prepare to board a C919 passenger aircraft at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai, east China, Jan. 26, 2024. Flight MU9197, carrying 111 passengers, departed from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport for Chengdu Tianfu International Airport at 8:35 a.m. on Friday.

It was the first time for C919, China's self-developed large passenger aircraft, to carry out flight missions during China's Spring Festival travel rush period. (Xinhua)
The General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia is set to participate in Wings India 2024, that will take place at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad, India, from January 18-21. About 100,000 visitors are expected to attend, making it an important aviation conferences in Asia.

President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej will lead the GACA delegation that will showcase its global aviation leadership and convey its inclination to expand and strengthen its cooperation with India, as well as with other countries attending the event.

GACA will highlight the role of the civil aviation sector in the development of the kingdoms economy, emphasising the most recent achievements and the opportunities enabled by the implementation of the Saudi Aviation Strategy.

Saudi Arabia aims to reach 330 million passengers annually to more than 250 destinations and raise the cargo and logistics capacity to 4.5 million tonnes by 2030.

The focus of this years Wings India, organised by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation in cooperation with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICII), will be advanced air mobility, and how it will transform the field of civil aviation and open new markets for air travel.

The event is expected to host over 5,000 participants, including civil aviation authorities, airlines, and aviation companies, as well as key stakeholders from the business world interested in the aviation industry.

The prospects and future challenges of the global aviation sector will be discussed by leaders of aviation bodies and organisations, focusing on the latest trends in the industry related to air mobility, sustainability, and advanced technologies.  TradeArabia News Service
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits Beiwu Service Area along the expressway linking downtown Beijing and Pinggu District while examining preparations for the Spring Festival travel rush in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Friday called for efforts to make the Spring Festival travel rush safer and more convenient.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in Beijing while examining preparations for the travel rush, which is known as "chunyun" in Chinese.

He highlighted the importance of support for chunyun, saying that efforts should be made to meet travel demands, strengthen monitoring and early warnings systems for extreme weather and geological disasters, improve service quality for passengers, and ensure better work and living environments for frontline workers.

This year's Lunar New Year runs from Feb. 10 to 17, one day longer than in previous years. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush this year started on Friday, with an estimated 9 billion passenger trips likely to be made. Enditem

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits a terminal building of Beijing Capital International Airport while examining preparations for the Spring Festival travel rush in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
Written By

Managing Editor

she/her | Bridget is the Messengers managing editor. She oversees the newsroom and covers the Maple Run Unified School District and education at large. She also pays attention to recreation, food and the arts and is an avid cyclist and skier.

|
BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Thai deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will visit Thailand from Jan. 26 to 29, foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced Friday.

As agreed by China and the United States, Wang Yi will hold a new round of talks with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Bangkok, the spokesperson said.

Maintaining strategic communication between Wang Yi and Sullivan is an important consensus reached by the two heads of state, the spokesperson told a daily press briefing when responding to a question on the visit.

During the new round of talks, Wang Yi will state China's position on China-U.S. relations and the Taiwan question and exchange views with the U.S. side on international and regional issues of common concern, the spokesperson added. 
TOKYO, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The operator of Japan's crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), has announced a plan to release around 54,600 tons of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the facility into the ocean in fiscal 2024, despite concerns and opposition.

The volume is expected to be discharged into the Pacific Ocean in seven rounds, starting from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, according to the plan announced Thursday.

Chiyo Oda, a citizen of Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture, told Xinhua on Friday via email that the recent powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake hitting the Noto Peninsula has raised concerns about the safety of nearby nuclear power plants.

"As someone who lived through the Fukushima nuclear disaster, I believe that people should no longer have to go through the experience of avoiding radiation hazards. Discharging nuclear-contaminated water into the sea is an intentional spread of radioactive substances by humans and is not allowed," Oda said.

TEPCO is slated to finalize the plan by March 31, the end of fiscal 2023, said the company.

Meanwhile, TEPCO has decided to postpone, for the third time, removing melted nuclear fuel debris, one of the biggest challenges in decommissioning the plant.

TEPCO had planned to remove the debris, a mixture of molten nuclear fuel and parts of the plant's structure, from the No. 2 reactor on a test basis by the end of fiscal 2023, and now it aims to start the work by October this year, the company said.

Toshihiro Inoue from a Japanese citizen group against atomic and hydrogen bombs told Xinhua that since TEPCO cannot guarantee the start of the work in October, the removal of debris is far behind schedule and a clear plan is no longer in sight.

TEPCO initially said that the decommissioning of the reactor would be completed by 2051, and that the radioactive wastewater would continue to be discharged for 30 years before completion, Inoue noted, adding that an end to the ocean discharge now looks increasingly uncertain and the negative impact on the environment is worrying.

The nuclear wastewater discharge started in August 2023. In fiscal 2023, TEPCO is set to release a total of about 31,200 tons of radioactive wastewater in four batches, with the fourth and final round for the year scheduled late next month.

TEPCO claimed that the discharge was essential to decommissioning the plant but later it said that the decommissioning work was not progressing smoothly, which is cheating, Oda said.

TEPCO knew clearly that the decommissioning would not be completed in 30 years, but they started the ocean discharge anyway. I think their claim that there is no other way but to discharge the water into the sea has become untenable, Oda added.

Hit by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and an ensuing tsunami on March 11, 2011, the Fukushima nuclear plant suffered core meltdowns that released radiation, resulting in a level-7 nuclear accident, the highest on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale.

The plant has been generating a massive amount of water tainted with radioactive substances from cooling down the nuclear fuel in the reactor buildings, which are now being stored in tanks at the nuclear plant. 
GAZA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israeli tanks are targeting Al-Amal hospital in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, resulting in several injuries, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said in a statement on Friday.

"The hospital has been besieged with heavy gunfire. Our teams are unable to reach the injured people," added the statement.

Khan Younis has witnessed during the past days the intensification of Israeli attacks, the fiercest since the Hamas-Israel conflict started last October. 
Highline Spirits founder Christi Lower at the Highline Room in Dexter.

Highline Spirits' whiskeys.

The Highline Room in Dexter.

Highline Spirits founder Christi Lower at the Highline Room in Dexter.
The company founders working in their shop.

As if thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada wasnt enough of a challenge, Austin Gongos decided he needed to make his own gear for the 2,000-mile-plus trek.That decision ultimately led Gongos to co-found the Hancock-based Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear with a friend from college.Preparing for that trip, the college buddies found that their backpacks were too big, too heavy and had too many unnecessary features.So we decided to teach ourselves how to sew and found patterns online and kind of worked with each other on designs and made all of our own gear to go and hike, said Chicken Trampers co-founder Nathan Ackerman, who joined Gongos on a portion of his 2018 PCT thru-hike.While we were out there, we got a lot of really good compliments and cool feedback from people that thought it was really neat we were making all our stuff, he added.Gongos and Ackerman met when they were both in a fraternity while studying mechanical engineering at Michigan Technological University in Houghton.At Michigan Tech, the two had always talked about starting a business but werent sure what form it would take.As we were graduating, Austin decided to hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, Ackerman recalled. He decided he was going to hike out there and so I decided to come out with him.That trip provided insight into their futures and their gear company.Everybody out there (on the PCT) is super into their gear and trying to figure out whats the best thing to have out there on trail. They had a lot of things they like about their backpacks, things they dont like about their backpacks, features they wished they had, features they dont use at all, Ackerman said. Austin and I kind of saw there might be a hole in the market for an ultralight bag thats still super durable, that lasts a long time, but features the things you really need and not stuff you dont really need  the bare bones of what you really need to get by.The hike also helped with the creation of the companys name.Tramper is a term in New Zealand they use for backpacking or hiking. The chicken comes from our logo, it kind of looks like a rune of a chicken head symbol. Gongos said. That (symbol) comes from back in our fraternity days when Nathan and I met at Phi Kappa Tau fraternity when we were both at Michigan Tech.Its on the walls of the fraternity, behind paintings and such, Gongos added. So when we were looking around for a name and a logo we slapped a couple words together; the chicken coming from that  and then tramper came from a group text thread of my trail family on the PCT  Its a fun term for hiking long distances over rough terrain for recreation and we thought it fit.After hiking a portion of the PCT with Gongos, Ackerman returned to the Midwest to take a job with Milwaukee Tool in Wisconsin, while Ackerman continued with market research during his hike.After completing almost all of the of the 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail  minus approximately 100 to 200 miles he was forced to miss due to fire closures and the need to attend a cousins wedding  Gongos joined Ackerman and the two began designing and creating their packs and accessories in earnest.Their initial focus was ultralight hikers, which Gongos described as a mindset built on emphasizing reducing pack weight for a more enjoyable experience.When you go on a multi-day backpacking trip, if you can whittle down your gear list more and more; youre going to have a better time. The idea is  ounces make pounds and pounds make pain, Gongos said, explaining some go as far as to cut the handles of their toothbrushes to save that unneeded weight.When we started the company, we wanted to create gear that would be lightweight but also durable. Its one of those things that you buy once and then you probably wont have to buy again unless you want two of them, Gongos said.Although the companys focus is ultralight hikers, the gear can be used by anyone.We make a lot of gear for backpacking, but its also great for regular hikes or even attachments to your backpack or bag on a day-to-day basis. Gongos said, adding that a lot of accessories, like their phone pocket or water bottle sleeve, can attach to bags made by other brands as well as those the company makes.The accessories allow hikers to customize their gear to meet their hiking needs.Emilee Pike, a hiker with roughly a decade of experience hiking many of Michigans sub-100 mile trails for up to a week at a time, heard about the company while living in Marquette. Pike, who now lives south of downstate Gaylord, said she was drawn to the quality and appearance of the Chicken Tramper products.I have a few small things of theirs that are now in my permanent set up. A hiking wallet, a phone pouch and, best of all, an amazing bathroom kit; aka my poop purse, Pike said. I love the colors, the quality of stitching, etc (of the products).Soon after starting the company, Ackerman quit his day job to focus on Chicken Tramper full-time. With both co-founders working for the company, Ackerman said the move to Michigans Upper Peninsula was a natural transition.Both Austin and I went to Michigan Tech, (we) loved it up here. I have family up here, Ackerman said. When we were looking for places to go, it was kind of a no-brainer to us. Why wouldnt we just move back up to the Keweenaw and move back to Hancock? The place we love, we still have friends and family up here. You can pretty much go in any direction and end up out in the middle of the woods or out on (Lake Superior) or on top of a big hill. Its always been a cool place for us to adventure around and go see things and be out in nature.Once we decided we were going to do this full time, I dont think there was another place that was on the list to go, we just decided we were going to move back here.As Chicken Tramper celebrated its five-year anniversary in December, Gongos said the moment forced him to take time to reflect on the companys journey. In that time, the company grew from the two co-founders to nine additional employees and has reached customers through the companys website and select retailers.Each year weve experienced growth, were continually growing our team over the years and growing the retailers that we work with and sell to, growing our customer base, Gongos said. Throughout the years weve definitely seen success and growth, theres a lot more we can do to grow the business and develop the brand but Id say its been successful these last five years.As they continue to perfect their hiking gear, the company is also exploring expanding into related activities.Bikepacking is another one people ask for a lot. Packs for peoples dogs and dog accessories is another huge one, Ackerman said. Hopefully as we get all the products we have now up and running a little smoother well have more time for Austin and I and our other employees to do some (research and development) and get new products on the shelf.Chicken Tramper gear can be found on the companys website, chickentrampergear.com , and in select retail stores. Customers can also visit the companys Hancock location.We dont have an actual store front but we love having people come by the shop and they can buy stuff off the shelf, Gongos said.Given everything that has come since he set off on his PCT thru-hike, Gongos said he considered the journey a success even if he was forced to end the adventure a little early.I hiked over 2,400 miles. (I) met a lot of cool people along the way, got to spend a month hiking with Nathan which was really great and we found this spark for Chicken Tramper, Gongos said. So Id call it successful. I really loved my time out there and I cant wait until I can go thru-hike again.A former reporter at the Ironwood Daily Globe, Richard Jenkins moved to Ironwood in 2015. He was born and raised in Metro Detroit. He may not have been born in the Upper Peninsula but got here as soon as he could.
This diagram shows an implantable miniature probe developed by Chinese scientists that is capable of monitoring brain oxygen levels.

Chinese scientists have developed a miniature probe that is wireless and dynamically tracks oxygen levels in the deep brain, providing a promising tool for brain disease monitoring. (Tsinghua University/Handout via Xinhua)

BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have developed a miniature probe that is wireless and dynamically tracks oxygen levels in the deep brain, providing a promising tool for brain disease monitoring.

The implantable probe, about 300 microns in diameter, comprises a light-emitting diode and a photodetector, and is coated with a phosphorescent film highly sensitive to oxygen, according to the findings published in the journal Nature Photonics this week.

The probe works by emitting phosphorescence and measuring the oxygen levels according to the light brightness, which would decrease with the rise of the oxygen partial pressure, a key indicator reflecting brain oxygen levels, said Sheng Xing, one of the paper's corresponding authors and an associate professor at Tsinghua University.

"When a hypoxia in brain tissue happens, the probe would emit a strong light," he added, noting that its response time is only less than one second.

The wireless probe has been confirmed efficient after continuously monitoring the oxygen partial pressure in the deep brain of freely moving rodents, like mice. It could capture their cerebral hypoxia state in various scenarios, including an acute ischaemia.

The findings are expected to serve as a promising health care tool for patients with epilepsy, brain tumors, stroke, and intracranial trauma in the future, Sheng said.

The study was conducted by researchers from Tsinghua University in collaboration with other Chinese research institutions, including the Xuanwu Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University and the Beijing Institute of Technology. 
Shares in biopharma giant GSK were rising on Friday, helped by forecast upgrades from Citi, which raised its target price on the stock from 1,535p to 1,700p.

However, while the new target suggests nearly 12% upside from Thursday's closing price of 1,521.2p, it isn't enough to change Citi's 'neutral' rating on the stock.

"We have found ourselves warming to GSK after almost a decade without a positive rating," said analyst Andrew Baum.

Nevertheless, the bank has now increased its core earnings per share estimates for 2030 to 2035 by between 19% and 43%.

"GSK's embrace of a 'Back to Basics' strategy on three key therapeutic areas focus materially increases the probability of shareholder value creation. We particularly like the recent Bellus and Aiolos respiratory deals addressing de-risked targets in a core therapeutic area of competence for GSK," Baum said.

Meanwhile, GSK has already settled numerous lawsuits in the US that claimed that its discontinued heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer, and the majority of outstanding cases relate to filings within Delaware that cover c.80,000 plaintiffs. Pre-trial hearings were scheduled to start this week and so the market is waiting to hear if there are any further settlements due this year.

According to Baum, a potential dismissal of the Delaware multidistrict litigation would translate into a settlement of up to $2bn which would result in a "modest positive share price reaction".

Baum added that Citi has also raised its forecasts for ViiV  the HIV treatment joint venture set up by GSK, Pfizer and Shionogi  "assuming the next-generation therapies with longer dosing windows translate into higher adoption rates".

GSK's share price was up 1.4% at 1,541.7p by 1129 GMT.
Shares in Serco fell on Friday after a report that American Industrial Partners (AIP) contacted the UK government contractor about a potential bid for the company.

The two sides are said to have engaged with one another, although it was unclear whether AIP had lodged a firm takeover proposal during their discussions, Sky News reported citing unnamed sources.

A person close to Serco insisted on Friday that there were no longer any active talks between them.

Serco, which has a market capitalisation of about 1.9bn, has a large number of UK government contracts, including processing asylum-seekers at two immigration centres in West Sussex and Bedfordshire.

Last year, it was awarded a contract to maintain and operate the UK's air defence radars for the next five years.

A Serco spokesman declined to comment, while AIP could not be reached for comment, Sky reported.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com
The competition regulator has opened a formal investigation into the proposed 15bn merger between Vodafone Group and Three UK , it was confirmed on Friday.

The Competition and Markets Authority said the phase 1 probe would assess how the tie-up could impact competition in the UK market.

Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, said: "This deal would bring together two of the major players in the UK telecommunications market, which is critical to millions of everyday customers, businesses and the wider economy.

"The CMA will assess how this tie-up between rival networks could impact competition before deciding next steps."

Vodafone and Three UK, part of Hong Kongs CK Hutchison, announced they were joining forces in June 2023. Should the deal go ahead, it would create the UKs biggest mobile operator with around 27m customers.

It will also reduce the number of mobile network operators to just three, including British Telecoms EE and Virgin Media O2, which is jointly owned by Spains Telefonica and Liberty Global.

In response, Vodafone and Three UK have pledged to invest 11bn over ten years to create standalone 5G networks.

In a statement, Ahmed Essam, chief executive of Vodafone UK, said: "We strongly believe that the proposed mergerwill significantly enhance competition by creating a combined business with more resources to invest in infrastructure to better compete with the two larger converged players."

Three UKs chief executive, Robert Finnegan, added: "We are confident that this transaction will deliver significant benefits to our customers, the country and competition, and we look forward to working closely with the CMA."

Should the deal go ahead, Vodafone will own 51% and CK Hutchison 49% of the combined group, which will be led by Essam. Vodafone will also have an option to buy out the Hong Kong conglomerate three years post completion.

The CMA now has 40 working days to complete its Phase 1 investigation before publishing its findings and decides whether to proceed with a more in-depth probe.
Saga said on Friday that is considering options for its cruse business, including a partnership arrangement.

Responding to a press report a day earlier, the company said: "The board is exploring opportunities to optimise Saga's operational and strategic position in Cruise, where exceptional demand for its boutique ocean cruise offer means it is operating at close to capacity.

"It has concluded that a partnership arrangement for Ocean Cruise would be consistent with group strategy to move to a capital-light business model to support further growth and crystalise value, reduce debt and enhance long-term returns for shareholders."

Saga, which specialises in products for the over-50s, said no decision has yet been made and there can be no certainty that any partnership agreement will occur.

A further announcement will be made in due course, as appropriate, it added.

At 1005 GMT, the shares were up 7.6% at 158p.

Broker Peel Hunt, which rates the shares at 'hold', said the potential partnership agreement for the cruise business could reduce the debt load of the business, perhaps even at the same time expanding capacity in a capital-light way from Saga's point of view.

"TUI, for example, operates a joint venture with Royal Caribbean. Strategically, we believe the best fit would be with Carnival, which is the biggest player in the ex-UK market (P&O Cruises and Cunard) and could perhaps take a 50% stake in a JV," it said.

"The question is which cruise operator has the balance sheet capacity to execute such purchase. So far, Saga states that no decision has been made. Earlier last year, the company had explored selling its insurance underwriting business, a plan that was postponed due to market circumstances. It is evident that Saga is pursuing a wide range of options to financially place the business on a firmer footing."
Car owners who pay for their insurance monthly rather than with a one-off lump sum are being charged interest of more than 30%, research has found, in what has been described by campaigners as a poverty premium. Insurers give customers the choice of paying one annual premium or breaking it up and paying over the course of the year.  Guardian

Britains beleaguered stock market has left City bosses increasingly nervous about the threat of foreign takeovers, according to new research. The majority of FTSE 350 board members surveyed by investment broker Deutsche Numis said their companies are at a greater risk of being acquired by buyers overseas in 2024.  Telegraph

The United Arab Emirates stake in the telecoms operator Vodafone is a threat to Britains national security, ministers have found. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden intervened to demand protection from the Gulf state after it became Vodafones biggest shareholder with a 14.6pc shareholding worth 2.7bn. Mr Dowden said Vodafone, which holds sensitive Whitehall contracts and owns critical infrastructure including undersea cables, was at risk of material influence by the UAE.  Telegraph

The chairman of The Spectator called on the government to block the Abu Dhabi-backed bid for the Telegraph newspaper group last night on the grounds that no foreign state should own major UK media assets. Speaking on Newsnight, Andrew Neil said: You cannot have a major mainstream newspaper group owned by an undemocratic government or dictatorship where no one has a vote.  The Times
Londons FTSE 100 was up 1.4% at 7,637.67 in afternoon trade on Friday.

Specialty chemicals firm Croda rallied following solid earnings from Lonza and Sartorius, both of which were sharply higher, with analysts suggesting potential read-across to the companys pharma business.

Diageo jumped after well-received third-quarter results from French spirits maker Remy Cointreau.

Luxury fashion brand Burberry racked up strong gains after solid results from Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior owner LVMH.

Vodafone gained even as the UKs competition regulator opened a formal investigation into the proposed 15bn merger between it and Three UK.

Sainsburys and Tesco were both under the cosh as JPMorgan Cazenove cut its price targets on the shares, saying it remains cautious on the UK grocery space fundamentally, which based on its investor feedback "appears still to be a contrarian stance".

The bank cut its price target on Sainsbury to 223p from 245p and on Tesco to 220p from 230p. Both rare rated underweight, along with B&M European Value Retail.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Croda International (CRDA) 4,758.00p 5.34%

Diageo (DGE) 2,850.00p 5.17%

Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,342.50p 5.01%

St James's Place (STJ) 671.20p 3.84%

Spirax-Sarco Engineering (SPX) 9,978.00p 3.70%

Rentokil Initial (RTO) 406.90p 3.67%

Vodafone Group (VOD) 70.30p 3.20%

Prudential (PRU) 857.20p 2.76%

United Utilities Group (UU.) 1,054.00p 2.73%

Anglo American (AAL) 1,874.00p 2.67%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Centrica (CNA) 138.80p -3.78%

Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 274.70p -2.38%

Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 255.70p -1.80%

Tesco (TSCO) 293.60p -1.74%

SSE (SSE) 1,715.00p -1.38%

BAE Systems (BA.) 1,168.00p -1.18%

Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 306.00p -0.16%

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 7,476.00p -0.16%

Next (NXT) 8,492.00p -0.02%

Melrose Industries (MRO) 581.20p 0.03%
In this file photo, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the Justice and Development (AK) Party's parliamentary group meeting in Ankara, Turkiye, on Oct. 25, 2023. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

ANKARA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has approved the ratification of Sweden's membership in NATO, according to a protocol published in the country's official gazette on Thursday.

Erdogan published the law two days after the Turkish parliament passed the bill to approve Sweden's bid to join the Western military alliance.

Erdogan "decided to publish the law adopted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly regarding Sweden's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty, and signed the presidential decree regarding Sweden's accession protocol to NATO and approved the relevant protocol," his office said.

Turkish lawmakers attend a vote on Sweden's NATO bid at the Grand National Assembly in Ankara, Turkiye, on Jan. 23, 2024. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

The Turkish parliament voted on the bill after a debate in the Grand National Assembly on Tuesday night. A total of 346 lawmakers participated in the voting, with 287 votes in favor, 55 against, and four abstentions.

With Turkiye's ratification, Hungary remains the only NATO member country that hasn't approved Sweden's application for NATO membership.

Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO after Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine in 2022. Their accession requires the unanimous approval of all members of NATO.

Members of the Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee attend a meeting on Sweden's NATO bid in Ankara, Turkiye, on Dec. 26, 2023. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

Turkiye approved Finland's NATO bid in March last year but has slow-walked Sweden's accession, demanding the Nordic country further address Ankara's security concerns.

In October last year, Erdogan signed Sweden's NATO accession protocol and submitted it to the parliament for ratification.

The foreign affairs committee of the Turkish parliament approved Sweden's NATO bid following deliberation in December last year, in a key step to put it to a full parliamentary vote.

F16 fighter jets of the Turkish Air Force are seen participating in the International Anatolian Phoenix Exercise hosted by Turkiye, in Konya, Turkey, on June 15, 2023. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

Turkiye has been under pressure from the United States to approve Sweden's accession to NATO, but Ankara was holding up its ratification to press Washington to allow the sale of F-16 fighter jets. 




The Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrashekhar, revealed plans for the introduction of Digital India futureLABS and the establishment of an India Semiconductor Research Centre during the IESA Vision Summit in Bengaluru. These initiatives are among several upcoming announcements aimed at supporting the burgeoning semiconductor industry in the country, according to the minister.

According to the minister, the forthcoming research center will function as a focal point for semiconductor innovation across various domains, contributing to the advancement of future systems. This program will be a collaboration and partnership involving Government labs, Indian startups, large enterprises and corporations in the electronics space. It will also include tier 1 suppliers & automotive industrial platforms, focusing on designing and innovating systems for the future", he explained regarding the Digital India futureLABS initiative.

The initiative aims to enhance the nation's domestic innovation and research ecosystem by fostering collaboration among startups, multinational corporations (MNCs), r esearch and development (R&D) institutions, and academia. The primary goal is to create and advance systems, standards, and intellectual property (IP). The program will specifically target sectors such as automotive, mobility, computing, communications, electronics, and industrial Internet of Things (IoT).

Over the past several years, the aim has been to catalyze innovation, support startups, and witness significant success, especially in the consumer internet space. We have witnessed a tremendous number of startups and unicorns, investments, and the creation of numerous opportunities, characterizing an innovative ecosystem", Chandrashekhar remarked.
GAZA/JERUSALEM, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Israeli tanks are targeting Al-Amal Hospital and Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, resulting in several injuries, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

"The hospitals have been besieged with heavy gunfire. Our teams are unable to reach the injured people," said the Palestine Red Crescent Society.

Al Jazeera TV news reported snipers near the hospital shooting people attempting to leave the buildings.

Meanwhile, Israel's military denied on Friday the reports. In a statement sent to Xinhua, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they were in telephone contact with the medical staff of Al-Amal and Nasser hospitals in Khan Younis to ensure their continued operation.

"The IDF communicated that there is no obligation to evacuate the hospitals," the army said, adding that troops were operating against Hamas militants in Khan Younis, the largest city in the southern Gaza Strip.

"IDF intelligence indicates that Hamas are operating from inside and around Nasser Hospital and Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis," it said.

Khan Younis has witnessed during the past days the intensification of Israeli attacks, the fiercest since the Hamas-Israel conflict started last October.

The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 26,083 since Oct. 7, 2023, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Friday.

The Israeli army killed 183 Palestinians and wounded 377 others over the past 24 hours, the ministry said in a press statement.

It added that the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict had wounded at least 64,487 Palestinians, noting that a large number of victims were still under the rubble as ambulance and civil defense crews could not reach them. 
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New legislation introduced by one of the boroughs state lawmakers would allow New York City to access a fairer share of the states federal infrastructure funding for sewer projects in flood-prone neighborhoods.

On Friday, State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/South Brooklyn) and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) announced a new bill that would lift arbitrary, state-imposed caps placed on the amount of federal infrastructure funding that can be allocated to New York City.

Currently, New York City is only eligible for a small fraction of federal infrastructure funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, despite accounting for nearly half the states population.

Unfortunately, in New York, there is an arbitrary cap that was placed so New York City can only receive 6% of the funding for sewer and water infrastructure that is coming down the pike from the federal government. New York City accounts for roughly 44% of the population, so clearly only receiving 6% is not enough and not adequate and not fair to the residents of New York City, Malliotakis said.

Due to the existing caps and limitations, New York City only received $6.5 million out of nearly $280 million, roughly 2%, of all available water infrastructure grants in 2022.

The new bill, if passed, would ensure that municipalities are eligible to receive federal funding proportional to their population. For example, New York City would be eligible to receive up to 44% of funding due to the fact that it accounts for 44% of the states population.

My bill, S8389, directs the states Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) to allocate funds from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund proportional to population of counties... New York City and Staten Island are in need of these resources, and they should be distributed in an equitable way to make sure we get our fair share, said Scarcella-Spanton.

In May, Malliotakis and Mayor Eric Adams, alongside other Staten Island elected officials, penned a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul urging her to lift the caps on available funding for New York City to allow for much needed improvements to the boroughs sewer system.

Hurricane Sandy showed that our infrastructure is inadequate, and expansion is necessary to protect our constituents and their properties. With every storm following Sandy, such as Hurricane Ida, Staten Island continues to experience widespread flooding, officials wrote.

Our city stands united with a shared goal to fully recover from these storms and, even with the progress weve made in recent years, our citys aging sewer infrastructure needs upgrading to ensure resilience against the storms that continue to cripple our neighborhoods, causing severe property damage and even death, the letter continues.
STATEN ISLAND, NY -- 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.

Retired Moravian minister Rev. Charlesworth A.S. Edwards, 71, of Livingston, died at home surrounded by his family. Born and raised in Antigua, West Indies, he served as pastor and administrator in the Eastern West Indies Province for multiple Moravian congregations before coming to the United States to serve the Moravian church in the Northern Province. While serving as associate pastor at United Moravian Church in Manhattan, he worked for 10 years as a New York City public school teacher. In 1997, he left teaching to assume the position of senior pastor at United Moravian Church. In this role, he reorganized and rebuilt the Sunday School, gave new life to the youth organizations, increased membership and worship attendance, eliminated debt and introduced a steel pan orchestra into the worship experience. Read the full obituary on SILive.com.

Gladys Ruth Johnson died at Talbot Hospice, Easton, Md., on Nov. 23, 2023. Born Oct. 21, 1928, in Fall River, Mass., she grew up on Staten Island, graduating from Port Richmond High School in 1945. She was a school secretary for 21 years with the city Board of Education at I.S. 27 and PS 1. She loved reading, solving crossword puzzles and playing bridge. She also enjoyed swimming at the YMCA, where she was a member for 42 years. Her greatest joy in life was her family and friends. Read the full obituary on SILive.com.

RECENT OBITUARIES

Community leader Albert Penn Walker Jr. died Jan. 15 in the VA Hospital in Brooklyn after a long illness. He served in the Air Force in Vietnam, assisting with recovery of the wounded. Working with Korean Airlines cargo operations at JFK Airport, he applied expertise in management of operations garnered during his military experience. For many years, he also worked in architectural design for a firm in Queens and later on contracts, his work including storefront designs with focus on special requirements. Read the full obituary on SILive.com.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A Rosebank pastor said his parish would not be moving forward with plans for a migrant shelter after he allegedly received threats that he believes were fueled by Staten Island officials.

The Rev. Hank Tuell, head of St. Johns Episcopal Church in Rosebank, sent an email Thursday afternoon saying that the parish would not be moving forward with a 57-bed migrant shelter in the churchs parish hall that is on the first floor of the Canterbury House senior residence at 1331 Bay St. next to the church.

After careful consideration, Saint Johns Church has made the difficult decision to not move forward with our asylum seekers shelter ministry, he said. At Saint Johns Church, our mission is rooted in compassion. But while we were working to fulfill our duty to feed the hungry, care for the sick, and welcome the stranger, I received disturbing threats from anti-immigrant groups, who were sadly encouraged by several of our officials. Our commitment to serving those in need remains steadfast, and we will continue outreach programs that focus on providing assistance to those facing hunger, offering care to the sick and creating a welcoming environment for all.

Tuell declined to identify from whom the threats came, but backlash when news broke of the plan had been swift, including from local elected officials.

Borough President Vito Fossella, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn), District Attorney Michael McMahon, State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/South Brooklyn), Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R-Mid-Island), and Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks (D-North Shore) sent a letter to Tuell and Mayor Eric Adams outlining their opposition to the plan shortly after they learned of it.

The exterior of the Canterbury House are shown Wednesday Jan. 17, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Paul Liotta)Paul Liotta

Their letter laid out several legal reasons why they said part of the Canterbury House building could not be used to house migrants, including a housing agreement with the state that helps secure tax breaks for the location.

Residents of the senior living facility, which opened in 2000, also reached out to the Advance/SILive.com and some of the elected officials to express their concerns about the plan.

On Thursday, Fossella said he was unaware of the threats, adding that he had never personally spoke to Tuell, but said the decision not to move forward with the shelter was a win for Canterbury House residents and those in the surrounding neighborhood.

What we did is put on record, along with every elected official that represents that area, that we were deeply concerned about what was going to happen, he said. The bottom line is  good news for the residents. We were getting some folks who were legitimately having anxiety and [were] concerned [about] lives disrupted potentially, so good news for them.

Migrant shelters around the Island have received pushback, including a senior residence in Midland Beach, hotels in neighborhoods, like Travis, and the former St. John Villa Academy in Arrochar.

Malliotakis applauded the latest decision to not move forward with the migrant shelter at St. Johns Episcopal Church.

Im pleased that after expressing our concerns that its plan to house migrants would violate New York City Building laws, FDNY code, and a lease agreement with the state, St. Johns has decided to not move forward with housing migrants at Canterbury House, she said. This is great news for the community, but most importantly for the senior citizens who deserve to have their space and residence preserved.

The congresswomans spokeswoman added: We take exception to his mischaracterization that those opposed to his plan are anti immigrant. Those opposed are pro-legal immigration, pro-senior citizen and pro-taxpayer.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York City looks to get a wintry mix of rain and snow going into next week, but much of upstate New York can prepare for some accumulating snowfall.

Aside from Thursday, the days leading into Sunday look to be dry and mild, with temperatures comfortably set in the 40s.

First half of the weekend, weather gets a little quieter, tries to dry out some, not sure how much it actually clears; clouds may hang in pretty tough, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek said.

However, as we shift into Sunday, a storm system, which will have passed through the Ohio Valley and southern Appalachians Saturday, will sweep into the Northeast, bringing a swath of varying weather conditions to the Empire State.

NEW YORK STATE: SNOW IS COMING

The current forecast contrast between New York City and New York state will predominantly be over precipitation. Whereas New York City will see more rain, upstate will tend toward snow.

The heaviest snowfall will concentrate over the Catskill Mountains; Dombek foresees accumulation amounts of 3 to 6 inches.

Its definitely a more significant situation up there, Dombek said. The precip. will go over to snow a lot earlier up there, and it will snow longer, and it actually will have a chance to accumulate.

Dombek believes that the rain expected for the city will really change over a wintry mix, if not snow, once you get northward of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Orange County, Sullivan County, and area in the mountains were all mentioned by Dombek as places to particularly see some snowfall.

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration graphic shows the probability of areas exceeding 0.25 inches of liquid equivalent snow/sleet from Sunday, Jan. 28, through Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. (Courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)(Courtesy of the National Oceani

AccuWeather notes that the threat of snow and/or an icy mix is a surefire bet for areas inland, including the interior Northeast.

The storm is expected to help force enough cold air southward from Canada to produce a swath of heavy, wet snow, AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said.

The latest AccuWeather forecast details Albanys anticipated accumulation of 2-4 inches. The state capital will see a mix of snow and rain move in Sunday and as temperatures drop below freezing, the precipitation will take the form of snow.

Buffalo, which sits along the east end of Lake Erie and is accustomed to significant lake effect snowfall, will only see an inch of snow Sunday, according to AccuWeather.

An AccuWeather map shows weather conditions for New York for Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. (Courtesy of AccuWeather)(Courtesy of AccuWeather)

Over in Syracuse, an early AccuWeather outlook calls for a mix of snow and rain, accumulation sitting at around an inch. However, in Binghamton, a substantial 3-6 inches of snow is expected to fall Sunday into early Monday morning.

The mosh pit of precipitation largely varies based on location, but at this time, it seems as though those settled in the central portion of New York state will be the ones to bear the brunt of the snow.

NEW YORK CITY: A MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW

Unlike areas to the north and west, New York City residents can prepare for a chilling rain to welcome them to the coming week.

Its not going to be one of those 50+ degree mild rains, its going to be a chillier type rain with temps right around 40, or the low 40s or so, Dombek said. But it will be rain, whatever falls here Sunday, daytime, looks like it will just be rain.

An AccuWeather map shows weather conditions across the country for Sunday, Jan. 28, through Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. (Courtesy of AccuWeather)(Courtesy of AccuWeather)

An AccuWeather forecast calls for just over a half an inch of rain falling across New York City before the sun sets.

Then, as slightly colder air gradually moves into the area through Sunday evening, that persisting rain will morph into a slick combination of both rain and wet snow overnight, before potentially shifting over to wet snow entirely, Dombek noted.

As the nights near-freezing temperatures give way to Mondays expected high of 35, the snow will begin to depart, but not before impacting those setting out for the morning commute.

It doesnt look like it will be one of those air masses that is going to be cold enough to really get it to go over to a really good, accumulating snow, but I think we will probably see some snow in the air, Dombek said. Come Monday morning, folks will wake up, its probably snowing, a lot of it is probably just melting on streets and highways, and roads might just be wet.

By Monday morning, New York City will have seen just under an inch of rain and a coating of snow, as predicted by AccuWeather.
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LOS ANGELES, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles has urged authorities in Hawaii to properly handle an attack on a Chinese citizen in downtown Honolulu earlier this week, the Consulate General said in a release on Thursday.

A Chinese citizen was splashed with chemical liquid on a street in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii, on Tuesday evening. The Chinese citizen was seriously injured and received medical treatment in hospital, it said.

Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Guo Shaochun has made representations to the person in charge of the Hawaii state government and strongly condemned the incident, according to the release.

He requested the Hawaii state government facilitate the medical treatment of the injured and urge the police department to speed up the investigation, bringing the perpetrator to justice as soon as possible.

Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles has sent a working group to Honolulu on Wednesday. The Consulate General urged Chinese citizens to be more aware of risks and take necessary precautions to protect themselves. 
Australian investors should brace for more challenges in China as Beijing fails to identify a substantial policy fix for its economy, which has stalled to three-decade lows and led to the countrys sharemarket plunging more than 40 per cent in three years.

Thats the view of investment managers and economists, who say purported plans to pump 2 trillion yuan ($430 billion) into the countrys tanking sharemarket, and the central banks decision to the cut the amount of cash that banks must hold on reserve, will do little to reverse its ailing economy.

Experts say Beijings purported plans to pump 2 trillion yuan into the stock market, and the central banks decision to the cut the amount of cash that banks must hold on reserve, will do little to help its economy. Credit: AP

China is Australias largest trading partner, accounting for nearly a third of international trade, and the industries most exposed to Beijings economic woes are resources and commodities.

Omkar Joshi, chief investment officer at Opal Capital Management, said Australia was intimately linked to Chinas economy, and any downturn had the impact to affect local businesses.
Her life on the surface is that of a free-thinking woman of the most educated, cultured and privileged section of French society. She explores her Jewish roots with an open-minded curiosity as her lover, Georges, takes her to a Pesach Seder at the house of a friend. Anne revels in the beauty of the food, the spiritual heritage, the sense of connection, until the conversation becomes tricky when a woman who would like to have Georges for herself challenges her, saying that she is only Jewish when it suits her.

This is the conundrum of those with Jewish ancestry who have for so long been drawn to and even held left-wing politics and humanist beliefs. Anne begins to remember incidents, connecting dots to find that embracing the Enlightenment and socialism has not provided Jewish people with shelter from pogroms in the past, or threats and graffiti (or worse) in the present. Ephraim the progressive atheist was murdered on arrival in Auschwitz in 1942, along with his devoutly observant wife Emma.

Anne delves into their lives, sleuthing for such clues as were preserved, to imagine what life was like for them. Fleeing Stalins Moscow into Latvia, he and Emma end up in France, thinking for a time that there will be a haven there. At every point Anne portrays Ephraim as a believer in the ultimate decency and fairness of fate or at least in French government systems, duped by optimism until the Vichy regime does its worst. Anyone who has seen The Sorrow and the Pity will recognise what happened to the Rabinovitches and so many like them.

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Only Myriam escaped. She married Vicente, the doomed, opium-addicted son of Francis Picabia, the Dadaist artist, colleague of Marcel Duchamp. Annes mother Lelia is the child of that pairing, an elegant, tough-minded Frenchwoman with a stellar academic career. Her daughters Anne and Claire Berest and their children carry on Myriams line, a line that stretches back millennia, now accounted for in this important and compelling book.
Monument begins outside Old Melbourne Gaol, with Cassidy standing in front of the solid bluestone swing that memorialises the lives of Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner, two Palawa men who were executed in 1842 after they were convicted of murdering whalers during a period of intense conflict between settler communities and Koorie peoples in Victoria.

But in the history of colonial erasure, memory is always complicated. There are national histories and family trees, colonial records and counter-narratives of violent dispossession. As Cassidy looks for her family she also asks, how can a non-Indigenous person write this history?

Bonny Cassidys Monument is a hybrid work of archival research that blends poetry with narrative nonfiction and explores what it means for a family  her family  to establish itself on unceded lands. Looking back at this complicated history, it is a book forged from forgetting and denial with the project of remembering firmly in mind.

Bonnie Cassidy explores whether new monuments encourage deeper truths. Credit: Laura Du Ve

Their story isnt mine, but Im standing by it, Cassidy writes, positioning herself alongside First Nations accounts while telling the story of her family who arrived in 1856. This is a position Cassidy returns to in the epilogue, writing that the book is adjacent to the growing wealth of First Nations truth-telling.

Cassidy writes: Behind me / on the other side of this wall, is the monument / built to remind us of denial / the big and the little kinds / that tear us apart / as well as what we remember together / collect and corroborate / what we dont want to know.

The monument itself, Standing by Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner, is one of the few in Australia that acknowledge the violent displacement of First Nations people instead of memorialising founding colonial figures. Are we replacing old whitewashed national identities with new monuments that encourage deeper truths? This is one of the central questions Cassidy explores, mentioning in passing various monuments, from Tom Nicholsons public artwork in Melbourne, Chimney in Store (Towards a monument to Batmans Treaty), to the Standing Stones at Glen Innes in New South Wales.

Later in the book, she lingers more penetratingly on the Bowen Memorial erected at Risdon Cove on the Derwent River. Does it commemorate a successful British colony? Or does it represent genocide? Unlike Country, a monument is ephemeral. It belongs to anybody. From the minute it stands up, a monument is already a ruin. Culture is acting upon it, she writes.
It was always going to be a peculiar challenge, interviewing Roger Rogerson. But in 2006, when he had been out of prison for less than a month, the man known as the most corrupt policeman in Australian history agreed to come on a radio show I was presenting for the ABC called Sunday Profile, and talk about his life.

Author Duncan McNab would later describe this as an intriguing choice, writing that, as Rogerson re-entered the world from his second prison stint, instead of a feature piece with one of the coterie of journalists hed mesmerised for decades with his stories, he opted for the high end  an interview on ABCs Sunday Profile with Julia Baird. A small but influential audience.

Roger Rogerson at his house in Padstow Heights in 2011. Credit: Fairfax

I was as surprised as anyone. I spent many hours doing research, trying to figure out how to shape the interview. I called some crime reporters  always the toughest in the newsroom, usually blokes whod downed dozens of beers over decades with members of Sydneys underworld, many of whom were charmed by Rogersons sharp intellect and blue eyes  and they advised me to be exceedingly cautious.

One was genuinely concerned and said Rogerson was still very powerful, had eyes everywhere, and could find out where my kids went to school, intimidate me if I pushed too hard. Watch yourself, he said. And above all, dont ask him about Warren Lanfranchi, the drug dealer hed shot and killed in cool daylight in the streets of Chippendale in 1981. A sore point, still.
It takes me a while to find Kabul Social, which is tucked away in the tunnels of Wynyard station. We claim a table covered in beautiful blue tiles at about 11.30am to beat the weekday rush and stay talking as the crowd of office workers flows and then ebbs around us. Christie-David and I share a mixed plate with crinkle-cut fries, Kabuli salad, cabbage and pickled onions, Borani Bajan eggplant, Afghan charcoal chicken and lamb chapli kebabs, as well as a plate of the Aushak garlic chive dumplings with tomato and lentil sauce and Afghan mint yoghurt. The mixed plate at Kabul Social. Credit: Peter Rae Halfway through lunch, he pulls out his phone to show me a picture of one of his nieces getting ready for her dance recital. He is not sure if he will ever have children, but he loves being an uncle. He scrolls forward, pointing out the next picture is Nehad Jerada, the 50-something Palestinian chef making traditional pastries for the Anything but Humble bakery in Alexandria.

I take it as a sign of how he sees the staff at his business as akin to family. Christie-David says it took a mate to explain that in creating a business with a purpose besides profit, he had founded a social enterprise. It just feels like its how businesses should operate. Profit is important, but people are more important, Christie-David says. The garlic chive dumplings at Kabul Social. Credit: Peter Rae A lot of migrant businesses are by default social enterprises. They employ people from communities, they do community outreach, they do things that are bigger than just a business, and thats how I was brought up. These principles were put to the test in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, as he had founded Colombo Social in late 2019.

There were a few Sri Lankan restaurants at the time, but the authentic ones were all in the western suburbs, with good food but not nicely designed. As someone who straddles two cultures, Christie-David said that didnt feel like him. He now lives in St Peters in the inner west and he wanted a restaurant that was cool  somewhere he wanted to go and could bring clients, friends, and girls he was dating. He had no experience in hospitality, so banks would not lend to him. His parents dipped into their retirement savings to get him started, and within a few months he built a pumping business with lines out the door. Shaun Christie-David behind the counter at Kabul Social. Credit: Peter Rae It all threatened to come crashing down during the first national lockdown, especially since his staff of refugees and international students were not eligible for JobKeeper. He asked his employees to name a dollar figure that they needed to pay rent and buy food, and committed to put the money in their bank accounts by the end of the day, dipping into savings to do so.

Within days, charities and corporate sponsors called, offering to pay the business to provide meal donations. He kept the people who were eligible for Medicare - so they could be treated if they fell seriously ill with the scary new virus  working on site, while paying for others to stay home. Loading When the restaurant reopened, he incorporated meal donations into the business model, so every meal sold funds one or two more. Between customer-funded meals and the continuing corporate and charity partnerships, Plate it Forward has provided 450,000 meal donations in Australia and another 110,000 in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Ukraine since 2020. Christie-David was born in Canterbury and then moved further west to Fairfield and Edensor Park. He credits his mother with the fact that he and his two older brothers went to school already knowing how to read and write, and went on to university and professional careers. Cramming for the selective school test paid off, and Christie-David won a place at Hurlstone Agricultural High School, one of the states four agricultural high schools  like James Ruse but not as smart, as he puts it.

On his first day, he arrived early and was waiting just inside the gates, when a boy on the street started yelling at him, calling him the N-word. He was worried it was a sign of what he could expect from his next six years at school, but it turned out the bully was from the juvenile detention school down the road. Christie-David speaks highly of his school days, saying racism wasnt bad for his cohort. He has stayed in touch with his mates who including day boys from all over the world via western Sydney and boarders from country towns like Wagga Wagga and Mudgee. Hurlstone Agricultural is one of three public boarding schools in NSW. Loading With his place at a selective school secured, Christie-David admits his naughty streak won out for a time, and he was frequently thrown out of classes for being disruptive. In year 11, his legal studies teacher  a young guy in his first job  challenged him about why he was wasting his potential. Christie-David knuckled down and achieved a good result in year 12.

He went on to study business and finance at university and then to work for organisations including Royal Bank of Canada, Perpetual and Macquarie Bank. Racism was far worse in the corporate world than school. Christie-David said the north shore private school boys were cliquey and made it clear he did not belong. I remember going to work, and theyd call me all these different names, and they started to call me Tamil Tiger, he recalls.  And I was like hey man, its a terrorist organisation creating havoc in my country, its not cool. But that just made it funnier, so that was my nickname. When Barack Obama was elected US president, a wealthy client in Perth told him over the phone that he couldnt believe that Americans had elected a n-r. Christie-David was told to ignore it.

He had gone to Sri Lanka with his family when he was five, but the civil war meant he could not go again until he was 28. His mother had always told him he was lucky, but he didnt understand until he saw the poverty in Sri Lanka as an adult. Loading He remembers getting a suit made for about $60 and being measured up by boys aged about 15 or 16. They were like where from? and I said Sydney and they were treating me like some kind of hero because I could afford to buy a tailored suit, and I was from another country, he says. It made me feel really uncomfortable because if my parents hadnt left, that would have been me or worse, recruited into the army.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In the dawn of New Years Day, a man and a woman appeared at the campsite of Michelle Dance and her wife, Nicola. The distraught visitors asked for a phone. The woman said they had lost everything. Theyd lost caravans and cars, Dance, an experienced camper from Redfern, said. And there were people in the river. About 8pm the night before a short, intense thunderstorm had hammered their campsite in Eungella, in northern NSW, interrupting improvised New Years Eve cocktails. Theyd go to bed with dry-bags stuffed with clothes as pillows, uneasy but not expecting the dangerous weather event  of the kind intensified by climate change  upon them. Campers trapped by the Oxley River, which broke its banks early on New Years Day. Credit: NSW SES When Dance woke at 5:30am, shed just received an advice-level stay informed alert notification on the Hazards Near Me app for the Tweed Valley Hinterland and Mount Warning. A formerly dry creek bed near the camp swelled with water. The banks of the nearby Oxley River had broken. When Dance visited the river the afternoon before, it was too shallow to float on with a lilo and beer. Now the ankle-deep water had raged into a torrent that pinned a family of four against their cars, 50 metres from dry land. The caravans theyd slept in had been swept away and destroyed. As Dance made the last packing trip between her car and the campsite, which was now waist-deep in water, a fleet of State Emergency Service vehicles arrived with inflatable rescue boats. Volunteers in wetsuits saved the trapped campers.

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At 3pm that day, safe and dry in the home of the landowner who hosted their campsite, Dance received a geolocated emergency text from the SES, warning of intense rainfall that could impact low-lying areas. That was a good eight hours later, says Dance. We were already drinking with all the survivors! The incident prompted Dance to send a letter to SES, the Bureau of Meteorology, and the state and federal emergency services ministers suggesting real-time water gauge data be linked to the SES geolocation text service for earlier warning. Tweed Shire mayor Chris Cherry, meanwhile, called for greater regulation of camping of private land. I look at what happened on New Years Eve and I dont see that regulation would have helped anything, Dance says. The Rivers Run Colo River Camping ground prepares for a fully-booked Australia day weekend. Credit: Brook Mitchell I absolutely believe that people should take personal responsibility and shouldnt be putting themselves in situations where youre putting rescuers lives at risk. In this instance, I think everyone had done the best they could with the information they had.

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The SES had issued warnings and broadcasts about severe storms and the risk of dangerous flash flooding ahead of New Years Eve in the Northern Rivers, a spokesperson said, including for those camping along creeks and rivers at risk of rapid water rises. An SMS notification issued later was a follow-up message related to a second weather system that was expected to lead to further pressure on catchments in the area, the spokesperson said, and noted the SES was working to improve emergency alerts. Campers and the outdoor industry have started to reckon with the fact that going bush is growing more dangerous. Days before the New Years Eve incident, flash flooding killed two campers in Victorias East Gippsland. Earlier in 2023, a 37-year-old camper died in extreme heat in Kakadu National Park. A landslip at the Rivers Run Solo River Camping Ground in Central Colo. The area has been heavily impacted by fire and floods. Credit: Brook Mitchell Black Summer fires scorched 37 per cent of NSWs national park land, shuttering a quarter of NSW campgrounds and other national park visitor precincts. The CSIRO identified human-caused climate change as the dominant factor fanning an 800 per cent increase in area burned by bushfires each year. Then east coast rainfall and floods came in 2022, keeping visits to national parks down by 7 million compared to pre-pandemic levels. Rapid rain bursts, of the kind that unleash life-threatening flash floods, have intensified by 40 per cent in the last 20 years near Sydney, according to an analysis published by the University of NSWs Climate Change Research Centre.

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As campers converge on sites across Australia for the long weekend, eastern Australia is in the grips of a heatwave, the deadliest form of extreme weather. Theyre stewing more frequently, and for longer, under the climate crisis. And the second cyclone this summer just made landfall in northern Queensland. Its part of nature. Its part of what we live with, Lori Modde, chief executive of Outdoors NSW & ACT, says. But the days lost to severe heat, bushfire or storms are undeniably going up. Moddes organisation has launched a climate change committee to grapple with how the industry responds to the crisis. Outward Bound, an outdoor education organisation, won a $3.7 grant from the government to set up the National Centre for Outdoor Risk and Readiness (NatCORR) in response to Black Summer devastation. The centre is working with the Bureau on improving forecasting and education for those who work in the outdoor industries to better understand weather risks and warnings. Alyssa Ravasio, Hipcamp founder, is grappling with how bushfires and floods are affecting the outdoor industry. Credit: Brook Mitchell Alyssa Ravasio founded Hipcamp, an Airbnb-style service that allows users to book campsites on farms and private land. Dance and the other campers at Eungella used Hipcamp to book their New Years Eve stay near the Oxley River.

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For Ravasio, the Eungella flood and stories of hosts who lost homes in Black Summer, and then contended with years of flooding, have sparked a reckoning with how she regards the future of her industry. Its kind of confusing, right? Because on one hand, its too hot and its 45 degrees and farms burn down. And then the next year the whole place is flooded, she says. Its quite biblical. Loading Ravasio backs Dances call for better-integrated warning systems. Finding ways to support outdoor recreation into the future, I would argue, is key to having a culture and a society that does solve climate change. If were all inside, locked on our phones watching Netflix, its gonna be hard to motivate people. Ravasios hunch is borne out in research. Studies have consistently found time in nature sharpens cognition, boosts mental health, and enhances optimism. It also makes for more environmentally aware, active citizens. For people who just live in the city, the impact of climate change is sitting in your air conditioning more often, Dance says.

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When rain drenches the Queensland capital, many may look on with complacency, believing Wivenhoe Dam will protect them.

South-east Queensland continues to perpetuate myths about the dam  in particular, the belief that it can save us from flooding and was built in response to the 1974 floods.

Wivenhoe Dam, or Lake Wivenhoe, is a water storage, flood-mitigation and recreational facility. Credit: SEQ Water

Preliminary work on Wivenhoe Dam, 150 kilometres from the mouth of the Brisbane River, began in the 1960s, before a feasibility study was conducted in 1971 and the State Cabinet approved it in November 1971.

Like Somerset Dam, Wivenhoe is a dual-purpose dam. Its primary role was to provide water supply to cope with growing demand expected to exceed supply by 1981.
A young West Australian Police cadet who was found guilty of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl has been handed a suspended sentence after a District Court judge said he did not believe the man had groomed or coerced the teenager.

Kyle Andrew John Ivers, now 22, worked with the WA Police Rangers as a chief instructor and was also a cadet, training to become a police officer.

Ivers was sentenced to 18 months behind bars, but had his sentenced suspended for 12 months. Credit: Elliahn Blenkinsop

He had been living with his girlfriend and her father before the pair broke up, and the victims mother, who held Ivers in high regard at the time having met him through the Rangers, invited him to live with them.

By that point, Ivers had already started to develop a relationship with the 15-year-old, kissing her once at her home and a second time in his car while taking her to a Rangers event.
But economists say Clare must also close a key loophole that allows states to claim 4 per cent of their share of public school funding in capital depreciation and non-school spending. The clause means that last year all states and territories, except the ACT, collectively claimed they spent $2 billion that never actually reached classrooms. Gonski was meant to be real money, for real schools, said education economist Adam Rorris, who helped the Commonwealth devise the minimum standard requirements and analysed funding projections as part of independent work commissioned by the AEU. This is an accounting trick. Its a rort. And it only applies to public schools, not the privates, he said. The SRS is not a lofty aspiration. Its the bare minimum needed, calculated to get at least 80 per cent of students above the minimum standard for NAPLAN testing. And were still nowhere close.

Meanwhile, Rorris said, private school funding continued to grow in a way never intended by Gonski, overfunded by hundreds of millions of dollars a year until at least 2029. Loading Clare did not answer questions on whether he would scrap the 4 per cent allowance for states or introduce tougher accountability on their funding pledges, as Labor previously committed to do while in opposition. But he stressed he was committed to the full 100 per cent funding standard. We have to fix the funding gap, he said, adding short-term, extra resources should be targeted to things that help children who fall behind catch up, such as tutoring support.

AEU federal president Correna Haythorpe said under the 4 per cent loophole, jurisdictions could claim everything from regulatory agencies, early learning and even private school buses as part of their public school funding. The accountability has been stripped out of these deals and this [federal] government has a historic moment to fix it, she said. My nephew is about to start school. Will he go through another decade of underfunding? In Australia, the states are meant to cover 80 per cent of public school funding and 20 per cent of Catholic and private. Credit: Quentin Jones Last month, a major report commissioned by the federal government called for public schools to be fully funded urgently, as the achievement gap between the richest and poorest students grows and inequality becomes entrenched in the school system. But most politicians have shied away from committing to a timeline. So far, NSW has vowed to fully fund public schools by 2029 under the next deal with the Commonwealth.

In Victoria, where a tight budget looms ahead this May, a Department of Education spokeswoman said that since coming to power just under a decade ago, the Labor government had invested $14.9 billion in school infrastructure that was not included in SRS figures, and had ramped up its spending per student more than other states. Victoria continued to advocate for more Commonwealth spending on public schools, she said, as all students, no matter their circumstances, deserve the best start in life. Deakin University researcher Dr Emma Rowe has been surveying school principals across the country and says the divide between the school sectors is staggering. Loading While you have one elite [private] school importing special limestone to build a literal castle, [public] principals across the board talk about the struggle with their budgets, she said.

They are fighting for absolutely everything, putting in lengthy applications for basics like heaters and airconditioning, working toilets. Some primary schools dont have playgrounds. Others hold fetes and fundraisers to crowd-source extra funds. Rowe said one principal had been applying for five years to fix classroom windows that didnt open or would slam shut suddenly, which could take off a little kids fingers. Another to fix a leaking roof creating mould. Public schools are being starved of money. Thats why parents are going private. Education expert Matthew Sinclair agreed that Australia is unique on the world stage for the scale of its funding of private schools. Overseas, government support for private schools is very limited, and usually tied to the fees schools charge parents.

Here, its unregulated, Rowe said. Fees are going up faster than house prices. Sinclair said there was no clear rationale to Australias funding split that leaves the majority of public school funding to the states, which have less revenue-raising power than the Commonwealth. Loading Why couldnt it be 50-50 for all schools? I think if it was better balanced, wed be in a much better position, he said, flagging the idea of a national agency to dole out money based on need. But the politics of entitlement ... the lobby groups of the private and the Catholic sector, keep trumping the reality of need [for] our students.
A Ukrainian model has won the top prize in the Miss Japan pageant, leading to debates across the country about national identity.

Karolina Shiino, 26, is the first naturalised Japanese citizen to take the crown.

Miss Japan 2024: Karolina Shiino, 26, is the first naturalised Japanese citizen to take the crown. Credit: Instagram

The model was born in Ukraine to Ukrainian parents, but has lived in Japan since the age of five when her family relocated to Nagoya city.

Her Miss Japan victory has sparked debate over Japaneseness and shifting demographics.
The trial of Jennifer Crumbley, whose son carried out the worst school shooting in Michigan history, began with duelling portraits: one of a mother whose negligence was so extreme that it caused a tragedy, and another of a good, even hypervigilant mother who was in the dark about her sons troubles until that tragedy unfolded.

These starkly different images were presented to jurors in a courtroom in Pontiac, Michigan, about 32 kilometres south of Oxford High School, where the mass shooting took place on November 30, 2021.

Jennifer Crumbley, left, listens to her attorney, Shannon Smith, during her trial. Credit: AP

While the case centred on a momentous legal question  whether parents should be held criminally liable for violent crimes committed by their children  the horror of that day in Oxford hung over the first day of testimony in the trial. School employees, including one who was shot in the arm, testified of the terror they experienced, and surveillance videos of the shooting were played, showing some of the victims.

The shooter, Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 at the time, killed four students and injured seven others. He pleaded guilty to 24 charges, including first-degree murder, and was sentenced last month to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Washington: Former US president Donald Trump has been ordered to pay more than $US83 million ($127 million) to a New York writer he sexually abused and defamed, in a potential blow to his campaign for re-election.

Three days after his decisive victory in the New Hampshire primaries, a civil jury in Manhattan has ordered the former US president to pay damages to E. Jean Carroll, who claims he attacked her in the lingerie dressing room of a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s.

E. Jean Carroll and Donald Trump.

Trump has consistently denied the claims, even though a civil jury found him liable for the battery and defamation during a separate trial last year.

Carroll, 80, clutched her lawyers hands and smiled as the seven-man, two-woman jury delivered its verdict. Minutes later, she shared a weepy three-way hug with her attorneys.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten is issuing this press release to address the concerning incidents of theft that have taken place on the Boardwalk in Philipsburg over the past week. Numerous reports have been received from individuals, both locals and tourists, regarding the theft of beach bags and personal items by a group of youngsters.

In response to these incidents, the police have been actively investigating and apprehending individuals involved in these thefts. One minor suspect has already been taken into custody in connection with one of the reported thefts. The Police Force remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of the community, including residents and tourists, and will continue to take necessary actions to address criminal activities.

It is disheartening to note that these thefts have occurred in an area where individuals, whether locals or tourists are meant to enjoy the beauty of the beach and unwind. The Police Force urges the community, including residents and tourists alike, to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to safeguard their belongings while enjoying the beach.

Parents are especially encouraged to engage in open conversations with their children about responsible behavior and the consequences of engaging in criminal activities. The role of parents is paramount in shaping the character and conduct of young individuals. The police serve as the last line of defense in our society, but parents stand at the frontline in up-bringing their children.

Tourists are reminded to take extra precautions, such as keeping valuable items secure and being aware of their surroundings, to avoid falling victim to theft. The Police Force of Sint Maarten appeals to all individuals, residents, and tourists, to have frank discussions with their children and peers about the importance of respecting the property and well-being of others. It is through these dialogues that we can collectively contribute to fostering a sense of responsibility and morality among our youth.

Members of the public, residents, and tourists alike, are reminded to report any suspicious activities immediately to the police, as prompt reporting enhances our ability to address and prevent criminal behavior. The Police Force appreciates the cooperation and support of the community in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all residents and visitors.

KPSM Press Release.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force regrets to inform the public that the body discovered in the Dutch Quarter Nazareth area about a week ago has been identified as that of Mr. J.D Thomas who had been missing since Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

The Sint Maarten Police Force expresses its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. J.D. Thomas during this difficult time

We would like to thank the community for their assistance and cooperation during the search for Mr. J.D. Thomas. If you have any additional information related to this case, please contact the Sint Maarten Police Force at +1 721-542 22 22 or the anonymous tip line at 9300 (free of charge). You can also leave a Private Message via our Facebook page (Police Force of Sint Maarten  Korps Politie Sint Maarten).

Once again, our condolences go out to the family, and we ask that you respect their privacy during this challenging time.

KPSM Press Release.
A devotee offers a ritual prayer during the first day of the month-long Swasthani Brata Katha festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Jan. 25, 2024. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

KATHMANDU, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- People were busy celebrating the Swasthani Brata Katha festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, with devotees offering ritual prayers during the first day of the month-long festival.

The festival usually begins every year on the full moon day of Poush, the ninth month in the Nepali calendar. Swasthani, a Hindu goddess responsible for good fortune, welfare and power, is mostly worshipped in the holy month, and devotees practice religious fasting, holy bathing and the study of the Swasthani book.

Devotees offer ritual prayers during the first day of the month-long Swasthani Brata Katha festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Jan. 25, 2024. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

Devotees offer ritual prayers during the first day of the month-long Swasthani Brata Katha festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Jan. 25, 2024. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

Devotees offer ritual prayers during the first day of the month-long Swasthani Brata Katha festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Jan. 25, 2024. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua) 
The sixth edition of UMEX & SimTEX 2024 concluded today with the three-day high-profile defence show witnessing 18 deals at a total value AED2.932 billion ($790 million), the largest so far, the Tawazun Council announced.

Eight contracts worth AED1.022 billion were signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence on the third and last day, said the Council, the UAE defence and security acquisitions authority for the Ministry of Defence.

Meanwhile, the first day had witnessed 5 deals worth AED971 million, and the second day recorded 5 deals valued at AED939 million.

This was announced at the concluding press conference in the presence of Majed Ahmed Al Jaberi, the official spokesperson of Tawazun Council and Mona Ahmed Al Jaber, Chief of Corporate Communication at Tawazun Council, senior officials and representatives of local and intentional media.

Local contracts

Al Jaberi said the number of local contracts signed on the last day of the show were five valued at AED859 million. The first contract, worth AED509 million, was awarded to Edge Group, to procure infrastructure defence systems.

The second contract worth AED17 million was signed with Zen Technologies Limited, to procure training simulators & support package, and the third contract was for Star Satellite Communications Company- YAHSAT company totalling AED152 million to provide maintenance and operational services for on ground communication centres.

A contract was signed with Bayanat to develop artificial intelligence programming for AED100 million and another worth AED81 million with Satellite Imaging Technologies to provide communication bands.

International contracts

Al Jaberi stated that the total number of international deals were three valued at AED163 million. The biggest contract was awarded to the French company Exail Robotics SAS valued at AED110 million to procure underwater sonar systems, while the second biggest contract was awarded to the American company Hawkeye360 valued at AED51 million to provide Communication Subscription. Another contract was signed with the American Company DigitalGlobe to provide Antenna Maintenance Services totalling AED2 million.

Al Jaberi reiterated Tawazun Council's commitment to boost defence industries through global best practices in acquisition, procurement and strategic partnerships. These efforts align with the UAE's vision for business development, empowering industries and leading innovations in the defence sector.--TradeArabia News Service
OTTAWA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng Thursday afternoon expressed Canada's disappointment at Britain's decision to pause the bilateral free trade talks.

Ng told reporters in Ottawa that she is "very confident" that the two sides will get back to the table.

"I would encourage my colleagues in the United Kingdom to get back to the table because negotiating is how we get a deal," she said.

Earlier on Tuesday a British government spokesperson said in a statement that they reserve the right to pause negotiations with any country if progress is not being made, adding that they will remain open to restarting talks with Canada in the future.

According to CBC News, a major sticking point between the two sides remains how much tariff-free access British producers should have to the Canadian cheese market. Canadian dairy farmers want to keep their supply-managed and heavily protected sector out of this deal.

Talks are also faltering on drafting new rules for automotive trade between the two countries, CBC News said.

Britain is Canada's third-largest trading partner. The two commonwealth nations started free trade negotiation in 2022 and eight rounds of talks have been completed since then. 
This will be a hard sale given that both companies have been outperforming the market for the last year or so, he said. Lets see if the authorities have a change of heart. Both parties need to demonstrate that this is genuinely in the interest of UK plc, the economy, and consumers for it to have a chance of getting over the line.
If London is going to reap the benefit of buoyant capital markets, equity trading and IPOS, it needs to up its game significantly. The approach needs to be bolder. The appetite for risk has dissipated to unacceptable levels. There must be a much stronger risk-reward approach. The retail investor is key to this weeping sore. In the US the retail investor has close to 40% of the market; the UK 10%. My case rests. The retail investor must be encouraged to play a leading role in capital markets as shareholders and investors. With increased retail participation comes great liquidity. A decent shareholder register is fundamental to organised and sound market practice. Aquis Exchange currently is the pioneer of this initiative. This initiative should be adopted by all exchanges in the UK. Without this bold approach, London, currently a decent flag bearer of financial markets, will start to drift into the abyss of anonymity. The cry to all is WAKE UP!
Those who attack Jews living thousands of miles from Israel do so not out of any conviction about events in the Middle East, but from a hatred of Jews existing anywhere. British Jews are a small but proud community who at present are facing an intolerable assault on their freedom and safety. We urge all Londoners to act as allies and to call out antisemitism when they see or hear it.
The style is formally known as Toi et Moi (or you and me in English): a coil banded, two gemstone ring. Suki Waterhouse was spotted wearing one in December last year, while Ariana Grande was famously proposed to with a pearl and diamond design in 2020 by then fiance Dalton Gomez. The Toi et Moi design has been around since 1796, representing the intimacy and union of two lovers coming together, says Joanna Hardy, curator of vintage jewellery market place Omneque. The design shot to fame when Napoleon Bonaparte proposed to Josephine de Beauharnais with one, and it has fluctuated as a staple since.
TOKYO, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The operator of Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), has announced a plan to release around 54,600 tons of nuclear-contaminated water from the facility into the ocean in fiscal 2024.

The volume is expected to be discharged into the Pacific Ocean in seven rounds, starting from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, according to the plan announced Thursday.

TEPCO is slated to finalize the discharge plan by the March 31 end of fiscal 2023, it said.

Despite concerns and oppositions among local fishermen in Fukushima Prefecture as well as other countries, the Fukushima wastewater discharge started in August 2023. In fiscal 2023, TEPCO is set to release a total of about 31,200 tons of radioactive wastewater in four batches, with the fourth and final round for the year scheduled late next month.

Hit by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and an ensuing tsunami on March 11, 2011, the Fukushima nuclear plant suffered core meltdowns that released radiation, resulting in a level-7 nuclear accident, the highest on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale.

The plant has been generating a massive amount of water tainted with radioactive substances from cooling down the nuclear fuel in the reactor buildings, which are now being stored in tanks at the nuclear plant. 
The woman, believed to be in her 60s, was struck by a vehicle in Leys Avenue at around 8.26am on Friday. Police officers and the London Ambulance Service attended the scene, but she was later pronounced dead.
The videos included the denial of the massacre at Oradour, a small village destroyed by the SS on June 10 1944, with the deaths of 642 villagers, many of whom were burnt in a church, while another video denied the killing of 1.1 million people at gas chambers in the Auschwitz and Birkenau camps.
Speaking anonymously outside the town hall, one of the protesters, a Labour Party member, said: We are very disappointed in the councils reaction. They showed their support to the people of Ukraine, why cant they show their support for the people of Gaza? We are very disappointed they refused the deputation.
The comments by a US ally come after General Sir Patrick Sanders, the outgoing head of the British Army, this week said the forces 74,000-strong ranks need to be bolstered by at least 45,000 reservists and citizens if the country is to be prepared for a potential war between Nato forces and Russia.
ONS data shows that nationally knife crimes have soared by 77 per cent in just under a decade - up from 27,498 in 2015 to 48,716 in the year to last September.
Mr Shaw, who has been married for nearly 60 years and has three children and six grandchildren, said he had never been aware of antisemitism in the UK until a recent rise caused by the Hamas-Israel conflict.
His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness.
The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels did not immediately acknowledge the attack, though they typically take several hours to claim their assaults. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which oversees Middle East waterways, earlier reported the attack as involving two red missiles. The UKMTO reported it happening 60 nautical miles southwest of Yemen's port city of Aden.
In a statement on Thursday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said he hoped the decision would "include immediate action to stop the aggression and genocide against our people in the Gaza Strip ... and a rapid flow of relief aid to save the hungry, wounded and sick from the threat of slow death that threatens them".
President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua meets with Kuwaiti ambassador to China Jasem Ibrahem Al-Najem in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua met with Kuwaiti ambassador to China Jasem Ibrahem Al-Najem in Beijing on Friday, exchanging views on promoting media cooperation between the two countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah have pointed out the direction for the development of the China-Kuwait strategic partnership, Fu said, stressing that Xinhua stands ready to work with Kuwaiti media organizations to fully implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' leaders.

Fu called on the two sides to elevate exchanges of information and personnel, provide more coverage on China-Kuwait friendship and the joint construction of the Belt and Road, in order to further enhance mutual understanding and trust.

Xinhua is looking forward to strengthening cooperation with Kuwaiti media and think tanks under the framework of the World Media Summit and the Initiators Council of the Belt and Road Studies Network, Fu said.

China and Kuwait have enjoyed a time-honored friendship, Jasem said, stressing that China is an important partner of Kuwait in its course of development.

Kuwait fully supports the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi, and firmly adheres to the one-China principle, said Jasem.

The ambassador said that the Kuwaiti embassy is looking forward to enhancing exchanges with Xinhua to promote cooperation in various fields between the two countries, including media cooperation. 
GENEVA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) underlined the "hellish" conditions in Gaza, calling for a ceasefire and a "true solution" to the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict on Thursday.

In his address to the global health agency's Executive Board, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said around 26,000 people had died, with 70 percent of them women and children. This indicator alone is enough for a ceasefire, he said, voicing concern that deaths will increase as injured and chronically ill people receive no medical services.

"War doesn't bring solution, except more war, more hatred, more agony, more destruction. So let's choose peace and resolve this issue politically," Tedros said. "I think all of you have said the two-state solution and so on, and hope this war will end and move into a true solution."

"If we look for a solution, it's always possible," he said.

The WHO head also warned of growing risks of epidemics, starvation and famine in Gaza since the health service there is "on its knees." 
Three drivers transporting by car several foreign nationals who were supposed to leave the country illegally were caught by the authorities at the western border, in the town of Martihaz, and are being investigated for migrant smuggling, the Territorial Inspectorate of Border Police of Oradea informed on Friday.

The Romanian drivers, from Timis county, were transporting, in three means of transport, as passengers, two men and three women aged between 26 and 36 and five minor children aged between 2 months and 9 years, from Iraq, Nepal and Ethiopia, asylum seekers in Romania.

At the Nadlac II Border Crossing Point, four Ethiopian citizens, having legally entered Romania, were found hidden in two trucks, driven by a Turkish and a Bulgarian, among textiles and household appliances, transported on the Greece - Germany route. Four other migrants from Ethiopia, Pakistan and Nepal, having legally entered Romania, were also found at Nadlac I Border Crossing Point, in a truck driven by a Bulgarian.

Finally, five Bangladeshi citizens, who entered Romania legally, were detected by border police in the Sannicolau Mare sector, near Cenad, Timis county, while trying to cross the border fraudulently into Hungary, in order to reach Western Europe.

The five foreign nationals, spotted after getting out of a Romanian-registered car driven by a Romanian national, fled towards the Hungarian border, but were stopped by border police. All five had entered the country legally on work visas.
Dozens of tons of waste brought from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Hungary were blocked by the authorities in western Arad and Bihor from being introduced into the country, finding that the shipments were illegal.

Three trucks driven by Romanians, loaded with approximately 30 tons of waste, were checked at the Nadlac II and Bors II Border Crossing Points.

"According to the documents accompanying the goods, they were transporting second-hand clothes and waste paper from different commercial companies in the Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary for companies in Romania. There being suspicions about the legality of the transport in question, the border police requested authorized support to the representatives of the Arad and Bihor County Commissioners from the National Environmental Guard and the Bihor Consumer Protection. Following the checks, it was found that the trucks were actually loaded with 29,992 kg of waste, for which the drivers did not present the necessary documentation provided by law for the import of these products," the Arad Border Police said on Friday.

The authorities ordered the waste to be returned to the countries of origin
Education Minister Ligia Deca met on Friday with Japanese Senior Vice Minister for Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Fujiwara Akio, with the two approaching topics such as university partnerships, study visits between the two countries, and the teaching career.

Ligia Deca participates on Thursday and Friday in Malta in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), a platform aimed at promoting dialogue and cooperation between the two continents in several sectors.

According to the Romanian minister, in 2023, Romania and Japan established a strategic partnership that includes education among the cooperation fields.

"Glad that today I was able to discuss the university partnerships concluded in recent years and the study visits between the two states. During talks, we sought to consider Japan's policies for improving student testing outcomes under the International Student Assessment Program, with an emphasis on reducing discrepancies between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Another topic concerned the teaching career and how we can improve the attractiveness of the teaching career in Romania, including in higher education," Deca wrote on Facebook.
Romania's new education legislation and the development of vocational education in a dual system exclusively from 2029-2030, were the main subjects discussed on Friday at a meeting of Education Minister Ligia Deca and Swiss ambassador Jacques Ducrest.

"Switzerland has been one of the most important partners in the field of education in recent years, especially in terms of dual education. I had the pleasure of meeting His Excellency the Ambassador Jacques Ducrest to discuss the new legislative measures in Romania and the development of vocational education exclusively in a dual system from 2029-2030 and the development of a complete learning path for dual vocational education, from upper secondary to higher. Priorities in the field of dual education are supported also in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), where the financial allocation for the development of the 29 dual education campuses increased from EUR 338 to EUR 588 million," Deca wrote in a social media post on Friday.

According to her, Switzerland has granted Romania CHF 10 million for the development of dual education.

"The activities funded regard at the revision and piloting of vocational qualifications for dual education, as well as system analysis. Soon, Swiss colleagues will come here on a field trip to help us better understand the Swiss Vocational Education and Training (VET) system and the players involved."
NEW DELHI, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- At least six workers were killed and four others critically injured after a fire broke out in a coal mine in India's northeastern state of Nagaland, officials said Friday.

The mishap took place Thursday afternoon inside a rat-hole coal mine at Wokha district, about 132 km north of Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland.

"The six coal miners were charred to death and the four injured are in critical condition," Achumbemo Kikon, a local lawmaker said.

The injured have been referred to a hospital in Dimapur.

It is said that a rock breaker triggered the fire in the coal mine. The local administration has ordered a probe into the incident.

The rat-hole mining entails digging into the side of hills and then burrowing horizontal narrow tunnels to reach a coal deposit. Although illegal, Kikon said rat-hole mining has been going on in his constituency rampantly. 
Entrepreneurs need a package that supports the business community and includes various programmes such as subsidising diesel fuel for hauliers, supporting farmers affected by the war in Ukraine and launching national funding for SMEs, according to Chairman of the National Council of Romania's Privately-run SMEs (CNIPMMR) Florin Jianu.

CNIPMMR reported on Friday that Minister of the Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Stefan-Radu Oprea was invited to a first meeting of the CNIPMMR Standing Bureau in 2024, together with Robert-Marius Cazanciuc, vice-president of the Romanian Senate.

"I welcome our collaboration with the Ministry of the Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism and I want to emphasise some important aspects for the business community. At the beginning of next month, we will unveil an impact analysis on the fiscal and digital transformation measures one month after they come into force. Entrepreneurs also need a business support package that includes various programmes such as diesel fuel subsidies for hauliers, support for farmers affected by the war in Ukraine and the launch of national financing for SMEs. Last but not least, I want to emphasise the need to amend the copyright law in the sense of simplifying and clarifying the way in which the various copyright collection bodies interact with entrepreneurs," Jianu is quoted as saying.

The Standing Bureau and the local leaders of CNIPMMR addressed the most important problems that impact the activity of SMEs at the moment, including a high level of fees and taxes; emergency management legislation out of synch with reality, and programmes supporting entrepreneurship.

Oprea is quoted as saying in his speech that two areas have been identified where state aid schemes are dynamic today: Investalim and Construct Plus. Thus, emphasis will be placed on the construction industry and the food industry in order to develop these sectors of the Romanian economy.

At the same time, he also mentioned the continuation of Start up Nation, a SME support program created together with CNIPMMR, a programme that worked and had notable results; the restart of the Woman Entrepreneur programme that facilitates the mobility of women in the labor market and the development of their entrepreneurial skills; the adoption of new state aid schemes for the manufacturing industry, where there is a budget of EUR 150 million.

CNIPMMR also voiced its support for the continuation and deepening of dialogue with public sector officials in order to help entrepreneurs improve the economy.
More than 10,000 asylum applications were registered in 2023, most of them being submitted by citizens of Bangladesh and Syria, the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) informed on Friday.

According to a press release from the IGI sent to AGERPRES on Friday, in the field of asylum, last year, at the level of the General Inspectorate for Immigration, 10,157 asylum applications were registered, most coming from citizens of Bangladesh - 2,821, Syria - 1,955, Pakistan - 1,231, Nepal - 871 and Sri Lanka - 528.

The General Inspectorate for Immigration operates six Regional Centers for Procedures and Accommodation of Asylum Seekers, in Timisoara, Somcuta Mare - Maramures county, Radauti - Suceava county, Galati, Giurgiu and Bucharest, spaces intended for the accommodation of people who have requested a form of protection in Romania, at their request, until the termination of the right to stay on the territory of Romania, if they have no material means necessary for a living.

The centers have a total accommodation capacity of 1,100 places, with the possibility of expanding by another 262. There are also 166 places in specially arranged closed spaces, where people are placed only for the situations and within the limits expressly provided by the law - article 19 of Law 122/2006 regarding asylum in Romania, IGI mentions.

Also, the IGI reports that, in 2023, 219 people arrived in the Timisoara Emergency Transit Center (CTU) and benefited from the assistance provided by the General Inspectorate for Immigration, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and a number of 241 people were relocated to other countries such as: Norway - 193, Great Britain - 24, the Netherlands - 23, Canada - 1.
Approximately 134,800 people, Romanian and foreign nationals, and over 42,900 means of transport underwent border checks at all of Romania's crossing points on Thursday, on both the inbound and the outbound, the General Border Police Inspectorate (IGPF) reports.

As many as 63,940 travelers of whom 6,357 Ukrainian nationals, entered Romania on January 25, the IGPF said.

The number of Ukrainians who crossed into Romania since the pre-war date of February 10, 2022 is 7,192,882, the IGPF reports.

As part of the specific activities at crossing points and the green border, the border police found 39 illegal acts (23 crimes and 16 misdemeanors) committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens. The value of the seized undeclared goods amounts to approximately RON 172,200.

Fines worth over RON 15,180 were also issued.

21 foreign citizens who did not meet the legal requirements were denied entry to the country, and 15 Romanian citizens were also not allowed to leave the country for various legal reasons.
The National Employment Agency (ANOFM) has allocated RON 896 million for 2024 to support hiring the unemployed in vulnerable groups whose access to the labour market is difficult, the Labour Ministry reported on Friday.

Under the Romanian legislation, included among the vulnerable groups are the unemployed over the age of 45, sole breadwinners of single-parent families, young people up to 29 years old, people with disabilities, graduates without experience, long-term unemployed.

"We are witnessing a record number of employees. Programmes such as the one run by ANOFM regarding employers hiring unemployed people from vulnerable groups also contribute to that. People accessing jobs is how real social inclusion is achieved. We will continue to implement training and employment policies that meet the needs of employers and, at the same time, we also come to the support of vulnerable groups," according to Minister of Labour and Social Solidarity Simona Bucura-Oprescu.

By the end of May 2024, the agreements related to the eligible applications submitted by employers for approximately 32,000 hired unemployed people will be concluded.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Friday in Baia Mare that "there is no need to prepare for war," a statement made in reaction to a UK statement about the possibility of a war in Europe generated by Russia.

"There is no need to prepare for war," Ciolacu replied to journalists who asked him about about Romania's reaction.

On Wednesday, UK's outgoing Chief of the General Staff (CGS) Patrick Sanders said any conflict would need to be a "whole-of-nation undertaking" and that citizens should be trained and equipped to be in a state of readiness, according to the France Presse news agency.

Taking preparatory steps to enable placing our societies on a war footing when needed are now not merely desirable but essential," Sanders said in a speech.

He added that "Ukraine brutally illustrates that regular armies start wars; citizen armies win them."
For weeks now, farmers across the continent have taken their anger and worry about their livelihoods to the streets. After protests in front of the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen opened the Strategic Dialogue on Agriculture the following day.

Europe's farmers are in revolt and their anger is growing: The fury has led to road blockages and tractor parades in the past few weeks, with farmers taking their protests to the street in France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland and Romania, and the Netherlands before that.

While farmers have protested over national issues, concerns over increasing challenges facing agriculture including extreme weather, bird flu and surging fuel costs are uniting them. Another source of discontent is over what farmers say is excessive regulation, also on European level. Then there is the influx of Ukrainian agricultural products into the EU since the lifting of customs duties in 2022. The European Commission must soon reveal its intentions on the renewal of the customs exemption, which expires in June.



The agricultural question, in light of the European Parliament elections in June and surveys showing a surge of the far-right and nationalists who take up agricultural issues fervently, is important. Farmers are a 'very important electorate', said EU lawmaker and vice-president of the parliament's socialist grouping, Pedro Marques.



On Thursday, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen - aiming at defusing the anger - launched a new strategic dialogue format that brings together farmers, environmental organisations and industry to develop solutions to the problems of agriculture in Europe. According to the German politician, everyone agrees that the challenges are increasing.



Among the main issues are topics such as farmers' income, sustainability, technological innovation and competitiveness. These were also discussed at the meeting of the EU's agricultural ministers at the Agricultural and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) on Tuesday. Concerns that the green transition will wreak further havoc for farmers are also part of the program.



The dialogue at EU level aims to develop new solutions and achieve a common vision by summer 2024 and present this to the EU Commission. The initiative, only confirmed at the end of last week, was promised by von der Leyen last September, calling for 'less polarisation' and assuring that 'agriculture and nature protection can go hand in hand'.



Powerful agri-group Copa-Cogeca said it was a 'welcome initiative, albeit one which has been slow to materialise', adding that 'the scope of the discussions remains particularly vague'.



Protests across Europe

A day prior, on January 24, demonstrations were held in front of the European Parliament in Brussels. 'The demonstrations will grow because discontent is growing and this will affect the European elections,' French farmer Stephane Bleuze said during the protests. 'We came to Brussels because this is where the rules that affect us are decided.'



The leader of the French right-wing Reconquete movement, Marion Marechal-Le Pen, niece of Marine Le Pen, attended the Brussels' protest on Wednesday criticising EU agriculture policies.



The Flemish trade union Algemeen Boerensyndicaat (ABS) said that 'today's action is yet another cry for help' and that 'farmers don't ask for much, just to fulfil their social role and to be treated fairly'.



In Germany, for example, angry farmers have for weeks been protesting over diesel fuel subsidy cuts, including with mass demonstrations in several cities in which farmers blocked traffic with tractors and other pieces of farm equipment. The government agreed to soften the measure by phasing out the diesel fuel subsidy over three years, instead of immediately, but has otherwise stuck by the policy. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition has been under pressure to raise tax revenue or cut spending to close a major budget gap. The nationwide farmers' protests sparked a discussion about the extent to which farmers are being exploited for the interests of far-right parties.



In neighbouring Austria where citizens will vote in national elections in autumn, the right-wing FPO organised a farmers' demonstration last week. The farmers' association of the conservative OVP, in response, criticised that the party was 'instrumentalising the farmers for its own party purposes' and distanced itself from the 'election campaign games at the expense of the farmers'.



In France, the growing anger of French farmers is shaping up to be the first major challenge of President Emmanuel Macron's newly appointed government. The new Prime Minister Gabriel Attal paid tribute to the country's agriculture sector last weekend, responding to the growing discontent of farm workers. A reform package designed to meet some grievances has been postponed for fine-tuning. MEP Jordan Bardella who will lead the far-right National Rally into the June elections claimed there is growing anger against 'the European Union and the Europe of Macron', who according to Bardella wanted 'the death of our agriculture'. Some political observers think it could pose a major challenge to France's mainstream parties.



In recent months, 'exasperation' has also spread to Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria, where producers essentially denounce 'unfair competition' from Ukraine, accused of undercutting the price of its cereals. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the export of Ukrainian agricultural products through so-called Solidarity Lanes created disruptions in the internal markets of those countries.



In Poland, protests led to the resignation of the Minister of Agriculture in April 2023. In November, Polish operators began to block the crossing points with Ukraine, along with truckers. Farmers suspended their blockade on January 6 after an agreement with the Polish government.



In Romania, farmers' and transporters' protests began on January 7. Hundreds of tractors and trucks blocked border traffic, making it difficult for grain trucks from Ukraine to enter the country. The farmers demand compensation for the losses caused by the major disruption of the grain market following the import of cheap grain from Ukraine, which, they claim, does not comply with EU standards.



On January 21, Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Food, Kiril Vatev, and Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov met the National Grain Producers Association and the Bulgarian Agrarian Chamber to discuss the status quo and avoid potential future protests. Farmers rallied in Sofia in November last year.



The protests could have a contagious effect: 'The Italian and Spanish (agricultural unions) are also talking about demonstrations,' says the president of the Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations of the European Union (Copa), Christiane Lambert.



The Slovenian Farmer's Trade Union urged the new Minister of Agriculture, Mateja Caluic, to resolve their demands, which they addressed to the government during protests last spring. 'Some solutions have to be offered, because if they are not, farmers are calling on us to follow in the footsteps of German protests,' according to the union.



In Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, several thousand farmers with 1,300 tractors gathered this week for two days to demand better prices, lower taxes on fuel, simplification of regulations and a ban on the transit of Russian grain through their country.

A farmer carries a canister of plant protection agent with glyphosate at his farm. The European Union has authorized the use of the controversial weedkiller glyphosate for 10 more years in 2023. Photo: Friso Gentsch/dpa



Courting an important electorate

Less than five months out from the European Elections and many national elections, the protesting farmers and agricultural producers fuel the campaign fires. Political parties are already courting the farmers' vote.



Agriculture makes up eleven percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. As part of the so-called Green Deal, the EU Commission under von der Leyen's leadership launched several projects. In the summer, for example, there was great displeasure over a nature conservation law that also affects the use of agricultural land. Also bans on pesticides cleared for use in other parts of the world are a source of farmers' discontent.



Their discontent has been a growing concern in the European Parliament. The centre-right EPP, the largest parliamentary grouping of which von der Leyen is a member, has often sought to water down agricultural texts, arguing it represents farmers' wishes. 'We share the green ambition but it must be adapted to the economic situation. Agricultural prices are falling, expenses are skyrocketing, by adding additional regulatory efforts, it's too much,' EPP MEP Anne Sander said.



'There's a perception that the centre-right and the far-right are trying to create in the farmers that the green transition, those that choose the green transition, are going against them,' EU lawmaker Marques said. But he recognised the need to provide support, especially as the EU prepares to debate its ambitious 2040 climate targets, which will involve a costly decarbonisation of the agricultural industry.



This article is published weekly. The content is based on news by AFP, ANSA, AGERPRES, APA, BTA, dpa, EFE, STA agencies participating in the enr.
Romania has been "exemplary" with regard to the solidarity corridors through which Ukrainian cereals are transported, Nicolas Warnery, the French ambassador to Bucharest, told AGERPRES in an interview.

The diplomat said that, in this regard, our country "has not renounced its European obligations".

"It [Romania] was extremely responsible. Not everyone was like that, but it was, and we are grateful. In turn, we help it a lot. There are less noticeable, discreet things, in terms of transport, river transport, rail transport. We have been very present in these files (...) We stand by Romania in this dossier and it is very important that these corridors continue to exist, to take all the export cereals out of Ukraine, to fight against hunger in the world," said Nicolas Warnery.
The infringement procedure in which Romania was in, related to the industrial emissions produced by three combustion plants, has been stopped, informs a press release from the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forestry (MMAP), sent to AGERPRES on Friday.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Environment, Waters and Forestry and the Ministry of Energy welcome the decision of the European Commission to withdraw in case C-455/22 and the order of the Court of Justice of the European Union by which the said case was deleted from its role. These the developments are the consequence of the measures taken by the Ministry of the Environment, Waters and Forestry and the Ministry of Energy, together with other public institutions, including local authorities, to ensure that Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of November 24, 2010 on emissions industrial regulations are respected in the case of three large combustion plants on the territory of Romania relevant to the case. The prevention and integrated control of pollution generated by industrial activities is a constant concern of the competent Romanian authorities. The respective authorities remain firmly committed to taking all the necessary measures to avoid or, as the case may be, reducing emissions to air, water and soil, as well as to prevent the generation of waste, in accordance with Directive 2010/75/EU", the press release states.

Case C-455/22 had as its object an infringement procedure initiated by the European Commission (EC) against Romania for non-compliance with the obligation to ensure, regarding three large combustion plants (Deva no. 2, Deva no. 3 and Govora no. 2), that the operation does not take place in the absence of an authorization, according to art. 4 para. (1) of Directive 2010/75/EU.

The pre-litigation phase of this procedure was initiated by the European forum on July 20, 2018. Later, on December 2, 2021, the EU institution decided to refer the Court of Justice of the European Union, and on July 11, 2022, it submitted its preliminary application to the Registry the EU court, thus triggering the contentious phase of the procedure.
We are supporting Romania and Bulgaria, so that the Black Sea stays a secure area and not become a danger zone, the French ambassador, Nicolas Warnery, said in an interview to AGERPRES.

He continued, saying that the Black Sea area "is an area with dangers, to some extent. There are mines adrift and we have to fight against this danger."

Referring to the Battle Group in Romania, and to the future of this NATO group in Romania, but also to the future of the French-Romanian military relationship, the French ambassador recalled that the French-Romanian military relationship is very old, it has historical foundations, with reference to The First World War and the mission led by Henri Berthelot, which helped Romania decisively.

"But, leaving General Berthelot for the history books, let's talk about what happened in 2022. President Macron said a few days before the offensive [of the Russian Federation in Ukraine - editor's note] - we all hoped that this would not happen - that if we have to go somewhere, it will be in Romania. He proposed to NATO and Romania a special French effort in the coming weeks. In reality, the Russian aggression took place on February 24 and we immediately deployed the first elements, in the days that followed. We immediately formed what is called a battle group in Alliance terms, which is actually a brigade. The brigade is not actually complete, but all the structures of a brigade are in place, including equipment, which has 1,500 soldiers who train, with successive rotations every four months. I saw them when they were preparing to take part in military exercises. They are real soldiers, ready for war, if necessary. We hope that will not be the case, that Romania will never be attacked. It looks a bit like the French troops pre-positioned in Germany, during the Warsaw Pact. Everyone hoped they wouldn't be needed, but they were ready to go in a few hours. It's the same thing. Mission Aigle is ready at any moment. It is prepared to be advanced to the level of a full brigade, in case of need," said ambassador Warnery.
ST. LOUIS  The Pink Sisters prayed for good weather. Stagehands at America's Center tore down a car show and put up an altar, framed by a 45-foot-tall arch. There was too much talk of highway gridlock.

Pope John Paul II, leader of the world's Roman Catholics, arrived in St. Louis on Jan. 26, 1999, for a whirlwind 31-hour visit. The 78-year-old Polish pontiff managed to take part in a lively youth rally in Kiel (now Enterprise) Center, celebrate Mass with 104,000 people, lead an ecumenical service at the New Cathedral and persuade a governor to spare a condemned man.

It was 54 degrees on Jan. 26. On the second day, the temperature reached 68. The Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters, a cloistered order near O'Fallon Park known for their rose-colored habits, credited a higher power.

The pope arrived from Mexico City in Shepherd One, his TWA charter, at 1:20 p.m. and met with President Bill Clinton and other leaders at Lambert Field. Then unfolded the visit's only disappointment  his motorcade greeted by decent, but not overwhelming, crowds along the miles of orange crowd-control fence.

That morning, young people had filled Market Street from the Old Cathedral to Kiel Center with a two-hour parade of banners, posters and exuberance.

The sidewalk crowds were better for the pope's ride to the youth rally, where he told the noisy 21,000, "Your warm and enthusiastic welcome makes me very happy." He blessed patients from Cardinal Glennon Hospital for Children, met with Mark McGwire and, to the crowd's delight, flicked his cane slap-shot style, a nod to the St. Louis Blues.

Before dawn the next morning, people poured from buses to fill the Trans World (now Edward Jones) Dome and adjoining halls for the largest indoor Mass ever held in the United States. Carol Schmidt of Festus said afterward, "It was humbling and inspiring and spiritually very satisfying. I feel like I know this pope."

At the ecumenical service, he met Cardinals great Stan Musial and Rosa Parks, who had refused to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Ala., in 1955. He asked Gov. Mel Carnahan to spare the life of triple-murderer Darrell Mease, whose original execution date had been set for that day.

"God bless St. Louis. God bless America," the pope said before he left. The next day, Carnahan commuted Mease's sentence to life in prison. Mease, 63, remains in the prison at Potosi.

Look back at Pope John Paul II's visit to St. Louis St. Louis lines up for a glimpse of Pope Nuns attend youth gathering at Kiel Audience welcomes pope Pope waves to youth rally Pope leaves youth rally Pope blesses youth McGwire meets the Pope John Paul breaks bread with 110,000 Nuns weep as Pope arrives Pope visits, 1999 Pope John Paul II at the Dome A blessing from the pope A blessing from the pope Blessings to a family Mass at the Dome "I will always remember St. Louis." Pope John Paul II Rosa Parks and the Pope Cathedral Basilica visit Pope blesses sealed door Pope John Paul II at Cathedral Basilica Pope visits, 1999 Blessings from the pope on his departure A lasting impression
JERUSALEM, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that his country's "commitment to international law is unwavering," following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to "take all measures to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza."

He spoke in a video statement that Israel "will continue to defend itself against Hamas," adding Israel's deadly offensive in Gaza is "against Hamas, not against Palestinian civilians."

Netanyahu also rejected the charge of "genocide" leveled by South Africa as "not only false, it's outrageous."

"We will continue to facilitate humanitarian assistance, and to do our utmost to keep civilians out of harm," he added.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir denounced the ICJ ruling on social media platform X as "antisemitic" and urged the government to reject it. "We must continue crushing the enemy until a total victory," he said.

The ICJ in The Hague on Friday ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent "genocide acts" in the Gaza Strip. The court demanded Israel to report on the measures regarding the order within one month.

The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 25,900 since Oct. 7, 2023, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Thursday. 
Smalls Sliders, an Atlanta-based burger chain, is expanding to St. Louis.

The slider company recently announced an eight-location agreement with local operations group KR Partners, LLC as it targets the Midwest in its national expansion.

Weve had a lot of demand to bring Smalls to Missouri  from potential franchise partners to consumers who are learning about our brand. It also allows us to continue expanding in more suburban, family-centered areas, like Missouri, Maria Rivera, Small Sliders CEO, said.

St. Louis first Smalls Sliders location, or can, will open in late 2024. Besides the city of St. Louis, Smalls Sliders is also considering Kirkwood, Clayton, Wentzville, St. Peters, Ellisville, Florissant and Bridgeton. Rivera said the brand aims to open two locations a year in St. Louis, so all eight restaurants would be operational by 2028.

Unlike larger-scale build-outs of eateries, Smalls Sliders cans are constructed in Florida and driven to its location. They are 750 square feet and feature drive-thru and walk-up windows for ordering.

Our 'cans' provide flexibility in choosing diverse and potentially more affordable real estate options, Rivera said. This allows us to explore a variety of neighborhoods, which comes in handy when targeting multiple locations within a state such as Missouri.

The brand's menu is also intentionally limited to allow for streamlined operations, Rivera said. Offered products include only a handful of sliders, fries and milkshakes. Smalls Sliders aims to open more than 40 locations across the country by the end of the year.

According to Smalls Sliders' website, there are over 125 "cans" open or under development.
Aisha Sultan Columnist and features writer Follow Aisha Sultan Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

As my mom walked to her car parked in the driveway earlier this month, the toe of her Ugg slipper got caught in a crack.

She fell on the concrete. She tried to break her fall using her left arm. Her forearm snapped in two. She sat on the driveway in excruciating pain until my sister arrived to take her to the emergency room.

Ive often heard about the risks of falling for elderly folks. But the statistics from the CDC still surprised me: Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury death for adults over 65. About 36 million falls are reported among older adults each year, resulting in more than 3 million visits to the ER and more than 32,000 preventable deaths.

Until my mom broke her arm, I didnt realize how life-altering a fall can be for an older person. I certainly hadnt given much thought to what we could have said or done to try to prevent it. In fact, even though my mom will be 74 in a couple of months, I didnt think of her as old. Shes not the parent who I worry about falling.

Shes been taking care of my dad, who has Parkinsons and is a cancer survivor, since the pandemic. She teaches Arabic virtually to a group of adult students multiple times a week. Shes social and runs the errands and can cook amazing meals. My mom has a penchant for moving quickly from one task to the next.

Shes older  but not old, I thought. These days, people in their 70s remain active and engaged, and I expected no different for her.

It would have seemed strange to warn my mom, of all people, to always wear proper shoes when she steps outside. Or to teach her exercises that help with balance and encourage her to do them daily. But now I wish I had said something. Balance tends to worsen as we get older, bones become more brittle, and the winter is the most dangerous time for falls. Women fall more often than men and account for three-quarters of all hip fractures.

When my mom got home from the ER, she reminded me that her mother had broken her hip in her late 80s and died less than a year later. Studies show that a hip fracture dramatically increases an older persons risk of death. Even a lesser fracture can lead to a loss of mobility and functioning.

As you age, mobility equals independence.

Here are some of the risk factors that increase ones chances of suffering a fall, according to the CDC:

Lower body weakness

Vitamin D deficiency

Difficulties with walking and balance

Use of medicines, such as tranquilizers, sedatives or antidepressants. Even some over-the-counter medicines can affect balance.

Vision problems

Foot pain or poor footwear

Home hazards or dangers such as broken or uneven stairs, and throw rugs or clutter that can be tripped over.

My mom underwent a three-hour surgery to repair her arm. When I saw the X-rays of her bionic arm, it looked like surgeons had installed an entire Home Depot shelf in there. She will need to be in a cast for a couple of months. It will likely take months of physical therapy to restore her upper body strength. In the meantime, my siblings, who also live in Texas near my parents, are helping out and looking for home health workers who can come assist my parents. I hate that my mom has suffered so much needless pain and that her life will be upended until shes completely healed.

We can be slow to change habits until an injury forces our hand.

Ive learned to slow down when rushing down the stairs, to use hiking sticks when attempting a steep trail, to incorporate more balance exercises in my workouts and to pay more attention to the sidewalks when walking our dog. I regret not surveying my parents home and habits more carefully when I visited them last.

Weve learned the hard way  a fall can change everything.
ST. LOUIS  Authorities on Friday charged a 43-year-old Arnold man with holding a woman hostage for almost 12 hours inside a downtown St. Louis hotel earlier this week.

William Gourley is charged with one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, three counts of first-degree kidnapping and five counts of armed criminal action. He was still under psychological evaluation in a hospital on Friday, police said.

A judge ordered him to be held without bond.

The incident began just after 5 a.m. Wednesday inside a room in the Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at South 4th and Market streets, next to the Gateway Arch.

A child called police and said he had locked himself inside a bathroom in the hotel with his sibling and a man was fighting with their mother. The man eventually got on the phone and indicated to police that he had a gun.

Nearby hotel rooms were evacuated. The children, ages 6 and 8, were released around 6:15 a.m., but police remained on the scene for hours negotiating with the man.

Hostage negotiators got the woman free just after 3:30 p.m., and the man surrendered to police about an hour later.

Police said all four of the people live in the St. Louis area and knew each other, but they did not give more details about why they were at the hotel.

No one was injured.
ST. LOUIS  Prosecutors on Friday charged a 21-year-old man with killing another man late last year in the city's Forest Park Southeast neighborhood.

Keon M. Cannady is facing charges of first-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action in the shooting death of 20-year-old Shawn Kennedy, of Ferguson, on Dec. 24 in the 900 block of Talmage Avenue.

Court documents say surveillance video showed people at the home on Talmage telling Cannady to leave moments before he opened fire and ran away, court documents say.

Cannady was ordered to be held without bond.
The woman came to St. Louis to be with her then-boyfriend, St. Louis City SC star Indiana Vassilev. But she liked it here and eventually came 
When police officers approach a car they've just pulled over, the smell can be instantly recognizable  marijuana.

Its that particular odor that law enforcement here and across the country often cite as a reason to search the vehicle.

Sometimes officers just find a small amount  a joint or a baggie  and sometimes they find other drugs and even guns that help them uncover and solve serious crimes.

But a provision in a bill sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes that would legalize the adult use of marijuana would prohibit law enforcement from using the odor of marijuana or of burnt marijuana as probable cause to conduct a search, seize possible evidence or make an arrest or detain someone.

The idea is that if cannabis becomes legal, then its smell should be, too.

The provision alarms law enforcement officials, who say the change would affect how police do their work.

If you eliminate the possibility of not being able to search the car at that point, you are going to potentially lose out on the ability to procure evidence, said Erie County District Attorney John Flynn. If that language is in it, Flynn said of the legislation, Ive got a problem with that.

Paul Dell, a defense attorney who said he handles at least 100 such gun cases every year, said he has mixed feelings about what would happen if a law passes with the provision restricting the smell of marijuana as a probable cause.

Most of the cases, he said, start with a police officer pulling over someone for a traffic violation. Then the officer says he smells marijuana in the vehicle and searches the vehicle and turns up a gun.

The lawyer in me says this is wrong, Dell said. They dont do these stops on Nottingham Terrace, he said, referring to the mansion-lined street across from Delaware Park.

People who live outside of the East and West sides may not realize "how intrusive the typical traffic stop is," Dell said. He said police doing such searches don't seem too interested in marijuana. "My clients tell me that, very often, if marijuana is all that is found, the cops merely take it and let them go."

However Dell said he knows these searches sometimes turn up illegal weapons. Some people call it a flagrant violation of rights and others call it good police work.

John Curr III, director of the Western Regional Office of the New York Civil Liberties Union, supports prohibiting police from using the smell of marijuana for car searches.

Law enforcement should only be stopping people if they have reasonable suspicion regarding a crime, and under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, the possession and personal use of marijuana will no longer be a crime, Curr said in a statement. Disproportionate targeting of people of color for marijuana possession has devastated communities. It is time for that to end. Legalizing marijuana, undoing the harm of past convictions, and ensuring the revenue is invested in communities of color is the best path forward to ensure justice.

Case law

Earlier this spring, New York appeared to be on the verge of legalizing adult use of cannabis with both Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the Democratic-controlled Legislature seeming to support it. But with many differences between Cuomos proposal for legalization in his budget bill and the bill championed by Peoples-Stokes, D-Buffalo, it ended up being left off the budget negotiating table. Now legislators are working on a new version expected to be more closely aligned with Cuomos that may be introduced this week.

The district attorney said he understands the underlying idea behind prohibiting the use of smell to justify a search of a car.

But legalizing the recreational use of marijuana doesnt mean all marijuana would be legal, he said. There would be restrictions, for instance, on how much marijuana a person could legally possess.

You cant have 100 pounds of marijuana in the trunk, Flynn said.

It would also still be illegal to smoke cannabis while driving, just as drinking alcohol while driving is against the law. Under the Assembly bill, an officer who suspects the driver is impaired can use the smell of marijuana as a basis to search the car.

Now, police often conduct searches of vehicles based on detecting the smell of marijuana. In New York, an officer doesnt need a warrant if the officer detects the odor of marijuana in a vehicle.

Thats case law, Flynn said.

And it can lead to the discovery of other drugs and guns, Flynn said.

Its a routine event, especially in the City of Buffalo, Flynn said.

Just last week, Flynns office announced that 23-year-old Brand Brailey-Brooks of Buffalo pleaded guilty to a felony count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon.

Prosecutors said that on the night of Aug. 28, Brailey-Brooks was pulled over by a Buffalo police officer on Suffolk Street and Hempstead Avenue.

As the officer approached the vehicle, he smelled the odor of marijuana and asked the defendant and his passenger if they had been smoking, according to a news release about the case. The defendant provided the officer with a small bag of marijuana, and the officer asked the defendant to step out of the vehicle.

As Brailey-Brooks got out the vehicle, he ran from the officer, prosecutors said. He was taken into custody on Ruspin Avenue, and officers found a loaded, semi-automatic pistol in a driveway nearby.

A spokesman for Peoples-Stokes said she would not comment on the provision restricting marijuana odor as probable cause.

"Unfortunately, the majority leader is not commenting at this time on law enforcement using the 'smell of marijuana' to conduct a search," said spokesman Kevin Jolly. "Assemblywoman Peoples-Stokes remains committed to social justice, which is a key part of MRTA. Lawmakers are still working on the details of the amended legislation which could be presented sometime next week."

Driving impaired

Thomas H. Burton, an attorney who represents the Buffalo police union, pointed out that judges often required a strong smell of marijuana, more than just a passing whiff, to justify a search.

Buffalo Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood said such a change in the law would definitely affect how officers handle searches.

Im very concerned, he said of the provision.

Law enforcement agencies are already starting to make changes in preparation.

In Buffalo for instance, the Buffalo Police arent going to take on new K-9 dogs trained to sniff out marijuana. At the same time, they are training officers to become drug recognition experts to handle cases of suspected driving while impaired under the influence of marijuana.

Peoples-Stokes told reporters Thursday that she has heard from law enforcement officials who are mostly concerned about people driving under the influence of marijuana.

But once you figure out how to get them the resources they need to get the additional training to see if people are impaired while driving, they feel a little more comfortable about it, she said. If there is a $2 billion underground industry in New York right now  and thats probably a conservative estimate  there probably are some people already driving around while impaired that we know nothing about. So, to suggest that this is going to be a new problem is not actually accurate. This is going to be an existing problem and this actually will help the law enforcement be able to begin to deal with it.

Staff Reporter Harold McNeil contributed to this article.
ST. LOUIS  One of Jerry Schlichters former law partners, Roger Denton, has dropped a lawsuit and retracted his statements that accused the nationally prominent attorney and leading St. Louis civic booster of withholding hundreds of thousands of dollars in law firm fees Denton said he was due.

In a Thursday order from St. Louis Circuit Judge Joseph Whyte, Denton now says he was fully compensated while he was a partner at Schlichter, Bogard and Denton and that he was provided enough information to determine his fees were calculated in accordance with the firms partnership agreements.

The order also specifies that Denton acknowledges that after discovery, there is no evidence of fraud, misrepresentation, manipulation, breach of contract, fiduciary, partnership and other duties and he retracts all such other allegations that were made or which may have been implied from his October 2022 lawsuit against Schlichter and the firm.

Denton also says he was not paid any money in exchange for the retraction and dismissal, according to the order.

Its a vindication for Schlichter, a major funder of St. Louis entrepreneurship and immigration initiatives who maintained all along that Dentons lawsuit had no merit. He and his lawyers argued the lawsuit was filed so Denton could gain leverage in the business dispute by threatening to release sensitive documents from the firms enormous 401(k) class action lawsuits  cases challenging opaque fund manager fees that have built the firm a national reputation and spurred retirement account reforms.

Hes retracted his allegations and acknowledges he was paid nothing for his retractions and the dismissal of this case, Schlichter said Thursday.

During a December 2022 hearing, Jack Garvey, a lawyer for Schlichter, alleged that Denton actually owed the firm $300,000. Schlichter wouldnt say if that played into the settlement.

An attorney for Denton, Traci Pupillo of Capes Sokol, did not respond to a request for comment.

Schlichters firm is now known as simply Schlichter Bogard, and Denton is no longer a partner, Schlichter said. Schlichter had alleged the lawsuit was filed despite an arbitration agreement, and the two sides have been in arbitration over the matter since April, when a judge granted Schlichter and his firms request to compel arbitration.

In 2022, days after Denton filed the lawsuit accusing the firm of manipulating how it calculated his cut of case fees, St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Jason Sengheiser sealed the case from public view.

Schlichter and his partners have built a practice out of lawsuits challenging opaque fees across millions of Americans retirement accounts, winning cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and obtaining judgments and settlements worth over $500 million. Schlichters attorneys argued Dentons litigation would release sensitive information from their high-profile retirement account class-action lawsuits, where some of the countrys most powerful defense firms look for any advantage in the multimillion dollar cases.

But Dentons attorneys said those class-action lawsuits were also public, and sealing Dentons lawsuit went against the presumption of openness in Missouri courts.
Millennials, you can delay traditional markers of adulthood all you want, but your face doesnt care whether or not youve bought your first home. It does care, however, how often you sunbathed and bummed cigarettes in your younger years.

You can certainly show off those fine lines and gray hairs with pride. Getting older is a gift, after all. But its OK to want to slow the process down to look as young as you feel. And for that, millennials are embracing cosmetic procedures that need little to no recovery time. According to a January 2020 article in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, millennials outspend baby boomers 2-to-1 on self-care, including aesthetic medicine. Younger adults, the article states, have embraced the prejuvenation trend  getting less invasive procedures like injectables earlier to push back the need for more intense cosmetic procedures later on.

Freezing and filling your face comes at a cost, though, especially since you need to get these treatments on an ongoing basis to keep up the effect. This is no small commitment. Each visit to the dermatologists office can start at a few hundred dollars.

The cost of cosmetic dermatology

The current average cost of botulinum toxin injections (this includes Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau and other brands) is $528, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dermal filler treatments, including Juvederm Ultra, Voluma and Restylane, start at an average of $794. Laser skin resurfacing, which addresses concerns like acne scarring and sun damage, costs an average of $1,489.

But prices vary depending on where you live, what treatments you choose and who performs the procedures. Be prepared to pay more if you live in a high-cost area.

Keep in mind that none of these are one-and-done procedures if youre happy with the result and want to continue. The aging process never stops, says Dr. Chris Adigun, a dermatologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. No matter what you do, youre going to be doing it for a while.

Preventive care: The ultimate way to save

Taking care of your skin can delay the appearance of issues like fine lines and sun damage. You cannot overstate the importance of skin quality. Youre more likely to get that line on your skin if your skin is dehydrated and you frown, says Dr. Mary Lupo, a dermatologist in New Orleans. Yes, Botox helps prevent etched-in lines from becoming etched-in, but quality of skin is the most important thing.

Some good habits cost nothing at all: dont smoke, limit alcohol consumption, stay out of the sun and sleep on your back to avoid squishing your face against your pillow.

Your skin care regimen doesnt need to be overly complicated. You can stick to a trifecta of sunscreen, retinol and vitamin C serum, according to Dr. DiAnne Davis, a dermatologist in Dallas. These products are available at a variety of price points, and you can opt for drugstore brands if high-end products arent in your budget.

Lupo recommends bringing your products to your dermatologist to get their opinion. You may be inadvertently using two products that cancel out each others benefits, which would be a waste of money.

Getting the most bang for your buck on treatments

If youre ready for more intense procedures, there are ways you can spend wisely. (And if youre wondering, no, for strictly cosmetic treatments you cannot harness the tax savings of a health or flexible spending account.)

First, work with your dermatologist to craft a treatment plan that meets your goals and budget. A skilled injector can provide an honest take on what treatments you can skip, or use lightly, for now. According to Lupo, excessive filler when youre young can actually make you look older. Just one syringe injected strategically, she says, can make a noticeable impact.

Join your dermatology practices email list for notifications about special offers. Sometimes specific products or services go on sale, or you may be able to stock up on discounted gift cards for future treatment.

Davis advises against skin care devices that make it possible to perform treatments on yourself at home, such as hyaluronic acid pens you can inject into your own face. These devices can cost hundreds of dollars and may not be as effective as in-office treatments. It may seem like youre saving money, but those dollars might be better spent with a professional.

When to see a plastic surgeon instead

Dermatologists focus on skin quality, but for some cosmetic concerns, a plastic surgeon could be more appropriate, and for the cost, youre more likely to get your desired result.

Both Davis and Adigun suggest plastic surgery when patients want to treat sagging skin, while Lupo recommends it when a patient needs their nose fixed for any reason, has severe fat pads under their eyes or wants to correct a recessed jawline with surgery or a chin implant.

Even after plastic surgery, you may still choose to work with a dermatologist on other cosmetic issues. Its a partnership. I love my plastic surgeons, Adigun says. I cant do what they do. I need them.

Sara Rathner writes for NerdWallet. Email: srathner@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @sarakrathner.

The article Forever Young? The Cost of Literally Keeping Your Chin up originally appeared on NerdWallet.
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday called for the settlement of the Ukraine crisis through negotiations.

The development of the Ukraine crisis has demonstrated over and over again that conflict or confrontation will produce no winners, that dialogue and negotiation represents the only viable way out of the crisis, and that sending weapons to the battlefield is not conducive to the achievement of peace, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN).

"China calls on relevant parties to strengthen direct engagement and dialogue, resume negotiations step by step in order to accumulate consensus," Dai told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council following Wednesday's crash of a Russian Il-76 military transport aircraft.

The international community should demonstrate a greater sense of urgency and strengthen diplomatic mediation in a collective effort toward de-escalation and a political solution, he said.

On the issue of Ukraine, China has all along stood on the side of peace and of dialogue, and has always been working to promote peace through negotiations and to end the fighting, he said, adding that China is willing to maintain communication with all parties and make unremitting efforts toward a political settlement of the crisis.

Noting that war has rules and confrontation has a bottom line, Dai said China expresses its grave concern over the tragic crash, and strongly urges relevant parties to strictly abide by relevant international law and international conventions, safeguard the lives and basic rights of prisoners of war, and prevent such tragedy from happening again.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday that Ukraine launched two missiles at the Il-76, killing all 74 on board, including 65 Ukrainian captive soldiers being transported for a prisoner exchange, six aircraft crew members and three accompanying persons.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for an international investigation into the crash. 
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSXV:BAY)(OTCQB: ATBHF) ("Aston Bay" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Wilson, Gary O'Connor and Mark Pryor to the Board of Directors with immediate effect.

Mike Dufresne has resigned from the Board of the Company effective January 25th but will remain as Qualified Person for the Storm Project for Aston Bay. Ian MacPherson, a director since the Company's inception in 2012, has also resigned from the Board and will transition to an advisory role for the Company.

"Jessie Liu-Ernsting and I enthusiastically welcome Jeff, Gary and Mark to our Board," stated Thomas Ullrich, CEO of Aston Bay. "These talented individuals bring broad experience from across the industry, encompassing resource expansion, mine development, mergers and acquisitions, and mining finance. The Board now has significant depth in these areas, as well as expanded relationships and contacts within the exploration and investment communities."

"As a cofounder of Aston Bay, Mike has been instrumental in advancing the Storm Project and I am very pleased that he will continue as QP. I thank Ian for his guidance and wish him the best in his other endeavours."

Jeffrey R. Wilson has over 25 years experience in the mining industry, having served as a director, officer and advisor of multiple public and private companies in the mineral exploration and mining investment industries. Mr. Wilson is currently President & CEO of Precipitate Gold Corp. Mr. Wilson began his career in the early 1990's a Corporate Communications Manager and eventual Director of Welcome Opportunities Ltd. (which was bought out by Endeavour Mining Capital in 2002) and Aquiline Resources Ltd. (which was bought out by Pan American Silver in 2009). In 2005, Mr. Wilson was involved in the formation of Silver Quest Resources Ltd., which was bought out in 2012 by New Gold Inc. Mr. Wilson brings a wealth of contacts throughout the investment community including institutional investors, retail brokers, investment bankers, mining analysts and private investors.

Gary O'Connor has over 40 years of diverse experience as a mineral exploration and development professional in the management of successful resource projects as well as the evaluation, technical due diligence, and supervision of large mineral exploration and development projects throughout various geologic settings and regions covering a variety of metals and minerals. Mr. O'Connor was recently CEO and President of Moneta Gold Inc. Previously he worked as Vice-President of Dundee Resources for 10 years, responsible for the technical due diligence of resource projects for investment purposes for the corporation and managed funds. In previous roles he worked as the Vice-President, Exploration of Gabriel Resources and European Goldfields in Romania, and as District Exploration Manager for Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold in Indonesia. While with Freeport Mr. O'Connor worked on the due diligence and discovery of a major gold fraud on the Busang gold "deposit" in Kalimantan by Bre-X. Mr. O'Connor graduated from the University of Auckland in 1982 with a degree in geology, geophysics and environmental studies, and is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geology.

Mark J. Pryor is a geologist with a 40-year track record of successfully advancing multiple precious metal, copper, coal, REE and Li projects from discovery through to exploitation. He is currently Executive Vice President of the Exploration Division at The Electrum Group, based in Denver. Mr. Pryor has worked for majors (Anglo American, Placer Dome, Antofagasta) as well as various private and public companies in the Americas, Africa, FSU and Asia. He is the former CEO of Montero Mining & Exploration, COO of Edenville Energy and has held various senior and VP Exploration positions with companies such as Laurentian, Candente, Monarch Resources, Viceroy, Minefinders, Renholm and Amlib/Avesoro. Mark has headed multi-disciplinary teams in the discoveries of the following projects that have been mined, in operation and or at feasibility including: Svengali (Au - Anglo American/Cluff Minerals), Rodeo (Au - Monarch/Golden Minerals Corp.), San Sebastian (Ag/Au - Monarch/Hecla Mining Corp.), San Agustin (Au - Monarch/Argonaut Gold Inc.), El Compas (Ag - Monarch/Endeavour Silver), San Julian (Au/Ag - Monarch/Fresnillo plc.), La Pitarilla (Ag/Au - Monarch/Endeavour Silver), Canaima (Au - Monarch Resources/Hecla Mining.), Bochinche (Au - Monarch Resources), Kokoya (Au - Avesoro), Mkomolo/Namwele (Coal - Edenville Energy) and the Celaya Project (Ag/Au - Electrum). Mr. Pryor graduated from Aberdeen University in 1981 with a degree in Geology & Mineralogy and is a Fellow of the Geological Society, Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists, a member of the Institute of Directors and QP under the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions.

Stock Option Grant

The Company also announces it has granted incentive stock options to certain of its directors, officers, and consultants to purchase up to an aggregate of 16,225,000 common shares of the Company (the "Options"). The Options are exercisable for a period of seven years, at a price of $0.115, being the closing price of the Aston Bay common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange on January 24th, the last trading day prior to the date of the grant. All Options were granted in accordance with the Company's stock option plan.

About Aston Bay Holdings

Aston Bay is a publicly traded mineral exploration company exploring for high-grade copper and gold deposits in Virginia, USA, and Nunavut, Canada. The Company is led by CEO Thomas Ullrich with exploration in Virginia directed by the Company's advisor, Don Taylor, the 2018 Thayer Lindsley Award winner for his discovery of the Taylor Pb-Zn-Ag Deposit in Arizona. The Company is currently exploring the high-grade Buckingham Gold Vein in central Virginia and is in advanced stages of negotiation on other lands with high-grade copper potential in the area.

The Company and its joint venture partners, American West Metals Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tornado Metals Ltd. (collectively, "American West") have agreed to form a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture and enter into a joint venture agreement in respect of the Storm Project property, which hosts the Storm Copper Project and the Seal Zinc Deposit. Under such agreement, Aston Bay shall have a free carried interest until American West has made a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, meaning American West will be solely responsible for funding the joint venture until such decision is made. After such decision is made, Aston Bay will be diluted in the event it does not elect to contribute its proportionate share and its interest in the Storm Project property will be converted into a 2% net smelter returns royalty if its interest is diluted to below 10%.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements made in this news release, including those regarding entering into the joint venture and each party's interest in the Project pursuant to the agreement in respect of the joint venture, management objectives, forecasts, estimates, expectations, or predictions of the future may constitute "forward-looking statement", which can be identified by the use of conditional or future tenses or by the use of such verbs as "believe", "expect", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "plan", and words of similar import, including variations thereof and negative forms. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect, as of the date of this press release, Aston Bay's expectations, estimates and projections about its operations, the mining industry and the economic environment in which it operates. Statements in this press release that are not supported by historical fact are forward-looking statements, meaning they involve risk, uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Aston Bay believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which apply only at the time of writing of this press release. Aston Bay disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by securities legislation.

For more information contact:

Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

(416) 456-3516

SOURCE: Aston Bay Holdings Ltd

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Annual Leadership Development Fellowship Provides $5,000 in Funding for Young People to Address One of Today's Most Pressing Issues: Education Equity

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Promoting equitable education is a top priority as students return to school. Riley's Way has opened its annual Call For Kindness with education equity in mind, calling on young people themselves (13-23 years old) to come up with ideas and solutions to address this growing issue. The Call For Kindness is a nationwide contest that asks young people to submit their ideas for projects rooted in kindness, empathy, youth leadership, and community to win seed funding up to $5,000 and a year-long professional development Fellowship.









"Education equity is not only about breaking down systemic barriers and accommodating various circumstances," explained Call For Kindness alumni Everest Maya-Tudor. "It's also about creating an environment where learning is seen as a fundamental right rather than a privilege."

"Young people themselves picked Education Equity as our special category this year," stated Dr. Christine O'Connell, Riley's Way Executive Director. "They want to dismantle barriers to education and create opportunities so every student can thrive."

Students across the nation experience vastly different school environments. In many cases, students from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to students of color, students who identify as LGBTQIA+, low-income students, and students with disabilities, face inequitable access to resources, support services and enriching opportunities. Young leaders are standing up against these inequities and envisioning inclusive solutions grounded in kindness and empathy to increase access to high-quality education regardless of one's background or circumstance.

"Young people leading with kindness are creating a dynamic and positive force for good that our world desperately needs," shared Ian Sandler, co-founder and Board Chair of Riley's Way. "They are paving the way for a more vibrant leadership landscape that fosters innovation, inclusivity, and a commitment to a kinder world."

The Call For Kindness boasts an innovative model for youth development, combining start-up funding ($5,000) with leadership programming - all grounded in kindness and empathy. Past projects have addressed mental health and well-being, promoted racial justice, bridged the tech industry's demographic gap, supported those experiencing homelessness, and much more. Up to 40 youth-led projects will be awarded, with 10 focused on Education Equity, three awards in the A Kinder World For Animals special category, and one in each of the other special categories: Interfaith Connections and Dance and the Arts.

The Yuriko Kikuchi Arigato Award ("Arigato" means "thank you" in Japanese) supports projects in dance and the performing arts in honor of Yuriko, the pioneering dancer, choreographer, and keeper of Martha Graham's flame. The purpose of the Interfaith Connections Award is to foster education, connection making, and acts of kindness across different religious or cultural communities. The A Kinder World for Animals Award addresses the well-being of animals and the important role that animals play in human lives.

Visit CallForKindness.org to learn more and read about past Fellows.

Contact Information

Ava Mateo

Communications Manager

[email protected]

845-320-3907

Related Files

2024CallForKindnessOnePager.pdf

SOURCE: Riley's Way Foundation

View the original press release on newswire.com.
THUNDER BAY, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Clean Air Metals Inc. ("Clean Air Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV:AIR)(FRA:CKU)(OTCQB: CLRMF) announces that it has granted an aggregate of 4,600,000 incentive stock options to certain directors, officers and employees of the Company, subject to regulatory approval. The stock options are exercisable at $0.06 for a period of 5 years from the grant date and subject to vesting terms.

Indigenous Community Social and Economic Engagement

Clean Air Metals Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Panoramic PGMs (Canada) Ltd. acknowledge that the Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals Project is located within the area encompassed by the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850, and includes the territories of the Fort William First Nation, Red Rock Indian Band, Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishinabek and Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek. Clean Air Metals also acknowledges the contributions of the Mtis Nation of Ontario, Region 2 and the Red Sky Metis Independent Nation to the rich history of our area.a

The Company appreciates the opportunity to work in these territories and remains committed to the recognition and respect of those who have lived, traveled, and gathered on the lands since time immemorial. Clean Air Metals is committed to stewarding Indigenous heritage and remains committed to building, fostering and encouraging a respectful relationship with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples based upon principles of mutual trust, respect, reciprocity and collaboration in the spirit of reconciliation.

About Clean Air Metals Inc.

Clean Air Metals' is an emerging Platinum Group Metals, Copper and Nickel exploration and development company whose flagship asset is the 100% owned, Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals Project, a platinum, palladium, copper, nickel project located near the City of Thunder Bay, Ontario and the Lac des Iles Mine owned by Impala Platinum. The Thunder Bay North Project hosts the Current and Escape deposits, twin magma conduits which form the basis for the new mineral resource estimate reported on May 4, 2023.

CEO Jim Gallagher leads an experienced technical team who are using an orthomagmatic mineral deposit model to guide ongoing exploration and development studies for potential mine development on the Thunder Bay North project and possible acquisition and further exploration of similar assets throughout Northwestern Ontario. Mr. Gallagher was formerly CEO of North American Palladium which operated the Lac des Ilse Palladium mine just north of the Thunder Bay North project. After a significant operational and financial turnaround, the company was sold to Impala Platinum of South Africa for approximately CAD$ 1 billion.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Jim Gallagher"

Jim Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer of Clean Air Metals Inc.

For further information, please contact:

Jim Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer of Clean Air Metals Inc.

Phone: 705 690 7997

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.cleanairmetals.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Clean Air Metals, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Crown Holdings, Inc. - In advance of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, we confirm our position as an inaugural Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Early Adopter and our intent to publish disclosures aligned with the TNFD for our financial year 2025. Additionally, Crown has joined the TNFD Forum, a consultative grouping of institutional supporters who share the vision and mission of the TNFD and make themselves available to contribute to the Taskforce.

A market-led and science-based initiative, the TNFD's mission is to provide business decision-makers with nature-related information that can help shape strategic planning and ensure positive outcomes for both global markets and environmental health. As we know that our business depends on many natural assets and that preserving them can aid our long-term success, we have continuously strengthened our biodiversity commitments and worked to make changes in how we utilize and save water, energy and other natural resources interconnected with biodiversity. We acknowledge that transparency around those topics will build a clearer picture for our industry, ultimately enabling us to evolve our strategy while striving to preserve our shared ecosystems.

We look forward to collaborating with the TNFD and other TNFD Early Adopters in this shared purpose.

Read more about the TNFD here: https://tnfd.global/about/#mission

View original content here.



View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Crown Holdings, Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Crown Holdings, Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/crown-holdings-inc

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Crown Holdings, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Interest in the emerging Southwest Manicouagan Reservoir graphitic district of Qubec builds upon Focus' belief in the potential of its nearby Lac Tetepisca Project

KINGSTON, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Focus Graphite Inc. (TSX-V:FMS) ("Focus" or the "Company") wishes to commend Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (NMG) on entering into an asset purchase agreement with Mason Resources Inc. ("Mason") for the acquisition of Mason's Uatnan property and graphite deposit (formerly known as "Lac Gueret"). The Uatnan property is located 5 kilometres to the south of Focus's 100%-owned Lac Tetepisca property, which is host to the Company's Manicouagan-Ouest Graphitic Corridor (MOGC) graphite deposit.

On February 17, 2022, Focus released a maiden mineral resource estimate ("MRE") for the Lac Tetepisca project1. The MRE, prepared by DRA Americas Inc. of Montreal, Quebec, includes a pit-constrained Indicated resource of 59.3 million tonnes ("Mt") grading 10.61% graphitic carbon ("Cg") for an estimated content of 6.3 Mt of natural flake graphite (in-situ). Additionally, there is an Inferred resource of 14.9 Mt grading 11.06% Cg, for an estimated content of 1.6 Mt of natural flake graphite (in-situ). Focus' MOGC deposit is one of the most significant crystalline graphite discoveries in Quebec since the early 2000s.

1Refer to Focus news release dated February 2, 2022, available at www.focusgraphite.com/ or at www.sedarplus.ca/ under Focus Graphite Inc.

"I would like to extend my congratulations to Nouveau Monde Graphite for its move to acquire the Uatnan graphite deposit," said Marc Roy, President and CEO of Focus Graphite. "This strategic acquisition validates the vast potential that the Southwest Manicouagan Reservoir graphitic district of Quebec holds as a significant source of high-purity natural flake graphite, a critical mineral in the production of anode material for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and other clean energy applications. We look forward to collaborative efforts with NMG and the key stakeholders of the region as we continue to sustainably develop our respective projects."

In 2022, Focus completed an additional 14,900.5 metres of core drilling from 74 holes at its Lac Tetepisca property, including 6,640.2 metres of new definition drilling from 27 deep definition holes positioned along strike of the MOGC graphite deposit. To date, the Company has released the results of 21 out of the 27 deep definition holes drilled on the MOGC deposit in 2022. The results of the last six (6) definition drill holes are pending. Once received, the 2022 deep definition drilling results will be integrated with the results from previous drilling programs targeting the Manicouagan Ouest Graphitic Corridor to form the basis of an updated mineral resources estimate for the Lac Tetepisca project.

Qualified Persons

Mr. Marc-Andre Bernier, geo. (QC), P.Geo. (ON), M.Sc., Senior Geoscientist for Table Jamesienne de Concertation Miniere (TJCM), a consultant to the Company and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument (NI) 43 - 101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects has reviewed and approved the technical content this news release.

About Focus Graphite

Focus Graphite Inc. is an advanced exploration company with an objective of producing flake graphite concentrate at its wholly owned Lac Knife and Lac Tetepisca flake graphite projects located in the Cote-Nord administrative region of Quebec. In a second stage, to meet Quebec stakeholder interests in developing second transformation industries within the province and to add shareholder value, Focus is evaluating the feasibility of producing value-added specialty graphite products including battery-grade spherical graphite.

Focus Graphite is a technology-oriented graphite development company with a vision for building long-term, sustainable shareholder value. Focus also holds a significant equity position in graphene applications developer Grafoid Inc.

For more information about Focus Graphite and the Company's Lac Tetepisca and Lac Knife projects, please visit Focus's website at www.focusgraphite.com or contact:

Kimberly Darlington

Communications, Focus Graphite

[email protected]

Judith Mazvihwa-MacLean

CFO, Focus Graphite

[email protected]

(613) 581-4040

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information, including references to the plans and project of the Company such as proceeding with production at the Company's Project, proceeding with exploration activities on its permits on Lac Tetepisca. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "potential", "high-potential", "expected", "optimistic", "looking forward", "moving forward", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would" or "might". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: (i) volatile stock price; (ii) the general global markets and economic conditions; (iii) the possibility of write-downs and impairments; (iv) the risk associated with exploration, development and operations of mineral deposits; (v) the risk associated with establishing title to mineral properties and assets; (vi) fluctuations in commodity prices; (vii) the risks associated with uninsurable risks arising during the course of exploration, development and production; (viii) competition faced by the issuer in securing purchasers, off-taker markets, clients and experienced personnel and financing; (ix) access to adequate infrastructure to support mining, processing, development and exploration activities; (x) the risks associated with changes in the mining regulatory regime governing the issuer; (xi) the risks associated with the various environmental regulations the issuer is subject to; (xii) risks related to regulatory and permitting delays; (xiii) risks related to potential conflicts of interest; (xiv) the reliance on key personnel; (xv) liquidity risks; (xvi) the risk of litigation; and (xvii) risk management.

Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made, including but not limited to, continued exploration activities, no material adverse change in metal prices, exploration, and development plans to proceed in accordance with plans and such plans to achieve their stated expected outcomes, receipt of required regulatory approval, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information has been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business, operations and exploration plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is given as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update such forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Focus Graphite, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
No golden ticket needed to experience this delicious new collection

LIBERTY, KY / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Invite the charming and magical world of Willy Wonka into your home with the new 3-Wick candle collection, Wonka x Goose Creek.

Wonka Golden Ticket

Goose Creek x Wonka Candle Collaboration

Goose Creek has collaborated with Wonka to create an immersive experience of the classic musical movie. This whimsical collection of nine 3-wick candles features an array of scents inspired by the 1970s classic movie "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory." Each fragrance creation was carefully crafted by world-renowned fragrance professionals.

Immerse yourself in the rich aroma of River of Chocolate, reminiscent of a velvety smooth chocolate waterfall. Or indulge in the sweet and tantalizing scent of the Golden Ticket, which will transport you straight to the iconic scene of Charlie discovering his winning ticket. And for those who crave a hint of mystery, Everlasting Gobstopper will leave you wondering what magical surprises lie ahead...

"Both the Goose Creek and Wonka teams spent the last year creating something spectacular for this collaboration," says Jordan Meece, CMO of Goose Creek. "This collection is designed to transport you to the enchanting world of Willy Wonka through the sense of smell. We're excited to share these candles with our customers and bring a little bit of Wonka's eccentric world into their homes."

Goose Creek was founded by Chuck Meece in 1998 and has grown to become one of America's top candle and fragrance brands. The company's full product lines are available online, and select fan-favorite fragrances are available in Walmart stores nationwide. Goose Creek candles promise a long-lasting, ultra-fragrant, lead-free, and clean burning experience, with a price range falling between $13.99 and $25.50, depending on the collection and seasonality.

The Wonka collection is the latest addition to Goose Creek's line of premium fragrance products. Other brand collaborations include the recent collection with Little Debbie, where Goose Creek captures the aromas of America's Favorite Snacks, and Elf, a collection of 3-Wick candles that capture the adventures of Buddy the Elf and his comical holiday spirit, all the way from the North Pole to New York City.

Visit goosecreekcandle.com to shop the entire Wonka collection and other premium fragrance options. See 3-Wick Candles, Single-Wick Candles, Wax Melts, and more.

Learn more about the Wonka x Goose Creek candle collaboration here.

Contact Information:

Leann Meece

Public Relations

[email protected]

8007751388

Related Images

Related Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVtiI4teL2E

SOURCE: Goose Creek

View the original press release on newswire.com.
COQUITLAM, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / Grid Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Grid Battery") (TSXV:CELL)(OTCQB:EVKRF)(FRA:NMK2) is pleased to announce that the Technical Report for the Texas Spring Lithium Project, dated January 25, 2024, prepared by Mr. Seth Cude, P.G. of Rangefront Geological, has been filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and can be viewed on the Company's website at Texas Springs 43-101 Report.

Our team recently completed the Phase 1 exploration of the Texas Springs Property in fall 2023 which included both a CSAMT geophysical survey and a detailed soil sampling on a 50 m X 100 m spacing. Results were impressive and on-trend with the results found at the Surge Battery Metals Inc. ("Surge") (TSXV: NILI, OTC: NILIF) Nevada North Lithium Property that adjoins the Texas Spring Property to the north. Our Phase 1 Exploration results included average Lithium Grades of 2010 ppm, applying a 1,000 ppm cut-off, and up to an impressive 5,610 ppm Lithium.

As mentioned previously, the Texas Springs Lithium Property adjoins the southern border of the Nevada North Lithium Project - owned by Surge Battery Metals Inc. Surge's first round of drilling identified strongly mineralized lithium bearing clays. The average lithium content within all near surface clay zones intersected in the 2022 drilling program, applying a 1000 ppm cut-off, was 3254 ppm. On September 12, 2023, Surge announced some exciting results of its most recent drilling program at this property, and recorded its highest grades to date, with up to 8070 ppm Lithium on the Northern Nevada Lithium project. These results were followed up on December 5, 2023 with a subsequent drill program yielding core drilling intercepts with assays over 7,630 ppm and multiple horizons upon deeper drilling performed.

Furthermore in May 2023, Nevada was ranked again as the #1 Mining Jurisdiction in the world by the Fraser Institute, a position it has held several times in the recent past.

Mr. Tim Fernback, Grid President & CEO comments "We are happy to report the filing of the NI 43-101 Technical Report on our Texas Spring Lithium Project. The recommendation for future exploration includes a multi-phase drilling program as a logical next step here on the property. The timing is good for the Company, and with approximately CAD$7.2 million in our treasury, we are well-positioned and fully funded for our 2024 exploration season."

About Rangefront Geological

Elko Nevada-based Rangefront Geological has combined in-depth expertise with cutting-edge technology to provide mining consulting services, contract labor, field crew services, and vehicular support to the mining industry. With services available across North America, Rangefront works closely with its clients to provide high-quality mineral exploration services.

The Company also announces that further to the Company's news release dated December 13, 2023, the Company has decided not to go forward with the Media Services contract with Omni8 Communications Inc.

Qualified Person

Mr. Seth Cude, P.G. is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical information contained within this news release.

About Grid Battery Metals Inc.

Grid Battery Metals Inc. is a Canadian based exploration company whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's maintains a focus on exploration for high value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV) market. www.gridbatterymetals.com.

About Texas Springs Property

The Company owns a 100% interest in the Texas Spring Property which consists of mineral lode claims located in Elko County, Nevada. The Property is in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot, Nevada, about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Nevada. The target is a lithium clay deposit in volcanic tuff and tuffaceous sediments of the Humbolt Formation.

The Texas Spring property adjoins the southern border of the Nevada North Lithium Project - owned by Surge Battery Metals Inc. ("Surge") (TSXV: NILI, OTC: NILIF) and comprised of 303 mineral claims. Surge's first round of drilling identified strongly mineralized lithium bearing clays. The average lithium content within all near surface clay zones intersected in the 2022 drilling program, applying a 1000 ppm cut-off, was 3254 ppm. (Press release March 29, 2023). More recent results have shown higher grade lithium up to 8070 ppm on this property after initial drilling (Press release September 12, 2023).

About Clayton Valley Lithium Project

The Company owns a 100% interest in 113 lithium lode and placer claims covering over 640 hectares in Clayton Valley. Clayton Valley is a down-dropped closed basin formed by the Miocene age Great Basin extension and is still active due to movement along the Walker Lane structural zone. As a result, the basin has preserved multiple layers of lithium bearing volcanic ash, resulting from multiple eruptive events over the past 6 million years including eruptions from the 700,000-year-old Long Valley Caldera system and related events. These ash layers are thought to contribute to the lithium brines extracted by Albemarle and are also likely involved in the formation of the exposed lithium rich clay deposits on the east side of Clayton Valley.

Volt Canyon Lithium Property

The Company owns a 100% interest in 80 placer claims covering approximately 635 hectares of alluvial sediments and clays located 122 km northeast of Tonopah, Nevada.

About the British Columbia, Nickel Projects

The Grid Nickel Project consists of three claim blocks with a total area of 5,000 hectares in the area surrounding Mount Sidney Williams, near the Decar project of FPX Nickel Corp., located 100 kilometres northwest of Fort St. James, B.C., in the Omineca mining division. Metallic mineralization includes nickel, cobalt, and chromium, whereby nickel has been recorded in the Fe-Ni alloy awaruite as well as nickel sulphides The Grid Nickel Project are partially underlain by rocks of the Trembleur Ultramafic Unit, which consist of variably serpentinized harzburgite, dunite, orthopyroxenite, and locally carbonate-talc altered rocks and listwanite.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Tim Fernback"

Tim Fernback, President & CEO

Contact Information:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 604- 428-5690

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Grid Battery Metals Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
MightyFly unveils its new 2024 Cento aircraft, the third generation of the MF100 eVTOL, featuring autonomous delivery operations, efficient design and a larger cargo bay.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / MightyFly unveiled yesterday the third generation of the Cento aircraft, an autonomous hybrid eVTOL cargo aircraft designed to carry one hundred pounds of cargo for six hundred miles. MightyFly also announced that the 2024 Cento received the FAA's Special Airworthiness Certificate and Certificate of Authorization (COA) for an air corridor between Byron and New Jerusalem airports.





MightyFly's 2024 Cento.





The new eVTOL incorporates several novel features, including a sleek design that enables operational efficiency, the ability to accommodate a wide range of payload center of gravity, autonomous center of gravity determination, and a larger cargo bay.

At the event, MightyFly revealed several technical characteristics of its 2024 Cento, including:

a tandem wing design to enable a large trim of the aircraft center of lift;

the use of structural conductors to reduce weight;

a composite structure to reduce empty weight and increase payload capacity;

a modular design to optimize maintenance;

the use of the canard as landing gear to lower drag and drive efficiency.

The new eVTOL will also present improved operational efficiency through MightyFly's Autonomous Load Mastering System (ALMS), which will enable the aircraft to autonomously open and close its cargo bay door, receive and eject packages, move and secure packages, and sense and compute weight and balance.

"We are very excited to show everyone the tremendous work and ingenuity performed by the MightyFly team throughout the last year and to unveil the 2024 Cento that couples innovation with efficiency in design, maintenance, and operation, bringing to the world the key to transform the expedited logistics market," said Manal Habib, founder and CEO of MightyFly.

The announcement of MightyFly's latest FAA approval, which includes a new corridor between Byron and New Jerusalem airports of up to 5000 ft in altitude, represents a large achievement for the company as it allows MightyFly to start testing A to B flights and to incorporate its autonomous eVTOL within general aviation. This approval also showcases the maturity of MightyFly's autonomous aircraft and operations and signals a strong relationship between MightyFly and the FAA.

"How exciting to see the 2024 Cento come to life! A few months ago I saw the team working on its design and starting to manufacture its first parts. The vehicle you see today is a testimony of MightyFly's talent, creativity, innovation, and decades of industry expertise," said Tim Draper, MightyFly's investor and Founding Partner of Draper Associates.

In the fall of 2024, MightyFly will publicly debut its autonomous cargo aircraft delivery flights in Michigan, demonstrating point-to-point autonomous delivery use cases to partners and customers.

The company is also scheduled to demonstrate its autonomous loading, unloading, and balancing of packages to the U.S. Air Force in early 2025 and to perform additional Proof of Concept (POC) programs.

Contact Information

Fernanda Sausen

Senior Director of Business Development

[email protected]

SOURCE: MightyFly

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Bertrand Lortholary, French Ambassador to China, wave hands after cutting a cake together at a reception for the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

China and France, also through the European Union, have already collaborated a lot on climate change.

PARIS, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- China-France cooperation to defend true multilateralism is a continuation of former French President Charles de Gaulle's legacy, Nathalie de Gaulle, great-granddaughter of the former French president, has said.

Nathalie de Gaulle made the remarks in an exclusive interview recently with Xinhua. In 1964, France became the first major Western country to establish diplomatic relations with China. Sixty years later, China and France, two independent countries, have cooperated to defend true multilateralism.

She said that de Gaulle's decision to establish diplomatic relations with China was very bold at the time because it would bring the world, which was divided between the Western bloc and the Eastern bloc, closer together. "And so, somewhere, it was a decision that led to the globalization that we are experiencing today," she said.

"I think that what characterizes General de Gaulle's international policy is his grandeur, his independence, and his realism. So, given the pragmatic and visionary politician that he was, he considered that we must have a dialogue with China, that we had to create strong links with your country (China). And that was typical Gaullian realism," she said.

Today, the world faces multiple crises. She said that no country could face all the challenges alone posed by climate change, current wars, etc.

"I think that China and France, also through the European Union, have already collaborated a lot on climate change. A symbolic example is that the agreements were signed in 2022 on biodiversity, particularly important between China and France ... This dialogue established between our two countries for sixty years, and now between the European Union and China, seems to me extremely profitable and obviously perpetuates the vision of my great-grandfather: to see the world in a lucid way, with its crises, its problems and to rely on national greatness as well as international cooperation to face up to the challenges, which was already the case at the time," she said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna co-chair the 6th meeting of the China-France high-level dialogue mechanism on people-to-people exchanges as coordinators of each side in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

She further said that China has been a global strategic partner of France since 2004. In this context, a lot of economic, scientific and industrial cooperation has been developed.

"As part of the new cooperation that we could envisage, I am very sensitive to the maritime field. China is a large coastal country bordered by seas and France has the second largest maritime territory in the world, thanks to its departments and overseas regions," she said.

"It seems to me (that) a certain number of cooperation could be developed both on biodiversity, which we have already started in 2022, but also on exploration and seabed mapping, or on all aspects of marine renewable energies. This would be something which, I think, could be very beneficial for our two countries," she added.

"About the European Union, we must continue this cooperation on the fight against global warming, which, in my opinion, can only be done between large geographical entities. It is a global challenge. Europe and China must continue to work together, as they did so within the framework of COP28 in Dubai," she said.

Nathalie de Gaulle noted her family has been closely linked to China for sixty years. Her uncle, Jean de Gaulle, who was a deputy in the National Assembly, was president of the France-China interparliamentary friendship committee, and her father, Yves de Gaulle, often went to China like his brother. "So my uncle and my father told us a lot of anecdotes. And both of them, in fact, always told us about the historical depth of China."

The 41-year-old great-granddaughter of the former French president has been fascinated by China since adolescence when the country still seemed very distant to her, with a mentality and customs extremely different from her own country's.

For Nathalie de Gaulle, there are a lot of things to discover in China. She believes that this year, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, will be rich in cultural and tourist events for France and China.

"I would like to meet the students, perhaps give courses, in any case be in contact with the Chinese students. I was asked to perhaps actually come and give courses in Beijing or Guangdong. I would very much like to exchange with them and perhaps allow them to better understand what is happening in Europe and France," she said.

"I believe we can learn a lot from each other about our respective visions" and how to consider both our past and our future, she added. 
PhoneCallGPT Will Automatically Call People or Companies to Complete Your Tasks

AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / PhoneCallGPT.com empowers anyone to enter the phone number of a business or person to make a human-sounding call on their behalf. Simply type what you would like PhoneCallGPT to accomplish and its powerful "voice AI" will do the rest. PhoneCallGPT launched exclusively on the FreedomGPT network (owned by Age Of AI, LLC) with the goal of giving everyone their own personal assistant.





PhoneCallGPT

AI making phone calls

Instead of spending hours on hold each month, have PhoneCallGPT make calls for you. Since, its launch this month, thousands of people have used PhoneCallGPT to make time-consuming calls for them. One individual used PhoneCallGPT to notify their neighbors of important information about their community. Another used it to automatically check in on relatives. Still another used it to avoid long wait times when calling a large company.

Finally, consumers and small businesses have access to their own personal AI phone call service. "The goal of PhoneCallGPT.com is to give the power of AI to individuals to make their lives more efficient. AI phone calling is a tool that huge corporations have had for decades. Now everyone can have access to an AI phone calling tool that works almost as well as a human," said Zach Arrow, the co-founder of PhoneCallGPT.com.

PhoneCallGPT is also sought by businesses looking for a more friendly and productive way to reach out to new and existing companies. It's also able to provide technical product support far cheaper and better than traditional call centers. In the coming weeks, PhoneCallGPT will expand its consumer offering to include an enterprise plan.

Contact Information

Press Manager

Head of Communication

[email protected]

SOURCE: Age Of AI, LLC

View the original press release on newswire.com.
TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2024 / In a landmark move set to redefine the dental industry, Patient Prism and Curve Dental have joined forces to launch an innovative integration aimed at accelerating growth in dental practices nationwide. This partnership challenges the status quo, urging dental professionals to embrace digital and AI transformation for outsized returns in the coming decade.

The collaboration brings together Patient Prism's sophisticated AI platform and Curve Dental's world-class practice management software solution, offering an unprecedented view of the patient journey from marketing to production and re-engagement. This integration is a first in the industry, providing end-to-end funnel metrics powered by Curve data - a crucial tool for business success.

Revolutionizing the Dental Industry with AI and Digital Innovation

Amol Nirgudkar, CEO of Patient Prism, emphasized the significance of this integration. "End-to-end funnel metrics is the holy grail in any business," he said. "Our partnership with Curve Dental equips practices with a predictable way to grow their top and bottom lines, leveraging the power of AI and digital innovation."

Jana Macon, President of Curve Dental, also expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. "Combining forces with Patient Prism, the most sophisticated conversational AI platform in dentistry, was a logical step to redefine growth for our customers. Our commitment to this partnership, including alliances with world-class companies like Pearl and Patient Prism, demonstrates our dedication to bringing the best technology to our customers and helping them manage and grow their practices."

Challenging the Status Quo

As the dental industry stands at a crossroads, with rapid consolidation, technological advancements, and evolving patient acquisition strategies reshaping the landscape, this partnership is timely. The integration between Patient Prism and Curve Dental is not just a technological leap but a call to action for dental practices to adopt digital transformation and AI to remain competitive and achieve remarkable growth.

About Patient Prism

Patient Prism is a leading AI technology firm in the dental industry, focused on providing innovative solutions to enhance patient acquisition, engagement and practice growth. Patient Prism AI harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to seamlessly optimize marketing, sales, and operations across dental organizations. This ensures robust top and bottom line growth by enhancing patient acquisition, engagement, and overall practice efficiency. For more information, contact Michelle Holguin at 800-381-3638 or [email protected].

About Curve Dental

Founded in 2004, Curve Dental provides the leading cloud-based practice management software for over 70,000 dental professionals across the United States and Canada. From the start, Curve has been singularly focused on the dental industry and is committed to delivering the best all-in-one dental practice management and patient engagement software for practices of all sizes. The company is privately-held, with offices in Provo, Utah; Atlanta, Georgia; Calgary, Alberta; and Aberdeen, Scotland. Visit www.curvedental.com or call 1-888-910-HERO for more information.

Patient Prism Media Contact:

Michelle Holguin

800-381-3638

[email protected]

Curve Media Contact:

Shahrzad Nadizadeh

470-480-4280

[email protected]

Media Contact

Organization: Patient Prism

Contact Person: Michelle Holguin

Website: https://www.patientprism.com/

Email: [email protected]

City: Tampa

State: Florida

Country: United States

SOURCE: Patient Prism

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Elon Musk's artificial intelligence (xAI) initiative is reportedly in talks to secure up to $6 billion in funding from investors, aiming to compete with OpenAI, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The fundraising efforts have approached wealthy individuals and investors, with a focus on family offices in Hong Kong.

Moreover, sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East, along with investors in Japan and South Korea, are being targeted.

The substantial funding aims to support Musk's ambitions in the artificial intelligence space. Morgan Stanley is said to be coordinating the fundraising activities.

In a recent post on X, Tesla CEO Elon Musk restated his call for increased control over Teslas voting rights. Musk emphasized the importance of such control for Tesla to advance its capabilities in AI and robotics technology.

This statement followed the company's fourth-quarter earnings report, which fell short of analyst estimates and resulted in a sharp decline in Tesla's shares during after-hours trading.

Im not looking for additional economics. I just want to be an effective steward of very powerful technology, Musk said in the call.

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OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICRs) of aa (Superior) of Factory Mutual Insurance Company (Johnston, RI) and its subsidiaries, which are collectively referred to as FM Global Group (FM Global). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed listing of the companies and ratings.)

The ratings reflect FM Globals balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

FM Global maintains the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The groups balance sheet has proven long-term resilience against natural catastrophe losses. Augmenting sizable retentions for its highly protected risk book, substantial excess of loss reinsurance capacity plays an integral role in its ability to preserve and grow capital. Management has a history of protecting the balance sheet by prudently reserving losses in a timely fashion. Ultimate losses routinely result in better outcomes than modeled losses and managements prudent and conservative initial reserve estimates, especially in catastrophe scenarios. Superior knowledge of its risks and expedient settlement of claims enables the group to move on fairly quickly after significant events.

FM Global has reported underwriting profits in four of the most recent five years, following two challenging years of underwriting losses in 2017, and 2018, from significant catastrophe activity. FM Globals recent underwriting initiatives that focused on improving risk selection and rate adequacy have been effective, with net underwriting income exceeding $1 billion in 2022, and through the first nine months of 2023, respectively. In addition, the group has garnered strong investment gains from its sizeable investment portfolio, which includes a large allocation to equities, further enhancing bottom-line results and driving solid surplus growth. The equity market recovery in 2023 also drove particularly solid investment results. With FM Globals solid profitability and corresponding surplus growth, policyholder credits were approved to be paid in 2023, in addition to a resilience credit for renewing members.

The stable outlooks reflect AM Bests expectation that FM Globals risk-adjusted capitalization and operating performance will continue to exhibit generally excellent trends. AM Best expects that FM Global managements ERM practices will continue to drive commensurately strong returns in its niche business model. The groups high-risk tolerance periodically results in volatile underwriting performance from catastrophe events that management has successfully navigated over its long history.

Positive rating action may occur with manageable volatility reflected in FM Globals historically superior underwriting results, warranting a more favorable assessment in its operating performance or ERM relative to similarly assessed peers.

Negative rating action may occur if risk-based capitalization is materially weakened by deteriorating non-catastrophe underwriting trends or following a prolonged equity market downturn. In addition, negative rating action could result if operating performance erodes materially for an extended period relative to its strong assessment.

The FSR of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICRs of aa (Superior) have been affirmed with stable outlooks for Factory Mutual Insurance Company and its following subsidiaries:

Appalachian Insurance Company

Affiliated FM Insurance Company

FM Insurance Company Limited

FM Insurance Europe S.A.

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/20240126513052/en/

Connor Brach, CFA, FRM

Associate Director

+1 908 882 1668

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]

Daniel Ryan

Senior Director

+1 908 882 2290

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has withdrawn the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of a- (Excellent) of Accelerant Re Ltd. (Accelerant Re Bermuda) (Bermuda). The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Accelerant Holdings (Accelerant), a non-operating holding company in the Accelerant group. At the time of the withdrawal, the outlook of the Credit Ratings (ratings) was stable.

The withdrawal of the ratings is due to Accelerant having made a strategic decision not to have Accelerant Re Bermuda commence operations following the establishment by Accelerant of a licensed affiliate in Cayman.

AM Bests procedure is for a final rating opinion to be produced in conjunction with a rating withdrawal. However, a final rating opinion could not be produced for Accelerant Re Bermuda due to its cancelled insurance registration and the absence of insurance liabilities.

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/20240126385153/en/

Todor Kitin

Senior Financial Analyst

+44 20 7397 0335

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]

Tim Prince

Director, Analytics

+44 20 7397 0320

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
Canadian Forces Snowbirds Announced as Flight Team

EL PASO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- It has been twelve years since the Amigo Airsho graced the skies over Fort Bliss. Today, it was announced that the Amigo Airsho will return to El Paso, specifically Biggs Army Airfield, on October 12th and 13th of 2024. Hundreds of invited guests -- including business and civic leaders, elected officials, representatives from Fort Bliss, and aviation enthusiasts  gathered in an airplane hangar at Million Air El Paso, where the exciting news was revealed. A video presentation and remarks from Airsho supporters and officials were followed by a reception featuring the work of the Culinary Institute by Southwest University.

We are so very thrilled to bring the Amigo Airsho back to the region. It has been a work in progress, and very much behind the scenes, but today is a great stepping off point in making it official, said Tresa Rockwell, CEO of the Amigo Airsho. We are most thankful for Mr. Paul Foster, Franklin Mountain Investments and to the Million Air FBO for hosting this launch event. The energy in the hangar today was infectious, and we are thrilled to get this news off the ground as we prepare for October.

Following a 12-year hiatus due to Fort Bliss mission-related requirements, the Amigo Airsho is back, said Fort Bliss Garrison Commander Col. Brendan Gallagher. As was the case for past Airshos, Fort Bliss looks forward to co-hosting the event and welcoming the many visitors who stop by to, not only meet members of our local Army units and the equipment they use, but also that of our sister services. Attendees can expect to enjoy flight demonstrations, static displays, food vendors, music, and interacting with our young men and women in uniform.

The 2024 Amigo Airsho will bring the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, one of the world's finest military aerobatic flight teams, to the skies above Fort Bliss. Created in 1971, the Snowbirds, a signature nine jet precision formation is made possible thanks to a highly skilled and dedicated team of pilots, technicians, mobile support equipment operators, resource management, support clerks, engineers, a logistics officer and a public affairs officer. The team will make their final and 19th performance of the 2024 schedule in El Paso. Throughout the airshow season, they will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Captain Caitie Clapp, an Inner Right Wing Pilot with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, sent a message to those in attendance at todays event. Were in the midst of our winter training season up at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. Its been a very cold -50 (degrees) for the past couple of weeks now, so we are really looking forward to coming down to the Amigo Airsho in El Paso in October, said Clapp, who flies the Snowbird 2 jet.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are honoured to be taking part in the Amigo Airsho 2024. The Snowbirds have a history of performing at the airshow and we are truly happy to take part in its resurgence. We cant wait to meet with all our American fans and to celebrate the Centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force with you, added Snowbird 1, Team Lead, Major Brent Handy.

Getting the Snowbirds to commit to our bigger, bolder, and better 2024 Amigo Airsho is tremendous. Those of us who have been volunteering with the organization for decades cant wait to get back to work this year, said Alan Russell, Chairman of the 2024 Amigo Airsho. It takes the hard work of our board and countless volunteers to bring an airshow to life.

During the announcement, the 2024 Amigo Airsho Board of Directors was presented. Along with Chairman Alan Russell, the team includes: Suzanne Azar (Vice President STEAM), Gina Roe-Davis (Senior Vice President Communication), Chris Lane (Vice President Logistics), Linda Leatherwood (Senior Vice President Operations), James Lemaster (Vice President Air Ops), Jessica Lopez (Vice President Volunteers), Bradford Pittenger (Vice President Compliance), John Porras (Senior Vice President Community Development), Adeline Rogers (Vice President Site Prep), Jo Ann Vivar (Vice President Grounds), and Rhonda Butler and Terrie Todd, both Ex-Officio team members.

As mentioned during todays event, the 2024 Amigo Airsho invites anyone interested in sponsorship, joining the organization as a volunteer, or receiving general news about the event to visit amigoairsho.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240126463854/en/

Alix Duchouquette

Mithoff Burton Partners

915-227-4945

Source: Amigo Airsho
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cboe Canada is pleased to welcome return issuer, BMO Asset Management Inc. (BMO), for the launch of a new structured outcome ETF. Now trading on Cboe Canada under the symbol ZJAN, the BMO US Equity Buffer Hedged to CAD ETF - January seeks to replicate the income and returns of the S&P 500 index up to a cap, while buffering against losses.

Aiming to provide investors with the income and appreciation (before fees, expenses, and taxes) of the S&P 500 up to a predetermined cap, ZJAN buffers against the first 15% (before fees, expenses, and taxes) of losses, resetting after a period of a year beginning and ending in January. ZJAN also hedges US dollar exposure back to Canadian dollars.

BMOs latest offering provides easy access to one of the most popular indexes in the market, with added buffer protection for investors. We are honoured that BMO has chosen to return to Cboe Canada as the listing partner for this launch, remarked Erik Sloane, Chief Revenue Officer of Cboe Canada. We are incredibly excited to see new products, particularly those with embedded optionality, continue to launch and gain traction on our markets.

Investors can trade units of ZJAN through their usual investment channels, including discount brokerage platforms and full-service dealers. Click here for a complete view of all Cboe-listed securities.

Cboe Canada is home to over 250 unique listings, including ETFs from Canadas largest ETF issuers, Canadian Depositary Receipts (CDRs), and some of the most innovative Canadian and international growth companies. In Canada, Cboe consistently facilitates more than 20% of all volume traded in Canadian ETFs and over 15% of all volume traded in Canadian-listed companies.

About Cboe Canada

Cboe Canada is Canadas Tier 1 stock exchange for the purpose-driven Innovation Economy, providing a best-in-class listing experience for issuers that are shaping the economies of tomorrow. Fully operational since 2015, Cboe Canada lists investment products and companies seeking an internationally recognized stock exchange that enables investor trust, quality liquidity, and broad awareness including unfettered access to market data.

Cboe Canada is part of the Cboe Global Markets network, leveraging deep international expertise, industry-leading market intelligence and technology, and unparalleled service to deliver what stakeholders and the world need now, and for the future.

Cboe powers ETF Market Canada, a user-friendly platform providing investors and advisors with one-stop access to ETF research and analysis. Real-time, institutional-grade data allows users to compare, contrast, and explore the entire universe of 1,200+ Canadian ETFs, free of charge.

Connect with Cboe Canada: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

About BMO Exchange Traded Funds

BMO Exchange Traded Funds has been an ETF provider in Canada for more than 12 years, with over 100 strategies, over 23 per cent market share in Canada1, and $97.5 billion in assets under management. BMO ETFs are designed to stay ahead of market trends and provide compelling solutions to help advisors and investors. This includes a comprehensive suite of ETFs developed in Canada for Canadians, such as cost effective core equity ETFs following market leading indexes, and a broad range of fixed income ETFs; solution-based ETFs responding to client demand; and innovation with smart beta ETFs, as well as combining active and passive investing with ETF series of active mutual funds.

Connect with BMO: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240126721376/en/

Cboe Canada Media:

[email protected]

Source: Cboe Canada
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. (NYSE: CEM), ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE: EMO), ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE: CTR) (individually, a Fund and collectively, the Funds) announced today approval by each Funds Board of Directors of a proposal to merge (i) CEM with and into EMO and (ii) CTR with and into EMO, subject to approval by stockholders of each Fund.

The approval of each individual merger is not contingent upon the approval of the other merger. If approved, the mergers are expected to occur during the third quarter of 2024. If the proposed mergers are approved by the stockholders of each Fund, (i) common stockholders of CEM and CTR would receive shares (Shares) of common stock of EMO, based on each Funds respective net asset value (NAV) per share and (ii) holders of CEMs and CTRs mandatory redeemable preferred stock (MRPS) would receive shares of MRPS of EMO with the same aggregate liquidation preference and terms to their respective MRPS. In lieu of issuing fractional shares of common stock, EMO will pay cash to each former common stockholder of CEM and CTR in an amount equal to the value of the fractional shares of EMO common stock that the investor would otherwise have received in the merger.

Management and each Funds Board of Directors believe it is in the best interest of stockholders to merge CEM and CTR with and into EMO in part because the combined Fund is expected to have lower operating expenses, enhanced earning potential and greater trading volume. Management and each Funds investment adviser do not anticipate any material portfolio turnover as a result of the proposed merger. The merger is expected to qualify as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes.

Each Funds Board of Directors also determined that it is advisable and in the best interest of each Fund to repeal such Funds election to be subject to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act under Maryland General Corporation Law (the Control Share Act). Each Funds Board of Directors approved an amendment to the current Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of each Fund to remove such Funds election to be subject to the Control Share Act, effective as of January 25, 2024.

In connection with the proposal to merge CEM and CTR with and into EMO, the Funds intend to file a combined proxy statement and prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Investors and stockholders are advised to read the proxy statement and prospectus when it becomes available because it will contain important information. When filed with the SEC, the proxy statement and prospectus and other documents filed by the Funds will be available free of charge at the SECs website, http://www.sec.gov. Stockholders can also obtain copies of these documents, when available, for free by calling the Funds at 1-888-777-0102.

CEM, CTR and EMO, their directors and executive officers and investment adviser, members of their management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Funds stockholders in connection with the proposed merger. Information concerning the interests of the participants in the solicitation will be set forth in the proxy statement and prospectus to be filed with the SEC and is or will be set forth in the stockholder reports of the Funds on Form N-CSR on file and/or to be filed with the SEC.

As previously announced, prior to the completion of the mergers, CEM, EMO and CTR will conduct tender offers that are expected to commence on or about May 21, 2024 for up to 50% of such Funds outstanding Shares at a price per share equal to 100% of the Funds net asset value as of the business day immediately following the expiration date of the tender offer. CEM, EMO and CTR will repurchase Shares tendered and accepted in the tender offer in exchange for cash. Each Funds tender offer period is expected to close on or about June 18, 2024. In the event a tender offer is oversubscribed, Shares will be repurchased on a pro rata basis. The specific terms of each Funds tender offer will be described in a Schedule TO filed with the SEC on a later date. The tender offers are not contingent upon the successful completion of the mergers.

CEM, EMO and CTR have not commenced the tender offers described in this release. This announcement is not a recommendation, an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of a Fund and the above statements are not intended to constitute an offer to participate in any tender offer. Information about the tender offers, including their commencement, will be provided by future public announcements. Shareholders will be notified in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, either by publication or mailing or both. The tender offers will be made only by an offer to purchase, a related letter of transmittal, and other documents to be filed with the SEC. Shareholders of CEM, EMO and/or CTR should read the offer to purchase and tender offer statement and related exhibits when those documents are filed and become available, as they will contain important information about the tender offer. These and other filed documents will be available to investors for free both at the website of the SEC and from CEM, EMO or CTR. There can be no assurance that any Share repurchase will reduce or eliminate the discount of market price per Share to net asset value per Share for CEM, EMO or CTR.

About the Funds

Each Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that is managed by Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, LLC (formerly known as Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC) (FTFA), and subadvised by ClearBridge Investments, LLC (ClearBridge). FTFA and ClearBridge are both indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc., a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton.

This press release may contain statements regarding plans and expectations for the future that constitute forward-looking statements within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on each Funds current plans and expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning such risks and uncertainties is contained in each Funds filings with the SEC.

For more information about the Funds, please call Fund Investor Services: 1-888-777-0102, or consult each Funds web site at www.franklintempleton.com/investments/options/closed-end-funds. The information contained on each Funds web site is not part of this press release. Hard copies of each Funds complete audited financial statements are available free of charge upon request.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templetons mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,300 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and approximately $1.5 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2023. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Category: Fund Announcement

Source: Legg Mason Closed End Funds

Source: Franklin Resources, Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240126997286/en/

Investors: Fund Investor Services: 1-888-777-0102

Media: Lisa Tibbitts

+1 (904) 942-4451

[email protected]

Source: Franklin Resources, Inc. and Legg Mason Closed End Funds
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- A second victim has been found following a deadly landslide in Malaysia's Pahang state on Friday, authorities said.

The second body was found near a structure used by workers on a vegetable farm, district police chief deputy superintendent Azri Ramli said in a briefing.

Azri said the search and rescue (SAR) team faced challenges due to several more landslides in the area.

Meanwhile, the Cameron Highlands district disaster management committee confirmed that all five victims are Myanmar nationals aged between 25 and 56.

Authorities had received a distress call at 2:51 a.m. local time (1851 GMT) informing them of the incident and had recovered the body of one victim soon after. The other three victims are still missing with search and rescue efforts currently underway. 
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Deliberate AI, a digital health technology company that delivers precision measurement of mental health through AI, today announced its inclusion in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Innovative Science and Technology Approaches for New Drugs (ISTAND) Pilot Program. Under the program, Deliberate AIs assessment tool for anxiety and depression, the AI-generated Clinical Outcome Assessment or AI-COA, will receive support to become a qualified drug development tool (DDT).

The companys AI-enabled assessment tool leverages cutting-edge multimodal behavioral signal processing and machine learning to quantitatively capture mental health symptoms, offering a consistent, bias-free assessment method. During clinical trials, it augments human clinical assessments with its AI algorithm, to improve precision and reliability. This pivotal endorsement marks Deliberate AI technology as the FDAs first AI/ML and Digital Health Technology (DHT) initiative, as well as the inaugural project in the fields of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, to join the pilot program. This inclusion underscores the FDAs commitment to fostering innovative drug development and evaluation solutions, aligning with the agencys recent discussion paper on leveraging AI and DHT in drug development processes.

The FDA's recognition - including Deliberates AI-COA in this program - heralds a new epoch in developing and monitoring treatments for Depression and Anxiety," said Marc Aafjes, Founder & CEO of Deliberate AI. "Together, we can pave the way for more powerful, efficient, and faster clinical trials, addressing a critical barrier in psychiatric drug development, ultimately leading to enhanced patient care and a profound public health impact.

Global experts have also expressed support for Deliberate AI's innovative approach. "The acceptance by the FDA of AI-COA represents a promising advancement in our approach to depression and anxiety trials," said Dr. Maurizio Fava, Associate Dean for Clinical & Translational Research at Harvard Medical School, Psychiatrist-In-Chief at Mass General, and a leading expert in depression research. "Its pioneering approach and inclusion into the ISTAND program marks a new era in the efficacy measurement of depression therapies."

Dr. Rene Kahn, Chair of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and an authority on schizophrenia and psychosis, echoed this sentiment. "The FDA's inclusion of AI-COA into ISTAND is a testament to its potential to revolutionize psychiatric care. Where we have historically relied on subjective and time-consuming assessments, this breakthrough is set to bring unprecedented rigor and precision to clinical assessments and research."

In addition to its work on clinical trials, Deliberate AI is also focusing on refining AI-COA for use in clinical encounters and psychotherapy settings. This enables more precise triage and replaces patient surveys with passive background monitoring for enhanced measurement-based care.

About Deliberate AI

Founded in 2020, Deliberate AI is a digital health company that delivers precision measurement of mental health leveraging AI and ML technologies. Merging advanced multimodal AI with deep clinical insights, our tools are designed to transform the assessment and treatment decisions of mental health conditions. Our mission is to empower clinicians and enhance patient outcomes, with empathy, spanning advanced diagnostics and monitoring, ambient clinical intelligence, and precision therapy enablement. Deliberate AI is committed to bridging technology with practical healthcare, delivering impactful and innovative solutions for mental health. Deliberate AI is backed by investors including Ulu Ventures and Taavet+Sten (founder of Wise Plc, LSE:WISE, and Plurar Platform VC), and is a member of Stanford StartX. Its customers include the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), for a project to improve suicide risk assessment, clinical trial sponsors, mental health clinics, and its also currently running a pilot with one of New Yorks largest healthcare systems.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240126824538/en/

For further information or collaboration inquiries:

Walker Communications

Julie Bishop

[email protected]

Source: Deliberate AI
Fisker to share its plans with NADA attendees on Friday, February 2.

CEO Henrik Fisker to be interviewed by NADA SVP Jonathan Collegio.

Fisker has over 100 dealers in North America and Europe who have expressed interest in signing up for the new Dealer Partnership model.

On January 4, Fisker announced a strategic shift to dealers from direct sales to significantly scale for Fisker Ocean deliveries and higher volume production of additional future models.

Fisker expects to deliver its first vehicles to dealers in February.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fisker Inc. (NYSE: FSR) (Fisker), driven by a mission to create the worlds most emotional and sustainable electric vehicles, announced today that several top executives, including Chairman and CEO Henrik Fisker, will attend the annual National Automobile Dealers Association Show in Las Vegas, held from February 1-4, 2024.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240126861880/en/

Fisker Inc., driven by a mission to create the worlds most emotional and sustainable electric vehicles, announced today that several top executives, including Chairman and CEO Henrik Fisker, will attend the annual National Automobile Dealers Association Show in Las Vegas, held from Feb. 1-4, 2024. On Friday, Feb. 2 at 3:30 PM in the Las Vegas Convention Centers West Hall concourse, Fisker will share the new Dealer Partnership strategy and company plans to scale and expand its retail and service network with dealers. Henrik Fisker will then join NADA Senior Vice President Public Affairs Jonathan Collegio for a livestreamed interview. Dawn Ahmed, Fisker SVP, Global Marketing, Sales & Service and Amira Aly, VP, Marketing, Sales, & Financial Services US will also attend the NADA Show, representing the company. (Photo: Fisker Inc.)

As we execute our new Dealer Partnership strategy, I couldnt be more excited to meet with dealers and experience their enthusiasm for the Fisker brand and the award-winning Fisker Ocean SUV, Henrik Fisker said. With over 100 dealers in North America and Europe who have already expressed interest in becoming a partner, Fisker has shown it has much to offer with our unique features and class-leading range, as well as striking, sustainable design. I also believe we will generate more cash with our dealer model than selling direct.

On Friday at 3:30 PM in the Las Vegas Convention Centers West Hall concourse, Fisker will share the new Dealer Partnership strategy and company plans to scale and expand its retail and service network with dealers. Henrik Fisker will then join NADA Senior Vice President Public Affairs Jonathan Collegio for a livestreamed interview. Dawn Ahmed, Fisker SVP, Global Marketing, Sales & Service and Amira Aly, VP, Marketing, Sales, & Financial Services US will also attend the NADA Show, representing the company.

On January 4, 2024, Fisker announced that it would engage in a strategic shift from direct sales to customers in North America to an innovative Dealer Partnership model. The model combines the goal of offering its customers no-haggle pricing on Fisker vehicles (where permitted) while also providing its dealer partners with larger market territories, so they can maintain pricing without concern for local competition. The transition is aligned with Fiskers asset light business model, which enables the company to significantly scale for Fisker Ocean deliveries and higher volume production of additional future models. The company has been in advanced discussions with numerous potential dealers and expects to deliver its first vehicles to dealers in February.

About Fisker Inc.

California-based Fisker Inc. is revolutionizing the automotive industry by designing and developing individual mobility in alignment with nature. Passionately driven by a vision of a clean future for all, the company is on a mission to create the worlds most sustainable and emotional electric vehicles. To learn more, visit Fiskerinc.com and enjoy exclusive content across Fisker's social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Download the revolutionary new Fisker mobile app from the App Store or Google Play .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as feel, believes, expects, estimates, projects, intends, should, is to be, or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology and include, among other things, the quote from our chief executive officer, any potential future automotive original equipment manufacturer (or equipment or part manufacturer) transactions and other future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein due to many factors, including, but not limited to: Fisker's limited operating history; Fisker's ability to enter into additional manufacturing and other contracts with Magna or tier-one suppliers in order to execute on its business plan; the risk that OEM and supply partners do not meet agreed-upon timelines or experience capacity constraints; Fisker may experience significant delays in the design, manufacture, regulatory approval, launch and financing of its vehicles; Fisker's ability to execute its business model, including market acceptance of its planned products and services; Fisker's inability to retain key personnel and to hire additional personnel; competition in the electric vehicle market; Fisker's inability to develop a sales distribution network; and the ability to protect its intellectual property rights; and those factors discussed in Fisker's Annual Report on Form 10-K, under the heading "Risk Factors", filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), as supplemented by Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other reports and documents Fisker files from time to time with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and Fisker undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240126861880/en/

European Media:

[email protected]

US Media

[email protected]

Customer service: [email protected]

Fisker Inc. Communications:

Matthew DeBord

VP, Communications

[email protected]

Franziska Queling

Regional Head of Public Relations Europe

[email protected]

Investor Relations:

Eric Goldstein

Head of Investor Relations

[email protected]

Source: Fisker Inc.
Solar System atop Panorama City Warehouse Among Wave of New Investments to Bolster Climate Resilience in Valley Communities

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- With a flip of a ceremonial switch, Los Angeles elected officials, business leaders, and community partners celebrated one of the largest rooftop solar panel systems to be installed in the Northeast San Fernando Valley  a new 1.5-megawatt solar array atop a warehouse in Panorama City that will generate enough renewable energy to power 200 homes.

The Valley project is the latest to take advantage of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Powers (LADWP) Feed-in Tariff (FiT) solar program, which enables building owners to create solar power plants on their rooftops and sell the power they generate to the Department for distribution on the citys power grid.

We continue to work with urgency to build a greener Los Angeles and reach our goal of a 100% renewable grid by 2035, said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Projects like these reduce our carbon footprint and strengthen the local economy in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. We thank the Los Angeles Business Council and our valley regional partners for making this project a reality.

The solar project was officially unveiled at a ceremony hosted by the Los Angeles Business Council, which has played a pivotal role in bringing solar programs like the FiT program to areas historically impacted by high pollution. Event attendees included community organizations that have designed and implemented other environmental projects in the area, such as planting hundreds of trees, building new pedestrian walkways, and purchasing electric buses.

Assemblywoman Luz Rivas, who represents the San Fernando Valley, commended California for outperforming the rest of the world in renewable energy.

Its very exciting to serve a state thats leading the world in the transition to clean energy, and that these resources are coming to the very communities and people I represent, said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas. Todays installation brings us one step closer to meeting Californias push to achieve net-zero carbon pollution by 2025 and create thousands of good green jobs in the process.

The project is located in a solar equity hotspot, an area with abundant flat roofs and a large population of low-income residents in need of jobs and new economic opportunities.

I congratulate this team on bringing the FiT program to the Northeast Valley to not only reduce air pollution, but also deliver jobs in a community where we have people ready to work, said L.A. City Councilmember Imelda Padilla. The transformation to clean energy is a critically important economic development tool, and Los Angeles is wisely capitalizing on the promise that programs like the solar FiT have to offer.

In 2013, LADWP launched the nations largest urban rooftop FiT program, helping business owners turn their rooftops into an asset. Aside from reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the FiT program is credited with spurring major private investment in clean solar power in L.A. County and creating thousands of high-quality local jobs.

LADWPs FiT program continues to deliver on its promise to put underutilized rooftops in our service area to use generating zero-carbon solar energy while improving quality of life for residents, said Martin Adams, LADWP general manager and chief engineer. Projects like this one at Rexford Industrial in Panorama City align with our goal of reaching 100% renewable energy by 2035 in an equitable way that benefits all Angelenos. We encourage more building owners to see if they, too, can generate income on their rooftops and help accelerate our citys move toward clean energy.

The LABC has been a leading voice in promoting policies like the solar FiT program that promote environmental stewardship and economic growth.

The Los Angeles Business Council has been a champion of the FiT for more than a decade because we believe in the programs potential to deliver significant economic benefits while also addressing economic and environmental hardships in communities that experience outsized impacts of poor air quality, said Mary Leslie, LABC president. The FiT program is helping ensure our citys green transformation is rooted in equity and bringing economic benefits to communities that need it most.

The LABC is a member of the Green Together Collaborative, a coalition of non-profit and public partners focused on harnessing initiatives like rooftop solar that stimulate the local workforce and combat air-quality issues in Pacoima and Sun Valley. In 2018, the Wells Fargo Foundation awarded the coalition a $500,000 grant to support the installation of rooftop solar as well as urban greening initiatives in the Northeast Valley.

Every community deserves clean air, good jobs and the promise of a healthy future for their families, said Gregg Sherkin, Wells Fargos senior vice president, senior manager, philanthropy & community impact. Our support for this coalitions work in the Northeast San Fernando Valley reflects Wells Fargos commitment to our communities and our support for the transition to a resilient, equitable, and sustainable future.

The new solar project was developed by Valta Energy, together with building owner Rexford Industrial, which has pledged to invest in solar installations on other properties.

As we mark this milestone today, we are not just celebrating a project completion but reaffirming our collective commitment to a greener future. We hope this serves as a model for other building owners in our local community, said Carlos Serra, Rexford Industrials executive vice president of development and construction.

About the Los Angeles Business Council

The Los Angeles Business Council is one of the most effective and influential advocacy and educational organizations in California. For over 70 years, the LABC has had a major impact on public policy by harnessing the power of business and government to promote environmental and economic sustainability in the Los Angeles region. To learn more, please visit labusinesscouncil.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240126853497/en/

Malina Brown

(310) 974-6682 | [email protected]

Source: Los Angeles Business Council
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- National Funding, one of the largest U.S. specialty financing companies serving small- and medium-sized businesses celebrates its 25th anniversary on January 27. It has provided over $4.5 billion in working capital and equipment leasing for SMBs nationwide.

Ready to take on the traditional lending practices that made it difficult for small businesses to access capital, David Gilbert, a USC Marshall School of Business 98 graduate, founded National Funding in 1999 to make a difference in how SMBs obtain funds. CEO Gilbert set out to be the champion of American small business owners and bridge the gap left by traditional lenders. Twenty-five years later, National Fundings quick-to-fund loan process has supported over 80,000 businesses nationwide in reaching their goals.

As a trusted financial services partner, National Funding takes every opportunity to help strengthen small business owners so they can transform their vision into a reality, said Gilbert. We empower owners to do what they do best  by providing customized business lending options and resources to help them foster financial well-being. Our success is a direct result of our family of over 250 employees developing new loan products and innovative digital delivery channels.

National Funding made the San Diego Business Journal and Inc. 5000 list of the nations fastest-growing private companies eight times. Forbes Advisor named National Funding the Best Business Loans for Small to Mid-sized Businesses.

Our Forbes awards affirm that National Funding has loan products that meet SMBs needs, said President Joseph Gaudio. Whether its new products, services, or people, National Funding is excited and committed to continue investing in the future of small business for the next 25 years!

To learn more about National Funding, visit https://nationalfunding.com

About National Funding

Founded in 1999, National Funding is a leading U.S. specialty finance company serving small- and medium-sized businesses. The company serves American small business owners by providing funding solutions to meet their needs to re-invest in their day-to-day operations and help them grow. National Funding offers an online application process that allows business owners to get approved for funds in as little as 24 hours. For more information about National Funding, visit https://www.nationalfunding.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240126592464/en/

Susan Almon-Pesch

Publicist

[email protected]

858-205-0516

Source: National Funding
Bon Jovi, Brandy Clark, Damiano David, Melissa Etheridge, Goo Goo Dolls, Jason Isbell, Jelly Roll, Marcus King, Bruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, The War And Treaty, and Lainey Wilson Slated to Perform at Tribute Concert

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GRAMMY Award-winning artists Bon Jovi, Melissa Etheridge, Jason Isbell, Bruce Springsteen, and Shania Twain, along with GRAMMY Award nominees Brandy Clark, Damiano David of Maneskin, Goo Goo Dolls, Jelly Roll, Marcus King, The War And Treaty, and Lainey Wilson will perform at MusiCares  Person of the Year benefit gala honoring GRAMMY Award winner, 11-time nominee and founding member of American rock band Bon Jovi, Jon Bon Jovi, on Feb. 2, 2024, two days before the GRAMMY Awards Telecast. The 33rd annual benefit gala will be hosted by GRAMMY-nominated comedian Jim Gaffigan. Joining the evenings host will be presenters Gayle King and GRAMMY Award-winning musician Kylie Minogue.

Im looking forward to seeing these talented musicians take the stage for the MusiCares gala. Im honored they are able to be with us for such a wonderful night, said Jon Bon Jovi.

This years tribute will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center and includes a cocktail reception, followed by a dinner and tribute concert. Performers will pay tribute to Bon Jovis legacy and his impact on rock and roll since the 1983 inception of his eponymous band.

Jon Bon Jovi is a rock and roll trailblazer, influencing countless artists over the years. MusiCares is honored to pay tribute to him as our 2024 Person of the Year. Bon Jovi has also lent his lifes work to philanthropic efforts that align with the health and human services mission of MusiCares, forever changing the lives of those in need, said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. The goal of the Person of the Year gala is to raise funds for MusiCares vital services throughout the year and to celebrate the philanthropy and impact of music legends.

Since 1991, money raised from this gala has gone toward providing essential support for MusiCares programs and services assisting the music community in times of need, including physical and mental health, addiction recovery, preventive clinics, unforeseen personal emergencies, and disaster relief.

The event would not be possible without support from our sponsors, including AEG, City National Bank, ELS STUDIO 3D Premium Audio, Hilton, Dana and Robert Kraft with The Kraft Group, Meta, Starbucks, and Wasserman Foundation.

I am so proud of the work our MusiCares team is doing to support artists in need, whether its access to health care, mental health services, or replacing a stolen guitar, said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares. I cant wait to celebrate this impactful work, and to honor Jon Bon Jovi, a true music icon, and someone who represents the goodness of our music community.

Jon Bon Jovi joins an impressive list of recent MusiCares honorees including Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac, and Dolly Parton.

Jim Gaffigan is a seven-time GRAMMY Award-nominated comedian, actor, writer, producer, two-time New York Times best-selling author, three-time Emmy-winning top touring performer, and multiplatinum-selling recording artist.

The event will again be produced by live event broadcast outfit Lewis & Clark, made up of Joe Lewis and R.A. Clark. Rob Mathes will join the special evening as musical director.

Tables and tickets are available for purchase at http://personoftheyear.musicares.org/. For more information about the event please visit www.musicares.org or email [email protected].

For media interested in applying for red carpet credentials, please reach out to Asenath Nakayama at [email protected].

ABOUT MUSICARES

MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: www.musicares.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240126969647/en/

Jessica Carmona

MusiCares

[email protected]

Source: MusiCares
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A class action alleging price fixing commissions within the residential real estate industry has expanded to cover all of Canada. The Statement of Claim was filed in the Federal Court on January 19, 2023. The lawsuit says that real estate brokerages across Canada have agreed to a series of illegal rules leading to illegal increases in the price of residential real estate commissions. It also alleges that the Canadian Real Estate Association and local real estate boards across Canada are responsible for this misconduct.

A prior lawsuit was filed on behalf of residential real estate sellers in Toronto. This new lawsuit covers all real estate regions in Canada, other than Toronto. It follows on the heals of a decision by the Federal Court finding that it was at least arguable that the rules agreed to by the Toronto real estate brokerages were illegal and contrary to the Competition Act.

The case centers around a rule that requires home sellers who list their house on a Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, to make an offer of commission to the buyers real estate brokerage. In so doing, the rule makes the seller responsible to pay for the buyer brokerage services used by the buyer. The lawsuit alleges that this rule prevents competition in the buyer brokerage industry leading to higher commissions than what would otherwise exist in a competitive market.

The rules should protect the homeowners, not the entrenched real estate industry, said Kevin McFall, the plaintiff in the class action.

This practice needs to end, said Garth Myers of Kalloghlian Myers LLP, one of the lawyers who brought the lawsuit. The cost of housing is a major problem in Canada. The unfortunate reality is that the real estate industry is contributing to this problem.

Technological advances should have caused the price for buyer brokerage services to drop. Instead, the cost of buyer brokerage services has skyrocketed, said Paul Bates of Bates Barristers P.C., another lawyer working on the case.

When you make the seller responsible for paying for services used by buyers, there is no longer any incentive for buyers to consider not using a buyer brokerage at all, or to seek a reduced price. In this way, the rule eliminate the downward pressure on the price for buyer brokerage services, explained John Syme of John Syme Law, another lawyer working on the case.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240126662900/en/

Garth Myers

[email protected]

(647) 969-4472

Source: Kalloghlian Myers LLP
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

In accordance with Article 5 of EU Regulation n 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation), detailed information is available on the website of Tikehau Capital (Paris: TKO): https://www.tikehaucapital.com/fr/shareholders/regulatory-information

Disclosure of shares repurchases from 19 January 2024 to 25 January 2024 Name of the issuer Issuer Identity Code (LEI) Trading Day ISIN Aggregated volume

per day (number of

shares) Weighted

average price

per day Market (MIC

Code) TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 19/01/2024 FR0013230612 2,000 20.4518 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 22/01/2024 FR0013230612 2,000 20.7419 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 23/01/2024 FR0013230612 593 20.8800 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 24/01/2024 FR0013230612 2,000 21.2289 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 25/01/2024 FR0013230612 2,000 21.2418 XPAR TOTAL 8,593 20.9136

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240126002278/en/

Tikehau Capital

Source: Tikehau Capital
ST. JOHNS, Newfoundland and Labrador--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Newfoundland & Labrador welcomes the provincial governments announcement of a 10-year plan to modernize and improve the provinces education system. CUPE NL represents over 1,700 members working in education, including early childhood educators, educational assistants, and post-secondary educators.

We look forward to working with the employer to develop a plan that will improve public education across the province that values our members working in this sector, and that will keep public education public, said CUPE NL President Sherry Hillier.

In the past four years, the Furey administration has continued to push public-private partnerships across the province. This government has tried to contract out much of our current public service work, targeting hospitals, housing, and even snow removal in our towns, and we don't want that to affect our schools more than it already has. The children of Newfoundland and Labrador deserve an education system that prioritizes their learning, not profit.

CUPE NL is prepared to fight for a high-quality, public education system for our members, and for the people of Newfoundland & Labrador. They will be holding town halls with members across the province to ensure that this plan incorporates the expert knowledge of those working in education and reflects the issues and concerns that are important to CUPE NL members.

:sm/cope 491

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240126449541/en/

For more information:

Sherry Hillier

President, CUPE Newfoundland & Labrador

709-765-2996

Haseena Manek

CUPE Atlantic Communications Officer

[email protected]

Source: Canadian Union of Public Employees
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WestRock Company (NYSE: WRK) today reported that its board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.3025 per share on its common stock. The quarterly dividend of $0.3025 per share will be paid to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 9, 2024, and will be paid on February 21, 2024.

About WestRock

WestRock (NYSE: WRK) partners with our customers to provide sustainable paper and packaging solutions that help them win in the marketplace. WestRocks team members support customers around the world from locations spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Learn more at www.westrock.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240123448639/en/

Investors:

Robert Quartaro, 470-328-6979

Vice President, Investor Relations

[email protected]



Media:

Robby Johnson, 470-328-6397

Senior Manager, Corporate Communications

[email protected]

Source: WestRock Company
Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended marketing authorization approval of Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel; ide-cel) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD), a proteasome inhibitor (PI), and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. The European Commission (EC), which has the authority to approve medicines for the European Union (EU), will now review the CHMP recommendation.

This positive CHMP opinion represents an important step toward bringing our potentially transformative first-in-class anti-BCMA CAR T cell therapy, Abecma, to more patients earlier in the multiple myeloma treatment paradigm to improve outcomes, said Anne Kerber, M.D., senior vice president and head, Late Clinical Development, Hematology, Oncology, Cell Therapy (HOCT), Bristol Myers Squibb. We look forward to working with the European Commission with the shared goal of delivering innovative treatment options to more patients with continued unmet need.

The CHMP adopted a positive opinion based on the final progression-free survival (PFS) analysis from the pivotal, Phase 3, open-label, global, randomized, controlled KarMMa-3 study evaluating Abecma compared with standard combination regimens in adults with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma after two to four prior lines of therapy, including an IMiD, a PI, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, which are the three main classes of therapy (triple-class exposed) in multiple myeloma, and who were refractory to their last regimen. Results recently presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in December 2023 showed, at a median follow-up of 30.9 months (range: 12.7-47.8), Abecma significantly improved PFS compared with standard regimens, with a median PFS of 13.8 months vs. 4.4 months (HR:0.49; 95% CI: 0.38-0.63), representing a 51% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death with Abecma.

Results for the key secondary endpoint of overall response rate showed the majority of patients (71%; (95% CI: 66-77) treated with Abecma achieved a response, with 44% (95% CI: 38-50) achieving a complete response or stringent complete response. In comparison, less than half of patients (41%; 95% CI: 34-51) who received standard regimens achieved a response, with 5% (95% CI: 2-9) experiencing a complete response or stringent complete response.

Treatment with Abecma exhibited a well-established safety profile, with mostly low-grade and transient occurrences of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity. In patients treated with Abecma, 88% experienced any grade CRS, with Grade 3/4 events occurring in 4% of patients. Two patients (1%) experienced a Grade 5 CRS event. Any grade neurotoxicity occurred in 15% of patients, with Grade 3/4 neurotoxicity occurring in 3% of patients, and no Grade 5 events reported.

In the EU, the EC delivers its final decision approximately two months following receipt of the CHMP opinion. The decision will be applicable to all EU member states and Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.* Please see the Important Safety Information section below, including Boxed WARNINGS for Abecma regarding cytokine release syndrome, neurologic toxicities, Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome and Prolonged Cytopenia. A supplemental Biologics License Application for Abecma in earlier lines of therapy for triple-class exposed relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee of the FDA will convene a meeting to review data from KarMMa-3 supporting the application. Abecma is also approved in Japan for adult patients with triple-class exposed relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after two prior lines of therapy, and in the EU, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Israel for adult patients with triple-class exposed relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma after three to four or more prior lines of therapy.

Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in the KarMMa-3 study.

*Centralized Marketing Authorization does not include approval in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).
NAIROBI, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- A Kenyan Court on Friday stopped the government from deploying police officers to fight gang violence in Haiti.

High Court judge Justice Chacha Mwita said the National Security Council, the government's top security organ, does not have the legal powers to deploy regular police outside of the country.

"An order is hereby issued prohibiting deployment of police officers to Haiti or any other country otherwise in compliance with part 14 that is sections 107 and 108 of the national police service act," Mwita ruled.

"Deployment should be as provided for in part 14 of the Act and only to a reciprocating country. It is not contested that there is no reciprocal arrangement between Kenya and Haiti and for that reason, there can be no deployment of police to that country," the judge said.

He recognized that Kenya's offer to help mitigate a humanitarian crisis in Haiti was noble. However, he maintained that such deployment needed to be undertaken in accordance with the Constitution.

In July 2023, Kenya volunteered to lead a multinational security force in Haiti to quell gang violence and later offered to send 1,000 officers to Haiti after the Caribbean nation requested international help to fight the gangs.

A team of Kenyan police to be deployed to Haiti completed their circulating training from various camps on Jan. 4. The team was told to take a brief rest ahead of a key ruling in court on the way forward on their planned deployment.

The application was made by Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot who wanted the court to block the deployment, stating that it was illegal.

The government said that although it respects the rule of law, it will challenge the High Court ruling against the deployment to Haiti.

"While the government respects the rule of law, we have however made the decision to challenge the High Court's verdict forthwith," government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

He said Kenya has an outstanding track record of contributing to peacekeeping missions internationally in countries such as South Sudan, Namibia, Croatia, Liberia and Sierra Leone, among others.

"The government reiterates its commitment to honoring international obligations as a member of the community of nations," Mwaura said. 
Fisker Inc. (NYSE: FSR) (Fisker), driven by a mission to create the worlds most emotional and sustainable electric vehicles, announced today that several top executives, including Chairman and CEO Henrik Fisker, will attend the annual National Automobile Dealers Association Show in Las Vegas, held from February 1-4, 2024.

As we execute our new Dealer Partnership strategy, I couldnt be more excited to meet with dealers and experience their enthusiasm for the Fisker brand and the award-winning Fisker Ocean SUV, Henrik Fisker said. With over 100 dealers in North America and Europe who have already expressed interest in becoming a partner, Fisker has shown it has much to offer with our unique features and class-leading range, as well as striking, sustainable design. I also believe we will generate more cash with our dealer model than selling direct.

On Friday at 3:30 PM in the Las Vegas Convention Centers West Hall concourse, Fisker will share the new Dealer Partnership strategy and company plans to scale and expand its retail and service network with dealers. Henrik Fisker will then join NADA Senior Vice President Public Affairs Jonathan Collegio for a livestreamed interview. Dawn Ahmed, Fisker SVP, Global Marketing, Sales & Service and Amira Aly, VP, Marketing, Sales, & Financial Services US will also attend the NADA Show, representing the company.

On January 4, 2024, Fisker announced that it would engage in a strategic shift from direct sales to customers in North America to an innovative Dealer Partnership model. The model combines the goal of offering its customers no-haggle pricing on Fisker vehicles (where permitted) while also providing its dealer partners with larger market territories, so they can maintain pricing without concern for local competition. The transition is aligned with Fiskers asset light business model, which enables the company to significantly scale for Fisker Ocean deliveries and higher volume production of additional future models. The company has been in advanced discussions with numerous potential dealers and expects to deliver its first vehicles to dealers in February.
JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (NYSE: JKS) today announced that its majority-owned principal operating subsidiary Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. published estimates of certain preliminary unaudited financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2023 .

For the year ended December 31, 2023 , (i) the preliminary unaudited net income attributable to the shareholders of Jiangxi Jinko is estimated to be in the range from RMB7.25 billion to RMB7.95 billion , increasing by from RMB4.31 billion to RMB5.01 billion and by from 146.92% to 170.76% year over year, and (ii) the preliminary unaudited net income attributable to the shareholders of Jiangxi Jinko excluding extraordinary gains and losses is estimated to be in the range from RMB6.55 billion to RMB7.25 billion , increasing by from RMB3.90 billion to RMB4.60 billion and by from 147.59% to 174.05% year over year.

The preliminary unaudited financial results of Jiangxi Jinko for 2023 described in this press release (the "Jiangxi Jinko Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results") are different from JinkoSolar's consolidated financial results (the "Consolidated Financials"), mainly because (i) the consolidation scope of the Jiangxi Jinko Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results differs from that of the Consolidated Financials: the Jiangxi Jinko Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results are prepared solely for Jiangxi Jinko, whereas the Consolidated Financials also include financial statements of JinkoSolar and its other subsidiaries, and (ii) the Jiangxi Jinko Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results and the Consolidated Financials are prepared according to different accounting standards and principles: the Jiangxi Jinko Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results are prepared in accordance with PRC GAAP, whereas the Consolidated Financials are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America . As such, investors of JinkoSolar should exercise caution when reviewing the Jiangxi Jinko Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results described in this press release and are advised not to base their investment decisions solely on such preliminary unaudited financial results.

JinkoSolar currently owns approximately 58.59% equity interest in Jiangxi Jinko.
By Rajesh Kumar Singh and Shivansh Tiwary

(Reuters) -JetBlue Airways on Friday raised doubts about the future of its $3.8 billion merger deal with Spirit Airlines, saying it might be unable to meet certain conditions required as part of the agreement for unspecified reasons.

As a result, JetBlue said it had informed Spirit that the merger agreement might be terminated as early as Sunday.

Shares of Spirit were down 9.5% at $6.54 on Friday afternoon, adding to their losses of about 55% this month which were sparked by a U.S. judge's move to block the deal. JetBlue's shares were up 3.5% at $5.53.

JetBlue said it continues to evaluate options under the agreement and, unless the agreement is terminated, it would abide by its merger obligations. The New York-based airline could not immediately be reached for comment.

In response, Spirit said there was no basis for terminating the merger agreement. It said it would continue to abide by its obligations and was expecting JetBlue to do the same.

Without the JetBlue deal, Spirit faces a rough road ahead as the ultra-low-cost carrier has grappled with weak demand in its key markets as it seeks to return to sustainable profitability. Some analysts have even suggested the company could face bankruptcy if it cannot shore up finances.

Spirit has said it is assessing options to refinance its 2025 debt maturities, and is not pursuing or involved in a statutory restructuring.

Last week, the company said the amount of compensation it expects to receive from supplier Pratt & Whitney over several jets that were grounded would be a significant source of liquidity over the next couple of years.

Earlier this month, a U.S. judge blocked the airline's planned merger with JetBlue, after finding that the proposed deal could threaten competition in the U.S. aviation market and harm ticket prices. Both airlines have said they will appeal the ruling.

Under the merger agreement, Jan. 28 is the deadline for the deal's closure. If regulatory approval has not arrived by that date, there is an automatic provision to extend the deadline until July 24, 2024. Regulators have yet to approve the deal as of Friday.

JetBlue's move is aimed at either forcing a termination of the deal or restructuring it at a new purchase price, said Steve Segal, M&A attorney at business law firm Buchalter.

Segal said mounting concerns about Spirit's finances and its future might be deemed to constitute a "material adverse effect," offering JetBlue a legal argument to call off the deal without triggering the July extension.

JetBlue is mindful that Spirit's business has deteriorated significantly since the two agreed on the tie-up in July 2022, sources have told Reuters.

If the appeals court reaffirms the lower court's ruling, "JetBlue shareholders could breathe a sigh of relief that the carrier would not have to assume Spirit Airlines' high debt load or its cash-burning operations," Citi analyst Stephen Trent wrote in a note. Trent said there is a probability of only 2% that the appeal will succeed.

When Spirit originally accepted JetBlue's acquisition offer, the market value of its equity was $3.8 billion. Its enterprise value, inclusive of its outstanding debt at the time, was $7.6 billion. Since then, the company's market capitalization has fallen to about $788 million.

If JetBlue is able to complete the transaction with new debt to fund the original transaction, its debt-to-EBITDA ratio will increase to 12 times or more at the end this year, up from 9 times at the end of 2023, Moody's investor service said this week.

JetBlue's annual interest burden will also increase to about $620 million from about $375 million in 2023, Moody's said.

After the judge blocked the proposed merger earlier this month, JPMorgan analysts said, "JetBlue dodges a bullet."

"It frees JetBlue from a costly merger we believe management and the Board were no longer wed to," they said.

JetBlue's earnings are also under pressure. On Friday, the company said it is looking to cut fixed costs by offering buyouts to employees in corporate, airports, and customer support functions. The program does not include pilots, flight attendants and technicians.

(Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh in ChicagoAdditional reporting by David Shepardson in Washington, Shivansh Tiwary and Abhijith Ganapavaram in BengaluruEditing by Shounak Dasgupta, Anil D'Silva and Matthew Lewis)
Aurion invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts, to attend in person or online at VirtualInvestorConferences.com

ST. JOHNS, Newfoundland and Labrador, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aurion Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: AU) (OTCQX: AIRRF) (Aurion or the Company), a Canadian-based exploration company, exploring for gold in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt in Finland, today announced that David Lotan, Chairman, will present live at the Battery and Precious Metals Virtual Investor Conference, hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on January 30th.

DATE: January 30th

TIME: 1:00 pm ET

LINK: https://bit.ly/3O92vPo

Available for 1x1 meetings: January 30th and 31st.

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the Company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

Recent Company Highlights

Aurion-B2Gold Intersect High-Grade Gold Mineralization at Vuoma, including 28.64g/t Au over 4.90 m  Link to Press Release HERE

 Link to Press Release HERE VIDEO: Aurion JV Drilling Update  Vuoma Link

 Vuoma Link Aurion Regional Scout Drilling Intersects Four New Gold Occurrences on Wholly Owned Risti  Link to Press Release HERE

 Link to Press Release HERE VIDEO: Aurion Scout Drilling Program Update on 100%-owned Risti Link

About Aurion Resources Ltd.

Aurion Resources Ltd. (Aurion) is a well-funded, Canadian exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V: AU) and the OTCQX Best Market (OTCQX: AIRRF). Aurions strategy is to generate or acquire early-stage precious metals exploration opportunities and advance them through direct exploration by our experienced team or by business partnerships and joint venture arrangements. Aurions current focus is exploring on its Risti project, as well as advancing its joint venture properties with B2Gold and Kinross in Finland.

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:

Aurion Resources

Mark Santarossa

Vice President, Corporate Development

(416) 371-1325

[email protected]

Virtual Investor Conferences

John M. Viglotti

SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access

OTC Markets Group

(212) 220-2221

[email protected]
Company invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts, to attend in person or online at VirtualInvestorConferences.com

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chakana Copper (OTCQB:CHKKF; TSXV:PERU), based in Vancouver and focused on copper and precious metals exploration in Peru, today announced that David Kelley, President and CEO, will present live at the Battery and Precious Metals Virtual Investor Conference, hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on January 30th, 2024.



DATE: January 30th

TIME: 10:30 AM EST

LINK: https://bit.ly/3O92vPo

Available for 1x1 meetings: January 30 to February 1

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com .

Recent Company Highlights

Drill permit received June 28, 2023 to test multiple new targets on south half of project

Upsized financing of C$3.0 million closed January 15 with investments from Gold Fields and Rick Rule

Drilling will start in March testing the Mega-Gold porphyry, La Joya HSE, and additional high-grade breccia pipes





About CHAKANA COPPER

CHAKANA COPPER Corp is a Canadian-based minerals exploration company that is currently advancing the Soledad Project located in the Ancash region of Peru, a highly favorable mining jurisdiction with supportive communities. The Soledad Project is notable for the high-grade copper-gold-silver mineralization that is hosted in tourmaline breccia pipes and other intrusion-related styles of mineralization. An initial inferred resource estimate for seven breccia pipes was announced in January, 2022 (see news release dated February 23, 2022), with 6.73 Mt containing 191,000 ounces of gold, 11.7 million ounces of silver, and 130 million pounds of copper. In addition, extensive multidisciplinary exploration has defined 154 exploration targets, 28 of which have been tested to date (18%), confirming that Soledad is a large, well-endowed mineral system with strong exploration upside. Chakanas investors are uniquely positioned as the Soledad Project provides exposure to base and precious metals. For more information on the Soledad project, please visit the website at www.chakanacopper.com.

Qualified Person

David Kelley, an officer, and a director of Chakana, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:

CHAKANA COPPER

David Kelley

President and CEO

720-233-2166

[email protected]

Virtual Investor Conferences

John M. Viglotti

SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access

OTC Markets Group

(212) 220-2221

[email protected]
ATLANTA, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Columbia Journalism School announced the 15 winners of the 2024 duPont-Columbia Awards during a special ceremony last night highlighting outstanding audio and video reporting in the public interest, including InvestigateTV, Gray Television Inc.s (Gray) (NYSE: GTN) national investigative unit, and WANF, Grays Atlanta CBS affiliate. ABC World News Tonight Anchor David Muir and CNN Anchor and Correspondent Audie Cornish hosted the ceremony at the Low Memorial Library on Columbia Universitys campus. Their award recognizes the outstanding work of both teams on the multi-part investigative series The Sixth, which exposed a critical shortage of public defenders in Georgia and many other states, where defendants can languish in jail for months, even years, awaiting trial.



The duPont-Columbia Awards noted the "innovative collaboration of the production team of Investigative Reporter Andy Pierrotti, Investigative Photographer Luke Carter, Managing Editor Jamie Grey, and Executive Producer of Investigations Lindsey Basye.

Gray will commit every resource necessary to investigative journalism that uncovers injustices and the solutions needed to help real people who are impacted, Grays Chief Operating Officer Sandy Breland said. This honor demonstrates how our national unit and local investigators can join forces to shine an even brighter light on issues that affect all of our communities.

For more than 80 years, the duPont-Columbia Awards have recognized professionals and projects that uphold the highest standards in journalism by honoring winners annually, informing the public about those journalists contributions, and supporting journalism education and innovation.

InvestigateTV launched in 2018 and provides innovative, original journalism from a dedicated investigative team and partners, including News21 at Arizona State Universitys Cronkite School of Journalism, and NerdWallet. In 2023, it expanded to a daily, 30-minute news magazine, InvestigateTV+, which airs in all 113 Gray markets.



About Gray:

Gray Television, Inc. is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Gray is the nations largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the United States. Its television stations serve 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. This portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 102 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station. Gray also owns video program companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, as well as the studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. Gray owns a majority interest in Swirl Films. For more information, please visit www.gray.tv .

Gray Contact:

Sandy Breland, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, 404-266-8333
In its tenth edition, the IFE Conference focused on the theme of education in the era of artificial intelligence, encouraging discussions about the technological and ethical challenges associated with its use.

Over three days, more than 250 activities took place dedicated to learning, collaboration, and innovation.

MONTERREY, Mexico, Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The tenth edition of the IFE Conference, organized by the Tecnologico de Monterreys Institute for the Future of Education (IFE 2024), came to a successful conclusion. The event brought together more than 4,000 attendees and specialists in educational innovation from over 39 countries, who discussed and shared ideas on the topic of education in the era of Artificial Intelligence and the technological challenges associated with its use.

During the conference, there were more than 250 simultaneous activities, including conferences, panels, and thematic events. These included the Artificial Intelligence in Education Summit, the IFE EdTech Summit, and the Cyber-Physical Learning Alliance Summit (CPLAS 2024), which offered opportunities for learning, collaboration, and networking.

Additionally, more than 170 educational research and innovation projects from 30 countries were presented, covering the themes of Educational Trends, Technologies for Education, Academic Innovation in Health, Management of Educational Innovation, and Lifelong Learning.

The keynote speakers at the event were Michelle Marks, Chancellor of the University of Colorado Denver; Scott Pulsipher, President of Western Governor University; Bharat N. Anand, Vice Provost for Advances in Learning at Harvard University; Jo Angouri, Academic Director of Education and Internationalization at the University of Warwick; Simon Bates, Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President for Teaching and Learning at The University of British Columbia; and Maria Jose Gonzalez Solaz, Director of Microcredentials at the CEU Cardenal Herrera University Rectorate.

During the closing of the event, Jose Escamilla, associate director of the Institute for the Future of Education, spoke about the lessons in innovation and education that had been shared. He concluded, "We hope this congress has been an opportunity to connect and learn. For us, it is a great opportunity to have you here so that we can jointly fulfill our mission of improving the lives of millions of people in the world, by transforming higher education and lifelong learning."

Since its first edition in 2014, the IFE Conference, formerly known as the International Congress of Educational Innovation, has become the most prominent educational innovation congress among Spanish-speaking countries.

This event has opened a range of opportunities for creating networking contacts, allowing interaction among academics, education entrepreneurs, researchers, educational policy makers, and civil society organizations to enrich the exchange of ideas and perspectives.

To view photos of the event, click on: : https://tec.rs/IFEConference_Dia3

Visit Newsroom, Tecnologico de Monterrey's press room

Follow on social media:

About Tecnologico de Monterrey

Tecnologico de Monterrey (http://www.tec.mx) is a private nonprofit multi-campus university system founded in 1943, and distinguished globally for its academic excellence, innovation in education, entrepreneurship, and global vision, along with its deep engagement with industry and employers. With a presence across 33 municipalities and 20 Mexican states, the institution has more than 62,000 enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, almost 7,000 faculty members, and more than 27,000 high school students served by 2,500 professors. The institution has been accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) since 1950. According to the QS World University Rankings (2024), Tecnologico de Monterrey ranks 184th globally and among the top 29 private universities worldwide. The Times Higher Education Latin America University Rankings (2023) ranks the institution 1st in Mexico and 4th in Latin America, and The Global University Employability Ranking places the institution 1st in Latin America and 78st globally. The Princeton Review & Entrepreneur magazine ranking of Top Schools for Entrepreneurship Ranking (2023), places the institution as 6th for undergraduate entrepreneurship programs. Tecnologico de Monterrey belongs to several prestigious global networks including, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), Universitas 21 (U21), and The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), among others.

Press Contacts: Tecnologico de Monterrey Pamela Granados [email protected] Cel.: 81 1080 8256 Alterpraxis Daniela Garcia daniela.garci [email protected] Cel.: 55 5059 1135 Miranda Partners Ana Sofia Fraser [email protected]

Source: Tecnologico de Monterrey
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- I thought there should be an advanced dog cage to assist owners with caring for their dog from feeding and training to cleaning and grooming, said an inventor, from Middletown, Ohio, so I invented the ADVANCED DOG CAGE. My design could help relieve some of the responsibilities that dog owners face.

The invention provides an advanced and multi-functional cage for dogs. In doing so, it would provide and dispense food, treats, and water as well as assist with washing, grooming, and training the dog. As a result, it would reduce some of the stresses and responsibilities associated with caring for a dog. The invention features an innovative design that is easy to use and transport so it is ideal for pet dog owners.

The original design was submitted to the Cincinnati sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 22-CCT-4830, InventHelp, 100 Beecham Drive, Suite 110, Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9801, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

Source: InventHelp
TORONTO, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KOHO Financial Inc. (KOHO) a leading Canadian fintech company advances into their next phase of securing a banking license in Canada.

This strategic move is part of the companys core mission to democratize access to the best financial products and marks a significant milestone in KOHOs eight year journey.

If we want to build the best products in the country, we need the best infrastructure in the country. This is a crucial next step in that journey, says KOHO CEO, Daniel Eberhard.

KOHO is also excited to announce Peter Aceto will be joining the leadership team to lead KOHO's efforts to obtain a bank license. Peter spent nine years as the CEO of Tangerine Bank (formerly ING Direct) from its early formation through to its acquisition.

"I have always admired the business that KOHO has built and the success they have achieved. I am excited to join the team, help them obtain a Canadian banking license, and contribute to their mission of providing transparent, innovative customer first financial products to everyday Canadians, says Peter Aceto.

Entering phase two of applying for a banking license will bring KOHO closer to its mission, highlighting the company's steadfast commitment to financially empowering Canadians while providing them with the tools they need to succeed.

About KOHOKOHO is a fintech company on a mission to make financial products that are transparent and intuitive. KOHO offers a full-service spending and savings account with no hidden fees that gives cash back on every purchase, and an integrated app that helps users spend smart and save more. KOHO partners with a variety of banks and federally regulated financial institutions to deliver our products. For more information, please visit koho.ca.

For more information, and images or to schedule an interview, please contact Chrissy Newton, [email protected].

Source: KOHO
Now Accepting Applications through February 2

MIAMI, Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Latin American and Caribbean Counsel Association (LA&CCA) is excited to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with Oxford University's Said Business School to offer a unique scholarship opportunity for the newly launched online Diploma in Strategy & Innovation.



LA&CCA members who apply for the programme will be considered for a full scholarship to cover the diploma fees. Two scholarships will be available for the program's first iteration, which launches on March 4. This initiative aims to attract diverse global participants, empowering experienced leaders from Latin American and Caribbean regions to develop effective strategies in an ever-changing world. The standard programme fee for the Diploma is 30,890.

"This initiative with Oxford University marks a transformative moment for both me and LA&CCA," says Shelly-Ann Mohammed, President & CEO of LA&CCA. "It highlights our commitment to providing unmatched opportunities for professional growth to our members, giving lawyers in the region access to opportunities they may not have had otherwise, which is a core principle behind LA&CCA's foundation."

The University of Oxfords Said Business School is thrilled to support the development of talented, senior professionals in Latin America and the Caribbean with this unique opportunity with the LA&CCA. As a business school, we are fully committed to offering truly global learning experiences and supporting valuable initiatives to attract the brightest and best candidates from this important region, says Gemma Kay, Director of Executive Diplomas & Masters, Said Business School, Oxford University.

To participate in this exceptional opportunity, LA&CCA members must have a good first degree and a minimum of five years of relevant experience. They should contact [email protected] at Said Business School to confirm their membership and decision to apply by Friday, February 2, 2024. The Schools recruitment team will guide eligible candidates through the admissions process, and a final decision on awarding the two places will be made by February 14.

In addition to the two scholarship placements, all LA&CCA members who successfully apply for the program's first iteration will receive a 20% reduction in programme fees granting legal professionals unique access to world-class education and professional development opportunities.

This collaboration represents LA&CCA's dedication to providing exceptional opportunities for members, contributing to the region's socio-economic development by enhancing the capacity and expertise of legal professionals.

To be eligible to pursue the Oxford-LA&CCA Scholarship, you must be a registered member of LA&CCA. Non-members may obtain complimentary access until May 31. Members should contact Said Business School to confirm their membership and decision to apply by Friday, February 2, 2024. Awardees will be announced once accepted into the program and will be expected to act as ambassadors for Said Business School and LA&CCA.

About Latin American & Caribbean Counsel Association (LA&CCA)

The Latin American & Caribbean Counsel Association (LA&CCA) is set on a mission of uniting legal professionals, empowering growth, and transforming the legal landscape in Latin America and the Caribbean, fostering positive changes and development in the region's legal sector. Through strategic education, networking, and advocacy efforts, LA&CCA aims to bring about positive systemic shifts within regional organizations and communities, thereby reshaping the corporate legal landscape. For more insights, please visit LA&CCA's website at www.la-cca.org .

Media Contact

Warner Johnston

[email protected]

415-692-4860
ISTANBUL, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his British counterpart David Cameron on Friday discussed the Gaza conflict and bilateral issues in Istanbul.

The two ministers met behind closed doors. A Turkish diplomatic source said that Fidan stressed during the meeting that an immediate full ceasefire is needed in Gaza for lasting peace in the Middle East and a two-state solution must be implemented.

The source said Fidan and Cameron reaffirmed their determination to strengthen bilateral relations between their countries in a wide range of areas, especially in trade, economy, and defense industry.

For his part, Cameron, British secretary of state for foreign, commonwealth and development affairs, said he was pleased that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the presidential decree on Sweden's accession to NATO after the Turkish parliament voted on the bill.

According to the source, another topic on the table was the allied relations within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the two ministers also addressed the importance of security in the Black Sea. 
Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release, publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.



VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Latin Metals Inc. (Latin Metals or the Company) - (TSXV: LMS) (OTCQB: LMSQF) announces a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $0.7 million.

The Company announces a non-brokered private placement (the Financing) of up to 10,000,000 units (each, a Unit) for a subscription price of $0.07 per Unit, to raise total gross proceeds of up to $0.7 million. Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of Latin Metals (each, a Share) and one-half of one common share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Share at a price of $0.15 per Share for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Financing. Certain directors and officers of the Company are expected to subscribe for approximately 4,300,000 Units under the Financing (for gross proceeds of $301,000).

The proceeds of the Financing are intended to fund ongoing exploration, generative work, and for general working capital.

The Company may pay finders fees on all or a portion of the Financing, consisting of a cash commission equal to up to 7% of the total gross proceeds raised and finders warrants equal to up to 7% of the total number of Units issued, where each finders warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Share at a price of $0.07 per Share for a period of 12 months from the closing of the Financing.

All securities issued in connection with the Financing will be subject to a hold period of four-months and one day in Canada. The Financing is subject to the receipt of all necessary approvals including acceptance for filing of the Financing by the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV) and any applicable securities regulatory authorities. Any participation by directors or officers in the Financing is considered a related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The related party transaction will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the securities to be issued under the Financing nor the consideration to be paid by the directors and officers will exceed 25% of the Companys market capitalization.

This news release does not constitute an offer of sale of any of the foregoing securities in the United States. None of the foregoing securities have been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act) or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) or persons in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the foregoing securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of

LATIN METALS INC.

Keith Henderson

President & CEO

For further details on the Company readers are referred to the Companys web site ( www.latin-metals.com ) and its Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com .

For further information, please contact:

Keith Henderson

Suite 890

999 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC, V6C 2W2

Phone: 604-638-3456

E-mail: [email protected]

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.

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the closing of the Financing, the participation of directors and officers in the Financing, the use of proceeds of the Financing, the ability of the Company to become a self sustaining prospect generator, planned exploration of the Companys projects by the Company and its partners, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking statements can be identified by words such as pro forma, plans, expects, may, will, should, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, believes, potential or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that it will obtain TSXV acceptance for the Financing and the required corporate approvals for same, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals and copper demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future development of the Companys projects in a timely manner, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the development, construction and continued operation of the Companys projects, and the Companys ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development and mine development activities at the Companys projects, estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, requirements for additional capital, future prices of precious metals and copper, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, possible failures of plants, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays or the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including of the TSXV, financing or other planned activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's business, risks related to joint venture operations, and risks related to the integration of acquisitions, as well as those factors discussed under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys latest Management Discussion and Analysis and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Companys profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein.
LITGRID AB (identification code 302564383, registered office placed at Karlo Gustavo Emilio Manerheimo str. 8, LT-05131, Vilnius) informs that Vilnius Regional Court on 25 January 2024 approved the settlement agreement concluded between UAB GG LTU S23 and LITGRID AB. The civil proceedings for compensation for damages have been terminated.

More information:

Jurga Eivaite

Communications Project Manager

+370 613 19977

[email protected]




Detroit-Michigan, Jan. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Introduction: In the ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, where trends come and go like the wind, a new player has emerged, and it's making waves across the Solana blockchain. Say hello to CONAN  the biggest narrative-based meme coin for 2024. This article takes you on a thrilling journey through the origins, features, and potential of $CONAN, a token that's not just about the memes, but also about building a community and making a lasting impact.The Birth of CONAN on SOL: Freshly launched on the Solana blockchain, $CONAN brings a breath of fresh air to the world of meme coins. For those who missed out on the bonk and other iconic meme coins, CONAN might just be the perfect opportunity to ride the next big wave in the crypto space.Ape in Like a Chad: Reports are flooding in of "chad frens" aping into $CONAN after witnessing the excitement surrounding a certain dog honored by none other than Donald Trump at the White House. The narrative surrounding CONAN is undeniably based, and it's catching the attention of early investors eager to be part of something legendary.Presale Jeets Exiting, Chads Stepping In:It seems like the initial presale jeets are making their exit, paving the way for the chads to step in. The community is gearing up for a full send as sellers exhaust their positions. With $TRUMP having reached 80 million, $CONAN is currently trading in the 300k-400k range, establishing a solid floor for prospective investors.Honoring Conan: More Than Just a Meme Coin:Named after the dog honored by Donald Trump at the White House, CONAN pays homage to a canine legend. But this project aims to be more than just a memecoin. It is set to feature a range of unique use cases and utilities designed to contribute to the long-term growth of the Solana ecosystem. CONAN is not just about memes; it's about building a resilient and thriving community.The Dog Days of Crypto:CONAN taps into the popular demand for dog-based narratives in the crypto space. As the crypto community rallies around the canine theme, CONAN promises to bring joy, inclusivity, and a sense of humor to the sometimes serious world of blockchain technology.Get Involved  Join the Conan Movement:Ready to be part of something epic? Join the Conan movement today and contribute to making the crypto world a more fun and inclusive place for everyone. With an official Telegram channel, a dedicated website, and a lively presence on Twitter, the CONAN community is waiting to welcome you with open arms.Conclusion:As $CONAN sets its sights on becoming a major player in the Solana ecosystem, it's not just about the memes or the hype. It's about building a community, honoring a legendary dog, and contributing to the growth of the crypto space. So, if you're looking for the next big thing in meme coins, look no further  CONAN is here to rewrite the narrative and redefine the possibilities of crypto fun. Don't miss out on the adventure; join the Conan movement today!Official Telegram: https://t.me/ConanOnSolportalWebsite : conan-token.com/Twitter X: https://twitter.com/ConanOnSolContract Sol: 7XU84evF7TH4suTuL8pCXxA6V2jrE8jKA6qsbUpQyfCYDisclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.

Myrna G Rose Info at conan-token.com

Source: $CONAN
In a noteworthy segment, Dimitri Bruyas, the head of English news, engaged in an insightful online discussion with anchors.

International Media Seek In-depth Collaboration, Highlighting the Global Credibility of TVBS News

TVBS Meeting Room Interviews Taiwan Experts, Analyzing Future Directions of U.S.-China-Taiwan Relations Post-Election

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Media OutReach Newswire - 26 January 2024  The 2024 presidential and legislative elections garnered global attention, drawing an influx of journalists from leading media outlets in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and Switzerland to Taiwan. These outlets were keen on capturing the pulse of the elections firsthand.In a bid to bolster their coverage, many partnered with TVBS News, a network with a long experience of election reporting. This collaboration underscores TVBS's reputation for delivering news that is not just balanced and fair but also holds significant trust and credibility on the international stage.Between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on election day, TVBS News' exclusive election special, "Decisive Battle 2024," drew an impressive 9.46 million viewers from across Taiwan, marking a significant moment in the nation's broadcast history.TVBS News channel carved out a substantial slice of this viewership with 4.05 million unique viewers, standing out as the premier choice among 15 channels covering the vote count. This unparalleled viewership not only solidified TVBS's dominance in Taiwan's media sphere but also played a pivotal role in keeping international audiences abreast of the unfolding electoral events.With extensive experience in election coverage, TVBS has demonstrated its prowess by forming a formidable "vote-reporting team" of nearly 4,000 members and setting up nearly ten thousand polling stations, ensuring a vote-counting process that is both precise and timely.This commitment to accuracy has solidified the trust of voters. A testament to TVBS News' dedication, the YouTube live stream of the vote counting captivated over 175,000 viewers simultaneously, a record-breaking achievement that underscores the broadcaster's meticulous approach and its widespread acclaim among viewers.In the lead-up to the election, prominent international broadcasters, including Japan's NHK Television and Singapore's Channel News Asia, established a presence at TVBS headquarters, fostering a collaborative environment with the network's news team and enhancing their reporting capabilities.Leading media outlets such as Malaysia's Sin Chew Daily and China Press utilized TVBS's real-time vote-counting footage, ensuring their audiences received the most current and rapid vote-count updates.Australia's SBS Public Television's Chinese channel joined forces with TVBS for a live broadcast of the ongoing vote count, while Switzerland's RSI produced an in-depth news segment on the Taiwanese presidential election, featuring an interview with TVBS's own Kai Yu Chuang , shedding light on the meticulous planning and keen observations behind the election coverage.Zee NEWS Group's "WION," one of India's premier news channels, forged a significant partnership with TVBS's English news division during the election count. Reporters Vivian Hsiao and Jamie Lin Pinzon provided live, up-to-the-minute updates on the vote tally, linking directly with studio anchors.In a noteworthy segment, Dimitri Bruyas, the head of English news, engaged in an insightful online discussion with anchors, dissecting the potential shifts in the intricate geopolitical relationship between the US, China, and Taiwan in the post-election landscape.Dimitri Bruyas explained that "International media place great importance on the post-election situation in Taiwan. TVBS English news provides comprehensive and up-to-date analyses, allowing global media to quickly grasp the post-election situation in the Taiwan Strait."TVBS English news also leverages the ENEX system to offer the most detailed and comprehensive English news, special analyses, and live reporting, presenting the most extensive English news coverage of the Taiwanese presidential election to over 70 countries worldwide.As the Democratic Progressive Party secured a third term, the intricate web of relations between the U.S., China, and Taiwan is set to enter a new chapter. In an ambitious endeavor, Wenchi Yu, the distinguished host of TVBS's "TVBS Meeting Room," engaged with preeminent American scholars, including Ryan Hass and Bonnie S. Glaser.The conversations, centered around their seminal work, offered profound insights into the evolving geopolitical landscape, examining the implications of the election on US diplomatic strategies and Beijing's anticipated reactions.Hashtag: #TVBS

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 26, 2024) - Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp.(CSE: API) (OTCQX: APAAF) (FSE: A0I0) (MUN: A0I0) (BER: A0I0)(the "Company" or "Appia")is pleased to announce a new cooperation agreement with the Ya'thi Nne Lands and Resources Office ("YNLR"), which is owned by the Athabasca DenesuBine First Nations of Hatchet Lake, Black Lake, Fond du Lac, the Northern Hamlet of Stony Rapids, and the Northern Settlements of Uranium City, Wollaston Lake, and Camsell Portage. The agreement pertains to specific exploration activities undertaken by Appia in Nuhenene, the traditional territory of the Athabasca First Nations in Treaty 8 and Treaty 10 Territories (Figure 1).





Figure 1: Traditional Athabasca First Nations territory, Nuhenene, illustrated on the map. Image courtesy of the Ya'thi Nene Lands and Resources Office.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/195803_f478fd9724a82a7c_001full.jpg

This accord underscores the mutual commitment of Appia and YNLR to foster a sustainable and collaborative relationship, both in the present and for the foreseeable future. The agreement serves as a foundation for continuous communication between the parties, aligning with YNLR's mandate to enhance the environmental, social, economic, and cultural well-being of current and future Athabasca residents. Simultaneously reflecting Appia's environmental, social, and governance commitments. A pivotal aspect of this collaboration is the facilitation of a smoother exploration permitting process and fieldwork in Nuhenene through the respectful and timely exchange of information.

The cooperation agreement encompasses provisions related to harvest compensation, contributions to YNLR's established community trust, and opportunities for employment and contracting with northern businesses. This multifaceted agreement is a testament to Appia's dedication to responsible exploration practices, ensuring a positive impact on the local communities.

Mary Denechezhe, Elder and YNLR Board Chair, expressed her thoughts on the agreement, stating, "By establishing this cooperation agreement, we ensure that our people's and communities' wishes regarding land protection and economic development are heard, and our Treaty Rights are respected. We appreciate Appia's commitment to engaging in respectful and mutually beneficial relations with us."

Appia currently holds surface rights to approximately 113,837.15 hectares (281,297.72 acres) in Saskatchewan, including the Loranger and Eastside properties, both of which are undergoing uranium exploration in Nuhenene.

Stephen Burega, President of Appia, emphasized the alignment of values between Appia and YNLR, saying, "At Appia, we understand and share YNLR's commitment to protecting and monitoring the environment, engaging in thoughtful project advancement, and respecting local traditions and knowledge. This agreement sets the framework for our ongoing engagement with YNLR as we progress in our exploration activities within their territory. It is a respectful way of working together in this territory. This agreement is the materialization of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy, our Environmental Health and Safety Policy, and our dedication to meaningful reconciliation. Appia looks to capitalize on the rising uranium market with plans to explore our uranium properties within the Wollaston territory, beginning with Loranger in early 2024."

About Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (Appia)

Appia is a publicly traded Canadian company in the rare earth element and uranium sectors. The Company is currently focusing on delineating high-grade critical rare earth elements and gallium on the Alces Lake property, as well as exploring for high-grade uranium in the prolific Athabasca Basin on its Otherside, Loranger, North Wollaston, and Eastside properties. The Company holds the surface rights to exploration for 113,837.15 hectares (281,297.72 acres) in Saskatchewan. The Company also has a 100% interest in 13,008 hectares (32,143 acres), with rare earth elements and uranium deposits over five mineralized zones in the Elliot Lake Camp, Ontario. Lastly, the Company holds the right to acquire up to a 70% interest in the PCH Project which is 17,551.07 ha. in size and located within the Goias State of Brazil. (See June 9th, 2023 Press Release - Click HERE) The Company successfully added 23,412.11 ha to the PCH project's total hectares by staking 12 new claims, bringing the overall project size to 40,963.18 ha.(See January 11th, 2024 Press Release - Click HERE)

Appia has 136.3 million common shares outstanding, 144.1 million shares fully diluted.

About YNLR

The YNLR is a non-profit organization owned by the Athabasca Basin First Nations of Hatchet Lake DenesuBine First Nation, Black Lake DenesuBine First Nation, Fond du Lac DenesuBine First Nation and northern Saskatchewan municipalities of the Northern Hamlet of Stony Rapids, the Northern Settlement of Uranium City, the Northern Settlement of Wollaston Lake and the Northern Settlement of Camsell Portage.

The YNLR was established in June 2016 with the mandate to promote and enhance the environmental, social, economic, and cultural well-being of current and future Athabasca residents.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/195803_f478fd9724a82a7c_002full.jpg

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: This News Release contains forward-looking statements which are typically preceded by, followed by or including the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance as they involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements and shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information, visit www.appiareu.com

As part of our ongoing effort to keep investors, interested parties and stakeholders updated, we have several communication portals. If you have any questions online (X,/Facebook,/LinkedIn)/please feel free to send direct messages.

To book a one-on-one 30-minute Zoom video call, please/click here.

Contact:

Tom Drivas, CEO and Director

(c) (416) 876-3957

(e)[email protected]

Stephen Burega, President

(c) (647) 515-3734

(e) [email protected]

Garrett Schmidt

Executive Director YNLR

(306) 477-1251

[email protected]

www.yathinene.ca

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/195803
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - January 26, 2024) - In a groundbreaking move, AquaFunded has recently launched its new proprietary trading firm, sending ripples through the financial world. This innovative platform is set to redefine the trader funding industry, offering a unique blend of technology, transparency, and opportunity. AquaFunded's entry into the market marks a significant step towards empowering traders and fostering a new era of financial independence.





Welcome To AquaFunded





Explore The AquaFunded Dashboard

Innovative Proprietary Trading Model: AquaFunded's proprietary trading firm operates on a unique model that combines advanced algorithms, machine learning, and human expertise. This model allows traders to access substantial funding while benefiting from the platform's insights and support.

Risk Management Excellence: One of the key elements that sets AquaFunded apart is its commitment to robust risk management practices. The platform employs state-of-the-art risk assessment tools to evaluate traders' performance, ensuring a balanced and secure trading environment.

Transparency and Accountability: AquaFunded places a strong emphasis on transparency, offering traders real-time insights into their performance metrics and risk parameters. This commitment to openness builds trust and accountability within the trading community.

Flexible Funding Options: Recognizing that every trader has unique needs, AquaFunded provides flexible funding options. Traders can choose from various funding tiers, allowing them to scale their operations according to their capabilities and risk tolerance.

Profit-Sharing Model: AquaFunded's profit-sharing model aligns the interests of the platform and its traders. As traders succeed, they share in the profits, creating a symbiotic relationship that fosters growth and success for all parties involved.

AquaFunded's platform not only offers financial resources but also facilitates learning and development. Traders can leverage the platform's educational resources, market insights, and mentorship programs to enhance their skills and stay ahead in the dynamic world of trading.

Conclusion:

AquaFunded's foray into the proprietary trading space is a game-changer for the industry. By combining technology, transparency, and a commitment to trader success, AquaFunded is poised to revolutionize how traders access funding and propel the trader funding industry into a new era of innovation and inclusivity.

About AquaFunded:

AquaFunded has emerged as a proprietary trading firm committed to providing traders an exceptional environment for growth and learning. AquaFunded, a name synonymous with cutting-edge solutions in the financial sector, has set its sights on transforming how traders access funding.

Media Details:

Company Name: AquaFunded

Contact Person: Jason Blax

Contact Email: [email protected]

City: Dubai

State: UAE

Website Link: https://www.aquafunded.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/195368
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 26, 2024) - CEO.CA Technologies Ltd. ("CEO.CA"), the leading investor social network in junior resource and venture stocks, shares comprehensive video coverage from the recent VRIC conference in Vancouver, Canada.

Founded in 2012, CEO.CA, a wholly owned subsidiary of EarthLabs, Inc. , is one of the most popular free financial websites and apps in Canada and for investors globally - with industry leading audience engagement and mobile functionality. Millions of people visit CEO.CA each year to connect with investors from around the world, share knowledge and view impactful stories about stocks, commodities, and emerging companies.

As a media partner at investor events around the world, CEO.CA provides coverage of the companies shaping the future of mining, meeting with industry leaders to learn more about their vision and strategy.

Meet the Companies Shaping the Mining Landscape:





To view the VRIC Conference Interviews, please visit:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsD-m-bMQxKbURrf_lie2e-nkNiclg6Me

Copper

Gold

Lithium

Nickel

Polymetallic

Silver

Uranium

About CEO.CA

The leading community for investors & traders in junior resource & venture stocks. CEO.CA is one of the most popular free financial websites and apps in Canada and for small-cap investors globally -- with industry leading audience engagement and mobile functionality. Since 2012, CEO.CA has brought millions of investors together from over 164 countries to discuss their portfolio holdings and find new investment opportunities. Download our App on iOS or Android marketplace or visit us today at CEO.CA to set up your free account.

CEO.CA is a wholly owned subsidiary of EarthLabs, Inc.

For further information please contact:

CEO.CA

Email: [email protected]

Website: CEO.CA

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"), OTC Best Market "(OTCQX") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement

The information regarding any issuer contained or referred to in any interviews conducted by CEO.CA has been furnished by such issuer directly, and neither CEO.CA nor any of its affiliates or principals assumes any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information or for any failure by an issuer to ensure disclosure of events or facts which may affect the significance or accuracy of any such information.

No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This news release contains forward-looking information which involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release may include, but is not limited to, the objectives, goals, future plans, statements regarding exploration results and exploration and/or development plans of companies featured on the CEO.CA platform. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, currency risk and the other risks involved in the applicable exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in the public documents of such companies filed on SEDAR or elsewhere from time to time. Undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. CEO.CA disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/195761
Vienna, Austria--(Newsfile Corp. - January 26, 2024) - HolZZone, renowned Austrian furniture company, announces plan to launch in the US.

At the heart of HolZZone's story is their effort to keep their Ukrainian factories operational amidst the ongoing conflict. This move isn't just about business continuity; it's a testament to their dedication to their employees and communities in times of crisis. By maintaining operations, they're providing much-needed economic support and a sense of normalcy in turbulent times.

HolZZone's products weaves through the vibrant cultures of Eastern Europe - Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, Latvia, and Lithuania - each thread adds unique richness to their products. Their furniture, imbued with the essence of these diverse lands, offers more than functionality - it tells a story of heritage, craftsmanship, and resilience.

By launching in the US, HolZZone isn't merely debuting a furniture collection; they're constructing a link between continents. They provide American customers with an opportunity to engage in a narrative of elegance, acquiring pieces imbued with profound significance and rich history for their homes.

HolZZone distinguishes itself through its direct partnership model with European producers, bypassing intermediaries. This strategy extends the accessibility of European elegance and quality to a greater number of American households.

In all their endeavors, from their courageous stance in Ukraine to their everyday operations, HolZZone maintains its dedication to sustainability and ethical principles. They're not merely selling furniture; they're advocating for a lifestyle that prioritizes the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants.

As HolZZone's products journey across the Atlantic, they carry a message of hope and solidarity. Whether crafted in a tranquil Latvian workshop or a resilient Ukrainian factory, each piece serves as a testament to the unwavering human spirit.

With its expansion into the US market, HolZZone extends an invitation to Americans to join in its remarkable journey. It's not just about furnishing homes; it's about infusing them with narratives of bravery, creativity, and the indomitable human spirit that flourishes amidst adversity.

About the HolZZone

HolZZone is a young Austrian company. It specializes in wholesale and projects in the sector of furniture and furniture parts. The company sells its products directly from their European producers. The company works with the producers from Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, Latvia and Lithuania. Their team prouds to offer products in all product groups such as: living-, dining-, bedroom and much more.

For more information, visit www.holzzone.us

Triesterstrasse 71, 2353 Guntramsdorf, Austria

mobile: 704-659-0158

Michael Kammerer, CEO

email: [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/195795
Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE: CLF) February weekly call option implied volatility is at 61, February is at 47; compared to its 52-week range of 34 to 61 into the expected release of quarter results after the bell on January 29.
Paid press release content from Send2Press. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

RICHMOND, Va. and BALTIMORE, Md., Jan. 26, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. (Matrix), a leading, independent investment bank, is pleased to announce the sale of Shape LLC (Shape or the Company) to an undisclosed buyer. Prior to the sale, Shape was owned by funds managed by Gen Cap America, Inc. (Gen Cap), a private investment firm headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.

For over half a century, Shape has operated as the premier manufacturer and designer of custom electrical transformer equipment, with its products utilized to regulate output current and ensure constant power across multiple end-uses. From its 40,000 square foot facility in Addison, Illinois, the Company supports the mission-critical needs of its international customer base. Shapes engineers and management team possess over a century of collective experience and were the architects of the ferroresonant transformer, a power supply that uses nonlinear magnetic properties and a resonant circuit to provide a stable output. This technology is particularly applicable to airport lighting, semiconductors, power supplies, and ultraviolet curing. Shape has become an integral piece of its customers supply chains, as evidenced by numerous decades-long relationships. Following the transaction, all three of Shapes management-owners, Greg Babecki (CEO), Doug Hickey (COO), and David Lanes (CFO), will retain all existing day-to-day responsibilities.

Regarding the transaction, Mr. Babecki commented, We are excited to have found a partner that both appreciates and complements our Companys unique offerings. We believe there are numerous benefits to this acquisition for our valued employees, customers, and vendors. He added, We are grateful for Gen Caps stewardship and partnership over the past nine years and are thrilled for what the next chapter alongside our new partners will bring us.

Matrix provided merger and acquisition advisory services to Gen Cap and Shape, which included valuation advisory, marketing the business through a confidential, structured sale process, and negotiation of the transaction. The transaction was managed by William OFlaherty, Managing Director; David Shoulders, Managing Director; and Matt Oldhouser, CPA, Vice President.

Regarding Matrixs services, Gen Cap Director, James Byrd added, The Matrix team took a thoughtful and hands-on approach to all aspects of the transaction. At every juncture, they provided us with sound explanations underlying their advice. We believe we achieved the optimal outcome based on their experience and counsel.

It was a pleasure to represent Gen Cap on another divestiture from their portfolio. This is yet another example of a successful investment by their talented team, Mr. OFlaherty noted. Shape is a fantastic business managed by exceptional people. I have no doubt that Greg, Doug, and Dave will find success alongside their new partners.

Edward Burrell, Stuart Campbell, and Thomas Dozeman of Stites & Harbison, PLLC served as legal counsel for Shape. Mark Patterson and Chris Hight of KraftCPAs PLLC provided tax and accounting advisory services to the Company.

About Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc.:

Founded in 1988, Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. is an independent, advisory focused, privately-held investment bank headquartered in Richmond, VA, with additional offices in Baltimore, MD and New York, NY. Matrix provides merger & acquisition and financial advisory services for privately-held, private-equity owned, not-for-profit and publicly traded companies. Matrixs advisory services include company sales, recapitalizations, capital raises of debt & equity, corporate carve outs, special situations, management buyouts, corporate valuations and fairness opinions. Matrix serves clients in a wide range of industries, including automotive aftermarket, building products, car washes, consumer products, convenience retail, downstream energy, healthcare and industrial products.

For additional information or to contact our team members, please visit https://matrixcmg.com/.

Securities offered by MCMG Capital Advisors, Inc., an affiliate of Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc., Member FINRA & SIPC

LOGO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/23-0602-s2p-matrixlogo-300dpi.jpg

NEWS SOURCE: Matrix Capital Markets Group Inc.



This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Matrix Capital Markets Group Inc.), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/matrix-advises-on-the-sale-of-shape-llc/

Copr.  2024 Send2Press Newswire, a service of NEOTROPE, Calif., USA. -- REF: S2P STORY ID: 103139SI.05
A girl reads a book at the 55th Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF) in Cairo, Egypt, on Jan. 25, 2024. The 55th Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF), held from Jan. 24 to Feb. 6 under the slogan of "We Create Knowledge, We Preserve the Word," attracts 1,200 publishers and 5,250 exhibitors from 70 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

People visit the 55th Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF) in Cairo, Egypt, on Jan. 25, 2024. The 55th Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF), held from Jan. 24 to Feb. 6 under the slogan of "We Create Knowledge, We Preserve the Word," attracts 1,200 publishers and 5,250 exhibitors from 70 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
DUBAI, UAE , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit, the world's third largest crypto exchange by volume, will list JUP, the native token of the pioneering liquidity aggregator on the Solana network, Jupiter. Set to debut on both the spot and derivatives platforms on Jan. 31 , the JUP token will play a vital role in governing the future Jupiter DAO, which is anticipated to be a pioneering model in decentralized governance.

Bybit is a top 3 global crypto exchange for spot and derivatives trading and also in terms of web traffic, so it's the perfect venue for one of the most anticipated token launches in crypto. The JUP token will launch with some of the deepest liquidity in crypto allowing for natural price discovery.

The official listing on Bybit is planned for Jan. 31, 2024 , 3PM UTC and users will be able to withdraw JUP from Feb. 1, 2024 , 10AM UTC . Spot will go live first with the perpetual contract live one hour later.

"We performed extensive due diligence on the Jupiter project and team just like we do with every project listed on Bybit," said Ben Zhou , co-founder and CEO. "Jupiter's impressive handling of 65% of Solana DEX volume speaks volumes of its potential. We believe JUP will provide our users with new opportunities in the dynamic world of DeFi."

Jupiter, which handles a majority of Solana's decentralized exchange volume, has been a key player in the DeFi space since its launch in October 2021 . As Solana's first on-chain swap aggregator, Jupiter has revolutionized DeFi transactions by offering minimal slippage and faster execution through its unique routing across multiple DEXs.

The JUP token launch and the accompanying community airdrop follows a series of successful airdrops within the Solana ecosystem, contributing to a bullish trend in late 2023.

JUP's listing on Bybit is expected to attract significant attention from both existing Solana enthusiasts and new investors seeking diversified crypto portfolios.

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk

About Bybit

Bybit is a top-three cryptocurrency exchange by volume with 20 million users established in 2018. It offers a professional platform where crypto investors and traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, 24/7 customer service, and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One's reigning Constructors' and Drivers' champions: the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press.

For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

For more information, please visit: https://www.bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X (Twitter) | Youtube

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SOURCE Bybit
LOS ANGELES , Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- California -based law firms YK Law LLP and King, Holmes, Paterno & Soriano, LLP announce that a jury trial in Federal Court in the Northern District of California has commenced in Oakland in the case of Lei Li , et al, v. Arcsoft, Inc. and CEO Michael Deng .

Howard King , lead counsel for the plaintiffs, confirmed that opening arguments occurred on Monday January 22 , and witness testimony is ongoing day to day.

Mr. King stated the case involves claims of fraud and deceit against both Arcsoft and its CEO Michael Deng , as well as breach of fiduciary duty by Mr. Deng and breach of contract by Arcsoft.

The litigation arises out of a management buyout of the company's shareholders in 2017. The claim seeks lost profits, out of pocket damages and punitive damages based on allegations of fraud by a fiduciary in the Buyout. The jury trial is expected to conclude within a few weeks.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/california-federal-jury-trial-commences-in-high-stakes-fraud-and-breach-of-fiduciary-duty-case-lei-li-et-al-v-arcsoft-inc-and-ceo-michael-deng-302045281.html

SOURCE YK LAW LLP
PROVIDENCE, R.I. , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital Properties, Inc. (OTCQX: CPTP) announced that at its regular quarterly meeting held on January 24, 2024 the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.07 ( seven cents ) per share on the Company's outstanding Class A Common Shares (6,599,912) payable on February 23, 2024 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 9, 2024 .

About Capital Properties, Inc.

Capital Properties, Inc. and its subsidiary's principal business consist of the long-term leasing of certain of its real estate interests in downtown Providence, Rhode Island for commercial development and the leasing of locations along interstate and primary highways in Rhode Island and Massachusetts for outdoor advertising purposes.

CONTACT:



Susan R. Johnson , Treasurer

401-435-7171

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/capital-properties-inc-declares-regular-quarterly-dividend-302045855.html

SOURCE Capital Properties, Inc.
Parliamentary Assembly wants an investigation, an official apology, and reparation payment to European survivors of child abuse in the state or religious institutions

STRASBOURG, France , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Council of Europe, to which 46 states with over 600 million citizens belong, today voted in favor of dealing with past cases of abuse along the lines of Switzerland . Accordingly, the suffering of survivors of child abuse should be officially recognized in the member states, those affected should receive a reparation payment - regardless of any statute of limitations - and a scientific investigation should take place in the respective countries. The Assembly calls on all member States to take stock of the situation of violence committed in public, private, or religious institutions against children to create the right conditions for victims to speak out. The ground-breaking recommendations of the Council of Europe correspond to the demands of the European "Justice Initiative", which was launched by the Swiss Guido Fluri Foundation.

The past cannot be ignored

"Those who ignore the abuse cases of the past cannot effectively combat the abuse cases of today and tomorrow," says the Swiss rapporteur Pierre-Alain Fridez to the Parliament of the Council of Europe. "In Europe, we must never again turn a blind eye to the abuse of children, whether they have been victims of sexual predators, gratuitous violence or ill-treatment in public, private or religious institutions that are supposed to be safe havens.". This argument convinced the majority.

A report on the situation in Europe with clear recommendations was approved today. Like the responsible commission of the Council of Europe, which had already unanimously spoken out in favor of a comprehensive reappraisal, a clear majority in Parliament also wants the cases of abuse in Europe to be reappraised according to the Swiss model; the suffering of the victims should be recognized throughout Europe and reparations should be made in the respective countries. This includes abuse in private, state, and church homes, abuse in care institutions, and forced adoptions.

Reappraisal based on the Swiss model

In Switzerland , a popular initiative, the "Reparation Initiative" of the Guido Fluri Foundation, led to a state law that focuses on the recognition of injustice, scientific reappraisal, and solidarity payments. As a result, over 12,000 survivors of child abuse have received official recognition of the injustice and a solidarity payment, and the cases of abuse have been dealt with by the state.

As a result of this successful reparation, victims' groups and child protection organizations from all over Europe joined forces in the "Justice Initiative" and campaigned for a similar bill at the Council of Europe level. This project was again supported by the Guido Fluri Foundation. "The fact that the Council of Europe has decided on a comprehensive reappraisal is a great moment for survivors from all over Europe ! The European community must do everything to ensure that those affected by child abuse receive some form of justice during their lifetime".

The Council of Europe's solution serves as a model

The Council of Europe demands that member states take stock of the situation of child abuse in institutions in our countries (Doc. 15889 - Report - Working document (coe.int). The investigations must be wide-ranging and cover physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. The circumstances enabling such abuse must be assessed on a country-by-country basis and include institutional care in public, private, or religious settings, inadequate care, foster care in private homes, children being removed from parents who are deemed "unfit", forced adoptions, and forced sterilizations.

The authorities should then recognize the suffering inflicted and offer appropriate care for its effects, if at all possible. This should be followed by a formal, official apology by the authorities to past and present victims.

Lastly, victims must be granted compensation, regardless of their age: there must be official redress for all victims, for all children who have been subjected to any form of physical, sexual, or psychological violence, and without any time limit on the period in which to establish the facts. Accordingly, the length of time between the perpetration of the abuse and its disclosure by the victim may not be a justification for the refusal of any reparation. The amount of compensation awarded must be substantial and commensurate with the harm and suffering that was caused.

States must embark on a comprehensive program of prevention and awareness-raising measures, including monitoring institutional care facilities and any situation in which children are taken into care, to minimise risks and detect problems at the earliest possible stage.

Survivors and child protection groups from across Europe celebrate the Council of Europe's decision

The Council of Europe's decision is an important signal for survivors of abuse from all over Europe . Antonio Grosso, a 71-year-old survivor from Portugal says: "This current silence is unacceptable and unworthy of a democracy like Portugal . If Portugal recognizes this injustice, as the Council of Europe demands, then we are on the right track."

"Today, 26 January 2024 , I am here on a very important date, which gives us recognition and visibility. An advanced society, in the twenty-first century, cannot continue to hide its crimes and neglect the care of its children", emphasizes Francisco Javier, a 49-year-old Spanish victim. "All forms of sexual violence leave indelible scars. Survivors should receive more justice."  Finnish survivor, member of the Our Voice survivor advocacy group.

Politicians and leading child protection organizations are also celebrating the Council of Europe's decision. According to Domagoj Hajdukovic, a member of the Croatian Parliament and the Croatian delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, "This is a very good resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe because it addresses a very painful problem, which is the abuse of children in institutions." "Nothing can compensate for the horrors experienced then, the lost childhoods. And the guilt of the state cannot be erased. Compensation is needed. We can no longer put off making peace with the past," said the Romanian USR Senator Irineu Darau.

"The most important thing now is to continue to listen to the experiences of survivors and ensure that the law serves its purpose," says Ann-Kristin Vervik , Secretary General of ECPAT Norway. According to the Director of the Greek Hub of Justice Initiative Angeliki Vergitsi, "The decision of the Council of Europe is important for Greece because institutional care is still the dominant child protection system.

"We stand in solidarity with victims and survivors of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation. We also celebrate the Council of Europe's decision, which reflects a crucial step towards ensuring justice for those who have experienced childhood sexual abuse and exploitation." Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen, Executive Director from the Finnish child protection organization Suojellaan Lapsia, Protect Children ry.

Media Corner:

Download all the information here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kbZY2NFFJJ7VXtHQhj0xPRJzS3fTEU0F

General information:

[email protected]

You can find the digital version of the book "SHAME - European Stories"

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/68608817/shame-european-stories-e-book-strasbourg

www.justice-initiative.eu

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2326917/Justice_Initiative_Portraits.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2326918/4513642/Justice_Initiative_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/child-abuse-council-of-europe-wants-to-compensate-victims-302044980.html

SOURCE Justice Initiative - Guido Fluri Stiftung
The new Party is only the second to attain recognition through public petitioning since the '90s, showing the grassroots support behind the Forward Movement in the Centennial State

DENVER , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Colorado Secretary of State announced that the Colorado Forward Party has been granted minor party status. Attaining this vital milestone caps a year-long effort by a passionate and dedicated team of volunteers. Becoming a minor party means that the Forward Party will now be able to provide ballot access and other support to candidates aligned with our valuessomething that the state party plans to use to run candidates in down-ballot races in the '24 cycle.

"Over 17,000 Coloradans petitioned for us to be a new political party because they know the common-sense majority in this state and country are feeling abandoned by the two legacy parties who increasingly cater to their extremes," said Rich Herrmann , Chairman of Colorado Forward's Executive Committee.

Forward's co-Chair and former governor of New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman echoed this sentiment: "This is a giant step in giving Colorado voters the ability to support sensible, centrist candidates who pledge to work with anyone to solve problems and will represent their constituents and not a party out of Washington ."

Forward's national co-Chair Andrew Yang had praise for the effort of Forward members in the state: "Congratulations to the grassroots volunteers and leaders who worked so hard to get this recognitionit's an amazing accomplishment.

The Colorado Forward Party is advancing a values-based platform that emphasizes candidate character and integrity over policy positions and ideology; fact-based policy making over conspiracy theories; community involvement; and electoral reforms that will give voters more and better choices in our elections at all levels of the government.

State Chair Rich Herrmann highlighted that over 47% of registered voters in Colorado are unaffiliated, making up a plurality that dwarfs the size of either legacy party: "Colorado Forward Party is creating a new home for these voters who are tired of partisan leaders more interested in winning political points than serving their constituents."

Over the next few months, the Colorado Forward Party will be focusing on outreach as well as identifying and supporting Colorado candidates aligned with our values.

The leaders and members of the Colorado Forward Party all work to promote the Forward Party's values:

BOTTOM-UP, NOT TOP-DOWN

Forward empowers State leaders to prioritize the challenges facing their communities and to find solutions that work locally. We won't dictate a rigid, top-down policy platform and expect it to work for every Forward member in America.

WE WELCOME NEW IDEAS AND DISRUPTIVE PERSPECTIVES

Forward welcomes fearless, respectful, and balanced conversations around the most difficult issues of the day. We won't silence debate because it is uncomfortable or refuse to adapt to the modern world.

WORK TOGETHER, NOT AGAINST

Forward strives for collaborative solutions. We believe we are stronger when we are clear what we are working for, and we embrace partners who share our goals.

ALL ARE WELCOMELEFT, RIGHT, AND CENTER

Forward is creating a political home for everyone willing to work together in good faith to find practical, smart ways to solve America's challenges.

MORE LISTENING, LESS TALKING

Forward believes that the first step toward reuniting Americans across the political divide is to listen attentively and compassionately to each other's problems and aspirations.

RESPECT AND DIGNITY

Forward believes in approaching one another with respect for the dignity that lives in each of us. Our policies and campaigns will seek to elevate and empower people to seek their unique version of the American Dream.

WE SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY

Forward supports election reform policies such as ranked-choice voting and open, nonpartisan primaries to bring more competition and better options to the ballot in local elections. No candidate should run unopposed and no voter should feel disappointed by their choices on the ballot.

As more and more Americans grow sick of the outdated two-party system in this country, more and more elected officials are finding a welcoming home in the Forward Party. "We're seeing an unprecedented number of elected leaders reach out to us, tired of being told what's best for their constituents by out-of-touch party leaders," said Lindsey Williams Drath , Forward Party's CEO. "We believe that voters put people in office in order to solve their problems, and the Forward Party is creating space for these public servants to do just that, without requiring them to adopt policy positions they don't believe in or know won't work just to toe the party line."

If you're interested in talking with the national leadership or the leadership of the CO team about the Forward Party, please reach out to Natalie Medved at [email protected] . To learn more about the Colorado Forward Party, go to www.coloradoforwardparty.com.

The Forward Party is bringing moderates, conservatives, and progressives together to heal our political divisions, find our shared ground, and create a brighter future for America. Forward Party candidates are accountable to the voters, and they will focus on solutions, not partisan fighting, in order to serve their constituents better. https://www.forwardparty.com .

[email protected]

www.forwardparty.com

CONTACT:

Natalie Medved

724-825-3484

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/colorado-forward-party-gains-minor-party-recognition-will-run-candidates-in-2024-cycle-302045707.html

SOURCE Forward Party
Arizona's largest credit union awarded $90M to its members in the past seven years

PHOENIX , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Desert Financial Credit Union will share $20 million with its members as part of its annual Member Giveback Bonus, a 25% increase from its 2023 bonus.

Arizona's largest credit union awarded $90M to its members in the past seven years.

The not-for-profit credit union, owned by its members, is on a mission to improve every member's financial well-being through education, competitive loan rates, free checking and membership rewards.

"Our annual giveback bonus is what differentiates Desert Financial from a typical bank," said Desert Financial President and CEO Jeff Meshey . "We are not beholden to stockholders, but to each of our members and their financial success."

This year's Member Giveback Bonus brings the total distributed bonuses to $90 million over the past seven years. In 2024, members who qualify will receive an average giveback bonus of $114 .

In addition to the Member Giveback Bonus, Desert Financial and its employees invested in the community in many ways in 2023, including volunteering, scholarships, grants for local non-profits and even holiday food drives. Here are a few examples:

Team members volunteered a record-breaking 18,492 hours.

Desert Financial gave $4 .5 million to the community through corporate, foundation and employee giving, impacting 125 non-profit organizations, including $155,000 given to Arizona food banks for their holiday turkey drives.

.5 million to the community through corporate, foundation and employee giving, impacting 125 non-profit organizations, including given to food banks for their holiday turkey drives. Desert Financial Foundation provided 261 scholarships for high school seniors and adult learners returning to school to continue their education.

provided 261 scholarships for high school seniors and adult learners returning to school to continue their education. Team members provided 13,390 Random Acts of Kindness, valued at $359,727 .

. 15,505 individuals impacted by financial wellness content.

To find out more about community giving at Desert Financial and the Member Giveback Bonus visit www.desertfinancial.com/bonus.

About Desert Financial Credit Union

Celebrating 85 years in Arizona , Desert Financial is the state's most trusted local credit union with over $8 billion in assets, 400,000+ members and 48 branches. Membership eligibility is open across Arizona with contactless solutions making it easy to click, call or come in. As a not-for-profit cooperative, Desert Financial takes pride in sharing success. In 2023, members received $16 million in dividends via the Member Giveback Bonus and became the official retail banking partner of Arizona State University. Federally insured by NCUA. Learn more at desertfinancial.com.

MEDIA CONTACT

Keller Perry | Anderson Advertising & PR

[email protected]

Cell: (480) 406-5498

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SOURCE Desert Financial Credit Union
MIAMI , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- duPont REGISTRY Group (DRG) is excited to announce it is joining the Miami Design District as part of the ownership of the Miami Concours , a three-day exhibition of the most significant luxury cars shown in one of the world's most exclusive neighborhoods. Led by the Co-Founders of The Concours Group and Miami Design District , the Miami Concours has created a new breed of automotive show at the intersection of design, automotive excellence, and luxury lifestyle.

This alliance with duPont REGISTRY Group precedes the Miami Concours' seventh show in the Design District , titled " Design Driven: The Intersection of Auto, Art and Fashion ," which runs from February 16-18, 2024 .

The Miami Design District has grown into one of the most lauded neighborhoods in the United States , combining luxury retail, art galleries, museums, design stores, and restaurants, all within an architecturally rich context. It is home to more than 200 luxury brands' flagship stores, including Bulgari, Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton , Gucci and Balenciaga; more Michelin-starred restaurants that any other neighborhood in the city; and two internationally significant museums, the ICA Miami and the de la Cruz Collection. The Miami Design District was founded by Craig Robins and is owned by Robins' company, Dacra in partnership with L Catterton and Brookfield Properties .

"We are excited to join forces with duPont REGISTRY, which has been an essential presence in the lives of luxury car lovers for almost four decades," says Robins. "And the Miami Concours is an incredible platform for presenting some of the most coveted rarities in automobile history. Each year, this weekend unites the community and devout car enthusiasts worldwide to appreciate remarkable craftsmanship. I can't imagine a more fitting destination than the Miami Design District to host this spectacular weekend."

The duPont REGISTRY Group is an ecosystem tailored to the luxury car lifestyle, housing Canossa as one of its portfolio companies, which already produces more than 250 luxury car events worldwide and owns the most prestigious classic Ferrari event, Cavallino . DuPont REGISTRY Group offers unique experiences and products to car enthusiasts across every stage of their journey  as they grow from dreamers to collectors. Founded in 1985, the duPont REGISTRY brand has long been the prime marketplace for exotic cars. Together, the Miami Concours and duPont REGISTRY Group make a formidable impact among high-end consumers. More than 25,000 people are expected to attend this year's event.

"During my tenure at LVMH and Louis Vuitton as Chief Technology Officer, I witnessed the rise of Miami Design District and its ability to attract the most sophisticated fashion and luxury brands in the world and their exclusive clientele. I am extremely proud to come back to Miami Design District as a partner to the Miami Concours and showcase the excellence of DRG brands and products," says duPont REGISTRY Group CEO Antoine Tessier .

About duPont REGISTRY Group:

The heart of the Driven Lifestyle division, the duPont REGISTRY Group is the world's leading luxury ecosystem, encapsulating the culture, community and commerce of the high-end automotive lifestyle. Built by some of the biggest names in the luxury automotive space, duPont REGISTRY Group represents a vibrant community of hundreds of thousands of members nurtured over nearly four decades. Its portfolio includes duPont REGISTRY , Sotheby's Motorsport , Canossa Events , Cavallino , and FerrariChat .

About The Concours Group:

Led by automotive visionaries John Temerian Jr. of CURATED, Ronnie Vogel , and Brett David of Prestige Imports, The Concours Group has been at the forefront of shaping the automotive landscape since its inception in 2014. Spearheading the renowned Miami Concours, the group has swiftly transformed this event into a hallmark of automotive excellence. Recognized as one of the country's premier motorized events, the Miami Concours seamlessly integrates the worlds of post-war automobiles, modern design, and engineering brilliance within the vibrant Miami Design District . More than a mere car showcase, the Miami Concours has evolved into an annual cultural celebration, standing as a beacon at the intersection of automotive excellence, high design, luxury, fashion, and architecture.

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SOURCE duPont REGISTRY Group
SALT LAKE CITY , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Extra Space Storage Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: EXR) announced today it will release financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023 on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 after the market closes. The Company will host a conference call at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 to discuss its financial results. Hosting the call will be Extra Space Storage's CEO, Joe Margolis . Joining him will be Scott Stubbs , Executive Vice President and CFO.

During the conference call, company officers will review operating performance, discuss recent events, and conduct a question-and-answer period. The question-and-answer period will be limited to registered financial analysts. All other participants will have listen-only capability.

To Participate in the Conference Call:

A live webcast of the conference call will be available online from the investor relations page of the Company's corporate website at www.extraspace.com. Telephone participants may avoid delays in joining the conference call by pre-registering for the call using the following link to receive a special dial-in number and PIN: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI4f9ef07b182b4586b2cd3b568dcf5801.

The conference call will also be available on the Company's website under Investor Relations at www.extraspace.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

Conference Call Playback:

A replay of the webcast will be available on the Extra Space Storage Investor Relations website beginning February 28, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. ET , and will remain available for one year after the call.

Full Text of the Earnings Report and Supplemental Data

The full text of the earnings report and supplemental data will be available at the Company's investor relations website immediately following the earnings release to the wire services after the market close on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 .

About Extra Space Storage Inc.

Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City , is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, and a member of the S&P 500. As of September 30, 2023 , the Company owned and/or operated 3,651 self-storage properties, which comprise approximately 2.5 million units and approximately 279.0 million square feet of rentable storage space operating under the Extra Space, Life Storage and Storage Express brands. The Company offers customers a wide selection of conveniently located and secure storage units across the country, including boat storage, RV storage and business storage. It is the largest operator of self-storage properties in the United States .

For more information, please visit www.extraspace.com.

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SOURCE Extra Space Storage Inc.
WASHINGTON , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement was released by Dan Stein , president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), in response to today's release of CBP Nationwide Encounters of illegal aliens for the month of December:

December 2023 has the dubious distinction of being the worst month of illegal immigration in the nation's history. In December, total nationwide encounters reached a record 371,036, eclipsing the previous monthly record set in September by some 30,000. These record encounters were fueled in large part by the cartel-driven flows through Arizona points of entry such as Lukeville. In total, there were 302,034 encounters along the besieged Southern border. These alarming figures do not include hundreds of thousands of 'gotaways' who are known to have entered the country illegally, but were not apprehended by CBP.

"Even more alarming, the vast majority of the illegal aliens who are encountered are being released into the United States . Earlier this month, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas , who is facing impeachment by the House of Representatives, publicly acknowledged that more than 70 percent are released into the United States . Later, he privately admitted to Border Patrol agents that more than 85 percent of those encountered at the southern border are being released.

"Unless Congress acts decisively to remove Secretary Mayorkas from office and force the Biden administration to secure our borders, these unsustainable levels of illegal immigration will continue through 2024. The House of Representatives has already approved H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, but it is stalled in the Democratic-controlled Senate. The Republican-led House must insist that the bill be included either as part of the FY 2024 budget, or in the supplemental foreign aid package that President Biden has requested."

Contact: Joey Chester , [email protected], 202-742-1827

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SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)
Levang v. Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity

Case: 2:24-cv-00316-MHW-KAJ



COLUMBUS, Ohio , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Alumnae of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority have filed a lawsuit, Levang et al. v. Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, et al., in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against Kappa's governing officials for alleged multiple violations of Kappa's governing rules, fraudulent activity, failure to abide by Ohio's free speech laws, defamation, and breaches of contracts. The suit is led by Independent Women's Network (IWN) members Patsy Levang and Cheryl Tuck-Smith , both of whom were removed from Kappa after more than 50 years of service to the sorority, for speaking against Kappa's hidden policy promoting the initiation of men despite the clear prohibition in Kappa's governing documents. Ms. Levang and Ms. Tuck-Smith are joined by Susan Jennings , Margo Knorr , Karen Pope , and Ann Witt as co-plaintiffs.

Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnae file lawsuit, Levang v. Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity , for subverting its sisterhood mission.

Independent Women's Law Center Director May Mailman , who is serving as co-counsel for the plaintiffs in Levang v. Kappa Kappa Gamma, said, "Kappa leadership continues to disrespect its members not only by denying them the single-sex organization they were promised, but by lashing out in hopes of silencing the truth. This violates Kappa's Bylaws and the basic freedoms women deserve." May also serves as lead counsel for Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnae issue the following statements on the filing of Levang v. Kappa Kappa Gamma:

Patsy Levang , esteemed past Kappa Kappa Gamma National Foundation President and member of Independent Women's Network: "As a prior foundation President of Kappa Kappa Gamma, I felt obligated to stand up for the young women in Wyoming . The current leadership in Kappa has deliberately engaged in a campaign to undermine the Bylaws of Kappa which harms not only these young women, but the entire organization. I'm not surprised that they also disregarded the value of lifetime membership and my 56 years of dedication by sending me a removal letter."

Margo Knorr , Kappa Kappa Gamma alumna, daughter of Levang, and Independent Women's Network North Dakota Chapter Leader: "It's hurtful that Kappa would oust Patsy and Cheryl in retaliation for supporting our sisters in Wyoming . At some point, to stand up for ourselves and for our beloved sorority, we need legal intervention. Women still have the right to say 'no' to any male being admitted into their sorority and uphold their organizational Bylaws in doing so."

Cheryl Tuck-Smith , long-time member and active contributor to Kappa Kappa Gamma and member of Independent Women's Network:

"Kappa Kappa Gamma has successfully promoted women and high standards for 150 years. It is incomprehensible that current leadership would discard that success by prioritizing men over women. I have learned through decades of experience how important it is to preserve and protect safe and secure places for women, which allow us to develop skills in leadership, community involvement, and maintaining lifetime bonds. Kappa must remain true to its existing mission, to support and promote women."

Kappa was formed in 1870, when collegiate men outnumbered women 5-to-1, as a single-sex organization for women. Kappa has maintained this single-sex status through its governing documents, which restrict membership to women only.

As described in the complaint, starting in 2015, Kappa's Fraternity Council (its governing body) unilaterally and deceptively took steps to broaden membership to men who identified as women. At no point did the Fraternity Council take the required steps to inform Kappa members of a change to the membership requirements, nor did they ever invite discussion or debate on the issue.

Moreover, the Fraternity Council continually demonstrated bias against women, in favor of men who identify as women. For example, the Fraternity Council admitted a male through its alumnae admission process and fast-tracked him to leadership despite his lacking the years of service to the sorority consistently required of female members.

The Fraternity Council also encouraged the admission of a male collegiate member whose grades did not meet Kappa's baseline requirements by bypassing the anonymous voting system required for female candidates.

All the while, Kappa leadership sought donations from alumnae based on representations that Kappa had not altered its mission and continued to promote sisterhood and a woman-only environment.

Kappa leadership then retaliated against Ms. Levang and Ms. Tuck-Smith who exposed these improper actions by removing them from membership and falsely accusing them of injuring Kappa and violating "human dignity."

This lawsuit follows on the heels of Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma , an Independent Women's Law Center suit, which is before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Yesterday, IWLC filed its final brief in Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma, demanding that Kappa Kappa Gamma leadership adhere to Kappa's governing documents, which limit membership to women. IWLC is representing six women in the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority who were forced to initiate a man into their chapter. Three groups filed briefs in support of IWLC, including 450+ Kappa alumnae and feminist organizations Women's Declaration International USA and Women's Liberation Front (WoLF) .

Direct all media inquiries to [email protected] .

www.iwlc.org

Independent Women's Law Center advocates for equal opportunity, individual liberty, and the continued legal relevance of biological sex.

www.iwnetwork.com

Independent Women's Network, a project of Independent Women's Voice, in partnership with Independent Women's Forum, is a positive, supportive community of engaged, informed, and activated women working together to inspire, interact, influence, and have impact.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kappa-kappa-gamma-alumnae-file-lawsuit-against-sorority-leadership-for-allegedly-harming-women-to-favor-men-302045480.html

SOURCE Independent Womens Network
BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, President of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis will visit China from Jan. 27 to 31, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced on Friday. 
Provides Narxoz students with access to Queen's University Belfast, a leading UK institution

Allows students to attend and receive degrees from both universities

ALMATY, Kazakhstan , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Narxoz University, a preeminent private university in Almaty in the Republic of Kazakhstan , has entered into a historic Institutional Partnership and Double Degree Agreement with Queen's University Belfast, a prestigious Russell Group UK university.

The agreement provides Narxoz students with the opportunity to study joint programs from Queen's Business School and Narxoz School of Economics and Management in English. As part of the Double Degree program, Narxoz students can receive a degree (BSc Business Management, BSc Business Economics or BSc Finance) from Queen's, a degree (Bachelor of Business Administration) from Narxoz University and the opportunity to undertake internships and employment with British companies.

Signed with the participation of Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan , and Lord Malcolm Offord , Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Exports of the United Kingdom , the agreement will further educational and scientific cooperation between the two countries.

Narxoz University has an extensive history of cooperating with British universities through joint degrees, summer schools and research. Several grant research projects were conducted in cooperation with the University of Birmingham.

Miras Daulenov, President of Narxoz University commented: "This agreement opens a new chapter for Narxoz and higher education in Kazakhstan . Narxoz has become the first university in Kazakhstan and Central Asia to form an institutional partnership with Queen's University Belfast. The 24 Russell Group universities provide students with the best educational and research programs, and their graduates with leading international career opportunities in the private and public sectors."

Professor M.N. Ravishankar , Dean, Queen's Business School, Queen's University Belfast commented: "Queen's Business School looks forward to partnering with Narxoz University and building valuable relationships in Kazakhstan . We are a welcoming community at Queen's, and Narxoz students will get an enriching educational and cultural experience in Northern Ireland . This Narxoz-Queen's partnership will help both institutions nurture principled and effective leaders ready to take on the big global challenges of our times."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327868/Narxoz_University.jpg

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SOURCE Narxoz University
ROSEMONT, Ill. , Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a letter to Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) voiced strong opposition to the erroneously named "Protect Lifesaving Anesthesia Care for Veterans Act of 2023," emphasizing the potential negative impact the bill could have on veterans' health and their continuity of care.

The proposed legislation would impose unnecessary and unjustifiable restrictions on Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), adversely impacting the healthcare of our nation's veterans. The NCC points out that even the VA, in testimony before the House Veterans Affairs Health Subcommittee on September 19, 2023 , acknowledged that CRNAs can safely provide anesthesia care autonomously.

"Together we recognize how vital removing barriers to practice and increasing access to the high-quality care our nation's nurses and APRNs [advanced practice registered nurses], including our Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), are for the patient and the entire health care system," the letter stated.

The NCC represents a diverse cross-section of the nursing profession, including Registered Nurses (RNs), APRNs, nurse leaders, boards of nursing, students, faculty, and researchers. The letter emphasizes that full practice authority of CRNAs is not a novel concept, with other federal healthcare systems, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, already utilizing it.

"CRNAs play a crucial role in providing anesthesia services across the entire care continuum, bringing essential support and expertise to their patients, especially within the VA," said AANA President Dru Riddle , PhD, DNP, CRNA, FAAN ."Removing barriers to care, including removal of burdensome supervision requirements, is not controversial and is supported by many organizations such as the Institute of Medicine, now the National Academy of Medicine, which recommends that all APRNs, including CRNAs should practice to the full extent of their education and training."

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SOURCE American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
STOCKHOLM , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska has signed a long-term lease agreement for approximately 48,900 square meters, at the office building The Eight in Bellevue, Washington , USA, of which 14,150 square meters is parking. With this contract, 72 percent of the space is now leased making it the largest lease in the company's history. The tenant is expected to take occupancy beginning January 2025 .

The Eight, located in downtown Bellevue at the intersection of Northeast 8th Street and 108th Avenue Northeast , is the largest single investment in Skanska's portfolio. The 67,800 square meter Class A+ office tower includes four levels of tenant parking.

The project has achieved WiredScore Platinum and Salmon-Safe certifications while targeting LEED Platinum, Fitwel, SmartScore certifications. The building is developed and built by Skanska with expected completion in 2024.

The Eight represents Skanska's sixth development project in the Puget Sound region and its second project in Bellevue since it began development operations in Washington state in 2011.

For further information please contact:

Alicia Jones , Director Communications, Skanska USA, tel + 1 703 835 2762

Andreas Joons, Press Officer, Skanska Group, tel +46 76 870 75 51

Direct line for media, tel +46 (0)10 448 88 99

This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com.

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3915860/2563807.pdf 20240126 US largest lease https://news.cision.com/skanska/i/image-1---the-eight-washington,c3261028 Image 1 - The Eight Washington https://news.cision.com/skanska/i/image-2---the-eight-washington,c3261030 Image 2 - The Eight Washington https://news.cision.com/skanska/i/image-3---the-eight-washington,c3261029 Image 3 - The Eight Washington https://news.cision.com/skanska/i/image-4---the-eight-washington,c3261031 Image 4 - The Eight Washington

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SOURCE Skanska
NEW YORK , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Featuring more than 1,200 companies and thousands of products from around the world, the Specialty Food Association (SFA) Winter Fancy Food Show ran from January 21-23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center . At the end of the Show, exhibitors donated their surplus specialty food to Three Square Food Bank, Southern Nevada's only food bank and largest hunger relief organization, serving four countiesClark, Lincoln , Esmeralda , and Nye .

"The Specialty Food Association is proud to continue our tradition of ending each Fancy Food Show with food rescue," said Jennifer Carney , Director, Tradeshow and Event Operations, for the SFA. "Making this bountiful donation is a collaborative effort with our wonderful members, who are delighted to support Three Square and its tireless efforts to feed the local community."

The donations of specialty foods and beverages included plant-based, meat, and cheese products, confections, breads, coffee, tea, oils, vinegars, pasta, snacks, and more.

"The support we receive from community partners such as the Specialty Food Association is crucial to our mission, allowing us to distribute more food to neighbors in our community," said Beth Martino , President and CEO of Three Square Food Bank. "Last year, they donated nearly 33,000 pounds of quality food the equivalent of more than 27,000 meals through the Winter Fancy Food Show. On behalf of the one in eight individuals we are privileged to serve, we are deeply grateful for the SFA and their commitment to food rescue."

The next Show, the Summer Fancy Food Show, will also have a food rescue component, and will take place June 23-25 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City . For more information, click here .

About the Specialty Food Association

The Specialty Food Association (SFA) was founded in 1952 and is the not-for-profit trade association of the $194 billion specialty food industry. Representing more than 3,800 businesses worldwide, SFA champions industry participation and success for a diverse community of makers, buyers, importers, distributors, and service providers by developing resources, information, education , and events that celebrate innovation and inclusivity. SFA owns and operates the Fancy Food Shows which are the largest specialty food industry events in North Americaas well as the sofi Awards which have honored excellence in specialty food and beverage annually since 1972. The SFA also produces the e-newsletter SFA News Daily , the Trendspotter Panel annual predictions and Fancy Food Show reports, the State of the Specialty Food Industry Report, Today's Specialty Food Consumer research, and the Spill & Dish podcast. Find out more online and connect with SFA on Facebook , X , Instagram , LinkedIn , and TikTok .

About Three Square Food Bank

A national model project inspired by Founder Eric Hilton with a grant provided by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Three Square is Southern Nevada's only food bank and largest hunger relief organization, serving Las Vegas and all of Clark , Lincoln , Esmeralda and Nye counties. Since opening in 2007, Three Square has provided more than 550 million pounds of food to hundreds of thousands of people in need and earned a reputation as one of the most efficient and effective food banks in the country. Three Square is a community collaborative partnership with businesses, nonprofit agencies, food distributors, higher education institutions, the Clark County School District, governmental entities, the media and thousands of volunteers working together to support food-insecure Southern Nevadans. Last year, Three Square provided nearly 43 million pounds of food, the equivalent of nearly 36 million meals, through its network of community partners. A member of the Feeding America network of food banks, Three Square remains committed to its mission of providing wholesome food to hungry people, while passionately pursuing a hunger-free community. If you or someone you know needs food assistance, or wants to learn more about Three Square's vision of a community where no one is hungry, please connect at threesquare.org , Facebook (@ThreeSquareFoodBank), Instagram (@threesquarelv) and Twitter (@threesquarelv).

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SOURCE Specialty Food Association
MONTREAL , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Strategic Resources Inc. (TSXV: SR) (the "Company" or "Strategic") announced that during the last quarter of 2023 the Company completed initial rounds of discussions with iron ore traders and potential strategic partners regarding its plans for a four million tonne per annum ("mtpa") iron ore pellet plant at Port Saguenay. Based on the initial feedback on the pellet project, the Company has decided to prioritize the construction of a 4 mtpa iron ore pellet plant at Port Saguenay in Quebec . Accordingly, consulting engineering firm, BBA was retained in Q4 2023 to study and update capital and operating costs for the larger pellet plant. They remain on track to deliver results in Q1 2024, building on the December 2023 indicative EPC cost estimate from Metso Corporation for the supply of the larger pelletizer unit.

Based on the above, the Company's utility needs for its first phase of operations have been substantially reduced for both natural gas and electricity. Strategic had been granted electrical contracts under an older regime and has been working collaboratively with Hydro- Quebec and the Provincial Government to align on the best actions as the existing electrical contracts for the BlackRock Project came up for renewal. Accordingly, the Company has decided to release its old electrical contracts with Hydro- Quebec and forgo the associated letters of credit for electricity at the BlackRock Project. Through this process, the Company intends to recover surplus working capital into its treasury which can be used to advance the project. The Company plans to obtain a revised electricity contract in accordance with the new system established by the Government of Quebec , coordinated by Hydro- Quebec and the Government of Quebec . It is expected that this process would be completed as part of the construction timeline. Hydro- Quebec and the Government of Quebec continue to be supportive of projects at Port Saguenay, including the recently announced port development plans (see Strategic's December 12, 2023 news release) and investment of C$111 million towards the Port's conveyor system. Details about the procedures to obtain electrical utilities above 5 megawatts can be found at Ministere de l'Economie, de l'Innovation et de l'Energie (gouv.qc.ca).

Strategic continues to work alongside the local, provincial and federal governments, the port authority, as well as local populations and indigenous groups to develop the BlackRock Project. To date, the Company and its major shareholders have made significant investments towards the development of this important project in Quebec , which will help to reduce carbon emissions for the steel and foundry industries in North America and Europe .

About Strategic Resources

Strategic Resources Inc. (TSXV: SR) is a critical mineral exploration and development company focused on high-purity iron and vanadium projects in Canada and Finland . The Company is developing its flagship BlackRock Project, which is a fully permitted and ready to construct mine, concentrator and metallurgical facility (which includes a Pellet Plant and DRI furnace) located at a seaport in Quebec with full access to the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Company's Head Office is in Montreal, Quebec .

Further details are available on the Company's website at https://strategic-res.com/. To follow future news releases, please sign up at https://strategic-res.com/contact/.

Follow us on: Twitter or Linkedin.

STRATEGIC RESOURCES INC.

Signed: "Sean Cleary"

Sean Cleary, CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to obtaining electrical contracts, future financing of the pellet plant, development of the pellet plant or construction of the pellet plant. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "will" or "projected" or variations of those words or statements that certain actions, events or results "will", "could", "are proposed to", "are planned to", "are expected to" or "are anticipated to" be taken, occur or be achieved.

Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by all forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. Strategic does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

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SOURCE Strategic Resources Inc.
DOVER, Del. , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Biggs Museum of American Art is thrilled to share a year of diverse, inspiring, and thought-provoking exhibitions with the community in the hopes of making art feel available and accessible to all through the showcase of both local and nationally renowned artists.

The Museum's first exhibition new of the year, "Artworks for All: Celebration of Creativity Exhibit," is presented in partnership with Art Works for All (AWA). This community-focused exhibit will be on view through March 24 , highlighting the creative achievements of children and adults with disabilities.

Art Works for All (AWA) is an organization committed to providing educational opportunities through the arts, and their exhibit at The Biggs showcases the remarkable artwork produced by program participants. This collaborative effort not only recognizes the artistic talents of individuals with disabilities but also professionally presents their creations to a wider audience, fostering inclusivity and appreciation for the power of art.

In addition to this community-driven exhibition, The Biggs is excited to present a stellar lineup of major exhibitions throughout 2024, along with the extension of their feature exhibition, which has caught the attention of visitors across the country.

Currently on display at the Biggs Museum is The Wyeths: Three Generations| Works from the Bank of America Collection. This exhibition provides a comprehensive survey of three generations of the Wyeth familyN. C. Wyeth , Andrew Wyeth , and Jamie Wyeth . Explore themes of American history, artistic techniques, and creative achievements in this captivating showcase. The Biggs is delighted to announce the extension of this exhibit. Initially scheduled to conclude on February 12 , due to overwhelming demand for visits and tours, the exhibition will now run through President's Day , providing an additional week for art enthusiasts to explore this nationally significant showcase.

Following the Wyeth Exhibition, the museum will host a captivating exhibition by prominent local Delaware artist, Rebecca Raubacher from March 14 through July 7 . Titled Rebecca Raubacher Horses & Other Creatures, this showcase of new works focuses on animals, displaying Raubacher's signature large-scale pieces that beautifully capture the essence and beauty of majestic creatures of land, sea, and air.

In April, the museum will present Award Winners XXIV, an annual exhibition shining a light on the visual, performing, and literary arts fellowship recipients for 2024, curated by the Delaware Division of the Arts. 2024 marks the 24th year that the Biggs has partnered with DDOA to host this incredible exhibition supporting Delaware's exceptional individual artists. This feast for the eyes, ears and imagination will be on display through July 28 .

Opening on July 25 , Circle of Truth 49 Paintings Ending with Ed Ruscha is a unique exhibition inspired by the childhood game of conveying messages through a chain of individuals. This visual domino chain involves 49 artists over nine years, each interpreting and responding to the previous artist's work, resulting in a captivating journey of artistic exploration.

The Biggs Museum will close out the year with a blockbuster exhibition opening in October by renowned artist Rozeal. Titled I Shall Not Want, Rozeal's contemporary paintings blend traditional ukiyo-e print techniques with Japanese folklore, geisha, kabuki, and samurai imagery, infused with hip-hop references and African-American culture.

For more information, visit BiggsMuseum.org.

About the Biggs Museum of American Art

The Biggs Museum of American Art is a dynamic, accredited, art museum in Dover, Delaware , founded in 1993 by collector Sewell C. Biggs . The Biggs Museum is nationally recognized for its exceptional collections of American decorative arts of Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic region, and for its collections of American art from 1700 to today. The Museum engages audiences through a compelling program of collection based and temporary exhibitions plus encourages the development of creativity and an appreciation for art by offering a comprehensive slate of educational programming for all ages. The Biggs Museum of American Art is a private, non-profit 501(c) (3) organization. www.biggsmuseum.org Hours of operation: 10 a.m.  5 p.m. Thursday to Sunday

Media Contact: Kerri Lacey

Director of Marketing & PR

Biggs Museum of American Art

[email protected]

302.760.5305 (work)

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SOURCE Biggs Museum of American Art
SACRAMENTO, Calif. , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Osteopathic Medical Board of California (OMBC) announced at their January Quarterly Board meeting that for the first time they will consider patient testimony before disciplining a doctor.

The Board will begin accepting patient impact statements from families whose consumer complaints about a doctor's care have been forwarded for investigation. The statement gives families the opportunity to describe, in their own words, the harm caused themselves or a loved one. The statement is one of the new patient rights that Consumer Watchdog and its volunteer advocates moved the Medical Board of California to embrace, and that was passed by the legislature last year in the medical board sunset bill, Senate Bill 815.

Consumer Watchdog's volunteer team of patient advocates testified before the Osteopathic Medical Board to encourage them to also adopt these rights that would bring the patient voice into the enforcement process. Consumer Watchdog places a focus on physician accountability for all doctors including medical doctors licensed by the Medical Board of California as well as Doctors of Osteopathy licensed by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California .

Kimberly Turbin , a patient advocate from Los Angeles , advocated for this patient right that was not available to her when her complaint was investigated for the medical battery she experienced during delivery of her son. "I was interviewed by an investigator but I was unable to speak with him again and had no idea what happened to my complaint," stated Kimberly. "I later read that my doctor surrendered his license just before his death. My patient impact statement would have given the decision makers the information they needed to move this complaint through the process more effectively and would have saved more women from experiencing the pain and trauma that I was forced to endure."

For decades, the Osteopathic Medical Board has decided doctor disciplinary cases without taking into consideration the testimony of the patients impacted or their loved ones. That's part of the reason only 2 percent of investigated cases receive any disciplinary action, said Consumer Watchdog.

The OMBC's new Executive Director Erika Calderon made the surprise announcement at the January board meeting. Only the Medical Board of California was required by SB 815 to implement the new patient impact statement but the Osteopathic Medical Board, under the leadership of Calderon, took the proactive step to provide this patient right to consumers. The patient impact statement will finally ensure that decision makers keep the patient in mind just as much as the doctor when reaching a decision on physician discipline.

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SOURCE Consumer Watchdog
XI'AN, China , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite demonstrating significant clinical efficacy against various diseases, the widespread use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is still limited. This is mainly due to the complexity in their formulation and lack of sufficient pharmacological and safety-related data.

To address this gap, a new issue of the Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis presents three independent studies which assessed the potency of TCM-based compounds for various human diseases, along with their molecular mechanisms of action.

The accumulation of excess fat in the liver leads to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Oridonin (ORI), a TCM derived from the Chinese herb Rabdosia rubescens, exhibits anti-inflammatory effects. An article available online on 21 August 2023 and published in Volume 13, Issue 11 of the journal in November 2023 , now reveals that ORI regulates lipid homeostasis in the liver by maintaining the balance between triglyceride (TG) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), through modulation of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and ethanolamine phosphotransferase 1 (EPT1) expression via the liver X receptor alpha (LXR) signaling pathway. "When the TG-PE lipid balance is disturbed, the seesaw tilts towards TG, increasing the risk of NAFLD. Restoring lipid homeostasis using compounds like oridonin can alleviate lipid accumulation and liver cytotoxicity," explains Professor Lan Tang .

Tumor heterogeneity compromises the efficacy of radiotherapy for treating lung cancer. Radiosensitizers help prime tumor cells and improve their response to radiation. Now, in an article available online on 7 June 2023 and published in Volume 13, Issue 11 of the journal in November 2023 , researchers found that ginsenoside Rg5 induced cell-cycle arrest and enhanced radiation-induced cell death. Ginsenoside Rg5 interacts with heat shock protein alpha (HSP90) with high affinity and reduces the binding between HSP90 and cell division cycle 37 (CDC37), promoting HSP90-CDC37 client protein degradation. "Ginsenoside Rg5 can be potentially developed into a new drug for improving the sensitivity of lung cancer and other types of tumors to radiation therapy," the authors explain.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is characterized by the activation of oxidative stress pathways in response to high glucose. In a study available online on 12 May 2023 and published in Volume 13, Issue 11 of the journal in November 2023 , researchers synthesized a polymeric drug complex by combining a natural flavonoid antioxidant known as dihydromyricetin (DMY) with iron (Fe) ions in nano-coordinated polymer particles (NCPs). Fe-DMY NCPs can alleviate glucose-induced oxidative damage and reverse the pathological features of DR by decreasing the expression of key proteins involved in microvascular dysfunction. Fe-DMY NCPs could also inhibit the activation of Poldip2-Nox4-H2O2 signaling pathway and down-regulate important vascular function indicators such as VCAM-1, HIF-1, and VEGF. Explaining its applications, the authors say, "We report for the first time the synthesis and validation of ultra-small Fe-DMY NCPs. Fe-DMY complexes bear the potential to alleviate the impact of DR on vision, thus improving the quality of life of affected individuals."

These studies provide a scientific basis for the development of TCM-based compounds into effective targeted therapies for various diseases.

Reference

Titles of original papers:

Oridonin restores hepatic lipid homeostasis in an LXRa-ATGL/EPT1 axis-dependent manner Ginsenoside Rg5 enhances the radiosensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma via reducing HSP90-CDC37 interaction and promoting client protein degradation Nanoscale coordination polymer Fe-DMY downregulating

Poldip2-Nox4-H 2 O 2 pathway and alleviating diabetic retinopathy

Journal name: Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis

DOI:

Media contact

Mengjie Wang

[email protected]

Xi'an, China

+86-(0)29-88960092

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SOURCE Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis
SILVER SPRING, Md. , Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Throughout 2024, the TSC Alliance will observe its 50th anniversary. To kick off the year-long celebration, the organization recently released new Vision and Mission Statements and unveiled a newly redesigned website.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disease that causes tumors to grow in different organs and can impair their function, primarily the brain, heart, kidneys, skin, eyes and lungs. Changes in the brain caused by TSC have the biggest impact on quality of lifefrom seizures and developmental delays to intellectual disabilities, behavioral challenges and autism. In fact, TSC is the leading genetic cause of epilepsy, including infantile spasms. A strong correlation also exists between TSC and autisman estimated 40-50% of individuals with TSC have autism spectrum disorder.

"Since our founding by four moms in 1974, the TSC Alliance has become a source of hope and support for people affected by tuberous sclerosis complex or TSC," said Kari Luther Rosbeck , President & CEO. "We spent much of 2023 working with board members, key staff and TSC community members to update our Vision and Mission Statements to better reflect our current goals and objectives as outlined in our new 2024-2028 Strategic Plan."

The organization's new Vision Statement is to create a future where everyone with TSC has what they need to live their fullest lives. The new Mission Statement is: The TSC Alliance improves quality of life for everyone affected by tuberous sclerosis complex by catalyzing new treatments, driving research toward a cure and expanding access to lifelong support.

The TSC Alliance also spent much of the past two years working on redesigning its website at tscalliance.org to better serve site visitors including people with TSC and their caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers and other supporters. The project was managed by Dan Klein , Director, Digital Platforms.

"The redesigned site was built with the TSC community in mind, and they were crucial partners in developing the new layout and content," explained Klein. "The site's updated design and navigation options make it easier for visitors to find what they are looking for and to better integrate all the resources the TSC Alliance offers."

The website redesign was made possible by sponsorships from Jazz Pharmaceuticals and Nobelpharma America among other sponsors.

The TSC Alliance will continue to mark highlights from its five decades of service throughout the year, including at the upcoming Comedy for a Cure on April 14 in Los Angeles , its Step Forward to Cure TSC walk series in April and May and a 50th Anniversary Gala in New York City on October 25 .

About the TSC Alliance

The TSC Alliance is an internationally recognized nonprofit that does everything it takes to improve the lives of people with TSC. It drives research, improves quality care, works to increase access and advocates for all affected by the disease. For more information, visit tscalliance.org.

Contact

Jaye Isham

Chief Outreach Officer

TSC Alliance

(301) 562-9890 | [email protected]

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SOURCE TSC Alliance
Jason Meador appointed Head of Direct Markets as Vince Santivasi retires; Dalynn Hoch rejoins Zurich North America to lead RCIS.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. , Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zurich North America, a market leader in insurance and risk management services, announced key leadership changes in its Direct Markets and Crop businesses today.

Jason Meador , currently Head of Zurich's crop insurance business, Rural Community Insurance Services (RCIS), has been appointed to lead the Direct Markets business that serves auto dealers and rental operations following the impending retirement of the Head of Direct Markets, Vince Santivasi .

, currently Head of crop insurance business, (RCIS), has been appointed to lead the Direct Markets business that serves auto dealers and rental operations following the impending retirement of the Head of Direct Markets, . Dalynn Hoch , currently Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Zurich Insurance Group , will rejoin North America succeeding Meador as the Head of RCIS.

Direct Markets leadership transition

Jason Meador will become Head of Direct Markets on February 1 . Meador will continue to report to Zurich North America CEO, Kristof Terryn , as a member of Zurich North America's Executive Committee.

Vince Santivasi will stay on through April 5 to assist in Meador's transition. Santivasi's retirement comes after 20 years with Zurich . During that time, he solidified Zurich's position as one of the largest Finance & Insurance and Property & Casualty insurance providers to franchised auto dealers across the United States .

"In honoring Vince's remarkable twenty-year tenure with Zurich , we express gratitude for his exceptional leadership. With his extensive knowledge and expertise in the automotive industry, Vince has fostered invaluable customer and industry relationships that have been instrumental in our success within the franchised auto dealer space," said Terryn. "As Vince moves on, Jason, who currently leads our Crop business, will take over as leader of the Direct Markets business. We extend our appreciation to Vince for his exemplary service and anticipate continued success under Jason's leadership."

Meador, a Navy veteran, has a rich background in the insurance industry. Most recently, he served as the Head of RCIS, leading the crop insurance business at Zurich . Meador joined Zurich over 10 years ago and has held several leadership roles since that time, including Head of Strategic Execution for North America , Chief Operating Officer of the former Alternative Markets business unit and Head of Captives. Prior to joining Zurich , Meador was a Principal with The Boston Consulting Group serving clients in the Insurance and Financial Services industry.

Meador holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland, a Master of Science in Engineering Science from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University.

RCIS leadership transition

Dalynn Hoch has been appointed Head of RCIS, Zurich's crop insurance business, effective February 1 . Hoch will report to Zurich North America CEO Kristof Terryn and be a member of Zurich North America's Executive Committee.

Hoch most recently served as the head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Zurich Insurance Group. Prior to this, she worked as the Chief Financial Officer at Zurich North America for seven years. Previously, she held a position as a Partner with KPMG. Hoch holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northwestern  St. Paul ( Minnesota ), with a triple major including international business and accounting.

"We're fortunate to have strong leaders across North America and our Group, which ensures seamless transitions," said Terryn. "We're thrilled to welcome Dalynn back to North America . With her background growing up in the family agriculture business and the wealth of finance and transformation experience she gained during her 14 years at Zurich , Dalynn is a strong fit to lead our Crop business."

About Zurich North America

Zurich North America is one of the largest providers of insurance solutions and services to businesses and individuals. Our customers represent industries ranging from agriculture to technology. Zurich North America is part of Zurich Insurance Group ( Zurich ), a leading multi-line insurer serving people and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. Founded 150 years ago, Zurich is transforming insurance. In addition to providing insurance protection, Zurich is increasingly offering prevention services such as those that promote wellbeing and enhance climate resilience.

Reflecting its purpose to "create a brighter future together," Zurich aspires to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world. It is targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 and has the highest-possible ESG rating from MSCI. In 2020, Zurich launched the Zurich Forest project to support reforestation and biodiversity restoration in Brazil .

The Group has about 60,000 employees and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland . Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information is available at http://www.zurich.com/ and http://www.zurichna.com/.

Visit us on social media: LinkedIn and X

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SOURCE Zurich North America
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodian economy is projected to grow by 6.4 percent in 2024, up from 5.5 percent in 2023, mainly driven by tourism and manufacturing sector, National Bank of Cambodia (NBC)'s Governor Chea Serey said on Friday.

The Southeast Asian country's economy is forecast to face both external and internal risks this year, she said in a speech during the closing ceremony of the NBC's two-day annual meeting.

Possible external risks include a decline in flows of international trade, investment as well as international financial market uncertainty, while internal risks can be a sluggish recovery in construction and real estate due to a low inflow of foreign investment, and climate change, according to the central banker.

Mey Kalyan, advisor to the Cambodian government and chairman of the Cambodia Development Resource Institute, said the government is proactively taking drastic measures to improve the business environment, upgrade infrastructure and logistics, and develop human resources in particular practical skills.

"These measures will accelerate economic growth, while at the same time ensuring economic resilience, sustainability, inclusivity and competitiveness," he told Xinhua.

Kalyan said these measures will also help Cambodia take benefits from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement, which will in turn help boost economic growth. 
Ballistic missile, said to be solid-fuel and hypersonic, launches during a test at an unspecified location in North Korea in this picture released by the Korean Central News Agency on January 14, 2024. KCNA via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE W

By Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea is stepping up confrontation with the United States and its allies, but officials in Washington and Seoul say they have spotted no signs Pyongyang intends to take imminent military action.

Kim Jong Un's government is likely to continue or even increase provocative steps, officials and analysts say, after it made strides in ballistic missile development, bolstered cooperation with Russia and scrapped its decades-long goal of peacefully reuniting with South Korea.

Analysts at a prominent think tank said in a report this month that Kim "has made a strategic decision to go to war", just as his grandfather did in 1950, taking advantage of a U.S. distracted by wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and doubts caused by its withdrawal from Afghanistan.

But U.S. and South Korean officials do not sense a looming war.

"While we are not seeing indications of a direct military threat at this time, we continue to monitor for the risk of (North Korea) military action against (South Korea) and Japan," a U.S. official said.

South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik this month rejected as an "excessive exaggeration" claims by some U.S. experts that the likelihood of war on the Korean Peninsula was the highest since the Korean War, which ended in an armistice in 1953 - leaving the North and South still technically at war.

Such arguments play into the hands of North Korea's psychological warfare, Shin told a radio station.

Japan is closely following Pyongyang's rhetoric and actions, a foreign ministry spokesperson said, declining to specify whether Tokyo believed North Korea was planning some kind of military action.

'NOT LOOKING AT WAR'

"I can rest pretty darn assured we're not looking at war," said Sydney Seiler, who retired as national intelligence officer for North Korea at the U.S. National Intelligence Council last year. "North Korea just is not ready for it. It's not postured for it."

Adding uncertainty to the outlook, Donald Trump is polling strongly against U.S. President Joe Biden ahead of a likely rematch in November's election. As president, Trump threatened to withdraw U.S. troops from South Korea and engaged in both fiery brinkmanship and unprecedented diplomacy with Kim, at one point saying "we fell in love" after the two exchanged letters.

Trump has denied a report that, if elected again, he would consider a deal with Kim that would let North Korea keep its nuclear weapons while offering it financial incentives to stop making bombs.

Whoever occupies the White House next year will face a Pyongyang emboldened by its unchecked ballistic missile and nuclear weapons arsenal, and increased backing from Russia and China that has fractured a tenuous international sanctions regime against Pyongyang.

North Korea could further increase pressure on the allies around South Korean parliamentary elections in April, as well as the U.S. vote, Shin acknowledged.

"Before the U.S. presidential election, the North could try to tip the strategic environment in its favour with high-intensity provocations such as the launch of spy satellites and intercontinental ballistic missiles or a seventh nuclear test, aimed at influencing the withdrawal of hard-line North Korea policies," the defence minister told Yonhap news agency.

'MILITARY SOLUTION'?

The report stirring the war debate was by two longtime Korea watchers: U.S. former intelligence analyst Robert Carlin and nuclear scientist Siegfried Hecker. They warned of "wreckage, boundless and bare" if Washington, Seoul and Tokyo failed to heed warning signs.

"The Norths view that the global tides were running in its favour probably fed into decisions in Pyongyang about both the need and opportunity - and perhaps the timing - toward a military solution to the Korean question," they wrote in an article for the 38 North project at the Stimson Center think tank in Washington.

North Korea has fundamentally changed its strategic thinking, abandoning the goal of eventually improving ties with Washington after failed Kim-Trump summits, improving ties with China and Russia, and drastically hardening its stance toward the South, they argued.

But many other observers say the greater risk is border clashes or other small if deadly incidents.

North Korea could take an "adventurous act" such as firing artillery near a disputed maritime border, as it did this month, or sinking a South Korean warship, as it did in 2010, said a Japanese former government security adviser.

From Kim's perspective, he is responding in a "very rational and understandable" way to changes such as heightened cooperation by the U.S., South Korea and Japan to check North Korea, he said.

Seiler, the U.S. former intelligence official who now works with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Kim's near-term domestic priority seems to be addressing economic disparities in the provinces.

"We know that Kim is looking at economic objectives," he said. "This is not a country that is going to a war footing."

An Atlantic Council report in November concluded that allied deterrence was "crumbling", and while all-out war was very unlikely, North Korea might feel emboldened to make more active military moves to improve its leverage or weaken connections between the United States and its Asian allies.

"Pyongyangs regime almost certainly knows it cannot survive if it triggers an all-out nuclear exchange, but it will probably see greater viability for limited nuclear employment in the next five to ten years," the report said.

(Reporting by Josh Smith; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington, and Tim Kelly and John Geddie in Tokyo; Editing by William Mallard)
Argentina's presidential candidate radical libertarian Javier Milei campaigns, ahead of a second-round presidential election run-off between him and the ruling Peronist coalition's economy chief Sergio Massa, in Buenos Aires, Argentina November 4, 2023. R

By Candelaria Grimberg

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina's President Javier Milei said on Friday he would travel to Israel in the "coming weeks," one of his first overseas trips since the libertarian economist took office last month after pledging strong support for Israel during his campaign.

Milei was speaking during a Holocaust remembrance event in Buenos Aires, where he signaled support for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, adding that Argentina would "not remain silent in the face of Hamas terror."

Eleven Argentines are among the civilian hostages held by Hamas, Milei said, in captivity since the militant group who rules the Gaza Strip went on a deadly rampage through Israel on Oct. 7.

"In the coming weeks I will be traveling to the Holy Land in what will constitute a new chapter in the brotherhood between our two nations," said Milei.

Buenos Aires has a large Jewish community and, before taking office in December, Milei said he intended to convert to Judaism.

His first foreign trip as leader was to New York City, where he visited the tomb of a well-known orthodox Jewish rabbi.

In response to the Hamas attack, Israel launched a three-month bombardment of Gaza that has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians and displaced the majority of the population.

The World Court ordered Israel on Friday to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and do more to help civilians.

(Reporting by Candelaria Grimberg; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin looks on during a joint press conference with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at Israel's Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv, Israel December 18, 2023. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura

(Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will visit the hospital for a scheduled follow-up appointment on Friday after his recent prostate cancer treatment, the Pentagon said in a statement.

Austin, who was released from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland on Jan. 15, "continues to recover well and is expected to make a full recovery," the Pentagon said.

Austin, 70, triggered a major political backlash earlier this month for failing to reveal for days that he was hospitalized on Jan. 1 to treat complications that followed his December treatment for prostate cancer.

(Reporting by Paul Grant; Writing by Ismail Shakil)
(This Jan. 26 story has been corrected to fix the spelling of John McKivison's name in paragraphs 2, 3 and 7)

By Brendan Pierson

(Reuters) - Bayer was ordered on Friday to pay $2.25 billion to a Pennsylvania man who said he developed cancer from exposure to the company's Roundup weedkiller, the man's attorneys said.

A jury in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas found that John McKivison's non-Hodgkins lymphoma was the result of using Roundup for yard work at his house for a period of several years. The verdict includes $250 million in compensatory damages and $2 billion in punitive damages.

"The jury's punitive damages award sends a clear message that this multi-national corporation needs top to bottom change," Tom Kline and Jason Itkin, McKivison's attorneys, said in a joint statement.

Bayer in a statement said it disagreed "with the jury's adverse verdict that conflicts with the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence and worldwide regulatory and scientific assessments, and believe that we have strong arguments on appeal to get this verdict overturned and the unconstitutionally excessive damage award eliminated or reduced."

Bayer added that some previous damages awards had been reduced by more than 90 percent.

The verdict comes after five other recent wins late last year by plaintiffs suing Bayer over Roundup, though the company won the most recent such trial in December, as well as a string of earlier trials. In all, it has won 10 of the last 16 Roundup trials.

Around 165,000 claims have been made in the U.S. against the company for personal injuries allegedly caused by Roundup, which Bayer acquired as part of its $63 billion purchase of U.S. agrochemical company Monsanto in 2018. Most plaintiffs, like McKivison, allege that the product caused them to develop non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Bayer has said that decades of studies have shown Roundup and its active ingredient, glyphosate, are safe for human use.

Roundup is among the most widely used weedkillers in the United States, though the company phased out its sales for home use last year.

In 2020, Bayer settled most of the then-pending Roundup cases for up to $9.6 billion but failed to get a settlement covering future cases. More than 50,000 claims remain pending.

Last year's string of losses produced verdicts against the company totaling more than $2 billion. Bayer is appealing those verdicts, which include large punitive damages awards that are likely to be reduced because they exceed U.S. Supreme Court guidance.

The losses had led some investors to question Bayer's legal strategy in defending the Roundup cases. The company said in November that it would continue fighting the cases in court and had "no appetite to write humongous checks" to settle them.

The company had even considered a plan to break off its crop science business, in part due to concerns about Roundup liability, though it said earlier this month that it was putting those plans aside for now and focusing on internal reorganization.

More Roundup trials are expected later this year.

(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Bill Berkrot)
By Ronald Popeski and Kanishka Singh

(Reuters) - Authorities in Belarus, Russia's closest ally, launched an investigation on Thursday into a group of 20 independent analysts and commentators now outside the country and accused of conspiring to seize power and promote extremism.

The investigation follows a series of searches and detentions of people, many of who were once jailed for political dissent against Belarus's long-serving president Alexander Lukashenko.

One human rights group said more than 150 people were affected by the police action.

The United States, which has long imposed sanctions on Belarus alongside the European Union, denounced the latest punitive measures.

Belarus's Investigative Committee said the analysts "took an active part in the development and implementation of the concept of destructive activities aimed at harming national security".

The group includes political commentators and economists as well as officials linked to exiled opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, beaten by Lukashenko in the 2020 election.

"The regime is trying to push the country into an information bubble," Tsikhanouskaya, who lives in neighbouring Lithuania, wrote on Telegram.

"The wave of repression against analysts and experts is simply revenge against those who honestly assess the situation in Belarus and propose real ways out of the crisis."

The human rights group Viasna (Spring) said on its website that at least 157 people had been subject to detentions and questioning. Most, it said, had been released or charged with minor offences, but some faced charges of abetting extremism.

The U.S. State Department said Washington "condemns the Lukashenko regime's recent raids (and) detentions" and vowed to hold the government responsible "for its harsh internal repression as well as for its ongoing support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine."

In power since 1994, Lukashenko staged a new crackdown on dissent after stamping out unprecedented demonstrations against what his opponents say was his rigged re-election in 2020.

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin backed him in that confrontation and Lukashenko allowed Russia to use its territory as a staging post for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Lukashenko, dependent on Moscow for political and economic support, agreed last year to deploy Russian tactical nuclear weapons in his country on Russia's western border. But he has rejected any notion of committing troops to the war in Ukraine.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski and by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Michael Perry)
Dave Calhoun, CEO of Boeing, speaks on stage during the delivery of the final 747 jet at their plant in Everett, Washington, U.S. January 31, 2023. REUTERS/David Ryder/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun "offered no assurance" that the planemaker would withdraw its request for an exemption that would allow its 737MAX 7 jet to be certified without meeting certain regulations, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth said in a posting on X following a Thursday meeting with Calhoun.

(Reporting by Valerie Insinna; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Catalonia's regional head of government Pere Aragones speaks during an interview at Palau de la Generalitat in Barcelona, Spain, April 20, 2022. Picture taken April 20, 2022. REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo

By Joan Faus

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Catalonia's regional leader on Friday denied allegations by Spain's spy agency CNI that he had secretly led a radical separatist protest group, which he said CNI had used as a pretext to snoop on him.

Pere Aragones told reporters he had received on Thursday some heavily redacted declassified CNI documents related to the alleged espionage he had been subject to, and he called for those responsible to be held accountable. He did not show the documents to reporters.

Canada-based group Citizen Lab that studies information controls that pose threats to human rights said in 2022 that in the wake of a failed independence bid in 2017, more than 60 people linked to the Catalan separatist movement, including Aragones, had been targeted by Pegasus spyware.

Asked about the documents, Spain's Justice Minister Felix Bolanos reiterated that the government did not know about nor authorise the alleged spying. He said the CNI and the court that approves its actions have no obligation to inform the government about their work.

Aragones said the declassified documents allege he was the behind-the-scenes coordinator of a group called CDR that staged sometimes violent protests, blocking train lines or attempting to storm the regional parliament.

"(The documents) make this affirmation that is obviously out of touch with any minimum sense of reality," Aragones told reporters, adding that the documents provided no explanation for such suspicions.

Aragones said the documents were full of falsehoods and their aim was to destroy the legitimate political project of Catalan independence from Spain.

Spain's minority leftist government relies on Catalan pro-independence parties to approve legislation and has given them concessions such as a recent bill on amnesty for separatists, but it has ruled out a referendum on Catalan independence.

Aragones' case is being investigated by a Barcelona court after he filed a complaint against former CNI chief Paz Esteban and spyware maker NSO Group. Esteban, who was sacked amid the political storm triggered by the allegations, was scheduled to testify on Friday before the court.

(Reporting by Joan Faus, editing by Andrei Khalip and Hugh Lawson)
FILE PHOTO: A China yuan note is seen in this illustration photo May 31, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration.File Photo

By David Lawder

MILWAUKEE (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Friday that Treasury officials visiting Beijing recently received assurances that Chinese banks are "doing well" despite turmoil in the country's financial and real estate markets, adding that she did not see large spillovers to the U.S. economy at this stage.

Yellen told reporters during a visit to a Milwaukee job training center that a U.S.-China Economic Working Group would meet in Beijing shortly for larger discussions on China's economic situation.

The Financial Working Group met last week and U.S. Treasury officials "focused on pressures in the financial sector, in the banking sector, stemming from debt problems of local governments and the real estate sector," Yellen said. "They received assurances that banks in China are doing well."

Chinese financial markets, however, sold off heavily this week as investors both international and domestic grow frustrated with the Chinese government's reluctance to take bold measures to shore up the economy amid a protracted crisis in its real estate sector and debt pressures.

Asked about the potential for spillovers from China's turmoil to the U.S. economy, Yellen said that there could be impact.

"If growth slows to Asian countries that are important trade partners, we may see some spillovers. But I don't think they're going to be very large," she said.

Regarding calls to confiscate hundreds of billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets, Yellen said she expected G7 finance ministers to soon receive a report reviewing potential legal justifications and risks associated with seizing the funds and diverting them to aid Ukraine.

Asked if the report would be ready by the end of February, Yellen said: "We're working to do it quickly."

She has previously said that an international law justification agreed by G7 countries would be needed and that the U.S. Congress would need to pass legislation to enable seizure of Russian assets held in the U.S.

(Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Paul Simao and Marguerita Choy)
FILE PHOTO: Colgate toothpaste is pictured on sale at a grocery store in Pasadena, California January 30, 2014. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo

(Reuters) - Colgate-Palmolive on Friday forecast fiscal 2024 sales below estimates, as higher prices of its oral and personal care products continue to weigh on volumes.

The toothpaste maker expects annual sales growth to be between 1% and 4%, the midpoint of which is below analysts' average estimates of a 3.55% growth. In 2023, Colgate logged sales growth of 8.5%.

Other consumer product makers like Procter & Gamble and Kimberly-Clark had also flagged softer volumes earlier this week as customers continued to digest higher product prices.

For Colgate, fourth-quarter organic volumes were flat, broadly similar to the previous quarter, although improving from a 4% dip last year.

The New York-based company said volumes, which have been under pressure in the past few quarters, are expected to recover somewhat through the year.

However, the company sneaked past Wall Street expectations for fourth-quarter sales and profit, driven by strong demand coming out of Latin America and Europe and recovering volumes in North America.

Net sales rose to $4.95 billion, beating LSEG estimates of $4.90 billion.

On an adjusted basis, the company posted a profit of 87 cents per share, topping estimates of 85 cents per share.

Sales at the company's Hill's Pet Nutrition business, which made up a quarter of the company's sales in 2023, were up 5% compared to a 20% rise in 2022.

RBC analyst Nik Modi said the performance of the pet category was " increasingly concerning" amid consumer pressure and competition from specialty pet retailers.

Shares of the company were up 1% in premarket trading on Friday.

(Reporting by Anuja Bharat Mistry in Bengaluru)
The Carnival cruise ship Sunrise is seen docked at Miami Port, in Miami, Florida, U.S., June 18, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Marco Bello/ File Photo

(Reuters) - Cruise operator Carnival on Friday joined the growing list of companies flagging a potential hit to their operations following attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Houthis.

"We believe that the instability in the Red Sea region currently impacting shipping could have an impact on our results of operations," Carnival said in a regulatory filing.

The company's U.S.-listed shares fell nearly 2% in morning trade.

The attacks, which the Houthis say are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, have raised the cost of shipping and insurance by disrupting a key trade route between Asia and Europe.

Military strikes by U.S. and British forces on Houthi targets in Yemen this month have failed to stop attacks on shipping by the group, which controls a large chunk of Yemen including the capital Sanaa and much of the country's Red Sea coast by the Bab al-Mandab strait.

Carnival's peer Royal Caribbean Group said earlier in January it had canceled two voyages to avoid the Red Sea.

Swiss Italian operator MSC Cruises said last week it canceled three trips due in April from South Africa and the United Arab Emirates to Europe.

(Reporting by Juveria Tabassum in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)
A staff member distributes cakes to kids at a resettlement site in Wushi County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 25, 2024. Kids enjoyed sharing birthday cakes donated by caring people at a resettlement site in Wushi County on Thursday.

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake jolted Wushi County in Aksu Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at 2:09 a.m. Tuesday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). (Xinhua/Gou Lifeng)

Kids share birthday cakes at a resettlement site in Wushi County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 25, 2024. Kids enjoyed sharing birthday cakes donated by caring people at a resettlement site in Wushi County on Thursday.

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake jolted Wushi County in Aksu Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at 2:09 a.m. Tuesday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). (Xinhua/Gu Yu)

Kids play at a resettlement site in Wushi County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 25, 2024. Kids enjoyed sharing birthday cakes donated by caring people at a resettlement site in Wushi County on Thursday.

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake jolted Wushi County in Aksu Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at 2:09 a.m. Tuesday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). (Xinhua/Su Chuanyi)
Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 23, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia's deputy prime minister Demeke Mekonnen, who has occupied the post for over 11 years under three successive prime ministers, will be replaced by spy chief Temesgen Tiruneh, a senior government official told Reuters on Friday.

Temesgen was elected to succeed Demeke as a vice president of the ruling Prosperity Party, state-run media reported. A vice president of the party typically serves as deputy prime minister.

Demeke has been a face of continuity during a turbulent period in Ethiopian politics. He was appointed to the post after the death of longtime prime minister Meles Zenawi in 2012 and survived a reorganisation of the ruling party that occurred after Abiy Ahmed took power in 2018.

Temesgen is the head of the national intelligence service and has coordinated the government's response to a conflict that broke out last year in the Amhara region with local militias.

Abiy appointed Demeke as foreign minister days after civil war broke out in November 2020 in the northern Tigray region, a conflict that lasted two years and cost tens of thousands of lives.

While the government and rebel forces in Tigray signed a peace deal in November 2022, Ethiopia has remained dogged by insecurity.

Besides the unrest in Amhara, a decades-long conflict in the Oromiya region, the country's largest, has intensified in recent years, killing hundreds and displacing tens of thousands.

(Reporting by Dawit Endeshaw; Writing by Aaron Ross; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
BERLIN (Reuters) - The European Union's main centre-right alliance will nominate Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as European Commission president at a congress in March if she wants to continue in the post, a senior EU lawmaker told Reuters.

Von der Leyen, a German Christian Democrat, has not yet said publicly whether she wants a second stint at the helm of the EU executive after her current term expires later this year.

Daniel Caspary, who leads the German Christian Democrat group in the European Parliament, made clear he expected the European People's Party (EPP) family of centre-right parties to nominate her.

"The EPP will nominate Ursula von der Leyen as its lead candidate for the European elections at its European Congress on March 6 and 7," Caspary said, adding, "If that's what she wants."

Being nominated as the EPP's lead candidate would mean von der Leyen would also be its nominee for Commission president. She would then be in pole position to take the post if the EPP comes first in June's European Parliament election, as polls currently predict.

Caspary's comments add strength to the widespread assumption among diplomats and officials in Brussels that von der Leyen will seek and receive a second term as Commission president.

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke and Andrew Gray, Writing by Nette Nostlinger, Editing by Rachel More)
By Jonathan Spicer

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Canada and Turkey have reached a deal to restart Canadian exports of drone parts in exchange for more transparency on where they are used, and it would take effect after Ankara completes its ratification of Sweden's NATO bid, two sources told Reuters.

After 20 months of delay, Turkey moved swiftly this week to endorse Sweden's membership in the western military alliance, including a parliamentary vote and presidential sign-off, leaving Hungary as the sole ally yet to ratify it.

Turkey is expected to send the final documents to Washington as soon as Friday, which would clear the way for Canada to immediately lift the export controls that it adopted in 2020, the two sources said, requesting anonymity.

The agreement was reached in early January after months of talks, said one person familiar with the process. A second person familiar with the plan said the sides agreed it would take effect after Sweden's ratification was complete.

Turkey's foreign ministry declined to comment.

Canadian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Charlotte MacLeod told Reuters that while the export controls currently remained in place, Ottawa aimed to resolve the issue with Turkey given its status as a NATO ally.

"Canada and Turkey continue to engage in frank exchanges on our bilateral, economic and commercial relations," she said.

Sweden's lengthy bid process frustrated some NATO members over what they viewed as Turkey's transactional approach, which led to concessions from Stockholm and other allies regarding arms exports and counterterrorism measures.

U.S. leaders have said Turkey's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership clears the way for Ankara's long-sought purchase of U.S. F-16 fighter jets.

Canada suspended drone technology sales to Turkey in 2020 after concluding its optical equipment attached to Turkish-made drones had been used by Azerbaijan while fighting ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno Karabakh, an enclave Baku has since retaken.

Ottawa halted talks on lifting them in 2022 when Ankara raised objections to both Finland and Sweden's NATO bids. But it re-started talks after a NATO leaders summit in July last year, Reuters reported at the time.

END-USER TRANSPARENCY

Under the agreement, Ankara would provide Ottawa information on the end-users of Canadian-made equipment, especially if re-exported to non-NATO members, the sources said.

The "notification process", standard under the international arms trade, covers Wescam sensors used in Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones and other dual-use goods and arms-related exports.

The first source said the deal improves transparency and communication between the sides and aims to avoid disagreement as in 2021, when Canada said Azerbaijan's use of the camera equipment violated Turkey's end-user assurances.

Ankara has repeatedly criticised export controls as contrary to the spirit of the NATO alliance. In the past it also faced trade embargoes by France, Germany and Sweden over tensions in the eastern Mediterranean and its operations in northern Syria.

While Ankara has called on Canada to lift the restrictions, it has also said that it will soon be able to produce the drone parts it imports, including optical equipment, on its own. Several countries, including Ukraine, Ethiopia and Pakistan, have bought Turkish drones after their battlefield successes.

On Tuesday, Turkey's Foreign Ministry said it hosted Canada's associate deputy foreign minister, Cindy Termorshuizen, for talks on "regional and international issues", without elaborating.

On Friday, President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey's ratification of Sweden was welcomed by "Canada, Sweden, and all Western countries", and was viewed as a source of strength within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Under NATO rules, Turkey must deposit the final document - the instrument of ratification - at the U.S. State Department archives to complete its Sweden ratification.

Canada was the first NATO country to ratify the entry bid Sweden made in 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

(Reporting by Jonathan Spicer in Istanbul; Additional reporting by Steve Scherer in Ottawa; Editing by Toby Chopra)
FILE PHOTO: The Galaxy Leader cargo ship is escorted by Houthi boats in the Red Sea in this photo released November 20, 2023. Houthi Military Media/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

By Parisa Hafezi and Andrew Hayley

DUBAI (Reuters) - Chinese officials have asked their Iranian counterparts to help rein in attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Houthis, or risk harming business relations with Beijing, four Iranian sources and a diplomat familiar with the matter said.

The discussions about the attacks and trade between China and Iran took place at several recent meetings in Beijing and Tehran, the Iranian sources said, declining to provide details about when they took place or who attended.

"Basically, China says: 'If our interests are harmed in any way, it will impact our business with Tehran. So tell the Houthis to show restraint'," said one Iranian official briefed on the talks, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

The attacks, which the Houthis say are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, have raised the cost of shipping and insurance by disrupting a key trade route between Asia and Europe used widely by ships from China.

The Chinese officials, however, did not make any specific comments or threats about how Beijing's trading relationship with Iran could be affected if its interests were damaged by Houthi attacks, the four Iranian sources said.

While China has been Iran's biggest trading partner for the past decade, their trade relationship is lopsided.

Chinese oil refiners, for example, bought over 90% of Iran's crude exports last year, according to tanker tracking data from trade analytics firm Kpler, as U.S. sanctions kept many other customers away and Chinese firms profited from heavy discounts.

Iranian oil, though, only accounts for 10% of China's crude imports and Beijing has an array of suppliers that could plug shortfalls from elsewhere.

The Iranian sources said Beijing had made it clear it would be very disappointed with Tehran if any vessels linked to China were hit, or the country's interests were affected in any way.

But while China was important to Iran, Tehran also had proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, besides the Houthis in Yemen, and its regional alliances and priorities played a major role in its decision making, one of the Iranian insiders said.

Asked for comment about meetings with Iran to discuss the Red Sea attacks, China's ministry of foreign affairs said: "China is a sincere friend of the countries of the Middle East and is committed to promoting regional security and stability and seeking common development and prosperity."

"We firmly support Middle Eastern countries in strengthening their strategic independence and uniting and collaborating to resolve regional security issues," it told Reuters.

Iran's foreign ministry was not immediately available to comment.

AXIS OF RESISTANCE

Military strikes by U.S. and British forces on Houthi targets in Yemen this month have failed to stop attacks on shipping by the group, which controls a large chunk of Yemen including the capital Sanaa and much of the country's Red Sea coast by the Bab al-Mandab strait.

The Houthis, who first emerged in the 1980s as an armed group in opposition to Saudi Arabia's Sunni religious influence in Yemen, are armed, funded and trained by Iran and are part of its anti-West, anti-Israel "Axis of Resistance".

A senior U.S. official said Washington had asked China to use its leverage with Iran to persuade it to restrain the Houthis, including in conversations Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had this month with senior Chinese Communist Party official Liu Jianchao.

A senior Iranian official said while Chinese officials discussed their concerns thoroughly in the meetings, they never mentioned any requests from Washington.

On Jan. 14, China's foreign minister Wang Yi called for an end to attacks on civilian ships in the Red Sea - without naming the Houthis or mentioning Iran - and the maintenance of supply chains and the international trade order.

Victor Gao, chair professor at China's Soochow University, said China, as the world's biggest trading nation, was disproportionately affected by the shipping disruption and restoring stability in the Red Sea was a priority.

But Gao, a former Chinese diplomat and an adviser to oil giant Saudi Aramco, said Beijing would view Israel's treatment of the Palestinians as the root cause of the Red Sea crisis and would not want to publicly ascribe blame to the Houthis.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson declined to comment when asked about bilateral Iran-China discussions on the issue.

A diplomat familiar with the matter said China had been talking to Iran about the issue but it was unclear how seriously Tehran was taking Beijing's advice.

Two officials in the Yemeni government, an enemy of the Houthis, said they were aware that several countries, including China, had sought to influence Iran to rein the Houthis in.

Analysts Gregory Brew of Eurasia Group and Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group said China had potential leverage over Iran because of its oil purchases and because Iran was hoping to attract more Chinese direct investment in future.

However, both said China had so far been reluctant to use its leverage, for several reasons.

"China prefers to free-ride on the U.S. safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea by bloodying the Houthis' nose," said Vaez, adding that Beijing was also aware that Iran did not have total control over its Yemeni allies.

INFLUENCE NOT ABSOLUTE

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam said on Thursday that Iran to date had not conveyed any message from China about scaling back attacks.

"They will not inform us of such a request, especially since Iran's stated position is to support Yemen. It condemned the American-British strikes on Yemen, and considered Yemen's position honourable and responsible," he said.

The four Iranian sources said it was unclear whether Iran would take any action following the discussions with Beijing.

The stakes are high for Iran as China is one of the few powers capable of providing the billions of dollars of investment Tehran needs to maintain the capacity of its oil sector and keep its economy afloat.

China's influence was evident in 2023 when it facilitated an agreement between Iran and regional rival Saudi Arabia to end years of hostilities.

Yet while there are robust economic ties between China and Iran, Beijing's influence on Tehran's geopolitical decisions was not absolute, one of the Iranian insiders said.

Some within Iran's ruling establishment have questioned the value of the partnership with Beijing, pointing to relatively low non-oil trade and investment volumes since China and Iran signed a 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021.

Iranian state media says Chinese firms have only invested $185 million since then. State media also said last year that Iranian non-oil exports to China fell 68% in the first five months of 2023 while Iran's imports from China rose 40%.

By contrast, Chinese companies committed last year to invest billions in Saudi Arabia after the countries signed a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022.

Two of the Iranian insiders said while China could not be ignored, Tehran had other priorities to consider and its decisions were shaped by a complex interplay of factors.

"Regional alliances and priorities as well as ideological considerations contribute significantly to Tehran's decisions," one of the people said.

The second person said Iran's rulers had to adopt a nuanced strategy when it came to the Gaza war, as well as the Houthi attacks, and that Tehran would not abandon its allies.

Iran's role as leader of its "Axis of Resistance" - which includes the Houthis, Lebanon's Hezbollah, Hamas and militias in Iraq and Syria - had to be balanced against avoiding getting sucked into a regional war over Gaza, the Iranian sources said.

Tehran's messaging to - and about - the Houthis required a measure of deniability about the extent of its control over them - but also an ability to claim some credit for their anti-Israel actions, one of the people said.

(Reporting by Parisa Hafezi in Dubai and Andrew Hayley in Beijing; Additional reporting by Samia Nakhoul in Dubai, Trevor Hunnicutt, Humeyra Pamuk, Arshad Mohammed and Matt Spetalnick in Washington, Mohammed Alghobari in Aden, and Greg Torode in Hong Kong; Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Estelle Shirbon and David Clarke)
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia July 31, 2023. Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Kremlin via REUTERS/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin on Friday denied a Bloomberg report that President Vladimir Putin was "putting out feelers" to the United States for possible talks on ending the war in Ukraine and might consider dropping key demands on Ukraine's security status.

The Bloomberg report said Putin was "testing the waters" on whether Washington was ready to engage in talks, and had reached out to the United States via indirect channels.

It cited two people close to the Kremlin as saying Putin "may be willing to consider dropping an insistence on neutral status for Ukraine and even ultimately abandon opposition to eventual NATO membership - the threat of which has been a central Russian justification for the invasion".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked by reporters about the story, and specifically whether Moscow was really ready to give up its demands on neutrality and NATO.

"No, this is a wrong report. It absolutely does not correspond to reality," Peskov said.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Alison Williams)
SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea and China agreed to strengthen tactical cooperation and defend common interests, the North's official KCNA news agency said on Saturday, reporting on Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui's meeting with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.

On Friday, China said the two countries pledged to strengthen strategic communications "at all levels" and reaffirmed "unswerving stance" on deepening ties as Sun met his North Korean counterpart, Pak Myong Ho, in Pyongyang.

Sun arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday, passing through the city of Sinuiju on the border of the two countries. It was the latest exchange by North Korea with China and Russia while it steps up confrontation with the United States and South Korea.

North Korea has dramatically upgraded its ties with the two U.N. Security Council permanent members and traditional allies, which have come around to stand with Pyongyang as it speeds up the development of an array of tactical and strategic weapons.

Beijing and Moscow, which previously voted against Pyongyang at the U.N. for its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, have since 2017 refused to join in imposing more sanctions, backing the North's position it is exercising its right to self defense.

(Reporting by Jack KimEditing by Chris Reese and Sandra Maler)
Airplane is seen in front of Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration, August 6, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said it detected 23 Chinese air force planes operating around Taiwan and carrying out "joint combat readiness patrols" with Chinese warships on Friday, ahead of high-level China-U.S. talks in Thailand.

China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has over the past four years regularly sent warplanes and warships into the skies and waters around the island as it seeks to assert sovereignty claims that the Taipei government rejects.

Taiwan's defence ministry said that starting around 4 p.m. (0800 GMT) on Friday it had detected 23 Chinese aircraft including Su-30 fighters and drones operating off northern and central Taiwan and to the island's southwest.

Thirteen of those aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line, or areas close by, working with Chinese warships to carry out "joint combat readiness patrols", the ministry added.

The strait's median line once served as an unofficial barrier between the two sides, but Chinese planes now regularly fly over it. China says it does not recognise the line's existence.

Taiwan sent its own forces to monitor, its defence ministry said.

There was no immediate response from China's defence ministry.

The activity comes as U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi prepare to meet in Bangkok, building on a pledge by the leaders of the world's two largest economies to deepen dialogue.

The officials will meet on Friday and Saturday, a little more than two months after U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for about four hours on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco.

Biden and Xi agreed to open a presidential hotline, resume military-to-military communications, and work to curb fentanyl production, but remained at odds over Taiwan, which enjoys strong U.S. backing despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

China's foreign ministry said earlier on Friday that Taiwan would be a subject for discussion.

Taiwan elected a new president earlier this month, Lai Ching-te from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. China views Lai, who takes office on May 20, as a dangerous separatist and has rebuffed his offers of talks.

Taiwan's government says only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Christina Fincher and Alison Williams)
FILE PHOTO: A worker cleans a Barclays logo outside a bank branch in the financial district of London, Britain July 8, 2019. REUTERS/Simon Dawson

By Isla Binnie

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Friday said Barclays bank would not be permitted to underwrite municipal bonds after failing to respond to questions from state authorities about its pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Republican officials have criticised environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing and have moved to limit the role of other banks in the local government debt market over such concerns.

A Barclays spokesman declined to comment.

Paxton's office in a statement said it had identified Barclays as being a member or affiliate of a net zero alliance, a type of trade group aimed at reducing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions that began gaining traction around a United Nations conference in Scotland in 2021.

"This raised concerns that Barclays' activities may require it be classified as a 'fossil fuel boycotter' under Texas law," the statement said.

"When asked for more information concerning its ESG commitments, Barclays elected not to respond to the questions and acknowledged that by doing so it would likely forfeit its ability to contract with Texas governmental entities," the statement continued.

A Texas finance chief keeps a list of financial firms deemed to boycott energy companies, and the state has been a leader in a conservative challenge against a Biden administration rule allowing socially conscious investment of employee retirement plans.

(Reporting by Isla Binnie; Editing by Mark Porter)
By David Ljunggren and Ismail Shakil

OTTAWA (Reuters) -India is cooperating with Canada and bilateral ties are improving after tensions spiked over the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia, a top Canadian official told CTV in an interview published on Friday.

Diplomatic relations soured after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last year said Canada was "actively pursuing credible allegations" that Indian agents were potentially linked to the June 2023 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen. India has denied any formal government role in Nijjar's murder.

"I wouldn't describe them (the Indians) as not cooperating. I think we've made advancements in that relationship," Jody Thomas, Trudeau's national security adviser, told CTV.

CTV published an excerpt from the interview on its website on Friday. The full interview will be aired on Sunday.

Canada has been pressing India to cooperate in its investigation of Nijjar's killing. Last November, U.S. authorities said they had thwarted a plot to kill a Sikh separatist in the United States.

"The information that they (the Americans) revealed supported our position and our assertions with India, and India is working with us ... far more closely to resolve this," Thomas told CTV. Trudeau said in December he sensed a change in New Delhi's tone with Ottawa after the U.S. case.

The acrimony has delayed discussions on a free-trade deal and threatened Canada's plans to expand its influence in the Indo-Pacific region, where New Delhi's cooperation is critical to efforts to check an increasingly assertive China.

"Our ability to function in the Indo Pacific does rely on having a healthy relationship with India. And I think that we are working back towards that," Thomas said. Around 2 million Canadians, or 5% of the population, have Indian heritage.

Canada withdrew 41 diplomats from India after New Delhi in September asked Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence following Trudeau's remarks.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren and Ismail Shakil in OttawaEditing by Matthew Lewis)
Honda export cars are parked on the dockside at the ABP port in Southampton, Britain August 31, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay / File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's decision to suspend talks with Canada on a free trade deal creates the risk of tariffs being imposed on British-made cars sold in Canada, the UK car industry warned on Friday, as it urged the two sides to return to negotiations.

Under Britain's existing trade deal with Canada, which effectively rolled over after Brexit, UK carmakers can until April export vehicles containing EU-manufactured parts to Canada without facing tariffs.

"If UK car exports can't use EU parts and components to avoid additional duties it creates a risk that tariffs, potentially charged on top of luxury goods taxes, could be reintroduced," Mike Hawes, the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said in a statement.

"Canada is an important market for UK car exports and, given the close ties between our two countries, the suspension of trade talks is especially disappointing and sends a signal that the UK's world-class automotive products are not welcome in Canada," he added.

Britain on Thursday suspended talks on a free trade deal with Canada amid unhappiness on both sides about the lack of access to agricultural markets.

Since leaving the EU in 2020, Britain has been trying to forge bilateral trade deals across the globe. It is currently negotiating a free trade agreement with India.

(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; editing by William James)
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France. According to Nathalie de Gaulle, the great-granddaughter of former French President Charles de Gaulle, the two countries could learn from each other for future development.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service








FILE PHOTO: Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at an event on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/Pool/File Photo

By Olena Harmash

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to participate in a planned "peace summit" of world leaders in Switzerland, a top diplomatic adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, as Russia's invasion approaches its second anniversary.

China has close ties with Russia and has refrained from criticising its invasion of Ukraine but has also said the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected and has offered to help mediate in the conflict.

"We are definitely inviting China to participate in the summit, at the highest level, at the level of the President of the People's Republic of China," the adviser, Ihor Zhovkva, told Reuters in an interview this week.

"China's participation will be very important to us. We are working with the Chinese side. We involve our partners in the world so that they convey to the Chinese side how important it is to participate in such a summit."

China's Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a "no limits" partnership in Beijing just three weeks before Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Since then, China has dramatically increased its Russian energy imports.

Putin says the invasion was necessary to protect Russia's own security, while Kyiv and the West say it is an unprovoked war of aggression and a land grab.

Neutral Switzerland agreed to host the Ukraine peace summit on Ukraine at Zelenskiy's request but no date or venue has yet been set. Zhovkva said teams were still working on the details.

PEACE PLAN

Zhovkva also said the national security advisers of a record 82 countries had taken part in talks this month in the Swiss town of Davos that focused on Ukraine's 10-point peace plan.

Russia has not been invited to the planned summit and has previously said Ukraine's 10-point plan will come to nothing.

That plan envisages the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, withdrawal of all Russian troops, protection of food and energy supplies, nuclear safety, and the release of all prisoners of war.

"We will talk about a certain road map (at the summit) to implement this (peace) formula," said Zhovkva.

Ukraine is scrambling to maintain international support amid signs of war weariness among its Western allies after the failure of Kyiv's counteroffensive last year to bring a breakthrough on the battlefield. The frontlines have remained little changed and the war in Gaza has recently become a more pressing focus of global attention.

Zhovkva hailed the participation of many countries from the Global South at the Davos talks, saying Ukraine hoped to maintain this level at the summit.

China's representative participated in a meeting on Ukraine in Saudi Arabia last summer, and Xi and Zelenskiy have also spoken by phone.

Beijing last year put forward its own 12-point plan for peace in Ukraine that involves declaring a ceasefire but does not stipulate that Russia should withdraw from any of the territory it has seized.

(Editing by Gareth Jones)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testifies before a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., October 31, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to return to the Pentagon on Monday, nearly a month after being secretly admitted to a hospital for complications from an undisclosed prostate cancer surgery in December, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Friday.

Austin's secrecy surrounding his condition and his Jan. 1 hospitalization caught the White House and Congress off guard, and even President Joe Biden didn't know Austin was hospitalized during much of the first week of January.

Austin, 70, has not yet spoken publicly about his health. He had been due to make a passing reference to it on Tuesday, but skipped over that portion of his prepared remarks during a virtual meeting of Ukraine's military allies that Austin joined from his Virginia home.

Austin's secrecy has triggered a political uproar. Republicans accused Austin of dereliction of duty. Austin is a retired four-star general who led forces in Iraq and who is America's first Black defense secretary.

Some prominent Republicans, including Donald Trump, called for Austin to be removed from his job.

However, Biden has said he has confidence in Austin despite what the president agreed was a lapse in judgment.

Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland on Dec. 22 to treat prostate cancer.

He returned to the hospital on Jan. 1 due to complications that included a urinary tract infection. His hospitalization was not revealed until four days later, and the Pentagon did not specify why he was being treated until Jan. 9.

Earlier on Friday, physicians at Walter Reed said Austin continued to recover well from prostate cancer treatment and was expected to make a full recovery.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali, Editing by Franklin Paul and Alistair Bell)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) speaks in Valhalla, New York, U.S., May 10, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House Committee on Ethics said on Thursday that it was no longer pursuing an inquiry into Democratic Representative Jamaal Bowman for pulling a fire alarm while trying to use a locked exit in September as lawmakers prepared to vote on a measure to avert a government shutdown.

The decision came a month after the House of Representatives voted of 214 to 191 to censure the New York Democrat. He also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense, after being charged over the incident by the D.C. attorney general.

House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest said in a statement that the panel determined further review of Bowman's conduct would be "moot," given the December censure, and noted that the lawmaker has complied with the relevant terms of his sentencing agreement.

"The committee will not further review the matter," the statement said.

Bowman, who represents a district that includes suburbs just north of New York City, pulled the alarm in a House office building in late September while trying to get to a Saturday vote, according to security camera footage.

He said at the time that he thought the alarm would unlock the door, which is usually unlocked during the week when lawmakers are normally in session.

(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Sandra Maler)
FILE PHOTO: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo shortly before departing in his helicopter after announcing his resignation in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., August 10, 2021. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department on Friday agreed with a finding by the New York attorney general that the state's former governor, Andrew Cuomo, violated federal law by sexually harassing female employees and retaliating against those who spoke out.

As a result of its findings, the federal agency signed a settlement with the New York Executive Chamber approving reforms that Cuomo's successor, Kathy Hochul, had passed to prevent and address misconduct, and also added several more.

Hochul's reforms included firing employees who facilitated or helped retaliate against Cuomo's accusers, opening a human resources department and creating new means for employees to report instances of sexual harassment.

The Justice Department settlement announced on Friday calls for the state's executive chamber to expand the human resources department, add new avenues for reporting and resolving complaints involving high-level officials, and implementing new training and anti-retaliation programs.

In response to Friday's announcement, an attorney for Cuomo, Rita Glavin, said the former governor "did not sexually harass anyone."

Glavin, in a statement, accused the Justice Department's probe of being entirely based on the state attorney general's report, which she characterized as "deeply flawed, inaccurate, biased, and misleading."

Friday's announcement concluded a probe launched in August 2021 after New York's Democratic attorney general found that Cuomo, who is also a Democrat, had illegally groped, kissed or made suggestive comments to 11 women, and that his office had retaliated against the first accuser to go public.

Cuomo, who had served since 2011 as governor of New York, the fourth-largest U.S. state, resigned a week later after pressure from President Joe Biden and others.

In 2023, one of Cuomo's aides filed a civil lawsuit against the former governor, saying she was "continuously subjected" to sexual harassment while working for Cuomo, beginning in December 2019, including sexual comments and unwanted touching.

She previously filed a criminal complaint against Cuomo, the only one brought over the allegations against him, but it was dropped by a local prosecutor who said he could not prove a crime beyond reasonable doubt.

(Reporting by Julia Harte in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
FILE PHOTO: Packets of fentanyl mostly in powder form and methamphetamine, which U.S. Customs and Border Protection say they seized from a truck crossing into Arizona from Mexico, is on display during a news conference at the Port of Nogales, Arizona, U.S

By Brendan O'Brien

(Reuters) - U.S. federal prosecutors have charged dozens of people across the nation with taking part in major drug trafficking operations, including a narcotics ring run by a California prison inmate, the U.S. Justice Department said on Friday.

In all, 195 people from 10 states face drug charges in several cases filed this week in federal courts in the East, South and Midwest and Alaska, the department said in a statement.

These cases represent just a fraction of the work our agents and prosecutors are doing every day to target, disrupt and dismantle the cartels and drug trafficking organizations that are poisoning the American people," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in the statement.

The number of drug overdoses in the United States has soared since the COVID-19 pandemic. A record 106,000 people died of drug overdoses in 2021, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

On Thursday, the U.S Attorneys Office in Alaska charged 54 people with operating a multi-state fentanyl, meth, heroin and cocaine ring from February 2022 to July 2023. The leader, Heraclio Sanchez-Rodriguez, 57, was accused of running the operation from a California prison.

Sanchez-Rodriguez used cell phones to talk to suppliers in Mexico, ring leaders in California and Oregon and distributors in Alaska, the justice department said.

On Wednesday, 82 people were indicted in the Northern District of West Virginia with trafficking fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 100 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl deaths in the United States tripled from 2016 through 2021, the CDC said.

The investigation in West Virginia uncovered $1.2 million worth of fentanyl, along with cocaine, methamphetamine, firearms and hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets, the department said.

Some 19 people also were charged in the District of Nebraska on Tuesday with taking part in a meth distribution ring operating in the state and in Kentucky and California.

On the same day, 40 people were arrested in Mississippi, where they face federal drug charges for operating several multistate drug-trafficking organizations, the department of justice said.

(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
Israeli soldiers fire a mortar, as the conflict continues between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, on the border with the central Gaza, Israel January 22, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Thursday with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor about the war in Gaza, a day ahead of a ruling at the World Court on urgent measures in a case in which Israel is accused of genocide.

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT

U.N. judges on Friday will rule on South Africa's request for emergency measures against Israel, which is accused at the International Court of Justice of state-led genocide for its military operation in Gaza.

Friday's ruling will not deal with the core accusation of the case - whether genocide occurred - but will focus on the urgent intervention sought by South Africa.

KEY QUOTES

In a call on Thursday, Blinken reaffirmed U.S. support "for Israel's right to ensure the terrorist attacks of October 7 can never be repeated," the U.S. State Department said in a statement.

Blinken and Pandor also discussed the need to protect civilian lives in Gaza, and ensure regional peace that "advances the establishment of an independent Palestinian state," according to the State Department. It added the two also reaffirmed U.S.-South Africa bilateral ties.

CONTEXT

South Africa has requested an immediate halt to Israel's military operation, which has laid waste to much of the enclave and killed more than 25,000 people or over 1% of Gaza's 2.3 million population, according to the local health authorities.

Israel rejects the accusations from South Africa and says it has a right to defend itself following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which governs Gaza. Israeli officials say that in that attack 1,200 people were killed and 240 taken hostage.

South Africa has asked for nine emergency measures, which act like a restraining order while the court hears the case in full, which could take years. The court is not bound to follow South Africa's requests and could order its own measures if it finds it has jurisdiction at this stage of the case.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro delivers his annual address to the nation at the National Assembly, in Caracas, Venezuela January 15, 2024. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro warned on Thursday that a deal with the political opposition for elections to be held later this year was in danger of collapse, after what he has described as "conspiracies" against him.

WHY IT MATTERS

Last year, the government of Maduro's ruling socialists reached a deal with the political opposition over talks in Barbados to hold elections sometime during the second half of this year.

The deal caused the United States to temporarily ease economically debilitating oil sanctions on the crude-exporting country.

U.S. officials stressed that the relief was dependent on Caracas lifting bans on opponents holding public office, as well as releasing political prisoners and "unjustly detained" Americans.

Venezuela has yet to lift a ban on Maria Corina Machado, the opposition's presidential candidate.

This week, Maduro said "conspiracies" against him and high-ranking government officials were dismantled last year, with nearly three dozen civilians and military personnel detained.

Later, U.S. officials said they were "concerned" about the arrests, which included members of the political opposition.

KEY QUOTES

"Today the Barbados agreements are mortally wounded, they're in intensive care, they were stabbed, kicked," Maduro said in a televised state broadcast.

"Hopefully we can save the Barbados agreements and, through dialogue, reach real overarching agreements through national consensus," he added.

WHAT'S NEXT

The government's arrest of opposition members could put the agreements at risk, and cause the sanctions to snap back. The arrest of opposition figures also threatens Machado's electoral chances, after she formed an alliance on Tuesday to mobilize her campaign.

(Reporting by Deisy Buitrago; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
FILE PHOTO: Trafigura logo is pictured in the company entrance in Geneva, Switzerland March 11, 2012. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

CAIRO/HOUSTON (Reuters) -Yemen's Houthi rebels on Friday stepped up attacks on vessels transiting the Red Sea, including a hit that sparked a fire on a fuel tanker operated on behalf of trading firm Trafigura.

Trafigura said a missile struck the fuel tanker Marlin Luanda as it transited the Red Sea. The tanker was carrying Russian naphtha purchased below the price cap in line with G7 sanctions, a Trafigura spokesperson said.

Firefighting equipment on board was being deployed to suppress and control a fire in one cargo tank on the starboard side, the company said in an emailed statement.

"We remain in contact with the vessel and are monitoring the situation carefully," it said, adding military ships were underway to provide assistance.

Attacks by Houthi rebels have primarily targeted container vessels moving through the Red Sea. Many oil tankers have kept using the route.

On Friday, vessel Free Spirit, chartered by Vitol to carry crude oil, did a U-turn before reaching the Gulf of Aden, shortly after the attack on the Marlin Luanda, according to data from LSEG.

A representative for Vitol did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency and British maritime security firm Ambrey said they had received reports of vessels being struck in the Red Sea near Yemen's Aden and a fire breaking out aboard.

The Houthi military spokesperson said naval forces carried out an operation targeting the "British" tanker Marlin Luanda in the Gulf of Aden, causing a fire to break out.

UKMTO received a report of an incident approximately 60 nautical miles south east of Aden where "a vessel has been struck by a missile and remains on fire." Crew members were reportedly safe.

"Coalition Warships are in attendance and supporting the vessel," UKMTO added.

Ambrey also said it was aware of an incident 55 miles (88.5 kilometres) southeast of Aden where a fire broke out after a merchant vessel was hit by a "missile".

Earlier, UKMTO reported an incident in which two missiles exploded in waters near a ship off the port of Aden and another one 60 nautical miles off Yemen's Hodeidah port.

It was unclear if one of those vessels was the Marlin Luanda.

The U.S. military said in a statement it shot down an anti-ship ballistic missile from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen, adding there were no injuries or damage.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militants have launched waves of exploding drones and missiles at vessels since Nov. 19, in response to Israel's military operations in Gaza. Some shipping companies have suspended transits through the Red Sea and taken much longer, costlier journeys around Africa.

U.S. and British warplanes, ships and submarines have launched dozens of retaliatory air strikes across Yemen against Houthi forces.

(Reporting by Enas Alashray and Ahmed Tolba in Cairo, Arathy Somasekhar and Georgina McCartney in Houston and Mohammed Ghobari in Aden; Editing by Alex Richardson, Liz Hampton, Bill Berkrot and David Gregorio)
American Marketplace Capital Corporation

90 Madison Street, Suite 303

Denver, Colorado 80206

(303) 997-9010

January 26, 2024

Via EDGAR

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Division of Investment Management

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20549

Re: American Marketplace Capital Corporation Application for Withdrawal of Registration Statement on Form 10-12G File No. 000-56514

Ladies and Gentlemen:

American Marketplace Capital Corporation (the Company), hereby respectfully requests the withdrawal, effective immediately of the Companys Registration Statement on Form 10-12G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on November 30, 2023, together with the exhibit thereto (collectively, the Registration Statement).

The Company believes that withdrawal of the Registration Statement is consistent with the public interest and protection of investors. The Company is withdrawing the Registration Statement to prevent it from automatically becoming effective sixty days after the filing of the Registration Statement pursuant to Section 12(g)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

The Company is in the process of responding to oral comments made by the Commission staff on January 12, 2024.

The Company intends to file a replacement Registration Statement on Form 10-12G with the Commission that is responsive to the Commission staffs comments.

No securities were issued or sold pursuant to the Registration Statement.

It is our understanding that this application for withdrawal of the Registration Statement will be deemed granted as of the date that it is filed with the Commission.

Should you have any questions or comments regarding the foregoing, please contact our counsel, Owen Pinkerton of Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP, at (202) 383-0262.

Sincerely, American Marketplace Capital Corporation By: /s/ Anthony Bosch Name: Anthony Bosch Title: President and Treasurer
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )*

Moringa Acquisition Corp

(Name of Issuer)

Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001

(Title of Class of Securities)

G6S23K108

(CUSIP Number)

NICHOLAS SABATINI, CFO & CCO; 1555 POST ROAD EAST, SUITE 202, WESTPORT, CT 06880; (203) 341-0702

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

August 22, 2023

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

 Rule 13d-1(b)

 Rule 13d-1(c)

 Rule 13d-1(d)

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting 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 disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

CUSIP No. G6S23K108 13G Page 2 of 8

1. NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS



Yakira Partners, L.P. 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(see instructions)

(a) 

(b)  3. SEC USE ONLY 4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION



Delaware NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH 5. SOLE VOTING POWER



22,388 6. SHARED VOTING POWER



0 7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER



22,388 8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER



0 9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON



22,388 10. CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

(see instructions)  11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)



0.58% 12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)



PN

CUSIP No. G6S23K108 13G Page 3 of 8

1. NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS



Yakira Enhanced Offshore Fund Ltd. 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(see instructions)

(a) 

(b)  3. SEC USE ONLY 4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION



Cayman Islands NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH 5. SOLE VOTING POWER



1,119 6. SHARED VOTING POWER 0 7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER



1,119 8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER



0 9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON



1,119 10. CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

(see instructions)  11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)



0.03% 12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)



FI

CUSIP No. G6S23K108 13G Page 4 of 8

1. NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS



MAP 136 Segregated Portfolio 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(see instructions)

(a) 

(b)  3. SEC USE ONLY 4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION



Cayman Islands NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH 5. SOLE VOTING POWER



201,493 6. SHARED VOTING POWER



0 7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER



201,493 8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER



0 9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON



201,493 10. CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

(see instructions)  11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)



5.21% 12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)



FI

CUSIP No. G6S23K108 13G Page 5 of 8

Item 1.

(a) Name of Issuer

Moringa Acquisition Corp.

(b) Address of Issuers Principal Executive Offices

250 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10017

Item 2.

(a) Name of Person Filing

This Statement is filed by Yakira Capital Management, Inc on behalf of each of the following persons (collectively, the Reporting Persons)

i) Yakira Partners, L.P.

ii) Yakira Enhanced Offshore Fund Ltd.

iii) MAP 136 Segregated Portfolio

(b) Address of the Principal Office or, if none, residence

1555 Post Road East, Suite 202, Westport, CT 06880

(c) Citizenship

Yakira Capital Management, Inc. and Yakira Partners L.P. are Delaware entities.

Yakira Enhanced Offshore Fund Ltd. and MAP 136 Segregated Portfolio are Cayman Island entities.

(d) Title of Class of Securities

Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001

(e) CUSIP Number

G6S23K108

CUSIP No. G6S23K108 13G Page 6 of 8

Item 3. Filing pursuant to 240.13d-1(b)

If this statement is filed pursuant to Sec. 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a :

(a)  Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.D. 78o):

(b)  Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);

(c)  Insurance company as de fined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);

(d)  Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C 80a-8);

(e)  An investment adviser in accordance with Sec. 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);

(f)  An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with Sec. 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);

(g)  A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Sec. 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);

(h)  A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);

(i)  A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);

(j)  A non-U.S. institution in accordance with Sec. 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J);

(k)  Group, in accordance with Sec. 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).

Item 4. Ownership

(a) Amount Beneficially Owned: 225,000 shares

(b) Percent of Class: 5.81%

(c) Number of shares to which the person has:

(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 225,000

(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 0

(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 225,000

(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0

Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following .

Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of another Person.

Not Applicable

Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company.

Not Applicable

CUSIP No. G6S23K108 13G Page 7 of 8

Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.

Not Applicable

Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group.

Not Applicable

CUSIP No. G6S23K108 13G Page 8 of 8

Item 10. Certification

By signing below, I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

January 26, 2024 Date
BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- China will extract and summarize mature experiences from Pudong New Area's pilot comprehensive reforms and promote them across the country, said Li Chunlin, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, Friday.

China has released an implementation plan for the pilot comprehensive reforms of Pudong New Area in Shanghai. The plan focuses on strengthening the coordination of reforms, which will help amplify the effect of reforms and improve their efficiency, he noted.

The plan lists a number of substantive measures in areas such as institutional openness, technological innovation, talent development, business environment and urban governance, he added.

With a 2023-2027 timeframe, the plan aims to support the high-level reforms and opening up of Pudong New Area, as well as efforts to build Pudong into a leading area for socialist modernization.

According to the plan, Pudong New Area will be provided with greater autonomy in reforms in "key areas" and "key links". Support will be given to the new area to take the lead in improving systems and mechanisms in all areas, accelerate the building of a high-level socialist market economic system, and improve the governance system and capabilities, so that the new area will play a leading role in the nation's efforts in building a modern socialist country in all respects and promoting Chinese modernization. 
Lt. Gen. Roger Turner speaks to reporters after taking command of the III Marine Expeditionary Force at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa  A veteran of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan took command of the Marine Corps rapid-response force here Friday as tensions with China are on the rise.

Lt. Gen. Roger Turner took leadership of the III Marine Expeditionary Force from Lt. Gen. James Bierman Jr. during a chilly ceremony inside a hangar along MCAS Futenmas flight line.

Its our job to train and build readiness for world class naval expeditionary forces for the defense of Japan and also for the security of the rest of the region, Turner told reporters at a press conference following the ceremony. Our main goal here is to deter conflict and to respond to humanitarian crisis, but we are also prepared to aggressively defend shall diplomacy fail.

The III Marine Expeditionary Force Band performs during IIMEF's change-of-command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)

The 40-year service veteran and Bronze Star recipient arrives at a time of heightened tensions in the region. China, labeled the top global pacing challenge in the Pentagons 2022 National Defense Strategy, has rapidly expanded its military and raised provocations with U.S. allies Japan and the Philippines in the East and South China Seas. The United States is bound by treaty to come to their defense.

Japan has been fortifying its southern island chain in recent months and has deployed surface-to-ship missiles to its island bases.

Turner is a veteran of Desert Storm and combat in Ramadi in Iraq and Helmand Province in Afghanistan, according to his Marine Corps biography. He previously served as acting deputy commandant for plans, policies and operations at the Pentagon.

Bierman, who led III MEF out of the COVID-19 pandemic when he took command in November 2021, is known for overseeing expanding partnerships with the Japan Self-Defense Forces. He also worked to implement much of the Corps Force Design 2030 modernization effort.

The island-fighting doctrine implemented by former commandant Gen. David Berger calls for inserting smaller, mobile units within range of enemy missiles to seize and hold key islands and deny enemy vessels access to the surrounding seas.

Bierman also oversaw the November launch of the services new seaborne quick-reaction force, the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment. His accomplishments were lauded by Commandant Gen. Eric Smith.

With you at the helm, III MEF ensured our vital strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region, Smith said in a statement read during Fridays ceremony. Your efforts supporting and partnering with our allies will have lasting and positive impacts for years to come.

Bierman will take over as deputy commandant for plans, policies and operations, III MEF spokesman 2nd Lt. Owen Hitchcock said by email Tuesday.

Fridays ceremony was moved inside due to inclement weather. Lt. Gen. William Jurney presided with an array of aircraft and weaponry arrayed across the flight line.

The cutting edge of the Pacific Marines is III MEF, he said. Turner is the right leader in the right place, at the right time.

III MEF, based at Marine base Camp Courtney, consists of 27,000 Marines and sailors at camps and air stations on Okinawa, on main-island Japan and in Hawaii. Its a force in readiness capable of responding to a crisis or taking up major combat operations, according to the III MEF website.
Members of the U.S. 7th Fleet band perform for the USS Antietam as it departs Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, Jan. 26, 2024. The guided-missile cruiser is shifting its homeport to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. (Askia Collins/U.S. Navy)

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  The USS Antietam steamed out of Tokyo Bay on Friday, concluding 11 years of service at the homeport of the U.S. 7th Fleet.

Sailors manned the rails in their dress blue uniforms as the guided-missile cruiser left Yokosuka, bound for its new home in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the fleet said in a news release Friday.

For more than a decade, USS Antietam enjoyed being part of the Yokosuka community, the cruisers skipper, Capt. Victor Garza, said in the release. Antietam was at the forefront of our nations efforts to protect peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific.

The guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam, which is shifting its homeport to Hawaii, departs Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, Jan. 26, 2024. (Askia Collins/U.S. Navy)

The ship is moving to Hawaii as part of a planned rotation of forces, 7th Fleet said. Taking its place will be the guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell, previously homeported in Everett, Wash., according to Task Force 70 spokesman Seth Koenig.

Koenig declined to comment on when the McCampbell would arrive, citing operational security concerns.

We have no additional departures or arrivals to announce as part of the planned rotation of forces at this time, he said in an email Friday.

The McCampbell left Yokosuka in July 2020 for a scheduled midlife modernization in Oregon before joining the 3rd Fleet.

The Antietam arrived in Yokosuka in February 2013 and swapped crews with its sister ship the USS Cowpens.

In the years that followed, the Antietam regularly deployed with the USS George Washington and USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier strike groups; it also participated in freedom-of-navigation operations and transits of the Taiwan Strait.

One deployment included a monthlong relief mission to the Philippines following the widespread devastation dealt by Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013.

In January 2017, the Antietam ran aground on shoals in Tokyo Bay just outside Yokosuka. It was anchored near the bases ammunition storage area when it drifted into nearby rocks.

Approximately 1,100 gallons of hydraulic fluid leaked into the bay; the Navy ultimately relieved the ships commander at the time, Capt. Joseph Carrigan, due to a loss of confidence in his abilities.

Months later, the Antietam incident was largely overshadowed by two separate collisions involving the guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain, which resulted in a combined death toll of 17 sailors.

Prior to the Antietams departure, the crew of the Japanese guided-missile destroyer JS Kirishima presented the U.S. crew with a plaque commemorating the warships time in Japan, 7th Fleet said.

On behalf of the crew, I want to express my appreciation for our Japanese hosts, who have become our colleagues, friends and family, Garza said in the fleets release. Were proud of the relationships we built with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and with like-minded nations and navies throughout the region.
An American flag flies at half-staff in front of Springfield District Court in Springfield, Mass., on Dec. 19, 2023. A Holyoke, Mass., sailor who served on the USS California at Pearl Harbor will be buried Jan. 27, 2024, with flags across the state ordered to be raised to half-staff, Gov. Maura Healey announced. (Nicole Simmons, masslive.com/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  A Holyoke, Mass., sailor who served on the USS California at Pearl Harbor will be buried Saturday, with flags across the state ordered to be raised to half-staff, Gov. Maura Healey announced.

Pharmacists Mate 2nd Class Hillman, a Holyoker assigned to the battleship USS California, was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. His remains were recovered but unidentifiable with the technology of the day. He was one of 25 unknowns from the California interred with his shipmates at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii.

Visitation will be held at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home in Holyoke from 9 to 10 a.m., his obituary read. A prayer service will follow, then the procession to Saint Jerome Cemetery. Hillman will be buried there with his brother Donald F. Hillman at 11 a.m.

The military was working to identify the remains of the 25 unknowns, matching bones with the names of service members who died.

Then we kind of forgot about it, Hillmans neice Cheryl Hillman Quinn told The Republican.

Pharmacists Mate 2nd Class Merle Hillman, a native of Holyoke, Mass., died aboard the USS California during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. (U.S. Navy History and Heritage Command)

But in 2018, the military disinterred those remains and began identifying them. The military was working to match the names of the long-dead but still remembered sailors, marines and soldiers to those skeletons. But on Nov. 1, 2023, a match was confirmed to be Hillman.

Then  of all days, Dec. 7  the Navy met with Quinn and her son, Brendan, in the family home, the same Oak Street house where Hillman lived before he enlisted in 1937. The Navy filled in some gaps in Hillmans story, bringing his medical records from his time in the service, along with photos of the remains.

Remains are identified using a combination of techniques, according to Laurel Freas, a forensic anthropologist and project lead with the Pearl Harbor Ships Project.

Techniques include forensic anthropology, dental analysis, personal effects and DNA analyses of bone samples, the Navy said. DNA is compared to the service members medical records and DNA reference samples from USS California families. Only five identifications from those onboard the California have been identified since the attack.

The crew abandons the damaged USS California on Dec. 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor. (U.S. Navy)

The California, flagship of the Battle Force, filled with water over the following three days and eventually sank. There were 104 men killed and 61 wounded. Four California sailors were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for displays of heroism during the attack.

Crews were able to refloat the California in March 1942. Repair and modernization work lasted until January 1944, more than two years after she was sunk.

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The container ship, Kota Rahmat approaches the Bab-el-Mandeb strait on Jan. 18, 2024, in Obock, Djibouti. (Luke Dray, Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Piracy off Somalias coast has increased since maritime security was disrupted by Houthi militants attacks on ships in the Red Sea in response to the Israel-Hamas war.

The Horn of Africa nation has recorded five assaults on commercial ships off its coast since November, Hassan Mohamed Afrah, the director of Somalias maritime agency, said by phone on Friday. Thats brought an end to a period of stability that prompted the global shipping industry in 2022 to declassify the coastline on the Indian Ocean as a high-risk area.

The recent incidents included hostages being taken in December on board the Malta-flagged vessel, MV Ruen, that led to Indian, Japanese and Spanish warships rescuing its 18 crew members. That was the first successful hijacking of a vessel off the Somali coast since 2017, according to the International Maritime Bureau.

On Jan. 5, the Indian navy again responded to a hijacking incident on board the Liberia-flagged MV Lila Norfolk, by sending a warship and helicopters only to find the pirates had already escaped. Somali soldiers fought with hijackers off the coast of Galmudug state last week after they took over a commercial vessel owned by local businessmen.

We chased pirates who hijacked a boat and after a few minutes of skirmishes, we successfully recovered the boat and handed it over to its owners, said Ali Warsame, commander of the Galmudug coastal guards.

In addition to attacks on large ships, at least five small Iranian fishing vessels have been targeted in recent weeks, according to Crisis 24, an international consultancy firm specializing in security.

Afrah blamed the recent surge on European military vessels leaving the area and U.S. forces being preoccupied by the threat coming from Houthis in Yemen. Container ships that would have sailed through the Red Sea to and from the Suez Canal are now adding weeks to their routes to travel around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa.

The E.U. naval forces that would keep pirates at bay have left the area and the U.S. naval forces are also busy with the Red Sea tension, causing the pirates to re-emerge and exploit the situation, he said.

Last year, 28,082 vessels passed along Somalias coastline, according to Afrah. The Kenya-based Shippers Council of Eastern Africa has warned that the continuation of the trend in piracy could add to costs for shippers and disrupt supply chains such as exports of Kenyan tea.

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Marijuana possession can bring up to five years in prison under Japans Cannabis Control Act. (Pixabay)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  Japanese police have arrested a civilian employee of the U.S. Marine Corps on Okinawa on suspicion of possessing marijuana.

Clinton Michael Battles, 51, was taken into custody around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at his home in Ginowan city, a spokesman for the Ginowan Police Station said by phone Friday. Some Japanese officials may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

Police searched Battles home based on a tip that he may have the drug in his possession. Police found 0.77 grams of dried marijuana, less than one-fifth the weight of an American nickel, in a plastic bag, the spokesman said.

Marijuana possession can bring up to five years in prison under Japans Cannabis Control Act.

Battles, at the time of his arrest, told police it was for his personal use, the spokesman said.

Police are trying to determine Battles source for the drug, the spokesman added.

Maj. Rob Martins, spokesman for the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, confirmed that Battles is a civilian who works with Marine Aircraft Group 36 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.

Battles was still in Japanese custody as of Friday afternoon, Martins said by email Friday.

The alleged behavior does not reflect the core values of the U.S. Marine Corps, nor does it represent the conduct of the vast majority of Okinawa-based Marines or civilians, he added. We do not have any further information as this case is ongoing.

Prosecutors, not police, decide charges under the Japanese justice system. Battles case was referred to prosecutors on Wednesday, a spokesman for the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office said by phone Friday.
South Korea's new unmanned aerial vehicle is expected to fly at an altitude of roughly six to seven miles for the country's air force and coast guard. (Defense Acquisition Program Administration)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  South Korea is mass-producing its own unmanned aerial vehicle, 14 years in development, to boost its reconnaissance capabilities against the North.

Production began recently for the medium-altitude UAVs, according to a news release Thursday from South Koreas Defense Acquisition Program Administration.

The agency signed onto the $353 million project with three defense contractors  Korean Air, the countrys primary airline, and Seoul-based firms LIG Nex1 and Hanhwa Systems  in December; development began in 2008.

The UAV is expected to fly at an altitude of roughly six to seven miles for South Koreas air force and coast guard, with the possibility of it being exported to other countries, according to the release.

South Korea is giving top priority to tools that can address threats from the North, according to a five-year prospectus released last month by the Ministry of National Defense. The list includes manned and unmanned reconnaissance drones that could monitor North Korean provocations  in early stages.

On Dec. 26, 2022, five small North Korean drones were detected crossing the Souths airspace in the first such flight in five years. The drones were not recovered, but they prompted South Koreas military to scramble fighter jets and helicopters and suspend civilian flights.

South Koreas military also responded with corresponding measures by flying drones into the Norths airspace to surveil military installations, according to a ministry statement at the time.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol condemned the Souths ability to respond to the incursion and announced the military would create the Drone Operations Command specifically tasked with drone warfare.

One month after the incident, a special investigation by the U.N. Commands Military Armistice Commission found that both Koreas violated the 1953 armistice by their actions.

The Norths state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Jan. 19 that its military successfully tested a nuclear-capable underwater drone.

Developing a so-called underwater nuclear weapons system is evidence of the communist regimes multiple violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions, the Souths military said in a statement.
A test detonation of a tactical fission bomb in 1951. Russian scientists have patented a nuclear bomb simulator created to train ground troops on how to operate after a radioactive blast, state-controlled news agency Tass reported this week. (National Archives)

A new nuclear bomb simulator created by Russian scientists, complete with mushroom cloud effects, will enable the Kremlins troops to train for combat operations after a radioactive blast, a state-controlled media outlet reported this week.

The report by the Russian news agency Tass comes on the heels of the release of a study for U.S. European Command that seeks to assess Moscows revised thinking on the use of nuclear weapons.

The Russian device will show what a nuclear strike looks like: the shock effect, flash of light and mushroom cloud of a ground-based nuclear explosion, according to the patent, which was provided to Tass.

The invention will be used in exercises and offer instruction for radiation-detecting units on how to determine the parameters and epicenter of a nuclear explosion, according to Tass.

Since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, concerns about the potential for a nuclear detonation in Europe have escalated.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and others connected to the Kremlin have made various threats during the course of the war.

And in March, former President Dmitry Medvedev, the current deputy secretary of Russias Security Council, threatened nuclear retaliation against the West for its support of Ukraine.

Every day when they provide Ukraine with foreign weapons brings the nuclear apocalypse closer, Medvedev said, as quoted by The Associated Press.

Some security analysts also argue that the high number of Russian casualties in Ukraine and the loss of large quantities of combat equipment have weakened Russias position on its western flank with the Baltic states in NATO.

That could make the Kremlins strategy against the alliance more dependent on nuclear weapons, given the state of its conventional forces, according to a report issued Monday that was commissioned by EUCOM.

While NATO and U.S. officials have said the war is likely to end at the negotiating table, its unclear what the terms of such an agreement could look like.

But Putin may be open to an agreement that could see Moscow dropping its opposition to Ukrainian membership in NATO, Bloomberg News reported Thursday.

In exchange, Russia would hold on to the Ukrainian territory it is occupying, according to Bloomberg, which cited two unidentified officials with ties to the Kremlin.

However, there are no indications that Ukraine would be up for such a deal or that the U.S. would be interested in pressuring Kyiv to accept such terms.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly said his country is unwilling to cede any territory to Russia as part of a peace plan.

With the war close to hitting the two-year mark, the fighting has turned into a virtual stalemate after a Ukrainian summer offensive failed to regain significant amounts of territory.

The outlook for Kyiv also is increasingly uncertain, given its reliance on the West for arms and ammunition.

The U.S. is now out of money for Ukraine and cant send in more weaponry because of budget disagreements in Congress that have put future military support for Kyiv in indefinite limbo.
This handout photo taken from validated UGC video shows flames rising from the scene of a warplane crash at a residential area near Yablonovo, Belgorod region, Jan. 24, 2024. (Validated UGC video)

KYIV  Russia has not provided evidence that Ukrainian prisoners of war were aboard a military plane that was downed Wednesday, Ukrainian officials told relatives of captured soldiers Friday, as the warring countries continued to trade blame over the murky incident.

Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraines military intelligence agency, met Friday with relatives of the prisoners of war who were allegedly being transported on the Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane, which crashed Wednesday in Russias Belgorod region near the border with Ukraine.

Russia claims that the plane was carrying 65 Ukrainian POWs who were set to be exchanged that day.

Budanov told the POW families that Russia asked for the prisoners relatives to submit DNA to match to the bodies of detainees allegedly killed onboard, while not providing any evidence of their remains, according to two people present at the meeting.

Ukraine has rejected that request, Budanov said, according to the two relatives who attended the meeting and who spoke on the condition of anonymity for security reasons.

The puzzle doesnt fit, Budanov told the families, according to one of the relatives  the mother of one POW. She added that the exchange was supposed to involve more than 190 prisoners, matching a statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. The Russian Defense Ministry has said that just 65 detainees were on the plane.

Putin, in his first comments about the incident, said Friday that Ukraine shot down the plane with its own military personnel on board and that Russia would make the results of its investigation public so that people in Ukraine know what happened.

I dont know if it was on purpose or by mistake, but it is obvious that they did it, Putin said, adding without evidence that the Ukrainians probably used an American or European air-defense system. Western countries generally have prohibited Kyiv from using their weapons to strike targets on Russian territory.

We were transporting their citizens, their military personnel, but no, they struck there, Putin said. Our only regrets are with regards to our pilots.

But more than 48 hours after the plane fell from the sky and charred a large swath of earth, Russia has provided scant evidence of its claims. Ukrainian officials said that despite the Kremlins rhetoric, Moscow is blocking an international investigation.

Russian political and military officials, while quick to blame Ukraine, have not explained how their military jet was left vulnerable to being destroyed in midair, a highly unusual occurrence in a war in which each side has sophisticated antiaircraft weapons. Ukraine has targeted Russian planes, but usually while they are on the ground.

Ukrainian officials maintain that they have not seen proof that dozens of people died aboard the aircraft. The few short video clips released from the scene have shown scattered debris but few visible body parts.

A new clip released by Russian state media Friday purported to show the passports of some Ukrainians allegedly on board, but they were not shown at the crash site, and parts of the video were blurred. In another part of the clip, a Russian official is seen zipping up a black body bag.

Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukraines military intelligence, told Ukrainian media Thursday that just five bodies had been brought to the local morgue in Belgorod. The claim could not be independently verified. Russia has said that in addition to the POWs, there were six crew members and three other people aboard.

Ukraine has not directly confirmed that it shot down the plane, but it has not denied involvement and has hinted that it was responsible, calling the aircraft a military target that was regularly used to ferry missiles to be launched at Ukrainian cities.

Officials in Kyiv have insisted they do not know whether POWs were on the plane. Instead, they have called for Russia to provide more information to Kyiv and to international organizations and investigators.

But it is unclear how, when or if Moscow will cooperate.

Russia has resisted international investigations in the past, including into the 2020 poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny with a banned nerve agent and the 2014 downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet over eastern Ukraine in which all 298 people aboard were killed.

In the case of that plane, investigators determined that a Russian antiaircraft weapon was used, and two former Russian security agents and a third defendant were convicted in absentia of murder by a Dutch court. One of those convicted, Igor Girkin, remained free in Russia until last year, when he was arrested and charged with inciting extremism for criticizing the Russian militarys battlefield performance in Ukraine. On Thursday, he was sentenced to four years.

Russias refusal to allow an international inquiry or provide access to physical evidence could prevent a definitive answer as to who or what was on the Il-76 that went down Wednesday.

At the meeting with Budanov, most people are sure that [the Russian version of events] is fake news, the mother of the POW said.

I think I expected more hysterical, panicked reactions, the woman said. Intelligence spoke very openly with us. Budanov started the conversation with, Lets get to the point, lets start with questions, and that was it.

I was hysterical during the first day, she added. But now Ive calmed down.

The woman said that after one young woman asked when the families could get the body parts of their loved ones returned, a second military intelligence official responded, Wait, we hope for the best, and now were not speaking about the worst-case scenario.

Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian parliamentary commissioner for human rights, said on Ukrainian radio Friday that Kyiv had not received an official list of prisoners who allegedly died on board the plane.

Margarita Simonyan, head of the Russian state propaganda channel RT, published a list of names and birth dates that she said documented the Ukrainian POWs on board, but news outlets quickly reported that some of those named by Simonyan appeared to be prisoners released in previous swaps.

The wife of one of the prisoners listed, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for security reasons, said she did not believe that her husband died in the crash. Simonyans list was the first time she had heard any news of her husband since he was taken prisoner more than a year ago.

I dont believe they were there, the woman said. I hope for the best.

In a statement Thursday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said that it had not received a list of the prisoners who were set to be exchanged.

We understand the stress and worry that this kind of news can bring to families that have been separated from their loved ones for months, the statement said. We will continue doing our utmost to help clarify the fate of POWs separated from their families from both sides and other missing persons.

Yusov, the Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman, called on Russia to allow an international commission to investigate the site of the crash and examine the black boxes recovered from the plane, but he added that Moscow has so far refused to do so. Ukraine has requested that the Red Cross and the United Nations be granted access.

It could take months to get answers. A July 2022 explosion at a camp for Ukrainian prisoners of war in occupied eastern Ukraine killed at least 51 detainees and prompted a months-long effort by Ukraine and international groups to investigate.

Russia accused Ukraine of striking that site with a U.S.-provided rocket, but a United Nations report  released more than a year after the explosion  ruled that out. Ukraines government repeatedly criticized the Red Cross for not sending a delegation to investigate the scene.

An emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Thursday, convened at Moscows request, yielded no new information about the planes destruction or who was on board. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov complained Friday that the global reaction was inadequate.

There is no strong condemnation here from the West of this horrific terrorist act, the destruction of the airplane that was carrying, first of all our pilots, escorts, but also killed a very large number of Ukrainian prisoners of war, Peskov said. What happened requires proper assessment by the international community.

Siobhan OGrady, Kamila Hrabchuk and Anastacia Galouchka in Kyiv and Mary Ilyushina and Natalia Abbakumova in Riga, Latvia, contributed to this report.
U.S. Army soldiers with Task Force Sinai play bingo at South Camp, Sinai, Egypt, in March 2023 in an event sponsored by the USO. The troops deployed to the Sinai Peninsula havent been receiving mail and packages regularly since the Israel-Hamas war began in October. (Jarred Woods/U.S. Army)

The delivery stoppage involves issues with customs in Egypt, a U.S. service member deployed to the country said. No further details were immediately available on how the war was affecting Egyptian customs practices.

U.S. troops deployed to Egypt for Task Force Sinai have gone months without receiving mail through the U.S. military postal service, leading to a Christmas without presents and fears the service members will be excluded from voting in upcoming elections. (Facebook/Task Force Sinai)

Military voters from Texas can vote in the state primary if their ballots are received by March 11, a federal voting guide says.
Franklin Terrace Apartments, a senior living facility in Southfield, Mich., on Nov. 14. (Nick Hagen/Washington Post)

The U.S. assisted-living industry faced scrutiny Thursday from a bipartisan group of lawmakers who pressed for answers about low staffing, high costs and a lack of transparency surrounding poor care and the preventable deaths of elderly people with dementia walking away unnoticed from facilities  an all-too-common tragedy revealed by a Washington Post investigation last month.

The federal government does not oversee the industry.

The chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), called Thursdays hearing citing The Posts reporting. He said deliberations about potential federal regulations would continue and asked the public to send stories of costs and care to help inform the committee. Casey said Thursdays hearing  which included testimony from an advocate, an industry representative and a loved one who called the committee to report bad care  was the start of the biggest review of assisted living by the Senate in 20 years.

Unfortunately, what I heard today makes clear that we have a long way to go when it comes to guaranteeing the level of care that older Americans in assisted-living facilities deserve, Casey said in a statement after the hearing.

Richard J. Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition, testified that consumers cant be assured they will get quality care without national standards. It is time for [federal regulation]  so that when someone accesses dementia care, it means something, its not just a term of art, he said.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the committee, agreed. She called for federal regulation of assisted-living facilities on a par with government oversight of nursing homes, which measures cost and quality and includes a website allowing consumers to look up staffing data and incident reports. She said the government needs to start by demanding quality and incident information from assisted-living operators.

This has gone on long enough without federal oversight, Warren said during the hearing. In a hallway interview after the session, she added, Its important we get these regulations in place before private equity has scooped up every assisted-living facility around the country and stripped it of the assets they have.

Prospects for the introduction of legislation remain uncertain, however, much less the passage.

The largest assisted-living lobbying group in Washington, the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), pledged after the hearing to support collaboration and transparency among policymakers, providers and the public and educate people about the benefits of state regulation. Argentum, another industry group, said its members receive high resident and family satisfaction scores under the regulatory system. Industry representatives have previously said federal regulation would damage the assisted-living industry and drive up costs.

Casey did not commit to any particular provision that could be considered by Congress. The ranking Republican of the committee, Sen. Mike Braun (Ind.), cautioned against federal regulation and said he favors state regulation and oversight. But he did advocate for a stronger government role in promoting transparency about costs and quality in facilities.

If you dont do a good job, you dont welcome competition and transparency  youre going to invite the federal government into your business, Braun said in an interview after the hearing.

Assisted living has grown dramatically since the Senate issued a report two decades ago  only to opt against regulating the industry. Assisted-living facilities now have nearly as many residents as nursing homes.

The industrys rapid push into more costly memory care, marketed to families desperate to find a safe haven for loved ones with cognitive decline, has concentrated residents with high levels of medical and behavioral needs in settings subject to varying levels of scrutiny, depending on the state.

The Post investigation revealed that assisted-living facilities are often ill-equipped to handle the job of protecting these vulnerable residents.

The Post documented 2,000 wandering incidents since 2018, with more than 100 of them fatal, including a handful of older incidents reported to the newspaper after publication. Since mid-December, when the investigation was published, at least two more residents with dementia perished after getting outside unnoticed  one in Oregon on Christmas Eve, and the most recent on Saturday, a man who was outside for about eight hours on a frigid night in Columbus, Ohio.

Argentum and AHCA/NCAL have said wandering deaths are extremely rare in the context of the millions of people who have resided in the last five years in the 30,000 member facilities across the country.

Critics say higher levels of risk and dangerous incidents require a stronger response by the federal government after decades of inaction. A witness at the hearing, Patty Vessenmeyer, of Gainesville, Va., testified that her late husband received poor care in a memory care unit in Virginia. TVs were blaring at odd hours, PVC pipe was left that could be used as a weapon, and the facility was understaffed, she said.

They did not deliver. They definitely overpromised, she said under questioning by Casey. There just was not enough staff for them to get it done. They were friendly, wonderful people who werent trained, and they were overwhelmed.

Julie Simpkins, a member of the NCAL board and co-president at Gardant Management Solutions, an assisted living operator, echoed industry talking points during the hearing and warned senators against pursuing uniform standards.

When we talk about assisted living, its important to note that every state, every facility and every resident is different, she said. Efforts to standardize all assisted-living communities would be both unworkable and irresponsible for resident care.

She said her thoughts and prayers go out to loved ones of residents who died after going outside but said the overwhelming number of assisted living residents have a positive experience.

The Posts articles detailed low pay, chronic understaffing and spotty state requirements for training. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) questioned how the industry planned to fill the millions of caregiving jobs that will be required as baby boomers reach their 80s.

Thursdays hearing came less than a week after the latest fatality reported to The Post. Surveillance video showed Robert Weaver, 74, peering out a window of the Cherry Blossom senior living facility in Columbus at about 1 a.m. Saturday and then going outside through an exit door, according to his son, Troy. The low temperature was 6 degrees that night.

Weaver was not found until about 9 a.m. by facility staff, unresponsive on the sidewalk outside the building, according to police and county coronors reports. The retired delivery truck driver was wearing only his favorite Ohio State University sweatshirt against the extreme weather, his son said. First responders declared him dead at 9:22 a.m.

Troy Weaver said he moved his father to Cherry Blossom at the end of November because his symptoms of Alzheimers disease made it dangerous for him to remain at his rural farmhouse.

He said that even before his father died, hed begun having concerns about his care. When I went there on Jan. 9, the room smelled of body odor. He hadnt showered for a few weeks and I was bit shocked at that and I was a bit angry.

Robert Weaver resided in general assisted-living unit, not a secured memory care unit. Industry representatives have said there should be a distinction between walkaway deaths at those different types of facilities, but The Post investigation found that state investigators issue violations for failures in both types of settings after fatal wandering deaths.

I didnt want him to be living alone. I wanted him to be safe, Troy Weaver said. He said he was stunned Cherry Blossom staff did not notice his father wander outside in extreme cold and didnt detect his absence for eight hours.

This system needs regulation and people need to know our loved ones are safe, he said. If Id have left him at the farm, living alone, I could at least understand how it happened.

The Ohio Department of Health said it cannot comment on an ongoing investigation. Cherry Blossom, which is operated by for-profit chain Continental Senior Communities, declined to discuss the incident, citing patient privacy laws, but said in an email that it is providing additional education for staff and cooperating fully with regulatory authorities.

We are taking every possible step to find answers for the family and to help ensure that there is no similar occurrence in the future, Cherry Blossom said.
Retired Army Col. Roger H.C. Donlon poses next to the bust supporting his Medal of Honor after a ceremony held in his honor at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., on Dec. 5, 2018. Donlon, the first American to receive the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War, died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at the age of 89. (Sean Hall/U.S. Army)

Roger Hugh Charles Donlon, the first American to receive the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War, died Thursday in Leavenworth, Kan., the Congressional Medal of Honor Society announced.

A native of Saugerties, N.Y., Donlon died five days short of his 90th birthday.

Donlon died of Parkinsons disease that family members said was connected to exposure to the toxic defoliant Agent Orange dropped by U.S. aircraft over jungles in Vietnam during the war.

President Lyndon Johnson presented Donlon with the nations highest honor for bravery in combat during a ceremony at the White House on Dec. 5, 1964.

Donlon said it was for others to judge the degree of his bravery.

Heroism is a product of what other people see, he said.

Five months earlier, Donlon was a 30-year-old Army Green Beret captain commanding Team A-726 at Nam Dong in South Vietnam, in the narrow part of the country west of Da Nang near the border with Laos.

A former Air Force airman and drop out from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., Donlon had joined the Army in 1958 and graduated a second lieutenant from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., now called Fort Moore. He became a Green Beret in 1963 at the Armys Special Warfare School at Fort Bragg, N.C., now Fort Liberty.

Donlon and other Army Special Forces were part of Operation Switchback, a U.S. plan to replace CIA operatives with troops to help build a guerrilla army called the Civilian Irregular Defense Group, according to State Department documents released after the war.

Then-Capt. Roger Donlon as a Green Beret serving in Vietnam in 1964. (U.S. Army)

The effort was modeled along the lines of the communist Viet Cong, who fought on the side of communist North Vietnam against American-backed South Vietnam.

On the evening of July 5, Donlon and his small group of Green Berets, Australian soldiers, and South Vietnamese were attacked by at least a battalion of Viet Cong guerrillas backed by North Vietnamese Army troops.

In a five-hour fight, Donlon led the defenders  outflanking enemy troops by switching positions, moving ammunition to areas where the fighting was the most intense, and pulling wounded to safety. After dawn, the attackers retreated, according to an Army report.

Two Green Berets and an Australian soldier were killed in the battle, with the Green Berets posthumously receiving the Distinguished Service Cross. Other Green Berets received the Silver Star and Bronze Star.

Official U.S. reports said 57 South Vietnamese fighting with the defenders were killed, while at least 67 attackers were killed before the majority retreated.

In August 1964, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving Johnson expanded powers to commit American forces into Southeast Asia. Within a year of the vote, more than 100,000 U.S. troops were sent to South Vietnam.

Johnson was elected president by a landslide over Republican Sen. Barry Goldwater in November. Donlon received the Medal of Honor about a month later.

Donlon later wrote Outpost of Freedom and Beyond Nam Dong about his war experience and their impact on his life.

Donlon attended the Army War College and retired as a colonel from the Army in 1988. He also earned a Bachelor of General Studies from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Master of Science in government from Campbell University.

After retiring, Donlon served on the board of directors/trustees at People-to-People International. He remained active in military circles, including as a founding trustee of the Command and General Staff College Foundation.

With Donlons death, there are now 64 living Medal of Honor recipients, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Medal of Honor recipients Roger Donlon, right, and Thomas Hudner before a Memorial Day ceremony at the National World War II Memorial in Washington in May 2011. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes) Sen. John Warner, R-Va., left, talks with Medal of Honor recipients Roger Donlon, center, and Jack Lucas at a ceremony in Washington in 2007. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes) Medal of Honor recipient Roger Donlon and his wife, Norma, arrive at a ceremony in Washington in 2007. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Events remember Donlon and honoring his service and life

Visitation will be Monday at Leintz Funeral Home 4701 10th Ave. in Leavenworth, Kan. Rosary led by Matt Belford will begin at 5 p.m. with visitation to follow from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 306 North Broadway in Leavenworth on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held April 10, beginning at 1 p.m. at at the Frontier Conference Center, 350 Biddle Avenue, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

Burial service to follow at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.

In lieu of cards or flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which supporters service members, veterans, first responders and their families in need. Mailing address: PO Box 40726 Nashville, TN 37204. Website: garysinisefoundation.org
(Tribune News Service)  The mother and brother of a wheelchair-bound military veteran face numerous charges after authorities said they found the disabled man and nearly 70 dogs living in the familys feces-covered home in Floyd County, Ga., an incident report details.

Cherry Lynn Walker, 71, and Neil Klopsch, 48, were arrested Jan. 12 on 67 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and one count of neglecting a disabled person.

All the dogs were removed from the home. The district attorneys office, with the help of other agencies, will be providing assistance for the disabled man, who lived in the home with Walker and Klopsch.

The disturbing investigation into the residence on Pine View Way, just off Calhoun Avenue, began after a neighbor contacted the countys animal control office stating that those at the home would pour cleaning solution on a person in a wheelchair, the incident report states. The director of Floyd Animal Control, Katy Walters, told police there were dead dogs buried in the backyard and that she had seen Klopsch exit the home with feces covering his shoes.

Animal control was able to obtain an inspection warrant after police stated they did not have sufficient probable cause to get a search warrant.

On the day of the arrests, Floyd police officers were called to the residence around 3 p.m. to help animal control. According to the report, as an officer approached the front door, a trail of feces was observed leading into the home and there was a strong odor of ammonia. When the officer knocked, countless dogs could be heard barking.

After no one answered, officials moved to the back of the home, where there was a smell of decay, the report details. A black and a tan dog were found dead and partially buried underneath mulch, police said. It was at that point that officers began the process of obtaining a search warrant.

Klopsch soon arrived home and begged officials not to take his dogs, the report said. Walker was described by police as also being visibly upset. According to police, they had acquired the dogs with the hopes of becoming a rescue facility.

There was intentions of trying to be a rescue that went poorly very quickly and turned into hoarding, and developed into a much bigger risk for all animals and individuals, Officer Kelsi Wade confirmed.

At that point, Walker told police she and her two sons lived in the home and all three were veterans, adding that her other son was an amputee, the incident report states.

Law enforcement was eventually able to enter the home, but because the smell of ammonia was so powerful, they had to wear respirators.

Inside, officers said they saw urine splatters and piles of dog feces; dogs in crates, pens and freely roaming; food and water bowls either empty or covered in feces; and cockroaches covering the walls, ceilings and floors.

The home was in complete deplorable living conditions, Wade stated.

Multiple dogs were suffering from skin rashes and eye infections, the report said. At least one was seen nursing several puppies and another was observed to be in active labor.

Most of the dogs were taken to rescue facilities.

2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Visit at ajc.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
BEIRUT, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Four Hezbollah members were killed, and five civilians were wounded Friday in Israeli raids along the Lebanese-Israeli border, according to Lebanese sources.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that the casualties resulted from Israeli airstrikes on three houses in Bayt Lif, a village in southern Lebanon.

They said Israeli drones carried out 12 airstrikes on six towns and villages in the area, using 28 missiles, noting that Israeli artillery, in addition, fired about 80 shells at 18 locations in southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its fighters attacked several Israeli positions with Falaq-1 missiles for the first time.

The Lebanese-Israeli border has been witnessing increased tension since Oct. 8, 2023, after Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attack on Israel the previous day, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.

The clashes have killed 234 people on the Lebanese side, including 168 Hezbollah members and 39 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. 
Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, Pa. In 1879, Carlisle Barracks became the site of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, operated by the Department of the Interior until 1918. (U.S. Army)

CARLISLE, Pa. (Tribune News Service)  For Edward Hensley, the prognosis seemed favorable only days before his fatal turn for the worse.

The Winnebago boy died on Jan. 29, 1899, while he was enrolled at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.

He was not able to pull through this his third or fourth attack of pneumonia, the Indian Helper, a student publication, reported on Feb. 3. His heart becoming involved there was little hope.

Like other Native American youths who died at the boarding school, Hensley was buried in a cemetery at Carlisle Barracks. A student for about four years, he was remembered as a band member and tinsmith by trade, a most excellent young man, beloved by all, the Helper article reads.

On Jan. 17, the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska sued the U.S. Army in federal court seeking repatriation of not only the remains of Hensley, but those of another boy named Samuel Gilbert who died of pneumonia on Oct. 24, 1895, just 47 days after his arrival in Carlisle.

Both boys are believed to be buried in the Carlisle Barracks Post Cemetery along Claremont Road. Their bodies may have been moved in 1927 from the original Indian School cemetery that was located in the vicinity of present-day Root Hall.

The lawsuit focuses on the Armys alleged refusal to follow the federal Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 to end the robbery, desecration and exploitation of Native American burial sites by the Army and other federal agencies, according to a news release issued by the tribe.

Instead of following NAGPRA to repatriate remains from Carlisle, the Army has been forcing tribal nations to follow a toothless process of the Armys own design, which contains none of the rights and protection for tribal nations granted by Congress, the tribe said in a statement.

The Disinterment and Return Process has been used for years by the Office of Army Cemeteries to evaluate requests for the repatriation of remains that are believed to be buried in the Post Cemetery. The office is one of the federal agencies named in the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The Army cannot speak to ongoing litigation, said Olivia Van Den Heuvel, Office of Army Cemeteries spokeswoman. The Army remains committed to working with all tribes and families to return their children who died while attending the Carlisle Indian Industrial School and are buried at the Carlisle Barracks Post Cemetery, to their native tribes and lands.

From 2017 to 2023, the Army, at its own expense, returned 32 sets of remains to their tribes and lands. The Office of Army Cemeteries has the documents to return an additional 30 sets of remains during 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, Van Den Heuvel said.

Of the 229 burial plots in the Post Cemetery, 180 are believed to contain the remains of Native American children and young adults who attended Carlisle, which was the first nonreservation boarding school in the country. Close to 8,000 youths went through the school while it occupied the Carlisle Barracks campus for almost 40 years from 1879 to 1918.

The school was designed as a social experiment to remove youths from tribal influence, assimilate them into the white mans culture and teach them a vocation. These goals traumatized many of the children and their families.

On Oct. 16, 2023, the Winnebago tribe sent a formal letter to the Army to repatriate the remains of Hensley and Gilbert within 90 days pursuant to the federal act. On Dec. 11, 2023, the tribe received a letter back from Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of the Office of Army Cemeteries, which denied the request and refused to repatriate the remains.

In her letter, Durham-Aguilera said the office would only consider processing the request under the protocols spelled out under the Disinterment and Return Process, according to information in the lawsuit. The lawsuit names Durham-Aguilera as a defendant, along with the U.S. Department of the Army, Secretary of the Army Christine E. Wormuth, Director of the Office of Arm Cemeteries Renea C. Yates and the current Carlisle Barracks garrison commander, Army Lt. Col. Priscella A. Nohle.

Defendants denial and continuing refusal to comply with Winnebagos repatriation request violates NAGPRA, the lawsuit reads. Under the process, defendants retain complete discretion over whether to return the boys remains at all. And if the defendants decide to return the remains, the process provides no timeline, allowing defendants to drag their feet and adopt generic protocols for disinterment instead of those aligned with Winnebago cultural traditions.

Defendants will not return Samuel and Edward to Winnebago directly or by its request alone, the lawsuit continues. Instead, defendants require a closest living relative  a concept that is nowhere defined and nearly impossible to apply in these circumstances  to initiate the OAC Disinterment and Return Process.

In September 1895, Army officials removed Gilbert and Hensley from their home in Nebraska and sent them to Carlisle, the tribe said. The school kept news of the boys deaths and burials from the families and Winnebago. According to Winnebagos traditional beliefs, Samuels and Edwards spirits will remain lost until they are returned home and laid to rest in accordance with Winnebagos customs.

As a mother and grandmother, I stand for Samuel and Edward, knowing that their parents and grandparents were never able to properly bury them and send them on their final journey, said Sunshine Thomas-Bear, NAGPRA representative and tribal historic preservation officer for Winnebago.

The traditional name for the Winnebago people is Ho-Chunk, which translates to the big voice, said Victoria Kitcheyan, chairwoman of the Winnebago. As we have always done, we will use our voice to hold our federal partners accountable for undermining NAGPRA and diluting the protections it guarantees to all Tribal Nations. Many leaders before us fought for that law and we will carry the battle forward.

The tribe is represented by its general counsel at Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP, and by legal counsel at the Native American Rights Fund and Cultural Heritage Partners.

The Army at Carlisle has been defying Congress and abusing Tribal Nations in the shadows, said Greg Werkheiser, a Cultural Heritage Partners attorney.  Winnebago now brings this misbehavior into the sunlight, trusting the attention of the courts, Congress and the public will cure this injustice.

(c)2024 The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pa.)

Visit at www.cumberlink.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The PTI on Friday issued a show-cause notice to Senator Saifullah Abro  a party-affiliated candidate contesting for the February 8 elections from NA-194  after he withdrew from the constituency in favour of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission of Pakistans decision to revoke the PTIs iconic electoral symbol bat and declare its intra-party polls as unconstitutional.

Subsequently, the PTI fielded its leaders as independent candidates with a variety of electoral symbols.

Abros decision to switch parties came after he met Bilawal a day earlier in Lahore, according to the PPP.

In a post on social media platform X today, Abro confirmed the meeting and said he had decided to withdraw from the election race in the constituency. I am withdrawing in favour of Bilawal and have decided to compete with the tiger (PML-N), he said.

Meanwhile, Bilawal thanked Abro for his support. PTI workers across the country are beginning to understand that the only way to stop PML-N is to vote for PPPs arrow on Feb 8, he wrote on X.

I also appeal to political workers from all parties to vote smartly and we can pull off a surprise on Election Day, the PPP chairman added.

Responding to the development, the PTI issued a show-cause notice to Abro for going against the party policy.

You being elected as a senator on the partys ticket in the Senate of Pakistan and also awarded party ticket to contest General Elections 2024 have shown grave indiscipline by violating the partys discipline, the notice, issued by PTI General Secretary Omar Ayub Khan, said.

             NA-194                     @BBhuttoZardari #PPP #PTI https://t.co/ZoPdoRrl6z  Senator Saifullah Abro (@SaifullahA_PTI) January 26, 2024

It directed Abro to provide a written response within three days on why action should not be taken against him.

If your reply is unsatisfactory or you do not respond, further action will be taken as per party policy and rules, the notice added.

At a rally a day earlier, Bilawal had urged PTI workers not to waste their votes on independent candidates and instead opt for his partys candidates on Feb 8.

He said if PTI supporters wished to stop PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif from becoming the prime minister for a fourth time, they could either waste their vote by opting for independent candidates, which amounts to supporting the PML-N or strategically use their right to vote.

They [PTI supporters] should consider this a contest between two parties, and to stop the lion in its path, they should stamp the arrow of PPP, Bilawal said while referring to the electoral symbols of PML-N and PPP.
Darragh Baldrick (24) had a book of evidence served on him when he appeared in Dublin District Court today

A former soldier has been sent for trial charged with assaulting and injuring his partner while he was stationed at an army barracks in Dublin.

Darragh Baldrick (24) had a book of evidence served on him when he appeared in Dublin District Court today.

Judge Treasa Kelly sent him forward for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Mr Baldrick is charged with assault causing harm to a woman at Cathal Brugha barracks, Rathmines, on May 9 last year.

When he came before the courts last year, gardai said the Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial on indictment.

This morning, a state solicitor said the book of evidence was ready and the DPP was consenting to the accused being returned for trial to the current sittings of the circuit court.

Judge Kelly gave Mr Baldrick the formal warning that he had 14 days to put the prosecution on notice of any alibi he intends to rely on.

She ordered the prosecution to provide the accused's Garda interview video to the defence and adjourned the case to a date next month, when it will be mentioned in the circuit court. The accused was remanded on bail, under existing terms.

Previously, Garda Brendan O'Callaghan said he arrested the accused at the barracks and brought him to Rathmines Garda Station where he was charged and made no reply after caution.

Bail was set with conditions that Mr Baldrick must stay away from the alleged victim and her home in west Dublin.

He is to have no contact with her, directly or indirectly including by electronic means. Mr Baldrick has not yet entered a plea to the charge, which is under the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
Judge Michael Connellan granted him bail despite garda objections and adjourned the case

A NEPHEW of Gerry The Monk Hutch has been accused of assaulting two of his next door neighbours after breaking into their house.

Eddie Hutch Jr (47) allegedly returned to the same house the next day and put the residents "in fear", a court heard.

He was arrested and brought before Dublin District Court today charged over incidents next to his family home in the north inner city yesterday and on Wednesday.

Judge Michael Connellan granted him bail despite garda objections and adjourned the case.

Mr Hutch, of Portland Place, is charged with burglary, common assault on two men and criminal damage to a front door at his neighbours house on January 24.

He is further charged with trespass in a manner likely to cause fear at the same address on January 25.

Objecting to bail, Garda Sarah Stewart told Judge Connellan in the first incident, the accused allegedly forced the front door, entered the property and assaulted two men.

He then went to the kitchen and smashed a glass bowl on the ground, the garda said.

Mr Hutch was removed by the owner and had left when the gardai arrived, she said.

The next day, it was alleged, he attempted to enter the property again without permission, putting the occupants in fear. He was pushed out the door, was still at the scene when the gardai arrived and was arrested.

Applying for bail, defence solicitor Yvonne Bambury said Mr Hutch had lived next door to the same neighbours for years and there had never been any difficulties before.

The accuseds mother passed away last year and his father was murdered in 2017, she said.

His parents had owned the house, so its not like he can be moved somewhere else, Mr Bambury said.

Gda Stewart said gardai feared the accused would attempt to interfere with his neighbours again and they were in fear for their safety.

Ms Bambury said the alleged victims were not in court to give evidence of this.

The garda replied that they had been invited but declined due to fear.

Judge Connellan set bail at 100 with no cash required. Under conditions, Mr Hutch is to sign on daily at Mountjoy garda station, keep a curfew between 10pm and 8am and have no contact, directly or indirectly, with the alleged victims.

He was unable to provide a mobile phone number to gardai as he doesnt have one, Ms Bambury said.

Mr Hutch, who has not yet entered pleas to any of the charges, was granted free legal aid after the court heard he was not working.

His father Eddie Hutch Snr (59) was murdered at his home on February 8, 2016, three days after the Regency Hotel shooting.

His mother Jane Hutch (66) was found dead from a suspected heart attack at the family home in January this year, with no foul play detected.
DOHA/RIYADH, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Qatar and Saudi Arabia welcomed on Friday a ruling issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on South Africa's genocide case against Israel, which ordered Israel to prevent genocide acts in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the Qatari Foreign Ministry lauded the UN court's ruling as a victory for "humanity, the rule of law and international justice," adding it "serves as a stark acknowledgment of the grave threat of genocide looming over the Palestinian population in Gaza."

It also reiterated Qatar's firm support for the justice of the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including "the establishment of their independent state on the 1967 border and with East Jerusalem as its capital."

In the meantime, the Saudi Foreign Ministry reaffirmed in a statement the rejection of Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian territories and its violations of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

It called on the international community to take measures to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, protect Palestinian civilians, and hold Israel accountable for violations of international law.

Also on Friday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh expressed hope that the ICJ's final decision against Israel would include an immediate ceasefire, given the severe suffering of Gaza residents.

Shtayyeh also called for exerting pressure on Israel to halt its acts of aggression and facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid into the strip.

The ICJ in The Hague on Friday delivered a ruling on South Africa's genocide case against Israel, ordering Israel to take all possible measures to prevent genocide acts in Gaza and demanding Israel to report on the measures regarding the order within one month.

The court, however, did not order Israel to suspend its military operations in Gaza, one of the main requests submitted by South Africa, while also calling on Hamas to release all Israeli hostages.

South Africa filed the lawsuit against Israel to the ICJ on Dec. 29, 2023, accusing Israel of violating the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide related to Palestinians in Gaza. 
Mother of one Amy McAuley (34) now living at Connagh, Fethard-On-Sea, Co Wexford, was arrested in June and given 500 bail

A Dublin woman accused of faking her death with bogus medical reports and perverting the course of justice has been sent forward for trial.

Mother of one Amy McAuley, 34, now living at Connagh, Fethard-On-Sea, Co Wexford, was arrested in June and given 500 bail.

It follows an investigation by the Pearse Street Garda station detective unit. The proceedings resumed at Dublin District Court today when Detective Garda Des Rogers served the books of evidence on her.

The Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial on indictment at a higher level with broader sentencing powers.

Judge Paula Murphy granted return for trial orders, sending Ms McAuley forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where she will face her next hearing in February.

She must notify the prosecution if she intended to use an alibi in her defence and has been granted legal aid.

She has been accused of perverting the course of justice in an indictable offence in Dublin on January 23, 2023, and at Pearse Street Garda station on May 30 last year.

The other charges alleged she had registered her date of death as December 26, 2022, and had obtained death certificates in the Irish and English versions of her name.

She was accused of one theft and six offences for using false instruments to induce another person to omit or provide some service.

She allegedly used a false doctor's medical certificate in the name of Amy McAuley on May 8, 2022, at Pearse Street Garda station.

She was accused of using a false death notification form in the name of Amy McAuley on January 19, 2023, at Wexford Co Council and in the name of Amy Nic Amhlaoibh at the Civil Registration Service at Mill Yard Lane, in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford on February 23, 2023.

She was charged over a fake Rotunda Hospital medical report on November 23 last year.

At her first hearing on June 24, Detective Garda Rogers gave evidence that he arrested Ms McAuley in Fethard-On-Sea the previous day.

He had alleged the accused let on to be her sister to have herself declared dead on December 26 last.

A death certificate was issued, and there was also a death notice, the court heard.

She was also declared dead under the Irish version of her name, married and moved to Wexford, living under a different name, it was claimed.

Detective Garda Rogers said she was accused of using forged documents, and the contested bail hearing was told she allegedly used a different name and contacted various agencies as her sister about the death.

Ms McAuley has been allowed legal aid after her solicitor described her as "not a woman of any means". She had also surrendered her travel documents.

The woman, who has yet to indicate a plea, must sign three days a week at her local garda station. She had to provide gardai with a phone contact number, notify them of any address change, and not apply for new travel documents.
Man is a person of major interest since raid last year

Specialist detectives have made their latest move against the international Black Axe gang. Officers arrested a suspect they believe played a key role in laundering money connected to the criminal enterprises operations in Ireland.

The suspect, who was arrested in west Dublin earlier this week, has since been released from custody at Blanchardstown garda station. He became a person of major interest following a garda raid at a property in Tallaght last year.

In that case detectives established that so much cash was being handled in the property from organised fraud scams that steel doors were erected at the house for protection.

Detectives from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) seized a cash-counting machine among numerous other items in a detailed search last August.

Also seized was a high-spec Range Rover which is suspected to have been bought with the proceeds of crime and is believed to have cost just under 100,000.

Since then, GNECB officers followed the money trail in relation to how this vehicle was bought, and established that an account used by the suspect who was arrested this week was used to partly finance how it was bought.

This then led to more enquiries into the individuals finances, a source said. The big question was why he was involved in the purchase of this top-of-the-range vehicle. This uncovered that he was a prominent money mule for the criminal organisation.

So it is suspected that while a sum of money was used to help pay for that vehicle, investigations indicate that well over 100,000 has been separately laundered through this individuals bank account by the organised crime gang.

Sources say that GNECB officers are working on the theory that two significant Dublin-based gang operatives had been using the mans bank accounts with his permission.

The garda operation last August which led to the seizure of the Range Rover at the centre of this investigation was one of the GNECBs biggest swoops against the notorious gang and one of its most senior operatives in Ireland.

They also seized passports, 30 mobile phones and bank cards and financial details.

GNECB officers are also studying details of bank accounts, registered companies and businesses linked to the crime network and have also seized a number of passports and bank cards in family names and names of suspected money mules.

Gardai are a major part of an international operation involving Europol and international law enforcement agencies targeting the so-called Black Axe criminal organisation, which is run from Nigeria but has its tentacles all over the world.

The Nigerian Black Axe mafia syndicate first emerged in the 1970s when it was involved in ritual murders but has evolved into one of the biggest fraud mobs operating across the world, often recruiting academics such as computer specialists in universities to work in its gang.

Many international police forces have visited Ireland to study the garda forces proactive approach to following the money trail, as shown in Operation Skein, a precursor to Interpols Operation Jackal, which has traced money related to crimes allegedly committed by members of the international crime gang.
The arrests were made as part of An Garda Siochanas strategy to target drug related intimidation (DRI) in North Dublin.

Three men have been arrested by gardai as part of a crackdown on drug-related intimidation by criminals in North Dublin.

The men  who are aged in their 20s and 40s  are currently in custody in Dublin garda stations after they were arrested under organised crime legislation.

The arrests were made as part of An Garda Siochanas strategy to target drug related intimidation (DRI) in North Dublin in 2023, known as Operation Fogra

Operation Fogra was launched to combat drug related intimidation after it was identified as a major source of community harm in the DMR (North Dublin) region.

Its aim is to reduce harm caused by this type of criminality and to gather information to inform garda operational responses.

A garda spokesman said the arrested men are currently detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act.

"As part of ongoing investigations into drug related intimidation in the North Dublin region, Gardai in the DMR North arrested three men on Thursday, 25th January 2024.

This investigation is part of Operation Fogra and relates to suspected incidents of drug related intimidation committed over a period of months in 2023.

The three men (aged in their 20s and 40s) were arrested under organised crime legislation and are currently detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006, at Garda stations in Dublin.

Investigations are ongoing.
Moradians death led to months of violence, including multiple shootings, as gangs fought to seize control of Sydneys cocaine market

Moradian was shot dead as he sat in this car at a Bondi Junction car park

A getaway driver named Indiana Jones has been charged in Australia for the daylight killing of Sydneys Tony Soprano Alen Moradian which led to a bloody gangland war.

Moradian (48) was sitting in his black Audi beneath his Bondi Junction apartment complex in June of last year when two gunmen ambushed him at about 8.30am.

They fired multiple rounds into the Audi and although police and paramedics who had rushed to the scene tried to save Moradian he died before they could get him to hospital.

Three suspect cars were found minutes later on fire or burnt-out.

Moradians death led to months of violence, including multiple shootings, as gangs fought to seize control of Sydneys cocaine market.

The violence escalated to a point one month later, when five people were shot in five days.

Sydneys Tony Soprano Alen Moradian

Jones has become the seventh alleged key player to be arrested for the murder of the cocaine boss as part of an investigation by Taskforce Magnus that had established to halt the violence, and Strike Force Parachuter, set up to investigate Moradians death.

A partially burned out Porsche, used in the hit, was found in a Bondi neighbourhood with a gun inside. Police allege it was driven by the 21-year-old who has been charged with murder and participating in a criminal group.

We will allege in court this man was the driver of the getaway car who drove the shooter to and from the crime scene and assisted in destroying each car as they fled, homicide squad commander Virginia Gorman said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

We will further allege  with this man now charged with his involvement  detectives have charged the key players involved in the killing of Alen Moradian.

Detectives have also charged alleged gunman Dut Deng at the start of this month who they say is seen in footage from the underground car park that shows a masked man with a gun seconds before Moradian met his death.

The alleged mastermind of the plot to kill Moradian is also behind bars, but cannot be identified because of a court order, the Herald reports.

Police also have a warrant out for the suspected gunman, Anthony Pele, who detectives claim was part of a murder-for-hire syndicate linked to the Haouchar Organised Crime Network.

Peles associates were arrested earlier this month accused of plotting to abduct and murder Sydney drill rap group OneFour.

However, they have not been charged over Moradians death and remain before the courts while Pele is believed to be hiding out overseas.

Moradian is understood to have been part of a secret cartel called the Commission, which controls the drug market in Sydney, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Moradian was shot dead as he sat in this car at a Bondi Junction car park

Moradian, who also had links to the Comanchero biker gang, was sentenced to 16 years and nine months in jail after pleading guilty in 2010 to importing a large commercial quantity of cocaine and supplying it.

He was sentenced to at least six years in prison in 2011 but was later released in December 2017 after taking into account the time he had already spent behind bars

It was revealed during his trial that Moradian and his wife, Natasha Youkhana lived a life of luxury on the back of drug money that was used to buy property, designer furniture, jewellery, a wedding reception, luxury travel and accommodation.

In one email Youkhana urged her husband to be more like Tony Soprano, the crime boss immortalised in the TV series as she feared their over-the-top lifestyle would get them caught.

Why do you just sit there and show off  I am the man, I am the man? the email, tendered in police facts, read.

Do you see Tony Soprano doing that? He doesnt care who people think is the boss, [money] is his number one priority. You, on the other hand, want the attention, you get a big head, you love it. People like that wont survive.

Moradian, who knew he was facing imminent danger each day, had been warned by police last year that there was a bounty on his head.

He tried to avoid detection from his enemies by moving out of the family home, switching between apartments and changing the car he drove regularly.
They claimed they were roofers but did not have a permit to solicit, nor licenses or permits to perform any home improvement work

Two men with Irish accents have been arrested in Westchester County, New York, following complaints about aggressive door-to-door solicitation, police have said

One of the men had entered a resident's home without her permission while soliciting roof work, according the Harrison Police Department.

Police said both men with "ties to Ireland" were stopped and charged with soliciting without a permit, which is a violation of Harrison town code.

Harrison police said the two UK nationals admitted that they did not have a permit to solicit, nor licenses or permits to perform any home improvement work.

A Harrison resident had called police to report that while she was at home, an unknown man entered her home without her consent and attempted to solicit roofing work.

According to the Daily Voice, police soon arrived at the home and found 20-year-old Patrick Quinn and 26-year-old Thomas Stokes, trying to solicit roofing work from other Harrison residents as well.

While speaking to the pair, who both had Irish accents, officers learned that they were from the UK and had only been in the US for a short amount of time.

They claimed they were roofers but did not have a permit to solicit, nor licenses or permits to perform any home improvement work.

Quinn and Stokes were charged with soliciting without a permit and Quinn was also charged with second degree criminal trespass.

Harrison police said that both men were issued summonses, processed, and released on their own recognisance.
In the footage, which Burke described to our reporter as 'vulgar and despicable' - the 52-year-old can be heard screaming: "You f***ing pay me for the door, do you understand," before placing a stick or iron bar up to a man's throat.

A LANDLORD filmed pinning a man to the wall with an iron bar in one of his properties, insisted to the Sunday World this week: "I am not a rogue landlord."

Video of Kevin Burke entering one of his properties in Roscrea, Tipperary, and accosting a man over damage to a door has gone viral worldwide.

In the footage, which Burke described to our reporter as 'vulgar and despicable' - the 52-year-old can be heard screaming: "You f***ing pay me for the door, do you understand," before placing a stick or iron bar up to a man's throat.

Later, he can be heard on the same video threatening: "You'll be buried up the hills."

Approached this week and asked to explain his conduct on the recording, Mr Burke told the Sunday World people who viewed the video online needed to know the context before commenting.

"That was not a tenant eviction. I can clarify that," he said.

Landlord Kevin Burke who appeared in a video demanding money for damage to a door at one of his properties.

"The details have been given to gardai but this has been plundered all over the social media. It's vulgar, I'll 100pc agree with that.

"The video is absolutely vulgar and despicable, but you have to know the circumstances around it."

Mr Burke claimed to the Sunday World he had been called to the home by an 18-year-old tenant who was in a panic that a man, who was not a tenant, had entered the property after breaking in the door.

"I didn't know how many of them might have been in there," Burke claimed.

"I went up to that apartment and the front door was after being broken in - so, I had to act.

"And I taped it for my own protection. That was what it was taped for.

"And yes, it looks horrendous.

"But it needs to be clarified, he (the man pinned to the wall) was not a tenant.

"He is not a tenant and I don't know that man's name.

Landlord Kevin Burke says he was defending his tenants

"There are text messages from the tenant asking me to come up and the Gardai now have them."

Mr Burke continued: "One thing I would like to say is that the situation was brought to an amicable conclusion.

"That guy you see on the video brought in three more of his fellow Lithuanians.

"They came into the apartment and saw me and one of them said: 'Kevin, you're a good guy, I know you'. They said sorry for all the trouble caused.

Landlord Kevin Bourke who appeared in a video demanding money for damage to a door at one of his properties

"I said: 'That's fine, all I want is compensation for the damage to the doors'.

"And they said: 'No problem, we'll pay you'. "One of the lads went down to the bank machine and, all this is on tape, came back with 120.

"And then, as they were going to drive away, one of them came back and gave me another 20 for the damage. That's the end of it.

"So, what's there in the video is maybe a minute-and-a-half or two minutes in between. Basically, I was there protecting my tenants."

Landlord Kevin Burke

Mr Burke said he has since spoken to gardai and handed over his phone with the texts and the full footage from the incident in the flat.

"The Gardai came to me and I gave them a clear notation of events," he said.

"They had no reason to arrest me or anything like that.

"I had given them my phone so that they had the text messages from the tenant in the flat.

"So, they then took his phone - the guy in the flat - so they have now matched the whole lot together.

"So, they now see this guy was in fear and I went up there to protect him.

"And that's how the incident occurred.

"The Gardai are now in possession of all the information.

"This is being portrayed all over the world that this was a tenant that was pinned up against the wall. But it wasn't."

When it was put to Mr Burke that he had been labelled a 'rogue landlord' he responded: "Oh, big time. Big time."

Asked if he disagreed with that description, he responded: "One million percent.

"I've loads of properties. That's my takeaway around the corner.

"And you can ask any of my tenants and they'll tell you I'm a good landlord.

"I've been victimised totally through all of this. There's threats online and everything," he added.

A Garda spokesman confirmed that they are looking into the video, saying: "An Garda Siochana are aware of a video circulating on social media and are making enquiries in relation to it.

"An Garda Siochana has not received a report of any incident which occurred in the district matching the contents of this video.

"An Garda Siochana would encourage anyone who feels they have been the victim of a crime to report the matter directly to An Garda Siochana and not to third parties or on social media."
There are some brilliant castings but it does not hit the mark

The movie is well cast, but hard to enjoy

THE stage is set for a tense physiological thriller in The Marsh Kings Daughter, the screen adaptation of the bestselling novel.

Daisy Ridley brings her A-game as a woman trying to get on with life as past traumas threaten to haunt her. But there are difficulties with the execution of this film, bogged down by clunky storytelling.

Its a shame, because Karen Dionnes 2017 novel was a page-turner that became a proper commercial hit, while this adaptation, as well as Ridley, has drawn a strong supporting cast.

New to Prime Video, the Star Wars actress plays Helena, a woman building a life with her partner (Hedlund) and their young daughter.

But Helena, as we discover in a lengthy opening scene, has been trying to bury an unprecedented childhood trauma.

Her father, we discover, is known in the media as the infamous Marsh King - a man who abducted her mother years earlier. Helena was born into captivity and led by her father to believe that her mother was unstable.

The movie is well cast, but hard to enjoy

Her abnormal normality - she spends her childhood days hunting and fishing with her dad - are shattered when her mother stages an escape and they are rescued by the authorities. She spirits her daughter away in the films early scenes in what becomes a violent episode.

Who better to play her dad, Jacob, than everyones favourite go-to menace, Ben Mendelsohn? His impact on her is so enormous that his shadow looms over her life years later, as an adult, even though she hasnt seen him since they escaped when she was aged ten.

Helena has changed her identity, rebuilt her life and started a family of her own, though her formative years still cause her anxiety. But her ostensibly calm adult life is shattered when she is contacted by the authorities.

They confirm not only what she has always feared - that her father is still alive - but that he has escaped from the prison in which he was being held.

Like Lenny Abrahamsons excellent adaptation of Emma Donoghues Room, The Marsh Kings Daughter centres on the trauma that follows abduction and coercion. That film was deservedly nominated for four Oscars, with Brie Larson picking up the statuette for Best Actress.

But here, the drama doesnt unfold as smoothly. Ridley is excellent as a woman confused by the actions of the father she hero-worshipped to this day. You can feel the suppressed emotions in her day-to-day actions, even before trouble looms.

Mendelsohn, too, is perfectly cast as the manipulative, sneering dad convinced he can inveigle his way back into his daughters life.

But the drama and tension needed to realise the story are found wanting, while the psychological-thriller elements never feel true enough to unnerve an audience.

The extensive use of flashbacks also suck a lot of the energy out of the movie.

The Verdict: A thriller thats too tame to hold your attention.


It's time to get fit, have fun and do something good for your fellow Kiwis living with breast cancer diagnoses - sign up for the 100ks in 30 Days Aotearoa challenge.

The challenge is taking place from May 1 - 30 2024 and helps raise essential funds for Breast Cancer Support Services Tauranga Trust.

"You can choose to complete the 100km distance however you wish across the 30 days of May - be it on foot, on wheels, on water; in big chunks or small; on your own, or as part of a team," says a BCSST spokesperson.

"Why not rally your work mates and sign up as a business team?"

BCSST says it's a great bonding activity and you can ask your employer to match your donation - supporting your efforts and the charity at the same time.

Rally your work mates and join up as a business team. Photo:Supplied.

100ks in 30 Days Aotearoa is an annual event that was created by BCSST in 2022 with fantastic participation and support across Te-Moana-a-Toi, the Bay of Plenty.

In 2023, the Trust took the challenge nationwide; partnering with breast cancer charities across the motu and raising an impressive $180k.

In 2024, the event returns to its roots, with all funds raised going to support BCSSTs mahi in the local community.

The 100ks in 30 days challenge is our biggest fundraiser of the year and a massive event for our charity," says BCSST manager Rachel Quin Gilbert.

"We love seeing the enthusiasm that comes out in participants and really hope our local community gets behind the 2024 challenge.

"We would love to smash our fundraising target this year!

100ks in 30 Days Aotearoa is an annual event that was created by BCSST in 2022. Photo: Supplied.

Event registration is open from March 27 at www.100ksin30days.nz.

The registration fee of $35 includes an event t-shirt, a running belt bag, access to an online challenger account to log your distance and a bunch of helpful online materials to support you in your challenge activity and fundraising efforts.

Plus, there are prize giveaways and rewards for reaching fundraising targets.

Sign up to support this great cause today at www.100ksin30days.nz
New Zealand will almost certainly have a significant measles outbreak this year, public health experts say.

And there are fears very young children will die.

Measles cases are growing globally, with a 45-fold increase in Europe in the past year and hundreds of cases in Britain since October.

Otago University epidemiology professor Michael Baker says New Zealand is in line for a significant outbreak.

"I think it is almost certain unless we do rapidly raise vaccine coverage, because the problem with measles is that it's so infectious you need very high coverage with not too many gaps in a population if you want to stop outbreaks."

An outbreak could be similar to the one in 2019 where there were more than 2000 cases and hundreds of people hospitalised, many of them under five, he says.

Maori Health Authority/Te Aka Whai Ora clinical director Rawiri McKree Jansen says many people are travelling between New Zealand and countries with active cases.

"Every public health physican, every population health expert I know agrees that it is almost certain we are going to get cases across the border and, given our low immunisation rates, we're at really high risk of having an outbreak."

Hundreds of children were hospitalised in New Zealand in the last outbreak, none died.

But since then, vaccination rates had fallen, he says.

"No expert I know says we're going to get through the next outbreak without seeing some tragic deaths of babies."

About 95 per cent of people need to be immune to achieve herd immunity for measles.

Ministry of Health figures show just 83 per cent of two year olds are up to date with their vaccines - which includes measles. For tamariki Maori, the rate is 70 per cent.

McKree Jansen says the health system has consistently underperformed when it came to delivering vaccinations to Maori children.

He urges health teams and parents to do everything they can to get them vaccinated.

New Zealand also has an immunity gap among tens of thousands of young adults who missed out on one or both vaccinations when they were children, many because of a problem with the system at the time.

A catch-up campaign has been under way for years to try to reach them.

Baker says the measles vaccine is in many ways a "dream vaccine", because two doses gives most people near-lifetime immunity, and if enough people are reached, it stops the spread of the virus through the community.

McKree Jansen says Te Aka Whai Ora is working with Maori health providers to reach as many unvaccinated people as possible.

Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ says it has a national response plan ready to go if an outbreak occurs, including an incident response team, which was mobilised six times last year because of cases which came over the border.

A spokesperson says in the largest incident then, it kept an outbreak contained to six cases.

Baker says it's important New Zealand does all it could to prevent the disease spreading to the wider region, with an outbreak in Samoa that killed 83 people in 2019, which likely spread from New Zealand.

-Rowan Quinn/RNZ.
Hundreds of Emirates Group employees converged on the Dubai desert to attempt a new Guinness World Record for the Most Nationalities in a Yoga Lesson. The event saw participants from 144 different nationalities take on the challenge at sunset.

The event, designed to kick start the New Year with a unique wellness initiative, showcased the rich diversity within the Emirates Group, which boasts a workforce of more than 110,000 employees.

Beyond the UAE and wider Middle East, some of the farthest-reaching countries represented at the event included Chile, Peru, Mexico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Honduras, Mongolia, Tonga, and The Bahamas.

Located at the expansive Al Lisaili Camp, managed by Emirates Group brand Arabian Adventures, the event brought the world record attempt to the desert for the first time, offering a unique opportunity for participants.

The previous record was achieved in 2023 in New York City on the lawn of the United Nations headquarters, with 135 different nationalities.

Oliver Grohmann, Senior Vice President Human Resources at Emirates Group, commented: Today we are celebrating the diversity of the Emirates Group. Dubai is a sought-after destination renowned globally for its appeal as a place to live, work and invest, and we are proud to represent a home-grown company thats truly multinational.

At our record-breaking event, UAE nationals and Dubai-based expats represented various countries and roles within the Emirates Group. This included Emirates cabin crew, dnata airport operations employees, safari guides at Arabian Adventures, dnata Travel experts, and many more.

This event underpins our commitment to wellbeing for all Emirates Group employees. It is part of an ongoing journey to promote a culture of health within our organisation, with more to come in fitness, health, and overall wellbeing in 2024.

The record-breaking yoga lesson was held by Emirates Group staff also trained as yoga practitioners. With wellness at the forefront of the initiative, a Senior Counsellor at the Groups Psychology Unit and a certified mindfulness teacher also held a wellbeing session to encourage a healthy mindset for the new year.

A member of the dnata Travel Group team also took to the decks to DJ at the event to offer chill-out music, alongside a colleague playing a tongue drum, often associated with meditation and healing.

Sustainable yoga mats created for attendees were made from biodegradable cork, whilst all staff were provided with reusable water bottles, as part of the Groups commitment to a zero-waste event.  TradeArabia News Service
CAPE TOWN, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The South African parliament on Friday welcomed the "landmark ruling" of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the country's genocide case against Israel, calling on the international community to apply pressure on Israel to comply with the order.

According to a statement issued by the parliament on Friday evening, the ICJ has determined that Israel's actions in Gaza are "plausibly genocidal" and has indicated provisional measures on that basis.

Calling it "a significant human rights victory," the parliament said "the ruling vindicates South Africa's position on an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities in Gaza."

In the statement, the South African parliament called on Israel to respect the binding measures and to cease all plausibly genocidal acts in Gaza and against the Palestinian people.

"There is now no credible basis for Israel and its supporters' indiscriminate military actions in the name of self-defense. The ruling is a clear demonstration of Israel's non-compliance with international law, including the Genocide Convention," said the parliament.

Therefore, it noted, the ruling compels Israel to stop immediately all hostilities in Gaza and allow more UN humanitarian aid.

"Considering the measures ordered by the court, we call on governments, parliaments, and the international community to respond by applying pressure on Israel to comply with the order," it added.

The parliament also called on the United Nations Security Council, upon formal notification of the ICJ's order and pursuant to its statute, to ensure swift action as "no government or state is above the law."

On Dec. 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide related to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. 
New Zealand Police has welcomed 50 new officers this week, as Wing 372 celebrated their success in front of whanau and friends.

In attendance was Commissioner of Police Andrew Coster, Police Minister Hon Mark Mitchell, members of the Police executive, and patron Chappie Te Kani.

Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki, Chappie Te Kani, says of the wing that a winning recipe would be relationships, integrity and service.

In his speech to the wing on their powhiri, he told the recruits that his work and their work were very similar and both focus on prevention, relationships and working with the community, while integrity and empathy are key values to both.

This wing is made up of several officers with family currently serving or who have previously served in Police including some who are the grandchildren and great grandchildren of police officers nationally and internationally.

The wing includes a number ex-military from New Zealand and abroad.

Some recruits are tertiary educated and some hold trades ranging from building to bricklaying.

There are a number of dedicated volunteers, and some who have been working for Police in other roles, such as Authorised Officers and Emergency Communicators.

The Leadership Award winner is Constable Brendon Manley, who holds a degree in business and has worked in management roles most of his life. Brendon spent time in the New Zealand Army Reserve Infantry, medics and logistics, so hes the perfect fit for the leadership award.

He says Joining police aligns to my values and purpose.

College training has given me life-long friends and memories and I look forward to the new challenges."

Brendon will be based in Auckland City District.

The Ministers Award for Top of Wing, after the collation of all course assessments goes to Constable Tristan Lancaster. Tristan is a qualified electrician and was inspired to follow family members into Police.

Id like to thank my family and wing mates for getting me through the process. Its been a truly amazing journey and Im looking forward to getting started in district.

Tristan is posted to Canterbury District.

The constable who achieved second in wing is ex-teacher Constable Kieran Frewen whos posted to Waikato District.

Kieran holds a Bachelor of Sport and Leisure along with a graduate teaching diploma, and also has a Bachelor in Engineering.

I quickly realised working for Police ticked more boxes for me than any other career could. Solving complex problems, always learning and growing, making a positive difference in others lives, being part of a team, and being active.

Patron: Chappie Te Kani

Chappie Te Kani (Ngati Porou, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Tuhoe, Ngati Maniapoto, Rongowhakaata) is a dedicated and respected public service leader.

He is currently Secretary for Children and Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki  the Ministry for Children, a role he took up in December 2022 after more than a year acting in the role.

Chappies first name is officially Te Hapimana. His name and nickname have been passed on to him from his whanau, along with his sense of service.

Chappie grew up on a farm at Whatatutu, a small town northeast of Gisborne, and comes from a prominent Tairawhiti whanau that has provided generations of social service.

After studying at Victoria University his public service career started in 2006 as Deputy Secretary of Treaty Negotiations with the Ministry for the Environment.

He has also been a Policy Advisor in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Acting Chief Executive Te Arawhiti, Acting Chief Executive Ministry of Pacific Peoples, Assistant Commissioner at the Public Service Commission, and Head of System Assurance and Continuous Improvement (Covid-19 response) at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Chappie has said of himself: My whanau, my whakapapa  my absolute core is my identity, without hesitation, I was born Ngati Porou, I will die Ngati Porou, and everything in between is part of my journey.

Awards:

Ministers Award recognising top student: Constable Tristan Lancaster, posted to Canterbury District.

Patrons Award for second in wing, recognising second top student: Constable Kieran Frewen, posted to Waikato District.

Commissioners Award for Leadership: Constable Brendon Manley, posted to Auckland City District.

The Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award: Constable Ryan Ballantyne, posted to Waitemata District.

Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award: Constable Daniel Curtis, posted to Waikato District.

Firearms Award: Constable Bruce Lange-Smith posted, to Counties Manukau District.

Deployment:

The entire wing will disperse to the following districts the week starting Monday 5 February.

Tamaki Makaurau a total of 17: Auckland City - 9, Counties Manukau - 5, Waitemata - 3,

Northland  1, Waikato - 4, Bay of Plenty - 4, Eastern - 6, Central - 3, Wellington - 5, Tasman - 2, Canterbury - 5, Southern - 3.

Demographics:

34 percent are female, and 66 percent are male. New Zealand European make up 60 percent of the wing, with Maori 18 percent, Pasifika 4 percent and Asian 14 percent. Latin American, African and Middle East (LAAM) 2 percent and Other 2 percent.
Less than a week away from the first students of the year heading back to school, some principals are still crying out for staff to fill final roles.

Meanwhile, other schools which have managed to fully staff each class are desperate for more relievers in the chance teachers were sick or away from work, calling the situation "dire".

The shortage in applicants is causing principals to resort to employing teachers from overseas and stepping in to teach themselves.

All types of schools are being affected, and the additional burdens on senior management is causing a mass exodus of principals, according to some.

Papatoetoe High School students will start their year just after Waitangi Day.

Principal Vaughan Couillault still has some roles he needs filled two weeks out from the big day.

"I still have a maths - science vacancy to fill," he said, "and I also have a hard materials vacancy that I need to fill as well, and those have been advertised since before Christmas."

Couillault, who is also the president of the Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand, says it's not a new issue, but it's one which is not getting any easier.

"It is challenging still to attract quality applicants to positions, so I've got a position that I've advertised at the moment for example, and whilst there are applicants for that job, there aren't any that are currently based in New Zealand."

Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly.

Kaitaia Primary School principal Brendon Morrissey is lucky to have classrooms full of rostered teachers for its first day on January 30.

But even that doesn't mean he's out of the woods, he says.

"We have not got very many relief teachers, so if teachers are away sick then we have to look into internal options for coverage and that can often mean senior management are going into the classrooms or there are classrooms being split for the day."

The entire surrounding region of Kaitaia iss leaning on extremely limited relieving staff to fill in those gaps, Morrissey says.

"Realistically, two. For a school of well over 300 children, 15 classrooms, two relievers."

The immediate solution if relievers can't fill in is to give remaining teachers a greater workload, says Morrissey.

But he says that will put additional stress on teachers and principals, and disrupt the learning of students.

He told RNZ there are Ministry of Education documents which show almost 200 principals left the profession last year.

The ministry acknowledges the existence of a document, but will not confirm a number.

"One word - dire. We cannot continue this way for much longer," Morrissey says. "What's going to happen is that high attrition rate is going to keep going on and we're going to lose more and more."

Raglan Area School principal Louisa Barham says it's especially hard for rural schools to employ and retain qualified high school teachers.

"It's really hard for them to compete with the larger schools," she says. "If I want a maths teacher, the maths teacher really has to have a second string to his or her bow.

"Because I won't have enough maths teaching for them to have a full-time job."

Specialty teachers, especially those fluent in te reo, were "head hunted" for their abilities, Barham says.

Photo: RNZ / Tom Furley.

And that led to searches for teaching staff kicking off up to seven months in advance.

"Most principals, no matter what school you're in, you're looking to recruit for the following year in June," Barham says.

The additional stress and responsibility is becoming an overbearing burden on senior management and principals, she says.

"I'm in the Facebook principal's page, they're just leaving in droves," she says. "Every week you're looking online and someone's saying 'bye, I'm out'."

Despite the difficulty, the Ministry of Education estimates there will be more than enough primary school teachers this year, and likely enough secondary teachers.

Education Workforce Hautu Anna Welanyk is not as quick to jump to the conclusion that there is a mass exodus of principals.

"We collect retention data which shows the retention rates for all principals is consistently at or over 92 per cent," she says.

A spokesperson for the ministry told RNZ the specific number of principals who left the job in 2023 is still being worked on.

-Jordan Dunn/RNZ.
After 21 years of dedicated service, Joseph and Maria Lee, the founders of Wang Tauranga, a beloved local Asian grocery store, have decided to retire and pass the business to a younger couple.

His journey extends beyond merely providing groceries; Wang Tauranga has been a true Asian community hub under Joseph's care.

It has become a place where customers can come and not feel homesick, says Joseph.

The store opened in 2003 as the first Asian supermarket in Tauranga at the time.

In my case, when I came to Tauranga there was no Asian market, they were only in Auckland so when I wanted to get Korean food I would drive for three hours to do grocery shopping, he says.

Six months after Joseph arrived in Tauranga he saw the necessity and began to develop an Asian grocery store.

I started from ground zero, the first five years were very difficult, he says

It was extremely difficult at the start because there was a small Korean community and the non-Asian Tauranga community was not interested in buying Asian grocery products at the time.

For the first five years, there were almost no customers at all, we started from ground zero but then with more things popping up like K-pop culture it started to go up quite rapidly.

In the beginning, Joseph says there were only about four Korean families in Tauranga, now, he says, there are about 150 families.

I made a Korean complex building, there is a hair salon called Michelles Hair Salon, a mechanic called Car On, and a bank, he says.

Joseph started with the food market and turned the building into a Korean complex where everyone can speak Korean.

They are all Korean, he says.

When people are moving to town from overseas and they are dealing with language difficulties, the whole complex can speak Korean, making it easier for them and acting as a community hub or a stepping stone for Korean families to join the community.

Joseph says some of his customers have said they would search for Asian grocery stores before coming to New Zealand and they would contact him and ask him questions about the city.

There are Around 350 families that go to the market on a regular basis, he says.

The Lee family (left to right) Anna, Joseph, Maria and Dominic Lee oustide thier store of 21 years. Photo supplied.

Covid-19: a difficult time

Covid-19 was an interesting time, the market was asked to stay open as an essential service, he says.

At the time of Covid, everyone rushed to you for groceries, so a lot of the Asian community that had grown and blossomed all raced to the shop as it had been asked to stay open as an essential service.

There was limited stock and lines were going all around the building outside, I had to try and manage what was going on outside and inside the store.

During Covid times the product most sort after and often out of stock was toilet paper for most supermarkets, but for Wang Asian Market Tauranga, the most sort after product was rice.

There was a shortage of rice and rice is very important, says Joseph.

Josephs most cherished memory from the store

Joseph and his store often gave financial support to the Bethlehem College string group for their trips to Australia and competitions.

My children went to Bethlehem College and they play violin and cello and I supported the string group, says Joseph.

Joseph says that his most cherished memory was at the end-of-year celebration they came out in performance attire with his logo on it and he was attending and he was very touched.

Josephs son Dominic says, With how the community and Bethlehem College and the parents supported the shop he wanted to give back.

"It was a beautiful moment for him.

Passing on the baton

When starting the store it was important for Joseph to bring a piece of Korea to Tauranga.

When passing on the baton to the young couple taking over the store, he wants to ensure that Korean culture continues to be shared here in the bay.

The new owner is quite energetic and are a person who shares the vision, he says.

They are very relevant with the next generation and I am very excited for that transfer.

The business will be transferred over on Friday 26 January.

The countdown begins, says Dominic.

The new owner is a loyal customer of the market, they are a couple with a family and their son goes to Bethlehem College as their children did.

Joseph was able to bring a piece of Korea and now his hopes and aspirations are that the new owners will ensure that Korean culture continues to be shared in the community here in the bay.

After the passing over of the business, Joseph says he wants to get involved in community work.

He says he was given a lot of support from the community for his business and to support his children and now he wants to give back to the community and do what he can with his gifts and talents.

The Lee family at the surprise celebration at the shop last Friday. Photo supplied.

The legacy of Wang Asian Market Tauranga

Joseph's commitment to serving beyond the shelves is evident in the various ways he cultivated a sense of community.

From hosting traditional Asian sporting events in the back car park, and supporting local Asian food and produce businesses, to bringing families together, Wang Tauranga has become more than just a store.

Last Friday marked a significant moment as Josephs children, Anna and Dominic Lee, both internationally acclaimed musicians, organised a surprise celebration at the shop.

The gathering featured a symbolic concert and ceremony, honouring their fathers legacy and the community he fostered.

In Joseph's own words on that memorable day, It was the community that made this business possible, and the people that made it all worth the blood, sweat, and tears.
ACT is joining a former mayor in calling for Taurangas commission to act in a caretaker role.

Greg Brownless, mayor from 2016-2019, has called on Local Government Minister Simeon Brown to amend the commissions terms of reference.

Its unacceptable that the commission, acting under the instructions of the former minister [of local government], continues to make important decisions that should be made by community representatives chosen at an election, he says.

New minister, Simeon Brown, has the power to instruct the commission to act in a caretaker role only, to leave the Long Term Plan to decision-makers appointed by the community.

In February 2021, Anne Tolley, Shadrach Rolleston, Stephen Selwood and Bill Wasley were appointed as commissioners to the Tauranga City Council by Nanaia Mahuta.

Local government minister at the time, Mahuta replaced the elected council with the commission because of significance governance issues.

She extended their term in April 2022 to provide crucial continuity and stability for Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty.

Tauranga will have an election in July, the first since 2019.

Former mayor Greg Brownless wants adoption of the long-term plan left until after the July election. File photo: SunLive.

Brownless says: I believe the commissioners are attempting to entrench decisions and contracts for which they have no community mandate, and which will unfairly bind a new council, to be decided by voters in July.

Some of the projects Brownless believed the commission had no community mandate for included Cameron Rd Stage Two, increases in user fees for sport facilities, closure of the Otumoetai Pool to be replaced by a $122m aquatic centre at Memorial Park.

Those decisions should be made by an elected council, a community council. It's no use pretending that this [the commission] is any form of democracy, because it isnt.

The 2024-30 draft Long-Term Plan was consulted on last year, with hearings to begin in February. The LTP sets out projects, spending, and projected rates for Tauranga for the next decade.

ACTs local government spokesperson Cameron Luxton is backing Brownless stance.

For too long, Nanaia Mahutas commissioners have been given free rein to commit ratepayers to major long-term spending projects, he says in a statement.

Tauranga list MP, Luxton says the commissioners have "acted more like dictators than caretakers" as they commit hundreds of millions of dollars to projects like the city centre transformation.

Commissioners Shadrach Rolleston, Bill Wasley, Anne Tolley and Stephen Selwood. Photo: John Borren/SunLive.

A $306m civic precinct, Te Manawataki o Te Papa, is underway. It will provide a new library, museum and exhibition centre, and civic whare in Taurangas CBD.

The city centre will look like chump change compared to the spending locked in under the coming Long-Term Plan."

The 10-year plan should be the role of elected leadership, who are held accountable every three years, he says.

Im asking the new Minister for Local Government to take steps to delay the Long-Term Plan and its associated contracts until after democratic leadership is established in July.

However, Commission chair Tolley, says the commissions terms of reference task it with making good decisions on behalf of the community, and with the development and adoption of the councils 2024-34 LTP.

In essence, weve been asked to redress the failings of past councils, with a focus on addressing a longstanding underinvestment in infrastructure and community facilities, she says.

Luxton was a member of the National-led coalition Government, and would be aware of the channels he should use if he wished to amend Government policy, says Tolley.

Commission chair Anne Tolley said the commission was asked to redress the failings of past councils. Photo: John Borren/SunLive.

He is of course welcome to his opinions, but we can assure the community and his government colleagues that the decisions made by the commission on behalf of Tauranga City have followed the democratic processes set out in legislation and, based on the weight of submissions and the unsolicited feedback we receive, have wide community support.

The commission was duty bound to comply with the requirements of its terms of reference, she says.

We are working closely with Minister Brown, on a wide range of matters of importance to the city. Any call for amendments to our terms of reference should be directed to the Minister.

The Taxpayers Union also weighed in, issuing a statement.

Taxpayers Union policy adviser James Ross says unelected commissioners in Tauranga have spent years tossing around ratepayers money, knowing they won't be accountable to ratepayers.

Simeon Brown was approached for comment but didnt respond in time for deadline.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Jennie Rhodes Friday, 26 January 2024 | Updated 29/01/2024 10:38h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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Mojacar is one of Almeria province's most popular tourist destinations; with its beautiful whitewashed old town and coastal location, it has been a firm favourite for visitors for decades.

The first traces of human presence in the area date back to the Palaeolithic period and Phoenician and Greek settlers arrived later, attracted by the wealth of precious metals mined in the nearby Sierra Almagrera.

The Romans arrived at the end of the third century BC and the eighth century witnessed the start of Spain's long Islamic rule. The town retains much of the essence of its Islamic past today.

During the Roman period and into the middle of the 13th century when Andalucia was under Islamic rule, Mojacar was known as 'Monxacar' in Arabic or 'Monte Sacrum' (sacred mount) in Latin. The name refers to the pyramid shaped hill just outside the town itself.

Indalo

However, Mojacar is perhaps most famous for its Indalo, a human figure with its arms connected above its head, which is considered a symbol of good luck.

In 1868 archaeologist Manuel de Gongora Martinez discovered the Indalo as part of a series of cave paintings in Los Letreros cave near Velez-Blanco, a village north west of Mojacar.

The Indalo cave paintings. IDEAL

The paintings date to the Paleolithic era and represent a number of human figures, one of which is the Indalo, which is believed to represent a prehistoric god holding a rainbow above its head.

The Indalo has been used in Mojacar since ancient times when the symbol was painted on the facades of the houses to ward off the "evil eye" and protect them from storms.

From 1945 the Indalian movement developed; this artistic and cultural initiative was started by the Almeria painter and sculptor Jesus de Perceval. The movement adopted the Indalo as its own symbol.
This is the Andalusian village with more bars per inhabitant than anywhere else in Spain With 11 eateries for a population of 690, the village enters the national Guinness record book

Javier Cortes Enix Friday, 26 January 2024, 15:21 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Enix has more bars per 1,000 inhabitants than anywhere in Spain, new research shows.

The small municipality in Almeria province has only 690 inhabitants, according to data from the last municipal census. Previous research carried out by the Federacion Espanola de Hosteleria and Coca-Cola, showed that Sallent de Gallego was the municipality in Spain with the most bars per inhabitant. This small village in the Pyrenees of Huesca has 15.74 establishments per 1,000 inhabitants, a real winner, that is, until Enix emerged with an even higher figure, 15.94 bars per 1,000 inhabitants.

Enix is located east of Almeria city and boasts mountains (Sierra de Enix), a beach (Playa del Palmer), a rural school (which has been closed for 34 years) and its 11 bars. Mayor Alvaro Izquierdo told IDEAL newspaper, "Enix has always been known for its bars."

One of the most traditional bars is Bar Almeria, which is a "lifelong" restaurant that has been run by the same family that opened it for years. Another eatery that stands out is Alkanziyya, a restaurant that has been open for a decade.

Asuncion, owner and chef of Alkanziyya, prepares traditional and innovative dishes such as pork steaks, aubergines with honey, grilled chicken and desserts, among others. The locals warn that if you don't make a reservation in time for the weekend, you could miss the chance to dine there.

Another bar to go to in Enix is Las Tres Patas, a rural hotel. The owners of this hotel complex, apart from taking care of the accommodation, also run a pool bar and host concerts.

Pizzeria XDenix is another popular eatery. It offers gourmet hamburgers, ribs and steak. Meanwhile Bar Enix covers the lunch rush, with coffee in the afternoons and in the evenings. Other eateries such as Bar La Plaza de Enix, Parque de Aventura, Bar Las Minas, in El Marchal de Anton Lopez and Chiringuito el Palmer are also a hit among locals and visitors. In the summer two more open: Chiringuito La Fuente and Bar La Piscina.

Tradition

In 2019, Enix created an event which in a very short time has become a tradition: its migas competition. In the first year there were around 700 people taking part and in 2023 there were more than 1,000 people. Participants bring their own pots and pans, but Enix town hall provides the ingredients: water, flour, oil, vegetables and wine.
Police foil 'suicide bomber school killing' in Seville town The 16-year-old Syrian refugee had been practising detonations on waste ground with an explosive known as 'Mother of Satan'

Melchor Saiz-Pardo MADRID. Friday, 26 January 2024, 18:22 Compartir Copiar enlace

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National Police intelligence services believe they have aborted what would have been the biggest terrorist attack in recent years in Spain with the arrest last Sunday in the town of Montellano (Seville province) of a young Syrian refugee, aged just 16, who intended to blow himself up this week in the secondary school he attends.

Court papers reveal that officers uncovered that the youth had been making so-called Mother of Satan - the very unstable and deadly explosive that jihadist groups have been using in the last decade. The same explosive blew up the house in Alcanar (Tarragona) in August 2017 where the terrorists of the attacks in Catalonia were preparing their bombs.

The unnamed Syrian teenager, who allegedly intended to take his own life in his school with an explosives-laden waistcoat, had managed to create at least 34 grams of TAPT (triacetone triperoxide, nicknamed Mother of Satan), enough to blow up a 40-metre room, according to sources in the investigation. Police got as far as watching him carry out trial explosions on waste ground.

The mother of the boy, with whom he lived, is also being investigated for aiding and abetting.
SUR in English BRUSSELS. Friday, 26 January 2024, 15:33 Compartir Copiar enlace

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All eyes were on Gibraltar as the latest UK-EU negotiating round took place in Brussels this week.

Brussels, on behalf of the twenty-seven, is negotiating the agreement with London that will govern the relationship of Gibraltar with the EU after Brexit, based on the memorandum signed by London and Madrid on New Year's Eve 2020. This agreement contemplates the removal of the border and the provision of Frontex personnel to carry out checks at the port and airport of Gibraltar, among other issues.

In Brussels this week was Deputy Chief Minister of Gibraltar Dr Joseph Garcia, who was attending a meeting of the UK-EU Committee of the Regions Contact Group.

Mobility deal

Dr Garcia stressed that the interests of Gibraltar required a different agreement to the one that the UK had negotiated for itself and that what was on the table was essentially a mobility deal to allow for the fluid movement of persons, with a number of add-ons including in relation to the movement of goods.

However, Dr Garcia also outlined contingency plans for no treaty and highlighted the serious consequences of no negotiated outcome on both sides of the border.

Mayor of Algeciras Jose Ignacio Lanaluce called for an agreement as soon as is possible, clarifying that "it cannot be at any cost" because "it must be ensured that the interests of Spain are properly defended", he said on Monday.

Agreement needed "soon"

The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares has encouraged the British government to have the "courage" to take the step to reach an agreement that will govern the future relations between Gibraltar and the EU, arguing that it needs to be done "soon" since there are European elections in June and there could also be elections in the UK.

Speaking on Friday last week, Albares reiterated that for many months there has been on the table "an agreement that is generous, balanced, and good for Gibraltar and the Campo de Gibraltar" and which would allow the creation of the shared prosperity zone that both governments want.

This involves, he explained, "free movement of people and free movement of goods", the disappearance of the border, and also "shared use of the airport because it is beneficial for the Campo de Gibraltar".
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at a ceremony marking the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust at the UN headquarters in New York, on Jan. 26, 2024.

In a solemn ceremony held Friday at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres honored the memory of the Holocaust victims, emphasizing the urgent need to combat antisemitism and all forms of bigotry.

The event, marking the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, brought together dignitaries, Holocaust survivors, and their families, both online and in person, on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- In a solemn ceremony held Friday at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres honored the memory of the Holocaust victims, emphasizing the urgent need to combat antisemitism and all forms of bigotry.

The event, marking the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, brought together dignitaries, Holocaust survivors, and their families, both online and in person, on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

"It's a great honor to be with you today to commemorate the memory of the victims of the Holocaust," the secretary-general stated, acknowledging the deep significance of the day.

He highlighted the importance of remembering the 6 million Jewish victims and the millions of others persecuted by the Nazi regime, including the Roma and Sinti communities.

"All of us - leaders and citizens - have a responsibility to listen and to learn from what you have to say. And to act on it," he said, stressing the need for collective efforts to eradicate antisemitism, bigotry, hatred, and intolerance.

The international day serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust, a period marked by the systematic extermination of 6 million Jews, along with the persecution and murder of countless others. This day, chosen for its significance as the day Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated, stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the courage of those who survived.

The secretary-general also reflected on personal and collective acts of bravery during the Holocaust, mentioning individuals like Rudolf Vrba and Roza Robota, whose extraordinary acts of resistance against the Nazis offer lessons of courage and fortitude. "We remember and revere today all such acts of bravery," he affirmed, underscoring the importance of acknowledging these stories of resilience.

In his concluding remarks, the top UN official reiterated the UN's commitment to fighting racism and bigotry in all forms. "Racism and bigotry are a violation of everything we stand for," he declared, calling for a united stand against antisemitism and all forms of discrimination.

He also highlighted the role of the UN Alliance of Civilizations in addressing antisemitism globally.

In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which designated Jan. 27 as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the day when Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945. 

This photo taken on Jan. 27, 2024 shows a flower on the wall of an Old Jewish Cemetery on Battonnstrasse in Frankfurt, Germany. In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which designated Jan. 27 as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the day when Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945. The walls of Old Jewish Cemeteries contain small steel blocks recording the names of Frankfurt's Jews deported and murdered between 1933 and 1945. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

This photo taken on Jan. 27, 2024 shows the gate of an Old Jewish Cemetery on Battonnstrasse in Frankfurt, Germany. In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which designated Jan. 27 as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the day when Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945. The walls of Old Jewish Cemeteries contain small steel blocks recording the names of Frankfurt's Jews deported and murdered between 1933 and 1945. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

This photo taken on Jan. 27, 2024 shows the wall of an Old Jewish Cemetery on Battonnstrasse in Frankfurt, Germany. In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which designated Jan. 27 as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the day when Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945. The walls of Old Jewish Cemeteries contain small steel blocks recording the names of Frankfurt's Jews deported and murdered between 1933 and 1945. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

This photo taken on Jan. 27, 2024 shows a wall containing name blocks at an Old Jewish Cemetery on Battonnstrasse in Frankfurt, Germany. In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which designated Jan. 27 as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the day when Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945. The walls of Old Jewish Cemeteries contain small steel blocks recording the names of Frankfurt's Jews deported and murdered between 1933 and 1945. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

A man looks at the wall of an Old Jewish Cemetery on Battonnstrasse in Frankfurt, Germany, Jan. 27, 2024. In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which designated Jan. 27 as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the day when Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945. The walls of Old Jewish Cemeteries contain small steel blocks recording the names of Frankfurt's Jews deported and murdered between 1933 and 1945. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

This photo taken on Jan. 27, 2024 shows a flower on the wall of an Old Jewish Cemetery on Battonnstrasse in Frankfurt, Germany. In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which designated Jan. 27 as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the day when Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945. The walls of Old Jewish Cemeteries contain small steel blocks recording the names of Frankfurt's Jews deported and murdered between 1933 and 1945. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

This photo taken on Jan. 27, 2024 shows the wall of an Old Jewish Cemetery on Battonnstrasse in Frankfurt, Germany. In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which designated Jan. 27 as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the day when Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945. The walls of Old Jewish Cemeteries contain small steel blocks recording the names of Frankfurt's Jews deported and murdered between 1933 and 1945. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

This photo taken on Jan. 27, 2024 shows the wall of an Old Jewish Cemetery on Battonnstrasse in Frankfurt, Germany. In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which designated Jan. 27 as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the day when Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945. The walls of Old Jewish Cemeteries contain small steel blocks recording the names of Frankfurt's Jews deported and murdered between 1933 and 1945. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

Italian national flag flies at half-mast on the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument in Rome, Italy, Jan. 27, 2024. In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which designated Jan. 27 as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the day when Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

A dog sniffs the bouquets laid in memory of the Holocaust victims in Rome, Italy, Jan. 27, 2024. In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which designated Jan. 27 as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the day when Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

This photo taken on Jan. 27, 2024 shows "stumbling stones," which are small brass plaques engraved with names of Jews killed by the Nazis, at an alley in Rome, Italy. In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which designated Jan. 27 as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the day when Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Italian national flag flies at half-mast on the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument in Rome, Italy, Jan. 27, 2024. In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which designated Jan. 27 as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the day when Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

Tourists walk past "stumbling stones," which are small brass plaques engraved with names of Jews killed by the Nazis, at an alley in Rome, Italy, Jan. 27, 2024. In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which designated Jan. 27 as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the day when Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Costa hospital project detects over a hundred precancerous skin lesions in 2023 The year-end review reveals significant health impact figures, including skin check-ups for 816 individuals and the publication of six articles in scientific journals

Maria Albarral MARBELLA. Friday, 26 January 2024, 15:46 Compartir Copiar enlace

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In 2023, the Hospital Costa del Sol in Marbella conducted a health and skin cancer prevention initiative called Proyecto Soludable. Last year, a total of 120 precancerous and suspicious skin lesions were detected during the check-ups of 816 individuals (250 in 2022). Among them, 78 cases of actinic keratosisa premalignant lesion that can develop into squamous cell skin cancerand a total of 46 lesions suspected of skin cancer (seven of which were melanomas) were identified.

Magdalena de Troya, director of the dermatology department, along with Antonio Cansino, managing director of HUCS (Hospital Universitario Costa del Sol), provided details of all the activities, conferences, and events organised or actively participated in. In total, Soludable was present at 34 events in 2023 (four times more than in 2022), with active participation from 1,699 individuals who filled out questionnaires, had their skin examined, and/or actively participated in training sessions.

In 2023, a total of six articles were published in high-impact scientific journals, making a significant contribution to the scientific community. Regarding the impact in the digital world, the community has grown by more than 75%, closing the year with 1,875 followers. The project's presence has quintupled in radio, press, and television appearances, reaching a total of 150.

The Soludable team has expanded to 93 members, with the addition of 10 new members in 2023. According to Magdalena de Troya, "All of them come from previously unexplored fields, such as pharmacy, where innovative ideas are being contributed in health promotion and skin cancer prevention."

"After a year of significant achievements, including a strong commitment to sun protection in the workplace, 2024 is shaping up to be a year of great impact and improvement for the health of Andalucia and Spain in terms of sun exposure." In this regard, De Troya also wanted to 'express gratitude to all the individuals, institutions, and companies that have collaborated to make this possible."
Lorena Cadiz BENALMADENA. Friday, 26 January 2024, 19:23 Compartir Copiar enlace

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The service at the A&E department of the Hospital de Alta Resolucion (HAR) in Benalmadena, which currently serves the town, as well as Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Mijas, Coin and Alhaurin el Grande, may be seriously reduced with the loss of up to four doctors of the 27 who currently make up the service. That is the claim of a staff union, which organised a protest on Wednesday at the doors of the facility to demand that something that is working well not be "dismantled".

Union delegate Virginia Ortega, a family doctor and A&E worker, explained that since 1 January 2024, this service has been part of the Andalusian Health Service (SAS), specifically part of the Virgen de la Victoria hospital in Malaga. Until then it was part of the Hospital Costa del Sol and followed its staffing levels. With the change, according to the medical union, "the working conditions of Benalmadena staff have been modified, unilaterally".

Daniel Reyes, a doctor in the HAR emergency department, said this will mean that staff will work more hours and therefore will be "overstretched". "We are a hospital on the Costa del Sol which has a very high influx of visitors in the summer and this decreases in winter. They are using winter data to say that we need fewer staff now. Come summer we don't know how we will cope," he added.
Derelict Torremolinos hotel to become new concept in co-living for digital nomads The new Oceanika complex, which was presented at Fitur by mayor Margarita del Cid, will replace the former Hotel Los Alamos with a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient hotel with a target audience of remote workers

Tony Bryant Friday, 26 January 2024, 12:56 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Torremolinos town hall has revealed an urban regeneration project planned for the former Hotel Los Alamos will aims to position the municipality as an attractive place to live for digital nomads. The new Oceanika complex, which was presented at the Fitur tourism fair by the mayor, Margarita del Cid, will replace the existing uninhabited building with a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient living space with an area.

Del Cid, who declared that Torremolinos is committed to urban regeneration, said, We believe that our municipality has a lot of room to improve and update public and private spaces to make them more attractive and more useful to citizens.

The mayor said that the project, which has been designed by the Nuovit investment group, is going to be very visible as it is located at the entrance to Torremolinos, and that it will have a target audience of digital nomads.

The mayor thanked Nuovit for the project, which, she claimed, represents a commitment to aesthetic improvement and urban regeneration, and a gateway to professionals in sectors linked to innovation and new technologies.

The deputy general manager of Nuovit, Luis Acacio Ortega, added, Malaga is the second-best city in the world from which to work remotely. It is attractive to teleworkers due to the good weather, the hospitality of the people and the gastronomy. The city already stands out from other destinations as a paradise for digital nomads.

New concept of co-living

Oceanika, which will become the largest co-living complex in the province of Malaga, has a projected area of more than 15,000 square-metres, and 180 apartments. The project develops a new concept of co-living: each apartment will have a balcony with optimal solar and visual orientation, which will improve ventilation and the hours of natural light inside the apartment.

The apartments will be operated according to the 'flex living' concept. This will allow users the flexibility to choose their length of stay, from a few weeks to several months, without having to sign long-term contracts or pay large deposits. The contracts will include services such as cleaning, maintenance, wifi, supplies and security.

Plan of the layout of the new complex in Torremolinos. SUR.

Communal areas, including a gym, coworking and leisure spaces are aimed at encouraging residents to socialise.

The complex will also include measures that reduce the environmental impact, such as environmentally friendly building materials, an innovative system for the responsible use of water, solar panels and electric charging points for vehicles.

According to Ortega, it will be the largest timber construction in Spain, reducing the construction time by up to 20 per cent, which will help to reduce the ecological footprint.
The width and brightness of the road marking is intended to remind drivers of the importance of not invading the oncoming lane.

Chus Heredia Friday, 26 January 2024, 12:34 Compartir Copiar enlace

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A wide red line with white borders is being drawn on what has become known as the 'road of death', the A-355, between the exit on the Guadalhorce motorway and Coin and from Coin towards Monda. This is the first time this measure has been brought in in the province of Malaga and among the first in Spain (there are some cases in Catalonia) and it is in line with innovative indications from the European Union regarding road safety.

The width, around 30 centimetres, and the bright colouring at first give the impression that we are looking at a computer-generated image rather than a real photograph. The reality is that workers have been given the meticulous task of first cleaning the central section and then painting the white stripes and the red line in the middle.

The aim is clear: to remind drivers that this is a dangerous, two-way road and that under no circumstances should drivers be allowed to enter the oncoming lane or overtake. In fact, the work started in the area closest to the Guadalhorce motorway, given that the good layout at the junction means that many cars do not lose speed and step on the accelerator more than necessary after turning off.

Work on the A-355 on Thursday afternoon. Nito Salas

More measures on the table: speed cameras, a central reservation and widening

The measure was announced in December as part of a package of proposals that have been discussed in various technical meetings between the Andalusian regional government, the Directorate-General of Traffic (DGT) and Coin council, all of whom are understandably concerned about the disastrous trend of this road, which accounted for 26% of road deaths in the province in 2023.

It is a measure that aims to make an impact and is also expected to be highly cost-effective. Two examples of its application are on various sections of the same road in Catalonia, the Eix Diagonal, between Vilanova del Cami (Anoia) and Vilafranca del Penedes and Odena and Manresa. The Catalan authorities justified this measure on the need to reinforce drivers' perception of the risk of invading the oncoming lane.

Both the mayor of Coin, Francisco Santos, and the delegate of the Andalusian government in Malaga, Patricia Navarro, held meetings with the traffic authority following the increase in accidents, especially since May last year. And, in fact, there are more possible solutions on the table.

The DGT already had plans to install speed cameras once it had studied the dangerous stretch for more time, but now it is considering bringing forward that decision. Currently, there are no speed cameras on the A-355, except on the final stretch, in Ojen. That part of the road is winding and this deters drivers, who reduce speed. This is not the case in the Coin area, where there are long straights, and at the aforementioned exit from the Guadalhorce motorway.

The road has seen an exponential increase in traffic intensity as a result of the strengthening of economic, employment and leisure links with Marbella and the coast. What was an initial volume of 7,000 vehicles per day has grown to 10,000 and now sees peaks of almost 20,000.

Included in the budget

The Junta has allocated a sum in its 2024 budget to improve safety on this road. In recent months, a parapet has been installed on one of the bridges; protective barriers have been installed on four kilometres of the road; signage changes have been made; road markings have been repainted with reflective paint; a continuous double line has been painted, among other measures.

In addition, the installation of speed awareness monitors to remind drivers of the need to control speed is being considered.

However, the most costly measure the Andalusian government has in the pipeline is twofold: building a central reservation and widening the carriageway, so that in certain sections there are lanes where slower vehicles can 'move to one side'.

The A-355 regional road links Cartama and Marbella for 41 kilometres, a journey time of about 40 minutes.

The road is part of what was to be the Marbella-Velez inland 'arc road', promised by the Junta de Andalucia in 1992. The route remained unfinished and on the eastern side of the province it has taken the form of the A-356 that links Velez-Malaga and Casabermeja.
Visiting times for the Spanish Navy warships in Malaga port The ships Santa Maria, Numancia, Reina Sofia and Navarra will remain moored until Sunday, in an unprecedented deployment in the city

Matias Stuber Friday, 26 January 2024, 20:54 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Four combat frigates at the same time, a crew of more than 750 people and the chance to experience first-hand what a military vessel is like. The ships Santa Maria, Numancia, Reina Sofia, and Navarra, belonging to the 41st Escort Squadron of the Spanish Navy, docked this Friday at the quay known as Muelle 2 of the port of Malaga. The four frigates have come from the waters of the Gulf of Cadiz, where they have taken part in an exercise. Two of these frigates can be visited on Saturday and Sunday, at different times.

According to official Navy sources, visits will be possible on Saturday from 10am to 12pm and from 3pm to 6pm. On Sunday, visits will be limited to the morning, again between 10am and 12 noon. In the afternoon, the frigates will depart for Rota, where they are based. Members of the public interested in visiting the frigates will be able to do so. Once there, military personnel will be in charge of distributing the visitors in groups and offering guided tours.

This is not the first time that the port of Malaga has hosted military frigates. However, the deployment on this occasion is unprecedented. This was highlighted by the Naval Commander of Malaga, Pablo Ramon Murga, who thanked the captains of the respective ships for this gesture. In addition to those mentioned, the 41st Escort Squadron of the Navy also includes the Victoria, currently deployed in Operation Atalanta in the waters of the Indian Ocean, and the frigate Canarias, which will take over from the Victoria in the short term.

What awaits those who decide to approach Muelle 2? The frigates are identical and share the same characteristics. They all left the Cadiz shipyards and weigh 3,900 tonnes. They measure 138 metres in length, 14.3 metres in beam and 7.5 metres in draught. Their maximum speed is 29 knots, which is approximately 54 kilometres per hour. These frigates have a range of 5,300 miles, or 8,529 kilometres. All are capable of carrying two medium helicopters or, alternatively, Scan Eagle drones.
Juan Soto MARBELLA. Friday, 26 January 2024, 18:02 Compartir Copiar enlace

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All Saints has chosen Marbella to open its first shop in Spain. The English contemporary fashion brand has just opened in Puerto Banus, outside the Marina Banus shopping centre, on the corner opposite El Corte Ingles. Previously American-brand UGG occupied the corner site.

Founded in London in 1994 as a men's clothing brand, All Saints is now a complete fashion shop, with men's and women's collections. The Puerto Banus shop stocks women's clothing, handbags and footwear and is open Monday to Sunday from 10am to 10pm.

The fast-growing company said it had chosen the Puerto Banus location because it is "the most attractive shopping and leisure area on the Mediterranean coast".

The chain currently has 250 shops in over 20 countries. Up to now it has only had an in-store concession in Madrid.
Lorena Cadiz MIJAS. Friday, 26 January 2024, 17:53 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Parking has become a challenge for Mijas Pueblo, which may seem easy to solve, but it is not, for different reasons, including its size, its steep hills and the protected status that it has.

The Virgen de la Pena car park in the heart of the town has 500 spaces, but it is inadequate to meet the needs of tourists.

As well as long-tabled plans to double its size, either by extending it to the north or south, but at a considerable cost of up to 14 million euros for each, a third option has emerged.

The town hall is now in talks with the private developer of a plot in the Santa Ana district of the town.
What is that big tower on the horizon off the Costa del Sol? Readers have commented on the presence of a floating tower several metres high, and SUR has found the explanation

Ignacio Lillo Malaga Friday, 26 January 2024, 14:47 Compartir Copiar enlace

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In the early hours of this Friday morning, many Costa del Sol residents noticed the presence of a large structure in the sea off the coast of Malaga. It was visible from high altitudes behind the city, such as the Gibralfaro, the hills of El Palo, Cerrado de Calderon, El Limonar and Los Montes, and along the coastal motorway and high areas of Benalmadena and Fuengirola, such as El Higueron. Moreover, what was strange was that it seemed to be leaving a line of flat smoke on the horizon.

The jokes were not long in coming in. Several sources consulted during the enquiries of this newspaper joked that it is "the tower of the Qataris [the controversial hotel planned for the port of Malaga] that is already on its way".

So what is it? SUR has contacted the main maritime institutions, such as the port authority and the harbour master's office. Well, it is indeed a ship, but a very special one. Moreover, finding it has not been easy, as it is like looking for a needle in a haystack with the tools for locating ships at sea (such as MarineTraffic or Vessel Finder).

The ship in question, in an archive image. Sur

However the vessel has finally been located, and on Friday lunchtime was off the coast of Fuengirola. It is a very special ship, and in fact its manoeuvres are restricted, according to port sources. It is called Joides Resolution, is 143 metres long and 21 metres wide, and was built in 1978. But what makes it particularly striking (and visible despite the distance at which it sails) is its large 62-metre-high metal-framed tower, which supports drilling machinery. Its destination is a point off the coast of the southern half of Portugal.

And what is it for? The Joides Resolution (or JR) is a scientific research vessel for investigating the depths beneath the seabed. In fact, its powerful drilling system is capable of reaching up to 8,235 metres below the seabed. Its purpose is to extract samples and collect measurements to help scientists study the earth's development, according to its website.

In fact, the site where it is heading, U1385, was already drilled in 2022, but researchers were only able to reach a depth of 400 metres. The current expedition (401) could go deeper to extend its climatic records to older geological periods, according to data provided by the institution itself.

"JR ocean borehole data provide a scientific means to understand climate and environmental change throughout an important part of our planet's history, a research topic often referred to as Earth's paleoclimate," said the institution. "The JR core samples are the smoking gun when it comes to assessing many historical events related to palaeoclimate, solid earth changes and more, such as the extinction of the dinosaurs and plate tectonics, for example."

The research vessel is named after the HMS Resolution, commanded by Captain James Cook more than 200 years ago, which explored the Pacific Ocean, its islands and the Antarctic region. JOIDES is the acronym for 'Joint Oceanographic Institutions for Deep Earth Sampling', representing the original partnership of universities seeking to explore the geology beneath the ocean floor. Today, the ship is used by scientists from hundreds of universities around the world. The crew usually consists of about 50 scientists and technicians and 65 crew members.

Since 2013, it has been serving the International Ocean Discovery Programme and is managed by the JOIDES Resolution Science Operator (JRSO) at Texas A&M University, through funding from the US National Science Foundation.
SANAA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi armed group on Friday said it has launched a new missile attack on a British oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden, setting it on fire.

"Our forces today (Friday) targeted the British oil vessel Marlin Luanda in the Gulf of Aden with several naval missiles. The hit was accurate and caused a fire on the ship," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by the group's al-Masirah TV.

Earlier in the day, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British maritime observer agency, said it received a report of an attack on a vessel 60 nautical miles southwest of Yemen's Aden. It said two missiles exploded near a vessel, adding that the U.S.-Britain maritime coalition had responded to the attack.

In an updated report, the UKMTO said the vessel was struck and caught on fire, adding that the vessel had asked for urgent help.

In the meantime, the U.S. Central Command said earlier on Friday that the Houthi group fired one anti-ship ballistic missile toward the U.S. destroyer USS Carney in the Gulf of Aden.

"The missile was successfully shot down by USS Carney. There were no injuries or damage reported," the Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, said in a post on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter.

Tensions have been rising in the Red Sea, where the Houthis say their attacks on commercial vessels are in solidarity with the Palestinians, while the U.S. and Britain, since Jan. 12, have been launching airstrikes on Houthi targets to deter the militant group from disrupting maritime traffic. 
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Brandon Beane knows its going to be difficult to re-sign some of the teams current free agents and other free agents around the league come March.

As it stands, Buffalo is $43.7 million over the cap. A few restructures and cuts will get Buffalo out of the red, but the Bills general manager knows the team will not be in the market for high end free agents.

I think everyone needs to understand that were gonna be shopping some of those same stores we were shopping last year and were not gonna be on the main street of New York City or whatever those main... where all those high end shopping centers are, Beane told the media on Tuesday.

While Buffalo is not likely to be big spenders in free agency, Beane believes the team can be competitive in 2024.

Were not planning on taking a year off and not being competitive, Beane added in the end of season presser.

Before looking to the outside in free agency, its important to know who the Bills could be losing from their 2023 roster. Below is a look at Buffalos unrestricted free agents, restricted free agents and exclusive rights free agents.

Unrestricted free agents

QB: Kyle Allen

RB: Ty Johnson, Latavius Murray, Damien Harris

WR: Gabriel Davis, Trent Sherfield

OL: David Edwards

DE: Leonard Floyd, A.J. Epenesa, Shaq Lawson

DT: DaQuan Jones, Tim Settle, Jordan Phillips, Poona Ford, Linval Joseph

LB: Tyrel Dodson, Tyler Matakevich

DB: Micah Hyde, Dane Jackson, Taylor Rapp, Cam Lewis

Offensively, the only starter that the Bills are at risk of losing is Gabriel Davis. He has already stated that he plans on testing free agency, but is open to a return. While Davis is a solid player, Buffalo would likely be better off addressing the wide receiver position early in the 2024 draft in an attempt to fill Davis spot while hoping the player can be Stefon Diggs heir apparent.

David Edwards was a key contributor as an extra offensive lineman. Bringing Edwards back into the fold likely wouldnt break the bank. Ty Johnson is also worth considering for a return based on his play in Buffalo, but the Bills already has James Cook and Nyheim Hines under contract so Johnson may not be a top priority.

Defensively, Buffalo could have a tough decision on their hands between Leonard Floyd and A.J. Epenesa. Floyd recorded 10.5 sacks this season, but will turn 32 in September. Epenesa, 25, is coming off of a career-year and may just be scratching the surface as a pass-rusher. He tied his career-high in sacks (6.5) and QB hits (10) while setting career-highs in interceptions (2) and passes defensed (8).

The majority of the defensive tackle roster is also set to hit free agency. DaQuan Jones has been terrific for Buffalo, but the defensive tackle would be wise to test the market before committing to a return. Regardless of whether or not Jones returns, Buffalo needs to address the defensive tackle position in the draft and free agency.

Tyrel Dodson proved his importance as linebacker depth this season, stepping up when injuries plagued the position. At defensive back, Micah Hyde is contemplating retirement. Taylor Rapp came on strong late in the year for the Bills and would be worth re-signing, if the price was right. The same can be said for Dane Jackson as cornerback depth and Cam Lewis, a player who can contribute at cornerback and safety.

Restricted free agents

None

Exclusive rights free agents

TE: Quintin Morris

As an exclusive rights free agent, Morris is likely to be on the Bills roster in 2024. Morris simply needs to be tendered by the team to ensure his return.

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Central New York native Mike Fantasia is being recognized for a decades-long career that includes some of Hollywoods biggest movies.

Fantasia, a 1973 graduate of Auburn High School, received the Unsung Hero award at the American Cinematheques Tribute to the Crafts last week. Its the first time the award has been handed out at the event, and a rare recognition for a behind-the-scenes job in the film industry: Location manager.
Medical patients looking to shop at Sunnyside medical cannabis dispensary in Brooklyns Williamsburg neighborhood are out of luck, as the store has been closed for weeks.

But if they jump on the L train for three stops then transfer to the Q, they can buy at a new adult-use store on Flatbush Avenue  as long as theyre willing to pay adult-use taxes.

Patients in New Yorks medical cannabis program have complained about lacking access to dispensaries  and few product options at those shops  for years, and some believed the situation would improve when the MRTA passed.

But nearly three years after legalization became the law of the land in the Empire State, the issue of patient access remains largely unaddressed  and some patients fear circumstances may not improve anytime soon, as regulators focus on general adult-use licensing.



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Its been very frustrating to watch all these other adult-use stores open, especially in areas where the closest medical location they can access is hours away by car, said Tim Mitchell, a medical cannabis patient and advocate.

That, I think, is definitely an ongoing frustration in the medical cannabis community, Mitchell said.

When NY Cannabis Insider reached out to Cresco Labs, which owns the Sunnyside dispensary, to inquire about the stores status, a spokesperson said its closed, but provided no other details.

As it says online, the store is temporarily closed, and we do not currently have a timeline for reopening, but will update that message for patients when we do, Cresco Chief Communications Officer Jason Erkes said in an email.

According to data from the Office of Cannabis Management, two other medical dispensaries are currently operating in Brooklyn, and next week The Travel Agency  the adult-use dispensary formerly known as Union Square Travel Agency  is opening its Flatbush Ave. adult-use shop. Medical cannabis patients appear to be taking a back-seat to the adult-use market, Mitchell said.

A look at the numbers of registered patients, medical dispensaries and adult-use weed stores in recent years seem to bolster that impression.

New York lawmakers passed the MRTA in March of 2021, about a year after Sunnyside opened in Brooklyn. Around that time, New York State had more than 151,000 certified medical patients.

That number has since dropped to a little over 120,400, according to OCM data  almost a 30,000-patient drop, and about 2,000 fewer than last February.

According to the OCM, fewer than 40 medical dispensaries  including Sunnyside  currently operate statewide, which means the state likely hasnt added any new medical shops since at least January of 2022.

Additionally, medical dispensaries are still barred by regulations from carrying concentrated cannabis products like shatter and rosin. Mitchell said he and other patients assumed these restrictions would be lifted from medical shops, but that hasnt yet panned out.

Weve waited so long to have additional retail locations, additional brands to access, additional types of products, Mitchell said. I genuinely dont know if it was an accident or by design.

The Travel Agency dispensary on Flatbush Ave. will initially stock a slate of inventory similar to its Manhattan location, and then will use customer purchasing data to curate its offerings, said Paul Yau, the companys CEO. That includes concentrate products that medical dispensaries are unable to sell.

The Brooklyn store is currently operating out of a 3,500-square-foot popup shop while crews finish the buildout of its 4,800-square-foot permanent store, located next to the pop-up, Yau said. The store will cater to a wide demographic of customers  people in their 20s to elderly customers  who may also take pictures at the sleek entrance, which Yau said will look Instagrammable.

Its going to be pretty iconic, Yau said.

Mitchell said hes happy to see dispensaries licensed under New Yorks Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary program succeed, but thinks its disheartening that medical dispensaries have remained more or less stagnant in number and quality.

One way Mitchell believes could improve the situation for medical patients makes him a bit uncomfortable to say: the state should prioritize licensing more medical cannabis Registered Organizations. Mitchell supports New York-based weed businesses  and has issues with the way some large national vertically integrated companies operate. But he also believes taking a hard line against MSOs hurts patients, who buy products from these companies.

I say that kind of through gritted teeth, Mitchell said of advocating for prioritizing licensing more ROs. Were basically looking for more well-capitalized MSOs to enter the market.

Many small business advocates within New Yorks cannabis industry argue that the state should avoid issuing RO licenses, and focus instead on licensing New York retailers  most of which are adult-use, Mitchell said.

Its be great if the OCM would allow medical patients to shop at adult-use stores without paying taxes from which medical patients are exempted, Miller said. But that policy doesnt currently exist in New York, and patients still need access to their medicine, he said.

Unfortunately, the sound arguments and the bad arguments for and against the ROs, it just creates a lot of noise, Mitchell said. Unfortunately, the patients, were kind of forgotten about.
A Central New York business owned by a white man has filed a lawsuit against New Yorks cannabis management agency accusing it of racial and gender bias.

The business, Valencia AG of Jamesville, claims the social and economic equity provisions in the states licensing of cannabis businesses violate the U.S. Constitutions equal protection clause by giving preference to women and people of color. The lawsuit, filed this week in U.S. District Court in Syracuse, names the states Office of Cannabis Management, its director and its board members as defendants.
By Ashley Hupfl | The Daily Gazette, Schenectady

Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders reaffirmed their commitment to make sure New York State remains a safe haven for abortion rights at Planned Parenthoods day of action at the state Capitol on Wednesday.

Planned Parenthood advocates spent the day in Albany speaking to state lawmakers about protecting and expanding access to sexual and reproductive health care. Kicking off the event, Planned Parenthood advocate Oriana Acevedo spoke of her experience self-inducing an abortion in the Dominican Republic, where abortion is illegal in all cases, and spending time in a hospital where doctors withheld food in order to coerce her into motherhood. She said at the time, she was living with an abusive partner.

No one should have to go through what I went through and what Ive lived through. In other countries in the world, so many people  especially women of color  suffer as they try to take control of their hearts and make their own bodies, she said. No matter your circumstances, you deserve autonomy over your own body. We have an opportunity here in New York for a brighter future where all people, no matter what, have access to care they deserve.

The event follows the 51st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision on Monday. In remembrance, both houses of the state Legislature passed a package of bills to boost reproductive freedom and combat maternal mortality.

Speaking after Acevedo, Hochul recapped some of the actions the state has taken to protect abortion access since Roe was overturned in June 2022, including increasing funding for abortion providers to potentially handle an influx of patients from outside the state and passing protections for providers who could be potentially sued or charged from out-of-state.

For the first time, the march toward progress and further rights in our nation took many steps backwards. Weve never seen that before, Hochul said. And we didnt just take that. We stood up. We gathered together. And I want to thank the leaders of the Legislature  our Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Carl Heastie our Speaker, for banding together with their conferences, coming together and saying that we will make sure that we that every woman in New York knows that her rights are protected now and forever.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins also spoke at the event. Both reminded would-be voters that the Equal Rights Amendment will be on the ballot this November, which will codify a series of protections against discrimination, including the right to an abortion, into the state constitution.

Voters in 2021 rejected three Democratic-backed ballot propositions that would have amended the states constitution to allow for same-day and no-excuse absentee voting and change the states redistricting process. This year, New York Democrats have pledged $20 million to push for the ballots passage through public awareness campaigns.

In support of reproductive rights, many advocates and supporters wore bright pink in support. While addressing the crowd, Stewart-Cousins noted she didnt want to have to wear pink anymore.

I mean, I love it. I love the color and w e all coordinated, but rarely do I have to show up every day and fight for the same thing every day, every week, every month, every year, she said. Every time somebody gets the idea that women dont have the right to have bodily autonomy and make decisions that are imperative to be made personally with their doctors.

Stewart-Cousins also reflected upon sponsoring the Reproductive Health Act in 2007, when Republicans had control of the state Senate. She said her Republican colleagues criticized her for carrying legislation that was settled law. The state Legislature passed the Reproductive Health Act in 2019, which codified the Roe. v. Wade decision into state law.

Fast forward to 2019 when I got to be the first female leader of a conference to actually do that  and here we are, the Democrat said, noting no Republicans voted in favor of the measure. But, I tell you the history so you remember, that it always hasnt been been this way. That some days, we had some very, very dark days. Some days there were very, very few of us. Sometimes it looked very bleak. But, the forces of justice, the forces of doing the right thing, the forces of information and the coalition of people who understand that we are not going backwards. We are not going backwards is what continues to propel us forward.

___

(c)2024 The Daily Gazette, Schenectady, N.Y.

Visit The Daily Gazette, Schenectady, N.Y. at www.dailygazette.com
KAMPALA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Friday marked the 38th NRM Liberation Day when the party National Resistance Movement (NRM) overthrew the then sitting government and took over power in 1986 after a five-year guerrilla war in the east African country.

President Yoweri Museveni who led the guerrilla war presided over the celebrations held at St. John Wakitaka Secondary School Playgrounds in the eastern city of Jinja.

The function, which was broadcast live, was held under the theme, "Building a country we all cherish" in line with the ruling NRM party's Manifesto of 2021-26 "Secure the Future of all Ugandans."

"As we commemorate the 38th Anniversary of NRM's victory, I want to assure everybody including our visitors and investors that Uganda will remain a peaceful, secure and prosperous country," he said.

The president said his government will focus on offering free education, provision of healthcare services, and creating opportunities for wealth creation and jobs for the young people in the country.

A total of 53 personalities were decorated and awarded with medals in recognition of their contribution to the liberation struggles in the country.

At least 800 dignitaries including foreign diplomats and thousands of ruling party members and supporters attended the celebrations, according to the national organizing committee. 
New Paltz, N.Y.  A college student was killed in a hit-and-run crash this week in Upstate New York while walking home from class, deputies said.

Raymond E. Rattray was walking on the shoulder of Route 208 in the town of New Paltz around 5:11 p.m. Tuesday when he was hit by a southbound car, the Ulster County Sheriffs Office said in a news release.

The damaged car fled, deputies said. Rattrays body was not discovered for 20 hours.

Rattray, of New York City, was 22 years old.

Our community mourns the loss of Ray Rattray, SUNY New Paltz wrote in a statement.

Rattray was a philosophy major, an Educational Opportunity Program student and a member of the mens rugby team. He was also a friend to many fellow New Paltz Hawks, the college wrote.

The vehicle involved in the hit-and-run has been described as a dark-colored sedan. Deputies said the car was left with front-end damage on its passenger side.

Deputies have asked anyone who witnessed the accident or has information about the deadly crash to call a detective at (845) 338-3640 or the confidential tip line at (845) 340-3599.

The sheriffs office is being assisted by the New York State Police, the Ulster County District Attorneys Office, SUNY New Paltz Police and the New Paltz Police Department.
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BIA Innovator Campus officially opens in Athenry following 8m+ Capital Investment

Irelands first National Centre of Excellence dedicated to supporting start up, micro and small food businesses was officially opened by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Athenry, Co. Galway today, Friday, 26th January.

Pictured at the launch of BIA Innovator Campus were from (L to R): Mark Fenelon, Brendan Lyons, Anne Kinsella, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Ciara McDonagh, Alan Phelan, Michael Diskin.

BIA Innovator Campus will be a game changer for Galway and the Atlantic Economic corridor. The state-of-the-art incubation and food production facilities, alongside the business and technical supports provided, will enhance the strength, resilience and innovation of new and existing food businesses in Ireland.

Galway, January 2024  Irelands first National Centre of Excellence dedicated to supporting start up, micro and small food businesses was officially opened by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Athenry, Co. Galway today, Friday, 26th January. BIA Innovator Campus will drive regional and national growth in Irelands agri-food sector and is designed to facilitate the launch and development of new and existing food businesses at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey.

The impressive new state of the art campus, which spans 3 buildings over 23,000 square feet, is co-located on the Teagasc, Athenry Campus and is the first of its kind in Ireland. Addressing the food communitys specific need for food grade workspace, the campus offers 4 fully kitted-out pay-per-use production units and 12 independent own door production units for lease.

The campus also comprises a 60-seat auditorium with culinary demonstration space, 14 station Culinary Training Centre, 12 hot desks to allow BIA tenants and non-tenants to work, a podcast studio, a showcase room, and a range of meeting rooms available for rent to tenants and non-tenants alike.

In addition to these facilities, the BIA Innovator Campus team also provide a powerful mix of technical, innovation and commercial supports to the food community and benefits from direct links to research, development, and innovation within the Teagasc Food Programme.

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who officially opened the new campus today said: Congratulations to BIA Innovator on their new state-of-the-art Campus which is unique in bringing food sector incubation and innovation together in one location. This provides considerable benefits to individual companies and entrepreneurs working here in Athenry, in Galway and the West, and will also contribute to the national development of our most important indigenous sector  agri-food. Irish food producers have an enviable reputation for quality at home and around the world. As the country and the sector transitions towards more sustainable production, it is essential that we increase the value of our food in order to maintain rural and regional jobs.

Speaking at the launch Elaine Donohue, General Manager of the BIA Innovator Campus said Our focus at BIA is to help facilitate strong business and manufacturing foundations for Irelands micro and small food producers. Teaching good standards at an early stage will assist in growing sustainable livelihoods and achieving business goals. We have seen from Bord Bias most recent Export Performance and Prospects report that Irelands food and drink exports are now valued at 16.3b. Its an exciting time to be a part of this buoyant sector and we are delighted to now officially open the campus offering affordable access to production spaces, knowledge, and innovation resources

More than 8 million has been provided in capital funding from Enterprise Ireland, Department of Rural and Community Development, Galway County Council, Teagasc, Galway Rural Development/LEADER and the Western Development Commission to deliver the project. The BIA Innovator Campus has the highest impact collaboration of public, industry, community, and education backing assembled to date in the Irish food sector.

In addition to the impressive on-site spaces, the BIA Innovator Campus will host a calendar of in-house events as well as facilitating several education and training courses delivered by the Galway Roscommon Education Training Board. Looking to build knowledge, relationships, and opportunities outside of Ireland, the BIA Innovator Campus is currently active in the EU project sphere and working on a number of European food and entrepreneurship-focused Erasmus+ and Interreg projects.

Enterprise Ireland Chairman Michael Carey said: BIA Innovator Campus will be a game changer for Galway and the Atlantic Economic corridor. The state-of-the-art incubation and food production facilities, alongside the business and technical supports provided, will enhance the strength, resilience and innovation of new and existing food businesses in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland has been proud to support BIA Innovator with funding of more than 5m, mainly through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF), to support the growth of the indigenous food sector.

Representing Galway County Council at the launch, the Chief Executive Liam Conneally spoke of the importance of the facility as a driver for the food industry for the region, the importance of the Galway Local Enterprise Office in supporting clients of BIA and the opportunity it represents for Athenry to be firmly placed as a centre of food innovation for the future.

Speaking at the launch in Athenry, Chief Operations Officer in Teagasc Alan Phelan said: We are delighted to be working with all the partners in this new BIA Innovator Campus, which will provide food companies and budding entrepreneurs with the facilities and expertise to develop their ideas and new food products and grow their businesses. Strategically located in Athenry in the west of Ireland, it complements the suite of facilities in the Teagasc Food Programme at its other locations.

BIA Innovator Campus is a not-for-profit CLG company benefiting from a high-profile, voluntary Board of Directors led by chairperson Peter Feeney.
The latest development on the European Union's Digital Markets Act taking effect is Epic Games' famed battle royale game, Fortnite, coming back to the iOS, but not through the Apple App Store. This would be through the third-party platform called the 'Epic Store' which will arrive later this year, but amidst this development, Epic's CEO Tim Sweeney is throwing massive shade against Apple.

In these new statements from the Epic Games CEO, he regarded Apple's new policy for third-party app stores to be anti-competitive, going as far as to say it is illegal.

Epic Games Throw Shade to Apple for Third-Party App Stores

Throughout the day, Epic's Tim Sweeney threw massive shade against Apple for what it will allegedly ask developers to pay if they launch their apps to third-party platforms and offer sideloading. In a series of posts and reposts via X, Sweeney claimed how this new move of Apple is to "thwart" the Digital Markets Act law, going as far as saying that this is an "instance of Malicious Compliance."

They are forcing developers to choose between App Store exclusivity and the store terms, which will be illegal under DMA, or accept a new also-illegal anticompetitive scheme rife with new Junk Fees on downloads and new Apple taxes on payments they don't process.

Sweeney said that Apple proposes to choose which stores could compete with the App Store and would block who it wants to. This came after Apple announced the changes coming to the iOS and App Store in the EU.

Read Also: Fortnite x Metal Gear Solid: Raiden is Now Available Alongside Solid Snake

Apple's plan to thwart Europe's new Digital Markets Act law is a devious new instance of Malicious Compliance.



They are forcing developers to choose between App Store exclusivity and the store terms, which will be illegal under DMA, or accept a new also-illegal anticompetitive  Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) January 25, 2024

Fortnite is Returning to iOS via Epic Games Store

Sweeney's post also came after Fortnite's X account announced the return of the hit battle royale game to the iOS, but only for the EU region. He claimed that this would be through the upcoming Epic Games Store for the mobile platforms, looking to be the top multi-platform software that would only charge zero percent to 12 percent fees.

Fortnite's Ban on iOS and Upcoming Return

Since August 2020, Fortnite faced a ban on iOS thanks to its move to provide a third-party payment option for various in-app purchases via the platform, and this was the same case for Google's Android. This led to Epic Games losing as many as 116 million players on the platform, with both companies launching a massive case against the other for what happened.

In the most recent developments for Epic and Apple's case, both petitions were denied by the US Supreme Court for their respective appeals to the decision, but a win for third-party iOS payment channels.

Still, Epic Games has a silver lining for bringing back Fortnite to the iOS and this is through the EU's sweeping legislation known as the DMA that now allows third-party app stores and sideloading for the region.

There is a massive plan for Epic as it will bring its renowned PC-based app distributing platform, the Epic Games Store, to arrive on the iOS and Android platforms thanks to the DMA. This makes it possible for Fortnite to return to iOS as sideloading would be asked of the company, but Sweeney is not yet done with his fight against Apple, especially with its alleged plan to charge developers a fee for this offer.

Related Article: Report: Apple to Charge Developers Who Offer Sideloading Amidst EU's DMA

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
FTC is delving into the investments made by tech giants in AI companies OpenAI and Anthropic. This investigation reflects a growing interest in understanding the intricate financial relationships between established cloud service providers and burgeoning AI startups.

(Photo : Ian Hutchinson from Unsplash)

FTC wants companies to stop manipulating customers by delaying or not cancelling physical or online subscription.

Initiating an Investigation

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an investigation into the financial entanglements between major tech corporations and smaller AI firms, specifically focusing on cloud service providers like Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic.

Letters from the FTC have been dispatched to Alphabet, Amazon, Anthropic, Microsoft, and OpenAI, compelling these entities to elucidate the ramifications of their investments on the competitive dynamics within the generative AI sector.

The Verge reported that the commission aims to meticulously scrutinize corporate partnerships and financial ventures involving AI providers to enhance its understanding of these intricate relationships and their potential impacts on industry competition.

Notably, Google and Amazon have made investments in Anthropic, while Microsoft maintains a close financial association with OpenAI.

The FTC is seeking detailed information on the specific terms of investment agreements, examining how these collaborations influence product launches and oversight privileges.

Additionally, the commission is interested in an analysis of the effects of these investments on market share, competition, and potential sales growth within the AI sector.

The inquiry also delves into whether there is competition for resources in the development of AI products and seeks information that companies may have disclosed to other government entities.

Also Read: DOJ, FTC Entangled in Jurisdiction Dispute Over Microsoft's Open AI partnership

FTC stated in its press release that the companies are given a 45-day window to respond to the regulatory agency's inquiries. Rima Alalily, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President of the Competition and Market Regulation Group, emphasized the global leadership of the United States in AI.

Alalily highlighted the collaborative efforts among significant American companies, such as Microsoft and OpenAI, as drivers of competition and innovation. Microsoft expresses eagerness to cooperate with the FTC by supplying the necessary information for the completion of its study.

Securing Funding from Major Corporations

Both Anthropic and OpenAI secured substantial funding from major corporations. Microsoft stands out as the primary investor in OpenAI, having been rumored to invest a significant $10 billion.

This financial association led to Microsoft's active involvement on OpenAI's board in a nonvoting observer role, particularly following the unsuccessful attempt to oust CEO Sam Altman, who then briefly joined Microsoft.

The close collaboration paved the way for Microsoft to integrate GPT-4-powered applications into its Copilot service.

In a separate investment scenario, Amazon injected $4 billion into Anthropic in September, while Google secured a 10 percent stake in the company through a $300 million investment in February.

AI developers frequently form partnerships with cloud providers like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon to access cost-effective resources, such as GPUs and processors essential for training, running, and refining large language models.

The government has displayed keen interest in investigating the intricate relationship between OpenAI and Microsoft. Allegedly, there have been disagreements between government entities, with the Department of Justice, over the initiation of the inquiry.

Related Article: Microsoft Extends Partnership with OpenAI, to Work on 'Supercomputing at Scale'-For How Much?

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The U.S. Army is gearing up for a substantial enhancement of its military capabilities with a major upgrade to the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV).

(Photo : CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

A badge of the US flag is seen on the uniform of a female US soldier as she stands near tanks at the United States Army military training base in Grafenwoehr, southern Germany, on July 13, 2022.

Modernizing Armored Vehicle

RTX's Raytheon has successfully secured a $154 million contract to implement the Commander's Independent Viewer (CIV) across the Bradley Fighting Vehicle fleet.

Interesting Engineering reported that this strategic move is part of the Army's ongoing efforts to modernize its armored vehicles, aiming to bolster crew awareness and effectiveness on the battlefield.

The Commander's Independent Viewer (CIV) is expected to bring a significant technological leap, providing advanced systems that enhance the overall functionality of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

With this $154 million contract in place, the U.S. Army anticipates the initial batch of upgraded systems to be delivered by June 2026.

This upgrade marks a crucial step in the Army's commitment to staying at the forefront of military technology, ensuring that its armored fleet remains equipped with cutting-edge capabilities for addressing contemporary security challenges.

As per RTX, The integration of the CIV is poised to elevate the Army's vehicular capabilities, offering improved situational awareness and operational effectiveness in diverse and dynamic battlefield scenarios.

CIV is a sophisticated sight system designed to enhance the operational capabilities of the U.S. Army's Bradley Fighting Vehicle. It incorporates second-generation forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras and sensors, providing comprehensive 360-degree oversight and targeting capabilities on the battlefield.

Also Read: US Army Grants Operational Capability to Northrop Grumman's Integrated Battle Command System

Bryan Rosselli, President of Advanced Products and Solutions at Raytheon, highlighted the holistic nature of the CIV system, describing it as a combination of multiple components working in tandem to elevate the survivability and battlefield performance of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

Emphasizing key functionalities, Rosselli noted that the CIV offers early threat detection, a panoramic battlefield view, and all-weather performance, empowering vehicle commanders to effectively locate, identify, and engage both stationary and moving targets in any environmental condition, be it day or night.

Significant Advancement

Raytheon's CIV represents a significant advancement within its FLIR product family, as reported by Space Daily.

Drawing from the knowledge gained through the development and production of over 25,000 second-generation FLIR sensors over the past two decades, Raytheon has leveraged this experience in the creation of the third-generation FLIR sensor.

The enduring legacy of Raytheon's FLIR technology spans more than half a century, underscoring its reliability and continuous evolution.

Rosselli's statement underscores the multifaceted capabilities of the CIV system, reinforcing its role in enhancing threat detection, providing a comprehensive battlefield view, and ensuring operational effectiveness in all weather conditions.

Raytheon's recent undertaking is poised to elevate the effectiveness of the Bradley Fighting Vehicles, underscoring the firm's steadfast dedication to pushing the boundaries of military technology.

The incorporation of CIV systems into the Bradley Vehicles represents a substantial leap forward, markedly amplifying the U.S. Army's capabilities in reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat. This strategic move is instrumental in positioning the army at the forefront of cutting-edge warfare technologies.

Related Article: US Army to Replace Cold War Fleet of Prop-Driven Recon Aircraft With Bombardier Business Jet

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This photo taken on Jan. 27, 2024 shows the Africa Prosperity Dialogue in Ghana's Eastern Region. African leaders attending the Africa Prosperity Dialogue in Ghana have urged the continent to propel industrialization to achieve prosperity at a faster pace.

The three-day dialogue, which kicked off Thursday in Ghana's Eastern Region, brought together many African leaders, experts, and stakeholders to delve into road maps for the continent's prosperity. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

ACCRA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- African leaders attending the ongoing Africa Prosperity Dialogue in Ghana have urged the continent to propel industrialization to achieve prosperity at a faster pace.

The three-day dialogue, which kicked off Thursday in Ghana's Eastern Region, brought together many African leaders, experts, and stakeholders to delve into road maps for the continent's prosperity.

Speaking during the dialogue, Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said, "Without the capacity to industrialize, add value to our raw materials, and invest to build the social, digital, economic and physical infrastructures to connect our peoples and businesses to customers across Africa, intra-Africa trade would remain at the negligible lows that it has always been."

Akufo-Addo said Africa still needs to develop efficient transportation and logistics infrastructure, streamline trade processes, and embrace digital technologies to facilitate payments in cross-border transactions, to unlock the full potential of trade within the continent.

The president added that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would create opportunities for businesses to expand beyond their borders, driving economic growth and creating a more integrated and interconnected continent.

Akufo-Addo urged participants at the dialogue to critically examine the responsibilities and expectations of the private sector, demand the same of the public sector, and assess how both sides can work as partners to achieve "an Africa we want."

AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene also said the collective aspiration of a prosperous Africa can only be achieved through enhanced production, value addition, and trade within the African continent.

Since the private sector is the pillar for achieving these goals, Mene said the AfCFTA Secretariat has been working to create the necessary conditions and environment for the private sector and economic operators to prosper.

He said the secretariat identified sectors such as agriculture, the automotive industry, the pharmaceutical industry, transport and logistics, which would combine to create and establish a market to attract at least 130 billion U.S. dollars worth of investments into the value chain development.

"It is crucial to deepen the one Africa market and prioritize products made in Africa. This approach is not just about reducing our dependence on imports from other countries; it is about actively producing and exporting goods that generate employment within Africa," Mene stressed.

Adding his voice to the calls, Joachim Chissano, former president of Mozambique, urged African governments and private sectors to build systems that would produce and add value to the products to feed Africans, and reduce hunger and poverty on the continent.

The Africa Prosperity Dialogue, organized by the AfCFTA Secretariat and the African Prosperity Network, a think tank, serves as an annual platform for Africa's leadership to engage, forge partnerships, and commit to achieving the African Union's Agenda 2063. 

Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo speaks at the Africa Prosperity Dialogue in Ghana's Eastern Region, Jan. 27, 2024. African leaders attending the Africa Prosperity Dialogue in Ghana have urged the continent to propel industrialization to achieve prosperity at a faster pace.

The three-day dialogue, which kicked off Thursday in Ghana's Eastern Region, brought together many African leaders, experts, and stakeholders to delve into road maps for the continent's prosperity. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretary-General Wamkele Mene speaks at the Africa Prosperity Dialogue in Ghana's Eastern Region, Jan. 27, 2024. African leaders attending the Africa Prosperity Dialogue in Ghana have urged the continent to propel industrialization to achieve prosperity at a faster pace.

The three-day dialogue, which kicked off Thursday in Ghana's Eastern Region, brought together many African leaders, experts, and stakeholders to delve into road maps for the continent's prosperity. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)
The latest changes on OpenAI's renowned multi-model large language model, GPT-4 Turbo, are in the latest update released by the company. It said that in this update, the GPT-4 Turbo LLM now gets past the "laziness" bug that has been affecting its generations and outputs for users, especially as many complain about the AI not completing the task it was given.

OpenAI's latest update answers a key issue to the current GPT-4 Turbo, the LLM under the Preview Version, but does not update the other versions of the models.

OpenAI Brings Updated GPT-4 Turbo to Answer 'Laziness' Issue

In the latest blog post by OpenAI, the company addressed the issue of AI laziness found on its systems, and it now delivers an update for GPT-4 Turbo to surpass this bug which prevented it from completing its tasks.

According to OpenAI, "This model completes tasks like code generation more thoroughly than the previous preview model and is intended to reduce cases of "laziness" where the model doesn't complete a task. The new model also includes the fix for the bug impacting non-English UTF-8 generations."

GPT-4 Turbo is known for being in the preview version of the system, available for those under the paid subscription and beta experience by the company.

Read Also: OpenAI, Sam Altman AI Hardware, Chips Coming? Looking to Raise Billions for Venture

GPT-4 Turbo Update: No Updates for Other LLM Versions

OpenAI said that GPT-4 Turbo with vision is coming in general availability in the upcoming months, bringing this solution to laziness for all users. However, for those who are using the GPT-4 or GPT-3.5 versions only, users may still experience the AI laziness issue as these did not get the same update the company provided the latest development.

OpenAI's GPT-4 and What it Brings to Users

Back in the inaugural OpenAI DevDay in San Francisco, California last November, the removed and reinstated CEO, Sam Altman, introduced the world to the latest version of its LLM, the GPT-4 Turbo. Having a turbo slapped onto a name means it is faster and more capable of delivering features, and that is exactly what OpenAI meant when it teased the LLM.

This expands more of its current version of the LLM, GPT-4, saying that this version is more powerful and equipped to give users better information, updated until April 2023's data.

Moreover, OpenAI's renowned partner, Microsoft, also announced in December that it is upgrading the Copilot AI experience with the GPT-4 Turbo.

AI Laziness is an issue that chatbots and generative AI systems manifest, and this is evidenced by its reluctance to accomplish a prompt requested by a user, found in GPT-4's versions. OpenAI wants to change this for all, but its latest update started with the GPT-4 Turbo's issues, with the other versions like GPT-4 and GPT-3.5 still facing this problem found on ChatGPT and the rest.

Related Article: FTC Launches Investigation into Big Tech's Investments in AI, With Google, Amazon, and Microsoft Under Scrutiny

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Russian national Vladimir Dunaev has received a prison sentence of more than five years for his alleged involvement in developing the notorious Trickbot malware, a malicious tool widely utilized for extorting businesses, including hospitals, during the COVID pandemic.

According to AFP, the disclosure of this information by the US Justice Department sheds light on the profound impact of cybercriminal activities that specifically targeted crucial sectors.

Russian National Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison

Hailing from Amur Oblast in Russia, Dunaev, 40, was extradited from South Korea to the United States in 2021. In November of the same year, he admitted guilt to conspiracy charges related to computer fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, and bank fraud.

The recent sentencing, conducted by a judge in Ohio, led to a prison term of five years and four months for Dunaev. The Russian national found himself among nine individuals, some reportedly connected to Russian intelligence services, indicted in the US for their roles in the Trickbot scheme, which was effectively dismantled in 2022.

The Justice Department disclosed that Dunaev offered specialized services and technical expertise crucial for advancing the Trickbot operation.

Read Also: Microsoft Explains Why TrickBot Commonly Targets MikroTik Routers-Launching New Anti-Malware Tool

Trickbot Malware

The Trickbot malware and its associated ransomware program Conti were responsible for the attacks on hundreds of targets in the US and over 30 other countries since 2016.

The malware not only disrupted computer systems but also stole bank account logins and passwords, leading to substantial financial losses for victims.

US Attorney Rebecca Lutzko emphasized the severity of Dunaev's actions, saying that he developed malicious ransomware and deployed it to target American hospitals, schools, and businesses.

The consequences of such attacks were far-reaching, causing widespread disruption and financial damage by infecting millions of computers globally, according to Lutzko. Trickbot's activities, as outlined in the indictments, included targeting hospitals and healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cybercriminals would infiltrate computer systems, encrypt data, and demand significant ransoms, often in cryptocurrency, to restore access to the compromised systems.

Notable incidents included the attack on three medical facilities in Minnesota, which caused disruptions to computer networks and telephones, leading to ambulance diversions.

In another instance, a local government in a Tennessee town faced a ransomware attack in July 2020, impacting emergency medical services and the police department, according to AFP.

A virtual incursion in May 2021 against Scripps Health, a California hospital network, also affected 24 facilities. Dunaev's sentencing comes after Alla Witte, a Latvian national and another Trickbot group member, admitted guilt to conspiracy charges associated with computer fraud.

Witte reportedly contributed to crafting code for Trickbot and laundered ransomware proceeds, eventually leading to a two-year and eight-month prison term.

Related Article: TrickBot Malware: NEW VNC Module Features Effective Monitoring, Data Gathering Capabilities, Cybersecuriy Experts Warn

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the first AI-powered handheld medical device to assist physicians in detecting common skin cancers.

This technology aims to offer a more accurate way of detecting all three common skin cancers, namely basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

Real-Time, Non-Invasive Detector of Skin Cancers

DermaSensor, the innovative company behind the device, recently announced the FDA clearance for its real-time, non-invasive skin cancer evaluation system.

This milestone provides 300,000 primary care physicians in the US with a tool for quantitative, point-of-care testing for all skin cancer types to improve skin cancer identification in primary care and accelerate patient access to essential treatment.

The significance of this achievement is emphasized by the fact that one in five Americans is expected to experience some form of skin cancer by the age of 70.

Treating skin cancers in the US costs an estimated $8.1 billion annually, with around 5.5 million new cases each year. However, early detection can cure 99 percent of skin cancers, including potentially fatal melanoma, according to DermaSensor.

With DermaSensor's AI-powered spectroscopy technology, physicians are anticipated to noninvasively evaluate suspicious skin lesions for cancer. The wireless handheld device is expected to deliver an unbiased result using an FDA-cleared algorithm.

FDA Study

Findings from an FDA study with over 1,000 patients led by the Mayo Clinic across 22 study centers highlighted the device's impressive performance.

The study demonstrated a sensitivity of 96 percent across all 224 skin cancers, while a negative result indicated a 97 percent likelihood of the lesion being benign for all skin cancers.

In a companion clinical utility study involving 108 physicians, the DermaSensor device effectively halved missed skin cancer cases, enhancing physicians' accuracy and confidence in evaluating cancerous lesions.

Cody Simmons, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of DermaSensor, commented on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in healthcare, especially when coupled with advanced technologies like spectroscopy and genetic sequencing.

Simmons expressed pride in the first FDA-cleared device, which offers primary care physicians an automated tool for evaluating suspicious lesions.

Read Also: Moderna, Merck's Groundbreaking Melanoma Treatment Shows Promise in Combination Therapy Study

Medical Milestone

The advantages of this innovation reach beyond primary care physicians to dermatologists, fostering enhanced collaboration between the two fields.

DermaSensor is positioned to improve coordination between primary care and dermatology, streamlining prioritized referrals and increasing the number of referrals for patients with skin cancer.

"Achieving this medical milestone is a testament to the 12 years and tens of millions of dollars our company has invested in research and development to bring this powerful technology to market," said Dr. Maurice Ferre, co-founder and chairman of DermaSensor.

"We are incredibly grateful to the FDA for their collaboration and dedication to this area starting with our first FDA pre-submission meeting in 2016. Having begun patient enrollment in our FDA pivotal study in mid-2020, we are now ecstatic to have clearance of our FDA-Breakthrough Designated De Novo submission," he added.

Related Article: World's Smallest Skin Cancer Now a Guinness World Record! Almost Invisible to the Naked Eye

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Samsung's latest Galaxy S24 series has shattered pre-sale records in Korea, breaking not only the pre-sale record for Galaxy S phones but also establishing a new daily average pre-order sales record via Android Authority.

The much-anticipated Galaxy S24 series, unveiled just last week, boasts cutting-edge features, with Galaxy AI emerging as a standout performer.

Galaxy S24 Series Breaking Pre-Sales Records in Korea

Maeil Business News reported that the Galaxy S24 series garnered an impressive 1.21 million units in pre-sales within a week, eclipsing the performance of its predecessor. This Galaxy S23 series achieved 1.09 million units in a similar timeframe.

Notably, this exceptional pre-sale performance places the Galaxy S24 series as the highest-grossing pre-sale for the entire Galaxy S lineup.

The daily average pre-order sales record makes this achievement even more remarkable, with the Galaxy S24 series clocking in an impressive 173,000 units per day.

This achievement surpasses the previous record held by the Galaxy Note 10 series, which boasted 125,000 units per day during its pre-sale period. Although the Note 10 series still holds Samsung's overall pre-sale record, the Galaxy S24 series has set a new standard for daily sales averages.

Galaxy AI's Success

Delving into consumer preferences, Android Authority tells us that the Galaxy S24 Ultra emerged as the crowd favorite during the pre-sale bonanza, commanding a substantial 60% share of the total devices sold.

Following closely behind, the Galaxy S24 Plus secured a commendable 21%, while the base Galaxy S24 accounted for 19% of the pre-orders. Color preferences were also unveiled, with Titanium Gray reigning supreme for the S24 Ultra and Marble Gray proving to be the top choice for the S24 and S24 Plus models.

Read Also: Google Pixel 8a Leak Shows its Potential Retail Box: What Does it Include?

The success of the Galaxy S24 series is attributed, in part, to the introduction of Galaxy AI functionality. Samsung's Galaxy AI, a highlight of the S24 series, boasts an impressive suite of features, including text translation, messenger translation, conversion of recorded files to text, and real-time interpretation supporting 13 languages.

This enhanced usability and powerful overall performance have resonated strongly with consumers, contributing to the record-breaking pre-sales.

What's Next?

While pre-sale customers eagerly await the arrival of their devices beginning on the 26th, the official in-store release is set for the 31st.

The challenge for Samsung now is to maintain this momentum, particularly with rivals like Apple leading the market in annual shipments. The tech world is eager to see if the Galaxy S24 series can maintain its stellar performance in the coming months.

Samsung's Galaxy S24 series has not only broken pre-sales records, but it has also demonstrated the brand's commitment to innovation, with Galaxy AI taking center stage in attracting customers.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max: Which is the Ultimate Smartphone?

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The Post Office Horizon scandal, which has been simmering for over a decade, has taken center stage as a High Court judge found the system error-ridden.

This scandal, now recognized as one of the biggest public sector IT crises in democratic nations, involves the Post Office's controversial Horizon computer system, Fujitsu's pivotal role, and the harrowing experiences of hundreds of subpostmasters.

Post Office's Attempt to Conceal Faults

At the heart of the controversy is the Post Office's attempt to prevent forensic computer expert Jason Coyne from thoroughly inspecting the Horizon system.

ComputerWeekly tells us that the court-ordered inspection, meant to shed light on alleged errors causing accounting shortfalls, faced obstacles as Post Office representatives insisted on a limited interpretation of the term 'inspect.'

Coyne's encounters, reminiscent of a comedy film, revealed an unsettling resistance, raising suspicions of potential system concealment.

Coyne shared, "They were standing in front of me and not allowing me to touch the keyboard, printer, or screen. It was madness and a complete waste of time."

Coyne's encounter with the Post Office was not an isolated incident; the office's reluctance to provide investigators access to the Horizon system dates back to 2003.

Read Also: FTC Launches Investigation into Big Tech's Investments in AI, With Google, Amazon, and Microsoft Under Scrutiny





Fujitsu's Role and Repercussions

Fujitsu, the tech partner for the Horizon project, is now grappling with the fallout. The company faces severe financial implications with a decision to refrain from pitching for new public contracts until the inquiry concludes.

The mainstream media is now scrutinizing Fujitsu's involvement, questioning accountability, and demanding answers about the company's other projects.

Two Fujitsu engineers, key witnesses in the case, are currently being investigated by the police. London's Metropolitan Police have announced that a broader national investigation will be initiated after the public inquiry concludes later this year (via Japan Today).

In a statement, Fujitsu's European operations director, Paul Patterson, acknowledged the company's "moral obligation" to compensate the victims, emphasizing the need for a thorough review.

"To the subpostmasters and their families...Fujitsu apologizes and is sorry for this appalling miscarriage of justice," Patterson said at the public inquiry last week.

Victim's Perspective

Lee Castleton, one of the victims portrayed in a recent TV drama, shared his traumatic experience. False accusations, bankruptcy, and family health issues unfolded after glitches in the Horizon system caused discrepancies in post office balances.



"We were abused in the street, called thieves," he went on to say. "This led to my wife's anxiety and epilepsy. My daughter was spat at on the school bus and became very anxious. She had a 10-year battle with an eating disorder."

While Fujitsu issued apologies, Castleton stressed the need for actions over words. Reflecting on Fujitsu's apology, Castleton said, "They had a moral obligation to do the right thing from the very beginning. An apology is not really very effective. Actions speak louder than words."

The scandal recently gained widespread attention through a TV drama.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: USPS Buys Six Canoo LDV Electric Vans, Switching to Clean Energy by April

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Fliteboard, a prominent player in the electric hydrofoil surfboard realm, introduces its cutting-edge sub-brand, FLITElab*.

The launch aligns with the debut of FLITElab*'s inaugural product, the AMP board. The company might be looking forward to seriously taking prone hydrofoil board surfing to the next level with the newest product.

Prone Hydrofoil Board Surfing: A Niche Within a Niche

FLITElab* diverges from the broader electric hydrofoil board market to concentrate on prone hydrofoil board surfing, also known as prone foiling. Unlike traditional hydrofoil boarding, this sport initiates with the rider lying prone on the board, paddling to catch a wave. The hydrofoil then elevates them for an exhilarating foil-style ride, unlocking the potential to surf smaller or faster waves.

For those wondering why there's an asterisk on FLITElab*, Electrek says that it's the official branding that Fliteboard gave to its sub-brand. It's kind of weird to see it but it is what it is.

Related Article: Brunswick Media Day 2023 - Consumer-Facing Evolutions on Boating Technology

AMP Board: Where Electric Innovation Meets Prone Foiling

The most impressive feature of the AMP board is the incorporation of FLITElab*'s AMP Jet technology. Departing from the conventional placement above the hydrofoil, the electric thruster is ingeniously integrated into the board's body. This design ensures invisibility to the naked eye, reduces weight, and minimizes drag.

Furthermore, the AMP Jet is a self-contained and removable cartridge, providing optimal power for prone foilers, wingers, and downwind enthusiasts. Its strategic placement guarantees no added drag, preserving the board's performance integrity throughout the ride. This innovation allows riders to catch waves effortlessly, even on smaller boards.

"From the moment I started prone foiling I was amazed at the kind of waves I could ride; big, small, clean or messy it didn't matter, the only problem was catching them in the first place. The agile and responsive boards I love to ride just weren't up to the task of efficient paddling. The AMP system is our solution, the AMP Jet is integrated into the board and delivers the perfect amount of boost exactly when you need it, and is safely out of the way when you don't," FLITELab*'s project manager Christ Reynolds said about its first release.

Additional Motor Designs

FLITElab* introduces the AMP Mast, a sleek motor mounted to the mast, offering hydrofoil board surfers an extra boost for catching waves or swiftly returning to the lineup. This supplementary motor design enhances the overall experience, catering to the dynamic needs of riders.

User-Friendly Control and Customization

Controlling the AMP board is simplified through the FLITELab* LAUNCH Pad embedded in the board's nose. This innovative unit empowers riders to activate the AMP Jet for a power boost while maintaining a hands-free experience.

Moreover, the LAUNCH Pad allows users to customize the power strength and timing of the boost, incorporating an intelligent feature that monitors rider position and automatically cuts power when upright or in the event of a fall.

The Future of Prone Hydrofoil Surfing

While detailed technical specifications are currently limited, FLITElab* assures users that the AMP board's batteries comply with airline regulations, indicating a compact and travel-friendly design.

The system, optimized for quick wave-catching boosts, is anticipated to have lower battery demands compared to traditional electric surfboards.

When Will FLITElab*'s AMP Board Launch

Details regarding the release date and pricing of the AMP board are yet to be disclosed. In the meantime, FLITElab* offers a glimpse of the product through visually captivating videos set to the tunes of Fleetwood Mac.

As FLITElab* propels prone hydrofoil surfing into a new era with the AMP board, surfers await the full revelation of this groundbreaking electric innovation. It's a game-changer for those who want to break into this sport.

Read Also: Surfers More Likely To Have Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria In Their Stomachs

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In her aim to amplify awareness about the worldwide hunger crisis, Sabrina Dhowre Elba, renowned activist and model, is spearheading the launch of a virtual reality (VR) film titled "On The Brink."

This immersive experience aims to rebuild empathy by providing viewers with a firsthand look into the lives of those grappling with poverty exacerbated by conflict, climate change, and soaring food prices.

Global Hunger Crisis: A Stark Reality

As "On The Brink" makes its debut, shocking statistics from Hungry For Action reveal that an estimated 18.3 million people have succumbed to hunger globally since the devastating Ethiopia famine in 1984. The film reveals the backdrop of a relentless global hunger crisis that continues to claim lives.

According to The Independent, Dhowre Elba expresses concern about the desensitization to such critical issues due to the overwhelming volume of world events. She points out the need to recognize the severity of the situation, especially with governments slashing budgets and curtailing essential funding for crisis mitigation.

"While not directly connected with the production of the film, the attention for the issue is something that I have been working for and resonates quite closely with the work that I do, it's an important issue to me," Dhowre Elba told the PA news agency.

Related Article: Researchers Introduce iMRSIV, Tiny VR Goggles for Studying Mouse Brain Activity

Reimagining Empathy Through VR Technology

"On The Brink" ventures into drought-affected communities in Somaliland, capturing poignant narratives through the lens of photographer Misan Harriman.

Using advanced 360 technology, the film tackles the lives of individuals like Ayan and Faisa, whose stories epitomize the harsh realities of malnutrition and hunger-related illnesses.

A Transformative VR Experience

Dhowre Elba shares the impact of VR technology in fostering empathy by allowing individuals to step into the shoes of those facing adversity. She highlights how this immersive experience bridges the emotional gap that conventional media struggles to address.

The film's production, utilizing thousands of stitched-together pictures, creates interactive scenes, offering a fully immersive encounter.

The Power of Shared Stories

Dhowre Elba, also a UN Goodwill Ambassador, believes in the transformative potential of storytelling. She contends that the most significant distance between two people is their individual stories.

By sharing these stories through innovative mediums like VR, the initiative aims to reignite empathy and prompt collective action against global hunger.

The VR film "On The Brink" seeks to spell out the narrative surrounding global hunger, urging individuals to connect emotionally with the subjects. Through the immersive power of VR, Sabrina Dhowre Elba envisions a world where understanding each other's stories becomes the cornerstone for rebuilding empathy.

Sabrina Elba is more than just an activist wife and a model.

According to The South China Morning Post, the Canadian-Somalian personality has a wellness brand with Indris dubbed "S'Able Labs." It's a skincare brand that promotes the use of African ingredients so Black women won't have to deal with xenophobia and will start loving their own skin color.

Read Also: Virtual Reality May Offer Comfort to Cancer Patients: Study



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As we reported earlier this week, a new disinformation campaign has emerged, shaking the core of New Hampshire's election process.

Unknown individuals or groups orchestrated a deepfake robocall in the voice of President Joe Biden, urging voters in the upcoming New Hampshire Presidential Primary Election to abstain.

The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office quickly labeled the recorded message as fake, emphasizing its potential to suppress voter turnout and disrupt the democratic process.

Deepfake Technology and the Elections

This incident, currently under investigation by the Attorney General's office, has raised concerns about the widespread use of deepfake technology in political campaigns.

With the 2024 US Presidential elections on the horizon, officials, experts, and politicians are increasingly alarmed by the accessibility and availability of generative AI tools that can compromise election integrity.

The Federal Election Commission, recognizing the potential threat posed by AI-powered political campaigns, has recently imposed a ban on the use of generative AI content, including tools like ChatGPT. However, the incident in New Hampshire underscores the challenges of enforcing such regulations effectively.

Read Also: Florida Approves Law Banning Social Media for Teens

Experts Say Biden Robocall Done with ElevenLabs Tools

As reported by Wired, the deepfake Biden robocall is most likely linked to ElevenLabs, Silicon Valley's leading voice-cloning startup.

This revelation adds a new dimension to the unfolding story, emphasizing the role of cutting-edge technology in the generation and distribution of misleading messages.

ElevenLabs, which recently achieved "unicorn" status with a $80 million funding round and a staggering $1.1 billion valuation, has established itself as a leader in AI voice cloning. The company's tools, initially intended for audiobooks and video games, are now under scrutiny for their potential use in political propaganda.

The company's investors include notable names like Andreessen Horowitz, Nat Friedman (former CEO of Github), and Mustafa Suleyman (cofounder of AI lab DeepMind).

Pindrop, a security company specializing in synthetic audio, conducted an analysis that identified ElevenLabs' technology as the most likely source of the deepfake Biden robocall.

Their findings, supported by independent analysis from UC Berkeley School of Information, suggest a high confidence level in attributing the incident to ElevenLabs.

Malicious Use of AI

This revelation not only raises questions about the ethical use of voice-cloning technology but also underscores the need for stringent safeguards to prevent its misuse.

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibility of AI startups to ensure their technologies are not weaponized for malicious purposes.

Moreover, Wired has also mentioned the existence of a Discord server where ElevenLabs enthusiasts discuss plans to clone Biden's voice, sharing links to deepfake content featuring political figures like Donald Trump and Barack Obama. This additional layer reveals the potential social impact of unregulated access to advanced AI technologies.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: POTUS Biden Robocall: New Hampshire Voters Advised Not to Vote, Attorney General Says It's Fake

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In a recent finding, security researchers at Mysk Inc., an app development company, have disclosed that several widely used iPhone apps, including Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X/Twitter, are sidestepping Apple's privacy regulations to gather user data through notifications.

Despite users taking measures to close apps and prevent background data collection, these applications exploit notifications, evading protective measures.



The acquired data, unrelated to notification processing, is suspected to be employed for analytics, advertising, and cross-app user tracking.

Security experts are concerned about the apparent prevalence of this intrusive practice, even though some implicated companies dispute these findings, as per a Gizmodo report.

Tommy Mysk and Talal Haj Bakry, the researchers behind the tests, expressed astonishment at the widespread use of this data collection method.

The act of dismissing a notification, often deemed innocuous, triggers the transmission of significant device information to remote servers, raising concerns about developers' on-demand access.

(Photo: Ming Yeung/Getty Images)The iPhone 15 Pro Max in white titanium is seen from the left side with its new customizable button on display in the store on September 22, 2023, in Milan, Italy.



Apple Security Questioned

Contrary to denials by Meta and LinkedIn, researchers argue that this issue extends beyond specific apps, indicating a systemic problem within the iPhone ecosystem. This revelation aligns with Mysk's previous exposes, challenging Apple's claims of prioritizing user privacy.



The collected data seems to be employed in "fingerprinting," a method of identifying users based on seemingly harmless device details, a practice explicitly prohibited by Apple. This underscores the importance of user control through settings and rules.



In the case of Facebook, interacting with a notification allows the app to collect IP addresses, phone restart duration, and free memory space, facilitating precise user identification. LinkedIn, as per the tests, not only ensures notification functionality but also gathers data seemingly linked to advertising campaigns.

Despite Meta and LinkedIn asserting that the collected data is solely for improving user experiences and not shared externally, skeptics argue that such information, though less sensitive than location data, holds value for advertising purposes.

Read Also: Tesla CEO Elon Musk Foresees Chinese EV Makers Dominating Global Markets

The forthcoming change in the iPhone operating system's rules, effective Spring 2024, mandates app developers to elucidate their usage of certain software pieces, known as "APIs." While this might encourage companies to disclose their data collection practices, concerns persist about Apple's enforcement of these rules.



Amid potential innocent explanations like outdated code, the researchers maintain skepticism, highlighting the need for heightened transparency and user protection. As privacy standards evolve, users are left questioning the extent of monitoring their digital activities for targeted advertising.

Safeguarding Your Private Data Online

Switching gears to safeguarding online data, employing a VPN service emerges as a highly efficient method. By allowing users to choose a server and location for an internet connection, VPNs utilize encryption protocols like OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec, ensuring end-to-end encryption.

This not only secures data but also masks IP addresses, providing anonymity and access to geo-blocked content.



Another critical aspect is refraining from saving passwords in browsers, according to the National Cybersecurity Alliance. Disabling automatic password storage and opting for a reputable password manager that is compatible across devices ensures secure password management.

Additionally, an Aura article recommends regularly updating software and operating systems to address known vulnerabilities and enhance overall security, as highlighted in a 2021 Bitdefender report on Windows systems.

Related Article: [UPDATE] Deepfake Biden Robocall Linked to Silicon Valley's Top Voice-Cloning Startup ElevenLabs

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
WINDHOEK, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Namibia on Friday welcomed the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the application of the Genocide Convention in the Gaza Strip, where South Africa has taken Israel to court.

The ICJ, as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, issued provisional measures on Jan. 26, 2024, ordering Israel to prevent acts listed under Article 2 of the Genocide Convention. Namibia welcomed the ICJ's decision, expressing its commitment to international law and appreciating the steps taken to address the critical situation in Gaza.

In response to the ICJ's decision, Namibia is urging Israel to comply fully with the legally binding order while calling upon the United Nations Security Council and the International Community to ensure the comprehensive implementation of the provisional measures laid out by the ICJ.

Namibian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reiterated her plea for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza to prevent further harm and suffering among the Palestinian people. 
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RIYADH, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) completed pricing a 5-billion-U.S. dollar Reg S international bond offering under its Euro Medium-Term Note Program.

According to a PIF press release, the offering aligns with its strategy to diversify PIF funding sources continually.

The offering comprised three tranches: a 1.75-billion-U.S. dollar tranche with a 5-year coupon maturing in 2029, a 1.75-billion-U.S. dollar tranche with a 10-year coupon maturing in 2034, and a tranche of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars featuring a 30-year coupon maturing in 2054.

Fahad Al Saif, PIF Head of the Global Capital Finance Division, said that continued strong demand from international institutional investors is a testament to the ongoing success of PIF's medium-term capital-raising strategy.

He added that it also reflects PIF's strong credit and financial profile.

The Saudi official highlighted its role as one of the key drivers of Saudi Arabia's economic transformation and one of the most significant and impactful sovereign wealth funds globally.

Loans and debt instruments represent one of PIF's four sources of funding.

PIF is rated A1 by Moody's with a positive outlook and A+ by Fitch with a stable outlook. 
CAIRO, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi warned Friday that Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip could have serious consequences for regional security.

Sisi made the remarks during a phone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

The Egyptian leader said restoring stability and justice in the region requires a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue, which stipulates the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

He also briefed Meloni on Egypt's efforts to broker a ceasefire and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and urged the international community to act in line with UN resolutions.

For her part, the Italian prime minister praised Egypt's role in easing the tension and reaching out to all parties to restore security, the statement said.

Israel has been waging a massive military campaign against Hamas in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, after the militant group launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 Israelis, according to the Israeli authorities.

The Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks in Gaza has risen to 26,083 since the onset of the conflict, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said Friday. 
People watch the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s ruling of the case against Israel in The Hague, in Pretoria, South Africa, on Jan. 26, 2024. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday that the country welcomes the measures that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered by majority decision, which ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent genocide acts in the Gaza Strip. On Dec. 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention of Genocide related to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Ihsaan Haffejee/Xinhua)

JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday that the country welcomes the measures that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered by majority decision, which ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent genocide acts in the Gaza Strip.

"Earlier today, the ICJ in The Hague issued a ruling that is a victory for international law, for human rights, and above all, for justice," Ramaphosa said in a televised address to the nation.

"The ICJ, as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, has handed down a ruling that the State of Israel should immediately implement a set of provisional measures to prevent any further acts of genocide in Gaza, to desist from such acts, and to take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence relating to acts of genocide. As the South African government, we welcome the decision of the ICJ," Ramaphosa said.

The order is binding on Israel, and must be respected by all states that are party to the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, he said, adding that South Africa expects Israel, as a self-proclaimed democracy and a state that respects the rule of law, to abide by the measures handed down by the ICJ.

"As South Africa, we thank all in the international community who have supported our application, including a number of countries who have declared their intention to be part of our application," he said.

"It is our earnest hope and wish that this court order paves the way for an end to this crisis, for an end to the terrible loss of life and hardship, and for the crucial first steps to be taken towards reconciliation and a just, lasting peace," said Ramaphosa.

South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation on Friday also welcomed the ICJ's order, saying the ruling marks a decisive victory for the international rule of law and a significant milestone in the search for justice for the Palestinian people.

On Dec. 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide related to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. 

People react as they watch the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s ruling of the case against Israel in The Hague, in Pretoria, South Africa, on Jan. 26, 2024. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday that the country welcomes the measures that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered by majority decision, which ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent genocide acts in the Gaza Strip. On Dec. 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention of Genocide related to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Ihsaan Haffejee/Xinhua)

People watch the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s ruling of the case against Israel in The Hague, in Pretoria, South Africa, on Jan. 26, 2024. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday that the country welcomes the measures that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered by majority decision, which ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent genocide acts in the Gaza Strip. On Dec. 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention of Genocide related to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Ihsaan Haffejee/Xinhua)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a primary election night party in Nashua, N.H., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Watching from left are Vivek Ramaswamy, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Eric Trump. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) ORG XMIT: NHPM317
Sydney Opera House will be helmed by its first Indigenous chair, marking a likely year of leadership change at the landmark cultural venue.

University of Technology Sydneys special advisor, Professor Michael McDaniel  who, as a schoolboy, visited the Opera House when it was a construction site  has been appointed chair of the Opera House Trust, effective January 1.

New appointments: Sara Mansour and Michael McDaniel. Credit: SMH Graphics

He replaces former Sydney Lord Mayor Lucy Turnbull and will sit alongside the trusts youngest-ever board member, Sara Mansour, from Bankstown Poetry Slam.

The former chair of Bangarra Dance Theatre and board member of the Museum of Contemporary said he was conscious of the many layers of history and meaning of Tubowgule, the Gadigal name for Bennelong Point, and the Opera House.
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 When the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo shuts its doors to the public on February 5, it will be a watershed moment in the life of Sydneys cultural landscape. For the first time in decades, Australias flagship science and technology museum will not have a full-time public shopfront in Ultimo as it disappears behind hoarding for renovations that are set to last three years. Within weeks 80 staff will move to rented offices in Parramatta, followed by another 56 to the museums Castle Hill storehouse in March, and the task of packing up the museums contents  some 3568 precious objects  will begin. The Boulton & Watt steam engine at the Powerhouse, one of only two in the world. Credit: Ben Rushton Locomotive No.1, which hauled the states first passenger train will be rolled out on temporary tracks and then craned onto a truck for the journey to Castle Hill where museum chief executive Lisa Havilah says it will be put on weekend public display. The Catalina seaplane that made the worlds first crossing of the Pacific will be extricated from the heritage-listed Boiler Room and sent to Castle Hill or a regional museum. Its still to be determined if the priceless relic of the Industrial Age, the Boulton & Watt rotative steam engine, one of only two working models in the world, can be moved. If not, it will be sealed and placed under 24-hour vibration, dust and climate monitoring while works take place.

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When the revamped building reopens sometime in 2027 it will be two years after the ribbon is cut on the museums new $915 million sister campus now going up on the Parramatta riverside and scheduled to open by mid-2025. Based on early concept plans, the revamped Powerhouse Ultimo will boast a new entrance reoriented to Chinatown, overnight rooms for rural students, and street-facing workshops and studios for artists and other creatives. The steam engine, locomotive, and seaplane will return to public display at Ultimo, but there are no such guarantees for all objects from the museums transport and steam revolution exhibition which forms the backbone of the museums 500,000-strong collection. The Catalina is destined for the Castle Hill storehouse or a regional gallery. Presiding over this monumental museum restructure is the Minns government, which went to the March 2023 election with a pledge to save the Ultimo museum and bring an end to years of controversy and political infighting. Labor says its $250 million renovations will make for a far superior world-class museum experience when the Powerhouse reopens in 2027. But its pre-Christmas announcement that this would require temporarily shutting the museum and emptying it  even before planning approvals have been given, and a construction contract signed  has stoked, not dampened, controversy.

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Its not possible to put a positive spin on Labors actions, fumed the Heralds art critic John McDonald, a longtime commentator on the Powerhouses fate, in a recent newsletter to followers. This is a historic betrayal of trust, a sheaf of broken promises, and an act of political bastardry that will have disastrous long-term consequences for the cultural heritage of city, state, and country. Make no mistake, says former trustee, Kylie Winkworth, the Powerhouse Museum as the public knows it is on death row. Whats left of the real Powerhouse will be buried at Castle Hill or farmed out to volunteer museums. For the first time since 1893, there will be no museum left in Ultimo. Locomotive No.1 will be rolled out on temporary tracks and then craned onto a truck for the journey to Castle Hill. Credit: Dallas Kilponen A drawn-out battle Battle lines on the future of the Ultimo Powerhouse were first drawn exactly nine years ago this month when the then premier Mike Baird announced the institution would relocate to the Parramatta riverside.

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Some 30 years before the museum had moved into its purpose-built home on Harris Street, a landmark project of the Wran government for Australias 1988 bicentenary. In the firestorm that followed Bairds announcement, the projects escalating costs, the risk of removing the museums priceless collection and dispersing it to regional galleries, and the adequacy of the new riverside campus to withstand major flooding events were aired during a highly critical, long-running parliamentary inquiry. Loading The Berejiklian government eventually succumbed to intense public pressure and abandoned plans to sell Ultimo and recommitted itself to developing two museums at Ultimo and Parramatta. Its plans for a $500 million rebuild at Ultimo were only finalised three months before the March state election. In government, Labor is pursuing a more modest $250 million renovation that keeps much of the Wran-era buildings, including the arched atrium extension to the heritage-listed buildings. We promised at the election that we would preserve the Wran legacy and keep the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo open, Arts Minister John Graham declared in September. We are doing just that.

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Months later Labor has embraced a modified concept design and chosen to temporarily shut Ultimo, on direct advice, it says, from Create NSW and Infrastructure NSW. No one doubts that renovation of the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo is not overdue, that its leaky roof needs replacing, or that its back-of-house spaces and access to its corridors could be vastly improved. But critics say the museum should have been allowed to operate until the Parramatta Powerhouse opens next year to maintain a continuous public presence. An artists impression of a cloistered public square on the corner of Harris and Macarthur streets that will be part of the revamp under Labor The removal of exhibits amounted to a pre-emptive gutting of the museum before the outcome of a formal exhibition process had been delivered and the scope of revised renovations established. Multiple petitions hosted by the Greens, and Save the Powerhouse Campaign appealing for a delay to the museums closure next week have gathered more than six thousand signatures. The removal of all the large objects is absurdly risky, unnecessary and expensive, Winkworth says.

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The Lattouf v ABC case is the latest in a series of conflicts between employers and employees over the right to express personal views and meet employment obligations. At stake are some important questions. Can a complaint that tests a breach of workplace policy against a claim of discrimination be adequately dealt with under current employment laws? How can workplace policies also allow employees the right to hold and express their own views and values, especially in relation to the rights of journalists?

Ultimately, these questions need to be tested if we are to find a way forward in reconciling the polarised positions in these increasingly common clashes. For that reason, lets hope that Antoinette Lattouf has the staying power not to settle, as other high-profile claimants have done.

Ita Buttrose and Antoinette Lattouf. Credit: Louie Douvis; ABC

The ABC argues it took action against Lattouf not on the basis of her race but because, after being told not to post anything contentious, she breached the ABCs social media guidelines by posting a Human Rights Watch report on Israels alleged use of starvation as a tool of war in Gaza. It has also raised a jurisdictional objection, arguing it did not actually terminate Lattoufs employment in the first place.

The social media guidelines require employees using personal social media to, among other things, not damage the ABCs reputation for impartiality and independence, not mix the professional and the personal in ways likely to bring the ABC into disrepute, and not imply ABC endorsement of your personal views.
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Eating outComing soon Popular pop-up Kafeneion is moving into a much-loved Spring Street bar (and its replacement is radical!) The citys favourite pop-up of 2023 has put down roots, and its owner is already hard at work on a replacement thats unlike anything Melbournes seen before. Emma Breheny January 26, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Kafeneion, Con Christopouloss hit Greek pop-up restaurant on Bourke Street, has found a semi-permanent home at another of his city venues  and the restaurateur already has a new concept for the vacant Bourke Street site. Since the original Kafeneion closed in December, speculation about its future has been building. When he opened the restaurant last May, Christopoulos said he intended to find it a larger, permanent home. Fans wont have to wait long or travel far to get their next plate of braised lamb. Restaurateur Con Christopoulos, right, and business partner Stavros Konis at the original Bourke Street Kafeneion. Eddie Jim On February 7, Melbourne Supper Club on Spring Street will morph into a spot just like the late-night bars you find upstairs in Athens old quarter, according to Christopoulos. I was sitting in there the other night and it just felt good. We started playing Greek music. Weve had a lot of family events in there, so it has nice memories, he says.

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Christopoulos (also behind The European, Kirks Wine Bar and French Saloon) and his Kafeneion partner, Stavros Konis, still want to find the venue its very own home, but these digs will be as permanent as anything is in hospitality. The plan means one Melbourne icon makes way for another in the making. Kafeneion proved to be an instant classic when it opened, with The Ages chief restaurant critic Besha Rodell writing that its service, style and food were so very Melbourne it made her swoon. Melbourne Supper Clubs split-level space will give Kafeneion a clubby feel. Luis Enrique Ascui Christopoulos says the menu will undergo seasonal changes only and the same furniture and table settings will come from the original. But the look will undoubtedly feel more like a salon, thanks to Melbourne Supper Clubs split-level layout punctuated by staircases, walls and other nooks creating a clubby atmosphere. The biggest change might be the hours: Kafeneion can now stay open until 4am (for drinks and snacks, not dinner), thanks to the Supper Clubs late-night licence.

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Meanwhile, Kafeneions previous Bourke Street site (originally Self Preservation) is being transformed into something thats a radical departure for the Christopoulos stable: a sushi train restaurant with a strong Brazilian theme running through the drinks, music and decor. More than 2 million Japanese and their descendants live in Brazil, the largest population outside Japan. Kafeneions sweetbreads are part of the home-style menu that will remain unchanged. Jason South Ive had some incredible Japanese meals in Brazil, says Christopoulos. Less mall, more made-to-measure, Bossa Nova Sushi will serve fast yet high-quality Japanese food via a sushi train to 26 people, with takeaway also available. Drinks will range from sake to Caipirinhas, the Brazilian cocktail of cachaca (sugar cane spirit) mixed with lime and sugar.

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Eating outEating out The South Coast takeaway shop bringing back proper fish and chips (and five more for a top Aussie catch) Rosies is on mission to make fish and chips the great Australian meal it once was  complete with spuds fried in beef dripping. Callan Boys and Emma Breheny January 26, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

In sleepy seaside village Coledale, about 20 minutes drive north of Wollongong, a fish and chips renaissance is under way. Rosies Proper Fish & Chips opened two weeks ago, serving crisp-battered local snapper, crushed peas and  rare for an Australian takeaway shop  chips fried in beef fat like the ones found in northern England. Its the way many Sydney chippers, and even McDonalds, used to cook spuds too. The lunchtime queues have been relentless. We figured there would be some local interest to have a solid fish and chip shop opening in the area, but we certainly didnt expect to be selling out each day, says British-born chef Ben Sinfield, who owns Rosies with his partner Tania Ho. The store is named after their two-year-old daughter. Tania Ho and Ben Sinfield with their daughter Rosie at Rosies Proper Fish & Chips. Brook Mitchell

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Weve had a lot of British expats coming in, stoked they can eat chips cooked in beef dripping again, but Sydney chefs have been driving down to visit too, and some locals have been back two or three times. I had 600 kilograms of potatoes delivered on Monday, and Im worried they wont last until the end of the week. Advocates for beef-dripping chips say the flavour is far tastier than potatoes fried in vegetable oil, although Sinfield still offers that option. Using grass-fed beef tallow and Southern Highlands-grown potatoes, Rosies made-from-scratch fish and chips with tartare is $27  a fair bit more expensive than other takeaway shops. A big part of the cost also comes from Sinfields commitment to working with local fishers and avoiding more common imported fillets such as basa (a type of South-East Asian catfish) and New Zealand hoki. A mix of British expats and locals wait for their lunch order at Rosies. Brook Mitchell Hoki is perfectly fine and really good value, says the chef, but it also makes me think of fish fingers. I want to support local fishers as much as possible, and I want to offer fish that flakes away really nicely. Weve used snapper and gurnard, but I find the best local fish for batter is pink ling, caught on a longline just off the coast here.

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Im working with a local fisherman, and my goal is to start buying direct from him, so the fish doesnt have to go all the way up to the Sydney market first. Hes currently building a bigger boat, and when thats up and running I really hope to make him my sole fish provider. Sinfield notes that there have been a few grumbles from customers about the cost of his fish and chips, but If consumers are choosing Australian seafood, they should understand that it is more expensive, says Veronica Papacosta, chief executive of Seafood Industry Australia. She says Australian catch is usually associated with higher quality too. Vivian, Hildie and Floyd enjoy Rosies fish and chips at Coledale Beach. Brook Mitchell Fish and chips using imported fillets usually costs between $12 and $15 at most takeaway shops. Many chippers offer a choice of Australian and imported catch, although once upon a time it was almost all locally caught. One reason for the change, says Papacosta, is that most seafood now goes through major cities, where most of the consumption happens. The other is that prices for Australian fish have gone up due to regulatory burden and increasing business costs, such as labour, transport and energy. Currently, about 65 per cent of the seafood we eat is imported. We will always need some level of imports to meet local consumption demand, says Papacosta.

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More fish and chips shops may start to spotlight Australian catch over the next 12 months, however. In November, state and territory governments voted to implement country-of-origin labelling for seafood sold in restaurants and takeaway stores, bringing it into line with retail standards. The law, which will come into effect next year, requires hospitality businesses to clearly identify if seafood is either Australian, imported or mixed origin. Country-of-origin labelling is about transparency, says Papacosta. Its about consumers understanding what theyre buying, so they can make their own informed choice. Sinfield says he just wants to see fish and chips return to the great centre-of-the-table (or picnic blanket) meal it once was. Its such a much-loved dish all over Australia, and its a shame that over the years people have become conditioned to frozen chips and cheap fish. Battered Murray cod and chips from Charcoal Fish, Rose Bay. Rob Palmer Five more fish-and-chippers for Australian catch

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Blue Marlin, Sutherland Squeezed between a kebab shop and hairdresser near Sutherland Station, Blue Marlins offer fresh seafood to cook at home, plus a cracking fish and chips. Usual beer-battered suspects include Lakes Entrance flathead, Queensland red emperor, and local snapper and dory. The milk bar-style burgers are the real deal, too  asking for beetroot and pineapple will not offend. Charcoal Fish, Rose Bay When Josh and Julie Niland opened their ambitious take on a charcoal chicken shop (but with fish), hunky fillets of Murray cod starred in their supernaturally crisp batter. Theres still plenty of barbecued cod to take to the beach and eat with a cucumber and kimchi salad, but these days the fish and chips offering may also showcase Bermagui-caught pink ling or Corner Inlet rock flathead. Dont sleep on the salt-and-vinegar potato scallops either. Doyles on the Wharf, Watsons Bay

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After almost 140 years in the business, Doyles is still giving Watsons Bay day trippers what they want. That is, a water view, fish and bronzed spuds. Barramundi, flathead and whiting are all fish and chips options at the institutions takeaway outpost, served with Alice Doyles signature plum and chilli sauce for $26.90. Chips and battered snapper will set you back $52.90 at the nearby original restaurant if youre feeling flush. Lifeboat Seafood, Brooklyn Now this is living. Fish and chips on the Hawkesbury, with cold beer, live music, and local school prawns and oysters. A line-up of fresh choices for the Lifeboat fryer often includes ocean perch, whiting, mullet, barramundi, dory, luderick, sea bream and mulloway. Peters Fish Market, Pyrmont An anchor for Sydney Fish Market since 1944, Peters retail arm provides everything from caviar to pipis to live lobster and mud crab. The stalwart also runs a takeaway kitchen, and its eternally tempting to ask for a fresh fish of your choice to be battered, fried and fashioned into lunch.

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Theyre happy, happy lower tax days, even if the top end of town is upset about it.

But the governments backflip to spread the stage 3 tax cuts beyond just higher earners puts money back in all of our pockets at the very same time many of us are looking for ways to receive interest rate cuts.

All these changes pose an enormous opportunity for mortgage holders: simply keep your repayments the same when your rates start to fall later this year. Credit: AFR

The suite of sweet savings means a massive opportunity to save on your home loan. In fact, play your cards right, and you could keep for yourself an incredible $224,788 in interest, and get out of debt 4.5 years earlier. Let me explain.

The plunge to a 4.3 per cent monthly inflation reading now sees money markets counting on 42 basis points of rate cuts this year. Thats nearly two.
The leader of Australias neo-Nazis has been stopped by police at a Sydney train station and ordered to stay away from the citys Australia Day events.

Thomas Sewell, 30, is the self-appointed leader of the National Socialist Network and a violent criminal who was among a group that attacked three bushwalkers in Victoria in 2021.

Police question a man at North Sydney station on Friday afternoon. Credit: Sydney Morning Herald

He was among a group of dozens of black-clad men detained at North Sydney station. Some were pictured wearing balaclavas when they were detained by police on the train.

Officers swarmed the station and detained the men, warning they would be formally arrested if they did not co-operate.
A Brisbane man has been charged with more than 100 child sex offences that allegedly occurred between 1980 and 1991.

Detectives from the Brisbane City Child Protection Investigation Unit arrested and charged the man on Thursday.

The 63-year-olds arrest formed part of operation Victor Dialect that investigated alleged offences over an 11-year period across the Wide Bay Burnett and Capricornia region involving multiple children.

The man was charged with 96 counts of indecent treatment of girls under 16, eight counts of indecent assault on females, and one count of indecent assault.

He was expected to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.
SANAA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi armed group on Friday said it has launched a new missile attack on a British oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden, adding the attack caused a fire on the vessel.

"Our forces today (Friday) targeted the British oil vessel Marlin Luanda in the Gulf of Aden with several naval missiles. The hit was accurate and caused a fire on the ship," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by the group's al-Masirah TV. 
A Boon Wurrung elder has condemned the vandalism of a statue of Captain James Cook, which was torn down in darkness on Australia Day eve, while thousands cheered the act on at a rally in Melbournes CBD on Friday.

During a day of anti-Australia Day protest peppered with references to the war in Gaza, the relatives of Indigenous Australians who have died in custody stood alongside leaders of the pro-Palestinian movement at this years Invasion Day rally.

Police say 35,000 people attended, bringing parts of the city to a standstill.



The day began with a dawn mourning reflection We-Akon Dilinja ceremony in St Kilda, where Jason Briggs, the chair of the Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council  the traditional owners of the area  said a violent crime had been committed close to where the sunrise event took place.
As Perths northern suburbs played host to the largest Australia Day citizenship ceremony in the nation, more than a thousand people marched through the citys central business district in protest.

More than 300 newly sworn in citizens from around 40 countries gathered for the ceremony in the City of Joondalup on Friday morning.

More than a thousand people attended the Invasion Day rally in Perths CBD. Credit: Jesinta Burton.

Premier Roger Cook said he was proud that so many had chosen to call Australia home, but declined to be drawn into the ongoing debate over the countrys national day.

We acknowledged that were on the lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people today, and thats an important acknowledgement, he said.
Yalmay Yunupingus birth name is Marika, meaning lightning and thunder.

And when the 2024 Senior Australian of the Year speaks, its with quiet lightning and thunder, the teacher, linguist and community leader told a rapt audience at Thursday nights awards ceremony in Canberra.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with 2024 Senior Australian of the Year, Yalmay Yunupingu, during the 2024 Australian of the Year awards ceremony. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Equal rights for Indigenous Australians through funding and support services were crucial, said Yunupingu, who finished her speech by quietly asserting: Together we can share new ideas to heal our nation  let all stand up and work together.

Language has been a defining feature of Yunupingus life. The 68-year-old worked for four decades at Yirrkala Bilingual School in north-east Arnhem Land passing on Yolngu languages and culture to young people before retiring in March last year.
In 1982, deputy commissioner Bill Allen was forced to resign after taking an overseas holiday partly paid for by gambling figures and regularly meeting with the states most notorious gangster, Abe Saffron. Peter Anderson, the Wran-era police minister who weathered the Allen affair, says he was fortunate that the men who served as head of police in his time were all beyond reproach. That was a luxury, he says. Deputy police commissioner Bill Allen saw Abe Saffron alone in his office six times. Credit: Fairfax Media But Anderson says efforts to curb Rogerson were thwarted by a lack of evidence and the detectives hero reputation, enhanced by parts of the media. When Rogerson was accused of bribing undercover officer Mick Drury, a jury found him not guilty. If youre told this bloke was the greatest copper of all time, its got to have an influence on a jury, Anderson, who served as minister from 1981 to 1986, says.

The Labor government introduced a reform package that created the Internal Police Security Unit and expanded the Ombudsmans powers to investigate complaints against police. But a decade-long attempt to cleanse the force of corruption had barely made a ripple in Kings Cross, says Shari Allison, who arrived at the Cross as a fresh-faced cadet in 1989 to find a cabal of corrupt cops ruling the streets. Notorious former Kings Cross detective Graham Chook Fowler, who was caught on camera taking a bribe. Credit: Fairfax Media They included notorious detectives Graham Chook Fowler and Trevor Haken, both later exposed by the Wood Royal Commission into police corruption. More than a dozen outlets in Kings Cross were allowed to sell drugs without police incursion, while other dealers were shut down or planted with evidence if they did not play ball.

I remember being exposed to some shocking behaviour by the police that I worked with, Allison says, recalling officers dragging criminals into rooms at the station where they would be bashed. It didnt sit well with Allison, who was mostly ignored by those in the clique. They didnt want to bring you into their own little circle of corruption, she says. Corruption controlled the policing of Kings Cross in the 1980s. Credit: Fairfax Media It was nothing like the picture then-commissioner Tony Lauer described in a 1991 interview with Four Corners. Lauer told journalist Neil Mercer that his predecessor had won the war on corruption, even if isolated instances of bad behaviour still occurred. I am quite certain there is no institutionalised corruption in NSW, he said. Mercer was dubious. I remember saying to his offsider or press secretary  Jesus mate, thats a bit bold, he says this week. As it transpired, it wasnt [right] by a long shot.

At the time, independent MP John Hatton, a lonely crusader for a royal commission into police corruption, had just seized the balance of power in the NSW parliament. Loading Hatton first sensed something was amiss witnessing the way the mafia were operating with impunity in Griffith and how the unsolved murder of Kings Cross identity Juanita Nielsen was handled by police. He began to speak publicly about drug trafficking and organised crime across NSW. The amount of information that came to me was extraordinary, Hatton recalls. He was given evidence that implicated Rogerson in the 1981 murder of Warren Lanfranchi and met with drug addicts who said they were total captives of police. Hatton said the internal affairs branch, supposed to look after the integrity of the force, was utterly ineffective. Even the promotions system had been commandeered by corrupt forces, he found. An ambitious officer could fast-track their way up the hierarchy by demonstrating a willingness to bend moral codes.

Honest police, and I met with them on a regular basis mainly in Balmain, were not only persecuted but terribly afraid of even being killed. By now, Hatton was under immense pressure, with death threats forcing him to go into hiding in a safe house in sleepy Sussex Inlet. My late wife, shes the hero of this story. Not once did she ask me not to do what I was doing, he says. John Hatton said his wife Vera never asked him to halt his pursuit of corrupt police. Eventually, a breakthrough came after Hatton delivered a speech about police corruption in May 1994. Then-opposition leader Bob Carr used Labors numbers against the government to support the establishment of a royal commission. Running for three years, the Wood Royal Commission concluded in 1997 that police corruption was entrenched and systemic. It swept a broom through the force, with a total of 284 police officers adversely named.

Seven officers received jail sentences, including the former Gosford drug squad chief Wayne Eade and Graham Chook Fowler. The Carr government response included the introduction of drug and alcohol testing, integrity testing to check officers responses to graft opportunities, and a new power allowing the police commissioner to fire officers suspected of wrongdoing. Justice James Wood (centre) hands over his royal commission report into NSW Police to premier Bob Carr in 1997. Police commissioner Peter Ryan holds the report. Credit: Fairfax One of the biggest shifts came in the form of a new Police Integrity Commission, which was independent, unlike the old Internal Police Security Unit. We went from having a corruption-prone to a corruption-resistant police force, Carr says. The practice of recording interviews made it harder for police to verbal criminals with false confessions.

But perhaps the biggest change, says John Agius, SC, who served as counsel assisting the royal commission, was to remove the idea that police were required to secure convictions. That was one of the things that drove the corruption, he says. If people didnt have the evidence, very often police invented it, and we exposed that. Could another Rogerson emerge today? Absolutely not, Agius says, pointing to increased oversight through technology and changes in culture. Recent annual reports by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, the latest police integrity body, show a number of investigations into allegations of bribery, misuse of authority and the protection of people involved in criminal activity.

In a statement, a commission spokesperson said that while the risk of corruption was always present, the recruitment, training and management of officers was remarkably different since the Wood Royal Commission. The commission has legislation and technical capabilities available to it that were not available in the 1970s and 1980s. A NSW police spokesperson said in a statement: NSW Police Force officers are subject to rigorous oversight and the organisation is continually looking to improve its processes to ensure we meet the highest of standards. Allison, who left Kings Cross and later became a chief inspector with the Professional Standards Command, says Rogerson wouldnt survive into todays policing environment: He got caught out in the end, he wasnt as smart as he thought he was.

Allison says the force has welcomed a large influx of junior officers who hold different attitudes towards whistleblowing. Theyre willing, for want of a better word, to dob their mates in if theyve done the wrong thing, whereas previously  youd be considered a dog and your life would be miserable. Loading But Hatton is circumspect, arguing that whenever the interests of police, politicians, property developers and influential business people coincide, there is opportunity for organised crime to flourish. He says there will never be a way to stop corruption, but a royal commission into the force once a decade would be a way to bring it down to reasonable levels. That then means theres a final judgment day they cant avoid, he says. I think there has to be eternal vigilance. Cook, the former surveillance officer, left the force to become a salesman after blowing the whistle on a bribery attempt by fellow officers in the late 80s.
City of Perth Lord Mayor and Seven West Media employee Basil Zempilas has confirmed in his employers newspaper that he will join the Liberal Party and nominate for preselection for the seat of Churchlands.

Zempilas had been widely expected to announce his nomination this weekend but as late as Friday morning he was still being coy about his intentions on 6PRs Mornings Program.

Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas. Credit: Peter de Kruijff

In a front-page story published in The West Australians Saturday edition, Zempilas personally confirmed WA politics worst-kept secret.

The former Hale school graduate and Channel 7 sports broadcaster said politics was in his blood, crediting his interest in public service to his family members who were active community members.
In the waters off a Queensland island, a cloud of fish gathers around me as though Im one of the shoal. They come in all colours, sizes and shapes: silver fish that glisten like constellations, tiny fish as blue and bright as the cloudless sky, Moorish idols with their fins trailing like streamers.

Snorkellers paradise: the submerged wrecks off Tangalooma Beach. Credit: Keiran Lusk

Im on a reef, but its not the Great Barrier Reef. Im just a 90-minute ferry ride from Brisbane, on the worlds third-largest sand island, Moreton Island. If I poke my head above the water I can see Brisbanes city towers rising out of the sea.

Along Tangalooma Beach, just a 15-minute walk from the sprawling Tangalooma Island Resort, 15 ships have been scuttled in 12 metres of water. Five of them were sunk in 1963, followed by another five in the 1970s, and a final five in the 80s to form a wall of wrecks holding back the waves.

Intended to provide a sheltered mooring for yachts, theyve grown into one of Australias best and most accessible snorkelling and diving sites.
Jerusalem: The UN World Court has come down hard on Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, calling on Israel to take all measures to prevent a genocide of the Palestinians. But it has stopped short of demanding an immediate cease-fire, as the South African sponsors of the case had hoped.

All sides tried to claim victory with the ruling, seizing on different elements that buttressed their positions.

An Israeli tank moves along the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel. Credit: Getty

Israel celebrated the courts rejection of the cease-fire request and said it had endorsed the countrys right to self-defence. Yet harsh criticism of Israels campaign in Gaza could further dent its image in the court of public opinion.

The Palestinians welcomed what amounted to an overwhelming rebuke of Israels wartime tactics by a lopsided majority of judges over the heavy death toll and humanitarian disaster in Gaza. The six measures in the ruling were approved by margins of 15-2 and 16-1, with even Israels representative on the court joining the majority on two of the questions.
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 New Hampshire: Two days after his victory in the New Hampshire primaries, Donald Trump was in a Manhattan courtroom on Friday (AEDT) testifying in his own defence against E. Jean Carroll, the woman suing him for defamation after he denied sexually assaulting her. He was unusually compliant and spent less than five minutes answering his lawyers questions. He stood by his previous remarks branding Carroll a liar  One hundred per cent, yes  and did not turn the damages hearing into a circus, as Carrolls lawyer had feared. On the same day, he also turned down the opportunity to become the Republican Partys presumptive nominee without a fight. The Republican National Committee, which oversees the partys elections, had been set to consider a proposal to declare him its choice before he formally clinches the requisite number of delegates. Trump ally, David Bossie, was behind the draft resolution to fellow RNC committee members that could have been voted on next week at the groups winter meeting in Las Vegas. But Trump took to his social media site to stop it: I feel, for the sake of PARTY UNITY, that they should NOT go forward with this plan, but that I should do it the Old Fashioned way, and finish the process off AT THE BALLOT BOX, he wrote. It seems the only fight he is really interested in for now is the one against his former ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley for the 2024 presidential nomination. Nikki Haley Donald Trump Credit: Marija Ercegovac

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While any other presidential hopeful might have buckled under the weight of so many legal challenges  he faces 91 criminal charges plus the civil lawsuits  Trump has used them as political capital to all but cement himself as the candidate to run again for the White House against Joe Biden. Clearly hes the nominee to beat, and as long as hes healthy, theres very little anyone can do about that, says veteran election analyst Larry Sabato. And this was all expected because the Republican Party has changed so much. This is not your fathers or your grandfathers Republican Party any more. Its Donald Trumps. Adoring supporters at Donald Trumps campaign event in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Saturday. Credit: Matt Rourke/AP But while the New Hampshire and Iowa results were a massive boost for the incendiary Republican, they also carried ominous signs that make his nomination a considerable risk for his party. In both states, Trump won a share of the vote that was far greater than what he achieved in 2016, when he faced Republican voters for the first time. But Trump also risks losing enough Republicans  as well as a substantial proportion of independent and swinging voters  and that would thwart his chances at the general election in November.

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Former US president Donald Trump at his New Hampshire primary party. Credit: Bloomberg According to AP VoteCast, a survey of primary voters, 21 per cent of Republicans who cast ballots in New Hampshire said they would be so dissatisfied with Trump as the nominee that they wouldnt vote for him. Likewise, 15 per cent of Republicans who participated in the Iowa caucuses last week shared the same view, exposing vulnerabilities in Trumps ability to lead the Republicans to victory. Biden, for his part, also faces significant challenges. Four years ago, when America was reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and a national reckoning on racial injustice after the death of George Floyd, the Democratic stalwart was widely viewed as the best man to heal a deeply divided nation. President Joe Biden speaks in Wisconsin on Thursday. Credit: AP Today, however, he faces record-low approval ratings and deep scepticism about his ability to do the job. The crisis at the US-Mexico border, cost of living pressures and his backing of Israel in its war in Gaza have dented support among his traditional coalition: young people, black voters, Latinos and progressives. And his greatest weakness is something he cannot control: his age. At 81, Biden is already the oldest person to occupy the Oval Office. If he were to win the election, he would be 82 by inauguration day and 86 by the end of his second term  if he made it that far. Trump is 77.

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Its just inevitable that things might crop up, particularly if youve had a demanding life, as Biden certainly has, says Sabato, the founder and director for the Centre for Politics at the University of Virginia. So he does have to address the issue of age. Its inescapable. Equally inescapable is the fact that America is now 284 days away from an election rematch the vast majority of its citizens dont actually want. Loading One Reuters/Ipsos poll released this week showed Trump leading Biden at 40 per cent to 34 per cent, but most respondents were either unsure of who they preferred, or planning to vote for someone else, or werent going to show up the polls at all. This was consistent with the mood among voters in New Hampshire this week. In the town of Salem, Terri Taylor, a registered Republican, wanted Haley to be the partys presidential candidate, citing her calm nature, foreign policy experience and her background as an accountant and a two-term governor of South Carolina.

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But she added that she disliked Trump so much that if he got the GOP nomination, she would probably vote for Biden over him, albeit reluctantly. I just dont understand his popularity, she said of the former presidents support among his base. Its like a cult. In the state capital, Concord, registered Democrat Kris Make said she did not have faith in Biden and used this weeks primary race to instead vote for his long-shot challenger for the presidential nomination, Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips. Democrat Dean Phillips. Credit: Bloomberg Hes made quite a few blunders and his age is definitely an issue, she said of Biden. Hes shown some weakness at times. Most of all I dont think he can beat Trump - and that terrifies me. Meanwhile, about 50 minutes south in the town of Windham, 72-year-old Benjamin Grelle said he would inevitably support Trump, just as he did in 2016 and 2020, citing the economy and border security as his top priorities. But I have no doubt hes a bad man, he added.

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Nothing happened here today is going to bring mum back. Its kind of a bittersweet day. We are not going to be jumping around, whooping and holler, hooray and all that. ... Ill end by saying Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett got her justice tonight, he said. The state had previously attempted to execute Smith, who was convicted of a 1988 murder-for-hire, in 2022, but the lethal injection was called off at the last minute because authorities couldnt connect an IV line. Mike Sennett, son of Elizabeth Sennett, and other family members speak after Kenneth Eugene Smiths execution. Credit: AP The execution came after a last-minute legal battle in which Smiths lawyers contended the state was making him the test subject for an experimental execution method that could violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Federal courts rejected Smiths bid to block it, with the latest ruling coming a short time before the execution from the US Supreme Court. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who along with two other liberal justices dissented, wrote: Having failed to kill Smith on its first attempt, Alabama has selected him as its guinea pig to test a method of execution never attempted before. The world is watching.

The majority justices did not issue any statements. In a statement issued before he was put to death, Smith and the Reverend Jeff Hood, his spiritual adviser, said, The eyes of the world are on this impending moral apocalypse. Our prayer is that people will not turn their heads. We simply cannot normalise the suffocation of each other. The state had predicted the nitrogen gas would cause unconsciousness within seconds and death within minutes. A state attorney told the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals that it will be the most painless and humane method of execution known to man. But some doctors and organisations have raised alarm, and Smiths lawyers had asked the Supreme Court to halt the execution to review claims that the method violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment and deserves more legal scrutiny before it is used on a person. There is little research regarding death by nitrogen hypoxia. When the State is considering using a novel form of execution that has never been attempted anywhere, the public has an interest in ensuring the State has researched the method adequately and established procedures to minimise the pain and suffering of the condemned person, Smiths attorneys wrote.

In her dissent, Sotomayor wrote that Alabama has shrouded its execution protocol in secrecy, releasing only a heavily redacted version. She also said Smith should be allowed to obtain evidence about the execution protocol and to proceed with his legal challenge. That information is important not only to Smith, who has an extra reason to fear the gurney, but to anyone the State seeks to execute after him using this novel method, Sotomayor wrote. Twice now this Court has ignored Smiths warning that Alabama will subject him to an unconstitutional risk of pain, Sotomayor wrote. I sincerely hope that he is not proven correct a second time. Justice Elena Kagan wrote a separate dissent and was joined by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

In his final hours, Smith met with family members and his spiritual adviser, according to a prison spokesperson. He ate a last meal of T-bone steak, hash browns, toast and eggs slathered in A1 steak sauce, Hood said by telephone. Hes terrified at the torture that could come. But hes also at peace. One of the things he told me is he is finally getting out, Hood said. Smith was one of two men convicted in the 1988 murder-for-hire slaying of Elizabeth Sennett. Prosecutors said he and the other man were each paid $US1000 to kill Sennett on behalf of her pastor husband, who was deeply in debt and wanted to collect on insurance.

Anti-death penalty activists place signs along the road heading to Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama, ahead of the scheduled execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith. Credit: AP The execution protocol called for Smith to be strapped to a gurney in the execution chamber  the same one where he was strapped down for several hours during the lethal injection attempt  and a full facepiece supplied air respirator to be placed over his face. After he would be given a chance to make a final statement, the warden, from another room, would activate the nitrogen gas. It would be administered through the mask for at least 15 minutes or five minutes following a flatline indication on the EKG, whichever is longer, according to the state protocol. Anti-death penalty activists campaign until the last minute on the road to the prison in Alabama. Credit: AP Hamm, the corrections commissioner, confirmed afterward that the gas was flowing for about 15 minutes. SantEgidio Community, a Vatican-affiliated Catholic charity based in Rome, had urged Alabama not to go through with the execution, saying the method is barbarous and uncivilised and would bring indelible shame to the state. And experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council cautioned they believe the execution method could violate the prohibition on torture.

Some states are looking for new ways to execute people because the drugs used in lethal injections have become difficult to find. Three states  Alabama, Mississippi and Oklahoma  have authorised nitrogen hypoxia as an execution method, but no state had attempted to use the untested method until now. Smiths lawyers had raised concerns that he could choke to death on his own vomit as the nitrogen gas flows. The state made a last-minute procedural change so he would not be allowed food in the eight hours leading up to the execution. Sennett, 45, was found dead March 18, 1988, in her home with eight stab wounds in the chest and one on each side of her neck, according to the coroner. Her husband, Charles Sennett snr, killed himself when the investigation focused on him as a suspect, according to court documents. John Forrest Parker, the other man convicted in the slaying, was executed in 2010. Smiths 1989 conviction was overturned, but he was convicted again in 1996. The jury recommended a life sentence by 11-1, but a judge overrode that and sentenced him to death. Alabama no longer allows a judge to override a jurys death penalty decision. AP
Car Dealers Tell Biden Stop Your Administration's Arm Twisting of EV's

SEE ALSO: Akio Toyoda Said "Motorist Choice Is The Future, Our Enemy is Carbon, Not Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)"

WASHINGTON, DC - January 25, 2024: The AIADA reported that nearly 5,000 Dealerships send a second letter urging Biden to "Hit the Brakes" on Government EV Arm Twisting. A coalition of nearly 5,000 car dealerships on Thursday sent a second letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to "hit the brakes" on an EPA proposal that is expected to be finalized this year.

This effort comes after nearly 4,000 dealerships in November sent a letter calling on Biden to reconsider the proposed regulations, which they argue would mandate an unrealistic shift to battery-electric vehicles in the U.S. Biden and his administration have yet to respond to the first letter. Both letters to Biden have been spearheaded by Mickey Anderson, CEO of Baxter Auto Group, which operates 20 dealerships in Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado that sell brands including Ford, Honda, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

Anderson argued BEVs are "impractical" for many U.S. customers, citing reports of cold-weather conditions affecting EV battery performance and frustrating owners.

"The tragedy here is that if the manufacturers were truly free to build the cars that customers today are preferring, we would be selling far more plug-in EVs and hybrids," he told trade magazine Automotive News.

"I don't think it would do anything to diminish the 7 or 8 percent current demand, but there would be more investments made in these other alternative technologies." Click here for the full story.
Leading global law firm Dentons said it had played an advisory role for Saudi bank Al Rajhi on a SAR1.9 billion ($506 million) murabaha facility agreement with Jabal Omar Development Company for a its flagship multi-use real estate mega-development project in the kingdom.

The two-year facility, which is backed by a Ministry of Finance guarantee, is aimed at helping the Saudi developer Jabal Omar accelerate the completion of the phases of under-construction assets.

The Dentons team was led by Banking and Finance partner Umera Ali, with support from senior associate Tony Nicholson and consultant Mahnoor Latif.

On the key role, Ali, said: "We are delighted to have supported Al Rajhi Bank on this facility and, through doing so, contributing to the further development of the kingdom's vision for the tourism sector."

"This deal further highlights the strength of Dentons' finance practice in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and we look forward to many similarly successful transactions in the kingdom this year," she added.-TradeArabia News Service
MOSCOW, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Steadfast Defender drills are provocative, and could potentially lead to tragic consequences for Europe, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Friday.

"For several months, 90,000 forces from 31 NATO member countries, as well as Sweden, will be actively operating near Russian borders on the territory from Norway to Romania," Zakharova said.

Such a step was "provocative," and "deliberately aimed at escalating the situation," she said, warning that it could increase the risk of military incidents and "ultimately lead to tragic consequences for Europe."

NATO kicked off the "Steadfast Defender 2024" exercises, its largest military drills in decades, on Wednesday. The exercises will take place in several locations and run until May 31. 
Police officers patrol near the crash site of a military transport aircraft in Russian border city of Belgorod, Jan. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

MOSCOW, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Investigative Committee has determined that the Il-76 military aircraft was hit with a missile that was launched from the Kharkov region, it said in a Telegram post on Friday.

The committee said the investigation has established that the anti-aircraft missile system that was used to hit the Il-76 aircraft was located in the Liptsy village of the Kharkov region.

It said that documents were found at the crash site of the aircraft in Belgorod, which belong to the Ukrainian military personnel that were killed.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that the missile hit the Il-76 aircraft was obviously fired from the territory controlled by the Ukrainian side.

The Ukrainian leaders knew Ukrainian prisoners were on board the plane, said Putin.

A Russian Il-76 transport aircraft with 65 Ukrainian prisoners, six crew members, and three accompanying persons on board crashed in the country's Belgorod region on Wednesday. 
NAIROBI, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Kenya sought new markets for its tea to cushion itself from declined sales among some traditional buyers due to uncertainties that include war.

The Tea Board of Kenya (TBK), in a report released on Friday in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, indicated that the East African nation recorded improved growth in sales in emerging markets in 2023 as compared to 2022.

"Improved shipments were recorded in seasonal and emerging markets such as Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Qatar, South Sudan, Australia, Spain, the Central African Republic, El Salvador, Djibouti, Romania, Gabon, Angola, Hungary and South Korea," TBK said.

Notably, South Sudan and Chad are the latest emerging markets for Kenyan tea in Africa.

The TBK said Chad, which did not import tea directly from Kenya before 2023, was now one of the top 10 export destinations as it gets its imports through Nigeria and Cameroon after the war in Sudan led to blockage of trade routes.

Some of the traditional markets, including Russia and Sudan, are facing challenges because of the war conflicts.

In Britain, exit from the European Union has seen the country import less.

"The UK, which used to re-export tea to the neighboring countries, has been recording lower imports since its exit from the European Union. Similarly, exports to Russia have been declining due to market access challenges occasioned by the Russia-Ukraine crisis," said the TBK.

The expansion of markets saw the volume of tea shipped in the first 11 months of 2023 increase to 419.7 million kilos, a rise from 405.1 million kilos in a corresponding period in 2022.

Tea is one of Kenya's major foreign exchange earners, alongside horticulture and tourism.

Kenya, in 2022, earned 138 billion shillings (about 850 million U.S. dollars) from tea and was eyeing at least 1 billion dollars from the cash crop in 2023. 
Eden Mill announces opening date for new Edinburgh immersive experience

St Andrews-based independent distiller Eden Mill has announced The Eden Mill Experience, which will open on Saturday 3 February. The companys first brand-owned venue in Edinburgh, the new venture will be located at the Head & Tales Gin Bar.

The immersive experience will offer two interactive mixology sessions with a range of cocktails featuring Eden Mill products, as well as the chance to hear the stories behind the brands spirits.

The Share the Love Gin interactive experience will feature the brands Love Gin in three cocktails, and share the story of Love Gins origins. Originally created as a limited-edition Valentines Day spirit for 2015, Love Gin is now a core offering in the Eden Mill portfolio.

For whisky fans, The Guard Bridge Masterclass is the second offering in the experience. Featuring The Guard Bridge Blended Malt Scotch Whisky , designed for mixing in cocktails, the masterclass will showcase three cocktails to demonstrate the whiskys versatility.

Hannah Ingram, head of marketing at Eden Mill, says: We are thrilled to bring a taste of St Andrews to the Scottish capital. Its a really proud moment for us to launch a venue in a city with such a vibrant drinks scene. To have our very own Eden Mill experience in Edinburgh is an honour and an exciting milestone for the brand.

While our new distillery is being built, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase the versatility our expressions have, through inventive and delicious cocktails. The experiences are really special, interactive and immersive and we cant wait to see the reaction from Scotlands wonderful capital.

Currently under construction, Eden Mills whisky and gin distillery is due to become operational later in 2024 in St Andrews. The distillerys journey has been recorded on the Eden Mill website.

The Eden Mill Experience will open on Saturday 3rd February 2024. Bookings are open via edenmill.com

26 January 2024 - Lucy Schofield
28 prisoners to be freed from Central Jail on Republic Day





Staff Reporter

As many as 28 prisoners belonging to certain categories to walk free from the Central Jail of Bhopal on the occasion of 75th Republic Day this year. Every year, on the occasion of Independence Day and Republic Day, deserving prisoners are also given freedom. These jail inamtes were serving life imprisonment, had already served more than 14 years in jail before getting the benefit of remission in sentence. According to Jailer Saroj Mishra, the 29 prisoners are going to get the benefit of remission in their sentence. These include a prisoner who had to pay a fine of Rs 1 lakh as per the court order. Which has not been filled till now. Therefore, he will not be released even after getting benefit in punishment.

The jailer told that there were 12 such prisoners lodged in Bhopal Central Jail who had to spend time in jail due to lack of money to pay the fine. While their punishment has been completed. A social worker has paid the fine amount of five such people. From time to time, social workers associated with different organizations get such prisoners released by paying the fine amount. Seven such prisoners are still in jail. Prisoners serving sentences in rape cases will not be released with the benefit of remission in their sentence. The benefit of punishment will also not be available to those prisoners who are serving their sentence in the cases of central security agencies.
30th COMP-EX 2024 inaugurated





Business Reporter

FINALLY, the curtains have been raised to let the IT enthusiasts of Nagpur walk in into yet another age of advanced technology arena. The 30th edition of Central Indias largest IT event COMP-EX 2024 was opened for the IT infrastructure and knowledge seekers on January 25. P M Parlewar, Director MSME was the guest of honour who formally lighted the traditional lamp and declared the four-day expo as open in the presence of Dinesh Naidu, President, Vice President, Rohit Jaiswal, Lalit Gandhi, Secretary, Jayanti Patel, Treasurer and Sanjay Chourasia, Joint Secretary and Executive Body members Sandeep Bhartiya, Nikhil Gandhi and Pravin Kanhe, besides other VCMDWA members.

In his address, Parlewar said that India is a leading player in the IT manufacturing sector and reiterated the self-reliant mantra given to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From the MSMEs stand for the support to the entrepreneurs, he mentioned of the various inputs vis-a-vis financial assistance, subsidies capacity building guidance, market guidance, skill development guidance and the umbrella skill development programme embarked under the MSME for people to come forward and avail the benefits. Dinesh Naidu, President, VCMDWA in his address spoke about the overall advancement in technology and their mission to organise COMP-EX with the relentless efforts of the members of VCMDWA.

The core objective of Comp-Ex so far has been to keep people abreast of the dynamics of IT industry, inform about the revolution going on in the IT world, to introduce the latest products, applications and services to the people and to also make sure that the visitors enjoy some attractive bargains, offers and schemes. Over the four days of Comp-Ex 2024 from January 25 to 28, the event at the Reshimbagh ground promises to be an enriching experience for the avid visitors.
Additional CP (Crime) Sanjay Patil awarded Presidents Police Medal





Staff Reporter

ADDITIONAL Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sanjay Bhimrao Patil has been awarded the President's Police Medal for meritorious service on the eve of the 75th Republic Day. Having an unblemished career in the police force, Patil has served in the areas where the immediate past communal disturbances had taken place like Sangamner, Chopda as Deputy Superintendent of Police (immediately after communal riot at Adavad). As Additional Superintendent of Police, he worked at Malegaon from July 2007 to December 2009 in the backdrop of 2006 and 2008 bomb blasts. As Superintendent of Police, he worked at communally sensitive district of Nandurbar. He was instrumental in maintaining communal harmony at these places.

For his outstanding work, he was conferred with the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Award instituted by the Department of Minorities, Government of Maharashtra in 2015. While posted in Nandurbar, Patil had undertaken different measures to increase the conviction rate. During his tenure, the conviction rate had touched 45 per cent in 2019. During his tenure as Foreigners Registration Officer and Passport Officer in Pune during 2014-2016, he was successful in bringing down passport application processing time drastically. Pune Commissionerate got the highest Passport Incentive Fund in Maharashtra during this period.

He undertook various measures in facilitating various services to foreigners. The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea was pleased to note his sincerity and respect commanded among Korean citizens. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Korea offered him a visit to their country in 2015 in recognition of this work. A recipient of DGs insignia, Patil during his present tenure as Additional CP (Crime) in the city is instrumental in increasing MCOCA and MPDA cases and making the first PIT-NDPS case.
BJYM organises Nav Matdata Sammelan on New Voters Day





Staff Reporter

Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), on Thursday organised Nav Matdata Sammelan (New Voters Summit) on the occasion of New Voters Day at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College Auditorium, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the new voters through virtual medium. Similar programme were organised in all four Assembly constituencies of the city. State PWD Minister Rakesh Singh attended the event as the chief guest. Addressing the new voters, Singh said that one vote has the power to change the fate and direction of the country. He emphasized that even now, a single vote from the youth can alter the course of the nation.

Rakesh Singh further said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is progressing towards new heights, evident in the completion of the Ram Temple and the abrogation of Article 370, leading to the positive transformation in Kashmir. He urged the youth to use their vote for betterment of the nation during ensuing elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the new voters virtually said that at a time when the country is working towards the goal of becoming a developed India by the year 2047, the vote of the young voters will determine the direction of India.

Speaking at Namo Nav Matdata Sammelan organised by the youth unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, PM Modi said just as the responsibility of achieving independence was on the shoulders of the youth 25 years before in 1947, similarly, the responsibility of building a developed India in the next 25 years, by 2047, lies with the youth.
BrahMos missile system exports to begin soon, says DRDO chief





By Ajit Dubey

NEW DELHI,

INDIA will begin the export of ground systems for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in the next 10 days while the missiles of the system would be sent by March this year, DRDO chairman Dr Samir V Kamat said on Thursday.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation chairman, in an interview with ANI, said the first set of BrahMos missile systems is expected to reach Philippines by the end of March. The ground systems should be sent in the next 10 days, the missiles will hopefully go by March (to Philippines), Kamat said. BrahMos missiles export to the Philippines is the biggest ever defence export contract signed with any foreign country by India.

India had signed a deal with the Philippines worth USD 375 million in January 2022 for the supply of shore-based anti-ship variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. In an interview with ANI, the DRDO chairman said that exports are going to play a significant role in the defence sector. I am sure over the coming years exports are going to become a very important part of our portfolio, he said. So far, a lot of our hull-mounted sonars, lightweight torpedo, we have exported radars, we have now a lot of interested (countries) on Pinaka among others, the top DRDO official said.

He said that approximately Rs 4.94 lakh crores worth of DRDO- developed products have either been inducted in defence or have received Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). The developments are now increasingly getting done much faster than earlier. My estimate is, more than 60 per cent or 70 per cent of the inducted products are in the last 5-7 years. The BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile system is one of the most successful missile programmes in the world.
Canadas Visa Cap





By Arun Kumar Shrivastav

IN A bid to tackle concerns about high tuition fees and student exploitation, Canada is imposing a temporary, two-year cap on new international student visas starting in 2024. This move, expected to reduce new permits by 35% in the first year, primarily targets undergraduate programs while exempting masters, doctoral degrees, and existing permit holders. Official data from 2022 indicates that the majority of foreign students, approximately 40%, come from India, with China ranking second at around 12%. Canadas appeal as a destination for international students has undeniable benefits. It boosts the countrys skilled workforce and cultural diversity. However, the rapid influx has triggered a housing shortage and raising concerns about the quality of education being imparted. The attraction of post-study work permits draws many international students to Canada. This route to permanent residency makes Canada stand out among its competitor destinations. However, the surge in student numbers has come at a cost, pushing rental prices upwards by a staggering 7.7% in just a year.

This affordability crisis has dented Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus popularity, with Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre capitalising on public anxieties in recent polls. Beyond the immediate housing crunch, the Government is also grappling with concerns about the educational experience itself. The influx of students has raised questions about the quality of education offered by some institutions, particularly those operating as private colleges. The fear is that some institutions prioritise financial gain over delivering a solid academic foundation. This balancing act presents a difficult challenge. Canada wants to maintain its attractiveness to international students, recognising their valuable contributions to the country. Yet, it also needs to address the legitimate concerns about housing affordability and ensure the integrity of its education system. Immigration Minister Marc Miller explained the cap aims to ensure quality education and protect students from institutions with inadequate support. This decision, however, could significantly impact Indian students, who form a large portion of Canadas student intake. The Government also announced that starting September 2024, students enrolled in programmes delivered via public-private partnerships will lose eligibility for post-graduate work permits.

This particularly affects Ontario, where such partnerships have witnessed a surge in international student enrolment. Officials point to two main reasons for these changes: firstly, addressing the systems integrity by preventing institutions from exploiting students for financial gain. Secondly, managing resource pressures on housing, healthcare, and other services associated with rapid population growth. While the cap might intensify competition for student spots and present challenges for qualified Indian students, the Canadian Government hopes it will ultimately foster a more ethical and sustainable student visa system. This includes protecting student well-being, safeguarding against unfair competition for legitimate institutions, and ensuring a genuine educational experience for international students in Canada. Our goal is to ensure a balanced immigration system that addresses housing challenges, prioritises legitimate academic institutions, and considers the needs of our ageing workforce, stated Miller. He acknowledged that a cap is not a universally applicable solution and stressed the importance of verifying student enrolment offers and financial means.

The Canadian Government has set ambitious immigration targets in recent years, aiming to welcome 4,85,000 newcomers in 2023 and 5,00,000 in each of 2025 and 2026. Over 3,00,000 temporary residents, including international students and migrant workers, arrived in Canada in the third quarter of 2023 alone. The Canadian Government plans to assess the feasibility of a cap in the first and second quarters of 2024, with consultations with provinces and stakeholders expected to inform the final decision and potential policy adjustments. International students contribute approximately CAD 22 billion (USD 16.4 billion) annually to the Canadian economy. The cap on foreign student intake will impact several educational institutions that had expanded their campuses with the anticipation of a sustained influx of students. Ontario, being the most populous province, has been the primary recipient of international students. Per media reports, various sectors, including restaurants and retail, have expressed concerns, warning that a cap on foreign students could result in a shortage of temporary workers.

Across Canada, the hospitality industry is grappling with labour shortages, currently experiencing nearly 100,000 vacancies. International students constituted 4.6% of the 1.1 million workers in the food service industry in 2023, a Reuterss report said last week. Canadian banks have experienced advantages from the growing number of international students, as each student is required to possess a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of more than CAD 20,000, serving as a prerequisite to cover living expenses. In response to the developments, the University of Toronto issued a statement expressing its readiness to collaborate with all levels of government. In these developments, are there any messages for India here as the country battles both housing crisis and poor quality of higher education? Or are we watching out a war of attrition between China and Canada for Indian students, workforce, and the talent pool? (IPA)
Digvijay Singh crying foul over EVM: Sharma





By Bhavana Aparajita

Shukla

Responding to Congress allegations over EVM tampering and biased Election Commission, the State unit of Bharatiya Janata Party has termed it nothing more than an attempt to hide failure. Reacting sharply to senior Congress leader Digvijays accusation on the ECI, State BJP President and MP, V D Sharma has said It is Congress partys character to insult Constitution and Government agencies. Since their party suffered defeat in recently held elections, their leaders blame machinery. Their party is going all out to save the image of Gandhi family and maintain the politics of appeasement. Sharma targets Digvijay Singhs selective approach saying whenever their party lost elections, they level charges on the Election Commission and EVM.

They dont blame when their organisation won elections. Why they didnt make such allegations after the Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh elections? They attribute victory to the partys ideology and their leaders. Fact of matter is that Congress and its allies have become aware that they are going to lose upcoming General elections. People have immense faith in BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. " Finding his diminishing role in his own party, Digvijay Singh is desperate to be in the eyes of high command and media through these acts. Sharma said Since Digvijay Singh has been sidelined in his own party and the new team of state unit doesnt pay much attention to Singhs advice, Digvijay Singh has nothing to do in his own party. Just to maintain importance, he tries to come up with such baseless issues.

Hurling a question on Congress partys silence on ECIs claim, BJP State President Sharma asked Why didnt they turn up when the Election Commission invited critics of EVM to prove claims of hacking at the commission's office? Congress party's denial attitude to the Election Commissions challenge and claim proves that Congress and its coalition partners are poised for rout in Lok Sabha election and BJP will retain in power with majority as people have faith in Modiji. Their leaders enacting dramas to mislead people with hollow claims.
ARUSHA, Tanzania, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The East African Community (EAC), a regional intergovernmental organization of eight member states, on Friday, called for strengthened cross-border cooperation to counter terrorism and transnational organized crime in the region to facilitate the free movement of goods, persons, labor, services and capital.

A statement by the EAC headquarters in Tanzania's northern city of Arusha said the call was made by the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, at the opening session of a two-day regional conference on Immigration and Border Governance in the Burundian capital Bujumbura.

The statement said the conference aimed at exploring the ever-changing migration dynamics and landscape, focusing on how better and integrated migration management can support development issues within the region.

Malueth said one of the key areas of the EAC integration process was to promote and strengthen peace and security in the region and good neighborliness, adding terrorism and transnational organized crime took many forms, including organized violence, financial crimes, narcotics and human trafficking, migrant smuggling, piracy, and cybercrime.

"It is critical for the EAC member states to work together and to ensure that the people gain the fruits of integration such as improved livelihoods," he said.

The EAC member states are Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania and Somalia. 
HC allows petitions against Indore Municipal Commissioner, others





Legal Correspondent

The single bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court comprising Justice Subodh Abhyankar in the order said that in view of the same, petition stands allowed and the impugned orders dated June 19, 2019, March 14, 2020, January 15, 2021, and June 15, 2021, are hereby quashed. Let a copy of this order be kept in other connected writ petitions. With the aforesaid, petitions are allowed and disposed of. The single bench heard the petition filed by Ashish Garg and others against the Municipal Commissioner, Indore and Joint Director, Town and Country Planning, Indore. The petition was filed by Devi Ahilya New Cloth Market Company Limited.

The company was registered on February 28, 1999, for the purpose of developing a colony for its shareholders and members and to sell the same to them. So far as the facts of the case are concerned, the petitioner Company sought to develop a colony as New Cloth Market at village Tejpur Gadbadi, Indore comprising of Survey Nos.117, 118/2, 119, 120/2, 121/2, 124/1/2, 125/2, 127/2, 128/2, 129/2, 130, 131, 132/1 and 133, in all admeasuring 46.30 acres. This land was reserved for commercial purposes in the Master Plan. The case of the petitioner is that 1139 cloth traders of Indore formed the aforesaid company for the said purpose of developing a colony, for which, petitioner company also purchased the aforesaid lands through a registered sale deed dated November 7, 1990 having obtained various permissions and exemptions under the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 and other permissions. Being aggrieved of the notice dated June 15, 2021 and other notices dated January 15, 2021, March 14, 2020, June 19, 2019 passed by the respondent Municipal Corporation, Indore and Town and Country Planning, Indore. Senior counsel for petitioner submitted that the development permission (Layout plan) had sanctioned by the respondent the Joint Director of Town and Country Planning on February 1, 2005.
India is moving towards Ram Rajya: CM





Staff Reporter

Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has said that transforming lives of people is the priority of the State Government. He said that co-ordinated efforts will ensure that Madhya Pradesh earns top ranking in every field. Chief Minister Dr Yadav was addressing new officers in a function organised on Thursday at Ravindra Bhawan to distribute appointment letters to the selected candidates in Madhya Pradesh State Civil Service. Chief Minister Dr Yadav greeted the candidates. He said that success comes after years of dedication. It is a coincidence with the consecration of Lord Rama, the nation is moving towards Ram Rajya. He said that newly-appointed officers deserve commendation as they are part of good governance. He said that newly appointed officers have an important role in making Madhya Pradesh strong and well-governed. Chief Minister Dr Yadav while interacting with the candidates responded to of their questions. Chief Minister Dr Yadav gave appointment letters to Himanshi Bajaj, Shivendra Gurjar, Commercial Officer Varsha Panwar, Commercial Tax Inspector Rahul Vishwakarma and others appointed in the Public Relations Department.

Chief Minister Dr Yadav urged the officers to work enthusiastically. They will be given all the support. He described the candidates as heritage of the country. He said that India is the youngest country. It is our collective responsibility to see that the country flourishes. It requires everyones support and co-operation for re-building the country. Keep learning new technology: Chief Minister Dr Yadav said that the present era is the era of science and technology. He stressed on optimum use of new technology to increase work efficiency. He give example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that all the assigned tasks should be completed with assured success. Dr Yadav referred to the Gurukul system of education saying that work efficiency happened to be the focus. Citing examples of Chanakya, Pannadhay, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Karpoori Thakur for their dedication to discharging duties asked the officers to be humble, studious and nourish learning attitude.Dr Yadav shares useful tips with officers: Chief Minister Dr Yadav responding to the questions counselled the officers and gave them many tips. He asked them to maintain a diary.
Indias continued re-discovery ofcivilisational heritage: President





NEW DELHI :

PRESIDENT Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said the Ram Temple will be marked in history as Indias continued re-discovery of its civilisational heritage and as a grand edifice, giving a befitting expression not only of peoples faith but also as a testament to peoples enormous trust in judicial process. In her address to the nation on the eve of the 75th Republic Day, the President spoke on various issues including the welfare schemes initiated by the Government and said it will be a proud day for the nation when it will be among those countries where homelessness is a rarity. She also touched on the conflicts that have emerged in several parts of the world and stressed at finding a way out in the light of reason. When each of the two conflicting sides believes that it is right and the other is wrong, the way out should be found in the light of reason. Unfortunately, instead of reason, fears and prejudices have fuelled passions, leading to relentless violence.

There have been a series of humanitarian tragedies on a large scale, and we feel aggrieved over the human suffering, she said. Citing the teachings of Vardhaman Mahavir, Samrat Ashoka and Mahatma Gandhi, the President said lets hope that the regions embroiled in conflicts will find a peaceful way to resolve conflicts and bring about peace. Referring to the recent consecration rituals of Lord Ram at the newly-constructed temple at Ayodhya, she said when this event will be seen in the wider perspective, the future historians will consider it a landmark in Indias continued re-discovery of its civilisational heritage. The construction of the temple commenced after the due judicial process and the decision of the highest court of the land. Now it stands as a grand edifice, giving a befitting expression not only of peoples faith but also as a testament to peoples enormous trust in the judicial process, she said. Murmu said the magnificent G20 Summit hosted by India provided lessons for all in making citizens participants in strategic and diplomatic matters that are, in the final analysis, going to shape their own future.

The G20 Summit also boosted Indias emergence as the voice of the Global South, adding a necessary element to the international discourse, she said. Talking about the economy of the country, she said India is moving ahead with confidence, which comes from and is also reflected by the robust health of the economy. Emphasising that the nation is in the early years of Amrit Kaal, the period leading to the centenary of Independence, whichis also the timeof anepochal transformation,Murmu asked citizens to abide by fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution. These duties are essential obligations of every citizen towards making Bharat a developed nation when it completes 100 years ofindependence. Here, I think of Mahatma Gandhi who had rightly said,No people have risen who thought only of rights. Onlythose didsowho thought of duties. She said the period of Amrit Kaal is also going to be the period of unprecedented technological changes. Technological advances like Artificial Intelligence and machine learning have moved from headlines into our daily lives at a breathtaking speed.

There are numerous areas of concern in the foresee able future,but there area lso exciting opportunities ahead,especially for the youth. They are exploring new frontiers, she said. The President said we have to remove hurdles from the path of youth and let them unleash their full potential. What they want is equality of opportunity.Whatthey want is not the same old rhetoric of equality, but the realisation of our cherished ideal of equality, she said. Underlining the welfare schemes launched by the Government, Murmu said the Government has not only expandedand enhanced the welfare schemes, but it has als orede fined the idea of welfare itself.
President honours Collector Dr Itankar with National Best Electoral Practice Award-2023





Staff Reporter

Droupadi Murmu, President of India, honoured Dr Vipin Itankar, District Collector of Nagpur, with the National Best Electoral Practice Award-2023 in a ceremony held at Manekshaw Auditorium in New Delhi on Thursday. Election Commission of India had organised the programme to mark the 14th National Voter Day. Arjunram Meghwal, Union Minister; Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner; Anupchandra Pande, Election Commissioner; Arun Goyal also shared the dais on this occasion. Dr Itankar received the award at the hands of the President of India. Dr Itankar is the only officer in the list of awardees from Maharashtra.

The Election Commission of India had announced the National Best Electoral Practice Award-2023 to Dr Vipin Itankar, District Collector and District Election Officer of Nagpur, in the category of Voter Education and Electoral
Professional way





BY DR ASHUTOSH APTE

VACATIONS since childhood are closely associated with attending family functions, celebrations or exploring the unexplored. The most fascinating part while fulfilling these commitments is travelling. Be it by road, rail or air. Each of the mode has its own characteristic to make it enjoyable. While travelling with air one is flabbergasted by grace of its crew members but, pained by the attitude of snobbish co passengers immersed in their mobile, laptop and very unwilling to communicate with others. Rail travel has its own dignity. As you enter the railway station premises you feel as if you are in a different world. Men in red shirts are seen swiftly and efficiently carrying impossible loads on their head and body. Signal communication of the railways fascinates us. Most impressive is the grace by which your train enters the platform. It is an enjoyable experience glancing at the running trees, electric poles, dwellings from a fast moving train. Though the rail or air journey is enjoyable it disconnects you from your world and takes you to an entirely new world. A travel by road be it by a bus or a car is not only delightful but also keeps a traveller connected with the society. During the travel one can appreciate the nature, and as the road makes its way either just bypassing the civilisation or right through a village or town a connect with the culture is never lost.

One can enjoy a change in the accent or language after a regular distance. A small break for a cup of tea or bhajias at any outlet just on the outskirts of any village allays your exhaustion. It also helps you to communicate with the friendly locals or even enjoy listening to their conversation. Recently I had an opportunity to drive my way on the prestigious engineering marvel Samruddhi mahamarg from Nagpur for a marriage ceremony at Aurangabad. It was a pleasant winter afternoon when we reached the entry point at Shivmadka. As we crossed the entry point a wide smooth road was waiting for us to test our driving skills. As we proceeded ahead for our journey it was a delightful site. The broad road ahead was almost like a straight line. We could see the horizon from our wind screen. The broad and smooth road ahead was lucrative enough to press the accelerator and speed up the vehicle at a top speed. The road was running high above the adjoining farms, barricaded on either sides for safety. It was deliberately kept away from dwellings with a purpose to keep away from human and animal transgression. Even at night the road was well lit by luminescent reflectors for a safe and quick ride.

We could reach our destination in half of the time normally required. It was a marvel of engineering and technology. But I missed the friendly touch of a normal roadway. I could not get a feel of the land or society en-route. In need of the speed contact with village and villagers had to be sacrificed. It was a novel and a beautiful experience to drive on the way and save a lot of travelling time but some where my soul desperately missed a connect with human beings. I feared has technology over shadowed the sentiments of our vibrant old-styled road travel and in turn loosing a vital connect with the people? Are we inclined to be more professional in every aspect of life? Are we not loosing our identity of being a social animal? Change, professionalism and culture is a need for a prosperous future and we should not shy away from it. But equally important is finding out a way maintaining a perfect balance between the three for a healthy, wealthy and cultured society in future.
KAMPALA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Developing countries should actively participate in shaping decisions that directly impact them rather than relinquishing the responsibility to other nations, Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeje Odongo has said.

"Whereas decolonization may not be on top of our agenda, justice, which was embedded in the question of decolonization, is still an issue for us. Is the world just? No. We seek to ensure that we have a justice system that works," Odongo said in an interview with Xinhua at a recent meeting attended here by senior officials of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) members.

The NAM is an international organization dedicated to representing the interests and aspirations of the Global South and comprises 121 developing countries. It aspires to establish a united front during a time of heightened geopolitical tension.

At the founding of the NAM in 1961, newly emerging post-colonial nations hesitated to join any single political bloc during the Cold War. Odongo said the current divide in the Global North calls on the Global South to remain united. He emphasized that complex global challenges have given NAM's founding principles new life.

"The world today is more volatile, and there are struggles for a new redistribution of power ... We, the Global South, the least developed world, seek to achieve justice in power distribution, justice in development, and in humanity," he said.

As Uganda took the chairmanship of the NAM from Azerbaijan, the minister said the country will continue to build solidarity and collaboration among the Global South during its three-year term.

"There is an ongoing reconfiguration of the global governance system, and the NAM must have a say," Odongo said. He noted that in the past, the Western system of governance was dictated to developing countries by Western powers. Today, new governance systems have proven to work.

As a larger part of the developed North continues to push for unilateralism, the Global South must stay the course of multilateralism, he said, stressing that it is through multilateralism that countries can collectively bargain on international issues that affect them. 
MOROGORO, Tanzania, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed by flash floods caused by heavy rains in eastern Tanzania, authorities said Thursday.

Of the dead, two pupils were killed after their houses were swept away by flash floods at Kihonda Kiegeya in the Morogoro municipality on Thursday morning, said Shaaban Malugujo, Morogoro region's commander for the Tanzania Fire and Rescue Force.

Two women were injured and rushed to the hospital for recovery, Malugujo added.

The floods were due to the overflowing Ngerengere River after heavy rains in the Uluguru mountains, he said.

The Morogoro municipality central market was suspended due to floods, most of the streets in the municipality were impacted, and some residential houses and other business structures were submerged, said Receba Nsemwa, the Morogoro district commissioner. 
TOKYO, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended lower Friday, as caution about the recent market rally drove investors to lock in gains across broader sectors.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended down 485.40 points, or 1.34 percent, from Thursday at 35,751.07.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 34.27 points, or 1.35 percent, lower at 2,497.65.

Every industry category on the top-tier Prime Market lost ground except for rubber product issues. Decliners were led by marine transportation, bank and electric appliance issues.

The benchmark Nikkei finished below the 36,000 line for the first time in a week, amid lingering concern that the Tokyo stock market was overheating after both key indexes ended at 34-year highs earlier this week, analysts said.

Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by 2,461 to 1,180, and 250 ended unchanged. 
MANILA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- A fire gutted at least 15 houses in a residential area in Lucena City in Quezon province, southeast of Manila, early Friday, killing four people and injuring one, police said.

In a spot report, Lucena city police identified the four fatalities, including one 72-year-old and one 65-year-old, and two others aged 18 and 8, who were all living together in one of the burned houses.

The victims were trapped inside the house and their remains were discovered by firemen during mopping-up operations. The detail on their family relationship was not provided.

Another victim suffered a second-degree burn and was rushed to the nearby hospital for treatment.

The blaze broke out at 3:45 a.m. local time and was put out at 6:26 a.m. local time. Firemen were still investigating to determine the cause of the fire. 
HANOI, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Asia is the largest market for Vietnamese peppercorns, accounting for 52.7 percent of the nation's total export volume of the product, according to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association.

Among Asian countries, China is the Vietnam's biggest peppercorn importer with 60,135 tons in 2023, accounting for 22.8 percent of total, Vietnam News Agency reported Friday, citing the association.

In contrast to an annual decline in peppercorn exports from major producers such as Brazil, Indonesia, India and Malaysia, Vietnam has witnessed a remarkable surge of over 13.8 percent with a total of 264,094 tons and 906.5 million U.S. dollars.

In the coming months, Vietnam's pepper export is expected to see a slowdown because domestic supply is no longer abundant, said the report, adding that the pepper inventory in 2024 will be at its lowest level in many years. 
I take that all to heart in playing the role and there are some things I take from him, but generally we made a whole new movie and I'm really excited about it. They're big shoes to fill, but Patrick was a friend when he was here.
Emirates, one of the worlds largest international airlines, said it will ramp up its operations in Australia by upgrading its second daily flight EK430/431 between Dubai and Brisbane to an A380, starting from October 1.

Along with this, Emirates will add a second daily service between Dubai and Perth operated by a Boeing 777-300ER starting from December 1.

Emirates second A380 flight EK430 to Brisbane will depart Dubai at 0230hrs, arriving in Brisbane at 2220hrs. Emirates return flight EK431 will depart Brisbane at 0155hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1005hrs. All times are local.

The additional flight to Perth will be operated by an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER. Starting from December 1, Emirates flight EK424 will depart from Dubai at 0915hrs and arrives in Perth at 0005hrs the following day. Emirates return flight EK425 will depart from Perth at 0600hrs and arrives in Dubai at 1310hrs. All times are local.

Through upgraded A380 operations to Brisbane and the resumption of Emirates second service to Perth, the airline will increase weekly capacity to Australia by an additional 6,900 seats, further serving growing demand for international travel through Dubai and beyond to the airlines global network of over 140 destinations.

This is in addition to facilitating convenient air connectivity for the shipment of exports and imports, further supporting Australian businesses and specialised industries.

Emirates second daily flight between Dubai and Perth will further provide additional connectivity to the airlines gateways in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, ensuring more convenient options for travellers.

Customers flying from Brisbane to popular destinations including the UK, Italy, France, Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt will also benefit from the boost in seat capacity offered by the airlines double daily A380 services.

Barry Brown, Divisional Vice President Australasia at Emirates, said: We're pleased to offer more choice and opportunities for Australians travelling from Brisbane and Perth through the increase of our operations.

Its a demonstration of the importance of both gateways for tourism and trade, and Emirates commitment to ensure convenient schedules and comfortable connections to and through Dubai.

Whether its the advantage of seamless afternoon connections from Dubai to a wealth of destinations across Europe on the second Perth flight, or a full A380 experience to and from Brisbane to close to 50 cities served by our flagship, were creating access to diverse opportunities for business, leisure, culture, and more.

The ramp up is also a testament to our commitment in enhancing global connectivity to our Australian gateways and supporting tourism and trade growth opportunities.

Gert-Jan de Graaff, Brisbane Airport Chief Executive Officer, said: "The A380 will allow up to 100,000 extra passengers per year to travel between Queensland and Europe, which is Brisbanes second busiest international destination. Now in its 21st year of serving Brisbane, Emirates is our number one mover of people to and from Europe.

Importantly, Emirates stands out from the pack as the leading airline in over the bay operations, reducing noise impacts on the local community. More than two-thirds of all overnight Emirates flights have been over Moreton Bay during the period from July to December 2023.

Western Australian Government Acting Tourism Minister, John Carey, said: "Securing additional direct aviation services is absolutely vital to driving more travellers to our state, injecting visitor spend into our economy, and creating jobs in the tourism and hospitality industries.

Perth Airports Chief Operating Officer, Scott Woodward, said: The re-introduction of Emirates second daily service is great news as it will add significant capacity into the Perth market. Emirates is an important airline partner for Western Australia and this additional daily service delivers an impressive 250,000 seats per year on this very popular route.

Emirates currently serves Australia with 63 weekly flights to Brisbane, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, operated by a mix of A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft transporting 56,000 passengers per week to and from these major cities.

The airline has recently announced doubling its Premium Economy offering on flights to Melbourne starting from February 1, adding to the two daily four-class A380 services to Sydney.  TradeArabia News Service
YANGON, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar has kicked off the 23rd Arts and Science Research Conference at the Naypyitaw State Academy in capital Nay Pyi Taw, the official media Myanma Alinn reported on Friday.

Speaking at the opening event on Thursday, Myanmar's State Administration Council chairman Min Aung Hlaing highlighted the significant role of research conferences and paper reading sessions in promoting educational advancements and fostering human resources.

Additionally, he stressed the importance of quality research for socioeconomic progress, saying that quality research can help create jobs, establish new factories, reduce production costs and drive technological and creative innovation.

He also said that research is the lifeblood of universities and contributes to the knowledge and expertise of teachers and students. Continued innovation through new findings can benefit society and facilitate the emergence of experts.

To support these endeavors, the country has pledged to annually increase research expenses for universities, expand research laboratory equipment, and establish new research centers, he said.

Organized by the Ministry of Education, the three-day conference includes paper reading sessions and discussion of 314 research papers from universities and researchers across the country.

The event, attended by rectors, pro rectors, officials, researchers, professors, lecturers and students, is scheduled to continue until Jan. 27. 
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Nathalie de Gaulle, great-granddaughter of the former French President Charles de Gaulle, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Paris, France, Jan. 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

PARIS, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- China-France cooperation to defend true multilateralism is a continuation of former French President Charles de Gaulle's legacy, Nathalie de Gaulle, great-granddaughter of the former French president, has said.

Nathalie de Gaulle made the remarks in an exclusive interview recently with Xinhua. In 1964, France became the first major Western country to establish diplomatic relations with China. Sixty years later, China and France, two independent countries, have cooperated to defend true multilateralism.

She said that de Gaulle's decision to establish diplomatic relations with China was very bold at the time because it would bring the world, which was divided between the Western bloc and the Eastern bloc, closer together. "And so, somewhere, it was a decision that led to the globalization that we are experiencing today," she said.

"I think that what characterizes General de Gaulle's international policy is his grandeur, his independence, and his realism. So, given the pragmatic and visionary politician that he was, he considered that we must have a dialogue with China, that we had to create strong links with your country (China). And that was typical Gaullian realism," she said.

Today, the world faces multiple crises. She said that no country could face all the challenges alone posed by climate change, current wars, etc.

"I think that China and France, also through the European Union, have already collaborated a lot on climate change. A symbolic example is that the agreements were signed in 2022 on biodiversity, particularly important between China and France ... This dialogue established between our two countries for sixty years, and now between the European Union and China, seems to me extremely profitable and obviously perpetuates the vision of my great-grandfather: to see the world in a lucid way, with its crises, its problems and to rely on national greatness as well as international cooperation to face up to the challenges, which was already the case at the time," she said.

She further said that China has been a global strategic partner of France since 2004. In this context, a lot of economic, scientific and industrial cooperation has been developed.

"As part of the new cooperation that we could envisage, I am very sensitive to the maritime field. China is a large coastal country bordered by seas and France has the second largest maritime territory in the world, thanks to its departments and overseas regions," she said.

"It seems to me (that) a certain number of cooperation could be developed both on biodiversity, which we have already started in 2022, but also on exploration and seabed mapping, or on all aspects of marine renewable energies. This would be something which, I think, could be very beneficial for our two countries," she added.

"About the European Union, we must continue this cooperation on the fight against global warming, which, in my opinion, can only be done between large geographical entities. It is a global challenge. Europe and China must continue to work together, as they did so within the framework of COP28 in Dubai," she said.

Nathalie de Gaulle noted her family has been closely linked to China for sixty years. Her uncle, Jean de Gaulle, who was a deputy in the National Assembly, was president of the France-China interparliamentary friendship committee, and her father, Yves de Gaulle, often went to China like his brother. "So my uncle and my father told us a lot of anecdotes. And both of them, in fact, always told us about the historical depth of China."

The 41-year-old great-granddaughter of the former French president has been fascinated by China since adolescence when the country still seemed very distant to her, with a mentality and customs extremely different from her own country's.

For Nathalie de Gaulle, there are a lot of things to discover in China. She believes that this year, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, will be rich in cultural and tourist events for France and China.

"I would like to meet the students, perhaps give courses, in any case be in contact with the Chinese students. I was asked to perhaps actually come and give courses in Beijing or Guangdong. I would very much like to exchange with them and perhaps allow them to better understand what is happening in Europe and France," she said.

"I believe we can learn a lot from each other about our respective visions" and how to consider both our past and our future, she added. 

Nathalie de Gaulle, great-granddaughter of the former French President Charles de Gaulle, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Paris, France, Jan. 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

Nathalie de Gaulle, great-granddaughter of the former French President Charles de Gaulle, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Paris, France, Jan. 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, currently shooting for their much-anticipated film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan in Jordan, celebrated Republic Day with a touch of national pride. The dynamic duo took a break from their intense action sequences to share a delightful video, capturing the essence of the special day.

Akshay Kumar, exuding his signature charisma, was clad in an all-black ensemble, sporting a stylish black shirt paired with matching pants. Meanwhile, Tiger Shroff opted for a contrasting look, donning a white shirt elegantly paired with beige-colored pants. As the iconic tune of Vande Mataram played in the background, the actors waved the tricolor, invoking a sense of unity and patriotism.

Watch the video here:

Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar)

Fans, eagerly anticipating the release of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, were treated to this heartfelt celebration, leaving them excited for the on-screen chemistry and intense action sequences promised by the film. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and produced by a stellar team including Zafar, Jackky Bhagnani, Vashu Bhagnani, Deepshikha Deshmukh, and Himanshu Kishan Mehra, the film is set to be a Hindi-language action-thriller.

The star-studded cast includes not only Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff in the titular roles but also features Prithviraj Sukumaran, Sonakshi Sinha, Manushi Chhillar, Alaya F, and Ronit Roy. The first look poster, unveiled on January 20, 2024, has already piqued the interest of cinephiles, and the teaser, released on January 24, 2024, has only added to the anticipation surrounding the film.

As the nation celebrated Republic Day with fervor and pride, these Bollywood icons added their touch to the festivities, creating a memorable moment that resonated with fans. With Bade Miyan Chote Miyan gearing up for release, the excitement is palpable, promising a cinematic experience that blends action, drama, and the spirit of patriotism.
Embracing the spirit of Republic Day with a dash of Fighter style, Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan recently shared heartfelt wishes with fans across his social media platforms. The actor, who soared into the hearts of audiences with his aerial action film Fighter, which hit the silver screens just a day before the national celebration, took a moment to commemorate the 75th Republic Day.

On January 26th, Hrithik Roshan conveyed his warm regards through an Instagram post, treating fans to a specially crafted video. The clip featured captivating snippets from his recent cinematic endeavor, Fighter, accompanied by a resonant voiceover delivering a powerful dialogue from the film.

Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hrithik Roshan (@hrithikroshan)

In the accompanying caption, Hrithik reflected on his evolving awareness of the monumental sacrifices made by the Indian Defence forces to safeguard the nations borders. The actor expressed gratitude, acknowledging that in the past few years, he has come to realize the limited understanding people often have about the extent of the defense forces endeavors. His message highlighted the 75th year of Indias Republic, paying homage to the courageous men and women stationed at the borders who embody the unwavering spirit of the nation. Hrithik signed off with a resounding Jai Hind !!!

Fighter, the latest cinematic venture from Hrithik Roshan, boasts a stellar cast including Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Karan Singh Grover, and Akshaye Oberoi, among others. Released theatrically on January 25th, the film has garnered a positive response from audiences, adding another feather to Hrithiks illustrious cap.

As the nation commemorates its 75th year as a Republic, Hrithiks Republic Day message resonates not only with his fans but also serves as a heartfelt tribute to the brave individuals who stand guard at the frontiers, ensuring the safety and sovereignty of the nation.
RRR actor Ram Charan and his wife Upasana Konidela expressed heartfelt wishes to father and south superstar Chiranjeevi on receiving the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour in the country.

Taking to his official X handle, Ram Charan wrote, Congratulations @KChiruTweets on the prestigious Padma Vibhushan! Your contribution to Indian cinema and society at large has played an instrumental role in shaping me and inspiring countless fans. You are an impeccable citizen of this great nation. Immense gratitude to the Government of India & @narendramodi Ji for this honour and recognition. A big shout-out to all fans & well-wishers for their support. Heres to your well-deserved honour #Megastar #PadmaVibhushan #PadmaVibhushanChiranjeevi.

Congratulations @KChiruTweets on the prestigious Padma Vibhushan! Your contribution to Indian cinema and society at large has played an instrumental role in shaping me and inspiring countless fans. You are an impeccable citizen of this great nation.. Advertisement Immense gratitude to  Ram Charan (@AlwaysRamCharan) January 26, 2024

Ram Charans wife, Upasana Konidela, extended her wishes on X, posting, Congratulations dearest Mamaya.

Apart from Chiranjeevi, actor-danceuse Vyajayantimala Bali and dancer Padma Subrahmanyam will also receive the second-highest civilian honour in the country.

On Thursday evening, they announced the recipients of this years Padma awards.

Expressing his delight for being the recipient of the top national honour, Chiranjeevi said, After hearing this news, I became speechless. Im really overwhelmed. I am humbled and grateful for this honour. Its only the unconditional and invaluable love of the people, audiences, fans, my blood brothers, and blood sisters that allowed me to reach here. I owe my life and this moment to you. I always try to express my gratitude in ways that I can, though I know I can never do enough.

Chiranjeevi is among the most influential and successful actors and has worked in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada films.

He is popular for his movies such as Vijetha, Indra, Shankar Dada M.B.B.S. Most recently, he appeared in Bholaa Shankar. (ANI)

Also Read: Chiranjeevi honored with Padma Vibhushan, thanks fans and PM Modi
After the Archaeological Survey of India released its survey report on the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, Hindu Mahasabha president Swami Chakrapani Maharaj appealed to the Muslim side to give the rights of the Hindus back to them and set an example.

The ASI survey was ordered by the Varanasi district court after the Hindu petitioners claimed the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing temple.

In the Gynavapi case, the ASI has given a decisive report. It is clear that before the current structure, there was a huge Sanatani Temple. I appeal to the Muslim side that they should hand the rights of the Hindus back to them and set an example that if the Mughals did something incorrect, then the present Muslim generation does not support it, Swami Chakrapani said on Thursday.

The ASI report on the Gyanvapi mosque complex revealed that a pre-existing structure appeared to have been destroyed in the 17th century, and part of it was modified and reused, adding that based on scientific studies, it can be said that there existed a large Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure.

The ASI also said the western wall of the existing structure is the remaining part of a pre-existing Hindu temple.

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The Arabic-Persian inscription found inside a room mentions that the mosque was built in the 20th regnal year of Aurangzeb (1676-77 CE). Hence, the pre-existing structure appears to have been destroyed in the 17th century, during the reign of Aurangzeb, and part of it was modified and reused in the existing structure. Based on scientific studies/ survey carried out, study of architectural remains, exposed features and artefacts, inscriptions, art and sculptures, it can be said that there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure, the ASI said in its report.

Based on the scientific studies and observations on central chamber and main entrance of the pre-existing structure in existing structure, western chamber and western wall, reuse of pillars and pilasters of pre-existing structure in the existing structure, inscriptions on the existing structure, Arabic and Persian inscription on the loose stone, sculptural remains in cellars, etc.,it can be said that there existed a large Hindu temple, prior to the construction of the existing structure, the report further said.
Kerala Governor Arif Muhammad Khan on Friday highlighted the achievements of the Central government in various fields, including defence, healthcare, drug manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure development, start-ups and welfare of the poor, on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day celebrations.

Delivering the Republic-Day message after unfurling the national flag and receiving a salute during the ceremonial parade held at the Central Stadium here, Arif Mohammed Khan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to make India a superpower. He said Viksit Sankalp Yatra has brought the development achievements of the Central government to the people.

The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, which reached even the remotest corners of the nation, created awareness about the governments welfare schemes and ensured access to clean cooking fuel, Ayushman Health Cards and insurance to lakhs of people, the governor said.

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Speaking on the capabilities and strength of our armed forces, Governor Khan said, As a nation, we take immense pride in our Armed Forces, which are among the strongest in the world, with capabilities matching their large mandate. Their eternal vigil and restraint instill in us a greater sense of security. The recent developments at the borders were a test more of their restraint than of their strength.

He said that the Make in India strategy was a success and the same was visible in the indigenous semi-high-speed train Vande Bharat as well as the Kochi Water Metro, the first of its kind in India, operating on electric hybrid mode. He said the country registered growth in production, exports, due to the spirit of Aatmanirbharta and this had helped the country surmount the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Atmanirbhar Bharat announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the days of the pandemic, rekindled the spark of creativity and innovation, taking the Gandhian concept of Gram Swaraj to the next level, said Governor Khan.

Dwelling at length on the strides the country has made in space science, the governor said, Today, we as a nation take immense pride in the soft-landing of Indias Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the Moons South Pole, a feat which no other country could achieve before. Mission Gaganyaan and the success of Aditya L-1, the first space based Indian mission to study the Sun, have also added to our national prestige.

Underlining the importance of dissent and differences of opinion in the democratic system, he cautioned that those would not degenerate into violence. Dissent and differences of opinion are essential ingredients of democratic functioning but they should not degenerate into violence, Governor Khan said.

Stating that the country was having a great potential for greater progress, he said, Indias presidency of the G-20, Parliament passing the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, the countrys upsurge as the worlds preeminent nation in terms of real-time payments, our exports surpassing the USD 400 billion mark and overtaking Europe in terms of 5G user base were accomplishments that signal our potential for greater progress.

The governor called for preserving the autonomy of higher education institutions and to prevent outside interference that leads the youth to engage in activities which pollute the academic environment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the annual NCC PM rally at the Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi on Saturday.

According to the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), the event will include a cultural programme on the theme Amrit Kaal Ki NCC showcasing contribution and empowerment of the Amrit Peedhi.

In the true Indian spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, more than 2,200 NCC cadets and young cadets from 24 foreign countries will be a part of this years rally.

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As special guests, more than 400 Sarpanches of the Vibrant Villages and more than 100 women belonging to various Self-Help Groups from different parts of the country will also attend NCC PM Rally.
After the culmination of the 75th Republic Day parade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi waved at the people who attended the parade at Kartavya Path on Friday.

The audience erupted into cheers, warmly welcoming the PM with claps and chants.

PM Modi who is known for his sartorial choices opted to wear a multi-coloured turban with the predominant colour yellow, considered the colour of Lord Ram.

Recently, PM Modi led the rituals at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shri Ram Lalla in the newly-built Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22. So, the yellow colour in his turban is quite significant in many ways.

Along with the beautiful Rajasthani Bandhini print turban, the PM kept his outfit white kurta and pyjama with a brown Nehru jacket. The entire look perfectly conveyed his love for the nation, and its religious beliefs, and represented the ideology of unity in diversity.

PM Modis turban was first spotted when he arrived at the National War Memorial this morning to honour the bravehearts of the Indian armed forces.

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The Republic Day celebrations commenced with the homage ceremony at the National War Memorial where PM Modi paid floral tributes to fallen heroes by laying a wreath and concluded with the National Anthem.

As India celebrated its 75th Republic Day with a spectacular presentation of unity, culture, and discipline by the Indian forces and participants as they marched at Kartavya Path in the national capital.

At the close of the ceremony, President Droupadi Murmu and Republic D ay Parade Chief Guest France President Emmanuel Macron were escorted by the Presidents Bodyguard- Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak as they departed for Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The people watching the parade were thrilled at the stunning show of courage in the Indian motorcycle display and air show which marked the end of the parade.

Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day on Friday by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path.

President Murmu on her arrival at Kartavya Path was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

For the first time ever, an all-women tri-service contingent participated in the parade. As many as 16 states and Union Territories also displayed their heritage diversity with the help of cultural performances and tableaux.

A French military contingent also participated in the parade earlier. This year, the parade has twin themes  Visit Bharat (developed India) and Bharat  Loktantra Ki Matruka (Mother of Democracy).
President Droupadi Murmu on Friday hosted an at-home reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, who was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, were among the many dignitaries attending the reception.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife Sudesh Dhankhar were also among the attendees at the reception.

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Lok Sabha speaker OM Birla, Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, and Dharmendra Pradhan also attended the in-house reception on a decked-up and well-lit front yard of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

President Murmu was pictured introducing her French counterpart to other dignitaries at the reception.

The President also interacted with the foreign dignitaries at the function.

Earlier in the day, President Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path.

On her arrival at Kartavya Path, she was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Based on the twin themes of Viksit Bharat and Bharat  Loktantra ki Matruka, this years parade witnessed the participation of around 13,000 special guests, an initiative aimed at providing an opportunity for people from all walks of life to take part in the celebrations and encourage Jan Bhagidari (public involvement) at the event.

As many as 16 states and Union Territories also displayed their heritage diversity through cultural performances and tableaux.

President Droupadi Murmu and French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the Kartavya Path in the traditional buggy, which made a comeback at the event after 40 years.

For the first time, an all-women contingent of the Armed Forces Medical Services marched on Kartavya Path, led by Major Srishti Khullar, with Capt Amba Samant from the Army Dental Corps, Surg Lt Kanchana from the Indian Navy, and Flt Lt Dhivya Priya from the Indian Air Force.

The Indian Navy tableau also highlighted the themes of Nari Shakti and Atmanirbharta, also showing aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and Navy ships Delhi, Kolkata and Shivalik and Kalavari Class Submarine.

A French military contingent also participated in the Republic Day parade.
Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria said on Friday the state government signed two peace accords and resolved boundary disputes with neighbouring states, thus ushering in progress in the North-Eastern state.

Speaking at the Republic Day function here after hoisting the national flag, Kataria underscored the governments commitment to the welfare of the people through various welfare schemes.

He highlighted two major accomplishments in the past year, namely the peace accord with ULFA in December, ending a prolonged conflict, and the Dimasa peace pact in April, addressing the specific aspirations of the community.

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Kataria also mentioned the agreement between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, leading to the resolution of disputes in various areas.

Patting the back of the state police in maintaining peace, Kataria said their efforts were commendable in dismantling fundamentalist groups like the Popular Front of India.

The Governor touched upon the efforts of the state government against child marriages initiated last year.

He emphasised the governments zero-tolerance approach to corruption, resulting in actions against several officials. The Governor also outlined various welfare schemes undertaken by the government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began Republic Day 2024 celebrations by paying floral tributes at the National War Memorial in Delhi on Friday morning to honour bravehearts of the Indian armed forces.

PM Modi was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on his arrival at the National War Memorial.

This year, the guards were commanded by an Indian Army Officer, Major Indrajeet Sachin from 6th Battalion of Sikh Regiment.

When the Prime Minister laid the wreath, the Inter-Services Guards presented `Salami Shastra followed by Shok Shastra. Simultaneously, the buglers sounded the Last Post.

PM Modi observed a two-minute silence in homage to the supreme sacrifices of the armed personnel in protecting the nation after which the buglers played Rouse and the guards presented Salami Shastra again.

The Prime Minister then endorsed his remarks in the digital Visitors Book of the National War Memorial.

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PM Modi was joined by the three service chiefs as he paid his respects at the solemn function. He then proceeded to the Kartavya Path for the Republic Day parade.

President of India, Droupadi Murmu will unfurl the national flag, to be followed by a rendition of the national anthem, and receive a 21-gun salute. The parade will commence with President Murmu taking the salute.

French President Emmanuel Macron will be the Chief Guest at the parade, which is set to showcase Indias rich cultural diversity, unity and progress; its military prowess on the back of increasing indigenous capabilities, and the growing Nari Shakti.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi extended greetings to the nation on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day.

Best wishes on the special occasion of the 75th Republic Day. Jai Hind! PM Modi posted on X.

A total of 25 tableaux, including 16 from various States and Union territories and 9 from central government departments, will be on display at the Republic Day parade.

Republic Day is celebrated on January 26 every year to commemorate the day when our Constitution came into effect in 1950.
BELGRADE, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Serbia will celebrate the Chinese New Year from Jan. 29 to Feb. 19 to welcome the "Year of the Dragon" with a series of cultural events across Belgrade, Novi Sad, Nis, and Smederevo, organizers announced at a press conference here on Friday.

Organized by the Serbian government, the Chinese Embassy, and the Belt and Road Institute, the celebration will highlight diverse cultural performances, including opera by the "Zhejiang Wu" troupe in Nis and Novi Sad, along with interactive exhibitions, tea ceremony presentations, martial arts, and puppet shows in Smederevo.

Belgrade's festivities will feature events at the Galerija shopping center and a spectacular fireworks display at Belgrade Waterfront, culminating in a concert by the Chinese National Traditional Orchestra at Ilija M. Kolarac Endowment on Feb. 19.

Ambassador of China to Serbia Li Ming said the Chinese New Year is about family reunion and happiness, adding that the universal values of humanity and well-being of people are common values shared both by the Chinese and Serbian people.

"The Serbian government takes pride in showcasing different aspects of Chinese culture each year," said Danijel Nikolic, assistant to the General Secretary of the Serbian Government.

Bojan Lalic, director of the Belt and Road Institute, said the objective of the festivities is to strengthen cultural bonds and foster mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation.

"We have planned a variety of activities, including artistic performances, opera, concerts, exhibitions, and workshops on traditional arts and Chinese culture," Lalic said. 
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the unprecedented differences arisen between a division bench and a single judge bench of the Calcutta High Court over a CBI probe into alleged irregularities pertaining to admissions in medical colleges in West Bengal.

As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, the five senior most judges of the Supreme Court will hear the suo motu matter in a special sitting on Saturday.

Initiated by the top court on its own motion, the case titled In Re: Orders of Calcutta High Court Dated 24.01.2024 and 25.01.2024 and Ancillary Issues will be heard by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B.R. Gavai, Surya Kant, and Aniruddha Bose.

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In an order passed on Thursday, a single-judge bench of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay ignored a decision passed by the division bench and asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to immediately start investigation in a case involving fake caste certificates in admission for medical colleges and hospitals in the state.

The order passed by the single-judge bench on Wednesday calling for a CBI probe in the matter was stayed by a division bench of Justices Soumen Sen and Uday Kumar. Justice Gangopadhyay even accused one of the two judges of the division bench of acting clearly for some political party.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed his grief at the demise of SP MLA Shiv from the Gainsari assembly constituency Pratap Yadav in UPs Balrampur district.

CM Yogi wrote on the social media platform X: The demise of Dr Shiv Pratap Yadav, the MLA from the Gainsari assembly of Uttar Pradesh, is extremely saddening. My condolences are with the grieving family. May Lord Shri Ram grant a place for the departed soul in His divine feet and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this loss. Om Shanti.

Shiv Pratap Yadav was undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. He breathed his last late on Thursday night.

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In the presidential elections held in Taiwan on 13 January 2024, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate William Lai emerged victorious. This marked a record third term at the helm for any Taiwanese party and comes after the current President Tsai IngWen lays down office after two four-year terms and thus was ineligible to run.

What brought the election outcome back to the limelight notwithstanding China claim on the island as one of its own provinces was that just 48 hours after the announcement that the ruling party had secured the presidency, the south-west Pacific Ocean island of Nauru, with a population of 12,500, dropped a bombshell by announcing it was cutting formal diplomatic ties with Taipei and was establishing relations with Beijing.

Nauru is one of the worlds smallest countries located about 4,000 km northeast of Sydney and has a total land area of 21 sq km. How did it transpire? On 15 January, Naurus President David Adeang announced in a national address his countrys decision to end its decades-long ties with Taiwan to recognise China. He also said that the move was in the best interests of the island nation and its people. It transpired that henceforth Nauru would be moving to follow the One-China principle and was seeking a resumption of full diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China.

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This meant that the Republic of Nauru will no longer recognise the Republic of China (Taiwan) as a separate country but rather as an inalienable part of China. Further, the government statement called this a significant first step in moving forward with Naurus development.

As regards China, it continues to claim Taiwan despite the fact it has not ruled the island nation for the past 70 years and sees it as having no right to establish state-to-state ties. Taiwan rejects such a position. Nauru first established diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1980. In 2002, it cut ties with Taiwan in favour of Beijing. But relations with Taipei were re-established three years later in 2005, only to switch allegiance back to China again now.

China had dubbed the DPP candidate even before the elections as a splittist. He was further described as a troublemaker and dangerous separatist. By poaching another of Taiwans diplomatic allies, Beijing was expressing its displeasure with William Lai. Naurus announcement coincided with a visit to Taiwan by an unofficial delegation from the USA, much to Beijings displeasure. While the announcement brought Nauru into international limelight, the US trip was not the trigger.

Taiwan alleged that China had engaged in money diplomacy, by offering Nauru far more money that what Taipei provides to allies. Beijing disagreed, saying that as a sovereign country, Nauru independently made the right choice and that the One-China principle is where global opinion trends and where the arc of history bends. Both China and Taiwan have consistently accused each other of engaging in dollar diplomacy to poach allies.

The impact of Beijings consistent effort to internationally isolate Taiwan is not expected to be harsh on Taiwan as even without formal diplomatic ties, Taiwan maintains representative offices focusing on economic and cultural activities in many countries. These are seen as de facto embassies. With Nauru gone, the self-ruled island of Taiwan is left with just 12 diplomatic allies.

Most are small, less-developed nations in Latin America and the Caribbean: Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Paraguay, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Eswatini, Marshall Islands, Palau, Tuvalu and the Holy See, which is the central administration of the Roman Catholic Church.

After Tsai Ing-Wen took power in 2016, Taiwan has become increasingly isolated internationally and has lost 10 diplomatic allies, including Nauru. In 2023, Honduras made the diplomatic switch from Taipei to Beijing, following in the footsteps of Nicaragua in 2021 and Kiribati and the Solomon Islands in the space of a week in 2019. Soon, a war of words followed between Taipei, Beijing and Washington.

Briefing the media, the Taiwan foreign ministry lamented Naurus move and alleged that Beijing had intentionally timed it after the election. While Taiwans deputy foreign minister Tien Chungkwang called Naurus move as a blatant attack on democracy, Chinas foreign ministry appreciated and welcomed the decision. It announced that Beijing stands to work with Nauru and that a new chapter now opens in Nauru-China bilateral relations.

The US reacted by saying Naurus sovereign decision was a disappointing one. It was a pity that Nauru failed to understand Beijing makes promises in exchange for diplomatic relations that ultimately remain unfulfilled. Beijing quickly hit back, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning saying the US statement undermines a sovereign nations independent decision and supports Taiwan in expanding its international space. She said the US statement was a serious violation of the One-China Principle.

She urged the US to handle Taiwan-related issues cautiously and restrain itself from making statements that could be provocative. Since Lai would assume office in May, Beijing is likely to wait and assess before it accelerates its push to cajole and intimidate Taiwan further. Military intimidation however is likely to continue. PostMay, cross-strait tensions are likely to rise with the intention of forcing Lai to come close to Beijings demands.

That however is unlikely to happen. Though the DPP has said that it favours maintaining the status quo, with Taiwan having its own government, and has refused to acknowledge Taiwan as part of China, Beijings response has remained a bit muted. It is possible that Beijing has chosen less overt and forceful measures so that it can avoid attention or condemnation from the international community. The DPP is aware that Chinas economic levers did not have an impact on Taiwans polls.

The DPP adheres to the warnings of Beijing that it could suspend tariff cuts on more Taiwanese products. It is up to Beijing to assess how it is going to optimise economic sanctions to bring Lai to accept its line of thinking without unduly alienating Taiwanese society. As the poll outcome revealed, Taiwanese people are keen to maintain, protect and defend their identity. If Beijing decides to go overboard in its efforts to bring Taiwan into submission, its people are not expected to sit idle and as mute spectators. It is in Beijings best interest to realise this aspect of nationalism and not precipitate a crisis unnecessarily

(The writer is former Senior Fellow at Pradhanmantri Memorial Museum and Library (PMML), New Delhi. Earlier he was ICCR Chair Professor at Reitaku University, Japan, and Senior Fellow at the MP-IDSA, New Delhi)
On 26 January India will celebrate its 75th Republic Day. Preparations are in full swing across different states and Union Territories to mark the special day. And, like all previous Republic Days, on New Delhis Kartavya Path (erstwhile Rajpath), this year too, a group of the finest horsemen attired in exquisite red coats, elegant golden sashes, and magnificent turbans will accompany the President of India to the stage and give the order for the national anthem to begin for commencing the celebrations.

These horsemen are called the Presidents Bodyguard (PBG)  the elite and senior-most household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. Most people dont know that this regiment officially and proudly traces its roots and history to the GovernorGenerals Bodyguard (GGBG) raised by the Governor-General of Fort William (alternatively called Governor-General of the Bengal Presidency) Warren Hastings of the British East India company (EIC) in Kolkata in 1773.

While forming the GGBG in September 1773, Hastings had handpicked 50 troopers from the erstwhile Mughal Horse, a unit which was raised in 1760 by the local sardars of then Bengal Presidency loyal to the EIC after the victory of the English in the Battle of Plassey over Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud -Daulah and his French allies on 23 June 1757. Later, Raja Cheyt Singh of Varanasi provided another 50 horsemen for the regiment that took the strength of this unit to 100.

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The cavalry saw immediate action after its formation when it was deployed against the Sanyasis (the Monks) when they started a rebellion in Bengal in 1773. A reminder of this rebellion is in the novel Anandamath, written by Indias first modern novelist Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay at a later date. Our National Song  Bande Mataram  is a part of this book. The next campaign of the GGBG was against the Rohillas in April 1774.

The GGBG was also present during the war against Tipu Sultan in Mysuru between 1790 and 1792. In 1843, during the battle for the succession that erupted in Gwalior after the death of Maharaja Jankojirao Scindia (ancestor of current central aviation minister of India  Jyotiraditya Scindia), GGBG took an active part to provide settlement. Internationally too, the unit had taken part in various military campaigns including those of World War I and II.

South Kolkatas Ballygunge Maidan (Military) Camp, which still exists, opposite the St. Lawrence High School on Ballygunge Circular Road was mainly created in the early 19th century as the permanent home for the GGBG servicemen and their horses. When the capital of colonial India was shifted to New Delhi in 1911, the GGBG shifted its base out of the Ballygunge Maidan Camp too. With our independence came the partition of the nation. It also divided the armed forces in a 2:1 ratio between India and Pakistan. GGBG was no exception. The Muslim members of the unit went to Pakistan; and Sikhs, Jats, and Rajputs stayed with the Indian Army.

The title of the regiment remained GGBG till 26 January 1950, when India became a republic. Thereafter, GGBG became the Presidents Bodyguard  in short  PBG. After the division of other assets of the regiment, when it came to the gold-plated buggy of the British Viceroy, which too was a part of this units assets, both India and Pakistan claimed it. To decide the fate of the buggy, both sides tossed a coin and India got the buggy. The President of India uses the buggy during ceremonial occasions even now.

The erstwhile Indian President Ram Nath Kovind took the historic buggy ride from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the Parliament House for his oath-taking ceremony, as did his predecessor Pranab Mukherjee during his oathtaking ceremony. Both past Presidents used this buggy to attend the Republic Day parades as well. After a permanent cantonment was made in Ballygunge for this elite army unit, The Calcutta Gazette (17841818), one of the first newspapers in India published from Kolkata founded by Francis Gladwin, and later controlled by Arthur Muir, Herbert H. Harrington, and Edmond Morris, reported in 1802, that various veterinary surgeons, specialised horse minders and grooms were appointed to strengthen the cavalry for the first time.

Detailed pedigree registry of the horses were started to be maintained for the unit too. In his book Historical Records of the Governor-Generals Body Guard Lt. V.C.P. Hodson had provided a partial unofficial regimental history of the gorgeously attired bodyguards from 1773 to 1908. The rest of the history is available in various official records of the Indian government. The PBG completed its 250th anniversary last year, and in its truest military tradition, teaches us the importance of embracing Indias plurality while celebrating Indias 75th Republic Day this year.

(The writer is an author, a Reputation Strategist, a Columnist, and a Kolkata history buff.)
In a symbolic nod to the robust Indo-French relationship, French President Emmanuel Macron graces Indias Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest. The significance of this visit lies not merely in the ceremonial pageantry but in the backdrop of ongoing negotiations for multi-billion-dollar defence deals, marking a crucial chapter in the strategic partnership between the two nations. Indias reliance on French arms traces back four decades, a testament to the enduring trust in French military technology. The Mirage jets from the 1980s, still comprising two squadrons of the Indian Air Force, predate the more recent discussions surrounding the purchase of 26 Rafale jets and the joint production of three Scorpene class submarines. While initial approval was granted, the finalisation of these deals remains pending, underscoring the complexities inherent in such agreements.

France, historically Indias second-largest arms supplier, has been a steadfast ally in Europe, notably refraining from imposing sanctions in the aftermath of Indias nuclear tests in 1998. The visit by Mr Macron serves to further solidify this long standing alliance. However, despite the anticipation surrounding the visit, both Indian and French officials downplay expectations of any major outcomes, categorising it as more ceremonial than substantive. The strategic dimension of Indo-French ties extends beyond defence, with France keen on expanding cooperation in space and nuclear sectors. Mr Macrons itinerary during the 40-hour state visit reflects this broader scope, including engagements with business leaders from pharmaceutical, auto, space, energy, and hydrogen industries. This multifaceted approach signifies an attempt to diversify the partnership beyond the realm of defence, positioning it as a comprehensive collaboration across various sectors. But we cannot ignore the geopolitical context surrounding Mr Macrons visit. India had initially hoped for a Quad summit this week, The Quad, comprising the United States, India, Australia and Japan, forms a strategic alliance, and such a summit would have underscored the collective strength of these nations. However, the plan fell through due to US President Joe Bidens unavailability, shifting the spotlight squarely on to Mr Macron. This visit offers an opportunity for France to affirm its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and strengthen ties with India in a larger geopolitical context. Mr Macrons interactions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, spanning five meetings since May, emphasise the ongoing dialogue between the two leaders.

The depth of these engagements suggests a concerted effort to foster a relationship that goes beyond occasional ceremonial gestures. While defence deals are a cornerstone of the alliance, the diversification of collaboration into economic sectors is a strategic move that aligns with both nations interests. Mr Macrons meetings with business leaders underscore a shared commitment to exploring opportunities beyond traditional defence partnerships, reflecting a modern approach to diplomatic ties. As the ceremonial pageantry unfolds, the world watches to discern the subtle nuances of this Indo-French entente and its implications for the evolving geopolitical landscape.

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British-Indian student Aditya Verma is facing trial in Spain after he was accused of public disorder for sending a message joking about blowing up a plane in which he was travelling along with his friends.

Verma, a student of economics at Bath University, was on his way to the island of Menorca with friends in July 2022 when he made the remarks on Snapchat, claiming that he is a member of the Taliban, the BBC reported.

On my way to blow up the plane (Im a member of the Taliban), the message, sent before Verma departed Gatwick airport, read.

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A court in Madrid heard on Monday that the message was picked up by the UK security services on Gatwicks Wi-Fi network, who then alerted Spanish authorities, following which two Spanish F-18 fighter jets were sent to flank the aircraft with Verma onboard.

Verma, who was 18 at the time, was arrested and kept in a police cell for two days and was later released on bail, the court was told.

Back in the UK, he was questioned by the British intelligence agencies MI5 and MI6, before he returned home to Orpington, Kent.

Appearing in court Verma said the message was a joke in a private group setting and that the intention was never to cause public distress or cause public harm.

It was just sent to my friends I was travelling with on the day Since school, its been a joke because of my features It was just to make people laugh, he was quoted as saying in the BBC report.

While Verma is not facing terrorism charges or a possible jail term, he could be fined up to 22,500 euros (19,300 pounds) if found guilty.

The Spanish defense ministry is demanding 95,000 euros after two Spanish Air Force jets were scrambled to follow Verma.

A verdict on Vermas case is expected in the next few days, the court told BBC.
The director of the American spy agency, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the chief of the Israel Spy agency, Mossad, will be meeting the Prime Minister of Qatar in a European capital for reaching a temporary ceasefire into the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza strip.

The release of Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity will also be discussed in the meeting along with the temporary ceasefire.

The chiefs of Shin Bet and the Egyptian intelligence will also be present, according to Hebrew media.

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CIA director William Burns and Mossad chief David Barnea will meet with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani to discuss the release of the remaining 132 hostages held by Hamas on October 7, and a pause in fighting in the Gaza strip.

White House Middle East czar Brett McGurk was in Qatar and Egypt this week for talks on the same subject.

Israels war cabinet met on Thursday night at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv to discuss the hostage talks.

IDF hostage envoy Nitzan Alon and PMO hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch were also in attendance.

Burns and Barnea were involved in the earlier meeting with Qatari and Egyptian officials that led to a temporary weeklong ceasefire between November 24 and December 1,2023 that saw 105 hostages freed.

Efforts to secure another agreement to release the remaining hostages, among them children and women, have since not yielded any desired results and hit a road block.

Sources in Israel defense ministry told IANS that while Israel was willing for a one month ceasefire, Hamas wants a permanent end to the war which Israel has rejected outright.

Hamas has also insisted for the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from the Gaza strip which was also rejected in toto by the Israel side.

On October 7, when Hamas terrorists swarmed into southern Israel and slaughtered 1,200 people, 240 people were kidnapped. Of this, 105 hostages were released during the one week truce from November 24-December 1.

Four of the hostages were released early and a woman IDF soldier was rescued by Israeli army. Three of the hostages were killed in an accidental fire by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). According to IDF and Israel Military Intelligence, 28 of the Israel hostages in Hamas captivity are dead.

Since the Israel army began its counteroffensive, more than 25,000 Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed.
Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6)

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Mainly cloudy with a mixture of rain and snow showers developing during the afternoon. High 41F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

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Cloudy with rain and snow this evening. Remaining cloudy overnight. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precip 50%.
HOUSTON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The southern U.S. state of Alabama on Thursday night completed the country's first execution using nitrogen gas asphyxiation, according to a news release from Alabama Governor Kay Ivey.

Inmate Kenneth Smith, a 58-year-old convicted of a 1988 murder and sentenced to death, died at 8:25 p.m. local time (0225 GMT Friday) at an Alabama prison after breathing pure nitrogen gas through a face mask to cause oxygen deprivation, authorities said.

Earlier on Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a last-minute appeal by Smith's lawyers to halt the execution, who argued such a method would violate constitutional protections against cruelty.

Three liberal Justices, Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor, issued a written dissent saying they would have paused the execution. The majority justices did not issue any statements.

Smith also brought separate claims before a federal court of appeals trying to put the execution on hold, which were declined in a 2-1 decision issued later on Wednesday.

It was the first nitrogen hypoxia execution nationwide. Alabama botched its previous attempt to execute him by lethal injection in November 2022.

"If Alabama proceeds with its planned execution attempt, it will be only the second time in U.S. history that a state follows through with a second execution attempt after a previous, failed attempt," Smith's lawyers wrote in court filings.

Smith's lawyers argued that if the mask were a poor fit, it could allow oxygen in and prolong Smith's suffering, or if he becomes nauseous, he could be "left to choke on his own vomit," according to U.S. media.

The untested method of capital punishment is controversial. Supporters said the method would be humane, but critics called it cruel and experimental.

Oklahoma and Mississippi are the only other states to approve nitrogen for executions. 
NEW YORK, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Investors and Western news outlets focus on a narrow set of indicators and neglect the robust base when evaluating China's economy, according to U.S. observers.

Despite the heavy economic headwinds caused by the property sector, China is still putting out reasonable macroeconomic growth numbers as well as displaying microeconomic robustness across a number of private-led industrial sectors, including in advanced manufacturing, said Sourabh Gupta, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Institute for China-America Studies.

"Furthermore, this is all happening without the government having to take recourse to 'flood irrigation' measures (huge fiscal and monetary subsidies)," Gupta told Xinhua in a recent interview.

All this plus the heavy government emphasis over the past eight months on supporting the private sector bodes well for the future, especially once the property sector's health becomes more aligned with fundamentals, Gupta said.

"Western news outlets are more interested in dwelling on bad, scandalous or short-term news out of China rather than objectively assessing issues from a more considered or medium-term perspective," Gupta further said.

Gupta suggested one must bear that in mind when reading analyses by Western news outlets.

The volatility in the Hong Kong stock market on Jan. 17 was not due to economic releases from China but rather forced selling from popular Callable Bull/Bear Contracts (CBBCs), said Brendan Ahern, chief investment officer with U.S.-based asset management firm Krane Funds Advisors LLC, a specialist investment management firm focused on China, climate, and other uncorrelated assets.

"We believe equity investors may be placing too much emphasis on weaker demographic data," Ahern told Xinhua.

Export-driven economies don't need populations as large as domestic-driven countries for their stock markets to perform well, said Ahern, citing the examples of Japan and South Korea.

Still, Ahern added that over the long run, the demographic issue will have to be addressed as China's economy becomes increasingly oriented toward the consumer.

The reason the Chinese economy is being held back is because of "legacy" reasons, which primarily refers to the property sector, said Gupta.

Indeed, there are multiple reasons to be upbeat about the Chinese economic outlook.

"The Chinese economy enjoys healthy economic growth drivers, as can be seen in the private fixed asset investment numbers. Entrepreneurs and business folks are investing in the future," Gupta added.

China's consumer recovery in 2023 was focused on services and not as broad as markets had anticipated, noted a report on the outlook for China in 2024 issued by Krane Funds Advisors on Jan. 16.

"In 2024, we believe the recovery could broaden and accelerate while stimulus measures implemented in 2023 may begin to have a positive impact on the economy and stock market," said the report.

China's gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates in Q4 and 2023 fell largely in line with market consensus and expectations of Bank of America (BofA) Global Research, according to a research note by BofA Global Research on Jan. 17.

"We believe Chinese policymakers are fully aware of growth headwinds, and will step up their effort in policy easing going forward," said economists with BofA Global Research.

China's GDP grew 5.2 percent year on year to a new high of 126.06 trillion yuan (about 17.7 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023, higher than 3 percent in 2022 and the government's annual target of around 5 percent, according to data issued by China's National Bureau of Statistics on Jan. 17. 
Young Liu, the chairman and CEO of Foxconn was awarded the Padma Bhushan. He is the only foreigner this year to receive the prestigious award. The entrepreneur and innovator was recognised for over four decades of experience in the industry.



Liu founded three companies-- in 1988 he founded a motherboard company called Young Micro Systems; an IC design company in 1995 focused on the PC chipset and an ITE Tech company, ITeX in 1997. Liu has been the head of Foxconn since 2019

Foxconn is a Taiwan-based company, the world's largest contract manufacturer and assembles around 70 per cent of iPhones. It has helped diversify production away from China, especially after disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions.

Liu completed his BS in Electrophysics from Taiwan's National Chiao Tung University and went on to study MS in Computer Engineering from the University of Southern California.

Liu, in July 2023, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Semicon India conference.
Amid reports that JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar may take oath as chief minister with the BJP's backing, JD(U), on Friday, asserted that the party was "firmly with INDIA coalition" even as it asked the Congress to introspect on alliance partners and sharing of seats.

State JD(U) president Umesh Singh Kushwaha refuted rumours that the party is planning to return to the NDA fold.

"All is well in Bihar's ruling Mahagathbandhan and the media speculations are driven by some agenda," Kushwaha told reporters.

"I met the CM yesterday as well as today. It is a routine affair. There is no truth in the rumours doing the rounds. We also reject the rumours that party MLAs have been asked to rush to Patna," Kushwaha said.

He, however, said, "We want the Congress, which is our alliance partner, to do some introspection with regard to its stance towards other constituents and sharing of seats. Our leader Nitish Kumar has, for long, been stressing on the need for early finalisation of seat-sharing deal so that we could concentrate on Lok Sabha polls".

The statement from the JD(U) comes even as Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and the AAP ruled out pre-poll alliances with the Congress.

RJD demands clarification

Meanwhile, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) asked Nitish Kumar to clarify on reports that said he is in talks with the saffron party to join the NDA.

"We can only request Nitish Kumar to clear the confusion by evening. This confusion about the alliance, which is affecting the normal lives of people... from our side it is very clear. So this confusion emanating from media reports is also confusing us. You will not see any comments from our side. So I will request, he clears the confusion and 'idhar-udhar," news agency quoted RJD MP Manoj Jha as saying.
Ram Janmbhoomi chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das on Friday said the Court should immediately rule in favour of Hindus as the ASI survey report has established that a temple was present there. ASI report was made public on Thursday and the survey found that a large Hindu temple existed there prior to the present structure.



Responding to the report, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das told ANI, "It has always been a temple. It is good that they made their findings public. People will also get to know that it is a temple. Even the court has proof, there is no doubt about it now. The court should immediately rule in favour of the Hindu side so that Hindus start worshipping Lord Shiva soon. Those who say there's a mosque at that site, are absolutely wrong. It is a Shiva Temple.

The Archaeological Survey of India conducted a survey of the disputed Gyanvapi mosque site recently and the report was shared with the parties on Thursday. The report suggests, "Western wall of the existing structure is the remaining part of a pre-existing Hindu temple".

The report said the mosque was built on the remains of grand Hindu temple. The Arabic-Persian inscription found inside a room mentions that the mosque was built in the 20th regnal year of Aurangzeb. Hence, the pre-existing structure appears to have been destroyed in the 17th century, during the reign of Aurangzeb, and part of it was modified and reused in the existing structure, it said.

The report said, The temple had a big central chamber and at least one chamber to the north, south, east, and west, respectively. Remains of three chambers to the north, south and west still exist, but the remains of the chamber to the east and any further extension of it could not be ascertained physically, as the area is covered under a platform with stone flooring," ANI reported.

"The central chamber of the pre-existing structure forms the central hall of the existing structure. This structure with thick and strong walls, along with all architectural components and floral decorations, was used as the main hall of the mosque. Animal figures carved at the lower ends of the decorated arches of the pre-existing structure were mutilated, and the inner part of the dome is decorated with geometric designs, it added.

The report said parts of the pre-existing temple were reused for the mosque. "For the enlargement of the mosque and constructing sahan, parts of the pre-existing temple including pillars and pilasters were reused with little modifications. Minute study of the pillars and pilasters in the corridor suggests that they were originally part of the pre-existing Hindu temple. For their reuse in the existing structure, vyala figures carved on either side of lotus medallion were mutilated and after removing the stone mass from the corners that space was decorated with floral design. This observation is supported by two similar pilasters still existing on the northern and southern wall of the western chamber in their original place," the report said.

The experts also recorded a total of 34 inscriptions and 32 estampages. The report said inscriptions in Devanagiri, Grantha, Telugu and Kannada scripts were on the stones of the pre-existing structure. Three names of deities such as Janardhana, Rudra, and Umesvara are found in these inscriptions. Terms such as Maha-muktimandapa mentioned in three inscriptions is of great significance," the report said.

The lawyer of the Hindu petitioners Vishnu Shankar Jain said they will move to the Supreme Court and demand that the Vazu Tank area should be opened and surveyed.
In a fresh demand, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Friday gave Maharashtra government an ultimatum to amend its free education policy to include all Marathas.

Jarange warned that if the demands are not met then he along with his supporters would enter Mumbai on Saturday for their planned protest at Azad Maidan ground. He had given time till 11 am on Saturday for the government to make the decision.

While addressing a rally at Shivaji Chowk in Vashi area, Jarange said he will stay put in Navi Mumbai for the day. "I am taking a step backward." He also added that he stopped having food from Friday and was taking only water.

"If an ordinance (to meet his various demands) is not promulgated tonight, I will come to Mumbai tomorrow...I will take decision on going to Azad Maidan (in Mumbai) tomorrow at noon. Once I set out, there will be no turning back," said the activist.

Jarange added that free education policy should be amended so that boys also get free education besides girls.

The protesters are also demanding Kunbi (OBC) status to the Maratha community. "The government has told me that 54 lakh Kunbi records (records showing that a Maratha person/family belongs to Kunbi community) have been found, of which 37 lakh certificates have been given. Who are these people? We need data," he said.

"More than two crore Marathas will get OBC certificates after Kunbi records are found," Jarange added.

Once a person is established as belonging to the Kunbi caste, all his/her relatives should get reservation, he demanded. Among his other demands also included withdrawal of cases registered against Maratha activists during quota protests.

Though the Mumbai Police denied permission to hold a hunger strike in the city, Jarange announced on Thursday that he will reach Azad Maidan on Friday. If the Maratha protesters reach the city in their vehicles, it will collapse the Mumbai city's everyday transport system.

However, earlier in the day, state education minister Deepak Kesarkar told reporters that Jarange's demands had been accepted, and would be fulfilled as per government procedure.
JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar is expected to take oath as chief minister of Bihar with the backing of the BJP on Sunday (January 28).

According to media reports, as part of the alliance deal, the BJP will have two deputy chief minister berths. The assembly will not be dissolved and there will not be fresh elections, NDTV has reported.

Kumar has reportedly cancelled all his engagements planned for Sunday.

Meanwhile, Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, on Friday, struck a conciliatory tone when he said doors are never permanently closed to anyone in politics. "As far as Kumar or the JD(U) are concerned, doors are never permanently closed in politics. Closed doors open when the time comes but whether they will open or not is for our central leadership to decide," Modi said.

After Kumar's JD(U) snapped his ties with the BJP in 2022, the saffron party maintained that its doors were permanently closed to Kumar. However, the BJP appears to have softened its stance in the wake of the attempts of the opposition to stitch a credible and united INDIA bloc.

According to news agency PTI, the BJP has been in touch with its Bihar allies, including Chirag Paswan and former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, over the developments in the state. However, they have not been given a clear idea about the possibility of Kumar's return to their fold.

An ally said the BJP did not rule it out but has not been categorical either.

"It is clear to me that the ground is being prepared for Kumar's return to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)," PTI quoted the ally as saying.

With agency inputs
The newly redeveloped and renamed Kartavya Path (formerly, Rajpath) witnessed the return of an old tradition, which had been abandoned for almost four decades, at the 75th Republic Day celebrations today in New Delhi.

President Droupadi Murmu and French President Emanuel Macron arrived at the Republic Day parade in the open horse-drawn buggy. The practice was discontinued in 1984 due to security reasons, post the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

The presidents were escorted by the President's Bodyguard "Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak". The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is the senior most regiment of the Indian Army, and complete 250 years of service this R-Day, having been founded in 1773.

The presidential horse-drawn buggy is a black carriage that has the Ashoka Chakra, embossed in gold. It has gold plated rims and is drawn by a mixed breed of Indian and Austrian horses. It was used by the Viceroy in the pre-Independence era and later remained with the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Interestingly, India got to keep it after winning a toss against Pakistan! Lt Col Thakur Govind Singh from India and Pakistan Army's Sahabzada Yaqub Khan did the toss, with the former getting it right.

The usage was strictly limited to ceremonial formalities at the Rashtrapati Bhavan after 1984. However, former president Pranab Mukherjee, in 2014, used the buggy to attend the Beating the Retreat ceremony. Former president Ram Nath Kovind, too, used the buggy, while inspecting the Guard of Honour after he took oath in 2017.

The President's Bodyguard

The PBG is the oldest cavalry unit. Fifty-five horses participate in the parade contingent, with six horses drawing the presidential buggy. The mix of Indian and Austrian horses have a minimum height of 150cm and weigh around 500kg. Their colours range from bay, dark to grey. The horses' uniform comprises white head collar, bridle bit, white badgor, leather breastplate, steel and leather reins and lance bucket.

The horses are bred at the Armys Remount and Veterinary Corps depots and are trained to acclimate to various sounds.

The soldiers atop them are trained cavalry horseriders, paratroopers and armoured fighting vehicle crew. The riders' uniform comprises blue and gold ceremonial turban with a distinctive fan, red coat with gold girdles, white buckskin gauntlets, white breeches, Napolean boots with spurs, lances adorned with red and white cavalry pennon and sheathed cavalry sword by the side of the saddle.
President Droupadi Murmu will lead the nation in celebrating India's 75th Republic Day by unfurling the national flag on Kartavya Path today. The R-Day parade will start from 10.30am on the ceremonial boulevard, which was earlier called Rajpath.

India is set to display its military might and women empowerment at the 90-minute parade, which will have French President Emmanuel Macron as the chief guest.

Indigenous weapons and military equipment such as missiles, drone jammers, surveillance systems, vehicle-mounted mortars and BMP-II infantry combat vehicles will be displayed at the parade.

Women to the fore

For the first time, an all-women tri-services contingent will be part of the event.

Around 15 women pilots will participate in the Indian Air Force's fly-past, representing 'Nari Shakti'. The contingents of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will also consist of only women personnel.

The parade will have over 100 women artistes playing sankh, naadswaram, and nagada for the first time instead of the traditional military bands.

All eyes on the parade

The ceremony will start with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the National War Memorial, where he will lead the nation in paying tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath.

President Murmu and Macron will then arrive in the 'traditional buggy', a practice that is making a comeback after a gap of 40 years, the defence ministry said.

The national flag will be unfurled followed by the national anthem with a 21-gun salute to be given with indigenous gun system 105-mm Indian Field Guns.

Four Mi-17 IV helicopters of the 105 Helicopter Unit will shower flower petals on the audience present at Kartavya Path. This will be followed by 'Aavaahan', a band performance by the women artistes.

The parade will then commence with President Murmu taking the salute. It will be commanded by Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area.

The Kartavya Path will also be witness to a march past by a combined band and marching contingent of the French Armed Forces.

A total of 16 tableaux from states and Union territories and nine from central ministries and departments will roll down the Kartavya Path during the parade.

The states and Union territories from where the tableaux will take part in the parade are Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana.

Delhi under thick security blanket

More than 70,000 personnel deployed across Delhi, for the Republic Day celebrations.

Police have also issued an advisory on traffic arrangements while restrictions have been put in place, especially in central Delhi, for the smooth movement of vehicles in the city on Friday.

As many as 14,000 personnel have been deployed at and around Kartavya Path for the security of the Republic Day parade, police said, adding that around 77,000 invitees are expected at Kartavya Path to watch this year's parade.

Commandoes, quick reaction teams, PCR vans, anti-sabotage checks and SWAT teams will be deployed at the specific strategic locations at Kartavya Path and all around the city. Delhi Police has prepared to tackle the aerial threats also.

Traffic restrictions in place

According to the traffic advisory, the parade will start at 10.30am from Vijay Chowk and proceed towards the Red Fort grounds. There will be a related function at the National War Memorial, India Gate, at 9.30am.

There will be extensive traffic arrangements and restrictions along the parade route. The parade will pass through Vijay Chowk, Kartavya Path, C-Hexagon, Subhas Chandra Bose roundabout, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Netaji Subhas Marg and Red Fort, the advisory stated.

No traffic movement has been allowed on Kartavya Path from Vijay Chowk to India Gate from 6pm on Thursday. The restrictions will continue till the parade is over. No cross-traffic has been allowed on Kartavya Path at Rafi Marg, Janpath, Man Singh Road from 10pm on Thursday till the end of the parade, the advisory said.

C-Hexagon-India Gate will be closed for traffic from 9.15am on Friday till the parade crosses Tilak Marg. From 10.30am on Friday, traffic on Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Netaji Subhas Marg will not be allowed, it said.

Flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms such as paragliders, paramotors, hang gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), microlight aircraft, remotely-piloted aircraft, hot-air balloons, small size-powered aircraft, quadcopters or parajumping from aircraft are prohibited over the jurisdiction of Delhi till February 15.

No heavy transport/light goods vehicles were being allowed to enter Delhi from other states from 11 pm on Thursday till the parade was over. These vehicles were being allowed to ply between ISBT-Sarai Kale Khan and ISBT-Kashmere Gate on the Ring Road from 7.30am to 1.30pm on Friday, the advisory stated.

"People with bona fide e-invitation cards or e-tickets for attending the Republic Day ceremony have been issued coupons on the production of government-issued identity cards at stations, which are valid for exits from Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan stations only to reach Kartavya Path," a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) statement said.
The Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Indian Republic also saw moments celebrating the prowess of Indian women across various fields. Viksit Bharat and Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka were the themes of the 75th Republic Day celebrations.



Indian President Droupadi Murmu unfurled the National Flag at Kartavya Path in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, chief guest of the event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were also present.

The parade which lasted for over 90 minutes was heralded by a band of 112 women artists playing Sankh, Naadswaram, Nagada, Chenda and other Indian musical instruments. In a first, an all-women Tri-Service contingent marched down Kartavya Path for the first time.

The all-women tri-service contingent was led by Captain Sandhya of the Army Military Police, with three supernumerary officers Captain Sharanya Rao, Sub Lieutenant Anshu Yadav and Flight Lieutenant Shrishti Rao.

The Delhi Police's all-women contingent marched down the Kartavya Path. It was led by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Shweta K. Sugathan. The Delhi Police contingent comprised one female gazetted officer, three women sub-inspectors, 44 women head-constables, and 100 women constables, all draped in red 'safa'.

The Armed Forces Medical Services presented an all-women contingent for the first time in the parade, symbolising the strength, discipline and unwavering dedication of women officers extending beyond borders in patient care, logistics, casualty evacuation and public health initiatives.

On motorcycles, 265 women showcased bravery, valour and determination through various daredevil stunts. They also exhibited the strength of Indian values and culture, including yoga, and sent a message of unity and inclusiveness.

The Indian Navy's tableau also depicted "Nari Shakti" with the recent announcement of the force welcoming women in all roles and in all ranks. For the first time on the Kartavya Path, the "BSF Mahila Brass Band" under the command of Sub-Inspector Shweta Singh participated in the parade. The IAF flypast included fifteen women pilots, including six from the fighter streams.

The women contingent of the Border Security Force consisted of 144 "Mahila Praharis".

A total of 16 tableaux from states and Union territories and nine from central ministries and departments rolled down the Kartavya Path during the parade. The states and Union territories are Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana.

The event also saw a unique display called Anant Sutra, a tribute to the saree and weavers. Nearly 1,900 sarees and drapes were displayed. Installation included a 150-year-old saree and there were QR codes that could be scanned to know the details.

-With PTI inputs.
The ruling Mahagathbandhan in Bihar appeared to be on tenterhooks on Friday amid strong indications that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) president, may do yet another volte-face and return to the BJP-led NDA.

The trouble was out in the open when Kumar attended the high tea ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan in Patna on the occasion of the Republic Day, but his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD skipped the function. Kumar was seen exchanging pleasantries with other visitors, including BJP's Vijay Kumar Sinha, who is also the leader of the opposition in the state assembly.

Emerging from the function, Kumar curtly told reporters that it was for Yadav and other leaders of the RJD, including Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, to comment on why they skipped the function. The only notable attendee from the party was state Education Minister Alok Mehta.

Neither Mehta nor any other leader of the RJD commented on the absence of Yadav, who is said to have gone into a huddle with close leaders of the party at his residence to chalk out a strategy to thwart the loss of power in the event of Kumar deciding to call off the alliance.

RJD national spokesman and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha, who interacted with journalists, said, "There is a lot of confusion which is not in the interest of the people of the state. Only the chief minister can put an end to the confusion. We hope he will do so by this evening itself.

When asked about Jha's remarks, JD (U) chief spokesperson in the state, Neeraj Kumar shot back "our leader is in the chief minister's residence as the leader of the Mahagathbandhan. There should be no scope for confusion. But if some people still choose to remain in confusion, we cannot help it.

State JD(U) president Umesh Singh Kushwaha also refuted reports.

"All is well in Bihar's ruling Mahagathbandhan and the media speculations are driven by some agenda," Kushwaha told reporters.

He also said, "I met the CM yesterday as well as today. It is a routine affair. There is no truth in the rumours doing the rounds. We also reject the rumours that party MLAs have been asked to rush to Patna".

Kumar had joined hands with RJD, founded by his former arch-rival Lalu Prasad, in August 2022 after he severed ties with the BJP which he accused of having tried to engineer a split in the JD(U).

The longest-serving CM of Bihar, thereafter, embarked upon a drive to bring together all parties, across the country, to take on the BJP that culminated in the formation of the opposition bloc INDIA.

Kumar had also virtually declared Tejashwi Yadav as his successor, announcing that the RJD leader would head the Mahagathbandhan in the next assembly polls, scheduled in 2025.

This had fuelled resentment in the JD(U), causing a close aide like Upendra Kushwaha to quit the party, float a new outfit and walk back to the NDA fold.

However, signs of mistrust between JD(U) and RJD became apparent last month when Kumar formally took over as the party president, replacing Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lalan amid reports of Lalan's proximity with the RJD camp.

However, Lalan had insisted that he gave up the top party post on his own because he wanted to concentrate on Munger, his Lok Sabha seat, in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

A Mahagathbandhan leader, who did not wish to be identified, said, "It is not clear if Nitish Kumar will eventually exit the NDA, though there have been a number of issues on which he and his allies strongly disagree. These include his belief that the assembly be dissolved so that assembly elections are held along with the Lok Sabha polls".

"While the JD(U) hopes that early assembly elections will help it perform well, on account of the hike in quotas for deprived castes and other welfare measures, the RJD and other allies are reluctant to take that risk nearly two years ahead of the end of the Vidhan Sabha's term, the leader said.

Moreover, Kumar has also been voicing his anguish over the way things were unfolding in the INDIA coalition, in which he was not offered the post of a convenor until last month, when he turned it down.

Kumar has maintained that he has "no personal ambitions" while remaining critical of the "delay" in arriving at a seat-sharing deal.

Meanwhile, the BJP, which had till some time back declared its "doors closed" for Kumar, was keeping its cards close to the chest but dropped enough hints of his possible return to the NDA.

BJP's state president Samrat Choudhary, who met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi Thursday evening, said the discussions were around the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls along with JD(U) and late Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP. The coalition won 39 out of the 40 seats in the state. An OBC consolidation, in the event of JD(U) and RJD remaining together, would make Bihar a tough challenge for the saffron party.
People visit the Pacific Agriculture Show in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, on Jan. 25, 2024. The 26th annual Pacific Agricultural Show runs from Jan. 25 to 27 in Abbotsford, Canada. More than 300 exhibitors showcase the latest equipment and technology for the agriculture industry, attracting thousands of farmers and producers. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

A combine harvester is displayed during the Pacific Agriculture Show in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, on Jan. 25, 2024. The 26th annual Pacific Agricultural Show runs from Jan. 25 to 27 in Abbotsford, Canada. More than 300 exhibitors showcase the latest equipment and technology for the agriculture industry, attracting thousands of farmers and producers. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

Visitors look at a berry harvester during the Pacific Agriculture Show in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, on Jan. 25, 2024. The 26th annual Pacific Agricultural Show runs from Jan. 25 to 27 in Abbotsford, Canada. More than 300 exhibitors showcase the latest equipment and technology for the agriculture industry, attracting thousands of farmers and producers. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

Farm machinery and equipment are displayed during the Pacific Agriculture Show in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, on Jan. 25, 2024. The 26th annual Pacific Agricultural Show runs from Jan. 25 to 27 in Abbotsford, Canada. More than 300 exhibitors showcase the latest equipment and technology for the agriculture industry, attracting thousands of farmers and producers. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

A visitor touches a sheep during the Pacific Agriculture Show in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, on Jan. 25, 2024. The 26th annual Pacific Agricultural Show runs from Jan. 25 to 27 in Abbotsford, Canada. More than 300 exhibitors showcase the latest equipment and technology for the agriculture industry, attracting thousands of farmers and producers. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

Visitors look at a vintage tractor during the Pacific Agriculture Show in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, on Jan. 25, 2024. The 26th annual Pacific Agricultural Show runs from Jan. 25 to 27 in Abbotsford, Canada. More than 300 exhibitors showcase the latest equipment and technology for the agriculture industry, attracting thousands of farmers and producers. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

Visitors look at an automatic milking system during the Pacific Agriculture Show in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, on Jan. 25, 2024. The 26th annual Pacific Agricultural Show runs from Jan. 25 to 27 in Abbotsford, Canada. More than 300 exhibitors showcase the latest equipment and technology for the agriculture industry, attracting thousands of farmers and producers. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)
The son and daughter-in-law of the ruling DMK legislator were arrested and remanded to judicial custody allegedly for harassing their teenaged domestic help, police said on Friday.

The couple, Anto Mathivanan, 35, and his wife Maarlina, 32, of Thiruvanmiyur were arrested after a police team under the Inspector of Neelangarai All Women Police Station, went to Ulundurpet Government Hospital and concluded the interrogation of the domestic help. During the investigation, the 18-year-old maid said that she used to work in an apartment at Thiruvanmiyur and that the couple harassed and assaulted her, a release said.

On Friday, the police had registered an FIR against Mathivanan, son of DMK MLA I. Karunanidhi, and his wife Maarlina for reportedly beating and verbally abusing the domestic help belonging to Scheduled Caste. Immediately after the news about the involvement of his son and daughter-in-law in the case spread, Karunanidhi distanced himself. He and his son lived separately and that he had no idea about the allegation, he had said.

On January 16, the Ulundurpet Government Hospital informed the police about an 18-year-old woman undergoing treatment at the said hospital for injuries on her body. A police team under the Neelangarai AWPS Inspector rushed to Ulundurpet for the inquiry. The special police team arrested Anto Mathivanan and his wife Maarlina on January 25 and produced them before the court today. They were remanded to judicial custody, the release said.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday ordered Israel to "take all measures within its power" to prevent genocide in Gaza.

Judge Donoghue said that Israel must ensure "with immediate effect" that its forces do not commit any of the acts covered by the genocide convention.

She also added that Israel must take immediate measures to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

However, ICJ ruling does not clearly order a ceasefire. The court's 17-judge panel voted for urgent measures which covered most of what South Africa asked for except the halt in firing part.

Following the ICJ ruling, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will continue to do what is necessary to defend itself. Netanyahu also rejected the genocide claims as outrageous and vowed to press ahead with the war.

Meanwhile, South African minister said that the ruling implies ceasefire essential in Gaza. "How do you provide aid and water without a ceasefire? If you read the order, by implication a ceasefire must happen," minister Naledi Pandor said in Netherlands.

Palestinian foreign ministry welcomed the orders by the ICJ. An "Important reminder that no state is above the law," said Riyad al-Maliki, the Palestinian foreign minister.

During the ICJ hearing in Hague, South Africa alleged that Israel plans to "destroy" Gaza. However, Israel defended its actions in the ICJ following the Hamas strike against the nation in October last year.

Israel foreign ministry called the allegations as "one of the greatest shows of hypocrisy in history". Israel also criticised South Africa for supporting Hamas. South Africa, which raised the issue in the ICJ, works as "the legal arm of the Hamas", said Israel.

Tal Becker, the Israeli foreign ministry legal adviser said that South Africa's genocide case is "profoundly distorted".

"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.

According to Gaza Health Ministry, over 26,000 Palestinians were killed so far in the war. Israel has also strengthened its strikes targeting the south Gaza regions including Khan Younis city.
The delay over Hungary's approval of Sweden's membership in NATO is creating waves of disappointment among NATO allies including the United States.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Friday said that he will not negotiate with Hungary over its application to join NATO.

Along with Finland, Sweden had applied to join the alliance in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Turkey and Hungary were the hurdles in Sweden's path to get into the NATO alliance. With Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan signing the accession documents on Thursday, Hungary is the final hurdle in the path for Sweden joining the 31-member alliance.

The Swedish and Hungarian prime ministers are set to meet next week on the sidelines of the European Council meeting in Brussels. However, Kristersson said Sweden would not make any promises on NATO.

"No demands that are related to NATO membership - that's not on the table," Kristersson told Sweden's TV4.

Discussions on Hungary's upcoming EU presidency, support for Ukraine and cooperation inside NATO are on cards during the Brussels meet.

Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban had invited Kristersson to Budapest for negotiations over NATO stressing that his nation supports Swedish membership. However, reportedly, Hungary is nurturing relations with Moscow and Beijing, which is viewed as worrying by the NATO allies.

Meanwhile, Washington's ambassador had said, "An alliance is only as strong as the commitments that we make to each other and the commitments that we keep."

I think that its important that the Hungarian government live up to its commitment, and its commitment has been that it will not be the last ally to ratify Swedens accession," said US ambassador, David Pressman in an interview at US embassy in Budapest.

Hungary is really alone  and it doesnt need to be, he said. Recently, Hungary government blocked EU financing for Ukraine and also is in talks with Vladimir Putin.

The bilateral relationship between the US and Hungary is extremely difficult, the ambassador said.
Kenya's high court on Friday barred the UN-backed deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti to help bolster the Caribbean country bring gang violence under control.

High Court Judge Chacha Mwita said Kenya's National Security Council, which is led by the president, does not have the authority to deploy regular police outside the country. Kenya's parliament passed a motion in November allowing the deployment of 1,000 officers to led a multi-national force in Haiti.

It is not contested that there is no reciprocal arrangement between Kenya and Haiti and for that reason, there can be no deployment of police to that country, Mwita said.

The judge said Kenya's offer was noble but needed to be to be fulfilled in accordance with the constitution.

Mwita made the ruling in response to an application from Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot, argued that the government's plan to send the officers to Haiti was illegal.

An unprecedented surge in gang violence is plaguing Haiti, with the number of victims killed, injured and kidnapped more than doubling last year, the U.N. secretary-general's special envoy for the country.

I cannot overstress the severity of the situation in Haiti, where multiple protracted crises have reached a critical point, envoy Maria Isabel Salvador told the U.N. Security Council.

She said the 8,400 victims of gang violence documented by her office last year 122% more than in 2022 were mainly targeted by gangs in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince.

Some 300 gangs control an estimated 80% of the capital, and accounted for 83% of last year's killings and injuries, Salvador said. But, she added, they have expanded north into the Artibonite region, considered Haiti's food basket, and south of the capital, where gangs conducted large-scale attacks to control key zones and systematically use sexual violence to exert control.

Guy Philippe, a former rebel leader in Haiti, implored Kenyans in a video message this week to not allow their police or military to be deployed to Haiti.

Philippe said the Haitian people viewed Kenyans as their fellow African brothers but if the police were deployed to the Caribbean, Kenya's people would become the enemies of Haitians because they would be seen as supporting an illegitimate government.

We have a government here in Haiti that has no legitimacy, no one loves them. This government is helping gangs, killing innocent people, kidnapping and serving interest of imperialism," he said.

Philippe served nine years in a U.S. prison following a guilty plea to a money laundering charge. He is best known for leading a 2004 rebellion against former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and masterminding attacks on police stations.

Earlier this month, his supporters launched protests that paralyzed some cities across Haiti as they demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Kenyan authorities told The Associated Press last month that the first group of about 300 officers was expected to arrive in Haiti by February. Kenya's contribution would eventually rise to 1,000 officers at the head of a 3,000-strong multinational force. Burundi, Chad, Senegal, Jamaica and Belize also have pledged troops for the multinational mission.
Mumbai, Jan 26 (PTI) Veteran actor Chiranjeevi says he is "humbled and grateful" to be honoured to be with Padma Vibushan, an award that he owes to his fans.

The 68-year-old actor's name was announced among the Padma awardees on the eve of the Republic Day. He has been bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, along with Indian cinema icon Vyjayantimala.

In a video posted on his official social media pages on Thursday night, Chiranjeevi said he became "speechless" and "overwhelmed" after hearing the news.

"After hearing this news, I became speechless. I am really overwhelmed. I am humbled and grateful for this honour. It's only the unconditional and invaluable love of the people, audiences, my fans, my blood-brothers and blood-sisters that allowed me to reach here. I owe my life and this moment to you," the actor said.

Chiranjeevi is one of the top stars from the South cinema, having worked in over 150 feature films in Telugu as well as Hindi, Tamil and Kannada.

Some of his popular films include "Rudra Veena", "Indra", "Tagore", "Swayam Krushi", "Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy", "Stalin" and "Gang Leader". He was previously honoured with Padma Bhushan in 2006.

"I always try to express my gratitude the way I can, though I know I can never do enough. On screen, the last 45 years of my film career, I have tried to entertain you to the best of my abilities.

"And off-screen, I try to help the needy by taking up relevant and social humanitarian causes from time to time," he said.

The actor said he is forever "indebted" to his fans for their love and support over the years.

"On this occasion, I would like to thank the Government of India and the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modiji for bestowing on me this coveted Padma Vibhushan. Thank you one and all. Jai Hind," he concluded.

The Padma awardees also included late Tamil actor-politician Vijayakanth as well as veterans Mithun Chakraborty, Usha Uthup and Pyarelal Sharma, who have all been bestowed with Padma Bhushan, presented for distinguished service of high order.
Rafah (Gaza Strip), Jan 26 (AP) Gaza's Health Ministry and witnesses said Israeli troops opened fire as a crowd of Palestinians gathered for humanitarian aid in Gaza City on Thursday, killing at least 20 and wounding dozens.

The Israeli military said it was looking into the reports. The Associated Press could not independently confirm the details of what happened.

Witnesses and health officials said the shooting took place at a roundabout on Gaza City's southern edge, where a large crowd had gathered for distribution of food. Footage posted online and confirmed to have been taken on the main road near the roundabout showed hundreds of people fleeing, some carrying boxes of aid, as fire rang out in the background. Men loaded wounded Palestinians onto horse and donkey carts that took off charging down the avenue.

At Shifa Hospital, where casualties were treated, Mohammad al-Reafi lay on the floor, his bloodied leg bandaged, as medics worked on other wounded around them. He said Israeli troops fired into the crowd.

We were going to get flour ... young people were martyred and other young people were injured," he said. Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra said 20 people were killed and 150 others wounded by the shooting.

A number of aid agencies distribute food and other supplies in Gaza. It was not immediately known which one was operating in the area at the time of the incident. The UN refugee agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, and the UN World Food Program both said they were not involved.

Israeli troops and tanks pushed into Gaza City shortly after the ground invasion began in October and have been battling Palestinian militants there for nearly two months. The military says it has largely dismantled Hamas in northern Gaza but is still facing pockets of resistance, and large swaths of Gaza City and surrounding areas have been reduced to rubble by Israeli bombardment.

The U.N. has said it has been struggling to deliver aid to the north amid Israeli restrictions and continued fighting. Several hundred thousand people are believed to remain in the north after most of the population fled south. U.N. officials say a quarter of Gaza's population of 2.3 million are facing starvation.

Israel launched its offensive in Gaza vowing to destroy Hamas after the Oct. 7 cross-border attack in which the militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted around 250 others. One of the largest air and ground campaigns in recent history, the assault has killed over 25,900 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

Its count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but the ministry says most of the dead are women and minors. It says the real toll is higher because many casualties were buried under the rubble or are in areas where medics can't reach them.

Israel blames the high civilian toll on Hamas because the militant group positions fighters, rocket launchers and tunnels in dense, residential neighborhoods. The military says it has killed thousands of militants, without providing the basis for its count, and that 219 of its soldiers have been killed in the Gaza offensive.

For weeks, heavy fighting has raged as Israeli troops push into the southern city of Khan Younis and in a cluster of built-up refugee camps in central Gaza that date back to the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation.

The death toll from a strike on a crowded UN shelter in Khan Younis on Wednesday has risen to 12, with over 75 wounded, according to Thomas White, a senior official with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA. He said 15 of the wounded were in critical condition.

UNRWA says two tank shells hit a building in a carpentry training centre housing thousands of displaced Palestinians on Wednesday, causing the building to catch fire. It did not directly blame Israel, which is the only party to the conflict that has tanks.

The Israeli military said it has currently ruled out that the strike was carried out by its aircraft or artillery but was still investigating. It says the building might have been hit by a Hamas rocket.

Fighting has cut off the two main hospitals, Nasser and Al Amal, trapping hundreds of patients and thousands of displaced people inside. White said another hospital, Al-Khair, was evacuated overnight and that among the patients who departed were women who had just undergone cesarean sections.

Israeli troops earlier in the week seized Al-Khair hospital, which is located in a coastal zone near Khan Younis that the military had previously said was a safe zone for Palestinians.

Thousands of Palestinians fled Khan Younis toward the Mediterranean coast Thursday to escape the fighting. Two women who spoke with the Associated Press said they were among a number of people that Israeli troops forced to evacuate from a school where they had been sheltering.

Suddenly, they started calling from the microphones to evacuate the site within half an hour, said one of the women, Amal, who said she gave birth three days earlier and fled the school with her newborn. "Now we are here, not knowing where to go, she said. The troops detained young men at the school for interrogation, she said.

The Israeli military said its troops were engaging in close, urban combat with Hamas fighters in neighbourhoods of Khan Younis, calling in airstrikes and attack helicopters to hit militants spotted with RPGs and weapons.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with the offensive until complete victory" over Hamas, and to return all the hostages. The United States, Israel's top ally, has provided crucial military support and shielded it from international calls for a cease-fire while urging it to scale back operations and facilitate the delivery of more humanitarian aid. (AP) NSD

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Washington, Jan 26 (PTI) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday congratulated the people of India on the country's 75th Republic Day and hoped to deepen the "vibrant people-to-people ties between our nations".

In a statement, he said the past year has been marked by important milestones in "our Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership, including our cooperation throughout India's successful G20 Presidency and at the G20 Leaders' Summit".

"In the year ahead, we look forward to further deepening the vibrant people-to-people ties between our countries and advancing our ambitious agenda for cooperation on our most vital priorities," he said.

The US secretary of state said President Joe Biden has termed the United States' relationship with India "one of the most consequential in the world".

"On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of India on Indias Republic Day. The Constitution of India continues to provide an enduring framework for the world's largest democracy and a foundation for its global leadership... I warmly extend my best wishes to the Indian people as they celebrate this special occasion," Blinken added.
Washington, Jan 26 (AP) By any standard, the past 18 months have been remarkable for getting wrongfully detained Americans home. There were major swaps with adversaries like Iran and Russia, including one that secured the freedom of WNBA star Brittney Griner, and a large prisoner exchange just last month with Venezuela.

But Harrison Li has had little to celebrate. Despite the succession of high-profile releases, jubilant family reunions and triumphant photos on government airplanes, his father, Kai, remains detained in China on espionage charges his family says are bogus and politically motivated.

Li, a Stanford University doctoral student, says though he feels so much joy and happiness for the other families  many of whom he's become friendly with over the years  I'd be lying if I didn't say that then the next thought is, you know, when's it our turn?

He added, When you see so many folks come home but then you still see your loved one not, then, yeah, there's definitely an element of frustration.

Li is not alone. For all the releases of wrongly detained Americans, several dozen remain imprisoned or held hostage, often by a hostile government. In some instances, there have been few signs of progress, and families have sometimes seen the foreign countries that are holding their loved ones release other detainees  but not yet their relatives.

Those sensitivities are not lost on Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs and the Biden administration's public face for matters related to hostages and wrongful detainees  the label applied to Americans jailed in foreign countries on legally specious allegations or for improper motivations.

He handles negotiations with foreign governments and once the deal is done flies out to bring the released prisoner back, routinely telling them that on behalf of the US government, I'm here to take you home.

There's always a very short-lived celebration because we still have a lot of work to do to bring other people home, Carstens said in an interview.

The Biden administration has been notably aggressive in cutting deals, signing off on prisoner exchanges and other concessions that would once have been unthinkable and achieving releases at what advocates say is a historically high level.

US officials have called bringing home wrongfully detained Americans a core administration priority even when it brushes up against other foreign policy or law enforcement interests, though in all cases, the ability to get a deal done depends on negotiators reaching mutually agreeable conditions  no small thing for countries who otherwise have little they agree on.

Last month, Venezuela freed 10 Americans and returned to the US for prosecution an indicted Navy contractor known as Fat Leonard in exchange for the US releasing an ally of President Nicolas Maduro charged in a money-laundering conspiracy. In September, five Americans jailed for years in Iran walked free in a deal that saw the release of nearly USD 6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

Months earlier, Rwanda freed Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the film Hotel Rwanda, after a diplomatic intervention on his behalf by the US.

And in 2022, the US swapped an imprisoned Taliban drug lord for an American contractor in Afghanistan, and a notorious Russian arms trafficker for Griner.

As hostage diplomacy has generated front-page news and become a key area of focus  elevated in part by the October capture of scores of hostages in Israel by Hamas  families of detainees have jostled for attention from the US government, including from President Joe Biden himself.

The president has met with some families  he had in-person and virtual conversations with families of American hostages held in Gaza  though some, like Li, are still seeking their first encounter.

Kai Li, a Chinese immigrant who started his own export business in the US, was detained in September 2016 after flying into Shanghai. He was placed under surveillance, interrogated without a lawyer and accused of providing state secrets to the FBI. The US government has designated him as wrongfully detained and a United Nations working group has called his 10-year prison sentence arbitrary.

Complicating the matter are diplomatic tensions between the US and China, with Washington and Beijing regarding each other as strategic rivals. Harrison Li regards a November summit between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping as a missed opportunity to more forcefully move his father's case toward resolution, and wonders what additional steps he can be taking.

You think, OK, what else can you do? What is something that you're not doing properly or you could do better or you could do more of? Li said.

Maryam Kamalmaz has had no trace of her father, Majd Kamalmaz, since the psychologist from Texas was stopped at a checkpoint in Syria in 2017 after travelling there to visit an elderly family member. He remains one of several Americans missing in Syria, including journalist Austin Tice, despite a 2020 visit by Carstens to try to negotiate their release.

Other families know their loved ones' condition. They know what's going on. In my father's case, there's been no trial, there's been no case. There's nothing against him. He's just basically disappeared into their system, disappeared completely, said Kamalmaz.

Part of Carstens' job involves regular communication with families. Sometimes the updates are cheerful, sometimes they're painful.

Just before Griner's release, a representative from his office visited the sister of Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan detained in Russia since December 2018, to break the news in person that Griner would be coming home but that Russia had refused to free her brother as part of the swap.

Carstens said deals like that, in which a detainee from one country is released but another is not, are no small thing and weigh heavily on his team.

Unless someone's coming off a plane, onto a tarmac, in the United States of America and into the arms of their loved ones, we're not getting a win, he said.

Whelan's brother, David, released a statement upon Griner's release trumpeting her freedom while noting the public disappointment of his brother's continued imprisonment.

In an interview, Whelan said he feels elated when detainees return, though he acknowledged his feelings are more nuanced when it has come to deals with Russia that don't involve his brother. He laments that his brother is not home, but also doesn't believe that the US government has diverted resources to other detainees that should have gone to his brother.

Despite the administration's recent spate of success with other detainees, he said he was pragmatic about the absence of an obvious solution.

At the end of the day, Whelan said: I think the enemy is the Kremlin. And the people who can make the decision (to release him) are in the Kremlin. (AP) PY

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Moscow, Jan 26 (AP) A court in Moscow extended the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested on espionage charges, until the end of March, Russian news agencies reported on Friday.

United States Consul General Stuart Wilson attended the hearing, which took place behind closed doors because authorities say details of the criminal case against the American journalist are classified.

In video shared by state news agency Ria Novosti, Gershkovich was shown listening to the ruling, standing in a court cage wearing a hooded top and light blue jeans. He was pictured a short time later walking towards a prison van to leave the court.

Gershkovich, 32, was detained in March while on a reporting trip to the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, about 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) east of Moscow.

Russia's Federal Security Service alleged that the reporter, acting on the instructions of the American side, collected information constituting a state secret about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex.

Gershkovich and the Journal deny the allegations, and the US government has declared him to be wrongfully detained. Russian authorities haven't detailed any evidence to support the espionage charges.

During his end-of-year news conference in December, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow is in dialogue with the United States on bringing home both Gershkovich and jailed American Paul Whelan, and that the Kremlin hopes to find a solution even though it's not easy.

Putin was replying to a question about an offer the Biden administration made to secure the two men's release. The US State Department reported it in December, without offering details, and said Russia rejected it.

We have contacts on this matter with our American partners, there's a dialogue on this issue. It's not easy, I won't go into details right now. But in general, it seems to me that we're speaking a language each of us understands, Putin said.

I hope we will find a solution, he continued. But, I repeat, the American side must hear us and make a decision that will satisfy the Russian side as well.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has said it will consider a swap for Gershkovich only after a verdict in his trial. In Russia, espionage trials can last for more than a year.

Gershkovich is the first American reporter to be charged with espionage in Russia since 1986, when Nicholas Daniloff, a Moscow correspondent for US News and World Report, was arrested by the KGB. Gershkovich is being held at Moscow's Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions.

Analysts have said that Moscow may be using jailed Americans as bargaining chips after US-Russian tensions soared when Russia sent troops into Ukraine. At least two US citizens arrested in Russia in recent years, including WNBA star Brittney Griner, have been exchanged for Russians jailed in the US. (AP) PY

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Kinshasa, Jan 26 (AP) At least 19 people were killed when rebels attacked a town in Congo's North Kivu province, the army said late on Thursday, the latest violence in the country's conflict-battered east.

The rebels shelled the town of Mweso, where they indiscriminately dropped mortar bombs, which also injured 27 other civilians, army spokesman Lt. Col. Guillaume N'djike Kaiko said in a statement read on state television.

The town's streets were empty Thursday evening, after most of its residents took refuge in the Mweso General Hospital, Kaiko added.

The army blamed the attack on the M23 rebel group, which rose to prominence 10 years ago when its fighters seized Goma, eastern Congo's largest city on the border with Rwanda. Its name refers to a March 23, 2009, peace deal, which it accuses the government of not implementing.

There was no response from the group to the allegation.

UN experts warned last year that attacks by M23 fighters have become more frequent, longer and stronger, and that territory under the group's control significantly increased, causing massive displacement of civilians and indiscriminate shelling. M23 combatants also deliberately killed civilians and attacked UN peacekeeping troops.

Fighting in eastern Congo has been simmering for decades as more than 120 groups fight for power, land and valuable mineral resources, while others try to defend their communities.

The security crisis was a key issue in Congo's recent presidential election, in which Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi was reelected with a promise to end the violence.

Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of destabilizing Congo by backing the M23 rebels. UN experts have linked the rebels to Rwandan forces, though Rwanda denies supporting them.(AP)



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Beijing, Jan 26 (AP) Beijing confirmed on Friday that a longtime British businessperson in China had been sentenced to five years in prison in 2022 on an espionage charge.

Ian J. Stones was convicted of being bought off to provide intelligence to external forces, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said when asked about the case at a daily briefing. He did not provide any specific details about the charges.

Both the United Kingdom and United States governments have warned about the risk of detention under China's national security laws.

A Japanese pharmaceutical company employee was detained last year on suspicion of spying. A new version of the law that took effect July 1, 2023, has heightened concerns about operating in China.

Stones' case was not publicly known until reported Thursday by The Wall Street Journal. The American business newspaper said that Stones is about 70 years old and has worked in China for about 40 years. His employers included General Motors and Pfizer before he set up up a consulting firm, Navisino Partners, about 15 years ago, the Journal said.

Foreign business organisations and governments called for greater clarity last year on what foreign firms are allowed to do under what is now known as the anti-espionage law. Of particular concern are tighter restrictions on the transfer of data to other parties, and what data is considered related to national security under the law.

Raids on the offices of three foreign companies, two consultancies and one due diligence firm, have further unnerved the business community.

The British government warns about the risk of arbitrary detention in China and the broad scope of the national security law. You may be detained without having intended to break the law, it says in its foreign travel advice for the country.

The US travel advisory says that Chinese authorities appear to have broad discretion to deem a wide range of documents, data, statistics, or materials as state secrets and to detain and prosecute foreign nationals for alleged espionage.

It says that foreigners who have been detained for alleged national security law violations include businesspeople, former government officials, academics, journalists and relatives of Chinese involved in legal disputes.

Stones appealed his conviction, but a court upheld the original ruling in September, Wang said.

He said that the case was handled in accordance with the law, ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of both Chinese and foreign parties involved. (AP)



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Jerusalem, Jan 26 (AP) The International Court of Justice was set to read out its decision on Friday on whether to order Israel to halt its offensive in Gaza as the Health Ministry announced that deaths there had surpassed 26,000 since the Israel-Hamas war began.

South Africa accused Israel of genocide and asked the court in The Hague, Netherlands, for interim orders, including that Israel halt its offensive in Gaza. Israel swiftly rejected the filing and asked the court to throw out the case.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said Friday that 26,083 people have been killed and more than 64,400 wounded in the enclave since the Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel, when militants from Gaza killed around 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages.

Gaza's Health Ministry said Thursday that Israeli fire struck a crowd of people waiting for humanitarian aid at a roundabout in Gaza City on Thursday, killing at least 20 and wounding 150. The Israeli military says it was looking into the reports.

Currently:

 Israel vows to fight Hamas all the way to Gaza's southern border. That's fuelling tension with Egypt.

 How genocide officially became a crime, and why South Africa is accusing Israel of committing it.

 Georgia lawmakers, in support of Israel, pass a bill that would define antisemitism in state law.

 The US and the UK sanction four Yemeni Houthi leaders over Red Sea shipping attacks.

Here's the latest:

MORE THAN 26,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN GAZA SINCE THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR STARTED, HEALTH MINISTRY SAYS

Rafah: The number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since the start of the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 26,000, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Friday.

The ministry said the total number of dead is 26,083, with 64,487 Palestinians wounded since the start of the war on October 7. The ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its death toll, but has said about two-thirds of those killed were women and children.

In the past 24 hours, 183 people were killed and 377 others were injured, ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra said in a statement.

Israel's blistering ground and air offensive has decimated vast swaths of Gaza during the nearly 4-month-old war. The conflict broke out on October 7 when Hamas militants stormed southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted some 250.



SOUTH AFRICA ISSUES A STATEMENT AHEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT'S INTERIM RULING EXPECTED FRIDAY

Cape Town: South Africa's foreign ministry said in a statement that it was seeking an interim ruling that Israel immediately cease its military operations in Gaza, take reasonable measures to prevent the genocide of Palestinians, ensure that the displaced return to their homes and have access to humanitarian assistance, including adequate food, water, fuel, medical and hygiene supplies, shelter and clothing.

The statement late Thursday also said Israel should take necessary steps to punish those involved in the genocide and preserve the evidence of genocide. Israel has denied the allegations of genocide.

South Africa will be represented at the ruling at The Hague by Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, who spoke with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken by phone Thursday, according to the State Department. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Blinken spoke about the need to protect civilians in the war in Gaza and ensure there was humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, while working toward lasting regional peace that ensures Israel's security and advances the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The secretary reaffirmed support for Israel's right to ensure the terrorist attacks of Oct. 7 can never be repeated, Miller said.(AP)



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London, Jan 26 (PTI) Terming the UK-India relationship a "force for good", British Home Secretary James Cleverly has said that the two countries can work to prevent conflict from spilling over and engulfing other parts of the world.

Speaking at India Global Forums 6th annual UK-India Parliamentary Lunch at the House of Lords on Wednesday, Cleverly said that the intellectual horsepower of India is enormous and getting bigger.

The intellectual horsepower of India is enormous and getting bigger. Whether it is dealing with potential future pandemics or dealing with non-communicable diseases or dealing with the opportunities and risks of Artificial Intelligence or financial services or sustainable agriculture, I struggle to think of any sector where coordination and cooperation between the UK and India will not be a force for good in the world, he said.

Against the backdrop of major global conflicts, and following the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister (Rajnath Singh) to Britain in 22 years, Cleverly emphasised the vitality of the partnership in preventing conflict from spilling over.

It was incredibly important that India's Defence Minister visited the UK because in a turbulent world, and a potentially turbulent region, having strong and long-standing partners, as we do with India, closely coordinating on security on the preservation of peace is incredibly important.

"Of course, the military relationship between India and the UK is very long-standing. I hope that together, demonstrating strength of purpose, demonstrating a commitment to democracy, and demonstrating a willingness to defend our values, the UK and India can work to prevent conflict spilling over and engulfing other parts of the world, Cleverly was quoted as saying by a media release issued by the India Global Forum.

Highlighting the strides the Indian economy has made in recent years, Sujit Ghosh, Indias Deputy High Commissioner said that India is not just creating opportunities for its people but also for the rest of the globe.

India is not just creating opportunities for its people but also for the rest of the globe. The UK is uniquely positioned to benefit from Indias rise. The time has come for our friends in the UK to shed their old lenses and see India for what it is, he said.

Co-hosted by the Indian High Commission in the UK and Lord Jitesh Gadhia, the UK-India Parliamentary Lunch convened key players from the worlds of politics, business and finance over a sit-down lunch at the House of Lords to celebrate the growing ties between the two democracies.

Referring to UK Foreign Secretary David Camerons comments on the global conflict dashboard flashing red lights, India Global Forum Chairman and CEO Manoj Ladwa said: As we have seen, approaches and responses can vary, even between the closest of partners. These divergences are more about nuance and emphasis, rather than the fundamental values of the rule of law, freedom of belief, diversity and inclusion, freer trade, and democracy, that we all so cherish.

"In such times, democracies must work harder to work together. Because we all know, democracies work best, when democracies work together, Ladwa said.

Though a significant element of the UK-India bilateral, agenda lies in the hands of political leaders and diplomats, especially the FTA negotiations, a lot of the activity flows from the two-way traffic of people, ideas, commerce and collaboration, which is such a defining characteristic of the UK-India axis, observed Lord Gadhia.
Beijing/Colombo, Jan 26 (PTI) An enthusiastic Indian diaspora dressed in vibrant traditional dresses on Friday celebrated Indias 75th Republic Day at the country's missions abroad where the national tri-colour was unfurled.

India's envoys at several missions spoke about the country's progress as it entered the Amrit Kaal and worked towards making Bharat a developed nation by 2047. Amrit Kaal is the time from Indias 75th Independence Day to its 100th.

The envoys across the globe unfurled the tri-colour and read President Droupadi Murmus Republic Day message.

These included Russia, Italy, Germany, Singapore, Nigeria, Ukraine, Maldives, Israel, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Czech Republic, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, China and Bangladesh among others.

Almost everywhere, the Indian diaspora turned out in vibrant traditional dresses to join the celebrations with cultural programmes and in some cases, some special programmes to mark the occasion.

For instance, Indias Ambassador to Egypt, Ajit Gupte hosted a reception dinner to celebrate the 75th Republic Day. It was attended by Dr. Amr Talaat, Egypts Minister of Communications & IT as the Chief Guest and over 250 eminent personalities from the Egyptian government, diplomatic corps and the Indian diaspora.

The Indian embassy in China posted on its official X handle: The reverent patriotism was manifest in the huge turnout despite the cold weather.

At the Ukrainian capital, Indias Ambassador, in his speech during the celebrations, wished peace, prosperity and well-being to the people of India and the people of Ukraine on the occasion, his official X handle said.

The India's Permanent Representative to UN in Geneva, Arindam Bagchi unfurled the National Flag and paid tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, before he addressed the Indian community and friends of India.

At Lagos in Nigeria, the Consulate General of India said, more than 500 members of the Indian diaspora and friends of India participated in the celebrations which also saw children of three schools of Lagos perform patriotic songs.

The official X handle of the Indian Embassy in Hamburg posted photos from the celebrations and said, The unfurling of our #Tiranga and the chants of Bharat Mata ki Jai ring loud. We stand united across the world for building a developed #India in #Amritkaal. #IndianDiaspora.

Similar celebrations were held at other centres in Germany.

Vibrant cultural celebrations were held at Indian missions with a large participation of Indian diaspora members at several places including in the capitals of Lebanon, Bhutan and Moscow.

In Bhutan, the ceremony witnessed a melodious rendition of patriotic songs by Indian and Bhutanese artists from Nehru-Wangchuck Culture Centre & Royal Academy of Performing Arts as well as a Manipuri Dance performance by an ICCR dance troupe led by Poushali Chatterjee.

In the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, according to the official post on X by the Indian Mission there, The morning was enlivened by patriotic tunes performed by #SriLankaNavy band, followed by the students of @iccr_colombo, who staged vibrant folk dances, including Garba, Kummi, Bhangra and Southali.

Earlier in the day, High Commissioner paid his tributes to the fallen at IPKF memorial. He recorded on the Visitors Book that their valour, sacrifice and service in the cause of India-Sri Lanka relations shall never be forgotten, it said.

The Indian mission in Italy said the enthusiastic participation of the Indian diaspora from diverse communities magnified the joyous festivities! while in New Zealand, a Rajasthani cultural troupe performed at the High Commission where the Bhavai and Kalbelia traditional folk dances mesmerised and fascinated the audience.

In New Zealand, the celebrations also saw the High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan honour the members of the Indian Diaspora, who were recently awarded by the New Zealand Merit of Order, Queens Service Medal awards.

In Nepal, Naveen Ambassador Srivastava felicitated widows and next of kins of the deceased soldiers of the Indian Army by disbursing their dues amounting to NRs. 5.07 crore and blankets. The ambassador also gifted books to various 30 institutions on the occasion.

Ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, on the evening of January 24, the High Commission of India hosted a Republic Day reception in Dhaka, which saw a significant turnout of dignitaries from the government, Parliament, judiciary and armed forces of Bangladesh; members of diplomatic corps as well as guests from business, academia, civil society, media and cultural fields.

Chief Guest for the event was the Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh, Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, the High Commission said in a release on Friday.
New York, Jan 26 (AP) Former President Donald Trump abruptly walked out on closing arguments at his defamation trial Friday as a lawyer for writer E Jean Carroll urged a jury to award her client at least USD 12 million damages, saying Trump had shattered her reputation and her world by unleashing a flood of hate toward her through his public statements branding her a liar.

Just minutes after attorney Roberta Kaplan began her closing argument in Manhattan federal court, Trump suddenly rose from his seat at the defense table and walked toward the exit, pausing to scan the packed courtroom as members of the Secret Service leaped up to follow him out.

The unexpected departure prompted Judge Lewis A Kaplan to speak up, briefly interrupting the closing argument to say: The record will reflect that Mr Trump just rose and walked out of the courtroom.

The walkout came only minutes after the judge, without the jury present, threatened to send Trump attorney Alina Habba to jail for continuing to talk when he told her she was finished.

You are on the verge of spending some time in the lockup. Now sit down, the judge told Habba, who immediately complied.

Roberta Kaplan and the judge are unrelated.

Trump, who was not required to attend the civil lawsuit proceedings, had appeared agitated all morning, vigorously shaking his head as Kaplan's closing arguments got underway.

The walkout occurred shortly after Roberta Kaplan said: Donald Trump has tried to normalize conduct that is abnormal.

The closings occurred in the defamation case against Trump a day after he left the courtroom fuming that he hadn't been given an opportunity to refute Carroll's sexual abuse accusations.

Lawyers were summing up for nine jurors who will start deliberating later in the day whether Carroll, a longtime advice columnist, is entitled to more than the USD 5 million she was awarded in a separate trial last year.

The final remarks from the lawyers come a day after Trump managed to sneak past a federal judge's rules severely limiting what he could say during his turn on the witness stand, which wound up lasting just 3 minutes.

She said something that I considered to be a false accusation, Trump said, later adding: I just wanted to defend myself, my family and, frankly, the presidency. The jury was told by the judge to disregard both remarks.

A different jury last May concluded that Trump sexually abused Carroll in the spring of 1996 in the changing room of a luxury Manhattan department store. It also found that he defamed her in 2022 by claiming she made up the allegation to sell a memoir.

Trump, the Republican frontrunner in this year's presidential election, has long regretted his decision not to testify at that trial, blaming his lawyers for bad advice.

During her closing, Roberta Kaplan told jurors that the current case was not about a sexual assault.

We had that case, she said, referencing the first trial. That's why Donald Trump's testimony was so short yesterday. He doesn't get a do-over this time.

The jury in this new trial has been told that it is there for the limited purpose and jurors must accept the verdict reached last year. The current jury will only determine whether additional damages are owed for statements Trump made in June 2019 while he was president. The claims had been delayed for years by court appeals.

Carroll's lawyers seek over USD 10 million in compensatory and punitive damages. Habba has argued against damages, saying Carroll's association with Trump had given her the fame she craved and that death threats she received cannot be blamed on Trump's remarks.

Carroll, 80, testified at last year's trial that she had a chance encounter with Trump at a Bergdorf Goodman store that was flirtatious and lighthearted until Trump cornered her in a changing room. Her claim that Trump raped her was rejected by last year's jury, though it agreed she was sexually abused.

Last week, Carroll testified that her career was shattered by Trump's statements about her claims over the last five years, most recently on the campaign trail for president. She said she bought bullets for a gun she inherited from her father and installed an electronic fence around her home.

On Thursday, Trump testified that he stood 100 per cent" behind comments he made in an October 2002 deposition in which he denied Carroll's accusations, calling her sick and a whack job.

Kaplan intends to instruct jurors Friday that the jury last year concluded that Trump had digitally penetrated Carroll in the department store, but the same jury did not find that he had raped her, according to how rape is defined under New York state law.

The Associated Press typically does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly, as Carroll has done. (AP) NPK

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New Delhi, Jan 26 (PTI) Exhibiting the prowess of 'Nari Shakti', 265 women on motorcycles performed various stunts to showcase bravery, valour and determination during the 75th Republic Day parade here on Friday.

Women personnel of the Central Armed Police Force deployed across the length and breadth of the nation provide 'Sarvatra Suraksha', read a message of unity and inclusiveness at the Kartavya Path during the parade.

The women bikers of the CRPF, BSF and SSB exhibited the strength of Indian values, including yoga.

The 'commandant abhivadan' display was carried out by Assistant Commandant Seema Nag. It was followed by a display of 'Lakshita' by HC Rita Bisht and seven others.

'Sarvatra Suraksha' was displayed by CT Amandeep Kaur and 25 others armed with the latest weaponry.

Inspector Promila Sethi and 21 others showcased the tech edge of the forces while CT Anupam with 15 others represented women deployed on the borders providing security.

Exhibiting 'Naari Shakti', Inspector Sehnaaz Khatoon and 13 other personnel represented women deployed in the hinterland of the country.

Three different teams led by Inspector Soniya Banwri, CT Anita Bharti, and CT Rekhan performed different poses of yoga while riding the bikes demonstrating balance and giving the message of a disciplined lifestyle and mental prowess.

Exhibiting the power of 'Sadhna', CT Shivleela with nine other personnel performed beam rolls on moving bikes and CT VijetaBmale Rao with 18 other personnel demonstrated oneness of thought and action.

Inspector Himanshu Sirohi and two other personnel balanced on a ladder on moving motorcycles symbolising Indian women's aim of reaching great heights.

Teams led by Inspector Monika Sharma, CT Neelam Grave, CT Poonam, CT Shaikh Kajal Ilahi, CT Sachi Pandey and CT Vandana Yadav also performed various stunts.
New Delhi, Jan 26 (PTI) For the first time in the history of the Republic Day parade, a contingent of women soldiers from the tri-services  Corps of Military Police of the Army, Navy and the Air Force  marched down the Kartavay Path on Friday.

Led by 26-year-old Captain Sandhya, the contingent represented jointness, integrity and synergy among the services.

"I feel fortunate to get the opportunity to lead it. It is a proud moment for me as well as every member of the team," 26-year-old Sandhya told PTI before the parade.

The participating members come from various units and establishments in counter-insurgency areas, high-altitude areas and the desert terrain.

A press statement issued by the government on the eve of Republic Day said that they have performed exceptionally well in various joint exercises and UN missions.

"They have actively participated in adventure activities like Sky Diving and Shwet Ashwa Motorcycle Display Team. Women warriors have also brought laurels to the nation in the field of sports," it said, adding that Subedar Preeti Rajak won a silver medal in shooting in the recently held Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

According to the statement, since the opening of women's entry through the Agnipath scheme, 450 Agniveers in the Air Force, 1,100 Agniveers in the Navy and 100 Agniveers in the Army have completed their training and have been inducted in various trades and branches.

"As they proudly marched forward, they shall continue to prove their mettle and contribute actively and equally in nation-building," it said, highlighting their motto 'Seva Tatha Sahayata (service as well as assistance)'.
New Delhi, Jan 26 (PTI) French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday watched India's 75th Republic Day celebrations at the majestic Kartavya Path, joining a select group of global leaders to have graced the nation's biggest annual ceremonial event in the last seven decades.

As the chief guest at the ceremony, Macron witnessed the grand military parade and the cultural performances along with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, members of the Union Cabinet, foreign diplomats and a host of other dignitaries.

It was the sixth time that a French leader was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.

"A great honour for France. Thank you, India," President Macron posted on 'X' in a caption to a video of the French band and the military contingents marching down in front of around 70,000 spectators.

Macron also greeted Prime Minister Modi and the people of India on the occasion of Republic Day.

"My dear friend @NarendraModi, Indian people, My warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you. Let's celebrate!," he said.

In another post on 'X', Macron said it was both an honour and a mark of friendship to be invited to India on this occasion.

"I come to celebrate and consolidate our exceptional partnership. First step: bringing our youth together. We have so much to do together!," he said in French.

On Thursday, Macron held wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Modi in Jaipur.

A 95-member marching contingent and a 30-member band contingent from France also took part in the parade.

Two Rafale fighters and an Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft of the French air force will also feature in the celebrations.

Every year, India invites world leaders to attend its Republic Day celebrations. Last year, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi graced the occasion.

There was no Republic Day chief guest in 2021 and 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, then Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. In 2019, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, while in 2018, leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries attended the celebrations.

In 2017, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the chief guest at the celebrations, while then French President Francois Hollande graced the occasion in 2016.

In 2015, then US President Barack Obama watched the parade. In 2014, then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the chief guest at the celebrations, while Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck attended the parade in 2013.

The heads of state and government who have attended the Republic Day celebrations include Nicolas Sarkozy, Vladimir Putin, Nelson Mandela, John Major, Mohammed Khatami and Jacques Chirac.

The then British Prime Minister John Major had attended the celebrations in 1993, Nelson Mandela participated as the then South African President in 1995 while South Korean President President Lee Myung Bak witnessed the parade in 2010.

In 2008, Sarkozy participated in the celebrations as the French president, while another French President Chirac graced the occasion in 1998.

Other world leaders who have attended the celebrations include Nepal's King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in 1999, Iran's then President Mohammed Khatami in 2003, then Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2011 and President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 1991. PTI MPB MNK

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New Delhi, Jan 26 (PTI) The district magistrates of all 11 districts will stay overnight in selected villages on January 27 and January 28 to draw up specific plans for the restoration and development plan for the villages, Raj Niwas officials said.

This is the second time the district magistrates will be staying overnight at selected villages.

"On Lt Governor V K Saxenas directions and following encouraging results from the exercise earlier this month, all district magistrates of 11 districts will visit and stay overnight in selected villages over the coming weekend on January 27 and 28," an official said.

During the stay, district magistrates will hold Samvaad (talks) with the residents of the village and its neighbourhood villages and prepare the plan under Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan to be implemented by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

The exercise aims at chalking out the restoration and development plan for Delhis villages, in consultation with the villagers, under the ambitious Dilli Gramoday Abhiyan, being executed by DDA at a cost of more than Rs 800 crore.

Continuing with the exercise of staying the night over in villages to get a first-hand experience through samvaad with the villagers, senior nodal officers, district magistrates and senior officers from all stakeholder departments like DDA, MCD, DJB and PWD, etc., will stay overnight, in identified villages across all 11 districts of Delhi.

Following Saxenas announcement on January 2, after a Samvaad@Raj Niwas with representatives from 180 villages, all 11 district magistrates reached selected villages on January 7 in the morning and stayed the night over.

"The experience last time had proven to be extremely enriching with the feedback from villagers helping the officials to chalk out specific programmes to be undertaken under the Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan. Encouraged by the success thereof, this will be the second Samvaad between officials and the villagers, as directed by the Lt Governor," the official said.

The selected villages in the 11 districts are -- Neelwal in west district, Madanpur Dabas in northwest district, Chhawla in southwest, Bhati in south, Aali in southeast, Dallupura in east, Saboli in Shahdara, Badarpur Khadar in northeast, Burari in central, Rangpuri in New Delhi and Mugheshpur in north district respectively.

On day one of their visit, the DMs will hold Samvaad with residents of the villages where they are staying as well as those in the neighbourhood over the first three hours, starting at 11 am.

From 3 pm to 6 pm, they will be visiting important sites for inspection as per the works identified during the preceding Samvaad along with all officers concerned of various line departments, which include DDA, Revenue, DJB, MCD, etc.

From 6 pm to 7 pm, a Charcha (discussion) by night fire will be held along with all residents where they will be asked to share their grievances and feedback.

The second round of Samvaad will resume on Sunday between 7 am to 11 am to share the tentative roadmap for the development of the villages, at different locations.
Jammu, Jan 26 (PTI) Top Army officers Friday reached out to the Poonch-based family of commando Havildar Majid Hussain, who laid down his life while fighting terrorists in Rajouri district, and expressed profound gratitude to them.

Havildar Hussain of the Parachute regiment's 9th battalion (special forces) has been conferred with the Kirti Chakra posthumously.

The awarding of the Kirti Chakra is a symbol of conspicuous bravery of Havildar Hussain's, a defence spokesman said, adding, Poonch, Rajouri and the entire population of Jammu and Kashmir are indebted to the courageous commando.

Hussain, a local hero hailing from Poonch, exemplified the true spirit of a commando through his unwavering commitment to defending his homeland, he said.

"In the challenging terrain of Poonch and Rajouri, he stood as a formidable force against terror, displaying unparalleled courage and determination in the highest traditions of the Indian Army," the spokesman said.

His supreme sacrifice in the pursuit of peace resonates deeply with the hearts of the people in Poonch and Rajouri, the spokesperson said, adding the GOC of the 25 Infantry division, representing Northern Command GOC-in-C, and GOC 16 Corps expressed profound gratitude to Havildar Hussain's family.

"As the Hero of Poonch, Havildar Majid Hussain's legacy lives on, becoming an enduring beacon of selflessness and dedication. His story will continue to resonate in the hearts of those from his hometown and across the nation," the spokesman said.
In this article, we list and discuss 22 countries where Americans can live long-term without requiring a visa. If you want to, you can directly jump to our list of 5 countries where Americans can live long-term without a visa.

For about 158 million adults around the world, moving to the United States is a dream. However, according to a study by the University of Kent, one-third (33.1%) of all US-born US nationals living in the States are now considering leaving the country to live abroad. Another survey shows that roughly three-quarters of Americans (76%) have visited at least one other country, including 26% who have been to five or more. According to researcher Dr Klekowski von Koppenfels, many factors are compelling Americans to travel and live abroad, but the primary reason is to experience and explore different countries and cultures.

Overall, there are many reasons why American citizens have been looking into options for relocation. Some want to live abroad to get a sense of adventure and live their life freely and safely (see: 20 Safest Countries for US Travelers in the World), while others want to do so to escape the burdensome tax system and economic turmoil or for better work opportunities. As of today, the federal minimum wage in the United States is $7.25 per hour, and according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 1 million workers have wages at or below the federal minimum wage in 2022. Low income and high cost of living are one of the driving factors for US citizens to move out of the US.

Moreover, many Americans are moving to EU countries for an affordable healthcare system and improved education as well. Healthcare in America is largely provided by the private sector, meaning it doesn't come cheap, even when companies like CVS Health Corp (NYSE: CVS), one of the largest healthcare companies in the United States continue to introduce relatively more affordable pricing plans. According to The Commonwealth Fund findings of 2021, there was an estimated debt of $88 billion on consumer credit records in America. In 2005, 3.6 million Americans migrated to Europe, and that number increased by 1.4 million in 2019.

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Relocating out of the US is also a trend among some US businesses that want to reduce their tax burden. The process is called Corporate Inversion, where companies move their headquarters to a country with a low rate of corporate tax and gain greater profits. Over the years, many large companies have moved their headquarters outside of the US for the same reason, and to cut down operational costs. Some notable names include Medtronic PLC (NYSE: MDT) and Seagate Technology PLC (NASDAQ: STX). Medtronic PLC (NYSE: MDT) moved to Ireland, hoping to benefit from the 12.5% corporate tax rate. However, after Medtronic PLC (NYSE: MDT)s move from America, it experienced a huge blow to its credit rating. Seagate Technology PLC (NASDAQ: STX) also moved to Ireland. Besides financial concerns, the company also hoped to benefit from the legal and regulatory environment of the country. In 2023, Seagate Technology PLC (NASDAQ: STX)s annual revenue was $7.384 billion.

Note that other companies, big and small, alongside US nationals, choose to move abroad for the same reasons as well. As of 2024, the American passport ranks number six in the world according to the Passport Index. American nationals can travel visa-free to 172 countries. However, despite the strength of the passport, relocating and settling in a foreign country is not easy. A lot of planning and work goes into it, such as finding job opportunities, accommodation, accustoming to the new culture and even learning the local language. Instead of packing life in the US and relocating to a foreign country, its better to first live in that country as a traveler for some time and see if it fits the needs. For business owners, the same applies. The problem that arises here is that acquiring a visa is a lengthy and time-consuming process. Although Americans can travel visa-free to almost any country they want, a visa is still required to live long-term.

Fortunately, visa laws vary from country to country. For example, in the US visa laws, citizens or nationals of the countries that are participating in The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) can stay in the US for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. The rest of the travelers have to go through the strict visa processes. In general, for US nationals, most countries allow them to stay for up to 30 to 90 days, but not many countries have a policy for long-term stay without a visa.

Here, we have compiled a list of 22 countries where Americans can live long-term without a visa.

22 Countries Where Americans Live Long Term Without a Visa

22 Countries Where Americans Live Long Term Without a Visa

Our Methodology

For our list of 22 countries where Americans can live long-term without a visa, we analyzed the mobility of the US passport as listed by the Passport Index. We shortlisted countries that allowed for a stay of 180 days and more. To rank the list, we analyzed five metrics for each country: job opportunities, safety, economy, stability, and development. For every positive point, the country was given a point. The list is in ascending order, going from the lowest score (0) to the highest (5).

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that uses a consensus approach to identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The website tracks the movement of corporate insiders and hedge funds. Our top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 stock index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). So, if you are looking for the best stock picks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

22 Countries Where Americans Can Live Long Term Without a Visa

22. Palestinian Territories

Insider Monkey Score: 0/5

Americans can stay in Palestine for an indefinite time without a visa. However, this country has an ongoing humanitarian conflict which makes it unsafe to visit or stay long-term.

21. Lesotho

Insider Monkey Score: 0.5/5

US citizens can stay in Lesotho for an indefinite time without a visa. However, Lesotho has a high unemployment rate of 17.80% and most job opportunities are in the agricultural sector. Safety-wise, Lesotho has a high crime rate and is considered one of the least developed countries in the world. Lesotho has a GDP of $5 billion and a very unstable economy. Overall, it is not a favorable country to relocate to.

20. Dominican Republic

Insider Monkey Score: 1/5

Americans can live in the Dominican Republic for an indefinite time. The country has many job opportunities in the service sector. However, it also has an alarmingly high crime rate, which makes it an unsuitable choice for long-term stays.

19. Belize

Insider Monkey Score: 1.2/5

Belize is a country in Central America that allows US passport holders to stay visa-free in the country for 180 days. However, it does not offer a lot of job opportunities for foreigners, has a troubled economy, and a high crime rate. Overall, it may not be a good idea to relocate to Belize.

18. Dominica

Insider Monkey Score: 1.5/5

Dominica is a Caribbean country known for its scenic rainforests and majestic mountains. If youre an American, you can enjoy these sights for 180 days without a visa. Dominica's leading industries are agriculture, tourism, and gold mining. Unfortunately, due to hurricanes, Dominica's agriculture sector faces many issues. The crime rate in Dominica is low, and it is relatively safer to visit and stay. All of these make it a perfect place to visit and relax. However, it may not be suitable for long-term stays as Dominica is considered a poor country with an unstable economy, limited (and often complicated) job opportunities, and high debt levels.

17. Jamaica

Insider Monkey Score: 1.8/5

Sticking to the Caribbean theme, next on the list is Jamaica, where Americans can live for 180 days without a visa. The country is full of lush beaches and amazing rainforests, and like most island countries, Jamaicas leading industries are agriculture and tourism.

The job market in Jamaica is very competitive, though, so work opportunities for foreigners may be harder to find. Crime is also a problem in Jamaica, with gang-related crimes being the most common ones. Jamaicas GDP at the end of 2023 was around $29 billion. The countrys economy is quite unstable due to debt, and its still a developing country.

16. Palau

Insider Monkey Score: 2/5

Next on the list is Palau, where Americans can live without a visa for 360 days. They have some job opportunities, especially for teachers. As for safety, Palau is generally a safe place for travelers to live long-term and short-term. It is considered a developing country with a slightly predictable economic condition.

15. St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Insider Monkey Score: 2.1/5

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is an upper-middle-income country that has a low crime rate and good job opportunities. It is located in the Caribbean and has a population of 104,332. US passport holders can stay in the country without a visa for 180 days. However, its important to note that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is at risk for environmental hazards like earthquakes and hurricanes.

14. Saint Kitts & Nevis

Insider Monkey Score: 2.2/5

Next, we have Saint Kitts & Nevis, another country located in the Caribbean that lets Americans stay visa-free for 180 days. Foreigners can find jobs in this country easily if they have a legal presence. In 2023, it had a GDP of 1.07 billion in 2023. Note that Saint Kitts & Nevis is moderately safe, and is considered a developing country.

13. Antigua and Barbuda

Insider Monkey Score: 2.5/5

Antigua and Barbuda has a thriving tourism industry, making up 50% of the countrys GDP. Not only is this a safe country, but it is also home to many beautiful beaches. Finding tourism and hospitality-based jobs in this country is easy in this Caribbean country if you have a work permit. Although it is a developing country, Antigua and Barbuda offers a high quality of life. The GDP of Antigua and Barbuda is expected to reach $1.25 billion by the end of 2024. As of today, it has an unstable economy and poor economic performance. Americans can live here without a visa for 180 days.

12. Costa Rica

Insider Monkey Score: 2.7/5

Costa Rica offers job opportunities in the tourism, agriculture, and technology sectors. The country has a moderately high crime rate, which has been increasing in the past 3 years. However, the economy is stable with a GDP of 64.28 billion USD as of 2021, driven by the services and tourism sectors. Costa Rica is also considered a moderately developed country. American passport holders can live here visa-free for 180 days.

11. Peru

Insider Monkey Score: 3/5

Peru is a country in South America, with a mixed economy and a GDP of $444 billion in PPP terms. Americans can live in Peru for 180 days without a visa. One thing to note is that Peru has some job opportunities available in the agricultural and manufacturing industries. There are also entrepreneurial opportunities in the country, as you dont need to be a citizen to start a business in Peru. However, according to the US Department of State, Peru has a high crime rate and is relatively unsafe.

10. Armenia

Insider Monkey Score: 3.2/5

Located between Asia and Europe, Armenia is a former Soviet nation where Americans can live for 180 days without a visa. Tourism is one of its leading sources of income in the country, and Armenia also has many beautiful historical sites worth visiting.

However, there has been an increasing threat of terrorism in Armenia in recent years. If we speak of development, Armenia's GDP was $47 billion in 2023 and it is still a developing country. Its economy is unstable but is still expected to grow around 5% in 2024. If you want to work in Armenia, you can find work opportunities in the IT, education, and tourism sectors with a work permit.

9. Mexico

Insider Monkey Score: 3.3/5

Americans can live in Mexico, a neighboring country of the US, for 180 days without a visa. It has rich cultural roots, delicious food, and many historical sites. Unfortunately, Mexico also has quite a high crime rate, with 3.5 million crimes committed in 2023.

One of the leading companies in Mexico is Cemex (NYSE: CX). In 2023, Cemex (NYSE: CX) reached $4.0 billion in sales. Cemex (NYSE: CX) is expected to see a growth in sales in 2024. While it is a developing country, its economy is slowly regaining stability.

8. Marshall Islands

Insider Monkey Score: 3.5/5

The Marshall Islands are located along the western Pacific Ocean and are known for their gorgeous white sand beaches and clear waters. Since it is a former US territory, Americans can live in the Marshall Islands indefinitely without a visa. Job opportunities are available for Americans in the Marshall Islands, especially for biomedical engineers, firefighters, and cyber security officers. It has a very low crime rate, making it a safe option for those looking to move there.

Marshall Islands is a small developing country with a GDP of 0.28 billion dollars; expected to grow 2.5% in 2024. However, because of its low economic performance, the Marshall Islands has experienced a 22% population decline.

7. Georgia

Insider Monkey Score: 3.7/5

Georgia is a safe, transcontinental country located at the intersection of Europe and Asia. The country is home to 11 million people and allows Americans to live in this country for 360 days without a visa. Foreigners can get a job in Georgia, but it may be slightly difficult since most jobs there require you to be able to speak Georgian. Moreover, Georgias GDP was around $66 billion in 2023. Today, it is still a developing country with a moderately free economy.

6. Albania

Insider Monkey Score: 3.8/5

Sixth on the list, we have Albania  a small South European country that allows Americans to live without a visa for up to a year (360 days). It is known for its archaeological sites and Balkanic culture. When it comes to job opportunities and skills in demand, there is a lot of scope for software engineers, machinery operators, teachers, and call center operators. While tourist work opportunities arent excessive, they have increased over the years. Albania has moderate crime levels, and visitors are advised to be cautious. Furthermore, Albania is a developing country with a middle-income economy. It has experienced a 4.8% GDP growth since 2022 and is expected to grow by another 3.3% in 2024. One thing that appeals to Americans the most about Albania is that it has a 46% lower cost of living than the US.

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Disclosure: None. 22 Countries Where Americans Can Live Long Term Without a Visa is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Chennai, Jan 26 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi unfurled the national flag here on Friday and the 75th Republic Day celebrations were marked by a march past of contingents of the Armed forces, the state police and colourful cultural events that showcased the Tamil pride.

Besides the traditional parade, cultural performances of troupes from Odisha, Manipur and Karnataka attracted attention. A key highlight was the cultural events by students; with the revolutionary Tamil poet Bharathidasan's 'Tamizhukum Amudhu Endru Per' song forming the theme. The R-Day celebrations were held on Kamarajar Salai near the Marina beachfront.

Governor Ravi, in his Republic Day message said the epochal event of the Pran Pratishtha of Sri Ram Lalla in the Ayodhya Lord Ram temple has enthused the entire nation. "Sri Ram has a deep connect with Tamil Nadu. His story has inspired and enriched Tamil literature since the Sangam period, constitutes the soul of Carnatic music and has enriched our classical dance," Ravi said.
The United States and Iraq expect to begin formal talks soon to wind down the mission of a U.S.-led military coalition formed to fight the Islamic State group in Iraq, both governments said Thursday.

The U.S. has had a continuous presence in Iraq since its 2003 invasion. Although all U.S. combat forces left in 2011, thousands of troops returned in 2014 to help the government of Iraq defeat IS.

In the years since, the presence of U.S. forces, who have remained there to conduct counter-IS missions and training, has been a lightning rod for an increasingly influential faction of Iran-aligned militias and politicians in the country.

In a statement, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the discussions will take place as part of a higher military commission that was agreed upon last summer  before the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7 rocked the region  and will discuss the transition to an enduring bilateral security partnership between Iraq and the United States.

Iraqs foreign ministry in a statement said Baghdad aims to formulate a specific and clear timetable that specifies the duration of the presence of international coalition advisors in Iraq and to initiate the gradual and deliberate reduction of its advisors on Iraqi soil, eventually leading to the end of the coalition mission and a move to comprehensive bilateral political and economic relations with the coalition countries.

It added that Iraq is committed to ensuring the safety of the international coalitions advisors during the negotiation period in all parts of the country and to maintaining stability and preventing escalation.

Iraqi officials have periodically called for a withdrawal of coalition forces for years, particularly in the wake of a U.S. airstrike in January 2020 that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis outside the Baghdad airport.

The issue has surfaced again since Israel launched its major counteroffensive in Gaza following the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack in southern Israel.

Since mid-October, a group of Iran-backed militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq have launched regular attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, which the group said are in retaliation for Washingtons support for Israel in the war in Gaza.

Those estimated 2,500 U.S. troops and the bases they serve on have drawn more than 150 missile and drone attacks fired by the militias. Scores of U.S. personnel have received minor injuries including traumatic brain injuries during the attacks.

The U.S. has struck militia targets in return, including some linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of mainly Shiite, Iran-backed paramilitary groups that is officially under the control of the Iraqi military although in practice it largely operates on its own. Iraqi officials have complained that the U.S. strikes are a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this month, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said that there is no longer justification for the coalitions presence in Iraq and that the Iraqi army is capable of tracking and fighting the remaining IS cells in the country.

We are a sovereign country, and therefore it is only natural that we moved towards this position, he said. This is a request from the people, and this is a democratic country.

An Iraqi government official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to journalists about the matter said that Iraq had sent a written request for the withdrawal of the coalition forces to the White House in November 2023.

The official said that Iraqi and U.S. officials were at odds over the timeline, with U.S. officials proposing a two- to five-year timeline while the Iraqis wanted a more immediate withdrawal.

The announcement of impending talks on an end to the mission is likely to be claimed as a victory by Iran-linked factions in Iraq.

A U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss details of the discussions said the U.S. and Iraq have been discussing this for months and the timing is not related to recent attacks. The U.S. will maintain the full right of self-defense during the talks, he said.

Even if U.S. forces leave bases in federal Iraq, they would likely remain in the semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region, whose government has closer ties to Washington.

(AP)
A leading psychiatrist has come forward with claims that she was contacted by White House staff concerned about former President Donald Trumps mental health. Dr. Bandy Lee, a former Yale University psychiatrist and editor of the controversial book The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, disclosed this supposed story in a recent interview.

The issue of Trumps mental well-being has recently gained traction in political discussions, especially with the ongoing race for the Republican Party nominee, where Trump faces opposition from Nikki Haley. Haley has raised questions about Trumps fitness for office, a claim Trump has countered by stating he has successfully passed a mental fitness test.

Dr. Lees book, published in 2017, features essays from 27 psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals. These experts express their collective concern over Trumps mental suitability for presidential duties, describing him as too mentally unstable for the role.

According to Dr. Lee, it was her publication that prompted unexpected contact from the White House in late 2017.

While I was meeting with Congress members, there was one Republican who was willing to meet with us and her office agreed to meet. We were discussing the situation with the Congress members, but the Congresswoman entered the office and then said she wasnt willing to talk about it. Two people from the White House reached out to me in late 2017 with concerns about Trump. They were calling because of the book I edited.

I unfortunately at the time had to refer them to the emergency room. At first, I wasnt sure whether they were actually calling from the White House. Secondly, I didnt want to become the Presidents treater.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The number of antisemitic acts registered in France and Belgium rose sharply since Hamas attack on Israel triggered the war in Gaza, according to figures released Thursday in both countries.

In France, data from the Interior Ministry and the Jewish Community Protection Service watchdog showed that 1,676 antisemitic acts were reported in 2023, compared to 436 the previous year.

According to the Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF)  a Jewish security watchdog group  the number of antisemitic acts in the three months that followed the Oct. 7 attack equaled those of the previous three years combined.

The report noted a disturbing aspect regarding the surge of attacks  that theres been an explosion in the number of antisemitic acts in schools, with almost 13% of antisemitic acts in recent months taking place against young students.

The perpetrators of antisemitic acts are getting younger, the report states. Schools are no longer a sanctuary of the Republic.

According to the report, the surge in antisemitic acts, which includes only incidents that were severe enough to be reported to police, is the worst on record. Almost 60% of the attacks involved physical violence or threatening verbal attacks or gestures.

In neighboring Belgium, an independent public body fighting discrimination said it received 91 reports related to the Israel-Hamas conflict between Oct. 7 and Dec. 7 last year, compared to 57 reports for the whole of 2022.

Most of the reports were remarks or acts considered as antisemitic, including cases of Holocaust denial, the independent Unia said. In 66 cases, a clear reference was made to the Jewish origin of the person or people targeted.

Most of the cases involved hate messages, more than half of them online, but there were also comments made in public areas. Unia is also collaborating with the public prosecutors office and Belgian police in nine cases of assault and damage, it said.

The report cited cases of beatings, graffiti and the desecration of dozens of graves in the Jewish section of a cemetery close to the city of Charleroi.

We can therefore speak of a clear increase in reports of anti-Semitic acts since October 7, 2023, Unia said.

Many European countries have registered a rise in reported antisemitic acts and comments since the outbreak of the war. Belgium has a Jewish population of about 29,000, according to the World Jewish Congress. Although most of the Jewish community in the capital, Brussels, is secular, the port city of Antwerp has a large ultra-Orthodox population and the largest Hasidic community in Europe.

(AP & YWN Israel Desk)
On Monday evening, a pregnant woman in her ninth month went into active labor in her home in Jerusalem. Family members urgently notified emergency services.

United Hatzalah volunteer EMTs Esther Pamensky and Estee Frumovich were patrolling in the area when they received an alert for a birth in progress on their communications devices. They responded quickly, arriving at the scene in under three minutes.

These seasoned members of United Hatzalahs Womens Unit, which specializes in assisting mothers during emergency births, entered the apartment to find that the mother had just given birth to a beautiful baby girl moments before their arrival.

Something seemed familiar to the EMTs about the location, but they had no time to think about why. Tending to the situation at hand, Pamensky conducted a thorough check on the newborn and cut the umbilical cord, while Frumovich conducted a comprehensive assessment of the mother. Karen Arieli, a brand-new member of the Womens Unit who lives nearby, soon joined them. Together, the team established that both mother and baby were safe and in good health.

While waiting for the Advanced Life Support Ambulance to arrive, the newborns father seemed to recognize Pamensky and Frumovich. He approached them and asked if they had been at their house a year prior.

Pamensky and Frumovich immediately recalled the circumstances of their previous visit. A year prior, this couples previous child had been found unconscious, not breathing, and without a pulse. Pamensky and Frumovich were among the EMTs who had rushed to the scene, along with volunteer physician Dr. Shlomo Gensler. Sadly, despite their best resuscitation efforts, the child tragically succumbed to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Pamensky and Frumovich, both members of the United Hatzalah Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit, had provided family members with initial trauma treatment for dealing with this devastating loss. Pamensky accompanied the devastated couple to the hospital, while Frumovich stayed behind to provide care for the couples other children. Now, these same EMTs were present and assisting in the joyous occasion of welcoming the newest member of the family into the world.

It was just so amazing to see how life goes on, reflected Pamensky. On some level, with everything happening today during this war, losing so many people, it meant so much to have such a happy event. It is a sign that good will come out of things even though we dont understand it now. They lost a baby girl, and now another baby girl was born. I was privileged to be part of that circle.
Following Lebanese reports that the IDF destroyed the Iranian airport in Lebanon in its third attack on the country on Thursday, the IDF confirmed the report.

In September, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant presented evidence of the airport, including photos of Iranian flags flying over the runway, in a speech at Reichman University. The airport could accommodate large drones, some with explosives built from Iranian blueprints. Gallant said at the time that the land is Lebanese, the control is Iranian, the target is Israel.

A short time ago, fighter jets attacked a series of Hezbollah military sites in the area of Tyre and Mghairiyeh in Lebanon, the IDF spokesperson stated.

Among the targets were military buildings and sites used by the Hezbollah air unit. One of the sites housed a military airstrip and infrastructure used by the organization to direct terrorism toward Israel.

Earlier today, two hostile aerial targets [explosive drones] launched by Hezbollah fell near Kfar Blum. There were no casualties in the incident and no damage was caused.

In addition, the IDF launched artillery fire and mortars at several other areas in southern Lebanon.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Sgt. First Class (res.) Ahmad Abu Latif, a 26-year-old husband and father and resident of the Bedouin town of Rahat, was one of the 21 IDF soldiers killed in Gaza earlier this week after Hamas terrorists threw RPG missiles at a building laced with explosives.

Latif wrote a now famous social media post before being called to serve in Gaza in which he expressed his pride in being an Israeli-Bedouin and serving in the IDF to defend Israel. He also noted that Hamas murdered and abducted Jews and Arabs alike during the October 7th attack. Since the start of the war, weve heard a lot about the involvement of Arab citizens, he wrote. Unfortunately, among the dead are Bedouin and Druze soldiers, Muslims and Christians, who became heroes defending the country. The Bedouin community mourns the civilian victims who were unjustly murdered  Jewish, Christian or Muslim. I want to take this opportunity to wake up all those who are reading this! We all share the same fate and we must be united.

On Thursday, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel (Shas) paid a condolence visit to Latifs family in Rahat.

HaRav Ovadia paskened that one should daven in shul for the illui neshamot of the non-Jewish heroes who gave their lives for Israel, Arbel told the grieving relatives.

Arbel added: Thank you for raising such a hero. Ahmad was proud to be a Muslim, a Bedouin-Israeli. We as a society must fulfill his will to continue and work toward mutual responsibility and co-existence.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
About 50 female soldiers who were recruited at the beginning of the week and assigned to surveillance duty refused to report for duty at the training base of the Border Protection Corps in the Aravah, Ynet reported.

According to the report, some of them were detained and sentenced to military prison.

The soldiers refusal comes in the wake of the disaster that befell the female surveillance soldiers on October 7th at the Nachal Oz base next to the Israeli-Gazan border. Fifteen soldiers and three officers were killed and six were taken hostage. The soldiers, who were unarmed, had repeatedly warned their superiors of ominous Hamas activities on the border but their warnings went unheeded and they paid for their commanders failures with their lives.

About 1,600 female soldiers are recruited for surveillance duty each year. However following the October 7th massacre, only about 300 soldiers are interested in serving in the position, according to data obtained by Ynet.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari was asked about the report on Tuesday evening and responded: There were female surveillance soldiers in Nachal Oz and we have a moral and ethical obligation to correct what happened that day when we failed to protect this base. Surveillance is one of the most important positions  in the north, the south, in the Shomron  in protecting the State of Israel. This need will continue and therefore we need to persuade soldiers to serve and create the best conditions for service. This is the duty of the IDF and we will continue to persuade and explain that this position is so vital and we need women and men in this position.

After the story was exposed by Ynet, it caused a public outroar and an update on Ynet on Thursday evening said that the female recruits were all released from military prison and were assigned to other positions in the IDF. The army emphasized that the IDF recruited all the surveillance soldiers they needed, and even in larger numbers than in the past.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
President Joe Biden has told Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu that he will not support a war in Gaza that will last all year, according to a report from Hebrew media outlet Walla.

Based on information from two unnamed US officials, President Biden reportedly urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to hasten the shift towards low-intensity combat with Hamas, aiming to lessen civilian casualties. The report further suggests that President Biden expressed uncertainty regarding Israels long-term goals for concluding the conflict and requested clarity on Israels post-war plans.

Reacting to the report, the office of Prime Minister Netanyahu stated, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledges the support from President Biden and emphasized during their discussion that Israel is committed to pursuing the conflict until all its objectives are fulfilled.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Dividend stocks can be solid pillars for your portfolio. They can generate a lot of recurring income for your portfolio over the years while also providing you with some stability. Three safe stocks which can be strong options for any portfolio and that offer high yields are Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), and United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS). Here's why these three stocks can be anchors for your portfolio for the long haul.

1. Verizon Communications

Verizon makes for an excellent and dependable dividend stock to own. The telecom giant won't generate massive returns or experience incredible top-line growth, and you also shouldn't expect that from Verizon. You'll want this stock primarily for the dividend income you can collect from it.

Its dividend yield of 6.7% is far higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.5%. And what's even more impressive is that Verizon has also increased its payouts for 17 consecutive years. As long as the company continues to post strong earnings numbers, investors can expect to see that streak continue, which is why there's plenty of incentive to buy and hold shares of Verizon as this can be an investment you just add to your portfolio and forget about, knowing that it will be fine.

On Tuesday, the company released its fourth-quarter results for the last three months of 2023. Total operating revenue of $35.1 billion for Q4 was relatively stable, declining by a modest 0.3% year over year. More importantly, full-year free cash flow of $18.7 billion was notably higher than in the previous year, when free cash totaled $14.1 billion.

With strong financials, lots of stability, and an incredibly high yield, this is a stock that could be suitable for any type of investor.

2. Bank of America

Another solid dividend stock to build your portfolio around is Bank of America. The top bank stock yields 3%, allowing investors to collect an above-average payout from this investment. Investing in Bank of America stock is a good way to bet on the economy, and bet on the country in general. That's because if the economy is in good shape, people have more money, and businesses are growing and taking out loans. That's more business for the bank. Betting on America is what billionaire investor Warren Buffett always advocates for, and holding shares of this bank stock is an excellent way to do just that.

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Despite paying a relatively high yield, the bank stock has a small payout ratio of just 30%, making its dividend fairly safe, even if the economy struggles this year. For the last quarter of 2023, Bank of America's revenue declined by 4% to $10.3 billion but it grew its consumer checking accounts for a 20th consecutive quarter. Net income of $2.8 billion was down from $3.6 billion a year ago, but a big reason for that was the bank increased its provision for credit losses ($1.4 billion versus $944 million) in anticipation of potentially tougher times ahead. But as economic conditions improve, those provisions will come down, and the bank's financials should look much better.

While Bank of America may be feeling the effects of an economy that isn't in great shape right now, this is an investment that is ideal for the long haul. There will be bumps along the way as recessions and downturns are inevitable, but they are also temporary. In the long run, the country is likely to continue to grow and do well, and Bank of America will benefit from that.

3. United Parcel Service

Investing in United Parcel Service (UPS) can be a great way to bet on the long-term growth and success of e-commerce. UPS is a leading logistics company and it plays an important role in e-commerce, by ensuring packages get to where they're going to quickly.

The company has been struggling of late due to challenging macroeconomic conditions and a decline in demand as revenue in its most recent quarter, which ended on Sept. 30, 2023, totaled $21 billion and was down 13% from the prior-year period. But for long-term investors, this shouldn't be a big concern as UPS will likely bounce back as economic conditions improve.

Analysts from Mordor Intelligence estimate that the e-commerce market, which is worth nearly $9 trillion today, will grow to be worth nearly $19 billion by 2029, growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 15.8% until then. While UPS may be experiencing a slowdown today, it's not likely to last over the long term as demand for its services should continue to rise.

UPS offers an excellent dividend yield of 4.1% and with the stock trading at a relatively modest 16 times its trailing earnings, now can be an optimal time to invest in this strong business.

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The IDF has announced the death of a reservist soldier amid fighting in the Gaza Strip, bringing the ground operations death toll to 220.

The murdered soldier was identified as Eliran Yeger, a 36-year-old from Tel Aviv who was serving with the Combat Engineering Corps 8170th Battalion.

Military officials said Yeger was killed during a gun battle with Hamas terrorists in southern Gaza.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The Biden administration announced on Friday that it is halting funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), following allegations of involvement by 12 UNRWA staff members in the October 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel.

The United States is extremely troubled by the allegations that twelve UNRWA employees may have been involved in the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. He added that the Department of State has temporarily paused additional funding for UNRWA pending a review of these allegations and the United Nations response to them.

The move comes after the Biden administration had previously delivered $75 million to UNRWA in October, circumventing a congressional block that had been in place due to concerns over Hamas members being employed by the organization.

In response to these allegations, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini announced that the agency is initiating an investigation. Lazzarini said that the contracts of the suspected individuals had been terminated ahead of the investigation, emphasizing that any UNRWA employee found involved in acts of terror would face accountability, including criminal prosecution. He strongly condemned the October 7 attacks and called for the immediate release of all Israeli hostages.

UNRWA, established following Israels 1948 War of Independence, provides aid and services to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, and Lebanon, including housing, food, education, and healthcare. But it has also long been accused of supporting and promoting terrorism against Israel.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Investment in Vodafone by the United Arab Emirates is a security risk, the Government has declared.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said the near-15 per cent stake held by state-controlled Emirates Telecommunications poses a threat to Britain given Vodafones work with Government departments and its influence on the UK telecoms industry.

The Cabinet Office has told the firms to address these issues.

The order came hours after Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer ordered further regulatory scrutiny of the Abu Dhabi-backed investment group Redbird IMIs 600million bid for the Telegraph newspaper group.

Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) are reviewing the deal and are due to report to Frazer today.

Security alert: Emirates Telecommunications is 60%-owned by the UAE government and has been building a holding in Vodafone, which is run by Margherita Della Valle (pictured)

Emirates Telecommunications is 60 per cent-owned by the UAE government and has been building a holding in Vodafone, which has been run by Margherita Della Valle since 2022.

Also referred to as e&, it now has a 14.6 per cent stake in Vodafone  and is the largest shareholder.

In May it announced a strategic partnership which landed e&s chief executive Hatem Dowidar a seat on the Vodafone board.

But Dowden has now said this arrangement would allow it to materially influence the business and ordered Vodafone to establish a national security committee to oversee sensitive work that impacts the UK.

It must also tell ministers about any change or termination of the partnership and meet certain requirements about who is on the board.

Karen Egan, a senior telecoms analyst at Enders Analysis, said risks included cyber attacks, interception and networks being shut down. But the order refrains from blocking the tie-up, meaning a partnership can be formed.

This comes despite accusations of online censorship at e& and alleged attempts to spy on its citizens. Vodafone said it was pleased to have received clearance in our home market for our strategic relationship.

The Government has powers to review foreign takeovers under the National Security and Investment Act, which came into force in 2022, and was used to block the sale of Newport Wafer Fab  one of Britains few semiconductor companies  to Chinese-owned Nexperia.

But Vodafone is also facing a probe by the UKs competition regulator amid its planned merger with Three.

The CMA said yesterday it intended to open an investigation into the deal very shortly.

It came after a PR representative for Vodafone and Three mistakenly released a statement that was not due to be published until the CMA inquiry was announced, which contained comments from the UK bosses of both companies arguing that the merger would significantly enhance competition and investment.

Vodafone and Three announced plans in June to create a 15billion joint venture, that would be 51 per cent-owned by Vodafone and 49 per cent by Hong Kongs CK Hutchison, owner of Three.
With Dragons Den returning to TV screens this month, many small business owners will wonder if they have what it takes to impress one of the countrys top entrepreneurs.

EasyJet founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou is offering his mentorship and a cash prize without the on-screen pitch as part of his Young Entrepreneur Awards, with 300,000 on offer for the winners.

Sir Stelios is best-known for creating the easy family of brands, most famously easyJet in 1994, which he then floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2000.

In 2011, he launched the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, which he uses to support worthy causes across the UK and Ireland, Greece, Cyprus and France.

Sir Stelios Haji-Ionnou is offering his mentorship and a cash prize as part of his Young Entrepreneur Awards

What are the Young Entrepreneur Awards?

The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation will start taking applications for its new Young Entrepreneur Awards this month.

Focusing on entrepreneurs under the age of 35, Sir Stelios hopes to find the next big start-up that will boost job creation in the UK.

Sir Stelios said: Through the Young Entrepreneur Awards, were aiming to nurture the best and brightest young founders of start-ups. By encouraging the development of new start-ups, we can help create many more new jobs in the UK.

By the time I was 35 years old, easyJet.com was listed on the London Stock Exchange, with revenues of more than half a billion pounds and employing upwards of 3,000 people.

With these awards we are hoping to find and support the next big business story.

The awards form part of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundations mission to support a diverse range of good causes close to home - in the UK and Ireland, France and Monaco, Greece and Cyprus  countries in which Sir Stelios has lived and worked.

The Foundation has hosted similar awards supporting entrepreneurs in Greece and Cyprus for a number of years and is hoping for success in the UK.

The Young Entrepreneur Awards also follow the success of the Stelios Disabled Entrepreneur Award, in partnership with Leonard Cheshire, which is now in its sixteenth year in the UK.

In recent years, winners have included entrepreneurs running diverse businesses, with everything from Christmas tree farming, to conservatory design, to the development of a mental health app.

The first Stelios Disabled Entrepreneur Award winner, Amar Latif OBE, has used his platform to build Travelyes, a unique travel company offering holiday experiences designed for vision impaired people.

He said: Many disabled people may, like me, wish to become entrepreneurs, but no one should be forced into self-employment by a lack of employment opportunity in the job market.

Since the awards started, more than 1.3million has been donated by Sir Stelios and his foundation to disabled entrepreneurs.

These charitable awards are possible through the profits that easyGroup makes through its ownership and stewardship of the easy family of brands, Sir Stelios said.

It is personally important to me that the success I have achieved can be passed on to deserving young founders of UK start-up companies to fuel their own success and ultimately create jobs.

What Is Sir Stelios looking for?

Sir Stelios stipulates that Young Entrepreneur Award entrants are 35 or younger, running a start-up company registered in the UK in 2018 or later.

Business owners will need to demonstrate audited accounts with Companies House showing revenues of at least 1 million per annum. Finally, they will need to be a director and own more than 50 per cent of the shares of the company.

Beyond that, all entrepreneurs are welcome to apply, there is no specific type of business Sir Stelios is looking for.

The application process is simple and straightforward, asking for some details about the entrepreneurs financial position - including turnover and profit or loss - and a brief description of the business.

It will also ask for any media coverage achieved and social media presence.

Sir Stelios himself will judge and select the winners.

What prizes are on offer?

Successful entrepreneurs are in with the chance of winning one of three cash prizes on offer.

The first prize is 150,000 which will be paid in one lump sum and must be invested in the business.

The second and third place winners will receive 100,000 and 50,000 respectively, and all three winners will receive mentoring from Sir Stelios.

Crucially, the cash grants are paid by the foundation without any conditions. They are prizes and not a loan or an investment in return for shares.

If you think you have what it takes to impress Sir Stelios, you have until 29 February to submit an application. The winners will be announced in early April.

To find out more information, visit www.stelios.foundation.
(Bloomberg) -- The creator of an audio deepfake of US President Joe Biden urging people not to vote in this weeks New Hampshire primary has been suspended by ElevenLabs, according to a person familiar with the matter.ElevenLabs technology was used to make the deepfake audio, according to Pindrop Security Inc., a voice-fraud detection company that analyzed it.

Most Read from Bloomberg

ElevenLabs was made aware this week of Pindrops findings and is investigating, the person said. Once the deepfake was traced to its creator, that users account was suspended, said the person, asking not to be identified because the information isnt public.

ElevenLabs, a startup that uses artificial intelligence software to replicate voices in more than two dozen languages, said in a statement that it couldnt comment on specific incidents. But added, We are dedicated to preventing the misuse of audio AI tools and take any incidents of misuse extremely seriously.

Earlier this week, ElevenLabs announced an $80 million financing round from investors including Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital. Chief Executive Officer Mati Staniszewski said the latest financing gives his startup a $1.1 billion valuation.

In an interview last week, Staniszewski said that audio that impersonate voices without permission would be removed. On its website, the company says it allows voice clones of public figures, like politicians, if the clips express humor or mockery in a way that it is clear to the listener that what they are hearing is a parody.

The fake robocall of Biden urging people to save their votes for the US elections in November has alarmed disinformation experts and elections officials alike. Not only did it illustrate the relative ease of creating audio deepfakes, but also hints at the potential of bad actors to use the technology to keep voters away from the polls.

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A spokesperson for the New Hampshire Attorney General said at the time that the messages appeared to be an unlawful attempt to disrupt the New Hampshire Presidential Primary Election and to suppress New Hampshire voters. The agency has opened an investigation.

Users who want to clone voices on ElevenLabs must use a credit card to pay for the feature. It isnt clear if ElevenLabs passed this information to New Hampshire authorities.

Bloomberg News received a copy of the recording on Jan. 22 from the Attorney Generals office and tried to determine which technology was used to create it. Those efforts included running it through ElevenLabs own speech classifier tool, which is supposed to show if the audio was created using artificial intelligence and ElevenLabs technology. The recording showed a 2% likelihood of being synthetic or created using ElevenLabs, according to the tool.

Other deepfake tools confirmed it was a deepfake but couldnt detect the technology behind the audio.

Pindrops researchers cleaned the audio by removing background noise, silence and breaking the audio into 155 segments of 250 milliseconds each for deep analysis, Pindrops founder Vijay Balasubramaniyan said in an interview. The company then compared the audio to a database of other samples it has collected from more than 100 text-to-speech systems that are commonly used to produce deepfakes, he said.

The researchers concluded that it was almost certainly created with ElevenLabs technology, Balasubramaniyan said.

In an ElevenLabs support channel on Discord, a moderator indicated on a public forum that the companys speech classifier cant detect its own audio unless its analyzing the raw file, a point echoed by Balasubramaniyan. With the Biden call, the only files available for immediate analysis were recordings of the phone call, he said, explaining that it made it more difficult to analyze because bits of metadata were removed and it was more difficult to detect wavelengths.

Siwei Lyu, a professor at the University of Buffalo who specializes in deepfakes and digital media forensics, also analyzed a copy of the deepfake and ran it through ElevenLabs classifier, concluding that it was likely made with that companys software, he told Bloomberg News. Lyu said ElevenLabs classifier is one of the first he checks when trying to determine an audio deepfakes origins because the software is so commonly used.

Were going to see a lot more of this with the general election coming, he said. This is definitely a problem everyone should be aware of.

Pindrop shared a version of the audio that its researchers had scrubbed and refined with Bloomberg News. Using that recording, ElevenLabs speech classifier concluded that it was an 84% match with its own technology.

Voice-cloning technology enables a crazy combination of scale and personalization that can fool people into thinking they are hearing local politicians or high-ranking elected officials, Balasubramaniyan said, describing it as a worrisome thing.

Tech investors are throwing money at AI startups developing synthetic voices, videos and images in the hope it will transform the media and gaming industry.

Staniszewski said in the interview last week that his 40-person company had five people devoted to handling content moderation. Ninety-nine percent of use cases we are seeing are in a positive realm, the CEO said. With its funding announcement, the company also shared that its platform had generated more than 100 years of audio in the past 12 months.

(Updates with ElevenLabs statement in the fourth paragraph.)

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(Reuters) -Alaska Airlines on Friday said it has completed inspections on the first group of its Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, clearing the carrier to put the MAX 9 back in service after an in-flight cabin blowout earlier this month.

The carrier resumed some MAX 9 operations on Friday afternoon, starting with Flight 1146 from Seattle to San Diego.

Alaska said it had begun inspections of its first MAX 9s on Wednesday night, after the Federal Aviation Administration approved inspection criteria.

"We expect inspections on our 737-9 MAX to be completed by the end of next week, allowing us to operate our full flight schedule," said the airline, adding that inspections take about 12 hours per aircraft.

After the landing of the Alaska Airlines flight, Boeing Commercial Airlines President Stan Deal released a letter to employees stating that the team had "worked diligently" to create inspection criteria that would allow aircraft to be put back in service, and Boeing is now in the process of evaluating "hundreds" of ideas submitted by employees for quality improvements.

"Our long-term focus is on improving our quality so that we can regain the confidence of our customers, our regulator and the flying public," he said. "We own these issues and will make them right.

A Copa Airlines jet became the first MAX 9 to return to service on Thursday.

Alaska and United Airlines, the two U.S. carriers that fly the MAX 9, have canceled thousands of flights this month since the Jan. 6 grounding of 171 MAX 9s.

(Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru and Valerie Insinna in Washington; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Kim Coghill)
Grocery store chain Aldi plans to open a new site in Connecticut, marking the continued expansion of the discount supermarket chain across the state.

The German-owned company signed a long-term lease to rent a 21,000-square-foot space inside Connecticut Commons Shopping Plaza at 282 New Britain Ave. in Plainville, according to a commercial realtor that finalized the transaction. The grocery store will fill the space left vacant by the former arts and crafts store A.C. Moore after it closed its doors in 2019.

The lease agreement was completed by TRUE commercial real estate LLC earlier this month, according to company Executive Director Tyler Lyman.

Connecticut Commons is a regional center, drawing customers from a large territory due to its proximity to I-84. The one glaring missing piece was the fact that there was no grocer in the project. We made that use a priority and are excited to add ALDI to the tenant mix, Lyman said.

The supermarket chain already has locations in neighboring Southington, Bristol, and New Britain. The location will compete locally with Big Y World Class Market, which sits adjacent to the plaza across the street. The towns other grocery store, Gnazzos, is family run and has been a staple in the town for decades.

The vacant space was originally slated to be an Amazon Fresh grocery store, but those plans fell apart after the company pulled its permit application, according to the town. Another two proposed Amazon Fresh locations in Brookfield and Westport were also scrapped after Amazon withdrew their plans last minute.

No permits have yet been approved and town officials would not confirm the store opening.

Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com
What once was one of El Paso's largest and most popular community events is back in business.

The Amigo Airsho, held for 30 years at Biggs Army Airfield inside the Fort Bliss Army post, drew tens of thousands of spectators annually until military budget cuts and changing military priorities killed the not-for-profit show over a decade ago.

It's set to return to Biggs Oct. 12 and 13 with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds military aerobatic flight teams as the headline act.

The show's relaunch was announced Friday morning by organizers to about 100 business and community leaders inside an airplane hangar at the Million Air El Paso terminal at the edge of the El Paso airport.

Amigo Airsho Chairman Alan Russell Jan. 26 announces the relaunch of the Amigo Airsho at Biggs Army Airfield on the Fort Bliss Army post Oct. 12-13.

"The air show left Fort Bliss because global events created priorities for Fort Bliss that did not include the air show. So we had to stand down," El Paso businessman Alan Russell, chairman of the relaunched air show, told the crowd.

The last air show at Biggs was in 2012. It was moved to the small Santa Teresa, New Mexico airport, where only one show was held in 2014. That show lost money due to low attendance, El Paso Times archives show.

"It's an event for everybody" and helps bring El Paso, Juarez, and Fort Bliss together, Russell said in an interview after the announcement. It also will help fill hotel rooms and bring other economic benefits to this area, he said.

The Northern Lights, an international, experienced aerobatic team performed the Crazy Diamond in thier Extra 300 aircrafts at the 1999 Amigo Airsho.

Tresa Rockwell, chief executive of the rejuvenated air show, and the instigator for getting community and Fort Bliss leaders together to bring it back, said it's a powerful event that builds synergy between Fort Bliss and the El Paso area's civilian population.

The old show drew 50,000 to 100,000 spectators, said Rockwell, who was the air show's executive director in 1984.

The last shows cost more than $1 million to produce, Rockwell said. No cost estimates for the new one were available, but organizers are looking for sponsors, including a title sponsor. They also will need 1,000 volunteers, Rockwell said.

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More: El Paso restaurant inspection scores include Cincinnati Bar & Grill, Noodles and Dumplings

Aviator Suzie Azar, who served as El Paso's only woman mayor from 1989-1991 and helped organize the first show in 1981, said she was thrilled to have it back.

"If it had not been for 9/11, it would still (have been) going. So many restrictions" at Fort Bliss stopped it, she said at the launch event. She will be involved in the relaunched show as vice president in charge of its education component.

Former El Paso Mayor Suzie Azar, left, a founder of the original Amigo Airsho and vice president in charge of the relaunched show's education component, talks to one of the 100 people who attended the Jan. 26 announcement of the popular show's return to Fort Bliss.

Current El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser said the return of the air show is "great for the quality of life for El Paso." It brings back an event that meant a lot to the community, he said.

Besides the Canadian Snowbirds, the new Amigo Airsho will have a host of other civilian and military air acts, military displays, food vendors, and music.

More information is available at amigoairsho.com.

Vic Kolenc may be reached at 546-6421; vkolenc@elpasotimes.com; @vickolenc on Twitter, now known as X.

More: Work begins on border-raised artist Leo Villareal's $5M 'Star Ceiling' in Downtown El Paso

About 100 business and community leaders listen Jan. 26 as the relaunch of the Amigo Airsho is announced inside the Million Air El Paso airplane hangar on the edge of the El Paso airport.

Richard Dayoub, former El Paso Chamber CEO, center, and El Paso billionaire Paul Foster, right, are among El Paso community leaders who contributed money or time to help relaunch the Amigo Airsho, announced Jan. 26 at Foster's Million Air El Paso airplane hangar.

Robosaurus is an electrohydromechanical creature that stands 40 feet tall, and weighs 60,000 pounds, performed at the 1999 Amigo Airsho at Biggs Army AirField.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Amigo Airsho returns to El Paso with Canadian Snowbirds as headliners
Arrangements are underway in relation to activities in Nenagh for St Patricks Day, Nenagh Municipal District councillors were informed at their January meeting.

One of the highlights will be the visit of the John F Kennedy High School Shamrock Regiment, which is celebrating the 50th anniversary of their first trip to Ireland at the request of the Irish Tourism Board in 1974.

The group has travelled to Ireland approximately every three to four years since, with the notable exception of March 2020 when the trip was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The students, parents, and staff are thrilled to be back this year, according to Rosemary Joyce, district administrator.

The Shamrock Regiment is comprised of students in grades 9-12 from the school, as well as some high achieving seventh and eighth grade students from Walker Junior High School.

The band will visit Nenagh on Wednesday, March 20. It is anticipated that a party of approximately 150 will travel and this will include around 65 band members.

Arrangements are being made in relation to their performance on the day, which may take place in the castle grounds.

Ms Joyce revealed that the band are willing to donate their uniforms to any band that may need them.
Key Insights

BlueLinx Holdings' estimated fair value is US$87.02 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

BlueLinx Holdings' US$110 share price signals that it might be 27% overvalued

Analyst price target for BXC is US$105, which is 21% above our fair value estimate

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of BlueLinx Holdings Inc. (NYSE:BXC) as an investment opportunity by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

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 want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for BlueLinx Holdings

Crunching The Numbers

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$79.2m US$69.0m US$63.3m US$60.0m US$58.3m US$57.5m US$57.3m US$57.5m US$58.1m US$58.9m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Est @ -8.27% Est @ -5.12% Est @ -2.92% Est @ -1.38% Est @ -0.30% Est @ 0.46% Est @ 0.99% Est @ 1.36% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 9.2% US$72.6 US$57.9 US$48.6 US$42.2 US$37.6 US$33.9 US$31.0 US$28.5 US$26.4 US$24.5

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$403m

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 (2.2%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 9.2%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$59m (1 + 2.2%)  (9.2% 2.2%) = US$866m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$866m ( 1 + 9.2%)10= US$360m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$763m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$110, the company appears slightly overvalued at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

The Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at BlueLinx Holdings 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 9.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.391. 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 BlueLinx Holdings

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Opportunity

BXC's financial characteristics indicate limited near-term opportunities for shareholders.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 2 years.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. What is the reason for the share price exceeding the intrinsic value? For BlueLinx Holdings, we've put together three pertinent items you should further examine:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with BlueLinx Holdings (at least 1 which is potentially serious) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does BXC's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American 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.
DUBLIN (Reuters) - Boeing's production difficulties will "get resolved", its 737 MAX 10 aircraft will get certified and the impact of U.S. regulators freezing a planned production ramp-up will be minimal this year, the head of major customer Avolon said.

In the medium term, however, tighter regulation will cause delays and it could take until the end of the decade for the industry to make up the production shortfall experienced since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Avolon CEO Andy Cronin said in an interview.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday froze planned increases in production of the 737 MAX following the blow-out of a panel on an Alaska Airlines Boeing jet, raising concerns for airlines and suppliers worldwide.

Avolon, the world's third-largest aircraft lessor and a major Boeing customer with over 100 MAX aircraft on order, said it was not concerned about the plane's safety, but regulators' increased focus on production was set to result in production delays. "They'll clearly be very cautious now," Cronin said.

Avolon, a subsidiary of China's Bohai Leasing Co Ltd, estimates the shortfall in planned aircraft production in the wake of COVID equals 12% of annual production and is growing.

A combination of quality and supply chain issues and manufacturing delays "will continue to elongate the recovery time, which at this point, is through the end of this decade," Cronin said.

But ultimately Boeing has the technical expertise and production know-how to get back on track, he said. "This will come together and will get resolved."

The number of MAX aircraft that will not be delivered due to the FAA's decision to halt the production expansion "is actually relatively minimal" so long as Boeing can consistently maintain its 38 per month production rate, Cronin said.

"I don't think anyone's overly agitated," he said.

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Cronin declined to forecast when the MAX 10, the largest MAX model, will be certified, but said he was confident it would happen. Boeing had planned to secure certification this year, but major customer Ryanair said it expects it in 2025.

Avolon on Friday published its annual outlook, predicting the value of new aircraft deliveries would increase by 15% in 2024 to $100 billion, while airlines' net profit would rise by 10% to $26 billion.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher and Conor Humphries; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
This week hundreds turned out in support of education alternatives amid widespread frustration with public schools in Kansas.



Check the description . . .



"Attendees representing many non-traditional education supporters included home schools, private schools, micro-schools, students, and teachers applauded speakers urging them to continue the effort to secure School Choice in the Sunflower State. Kansas has limited School Choice with tax credit scholarships for low-income students and Open Enrollment."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Here's a glimpse at a love fest in Topeka this week that was pretty much a labor rally in celebration of the Guv . . .



Speaking to a packed Capitol rotunda full of union workers, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly praised organized labor.



"Last year was an historic one for the labor movement nationwide," she said. "Union workers representing a broad spectrum of industries across the country, from Hollywood to Detroit, Teamsters to Starbucks baristas, stood in solidarity and achieved not just huge victories, but a momentum surge the likes of which we have not seen in decades.



"I have always been a fierce defender of organized labor, and I want to acknowledge the important role that unions have played in the unprecedented economic growth we are enjoying here in Kansas."





Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
mAigov is linked, to the present, to 1,670 services provided by gov.gr and to 3,296 administrative procedures entered on the National Register of Administrative Procedures 'Mitos'

An expanded version of the digital assistant, mAigov, now provides European Union citizens and Greeks abroad with public service information in 25 languages, ministers said at an event on Thursday, ANA reports.

The multilingual chat assistant is available through gov.gr in 24 certified EU languages and Albanian, and was presented by Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou and Foreign Affairs Minister George Gerapetritis at the foreign ministry.

Regardless of where they call from, EU residents may access mAigov through a cellphone, a tablet, or a desktop/laptop, either by typing in their questions or by voice. It guides the user to the right service, while it also provides an evaluation of its effectiveness at the end. Questions it can answer include: What do I need for a residence permit in Greece? How can I travel with my pet? How can I open a business in Greece?

"Every day there is an upgrade to the quality of services to citizens is an important day for the administrative system of our country," Gerapetritis said, underlining that "Greece and the Greek government stand by a Greek, wherever they are."

Papastergiou said that mAigov had so far carried out over 300,000 chats, which made the e-Governance ministry proud and a pioneer at the European level, contributing to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' dream of a country that is extroverted and friendly. The digital assistant can be used by Greeks abroad and by citizens who do not speak Greek but need information on services and processes in the Greek public sector.

Furthermore, mAigov also speaks Chinese or Arabic, and provides "an excellent start to show [...] abroad the great work being done in Greece in recent years," he added. The system will also be able in the future to respond vocally to any language it is spoken to.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
As 2024 unfolds, the digital nomad lifestyle continues to transform the way we think about work and travel. No longer confined to traditional office spaces, the world has become a mosaic of opportunities for those daring enough to blend their professional and wanderlust spirits.

With this, Europe emerges as a continent rich in history and culture and a thriving hub for digital nomads. With its diverse cities offering a unique blend of work-friendly environments and captivating leisure experiences, Europe is an irresistible destination for those seeking to balance their professional commitments with a bit of exploration.

But what makes a city truly ideal for a digital nomad? Is it just the high-speed internet and coworking spaces, or is there more to the story? As you contemplate your next move, here are the best cities in Europe for working and traveling in 2024.

Berlin, Germany

As a digital nomad, you should consider Berlin. This city balances affordable living with an exciting tech scene, perfect for remote workers. You will find a variety of cafes and co-working spaces throughout the city, offering fast internet and chances to meet fellow nomads and locals.

Berlin is also packed with historical and cultural sites, like the Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island, ensuring your leisure time is as fulfilling as your work time.

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is a top pick for digital nomads with its pleasant climate, beautiful architecture, and thriving startup culture. The city is full of co-working spaces that offer views of the ocean and a community that's welcoming to new faces. Living here is less expensive compared to other Western European capitals, allowing you to enjoy seaside cafes and historic trams without worrying about expenses.

Don't forget to explore the city's nightlife and food scene!

Related Article: How Working Remotely Can Enhance Your Travel Experiences as a Digital Nomad

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is perfect for those who want to combine work with relaxation. Famous for its Gaudi architecture, lively beaches, and a thriving tech community, the city offers an exciting lifestyle. You can work in the morning at a trendy cafe or co-working space, then spend the afternoon in the Gothic Quarter or relaxing on the beach.

Barcelona's relaxed atmosphere is ideal for those aiming for a balance between work and enjoyment.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is an excellent choice for digital nomads seeking an affordable European destination. Known for its stunning buildings, thermal baths, and a growing cafe culture, it's great for remote work. The cost of living is lower than in many other European cities, which means you can enjoy the culture and Hungarian cuisine without worrying too much about your budget.

The digital nomad community in Budapest is also welcoming, making it easy to meet others with similar lifestyles.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, often called the Silicon Valley of Europe, is renowned for its digital innovation. Digital nomads will love the city's advanced digital infrastructure, including the e-residency program, which simplifies online business activities. The medieval Old Town provides a beautiful setting for your workdays.

Though small, Tallinn has a lively tech community and offers many opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Read Also: 5 Famous European Destinations You Must Visit Before They Disappear Due to Climate Change
UN Tourism has started accepting applications for the 2024 Best Tourism Villages program. This initiative, run by UN Tourism, formerly known as the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), aims to celebrate rural villages that excel in sustainable tourism practices.

UN Tourism Calls for Applications from Sustainable Villages

Since its inception, the program has seen nearly 600 villages from around 100 countries apply. The Best Tourism Villages Network, a part of this initiative, currently includes 186 villages worldwide. This network comprises 129 villages recognized as Best Tourism Villages and 57 in the Upgrade Programme. These villages span 55 countries in five different global regions.

UN Tourism's Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, highlights the program's goal. According to Breaking News Travel, it acknowledges rural areas where tourism helps in sustainable growth, creating opportunities, and preserving cultural and natural heritage. For the 2024 cycle, UN Tourism is eager to see more examples of tourism positively impacting communities.

Applications for the 2024 Best Tourism Villages are open until April 24, 2024. UN Tourism member countries can nominate up to eight villages through their National Tourism Administrations. The selected villages will be announced later in the year.

An independent Advisory Board, made up of various experts, will review the applications. They will assess the villages based on nine criteria. These include protecting and promoting cultural and natural resources, economic, social, and environmental sustainability, tourism development, governance, infrastructure, and safety.

The Best Tourism Villages initiative by UN Tourism, which started in 2021, aims to use tourism as a driving force for rural development. It values rural communities, preserves their diversity and knowledge, and promotes innovative, sustainable strategies.

This initiative has three key parts: recognizing excellent rural tourism destinations, helping villages improve to meet criteria, and facilitating a network for sharing best practices and opportunities. The network also offers training sessions and masterclasses to its members.

Related Article: Global Tourism Set to Reach 90% of Pre-COVID Levels Amid Over-Tourism Challenges

UN Tourism Unveils New Brand and Mission

The United Nations specialized agency for tourism, now known as UN Tourism, has introduced a fresh brand and symbol. This change from the former UNWTO marks a significant shift in the organization's approach and identity. UN Tourism's new emblem, inspired by the dynamic world of travel and the importance of people, is designed to reflect its commitment to social and economic development.

TTG Asia reported that UN Tourism's rebranding focuses on three core ideas: the UN's role as a global, caring entity, the power of connecting people worldwide and being proactive. The aim is to be more relatable and emphasize the UN's authority and the simplicity of tourism.

This shift has received widespread support from its members, signifying a strong backing for UN Tourism's evolution and its efforts to become more flexible, visible, and connected to its stakeholders.

The organization's new slogan, "Bringing the world closer," is captured in its new symbol, representing a human figure in motion within a Pangea-like design. This represents a departure from previous global symbols, stressing the ever-changing nature of tourism and prioritizing people.

The makeover extends beyond the logo to include a new visual system based on geographical grids, enhancing navigation across all UN Tourism platforms like websites, social media, and events. The updated branding will roll out gradually, starting with digital platforms.

Read Also: AirAsia Philippines Boosts Festival Tourism with Discounted Fares Starting at 68
In Taiwan, the Travel Quality Assurance Association's spokesperson, Lee Chi-yuen, has advised people to buy travel insurance. This comes after EVA Air pilots might go on strike, possibly during the Lunar New Year. They may give only a 24-hour notice.

Lee highlighted that regular insurance for group trips does not cover issues caused by airline strikes. In such cases, travel agencies must provide food and a place to stay for passengers stuck due to the strike. Later, these passengers can ask the airline to give their money back.

Taiwan Braces for Potential EVA Air Pilot Strike During Lunar New Year

In a report by Insurance Business, Lee mentioned a similar situation with China Airlines. Then, people affected by the strike got up to US$250 per person each day. With the Lunar New Year approaching, changing or rebooking tickets can be more expensive. So, Lee stresses the need for travel insurance. He suggests people get this insurance quickly and check if it covers airline strikes.

Lee also called for travel agencies in Taiwan to handle pilot strike situations in the same way. He hopes the Ministry of Transportation and Communications will guide them, making sure they are ready for any problems.

Furthermore, Lee pointed out that while airlines usually don't charge extra for changing or canceling tickets during strikes, travelers may still face issues. During the Lunar New Year, it's harder to find seats on other flights. This shows how the strike could really affect holiday travel plans.

Related Article: Is Your Country Eligible for Taiwan's Visa Exempt Program?

Taiwan Sees No Extra Flight Requests for Lunar New Year

The Taiwanese Ministry of Transportation and Communications announced that no airlines have requested additional flights to China for the Lunar New Year holiday. This statement came despite the government's recent move to accept such requests.

The program started on Jan. 8 and allowed airlines to apply for extra flights from 13 Chinese cities between Jan. 31 and Feb. 20. This was to meet the expected increase in people traveling for the Lunar New Year.

Deputy Minister Chen Yen-po shared this information at a news conference. Chen mentioned that there are already many regular flights between Taiwan and China. As of last month, about 290 flights a week were flying between the two, carrying roughly 82,000 passengers. These flights were only about half full on average.

For the past three years, travel between Taiwan and China has been limited. According to Taipei Times, this is due to poor relations and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, there are over 300,000 Taiwanese working in China. Many of them usually return to Taiwan to visit family during the Lunar New Year.

In August 2019, China stopped allowing its citizens to travel independently to Taiwan. The following year, it also suspended group travel. These rules are still in place. Taiwan also put restrictions on Chinese travelers at the start of the pandemic and hasn't fully lifted them yet.

However, the Taiwanese government is considering easing these restrictions. They are looking at allowing Taiwanese and Chinese tour groups to travel between the two countries again, possibly starting in March.

Read Also: China's Visa-Free Travel Offer Aims to Attract European and Malaysian Visitors
An Anthropologie mirror dupe made by Tori Mohn; a DIY influencer known as @torimohnflips on Instagram.

You only need a couple of materials to make a dupe of the Anthropologie mirror you have seen all over your "For you" page.

Shoppers have spent the last couple of weeks sharing which retail locations sell a cost-efficient alternative to the highly coveted Luisa Mirror, a gold mirror sold by high-end retail chain Anthropologie.

Dupes for the $1,198 floor-length mirror have been spotted at Costco and Sams Club, selling for about one-tenth of the price.

While the dupe of the mirror shoppers have found online are certainly more practical than the original, there is a way to have the ornate mirror in your home for less than that.

Tori Mohn, a DIY influencer, who made her own version of Anthropologies Gleaming Primrose Mirror, which has a similar look and price to the Luisa Mirror, shared some tips with USA TODAY on how to make your own if you have champagne taste on a beer budget.

Heres what we know.

High-end finds: Costco is selling dupe of luxury Anthropologie mirror, shoppers weigh in on social media

How much could a project like this cost?

The total cost for a mirror dupe project like the one Mohn made really depends on how much you are willing to spend on materials.

Mohn only spent between $25 and $30 on the project, stating she thrifted the mirror she flipped for $15 at Goodwill and $8 for the wooden appliques she purchased online.

What materials are needed to recreate the Anthropologie mirror?

Mohn, who was also seeing the mirror everywhere said she felt like she could make a dupe for the mirror really cheaply. She had also seen similar mirrors at Hobby Lobby and Sams Club, just like shoppers who had reporting seeing the Luisa Mirror at their respective retail locations.

If I can make something happen myself, then I will, Mohn said.

Mohn headed to Goodwill in search of an arched mirror with a wooden frame, then the hardware store to look for the wood appliques and finally a local craft store to purchase Rub n buff.

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The only item on the list Mohn didnt have to purchase was a glue gun, which she already owned.

Materials for your very own Anthropologie mirror:

Mirror

Glue gun/craft glue

Wooden appliques

Rub n buff (preferably in gold or silver)

Mohn may have needed a strip of pearls to really complete the look she was going for, but its definitely not required if you plan on making a dupe for the Luisa.

The only difference between the two mirrors are the kind of appliques that hang on the trim of the mirror. Keeping an eye out for appliques that have delicate hummingbirds and gilded flowers is the best way to ensure your dupe looks similar to the original.

You just hot glue them [the appliques] in the same spaces and youve got your Luisa, according to Mohn, who said the mirror she made gets mistaken for an Anthropologie mirror every time someone comes over or sees a picture of it.

ID, please: Costco testing scanners at entrances to keep non-members out

What are some things to keep in mind as I tackle this DIY project?

A close-up view of a glazier's hand as he cuts glass in a glass factory.

One thing to keep in mind, Mohn says, as you begin your DIY project is that it may not look exactly how you want it but you'll be proud of the final result.

Here are a couple of tips, if you are committed to making your dupe just like the original:

Get your mirror shape as close to the original as possible (Facebook Marketplace or Goodwill could be good places to start).

Dont give up searching for appliques (It might take a while to find exactly what you are looking for).

Testing out different shades of metallic paint can give you an idea of how the finish could look like on your mirror (The final color can really help sell it).

Mohn also recommended keeping your budget in mind as you shop, warning crafters to not get carried away with the details.

You might be able to find something perfect while you thrift, but if its over your budget  Keep looking. Theres so many things out there, Mohn said.

All you need to do complete this DIY project effectively is to have the right materials, inspiration and attitude.

You can do projects like this. When you feel inspired and you think you can do something, go out and do it. You don't have to be artistic. You don't have to have experience," Mohn said. "I try to be as real as possible and answer all questions, trying to make it [the craft] as attainable for everyone as I can.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Anthropologie mirror DIY: Make your own if you can't find a dupe
FILE - British and Chinese national flags are seen on display in front of the Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, China, Jan. 17, 2008. Beijing confirmed Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, that longtime British businessperson Ian J. Stones in China had been sentenced to five years in prison in 2022 on an espionage charge. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

BEIJING (AP)  Beijing confirmed Friday that a longtime British businessperson in China was sentenced to five years in prison in 2022 on an espionage charge.

Ian J. Stones was convicted of being bought off to provide intelligence to external forces, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said when asked about the case at a daily briefing. He did not provide any specific details about the charges.

Both the United Kingdom and United States governments have warned about the risk of detention under China's national security laws. A Japanese pharmaceutical company employee was detained last year on suspicion of spying. A new version of the law that took effect July 1, 2023, has heightened concerns about operating in China.

Stones' case was not publicly known until reported Thursday by The Wall Street Journal. The American business newspaper said that Stones is about 70 years old and has worked in China for about 40 years. His employers included General Motors and Pfizer before he set up up a consulting firm, Navisino Partners, about 15 years ago, the Journal said.

Foreign business organizations and governments called for greater clarity last year on what foreign firms are allowed to do under what is now known as the anti-espionage law. Of particular concern are tighter restrictions on the transfer of data to other parties, and what data is considered related to national security under the law.

Raids on the offices of three foreign companies, two consultancies and one due diligence firm, have further unnerved the business community.

The British government warns about the risk of arbitrary detention in China and the broad scope of the national security law. You may be detained without having intended to break the law, it says in its foreign travel advice for the country.

The U.S. travel advisory says that Chinese authorities appear to have broad discretion to deem a wide range of documents, data, statistics, or materials as state secrets and to detain and prosecute foreign nationals for alleged espionage.

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It says that foreigners who have been detained for alleged national security law violations include businesspeople, former government officials, academics, journalists and relatives of Chinese involved in legal disputes.

Stones appealed his conviction, but a court upheld the original ruling in September, Wang said.

He said that the case was handled in accordance with the law, ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of both Chinese and foreign parties involved.

The British Foreign Office declined to comment on the case.
Magma found beneath volcano-less country

Photo by Chris Nye

A volcanic crater containing a pond lies on a mountainside northeast of Healy, Alaska. The crater is part of the Buzzard Creek maars.

For years, scientists have wondered why North Americas highest mountain is not a volcano. All the ingredients for volcanic activity lurk deep beneath Denali, which sits above where one planetary plate grinds past another.

Recently, while looking for something else, researchers found a reservoir of what might be magma, 7 miles beneath the muskeg of middle Alaska.

The spot intrigues Carl Tape because above it, at the ground surface, are ancient volcanic features.

Tape is a seismologist with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. A few years ago, he headed a team that peppered seismic instruments along the Parks Highway and on the Denali seismic fault. They installed hundreds of seismometers at spots along the road and dozens more right on the fault.

While looking at the seismometer data, which revealed ground motions large and small, Tape and his colleagues noticed a spot where earthen waves slowed down as they passed through.

Sometimes a slowdown is due to sediments, such as those in the Tanana (River) valley, he said. Sometimes its due to magma. This one is beneath the Buzzard Creek maars.

Photo by Ned Rozell

From left, Cole Richards, Lynn Kaluzienski and Carl Tape prepare to stick seismometers in frozen ground during a February 2019 mission to deploy instruments along the Denali seismic fault. The instruments helped scientists recently find the presence of a body of molten rock 7 miles deep.

The Buzzard Creek maars are two vegetated craters northeast of Healy. They formed when molten rock rose to the water table and blew up about 3,000 years ago. Geologists have found rocks around Buzzard Creek with the same chemical signature as Aleutian volcanoes.

Those volcanic features near Healy are within a region scientists have named the Denali Volcanic Gap. The gap is a puzzling absence of volcanoes from Mount Spurr (across Cook Inlet from Anchorage) to the Wrangell Mountains in eastern Alaska.

Volcanic activity of the Aleutian Islands seems to end at Mount Spurr, but if the curve of the Aleutian Arc were to extend north it would intersect the Alaska Range.

Other conditions there are favorable for volcanoes, too: Most of the Aleutians are located about 60 miles above where the slab of the Pacific plate plunges beneath the North American plate. The Buzzard Creek craters and the mountains of the Alaska Range (including Denali) are located about 60 miles above the interface of the giant plates.

University of Utah student Santiago Rabade pored over subtle signals picked up by the dense network of temporary seismometers Tape and his team had set up quickly in February 2019. Then, they performed rare winter fieldwork to detect aftershocks from a 7.0 Anchorage earthquake on Nov. 30, 2018.

Illustration by UAF Geophysical Institute

A star marks the location of the Buzzard Creek maars.

The earthen hum generated by ocean waves disturbing the sea floor is a constant source of noise we cant feel but seismometers can; that signal allowed the scientists to detect the patch of magma beneath the Buzzard Creek craters.

We had zero plan to look for what we found, Tape said. Its fun to find results when you dont seek them. And its generally better science.

A next logical step to discover more about the mystery magma spot would be to cluster seismic instruments directly above it. Tape is hoping his teams recent paper will inspire someone to take a closer look at the red blob that might help solve the riddle of the Denali Volcanic Gap.

Since the late 1970s, the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Geophysical Institute has provided this column free in cooperation with the UAF research community. Ned Rozell is a science writer for the Geophysical Institute.
With the support of the European Union and Lithuania, Ukraine will be able to create six school shelters in different regions of the country to continue the educational process there.

This was reported by Ukrinform with reference to the Lithuanian broadcaster LRT.

On Thursday, the EU Delegation to Ukraine and the Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency signed an agreement to implement this initiative. "At the expense of the EU and Lithuania, we will build six shelters in six schools and return them to the educational process. This is about 6,000 children," Ukrainian Education Minister Oksen Lisovyi told Lithuanian journalists in Kyiv.

The shelters will be set up in Chernihiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv and Odesa regions to protect children from Russian shelling. All these underground shelters near schools will also have radiation protection. The 2,000-square-meter shelters are expected to accommodate 1,000 people.

The agreement was signed during the visit of Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis to Kyiv. "There should be no bomb shelters in schools because children should never be a target. Attacks on children are terrorism. Therefore, I believe that bomb shelters are a temporary shelter until Ukraine wins. Victory will come," Landsbergis said.

At the same time, he emphasized that the West should understand the importance of military support and funding for civilian protection for Ukraine.

As reported, last week the Lithuanian government also allocated funds to create a radiation shelter in a kindergarten in Irpin. Earlier, Lithuania built a mobile housing camp in Borodyanka, contributed to the modernization of the Ukrainian power grid, school reconstruction, and other projects.
China's economy faces deep-seated structural problems that go beyond its stock market. Angela Ostafichuk/Shutterstock

China's economy is ailing and propping up the stock market won't bring investors back, experts told Business Insider.

Given the real estate downturn and mounting debt, global investors say they're "uber bearish" on China.

Beijing attempted a similar market rescue in 2015 that had a short-term, minimal impact.

China's economic turmoil and the failure of the post-pandemic rebound have been the emerging macroeconomic stories of the last year.

An ailing real estate market, staggering debt, historic youth unemployment, and an exodus of foreign investment are at the top of a long list of structural challenges, many of which have been years in the making.

Among the attempts to right the ship, authorities now have their eyes set on China's tumbling stock market.

Bloomberg reported this week that Beijing is weighing a $278 billion rescue package to stabilize markets and restore investors' confidence following massive outflows of foreign capital last year. The CSI 300, China's benchmark index, touched a five-year low in the days before Bloomberg reported on Beijing's plan.

Since peaking in 2021, Chinese and Hong Kong stocks have shed roughly $6 trillion in value. The region's key indexes have severely underperformed those of the US, Japan, and other large economies last year.

Still, China-watchers remain skeptical whether the government's liquidity injection will be worthwhile, and if targeting the stock market will provide much benefit to the underlying economy.

"You have an uber-bearish narrative around China that is proving very difficult to dislodge," Nicholas Spiro, a partner at London-based consultancy Lauressa Advisory, told Business Insider. "China is emphatically out of favor with global investors."

And while soothing jittery domestic stock investors may be important to officials in Beijing, the economic realities will be essentially unchanged by any intervention into the country's stock market.

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Sentiment is so bleak, Spiro said, that investors and authorities alike don't have a clear vision of what needs to happen next.

"China is clearly concerned the markets have been doing terribly," said Dexter Roberts, director of China affairs at the Mansfield Center at the University of Montana. "But the terrible stock market is not isolated by any means."

Roberts, who is the author of the book "The Myth of Chinese Capitalism," told Business Insider that boosting stocks won't solve the other issues plaguing the economy. He said the property market, for one, poses a more severe risk, given that most people's wealth and a large portion of the country's GDP is tied to real estate.

Sinking property values have weakened confidence and compelled people to save more money, which reduces the available capital for investments.

"The amount of wealth held in the stock market is pretty insignificant compared to what's in the property market," Roberts said. "The long, continued decline in stocks is in part an embarrassment for the government, but it's unclear the real value of a rescue package."

In 2015, Beijing attempted a similar market intervention after a key segment of the Shanghai Stock Exchange lost a third of its value in a matter of weeks. The impact of that move, too, proved short-lived, which may foreshadow the effectiveness of any new package.

Plus, Roberts notes that China's economic landscape in 2015 was far more stable and positive than it is today. Eight years ago, China was actively investing in its real estate sector, whereas authorities are now attempting to downsize it and reduce leverage.

Consumers in turn are stuck in "multiple crises of confidence" across debt, property, and employment, Roberts said.

In a note published Wednesday, economists at Ned Davis Research said leading indicators point to modest growth in China over the coming months, yet equities still look weak. It's difficult to adopt an upbeat, long-term view on China, NDR said, given the reality of its aging and shrinking population.

As the chart below shows, Chinese equities have performed best when the economic data shows acceleration, which isn't the case now.

Chinese equities perform best when the economy is accelerating. Ned Davis Research

Meanwhile, in a separate initiative, the People's Bank of China announced its largest "economic first aid package" in two years, effectively in the form of a $140 billion liquidity injection for the banking system.

In any case, to Spiro, a lack of clarity on policy makes for a bleak outlook politically, financially, and socially.

"What is very concerning is that there are deep-seated structural problems at work here," Spiro said. "That's really what is concerning investors, and that's codified by a history of botched rescues. No one knows how China will rebalance its economy, or whether in fact it's able to do this."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A group of Republicans, including Louisiana Senator Dr. Bill Cassidy and North Carolina Representative Virginia Foxx, is urging the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the Education Department's recent launch of the revamped Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The delayed rollout, coupled with technical challenges, has raised concerns about the potential impact on students, particularly those dependent on federal aid. In a letter to the GAO, lawmakers express worries that these issues might discourage low-income students from pursuing higher education.

Challenges and Delays in FAFSA Rollout

The new version of the FAFSA, initially slated for an October 1st launch, faced a three-month delay, finally becoming available in early January. The delayed release, as highlighted in the letter, disrupted the traditional timeline for students to begin submitting their financial aid applications. Notably, the form was not accessible 24 hours a day during the initial days, adding to the technical challenges students encountered.

READ ALSO: News Update: US Department Of Education Launches Federal Investigation Into San Diego State University President's Email

Lawmakers' Concerns

In the letter, the lawmakers emphasize the potential consequences of these challenges and delays, especially for low-income students who heavily rely on federal aid. The fear is that the difficulties in accessing and completing the FAFSA might deter some students from pursuing postsecondary education altogether. The lawmakers are seeking an investigation into the specific challenges faced by students during the application process and the hurdles encountered by colleges and universities in administering financial aid for the 2024-25 academic year.

Information and Guidance

Apart from investigating the challenges, the lawmakers are keen on determining whether the Education Department provided adequate information and guidance to both students and institutions to navigate the changes in the FAFSA. The concern is that the lack of clear communication might have contributed to the uncertainties surrounding the new application process.

Request for Investigation

Senator Cassidy, as the top Republican on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and Representative Foxx, the Republican chair of the House education committee, are joined by 26 other lawmakers in requesting the GAO investigation. The letter underscores the repeated delays from the Education Department and the resulting uncertainty for students and schools as they plan for the upcoming academic year.

Impact on Educational Future

The delays in rolling out the new FAFSA have created an atmosphere of uncertainty, according to the lawmakers. Traditionally, students could start submitting their FAFSA on October 1st each year, but the delayed launch disrupted this timeline. The letter argues that these delays have left many students uncertain about their educational future, potentially affecting their decisions about pursuing higher education.

Concerns for Low-Income Students

The specific emphasis on the potential impact on low-income students highlights the lawmakers' commitment to ensuring equitable access to higher education. If technical challenges and delays disproportionately affect this demographic, it could exacerbate existing disparities in educational opportunities.

The call for a GAO investigation into the Education Department's handling of the FAFSA rollout reflects lawmakers' concerns about the potential repercussions on students and institutions. As the investigation unfolds, attention will be focused on understanding the challenges faced by students and institutions, evaluating the adequacy of information provided, and assessing the broader implications for the upcoming academic year. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the FAFSA application process remains accessible, reliable, and supportive of students, particularly those who rely on federal aid to pursue their educational aspirations.

RELATED ARTICLE: FAFSA Fumble Sparks $1.8 Billion Error, Creating Uncertainty For College-Bound Families In Financial Aid Chaos
The University of Pennsylvania finds itself at the center of a congressional inquiry as the House Education and Workforce Committee, chaired by Representative Virginia Foxx, demands documents and communications related to the university's response to antisemitic incidents since January 2021. This move follows a similar request to Harvard University and marks an escalation in the committee's efforts to address and combat antisemitism on college campuses.

Foxx's Inquiry

Representative Virginia Foxx's 14-page letter to the University of Pennsylvania outlines a comprehensive request for information, encompassing 24 different items. The committee seeks insights into how the university has tackled antisemitic incidents, its strategic plan to combat antisemitism, and its initiatives for recruiting and retaining Jewish students. Foxx's letter underlines the committee's concerns regarding "deeply troubling incidents and developments" at Penn over the past few months, which include instances of antisemitic vandalism, harassment, and controversial decisions such as hosting the Palestine Writes Literature Festival.

READ ALSO: House Committee Demands Documents From Harvard On Antisemitism And Campus Policies

Harvard's Precedent

The committee's action follows a similar request to Harvard University, which Foxx criticized as "woefully inadequate." Harvard subsequently turned over documents this week, signaling the university's willingness to cooperate. However, the ongoing scrutiny and concerns about the initial response indicate the challenges universities face in addressing antisemitism while upholding principles of free speech and academic freedom.

Incidents at the University of Pennsylvania

The incidents cited in Foxx's letter shed light on the multifaceted nature of the challenges faced by Penn. Antisemitic vandalism and harassment are mentioned, along with the university's decision to host the Palestine Writes Literature Festival. The festival featured speakers who have made antisemitic comments, raising questions about the university's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all students. The letter also highlights statements from Penn faculty expressing support for the people of Palestine or criticism of Israel.

Foxx's Critique of Penn's Response

Foxx's letter criticizes Penn's response to antisemitism, accusing the university of a double standard. The letter alleges that Penn tolerates antisemitic incidents while suppressing other expressions it deems problematic. Foxx specifically points to the university's handling of a call for sanctions against Amy Wax, a law professor at Penn facing scrutiny for controversial remarks. The committee aims to explore these inconsistencies and understand the university's approach to free speech and combating hate speech on its campus.

Scope of Document Requests

The committee's document request extends beyond specific incidents, delving into various aspects of the university's policies and practices. This includes documents related to the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, materials from Penn's diversity, equity, and inclusion offices concerning Jewish students and antisemitism, and information about donations and funding from Qatari sources. These requests reflect the committee's commitment to a comprehensive examination of Penn's actions and policies.

Penn's Deadline and Potential Ramifications

The University of Pennsylvania has been given a deadline of February 7 to respond to the committee's document request. The looming deadline raises questions about the university's preparedness to address the committee's concerns adequately. Failure to comply could potentially lead to more significant consequences, as Foxx has not ruled out the possibility of employing "compulsory measures," including subpoenas.

The House Education and Workforce Committee's inquiry into antisemitism at the University of Pennsylvania underscores the growing scrutiny faced by academic institutions regarding their responses to hate speech and discriminatory incidents. As universities navigate the delicate balance between free speech, inclusivity, and combating antisemitism, the outcomes of these investigations may shape future policies and practices on campuses nationwide. The University of Pennsylvania's forthcoming response will be closely watched, as it navigates the intricate intersection of academic freedom, free speech, and the imperative to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

RELATED ARTICLE: Harvard Faces Backlash As Larry Summers Challenges Derek Penslar's Role In Antisemitism Task Force Leadership
Norway's Minister of Research and Higher Education, Sandra Borch, recently resigned amid revelations that she plagiarized parts of her master's thesis a decade ago.

The scandal, involving allegations of extensive copying from other student papers, comes as a blow to Borch, who had previously overseen a crackdown on plagiarism and fought a legal battle against self-plagiarism. The resignation has prompted further scrutiny, with another minister, Ingvild Kjerkol, facing similar accusations. The unfolding controversy raises questions about academic integrity and the implications for those responsible for upholding it.

Plagiarism Admission and Resignation

Sandra Borch publicly admitted to plagiarizing parts of her master's thesis during a press conference on January 19, attributing the act to a mistake made around ten years ago. The revelation came after detailed plagiarism allegations were posted online by a business student from Oslo, who expressed frustration at Borch's previous efforts to penalize students for self-plagiarism. Borch acknowledged the gravity of her actions, stating, "I took text from other assignments without stating the source," and formally resigned on Tuesday.

READ ALSO: Unraveling The Academic Plagiarism War: Clash Over Integrity, Diversity Initiatives, And The Publish-Or-Perish Culture

Contradictions in Borch's Actions

The irony of Borch's plagiarism admission lies in her past efforts to crack down on self-plagiarism. She actively pursued a legal case against a student charged with academic misconduct for plagiarizing their own work. Despite the student being acquitted in a lower court, Borch escalated the matter to the Supreme Court of Norway, arguing that clear regulations on cheating were essential for the country's students and academic institutions. The revelation of her own plagiarism now raises questions about the minister's credibility and the consistency of her stance.

Details of Plagiarism Allegations

The plagiarism allegations against Borch include claims that over 20 percent of her thesis, completed in 2014 at the University of Troms, was lifted from six other student papers. A vigilant business student posted evidence on X, pointing out specific instances of copied text and even spelling mistakes allegedly replicated from others' work. The incident not only exposes a lack of originality in Borch's academic endeavors but also underscores the importance of upholding ethical standards in higher education.

Political Fallout and Ministerial Reshuffling

Norway's Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Stre, swiftly responded to Borch's admission, stating that her actions were "not compatible with the trust that is necessary to be minister of research and higher education." Borch delegated her responsibilities to Oddmund Lkensgard Hoel, who stressed that he hadn't plagiarized his own thesis. The resignation has left a void in the government's leadership on research and higher education, prompting a reevaluation of the commitment to academic integrity within the Norwegian political sphere.

Expanding Scandal: Health Minister Under Scrutiny

The plagiarism scandal has taken another turn with accusations against Minister of Health and Care Services Ingvild Kjerkol. She now faces allegations of plagiarizing her thesis, completed in 2021. While admitting it "should not have happened," Kjerkol contends that it was an honest mistake and denies any intentional wrongdoing. The prime minister has expressed support for Kjerkol, stating that the matter should be addressed by the university where she received her degree. Nord University has initiated an investigation into the allegations.

The plagiarism scandal involving Norwegian ministers Sandra Borch and Ingvild Kjerkol has sent shockwaves through the country's political landscape. The admission of academic misconduct by those responsible for upholding integrity raises critical questions about the ethical standards within the government. As the investigations unfold, the fallout from these revelations will likely prompt a broader discussion on the expectations placed on public figures regarding academic honesty and the consequences of failing to meet these standards.

RELATED ARTICLE: Harvard Plagiarism Scandal Sparks Campus Culture Clash Over AI-Powered Detection
PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Jan, 2024) With the increase in the severity of the cold, the infection is becoming viral, and so far, 46 children have died of pneumonia in three major hospitals in the city.

Hospital officials told mediamen here on Friday that pneumonia was affecting children with low immunity, and a total of 46 children died of pneumonia in three hospitals in the city, including 20 patients each in Lady Reading and Khyber Teaching Hospitals and six in Hayatabad Medical Complex.

The hospital's officials said that more than 700 children affected by pneumonia are being brought to OPD on a daily basis, and more than capacity children are being treated at Lady Reading Hospital.

"Most of the affected children belong to adjoining areas," the officials confirmed.
(@FahadShabbir)

Energy deals in return for stopping migration. Italy's hard-right Giorgia Meloni reveals her long-trailed development plan for Africa this weekend, a "non-predatory" approach which critics warn favours European priorities and pockets

Rome, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Jan, 2024) Energy deals in return for stopping migration. Italy's hard-right Giorgia Meloni reveals her long-trailed development plan for Africa this weekend, a "non-predatory" approach which critics warn favours European priorities and pockets.

Prime Minister Meloni, who came to power in 2022 on an anti-migrant ticket, hopes to posit Italy as a key bridge between Africa and Europe, funnelling energy north while exchanging investment in the south for deals aimed at preventing migration.

Heads of numerous African countries are expected in the Italian capital for a summit on Sunday and Monday, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and representatives of United Nations agencies and the World Bank.

Meloni's so-called Mattei Plan is named after Enrico Mattei, the founder of Eni -- Italy's state-owned energy giant.

In the 1950s, he advocated a co-operative stance towards African countries, helping them to develop their natural resources.

"A certain paternalistic and predatory approach has not worked so far. What needs to be done in Africa is not charity but strategic partnerships, as equals," Meloni, 47, said earlier this month.

Rome holds the presidency of the G7 group of nations this year and has vowed to make African development a central theme, in part to increase influence in a continent where powers such as China, Russia, India, Japan and Turkey have been expanding their political clout.

Experts warned Italy may struggle to get key support for a new deal from the European Union, which unveiled its own Africa package worth 150 billion euros ($160 billion) in 2022.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

NEW YORK, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Jan, 2024) Pakistan and St. Kitts & Nevis, a Caribbean country, Thursday established formal diplomatic relations at a ceremony held at the Pakistan Mission to the United Nations in New York.

Pakistan's UN Ambassador Munir Akram and her St. Kitts & Nevis counterpart, Dr. Mutryce Williams, signed a joint communique to formalize the relationship between their countries.

Saint Kitts and Nevis, which gained independence in 1983, is a dual-island nation situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Akram said that the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries would open up avenues for cooperation in several fields such as finance, trade, investment, and information technology.

Ambassador Akram said that it would provide an opportunity to the representatives of both countries at different tiers to have close and meaningful interaction, aimed at benefiting from each others experiences.

He said he looked forward to a renewed partnership with the Permanent Mission of St. Kitts & Nevis on the areas of common interest at the bilateral and multilateral forums.

On her part, Ambassador Williams thanked the Pakistan Mission for hosting the ceremony. The two countries, she said, might be located at the far ends of the world, but they have had mutual respect and goodwill for each other.

The Ambassador said that the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and St. Kitts & Nevis would lead to cooperation in different fields, especially trade, tourism and education.
Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Jan, 2024) A Moscow court on Friday extended until March 30 the detention of Evan Gershkovich, an American Wall Street Journal reporter held in Moscow on espionage charges which he denies.

"The period of detention of Evan Gershkovich ... is extended by two months ... till March 30," the court said on Telegram.

Gershkovich, his employer and the US government vehemently reject the spying charges, the first to be levelled against a foreign journalist since the Soviet era.

He was arrested during a reporting trip at the end of March last year in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg and could spend up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

The American, who previously worked for AFP, continued to report from Russia after the Kremlin launched its Ukraine offensive, despite many Western journalists leaving the country.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Singapore, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Jan, 2024) A Singapore court sentenced a South African man to two years in jail on Friday for smuggling rhino horns, the heaviest sentence ever handed down in the city-state for trafficking wildlife parts.

The man named in court documents as Gumede Sthembiso Joel was arrested at Singapore's Changi airport in 2022 after authorities found 20 rhino horn pieces weighing 34.7 kilograms in his bags.

Sniffer dogs detected the contraband in his baggage while he was travelling from South Africa to Laos through Singapore.

The pieces were worth about Sg$1.2 million (US$895,000) -- the city-state's largest seizure of rhino horn.

The 33-year-old man was sentenced after pleading guilty to two charges of transiting with rhino horns without a valid permit.

"This is the heaviest sentence meted out in Singapore to date for a case involving the smuggling of wildlife parts," Singapore's National Parks board (NParks) said in a statement on Friday.

After undergoing forensic analysis, 18 horn pieces were determined to be from 15 different white rhinos, while another two pieces were from a single black rhino, NParks said.

In determining the appropriate sentence, district judge Eddy Tham said he had to "consider the effect" of the two rhino species involved.

"The harm caused is clearly greater," he said.

Rhinos are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and international trade in their horns is prohibited.

Home to nearly 80 percent of the world's rhinoceroses, South Africa is a poaching hotspot, driven by demand from Asia.

The South African government said 448 of the rare animals were killed across the country in 2022, only three fewer than in 2021 despite increased protection at national parks.

Rhino horns are considered status symbols and believed to have medicinal properties in parts of Asia. They are also carved into jewellery and household items including combs, buttons and belt buckles.
Information Communication Infrastructure Master Plan Approved

The Prime Minister of Vietnam has approved a plan to develop Vietnams information and communications infrastructure. Here are the details.

Earlier this month the Prime Minister of Vietnam issued Decision 36/QD-TTg (Decision 36) approving the Information And Communication (IC) Infrastructure Plan For The Period Of 2021  2030, With A Vision To 2050. This plan sets out the path forward for the development of Vietnams IT infrastructure as it moves toward a high-tech future.

Specifically, the document lays out key goals and frameworks for providing greater data security and efficient data management, but also to facilitate greater development of Vietnams IT industry.

Here are the details.

Postal service

Decision 36 lays out several key targets for the postal service. These include:

By 2025

Reach a capacity of 93,000 tons of mail every day;

To limit the time it takes for inter-provincial and international parcels to travel between postal centers to a maximum of five days; and

To limit intra-regional delivery time to a maximum of five days.

Telecommunications infrastructure

For Vietnams digital infrastructure, the Decision sets out the following goals:

By 2025

100 percent of households to have access to fiber optic cable;

90 percent of households to have access fixed internet with an average speed of 200 megabits per second;

90 percent of enterprises, schools, hospitals, and offices in urban areas to have access to the internet at an average speed of one gigabit per second.

Mobile broadband to have an average download speed of 40 megabits per second for 4G networks and 100 megabits per second for 5G networks;

100 percent of the adult population to have a smartphone;

All high-tech parks, information technology parks, research, development and innovation centers to have access to the internet at a minimum speed of one gigabit per second;

To add two to four international internet cables;

For there to be 1 million domain names ending in .vn and for those 1 million domains to account for 60 percent of the domain names in use in Vietnam; and

For Vietnam to be among the top 50 on the Information and Communication Technology Development Index determined by the International Telecommunications Union.

By 2030

The fixed broadband network to offer 100 percent of users \access at speeds above one gigabit per second;

For 5G mobile broadband network coverage to reach 99 percent of the population; and

To add from four to six more international undersea fiber optic cables.

See also: Vietnams Amended Telecommunication Laws for Foreign Firms

Data center and cloud computing infrastructure

Vietnam has also recently identified cloud computing and data centers as key areas for development. Decision 36 sets out the following goals for this sector.

By 2025

Build three national multi-purpose data center clusters;

Add one or two regional data centers that will be specifically for Vietnams financial centers; and

For 70 percent of Vietnamese businesses to use cloud computing services provided by Vietnamese firms.

See also: Vietnams National Data Center Project: Unpacked

Foreign investment in IC infrastructure

These goals and objectives present broad opportunities for foreign firms. This includes both providing software and service as well as building the aforementioned infrastructure. That said, there are some limitations on foreign investment in the sector.

Foreign firms can only own a maximum of 65 percent of non-facilities-based telecommunications services. However, a foreign form can own up to 70 percent of a virtual private network. That said, for signatories to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) there are no foreign ownership restrictions.

When it comes to facilities-based telecommunications services foreign ownership is more limited. Firms from most countries can own up to 51 percent of a company providing facilities-based communications services. Again, these limits are more favorable for members of the CPTPP. Partner nations in this agreement can own up to 65 percent.

Relevant legislation

There are also several key regulations that may prove to be key growth drivers for telecommunications infrastructure. Two of the most important are data protection and localization requirements.

Personal Data Protection Decree

Regulations on the protection of personal data are outlined in Decree No. 13/2023/ND-CP. This decree covers the rights and responsibilities of individuals and organizations involved in data collection and processing, whether they are providing or requesting data. This includes how long it can be stored by which organization and how it should be handled in the event it is no longer needed.

See also: Vietnams Personal Data Protection Decree: A Quick Guide

Data localization

Vietnam recently introduced new data localization regulation requirements that would see both domestic and certain foreign companies required to store the personal data of Vietnamese clients locally. This particular legislation is mostly directed at foreign firms operating in Vietnam; however, it indicates how data should be treated and for what purposes data might be used (by law enforcement most prominently) in the country.

See also: How are Foreign Investors Responding to Vietnams New Data Localization Regulations

Moving forward

Decree 36 lays out a number of key goals and targets for the IC industry in Vietnam. These goals provide a framework for development within which foreign firms may find lucrative business opportunities. Firms looking to enter this market should contact the business advisory experts at Dezan Shira and Associates for on-the-ground support and advice.
Resident move-ins are expected to begin in February

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Clearwater Living, a real estate and property management company dedicated to the ownership, operation and development of high-quality senior living communities, announced today that full community tours are available at Clearwater Newport Beach, a 101-unit, luxury assisted living and memory support community in Newport Beach.

Clearwater Newport Beach recently moved from a nearby information center to its onsite office. Prospective residents and their families can visit and have their questions answered about assisted living and memory care, learn about personalized care services and enriching programs that will be available, tour the community and make a deposit to reserve an apartment.

"Moving into the on-site offices is always an exciting time as it provides the first chance for people to see our beautifully designed, resident-centered communities and get a taste of what life is like when you call a Clearwater Living community home," said Danielle Morgan, Clearwater Living's president and chief operating officer. "Given the amount of interest we have received throughout the process, we expect leasing to continue at a brisk pace."

Located just off Route 73 at 101 Bayview Place, Clearwater Newport Beach will offer 70 assisted living and 31 memory support apartments in a variety of sophisticated, contemporary finishes and floor plans including studio, and one- and two-bedroom options. The community will boast a large outdoor courtyard, offering residents an immersive indoor/outdoor living experience. Clearwater Living expects that it will open its doors to residents in February.

Clearwater's five-star, resort-style living will provide residents with a creative studio, club room, fitness and wellness center, theater, housekeeping and laundry, salons, transportation and concierge services. Clearwater's commitment to healthy living includes chef-driven cuisine that goes well beyond basic nutritional needs. Residents and their guests will be able to choose among a variety of options across multiple dining venues including an on-site Savor Restaurant, CDM Cafe, wine vault, outdoor bar and private dining.

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Clearwater provides residents with access to a licensed nurse onsite, 24-hour compassionate care partners, medication coordination, regular monitoring and other comprehensive care services as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology through their collaboration with EmpowerMe Wellness company. These amenities and services all represent Clearwater's philosophy of Empowered Living through impactful emotional, physical and social experiences in a stimulating and comfortable environment.

Clearwater Living actively acquires, develops and operates a full range of senior housing communities throughout the western United States. Clearwater Newport Beach will be the company's eleventh community in California, Nevada and Arizona, and they have additional developments in the pipeline.

About Clearwater Living

Clearwater Living is committed to providing the most superior customer service and living experiences that celebrate individual relevance, from our residents and their families to our family of team members. Clearwater is growing through strategic acquisitions, development, and operational management of senior living communities throughout the western United States. Every Clearwater Living community practices a holistic approach to successful aging and personalized care that improves the daily lives of residents. To learn more about Clearwater Living, visit ClearwaterLiving.com.





Contact: Jennifer Franklin

Spotlight Marketing Communications

(949) 427-1385

jennifer@spotlightmarcom.com

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SOURCE Clearwater Living
Vietnams Amended Law on Credit Institutions Approved

Vietnams National Assembly has voted to approve amendments to the Law on Credit Institutions. Here are the details.

Last year, it was revealed that Truong My Lan, chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat Group, had allegedly embezzled US$12.36 billion from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB). A phenomenally huge fraud by any measure, this has seen a number of regulations developed to prevent it from happening again.

Specifically, amendments to Vietnams Law on Credit have been made. These were passed by the National Assembly last week. These are outlined below.

Ownership limits

From July 1 of this year, individual shareholders will be prevented from owning more than five percent of a credit institution. This includes indirect ownership whereby an individual is party to an investment trust or a company in which said individual owns more than 50 percent of the charter capital, and through that vehicle invests in a credit institution.

Furthermore, an organization will be limited to no more than 10 percent of the charter capital of a credit institution which includes any indirect ownership as defined above.

There are also limits for shareholders whereby they cannot own more than 15 percent of the charter capital of a credit institution.

Major shareholders in one credit institution are also limited to owning no more than 5 percent of the charter capital of another credit institution.

Note that the law provides an exemption from these limits for foreign investors.

Ownership disclosures

Accompanying the revised ownership limits are new disclosure rules. Specifically shareholders with more than 1 percent of the charter capital of a credit institution need to publicly disclose how much of the charter capital they own. Anyone connected to said major shareholder, family members, for example, that own part of the charter capital in the same bank must also disclose this.

Early intervention

Furthermore, early intervention when banks are struggling has also been identified as a key need for the industry. The amended law addresses this by laying out the criteria under which the State Bank of Vietnam should put a bank under special administration.

It also details how banks should respond when an early intervention is initiated. Specifically, it states banks should look to increase their charter capital, cut their operating costs, and strengthen their risk management processes and procedures.

It also restricts banks under early intervention from high-risk business activities and not paying dividends. Furthermore, it dictates that banks must suspend banking activities that could be unlawful and that any members of the leadership team who are found to have acted unlawfully must be removed.

Moving forward

The bulk of the amended Law on Credit Institutions comes into force on July 1, 2024. Though note that provisions pertaining to the transfer of ownership of collateral come into effect from January 1, 2025.

For more information contact the business advisory expert at Dezan Shira and Associates.
Transcript:

The Inside Story: Global Flashpoints

Episode 128  January 25, 2024

Show Open:

This week on The Inside Story

A new year unfolds with continuing conflicts around the world

Israel's war on hamas spills beyond its borders as the U.S. retaliates against Iran-backed militias supporting Hamas.

In Ukraine, with the war at a stalemate, military experts warn Russia could be considering tactical nukes

And in the Pacific, China and Taiwan continue their tense decades-long standoff.

Our correspondents explain the latest

Now on The Inside Story... Global Flashpoints

The Inside Story:

CARLA BABB, VOA Pentagon correspondent:

Welcome to the Inside Story, Im Carla Babb, VOAs Pentagon correspondent. As the New Year opens, the United States finds itself responding to a number of global threats... striking Houthi rebels in Yemen and militant groups in Iraq... all this while trying to help Ukraine fight a war against Russia and managing increased tensions in the Pacific after recent Taiwan elections. Well examine how the U.S. is responding to these global challenges. This week, on the Inside Story.

On Wednesday alone, the United States military hit Iranian-backed targets in Iraq and Yemen in a span of about two hours. Strikes hit a headquarters, storage center and training location for Kataib Hezbollah militants in Iraq (pause) and knocked out Houthi missiles in Yemen that the military says were ready to launch into international shipping lanes.

Now militant groups have hit U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria more than 150 times since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel in October. Eighty-three Americans were injured in those attacks. Fortunately the military says these were almost all minor injuries, and all but two have returned to duty. But there are now growing concerns that the U.S. may soon be entangled in another war in the Middle East, even as it aims to prevent the expansion of the Israel-Hamas war there and attempts to stop Russian aggression in Europe through its support of Ukraine.

From Iraq to Yemen, U.S. forces, sometimes aided by British forces, are striking back against Iranian-backed groups.

The Houthis have launched more than 30 attacks on international vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in what they say is a response to the war against Hamas in Gaza, although many of their attacks have targeted ships not associated with Israel.

The strikes in Yemen this week hitting weapons facilities, radar sites and missiles the U.S. said were ready to launch at international vessels.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary:

Our goal here is to ensure that the Red Sea is safe and secure for international shipping and mariners. That is our only goal.

CARLA BABB:

The international community is calling for an immediate end to the violence.

Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General:

I urge all parties to step back from the brink and to consider the horrendous human cost of a regional conflict.

CARLA BABB:

The White House says regional conflict is exactly what the U.S., Britain and other allies are trying to avoid by conducting these strikes.

John Kirby, National Security Council:

If you're in a scrap with somebody, and you can find a way to tie one or both of their hands behind their back, that's not escalating. That's de-escalating. That's taking ability away from the other party to inflict harm.

Brad Bowman, Foundation for Defense of Democracies:

Full points for not wanting a regional war and trying to avoid a regional war. But news flash, we appear to have one.

CARLA BABB:

Brad Bowman of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies says the U.S. isnt hitting Iranian proxies hard enough in the Middle East

Brad Bowman, Foundation for Defense of Democracies:

They are repeatedly trying to kill Americans. And the only reason why we haven't had more American casualties is because we've taken measures to defend ourselves and we've gotten lucky.

CARLA BABB:

And, he says, the United States lackluster response is not holding to account the ultimate aggressor: Iran.

Brad Bowman, Foundation for Defense of Democracies:

And the more we talk about the Houthis, or Hamas or Hezbollah, the more we play right into Iran's grand strategy where they're the puppet master. They attack us via their puppets. They conceal their actions via their puppets, and then when we counterpunch, we hit the puppet, not the puppet master.

CARLA BABB:

Tensions rise as Congress has stalled additional U.S. funding for Israel Defense Forces, as well as more funding for its European partner, Ukraine, whose forces have fought a nearly two-year war against Russian invaders.

While recovering from a hospitalization earlier this month, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hosted dozens of nations Tuesday in the first Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting since the Pentagon ran out of congressional-approved funds to send to Kyiv. The group aims to continue coordinated military support.

Unidentified Journalist:

Ambassador, can Ukraine win this war?

Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraines UN Ambassador:

Ukraine will win this war, but not only Ukraine but the whole democratic world.

CARLA BABB:

The U.S. is still training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s in the Western state of Arizona, in hopes the additional capability will give Ukraine an advantage as it fights for survival.

A massive Russian airstrike on Tuesday killed several people and wounded about 50 others.

Russian media reported that a cargo plane carrying 74 people crashed last night.

The Russians say it was carrying flying 64 Ukrainians captured in the fighting back to Ukraine, to be released as part of a prisoner swap.

Ukraine says the plane was carrying missiles for Russian air defense systems.

Neither report has yet been independently verified.

Meanwhile, a new report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies says Moscow may be turning towards non-strategic nuclear weapons, or N-S-N-Ws, as a means of deterrence and a way to defeat NATO in a possible future conflict. Henry Ridgwell has more.

HENRY RIDGWELL, VOA Correspondent:

In February 2022  as he announced the invasion of Ukraine  Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the world of consequences you have never faced in your history if the West tried to stop Russia.

A report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies says fear of escalation has caused the West to hesitate in supplying arms to Kyiv.

But nearly two years on, U.S. intelligence officials estimate Russia has lost more than 300-thousand military personnel in Ukraine - nearly 90 percent of its pre-war army  much of it at the hands of weapons donated by the West. Report author, William Alberque.

William Alberque, International Institute for Strategic Studies:

Russia has less confidence now in their conventional capabilities because of everything theyve lost in the Ukraine war.

HENRY RIDGWELL:

That means Moscows shorter-range atomic weapons, known as Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons  designed for use on the battlefield  are becoming increasingly important to the Kremlin, according to Alberque.

William Alberque, International Institute for Strategic Studies:

Russia has basically short range and medium range, air-launched, ground-launched and sea-launched missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads throughout the theater and able to hold all of NATO at risk. NATO itself lacks sort of a countervailing capability to match the Russian capability.

The report highlights a June paper published by Russian analyst Sergei Karaganov, in which he endorsed a tactical nuclear strike on a European state supportive of Ukraine, in order to restore deterrence against NATO.

At an October political conference in Russia, Putin himself picked out Karaganov among the audience.

William Alberque, International Institute for Strategic Studies:

Putin said, Yes, I read all of your papers. And I don't think we need to strike NATO but I do think I need additional options in terms of escalation with the U.S. and NATO in order to maintain deterrence. So, for them, they're constantly thinking about what sort of dosage of nuclear weapons would they need to make us acquiesce, to make us basically sue for peace, without escalating the conflict beyond their control.

HENRY RIDGWELL:

Russia believes NATO does not have the resolve to respond with its own nuclear weapons, according to the report  which says its vital for the West to re-calibrate its own deterrence.

NATO has said the use of any nuclear weapon by Russia in Ukraine would fundamentally change the nature of the conflict and would have consequences.

Henry Ridgwell, VOA News, London.

CARLA BABB:

The world has largely focused on the Middle East since the Hamas attacks of October 7th as well as the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine. But in the east regional tensions are simmering over Taiwan and in the Koreas. VOAs Bill Gallo explains from Seoul.

BILL GALLO, VOA Correspondent:

With so much of the world's attention on Ukraine in the Middle East, it's easy to forget about Asia. The United States has over 80,000 troops here in this region. Where I'm at here in Korea, the United States has about 30,000 troops. Those are officially there to determine North Korea and the weapons of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Now North Korea has actually rapidly expanded the number and type of weapons it has, many of which actually do pose some sort of threat to the United States. And it does seem that we are entering a more provocative phase and North Korea has entered more of a provocative Phase testing many more weapons issuing many more threats. One specific threat and as mentioned more recently, many times is the possibility of a war with South Korea. Now most experts do not think that is about to happen. There are many reasons why it wouldn't happen, mainly because the United States military is vastly more powerful than North Korea's and if North Korea were to attack the United States, I think everyone basically assumes that the North Korean regime would not be very long for this world.

However, North Korea has sort of toyed around with talking about the idea of a war with South Korea, and some experts questioned the extent to which the United States would get involved in a war with North Korea.

If it were to attack the South Korea and have the ability to hit the United States with nuclear weapons. It's far from certain that North Korea does have that capability, but that's what it's marching towards, and rather steadily However, even if North Korea were to attack the South, I think there is a great expectation that the United States would get involved. That's because as I mentioned, they have 30,000 US troops here. There are many more US citizens here. And in fact, the US and South Korea have a mutual defense treaty that obligates the United States to defend South Korea in the event of an attack.

One of the other big hotspots here in East Asia is of course the democratic island of Taiwan. China claims that self-ruled Island and in fact has stepped up its military threats and other forms of coercion against Taiwan. In recent years, we've seen Chinese warships, Chinese planes get closer really than ever before to that island, as part of efforts to sort of force the island to accept its claims of sovereignty.

Now, of course, the big question here is the role that the United States would play if China were to actually invade. US President Joe Biden has on four separate occasions said rather explicitly that the United States would defend Taiwan if it were attacked. However, US officials have subsequently walked those comments back every time basically to say look, our policy hasn't changed.

US policy towards Taiwan is to be ambiguous on the matter of whether it would defend in the event of a Chinese invasion. The United States wants to maintain the status quo. It does not oppose a peaceful reunification if the people of Taiwan were to agree to unify with the mainland, however, sort of the big goals for the United States is to maintain the status quo. And of course, the United States does not have military forces on Taiwan. It has no permanent military presence there. However, the troops out here in Korea, troops nearby in Japan, all of those are sort of presumed to play a role in this sort of ambiguity of policy of ambiguity towards Taiwan, will we or won't we sort of come to Taiwan's defense in the event of an invasion? It all plays into this idea that this is a big military hotspot that honestly is getting more attention these days for good reason.

CARLA BABB:

Thank you, Bill, and now back to the Middle East. As we mentioned earlier, the region has erupted in turmoil since Hamas militarys terror attack into Israel that resulted in 12-hundred deaths and the taking of hundreds of hostages.

The resulting Israeli counteroffensive has devastated the Gaza Strip, left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead and created a humanitarian crisis.

Its been more than 100 days of destruction and despair.

More than 20 Israeli soldiers died Monday when a building collapsed on a group of soldiers fighting in Southern Gaza.

The military is still investigating the exact cause of the attack, but Israeli Defense Force officials say it was likely the result of a rocket propelled grenade setting off explosives that had been set by Israeli troops.

Earlier this week, I spoke with VOAs Celia Mendoza in Tel Aviv about the situation in the region..

Celia, thank you so much for joining us from Tel Aviv. It's now been more than 100 days since this war began. What are the feelings that you're getting when you talk to people





CELIA MENDOZA, VOA Correspondent:

Definitely is the sentiment of tiredness, people are tired of what happened in the sense of the pain that they keep feeling the trauma that they have. They're tired that the work continues. But also we have seen how their minds have shifted. People that were pacifists, people that were against any kind of war. believe that this needs to be done because of what happened on the seventh of October was so horrific, and that is very important for them, but at the same time, they don't know what is the end goal. When is it going to end? We're four months almost into this is not an outside constitutes this deal in Gaza.

Is that becoming a big problem for Netanyahu as of right now, but also the international pressure inside Israel? We don't hear a lot about what is happening in Gaza in terms of the humanitarian crisis as the United Nations has declared. But the international community has made it very clear that now that they outgrew the Palestinian Authority, I'm talking about over 25,000 people killed inside of Gaza. Many more missing, people that are heard families that are constantly destroyed.

That is something that they want to make sure that it stops and that's why we have proposals coming from the European Union from Middle Eastern countries, even the United States. As they're trying to broker a possibility of the political solution in the middle of this. But for Israelis, it's very, very clear that they need to end this and as you mentioned, Hamas is still being a threat and that is something that definitely is a big question mark for the Israeli government but also for their population that is growing tired of what is happening, and we have seen divisions, divisions within the government, even the word Cabinet members have been publicly speaking about it. As a possibility of early elections, the possibility of a change. So far is that yeah, Netanyahu has kept his course and he says that he basically won't stop until this is completely done. In that sense Hamas eliminated, completely elimination of the threat.



CARLA BABB:



And Celia, you've spoken to some of the family members of the hostages. There are still dozens of Israeli hostage students in Gaza. Some of those are even American. What are the people that you spoke to what are those family members telling you? Is there any hope for that they'll get their family members back?



CELIA MENDOZA, VOA Correspondent:

just today I spoke to the wife of one of the producers of the Nova festival in the border between Israel and Gaza. She details what happened that day but also how she feels that her life has been stocked on October 7 And everyday continues. To be the same. She has hope. She believes that if she loses her hope that it is impossible to hide her husband back home. And that is one of the things that she explains, keeps her going and then she's doing everything possible with her husband's family to try to get to politicians and to local leaders and international community to make anything and everything possible to bring their family members home. But they are clear that the conditions that they're facing are horrible. And as every day goes by, the more they're worried about their health and also the conditions in which they're kept and the possibility that they will not be the same person that went in on October 7 And that is something that this particular case the wife said, we will have to do a lot of healing not only him but also her.



CARLA BABB:

You've spoken to some people in the West Bank as well. What are they doing to try to pressure the Israeli government to stop the fighting.



CELIA MENDOZA, VOA Correspondent:



The Palestinians in the West Bank are very aggressively pushing for a ceasefire. They're asking the international community that's what we have heard and then their sights, but also we have seen a sense of growing hate.

The Israeli forces are more present within the West Bank. checkpoints have been closed. People have less possibility of movement internally.

The IDF has confirmed operations in different cities and refugee camps within the West Bank where they claim they have neutralized or detained alleged terrorists. But for Palestinians, all of this is part of a growing tension that they believe will not have a solution until their state is recognized.

CARLA BABB:

Celia Mendoza reporting from Tel Aviv, Celia thank you so much for speaking with us.

CELIA MENDOZA, VOA Correspondent:

Thank you Carla.



CARLA BABB:

So how is the Pentagon juggling these crises? I sat down with Pentagon press secretary General Pat Ryder to discuss how long the military can maintain this pace of operations.

We have seen relentless attacks on US forces on US interest in the Middle East. Is this unprecedented for us to see the US be attacked this frequently and not be at war?

PAT RYDER, Pentagon press secretary General:

Well, I think it's important to put all this into perspective. And certainly, to your point, we're seeing very, very high levels of tension in the Middle East right now. Much of this, of course, stems back to October 7, when Hamas attacked Israel killed over 1200 people took over 200 hostages. And of course, we're seeing that play out right now with Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. Shortly after that, we deployed a significant amount of capabilities into the Middle East and broader region, in order to enable us to have capabilities that were available for a wide range of contingencies. But most notably to support our deterrence efforts. In the meantime, we do see groups like Iranian proxies attempting to exploit the situation and as you highlight conduct attacks against our forces that are deployed to Iraq and Syria, as well as Houthis, attacking international shipping, that's transiting the Red Sea. And so we are working very, very hard with our allies and partners to de escalate those situations, cognizant of the fact that we do have important missions, most notably the the defeat ISIS mission in Iraq and Syria, as well as our responsibility to ensure that those that are traveling are transiting the Red Sea, for example, can do so safely and securely. So we're going to continue to keep after that,

CARLA BABB:

There have been more attacks by the Houthis launched out towards American ships. Recently, the US military was able to shoot down some of these or let them fall to the sea. But is this a sign that deterrence isn't working with the Houthi?

PAT RYDER, Pentagon press secretary General:

As you highlight, we've continued to see these attacks. And so we have taken measures to disrupt and degrade Houthi capabilities to conduct those, of course, it's in all of our interests for them to stop the the attacks have affected over 50 nations in terms of their their vessels transiting this vital waterway, and if they don't stop will continue to take necessary action. But again, our goal here is not to see escalation. It's actually the opposite. It's to de escalate the situation, and ensure that international shipping and mariners can transit this waterway safely.

CARLA BABB:

There have been attacks against the Iranian proxies but this building and the White House, and many others have blamed Iran for all these attacks. What more can the Pentagon do at this point, to try to get Iran to stop?

PAT RYDER, Pentagon press secretary General:

Well, of course, this takes a whole of government approaches and what you've seen in terms of economic sanctions, diplomatic efforts, and of course, our presence in the Middle East region and the wider region are important, again, to reassure our partners and allies that the US is a dependable partner and a dependable ally. So we're going to continue in those efforts. Of course, we know that I ran funds, trains equips and helps to resource these proxy groups. It's it's a Long standing part of their way of conducting business to try to have deniable plausible deniability in terms of their hand in these things, we're obviously very well aware of that. At the same time, we recognize, again, that our goal here is to de escalate and prevent a wider regional war. And, you know, look, we're not looking for conflict with Iran, we don't seek war with Iran. But at the same time, we're going to stand beside our partners and our allies in the region to ensure security and stability.

CARLA BABB:

When you look at the globe, one of the reasons this building pulled out of Afghanistan was because they wanted to get out of a complex game, they could divert resources towards preparing for a future near peer conflict. And they came to that, and there were critics saying that the military was spread too thin. Since then, we've seen the US military send more troops to Europe, that are crushing it for Ukraine, and now we're seeing more US troops in the Middle East, is the US military starting to spread itself too thin?

PAT RYDER, Pentagon press secretary General:

Actually, I would take a different perspective on that it actually demonstrates the dynamic capability of the US military and our ability to respond to a variety of crises around the world. And that's exactly what the national defense strategy is focused on. You know, the, the fact of the matter is, is that, you know, the number one priority, which is China is our pacing challenge continues to be where we apply the majority of our resources, brushes and acute threat and support to our European partners in NATO, in terms of securing Europe, but also supporting Ukraine, then, of course, you've got North Korea, Iran, and counterterrorism. All of those fit into the national defense strategy. And what you're seeing right now is our ability to send forces to wherever we need in support of allies and partners to address those issues long term. So, again, we recognize that we live in a world where physics is a reality. And there's always going to be a need for more resources. But we also are confident that we have the capabilities that we need right now to address real national security concerns that are right in front of us.

Carla Babb:

Thank you for joining us on The Inside Story.

Stay up to date with all the latest news at VOANews.com.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at VOA News.

Follow me on Twitter at XXXXX

Catch up on past episodes at our free streaming service, VOA Plus.

For all of those behind the scenes who brought you todays show, Im Carla Babb.

Well see you next week for The Inside Story.

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Haitis foreign minister appealed to the international community Thursday to expedite the deployment of a multinational force to help the national police combat brutal gang violence.

Ive been coming to the council on a regular basis for almost two years now, painting you a picture that gets sadder and bleaker each time I come, given that the security and humanitarian situation is deteriorating, Jean Victor Geneus told a meeting of the U.N. Security Council. The Haitian people cant take it anymore.

Geneus said Haitis future is at a crossroads, and he hoped it would be the last time he addresses the council before the deployment of the multinational support force it authorized in October.

Kenya has volunteered to lead the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti and has committed about 1,000 police officers. Ambassador Martin Kimani said a pledging conference is being planned to meet gaps in funding, equipment and logistical support for the mission.

We hope that this initiative will enable deployment without delay, he said.

The Bahamas, Jamaica, and Antigua and Barbuda have also expressed willingness to contribute personnel to the force. The United States has committed about $200 million in support, including logistics and equipment for the mission, but is not sending any personnel.

The multinational force, which was authorized by the Security Council but is not a U.N. mission, has been slow to deploy. First, it took months for the council to approve it. And now it has been going through the final domestic hurdles in Kenya before they can assume command. Kenyas high court is expected to rule Friday on a private lawsuit questioning the constitutionality of the deployment to Haiti.

In the meantime, the situation in Haiti has worsened.

Violent armed gangs control much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and have spread to other parts of the country. They have carried out massacres and kidnappings, human trafficking and sexual violence.

The deteriorating security situation has also created a humanitarian crisis, with almost half the population, around 5 million people, experiencing acute hunger and 200,000 displaced from their homes.

It beggars belief that in 2023 alone, weve seen over 5,000 people murdered  thats roughly 12 a day, Geneus said. That means in 2023, someone was murdered every two hours in Haiti.

He said more than 1,400 people were injured, nearly 3,000 kidnapped and 37 police assassinated in gang-related violence last year, noting that the real numbers are probably much higher.

Illicit arms from the US

The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) says in its latest report released Wednesday that guns and ammunition trafficked from the United States are ending up in the hands of the criminals. Shipped primarily from the state of Florida, they are flowing to Haiti by ships and small aircraft.

UNODC has found that there are 11 recorded informal or clandestine airstrips in Haiti, spread out across the country, said UNODC Director-General Ghada Waly. They represent a blind spot that is possibly being used by traffickers and smugglers, bearing in mind that smaller aircraft flying directly between the United States and Haiti are difficult to monitor.

She said a small number of Haitian gangs, including the 5 Segond and 400 Mawozo groups, have become highly specialized in the procurement, storage and distribution of weapons and ammunition.

They move firearms from points of entry to their strongholds before distributing or selling them to other armed groups, Waly told the council.

U.S. envoy Robert Wood told reporters that Washington is concerned about the trafficking of arms into Haiti.

The situation is dire, and we are taking this very seriously and doing what we can, he said.

The United Nations has stressed that Haiti needs a combination of a strengthened national police force, the rapid deployment of the multinational force, and credible elections to put Haiti on the path back to security and stability.
The Nairobi High Court rejected a planned deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti.

The ruling on Friday by Judge Enock Chacha Mwita said Kenya could only deploy officers abroad if it had a "reciprocal arrangement" with the host government. It also ruled that only defense forces could be deployed, not security services.

Last year, the Nairobi court suspended the governments plan to send 1,000 police officers to Haiti.

Three petitioners, including opposition politician and constitutional lawyer Ekuru Aukot, brought the case, telling VOA at the time the proposed deployment was unconstitutional, an argument accepted by the court.

In October, the U.N. Security Council had approved a Kenya-led multinational security force aimed at helping to combat violent gangs in the troubled Caribbean nation.

Other African countries, including Chad, Senegal, Burundi, also have said they will add troops to the multinational force.

While many in Kenya have questioned their countrys lead role in this mission, some had been supportive of President William Ruto, who had said, Its a mission for humanity and  is of special significance and critical urgency for Kenyans.

Violence escalated in Haiti on Wednesday as a heavily armed gang surrounded a hospital in the capital of Port-au-Prince. Police later rescued the patients.

On Thursday, the head of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime warned of a "vicious cycle" of arms trafficking to increasingly powerful Haitian gangs, fueling an internal conflict and worsening violence across the Caribbean.

Also Thursday, Haitian Foreign Affairs Minister Jean Victor Geneus told the U.N. Security Council that gang violence in his country was as barbaric as the horrors experienced in war zones, and once again asked for an international force to intervene.

Gangs across Haiti have continued to grow more powerful since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, and the number of kidnappings and killings keeps rising.
Afghanistans Taliban government on Thursday detained an Afghan poet, Izatullah Zawab, who serves as the head of Meena (Love) magazine in eastern Afghanistan, as part of an ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression and independent media in the country, family members posted on social media.

The family members said Zawab was apprehended by the Taliban while traveling from the capital, Kabul, to eastern Nangarhar province.

In a social media post, Zawab's sons, Attullah Zawab and Nusrat Arman, said the Taliban authorities did not reveal why their father was detained but assured them of his well-being and imminent release.

The brothers asked other social media users to delete posts related to the arrest. In response, some Facebook users urged them not to remove the posts until Zawab's release.

Taliban authorities have not provided any official statement regarding the detention, only telling family members that he is detained "in connection with an issue" without further details.

Zawab is renowned for his critical poetry, which some social media users speculate may have contributed to his arrest. He had faced previous arrests and imprisonment during the former Afghan government because of his critical poetry. Zawab has been critical of mullahs, the mujaheddins and what he called corrupt officials of the country without naming anyone.

Zawab serves as the editor of Meena (Love) magazine published in eastern Afghanistan and owns a bookstore in Kabul.

Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban suspended Afghanistan's constitution and revoked most laws implemented over the past two decades. According to the Afghanistan Journalist Center, the Taliban arrested 61 journalists in 2023.

While some were released after weeks or months of detention, others received lengthy prison sentences.

In the past year, the center documented 168 cases of violence and intimidation against journalists, highlighting the extensive censorship exercised by the authoritarian rulers over the media.
Alsu Kurmasheva, an American journalist jailed in Russia on charges that press freedom groups say are politically motivated and baseless, marked 100 days in detention on Thursday, as her employer and family renewed calls for her immediate release.



To be honest, its all becoming slowly but surely less bearable, Kurmasheva wrote in a January 13 letter.

Kurmasheva is a longtime Prague-based editor at the Tatar-Bashkir service of VOAs sister outlet, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

A dual U.S.-Russian national, Kurmasheva traveled to Russia in May 2023 for a family emergency. Her passports were confiscated when she tried to leave the country in June, and she was waiting for them to be returned when she was detained in October.

Kurmasheva was initially charged with failing to register as a foreign agent, but authorities later added additional charges of spreading false information about the Russian army. Kurmasheva and her employer deny the charges against her.

Even one day unjustly behind bars is a tragedy, acting RFE/RL President Stephen Capus said, but a U.S. citizen wrongfully held in a Russian prison for 100 days is outrageous.

Kurmasheva is being held in pretrial detention until at least February and faces a combined sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

One hundred days of Alsus detention in Russia is 100 days too many, Kurmashevas husband, Pavel Butorin, said in a post on X. Russia must drop its criminal cases against Alsu and allow her to leave Russia. She needs to come home and hug her children again.

Russias Washington embassy did not immediately reply to VOAs email requesting comment.

Since Kurmashevas jailing, her employer and press freedom groups have called on the U.S. State Department to declare her wrongfully detained, which would open additional resources to help secure her release.

Alsu Kurmasheva is a victim of Moscows war on journalism and its geopolitical disputes with the United States, Clayton Weimers, executive director of the U.S. bureau of Reporters Without Borders, said in a statement.

As an American journalist targeted for her work, Kurmasheva deserves nothing less than the full weight of her government working to secure her release, Weimers added.

Some press freedom analysts have wondered whether Kurmashevas status as a dual national is complicating or delaying her potential designation as wrongfully detained, but other analysts told VOA that shouldnt be a factor.

Wrongful detention determinations are important because they put political jailings on the U.S. governments radar to drive their response, according to Sarah Moriarty, an international security fellow at the New America think tank.

Its important because it calls out these actions for what they are, which is really, at its heart, hostage-taking, Moriarty told VOA.

Moriarty is the daughter of Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent who was abducted in Iran in 2007 by Tehran. He is the namesake for the Levinson Act, which established a framework for responding to wrongful detentions of Americans abroad.

A State Department spokesperson on Wednesday said he had no updates on a potential designation for Kurmasheva.

We are following closely the detention of Alsu Kurmasheva in Russia. We remain incredibly concerned about the extension of her pretrial detention, spokesperson Vedant Patel said, adding that a request for consular access to the journalist was denied on December 20.

When it comes to dual nationals who may be detained or arrested, Russia has no legal obligation to inform us of the detention of U.S. citizens who are dual nationals, Patel continued, saying Moscow had acknowledged her detention to consular officials.

The process of making wrongful detention determinations is unclear, according to Joel Simon, the founding director of the Journalism Protection Initiative.

The fact that theres really no explanation in Alsus case is, I would say, not unusual, said Simon, who also sits on the Center for Strategic and International Studies Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention.

Its an opaque and mysterious process, and we dont really know how these deliberations are carried out, he said.

The absence of a designation in Kurmashevas case could be chalked up to slow-moving bureaucracy, according to Simon, or it may be a tactical decision if officials think not making the designation may better help get Kurmasheva released.

Kurmasheva is one of two American journalists currently jailed in Russia.

Evan Gershkovich, a Russia correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, was jailed in March 2023 on espionage allegations that he, his employer and the U.S. government deny. The State Department has declared Gershkovich wrongfully detained.

Gershkovich earlier this week marked 300 days behind bars. He will remain in pretrial detention until at least the end of January.

The National Press Club in Washington this week also renewed calls for the Kremlin to immediately release Gershkovich and Kurmasheva.

We continue to demand the Russian government cease its cruel pattern of sweeping up innocent American journalists to serve as high-profile pawns in its quest to gain diplomatic leverage with the U.S. government, Emily Wilkins, president of the National Press Club, and Gil Klein, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, said in a statement.

Journalism is not a crime, they said.

VOA's Nike Ching contributed to this report.
The four-year sentence Russia handed down Thursday to Igor Girkin, a former Federal Security Service officer and military blogger, is part of a broader crackdown on critics of the Kremlin and its invasion of Ukraine, according to the British Defense Ministrys daily intelligence report on Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The crackdown also reflects the more authoritarian nature of life in President Vladimir Putins Russia, the British ministry said on Friday.

The report said that Girkin had fought for the separatist forces in Donetsk in 2014, served as the defense minister in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic for a brief period and blogged in support of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

In 2022, Girkin became highly critical of Russian leadership and its management for what he saw as its failure to pursue the special military operation in Ukraine effectively enough.

He was arrested in 2023 after the brief mutiny of Yevgeny Prigozhin, co-founder of the mercenary Wagner Group. In November, Girkin said he would run in the 2024 Russian presidential election.

After the Prigozhin mutiny, the British report said, it is highly likely that the Kremlin became sensitive to any criticism about Ukraine from hard-line nationalists because they are one of the credible alternatives to Putins leadership.

Security Council meets

On Thursday the U.N. Security Council met at Russia request in an emergency meeting, following the crash Wednesday of a Russian military transport plane near the Russia-Ukraine border. Both sides are calling for an investigation.

U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo said the organization is not in a position to verify the circumstances of the crash.

What is clear is that the incident took place in the context of Russias invasion of

Ukraine and ongoing war, she said. To avoid further escalation, we urge all concerned to refrain from actions, rhetoric or allegations that could further fuel the already dangerous conflict.

Moscow has accused Kyiv of shooting down the plane that crashed Wednesday in the Belgorod region. Russia said the plane was carrying 74 people, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war who were to be part of a prisoner swap.

The Ukrainian prisoners of war were transported to the Belgorod region in order to conduct yet another swap that was agreed between Moscow and Kyiv, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday in New York where he was attending U.N. meetings.

Instead of this, the Ukrainian side launched an air defense missile from the Kharkiv region. It targeted the airplane and was a fatal strike.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his government is insisting on an international investigation to establish the facts.

At the Security Council, a Ukrainian envoy repeated her governments call for an international investigation, saying since the plane went down in Russian territory, they did not have access to it.

Following the plane crash, the Federal Security Service and the Russian military did not allow emergency workers to inspect the crash site as per protocol, Deputy U.N. Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn said. According to our military intelligence, only five bodies were sent to the local morgue in Belgorod, and no human remains are visible on videos from the crash site.

Russias deputy envoy, Dmitry Polyanskiy, disputed that, calling it paranoid nonsense.

Several council members warned against speculation and accusations without critical facts yet established.

Video of Wednesdays plane crash posted on social media showed a plane falling from the sky on its side before exploding into a massive fireball as it hit the ground in Russias snowy, rural, western Belgorod region.

Kharkiv borders Belgorod, which is Russian territory. The two sides have carried out numerous prisoner swaps since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly two years ago.

Nuclear concerns

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency briefed the council earlier Thursday on the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine.

Rafael Grossi told reporters after the private meeting that he would be returning to Ukraine in the next 10 days and would then travel to Moscow.

The nuclear plant, which is in occupied Russian territory, recently lost external power for an eighth time. It has also frequently been in the crosshairs of fighting, leading to fears of a nuclear accident.

Asked by a reporter how dangerous the situation at Zaporizhzhia is on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most dangerous, the IAEA chief said it varies.

I think that there are days where you are near 10, and there are days that nothing seems to happen, Grossi said. The problem is this  the complete uncertainty, because this is a war.

VOA U.N. correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some material for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Investors seeking long-term income often gravitate toward Dividend Aristocrats, which are companies distinguished by their longstanding practice of consistently distributing dividends and raising their dividend payments annually for a minimum of 25 consecutive years. In my series examining Dividend Aristocrats, I have analyzed several notable companies, including Dover (NYSE:DOV), Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG), American States Water (NYSE:AWR), Genuine Parts (NYSE:GPC), Emerson Electric (NYSE:EMR), Parker-Hannifin (NYSE:PH), 3M (NYSE:MMM) and Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO). Remarkably, each of these companies has an impressive record, having raised their dividends every single year for more than six decades.

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with CL.

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?

This analysis will explore another Dividend Aristocrat: Colgate-Palmolive Co. (NYSE:CL), one of the largest global consumer conglomerates. The company has been paying uninterrupted dividends since 1895 and has raised its dividend payments every single year for the past 61 years. Let's investigate if Colgate-Palmolive is a viable option for long-term dividend investors.

Global leadership and revenue breakdown

Colgate-Palmolive boasts a rich history dating back to 1806 and has established a significant presence in over 200 countries and territories. The company operates mainly in two segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care and Pet Nutrition. It is leading in the global oral care market, particularly in the toothpaste and manual toothbrush categories, with brands like Colgate, Darlie, meridol and Sorriso. In 2022, the Oral, Personal and Home Care segment was its primary revenue generator, bringing in $14.3 billion, which constituted 79.3% of its total revenue. The Pet Nutrition segment contributed $3.7 billion, accounting for 20.7% of revenue.

Story continues

Colgate-Palmolive: A Time-Tested Dividend Aristocrat

With its global market leadership and extensive distribution network, Colgate-Palmolive has maintained double-digit operating margins. Within the Oral, Personal and Home Care segment, the North American region reported the lowest operating margin at approximately 19.90%. In contrast, Latin America, the region with the highest operating margin, achieved an impressive 27.80%. The Pet Nutrition segment also performed well, with an operating margin of around 22.90% in 2022.

Sustained growth and high return on invested capital

Colgate's business demonstrates sustainability, marked by a gradual growth in revenue and operating income over the past two decades. From 2002 to 2022, the company's revenue steadily rose, escalating from nearly $9.3 billion to almost $18 billion. Concurrently, its operating profit increased from $2 billion in 2002 to $3.55 billion in 2022. Throughout these 20 years, Colgate's operating margin has maintained a robust performance, fluctuating within the high double-digit range, varying from 18.90% to 26%.

Colgate-Palmolive: A Time-Tested Dividend Aristocrat

Over the past two decades, Colgate has demonstrated a remarkable ability to generate consistently high returns on invested capital, a key indicator of its financial health and operational efficiency. The company's ROIC has remained impressively within the range of 23.3% to 34.6% during this period. This high return rate signifies that Colgate has successfully deployed its capital in various aspects of its business operations.

A consistently high ROIC is a strong indicator of a sustainably profitable business. It suggests that the company effectively allocates its financial resources and excels in extracting value from its investments. This ability to sustain high returns over an extended period is a testament to Colgate's robust business model, strategic decision-making and operational excellence, all of which contribute significantly to its longstanding success in the market.

Colgate-Palmolive: A Time-Tested Dividend Aristocrat

Share purchases and prudent debt management

Some investors might express concern regarding Colgate's balance sheet, particularly noting the low shareholders' equity relative to its debt. As of September, Colgate's shareholders' equity was reported at only $406 million, with cash and cash equivalents amounting to $951 million. In contrast, the company's long-term debt was substantially higher, reaching $8.70 billion, resulting in a notably high debt-to-equity ratio of 23.20.

However, a closer examination reveals that Colgate's consistent practice of repurchasing its shares over the years is the primary reason for the low shareholders' equity. The total value of these share repurchases, recorded as treasury stock, has exceeded $28.30 billion. While impacting shareholders' equity, this strategy indicates the company has also committed to returning money to shareholders via share purchases.

Moreover, in the past 10 years, Colgate's interest coverage ratio has fluctuated between 18.80 and 33, indicating the wide margin between its earnings and debt obligations. This high level of profitability has been crucial for Colgate, enabling it to meet its debt obligations comfortably despite the high debt-to-equity ratio. This aspect of Colgate's financial performance is important for investors to consider, as it demonstrates the company's ability to manage its debt sustainably while continuing to perform effectively in the market.

The legacy of consistent dividend growth

Colgate is renowned for its remarkable record of increasing dividends annually for over 60 years. In the past two decades, the company's dividend per share has seen a significant rise, growing from 36 cents in 2002 to $1.86 in 2022. This growth translates into a compounded annual growth rate of 8.56%. Alongside these consistent dividend increases, Colgate has maintained a cautious approach to its earnings and dividend payments. Since 2002, the company's payout ratio has remained within a prudent range of 0.33 to 0.63, reflecting a balanced and sustainable dividend policy.

Colgate-Palmolive: A Time-Tested Dividend Aristocrat

Potential upside

The Gordon Growth Model, an effective tool for assessing companies with a consistent track record of growing dividends, is particularly relevant for evaluating Colgate-Palmolive, given its impressive history of increasing dividends annually for 61 consecutive years. To determine the intrinsic value of the stock using this model, I will assume the company will keep growing its dividend at a reduced rate of 6.50%. By applying a discount rate of 8%, I can estimate the stock's intrinsic value as follows:

P = Expected Dividend for 2024 / (Required Rate of Return - Dividend Growth Rate)

= $1.86 *(1+6.50%) / (8%-6.50%)

= $132

Applying the Gorden Growth Model, Colgate's intrinsic value is estimated at around $132 per share, indicating a potential 65% upside from the current trading price.

Key takeaway

Colgate-Palmolive stands out as a compelling choice for long-term income investors. With its extensive global presence, leadership in key market segments and steady financial growth, the company demonstrates remarkable resilience and profitability. Despite concerns about its debt-to-equity ratio, the company's strategic share repurchases and strong interest coverage ratio highlight its adept financial management. The company's impressive track record of increasing dividends for over six decades and a sustainable payout ratio reinforces its status as a reliable dividend payer. Further, applying the Gordon Growth Model suggests a significant potential upside in its stock, making Colgate-Palmolive an attractive investment for those seeking long-term, stable income.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


A federal jury in Boston has convicted a Chinese music student on charges of stalking and harassing one of his Chinese classmates after she posted flyers in support of democracy in China around the campus of the Berklee College of Music in the fall of 2022.

According to evidence presented at the trial and court documents, Xiaolei Wu, 25, sent his classmate online messages in late October of that year after she posted flyers that read: "We want democracy," "We want freedom" and "Stand with the Chinese people."

Wu threatened to chop off her hands and demanded she tear down the "reactionary posters."

Wu also told the individual, who was referred to in court as Zooey, that he had informed public security authorities in China about her actions and that they would go to "greet" her family.

During the four-day trial, Wu's lawyers argued that his comments were not threats but just an "immature" online dispute between two young people who knew each other and had different political views. His lawyers also said he was trying to remind his classmate of the consequences her actions could have back in China.

However, the federal jury Thursday found Wu guilty on charges of cyberstalking and threats. Both charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Wu will face sentencing on April 24.

After the guilty verdict was announced, prosecutors requested that Wu be immediately detained, citing concerns that he is a flight risk and that Chinese authorities have repeatedly expressed concern about the case. However, after listening to the opinions of the defense and prosecutors, Wu was granted bail. The judge said that Wu had not previously violated the conditions of his bail and that those requirements would remain in place.

Wu is barred from changing his address, entering the Berklee campus, or contacting those involved in the case. He has surrendered his passport and cannot leave the state of Massachusetts.

Case spotlights efforts to quiet critics

Wu's trial highlights a growing problem that U.S. and other Western authorities have been working to counter  China's efforts to silence its critics abroad.

In a U.S. Department of Justice statement following the announcement of Wu's conviction, Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts noted the Justice Department's commitment to free speech for all.

"No one in this country should ever be subjected to threats of violence or a cyberstalking harassment campaign for expressing their political views," Levy said.

Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Boston Division added: "What Xiaolei Wu did in attempting to silence and intimidate an activist who expressed dissension with the ruling Communist Party of China is not only criminal, but completely against our country's democratic values."

VOA reached out to the Chinese Embassy for comment on the case but has yet to receive a response.

Flyers echo protest banner

Wu's classmate Zooey posted the flyers around Berklee's campus at a time when many Chinese around the world were inspired by the courage of a lone man in Beijing. The man, Peng Lifa, hung a large protest banner on a bridge on a busy street in the country's capital in October 2022 with similar slogans.

Some of the slogans on the large banner, such as "We don't want [dictatorial] leaders, we want elections" and "We don't want Cultural Revolution, we want reform," were protests against Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Other slogans, such as "We don't want nucleic acid testing, we want food to eat" and "We don't want lockdowns, we want freedom," highlighted the frustration that many felt at the time with China's draconian COVID-19 controls.

Peng was quickly arrested after hanging the banner and remains in custody at an undisclosed location. Sources told VOA's Mandarin Service in October of last year that authorities have yet to deliver any legal documents related to his case, and his relatives and friends have been unable to hire a lawyer to provide him with legal assistance.

According to Weiquanwang, a Chinese blog that posts updates on rights abuses and cases in China, Peng marked his 50th birthday earlier this month in secret detention. His whereabouts and health condition are unknown, the site said, quoting an anonymous source.
North Korea said Friday it was hosting a visit by a Chinese government delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, as it continues its efforts to strengthen ties with Beijing and Moscow in the face of deepening confrontations with Washington.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency said Sun's delegation arrived in the capital, Pyongyang, on Thursday after crossing the land border between the countries. The report didn't provide further details about the visit.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been trying to boost the visibility of its partnership with China and Russia as he tries to break out of diplomatic isolation and strengthen his regional footing by joining a united front against the United States.

Kim traveled to Russia's Far East in September for a rare summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Some experts say he is also likely seeking a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

While Kim has prioritized his ties with Russia, something that has raised concerns about an arms cooperation that would help fuel Putin's war on Ukraine, he has also invited senior Chinese officials to major state events and vowed to strengthen bilateral relations.

A Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong attended the celebrations for North Korea's 75th founding anniversary last September, shortly before Kim's trip to Russia. In July, Kim invited Chinese ruling party official Li Hongzhong and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to a major military parade in Pyongyang, where he rolled out his most powerful, potentially nuclear-capable missiles targeting the United States, South Korea and Japan.

Sun met with North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong Ho last month in Beijing where they discussed strengthening bilateral ties and coordinating over unspecified "issues of common interest." Pak then also met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as they pledged to expand friendly exchanges and strengthening "strategic cooperation" in 2024, as the countries mark their 75th anniversary of establishing bilateral ties.

Sun's visit to North Korea comes as U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan was planning talks with Wang in Bangkok this week in the latest high-level talks between Washington and Beijing amid tensions over trade, technology and China's assertive foreign policy in the region.

As North Korea's major ally and economic lifeline, China is a crucial partner for Kim's efforts to revive an economy crippled by decades of mismanagement and U.S.-led sanctions over his nuclear weapons and missile program, which he has aggressively expanded in recent years despite limited resources.

As permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, both China and Russia have been thwarting U.S.-led efforts to increase sanctions on the North over its intensified weapons testing in recent months, underscoring a divide deepened over Russia's war on Ukraine.

Washington and Seoul have been urging Beijing to use its economic leverage on North Korea to help persuade Kim's government to return to nuclear disarmament negotiations, which have stalled since 2019.

Experts say trade activities between North Korea and China are gradually expanding since North Korea eased its pandemic restrictions and reopened the border last year.
The Colombian government on Thursday issued a disaster declaration and requested international aid due to dozens of wildfires spreading throughout the country.

"We want to make sure that we have the physical capacity to address and mitigate [these crises]," said Colombian President Gustavo Petro.

Chile, Peru, Canada and the United States have responded to the request, although a timeline for aid is not yet clear.

The fires have already destroyed more than 6,600 hectares of vegetation, according to the National Disaster Risk Management Unit.

Officials say there are 31 active fires, with only nine under control. By declaring a disaster, the government has more leeway to allocate funds to fight the fires. Nearly half of the countrys $508 million designated to combat issues such as wildfires has already been spent.

The high number of fires raises concerns for municipalities that may not have firefighting capacity. According to the Colombian Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies, nearly half of municipalities have been put on maximum alert for fire risk. And according to the National Fire Department of Colombia, about a third dont have a fire department.

More than 600 soldiers, along with aircraft and vehicles, have been deployed to emergency areas. Colombian police are transporting and spraying water over fires, using planes meant to spray chemicals over coca leaf crops.

Air quality has deteriorated in many areas  particularly in Bogota, the capital, where at least three fires surround the city. Hundreds of firefighters, police officers and volunteers are fighting fires on the mountains surrounding the city.

More than 200 fires have already been put out this month in Colombia, according to the Environment Ministry and disaster agency.

The increase in fires is due to hotter-than-normal temperatures and dry conditions, which have been worsened by the El Nino phenomenon, which is when ocean water in the central Pacific Ocean reaches above-average temperatures, affecting the weather.

Some material for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Gazas Health Ministry said Friday that the territorys death toll has climbed to more than 26,000 people with more than 64,400 wounded in more than three months of war.

The ministry said early Friday that in the last 24 hours, 183 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes and 377 have been injured.

The Israeli military said it is investigating an attack on Thursday that killed at least 20 people and wounded another 150 at a traffic circle in Gaza City as Palestinians waited for humanitarian aid, Hamas health officials said.

Also in central Gaza, Palestinian health officials said a nighttime Israeli airstrike on a house in Al-Nusseirat refugee camp killed six people.

The death toll from a Wednesday strike on a United Nations training center in Khan Younis in southern Gaza has risen to 12, with more than 75 wounded, according to Thomas White, a senior official with the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees.

The U.N. relief agency did not directly blame Israel, although earlier it had said the facility was hit by tank fire and Israel is the only force with tanks in Gazas second-largest city. The Israeli military said it had "currently ruled out" that the strike was carried out by its aircraft or artillery but that it was still investigating the attack.

It said the building might have been hit by a Hamas rocket.

The fighting is part of Israels efforts to end Hamas control of the Gaza Strip since the October 7 attack, when Hamas militants invaded southern Israel, killed about 1,200 people and took about 250 people hostage.

The fighting has severely disrupted the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and the international charity ActionAid said on Thursday that hunger there has reached catastrophic levels, prompting people to grind animal feed to use as flour.

Famine is looming across the territory, ActionAid said in a statement, while pockets of famine are strongly suspected in the north, where it is extremely challenging for aid to reach.

ActionAid also reports water is so scarce that people in Gaza have access to only 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day for all their needs, including sanitation.

Adding to the misery, the United Nations said the weather has turned rainy and chilly, raising fears of illness.

"It was entirely predictable at this time of the year, and risks making an already unsanitary situation completely uninhabitable for the people. Most have no more clothes or blankets," said Ajith Sunghay, head of the U.N. Human Rights Office for the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government has created a channel with Israel to discuss concerns about incidents in Gaza in which civilians have been killed or wounded by Israeli attacks, and civilian infrastructure has been targeted, according to a Thursday report by Reuters.

The channel was established after a meeting earlier this month between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israels war Cabinet.

A senior U.N. official called Thursday for "every measure" to be taken to protect civilians, following the Wednesday attack at the Khan Younis training center, where thousands of displaced Palestinians have been staying.

The U.N.s White said the situation in Khan Younis shows a "consistent failure to uphold the fundamental principles of humanitarian law."

"Persistent attacks on civilian sites in Khan Younis are utterly unacceptable and must stop immediately," White said. "People are being killed and injured. As fighting intensifies around hospitals and shelters hosting the displaced, people are trapped inside, and lifesaving operations are impeded."

The United States, which has been a key Israeli ally in its war against Hamas, condemned the training center attack.

State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said, "You've heard me say it before, you've heard [Secretary of State Antony Blinken] say it before, but civilians must be protected, and the protected nature of U.N. facilities must be respected. And humanitarian workers must be protected so that they can continue providing civilians with the life-saving humanitarian assistance that they need."

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the U.N.s Palestinian relief agency, said the Khan Younis compound had been clearly marked as a U.N. facility, and its coordinates had been shared with Israeli authorities.

The head of the World Health Organization called for a cease-fire to the conflict in an address to the organizations governing body Thursday, during which he described the conditions in Gaza as hellish.

War doesn't bring solution, except more war, more hatred, more agony, more destruction. So, let's choose peace and resolve this issue politically," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the WHO Executive Board in Geneva.

The U.S. and some Middle East countries are trying to negotiate a new cease-fire to halt the fighting, perhaps for 30 days, to allow the release of more hostages and the release of jailed Palestinians held by Israel. About 100 hostages held by Hamas and 240 Palestinians jailed by Israel were freed in a late November week-long cease-fire.

But no new cease-fire agreement has been reached.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
The U.S. state of Alabama is set to execute an inmate Thursday night with nitrogen gas, a never-before-used method that human rights groups have called cruel, but the state says is humane.

Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, is scheduled to be executed over his conviction in the 1988 murder-for-hire killing of Elizabeth Sennett.

Alabama is planning to put a respirator mask over Smith's face and replace his breathing air with pure nitrogen gas, leading him to die from a lack of oxygen.

This will be Alabama's second attempt to execute Smith. His 2022 lethal injection was abruptly called off when authorities couldn't connect the IV line.

Smith's lawyers on Thursday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the execution in order to evaluate claims that the new method violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

The human rights group Amnesty International condemned the scheduled execution and called on Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to use her clemency power to halt it.

"While Amnesty International is opposed to the death penalty in all cases, there are specifics about Kenneth Smith's circumstances that make it even more disturbing that Alabama is willing to carry out this execution," Amnesty researcher Justin Mazzola said in a statement.

Amnesty also noted that Smith is only on death row because a judge overruled a jury vote for life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. That practice, known as judicial override, was outlawed in 2017 in Alabama but was never made retroactive, according to Amnesty.

The United Nations Human Rights Office has also urged Alabama authorities to halt Smith's execution.

Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, said in a statement that execution by nitrogen asphyxiation "could amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment under international human rights law."

"Rather than inventing new ways to implement capital punishment, we urge all States to put in place a moratorium on its use, as a step towards universal abolition," Shamdasani said in the statement.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press.
Human Rights Watch has accused Burkina Fasos security forces of killing at least 60 civilians last year in drone strikes while claiming to target jihadist fighters. HRW says the attacks may amount to war crimes.

HRW's report released Thursday says the strikes were "in violation of the laws of war" and showed "little or no concern" for civilians. The laws of war referenced forbid actions that fail to distinguish between civilians and combatants, as well as those expected to result in harm to civilians or civilian property.

While claiming to target extremists, the strikes took place at two crowded markets and a funeral from August to November 2023.

"The government should urgently and impartially investigate these apparent war crimes, hold those responsible to account, and provide adequate support for the victims and their families," HRW said in the report.

The first drone strike, in August, hit a weekly market in the village of Bouro that is said to be controlled by al-Qaida-linked extremists, HRW said. It quoted three survivors as saying that jihadi fighters were seen entering the market at the time of the strike. One of those interviewed said it was "full of civilians when the drone hit."

The second strike took place in September in the village of Bidi in the Nord region near the border with Mali at a funeral with 100 men in attendance. The report noted there was no militant presence there at the time of the strike and that 25 people were killed and dozens injured.

The third strike, in November, targeted a market across the border near the Malian town of Boulkessi. According to the witnesses quoted by HRW, there were some militants present at the time, but "almost all" at the market were civilians.

Jihadist fighters and rebel factions have been active in numerous isolated communities in the region. The report, derived from interviews with at least 23 witnesses and nongovernmental organizations, noted that state-owned media portrayed the strikes as successful operations targeting Islamic extremists  failing to acknowledge any civilian casualties.

Concerns about the governments treatment of civilians are not new. Last year, HRW reported the armed forces of Burkina Faso were engaged in extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances and torture within communities affected by conflict.

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press.
The U.S. renewed calls for Israel to protect civilians in Gaza. Talks about a new railway and space exploration in Africa during a four nation visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. And livestock auctioneers compete in a fast-talking contest to crown the Mile High Auctioneer champion.
A jury has ordered former U.S. President Donald Trump to pay $83.3 million in damages to writer E. Jean Carroll for defamatory comments he made about her when he was president.

Carroll sued Trump in 2019 for disparaging her claim that he sexually assaulted her in a department store dressing room in the 1990s. She had sought at least $10 million from Trump, arguing that he had damaged her reputation as a journalist.

The verdict was delivered Friday by a nine-person jury in New York City, made up of seven men and two women. The jury took about 3 1/2 hours to reach its decision.

Trump took the witness stand Thursday to defend himself against the allegations. He testified that he stood by his 2019 comments that he considered Carroll's accusations to be false.

Trump, the likely 2024 Republican nominee to run against Democratic President Joe Biden in the November presidential election, has denied even knowing Carroll, now 80.

After the verdict was announced Friday, Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he will appeal the decision. He called the case a "Biden Directed Witch Hunt."

During the trial, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled that Trump would not be allowed to testify that he didn't assault Carroll, a onetime advice columnist for Elle magazine, or that she lied about the assault allegation  because those questions were not before the jury.

This is the second time in less than a year that a jury addressed Carroll's claim that Trump defamed her by denying that he assaulted her. In May, another jury determined Trump sexually abused Carroll in the 1990s.

That jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll $5 million for comments he made in 2022. Trump is appealing that verdict as well.

The current case centered on comments Trump made three years earlier, in 2019, while he was president.

Trump has repeatedly denied knowing Carroll and has said she was not "my type."

Carroll testified last week, "It means I'm too ugly to assault."

Trump, 77, has attended much of the trial, even though he was not required to be present in the courtroom. He has treated the case like a campaign stop, holding news conferences at the end of the day to attack Carroll's claims and Kaplan as being biased against him.

"They are weaponizing law enforcement at a level like never before," Trump said Sunday night at a New Hampshire rally ahead of the Republican primary election he won in the northeastern state Tuesday.

He said he was intent on being in the courtroom for the conclusion of the case.

"You know where I'm going to be," he told supporters at the rally. "I don't have to be there, but I want to be there because otherwise, I can't get a fair shake. I'm going to be in court."

The former president was in the courtroom Friday but left during the closing arguments by Carroll's lawyer. He returned for his own lawyer's closing arguments. He was not in court when the jury's verdict was read.

The Carroll defamation claims are in a civil case, and Trump faces no threat of imprisonment. But he does face an unprecedented 91 criminal charges across four indictments in cases that could go to trial this year.
Malis military rulers ended a 2015 peace deal with Tuareg separatist rebels in the countrys north, government spokesperson Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga said in a televised statement on Thursday.

The government notes the complete impossibility of the deal, Maiga said, and in consequence announces its end, with immediate effect.

He said it was not possible to continue with the agreement because of other stakeholders not upholding their commitments, as well as hostile acts by Algeria, which acted as a primary mediator.

That means the Algiers Accord, which the United Nations brokered, is no longer viable, the spokesperson said.

The separatist rebels  organized under the Coordination of Azawad Movements  in July 2022 accused the military junta of abandoning the peace deal.

The juntas announcement came after months of hostilities between rebel groups and the military, the latter of which launched back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021.

The 2015 peace deal was considered vital to stabilizing Mali, which had endured jihadist violence since 2012.

But the agreement began to fall apart after years of calm when conflict between separatists and the national military was sparked amid the withdrawal of U.N. peacekeepers in December 2023.

Some information for this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
A Japanese man has appealed a court ruling handed down Thursday that said he was mentally competent when in 2019 he set a fire at an animation studio in Kyoto that killed 36 people.

The Japanese court went on to sentence Aoba to death for the arson attack.

Shinji Aobas lawyers appealed the ruling Friday, a Kyoto District Court spokesman told Agence France-Presse. They had argued at trial that Aoba was not guilty because of a mental disorder, which the judge rejected.

Aoba, now 45 years old, admitted setting the fire at the anime studio Kyoto Animation after spreading gasoline on the ground floor.

In addition to those killed, the attack also injured 32 people.

Aoba believed the studio had stolen ideas from a contest entry he submitted. The company denied those claims. He was also badly burned in the fire and appeared in court in a wheelchair.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Nikki Haley at a New Hampshire primary night rally Jan. 23: A breath of fresh air or just another GOP functionary? (Steven Senne / Associated Press)

Nikki Haley blocked the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act while she was governor of South Carolina. Her policies on abortion rights are execrable. Her home state has one of the nation's worse records in the nation on maternal health  indeed, on health generally.

Since Haley says she's staying in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, despite coming in second to Donald Trump in the New Hampshire primary, there's no time like the present to examine her positions on the all-important issue of healthcare.

A thousand political takes have bloomed in newspapers and on the airwaves since Haley expressed her determination to keep running. Too many of them deal with whether she really has a chance to beat Trump and what Trump says or thinks about her or what she thinks of Trump.

It's easy and lazy to expand Medicaid because all you're doing is giving people money to buy them time.

Nikki Haley

It's much more important to contemplate what a Haley presidency would mean to Americans confronting those thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to, especially among low-income Americans and women of childbearing age. The general answer is that it's ugly.

South Carolina ranks 37th in healthcare performance among all states, a ranking by the Commonwealth Fund based on reproductive care and women's health, access and affordability of healthcare, premature deaths from preventable and treatable causes, and other factors.

Let's dive in.

We can start with the most important healthcare issue on the partisan landscape: abortion. South Carolina's rules on abortion are among the most restrictive in the nation. The rules were implemented under a law passed after she left the governorship, but she never specifically disavowed them either.

The state bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, a time when many women don't know they're pregnant. Women seeking abortions must be offered antiabortion counseling and wait 24 hours afterward. Minors can't receive abortions without the approval of a parent or legal guardian.

Story continues

Abortions must be performed by physicians, which bars the involvement of midwives and other healthcare professionals. Medication abortions  that is, via pills  must be administered by physicians in person, not via telehealth sessions or through the mail.

The state prohibits even private health insurance plans offered through Obamacare to include abortion coverage except in narrow circumstances. Haley signed that law as governor. Its Medicaid program doesn't cover abortion.

During the GOP candidate debates, Haley has tried to dodge questions about her abortion policies, or at least shroud them in a miasma of verbiage. "We need to stop demonizing this issue," she said during the Aug. 23 GOP debate in Milwaukee. "Unelected justices didnt need to decide something this personal, because its personal for every woman and man."

But she implicitly praised the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision, which overturned the national right to abortion established in the 1973 ruling in Roe vs. Wade.

Dobbs placed abortion legislating in the hands of state lawmakers. "Now, its been put in the hands of the people," Haley said during the debate. "Thats great."

Nikki Haley's legacy: South Carolina has one of the nation's worst infant mortality rates, and the rate among Black children is nearly three times that of white children. (South Carolina Dept. of Health and Environmental Control)

But that circumvented the reality that even in states where voters have backed abortion rights by wide margins at the ballot box, such as Ohio, legislators have been attempting to reimpose abortion restrictions despite the votes.

Haley has said that as president she would sign a national abortion ban if it reached her desk. She tries to leaven that determination by arguing that Congress would be unlikely to pass one.

It's proper to note that abortion restrictions and indicators of maternal and infant health more generally tend to go hand in hand. That seems to be the case in South Carolina, which persistently has ranked low among states on maternal and infant health.

The state had the ninth-worst maternal death rate in the country in 2019-21, according to the Commonwealth Fund  35.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. (California's rate of 9.6 was the best in the country; the U.S. average was 32.9.) The state's rate was lower while Haley was governor, running between about 26 and 28 per 100,000 births, but was consistently worse than the U.S. average by eight to nine percentage points throughout her tenure.

Read more: Column: In their war on children's health, red states reject federal meal program for low-income families

South Carolina also had the fifth-worst infant mortality rate in the country in 2021, at 7.26 deaths per 1,000 live births  better than only Mississippi, Arkansas, Alaska and Alabama  according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rate fluctuated between 6.4 and 7.5 while she was governor. Tellingly, the rate among Black infants, 12.7 per 1,000 live births, is more than twice that of white children, 5.2.

Now let's turn to the Affordable Care Act, which was enacted in 2010, just as Haley took office as governor. Haley opposed Obamacare virtually from the outset, and gleefully. In July 2014, when a federal appeals court blocked Obamacare premium subsidies in states, such as South Carolina, that had not created their own ACA exchanges but left that task to the federal government, she celebrated.

"This is a huge blow to Obamacare as we know it, she wrote on Facebook. The way I see it, this allows the Supreme Court a redo. We can only hope! (Her reference was to the 2012 Supreme Court decision that ruled the ACA constitutional.) The Supreme Court overturned the appeals court's subsidy decision in 2015.

Haley flatly refused to expand Medicaid in South Carolina under the ACA. The state remains one of the 10, all Republican-controlled, that still haven't expanded Medicaid. The consequences to its residents are marked. South Carolina's health uninsured rate, 14.9%, was the 10th worst in the country, according to the Commonwealth Fund, below the national average of 12.1%. All the 10 worst states except Nevada are non-expansion states.

South Carolina also had the second-highest percentage of residents with medical debts recorded by credit bureaus in 2021, at 22.3%. Only West Virginia, with 24%, was worse. The failure to expand Medicaid undoubtedly plays a role in this record, for the program would relieve lower-income households of many medical bills.

Asked at a New Hampshire town hall broadcast in May about her refusal to expand the program, Haley responded with a word salad about job creation programs her state had sponsored, rather than on addressing the healthcare needs of lower-income residents.

"We focused on lifting up everybody, not just a certain amount," she said. She said the job program she sponsored found work for 35,000 residents. What she didn't say was that this figure was a fraction of the number of residents locked out of Medicaid eligibility. This "coverage gap," as the independent healthcare research organization KFF defines it, is 166,000 in South Carolina. The Urban Institute placed the figure at 196,000 in a 2018 survey.

Haley doubled down on her opposition to Medicaid expansion during that New Hampshire town hall. "It's easy and lazy to expand Medicaid," she said, "because all you're doing is giving people money to buy them time."

Read more: Column: The GOP is back to attacking Obamacare, and making less sense than ever

How penny-wise and plain foolish was her Medicaid policy as governor? Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government paid 100% of the cost of expansion from 2014 through 2016. From 2017 on, the match was reduced bit by bit until it reached a permanent level of 90% in 2020. Even that is well above the federal match rate for traditional Medicaid, which is 69.67% for South Carolina.

In other words, Haley's refusal to expand Medicaid was based not on empirical effects, for there is no disputing that Medicaid eligibility improves health outcomes for enrollees.

It was not based on state finances, for the residual state match even today is more than compensated by gains in the economic vitality of enrollees and the fiscal health of local hospitals that are economically dependent on Medicaid reimbursements. The only remaining rationale is ideological  Haley's policy hewed close to the furthest-right position of the Republican Party.

In 2021, four years after Haley left office, her state was forced to come to terms with the consequences of its inattention to maternal health. A legislative panel detailed the toll on South Carolina mothers  finding that 62% of maternal deaths were pregnancy-related and 68% were preventable. The maternal mortality rate was 2.4 times higher for Black and other women of color than for white women (42.3 per 100,000 live births for Black and other women of color, compared with 18.0 for white women).

The state enacted one of the most important recommendations of the study panel, which was for Medicaid to cover 12 postpartum months rather than the existing cutoff at 60 days. The change went into effect in 2022. In this respect, at least, South Carolina joined 46 other states in extending Medicaid coverage for new mothers.

But Haley's legacy lives on, in wretched figures on infant and maternal mortality and uninsured rates. She may be representing herself on the stump as new blood with a fresh outlook in comparison with Donald Trump, but her policies impose the same old GOP-style cruelty on Americans whose lives could be improved by a government that cares.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NATO began its biggest military exercises since the Cold War this week, with tens of thousands of troops set to move across Europe in a show of force meant as a warning to Russia, following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Operation Steadfast Defender 24 will see some 90,000 NATO military personnel take part in a range of drills across Europe in coming months. Fifty naval vessels, 80 aircraft and over 1,000 combat vehicles are involved.

The exercises will show that NATO can conduct and sustain complex multi-domain operations over several months, across thousands of kilometers, from the high north to central and eastern Europe, and in any condition, the 31-nation alliance said.

Logistics

We do all of this to show we have the readiness, preparedness and the forces in place to remove any room for miscalculation or misunderstanding in Moscow about our readiness to protect every inch of NATO territory. And as long as we do that there will be no attack against NATO territory, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels Tuesday.

The logistical challenge of moving soldiers and equipment is a vital part of the exercise, said Liana Fix, fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington.

How do they get there? And how do they get there quick? Because the war in Ukraine has shown that being too slow means that a part of your territory can be occupied and has to be re-conquered, rather than defending that territory the moment the attack happens, Fix told VOA.

Sweden, which hopes to join NATO in coming months, will also take part in the operation, the biggest NATO drill since the Reforger exercises of the 1980s. Hungary is the only NATO member yet to ratify Sweden's application.

Ukraine

The exercises come ahead of the two-year anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine, on February 24. The conflict has descended into a war of attrition, with neither side seemingly able to make significant territorial gains.

While NATO flexes its muscles in Europe, Kyiv is running low on ammunition, as military aid packages in both the United States and the European Union remain blocked by political infighting.

The narrative from Ukraine is that Ukraine is defending NATO. And that is a valid narrative if one follows the logic that Ukraine is actually diminishing Russias army, has diminished Russias army, and has diminished the military threat that Russia poses to the NATO alliance. So from Ukraines perspective, it must be a lonely moment to watch this NATO exercise, analyst Liana Fix told VOA.

Artillery

NATO this week signed a $1.2 billion contract to buy some 220,000 rounds of artillery ammunition. The alliance says it will pass on the shells to Ukraine, which has complained of ammunition shortages, or to member states that want to replenish stockpiles that have been depleted through supplying Ukrainian forces.

This is important to defend our own territory, to build up our own stocks, but also to continue to support Ukraine, said NATO chief Stoltenberg.

We will support Ukraine with the systems and the weapons and ammunitions they need to prevail as a sovereign independent country, because we cannot allow (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin to win in Ukraine. That would be a tragedy for the Ukrainians and dangerous for all of us, he added.
Nigerian authorities say reinforcements have been sent to a local Mangu district in central Plateau state where at least 30 people were killed in attacks this week.

Authorities say some suspects also have been arrested and that operatives are responding to a surge in violence in the region known for clashes between farmers and herders.

Nigerian defense authorities in Abuja told journalists during a media briefing Thursday that the killing of a local man by herders and an attempted cattle rustling triggered the latest violence.

The attackers invaded villages along the borders of the Mangu and Barkin Ladi districts, shooting indiscriminately and setting fire to houses and property.

Women and children were among the casualties.

Nigerian defense spokesperson Major General Edward Buba told reporters that security forces had been deployed and that some suspects had been arrested.

"As we speak, arrests are still being made," he said. "It is a developing situation, it's an ongoing situation; more troops have been deployed to the location. The situation is not above us to handle. We're handling it."

The latest violence came weeks after deadly attacks in the same area on Christmas Eve. About 140 people were killed, and many others were injured. Residents blamed the attack on Fulani militias.

Communal clashes between farmers and herders are common in Nigeria's Plateau state, resulting in thousands of casualties in the last few years.

Nigerian authorities have struggled to address the insecurity problems spreading across the country.

On Tuesday, Plateau state authorities imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew as tensions over the attacks heightened.

But Mangu resident Joseph Bot said it was all talk with little action.

"They'll always tell you they're on top of the matter, but even among the security, we have bad eggs that connive with those attackers," he told VOA by phone Friday. "Sometimes killings will be taking place ... the security will not go and when you confront them, they'll tell you they're waiting for [an] order."

Nigerian defense authorities denied the allegations, stating that the military responds according to its rules of engagement.

This week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his four-nation Africa trip, discussed the security situation with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

Blinken voiced the United States support for Nigeria. "The United States is determined to be and remain a strong security partner for Nigeria," he said. "I want to extend the condolences of the American people to all Nigerians who were affected by the horrific attacks over the Christmas weekend, and all killed in recent attacks."
Climate change has hit African farmers and food processors hard in recent years, making agriculture and the raw farm products that food companies depend on more unpredictable. However, an organization that promotes food security in Africa says farmers and processors are creating a more resilient food system by adapting to the new climate and creating a better infrastructure to minimize losses after the harvest.

Over the years, international organizations partnering with experts, food processing companies and governments, have worked to educate farmers on how to produce crops amid ever-changing technology and unpredictable weather patterns.

A nonprofit organization, Partners in Food Solutions, says that due to those efforts, African food processing companies are now starting to reap real rewards.

The organizations recent report says over 200 food companies they collaborated with in the past year saw growth in their income, the workforce and the food supply they receive from farmers.

Tropical Lush, a fresh fruit juice producing company in Kenya, is one of the companies that has received the support of PFS over the past 10 years.

Adarsh Shah, head of Tropical Lush, said the company has increased revenue by 15% and often adds five to 10 temporary workers to its 30-person staff to meet demand. He credits his companys growth in part to local farmers, who he says have increased their quality and quantity.

"Even though global warming and rains and all that kind of stuff is affecting the produce  we are generally able to get much better quality and more reliable supplies in our fruits from the farmers," Shah said. "With better farming techniques and a lot of better knowledge now, the farmers are able to access smartphones. They are able to predict weather patterns, able to see the soil [fertility], all those little things are probably now adding up and helping to benefit the farmer directly."

PFS, which is headquartered in the U.S., provides expertise from food industry giants like General Mills, Hershey and Cargill to help African processors with business strategy, growth, sourcing food, food safety and quality, storage, branding and marketing.

The organization says the companies it supports have increased their revenue by an average of 20 percent and increased food supply from farmers by 50%.

Johnson Kiragu, regional program director for East Africa, said he has seen the transfer of global food companies expertise to Africa succeed.

"The eight global food companies that support us as PFS and directly support the food companies in Africa have shared 800 years of combined expertise," Kiragu said. "And we are sharing with a company that says it is three years [old]. So you can imagine how long they would have taken to get to a point where they can learn organically about this technology, about the way of doing business."

Shah said his company sought advice on how to grow the company and manufacture quality products.

"Whenever we have an issue with shelf life, temperature, cold chains [or] we want to make a new product, new product development, he said, there is somebody out there who they can put us in touch with within a month and we start chatting with them and they help us."

Along with farming issues, African food companies often have to deal with inadequate harvesting methods, poor infrastructure and a lack of proper packaging and storage facilities.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations says Sub-Saharan Africa experiences food losses as high as 50% for high-value commodities in between production and retail.

Kiragu of PFS said the organization is working with food producers to improve food handling practices, upgrade shipping and enhance storage facilities for agricultural produce.

"PFS is to make sure that there are ready and stable markets and we do this by supporting the businesses where they supply who is their market," he said. And then once they are assured of that you can see the resiliency and the stability of the entire food value chain coming into place."

Companies face issues outside the food chain as well, such as corruption, slow issuance of operational permits and police roadblocks that slow down food delivery to consumers.
Saturday is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the U.N.-designated day to remember the 6 million Jews killed by Nazi Germany during World War II.

The date, January 27, marks the day in 1945 in which Auschwitz-Birkenau  the largest Nazi death camp  was liberated by Soviet troops. More than 1.1 million people were killed at Auschwitz  the majority of them Jews  but also Roma, Sinti and Poles, as well as other minorities.

The date was formally established in November 2005 by the United Nations General Assembly, following resolution 60/7, which marked the day to commemorate all victims of the Holocaust and to bolster international education to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive and prevent future genocides.

Currently, there are approximately 245,000 Holocaust survivors in the world, spread across 90 countries. Almost half of these survivors  119,300  live in Israel, according to the Claims Conference, which seeks damages for survivors of the Holocaust.

Many Israelis compare massacre to Holocaust

This day is observed in many ways, but some of the most common ways to commemorate the lives lost in the Holocaust is to light candles in the victims' honor, read their names at commemoration sites, and to learn more about the history of the Holocaust, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Although this is a global date to remember the Holocaust, many countries have other designated remembrance days, such as Israel which also celebrates Yom HaShoah on May 5 and 6.

Many people in Israel compare the genocide of the Holocaust to the October 7 Hamas massacre, in which more than 1,200 Jews were murdered and more than 240 were taken hostage  the largest single-attack loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust.

U.S. President Joe Biden issued a statement on Friday in which he condemned the October 7 Hamas attack and outlined his administration's plans to combat a rise in antisemitism that has occurred since the attack.

"In the aftermath of Hamas's vicious massacre, we have witnessed an alarming rise of despicable antisemitism at home and abroad," Biden said. "We cannot remember all that Jewish survivors of the Holocaust experienced and then stand silently by when Jews are attacked and targeted again today."

In the statement, Biden discussed actions the White House has taken to address this rise in antisemitism, referencing its 2023 National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism, which calls for improved education and research, providing security for Jewish communities, fighting antisemitism online and forging multi-faith partnerships.

Holocaust survivors tell their stories

In Washington, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is hosting a commemoration event on Friday and Saturday. During the event, visitors will be able to read the names of victims in the Hall of Remembrance, engage with Holocaust survivors and watch a special episode of the "Stay Connected Live" series, which is a Holocaust remembrance program produced by the museum.

On Friday, a United Nations Holocaust Memorial Ceremony was hosted by Melissa Fleming, U.N. under secretary-general for global communications. During the event, Holocaust survivors shared testimonies and other guest speakers commemorated the day.

"We have seen an outburst of antisemitism and anti-Muslim bigotry around the world. Every one of us must resolve to stand up against the forces of hate, discrimination and division," said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his opening remarks.

Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations Gilad Erdan gave remarks as well, saying, "Today is not only a day of remembrance; this day was designated to also prevent future acts of genocide  to internalize the lessons of the Holocaust."

In his remarks, Erdan expressed frustration with the United Nations, saying, "To this day, no U.N. institution has condemned the October 7 massacre. It's shocking."

Early this month, South Africa recently brought a charge of genocide to the U.N.'s International Court of Justice over Israel's treatment of Palestinians in Gaza. In a preliminary ruling Friday, the court declined to order Israel to stop its offensive in Gaza but said Israel must do all it can to prevent genocide in the embattled territory.

Israel launched an offensive against Hamas in Gaza after the October 7 attack. The Gaza health authority says more than 26,000 Palestinians have died since then.

Israeli leaders have rejected accusations of genocide, saying its offensive is targeted at Hamas, not civilians.

Some material from this report came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Gazing smolderingly into the camera as he boards a hijacked ship, a young influencer is gaining attention as he promotes a controversial cause: Yemen's Houthi rebels and their attacks in the Red Sea.

Rashed Al-Haddad, 19, has become a minor celebrity for his social media posts, some set to triumphant music and showing him brandishing the red, white and black flag of Yemen, with a large ceremonial dagger thrust into his belt.

Though not a member of the Iran-backed group, the telegenic TikToker with cherubic curls, who lives in the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, has been dubbed "Tim Houthi Chalamet" by social media users for his resemblance to Wonka star Timothee Chalamet.

"I received many offers to participate in fashion shows and advertisements, but I decided to take advantage of this fame for the Palestinian cause," he told AFP.

Profile grows

Haddad's profile has grown alongside the rise in international attention on war-torn Yemen after Houthi attacks on shipping. The rebel group says its attacks are in protest of Israel's war against Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza, and they have triggered U.S. and British strikes.

The attacks led the United States to redesignate the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization, and ships are being diverted thousands of miles around Africa, threatening to disrupt everything from car factories to natural gas deliveries.

The fresh-faced teen received millions of views for his video of a trip to the Galaxy Leader, the Israel-linked cargo ship that was captured in November and is now being paraded as a trophy of war.

He presents an alternative to the grizzled image of the Iran-backed Houthis, who seized Yemen's capital in 2014.

A Saudi-led coalition intervened the following year to prop up the internationally recognized government, plunging the country into a brutal war that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths.

'Millions of views'

"When I started on TikTok, I posted videos of the ship (Galaxy Leader) that was seized by the Yemenis. When I posted the video clips, they reached millions of views within four days," he told AFP in Sanaa, wearing a combat belt with a rifle slung across his lap.

"After that, the account was banned (by TikTok) and deleted permanently," he said.

Haddad said his Instagram account with 70,000 followers was also deleted along with his Facebook profile. Both platforms, owned by Meta, ban hate speech.

In contrast to Haddad's videos, the Houthis are often seen holding mass demonstrations where weapon-toting crowds chant: "Death to Israel, death to America!"

"Three of my TikTok accounts were banned as well, but I have created new accounts, and thankfully, the number of followers is increasing," Haddad said, shrugging off comparisons with Hollywood's Chalamet.

"I did not care that (social media users) compared me to this actor, but I was happy in another way," he said. "I was happy that I would be able to send messages to the West, because many foreigners followed me."

Haddad also insisted that despite the focus on his looks, he remained committed to his cause.

"I'm not interested in being famous because of my handsomeness, there is definitely something more important," he said. "The most important thing is our basic cause, Palestine, and we are all on the side of Palestine."
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday praised the International Court of Justice for essentially ruling that its case against Israel had merit.

South Africa is disappointed the ICJ did not order an immediate cease-fire, but the court did order Israel to take measures to avoid more deaths in Gaza and allow humanitarian access.

A significant majority of the 17 ICJ judges in The Hague ruled South Africa has a plausible case against Israel under the international Genocide Convention.

However, the ruling by the top U.N. court involves provisional measures only, with a full verdict on the genocide allegation expected to take years.

The ICJ essentially ordered Israel to make every effort to avoid killing Palestinians and prevent acts of genocide, as well as to allow aid into Gaza.

Since the advent of democracy in 1994 and the presidency of the late Nelson Mandela, South Africa has been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause.

The governing African National Congress (ANC) party, which waged an armed struggle against South Africas former white apartheid government, has always said it sees parallels in the situation of the Palestinians.

In a televised address to the nation after the court ruling Friday, Ramaphosa said that is why South Africa took Israel to the ICJ earlier this month.

Some have told us that we should mind our own business and not get involved in the affairs of other countries, Ramaphosa said. Others have said it was not our place. And yet it is very much our place as the people who know too well the pain of dispossession, discrimination, state-sponsored violence  we are also a people who were the victims of the crime of apartheid.

Israel has slammed South Africas case as antisemitic and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed the country would continue to defend ourselves and our citizens while adhering to international law. He said the war would continue until absolute victory.

But Ramaphosa said Israel must respect the ruling.

This order is binding on Israel and must be respected by all states that are party to the convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide, he said.

The United States, also a party to the convention, is one of Israels main supporters.

After the ruling, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said, "We continue to believe that allegations of genocide are unfounded and note the court did not make a finding about genocide or call for a cease-fire in its ruling."

Mia Swart, a visiting international law professor at South Africas University of the Witwatersrand, said the ruling might prove to be merely symbolic.

The provisional measures ordered by the ICJ today certainly represent a victory of sorts for the South African Department of International Relations, she said. It also is a morale-boosting judgment for South Africa.  However, one feels very skeptical about the possibility of implementation. It looks very unlikely that Israel will implement the judgment.

While the order is legally binding, there is no enforcement mechanism. An ICJ ruling against Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was never adhered to.

The war between Israel and Hamas broke out after fighters for the Palestinian militant group attacked Israel on October 7. Some 1,200 people were killed and 250 kidnapped. Since Israel started bombarding the Gaza strip, some 26,000 Palestinians have been killed according to the Gaza health authority.
A Russian court on Friday extended the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich by two months.

A Moscow court ruled that Gershkovich will remain behind bars on espionage charges until the end of March, bringing his detention to one year.

Gershkovich and The Wall Street Journal have denied the allegations against him. Russia has not provided any evidence in the criminal case.

U.S. Consul General Stuart Wilson attended Fridays hearing, according to The Associated Press.

The 32-year-old Gershkovich was arrested while on a reporting trip in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. He is being held in Moscows notorious Lefortovo Prison.

Lynne Tracy, the U.S. ambassador to Russia, visited Gershkovich last week in prison. Afterward, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow issued a statement calling for the reporters immediate release, adding that he "remains resilient and is grateful for the support of friends, family and supporters."

Paul Whelan, another American, has been held since he was convicted of espionage in 2020. Whelan and the U.S. government say he is being wrongfully detained.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said recently that the U.S. is working on obtaining the release of both Whelan and Gershkovich.
The United Nations agency that assists Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said Friday that it fired several of its employees after Israeli authorities provided the agency with information alleging their participation in the October 7 Hamas terror attack inside Israel.

"To protect the agencys ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay," UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement.

"Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution."

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees has about 13,000 Palestinian staffers in the Gaza Strip. More than 150 have been killed since the war started in October following Hamas terror attack inside Israel that killed 1,200 people.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spokesperson said Lazzarini had briefed him on the "extremely serious allegations."

"The secretary-general is horrified by this news and has asked Mr. Lazzarini to investigate this matter swiftly and to ensure that any UNRWA employee shown to have participated or abetted in what transpired on 7 October, or in any other criminal activity, be terminated immediately and referred for potential criminal prosecution," spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

He said an "urgent and comprehensive independent review" of UNRWA will be conducted. Dujarric told reporters that the U.N.s Office of Internal Oversight will investigate.

Israel has criticized UNRWA for years, alleging that the schools the agency operates have been used by Hamas for terrorist activities and that they promote an anti-Israel curriculum. Since the October 7 attacks, Israeli officials have accused some staffers of celebrating the attacks on social media.

"How symbolic is it that on International Holocaust Remembrance Day it was exposed that UNRWA employees took part in the massacre?" Israels U.N. ambassador, Gilad Erdan, told a Holocaust Remembrance Day event at the United Nations. "The U.N. is not only weaponized to delegitimize our existence, but also to physically exterminate us."

During the deadly October 7 attack, Hamas also took some 240 people hostage. The United States, Britain and the European Union have designated Hamas as a terrorist group.

"UNRWA reiterates its condemnation in the strongest possible terms of the abhorrent attacks of 7 October and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages and their safe return to their families," Lazzarini said in his statement Friday.

U.N. Chief Guterres also reiterated that appeal at the Holocaust event.

UNRWA has been on the front lines in Gaza, bringing what relief assistance it can to the more than 2 million Palestinians in the territory. The Hamas-run Gaza Health ministry says more than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its offensive into the strip to eliminate the threat from Hamas.

US pauses funding

While the U.N. would only say that "several" UNRWA staff had been implicated and fired, the U.S. State Department said 12 staff were involved.

The United States, which is the single largest funder of UNRWA, said it is temporarily pausing additional funding while it reviews the allegations and steps the United Nations is taking to address them. Before the war started, Washington had contributed nearly $300 million to UNRWA in 2023.

Australia, Canada and Italy also suspended their funding to UNRWA.

The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Guterres on Thursday "to emphasize the necessity of a thorough and swift investigation of this matter."

"There must be complete accountability for anyone who participated in the heinous attacks of October 7," spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Miller said Washington has reached out to the Israeli government to seek more information about the allegations and has briefed members of Congress.

Representative Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey and chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committees Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations Subcommittee, criticized the suspension of new funding for UNRWA as "totally insufficient."

"What we need is a comprehensive, fact-based approach to UNRWA that stops all funding and conditions future funding on a complete head-to-toe reform and restructuring of UNRWA," he said.
Sweden, which dropped its position of military nonalignment and sought NATO membership in the wake of Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine, is now one vote away from joining the alliance as its 32nd member.

On Wednesday, Henrik Landerholm, Swedens national security adviser, met with VOA in Washington to discuss his countrys imminent membership and his perspectives on security challenges facing the alliance in 2024.

In Landerholms view, if Russia prevails in its war against Ukraine, its appetite will only increase, resulting in greater security threats for a much wider region.

Landerholm said he was grateful for Americas strong support for Swedish NATO membership and is pleased the process now seems to be coming to a close. Hungary is the sole remaining NATO ally yet to ratify Swedish membership, and its National Assembly has indicated it intends to vote soon.

According to Landerholm, there is nothing left to negotiate; it is just a matter of waiting for Hungarys ratification.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

VOA: The Turkish parliament voted yesterday to approve Swedens NATO membership. How does it feel and what does this mean for Sweden?

Henrik Landerholm, Swedish national security adviser: It definitely feels good. It's a confirmation that we have been on the right path and that Turkey is fulfilling its obligations  what they promised in the agreement between President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan and Prime Minister [Ulf] Kristersson in Vilnius [Lithuania] last year. We haven't doubted that this would happen, but of course it's a good day when it happens.

VOA: And now the next step is for the president to sign the decision. Do you anticipate any complications?

Landerholm: We don't anticipate [complications] other than that it's a formality. It has to be published in the official Gazette, and then President Erdogan has to [deposit] the instruments in the State Department, as is stated in the Washington Treaty. Then, of course, the next step is Hungarian ratification. We will see what will happen.

VOA: Prime Minister [Viktor] Orban said he is inviting Prime Minister Kristersson to Budapest to negotiate. Do we know what he wants to negotiate?

Landerholm: Well, to quote my foreign minister, there is not much to negotiate. In the very kind and open letter he sent to my prime minister, [Orban] suggests a visit to Budapest, and I foresee that this will happen sooner or later. We should remember that Hungary invited Sweden [to join] NATO without any preconditions, which is a very different situation [from] Turkey, which had security concerns linked mainly to Swedish and Finnish approaches toward terrorism. We've been working with  Turkish authorities on that for about a year. With Hungary, I believe it's more of a general need to have a dialogue. We are open to such a dialogue but have noticed no preconditions or need for negotiation.

VOA: The U.S. has been very supportive of Sweden throughout this process. How was the news received here?

Landerholm: Very positive  even relief  from the U.S. side. Sweden has had strong support from the U.S. from the beginning. Sweden and Finland are more welcomed as NATO members than we ever perceived before. Speaking for Sweden, our understanding was that when Russia ... showed itself to be a predator without limits with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we needed to safeguard our own security. The general feeling was that we were on the demanding side, needing support from NATO.

[But the U.S.] was very clear that we were not only welcome due to the general Open Door policy, but that we would create an important addition to NATO. Over the last year, we have understood that our contributions are appreciated. We have assets that are pretty unique in the Baltics. We have military assets that few others have. Our force may not be overwhelming in size, but in quality it is second to few. We have an impressive defense industry. We have space assets, and our territory is of utmost importance for the defense of Finland and the Baltic States.

VOA: There was a perception about Turkeys position on Swedish NATO membership that it was never about Sweden or the PKK [Kurdistan Workers Party, considered a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and European Union] but about F-16s. Turkey wanted the U.S. to agree on the sale of F-16s in exchange for its consent to admit Sweden as a NATO member. What can you share with us about this debate?

Landerholm: We have not been involved in any of the discussions in that regard. From our perspective, we've done our homework in relation to Turkey. We made an agreement with Turkey in Vilnius, and since then we have just waited. They have put no extra demands on us. We take Turkish security concerns seriously. We now have good cooperation between Swedish and Turkish police, intelligence, and security services, which fulfills the expectations that Turkey has had to a large extent about PKK.

VOA: What does Swedish and Finnish membership in NATO change for Russia?

Landerholm: Well, if you listen to Russian interlocutors in general and President [Vladimir] Putin in particular, it doesn't change much. I think that's something Putin has to say, because otherwise it would be obvious to the Russian population that the invasion of Ukraine was a miscalculation.

In the long term, perhaps not in my lifetime, Im hopeful that Russia will develop in a democratic direction. We had high hopes during the [1990s]. Those are now shattered. We cannot trust Russian goodwill anymore, and we need to seek our security in a wider context together with others.

If Russia would be successful in Ukraine, its appetite would increase further. We need to be cautious. We need to prepare. We need to rearm to prepare for, perhaps unlikely, but fully possible events. That has been the actual discussion in Sweden over the last few weeks.

VOA: More than 90% of Swedes support Ukraine in this war. What is your government doing to continue this support and now, with NATO membership, what is Swedens position on Ukraine as it comes to enlargement?

Landerholm: The issue of Ukraines NATO membership has not been an issue for us thus far, as we are not NATO members. I would not anticipate what our position would be. Ukraine eventually has a natural place in Euro-Atlantic security structures. So, it's not an issue about if, but rather about when and how.

VOA: Would it be more on the faster track side, or would it be more like the French position that says that it will take decades?

Landerholm: We haven't, as I said, taken any final decision in that regard. But we are strong supporters of Ukraine. Sweden has militarily supported Ukraine very strongly. We spent 3 billion euros over the past two years, and the majority of this in military support. If Ukraine loses the current war against Russia, it would be devastating not only for Europe in general, but also for Sweden and our adjacent area. That would give Russia an increased appetite of meddling in our affairs and trying to divide and rule among EU as well as NATO countries. Weakness is an invitation to Russia in this regard.
During the unveiling of a World War II memorial in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin drew a parallel between Russia's war in Ukraine and its fight against the Nazis 80 years ago.

In his speech commemorating the anniversary, Putin said that "the regime in Kyiv exalts Hitler's accomplices, the SS men."

Moscow has repeatedly tried to justify its war on Ukraine as an effort to "de-Nazify" its southern neighbor, even though Ukraine has a democratically elected Jewish president who lost relatives in the Holocaust.

Ukraine was once part of the Soviet Union and itself suffered devastation at the hands of Hitler's forces. It rejects the comparisons as spurious pretexts for a war of conquest.

St. Petersburg, which during World War II was called Leningrad, marked its 80th anniversary of the end of a nearly 900-day siege by Nazi forces. The Red Army broke the blockade of the city on January 19, 1943, after more than 1 million residents died from hunger or under bombardment. The Soviet Union lost an estimated 27 million people during World War II.

During his speech, Putin also excoriated Europe for "Russophobia" and criticized the Baltic States over human rights violations.

"In a number of European countries, Russophobia is promoted as state policyin the Baltic states, tens of thousands of people are declared subhuman, deprived of their most basic rights, and subjected to persecution," Putin asserted, referring to migration crackdowns.



Moscow has repeatedly accused the Baltic nations of xenophobia and of mistreating Russian minorities.

Russia takes 'strategically insignificant' hamlets

Russia has seized two Ukrainian hamlets this month, the British Defense Ministry said Saturday, in its daily Ukraine intelligence update. Neither, it said, is "strategically insignificant."

Vesele, a small village near Bakhmut, had a pre-war population of 102, and Krokhmalne, near Kharkiv, had only 45 residents.

Russia's capturing of the hamlets "represents a continuation of Russia's minor, incremental gains," the ministry said, while Ukraine continues to focus on "active defense."

The ministry also did not hold out hope that Russia's strategy for capturing the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka would work.

Because Russia has suffered such heavy personnel and armored vehicle losses against Ukraine, the Russian troops will attempt to enter Avdiivka through service tunnels, a plan designed to cut down on drone attacks from Ukraine. However, Russia has been attempting to infiltrate Avdiivka via the tunnels since October, the ministry said.

"Avdiivka is likely to remain in Ukrainian control over the coming weeks," it predicted.

No evidence POWs on plane, says Ukraine

Officials in Ukraine say Russia has provided no credible evidence to support its claims that Ukrainian forces shot down a military transport plane allegedly carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, who were to be swapped for Russian POWs.

Ukraine's coordination staff for the treatment of prisoners of war said relatives of the named POWs were unable to identify their loved ones in crash site photos provided by Russian authorities.

The head of Ukraine's military intelligence service also said Friday that Kyiv did not provide verifiable information about the passengers aboard the Russian airplane that was downed on Russian soil.

Lieutenant Colonel Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's military intelligence chief, made the comments after Russia's investigative committee posted online a video of what it described as Ukrainian prisoners of war boarding the plane that later crashed.

The video on the committee's Telegram channel shows vehicles approaching an Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft on a snowy airfield. Individuals are seen getting out of the vehicles in preparation for boarding.

The video has no sound and is accompanied only by a single line of explanation that it depicts Ukrainian servicemen boarding the military transport. It gives no location.

Moscow says nine Russians also died in the crash.

During his first remarks on the crash Friday, Putin blamed Ukraine for downing of the plane without providing proof for its accusations.

"I don't know if they did it on purpose or by mistake, but it is obvious that they did it," Putin said.

"In any case, what happened is a crime. Either through negligence or on purpose, but in any case, it is a crime." Putin said in televised remarks.

Putin said the plane could not have been brought down by Russian "friendly fire" because Russia's air defense systems have safeguards to prevent them from attacking their own planes.

Russia's state investigative committee said Friday it had recovered Ukrainian identity documents and tattooed body parts from the crash site for genetic testing.

It said the evidence collected also included "documents of Ukrainian servicemen who died in the disaster, confirming their identities, as well as accompanying documents from the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia."

Russia has sole access to the crash site, and independent news organizations are unable to verify its account or examine the evidence that has been recovered.

Ukraine disputes Russia's assertion that it had been forewarned that a plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war would be flying over Russia's southwestern Belgorod region at that time.

At the United Nations Security Council, a Ukrainian envoy repeated her government's call for an international investigation, saying the Russian military did not allow emergency workers access to the crash site.

Some material for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
A senior United Nations official has warned that civil order could break down in Gaza if escalating hostilities force more and more Palestinians to flee to Rafah, an area crammed with 1.3 million people which prior to Hamas' brutal assault in Israel on October 7 accommodated fewer than 300,000.

"It is packed. There is no space. People are angry. There is no food. There can be a civil disorder, a breakdown of civil order," said Ajith Sunghay, head of the U.N. Human Rights Office for the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Sunghay, who returned from a mission to Gaza to his post in Amman, Jordan, this week, told journalists by videolink Friday that he met people in Khan Younis who have been under intense Israeli bombardment and heavy fighting. He said they "were frustrated, angry and understandably wary."

"The current situation is catastrophic," he said. "If what is happening in Khan Younis continues the way it is, at the intensity that we are seeing, hundreds of thousands of already displaced people would likely feel they have no other choice but to move again."

People would have only a few places to flee, he added.

"On the one side you have the Mediterranean Sea, on the other, you have the Egyptian border," he said. "If you have people moving there in large numbers from Khan Younis and other places, it is going to be a massive catastrophe."

In Rafah, he said he saw "displaced people who had been ordered by Israeli authorities to leave their homes, with no provision for their accommodation."

He described people living on the street, amid sewage, and in conditions of desperation.

"The people I spoke to fear the extreme violence is spilling into Rafah, which will have catastrophic implications for the more than 1.3 million people already crowded there," he said.

According to Gaza's Hamas-run Ministry of Health, more than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed and 64,400 Palestinians injured since Israel mounted its offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel that killed some 1,200 people and resulted in 240 others taken hostage.

Hospitals and health care facilities have taken a major hit from heavy bombardment by Israel Defense Forces over the past three months. The World Health Organization reports only 14 of the 36 health facilities and hospitals in Gaza are partially functioning.

WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said, "The few functioning hospitals in Gaza are absolutely in dire circumstances with hostilities often preventing the access of patients and supplies."

He said that Nasser hospital in Khan Younis was "now basically besieged  and has no way in and out."

Israel blames the high civilian toll in Gaza on Hamas, which it says uses civilians as human shields and positions fighters, rocket launchers and tunnels in hospitals and dense residential areas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel will continue the war until Hamas is destroyed.

Human rights official Sunghay said attacks on hospitals, schools, and other places of refuge have repeatedly displaced Palestinians into ever-smaller areas, with ever-decreasing access to the essentials needed to sustain life.

"I am very, very worried. I fear that many more civilians will die. The continued attacks on specially protected facilities, such as hospitals, will kill civilians and there will be a further, massive impact on access to health care, safety, and security in general of Palestinians," he said, adding that the apparent disregard for international law needs to end.

U.N. human rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said her office shines a spotlight on the situation in Gaza but that "much more could be done on the international level. The high commissioner has repeatedly called on all states with influence to exercise that influence to bring this horror to an end."

She said that the U.N. rights office has sent letters and reports to Israeli authorities before they are published for their comments.

"So, our concerns are expressed to them directly  but the office has had no formal response from them," she said.

Sunghay said he was particularly concerned about the potential movement of hundreds of thousands of people into Rafah. He warned a rush of people into Egypt would create a terrible situation.

"It is something that we are dreading and hoping does not happen. But this is exactly my fear." He warned that "all the indications that we have at this point in time is if Rafah is attacked, then we are in uncharted territory."
The United Nations Security Council met Thursday in an emergency meeting at Russias request, following the crash of a Russian military transport plane near the Russia-Ukraine border. Both sides are calling for an investigation.

U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo said the organization is not in a position to verify the circumstances around the crash.

What is clear is that the incident took place in the context of Russias invasion of Ukraine and ongoing war, she said. To avoid further escalation, we urge all concerned to refrain from actions, rhetoric or allegations that could further fuel the already dangerous conflict.

Moscow has accused Kyiv of shooting down the plane, which crashed Wednesday in the Belgorod region. Russia said the plane was carrying 74 people, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war who were to be part of a prisoner swap.

The Ukrainian prisoners of war were transported to the Belgorod region in order to conduct yet another swap that was agreed between Moscow and Kyiv, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday in New York, where he was attending U.N. meetings. Instead of this, the Ukrainian side launched an air defense missile from the Kharkiv region. It targeted the airplane and was a fatal strike.

Call for facts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his government was insisting on an international investigation to establish the facts.

Zelenskyy said Russia was playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners of war, the feelings of their relatives and the emotions of our society.

At the Security Council, Ukraines envoy repeated her governments call for an international investigation, saying that because the plane went down in Russian territory, Ukraine did not have access to it.

Following the plane crash, the Federal Security Service and the Russian military did not allow emergency workers to inspect the crash site as per protocol, Deputy U.N. Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn said. According to our military intelligence, only five bodies were sent to the local morgue in Belgorod, and no human remains are visible on videos from the crash site.

Russias deputy envoy, Dmitry Polyanskiy, disputed that, calling it paranoid nonsense.

Several council members warned against speculation and accusations without critical facts yet established.

Video of Wednesdays plane crash posted on social media showed a plane falling from the sky on its side before exploding into a massive fireball as it hit the ground in Russias snowy, rural western Belgorod region.

Kharkiv borders Belgorod. The two sides have carried out numerous prisoner swaps since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly two years ago.

Nuclear concerns

Separately, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency briefed the council earlier Thursday on the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine.

Rafael Grossi told reporters after the private meeting that he would be returning to Ukraine in the next 10 days and would then travel to Moscow.

The nuclear plant, which is in occupied Russian territory, recently lost external power for an eighth time. It has also frequently been in the crosshairs of fighting, leading to fears of a nuclear accident.

Asked by a reporter how dangerous the situation at Zaporizhzhia is on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most dangerous, the IAEA chief said it varies.

I think that there are days where you are near 10, and there are days that nothing seems to happen, Grossi said. The problem is this  the complete uncertainty, because this is a war.

VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has promised to use $7 billion from a renegotiated Chinese mining deal to build roads and infrastructure but his critics say the new agreement lacks transparency and is unfavorable towards Congo.

In a surprise announcement last weekend, Tshisekedi said that talks between his government and a consortium of Chinese investors over rebalancing the so-called Sicomines mining agreement would bring in $7 billion to the Congolese treasury.

The sum represents a huge and possibly transformative opportunity in the impoverished central African country of about 100 million people, where the national budget this year is set to reach $16 billion.

The deal was first made public last Saturday, when Tshisekedi referenced the Sicomines deal during his inauguration speech for a second term in office in front of tens of thousands of people.

"There is the thorny issue of the opening up of our regions, for which a solution in terms of financing has just been made possible," he said.

Negotiations over Sicomines had been underway since last year after Tshisekedi  as well as numerous analysts  described the original 2008 deal as deeply unfair to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Under the original accord, a group of Chinese investors, including state-owned Chinese firms such as Sinohydro and China Railway Engineering Corporation, entered a $6.2-billion joint venture with Congo's state mining company to run the Sicomines copper and cobalt mine, in Kolwezi in southeastern DRC.

In return, the Chinese investors were supposed to build $3 billion worth of infrastructure across the country, using the proceeds from the mine.

This innovative minerals-for-infrastructure deal was a response to Congo's pressing development needs. The country is roughly the size of continental western Europe, but has a grossly inadequate road system due to endemic poverty, corruption and conflict.

According to many observers, the Chinese consortium failed to uphold its end of the bargain. A lack of transparency over spending also plagued the project and raised suspicions of corruption.

The U.S.-based NGO Carter Center found in a 2017 report, for example, that Sicomines consortium was unable to account for $685 million out of about $1.16 billion that had been allocated for infrastructure spending by that time.

In February 2023, Congo's state auditor, the Inspectorate General of Finances (IGF), also released a report raising numerous problems with the Sicomines deal.

It said that the mine had likely been undervalued, for example, and demanded that the consortium raise its infrastructure investments to $20 billion to reflect the mine's worth.

The IGF also found that only $822 million had been invested in infrastructure since 2008  a sum it called "glaringly low."

'Unprecedented' renegotiation

Tshisekedi made renegotiating the deal one of his priorities towards the end of his first presidential term, even visiting Beijing in May in an attempt to get better terms.

The push for rebalancing mining deals also targeted another Chinese company, CMOC, which in July last year agreed to pay the Congolese government $2 billion to settle a dispute over declared mineral reserves at its Tenke Fungurume copper-cobalt mine.

At present, no details about the renegotiated Sicomines deal have been released to the public beyond what the president announced recently.

China's embassy in Congo's capital Kinshasa refused to comment. A spokesman for the Congolese presidency said he was unable to comment for the time being.

The Congolese government is nevertheless keen to stress that the renegotiated deal is a boon for its people. Interviewed on French radio on Tuesday, government spokesman Patrick Muyaya hailed the new Sicomines deal as "unprecedented."

'In China's favor'

However, mining sector analysts in the DRC say that a host of questions surround the new $7-billion deal, the details of which remain murky.

Emmanuel Umpula, the executive director of the DRC-based NGO African Natural Resources Watch, said the whole renegotiation took place in secret.

"We asked that this happen in a transparent way, we should know the terms of reference of the renegotiation," he said, explaining that Tshisekedi's announcement had come as a surprise.

Umpula said there were many questions left to answer, such as, critically, how the negotiating parties arrived at the figure of $7 billion.

He also expressed concern that this money would come in the form of interest-bearing loans to the Congolese government, which would ultimately cause headaches for the treasury.

Sicomines has also continued operating and generating profits despite a lack of infrastructure spending, Umpula said, adding that "a simple way" of resolving the issue would have been to halt the mine's operations until the Chinese investors started construction.

Another expert who was briefed on the negotiations between the Congolese government and Chinese investors, said that the final deal was "largely in China's favor."

The expert, who declined to be named so he could speak freely with VOA, explained that few of the original problems had been resolved.

There has been no new study of the mine's reserves, he said, meaning that it was difficult to independently assess the value of the mine. It is also unclear where the money Sicomines had earmarked for investments ended up.

"Where did they go, what did they finance?" he said, referring to Sicomines. "It's on this basis that we should negotiate an agreement."

The expert said his understanding was that the $7 billion would be paid out over 10 to 15 years, in a deal he said appeared highly unfavorable.

"We're losing out on the Sicomines project," he said. "For the Congo, this is catastrophic."
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called for the United Nations' refugee agency for Palestinians to be "replaced with agencies dedicated to genuine peace and development" after allegations that members of its staff were involved in the October 7 Hamas terror attacks.

In a social-media post, Katz urged that countries follow the example of the United States, Australia, Canada, Britain, Italy and Finland in pausing funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWA.

The U.K. foreign office said Saturday it was temporarily pausing funding for UNRWA while the accusations were being reviewed, noting that London had condemned the October 7 attacks as "heinous" terrorism.

The United States, Australia and Canada had already paused funding to the aid agency after Israels accusations that 12 UNRWA employees were involved in the cross-border attack. The refugee agency has opened an investigation into several employees after it severed ties with them.

Set up to help refugees of the 1948 war at Israels founding, UNRWA provides education, health and aid services to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. It helps about two-thirds of Gaza's 2.3 million population and has played a crucial aid role during the current war.

The Palestinian foreign ministry criticized what it described as an Israeli campaign against UNRWA, and the Hamas militant group condemned the termination of employee contracts "based on information derived from the Zionist enemy."

We call on the countries that announced the cessation of their support for #UNRWA to immediately reverse their decision, which entails great political and humanitarian relief risks, as at this particular time and in light of the continuing aggression against the Palestinian people, Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, Saturday.

In Gaza

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said Saturday that 174 Palestinians were killed and 310 were wounded in the past 24 hours. At least 26,257 people have been killed since the beginning of the conflict in October and 64,797 people wounded, the ministry said.

In Hamas attack on October 7, 1,200 people were killed in Israel and roughly 240 were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities. More than 100 were released during a cease-fire in November.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire pummeled Gazas southern Khan Younis area. Witnesses said Saturday, three Palestinians were killed in an airstrike that Israels military says was targeting a Hamas commander in southern Gaza.

The Israeli military said it killed at least 11 gunmen who were trying to plant explosives near troops and others firing rifles and rocket-propelled grenades at soldiers in Khan Younis Saturday, while over the past week, its commandos killed more than 100 militants and raided weapons warehouses, it said.

Hamas said its fighters fired an anti-tank missile at an Israeli tank in southwest Khan Younis, while the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group  which is supporting Hamas  said it fired rockets into Israel and was fighting against Israeli forces.

Israels heavy assault and bad weather is hitting displaced Palestinian refugees in Gaza hard, residents say. The Gaza Health Ministry said Israeli strikes hit near the largest functioning medical facility in the south, Nasser Hospital, and Al Amal Hospital, killing one person.

The Israeli military says it is in contact with hospital directors and medical staff by phone and on the ground to make sure that the hospitals are running and are accessible.

Israel says Hamas operates in and around medical facilities, an allegation Hamas denies.

Hopes for the hostages

On Friday, the White House expressed hope for progress in talks to secure the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said President Joe Biden spoke with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on Friday, as well as Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, in efforts to free the hostages.

The mediators are trying to negotiate a new cease-fire to halt the fighting to allow the release of more hostages and jailed Palestinians held by Israel. About 100 hostages held by Hamas and 240 Palestinians jailed by Israel were freed in a late November weeklong cease-fire.

So far, no new cease-fire agreement has been reached.

International Court ruling

In a majority ruling of at least 15 out of 17 judges Friday, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help civilians, but it stopped short of ordering a cease-fire as requested by the plaintiff, South Africa.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the decision was a welcome reminder that "no state is above the law." Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters the ruling would contribute to "isolating the occupation and exposing [Israels] crimes in Gaza."

For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the ICJ's decision not to order a cease-fire but rejected the claim of genocide as "outrageous" and said that Israel would continue to defend itself and that the war aimed at eliminating Hamas would continue.

Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., U.K, EU and others.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
When Irynka Hromotska crossed the border from Poland to Ukraine last month, the photojournalist felt a burden of guilt lift.

At the time of Russia's February 2022 invasion, Hromotska, who is Ukrainian, was in the U.S. pursuing a master's degree in photojournalism as a Fulbright student at the Missouri School of Journalism.

Being so far from home and family weighed heavily. But, Hromotska says, her recent return to Lviv to work in media has helped.

I do not feel guilt anymore, she told VOA. I felt so much guilt all the time that I forgot how it feels without it.

Hromotska is among several journalists who are choosing to move permanently to Ukraine to work for local media.

Many work for The Kyiv Independent, the English-language news site that has made a name for itself among domestic and international audiences in the past two years. Its staff are united by a shared sense of duty to contribute to a Ukrainian victory in the best way they know how.

Among them is Masha Lavrova. A former preschool teacher in Australia, Lavrova returned to her hometown of Kyiv and now works as a TikTok producer and podcast host at The Kyiv Independent.

I feel like Im doing my part for the victory and for the fight, Lavrova said.

But even foreign nationals are driven to work in Ukraine full time. American journalist Lili Bivings told VOA she had decided to build her life and career in Ukraine long before the 2022 full-scale invasion.

Bivings fell in love with the country during her Peace Corps service in Ukraine and says she didnt think twice when offered a permanent role as The Kyiv Independents business editor in the countrys capital.

Ukraine has done so much for me and given me so much in life. And I love it so much. And when something or someone you love is going through something difficult, youre not supposed to turn your back, she said. It felt like it was just an obvious decision for me to return and continue living here.

But the work isnt without its difficulties. Moving to a country at war means getting used to air raids, which though sporadic eventually become part of normal life, said Bivings.

The first time, its really scary. And the second time, youre a little less scared. And then by the third time, you might not even get out of bed, depending on where you live, Bivings told VOA. Thats a strange thing to realize about yourself  that you can get to a point where youre just brushing them off.

Theres also pushback from some who dont want anything bad said during the war, like stories on corruption or the slow counteroffensive against Russia, according to Bivings.

For some journalists, the motivation to work permanently in Ukraine comes from a sense that too few people with personal connections to the country were covering it.

I found it really disturbing how many people in the media who werent personally affected by the war were treating it as sort of a career opportunity, said Anna Belokur, social media manager for The Kyiv Independent.

An American with Ukrainian heritage, Belokur moved to Kyiv in August from Prague, where she worked at VOAs sister outlet, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

I felt like it would be hypocritical of me to live the rest of my life and have the rest of my career built around this really horrible event if I had just spent the whole time analyzing it from a distance, she said.

That speaks to a divide between foreign correspondents who are in Ukraine only to cover the war and those there to cover Ukraine in its entirety, Bivings added.

The people that have settled here and are more in it for the long haul sometimes do look at the journalists who are here just because theres a war  and its popular  they look at them with a little bit of suspicion, like theyre riding a wave, she said.

And while the war makes up a large part of coverage, regular news coverage of Ukraine beyond the war is also important. Outlets like The Kyiv Independent maintain that balance, staffers said.

Dominic Culverwell, a business reporter at the site, is focusing on reconstruction.

Every business I've met in Ukraine, and every company, every businessperson, they've all been so resilient, and so determined to not just collapse, Culverwell said. A British national, Culverwell moved to Kyiv from Berlin in May.

Still, that distinction between domestic and international media isnt all bad, because the more media attention Ukrainian gets, the better, analysts say.

We cannot win this war alone, said Liubov Tsybulska, a specialist in hybrid warfare. And if we want to have this support, we have to tell our story.

In a conflict that is taking place as much online as it is on the battlefield, its hard to overstate the importance of the role accurate coverage plays in that fight, she said.

A former Ukrainian government and military adviser, Tsybulska founded the Centre for Strategic Communications and Information Security, which operates under Ukraines Ministry of Culture.

In war, theres so many disinformation sources, and when people are fearful, they tend to believe disinformation, Tsybulska told VOA from Kyiv. Thats why journalism plays such a significant role.

As the second anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion looms, the dedication from the journalists remains steadfast.

Theres a lot of sadness and happiness and struggle, Culverwell said. Theres an excitement about what the future is going to be.
An Israeli attack killed at least 20 people and wounded another 150 at a traffic roundabout in Gaza City on Thursday as Palestinians waited for humanitarian aid, Hamas health officials said.

The Israeli military said it was investigating the report.

Meanwhile, the death toll from a Wednesday strike on a United Nations training center in Khan Younis in southern Gaza rose to 12, with more than 75 wounded, according to Thomas White, a senior official with the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees.

The U.N. relief agency did not directly blame Israel, although earlier it had said the facility was hit by tank fire and Israel is the only force with tanks in Gazas second largest city. The Israeli military said it had "currently ruled out" that the strike was carried out by its aircraft or artillery but that it was still investigating the attack.

It said the building might have been hit by a Hamas rocket.

Israeli tanks bombarded areas around two hospitals in Khan Younis, forcing displaced Palestinians to scramble away from the city to look for safe shelter. The Israeli attacks are part of its efforts to end Hamas control of Gaza, the narrow territory along the Mediterranean Sea.

Gaza health officials said at least 50 Palestinians had been killed in Khan Younis in the past day, including two children in an Israeli air strike that hit a residential home. The city is now encircled by Israeli armored forces and under almost non-stop aerial and ground fire, residents say.

The Hamas-controlled health ministry says more than 25,700 people have been killed and another 63,000 wounded in Gaza since the shock October 7 Hamas attack in southern Israel, when militants killed about 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages.

The U.S. and some Mideast countries are trying to negotiate a new cease-fire to halt the fighting, perhaps for 30 days, to allow the release of more hostages and the release of jailed Palestinians held by Israel. About 100 hostages held by Hamas and 240 Palestinians jailed by Israel were freed in a late November week-long cease-fire.

But no new cease-fire agreement has been reached.

A U.N. court at the Hague in the Netherlands is expected to issue a ruling Friday on South Africa's request for an order to halt Israel's Gaza offensive. But Israel often ignores such international rulings and it is not clear whether it would honor any decision against it this time either.

A senior U.N. official called Thursday for "every measure" to be taken to protect civilians, following the Wednesday attack at the Khan Younis training center, where thousands of displaced Palestinians have been staying.

The U.N.s White said the situation in Khan Younis shows a "consistent failure to uphold the fundamental principles of humanitarian law."

"Persistent attacks on civilian sites in Khan Younis are utterly unacceptable and must stop immediately," White said. "People are being killed and injured. As fighting intensifies around hospitals and shelters hosting the displaced, people are trapped inside, and lifesaving operations are impeded."

The United States, which has been a key Israeli ally in its war against Hamas, condemned the training center attack.

State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said, "You've heard me say it before, you've heard [Secretary of State Antony Blinken] say it before, but civilians must be protected, and the protected nature of U.N. facilities must be respected. And humanitarian workers must be protected so that they can continue providing civilians with the life-saving humanitarian assistance that they need."

Philippe Lazzarini, head of thew U.N.s Palestinian relief agency, said the Khan Younis compound had been clearly marked as a U.N. facility, and its coordinates had been shared with Israeli authorities.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA  Namibian President Hage Geingob is set to undergo medical treatment in the United States after an exam found the possible return of cancerous cells in his body, according to a news release from his office Wednesday.

Having been diagnosed, treated and cleared of prostate cancer, Geingob was again found to have cancerous cells after undergoing colonoscopy, gastroscopy and biopsy procedures earlier this month.

The CEO of the Cancer Association of Namibia, Rolf Hansen, told VOA the president has been open about his cancer diagnosis in the past. He said early detection and treatment played a big role in Geingobs past treatment and recovery.

The scope that was done indicates that there might be cancerous cells in the soft tissue, perhaps the gut, the stomach, something like this, Hansen said. But until there is a formal prognosis by a doctor that has been publicly released, its all speculation.

Political analyst James Makuwa said Namibians would like to know more about what the latest diagnosis means.

What are the reasons and motives of the presidents office sharing a diagnosis which has no prognosis? Makuwa asked. They are basically putting the country in a state of panic ... because you are telling us the persons diagnosis, but we have no clue what condition hes in, how he is doing, what is going to happen to him. We have no clue.

According to the statement issued by the presidents office, Geingob accepted an offer from scientists and doctors in Los Angeles to undergo a novel therapy for the cancerous cells.

Dr. Elizabeth Kamati lauded Geingobs openness in a country where men are known not to take their health seriously until too late.

We applaud the president for being very open to us, she said. He can encourage other men who are also going through the same disease of cancer, which is somehow taboo in our society, to come out and tell them a diagnosis with cancer is not a death sentence.

The president has come under harsh criticism in the past for seeking medical treatment abroad. However, Namibian doctors acknowledge that cancer treatments are relatively specialized and that the country does not have the equipment and medical expertise to treat the disease effectively.
The U.N.s International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to take all measures in its power to prevent genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip but stopped short of ordering a cease-fire in the embattled territory.

The preliminary ruling delivered Friday by the 17-judge ICJ ordered Israel to enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance in Gaza, where most of the territorys 2.3 million people are struggling to find adequate food and shelter after three months of fighting between Israel and militant group Hamas.

The case was brought to the court by South Africa, which argued that Israel is violating the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, established in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust.

SEE ALSO:

In presenting the ruling, Presiding Judge Joan Donoghue said preventing genocide, in accordance with the genocide convention, would include preventing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group and deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to bring about the group's physical destruction.

Donoghue said as part of the ruling Israel must take immediate measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life.

Israel has dismissed the allegations by South Africa as hypocritical and reflecting a world turned upside down. Israeli leaders defend their air and ground offensive in Gaza as a legitimate response to Hamas' October 7 attack, when militants stormed through Israeli communities, killing some 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages.

Following the ruling, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the genocide claims as outrageous and vowed to press ahead with the war.

Palestinian officials largely hailed the decision. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said it was a welcome reminder that "no state is above the law. Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, told Reuters the decision would contribute to "isolating the occupation and exposing its crimes in Gaza."

The advocacy group Human Rights Watch applauded the ruling. In a statement, the groups associate international justice director, Balkees Jarrah, said the ruling puts Israel and its allies on notice that immediate action is needed to prevent genocide and further atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza.

Jarrah said the speedy ruling is recognition of the dire situation in Gaza.

Provisional measures ordered by the world court are legally binding, but it is not clear if Israel will comply with them. The court, meanwhile, is expected to take years to rule on the full case of genocide brought by South Africa.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
To understand what is happening in the world, you need a variety of sources. You cant settle for the big three conformist news agencies AFP, AP and Reuters. You should listen to different opinions and confront contradictory arguments.

This diversity is all the more essential as the Gaza massacre is presented to us in an unambiguous manner; as we do not perceive the division of Hamas between the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of the Palestinian Resistance nor that of Israel between nationalists and supporters of Jewish supremacism; As Iran enters the war, the reactions of the majority of the world are hidden from us.

To help you understand, we publish Voltaire, International Newsletter every week, summarizing the facts and arguments of each side. We started in the summer of 2022 and have gradually built up a team of specialists covering the entire world.

Although still perfectible, this newsletter is already unmatched.

This wealth of information is only accessible by subscription:

 Yearly subscription: 150

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By subscribing you not only receive in-depth information, but you also support our action.

You will receive an email every Friday with a link allowing you to download Voltaire, International Newsletter in PDF.

Contents of N71 - 26 January 2024

EDITORIAL

0188 Frances secret war against Russia

AMERICAS

0189 U.S. expands by 1 million km2

0190 According to Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu would not oppose the creation of a Palestinian state

0191 State Department Says There Will Be No Lasting Peace Without Palestinian State

0192 Washington opposes ceasefire in Gaza

0193 Images of beheadings, October 7

0194 U.S. Allies will have to arm Ukraine for them

0195 53% of Americans consider Joe Biden to be a puppet of Barack Obama

0196 A fake message from Joe Biden against himself

0197 House of Reps. fails to find records of predecessors on January 6 pseudo-coup

0198 Heritage Foundation Rates U.S. Army

0199 The Direct Cost of Immigration to the USA

0200 Donald Trump reopens the case of the attacks of September 11, 2001

0201 Mexico and Chile faced with the massacre of Gazans

0202 Venezuelan election campaign begins

EUROPE

0203 France sets up coalition for Ukrainian artillery

0204 The European Court of Human Rights condemns France

0205 Belgium joins the US coalition in the Red Sea

0206 Revival of political dynasties in Belgium

0207 Pedro Sanchez supports pro-Palestinian protests

0208 In Italy, the fascist salute is a crime only under certain conditions

0209 Migrants to Italy could wait... in Albania

0210 Robert Fico warns against Ukraines accession to NATO

0211 Josep Borrell denounces Israels support for Hamas

0212 The European Parliament against a Member State, Hungary

0213 U.S. Arms Kosovar Army

0214 Ukrainian army drugs its soldiers with ibogaine

0215 Volodymyr Zelensky establishes dual citizenship

0216 CIA appeals to Bashkirs in Ukraine

AFRICA

0217 Muslim Brotherhood delegation in Gaza

0218 Presidential election already skewed in Senegal

0219 Joseph Boakai, victim of malaise during his inauguration speech

0220 South Africa could block the passage of the Cape of Good Hope

ASIA

0221 Israel rejects Saudi proposal

0222 Gaby Eskenazi and Benny Gantz avoided an attack on Hezbollah

0223 New Clashes in the War Cabinet

0224 Benjamin Netanyahu doesnt want a Palestinian state

0225 Destruction of Al-Isra University

0226 Benjamin Netanyahus trial continues

0227 Israel could transfer PA tax management to others

0228 Itamar Ben Gvir gives orders to shoot without warning

0229 Benjamin Netanyahu claims to attack Iran

0230 Will the Axis of the Resistance Respond to Israeli Targeted Assassinations?

0231 The death toll of journalists in Palestine

0232 An ambiguous Hamas report

0233 Lebanese Forces Against Syrian Refugees

0234 Western pressure on Lebanon

0235 Appointments in Syria

0236 Jordan worried about Gazas Day After

0237 Israel murders Youssef Omid Zadeh in Damascus

0238 New attacks against the International Coalition in Iraq

0239 Mohamed Shia al-Sudani calls for the departure of the International Coalition

0240 Saudi Arabia may not join BRICS

0241 Saudi Arabias economic future is guaranteed

0242 Ansar Allah takes stock of Anglo-Saxon bombings

0243 Ansar Allah Specifies Its Targets

0244 "Guardian of Prosperity" Communicates

0245 UAE buys Socotra Island VIPs

0246 Qatar confirms delivery of medical supplies to Gaza

0247 Turkiye may launch an attack against PKK in occupied Syria

0248 Ibrahim Raisi in Ankara

0249 Indian Army in the Arabian Sea

0250 Pakistan backs Iran

0251 Charges against Pita Limjaroenrat dropped

0252 Hun Manet warns of a color revolution

0253 South Korea skeptical about DPRKs hypersonic missile

0254 Vladimir Putin to visit North Korea soon

0255 China worried about U.S. cognitive warfare

0256 Taiwanese dont trust the US

0257 Japans Liberal Democratic Party dissolves three of its factions

OCEANIA

0258 Australia and the Palestinian Authority

INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENTS

0259 The Western Ranking of Military Powers

INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

0260 High Commissioner for Human Rights denounces attacks on Arabs in West Bank

0261 Many delegations go to the UN Security Council to call for the two-state solution

0262 NATO holds largest military drills since the end of the Cold War

0263 One of the two obstacles to Swedens NATO membership has been removed

0264 Russia supports the Non-Aligned
ResMed Inc (NYSE:RMD) showcases robust revenue growth with a 12% increase in net revenue for Q3 FY2024.

Despite a slight dip in gross margin, RMD maintains a strong gross profit, signaling resilience in operations.

Investment in R&D and strategic acquisitions position RMD for sustained innovation and market expansion.

Challenges include field safety notifications and competitive pressures in the respiratory care device industry.

On January 25, 2024, ResMed Inc (NYSE:RMD) filed its 10-Q report, revealing a company at the forefront of the respiratory care device industry, with a strong financial performance and strategic positioning. ResMed Inc (NYSE:RMD) reported a 12% increase in net revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in the previous year, reaching $1.2 billion. This growth is a testament to the company's robust product offerings and market expansion efforts. However, gross margin experienced a slight decrease from 56.1% to 55.6% for the same period, largely due to specific field safety notifications and increased amortization of acquired intangible assets. Diluted earnings per share decreased marginally from $1.53 to $1.42, reflecting the competitive and dynamic nature of the industry. With $210.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and a total asset base of $6.9 billion, ResMed Inc (NYSE:RMD) is well-positioned to navigate future challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Decoding ResMed Inc (RMD): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Market Leadership and Innovation: ResMed Inc (NYSE:RMD) stands out in the respiratory care device industry with its strong brand and innovative product portfolio. The company's recent financial performance underscores its market leadership, with a 12% increase in net revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. This growth is driven by the successful launch of products like AirSense 11, which features advanced technology such as touch screens and over-the-air update capabilities. ResMed's commitment to R&D, with a 6.4% investment of net revenues, ensures a continuous pipeline of innovative solutions that cater to the evolving needs of patients and healthcare providers.

Story continues

Strategic Acquisitions and Digital Health Focus: ResMed's strategic acquisitions, including Brightree, HEALTHCAREfirst, MatrixCare, and MEDIFOX DAN, have expanded its footprint in the digital health space. The company's SaaS business, which grew by 28% for the six months ended December 31, 2023, is a testament to its successful integration of these acquisitions. ResMed's digital health platforms are designed to support out-of-hospital care, aligning with global healthcare trends towards home-based and patient-centered care. This strategic direction not only diversifies ResMed's revenue streams but also positions it as a leader in connected care solutions.

Weaknesses

Margin Pressures and Field Safety Notifications: Despite strong revenue growth, ResMed Inc (NYSE:RMD) experienced a decline in gross margin, primarily due to field safety notifications for masks with magnets and increased amortization of acquired intangible assets. The company incurred $6.4 million in provisions for expected costs associated with these notifications, indicating potential vulnerabilities in product safety and quality control. These challenges highlight the need for ResMed to enhance its risk management strategies and maintain rigorous quality assurance processes to safeguard its reputation and financial health.

Dependency on Core Markets: ResMed's financial performance is heavily reliant on its core markets, particularly the Americas, which contribute approximately two-thirds of its revenue. While this concentration has facilitated strong market penetration, it also exposes the company to regional economic fluctuations and policy changes. Diversifying its market presence and reducing dependency on any single region could mitigate potential risks and ensure more stable revenue streams.

Opportunities

Global Market Expansion: The increasing diagnosis of sleep apnea, coupled with aging populations and the rising prevalence of obesity, presents significant growth opportunities for ResMed Inc (NYSE:RMD). By expanding its global footprint, particularly in emerging markets with unmet medical needs, ResMed can tap into new customer segments and drive revenue growth. The company's expertise in digital health solutions also positions it to capitalize on the growing demand for telehealth and remote patient monitoring services.

Product and Service Diversification: ResMed's strong balance sheet and cash reserves provide the financial flexibility to explore new product lines and services. Investing in adjacent markets, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management and other respiratory conditions, could broaden ResMed's addressable market. Additionally, leveraging its digital health platforms to offer value-added services, such as data analytics and patient engagement tools, could create new revenue streams and enhance customer loyalty.

Threats

Competitive Landscape and Regulatory Changes: The respiratory care device industry is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for market share. ResMed Inc (NYSE:RMD) must continuously innovate and differentiate its offerings to maintain its competitive edge. Additionally, the industry is subject to stringent regulatory requirements, and any changes in healthcare policies or regulations could impact ResMed's operations and profitability. Staying abreast of regulatory developments and maintaining compliance is crucial for the company's long-term success.

Economic and Supply Chain Volatility: Global economic uncertainties and supply chain disruptions pose significant threats to ResMed's operations. The company must navigate these challenges by implementing robust supply chain management strategies and maintaining financial discipline. Diversifying its supplier base and investing in supply chain resilience can help mitigate the impact of external shocks and ensure uninterrupted product availability to meet customer demand.

In conclusion, ResMed Inc (NYSE:RMD) demonstrates a strong financial foundation and strategic foresight in its operations. The company's leadership in the respiratory

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.


Photo-Illustration: Vulture. Photos: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images, Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Tan France is denying that he gave the Queer Eye lineup a makeover. On February 27, Netflix announced that Jeremiah Brent  who is also Frances friend  would be replacing Bobby Berk as the shows new interior designer. Rolling Stone later published a report on March 5, claiming that France (with alleged support from Antoni Porowski) had campaigned for the Berk-Brent switch, with one source describing what happened as mean-girl antics. Three days later, France took to Instagram to respond via video. I just want to address one point real quick, he said on March 8. My former colleague getting fired had nothing to do with me trying to get my friend hired. France denied swaying Netflixs decision, noting that Brent was chosen as the best person for the job after a full casting process. I didnt get [Brent] hired by getting rid of somebody else, he concluded. Heres all the gossip we can spill so far, below:

Was Bobby Berk fired from Queer Eye?

Frances Instagram video was a bit dramatic vis-a-vis the fired allegations. The interior designer left the show on his own volition, Berk explained in a January interview with Vanity Fair. According to him, the Fab Five had all mentally prepared to leave after their contract expired in September 2022. But with content running low due to last years Hollywood strikes, Netflix offered the Fab Five a new deal for four more cycles. Berk declined; hed already started planning multiple other projects. He thought his co-stars were going to follow suit, but right before the deadline, he said they all decided to sign. And with only one of us not coming back, Netflix felt [it] could recast one person, Berk explained. Though he admitted to being mad for a second, he vaguely said that each one of us had our reasons why we did what we did.

How did the feud between Tan France and Bobby Berk begin?

Queer Eye fans have been constructing theories of behind-the-scenes beef ever since news broke last fall that Berk would be leaving the Fab Five (which also includes France, Karamo Brown, Jonathan Van Ness, and Porowski) after the upcoming eighth season of the reality show. Naturally, the speculation continued when Berk unfollowed co-star Tan France on Instagram shortly after announcing his exit in November 2023. Tan and I had a moment, Berk confirmed in a January interview with Vanity Fair. There was a situation, and thats between Tan and I, and it has nothing to do with the show. It was something personal that had been brewing  and nothing romantic, just to clarify that.

Looking back, Berk said he shouldnt have unfollowed France, and maybe just needed to mute his account. But that day, I was angry, and thats the end of it, Berk said. We became like siblingsand siblings are always going to fight. He noted that he and France hugged and congratulated each other at the Emmy Awards earlier this month, which he described as the first bandage on that wound. In six months to a year, he said he could see himself and France at each others house being good.

Do Jonathan Van Ness and Antoni Porowski have anything to do with Berks exit?

Yes and no. Multiple production sources alleged the Fab Five were decidedly not close and simply maintained a veneer of friendliness to appease the public eye, according to a Rolling Stone report published March 5. Worse, anonymous insiders claimed Van Ness, arguably the breakout star of Queer Eye, contributed to a toxic workplace, using words like monster, nightmare, and demeaning to describe his presence on set. Berk would allegedly quarrel with France and Van Ness over his larger workload while filming, and grew to feel that his small screen time didnt match the amount of effort he put into rebuilding a subjects room and furniture in four days. He checked out during the last season, sources alleged.

As for the Porowski of it all, France and the Chopped protege are friends outside the series. Based on that fact, it was easy to speculate that Porowski stood behind his friend when advocating for Brent as a replacement. The fifth member of the Fab Five, Karamo Brown, cant be factored in to the mess at this point. When Berk left, Brown loudly begged for Netflix to bring him back in an Instagram comment on Berks original goodbye post in November. We are #ForeverTheFab5 no matter what, he wrote. Im about to be at Netflixs door & e-mails telling them you cant leave! Who is coming with me? At least someone knows silly lukewarm drama like this could be bad business.

This post has been updated.
Were back at Sundance in the Vulture Spot, where were interviewing the casts and creators of the years buzziest films. Check out all our coverage from the film fest here.

The not-so-elusive chanteuse of Salt Lake City, Lisa Barlow, is still ready to talk all things Tease. As in, Reality Von. While in her prime as the self-declared Queen of the Sundance Film Festival, Barlow was eager to discuss The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, including who shed like to see as a future Housewife. Her dream co-stars include Jennifer Lawrence, Angelina Jolie, and Victoria Posh Spice Beckham, who, she notes, has the benefit of having a hot husband. John Barlow, we still love you and your doormat ways.

 Andy Cohens reaction to Monica Reality Von Tease Garcia at the reunion.

 The difference between how the cast reacted to literal criminal Jen Shah and internet troll Monica Garcia.

 How her son Jack is doing in Colombia on his mission trip and how perfect his Spanish is.

 That RHOSLC season five begins filming soon (!!), although shes not sure if shes supposed to say that.

Season four of RHOSLC is available on Peacock.
Expats The Peak Season 1 Episode 1 Editors Rating 4 stars * * * * Previous Next   Previous Episode Next Episode  Photo: Prime Video

The first episode of Expats takes a while to clue you in to whats going on, and its pieces still arent all in play by the time the credits roll. In most shows, this sort of obfuscation and beating around the bush could be frustrating, but in the hands of director and show creator Lulu Wang (The Farewell), they make for an alluring emotional mystery whose layers are peeled back intricately and one at a time. The premiere drops us smack-dab in the middle of a tragic ongoing story about three American women in Hong Kong. And while it holds its specifics close to its chest, it also provides enough by way of tense mood and character dynamics that every reveal makes perfect sense when it arrives  as though youd known it all along, deep in your bones.

The episodes prologue features static video portraits of people in tragic news stories  or perhaps anecdotes or urban legends a la Paul Thomas Andersons Magnolia  as the voice of Mercy (Ji-young Yoo) narrates the injuries, deaths, and familial suffering each of them accidentally caused. Mercys voice-over, it turns out, is addressed to someone in particular, though we dont know who. She claims to be drawn to these tales to answer the question of whether their inadvertent perpetrators can be forgiven for ruining peoples lives. She, too, is responsible for something similar and wonders it about herself.

We catch only a brief glimpse of Mercy before shes lost in a busy Hong Kong crowd, and the frame cuts to a cold, sterile lunch meeting at a fancy restaurant. On one side sits a local, enthusiastic party planner, and on the other, a distracted middle-aged American woman, Margaret (Nicole Kidman), whos putting together her husbands lavish 50th-birthday celebration. The planner is friendly and inquisitive. She asks numerous questions, but what little we learn about Margarets life in this scene  and about her young, mixed-race Asian kids nearby, Philip (Bodhi del Rosario) and Daisy (Tiana Gowen)  comes not through what she says but how she responds to this small talk. In fact, what she doesnt say is just as revealing as her hair-trigger reaction to seeing her son scribbling a crayon family portrait that includes their father and an additional figure, Gus, holding the hand of Jesus Christ.

For reasons yet unknown, this depiction of Christianity sets Margarets teeth on edge, and she cuts the meeting short, but each of these little clues provides a greater context for what may be going on in her life. Who and where is this Gus? A drawing of someone holding Jesuss hand is hardly a subtle indicator of what mightve happened to them  as is the case here, even a childs understanding of religious imagery is geared toward euphemistic comfort  but could the answer to his whereabouts also be the root of why Margaret seems to resent religion?

Questions like these are floated, wordlessly and in the ether, before the episode transitions to something that further complicates them. This time, its the brief image of a middle-aged Asian man, Clarke (Brian Tee)  mustachioed, like the rudimentary drawing of Philips father  seated despondently in a crowded church, looking upward at a crucifix, as if in search of something just out of reach. Is this man Margarets husband? Well, of course. The narrative structure is simple and logical in this regard  these images are connected enough in story and concept that these factual clues become easy to intuit  but what remains uncertain is the thematic nature of this visual connection. Why does the image of Christ conjure such vitriol for one of them and such comfort for the other?

The idea of loss looms over all these characters in a multitude of ways, well before were given even semi-concrete answers about Gus. Margaret and Clarke seem to have lost some part of themselves; they float through the world, untethered, like restless spirits. Their son, Philip, is unusually quiet. Their daughter, Daisy, has a new fixation: TV news stories about a missing Malaysian Airlines plane (perhaps the story is set in 2014), accompanied by interviews with family members, giving statements like, Its the not knowing. Its absolute torture  as if to portend what well eventually learn about this family and what troubles them so deeply.

By the episodes end, there are enough implications and innuendos to be able to piece together that Gus was the name of Margarets third child, though whether hes dead or missing  and how this came to be  remains to be seen. Whats more important, for now, is how this hole in the center of Margarets life hollows her out and strains her relationships.

Kidmans frayed performance keeps Margaret and the audience alike on edge as other characters (and the shows wider setting) are introduced and as sounds drown out while eerie music builds each time the mood shifts and she loses focus. Being a rich expat, she lives in a fancy building, where shes waited on hand and foot by maids and drivers. Their entire community seems to be fellow expats, including Margarets neighbor Hilary (Sarayu Blue), with whom she appears to have lingering animosity that makes even their friendliest interactions feel stilted; when Margaret invites her to Clarkes birthday, she politely declines. Whatever happened between them is yet to be explored, but the episode features a wonderfully uplifting (at least at first) subplot about Hilary running to Margarets aid when things go awry at the party, regardless of her initially rejecting the invite or their broken friendship.

Hilary has problems of her own. Shes grown distant from her husband, David (Jack Huston), who has a drinking problem and, likely unbeknownst to her, is having an affair with Mercy, a young Korean American woman who isnt as well-off as the other characters and fits in awkwardly with her posh friends. To make ends meet, Mercy takes on a catering gig that turns out to be the very same party Margaret is throwing for Clarke, which initially introduces the possibility of Hilary running into the other woman in her marriage. However, it turns out that Mercy has a connection to Margarets family too. Seeing Philip at the party (and subsequently, seeing the words Clarkes 50th sculpted in ice) sends her into a panic. She tries to leave, but her frenzy is soon matched by Margaret when she notices Mercy, calls her by name, and chases after her, albeit to no avail.

Mercy may be partially responsible for Hilarys crumbling marriage, but by the end of the episode, it becomes clear that all three women are entwined in more troubling ways. Margaret wonders why Mercy wont leave her family be  a misunderstanding no doubt, but the audience has access to information and perspectives that Margaret does not. She and Clarke thank their friends and family at the party for supporting them through tough times, and given how riled up she is by Mercys unwelcome presence, the possibility that Mercy had some hand in their troubles is all but clarified.

With Mercys opening voice-over in mind, the pieces begin to fit together after this party encounter and are partially confirmed during an intimate, seemingly reconciliatory conversation between Margaret and Hilary at a hole-in-the-wall noddle joint they used to frequent together. Im a mother of two children instead of three, Margaret says. Up until this point, Wangs filmmaking has been so precise and emotionally charged that this information is all but obvious, but hearing Margaret admit it in words feels like a burden has lifted. The withholding of information during the premiere episode isnt a cutesy tactic aimed at surprise but rather a narrative embodiment of the silence and repression with which the characters have been living. And finally verbalizing that shes lost a child allows Margaret, along with Hilary, to find a temporary moment of respite; they dance along to Blondies Heart of Glass on the radio as poor restaurant workers clean up after them and Hilarys driver naps in the car.

These brief inserts of other characters go hand in hand with numerous shots of other household help. Theyre out of focus and in shadow despite being prominent and sizable in the frame, as though the episodes POV characters cant fully see them  or rather, they wont. Along with its central tragedy, the series larger social tapestry seems rife for exploration. Its title, after all, has distinct economic implications. Expats is short for expatriates (as in the title of the book on which the show is based, The Expatriates, by Janice Y.K. Lee), and it refers to a generally affluent class of western immigrants in the Global South.

Any portrait of these characters lives would be incomplete without exploring this class dimension of their identity, though for now, the premiere episode is focused on slowly unraveling their misfortunes. Clarkes parents keep telling him and Margaret they should return home; they mean Philadelphia, but to Margaret and her children, Hong Kong has become where they belong. She speaks bits of Cantonese, and she even has her own apartment in Kowloon (albeit an empty one she uses to get away). What it means for her to adopt Hong Kong as her home, especially in a time of tragedy, is perhaps the shows most interesting larger question, though it certainly isnt the only one.

By the end of the episode, Margaret and Hilarys camaraderie is short-lived, thanks in part to them returning home to find ambulances parked outside their building. A neighbor has been found dead, and for a moment, Margaret is sent into a tailspin by the flashing red-and-blue lights, as if shes been in this position before. As they part ways, they do so coldly once again, as Margaret offers Hilary marriage advice, which she soundly rejects. No matter what progress theyve made, they dont seem to fully understand each others predicaments. And though we dont yet know the full picture of what those are, the fact that this uncomfortable hostility continues to linger, after what feels like monumental catharsis, hints that something more devastating could be yet to come. The thought is practically anxiety inducing.

The episode ends with a shot of Philips drawing from the introductory scene. When we see it this time, we have many more answers but perhaps even more intriguing questions than we did before.

Visual Expressions

 After her voice-over introduction, Mercy turns to the camera and stares straight down the lens before disappearing, which is as curious as it is unsettling.

 The slow-burn introduction to Margaret, in which the camera creeps around her slowly so that were first acquainted with her dress, her hairstyle, and her posture, before eventually seeing her face, turns her into an object of mystery.

 When Margaret bathes alone in her Kowloon flat, a shot of her feet peeking out of her tiny plastic tub gives the appearance of a child submerged underwater, hiding from the world.

 Take me to the market, Margaret begs Hilary in the middle of the night before were treated to a gorgeous, moving portrait: Margaret standing in total isolation in a vibrant, empty city whose gaslights shimmer off every surface. A captivating image straight out of a Wong Kar-wai film.
After its winding premiere peeled back a melodic mystery, the second episode of Lulu Wangs Expats takes us back to the beginning, with a fateful meeting that led to a defining tragedy. Merely two episodes in, the shows nonlinear structure has already proven powerful, creating heartrending, dramatic irony and palpable tension given what we know, but what the characters do not, as we peer backward through time, unable to reach out to them for warning or comfort.

Wang, again, sets the scene through a distinctive mood, with a shot of birds flying overhead (backed by radiant sunlight) and the sounds of playful children  a warm feeling destined to be short-lived. At a luxurious party aboard a yacht in Mongkok, were finally introduced to Gus (Connor James Yuet Hei Gilman), an adorable, impish ball of energy, as he runs through the fancy crowd and toward a ledge. In this moment, its hard not to wonder: Is this where it happens? Granted, we dont yet know exactly what it is  all we know is what becomes of these characters lives several months or years from now  but the mischievous Gus is stopped in his tracks by Mercy, so it cant be far off.

Mercy, once more the oddball poor kid in a sea full of trust-fund brats, doesnt fit in, but Margaret immediately takes a liking to her, given how playfully she interacts with Gus, and the tact with which she hands his older siblings too. For Mercy, this means a job opportunity, and she drops a few hints, while Margarets responses are kind but vague. As Mercy sits with the entire family on deck  Gus, Margaret, Daisy, Philip, and Clarke  a brief wide shot of them all together, as she braids Daisys hair, resembles a family postcard.

While this encounter undoubtedly sets the stage for what eventually happens to Gus, it also establishes the episodes key socioeconomic dynamics. Margaret  who considers herself kinder and more enlightened than her rich expat peers, in matters of dealing with household help  is on a wavelength specific to rich expat parents (and rich families who can afford full-time nannies in general, a dynamic also seen in Alfonso Cuarons Roma). That she doesnt pick up on Mercys offer to help as an employment inquiry represents a blind spot that carries over to the blurred lines that already exist at home with her Filipino maid, Essie (Ruby Ruiz), whos been living with and working for the family ever since Gus was born and has a particularly close bond with him. Gus even speaks bits of Filipino, and though Margaret never says it out loud, her anxious gaze toward their intimate, loving, mother-son dynamic unlocks a past insecurity of hers (which she puts into words in a later conversation with Hillary). Though she frequently reenforces, to other expats, that Essie is like family, some part of her wishes this wasnt true. What she perceives as callousness when these other women refer to Margaret as Essies employer is, in fact, a truth that makes her uncomfortable.

In the aforementioned chat with Hillary, Margaret admits that she didnt want another child when she was pregnant with Gus. Her feelings eventually changed, but while the admission of this anxiety would be routine in a chronological telling, it comes laced with a bitter dramatic irony. Almost like I was wishing him away, she says. These stray lines of dialogue become troubling and prophetic, given what we know. Coupled with the frequent presence of elderly dog owner Christopher  who we know will eventually be found dead in his apartment  a dark cloud hovers over every scene.

The episode is intricate in the way it threads the needle between its various plots. The apparent normalcy of Margarets motherhood and domestic life is constantly mirrored by a looming discontentment whenever the show cuts to Hillary  at first, during a visit to an orphanage with some friends, which brings anxieties of her own to the fore. She and David are supposedly trying for a child, though unbeknownst to him, shes back on birth control. Their inability to connect and communicate culminates in an uncomfortably lengthy and mechanical sex scene, during which the cameras focus remains on her contemplative expression.

Like Margaret, David tries to maintain a friendly relationship with his employees. However, the lack of reciprocation, when David gets too personal about family matters with his driver, Sam (Poon Pak Shing), further hammers home this signature wealthy-expat eagerness that ignores how the working class must avoid these complicated entanglements in order to keep their jobs  jobs being the key word. To David (and to Clarke, who weighs staying in Hong Kong longer when hes offered a new contract), the presence of maids and chauffeurs are lifestyle conveniences first and foremost, rather than transactional relationships.

This (lack of) exchange between David and Sam also speaks to how lonely David is and how hes desperate for advice, validation, or even simple conversation on the topic of starting a family, a major decision on which he and Hillary not only fail to see eye to eye but fail to communicate about this disconnect. Its a husk of a marriage, though neither one seems to want to admit it.

The expats lack of economic tact (and inadvertent lack of forthrightness) is also the center of the episodes denouement. When Clarke drops out of a family dinner at the last minute, Margaret asks Essie to stay at home  she tells her to take the evening off, though given her recent jealous streak, the decision may not be altruistic  and she invites Mercy instead. As Mercy helps care for the kids, the question of whether this meeting is friendly, a trial job, or, as Margaret puts it, a favor, makes things awkward for Mercy, who texts a friend to find out if she ought to be charging for her time, and if and when to bring up the subject of money, since Margaret seems oblivious to Mercys position. Unfortunately, this domino effect leads to Margaret communicating with her friend just long enough to lose track of Gus at a night market.

The it  Guss disappearance in a Hong Kong crowd, much like Mercys own introductory image in the series prologue  is shockingly simple and yet completely devastating, given how much he features in the episode. Hes rowdy, troublesome, and entirely innocent in his mischievous behavior, running helter-skelter because he doesnt know better. A mere handful of moments, and by casting such a wonderfully sweet child actor (and directing him toward a freeing sense of chaos, it would seem), creates a kid performance at once deeply familiar yet seldom seen onscreen, given how hilariously and charmingly disruptive Gus is in every scene. He is, above all, a distinct and palpable presence in the characters lives, and the fact that he no longer can be is completely soul-crushing.

As the police try to search for leads, a shocked and guilt-ridden Mercy approaches an angry, despondent Clarke (who comforts Margaret, so consumed by grief that she hides her face), but no words are exchanged. Their silence is more dramatically moving than any line of dialogue could be. What would any of these characters even say?

The episode ends with David arriving to help and taking Mercy home  this is how they met  and with a brief reprise of a scene in the first episode, in which Hillary and Margaret return to the very same night market, a moment in time and space now placed in a painful new context. This time, the streets and buildings no longer shimmer. We see their surfaces being cleaned as a matter of routine, washing away and anonymizing the agony to which weve just borne witness. Harsh jump-cuts yank us through different times of day and make the street seem ordinary, as hundreds of other people converge to live their lives. Its as though Gus, and his story, had simply vanished  or had never existed at all.

Visual Expressions

 When Hillary joins David at dinner, the camera remains fixed on Jack Hustons desperate, distracted expression rather than cutting to Hillary when she speaks. As it zooms in slowly, Davids entire emotional predicament seems to come into view; he can no longer listen to Hillary, but he no longer feels like he can be heard or seen.

 As Hillary contemplates whether parenthood is for her, the cacophony of Margarets life descends upon her; Sarayu Blue remains framed in the center, while Margarets children traipse and bicker around her in the foreground, out of focus, almost consuming her.

 David  who shouldnt be drinking  escapes to an Irish pub, though rather than seeing him head-on, hes only visible to us in the reflection of a polished wood bar counter, as though his life were obscured by haze.
Photo: Shane Brown/FX

Much like Uncle Brownie, the shambling, warmhearted eccentric he played for three seasons on Sterlin Harjos Reservation Dogs, Gary Farmer takes the long view of things and rarely turns down the chance to be funny about it. Even when the occasion is as somber as a funeral  like the send-off for Dogs itself  Brownies droll one-liners and stealthy bits of wisdom, delivered via his signature stoner deadpan, pierce the gloom. Its a role honed from decades of stage and screen work, including counterculture-coded wanderers in Smoke Signals, Powwow Highway, and Sioux City and the gnomic and grimly funny Nobody in Jim Jarmuschs Dead Man and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai.

Now 70, Farmer is a legendary figure among North Americas Native artists and entertainers. Born into the Cayuga Nation and Wolf Clan of the Haudenosaunee/Iroquois Confederacy, he grew up in Buffalo, New York, where his father operated a construction crane, and started acting in the mid-1970s, when roles for Indigenous actors were scarce. Farmer and other Native performers of his generation created their own opportunities: writing, directing, producing, and performing in plays and independent films; agitating for less stereotyping in non-Native stories; and organizing to enrich and protect their communities. Reservation Dogs could represent the culmination of efforts of artists like Farmer, but he sees it as just one marker on a timeline that started long before he entered the world and will continue after everyone reading this interview has passed on. Hes done his job, and now its time to pass the baton. For me, its always been about developing new stories from our perspective, developing new stories from the ground up with communities  a group of people and a writer or a table full of writers, says Farmer. And you know what? It worked. I used to produce. I used to direct. Now I get to sit back and just be the actor.

When somebody says the title Reservation Dogs, whats the first thing you think about?

We didnt know. Nobody really knew.

Knew what? How important it would be?

Yeah! All those people on the creative side of the show are going to be employed for a long time. I dont know if anything will replace Reservation Dogs, but that creative team has gone into the bigger world to do bigger things.

Was there any talk about keeping the show going?

Sterlin said if he did do a fourth season, hed want to set it in the 1970s  which you think the network would have gone for, because they would have hired new actors and they could all start from year one at base pay, you know? [Laughs.] But the networks just didnt buy in.

Are you bummed about that?

Life goes on. It was a sweet part, and probably my most recognizable character ever. I mean, I make jokes about 18-year-old white waitresses realizing, Its Uncle Brownie! I never had that audience, you know? Ive always had a Native American following. But this has opened me up to a much larger world, a more BIPOC audience, I could say, as well as the mainstream community that has acknowledged this show, even though the Whatever Foreign Press didnt.

I was surprised we didnt get one nod from them for Rez Dogs, especially when I saw that this show The Curse, with Emma Stone  which Im on two episodes of, playing a pretty straight character  got a nod from them. Its a pretty out-there show, and God bless Emma Stone, but I thought if they were gonna get some recognition, our show should have gotten at least a nod for its final season. But thats that.

Its incredible looking back over everything youve done. There are so many connection points with other major performers from many generations. For instance, Lily Gladstone made her film debut in a movie you co-starred in, Jimmy P., by the French director Arnaud Desplechin, which was subtitled Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian.

Thats right! It was nice to finally meet Benicio Del Toro after all those years of watching him. He beat me out in that great awards thing. You know the one? The one they started off down on the Santa Monica beach? The Independent Spirit Awards? Im not sure what they call it anymore.

They still call it the Spirit Awards!

Okay, good. Its always held the night before the Academy Awards, right? It was a great event. So many great independent films got recognition. Many of them, of course, went on to the Oscars as well. The Independent Spirit Awards was the closest I ever got to the hoopla that Lily will enjoy this coming awards season.

Have you seen Killers of the Flower Moon?

I love Lily, and shes a dear friend, and Ive worked with Robert De Niro. I dont know, Im just  maybe Ill see it eventually. It means the world to the community and to all of our nations here in America and Canada and Mexico, and Im happy for all the attention its been getting. But I dont need to see us murdered 20 times before the credits. Been there, done that, you know? I think the young actress from our show, Devery Jacobs, who plays Elora, was right: She made some observations about that movie on social media which were pretty hard and scathing.

She wrote, Imagine the worst atrocities committed against [your] ancestors, then having to sit through a movie explicitly filled with them, with the only respite being 30-minute-long scenes of murderous white guys talking about/planning the killings.

I think a lot of us felt like what she wrote made sense. The film is not us telling the story. Ive been promoting a book by Linda Hogan, whos Achocta [Chickasaw]. She wrote a book called Mean Spirit, back in 1990, that tells the same story as the movie and the nonfiction book it was based on! Thirty-three years ago, right? Ive been talking this book up for 33 years! We are always looking for stories to tell as a Native community or as Native actors, and her novel seemed like a perfect one to tell. But if youve got a book written about it from a different perspective that was published two years ago or something, well, that book gets made, and not this earlier one by our own creative people. So anyway, no, I havent seen Killers of the Flower Moon.

Are there ever times when you think, I wish I could do more parts where I play one little cog in the story, like white actors have the privilege of doing, and not feel the pressure of having to accurately represent some aspect of the Native experience?

When I decided to be an actor, it was because I had seen the power of theater and how the actor can manipulate stories and pull powerful emotions out of people. I became an actor because I thought, I want to help my people, and how am I going to do that? Am I going to be a cop? Thats certainly not going to help. Am I going to be a social worker? I dont know. Maybe a lawyer? Once I discovered the theater, I just knew. Oh, this is how I do it. I started acting at 20 and I never turned back.

You were in a lot of movies in the late 80s and early 90s that were important for Indigenous actors and filmmakers. You were in Dark Wind, the mystery thriller, based on Tony Hillermans novel.

I get a small residual from that now because once the Dark Winds series came on, people started looking at the movie again, which was great.

With A Martinez in Powwwow Highway (1988) Photo: Warner Bros.

And there was the triptych of Powwow Highway, Smoke Signals, and Sioux City within the space of just five years. The character you play in Powwow Highway, Philbert Bono, starts his journey by trading weed for a war pony, which is actually a Buick Wildcat, so he can go on a vision quest and thwart some strip miners. Watching it again before talking to you, I thought, Wow, this is like a plot out of Reservation Dogs!

Yeah, that was Powwow Highway! Set in Lame Deer, up in Montana! Jonathan Wacks directed it and Peter McCarthy produced it. They did Repo Man together. I think that was Jonathans directorial debut. It was co-written by David Seals, who wrote the novel it was based on, and Janet Heaney and Jean Stawarz, who had never even been to Lame Deer. One of them, I married: Jean Stawarz. She ended up teaching screenwriting at Emerson College and is still on the faculty there.

Working on that film was a wonderful journey. When I got there, not one person on that crew, including the director, had ever been to an Indian reservation! I couldnt get them to go to the powwow the community was hosting while we were there because they all felt too bad about the living conditions in northern Cheyenne at the time, which was unlike any other reservation in the country, really  a little more northern, a little more isolated, with an amazing survival history, those people. It changed my life, that film  artistically but also personally, because of the growth I experienced from engaging in that culture for those two months we were shooting. I met people Im still dear friends with. Im still in touch with Jonathan, and A Martinez and I are as close as ever. A lot of those actors are gone now, of course. It was certainly an important film. It won the Audience Award at Sundance. I wasnt there for the ceremony because I was busy developing a new play that turned out to be the most profitable thing Ive ever been involved in.

What was the play?

Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing, by Tomson Highway.

Tell me about that.

We came up together. Tomson is a classical pianist and his brother was a modern dancer. I was a photographer when we met. Tomson brought us to the Shaw Festival, which is a big-time event in Toronto. I captured it with photography. I had to play Pontiac from 1796 in a play  the real character of Pontiac, the Odawa leader who fought heartily to maintain his position. Tomson did the Cree part of my speech. It was the first time they brought Indigenous language to a play. I played sax in the halls of this beautiful old theater that must have had 300 seats, a theater in the round. It was just a beautiful time, you know?

And then Tomson started to write his own plays. First it was a small piece for his brother, then he wrote this powerful play called Rez Sisters that went around the world, and then he wrote Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing, which is about seven men and this trickster character whos a woman. It put theater on its nose in Canada when we put it on in 1989. We took most of the awards, and then it won the Governor Generals Award for playwriting. It toured the whole country and went off to Scotland for a big theater festival and even got around the world some. It still gets picked up. Its a powerful piece. You laugh your ass off in the first act, and then it slaps you around in the second act. It just works so well.

And hes such a verbose, quadrilingual dude, Tomson  hes quite a character. I just caught up with him; we might do some of his new work coming up this year, maybe. Well see. Were both getting up there, but Ive spent a life performing his plays, and several companies developed out of that. Much of the senior actors came up through that system. The theater scene is a lot more prolific in Native communities in Canada because we dont fight wars every day. Theres more money for the arts generally than there is here.

Tell me about working with the great actor Graham Greene, who acted with you in Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing and played Maximus on Reservation Dogs. Thats quite a time span!

My grandmother and Grahams father are first cousins. I was in the States mostly, but Id go back to stay at my grandmothers home. Graham was across the street from us with, like, eight brothers and sisters. Wed known each other since we were children. I was the only child for about eight years. I used to get all these gifts and Graham didnt get much, so hed come and play with all the shit I got, and thats how we got close! We ended up in the same rehearsal halls just by chance. I think he started acting just a bit before me  I started in 75, he might have started in 73 or so. But wed been pals for years before that. He used to be a road man, doing sound and lights for some really popular Canadian musical acts. We used to trip around, and of course Canada closes at 1 a.m. or whatever and we were still out there hustling, so wed drive down to Buffalo, and Graham would imitate Jesse Ed Davis, the Kiowa guitar player who played with the Beatles, so we could get into clubs down there.

Youve also worked more than once with other Reservation Dogs cast mates of your generation, including Wes Studi, who was also in Powwow Highway.

Yeah, that was Wess first movie appearance. I went to L.A. after that for a bit because, as I said, I had fallen in love with one of the screenwriters of the movie, and she was there, so I used to hang out with Wesley, too. In L.A. I got to teach an acting class through the American Indian Registry. The thing I got the most from it was that studying acting was scene studies. You just match people up as partners and get them to work the scene, you know? Well, all those guys from Oklahoma, they were always very manly, right? Usually you rehearse the scene before you come back again so you got something to present with your partner, but I could never get those Oklahoma Indians to get down and do the work. Theyd just come and watch, then theyd get up there with no rehearsal!

But, yeah, Ive known Wes for years. In fact, I was just thinking about calling Wes today to help me with my pipe. He used to make traditional pipes for us, and Ive got a stone Ive been working on, so Im hoping he can make me a new prayer pipe.

Lets talk about Jim Jarmuschs Dead Man, the first English-language film to have Indigenous characters speaking untranslated Cree and Blackfoot. That gave you a character, the spirit guide Nobody, that you played in that film and then Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai.

Theres a lot I got from Dead Man. Ill never forget it. I learned so much about myself. Jim and I would have these wonderful discussions about the script and get into questions like, Dont the meek inherit the Earth?

Farmer in Dead Man (1995) Photo: Miramax/Everett Collection

You didnt want Nobody to die in that movie, right?

I get so into the story when I do these things! You gotta learn when to let go and when to hold up for something you believe in. But, you know, Jims such a sensitive guy, and a few years later he goes, Hey Gary, you were right! Im gonna put you in Ghost Dog and show em that Nobodys still alive! We had a wonderful relationship through that one character. I think Nobodys gonna come back once more, if we both live long enough to do it. There are so many things about that experience that seem incredible to me. Theres the fact of it being Robert Mitchums last movie appearance, and the fact of just being in that cast and getting to meet a lot of those performers and hang out. And Jim! Hes like a relative. We stay in touch. We dont yuk it up as much as we used to, because were getting older.

You know, Harvey Weinstein is the one that killed the distribution of that movie throughout America. Dead Man was a movie Jim hoped would play wide but ended up on an art-house tour.

You gotta learn when to let go and when to hold up for something you believe in.

What happened?

Harvey wanted Jim to cut the movie, and Jim refused. He owned the movie and hed already signed a contract with Harvey saying Miramax was releasing a finished movie and it didnt have to be cut. So Harvey dumped it. That Dead Man only played art houses in the States killed the film for Jim  economically, certainly. It cost a lot to make by his standards. Jim funded it independently from, I think, Europe and Asia mainly. There was a certain bitterness after that, about the fact that Dead Man didnt get a better run. But its still highly recognized to this day, and it went on to be respected in the academic world, and to become the first American film to win the Screen International Five Continents Award from the European Film Awards. Jim couldnt go to the ceremony. He sent Johnny Depp and me and Robby Muller, the cinematographer. We had a great time in Berlin. Gandhi gave us the award. Well, not the real Gandhi. The guy who played him. Whats his name?

Ben Kingsley.

[Laughs.] Ben Kingsley! You know, after Dead Man, Johnny originally wanted me to play Doctor Gonzo in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Which Benecio Del Toro ended up playing!

It was good, though  Johnny even introduced me to Hunter S. Thompson. And I had a great relationship with Neil Young after Dead Man. Not long after that, I was trying to develop a national radio system for Native people in Canada. I was at the forefront of that battle when Neil did a fundraiser for us and some other organizations in San Francisco.

I told Jim before we started Dead Man, Hey, lets do this story contemporary  like, now! Because thats my life, you know? The character of Nobody was abducted as a child and taken to Europe by Europeans. I was the only Indian in an immigrant school in Buffalo. I work there a lot still, in Buffalo, with the Native community. My people are all there because our rezes are on both sides of the border: the Haudenosaunee of the Iroquois. That border has never meant anything to us  hey, wanna hear something great? In 2028, lacrosse is going to be in the Summer Olympics. The Haudenosaunee have our own team, the Haudenosaunee Nationals, and well get to represent our nationhood at the Olympics for the first time! We still dont get any respect politically, though. Its been a hard run for our communities, with all these strategies that try to undermine anything we do economically in order to better ourselves. Its been an uphill battle, even down to basics like infrastructure for water. So Ive always looked at the kind of work I do as an actor as part of a bigger picture. It certainly serves a purpose to retell American history from a Native perspective.

Thats why it was so great to hang out with the cast and crew on Rez Dogs. Theyre a pretty interesting batch of people. I think the show inspired a lot of actors, too. Thats been the basis of my work, to try to inspire people. I needed inspiration coming up. Im so unique, you know? First, by being a Native actor. Plus, Im big. Everybody else on a film set is probably gonna be five-foot-eight, five-foot-nine, around that height, maybe a little taller. Im six-foot-three and 270 pounds. They used to tell me I ate up the screen. That made it hard to get work. Its been a hard road, you know? As I look back on everything, it seems to me that having a career at all is pretty special in itself.

What are you working on right now?

I just finished shooting in L.A. Its an interesting little short film by a young Miccosukee tribal member, Montana Cypress. He does theater, too. Montana is a little off-the-beaten-path kind of guy. He doesnt seem to fit into the norms. I like supporting his artistic nature, though. There were 16 pages of dialogue and I had a five-page speech, so it was challenging, but I whipped it and I felt really good about it. I play an old, dying dog whos about to get euthanized. And I did manage to get Tantoo Cardinal involved. She kind of plays opposite me. Tantoo and I were both on Spirit Bay, which started in 1982. We also did a TV movie together in 1985, Where the Heart Is, for the CBC series For the Record, which was about social issues. It was a story about Bill C-31. Do you know it?

No, please tell me.

Tantoo played a woman who divorces her white husband and finds out she lost her Native status as a result of the divorce. In Ontario, women who were married off to another tribe lost their status as Native people. There were other ways somebody could lose their status. The bill was about trying to stop that kind of thing from happening, to amend the Indian Act and bring it in line with gender equality according to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The passage of that bill was a big win for women.

Eras of oppression and disenfranchisement, I guess, have always befallen us. Its been interesting to chart the history from my perspective as an actor.

Overall, do you feel like theres been substantial forward motion in terms of job opportunities and representation?

I dont know yet. Its all about who gets out of the gate. I mean, there was Rutherford Falls. But most of the creatives from Reservation Dogs are showrunning or working to tell their own stories. Theyre not trying to make another Reservation Dogs. Some of the directors are now in the circle for directing shows that arent necessarily Native-themed. Sterlins got a paved road ahead of him, you know? He should be okay, right? It seems that anything he touches is gonna turn to gold. Or at least itll make audiences think.

What about you?

Im a 70-year-old actor. Im on the tail end of a wonderful career. Im still able to work, and Im counting on Resident Alien getting renewed next year! We got stopped because of the strike and we were supposed to air in August, then we were pushed to November. Now its coming out in January, so we wont know about being renewed until maybe March. And then six months later  you know, I could be starving to death by then. I gotta start from the ground up again as a working actor. Its been my life, though. Im used to that.

Related
Heres what we know about Jam Master Jays death and the trial against his killers, which started January 29, 2024, nearly 22 years after his murder. Photo: Al Pereira/Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives

The trial against two Queens men in the 2002 murder of Run-DMCs DJ Jam Master Jay entered its final stage Thursday with the beginning of jury deliberations. The men, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., were charged in August 2020 with murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking and firearm-related murder for fatally shooting the artist, whose real name is Jason Mizell. Jordan is also facing eight additional drug-distribution counts. Jordan, 40, was arrested on Sunday, August 16, 2020; Washington, 59, was in federal prison for a string of gunpoint robberies around New York City some 17 years ago when the indictment came down. Washington, who was sentenced to 210 months behind bars for these robberies, was supposed to be released in April 2021 had the indictment not come down. During opening statements on January 29, prosecutor Miranda Gonzalez told jurors, It was motivated by greed and revenge.

The defendants allegedly carried out the cold-blooded murder of Jason Mizell, a brazen act that has finally caught up with them thanks to the dedicated detectives, agents, and prosecutors who never gave up on this case, thenActing Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme said in a statement at the time of their indictment. The charges announced today begin to provide a measure of justice to the family and friends of the victim, and make clear that the rule of law will be upheld, whether that takes days, months, or decades.

And it has taken decades. Heres what we know about Mizells death and the trial of Jordan and Washington, now 18 years after the mainstream hip-hop pioneers murder ahead of the verdict.

Who allegedly killed Jam Master Jay?

According to federal prosecutors, Washington and Jordan burst into Mizells Jamaica, Queens, recording studio around 7:30 p.m. on October 30, 2002. Each man brandished a gun. Washington pointed his gun at one of the people in the studio and ordered this person to lie on the floor. Jordan went over to Mizell, pointed his gun at him, and fired two shots at close range, court papers claim. One shot hit Mizell in the head, killing him. The other shot hit another person in the leg, prosecutors claim.

A November 1, 2002, New York Times article provides more details on the circumstances. Mizell and the other man, identified in this report as Uriel Rincon, were playing Xbox in the studio lounge when the men busted in. The shooter, identified as Jordan, reportedly fired at Mizell at such close range that his pistol left powder burns on the producers shirt. There was a woman who sat several feet away from them at the time of this incident. In the studios control room, there were three more people  the studios co-owner, a rapper from Albany, and the womans friend, per the newspaper.

Why did Jordan and Washington allegedly kill Jam Master Jay?

Federal prosecutors claim that Mizell was involved in bringing kilogram quantities of cocaine to the New York City area from 1996 to 2002. Mizell allegedly obtained some 10 kilos on consignment from a Midwest-based supplier in July 2002. Washington, Jordan, and other co-conspirators were supposed to handle distribution in Maryland. But there was a dispute between Washington and at least some of these co-conspirators, prompting Mizell to tell Washington that he was cut out of this deal. After this disagreement, Washington and Jordan plotted to kill Mizell, court papers claim. Jordan and Mizell were neighbors. Court papers indicate that Jordan rapped.

Who testified during the three-week trial?

Prosecutors called Mizells longtime friend, Uriel Tony Rincon, to the stand as an eyewitness in the shooting. On the night of the murder, Rincon said, he and Mizell were playing Madden at the recording studio when Jordan and Washington showed up, according to the New York Post. Rincon told jurors that Jordan directly approached Mizell and gave him a half-handshake before opening fire. Mizell, he said, essentially fell on him and Little D had to shake him off himself, referring to Jordan by his nickname. A bullet struck Rincon in his left leg during the chaos. Per the Post, Rincon said that he recognized the shooter to be Jordan  Mizells godson  because of his facial profile and neck tattoo. Rincon told jurors that he didnt ID Jordan as the shooter for years because he was scared for himself and his family. But in May 2017, Rincon said, he decided to tell cops, saying that Mizells family had a right to the truth, the Post said. I felt that [Mizells] wife and children needed closure and they should know what took place. On cross-examination, Rincon was asked about why he had lied to cops by telling them he couldnt identify the shooter. I was scared and I couldnt believe what I saw, Rincon claimed.

Another eyewitness, JMJ Records business manager Lydia High, also testified. High told jurors that she was reviewing documents when a person walked into the studio that evening and came up to Mizell. While she didnt identify that person, she recalled some details about their appearance that also seemed applicable to Jordan, such as a neck tattoo, according to the Associated Press. While the person and Mizell exchanged a friendly-sounding greeting, High recalled hearing an expletive followed by gunfire. I was  I was  I was frantic and shocked, the AP quoted her as saying. High tied to flee but, she alleged, Washington told her to get on the floor.

Who else testified for the prosection?

Yarrah Concepcion, an aspiring singer who was at the studio that night, said she was in the control room with Mizells colleagues, Randy Allen and Michael Rapley, when shots rang out, per Pix11. Concepcion testified that she tried to push the window-unit AC out to flee, but then hid behind the love seat. When Concepcion came out, she recalled, Rincon was on the sofa, shouting in pain, and then she saw Mizell on the floor. His brain stuff came out of his head. I just started dry-heaving. I almost threw up. I knew he was gone, Concepcion reportedly said. Describing her emotional state, Concepcion said, I was frantic.

Another witness, Yusuf Abdur-Rahman, said that he knew Washington from his time in Brooklyn federal jail in 2011. Asked by prosecutors what Washington told him, Abdur-Rahman said, That he had murdered Jam Master Jay, Courthouse News reported. Another witness, Jordans former roommate, Cherubin Bastien, said he had confessed to the murder. Bastien said that Mizells murder had come up several times during conversations with Jordan. Once, Bastien recalled, Jordan said, If I got to kill him, Ill kill him again. Bastien claimed that he heard Jordan tell a woman during an argument, Ill do you like him, like Master Jay, the New York Daily News reported.

Did the defense put on a case?

Jordans team decided not to call any witnesses. Washingtons team called one witness, memory expert Dr. Geoffrey Loftus, per Pix11. Loftus described how memories can change over time and be impacted when one learns things after an event. Peoples mental functioning including the ability to memorize appearance of people around them is diminished, Courthouse News quoted Loftus as saying.

Is anyone else facing charges in the case?

Yes. On May 30, 2023, a new indictment came down charging another man, Jay Bryant, in the murder. Officials said that Bryant left behind a piece of clothing with his DNA on it at the murder scene. Bryant, 50, will not go on trial right now, however. His case was severed, meaning he wont be tried with his co-defendants, and he will go on trial in 2026.

The Feds said that Bryant was present at the murder and entered the studio alongside Washington and Jordan. After the shooting, all three allegedly fled. Per court papers, he was observed entering the building immediately before the shooting and an article of clothing left at the crime scene contained Bryants DNA. They note that Bryant later admitted to participating in the murder, claiming to one associate that he was in fact the shooter, but the Feds dont believe that hes the gunman. Indeed, prosecutors wrote in a document: The evidence does not support Bryants claim that he was the shooter, and the evidence at trial will prove that Jordan was the individual that shot Mizell.

Why did it take 22 years to try them?

DuCharme said there were a lot of challenges associated with bringing that case during a press conference in August 2020. He did not offer more specifics on those difficulties. Court papers describe circumstances that might have made witnesses hesitant about coming forward. Prosecutors said they knew about three separate witnesses that Jordan endeavored to silence through threats and coercion, alleging that he had also enlisted others to do so on his behalf. When Washington was implicated in a robbery case around 2007, another witness told authorities that he had tried to intimidate the witness and prevent him/her from cooperating with law enforcement. Without clear info about what went down that night, theories circulated for years about who was responsible. As for the lag between their indictment and trial, it routinely takes years for cases to go before a jury.

What were some of the theories?

According to the Times article, published shortly after Mizells murder, some cops theories on motive included a music-industry feud  but a solid answer remained elusive. Police reportedly thought that Mizells murder might relate to a grudge against 50 Cent, whom Mizell had signed to his label, JMJ Records, at the time. One of the theories is that somebody was trying to get back at 50 Cent by taking out Mizell, a police official reportedly told the newspaper. The In Da Club rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, was expected to perform at Mars 2112 in midtown the evening of Mizells death. Cops went there following Mizells murder; Jacksons show was canceled and cops gave him security. The same high-ranking NYPD official also reportedly said: It could have been as simple as a bad business deal  someone who wasnt happy with their level of success and killed him.

So how did cops finally get Jordan and Washington?

Eyewitnesses at Mizells 24/7 Studio that evening identified them at some point, officials said. They also claim that Washington has made various admissions  both to law enforcement and third parties  that corroborate his involvement in both the murder and the underlying narcotics conspiracy. Jordan and Washingtons alleged efforts to scare witnesses and otherwise obstruct justice also show consciousness of guilt evidence that implicates them, prosecutors allege. The Feds had previously alleged that Washington participated in Mizells killing when he was found guilty in the 2007 robbery case. His lawyer in that case, Susan Kellman, told the Times she thought they were bringing it up to secure a more severe sentence. I had a sense that somebody whispered something in their ear to get themselves out of trouble, Kellman reportedly remarked of the past allegation, also saying that Washington always maintained he wasnt Mizells murderer. When he heard the allegation, he was laughing; he said, Good one. Prosecutors previously said that Washington was a suspect in the 1995 shooting death of Randy Walker, who was close to Tupac, per the Associated Press. Publicly available information does not make clear when witnesses allegedly identified the men, nor the person whom Kellman thinks might have spoken to authorities.

Have Jordan and Washington said anything about the indictment?

At Jordans video arraignment in August 2020, defense attorney Michael Hueston said Jordan was entering a plea of not guilty to all counts. Jordan was held pending trial. Hueston did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Jordan. At Washingtons video arraignment Tuesday afternoon, Kellman entered a not-guilty plea for Washington.

What else have the Feds said about the men?

In response to one of Jordans unsuccessful requests for release on bond, federal prosecutors said there was plentiful evidence against him, including his music, and claimed his defense fell flat. They also said that Jordan had dealt drugs for decades, up until his arrest.

As for the drugs, the Feds said evidence against Jordan includes numerous photographs and videos of Jordan holding stacks of hundred-dollar bills and other denominations of money; photographs and videos of Jordan wearing and examining diamond-encrusted jewelry. In one music video, they said, Jordan is rapping that he has 100 pounds on the flip  a reference to reselling or flipping a quantity of narcotics  and 30 in the clip  a reference to the amount of ammunition in a semiautomatic firearm.

They also said there are music-video clips where Jordan references his possession and use of firearms.

So, what has Jordan claimed?

Jordans team said he has cited alibi witnesses and DNA hit identifying another suspect in his bond attempt. Prosecutors said, Both witnesses have close familial and financial ties to Jordan. They both also have denied any knowledge of Jordans narcotics trafficking and claim to be unaware of whether he had a job or how he makes a living. Prosecutors also claimed that Jordan tried to strong-arm others so they wouldnt testify against him. The government is aware of four separate witnesses that Jordan endeavored to identify and silence through threats and coercion and has enlisted others to do so on his behalf, they wrote.

What kind of prison time do they face?

A lot. If theyre found guilty, each man is facing a minimum of 20 years to a maximum of life in federal lockup. While the death penalty is a possible sentence in a case with these charges, Attorney General Merrick Garland in June directed Brooklyn federal prosecutors not to seek the death penalty against them.
Barry Keoghan and Austin Butler serve in Masters of the Airs portrayal of the U.S. Air Forces 100th Bomb Group, nicknamed the Bloody Hundredth. Photo: Apple TV+

Befitting its title, Masters of the Air is sublime when its in flight, staging several incredible combat sequences in an arena thats holy in its beauty and ungodly in its capacity for death. At times, nothing but brilliant blue stretches out for miles around the armada of WWII bombers piloted by our protagonists; in others, theres no room for anything but fire, bullets, and wreckage falling in every direction. That juxtaposition of carnage and resplendence runs through Masters of the Air, which maintains a schoolboys gaze for the miraculous wonder of flight. Unfortunately, when it turns that gaze to ground level, the series view of men at war becomes far less interesting and more treacly than that of its predecessors.

Based on Donald Millers 2006 book of the same name, Masters of the Air rounds out a triptych of TV megaprojects about American soldiers during World War II from executive producers Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. After the two collaborated on Saving Private Ryan in 1998, they made the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, which expanded on the brutal realism of that film to meditate on the cost of service and the imperfect relationships forged along the way. Premiering two days before 9/11 and now a pillar of the Dad Show canon, Band of Brothers walks the delicate line between dutiful paean to the 101st Airborne Division and something more complicated. Its style was old-fashioned even for the time, with a stoic patriotism contrasting the critical edge of the great Vietnam War movies, but it still managed a potent mix of maudlin and moving. Nearly a decade later, The Pacific reprised the project with sharper teeth, focusing on the Allied conflict with Japan with greater interest in both viscera and the Marines impulse to dehumanize their Asian enemy; they came off less as a band of brothers than as a band of misfits, ambivalent about the rules of engagement.

Little of that ambivalence is explored in Masters of the Air, which presents a war story with the frictionless sheen of any new Apple product. Premiering January 26 on Apple TV+, its nine episodes primarily follow the exploits of the U.S. Air Forces 100th Bomb Group, whose pilots flew Boeings legendarily speedy B-17, or Flying Fortress, on bombing runs across Europe. The unit was famously accomplished and famously brutalized, nicknamed the Bloody Hundredth for its exceptional losses: By the wars end, the 100th had lost 177 planes and more than 700 airmen. While Masters of the Air follows multiple characters throughout the show, its arguable leads are Majors Gale Buck Cleven (Austin Butler, pleasantly terrible doing an accent that sounds like Steve McQueen by way of Elvis) and John Bucky Egan (Callum Turner), with an ensemble that includes Nate Mann as dashing jazz enthusiast Major Robert Rosie Rosenthal; a reliably excellent Barry Keoghan as punch-happy Lieutenant Curtis Biddick; and Anthony Boyle as underdog navigator Harry Crosby, who serves as narrator throughout the series.

Masters of the Air is best in the opening stretch, which situates viewers into the rhythms and perils of life in the 100th. Being part of a bomb squadron is a uniquely terrifying proposition: in most cases, you are the very large, very specific thing every enemy plane intends to kill. With directorial duties split between Cary Joji Fukunaga (whose on-set behavior was the subject of troubling allegations), Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, Dee Rees, and Tim Van Patten, the show is genuinely excellent when its evoking the intensity and claustrophobia that comes with being shoved into a metal pill and tasked with flying into enemy territory. Soaring above the clouds, the airmen may get shot, struck by shrapnel, burn alive, or simply fall out. And if they were to suffer the mixed fortune of escaping a nose-diving plane but land behind enemy lines, they must then contend with the possibility of capture, injury, hostile civilians, or simply being shot in the head. A standout sequence in the third episode illustrates the all-encompassing danger of a bombing run, as we follow the 100th getting devastated during a costly attack on Regensburg.

Soon, the units dwindling ranks becomes a source of psychological stress for the airmen, and how they deal with being routinely sent out to their likely deaths is one of the most interesting things about the show. However, further exploration of that psychological stress gets cut short around the series midpoint, as Masters of Air repeatedly shifts focus to cover more narrative ground. Some time is spent on the French resistance, and later even more time is spent down in the doldrums of a POW camp. One episode breaks from the 100ths perspective to explore the Tuskegee Airmen, featuring performances by Ncuti Gatwa, Branden Cook, and Josiah Cross. Directed by Rees, its one of the more compelling installments in Masters of the Airs dramatically uneven back stretch, and the lone instance in which the aerial combat revolves around agile fighter planes as opposed to the hulking bombers. But its inclusion comes far too late, feeling more than a little tacked on.

Thats far from the shows biggest problem, though, an honor that goes to a discernible lack of nuance that distinguishes it from its predecessors. The series eschews the lived-in realism of Band of Brothers and The Pacific in favor of a more stylized aesthetic that feels, at times, comic book-adjacent. Butler plays Cleven as such a throwback  his drawl has so much gravel in it youd expect him to spit some out  that its hard not to see him as a caricature. Turner gets to do more as Egan, who struggles with drink and anger, but the character as written would still fit perfectly into the melodrama of Pearl Harbor. Meanwhile, the show merely nods at the thornier threads of the American wartime experience. In one scene, a German officer interrogating Richard Macon, one of the Tuskegee Airmen played by Josiah Cross, tries to bait the captured lieutenant by bringing up Americas segregation of Black people. Why would you fight for a country that treats you like that? asks the German. Do you know any other country thats better? Macon replies. I know its trying hard to become what it says its supposed to be. And when I get back, Im going to help them do it a lot faster.

Its a clap-line, a beat meant to be charged with the oomph of patriotism. But the moment glides over the complexities baked into the officers provocation, with the punch of Macons response diminished by the insufficient time spent getting to know him or any of his squadron-mates beyond their midair exploits. For all of this shows thrills and technical glory in the skies, that scene is Masters of the Air in a nutshell: underbaked, uncomplicated, and determined to sail along the surface.
More than a decade after it was first rumored as the basis for another prestige-TV look back at the Good War from the same Spielberg-Hanks Military Nostalgia Complex that brought you Band of Brothers and The Pacific, Donald L. Millers 2007 Masters of the Air: Americas Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany has at last come to your Apple TVs. Read along as we meet the suspiciously handsome flying men of the 100th Bombardment Group (Heavy), a detachment of the Eighth Army Force that arrived in England in the summer of 1943.

The unit would become known as the The Bloody Hundredth for the devastating losses it sustained throughout its deployment. So prepare yourselves to watch many charming and charismatic actors be killed off over the course of nine episodes.

I think Ridley Scotts 2002 adaptation of Mark Bowdens nonfiction book Black Hawk Down was the first time I noticed that in 21st-century dramatizations of real events involving real American soldiers, those Americans tended to be played by Brits, Scots, Irishmen, or Australians. Masters of the Air carries on the puzzling casting trend: Its top three characters, at least in this premiere episode, are based on and named for real veterans of the war.

As Major Gale Buck Cleven, Austin Butler counts as at least three Americans for having played Elvis. Just behind him as Major John Bucky Egan and Major Harry Crosby, respectively, are Englishman Callum Turner and Irishman Anthony Boyle. (Boyle provides sparse but clarifying narration throughout, probably because the real Crosby lived to publish a memoir of his experience in the Bloody Hundredth called A Wing and a Prayer in 1993 and didnt die until 2010.)

The Irishman doing the most comical I came heah from New Yahk to kill gnat-zees accent is Barry Keoghan. Masters of the Airs COVID-delayed production began nearly three years ago, meaning Keoghan likely shot his part prior to his memorable semen-laced-bathwater-drinking turn in Saltburn. He plays Lieutenant Curtis Biddick, who doesnt get much time in Millers book.

Co-executive producer and writer John Orloff seems uniquely qualified to spin Millers deeply researched, small-print doorstop into nine hours of stirring onscreen aerial derring-do, having been a writer on Band of Brothers and Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Gahoole.

The episode opens quietly, with Butler and Turners Buck and Bucky, respectively, in an officers club in their dress uniforms, entertaining a pair of lady companions. Bucky is dancing with a woman to whom Bucks steady girl, Marge, has only just introduced him. A couple of unnamed officers doing shots at the bar express their envy that Bucky will be the first among them to ship out to England. (We dont know where we are, but I infer were at the 100ths home field in Kearney, Nebraska.) Marge tells Buckys new friend how it is that these two inseparable pals came by the easily confused nicknames Buck and Bucky.

This scene establishes their dynamic: Though theyre both overflowing with confidence, the soft-spoken, teetotaling Buck is of the unshowy variety, while the hard-drinking, free-flirting Bucky prefers to be the life of the party. This makes Bucky an odd fit for the job that has him shipping out to England ahead of the others: air executive of the 100th. When Buck points out to Bucky that thats a desk job, Bucky tells his friend that hes arranged to fly with the 389th bomb group as an observation pilot until his brothers in the 100th arrive a few weeks later. Someones gotta taste a little combat and tell you what its really like up there, Bucky grins.

What Its Really Like Up There could be the mission statement for the show.

Just that quickly, director Cary Joji Fukunaga, whos been keeping a low profile in the last couple of years after allegations of abusing his power that are entirely unrelated to the fact he killed James Bond, cuts from this warm, inviting bar to the flaming husk of a B-24, where Bucky, in the co-pilot seat, is issuing instructions  orders, youd call them, were he not a mere observer in this crew  to dive into a cloud bank to extinguish a fire in one of the bombers four engines.

Its May 21, 1943, our first title card tells us, and Luftwaffe fighters over Wilhelmshaven, Germany, are menacing the 389th bomb group. The tail gunner of this ships crew is also its navigator, which becomes a problem when the pilot calls for an escape heading, and the gunner-navigator replies that hes been hit in an exchange with one of the fighters. Bucky crawls down out of the cockpit to treat the gunners chest wound and consult the map so his pilot can bring the crew home. He might be a party boy, but his executive presence while urging that wounded gunner to keep his eyes open is persuasive. You believe a bomber crew (ten men aboard the B-17s flown by the 100th) or a bomb group (350 men) would follow him with their lives on the line.

Are you wondering what to tell your guys? the B-24 pilot asks Bucky once theyre safely back on the ground. Dont say anything. Theyll figure it out. We all do.

After a stirring title sequence, our first narration comes in, though we dont yet know that navigator Harry Crosby is the person speaking to us. Most of us had never traveled far from home, let alone flown in an airplane, he says. We came from every corner of the country with a common purpose: to bring the war to Hitlers doorstep. Its a good line, and it sets up the contrast between these newly minted American airmen and their English allies, who, at this point, have already had Der Fuhrer on their doorstep for nearly four years.

The 100th bomb group is flying from the U.S. to RAF Thorpe Abbotts in East Anglia, England, which will be its home for the next two years, with a rest-and-refueling stop at Bluie West One Airfield in South Greenland. Winds are high as the group approaches its Greenland way station, and the landings are dicey. The crews need the drinks they enjoy at Bluie Wests base bar afterward.

Crosbys narration introduces us to some of the other principals as the camera glides past them in a long tracking shot through the bar, Goodfellas-style. The sergeant minding the bar tells Buck that his friend Bucky tore the place up a few weeks prior, and we cut to East Anglia, where Bucky is wreaking genial havoc in a different pub. But he wins a bet, securing both a kiss from a woman at the bar and a pair of bicycles  useful at Thorpe Abbotts, we learn, given the long distances between your bunk and the canteen  for himself and his pal. Bucky cheerfully bellows Blue Skies, his signature song, while steering his bike with one hand and towing Bucks with the other through the English rain and mud back to base.

His brothers in the 100th are having a tougher time reaching their destination. A B-17 commanded by a Captain John Brady (Ben Radcliffe, another Brit) has become separated from the formation due to dense cloud cover and an electrical problem the crew is trying to diagnose. Also, this fort, as the crews refer to their B-17 Flying Fortresses, has as its navigator our man Crosby. Poor Crosby is puking his guts out, which is how he accidentally directs Captain Brady not to friendly England, but to occupied France. The crew discovers the error when the sky before them lights up with flak  anti-aircraft fire.

At Thorpe Abbotts, the citizenry of East Anglia marvels at the site of B-17s touching down. Its a reunion of Buck and Bucky. The men and aircraft of the 100th have made it to England before much of their equipment has  Bucky tells Buck hes had to borrow parachutes and altitude masks from the Brits. When Buck says thats a problem for the air exec, Bucky says the guy should be fired. He really does not want this job.

Captain Bradys ship finally finds its way to Thorpe Abbotts, where that electrical problem turns out to have rendered one of the bombers landing gear inoperative. Brady brings the aircraft down into a belly landing, the crew fleeing the ship until the risk of explosion has passed. Its here that we get our glimpse at yet another handsome Englishman, Raff Law, son of Jude, as Sergeant Ken Lemmons. (Lemmons was a ground crew chief commanding 15 men tasked with keeping the Hundredths bombers airworthy.)

Air exec Bucky is relieved to find the crew unharmed. There are two kinds of pilots, he tells Captain Brady. Those whove had a wheels-up landing, and those who will. He asks Captain Brady how he lost the group, and Brady mentions the electrical failure but not his airsick and disoriented navigator. Brady tells a grateful Crosby that he wasnt covering for him and that if he cant keep his breakfast down, hed better find another crew.

The 100ths C.O., Colonel Harold Huglin (Nikolai Kinski, son of Klaus!), dresses down Bucky for not enforcing stricter discipline as air exec. Bucky asks to be relieved of that job and made a squadron commander again. Weve seen Starfleets captain James T. Kirk in this position once or twice. Exhibiting the Spartan discipline he expects his unit to maintain, Huglin, who has been sipping milk throughout this scene, waits until hes dismissed Bucky to spit up blood all over his desk.

The next scene is, Crosby tells us, the Last Supper  the predawn of a mission day, aircrews got a generous breakfast, far better than their usual rations. Colonel Huglin briefs the 100th on their first mission: to attack the German submarine pens at Bremen. These U-boats have been sinking dozens of Allied ships each month, preventing supplies and equipment from England. The aircrews can expect 88-mm. and 105-mm. anti-aircraft guns to try to shoot them down en route to Bremen. After the briefing, a chaplain stops by the 100th quarters to remind them that hes available. Bucky insists that Buck take his lucky deuce, the two-dollar bill to which he attributes having survived the two missions hes flown, which is two more than Buck has under his belt.

In his book, Miller describes what happens next  the short jeep drive from the quarters to the flight line  as the most frightening part of the mission to many pilots. Most of them look terrified here, but Buck projects confidence. Lets rack em up and knock em down is a bowling metaphor, I guess? It sounds like the kind of thing you want the leader of your squadron to say.

More Crosby narration explains the B-17 carried a dozen machine guns, and the defensive strategy of the bomb group was to fly in tight formations, denying Luftwaffe interceptors the chance to pick them off individually (in theory).

As Bucks ship reaches 10,000 feet, he orders the crew to check in. Their belly-turret gunner is secured in the hole, a plexiglass bubble protruding from the bottom of the airplane. Having a pair of .50 caliber guns at your command doesnt leave the gunner assigned to this position any less confined or exposed. The clouds are thick enough that Buck orders a flair launched to help the other ships in the group find him. The B-17s have drifted dangerously close to one another. Another one loses an engine, preventing it from keeping pace with the others, and is forced to turn back. Its a forceful illustration of a Miller returns to frequently: The environment above 10,000 in a 1943 airplane was at least as dangerous to aircrews as the Nazis trying to kill them.

The soup hasnt cleared at all by the time the anti-aircraft gunners open up. The command pilot makes the call to scrub the mission. I am not dropping bombs if we cant see the damn target, he says, describing what was, again, a philosophical difference between the newly arrived Americans and the Brits whod been enduring Luftwaffe bombing raids for the better part of four years. As the flak clears, the crews realize that enemy fighters are inbound.

The horror of what shells designed to be fired by airplanes at other airplanes do when they strike a human body is briefly but disgustingly represented in the melee that follows, wherein three B-17s go down in flames. This sequence introduces another deadly menace chronicled in Millers book: frostbite. A gunner makes the thoughtless mistake of removing his gloves to try to clear a jam. As he touches those metal cannons at 50 degrees below zero, his hands effectively turn to stone.

As three fewer planes and 30 fewer airmen land at Thorpe Abbotts than took off that morning, the losses register on the faces of the ground crews. Colonel Huglin steps out of his ship, spits up more blood, and collapses.

The episode ends as it began, with Bucky and Buck in quiet conference. Buck asks why his friend didnt warn him what he was about to experience. I didnt know what to say, Bucky tells him. Youve seen it now.

I dont know what I saw, Buck says.

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Su Zhu, co-founder of collapsed cryptocurrency hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, described his prison time as "enjoyable" after being freed last month, as the disgraced entrepreneur moves on to promote a new exchange with links to Hong Kong.

Zhu, who was arrested in Singapore last September for failing to cooperate with investigations into the collapse of his crypto hedge fund, commended the prison experience in video clips he shared on Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter.

"Obviously no one wants to go to prison," Zhu said in the clips, which he said are part of an upcoming podcast. "But I think that it's actually a really enjoyable experience overall."

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Although he is "not to the point of highly recommending it per se ... it's something that if everyone got to experience once, I think it's definitely good for you," Zhu said.

Su Zhu (top right), co-founder of collapsed cryptocurrency hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, describes his "enjoyable" experience in a Singapore prison after his September 2023 arrest in a podcast recording in January 2024. Photo: X / SCHIZO_FREQ alt=Su Zhu (top right), co-founder of collapsed cryptocurrency hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, describes his "enjoyable" experience in a Singapore prison after his September 2023 arrest in a podcast recording in January 2024. Photo: X / SCHIZO_FREQ>

Among the benefits of his jail time were improved sleep, he added, owing to the mandatory lights-off time from 9.30pm to 5.30am and no access to the internet, alcohol or caffeine.

"I had the best sleep of my life in prison," he said.

Sleeping on a mat on the floor took some getting used to, he said, but it gave him a "magical feeling".

Story continues

"You feel a kinship with your ancestors," Zhu said. "Because it's like, this is how I was supposed to live."

While some commenters on X cheered Zhu's comments as inspirational, some also poked fun at the founder, with one user calling it "the craziest level of coping I have ever in my life seen".

Three Arrows Capital, once one of the largest crypto hedge funds in the world, imploded in June 2022 after a series of leveraged investments blew up, leading to a number of other crypto firm collapses and fuelling a US$2 trillion crypto market rout.

Zhu was arrested as he was attempting to leave Singapore at Changi Airport last September for failing to cooperate with liquidation investigations.

The founder swapped prison for home detention at the end of November and his sentence ended on December 20, Zhu said in an interview on X Spaces. In that interview, he said he had turned the page on Three Arrows and is focusing on his new project, a crypto exchange named OPNX.

Zhu co-founded OPNX in April last year with Kyle Davies, another Three Arrows co-founder, among others. The founding team also includes Mark Lamb, the former CEO of collapsed crypto derivatives exchange CoinFlex.

As has been common in the industry, OPNX has not listed a location for its headquarters. However, it registered an office in Hong Kong's Central business district last May, with Lamb listed as a director, according to government records. That was just ahead of the city's new virtual asset regulation taking effect in June, which gave exchanges with an existing presence a one-year window to get licensed.

The company told crypto news outlet The Block last April that it had relocated to Hong Kong, a decision supported by OPNX investors.

OPNX did not immediately respond to a request for comment about its presence in Hong Kong or plans to comply with the city's new crypto regulations.

Hong Kong introduced the regulation last year to offer greater regulatory clarity to the crypto industry as it seeks to become a global virtual asset hub. The new scheme requires all centralised crypto trading platforms that either conduct business in Hong Kong or actively market to investors in the city to be licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission.

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.
The Taste of Things is in theaters February 9. Photo: Danielle Levitt

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In a small photography studio in Pariss 11th Arrondissement, Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel are arguing  about everything from how they raised their child to whether or not theyve competed with each other for camera time. They have a lot of ground to cover. Binoche, 59, and Magimel, 49, first met in 1999, co-starring as famous writers and on-again-off-again lovers George Sand and Alfred de Musset in Diane Kuryss romantic period epic The Children of the Century (Les Enfants du Siecle). They fell in love on set and had a daughter, Hana, only to break up five years later. The two didnt have much meaningful contact over the next 20 years until they were cast as a couple again in The Taste of Things, Frances 2024 Oscar submission from Vietnamese French director Tran Anh Hung.

Hungs film, which won him Best Director at this years Cannes, is based on the 1920 novel The Passionate Epicure and tells the story of an ebullient 19th-century French gastronome named Dodin (Magimel) and his longtime personal chef and sometimes lover, Eugenie (Binoche), whom hes desperate to marry but whos been calmly turning him down for 20-plus years in the interest of maintaining her personal freedom. Its a lush, mouthwatering, often erotic visual feast, beginning with a carefully choreographed 30-minute cooking sequence. Eventually, it turns into a meditation on mortality, loss, and the difficulty of moving on, but it never loses its essential joie de vivre. Its a story that is in some ways an alternate-dimension version of Binoche and Magimels own, and in talking about it, they dive into the history of their relationship. At times, Magimel seems taken aback by how personal our conversation gets, but Binoche is squarely in her comfort zone, directly addressing various conflicts theyve had over the years and occasionally pausing in the middle of a sentence to tilt back her head and laugh. Not to do therapy in front of a journalist, she jokes at one point, before launching back into the debate.

When did you first become aware of one another? What had you seen of the others work?

Juliette Binoche: Id seen Benoit in Andre Techines Les Voleurs. I was impressed by his freedom  how natural he was in front of the camera. I met him for the first time at a restaurant with the director of Les Enfants du Siecle. [Addressing Magimel] You put your cigarette in your mouth exactly the same way you did in the film. There was something sexy, at ease about it. I was wondering how it was going to be between us. I felt like he was quite impressed.

With you?

J.B.: Yes. Werent you impressed with me?

Benoit Magimel: Yes. Subconsciously, I was already in the film. I felt like I was passing a test. I was trying to have a big effect on her with the cigarette.

Did it work?

J.B.: It had some impact, I think.

When did you start to develop actual feelings for each other? Was it that early?

J.B.: On the first day of shooting, we were in the car and you took my hand. And it shocked me! I thought, Who does he think he is? So I started to put some distance between us.

B.M.: It was just a friendly thing. A way to get over the discomfort you can have on the first day. I think I was trying to break the ice, to say, We can do this. Were gonna do this film together.

J.B.: And I took it personally.

Juliette, what did it look like to put some distance between you?

J.B.: I didnt want to be hurt. It was as simple as that. I had a conversation with Benoit saying, You know, we shouldnt mix life and acting because its so confusing. And it can be very hurtful. And then you took a lot of distance, but very obviously. You underlined the distance.

B.M.: I did. I remember it well. I hate when you think youre the character youre playing, and you use the role to play out a real love story. You get confused. I dont like that  theres no substance; its not solid. I always heard about that happening in cinema, and I was uncomfortable with it. So that wasnt my goal at all. Id have preferred for us to get together after the film. Falling for each other really came as a surprise.

When did you decide, Okay, screw it. Lets do it?

J.B.: When he took an obvious distance with me, he made me feel that he didnt want to have any relationship.

B.M.: I was ignoring her completely. I gave the rest of the crew lots of attention.

J.B.: I read so much into what he was doing. And then I thought, Okay, Ive gotta go for it.

Was that your plan all along, Benoit?

B.M.: No, I just thought, Okay, Ill stop being who I am, out of what I thought was generosity. I thought maybe we could be friends. That attraction between us was always there. It had a life of its own. You have to keep your emotions in check. So when she said, Back off, honey!  theres nothing worse than hearing that. I was like, Okay, no problem. Ill start ignoring you and Ill seduce everybody else!

J.B.: So I called him. And I said, I think I have feelings for you. While we were still shooting.

What made you decide to do that?

J.B.: I just thought it was ridiculous. I could feel we had feelings for each other, and we needed to grow up and tell each other we wanted it.

B.M.: I said, Okay, but not right away. We gotta wait.

J.B.: He made me wait two days.

B.M.: I was afraid wed be mixing everything up. But then there was a scene where the director, Diane, lost her shit, when she put us in a little corner  they didnt have time to do a tracking shot, and it created tension. We were trying our best, but we couldnt get the scene right.

J.B.: What scene was that?

B.M.: It was in Venice. You and I were thick as thieves, complicit, laughing a lot, and that upset her. She got mad at us because we couldnt get it together.

The Children of the Century, 1999. Photo: RGR Collection/Alamy Stock Photo

In the movie, theyre having that same argument: Can we be together and also be artistic collaborators? They try to resist each other for half the movie until they finally get together. Was the metatextual experience something you talked about?

J.B.: I didnt think of that at the time. Maybe unconsciously it came into my mind. But as actors, youre always playing so many stories. It does seem like we were meant to meet. Because we do have this big age difference.

B.M.: Not that big! No, we were just living life, I think. The film was becoming secondary to me.

Juliette, did you feel that way too?

B.M.: No. Shes work, work, work.

J.B.: You have to give your best for the best film.

B.M.: Doesnt mean that you cant also live life. You breathe when you wrap the film, but you have to keep breathing during it, too.

J.B.: I remember something that really touched me. Every Friday night, the production was doing feasts and parties. I was dancing, and there was an older man who was kind of weird. He wasnt from the shoot; I wonder if he was homeless. He always wanted to dance with me, and I wanted to be nice, so Id dance once and then again. And you came to save me. And we were not together yet. You took me away from this person, and we started dancing.

B.M.: Nobody else stepped in?

J.B.: Nobody else tried to help me with this situation. I was very touched because it felt like you were protecting me. You came not as a seductor but as a protector.

What was the experience of acting opposite each other once youd decided to be together? Was it easier or more difficult?

J.B.: The only thing is in intimate scenes; when youre with each other, it feels too intimate. You dont want to show this real intimacy because it feels not in the right spot. Its freer when youre not in a relationship. Because youre not feeling youre showing that intimacy to the camera.

B.M.: I agree.

Theres that old idea that actors have more chemistry and tension if they dont actually get together. Do you buy into that?

J.B.: Actors re-create life. Thats what were here for. So it helps when you have somebody you can work with. At the beginning, you were quite competitive with me. Do you remember that?

B.M.: Not at all.

J.B.: I thought you were a bit starletlike. You were afraid you werent getting in the shot.

B.M.: I was a total gentleman! I would always go and see the camera line and say, Is everything okay? Im not hiding her? Is the lighting good?

J.B.: Really? I didnt know that.

B.M.: On the other hand, I did do a lot of gesticulating. Maybe thats what you thought was me trying to ham it up. I really didnt mean to get in your way. We both had the main roles, so we both had to jockey for space.

What else stands out from that shoot to you?

B.M.: For me, the film was very important. It was my first lead role with Juliette, a big production. I wanted to make sure the film was good. Thats what we were mostly thinking about. We were still wondering what we would become as a couple, but we never stopped feeling responsible for the quality of the film. I had such a great time making it. I have a tenderness for these characters. For Musset, he never really got over her and he never wrote so well after that. The big question is, Do you have to suffer to write well? Do you have to suffer to act well?

What do you both think?

J.B.: The experience of life gives you this dying feeling because you have to let go of a lot of values you have. In acting, in order to become something real and profound, something needs to die in you. Thats why I often experience depression when I go back to life. Because you have a perspective thats different. Your ego isnt going, Im the most this, Im the most that. You know what it is to lose, to not know, to be lost. That gives you power in the moment of acting, which is about being present. Its true to your heart and can be sensual in a way.

B.M.: Life experience is what nourishes an actor. Through living, you understand certain things. Our daughter, Hana, wanted to play Hamlet at acting school as a teenager, and I said, No, maybe you should start with Mussets Dont Play With Love, something you understand. The role of Musset came to me at a time in my life when I could really resonate with it. I was struck by that. Theres no such thing as chance; the roles you get are not by accident. How can the director know youre going through the exact thing the character is going through? Sometimes you just say, Wow, this is crazy. How could they sense that?

So you think you were fated to be in this movie, to meet in this way?

J.B.: Its a choice, but at the same time, its encountering what youre supposed to do. Destiny, but a choice of that destiny. Its like having a child together. When I proposed it to you, you said yes immediately. It needed to be done.

You proposed having a child together?

J.B.: It was not an idea. It was a feeling.

How long had you been together?

J.B.: Five, six months? I was driving in a yellow car, and we were just about to come to a red light. We passed a friends place, and I said, Id like to have a child with you. I asked you if you agreed, and you said yes.

And how long after that were you pregnant?

J.B.: [Snaps her fingers.] Benoit came with a suitcase two weeks after the end of the shooting. I was living in Vaucresson, 20 minutes outside of Paris. When we started living together, he really took care of my son [Raphael, who was 6 at the time and whose father is Binoches ex Andre Halle] in the most beautiful way. Like a father. Thats why I wanted to have a child with him, because I saw how wonderful he was with children. When you see a man taking care, really getting involved in a family thats already done, its overwhelming.

B.M.: We had the same first name in our minds for our child  Hana  without knowing it. These things seem to be written. Thats how I simplify life.

The Cesar Awards, 2002. Photo: Pool Benainous /Stevens/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

How did you balance being busy working actors while raising a family?

B.M.: Its complicated to have a stable life when youre an actor. You have to make choices. The hardest thing is to stay present, because you cant replace your absences.

J.B.: One of the painful turning points in our relationship was when I wanted to do theater in New York on Broadway. As an actress, its quite amazing, and Im a theater actress to start with. Benoit thought I shouldnt do it, and I wanted to do it. That separated us, really. Benoit felt abandoned, and I felt abandoned as well, because he wouldnt understand why I needed it and come along. Thats where we started to wobble.

Its been about 20 years since your breakup. Which is another interesting parallel, because in The Taste of Things, Dodin and Eugenie have been together for about 20 years.

J.B.: But the thing is most of the time we didnt speak much. I was trying to get ahold of Benoit more than he tried to get ahold of me. Because of having the responsibility of a child  you can imagine how much weight it has, and theres the desire to connect. Thats why starting on the set together for The Taste of Things was very moving for us.

B.M.: You were at the origin of this film project.

J.B.: I read it a year and a half before he came on, and there was already an actor that was supposed to do it. That actor dropped out, and then we asked another actor, who said yes, then also dropped out like three months before we started shooting.

Thats bad.

J.B.: Its horrible! Then Hung said, Can I give Benoit the script? I think hed already given the script to Benoit, but he wanted to see how I would react. I said, Yes, of course, but I dont think hes going to say yes. And he did. He saved the film.

B.M.: Cooking was always a thing between us. We seduce the person we love by making nice dishes for them. Its something that really spoke to me  it was meant to be. When I read the script, I cried. You always wonder when you enter a relationship with someone, How can it last? Thats what this movie is about. Its so modern. This woman is afraid of breaking the magic by getting married.

The film is incredibly moving. I think I cried through half of it, too. Can you speak a bit about the differences you saw in each other as actors, process-wise, all these years later?

J.B.: For me, the magic of the film was to be able to share present time together through what the characters were going through. Knowing they were in a long-lasting relationship, and that we didnt have that  I was already moved by that.

So it was sort of a fantasy version of what might have happened?

J.B.: Yes. When you believe in it, it becomes real in your mind, in your body, in your heart. Scientifically, theyve done research that shows your body believes what you believe. For me, there was also the frustration of not having been able to talk to Benoit. We werent succeeding in the separation, which for me means youre able to speak, to gather once in a while. Especially when you have a child. I was frustrated and a little hurt by not being able to accomplish that. So finally being in Benoits presence every day, even though it was less than four weeks, was a lot to me. I thought it was a way for our daughter to see that we can get along, that we can express feelings, even though its a film and its not our words. It felt genuinely real even though it was re-created for the film.

I asked Hana two days after she saw the film, How did you feel watching your parents play together? Was it healing? And she said, Yes. Totally. But just after she watched the film, she was overwhelmed. She hid in the restroom. I went to her and took her in my arms and she was crying, saying, I didnt know it was going to be so upsetting. And we cried together.

B.M.: I never wanted my daughter to see my films, actually. And we havent spoken about it. When she was little, I was always afraid I would take up too much space. We already take up so much space as far as who we are, being public figures. And we talk a lot about ourselves. To see the film is one more thing. If she wants to see it, great. If she wants to talk about it, great. But of course I can only imagine for her, seeing her parents, must be something 

The Taste of Things, 2024. Photo: Carole Bethuel/IFC Films

When did you realize she also wanted to be an actor?

J.B.: Early on. There was something natural in her wanting to be an actress. Exposing yourself that much can be overwhelming, so she wanted to try other things, and she did eventually go to school for editing. Shes now writing her own films.

B.M.: I was against her being an actor because everybody around her was like, Youve gotta be an actress! Theres pressure, having parents like us. But today, now, what shes doing  writing some scripts, doing some editing, she wants to be a director  I think thats great. Shes finding herself in there. She needs to find her own path.

J.B.: But at the same time, its important to face the fear of having well-known parents. It was important for her to have the courage to do it. Because you put yourself on the side, thinking, I have such well-known parents Im not going to try. But you have to go for it to know if you want to do it or not. My parents were actors as well. I didnt say, Oh, will I be able to? I was like, Fuck it! Im gonna do it! You see what Im saying? It gives you more strength.

B.M.: Thats your story. Not hers.

J.B.: But its amazing that she was brave enough to say, Yeah, Im gonna try!

B.M.: You became an actress because it was down in your guts. If she hadnt had two parents like us 

J.B.: I really believe she did it because she wanted to get inside of herself. To see if she was brave enough to do it. I believe she wanted to do Hamlet because theres a strong connection she feels with this character.

B.M.: You cant have an 18-year-old kid play Hamlet. She did it because she wanted to get closer to you. Closer to her parents.

J.B.: No! Theres something about Hamlet that speaks to her. Its to do with the relationship to the father, to death. I never said anything about Hamlet to her. Shes the one who wanted to do it.

B.M.: Its because she wanted to impress you. I asked her about the auditions, and she said she felt sick for three weeks. I said, Then you mustnt. If you do it, itll make you feel bad.

J.B.: You dont act to feel good!

B.M.: No, but she wasnt connected to it.

J.B.: Shes different, thats true.

B.M.: Shes fearful. Take you. The desire to be an actor needs to come from deep down inside. You were born for it; there was no question. Not many trajectories are like yours. You did it out of necessity.

J.B.: Out of joy! Hana wanted that joy! She wanted to experiment with that.

B.M.: And she realized it was not a joy.

J.B.: Yes and no. You have to enter into a certain form of pain, but then it becomes joy. Acting is about that transformation.

B.M.: Shes not cut out for it. When you tell her, You gotta be into it  It was too soon for her; she wanted something she wasnt ready for.

J.B.: You need to ask her again now, today. Was it too soon or not? Im not sure shed say it was. Thats how you grow up. And she wanted it! Im telling you. You know how stubborn she is. Are you going to smoke a cigarette now? [Laughs.]

[Magimel goes to the doorway to smoke, hanging the cigarette out the door with one hand as they argue for the next 15 minutes.]

I love to hear a debate about art.

J.B.: Yeah, its about art  and trusting your child! Trusting the strength you have. But he thinks he needed to protect her. Not that I dont want to protect her. But she wanted to do it so fiercely. There was no way I was going to stop her.

So did she do Hamlet?

J.B.: Yeah! She came back and had a big awareness of who her parents were. And her need for art became bigger.

Was this the conversation you had at the time about it?

J.B.: No, because he didnt want to speak too much.

Im getting a good sense of what kind of experience Hana must have had with both of you as her parents. Theres a big philosophical difference, but youre also sort of saying the same thing in different ways. Did making the film together allow you to have conversations you previously werent able to?

J.B.: No, because we were concentrating on making the film! And also because we didnt speak that much for a long time. So I was cautious about what subject matters we were going to talk about.

B.M.: Id decided to set this discussion aside. We have some different points of view. But thats a good thing, too.

So this is the first time youve talked about it?

B.M.: We talked about it a bit.

J.B.: Not that much, though. Because he was upset and I didnt know how to deal with it.

B.M.: We can talk about everything, of course, but as you can see it requires energy. Its demanding.

J.B.: I miss the conversations.

B.M.: I miss it, too.

J.B.: But at the same time, its not easy.

B.M.: At least we have a daughter were very proud of. Thats the most important thing.

How has your dynamic shifted after making this film? Do you feel closer?

B.M.: Yes, its been very positive. It seems like everyone else is more interested in what it was like for us to get back together again than we are. For me it felt very natural. We know each other well. And there was a modesty between us, too.

J.B.: We did have a certain modesty or reserve between us. It helped to create the timeless feeling in the relationship they had.

Do you think youll work together again?

B.M.: We need to do it again. And not wait as long this time.

J.B.: Maybe not when Im 80. [Laughs.]
Photo: Matador Content

On January 6, 2023, a group of former politicians and officials from Americas military and intelligence services convened to role-play what the countrys next insurrection might look like. The simulation, organized by a veterans group called Vet Voice, was set on January 6, 2025, but it was designed to look like January 6, 2021, on steroids. This time, an incumbent president had narrowly defeated a demagogic challenger, who was refusing to concede. Rioters werent just gathering outside the U.S. Congress but at state capitols around the nation. The defeated candidates unhinged military advisor was calling for resistance. The U.S. military, infiltrated over the years by white nationalists, was divided, and some soldiers were refusing to follow orders.

A political thriller in documentary form, Jesse Moss and Tony Gerbers War Game follows the narrative of this simulation, showing us the breathless back and forth of the fictional president (played by former Montana governor Steve Bullock) and his advisers, the constant news updates (from a mock television channel created for the occasion), as well as the pretend insurrection leaders working overtime to inflame the situation, flooding the zone with social-media memes and ominous, threatening proclamations. We also see the nerve center of the whole exercise, where Vet Voice leaders come up with new crisis scenarios in response to the players decisions, all in an effort to, in their words, stress test the national security system. The film gathers suspense not just from what it depicts but also what it evokes: Anyone who witnessed the events of the real January 6 will find their stomach in knots, though admittedly some of us have had our stomachs in knots for years now.

Moss and Gerber clearly understand that the ticktock of this hypothetical insurgency will make for exciting cinema, but theyre also interested in how the people participating in this simulation got here. War Games most powerful moments come when it steps back from the events of this particular day to tell us more about some of the actual people involved. Among them are Kristofer Goldsmith and Chris Jones, two veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who are role-playing as leaders of the Order of Columbus, a fictional extremist organization modeled after the Oath Keepers and other real groups.

I play myself, I just play myself in a different way, says Goldsmith, who recalls joining the military soon after 9/11, only to realize he fought a war in Iraq based on lies. Unemployable and suffering from post-traumatic stress, he found himself drawn to insurgency but eventually became an investigator of Americas homegrown fascist movements. Jones is a former Marine who worked as a journalist and found himself covering the events of January 6. Why the fuck was I shooting farmers in Afghanistan while youre still breathing? he remembers thinking after watching Trumps rioters on that day. These guys understand the rage at the heart of these movements, but they also understand that any kind of counterinsurgency is doomed to lose once those in power start gunning down citizens.

There are more recognizable faces among those in the presidents inner circle, including former North Dakota senator Heidi Heitkamp playing his senior adviser and former NATO supreme allied commander (and onetime presidential candidate) Wes Clark playing the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. Former Alabama senator Doug Jones plays the attorney general, and ex-FBI agent Peter Strzok (already a target of the MAGAtocracy) plays the FBI director. You might notice that these are mostly Democratic figures, though the simulation claims to be a bipartisan one (Never Trump conservative Bill Kristol can be seen in the background among the various consultants) and Vet Voice is a nonpartisan organization.

The nature of the participants affiliations does make one think about what this exercise will really accomplish. Is it really possible to call this group bipartisan in any modern sense of the word when one of the countrys two major political parties has basically been taken over by the extreme right and now considers January 6 to be some kind of heroic rebellion? Is this group of thoughtful moderate Democrats and principled conservatives speaking to anybody but themselves? Can the War Game, played mostly by people who are out of power, really help anyone prepare for whatever insanity lies ahead of us? These are not knocks on Moss and Gerbers excellent film, but they do add an element of helplessness to the events we are witnessing. The simulation may end, but the tension never unwinds. These participants will emerge unscathed, but it seems less and less likely that the rest of us will.
Photo: Peacock

In the second episode of In the Know, Peacocks new stop-motion animated workplace comedy set at a parodic version of NPR, the shows ensemble is struggling to solicit donations when Fabian (Caitlin Reilly), the offices researcher, hops on the air in a fit of rage and begins berating the stations needle-dicked, neoliberal, piss-pants listeners into paying up. Pledges begin pouring in instantly. I guess, deep down, public-radio listeners are just a bunch of progressive pay pigs begging to get dommed, says Carl (Carl Tart), the stations audio engineer.

At its best, In the Know  co-created by The Zach Woods, Brandon Gardner, and Mike Judge  successfully doms public-radio listeners like this by highlighting their most obnoxious if relatable tendencies. Woods voices protagonist Lauren Caspian, host of the stations third-most-popular show, a man described in the series as looking like the stork who brings miscarriages. His overpowering narcissism is constantly interfering with his desperate desire to be seen as a perfect hyperprogressive ally. At one point, he jettisons a planned broadcast in favor of a sweaty, impromptu racial roundtable with Carl and the stations intern Chase (Charlie Bushnell), but then derails it to throw a tantrum about not having Carls personal phone number.

Rounding out the shows staff are Barb (J. Smith Cameron) as the shows good-natured producer and Sandy (Judge), an out-of-touch cultural critic and legal alternative for necrophiliacs based on a character Judge created in the 90s. Between its satire of NPR programming and its listeners, desire to find empathy for its characters, and balance of stop-motion animation and interviews with live-action people (including Mike Tyson, Roxane Gay, Finn Wolfhard, and Tegan and Sara), the show is constantly juggling a lot of moving parts. The effect is to achieve Woodss desire to inject nuance into the shows discussions and plots without sanctimony. Something that I wish we could all do as things are becoming ever more polarized is make fun of ourselves more, Woods says. I can acknowledge that Im full of shit in a lot of ways without implicitly co-signing the views of my opponents.

In the Know doesnt strike me as a show that appears in your head all at once fully formed. What was the original spark that led you to the shows very specific formula?

Mike Judge and I worked on Silicon Valley together, and Mike noticed that I end up asking people lots of questions because Im a little shy. But, more, its just genuine curiosity  I find most people quite interesting. He realized that I sort of default to an interview mode, and I am undeniably what someone on the right would call a beta cuck libtard, so I fit snugly in the NPR demographic. So it seemed like a good combination to have me be an NPR interviewer with real live guests. Then I started talking to Brandon Gardner, my writing partner, and we just fleshed out the world.

Why did you decide stop-motion animation was the right medium for the show?

The reason we chose stop-motion was threefold. One reason is, if youre going to portray characters who are these kinds of precious delicate little creatures, who are being controlled by forces theyre not aware of, puppets are the obvious choice. The medium matches the characters. Also, I think we wanted to do some satirical stuff, and I think it gives you a slightly longer leash. Something that might feel a little bit caustic in live-action, if its being delivered by a whimsical puppet, feels sillier as opposed to nasty. And then the third thing was that we wanted the interviews to get people out of their established talking points. When were interviewing these celebrities who are so media-trained and so savvy, we wanted to put them in a position where they were comfortably outside of their comfort zone, where its dopey enough that its nonthreatening, but its novel enough that theyre going to depart from their well-trodden media responses and reveal new parts of themselves. I found that some of them really did.

What are the challenges of working in that medium?

A lot of it is time and money. Its a slow and expensive medium, but we were with ShadowMachine  which is this company in Portland that made Guillermo del Toros Pinocchio that just won an Oscar  and they were willing to slum it with us, which was very sweet. So you really have to commit. The way I like to work with live-action is to just shoot a lot of different things, and then really build it in the edit. With stop-motion, it doesnt work that way. You have to know what every single shot is in the final cut, basically, before you even touch a puppet.

Youve acted in satires in the past like Silicon Valley and Armando Iannuccis movie In the Loop. What did you learn from those experiences about how to do satire effectively that you funneled into this project?

I learned a lot from Mike, in that theres an underlying affection in all of his satire. Even when hes showing really grotesque or asinine behavior, theres still a kind of warmth to the whole thing. Its not sanctimonious and its not holier-than-thou, and I think thats really important. I wish I was better than these characters, but Im not. And the first thing I ever really worked on professionally was In the Loop, and on the first day, I was so nervous that I was acting in a way that was a little bit garish and cartoonish. And Armando Ianucci was like, No, no, no, you can just be a person. Youre a very specific person, but it doesnt have to be like a sketch. It was excellent direction that really helped me. And I think, when we were casting this  because its animated  we got a lot of people who were [in cartoonish voice] doing a crazy voice. But the thing I gravitated to were the people who sounded just like actual people.

The jokes about public radio all seem like theyre coming from a place of knowing reverence. Did you have a list of specific public-radio memories or reference points you felt were ripe for parody?

I love The Daily. I listen to it all the time. It really distills these complicated news stories down into a half-hour that any doofus can understand at least the basics of. But Michael Barbaro, when hes listening, will do this very emphatic mm-hmm. Hell be very active listening, and that part drives me bananas.

And then, beyond the vocal affectations, theres this thing that Ive noticed where some public intellectuals have a kind of puckish, intellectually naughty quality where you dont even get the sense that they necessarily believe what theyre saying. They just think it would be provocative and interesting and a bit transgressive if they were to posit this theory: Dare I attack these sacred cows? Sometimes theyll ask these kinds of rhetorical questions where theyll be like, Everyone agrees that violence is wrong, but what if it isnt? Its that kind of shit that drives me crazy. Its like, Look, do you think it is, or dont you? But instead its like, Im gonna tickle you with my cerebral cortex.

You had Elise Hu from NPR come into the writers room and chat about specific public-radio things that you could mention in the show. Did anything she mention make it into the show?

Yogurt week is a real thing. At NPR, their big treat is yogurt week. Thats a real NPR celebration. The other thing she said is that theres these verbally abusive grammar nazis who will call in and be like, You used this word, but you mispronounced it or You ended on a preposition, or theyll lacerate the host about their vocal fry. Its these priggish, mean nanny callers who feel entitled to verbally torture the hosts because they give ten bucks a year to NPR. I think thats a small percentage of the listeners, but I gathered that theyre a very vocal small percentage. So that idea of the listeners aggression and entitlement made it into the show. Its really more of a satire of NPR listeners, which I am one of. Its less trying to do like a very faithful depiction of NPR and more using NPR as the staging ground for our self-loathing.

A lot of the jokes in the show are about the hypocrisies of the types of hyperprogressives who work at institutions like this. Watching it, at times, I couldnt help but think of right-wing platforms like the Daily Wire, and I had the thought, If they knew how to write comedy, this is what it would look like. Did you worry at all about the show sending the wrong message to the wrong people?

Its a valid question, and Im sure its one that we have variable levels of success with. Im not usually a big fan of polemics, and when I feel like a show is wagging its finger at me or telling me what to think, I feel myself naturally kind of recoil from that. In the case of this, we didnt want to make some right-wing fantasy of a left-wing Frankenstein come alive. Something that I wish we could all do as things are becoming ever more polarized is make fun of ourselves more. Thats a source of real credibility. It telegraphs a degree of self-awareness and humility, but also confidence. I can acknowledge that Im full of shit in a lot of ways without implicitly co-signing the views of my opponents.

Throughout the whole Trump era, every late-night show was endlessly lampooning Trump. I dont know if that does anything for the left, but what I do know is I didnt see a lot of people on the left making fun of the left, and I certainly didnt see a lot of people on the right making fun of the right. I would be so happy to see it if Ben Shapiro did a comedy making fun of the right. My blood pressure would go down. Id be like, At the very least, they know what is absurd and indefensible about their way of being. And I feel like theres a lot thats absurd and indefensible about my way of being. So were trying to put our money where our mouth is and be like, We know that we are not perfect by a long shot. Often, were not even good. But were trying.

I dont know that the aspirations of the characters in the show are bad. Concern with language is totally valid. I am progressive in a lot of ways, but Im also aware that I dont always walk the walk, and someone on the other side of the political spectrum could easily point at me and be like, Okay, Hollywood, you say this stuff, but how come L.A. is covered in homeless encampments? Why arent you, an ostensibly progressive person, devoting more time, attention, and political capital to dealing with that? And I wouldnt really have a very good answer.

Youve explained in other interviews that the celebrity interviews on the show were a mix of prewritten and improvised questions and that the subjects were given instructions to simply treat it like a normal NPR interview  albeit one being conducted by a still of Lauren Caspian. But when the shows booker, Hillary Kun, was reaching out to celebrities publicists to get them to do interviews on the show, how did she pitch it to them?

I really dont know. We were kind of like, Work your magic, Hillary. Please go get us Mike Tyson. Then shed be like, We got you Mike Tyson, and wed be like, No, you didnt. I think the crux of it was that the joke would never be on them. It was that Lauren was the clown and they were the foil, and that it was not a Gotcha! Borat kind of situation. I thought those Sacha Baron Cohen things were very funny when they came out, but as I get older, I really dont like watching them. Sometimes theyre with people who have done very vile things, and in that case I feel more comfortable with it. But, sometimes, its just people who are walking into a buzzsaw, where you get this feeling like, Oh, you interviewed someone for a gazillion hours and then just took the worst moment and edited it to make that seem like the thing. Im not party to the inner workings of that show, but theres something nasty about it, even though its super funny. So we really wanted to avoid that. Even if there were guests where we took issue with things, we were kind of like, This isnt really the venue.

What do you think Lauren Caspian would ask you about the show if he were interviewing you instead of me?

Hed probably ask why there werent more sex scenes with him, because he feels like thats what people would want to see. I think he just would have a lot of notes about the depiction of himself and why his undeniable radio Lothario persona wasnt given more space in the narrative.

Actually, I think thats wrong. I think he would ask about the mise-en-scene. Hed be like, I would have preferred a more Godard-ian approach or a Tarkovsky-ian approach, and the framing was very pedestrian. I felt that you did me a disservice. My best angle is a Dutch tilt, and you should have shot me from a Dutch tilt. And if my story isnt on Criterion, Im gonna put rocks in my pockets and walk into the ocean like Virginia Woolf. There really wouldnt be a question. There would just be a stream of recrimination.
The earned income tax credit (EITC) is a valuable tax credit that many taxpayers normally miss.

Historically, 1 in 5 eligible Americans dont claim the EITC, prompting the Internal Revenue Service to hold an EITC Awareness Day each year  this year on Jan. 26.

To qualify for EITC, you must be between 25 and 64 years old and have earned income within certain limits. The amount of your credit also depends on the number of kids you have and your filing status.

The maximum available amount of the credit increased this year because the EITC has been adjusted for inflation.

"Inflation erodes the value of a fixed credit amount each year, so EITC amounts are adjusted for inflation so the real value of the credit does not go down over time," Garrett Watson, senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, told Yahoo Finance. "If the EITC was not indexed from 2020 until now, the value would be over 20 percent less today in real terms than it was back in 2020  meaning working households who earn the credit would be receiving less in real terms than they were years ago."

Read more: What is the earned income tax credit, and do you qualify?

The credit primarily helps low- and moderate-income families, but its possible for taxpayers with no children to qualify. The maximum credit for eligible taxpayers with no children is $600, up from $500 last year.

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limits for EITC credit. Source: IRS

What is considered earned income?

Earned income is wages, salary, tips, self-employment, and work from your side hustle or gig  like temporary work, working as a driver for a ride-share or delivery service, or selling merchandise online. For those in the military, nontaxable combat pay is considered earned income.

Money received from unemployment benefits, alimony, child support, Social Security, pensions, or annuities is not considered earned income.

If your marital status changed during the year, or if youre a member of the armed forces, disabled, living in a rural area, a grandparent raising a grandchild, disabled, or Native American, you may be eligible for this credit.

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If you arent sure whether you qualify for EITC, use the IRSs EITC Assistant tool.

Credit: Getty Images (JJ Gouin via Getty Images)

Delayed refund for EITC

Typically, your tax refund is the total of all the credits and deductions you qualify for minus the taxes you owe. If your refund is partially based on the EITC or the additional child tax credit (ACTC), the IRS cannot issue your tax refund before mid-February  even if your refund includes other credits not related to EITC.

The IRS estimates most EITC filers will see their refunds by Feb. 27 if there are no issues with their returns and if they chose direct deposit.

Taxpayers should electronically file and use direct deposit for refunds to prevent delays.

Free file options

If youre eligible for EITC, you may qualify for free electronic tax-filing services through IRS partners for taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $79,000 or less in 2023.

If you made $60,000 or less last year, you can receive free tax preparation at the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).

VITA offers free tax preparation for moderate- to low-income individuals, disabled, senior citizens, or those who have a language barrier.

Full coverage: Taxes 2024  Everything you need to file your taxes on time

Ronda is a personal finance senior reporter for Yahoo Finance and attorney with experience in law, insurance, education, and government. Follow her on X @writesronda

Read the latest personal finance trends and news from Yahoo Finance.
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Italy remembers the horrors of the Holocaust 79 years after the liberation of Auschwitz.

Italy marks Holocaust Remembrance Day on Saturday with a series of commemorative events on the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Italy's president Sergio Mattarella marked the Giorno della Memoria with a speech on Friday at the Quirinale Palace in Rome, with Holocaust survivor Sami Modiano a guest of honour.

"It must never be forgotten that our country, Italy, adopted the despicable racist laws during Fascism - in a climate of overall indifference: the initial chapter of the terrible book of extermination; and that members of the Republic of Salo actively collaborated in the capture, deportation and even massacres of Jews", Mattarella said.

#Mattarella: I morti di Auschwitz, dispersi nel vento, ci ammoniscono continuamente: il cammino delluomo procede su strade accidentate e rischiose pic.twitter.com/bd5SJdlDhh  Quirinale (@Quirinale) January 26, 2024

Controversy

This year's Giorno della Memoria takes place against the backdrop of a controversy over pro-Palestinian rallies planned in Rome, Milan and other cities on Saturday.

Following an outcry from the Jewish community in Italy and the intervention of the interior ministry, local police chiefs have prohibited the rallies from taking place on that day.

News agency ANSA reported however that organisers of the pro-Palestinian rallies have vowed to go ahead with the demonstrations on Saturday, regardless of the ban.

Milan

In Milan a mural depicting cartoon characters The Simpsons as deported Jews was defaced on Thursday night with the words "Viva Hitler" and "Fuck Israel".

It is the fourth time that the mural has been vandalised since its creation a year ago at the former Binario 21 platform in Milan's central train station.

The platform was where many of Italy's Jews were sent to the Nazi death camps, including Holocaust survivor Liliana Segre, 93, who was deported to Auschwitz aged 13 along with her father.

On arrival at the concentration camp Segre was separated from her beloved father who she never saw again.

One of the few Italian Jewish children to survive a Nazi death camp, Segre was made a senator for life in 2018, an honour in tribute to her years of speaking about the horrors of the Holocaust.

Rome

Rome is staging 60 commemorative events including "Words of hatred: The Roman Jews sold to the Nazis", a hard-hitting exhibition at the Casina dei Vallati in the Jewish Ghetto quarter.

The free exhibit, running until 15 February, documents the shameful role of informers who denounced their fellow citizens as Jews to the Nazis during world war two.

Curators of the exhibition noted the amount paid by the Nazis for every tip-off that led to the capture of Roman Jews: 5,000 lire for a man, 3,000 lire for a woman and 1,000 lire for a child.

Stolpersteine memorials

Rome recently installed 21 new Holocaust memorial cobblestones, adding them to the hundreds of stolpersteine already present on streets around the capital.

Designed by Berlin artist Gunter Demnig, the memorials are known as stolpersteine in German - translated literally as stumbling stones - and are installed outside the last chosen place of residence of victims of the Holocaust.

The brass-capped blocks are dedicated to Jews and partisans, including women and children, who were mostly deported to Auschwitz or massacred at the Fosse Ardeatine in Rome.

Established by the United Nations to commemorate the day in 1945 that the survivors of Auschwitz were liberated, International Holocaust Remembrance Day honours the memory of the millions of Jews  but also homosexuals, Romany people and others  who suffered persecution, deportation, imprisonment and genocide.

Cover image: Stolpersteine on Via della Madonna dei Monti. Photo credit: Only Fabrizio / Shutterstock.com.
Walter Villadei is pilot of Axiom Mission 3.

Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni on Thursday spoke to Rome astronaut Walter Villadei via live video link between the Colosseum and the International Space Station.

Villadei is serving as the pilot in the Axiom Space (Ax-3) mission - a collorabation between Axiom Space, SpaceX and NASA - which lifted off on 18 January.

I am delighted to be on board with you, albeit virtually" - Meloni told the Italian air force colonel - "As I imagine you can see, we are linked from the Colosseum, one of the most extraordinary symbols of our identity and our millenary history."

Meloni chatted to Villadei for a quarter of an hour, telling him that Italy is "rooting for him" and expressing the hope that as a nation "we can always do more, always move forward, continue with the enthusiasm with which you are talking to us and not imagine that there must be pre-established limits".

Meloni said she was also "particularly proud" that the Ax-3 astronauts are eating Italian food in space, thanking Villadei for agreeing "to be an ambassador for the candidacy of Italian cuisine as a UNESCO intangible heritage site."

Villadei, 49, is part of the four-person crew on the Ax-3 mission along with Spanish commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, Turkey's Alper Gezeravc and Sweden's Marcus Wandt.

During their two-week mission, the astronauts will carry out approximately 30 experiments aboard the ISS before returning to Earth on 3 February.
What does a real Aussie look like? Someone with a mullet, who loves a barbecue and wears thongs? Maybe a fat white guy?

Those stereotypes were among the initial answers when that question was put to students across the country last year. But asked to think further about the idea, the students were soon discussing the many and varied backgrounds of Australians.

Students are creating their own interpretations of Peter Drews AUSSIE poster, including these examples by teenagers at Belmont City College in WA.

The prompt to this exploration of identity and nationality was a series of posters created by Adelaide-based artist Peter Drew under the general title AUSSIE.

When we dug a bit deeper past their initial assumptions, we had some interesting conversations about identity, and that was a really great way to introduce the concept, says Alisha Lyon, a teacher at Bellarine Secondary whose year nine students studied Drews project and went on to make their own artworks in a similar vein.
As you might know, Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) recently reported its full-year numbers. It was a credible result overall, with revenues of US$40b and statutory earnings per share of US$3.26 both in line with analyst estimates, showing that Abbott Laboratories is executing in line with expectations. The analysts typically update their forecasts at each earnings report, and we can judge from their estimates whether their view of the company has changed or if there are any new concerns to be aware of. We've gathered the most recent statutory forecasts to see whether the analysts have changed their earnings models, following these results.

Check out our latest analysis for Abbott Laboratories

Taking into account the latest results, the consensus forecast from Abbott Laboratories' 20 analysts is for revenues of US$41.9b in 2024. This reflects a satisfactory 4.6% improvement in revenue compared to the last 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are predicted to accumulate 4.8% to US$3.45. Yet prior to the latest earnings, the analysts had been anticipated revenues of US$41.7b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$3.39 in 2024. So it's pretty clear that, although the analysts have updated their estimates, there's been no major change in expectations for the business following the latest results.

It will come as no surprise then, to learn that the consensus price target is largely unchanged at US$123. Fixating on a single price target can be unwise though, since the consensus target is effectively the average of analyst price targets. As a result, some investors like to look at the range of estimates to see if there are any diverging opinions on the company's valuation. There are some variant perceptions on Abbott Laboratories, with the most bullish analyst valuing it at US$141 and the most bearish at US$100.00 per share. Analysts definitely have varying views on the business, but the spread of estimates is not wide enough in our view to suggest that extreme outcomes could await Abbott Laboratories shareholders.

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Another way we can view these estimates is in the context of the bigger picture, such as how the forecasts stack up against past performance, and whether forecasts are more or less bullish relative to other companies in the industry. It's pretty clear that there is an expectation that Abbott Laboratories' revenue growth will slow down substantially, with revenues to the end of 2024 expected to display 4.6% growth on an annualised basis. This is compared to a historical growth rate of 7.9% over the past five years. By way of comparison, the other companies in this industry with analyst coverage are forecast to grow their revenue at 8.0% per year. So it's pretty clear that, while revenue growth is expected to slow down, the wider industry is also expected to grow faster than Abbott Laboratories.

The Bottom Line

The most important thing to take away is that there's been no major change in sentiment, with the analysts reconfirming that the business is performing in line with their previous earnings per share estimates. On the plus side, there were no major changes to revenue estimates; although forecasts imply they will perform worse than the wider industry. The consensus price target held steady at US$123, with the latest estimates not enough to have an impact on their price targets.

Following on from that line of thought, we think that the long-term prospects of the business are much more relevant than next year's earnings. We have estimates - from multiple Abbott Laboratories analysts - going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here.

Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Abbott Laboratories that you should be aware of.

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.
Hoisters and nonchers  every sort of crim lived at Parramatta. Dips and bumpers  doing a range of time, from a drag to a brick. Pussy-footers and paper hangers  inmates trading jiggers and racehorses between peters. All of which may take some explaining, word-wise.

Hoisters were shoplifters, while nonchers were adept in draping their coats over a stores desired item, then scooping up garment and good in one motion. Dips? Pickpockets. Bumpers? Ulterior klutzes hired to distract a dippers victim. As the name suggests, a pussy-footer was a cat burglar, or sneak thief, unlike a paper hanger, who wrote dud cheques.

Parramatta Correctional Centre (formerly Parramatta Jail) in 2014. Credit: Tony Walters

Or a word-list, back in 1972. The project was initiated by linguists at the nascent Macquarie Dictionary, inviting residents of Parramatta Jail to share their language. Two game souls in Vanessa Mack and Sue Butler called by the jail weekly, their plan to foster a writing program, and amass a glossary of cell-speak.

Consequently, the cons taught us drag (a three-month haul) and brick (five years), jigger (an illegal radio) and racehorse: a skinny rollie. Typewritten, in random order, the 362 words gave us bodgie (an alias) and peter (a cell), lice ladders (sideburns) and musical milk  better known as metho.
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 When director Todd Haynes first read the script for what would become May December, he saw it as a provocation. It drew on themes he had explored before, with female desire in Carol, the dark side of the suburban dream in Far from Heaven, the notion of shifting or merging identities in Im Not There. But this films presentation of a longstanding affair between an adult woman and a pubescent boy was bold enough to frighten him. The way it destabilised me, the way I had to keep shifting and asking questions of myself as I read it: to me it was an intervention into the period in which we live, which is extremely morally locked down, he says. We expect very precise kinds of representations that will satisfy our views on morality or identity politics. This film pushed all those things into uncomfortable, discomfiting places. Which, he says enthusiastically, is what films are supposed to do. Thats what the movies did that I saw when I was coming of age in the 60s and 70s. They made you go wait, I dont know what I think about this. This is beyond my grasp. I need to see it again, I want to talk about it to my friends. I felt this was a return to that. It reminded him of Bergmans Persona or Godards Two or Three Things I Know About Her, both of which became inspirations for the way he would tell this story: films that upended the idea that life ran along straight lines. May December is essentially a subtle battle between two women who use every weapon at their disposal  obfuscation, seduction, deception  to establish control of the story they both want to tell. Gracie (Julianne Moore) is remembered for the scandal that erupted when, at the age of 36, she was discovered to be having an affair with a boy aged only 13. She went to prison, where she gave birth to his child. After her release, she married the now adult Joe (Charles Melton). Elizabeth (Natalie Portman) is an actor, who will be playing her in a biopic. Gracie has invited her to get to know them. She wants to see her truth up on screen. Director Todd Haynes, centre, on set with Charles Melton and Julianne Moore. Credit: Transmission Films At the point where Elizabeth arrives for a family barbecue, clutching a regifted bottle of wine, the couples younger daughter is about to graduate from high school. The family seems happy enough. Gracie now has a business making special-occasion cakes. Joe, no longer grotesquely young, seems calm and dependable. It is clear that the neighbourhood still doesnt really approve of them  Gracie doesnt sell many cakes  but as she says, why should they be the ones to move away?

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Unlike the neighbours, the film doesnt judge its characters, but nor does it trust them. Gracie is both steely and child-like; Moore gave her a lisp, which Portmans Elizabeth gradually adopts too. When Elizabeth imitates her or asks her to make up her face the way she does it, she preens with the pride of being seen and affirmed. In a key moment of the film, they stand in front of a mirror  the camera lens  as Gracie shows the actor how to get the most out of a bronzer. Natalie Portman, left, and Julianne Moore in a pivotal scene from May December. Credit: Transmission Films Its emblematic of how everyones identity is made up of various performances, particularly female identity, Portman told Deadline. Our appearance as female - the makeup, the hair, the clothing, the way we move, and the way we behave, of course  is highly performative. Even Elizabeths first entrance into this barbecue  like, Im this big actress, but look how down to earth I am - is a performance of a sort. She certainly deceives the audience: we anticipate discovering Gracie and Joe through her. And then all of a sudden, the carpet is pulled out from under your feet when youre like, Oh, wait, shes not reliable. Shes not trustworthy at all. Natalie Portmans Elizabeth quizzes Joe (Charles Melton) about his marriage in May December. Credit: Transmission Films It was Portman who brought Haynes the script. What she loved about it were exactly the things I loved, along with her boldness in wanting to play with peoples expectations about her, he says. Is this really who Natalie Portman is? Is this how she researches a role? And Natalie was like yeah, bring it on, lets play with all that stuff. He then slipped a copy of it to Julianne Moore, with whom he had already made four films over 30 years. Loading The bones of Samy Burchs script, which was this week nominated for an Oscar, were excavated from the real-life case of Mary Kay Letourneau, a 34-year-old teacher who was sentenced to prison for her illegal relationship with a 12-year-old student, Vili Fualaau, in 1997. Like Gracie and Joe, they married a year after her release in 2004; Letourneau, who was already married with children at the time of the affair, described the love between herself and Fualaau as eternal and endless, a romantic narrative that was widely adopted by the tabloids that had previously reported their story with righteous horror.

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Burch did not consult the family when she was writing, saying that their real-life circumstances were just a jumping-off point for her story, but Fualaau has been vocal in his criticism of the film and the filmmakers failure to involve him or their children. Letourneau died in 2020. Im still alive and well, he told The Hollywood Reporter. If they had reached out to me, we could have worked together on a masterpiece. Instead, they chose to do a rip-off of my original story  My story is not nearly as simple as this movie [portrays]. Haynes says simply that he wanted to establish a distance from the original case. According to Julianne Moore, he also discouraged the actors from researching Letourneau. The script  focused on Gracies fictitious encounter with the actor  was the thing. It was interesting. Theres certainly a lot of documentation, Moore told Deadline. But we were always very, very aware that we were telling the story that Samy had written. It was challenging. For me, I think one of the things that was so compelling is her insistence on her personal narrative. I think that, psychologically, when someone has transgressed, but insists on presenting their narrative as not a transgression, as something utterly ordinary, I think people have a feeling of danger around them. Something feels uncomfortable, like being gaslit. Gracie (Julianne Moore) is flattered as Elizabeth (Natalie Portman) mimics her with increasing intensity. Credit: Transmission Films There are, in fact, some telling elements filched from the real-life case. One of the films most disturbing lines is drawn directly from a television interview with Letourneau and Fualaau in which she kept saying to him Who was the boss? Who is the boss? Even Haynes shudders slightly at the memory. Over and over again, he murmurs. Its the myth I think that relationship  meaning our relationship  preserves. Shes the princess in a castle and he is the young knight who is going to rescue her from her unhappy domestic life. He doesnt think of Gracie as a paedophile. I really dont. It wasnt like a serial problem that she had, going after young people. She really had this definitive relationship. At the same time, everyone in this story is both self-involved and self-deceiving; they hardly know what theyre doing. For Haynes, that is our point of connection with them. That delusion, the refusal we all have to look at ourselves and to look at the choices we have made in our lives - even when were not happy in our lives  because we dont want to question what weve done, the people were with, the relationships, the choices weve made. And thats where I thought the story was, he says. Because we all understand that. And we sort of survive.

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Griselda 

Netflix

Early on in this cocaine and conquest period drama, a Miami drug kingpin explains his philosophy to recent arrival Griselda Blanco (Sofia Vergara). You need to understand that my business runs on volume, he explains, and thats also Netflixs model. As the dominant streaming platform, its awash in content. Much of the drama is solid if familiar, perhaps buoyed with a big name to set off a quick binge. Thats Griselda, the series, which does a concise rise and fall for Griselda, the woman.

Sofia Vergara in Griselda: the real Griselda Blanco was responsible for a wave of carnage. Credit: Netflix

Opening with a Pablo Escobar quote and a wounded Blanco and her three sons fleeing a privileged life in Colombia for a single room in Miami, the limited series is set at the beginning of both the 1980s and Americas cocaine boom. Co-creators Doug Miro and Eric Newman were responsible for a previous Netflix historic drug trade drama, Narcos, and much of the set-up is familiar: rags to riches ambition, broad strokes, and violent punctuation.

The twist is that Griselda is a woman in a mans world. Shes either underestimated or ripped off, even as the nightclub scenes and Donna Summer needle drops give off Scarface vibes. At first shes an underdog, and her crimes worry her despite a prior history in the narcotics trade. This is in fact generous to the real Griselda Blanco, who was responsible for a wave of carnage, as documented in everything from hip-hop songs to the 2006 documentary Cocaine Cowboys. This iteration gives her the anti-hero treatment.

In the title role, and a long way from her sitcom success in Modern Family, Vergara brings a flinty, deductive edge to her Griselda. Shes smarter than the macho guys she has to navigate, and eventually bloodier. Working around facial prosthetics, Vergara leaves some doubt to the point where Griselda stops trying to provide for her family and bloodily tries to control the entire Miami cocaine trade. Shes certainly a female pioneer, but her breakthrough success is in ramping up drug shipments and drive-by hits.
Bank of Hawaii Corporation (NYSE:BOH) shareholders are probably feeling a little disappointed, since its shares fell 3.3% to US$64.82 in the week after its latest yearly results. It looks like the results were a bit of a negative overall. While revenues of US$665m were in line with analyst predictions, statutory earnings were less than expected, missing estimates by 2.7% to hit US$4.14 per share. Following the result, the analysts have updated their earnings model, and it would be good to know whether they think there's been a strong change in the company's prospects, or if it's business as usual. Readers will be glad to know we've aggregated the latest statutory forecasts to see whether the analysts have changed their mind on Bank of Hawaii after the latest results.

Check out our latest analysis for Bank of Hawaii

After the latest results, the consensus from Bank of Hawaii's four analysts is for revenues of US$647.0m in 2024, which would reflect a measurable 2.7% decline in revenue compared to the last year of performance. Statutory earnings per share are forecast to sink 10% to US$3.69 in the same period. In the lead-up to this report, the analysts had been modelling revenues of US$658.0m and earnings per share (EPS) of US$3.76 in 2024. The consensus analysts don't seem to have seen anything in these results that would have changed their view on the business, given there's been no major change to their estimates.

There were no changes to revenue or earnings estimates or the price target of US$63.60, suggesting that the company has met expectations in its recent result. The consensus price target is just an average of individual analyst targets, so - it could be handy to see how wide the range of underlying estimates is. There are some variant perceptions on Bank of Hawaii, with the most bullish analyst valuing it at US$75.00 and the most bearish at US$46.00 per share. Analysts definitely have varying views on the business, but the spread of estimates is not wide enough in our view to suggest that extreme outcomes could await Bank of Hawaii shareholders.

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Of course, another way to look at these forecasts is to place them into context against the industry itself. We would highlight that revenue is expected to reverse, with a forecast 2.7% annualised decline to the end of 2024. That is a notable change from historical growth of 2.3% over the last five years. By contrast, our data suggests that other companies (with analyst coverage) in the same industry are forecast to see their revenue grow 5.5% annually for the foreseeable future. It's pretty clear that Bank of Hawaii's revenues are expected to perform substantially worse than the wider industry.

The Bottom Line

The most obvious conclusion is that there's been no major change in the business' prospects in recent times, with the analysts holding their earnings forecasts steady, in line with previous estimates. Fortunately, the analysts also reconfirmed their revenue estimates, suggesting that it's tracking in line with expectations. Although our data does suggest that Bank of Hawaii's revenue is expected to perform worse than the wider industry. The consensus price target held steady at US$63.60, with the latest estimates not enough to have an impact on their price targets.

With that in mind, we wouldn't be too quick to come to a conclusion on Bank of Hawaii. Long-term earnings power is much more important than next year's profits. We have estimates - from multiple Bank of Hawaii analysts - going out to 2025, and you can see them free on our platform here.

Plus, you should also learn about the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Bank of Hawaii .

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 investors in ASML Holding N.V.'s (AMS:ASML) will be rubbing their hands together with glee today, after the share price leapt 20% to 812 in the week following its full-year results. ASML Holding reported 28b in revenue, roughly in line with analyst forecasts, although statutory earnings per share (EPS) of 19.89 beat expectations, being 2.4% higher than what the analysts expected. The analysts typically update their forecasts at each earnings report, and we can judge from their estimates whether their view of the company has changed or if there are any new concerns to be aware of. So we gathered the latest post-earnings forecasts to see what estimates suggest is in store for next year.

See our latest analysis for ASML Holding

Following last week's earnings report, ASML Holding's 37 analysts are forecasting 2024 revenues to be 27.5b, approximately in line with the last 12 months. Yet prior to the latest earnings, the analysts had been anticipated revenues of 27.5b and earnings per share (EPS) of 19.59 in 2024. So we can see that while the consensus made no real change to its revenue estimates, it also no longer provides an earnings per share estimate. This suggests that revenues are what the market is focusing on after the latest results.

The average price target rose 13% to 796, with the analysts clearly having become more optimistic about ASML Holding'sprospects following these results. It could also be instructive to look at the range of analyst estimates, to evaluate how different the outlier opinions are from the mean. There are some variant perceptions on ASML Holding, with the most bullish analyst valuing it at 1,050 and the most bearish at 580 per share. As you can see, analysts are not all in agreement on the stock's future, but the range of estimates is still reasonably narrow, which could suggest that the outcome is not totally unpredictable.

Taking a look at the bigger picture now, one of the ways we can understand these forecasts is to see how they compare to both past performance and industry growth estimates. We would highlight that revenue is expected to reverse, with a forecast 0.2% annualised decline to the end of 2024. That is a notable change from historical growth of 20% over the last five years. Compare this with our data, which suggests that other companies in the same industry are, in aggregate, expected to see their revenue grow 10% per year. It's pretty clear that ASML Holding's revenues are expected to perform substantially worse than the wider industry.

Story continues

The Bottom Line

The most important thing to take away is that the analysts reconfirmed their revenue estimates for next year, suggesting that the business is performing in line with expectations. On the plus side, there were no major changes to revenue estimates; although forecasts imply they will perform worse than the wider industry. We note an upgrade to the price target, suggesting that the analysts believes the intrinsic value of the business is likely to improve over time.

We have estimates for ASML Holding from its 37 analysts out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here.

Plus, you should also learn about the 1 warning sign we've spotted with ASML Holding .

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.
By Rebecca Black, PA

The DUP has not come this far not to have achieved gains, one of the partys MLAs has said.

Edwin Poots was commenting as speculation intensifies that the DUP is inching closer to a deal with the British government over post-Brexit trading arrangements, which could see them return to devolved government.

The DUP has stayed out of the institutions at Stormont for almost two years to force the Government to act on unionist concerns over the impact of the Windsor Framework on the union.

The party has been criticised for its stance both by those frustrated at the effective collapsing of Stormont, and those within the wider unionist movement, claiming it has not achieved enough to protect Northern Irelands place within the UK.

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson says he has faced threats (Liam McBurney/PA)

Earlier this week DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said he has faced threats, and also urged others against opposing a deal that has yet to be agreed.

Mr Poots told BBC Radio Ulsters Nolan Show on Friday that his party has been working extremely hard to resolve the impasse.

That piece of work continues, he added.

He declined to comment on what happened at a meeting of the party officers last Friday, amid speculation there had been a planned vote on its deal with the Government, saying he respects the press statements that are put out.

The party said that evening that it was continuing to engage with the UK Government, and would not give a running commentary on our position.

There is a course of work that has been done thus far and thats a course of work that is ongoing and we are determined to bring that to a conclusion, Mr Poots said.

Some people are wondering about this, but you will just have to wait and see what the party puts out in terms of its press releases on what happened at various meetings.

The DUP is working constructively to try to find solutions to all of this.

A poster says Stop DUP Sellout on a lamppost near Hillsborough Castle (Claudia Savage/PA)

Mr Poots also said no internal party meeting was planned to take place on Friday, or the next couple of days.

There is a whole series of meetings which I am sure will take place over the course of the next week, thats how we operate, we have party officer meetings every two weeks, we have Assembly group meetings on a regular basis, we have Westminster meetings on a regular basis as well, he said.

He also criticised some other unionists who have accused the DUP of being traitors.

Why would we have done what weve done for the last two years and go back with nothing, and people should reflect on that, he said.

Meanwhile he described reporting that prime minister Rishi Sunak might offer to voluntarily limit divergence from EU rules in the future, to limit the impact of an Irish Sea trade border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, as just one element of a prospective deal.

That would be a win but on its own it wouldnt be any use, if people thought that is what was on offer, that wouldnt be acceptable on its own, he said.

It would be one element of progress that in itself wouldnt carry anything.
Solas Draiochta Mhaigh Eo (Mayos Magic Light)

An exhibition of Mixed Media Paintings/Collage by Mary Woods will be launched in the Civic Centre in Belmullet on next Friday evening, January 26, at 7pm, with guest speaker: Val Rogers (retired rector, Westport). The exhibition runs from January 26 to March 8.

Marie Woods studied and trained in Birmingham, and then worked in art education in both Birmingham and Cumbria for nearly 20 years. She has been working as a professional artist for 23 years and has been living in Mayo for almost 10 years, having moved from the UK. Marie has exhibited widely in public and commercial galleries throughout Scotland, England and Ireland. Her first solo exhibition was in the National Gallery of Scotland, Duff House; and twice she has exhibited works at The Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh. Marie has works in private collections in Ireland, UK, America, Italy and France.

Her work is a distillation of the spirit of the Mayo landscape, revealing a sense of the extraordinary, looking past the obvious and capturing the fleeting magical light. The land/seascape images are all mixed media painting/collage which cast a fresh eye on the visual riches of Mayo, in all its drama and moods, always spellbinding. Energy and passion are a constant presence throughout the works.

Mary delights in the pleasure of seeing; being totally in tune with her surroundings, and somehow trying to find the right alchemy between the medium, the subject and the moment. Her camera is her sketch book, and the photographs she takes are often the starting point for working, influencing composition and colour of each new piece. Mary is not interested in portraying a likeness but wants to create something which represents the total experience and excitement of that place, at that time.

I use prepared experimental painted and printed papers that create an unusual palette of textures and colours, these materials throw up unexpected pathways into the work. When applied, they take on a life of their own, creating a new order, an equivalence, which invariably develops its own dynamic aesthetic beyond the initial photograph, often more abstract, but beating to the time of the initial idea.

I am excited to be the first artist showing in the Aras Inis Gluaire Exhibition Programme for 2024. This is a particular honour as 2024 also sees Belmullet celebrate its Bicentenary. Many of the works on view, reference the area and are all rooted in Mayo stated Mary.

One of the highlights will be a recently completed painting of Blacksod Lighthouse which includes a portrait of Maureen Sweeney. Sadly Maureen died recently at the age of 100. She has been feted for her famous D-Day weather forecast which resulted in the Normandy Landings being postponed for 24 hours thus changing the course of the WW2. This work is Homage to her.

Tracey Moran Memorial Darts Competition

The organisers thank everyone who came out and supported the first Tracey Moran Memorial Darts Competition. There was a fantastic turnout with 90 players taking part. Fair to say there was some cracking games of darts. Special thanks to Bernie and Michael and all the staff in The Anglers Rest (Healys) in Glenamoy for allowing to have the competition there; to Damian Reilly for use of the sound system, to those who sponsored the board, lights and the equipment needed to make the day possible; to Shane McHale for all the help and keeping things running on the day; to Mark Doocey for chalking the final; to everyone who gave spot prizes for the raffle and to those who bought tickets with a massive 3000 raised all going to a great cause, Cara Iorrais.

Congratulations to the winner Cathal Tighe, well deserved. Runner up was Kevin Rowland. The semi-finalists were Noel Keane and Shane McHale who also had the highest checkout on the night. Thanks again to everyone that played and came out. Hopefully we see ye all back again next year.

Erris Pool league

Congratulations to Zack Ruddy who won his first Irish ranking title by becoming the U18 champion in Ballinasloe recently. His hard work over recent months on the practice table is now showing at the highest level. It was an unbelievable performance from Zack as he beat some of the best players along the way including the U18 European Champion Shane Hopkins in the quarter finals. Well done also to Leo Reuland who also performed brilliantly as he reached the semi-final of the U18 event.

Welcomed donation to Ballyglass RNLI

Ballyglass RNLI thank the following local company Westire Technology who sent them a donation that came from another Mayo company Electric Skyline. They were delighted to receive a generous donation to their service which stated that the company owner Sean Corcoran has always been impressed by the work they do and wanted to help towards their fundraising efforts. Thanks to both Seans from both companies. Mayo folk doing what they do best, supporting each other and continued success to both of these great companys.

Well done to volunteer trainee helms Men Ryan Geraghty and Ciaran Deane who have successfully completed their towing assessments with assessor trainer Sean Ginnelly recently. A lot of hard work and dedication mean this volunteer crew are ready and competent to go to sea to save lives at the drop of a hat.

Ryan only has the Search and Rescue module to complete and the next step will be operational pass out, hopefully by the end of March. Go n-eiri go geal libh lads.

Shop closer

The Order of Malta shop on Church Street in Belmullet announced recently that unfortunately due to the increase in running costs in particular commercial rates, sadly they have to close their charity shop. This decision is a hard one, they were proud to have a fully voluntary charity shop that sourly supported their ambulance corp and charitable projects in Erris. They thank all who supported them over the 6 years and to all their volunteers who put in countless hours. They will be having a closing sale in the coming weeks.

Mayo Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) facilitator.

Mayo North East Partnership will hold clinics by appointment every Tuesday at Belmullet Civic Offices from 10am until 1pm. If anyone has an available local property that can be rented out to people whose homes are impacted by Pyrite, contact Caroline Wilson on 087 482 8261 or email: carolinewilson@mayonortheast.com.

Kilcommon Community Development lotto

The draw was held on January 15, and the numbers drawn were; 17, 22, 26 and 35 for a jackpot 11,500 with no winner. The house prize 100 winner was Sinead Doherty, Gorthmellia Strand and the 2 x 30 offline winners were Mary Gallagher, Gorthmellia Strand and Tom McAndrew (T), Gorthmellia Upper. The 2 x 30 online winners were Shona Coultry, Belderrig and Shona Coultry, Belderrig. The jackpot in the latest draw which was held in McGuires Pullathomas was 11,700.

Belmullet 200

If you grew up in Belmullet you will have heard of Laurel Villa situated at the end of Chapel Street, it was demolished in the 1970/80s and the present residents built by Miss Quinn. The first mention found, to date, of Laurel Villa was in 1872, it was the residents of Dr James Mullaney The Mullaney family tree is as follows; James was first registered as a doctor in 1859; James married Margaret Walker bef 1857; William Joseph 1857  1912 in Liverpool, he was also a doctor, he was registered in the Bangor Dispensary in 1890 and registered in Belmullet 1895-1897. He married Alice Jane Mullaney and they had 3 children, all born in Belmullet, Elizabeth b 1892, James b 1894 and Alice Josephine b 1895. They immigrated to Liverpool and William worked as a Ships Surgeon.

Anne Margaret 1858. Frances / Fanny 1861-1941, died in Dublin , never married. In the 1901 Census she was living in William St with the Tighe family and in 1911 she was living in High St with Anne OHalloran.

Mary Louise 1861  1864 (twin to Frances). Ellen Mary 1863  1877. Lizzie 1864  1890. There may have been another son Thomas Walker Mullaney c 1862  1940, died in N.S.W. James Mullaney died 1887, age 66, Informant son William. Margaret Edith (Walker) Mullaney died 1889.

C.L.G Cill Chomain

Thank you to all who played the Kilcommon lotto on weekending January 14. All funds collected were donated to the Mills family fundraiser in Inver. A total of 1,000 was raised. Thank you for your continuous support.

Conversational Irish classes

Cill Chomain GAA is organising conversational Irish classes in the clubhouse, Gleann na Muaidhe every Thursday at 7pm beginning on January 25. The class will help to improve your vocabulary and fluency in the language. Anyone who would like to improve on their existing ability is welcome to attend in a welcoming and informal setting. For further information contact Michelle on 086 4075057. Bain trial as an cupla focal.

Seachtain na Gaeilge

Seachtain na Gaeilge, which takes place this year from March 1-17, is one the biggest international Irish language festivals. To coincide with this Comhar Dun Chaochain Teo plans to organise various activities. Keep an eye out for updates, notices etc.

Annual Conference to be held in Ceathru Thaidhg

At a meeting of Coiste Duiche Mhaigh Eo de Chonradh na Gaeilge, which was convened in the Seanscoil in November, it was decided that the annual conference of the organisation would be held in Ceathru Thaidhg this year. Further information will be made available nearer to the date.

Kiltane GAA club

There was no winner of this weeks Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of 11,000 with the two 50 winners being Martin Carey, Muinginaune and Gerry Dalton while Katie Dalton and Sean McKenzie, Attawalla, both won 25. The two online winners were Gerard Jones, London 50 and Aishling Murphy, Attycunnane, 25.

Bingo will continue in the complex Bangor this Tuesday, January 23, at 8pm with a 500 jackpot in 45 calls or less.
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.
BERKS COUNTY, Pa. - Some intense crisis intervention training is taking place this week for law enforcement officers.

"It's a national training program that involves mental health professionals offering resources, learning platforms and skills to help de-escalate," says Brandon Sands, Director of Berks County Mental Health Forensic Diversion.

The Crisis Intervention Training for law enforcement is a week-long program hosted through a collaborative effort with various organizations.

It offers classroom learning, lessons from mental health professionals, and even virtual and hands on live scenarios with actors.

"Having this training model in the hands of our law enforcement officers gives them the tools to immediately de-escalate any related mental health crisis so the officer can then make a choice about what to do next," says Sands.

It gives them different resources when it comes to a number of scenarios they'd likely encounter on a daily basis.

"When we do trainings like this, we're giving not just our citizens the opportunity to experience a new relationship with law enforcement officers," says Sands. "One of empathy, support, compassion and resource allowances. We're also allowing our law enforcement officers to gain more knowledge on how to de-escalate crises at the initial point of police contact."

"I think if you had a number one take away for officers it's just, when you're dealing with persons with mental health issues and mental illnesses, you want to slow down and gather as much information as you can," says Chief William J. McEllroy III of the Tilden Township Police Dept.

This is the first time the 40-hour crisis intervention training certification has been rolled out in Berks County. The plan is to do it twice a year, and ultimately expand it beyond law enforcement to bring more awareness to mental health and different ways to respond when encountering individuals with mental illness.
HANOI (Reuters) -Fifteen U.S. companies, including semiconductors firms, have expressed interest in investing $8 billion in Vietnam in clean energy infrastructure, contingent on the country's progress on renewable energy rules, a senior U.S. official said on Friday.

Vietnam is seeking to attract chipmakers and wants to boost its renewable energy sector but it has so far struggled to adopt rules that would allow the expansion of its solar and onshore wind industry and the development of offshore wind farms of which it has none now.

"They are prepared to invest as much as $8 billion," U.S. undersecretary for economic growth and the environment Jose Fernandez told a press briefing in Hanoi, when asked if U.S. companies wanted to invest in Vietnam.

In a later remark he noted the investment would focus on clean energy infrastructure, according to what companies told him.

He declined to name the companies.

Fernandez underlined that those firms had obligations to shareholders so the investment would be conditional on regulatory progress on renewable energy in Vietnam.

"They made commitments to shareholders and customers they will use only renewable energy," he said, adding companies were also waiting for permits before they can go ahead with their investment plans.

Vietnam is considering to adopt a regulatory regime that would allow factories to negotiate electricity prices directly with producers rather than buy it from the country's state-owned power network operator.

It is also working to pass rules for offshore wind, including a designation of marine space use, but regulatory delays have for long hampered progress.

A renewable boom in Vietnam in recent years driven by widespread installation of solar panels and onshore wind turbines has been partly undone by problems for connecting the projects to the grid, which also needs significant upgrades to handle renewable energy.

Fernandez's trip to Vietnam is part of U.S. plans to implement the agreements reached in September when the two countries officially upgraded their ties to "comprehensive strategic partnership", Vietnam's top tier of its diplomatic ranking.

In meetings with senior Vietnamese officials during the trip, including with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Fernandez discussed mostly chips, critical minerals and clean energy, he told reporters.

(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio; Editing by Martin Petty and Tomasz Janowski)
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - This week, Pennsylvania State University announced plans to cut 94 million dollars from the budget university-wide by the 2025-26 school year.

"Across higher education, institutions are grappling with a variety of challenges: shifting demographics, declining enrollment, rising costs, hanging student preferences and keeping tuition affordable for our access mission," said Penn State University President Neeli Bendapudi in a video released by the university.

The university president adds that stagnant state funding has been a contributing factor as costs increase.

"I'm certainly not surprised and certainly concerned about these necessary moves that the university is taking," said Pa. State Senator Judy Schwank (D - Berks.)

Senator and Penn State alum Schwank says the higher education funding issue is not unique to Penn State but is a systemic issue and needs to be addressed.

"Budget hearings are coming up on the state level in February and March," said Schwank. "They'll [PSU] be at the table and we're going to hear what they're looking at and what their solutions are and how the legislature can help."

The projected cuts will be a 29-million-dollar reduction for central administration, an 11-million-dollar reduction for University Park colleges and a 54-million-dollar reduction across the Commonwealth Campuses.

"We will individually analyze enrollment, research productivity, total facilities costs, our physical infrastructure, programs, personnel, community engagement," said Bendapudi. "How are we going to achieve excellence as we move in a new direction."

Lisa Baldi, director of strategic communications for Penn State Berks, released the following statement regarding the announcement:

"The recent news release from Penn State University titled "Penn State leaders share road map for Universitys future" addressed President Bendapudis vision and goals. For some time, the University has been facing significant challenges, including rising costs, enrollment declines, demographic shifts, and stagnant state support. While Penn State Berks has experienced enrollment declines over the last decade, there is much to be excited about regarding the future direction of the college and the University. For example, at Penn State Berks, we are fortunate to be located in one of the few areas in the Commonwealth with a growing population of high-school aged students.

Penn State is committed to prioritizing student success in all its decisions. In the coming months, leaders across the University and the campuses will have many meetings and discussions to systematically address our business models for each unit. During those meetings, discussions will be focused on utilizing the strengths of each campus location to best serve its local community."
READING, Pa. - The Berks County District Attorney's Office says a second person was arrested in connection to the shooting death of an 18-year-old in Reading last September.

DA John Adams confirms Jaime Acevedo Jr., 26, was arrested Thursday morning at the state parole office in Reading. He faces charges of first-, second- and third-degree murder; aggravated assault; and related offenses in connection with the death of Dominic Amsbaugh in the 1100 block of Amity Street.

Just days after the murder last year, 16-year-old Jovanni Pena was also charged as an adult with first- and third-degree murder. He's at the Wayne County Jail.

The shooting happened on Sept. 12, 2023, around 5 p.m. near a playground and recreation center in Reading. Many children were there for an after-school program when the shooting occurred about a half block away, at North 11th and Amity streets.

Adams says the victim and a friend went to the park to meet Acevedo and Pena. The two were allegedly supposed to buy a gun from Amsbaugh. That's when investigators say Acevedo and Pena robbed Amsbaugh. His friend escaped, but authorities say Pena shot Amsbaugh in the head while Acevedo held him.

"During that robbery, Jaimie Acevedo held the victim while they shot him," Adams said. 'Therefore, he actively participated not only in the robbery but also in the homicide."

According to court documents, Acevedo had previous problems with the law and had spent about four years in state prison for receiving stolen property and carrying a gun with altered numbers and without a license, among other charges.

"This is another example of youth violence that is occurring in our city," said Adams.

"The other alleged murderer, Jovanni Pena, is 16 years old, and Jaime Acevedo is of legal age but young," Adams said. "This is not just one life lost, but two people charged with serious crimes that could result in life sentences for themselves."

Acevedo will be arraigned and sent to the Berks County Jail.
READING, Pa. - It was announced Thursday that State Rep. Manny Guzman has been appointed to serve as chair of the Pennsylvania House Central Pennsylvania Democratic Delegation.

In a media release from the State Rep., Guzman indicated that he is overjoyed with the appointment as it "represents a new platform to amplify his efforts for the region, as well as represents a vote of trust from his colleagues."

l am looking forward to continuing to be that voice not only for Reading and Berks County, but for all the members of the Central PA Delegation, he added.

The legislator also explained the fact that he is now chair of the Central PA Delegation can be seen as a positive indicator of the Latino community advancement in the Commonwealth.

As a proud Latino, I feel that I reflect a growing, diverse community. I want to make it easier for kids in Reading and all across the state to see themselves in roles like this one; I want to empower them through my work, he said.

Guzman succeeds Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, who was named to a committee chairmanship.
BERN TWP., Pa - With a wave, a salute, and a traditional greeting -- a meeting decades in the making began at a community center in Bern Township.

"Just normal talking, said WWII Veteran Ed Czechowski. Friendships, ya know, all that stuff yeah. He's a nice guy, tell him that."

Reading-native and World War II veteran 99-year-old Ed Czechowski, whose story 69 News brought you last November, had a specially arranged Zoom meeting with a former WWII kamikaze pilot 97-year-old Pingfen Li - coming in from Taiwan. Li -- with his own incredible story of survival -- having been unwillingly pulled into the second Great War on the Japanese side and almost sent on a suicide mission before learning of the war's end.

Ed said he was on a ship that was struck by a kamikaze pilot.

When Ed asked Li what he thought of America, Li's response in his native regional dialect? "freedom and opportunity" he said.

Two former enemies, now reflecting and sharing past experiences thousands of miles apart -- through an interpreter. A far cry from the violent air, sea and battlefields they witness so many years ago. Ed himself a decorated Navy man aboard the Destroyer U-S-S Saufley. The two men, now simply sharing a conversation.

I think it's terrific we can share our experience together because the war's over and we're all friends, said Czechowski.

With all that these two surviving veterans have been through and brought back home -- we still live in a world of almost perpetual conflict -- and soldiers still dying. What can countries currently in conflict learn from this historic meeting?

"Well, if they had a good decent talk together, maybe they could iron out their problems and realize that war don't solve nothing, Czechowski said.

Before the meeting came to a close -- a mutual salute is shared. And the promise of good will gifts to be sent.
ALLENTOWN, Pa.  The Allentown School District Board of Directors held a second public hearing on a proposed charter school Thursday night, during which the administration identified 82 deficiencies in the applicant's submission.

The Lehigh Valley STEAM Academy Charter School is proposed to be located in the Commonwealth Building at 510 Hamilton St. STEAM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

Carlos and Carol Lopez, founders of the school and the key applicants, were questioned at length by the district solicitor during the first hour of the second hearing.

The applicants said they will require a minimum of $750,000 to open the school, which would pay for the first three months of the initial school year. The intention is to borrow the startup funds from Community First Fund and negotiate the terms of the repayment once the charter school gets its approval and the reimbursements from the school districts would begin.

Shuanta Broadway McDaniel  ASD's deputy superintendent and chief of performance management, equity and accountability  presented a summary of the review conducted by the administrative team members, as required by the state.

The charter school application states the school proposes to begin in its first year with kindergarten through third grade, for a total of 300 students.

The school expects to add one additional grade in each of the five years of the charter, expanding the enrollment to 600 students. The school proposes to add an eighth grade during the first renewal process.

Key administrators took turns testifying to more than 80 deficiencies they said they found within the application:

22 in curriculum, planning, instruction and assessment.

15 in policies and procedures for the school.

8 in business and operations.

7 in proposed staffing.

7 in the reporting of the suitability of the location and site.

6 in professional development requirements.

4 in proposed health services.

4 in documented community support.

3 in instructions for English language learners.

3 in special education plans.

2 in instructional time requirements.

2 in student attendance improvement plan.

Regarding some of the deficiencies related to the site's location, Jennifer Ramos  ASD's deputy superintendent, chief of schools  explained concerns related to disclosure of where the school would be established.

Ramos referenced a letter signed by Abraham Atiyeh which she said identified the address of the proposed school as 512 W. Hamilton St. She said, though, the letter also stated that Exchange 5 LLC  which is owned by Atiyeh, a developer  does not own the property, and the letter did not disclose the owner.

She also said the applicant did not disclose the current use of the property and whether there would be other tenants in the building.

Brian Leinhauser, an attorney representing the applicant  during an objection to the deficiencies in location and site  said he suspects the district has predetermined the outcome of the board's decision and was prepared to address deficiencies on an appeal.

The solicitor for the district said no predetermination has been made prior to a board vote.

Leinhauser made closing statements where he criticized the administration's review of the third submission of the application.

"I am fascinated that there are issues raised in this document that have been in the document in each submission that were not objected to in prior submissions," Leinhauser said.

"I will raise an issue of waiver on the record saying that the administration reviewed this and testified at a previous hearing that the prior review was a full and complete review of the document," he continued, "and yet, found new things that were unchanged in the document from the prior submission."

"I submit to the board that this review is comprehensive and complete, and so to the extent that the attention to detail provided by the district is reflected in that lack of consistency, I wanted to raise that as an issue for the board to consider," Leinhauser added.

He said the findings could be reflective of an administration that is not paying attention to details.

He also said the charter school is needed because student test scores do not reflect well on the district.

"I would submit to the board that the outcomes (of this district) are less than something to be celebrated when you have students in grades 3 to 8 scoring between 2.5% and 24% proficient in their math skills, and no school scoring more than 30% proficient in their reading skills," Leinhauser said. "Perhaps there's a better way or there might be someone who could provide an opportunity for students to learn better."

The district solicitor told Leinhauser he has the right to file findings of fact to respond to the critiques of the administration no later than Feb 5.

The board has until Feb. 27 to render a decision.

Earlier this week, the Bethlehem Area School District's board also held a public hearing for "Bethlehem STEAM Academy Charter School," which calls for a 21,000-square-foot school facility with 17 classrooms at 316 E. Market St. On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the Whitehall-Coplay School District's board will hold a hearing for "Whitehall STEAM Academy Charter School."
HANOVER TWP., Pa.  The Hanover Township, Northampton County, Zoning Hearing Board dismissed a substantive validity challenge regarding a proposed warehouse Thursday night at the community center.

The challenge, brought by Red Bird Associates and Embassy Bank, was against a proposed 252,290-square-foot warehouse at 300 Gateway Drive by Arcadia Development. The site is currently occupied by the SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western. The land is near the northeast corner of an intersection of Routes 512 and 22 and rests in the Planned Industrial Business District (PIBD).

The claim is predicated that a Nov. 8, 2022 decision by Hanover Township to change the zoning district from Commercial Center District (C-2) to PIBD was illegal. Specifically, Red Bird and Embassy are alleging the decision amounted to "unconstitutional spot zoning." The petitioner has to prove the township's ordinance or zoning map is defective to the zoning hearing board.

"...The board of supervisors singled out for preferential treatment a discrete tract of land in a manner that it creates an 'island' of land which is entirely out of character with its surrounding neighborhood," the applicant filed in their petition to the township. They allege this decision had "no justification other than the zoning was actually reverting back to its original designation."

However the case was never heard Thursday night.

Arcadai attorney Matthew Deschler brought his own petition  this to dismiss the challenge currently "because it was not warranted now." Rather, a zoning challenge would be permitted if and when a land development plan  which is scheduled for a possible vote in March  is approved, not before.

Deschler argued successfully that he doesn't have to "fend off" challenges to the project before it's even approved. Should supervisors approve the plan, then Red Bird and Embassy would have an appeal period totaling 30 days.

The zoning hearing board agreed with Deschler in rendering a 3-0, dismissing the challenge "without prejudice."
L. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa.  Apartments and a hotel would add traffic to a hazardous intersection in Lower Macungie Township, according to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

The LVPC reviewed a plan for 318 housing units, an 88,000-square-foot hotel and 19,800 square feet of retail space at 617 N. Krocks Road, at the intersection of Krocks Road and Route 222.

"This is one of the highest-crash locations in the Lehigh Valley," LVPC Executive Director Becky Bradley said at Thursday's commission meeting.

Regional Planner Joseph Dotta presented grim traffic statistics: 122 accidents within 100 feet of the intersection in the six years from 2017 through 2022.

Busy intersections are not uncommon in the Lehigh Valley, but this crossing of Route 222 has a twist: The development would share an entrance with Resurrection Cemetery, owned by the Diocese of Allentown. That creates the potential for conflict as lines of cars of mourners show up at a funeral.

The LVPC recommends coordination with local authorities to avoid the road being blocked during funeral processions.

Another hazard would be constant: Pedestrians would have to cross seven lanes of traffic at the intersection. The LVPC's draft review recommends solutions that include a "pedestrian island," but the best option might be having faster traffic on Route 222 cross above Krocks Road.

That configuration, similar to how Route 22 passes over Route 512 in Hanover Township (Northampton County), resembles a short bridge but is known in the planning world as a "grade-separated interchange."

The idea of a pedestrian bridge over Route 222 has been raised by a couple of the appointed LVPC commissioners, but it is not a recommendation of the professional staff.

The appointed commissioners approved the staff recommendations for the Krocks Road development. Those points will be passed on to the developer, Lower Macungie and other nearby municipalities for consideration.

Bethlehem's Walnut Street Garage

The commission also reviewed new zoning for the site of the Walnut Street Garage in Bethlehem. The Bethlehem Parking Authority seeks to change the zoning for the entire tract of land to Central Business, or CB, to accommodate a new garage, retail space and potential residential use.

Chairman Chris Amato was presiding over his first meeting as leader, and he wrapped it up in 89 minutes.

Amato welcomed four new commissioners: Diane Kelly, president of the board of commissioners of South Whitehall Township; Sunny Ghai of the Upper Macungie Township Board of Supervisors; Lehigh County Commissioner Ron Beitler; and John Inglis, chairman of the Upper Saucon Township Board of Supervisors.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission has a professional staff that reviews big projects proposed for Lehigh and Northampton counties. Staff recommendations are then reviewed and sometimes altered by appointed commissioners from both counties, and then sent to developers and affected municipalities.

In most cases, municipalities make final land-use decisions.
HARRISBURG, Pa.  Two dozen Pennsylvania lawmakers are suing President Joe Biden, Gov. Josh Shapiro and several other officials over voting-related executive actions.

The Republican lawmakers are asking the court to stop the automatic voter registration option that Shapiro put in effect last year. They're also asking the court to rule that federal buildings can't be used for voter registration.

The Pennsylvania Freedom Caucus shared the federal lawsuit online. It alleges extreme overreach by both Biden and Shapiro.

They said a 2022 state law invalidates President Biden's 2021 executive order that allowed the function.

The lawmakers said the executive actions violated their rights by excluding them from the lawmaking process with regard to elections.

The governor's office said it's clear that he had the authority to "securely streamline voter registration."

Statement from Gov. Shapiro spokesman Manuel Bonder:

"It is abundantly clear that Governor Shapiro's commonsense action to securely streamline voter registration and enhance election security is within the Administration's authority. Any suggestion that the Administration lacks the authority to implement automatic voter registration is frivolous. This Administration looks forward to once again defending our democracy in court against those advancing extreme, undemocratic legal theories.

Governor Shapiro remains focused on protecting our democracy and ensuring our elections are free, fair, safe, and secure."

The lawsuit seeks to declare that Biden's executive order, Shapiro's edict, and the DOS's directives are unconstitutional and should be reversed.
HAZLETON, Pa. - The City of Allentown just announced its new gunshot detection and license plate reading system meant to improve safety in the city.

But now we're hearing from the City of Hazleton, which has been using the exact same technology for months now.

"We have 64 cameras, and I think 184 gunshot canisters, so they are just about everywhere in the city. There's not one way out of the city without getting your license plate read," said Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat.

Hazleton Police tell us the cameras capture millions of license plates every single month, and to show us how well they work, they actually captured a picture of our 69 News car as it was driving through town Thursday.

"It searched every time, every camera you've hit," said Hazleton Police Chief Brian Schoonmaker.

And it's not just cameras. It's listening devices that can accurately hear gunshots and alert police.

"It hasn't picked up fireworks, it hasn't picked up anything silly, but it's actually, the few gunshots we have had while the system was running have been validated," said Chief Schoonmaker.

When shots are validated, the cameras take pictures of the area where the sound came from to spot criminals.

"It's an actual deterrent, it really is. The system has been fantastic for us. It has increased our arrests, the presence. I mean it's just like putting a police officer in that area to try and look for things," said Chief Schoonmaker.

Cities that use Flock Safety can share their data with other localities as well. Mayor Cusat said that's why he's encouraging more places to get on board.

"I believe in this project so much that I actually took Captain White with me and we went to the Pennsylvania Municipal League and put on a display and a presentation to show our support for this system," said Mayor Cusat.

A system for safety in the 21st century.
MOSCOW, Id. - Suspected killer Bryan Kohberger returned back to an Idaho courtroom Friday afternoon.

The Poconos man is accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students in their off-campus home in the fall of 2022.

The large majority of the hour long hearing was spent debating the defense's request to appeal the Grand Jury's indictment, in hopes of having it thrown out.

"We need to get to a trial in this case," said Prosecutors. "I don't want to lose sight of the fact of the seriousness of this case, we're talking about a quadruple homicide under Idaho's law. Our victims have a constitutional right to a timely resolution of the litigation."

For the second time, Kohberger's defense team asked the judge to allow an appeal of his indictment to the Idaho Supreme Court.

"What we're trying to do is make sure that the things that occur in this case are done correctly. And if you want to talk about how long things are going to take, get some stuff wrong, and then see how long it all takes," said defense attorney's.

After hearing arguments from both sides, District Judge John C. Judge made his ruling.

Judge denied the appeal for the grand jury indictment, allowing the process to proceed to trial.

"I'm denying the permission for appeal, obviously, denying the motion to reconsider," said Judge.

After that ruling, the sides debated a potential start date for the trial.

The prosecution pushed for a summer start to the trial to avoid issues with the schools and colleges in the area.

"We do not believe a summer of 2024 trial is realistic in any way. Understanding the states concerns, if a trial were to happen in Latah County, we would suggest looking at summer of 2025," said Anne Taylor, defense attorney.

The defense said the trial will last much longer than 6 weeks, like the prosecution said it would be.

Judge asked for a compromise between summer 2024 and summer 2025.

"If you could say everything is going to go according as planned, if you could tell me that, then I would say I could be ready by March, of 2025," said Taylor.

One victims parents attended Friday's hearing and pushed for a quick start to the trial.

After hearing arguments from both sides about a potential start date, Judge acknowledged the request by families of the victims for a speedy trial.

"So my heart goes out to the victims. I can't even imagine, the pain, the grief," said Judge.

He concluded Friday's hearing after saying he wasn't ready to make a final decision on a start date yet.
Floridas CFO divested the state from BlackRock, but not his own accounts

TALLAHASSEE  As Gov. Ron DeSantis led Floridas charge against woke investing in recent years, the states chief financial officer has positioned himself as a loyal soldier.

CFO Jimmy Patronis has raged on X, formerly Twitter, about companies policies to consider environmental, social and corporate governance factors. Like DeSantis, most of that ire has been directed at the investment giant BlackRock, and Patronis ordered a state fund under his supervision to divest $2 billion managed by the company in 2022.

Divesting his personal accounts is another story.

While he was purging the treasury account of BlackRock funds, he did not divest more than $75,000 in a company-managed fund he personally owned, according to his most recent financial disclosure filed with the state.

Patronis BlackRock holdings were in a 401(k) profit-sharing plan for the Panama City Beach restaurant he owns.

Devin Galetta, spokesperson for Patronis office, did not address the discrepancy, but said in a statement that not all (Patronis) personal retirement investments can be winners.

His personal money is managed by another party, and at any given time his retirement money is moving to all sorts of places that hes not aware of, Galetta said.

The amount is a pittance compared to the restaurateur and 17-year politicians overall $6.9 million net worth, but it runs contrary to his own statements about BlackRock over the last 14 months.

Since 2022, Patronis has posted on X about the company or its CEO, Larry Fink, at least 15 times, at one point comparing him to a Bond villain.

Using Floridas cash to fund BlackRocks social-engineering project isnt something we signed up for, Patronis posted on X (then known as Twitter) in December 2022.

DeSantis and Patronis have blasted the asset management firm as the poster child for what they call woke investing. BlackRock, like many companies, uses environmental, social and governance factors, such as the way companies treat their employees, when deciding where to invest.

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DeSantis made fighting ESG one of the common talking points of his failed presidential campaign, saying it is part of the woke mind virus designed to exercise power over our society. Last year, he pushed lawmakers to pass legislation banning state and local governments from investing in funds or purchasing bonds based on ESG factors.

On Dec. 1, 2022, Patronis announced that the Florida Treasury, which he oversees, would begin divesting $2 billion in assets managed by BlackRock. (No public effort has been made to divest about $13 billion BlackRock manages in Floridas retirement funds.)

The move generated national headlines and appearances on cable news for Patronis, who has floated the idea of running for governor. Patronis has made a habit of proposing headline-generating ideas while in office, such as ordering the states 100,000 businesses to voluntarily report whether they were owned by Communist China.

Most recently, he persuaded two Republican lawmakers to file legislation that would have created a $5 million fund for former President Donald Trumps legal defense fees. The legislation was withdrawn after DeSantis promptly threatened to veto it.

Patronis $75,516.35 was in BlackRocks Emerging Markets Fund, according to his financial disclosure dated Dec. 31, 2022.

The companys site says the fund does not seek to follow a sustainable, impact or ESG investment strategy. The largest share of the funds investments, about 23%, are in Chinese companies, including the e-commerce giant Alibaba and Tencent, which owns the countrys overwhelmingly popular app WeChat.

Since divesting the treasury from BlackRock, the $60 billion in taxpayer money Patronis manages has generated $1.1 billion in interest  evidence that it has performed well, Galetta said.

The CFO may reach out to his personal money people in the future to see if they can act more like the State, Galetta said.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  The United Nations top court on Friday ordered Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza, but the panel stopped short of ordering an end to the military offensive that has laid waste to the Palestinian enclave.

In a ruling that will keep Israel under the legal lens for years to come, the court offered little other comfort to Israeli leaders in a genocide case brought by South Africa that goes to the core of one of the worlds most intractable conflicts. The court's half-dozen orders will be difficult to achieve without some sort of cease-fire or pause in the fighting.

The court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is unfolding in the region and is deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering, court President Joan E. Donoghue said.

The ruling amounted to an overwhelming rebuke of Israels wartime conduct and added to mounting international pressure to halt the nearly 4-month-old offensive that has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, decimated vast swaths of Gaza and driven nearly 85% of its 2.3 million people from their homes.

Allowing the accusations to stand stung the government of Israel, which was founded as a Jewish state after the Nazi slaughter of 6 million Jews during World War II.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the fact that the court was willing to discuss the genocide charges was a mark of shame that will not be erased for generations. He vowed to press ahead with the war.

The power of the ruling was magnified by its timing, coming on the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Later Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that the top court's rulings are legally binding and trusts that Israel will comply with its orders, including to take all measures within its power to prevent acts that would bring about the destruction of the Palestinian people.

Those truly needing to stand trial are those that murdered and kidnapped children, women and the elderly, former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said, referring to Hamas militants who stormed through Israeli communities on Oct. 7 in the attack that set off the war. The assault killed some 1,200 people and resulted in another 250 being kidnapped.

The court also called on Hamas to release the hostages who are still in captivity. Hamas urged the international community to make Israel carry out the courts orders.

Many of the measures were approved by an overwhelming majority of the judges. Of the six orders, an Israeli judge voted in favor of two  an order for humanitarian aid and another for the prevention of inflammatory speech.

Israeli Judge Aharon Barak said he supported those orders in the hope that they would help to decrease tensions and discourage damaging rhetoric while easing the consequences of the armed conflict for the most vulnerable.

Such provisional measures issued by the world court are legally binding, but it is not clear if Israel will comply with them.

We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our people, said Netanyahu, who pushed back against the ruling in two languages. In a message aimed at his domestic audience, the tone was more defiant in Hebrew, and he stopped short of overtly criticizing the court in English.

The court ruled that Israel must do all it can to prevent genocide, including refraining from harming or killing Palestinians. It also ruled that Israel must urgently get basic aid to Gaza and that the country should punish any incitement to genocide, among other measures.

The panel told Israel to submit a report on steps taken within a month.

Thats a time that the court could come back and say, You have not met the orders. You have not complied. Now we find you are in the midst of committing genocide, said Mary Ellen OConnell, a professor of law and international peace studies at Notre Dame Universitys Kroc Institute.

Fridays decision was an interim ruling. It could take years for the court to consider all aspects of South Africa's genocide allegations. The U.N. Security Council scheduled a meeting for Wednesday to follow up on the ruling.

In Israel, commentators said the decision not to order a cease-fire was received with some relief since it helped Israel avoid a collision with a top U.N. body.

Palestinians and their supporters said the court took an important step toward holding Israel accountable. The Foreign Ministry of the internationally backed Palestinian self-rule government in the West Bank said the ruling should serve as a wake-up call for Israel and actors who enabled its entrenched impunity, an apparent reference to the United States, Israels chief ally.

The U.S. repeated its position that Israel must take all possible steps" to minimize harm to civilians, increase humanitarian aid and curb "dehumanizing rhetoric.

We continue to believe that allegations of genocide are unfounded, the State Department said in a statement.

The South African government said the ruling determined that Israels actions in Gaza are plausibly genocidal.

There is no credible basis for Israel to continue to claim that its military actions are in full compliance with international law, the government said in a statement.

Israel often boycotts international tribunals and U.N. investigations, saying they are unfair and biased. But this time, it took the rare step of sending a high-level legal team  a sign of how seriously it regards the case.

The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its death toll, but the agency has said about two-thirds of those killed have been women and children.

The Israeli military claims at least 9,000 of the more than 26,000 dead were Hamas militants.

U.N. officials have expressed fears that even more people could die from disease and malnutrition, with at least one-quarter of the Gaza population facing starvation.

Yuval Shany, a law professor at Hebrew University and senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, said the courts decision was not as bad as Israel feared it would be and would not fundamentally alter the way the military conducts the war.

The greatest fear was that the court would ask Israel to stop the war, Shany said, describing the decision as something that Israel can live with."

Casert reported from Brussels. Associated Press writers Josef Federman and Julia Frankel in Jerusalem; Gerald Imray in Cape Town, South Africa; and Jill Lawless and Danica Kirka in London contributed to this report.

Follow AP's war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
The logo of UBS Group is seen at an office building in Hong Kong

By Selena Li and Xie Yu

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Former asset management head of Credit Suisse in Asia Pacific, Min Huang, is leaving UBS as the bank embarks on reviewing its China business post global leadership changes, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Huang was appointed China client coverage head for UBS Asset Management in June last year when the Swiss banking giant unveiled regional leaders.

UBS declined to comment and Huang did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment.

The departure of Huang comes as UBS reviews its China setup amid a global leadership change and as it consolidates senior-rank managers in asset management in the market, said the sources who declined to be named as the information is confidential.

Prior to taking up the senior role under UBS in China, Huang was the top boss heading Credit Suisses asset management business in Asia Pacific.

UBS says it is determined to grow in a $9.7 trillion China asset management market.

The bank has "a huge opportunity" to expand its business across investment banking, wealth management and asset management in China, Eugene Qian, China country head of UBS said earlier this month.

The bank has yet to make clear its asset management growth roadmap in China. UBS had to shelf a plan to set up a new China fund unit, Reuters reported last July.

The banking giant on Wednesday appointed insider Aleksandar Ivanovic as the new global head of its $1.6 trillion asset management business, taking over in March from incumbent president Suni Harford after she retires.

Ivanovic will be running a key UBS division - which generated 6.5% of UBS's revenues in the third quarter of 2023 - but one that is much smaller than its wealth management business, which contributed 50% of UBS's revenues in that quarter.

UBS was pushed into a takeover of its arch-rival Credit Suisse in March last year in a $3.46 billion rescue deal. The following integration process is a multi-year task involving thousands of job losses.

(Reporting by Selena Li and Xie Yu; Editing by Michael Perry)
Fort Lauderdale has managed to recover the $1.2 million it sent to a phishing scammer posing as a construction company back in September, officials announced Thursday, though no arrests have been made.

A city employee had sent the money to what they believed was Moss Construction, the company tasked with building the citys new police headquarters, after the scammer sent a request for an Automated Clearing House electronic funds transfer. The scammer had filled out all of the paperwork and attached a blank check to the email.

Excellent work from the police department, Commissioner Steve Glassman told the Sun Sentinel Wednesday night ahead of the news conference. Im really pleased that worked out, and hopefully well have some safeguards in place that this will never happen again.

Commissioner John Herbst, a certified public accountant served as the citys auditor for16 years, said Wednesday night that he had not heard about the announcement.

In late October, City Manager Greg Chavarria told the Sun Sentinel that the city had recovered half of the money, totaling $612,504.64, from a bank. He did not elaborate at the time on how the city went about recovering the money.

Moss Construction, the company whose identity was used, did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday. The company said back in September that it was also a victim of the scam.

Malicious actors took advantage of our good name and publicly available information to attempt a scam, a Moss spokesperson told the Sun Sentinel, deferring to the police for further comment.
Sheara Fredman, Chief Accounting Officer of The Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS), has sold 4,300 shares of the company on January 23, 2024, according to a recent SEC Filing. The transaction was executed at an average price of $380.15 per share, resulting in a total value of $1,634,645.

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc, a leading global investment banking, securities, and investment management firm, provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals.

Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 4,300 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group Inc and has not made any purchase of the stock. The insider transaction history for the company shows a pattern of 9 insider sells and 0 insider buys over the same timeframe.

On the date of the insider's recent sale, shares of The Goldman Sachs Group Inc were trading at $380.15, giving the company a market capitalization of $124,803,240,000.

The stock's price-earnings ratio stands at 16.77, which is below the industry median of 19.4 but above the historical median price-earnings ratio for the company.

With the current share price of $380.15 and a GuruFocus Value of $330.84, The Goldman Sachs Group Inc has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 1.15, indicating that the stock is considered Modestly Overvalued according to the GF Value metric.

The GF Value is calculated based on historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor related to the company's past performance, and future business performance estimates provided by Morningstar analysts.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc's Chief Accounting Officer Sells Company Shares

The insider trend image above reflects the recent selling activity by insiders of The Goldman Sachs Group Inc, which may be of interest to investors monitoring insider behaviors.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc's Chief Accounting Officer Sells Company Shares

The GF Value image provides a visual representation of the stock's current valuation in relation to its intrinsic value as estimated by GuruFocus.

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.


For many married retirees, Social Security is essential to their retirement budgets. Nearly 9 out of 10 retirees said Social Security is at least a minor source of household income, in an annual Gallup poll. As such, making the most of the benefits available to you is important to ensure you can get the most out of your golden years.

One important aspect of Social Security available to married couples are spousal benefits. The spousal benefit allows a spouse to claim benefits based on their partner's earnings record, and they may provide a significant boost in household income. And one of the best ages to claim your Social Security spousal benefits is age 67.

Before diving into the details of the average spousal benefit at age 67 and why you might want to wait until reaching that age to make your Social Security claim, it's important to understand how spousal benefits work.

Image source: Getty Images.

How much can you receive in spousal benefits?

To be eligible for spousal Social Security benefits, you must meet the following criteria:

Be married for at least one year to someone receiving Social Security benefits.

Be at least 62 years old

(You may also qualify for spousal benefits without any additional restrictions if you are caring for your spouse's child whose age 16 or younger or disabled.)

If you meet those requirements, you may be eligible for a benefit equal to half your spouse's primary insurance amount. The primary insurance amount is the amount a beneficiary receives if they claim Social Security at their full retirement age.

Full retirement age is determined by what year the beneficiary is born. Anyone born in from 1943 to 1954 reached full retirement age at 66. That age increased by two months for every year beyond 1954 until reaching age 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.

This table shows what percentage of your spouse's primary insurance amount someone with a full retirement age of 67 will receive based on various claiming ages.

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Age Percentage of Spouse's PIA 62 32.5% 63 35% 64 37.5% 65 41.67% 66 45.83% 67 or older 50%

Data source: Social Security Administration. Calculations by author.

Some important details about spousal benefits

While you can't claim spousal benefits until your spouse claims their own benefit, you can claim your own benefit and then switch to a spousal benefit once they start collecting their own Social Security. However, your spousal benefit will be calculated based on when you claimed your own benefit. So if you claim your own benefit at age 62, you'll only be eligible to receive as little as 32.5% of your spouse's primary insurance amount, not the full 50%.

Another important detail is that spousal benefits max out at full retirement age. That's why age 67 is an important age for many retired and soon-to-be-retired couples. Anyone born in 1960 or later will maximize their spousal benefits by claiming at age 67 instead of waiting longer.

Here's the average spousal Social Security benefit at age 67

According to the most recent data provided by the Social Security Administration, there were 84,034 67-year-olds collecting spousal retirement benefits in December 2022. On average, they received a monthly check of $841.44 per month, or about $10,097 per year.

It's important to note that this number includes spouses who claimed benefits as early as 62, so if you wait until full retirement age, you'll likely receive a higher-than-average monthly benefit. Of course, it all depends on your spouse's earnings record.

What's more, the vast majority of 67-year-olds are better off collecting benefits based on their own earnings record. There were 2.85 million 67-year-olds collecting retirement benefits on their own earnings record in December 2022. Those collecting spousal benefits total less than 3% of that number.

As such, you must look at your and your spouse's numbers to determine whether you'll take benefits based on your spouse's earnings record or if you should optimize for taking your own benefit. Your claiming strategy can alter dramatically based on whether you claim one or the other. While spousal benefits max out at full retirement age, you'll maximize your own benefit by waiting until age 70.

If you're sure you'll claim spousal benefits, waiting until you reach full retirement age is usually the best course of action. Even if you take benefits based on your own earnings record for a few years while waiting for your spouse to apply for benefits, it usually works out in the long run. But every situation is different, and you should consult a professional if you're unsure what's best.

The $21,756 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook

If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $21,756 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies.

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Here's the Average Spousal Social Security Retirement Benefit at Age 67 was originally published by The Motley Fool
Tengpa Anye (L) performs lion dance with his grandson in Xobando Town of Lhorong County in Qamdo City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Sun Fei]

"The policy support, financial input, education and training and other means have jointly promoted the protection and development of Xizang's cultural traditions," said Suolang Zhuoma, an assistant researcher at the China Tibetology Research Center.

GENEVA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua)  With a rich historical background, the traditional culture of Xizang has exhibited renewed vitality and garnered widespread attention and protection during China's modernization process, an expert said here Wednesday.

The China Society for Human Rights Studies on Wednesday held here a side-event on the theme of "Chinese-style Modernization and Human Rights" during the 45th session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Council.

Suolang Zhuoma, an assistant researcher at the China Tibetology Research Center, said that Xizang boasts many historic sites, such as Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. The Chinese government has listed them as key national cultural relics and invested substantial funds in their protection.

Through relentless restoration efforts, these precious ancient buildings can maintain their historical style, serving as both symbols and witnesses to Xizang's rich cultural traditions, she said.

Children have fun with a lion dance prop at a primary school in Xobando Town of Lhorong County in Qamdo City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 19, 2024. [Photo by Tenzin Nyida/Xinhua]

"Xizang's traditional art is an important part of its cultural heritage. The Chinese government is committed to cultivating young people's interest and love for traditional art and improving their skills by establishing art schools and training centers," she said.

The government also encourages artists to innovate and integrate, thereby revitalizing the traditional art, she added.

She said that Xizang has a variety of traditional cultural festivals and activities, such as the Tibetan New Year and Tibetan opera performances. Various cultural festivals are organized every year to let more people understand and experience Xizang's traditional culture and promote its inheritance and development through exhibitions and performances, among others.

"The policy support, financial input, education and training and other means have jointly promoted the protection and development of Xizang's cultural traditions," she said.

(Source: Xinhua)
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.
Insights into HFBL's Dividend Performance and Future Prospects

Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana (NASDAQ:HFBL) recently announced a dividend of $0.13 per share, payable on 2024-02-12, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-01-26. 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 Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Signs with VTYB.

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?

Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana operates as a bank holding company. It is a federally chartered stock savings bank, which provides financial services to individuals, corporate entities, and other organizations. Its core activities consist of attracting deposits from the general public and using those funds to originate loans to the residential, commercial, and multi-family segments. The company also invests in securities held-to-maturity and securities available for sale.

Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana's Dividend History

Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2005. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Breaking Down Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.56% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 3.63%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Over the past three years, Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana's annual dividend growth rate was 14.50%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to 13.90% per year. And over the past decade, Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at an impressive 14.90%.

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Based on Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana stock as of today is approximately 6.82%.

Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana'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, Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana's dividend payout ratio is 0.29.

Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana's profitability 7 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. Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana's revenue has increased by approximately 12.50% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 76.41% 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, Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana's earnings increased by approximately 19.10% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 74.81% of global competitors.

Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 11.80%, which outperforms approximately 62.69% of global competitors, further underscores its robust financial health.

Engaging Conclusion

In conclusion, Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana's consistent dividend payments, strong dividend growth rate, manageable payout ratio, solid profitability, and positive growth metrics paint a picture of a financially sound company with a reliable dividend policy. These factors are indicative of the company's ability to maintain, and potentially increase, dividends in the future, making it an attractive consideration for value investors focused on income-generating stocks. Will Home Federal Bancorp Inc of louisiana continue to be a dependable source of dividends for investors in the years to come?

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.


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Europe

Estonian teachers begin strike over pay

Thousands of teachers in Estonia began a potentially indefinite strike on Monday, demanding the government implement its promise to increase teachers salaries to 120 percent of the national average by 2027.

According to the Estonian Union of Education Workers (EHL), 9,471 teachers joined the stoppage on Monday. Including kindergarten workers and others holding partial strikes, there were 18,000 strikers.

Although many teachers returned to work after Wednesday, the head of the EHL told ERR he was hearing reports that many teachers intended to strike for much longer.

There is widespread public support for the teachers. A poll conducted by Norstat found that 72 percent of the population said they either approve or somewhat approve of the strikes, and 73 percent of parents. Actors at the Estonian Drama Theatre read out a statement of support before a performance on Monday.

Polls also showed that 60 percent approved or somewhat approved the suggestion that government coalition partners, the Social Democrats and Estonia 200, call a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Kaja Kallas if her Reform Party does not concede to teachers demands, ERR reported. However, the parties themselves have not suggested any plans to grant concessions to the teachers.

The dispute within the ruling coalition over the strikes has largely been over how best to push through education reforms, which would meet the pay rises promised while cutting overall spending. Minister of Education Kristina Kallas (Estonia 200, no relation to the prime minister) said, Compared to other European countries, we have too many high schools per student and suggested saving money by closing schools.

The Social Democrats suggested tax rises, while Kaja Kallas pointed to Estonias high education spending (more than any other European country except Iceland as a percentage of GDP in 2020, according to Macrotrends) as a problem. She said meeting teachers salary demands requires reforms to find where the money is. Perhaps the places where we spend more than the average European country.

In a televised debate with Kristina Kallas, Tonis Lukas of the right-wing Fatherland party, seeking to capitalise on the crisis caused by the strikes, pointed to the cynical manner in which Estonia 200 claimed to support teachers. Kristina Kallas acts as if its the [other coalition parties] which interfere, he said. Theres a bit of a martyrs aura. The three of you bluffed togetherthose promises about teachers salaries. And the three of you actually also agreed on the current budget.

Teachers strikes and student protests across Greece against private universities

Thousands of teachers and students have taken to the streets in Greece over the past two weeks to oppose government plans to permit private universities.

Article 16 of the Greek Constitution begins: Art and science, research and teaching shall be free and their development and promotion shall be an obligation of the State, and includes the clause, The establishment of university level institutions by private persons is prohibited.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called this an unbearable insanity which outrages the whole of society and intends to change Article 16, according to Kathimerini. The bill will be voted on by the end of February.

ef.syn reported that large rallies took place on January 18 and again this Thursday against the plans. Student protesters also occupied more than half of university faculties and departments. The Federation of Secondary School Staff called three-hour work stoppages so schoolteachers could join the protests, and the Unified Association of Teaching and Research Staff at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greeces largest university, called a 48-hour strike.

Educators at two French schools strike for resources for disabled students

Educators at two schools in France walked out on Thursday to demand increased resources to enable students with disabilities to attend their schools.

Students with certain disabilities have the right to an AESH assistant to help them attend mainstream schools. However, the head of one of the two striking schools, the Chevre primary school in the town of Acigne in Brittany, told Ouest France, [W]e find students whose rights are not covered, and he wanted the government to strengthen the attractiveness of the professions of AESH This mainly involves salary increases.

The two strikes precede a national education strike on February 1, called by four education unions to demand solutions to a school recruitment crisis, increased pay, as well as increased hiring and more secure contracts for AESH workers. Teachers also oppose a reform to vocational schools, which will see children spend more time working as interns in companies.

National public transport strike in Italy over pay and conditions

Workers on buses, trams and other public transport systems across Italy stopped work on Thursday, called out by the USB, CUB, Cobas and other grassroots unions. The unions call for pay rises, improved working conditions and safety, and also an end to privatisation and expenditure on war.

Legal restrictions banned strikes during peak morning and afternoon hours, but outside these times many workers joined the walkouts. According to ANSA, 75 percent of workers in Turin and Bologna and 70 percent in Rome joined.

PSOE regional president in Asturias, Spain threatens striking vehicle inspection workers with privatisation

Workers at ITVASA, the municipally owned company responsible for carrying out legally mandated inspections of vehicles for safety and emissions in Asturias, Spain have been on strike since November over working hours and understaffing.

The president of the Principality of Asturias and general secretary of the Asturian branch of the ruling Socialist Party (PSOE), Adrian Barbon, made provocations and threats in response.

According to EFE, after a long, unsuccessful negotiation between ITVASA and the unions, Barbon said the government would negotiate after the strike was called off. He provocatively said he would accept the demand for reduced working hours, but only on the condition of increased productivity, from 13 to 15 inspections per person.

Most notably, he said that if the strike continued, he would have to consider other models in which private mechanics can carry out statutory inspections as well as the public ITVASA. The far-right opposition party Vox made near-identical comments. While opportunistically criticising Barbon for not resolving the strike, Vox called for allowing entry into the market of private companies, reported Europa Press.

Romanian healthcare workers continue protests over low pay

On January 18 and again on Thursday, healthcare workers protested in Bucharest, Romania to demand a 20 percent pay rise for all workers in health and social care, in groups of 250 people each time. The Sanitas union is also collecting signatures to call an all-out strike.

The prime minister Marcel Ciolacu said, after meeting with Sanitas representatives, Unfortunately, the deficiencies accumulated over years cannot be corrected at once. He said he had secured Sanitas agreement to create a working team that includes representatives of the Sanitas Federation and experts from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Health, according to Spotmedia.

Spontaneous walkout by maintenance workers at Brussels Airlines in Belgium over demands including outdated equipment

Workers in the maintenance department of Brussels Airlines, Belgiums largest airline, stopped work for around 24 hours in a spontaneous walkout on Tuesday afternoon, delaying two long-haul flights.

According to Nieuwsblad, a new operational director of the department came to the workplace to introduce himself, but workers were dissatisfied with his answers to their questions about future changes, such as whether outdated equipment would be replaced.

Brussels Airlines said it was talking with the trade unions over all issues, but RTL reported it said it was seeking balanced solutions, which involved vague promises of giv[ing] our company and our employees opportunities for growth, while controlling our costs in a very competitive market.

Workers at new UK Amazon site to walk out over pay

Around 100 workers at Amazons new flagship fulfilment centre in Birmingham, England were set to walk out on Thursday.

The GMB members are demanding pay of 15 an hour and improved working conditions. Amazon announced basic pay will rise to 12.30 an hour in April, well below the 15 demand. It marks the anniversary of the first official strike at UK Amazons Coventry site. Unofficial walkouts over pay took place prior to that.

Since January 25, 2023, there were 28 days of stoppages at the Coventry site in the dispute over pay. The last was in November, on so-called Black Friday, coinciding with action at Amazon sites in the US, Italy and Germany.

The GMB applied for formal recognition at the Coventry site after it claimed to represent more than half the workforce. It withdrew its recognition claim after Amazon drafted in more staff to cut the number of union members to less than 50 percent.

UK car parts supplier workers in Hartlepool begin indefinite strike over pay offer

Around 180 UK workers at car parts supplier TMD Friction in Hartlepool began an indefinite strike Monday.

The Unite members, many on as little as 12.88 an hour, rejected a 4 percent pay offer. TMD supplies brakes and brake parts to outlets across the UK.

They previously held a series of 24-hour stoppages earlier in January.

UK nuclear weapons maintenance workers hold 24-hour stoppage over pay

UK workers at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) site in Berkshire held a 24-hour strike on Wednesday.

The Prospect union members, including scientists, engineers and administrative workers, have seen their pay stagnate for years and rejected an inadequate pay offer from AWE. They have been taking action short of striking by working to rule, working to contract and withdrawing from any voluntary duties since November 13. They are resuming action short of strike after Wednesdays stoppage.

The Berkshire establishment is responsible for maintaining the UK nuclear deterrent.

Bus control staff at Londons Abellio strike over pay

Around 40 bus controllers working for the Abellio bus company in London plan to walk out Friday over pay. They previously walked out on January 19.

The Unite union members based at Battersea and Twickenham bus depots rejected a 5 percent pay offer for 2023. They use GPS systems to track buses to avoid traffic jams and accidents to keep the buses moving freely. They say their pay is around 10,000 a year less than controllers at other bus companies.

Abellio runs services across south west London. Further stoppages are scheduled for February 2, 9, 16 and 23.

Contractors at Scottish natural gas plant in pay

Around 90 workers employed by contractor Kaefer at Shells Mossmorran gas plant near Cowdenbeath in Scotland walked out for 24 hours Tuesday. They are also due to walk out on Thursday.

The Unite union members, who have taken previous strike action, are protesting Kaefers refusal to make a cost-of-living payment for 2023. Shell reported profits of 5.1 billion for the third quarter of last year.

Further 24-hour stoppages are planned for January 30, February 1, 6 and 13.

Northern Ireland Translink transport workers announce further stoppages over pay

Transport workers in Northern Ireland working for Translink will hold four days of strikes in February over pay.

Members of the GMB, Unite and SIPTA unions who work for the Northern Ireland public transport authority will walk out on February 1, with further stoppages planned for February 15, 27 and 28. Translink provides bus and train services in the province.

Translink workers took part in the January 18 strike of over 150,000 public sector workers in their fight for a cost of living pay rise. They previously took several days of action in December in their pay dispute.

Rail maintenance workers at UK firm to strike over pay

Several hundred UK rail maintenance workers employed by Hitachi Rail Limited are to walk out from Saturday until February 1.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) and Unite union members have rejected a 5.5 to 6 percent pay offer, a cut in real terms. Based at depots in Bristol, Plymouth, Penzance, Wiltshire, Swansea, London and Edinburgh, they work as highly skilled engineers, maintenance workers and technicians.

In its latest returns, Hitachi Rail made profits of 104 million. Its highest-paid directors renumeration was nearly 1.4 million.

London-based English National Opera staff to strike over redundancy threats

Members of the English National Opera (ENO) chorus based in the UK capital are to walk out on February 1.

The Equity union members voted 100 percent for the action in response to ENOs proposals to cut jobs and attack pay and conditions. They will be joined by ENO Musicians Union members. Conductor Martyn Brabbins, who resigned as ENO musical director in October, voiced support for the stoppage.

The strike is expected to lead to the cancellation of the opening nights production of The Handmaids Tale.

Scottish further education lecturers vote for strike over pay

Further education lecturers in Scotland renewed their mandate for strikes over their long-running pay issue.

The EIS-FELA union members voted by an 85 percent majority for action short of a strike and by 77 percent to walk out. Lecturers should have had a pay rise in September 2022, but despite previous stoppages, are still awaiting an acceptable offer. The employers body, College Employers Scotland, insisted any offer would be paid for by a cull of lecturing jobs. This was rejected by the lecturers.

They held two weeks of rolling strikes beginning September 7 last year, followed by some targeted stoppages. They have also been taking action short of striking by working to contract and refusing to enter results of assessments into college results systems.

The union leadership has not announced any dates for stoppages and appealed to the employers and Scottish government to come back with a fair offer.

Teachers at two Brighton, UK schools vote to strike after council closure plans

UK teachers at St Bartholomews in Brighton and St Peters in Portslade have voted to strike after the Labour-controlled Brighton and Hove City Council announced plans to close them.

The National Education Union members voted to strike after the council announced their closure due to falling roll numbers. A council meeting on Monday confirmed the schools would close at the end of the academic year. Mondays council meeting was lobbied by parents, pupils and teachers.

Fuel delivery drivers in Grangemouth, Scotland, vote to strike over pay

Around 30 fuel delivery drivers working for Hoyer Gas and Petroleum Logistics Limited based in Grangemouth, Scotland voted to walk out after rejecting a 7 percent pay offer.

The Unite union members voted by a 100 percent majority on a 97 percent turnout. They have not had a pay rise since 2021. Unite has not yet announced any strike date and instead called on Hoyer to improve its offer. Hoyers revenue for 2022 was 169.2 million, up over 20 percent the previous year and its profits were 4.1 million.

The drivers are responsible for delivering fuel supplies to garage forecourts and airports across Scotland.

Middle East

Teachers strike in Kurdistan, Iraq continues over unpaid wages

Around 70,000 Iraqi teachers in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)-controlled area have been on strike since the new academic year began in September 2023, affecting 3,000 schools.

The Kurdish Teachers Union members are striking over non-payment of wages for several months and the fact that no promotions have taken place since 2016, as well as other issues.

Education authorities in the Sulaymaniyah governorate of the KRG threatened to sack any teacher who does not return to work within 30 days of the announcement on January 9.

Ongoing protests by Iranian oil workers

On Sunday, oil and gas workers in the Gachsaran oil field held a protest outside the complexs management office. Their demands included the removal of contract agencies and for improved safety and welfare conditions.

On Saturday, contract workers at several South Pars oil refineries held protests with the same demands, announcing they would hold weekly protests to push their demands.

Last years strikes and protests by workers and pensioners against plummeting living standards and authoritarian rule are continuing. Living standards have been hard hit, partly due to US sanctions, which are a precursor to war against Iran.

Strike by Lebanese private school teachers averted after employers agree to boost pension contributions

A strike by teachers in Lebanese private schools over pensions, due to begin Tuesday, has been called off.

Teachers wanted the employers contributions to their pension funds to be increased sevenfold. This was to make up some of the value of their pensions, eroded by the ongoing economic crisis which has seen the collapse of the Lebanese pound.

Meetings last week between the Private School Teachers Union and the employers body, the Union of Private Educational Institutions, under the auspices of the Education Ministry, failed to reach agreement. A further meeting Monday, however, came up with an agreement for the employers to increase their pension contribution sixfold. This was accepted by the union.

The value of the pensions of around 4,000 already retired private teachers has been severely eroded since 2019, leaving them practically worthless.

Africa

Residents near Durban, South Africa in ongoing protests against water shortages

Large numbers of residents from the area of Verulam, north of Durban, South Africa took to the streets to begin ongoing protests against water shortages on Monday. The intersection of Parkgate and Ottawa was blocked with tyres and debris and branches were burned.

Workers want to know when they will have water. They have had no constant water supply for two years, following floods in April 2022. They also state that around 55 percent of the water supply is lost due to leaks, power outages and poor infrastructure.

Roshan Lil-Ruthan, spokesperson of the Verulam Water Crisis Committee said, I warned previously that every excuse will be thrown out there by EWS [eThekwini Water and Sanitation Unit], to justify that they dismally failed us. They failed to maintain the infrastructure and now we must suffer. The Verulam Water Crisis Committee has called for several interventions and meetings with various Heads of Government, and they refuse to acknowledge the flood devastation and suffering of our people.

Health workers strike over dangerous conditions in pathology laboratory in South Africa

South African health workers in Rustenburg Forensic Pathology Unit stopped work on January 15 to protest the appalling conditions they are forced to work under.

The Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (HOSPERSA) members say their health is at risk due to the companys non-compliance with occupational health and safety. This includes performing autopsies without personal protective equipment, and fridges breaking down, so bodies start to decompose.

HOSPERSA representative Ramalau Rammutla told ENCA News things began to deteriorate from 2021, when the lab was sold by the government to private services.

University workers in Ondo State and Abia State, Nigeria protest against low pay

University workers at the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, in Ondo State, Nigeria, held a protest Tuesday during working hours. The protest disrupted both academic activities and local businesses.

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, Non-Academic Staff Unions and Allied Educational Institutions, and the National Association of Academic Technologists members are angry about the non-implementation of the minimum wage and lack of a pay rise.

The chairman of the Joint Action Congress, the umbrella body of unions, Temidayo Temola, complained about the injustice of the workers getting below the minimum wage, ignoring the role the unions played in bringing their members to the present impasse.

Both academic and non-academic staff at Abia State University in Uturu began strike action on January 22, to demand their outstanding 11 months of salary arrears.

Doctors in Enugu State, Nigeria set to strike

Doctors in Enugu State, Nigeria expect to begin an indefinite strike on 31 January, as the 14-day ultimatum set by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) to the Enugu State government approaches its end without their demands having been met.

The doctors accuse the government of reneging on the promise made over 180 days ago to permanently employ resident doctors now on short-term contracts. Salaries have not been increased, and house officers were excluded from the hardship payment of N25,000 given by the state government.

An ARD communique said, We are still back to where we were in 2023 or even worse as plans are on the way to increase the rents of those living in the hospital quarters (one-bedroom apartment) by about 375 per cent from N8,000 to N30,000 monthly.

On security and safety, ARD said security operatives posted at the hospital gates had been removed, and assaults on doctors increased as a result.
The coronavirus pandemic is spreading unchecked across Europe, causing rising death rates and pushing hospitals to their limits.

People wearing face masks as they wait for a doctor appointment inside a hospital in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. A massive wave of COVID-19 infections and other respiratory viruses are putting a severe strain on the system. [AP Photo/ Emilio Morenatti]

On January 10, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated: In December, almost 10,000 deaths from COVID-19 were reported to WHO, and the number of hospital admissions increased by 42 percent compared to November with the number of ICU admissions at 62 percent. However, the trends [on mortality] are based on data from fewer than 50 countries, mainly in Europe and the Americas. It is certain that there is also an increase in other countries that is not being reported.

The current wave is being driven primarily by the JN.1 (Juno) variant. It is an offshoot of BA.2.86 (Pirola). Pirola has more than 20 mutations on its spike protein, Juno has just one more. However, this makes the variant significantly more immune-resistant.

The British Office for National Statistics also recently reported that, in addition to the normal symptoms of a coronavirus infection, Juno can also cause sleep problems and anxiety. According to the survey by British scientists, 10.8 percent of those infected experienced sleep problems and 10.5 percent reported anxiety disorders.

The variant is already occurring in many European countries, including Iceland, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany and the Netherlands. A number of countries in Central and Eastern Europe also reported a significant increase in respiratory illnesses at the end of last year. In Spain and Italy, the rising numbers of patients have pushed hospitals to their limits. The COVID wave also coincides with rising flu and RSV infections across Europe.

In the UK, Juno is causing new record highs. At the end of October, the JN.1 share was still at 1 percent, in mid-November it was at 5 percent, but by Christmas had risen to 51.4 percent. Professor Steve Griffin, a virologist at Leeds University, said, There has clearly been a massive surge in COVID infections in recent weeks. This is undoubtedly due to socialising indoors over the festive period. It is also likely that the return to schools, universities and businesses will increase this even further.

Asked if the UK could set a new record this month, he replied, Yes, I think we could see something similar to BA2 [the previous record wave]. Data scientist Professor Christina Pagel from University College London also expects infections to rise for another week or two, equalling or even surpassing the record waves at the beginning of 2020.

In Germany, the number of infections reached a record high at the end of the year, with hospitalisation rates on a par with previous waves. Although the wave receded in the first weeks of January, according to data from Fluweb, the incidence rate remains at 500. Almost 8,000 people had to be hospitalised in the first three weeks of the year and 1,316 have already died.

The situation in Spain is particularly dramatic. Hospitals have been under increasing pressure since the beginning of the year as a result of a triple-demic of COVID-19, influenza A and RSV. In large parts of the country, emergency departments are heavily overloaded due to the high volume of patients. The Universitario La Paz hospital in Madrid, which treats around 500,000 patients, making it one of the largest hospitals in Spain, has had to postpone operations to make room for new patients.

Due to the dramatic situation, the Spanish government was forced to reintroduce compulsory masks in healthcare facilities. However, local governments, such as those in the Basque Country, have reacted by taking legal action against the mask requirement.

The rising number of deaths from flu and COVID-19 is even putting pressure on funeral services. According to an article in Euro Weekly News, funeral service operators are warning they will struggle to cope with the rising number of deaths by the end of January.

Manuel Tejadas, head of the Interfunerarias funeral service chain in Catalonia, said, We are overwhelmed. I havent seen such an increase in deaths since the pandemic.

Piles of corpses are also being reported in hospitals in the regions of Madrid and Valencia. Hospitals are continually calling us to collect bodies and we are very overloaded here, explains Tejadas. In some cases, families have to wait up to four days for a funeral. That is twice as long as the usual period of between 24 and 48 hours.

Doctors and local newspapers in Italy are also warning that hospitals could be overwhelmed by the flu and COVID wave. Hundreds of patients are having to wait days to be transferred to normal hospital wards or intensive care units. According to the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), cases of respiratory infections reached record levels in the last two weeks of 2023, surpassing corresponding periods during the pandemic. At the end of December, the number of deaths peaked at 425 per week, and the figure remained at 371 in the first weeks of January.

Foce, the Italian association of oncologists, cardiologists and haematologists, issued an appeal to the Italian government, warning: For some weeks now, we have been observing the phenomenon of worsening chaos in our emergency systems. Emergency departments are in a nightmare situation and hospital wards are under siege. It continues: It is clear that the claim made at the end of July that the COVID pandemic is numerically over is not true. The virus never disappeared.

In Portugal, Health Minister Manuel Pizarro also publicly admitted that he was concerned about the increase in admissions to intensive care units as a result of respiratory infections. The virus is causing very serious illnesses, he explained. At the beginning of January, there were long waiting times of sometimes more than 10 hours in hospitals across the country.

The massive new coronavirus wave is a direct result of the ruthless pandemic policy of all European governments. They are putting profits before the lives and health of the population and have long since cancelled all measures to contain the pandemic.

The necessary fight against the pandemic must therefore come from below and be linked to the fight against capitalism and the reorganisation of society on a socialist basis. The only way to stop the pandemic is a globally-coordinated elimination strategy, in which the entire worlds population acts in solidarity and with a collective determination to enforce a broad-based public health program, writes the WSWS in its New Years perspective.

And further: After four years of the pandemic, it is abundantly clear that such a global strategy will never arise under world capitalism, which subordinates all public health spending to the insatiable profit interests of a money-mad financial oligarchy. The very idea that an illness should be eliminated or eradicated, a central concept in public health, has been abandoned. Only through world socialist revolution will it be possible to end the pandemic, as well as stop the further descent into capitalist barbarism and World War III.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) fired on a crowd of thousands of Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid in Gaza City, which has been cut off from aid deliveries for many weeks. The attack came as Gazas Health Ministry reported over 200 deaths in Israeli attacks on civilians over a 24-hour period from Wednesday to Thursday.

The attack occurred at the Kuwait Roundabout; 20 people were killed and 150 injured. Israeli tanks shelled the crowd and fired live ammunition. The authorities reported that the death toll is expected to rise sharply, as many of the injuries are severe. Survivors are being treated at al-Shifa Hospital, which is out of medical supplies and only has a skeleton staff. In November, IDF soldiers bombarded and raided the hospital, which was Gazas largest prior to Israels genocidal onslaught.

Further south, in Khan Younis, Israel intensified its indiscriminate attacks on civilians and infrastructure. After issuing a cynical evacuation order Wednesday to around half a million people with nowhere to go, the IDF continued shelling residential areas on Thursday. Israeli forces also surrounded and blockaded the two remaining hospitals in the city, al-Nasser and al-Amal.

Palestinians wounded in Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip are brought to a hospital in Rafah, southern Gaza on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 [AP Photo/ Fatima Shbair ]

Al-Nasser Hospital has run out of food, anaesthetics, and painkillers. The UN human rights agency OCHA reported that no one can enter or exit Nasser Hospital, including 400 dialysis patients. Late Thursday, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that tanks were consistently shelling the surrounding area and drones were firing missiles towards the medical center, indicating advanced preparations for an al-Shifa-style raid.

The situation in Khan Younis underscores a consistent failure to uphold the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law: distinction, proportionality and precautions in carrying out attacks, said United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) head Thomas White. This is unacceptable and abhorrent and must stop.

The death toll following an Israeli attack on a UN shelter in the city Wednesday rose to 13. This center hosts tens of thousands of displaced civilians, and came under shell and small arms fire from Israeli forces. A further 75 people were injured in the attack, 15 of them critically.

Underscoring the humanitarian catastrophe produced by Israels imperialist-backed genocide, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stated Thursday that less than 20 percent of Gazas territory, or 60 square kilometres, is providing refuge to 1.5 million people, about two-thirds of Gazas population. The organisation noted that the dramatic escalation of fighting threatens their survival.

In a separate statement, the head of the ICRCs office in Gaza, William Schomburg, warned that the medical system in the enclave risks total collapse. Every functioning hospital in the Gaza Strip is overcrowded and short on medical supplies, fuel, food and water, he said. Many are housing thousands of displaced families. And now two more facilities risk being lost due to the fighting.

This humanitarian catastrophe is the intended outcome of Israels genocide against the Palestinians. Numerous officials from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus far-right government have explicitly declared their intention to ethnically cleanse Gaza by driving its residents into neighboring Egypts Sinai Desert. Israel has deliberately starved Gaza of aid since its onslaught began, resulting in widespread hunger and epidemics.

A report from the Palestinian Environment Quality Authority stated Thursday that a horrifying two-thirds of Gaza residents suffer from water-borne diseases.

A major component of Israels ethnic cleansing operation is the creation of a 1-kilometre buffer zone along the Palestinian side of the Gaza-Israel border. According to a Hebrew University study, 40 percent of the 2,824 buildings in this area have been razed to the ground since 7 October. Around 67 percent of the buildings within 1 kilometre of the Israeli border in the Khan Younis area, where the population is most dense, have been destroyed. One soldier told the Wall Street Journal, It was mostly agriculture. Now its a military zone, a complete no mans land.

Washington has hypocritically criticised the creation of the buffer zone, but the Biden administration continues to supply the weaponry Israel is using to create it and to massacre hundreds of Palestinians every day.

A Times of Israel report Thursday noted that more than 250 cargo planes and 20 ships have delivered over 10,000 tons of munitions and military equipment to Israel since its onslaught on Gaza began. The article stated that Defence Ministry Director General Eyal Zamir visited Washington this week to finalize the purchase of 25 F-35 stealth fighter jets, 25 F-15 fighter jets and 12 Apache helicopters from the US. Zamir also discussed ensuring a steady supply of munitions to Israel during the ongoing genocide.

The Biden administration has also consistently defended Israel against all international criticism. The International Court of Justice is due to issue an interim ruling Friday on South Africas case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. The devastating indictment presented to the court earlier this month could produce a ruling calling for an immediate ceasefire. However, Washington has already indicated that it would back Israel if it flouts any such requirement to continue its genocidal onslaught.

Asked whether the US would urge Israel to abide by the ICJ ruling Thursday, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel responded: This is a legal process, and Im not going to hypothesise or speculate on any kind of outcome. Asked directly if the US would urge Israel to follow the example of Hamas, which declared earlier in the day that it would abide by an ICJ ruling in favour of a ceasefire, Patel responded by denouncing Hamas.

The unrestrained support extended by Washington and its European imperialist allies to Israels genocide is inseparable from their plans to escalate the regional war already underway across the Middle East.

In the two weeks since US and British forces began striking Houthi positions in Yemen, military tensions have risen sharply. A second French warship arrived in the region this week as the European Union prepares a military operation led by German and French imperialism. US warplanes carried out another strike on Yemen Monday, hitting targets Washington claimed to be underground storage sites and missile launching facilities.

The Houthis have vowed to continue attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea bound for Israel until humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.

US imperialisms reckless escalation of military conflict throughout the Middle East is aimed at consolidating its regional hegemony against China and Russia. Washington views this war as one front in a rapidly intensifying third world war, which includes fronts against Russia in Ukraine and China in the Indo-Pacific. It is setting the Middle East ablaze, as shown by the exchange of strikes between Iran and Pakistan, missile strikes by Iran and Turkey against Kurdish positions in Iraq, and Israels ongoing bombardment of Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.

The situation on the Israel-Lebanon border increasingly resembles a low-intensity war. The IDF reports strikes on numerous alleged Hezbollah targets on a daily basis, boasting that it has struck over 1,200 since 7 October. Thursdays strikes hit an air strip, reconnaissance posts and other infrastructure allegedly used by Hezbollah in Lebanese villages along the border.
After more than two months of silence, on Wednesday the London-based weekly financial outlet, The Economist, finally updated their global daily estimate of excess deaths attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to their projections, the cumulative global excess death toll now stands at 28.5 million, 4.1 times higher than the official COVID death toll, which surpassed 7 million at the end of 2023.

For inexplicable reasons, The Economists tracker, which uses a machine-learning model that provides estimates of excess death for every country on every day since the pandemic began, suddenly stopped updating in mid-November, just as the winter surge of the JN.1 variant began.

Global excess death estimates through November 8, 2023, before the latest update by The Economist [Photo by Our World In Data, The Economist / CC BY 4.0

To place this into context, in the US, the winter surge began to accelerate in mid-October and peaked just before the New Year. In the aftermath of the Biden administration scrapping the COVID public health emergency (PHE) declaration last May, this wave was completely covered up in official figures. Only estimates of the actual toll of infections were provided through wastewater collection data tracking levels of SARS-CoV-2 across the countrys sewage systems, in particular those curated by Biobot Analytics.

Principled data scientists, based on their own initiative, like Jay Weiland and Dr. Mike Hoerger, model these wastewater data and provide estimates of the actual infection rates through their social media accounts. They also provide ample warning and guidance on how to protect oneself and take measures to minimize the impact of infections on ones health, performing essential roles of public health abandoned by the CDC and the entire political establishment.

Although daily COVID-19 infections are trending down again in the US, the rates of infection continue to remain high, with an estimated nearly 1 million cases per day earlier this week. In all, more than 100 million Americans are believed to have been infected in the past three months of the current surge, accounting for nearly one-third of the population. The overwhelming majority of these are reinfections, which have been proven to compound ones risk of Long COVID, heart attack, stroke and other long-term consequences associated with COVID-19 infection.

Daily COVID infections in the US during winter wave 2023-2024. [Data from Dr. Mike Hoerger]

Extrapolating these infection estimates to the rest of the world, this could very well mean that upwards of 1-2 billion more infections have transpired during the ongoing global wave of JN.1, meaning that tens of millions or more Long COVID cases should be expected to develop in the coming weeks to months. More concerning, the cumulative long-term impact of these repeated infections remains a disturbing unknown, but all data indicate that this will increase cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological disorders being diagnosed.

With respect to immediate mortality from acute COVID infections, at their first press conference in 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) remarked that the pandemic continues to rage and close to 10,000 people officially died of COVID-19 in December, pushing the cumulative toll above 7 million. This grim statistic passed with virtually no comment from the mainstream media to commemorate the horrific milestone or issue a reminder of the deadly nature of the ongoing pandemic.

The WHO also acknowledged that the deaths were significant undercounts. Fewer than 50 countries, mostly in Europe and the Americas, were reporting these figures to the international health agency. Considering the complete dismantling of all pandemic tracking measures and attempts to obfuscate the real figures, even these numbers must be viewed as misrepresenting the real scale of mortality that is being covered.

Returning to The Economists excess death tracker, with the benefit of hindsight, a clear surge in mortality was well underway in October, peaking at over 10,000 daily deaths at the end of November. These figures remained elevated through December. The data for January, which shows a sudden drop in deaths, may be the lag factor in obtaining data from a host of countries and institutions that inform their models, and will likely be revised upwards in the future.

What is evidently clear though, is that official COVID deaths and excess deaths now differ by as high as 50-fold or more. Specifically, while on November 27, only 183 COVID deaths were officially reported, there were 10,200 excess deaths above the pre-pandemic period.

What is most concerning is that excess deaths remained stubbornly high throughout the entirety of 2023. While official COVID deaths for 2023 stood at only 284,000 globally, the excess death toll was 3.2 million, a figure that is more than 11 times higher. During the JN.1 surge, while official public health agencies have counted a mere 31,802 COVID-related deaths across the globe, excess deaths have been estimated at over 700,000 so far, or 22-times higher.

Relatedly, the actual figures for hospitalizations and ICU admissions have risen considerably in December but are based on incomplete data provided to the WHO from a handful of countries, underscoring the complete blackout on the real state of the pandemic and its impact on healthcare systems. As World Socialist Web Site writer Evan Blake noted in a recent widely shared thread on the latest excess death figures and the JN.1 surge, Hospitals have been slammed across North America, Europe and other countries for the fourth year in a row. This wave, as with all others, will have untold long-term consequences for the health of society as a whole.

There are important parallels between the ongoing pandemic and Israels escalating genocide against the Palestinian people, which has the full support of the US and European imperialist powers. In both cases, the ruling elites have sought to normalize mass death and misery, while imposing regimes of censorship to cover up these social crimes that have radicalized masses of people and accelerated the global class struggle.

As the evolution of the highly mutated Pirola variant and its progeny JN.1 has aptly shown, not only has SARS-CoV-2 been given ample berth to infect anyone at any time who is not constantly on guard against the airborne pathogen, it has repeatedly demonstrated that it has the ability to find ever more novel mechanisms to evolve into immune-evasive variants and remain highly infective. This raises many additional concerns, as noted in recent studies on JN.1s ability to reach the lower respiratory tract and possibly achieve a virulence akin to the pre-Omicron variants.

The declaration to end the emergency phase of the pandemic in May 2023 was more than a mere official ending of any effort to address the dangers posed by SARS-CoV-2 and the ongoing pandemic. It was the acknowledgment that public health as a social obligation by elected officials to their constituents was dead in the water. In fact, it reaffirmed the basic truth of capitalist social relations that profits will always remain the priority regardless of the social crisis at hand. This dying social order must be overthrown and replaced with a planned world socialist economy.
David Marrs recently published Killing for Country: A Family History has been generally acclaimed by reviewers as an important and timely book, laying bare some of the systematic mass killings of Aboriginal people after the violent British colonisation of the Australian continent began in 1788.

Killing for Country [Photo: Black Inc.]

Written by a prominent liberal journalist and author, it certainly records numerous massacres throughout the 19th century, often in harrowing detail. By one reviewers count, Marr provides newspaper accounts, diary entries and official reports of over 70 such killings. In these atrocities, where he provides figures, Marr estimates that a total of 2,141 Aboriginal people were murdered, mostly in the colony of Queensland.

This was part of a wider process. While no reliable statistics exist, Marr states that research by numbers of scholars and archivists indicates that over a period of 50 years, para-military Native Police units slaughtered more than 40,000 Aboriginal people.

So far, these researchers have assessed that the 442 officers and 927 troopers who served in the Queensland Native Police between 1859 and 1897 were collectively responsible for the deaths of 41,040 Indigenous people, and approximately 3,500 in the decade before Queensland became a separate colony.

That is not the whole picture. If the 20,640 Aboriginal people estimated to have been murdered by private sorties, using guns and poison, a tally of over 65,000 is reached in Queensland alone. This does not count the massacres in the other Australian colonies, and which continued after the formation of the federal state in 1901. The last officially recorded mass killing occurred as late as 1923.

These terrible figures may be underestimates. In northern parts of Australia, perpetrators learned to cover their actions by burning bodies or throwing them into watercourses. Nor do these estimates cover Aboriginal deaths from all causes, including disease and starvation.

One shocking account of many in Marrs book is from June 1849 in the Darling Downs in what is now southern Queensland, some 150 kilometres west of Brisbane. That was when the Native Police were first sent into the region following reports of 12 settlers being killed by Aborigines, sheep and cattle being lost and some sheep stations being abandoned.

Twenty squatters, their sheep shepherds and the Native Police raided a camp of 300 Aboriginal people, who were described as warriors. In the rough words of a local correspondent:

Just at daybreak they made an attack on the sleeping camp some of them fled hearing the horses coming. making for the scrub but were met by the native police who drew their swords cutting and slashing the fugitives a great number were slain also a lot shot dead the old chief fought on his knees using his spear bayonet fashion trying to stab their horses until he was shot dead thus was broken up this large tribe nearly one hundred perished under the sword and bullet of the white man.

The books focus is primarily on the mass murders perpetrated across rural areas of New South Wales and Queensland, and later in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. These were committed mainly by Native Police forces, which employed Aboriginal men from other parts of the country to act as armed killers. These units conducted wholesale collective punishmentwiping out tribal groups in retribution for any of their members fighting back against the seizure of their territories.

Marr wrote the book after discovering that one of his great-great-grandfathers, Reginald Charles Uhr (18441888), and Reginalds younger brother, Wentworth DArcy Uhr (18451907) had served as Native Police officers, commanding many of the operations to hunt down and kill Aboriginal people that Marr examines.

But Marr studiously avoids any analysis of how this violence, orchestrated by wealthy land-grabbing pastoralists, laid the foundations for the development of todays ruthless Australian capitalism. While he records some details of the vast landholdings granted to the largest financially-backed squatters, he draws no conclusions about the class dynamics involved in this accumulation of capital through the extermination of indigenous people.

Instead, Marr attributes the carnage to the colonial settler population as a whole, with few exceptions. He ignores the emergence of the urban, largely working-class population that formed the majority of the people in the Australian colonies by the second half of the century.

Transported convicts and ex-convicts provided the initial labour force of the new colonies. But, by the mid-19th century, the population had considerably expanded, fuelled by employers demands for workers to be recruited from Britain, followed by the influx of the gold rushes in the 1850s. That led to the growth of the working class in the towns, as well as on the large shearing properties.

By the 1890s, the sheep shearers, maritime workers and others were engaged in tumultuous struggles against the squattocracy and the ruling elite as a whole, and were subjected to violence and repression by the government authorities as well.

A global recession in 1890, resulting in a plunge in the price of wool, produced an explosion of class conflict as the Queensland squatters and other employers moved, under the slogan of freedom of contract, to bust newly-formed trade unions. What began as a maritime strike in August 1890 extended into an industrial conflict involving more than 50,000 workers over a period of two months.

In what became known as the Great Shearers Strike of 1891, the pastoralists in Queensland were supported by the colonial government, which sent over 1,000 soldiers and special constables, along with scab or strike-breaker labourers who were deployed with military escorts.

A strike camp was established at Barcaldine in central Queensland, in the heart of the squatters forcibly-acquired vast land-holdings. Within a few months, approximately 4,500 shearers camped in the area, with regular strike meetings held and tensions running high. The government responded by arresting the strike leaders. In May 1891, 14 men were sentenced to three years hard labour for their role in the strike.

The bitter defeats of these strikes of the 1890s propelled a turn to political organisation, which fuelled the formation of a Labor Party, but whose leaders rejected Marxism and socialism, and diverted the unrest into nationalism and parliamentarism.

The exploitation of the Native Police

It was the Native Police units, combined with squatters shepherds, who carried out the systematic atrocities against the Aboriginesnot the workers in the growing towns, who were largely kept in the dark about the massacres.

Aborigines from areas distant to those being patrolled were lured or coerced into the Native Police. They were considered well suited to the job because, unlike the ex-convicts and labourers brought in from Britain, they were able to operate in the most difficult conditions, including impenetrable scrub.

Aboriginal police also could be paid a pittance. Recruitment was usually based on the offer of a gun, a uniform, a horse and a small amount of money. Where this did not appeal, recruits were kidnapped at gunpoint. Desertions were common, as documented by Jonathon Richards in The Secret War: A True History of Queenslands Native Police.

For urban audiences, newspapers glorified the Native Police. At the time of the 1849 Darling Downs massacres, the Sydney Morning Herald hailed them: Bold, courageous, active, strong, hardy and enduring, they have turned out to be capable of discharging the duties of a Mounted Police force in the most efficient and praiseworthy manner.

Official reports commended the Native Police too. In a 1849 letter to the colonial secretary, Governor Sir Charles Augustus FitzRoy wrote: This Report of the Commandant of the Native Police is very satisfactory & the Commt should be informed of the approbation of the Government of the zeal & activity he has displayed in effecting so much with so small a force.

While some newspapers reported killings, they mostly sanitised and justified them. Marr includes a report from the Brisbane Courier in 1874, about Native Police assaults at Skull Camp on the Palmer River goldfields in far north Queensland: A day or so after the murders [of three members of the Straher family] had been committed, Mr Inspector Coward, with Sub Inspectors Townshend and Douglas, came upon the black vagabonds and quietly dispersed them.

Dispersed was a cynical euphemism for wiping out an Aboriginal camp.

The colonial authorities camouflaged this process by giving squatters leases that included clauses to enable Aboriginal people to hunt, fish and maintain their traditional ways on their lands. But those provisions, never enforced, were window-dressing.

No one was ever held to account for any of the killings, with the sole exception of the 1838 Myall Creek massacre of up to 50 Aboriginal people in northern New South Wales (NSW). Seven convict and ex-convict stockmen were convicted and executed, but not the squatter who had enlisted 20 of them, armed with swords, guns and pistol, to hunt down and kill blacks threatening his cattle.

Squatters, colonial governments and Native Police commanders covered their tracks more carefully after that. Magistrates and judges ensured acquittals in the rare cases where the evidence was so glaring that it got to court.

Class issues buried

Marr depicts the bloodshed as something that remains ingrained in the entire Australian population. In his concluding chapter, he approvingly quotes an assertion by Australian novelist Patrick White: What is amazing is that Australians have changed so little; we are the same arrogant plutocrats, larrikins, and Irish rabble as we were then.

In a publicity interview posted on the website of his publisher Black Inc., Marr went further, insisting: More important: we never change. Greed and cruelty have been deep in us from the beginning of time. That notion of original sin is not only a libel on humanity. It covers up the class dynamic that produced the massacres and shaped the development of the Australian capitalist class.

Yet Marrs book itself notes that the primary organisers and beneficiaries of the killings were the large-scale squatters, who had access to family or business funds. The colonial authorities allocated them vast tracts of land to clear and occupy, on the condition that they stocked it with sheep to supply wool to England to meet the needs of the developing industrial revolution.

As Marr records, in 1829 the independent members of the New South Wales Legislative Council, all appointed by Governor Ralph Darling, held between them 140,000 acres. A decade later, under Governor Richard Bourke, they ran sheep and cattle on nearly 600,000 acres. Under Governor Sir George Gipps in the early 1840s, they held a million acres of their own and Captain Phillip Barker King managed another million acres for the Australian Agricultural Company.

This process grew and spread across the continent, requiring greater killings. Even before Queenslands separation in 1859, 450 squatters had seized an area larger than the colony of Victoria.

The truth is that the clearing of the land of its inhabitants was driven first by the strategic and economic requirements of the British Empire, and then by the profiteering interests of the embryonic Australian capitalists.

Map of colonial frontier massacres in Australia 17881930. [Photo: University of Newcastle]

The Australian Agricultural Company was formed by an Act of the British Parliament and incorporated by a royal charter in 1824, primarily for the production of fine merino wool for export to Britain. Today, it is a stock exchange-listed company that owns roughly 1 percent of Australias land mass. As of 2018, it owned and operated feedlots and cattle stations covering around seven million hectares (17 million acres) of land in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) explained in its Historical and International Foundations document:

The violence inflicted on the Aboriginal people was not simply a policy. It was rooted in the very nature of the new capitalist property relations that were being established, starting with the private appropriation of land. It was the bloody expression of the organic incompatibility of this new social order, based on private ownership and exclusion, with the social relations of the hunter-gatherer society of the indigenous inhabitants. Like everywhere else, capital emerged in Australia dripping blood from every pore (point 28).

As Marr states at the end of his book, he has an agenda. He had hoped to influence the outcome of last Octobers referendum to entrench a new institution, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, in the countrys colonial-era 1901 Constitution. The book was published in time for the vote.

Referring to a treaty-style conception contained in the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, the result of a government-organised consultation with selected indigenous people that adopted the Voice proposal, Marr writes: At this uncertain moment, I offer a bloody family saga from the frontier in the hope of us one day reaching the ultimate goal set at Uluru: the coming together after struggle, Makarrata.

As explained on the Uluru statement website, Makarrata is another word for Treaty or agreement-making. These deals are to be made between such indigenous representatives and the governments that maintain and enforce Australian capitalism, the very system responsible for the savagery inflicted on the indigenous population.

The premise is that the essential divide in society is race, not class. Marrs use of the word us denies the fundamental and deepening divide between the billionaire-dominated ruling class and the working class in Australia and globally.

Marrs perspective dovetails with that of the Albanese Labor government, which called the referendum to exploit what is, in reality, widespread sentiment in favour of rectifying indigenous disadvantage.

In fact, the Voice plan sought to put a progressive gloss on Labors program of pro-US militarism and declining working-class living conditions. Amid mounting war moves, the aim was to project a false national unity and give Australian capitalism a new humane image for imperialist purposes, while strengthening the capitalist state apparatus by further incorporating into it a privileged pro-capitalist layer of indigenous CEOs, business operators, senior academics and media personalities.

Opposing this entire operation to bolster Australias capitalist state, the SEP campaigned for an active boycott of the referendum. We urged workers and youth to reject both the Yes and No camps, which each conducted the referendum on a racially-divisive basis. Both vowed to cut, not increase, spending on indigenous social programs.

The overwhelming defeat of the referendum was not, as Yes proponents poisonously insisted, the result of widespread racism and hostility to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Rather, it was the outcome of the widening class divide, above all between the affluent inner-city areas of the country, where Yes votes were concentrated, and the outer suburban working-class suburbs, where peopleincluding the majority of the indigenous populationare experiencing an insufferable cost-of-living and housing affordability crisis.

In the working-class areas, the claims by the government and the big business Yes23 campaign that the establishment of a Voice assembly inside the parliamentary and governmental apparatus would lead to better outcomes for indigenous people were no more believable than the Labor governments now discredited May 2022 election slogan promising a better future.

There was also widespread scepticism, notably among indigenous working-class people, that the proposed Voice institution would do any more to address their disadvantage than any of the previous such promisesfrom land rights to official apologies for the Stolen Generations of Aboriginal children forcibly separated from their families.

The SEP campaign advanced the fight for an independent road for the whole working class, indigenous and non-indigenous alike, against the root cause of oppression and war, which lies in the capitalist profit system itself, as the bloody history demonstrates. The deepening discontent throughout the working class must be transformed into a conscious movement, as part of the global struggle against capitalism, for socialism, based on human need, not corporate profit. That is the only way to answer and redress the historic crimes recorded by Marr and others.
A Russian military transport plane carrying 65 Ukrainian soldiers to a prisoner swap was shot out of the sky on Wednesday over the Russian region of Belgorod. The defense ministry in Moscow, which is currently in the process of gathering the debris, reported that the Il-76 aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft missiles fired from Kharkov region. Shortly before the crash, Belgorod officials had issued a missile alert for their area, which has come under regular bombardment.

In this photo taken from video released by Russian Investigative Committee on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, the wreckage of the Il-76 is seen near Yablonovo, Belgorod region of Russia, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. The Il-76 crashed in a huge ball of fire in a rural area of Russia, and authorities there said all 74 people on board, including 65 POWs, six crew and three Russian servicemen, were killed. [AP Photo/Russian Investigative Committee]

All evidence indicates that the Ukrainian military, as part of its ongoing attacks on air and ground targets near the border, brought down the airliner, murdering dozens of its own soldiers and nine others in the process.

In the hours after the plane plummeted to the ground and erupted in a massive fireball, Ukraine issued a statement that, while making no mention of the crash, declared that it is targeting Russian aircraft over the Belgorod area. The armed forces of Ukraine will continue to take measures to destroy delivery vehicles and control the airspace to eliminate the terrorist threat, read a statement issued by the military general staff on Wednesday afternoon. Shortly thereafter, Ukraines Military Intelligence Directorate (HUR) reported that a planned prisoner swap scheduled for the latter part of that day had been canceled.

Kiev, aided by the Western media, is now attempting to dissemble, piling one contradictory assertion onto another. After initially boasting of its operations over Belgorodpossibly before anyone had connected the dots between the planned prisoner swap and the great success of their air assaultUkraine will now neither confirm nor deny that it struck the Il-76.

Government officials veer between claiming that there were no Ukrainian POWs on the plane, saying they do not know whether their soldiers were or were not on the aircraft, insisting that Russia is using Ukrainian servicemen as human shields to move military supplies and declaring that they were never informed of the planned flight path for the transportation of their soldiers to the exchange meeting point. No one can get their story straight.

Russias defense ministry insists that its counterpart was informed of all the logistics of the prisoner swap, of which there have been nearly 50 since the start of the war. The Ukrainian leadership knew perfectly well that today, according to the established practice, there would be the transfer by military transport plane to the airfield of Belgorod of Ukrainian servicemen for exchange, it said.

On Wednesday, President Zelensky, whose government is riven by political conflict and who rules over a society exhausted by the war, sought out the ultimate cover. He declared that it was impossible to know what really happened because the plane crash occurred on Russian territory  beyond our control.

In an attempt to contain mass anger over the governments killing of its own POWs, Zelensky laid blame for the incident on Putin and chalked popular anger over it to one of Russians playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners, the feelings of their loved ones, and the emotions of our society.

Clearly frightened about the political consequences of what it had done, Ukrainian military officials are attempting to convince people that the central issue is not that they killed 65 of their own troops, but the Kremlins agenda: We emphasize that the enemy is actively conducting information special operations against Ukraine aimed at destabilizing Ukrainian society, said the countrys Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War on its Telegram page on Wednesday.

Attempting to obfuscate its way out of the political disaster, Ukraine has now announced that its security service has launched a criminal investigation into the downing of the aircraft. However, it is unclear who they are investigating. Zelensky is demanding the same be done at the international level, where he knows he can rely on the US and NATO to cover over his governments actions.

Meanwhile, Ukraines representatives at the UN, where the security council will hold an emergency meeting this week about the incident, taunted and threatened Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in a manner that bragged about the destruction of the plane and, by implication, the deaths of Ukrainian servicemen.

Kievs UN representative, Serhiy Kyslytsya, said Thursday an Il aircraft is waiting for Lavrov, and it is imminent.

Von Lavrov, whose IL-Ilyushin aircraft is about to take off from JFK, is finishing his shore leave in the free world with a whimper rather than with a bang, he wrote on X yesterday.

The downing of the Il-76 comes as Ukraines body count in the war rises into the hundreds of thousands. Kievs much-vaunted 2023 spring and then summer counteroffensive turned into nothing but a mass death event, with no discernible territorial or other gains.

A CNN article published January 23 about conditions on the front lines reports that Ukrainian soldiers describe the fighting today as meat assaults.

The dead soldiers, just lie there frozen, said one special forces fighter in the Donetsk region. Nobody evacuates them, nobody takes them away. It feels like people dont have a specific task, they just go and die, he told the press outlet.

Last month, in an article titled, People Snatchers: Ukraines Recruiters Use Harsh Tactics to Fill Ranks, the New York Times reported that the Ukrainian government, which recently declared it needs another 450,000 to 500,000 conscripts and is proposing to lower the military-service age to 25, is resorting to intimidation and violence to press men into the army. Recruiters confiscate passports, seize people at work, shove individuals into cars, hold others against their will at conscription offices, and dispatch the mentally and physically disabled for service. Protests by families demanding a limit be set on the service terms for their relatives erupted in Ukraine in the fall of last year.

The response of the Zelensky government and its backers to Ukraines disasters on the field and growing internal discontent is to escalate. Over the course of the last week, Ukraine has carried out drone attacks around Russia, including in Saint Petersburg, where one strike hit a major fuel terminal. An oil depot in the Russian Black Sea city of Tuapse was demolished. Kievs military has made clear that they intend to continue striking at Moscows energy extraction and production industry.

Simultaneously, the US and NATO are in the process of conducting their Steadfast Defender 2024 military exercises, the largest in decades. They are clearly preparing for a total land war in Europe. On Thursday, the head of the British army, General Patrick Sanders, declared that the countrys population must be put on a war footing and be ready to fight in a ground conflict that requires a mass mobilization of a citizen army.
President Joe Biden is greeted by Shawn Fain, President of the United Auto Workers, as he arrives to speak to a United Auto Workers' political convention, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Washington. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon]

On Wednesday, the United Auto Workers endorsed President Joe Bidens reelection campaign at its national political action conference in Washington, DC. With its endorsement, the UAW bureaucracy is locking arms with the widely-hated war criminal in the White House who is coordinating Israels genocide in Gaza.

The endorsement provoked opposition, with protesters interrupting Bidens speech with chants of ceasefire now. The UAW members, who included academic workers at Columbia and Northeastern Universities, were quickly surrounded by fascistic UAW goons and Secret Service agents who grabbed their Palestinian flag and dragged them out of the hall by their arms. While this was occurring, the UAW bureaucrats repeatedly shouted U-A-W to drown out the voices of the protesters.

Due to the widespread opposition of workers to the US-backed slaughter in Gaza, last month the UAW was compelled to adopt a toothless resolution calling on Biden to demand a ceasefire. But this was a hypocritical stunt, designed by UAW Communications Director Jonah Furman, District 9A Director Brandon Mancilla and other Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members, to provide UAW President Shawn Fain an anti-war cover.

In his introduction of Biden, Fain predictably said nothing about Gaza or the presidents expanding war against Russia and military preparations against China, which threaten mankind with nuclear annihilation. Instead, he pretended that workers could increase their wages, win retirement security and fight social inequality without waging a struggle against war.

He claimed that Biden, a life-long tool of Wall Street and Senator from Dupont, would stand up to the billionaire class and fight for economic and social justice.

The reality is that the American ruling class is waging a war on two fronts, supported by both the Democratic and the Republican Parties. One is to defeat its geo-political rivals, primarily Russia and China, and subjugate the worlds resources and people to the global hegemony of US imperialism. The other is a class war at home to impoverish the working class and impose the type of austerity and authoritarian labor discipline needed to fund and produce the weapons for World War III.

The war has the character of a civil war against the working class, abroad and at home. Within this framework, the apparatchiks that staff the union apparatus serve as a labor police force, for which they are well compensated. This is the case not only in the UAW, but also the Teamsters, the railroad workers unions and the AFL-CIO as a whole, as has been amply demonstrated in one experience after another.

To suppress opposition, Biden has promoted a corporatist strategy of integrating the labor bureaucracy into his wartime economic planning. In his remarks to the UAW conference, Biden again referred to the World War II alliance between the UAW, the Roosevelt administration and the auto companies to produce warplanes, tanks and other weaponry. This so-called Arsenal of Democracy included a ban on all strikes against the war profiteers.

Addressing the UAW bureaucracy, Biden complained that Trump had allowed China to dominate the electric vehicle market. In the past, he said, Corporate America found the cheapest labor in the world, they sent those jobs to those laborers, and sent the product back to us. But not anymore. Were building product here and shipping it overseas. Whats really important, you made sure the other future of the world will be made in America.

These comments blow up the lies that the UAWs labor agreements with the automakers were historic victories for the working class. In fact, they have paved the way for what will be the biggest wave of plant closures and mass layoffs since the 1980s, and a further regression in the wages and conditions of autoworkers.

Since the ratification of these deals, the automakers have announced thousands of layoffs, voluntary retirements and the permanent termination of up to 2,300 temporary workers who Fain claimed would be converted to full-time under the new contracts. This is only the beginning of a jobs massacre that threatens to destroy tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of jobs as the auto industry converts to EV production.

Last years contracts were the outcome of a conspiracy by the UAW bureaucracy, the auto bosses and the Biden administration against rank-and-file autoworkers. In consultation with the White House, the UAW carried out a phony stand up strike that never involved more than a third of the UAW members and was designed to wear down the resistance of the rank and file, not the auto bosses.

In return for its services, the Biden administration pressed the automakers to bring the UAW into the new EV battery plants and has tied the hiring of union labor to its federal subsidies for EV production. The contracts guarantee a fresh influx of dues money into the coffers of the UAW bureaucracy as it collaborates in the destruction of jobs.

The struggle against capitalist exploitation is inseparable from the struggle against imperialist war. Workers and young people must oppose the ruling class plan for global conquest, which will be accompanied by ruthless austerity and the suppression of democratic rights, whether the warmonger Biden or the fascist Trump is in the White House.

A struggle against exploitation and imperialist war is only possible by developing a politically independent movement of the working class, in opposition to both corporate-controlled parties, the trade union bureaucracy and the capitalist system they all defend.

The 2022 campaign by Mack Trucks worker and socialist candidate for UAW president Will Lehman demonstrated that there is a powerful constituency among autoworkers for internationalism and socialism, and a struggle against war.

Lehman called for the abolition of the UAW bureaucracy, the transfer of power to the workers on the shop floor through the building of rank-and-file committees in every factory, and the unification and coordination of workers struggles across borders through the expansion of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC).

Running as a socialist and internationalist, Lehman won nearly 5,000 votes despite the efforts by the UAW bureaucracy, backed by Bidens Labor Department, to prevent workers from even knowing there was an election taking place.

In a November 2023 TikTok video, viewed hundreds of thousands of times, Lehman endorsed the call by the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions asking workers of the world to refuse to build and transport weapons to Israel, and to take action against companies involved in implementing Israels brutal and illegal siege.

But Fain and the UAW bureaucracy have ignored this call and intervened to block strikes at General Dynamics, Allison Transmission and other companies that supply the Israeli war machine. Now they plan to spend millions of dollars of workers dues money to keep Biden in power.

The fight against war and capitalist exploitation is the same fight. It requires a struggle to break the grip of the pro-imperialist trade union bureaucracies, oppose both the Democrats and Republicans, and develop a powerful anti-war movement based on the international working class and the fight for socialism.
In brazen defiance of federal authority that has no parallel since at least the civil rights era, fascistic Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a letter Wednesday declaring an invasion of his state by migrants crossing the US-Mexico border. The letter claimed that the right of Texas to self-defense was the supreme law of the land and supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary.

A direct physical confrontation between state and federal authorities could develop around the town of Eagle Pass, Texas, where state forces have taken control of a two-mile stretch of the border, denying access to the US Border Patrol.

The US Supreme Court ruled Monday that Texas must allow the Border Patrol to cut through razor wire laid down by the state along a section of the border, including Eagle Pass, asserting the authority of the federal government over the state of Texas. The ruling narrowly upheld, by a 5-4 decision, the plain language of the US Constitution.

On Tuesday the federal Department of Homeland Security demanded full access by January 26.

Abbotts one-page letter greatly escalates the conflict between Texas and the federal government. It is not only the assertion of an extreme form of the states rights doctrine upheld by the diehard defenders of racial segregation of the 1950s and 1960s. It also makes multiple assertions of illegal and unconstitutional conduct that amount to a case for the impeachment of President Joe Biden.

The language of Abbotts letter has no modern parallel. The federal government has broken the compact between the United States and the States, he writes, voicing a long-discredited claim by the slave-owning South before the Civil War, which held that the federal union was a compact that states were empowered to leave at their discretion.

These developments recall the Nullification Crisis of the 1830s, a prelude to the American Civil War. Responding to unwanted tariffs passed by the federal government, the state of South Carolina declared that it had the right as a sovereign state to nullify the tariff within its state boundaries, threatening to secede if the federal government attempted to intervene.

The crisis nearly came to war, with the government of Andrew Jackson passing the Force Bill in 1833 authorizing the federal government to take military action against the state of South Carolina. The federal government resolved the immediate crisis by easing the tariff to meet South Carolinas demands, but the underlying conflict would continue to escalate until South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union in December 1860.

Gov. Greg Abbott at a border wall construction site in Brownsville, Texas on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, [AP Photo/Valerie Gonzalez]

The assertions that Biden is guilty of criminal behavior for allegedly refusing to enforce US laws on immigration are also unprecedented. Abbott accuses Biden, not of his real crimes, such as enabling the Israeli genocide against Gaza, but of entirely invented ones. According to his letter, Biden has refused to enforce immigration laws and even violated them. He has ignored Texass demand that he perform his constitutional duties.

Biden has violated his oath to faithfully execute immigration laws enacted by Congress and has instructed agencies to ignore federal statutes that mandate the detention of illegal immigrants. He has adopted lawless border policies and engaged in an illegal refusal to protect the States. Biden is described again as a lawless president.

The most remarkable passage is the final paragraph, which asserts a constitutional basis for Texas to defy federal authority over the border, even though the Constitution provides for the direct oppositefederal supremacy on that issue. Abbott writes:

The failure of the Biden Administration to fulfill the duties imposed by Article IV, 4 has triggered Article I, 10, Clause 3, which reserves to this State the right of self-defense. For these reasons, I have already declared an invasion under Article I, 10, Clause 3 to invoke Texass constitutional authority to defend and protect itself. That authority is the supreme law of the land and supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary.

Article I Section 10 is actually a sweeping assertion of federal, not state, authority and declares that no state shall keep Troops or engage in war, unless actually invaded. The claim that the influx of desperate, hungry migrants, fueled by poverty and oppression, constitutes an invasion is a repudiation of the entire history of the United States, whose population is overwhelmingly descended from just such migrants, albeit mainly from Europe. The current campaign against illegal immigrants, engaged in by both capitalist parties, even with different rhetoric and at different volumes, is fundamentally racist and chauvinist.

The logic of the Republican anti-migrant demagogy is clearest in the statements of outright fascists, such as retired General Michael Flynn, once Trumps national security adviser and a leading propagandist for his stolen election lies. In an op-ed published in The Western Journal, Flynn argued that military-age men are pouring over the border from countries that despise our nation and that the US Supreme Court justices ruled in favor of the Biden administration to facilitate the invasion of the nation for a reconquista of the Southwest United States by Mexico.

In a policy brief on declaring an invasion, Ken Cuccinelli, a former deputy secretary of homeland security under Trump who never received Senate confirmation, discusses How States Can Secure the Border. Cuccinelli argues that border states should declare an invasion, reject the authority of federal officials, mobilize the National Guard and draft an interstate compact on border security. Cuccinelli ignores the fact that the formation of compacts between states without the approval of the federal government is prohibited by the Constitution.

Cuccinelli also calls for states to deputize citizens to make border crossing arrests and round up migrants for deportation, effectively creating fascist gangs to hunt down migrants.

The logic of Abbotts concocted constitutional argument is either the secession of Texas from the United States, the impeachment and removal of Biden, or his arrest should he set foot in Texas for supposed crimes against that state.

The practicality of such a stand, given the massive federal government presence in Texas, including more than a dozen military bases with tens of thousands of federal troops, remains to be seen. But Abbott has certainly dared the Biden administration to enforce its authority.

Several Democratic congressmen from Texas have urged Biden to respond by federalizing the Texas National Guard. Similar action was taken in several Southern states, including Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi, during the period when Southern governors were the last-ditch defenders of segregation.

The White House has given no encouragement to such calls, which Biden opposes, both because it would further highlight the issue of immigration during the election campaign and because there is no certainty that an order to federalize the guard would be obeyed by the state commanders.

The Biden administration, moreover, is still seeking to reach a deal with Republicans in Congress that would exchange agreeing on a massive escalation of the attack on immigrants for guarantees of increased funding for the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine, the Democrats primary concern.

Two dozen Republican governors have rallied to Abbotts side in this conflict. These include the governors of Alaska, New Hampshire, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah and Nevada.

Map shows Texas (in gray) and the states whose governors have backed Texas against the federal government (in red)

The Republican Governors Association issued a statement reproducing, virtually word for word, Abbotts bogus legal argument. The authors of the US Constitution made clear that in times like this, states have a right of self-defense, under Article 4, Section 4 and Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3 of the US Constitution, the statement reads. Because the Biden Administration has abdicated its constitutional compact duties to the states, Texas has every legal justification to protect the sovereignty of our states and our nation.

Both the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, ex-President Trump, and House Speaker Mike Johnson have likewise issued statements backing Abbott. In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Johnson said, The House will do everything in its power to back him [Abbott] up. The next step: holding [Department of Homeland Security] Secretary Mayorkas accountable. Impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas are already in the works.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks while standing with Republican members of Congress, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. [AP Photo/Eric Gay]

In geographic extent, the states whose governors back Abbotts defiance include every state in the old Confederacy except North Carolina, which has a Democratic governor. North Carolina, Kentucky and Kansas, all with Democratic governors, are islands in a vast territory extending from the Atlantic Coast to the Gulf Coast, north to the rim of the Great Lakes, then northwest all the way to the Canadian border.

The map largely reproduces the Electoral College split in the last six presidential elections, with the pro-Democratic Northeast and West Coast and a section of the Great Lakes and Southwest separated by a huge pro-Republican swath comprising the bulk of the land area of the United States, although less than half its population.

In its New Years statement, the World Socialist Web Site took note of the developing split among the states over excluding Trump from the ballot because of his instigation of the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, as well as the conflict over immigration policy. We wrote:
In a decision with far-reaching implications for democratic rights, a Federal Court has endorsed the Canadian governments imposition of a sweeping new definition of espionage.

The decision came in response to a Chinese students attempt to reverse a government decision to refuse him a visa to study mechanical engineering at Waterloo University in Ontario on the grounds he represented a national security risk.

The decision will have a chilling effect on democratic rights in general and academic freedom in particular, both in Canada and abroad. The court ruling is yet another clear signal that the Justin Trudeau-led, trade union and NDP-backed federal government is adopting an ever more aggressive stance against China, as it integrates Canada ever more fully into US imperialisms political, military and economic preparations for war with Beijing.

Prime Minister Trudeau and US President Biden, during the latters March 2023, visit to Canada. In response to pressure from the US, for three-quarters of a century the Canadian ruling class principal strategic ally, the Trudeau government has adopted an ever more bellicose stance against Beijing. [AP Photo/Andrew Harnik]

Yuekang Li, a Chinese national, intended to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Waterloo with a specialization in microfluidics. The Waterloo Microfluidics lab conducts research into chip-based technology to carry out biomedical diagnosis. Li, who had been accepted as a candidate for a PhD in mechanical engineering at the University of Waterloo in April 2022, stated on his application that he intended to use the knowledge he gained to improve public health systems in China.

Federal Court Chief Justice Paul Crampton based his pro-government ruling on the speculative grounds that Li could be pressured into spying for Beijing. By the courts reasoning, any Chinese person has the potential to be pressured into spying for Beijing at an unspecified future date.

The courts December 22 decision, which was made publicly available at the beginning of this month, emphasized what it called Beijings non-traditional forms of espionage. The ruling rested on the claim Lis chosen field of study, microfluidics, is among the major development goals set by Chinas ruling Chinese Communist Party. Crampton also concurred with the decision of the unnamed immigration officer, vigorously supported by the government, to deny Li a visa based on the simple fact he had attended Beihang University, an institution the immigration officer claimed has ties to the Chinese military. No evidence was provided in the ruling to demonstrate that Li was a spy.

Chief Justice Crampton declared that the denial of Lis visa was reasonable because it was based on credible reports of Chinese practices. The immigration officer based his claims on a US report from 2020. The report, entitled Overseas Chinese Students and Scholars in Chinas Drive for Innovation was published by the US-China Economic Security Review Commission, which was founded by the US Congress in 2000 to review all aspects of the Chinese-US economic relationship. The report makes the unsurprising claim that the Chinese government relies on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) students to meet its development goals. Open source reports from the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS), Canadas top domestic spy agency, and articles from the CBC were also presented as evidence. The implication that Beihang University was a very high security risk was based on a report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a defence think tank.

The immigration officers decision and the court ruling upholding it were unencumbered by any concrete evidence inculpating Li as a spy looking to steal secrets for military purposes.

Rather, they were based solely on the assertion that he could potentially become one in the futurea claim that was in turn based entirely on his nationality, area of study, previous university affiliation and sweeping unsupported claims about the prevalence of Chinese spying.

Lis prospective thesis supervisor at Waterloo, Dr. Carolyn Ren, submitted a letter that was used as evidence before the court. In it, she detailed the fact that the laboratory at the University of Waterloo was dedicated to medical research that did not have any military application whatsoever. She also noted that the laboratory has not, and never will, engage in military research.

Nevertheless, the court ruled to expand the definition of espionage to the point where virtually any activity that is deemed contrary to the interests of Canada can be termed espionage.

The ruling is part of the political preparations for intensified strategic competition and outright war with China. This is borne out by the fact that since the courts decision the Canadian government has unveiled strict new national security measures to ban federal grant agencies from funding any project that involves collaboration with scholars based at overseas universities that the Canadian government considers a national security threat. On January 16, Ottawa published a list of sensitive technology research areas that it deems must be guarded. Under the heading Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern, it listed artificial intelligence, quantum science, robotics and autonomous systems, biotechnology and other areas of high technology. The list includes hundreds of universities from China, Russia and Iran, the current targets for Canadian and world imperialism in a developing third world war, which has already seen two fronts open up in the NATO-provoked Russo-Ukraine war, and the Israeli genocide in Gaza, along with the bombing of Yemen by the US and UK with Canadian logistical support.

The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa issued a statement challenging Canadas policy. Released on the evening of January 16, it stated that Canada has politicized normal scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation under hypothetical pretexts and was sabotaging the openness, trust and cooperation in the community of science and technology of China and Canada. The appeal included Beijings now routine call for the western imperialist powers to abandon ideological bias and cold war mentality.

The court ruling against Li must be seen in the context of Canadian imperialisms rabid anti-China drive, which has been gathering pace in recent years. Last fall, Canada conducted its latest round of provocative freedom of navigation exercises alongside the US, sending Halifax class frigates alongside US warships through the Taiwan Strait and into the South China Sea, a region that sees roughly $4.6 trillion in cargo pass through it per annum.

Last February, the Globe and Mail became the platform for sections of Canadas national security apparatus to launch an hysterical campaign alleging Chinese interference in Canadas 2019 and 2021 federal elections. The issue dominated political life for months, with the media and the Conservative opposition, led by far-right Freedom Convoy advocate Pierre Poilievre, accusing the Trudeau government of being soft on China. Ultimately, the government was forced to call a public inquiry, despite no substantive evidence being presented to back up the lurid CSIS-authored claims of Chinese interference.

The furor over alleged Chinese electoral interference came hot on the heels of Foreign Minister Melanie Jolys release of Canadas Indo-Pacific strategy on November 27, 2022. The policy was prepared in close coordination with Canadas allies, including Japanwho first advanced the concept in 2016Australia, New Zealand, Britain and above all, as Joly herself boasted, the White House.

In 2018, Canada arrested and detained Huawei executive Meng Wangzhou on behalf of the US on bogus charges that she defied US sanctions against Iran. Canada subsequently banned Huawei and ZTE components from its telecommunications network in 2022.

Prior to last months court ruling, the repercussions of the intensifying anti-China campaign were already being felt on campuses. Last May, the Universities of Calgary, Carleton, McGill, Toronto, Saskatchewan and Waterloo ceased all research projects and programs that had received grant monies from Huawei. The director of the Joint Innovation Lab at the University of Waterloo, Tamer Ozsu, expressed some bemusement at this state of affairs, telling the Waterloo Record, Its hard to comprehend what national security risk there might be in a topic that studies computer assistance in diagnosing eye diseases in children.

The chilling impact of the latest developments on academic freedom was noted by Lorne Waldman, an immigration and refugee lawyer. Speaking to the Globe and Mail, he noted the similarities between the court ruling against Li and the decree issued by Donald Trumps administration in 2020, which barred thousands of Chinese graduate students from obtaining visas to study in the US. The decision, said Waldman, creates an extremely broad ground of inadmissibility, one which could hamper the free flow of scientific research.

The chief concern of the Canadian ruling class, like its allies in NATO and the US-led Five-Eyes alliance (Australia, the UK and New Zealand), is that Chinas rapid economic growth is challenging what is euphemistically referred to as the rules based international order, i.e., US imperialist hegemony. The escalating wars waged by US imperialism and its alliesCanada includedsince the dissolution of the Soviet Union at the hands of the Stalinist bureaucracy are a desperate attempt to offset the economic decline of the western imperialist powers vis-a-vis their rivals, above all China.

The ruling class waging of war around the world is accompanied by the turn to authoritarian forms of rule at home, with all of the concomitant national chauvinism and barbarism. The working class must counterpose to the rising tide of capitalist barbarism the struggle for socialism. Only the working class, as the revolutionary class in modern capitalist society, can defend the right of students to study wherever they choose. Only the working class can end the outmoded nation-state system and ensure that science and technology are used to meet social needs, not for the waging of war.
Bill Gates is the largest private owner of farmland in the United States, with a portfolio of nearly 250,000 acres, according to The Land Report.

When asked why he's been purchasing so much farmland in an "Ask Me Anything" session on Reddit, Gates responded, "I own less than 1/4000 of the farmland in the US. I have invested in these farms to make them more productive and create more jobs. There isnt some grand scheme involved  in fact, all these decisions are made by a professional investment team."

If you think Gates is making a smart move by investing in farmland, you can do the same with this real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on farmland.

Don't Miss:

Investing in real estate just got a whole lot simpler. This Dara Khosrowshahi-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, and you only need $100.

Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, but few investors have the capital or resources needed to invest in this asset class. A platform backed by industry giant Marcus & Millichap is changing that, allowing individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000.

Farmland Partners

Farmland Partners (NYSE:FPI) owns, leases, and manages high-quality farmland. As of September 30, 2023, its portfolio consists of approximately 178,200 acres of farmland across 20 states, including Alabama, California, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, making it the largest farmland REIT in the United States by acreage. Additionally, it owns land and buildings for four agriculture equipment dealerships in Ohio, which are leased to Ag Pro under the John Deere & Co. (NYSE:DE) brand.

Farmland Partners currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share, equating to $0.24 per share annually, which gives it a yield of about 2.1% at today's levels. While its yield isn't eye-popping, it's important to note that it paid a special dividend of $0.21 per share earlier this month because of strong asset appreciation. With the special dividend included, the company declared $0.45 per share in dividends in 2023, which would equate to a yield of about 3.9% at today's levels.

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Read Next:

Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, but few investors have the capital or resources needed to invest in this asset class. A platform backed by industry giant Marcus & Millichap is changing that, allowing individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000.

Collecting passive income from real estate just got a whole lot simpler. A new real estate fund backed by Dara Khosrowshahi gives you instant access to a diversified portfolio of rental properties, and you only need $100 to get started.

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Six New Zealand Defence Force personnel are being sent to the Middle East to assist with selecting targets for the illegal US-led bombing campaign against Yemen.

HMNZS Wellington, which New Zealand recently placed dockside, dispatches a hydrographic survey and dive team [Photo: File image/New Zealand Defence Force]

The deployment was announced on Tuesday by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who declared it was necessary to stop the attacks by Yemens Houthi forces on commercial ships in the Red Seaabout 15,000 kilometres away from New Zealand. He presented the operation as collective self-defence of ships in the Middle East, in accordance with international law, saying: Our personnel will support coalition forces in carrying out precision attacks on identified military targets.

No further details were released. The deployment was announced without any debate or even the formality of a vote in parliament.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who leads the right-wing nationalist New Zealand First Party, declared: These efforts support international security and the free flow of trade on which New Zealanders rely. Peters, Luxon and Defence Minister Judith Collins presented the deployment as a limited six-month commitment which was unrelated to the Israel-Gaza conflict. I think conflating the two issues is very unhelpful, Luxon said.

Such statements fly in the face of reality. The United States and its imperialist allies, including the UK, Australia, Canada and now New Zealand, are bombing Yemen in order to support the genocide being carried out by Israel against the population of Gaza. The Houthis actions are aimed at disrupting supplies for Israels military, which has murdered more than 30,000 people in the Gaza Strip, reduced entire cities to rubble, destroyed the public health system and cut off almost all supplies of food, fuel and water to more than 2 million people.

While funding and arming Israels forces to massacre Palestinians, Washington is expanding the war throughout the Middle East. Israel, backed by the US, has targeted Iranian-linked forces in Syria and Iraq and Hezbollah militias in Lebanon. Yemen has already endured a decade-long genocidal war and blockade by Saudi Arabia, also backed by the US, which has killed hundreds of thousands of civilians.

The aim of US imperialism is to establish complete domination over the resource-rich Middle East by subjugating Iran and its allies. This is one front in an escalating global conflict, which includes the US-NATO war against Russia over Ukraine, and the militarisation of the Indo-Pacific region in preparation for war against China, American imperialisms main economic and geostrategic rival.

The statements of Luxon and his ministers are grossly hypocritical. While condemning the Houthis for threatening peace and security in the Red Sea, the New Zealand government supports the genocide of Palestinians, which Luxon presents as an act of self-defence by Israel.

Foreign Minister Peters said the disruption of shipping could affect global food supplies, threatening hundreds of millions of people with starvation. He said nothing about the mass starvation being caused by Israels blockade of Gaza.

The decision to join another US-led war in the Middle East has triggered outrage from ordinary people, with numerous comments on social media accusing the government of complicity in genocide. One X/Twitter user, Lachlan, wrote: When faced with the choice of advancing a ceasefire in Gaza, or escalating the US military response to Yemen, Luxons cabinet chose the latter. The free flow of trade & blood.

Another X user said: Absolutely appalling Goes against everything we stand for, and for what gain? Getting to be pals with Genocide Joe? Disgusting.

Thousands of workers and young people in New Zealand have participated in global protests against the genocide in Gaza for the past three-and-a-half months, with more actions planned for this weekend.

The opposition Labour Partywhich supported Israels bombardment of Gaza when it was still leading the government until late Novemberand its ally the Green Party hypocritically criticised the deployment to the Red Sea.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins told the media on Wednesday: Theres no UN resolution to back this action, so its not one that I would be backing. This position leaves room for Labour to support military action in future, if it is rubber stamped by the United Nations.

Labour foreign affairs spokesperson David Parker told Radio NZ that the conflict with Yemen has shades of Iraq. He stated that in 2003 the then-Labour government, despite all the pressure from the United States, Australia, and Great Britain at the time, stayed out of the conflict in Iraq, when Iraq was invaded.

This is a falsification of history. Helen Clarks Labour government sent 61 combat engineers to Iraq in 2003 to assist with the illegal imperialist war. WikiLeaks later revealed that the Clark government sent troops after pressure from the US, including a threat to end New Zealand dairy company Fonterras exports to Iraq.

Labour and its coalition partner, the pseudo-left Alliance, also sent troops to join the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. New Zealand troops were part of the occupation of Afghanistan for two decades under Labour and National-led governments.

The 20172023 Labour-led coalition government, led by Jacinda Ardern, which included the Green Party, continued New Zealands military involvement in the Middle East. About a dozen NZ personnel have been based in Bahrain assisting US operations in the region since 2013.

The Ardern government deployed more than 100 soldiers to Britain to assist with training Ukrainian conscripts to fight in the US-NATO proxy war against Russia. In addition, the Labour government boosted military spending and supported an increased US military presence in the Pacific region, as part of war preparations against China.

Some media commentators and academics have expressed concern that New Zealands open alignment with the US against Yemen is undermining the claimendlessly repeated by bourgeois politicians of all stripesthat the country pursues an independent foreign policy.

The truth is that New Zealand, as a minor imperialist power, has relied for decades on a de facto alliance with the United States to support its neo-colonial domination over much of the Pacific region. The country is a member of the US-led Five Eyes intelligence sharing network (which also includes Australia, Canada and Britain) and has been involved in numerous US-led wars since the end of World War II, from Korea to Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and now against Yemen.

As the US charges towards war against Iran, Russia and China, the New Zealand ruling class is planning a major increase in military spending so it can participate and profit from the new redivision of the world. No party in parliament opposes this agenda. To stop this catastrophic Third World War, those who are joining the global anti-war movement must adopt a socialist program aimed at uniting the working class to put an end to capitalismthe source of imperialist war and genocide.
DG Okonjo-Iweala said: I am delighted that Cabo Verde has formally accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The significance of coastal fisheries to Cabo Verde cannot be overstated: 80 per cent of its people reside along the coast, and these waters sustain food security and livelihoods as well as the wider national economy. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact of the Agreement on the well-being of Cabo Verde's coastal communities, and hope more WTO members will follow suit so that this important agreement enters into force soon.

Ambassador Delgado said: My country, the Republic of Cabo Verde, is an ocean state endowed with a substantial maritime area. It therefore has a vested interest in a healthy and effective management of the ocean's fisheries resources. I am glad to note that the WTO Protocol on Fisheries Subsidies goes in this direction. Cabo Verde has, therefore, taken the decision to formally accept this Protocol. I am sure that this Protocol will greatly contribute to the reinforcement of measures to protect and preserve fisheries. It is my honour and pleasure to transmit to you Cabo Verde's instrument of acceptance of this Protocol. We are looking forward to its early entry into force and, to that end, we respectfully encourage other states that have not done so to join us by depositing their instrument of acceptance of this Protocol as well.

Cabo Verde's instrument of acceptance brings the total number of WTO members that have formally accepted the Agreement to 56. This is 51 per cent of what is needed for the Agreement to come into effect (two-thirds of the WTO membership).

Adopted by consensus at the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12), held in Geneva on 12-17 June 2022, the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies sets new, binding, multilateral rules to curb harmful subsidies, which are a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world's fish stocks. In addition, the Agreement recognizes the needs of developing and least-developed countries and establishes a fund to provide technical assistance and capacity building to help them implement the obligations.

The Agreement prohibits support for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, bans support for fishing overfished stocks and ends subsidies for fishing on the unregulated high seas.

Members also agreed at MC12 to continue negotiations on outstanding issues, with a view to making recommendations by MC13, to be held in February 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for additional provisions that would further enhance the disciplines of the Agreement.

The full text of the Agreement can be accessed here. The list of members that have deposited their instruments of acceptance is available here. Information for members on how to accept the Protocol of Amendment is available here.
Key Insights

The projected fair value for NTPM Holdings Berhad is RM0.59 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

NTPM Holdings Berhad's RM0.38 share price signals that it might be 36% undervalued

Peers of NTPM Holdings Berhad are currently trading on average at a 49% premium

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of NTPM Holdings Berhad (KLSE:NTPM) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for NTPM Holdings Berhad

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

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 (MYR, Millions) RM29.7m RM40.4m RM40.9m RM41.7m RM42.8m RM44.0m RM45.3m RM46.7m RM48.2m RM49.9m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 1.96% Est @ 2.44% Est @ 2.77% Est @ 3.00% Est @ 3.17% Est @ 3.28% Est @ 3.36% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 9.0% RM27.2 RM34.0 RM31.6 RM29.6 RM27.8 RM26.2 RM24.8 RM23.4 RM22.2 RM21.1

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM268m

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The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.0%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM50m (1 + 3.6%)  (9.0% 3.6%) = RM946m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM946m ( 1 + 9.0%)10= RM400m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM667m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM0.4, the company appears quite undervalued at a 36% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at NTPM Holdings Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for NTPM Holdings Berhad

Strength

No major strengths identified for NTPM.

Weakness

Interest payments on debt are not well covered.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Household Products market.

Opportunity

Expected to breakeven next year.

Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows.

Good value based on P/S ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Paying a dividend but company is unprofitable.

Next Steps:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For NTPM Holdings Berhad, there are three relevant aspects you should look at:

Risks: For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for NTPM Holdings Berhad (1 is potentially serious) you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does NTPM's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: US$10.4b (up 152% from FY 2022).

Net income: US$1.22b (up from US$1.07b loss in FY 2022).

Profit margin: 12% (up from net loss in FY 2022). The move to profitability was driven by higher revenue.

EPS: US$1.62 (up from US$1.40 loss in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Las Vegas Sands EPS Misses Expectations

Revenue was in line with analyst estimates. Earnings per share (EPS) missed analyst estimates by 7.9%.

The primary driver behind last 12 months revenue was the Marina Bay Sands segment contributing a total revenue of US$3.85b (37% of total revenue). Notably, cost of sales worth US$6.32b amounted to 61% of total revenue thereby underscoring the impact on earnings. The largest operating expense was Depreciation & Amortisation (D&A) costs, amounting to US$1.21b (43% of total expenses). Explore how LVS's revenue and expenses shape its earnings.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 8.6% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 9.7% growth forecast for the Hospitality industry in the US.

Performance of the American Hospitality industry.

The company's shares are up 1.3% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Las Vegas Sands (of which 1 is significant!) you should know about.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Kenneth Eugene Smith reportedly writhed and shook violently on the gurney after the gas was administered

Alabama Department of Corrections via AP Kenneth Eugene Smith

Kenneth Eugene Smith became the first person in the United States to be executed using nitrogen gas

The Alabama Supreme Court allowed his execution in a November ruling

The execution was controversial, with Smith's advocates calling the method "experimental"

Alabama carried out the controversial execution of a death row inmate using a method known as nitrogen hypoxia, the firsttime the practice has ever been used in the United States.

Kenneth Eugene Smith, who has been on death row since 1990, was executed Thursday night, according to reports from CNN, CBS News and NPR.

The execution began at 7:53 p.m. and Smith was pronounced dead at 8:25. Officials said nitrogen flowed for 15 minutes and that a nitrogen mask was kept on Smith for five minutes after he flatlined, the outlets reported.

NPR and the Associated Press reported that Smith writhed and shook violently for about two minutes on the gurney, before five minutes of heavy breathing, citing media witnesses.

Related: Alabama Can Become First State to Execute Inmate with Nitrogen Gas, State's Supreme Court Rules

"Tonight Alabama caused humanity to take a step backward, Smith reportedly said in his last words, per the outlets. I'm leaving with love, peace and light. Thank you for supporting me. Love all of you.

Alabama, Oklahoma and Mississippi are the only states that have authorized nitrogen hypoxia for executions, the Associated Press reported. Alabama became the first to actually utilize the procedure, which involves forcing pure nitrogen into the inmate's lungs while cutting off the oxygen supply, according to the AP.

Smiths legal team fought the new method of execution, calling it experimental, never-before-used method in a joint statement previously reported by AL.com.

The execution was set after the Alabama Supreme Court voted 6 to 2 in November to grant state Attorney General Steve Marshalls execution warrant. On Thursday the United States Supreme Court declined to stop Smiths execution, despite three dissenting justices.

With deep sadness, but commitment to the Eighth Amendments protection against cruel and unusual punishment, I respectfully dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in her dissent.

Alabama officials have claimed nitrogen hypoxia is, "the most painless and humane method of execution known to man, according to NPRs reporting, though the American Veterinary Medical Association called the method unacceptable for all mammals except pigs.

CBS reported a joint statement from Smith and his spiritual advisor Rev. Jeff Hood, sent out the afternoon of the execution, criticizing the use of nitrogen hypoxia.

"Our prayer is that people will not turn their heads. We simply cannot normalize the suffocation of each other," the statement reportedly said.

Smith was convicted of the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett, the wife of local minister Charles Sennett, who was having an affair and was in debt, according to a 2000 decision affirming Smiths conviction and electrocution filed to the Court of Criminal Appeals of Alabama, reviewed by PEOPLE.

After taking out an insurance policy on his wife, Sennett hired a group of men, including Smith, to kill Elizabeth and to make it look like a burglary gone wrong, according to a confession included in the decision. She was killed after being stabbed multiple times.

Sennett died by suicide a week after her death, while Smiths accomplice was executed for the crime in 2010.

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Controversially, Smiths death sentence was handed down by a judge who overruled a jury, who voted 11 to 1 to sentence him to life in prison.

Smith already survived a previous execution attempt in 2022, reported AL.com. He was reportedly strapped to a gurney, set to die from lethal injection, when the execution was halted because workers did not think they could carry out the process before the death warrant expired at midnight.

Elizabeth Sennetts son, Mike, released a statement reported by CBS following the execution Thursday.

"It's kind of a bittersweet day. We're not going to be jumping around," he reportedly said. "But we're glad this day is over."



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Read the original article on People.
Alleged murderer Brian Laundrie made multiple alarming calls to his parents over the course of two days, revealing his partner, Gabby Petito's demise and his need for a lawyer.

Obviously, this raised suspicion as his prior calls to his parents were "sporadic."

Brian's calls to his parents were first disclosed in court depositions from November 2023. However, more has now been unearthed regarding the phone calls. As we reported, his parents -- now facing a lawsuit -- were silent about Gabby's death.

Brian Laundrie Called His Parents 20 Times To Tell Them His Fiancee Gabby Petito Was 'Gone'

Instagram | Gabby Petito

According to a report, Brian, the suspect in the murder of his fiancee Gabby Petito, engaged in a "flurry" of up to 20 phone calls with his parents over two days, revealing that Gabby was "gone" and he needed a lawyer.

This revelation comes from the November 2023 depositions of Brian's parents in a civil case brought by Gabby's parents, Nichole Schmidt and her father, Joseph Petito, in an ongoing civil case in Sarasota, Florida.

The intensity of Brian's calls raised suspicions as it was unusual, given that the 23-year-old had previously contacted his parents only five times in the two months leading up to the tragic road trip in the summer of 2021.

According to court documents, the initial call between Brian and his parents, Roberta and Christoper, occurred on Sunday, August 29, at 4 pm, lasting for 55 minutesdays after Gabby's last known contact with her mother.

Subsequently, there was a 22-minute call at 9:20 pm, followed by a "flurry" of up to 20 calls during the next day, mostly between Brian and his mother, Roberta, according to Petito family attorney Pat Reilly.

During the call, Brian revealed the tragic news of Gabby being "gone" to his father, using his mother's phone. Amid this surge of calls, Brian's parents also contacted family lawyer Steve Bertolino in Long Island, who advised them to remain silent.

Gabby Petito's Remains Were Found In National Forest

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Nearly three weeks after the call on September 19, the remains of Gabby were discovered in an undeveloped camping area in Grand Teton National Forest, Wyoming.

Before her tragic death, Gabby was engaged to Brian and had relocated from Long Island to live with the Laundrie family. It was from the Laundrie family home that the young couple commenced their ill-fated journey in June 2021.

Subsequently, it was revealed that Brian had strangled his fiancee before returning to his parents' residence in North Port, Florida, on September 1, using her 2012 white Ford Transit van.

However, when police began investigating Gabby's disappearance, Brian also vanished and later took his own life with a gunshot to the head in an alligator-infested swamp near his home.

Gabby Petito's Lawyer Challenges The Laundries On Their Interpretation Of 'Gone'

Instagram | Gabby Petito

During the depositions, Reilly extensively questioned Christopher and Roberta about the pivotal "gone" call. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Reilly said, "Brian told Christopher, 'Gabby's gone, I need a lawyer.' And he was frantic in Christopher's words."

He continued: "They refused to acknowledge that that meant Gabby was dead, which flies in the face of logic. If your son calls and he's frantic and he says, 'gone, I need a lawyer.' What other explanation of 'gone' could there be?"

Reilly shared that Christopher's defense leaned on suggesting an alternative meaning for "gone" by citing instances when Gabby "would leave and go away for a couple of days to meet with her friends or she'd just leave for a couple of hours when she was living with" the Laundries.

"That was his explanation for why he couldn't admit that 'gone' meant she was dead. It was a flurry of calls on those two days. The calls between Brian and his parents before that were very sporadic, around five," he emphasized.

Reilly also noted that the revelation deeply affected Gabby's father, Joseph, who, upon hearing about the "gone" call, "just put his head in his hands."

Attorney Tackles The Laundries For Keeping Gabby Petito's Death A Secret

Instagram | Gabby Petito

The legal battle against the Laundries began when Gabby's parents pursued a lawsuit, accusing them of intentional withholding of information and causing pain and emotional distress. The family's attorney, Bertolino, is also implicated in the lawsuit, scheduled for trial in May.

The suit focuses on a statement issued by Bertolino on September 14, 2021, stating: "On behalf of the family, we hope that the search for Miss Petito is successful and that Miss Petito is reunited with her family."

"The key is that they knew Gabby was dead at the time of the statement," Reilly said.

The attorney also mentioned that the Laundries displayed contrasting traits during the depositions. He noted that Roberta "is cold, a very cold woman. She's unemotional, defensive," while Christopher, though "unassertive and polite," was not "as stoic as Roberta."

Attorney Reilly criticized their silence, stating: "They were parents themselves, and Gabby was going to be their daughter-in-law. How could they stay quiet when they know she's no longer living?"

He continued: "They know Gabby's parents are frantically searching, they know they can bring some sense of relief to their suffering by letting them know where her body is, and instead they allowed the body to remain out there in the wilderness to be attacked by animals or whatever else was out there."

"It's just unconscionable," the lawyer concluded.


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LA Times guild members met with management on Wednesday to try to create order from the chaos of the bloodiest layoffs in decades at the nations largest West Coast newspaper.

Update: Even at midnight on Wednesday, the turmoil continued as the guild informed members of additional cuts. In one of the most bizarre days of bargaining weve experienced, the company unexpectedly raised its layoff target and sent out five more layoff notices Wednesday night  then as midnight neared and we raised protests for our affected colleagues, signaled these notices might not be final, read the note, obtained by TheWrap.

That note followed a day full of tension and anger.

Barely 24 hours after billionaire owner Patrick Soon-Shiong imposed more than 115 job cuts, reducing about 20% of the newsroom, staffers arriving at the papers offices in El Segundo were greeted by security guards checking a list to ensure laid-off colleagues were denied entry.

The job cuts, dictated by a last-hired-first-fired contract, were among the most sweeping in the papers 142-year history. Cutting a deep swath across the newsroom and raising serious questions about the papers ability to report the news in a presidential election year, they come amid a wave of layoffs at other legacy publications, including Time magazine and Sports Illustrated, in a year media analysts predict will be one of the bloodiest ever for journalism.

Soon-Shiong gutted the Times Washington, D.C. bureau, firing the chief, Kimbriell Kelly, a former Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. He laid off the Business Editor, a deputy and three business writers; sent packing at least three sports beat writers, covering the Angels, Dodgers and LA Clippers; fired the books editor, Boris Kachka, and pushed out Music Editor Craig Marks. Pulitzer Prize winner Sarah Parvini and Pulitzer finalist photographer Francine Orr also got pink slips, as well as videographer Maggie Beidelman, who was part of a team that won a Gerald Loeb Award last year for the series, Repowering the West.

And a new initiative titled De Los, geared at attracting LAs fast-growing Latino population already 49% of the city  was effectively dismantled, with at least five team members cut, according to Nieman Lab.

The online equivalent of a primal scream rose up from dozens of LA Times supporters, anguished not only at the cuts themselves  which followed a 13% cut last summer  but at the way they went down. Most did not accept Soon-Shiongs contention that the guild had soured a deal to allow for buyouts rather than firing because of the 24-hour work stoppage on Friday.

We're shaken, gutted. I feel for the colleagues we lost in the newsroom and fear for the future of #democracy without a robust press at the highest standards. The LAT *cannot fail. We must all do what we can to help journalism survive this cataclysm. https://t.co/lGyV058qvS  Daniel Hernandez (@longdrivesouth) January 24, 2024

When you cut 30% of the newsroom  weve seen it at every newspaper in the country  thats the beginning of the end, Jack Herrera, a former national correspondent who was based in Austin, Texas, told TheWrap. I hope Im wrong, that this wasnt a grievous wound and that the papers going to come out of it. But its going to be a shell of itself.

Hillary Manning, the LA Times spokesperson, did not respond to TheWraps request for comment.

LA times staffers at the walkout rally in downtown LA on Jan. 19, 2024 (Sharon Knolle/TheWrap)

Fellow staffers lamented the loss of talent on social media. Posting on X, Times crime reporter James Queally called Orr, a 23-year staffer who was a Pulitzer finalist in 2012 for a portrait of families and children who live with autism, the heart of this place. She has an almost supernatural level of empathy and care toward every person she photographs. One of the people the L.A. Times simply cant function without. Today is a fiasco.

Los Angeles-based genre film fest Beyond Fest grieved the loss of film reporter Jen Yamato, tweeting, Jen is the best goddamn writer out there. Melanie Lynskey, the star of Yellowjackets, added on X: Jen, Im so sorry. You are the best!!

Yamato shared that she was informed she had been laid off while she was up at 6 a.m. at Sundance to cover Oscar nominations.

None of this had gone smoothly  in fact it was the messiest layoffs in decades, longtime staffers told TheWrap. Two weeks ago, Executive Editor Kevin Merida abruptly resigned after less than three years in the job, in part because he knew he would have to oversee sweeping cutbacks at a publication that was operating without a publisher or CEO and losing about $40 million a year. As the guild learned that layoffs were coming, members chose to stage a massive one-day walkout from their jobs in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., which 90% of guild members showed up for.

I hope Im wrong, that this wasnt a grievous wound and that the papers going to come out of it. But its going to be a shell of itself. Jack Herrera, former national correspondent based in Austin, Texas

The guild expected to negotiate the layoffs before they were announced. But after Fridays protest, management decided to lower the boom before the meeting in El Segundo.

Staffers targeted for firing were notified by email, which in some cases landed in their spam folders, one non-guild staffer told TheWrap on Wednesday. Eventually, calls were made. Then management organized a hasty Zoom call in which guild members were not allowed to ask questions; they were presented with information and told of the steps going forward. Amid the negotiations in recent days, two managing editors, Shani Hilton and Sara Yasin, stepped down.

Laid-off staffers told TheWrap they will receive two months severance pay.

In the note to members, the guild said it was stunned by managements capriciousness, saying that owner Soon-Shiong had changed its target for layoffs continually.

Soon-Shiong, speaking out in an interview in his own paper, blamed the guilds leaders, including Brian Contreras, a technology reporter and the guilds Unit Council chair who was laid off, for not being willing to meet with management to discuss buyouts.

The owner, who purchased the paper in 2018 for $500 million and proceeded to invest heavily and boost staffing, told the newspaper that he was particularly disappointed with the guild for focusing energy into a one-day work stoppage on Friday, rather than presenting a plan that would have saved jobs, which the owner said did not help the situation.

None of the staffers TheWrap spoke to blamed the guild. I dont think people are mad at the union, they are united against a common enemy, the hand that feeds us, [Soon-Shiong], the non-guild staffer said. If he is not dipping into his wallet we dont eat. That is life with a billionaire owner.

Under the guild contract, which was signed in 2019, a 14-day period kicked in on Tuesday for other staffers to raise their hands and volunteer for buyouts which could save some of those targeted for layoffs. (After the paper cut 74 jobs last year, a handful of staffers volunteered for buyouts and some of those targeted for dismissal had their employment status restored.)

Kevin Merida resigned as Executive Editor before the layoffs (Chris Loupos for TheGrill 2021)

Diversity loses

Minority hires were deeply impacted by the layoffs, according to the guild, with the Latino Caucus losing 38% of its members and the Black Caucus losing 33% of members. The AAPI and MENASA caucuses of the guild will also lose 34% of their combined membership.

The cuts have left less than 20 Black staffers remaining in the union, undercutting previously stated company goals to diversify the staff further by 2025, according to a guild statement on Tuesday.

De Los, a Latino-led, Latino-centered initiative launched in July by Merida, was gutted by the layoffs on Tuesday. According to Nieman Lab, De Los cuts included three reporters, an assistant editor, and a culture columnist. The vertical was part of an effort to engage younger audiences in an effort to add more digital subscriptions, Merida told Axios. The initiative was also a push to align the newspaper with the demographic makeup of Los Angeles, where half of all residents are Latino.

Many people are particularly angry about De Los getting gutted, a staffer who was not laid off told TheWrap. Some people who were laid off from other sections said they were more upset about De Los than about losing their own job.

Herrera agreed that the layoffs are 100% disproportionately affecting people of color.



He was encouraged by the really great strides the paper had made in the last five or six years in increasing Latino staffers. The fact that they were hiring a lot of us, that was a great sign, he said, adding that he was optimistic about his job and the push for diversity until Meridas exit. I thought this is the place where we figure it out, this is where it was going to happen. And sadly, a lot of those people are packing up their stuff along with me today.

The commitment expressed in creating the De Los section was genuine, Herrera said. Im not going to impugn anybodys commitment to diversity. Cash flow is far and away the guiding principle for their actions right now, and diversity is lower on the list in this momentI dont think they chose to lay off people of color and Latinos just because they wanted a whiter newspaper. I think that their financial crushes made them make what I think is an incorrect decision.

Washington bureau hollowed out in election year

Among the casualties in the shuttering of the D.C. bureau were a Congressional reporter; Kelly, the bureau chief who was also an Assistant Managing Editor; her deputy and a White House reporter, according to the Nieman Lab.

This is a crisis. Every journalist we lose is another step towards losing our democracy, because journalists are the working people who make sure were informed and safe, Jon Schleuss, president of The NewsGuild  Communications Workers of America, which is based in D.C., told TheWrap.

Without them we lose the critical coverage our communities deserve: at city council meetings, at school boards and in the halls of Congress, said Schleuss. These layoffs will devastate our ability to stay informed at such a critical time. If we care about democracy, we need to stand up and fight for Americas journalists.

Herrera shared that when he interviewed for his national posting, he was told that the expected shelf life of his job was one to two years. Hes discouraged that, as it turned out, his tenure was less than one year. But on Wednesday, he took a more optimistic tone. Knowing how many incredible journalists are still at the LA Times gives me hope that if any place can survive after deep cuts, its that paper, he said.

The post Chaos, Fury Engulf Los Angeles Times in Historic Cuts to Newsroom appeared first on TheWrap.
Steve and Kristi Goncalves, the parents of Kaylee Goncalves, spoke with 'Good Morning America' on Friday and revealed details about how their daughter was found

Kaylee Goncalves Instagram Kaylee Goncalves

The parents of one of the University of Idaho students who was killed on Nov. 13, 2022, is revealing new details about how their daughter was discovered and hoping a trial date for the suspect is set soon.

Steve and Kristi Goncalves, the parents of Kaylee Goncalves, spoke with Good Morning America on Friday and Kristi stated that her daughter was "completely, totally trapped" in the bedroom she and her best friend Madison Mogen were found in.

Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Mogen, 21, and Goncalves, 21, were stabbed to death on the second and third floors of a Moscow, Idaho, home where the women lived with two other roommates and where Ethan was staying the night with his girlfriend Xana, authorities say.

From left, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle

Kristi told GMA that when Kaylee was discovered, she was up against the wall "in an upright sort of position, up in the corner, slumped." Adding that the bed where Goncalves and Mogen's bodies were found was "the entire room  [you] could barely open up the door without swiping the foot of the bed."

Related: University of Idaho Murders, 1 Year Later: Key Things that Have Happened Since

Kristi and Steve also stated they hope a new trial date for suspect Bryan Kohberger, now 29, will be set soon after it was postponed indefinitely in late August.

"We got to get this case over," Steve said on GMA. "Let's do it. Let's stop playing these delay tactics, let's just get it done."

Kohberger was arrested at his parents Pennsylvania home nearly seven weeks after the murders. He has been charged with four counts of murder and one count of felony burglary.

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According to the probable cause affidavit  which was previously reviewed by PEOPLE  a sheath of the knife allegedly used in the stabbings was left at the scene in the bed where Mogen and Kaylee were found deceased. On the sheath, detectives allegedly found DNA linking Kohberger to the murders and also used his cell phone pings, the affidavit states.

Related: Chilling Details Revealed as Probable Cause Affidavit is Released in University of Idaho Murder Case

In June, prosecutors announced they will seek the death penalty against Kohberger, who was a Ph.D criminology student at Washington State University at the time of the murders.



The Goncalves have questioned the competency of the investigation as they hope to get justice for their daughter, and they publicly stated they were against the demolition of the three-story house where the murders took place. Despite their pleas, the house, which was located at 1122 King Road is Moscow, was demolished on Dec. 28.

"Justice is such a hard word for me, because there is no justice," Kristi said on GMA. "Him dying is not going to bring her back."



Kristi also voiced concerns about the evidence collection at the home before the demolition, noting that the trash bin in Kaylee's room seemed untouched.

"We opened it [and] there was a little squeezy applesauce thing that, like you would give to a toddler. It did not appear to have been gone through," she said on GMA.



Zach Wilkinson-Pool/Getty Bryan Kohberger in court on May 22, 2023

The university stated that the demolition of the home was "a healing step and removes the physical structure where the crime that shook our community was committed," in a Feb. 24 statement announcing the planned demolition. "Demolition also removes efforts to further sensationalize the crime scene. We are evaluating options where students may be involved in the future development of the property."



Related: The Idaho House Where 4 College Students Were Murdered Is Being Demolished Today: 'A Healing Step'

The house "is the grim reminder of the heinous act that took place there, University of Idaho President Scott Green said in a Dec. 14 statement. While we appreciate the emotional connection some family members of the victims may have to this house, it is time for its removal and to allow the collective healing of our community to continue.

Kohberger is due in an Idaho court today.



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EXCLUSIVE: UPDATE 9.30 am, 1/27 PT The producers of Daniel Espinosas Italy-set immigration drama Madame Luna have expressed dismay at a lawsuit lodged against them by filmmaker Binyam Berhane, who says they misappropriated an original story and material created by him for the film.

The lawsuit filed in L.A. County Superior Court last week is directed at David Herdies at Stockholm-based company Momento Film as well as Los Angeles-based Rhea Films and the Luxembourg-based Hercules Film Fund.

More from Deadline

It is with great dismay that we read Mr. Berhanes version of events, which differs drastically from ours. Since a lawsuit has been filed we cannot go into the details of our defenses at this time. It is with sadness that the universal message of Madame Luna is being unfairly tarnished by this unnecessary litigation, said Herdies in an emailed response.

Hercules Film Fund and Rhea Films issued a separate joint statement.

Hercules Film Fund and Rhea Films have a policy of not commenting on pending litigation, and, in any event, have not been served with this lawsuit. Although Hercules, a Luxembourg entity, provided partial distribution financing to Madame Luna, a European production, neither Hercules nor Rhea has any contractual relationship with the plaintiff, Mr. Berhane, it read.

Especially given the importance of the universal message of this film, we hope this matter will get resolved in a timely manner without further distraction from the creative efforts of the filmmakers.

ORIGINAL 11.28 am PT 1/26 Swedish-Eritrean filmmaker Binyam Berhane has filed a $2 million lawsuit against the producers of Daniel Espinosas Italy-set immigration drama Madame Luna ahead of its world premiere at the Rotterdam Film Festival this weekend.

Berhane says the movie, inspired by a real-life Eritrean refugee who became a notorious human trafficker operating between Libya and Italy, is based on an original story and research he brought to lead producer David Herdies at his Stockholm-based company Momento Film in 2013.

Filed this week in L.A. County Superior Court, the theft-of-project lawsuit (read it here) also is directed at Luxembourg-based Hercules Film Fund and Los Angeles-based production company Rhea Films, which joined Momento Film in the production.

Berhanes lawyer Scott Humphrey told Deadline that Momento had entered into option agreements with Berhane to make the Madame Luna project but never exercised the options, instead proceeding to make the feature film with other partners.

I have no idea if it was intentional or not on their part to not have properly secured Mr. Berhanes rights in the film prior to the final production of the film, but it clearly violates Mr. Berhanes legal rights in the project, Humphrey said. Defendants are now distributing the film fully aware of Mr. Berhanes rights as the undisputed originator of the project. Hence, the lawsuit.

Humphrey is seeking damages on Berhanes behalf in excess of $2 million on five causes of action spanning theft of the project, breach of contract, using Berhanes name and likeness without his permission, copyright infringement and fraud.

As per the complaint lodged at the Santa Monica Courthouse: In addition to being the original sole creator of the project, Berhane developed significant substantive material for the project including but not limited to a treatment, and outline for the project as well as authoring/co-authoring early drafts of the screenplay on which the current film is based.

The complaint details how Momento initially entered into an option agreement effective November 12, 2013, under which Momento could acquire rights in a documentary.

During the documentary option period, Berhane re-envisioned the story as a narrative feature film, and he and Momento signed a subsequent option agreement for the narrative feature film on November 15, 2014, the suit says.

The complaint says Berhane had entered into the option agreements in the belief that they would develop the project on a collaborative basis.

The respective options expired on December 13, 2015, and February 28, 2017, without Momento exercising them.

It is uncontested that Momento never exercised the option to acquire the rights for either the documentary or narrative films or acquire the rights to the project, reads the suit.

As far as Berhane knew, the project was not moving forward, given that the period for the exercise of the options had both expired by March 2017.  Berhane was thus extremely surprised to receive a call from David Herdies of Momento on August 8, 2022 informing Berhane for the first time that the project had moved forward with Daniel Espinosa as director, and as Berhane would later come to learn that the producers had a screenplay written by Maurizio Braucci, reads the complaint.

The complaint says that Brauccis screenplay revised and replaced the derivative screenplay written by Berhane with Palestinian filmmaker and screenwriter Suha Arraf.

During the August 8, 2022 call, Mr Herdies demanded Berhane assign all his rights to the story and project. Among the terms on offer  was an invitation for Berhane to come to Italy to visit the set.

The suit continues that Berhane subsequently discovered on his own that the project was not in development, as Herdies had inferred in the August 8 call, but rather nearing completion.

The producer defendants had nearly completed the film  a project that should have been Berhanes first feature, it reads.

The complaint says the producer had continued to use the filmmakers name and image to support the production, citing a pitch at the MIA Coproduction market in 2017 and an article in 2022 announcing that Espinosa had boarded the project.

He also was named as the director of the project at a co-production event at the Trieste Film Festival in early 2017, one month before the narrative option expired.

Madame Luna by Binyam Berhane wins the TRL Espresso Award at @TriesteFilmFests #WEMW. Ready for #MIA2017 and @Film_London PFM in October! pic.twitter.com/ub346XqClV  MIA | Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo (@MIAmarket_Rome) January 25, 2017

The exploitation of Berhanes name and likeness, given his direct Eritrean lineage, lent the project credibility it needed in the current environment, the suit reads.

It adds that the theft of Berhanes project and use of his name and likeness, was particularly ironic, considering the subject matter of the film is about the exploitation of individuals of African descent.

Following its Rotterdam world premiere in the Limelight section this weekend, Madame Luna heads onto the Goteborg Film Festival next week.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle, were recently spotted attending the grand premiere of the Bob Marley biopic in Jamaica.

Harry and Meghan looked gorgeous and elegant as they posed on the red carpet for photos with various dignitaries present at the event. This included the Jamaican prime minister, Andrew Holness, who has been described as anti-monarchy for his stance on Jamaica cutting ties with the British monarchy.

Now the royal couple is being accused of "trolling" the royal family by choosing to take photos with Holness, especially during a period of King Charles's and Kate Middleton's health challenges.

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Slammed For Trolling The Royal Family

What a sweet interaction  pic.twitter.com/rX0ieFgFlN  Katerina  (@Le__Katerina) January 24, 2024

According to royal commentators Andrew Pierce and Sarah Vine, Harry and Meghan "trolled" the royal family with their surprise appearance at the Bob Marley biopic in Jamaica.

The duo took to their YouTube show to address Harry and Meghan's "hobnobbing" around known anti-monarchist Jamaican PM Andrew Holness during the week when the King is expected to undergo a medical procedure to treat his "enlarged prostate."

On the couple's photos Holness, Pierce said, "In the very week the King is going into hospital he is there consorting, hobnobbing with one of the most overtly republican prime ministers in the Caribbean. Somebody who also wanted to break up the Commonwealth, which was so precious to the Queen. They are tone deaf."

Vine then claimed, "They are deliberately trolling the Royal Family. Both the Princess of Wales and King Charles are in hospital, and they have not said anything."

She continued, "Normally, they are keen for everyone to know how much they care about people, and they have not said anything. I think their game plan is going to be self-hating Royals. They are going to be, 'We are part of the Royal Family, but we hate it.'"

Harry & Meghan Looked Stunning At The Bob Marley Biopic Premier

Harry and Meghan mingling with Paramount Film Chief Brian Robbins and his wife Tracy James in Jamaica at the Bob Marley: One Love movie premiere!#BobMarley #Jamaica pic.twitter.com/2Rluvc9Xkv  Rebecca  (@rebecca_sussex) January 24, 2024

Harry and Meghan both looked stunning on the red carpet at the premiere of the biopic, "Bob Marley: One Love."

The Duke of Sussex looked dapper in his navy blue suit and a white buttoned-down shirt underneath. For her part, Meghan looked drop-dead gorgeous in her black ensemble. She had on an outfit that consisted of a black spaghetti strap top tucked neatly into a massive black taffeta skirt.

The Duchess wore her hair in a simple bun and had minimal make-up as usual, emphasizing her natural beauty. She accessorized the look with just a pair of gold disc earrings.

Harry and Meghan's surprise appearance at the premier shocked many, mainly due to reports that claimed Meghan could not make it to her husband's Living Legend of Aviation award ceremony, which happened shortly before the trip to Jamaica, due to her tending to an "unwell" child.

Fan comments about the couple's attendance were split, with some praising the pair while others found the outing questionable.

The Duke & Duchess Sent Their 'Best Wishes' To King Charles And Kate Middleton

MEGA

The Sussexes' trip to Jamaica came shortly after it was alleged that they had sent their "best wishes" to King Charles and the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, amid their current health challenges.

A source told The Mirror, "The King and the Princess of Wales have received support from Prince Harry and Meghan regarding their health. The Duke and Duchess contacted both parties in different ways to pass on their concern and best wishes."

A former Royal press secretary, Dick Arbiter, also spoke to the news outlet about his opinion on Harry and Meghan's message of support to the King and Princess Kate.

MEGA

Arbiter said, "It's good they've recognized his sister-in-law has gone in for what is obviously serious surgery, and his father is going in to have surgery at 75. It's the right thing to do to acknowledge it. I'm pleased for Catherine and the King."

He further noted that it's "unusual and unprecedented" for two senior royals to be hospitalized simultaneously. However, January would be the best time because it's not a busy month in the Royal calendar.

While speaking on a possible reconciliation between Harry and Meghan and the Royal family, Arbiter said, "Don't hold your breath." He added, "The Queen would always have wanted the relationship rebuilt, but she wasn't going to see it in her lifetime. There were too many other things going on."
After Narcos and Narcos: Mexico, director Andres Baiz was hesitant to return to the world of cartel crime dramas. At least until Modern Family star Sofia Vergara and her business partner Luis Balaguer approached Baiz and executive producer Eric Newman with the story of Griselda Blanco, the Cocaine Godmother.

Im going to be very honest here. Because Im Colombian and had been working in Narcos for seven years, I was a little bit over [the subject matter]. I wanted to do something different, Baiz, who has also directed episodes of The Sandman, told TheWrap.

But when he was given the opportunity to guide Vergara through her prestige drama debut by directing and producing all six episodes of Griselda, Baiz changed his mind.

It was less about the character and more about the opportunity to work with somebody and getting her to reinvent herself as an actor. That was what really drew me, Baiz explained. It was a challenge and it was risky. But Im not going to do things that are I consider easy. Challenging stuff really is what matters.

Vergara specifically wanted to work with the pair due to their previous work on Narcos and Narcos: Mexico.

It was fascinating for me because I grew up in Colombia during that era and we all knew who they were. They were household names  Pablo Escobar and this and that, Vergara told TheWrap. And no one had ever heard of this woman.

The first time Vergara heard the name Griselda Blanco was when she was watching a documentary. Even then, she thought the claims made about Blanco were an exaggeration and that she was some girlfriend or wife of a narco. Yet the more she looked into this figure whos been largely forgotten by history, the more interested she became in bringing her story to life.

Sofia Vergara stars as Griselda in Griselda (Netflix)

Because Blanco was a Colombian mother who was also an immigrant to the United States, Vergara felt a connection to her incredible story.

I started realizing that this woman was not just a woman who was part of the cartels, or part of the narco traffic business. She was the narco traffic business, Vergara said. She was raising four kids and could be as brutal as these narco men.

During development and pre-production, Baiz would go to Vergaras house once or twice a week. These meetings were dedicated to analyzing scenes and fleshing out Griseldas motivations. Baiz knew that he needed to gain Vergaras trust so that she would give the best performance possible.

She wanted to present herself completely different than what she is in real life. We spoke about her childhood and her past in Colombia, and we were trying to see if there were elements in common with the real character that she could use in crucial scenes, Baiz said. My way of directing is very, very permissive. Its about asking questions and allowing her to express her intuition. I think the moment a director says, This is the way it is, then an actor is not able to utilize their instincts as much.

Though the two drew on Vergaras personal life for the role, like with his previous work, Baiz took care not to glamorize this world or its central anti-hero. It cannot become propaganda, Baiz said.

The director highlighted that Narcos and Narcos: Mexico were as much about their central anti-heroes as they were about the war on drugs, and how American foreign policy impacted countries like Colombia. He emphasized that its not clear who is bad and who is good in these stories.

The CIA can be a terrible player, Baiz noted.

Thats all true of Griselda, a series that plays with all of these themes but adds another force into the mix: toxic masculinity. The Netflix drama pairs Griselda Blancos story with that of June Hawkins (Juliana Aiden Martinez) a real-life officer who was one of the first female members of the Miami P.D.

She and Griselda are both different sides of the same coin. Theyre both fighting for respect, Baiz said.

Baiz estimated that they shot Griselda over 100 days. Within two weeks, he saw a marked difference in Vergaras performance. Repeatedly, he praised the star for her work ethic, passion for the project and humility, both on and off set.

In at the beginning, it was a little bit more difficult, but then she completely got it and was into it. She was very kind to all of us in the crew. She was making jokes, Baiz said.

Both Baiz and Vergara also took care to cast many actors who were Colombian in this story about a largely forgotten Colombian narco. He called the on-set environment, which took place in Los Angeles, amazing.

It was empowered. We were empowering so many actors that dont live here, and it was a dream for all for all of us to be shooting with Sofia, Baiz said.

All episodes of Griselda are now streaming on Netflix.

Jose Alejandro Bastidas contributed to this story.

The post Inside Griselda: How Sofia Vergara Crafted Her Career Reinvention With the Narcos Team appeared first on TheWrap.
Biggie's Pizza at 4160 Southside Blvd. in the Gates of Tinseltown shopping center appears to have closed. Employees at neighboring businesses say the restaurant closed for the New Year's holiday and hasn't reopened.

A Jacksonville-area restaurant that earned national recognition for its giant slices of New York-style pizza has abruptly closed two of its five locations.

Biggie's Pizza shut its doors at 880 State Road A1A, Suite 8, in Ponte Vedra Pointe shopping center in Ponte Vedra Beach, and at 4160 Southside Blvd. in the Gates of Tinseltown shopping center in Jacksonville.

Pizzeria owners couldn't be reached for comment immediately. It's unknown whether the restaurants are relocating or have closed permanently.

Remaining open are Biggie's Pizza locations at 1053 Park St. in Jacksonville's Five Points business district, 311 Third St. N., Unit 101, in Jacksonville Beach, and 13423 Beach Blvd. at Beach and Hodges boulevards in the Intracoastal West area.

The pizzeria closures are the most recent in the new year. After more than 21 years, Woodys Bar-B-Q closed its Ponte Vedra Beach restaurant. Open just over a year, Mr. Potato Spread's first franchise location on Philips Highway also has closed.

Pizza at Biggie's Pizza in the restaurant's Five Points location in Jacksonville.

The Ponte Vedra restaurant is listed as "closed," according to Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation records. A real estate flyer lists the pizzeria space as available for lease.

At the Southside location, employees at neighboring businesses told the Times-Union that the pizzeria closed for the New Year's holiday and never reopened.

The pizzeria door was locked. Dust on the tables and chairs could be seen through the front windows. Multiple calls Monday to the restaurant went to a recorded message saying "your call cannot be completed as the called party is temporarily unavailable."

Setting the table: 25 new restaurants are in the works for the Jacksonville area in 2024. Here's a list

Difficult decision: After more than 21 years, Ponte Vedra barbecue restaurant closes

Biggie's Pizza opened in April 2016 in Jacksonville Beach. A second location, in the former Kostas Pizza Italian location Five Points, opened in December 2019.

In February 2022, Biggie's Pizza in Jacksonville Beach was listed among the "all-time" Top 100 Places for Pizza in the U.S., according to Yelp, which publishes crowd-sourced reviews about businesses.

A year ago, Biggie's Pizza expanded to add a car detailing service. Company officials couldn't be reached for comment immediately.

Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.

If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest dining coverage

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Biggie's Pizza closes 2 Jacksonville-area restaurants
An old review of the 2001 TV war drama Band of Brothers begins with a quote from Dr Samuel Johnson. Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been at sea. The profession of soldiers and sailors has the dignity of danger, Johnson wrote in 1778. Mankind reverence those who have got over fear, which is so general a weakness. Centuries later, his words ring old-fashioned, and largely untrue, but once again they spring to mind when watching Apple TV+s new miniseries Masters of the Air.

Band of Brothers and its spiritual successor The Pacific (2010) brilliantly conjured that dignity of danger with their respective pulse-quickening dramatisations of the Second World War. Now, producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks are back with their eagerly awaited third instalment of blood and glory  this time set against the backdrop of Germanys fire-filled skies. Masters of the Air is special effects galore, putting to good use its rumoured budget of $250m (196m)  some of which has undoubtedly gone into enlisting every hot new name in Hollywood: Austin Butler (fresh out of Graceland after starring in Elvis), Saltburns Barry Keoghan, The Captures Callum Turner, and Doctor Who himself, Ncuti Gatwa.

Based on Donald L Millers 2006 book Masters of the Air: Americas Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany, the nine-episode miniseries follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group, who were part of the US air force unit brought in to bolster the flagging formations of Americas Eighth Air Force in 1943.

The crew flew B-17s out from Thorpe Abbots, near Diss in Norfolk, between 1943 and 1945. During that time, their job was to strike deep into German land  or as the shows trailer ominously declares straight into Hitler territory. As noted by journalist and military historian Max Hastings in The Times, who receives his own cameo in the series, the Americans took a different tack to the British RAF Bomber Command. More heavily gunned and armoured than British planes, the US aircraft attacked in broad daylight (as opposed to under night cover), flying in tight formations they believed to be sufficient defence against fighter attacks. I want formations so damn tight you wouldnt be able to slip a dime through our wingtips, the 100ths commanding officer tells the boys in the series. Their theory, however, turned out to be fatally false.

Gloomy European weather also posed an insurmountable challenge. The pilots, used to the clear skies of California and Colorado, found themselves up against grey clouds and poor visibility, essentially having to bomb blindly from 25,000ft in the air. Needless to say, the efficacy of their attacks was severely impeded.

Throughout 1943 and 1944, these bombers  who worked alongside several British and American support units  flew over Germany with minimal success and maximum casualties on their part. Often flying lower to the ground than other planes, the aircraft were easy targets for enemy fighters and ground guns. Their targets included transport links, communications lines, oil storage facilities, power plants, industrial cities, missile sites, arms factories, and military facilities across Europe. The Imperial War Museum website writes that while the 100th is not statistically noteworthy (other groups won more battles and lost more men, for example), the unit became renowned for its tragically steep death rate in raids that were very often fatal. Questioning whether the group deserved their grim moniker, the 100ths lead navigator, Harry Crosby once said: Other outfits lost more planes and crews than we did. What marked us was that when we lost, we lost big.

Between 25 June 1943 and 20 April 1945, the 100th Bomb Group took part in just over 300 missions, and it is eight of those that accounted for nearly half of their losses. On average, a crew completed only 11 missions of the 25 they were required to complete before they were allowed to go home.

Masters of the Air captures that intensity in high definition, tracking the pilots in the cockpit as they dodge flak, frostbite, and notably the grim reaper  whose scythe is never far out of shot. Its irresistible cinema: epic in a way rarely seen on the small screen. Planes soar; they crash, burn; they plummet and pull up  all the while the young men inside brace for the worst and pray for the best, not only for themselves but also for their comrades in the sky. Johnsons quote about the dignity of danger rings deafeningly loud in scenes like these.

Callum Turner and Austin Butler as real-life cadets Major John Bucky Egan and Major Gale Buck Cleven (Apple TV+)

On 17 August 1943, over the southeastern German city of Regensburg, the 100th lost nine out of the 22 Fortresses dispatched, equating to 90 men dead (10 per crew). The group received its first Distinguished Unit Citation for the attack, which sought to severely damage German aircraft production. In October that year, 18 aircraft of the 100th Bomb Group were sent to strike targets in the German city of Munster. Owing to depleted forces, only 13 planes were dispatched, far fewer than the complete group of 19 or 21. Of those 13, 12 were shot down. The skies were filled with flak and flames; only one plane commanded by 26-year-old Robert Rosenthal, made it back to England, albeit with two engines out, a gaping hole in one wing, and three injured gunners.

That October, the 100th lost approximately 100 men in just three missions. Those who returned home found comfort in the UKs pastoral landscapes, only to once again be jettisoned back into the violent skies shortly thereafter. While their success varied, the men of the 100th were celebrated for their courage in forging on despite the odds. The loss of their comrades, though, took a huge mental toll on these young men. In his article for The Times, Hastings recalls how his mother, who had been the womans editor of the magazine Picture Post, was asked to take a team of female colleagues and models to a Christmas party for some of the American bomber men to help lift their spirits. Hastings writes that what began as a frivolous occasion of festive fun, however, soon devolved into tears and anguish as many of the pilots broke down emotionally.

Other outfits lost more planes and crews than we did. What marked us was that when we lost, we lost big.

Harry Crosby, lead navigator

Those pilots who survived being shot out of the sky almost always landed in enemy territory, where they were scooped up and taken to prisoner-of-war camps to live out the rest of the war. This was true for Major Gale Buck Cleven and Major John Bucky Egan, the real-life cadets who lead Masters of the Air, played by Butler and Turner. The best friends, who both signed up in Texas in 1940, were shot down two days apart in 1943  only to bump into one another at Stalag Luft III, a German PoW camp, where Egan was taken following the fated Munster raid in October. What the hell took you so long? is how Cleven apparently greeted his pal upon seeing him. Its within the walls of these PoW camps where the final episodes of Masters of Air take place. As the allies and the Soviet Union advanced, Egan and Cleven were among the 10,000 or so prisoners marched towards the eastern city of Spremberg. The march was long and brutal; hundreds died from the cold or disease, or both. The two pals, though, survived.

Between 1943 and 1945, the 100th Bomb Group took part in just over 300 missions and eight of those accounted for nearly half of their losses (Alamy)

As described by Crosby in his book A Wing and a Prayer: The Bloody 100th Bomb Group of the US Eighth Air Force in Action Over Europe in World War II, Egan and Cleven were Air Corps raunch, their hats cocked on the back of their heads both wearing white scarves, the souls of romanticism. They also notably hated discipline.

Other real-life pilots feature in the series, too, including Captain Frank Murphy (played by Jonas Moore), whose book Luck of the Draw: My Story of the Air War in Europe chronicles his time with the 100th, including the time he parachuted out of his burning plane into Holshausen, a farming community northeast of Munich. One episode of Masters of the Air focuses on the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all-Black flying unit in American military history, of which Gatwas character, the real-life Second Lieutenant Robert Daniels, is a storied part.

Fans of Band of Brothers and The Pacific will find much to enjoy about Masters of the Air, which has been described (favourably) as Band of Brothers but in the sky. The aerial battles are dizzyingly shot, pulsing with an incredible intensity one hopes does at least some justice to the real thing.

Ncuti Gatwa as Second Lieutenant Robert Daniels of the Tuskegee Airmen (Apple TV+)

Above all, though, the series imparts a sense of brotherhood. Before his capture in October 1943, Egan had been present on the ill-fated Regensburg raid months before, when nine of their 12 aircraft went down. His was one of three to survive, touching down as planned in North Africa. As quoted by the American Air Museum website, upon seeing his comrades, Egan said: I never saw such a feeling of fraternity as when we landed. Everyone shook hands and slapped each other on the back, then stamped on the good solid earth. Even amid its tragedies, Masters of the Air soars.

Masters of the Air is available to watch on Apple TV+ now.
Dear Quentin,

Most Read from MarketWatch

My husband and I purchased a house together in New York about a year ago. Weve been married 14 years. His parents gave us $100,000 toward the house, which was deposited in a joint bank account, one that I dont have access to.

About a week later, my in-laws had me sign a document stating that the funds were considered separate property and that I wouldnt claim any of those funds in case of a divorce. I signed this document on the day of the closing with their family lawyer, who was also the notary.

Does this document have legal standing in case of a divorce in New York state? Would this be considered signing under duress given that it happened on closing day, or a conflict of interest given that the family lawyer represented all of us?

Confused and Curious

Related: My Tinder match asked if I rent or own my apartment. Is it gauche to ask financial questions before a first date?

You have three questions to ask yourself: the legal and financial questions and the moral one. - MarketWatch illustration

Dear Confused,

There is a lot of uncertainty in your letter about what happened on the day you signed this postnuptial agreement  and how you felt about signing it. The most revealing and yet confusing word you use is when you say your in-laws had you sign. It appears that you did so voluntarily and exercised your free will, but also that you felt pressure to do so. An attorney should walk you through the events of that day. But you do not say that you were forced to sign or did so under duress.

Story continues

However, there are other aspects to this scenario that should be considered if you consult your own attorney  one who represents you exclusively. You say you were given no time to think it over. According to the New York City Bar: If either you or your spouse uses pressure to get the postnuptial agreement signed or does not give the other enough time to consider the postnuptial agreement, the court may not enforce the postnuptial agreement.

It adds: The postnuptial agreement takes the control over your property and assets away from the state and places it in the hands of you and your spouse. A postnuptial is valid and can be enforced as long as it protects both you and your spouse and it was entered into with a full and fair disclosure of all assets by both you and your spouse. The agreement must also be executed and acknowledged with the full formality required for a property deed to be recorded.

You say $100,000 was deposited into a joint account. I assume you mean it was one held by your in-laws and your husband, and your postnuptial agreement deals with this $100,000 as a separate gift before it was used as a down payment. (An aside: This strikes me as bizarre behavior, given that you are both buying a home  I assume you will both be on the deed as well as the mortgage  and you have been married for 14 years.)

Equitable-distribution state

The questions you raise are obviously complex, and should be discussed at length with an attorney in the event you divorce. Could this postnuptial document be considered legal and fair in a future divorce proceeding? The simple answer is, yes it can, says William Monaco, a LegalShield partner attorney at Feldman, Kramer, & Monaco PC. New York is an equitable-distribution state and all information relative to contribution to marital assets is fair game.

The key issue here is your in-laws intent. Did they intend to give a gift to their son, which in general would be considered separate property in a divorce unless their son changed the nature of it along the way? he asks. Or, did they intend to give the gift to both parties? Here, the request that she sign a document acknowledging the separate nature of the funds is a clear indication of their intent to give it just to their son. This is not uncommon.

Monaco agrees that whether the timing of the signing request constitutes duress is a murky one. Its possible, he says, but probably not. The timing might have been inappropriate as they should have been clear from the start, but they always had the power to not give the gift at all. Ultimately it would be up to a matrimonial judge to decide, but likely in this instance, they would consider this to be the husbands separate property if the parties divorced.

In order for an agreement waiving your right to marital property to be valid and enforceable under New York law  in this case the apparent postnuptial agreement at issue  it would have to be (i) in writing, (ii) subscribed by you and your husband and (iii) acknowledged or proven in the manner required to entitle a deed to be recorded, says Ory Apelboim, partner in the Matrimonial & Family Law Practice Group at Blank Rome.

A manifestly unfair contract

And if these conditions were met? Then other issues might come into play, he says. New York has a strong public policy favoring individuals deciding their own interests through contracts. However, an agreement between spouses may be invalidated if the party challenging the agreement demonstrates that it was the product of fraud, duress or other inequitable conduct, or if the terms are unconscionable or the product of overreaching.

The fact that you had no counsel and that it could be considered manifestly unfair could also play in your favor. There could be an inference of overreaching by your husband, which he would be required to rebut, Apelboim adds. Additional considerations are the existence of a fiduciary relationship between you and your husband and the fact that postnuptial agreements are contracts which require consideration that is a benefit to each party.

You have three questions to ask yourself: the legal and financial questions and the moral one. Do you have a legal basis to challenge the postnuptial agreement? Do you believe challenging your husband for half of this down payment ($50,000) would be worth it in the event you divorced? Or is this a matter of principle  you should have been given more time to consider your options, especially given that you have been married for 14 years?

If you do decide to contest this agreement, do it because you would not have signed under any other circumstances. How would you have responded if your in-laws had given you time to think this over? It seems like a big ask by your in-laws after 14 years of marriage. I could better understand their rationale if they had asked you to sign a prenuptial agreement. If you genuinely believe this is unfair, and you signed this contract under duress, ask an attorney for an opinion.

You can email The Moneyist with any financial and ethical questions at qfottrell@marketwatch.com, and follow Quentin Fottrell on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Check out the Moneyist private Facebook group, where we look for answers to lifes thorniest money issues. Post your questions, tell me what you want to know more about, or weigh in on the latest Moneyist columns.

The Moneyist regrets he cannot reply to questions individually.

Previous columns by Quentin Fottrell:

I asked my elderly father to quitclaim his home so I can refinance it  and take out a $200,000 annuity for my sister and me. Is this a good idea?

My partner is against us getting married. Im not on the deed to his home, but he has a revocable trust. What could go wrong?

I want my son to inherit my $1.2 million house. Should I leave it to my second husband in my will? He promised to pass it on.

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A handful of indies bow or expand this weekend as Oscar hopefuls from Poor Things to The Holdovers and American Fiction crowd theaters after nominations earlier this week. Anatomy Of A Fall is getting a big bump. Oppenheimer is back on Imax.

New specialty releases include Daisy Ridley-starring Sometimes I Think About Dying by Rachel Lambert, and Totem by Lila Aviles. Separately, Sundance has just wrapped up announcing winners from a new crop of independent films.

More from Deadline

What we have post Oscar-nomination Tuesday, is this: Searchlight Pictures Poor Things by Yorgos Lanthimos going wide on 2,226 screens, up from 1,400. The film starring Emma Stone had 11 nominations, second only to Oppenheimer. That Christopher Nolan blockbuster summer release from Universal is returning to 750 Imax screens worldwide, including iconic 70mm film theaters. Oppenheimer led all nominees for the 96th Oscars on Tuesday, with 13.

Cord Jeffersons American Fiction from Amazon MGM Studios moves to 1,500 theaters from 850. Released Dec. 15. Nominated for five Oscars.

Focus Features The Holdovers by Alexander Payne is playing on 1,235 screens, up from 127. The film, released Oct. 27 with a slow rollout through November, received five Oscars noms.

Justine Triets Anatomy Of A Fall from Neon, starring Sandra Huller, is catapulting onto 400 screens from 15. Its been cleaning up this awards season and nabbed five nominations.

A24s The Zone of Interest by Jonathan Glazer moves to 311 screens from 82. The Holocaust film, also starring Sandra Huller, took five noms as well. A24 will be self-releasing in the U.K. starting Feb. 2. And the distributors Past Lives, first released in June, will re-emerge on around 320 theaters this weekend after its Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay Oscar noms.

New Theatrical Debuts

Oscilloscopes Daisy Ridley-starring Sometimes I Think About Dying by Rachel Lambert, opens in New York and LA. The film world-premiered at Sundance 2023  see Deadline review. Lost on the dreary Oregon coast, Fran (an affecting performance by Ridley, who also produces) finds solace in her cubicle, unable to pop her bubble of isolation until a friendly new co-worker, Robert (Dave Merheje), tries to connect. Written by Kevin Armento, Stefanie Abel Horowitz, and Katy Wright-Mead. Expands to San Francisco, Boston, Portland and D.C. next week.

Totem from Sideshow/Janus Films opens at the Film Forum in NYC. Writer/director Lila Aviles follow-up to her international breakthrough, The Chambermaid. Follows one family over the course of a single day in a story told largely from the perspective of 7-year-old Sol (Naima Senties) as her mother (Montserrat Maranon) and extended relatives prepare for the birthday party of the girls father (Mateo Garcia). The Oscar-shortlisted International Feature from Mexico (see Deadline review) world-premiered at the Berlin Film Festival.

Sony Pictures Classics beautifully animated The Peasants opens in New York at the Angelika and New Plaza Cinema after a qualifying run last month for Polands official Oscar submission. Premiered at TIFF. By DK Welchman and Hugh Welchman, the story of Jagna, a young woman determined to forge her own path within the confines of a late nineteenth century Polish village, was also submitted in the Best Animation category.

Picture of Ghosts by Kleber Mendonca Filho (Bacurau, Aquarius) was Brazils entry for Best International Feature. Opens in NYC at Film At Lincoln Center and the Laemmle Glendale next week, followed by a national rollout. A Grasshopper Film and Gratitude Films co-release. This is a multidimensional journey through time, sound, architecture and filmmaking, set in the urban landscape of Recife, Brazilian coastal capital of Pernambuco, and tolld through the great movie theaters that served as key social spaces during the 20th century.

IFC Films American Star opens day and date in 47 theaters. Directed By Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego, written by Nacho Faerna, and starring Ian McShane, Nora Arnezeder, Adam Nagaitis. Seasoned assassin Wilson (McShane) is on final assignment in the island of Fuerteventura to kill a man he has never met. But the target is delayed and Wilsons plans must change. Instead of following protocol and returning to London, Wilson decides to stay on the island. Its been a long time since hes had a vacation.

Magnolia Pictures/Magnet Releasing presents horror thriller The Seeding in 15 locations  the IFC Center in NYC, Laemmle LA, and a handful of other markets including Chicago, Detroit and Minneapolis. Written and directed by Barnaby Clay. Starring Scott Haze, Kate Lyn Sheil, Alex Montaldo. A hiker lost in the desert takes refuge with a woman living alone, and soon discovers that she might not be there willingly.

Other specialty expansions: Ava DuVernays Origin from Neon jumps to 665 runs in 100+ markets, from 125 screens in week one. The film, which premiered in Venice, opened well on 130 screens last week.

Kino Lorbers Inside The Yellow Cocoon by Vietnamese filmmaker Pham Thien is expanding to Chicago, San Francisco and San Diego after opening in NY/LA (Film At Lincoln Center, the Egyptian) last with strong numbers for a subtitled release. The film, which took the Camera dOr at last years Cannes Film Festival, follows a young mans spiritual quest after a death in the family. Omitted last week so including trailer:

The Breaking Ice from Strand Releasing, which opened at the IFC Center in New York last week, adds the Laemmle Royal in LA. The Cannes-premiering film is written and directed by Anthony Chen.

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Pedro Pascal almost joined the HBO family years prior to The Last of Us.

Before Pascals TV rise with Narcos, Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian, and most recently, The Last of Us, Pascal was approached to join the ensemble cast of the 2014 show Looking that focused on a friend group of gay men in San Francisco.

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Casting director Carmen Cuba told GQ in a 10-year anniversary piece that Pascal was considered for a role; Cuba later cast him in Narcos after meeting.

Especially in TV, you meet a lot of people, Cuba said. Pedro Pascal was someone we met [for a role on Looking] and from that, I put him on Narcos. The thing with Pedro, it was like he was testing on a million things. So many of these things, as you know in casting, its just like scheduling. Does scheduling work? Does the group? Because in this, we were really casting a group.

All of Us Strangers writer/director Andrew Haigh helmed the pilot of the series coming off his feature debut Weekend. He told GQ of casting Looking, I cant remember there being pressure to cast bigger names. And then its also, who were those bigger names? We didnt need all of the cast to be queer in real life, but we certainly wanted some of them to be.

The series ended up starring Raul Castillo, Jonathan Groff, Frankie J. Alvarez, Russell Tovey, and Pascals future The Last of Us co-star Murray Bartlett, who led the Emmy-winning Long, Long Time episode.

Bartlett revealed to GQ that before being cast in Looking, he questioned whether he wanted to exit Hollywood as a whole.

I was at a point where Id been like, Am I doing what I should be doing? Maybe I shouldnt be an actor anymore. Id been living in New York for many years and Id had some good opportunities and everything, but I was just feeling like things werent going the way that I hoped they would. I was feeling frustrated, Bartlett said.

As for Pascal, he later took on a queer role in Pedro Almodovars Western short film Strange Way of Life. The actor is set to star in Gladiator 2 alongside lead actor Paul Mescal and join the MCU with Fantastic Four.

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SAG-AFTRA, the union representing 160,000 actors and media professionals, is weighing in amid Alec Baldwin facing a charge again in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the "Rust" set in 2021.

The union released a statement Thursday arguing that it was the armorer and employer's responsibility, not Baldwin's, to ensure firearms were handled and used safely on set.

"An actor's job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert. Firearms are provided for use on set under the guidance of multiple expert professionals directly responsible for the safe and accurate operation of that firearm," SAG-AFTRA's statement reads.

The union references safety guidelines recommended by the Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee, which lays out the responsibilities of the production and property master (or armorer) on set. The property master or armorer "should inspect the firearm and barrel before every firing sequence," among other duties.

On Jan. 25, SAG-AFTRA defended Alec Baldwin as he faces an involuntary manslaughter charge in the shooting death of Halyna Hutchins' death. "An actors job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert," the union's statement reads.

"The guidelines do not make it the performer's responsibility to check any firearm. Performers train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use," SAG-AFTRA's statement reads.

"The industry assigns that responsibility to qualified professionals who oversee their use and handling in every aspect. Anyone issued a firearm on set must be given training and guidance in its safe handling and use, but all activity with firearms on a set must be under the careful supervision and control of the professional armorer and the employer."

The weapons supervisor on the movie set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in the case. Her trial is scheduled to begin in February.

Why New Mexico prosecutors sought to charge Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter again

The New Mexico grand jury's indictment on Jan. 19 provides prosecutors with two alternative standards for pursuing an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin in Hutchins' death. One would be based on negligent use of a firearm, and the other alleges felony misconduct "with the total disregard or indifference for the safety of others."

The indictment came nine months after special prosecutors dismissed an earlier involuntary manslaughter charge against the actor. In October, prosecutors said they were seeking to recharge Baldwin after "additional facts" came to light.

An earlier FBI report on the agency's analysis of the gun found that, as is common with firearms of that design, it could go off without pulling the trigger if force was applied to an uncocked hammer, such as by dropping the weapon. The only way the testers could get it to fire was by striking the gun with a mallet while the hammer was down and resting on the cartridge, or by pulling the trigger while it was fully cocked.

The gun eventually broke during testing.

Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, was killed in a shooting on the set of the movie "Rust."

New analysis from experts in ballistics and forensic testing relied on replacement parts to reassemble the gun fired by Baldwin, after parts of the pistol were broken during testing by the FBI. The report examined the gun and markings it left on a spent cartridge to conclude that the trigger had to have been pulled or depressed.

The analysis led by Lucien Haag of Forensic Science Services in Arizona stated that although Baldwin repeatedly denied pulling the trigger, "given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver."

Baldwin has said the gun fired accidentally after he followed instructions to point it toward cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was behind the camera in rehearsal. Baldwin said he pulled back the hammer  but not the trigger  and the gun fired, fatally wounding Hutchins on Oct. 21, 2021

The latest: Alec Baldwin indicted on involuntary manslaughter charge again

Morgan Lee, The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SAG-AFTRA defends Alec Baldwin amid new 'Rust charge, blames armorer
A construction company has been fined $156,259 following the incident, according to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries A 16-year-old boy in Washington was forced to have both of his legs ampuated after a construction accident this summer, officials said Wednesday.

A 16-year-old boy in Washington lost both of his legs after a horrific incident this summer, officials announced Wednesday.

The teen was sent by Rotschy LLC to operate a "walk-behind trencher on a job site in La Center to dig a channel for fence posts," the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries said in a statement.

That's when officials said he was "dragged underneath the blade," leading to injuries "so severe" they required both legs to be amputated.

The boy, who has not been publicly identified, "was participating in a work-based learning program that allows students to earn credit and gain experience working outside the classroom" at the time of the incident, according to the agency.

Related: 16-Year-Old Boy Dies After Becoming Entangled in Machinery at Mississippi Poultry Plant

The construction company had "a student learner exemption permitting minors to do some work that is otherwise prohibited, but use of the walk-behind trencher was not part of the exemption," officials said, noting that the state's youth employment laws identify prohibited duties for workers under the age of 18.

This tragedy should never have happened, and this young mans life will never be the same, said Craig Blackwood, assistant director for the departments Division of Occupational Safety and Health. Employers with young workers should look after our children as they would their own. When they fail to keep a young worker safe, its a violation of the communitys trust.

The department has ordered the company to stop work and halted its student-learner exemption. They're also facing the maximum fine available at $156,259 "for allowing employees to operate equipment without appropriate training or experience."

Related: 16-Year-Old Who Died in Sawmill Accident Saves Moms Life with Liver Donation: 'Perfect Match'

"The violation is considered 'willful' because the company knew or should have known the requirements, but still failed to meet them," the agency added. "Its also classified as 'serious' because the issues could, and in this case did, lead to serious injury or death."

Rotschy LLC and the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.

In a statement to Inside Edition, the company said they were "deeply saddened by the incident involving one of our minor workers who suffered a tragic injury on our job site."

Related: Man Found Dead Inside Kettle Cooker at Food Processing Facility: 'Our Family Is Devastated,' Says Daughter

"As a family-owned company with a strong safety record, this has been a distressing moment for us," their statement added. "Safety has always been our top priority. We are committed to learning from this and strengthening our safety measures to ensure such incidents never happen again."

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.

Rotschy LLC went on to add that the boy has returned to work in an office role, "using the skills obtained in the field to assist a project manager in project duties."

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Read the original article on People.
In Senegal, rising sea temperatures and years of overfishing have depleted the country's stocks of fish which are crucial to the economy and the population's diet. A third of the country lives in poverty, and even with an education, its difficult for many to find sustainable jobs.

Thats why Djiby, a Senegalese man, told ABC News that he saw no other choice but to embark on a small wooden boat called a pirogue, hoping to reach Spains Canary Islands via the Atlantic.

Im going to Spain to support my family," he told ABC News before he set out for his journey.

PHOTO: Djiby said he has been looking to leave Senegal. (ABC News)

The Canary Islands are roughly a thousand miles away from the shorelines of Senegal. Its also one of the most used routes by migrants hoping to reach Europe, according to international migration experts. But the journey across the water is dangerous, and at worse, deadly.

MORE: Inside the deteriorating conditions forcing South American migrants to flee north from country to country

More than 3,500 people died last year alone trying to reach Europe according to UNCHR. Other NGOs estimate the death toll is much higher.

And still, people are willing to risk paying the ultimate price for a chance at a better life.

Mbene Kane is a single mom and has been considering taking that trip to the Canary Islands with her 6-year-old daughter. Kane used to work selling fish and said that rising prices and lower supply have left her unable to provide the life she wants for her daughter.

Having all those needs and assuming that there is somewhere you can go and satisfy those needs, you dont care about the risks - you go, Kane told ABC News.

PHOTO: Mbene Kane said she has been seeking to flee Senegal for a better life. (ABC News)

Kane attempted to make the journey once before, but her boat was struck by dangerous waters that forced her to return to shore.

"The water was getting into the boat. As the water came in, we tried to scoop it out, but more waves were coming in," she recalled.

Kane said she does have concerns about her and her daughter's safety if she decides to attempt the trip once more.

And for good reason.

PHOTO: Senegalese groups head on a boat to head to the Canary Islands. (ABC News)

One of the deadliest incidents last year took place in August off the coast of Cabo Verde when a boat of 100 Senegalese migrants sank.

Assane was one of the passengers on the boat and he described the harsh conditions he faced.

MORE: 63 presumed dead after boat carrying migrants sinks near Cabo Verde off the coast of Senegal

"The boat didnt move for two days. Two bars of cookies were given to everybody daily. When we were out of food, a lot more people were dying," he told ABC News. "All I was thinking about was death. It was just a question of days, but I was convinced I would die."

Assane still has scars on his face and neck from the ropes that were used to save the boat he was on for 35 days. He vowed never to make the journey again.

PHOTO: Assane talks to ABC News Live about his experience on a migrant boat. (ABC News)

"We rely on the sea but there is nothing left in this sea," he said.

While the ocean is the deadliest migrant route of all, many Africans hoping to get to Europe have to cross the grueling Sahara Desert first.

Georgette is from Benin in West Africa and decided to make the journey through the desert with her son so she could meet her husband in Libya. Once there, they plan on heading to Italy for a better life.

MORE: 61 migrants drown in 'shipwreck' off Libyan coast, migration organization says

"If you don't have money, you have nothing in life. You cant just make a baby. A baby cant find food. Its not good," she told ABC News.

Georgette waited three weeks in Niger to cross more than 800 miles of desert. She and her son rode in the back of a pickup truck with dozens of other migrants for six days.

The trip cost Georgette $500 but the physical and emotional toll of the trip was much higher.

After days under the relentless sun and with little water left, Georgette found herself weak, exhausted and dehydrated.

The sun bothers me too much. In this route, there is too much of suffering," she said.

More than 5,600 people have died or gone missing in the Sahara since 2014, according to the United Nation's International Organization for Migration. However, the route is so dangerous and the smuggling shrouded in secrecy, that the actual death toll is thought to be much higher.

Georgette and her son were lucky, they made it to Libya. If and when they take a boat to cross the Mediterranean to Italy, theres no doubt another dangerous journey awaits.

ABC News' Sohel Uddin, Aicha El Hammar and Adoum Moussa contributed to this report.

Climate change forces African migrants into dangerous treks by sea, desert originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
One of the last paintings by the renowned Austrian artist Gustav Klimt has miraculously been found after vanishing nearly 100 years ago.

The painting, titled Portrait of Fraulein Lieser, was found in Vienna after last being seen by the public in 1925. Until now, the only known photograph of the painting had been held in the archives of the Austrian National Library. The picture was likely taken in 1925 in connection with the Klimt exhibition by Otto Kallir-Nirenstein in the Neue Galerie, Vienna.

Since then, its location had been a mystery.

MORE: Plans proposed for new tallest building in America and the location might surprise you

"The rediscovery of this portrait, one of the most beautiful of Klimt's last creative period, is a sensation," said the im Kinsky auction house in a statement announcing the discovery. "As a key figure of Viennese Art Nouveau, Gustav Klimt epitomizes fin de siecle Austrian Modernism more than any other artist. His work, particularly his portraits of successful women from the upper middle class at the turn of the century, enjoy the highest recognition worldwide."

The work of art will go up for auction at the im Kinsky auction house in Vienna on April 24 and is expected to fetch millions on the market.

PHOTO: A cameraman takes footage of the painting Bildnis Fraeulein Lieser (Portrait of Miss Lieser) by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) during a press conference of the Kinsky Art Auction House in Vienna, on Jan. 25, 2024. (Roland Schlager/APA/AFP via Getty Images)

MORE: Video emerges of heroic officer saving 3-year-old girl's life after she hit her head and stopped breathing

"Klimt's paintings rank in the top echelons of the international art market. His portraits of women are seldom offered at auctions. A painting of such rarity, artistic significance, and value has not been available on the art market in Central Europe for decades," im Kinsky auction house said. "This also applies to Austria, where no work of art of even approximate importance has been available."

The painting will now travel worldwide on short exhibitions until it is auctioned and is set to be presented at various locations internationally, including stops in Switzerland, Germany, Great Britain and Hong Kong.

The model for the painting is labeled as Fraulein Lieser, also known as Margarethe Constance Lieser (1899-1965), daughter of the Austrian industrial magnate Adolf Lieser. But new research by the im Kinsky auction house into the history and provenance of the masterpiece has opened up the possibility that Klimt's model could have been another member of the Lieser family -- either Helene Lieser (1898-1962), the first-born of Henriette Amalie Lieser-Landau and Justus Lieser, or their younger daughter, Annie Lieser (1901-1972), according to officials.

PHOTO: Gustav Klimt's Portrait of Fraulein Lieser. (im Kinsky Auction House)

MORE: Archaeologists announce discovery of Anglo-Saxon cemetery with bodies and treasures dating back 1,500 years

"In April and May 1917, the sitter visited Klimt's studio in Hietzing nine times to pose for him," im Kinsky said. "Klimt probably began the painting in May 1917. The painter chose a three-quarter portrait for his depiction and shows the young woman in a strictly frontal pose, close to the foreground, against a red, undefined background. A cape richly decorated with flowers is draped around her shoulders."

The portrait is thought to be one of Klimt's last paintings and was done shortly before he died of a stroke on Feb. 6, 1918. The painting was left, with several small portions of it unfinished, in his studio and it is thought that the painting was given to the family who had commissioned it after his death.

The painting, however, would soon vanish and the exact fate of the painting after 1925 is unclear.

"What is known is that it was acquired by a legal predecessor of the consignor in the 1960s and went to the current owner through three successive inheritances," im Kinsky auction house said.

Gustav Klimt portrait found after vanishing nearly 100 years ago originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
American Express Centurion and the Watches of Switzerland Group have announced a new partnership, the Centurion Watch Program.

American Express Centurion cardholders (in the U.S only) can receive a personalized shopping experience at select Watches of Switzerland showrooms, and access to a dedicated task force seven days a week with access to world-renowned watch experts.

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From limited editions and holy grails to museum-quality, vintage first editions, we have included new pieces from our independent brand partners MB&F and Jacob & Co., who tapped into their exceptional rarities to participate in this partnership. When we looked at building this collection for Centurion members, we wanted to deliver a one-of-a-kind discovery experience. Whether its a timepiece of horological history, like the first Omega Speedmaster reference, or a unique Patek Philippe Nautilus variation or watch from a brand that is rarely seen in person, like the Akrivia AK-06, a namesake the celebrated watchmaker Rexhep Rexhepi has since retired, we worked to ensure this curation would be an unmatched experience for Centurions card holders, said David Hurley, deputy chief executive officer of Watches of Switzerland Group.

A selection of the exclusive styles from the Centurion Watch Program.

To kick off the watch program, the Watches of Switzerland Group curated a selection of more than 200 pieces exclusively for Centurion members to be among the first to view and shop, with brands such as Patek Philippe, Omega, Cartier, F.P. Journe, MB&F, and Jacob & Co.

The assortment was presented Thursday evening at Centurions New York lounge, which is located on the 55th floor at 1 Vanderbilts skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan.

Watches have become collectors items and owning a prestigious watch is a bit like owning a small piece of history said Bess Spaeth, senior vice president, U.S. premium products and membership rewards at American Express.

A Patek Philippe Nautilus, available exclusively for American Express Centurion members.

With watches quickly cementing its foot within the ongoing quiet luxury trend, the Centurion membership is connecting its avid watch-lover members to people, places and experiences not available elsewhere, with their Hands On Time event and now the Centurion Watch Program taking part at Centurion New York lineup of member-exclusive events.

We know many of our Centurion members are passionate about watches and are looking for unique pieces to add to their collections. Watches of Switzerland is the leading authority on exceptional and collectible luxury watches, and much like Centurion, they are focused on bringing the highest level of service to their customers. We knew that theyd be the ideal partner to create a one-of-a-kind experience and Centurion Watch Program for our members. added Spaeth.

Jacob & Cos Brilliant Mystery watch, available exclusively for American Express Centurion members.

Centurion members will also be able to access the exclusive perks of the program across 29 select Watches of Switzerland, Betteridge, Mayors and Analog Shift boutiques across the country.

A Cartier Santos Skeleton watch, available exclusively for American Express Centurion members.

A Grand Seiko 62GS, available exclusively for American Express Centurion members.

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Between starring on the latest cover of Marie Claire France to sharing footage from her fabulous tropical work trip to Costa Rica, American model Carolyn Murphy has been top of mind recently.

Of course, were not over her beautiful photos in Marie Claire France or the candid thoughts that she shared about aging alongside her Instagram post announcing the honor. And now, shes in Costa Rica with popular skincare and beauty brand Estee Lauder to continue the conversation about aging and longevity.

Unsurprisingly, shes looking absolutely fabulous while doing it, too. The 49-year-old model and actress stepped out for an evening at the idyllic tropical resort in her best fashion: a backless tan evening gown that was simultaneously elevated and relaxed. It was certainly fit for a night in tropical paradise, which is exactly what she needed it for. She paired it with black heeled sandals and a slicked-back hairstyle.

In an Instagram post from the work trip, Murphy shared a snap of the look alongside a few others of the beautiful resort destination and the Estee Lauder-branded events.

This week, Im sharing in my approach to longevity and learning from some of the worlds most renowned experts in health, beauty and science, she wrote in the caption. Costa Rica has a special place in my heart as I came here 25 years ago and proceeded to live here; it changed the course of my life and furthered my dedication to health and wellness. Living well, at any age, is self care for body, mind and spirit.

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!
The Shakespearian question "What's in a name?" may be rhetorical in nature but, in reality, a name can be significant in many ways. That's especially true when applied to an Irish car bomb cocktail. The controversial yet popular cocktail is Irish in the sense that its three ingredients are Irish to the core: a pint of Guinness, a shot of Jameson Irish whiskey, and Bailey's Irish cream. The brands can be interchangeable with other Irish whiskeys and creams, but that's about the only leeway in composition. As for the name, that's another matter.

Fortunately, the deeply sensitive name Irish car bomb is open to adaptation, with modern incarnations retaining the core ingredients but presenting under monikers such as Irish slammer or Irish shot. The reason for the rebranding comes down to history, with the car bomb reference reflecting a particularly volatile and tragic decades-long conflict starting in the 1960s, generally referred to as the Troubles. Regional conflicts involving the independent Republic of Ireland and the British-controlled Northern Ireland led to continuing violence, often in the form of car bombings.

On a particularly tragic day in 1972, known as Bloody Friday, 20 car bombs killed and injured many in the city of Belfast. The event and its aftermath remain a sensitive subject amongst Irish people, which is why you won't likely hear an Irish car bomb cocktail ordered in Irish or English pubs. In fact, the origin of the cocktail and its name comes from America.

Read more: 13 Liquors Your Home Bar Should Have

What's In A Name?

Irish car bomb slammer - Instagram/casadorockarapongas

The Irish car bomb cocktail hails from Wilson's Saloon in Norwich, Connecticut. It was created in 1979 by then-owner Charles Burke Cronin Oat. At the time, Oat had already used the name IRA for a Bailey's and Jameson shot, and it spontaneously morphed into the Irish car bomb or Belfast car bomb after he dropped one of the shots into a glass of Guinness and yelled "bombs away!" Why he chose that name is an obvious reference to the car bombings in Ireland, but that's not the only reason. The shot glass filled with Irish cream and Irish whiskey gets vigorously dropped into the waiting glass of Guinness, causing the boiling sensation and liquid "explosion."

Oat explained the story of the Irish car bomb in an article titled "The CARBOMB: The Creation of An Historic Cocktail" published by Bar None Drinks. In the piece, he acknowledged in a final note that names do matter. Cautioning future cocktail creators to beware, he reiterated that a drink could become famous, so its name should be picked carefully. He also admitted that the names Car bomb and IRA may seem cool in a bar setting, but in reality -- not so cool. If you do order the triple-whammy cocktail that is now called an Irish slammer or Irish shot, be aware of the high alcohol content.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Economist Sergei Guriev has been named the next dean of London Business School. He will take over from Francois Ortalo-Magne at the start of the 2024-25 academic year

London Business School has chosen a new dean: a world-renowned economist and Russian expatriate who fled his home country more than a decade ago after months of an ominously mounting investigation by Vladimir Putins police.

Sergei Guriev was named LBSs next dean on Friday, January 26. He will begin his role, as well as a professorship in economics at the school, at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. The renowned economist has long been a thought leader in the study of the economics of development and transition economies, LBS says in its announcement, as well as political economy of populism and autocracy, the role of social media, long-run development and structural transformation, corporate governance and finance.

Guriev also knows about life under an authoritarian government. He can speak from personal experience about it, having fled the country of his birth in 2013 after a frightening and humiliating interrogation.

FLIGHT FROM HOME

According to contemporary reports in The New York Times and elsewhere, in 2013 Guriev, then in his ninth year as rector of the New Economic School in Moscow, served on a panel of economical experts who critically assessed Russian position in the case of Russian oil giant Yukos. That drew unwanted attention from Russian authorities.

According to a story dated June 3, 2013 in The New Yorker, the authorities focus was Gurievs participation in a panel of experts that conducted an independent probe of the Mikhail Khodorkovsky affair. Khodorkovsky, once Russias richest oil tycoon, was deemed a threat by the Kremlin; he was tried and convicted in 2005 and again in 2010 on charges that included fraud, tax evasion, embezzlement, and money laundering, and has been in jail for over nine years. The panels report, issued in December, 2011, confirmed a broadly accepted opinion that Khodorkovskys prosecution was unfair and unlawful. This February, authorities began questioning Guriev; he grew increasingly alarmed. In late April, Gurievs investigator came to his office with a subpoena for several years of personal e-mails. The risk that hed lose his freedom felt serious enough for him to flee.

Story continues

Guriev fled to Paris, where he has remained, serving since 2013 as a professor of economics at LInstitut detudes politiques de Paris (Sciences Po). In 2022, he became the institutes provost.

LOOKING TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE WAY THE WORLD DOES BUSINESS

Born in Ossetia in 1971 when it was part of the Soviet Union, Guriev is a graduate of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology who received his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from The Russian Academy of Sciences in 1994. Since leaving the New Economic School in 2013, in addition to his work at Sciences Po in Paris, he has been chief economist at the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, which provides investment funds for countries in Europe, Asia and North Africa to foster their transition towards sustainable market-oriented economies; and authored several books on economics and politics. In 2023 he was a guest lecturer at LBS.

I am excited, honored and humbled to have been chosen as the new dean of London Business School, Guriev says in a news release published by LBS. I admire the institution for its academic excellence, its truly global DNA, and its commitment to diversity and inclusion. I strongly support the schools mission and values, and am looking forward to working together with LBSs outstanding team and alumni to make an impact on the way the world does business and the way business impacts the world in the rapidly evolving global environment.

Guriev succeeds Dean Francois Ortalo-Magne, who has been in post since August 2017 and who announced in October that he would step down early from his second term. I am delighted to welcome Sergei Guriev as the tenth dean of London Business School, Ortalo-Magne says in a news release. It is a privilege to lead an organization that has had such a profound impact on business and the world, and to engage with all the talented people in our global community. I look forward to working with Professor Guriev as the school transitions to his leadership.

DONT MISS LONDON BUSINESS SCHOOL DEAN TO STEP DOWN EARLY; SEARCH BEGINS FOR A REPLACEMENT and MEET LONDON BUSINESS SCHOOLS MBA CLASS OF 2025

The post London Business Schools New Dean Was Once Forced To Flee Vladimir Putins Russia appeared first on Poets&Quants.
If Costco had a slogan, it would probably be Bigger is better, and its newest food court sweet  the 7-inch Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie  is a prime example of that.

On Jan. 11, Costco-focused TikToker Laura Lamb  known online as @costcohotfinds  posted a video sharing a quick rundown of the decadent new addition.

The Costco food court got a new item and I finally grabbed it. Its the Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie thats served warm, Lamb says, showing off the new sign in her food court as well as the brown paper sleeve that the cookie is served in.

Its made with all butter and is seriously huge, Lamb continues, holding the treat up in her car to show the cookies size. The outer edge has a nice crunch and the inside was soft and chewy. I ended up saving the other half for later.

The Kirkland Signature Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie costs $2.49 and has 750 calories (yeesh!).

While some social media users are lamenting the disappearance of the Costco churro from menus at the start of 2024, others seem to be excited about the big-box stores buttery new treat.

I wish I had that will power I would eat it all at once, wrote one commenter on TikTok.

Get two and a vanilla ice cream and make a Sammy! suggested another TikTok user, to whom Lamb replied, I actually thought about that .

10/10 taste, 1/10 tummy achy juice, one Reddit user wrote in the subreddit r/costco, to whom someone replied, I too would like to be injured by this cookie.

Costcos giant chocolate chip cookie has entered the food court, so I had to try it (Joseph Lamour / TODAY)

When I went to purchase it, I obviously had to try it right away because its warm from the food court, Lamb tells TODAY.com, adding that she saved the other half of the cookie for her son. At first he was worried when I told him I only brought him half a cookie, but then he saw it and was really excited.

Lamb says she spotted the cookie at her local Costco in Texas around Jan. 9, which is around the same time other folks online in locations like the Bay Area and New Jersey posted about trying the cookie for themselves.

There were so many people buying the cookie at the food court that when I was in the self-checkout, all I could smell the chocolate cookie, Lamb says.

My review of Costcos Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie

Seeing all the hooplah, I had to go to the food court to try the treat for myself. When I arrived, the food court was busier than I had ever seen it, and I saw more than a few folks walk away with those telltale brown paper sleeves.

Once I received my order for two cookies and was handed the warm dessert, I was hit with a wave of fresh-baked cookie smell, which made me glad I ordered two of them. I went to town on one in the car.

Costcos giant chocolate chip cookie has entered the food court, so I had to try it (Joseph Lamour / TODAY)

Taking a bite into the cookie, I was pleased to discover its warm, buttery interior. Real talk: I demolished that cookie.

When I got home, I weighed my remaining cookie, which came out to 5.7 ounces. While my cookie wasnt quite as mammoth as advertised, at about five inches in diameter, it was quite similar in size to its obvious competition  Crumbl Cookies Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunk cookie.

The one con of the cookie is that once it cools, it gets a little too firm around the edges, but a quick pop in the microwave at home for a couple seconds solved that problem, at least for a few moments.

Still, Costcos Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie is half the price of Crumbls, which sells for $4.99  which means Im likely headed back to the food court soon.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
The venue provides everything you need for a dream elopement, including an officiant, live music, and a photographer.

If you're still looking for the perfect wedding venue for your 2024 nuptials, we have just the locale for you. Exchange your vows underneath April's total solar eclipse, which will pass through several states in the U.S. before entering Canada.

On April 8, Destination Seneca County in Ohio is hosting an event called Elope at the Eclipse for couples who want to get married during the eclipse. The ceremony will take place at the Frost Kalnow Amphitheater and will include everything you need for your dream elopement, including an officiant, live music, cake, and a photographer.

Related: A Total Solar Eclipse Will Be Visible in North America for the First Time in 6 YearsHere's How and When to See It

The event is free with the exception of a $70 license marriage fee. Couples looking to elope must bring a valid marriage license to the event. If you're looking to renew your vows, no documentation is required. Guests are free and encouraged to attend.

According to the website, at least one applicant must live in Ohio. You must set up an appointment prior to the event with the Seneca County Probate Court by calling 419-447-3121 on Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The courts will be closed on April 8, so make sure to plan accordingly to receive your marriage license prior to the eclipse.



The first location in continental North America that will experience the eclipse is Mexico at around 11:07 am PDT. The path of the eclipse then travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Viewers along the path of totality, which includes Ohio, will be able to clearly see the suns outer atmospherethe perfect one-of-a-kind backdrop for your special day.



Read the original article on Martha Stewart.
Warning: This post contains spoilers for "Griselda."

The final moments of Sofia Vergaras Netflix series Griselda reveal the Colombian drug dealers fate.

The Netflix miniseries, which the streamer called a fictionalized dramatization in press notes, follows Griselda Blanco after her move to Miami with her three sons. She later has another son. Her presence in the drug scene grows throughout the 70s and 80s as her four sons grow older, until she earns the nickname the Godmother of Cocaine.

Vergara told the New York Times she was drawn to the character for that contrast: This innocuous-looking woman was raising four kids while building this insane, brutal empire.

Executive producer and co-showrunner Doug Miro said, in Netflix press notes, that the show hewed to the facts of her life  as much as they had them.

Griselda Blanco and Sofia Vergara (Alamy Stock Photo / Netflix)

Its hard with Griselda, as it is with a lot of these narcos  not as much was written about them as Pablo (Escobar), he said, comparing Griselda Blanco to Pablo Escobar, the focus of the Netflix show Narcos Seasons One and Two.

What was more important, Miro said, was emotional truth.

When I say truth, what we want is the essence of who the characters are emotionally, what their experience was, what its like to put on their shoes. To do that, you need to go past whats written, past whats published, he said.

Nelson Andreu, a former West Miami police chief who spent ten years of his life building a case against Blanco, said he doubts the Netflix show can capture her true "ruthlessness."

Theyre not going to portray her as she really was. They never do in movies. They make what they think is going to sell and what people are going to like. Very close to the truth, but not the truth, he told TODAY.com in a separate interview.

Griselda concludes with a single line about its central characters fate. That said, heres what we know about what happened to Blanco.

Who was Griselda Blanco?

Blanco is a former Colombian drug lord who was one of the first to engage in large-scale smuggling of cocaine into the United States  specifically, Miami  from Colombia.

Andreu described her as being a person with "no scruples."

"She would kill you if she owed you money and didnt want to pay you. And if you owed money and couldnt pay her, she would kill you as well. It was a win-win for her and a lose-lose for everyone else, he summarizes.

Her attitude came down to her position as the only woman in a man's business, Andreu said.

She had to be the way she was because she was the only woman in a mans business, Andreu said. There were no other women in that high of a capacity dealing cocaine at the time.

Blanco was indicted by the United States district court for the southern district of New York for conspiring to manufacture, import into the United States, and distribute cocaine, and finally was arrested in 1985. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

When the state of Florida was building murder cases against her, Jorge Ayala  Blancos former hitman  was found having phone sex with secretaries from the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office, though one of the three secretaries fired was cleared of wrongdoing and rehired, per the Orlando Sentinel.

Jorge Ayala pleaded guilty in 1993 to three murders and was sentenced to life in prison, per the Miami Herald. He was denied parole in 2012, per the Miami Herald. Then, in 2013, the Miami Herald reported that a judge denied his bid to explore claims that Miami-Dade prosecutors, back in 1993, agreed in a handshake deal to help him seek parole after 25 years in prison. Ayalas lawyer Jim Lewis said, He doesnt deserve to die in prison. Hes atoned for what hes had done.

Andreu told CBS News in 2012 that the phone sex scandal was a turning point in the case against Blanco: It went from being a good case, again hinging on Jorge Ayala creditability, to nothing.

Blanco cut a plea deal in 1998 after pleading guilty to second degree murder. She was sentenced to serve three concurrent 20-year sentences.

She was released from prison and deported to Colombia in 2004, where she lived another eight years.

She was featured in the documentaries Cocaine Cowboys (2006), Cocaine Cowboys 2: Hustlin with the Godmother (2008) and played by Catherine Zeta-Jones in the 2017 Lifetime movie Cocaine Godmother.

How did Griselda Blanco die?

Blanco was killed in Medellin, Colombia, in September 2012. Colombian national police confirmed her death according to the Miami Herald, NBC News reported at the time. She was 69 years old.

According to The Guardian, Blanco was executed in the same style that she was credited with.

The manner of Griselda Blancos death on Monday reflected the brutality for which she became notorious  gunned down in the street by a killer on a motorcycle, the article reads.

In an interview with the outlet at the time, Bruce Bagley, then head of the University of Miamis Department of International Studies, described her death as some kind of poetic justice.

She might have retired to Colombia and wasnt anything like the kind of player she was in her early days, but she had lingering enemies almost everywhere you look, he said at the time.

What happened to her sons?

Blanco had four sons, as "Griselda" shows. While in prison, Griselda (in the show) learns that her three older sons were killed in three different coordinated hits.

Andreu confirmed to TODAY.com that her three older sons were killed. Osvaldo Trujillo-Blanco, whose death outside a Colombia nightclub in 1992 was reported by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.

Michael Corleone Blanco, Griselda Blancos fourth and youngest child, is still alive. He calls himself, per the website of his lifestyle brand, the proud son of Griselda Blanco.

Where is Griselda Blanco buried?

According to the Spanish daily newspaper El Pais, Blanco was buried in the Jardines de Montesacro cemetery. Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar was also buried at the same cemetery.

Jardines de Montesacro cemetery (VW Pics / Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
No more portables.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is getting ready to debut its $28 million, 30,000-square-foot permanent terminal concourse, replacing a temporary four-gate concourse composed of portable buildings.

The new concourse, partly made possible by federal funding, will add five gates to the airport.

It really creates an opportunity not only for efficiency but also increased capacity so that we could welcome additional airlines here and have adequate space so that they could operate efficiently, airport executive director J. Brian O'Neill said of the terminal in a December interview with The Arizona Republic.

The soon-to-be-completed improvements will further enhance efficiency and the customer experience at the east Mesa airport, a former Air Force base that's now a reliever for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. In recent years, the airport completed a new air traffic control tower and added new restaurants.

Bars, restaurants, parking, hotels: Ultimate guide to Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport

When will the new concourse at the Mesa airport open?

Airport staff plan to open the concourse on Feb. 20.

Also in February, Gateway Airport will debut an enclosed, climate-controlled area between ticketing and security, making it more comfortable for flyers to get from one side of the airport to the other.

What's in Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport's new terminal concourse?

The concourse includes five gates, a grab-and-go market, a nursing room and seating areas equipped with power outlets for charging laptops and phones.

"There are so many phone charging stations here that you'll never go without," airport spokesman Ryan Smith said, adding that three things travelers expect at an airport are convenience, good places to eat and places to charge their phones.

Having new gates in a permanent structure will give the airport greater capacity to handle more flights at the same time, something that wasn't possible with the portable gates, Smith said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, only one or two gates in the portable structure could safely operate at a time.

The grab-and-go market, First Jet Market, will feature items from local chef Aaron Chamberlin of the metro Phoenix restaurants Oak on Camelback and Ghost Ranch. There's no space for additional restaurants or retail in the concourse, but Smith said it might feature a pop-up bar serving drinks like pina coladas.

There are outdoor spaces where people can relax before their flights, plus a pet relief area. When the concourse opens, Macayo's Mexican Food near Gate 5 will open an outdoor seating area.

How are the gates numbered at the Mesa airport?

The gates in the former portable buildings were numbered 1-4, while the gates in the main concourse are 5-10.

The new five-gate concourse replacing the four-gate portables also has gates numbered 1-4. The fifth gate bears a curious name: Gate 1A.

The reason is simple: continuity with the existing gate numbering, Smith said.

"It was easier and more affordable to add a 1A to the new concourse and maintain the existing gates 5-10," he said.

Why Mesa Gateway Airport needed a new concourse

Passenger growth at Gateway Airport and residential and commercial growth in the East Valley meant airport staff needed more infrastructure to support the growth.

The airport reported record growth in the 2022-23 fiscal year that started in July 2022 and ended June 2023, with more than 1.9 million people arriving and departing. Gateway Airport welcomed about 100,000 more passengers than 2021-22, marking a 6% increase.

In December 2024, O'Neill stated in his monthly Executive Director's Report that Gateway Airport had its busiest October on record in 2023, with 165,886 passengers that month.

How much did the Mesa airport's new concourse cost?

The new concourse cost $28 million, including a $14.4 million grant from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Gateway Airport also received $7 million in state funding and $6 million from a Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program grant.

The rest of the money came from local airport funds and contributions from regional partners, Smith said.

One fewer partner: Phoenix is ending its Mesa Gateway airport partnership. What that means for flyers

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist whos covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republics consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Flying from the Mesa airport is about to get much better. Here's why
Recently, my wife, Becky, and I were driving to a familiar Southern California city when we got in a bit of a disagreement.

In the kindest way, she stated several times that I was driving in the wrong direction.

I, in a less-than-kind way, made a clear case for her wrongness.

Somewhere in the discussion I reinforced my rightness with a colorful word shes not often heard me say.

I mean when youre right about something, youre right! Right?

I spoke with the certainty Christians often use when citing biblical passages for argument's sake.

The Bible is clear on THIS issue, they say.

When I can get a word in edgewise with these folks, Ill remind them that throughout history people evoking biblical clarity sometimes land on the wrong side of history.

Take slavery for instance.

Many have insisted that the Bible is astoundingly clear about slavery allowing for the enslavement of people. And Im not talking about a few obscure proof texts.

On his blog, theologian and Mennonite pastor Michael Pahl demonstrates how easy it was for them to find Bible passages that directly endorse slavery: (Exodus 21:2-11; Leviticus 25:44-46). Slave ownership seems to carry Gods blessing in Genesis 12:16; 24:35; Isaiah 14:1-2.

Pahl suggests that the New Testament spoke with clarity in commanding slaves to obey their masters in everything (Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossian 3:22-4:1; 1 Timothy 6:1-2; Titus 2:9-10; 1 Peter 2:18-20).

Now some will attempt to discount biblical slavery as being more like indentured servitude. I dont fuss with those distinctions because when it comes to taking ones freedom, slavery is just that  slavery.

Gratefully, abolitionists won this argument by establishing a clear biblical heart against slavery.

Nowadays, when someone expresses all-fired certitude that the Bible is clear on their pet issue, Ill attempt a bit more review with them.

For instance, for those who feel sure of Gods position on war and raise the Christian flag to the tune of Onward Christian Soldiers, I ask them to pause and consider the solid biblical arguments on pacifism.

When people voice biblical support for the subservient role of women, I ask that they not dismiss the deafening roar of women who find equality throughout the Bible.

How about the death penalty? While some see the Bible as supporting capital punishment, I remain in good company with the many denominations who scripturally oppose it.

And on the hottest of topics like abortion and sexual identity, I hear honest Christians cite compelling biblical arguments on both sides.

Dont worry. Im not trying to discredit the Bible. The Bible remains my clear inspiration for faith.

Im only suggesting that we not use our own personal revelation as a way to clobber someone else. Put another way, biblical clarity neednt be blinding.

I like the way Pahl concludes his blog on this topic:

The next time we hear someone talk about the clear teaching of Scripture  think about this: the Bible is at least as clear on slavery, yet thank God, we no longer believe that slavery is Gods will. Weve read the Bible, and were following Jesus.

By the way, regarding the directional clarity Becky and I wrestled with in the car, Becky chose to remain quiet for a few minutes.

She was clear on the teaching of James 1:19-20: "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Finally, unlike the biblical pundits who took years to repent, it only took another moment for clarity to emerge for me.

Im so sorry, honey, I said. Im so sorry. You are right. Im just a dope.

That much is certainly clear, she said.

This column found inspiration from https://michaelpahl.com.

Please email me so I can add you to my weekly column email. My books can be purchased on my website www.thechaplain.net. Comments are received at 10556 Combie Rd Suite 6643 Auburn, CA 95602 or by email comment@thechaplain.net or at (843) 608-9715.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Norris Burkes: Biblical clarity can be blinding
The National Security Agencys director has confirmed that the agency buys Americans web browsing data from brokers without first obtaining warrants. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) blocked the appointment of the NSAs inbound director Timothy Haugh until the agency answered his questions regarding its collection of Americans location and Internet data. Wyden said hed been trying for three years to publicly release the fact that the NSA is purchasing Americans internet records.

In a letter dated December 11 , current NSA Director Paul Nakasone confirmed to Wyden that the agency does make such purchases from brokers. "NSA acquires various types of [commercially available information] for foreign intelligence, cybersecurity, and other authorized mission purposes, to include enhancing its signals intelligence (SIGINT) and cybersecurity missions," Nakasone wrote. "This may include information associated with electronic devices being used outside and, in certain cases, inside the United States."

Nakasone went on to claim that the NSA "does not buy and use location data collected from phones known to be used in the United States either with or without a court order. Similarly, NSA does not buy and use location data collected from automobile telematics systems from vehicles known to be located in the United States."

An NSA spokesperson told Reuters that the agency uses such data sparingly but that it has notable value for national security and cybersecurity purposes. "At all stages, NSA takes steps to minimize the collection of US [personal] information, to include application of technical filters," the spokesperson said.

Wyden has called the practice unlawful. "Such records can identify Americans who are seeking help from a suicide hotline or a hotline for survivors of sexual assault or domestic abuse," he said.

The senator urged Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to order US intelligence agencies to stop buying Americans private data without consent. He also asked Haines to direct intelligence agencies to "conduct an inventory of the personal data purchased by the agency about Americans, including, but not limited to, location and internet metadata." Wyden said that any data that does not comply with Federal Trade Commission standards regarding personal data sales should be deleted.

Wyden pointed to an FTC settlement that this month banned a data broker from selling location data. The agency alleged that the information, which it claimed was sold to buyers including government contractors, "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."

The FTC stated in its complaint against the broker, formerly known as X-Mode Social , that by "failing to fully inform consumers how their data would be used and that their data would be provided to government contractors for national security purposes, X-Mode failed to provide information material to consumers and did not obtain informed consent from consumers to collect and use their location data."

The settlement was the first of its kind with a data broker. In a statement , Wyden, who has been investigating the data broker industry for several years, said he was "not aware of any company that provides such a warning to users [regarding their consent] before collecting their data."
Two men were fined for jacklighting and shooting a trophy buck in central Pennsylvania early last month. In a Facebook post published on Jan. 20, the Pennsylvania Game Commission-Southwest Region said Zachary Burgan and Matthew Koenig shot the buck from inside a vehicle then took it to a taxidermist the following day. The incident occurred in Cambria County, about 80 miles east of Pittsburgh.

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPAGameComm.SWR%2Fposts%2F254171931038044&show_text=true&width=500

The post doesn't say wether it was Burgan or Koernig that pulled the trigger, but Koernig was ordered to pay the bulk of the combined $7,450 in fines. "This deer was shot at approximately 12:15 a.m. on Dec. 8, 2023," it reads. "Koenig was sentenced to pay over $6,350 in fines and restitution with multiple years license revocation. Burgan was sentenced to pay over $1,100 in fines and multiple years of license revocation."

State Game Warden April Whitsell spearheaded the investigation. According to the statement, her case work revealed that the two men used the headlights of the vehicle they were sitting in to shine the deerwhich was later scored at 169 inches B&Cbefore illegally shooting it from Hufford Hill Road in Cambria County's Portage Township. They took the buck to the taxidermist on Dec. 9 "with last year's tag on it," the post reads.

Read Next: Minnesota Fisherman Drowns After Truck Falls Through Ice

Members of the public weighed in on the Commission's Facebook post, with some saying that Burgan and Koenig's punishment was too lenient. "This should be a felony," one commenter wrote. "Never own a firearm or hunt again. Law needs to change." Another commenter, claiming to be one of the poachers fathers, indicated that social media may have played a role in Whitsell's investigation. The Pennsylvania Game Commission says that anyone who witnesses a wildlife crime in Keystone State should contact the Operation Game Thief toll-free hotline.
A lot goes into owning and maintaining a historic residence created by a world-famous architect like Philip Johnson. Luckily, for those not up for the full-time task, you can rent the late visionarys Wolfhouse in Newburgh, New York, instead.

The Hudson Valley property was completed in 1949, the same year Johnson finished his famous Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut. In the decades since the midcentury countryside retreat has been thoughtfully preserved and recently underwent a three-year renovation to restore the abode to its original glory.

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Named after Ruth and Benjamin Wolf, who commissioned the project, the hilltop abode can sleep up to six guests and comprises four bedrooms and three bathrooms. According to Designboom, the house was purchased in 2020 by Jiminie Ha, senior director of graphic design at the Guggenheim, and artist Jeremy Parker. The pair updated the residence using materials and original floor plans that they found in the Columbia University architecture library.

The Hudson Valley property was completed in 1949.

We recognize the harmful effects of planned obsolescence. Its our responsibility as designers to lead with smart sustainability at the forefront of our practice, not creating more waste, but working with what we already have, Ha told the publication. They also teamed up with USM Modular Furniture to revamp the kitchen, which is now clad with steel, and sourced vintage design elements, including sinks, trims, and tubs, to match Johnsons aesthetic, which includes an open floor plan with tons of glass walls framing views of the Hudson River.

Throughout the residence restored and updated residence are iconic mid-century furnishings.

We had originally thought about using a stone overlay for the countertops and worked with artist Shawn Maximo to visualize a more modern version of this kitchen, Parker explained to Architectural Digest. Once we saw the USM setup in place, we decided that it spoke for itself and that we really didnt need to add more details to the counter.

The home sits on a grassy slope overlooking the Hudson River.

Wolfhouse is priced on Airbnb at a cool $1,110 per night with a two-night minimum stay. In addition to serving as a vacation rental, Ha and Parker have turned Wolfhouse into an art hub and a community-focused incubator for a variety of design and architecture programs. Some of the past events held here include artist exhibitions and lectures for creatives. It was important for us, as LGBTQ and BIPOC community members, to acknowledge Newburghs history and find a path forward in engaging the home more proactively as a center for education and programming, the owners told Time Out.

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Once nearly impossible to find, Huy Fong Foods Sriracha sauce again lines the shelves of grocery stores like this WinCo Foods in Ventura.

Huy Fong Foods rooster-stamped, green-tipped Sriracha sauce once again lines shelves in grocery stores. Its possible Alex Jack is part of the reason why.

The Imperial Valley pepper farmer was asked by a middle man if he could grow 500 acres of red jalapenos for an unknown producer. He did it, was paid handsomely via a bank wire and now plans to plant 200 acres more in February.

He has not been told who is buying the jalapenos, though he suspects it is Huy Fong Foods, the hot sauce company that once used 100 million pounds of peppers a year in producing its hugely successful sauces.

I was told to keep blinders on my eyes and look forward and dont ask questions, he said.

Huy Fong Foods officials aren't saying anything, but speculation is rampant in Californias pepper-growing community the Irwindale company is using intermediaries to reach out anonymously to farmers in search of ramping up production.

At least one grower who was approached about jalapenos, Edgar Terry of Ventura, said he was told the buyer is Huy Fong. He turned the offer down.

"I demanded to find out," he said. "I have to know who I'm growing for."

Huy Fong Foods' hot pepper pipeline was fed for 28 years by one provider, Underwood Ranches in Camarillo. But the once family-like partnership ended in a bitter dispute that spawned civil lawsuits and a $23.3 million verdict for Underwood from jurors. They said Huy Fong, founded by Vietnamese refugee David Tran, broke its contract and committed fraud by withholding information.

Afterward, Huy Fong reportedly relied on other producers, including growers in Mexico, ultimately struggling with a jalapeno shortage that caused them to temporarily halt production.

Huy Fong Foods founder David Tran, right, takes the witness stand in the 2019 civil lawsuit trial between the Sriracha maker and Ventura County grower Underwood Ranches.

Steady supply for Huy Fong Foods' Sriracha sauce

It got so bad Sriracha lovers offered astronomic prices for the rooster bottles on Craigslist. At the Asahi Market in Oxnard, people waited in long lines for Sriracha, sometimes buying every bottle in the sparse inventory. Store owner Mark Aboueid journeyed regularly to Los Angeles on foraging missions aimed at finding a case or two to sell.

Now the shelves of the Asian grocery and its sister store, Santa Cruz Market in Ventura, are full of the rooster bottles.

All of a sudden we have them in every size, Aboueid said. The sauce is back too in grocery store chains, Thai food restaurants, Vietnamese noodle eateries and other sites that specialize in heat.

Sriracha shipments resumed in December to Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions, spokesperson Courtney Carranza said on Thursday.

"Supply is not unlimited, but we should have a steady supply going forward," she said.

Mark Aboueid, owner of Santa Cruz Market in Ventura, said Huy Fong Food's Sriracha sauce was hard to find several months ago but now is readily available.

Ventura farmer says he turned down a spicy offer from Huy Fong

Speculation about Sriracha production and Huy Fong ramped up with a story published by the California Farm Bureau about Jack and other farmers. Underwood, who now makes his own version called Dragon Sauce, said he has heard from several sources his former partner is searching for growers willing to plant jalapenos.

No question about it, Underwood said. He was going through a labor contractor who was brokering the deal.

Terry is a strawberry and vegetable farmer whose crops include bell peppers. He once grew jalapenos for Ortega Chile. He said he was asked by a contact to again cultivate hot peppers, "as many acres as you can give us." He was told the buyer was anonymous and the contact didnt even know who it was.

When Terry demanded a name, the middle man checked with his sources and confirmed the buyer was Huy Fong Foods. At one point in the negotiations, Terry told the liaison what it would cost and was told he was too expensive. He said he had decided to turn the offer down anyway because of Huy Fongs problems with Underwood who he has known for decades.

The short story is we arent doing a damn thing, and we wont do a damn thing, he said.

In this file photo, Craig and Sara Jane Underwood show the appellate court ruling that affirmed a jury's award of $23.3 million to Underwood Ranches in a lawsuit with Sriracha maker Huy Fong Foods.

Jack, the Brawley farmer, didn't reveal his exact rate but said it's handsome enough to spark hopes the offer continues.

"They pay better than anybody I do business with," he said.

In July, Huy Fong Foods leaders told The Star in a statement that production of Sriracha had resumed but limited supply of jalapenos continues to affect availability.

Unfortunately, we are still experiencing a shortage of raw material, they said. They said the same thing in a USA Today story in November.

On Tuesday, company officials declined to answer questions about production levels, jalapeno supplies or whether the company is anonymously contacting California growers like Jack and Terry.

The company has no comments or clarifications, they said in an email.

Huy Fong Foods announced in 2022 that a lack of inventory had left it temporarily unable to produce any of our products. Production resumed but the shortage continued deep into 2023.

Huy Fong protecting proprietary data

The shortfall appears over though it's still unclear if production levels will be sustained, said Stephanie Walker, co-director of the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University. She too has heard rumors about Huy Fong Foods anonymously contacting California growers and said it shows the company is trying to boost its grower base.

She is not surprised Huy Fong opts to keep its strategies private.

A lot of these (companies) feel they need to protect their proprietary information, she said.

Underwood said his Dragon sauce is thriving. It has sparked online debates about how it stacks up against the rooster brand and is being sold at two dozen Costco stores.

He is one grower who has not been approached about producing more jalapenos for a mystery buyer.

Im pretty sure (Huy Fong) doesnt want us growing for him again, and we would never produce for them again, Underwood said. If someone else took over the operation and bought it, yeah wed be interested."

Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com or 805-437-0255.

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This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Sriracha rebound brings speculation of mystery jalapeno buyer
In this year of consequential elections, first off the blocks was Taiwan. Shortly before the January 13 vote, Chinese president Xi Jinping and his Taiwanese counterpart Tsai Ing-wen reminded the world, in their New Year addresses, what was at stake. Xi expressed his determination to see all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait bound by a common sense of purpose; Tsai insisted that Taiwan was an independent country whose future should be decided democratically, rather than by a widely-expected invasion by Peoples Liberation Army forces. Allegations swirled of Chinese meddling in the election in favour of the Kuomintang (KMT), seen as friendlier than Tsais Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). It was all to no avail: the DPP candidate, Tsais successor Lai Ching-te, was elected, and cross-Strait relations will remain tense.

In his new history of Taiwan, Rebel Island, Jonathan Clements reminds us just how recent is Taiwan as a single democratic polity. If we were to imagine the islands history as a calendar year, he says, beginning with the arrival of the first humans 20,000 to 30,000 years ago, then it wouldnt be until late December of that year that most of what we consider Taiwanese history plays out. Prolonged and enduring ties with the Chinese on the mainland, Clements writes, are initiated around Christmas. Democratic Taiwan doesnt arrive until New Years Eve.

Taiwans long prehistory is the all-but-unknown story of disparate groups, speaking different languages, making their lives on an island roughly the size of Switzerland. That island has been far enough away from mainland China and the Japanese archipelago to have escaped lasting absorption into either, yet near enough to be a convenient hideout for people dodging the jurisdictions of both. Hence Taiwans indigenous peoples have entered the historical record largely in Chinese, Japanese and (latterly) European writings, as barbarous irritants to be negotiated, bribed or violently compelled into vacating areas coveted by smugglers, pirates and colonialists.

Clements laments this partial understanding of the islands indigenous groups, while sharing  with justified relish  accounts of cultural interactions gone awry. One Chinese traveller of the early 1600s, Chen Di, was disgusted to find that a group on Taiwan prized, as a delicacy, not just the intestines of deer, but the contents of those intestines: recently swallowed grass. When Chinese see it, they retch, Chen noted, before adding that when those people see Chinese eating chicken and pheasant, they retch who can say what is right or wrong when it comes to taste?

Ageing fortifications on Taiwan's Shi Islet, pictured last year - AFP

While the Portuguese, Dutch, British and French came to Taiwan in search of raw materials such as sulphur and camphor, to the Japanese and Chinese the island has been about more than making money. For Japan, during its half-century of colonial rule there between 1895 and 1945, Taiwan offered the chance to claim top-table status as an imperial power and a civilising force: the Japanese gave Taipei a modernising make-over, and created much of the islands infrastructure.

For China, as Clements shows us, Taiwan has served as the emergency refuge of embattled mainland armies not once but twice. When Manchu troops stormed southwards through China in the mid-1600s, the leader of the fleeing Ming forces, Zheng Chenggong (also known as Koxinga), crossed over to Taiwan and established a short-lived administration there. The island was eventually absorbed into the Qing empire, as  writes Clements  an unloved appendage.

Chiang Kai-shek and his Nationalists did much the same 300 years later, as the Communists gained the upper hand in Chinas civil war. At the turn of the 1950s, some two million people made the journey across the Taiwan Strait: a top-heavy retreat, Clements tells us, with military officers bringing their families and fortunes while lower-level soldiers had to leave everything behind. For years after his 1975 death, Chiangs coffin was kept above ground, maintaining the fiction that his forces would one day retake the mainland and he would rest in its soil.

Chaing Kai-shek, first president of Taiwan, pictured in 1935 - Getty

Clementss pacy and engaging account offers a valuable counterpoint to todays news coverage of Taiwan, which tends to picture it as a plucky David to Chinas menacing Goliath. Though relatively brief, and focused more on big-picture narrative than the countrys cultural traditions or modern society, Rebel Island offers a compelling portrait of a perennially fragmented place, subject across centuries to a succession of claims on its territory, resources and identity  of which Xis is but the latest.

Rather than attempt predictions about if or when a battle for Taiwan may come, Clements notes that a major feature of recent Taiwanese life has been attempts to include its indigenous peoples in accounts of its history  via new archaeological and linguistic research  and in plans for its future. Some of these groups have formed political parties of their own, while the DPP hopes that a patchwork identity for Taiwan will serve to dilute mainland Chinas historical and cultural claims. Perhaps such initiatives will bear fruit; but perhaps there isnt time. The islands fate remains, as ever, largely out of its hands.

Christopher Hardings books include The Light of Asia: A History of Western Fascination with the East. Rebel Island is published by Scribe at 22. To order your copy for 18.99, call 0844 871 1514 or visit Telegraph Books

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(Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. said an account that was compromised by Russia-linked hackers, resulting in a hack of some company emails including senior leaders, didnt have multifactor authentication enabled.

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The hackers tailored their password spray attacks to a limited number of accounts, using a low number of attempts to evade detection and avoid account blocks based on the volume of failures, according to a Microsoft blog post published late Thursday.

Cybersecurity experts had previously told Bloomberg News they believed the compromised account wasnt using multifactor authentication, a basic security measure. Thats because it was hacked using a password spray technique that typically involves trying many passwords on a users account in an attempt to crack it. Password spraying doesnt work if multifactor authentication is enabled, said Ru Campbell, a cybersecurity consultant and Microsoft Most Valuable Professional or MVP, who often speaks at conferences about the companys services.

Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat from Oregon, called the compromise inexcusable.

Multifactor authentication is cybersecurity 101 and would have prevented this latest attack, Wyden said in an emailed statement. This is yet another wholly avoidable hack that was caused by Microsofts negligence. The US government needs to reevaluate its dependence on Microsoft.

A Microsoft representative didnt respond to a request to comment on Wydens remarks.

In its blog, Microsoft also said it has been warning organizations that they were targets of the same Russian-sponsored group that hacked into its executives emails late last year.

Story continues

The hackers  a group known as Midnight Blizzard or Cozy Bear  have been identified by Microsofts Threat Intelligence team as the same cyber-espionage group that has been targeting other organizations, according to a blog post Thursday from the technology company.

The disclosure is the latest sign that the groups recent activities have spread beyond Microsoft. On Wednesday, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. reported a breach of its cloud-based email system that it said was likely caused by Midnight Blizzard.

Last week, Microsoft disclosed that the group compromised a legacy non-production test tenant account and used it as a foothold to access a small number of email accounts, including those of senior leadership and employees who work in cybersecurity and legal. The hackers were initially targeting emails for information about Midnight Blizzard itself, Microsoft said.

Last year, Wyden called on government officials to investigate an intrusion of Microsoft Exchange online that enabled the hack of US government emails, including the account of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

HPE, an information technology provider, said it was notified on Dec. 12 that a nation-state hacking group breached its email systems. Investigators believe the hackers accessed and infiltrated data beginning in May using a small percentage of HPE mailboxes from employees working in cybersecurity and other areas.

The US government has linked the hacking group, also known as Nobelium, to Russia. The same group previously breached SolarWinds Corp. in a massive cyber-espionage campaign against several federal agencies.

--With assistance from Dina Bass.

(Updates with additional information starting in fifth paragraph.)

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Temu, the online marketplace of impossibly cheap Chinese-made goods that Boomers and Gen X-ers cant seem to get enough of, is opening up its platform to U.S. and European sellers, though it declined to comment further because many of the business details are still in the process of being finalized.

The news, first reported in English by the Associated Press on Thursday, signals another growth spurt for the rapidly expanding e-commerce platform, which followed its swift dominance of the U.S. market with similar forays into Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. It didnt take long before Americas most downloaded shopping app became locked in a turf battle with former No. 1 Shein, at turns becoming litigious. The U.S. market is the primary theater of this war, Whaleco, the legal entity that operates Temu from Boston, declared in one lawsuit, which it dismissed, that accused its rival of anticompetitive behavior. In a resurrected filing, Whaleco slammed Shein for using mafia-style intimidation of suppliers to impede its ascent.

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Not that the Shop Like a Billionaire destination, which has committed to several Super Bowl ad spots next month, has much to worry about. Since its debut in late 2022, Temus web and mobile traffic have catapulted by more than 700 percent year over year to an average of 92.2 million monthly visits, according to Similarweb. Boomers and Gen X-ers shop more frequently and shell out more at Temu than their younger counterparts, Chicago research firm Attain told Bloomberg earlier this week. The platform was particularly sticky during its first year for people aged 59 and older, who placed roughly six orders over 12 months, or twice as many as those aged 18 to 26.

PDD Holdings, which also owns the popular Pinduoduo virtual bazaar in China, launched Temu with a plan to connect 10,000 manufacturers to global markets and support the creation of 100 international brands. It began with 15 categories, from womens clothing to pet supplies. Today, it boasts twice as many, throwing smart doorbells, percussion instruments and automotive parts into the mix. According to Marketplace Pulse, an e-commerce intelligence firm based in New York City, it offers the wares of some 100,000 suppliers, all based in China. Sellers dispatch their goods to Temus warehouses at wholesale prices. The e-tailer handles listing, pricing, marketing, fulfillment and customer service.

This will change with its U.S. and European sellers, which will manage fulfillment from their domestic distribution centers, Chinese media has reported. Temu will also relinquish pricing and marketing, serving more like an eBay or Amazon third-party marketplace.

Juozas Kaziukenas, founder of Marketplace Pulse, surmises that this change is less about broadening its seller base beyond China and more about evolving past shipping each package from China. Writing on his website, he noted that adding quick delivery, an option absent on Temu today, is why Temu is evolving past a fully managed marketplace. Sellers with domestic warehouses are the lever to get that.

Whether itll be successful is another matter.

While the change removes the technical and operational hurdles for U.S. sellers to join Temu, it will face the same uphill battle as its predecessors did when trying to grow beyond Chinese sellers, Kaziukenas said. Wish, AliExpress and other marketplaces built on supply from China have tried similar strategies to diversify their seller base. However, they were largely unsuccessful in both attracting a significant number of domestic sellers and repositioning themselves in the eyes of consumers.

Temu has another challenge to contend with: the penetrating gaze of U.S. lawmakers who see the marketplace as a threat to the countrys competitiveness and a potential back channel for forced labor goods from China. Referring to a report issued by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party last June, Representative Mike Gallagher, the Wisconsin Republican who chairs the bipartisan group, criticized Temu for doing next to nothing to keep its supply chains free of forced labor and lacked any system to ensure compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, or UFLPA.

Its all but guaranteed that forced labor products from Temu are entering the United States on a regular basis, the report said, though the company itself has denied this. The biggest sticking point for Temuand Sheinscongressional critics has been the de minimis trade provision that allows shipments valued at under-$800 to avoid paying import taxes, duties and fees. While low-value packages are not exempt from scrutiny under the UFLPA, the limited level of customs information they provide makes doing so a challenge, as does their volume. The committee estimates that Temu and Shein likely account for more than 30 percent of all packages shipped to the United States under the cover of de minimis, making up some 600,000 per day or 210 million every year. Altogether, de minimis shipments topped 1 billion in 2023.

The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party stepped up its demand for de minimis reform this month with a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calling for stronger enforcement of the UFLPA.

[The] de minimis provision has created a major avenue for goods made by forced laboras well as fentanyl, counterfeit products and other unsafe goodsto enter the U.S. market, the letter said. We therefore request DHSs written assessment of the potential effect on UFLPA enforcement efforts of altering de minimis eligibility for textile and apparel and other high-risk items, including determining whether exceptions to de minimis treatment are warranted for certain high-risk items to prevent unlawful importations.
Unclogging gurgling toilets and bathtubs can be an unfortunately common rite of passage for many of us living in homes.

But it doesnt have to be that way. Ideally, our bathroom pipes run smoothly without distressing noises or smells.

HuffPost reached out to plumbers about the common mistakes they have seen residents do and what they would personally never do in a bathroom after their years of experience. They shared their biggest wonts as lessons for us all:

1. They wont put flushable wipes down a toilet.

Umida Kamalova / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Just because a product says it is flushable does not guarantee it actually is.

Flushable wipes are a huge no-no, said AJ Jenkins, an Oklahoma City-based plumber.

Philadelphia-based plumber Kelly Ireland also warned against using flushable wipes, because then you will then pay $10,000 to have your front yard ripped up. Thats your other option when when its old plumbing systems, she cautioned.

To say flushable just means its going to go through your toilet. But what it does to your plumbing system, especially if you have older pipes, is if you have, like, cast iron, the wipes dont disintegrate, Ireland said. Ive had instances where I spent [an] entire two days drain cleaning and you get to a point where youre like, Now we have to just dig this whole pipe out. And then youre dealing with a dig-up in your front yard or in your basement. And that obviously is super costly.

If you do use flushable wipes, put them in a trash can, not in your toilet, Ireland said.

2. They wont flush tampons down the toilet.

Holly Hildreth / Getty Images

Similarly, stay away from flushing tampons and menstrual products down your toilet to avoid dealing with future drain clogs.

Have you ever stuck a tampon in water? It literally just expands, Ireland said.

3. They dont use Drano as their only unclogging method.

Laartist / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Just pouring Drano and other heavy-duty chemical drain cleaners down your bathtub to deal with hair clogs can do more harm than good.

What Drano will do  if you dont know your plumbing system and you have old pipes  is it will actually eat through the old pipes. So, sure, itll get rid of the clog, but itll also start raining in your living room, Ireland said.

She added that another problem is that the cleaner can move the buildup in your pipes to another area thats harder to reach. If it sludges into a hard turn, then you have a major clog, she said as an example.

Similarly, Jenkins cautioned against using the popular DIY solution of baking soda and vinegar on sink pipe clogs. You should also never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a bathroom sink because it can eat away at the rubber gasket used to put the sink drain together, they said.

The best method to unclogging if possible is plunging. Its the safest, Ireland said.

4. They wont install an adjustable P-trap.

The way a P-trap is designed can cause frequent clogs, Jenkins said. Philippe Gerber via Getty Images

One item I would never install in a bathroom is an adjustable P-trap. P-traps are often advertised as a convenient plumbing solution for DIY homeowners, but they can cause more problems than they solve, Jenkins said.

The ridges on these traps tend to collect buildup and catch hair, leading to frequent clogs, and theyre difficult to unclog without needing to disassemble the entire drain, they said. Using the right materials from the start will save you time in the long run and avoid the hassle of having to frequently unclog your drain.

Hardware stores offer a variety of different fittings to connect a sink drain, and Jenkins recommended a standard slip nut washer trap over an adjustable P-trap for your sink.

5. They dont leave the water on while working on a leaky pipe.

Old water shutoff valves. Turning off the water in the apartment. Vladyslav Varshavskiy / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Before you start working on a pipe or fixture you suspect is leaking, turn off its water supply to stop the flow of water  or else you will be risking water flowing into your bathroom.

I would never work on a fixture that doesnt have reliable and working shut-off valves, said Carly Carey, a Minneapolis-based plumbing apprentice for Erik Nelson plumbing. If you are working on a fixture or there becomes a problem with a fixture like it starts to leak, a broken or failing shut-off wont hold.

If a fixture doesnt have its own shut-off valve, look for the main one in your house before doing any plumbing. Its typically near a hot water heater, your basement, or near the foundation of your house outside.

6. They wont use bleach tablets to clean the toilet.

Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

A toilet brush and a spray cleaner may take more hands-on effort than dropping a cleaning tablet into your toilet tank, but at least the former is less likely to destroy your toilet.

Those blue tablets and bleach tablets people keep in their tank are horrible for the toilet. They break down the tank parts and constantly need replacing, Ireland said.

The longer that a cleaning tablet sits in your toilet, the more likely that it will dissolve the plastic and rubber gaskets, washers and pipes around it.

The longer the tablet sits, the longer its chemicals chip away at your toilets materials. Your toilet pipes will eventually begin to leak often, and your toilet wont flush properly, explains a blog post for Mr. Rooter Plumbing company of Columbia, Missouri. Instead of dropping a couple of tablets in your toilet and letting them sit for months, use distilled white vinegar and get rid of stains in an effective, yet valuable way.

Ultimately, everyone wants to keep their toilets, tubs and sinks fresh and clean. When in doubt, double-check what kind of bathroom materials you have to see which cleaning products you should use. And know when to call in professionals for help.

If all else fails, thats why we have professional plumbers! Jenkins said.

This post originally appeared on HuffPost.
Post-pandemic, the trade show industry has experienced its share of ups and downs as retailers reevaluate how and where they shop. But a few stalwarts continued to exhibit in New York City during mens market including Man, which calls Spring Studios home; New Yorks Best Menswear Show that sets up at the Park Central hotel, and a revamped Project show that hosted a community gathering of some international brands at an intimate space in Greenwich Village. Here are some of the top items from the shows.

Beams

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Styles from Beams Plus.

One of Japanese menswear brand Beams in-house labels, Beams Plus, showcased its latest collection of vintage-inspired modern pieces that included an eclectic mix of prints, colors and layered styles.

The brands fall 2024 collection continues Beams Plus inspiration of 1940s to 1960s American culture by focusing on workwear and sportswear with pieces like outerwear, denim and matching sets.

A standout piece was the collections denim set, particularly the trousers that were created with a soft denim fabric and dyed to give off a vintage feel.

BrotherWolf

Barber shops around the world are well-known as cultural melting pots infused with the flavor of the city and the busy streets they occupy. The BrotherWolf brand originated in Melbourne, Australia, and was founded by Irishman Padraig Whelehan in 2014. It started as a barber shop concept and was created as a haven for the community and like-minded individuals seeking an innovative barber experience, ultimately counting four locations across Melbourne.

The brands fashion range is rooted in a decade-old legacy originating from the BrotherWolf Barber Shop, and thrives on the spirit of a local hub-turned-social club, with a collection that seamlessly blends tailored streetwear, lifestyle looks and sportswear with a touch of new vintage.

Because its an Australian brand you have to fight with that North versus South Hemisphere seasonal challenges, so we wanted to share the personality of the brand and be quite transitional, said John Kiszely, managing director of Good People Agency, who handles the wholesale for the brand.

Among the standouts from the collection was the Huff Cardigan in rust, a heavyweight artisanal knitwear piece, as well as the brands interpretation of a retro tracksuit, done in a vibrant emerald green.

Apart from the apparel assortment, BrotherWolf diversified and launched its own hair care brand, No.113, curated using Australian botanicals, essential oils and premium raw ingredients.

BrotherWolfs Huff Cardigan in Rust.

Cafe Mountain

Cafe Mountain is a British outdoors brand that addresses two markets simultaneously  the urban and the outdoor  with the aim of bringing people closer to nature by creating well-balanced leisure goods that can be worn both in the wild and in the city.

Launched in 2021, the brand with each seasonal collection draws inspiration from past cultural movements and classic styles such as heritage outdoor, military and workwear, paying homage to bygone eras while keeping a contemporary focus.

Many of the products are made entirely in the U.K. and include organic cotton T-shirts, heavy-duty canvas bags, waxed cotton ripstop trousers, Scottish lambswool hats and leather lanyards.

This season marks the brands debut in the U.S., with pieces utilizing Japanese twills, Japanese shirt fabrics, heavy canvas, hidden pocket details and reversible pieces in contemporary patterns to deliver its mission of creating well-balanced leisure goods.

The collections highlights include an oversized hunting style vest in cream with oversized pockets, and a wool store jacket in an eye-grabbing field green, which resembles an overshirt, a style that has been trending within the mens space.

Cafe Mountains Casentino wool store jacket in field green.

Man

Ecole de Pensee

Ecole de Pensees shawl coat.

Ten-year-old fashion label Ecole de Pensee has made a name for itself in Canada for its cool take on traditional mens tailoring and suiting. The brand is continuing its 2023 momentum  it was named menswear designer of the year at the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards  with its fall 2024 collection, which cofounder Marc Garand explained takes inspiration from multiple sources.

This season we infused two inspirations into the collection  jazz music and the more western farmer kind of style, he said. Its really a delicate inspiration, so its not in all of the pieces, but we have a similar direction within the collection.

One of the collections key styles is the brands latest iteration of its shawl coat, which comes in an army green hue for fall. The jacket offered a balance of structure and ease thanks to its oversize, slouchy feel.

The collection is complemented by pieces like a double-breasted, multifabric suit jacket in a wool cashmere with a houndstooth print, as well as sets made in a velour jacquard fabric.

New Yorks Best Menswear Show

Robert Comstock

Robert Comstock is one of the mainstay names in mens fashion  and nearly 50 years after he created his first leather jackets, hes still at it.

Robert Comstocks Berlin jacket.

The Idaho-born designer started designing in the 70s, offering menswear inspired by the outdoors and his expeditions and adventure travels to the far reaches of the globe.

Today he creates two collections: Robert Comstock, an ultra-luxury line of one-of-a-kind creations as well as the less expensive Comstock & Co. At New Yorks Best Menswear Show last week, he brought both collections, but his focus was primarily on Robert Comstock.

The fall line was inspired by Sun Valley, Americas first ski resort where he spent a lot of time when he was young. Each piece within the collection is numbered and signed by the designer and the assortment ranges from overshirts and lambskin leather jackets to suede blousons. But the standout piece was what he called the Berlin, a three-quarter-length baby alpaca jacket in fabrics sourced from Italys Biella mills. It is unlined, features horn buttons, and under both the collar and on the pocket trim, there is python skin.

No one needs a basic jacket, Comstock said. So it has to be special and unique.

The Berlin is available in ash or graphite and retails for $6,500.

Ghurka

Now approaching its 50th anniversary, Ghurka has experienced its share of challenges over the past half century. Founded by Marley Hodgson and named in honor of the handcrafted leather goods created for the Ghurka soldiers of Nepal, who are renowned for their bravery, the brand had built a reputation as a high-end label known for its craftsmanship.

Looks from Ghurkas leather and nylon collection.

But over the years, the company changed hands several times, moves that impacted its quality and distribution. Now owned by Candlewood Partners, a Cleveland-based investment firm, Ghurka is under the watchful eye of accessories veteran Robert Williams, who has been tasked with getting the brand back on track.

For fall, the brand is offering designs by John Truex of Lambertson Truex fame, and is not only updating its classics to meet the demands of todays customer, but it has begun branching out into other areas such as bags made from the brands hallmark saddle leather with Italian nylon.

It still has our roots, but its our first collection going after a modern demographic, Williams said.

Top pieces within that grouping include a backpack, a dopp kit and a crossbody bag. Prices include $795 for the Chelsea flap messenger bag, $995 for the Hudson backpack and $1,295 for the Parker duffel.

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Prices start at $7.

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Im no stranger to dry, flaky skin, particularly in the winter months. In my over eight years writing about beauty, Ive slathered as many soothing, softening products as I can get my chapped hands on, from luxury lotions in gilded bottles to drugstore creams in pared-down plastic jars. Many of the most effective winter skincare products  the ones Ive kept in rotation for years  are, frankly, the least sexy from a packaging standpoint, and wonderfully affordable. Conveniently, nine of my all-time favorites are available at Amazon  at $40 or less.

Editor-Approved Amazon Skincare

Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer

Amazon

$40 at Amazon

Hailing from a brand beloved by celebrities who use its lip mask, including brand ambassador Sydney Sweeney, this dense cream is both incredibly rich and non-greasy thanks to its fast absorbing formula. I was shocked when I applied foundation directly over it seconds later with no pilling. Two forms of soothing cica (Centella Asiatica) make it excellent for calming redness and inflammation.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

Amazon

$23 at Amazon

This French pharmacy staple is a favorite among countless dermatologists Ive interviewed, plus my beauty-loving friends with particularly sensitive skin. Niacinamide, glycerin, and ceramides refine uneven tone, lock in moisture, and strengthen the skin barrier, respectively.

Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream

Amazon

$22 at Amazon

Jessica Alba introduced me to this quenching cream, which is one of the actors personal favorites from her skincare brand (its also Lupita Nyongos go-to). The game changing formula, as Alba dubbed it in our InStyle interview, delivers radiant, hydrated, plump skin instantly. I can confirm this almost-magical effect, which is attributable to sodium hyaluronate, squalane, and jojoba.

Cetaphil Face Wash, Hydrating Gentle Skin Cleanser

Amazon

$14 at Amazon

My boyfriends adoration of this astonishingly gentle cleanser has made it a permanent fixture in our shower. While Ive found the lightweight cream too thin to fully cut through a full face of makeup, its a superb skin-softening tail end to a double cleanse. InStyle testers crowned it the best drugstore face wash out of almost 40 top-selling formulas they tried.

Curel Japan Skin Care Hydrating Water Essence Toner

Amazon

$23 at Amazon

Toners get a bad rap for their ostensibly drying nature  when, in reality, they can neutralize the skins pH, in turn improving skin barrier health. This water-light, alcohol- and fragrance-free formula from Japans top-selling skincare brand is designed specifically for dry skin. Applied prior to moisturizer, it doubles down on hydration. Ceramides target compromised complexions, soothing irritation and smoothing flakiness, while glycerin attracts moisture. Allantoin, among the most soothing skincare ingredients, calms irritation and quells redness.

Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Spray

Amazon

$7 at Amazon

Prior to discovering spray-on body moisturizer, slippery, lotion-laden hands after dipping into body cream had deterred me from moisturizing at all. Vaselines was the first of the few mistable, hands-free formulas Ive tried, and has single-handedly inspired me to take better care of my body skin. The lightweight formula soothes itchiness and immediately delivers a non-greasy glow. Fast absorbing and refreshingly cool, the aloe-infused formula is equally ideal for sweaty summer months. The continuous mist makes it the fastest, most convenient, and fun method of moisturizing.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream for Face and Body

Amazon

$16 at Amazon

Perhaps one of the most compelling aspects of this rich, fragrance-free cream is its dual-purposeness. Slather on body, face, and hands for instant relief and less flakiness over time. Colloidal oatmeal calms even the most sensitive skin, including skin prone to eczema flareups.

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre Multi-Function Cream

Amazon

$17 at Amazon

Created over 70 years ago in France, Embyolisses Lait-Creme Concentre is a classic in the truest sense  and understandably so. The aloe and shea butter in the formula create a healthy glow and a petal-soft feel that plays perfectly beneath foundation. Because of this, its become a staple for makeup artists and supermodels like Karlie Kloss.

Moroccanoil Hand Wash Fragrance Originale

Amazon

$20 at Amazon

Whereas most highly fragranced hand soaps can exacerbate dryness, this divinely scented formula is, in fact, softening. Key ingredients include sodium hyaluronate, a close cousin of hyaluronic acid, and glycerin, a humectant that holds moisture and improves skins hydration levels. The best part, still, is the scent, which wafts warm, elevated amber notes and makes handwashing a true indulgence.



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On October 10 1943, the 100th Bomb Group  known as the Bloody Hundredth  flew as part of the US Eighth Air Force on a mission to Munster, Germany. Stationed at Thorpe Abbotts in Norfolk, the 100th Bomb Group sent 13 of its B-17 Flying Fortress bombers to Munster. Twelve were lost in as many minutes. Only one returned.

The Bloody Hundredth nickname came from the bomb groups reputation: a jinxed unit that suffered devastatingly high losses, and is now the subject of an Apple TV+ series, Masters of the Air. Executive produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks  and based on the book of the same name by historian Donald L Miller  Masters of the Air is a companion piece to Band of Brothers and The Pacific.

As explained in Millers book, the RAF and US Air Force had opposing philosophies to strategic bombing. While the RAF bombed German cities at night, the US Air Force bombed specific military and industrial targets by daylight  factories, U-boat pens, railway marshalling yards. The Munster mission, however, was a break from US Air Force doctrine. The target was not a railway marshalling year, but the railway workers themselves. It sat uneasily with some of the American airmen  bombing the city just as the workers piled out of mass at the cathedral.

The Luftwaffe threw everything it had at the US bombers, including 350-plus fighter planes and a heavy field of flak  antiaircraft artillery that exploded with bursts of black smoke and flung out deadly shards of shrapnel, punching holes through the planes and slicing through the airmens flesh.

The only plane of the 100th Bomb Group to return was Royal Flush, piloted by Lt Robert Rosie Rosenthal. Two engines were out, one of the wings was torn apart, and three members of the bombers 10-man crew were injured. I didnt feel relieved, Rosenthal later said. I felt guilty. Why had I lived when all those other good men died?

Squadron leaders and best pals: Major Gale Buck Cleven and Major John Bucky Egan - American Air Museum in Britain/

Munster was part of what the Eighth Air Force called Black Week  a series of missions that cost the Bloody Hundredth more than 200 men, almost half of its airmen.

Among those lost during Black Week were charismatic squadron leaders and best pals, Major Gale Buck Cleven and Major John Bucky Egan, played by Elviss Austin Butler and Callum Turner (The Capture) in Masters of the Air. They were shot down in separate missions, but both were captured on the ground and ended up in Stalag Luft III, the prisoner-of-war camp where The Great Escape happened.

The 100th Bomb Group was activated in June 1942 and flew to England the following spring. Its airmen had just seven months of training. It was a rowdy unit. Masters of the Air addresses the units discipline issues in early episodes  seen in their raucous drinking and loose formations  but omits their ramshackle, uncoordinated training. In one disastrous exercise, they were instructed to fly from Nebraska to California. Fourteen planes failed to make it to their destinations, with a number of pilots landing near their girlfriends instead. One crew landed as far afield as Smyrna, Tennessee, where the pilots wife lived  2,300 miles from the target and in the opposite direction.

They were a wild group of guys, says Miller. Hard to discipline. They almost didnt get sent over. They almost got decommissioned.

Apple TVs Masters of the Air flies close to the real events; Tom Hanks assured Miller about that from the start. Toms idea was fidelity above everything, says Miller. In the spirit of Das Boot, its about human beings doing their job. If they do their job well, the war gets won.

Navigator Harry H. Crosby  played by Anthony Boyle in Masters of the Air  wrote about his experiences in his book, A Wing and a Prayer. Crosby described how the first time he ever saw a B-17 land during training, it crashed and killed the entire crew. In another incident  seen in the show  Crosbys plane got lost on the way to England and flew towards occupied France instead. When they finally got to England, the plane was forced to crash land because the landing gear wouldnt come down.

The TV series portrays Turners Egan as a gung-ho boozer and philanderer, who drank and sang into the night with Irish labourers in the area; whereas Butlers Cleven was a man of simpler pleasures (ice cream, cantaloupe, and English war movies, wrote Miller), who abstained from the local pub sessions and stayed faithful to his gal back home, Marge.

Presenting them as the lead characters reflects their outsized personalities. Their time, though, with the Hundredth at Thorpe Abbotts was relatively brief. Their first mission was June 1943 and they were POWs by October, says Reg Wilson, chair of the 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum in Diss. But they made their mark because they were a couple of characters.

Scott Nelson, a North Dakota farmer and aviation artist who befriended Buck Cleven in his later life, thinks Cleven would have hated the fanfare and hero worship. He was very modest, says Nelson. Many times, he said he just wanted to fade away. He didnt want a big deal made of him Buck was quite a guy.

U.S. B-17 Bombers releasing metal fragments and small bombs onto the airport of Pardubice - Mondadori via Getty Images

The 100th Bomb Groups first combat mission  to bomb U-boat pens in Bremen on June 25 1943  is recreated in the first episode. Bomber groups were made up of four squadrons, containing up to 12 bombers. Three groups made up a combat wing, part of a much bigger formation of hundreds of bombers and escort planes.

In Masters of the Air, the mission to Bremen is scrubbed with a single bomb being dropped. Its true that the Hundredth turned back under bad weather and came under attack from German fighter planes. The Hundredth lost three planes  30 men.

One of the navigators, Jim Brown, later commented: The men were saddened, depressed and numb with grief for several days at the loss of thirty men with whom they had lived and laughed and worked and played for the prior seven months... From that day on we all realized that our job was dirty, dangerous and downright brutal. Any feeling of our personal immortality left us swiftly on that day.

Part of the reason for the Hundredths losses in early missions, says Miller, was ineptitude. He adds: They wouldnt fly in tight formations they got hammered.

Indeed, the show depicts the problems with not maintaining a disciplined formation. At that time the bombers had very little escort cover on missions, says Reg Wilson. Their survival was dependent on how tight they could fly a formation. They were all a bit slack at that time. Sometimes they made it easier for the German fighters to get amongst them.

Chances of survival were also down to luck  where squadrons were placed within the formation. The Germans would want to pick off the low stragglers, Wilson says. If the 100th Bomb Group happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time It doesnt matter how good a pilot you are. If a shells going to hit you, its going to hit you.

Callum Turner and Austin Butler in Masters of the Air - Robert Viglasky

When writing his book on the Hundredth, first published in 2006, Miller wanted to capture the whole air war experience, from life on the bases to the missions and POW camps. He also wanted to explode the myth of the air war as push-button warfare.

They were closer to the enemy than the infantry, says Miller. In air fights, they could see the eyeballs of German pilots. There were no foxholes in the sky.

The series does for the air war what Saving Private Ryan did for D-Day, showing the harrowing, ferocious reality of air warfare: shrapnel slicing off body parts, legs and faces blasted away, skin ripped off by frostbite, men trapped in gun turrets as the planes plummet.

For concentrated fury of combat, I dont know anything quite like it, says Miller. In a 30 second flash, the pilot gets his head blown off, a guy has two legs blown off, and another guy is rushing to the front of the plane because the pilots now headless and someones got to try and land the plane. But his buddy beside him has got a terrible sucking chest wound, and if he moves his hand from the wound his buddy will die. At the same time, the Focke-Wulfs are coming in. The planes shaking like hell, it stinks of tobacco, p---, s---, and blood, and everybodys wondering if theyre going to bail.

One common injury for airmen in the Eighth Air Force  shown in Masters of the Air  was frostbite. Flying B-17s was a fairly harrowing experience even without someone trying to shoot you down, says Reg Wilson. Youre at 25,000ft, its minus 30 degrees outside. If you touch any metal with your bare hands, you get frostbite Ive heard a story where a guy was badly shot in the backside and bleeding out, and the only way they could stop him bleeding was to take his trousers down and stick his backside against the skin of the aircraft and freeze the wound.

One of the Hundredths most notorious missions came on August 17 1943, part of a dual strike that would see the fliers split and bomb both Regensburg and Schweinfurt. The idea was to confuse the enemy fighters and divide their counter attack.

The Schweinfurt mission was delayed by weather, so the Regensburg bombers got the full force of the enemy. The Hundredth sent three squadrons, a total of 21 bombers, flying in the last, lowest, most vulnerable position, known as Purple Heart Corner. But instead of returning to Thorpe Abbots, the plan was to fly to North Africa.

The target was a Messerschmitt factory, which accounted for 30 per cent of Germanys single-engine fighter planes. The did significant damage to the factory, but the mission also cost the Eighth Air Force 60 planes and almost 600 men. The Hundredth lost nine planes  a 40 per cent loss rate.

The mission made even more of a hero of Buck Cleven, however. With his plane hit six times by 20mm cannon shells, his crew were wounded. As described in Millers book, the radio operator, who had just heard that his wife was pregnant, was bleeding to death in a pool of frozen vomit, his legs severed above the knees. The crew wanted to bail, but Cleven warned his co-pilot, You son of a b----. You sit there and take it. The moment is replicated almost word for word in the third episode of Masters of the Air.

The plane was so shot up, everyone was ready to bail out, says Scott Nelson. Cleven told them to stay put. Some accounts say he pulled a weapon on his co-pilot. I asked him about it. Buck said it wasnt true, but other people who were there said that it was true.

As reported by Lt Col Beirne Lay, Clevens words were heard on the interphone and had a calming effect on the crew. Cleven was recommended for the Medal of Honor, downgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross. But Cleven never collected it. Medal, hell, I needed an aspirin, Cleven would say.

The B-17 "flying fortresses" of the 100th Bomb Group Wing flying toward Germany, 28 February 1945 - piemags / Alamy Stock Photo

One other crucial member of the Hundredth was Robert Rosie Rosenthal, the hero of the Munster raid in October 1943, and played by Nate Mann in Masters of the Air. He was not part of the initial crews to come to Thorpe Abbotts, but was a replacement following the units losses that summer. Reg Wilson notes that he wasnt flash and flamboyant like Buck Cleven and Bucky Egan, but he adds: Most people here [at the museum] would see Rosenthal as the main character. For the bomb group, he was the rock.

Rosenthal not only completed a tour of duty of 25 missions, he flew a total of 52 sorties with the Hundredth Bomb Group. A Jewish New Yorker, Rosie was driven by decency to fight the Nazis. A human being has to look out for other human beings or else theres no civilisation, he would say.

The leadership of Rosenthal, along with Lt Col John M Bennett, who joined the Hundredth in November 1943, began a more disciplined period for the unit. Though a lot of it, says Wilson, was down to practise across the Eighth Air Force. It was a general progression. Extended fighter cover, better flying, better tactics. That all improved their survivability.

Nevertheless, the Bloody Hundredth still sustained heavy casualties, and their stories collected in the series stand for the losses suffered by all who flew against the Nazis in the Second World War. As Reg Wilson puts it: When it lost, it lost badly.

Masters of the Air is on Apple TV+ on January 26

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Health officials prepare to administer a vaccine in the Malawi village of Tomali with the worlds first vaccine against malaria in a pilot program in Tomali, Dec. 11, 2019. Cameroon is beginning the worlds first routine immunization program against malaria for children, a move that experts hope will mark the start of a campaign across Africa to dampen the impact of the parasitic disease. | Jerome Delay, Associated Press

On Monday, Cameroon, a country in Central Africa, launched its plan to routinely give children a new malaria vaccine.

The campaign is a milestone in the decadeslong effort to stop the disease happening in Africa, where 95% of the worlds malaria deaths occur, according to NBC News.

What is malaria and why does it have a large death rate?

Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread by certain mosquitoes, typically found in tropical countries. Symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, confusion, seizures and difficulty breathing, depending on the severity of the case. The disease is preventable and curable, per the World Health Organization.

Due to scarce resources and socioeconomic instability in areas where malaria is concentrated, individuals and governments find it hard to prevent and treat the disease, creating larger death rates, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Children under the age of 5, because of their lack of immunity to the virus, account for 78% of all malaria deaths in the African Region, per WHO.

Related

How does the vaccine benefit children?

The malaria vaccine reduces 13% of all kinds of deaths among children, not just from contracting malaria, according to NPR.

This is not only a huge step forward for malaria control but also a major advancement in child health, said Mary Hamel, the WHOs senior technical officer on malaria, to NPR.

How does the vaccine work?

Cameroon has begun using Mosquirix, the first of two recently approved malaria vaccines. The vaccine, sold by GlaxoSmithKline, is about 39% effective and requires four doses, according to NPR.

While 39% efficacy seems low for a vaccine, when we consider the sheer burden of malaria, this means potentially a huge reduction in cases and deaths among children, said Aaron Samuels, CDCs Kenya malaria program director, to the CDC.

What are the challenges?

The fact that four doses are needed causes some difficulty in coordinating, and each dose costs about $9.80, per NPR.

Another challenge is that GlaxoSmithKline can only produce about 15 million doses of Mosquirix a year.

A second malaria vaccine developed by Oxford University and approved by WHO last October offers hope for a more practical solution. The vaccine would be cheaper, require only three doses and Indias Serum Institute said it can make up to 200 million doses a year, according to NBC News.

While there is still ways to go, Mohammed Abdulaziz, head of disease control and prevention at Africa CDC, is encouraged.

For a long time, we have been waiting for a day like this. It brings more than just hope. It brings a reduction in the mortality and morbidity associated with malaria, he said in a press conference with NPR.

Cameroon hopes to vaccinate about 250,000 children this year and next year. There are plans in place to also introduce the vaccine in 20 additional countries and immunize more than 6 million children by 2025, per NBC News.
As Gov. Ron DeSantis led Floridas charge against woke investing in recent years, the states chief financial officer has positioned himself as a loyal soldier.

CFO Jimmy Patronis has raged on X about companies policies to consider environmental, social and corporate governance factors. Like DeSantis, most of that ire has been directed at the investment giant BlackRock, and Patronis ordered a state fund under his supervision to divest $2 billion managed by the company in 2022.

Divesting his personal accounts is another story.

While he was purging the treasury account of BlackRock funds, he did not divest more than $75,000 in a company-managed fund he personally owned, according to his most recent financial disclosure filed with the state.

Patronis BlackRock holdings were in a 401(k) profit-sharing plan for the Panama City Beach restaurant he owns.

Devin Galetta, spokesperson for Patronis office, did not address the discrepancy, but said in a statement that not all (Patronis) personal retirement investments can be winners.

His personal money is managed by another party, and at any given time his retirement money is moving to all sorts of places that hes not aware of, Galetta said.

The amount is a pittance compared to the restaurateur and 17-year politicians overall $6.9 million net worth, but it runs contrary to his own statements about BlackRock over the last 14 months.

Since 2022, Patronis has posted on X about the company or its CEO, Larry Fink, at least 15 times, at one point comparing him to a Bond villain.

Using Floridas cash to fund BlackRocks social-engineering project isnt something we signed up for, Patronis posted on X (then known as Twitter) in December 2022.

DeSantis and Patronis have blasted the asset management firm as the poster child for what they call woke investing. BlackRock, like many companies, uses environmental, social and governance factors, such as the way companies treat their employees, when deciding where to invest.

DeSantis made fighting ESG one of the common talking points of his failed presidential campaign, saying it is part of the woke mind virus designed to exercise power over our society. Last year, he pushed lawmakers to pass legislation banning state and local governments from investing in funds or purchasing bonds based on ESG factors.

On Dec. 1, 2022, Patronis announced that the Florida Treasury, which he oversees, would begin divesting $2 billion in assets managed by BlackRock. (No public effort has been made to divest about $13 billion BlackRock manages in Floridas retirement funds.)

The move generated national headlines and appearances on cable news for Patronis, who has floated the idea of running for governor. Patronis has made a habit of proposing headline-generating ideas while in office, such as ordering the states 100,000 businesses to voluntarily report whether they were owned by Communist China.

Most recently, he persuaded two Republican lawmakers to file legislation that would have created a $5 million fund for former President Donald Trumps legal defense fees. The legislation was withdrawn after DeSantis promptly threatened to veto it.

Patronis $75,516.35 was in BlackRocks Emerging Markets Fund, according to his financial disclosure dated Dec. 31, 2022.

The companys site says the fund does not seek to follow a sustainable, impact or ESG investment strategy. The largest share of the funds investments, about 23%, are in Chinese companies, including the e-commerce giant Alibaba and Tencent, which owns the countrys overwhelmingly popular app WeChat.

Since divesting the treasury from BlackRock, the $60 billion in taxpayer money Patronis manages has generated $1.1 billion in interest  evidence that it has performed well, Galetta said.

The CFO may reach out to his personal money people in the future to see if they can act more like the State, Galetta said.
In the dusk and dust of Gazas ruin, the Israeli soldiers danced. Im coming to occupy Gaza / and beat Hezbollah, they chanted, I stick by one mitzvah / to wipe off the seed of Amalek. It was December 7, two months after Hamass attack on Israeli civilians. The troops formed a circle and continued their song: I left home behind me / wont come back until victory. / We know our slogan / there are no uninvolved civilians. The first refrain of their charming tune called back to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus evocation of the ur-enemy of the Jews; the final repeated line paraphrased their own head of state: It is an entire nation out there that is responsible, Israeli President Isaac Herzog told the press in mid-October. It is not true this rhetoric about civilians not being aware, not involved.

Between an innocent Palestinian and a guilty one, Herzog saw no difference. Yoav Gallant, the defense minister, didnt either. When he ordered a siege of Gaza so total that no electricity, no food, [and] no fuel be allowed to enter, he decided that both guerilla and child alike should not survive the blockade. Israel Katz, now the foreign minister, likewise insisted that the civilian population  will not receive a drop of water or a single battery until they leave the world. Palestinians cannot leave Gaza, so Katz presumably meant they would get nothing until they reached heaven, perhaps helleither way, until they were dead. The dancing soldiers understood very clearly what was instructed of them. They followed a sacred commandment, and joined in the vengeful chorus, whose echoes can now be heard in the courtrooms of The Hague.

At the Peace Palace on Friday, the judges of the International Court of Justice took special care to quote these statements by Herzog, Gallant, and Katz. The mens words, incriminating themselves, as well as the state they serve, as genocidaires, formed the backbone of the judges rulinga provisional, interim rulingthat there is a significant, plausible, prima facie threat of Gazas Palestinians being destroyed in whole or in part. The Israeli government and its army must, the court ordered, take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of [genocidal] acts. It must also prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide, an order that means that Netanyahus government, if it cares at all about living up to the standards of international law it constantly trumpets, must immediately indict its own ministers and its own president.

South Africa, which brought the case before the ICJ, asked for nine provisional measures; the court issued six, insisting that they need not be identical to those requested. Still, the ruling rejected almost every objectionmoral, technical, proceduralthrown up by the Israeli team in their messy appearance at the hearing earlier this month. The court ruled that under the Genocide Convention, which binds all signatories to prevent and punish the crime, South Africa had solid grounding to bring a case; it also ruled that it had jurisdiction to issue measures and hear the full case later on. Importantly, and contrary to the Israeli defense teams best efforts, it recognized the right of Palestinians not to be subject to annihilation. In essence, Israel was read its Miranda rights: Any genocides you commit now can and will be later used against you in court. And there will be a later. A preliminary objections phase may follow down the line, in which the Israelis can challenge the courts competence. For now, put bluntly, Israel is on trial for genocide.

To speak of victory for one side and defeat of the other, however, would be naive and premature. The judges blankly refused to even mention South Africas principal request: an immediate cessation of all military operations in Gaza. As morally outrageous as this refusal might seem, the judges were legally correct, and followed the one coherent and sound objection made from the Israeli side. Any order rendering military action illegal would be binding on Israel but not Hamas, leaving the state unable to defend itself against attack; such a ruling would be prejudicial against a states right to self-defense. And although South Africa asked for fact-finding teams to be allowed to enter Gaza, the court requested only that Israel draw up a report on its compliance with the ICJs order and refrain from destroying evidence.

Undeniably humiliating for Israel, however, were the voting margins. All of the courts measures were accepted by a margin of 152 or 161. One judgeJulia Sebutinde of Ugandavoted against every measure on the grounds that the ICJ had no jurisdiction to hear the case, thus making her objection rather moot. Not even Aharon Barak, the former Israeli Supreme Court president appointed to the panel, went that far. Barak voted in favor of two of the courts measures: the order demanding punishment for incitement and the request for immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services. Three months ago, Barak said he agreed totally with what the [Israeli] government is doing, but perhaps he has since foreseen that his own legacy as a defender of his countrys constitutional system is worth more than protecting Netanyahu before the judgment of the world.

On October 12, when Isaac Herzog gave his opinion that there was no difference between a Palestinian militant and a pregnant Palestinian woman, he was standing next to Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission. As Herzog spoke, von der Leyen blinked and said nothing. She heard it said, not a few inches from her own face, that an entire nation was guilty and deserving of death, and raised no objection. Western diplomats and politicians have done a lot of that recently: blinking and saying nothing, stirring only when the purse strings jingle and the Israelis ask for more ammunition. This is not a facetious observation: Most nations, including the United States, have strict rules against selling arms to nations that violate international law. Though such a rule has not stopped gun-runners before, part of the worth of the ICJs order is in having one more weapon that might be used to run a stick through the spokes of the machine, something that might, with a little effort, slow the tally of Palestinian dead from steadily ticking upward.

In delivering its statement just two weeks after hearing first submissions, the court was clearly sensitive to the urgency of the Palestinian plight. Indeed, part of the task before the judges was to find whether South Africas application was sufficiently urgent that a ruling couldnt wait until later. (They found that it was.) For those Gazans still alive but on the edge of starvation, for those Palestinians sleeping now in the open and with no medical care at all, let alone power or potable water, the courts speed matters. The Israeli government has now been told that it must give them aid and prevent their slow slide into oblivion. But what of the dead? What of the homes360,000 of them, according to the ICJthe Israel Defense Forces have shelled, bombed, and dynamited, to which no Palestinian can ever return?

The Israeli government insists its evacuation measures are only temporary. So was the Nakba. Perhaps as many as half of all Gazans have so far been permanently displaced. Permanence matters, because if the Israeli government chooses to ignore the courts ruling and carries on its present course, then by the time the next stage of hearings begins, the court will be asked to judge something that has already happened and has passed, with all its pain, into history. Even now, when a people might still be salvaged, permanent solutions are being suggested. Earlier this week, in a meeting with European diplomats, Israel Katz pitched building an artificial island off the Gazan coast. Clothing what he said in the benign language of development, Katz didnt stop to ask whether it was his land (or sea) to build on, whether he had any right to it. This is what thinking looks like in the upper ranks of the Netanyahu war Cabinet. Permanence is its goal, and no Palestinianalive or deadis allowed to object.
Hundreds of people hold signs and chant as a group pounds on the front door of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house during a protest, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa.

The civil suit accusing a former University of Iowa Phi Gamma Delta fraternity member of distributing sexually explicit media has been dismissed.

The petition filed against Broc Hawkins, a then-member of Phi Gamma Delta, also commonly referred to as FIJI, was connected to a lawsuit filed by Makenna Solberg in 2021, who is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for her suffering following an alleged sexual assault.

According to allegations, Solberg was sexually assaulted by two then-members of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, known as "Iowa Fiji," in early September 2020. The alleged assault was "filmed or photographed," shared with members of the fraternity and "became widely circulated," according to the lawsuit.

Solberg filed the petition against Hawkins in September 2022, nearly 12 months after her lawsuit against two other fraternity members. The petition accused Hawkins of distributing the sexually explicit images of Solberg to others. The filing did not accuse Hawkins of being present for the alleged sexual assault in 2020, but the petition accused him of receiving the sexually explicit images and forwarding them to others.

Solberg's petition against Hawkins demanded "judgment against Broc Hawkins for compensatory damages in a fair and reasonable amount and punitive damages" when filed.

Solbergs attorney, Eashaan Vajpeyi, said Hawkins' case was dismissed Monday, Jan. 22, because they determined he had not engaged in any wrongdoing.

No charges connected to Solberg's accusations have been handed out by police, sparking her lawsuit and petition, as well as several Iowa City protests.

More: A judge has moved UI's Phi Gamma Delta sexual assault trial to Tama County

UI's FIJI chapter and two others begin trial in November

Two other FIJI members, the University chapter and the national fraternity, were implicated in Solberg's 2021 lawsuit, set to begin trial in November.

Solberg seeks damages from Carson Steffen and Jacob Meloan, who allegedly committed the sexual assault. Two entities related to the fraternity are also named in the lawsuit: Mu Deuteron and the Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation.

Hawkins, Meloan, Steffen, and others gave depositions during the discovery process.

Solberg recalls feeling unwell at a FIJI Fraternity house party in September 2020 when Steffen offered her some water in his room. She alleges that he and Meloan conspired to lure her into one of the bedrooms and then engaged in sexual acts while Solberg was impaired and vulnerable.

The filing also alleges that Meloan and Steffen took photographs and videos of the event, which were allegedly distributed throughout the house and elsewhere.

More: What we know about sexual assault allegations against members of University of Iowa's FIJI fraternity

Trial location moved

The Johnson County District Court judge presiding over Solberg's lawsuit ruled to move the trial to Tama County for "actual prejudice created by media coverage and other online discourse over the alleged crimes.

Roughly 1,000 people gathered outside of the Phi Gamma Delta property in the fall of 2021, calling for action against the accused and to abolish the fraternity. A petition, which now has more than 200,000 signatures, spawned the protests, voicing frustration with Solberg's case.

"Since the courts won't give her justice, we need to do it ourselves," the petition says.

Subsequent attempts by Solbergs attorneys to keep the case in Johnson County in October were not granted.

Steffen's harassment trial is in June

Police arrested Steffen in late 2021 for first-degree harassment after authorities discovered a Snapchat photo he allegedly took and sent to others in the early morning of Sept. 5, 2020. The photo allegedly showed another man and an unspecified victim engaged in a sex act around 3 a.m.

Court documents do not say whether the arrest was connected to Solberg's lawsuit or petition. The harassment trial is set to begin on June 4. Steffen pleaded not guilty on Feb. 6, 2022.

First-degree harassment is a serious misdemeanor. If convicted, the penalty could mean as much as two years in jail and a fine of $8,540.

Meloan's slander and libel case dismissed

A separate 2023 petition filed by Meloan with the Linn County District Court has been dismissed. He accused 24 individuals of written and verbal libel or slander, saying they called him a rapist or made threats against his safety and the safety of his family, according to the original filing in the case.

Meloan said the statements made him "the subject of much public contempt," his attorneys said.

The court dismissed the case on Jan. 2 after Meloans lawyers failed to properly serve notice to the defendants by Dec. 29, 2023. Court documents said the defendant's service returns indicated that Meloans lawyers served them by posting, which Sixth Judicial District judge Christopher Bruns wrote was not a viable method of service.

The dismissal was without prejudice, meaning Meloan could pursue similar charges against the same defendants again.

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Phi Gamma Delta member accused of distributing photos, videos dismissed
SANFORD, Maine  A local couple has filed a lawsuit against Bibber Memorial Chapel for allegedly mishandling the remains of their late infant daughter and compounding their grief and trauma by inflicting emotional distress.

According to a complaint filed in York County Superior Court by their attorney earlier this week, Corrina and Raymond Korzeb, of Sanford, Maine, arrived at Bibber Memorial at Autumn Green in Alfred on Feb. 17, 2023, to attend a private viewing and say goodbye to their daughter, Emma, who had died unexpectedly six days earlier. The complaint says the couple, emotionally vulnerable from their loss, was shocked and horrified by what they saw.

Their daughters body was in a state of decomposition, grotesque and unrecognizable.

Emma Korzeb

Initially, Corrina did not believe the body was that of her daughter, attorney Travis Brennan wrote in the complaint. Corrina and Ray had to confirm that the body they were viewing was, in fact, the body of their daughter, Emma.

The complaint includes graphic details of the childs alleged state of decomposition.

Two messages left to representatives of Bibber Memorial Chapel seeking comment regarding the lawsuit were not returned Thursday.

Funeral home accused of negligence in lawsuit

Emma was six weeks old when she unexpectantly died, according to a GoFundMe page set up by a friend of the Korzebs to raise money for funeral expenses.

According to the lawsuit, the childs body was brought to Bibber Memorial at Autumn Green on Feb. 13, 2023.

The couple entered a contract with Bibber for professional services, which included preparation, embalming, storage and cremation.

The private viewing on Feb. 17, 2023, had been intended as a chance for the Korzebs to see their daughter one last time. The couple had planned to hold a larger service at Curtis Lake Church in Sanford the next day.

The complaint states the Korzebs were forced to change their plans for an open-casket memorial service.

This was a painful decision for them because they had told their wider circle of friends and family that it would be an open-casket service so that everyone could see Emma one final time, the complaint reads.

The complaint names Bibber Memorial Chapel, based on Summer Street in Kennebunk, as the defendant. The funeral home owns the Alfred site, as well as other sites in Wells and Berwick. The complaint alleges the agents and employees of Bibber Memorial Chapel were not sufficiently qualified, experienced, trained, supervised and/or resourced to provide competent handling, preparation, embalming, storage, and cremation of bodies.

The complaint alleges the Bibber employees knew that the infant girls body showed significant signs of decomposition, and knew that her surviving parents were emotionally vulnerable, and proceeded with the private viewing anyway.

As a result, the Korzebs are accusing Bibber Memorial Chapel of negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and breach of contract, according to the complaint.

Couple seeks damages for mental anguish and suffering

The complaint states that the Korzebs have experienced severe mental anguish and suffering and are seeking punitive damages.

The complaint describes Bibber Memorial Chapels conduct as deliberate and so outrageous toward the Korzebs that malice . . . can be implied.

Brennan spoke critically of the funeral home.

It is reprehensible that these parents were caused additional, unnecessary pain and suffering while already coping with the unimaginable grief of losing their infant daughter, Brennan said in a statement to the press. This is particularly alarming because Maines population is aging and the demand for these services will only continue to increase. The mortuary industry needs to ensure it adheres to the highest standards when taking on this solemn responsibility.

Bibber Memorial Chapel has yet to respond to the lawsuit in court filings.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Sanford, Maine couple sues funeral home for mishandling infants body
(Bloomberg) -- Malis military leadership terminated a 2015 peace accord with separatist Tuareg rebels and accused mediator Algeria of interference, deepening diplomatic tensions over protracted efforts to end an armed rebellion.

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We note with deep concern the increasing number of unfriendly acts, instances of hostility and interference in Malis internal affairs by the authorities of Algeria, government spokesperson Abdoulaye Maiga said in a speech broadcast on state television. Algerias actions undermine Malis national security and sovereignty, rendering the pact inapplicable, he said.

The fallout between the neighboring countries risk further destabilizing West Africas Sahel region, which is contending with a mushrooming Islamist insurgency and a series of coups in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

Relations between Mali and Algeria have deteriorated over recent months as fighting between the Wagner-backed Malian army and the northern separatists intensified. Malian troops last year reconquered the northern city of Kidal, controlled by the rebels for almost a decade, and fighting has continued near the Mali-Algeria border.

Algerias government said it noted the Malian governments termination of the peace accord with deep regret and concern, according to a statement from the foreign ministry. The decision is dangerous for Mali itself and for the entire region, it said.

Mali recalled its ambassador to Algiers in late December in protest at Algerian officials meeting with rebel leaders. This week, Malis foreign minister told state broadcaster ORTM that a delegation from an unnamed nation had made amendments to the peace accord, threatening his nations sovereignty. Algeria denied the allegation.

In his statement on Thursday, Maiga referred to the hidden hand of the Algerian authorities who consider Mali as their backyard or state doormat by imposing changes to the peace deal.

Algeria has led mediation between Mali and the rebels under the so-called Algiers process. Its efforts were supported by the UN Mission in Mali, which ended its operations last year at the juntas request.

--With assistance from Souhail Karam.

(Updates with comment by Algerian government in fifth paragraph)

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WORCESTER  Real estate issues prompted the closing of the Worcester office of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination in October 2022.

From left, Rubby Wuabu, Healey administration policy and cabinet affairs liaison; Michael Memmolo, MCAD interim executive director; Monserrate Rodriguez Colon, MCAD commissioner; Sen. Robyn Kennedy, D-Worcester; Joe Petty, mayor of Worcester; Eric D. Batista, city manager of Worcester, and Commissioner Sunila Thomas George, MCAD chairwoman, attend the grand reopening of the Worcester office of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination on Jan. 19.

That led to a gap in service to residents of Central Massachusetts, said Justine LaVoye, a spokesperson for the independent governmental agency. But now that it has found a centrally located, fully accessible building at 18 Chestnut St., the office reopened last week. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and fully accessible by public transportation and to all.

Tasked with enforcing anti-discrimination laws throughout the state, agency teams work in three locations, including Worcester with the central office located in Boston and another satellite office in Springfield.

Anyone can file a claim alleging differential treatment based on factors ranging from race, ethnicity, sex and age to pregnancy status, military service and disability, according to MCAD.

Anyone includes state residents, employees who work in Massachusetts but live in other states and even visitors to the commonwealth, who can file claims in five categories  employment, housing, lodging, mortgage and lending, and discrimination in higher education, said LaVoye.

Local leaders, politicians and city representatives attended the grand reopening Jan. 19.

The new MCAD office puts vital resources in a central location and within a building filled with agencies that are championing access and inclusivity for community members who are seeking assistance, said Worcester City Manager Eric D. Batista. Thank you for coming back to this city to protect our residents so that all people, regardless of identity, can lead successful and dignified lives.

The agency is required to serve the City of Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents, LaVoye said, adding it is expected to play a pivotal role in extending the reach of its services. Beyond receiving and processing individual complaints, services include public hearings, dispute mediation and reconciliation as well as outreach.

We want to be proactive, LaVoye said, especially when it comes to complaints of harassment and adherence to parental leave guidelines.

Working to eliminate discrimination

The MCAD teams also conduct training for perpetrators of discrimination, offering ways to mitigate reported breaches in the states anti-discrimination laws.

Eliminating discrimination is a part of every conversation, said Sen. Robyn Kennedy, D-Worcester. From the workplace to housing to education, discrimination robs people of opportunities, access and a fair chance at a high quality of life. Anti-discrimination laws ensure the rights of people are not violated. The MCAD meets our constituents at some of their toughest moments and we are grateful for the work the agency is doing.

The agency strives to process a complaint, which includes gathering evidence and possibly holding a public hearing, within 18 to 24 months of its filing. The agency works closely with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the office of Housing and Urban Development on certain cases, involving employment discrimination and housing issues.

Cases increasing over last fiscal year

In its next annual report to Gov. Maura Healey, MCAD discloses its caseload in fiscal year 2023, running from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, reached 3,086 complaints filed. Currently, for fiscal 2024, the number of complaints filed has already exceeded that number.

Were at the halfway mark of the year, LaVoye said. She speculated the growth in complaint could be a combination of the agencys outreach efforts, coupled with overall societal conditions. Once people know their rights and where to go to be heard, they are more likely to file a complaint.

The opening of the new office may also have prompted a spike in the number of complaints filed.

The convenience of this location, and its ease of access by public transportation, was a major factor in selecting our new office, said MCAD Commissioner Monserrate Rodriguez Colon during her remarks at Fridays grand opening. I have been a resident of Worcester County for over 30 years, and I know the resilience of this community. We are very excited to be back in this great city, opening our doors to serve the people here and build connections with the incredible organizations in this area.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: MCAD office reopens in accessible locale on Chestnut St. in Worcester
Typically there hasnt been a huge amount of urgency attached to seeing our museums greatest treasures: many of the exhibits are hundreds, if not thousands, of years old already; and for better or worse, its never seemed like they were going anywhere fast.

But that may be about to change, if others follow where the British Museum and V&A are leading. The London institutions have struck a deal with Ghana to return looted artefacts to a museum in the West Africa country on a long-term arrangement.

It is thought the move could now provide a model for handling other repatriation disputes, not least the argument thats raged for years over the Elgin Marbles. The Marbles are one thing, but if the precedent is followed, dozens of other stolen treasures could potentially leave UK museums and return to their original countries.

All of a sudden, then, theres a fresh urgency to seeing the treasures, so here is a brief guide to what could soon be heading overseas in the future. Catch them while you still can

1. The Rosetta Stone

Rosetta stone

One of the most famous objects in the British Museum is, in fact, part of a bigger stone slab. It was erected at an Egyptian temple in 196 BC, during the reign of Ptolemy V, but has been in the hands of the British Museum since 1802. The stone has a message carved into it written in three languages: hieroglyphs, Demotic (cursive Egyptian script that was used for everyday purposes) and Ancient Greek. Thanks to these translations, we were first able to understand Egyptian hieroglyphs.

2. The Elgin Marbles

The Parthenon Marbles, also know as the Elgin Marbles. have been in the British Museum since 1816 - DANIEL LEAL

Also known as the Parthenon Sculptures, these are a collection of marble architectural decoration from the temple of Athena on the Acropolis in Athens. They were so named for British aristocrat Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, who claimed to have had legal permission from the Ottoman to remove statues, sections of frieze, and marble plaques in the early 19th century. They have resided in the British Museum since 1816.

3. Benin Bronzes

Benin bronzes

Created from at least the 16th century onwards in the West African Kingdom of Benin, the Benin Bronzes are a group of elaborately decorated sculptures made from melted down brass manilla bracelets, the grim currency of the transatlantic slave trade. They were looted by the British in 1897 from modern Nigeria. So far, several museums around the country have returned Benin Bronzes, including museums in Cambridge and the Horniman in south London.

4. The Natural History Museums Neanderthal skulls

Gibralter has requested the return of the skulls, believed to be around 50,000 years old

Two skulls, known as Gibraltar 1 and Gibraltar 2, belonging to an adult female and a Neanderthal child, were discovered in 1848 and 1926 respectively. The former is believed to be about 50,000 years old and is the first adult Neanderthal skull ever discovered. Gibraltar has requested they be returned by the Natural History Museum in London. The adult skull came to Britain in the mid-1800s, where Charles Darwin studied it, before moving to the museum a century later.

5. Casing stone from the Great Pyramid of Giza

The rare casing stone from the Great Pyramid of Giza currently resides in Scotland - National Museums Scotland

Nestled in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh since 1955, this vast limestone object was made in around 25892566 BC, and would have formed part of the smooth outside of the Great Pyramid. It was taken to Scotland in 1872 by Waynman Dixon, a structural engineer who was building a bridge in Cairo, and given to Charles Piazzi Smyth, the Astronomer Royal in Scotland. In 2019, Egypt demanded proof it had not been stolen. The museum insisted it had the paperwork.

6. Maharaja Ranjit Singhs gold throne

The treasure was taken by British East India Company in 1849 - Parmorama / Alamy Stock Photo

Created in India by the goldsmith Hafez Muhammed Multani for Maharaja Ranjit Singh between 1805 and 1810, this remarkable gold treasure was taken by the British East India Company after their annexation of the Punjab in 1849. The throne was sent to London, initially to the museum of the East India Company, then to the V&A (then the South Kensington Museum) in 1879. India has requested its return for decades.

7. Maasai jewellery

Maasai Living Cultures Project

Last year, 98 cows were given by the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford to the Maasai as a means of redressing the loss of stolen historic artefacts, especially five objects that, according to Maasai tradition, should never be borrowed, given away or sold. The five objects included a hereditary necklace and bracelet passed from fathers to sons; an earring and a head ornament worn by young women after circumcision; and a neck ornament worn by married women. The verdict from the Maasai was that the gesture of 98 cows did not go far enough.

8. Moai statues

The Hoa Hakananaia statue was removed from Easter Island in 1868 and presented to Queen Victoria the following year - ADRIAN DENNIS

Easter Island has long demanded the return of its vast Moai statues from museums around the world, but not least the 8ft tall Hoa Hakananaia (meaning lost, hidden or stolen friend) which was removed from the island in 1868 by the crew of HMS Topaze and presented, the following year, to Queen Victoria, who gave it to the British Museum. The governor of Easter Island visited the museum in 2018 and declared: England people have our soul. It remains at the British Museum, for now.

9. The Koh-i-noor diamond

The gem, now a part of the crown jewels, is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world

Known as the mountain of light, the diamond is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world, and was taken from India by Nader Shah, an Iranian ruler, in 1739, then passed through the hands of Persian, Mughal, Afghan and Sikh rulers before being presented to Queen Victoria in 1849 following the British East India Companys annexation of Punjab.

It is now perhaps the most controversial and storied diamond to ever exist, and sits in the crown of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. After much speculation, Queen Camilla elected not to wear the crown at King Charless coronation last year. Like all the Crown Jewels, it can be seen at the Tower of London.

...but what are they worth?

Obviously, its impossible to put a monetary value on priceless exhibits that are hugely unlikely to ever find their way to an auction house. But it has been tried.

Lord Elgin spent about 74,000  about 5.5 million in todays money  bringing them to Britain and installing them. In 1816, parliament had them valued at 35,000, about 4 million. The Koh-i-noor diamond has been estimated at being worth between 110 million and 315 million. In 1953, Sothebys sold a Benin Bronze for 5,500 and in 1968 Christies sold another for 21,000. Art collector Ernest Ohly bought a Benin Bronze head for 230 in 1951. What became known as the Ohly Head sold again, in 2016.

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A bumble bee found in South Carolina is declining so precipitously it is being considered for listing as an endangered species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced this week that the Southern Plains bumble bee and eight other species across the country should be considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The bee once was in 26 states but has disappeared from Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Dakota and Ohio so far. It is found in the Southeast and into the Midwest.

Scientists say it could go extinct within 80 to 90 years.

The problem is an almost overwhelming collection of challenges  loss of habitat, pesticide use, pathogens from managed pollinators, competition with non-native bees and climate change, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation said. The Portland, Oregon, nonprofit is named for an extinct California butterfly, Xerces Blue.

The Fish and Wildlife Service described the Southern Plains bumble bee as a large black and yellow bumble bee identified by its short hair, short head and typically yellow coloring between the head and thorax, between the wings.

It stings when its nest is threatened but unlike honey bees it can sting more than once because its stinger does not stay in its victim. It is generally, though, a gentle bee that goes about its pollinating with gusto.

It doesnt produce honey but is important for its role in the pollination of crops, wildflowers and other plants.

Also taking the next steps toward being classified as endangered are the betta hendra, betta rutilans, Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander, pygmy rabbit, Railroad Valley toad, southwest spring firefly, white-margined penstemon, and yellow-spotted woodland salamander, the Fish and Wildlife Service said.

Most of those species are in western states, except the salamanders, one of which is found in hardwood and cove forests in Hickory Nut Gorge in western North Carolina and the other in the Appalachian Plateau in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

The Fish and Wildlife Service turned down the petition to do further study on the eastern hellbender, an amphibian that lives under rocks in Pennsylvania and other Mid-Atlantic states.

You can help

Bumble Bee Watch is a community science project that asks people to upload photos of the bumble bees they see and have identifications verified by scientists.
Monroe County remains under a flood warning through Saturday afternoon as soaking January rains blanket the area.

There are already reported power outages, with up to an inch of rain already fallen and road closures in Greece and other areas.

While the Rochester area has had its fair share of flooding incidents in recent years, most have been along the shoreline of Lake Ontario. The lake has swollen beyond its capacity several times in recent years, with Ontario Beach Park, Durand Eastman Beach and other areas affected in 2019. Greece and Sodus Bay in particular has been hammered by lake waters in the five years, with notable flooding also occurring in 2017 and 2021.

The most recent major flooding event away from the coast was in 1972, when Hurricane Agnes, by then downgraded to a tropical storm, dropped unprecedented rainfall on the upper Genesee River, wiping out roads and bridges and destroying the flood gages at Scio and Wellsville.

Rochester was spared the brunt of the impact due to the Mount Morris Dam at Letchworth State Park, which was filled within 5 feet of overflowing before restricted outflow was released. The Army Corps of Engineers estimated dam operations, which reduced river outflow by six times the flow into the reservoir, spared the lower Genesee River area more than $200 million in additional potential damage, according to the National Weather Service.

Flooding in Rochester NY: A look back

More: Rochester faces flood warning, power outages, and road closures. The latest

More: Flooding in Rochester. See the striking photos

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester NY flooding: A look back at the worst floods in our area
Lauren Miller, a plaintiff in the Zurawski v. State of Texas, waits to speak in front of the Capitol in March about her case, which involved a fetus with a serious genetic disorder. The lawsuit seeks clarity in Texas law on when abortions can be provided under the state's "medical emergency" exception. Meanwhile, Texas allows no exception for abortions in the case of rape.

More than 26,000 Texans are estimated to have become pregnant as a result of a rape since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in June 2022  the highest number among the 14 states that enacted total abortion bans after the high court ended the federal right to terminate a pregnancy, according to a peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The study, published Wednesday, estimates that 5,586 of the rape-related pregnancies, or 9%, occurred in states with rape exceptions to their bans, and 58,979, or 91%, occurred in states with no exceptions. Texas, which allows abortions only when the life of the mother is at risk, had the most pregnancies resulting from rapes  26,313, or 45% of the 14 states' combined total. Texas has the largest population of the 14 states studied.

Fewer than 10 abortions per month are reported in each of the states analyzed, the study says, suggesting that even in states with exceptions for rape, survivors are not accessing abortion services.

In Texas, an average of nine abortions per month occurred between July 2022 and June 2023, according to the Society for Family Planning. In 2021, the year when the state banned abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy, more than 50,000 pregnancies were terminated in Texas; in 2020, nearly 54,000 abortions occurred, according to data from the Texas Health and Human Services Department.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have made abortion rights, and Texas' ban in particular, a focus of their reelection campaign, featuring plaintiffs of a major Texas abortion lawsuit over medical exceptions in campaign ads. The White House has also invited Kate Cox, a Dallas woman whose request to terminate a pregnancy with a fatal fetal diagnosis was rejected by the Texas Supreme Court in December, to attend Biden's State of the Union address in March.

It is unconscionable that this is happening in America. The overturning of Roe v. Wade has already led to 21 dangerous abortion bans in effect in states across the country, many of which have no exceptions for rape or incest," White House spokesperson Kelly Scully told the American-Statesman. "This is the extreme agenda that Republican elected officials want to impose in every state in the country through a national abortion ban. President Biden and Vice President Harris will continue to fight for the right to choose and call on Congress to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade in federal law.

More: Austin lawyers petition Texas Medical Board to clarify medical exceptions to abortion ban

To form the basis of the study, researchers used confidential survey data on sexual assault from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and crime data from the FBI and the Justice Department to estimate rape numbers. Researchers then applied state-level data on the percentage of completed rapes that resulted in pregnancies. They projected that 519,981 completed rapes and 64,565 resulting pregnancies occurred during the four to 18 months the abortion bans have been in effect in all 14 states.

More: Amid abortion ban, Texas teen birth rate in 2022 increased for first time in 15 years

Five of the states studied have exceptions for rape but require the assaults to be reported to law enforcement. Women are most likely to experience sexual assault at the hands of intimate partners or acquaintances; only about 1 in 5 rapes are committed by strangers, according to Justice Department statistics. White said that, under those circumstances, seeking abortion care is more complicated for many survivors.

"No woman anywhere should be forced to birth her rapists baby," state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, wrote in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, after the report was published. "No child anywhere should be forced to birth her rapists baby."

Determinants such as race and economic status often further complicate abortion care for many women and girls seeking to end a rape-related pregnancy in states with abortion bans, experts say.

It's very difficult for people who may not even have control of their own financial resources to get to another state to get abortion care, or to get out from under the person who caused it, (and) to travel for hundreds of miles or overnight to get the kind of health care that they need, Dr. Kari White, the report's co-author and director of the Austin-based Resound Research for Reproductive Health, told the Statesman.

White estimates that rape-related pregnancies in Texas will likely increase, with no sign from the Republican-controlled Legislature of budging on the state's ban.

With the abortion ban still being in place in Texas, the large numbers that we're seeing now are likely to continue to grow, she said.

How many rape-related pregnancies have there been in states with total abortion bans?

States with rape exceptions:

Idaho  1,436

Indiana  1,098

Mississippi  1,409

West Virginia  1,255

North Dakota  388

States with no rape exception:

Alabama  4,130

Arkansas  4,655

Kentucky  2,965

Louisiana  4,287

Missouri  5,825

Oklahoma  4,529

South Dakota  1,282

Tennessee  4,993

Texas  26,313

Abortion rights demonstrators attend a rally at the Texas Capitol in Austin, May 14, 2022. (Credit: Eric Gay/AP Photo/File)

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas has most rape-related pregnancies in states with abortion bans
Vladimir Putin at the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University in Kaliningrad - Pavel Bednyakov

Vladimir Putin has flown to Kaliningrad amid warnings of arms build ups in Russias Baltic exclave.

The Russian president toured the Kant Baltic Federal University and signed a commemorative note on a rare visit to the province.

Kaliningrad is sandwiched between Nato members Poland and Lithuania and would likely become a key battleground in any conflict between Russia and the West.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlins spokesman, said Putins visit was not about sending messages to Nato.

The alliance is currently conducting its largest war games since the Cold War in the region, with 90,000 troops taking part in Operation Steadfast Defender 2024 in Germany, Poland and the Baltic states until the end of May.

Gen Martin Herem, the commander of Estonias army, warned on Tuesday that Putin could invade the Baltic states within one year of the war in Ukraine ending.

03:13 PM GMT

That's all for today

Thank you for following The Telegraphs coverage of the war in Ukraine.

03:12 PM GMT

Todays headlnes

The Kremlin said it backed Volodymyr Zelenskys call for an international investigation into the downing of the Russian Il-76 transport plane on Wednesday

Ukraine opened a war crimes probe into the incident

The Ukrainian parliaments human rights commissioner said the absence of bodies in photos from the scene of the crash proved 65 POWs had not been on board

The HUR military intelligence agency claimed just five people died in the crash

Andriy Yusov, its spokesman, said Russias FSB had warned senior VIPs not to board the plane at the last moment

Ukraines air force chief accused Russia of spreading fake news about the crash to discredit Kyiv

Ukraine announced it would build four nuclear reactors this year to replace the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia power plant

Darya Trepova, who blew up a pro-war blogger in a St Petersburg cafe, was sentenced to 27 years in prison.

Igor Girkin, a prominent Russian nationalist, was jailed for four years on extremism charges

Ukraine blew up a Russian oil terminal on the Black Sea

The head of Estonias army said Russia could invade the Baltic states within one year of the war in Ukraine ending

A Russian drone attack on Odesa left six people wounded

Vladimir Putin visited Kaliningrad, Russias Baltic exclave

03:09 PM GMT

Woman who blew up pro-war blogger jailed for 27 years

A Russian woman who blew up a pro-war blogger in a St Petersburg cafe has been sentenced to 27 years in prison.

Darya Trepova, 26, was convicted on Thursday of multiple charges including terrorism over the death of Vladlen Tatarsky, a pro-Russian blogger.

He was killed in April 2023 by a bomb concealed in a statuette bearing his likeness which Ms Trepova handed to him as he gave a talk at the cafe.

Ms Trepova said she had been set up by a man in Ukraine who had been sending her money and instructions online for several months, who told her the statuette contained a listening device.

I feel great pain and shame that my gullibility and my naivety led to such catastrophic consequences, she told the court earlier this week. I didnt want to hurt anyone.

The prosecution dismissed her defence and argued that she had acted deliberately with the aim of destabilising the Russian Federation and discrediting the special military operation.

Dmitry Kasintsev, a friend of Ms Trepovas husband, was sentenced to one year and nine months in prison on Thursday for letting Ms Trepova stay at his apartment on the night of the explosion. She was arrested there the next day.

Mr Tatarsky was one of a group of prominent bloggers who have built up large online audiences as cheerleaders for Russias war in Ukraine, while occasionally criticising its tactics.

02:45 PM GMT

Ukraine recovers 30m in embezzled artillery shell funds

Ukraine has recovered 30million ($38million) that was embezzled from a fund for artillery shells.

The national prosecutors office said the eight-figure sum was secreted abroad when a bulk ammunition shipment was purchased for an inflated price.

The Ukrainska Pravda newspaper reported that the contract had been approved by Oleksandr Nahorskyi.

He is a senior former procurement official at the Ukrainian defence ministry who was detained in December on corruption charges.

Mr Nahorskyi remains in custody awaiting trial.

02:10 PM GMT

Pictured: Putin in Kaliningrad

Vladimir Putin at the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University in Kaliningrad - Pavel Bednyakov

01:50 PM GMT

Russian nationalist who criticised Putin jailed for four years

A prominent Russian nationalist who accused Vladimir Putin and the Russian armys top brass of not pursuing the war in Ukraine effectively has been jailed for four years on charges of inciting extremism.

Igor Girkin, who denied the charges and has attempted to put together a campaign to run against Putin in Marchs presidential elections, was also banned from using the internet for three years.

I serve the Fatherland, he shouted after the verdict was delivered.

His legal team plan to appeal the verdict.

Mr Girkin is a former FSB officer who played a key role in the conflict between Kremlin-backed separatists and Ukraine in the Donbas.

He was one of three men sentenced in absentia by a court in the Netherlands last year to life imprisonment for the shooting down of Malaysian Airlines plane MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014.

Some 298 people were killed when a missile fired from rebel-held territory hit the jet. The Kremlin has always denied its involvement and refused to extradite Girkin to the Netherlands.

01:41 PM GMT

'Russia accustomed to lying', says France

France has urged caution about Russias account of how the Il-76 transport plane was downed on Wednesday.

Christophe Lemoine, a deputy foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters: Russia has accustomed us to lying on these matters.

01:18 PM GMT

Lithuanian foreign minister arrives in Ukraine

Lithuanias foreign minister has arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian officials.

It is Gabrielius Landsbergiss eighth visit to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.

12:46 PM GMT

Ukraine to build four new nuclear reactors

Ukraine will build four nuclear reactors this year to replace the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia power plant.

Energy minister German Galushchenko said the four are part of an expansion of the Khmelnytskyi nuclear plant in the western Khmelnytskyi region.

The three nuclear power plants which remain in Ukrainian-controlled territory produce more than 55 per cent of its electricity.

Mr Galushchenko told Reuters that construction would begin in the summer or autumn, two using Russian-made technology imported from Bulgaria and two using Western technology from the firm Westinghouse.

Zaporizhzhia is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and is now controlled by Russia, having been heavily shelled by its forces before they took control of it in March 2022.

The Chernobyl power plant, infamous for the eponymous disaster in 1986, is off limits to the public and has a metal shell over it to prevent nuclear radiation emissions.

12:34 PM GMT

'Only five people killed in crash', Ukraine claims

Ukraines HUR military intelligence agency has claimed that only five people were killed when the Il-76 transport plane crashed to the ground on Wednesday.

Andriy Yusov, its spokesman, told Radio Svoboda that there were just five bodies in the morgue of Belgorod, a number which he said corresponds with the size of the crew needed to man an Il-76.

He also said Russias FSB security service expelled investigators from the ministry of emergency situations from the crash site before they completed their investigation.

He added: There really should have been several VIP officials on board from the military-political representation of the aggressor state.

Their names are known and will be named, and materials will be provided as part of the international investigation.

But at the last moment, the FSB actually ordered them not to board this plane and use other modes of transport.

12:15 PM GMT

Photos from crash site 'disprove POW claim'

Photographs and video footage from the site of the Russian Il-76 plane disprove Russias claim that there were 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war on board, Ukraines chief ombudsman has said.

Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian parliaments human rights commissioner, said there were no signs that there were such a large number of people on the plane.

Im not an expert, but if there were even photos and videos of our prisoners of war, (Russia) would have already posted it, he said.

12:11 PM GMT

Putin arrives in Kaliningrad

Vladimir Putin has arrived in Kaliningrad, Russias Baltic exclave, on a visit.

11:36 AM GMT

Russia did not warn us of the flight, Ukrainian intelligence insists

Ukraine has denied claims that Russia told it to secure the airspace where the Il-76 transport plane was flying through when it was shot down.

Andriy Yusov, spokesman for the HUR military intelligence agency, told Radio Svoboda that Ukraine had not been warned of the flight.

This time, the aggressor state did not make such requests either in written or verbal form, he said, referring to a previous prisoner swap where air transport was used when Russia had given such a warning.

Andrei Kartapolov, a senior Russian MP and former deputy defence minister, said earlier that Russia had given a 15 minute warning before it was shot down.

Mr Yusov also speculated that Russia had used the prisoners of war allegedly on board the plane as a human shield.

Unfortunately, we can assume various scenarios, including provocation, as well as the use of Ukrainian prisoners as a human shield for transporting ammunition and weapons for S-300 systems, he said.

10:59 AM GMT

Hackers attack three Ukrainian state bodies

Three major Ukrainian state organisations have reported cyber attacks or failures in their IT systems.

Ukraines state-run energy company Naftogaz said a large-scale cyberattack had taken out its websites and call centre.

Ukrposhta, the national postal service, reported a significant technical failure in its IT systems.

Last night there was an attack on the information infrastructure of our partners, Ukrposhta head Ihor Smeliansky said on Telegram.

Ukrtransbezpeka, a government agency providing transport and traffic security, also reported a technical malfunction on its website.

10:38 AM GMT

Ukraine repeats call for international investigation into Il-76

Ukraine has repeated its call for an international investigation into the downing of the Il-76 Russian military plane on Wednesday.

The countrys ombudsman told national television he would write to the United Nations and the Red Cross to request their involvement.

We demand a recognised international investigation, Dmytro Lubinets said.

Regarding an international investigation, I believe that we will do our part to make it happen. But I am convinced that... the Russians will make loud statements but will not allow anyone in. They will not hand over any materials for analysis and will simply blame Ukraine,.

He added: According to my information, I cannot say positively that there were indeed prisoners of war. We did not see any indication that there was such a large number of people on the plane.

10:22 AM GMT

Ukraine hits out at HBO for casting pro-Russian actor in White Lotus

Ukraine has hit out at the HBO television network for casting a pro-Putin Serbian actor in season three of the White Lotus.

Milos Bikovic, Serbian actor who has been supporting Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion, is now set to star in HBOs The White Lotus Season 3, the foreign ministry said in a statement on X.

HBO, is it all right for you to work with a person who supports genocide and violates international law?

Mr Bikovic, 36, was given Russian citizenship by presidential decree in 2021.

Season three of White Lotus is due to begin filming in Thailand next month.

Mr Bikovic and HBO are yet to comment.

09:54 AM GMT

Russia 'gave Ukraine 15-minute warning' about Il-76

Russia gave Ukraine a 15-minute warning about the Il-76 military transport plane which was shot down over Belgorod on Wednesday, a senior MP has said.

Andrei Kartapolov said the Russian armed forces had told Ukraine that the aircraft was about to enter the area and was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war.

He heads the defence committee in Russias lower house and is a former deputy defence minister and army general.

09:48 AM GMT

Hungary signals it will drop EU Ukraine funding veto, says Finland

Hungary has signalled that it will drop its opposition to the European Unions proposed 43billion ($54billion) military aid package for Ukraine, Finlands foreign minister has said.

Elina Valtonen said Peter Szijjarto, Hungarys foreign minister, gave us a positive signal at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday.

And Im very hopeful that we will finally be able to approve aid for Ukraine, she said. If not, we will find another solution.

Viktor Orban previously vetoed the proposed aid package in December.

09:28 AM GMT

Prisoner swaps will continue, vows senior Russian MP

Russia will continue to engage in prisoner swap talks with Ukraine despite alleging that Kyiv shot down a transport plane carrying 65 Ukrainian POWs on Wednesday, an MP has vowed.

We cant abandon our guys and thats why we will talk even to the devil, work even with the wicked, but we need to get our guys out, we have no other way out, said Andrei Kartapolov.

He heads the defence committee in Russias lower house and is a former deputy defence minister and army general.

09:14 AM GMT

Ukraine opens war crimes investigation into downing of Il-76

Ukraine has opened a war crimes investigation into the downing of the Russian Il-76 transport plane on Wednesday.

The SBU security service told the RBC-Ukraine news agency that it had commenced criminal proceedings as part of the enquiry and was assessing the circumstances of the crash.

The Security Service of Ukraine has opened criminal proceedings into the crash of the Russian Aerospace Forces Il-76 aircraft in the Belgorod region, it said.

The investigation is being carried out under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war).

Russia has accused Ukraine of shooting down the aircraft and said 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war were on board.

Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that there should be an international investigation into the incident.

09:09 AM GMT

In pictures: Russian drones attack Odesa

Firemen are seen attempting to extinguish flames sparked by a Russian drone strike on an Odesa apartment block - Telegram/OdeskaODA

Governor Oleg Kiper said six people were wounded in a series of Russian drone attacks - Telegram/OdeskaODA

08:55 AM GMT

Ukrainian SBU claims responsibility for oil terminal blast

Ukraines SBU security service has claimed responsibility for the explosion at a Russian Black Sea oil terminal.

Sources told the RBC-Ukraine news agency that a number of SBU drones attacked the depot in Tuapse.

The port town is 300 miles to the south-west of the current frontlines.

08:43 AM GMT

Latvian president demands ban on Russian grain

Latvias president has said he supports banning Russian grain imports into the country.

Edgards Rinkevics said the imports support the Russian military machine in a riposte to the prime minister, Evika Silina, who said a unilateral ban was pointless.

I support the ban on Russian grain imports, Mr Rinkevics said. Both for political and economic reasons.

08:27 AM GMT

Il-76 black boxes recovered

The black boxes from the downed Il-76 transport plane downed in Belgorod on Wednesday have been recovered.

State news agency Tass reported that they will be flown to Moscow to be analysed by the defence ministry.

Black boxes record data from the flight and record everything that is said in the cockpit and between crew members.

08:21 AM GMT

Russian drone attack on Odesa injures six

A Russian drone attack on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa injured six people on Thursday morning.

The Ukrainian air force said it shot down 11 of 14 drones which were launched by Russia over the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions overnight.

Law enforcement officers are recording yet another crime committed by Russian terrorists, Odesa governor Oleg Kiper said.

08:03 AM GMT

Nato 'underestimated Russia's war machine'

Nato underestimated Russias ability to produce armaments and recruit new soldiers, Estonias army chief has said.

Gen Martin Herem told Bloomberg that Russia is able to produce several million artillery shells and recruit hundreds of thousands of new soldiers every year.

He said it was previously thought that Russia could only produce one million artillery shells.

A lot of people thought they couldnt go beyond that  today, the facts tell us otherwise, he said. They can produce even more  many times more  ammunition.

Gen Herem also warned that Russia could attack the Baltic states within one year of the war in Ukraine ending.

One year is enough for them to do something horrible in our direction, he said.

07:56 AM GMT

Ukrainian air force chief accuses Russia of fake news

The commander of the Ukrainian air force has accused Russia of spreading propaganda about the downing of the Il-76 to discredit Ukraine and reduce its international support.

Throughout the day on January 24, 2024, frantic Russian propaganda directed a fake stream of information to an external audience  trying to discredit Ukraine in the eyes of the international community, Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk wrote in a statement on Telegram.

The goal is obvious  they want to reduce international support for our country. This will not work!

Ukraine has the right to defend itself and destroy the aggressors air assets.

07:45 AM GMT

Watch: Ukraine 'blows up Russian Black Sea oil terminal

A Russian oil terminal on the Black Sea has been blown up in an apparent Ukrainian drone strike.

Video footage from the scene showed a drone flying towards the Tuapse oil depot in Russias Krasnodar region on Wednesday night.

City mayor Sergey Boyko said there were no casualties and the fire was extinguished at 4.53am local time (1.53am GMT).

The prominent Baza Telegram channel said explosions were heard in the city before the fire started at the Rosneft depot as anti-air defences attempted to engage the drone.

Ukraine is yet to officially claim responsibility.

It has attacked four other oil depots in Russia this month, including one in St Petersburg more than 700 miles from Ukraines northern border.

07:41 AM GMT

UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Il-76

The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting to discuss the downing of the Il-76 at 5pm ET (10pm GMT) on Thursday.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov is in New York City for talks on Israel and Ukraine.

07:33 AM GMT

White House has no position on who was responsible

John Kirby, the US national security spokesman, said on Wednesday night that the US did not have a position on who was responsible for the downing of the Il-76.

We just dont have enough information to comment on this plane crash, he said.

You know, the Ukrainians are claiming one thing, the Russians are claiming another and we just dont know enough to comment on it.

07:28 AM GMT

Kremlin welcomes Zelensky's call for international inquiry

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday morning that Russia would welcome an international investigation into the downing of the Il-76.

If he means an international investigation into the criminal actions of the Kyiv regime, it is definitely needed, he told reporters in remarks quoted by the Russian Interfax news agency.

It is still not completely clear what happened. Only yesterday investigators began to study the remains of the plane.

Mr Peskov added: The fact that the Ukrainians killed their prisoners, their citizens, who should have been at home literally in a day, is, of course, an absolutely monstrous act.

I cant wrap my head around this.

07:23 AM GMT

Zelensky demands international inquiry into downed POW plane

Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded an international inquiry into the downing of a Russian military aircraft on Wednesday.

We need to establish all the clear facts, he said on Wednesday evening.

As much as possible, given that the downing of the plane occurred on Russian territory, which is beyond our control.

Moscow has accused Ukraine of using missiles to shoot down the Il-76 in the Belgorod border region and claimed there were 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war on board.

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Semafor Signals

Insights from NPR, PBS, Gallup, and ACLU

The News

The United Nations and European Union led calls condemning Alabama for executing a prisoner using nitrogen gas, the first use of a new method of capital punishment in the U.S. since lethal injections in 1984.

Kenneth Eugene Smith, who was convicted of murder in 1996, was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m.  roughly half an hour after the execution started at 7:53 p.m., according to the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections.

Alabama officials had previously said that they expected he would lose consciousness within seconds and die within minutes.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Alabama has a track record of carrying out botched executions

Source: NPR

In 2022 Alabama saw several botched execution attempts  most of which were halted because executioners failed to set up IV lines or find inmates veins. The killing of prisoner Joe Nathan James that year is believed to be one of the longest executions in U.S. history, NPR reported after executioners took hours to set up a drip for the prisoner. Kenneth Eugene Smith also faced a failed execution attempt by lethal injection that same year where the administrators failed to insert an IV into his veins. Afterward, he told NPR: They were just sticking me over and over, going in the same hole like a freaking sewing machine. While on a tour of the room where Smith would be executed Friday, the inmates spiritual adviser Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood noticed that two oxygen monitors were unplugged. Hood said that the warden leading the tour also avoided questions about safety protocols. What I saw did nothing to minimize my fears, Hood said to NPR. It only increased my fears of the incompetence.

The execution is slammed by domestic and international critics, who call it torture

Sources: PBS, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights

Smiths attorneys said that Alabama was making the inmate a test subject for an experimental execution method, arguing that it violated a constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment, PBS reported. Just hours before the killing, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Smiths bid to halt the execution by nitrogen gas  drawing fury from liberal justices, who argued that Alabama was treating Smith like a guinea pig. The world is watching, said one justice. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk also condemned the execution, saying that suffocation by nitrogen gas may amount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Turk also urged all states to place a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, regardless of the method  as a step towards universal abolition, he said.

For the first time, most Americans dont think the death penalty is fairly applied

Sources: Gallup, Associated Press, ACLU

A record-high 50% of Americans believe that the death penalty is unjustly applied, Gallup found in a poll conducted late last year, saying the data shows that support for executions is the lowest in five decades. The results come just three years after Virginia became the first Southern state to abolish capital punishment and two years after California moved to dismantle the countrys largest death row. The prospect of your ending up on death row has more to do with your wealth and race than it does your guilt and innocence, said California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who led the move to impose a moratorium on executions in the state, to the Associated Press. People of color in the U.S. account for a disproportionate 43% of total executions since 1976 and comprise 55% of those currently on death row, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee has been told by the federal government to hire an outside vendor to run its troubled rent voucher program.

A Milwaukee Housing Authority program that's been deemed a fraud risk will be operated by an outside vendor under a new federal government mandate.

The authority has issued a request for proposals from vendors to operate its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. The program in 2023 administered around $42 million in rent assistance for people who are low-income, elderly or disabled.

That RFP, with a March 1 deadline, is part of "corrective action plans" ordered for the federally funded Section 8 program by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

That's according to a memo to city officials from the authority obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The authority will continue to be the program's administrator, with its staff working with the selected contactor, the memo said.

The contract will be for five years, with the authority having the option to extend that term for another three years, according to the RFP.

The cost to manage the voucher program cannot exceed 80% of the annual administrative fees the authority receives from HUD, it said. Those fees were expected to total $5 million in 2023.

The Section 8 program serves nearly 6,000 households.

'Little or no' impact on tenants expected from new oversight

They should see "little or no effect" from having the program operated by a vendor, said Amy Hall, the authority's marketing and communications officer.

"It is believed these actions will enable (the authority) to house a greater number of people through its voucher program" by accelerating the issuance of vouchers, Hall told the Journal Sentinel.

The Journal Sentinel in September reported that a HUD analysis found that the authority was "at risk for serious fraud, waste, and abuse."

Its Section 8 office was severely short-staffed and lacked basic accounting safeguards, the HUD report said.

A single staff member issued nearly $36 million worth of rent subsidies in 2021, according to HUD.

Also, tenant Social Security cards were "displayed openly on unattended desks" as site reviewers walked through the office in October 2022.

Story continues

A separate HUD report issued last April found the authority's bank statements and internal books were millions of dollars apart.

Staff couldnt produce receipts to explain credit card expenses. Records were in such poor shape that auditors couldn't verify key financial balances for the Section 8 program.

Hall said other corrective actions include a reconstruction of financial data from 2017 through 2022; staff training on HUD financial recording and reporting, and a software conversion that will increase efficiency.

The RFP "raises more questions than answers, and some involved seem to be trivializing how serious this is, the impact it will have on our residents, and how broken this system has become," said Common Council President Jose Perez.

Perez said the council's limited oversight means the best chance for change is through the authority's board.

"I expect whoever is nominated to the board is prepared to put in the hard work necessary to achieve the desperately needed reform. Nothing less will earn my vote for confirmation," Perez said.

'HACM residents deserve better," he said.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson didn't respond to a request for comment.

The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, which is chartered by the state, is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners who are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the Common Council.

Federal action deemed unusual by Common Ground

It's unusual for HUD to order a housing authority to hire an outside vendor to run a program, according to Common Ground.

That coalition of local faith groups, businesses and other organizations has been campaigning since March for an investigation of the authority's finances and rent collection practices.

"This validates everything HACM residents and Common Ground have been saying about (authority Secretary-Executive Director) Willie Hine's inability to manage," said Jennifer O'Hear, the group's lead organizer and executive director.

"This is damning," she said. "HUD is saying that Hines is not capable of running Section 8. He needs to be replaced."

Other local housing authorities have voluntarily turned to outside contractors to run their Section 8 programs.

That includes the Columbus (Ohio) Metropolitan Housing Authority.

In 2022, it hired CGI Federal Inc., a Canadian information technology consultant, to manage the voucher program. That was done to cut costs.

But The Columbus Dispatch reported in 2023 on numerous problems, including tenants who were mistakenly dropped from the program.

Also, the San Francisco Housing Authority last year sued a firm hired to manage its Section 8 program.

That lawsuit claimed Nan McKay & Associates Inc. breached its contract by providing services poorly, according to a San Francisco Chronicle article.

El Cajon, California-based Nan McKay is one of two outside consultants Milwaukee's authority hired last year to provide advice on managing the troubled Section 8 program, according to Common Ground.

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: Vendor to run Milwaukee Housing Authority program after fraud concerns
(Reuters) -Elon Musk said on Friday his artificial intelligence firm xAI was not in talks with investors to secure funding, following a media report earlier in the day on the startup's effort to raise up to $6 billion.

"xAI is not raising capital and I have had no conversations with anyone in this regard," Musk said in a post on X.

The Financial Times reported xAI was in talks to raise funding at a valuation of $20 billion.

The startup is in talks with family offices in Hong Kong and is targeting sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East, according to the FT report, which cited multiple people familiar with the matter.

The AI race has been heating up with several investors signing big checks for start-ups looking to capitalize on what has captured Silicon Valley's attention over the past year.

Musk's office did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Last week, Musk denied a report that xAI had secured $500 million in commitments from investors toward a $1 billion funding goal.

The CEO of Tesla has been vocal about his plans to build safer AI. Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015, but stepped down from its board in 2018.

Last year, xAI launched "Grok", a chatbot rivaling OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Musk also warned about developing AI and robotics outside Tesla, earlier this month, unless he gets more voting control at the electric-vehicle maker. He said he would be uncomfortable building Tesla into an AI leader unless he had 25% voting control.

Thanks to the popularity of ChatGPT, the AI industry has been a rare bright spot in a subdued start-up funding environment.

Anthropic and Microsoft-backed Inflection AI have also raised funds in recent months.

(Reporting by Urvi Dugar, Niket Nishant, Yuvraj Malik and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Shounak Dasgupta)
Analysts said Russia is trying to reduce Ukraine's access to Elon Musk's Starlink satellites.

They said it's not succeeded despite developing a growing arsenal of electronic warfare systems.

Satellites have proven crucial in military operations and for communications among Ukrainian troops.

Russia is trying to cut off Ukraine's access to Elon Musk's Starlink satellites, according to space-warfare analysts.

Since the start of the war, Russia has been using jamming systems to try to deny Ukrainian forces access to commercial satellites.

It has attached jammers to its tanks to interfere with satellite signals and disrupt exploding drones, jammed Ukraine's GPS-guided bombs, and jammed Ukrainian drones, forcing Ukrainian operators to move closer to their targets on the front lines.

Access to satellites, notably access to Musk's satellite network , has played a critical role in Ukraine's defense against Russia.

Satellite internet kept Ukrainians online and their businesses running during the war. It's also made it easier for soldiers to communicate on the front lines and for weapons systems and drones to function.

At the same time, Russia's jamming has become increasingly better at disrupting Ukraine's most advanced weapons, hindering Ukraine's fighting capacity.

But Russia's efforts to cut off Ukraine's access to Starlink satellites have failed thus far, space warfare analysts said.

Jam-proof signals

Brian Weeden, the chief program officer for the nonprofit Secure World Foundation, told Business Insider: "Russia absolutely would like to find a way to negate Ukraine's use of Starlink. But that is much easier said than done because of the architecture of the constellation."

Starlink's signals are stronger and more concentrated because its satellites operate at a far lower altitude than geostationary satellites, Starlink's website says.

Because Starlink satellites are closer to Earth, latency  the delay between a user's action and a network response  is shorter. This speeds up streaming, online gaming, video conferencing, and other activities.

SpaceX Starlink 5 satellite seen passing in the night sky above Denmark. MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Getty Images

Weeden said that Starlink's signals are much more difficult to jam in the context of electronic warfare. That means Russian hackers haven't been able to hack Starlink so far, he added.

While there is "very little" open data about Russia's electronic attacks on Starlink, Weeden said its efforts don't appear to have yielded much success.

Kari Bingen, the director of the Aerospace Security Project and a senior fellow in the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said: "They keep trying, but they don't seem very successful."

She said Starlink satellites are both "resilient" and "agile," with Starlink operators constantly updating their software to overcome Russian attacks.

Satellites strikes

The Counterspace Timeline by the Aerospace Security Project data says Russia has tried to approach, target, or infiltrate foreign satellite networks several times since its invasion of Ukraine began.

On the first day of the invasion on February 24, 2022, Russian hackers launched a cyberweapon against Viasat, an American satellite-communications provider offering military-communications services to Ukraine.

The attack hit a large number of satellite-communication stations and affected hundreds of thousands of people in Ukraine and Europe.

A US assessment of the cyberattack found that Russia launched cyber strikes against commercial satellite-communications networks to disrupt Ukrainian command and control during the initial invasion.

In March 2022, Finnair reported several instances of GPS jamming when its planes neared Kaliningrad, Russia, Reuters reported.

At the time, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto met with President Joe Biden to discuss strengthening defense ties between Finland and NATO in response to the Ukraine invasion.

SpaceX, which owns Starlink, also came under attack in April 2022.

Its engineers fought off Russian jamming attacks by updating the system's software, an unnamed Pentagon official told BI at the time.

In a post on X a month after the attack, Musk said Starlink has "resisted Russian cyberwar jamming and hacking attempts so far."

But he also said Russian hackers were "ramping up their efforts."

No other Russian jamming or hacking attacks against Starlink have been reported or made public.

SpaceX declined to give BI updates on Russia's jamming or hacking attempts on its Starlink satellites.

Russia's growing arsenal

Russia's been developing an arsenal of electronic-warfare systems aimed at jamming communication satellites, Space Watch Global reported.

The outlet reported that these are R-330Zh Zhitel, a mobile truck-mounted jamming-communication station, and Bylina-MM, a system designed to suppress communications satellites.

They have truck-mounted antennas that transmit high-power signals to saturate all the receivers tuned into Starlink frequencies.

Another is the Krasukha-4 mobile EW system, which can counter airborne early warning and control systems and other airborne radars within a range of about 186 miles, Space Watch Global reported.

According to a leaked US classified-intelligence document obtained by the Washington Post last year, Russia has been testing its Tobol electronic-warfare systems for several months, hoping to obstruct Starlink's signals.

Russia also has a wide range of counter-space weapons, including direct-ascent anti-satellite missiles and powerful lasers that can destroy satellites in orbit.

Ukraine strikes back

Ukraine has been targeting them. Last July Ukraine's special forces appeared to destroy a Tirada and a "Leer-2" electronic system with drones in a video shared by the command of the forces.

In November, Ukraine's military reported destroying multiple Russian systems including a "Pole-21" electronic-warfare system and a Svet-KU.

As recently as January, the same special forces said they helped destroy a Russian Tirada-2  a portable radio-electronic suppression system designed to interfere with communication satellites  that was blocking satellite communications in eastern Ukraine.

A Ukrainian missile unit hitting Russia's electronic-warfare system Tirada-2 in Ukraine's Donetsk region in a video Ukraine's special forces posted on Telegram. Telegram

Bingen said it's not "surprising" that Ukrainian forces would want to take these jammers off the battlefield because they are degrading drones and precision munitions.

"This genre, this area of electronic warfare, is only going to increase," Bingen said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Raymond Santana, wrongfully convicted of the 1989 rape of a jogger, speaks at the unveiling of the Gate of the Exonerated along a Central Park perimeter wall in New York City on Monday, December 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, takes the oath of office on Jan. 9, 2023, administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Gonzalez. (Courtesy of the Washington State Legislature)
As the Washington State Capitol looms in the background, seagulls swim on Capitol Lake in Olympia last year. (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times, 2023)
The Biden administration is suddenly racking up some big antitrust wins. That could force executives to think twice about new acquisitions in 2024, acting as yet another damper on dealmaking.

Last week a federal court sided with the Justice Departments request to block JetBlues (JBLU) $3.8 billion acquisition of rival Spirit Airlines (SAVE). Last month a separate federal court agreed with the Federal Trade Commission's view that biotech giant Illuminas (ILMN) $7.1 billion reacquisition of Grail violated antitrust law.

JetBlue and Spirit Airlines are appealing a judge's ruling that blocked their planned merger. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Other proposed mergers hang in the balance as federal officials conduct antitrust reviews, from the tie up of air carriers Alaska (ALK) and Hawaiian (HA) to grocery chains Kroger (KR) and Albertsons (ACI) to amusement park giants Six Flags (SIX) and Cedar Fair (FUN).

The FTC also said Thursday it had launched an inquiry into investments by Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN) and Google (GOOG, GOOGL) in artificial intelligence startups OpenAI and Anthropic. FTC head Lina Khan said she wants to determine whether "partnerships pursued by dominant companies risk distorting innovation and undermining fair competition."

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, right, greets OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at an event last November. Microsoft is a major investor in OpenAI. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Justin Sullivan via Getty Images)

The rhetoric from Washington is "anti-merger," and "I've heard from corporate lawyers that, they think, on the margin, there are deals that may be getting deterred by that," said Debbie Feinstein, head of Arnold & Porters global antitrust practice and former competition director for the FTC.

"Because even if they think they can get them through, they think it will take longer, they may have to litigate, and they may want to not have to do that."

More companies are increasingly getting so-called "second requests" from federal officials that require additional information that can delay deal reviews, added Jonathan Gleklen, a partner with Arnold & Porters antitrust group.

Regulators "were issuing second requests like they were Halloween candy," Feinstein said. "There are deals that get second requests that I think would not have gotten second requests in prior administrations."

Story continues

The end result is that companies "are factoring this into the calculus of their next M&A moves," noted William Huynh, an antitrust attorney with Linklaters. "In some cases, this means walking away from potential deals."

A mixed track record

The Biden administration has made it clear from the start that it would be trying to limit what it referred to in a 2021 executive order as "excessive concentration of industry, the abuses of market power, and the harmful effects of monopoly."

That stance was reinforced again last year with new merger guidelines that made it clear the Justice Department and FTC will seek to limit the concentration of power in key industries.

Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) (Drew Angerer via Getty Images)

These warnings coincided with a two-year-long slowdown in dealmaking across the business world as executives turned more cautious about the economic outlook and geopolitical unrest.

Last year was the worst year in a decade for revenue from investment banking, a pullback that dragged down results across Wall Street.

But the administration's track record in actually stopping deals from happening once they were announced had not been great until recently.

The FTC, in fact, has been handed some high-profile defeats in some prominent cases, including suits to stop Microsoft's acquisition of game developer Activision Blizzard and Meta's acquisition of virtual reality app developer Within.

'This one's for you'

Washington is having more success with the airline industry, however.

First a federal judge agreed with the Justice Department that a partnership between JetBlue and American Airlines (AAL) to coordinate routes and schedules in the northeast section of the US would be anti-competitive, a ruling that forced the carriers to end that agreement last year.

Then this month another federal judge blocked the union of JetBlue and Spirit, the sixth-largest and seventh-largest airlines in the US, arguing that removing Spirit as an independent carrier would mean higher prices for consumers.

"To those dedicated customers of Spirit, this ones for you," wrote the judge, William Young.

What was notable about the scuttled deal is that it turned in part on a novel DOJ theory, according to Gleklen, the partner with Arnold & Porters antitrust group. Federal officials argued Spirit Airlines operated in a different market than traditional passenger airlines because it offered ultra low-cost fares.

"That's a more aggressive theory," he said, explaining that past airline merger challenges treated commercial air carriers as equals, regardless of the average fare prices.

TD Cowen airline analyst Helane Becker said she expected the judge overseeing the challenge would ultimately let the JetBlue-Sprit deal go through.

But "I think the DOJ wound up making a strong case and issued concerns for low fares in the South Florida market, especially for visiting friends and relatives because that's a big part of Spirit's business plan."

The ruling, though, does present challenges to both companies and raises questions about what's next  particularly for Spirit, whose clock is ticking with $1.1 billion in debt due in September 2025. The carriers have said they will appeal the ruling.

"When you do a little more digging, you find that Spirit may have a hard time surviving without this merger," Becker said.

Some of these same legal theories will get another test as the Justice Department soon is expected to weigh in on another proposed merger between Alaska (ALK) and Hawaiian.

Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines planes take off at the same time from San Francisco International Airport. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Some analysts dont think that tie-up will meet the same fate but investors are watching the developments closely.

"Wed be lying to ourselves if we thought the probability of a successful merger had not been lowered," Deutsche Bank airline analyst Michael Linenberg said in a note last week.

Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed.

Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices.

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Solutii pentru infertilitate: Tratamente eficiente

Continut oferit de: Partener extern. Orice cuplu viseaza la un viitor frumos, la o casa mare si la o familie numeroasa. Acum, cand medicina a evoluat enorm, nimeni si nimic nu te poate impiedica sa devii parinte. E adevarat ca infertilitatea vine la pachet cu o serie de emotii, cu tratamente si proceduri [citeste mai departe]
By Marisa Taylor

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Elon Musk's brain-implant company Neuralink was fined for violating U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules regarding the movement of hazardous materials, according to records from the federal agency reviewed by Reuters.

During inspections of the company's facilities in Texas and California in February 2023, DOT investigators found the company had failed to register itself as a transporter of hazardous material, the agency's records show.

They also found improper packaging of hazardous waste, including the flammable liquid Xylene. Xylene can cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, loss of muscle coordination and even death, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

DOT fined the company a total of $2,480, an amount lower than what was initially assessed because the company agreed to fix the problems, the records show.

A spokesperson with Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the DOT agency that investigated Neuralink, confirmed the violations and fine, and said the inquiry is now closed.

Neuralink did not respond to questions.

Reuters reviewed the records detailing the violations from the Physicians Committee of Responsible Medicine (PCRM), an advocacy group that opposes the use of animals in medical research. PCRM obtained the documents through an open records request.

The records do not say why Neuralink would need to transport hazardous materials or whether any harm resulted from the violations.

Neuralink received U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance last year for its first trial to test the company's implant in humans, a critical milestone for the startup. Reuters reported in June that the company was valued as high as $5 billion, based on private stock trades.

Neuralink announced in September that the trial will evaluate the safety of its implant for enabling people with paralysis to control external devices with their thoughts.

Story continues

During the study, a robot developed by the company will surgically place the implants' "ultra-fine" threads that help transmit signals in participants' brains, the company said.

The DOT inquiry was launched last year after Reuters reported that Neuralink employees made internal complaints about animal experiments being rushed, causing needless suffering and deaths.

"Neuralink's violations once again reveal the company's sloppy, unsafe practices," said Ryan Merkley, PCRM's director of research advocacy.

PCRM had written to DOT last year to say that Neuralink in 2019 may have transported brain implants used in its monkey experiments without proper containment measures. The implants may have been contaminated with antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus and herpes B virus, the group said.

DOT found no evidence that Neuralink had shipped anything containing an infectious substance, the new records reviewed by Reuters said.

(Reporting by Marisa Taylor; Editing by Michele Gershberg and Bill Berkrot)
Budapest, the Hungarian capital, has bagged another honourable mention. Time Out, an internationally renowned travel magazine, has ranked the best cities in the world. Budapest was ranked 26th, even ahead of Dubai.

What makes a city great?  Time Out asks. Some would say its all about buzzing neighbourhoods, affordable food and drink and a mighty selection of things to do, from art galleries and museums to live music and theatre, the answer goes. Others might highlight things like the happiness of its locals, access to green space and strong community vibes, the travel magazine adds.



The magazine took this and many other factors into account when it asked city dwellers from around the world to tell them what its like to live, work and have fun in their hometown.



The magazines global rankings are the result of the opinions of locals and the input of tourism experts.



Budapest has also made it into the list, and in a very high position: the Hungarian capital is ranked 26th in the world. The city has overtaken places such as Beijing, Dubai, Montreal and Syndey.



New York came first, Cape Town second and Berlin was voted the third best city in the world. The full list is available HERE. What sets Budapest apart?



As Time Out magazine writes in its review, Europes most beautiful capital city lies on both sides of the Danube, connected by elegant bridges and excellent public transport.



They remind the reader that the Hungarian capital recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of its unification.



Time Out also highlights the number of cycle paths, safe recreational facilities and architectural treasures. Budapests spas are hailed as a unique attraction, while Michelin-starred restaurants are putting the city on the world map of gastronomy.



The House of Hungarian Music is also considered an unmissable attraction.



Source: Dailynewshungary.com - republished with permission





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Budapest is set to receive 300 billion forints (EUR 775.8m) in European Union development funding over the coming years, the Mayors Office said.

The city will get 178 billion forints for transport developments, 50 billion for public space developments, 34 billion for equality developments and 38 billion forints for flood protection and water management, the office said in a statement.



Some of the developments to be funded from the monies are already under way, they added. The funds will be allocated towards the Home in Budapest Strategy aimed at turning the capital into a green, open city of opportunities, the office said.



They said key steps could be taken over the coming years to prepare for and mitigate the effects of climate change. The funds will also be used to ease the housing crisis and implement significant social developments.



They said the condition for receiving the funds had been that Hungary would have access to them, adding that they were a recognition of the preparatory work carried out by the city council.



The statement cited Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony as saying in Brussels that the reason why the funding had been approved was that the citys urban development goals coincided with those of the European Union.



We are building a sustainable, green city that exercises solidarity, Karacsony said, announcing the development package.



Meanwhile, EP Threatening Legal Action Against EC for Unfreezing Funds for Hungary

The European Parliament is threatening to sue the European Commission over its decision to unfreeze a portion of EU funds owed to Hungary, Andor Deli, an MEP of Hungarys ruling Fidesz told a joint hearing of the EPs budgets and budgetary control committees in Brussels.



Addressing the hearing on the implementation of the rule-of-law conditionality regulation in connection with Hungary, Deli said the Hungarian government was under attack for ideological reasons.



Summer is coming, he said, referring to this years European Parliament elections. By looking at the dissatisfaction of European citizens, it seems that this House may become a different place after the elections, he said.



European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders said the EC had decided last December that the judicial reforms adopted by Hungary met the conditions put in place by the Commission.



These reforms, he said, included changes to how the head and deputy head of the Kuria, Hungarys supreme court, are appointed, as well as changes to the regulation of the administration of courts. Reynders added, however, that the EC still had concerns regarding the child protection law and the asylum law, and the related parts of the programmes remain blocked.



Nicolas Schmit, the commissioner for jobs and social rights, said that after thorough assessment and exchanges with the Hungarian authorities, the Commission had considered the four milestones relating to the independence of the judiciary to be fulfilled.



As a result, certain parts of the CPR funds were indeed unblocked, he said. This means that until 2030, the Commission may reimburse up to 10.2 billion [euros] to Hungary from the cohesion policy funds, maritime and fishery funds and home affairs funds.



Johannes Hahn, the budget commissioner, said that if Hungary implemented the changes, an agreement could be reached.



He said the purpose of the conditionality regulation was not to punish member states  but to ensure the sound protection of the financial interests of the Union.





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Hungary is against an European Union proposal under which the promotion of prostitution could be legalised, the justice minister said in Brussels.

The Hungarian government also refuses to support another proposal aimed at holding inmates sentenced to prison for minor crimes in open prisons, the minister told Hungarian journalists on the sidelines of an informal meeting of his EU counterparts.



Concerning the former proposal, Tuzson said the promotion of prostitution was a criminal activity in Hungary, and the country could not support its decriminalization.



Moreover, it certainly would not support prostitution becoming a licensed activity, he said, adding that no treaty between EU member states existed that could force Hungary adhere to such an EU decision.



Some say organised crime could be better combatted if the organisation or promotion of prostitution were to be legalised  we most firmly reject that approach, the minister said.



Under the open prison proposal, minor offenders could be kept detained in dwellings, in their own rooms rather than in prisons, Tuzson said.



The measure would remove the actual punishment from the punishment  therefore Hungary cannot support the initiative, he said.



Hungary has a different penal policy; we want to put the victim in focus rather than the perpetrator, Tuzson said, noting the governments efforts to set up a network of help centres for victims of crime.



Hungary wants to make progress in the field of helping victims, he added.



The Hungarian government supports the EUs proposals concerning organised crimes, especially drug-related crimes, Tuzson said, urging an effective and coordinated effort. Hungary will support all efforts of this kind, he added.



Source: Dailynewshungary.com - republished with permission



MTI Photo



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Zsolt Borkai, the former Fidesz mayor of Gyor, who was disgraced after a sex scandal, said on ATV that he will be able to defeat current mayor and Fidesz politician Andras Csaba Dezsi at this year's municipal elections.

Borkai resigned and was pushed out of Fidesz shortly after he was re-elected in 2019 after a video surfaced on the internet showing him at a sex party with prostitutes on a yacht in the Adriatic Sea.



He told ATV that it re-elected he would be able to co-operate with Fidesz politicians at a local level, and would make use of his contacts established during his 13 years in Fidesz in order to ensure that Gyor should receive as much subsidy from the government as possible.



Borkai said Fidesz has still not asked him to withdraw his candidacy, but even if Viktor Orban called him up in two months with such a request, he would still say no.



After Borkai announced in October that he will seek re-election this year, Orban said, "I am not a voter in Gyor but if I were, I would look for another option".



MTI Photo: Csaba Krizsan



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Jens Buhler will take up the position of director of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Kecskemet (central Hungary) in January, the company announced.

In his new role, Buhler, who has worked in various management positions at the company for 21 years, will be responsible for the ongoing expansion of the plant and the integration of future models of the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) and Mercedes-Benz Electric Architecture Midsize (MBEAM) platforms into production.



Jens Buhler joined the company in 2003, after studying mechanical engineering as a specialist for production processes and materials technology at the Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen plant in Germany.



After various roles in process design, he took over the management of production planning for the MRA series (GLC and E-Class) at the Beijing Benz Automotive Company (BBAC) plant in Beijing in 2014, and played a major role in the construction of the BBAC MRA II plant expansion.



Later, he was responsible for the design of the Kecskemet plant expansion project, and from 2018, for the development of the strategic direction and management model of Mercedes-Benz Operations.



Since 2021, he has led the global factory planning area at Mercedes-Benz. In this position, he played a major role in the transformation of Mercedes-Benz Cars production planning functions and laid down the design guidelines for Mercedes-Benz AGs future factories.



With his extensive experience as a project manager  and the team he leads  he has managed the companys construction and production projects worldwide for the past three years.



Buhler will take over the management of Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary Kft. in January 2024, from Christian Wolff, who led the plant for eight years before retiring.



Buhler told Vilaggazdasag that it is a great honor to be appointed director of a factory that I was previously responsible for expanding.



In addition, he stressed: "Thanks to the ongoing expansion, the Kecskemet site will become one of the most important Mercedes-Benz plants in the world.



The coming years will bring exciting challenges with the introduction of future Made in Kecskemet models, and I am counting on the great team at Kecskemet to help me achieve this, he said.

Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary Kft. started operations in Kecskemet in 2012. In the reporting period 2022, the company produced more than 150,000 vehicles and employed 4,543 people.



In 2022, the company generated sales of nearly EUR 4 billion, compared to EUR 3.1 billion in the previous year, with more than 99 percent of its revenue coming from export sales. Its profit before tax increased from nearly EUR 75 million in 2021, to more than EUR 96 million in 2022.



On the same day as Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary Kft., Audi Hungaria also announced a change of head at the company.



Photo: Facebook/Mercedes-Benz Gyar Kecskemet



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YORK  In a crowded room at the Holthus Convention Center, the York County Zoning Board voted on Thursday to approve zoning regulations for solar panels in York County that could prevent a possible 2,800-acre solar facility in McCool Junction from being built.

The regulations approved by the zoning board on Thursday are considered a recommendation and it is ultimately up to the York County Board of Commissioners to decide whether or not to adopt them.

The regulations cover everything from solar panels on a residential buildings roof to utility-scale solar facilities like OPPDs. The decision comes as Omaha Public Power District has been pursuing the construction of a 2,800-acre solar facility in McCool Junction.

For solar facilities that are five megawatts or greater, such as OPPDs, the regulations require the solar panels to be set back from non-participating neighboring property lines by about 660 feet and to be set back from non-participating dwellings by about 2,640 feet.

OPPD Public Relations Specialist Dustin Marvel previously told the News-Times that with such restrictive zoning regulations, the proposed 310 megawatt solar facility in McCool Junction would be economically infeasible.

It was difficult at times during Thursdays meeting to hear the discussion happening between the zoning board members, some of which seemed to center on setbacks for feedlots.

At one point during the boards discussion about solar panels and livestock feeds, a board member said we know how much smell travels. We dont know much about this heat, seemingly referring to the idea that solar panels heat up nearby areas.

Ten years in, five years, were gonna know, the board member said.

However, a 2016 study from the Barron-Gafford Research Group at the University of Arizona found that air temperatures were indistinguishable at a distance of 30 meters from a solar array.

The board also made some revisions to the latest draft of the zoning regulations on Thursday night and although the discussion was hard to hear, the board appeared to revise some of the setback requirements for smaller solar panel arrays, making those requirements more uniform.

There were no recommended revisions, however, for solar facilities larger than five megawatts, such as the proposed McCool Junction project.

The recommended zoning regulations approved on Thursday allow the setback requirements to be waived if an agreement is made between neighbors and approved by the zoning administrator. However, Marvel expressed concern in a recent presentation for York Young Professionals that such agreements, if they include money, would not make financial sense.

In that same presentation, Marvel pointed to the setbacks recommended by the Nebraska-based rural advocacy group Center for Rural Affairs as good models. Their recommendations include 50 to 200 feet setbacks between solar panels and a non-participating property line and 100 to 300 feet between solar panels and a non-participating dwelling.

At the end of the meeting, York County Board of Commissioners Chairman Randy Obermier thanked the zoning board for their work.

Theyre getting no pay for what theyve done for the last couple years, Obermier said about their work on the solar regulations, and we trust that they have York County in their hearts whether you agree with the decisions or not.

Obermier also told the audience that after the York County Board of Commissioners finds a replacement for Commissioner Woody Ziegler, who died suddenly earlier this year, they expect that they will probably take a month to look at the proposed zoning regulations and that a public hearing will then be held about the regulations.

PHOTOS: Train derails near Waco A trail derailed about a mile west of Waco around 4:48 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, according to BNSF Railway. Train derailment About 23 train cars derailed about a mile west of Waco around 4:48 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, according to BNSF Railway. BNSF personnel respon Train derailment A trail derailed near Waco around 4:48 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, according to BNSF Railway. There were no injuries to the crew. Crews worked  Train derailment Both tracks were affected on Saturday and returned to service on Sunday, according to BNSF. Train derailment Crews responded to a trail derailment about one mile west of Waco on Saturday, Dec. 30. Train derailment A trail derailment occurred about one mile west of Waco on Saturday, Dec. 30. Train derailment Both tracks were affected on Saturday and returned to service on Sunday, according to BNSF. Government & Politics These were the top political stories of 2023 At the start of 2023, a lot of people expected politics to be a bit stale, but it ended up being anything but boring.Let's start with one majo
The head of Nebraska's Judicial Branch focused much of his annual address to state lawmakers on technology updates currently in progress in every courtroom in the state and others still needed.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Heavican said the wave of state-of-the-art upgrades, which normally would have had to be paid for by the counties, should be finished in the coming months.

But there's still a need to upgrade the state's 30-year-old case management system, "held together with baling wire and bubble gum," he said.

"It is vital to our success that our unified case management system be upgraded to meet our future needs as well as your data requests," Heavican said, alluding to a continued focus on technology in the coming years.

At the Judicial Resources Commission's annual meeting in December, Nebraska State Court Administrator Corey Steel told members about the more than $14 million courtroom upgrade project, which is being paid for by the state's judicial branch.

He said it started as a $7 million endeavor, with a plan to improve 100 of the state's more than 250 courtrooms.

"Once we got started, we realized we needed to have every single courtroom on the same playing field," he said.

Steel said there will be big screens, new monitors, microphone systems and recording equipment in all courtrooms. By mid-December, they had completed upgrades in about 65% of the state's courtrooms, with a goal to complete the project by summer.

Justice Stephanie Stacy, chair of the commission, said they "couldn't let it be the status quo any longer."

"The disparities in courtroom technology were slowing down our judges and our cases," she said.

Stacy said now the technology will be top notch in every single courtroom no matter where you are.

She said historically there has been a "digital divide" in courthouses, due in large part to how courthouses are funded. By statute, counties pay the tab for upgrades, not the state.

"Historically, the technology in our courthouses has been different in all of the 93 counties. Sometimes different from the district court to county court in the same courthouse," she said.

And they've struggled with Internet bandwidth issues, particularly in rural communities, Stacy said. But they've worked with Internet providers to address the issue and have made strides there.

In 2018, there were 31 counties without the sufficient bandwidth to hold a video conference. Today, 90 of the 93 counties have bandwidth over 10 megabytes.

Now, all have enough to do video-conferencing.

"It just gets better every single year," she said.

At the meeting, she showed members a map of the state that visually depicts the distance someone has to travel to get to the county courthouse. A wave of light blue on the east turns dark blue in the northwest, with Cherry County dark blue.

She said adequate courtroom technology and the ability to hold meaningful video appearances is critical for ensuring access to justice in some communities.

It can eliminate the need to travel for court appearances and it can allow attorneys who practice in nearby counties to appear remotely, which helps to address "legal deserts," Stacy said.

"Technology is a really important piece and we've been making a lot of improvements in that," she said.

But more are needed, according to Heavican, whose speech Thursday ended with a warning to lawmakers about a cyber attack in October that caused the Kansas court system to shut down its electronic system for months.

"Kansas serves as a warning for the rest of us," he said. "If the Kansas Supreme Court fell victim to a sophisticated foreign cyberattack, without needed upgrades we must consider ourselves equally vulnerable."
Government's Commitment to a Greener Transport Sector

In a significant move to make transport in India cleaner, Union Minister R.K. Singh has announced the government's readiness to boost funding for the National Green Hydrogen Mission. This initiative is focused on reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector. The minister chaired a crucial meeting with key players in government and the industry, discussing the country's energy shift and dedication to minimizing emissions.

Additional Funding for the Mission

The government is prepared to go above and beyond the already allocated 496 crore rupees for the transport sector under this mission. The aim is to explore the potential of green hydrogen as a sustainable fuel source. This involves conducting extensive trials to understand how green hydrogen can help in creating a carbon-neutral transport sector.

Developing a Roadmap for Carbon-Free Transport

Singh highlighted the need for a detailed roadmap. This roadmap will encompass pilot projects, advancements in technology, and strategies for cost reduction through local manufacturing and scaling. The emphasis is on making green hydrogen a viable and economical option for powering vehicles.

Comparing Green Hydrogen with Battery-Electric Vehicles

A significant aspect of this initiative is comparing green hydrogen vehicles with battery-electric vehicles. This comparison will focus on technology and cost-effectiveness, helping to determine the best path forward for India's transport sector.

The Goal of the National Green Hydrogen Mission

The National Green Hydrogen Mission isn't just about cleaning up transport. Its broader goal is to position India as a global leader in green hydrogen production, use, and export. This mission is expected to play a crucial role in reducing the nation's dependence on fossil fuels, thereby making the economy more sustainable and less carbon-intensive.

In summary, the National Green Hydrogen Mission is a bold step by the Indian government towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. By investing in green technologies like hydrogen fuel, India is on the path to becoming a global leader in green energy, setting an example for the rest of the world.
Laughter is often called the best medicine - studies have shown a good laugh can strengthen your immune system, elevate your mood, reduce the sense of pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Meanwhile, Yoga is now globally known for its holistic health benefits. It not only keeps you physically flexible and fit but also has several positive impacts on your health - it helps in the management of hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, lung issues, and mental health among other things. So when you combine the two - laughter and yoga - no wonder, the result is unique. Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, Founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa, shares insights about laughter yoga and how it benefits all, particularly couples.

What Is Laughter Yoga?

Laughter Yoga is a unique and playful approach to exercise that combines laughter exercises with yogic deep-breathing techniques. "While traditionally practised in groups, the principles of Laughter Yoga can also be applied to enhance the joy and connection within couples. This unconventional form of exercise is not only about physical well-being but also about fostering emotional and social bonds," says Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar.

How Laughter Yoga Can Benefit Couples

Himalayan Siddha Akshar lists the following ways in which this unique yoga form can help couples:

1. Laughter As A Bonding Tool

When couples share laughter, it creates a shared experience that strengthens their connection. "Laughter Yoga builds on this idea by promoting laughter without relying on jokes or humour. This intentional laughter serves as a tool for bonding, allowing couples to enjoy each other's company in a lighthearted and stress-free manner," shares Himalayan Siddha Akshar.

2. Stress Reduction And Relaxation

Life's demands can often lead to stress, which, if left unchecked, may strain relationships, says the yoga leader. He adds, "Laughter Yoga incorporates deep-breathing exercises that promote relaxation. As couples engage in these exercises together, they not only share moments of joy but also experience a collective release of tension. This shared relaxation can contribute to a more harmonious and resilient relationship."

3. Building Positive Communication

Communication is a cornerstone of any healthy relationship. Himalayan Siddha Akshar says, "Laughter Yoga encourages spontaneous and genuine laughter, fostering an environment where couples can communicate openly and positively. The non-verbal nature of laughter allows for a pure form of expression, breaking down barriers and promoting a deeper understanding between partners."

4. Playfulness And Creativity

In the hustle of daily life, couples may find themselves caught up in routine and responsibilities. Laughter Yoga introduces an element of playfulness into the relationship. The exercises often involve imaginative and childlike elements, encouraging couples to embrace their creative sides. This playfulness can reignite the spark in a relationship, adding an element of novelty and fun.

5. Emotional Intimacy

Laughter is not only a physical activity; it also engages emotions. "Through Laughter Yoga, couples can tap into their emotional connection, fostering a sense of intimacy. Sharing laughter creates positive emotional experiences, which can become cherished memories that strengthen the emotional bond between partners," shares Himalayan Siddha Akshar.

6. Mindful Presence In The Moment

Laughter Yoga emphasises being present in the moment, savouring the joy of laughter without dwelling on past concerns or worrying about the future. "This mindfulness can translate into an improved quality of time spent together. Couples engaged in Laughter Yoga exercises are encouraged to focus on the present, fostering a sense of gratitude for the shared moments of laughter," says Himalayan Siddha Akshar.

7. Having A Common Goal

Embarking on a fitness journey together can be a powerful way for couples to support each other. Laughter Yoga provides a unique avenue for shared wellness goals. As couples commit to incorporating laughter exercises into their routine, they not only invest in their individual well-being but also the health of their relationship.

8. Overcoming Challenges Together

Life inevitably presents challenges, and couples must navigate them as a team. Himalayan Siddha Akshar says, "Laughter Yoga teaches resilience by encouraging individuals to find humour even in challenging situations. When couples practice laughter during difficult times, it can serve as a coping mechanism, helping them approach challenges with a more positive and united front."

How To Incorporating Laughter Yoga Into Daily Life

Integrating Laughter Yoga into a couple's routine doesn't have to be a complex or time-consuming endeavour. "Simple laughter exercises can be practised for just a few minutes each day. Whether it's starting the morning with laughter, incorporating it into evening relaxation rituals, or sharing a laugh before bedtime, finding moments for intentional laughter can become a shared habit," says yoga guru Himalayan Siddha Akhar.
Provides Narxoz students with access to Queen's University Belfast, a leading UK institution

Allows students to attend and receive degrees from both universities

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Narxoz University, a preeminent private university in Almaty in the Republic of Kazakhstan, has entered into a historic Institutional Partnership and Double Degree Agreement with Queen's University Belfast, a prestigious Russell Group UK university.

Narxoz University

The agreement provides Narxoz students with the opportunity to study joint programs from Queen's Business School and Narxoz School of Economics and Management in English. As part of the Double Degree program, Narxoz students can receive a degree (BSc Business Management, BSc Business Economics or BSc Finance) from Queen's, a degree (Bachelor of Business Administration) from Narxoz University and the opportunity to undertake internships and employment with British companies.

Signed with the participation of Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Lord Malcolm Offord, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Exports of the United Kingdom, the agreement will further educational and scientific cooperation between the two countries.

Narxoz University has an extensive history of cooperating with British universities through joint degrees, summer schools and research. Several grant research projects were conducted in cooperation with the University of Birmingham.

Miras Daulenov, President of Narxoz University commented: "This agreement opens a new chapter for Narxoz and higher education in Kazakhstan. Narxoz has become the first university in Kazakhstan and Central Asia to form an institutional partnership with Queen's University Belfast. The 24 Russell Group universities provide students with the best educational and research programs, and their graduates with leading international career opportunities in the private and public sectors."

Story continues

Professor M.N. Ravishankar, Dean, Queen's Business School, Queen's University Belfast commented: "Queen's Business School looks forward to partnering with Narxoz University and building valuable relationships in Kazakhstan. We are a welcoming community at Queen's, and Narxoz students will get an enriching educational and cultural experience in Northern Ireland. This Narxoz-Queen's partnership will help both institutions nurture principled and effective leaders ready to take on the big global challenges of our times."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327868/Narxoz_University.jpg

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SOURCE Narxoz University
NEW DELHI: India braces itself for the momentous platinum jubilee celebrations of its 75th Republic Day on Friday, (January 26), promising an enthralling display of military prowess and cultural heritage at the grand 'Kartavya Path' in the capital.

President Leads Grand Festivities

President Droupadi Murmu will lead the nation in commemorating the 'Amrit Kaal' journey, marking 75 years post the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations, honouring the country's independence.

Dominating Themes

Rich cultural diversity, 'Aatmanirbhar' military prowess, and the burgeoning 'Nari Shakti' will take centre stage in the 90-minute parade, graced by French President Emmanuel Macron as the Chief Guest.

Historic All-Women Contingents

A groundbreaking moment will unfold with the debut of an all-women Tri-Service contingent marching down the Kartavya Path, symbolizing Nari Shakti. Women pilots will soar during the Indian Air Force's fly-past, showcasing their power.

Empowering Women

Even the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will join the movement, with contingents exclusively comprising women personnel, setting a remarkable precedent.

Cultural Extravaganza

Over 100 women artists will kick off the ceremony with soul-stirring melodies, setting the stage for a vibrant parade reflecting the unity in diversity of the nation.

Inclusive Participation

Around 13,000 special guests are partaking in the festivities, fostering Jan Bhagidari and inclusivity, aligning with the themes of 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka'.

Grand Ceremonial

The parade, led by Parade Commander Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, will showcase the nation's defence forces with captivating displays and marches, epitomizing unity and strength.

Honouring Fallen Heroes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay the homage at the National War Memorial, leading the nation in honouring the sacrifices of the fallen heroes, before witnessing the parade at Kartavya Path.

Historic Renditions

President Murmu and President Macron will grace the occasion, escorted by the prestigious President's Bodyguard, marking the Regiment's 250th year of service.

Cultural Symphony

A mesmerizing blend of 30 folk dance styles and contemporary performances in 'Vande Bharatam' will celebrate women's accomplishments, echoing the message of unity.

Anant Sutra - The Endless Thread'

'Ministry of Culture' will showcase presents 'Anant Sutra - The Endless Thread', a tribute to India's timeless saree, alongside diverse tableaux reflecting progress and unity.

Empowering Grassroots

Government beneficiaries and achievers from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will be honoured, symbolizing grassroots empowerment and inclusivity in the nation's fabric.

Unprecedented Security

Over 8,000 security personnel, coupled with advanced surveillance measures, have been deployed to ensure a safe and joyous celebration of Republic Day, echoing the spirit of unity and progress.
New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron lauded India's invitation to participate in the 75th Republic Day Parade, expressing profound gratitude for the distinguished recognition bestowed upon France. Macron, acknowledging the honour, termed it as a significant gesture strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. "A great honour for France. Thank you, India," posted Marcron on X as Kartavya Path witnessed a march past by a combined band and marching contingent of the French Armed Forces.

Shared Pride: Macron's Appreciation

In a heartfelt acknowledgement, Macron conveyed his appreciation on social media, characterizing the event as a symbol of deep-seated camaraderie between France and India. His sentiments echoed across diplomatic corridors, affirming the profound significance of the occasion.

Historic Moment: French Troops In India

The presence of French troops and aircraft in the prestigious parade marked a historic moment, underscoring the growing partnership and mutual respect between the two countries. The combined band and marching contingent of the French Armed Forces, gracing the Kartavya Path, exemplified the synergy of unity and cooperation.

Cultural Exchange: Symbol Of Friendship

The participation of the French Foreign Legion, renowned for its diverse composition, including individuals from India, epitomized the cultural exchange fostering camaraderie and mutual understanding. The Legionnaires' distinctive 'White Cap' symbolized their valour and dedication, resonating with the spirit of the occasion.

Reciprocal Gesture: Strengthening Bonds

This reciprocal gesture followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France, marking a pivotal moment in the strategic partnership between the two nations. Macron's visit underscored the enduring bond and the shared commitment to fostering bilateral cooperation across various domains.

Bilateral Talks: Macron's Visit

Macron's bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi in Jaipur underscored the multifaceted nature of Indo-French relations, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to enhancing cooperation in diverse fields.

Spectacular Celebrations: Republic Day Parade

The 75th Republic Day celebrations commenced with President Droupadi Murmu unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path, accompanied by President Macron in a traditional buggy, symbolizing the revival of a cherished tradition.

Symbol Of Tradition: Presidential Escort

The grandeur of the occasion was further accentuated by the ceremonial escort provided to the dignitaries by the President's Bodyguard, evoking a sense of reverence and tradition.

Inclusive Parade: Women's Contingent

The inclusion of an all-women tri-service contingent in the parade epitomized India's commitment to gender equality and empowerment, showcasing the nation's progressive ethos on a global platform.

Cultural Showcase: Heritage Diversity

The parade showcased the rich cultural tapestry of India, with vibrant performances and captivating tableaux representing the diverse heritage of the nation's states and union territories. The Republic Day parade marked a historic milestone for the President's Bodyguard, commemorating 250 years of dedicated service since its inception in 1773, reaffirming its pivotal role in safeguarding national honour and tradition.

Thrilling Finale: Display Of Courage

The parade culminated in a breathtaking display of courage, with awe-inspiring performances by Indian motorcyclists and a captivating airshow, leaving spectators spellbound and instilling a sense of national pride. In essence, India's 75th Republic Day Parade served as a testament to the nation's rich heritage, vibrant diversity, and unwavering commitment to upholding democratic values, resonating with audiences both at home and abroad.
NEW DELHI: Amid a chilly political atmosphere in Patna, the heat of Bihar's political turmoil has reached the corridors of Delhi. Meanwhile, an old poster of Nitish Kumar has resurfaced, boldly proclaiming, "Nitish belongs to everyone." Speculations are now rife that Bihar's political landscape could witness a significant upheaval before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Media reports suggest that Bihar's CM Nitish Kumar might once again switch sides, creating ripples across the state's political spectrum. Clearly, all is not well within the 'Mahagathbandhan' as tensions simmer between the RJD and JD(U).

In Delhi, the BJP has commenced intensive deliberations, signalling a proactive stance. An important nocturnal meeting at the residence of Amit Shah indicates the gravity of the situation. The consensus is that Nitish's return to the NDA fold faces a major obstacle, the solution to which the BJP must seek.

BJP's Dilemma And Bihar's Political Landscape

The BJP faces a dilemma as it grapples with the intricacies of Bihar's intricate caste equations, which have shaped the state's political mood for decades. Understanding that Lalu's party, the RJD, holds a steadfast vote bank, the BJP remains wary, even as it extends the olive branch to Nitish Kumar repeatedly. Despite enduring Nitish's political volatilities, RJD seems ever-ready to embrace him once more. The unfolding events in Bihar were triggered by an interview.

The Genesis Of The Unrest

It all began with a hint from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, suggesting a willingness to reconsider old alliances. Meanwhile, rumours of the JD(U) contemplating a split from the NDA gained traction. Lalan Singh's resignation further fueled speculations, yet Nitish Kumar swiftly assumed control to keep his party intact. Just three days before the next move by the BJP, Bihar's eminent socialist Karpoori Thakur was announced to receive the Bharat Ratna. Subsequently, Nitish Kumar's disposition underwent a dramatic transformation, as he pivoted to laud PM Modi while encircling the Lalu family.

Nitish's Political Pendulum

Political pundits suggest that JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar has oscillated like a pendulum between BJP and RJD over the past 11 years, earning him the moniker of Bihar's "Paltu Ram'' However, the sequence of events is evolving rapidly.

-Nitish and Lalu convened separate meetings with their party leaders in Patna.

-Bihar BJP leaders were summoned to Delhi, where State BJP President Samrat Choudhary met Home Minister Amit Shah late at night. Post-meeting, Choudhary clarified that discussions revolved around election preparations, with no mention of Nitish Kumar.

-Reports indicate that Shah conversed with Chirag Paswan over the phone. Chirag might meet the Home Minister in Delhi today after conducting a late-night meeting with his party members.

Chirag Paswan's Role

Indeed, Chirag Paswan's role within Bihar's NDA has become pivotal. His relentless attacks on Nitish during the previous elections shook the political landscape. In 2020, during the state assembly elections, Chirag asserted that Nitish would be held accountable for corruption and might face imprisonment. Recently, he reiterated his stance, asserting that Nitish is weary and deserves respite. Chirag's presence within the NDA, along with his solid vote bank, makes him indispensable for BJP's electoral ambitions.

BJP's Anxieties

In a July interview with a leading daily, Chirag Paswan hinted at BJP's dilemma, stating that BJP must decide whether it wants to sacrifice 3-4 allies to bring Nitish back. Thus, if Nitish's return is to be sealed, the BJP's first challenge lies in placating Chirag.
NEW DELHI: While swirling rumours regarding Bihar's Chief Minister and JDU President Nitish Kumar potentially severing ties with the RJD are afloat, insiders have revealed that the Lalu Yadav faction is meticulously strategizing to secure the necessary 122 seats to continue to rule the state even if the JDU exits the Mahagathbandhan.

Quest for Majority: RJD's Strategic Moves

Should Nitish Kumar indeed withdraw from the coalition, the RJD must secure an additional eight MLAs to sustain its governance sans the JDU. To bridge this gap, the RJD is eyeing potential defections from Jitan Ram Manjhi's faction, the AIMIM, and other independent legislators.

Narrowing The Margin

Reports suggest that four floating MLAs from Manjhi's group, along with a legislator from AIMIM and an independent MLA, may align with the RJD, bringing the tally to 121, just 2 short of the required majority. Presently, the ruling alliance commands 160 MLAs, with the RJD leading with 79 seats. Notably, JDU holds 45, Congress 19, CPI-ML 12, CPI 2, CPI-M 2, and one independent. In contrast, the opposition, comprising the BJP with 78 seats, Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) with 4 MLAs, and AIMIM with 1 MLA, stands poised to exploit any potential rifts.

Manjhi's Prediction

Former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has forewarned of a rupture in the alliance, asserting that Nitish Kumar will sever ties with the RJD post-January 25. "Maine kaha tha khela hoga aur khela ho gaya (I had said that game will happen, it has happened)," he had said while speaking to reporters. Again on Friday, Manjhi said that the ruling Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) government will not last for long.

The HAM president said that by seeing the statements of his former ally and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he had sensed earlier that there would be a change in the state. "Recently I had said that there would be a change in Bihar after January 20 and the basis of this was Nitish Kumar's statement. He has said many things against RJD...On this basis, we said that the alliance would not work. Their alliance will not last for long. Nitish Kumar's dream of becoming PM has been shattered... Therefore, after breaking the alliance, he may contest the Lok Sabha elections independently or join the other alliance," Manjhi said.

Manjhi's assertions, coupled with Nitish Kumar's recent statements, hint at a seismic shift in Bihar's political landscape, potentially paving the way for realignments and independent electoral bids.

A Fractured Alliance: Signs of Discontent

Echoing Manjhi's sentiments, speculations over Nitish Kumar's allegiances gained traction following his ascent to party presidency, intensifying after recent events, including the Centre's announcement of Bharat Ratna for Karpoori Thakur. Nitish's expressions of gratitude towards the Centre, juxtaposed with criticisms of dynastic politics, have fueled tensions within the coalition, as evidenced by Rohini Acharya's pointed tweets on X, swiftly deleted thereafter.

As Bihar braces for potential upheavals, the delicate equilibrium within the ruling coalition hangs in the balance, with each maneuver and statement holding the potential to reshape the state's political trajectory.
VARANASI: The security surrounding the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi has been significantly bolstered following the public disclosure of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey report, which unveiled the presence of a significant Hindu temple predating the current structure.

Friday Prayers Under Scrutiny

The revelation of evidence indicating former Hindu temples within the Gyanvapi mosque complex has cast a shadow over Friday's prayers. Recognizing the sensitivity of the situation, authorities have taken swift action to fortify security measures, aiming to forestall any potential disturbances.

Media Distanced From Gyanvapi

A deliberate decision was made to maintain a considerable distance between the media and the Gyanvapi mosque, fostering an environment conducive to the orderly conduct of Friday prayers. Authorities have prioritised the preservation of tranquillity to thwart the spread of misinformation and prevent unwarranted alarm. Conscious efforts are being undertaken to defuse any brewing tensions in the vicinity, with authorities proactively managing the situation to prevent escalation.

What Are The Findings Of The ASI Survey?

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report on the Gyanvapi mosque complex revealed that a pre-existing structure appeared to have been destroyed in the 17th century, and "part of it was modified and reused," adding that based on scientific studies, it can be said that there "existed a large Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure."

"The Arabic-Persian inscription found inside a room mentions that the mosque was built in the 20th regnal year of Aurangzeb (1676-77 CE). Hence, the pre-existing structure appears to have been destroyed in the 17th century, during the reign of Aurangzeb, and part of it was modified and reused in the existing structure. Based on scientific studies/surveys carried out, study of architectural remains, exposed features and artefacts, inscriptions, art and sculptures, it can be said that there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure," the ASI said in its report.

"Based on the scientific studies and observations on the central chamber and main entrance of the pre-existing structure in the existing structure, western chamber and western wall, reuse of pillars and pilasters of pre-existing structure in the existing structure, inscriptions on the existing structure, Arabic and Persian inscription on the loose stone, sculptural remains in cellars, etc.,it can be said that there existed a large Hindu temple, prior to the construction of the existing structure," the report further said.

Legal Mandate For ASI Survey

The ASI's investigation was instigated by a directive from the district court in response to claims by Hindu petitioners asserting that the Gyanvapi mosque was erected atop a pre-existing temple dating back to the 17th century.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held talks in Jaipur on Thursday and agreed to enhance India-France cooperation in defence, space and civil-nuclear sectors. They also signed a defence industrial roadmap and a defence space partnership agreement. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, who briefed the media on Friday, said the defence industrial roadmap will identify opportunities for co-designing, co-development and co-production of military hardware and building defence supply chains. He said the aim is to meet the defence needs of India and France and also to contribute to the security partnership with other countries.

Kwatra said the defence space partnership agreement will enable joint work on a space situational awareness programme, which is important for developing military satellites and sharing information on space traffic and debris.

He also said that Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and Airbus Helicopters have entered into an industrial partnership for joint production of H125 helicopters in India with a significant indigenous and localisation component. He said Airbus SE will set up an assembly line in India for the helicopters.

The foreign secretary said Modi and Macron also discussed various aspects of civil-nuclear energy cooperation and that there was a very positive and forward leaning conversation on small modular reactors (SMRs). He said the civil-nuclear cooperation has several elements such as localisation, financial viability and cost effectiveness and that the discussions are ongoing.

He also said that Modi and Macron exchanged views on the situation in the Red Sea and the potential disruptions that it can cause, as well as the conflict in Gaza. He said there was no announcement on Indias proposed procurement of 26 naval variants of Rafale jets and three Scorpene submarines from France as the price negotiations are still underway.

The foreign secretary said Modi and Macron also firmed up agreements for boosting engagement in areas of healthcare, education, training, research and sustainable development. He said the year 2026 will be celebrated as India-France year of innovation.

He also said Modi and Macron touched upon the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in the Indian Ocean Region and the Indo-Pacific.

Macron, who was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path on Friday, was accompanied by a delegation of senior ministers, officials and top executives of leading French defence majors including Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. He began his two-day visit to India from Jaipur.

The foreign secretary described the area of small modular reactors (SMRs) as a relatively new domain space in terms of discussion between the two countries.

"Technology needs to come together, viability needs to come together and its positioning in the overall energy mix needs to come together. There was a very positive, forward leaning ongoing conversation between the two countries (on it)," he said.

An MoU was inked by New Space India Limited (NSIL) and French space agency Arianespace for cooperation in satellite launches.

Kwatra said the French side has always been forthcoming in supporting India's candidacy for the membership of the International Energy Agency.

He also said that following up on a decision taken during Modi's visit to Paris in July last year, the Indian consulate in the southern French city Marseille and the French bureau in Hyderabad are now fully ready to be operational.

The defence and strategic ties between India and France have been on an upswing in the last few years.

The two strategic partners also expressed commitment to cooperate in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries.

The two sides are also expanding cooperation in the maritime domain including in the Indian Ocean Region.

(With Agency Inputs)
New Delhi: Power politics in Bihar heated up on Friday as Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar hinted at a possible switch to the BJP-led NDA with former state deputy chief minister and BJP Rajya Sabha member Sushil Modi saying that doors are never closed permanently in politics. The rift between JD(U) and RJD became evident when Kumar attended the high tea ceremony at the Raj Bhavan in Patna on the occasion of the Republic Day but his deputy Tejashwi Yadav gave it a miss. Kumar was seen mingling with other guests, including BJPs Vijay Kumar Sinha, who is also the leader of the opposition in the state assembly.

Kumar tersely told reporters that it was up to Yadav and other leaders of the RJD, including Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, to explain why they skipped the function. The only prominent attendee from the party was state education minister Alok Mehta. Mehta or any other leader of the RJD did not comment on the absence of Yadav, who, according to sources, was meeting close leaders of the party at his residence to plan a strategy to prevent the loss of power in case Kumar decides to end the alliance.

There is a lot of confusion which is not in the interest of the people of the state. Only the Chief Minister can clear the confusion. We hope he will do so, RJD national spokesman and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar told reporters.

When asked about Jhas remarks, JD (U) chief spokesperson in the state, Neeraj Kumar hit back: "Our leader is in the Chief Ministers residence as the leader of the Mahagathbandhan. There should be no scope for confusion. But if some people still choose to remain in confusion, we cannot help it.

BJP Keeps Mum On Nitish Likely Return To NDA

In Delhi, Modi said they (doors) open and close as per the necessity, when asked by reporters about the BJPs earlier stand that its doors were closed for Kumar forever after he broke ties with the party in August 2022.

As far as Kumar or the JD(U) are concerned, doors are never permanently closed in politics. Closed doors open when the time comes but whether they will open or not is for our central leadership to decide, he asserted.

However, BJP sources declined to comment on whether a decision has been taken to join hands with the JD(U). Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda have been holding meetings over the developments in Bihar.

BJP leaders have also been in touch with allies such as former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chirag Paswan and Upendra Kushwaha.

Paswan and Kushwaha have a history of political antagonism towards Kumar. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader, however, suggested that he would go by the decision taken by the BJP leadership.

Manjhis son, Santosh Kumar Suman, an MLC, said the JD(U)-RJD-Congress government in the state may fall in a day or two. He, however, added that his party has not received any categorical information from the BJP about Kumars likely return to the NDA. It appears to me that this government will fall in a day or two, he said.

JD(U) Denies Rumours Of Nitish Exit From Mahagathbandhan

Meanwhile, State JD(U) president Umesh Singh Kushwaha in Patna said, all is well in Bihars ruling Mahagathbandhan and the media speculations are driven by some agenda.

He also told reporters that he met the chief minister yesterday as well as today. It is a routine affair. There is no truth in the rumours doing the rounds. We also reject the rumours that party MLAs have been asked to rush to Patna.

Kumar had joined hands with RJD, founded by his former arch-rival Lalu Prasad, in August 2022 after he severed ties with the BJP which he accused of having tried to engineer a split in the JD(U).

The longest-serving CM of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, had launched a drive to unite all parties, across the country, to take on the BJP that resulted in the formation of the opposition bloc INDIA. If Kumar decides to return to the NDA fold, the opposition united front will also suffer a major blow.

Kumar had also virtually named Tejashwi Yadav as his successor, announcing that the RJD leader would lead the Mahagathbandhan in the next assembly polls, scheduled in 2025.

This had sparked resentment in the JD(U), causing a close aide like Upendra Kushwaha to leave the party, form a new outfit and walk back to the NDA fold.

JD(U)-RJD Mistrust

However, signs of mistrust between JD (U) and RJD became obvious last month when Kumar formally took over as the party president, replacing Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lalan amid reports of Lalans closeness with the RJD camp.

However, Lalan had claimed that he gave up the top party post on his own because he wanted to focus on Munger, his Lok Sabha seat, in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

BJP Divided Over Aligning With Kumar

A section of BJP leaders from Bihar are, however, not keen on aligning with Kumar, claiming that his popularity is down and his diminishing credibility will hurt their party and leave the field open to the RJD-led opposition to cash in on the anti-incumbency against him.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh, a staunch critic of Kumar, told reporters that he will go by whatever decision the BJP leadership takes. I am not welcoming nor am I against anyone. It is the decision of the central leadership. Whatever decision they take, I am sure it will be in the interest of the state and the party, he said to a question.

Asked if he was happy about the possibility of a fresh BJP-JD(U) alliance, Singh said, I am neither happy nor unhappy. I am a worker of the party, I will abide by whatever decision is taken.

However, with the Lok Sabha elections round the corner, the prevailing view within the party appears to be that an alliance with Kumar will ensure a near-repeat of the 2019 poll results when the NDA had won 39 of the total 40 seats in the state. An OBC consolidation, in the event of JD(U) and RJD remaining together, would make Bihar a tough challenge for the saffron party.

Nitish Kumar Unhappy With INDIA Bloc

Moreover, Kumar has also been voicing his anguish over the way things were unfolding in the INDIA coalition, in which he was not offered the post of convenor until last month when he turned it down.

Kumar has maintained that he has no personal ambitions while remaining critical of the delay in arriving at a seat-sharing deal. BJPs state president Samrat Choudhary meets Amit Shah, hints at meetings among state leaders

BJPs state president Samrat Choudhary, who met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi Thursday evening, said the discussions were around the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and indicated that there will be meetings among the state leaders in the coming days.
In today's DNA, Ram Mohan Sharma analysed the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi row. The ASI survey report in the knowledge-intensive area has been made public. You must be aware that it is being concluded that initially, before the construction of the Gyanvapi Masjid, there was an ancient Hindu temple at that site. However, this is not true. Because the ASI survey report, documented in 839 pages, clearly states that the Gyanvapi Masjid was not built by demolishing a Hindu temple. Instead, the structure of the temple was changed, and it was converted into a mosque. Even today, what is called a mosque is, in reality, a Hindu temple, not a mosque. In simple terms, the temple was not destroyed but transformed into a mosque by altering its structure and concealing it. We will prove this based on the ASI survey report.

Zee News currently possess the ASI survey report, and today it will show you every piece of evidence presented in this report, proving that the Babri Masjid was originally a Hindu temple.

A noteworthy point is that all the fragmented sculptures of Hindu deities were found in the Western Chamber of the mosque. They were discovered buried under the ground in trench S-2. This suggests that during the conversion of the Hindu temple into a mosque, the sculptures of Hindu deities were likely uprooted or damaged and then hidden in the Western Chamber. There are two major reasons behind this. Firstly, idol worship is prohibited in Islam. Secondly, there was an attempt to erase evidence of the mosque being originally a Hindu temple, and this attempt was successful for nearly three centuries. However, the ASI survey has now revealed the truth.

During the survey, a broken inscription was found. The image of this inscription was also recorded by the ASI in 1965-66. You are currently seeing both images on your TV screen. The inscription in Persian on the broken slab is also explained in the ASI report. It mentions that Hazrat Alamgir, meaning the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, constructed the mosque in the 1676-77 period. The inscription also states that the mosque underwent repairs in the year 1792-93.

Now, it is essential to note that there is a difference between the recent and the 1965 images. Both images have six lines written in Persian on the slab. In the old image, all lines are clear, while in the recent image, an attempt has been made to erase two lines. The ASI report also mentions that the last two lines on this inscription were intentionally erased, and this erasure occurred after 1965.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, renowned for his discerning fashion selections, adorned a multi-coloured turban featuring a prominent yellow hue, symbolizing Lord Ram's color, during India's 75th Republic Day festivities.

Significance of Yellow: A Tribute To Lord Ram

The choice of yellow holds profound significance, resonating with PM Modi's recent participation in the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya, underscoring his reverence for Lord Ram.

Symbol Of Unity In Diversity: PM Modi's Sartorial Statement

Accompanied by a resplendent Rajasthani Bandhini print turban, PM Modi complemented his attire with a white kurta, pyjama, and a brown Nehru jacket, epitomizing his patriotic fervor and embracing India's diverse cultural tapestry.

PM Modi's Turban Legacy

This isn't the first time PM Modi has made a striking turban choice. His tradition of donning distinctive turbans on national occasions commenced in 2014, reflecting his commitment to upholding tradition and celebrating India's rich heritage.

Homage To National Occasions: Turban Chronicles

From a Tricolour-themed turban in 2022, symbolizing the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' initiative, to a saffron turban with intricate red patterns for his 8th Independence Day address, PM Modi's turban choices encapsulate reverence for national ethos.

Republic Day Celebrations: Macron As Chief Guest

The Republic Day festivities commenced with President Droupadi Murmu unfurling the national flag, followed by a rendition of the national anthem and a 21-gun salute. French President Emmanuel Macron graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, symbolizing Indo-French camaraderie.

PM Modi's Greetings And Parade Highlights

Ahead of the celebrations, PM Modi extended warm wishes to the nation via social media, underscoring the significance of the 75th Republic Day. The parade, featuring 25 tableaux showcasing India's cultural diversity and military prowess, reaffirms the nation's commitment to progress and unity.

Republic Day, commemorated annually on January 26, marks the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950, signifying the nation's democratic foundation and commitment to sovereignty.
India is all geared up to celebrate its 75th Republic Day in full glory. While the country witnesses celebrations across states, the Republic Day parade in the national capital remains a highlight of this special day. This year's parade will see an enthralling showcase of India's military prowess and rich cultural heritage at the majestic 'Kartavya Path' in the national capital. The parade will witness the participation of around 13,000 special Guests - an initiative which will provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life to take part in the celebrations and encourage Jan Bhagidari in this national festival. Here are some key features of the parade.

- 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat - Loktantra Ki Matruka' - these are two themes of the 75th Republic Day parade.

- India's rich cultural diversity, the 'Aatmanirbhar' military prowess and the growing Nari Shakti are the dominating themes of the 90-minute parade that will be graced by French President Emmanuel Macron as Chief Guest.

- The ceremony will start with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the National War Memorial, where he will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath. After that, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade.

- President Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron's arrival will be escorted by the Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak - the Presidents Bodyguard. The Presidents bodyguard is the senior-most Regiment of the Indian Army.

- According to the Defence Ministry, the two Presidents will arrive in the 'traditional buggy', a practice which is making a comeback after a gap of 40 years.

- The National Flag will be unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute given with indigenous gun system 105-mm Indian Field Guns. Four Mi-17 IV helicopters of the 105 Helicopter Unit will shower flower petals on the audience present at Kartavya Path.

- A band performance - 'Aavaahan' - will see the participation of over 100 women artists, who will play various types of percussion instruments, symbolising Nari Shakti. The parade will then commence with President Murmu taking the salute.

- This will be the first time that the Republic Day parade will see the participation of an all-women Tri-Service contingent marching down the Kartavya Path. Women pilots will also enthral the audience during the Indian Air Force's fly-past, representing Nari Shakti or women's power.

- The Republic Day parade will put on display the nation's defence forces with an exhilarating display of mighty cavalcades comprising mechanised columns state-of-the-art equipment, marches of contingents and a display of varied culture and unity in the diversity of the nation.

- The parade will be heralded by over 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments. The parade would commence with the music of Sankh, Naadswaram, Nagada, etc. to be played by these women artists.

- Contingents of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, CAPF, Delhi Police, NCC, and NSS will march on the Kartavya Path.

- Tableaux of 16 States and nine ministries will also take part.

- The Republic Day parade will commence at 10.30 am and run for approximately 90 minutes.
An illustration picture shows the logo of the U.S. National Security Agency on the display of an iPhone in Berlin

By Zeba Siddiqui

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The U.S. National Security Agency buys Americans' internet browsing information from commercial brokers without a warrant, the agency's director told Democratic Senator Ron Wyden in a letter made public on Thursday.

Wyden, who released the Dec. 11 letter, called upon U.S. intelligence officials to stop using Americans' personal data without their express knowledge and consent, saying it was unlawful.

"Such records can identify Americans who are seeking help from a suicide hotline or a hotline for survivors of sexual assault or domestic abuse," Wyden said in a statement.

The NSA responded that the information has significant value for national security and cybersecurity missions and is used sparingly.

"At all stages, NSA takes steps to minimize the collection of U.S. person information, to include application of technical filters," a spokesperson for the agency said in an email.

Wyden, a privacy and internet freedom advocate, had blocked the appointment of incoming NSA Director Timothy Haugh until the agency responded to his questions about collecting Americans' internet and location data.

NSA Director Paul Nakasone confirmed such purchases in his letter to Wyden, saying the data collected "may include information associated with electronic devices being used outside - and, in certain cases, inside - the United States."

Such records, Wyden said, can reveal which websites Americans' visit and what apps they use, and are in violation of U.S. Federal Trade Commission standards. An FTC order earlier this month barred Virginia-based data broker Outlogic, formerly called X-Mode Social, from selling sensitive location data that helps track people's whereabouts.

Wyden said he had written to the Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines asking that the U.S. intelligence community build an inventory of all the personal data of Americans that the NSA has so far, and purge any of it that does not comply with the FTC's standards.

(Reporting by Zeba Siddiqui in San Francisco; Editing by Richard Chang)
NEW DELHI: On the occasion of India's 75th Republic Day celebrations, Russian President Vladimir Putin extolled the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and commended India's commitment to an 'independent' foreign policy, a stance he deemed challenging in today's global landscape. According to Russia Today (RT), Putin's accolades came during an interaction with university students in the Kaliningrad Region on the occasion of 'Russian Student Day' on Thursday.

India's Economic Progress Under PM Modi

Putin attributed India's remarkable economic development and growth to Prime Minister Modi's leadership, emphasizing the unprecedented pace achieved during his tenure. He underscored the significance of India's thriving economy as a testament to Modi's leadership qualities.

Assurance of India's Reliability

Expressing confidence in India's steadfastness, Putin emphasized that Russia can depend on India and its leadership, citing assurance that New Delhi won't engage in detrimental maneuvers against them on the global stage. He highlighted India's pursuit of an independent foreign policy despite the complexities of the contemporary world, lauding the nation's right to do so under Prime Minister Modi's guidance.

Russia's Investment in India

Putin applauded India's 'Make in India' initiative, revealing Russia's substantial investments in the country. He disclosed Russia's status as one of the largest investors in India, expressing eagerness to expand their investments further. Notably, Putin referenced Roseneft's significant investment of USD 23 billion in India, spanning various sectors such as oil, gas, and infrastructure.

Cultural Ties And Indian Cinema's Popularity

The Russian President also celebrated the rich cultural tapestry of India, highlighting its diversity and vibrancy. He noted the widespread popularity of Indian cinema in Russia, underscoring its presence on national televisiona testament to the enduring cultural exchange between the two nations.

High-Level Exchanges Between India And Russia

Putin's remarks come in the wake of high-level exchanges between India and Russia, including the recent visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Russia from December 25-29 last year. During the visit, key agreements were signed, including those about the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plants, pharmaceuticals, healthcare cooperation, and foreign office consultationa reflection of the enduring partnership between the two nations.
New Delhi: Maratha Reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Friday issued an ultimatum to the Maharashtra government, asking it to issue a Government Resolution regarding Maratha quota by tonight. He said that if the demands are not met, the protestors will march to Mumbai on Saturday morning. Jarange Patil, who was in Navi Mumbai, also demanded the Maharashtra government to withdraw all the cases filed by the police against the Maratha Reservation protestors.

He said that the protestors will wait till tonight for the government to issue an ordinance and hand it over to them. He said that the protestors will leave for Mumbai by 11 am tomorrow and will not return without reservation.

Jarange Patil had earlier said on Thursday that their rally to Mumbai will be peaceful, but they will not come back without reservation. He said that their last stop will be at Vashi, after which they will head to Mumbai. He said that their number will increase and all the Maratha people from across Maharashtra will join them in Mumbai. He said that the people of Mumbai are also supporting them.

The Maratha Reservation protests resumed in Maharashtra on Friday as Jarange Patil led a march to Mumbai, demanding the immediate implementation of the Maratha reservation. The protests come in the backdrop of the Supreme Court hearing on January 24, a curative petition filed by the Maharashtra government, challenging its May 5, 2021 verdict, which had declared the Maratha reservation law unconstitutional.

The curative petition is the last resort available to the parties in the case after the review petition is rejected. On May 5, 2021, the Supreme Court had quashed the reservations for the Maratha community in colleges, higher educational institutions, and jobs, saying that there was no valid reason to breach 50 per cent reservation while granting Maratha reservation.
NEW DELHI: Amid an ongoing diplomatic row with India, the former President of Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has extended his heartfelt greetings on the occasion of India's 75th Republic Day. Solih, in his message to India, said, ''On the joyous occasion of Indias 75th Republic Day I extend best wishes to President Droupadi Murmu, PM Narendra Modi, the government and people of India. May the unbreakable bonds of friendship that have long existed between Maldives and India go from strength to strength.''

Solih's heartfelt greetings resonate with hopes for the enduring bond between the Maldives and India, emphasizing the significance of nurturing longstanding ties in times of strife.

Diplomatic Strain

The diplomatic landscape between India and Maldives faced turbulence following contentious remarks from Maldivian officials regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep.

No License For Bulying: Muizu

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu asserted the nation's sovereignty in the face of perceived bullying, urging mutual respect and understanding in diplomatic interactions. Muizzu's declaration underscored Maldives' territorial integrity and maritime rights, emphasizing its stance on foreign intervention and cooperation in the region. In a bold move, Muizzu also demanded the withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldives, setting a deadline for action, and adding a new dimension to the diplomatic discourse.

The demand for troop withdrawal aligns with Muizzu's party agenda, signalling a shift in Maldivian political dynamics and potentially impacting regional security arrangements.

Repercussions And Reactions

Amidst the fallout, condemnation from various quarters and a swift response from New Delhi highlighted the gravity of the situation and the urgency for diplomatic resolution.

Maldivian Government's Response

Facing backlash, the Maldivian government distanced itself from disparaging remarks, emphasizing the importance of maintaining diplomatic decorum.

#BoycottMaldives

#BoycottMaldives gained momentum as Indian celebrities rallied in support of PM Modi's vision for promoting tourism, reflecting solidarity in the face of adversity. In this intricate web of diplomatic tensions, Solih's message stands as a beacon of hope, reminding both nations of the enduring value of friendship and cooperation.
New Delhi: The 75th Republic Day parade in New Delhi resonated with the empowerment of women in the country. Over 100 women musicians commenced the parade with folk instruments, highlighting the rich cultural diversity. The event demonstrated gender-neutral inclusivity in the Indian armed forces, featuring an all-women Tri-Service contingent marching down Kartavya Path.

The contingent comprises of women soldiers from the Corps of Military police of Army, Navy and Air Force. Women military police have been deployed in various units and establishments in Counter Insurgency Areas, Siachen glacier, High Altitude Ares as well as in the Desert terrain. They have performed exceptionally in various Joint Exercises and UN Mission.

#WATCH | Marching for the first time ever on Kartavya Path --- an all-women contingent of the Armed Forces Medical Services, led by Major Srishti Khullar with Capt Amba Samant from Army Dental Corps, Surg Lt Kanchana from Indian Navy, Flt Lt Dhivya Priya from Indian Air Force. pic.twitter.com/nJdR3NpUBu  ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2024

#WATCH | Indian Air Force marching contingent led by Squadron Leader Rashmi Thakur with Squadron Leader Sumita Yadav, Squadron Leader Pratiti Ahluwalia and Flight Lieutenant Kirit Rohil. #RepublicDay2024 pic.twitter.com/dwRvHucdV1  ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2024

The all women contingent from Tri services was led by Captain Sandhya of Military Police with 3 supernumerary officers, Capt Shranya Rao, Sub Lt Anshu Yadav and Flt Lt Shrishti Rao.

Women pilots, symbolizing Nari Shakti (women power) captivated the audience during the Indian Air Force's fly-past. Indian Air Force's 16 women pilots participated in the fly-past over Kartavya Path.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) women band comprising of 84 musicians paraded the Kartavya Path in Delhi on the 75th Republic Day. The CISF's women band was in vibrant Lahariya turbans adorned with saffron hackles and sparkling band instruments, playing the spirited tune of 'Amar Senani'. The band was led by Constable Kashyap Monika Narendra conveying CISF's unwavering commitment to national security.

The CISF women marching contingent followed the band led by Assistant Commandant Tanmayee Mohanty with three Supernumerary Officers and 144 Other Rank.

#WATCH | Delhi Police all-women band participates in the #RepublicDay parade for the first time and is being led by Band Master Sub Inspector Ruyangunuo Kense.



Also participating in the parade is the 15 times winner of the best marching contingent - the Delhi Police marching pic.twitter.com/qai0Bciibu  ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2024

#WATCH | First time on Kartavya Path, the BSF Mahila Brass Band, and the women contingent of the Border Security Force depict 'Nari Shakti' - the women power in the country pic.twitter.com/Ek3U5cXcCC January 26, 2024

#WATCH | India's 'Nari Shakti' on display as women soldiers march down the Kartavya Path on the 75th Republic Day pic.twitter.com/9HK3Q0otGo  ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2024

#WATCH | Motorcycle display enthralls the guests and audience at #RepublicDay2024 celebrations at Kartavya Path.



The Central Armed Police women personnel are exhibiting their prowess of 'Naari Shakti'. 265 women bikers on motorcycles showcase bravery and valour. pic.twitter.com/SZosIJiEbL  ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2024

The Central Armed Police women personnel displayed their prowess of 'Naari Shakti' as 265 women bikers on motorcycles showcased bravery and valour.

#WATCH | Motorcycle display enthralls the guests and audience at #RepublicDay2024 celebrations at Kartavya Path.



The Central Armed Police women personnel are exhibiting their prowess of 'Naari Shakti'. 265 women bikers on motorcycles showcase bravery and valour. pic.twitter.com/SZosIJiEbL January 26, 2024

This year's parade showcased India's 'Aatmanirbhar' military prowess and the growing Nari Shakti across all sectors.
Jharsuguda (Odisha), January 24, 2024: In a significant move to boost community welfare, 130 Nand Ghars were inaugurated in Jharsuguda, marking a major stride in child and women's development. These modernized anganwadis, established as part of a collaborative effort, are designed to serve as key centers for nurturing the growth and well-being of local communities, particularly focusing on young children and women.

Vedanta Aluminium, India's foremost aluminium producer, played a pivotal role in this initiative. The company's dedication to community upliftment was evident in the well-attended inauguration ceremony, highlighting its commitment to social responsibility. The event saw the participation of notable dignitaries such as Ms. Dipali Das, MLA, Jharsuguda, Mr. Prabir Kumar Nayak, Project Director, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Ms. Punyabati Helen Khes, District Social Welfare Officer, Jharsuguda, and Mr. Sunil Gupta, COO, Vedanta Aluminium.

Ms. Das lauded Vedanta's efforts, emphasizing the transformation of traditional anganwadis into well-equipped Nand Ghars, reflective of Vedanta's commitment to comprehensive community development. She particularly appreciated the modern amenities provided for the holistic development of children and their mothers. The state-of-the-art diagnostic centers in Jharsuguda and Laikera, she noted, were testament to Vedanta's unwavering dedication to local development.

Mr. Nayak remarked on the significance of the Nand Ghars in early childhood development, praising their advanced learning tools and distinct approach from conventional educational methods. Ms. Khes expressed gratitude to Vedanta for enriching children's learning experiences and encouraged further expansion of these transformative efforts.

Mr. Gupta, representing Vedanta Aluminium, echoed the company's vision of propelling women and child development across India. He outlined Vedanta's substantial investments in infrastructure and training, aimed at empowering rural women and providing children with strong foundational life skills. This approach, he noted, is instrumental in integrating rural communities into the socio-economic mainstream.

The Nand Ghars, equipped with smart TVs, water purifiers, clean toilets, and solar panels, offer an immersive educational experience and ensure essential amenities. They are designed under the Building As Learning Aid (BALA) approach, turning school walls into interactive learning resources. This integrated approach symbolizes a comprehensive strategy for child welfare and women's empowerment.

Initiated in 2015 under the Anil Agarwal Foundation and in collaboration with the Government of Indias Ministry of Women & Child Development, Nand Ghar is Vedantas flagship community initiative. These centers extend beyond traditional anganwadis, offering holistic services in education, nutrition, healthcare, and skill development.

Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, Vedanta's social interventions in Jharsuguda and nearby areas impact over 3 lakh people annually, spanning education, healthcare, livelihood, and more. The company supports over 4000 women in SHGs, provides healthcare to 43,000 people yearly, assists over 13,000 students educationally, and has planted more than 1.48 lakh trees, emphasizing its deep-rooted commitment to sustainable community development.
Shikha Shoken's artistic and professional journey is a testament to the powerful fusion of education, passion, and an unwavering pursuit of dreams. Armed with an MBA in Finance, she gracefully transcends the academic realm to immerse herself in the enchanting world of Bhojpuri cinema, a journey marked by captivating eloquence.

A pivotal turning point in her narrative occurs as Shikha completes an advanced makeup course, serving as the catalyst for the realization of her fervent desire. In a candid interview, she passionately expresses her yearning to collaborate with luminaries of Bhojpuri cinema, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to contribute to this dynamic industry.

Shikha's soul resonates with the melodic allure of Bhojpuri songs, and she openly admires figures like Nirahua, Khesarilal Yadav, and Ravi Kishan. Her desire to share the screen with these luminaries becomes a heartfelt aspiration, creating a symphony of artistic collaboration on the cinematic canvas.

However, Shikha Shoken is not confined to the silver screen alone; she is a paragon of versatility, gracefully embracing various roles that transcend conventional boundaries. Beyond the sacred realm of motherhood, she dons the regal robes of a producer and visionary business magnate, crafting a mosaic of accomplishments that defy societal expectations.

The challenges faced by a woman navigating the professional landscape, especially one balancing the sacred mantle of motherhood, serve not as obstacles but as resilient stepping stones in Shikha's extraordinary journey. Her visionary plans to invest in Bollywood films and diverse ventures underscore a forward-thinking ethos that defines her indomitable spirita spirit gracefully dancing between tradition and innovation, breaking barriers and charting unexplored territories.

In the grand crescendo of Shikha Shoken's narrative, each chapter unfolds as a poetic ode to determination, passion, and an unwavering commitment to artistic and entrepreneurial excellence. As the curtains rise on her multifaceted journey, Shikha stands as a luminary, casting a radiant glow that illuminates the path for aspiring individuals daring to dream beyond the boundaries of convention.
Movie: Karmma Calling

Cast: Raveena Tandon, Namrata Sheth, Varun Sood, Rohit Roy

Rating: 2.5 Stars

Where to watch: Disney + Hotstar

Karmma Calling Review: The laid-back coastal town of Alibaug is glittering with fairy lights as the scion of the Kothari family Ahaan( Varun Sood) is getting engaged to Karmma( Namratha Sheth). However, the most distrusting of this union is Indrani Kothari( Raveena Tandon) Ahaans mother, and Alibaugs most influential woman. Nothing escapes her shrewd eyes. As she greets her prospective daughter-in-law, she whispers into her ears how she would be watching her.

However, calamity befalls, when Indranis daughter on a beach romp with her boyfriend, discovers her brothers bloody body.

Ruchi Narains revenge saga is an adaptation of the 2011 American thriller  Revenge,. The story of a young woman in this case Ambika Verma aka Karmma Talwar ( Namrata Sheth) who arrives in Alibaug to avenge the death of her father, who was wrongfully jailed for a crime he didnt commit. Her agenda is to settle scores for the real perpetrators of the crime, and her prime focus is the affluent Kothari Family, and the doyenne of Alibaugs society, Indrani.

Indrani is a former Bollywood star who is married to the richest man. Well aware of his philandering ways, Indrani turns a blind eye, after all, she is not going to let this ruin the power his wealth brings her. From ostentatious parties, where she even manages to get a chopper ready so that her esteemed guests can see the moon up close in cloudy skies on karwachauth day to her influence in making or breaking people and their destines. A controlling mother who dictates the lives of her children, you dont mess with her.

But the arrival of the mysterious Karmma changes everything. Indrani does not trust her and sees her as trouble. Karma on the other regards Indrani as her arch-nemesis and the one person whom she wants to destroy.

It is a campy soapy fare, that mixes high society, love, and betrayal in an extravagant yet contrived plot. Though it is pacy, and may at times lack the taut tension that usually accompanies a narrative like this. One is intrigued and hooked as to how this one woman will bring down the very edifice of Alibaugs society which destroyed her life. However, it takes a dip when the titular character Karmma played by Namrata Sheth is unable to articulate the rage, pain, or grief her character has lived with. The actor delivers the same expression when she takes on Indrani when she seduces Ahaan, and even when she meets her long-lost dog.

Even though having been given a wide canvas to perform, she is unable to do justice to her part.

Raveena Tandon is awesome as the conniving Indrani who carries the baggage of the past. The actor packs a punch, and with her screen presence apart, she saves the show from dipping.

Varun Sood endears as Ahaan, the poor rich boy. His resemblance to Kissing Booth star Jacob Elrodi is pretty striking.



It is a binge fest alright, but a case of Karmma is a dish that is served lukewarm.
New Delhi: In recognition of the transformative potential of the nation's youth, the Indian government has introduced several schemes to foster self-reliance and entrepreneurship among young individuals. One such initiative is the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), launched in 2015 with a focus on enhancing entrepreneurial skills and providing financial support to the youth.

Purpose And Focus Of PMMY

The primary objective of PMMY is to empower unemployed youth and aspiring entrepreneurs who dream of establishing their businesses. (Also Read: Tax-Saving FDs With Lucrative Returns: Compare Fixed Deposit Rates Of Major Banks Here)

Additionally, the scheme caters to small business owners seeking funds for business expansion. Unlike many other loan schemes, PMMY focuses on non-corporate and non-agricultural purposes. (Also Read: Salesforce Cuts Jobs: Around 700 Employees Affected In Latest Layoffs)

Collateral-Free Financial Support

A standout feature of PMMY is that it offers collateral-free loans. Unlike traditional loans where borrowers must mortgage their property as security, PM Mudra Loans eliminate this requirement, providing a unique opportunity for individuals without substantial assets to receive financial assistance.

Loan Categories And Limits

PMMY offers loans in three categories, each tailored to different financial needs:

Shishu Loan: Financial assistance of up to Rs 50,000.

Kishore Loan: Loans extending up to Rs 5 lakh.

Tarun Loan: A higher loan limit, granting up to Rs 10 lakh.

Eligibility Criteria For Applicants

To be eligible for PMMY, applicants must meet certain criteria:

- The applicant must be a citizen of India.

- No history of bank defaults by the applicant.

- The business seeking a Mudra loan should not be a corporate institution.

- The applicant must possess a valid bank account.

- The applicant's age should be over 18 years.

How To Apply For A PMMY Loan?

Applying for a PMMY loan is a straightforward process:

- Visit the official Mudra Yojana website at mudra.org.in.

- Choose the loan category (Shishu, Kishore, or Tarun) based on your requirements.

- Download and print the application form from the website.

- Fill out the application form accurately and attach necessary documents such as Aadhar card, PAN card, proof of permanent and business address, income tax return copies, passport-size photos, etc.

- Submit the completed application form to your nearest bank.

- The bank will verify your application, and the loan will be sanctioned within a month.

For those preferring an online application, creating a username and password on the Mudra Loan website facilitates easy login and application submission.
Financial Position : Novagold Resources Inc (TSX:NG) maintains a strong treasury with $126 million in cash and term deposits as of November 30, 2023.

Net Loss : The company reported a decreased net loss of $46.8 million for the fiscal year 2023 compared to $53.3 million in the previous year.

Operational Highlights : Successful completion of fieldwork and geotechnical drilling for the Alaska Dam Safety certificate applications at the Donlin Gold project.

Permitting : Progress in maintaining existing permits and advancing towards securing outstanding state permits.

Community Engagement : Continued commitment to community wellness, education, and environmental initiatives in the Y-K region.

Management Team : Promoted Richard Williams as COO and welcomed Ben Machlis as VP General Counsel.

2024 Outlook: Anticipated expenditures of approximately $31.2 million, with a focus on advancing the Donlin Gold project towards a construction decision.

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 1 Warning Sign with TSX:NG.

On January 24, 2024, Novagold Resources Inc (TSX:NG) released its 8-K filing, detailing the fiscal year 2023 financial results and providing updates on the Donlin Gold project, a Tier One gold development project owned equally with Barrick Gold Corporation. The company ended the year with a strong treasury, reporting $126 million in cash and term deposits, and a decreased net loss from the previous year.

Company Overview

Novagold Resources Inc is a mineral exploration company with a 50% stake in the Donlin Gold project, located in southwestern Alaska. This project is recognized for its significant size, high-grade gold deposits, and long projected production life, making it a key asset in the company's portfolio and the metals and mining industry.

Financial and Operational Performance

The company's net loss for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2023, was $46.8 million, a decrease from the $53.3 million loss reported in the previous year. This reduction in net loss was primarily due to lower field expenses at Donlin Gold, increased interest income, and other income related to the sale of the Companys interest in the San Roque mineral property. General and administrative expenses increased slightly due to higher corporate travel costs and legal expenses.

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Operational highlights for the year included the completion of fieldwork and geotechnical drilling necessary for the Alaska Dam Safety certificate applications, as well as hydrological drilling to support mine planning and design. The company also made significant progress in maintaining existing permits and advancing towards securing outstanding state permits.

Community and Environmental Commitment

Novagold Resources Inc (TSX:NG) has continued its commitment to community wellness, education, and environmental stewardship in the Y-K region. The company supported various initiatives, including search and rescue teams, youth food insecurity programs, and waste management projects. These efforts underscore the company's dedication to responsible mining practices and community engagement.

Management and Outlook

The company announced the promotion of Richard Williams to Chief Operating Officer and the addition of Ben Machlis as Vice President and General Counsel. Looking ahead to 2024, Novagold Resources Inc (TSX:NG) anticipates expenditures of approximately $31.2 million, with a focus on advancing the Donlin Gold project towards a construction decision and maintaining support among the projects stakeholders.

Financial Tables

Financial Metrics FY 2023 FY 2022 Net Loss $(46,803) $(53,343) Cash and Term Deposits $125,749 $125,882 Total Assets $133,290 $159,189 Total Liabilities $141,513 $129,286

In conclusion, Novagold Resources Inc (TSX:NG) has reported a year of strategic progress and financial resilience. The company's efforts in advancing the Donlin Gold project, coupled with its strong treasury and commitment to community and environmental initiatives, position it well for the upcoming fiscal year. Investors and stakeholders can look forward to continued developments as the company works towards a construction decision for the Donlin Gold project.

Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from Novagold Resources Inc for further details.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


A close-up view of a flowering cannabis plant at a commercial indoor cultivation farm in Akron. File photo.

It's been busy at Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty since recreational cannabis use became legal in Ohio.

The law firm, which has offices throughout Northeast Ohio, has received calls and questions, mostly about whether employers have to accommodate a worker's recreational marijuana use.

"And obviously, the answer to that is no," attorney Scott Zurakowski said. "And then the question becomes, 'OK, what do I need to do to make sure that my employees understand this?'"

The law firm's advice is to review workplace policies. Ensure they are clear and first address "safety-sensitive" roles, such as forklift drivers or manufacturing positions.

On Nov. 8, the company posted a summary of "what employers need to know" on its website, kwgd.com.

Last year's voter-approved initiative to regulate and legalize recreational marijuana  Issue 2  didn't provide employee protections. The Canton Repository and Akron Beacon Journal asked business leaders and some of the region's major employers about drug policies and practices, and responses indicated that the law change did not prompt any significant company changes.

Marijuana policies: Stark sheriff's office, cities not changing marijuana policies following Issue 2 passage

Some employers who were approached did not provide information about their policies; Signet Jewelers and TimkenSteel  which recently announced a name change to Metallus effective in late February  directly declined to comment. No response was received from The Timken Co., Fresh Mark, Coastal Pet Products, Walmart, Davey Tree, The J.M. Smucker Co., and Battle Motors.

Among the employers that shared their drug policies  Amazon, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron Public Schools, Aultman, the City of Akron, Cleveland Clinic, FirstEnergy, GOJO Industries, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Kent State University, Summa Health, Summit County and The University of Akron  only Amazon has excluded cannabis from drug tests.

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A file photo of a production room at Galenas, a medical marijuana cultivation facility in Akron.

Amazon supports cannabis legalization

Amazon  which has major distribution facilities in Canton and Akron  eliminated cannabis from its pre-employment drug tests in June 2021 for all positions except those regulated by the Department of Transportation or within Amazon Air. So Ohio's law change won't change the company's policies, said Paula Morrison, a spokeswoman for Amazon.

A look inside the Amazon facility in Canton.

"We also reinstated the employment eligibility for former employees and applicants who were previously terminated or deferred during random or pre-employment marijuana screenings," states a company blog post from June 2023.

The post details the reasons for that change, such as difficulty maintaining a nationwide policy when an increasing number of states have legalized cannabis and a disproportionate effect on communities of color. Eliminating cannabis from pre-employment drug testing also expands the applicant pool.

Amazon, one of the largest retailers in the U.S., has announced its support for legalizing cannabis at the federal level, expunging criminal records, and investing in affected businesses and communities.

"We are enthused by the notable momentum in the country toward recognizing that todays status quo is unfair and untenable," the blog post from last year states. "We look forward to working with Congress and other supporters to secure necessary reform of the nations cannabis laws."

Aultman, Akron Children's Hospital aim to be proactive

Jen Kessel, senior vice president of human resources at Aultman Health Foundation in Canton, said Issue 2 prompted the health care system to review its drug policies and monitor news from the statehouse for any potential modifications. It will continue to be a "drug-free workplace" and has communicated that with employees, she said.

"Our goal is to remain a drug-free workplace and really provide a safe place for patients to heal," Kessel said. "That's really our top priority."

Aultman drug tests staff pre-employment, randomly and after an accident or with reasonable suspicion. Kessel said the company also offers employee assistance programs to anyone struggling with substance abuse.

"So we do have assistance plans available to them because, certainly, we want to make sure that any support programs that they need ahead of any issues would be available to them," she said.

Akron Childrens Hospital also tests all job applicants for alcohol and drugs, including for marijuana, after giving them a conditional offer of employment, said Rhonda Larimore, chief human resources officer. If an applicant tests positive for marijuana, their application is rescinded.

Also, we do drug test if we have reasonable suspicion that somebody is under the influence of something, whether its drugs, alcohol, based upon  it could be errors in work, it could be observed behavior, it could be, on a clinical side, if theres anything off related to medications, Larimore said.

The hospital system determines on a case-by-case basis how to respond to an employee testing positive for marijuana for a screening that was issued because of reasonable suspicion, she said.

If somebody comes forward and admits they have a problem or talks about having a problem when they are tested, we help them go to our employee assistance program, a rehab program, and as long as they do what they need to do, theyre permitted to return to work, Larimore said.

Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital.

Cleveland Clinic, Summa Health also emphasize safety

Cleveland Clinic spokesman Joe Milicia said drug testing will continue to occur before hiring and randomly for employees. The hospital system has facilities in Akron, Canton, Medina and New Philadelphia.

The safety and well-being of our caregivers, patients and their families is our top priority," he said in an emailed statement. "As a drug-free workplace, Cleveland Clinics drug testing program will continue to include marijuana. The program supports our mission to provide a safe environment for our caregivers, visitors, and the patients we serve.

Summa Health also performs pre-employment drug tests, including for marijuana, for all new hires, said Anthony Colly, senior vice president of chief human resources at Summa Health.

Our goal is to provide the safest possible setting for employees and patients while delivering high quality services, Colly said. Therefore, all Summa employees are prohibited from being under the influence of, or impaired by, alcohol, controlled substances, non-prescription drugs, or prescription drugs, medicines or substances taken in other than recommended dosages.

Summa Health will reevaluate its policies following any changes to the initiated statute, Colly said.

For schools and government, little change expected

Sarah Kelly, the University of Akrons vice president of human resources, said there's no avenue of relaxed policies on campus because the state law's reach is limited.

Since we receive federal funds, we must have a drug-free workplace policy, Kelly said. Therefore, there are no changes to our policy. Marijuana use is still prohibited.

And even though Kent State recently announced new, online-only cannabis certificate programs, a FAQ page on the university's website also says that following the passage of Issue 2, nothing has changed regarding the universitys policies prohibiting marijuana possession and use on campus.

Akron Public Schools Yamani Adkins, executive director of human capital, made clear to employees in November that the district's marijuana prohibitions remain in effect.

The school system does not make exceptions for medical marijuana use because many of the positions are safety-sensitive, said Tod Wammes, labor relations manager.

City and county government administrators also cite safety concerns for keeping existing marijuana restrictions in place.

The city of Akrons former interim director of human resources, Christopher Reece, sent a letter to all city employees on Dec. 7, the effective date of marijuana legalization in Ohio.

In the letter, Reece said the city will remain a drug-free workplace: We recognize that alcohol, marijuana, and drug abuse pose a significant threat to our goals.

On the job, Summit County employees are prohibited from possessing or using alcohol and drugs, including marijuana and prescription drugs that can prevent them from carrying out their roles, according to the county's substance policy. Employees who are medical marijuana patients must report that status to their supervisors and be able to prove a legitimate medical need, That status also limits the types of jobs these employees can hold.

Manufacturers and utilities

One local manufacturer was vague in its characterization of the law's impact on employees.

A GOJO Industries spokesperson provided the following statement: In December, when the State of Ohio legalized marijuana for recreational use, we updated our policy to align with the new law."

Akron-based Goodyear, however, said in an emailed statement that "Ohios marijuana law does not change anything for us. Goodyear is and will continue to be a drug-free work environment everywhere we operate."

FirstEnergy Senior Communications Representative Will Boye, meanwhile, said in a written statement: We are continually assessing the legal landscape and evaluating our policies to ensure they comply with state and federal laws. FirstEnergy is committed to a safe work environment, and our policies will continue to reflect that.

Area chambers address questions

Faye Roller, vice president of marketing and development at the Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce, said the office has heard the normal discussions surrounding the law and questions about how it might affect businesses. The chamber plans to have attorneys from Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty speak to its board and committees in the coming months.

"But by the second quarter, we may have new revelations in that," Roller said, noting that the state legislature can modify the law.

Jeff Dafler, president and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Jeff Dafler, president and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that employers still have the right to maintain a drug-free workplace.

"Most member companies we have talked to regarding Ohios new marijuana law have indicated they will maintain existing workplace policies regarding drug use and possession," he said in an emailed statement. "There are many industries in which safety concerns make the continued maintenance of a drug-free workplace of paramount importance.

Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.com.On X: @kbyerREP. Patrick Williams is a freelance journalist who covers economic growth and development for the Beacon Journal; reach him at 19pwilliams92@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Recreational marijuna is legal in Ohio, but employers just say no
(Bloomberg) -- OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman is visiting leaders of South Koreas semiconductor industry this week, as the artificial-intelligence pioneer weighs an ambitious move into chip production.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Altman, who arrived in Seoul Thursday evening, is touring Samsung Electronics Co.s chip fabrication plants in Pyeongtaek on Friday, according to a person familiar with the matter. Hell meet the top executive of Samsungs semiconductor business, as well as divisional heads of the foundry, memory and system LSI units, said the person, who asked not to be named as the matter is private. He is also scheduled to meet the CEO of rival SK Hynix Inc. and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won to discuss ways to collaborate, the person said.

Since OpenAI released ChatGPT more than a year ago, interest in AI applications has skyrocketed, spurring massive demand for the computing power and processors needed to build and run those AI programs. Altman has repeatedly said there already arent enough chips for his companys needs.

Related story: Altman Seeks to Raise Billions for Network of AI Chip Factories

Its not clear what the goals of Altmans Korea trip are. He has been working to raise billions of dollars to set up a network of factories to manufacture semiconductors, Bloomberg News reported this month. Samsung has been expanding its foundry business, which manufactures chips to the designs of its customers.

Representatives for Samsung and SK Hynix declined to comment. OpenAI representatives didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

South Korea is a leader in high-end chip production, dominating the market with Taiwan. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is the leading foundry in the world, crafting chips for the likes of Apple Inc. and Nvidia Corp.

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The Korean government this month outlined a blueprint involving investment of 622 trillion won ($466 billion) from the private sector in the years leading up to 2047. They will spend the money to build 13 new chip plants and three research facilities, on top of an existing 21 fabs. Spanning Pyeongtaek to Yongin, the area is expected to be the largest in the world, capable of producing 7.7 million wafers monthly by 2030.

The worlds two biggest memory chipmakers are trying to build their most sophisticated chip plants at home. Samsung is betting big on the foundry expansion as part of a 500 trillion won investment by 2047. SK Hynix aims to invest 122 trillion won in memory in Yongin over the same period.

--With assistance from Rachel Metz.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Pinellas commissioners could vote Tuesday to terminate two county contracts with an embattled construction company over missed deadlines and detritus that residents say upended their neighborhood.

Pinellas County awarded a bid to Miami-based American Empire Builders for the reconstruction of two bridges in the Baywood Village neighborhood of Palm Harbor for more than $4.4 million in 2020. The county signed another contract with the same builder for a bridge project in the Harbor Bluffs area south of Belleair Bluffs for more than $3.3 million in 2021. But those projects have fallen far behind schedule, according to the county, which earlier this month served American Empire with notices of default.

The Harbor Bluffs bridge, on Oakwood Drive, was supposed to be done early last year, according to the original contract. And the Baywood Village project is even further behind: Its completion was originally slated for the summer of 2022.

Though both bridges in that neighborhood have been built and opened to traffic, American Empire hasnt finished work on the second of the two, on Crosswinds Drive. Piles of debris, hemmed in by construction barrels and ragged sheets of black plastic, line the road on one side of the bridge. On the other, a large triangular median that neighbors once used as a sort of park, is cluttered with wooden pallets, rusty rebar and a portable toilet.

Residents said the lingering mess punctuates the disrespect theyve felt from the builder. They described unannounced bridge closures that left them stuck interminably in a part of the neighborhood only accessible by that bridge. They recalled American Empire workers parking their trucks on lawns and causing a 500-gallon sewage spill into adjacent Klosterman Bayou, which the county documented. They remembered shouting matches between neighbors over traffic flow problems caused by the construction.

We just want a completion date, said Jeff Jaeger, a resident and homeowners association president. We want it cleaned up. Were tired of looking at your crap.

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The potential contract termination, which commissioners will vote on Tuesday, is the latest local conflict for American Empire. The company has also been under fire for delays on a bridge project under contract with the city of St. Petersburg, which has drawn similar resident complaints.

Martin Hoegg, a vice president for the contractor, declined to comment for this story.

Its still not clear what will happen Tuesday. After sending notices of default, the county gave American Empire a 10-day extension to work with its surety company on finding a way to get the projects back on track. That period ended Jan. 22. As of that day, construction equipment and debris remained at the site, and neighbors said little had been done in the preceding weeks. But Tony Fabrizio, a county spokesperson, said in an email Wednesday that there still may be an opportunity for the contractor to cure the default at this point.

Crosswinds Drive, despite the mess, does have a completed bridge. And the county has paid for it. As of last month, public records show, Pinellas had paid American Empire more than $4.5 million for the project  nearly the entirety of the contract, which was increased to $4.6 million after it was signed. The county has also paid more than $1.6 million on the incomplete Oakwood Drive bridge.

When Annetta Speicher moved into Baywood Village last summer, she knew about the construction delays because her daughter already lived in the neighborhood. In the process of buying her house, she said, she learned the project was slated to be finished in August.

And there was another delay and it was going to be September, she said. And then there was another delay, and then nothing.

Speicher has led a group of neighbors in putting pressure on county officials to do something about the project. But at least one resident has also attacked the problem with humor: Someone, whom Speicher said neighbors have dubbed the sign fairy, has been staking a new missive just outside the construction zone each month.

Month 35 of our bridge project, the latest iteration reads. Sea levels projected to rise 12 inches in the next 30 years. We may need a taller bridge by the time this one is done!
FILE PHOTO: Bottles of Remy Martin VSOP cognac, Remy Martin XO cognac and St-Remy XO Brandy are displayed at the Remy Cointreau SA headquarters in Paris

(Reuters) - Remy Cointreau's shares had their best day in over two decades on Friday, surging as much as 17% after the French spirits maker's commentary on China and the United States helped to lift some of the investor gloom over these two key markets.

The maker of Remy Martin cognac and Cointreau liquor also reported third quarter sales that were largely in line with expectations and held its full-year guidance, though said its annual sales would be at the lower end of its 15% to 20% range.

Remy was forced to cut its full-year guidance in October amid falling U.S. sales following a post-COVID boom, leaving wholesalers and retailers there with high levels of unsold stock. Sales growth in China also lagged expectations amid a tough economy.

On Friday, it said it saw a significant improvement in the U.S. from the previous quarter. Inventory levels remained little changed right now but would normalise some time in the next financial year, chief financial officer Luca Marotta said.

Remy reiterated it did not expect U.S. sales to return to growth before the 2024/25 financial year.

In China, "sharp destocking" ahead of Chinese New Year in February was temporary, Marotta said, with inventories expected to be at a healthy level after the celebration.

However, he continued, underlying trends in both countries were close to Remy's most cautious scenario.

While Remy's commentary was relatively conservative, the market had been concerned things could get worse, said Remy investor Oliver Adcock, European portfolio manager at NS Partners.

"It got massively oversold," he continued, adding investors were turning less negative on the two key markets.

Remy's commentary added to optimism following LVMH's results on Thursday. The luxury group saw growth edge up on resilient demand, including in China.

Remy's shares had their best day since September 2001. Peers also benefitted, with shares of rivals Pernod Ricard and Diageo up 6.5% and 4% respectively.

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Remy said its sales dropped in the third quarter to 319.9 million euros ($347 million), slightly ahead of analyst expectations. Sales of cognac, which makes up most of Remy's revenues, were down 33.9%.

($1 = 0.9227 euros)

(Reporting by Diana Mandia in Gdansk and Emma Rumney in London; Editing by Milla Nissi and Mark Potter)
InnoVen Capital Group, a leading Southeast Asian venture debt provider, has bulked up its cash hoard to finance China's early-stage companies, as challenges ranging from China's slow economic recovery to regulatory uncertainties are limiting start-ups' access to funding.

The Singapore-headquartered venture debt company, announced on Friday that it had completed a US$130 million first close for its second China fund, which is a dollar-yuan dual currency fund with a total target size of US$250 million.

The anchor investors for InnoVen Capital China Fund II are InnoVen Capital Group, a joint venture between asset manager Seviora Holdings and United Overseas Bank (UOB), and "two local Chinese government entities" the venture debt firm said in a statement, without providing further details. Seviora is a wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund and UOB is one of Singapore's three "big local banks".

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Venture debt is a loan to an early-stage company to help the business boost liquidity in between equity financing rounds. InnoVen Capital structures its deals using a combination of debt and equity financing, and a single ticket size is usually under US$20 million, the company wrote in a note.

Technicians producing fibre lasers at a factory of Wuhan Raycus Technologies in Huangshi, in China's central Hubei province. Photo: AFP alt=Technicians producing fibre lasers at a factory of Wuhan Raycus Technologies in Huangshi, in China's central Hubei province. Photo: AFP>

Data provider Preqin said venture capital investment in China contracted over 7 per cent in 2023 to below US$70 billion, hitting a four-year low as investors, spooked by regulatory uncertainties and lacklustre economic recovery, steered away from the country's start-ups.

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InnoVen's second China fund was launched in 2023, and is expected to fully close in early 2025. The first China fund closed in March 2023, with a total size of close to US$100 million.

"In an environment where the global economy is facing multiple challenges and uncertainties, we continue to see many lending opportunities to high growth technology companies in China," said Beng Teck Ong, Innoven's CEO.

"The group has decided to increase our anchor commitment to the new China fund. With a larger fund size and expanded geographical coverage, the new China fund will be well positioned to support outstanding founders throughout the country in their next phase of growth," he added.

"While we acknowledge the prevailing challenges and uncertainties in the China market, we remain optimistic about opportunities [brought about by] industrial restructuring and the development in new science and technology," said Cao Yingxue, managing partner at InnoVen Capital China.

This means that sector-wise, the second China fund will zero-in on industries such as deep tech, enterprise services, consumer, and healthcare, while adhering to "ESG investment principles", she added.

The entrepreneurial spirit and dynamism observed among Chinese start-ups are another key reason that inspired confidence in the country. "Seizing opportunities for the expansion of Chinese enterprises into Asia, the belt and road region, and even globally is a focus for us, and we are dedicated to partnering with companies as they navigate and capitalise on these expansion opportunities," she said.

InnoVen Capital Group, consisting of branches in Singapore, China, and India, has invested over US$1.3 billion across 350 early and growth-stage companies, among which 50 turned into unicorns, start-ups valued at US$1 billion or more.

The venture debt firm's most recent China exits include Edianyun, an office information technology provider, and Cheche Technology, an auto insurance search engine. The two companies both went public in 2023, in Hong Kong and the US, respectively.

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.
The comparison was made in a heated exchange over calls for a voluntary migration of Palestinians from Gaza - AFP via Getty Images

Sky News has issued an apology after a presenter compared Israels war against Hamas with the Holocaust.

In a heated interview with Danny Danon, former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, presenter Belle Donati drew comparisons between calls for the voluntary migration of Palestinians from Gaza and the plight of Jewish people during the Holocaust.

Mr Danon described the comments as a shameful, anti-Semitic equation.

He added: This is pure anti-Semitism what you just said, comparing the Holocaust to whats happening today in Gaza. Shame on you for this behaviour.

In a statement broadcast on air later this afternoon, Sky News said: Sky News recognises the complete inappropriateness of this comparison and the offensive nature of those comments.

Sky News would like to apologise unreservedly for the comparison and to Mr Danon personally for making the comparison.

A spokesman for Sky News declined to comment on whether any disciplinary action would be taken against Ms Donati.

The comments came during a heated exchange with Mr Danon, who is a member of Israels Knesset and previously served as deputy defence minister.

This insolent interviewer from @SkyNews disgracefully drew comparisons between the situation in Gaza and the Holocaust. Shame on her pic.twitter.com/GyhkL2W1co  Danny Danon    (@dannydanon) January 26, 2024

Mr Danon has called for a voluntary migration of Palestinians from Gaza and urged countries around the world to accept limited numbers of Gazan refugees who have expressed a desire to relocate.

Discussing the proposals on Sky News, he said: I think anyone in the world who voluntarily wants to move to another country should be eligible to do that.

Ms Donati responded: Yes, the sort of voluntary relocation of many Jewish people during the Holocaust, I imagine. It is not a voluntary relocation.

Story continues

It is not the first time Sky News has come under fire for its coverage of Israels war with Hamas.

The broadcaster was criticised in October for interrupting its programme on the conflict to report that Holly Willoughby was leaving ITVs This Morning.

The update was delivered by senior journalist Mark Austin, who was reporting on the ground in Jerusalem.

The BBC has also courted controversy for its stance on the conflict since Hamas launched attacks on Israel on October 7.

The public service broadcaster initially refused to describe Hamas as a terrorist organisation, instead using the word militant.

It has since updated this policy to describe Hamas as a group that has been proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the Government.

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By Allison Lampert, Valerie Insinna and Abhijith Ganapavaram

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Rosemary and Larry Brester have been running Hobart Machined Products since 1978, milling and grinding metal to make aircraft components out of a tiny building behind their home.

Hobart is one of many suppliers that dot Boeing's home turf around Puget Sound in Washington state, and the Bresters had planned to double their four-person workforce to meet Boeing's ambitions for increased production of its best-selling 737 jets. Hobart supplies parts to larger companies that sell directly to Boeing.

Those plans are now up in the air after U.S. regulators curbed Boeing's production following a mid-air jet panel blowout, and the Bresters are not alone. The incident risks further erosion of trust and financial strain on the planemaker's most vulnerable suppliers, some of whom could close if Boeing's problems drag on, Rosemary Brester said.

"It's very concerning," she said. "We brought on equipment to support that growth strategy and delivery schedules. There are a number of other companies in our region and probably globally that did exactly the same thing. Now we're all waiting to find out when we're going to be able to utilize all of that space and capacity."

Boeing's latest crisis erupted after the Jan. 5 panel blow-out on an Alaska Airlines flight. Federal investigators are trying to determine what caused the incident, which spurred the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to take the drastic step of capping Boeing's production rates.

Many suppliers struggled from a pandemic-induced slump in demand and an earlier 20-month grounding of Boeing's 737 MAX 8 that temporarily halted production. For some, the Jan. 5 incident also dampens optimism for payback sparked by the recent travel boom that revived aircraft orders.

Aircraft parts have to be ordered up to a year in advance. Many suppliers added employees and materials or have been running at faster production rates, expecting to be paid later in the year. Now, they face an inventory build-up that will eat up cash.

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"It is going to have a negative ripple effect on the whole Boeing supply chain, which was already struggling to ramp up," said Eric Bernardini, a top aerospace specialist at consultancy AlixPartners.

The FAA's order allows Boeing to continue producing MAX jets but not increase its current monthly rate until the agency is satisfied that quality-control issues uncovered during the probe are resolved. The FAA did not say how long its limitation would last.

The FAA did not specify the number of planes Boeing can produce each month, and Boeing has declined to confirm its current monthly rate, creating confusion over the cap. Boeing declined comment.

Boeing said in October that 737 production would reach 38 per month by the end of 2023. In a Jan. 22 email seen by Reuters it told suppliers to adhere to the master schedule that calls for an increase to 42 a month in February.

One Boeing 737 MAX supplier said if the production cap is for a limited period of time, it could catch up on work on other aircraft programs, but they noted other suppliers would likely see the cap as a "pretty big problem."

The uncertainty is especially harmful for the smallest that invest in working capital for announced production increases that do not happen, said Glenn McDonald, a supply chain specialist at AeroDynamic Advisory.

"Many suppliers were counting on rate increases in 2024, 2025," he said. "Over the last three or four years even the trust of the supply base in Boeing's rate announcements has been eroded."

Spirit AeroSystems, which already faces financial pressures, depends heavily on the MAX program. Total 2023 aerostructure revenue from an index of suppliers like Spirit, GNK and others is roughly 80% of 2018 levels, according to AeroDynamic. Spirit said it would continue to cooperate with the FAA and coordinate with Boeing.

TNT Aerospace, a family-run business in Sumas, Washington, considered joining the 737 program, but Boeing's struggles have President Aaron Theisen thinking twice. "We need to make sure we have a strong foundation underneath the business to grow," he said.

(Reporting By Allison Lampert in Montreal, Valerie Insinna in Seattle and Abhijith Ganapavaram in Bangalore; Additional reporting by Tim Hepher in Paris; editing by David Gaffen and Leslie Adler)
Swiss Crypto Bank Sygnum Raises $40M, Nearing Unicorn Status

Sygnum, a leading crypto banking group headquartered in Switzerland, has successfully closed a $40 million funding round, propelling its valuation to $900 million. The funding round was spearheaded by investment manager Azimut Holdings.

The proceeds from this round will be strategically allocated to fuel Sygnum's expansion into new markets across Europe and Asia, catering to the growing demand for regulated and secure crypto banking services.

Mathias Imbach, Sygnum's co-founder and CEO, expressed his gratitude for the unwavering trust placed in the company by its investors, particularly in the face of challenging macroeconomic conditions. He emphasized that Sygnum's unwavering focus on building trust through regulation and sound governance has served as a guiding principle throughout various market cycles.

Gerald Goh, Sygnum's co-founder and CEO of its Singapore office, said:

The broader industry is emerging from the crypto winter and investors and market participants are increasingly seeking to partner with trusted and well-managed financial institutions. For Sygnum, this fundraise will allow us to further build out our suite of fully regulated solutions to support investors as they increase their exposure to the asset class.

In January 2022, the company was valued at $800 million after closing a $90 million funding round. Since then, the bank's assets under management have witnessed a substantial surge, reaching $4 billion, with a diverse client base of 1,700 individuals and institutions from over 60 countries.
(Bloomberg) -- When asked who won the recent presidential election in Taiwan, the worlds most advanced Chinese-language chatbot gives a confusing answer.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Lai Ching-te, Baidu Inc.s Ernie Bot accurately says. But then it adds: No matter how the situation in Taiwan changes, the basic fact is that theres only one China  a comment that echoes what Beijings diplomats said after the US-friendly candidate won the race to be the next president of the island China wants to someday rule.

The political slant to what should be a straightforward question and answer is a problem for Taiwan, where officials fear influential tech platforms from China, such as TikTok and Xiaohongshu, are eroding the islands cultural and political edifices.

To mitigate Chinas growing tech influence and establish a foothold in the budding artificial intelligence ecosystem, Taiwan budgeted some NT$17.4 billion ($555.6 million) through 2026 to develop expertise and tools in the industry. On top of that, it is spending some $7.4 million on the Trustworthy AI Dialogue Engine, or Taide, a language model that its developers say would give businesses, banks, hospitals and government offices a platform for tasks such as writing emails and summarizing meetings. The hope is the tool would be free of Chinas political influence.

Lee Yuh-jye, a professor of applied mathematics at National Chiao Tung University and coordinator of the Taide project, said Taiwan needs a large language model thats aligned with our values. A large language model embeds a places knowledge system and more than that, its core values: Freedom, democracy, human rights, he said.

Story continues

See: TikTok Influencers Give Xi a Rare Soft Power Win in Taiwan

The self-described Silicon Island already plays a pivotal role in AI development because its biggest company, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., makes the most sought-after accelerator chips. It is Nvidia Corp.s go-to manufacturer of AI chips and the enabler of the entire tide of AI innovation, according to TSMC Chief Executive Officer C.C. Wei. The push for a domestic language model and a related software and engineering ecosystem is meant to move Taiwan further up the development chain.

To help do that, Taides developers are licensing content from local media outlets and government agencies. That material is then added onto Llama 2, Meta Platforms Inc.s open-source large language model. One benefit of the approach is the content will be in the traditional Chinese characters used by the islands 23 million people, instead of the simplified version found in China. An early version of Taide is due to be rolled out in April this year for select partners to test.

Taide is limited in scope compared to offerings such as ChapGPT  and its funding pales in comparison to the billions lavished on such projects by the likes of Meta and Microsoft Corp.  but the hope of developers is that the tool and other aspects of locally developed AI plans someday lead to Taiwan playing a bigger role in the software side of the industry.

While ChatGPT does have a Chinese-language option, it is less than ideal for the needs of Taiwan. A key reason is the government and companies wouldnt want private data put into the OpenAI platform.

Concern over data security and AI was underscored last year when Samsung Electronics Co. banned employees from using tools like ChatGPT after staff uploaded sensitive code to the platform. Security worries are a main reason that Taiwans Asustek Computer Inc. plans an AI computational platform that would have all its hardware installed in a clients facilities.

The Taide developers also say their final product would allow for secure handling and storage of sensitive banking, health-care and official information, especially since it will be held on Taiwanese servers.

Taiwans model neednt match the power of leaders like ChatGPT to be effective, its builders say. To put the whole industry on a new level, decent is good enough, said Jyh-shing Jang, a computer science professor at National Taiwan University, who also serves as chief technology officer at Taipei-based E.Sun Bank.

Companies can use Taide as a prototype, then try to fine-tune the model and distill it until its small enough to put in your notebook or your mobile phone, said Jang, who is familiar with the project because the bank has agreed to supply it with non-personal data.

The sharpening focus on AI projects marks a shift for Taiwan, where the tech industry is dominated by hardware manufacturers like TSMC. While the islands companies are deeply involved in the AI industry, its almost exclusively from the hardware perspective.

I can see how this came up in the sense that, Hey, we dont have an equivalent of Baidu, Huawei or OpenAI or Google, so we need to get ahead of this by trying to work within the system to do this so we dont get swamped by the other models, said Paul Triolo, technology policy lead at Albright Stonebridge Group.

But its not an easy game, he said. Embarking on that will require a lot of sustained efforts and resources.

--With assistance from Jessica Sui.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Ms Jones previously helmed the UK arm of the magazine publisher Hearst - Geoff Pugh

The Telegraph has appointed its first female chief executive to navigate the turbulence of an attempted takeover by the UAE.

Anna Jones, the former head of the UK arm of the magazine publisher Hearst, has stepped into the role with immediate effect. She had been working as an adviser to The Telegraphs senior leaders for the past year.

Ms Jones, 48, has replaced Nick Hugh, chief executive of Telegraph Media Group (TMG) since 2017. He informed the companys independent directors Stephen Welch and Boudewijn Wentink that he was stepping down.

The new leadership comes as The Telegraph awaits a decision from Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer on whether an Abu Dhabi-backed takeover can go ahead amid fears for press freedom.

The company is currently overseen by Mr Welch and Mr Wentink, alongside Mike McTighe, the chairman of its parent company, after they were appointed last summer by Lloyds Banking Group.

Mr McTighe wished Mr Hugh the best and said: I, and the board of TMG, look forward to working with Anna and the whole of the management team as we look to secure a future for The Telegraph reflective of its rich history, vast opportunity and vital importance.

Ms Jones said: Having worked alongside the exceptional editorial and management teams over the past twelve months, I know The Telegraph to be an outstanding business and media brand of the highest quality.

Although the business is operating in a period of uncertainty due to the change of ownership process, the titles continue to thrive and my role will focus on securing certainty for our staff, subscribers and partners.

In an email to staff this afternoon, she added: I appreciate that I am taking on this role at a time of change and uncertainty with many unknown factors facing us around our future ownership.

It is an honour to be able to lead you at this time and I want us to navigate any challenges that may lie ahead together.

Lloyds seized control of The Telegraph and The Spectator magazine via receivers after the Barclay family failed to repay overdue borrowing of 1.2bn which had been secured against the publications.

Story continues

The debt was settled in December with money mostly borrowed from the UAE, which aims to convert 600m of the lending into ownership of The Telegraph via RedBird IMI, its media investment fund based in the United States.

The repayment meant ownership reverted to the Barclay family. However the Government intervened to prevent them exercising any control and to keep the independent directors in place while The Telegraphs fate is decided. It also imposed controls on any changes in management, meaning Ms Joness appointment has been approved by officials.

Ofcom is currently reviewing whether RedBird IMIs plans are in the public interest. However, the process has been delayed after the fund told officials this week it had created a new corporate structure under which it intended to own The Telegraph.

Ms Frazer, who criticised RedBird IMI for alerting the Government to the changes at a very late stage, launched a second investigation into the deal on Friday.

The move pushes back the deadline for Ofcom to report its findings by more than six weeks to March 11.

The independent directors highlighted The Telegraphs success under Mr Hugh building a digital subscriptions business.

Last year it surpassed a target of one million subscriptions on schedule, following the multimillion-pound acquisition of Chelsea Magazines Company, which boosted the total. Mr Hugh, who was appointed by the Barclay family from a senior role at the internet business Yahoo, also restructured and focused The Telegraphs business by outsourcing advertising sales.

He said: It has been an honour and a privilege to lead TMG over the last seven years and to have worked with so many brilliant people that have such an impact on society and democracy  the interest in the ownership of TMG is testament to that fact.

I wish all of you the very best of luck in the future and thank you for your exceptional efforts and achievements during my time at TMG.

Alongside her role at TMG, Ms Jones, who grew up in Yorkshire, is a non-executive director of Universal Music, the worlds largest record label. Alongside the entrepreneur Debbie Wosskow she was also co-founder of AllBright, a women-only private members club. It was named after the former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who said there is a special place in hell for women who dont help other women.

Many of our readers have raised concerns over the potential sale of Telegraph Media Group to the Abu Dhabi-linked RedBird IMI. While Ofcom carries out its investigation we are inviting the submission of comments on the process. Email salecomments@telegraph.co.uk to have your say.

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Valley National Bancorp (NASDAQ:VLY) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: US$1.82b (up 1.7% from FY 2022).

Net income: US$482.4m (down 13% from FY 2022).

Profit margin: 27% (down from 31% in FY 2022). The decrease in margin was driven by higher expenses.

EPS: US$0.95 (down from US$1.15 in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Valley National Bancorp EPS Misses Expectations

Revenue was in line with analyst estimates. Earnings per share (EPS) missed analyst estimates by 10%.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 7.6% p.a. on average during the next 2 years, compared to a 5.5% growth forecast for the Banks industry in the US.

Performance of the American Banks industry.

The company's share price is broadly unchanged from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

Before we wrap up, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Valley National Bancorp that you should be aware of.

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.
Buffett's Latest Portfolio Addition

Warren Buffett (Trades, Portfolio)'s investment firm has recently increased its stake in Liberty SiriusXM Group (NASDAQ:LSXMA), signaling a vote of confidence in the satellite radio company. On January 25, 2024, the firm added 438,945 shares to its holdings, bringing the total share count to 22,940,403. This transaction, executed at a trade price of $30.99, represents a 0.23% position in the firm's portfolio and a 7.02% ownership of the traded stock.

Warren Buffett (Trades, Portfolio), known as "The Oracle of Omaha," is a towering figure in the investment world. As Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett transformed a modest textile company into a global conglomerate. His value investing strategy, influenced by Benjamin Graham, emphasizes long-term holdings in undervalued companies with strong fundamentals. Buffett's disciplined approach has consistently outperformed the market, making his investment decisions highly influential among investors.

Warren Buffett Bolsters Holdings in Liberty SiriusXM Group

Liberty SiriusXM Group at a Glance

Liberty SiriusXM Group, through its subsidiary Sirius XM Holdings, provides subscription-based satellite radio services in the United States and Canada. Since its IPO on April 18, 2016, the company has seen a 50.6% increase in its stock price, with a year-to-date growth of 6.06%. Currently, the stock is modestly overvalued with a GF Value of $24.01 and a price to GF Value ratio of 1.29. The company's financial health is reflected in its GF Score of 80/100, indicating good potential for outperformance.

Warren Buffett Bolsters Holdings in Liberty SiriusXM Group

Trade Impact and Portfolio Influence

Despite the significant addition of shares, the trade impact on Buffett's portfolio remains at 0, indicating no substantial change in the portfolio's overall composition. The firm's investment in Liberty SiriusXM Group is a strategic move, aligning with Buffett's preference for companies with favorable long-term prospects and competent management.

Story continues

Market Valuation and Stock Performance

Liberty SiriusXM Group's current market valuation stands at $10.11 billion, with a stock price of $30.98, closely trailing the trade price. The stock's PE ratio is 12.25, suggesting a company with earnings at a reasonable valuation. Despite being labeled as modestly overvalued, the company's stock performance and Buffett's recent investment could indicate underlying value not fully recognized by the market.

Financial Health and Growth Prospects

The company's financial health is solid, with a Profitability Rank of 8/10 and a Growth Rank of 7/10. However, its Financial Strength could be better, as indicated by a Balance Sheet Rank of 4/10. The Piotroski F-Score of 6 suggests reasonable financial stability, while the Altman Z-Score of 0.94 requires caution. The company's Operating Margin has seen a decline, with a growth of -11.70%, and its cash to debt ratio is low at 0.03, reflecting potential leverage concerns.

Industry Dynamics and Buffett's Strategy

Buffett's top holdings predominantly lie in the technology and financial services sectors, with Liberty SiriusXM Group fitting into his broader investment strategy through its diversified media industry role. The firm's investment in LSXMA underscores Buffett's confidence in the media sector's long-term growth potential.

Other Prominent Investors

Buffett is not the only notable investor in Liberty SiriusXM Group. Other gurus such as Seth Klarman (Trades, Portfolio), Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio), and Wallace Weitz (Trades, Portfolio) also hold positions in the company. Berkshire Hathaway Inc remains the largest guru shareholder, reinforcing the stock's appeal to savvy investors.

In conclusion, Warren Buffett (Trades, Portfolio)'s recent acquisition of additional shares in Liberty SiriusXM Group reflects a strategic investment decision based on the company's growth prospects and market position. While the trade impact on the portfolio is minimal, the move aligns with Buffett's long-term value investing philosophy and his confidence in the media-diversified industry.

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.


Iraq's Assyrian Exodus Leaves Churches Empty in the South

BASRA, Iraq -- The majority of churches in Iraq's southern oil-rich Basra lie empty as 80 percent of Assyrian, Chaldean, and Syriac Christians who had originally lived in the province have migrated either to the Kurdistan Region or abroad in search of a more secure and prosperous life.

Basra province was once home to a significant Christian minority, with over 7,000 families calling it home. That number has significantly dwindled to 350, according to data from the Basra Churches Council.

"There are threats. That is why Christians migrate. Whenever there is an opportunity, they do not miss it and they leave," Aram Sabah, head of the Chaldean Archdiocese of Basra and southern Iraq, told Rudaw on Wednesday, attributing the migration to a set of reasons including marginalization and lack of security.

"There are many reasons that lead to Christian migration. When there is a weak law in place, or your rights are not given and you are considered a third-class citizen, you will migrate abroad whenever you see an opportunity," Sabah said. "It hurts us a lot. A large number of Christians have migrated due to threats to their lives, marginalization, lack of rights, insults, and even death threats."

Of 17 churches in Basra, nine are shut and two others burned down.

Residents of Basra are angry at the mass exodus of the Christians and ask them to return to the province.

"There is no ethnic discrimination in Basra in general. It does not matter whether you are a Sunni, a Shiite, or a Christian. I ask all Christians to return to the province of Basra, because there is peace and security here," Habeeb Saadun, an elderly resident of Basra said.

Abbas Ali, another inhabitant of Basra said "We hope they will return to their country, because this country is theirs as well. Thanks be to God, the security has been stable recently."

Sajjad Abdul Hussein, a taxi driver, for his part, said "We do not discriminate against anyone. We are all brothers and united. There must not be discrimination against any side."

Iraq's Christian community has been devastated in the past two decades. Following the US-led invasion in 2003, sectarian warfare prompted followers of Iraq's multiple Christian denominations to flee, and attacks by ISIS in 2014 hit minority communities especially hard.

Fewer than 300,000 Christians remain in Iraq today, according to data obtained by Rudaw English from Erbil's Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda in 2022.
A group of Wells Fargo tellers and bankers in Virginia Beach want a union, citing low pay and staffing issues.

Six workers at the Wells Fargo at 301 Little Neck Road recently filed for a union election in a petition to the National Labor Relations Board, organizers said in a Jan. 16 announcement.

I have been consistently asked to work more hours  come in early, stay longer  numerous times because of understaffing, Virginia Beach Wells Fargo teller Shelly Traugott said.

Traugott was hired to work part-time at the branch but she said shes been asked to work more hours and cover shifts at other locations.

The unionization effort is part of a national campaign by Communications Workers of Americas Wells Fargo Workers United group. The branch is one of the first to file for an election under the campaign. Workers at branches in New Mexico and Florida voted to become the first and second branches to form unions in December and early January.

Nick Weiner, an organizer with the Committee for Better Banks, said the Wells Fargo effort grew out of whistleblowing efforts in 2016 about employees opening fake bank accounts to meet unrealistic sales goals. As CEOs changed over the years, Weiner said working conditions continued to flounder.

The workers there that we were seeing got more and more frustrated, Weiner said.

Brian Switzer, a branch operations coordinator in Little Creek, has worked for Wells Fargo for nine years. He said concerns about low pay and staffing shortages led to his interest in unionizing.

Our staffing, currently, is negatively impacting our customer experience because when you dont have enough people in the branch when someone comes in, the customers arent happy that they have to wait longer, Switzer said. He said branches have opened late when employees got sick or left for vacation because no one can cover their shifts.

Weiner said employee concerns have not been addressed when presented to management, including Wells Fargo CEO Charles Scharf. Switzer said high-level executives are not in the branches every day and dont see the issues firsthand.

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We respect our employees rights to vote for union representation. At the same time, we continue to believe our employees are best served by working directly with the Company and its leadership, Wells Fargo management said in an email.

The branch plans to vote on unionization on Feb. 8, Weiner said. He said a Wilmington, Delaware, branch plans to vote on Feb. 1, and organizers are also talking with dozens and dozens more workers interested in unionizing.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com
Global bank CEOs testify before US Congress in Washington

(Reuters) -Wells Fargo said on Thursday it has raised CEO Charles Scharf's total compensation for 2023 to $29 million.

The compensation consists of a base salary of $2.5 million and a total variable compensation of $26.5 million, which includes $6.6 million in cash and $19.9 million in long-term equity, the bank said in a regulatory filing.

The bank's board expressed strong confidence in Scharf's leadership in "driving the continued transformation of Wells Fargo".

Scharf's compensation for 2022 stood at $24.5 million.

The lender posted a rise in fourth-quarter profit as it cut costs, but warned of lower net interest income in 2024 as funding costs increase.

Last week, Wall Street giant JPMorgan Chase said it gave its CEO Jamie Dimon a 4% rise in 2023, while Morgan Stanley's Executive Chairman James Gorman received a 17% rise in his last year as CEO.

(Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Shilpi Majumdar)
Shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland (NYSE: ADM) are down 25% this week, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, after the commodities trading company announced a new interim CFO amid an ongoing accounting investigation.

On ADM's abrupt CFO departure

In a press release on Sunday, ADM announced it has appointed Ismael Roig as interim CFO, following a decision by ADM's board of directors to place its previous CFO, Vikram Luthar, on administrative leave, effective immediately.

ADM added that Luthar's leave is pending an ongoing investigation by outside counsel for the company regarding "certain accounting practices and procedures [within] ADM's Nutrition reporting segment, including as related to certain intersegment transactions."

ADM initiated the investigation in response to a voluntary disclosure request from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

What's next for ADM investors?

The issue is fast becoming a contentious one; at least one investor has already (perhaps predictably) filed a lawsuit accusing the company of fraud. Various industry watchers have also observed that while ADM's Nutrition segment is responsible for less than 10% of total sales, it also has an outsized influence on the executive team's equity bonus compensation structure.

While the final outcome of the investigation has yet to be determined, ADM management has their work cut out for them in restoring investor trust as long as speculation swirls around the accounting practices in question. Until the public receives more clarity on the issue, it's no surprise to see the stock pulling back in response.

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JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon. Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty Images

Banks are not alone in pushing against a regulatory package known as Basel III.

The regulation would require that banks hold more capital, which could curb growth, lenders say.

Consumer groups have also warned about unintended consequences in areas like housing and manufacturing.

Proposed regulation requiring US lenders to hold more capital is facing pushback from industries that would typically applaud tougher bank rules.

In a rare show of solidarity with the financial industry, consumer groups are arguing for the dismissal of the Basel III rule proposal over concerns that it will lead to sector-wide consequences.

Banks have disapproved of the rule on the premise that it curbs their ability to invest, and may require higher lending costs that would hurt clients who borrow from the bank.

JPMorgan chief Jamie Dimon previously noted that this would dampen economic expansion, as banks may pull back on new lending.

Housing-focused trade groups have expanded that argument, warning in a joint letter that reduced credit availability could undermine growth, and restrict mortgage loans to underserved borrowers.

Separate groups that rely on bank investments have also called for the proposal's revision.

The National Association of Manufacturers expressed worry that tighter requirements would mean less capital availability to virtually every industrial sector, especially smaller manufacturers that have few options for financing.

Meanwhile, the American Council on Renewable Energy and the Solar Energy Industries Association warned that tighter capital requirements would make it expensive for banks to finance green energy projects through tax equity incentives, slowing the clean energy transition.

Even legislators took part in the dissent, including among regulators themselves.

"I do have concerns that an over-calibrated capital charge, for operational risks in particular, would likely result in those costs being passed through to the people and businesses that rely on the financial products and services to continue the operation of their businesses," Fed Governor Michelle Bowman said in mid-January.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Defense IT company Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) delivered quarterly earnings that substantially beat expectations and forecast a better-than-expected 2024. Investors are rallying into the shares, sending Booz Allen stock up 13% as of 11 a.m. ET Friday.

A solid beat and a dividend boost

Booz Allen Hamilton is one of the so-called "Beltway Bandit" defense contractors, companies that are focused on providing technology services, and not armaments, to the Pentagon and other government agencies.

The company ended 2023 on a high note, reporting fiscal third-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.41 per share on revenue of $2.57 billion. Earnings and revenue were up 32% and 12.8% year over year, respectively, and the per-share number easily surpassed the $1.14 Wall Street had expected.

"Strong demand and growing headcount are fueling continued momentum as we scale and evolve Booz Allen's technology positions and invest in our people," CEO Horacio Rozanski said in a statement. "We are creating exceptional value for clients and investors as we deliver ahead of pace on our investment thesis."

The company believes that momentum will continue. Booz Allen raised its quarterly dividend by 8% to $0.51 per share and raised its full-year fiscal 2024 guidance to $5.25 to $5.40 per share, from $4.95 to $5.10. The company also said it expects full-year net cash from operations to come in at between $200 million and $275 million, up from previous guidance for $160 million to $260 million.

The guidance hike was in part expected since Booz Allen's previous forecast had conservatively factored in the potential for a government shutdown. But even with that in mind, the results were strong: Book-to-bill, a comparison of current-quarter business to the new business that came in during the period, stood at 1.42 over the past 12 months.

Is Booz Allen Hamilton a buy after its strong earnings report?

The strong results stand in contrast to the more pedestrian results from larger, better-known contractors like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin. That is in part due to company-specific issues, but it is also a reflection of where we are in the defense product cycle and the government's focus on bulking up its technology.

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Booz Allen Hamilton has historically been one of the top vendors to the intelligence community, an area that tends to get investment through good times and bad. Friday's results are a validation to those who have been expecting big things from Booz Allen Hamilton and its peers for some time now, but for long-term investors, there is still a lot of growth potential.

Should you invest $1,000 in Booz Allen Hamilton right now?

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Lou Whiteman has positions in Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool recommends Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Why Booz Allen Hamilton Stock Is Surging Today was originally published by The Motley Fool
A Chinese research vessel has been given permission to make a port call in the Maldives. The stop, which authorities said was for resupplying purposes, is likely to heighten tensions in the region, particularly with India.

The Maldives government announced on Tuesday that the Xiang Yang Hong 3, which had earlier been turned down by Sri Lanka, was given permission for the port call. It is expected to dock at Male Sea Port on February 5.

The permission was limited to "rotation of personnel and replenishment" purposes only, and the vessel is not allowed to carry out any research in Maldivian waters, according to the island nation's foreign ministry.

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India's navy will monitor the ship's entire journey in the region "to ensure that it does not carry out any exploration activity in the Maldivian exclusive economic zone", the Hindustan Times reported.

India has labelled the Xiang Yang Hong 3 a "Chinese spy ship" and expressed its concerns over its "surveillance activity" to Sri Lanka and the Maldives last year.

Commissioned in 2016, the Xiang Yang Hong 3 is operated by China's Ministry of National Resources. With an operational range of 15,000 nautical miles (27,780km), the Xiang Yang Hong 3 can remain at sea for up to 60 days.

The ship is equipped with advanced ocean research facilities and has played a key role in China's oceanic research, mainly in the Pacific and Indian oceans.

The vessel can also house temporary laboratory modules for specific missions, according to a report by Science and Technology Daily. Its "integrated optical cabin" is loaded with cutting-edge cameras, sensors and laser markers to record imagery, make precise measurements and gather complex data.

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In a move that has upset India, the Maldives will host a Chinese research vessel at the Male Sea Port from February 5. Photo: Xinhua alt=In a move that has upset India, the Maldives will host a Chinese research vessel at the Male Sea Port from February 5. Photo: Xinhua>

Although the Xiang Yang Hong 03 is not a military vessel, India has been suspicious about its activities in the Indian Ocean. In January 2021, Indian media reported the ship had been "mapping the sea floor, probably with underwater drones" in the East Indian Ocean, and collecting data that could aid Chinese submarine activities in the region.

The vessel returned to the Indian Ocean region in June 2022, and again in late 2023.

The Indian Ocean has become a frequent destination for Chinese scientific research ships.

The Xiang Yang Hong, or "Facing the Red Sun", vessels are a class of survey and research ships that also includes the Xiang Yang Hong 1, 6 and 19 - all of which have been reported to be operating in the same region.

The Shi Yan, or "Experiment" ships, run by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is another fleet of China's active survey vessels. In 2019, India said its navy expelled the Shi Yan 1 from India's exclusive economic zone in the Andaman Sea, claiming the ship was "spying" on its military.

Other Chinese research vessels have also drawn India's ire, including the Yuan Wang, or "Looking Far", fleet, part of the Strategic Support Force under the People's Liberation Army. It is often sent to the Indian Ocean to track and monitor Chinese space launches.

In August 2022, the Yuan Wang 5 survey ship visited Hambantota International Port in Sri Lanka to resupply. Late last year, Colombo hosted the research ship Shi Yan 6, which conducted a joint maritime survey in Sri Lankan waters.

In recent decades, China has vastly increased its presence in the Indian Ocean through naval patrols, economic activities, and scientific research, all of which India sees as a threat in its backyard. Since a deadly border clash in 2020, the two Asian giants have stepped-up their competition for influence in the region.

But the new Maldivian president, Mohamed Muizzu, is regarded as more Beijing-friendly. Days after his state visit to China - and amid a diplomatic spat with India - he asked for the removal of Indian troops stationed in his nation.

"The Maldives has always been a welcoming destination for vessels of friendly countries, and continues to host both civilian and military vessels making port calls for peaceful purposes," the Maldivian foreign ministry said, referring to the Xiang Yang Hong 3 visit.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, under diplomatic pressure from India, has since banned any further visits by Chinese research vessels, and prohibited them from operating within its exclusive economic zone for all of 2024. The move has been hailed by Indian media as a "victory" over China.

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.
BlackBerry (NYSE: BB), a tech and telecom stock with quite an up-and-down history, was trading in one of its valleys over the past few days. According to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence, the Canadian company's share price had eroded by 13% week to date as of Friday early morning. Much of the decline occurred on Wednesday, when the company announced a new financing measure.

$175 million worth of convertible senior notes sold

BlackBerry revealed that day that it is floating $175 million worth of convertible senior notes, a type of debt security that is transferrable into equity under certain conditions. The issue was upsized from the previously planned $160 million.

The notes are being sold in a private placement to unidentified "persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers," according to applicable securities law, the company wrote in a press release.

The coupon on the notes is 3% per annum, paid semiannually, and they mature in 2029 if not converted. The initial conversion rate is just under 258 common shares of the company's stock per $1,000 principal amount of the notes. This equates to a price of roughly $3.88 per share, for a conversion premium exceeding 32%.

BlackBerry said that the initial purchasers of the notes had been granted an option to buy up to an additional $25 million worth of the securities. It added that the issue is expected to close this coming Monday, Jan. 29.

The Canadian company, once famous for its namesake pre-smartphone handheld communication devices, said it would utilize the proceeds from the issue mainly to retire debt. The remainder is to be devoted to unspecified "general corporate purposes."

A dilution solution?

BlackBerry's market cap currently stands at a shade under $1.75 billion. So if those buyers fully exercise their option and all notes end up being converted into stock, the issue could be quite dilutive. No investor likes to have the specter of dilution hanging over one of their companies, hence the market's negative reaction to the news.

Story continues

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Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends BlackBerry. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Why Investors Were Souring on BlackBerry Stock This Week was originally published by The Motley Fool
'What in the world is this?': Woman shocked by 4% health fee added to LA restaurant bill to keep 'employees healthy and happy.' Are surcharges going too far?

If you think tipping has gotten out of hand, how would you feel about a health charge on your restaurant bill?

Ashley St. Clair recently shared a photo on X (formerly known as Twitter) of a receipt from a Los Angeles restaurant that included a 4% L.A. Health fee to keep our employees healthy and happy. St. Clair works for The Babylon Bee, a right-wing satirical news site.

What in the world is this? she exclaimed.

Don't miss

The bill from an unnamed restaurant, apparently sent to her by a friend, showed a subtotal of $158, tax of $16.84 and L.A. Health 4% fee of $6.32 for a total of $181.16  plus a suggested tip of 18% to 22%.

It included a note about the health fee, telling customers: If you would like this charge removed, we are more than happy to do so.

While St. Clair was clearly taken aback by the surcharge, restaurants asking diners to pay extra to help cover employee health-care costs is actually not a new phenomenon. But with Americans being bombarded with tip requests and added fees around every corner, it begs the question: are restaurants taking surcharges too far?

Extra fees tacked onto bills

A number of L.A. restaurants have been adding a health-care surcharge to help cover their employees medical insurance costs since at least late 2013, according to this Los Angeles Times article.

Under the rules of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), small businesses with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees are required to offer minimum essential health insurance coverage to workers. But that coverage is expensive. On average, U.S. households spend 8% of their annual income on health care, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By adding a health surcharge, restaurants may simply be trying to offer meaningful benefits to employees without eating into their profits.

Story continues

Read more: Retire richer  why people who work with a financial advisor retire with an extra $1.3 million

But that doesnt necessarily change diners appetites toward being charged for more than they asked for, and only finding out about it on the bill after a meal. Another thing to consider, particularly in L.A., is the fact that California just increased its minimum wage to $16 per hour, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Fast-food employees will also get an extra pay bump to $20 per hour starting on April 1, 2024.

California does not have a separate minimum wage for tipped workers.

FTC targets restaurant junk fees

If you ask the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), such health surcharges might be considered junk fees that bite into the earnings of hard-working Americans.

On Oct. 11, the Biden administration and the FTC expanded their efforts to ban businesses from charging hidden and misleading fees that increase the total cost for consumers. Instead, they want businesses to adopt a more transparent pricing model.

After a round of public comments, the FTC has suggested that instead of itemizing fees and service charges on the bill, restaurants could increase menu prices and present customers with one total all-in sum. Alternatively, restaurants could maintain menu prices and eliminate mandatory service fees with the expectation that consumers would maintain the traditional tipping model.

These suggestions have landed like a lead balloon with the National Restaurant Association (NRA). Discussing the FTCs proposals in a webinar for restaurant owners on Dec. 19, the NRA warned that consumers may suffer menu price shock and restaurant profits may suffer as a result.

If your hamburger or cheeseburger starts at $15 and you are all-of-a-sudden overnight required to increase that price on your menu by 20-25%  itll really create a sense of sticker shock among some of your customers, Brennan Duckett, Technology and Innovation Policy Director, National Restaurant Association, said during the webinar.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
'I wouldn't let him manage a candy store': Kevin OLeary blasted Justin Trudeau as the worst prime minister ever  urges Canada to move on from the 'incredibly weak manager.' Here's why

Its no secret that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not an admirer of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Trudeau recently voiced concerns about the possibility of Trump's re-election, commenting, It wasn't easy the first time and if there is a second time, it won't be easy either.

During a recent interview on FOX Business, Shark Tank star and fellow Canadian Kevin OLeary was asked about Trudeaus remarks concerning Trump. However, instead of discussing Trump, OLeary turned his critique towards Trudeau.

Dont miss

Trudeau is the worst prime minister ever put in power  very successful politician, no executional skills, OLeary asserted. Hopefully we will thank him for his service within the next 18 months. Its so important to Canada that he move on.

What OLeary is taking issue with

Trudeau has been serving as Canadas prime minister since 2015, a tenure during which, according to OLeary, the country's abundant resources have been mismanaged.

[Canada] is one of the richest countries on Earth from a natural resource basis. Its managed by idiots, OLeary critiqued.

Its hard to argue that the country is rich in resources. From the sprawling, forest-covered landscapes of British Columbia to the oil-rich sands of Alberta, Canada's natural bounty is both diverse and vast.

Its also an important sector for the country economically. According to the latest data from Statistics Canada, natural resources contributed to 12.3% of Canadas GDP in Q3. And the number of jobs in natural resources sat at more than 600,000  significant for a country with a total population of 35 million.

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When the interviewer probed OLeary about whether he was suggesting Trudeau failed to leverage these resources, OLeary responded, Oh, its much worse than that. I wouldnt let him manage a candy store.

Read more: This Pennsylvania trio bought a $100K abandoned school and turned it into a 31-unit apartment building  how to invest in real estate without all the heavy lifting

OLeary prefaced his comments by saying, Im an investor, I look at it from that perspective. In truth, the Montreal-born Shark Tanker doesnt lack firsthand exposure to Canadian party politics. In 2016, he took a run at leading the federal Conservative Party of Canada. The bid fizzled in 2017, however.

Even after exiting politics, OLeary has publicly disparaged Trudeau on several occasions. In June 2023, in another Fox appearance, he called Canada the richest country in the world run by idiots.

Several years before that, in 2019, in an interview with TheStreet, OLeary said of Trudeaus Liberal government, It is so bad that if we got another four years of this, I think he could take Canada down to, probably, zero growth rate.

As things turned out, Canada did get four more years of Trudeau  and then some  and growth has in fact flatlined: real GDP actually fell by 0.3% in Q3, following a 0.3% increase in Q2, according to Statistics Canada.

O'Leary appears not to be alone in his dissatisfaction with the countrys leadership. A recent Leger poll conducted for The Canadian Press reveals notable public disapproval, with only 30% of Canadians saying theyre satisfied with Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government. In contrast, a significant 63% report dissatisfaction.

Canada is also nowhere near the top on The World Bank's Ease of Doing Business ranking at the 23rd spot.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron delivered video speeches to an event toasting 60 years of bilateral relations on Thursday, as speculation swirls that Xi could visit Paris in the coming months.

Xi urged France to "jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and economic globalisation", Xinhua reported, amid growing fragmentation in global trade.

The Elysee did not immediately release President Macron's remarks, but he was reported to have said that "France is willing to join hands with China to address global challenges and promote the resolution of international crises".

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Diplomatic ties between France and the People's Republic of China were launched by Charles de Gaulle and Mao Zedong in 1964, with a series of commemorative events expected this year.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron during Macron's visit to Guangzhou on April 7, 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE alt=Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron during Macron's visit to Guangzhou on April 7, 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE>

Media reports claim that Xi will make his first European trip since the pandemic to France this spring, although neither side has confirmed the visit.

"Over the past 60 years, China-France relations have always been at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries, bringing benefits to the people of both countries and contributing to world peace, stability and development," Xi said, according to Xinhua.

"China and France will continue to make contributions to safeguarding world peace and stability and responding to global challenges; we must adhere to mutual benefit and win-win results, while deepening traditional cooperation."

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke in person at the event at Beijing's National Centre for the Performing Arts, urging France to "take a clear-cut stand against the Cold War mentality and camp confrontation".

"We will continue to unleash consumer and investment market demand, continue to expand the import of high-quality products and services from France ... I believe that France will also uphold the concept of openness and provide Chinese companies with a fair, just and predictable business environment," Wang said.

The speeches took place amid a fraught geopolitical backdrop, with trade tensions between Europe and China flaring over recent months.

Paris was the main sponsor of a European Union investigation into industrial subsidies in China's electric vehicle sector. In response, Beijing launched a probe into subsidies in the French brandy industry, which has created a chill effect on sales of cognac in China.

"When China announces an investigation, it is the start of the ban on French cognac, an effective ban. It signals to society in China that cognac is no longer in favour," Ian Ford, a Shanghai-based founder and chief executive of Nimbility, a brand and sales management company for alcohol sold in Asia, said in a recent interview with the Post.

Bottles of Remy Martin VSOP cognac, Remy Martin XO cognac and St-Remy XO Brandy. China has launched an investigation into French subsidiesto its brandy industry. Photo: Reuters alt=Bottles of Remy Martin VSOP cognac, Remy Martin XO cognac and St-Remy XO Brandy. China has launched an investigation into French subsidiesto its brandy industry. Photo: Reuters>

On Wednesday, the EU launched an update to its economic security strategy, the cornerstone of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's push to de-risk ties with China.

France, however, was among the member states pushing back against a key element of the strategy: the development of outbound investment controls on private capital bound for China.

In general, France has been one of the bloc's strongest proponents of industrial policy, but has rebuked efforts to move Europe closer to the US concerning China. Macron's allies frequently promote the idea of Europe as a third prong in a multipolar world.

"We need to continue to promote Europe as a third bloc, a balancing force between the US and China," EU industry chief Thierry Breton, a close ally of Macron, said this month.

Macron is on a state visit to India, where he will be the guest of honour at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's India Day celebrations on Friday. Europe and the US have both courted New Delhi as a counterweight to China in both military and economic terms.

According to France 24, Macron is hoping to secure more military sales to India, building on recent deals on fighter jets, submarines and nuclear reactors.

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.
A Spotsylvania woman who left a badly injured bicyclist lying in the middle of the road after hitting him with her car last year was ordered Thursday to serve a year and eight months in prison.

Amber N. Houston, 36, pleaded no contest in Caroline Circuit Court to a felony charge of hit and run and a misdemeanor offense of filing a false police report. Judge Sarah Deneke sentenced her to a total of six years with most of it suspended. The sentence was slightly above the maximum active time called for in the state sentencing guidelines.

According to the evidence presented by prosecutor Bryan Dunkum, the victim was riding near the intersection of Stonewall Jackson Road (State Route 606) and Edgehill Academy Road (State Route 632) in Caroline the morning of April 20.

The victim, a member of a Fredericksburg-area bicycle club and who was riding between 60 to 80 miles a day at the time, was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by Houston. The impact caused the man to roll up her windshield and land in the middle of the road.

Unbeknownst to Houston, Dunkum said, the bicyclist had a video camera on his bike that recorded Houstons tag number and some of her actions following the collision. It showed Houston get out of her car, tell the victim not to move, then move his bike out of the road. With the victim struggling to breath and nearly unconscious, the woman then drove off after about 30 seconds and did not summon help.

With the assistance of the vehicle license number, police were able to track Houston down. Dunkum said she initially told police that her cousin had been driving the car on the morning of the incident, but later admitted that her initial statement was false.

Houston is currently being held in the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
A new partnership between Nebraska Public Media and the Omaha Symphony will bring the symphonys music to television viewers across the state.

The first in a series of televised concerts, Omaha Symphony in Concert: Emanuel Ax, premieres at 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, on Nebraska Public Media.

Led by Omaha Symphony Music Director Ankush Kumar Bahl, the first concert will feature music by composers Chopin, Mozart and Brahms in a recording with world renowned pianist Emanuel Ax. He joined the symphony for concerts that were recorded by the Omaha Symphonys video technicians at the Holland Center in Omaha last fall.

Nebraska Public Medias radio listeners hear music from the Omaha Symphony regularly on our Nebraska Concerts series, and we are excited to bring the symphonys performances to television. We are thrilled that this partnership will help us reach more Nebraskans with music, said Nebraska Public Media General Manager Mark Leonard.

The Omaha Symphony concerts on Nebraska Public Media are being brought to television in part by generous donors from both organizations.

The second concert in the television series, Omaha Symphony in Concert: Andy Akiho is scheduled to air on Nebraska Public Media at 9 p.m. Thursday, March 14, and at 8 p.m. Friday, March 15. In the program, Akihos composition Sculptures celebrates the artistry of Omahas Jun Kaneko and is an effort to create sound that gives the sculptures new life, according to Akiho, a Japanese American composer who creates music using found instruments.

The Friday, March 15, television broadcast of Omaha Symphony in Concert: Andy Akiho will be followed at 9 p.m. on Nebraska Public Media by Great Performances: Now Hear This Andy Akiho Found Sound.
About 30 people were arrested Tuesday in a mass drug sting, ending a regionwide drug-trafficking investigation.

FBI Special Agent Eugene Kowel announced the arrests Tuesday morning at the Nebraska State Patrol Troop D office in North Platte.

Arrests were made in Lincoln, Kearney, Ogallala, McCook, Brule, Sutherland and several other communities, according to Kowel.

The arrests were part of a coordinated effort between multiple law enforcement agencies including the CODE Task Force, which covers a 22-county area in southwest-central Nebraska. Agencies from the Panhandle and eastern Nebraska were also involved.

Its the culmination of a two-year investigation by FBI Omaha, our North Platte resident agency and our CODE Task Force, Kowel said.

Acting U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr announced 19 federal indictments Tuesday in connection with the investigation, including one of a Lincoln man.

Wesley Kraft, 36, of Lincoln, was charged with felony distribution of 5 grams or more of meth during April 2023 and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Other indictments:

Alejandro Ruiz, 41, of California; Guadalupe Ramirez, 38, of North Platte; Roberto Duran, 33, of Brule; Michael Shawn Harrell, 47, of Ogallala; Eduardo Gomez, 33, of North Platte, and Carl McKinney, 37, of Kentucky, were indicted by a grand jury with felony conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine between January 2021 and January 2022.

Jamie Hopkins, 37, Michael Stroble, 30, Joey Romero, 36, and Luke Schwartz, 30, all of North Platte, were indicted by a grand jury with felony conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution of meth between July 2022 and February 2023.

Jessica Binegar, 37, of North Platte, John Hernandez, 35, of Lincoln, and Brad Leeper, 46, of North Platte were indicted by a grand jury with distribution of 5 grams or more of meth between March and June 2022. Leeper was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Timothy Huisman, 39, of North Platte, was charged with distribution of 5 grams or more of meth in February 2023.

Shane Ross, 46, of Ogallala, was charged with distribution of 5 grams or more of meth in July 2022.

Richard Torres, 44, of Brule, was charged with conspiracy and distribution of more than 5 grams of meth between December 2021 and August of 2022.

Timothy Maisner, 62, of North Platte, was charged with possession with intent to distribute of 50 grams of more of methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine during January and July of 2023.

Eddie Houpt, 59, of North Platte, was charged with distribution of 5 grams or more of meth in June 2022.

Kowel said 10 others were arrested, facing state charges. Six in Lincoln County were arrested as part of the CODE Task Force effort.

Individuals arrested in Lincoln County Tuesday include:

John W. Emery, 60, of North Platte, was arrested on suspicion of three counts of felony distribution of methamphetamine.

Miranda E. Griffitt, 35, of Curtis, was arrested on suspicion of felony distribution of methamphetamine.

Larry M. Barwick, 43, of North Platte, was arrested on suspicion of felony distribution of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine.

Marcus D. Dandridge, 47, of North Platte, was arrested on suspicion of three counts of felony distribution of methamphetamine.

They are all currently lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Two defendants in Lincoln County were arrested in a State Patrol sting investigation. They were arraigned in Lincoln County Court Tuesday:

Carrie Guerra, 57, of North Platte, was arrested on suspicion of felony distribution of methamphetamine.

Leeann Jo Skinner, 57, of North Platte, was arrested on suspicion of felony distribution of methamphetamine.

Throughout the course of the two-year investigation, Kowel said, there were 55 arrests and 34 federal indictments, as well as seized illegal narcotics and firearms.

What I can emphasize is the vital importance partnerships play in protecting our community from drug trafficking, he said. Were here today because of the work of our state and local partners. More than 150 police officers, sheriffs deputies, state troopers and federal agents participated in the enforcement action today.

Kowel said drug trafficking is not a victimless crime, as many of those touched by it know.

Too often families and communities in Nebraska are affected by this. Too often children are affected by this, he said.

Lehr emphasized the importance of cooperation between local, state and federal agencies in the operation.

Not only the investigation, but just the operation that took place over the last 15 hours was incredibly well planned out, she said. This was not something that just occurred overnight. This was in the works, the operation, for weeks.

She also pointed out the involvement of the Lincoln and Keith County attorneys offices in assisting with arrests.

The investigation and arrests were also assisted by the U.S. Postal Service, Dawson County Sheriffs Office, Ogallala Police Department, La Vista Police Department, the Tri-Cities Drug Enforcement Team Task Force, the Western Intelligence Narcotics Group Task Force, the Capitol Region Safe Streets Task Force, the Lincoln/Lancaster County Metro Fugitive Task Force, the Lincoln and Keith County attorneys offices, and Nebraska District 11 Probation Office.

Kowel said the CODE Task Force is effective because it takes a hybrid approach in going after top-level drug dealers in communities.

We believe especially on the federal side a major component of reducing crime, reducing drug trafficking, is going after sort of the major, the most prolific dealers, said Kowel. But of course we can only do that working with state and local partners. We cant just start at the top.

Kowel said he hopes this roundup will significantly reduce the supply of methamphetamine into west Nebraska.

We have seen that success in other kinds of cases we hope that will be replicated here.

Kowel said more drug trafficking will present itself, because there is now a void in the supply.

We want to be well positioned to, anyone who tries to move in to fill the void, which will be created, with this very successful arrest operation, were ready to target those individuals and keep the supply of these drugs significantly diminished in our state, he said.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
The Colorado Republican Party presented a series of witnesses in federal court on Tuesday in its effort to block unaffiliated voters from participating in the party's primary elections, months after the GOP failed to secure enough support from its own members to close its nominating process to those who are not registered Republicans.
Editor's note: This case was dismissed on Feb. 2, 2024.

A person with a long history of fraud in the Colorado Springs area has landed back in jail following new allegations.

Storme Shannon Aerison, who legally changed her name from Charles James Daugherty, was booked into El Paso County jail on Jan. 20 on suspicion of forgery and crimes against an at-risk person.

Attempts to contact Aerison for this story were unsuccessful.

The arrest affidavit was not available for Aerison's most recent arrest, but court records indicate that the case was opened in 2021. However, Aerison  who was born intersex with both male and female genitalia according to court testimony  has a criminal history in the Colorado Springs area that goes back much further.

As reported by The Gazette in 1990, Aerison enrolled at Coronado High School, and even made the all-girl varsity cheerleading squad, before school officials discovered the ruse and called the police. For eight schooldays the then-26-year-old attended classes and afterschool activities as a junior by the name of Cheyen Weatherly. Aerison told school officials that she had been studying in Greece under a private tutor, and presented a list of courses and grades, which later turned out to be fraudulent.

Aerison, who was a male cheerleader at Harrison High School in the early 1980s, participated in one pep assembly before being caught.

"We needed somebody big," one junior varsity cheerleader told The Gazette at the time. "He was the base (for the pyramid). He was very, very good."

Aerison would be charged with third-degree forgery and criminal impersonation following expulsion from school.

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Six years earlier Aerison was convicted on one count of theft for posing as a female Air Force Academy student and cheerleader to steal a $15,000 car from a Colorado Springs dealership.

By 2000 Aerison was again facing allegations of fraud.

Colorado Springs police investigated allegations that Aerison was posing as a female model and defrauded photographers, calendar companies and overseas hotels out of money, airline tickets and rooms, promising to advertise their businesses in fictitious calendars featuring the self-described "supermodel."

In one of the charges, according to Colorado Springs police, Aerison  using the name Christy Gabriel  convinced an Air Force Academy cadet, a Colorado State University student and a West Point cadet that she was a swimsuit model, then used the men to fund and staff a photo shoot in Hawaii.

"The suspect has been playing the part of a female 'supermodel' for at least the last five years," according to the 2000 arrest affidavit. "During that time, he has been involved in numerous schemes in which victims have lost sums of money ... Mr. Aerison seems to have no regard for the law, or for the financial welfare of others."

In and out of custody between 2000 and 2004, Aerison was caught violating bond in 2004.

For the next three years the case dragged on in the court system while Aerison spent considerable time in the State Mental Health Institute in Pueblo as doctors tried to determine if she was competent to stand trial. Aerison's attorneys had argued that she suffered from dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder. A district court judge ruled that Aerison was competent to stand trial.

In 2007 Aerison was sentenced to five years in prison, followed by five years of mandatory parole and 10 years of probation.

Criminal records also indicate that Aerison was charged with several credit card-related theft charges in Hawaii in 2014. According to the Hawaii Reporter newspaper she was arrested attempting to check out of the Kauai Marriott Resort with a stolen credit card. Court records show she was sentenced to six years in community corrections.
For the past few years, students and faculty members at Fountain Valley School have been involved in a weekly effort to reduce the schools environmental footprint, help serve the surrounding community, and combat food waste.

The Food Rescue Program, which repurposes unused food and delivers it to a nearby food bank each Thursday, was the brainchild of former student Sage Keller as part of a 2020 senior project. Keller now studies English and philosophy at Pitzer College in California, but her legacy lives on in the rescue program, which provides 15-to-20 pounds of food each week to the Connections 4 Life food pantry in Fountain.

Its so great to hear that people are still participating in the Food Rescue, Keller told school officials. I hope that when they graduate they will pass on the program and what theyve learned to others as well.

Each Thursday after lunch, under the supervision of program coordinator Danielle Llewelyn, a small group of students package the unused food and label it for delivery. Llewelyn, who chairs the schools science department, then loads the food into her car and runs it to the food pantry, which is a little more than a mile away.

When Fountain Valley contacted us about their Food Rescue program, we thought it was a wonderful fit for us, said Gretchen Baker, executive director of Connections 4 Life. It fits well with what we do here, which is to make sure food gets utilized by someone whos hungry.

According to the national nonprofit Feeding America, about 40% of all food in the U.S. goes uneaten, often ending up in landfills. Thats about 80 million tons of food that could have been utilized by the millions of Americans battling hunger.

Food waste is a huge problem, and its sad, because it doesnt have to be that way, Baker said. For every bit of food that is thrown away, there is someone, somewhere, who could use it.

Fountain Valley sophomore Tejin Monroe, a regular participant in the program, agrees.

Its just a shame that so much food goes to waste every day, Monroe said. It hurts my heart to see food go in the trash can when it could be used to feed someone who is hungry.

The boarding and day schools food donations are primarily used by C4Ls all volunteer staff, who work long hours and dont often have time to prepare meals for themselves, Baker said.

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Any food we dont use on the day they provide it, we can either give the next days staff, or we can give it away, she said. We make sure it gets utilized somewhere. One way or another, we dont want food going into the trash can.

Sophomore Nat Barrett said she likes knowing her efforts have a positive impact, however indirect, on the community.

Were using our food to help people who help other people, said Barrett, a boarding student from San Diego. In that way, were serving the greater community, and I like that.

The program dovetails with the schools philosophy of sustainability and environmental consciousness, Llewelyn said.

Environmentally, it contributes to a reduction in the school's carbon footprint by minimizing the waste thats sent to landfills, and it educates students on the harmfulness of food waste as well as their potential to address the needs of the future, she said.

Megan Harlan, FVSs head of school, said it important to instill an ethos of environmental responsibility at an early age.

They are inheriting this environment that we are leaving them, and its going to be a huge part of the problems that they have to solve, Harlan said. So we might as well start by giving them the skills and the understanding of the environment that theyre going to inherit.

On Thursday, a handful of students efficiently packaged and labeled about 20 pounds of food in 15 minutes.

Some of us have been doing this for a while, said Monroe, a day student from Colorado Springs. So weve gotten pretty good at it.

Llewelyn dropped the food off at the pantry before hustling off to class.

If Connections 4 Life wasnt so close to the campus, we would have a hard time making this work, she said.

Baker, who has been involved with the food bank for nearly 25 years, said the Food Rescue program has been a godsend for the staff.

Last year we gave away more than 200,000 pounds of food to local families, she said. Thats a lot of work, and the Food Rescue program makes that work easier. Its been an incredible blessing.
The CEO of REI announced the company will lay off hundreds of workers once again.

REI CEO Eric Artz said in a letter Thursday that the company will reduce its workforce by 357 people, including 200 people at its Seattle-based headquarters, six in sales and customer service, 30 in experiences and 121 in its distribution centers.

Artz said the layoffs were primarily driven by financial necessity. Every employee losing their job will receive separation benefits, including severance, COBRA and outplacement support and services, according to Artz.

As you know, the state of the business  and our industry  has become increasingly challenging and highly promotional, Artz wrote in his letter.

We are planning this years revenue to be down from 2023, reflecting the macroeconomic conditions we are expecting for 2024, Artz said. When we plan our revenues down, we must adjust our plans and cost structure accordingly. We must also continue our work to return REI to profitability to set the co-op up for long-term health and success.

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Last spring, REI cut 167 jobs from corporate positions and another 275 employees in lead roles were laid off in the fall.

As I shared in my most recent CEO Huddle, while the U.S. as a whole has avoided entering a recession (by definition, two consecutive quarters of total U.S. market decline), outdoor specialty retail has experienced four quarters of decline  and that trend has been worsening, Artz wrote in the letter.

The company filed no WARN listing in Colorado as of Friday morning, so its unclear how many Colorado workers will be affected.

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act is a law that requires employers to provide employees experiencing employment loss with a 60-day notice prior to a layoff, although some exceptions apply, according to the Colorado Secretary of State.

For more on this and other stories, visit our partners at 9News.com.

The Denver Gazette contributed to this report.
Colorado Springs has received above-average levels of snowfall this winter season, with possibly record-breaking warm temperatures to come in the week ahead following the month's arctic blast.

According to meteorologist Cameron Simcoe with the National Weather Service in Pueblo, Thursday evening's snow beat forecasts by dropping 3 to 6 inches of snowfall to Colorado Springs as of Friday morning.

Just northwest of Colorado Springs, Woodland Park received over 7.5 inches.

According to Simcoe, the area has seen above-average levels of snowfall for both the months of December and January.

So far for January, Colorado Springs has received 7.1 inches of snow including Thursday night's storm. On average, the area receives 4.9 inches of snow for the month. That followed 8.4 inches in December, more than twice the average amount for December.

Additionally, Simcoe said moisture levels for the area are almost double the average amount, measuring in at 0.44%. On average, the area will measure around 0.29%.

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El Paso County is currently drought-free, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Overall, 60.74% of Colorado is still experiencing drought conditions, mainly in northeastern and southwestern areas of the state, the Drought Monitor states.

Corey Rivera, operations program supervisor for the Colorado Springs Department of Public Works, said Thursday's storm was wetter than crews expected for a storm this time of year and comparable to a storm seen typically in April and early May.

"It's melting away pretty fast," Rivera told The Gazette Friday morning. "I would put this in the books as a typical Colorado spring storm, except it happened in January."

Looking at the week ahead, Simcoe said Colorado Springs' forecast calls for a warming trend with highs reaching the 60s.

"We're looking at a very spring-like weather pattern entering our system," Simcoe said.
New terrain open at Crested Butte; a moment of ZEN:

Snow continues to fall in the southeastern and eastern mountains of Colorado Friday as a storm system spins easterly winds into the state from Kansas. Ample moisture is associated with the upsloping storm and the Sangre de Cristo mountains are seeing the heaviest totals, as forecasted from Thursday.

Eldora, Loveland and Echo are on the east side of the Continental Divide and snow is falling lightly at those locations too, with the potential for a couple more inches throughout the day. Monarch could see additional accumulations, but it snowing at most other areas and resorts has been turned off.

Wolf Creek (7") in southern Colorado received the most snow of all the ski areas or resorts and Telluride (3") received a fast shot of snow overnight also.

After the storm pushes farther east Friday, a long dry and sun-filled spell is going to set up over Colorado for about a week. Starting Sunday, high temperatures at multiple base areas are forecast to creep into the mid-30s to even low-40s for some lower base-area areas or resorts.

Colorado's snow pack should not melt much because the sun angle is still relatively low in the day-time sky, but it will condense and potentially rot some, with melting occurring at lowest elevations.

The Feb. 2 storm makes its way into Colorado from the southwest. The ECMWF high resolution model forecasts moisture to push northeast into Colorado sometime Friday, with continued storminess for the state for six or seven days.

Details about snow accumulation totals will become more apparent as models line up and the storms approach later next week.

Today's 24 hour snow total from Colorado resorts:

Arapahoe Basin - 2"

Aspen Mountain - 0"

Aspen Highlands - 0"

Beaver Creek - 0"

Breckenridge - 1"

Buttermilk - 0"

Cooper - 2"

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Copper Mountain - 0"

Crested Butte - 0"

Echo Mountain - 2"

Eldora Mountain - 2"

Granby Ranch - 0"

Hesperus - Closed for season

Howelsen Hill - 0"

Kendall Mountain - 2", open weekends

Keystone - 2"

Loveland - 1.5"

Monarch - 0"

Powderhorn - 1"

Purgatory - 0"

Silverton - 0"

Snowmass - 1"

Steamboat - 0"

Sunlight - 2"

Telluride - 3"

Vail - 0"

Winter Park - 1"

Wolf Creek - 7"
LETTERS: Jumped through all the hoops; we do not need a dictator
This combination of Sept. 29, 2020, file photos shows President Donald Trump, left, and former Vice President Joe Biden during the first presidential debate at Case Western University and Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland, Ohio.
A 31-year-old Eugene resident was arrested Wednesday, Jan. 24, for what authorities describe as a crime spree.

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan in a news release credited the arrest to a collaborative effort between concerned citizens and multiple law enforcement agencies.

Devon Emra was charged with felony counts of first-degree robbery, attempting to elude police, and unauthorized motor vehicle use, according to the news release.

Politics 'A Place to Sleep' podcast: Catch all the episodes here Our podcast, A Place to Sleep, explores how Oregon cities are responding to a new law that is meant to provide homeless individuals a place to rest.

Court documents show hes also facing misdemeanor second-degree theft, menacing and reckless driving charges, as well as a felony count of unlawful weapon use.

At around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Albany Police Department was alerted to a theft in progress at a business on Goldfish Farm Road Southeast in Albany, according to the news release, which states the suspect fled the scene in a U-Haul rental truck prior to officers arriving.

The U-Haul was reportedly located a short time later in a parking lot at a business on Spicer Drive in Albany. When an officer tried to contact the truck occupants they fled the parking lot, the news release states.

Citizens called law enforcement agencies about the fleeing truck, and at least one followed it to where it stopped on Santiam Highway near Spicer Drive in Lebanon, according to the release, which states Emra and another suspect, 30-year-old Savannah Morris of Eugene, exited the U-Haul as authorities were responding to the location.

Emra approached several stopped vehicles and took a red 2022 Toyota Sienna van from a citizen who initially offered help, the release states. Emra and Morris then fled in the van. Again, citizens alerted authorities and followed the suspects, who continued to flee once law enforcement caught up.

Emra headed south on Interstate 5, ultimately crashing at the intersection of Coburg Road and Crescent Avenue in Eugene, according to the news release, which states multiple crashes occurred during the pursuit and other private and public property was damaged as well.

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Emra was taken to the Linn County Jail on his charges and Morris was arrested for a warrant.

Additional charges are likely as the investigation continues. Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has video footage of it is asked to call Detective Caleb Riley at 541-967-3950

Other law enforcement agencies involved in the incident included the Oregon State Police, Springfield Police Department, Eugene Police Department and the Lane County Sheriffs Office.
The Army Corps of Engineers is under scrutiny by state environmental regulators for its actions in the court-ordered drawdown of Green Peter Reservoir.

On Dec. 14, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality sent the Army Corps a pre-enforcement notice, alleging that the Corps has violated the states water quality standards due to the increased turbidity caused by the Green Peter drawdown.

Turbidity is the murkiness of a liquid.

Upon investigation, DEQ determined that the turbid discharge was a direct result of the Green Peter Dam drawdown, the letter states.

The drawdown has been a source of mounting concern among Linn County residents and local government officials, including thousands of dead fish, decreased water quality and hefty costs to ensure clean drinking water.

The alleged violations include pollution of state waters and reducing the water below water quality standards in what are classified as Class 1 violations, the most serious violations the DEQ issues.

The drawdown of Green Peter Reservoir generated a discharge of sediment that was released into the Middle Santiam River and conveyed to Foster Lake, the South Santiam River, the Calapooia River, and entered the Willamette River, the letter states. All of which are listed on DEQs impaired waters list and are designated as essential salmonid habitat by the state of Oregon.

The discharge of sediment can pollute waters by introducing contaminants and increase turbidity that can be detrimental to aquatic species and habitat, according to the letter.

The violations are based on an investigation prompted by a Nov. 3 complaint that informed the environmental regulators of a turbid plume entering the Calapooia River from the Albany Water and Hydroelectric Plant.

Usually when water comes to the Albany Water and Hydroelectric Plant, it has a turbidity between 4 to 20 nephelometric turbidity units in the fall before it is treated. But the turbidity of the reported plume was between 120 to 169 NTUs in November, said Albany Public Works Director Chris Bailey.

For comparison, Albanys drinking water is typically in the 0.03 to 0.04 NTU range after being treated.

Since the drawdown to historic levels, the turbidity has gradually returned to normal as the reservoir began to fill up again in December, Bailey said.

The complaint of the plume was one of seven incident reports, a public records request with the DEQ revealed. Three of the complaints were confidential and many were filed by Sweet Home residents.

The state ordered the Army Corps to take corrective action by submitting a comprehensive study identifying best management practices to reduce or eliminate water quality impacts during future drawdowns, and to perform a comprehensive sediment sampling and data analysis.

According to the letter, these actions must be completed by April 1.

DEQ determined that the U.S. Army Corps violated Oregon environmental law with the drawdown of Green Peter Reservoir, said DEQ Public Affairs Specialist Dylan Darling via email.

Army Corps caused pollution of waters of the state and reduced water quality to below state standards, he said.

The agency supports the goal of aiding the passage of salmon but noted the Army Corps, who is responsible for managing the site, had the duty to meet state and local water quality standards, according to Darling.

Army Corps also has a responsibility to communicate and coordinate with state and local officials, to provide an opportunity for affected communities to plan for potential impacts to drinking water resources caused by the drawdown, he said.

Darling said the agency is currently evaluating the appropriate enforcement response for the violations identified in the pre-enforcement notice.

When Mid-Valley Media reached out to the Army Corps of Engineers, this response was given:

"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District acknowledges the communication from Heather Tugaw of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality regarding reported turbid conditions in the Middle Santiam, South Santiam, and Calapooia Rivers. The communication is under review," said Army Corps Public Affairs Specialist John Morgan.

Mounting concerns

Last summer, the Army Corps of Engineers began to draw down Green Peter reservoir, the body of water behind the Green Peter Dam, in compliance with a 2021 court injunction.

The court order is designed to aid endangered salmon species as they migrate to the ocean. Willamette River Chinook salmon and steelhead populations have been declining for decades.

Environmentalist groups have attributed this decline in part to the presence of eight dams in the basin, which are all operated by the Army Corps.

The environmentalist-group plaintiffs allege the Army Corps failed to implement required measures to address fish passage and other harmful impacts from the dams and were in violation with the Endangered Species Act.

U.S. District Court Judge Marco Hernandez signed the drawdown order, attempting to accommodate endangered salmon species migrating from hatching grounds in the mountain creeks above the dam to the Willamette River, and eventually to the Pacific Ocean.

Army Corps representatives said in a news release that the drawdown wouldnt affect cities water supply.

But many cities in Linn County saw their water quality take a nose-dive. Sweet Homes public works department used more chlorine to keep drinking water clean. Meanwhile, city residents said the water tasted like bleach and appeared to have a yellow tint.

Before that, thousands of stocked fish were found floating dead south of the reservoir. Kokanee, a type of land-locked salmon, had undergone barotrauma  the damage caused when gasses expanded in their bodies as they swam from relatively high-pressure water, near the bottom of the reservoir, into a low-pressure system used to control the reservoirs level.

Taking action

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Since then, dozens of local leaders banded together to convince Gov. Tina Kotek to have Oregon cover the $45 million or more in chemical costs used to clean city drinking water.

The Army Corps is refilling the reservoir after the scheduled drawdown ended in December. It is not yet clear how recent events may shape future drawdowns at Green Peter Reservoir.

Staff writer Cody Mann contributed to this article.
Earlier this month in Washington, D.C., a U.S. Congressional panel held an independent hearing with several medical specialists to examine the record number of injuries, disabilities, and deaths reported after COVID-19 injections over the last four years, including increasing rates of myocarditis, blood clots, and cancers. The doctors cited numerous peer-reviewed academic studies finding that the COVID-19 shots spike proteins are doing widespread damage to the human body and the harms will likely continue indefinitely.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) chaired the panel, which was the second such hearing on the issue held since November 2023. Rounding out the panel was Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, Ohio Rep. Warren Davidson, and Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs. Rep. Greene stated the hearings were hosted independently of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic because the subcommittee leadership refuses to do anything about what Americans actually care about. In addition, she said the data shows these injections have harmed thousands of Americans.

Three expert witnesses testified before the panel, all of whom have experience in treating people with COVID-19 infections, managing vaccine injuries, and have published research on the topic. The witnesses were Dr. Peter McCullough, an internist, epidemiologist, and one of the most published cardiologists in America with more than 1,000 peer-reviewed publications to his credit; Dr. Ryan Cole, a board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist who stated he was forced to sell his pathology lab for telling the truth about COVID vaccines; and Dr. Kirk Milhoan, a board-certified pediatric cardiologist who also holds a doctorate degree in cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology.

Dr. McCullough began his testimony by stating that this hearing was four years too late because it marked the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that the U.S. House of Representatives had formally received testimony from doctors who are directly treating patients with both COVID-19 infections and vaccine injuries. In referencing COVID shot statistics, Dr. McCullough stated about 75% of Americans received at least one dose and about 94% of those received an mRNA shot. He described the proteins in the mRNA shot as brand new technology different from the crippled or killed virus proteins in traditional vaccines.

Dr. McCullough said, these [mRNA] vaccines install the genetic code for the lethal part of the [COVID] virus, which is the spike protein  the spine on the surface of the virus. This was an extraordinary gamble because there was no knowledge of what was going to turn this off.

Dr. McCullough and Dr. Cole explained the danger of these shots is that they can produce too much of the potentially lethal spike proteins which could go anywhere and everywhere in the body. They stated the mRNA spike proteins can hijack the bodys machinery to produce an uncontrolled amount of spike proteins for an uncontrolled duration, and potentially indefinitely.

Both doctors emphasized that the human body recognizes the COVID mRNA spike protein as non-human, so the immune system attacks the spike proteins where they are in the bodys own cells. They stated this then causes cascading effects of inflammation and protein build-up which has resulted in the drastic rises in organ damage, clots, cancers, and deaths.

Dr. McCullough noted that mRNA vaccines have a regulatory window of concern of five years where if adverse events appear in that timeframe, then the vaccine itself needs to be considered as a cause.

The vaccines have been broadly applied, and there is a small, significant number of people (in these studies) who really get into (health] trouble, and multiply that times a big number of people who took the shots and that is the reason we have a health crisis, Dr. McCullough said.

Other key findings the doctors shared with the panel included:

Dr. Milhoan stated a Cleveland Clinic study published in April 2023 indicated that people with the lowest risk of getting COVID were people who have had zero vaccines.

Dr. McCullough stated 3,400 peer-reviewed papers reveal that COVID shots cause myocarditis and heart damage, which is responsible for the 13 percent increase in cardiovascular deaths in 2020, a 30 percent increase in 2021, and then a 44 percent increase in 2022.

Dr. Cole stated the COVID mRNA spike protein binds to certain cancer-causing genes, and medical databases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and in Singapore and the United Kingdom all show an increase in many cancers across age groups among highly vaccinated and boosted individuals.

Dr. Milhoan and Dr. Cole stated that despite all the data the government is still recommending boosters. They stated the public health strategy right now for fighting this treatable virus is to inject a horrible protein that asks our body to make a cardiac toxin.

Both Sen. Johnson and Rep. Biggs asked the panel of witnesses about the status of the medical establishment and what has led to this situation.

Dr. Cole stated there are intertwining, corrupted financial interests between the regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical companies. He noted that the CDC Foundation can make billions of dollars from vaccine patents, while National Institutes of Health officials can make $150,000 a year for life if they are on a patent for a drug that goes to market, and that the Food and Drug Administration is captured by the biopharmaceutical complex in terms of the percentage of their budget they get from drug approval and fast tracking processes.

Anybody that speaks against that cash flow gets the hatchet, stated Dr. Cole. Once you have a master over you, your willingness and ability to speak independently and freely falls under that curtain of fear. We used to be the freest nation on earth. We used to not have medical commissions attack people for free speech. We used to actually stand for individual rights and individual principles, but it's been rolled up into these large corporation machines and captured agencies, and, in my opinion, that's why we're we are where we are now.

In contrast, the former head of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Dr. Anthony Fauci, who largely influenced Americas response to the pandemic, recently testified in front of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. He was questioned on mask mandates, social distancing, lockdowns, shot mandates, and NIAID funding for dangerous gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China. According to a press release from Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Brad Wenstrup, Dr. Fauci said I dont recall more than 100 times during the first session of his deposition.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, These COVID mRNA injections have devastated countless lives, and according to the testimonies of these medical experts these shots will continue harming people for years to come. Warp Speed was a disaster because vaccines cannot safely be developed at warp speed. There is a reason why the typical vaccine takes 7-10 years to develop with at least five years of testing. These experimental mRNA shots skipped the necessary development. Due to brave doctors and proper scientific rigor, the evidence is available, and it is very clear: these shots were never safe nor effective. The pharmaceutical industry and regulatory agencies have sold out the human race for billions of dollars and have blood on their hands. All mRNA injections need to be stopped. Congress must repeal the law that provides legal immunity to vaccine makers and distributers.
A North Iowa man who pointed a shotgun at a person and threatened to kill them was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in federal prison.

Joseph Fitzgerald, age 64, of Mason City received the prison term after a Sept. 11, 2023, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and domestic misdemeanant, according to a press release.

Court documents state that on Nov. 23, 2022, Fitzgerald pointed a shotgun at a disabled person he resided with and threatened to kill them. When officers arrived on scene after a 911 call, Fitzgerald initially refused to let officers enter the home.

Fitzgerald has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for domestic violence, illegal drugs, and burglary. He's also had eight driving while intoxicated convictions and 13 assault convictions.

Fitzgerald was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
DES MOINES  Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds joined two dozen other Republican governors on Thursday to give their support to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the state's "right to self-defense" amid a clash between Abbott and President Joe Biden's administration over razor wire installed at the southern border.

In the statement on Thursday, the governors skewered Biden for policies that they say have led to "unprecedented illegal immigration pouring across the Southern border."

The U.S. Supreme Court this week cleared the way for federal agents to cut the razor wire fencing set up by Abbott and Texas officials at the border.

Abbott has since defended his right to continue using razor wire at the border and declared the influx of illegal border crossings an "invasion."

We stand in solidarity with our fellow Governor, Greg Abbott, and the State of Texas in utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border," Reynolds and the other governors said in the statement. "We do it in part because the Biden Administration is refusing to enforce immigration laws already on the books and is illegally allowing mass parole across America of migrants who entered our country illegally.

Federal law generally reserves border enforcement to the federal government, but Abbott and other Republican governors have said he has authority under a section of the Constitution that allows states to use military action if "actually invaded."

"Because the Biden Administration has abdicated its constitutional compact duties to the states, Texas has every legal justification to protect the sovereignty of our states and our nation," Reynolds and other Republican governors said.

When the federal government fails, states step in. Iowa sent the Iowa National Guard and State Troopers down to the border last year to stop this invasion.



Iowa stands with Texas. https://t.co/I5YKjyKxJt  Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) January 25, 2024

Abbott and other Republican governors have been challenging Biden on border enforcement for years, filing multiple lawsuits against the Biden administration and clashing over his border policies.

In a statement on Wednesday, Abbott said Biden had failed to enforce the border laws and allowed record numbers of illegal border crossings.

"President Biden has refused to to enforce those laws and has even violated them," Abbott said. "The result is that he has smashed records for illegal immigration."

In an interview on CNN on Thursday, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said Abbott was politicizing the situation at the border. She said the White House has been working on bipartisan legislation to improve border security.

"It's not making people's lives safer. It's actually making it harder for law enforcement at the border to do their job," she said. "And so we have been very clear. We want to make sure we get something done at the border."

Reynolds has deployed Iowa National Guard troops to the Texas border multiple times to aid in border enforcement. Most recently, more than 100 Iowa National Guard members were deployed last August as part of Operation Lone Star, a Texas mission to deter illegal border crossings.

Americas reeling as flow of migrants reaches historic levels
On the occasion of his working visit to Japan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, travelled to Osaka to take part in a ceremony marking the launch of construction work on the Luxembourg pavilion for the 2025 World Expo.

MAEE (fr. l. to r.) Xavier Bettel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs ; Ichinoki Manatsu, Deputy Secretary General of Expo. MAEE Xavier Bettel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs MAEE Group photo MAEE First day of Xavier Bettel's working visit to Japan MAEE Xavier Bettel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs

The theme of World Expo 2025 in Osaka will be "Designing Future Society for Our Lives". The main theme and sub-themes ("Saving Lives"; "Inspiring Lives"; "Connecting Lives") are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN to create an inclusive, just and sustainable society.

The Luxembourg pavilion, designed by the Luxembourg architecture firm Steinmetzdemeyer, is based on the theme "Doki Doki - The Luxembourg Heartbeat", the Japanese expression for an enthusiastic, joyful heartbeat, which forms the common thread running through the visitor's experience of the Luxembourg pavilion.

Minister Bettel was particularly pleased that the Luxembourg pavilion has been designed according to the principles of circularity: "The circular nature of the pavilion and the importance of responsible management that respects natural resources are among the main messages conveyed by Luxembourg's participation in the Expo. What's more, the pavilion will have to be built in such a way that if it is dismantled after Expo, some of the building materials can be reused," he pointed out.

Minister Bettel stressed that Luxembourg's participation in the World Expo would further deepen bilateral relations between Japan and Luxembourg, noting in this context that Luxembourg was among the first participating countries to organise a ceremony to launch the works. Luxembourg's participation in the 2025 Expo will mark the 25th time that Luxembourg has participated in a World Expo.

Minister Bettel will continue his working visit tomorrow in Tokyo, where he will hold bilateral talks with members of the Japanese government.

Press release by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade
Achievers

Creative Aging Network-NCs guitar instructor, Eric Moran, recently released his debut solo album.

The nonprofit assisted him in being awarded a grant from the N.C. Arts Council, The Arts Council of Winston-Salem, Forsyth County and ArtsGreensboro to help fund the albums production.

Find his new self-titled album on all major music streaming platforms by searching Eric Moran. Also, visit www.EricMoranMusic.com.

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UNCGs college of visual and performing arts has shared the following:

Kailan Rubinoff, associate professor of musicology, published her article, The Early Music Vocality of Cathy Berberian, in Historical Performance and New Music: Aesthetics and Practices, edited by Rebecca Cypess, Esteli Gomez, and Rachael Lansang (Routledge 2023).

Emily Voelker, assistant professor of art history, served as co-curator for the exhibition, In Our Hands: Native Photography, 1890Now at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Organized by a curatorial council of primarily Native artists, scholars and knowledge-sharers, the exhibition is the first at a major encyclopedic museum to showcase a history of photography by exclusively indigenous makers from across North America. The catalyst for the collectively created exhibition was Oglala Lakota photographer and former MIA fellow Jaida Grey Eagle who spoke at UNCG last spring. Voelker also authored an essay for the accompanying catalog.

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Thomas Penn Johnson of Winston-Salem, a Greensboro native, has written the book, AMIAS. Atmosphere Press is the publisher. The central character Amias, an African by birth, embarks on a quest to reconnect with his long-lost lover Francis Bacon, seeking legal assistance for his ailing employer, the exiled Portuguese Prince Don Antonio. In pursuit of justice Amias and Bacon clash with the political and financial machinations of other influential figures.

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The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association has named Kathy Baize, an assistant manager at Biscuitvilles West Dixie Drive location in Asheboro, a 2024 Star of the Industry.

Annually, NCRLA recognizes two recipients from across the state in the Restaurant Employee of the Year category, evaluating nominees based on their outstanding leadership qualities, community outreach and exceptional service and character. Winners will be honored at the NCRLA Stars of the Industry gala at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham on Feb. 12.

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Laura Ashley, nationally known speed painter, will be participating in this years Art of Speed event today, Jan. 26, in Daytona, Fla. Ashley will be creating speed art at Gallery500, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

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The North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners approved 65 individuals for North Carolina CPA licensure on Jan. 22. Local individuals included: Tanesha Shanee Crewes of Greensboro, Olivia Paige Pleasant of High Point and Irma Karina Ibarra of Madison.

Announcements

Diner en Blanc  Greensboro has announced Ayana Obika and Tara Robertson as the dynamic new hosts for the upcoming fourth edition of the exclusive pop-up dining event.

Diner en Blanc is a worldwide event spanning six continents in which people have a meal dressed in white in a temporary dining setup in a public space. Diners are required to provide their own food, tables, chairs and tablecloths.

To keep up to date on event announcements, visit greensboro.dinerenblanc.com.

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Carolina Core FC, an independent club that will join MLS NEXT Pro in 2024, has partnered with the Deuterman Law Group, a North Carolina injury law firm, as a foundational sponsor. Also, the club has partnered with Jeff B. Auto Sales as a signature sponsor.

The club is set to begin preseason training on Jan. 29.

Awards

UNCG Libraries received the 2024 Library Excellence in Access and Diversity Award from Insight into Diversity magazine. The LEAD Award honors academic libraries programs and initiatives that encourage and support DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) across their campuses. These include, but are not limited to, research, technology, accessibility, exhibitions and community outreach.

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The United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship presented Dianne H.B. Welsh with the Max S. Wortman Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award for Entrepreneurship as part of the USASBE 2024: Forging the Future Together annual conference held in Birmingham, Ala., in January.

Welsh is the Hayes Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship at UNCG. She is a known scholar in entrepreneurship, family business and franchising. She is past president of the Small Business Institute and past president and Justin G. Longenecker Fellow of USASBE. Welsh was also invited by the United Nations to present the keynote address on Women and Entrepreneurship and served on the first NC Innovation Council. Welsh was the architect of UNCGs Entrepreneurship Program and founder of both the Southern Entrepreneurship in the Arts Conferences in Tampa, Fla. and Greensboro.

On the Move

Blue Door Group Real Estate, a real estate firm headquartered in Winston-Salem, has announced that Sonji Disher has joined the brokerage as a Blue Door Group Team member.

Kyle Herrington is the new site director of World Relief Triad. Herrington established his career at World Relief in 2018 as an employment specialist. A meet and greet with Herrington will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 2 at the World Relief Triad High Point Office, 155 Northpoint Ave., Suite 102. To RSVP, visit tinyurl.com/2hka62cz.

Carruthers & Roth has named attorneys Trisha Barfield and Brandon Jones as directors of the firm effective. Barfield is a member of the Carruthers & Roth litigation practice where she focuses on matters involving businesses, shareholders, construction projects, labor, employment and compliance, creditors rights, insurance liability, landlord-tenant relationships, real estate disputes and estates, wills and trusts disputes. Jones is a member of the Carruthers & Roth business, tax and estate planning practice where he focuses on both estate planning and business law.

Rockingham Community College has announced recent position changes and new hires: Grace Gross transitioned to a full-time role as admissions processing specialist, Blaine Henderson has accepted the full-time public services librarian position, Thomas Knight transitioned to a new role as department chair of business technologies, Antwan McCoy joins RCC as program director of emergency medical services and Robin Servie returns to RCC in a new capacity, as program director of cosmetology.
After a 911 transcript quoted a caller from Greensboro City Manager Taiwo Jaiyeoba's home as saying he was killing his children, the executive director of Guilford Metro 911 wrote in an email to Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan that the dispatcher had made an error.

The caller actually said that Jaiyeoba was "hitting" his children, not "killing" them, wrote Melanie Jones, the director. Two of Jaiyeoba's daughters, ages 19 and 25, were listed as victims on a police report along with Jaiyeoba himself. The report does not list anyone as a suspect or perpetrator.

The transcript of the 911 call, made during a domestic disturbance on Dec. 28 at Jaiyeoba's house, stated that there was a female on the line stating that [redacted] is abusing them... trying to say that she pushed him and broke his arm active disorder in background.

The transcript further stated that [Redacted] is killing his [redacted].

Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan said that she asked Jones to review the audio of the call, based on "the seriousness of the allegation."

Jones shared her findings with Vaughan and members of the city council in an email sent Friday morning, and Vaughan forwarded her email to the News & Record.

"Regrettably, the person that answered the call entered in the notes of the call that the city manager was 'killing' his children, and that was not the caller's statement," Jones wrote.

Jones said the transcript should have stated: "Taiwo Jaiyeoba, the city manager of Greensboro, is hitting his children.

"This discrepancy will be addressed with the call taker, upon their return to work," Jones wrote. "There was a lot of background noise on that call, and I can understand where she may have heard the different word. But, when the call is slowed down, it is clearly 'hitting.'"

Vaughan said she does not fault the telecommunicator.

"They process hundreds of thousands of calls," Vaughan said. "In the heat of the moment I can understand mishearing something especially given that there was a lot of noise in the background."

Jaiyeoba provided a statement to the News & Record on Thursday, acknowledging that officers were called to this home after the Christmas holiday and asking the community to respect his family's privacy. Parents often have disagreements with their adult kids, and my family is no different," he said.

Vaughan said Friday that Jaiyeoba had quickly communicated with council members after the disturbance at his home.

The city manager spoke with each council member individually right after this occurred," Vaughan said. "What he said to me was consistent with what has been reported.

The police report on the incident was provided to the News & Record by Carla Banks, a spokesperson for the city. It provides few details, but says that the city manager and the two daughters each had an apparent minor injury. Jaiyeoba has appeared recently in an arm sling.

The report appears to have been filed as a paper document, and a search for the incident in the departments online incident report database does not return any results.

A spokesperson for the police department said Friday that the department's investigation into the incident is closed.

Request for footage

The News & Record is filing a statutory action to seek a court order to release the law enforcement recordings of the incident.

Under North Carolina law, body-camera footage is not a public record, and law enforcement agencies do not have the legal authority to release such footage to the public.

Because of a 2016 law, law enforcement videos can only be released to the public through a court order signed by a superior court judge. A petition must be filed with the court in order for that to happen.

Once the petition has been filed, law enforcement agencies then turn over the requested videos to a judge for a review. That judge will then hold a hearing in superior court before issuing a decision. The judge has the discretion to deny the request or grant the request in part or full. The judge also has discretion to redact parts of the videos if there are concerns about privacy of people in the videos.

When asked whether the city would comply with the request for bodycam footage of the incident, Vaughan said that the city will comply with what the court tells us to do.
Updated: 01/26/2024 11:32 a.m.

An associate dean at UNCG announced Wednesday hes resigning in protest of the way the university is handling a review of academic programs for possible elimination. He argued that some programs were unfairly targeted and that his boss was pressured into recommending them for removal.

Charles Bolton is the associate dean of UNCGs College of Arts and Sciences, which is the largest school within the university. Hes also a history professor and the interim head of the anthropology department. Thats one of 20 academic programs proposed for elimination.

UNCG Spokeswoman Kimberly Osborne clarified Friday that Bolton's resignation is from the associate dean and interim department head positions does not mean he is resigning from UNCG entirely. He is set to return to the faculty in his role as a history professor, Osborne said.

Bolton said in a letter addressed to College of Arts and Sciences Dean John Kiss that hes resigning as associate dean and interim department head effective May 31, to give time for the university to find a successor for him before the end of the academic year. The letter does not address Boltons future plans.

I have come to understand that some of the decisions made to place programs and courses on the discontinued list  specifically, the BA in Anthropology, the MA in Mathematics, the minors in Russian and the courses in Korean  have not been made in the fair, transparent and collaborative way in which the University has repeatedly described the APR process, Bolton wrote in the letter.

APR refers to UNCG's academic portfolio review. Its a process, looking at possible programs to eliminate, that the university began in 2022 and which is now at a critical juncture. Earlier parts of that process included scoring programs on a rubric looking at factors like cost and revenue, demand, efficiency, external grants and student success.

University Chancellor Frank Gilliam said in an interview earlier this month that the UNCG deans have been asked to review the programs within their schools and make recommendations, but theres no mandate that each dean recommend one or more for elimination  he said it would be up to them what if anything, they recommended for closure from their schools.

According to Gilliam, targeted cuts can help the university prevent across-the-board cuts.

This is a sharpening of our focus in response to some rather powerful headwinds that higher education is facing, he said.

Last week, the university released a list of recommendations from its deans for potential elimination. Next week, on Thursday, Provost Debbie Storrs, one of the senior administrators of the university, is expected to offer her recommendations to Gilliam and Gilliam is expected to make his decisions on what he wants to cut.

As Bolton noted in his letter, not all of the programs recommended by the deans for cuts were among those receiving the lowest scores.

Both the BA in Anthropology and the MA in Mathematics scored in the Meets Expectations section of the rubric that the administration has largely developed and approved, he wrote. Of course, neither minors nor individual courses were part of the APR process and were not scored in the rubric.

Notes on the process, published by the university on its website, detail discussions of some of the majors and programs in the college of arts and science.

While the scores for undergraduate anthropology and math masters degrees are among the higher scores for programs represented in that document, administrators did note some other concerns.

For anthropology, that included issues with students not doing well in courses, according to the notes. The notes praised the department for some aspects, but said that after some past faculty departures, the university would likely need to invest more money to add more professors to make the program successful.

For the math masters program, the notes pointed to low enrollment and counseled that the math department should focus instead on helping undergraduates succeed in math, especially in lower-level courses.

Bolton wrote it is his understanding that Kiss did not initially recommend that anthropology, the math masters degree, Chinese, Russian or Korean be discontinued.

Rather the provost pressured you to add these programs/courses to your list, Bolton wrote.  ... I believe that the pending recommendations at UNCG to discontinue the BA program in Anthropology, the graduate programs in Mathematics, and the foreign language minors and courses are equally heavy-handed and capricious, decisions made by one individual (Provost Storrs) in an unfair, nontransparent, and uncollaborative way. Certainly not a model of shared governance in an academic environment and not the actions worthy of an institution like the University of North Carolina Greensboro.

As part of an emailed response to questions from the News & Record, Osborne, the UNCG spokeswoman, quoted from remarks by Kiss during the UNCG Faculty Senate meeting held on Jan. 24, the date of the letter.

I looked at all the programs and worked with my three associate deans, Kiss said. We had a robust internal discussion and part of this we worked with Provost Storrs and discussed the programs. We came to a consensus. I think Chuck (Bolton) is giving his interpretation.

Osborne also said Storrs had ongoing conversations with all of the deans who brought forth recommendations from their respective committees.

As Dean Kiss shared in various campus forums and at yesterdays Faculty Senate meeting, the College of Arts and Sciences committee did not provide any recommendations, Osborne e-mailed. Given that the College of Arts and Sciences committee did not put forth any recommendations, Dean Kiss engaged his Associate Deans and the Provost in discussions on his deliberations.

Kiss and Storrs were both among the leaders who participated in a campus-wide forum on the recommendations on Tuesday, the day prior.

I just wanted to thank the deans for their thoughtful considerations and the willingness to move through this work in collaboration with their faculty, Storrs said. I also want to thank folks who have sent me emails or letters or other documents, I am reading through everything I get and considering those, so that has been very helpful.

Kiss told the audience he felt the academic review process was the hardest thing that he and colleagues have had to do together during his time in the position.

I know this affects peoples lives, livelihoods and future and I dont take that lightly, he said.

Kiss is himself planning to leave UNCG, having announced on the university website Monday that he is leaving for a job as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at The Florida Institute of Technology.

While I am excited about this new opportunity, I will greatly miss the wonderful people that make up the College of Arts & Sciences at UNC Greensboro, where I have served as dean for the past eight years, Kiss wrote in that post.
Ive been troubled by some of the negative press about Israel in recent days. I mourn the loss of innocent civilian life in Gaza. I pray that more humanitarian aid can reach those civilians who desperately need it. I know that Israel is not perfect. Its a democracy where, even now, major protests against government policies are ongoing. And it is unrealistic and unfair to only direct calls for a ceasefire toward Israel alone.

Prior to the war, Israel was in talks with the U.S., Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations about changing Israels policies in order to normalize relations with more of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia included the Palestinian Authority in those conversations and stressed the importance of a Palestinian state. Thats when Hamas broke the ceasefire with Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Thats when it massacred and mutilated approximately 1,200 people, raped and tortured an unknown number and kidnapped more than 240 civilians and soldiers. The victims were people from many different nationalities and religions, including Palestinians.

For more than a decade, Israel and Egypt worked together to try to prevent materials that could be used for war from entering Gaza. Oct. 7 proved that their fears were well-founded. Hamas used billions of dollars in foreign aid, funds that were supposed to benefit the Palestinian people in Gaza, to go to war. Hamas created a tunnel system that is estimated to be hundreds of kilometers long with more than five thousand points of entry  many of which are located in homes, schools, mosques and hospitals. Hamas leaders are safe underground while millions of innocent civilians suffer and are used as human shields.

As horrible as Hamas tactics are, their ideology is worse. Khaled Mashal, the leader of Hamas outside of Gaza, appeared to justify the use of human shields a few months ago by stating that no nation is liberated without sacrifices. Mashal continues to stress in a recent interview Hamas long-held view that a two-state solution or any recognition of Israel is unacceptable. He makes it clear his understanding of From the River to the Sea means the destruction of Israel, and hes very aware and encouraged by the fact that so many in the West have adopted this phrase.

Speakers on Hamas television call for the annihilation of the Jews, claim that Jews are the enemies of humanity and argue that Life is about fighting and not about negotiating with the Israelites, or the Jews. Due to the heinous and extreme nature of Hamas views and propaganda, it is important to stress that not all Palestinians and certainly not all Muslims hold these views. Many who disagree with Israels policies might even justify Hamas actions without understanding who Hamas is.

The combination of Hamas attack, Hamas ideology, the support in many circles that Hamas has received and the almost 400% rise in antisemitic incidents since Oct. 7 has many in the Jewish community on edge. Temple Emanuel has been the recipient of three bomb threat hoaxes in the past few months. And gratefully, we have received support and continue to receive support from many parts of our community. We need that support right now and so does the Muslim community  its been hard for all of us during this difficult, challenging time.

I long for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Im not alone in envisioning two states where all peoples in the region can live with dignity and safety, where human rights are valued and prioritized. In a recent poll, a majority of Israelis support that vision. Sadly, Hamas does not. God willing, we will get there some day. That is my prayer.
A Helena man was charged with two felony counts of sexual intercourse without consent, felony sexual abuse of children and misdemeanor sexual assault on Thursday.

Logan Peter Grove, 23, was charged in Helena Justice Court with three felonies and one misdemeanor after an officer was dispatched to the area of Stewart Homes in Helena on Dec. 19, 2023, for a man who said he jumped out of a window.

Grove had sexual intercourse with one victim when they were 15 and another who is 16, according to court documents.

When Grove made the call to dispatch, he was found sitting near a staircase at Helena High School, authorities said.

After the officer questioned Grove they took him to his father's residence on Breckenridge Street. The officer then drove to the victims' house and questioned them, officials said.

The documents state the victim said Grove was "going crazy" while throwing things around and then jumped head first out of a second-story window onto a roof below.

One victim said the argument started over marijuana he had given them and who it belonged to, police said.

On Dec. 21, 2023, Grove was arrested for partner or family member assault against his father and was placed on a probation hold.

On Dec. 26, 2023, Helena Police Department Sgt. Adam Shanks advised the victim came to the department regarding a rape investigation.

The victim said in court documents that they met Grove through their mother, who met Grove at a casino.

Grove was aware of the victims' ages, court documents state.

Documents state the mother said she was aware of Grove hanging out, but did not know he was intimately involved.

The first victim said they had sexual intercourse with Grove twice after they turned 16.

On one occasion on Nov. 24, Grove took explicit photos of the first victim in a sexual act, documents state.

On Dec. 19, 2023, the first victim said in court documents that Grove came to their house "acting crazy" and looking for the marijuana by digging through their things.

As the first victim was sitting on their bed, Grove grabbed them and forced their legs open while placing his head on their crotch, documents state. He bit down on their clothing, causing it to tear, and said he did not rape her and they raped him.

The first victim threw his phone out the window, causing him to later jump out the window, authorities said.

Shanks met with the second victim who stated that Grove came to their room Oct. 1, 2023, to play a video game while they were 15.

The second victim said they noticed Grove "acting weird" and "spiraling out of control."

Documents state the second victim admitted to also having sexual intercourse with Grove twice.

The first time was on Oct. 3, where Grove provided them beer, began to cry and asked for a hug.

The second victim hugged him and this led to sexual intercourse, documents state.

Grove was again intimate with the second victim the following morning.

The second victim stated in court documents that there was one time when Grove repeatedly asked for sex, so the second victim "relented."

On both occasions Grove was aware they were 15 years old and unable to consent, authorities said.

The documents state Grove was in contact with the second victim repeatedly on recorded phone calls where he admits to placing his face in the first victim's crotch and ripping their clothes. He also admitted to jumping out of the window.

The second victim reminded Grove that the events took place on Oct. 3, to which Grove replied that he did not want to go to prison for 10 years.

Grove then told the second victim during the recorded phone calls that their birthday is in September, but the second victim corrects him with their actual birthday.

The documents state Grove asked them if they were trying to get him thrown in prison and the second victim "relents," stating their birthday is in September.
Sen. Steve Daines is objecting to a federal directive that prohibits medallions on government-issued markers in VA cemeteries, calling it a misguided policy that does nothing but cause more issues than it fixes.

The Montana Republican, in a Jan. 22 letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, focused on what he said was the removal of medallions honoring World War II veterans who served in the Armys First Special Service Force, though the rule applies to all branches of the military.

For years, the Montanans who served in the FSSF and were buried at VA cemeteries in Montana were remembered for their special service with a medallion located on their headstone. However, now, the NCA  citing long standing official policy that medallions are prohibited on VA purchased headstones  has ordered the removal of these symbolic medallions, Daines stated in the letter.

He said the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) has determined such medallions would prevent preserving the appearance and doing maintenance.

Daines said the medallions represent the sacrifice, service and skill of those selected to serve.

I, like many of Montanas veterans and their families, find it outrageous that a small medallion would in any way diminish the appearance of a headstone or prevent maintenance, he wrote. The application of this NCA directive reeks of bureaucratic excess that does nothing but cause more issues than it fixes.

He asks the order be rescinded and wants a full explanation to Congress.

A Veterans Affairs/National Cemetery Administration spokesman acknowledged the letter on Tuesday and offered a response:

VA has no greater obligation than to honor and memorialize the service and legacy of our nations Veterans, he said in an email. This includes long-standing requirements for the preservation of Government-furnished headstones and markers. We look forward to further addressing Senator Daines concerns directly with him and his staff.

The spokesman said the Code of Federal Regulations states that government-furnished headstones, markers and medallions remain the property of the U.S. government in perpetuity and should not be defaced or altered in any way. He noted the First Special Service Force medallion is not furnished by VA and is separate from those provided for eligible Veterans and service members who are buried in a private cemetery marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker.

Daines, in response, said: Sadly, the VA is clearly sticking by their policy that directed the removal of medallions and even admitted that theyre removing more than just those recognizing FSSF.

Their bureaucratic rules are a slap in the face to those who served," he said in an email.

Daines notes in his letter to McDonough that the First Special Service Force, known as the Devils Brigade or Black Devils by U.S. enemies and allies alike  organized in 1942 and trained at Fort William Henry Harrison near Helena 

He said they fought courageously in campaigns across the European theatre during World War II.

Many of those brave service members who are no longer with us are now buried in Montana at various VA cemeteries, Daines said in his letter.

Daines staff said the senator had been contacted about the issue by veterans service groups and people who have relatives buried in VA cemeteries.

Lowell Long, department commander of the American Legion of Montana, said they reached out to Daines and asked him to intervene.

Were not happy they are doing this, that they are enforcing this directive they have never endorsed before and to do it without contacting the families is totally unacceptable, Long said.

Long, who was in the Marine Corps from 1975-1979 and then spent 24 years with the Montana Army National Guard, said he was not sure when the rule went into place. He said he had never seen a medallion or any other item on a veteran's marker that he considered to be unacceptable.

We are not sure where it started from, he said. He said they had not approached Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, or other members of Montana's congressional delegation, for help.

Ray Read, a veteran and director of the Montana Military Museum at Fort Harrison who has a deep interest in the First Special Service Force, said a family member of a veteran who noticed a medallion was missing from a marker had asked what was going on.

He said this occurred at the Montana VA Cemetery at Fort Harrison, which he said is not a federal VA cemetery but belongs to the state and receives federal funding. National cemeteries in Montana include Fort Missoula Post Cemetery in Missoula and Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel. The VA Grant-Funded Cemeteries in Montana in Missoula, Crow Agency, Miles City and Helena.

He said medallions had been removed from about 10 markers and had been put in a box in the maintenance center. They have since been picked up.

Bill Woon, whose father John David Woon was a member of the First Special Service Force and is buried at Fort Harrison, said a medallion had been on his fathers marker for about eight years, and then was missing.

He said he too believed it had been stolen.

I started to inquire what was going on and started down the path, he said.

He said coins were created in the 80s by one of the First Special Service Force veterans who had them made to commemorate the liberation of Rome and France. Also created was the medallion which was to be placed on the headstone.

Woon said the cost of the medallion was not exorbitant, but more of a project to honor veterans.

He was saddened to hear of other medallions being removed.

The question is: What changed and how come? he said. This becomes pretty personal when its your fathers and grandfathers headstone.

Long said the American Legion intends to continue pursuing this issue with the VA.

At this point, our plan is to keep pressuring them to reconsider, he said.

To read the letter from Daines to the VA, go to: https://bit.ly/3vUOWwC.
The parents of Ethan Crumbley, the teenager who in 2021 opened fire at his high school in Oxford, Michigan, are going on trial for manslaughter in cases that will test the limits of who is responsible for a mass shooting.

James and Jennifer Crumbley have pleaded not guilty to four charges of involuntary manslaughter for their alleged roles in their sons rampage, which left four students dead and seven others wounded. They face up to 15 years in prison.

They are standing trial separately. Opening statements in Jennifer Crumbleys trial began Thursday, and James Crumbleys trial is tentatively scheduled to start March 5.

In bringing manslaughter charges, prosecutors alleged the gunmans parents are also responsible for the students deaths  a novel and unusual legal theory.

Jennifer Crumbley didnt pull the trigger that day, but she is responsible for those deaths, Oakland County assistant prosecutor Marc Keast said in opening statements.

In particular, prosecutors accuse the gunmans parents of disregarding the risks when they bought a gun for their son four days before the shooting, even though he was struggling with his mental health and contemplating violence. They also say the parents did not mention the gun to school officials in a meeting to discuss Ethans disturbing drawings just hours before the fatal shooting.

Despite her knowledge of his deteriorating mental crisis, despite her knowledge of his growing social isolation, despite the fact that its illegal for a 15-year-old to walk into a gun store and walk out with a handgun by himself, this gun was gifted, Keast said.

Even with all of that, on the day of the shooting, Jennifer Crumbley was still given the opportunity to prevent these murders from ever happening, Keast said. Instead, she chose to do nothing.

The parents defense attorneys have argued the charges have no legal justification, but appeals courts have upheld them.

Jennifer Crumbleys attorney Shannon Smith, in the defenses opening statements, said she did not know about his deteriorating mental state and could not have reasonably foreseen her son would use the gun in a mass shooting. Smith said the shooters mother will testify to explain her side of the story.

She is going to take the stand and tell you about her life with her son, about the day he became the shooter, and about the day he did something she could have never anticipated or fathomed or predicted, Smith said. She will tell you that when she saw the materials in this case, she learned that her son had not been her son for months. That he had been manipulating her, he had been hiding things from her, he had been sending alarming text messages to other people.

Parents have been charged for their childs actions before, but not in this specific way, according to Misty Marris, a trial attorney who has followed the case.

Its not the first time that a parent has been held liable in some capacity for the acts of a child or a shooter, however, usually those charges relate to child neglect or manifest as a failure to keep a firearm locked up, Marris said. This is very different because its actually holding them responsible for the killings.

Ethan Crumbley, speaking at his sentencing hearing in December, said, They did not know, and I did not tell them what I planned to do, so they are not at fault for what Ive done. His testimony about his parents knowledge of his mental health struggles could be key, but its not clear at this point whether he will testify.

His attorneys have indicated he will invoke his Fifth Amendment right to silence if called to testify, as the appeal of his sentence remains open. In court Tuesday, Jennifer Crumbley asked the judge to compel her son and his two jail psychiatrists to testify, while the shooters attorneys indicated they will not waive privilege or confidentiality for his medical records, the testimony of his doctors or his own testimony.

Marris said the trials will particularly focus on what the parents did not do, and whether that makes them responsible. Thats why this is a tricky case because a lot of it is based on omission, not action, she said. A lot of criminal culpability is because you did something, not because you failed to do something. Thats why this legal argument is so novel and new and actually pretty groundbreaking.

The evidence and arguments may also differ for each parent. Jennifer and James Crumbley had been working toward a joint defense, but their cases were separated after their defense learned of a conflict between the two. According to a prosecution filing from last year, Jennifer Crumbley placed blame on her husband in the shooting, leading to the split.

Pre-trial hearings previewed the evidence

On November 30, 2021, Ethan Crumbley, 15 at the time, took a gun from an unlocked container in his home, hid it in his backpack and took it out in a bathroom before opening fire on his schoolmates.

He has pleaded guilty to one count of terrorism causing death, four counts of murder and 19 other charges related to the deadly rampage, and last year was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

In pre-trial hearings, prosecutors introduced text messages and other evidence they said showed his parents ignored clear warning signs.

According to phone evidence, Ethan had texted a friend saying he was experiencing hallucinations and hearing voices and had asked his parents to take him to a doctor. In response, his dad gave him pills and told him to suck it up, and his mom laughed at him, according to the texts.

On Black Friday, four days before the shooting, James Crumbley bought the gun at an Oxford store with his son, according to prosecutors. Jennifer Crumbley later posted on her social media, mom and son day testing out his new Christmas present, prosecutors said.

Days later, when the school notified them that Ethan had been searching online for ammo on his phone, Jennifer Crumbley texted her son: LOL Im not mad at you. You have to learn not to get caught, according to prosecutors.

Finally, on the morning of the shooting, a teacher found a drawing from Ethan showing a gun and a person bleeding along with the phrases, the thoughts wont stop help me, blood everywhere and my life is useless. His parents were called into school for a meeting, but they did not inform the school Ethan had access to a gun and declined to take him out of classes for the day.

Shortly after, Ethan took the gun out of his backpack and opened fire.

His parents have been held in jail since they were arrested on manslaughter charges days after the shooting.

What this could mean for parents

There have been several other cases in which parents were charged for shootings carried out by their children, though not one in a school mass shooting.

In a similar vein, the mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher at a Virginia school last year faced charges. The boys mother ultimately pleaded guilty to a state child neglect charge and felony charges of unlawful use of a controlled substance while possessing a firearm and making a false statement while purchasing a firearm.

Frank Vandervort, clinical professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School, said parents can be held responsible for their childrens actions, such as for truancy. But the level of severity in the case of the Crumbleys is different.

We do impose on parents certain obligations regarding their children, to say you have a heightened degree of responsibility for what happens when your kids do things. Thats generally in the law, he said. The severity of the charges, I think, are whats unique here.

Could these cases set a new precedent for parents?

In a written opinion filed last March, a panel of judges for the states appellate court acknowledged the possible precedent-setting nature of these cases but called the situation unique and unusual.

We share defendants concern about the potential for this decision to be applied in the future to parents whose situation viz-a-viz their childs intentional conduct is not as closely tied together, and/or the warning signs and evidence were not as substantial as they are here, wrote the panel.

The opinion said those concerns are significantly diminished by the fact that Ethan Crumbleys actions were reasonably foreseeable, and that is the ultimate test that must be applied.

Vandervort similarly said he believed these cases were so unusual and uncommon that the impact would be limited.

I dont anticipate theres going to be a lot of this kind of thing filed. I think this is a pretty unique case, he said. Its hard to talk about shootings by teenagers as being run of the mill. Unless youve got really unusual factual situations, I dont anticipate a lot of parents getting charged.

Even so, Joey Jackson, a CNN legal analyst, said the prosecutions broad goal in bringing these cases was to deter other parents.

They want to deter other parents from being negligent, he said. They want to make sure we have diligent parents who dont put their kids in a position where they can gain access to firearms easily.

___

Yes, it's getting worse: New data shows mass shootings are more frequent Yes, it's getting worse: New data shows mass shootings are more frequent Mass shootings have been on the rise steadily for the past 40 years While shooting incidents show a gradual upward trend, the number of those killed is rising at an alarming rate Injuries have likewise risen significantly; one contributing factor: assault weapons
The head of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services said the agency has nearly cleared its backlog of incomplete contracts that risked peoples access to health services.

Even so, some organizations say the state still owes them tens of thousands of dollars for services already provided.

Director Charlie Brereton told state lawmakers during a Children, Families, Health, and Human Services Interim Committee meeting on Jan. 18 that the agency had nearly finished finalizing overdue contracts with organizations that provide public health services.

Weve been working around the clock throughout the fall and the winter to address the issue and hope that it never happens again, Brereton said.

Breretons comments to lawmakers came after several state health contractors, including county health departments and behavioral health providers, told KFF Health News and other news organizations they had waited months for the department to approve or renew their contracts. As a result, the state didnt cut checks for services provided and workers went without pay; some health organizations laid off employees and stalled services.

The state health department works with more than 4,000 private and public contractors across Montana. More than 700 of those had contracts due for review from June through December. Some providers said that at one point more than 200 contractors were affected, a number state officials wouldnt confirm.

Brereton told lawmakers there could still be a handful of pending contracts for a variety of reasons but any that remain are a high priority.

Jon Ebelt, a health department spokesperson, wouldnt specify how many contracts remained as of Jan. 23, but said those that do are long-standing and complicated.

A finalized document doesnt immediately solve the problem for those still waiting for payments.

The Missoula City-County Health Department is among the organizations that dipped into local government reserves to keep programs running while waiting for the state to approve two contracts. The departments health officer, Damian Chase-Begay, said the state still owed it about $69,000 in back payments as of Jan. 19 for work done in October and November. Those payments cover the departments Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children services.

Simultaneously, the county health department was still waiting on a final $293,000 contract for a program that provides families with access to public health nurses, social workers, and other community health professionals.

Ebelt didnt answer how much money the state owes organizations in backdated pay.

Agency leadership has directed all programs to escalate outstanding invoices to ensure expedient payment, Ebelt said. However, some contractors have not yet billed for services pursuant to the terms of their contracts. Invoices will be paid upon receipt.

Don Roberts, who runs a drop-in center in Ronan for people with addiction on the Flathead Indian Reservation, said on Jan. 19 that he was also waiting on a final contract from the state and to be paid for months of work. Roberts heard from state health officials that his case is close to being resolved, and he submitted invoices dating to October, he said.

I will count that egg when I see it in my basket, Roberts said.

His company, Never Alone Recovery Support Services, had been without the contract that covers the centers payroll for more than three months. Roberts said he and other workers picked up part-time jobs this month, leaving unpredictable hours for the site thats a resource for people in crisis.

Roberts said health officials contacted him after he spoke with KFF Health News about the delays.

All I can say for sure is that, all of a sudden, conversations are being had again, he said. Before, it was just nothing, we were just in the dark.

Brereton told lawmakers the department skipped sending out a mass letter to its thousands of contractors to avoid widespread panic for organizations that werent affected.

Kim Aiken, the health departments chief financial officer, said the agency started recognizing the severity of its backlog in the fall.

The delay stems from a combination of factors, she said. The state Department of Administration emphasized stringent legal reviews of contracts and increased its focus on compliance. And a new rule requires Montana to confirm contractors wont discriminate against companies that make or sell guns. The state also had more contracts to manage than usual, which Aiken said was in part related to projects to overhaul and improve Montanas behavioral health and developmental disabilities systems.

Another issue, Aiken said, is the staff turnover within the health department and the Department of Administration, which helps manage state contracts.

She said, among other things, that the department will create an agency-wide contract-monitoring system and that health officials worked with the Department of Administration to standardize contract templates. She also said the health department is considering more training and tools to avoid staff turnover.

We're looking at every angle of what went wrong, Aiken said.

KFF Health News, formerly known as Kaiser Health News (KHN), is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF  the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.
DECATUR  The Gin Mill restaurant has been recognized for offering trendy food skillfully presented in a remarkable setting by the AAA auto club.

The downtown Decatur restaurant earned the three-diamond rating following an unscheduled visit by an AAA inspector. While there have been other three-diamond restaurants in the past, the Gin Mill is currently the only three-diamond restaurant in Decatur.

The notes on the visit read: Old-fashioned cocktails pair nicely with the distinctive variety of dishes served at this eclectic spot located in a historic downtown building. Soups and sandwiches are featured at lunch and include a fried gator po'boy and a hoagie featuring chorizo and chimichurri. Seafood and chops selections are more hearty with such options as their signature Beef Blackstone served over brioche and red pepper crab cakes. A small plates menu features street tacos and a bowl of marinated P.E.I. Mussels.

Restaurants must pass an on-site evaluation with 13 minimum requirements to be approved as a diamond property. There are 57 elements included in the score that determines a propertys diamond level.

There are five diamond levels for restaurants. The designation is good for one year.

Among the unique features that add to its appearance is the bar, which was the original lobby bar of the Congress Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Gin Mill, located at 124 E. Prairie Ave., turned 10 years old in December.

We focus on consistency with the high quality of our food, and service that you would expect at a high-end steak house in Chicago, owner Kevin Dawson said. We hope the Gin Mill will go down in Decatur history books as one of the citys famous restaurants.

23 Decatur restaurants from our past Blue Mill Brown Jug Carlos O'Kelley's Chili Parlor Country Cupboard Dante's Restaurant Elams Root Beer Stand Jimmy Ryan's Lone Star Mr. G's Ponderosa Steak House Rax Restaurant Red Wheel Restaurant Redwood Sandy's Shaw's Restaurant Shenannigans Stoney's Restaurant Swartz Restaurant Tater's Tokyo Garden Tom's Grill Tops Big Boy
MATTOON  Officers with the Mattoon Police Department recently arrested a wanted kidnapping suspect from Wisconsin on parole for sex crimes and freed the victim.

The police department reported in a news release that Alexander M. Schultz, 31, was arrested for the offense of being a fugitive from justice. The arrest occurred at 12:23 p.m. Wednesday in the 300 block of Lake Land Boulevard.

"MPD was contacted (that day) by a police agency in Wisconsin, who reported they were investigating a kidnapping that occurred in their jurisdiction. They indicated that Schultz took an adult female against her will and had reason to believe they were in Mattoon," the release said.

The police department reported that it was able to obtain additional information through local resources during the course of the investigation.

At approximately 12:23 p.m., officers located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on Lake Land Boulevard/U.S. Route 45. Schultz, who was driving the vehicle, was taken into custody without incident. The female victim was located in the passenger seat and reunited with family members.

Schultz was transported to the Coles County jail for his outstanding warrants from Wisconsin. He awaits extradition to Wisconsin for the warrants and kidnapping charge. It was later discovered Schultz was on parole in Wisconsin for sex crimes and had cut off a monitoring device from his person.

Regarding his arrest in Coles County and pending extradition, Schultz has a status hearing schedule for Feb. 5.
We treasure artists because they're able to use their unique abilities to show us the previously unrealized and to bring new understanding to things we thought we knew.

Specially talented artists can create works that can reach around the world, inspiring thousands.

That's a skill that was held by Decatur sculptor John McClarey. He died at 88 last week in a traffic crash.

McClarey was one of Central Illinois' most prolific and celebrated artists. He leaves a legacy of work all over the world. His sculptures of Abraham Lincoln were praised for their interpretation and inventiveness.

Among his efforts are the life-size sculptures of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas that stand outside the Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum in Charleston at the Coles County Fairgrounds; outside the Old State Capitol in Vandalia; in front of the Mount Pulaski Courthouse; gracing various county museums and courthouse campuses, and the Lincoln Presidential Museum Complex and the Illinois Supreme Court, both in Springfield. McClareys Lincoln sculptures can also be found in New York City, Washington, D.C., Moscow, Cuba and Japan. His alma mater, Millikin University, displays two busts featuring important figures in the school's history, James Millikin and Albert Taylor, each made by McClarey.

In 1959, McClarey received a bachelor's degree in sociology from Millikin University, then later a master's degree in U.S. history from Illinois State University. He taught history and sociology in Cerro Gordo and Edinburg public schools.

That's a life well-lived. He's touched and will continue to touch thousands around the globe. He leaves a long and far-reaching legacy.
January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorating all victims of the Holocaust. The Holocaust is synonymous with genocide and crimes against humanity.

Most people are not going to remember the Holocaust because they are not old enough or don't anyone who experienced it.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., is unique in that it not only recognizes the six million Jews but also the five million non-Jewish civilians who were murdered during WWII.

Poland was the first country invaded by the Nazis, resulting in three million Polish Jews and nearly two million Christian Slavic Poles exterminated. The invasion was part of Hitler's racist campaign to destroy those he considered to be sub-human. Hundreds of thousands more were sent to concentration camps.

Some of the atrocities committed were forced medical experiments without anesthesia and sterilization of young Polish women. Other victims were hanged, drowned, starved or burned alive if they did not work in the camps.

Hitler wanted to destroy the entire history of the Polish people including all schools, churches, businesses, libraries and public records.

Toward the end of the Holocaust with liberating armies approaching, Hitler committed suicide rather than face punishment for crimes against humanity.

The effects of the Holocaust are intergenerational. Children of survivors have thoughts and dreams of their parent's trauma, and their imaginations will fill in any blanks.

The ghost and spirits of those lost never rest.

I remember the Holocaust because I knew someone who was enslaved in a concentration camp for five years and survived. Both remained deep within her for the rest of her life.

James Littrell, Mount Zion
BRISTOL, Va.  Community leaders gathered Wednesday morning at Highlands Community Church in Bristol for an annual community roundtable to review health care information for Southwest Virginia.

During the meeting, Anthem HealthKeepers Plus presented $75,000 in community grants to Family Crisis Support Services in Norton and Appalachian Community Action & Development Agency, Inc. serving residents of Lee, Scott, and Wise counties. These funds will be used to aid families in crisis situations.

Supporting organizations like the Family Crisis Support Services and Appalachian Community Action & Development Agency allow Anthem HealthKeepers Plus to extend our reach to greater parts of the Commonwealth, said Jennie Reynolds, president of Anthem HealthKeepers Plus of Virginia. This work is critical as we all come together to care for Virginians by strengthening the communities where we live and work.

The Family Crisis Support Services received $50,000 to provide assistance to victims and their families inundated with crisis situations concerning domestic violence, sexual assault, and homelessness.

Appalachian Community Action & Development Agency, Inc. received $25,000 to help low-to-moderate income individuals and families at every stage of life with programs for housing, finance, health, children and seniors.
Charlottesville police have charged a man with a pair of attacks on the Rivanna River Trail, but in the course of their work they have sealed their search warrant, refused to return the suspect's telephone a week after seizing it and have not submitted a written criminal complaint.

That's concerning at least one legal analyst.

"I find it highly unusual that so much information is concealed in a misdemeanor case," David Heilberg, who is a veteran defense attorney and the co-editor of a book on Virginia legal procedures, told The Daily Progress. "It's really unusual to hide the ball on a misdemeanor."

Police alerted the public to two alleged assaults on the popular riverside trail the day they reportedly occurred: Jan. 12. Asking for the public's help to bring the assailant to justice, they issued a description of their suspect: a thin White male, 20 or 30 years of age and standing about 6-foot-2.

Six days later, police announced that they had arrested a man. Though no injuries were reported and there's been no mention of sexual assault in public documents, the charging paperwork suggests that police are treating the case like a sexual assault, with the name of one reported victim reduced to her initials: J.L. The name and likeness of the alleged perpetrator, meanwhile, has been widely disseminated: 37-year-old, 6-foot-4 technology worker Patrick Joseph McNamara.

However much he may physically resemble the suspect's description, McNamara claims innocence. In an interview with The Daily Progress after his initial court appearance earlier this week, he said he was "100% innocent" and asserted that GPS-powered location data in his seized phone as well as colleagues who were on a video conference call with him at the reported time of the attacks would exonerate him.

Police have declined to say whether they have contacted any of these possible witnesses. They have also declined to say how McNamara became their prime suspect.

"Everyone is innocent until proven guilty," was all that Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis told The Daily Progress.

But already the landlord at McNamara's home has rendered a verdict. The company has demanded that he immediately leave his River Road apartment  but still pay rent.

"Failure to vacate the premises on or before January 27, 2024 will result in legal action being filed against you," reads the Jan. 24 notice sent by Sarah Drumheller of Management Services Corporation. "We will expect payment in full monthly."

An MSC spokesman subsequently told The Daily Progress the company values safety above all else.

"MSC never makes the decision to terminate a lease agreement lightly," Stephen Colvin wrote in an email. "Decisions of this magnitude are made by MSCs executive leadership team only after careful consideration of all available information and based on guidance from legal counsel."

Faced with the prospect of fighting eviction proceedings on top of an impending criminal court battle, McNamara said he may move in with a friend in Maryland if he can get his bail conditions amended to let him leave the commonwealth.

McNamara is a fairly recent arrival to Charlottesville. He's been living in the city with his fiancee. His work as a senior director in business intelligence and analytics for a Boston-area software firm allows him to work remotely. Getting branded the Rivanna Trail attacker was not where he expected life would take him.

McNamara said that he can't understand how he could have been identified as the suspect since the only photograph police seemed to have of him prior to his arrest was an unclear image.

"It was a side-face shot with me in headphones," he told The Daily Progress in an email. "I do not know where it came from."

He said he was never asked to stand in a lineup. While such assemblies are typical of crime films, lineups are no longer common practice. Identifications today are more typically accomplished with a face-to-face meeting between a witness and a suspect called a "showup." Even more common, Heilberg said, is the practice of police showing a sequential set of photographs.

"They are supposed to do sequential photographs so as not to bias the witness," said Heilberg, who penned a chapter on identification procedures in "Defending Criminal Cases in Virginia," a handbook for lawyers.

A terrible way to secure an identification would be showing a witness a single photograph, he said.

"It doesn't disqualify the identification, but it makes it less reliable," said Heilberg. "And misidentification is one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions."

Heilberg devoted a section of his legal handbook to a North Carolina case  a "horror story," he calls it  in which the witnesses to one man's alibis were ignored for 44 years while he was wrongfully imprisoned.

McNamara isn't incarcerated, and he's urging police to keep it that way while they call his witnesses.

While he's free on $5,000 unsecured bail, he said that he has already had to step away from his job to focus on his defense.

Scott Goodman, another legal expert, said that police were understandably eager to reassure the public with a vigorous investigation after two attacks reportedly perpetrated by a stranger on the same day in the same area on a popular trail in the city.

"Most of the cases that we see in court are people who know each other," said Goodman. "But any case of stranger assault makes everyone afraid because anyone is a potential victim."

Goodman contends that the six days that elapsed between the day of the assaults and the day of McNamara's arrest suggest that police took their time and may have even consulted with the Charlottesville Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.

"I would guess that the commonwealth attorney thought there was sufficient evidence to charge this person, but probable cause and proven beyond a reasonable doubt are two different things," Goodman said.

Charlottesville Commonwealth's Attorney Joe Platania, who typically avoids pre-trial comment, declined to address that assertion.

Still, fellow legal analyst Heilberg said he's troubled by all the secrecy which, McNamara said, included not receiving a copy of the affidavit that led to the search warrant on his apartment nor an inventory of his possessions that police seized.

"It's definitely peculiar," said Heilberg. "Hopefully they'll have some explanation at some point. Whether it's a good one, I don't know."

Most popular boy names in the '00s in Virginia Most popular boy names in the '00s in Virginia #50. Aidan #49. Aiden #48. Jayden #47. Mason #46. Evan #45. Connor #44. Luke #43. Charles #42. Isaiah #41. Jason #40. Jordan #39. Hunter #38. Gabriel #37. Cameron #36. Jackson #35. Kevin #34. Austin #33. Elijah #32. Robert #31. Justin #30. Thomas #29. Nathan #28. Caleb #27. Logan #26. Dylan #25. Jonathan #24. Brandon #23. Samuel #22. Anthony #21. Zachary #20. Christian #19. Benjamin #18. Noah #17. David #16. Tyler #15. Daniel #14. Nicholas #13. Alexander #12. Joseph #11. Ryan #10. Andrew #9. John #8. Ethan #7. James #6. Matthew #5. Christopher #4. Joshua #3. Michael #2. Jacob #1. William
CONCORD  Gov. Roy Cooper visited C.C. Griffin STEM Middle School in Concord on Thursday as part of The Year of Public Schools education tour. The governor was joined by teachers, students, local and state education leaders and local elected officials as he highlighted the outstanding work being done at C.C. Griffin and Cabarrus Countys public schools and the ways that public education is strengthening North Carolinas communities.

The governor again called for K-12 education and early childhood funding as well as meaningful investments in greater teacher pay in the upcoming legislative session. Cooper also called for a stop to state spending on vouchers for unaccountable and unregulated private schools until North Carolinas public schools are fully funded.

The remarkable work being done in our public schools across the state and right here at C.C. Griffin is energizing to see, said Cooper. The future of our state goes to class in a public school, and we must continue to protect and invest in our students, educators and families rather than unaccountable private school vouchers. I encourage North Carolinians to contact legislators and candidates running for office to tell them to fully fund our public schools.

Cabarrus County Schools would like to thank Governor Cooper for his support and continued advocacy for public school education, said Cabarrus County Schools Superintendent Dr. John Kopicki. It was a privilege to welcome the governor and other elected officials to C.C. Griffin STEM Middle School as part of a kickoff to his 2024: Year of the Public Schools campaign. I believe the Cabarrus County Schools students, staff and families are the best in the state and nation. Great schools and great communities go hand-in-hand. Families and businesses are choosing to call Cabarrus County home at rates that rank us among the fastest-growing areas in North Carolina. Access to high-quality education is a key driver in that economic success.

This year, the governor will highlight North Carolinas strong public schools, teachers and staff across the state to show the positive impacts of a well-funded public education system on the states economy and communities. The governor will also spotlight the dangers of underfunding our schools while pouring millions into in an unregulated private school voucher program that sends taxpayer money to private academies.

Public schools in Cabarrus County and across the state excel at preparing students for success from cradle to career. In Cabarrus County, the 2023 graduation rate for high school students was 89% to go along with one of the highest statewide rates in history at 87%. North Carolina public school students earn nearly 250,000 workforce credentials each year while in high school, and nearly one-third of public school graduates in the state and more than one-third in Cabarrus County take at least one course for college credit while in high school. C.C. Griffin STEM is also home to Natalia Mejia, the NCCATs 2023 Empower NC Beginning Teacher of the Year. North Carolina has the most National Board-certified teachers in the nation  one of the highest recognitions teachers can earn.

However, Republican legislators continue to push policies that undermine and politicize public education. The budget enacted by the legislature last year expanded the private school voucher program by $250 million over the next two years, for a total of $4 billion over the next 10 years. Under the expanded voucher program, public schools in Cabarrus County could lose nearly $3 million of state education funding just in the first year of the expanded program. That loss in funding not only impacts students, but also Cabarrus Countys workforce. Public schools are Cabarrus Countys largest employer. Legislators also pushed legislation through the General Assembly that will scare teachers into silence by injecting fear and uncertainty into our public school classrooms.

During his final year as governor, Cooper is committed to prioritizing public schools and to hearing from the many communities across the state who know that strong public schools ensure we have strong communities.
Shelters across the state of North Carolina need their community now more than ever. Currently, local animal welfare organizations are finding themselves facing capacity issues due to more people acquiring dogs and cats from pet stores and breeders. According to Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization that works extensively with partner shelters and rescue groups across the states most recent data, close to 31,000 dogs and cats were killed because they didnt have a safe place to call home.

Best Friends prioritizes supporting animal shelters to help save the lives of cats and adoptable dogs through the implementation of lifesaving programming, said John Graves, east regional manager, Best Friends Animal Society. We provide grants, training, education, mentorships, and more, but what shelters need from you, is you. Your community shelter is just that, a community. Every person needs to do their part. These dogs and cats are depending on you.

Some ways the public can help, include:

Adopting. For those looking to add a new companion to their home, choosing the adoption option is one of the simplest ways to help North Carolina achieve no-kill.

Fostering. Fostering is a great option that provides an animal with the space and time to decompress, while acclimating to life in a home. When people foster an animal, it alleviates the number of animals in the shelter, so that shelters are not forced to make the difficult decision to kill them due to lack of space. It is also essential to no-kill since it provides animals a temporary home until they can be adopted.

Volunteering. Shelter staff across the state are spread thin. Walking dogs, cleaning kennels and doing laundry are all essential tasks to keep shelters running smoothly. When staff are able to delegate tasks to volunteers, it allows them to dedicate more time to facilitating adoptions, managing intakes, and advocating for their resident animals.

Donating. Donating provides resources to help shelters save more lives. And donations dont have to be monetary. Shelters are always in need of supplies like food, blankets, towels and even old newspapers.

Sharing. Shelters and rescue groups often post about dogs in need at their organization. By sharing these posts on social media channels, more awareness is created and can help dogs find foster or adoptive homes. Its a quick, free, and easy way to make a positive difference.

Advocating. Join Best Friends community-driven, grassroots movement to help save more dogs and cats in North Carolina.

To learn more about helping local shelters, visit bestfriends.org or contact your local shelter or rescue group directly.
CHARLOTTE  The American Red Cross continues to experience an emergency blood shortage as severe winter weather has further impacted the ability to rebuild the blood supply. Blood and platelet donors are urged to give now to help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed.

The national blood supply remains at critically low levels. Blood drives have been canceled in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood. As a result, nearly 15,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected this month alone. In addition to dangerous road conditions, many Americans have dealt with flight and shipping delays, and the Red Cross is no different. Snow, ice and extreme temperatures have made it tougher to move vital blood products across the Red Cross network, affecting deliveries to hospitals in some locations.

As much of the country warms up this week, individuals are urged to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank-you, all those who come to give Feb. 1-29 will receive a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.

The nation is currently facing the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. When fewer people donate blood, any disruption to blood donations  like recent weather systems  can have a huge effect on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Generous blood donors are vital to ensuring those in need of transfusions have access to lifesaving care.

New blood donor rewards program

Since announcing an emergency blood shortage earlier this month, thousands of donors across the country have answered the call to help. In appreciation for all those who take the time to help save lives, the Red Cross is pleased to launch an all-new Blood Donor Rewards program. This program offers a new way for the Red Cross to say thank-you for the generous donations that are critical to patients counting on lifesaving care. All donors will now earn points for their donations that accumulate each time they roll up a sleeve to give. Donors automatically started earning points on Jan. 1, and they can redeem points any time of year to receive e-gift cards or save them to redeem and claim an exclusive Red Cross merchandise item in the next calendar year. For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Rewards.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nations blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families.
During the Aug. 12, 2019, Cabarrus County Board of Education meeting, ahead of a vote to vacate Beverly Hills STEM Elementary School, roughly 30 people spoke in front of a capacity crowd about the importance of keeping the school open.

They included former students and current parents, many of whom were part of the Save Our Schools (SOS) campaign to fight for neighborhood schools, along with former Concord mayor Scott Padgett.

Were not just passionate about our 400 students, said Lee Shuman, the head of SOS. Were passionate about the thousands of students that have come through the halls of Beverly Hills Elementary School for 65 years.

Brian Floyd, a current school board member and Beverly Hills alumnus, spoke about the impact of attending a neighborhood school. I am a product of community schools, and I am a product of these community schools, Floyd said. He noted that Beverly Hills is more than a statistic and it doesnt fit in a box on an Excel spreadsheet. Its who we are and its what makes us different.

The outpouring from the community made a difference: the school board approved keeping Beverly Hills open. It also voted to add Beverly Hills back to the capital plan, for possible renovation or replacement in 2026.

Five years later and the SOS group faces another inflection point: A largely new school board is again addressing the future of Beverly Hills, as a district-wide realignment plan calls for the closure of the 71-year-old school.

Looking at Beverly Hills future

The recommended realignment option of Scenario C, which was proposed by Cooperative Strategies, the consultant group working with the school district, includes the closure of the school. Under Scenario C, around 4,000 students would be impacted. The school board is set to vote on the recommended option during the Feb. 12 board meeting.

The proposed long-range facilities master plan, presented to the board on Jan. 16, is to turn Beverly Hills into a Pre-K center that would replace the current Mary Frances Wall Center. A 750-seat replacement school for Beverly Hills and Coltrane-Webb students would be built on the current Coltrane-Webb site at a cost of $50.6 million.

Students from Beverly Hills would be realigned to W.M. Irvin, Winecoff and Royal Oaks. They would later have the option to attend the new Coltrane-Webb school.

Projected growth estimates for the Beverly Hills and Coltrane-Webb communities over the next decade did not support building two new 500-seat elementary schools, which was a possible option.

The projections for that area over the next 10 years does not support the need for 1,000 students in the downtown area, said CCS Executive Director of Construction Tim Lowder, noting 250 seats would not be utilized if the two new schools were constructed.

SOS, which has an email chain of around 150 people, including 70 core supporters, remains active, as members are once again working around the clock to keep Beverly Hills open. The groups Save Neighborhood Schools petition on Change.org, created in 2017, was updated in November, when the potential closure of Beverly Hills was again brought to the forefront.

When a small school like this is close to where the children live, its a win-win, Shuman said during the Jan. 16 school board meeting. Parents are more involved, absenteeism is minimized, students are more connected, families are connected, teachers are more connected, Shuman said. And thats a recipe for success. Beverly Hills should be looked at as a model for success in our school system, not one thats failing, not one to be eliminated.

Shuman, whose three children attended Beverly Hills, emailed the school board members and Superintendent Dr. John Kopicki an alternate proposal last week to build two new 500-seat elementary schools at the Beverly Hills and Coltrane-Webb sites. The schools, which would each cost $30.5 million, would have between 375-400 traditional elementary students and 100-125 Pre-K students.

We believe CCS has an opportunity to implement the needed Pre-K program and provide an equitable educational solution for Beverly Hills students, Shuman wrote in the email, which was shared with the Independent Tribune. These two goals do not have to be mutually exclusive. Working together, we can create a win-win solution!

Safety concerns

A public hearing for discussion about the proposed closure of Beverly Hills is scheduled for Jan. 29. The school board approved of the hearing in a 4-3 vote Monday night during a joint meeting with the county commissioners. Kopicki, during the meeting, said that he personally thinks Beverly Hills is not safe for children and building a new K-5 school would not be feasible.

Shuman, who attended the meeting, told the Independent Tribune he wished Kopicki would have provided more details regarding why he thought the school was unsafe.

He made it very clear that there were safety concerns in that school and I have walked Beverly Hills, and I dont know what safety concerns hes talking about that dont exist there or elsewhere, Shuman said.

In an interview with the paper later in the week, Kopicki noted that the students and staff in the school are safe; it is the age of the building, built in 1953, that presents a lot of challenges from a safety point of view. These include the steep path to the playgrounds, which is not ADA-accessible, and students in certain parts of the school having to leave their classrooms and walk outside to go to the bathroom.

In todays day and age, you dont want kids traversing in and out of the building that frequently, because it puts them in vulnerable situations, Kopicki said.

Understanding the role Beverly Hills has served for generations of families over the decades, Kopicki said he can appreciate the emotions so many people have for Beverly Hills.

I can appreciate where they are coming from and I understand the emotions behind it, Kopicki said. This is not going to be an easy decision for me and it certainly wont be an easy decision for the board.

Continuing to Advocate for Schools

Shuman said he has no problems with Scenario C, other than the proposed closure of Beverly Hills is tied with it. Were just saying, pull us out of the realignment conversation, Shuman said.

Kopicki told the paper when the realignment process began last year, the district looked at numerous key data points such as expected growth, facility utilizations, deferred maintenance and feeder patterns. As more information was compiled, the idea of closing Beverly Hills became a real possibility.

No one came into this process to close schools, he said. It uncovered itself over time.

Kopicki added that realignment is ultimately a district-wide process that is going to touch all 45 schools as CCS addresses maintenance costs and works to better align ourselves for the future.

Shuman spoke about the benefits of the neighborhood schools, saying that at the elementary school level, when the kids are first introduced to school, it is impactful when that school is smaller because it sets the foundation for their entire educational program.

Beverly Hills, which opened during 1954-55 school year and is currently a STEM School of Distinction, has been making a positive impact on students academic growth in recent years, Shuman said. In 2017, when discussion about the future of the school first came up, Beverly Hills scored a 59 on its school report card, indicating it had not met academic growth; for 2023, the school scored a 90.7, indicating it had exceeded growth.

SOS is not asking the school board to build a new Beverly Hills because the group loves small schools, Shuman said. Its the only thing the site will hold.

Shuman, who plans to speak at the Jan. 29 meeting along with other SOS members, is still hopeful that a majority of the school board will decide to keep Beverly Hills open  even if it means building a new K-5 school on the site.

Regardless of the decision that will be made regarding Beverly Hills, SOS plans to continue to advocate for schools in the district, especially ones like Beverly Hills that are in areas where the population is not expected to grow and therefore, in his mind, could someday be at risk of closing.

The school board is expected to take action on whether to close the school during its Feb. 5 work session.

So I think theres a feeling that if the school closes, the SOS group goes away, Shuman said. This is so much bigger than Beverly Hills now.  And in closing the school, if they think its going to get rid of the SOS group, thats a miscalculation. We are now invested in the school system and were invested in changing it.

He added that SOS is about much more than simply trying to save Beverly Hills, though that has been their focus for the last several years. Its not save Beverly, its not save Coltrane, its not save R. Brown, Shuman said. It is simply Save Our Schools.
GUEST OPINION: For nursing education, nurse practitioner programs in Texas are some of the best for hopefuls entering the nursing industry. Yet, education is only the start. Education must be tempered with empathy, especially where mobility issues are concerned.

The inability to act according to your desires, to constantly have to ask for assistance with your most basic needs, is perhaps one of the most demoralising hardships to undergo. Of course, this is all dependent on the kind of mobility issue that someone suffers from, but even temporary problems with mobility can have severe mental repercussions. The lack or loss of autonomy can have serious psychological repercussions in a persons life, and when someones mobility is restricted or removed entirely, it can be a devastating blow to a persons sense of individuality and control over their own life.

However, in the current age of technological progress and wonder, we are fortunately developing new miracles of engineering all the time. Mobility scooters, wheelchairs, and even prosthetics are entering a new age of ingenuity. Today, wed like to dedicate this article to the people that are behind these developments, and the people that they dedicate their life to helping.

Functional Electrical Stimulation

In 2010, while training on a trampoline, David Mzee suffered a horrific spinal injury. He was disabled from the waist down.

In 2011, Gert-Jan Oskam was involved in a motorcycle accident. He, too, was rendered unable to move below the waist.

Today, both men can walk. In the kind of injuries sustained by Oskam and Mzee, the brains signals for movement cant travel properly past the injured section of the spinal column, resulting in an inability to move. While rehabilitation can restore some paraplegics movement, results are unpredictable and depend on a variety of factors.

However, just over five years ago, both men were part of a Swiss experiment using functional electrical stimulation technology to assist the neuroelectrical signals on their path down the spine. Both men had an implant in their brain and spine, sending and receiving electrical pulses at the signalling of a watch that helps control the apparatus. As the brain sends the message to the nerves to move, the implants force the stimulation of the muscles in response, where once the injury of the spin would have impeded this. With the use of FES, both men can now take a few steps unaided and walk with the use of a mobility aid. The technology is still in the experimental stages, but healthcare professionals are positive.

Exoskeletons

In the 21st century, exoskeletons are now no longer relegated to insects. Rather, they are the future of restoring mobility to those without it. Though its unlikely well have to go to the lengths of Matt Damon in Elysium.

However, Exoskeletons are no longer a fabrication of cyberpunk science-fiction. In 2013, Lyle Fleming Wednesday took a 30-foot fall at work, resulting in him losing the use of his legs. In 2019, Lyle became the first person in West Virginia to receive an Indego Exoskeleton, a powered mechanical frame fitted around the waist and legs that reacts to body positioning to both support the wearer and facilitate autonomous movement.

Exoskeletons still have many testing and legal hoops to jump through to become both available to the public and the go-to option for people with disability, however, people that have had the fortune to test out these machines talk of marvelous results, and although still merely clinical, the future is bright for exoskeletons.

3D Printing

In recent decades 3D printing has become not only accessible but widespread. The relative cheapness of 3D printers designed for household use has led to a revolution of at-home makers, using their machines to print gadgets, gizmos, toys, and now - prosthetics.

Prosthetics are expensive pieces of equipment and often come attached with an extended wait time. However, due to 3D printers popularity, people around the world are finding that 3D printers are capable of producing strong, customizable, cheap, and fast prosthetics.

Companies such as e-Nable gather volunteers that have 3D printers, submit orders for people who require a prosthetic, and the volunteers print it and send it to the recipient. Thanks to 3D printing, getting a prosthetic is easier, cheaper, and faster than ever before.

Smart Wheelchairs

Seems in this day and age that theres pretty much a smart version of everything. Smart phone, smart watch, smart car, smart fridge. Well, now, the latest developments in mobility aid technology have stretched to include smart wheelchairs.

Some people who require wheelchairs can have difficulty controlling and maneuvering the chair itself. Luckily, smart chairs are designed to compensate for this with a series of AI-powered improvements such as collision avoidance, recognizing sections of ground that may cause the chair to tip, and cloud-based communications.

There are even self-driving wheelchairs that are currently seeing extensive use in airports to assist people with limited mobility in navigating the terminal.

Redefining Disability

People with mobility issues need help. That is just a fact of life. As a society, we need to do all we can to nurture and support these individuals because everyone has a right to live a happy existence. This technology represents a kind of hope, the hope of a reclamation of autonomy lost through accident, injury, or illness. However, there is a very clear indication that with the benefits of this tech, there is one fatal flaw - a lack of social awareness.

With technology as advanced as it is becoming, it seems that there is now the perception that the disabled can simply get by. After all, what use is a wheelchair ramp if an exoskeleton can support the paraplegic person getting up the stairs? Why should disabled car parks exist when their stimulation implants can allow them to maneuver like a non-disabled person?

Currently, it is the lived experience of many disabled persons making use of this cutting-edge technology that it seems in non-disabled society, corners are often cut, or infrastructural designs still do not take into account people living with disability.

However, the majority agree that this tech has the potential to change lives. We just need it to get out there.
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New York City on Wednesday designated social media a public health hazard for its effect on youth mental health, becoming the first major city in the United States to take such a step, Mayor Eric Adams (D) said in an address.

"Companies like TikTok, YouTube, Facebook are fueling a mental health crisis by designing their platforms with addictive and dangerous features," Adams said in the annual State of the City address.

In response, he said, New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan "is issuing a health commissioner advisory officially designating social media as a public health crisis hazard in New York City."

"Just as the [U.S.] surgeon general did with tobacco and guns, we are treating social media like other public health hazards and it must stop," Adams said.

In an advisory issued the same day, Vasan outlined the deteriorating state of youth mental health in New York City and offered guidance to young people on encouraging healthy social media use, such as by implementing tech-free times and places; monitoring emotions during use; and sharing concerns related to social media and mental health with adults.

Up to 95 percent of U.S. teens use some form of social media, many finding a place to connect with friends, discuss interests and keep up on trends. But with young people facing an unprecedented mental health crisis that some have linked to social media, there are growing concerns about the use of these platforms and the addictive habits they can form.

Several social media companies including TikTok and YouTube have responded to mounting scrutiny by adding new features to give parents more control over their children's activity and limit the time they spend online, according to a Washington Post analysis.

TikTok, Google and Meta did not immediately respond to request for comment early Thursday.

In May last year, Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy issued an advisory that said there isn't enough evidence to determine whether social media is "sufficiently safe for children and adolescents." In an op-ed for The Post, Murthy wrote: "In light of the ongoing youth mental health crisis, it is no longer possible to ignore social media's potential contribution to the pain that millions of children and families are experiencing."

The advisory released Wednesday by the New York City health commissioner said that between 2011 and 2021, rates of high-schoolers in the city experiencing hopelessness increased by more than 42 percent and rates of suicidal ideation increased by more than 34 percent. "Young people who identify as Black, Latino, female or LGBTQ+ bear disproportionately high rates of experiencing hopelessness," it said.

Ofir Turel, a professor at the University of Melbourne in Australia who studies the behavioral effects of technology, praised New York City's advisory for acknowledging the possible risks of social media while not calling for its complete elimination.

Turel pointed to issues with "body image, social comparison, depression, [and] addiction-like use" as among the possible ills of social media, but he said "it has many positive aspects" too.

He advocated for what he called the "food regulation model," which encourages healthy habits through approaches such as nutrition labels on foods, rather than imposing restrictions.

"While we are not very good at it, many people manage to have somewhat healthy food intake. Social media is the same," he said. "We just need knowledge and incentives."

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Donald Trump voiced his opposition to a resolution being proposed to the Republican National Committee that would name him the presumptive GOP presidential nominee even though rival Nikki Haley remains in the race. The effort by national party officials was seen as a symbolic show of support for the former president and would allow more party resources to be devoted to Trump's campaign.

The RNC confirmed earlier Thursday it planned to consider a resolution declaring Trump the party's presumptive nominee - even though 48 states have yet to cast their ballots in the primary race. The proposed resolution, which was first reported by the Dispatch, garnered swift criticism from RNC members in states across the country.

But on Thursday night, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the RNC shouldn't move forward with its consideration of the proposal.

"I feel, for the sake of PARTY UNITY, that they should NOT go forward with this plan, but that I should do it the 'Old Fashioned' way, and finish the process off AT THE BALLOT BOX," he wrote.

Before Trump had weighed in, RNC spokesperson Keith Schipper said in a statement that the resolution would be taken up by the RNC's Resolutions Committee, which would "decide whether to send this resolution to be voted on by the 168 RNC members at our annual meeting next week." Schipper emphasized that RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel does not offer resolutions but that they are brought forward by RNC members.

That resolution has now been withdrawn, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private discussions.

Haley's campaign, in an email Thursday evening, blasted the proposed RNC resolution.

"Trump's establishment lackeys are pushing for a toothless resolution to deny millions of Republican voters from having a say in the presidential contest," the campaign said.

If the resolution had been adopted by the broader pool of RNC members at its winter meeting in Las Vegas next week, it would have started the process of having the national party integrate with Trump's campaign as though Trump is already the elected nominee. Trump's current campaign operation has not yet integrated itself with the RNC, and Democrats have had a significant head start in fundraising and organizing because they have operated internally as if President Biden would be the nominee since he took office in 2021.

This action typically does not happen until a candidate has garnered 1,215 delegates in nominating contests.

Haley is the only major challenger to Trump remaining in the Republican primary. And although she came closer to beating him in New Hampshire than some pre-primary polling indicated, she still faces an uphill battle in the remaining nominating contests.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R), who endorsed Haley and campaigned alongside her in the Granite State, called the resolution "absolutely awful."

"[Haley's] not going anywhere because Ronna McDaniel says so or Trump tries to keep manipulating things," he told CNN on Thursday before the former president publicly declared his opposition to the proposed resolution. The party, Sununu argued, was "moving the goal post. They're changing the rules. But when you do that, that's usually done because they're afraid."

McDaniel recently signaled her support for getting the party to coalesce behind the former president.

She told Fox News on Tuesday night, after Trump was declared the winner of the GOP primary in New Hampshire, "I'm looking at the math and the path going forward, and I don't see it for Nikki Haley."

McDaniel said it was time for the party to "unite around our eventual nominee, which is going to be Donald Trump."

Her comments came as the RNC is putting the finishing touches on a joint fundraising agreement with state parties that will allow the nominee to accept checks up to $836,300 from wealthy donors, according to a person familiar with the plans who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

While she's facing increasing pressure from Republicans to drop out, Haley has repeatedly vowed to stay in the race for the long haul, saying that voters do not want to see a Trump "coronation."

After initial news about the resolution broke, RNC members from Mississippi, Tennessee and New Jersey publicly criticized the proposal.

Gordon Ackley, the chairman of the Republican Party in the U.S. Virgin Islands, also voiced his concerns about the resolution, writing on X, "The Virgin Islands will go ahead with the caucus on February 8."

"It is unfortunate other Republicans want to deny their voters the opportunity to be heard and cast a vote. Regardless of who you support, there is a process that must be followed," added Ackley, who welcomed Haley for a GOP state committee virtual event earlier this week.

Haley's campaign appears to be leaning into the potential to scoop up votes in open or semi-open primaries, given that she has fared better with independent and unaffiliated voters than Trump.

Haley campaign manager Betsy Ankney noted in a memo earlier this week that South Carolina and Michigan each have open primaries - a more welcoming political landscape for Haley. And on March 5, or Super Tuesday, 11 of the 16 states and territories will host open or semi-open primaries, representing "significant fertile ground," Ankney wrote.

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A Lancaster County judge heard closing arguments Thursday in the Nebraska attorney general's constitutional challenge of the criminal justice reform bill passed by the Legislature last year.

"We are here today because at least a portion of LB50 represents a legislative commutation," Deputy Solicitor General Zach Viglianco argued on behalf of the office. "It is an impermissible, unconstitutional exercise of the clemency power that has been reserved to the executive branch and the Board of Pardons by the constitution."

While LB50 covers a wide range of issues, the challenge  brought by the Attorney General's Office in October  focuses specifically on parole eligibility requirements that would allow some inmates who already were serving their sentences to become eligible for parole earlier.

Lawmakers made it clear they intended for the law to apply retroactively as well as going forward.

"Its retroactive effect represents a commutation, and that's a problem," Viglianco said.

He said an offender would have the opportunity if it's applied retroactively to have a sentence end date moved up. For example, someone serving a 10- to 30-year sentence might end up with a sentence of 10 to 20 years with good-time credit, he said.

Viglianco asked District Judge Susan Strong to sever the sections at issue  two changes to parole eligibility  from the remainder of the bill and declare them invalid.

"If you do so, you will uphold the vast majority of the expressed legislative intent but nevertheless respect the separation of powers, which are enshrined in our constitution," he said.

One section accelerated parole eligibility for offenders. The other established a new form of parole, geriatric parole, for qualifying offenders who are 75 or older.

But before the law went into effect, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and Board of Parole requested an opinion from the attorney general regarding the constitutionality of the retroactive applications.

In response, the Attorney General's Office issued an opinion finding that the two sections were "likely unconstitutional," requiring it by statute to file a constitutional challenge, he said.

"It says 'shall.' We must file suit to determine the validity," Viglianco said.

The office sued Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, who is obliged to defend the legislation and its constitutionality by virtue of his office.

At Thursday's hearing, attorney Bob Bartle, who represents Evnen, said that while there's a good deal of agreement in the case, there is disagreement about whether the law ultimately would be a change of offenders' sentences.

He argued it changes how the sentence is served, not the length.

Bartle said there isn't any case law on whether changing eligibility for parole would constitute a "milder sentence," which would be a constitutional violation of the separation of powers, which says the Legislature sets laws and penalties, the Judiciary interprets them and sets punishment, and the Executive Branch (through the Board of Pardons) may later substitute a milder punishment.

Bartle said there was nothing on the face of LB50 that gave the Board of Parole any different power than it had before.

He said the opinion hypothesized that the law would likely empower the parole board to change convictions, but "that's not what you're supposed to do as the attorney general."

"That's a hypothetical too far in our estimation," Bartle said, arguing for the judge to let the law stand.

Strong took the matter under advisement.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
The city wants to move the downtown bus transfer station to 11th and L streets for the next two to three years while it builds a long-anticipated multi-modal bus transfer station, but the proposal has encountered stiff resistance from nearby business owners and residents.

They raised concerns about safety, the loss of parking, the impact the lack of bathrooms at the transfer station would have on their businesses  and they said they were frustrated by the short notice of the citys plans.

SaRena Freet, who owns The Hot Mess, 408 S. 11th St., told the StarTran Advisory Board Thursday those who dont want the transfer station near their businesses or residences arent anti-public transit  their concern is more about how things have unfolded so far, including being notified just six days ago.

Im here asking for more time for us to be able to have a conversation about this, she said. I want you to, one, delay your vote today, and two, actually engage the community.

Drew Philippi, who owns Group Therapy Bike Tours, just to the north of the Settels building at 333 S. 11th St., said they have the group therapy trollies loading and unloading right next to the proposed transfer station.

They already work around buses that stop there, he said, but if its a transfer station it will be worse.

When I have 200 people coming and going in the prime hours of the summer, during Husker game days especially, holy cow, what do we do?

After hearing 15 people  nearly all of whom opposed the move or at least wanted more time before a decision is made  the StarTran Advisory Board delayed until February a vote on whether to approve the move.

If the advisory board approves the proposal, the city will move forward. If it doesnt it will go to the City Council for a decision.

Finding a temporary transfer station since demolition on the southern half of the Golds building began more than a year ago has been a struggle for city officials.

In 2022, the city won a $23.6 million grant to build a multi-modal transfer station and planning has been underway since. They initially landed on the parking lot just north of the City-County Building, but have since decided the County-City Building staff parking lot just to the south is the preferred site.

Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Director Liz Elliott said the site south of the County-City Buildling has fewer arterials surrounding it, is surface parking and the 200 displaced parking spots is about half the number on the north lot. It also would be easier to add lots to the parking area to the north, which already includes both surface and underground lots for both employees and the public.

The site is undergoing an environmental analysis now, and once that is done, the FTA needs to give final approval. Elliott said theyve begun initial design work and anticipates the federal approval will happen by fall, when they can begin design work in earnest.

About 2,000 riders use the transfer station daily.

To accommodate those riders, the city modified the transfer station that for years was on the corner of 11th and N streets so that buses picked up passengers along 11th Street near the fenced-off area where demolition occurred, and across N Street in front of Latitude, an apartment building for students.

On Thursday, Elliott told the advisory board that wasnt working because of the noise and dust caused by the demolition. Thats done now, but renovation and construction must still happen.

Having to sit through these environments is not conducive to providing high-quality service to our riders who use this every day, she said. Its not conducive to promoting and building our ridership.

The city looked at numerous possibilities for temporary transfer stations, most seriously at three: the Amtrak station in the Haymarket, the old police station at 233 S. 10th St., and a federal parking garage near Centennial Mall and O Street.

None of those met the criteria set out by Federal Transit Administration, she said.

They then turned their attention to the old Settells Printing building, which has been vacant for a number of years. It met much of the federal criteria, and has an overhang area on the south and east sides which would be used as a shelter. The city would add benches there, so they wouldnt have to be added to the sidewalks, Elliott said.

The area already has eight buses that stop there, she said. The bus stops across L Street would displace 11 parking stalls, and Elliott said the city would reserve the same amount of parking stalls in the Carriage Parking Garage on the northeast corner of 11th and M to replace those.

She said off-duty police officers would be stationed in the area daily  though not the entire time buses run  to allay safety concerns. They also would have security cameras in the area and would contract with a company to clean the area and clear snow.

Those measures didnt assure many of those who spoke. Several business owners said they worried about the lack of toilets for those waiting for buses.

Gary Bohaty, who has owned a business in the area for 25 years, said its already a problem because people waiting for buses near the Golds building already come to use their bathrooms, as do homeless people in the area. With the transfer station there it will be worse, he said.

As for parking, he said, customers already use the parking garage and parking has become more of an issue since the Latitude apartments opened.

Nick Maestas, who owns Muchachos, 416 S. 11th St. said the service industry is already challenging and business owners worry having the transfer station there will deter people from patronizing their businesses. Even the perception of the area being less safe can be a deterrent, he said.

Being in our service industry our margins of error are already super thin, he said. Putting this into effect will make those margins even more slim.

Freet said there are still lots of questions about the status of the multi-modal transfer station as are for plans for the Golds building.

Several people questioned the motives of the Golds developer purchasing the Settells property for $1 million.

Elliott said after the meeting that the previous owners of the Settells building didnt want to work with the city, so the Golds developer bought it.

They can't use the inside of the building because its been out of use so long that city codes would require significant work. As for porta-potties, she said, nationally, cities have found that putting porta-potties in transfer stations attract more negative behavior.

Theres not a perfect plan here. Our perfect plan is to get out of this area, she told the advisory board. In the meantime, in the two-and a half to three years until we can do that, we have to find an area that makes a compromise for everyone.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
Omaha chemical manufacturer Nox-Crete Inc. will pay a $37,026 fine and install a $244,000 fire suppression system after a three-alarm fire in May 2022 that sent black smoke billowing through a neighborhood south of downtown.

The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday announced the settlement to resolve alleged violations of federal environmental laws associated with the fire at the companys warehouse at 1415 S. 20th St.

The blaze resulted in the release of an estimated 659,543 pounds of chemicals  including 40,262 pounds of extremely hazardous substances, the EPA found. More than 2,000 residents were evacuated.

Nox-Cretes operations represented a significant risk to its workers and the surrounding community, which already is overburdened by pollution, David Cozad, director of the EPA Region 7 Enforcement and Compliance Division, said in a statement. This settlement, including the installation of the improved fire suppression system, will reduce the risk to workers and residents from future harmful incidents.

A person reached by phone Wednesday at Nox-Cretes Omaha headquarters said the company had no comment regarding the settlement.

Nox-Crete manufactures chemicals used to make specialized concrete construction products. That list includes chemicals that EPA defines as extremely hazardous substances because they are combustible, flammable and may be toxic.

An investigation by the EPA after the fire found high levels of some contaminants in runoff, but none above a level of concern in soil and surfaces, the World-Herald previously has reported.

The company began cleanup of the burned-out warehouse about three months after the fire, according to previous reports.

In the settlement, EPA alleged that Nox-Crete violated a number of legal requirements, including:

* Failure to identify hazards that may result from releases of hazardous substances.

* Failure to minimize the consequences of the release before and after the May 2022 fire, including the failure to adequately coordinate with local response authorities regarding the facilitys fire prevention design and plans.

* Failure to immediately notify EPA and local response authorities after the company was aware of a hazardous substance release.

* Failure to report the use and storage of two hazardous substances to local response authorities for use in emergency planning before the fire.

In addition to paying the fine, Nox-Crete also agreed to install whats known as a foam-deluge fire suppression system in its manufacturing and raw material storage areas.

EPA officials said the project will help protect workers, responders and the surrounding area from accidental releases of hazardous substances.

The agency noted that it had identified the community surrounding the facility as a potentially sensitive area because of the presence of air toxics, diesel particulate matter, lead-based paint and underground storage tanks. Agency officials said they are strengthening enforcement in such areas to address disproportionately high human health and environmental impacts on vulnerable populations.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
A 28-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly stabbed an Uber driver and then attempted to rob a Family Dollar in North Omaha.

Police responded to the alleged incidents at the Family Dollar at 29th and Sprague Streets shortly after 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. According to a press release, the incident began when the man got an Uber ride to the store.

After arriving at the store, the man demanded the vehicles key fob from the driver, who was identified as 42-year-old Matthew Tipton. The man then allegedly stabbed Tipton in the neck and chest with a knife.

Tipton was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center in serious condition. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

After the man allegedly stabbed Tipton, police said, he got out of the vehicle and ran into the Family Dollar. He then allegedly held an employee against their will while other employees defended themselves with a metal pole.
Nebraska Chief Justice Michael Heavican thanked state lawmakers Thursday for helping the judicial branch fill vacant positions and bring staffing numbers back above pre-pandemic levels.

Heavican, who has been Nebraska's chief justice since 2006, said last year's staffing shortages have eased significantly, thanks in part to salary increases supported by the Legislature last year and to expanded recruiting efforts.

"While we still have more than 100 vacancies statewide out of over 1,600 employees, we now exceed pre-pandemic staffing levels," he said. "Our turnover rate has dropped to just over 5% and our vacancy rate branch-wide is less than 8%."

Improved staffing has helped the Office of Public Guardian, he said, although the office continues to have a waiting list of people who need help to manage their affairs and have no one available to do so. These are mostly elderly, mentally ill and medically fragile people who are vulnerable to exploitation and neglect.

Among the other issues highlighted in his speech, Heavican pointed to the need for more problem-solving courts in the state. Those are courts geared to helping people deal with the drugs, mental health problems or other issues that contribute to their law-breaking.

He said newly created problem-solving courts and expanded capacity for previously existing ones contributed to a 27% increase in participation since 2020. But he said a newly completed needs assessment found that only 5% of people eligible for problem-solving courts in Nebraska are being served by them.

He also noted a shortage of juvenile detention facilities in Nebraska and a shortage of behavioral health services for adults and juveniles on probation, along with provider reimbursement rates that have not kept pace with expenses.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
The Nebraska State Patrol had its hands full Wednesday after six people were arrested or cited following five separate foot and vehicle pursuits in a 24-hour period.

One of those pursuits occurred in Omaha, according to the a press release from the State Patrol, and another happened near Wahoo in Saunders County. The string of pursuits began about 2 p.m. Wednesday after troopers saw a Chevrolet Equinox traveling more than 100 mph along Highway 75 near downtown Omaha.

As troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the Chevrolet fled and exited U.S. Highway 75 onto eastbound Storz Expressway. Troopers stopped pursuing the vehicle when it entered a residential area at a high rate of speed.

The driver, a 34-year-old Omaha woman, was taken into custody without incident minutes later after troopers found the vehicle near 24th Street and Redick Avenue. She was booked into the Douglas County Jail for flight to avoid arrest, a felony.

About 12:30 a.m. Thursday, troopers stopped a Mazda 6 for defective lighting near Wahoo on Nebraska Highway 92. According to the State Patrol, the driver picked up a handgun that was in the car but immediately complied when the trooper told him to put the gun down. The man then complied with the troopers orders until he was told to exit the vehicle, at which point he fled eastbound at more than 100 mph.

The driver, an 18-year-old man, lost control of the vehicle near the Platte River Bridge in Ashland and crashed before running. The gun was not found in the vehicle, and the State Patrol said it later learned the gun had been thrown from the car during the pursuit. The man was later found in a nearby detached garage and arrested on suspicion of flight to avoid arrest, obstructing a peace officer, criminal trespassing and unspecified weapons charges.
State lawmakers on Friday advanced a bill that would end the nonpartisan elections for Nebraska's two largest public power districts.

On a 29-16 vote, the Legislature gave first-round approval to Sen. John Lowe's priority bill (LB541) that would make elections for the Nebraska Public Power District and Omaha Public Power District boards partisan.

Lowe, of Kearney, said organizations from outside the state poured hundreds of thousands of dollars in the 2022 election to the NPPD board in support of candidates who backed a turn toward renewable energy resources.

"This East Coast money was being dropped into races in which normally candidates would spend very little," Lowe said. "The New York and Washington, D.C., money was designed to push a very clear agenda into our public power elections and onto our public power boards."

That didn't break any laws, Lowe said, but by making elections to NPPD and OPPD partisan, candidates could show voters "99% of what they need to know about how a candidate would govern."

But a handful of legislators, led by Lincoln Sen. Jane Raybould, said making the elections partisan would not address the flow of outside money into the public power district elections.

Raybould said "some of the angst" driving the bill was NPPD and OPPD exploring renewable energy resources.

"It should come as no surprise to anyone in this body that there has been outside funding in recent years to elect candidates that support oil, coal and gas," she said. "There has been a likewise increase in candidates supporting renewables like wind and solar.

"This is nothing new in politics," Raybould said.

Omaha Sen. John Cavanaugh said making public power district elections partisan would disenfranchise voters in areas where the race is likely to be decided in the primary election.

For example, in a Republican majority area where the winner was likely to be a Republican, Democratic voters wouldn't have a choice because they cannot vote in the Republican primary.

"The people of Nebraska are not asking us to become more partisan, they are not asking for more partisanship in elections," Cavanaugh said. "This is not something we need to be doing."

Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara, a former member of the NPPD board, said he ran his campaigns "with a nonpartisan message."

"But with any campaign, there would always be the question: Are you Republican or a Democrat?" DeKay said. "I would bet there isn't anyone in this body that hasn't been asked that question during a campaign cycle.

"Why don't we take that question off the board?" he added.

The version of LB541 that advanced to the second round of debate on Friday, Day 17 of the 60-day session, was more limited in scope than the bill Lowe originally proposed.

That measure would have made all public power and irrigation district elections in the state partisan.

After senators adopted an amendment limiting the bill to NPPD and OPPD, Cavanaugh pointed out that the Legislature "granted the premise of the argument" he made about Nebraskans wanting to keep elections nonpartisan.

"We should treat them the same across the board," he said.

Meet the Nebraska state senators making laws in 2024
Republican Congressman Mike Flood officially launched his bid Wednesday for a second full term representing Nebraskas 1st Congressional District.

The Norfolk native filed paperwork at the Secretary of States Office in Lincoln, one day after Democratic state Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue announced plans to run for the office. She will officially launch her campaign on Saturday.

Flood made no mention of her candidacy in his reelection statement. Instead, he talked about the honor of representing the district and its constituents.

Im proud of all my team and I have accomplished on behalf of Nebraskans, he said. There is still a lot of work to be done in Washington to get our economy back on track, secure the southern border and ensure our federal government is working for the American people.

In Congress, Ive kept my promises to Nebraskans by standing against government overreach, cutting $2.1 trillion from the federal budget and voting for a comprehensive border security package, he said. In my next term, I will continue being a voice for the commonsense priorities of Nebraskas 1st District.

He vowed to lower housing costs by cutting government red tape, advocate for middle-class tax cuts, fight to secure the southern border and strengthen national security.

Flood, who is finishing his first full term in Congress, claimed the seat by winning a special election in June 2022, followed by a victory in the regular election in November. Both times, he faced then-state Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln, a Democrat.

He won the special election by a little more than 5 percentage points, 52.7% to 47.3%. He won more handily in the rematch, taking nearly 58% of the vote.

The special election was called after Rep. Jeff Fortenberry was convicted on one count of concealing conduit campaign contributions and two counts of lying to federal agents and resigned from office. In December, a federal appeals court threw out Fortenberrys convictions, ruling that his trial should not have taken place in California. The ruling allowed prosecutors to bring charges again.

As a Republican and the incumbent, Flood will have a decided edge in the Republican-dominated district. But Blood could be a strong challenger. She was the Democratic candidate for governor in 2022 and garnered 36% of the vote. She was defeated by Jim Pillen, the Republican.

Blood and Flood were once colleagues in the Nebraska Legislature, where they sometimes joked about their rhyming names. Flood served a total of 10 years in the Legislature, including six as speaker of the Legislature.

No other candidates have announced or filed to run for the 1st District seat yet. The eastern Nebraska district encompasses Lincoln, Norfolk, Columbus, Fremont and Bellevue, as well as Madison, Stanton, Cuming, Platte, Colfax, Dodge, Butler, Seward, Lancaster, Cass and the eastern parts of Sarpy and Polk Counties.

In the 2nd District, Rep. Don Bacon, the incumbent, has two opponents in the GOP primary. They are Don Frei and Michael Connely. State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha is the only Democratic candidate so far. Bacon defeated Vargas by fewer than 3 percentage points in 2022.
RACINE  Racine Unified School District is working with First Student, the school bus company for RUSD, to make improvements after experiencing some issues Tuesday.

Poor road conditions caused by inclement weather resulted in significant delays for some students riding buses to school. Driver challenges and a lack of communication contributed to confusion and frustration from many RUSD parents.

Stacy Tapp, RUSD chief of communication and community engagement, said an internal communication issue within staff at First Student led to a domino effect of various issues Tuesday.

Issues included students being picked up by their bus and then being taken back home.

That should not have happened, Tapp said. Taking students back home is not a practice that we do. Thats never happened before  We absolutely understand why families would be upset.

In a Facebook post, RUSD said absences for students who were taken back home and could not get to school another way would be excused.

In statement issued Tuesday, First Student said drivers who were unable to complete their routes did what they believed was safest at the time and returned students to their homes or bus stops.

There also was a bus driver shortage Tuesday because, according to Tapp, some First Student drivers did not show up for work, and others said they did not feel comfortable driving the routes.

As of Thursday, First Student had not responded to a follow-up request for comment.

It is unclear how many students were affected by busing issues, as Tapp said the district is still gathering that data.

RUSD has a five-year contract with First Student that goes through the end of this school year. The contract can be extended for three additional one-year terms.

According to Tapp, the district budgeted $8.6 million for the First Student contract this school year.

A mix of ice, rain, sleet and snow created slick roads Tuesday morning.

Regarding a potential school delay or cancellation Tuesday, Tapp said the district needed to make that decision by 5 a.m., and there wasnt a great enough weather impact at that point to believe that we needed to change our school day.

The bus company communicated with RUSD about the issues Tuesday morning, but Tapp said First Student fell short in communicating the situation to families.

While in constant contact with the district, our communication to parents was not as timely, and we understand their frustration, the statement issued by First Student on Tuesday. We are working with RUSD to address what happened today, including ensuring prompt notification from First Student to families about service issues.

RUSD and First Student officials met Wednesday to determine potential changes, including more timely communication from First Student to impacted families and students if similar situations occur.

Tapp said the most common complaint the district heard from families regarded communication, and RUSD understands the frustrations.

We heard from a lot of families, and we hear families, Tapp said. We understand. (Tuesday) was extremely difficult for our families, and we dont ever want to see that happen again. Were working with First Student to make sure we take the actions necessary to address that.

Eight photos of RUSD Board members, state lawmakers learning about early literacy Learning sounds Teacher Marianne Cooper leads students in a reading exercise Monday, Oct. 23 at Wadewitz Elementary, 2700 Yout St. According to a 2012 study,  Sounding it out Teacher Melani Raditz instructs students during a reading lesson Monday, Oct. 23 at Wadewitz Elementary, 2700 Yout St. Racine Unified aims to  Fisher, Pfeffer and Katzer Racine Unified board member Nikki Fisher, from left, talks to Jenny Pfeffer and Don Katzer Monday, Oct. 23 at Wadewitz Elementary, 2700 Yout S Greta Neubauer Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, the Wisconsin Assembly Minority Leader, smiles while observing a lesson Monday, Oct. 23 at Wadewitz Elementary, 2700 Pfeffer and students Jenny Pfeffer, Wadewitz early literacy coach, sits with students during a lesson Monday, Oct.23 at Wadewitz Elementary, 2700 Yout St. Pfeffer  Soren Gajewski Racine Unified Superintendent Soren Gajewski talks Monday, Oct. 23 at Wadewitz Elementary, 2700 Yout St. Gajewski said early literacy is RUSD Barbian and O'Connell Racine Unified School Board President Jane Barbian, left, talks with RUSD board member Brian O'Connell on Monday, Oct. 23 at Wadewitz Elementa McGuire, board members Tip McGuire, from left, Theresa Villar, Jane Barbian and Brian O'Connell observed reading lessons Monday, Oct. 23 at Wadewitz Elementary, 2700 Wadewitz early literacy
Anton Lamarr Space was a quiet man who enjoyed being with his children, playing virtual reality games with his closest friends and reveling in the company of his wife.

Space, 46, of Kenosha, was shot and killed on Tuesday in the parking lot outside a popular Pleasant Prairie shopping center in the 10300 block of 77th Street. On Thursday afternoon, Pleasant Prairie police announced they had arrested two suspects a day earlier in connection with the deadly shooting. The suspects have yet to be identified or charged, said law enforcement officials.

Many of Spaces friends and family on social media who had learned of his death remembered him for his strength, kindness and character. Kristina Toto, who spoke about her close friend called him a very quiet, soft-spoken, gentle, open-hearted kind man.

He walked with God and he believed that after he got married and had children, those were his best friends and the only people who he really needed to be looking for daily, Toto said Thursday night in an interview. He and his wife Dora were inseparable.

Wherever youd seen one, you saw the other, she said. They do everything together.

When hed come from work each night hed spend time with his kids and he could often be seen spending time with his homies playing video games, said Toto. But the family would also participate in paint nights and go on trips together.

Space, his wife and their four children, who are now teenagers and adults, are extremely close-knit, she said.

The person who did this  they dont know what they did, she said of her friends fatal shooting. Anton isnt the type of person who has an enemy at all.

Loved helping people

Space took care of mentally disabled individuals. He loved helping people learn about everything from geography to video games. When he wasnt playing virtual reality games, like "Cookout" and "After the Fall," as a proud native of Chicagos South Side, he enjoyed rooting for the White Sox and he loved the Bears and the Bulls.

Toto said she was at a bingo activity on Tuesday afternoon when she noticed Dora Space had called her multiple times.

I thought she was trying to come find out where the bingo was, she said. When she learned Anton Space had been shot and killed, she ran out of the room and went to their home to comfort his wife and children.

It was a very hard and emotional night for everybody, she said. Its absolutely devastating. This person dont know what they took. Hes not a thug. Hes not somebody out there causing problems. He doesnt have any enemies. Its just very inexplicable.

Toto, who first met Space when their daughters were younger and attended Wilson Elementary, said he raised his children to be strong and independent.

He kept his kids away from gangs, she said. He gave them better chances. Thats all he cared about was making sure his family got a better chance.

Police have yet to say why suspects targeted him or what happened in the moments that led up to the fatal shooting.

Nobody really knows exactly what he was doing there and what happened, she said. I know nothing about that part except that he was there and now hes not here. The officers are very quiet with everything.

According to law enforcement radio traffic reports in Mount Pleasant, police mid-afternoon on Wednesday had stopped two people, a man and a woman, and were conducting a high risk stop, allegedly related to the incident in Pleasant Prairie. Authorities were reported to have set up spikes to stop the vehicle prior to the arrest that occurred at Highway 31 near Larchmont Drive. While Pleasant Prairie police announced that suspects had been arrested in connection with the homicide, they disclosed neither their identities nor the location of the arrest.

Anton Lamarr Space Anton Lamarr Space of Kenosha is being remembered as a quiet man who enjoyed being with his family.

`Everything was taken away'

Dora Space appeared somewhat relieved after Toto told her of the arrests on Thursday; however, she seemed "dead inside, she said.

She told Toto she had always imagined the two of them growing old together, having their grandchildren with them and the trips they would take.

Now, everything was taken away, Toto said. Toto said she just wants justice for Space and his grieving family.

They literally killed her heart, her best friend, she said. He filled a void for her that nobody on the planet could.

Counties with the most gun deaths Counties With the Most Gun Deaths The rates of gun related homicides _ suicides are rising 1 More than 75_ of homicides _ 50_ of suicides involve a gun 1 Mississippi _ Louisiana have the highest rates of gun related deaths 1 Small _ midsize counties with the highest rates of gun deaths 1 15. DeKalb County, GA 14. Hamilton County, OH 13. Pima County, AZ 12. Cook County, IL 11. Fulton County, GA 10. Oklahoma County, OK 9. Cuyahoga County, OH 8. Milwaukee County, WI 7. Duval County, FL 6. Wayne County, MI 5. St. Louis County, MO 4. Jefferson County, KY 3. Marion County, IN 2. Philadelphia County, PA 1. Shelby County, TN
A Janesville resident received a warning for having unleashed German shepherds months before one of the dogs was fatally shot after attacking a police officer on Wednesday, police said.

The unidentified owner of the dogs received a warning for letting the dogs run off leash in April 2023, Sgt. Benjamin Thompson said in a statement Friday.

The owner then installed a fence, but it appears one of the dogs opened the fence by manipulating a latch and then became aggressive toward another resident who called 911 shortly after 5 a.m. Wednesday, Thompson said. The dogs had no documented history of aggression.

When a Janesville officer got to the scene, he was immediately met by the dogs when he got out of his squad car, Janesville police Sgt. Thomas Northrop said in a statement Thursday. The dogs attacked the officer and bit him in the leg, Northrop said.

The officer tried to disengage and create distance, but the dogs continued to come after him. He eventually slipped and fell into a snowbank, where the dogs continued to attack him and he unfortunately had to shoot one of the dogs, Northrop said, adding that both dogs then ran away.

The officer suffered minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital, Northrop said.

As additional officers responded to the area, the dogs reappeared and continued acting aggressively. Another officer was unable to contain the injured dog due to its aggressive behavior and shot it again. That dog died at the scene, Northrop said.

With the second dog still acting aggressively, yet another officer deployed a Taser to control the dog, which was taken to the humane society, Northrop said.

We are relieved our officer did not sustain more serious injuries from the dog attack, Thompson said. At the same time, we are saddened that a member of our community lost their dog.

Today in history: Jan. 26 1915: Rocky Mountain National Park 1992: Bill Clinton 1993: Vaclav Havel 1998: Bill Clinton 2005: Train Crash 2009: Nadya Suleman 2012: Penn State 2017: Donald Trump 2020: Kobe Bryant 2022: Amy Schneider 2022: Neil Young 2023: West Bank raid
In January of 2023, a Florida federal district Court restored the right to keep and bear arms on United States Postal Service (USPS) property. The court ruled a statute banning the possession of guns on USPS property, dating from 1972, was unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. At this time, the ruling only applies to the individual case in Florida. The USPS has issued a statement, aimed at employees, stating the USPS policy has not changed. From the USPS:

A recent Florida district court decision is being misreported or may be misinterpreted as holding that the Postal Service's ban on carrying firearms  either openly or concealed, or storing them on USPS property  is unconstitutional.

In fact, the case dealt with a different federal statute and does not involve the Postal Service's regulation. Therefore, it does not change the organization's policy.

Employees are reminded that carrying or storing firearms, other dangerous or deadly weapons, or explosives  either openly or concealed  on USPS property is prohibited and can result in discipline up to and including removal from the Postal Service, as well as potential prosecution.

An outlet dealing with the federal government, focusing on issues which matter the most to "federal agency managers, policy makers and contractors", quotes USPS spokesperson Jim McKean. From the Federal News Network: .....
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.

Vote

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KEARNEY  When he makes music, violinist Christopher Vuk likes to pull back the curtain so audience members can see exactly what hes doing.

I am an acoustic and electric player, he said in an interview from his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ill be playing on both instruments. When I perform, I use varying levels of technology. For some songs I do completely acoustic. For other songs I use a loop pedal, which is fun. The audience can see me building everything in front of them.

The solo violinist describes his concert, A Blue Violin Valentine, as a romantic evening featuring classic and contemporary music with a few rock n roll pieces mixed in for a little fun. Some of the music includes Perfect by Ed Sheeran, Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez and Circles by Post Malone.

Kearney audiences can experience the music of Vuk when he performs at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Merryman Performing Arts Center. Tickets for the show are $30.

As a performer, Vuk works hard to make accessible music.

I really try to bring out what I call the voice of the violin, he said. I know thats a phrase that some other people use but I really enjoy mimicking the human voice. I think I do it in a different way than anyone I know of. Im very attentive to the lilt of a voice, kind of the way that a vocalist bends into or out of a note. Typically string players or wind instrumentalists will play pretty straight, starting right on the pitch.

Vuk likes to approach his sound with an expressive feeling, sometime bending into a note and incorporating a breathy quality.

If Im playing something very slow and romantic, or if Im playing something by Coldplay or AD/DC, I still maintain that breathy, vocal-voice like sound, he said.

His mother started Vuk on the violin at the age of 5.

She enjoyed the sound of the violin, he said. She took me down to the local violin teacher, Pam Johnson, in Janesville, Iowa, where I grew up. My music teacher told me I was too distracted so I had to go back home and try again a year later.

This time, it stuck. Vuk practiced everyday.

The violin just became who I was, he said. I graduated from high school when I was 16 and I didnt really know what else to do with my college education so I went after music.

He re-founded the Boston Quartet, performed with artists like Gloria Estefan, Paul Simon, Jennifer Holliday, and made a special appearance with John Mayer on Sesame Street. His diverse collaborations include work on albums for former Scorpions member Robin McAuley, Turtle Island Quartet, Jeanette Olsson from Glee, Jamey Haddad and contemporary jazz guitarist Dave Fiuczynski.

And then I had kids and stopped playing for about six or seven years, Vuk said. I moved to Colorado about a year and a half ago and started playing a lot. I played in a lot of churches and started recording again. I thought, I miss this. I should get back into this.

A year ago he went on his first tour in nine years. He now has a six-city tour planned for September where he plans to solo with half dozen symphonies.

When starting out, Vuk looked to the work of Joshua Bell and Hillary Hahn for influence.

After studying classic music for many years, Vuk attended Berkeley College of Music in Boston where he concentrated on more popular music.

We always joke that classic players are not good in building a groove, he said. Thats a real struggle for most classical players. I listened to a lot of contemporary music so that came more natural to me. Taking six years off and not playing any concert, coming back to music helped me find it in a fresh way. I wanted to take a chance and re-develop my own style, especially as a solo instrumentalist. Ive taken the opportunity to be a lot more free in my playing, which has been a lot of fun.

Playing in a string quartet required close listening and working hard to match tones with the other players.

Now I get to be very improvisatory with most anything I play, and thats a lot of fun. he said. Music plays so much on emotions. We maintain these powerful memories that are attached to songs, either from special times in our lives or from certain memories.
A 20-year-old woman was wounded by gunfire Friday morning at a residence in the South Shore neighborhood, Chicago police said.

Shortly before 10:30 a.m., the victim was inside a residence in the 7800 block of South Colfax Avenue when a gunman entered and fired shots in her direction, police said.

The victim was struck to the right shoulder and back. She was taken to UChicago Medicine where her condition was stabilized, police said.

No one was in custody for the attack, and detectives were investigating.
When renovations at Hillview Health Care Center are complete, fewer residents will be in traditional nursing home beds.

The change fits with a national trend in elder care, said Wanda Plachecki executive director for La Crosse County long-term care and assisted living. She said residents like it that way.

People prefer to be in a home-like setting, Plachecki said. If you cant be at home, you want something like home.

Hillviews $19 million renovation project is expected to begin by late summer or early fall. When the project is completed late in 2025, the number of skilled nursing home beds at the county-owned facility will shrink from 70 to 35. They will be replaced by 35 community-based residential units and a four- or five-bed dementia stabilization unit.

The number of other units  55 independent living apartments and 30 residential care (assisted living) apartments  will remain unchanged.

Community-based facilities are places where five or more unrelated people live together in a community setting but still have private rooms. Plachecki said the new units are an important addition to the facility.

Housing demand flips

We knew we did not have all of the services for a full continuum of care, Plachecki said.

Despite the rapid increase in the elderly population, Hillview administrator Kelly Kramer said the demand for skilled nursing home beds continues to decline. Statewide, the ratio of skilled nursing home beds to various assisting living options has flipped. In 2003, there were 43,000 residents in skilled nursing homes and 30,000 in assisted living. In 2021, there were 64,000 in assisted living and 27,000 in skilled nursing care.

As recently as 1999, the facility was licensed for 226 skilled nursing home beds.

There are various types of assisted-living options that became options for people to get the care that they need  they didnt need to go to a nursing home, Kramer said. There was less and less need for 226 beds. We knew we were never going to sustain that capacity again.

Staff efficiency

Plachecki said the shift from skilled nursing home beds to more independent living arrangements allows for more efficient staffing. She said roughly half of skilled nursing home residents can be housed in a community-based facility.

With COVID and the public health emergency, we saw a decline in the number of people who want to work in long-term care, she said. We noticed our ability to care for the same number of people was going to be challenging into the future because of staffing challenges.

Plachecki said Hillview residents will continue to see the same staff through the transition.

Youll be cared for by the same staff youve always been cared for, she said.

Renovations will be funded by $11 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds with the county borrowing the remaining $8 million. Plachecki said no county taxpayer dollars will be used. She said borrowing costs and day-to-day operations of the facility are funded by a combination of Medicaid, Medicare, state-funded Family Care, private insurance and private pay. The independent living apartments charge market rates.

We have never been on the tax levy, Plachecki said. Hillview has always supported its own operations with its own revenues.

130 years

Hillviews operations date back to the late 19th century. It was run as the citys poor farm from the 1850s until it was turned over to the county in the 1890s as a facility for the elderly, poor and infirmed. In the early 1950s, the county board authorized construction of a new 167-bed nursing home facility.

Kramer said the renovations will honor the facilitys past.

The (county) board was excited to repurpose a building with so much history, Kramer said.

Hillview is one of two health care centers operated by the county. Lakeview Health Center and Assisted Living in West Salem cares for residents with more complex cognitive issues.

Plachecki acknowledged there were questions about whether the county should offer health care services that are also provided by the private sector. Waupaca and Iowa counties shut down their facilities in 2017 and 2022.

The La Crosse County Board rejected privatization. Plachecki said supervisors recognized that Hillview and Lakeview provide a critical safety net for some of the countys most vulnerable citizens. She said its unlikely a not-for-profit would assume ownership and operate them in the same manner.

We are expected to help fill the gaps in our community that other facilities are unwilling or unable to do, she said.

Kramer added, We care for those people that other nursing homes do not.

Hillview nursing home to get major renovation for the first time in 30 years.
Assembly Republicans on Thursday authorized putting a proposed 14-week abortion ban before Wisconsin voters, despite a promise from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to veto the measure if it reaches his desk.

The chamber also passed bills that would require the state Department of Natural Resources to establish a population limit for Wisconsins gray wolves, expand license exemptions to some roadside zoos in the state, and make it a felony to own or sell lifelike sex dolls made to resemble children or infants.

The abortion bill is legislative Republicans latest response to an issue that has troubled them politically, challenging many to square their personal anti-abortion beliefs with most Wisconsinites support for more permissive abortion laws. Lawmakers amended the bill on Tuesday to add exceptions for pregnancies that result from rape and incest  provisions that were not included in the bills original draft.

The measure passed 53-46, with 11 Republicans lawmakers joining their Democratic colleagues in opposition to the proposal. It now heads to the state Senate.

In addition to pushback from Democrats and groups like Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, the proposal saw opposition from anti-abortion groups like Wisconsin Family Action and Wisconsin Right to Life, who have supported stricter abortion laws.

Assembly Bill 975 would require the Legislature to pass and Evers to sign a bill to put a binding question on the April 2 ballot asking voters whether to restrict abortions after 14 weeks instead of the current 20 weeks gestation. The proposal, which would also allow exceptions for medical emergencies and saving the mothers life, would take effect the following day if voters approved the ballot question.

Bill co-author Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie, told reporters before Thursdays session restricting abortions after 14 weeks could save hundreds of lives.

The people should be deciding on abortion, not the court, Nedweski said.

Nedweski said the amendment to add exceptions for instances of rape and incest were added following feedback received from the public indicating that 14 weeks may not be enough time to make a decision in the case of one of those tragic events.

Evers has said he would oppose any efforts to further restrict abortion in the state.

I promised to veto any bill that takes away Wisconsinites reproductive freedom or makes reproductive healthcare any less accessible than it is today, Evers said Thursday in a post on X, the site formerly known as Twitter. Ill keep that promise.

The bill, authored by Nedweski and Sen. Mary Felzkowski, R-Irma, is Wisconsin Republicans most permissive proposal since Roe v. Wade was struck down in 2022.

Even so, Democratic lawmakers blasted the proposal as the latest GOP effort to restrict access to reproductive health care in the state.

To my colleagues across the aisle, this isnt about you, said Rep. Katrina Shankland, D-Stevens Point. You will continue to fail on this issue until you see that your feelings have nothing to do with the personal health care decisions of another person.

The U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe led to the shuttering of Wisconsin abortion clinics as providers tried to figure out whether an 1849 law banned abortions in almost every case.

Abortion services resumed in September 2023 after a Dane County judge found the law applied to feticides, not consensual abortions. That case is likely headed to a state Supreme Court appeal.

Setting a wolf population goal

In other action Thursday, the Assembly adopted legislation requiring enforcement of a new state population goal for wolves if the gray wolf is delisted as an endangered species.

Senate Bill 139, which does not set a specific wolf population goal, passed on a voice vote with no discussion. The measure passed the Senate in October on a party-line vote, with all Democratic lawmakers opposed, and now heads to Evers.

The state Natural Resources Board on Oct. 25 approved a new wolf management plan that leaves out a specific population goal  a move that has been applauded by conservationists but criticized by farmers and hunters seeking a limit on the number of gray wolves in the state.

The updated plan, originally released in August, aims to maintain a statewide population of about 800 to 1,200 wolves  a level comparable to recent years.

The Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance filed a lawsuit in November in Dane County Circuit Court seeking to block the DNR from implementing the wolf management plan, arguing the board took comments about the plan in private meetings and ignored scientific studies on wolf management submitted by the group.

The lawsuit asks a judge to declare the DNRs wolf management plan invalid and void, and to find that the Natural Resources Board and DNR staff violated the open meeting law.

Exempting more zoos from regulation

Also Thursday, the Assembly approved exempting more private zoos from state Department of Natural Resources licensing requirements. The proposal, which passed the Assembly on a voice vote, now heads to the Senate.

Currently, zoos accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, or AZA, are exempt from DNR licensing. Assembly Bill 124 would expand exemptions to zoos that receive accreditation from the Zoological Association of America, an organization that has been blasted by animal rights activists.

The ZAA is a made-up accrediting organization for roadside zoos to dupe the unsuspecting public that the zoo theyre visiting actually helps animals, Bethanie Gengler, director of Roadside Zoo News, a website that posts news articles about animal abuse at roadside zoos, told lawmakers last year.

Zoos that hold DNR licenses in Wisconsin face several requirements, including specifications for pens, providing an enriching environment for animals and submitting quarterly and annual reports.

However, zoos accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, a nearly 100-year-old organization, are exempt from such requirements.

There are more than 200 AZA-accredited institutions in the country. Wisconsin is home to five, including Madisons Vilas Zoo.

The ZAA, which launched in 2005 and has more than 60 members, lists just one Wisconsin-based accredited institution on its website, the Wildwood Zoo and Safari in Minocqua.

Child sex dolls would be banned

The Assembly also passed on a voice vote a bipartisan bill that would make it a felony to possess, manufacture and sell child sex dolls.

Senate Bill 321 passed the Senate on a voice vote earlier this month. It now heads to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers desk and, if signed into law, Wisconsin would join a growing number of states to outlaw such dolls.

The bipartisan proposal would define a child sex doll as an anatomically correct doll, mannequin, or robot, with features that resemble a minor that is intended for use in sex acts, for sexual gratification, or for manipulating children into participating in sex acts, instructing children how to participate in sex acts, or normalizing sexual behavior with children.

Under the bill, the level of felony penalty for possessing, manufacturing or selling a child sex doll would vary depending on if the violation is a repeat offense, the number of dolls found in possession and other past convictions for crimes against children, according to an analysis of the bill by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau.

The bill provides an exemption to law enforcement, physicians, psychologists, attorneys and court officers or those in child therapy if such a doll is in possession for the purposes of their specific duty, according to the LRB memo.

Today in history: Jan. 25 1915: Alexander Graham Bell 1924: Winter Olympic Games 1959: American Airlines 1971: Charles Manson 1981: Hostages 1994: Michael Jackson 2004: Mars Rover 2012: Gabrielle Giffords 2017: John Hurt 2017: Mary Tyler Moore 2020: Impeachment 2021: Joe Biden
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers can be asked questions related to his role serving as a Democratic elector in the 2020 presidential election as part of an ongoing lawsuit against former President Donald Trump's attorneys, a judge ruled Thursday.

The ruling comes in a lawsuit by Democrats that originally sought $2.4 million in damages from all 10 Republicans who submitted a document to Congress falsely declaring Trump as the 2020 election winner in Wisconsin. They also sued Trump attorneys Jim Troupis and Kenneth Chesebro.

The 10 Republicans in December settled the lawsuit with an admission that they were part of an effort to overturn President Joe Biden's victory, while not paying any damages. The case against Trump's two attorneys is scheduled to go to a trial by jury in September, two months before the presidential election.

Troupis' attorney had asked to depose Evers and then-Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, both of whom were also on the list of potential witnesses that attorneys for the Democrats who brought the lawsuit might call during the trial.

"I don't know what specific knowledge Gov. Evers or Lt. Gov. Barnes will have until the depositions are taken and completed," Troupis attorney Matthew Fernholz said at a hearing Thursday.

He noted that Evers has said he thinks that the Republicans who met in an attempt to cast the state's electoral votes for Trump committed crimes and should be held accountable.

"I don't know the basis for that statement, but that's certainly relevant information for purposes of this lawsuit and for purposes of defending my client," Fernholz said.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice, representing Evers and Barnes, tried to block the depositions, arguing they are protected under the law because of their roles as elected officials.

Limits placed

But Dane County Circuit Judge Frank Remington said they can be questioned, although he put limitations on the Evers interview.

Unlike most depositions, Evers can't be questioned in person, the judge said. Instead, he will be asked the questions in writing, Remington ruled from the bench.

Typically, the governor would have immunity from being deposed but the judge said he understands that Evers may have information that's relevant to the case. Limiting the questions to being in writing only will minimize the impact on Evers and his job as governor, Remington said.

"I'm not comfortable with saying that Governor Evers is just immune from any and all discovery in this case," Remington said.

Remington said Evers should not be questioned until after the defense questions all other witnesses, in case it's determined his testimony is no longer needed, Remington said.

Barnes, who was also a Democratic elector, can be questioned in person because protections that apply to Evers as a current elected official don't apply to Barnes, the judge said.

Evers and Barnes were two of the 10 Democratic electors who cast their ballots for Biden after his 2020 win. Barnes ran for U.S. Senate in 2022 and lost.

The fake elector plan hatched in seven battleground states was central to the federal indictment filed against Trump in August that alleged he tried to overturn results of the 2020 election. Federal prosecutors said the scheme originated in Wisconsin.

No probe

There is no known criminal investigation ongoing in Wisconsin. Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul has signaled that he is relying on federal investigators to look into what happened in the state, though he hasn't ruled out his own investigation.

Trump's attorney Chesebro, who is a defendant in the Wisconsin lawsuit, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of conspiracy to commit filing false documents after being charged with participating in efforts to overturn Trump's loss in Georgia. Chesebro was charged alongside Trump and 17 others with violating the state's anti-racketeering law.

Government and outside investigations have uniformly found there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud that could have swung the election from Biden in Wisconsin. Trump has continued to spread falsehoods about the 2020 election.
Environmentalists and community activists are blasting a proposed ordinance that would allow mining in Chicago and open the doors to a controversial project on the heavily polluted Southeast Side.

I want people to think about this, Oscar Sanchez of the Southeast Environmental Task Force said in a Zoom news conference Thursday.

If a mine was proposed in Lincoln Park, or in the South Loop, that would be shut down immediately, he said. There would be no question people would see that as absurd. Yet here we are, facing the same proposal in our community.

Speakers at the news conference were particularly concerned about the Invert, a proposed two-story underground commercial real estate complex with 6 million square feet of leasable space. The project would be located on the Southeast Side, near George Washington High School.

The project website says the Invert would be the biggest job creator on the far South Side in decades, leading to over 3,000 permanent new jobs in the region.

There would be a new park, a community center, EV charging, a community solar field and ecological restoration.

But opponents point to the lead investor: Ozinga Ventures, an independent investment group established by the Ozinga family, owners of a construction materials business based in Mokena. Limestone, which would be removed to create the Inverts underground complex, is a key ingredient in cement and concrete.

A community engagement center for the Invert project is located at 10548 S. Ewing Ave. on Jan. 25, 2024.

The Invert, which did not respond to requests for comment, denied that mining is the goal in an FAQ on the project website, saying that the economics dont pencil out.

Our interest is in the uniqueness, size and location of the subsurface commercial real estate complex we are creating, not the material, the website says. The value of the material being removed to create the space is not worth the expense of subsurface construction.

Ozinga Ventures, Ozinga and the Invert could not be reached for comment.

In April, Chicago Zoning Administrator Patrick Murphey issued an opinion that the Invert, which would entail excavating and removing limestone, met the definition of a mining project. That was a blow to the Invert, as mining isnt allowed in the city.

But then on Wednesday, Ald. Peter Chico, of the 10th Ward on the Southeast Side, proposed an ordinance that would allow mining in areas of the city zoned for the heaviest industrial activity. Mining projects would be subject to an extensive review process.

That proposal was the topic of Thursdays news conference, where speakers said the Southeast Side would be the first in line for mining, should the ordinance be approved.

We should not have mining next to our homes, our schools, our parks and our grocery stores, said Amalia NietoGomez, executive director of the Alliance of the Southeast.

We know this (ordinance) is to allow Invert to do a mining operation in our community, on toxic land. And that is unacceptable. We dont want to breathe in toxic dust or have mines affect the foundations of our homes, she said.

Chicos office did not respond to requests for comment.

Jhoanna Dela Torre, left, and husband Antonio Rosales fill a new bird feeder for outside their home on the corner of 110th St. and Buffalo Ave. on Jan. 25, 2024. The couple bought their Buffalo Ave. home in October. They live adjacent to the 11118 S. Buffalo Ave. location where an alleged plan by Ozinga exists for limestone mining at its proposed Invert project.

The Southeast Side, once one of the worlds largest steel producers, has long shouldered more than its fair share of industrial pollution and contamination.

In 2021, community activists went on a hunger strike to protest the proposed construction of a scrap metal shredder on the Southeast Side. The shredder, a project of Ohio-based Reserve Management Group, would have replaced a similar operation known as General Iron, which was located in a wealthy, largely white North Side neighborhood.

RMG closed General Iron after complaints about lung-damaging pollution.

Last year the city of Chicago reached a historic agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development after South Side activists initiated a federal civil rights investigation into local laws that allowed polluters to be concentrated in certain communities.

The citys three-year agreement with the federal government, which is binding, includes reforms in City Hall planning, zoning and land-use practices.

Cheryl Johnson, the executive director of People for Community Recovery, told the audience at Thursdays news conference that she was speaking on the birthday of her late mother, Hazel, a leading figure in Chicagos environmental justice movement.

Johnson said the Southeast Side was facing another classic example of environmental racism in the city of Chicago.

Speakers said they were hoping for the speedy introduction of a Cumulative Impact Ordinance aimed at protecting neighborhoods facing long-term environmental burdens. The city is drafting an ordinance with input from community representatives and environmental groups.

Chicagos Southeast Side is not a sacrifice zone, Sanchez said. Its a community of dreams, aspirations and the right to a safe and healthy community. Its time for Chicagos children and families to have health protections, and this mining operation is moving us in the opposite direction.

nschoenberg@chicagotribune.com
This transcript appears in the January 26, 2024 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

[Print version of this transcript]

Live Dialogue with Helga Zepp-LaRouche

BRICS on the Move To Replace

the Wests Law of the Jungle

The full video of this webcast is available here. The following is an edited transcript of the live dialogue.

Harley Schlanger: Hello and welcome to our weekly dialogue with Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder and chairwoman of the Schiller Institute. Today is Wednesday, January 17, 2024. Im Harley Schlanger and I will be your host. If you have questions or comments, you can send them to questions@schillerinstitute.org.

Helga, were in what might be described as a zone of increased instability, between a collapsing, discredited unipolar order which is defended by a U.S.-NATO military force, and an emerging order of mutually beneficial cooperation, sometimes inadequately described as a multipolar order. The wars and provocations from the West are continuing, even as diplomacy for economic cooperation, typified by the BRICS process, is moving ahead.

Geopolitical Conflicts vs. Economic Development

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U.S. Navy/Christopher J. Krucke

Youve pointed out that this is both a very dangerous moment, but also one of great potential: So we have a lot of questions from people on what can be done to make sure this goes in the right direction, so lets begin with your analysis of these two opposing directionalities, toward the geopolitical conflicts and expanding war, versus cooperation and economic development. Where are we headed, and what can people do to make us get in the right direction?

Helga Zepp-LaRouche: Let me start with the dangerous side: I think we are clearly in an extremely dangerous situation. The situation in Southwest Asia is on the edge of getting into a larger conflict, a regional conflict. You had the hype around the attacks on ships in the Red Sea, by the Houthis [in Yemen]; the blame is that they were backed by Iran, meaning that eventually Iran could be involved. Now, there is no proof to my knowledge that the Houthis are backed by Iranas a matter of fact, they have stated many times, that they are very independent. Be that as it may, Russia has just signed a major treaty with Iran, including a large military component, so it is now crystal clear thatwhat was known to observers for many decadesonce a Mideast war expands involving Iran, it has the potential of becoming an even larger, eventually world war. Because Iran and Russia are now united by a military treaty, then that for sure has been made very clear. India has good relations with Iran. Indias Secretary of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar was just in Tehran, also making major agreements.

So, I think the situation of Southwest Asia remains the absolute center of the dangers, especially because, after the historic events last week in The Hague, where the South African government has sued Israel with the accusation of committing genocide in Gazawhich was totally denied by Israel. Even the Israeli paper Haaretz said, lets assume what is happening is not genocide, then what would you call the denying of food, medicine, water to almost 2 million peoplewhere even the World Health Organization and other UN experts are saying that the danger is that many more people will die of disease in the coming weeksespecially children? Children, babies, sucklings, small children, pregnant women are the most vulnerable in this situation and what would you call that, if not genocide? So, thats coming from Israel itself.

Hopefully, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague will make an injunction, forcing Israel to make a ceasefire and allow unlimited access for humanitarian supplies. Hopefully, this will happen this week or next week because its super-urgent. What will happen with The Hague judgment in general is the big question. Normally it could take several months before a ruling is made. It is also clear that the United States has a very hard position: [U.S. Secretary of State Antony] Blinken said that South Africas accusation before the ICJ has no meritI mean, come on! So, one can expect that there will be maximum pressure on these judges. In the meantime, more than forty lawyers from South Africa plan to file a lawsuit against the United States and Great Britain for complicity in genocide, and also, inside the United States there is a suit against President Joe Biden for similar reasons.

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ICJ

So, this issue will remain with us. I think we have to start to discuss the question of what to do about it, what we have put on the agenda, in terms of immediate ceasefire, a Middle East comprehensive conference, especially putting the question of a two-state solution on the table. That solution, however, can only work if there is the implementation of the Oasis Plan,the idea of a comprehensive economic development plan focussing on the creation of new freshwater through building of canals from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and the Dead Sea and using that water then for massive desalination, irrigation of the deserts, and that way create economic conditions for Israel and Palestine to work in a two-state solution, with the idea that everybody will benefit from it. Thats the only workable way we can get out of this crisis.

What is happening in the Middle East is just one aspect, because the other major event of the last week, which did not stop last week, but it started Monday last week, with the German farmers, being supported by transport unions, truck drivers, by bakers, by craftsmen. On Jan. 8, they started a weeklong protest in 100 cities in Germany, in all 16 states, blocking highways, making large rallies, blocking traffic in all of these cities; and then culminating in a major rally in Berlin at the Brandenburg Gate on Saturday, Jan. 13, where German Finance Minister Christian Lindner spoke at the invitation of the peasant farmers association. His speech was completely booed out, because he said there would be no compromise on the governments intended cuts in supporting prices of fuel for the farmers. So, this is an unresolved situation.

In the coming week, truckers will basically do likewise. And in the meantime, the protests are spreading to Italy. On Jan. 22, there will be a large Italian farmers protest, and they are already making contact with the German farmers. And it is now spreading to France, and the French farmers are protesting.

Now, this is an absolute nightmare for the establishments that have moved away from the daily interest of the population to such an extent that it is like a gulf. The governments are pursuing their specific power games and interests and have lost the trust of the population in almost every country. That was also demonstrated by the fact that in the United States, former President Donald Trump won the Republican caucus in Iowa with 51%. Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, the two other major Republican contenders, got somewhere around 40% between them. So, Trump won, by far, more than the two of them together, making him clearly the recognized frontrunner for the Republican ticket, which is absolutely freaking out the neoliberal establishment on both sides of the Atlantic. But, as it was with the first vote for Trump in 2016, he is getting the vote of his base, but there are a lot of people who are also expressing just their complete rejection of the neoliberal paradigm.

So, you have a situation where the establishments of the neoliberal, so-called rules-based order (and nobody knows what these rules are, if they ever existed), have moved away from the populations. The establishments are really scaredand what do they do? Well, on the one side, they have this mega-show [at the World Economic Forum] in Davos, Switzerland Jan. 15-19, where all the millionaires and billionaires and their hangers-on are meeting. This time, the theme of the Davos conference is Rebuilding Trust. Well, they will not rebuild trust because in order to do that they would have to change policy, and theres no sign that theyre willing to do that.

What you have insteadand I think people should really pay attention hereis that while the war danger is real, and while the continuation of the present policy, if not changed, has the clear danger of leading to a global warthere are also war scare-stories popping out of the media in many countries. In Germany, for example, Bild Zeitung claimed in the past week, in reaction to the farmers protests, that they had got their hands on a leaked document of the Defense Ministry saying there may be war with Russia as soon as summer 2025, which happens to be the same time as the German electionhow convenient, so maybe you dont need elections, if theres this war danger. Similar stories have appeared in Finland, saying war in two years; Sweden, war in three years with Russia. One should be aware of the fact that there is a very large psychological warfare component in all of this, trying to get people back under control: dont go into the streets, dont challenge the present policies, because there is this war danger; and supposedly the enemies are Russia, China, Iran, and so forth.

One has to differentiate between the real danger, that this present geopolitical confrontation, in which NATO, the countries of Europe, the U.S., plus a few others like Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, are somehow trying to form a bloc against the BRICS-Plus, the Global South, the Global Majority. But look at the numbers. The North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO) countries, which are now claiming that they have some business in the Pacific for whatever reasons, are the minority! The Global Majority [countries] represent 85% of the worlds population, and theyre determined to go for a new economic system which allows the economic development of all of them. They are working with China, because its rise has given them an alternative to the Western neoliberal imperial model. Rather than asking, How can we talk to these countries, how can we cooperate and solve the problems of the world together? the West is trying to stay with its unipolar position, which they have, in any case, already lost, irreversibly. But they dont want to admit that.

While this geopolitical confrontation is going on, the war danger is very real, and will increase. What people can do is to go in the direction of supporting the farmers, who need the unified support of the entire population, all segments. And we need to move to a completely new paradigm of working together as the one humanity and stop the idea that Russia, China, and the Global South are the enemy of mankindbecause they are not.

A Public Dialogue on Security and Development

Schlanger: We have two questions from Munashe, who asks: In the current geopolitical tensions, what are the key steps that can be taken to promote a dialogue and negotiation between global powers and the Global Majority? And How can your proposed fundamental principles contribute to shaping this new paradigm?

Zepp-LaRouche: The optimal thing would obviously be if the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly, or some organization like that, would just put it on the agenda, and say, We need a new security and development architecture. Lets discuss the components of this, to make it work.

Now, given the veto power of the U.S., which they have applied on many occasions, its not likely that this will happen like that. So, I think we need a better dialogue in the population about statecraft, about what it takes to self-govern, not only in one country, but among all countries in the world. And why not have student bodies? You can organize, if you are a student in the university, you can organize a forum; if you are a professor, you can organize dialogues among universities; if you are a think-tank member you can organize international Zoom conferences among think-tanks, or you can discuss in any kind of organization you are part of, you can say, we are in a world crisis and why not have a discussion how we, as probably the only intelligent species in the universe, how can we organize our affairs that we can all survive and have a future?

Anything is better than what most people say, Oh, the world is so horrible I cant even watch the news anymore, and then they dont do anythingand thats the problem!

So, the more people think of themselves as state citizens, who take responsibility for what develops in their country and beyond, the better. Because if we had a lot of educated state citizens, these politicians wouldnt get away with what theyre doing.

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Federal Ministry of Finance

Western Government Hypocrisy and Citizen Intervention

Schlanger: Im going to put two questions together here, which build on what youve been talking about. One is from a contact from United Kingdom, about Blinkens trip to Southwest Asia: What is Bidens actual policy? As the U.S. is calling on Israel to scale back the fighting, the U.S. seems to be expanding the war by joining the UK in targetting Yemen. And, connected to that, we have a question from Paul, who I think is also from the UK: Who are these Western governments representing? Bankers, the Zionists? Is it even possible to negotiate with psychopaths? [laughter]

Zepp-LaRouche: Well, you know, the hypocrisy is really quite enormous. Given that the events in Gaza have been transmitted by many live TV newscasts, there were gruesome reports about those who are dying in Gaza, so its not that there is some horrible genocide happening behind closed doors: It is happening very much in the awareness of the world public. The fact that 57 countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and about 2030 other countries have come out on the side of South Africa in their suit, it is very clear that the world public [opinion] is shifting, and the whole Global South is shifting, and has been for quite some time, to the side of the Palestinians. So, I think that this statement of Biden, trying to tell Israel to scale down its fight, is a typical (as a lady, I shouldnt say this, but you know what I mean), but there is the phrase to cover your behind. Thats what it is! Because, at the same time, [the U.S.] is continuing to supply weapons to Israel to continue to conduct exactly the [same] kinds of operations. So where are the words and where are the deeds?

In answer to the second question: I dont know if you could call all of these people psychopaths, but what you can say for sure is that they are so out of touch with reality that they may not be able anymore to understand the real population. Ill give you one funny example: Germanys Finance Minister [Christian] Lindner, as I said, was invited to give a speech to the crowd at the farmers rally in Berlin. Before he spoke, his lips showed that he was clearly scared of the possible response, and there was booing all the time against him. And then, when he finally did speak, nothing big happened; there were no eggs thrown at him, and so on, and he was very relieved.

In his speech he said, Oh, I understand your agriculture problems so well, because one time I was in the countryside, and I cleaned out the horse stable. So, I know how hard you are working all day, and if youre doing this all day long, I can understand how hard this is. Later on, a woman farm representative turned to Lindner and told him, Well, if you think that going one time to clean out a horse stable gives you any knowledge about agriculture, youre completely off the wall!

Thats typical. That was so telling with these people, most of whom really have no idea what the hardships are for the population, what are their problems, because theyre sitting in their fancy ministries, and going from conference to conference in luxury jetsthey dont get it.

The only thing that can be done is, you have to support what the farmers are doing. Every segment of the population should ally with them because we need a complete change in policy. We need to reject this fraudulent ecological policy which is only used to create another bubbleand the farmers are quite aware of that. We need to go back to a policy like in the postwar period of reconstruction, focussing on scientific and technological progress, on values like industriousness, on honesty, all of these things which we seem to have lost in the West only the Chinese seem to have such values these days. And we need to go back to our own great Classical culture.

So, its not that there is no way for us to solve it, but it does require much more active intervention by a lot of citizens.

BRICS Trading in National Currencies

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Brazilian Presidency

Schlanger: This is Helga Zepp-LaRouche youre listening to. She has an article on the farm demonstrations posted on the Schiller Institute website.

Helga we have a question from India, from someone who has signed onto some of our initiatives: How would a BRICS currency help in overcoming the economic problems of third world countries?

Zepp-LaRouche: Oh, I think it is very clear that the New Development Bankheadquartered in Shanghai under the leadership of former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, and about which Brazils current President Lula da Silva said it will become the great bank of the Global Southwill like certain other banks that already exist around the Belt and Road Initiative, issue credit for investment in productive areas, like industry, agriculture, infrastructure, science, technology. And I think the idea of a reserve currency, separate from the U.S. dollarwhich I know countries are working onwill mean that the countries that are part of this new system will no longer be dependent on the IMF [and therefore subject to its onerous] conditionalities.

We have been aware of these IMF conditionalities, for many, many decades. They are largely responsible for [creating] the present [depressed] condition of many developing countries, particularly before China came into play. The IMF forbids investment in infrastructure, forbids investment in healthcare systems or education, forcing the respective countries to pay off their debt first! So, if you want to talk about a debt trap, it wasnt China that caused the debt trap. Most of the [accumulated] debt of African nations, for example, is owed to the banks of the Club of Paris.

Now there is trade in national currencies, which is happening already all over the placein rupees, in rubles, in renminbi, in realsall kinds of other local currenciesthat already gives a greater sovereignty to the countries that engage in such trade. But then add to that a credit system, which functions like a clearing-house between the different national systems.

Every country should have a national bank [as opposed to a private central bank]. And then, you have clearing houses to regulate long-term international investments among the different countries. It will be totally regulated by the sovereign decisions of these countries, and not by some political criteria and sermonsthat countries should make usually austere social changes, under the rubric of democracy or rule of law, all synonyms for some intervention into the internal affairs of the respective countries. Once there is this new system, it will give much, much greater power to the sovereign countries themselves.

It would be most advisable for the countries of the Global South to join that [system]because the problem is not a conflict among countries! The conflict is with what we call the British Empire. The British Empire is not the British people; it is the system of neoliberal finance sitting in Wall Street, sitting in Silicon Valley, sitting in the City of London, and the associated military-industrial complex. The major investment firms, of these entities, the military-industrial complex associated with thatand the food cartels, and insurance companies, are completely interwoven. So the enemy, is not countries and conflict among countries, but a vast system of exploitation run for the benefit of the fewthose people who can afford to speculate big time, who are becoming richer and richer by the dayand the vast majority of countries whose people are becoming poorer in every country around the globe.

So, I think the more quickly everybody moves to a new systemwhich used to be called the American System of Alexander Hamilton, and which is applied today by many countries, and which actually is the tradition of what Lyndon LaRouche developed in terms of his physical economy, and the associated credit system with that[the better]. All of these things are available, and I think we may even see a big change to this, in this present year of 2024.

German Farmers Fight for their Existence

Schlanger: Helga, we have this from Diana, who always watches you from Canada: Im so happy to see the German farmers and others standing up for the people. And there is a second question from someone who identifies herself as a small-town girl: Will the farm demonstrations fizzle out in Germany, or keep expanding? And how can we support them?

Zepp-LaRouche: As of now, I dont think they will fizzle out, simply because the German government is playing hard [ball]theyre not giving up, theyre not making a compromise. So, the farmers have said that since this is a fight for their existenceespecially the smaller and medium-size farmsI think it will continue. And as I said, it will now spread to the logistics people, to the truckers, to the transport people.

And I can only say: Send support messages. If you are someplace close by these demonstrations, join them! Or contact the Schiller Institute, and we will make sure that we will find some way that you can get active. Many farmers have told us they are really out on a limb. One farmer made a very moving video which is on the internet; its in German, but I think you can get the idea easily enough. It is from a farmer who said he drove his tractor 1,200 km round trip, that he spent 100 for a hotel, and many of his colleagues did likewise, or many of them slept in their tractors in the freezing cold; and he said we did all of that, and then, there was nobody from the government to talk to us!

He told us he has never experienced anything so degrading, so absolutely indifferent and uncaring about what is going on in the population. And he and many others said, therefore, it is so important when they see support from the population, and they get a thumbs up from people on the side of the road.

So, find a way of organizing in your environment to support them. Im very happy that the German farmers have had the courage to do this, because Germany is about to collapse! Its not just the farmers who are at risk of losing everything. I really hope that other organizations, like the medium-size industries join them, because the farmers have taken the responsibility to fight for the interest of all of Germany.

Germany is collapsing! The Mittelstand (mid-sized) industry is in a free fall for the same reason the farmers cant make it under the rising energy prices, and the absolutely insane bureaucratic rules coming from Berlin, and also from Brussels. So, I can only say, do something to organize support for this movement, because theyre fighting not only for themselves, theyre fighting for all of Germany, and actually for the whole world.

Rules-Based Order Responsible for Mass Migrations

Schlanger: And heres the final question, concerning the Republican caucus vote in Iowa. Daniel writes: I dont see the vote in Iowa as a reaction to the collapse of the West, but as a protest against immigration. What is your view of this?

Zepp-LaRouche: Well, yes, but what is immigration? Why is there a refugee problem? I think all the problems in the world can be really brought down to the rise of the so-called rules-based order, especially after the end of the Cold War. This was a branching point in time where communism was given up, by free will, without violence, no tanks[it] peacefully disintegrated. Lyndon LaRouche and the Schiller Institute intervened with a peace plan, the Eurasian Land-Bridge, to connect all of Europe and Asia through development corridors, and also connect them with similar corridors in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

Now that would have been the economic basis for a peace plan. It would have meant going back to [President] Franklin D. Roosevelts original idea, what he thought the Bretton Woods system should have becomenamely, a mechanism to massively increase the living standards in the so-called developing sector. Now, Roosevelt died at the wrong moment. Harry Truman took over with [UK Prime Minister Winston] Churchill, and they designed the Bretton Woods system in order not to end the underdevelopment of the developing countries! So, colonialism continued.

What youre seeing right now, with the rebellion of the Global South, is an absolute determination to end this colonialism in its new form. Now, why are people migrating as refugees through the Americas to the Mexican-American border? Why are they risking drowning in the Mediterranean to get to Europe, where they are not treated well at all? Why are there refugee problems at all? Because of the lack of development!

If you have prosperous countries in Africa, in Latin America, in Asia, people will stay home! Normally, everybody likes their own home better than some far-away country! So, the migrant question as such is already the result of this colonialism in its modern form. Im not sure if Trump, if he becomes President, has the wisdom to ally with the countries of the Global South, because thats the only way how this problem can be solved.

So, I think you should rethink it, because it may not be so easy and so simple. What we have right now is a revolt of the Global South, and a revolt of the countries protesting against the colonialist conditions for them, and the fight of the farmers protesting against the same mechanism, the same financial system, the same cartels, the same structures: Then you recognize that the situation hangs much more together than you would think.

Schlanger: With that, Helga, thank you for joining us today, and hopefully well see you again next week.

Zepp-LaRouche: Yes. And get active with us in the meantime!
This article appears in the January 26, 2024 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

An Expert Legal View

Israel Lied Through Their Teeth

Why South Africas Case Is Justified

[Print version of this article]

On Jan. 19, Prof. Francis Boyle gave the following lecture to a meeting of the International Peace Coalition regarding his history of having fought and won a case of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, otherwise known as the World Court. Boyle is an American human rights lawyer and professor of international law at the University of Illinois College of Law. He served as counsel for Bosnia and Herzegovina during their case at the ICJ in 1993.

EIR is publishing Prof. Boyles remarks in order that his expert legal opinion regarding the current case by South Africa against Israel at the ICJ may become a larger topic of discussion internationally. We hope that this knowledge, and the circulation of it among all proponents of a just peace, will greatly reduce the ability by outside political forces to pressure the ICJ judges to ignore the principles of law that govern the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide which was approved by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1948.

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Courtesy photo Prof. Francis Boyle.

Thank you very much for having me here today. I want to express my gratitude to Helga Zepp-LaRouche for having me speak at this conference at this critical time in the history of the human race.

I believe that the Republic of South Africa will win an order of provisional measures of protection against Israel on behalf of the Palestinians. Im speaking here as a straight-out legal matter. Obviously, as we speak here today, Israel and the United States are putting massive political pressure on the judges of the World Court to rule against the Republic of South Africa and the Palestinians.

The Technical Legal Matter

Im just going to deal with this as a technical, legal matter. I was the first lawyer ever to win anything from the International Court of Justice on the basis of the Genocide Convention. I won a massive, overwhelming order for the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina against the rump Yugoslavia to cease and desist from committing all acts of genocide against the Bosnians. That was in April 1993. Then, I won a second massive, overwhelming order for the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina against Yugoslavia to cease and desist from committing all acts of genocide against the Bosnians on September 13, 1993.

This was the first time ever in the history of the World Court that any lawyer had won two such orders in one case since the World Court was founded in 1921. Then, I won a third orderwhats known as an Article 74, Paragraph 4 order to the same effect from the President of the Court which was binding on the parties. So, three orders in under six months.

In addition, on behalf of my clients at the timethe mothers of the victims at Srebrenica and Prijedor who survived the massacre at SrebrenicaI convinced the prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia to indict my adversary, Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, for almost every crime in the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) statute, including two counts of genocide. One for genocide against Bosnia in general, and the second for genocide at Srebrenica in particular.

He was put on trial in The Hague. After the close of the prosecutions case, he filed a motion to dismiss all the charges. That was denied by the tribunal ruling that there was enough evidence produced by the prosecution to convict him on all charges beyond a reasonable doubt, including the two counts of genocide; and that he should then proceed to open his defense, which was going to implicate all the international officials working in cahoots with him behind the scenes. Whereupon he mysteriously died. Dead men tell no tales.

I dont have time here to go through the entire application by the Republic of South Africa, the request for provisional measures of protection, and six hours of oral arguments before the World Court by two teams of lawyers on both sides. By the way, if you were following those hearings, I did all those arguments myself for Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Actual Precedent

What I want to point out here, however, is from my perspective the most critical factor you will note if you listen to the hearings. That was the argumentation back and forth over my original order for the Bosnians. The British lawyer representing Israel, [Christopher] Staker, lied through his teeth about the meaning of my first order. He lied. Let me read to you from my first order that I won. He lied about this; he said it didnt mean what it had actually said:

Unanimously, the Government of Yugoslavia should immediately in pursuance of its undertaking in the Convention of Genocide, take all measures within its power to prevent commission of the crime of genocide.

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Facebook Slobodan Milosevic, former President of Serbia.

He lied about that, and I have been saying all along in my interviews, at a minimum, the Republic of South Africa will win a provisional measure like that on behalf of the Palestinians as precedent.

Second, the British lawyer Staker tried to explain away and minimize anotherand by the way, that measure was then reaffirmed in the second order I won before the World Court, which Staker didnt point out, by 13 votes to 2. [The second order] Reaffirms the provisional measure indicated in Paragraph 52 A (1) of the order made by the court in April 1993, which should be immediately and effectively implemented. Only the Russian judge and the Serb judge ad hoc ruled against me. And of course, Russia and Serbia were working in cahoots with each other.

Now, Staker did not lie about this provision here, but he tried to explain away and discount its significance. Let me repeat it:

Unanimously, the Government of Yugoslavia and the Government of Bosnia-Herzegovina should not take any action and should ensure that no action is taken which may aggravate or expand the existing dispute over the prevention or punishment of the crime of genocide or render it more difficult of solution.

I believe I got that measure because I figured that we would obey the order, and Yugoslavia under Milosevic was going to grossly disobey it. And I wanted to entrap Yugoslavia in massive breaches of all areas of international law, not just the Genocide Convention. This measure was reaffirmed in the second order I won: By 14 votes to 1 reaffirms the provisional measure indicated in Paragraph 52 B of the order made by the court on 8 April 1993, which should be immediately and effectively implemented. Notice, 14 to 1; even the Russian judge agreed with that, only the Serb judge ad hoc voted against me.

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ICJ

Now, as for the third measure of provisional protection I won for the Bosnians, the Republic of South Africa asked for a modified version of this measure. Its been modified for the circumstances of the Palestinians case:

By 13 votes to 1, the Government of Yugoslavia should in particular insure do not commit any acts of genocide, of conspiracy to commit genocide, of direct and public incitement to commit genocide, or of complicity in genocide whether directed against the Muslim population of Bosnia-Herzegovina, or against any other national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

At the time, Bosnia hadand still hasabout 10 different racial, ethnic, and national groups. I got them all protected. Primarily Muslims, but also Croats, Jews, Turks, Roma, and others; I got them all protected.

Pressure by Those Also Complicit

In this case, of course, its just the Palestinians, so thats why that measure has been modified by the Republic of South Africa. And again, in my second order, 13 votes to 2; only the Russian judge and the Serb ad hoc judge voting against me. Reaffirms the provisional measure indicated in Paragraph 52 A (2) of the order, which should be immediately and effectively implemented.

So, that is why, just as a straight-out legal matter, I believe that the Republic of South Africa should win those three provisional measures of protection. But again, as a political matter, massive pressure is being applied. Im sure those judges of the World Court today are being blackmailed, threatened, bullied, and intimidated by the United States and Israel and their supporters to rule against the Republic of South Africa.

Finally, let me get into the complicity of the Biden administration and the British for sure. This is a complicity to commit genocide in violation of Article 3, Paragraph E of the Genocide Convention that criminalizes complicity in genocide. I was in a similar situation for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Pursuant to my advice, Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic authorized me, on November 15, 1993, to sue Britain at the International Court of Justice for aiding and abetting genocide against the Bosnians, which I set out to do and was fully prepared to do when the British threatened to starve the Bosnians if I actually filed the lawsuit. Though at that time, I was in negotiations with the court for the hearing in my complaint against Britain.

Ive given you my assessment of the current situation. Thats where we stand, and Im very happy to be here today.
This article appears in the January 26, 2024 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

[Print version of this article]

CHEMINADE IN FRANCE

On Immigration: Create a Ministry of Cooperation, Co-Development and Integration

Jan. 21Jacques Cheminade, a leader of the international LaRouche movement and Chairman of the French political party Solidarite & Progres, issued the following statement Jan. 17 for mass circulation in France to those protesting the immigration bill that was voted up on December 29th by the National Assembly. The bill is scheduled to be reviewed by the Constitutional Council on January 25th.

The first round of protests against the legislation was on January 14th, when more than 35,000 demonstrators gathered in Paris, Rennes, Marseille and Strasbourg. On Sunday, Jan. 21, an estimated 150,000 protestors turned out nationwide, in Paris and many other cities, all demanding that President Emmanuel Macron not sign the new bill.

The unprecedented changes to existing policy include cuts in rental assistance, family allowance benefits, and unemployment benefits. New restrictions are placed on foreign students; migration quotas are set. The bill also removes the right to citizenship of children born in France of non-French parents. In sum, the recently adopted law, proposed by the Macron government, toughens all conditions for migrants to arrive, settle and work in France.

The real political aim of the law, which includes stupid and hateful provisions called for by Marine Le Pen, is to pre-empt widespread voters anger over living and work conditions in France, and escape the grave defeat everybody expects for the Macron camp at the upcoming European elections in June.

Focusing on Immigration, a Fools Trap!

How dare you say such a thing? might be your first response. This is the 29th law passed in France since 1980!

The reality is that weve come up with laws that deal with the effects without going back to the causes. The result? The Mediterranean and the English Channel have become cemeteries, migrants are treated as people with problems, not human beings, and 73% of French people think there are too many foreigners in France under the existing economic system. So the issue here is to get out of the current system! In my 2017 presidential campaign, I proposed to create a Ministry of Cooperation, Co-Development and Integration, to raise the level of debate which, today as then, is a disgrace.

So, lets get back to the basics, now as then. France needs foreign workers in jobs (healthcare, catering, construction, etc.) that too few of our compatriots want to do. There is a growing flow of emigration from regions of the world suffering from war or extreme poverty. In a France that doubts itself and feels itself in decline, this is a cause for concern. Neither the irresponsible exclusion of the Right nor the angelic hypocrisy of the Left are answers in themselves. The answer lies in changing the rules of the political game at home and around the world.

What Needs To Be Done in France

Jobs have to be created for all. In reality, it is the destruction of jobs and employment that creates the conditions for divisions between French and foreign workers. Its morally unworthy and economically disastrous to allow people to enter France without welcoming them through work and language!

The integration of foreigners has to be organized by teaching them our language and our republican principles, with a serious commitment to make it work, and with the required financial resources to ensure success.

We need to cancel the law recently adopted by the alliance of all the right-wing parties, a law which does no more than increase the selection of migrants. Its unfair, unrealistic and just for show.

For example, if you are an excluded immigrant without legal papers, you get somebody to lend you his identity card, his banking information, his social security pass and his residence permit, and your employer pays you your wage. The person complicit takes a small profit in the process. Employers turn a blind eye, its convenient for them!

The new law proposes giving residence permits to individuals working in economic sectors deemed to be in need of labor. This is no more than 7,000 to 10,000 workers, all in the name of the governments supposed generosity! Worse still, the right to jus soli residency, citizenship granted to children born in France, is now to be given only on request. This calls into question our republican law of June 26, 1889.

Calling into question State Medical Aid (AME) is irrelevant and contrary to the right to healthcare of the most vulnerable. Macron himself is so unconvinced by the quality of his new law that he is turning for advice to the Constitutional Council! So, the new law needs a complete rewrite, with no detours or arrangements.

No longer leave the management of migration to the Interior Ministry, which has a partial and biased view of the subject, but entrust it to this new large Ministry of Cooperation, Co-Development and Integration, which will cover all aspects, national and international.

What Needs To Be Done in the World

Take the issue at its source: solving the problem of immigration means first dealing with the problem of emigration. This means providing all countries with the means for their independence and development, so that their inhabitants can lead a dignified life. To achieve this, we need to break with the neo-colonial systems financial oligarchy and the International Monetary Funds system of structural adjustment, and instead launch major infrastructure projects on a pan-African scale, and pursue a policy of fair access to water and public health. This means changing the direction of our foreign policy.

We must not let our immigration policy, like that of the current law, poison our relations with developing countries. Indeed, our reoriented foreign policy should be based on the struggle, together with the countries of the Global South, for a new architecture of mutual security and development, into which our migration policy must be integrated.

Putting a real end to the European Central Banks guardianship of the CFA franc will be a fundamental pillar of this policy, guaranteeing its seriousness.

Pipe Dreams

Take a look in the mirror. Immigration is not fundamentally an issue of the flow of people or a question of security, but of political strategy. The current strategic policy leads to a war of all against all, whereas the one we propose is peace through mutual development, with the same impetus at home as around the world.
This article appears in the January 26, 2024 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

[Print version of this article]

Schiller Institute International Youth Dialogue

2024 and 2074:

A New Paradigm for the Next Fifty Years

Jan. 20An extraordinary international event took place today, hosted by the Schiller Institute, titled, 2024 and 2074A New Paradigm for the Next Fifty Years; International Youth Dialogue with Helga Zepp-LaRouche. The three-hour discussion was a hybrid forum based on a live audience in New York City, with online participants, including in groups, from around the world, for a combined audience of real-time attendees numbering well over 250. At least 20 countries, representing all continents, were represented, from China to Afghanistan to Chile.

Moderated by Schiller Institute U.S.A. President Megan Dobrodt, the first hour featured an address to youth by Schiller Institute founder Zepp-LaRouche. Then came both prepared messages and spontaneous exchanges from many individuals and nations.

The occasion is historic, for the depth of thought and mission, as seen in the assent to Zepp-LaRouches appeal, World citizens of all countries unite! Put the world in order! The consensus in closing, was to form an international contact network for follow-up, to confer on joint and individual action. In particular, Zepp-LaRouche urged everyone to actively support the case put before the UN World Court (the International Court of Justice at The Hague, Netherlands) Jan. 11, by South Africa, that Israels continuing violation of the 1948 Convention on Genocide in Gaza be acknowledged and stopped. South Africa has preserved the conscience of humanity, she said.

As of the time that the Schiller Institute event convened, bombings had occurred over the previous 24 hours in four countries in Southwest Asia. This portends a short road to world war, unless the escalation and underlying process are ended. This morning, the United States bombed Yemen for the seventh time, striking near the port of Hodeidah. Israel bombed Syria near Damascus, and also bombed southern Lebanon, as well as Gaza.

Underscoring the venality of these actions, President Joe Bidens National Security Council spokesman John Kirby yesterday stated at a White House press conference:

We dont believe a ceasefire is going to be to the benefit of anybody but Hamas. We do support humanitarian pauses, as I said, to try to get hostages out and more aid in. But we dont support a ceasefire at this time.

Zepp-LaRouche began her remarks by referring to this crisis, as the great threat to the very existence of the world. But at the same time, she went on, we have reason to be joyful, because the old rules-based order is failing, and a new, better paradigm is emerging for all humanity. Therefore, you can say that we are living in one of the most incredible moments ever in history.

Following this, she gave a thorough briefing, including the history of how todays multiple crises came about, especially since the 1990s; the importance of philosophical method, including the significance of Nicholas of Cusa and his coincidence of opposites approach to overcoming perceived conflict; and the primacy of human creativity and culture. She urged everyone to study Cusa and other great minds, especially that of Lyndon LaRouche. She asserted, there is an inherent right to development of human beings and nations. This is the answer to the question of what is the source of wealth.

Many speakers then followed, with reports, questions, expressions of greetings, appreciation, and hope. A video was received from Yemen, prepared by several young women, including officers of the BRICS Youth Parliament there. A young woman, Lyu Nanzhu, spoke from the All-China Youth Federation. She called for an end to violence in Gaza and all points of war. Bernhard Perschl, a farmer in Germany, provided his video of tractors taking off in the heavy snow, heading for a mass protest demonstration. He reported there will be another mass protest rally Jan. 28. The farmers are demanding the right to produce food. The population stands with them for a productive economy. Many others spoke, from Africa to Mexico and South America.

In closing, Zepp-LaRouche made the point that good relations among nations and people emerges from a dialogue of the best of their cultures. This principle was observed in the musical offering opening the forum. Attendees in New York City sang Jesu, meine Freude, the great German chorale from the 17th-Century of the Thirty Years War and the Peace of Westphalia, beautifully harmonized decades later by the master, J.S. Bach.
On 25 January delegations from Guyana and Venezuela, headed up by foreign ministers,andrespectively, met in Brazil.

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On 25 January Brazils federal police (PF) served search & seizure warrants in the properties of federal deputy, former director (2019-2022) of the national intelligence agency (Abin) and close ally of former president(2019-2023).

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Political tensions escalated in Argentina on 25 January after harsh remarks about provincial governors made by Presidentwere leaked to the local media, which is reporting that the infrastructure minister,, has been fired as a result.

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The latest war between Israel and Hamas is the biggest conflagration in the Middle East today, but sparks and fires are emerging across the region. Each provides ample opportunity to launch a wider war. The common thread is Iran. This means the key to preventing escalation lies in Iran as well.

Iran, a Shia Muslim state, arms, trains and supports a network of militant groups across the region. While most tensions there historically fall along the Sunni-Shia religious divide, Irans axis of resistance includes groups on both sides.

Right now, Iran is stirring up trouble on a half-dozen fronts. Its a major supporter of Hamas, the Sunni Muslim militant group that attacked Israel on Oct. 7. It bankrolls Hezbollah, which threatens Israel from the north. In the Red Sea, the Yemen-based and Iran-backed Houthis endanger global shipping. And in just the past two weeks, Iran has attacked targets in Pakistan, Syria and Iraq.

The United States would love to detach itself from the Middle Easts problems, but Iran is making that impossible.

Israel remains the main front of Irans aggression. Though the United States assessed that Iran was not likely involved in planning the Oct. 7 attack, Irans long-standing support certainly facilitated Hamas actions then and its continued ability to fight in Gaza now.

The most likely trigger for widening the war is Israels northern border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah, a Shia Muslim militant group, has frequently skirmished with Israels military. Hezbollah stepped up attacks after Oct. 7, in solidarity with Hamas, which led Israel to respond in kind. Fighting on the border continues to intensify.

Hezbollah was created by Iran in the 1980s specifically to oppose Israel. Its well armed, boasts tens of thousands of fighters and generally does Irans bidding, for better or for worse. If Iran wants to keep this border from catching fire, it can.

Another high-risk flashpoint is the Red Sea, where the Houthis, a Shia militant group that controls most of Yemen, have been attacking ships for months, disrupting commerce and leading major shipping companies to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope. The Houthis claim they will continue targeting ships linked to Israel and its allies until Israel ends its war in Gaza.

The United States and the United Kingdom scaled up their response to striking Houthi targets inside Yemen. But the Houthis didnt succumb to nearly a decade of Saudi Arabias pummeling during Yemens civil war, so its unlikely an air campaign will deter them. Unless the United States is planning a ground invasion  improbable under any circumstances and more so in an election year. It will need a different approach to liberate this critical shipping chokepoint.

More unexpected were the Iranian airstrikes on a Sunni militant group in southwestern Pakistan on Jan. 16. Iran claimed it hit a base of the insurgent group Jaish al-Adl, which Tehran claims has launched deadly attacks inside Iran. Pakistan insists the attack was unprovoked, ousted Irans ambassador and then struck Baluch insurgent training camps in southeastern Iran in retaliation.

The presence of militant groups on each side of this border has long been a source of tension, but the two countries have had mostly friendly relations, and these high-profile attacks were unprecedented. In a measure of good news, Tehran and Islamabad quickly agreed to de-escalate the situation.

But within 24 hours, Iran also launched missiles into Syria and Iraq. In Iraq, Tehran claimed it hit Israeli intelligence assets, and in Syria, it targeted the Islamic State. These are very different missions against very different foes, and Iran taking direct action rather than relying on proxies and plausible deniability was a clear departure from the norm.

Iranian-backed militants in Iraq have stepped up attacks on U.S. personnel and positions too, leading the United States to conduct significant airstrikes in response, in yet another sign of violence on the rise.

Most signs suggest that Iran, like the West, wants to prevent the conflict in Gaza from becoming a regionwide war. With an elderly supreme leader fighting for his legacy, major terrorist attacks on its territory and dust still settling from Irans biggest public uprising since the 1979 Islamic Revolution over the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, this regime is not eager to stumble into a fight.

But Iran is clearly feeling the need to project power, and the risk of miscalculation or mistake gets higher by the day. Irans nonstate actors have less to lose, which makes them more unpredictable.

This isnt great news for Americas own interest in keeping the war contained. Our ability to shape Irans behavior with diplomatic or economic levers died when we left the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, leaving us only military tools to lean on, which are risky at best and could drag us into direct conflict with Iran.

Irans proxies have all tied their recent actions to the latest war between Israel and Hamas, so the best path America still has to rein in Iran is where we still hold sway: Israel. We have the leverage to do so, by conditioning our generous military assistance, but do we have the will?

So far, politics say no. But if the alternative risks war with Iran, I hope well reconsider.

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.
Croatian artist Tomislav Horvat is not the first person to make models out of matchsticks, but he might be creating the largest projects.

A matchstick is the short, thin piece of wood that is used to make matches for lighting fire.

Horvat thinks nothing of using 210,000 matchsticks to create a life-size statue, or sculpture, of a musician playing on a large piano. The instrument even comes complete with matchstick strings.

But that was not enough for the 34-year-old from the northern village of Domasinec. He is just a year and a half away from completing his version of Michelangelos sculpture of David.

Michelangelo was a famous Italian artist who lived about 500 years ago. He created a famous marble sculpture of The Bibles King David that is in the city of Florence.

"I need another 30,000 matchsticks to finish it. That is, it'll need about 430,000 in total," he said. "I've been working on it for six years."

Horvat began making small models, but in 2013 he took on a larger project. He decided to create a life-size version of American actor Al Pacino as his celebrated character Don Corleone from Francis Ford Coppolas 1972 film The Godfather.

Sculptures that size would collapse without a supporting structure. He creates this additional structure from a material called papier-mache or wood.

The Pianist is his second work that is of a large size. His third is Desperate Man, which is made of 54,000 matches and took a year and a half to make.

Horvat has shown his works in galleries in Croatia, including the capital Zagreb. But they are not, for now, available to buy.

Im Gregory Stachel.

Antonio Bronic reported this story for Reuters. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English.

_________________________________________________

Words in This Story

piano  n. a large musical instrument with a keyboard that you play by pressing black and white keys and that produces sound when small hammers inside the piano hit steel wires

string  n. a long, thin piece of twisted thread that you use to attach things, tie things together, or hang things

character  n. a person who appears in a story, book, play, movie, or television show

gallery  n. a room or building in which people look at paintings or sculptures
Imagine you want to talk about the people in your country or in the world. In other words, you want to talk about a population.

How might you do so?

In todays Everyday Grammar, we will explore the noun population. You will learn important ideas about the term and how to use it in everyday situations.

Lets start with a visit to the dictionary.

Population vs. populate

If you look in a dictionary, you might wonder about two words that seem closely related. We have the noun population and the verb populate.

Is it important to know about the verb populate, you might ask?

Google Ngram Viewer permits us to examine words and phrases in thousands of books. We can get a good idea of how often individual words and structures are used.

When we examine the frequency of population and compare it to that of populate, we reach a clear finding: the noun population is much more commonly used.

Another way to understand the idea is this: you are much more likely to hear population in everyday situations.

Countable noun

Population is a noun meaning the number of people, animals, or other living things of a kind in an area.

We commonly use population as a countable noun. In other words, you can add an s to the end of population to get the plural form populations.

So, you might hear or read the singular form population, as in:

Experts expect the worlds population to increase by a very small amount over the next year.

We use the singular form because we are talking about all the people who live in the world  one very large group!

How might we use the plural form? In this case, we might use other terms to clarify that we are talking about different groups. For example, you might read or hear something like this:

Elderly and overweight populations face greater risk from the illness.

In this case, we use the plural form populations because we are talking about all of the members of two separate groups  elderly people and overweight people.

Now that we have explored the noun population, we should consider the word in terms of broader language situations.

Words before and after

How do we commonly use the word population in everyday speech?

Lets start by examining the most commonly used words that come before and after population.

Since population is a noun, we might expect that determiners  words that tell us if a noun is general or specific  should be commonly used before it.

Googles Ngram Viewer tell us that the word the is the most commonly used word before population.

So, you are very likely to hear or read something like this:

Experts said the population declined by 1 percent.

And what about the most commonly used word after the noun population?

We find that the short word of is the most common by far.

So, you are very likely to hear or read something like this:

The population of Japan is aging quickly.

Words connected to population

Over and under are two words that can be attached to population to form a new single word.

Overpopulation describes a situation in which there are too many people.

Underpopulation describes a situation in which there are too few people.

Importantly, we generally use overpopulation and underpopulation as noncount nouns. In other words, there is no plural form. We do not add an s to the end of either word.

How might you expect these terms to appear in everyday situations? Here are two examples:

Experts predict overpopulation will result in food shortages.

Experts predict underpopulation will result in labor shortages.

Questions

In todays lesson, we explored a useful noun and how to use it in everyday situations.

We will close our lesson with a call to action. Please answer the following questions in an email to learningenglish@voanews.com

What is the population like in your country or city? Is the population increasing or decreasing?

In a future lesson, we can provide feedback on some of the writing that we receive.

Im John Russell.

John Russell wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

dictionary  n. a reference book that contains words listed in alphabetical order

phrase  n. a word or group of words forming a syntactic constituent with a single grammatical function

specific  n. restricted to a particular individual, situation, relation, or effect
A report from the United Nations says the Taliban are putting more and more restrictions on women in Afghanistan.

The Taliban re-took power in Afghanistan after the United States withdrew from the country in 2021. Taliban leaders said at the time they would permit women to be more involved in work, school and public life than during their previous rule, between 1996 and 2001.

However, the U.N. says the Talibans Vice and Virtue Ministry is cracking down on single and unaccompanied women.

In one case, the U.N. notes, the ministry told a woman to get married if she wanted to continue working at a health clinic. The ministry said it was not right for an unmarried woman to have a job.

The restrictions follow a pattern of the Taliban breaking their 2021 promise that life in Afghanistan would be more open to women. Girls are not permitted to continue going to school after sixth grade, for example. Places that cut and style womens hair have been shut down. And women who are not wearing a hijab, the Islamic head covering, have been arrested.

In May of 2022, the Taliban said women should go back to wearing the religious clothing called a burqa. A burqa is a covering that only shows a womans eyes.

The U.N.s Assistance Mission in Afghanistan is reporting on the restrictions. The groups latest report centers on restrictions on women who leave home without a male guardian.

There are no official rules about women needing to be accompanied by a male relative. But the Taliban now say women are not permitted to travel a certain distance away from their home without a man who is either their husband or a relative.

The U.N.s report said three female healthcare workers were held by police in October when they left home without a guardian. They were only released when their families signed a document saying it would not happen again.

In the Paktia province, the Vice and Virtue Ministry stopped women without guardians from entering health centers starting in December. The men from the ministry are now entering womens health centers to be sure that all women inside are with a male guardian.

The Vice and Virtue Ministry is also known as the Talibans morality police. Ministry workers have been going to bus stations, education centers and other public places to make sure women are following their rules. They are looking for women who are not wearing head coverings and stopping buses to make sure women are not traveling without a male family member.

Women are also being arrested for purchasing birth control, which the Taliban have not officially banned.

Zabihullah Mujahid is the spokesman for the Taliban. In a statement, he said the U.N. report is filled with misunderstandings. He said the U.N. is ignoring or criticizing Islamic law, known as Shariah.

Mujahid added that the Islamic government in power in Afghanistan must fully observe all aspects of Sharia for both men and women.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by the Associated Press.

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Words in This Story

crack down v. to tighten restrictions and punish people for breaking rules

vice n. something seen as bad or immoral behavior

virtue  n. good behavior or character

pattern  n. a path or instruction that is repeated over time

style  v. to create something in a way that is new or current or fashionable

morality  adj. a belief about what is right and wrong

aspects  n. parts of something, such as life

We want to hear from you. What do you think about the future for women in Afghanistan?
An American scientist has started a tempest in a teapot by offering Britain advice on its favorite drink: tea.

Tempest in a teapot is an expression to describe a strong, noisy, and angry reaction over something small or unimportant.

Michelle Francl is a chemistry professor at Bryn Mawr College, outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She said tea drinkers should add a little salt to make a perfect cup of tea.

That advice is included in her book Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea. The book was published Wednesday by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Mixing tea with salt water has never gone well for British-American relations. In 1773, American colonists in Boston, Massachusetts, were angry at Britain for adding more taxes to raise money. So they dumped British tea into the sea. The event became known as the Boston Tea Party. It led to the start of the American Revolution.

Francls suggestion caused outrage among tea lovers in Britain. They see Americans as coffee drinkers who know nothing about tea. And they think if Americans drink tea at all, they just heat water in a microwave.

Dont even say the word salt to us... said the etiquette guide Debretts on the social media service X, formerly known as Twitter.

Even the U.S. Embassy in London joined the tempest in a teapot . In a social media post, it promised the good people of the U.K. [United Kingdom] that the unthinkable notion of adding salt to Britains national drink is not official United States policy.

Let us unite in our steeped solidarity and show the world that when it comes to tea, we stand as one, the embassy said in the post. The U.S. Embassy will continue to make tea in the proper way - by microwaving it," it added.

The embassy later said that the post was a lighthearted play on our shared cultural connections rather than an official press release.

Francl's book Steeped, however, is no joke. The advice, its publisher said, comes from three years of research and experimentation with more than 100 chemical compounds. The book, the publisher added, puts the chemistry to use with advice on how to brew a better cup.

Francl said adding a small amount of salt  not enough to taste  makes tea seem less bitter. This is because the sodium ions in salt block the bitter receptors in our mouths," she explained.

She also suggests making tea in a warmed pot, shaking the tea bag around, and serving tea in a short and wide cup to keep the heat. And she says milk should be added to the cup after the tea and not before  another issue that often divides tea lovers.

Francl has been surprised by the reaction to her book in Britain.

I kind of understood that there would hopefully be a lot of interest, she told The Associated Press. I didnt know wed wade into a diplomatic conversation with the U.S. Embassy.

I'm Ashley Thompson.

Jill Lawless reported this story for The Associated Press. Hai Do adapted the story for Learning English.

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Words in This Story

outrage - n. extreme anger, a strong feeling of unhappiness

microwave - n. kitchen device to cook and heat food using electromagnetic energy

etiquette - n. rules showing the proper and polite way to behave

lighthearted - adj. not serious

bitter - adj. having stong and unpleasant flavor, the opposite of sweet

wade - v. to become involved in a discussion, situation...
In a bid to foster financial literacy within the community, the Dawson Area Development Center was the venue of a Bridge the Gap event Jan. 20.

More than 20 people attended the event, organized by El Camino Pathway to Develop Leadership.

The event delivered a bilingual presentation to Lexington community members, covering crucial topics such as medical coverage, estate planning, home health coverage and solutions to ease financial burdens.

We wanted people to be more involved in the community and to have financial knowledge of things in their life now and in their future, said Rocio Casanova, president and founder of El Camino PDL.

Casanova emphasized the importance of community involvement in future bilingual events.

One thing everyone has in common in this community is we all go to work and make money to be financially stable, Casanova said, However, not everyone knows exactly how they should save and spend on the money they earn.

During the two-hour event, attendees were given paperwork they can use to increase their knowledge before any financial planning they plan to conduct in the future.

El Camino provided coffee and doughnuts, along with a free lunch before attendees left.

Yoko Lawing, a financial adviser based in North Platte and founder of Zen Wealth Strategies, delivered a financial presentation in English.

Lawings education began in her native country, Japan, where she graduated from high school and later received her Bachelor of Art degree from Kobe Kaiser Womens College. After she obtained a masters degree in anthropology from Colorado State University, Lawing decided to take a different career path and focus her passion in the financial field.

Lawing, who previously worked at Edward Jones and founded North Platte CONNECT in 2017, explained how her partnership with El Camino came to be.

In August 2023, several members from El Camino traveled to North Platte for cultural events, Lawing said. I was impressed to hear the impact El Camino was having in their community, and I offered my services to speak to Lexington community members in the future.

Regarding the collaboration, Lawing acknowledged the challenges of scheduling but highlighted El Caminos significance. El Camino holds a big key to the community, she said. They do a great job organizing events for community members who mainly understand Spanish.

Lawing said now is a good time for people to know how they should handle their money rather than putting it off.

Knowledge is power, and its important for people with an exclusive Spanish-speaking background to know how they should spend their money in the long run, Lawing said.

While Lawing delivered her presentation in English, Elsa Gomez, originally from Mexico City and a law clerk at Gregory J. Beal & Associates in Ogallala, provided real-time translation into Spanish. Gomez became a certified lawyer through Autonomous University of Baja California, Tijuana. During her time in Mexico, Gomez also worked in customs and litigation.

While sharing her motivation to help with the El Camino event, Gomez explained that her inspiration originates from the passion of helping those in need when she was still working in Mexico.

Its something that has always been very close to my heart, Gomez said. Ive always thought that people should have a voice, especially for those who only speak Spanish. Its important for me to help people have a voice if they dont speak English.

When asked about the importance of future bilingual events, Gomez said, I believe its very important for Spanish-speaking individuals to be educated in the financial field. Helping these groups makes a difference in the community and helps create a better society.

Gomez extended gratitude to Lawing and El Camino PDL for inviting her with open arms and trusting her with the opportunity of communicating with the Lexington community members who only spoke Spanish. In addition, Gomez thanked her boss, Gregory J. Beal, for being a great mentor to her.

Throughout the event, Gomez and Lawing encouraged those attending to ask any financial questions they might have relating to the presentation, and attendees did not hesitate.

As the event concluded, Casanova, Lawing and Gomez unanimously said the event was a success. Each of them was happy to hear the positive feedback from community members at the end of the presentation.

Many community members at the event expressed hope for future bilingual events in Lexington. While no official date has been settled yet, Casanova, Lawing and Gomez said they look forward to giving another bilingual presentation covering important topics in peoples lives.
About 30 people were arrested Tuesday in a mass drug sting, ending a regionwide drug-trafficking investigation.

FBI Special Agent Eugene Kowel announced the arrests Tuesday morning at the Nebraska State Patrol Troop D office in North Platte.

Arrests were made in Lincoln, Kearney, Ogallala, McCook, Brule, Sutherland and several other communities, according to Kowel.

The arrests were part of a coordinated effort between multiple law enforcement agencies including the CODE Task Force, which covers a 22-county area in southwest-central Nebraska. Agencies from the Panhandle and eastern Nebraska were also involved.

Its the culmination of a two-year investigation by FBI Omaha, our North Platte resident agency and our CODE Task Force, Kowel said, many of whom are represented here today.

Acting U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr announced 19 federal indictments Tuesday in connection with the investigation:

Alejandro Ruiz, 41, of California; Guadalupe Ramirez, 38, of North Platte; Roberto Duran, 33, of Brule; Michael Shawn Harrell, 47, of Ogallala; Eduardo Gomez, 33, of North Platte, and Carl McKinney, 37, of Kentucky, were indicted by a grand jury with felony conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine between January 2021 and January 2022.

Jamie Hopkins, 37, Michael Stroble, 30, Joey Romero, 36, and Luke Schwartz, 30, all of North Platte, were indicted by a grand jury with felony conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution of meth between July 2022 and February 2023.

Jessica Binegar, 37, of North Platte, John Hernandez, 35, of Lincoln, and Brad Leeper, 46, of North Platte were indicted by a grand jury with distribution of 5 grams or more of meth between March and June 2022. Leeper was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Wesley Kraft, 36, of Lincoln, was charged with felony distribution of 5 grams or more of meth during April 2023 and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Timothy Huisman, 39, of North Platte, was charged with distribution of 5 grams or more of meth in February 2023.

Shane Ross, 46, of Ogallala, was charged with distribution of 5 grams or more of meth in July 2022.

Richard Torres, 44, of Brule, was charged with conspiracy and distribution of more than 5 grams of meth between December 2021 and August of 2022.

Timothy Maisner, 62, of North Platte, was charged with possession with intent to distribute of 50 grams of more of methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine during January and July of 2023.

Eddie Houpt, 59, of North Platte, was charged with distribution of 5 grams or more of meth in June 2022.

Kowel said 10 others were arrested, facing state charges. Six in Lincoln County were arrested as part of the CODE Task Force effort.

Individuals arrested in Lincoln County Tuesday include:

John W. Emery, 60, of North Platte, was arrested on suspicion of three counts of felony distribution of methamphetamine.

Miranda E. Griffitt, 35, of Curtis, was arrested on suspicion of felony distribution of methamphetamine.

Larry M. Barwick, 43, of North Platte, was arrested on suspicion of felony distribution of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine.

Marcus D. Dandridge, 47, of North Platte, was arrested on suspicion of three counts of felony distribution of methamphetamine.

They are all currently lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Two defendants in Lincoln County were arrested in a State Patrol sting investigation. They were arraigned in Lincoln County Court Tuesday:

Carrie Guerra, 57, of North Platte, was arrested on suspicion of felony distribution of methamphetamine.

Leeann Jo Skinner, 57, of North Platte, was arrested on suspicion of felony distribution of methamphetamine.

Throughout the course of the two-year investigation, Kowel said, there were 55 arrests and 34 federal indictments, as well as seized illegal narcotics and firearms.

What I can emphasize is the vital importance partnerships play in protecting our community from drug trafficking, he said. Were here today because of the work of our state and local partners. More than 150 police officers, sheriffs deputies, state troopers and federal agents participated in the enforcement action today.

Kowel said drug trafficking is not a victimless crime, as many of those touched by it know.

Too often families and communities in Nebraska are affected by this. Too often children are affected by this, he said.

Lehr emphasized the importance of cooperation between local, state and federal agencies in the operation.

Not only the investigation, but just the operation that took place over the last 15 hours was incredibly well planned out, she said. This was not something that just occurred overnight. This was in the works, the operation, for weeks.

She also pointed out the involvement of the Lincoln and Keith County attorneys offices in assisting with arrests.

The investigation and arrests were also assisted by the U.S. Postal Service, Dawson County Sheriffs Office, Ogallala Police Department, La Vista Police Department, the Tri-Cities Drug Enforcement Team Task Force, the Western Intelligence Narcotics Group Task Force, the Capitol Region Safe Streets Task Force, the Lincoln/Lancaster County Metro Fugitive Task Force, the Lincoln and Keith County attorneys offices, and Nebraska District 11 Probation Office.

Kowel said the CODE Task Force is effective because it takes a hybrid approach in going after top-level drug dealers in communities.

We believe especially on the federal side a major component of reducing crime, reducing drug trafficking, is going after sort of the major, the most prolific dealers, said Kowel. But of course we can only do that working with state and local partners. We cant just start at the top.

Kowel said he hopes this roundup will significantly reduce the supply of methamphetamine into west Nebraska.

We have seen that success in other kinds of cases we hope that will be replicated here.

Kowel said more drug trafficking will present itself, because there is now a void in the supply.

We want to be well positioned to, anyone who tries to move in to fill the void, which will be created, with this very successful arrest operation, were ready to target those individuals and keep the supply of these drugs significantly diminished in our state, he said.
The annual gala of the Michelin Guide Hong Kong & Macau will be staged once more in Macau, the company announced.

The event will take place on Mar. 14, marking the 16th edition of the annual ceremony for Hong Kong and Macaus restaurants.

Similar to last year, the Michelin ceremony will likely be hosted at both Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau, and Grand Lisboa Macau. The two hotels continue as the events official partners.

In the statement from Michelin Guide, the company said it was following on from last years success in choosing to again host the ceremony in Macau. The company dubbed Macau a vibrant hub of culinary culture and experiences.

The event will once more bring together the culinary elite, industry professionals, and food enthusiasts to celebrate the regions dining scene.

One of the events highlights is the Bib Gourmand selection, which will be announced one week before the event. This announcement will include a list of restaurants that offer both good quality and good value cooking. These restaurants will not be competing for Michelin Stars, which are the higher culinary awards.

As usual, all restaurants chosen by the Guide are subject to the same, key criteria used by all Michelin inspectors around the world. This criteria is fivefold: 1) the quality of ingredients used, 2) the mastery of cooking techniques, 3) the harmony of flavors, 4) the chefs expression of their personality in their cooking, and 5) the consistency of excellence over time and across the entire menu.

The restaurants location, its decor, its service, and its available facilities are not part of the selection criteria.
The Second Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly (AL) has concluded its analysis and discussions over the 2022 government budget execution bill, the committee president, lawmaker Chan Chak Mo, told media yesterday morning after the last committee meetings on this topic.

Chan explained that the last meeting was to review the final details and sign the committees opinion, with the bill to be soon referred to the plenary for final voting.

We should have a final vote on this bill in a plenary session next week, Chan said, noting that, according to committee members, the government has sufficiently explained the bill to lawmakers.

Among queries is the poor implementation rate of some provisions, which Chan said was because of the pandemic throughout 2022. The pandemic forced the government to suspend the execution of some of its projects and reallocate resources.

The president of the committee said that the committee had particularly invited the heads of various departments and services with low rates of execution to explain themselves before the committee. These departments and services explained that, in some cases, payments related to executing and completing their projects had been delayed. In other cases, payments had already been made in early 2023; this fact contributes to an erroneous interpretation of the 2022 figures.

Another heated topic of discussion was the return on investments made through government accounts. It was known in advance that these investments had constituted significant losses in 2022.

On this, Chan said that, according to the governments final calculation, the losses were 3.2% of the amount invested. 2022, therefore, is the second year in which governments investments have returned losses instead of profits.

The first time this occurred was in 2018. Back then, just as now, the poor performance was justified by worldwide economic crises and market instability.

According to government explanations, such performance should not have been repeated, and in 2023  though the year is yet to be analyzed in detail  governments investments should already be returning profits.
Myanmars military government is denying reports that it sentenced six army generals to death or life imprisonment for their surrender this month of a regional military command headquarters on the border with China to an alliance of ethnic armed groups.

The generals were the key officers involved in the surrender of the headquarters in Laukkaing, a city in northern Shan state that had been a major target of the Three Brotherhood Alliance comprising the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Taang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army.

Laukkaings fall was the biggest defeat suffered by Myanmars military government since the alliances offensive was launched last October, underlining the pressure the military government is under as it battles pro-democracy guerrillas and other ethnic minority armed groups.

The armed resistance began after the army used deadly force to suppress peaceful protests against its seizure of power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.

Independent media had reported that the six generals were put under investigation in the capital, Naypyitaw, after Laukkaings fall to the alliance. They had been sent back to territory still under the control of the military.

The independent media sympathetic to Myanmars anti-military resistance movement, including the online sites of Khit Thit and The Irrawaddy, reported Tuesday that three generals had been sentenced to death and three others to life imprisonment.

But the armys press office, responding Tuesday to inquiries from journalists, denied the generals had received such sentences, calling the reports untrue.

The BBCs Burmese language service on Wednesday reported that three top officers had been sentenced to death, but only one of them, Brig. Gen. Tun Tun Myint, had been on other medias lists of those condemned to death. The other two included a colonel.

The BBC said its news came from the military office in Naypyitaw, a source close to the military legal office and sources close to the generals family members.

According to Myanmars Defense Services Act, any person who shamefully abandons, or delivers up any garrison, fortress, post, place, ship or guard committed to his charge shall be punished with death.

The act also says anyone who shamefully casts away his arms, ammunition, tools, or equipment or misbehaves in such manner as to show cowardice in the presence of the enemy faces the same penalty. MDT/AP
As an Illinois parent, I have developed concerns about the public education systems ability to prepare graduates for the workforce. I worry for my childrens futures.

While recently helping my son fill out college applications, I realized he wasnt taught some basic life skills. Sure, he can find a derivative in calculus class and draft an essay for Advanced Placement world history. But other important life skills, such as how to email a college admissions counselor or job interviewer, appear missing from high school curriculum.

I thought maybe state lawmakers were having the same concerns when I saw Illinois Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-East Moline, introduce a bill requiring all public high schools to have a Workplace Readiness Week each year.

I almost cheered. But what will be covered in a week supposedly to prepare students for the workplace? How to prepare for an interview? How to email with a job supervisor? How to fill out tax forms?

Nope. The first subject listed: prohibitions against misclassification of employees as independent contractors.

Oh, yes. Learning about that every year would definitely help my son prepare for work.

Among other mandatory subjects are child labor laws, family leave and  of course  the right to organize a union in the workplace. And it all must be taught through the lens of the labor movements role in obtaining those protections and benefits. Every school year, every high school would be required to teach this propaganda. Precious time that could be spent getting students ready for life would be spent recruiting kids for union organizing and teaching them just one side of some very contentious labor issues.

In the meantime, most kids in our public schools cant read or do math at grade level. Data released by the Illinois State Board of Education in October showed just 35% of third through eighth grade students could read at grade level.

Lawmakers should be ensuring teachers are provided enough time during the school day to teach the basics. They should not be appeasing their generous union friends by throwing unnecessary additional requirements in the mix.

To be fair, near the end of House Bill 4417, but almost as an afterthought, is mandated information on apprenticeship programs. Thats great. Apprenticeships are a proven, work-based educational program for empowering people to prosper. My dad did an apprenticeship program that led to a 40-year career.

But you cant get an apprenticeship if you cant read or fill out an application.

HB 4417 is the latest in a line of power grabs by union officials in Illinois. Last year, lawmakers failed to extend Illinois tax credit scholarship program, which allowed residents to take tax deductions for funding scholarships for low-income students. While the majority of Illinoisans supported the program, the Illinois Policy Institute found that teachers unions funneled nearly $1.5 million into lawmakers coffers in the five months leading up to the decision and succeeded in having it killed.

In 2022, Illinois passed Amendment 1, which grants the states government unions the constitutional power to demand anything in negotiations and even override state and local laws through collective bargaining. Unions in other states are copying it, with California and Pennsylvania considering similar amendments.

Now unions want our kids indoctrinated in the classroom.

Its a platform the unions bought. Nine out of 10 current Illinois lawmakers have received money from unions. Between January 2010 and July 2023, unions poured $60.2 million into lawmakers political committees, according to an Illinois Policy Institute analysis of records from the Illinois State Board of Elections. The bulk of the funds  95%  went to Democrats. More specifically, we found that 4 out of 5 current lawmakers have received money from teachers unions, to the tune of nearly $20 million.

History has shown Illinois lawmakers are more concerned about pleasing their union cronies than they are about making sure our kids can read, let alone get and keep a job. I understand unions are against right to work, but could they at least get out of the way so the next generation can be ready to work?

As a parent with multiple children coming through Illinois public schools, I implore lawmakers to get their education priorities right. Our students dont need a union recruitment curriculum. They need to know how to do math.

Mailee Smith is the senior director of labor policy and staff attorney at the Illinois Policy Institute.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
China, the worlds biggest exporter, says it is deeply concerned about tensions in the Red Sea that have upended global trade by forcing many shippers to avoid the Suez Canal.

China has been in close communication with all parties concerned and making positive efforts to de-escalate the situation in which Iran-backed Houthi rebels have attacked international ships with missiles, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily briefing this week.

China calls for a halt to the harassment and attacks on civilian ships and urges all relevant parties to avoid fanning flames in the area and jointly ensure the safety and security of the route in the Red Sea, Wang said.

Since November, the Iranian-backed Houthis have launched at least 34 attacks on shipping through the waterways leading up to Egypts Suez Canal, a vital route for energy and cargo coming from Asia and the Middle East onward to Europe.

The Houthis, a Shiite rebel group that has held Yemens capital Sanaa since 2014 and been at war with a Saudi-led coalition backing Yemens exiled government since 2015, link their attacks to the Israel-Hamas war. However, the ships theyve targeted increasingly have tenuous links to Israel  or none at all.

We are deeply concerned about the recent escalation of the Red Sea situation. The Red Sea is an important international trade route for goods and energy, Wang said.

Wang also referenced the Gaza conflict, linking it to the Red Sea tensions, saying, The priority now is to end the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible to avoid further escalation and prevent the situation from getting out of control.

China is willing to work with all parties to cool down the situation and maintain security and stability in the Red Sea, Wang said.

China exported more than $3.5 trillion in goods in 2022, the last year for which figures were available. That was about $1.5 trillion more than the United States, the worlds No. 2 exporter.

Some of the worlds largest container shipping companies and oil giant BP have been sending vessels on longer journeys around Africa that bypass the Red Sea. In response to the growing impact on global trade, the United States and a host of other nations have created a new force to protect ships.

At least 90% of the container ships that had been going through the Suez Canal are now rerouting around Africa and the Cape of Good Hope, according to Drewry, a maritime research consultancy.

The cost to ship a standard 40-foot container from China to northern Europe has jumped from $1,500 to $4,000, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany. But that is still far from the $14,000 seen during the pandemic.

The delays contributed to a 1.3% decline in world trade in December, reflecting goods stuck on ships rather than being offloaded in port.

The U.S. and its allies have been striking targets Washington has said are involved in the attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria and were threatening U.S. military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

China has maintained close ties with Iran, largely based on investment and oil imports, and last year hosted talks resulting in the restoration of Tehrans diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.

While seeking a peace-making role in the Middle East, Beijing has shied away from committing to any particular side, diminishing its credibility in the eyes of critics.

Wang said China believed the United Nations Security Council has never authorized any country to use force against Yemen and calls for a genuine respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Red Sea coastal countries, including Yemen. MDT/AP
A fire broke out in a commercial building in Chinas southeastern Jiangxi province on Wednesday, killing at least 39 people and injuring nine others, state media yesterday said.

Officials for the Yushui district of Jiangxi province said that the fire broke out in the basement of a shopping area in the afternoon. In addition to rescue workers, firefighters and police, local government officials were deployed to the scene.

A preliminary investigation found that fire was caused by unauthorized welding during construction work in the basement, local official officials said.

State broadcaster CCTV later reported that rescue operations were complete and that no people remained trapped in the building, which it said housed an internet cafe in the basement and tutoring centers on upper floors.

President Xi Jinping issued a statement about the blaze, noting that it was yet another safety tragedy. He called on the government and Communist Party to resolutely curb the frequent occurrence of various safety accidents, and ensure the safety of peoples lives and property and overall social stability.

The statement included orders for the State Councils Work Safety Committee to close any gaps in safety measures.

The local government said that the cause of the fire was under investigation.

Over the weekend, a fire in central Henan province broke out in a boarding school dormitory and killed 13 children. MDT/AP
Existing tactics, mainly of four themes, will continue to be employed as means to support the development of local performances, Director of Culture Deland Leong told a press briefing yesterday after a meeting of the Cultural Development Advisory Committee.

While she was presenting the topics covered at the meeting, the cultural official described the cultural industry as a crucial part in the citys economic diversification, and said that the government will encourage the local industry [] through supportive measures.

Asked by the Times to further clarify what those supportive measures were, she said that there would be a variety of perspectives. The official pointed to the six districts that have been or will be revamped. The government will, she added, utilize the six districts to encourage local resort operators to create more opportunities for local performers and performances.

The six resort operators have been appointed to revamp some of the traditional districts in Macau, such as the Wynn Resorts to the Happiness Street and SJM Resorts to San Ma Lo.

Festive events will also be crucial to encouragement efforts. These events will see their scales expanded in the future in an attempt to foster greater impact, the official explained.

In order to update the City of Shows concept outlined by the Chief Executive in his latest Policy Address, the government may commission more local productions in the future, according to the cultural official.

Other than producing more shows, events and revamped traditional districts will also serve to support the development of the local performance circle, the official stated.

Despite the comments, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has recently cancelled two shows at the Macao City Fringe Festival, which is organized by the government in contrast to independent art companies or performers in many other places. A report related to this will be published today.

Meanwhile, concerning events to be held during the Lunar New Year period, a new branded program that comes with a somewhat literary, slogan-like name in Chinese was announced yesterday at the press briefing. However, no detail as to what will be included in the program was announced.

When asked, Leong said there will be a systematic presentation of the planned celebratory events for Lunar New Year. Several of the local cultural venues, such as museums, The House of Macao Literature, the Mandarins House and the Lou Kau Mansion, will turn into locations for festive cultural workshops in areas. Such workshops will include red-banner writing and postcard drawing.

Troupes from Shandong and Qinghai provinces will stage performances in Macau as well. Meanwhile, three music shows will be staged at the Ruins of St Pauls during the period.

At the briefing, committee member Dr. Ieng Weng Fat disclosed that most of the members concurred with the proposal of promoting Lunar New Year traditions through the inclusion of festive foods. He also mentioned that many members were supportive of reviving the plaza commerce, or fun fair culture  Tai Tat Tei  as far as night-time businesses were concerned. Tai Tat Tei is similar to fun fair, where street food, simple games and other retail are conducted in an open space at night.

When asked if the concept would appeal to younger visitors coming to Macau, Leong said that previous festivities from places like Shanghai had been studied. In these places, she said, business operators gather to transform streets, or blocks of streets, into hang-out or clubbing locations.
What happens in the teachers lounge, anyway? When we were kids, that closed door seemed so tantalizingly forbidding, though it probably only hid some coffee-sipping, light chitchat and paper-grading.

Well, not in the brilliantly taut and absorbing The Teachers Lounge,  in which that room  and gradually, the whole school around it  hosts an expanding web of uneasy power dynamics, mutual suspicion and misinformation, and thats just for starters. This film also explores cancel culture, institutional racism, privacy rights and even censorship and press freedom.

Thats a lot for one middle school. But writer-director Ilker Catak pulls it off, aided by excellent performances all around and two truly superb ones: Leonie Benesch as an idealistic new teacher and a heartbreaking Leo Stettnisch as her troubled student. (The film, Germanys submission to the Academy Awards, has justifiably made the short list for best international feature.)

The Teachers Lounge dives immediately into the controversy that will tear this modern, bustling school apart. Carla Nowak (Benesch) is called to an uncomfortable meeting between school officials and two student representatives of her sixth-grade class.

Back in the teachers lounge, Carla is clashing with her more aggressive colleagues. And then, in her misguided zeal to identify the real thief and exonerate her kids, she steps right into an ethical morass.

Leaving her wallet in her coat on a chair, and setting her laptop camera to record, she soon has video evidence  just an arm, in a distinctive blouse  of someone stealing from her pocket. It only takes a moment to track down the wearer of that blouse.

Perhaps because Benesch is such an effortlessly empathetic actor, she makes Carlas decision to confront the person she suspects  and then, to hand over the video  feel logical, like something anyone might do. But her action raises issues of privacy rights, and puts her on a collision course with not only the accused school employee but that employees child, Oskar (Stettnisch), an intelligent and sensitive boy in her class.

At every step, it seems, Carlas earnest efforts to do the right thing  by her students, and by her job  land her into ever hotter water. And then, she must navigate an angry group of parents on parent-teacher night, an experience so harrowing it leaves her heaving on a bathroom floor, blowing into a bag.

Angry parents, suspicious colleagues  can it get worse? Yes, when Carla is interviewed by the student newspaper, an intriguing subplot raising questions of censorship. Carla, rightfully concerned about how she will be portrayed, asks to see the article in advance, and when the students (also rightfully!) defy her, the principal ends up banning distribution of the paper on campus.

As for Benesch, from whom the camera rarely departs, she has a luminous presence that carries the film.

Duncker, who in fact attended school together, are making the point that even a middle school is a microcosm of society and all its tensions and ills. Perhaps that is why their film ends without clear answers: In school, as in life, one cannot simply close a door, keep out the bad stuff, and solve everything. JOCELYN NOVECK MDT/AP

The Teachers Lounge, a Sony Pictures Classics release, has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Associationfor some strong language. Running time: 98 minutes.
The Macau Red Cross made significant contributions to various projects in rural areas of mainland China, totaling 10.84 million yuan, Chinese media has reported. The donations supported the development of kindergartens, health stations, bridges, a primary school, an ambulance station, and a senior care center. Additionally, the organization provided emergency supplies to flood-affected areas in Hebei and earthquake-hit regions in Turkey. In Macau, the Red Cross non-emergency ambulance service catered to over 32,000 attendances in 2023, and they installed Automated External Defibrillators at key locations across the city.

Related
MGMs two regional Chinese restaurants, Imperial Court and Five Foot Road, are both being crowned with One-diamond awards from Chinas acclaimed dining guide  Black Pearl Restaurant Guide 2024. To celebrate the accolades, the Executive Sou Chefs of MGM, Chef Homan Tsui of Imperial Court and Chef Yang Dengquan of Five Foot Road, are going to welcome locals and guests from the globe with their new tasting menus, exemplifying the best regional specialties from Lingnan culture and Sichuanese essence respectively.

Hubert Wang, President and Chief Operating Officer of MGM China Holdings Limited, said, The Black Pearl Restaurant Guide is well regarded as the Chinese gourmet list. We are honored that Imperial Court of MGM MACAU has once again retained the title of Black Pearl One-Diamond Restaurant, while Five Foot Road of MGM COTAI has also been named as Black Pearl One-Diamond Restaurant. These two accolades are of great significance to MGM  as they not only are the highest recognition for the craftsmanship of the two restaurant teams in creating unforgettable dining experiences, but also a testament to MGMs pursuit of excellence and innovation in preserving the culinary traditions of Cantonese and Sichuan which are two of Chinas four major cuisines, enabling Chinese culinary cultures to shine and thrive at the Creative City of Gastronomy of Macau.

Imperial Court

Showcasing the essence of Lingnan cuisine, Imperial Court is where the time-honored classics from Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, as well as Hakka origins meet with Chef Homans unconventional spark. He greets guests with only the freshest and seasonal ingredients, which is also the reason why Lingnan cuisine stands out from the diverse offerings of Chinese dishes.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Chef Homan recreates some of the best kept comfort foods of the Lingnan gastronomic heritage in his Black Pearl Degustation Menu. An emblematic dish is the Stir-fried lobster meat with choy sum, features the freshness of the crustacean meat and the greens, which is plated elegantly that resembles the womans hair bun in the old days, unveiling the charm of Chinese culture inside out. Another hand-crafted dishes, Crispy fried chicken skin with shrimp mousse, reflects the immense craftsmanship from the refined twist emphasizing to the history of Macau as a fish village. Chef Homan reinvents salted fish flakes from sous-vide salted fish as seasoning to achieve the perfect flavor combination. Other highlights of the menu include the nostalgic Braised partridge porridge with birds nest and Yunnan ham and Pan-fried egg noodles with dried oyster and Gillardeau oyster, and more.

Five Foot Road

Guests are welcome to embark on a Chengdu-Sichuanese fine dining experience back to the 1940s at Five Foot Road, featuring authentic flavors beyond the public perception of fiery and hot. With nearly four decades of culinary experience, Chef Yang bestows his deep understanding of the preciseness of Sichuanese cuisine, enabling guests to experience the most sophisticated side of its genuine culinary craftsmanship. Paying tribute to the Chengdu traditional tea houses, Five Foot Road elevates the dining experience with tea-pairing, which are exquisitely prepared with glacial water from Sichuan or Spring water from Mount Wuyi.

Numerous Sichuanese classics are featured on Chef Yangs Black Pearl Tasting Menu, including the Crispy mullet carpaccio with Sichuan peppercorn sauce, Stewed duck in brown sauce, Braised king prawn with pickled chili and celery, as well as the signatureMarinated fresh abalone with homemade chili sauce, and more. Guests beloved Stewed birds nest with minced chicken and egg white in bouillon is a staple in the Chengdu mansion cuisine famous for its unique texture  chicken in the form of silky tofu. The exquisite 8-course menu features a sumptuous range of nine different flavors from the 24-taste-profile of Sichuan cuisine to impress discerning palates.

Imperial Court and Five Foot Roads new tasting menus are available daily with advance reservation required. Guests are welcome to complement the experience with tea or wine pairing. For enquiry and reservation, please contact (853) 8802 3888 or visit the official MGM website.
Sarah Sun, the producer of a Fringe show that has been cancelled at the last minute by the government, said she was disappointed about the decision. She has gone on to provide her side of the story.

On Wednesday, a cancellation announcement was made at 7 p.m. by the production team of the show Made by Beauty. Made by Beauty was scheduled for 9:45 p.m. that night. A second performance was also scheduled for last night.

On Tuesday, a first performance of the show went ahead as planned, with personnel  among them, higher-tier officers  from the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) liberally photographing and filming the show, seemingly unaware of the fact that they were obstructing the views of other audience members, according to Sun, the shows producer.

The show featured drag queens, or cross dressers, performing and interacting with the audience in an intimate venue. The audience was challenged about its relationship with physical attractiveness, clothing and aesthetics.

The cancellation of Made by Beauty has spread fear throughout the cultural and performance industries where there are now concerns of a a possible escalation in governments control of the arts, which may even amount to censorship.

After yesterdays meeting of a government advisory committee, of which Director of Culture Deland Leong is vice-chair, the official was asked about the matter. During her presentation to the press of the topics covered at yesterdays meeting, Leong said the IC would push Macau forward to become cultural and innovative city of diversity, characteristics and energy.

Initially, she was questioned about how the bureau would and could realize such aspirations for the city when it could not even tolerate Made by Beauty, a small production that included cross-dressing, or the non-mainstream expression of self-identity and sexual identity.

The host of the press briefing then said that the question was not related to the committee meeting, before suggesting the official take the question on notice. As the briefing progressed, several other journalists raised questions related to the cancelled show.

Before the briefing ended, the official responded to the series of questions, accusing Made by Beautys production team of not willing to adjust or improve elements of the show. For this reason, said Leong, the show was abruptly cancelled.

In addition, the official said that bureau staff had discovered discrepancies between the show plans submitted to the IC and the actual show itself, based on reports from staff who attended the final dress rehearsal before the Tuesday performance.

Expressing regret, the official went on to assure journalists that she does not intend to oversee the cancellation of additional productions. Emphasizing the ICs right to final decisions and interpretations of the terms, the official said that the Fringe Festivals programs were determined through public invitation under set charters, evaluation criteria and conditions, adding that all performances must be in compliance with these conditions. For the IC to take grant exceptions to these conditions, she said, would be unfair to other festival applicants.

The official said that, provided a show complied with those set conditions and principles, the IC was very supportive of diverse performances.

In response to the cultural officials comment, besides expressing her feeling of disappointment, Sun also decided to allow audiences to decide whether the governments decision would jeopardize the diversity of local artistic productions.

Fearlessly outspoken, the show producer even admitted that she was asked if she feared she might be blacklisted in the future. In response, she said that if such did happen then it would be the most problematic situation that could happen to anyone in Macaus creative circle, as well as that circle as a whole.

Discussing the point of discrepancies cited by the cultural official, Sun disclosed that when her troupe applied for a space in the festival, only conceptual information was required on the application form.

The IC did not ask for us to submit photos, Sun said. Before coming to Macau, the show had been shown as part of the 2023 Shekou Theatre Festival in Shenzhen, China.

Sun maintains that Made by Beautys script, which is very much the center of this controversy, was not changed from the time the production applied to the IC to the performance on Tuesday night. This means that the shows script has been the same since it was performed in Shenzhen.

Moreover, after the full dress rehearsal and according to Sun, some IC personnel suggested that adjustments be made to the show, including removing the dragon on a qipao because dragons should not be associated with sexuality or erotism.

Furthermore, Sun further claims that IC personnel suggested her troupe wear black-colored stockings rather than skin-colored ones, as well as fur coats to cover their general costumes. She added that the IC also requested other adjustments to the show, such as decreasing the frequency of audience interactions, as well as lowering the level of intimacy of those interactions. All this led to the Sun feeling that her show, her creativity, and her freedom of expression was in jeopardy.

She also did not understand why the IC left the cancellation of Made by Beautys second show until only three hours before its scheduled start time.

Suggestions were also made by IC personnel that the productions venue be changed, Sun said, because, according to the IC, the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) building is too solemn for such a performance. Ironically, it was the IC that helped the troupe to obtain the right to use the IAM in the first place, which was requested under the troupes proposal.

Some social media users, as well as Sun, suspected that the drama started from a video that went viral online about an excerpt of Beautiful Bus, a performance connected to the cancelled show. Cross-dressers performed on a bus hired by the production team in which they explored the meaning of beauty.

The video was received negatively by the public, with social media users describing the performance as disgusting, sickening and horrible. Based on her rational speculations, Sun guessed the ICs cancellation was connected to the publics objections.

Sun added that the IC had only requested prototype photos for Beautiful Bus, not Made by Beauty. The troupe had understood it had permission for the latters production.

Sun revealed that a term in the contract made she signed with the IC bans any production teams attempts to re-run a Fringe show in Macau within a period of three months of the shows performance, as well as outside of Macau within one month of the shows performance.

Therefore, the production team is not allowed to restage the subsequent shows of Made by Beauty that were set to be performed but were cancelled. Sun and her team, however, proceeded to hold two performances of the production at a closed-door venue on members-only requirement, highlighting elements that did not appear in the Tuesday night performance  or, in Suns own words, elements with no connection to the first performance.

Another theatrical show concerning the reasons behind cases of suicide in Macau during past years was cancelled. Its production team cited concerns that exceed experiential and affordable levels of the team as the reason for its cancellation.
Hong Kongs top court yesterday restored a prominent detained activists conviction over a banned vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, marking the latest setback for the citys democracy supporters.

Chow Hang-tung, a former leader of the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, had been sentenced to 15 months in prison in January 2022 for inciting others to take part in the vigil banned by the police on public health grounds during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

For decades, the annual vigil organized by the alliance was the only large-scale public commemoration of the 1989 incident on Chinese soil, along Macau, and was attended by massive crowds until authorities banned it in 2020, citing anti-pandemic measures.

In December 2022, Chow won her appeal against her conviction in a rare victory for the citys activists under Beijings crackdown on dissidents.

At that time, a High Court judge ruled that although Chow had encouraged others to gather at a park, it was not a crime because the legality of the ban was not established. In quashing her original conviction, the judge ruled that the police had failed to discharge their positive duty to take the initiative in considering feasible measures as conditions enabling the annual vigil to be held.

But the government appealed against the judges decision.

Yesterday, the Court of Final Appeal restored Chows conviction. Justice Roberto Ribeiro said in a written judgement the polices ban was plainly a proportionate and legitimate measure.

If the police chief gives genuine consideration to whether the specified interests can be met by the imposition of certain conditions but reasonably decides that this cannot be achieved, he is not required to refrain from prohibiting the assembly, Ribeiro said.

The alliance was best known for organizing candlelight vigils in Hong Kongs Victoria Park on the anniversary of Tiananmen protests. But it voted to disband in 2021 under the shadow of the national security law.

The law criminalizes secession, subversion, and collusion with foreign forces to intervene in the citys affairs as well as terrorism. Many pro-democracy activists were silenced or jailed after its enactment in 2020. But Beijing and Hong Kong governments and many supporters hailed it for bringing back stability to the city. MDT/AP
A bipartisan delegation from the United States Congress reaffirmed support for Taiwan during a visit yesterday, following the election of its new leader. The delegations visit is the first from U.S. lawmakers to the island since the Democratic Progressive Party won a third-straight term in the Jan. 13 election.

China, Americas chief competitor for global influence, claims Taiwan as its own territory and threatens to use force to bring the self-ruling island under its control. Beijing strongly condemned Lai Ching-tes election, calling him a separatist.

The support of the United States for Taiwan is firm. Its real, and it is 100% bipartisan, U.S. Representative Mario Diaz Balart said.

Balart, a Florida Republican, was joined by California Democrat Ami Bera. In the 21st century, theres no place for aggressive action. We have to learn to live together, to trade together, to work together, to solve problems together, Bera said.

Just know that we are proud of the people of Taiwan. We are proud of the relationship and as strong as that relationship has always been. That is assured. It will even be stronger, Balart said.

So, we look forward to working together to continue to protect the peace, prosperity (and) the future of Taiwan. Its up to people of Taiwan, said Bera.

Lai thanked the visiting co-chairs of the U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus for their visit, saying that todays Taiwan is a Taiwan of the world.

Moving forward, I will work with [deputy leader] Hsiao Bi-khim to build upon the foundation laid by Tsai to unite the people of Taiwan, strengthen social resilience and continue to defend the cross-strait status quo of peace and stability.

He also touched on continued military assistance from the U.S. and a proposed an agreement to avoid mutual taxation of companies.

Beijing objects to any form of official contact between the U.S. and Taiwan. In 2022, it responded to a visit by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with some of its largest military maneuvers in years, including missile launches and a simulated blockade of the island. It views visits by foreign government officials as them recognizing the islands sovereignty.

President Joe Biden, seeking to calm that complaint, insists theres no change in Americas longstanding One-China policy, which recognizes Beijing as representing China but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taipei.MDT/AP
Deb Gilpin, president and CEO of Madison Childrens Museum, is retiring this summer.

The museums board has begun a national search for a new leader, according to a press release.

Gilpin, a McFarland native, has been in the job 11 years, for a total of 36 years in childrens and science museums.

Deb leaves the museum in great shape, giving plenty of notice for the daunting task of replacing her, Matt Premo, president of the museums board, said in the release. Were in the admirable position of looking for a leader who can continue to make great things happen.

Gilpin began her museum career in 1987, when she helped open the Discovery Museum, a hands-on museum in Acton, Massachusetts. After serving as CEO there for 10 years, she moved to the Arizona Science Center and then opened the Childrens Museum of Phoenix. She stayed there for nine years.

Under Gilpin, Madison Childrens Museum has tried to increase sustainability and break down barriers to access.

Gilpin took the job in 2013, three years after the museum moved from State Street to its larger, current home on Capitol Square, where it established several new exhibits; improved its financial situation through donations, grants and earned revenue; increased employee pay and retention; established more community partnerships; and continued to innovate, according to the release.

Under Gilpins leadership, in response to the first Race to Equity report in 2014, the museum started a teen workforce program to narrow the job opportunity gap between teens of color and their peers. The program continues, with teens joining the staff each summer and many of them going on to other positions at the museum.

According to the museum:

In 2017, the museum started a first-time parent membership, giving a free membership to every family with a new child, until the child turns 18 months old. About 2,000 families signed up before the end of the first year. That program is still running, and at least six other childrens museums have consulted with MCM staff and begun similar programs.

The museum reduced barriers by removing documentation requirements from the program in 2018, contributing to increased use and decreased stigma, according to the release.

In October 2021, after 15 months of pandemic-forced closure, the museum opened Wonderground, its 10,000-square-foot, sustainably built playground constructed on the museums former parking lot.

And in 2022, the museum opened the first pay-what-you-can restaurant in a museum, Little Johns Lunchbox. The cafe served nearly 16,000 meals last year, many to food insecure families.

Early this summer, the museum will open a major new exhibit about climate change, The Nice Age Trail, funded through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Gilpin plans to take three months off after her retirement to rest, recharge and travel, according to the release. Then she expects to find new ways to serve, it said.

I see every child who comes through the front door like a glowing ball of potential, she said in the release. Ive always been curious about drawing out those gifts  for their own good as well as for the benefit of others with whom they will interact. I think its those kids with their nearly limitless potential who Ill miss most.

The board is using the Arts Consulting Group, a national firm that specializes in executive searches for arts and culture organizations.
Archer Daniels Midland may be just a vaguely familiar corporate name to a lot of Chicagoans but the commodities trader and food processor is the second largest publicly traded company based here  35th overall on the Fortune 500 list  and its suddenly in trouble.

In corporate America, the chief financial officers standing often is as important as that of the chief executive officer. The CFO is in charge of the books and whats reported to the public, and whenever there are questions about improprieties in disclosure at big publicly traded companies, alarm bells ring.

So shareholders didnt wait to hear details before selling in droves when ADM on Sunday reported that it placed CFO Vikram Luthar on administrative leave and was investigating accounting practices in one of its key business units. The stock is down 25% since the news hit and is trading at levels last seen three years ago.

This century is littered with the casualties of accounting scandals. Think Enron and WorldCom. Locally, Waste Management, a corporate heavyweight based in the Chicago area for decades, was sold for cheap in the late 1990s to a Texas-based rival after cooking its books. The Waste Management name lived on, but the company is long gone from these parts.

Perhaps most brutal for Chicago was the implosion of Arthur Andersen, once the gold standard in accounting nationally with a massive local presence in its hometown and its suburbs. Andersens central involvement in the Enron scandal (Andersen also was Waste Managements auditor during the accounting-fraud period) resulted in its demise in 2002, and thousands of highly paid white-collar workers lost their jobs.

Thats not in any way to suggest ADMs issues, the depth and precise nature of which are as yet unknown, are on that level. ADM said the internal probe was launched only after the Securities & Exchange Commission made a voluntary document request. In such situations, its always best if the company itself discovers the problem and notifies the feds.

The questionable accounting issues, ADM said in a filing, are focused on its nutrition segment. Thats one of its smaller business units, accounting for 8% of revenue. But its also one of its most profitable and has been a strategic focus for a company desiring new growth vehicles outside of its traditional businesses of corn and soybean trading, processing of cooking oils and production of ethanol.

The unit focuses on products used in plant-based foods and has suffered over the past year as demand for plant-based meat has lagged. ADMs stock price already had fallen 20% in the 12 months before this most recent crash. That was due in significant part to weakness in the nutrition segment.

In the companys most recent conference call with analysts, which took place Oct. 24, CEO Juan Luciano took pains to portray the nutrition units woes as the pause that refreshes.

Were very confident were going to go back to growth next year, he said.

Scotch that outlook. Along with disclosing the accounting probe, the company said a few days ago that it was withdrawing its previous forecast for the nutrition business.

The pressures to produce from quarter to quarter at companies such as ADM are acute. They grow more so when a stock price is drooping the way it was late last year. Executives are tempted in such times to make a bad situation appear better than it is, and the mind-numbing vagaries of accounting offer many ways to do that.

In ADMs case, executives own fortunes were tied in an unusual way to the nutrition segments success, Bloomberg reported. Beginning in 2020, operating-earnings growth targets became a key metric to determine the stock awards granted to the companys top seven execs. They collected more than $70 million in such grants a year ago based strictly on the results in that relatively small unit over the previous three years.

Thats a recipe for accounting shenanigans. The pressure to get nutrition back on track surely was intense.

Still, Andersen, Waste Management, Enron et al are such horrifying cautionary tales that its a wonder we still see these corporate misadventures. The risk of exposure in a day and age in which information is so readily available doesnt seem to justify pushing the number-crunching envelope.

Right now, Chicago cant afford for any more companies to leave town  or for the ones here to stumble badly.

Well cross our fingers the ADM fallout proves limited. But, if real malfeasance took place here, then those in charge at ADM should pay the appropriate price.

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.
Wisconsin women on Medicaid can now get free emergency contraception at pharmacies without a prescription from their doctor, speeding up access to medication meant to be taken promptly after unprotected sex.

In addition, the first over-the-counter version of regular, daily contraception  approved last year and expected to become available this year  also will be free to Medicaid members at pharmacies without a provider prescription, following an announcement by Gov. Tony Evers this week.

By strengthening access to affordable, high-quality emergency contraceptives, more Wisconsinites can make their own decisions about how to live their lives and plan for their families, said Kirsten Johnson, secretary of the state Department of Health Services. This is another step in our effort to increase access to reproductive health, including contraceptive care.

Expanded access to contraception is especially needed because of recent limits on abortion, Johnson said. Abortions were halted in Wisconsin in June 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. They resumed in September 2023 after a Dane County judge said an 1849 state law that prohibits feticide does not apply to consensual abortions. The case is likely headed to the state Supreme Court.

On Thursday, the Republican-controlled Assembly passed a bill calling for a binding statewide referendum to ban abortion after 14 weeks of pregnancy, a bill the governor has said hell veto. Abortions are currently prohibited after 20 weeks.

In Wisconsin, about 34% of all births, or 20,449 births, were financed by Medicaid in 2022, according to the nonpartisan health care research organization KFF. Nationally, it was 41%. Medicaid is the state-federal health insurance program for people with low incomes.

Emergency contraception pills, such as over-the-counter Plan B and My Way, prevent eggs from being released from the ovaries or prevent sperm from fertilizing eggs. Theyre effective in preventing pregnancy if taken within three days of unprotected sex and possibly up to five days, but doctors say they should be taken as quickly as possible.

People on Medicaid already have been able to get the pills free, but they needed a prescription from their doctor, which can cause delays. Now, a standing order from the state serves as the prescription, so people can pick up the medication off the shelf and take it to the pharmacy counter, where it will be covered at no cost.

It puts affordable, reliable methods into womens own hands, said Dr. Jody Epstein, a family medicine provider at Madison-based Access Community Health Centers.

Epstein said she has had calls from patients seeking the pills after hours or on weekends, when most clinics arent open. Thats a medication that cant wait until Monday morning, she said.

Not all brands of emergency contraception pills are covered by the state order. For example, My Way is and Plan B currently isnt. Availability may differ by pharmacy and pharmacists can direct consumers to covered brands. The pills contain levonorgestrel, a version of progestin, a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone.

Once Opill is released, a similar standing order for it will be issued for Medicaid members, Johnson said.

Another company, Cadence, is developing another over-the-counter regular contraception pill, combining progestin and estrogen. It hasnt yet been approved by the FDA. Such combination pills are thought to be slightly more effective at preventing pregnancy than progestin-only pills, but they carry small, but higher, risks.

10 wellness apps to help with your New Years resolutions 1. Headspace 2. Streaks 3. WaterMinder 4. Calm 5. Lifesum 6. Noom 7. Nike Training Club 8. Down Dog 9. Daylio 10. Breathwrk
Dane County and Harvard Law School have released the results of a four-year study of pretrial decisions in the countys criminal justice system.

The results, discussed Thursday, didnt confirm hope or fears that giving court commissioners a data tool to use when deciding whether to allow signature bonds or require cash bail would change outcomes or racial disparities in the countys criminal justice system. But the study did point to a lack of effectiveness in required cash bail from a defendant.

The algorithm, tracked by Harvard researchers, let commissioners use data about a defendants criminal history and other inputs to determine how likely someone was to commit a new crime or not show up to court. The study then tracked the future criminal activity of defendants, both for those who did and those who didnt have the algorithm used in their case.

With signature bonds, someone who is arrested signs a document promising to show up in court. One argument for cash bail, which requires a defendant to pay money to get out of jail, is that having to pay money deters people from committing a crime. The study, though, didnt back up that contention.

About 70% of people arrested in Dane County are released on a signature bond. Of the rest, half are given a cash bail below $500 and half get a cash bail above $500, Jim Greiner, a professor of public law at Harvard, told the countys Criminal Justice Council on Thursday.

But according to the researchers, for 95% of defendants given cash bail, having to pay to get out of jail was not the determining factor in whether the person committed a new crime.

People simply arent deterred by the imposition of bail as a whole, Greiner said. In individual cases, particularly individual high-risk cases, it may very well be worth using, but not overall in the large scheme of things.

Harvards Access to Justice Lab produced similar findings in an Iowa county and is awaiting results from a third jurisdiction to see if theyre consistent.

The Dane County study showed that the impact of the threat assessment algorithm on the decisions of Dane County court officials was marginal.

Commissioners who used the algorithm were slightly less inclined to release a defendant on a signature bond. But even in those cases in which a defendant got cash bail, they spent less time in jail on average than their counterparts who did not have the algorithm used in their criminal case.

Use of the algorithm didnt change outcomes across race or gender either.

Wisconsin isnt likely to eliminate cash bail, given that the Republican-controlled state Legislature has worked to make bail rules more strict.

District Attorney Ismael Ozanne noted that without cash bail, Dane County effectively would have a hold or release system. Under those rules, a judge would decide whether a defendant is a threat to public safety, and if the defendant is a big enough threat, he or she would be held in jail until the criminal case is resolved, Ozanne said.

That would be an avalanche on the structures we have now and also do a disservice to our community, the district attorney said.

Last September, Wisconsins neighbor Illinois became the first state in the United States to totally eliminate cash bail.

The study declined to make suggestions for what it any reforms the county should make to its pretrial system. Expansion of signature bonds, though, would likely run afoul of Wisconsin law, Greiner said.

Prison money diaries: What people really make (and spend) behind bars Prison money diaries: What people really make (and spend) behind bars Ricardo Ferrell, 64 Louis Dixon, 27 "Fugee*," 26 Courtney Sargent, 37 Valerie Stanton, 47 Richard Spillane, 61 David DeLena, 45 Aundra Jiles, 50
The Sun Prairie-based milling company involved in a 2017 explosion that killed five workers has been sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay a $1 million fine and $10.25 million in restitution for the companys guilty pleas to two felony charges related to the deadly explosion at its Cambria mill.

U.S. District Judge James Peterson on Thursday accepted the terms of an agreement that was hammered out last year.

Before he formally sentenced Didion Milling Inc., Peterson heard emotional statements from family members of two of the five who died, both of whom chided the company for what they said was a lack of remorse for the deaths and a culture of flouting safety regulations that led to the explosion on May 31, 2017.

In September, as part of a plea agreement, Didion pleaded guilty to falsifying records related to its Occupational Safety and Health Act and Clean Air Act obligations in order to conceal violations from government agencies. A charge that directly accused the company of causing the deaths was dismissed under the agreement.

The explosion occurred when highly combustible corn dust was ignited inside the mill.

Last month, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board issued its final report on the explosion, which said it was caused by the ignition of combustible corn dust inside process equipment, which sparked multiple explosions.

The report blamed Didion for not recognizing the hazards posed by combustible dust throughout the milling process and failing to address dust hazards. Contributing to the seriousness of the injuries was the failure to evaluate the risk of fires and a lack of flame-resistant personal protective equipment, which caused serious and fatal burns to Didion employees.

Didion also had failed to learn from earlier incidents, the CSB said in its report.

How can you kill five people and have no sense of remorse? asked Abigail Tordoff, the widow of Pawel Tordoff, who died in the explosion. She described the emotional agony she felt at learning of the explosion and her husbands death, and the difficulty she has had raising their special needs child on her own, a child who was just months old when his father died and still asks about him.

I will forever have this hurt and anger in my heart, Tordoff said.

The sister-in-law of Charly Nunez, who declined to give her full name, described the agony her brother-in-law experienced in the three weeks after the explosion as he lay in the burn unit at UW Hospital, undergoing painful and ultimately futile procedures to extend his life.

Didion put corporate greed above humanity for decades, she said. Your criminal acts have created involuntary martyrs.

Company CEO Riley Didion, speaking briefly in court, said he wanted to express his profound respect, sympathy and condolences to all whose family members perished. He called the explosion one of the most tragic days at the company in my life.

Peterson, though he said he would accept the terms of the plea agreement, wondered why the company has never flat-out accepted responsibility for the explosion and events leading to it.

Many people will think two things  Didion has never admitted any responsibility for the explosion, Peterson said. And people will think youre getting off awfully easy here.

He said the agreement, coming after a tragedy that followed what appeared to be decades of flouting safety regulations, will almost seem like a slap on the wrist.

Didion attorney Mark Cameli said Didion is still in the midst of a substantial amount of litigation having to do with the explosion that requires the company to choose words carefully. He said he doesnt mean to diminish the profound impact the event has had on peoples lives, but the outcome of those cases is yet to be determined.

In addition to the criminal case, Didion agreed last month to pay $1.8 million to resolve OSHA citations and civil penalties.

As part of its probation in the criminal case, Didion agreed to allow OSHA to make comprehensive inspections of the mill without a warrant up to twice a year without advance notice.

Still awaiting sentencing are Derrick Clark, the companys vice president of operations, who after a jury trial in October was convicted of falsifying documents, making false Clean Air Act compliance certifications and obstructing OSHAs investigation into the explosion; and Shawn Messner, former food safety superintendent, who was convicted of participating in a fraud conspiracy and conspiring to obstruct and mislead OSHA.

Three other Didion officials pleaded guilty to other charges. All five are scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 15 and 16.
Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin on Thursday alerted members to a potential cyber security event the night before that forced the health insurer to shut down some of its online and information technology services.

The message from the Madison-based nonprofit said the issue was quickly identified but out of an abundance of caution we secured all our IT systems that have internet access.

Some systems and services would be affected while the problem was being investigated, GHC said, including its phone system and patient access to online medical records through MyChart.

On Thursday night, there was a banner at the top of its home page saying there were issues with its phone system.

GHC said it would keep members updated in later messages and to check its social media pages for information.

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A Waterloo man arrested after a road rage incident involving a gun on the Far West Side on Thursday afternoon, Madison police reported.

A man called for police after a gun was flashed during the incident in the area of South Gammon Road and Watts Road around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer said in a statement.

The suspect vehicle was found in the parking lot of a nearby store unoccupied. When a man returned to the car, he admitted to having a gun in his center console, Fryer said.

The 29-year-old man was arrested on tentative charges of carrying a concealed weapon, disorderly conduct while armed, and intentionally pointing a firearm at a person, Fryer said.
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CNN Philippines is shutting down its operations in the country after nine years amid losses, its owner said Friday.

D. Edgard Cabangon, chairman of ALC Group of Companies and Nine Media Corp., which owns and operates CNN Philippines, confirmed to Manila Standard in a text message that the operations of CNN Philippines would end soon.

That was planned last year due to losses, Cabangon said. We will concentrate more on our own free TVAliw TV.

The brand licensing agreement of CNN Philippines will expire by end of 2024, but there are rumors that its airing would end soon.

Cabangon said they would issue an official statement from Nine Media president Benjamin Ramos after the general meeting on Monday.

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A CNN Philippines staffer earlier said the company would hold a general meeting on Jan. 29, without disclosing the agenda.

A memo from Nine Media requested all personnel to attend the meeting at 10 a.m. in the news operations area. The memo, signed by Ramos, is expected to address the results of a management-level meeting held earlier this week.

CNN Philippines describes itself as the Philippines only predominantly English-language channel on free-to-air television as well as on cable and pay television. It is owned by Nine Media, a subsidiary of the ALC Group of Companies, established by the late Ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua.

The Cabangon-Chua family also owns other media companies such as RPN, Aliw Broadcasting Network, stations DWIZ and Home Radio 97.9, daily publication BusinessMirror, tabloid Pilipino Mirror and magazine Philippine Graphic Weekly. Their other businesses include Citystate Savings Bank, Fortune Life Insurance Co. Inc., Eternal Plans Inc., Citystate Properties and Management Corp. (CPMC), Isuzu GenCars Inc., as well as several hotels and resorts in Metro Manila and the provinces.

Nine Media signed a deal with Turner Broadcasting System to launch CNN Philippines in March 2015.
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COTABATO CITYBudget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Wednesday launched here the OGPinas national campaign during a forum in the highlights of the regions fifth founding anniversary, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) officials in attendance.

Addressing the event, Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim said the BARMM has put in place measures to ensure transparency in the administration and operations of public office, as well as for truly consultative and inclusive governance.

Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao, in his welcome address, said he would have pushed for membership with the OGPinas on an observer status to champion Open Government Partnership in BARMM, but unfortunately the membership had already been closed for entry of new members.

Mayor Matabalao noted that the city has achieved significant milestones that make local governance not only the government of the people and by the people, but a government that is truly for the peopleand that, none should be left behind.

Pangandaman noted that the OGP also finds basis in the BARMM Administrative Code which prescribes honesty and integrity in the delivery of public service and in its evolution of open transactions in governance.

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BARMM Finance and Budget Minister, CPA-lawyer Obaida Pacasem recalled he did not hesitate a moment when Secretary Pangdaman talked to him about having to launch the OGPinas Campaign as a matter of national advocacy in the region. Secretary Pangandaman acknowledged Minister Pacasem as her counterpart in the BARMM.

Pangandaman said the Philippines is a founding member of the OGP, but it is only during the administration of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos that OGP has been institutionalized Executive Order No. 31: Institutionalizing the Philippine Open Government Partnership and for other purposes.

Hadji Zalave Dinas of the MOSEP, the keynote speaker for the non-government organizations (NGOs) credited a Magindanao leader, now deceased, as the signatory for the Philippine government of the OGP as an instrument of anti-corruption, twice over in the UN Covenant of the OGP Founding Member-Countries in Austria and in Mexico.

The late Simeon A. Datumanong, then Secretary of Justice, headed the OGP Philippine Delegation to the UN in Vienna, Austria in 2003, and in Merida, Mexico in 2004. With Datumanong was then Senator Edgardo Angara as Vice-chairman of the Philippine Delegation along with a member of the House of Representatives, who at that time was the chairperson of the House Committee on Finance and Public Accountability, Dinas recalled.

Pangandaman cited South Cotabato for its OPG practices which, she said, have been in place since 2018, principally, through public involvement in the formulation of key policies in local governance, including local budgeting.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to discuss maritime and regional issues with Vietnam during his state visit there next week, a Department of Foreign Affairs official said Friday.



This developed as some 50 Chinese vessels were spotted near Ayungin Shoal ahead of the rotation and resupply mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to BRP Sierra Madre, an American security analyst said.

In a Palace briefing, DFA Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau said the President would start a discussion on various regional and international issues with Vietnamese leaders during his state visit

from Jan. 29 to 30.

If its on the MOU (memorandum of understanding) between the (Philippine and Vietnamese) Coast Guard, its a simple agreement on how both coast guards will cooperate with each other, Rau said.

Now, on maritime issues, theres a general topic on maritime discussion under when the President meets with the three Vietnamese leaders. But we dont wish to preempt the discussions at this point,

she added.

Rau added the President would share views and perspectives on matters involving the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region.



We consider that this visit of the President would be significant in our ever-evolving relations with Vietnam, she further noted.



In a post on X on Thursday, Ray Powell, the former US Air Force Colonel and Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation Sealight Director said the number of Chinese vessels in Panganiban

Reef has increased from last week.

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Most of Chinas maritime militia rotation deployed to Mischief Reef, where the Qiong Sansha Yu fleet is up from 14 last week to 35 now (+15 smaller ships), Powell said on his social media page.

China is possibly maintaining its presence there until the Philippines next resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, according to Powell.

China may be keeping force levels high there until after the Philippines next resupply of nearby 2nd Thomas Shoal, the security analyst said.

President Marcos and First Lady Lousie Araneta-Marcos are flying to the Southeast Asian neighbor upon the invitation of Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong.

This is the Presidents first official outbound state visit for the year, excluding his attendance at the wedding of the Prince of Brunei earlier this month.



DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said President Marcos would also tackle issues regarding food security, agricultural cooperation and trade collaboration with Vietnam.

During the visit, the President will meet with leaders of Vietnam, namely President Thuong, His Excellency Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Vietnam, and his Excellency Vuong Dinh Hue, Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, where discussion on the multifaceted relationship and ways of exploring deepening cooperation across different fronts will be expected, Daza said.

The President is also expected to meet with business sectors to promote trade and investment relations between the Philippines and Vietnam, she added.

Mr. Marcos will also meet with the Filipino community to highlight the Philippines friendly relations with Vietnam and the communitys contribution to promoting a positive image of the Philippines in the country.

Approximately 7,000 Filipinos are working and residing in Vietnam.



Meanwhile, Powell said last week that 27 Qiong Sansha Yu-class ships were deployed south of Spratly Islands and east to Scarborough Shoal.



Last December, Powell reported that the Chinese vessels near Ayungin Shoal were in invasion modeinformation which the AFP denied.

BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded at the Ayungin Shoal since 1999. It is manned by more than a dozen Marines and sailors and has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the offshore territory.

Resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre, however, have become increasingly difficult as Chinese vessels have been disrupting the passage of Philippine vessels to the area.

Ayungin Shoal is part of the Kalayaan Island Group as well as the Philippines exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, over which the country has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.

Tensions between China and the Philippines have heightened in recent months as both sides trade accusations over a series of incidents in the South China Sea.

The Philippines includes areas of the South China Sea that fall within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf as part of the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
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Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday pledged support for local manufacturers of modern jeepneys, reiterating their priority status within the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), which is now subject to a thorough review.

Our priority will be Philippine-made as this will bring outPhilippine jobs and all other benefits, Romualdez said during adialogue conducted by the leaders of the House of Representatives with local jeepney manufacturers in Makati City on Friday.

While he underscored the importance of foreign investments, he said common sense dictates that the government should always patronize reliable, durable, safe, and inexpensive locally-made PUVs.

He said the government was committed to promoting Philippine-made vehicles in the PUVMP, emphasizing the potential for job creation and other advantages of supporting domestic manufacturing.

During the dialogue, Romualdez said President Marcos has given his full support for the initiative.

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This government, this Congress will be very much behind you andsupportive of your industry, he told the local jeepney manufacturingsector, represented by Elmer Francisco and Ed Sarao of the eFrancisco Motor Corp. and Sarao Motors, respectively.

Francisco and Sarao thanked Romualdez for listening to their concerns and supporting the local jeepney industry.

Francisco Motors told Romualdez that they are now working on fullyelectric jeepneys and soon on hydrogen-hybrid PUVs in compliance with the program.

The jeepney maker insists that while jeepneys will no longer be dependent on diesel, the iconic, colorful aesthetic of the vehicle will be a mainstay.

Its part of our culture, its part of our identity. Even foreigners when they come here to the Philippines, they take pictures of the jeepney, Elmer Francisco said.

Compared to current e-jeepney models ranging from P2 million to P3million, Francisco said their jeepneys will only cost P985,000, since all its components are Philippine-made.

He said their vehicles can be paid through installment, with payments of P10,000 or P20,000 monthly for a period of three to six years.

Romualdez was joined in the dialogue by Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon and House committee on appropriations chairman Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol Partylist.

The dialogue unfolded against the backdrop of the recent decision lastWednesday by President Marcos Jr. to extend the consolidation deadline under the PUVMP until April 30.

This came immediately after Romualdez met with transport leaders andappealed to President Marcos to extend the deadline.

The move grants unconsolidated jeepneys an additional three months to either join or establish transportation cooperatives or corporations.

Romualdez emphasized the significance of backing homegrown talent,saying the innovation and expertise demonstrated by the local manufacturers deserve recognition and support.

During the dialogue, Francisco updated House leaders on discussionswith Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) regarding a possible investmentto expedite the PUVMP.

He specifically mentioned consulting with MICs CEO, Joel Consing, exploring the viability of securing $200 million, around P11 billion, from the Maharlika Investment Fund.

Romualdez was the first to propose the idea of the Maharlika Fundinvesting in jeepney modernization, with the specific aim of injecting funds to bolster local manufacturers in the transport industry.

For his part, Suarez said the dialogue sought not only to address thechallenges faced by local manufacturers but also to seek collaborativesolutions to ensure a seamless transition in line with the extended consolidation period set by President Marcos.
More than a dozen Chicago aldermen on Thursday called on Mayor Brandon Johnson to scrap his 60-day shelter limit policy for migrants, the latest sign the City Councils recent streak of independence has swelled with the citys controversial responses to the humanitarian crisis.

Johnson allies such as Aldermen Daniel La Spata and Byron Sigcho-Lopez are among the 16 aldermen who joined migrant response mutual aid groups in signing the letter to the mayor, along with more moderate council members such as Ald. Matt OShea, 19th.

Their protest comes on the heels of a bloc of 27 aldermen signing on to co-sponsor legislation from Ald. Bill Conway, 34th, to add more City Council oversight to how federal stimulus dollars are used in the wake of the Johnson administration allocating $95 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to cover the costs of the migrant mission.

Though sponsors of either item differ on how much to blame Johnsons administration for the current predicament  where there are no shelter beds left in Chicago, but migrants continue coming  their dissent signals a City Council attempting to flex more influence on how resources are spent and decisions are made.

The aldermen and volunteer groups writing to Johnson Thursday demanded the city rescind his 60-day limit for how long migrants can stay at city-run shelters ahead of the next deadline on Feb. 1, citing grave concerns with the asylum-seekers well-being during the harsh winter.

The 60-day eviction policy poses a significant threat to the health and safety of new arrivals, the letter reads. To put it simply: the city should not be in the business of handing out eviction notices. While the 60-day limit has been temporarily extended to avoid the worst of the weather, these extensions do not address the systemic issues that prevent new arrivals from being able to leave shelters and find alternative housing.

The letter also demands food, medical care and other conditions be improved in the shelters, that more housing stock be built for all Chicagoans and for Johnson to appoint someone to the chief homelessness officer position he created in October but has not filled.

People outside a migrant shelter near the 2300 block of South Halsted Street on Dec. 19, 2023, in Chicago.

In a statement late Thursday, the mayors office said the city is improving both the medical screening process and the distribution of food for asylum-seekers at city shelters. A mayoral spokesman also said in the statement that access to resettlement was expanded earlier this month.

We should continue to see accelerated exits over the next few weeks as new arrivals receive assistance from Catholic Charities on housing location and secure their new homes with rental assistance, the mayors office said. We continue to evaluate the 60-day policy and will provide updates as the situation develops. Our plan remains providing dignified care and basic support services for asylum seekers to aid them on the aforementioned path to self-sufficiency and independence, while also being fiscally responsible and fulfilling fiduciary responsibilities to the people of the city of Chicago.

During previous outbreaks of opposition from the City Council or other governments or political leaders, the mayor has said that he is not a dictator and hopes to lead with collaboration. In a post-council news conference Wednesday, Johnson did not directly respond to questions about the fate of the 60-day shelter policy come Feb. 1 but said were going to continue to review. This is an evolving crisis.

The mayor announced a 60-day shelter limit policy in November, but he delayed enforcing it ahead of the first eviction date on Jan. 22 as heavy snowfall and low wind chills pummeled the city. A second extension was announced until Feb. 1, but temperatures are again expected to dip below freezing. Johnson has recently attributed the bumpy implementation of his evictions policy to the Gov. J.B. Pritzker administration not building enough state shelters.

Previously, aldermen have expressed frustrations with city contracts for vendors such as the costly Favorite Healthcare Staffing and GardaWorld Federal Services, which has done migrant detention work. Ald. Andre Vasquez, 40th, Johnsons hand-picked Immigration Committee chair who helped organize the letter with mutual aid volunteer groups, said the latest pushback is a sign of a healthy democracy.

This is an understanding of whats been happening as far as there being a more independent council, and so its not about necessarily this administration, Vasquez said. What this says is, we believe this is a matter of important discussion that needs to be had with the council.

Ald. Felix Cardona, 31st, had harsher words. He signed on to both the letter and Conways legislation.

There has to be oversight on that because at one point in the budget we had no money. Now we found $95 million. So something is definitely wrong there, Cardona said. Youre gonna see our colleagues, more and more, be very discontent with the administration. And theyre going to be very vocal.

Conways ordinance was introduced at the City Council Wednesday and promptly pushed by Johnsons vice mayor, Ald. Walter Burnett, 27th, to the Rules Committee, putting the legislations future in question.

Chicago Ald. Bill Conway, 34th, talks to reporters near a West Loop homeless encampment on Dec. 7, 2023.

Asked later about Conways effort, Johnson said he values transparency, but doesnt think the additional oversight is needed. Aldermen allocated the federal money to the citys 2023 budget and gave the mayor and the citys budget director spending authority, he said.

There is oversight, Johnson said. In fact, I took it one step further. I actually went to the City Council and explained to them and told them what our intentions were, even though the process didnt require that.

But Conway said the maneuvers to sideline the ordinance seem like a willful evasion of some oversight. The downtown aldermans ordinance would force the mayor to get City Council approval every time he plans to spend over $1 million in stimulus funds.

If a big chunk of money comes, it needs to be budgeted out, Conway said. I dont think the mayors office should just have a $400 million piggy bank they can spend on whatever they want.

One Johnson ally, Ald. Jeanette Taylor, 20th, said she joined Conway because she has always supported granting City Council more power on budgeting. She voted against former Mayor Lori Lightfoot having the same spending powers on federal stimulus dollars.

Its about us being held accountable to the money we spend and the way we spend it, period, Taylor said.

How many more damn migrants do we need? How many more shelters and spaces do we have? she asked.

Meanwhile, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said Thursday she was not privy to any of the back-and-forth between Johnson and Pritzker this week, and has no idea about the interests or intentions or willingness of mayors in suburban Cook County to help meet this challenge.

The county has previously acknowledged it was very closely coordinating with the city to at least identify locations for housing in the city and in suburban Cook. But when she previously asked suburban mayors to step up, Preckwinkle said Thursday those conversations didnt result in offers of assistance.

The countys emergency funding includes $20 million that municipal or local governments can tap for migrant mission response. Ted Berger, executive director of the countys Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, acknowledged his team has assessed suburban locations and whether they met American Red Cross standards for shelter viability

Asked if any suburban sites were viable, he said he Cant answer that question at this time, and referred further questions back to the city.

ayin@chicagotribune.com

jsheridan@chicagotribune.com

aquig@chicagotribune.com
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The Philippines and Vietnam are both enmeshed in a maritime dispute with China following Chinas sweeping claims of the South China Sea

When President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. makes a state visit to Vietnam on Monday, Southeast Asian neighbors, and even China, are likely to listen to him and watch him and his hosts shuffle.

The two-day visit, ending Tuesday, with key Cabinet officials, comes at a time when ripples of tension are seen in the South China Sea, particularly the West Philippine Sea, well within the Philippines 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

The 65-year-old President Marcos, until recently the countrys agriculture chief and familiar with the rice situation in this basically agricultural economy, is expected to discuss maritime issues with his hosts.

He will meet President Vo Van Thuong, 53, the youngest person to serve in this position since Vietnams reunification and the second highest official after Nguyen Phu Trong, the general secretary of the Communist Party; Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, 65, a public security general and third highest ranking after General Secretary of the Communist Party and the President of Vietnam; and Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue. 66, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee.

Maritime issues cover territorial disputes in the South China Sea which involve conflicting island and maritime claims by several sovereign states: China, which has upgraded unilaterally its mythical nine-dash line to ten-dash line which encompasses the island of Taiwan  rejected by the United Nations Law of the Sea tribunal  Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

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Maritime security concerns in the South China Sea have been increasing for several reasons: higher volumes of shipping traffic, protection of exclusive economic zone resources, piracy, terrorist threats, greater international scrutiny of ports and shipping, and the modernization of regional naval and coast guard forces.

Among the most prominent non-traditional maritime security threats at present are illegal, unregulated and under-reported fishing, the smuggling of goods and people, piracy, and maritime terrorism, a serious security concern in waters around the world.

The Philippines and Vietnam are both enmeshed in a maritime dispute with China following Chinas sweeping claims of the South China Sea, with Vietnam previously backing the Philippines in its victory in The Hague ruling against Chinas claim of a nine-dash line.

We are certain, the meeting will go beyond maritime issues after President Marcos was invited by then president Nguyen Xuan Phuc, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders Meeting in November.

Vietnam is one of the worlds largest rice exporters and the Philippines is one of its biggest buyers.

During President Marcos state visit, the DFA said the Philippines hopes to strengthen with Vietnam its maritime cooperation, trade and investment promotion, people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in Asean and other multilateral fora.

Many will be keenly watching how the meetings develop.
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HONOR Philippines has just announced a delightful surprise for HONOR 90 5G enthusiasts  a FREE JBL Go 3 Speakers for every purchase made from January 26 to February 25, 2024. This offer is a perfect gift for the upcoming heart month and will be available until supplies last.

Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines, expressed his excitement about this special offer, stating, This is a treat for our HONOR 90 5G fans as we present it to the market with a FREE JBL Go 3. The HONOR 90 5G has gained popularity among users for its impressive 200 MP camera, and now, it becomes an even more worthy of investment as it comes bundled with a Bluetooth speaker for every music enthusiast.

The HONOR 90 5G has garnered recognition, receiving the EISA Award for the Best Buy Smartphone for 2023-2024. It boasts premium luxury features, including a 200 MP triple camera, Quad-Curved Eye-comfort Display, 12GB+512GB Super Storage, and a 50MP Selfie Camera, all offered at the attractive price of P24,990.

The smartphone is available in four color options: Midnight Black, Diamond Silver, Emerald Green, and Peacock Blue.

Avail this promo now via Shopee (bit.ly/Shop_HOHOR905GPromo_PR), Lazada (bit.ly/Laz_HOHOR905GPromo_PR), and Tiktok Shop (bit.ly/TikTok_HOHOR905GPromo_PR), or HONOR Experience or Partner stores nationwide.

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For more exciting news and announcements, head on to HONOR Philippines social media platforms for exciting announcements: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines).

To check out HONORs complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.
On Tuesday, Jan. 16, deputies responded to the intersection of Curtis Creek Road and U.S. 70 West to assist Old Fort Police Department with an altercation between two males. The victim showed obvious signs of physical assault. Lucas Daniel Mojica, 31, of Marion was taken into custody without further incident, according to a news release.
What is becoming a twice-a-year event, the organizations responsible for getting trail on the ground in Burke County recently met to share updates on planning and building new trail. Representatives from local governments and nonprofits submitted three slides in advance and had four minutes to provide updates during the first half of the meeting, followed by general strategy discussions.

Attendees included those responsible for three of the four state trails in Burke County (Fonta Flora State Trail, Overmountain Victory State Trail, Wilderness Gateway State Trail), the two large multi-hundred-acre parks (Oak Hill Park, Valdese Lakeside Park), a regional trail (Burke River Trail), municipal greenways (Morganton and Valdese) and a trails planner from N.C. State Parks. Discover Burke County Tourism staff were at the meeting to make sure they have all the latest information to share with visitors stopping in their office.

Rep. Hugh Blackwell (R-86) also was at the meeting as the partners wanted him to hear their success stories made possible by recent N.C. General Assembly legislation passed from designating 2023 as Year of the Trail in North Carolina to funding for N.C. State Trails and all other trails.

One big success story was the first 2 miles of the Wilderness Gateway State Trail being designated by the state, along the Valdese Greenway. N.C. Trails Planner Smith Raynor presented the official notice from Secretary Reid Wilson, N.C. Department and Natural Resources, to town of Valdese Parks and Recreation Director David Andersen. For a trail to be designated as part of a state trail, the trail must be open to the public, use sustainable trail construction and have a plan for rescue and maintenance from the trail section sponsor. The Wilderness Gateway State Trail will stretch from Catawba County to Rutherford County with a loop through Valdese.

Another success was the commitment by Burke County commissioners and County Manager Brian Epley to work to complete the trail around Lake James and to the McDowell County line. The Burke County section of trail near the neighborhoods of 1780 and The Enclave is both Fonta Flora State Trail (FFST) and Overmountain Victory State Trail (OVST), which will allow shared funding. Working with the state trail partners, the county will put out a Request for Qualifications to select a design team who will develop final design and construction documents for the exact route and determine necessary repairs to existing trail. Opportunities for construction of 2.2 miles of new trail and maintenance of 1.75 miles of existing trail will start late this year.

Connectivity was a theme set by the Burke River Trail Association as they work on a countywide trail from Glen Alpine to Hildebran that will not only connect communities but connect residents and visitors to the history, art, culture and attractions of each town along the route. State grant funding will be available this year for connecting communities to state trails and the organization will assist local governments in applying for those funds.

Some other takeaways:

Burke County, town of Valdese and Foothills Conservancy all hope to add mountain bike trails over the next year.

The attendees decided to focus on Glen Alpine to Morganton through Oak Hill Park with the co-located trails of Burke River Trail, Fonta Flora State Trail and Overmountain Victory State Trail.

Local governments and nonprofit organizations plan to take advantage of new state funding for trails being released this year along with existing park funding for available trailheads with extra amenities.

Finding more ways to work together to promote all trails in Burke County was a discussion topic as there is an effort to market North Carolina as The Great Trails State. Discover Burke County, the countys tourism authority, shared that locals may not see their work within the county, but they are out promoting trails to nearby markets. A feature of their new downtown Morganton office is a large wall-mounted countywide trail map to help visitors plan their hikes, bike rides, paddles and horse rides.

Working together to promote community trail work days is another way organizations will combine resources. Many volunteers who enjoy trail work are willing to help any organization, not just their home trail. Foothills Conservancy is taking on organizing and promoting quarterly workdays which started with a January event held at Wolf Pit Trail with 38 volunteers.

Finally, it was decided there needs to be time to enjoy the trails, explore new trails and socialize with others. To satisfy those needs, Burke County Community Hikes will be held on the fourth Sunday of the month at 3 p.m. The hikes will take place at different locations with different hosts. The starting schedule is:

Jan. 28 at Valdese Lakeside Park, hosted by Friends of the Valdese Rec

Feb. 25 at Oak Hill Park, hosted by Foothills Conservancy of NC

March 24 on Fonta Flora State Trail, hosted by Friends of Fonta Flora State Trail

Specific details can be found at https://trails.betterburke.com/events/ closer to time of each hike.

In addition to exposing residents and visitors to trails in Burke County, local trails advocate Beth Heile shared an early concept for a Western North Carolina Visitor Center at Interstate 40 Exit 111 to be constructed as the current bridge over interstate is replaced. The location is an hour and a half drive from seven N.C. State Parks, six N.C. State Trails and one N.C. State Natural Area and would be like a state park visitor center but with restrooms and a dog park for those traveling. The stop, which would have the Wilderness Gateway State Trail running through the building breezeway, would be a gateway to the western part of the state with exhibits from all those area parks and trails. A prominent feature of the center will be a glass turret allowing mountain views. Heile and Blackwell have been in talks with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and N.C. State Parks about the facility and are still firming up the specifics.

The trail partner meeting was hosted by Burke County in the county commissioners board room and organized by Beth Heile, executive director of the Burke River Trail Association.
On Thursday, the Rotary Club of Marion recognized Tyler Watson from McDowell Academy of Innovation as the Student of the Week.

He was introduced to the club by President-Elect Steve Bush and received a certificate from President Chip Cross.

He is in the 13th grade and a Super Senior at MAI. He is the son of Robert Watson of Marion.

He plans to attend Western Carolina University. He will graduate in May with an associate degree in engineering and an associate in science degree. He plans to work toward a bachelors degree in engineering at WCU and then after that work for a company like Caterpillar Inc.

His school or community recognitions include being on the A/B honor roll during his time at MAI and being a member of the National Honor Society. He received the Presidential Silver Award last year.

His extracurricular activities include being a member of the National Honor Society. He teaches kids about different science subjects through his time spent volunteering at elementary schools and is a member of the Hiking Club.

When it comes to his interests, he enjoys repairing small engines, building computers, riding bikes and playing Sandbox-based games to expand his creativity.
The Mozambican government has made a commitment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to broaden the VAT base and apply an additional tax to rental income, according to official document.

We are moving forward with the fundamental fiscal reforms needed to promote growth and achieve our debt reduction objectives, reads a letter sent to the IMF, signed by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Max Tonela, and the Governor of the Bank of Mozambique, Rogerio Zandamela.

Addressed to the managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, dated December 19, the letter formalized the request for approval of the third evaluation of the IMFs assistance programme for Mozambique, and release of the third tranche of support.

With regard to VAT reforms, we are fully implementing the elimination of exemptions and zero rates identified through the prior action of 2022 by the end of 2023, the letter adds.

It also points to the effort to mobilize domestic revenue, which includes broadening the VAT base, as well as an additional tax on personal property rental income.

The government is also committed to aligning the extractive industrys reference price with international prices in line with best practices, supported by tax administration measures.

Non-tax policy measures include increasing the concession rate for for-profit public companies, it also states.

On January 8, the IMF approved the third assessment of the assistance plan for Mozambique, allowing for the immediate disbursement of a new tranche of 60.7 million dollars (55.4 million euros) for budget support.

In a statement released earlier, the IMF said that the executive board had concluded the third review of the implementation of the 36-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program in Mozambique. With this third tranche, total disbursements to Mozambique under this ECF amount to around 273 million dollars (249.2 million euros).
Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe signed on Thursday January 24 a memorandum of understanding in the area of Justice, initiated by the ministers of the sector from both countries.

There are gains, there are challenges and I think that through the memorandum of understanding, which we signed today, we are reflecting our concerns, ambitions and, above all, the will to share knowledge and technology, despite some difficulties, said the Minister of Justice of Sao Tome and Principe, Ilza Amado Vaz.

The minister ended a four-day visit to the Cape Verdean capital on Thursday.

The memorandum of understanding also provides for the two countries to work on strengthening the computerization of the judicial system, so that technology is at the service of the citizen, she added, in relation to an idea that is also shared by her Cape Verdean counterpart, Joana Rosa.

I think we did an excellent job with a very interesting, complete agenda and today we can say that it was very worthwhile, she stressed.

Joana Rosa added that the studies could advance particularly in the areas of police and financial intelligence, as well as the modernization of registries and notaries.

We have many challenges. What we need is to work together, said the Cape Verdean government official, noting that, based on the protocol signed, a working team will be set up, with focal points in Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe, with a view to making it operational.
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The researcher distributed NCCCS app accounts via email, allowing participants to access the app on any device. Feedback, presented in graphical form, included participants' NCCCS total scores, sub-competency scores, and behavioral level item scores. This visual representation facilitated a comparison of participants' scores with the 2017 national average. Credit: Dr. Chie Takiguchi

To improve the care coordination competency of nurses involved in the management of critically ill patients on life support, an electronic appNCCCSwas developed by Associate Professor Chie Takiguchi of Toho University and Professor Tomoko Inoue of International University of Health and Welfare.

The NCCCS app utilizes the scoring system referred to as the Nurses' Care Coordinate Competency Scale (NCCCS), developed by Dr. Takiguchi and others in 2017, and it is currently being translated into Chinese, Italian, Polish, and Persian. This app offers immediate feedback to nurses caring for critically ill patients on life support based on their self-assessment of the frequency of their care coordination behaviors.

The NCCCS app was tested in the study and found to be highly effective in training when used by individuals who had certain years of critical care management experience but had low care coordination competencies. The findings are published in the Japan Journal of Nursing Science.

While the significance of care coordination for appropriate critical care is recognized, there is a lack of established educational methods for nurses engaged in care coordination. The quality of care, especially concerning the success or failure of multidisciplinary care for critically ill patients on life support, has been demonstrated to be linked not only to survival rates but also to the development of physical, mental, and cognitive dysfunction in post-intensive care patients.

Dr. Takiguchi said, "Our NCCCS app will help nurses enhance their care coordination competencies in the management of critically ill patients. It offers a new strategy to improve the physical, mental, and cognitive outcomes of critically ill patients."

The study showed that the group that engaged in self-assessment and received feedback through the NCCCS app demonstrated an increase in the frequency of care coordination behaviors after one month, in contrast to the self-assessment group without feedback. Notably, the participants with less experience in managing critically ill patients did not exhibit a corresponding increase in the frequency of these behaviors.

The group whose NCCCS score was below the national average as of 2017 experienced an increased frequency of care coordination behaviors one month later, following feedback from the NCCCS app, compared to the group without feedback.

The group receiving feedback on their self-assessment scores through the NCCCS app exhibited heightened attention, confidence, and interest in learning about care coordination, in contrast to the group without feedback. Additionally, the former group reported that the use of the NCCCS app fostered teamwork and enhanced the quality of care.

The findings of this study may provide a new strategy for improving outcomes in critically ill patients on life support.

More information: Chie Takiguchi et al, Effectiveness of a selfassessment application in evaluating the care coordination competency of intensive care unit nurses in managing patients on life support: An intervention study, Japan Journal of Nursing Science (2024). DOI: 10.1111/jjns.12584

Provided by Toho University
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Following federal approval for over-the-counter emergency contraception in 2006, emergency departments across the U.S. saw dramatic decreases in related visits and medical charges, a new study suggests.

Emergency room visits related to emergency contraception fell by 96%, from 17,019 to 659, while total related hospital expenses decreased by $7.2 millionfrom $7.6 million to $385,946between 2006 and 2020. The most notable decrease was between 20062007 for people primarily seen for emergency contraception.

The Michigan Medicine led findings appear in JAMA Network Open.

"Emergency departments are important sites for accessing emergency contraception given their 24-hour access and high acuity care," said senior author Erica Marsh, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan Medical School and chief of the division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at U-M Health Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, of Michigan Medicine.

"We believe this is the first study to specifically examine the association between relevant policy changes and disparities and trends in emergency department visits related to emergency contraception utilization."

A disproportionate rate of younger, low income, Black, Hispanic and Medicaid insured patients were also seen for emergency contraception related visits compared to other emergency department services, researchers found.

"We found an over-representation of certain demographic groups utilizing emergency departments for emergency contraception," Marsh said. "This aligns with previous outpatient research suggesting ongoing barriers to over the counter emergency contraception access and or increased emergency department utilization for other reasons, including sexual assault."

Previous research led by Marsh and colleagues found that sexual assault related ER visits increased by more than 10-fold over the last decade.

Emergency contraception traditionally includes contraceptive methods used to prevent pregnancy in the first few days after unprotected intercourse, sexual assault, or contraceptive failure.

Although the FDA approved the first dedicated product for emergency contraception in 1998, over the counter approval didn't come until 2006 for adults, followed by minors in 2013. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act also mandated emergency contraception insurance coverage in 2012.

While decreases in emergency contraception ER visits may have started before 2006, the steep decline between 20062007 suggests an association, authors say.

Barriers still persist

Researchers analyzed national data of more than 2 million emergency department visits among female-identifying patients aged 1544 during the 14-year period.

Northeast hospitals comprised 44 to 59% of emergency contraception related emergency room visits despite comprising only 1719% of other ER visits.

Meanwhile, southern hospitals made up 4.5 to 17% of emergency contraception related visits despite consistently averaging more than 40% of other types of emergency department visits in 2006.

"Our analysis suggests ongoing barriers in over-the-counter emergency contraception and disparities in utilization for certain populations," Marsh said.

"Future policies should reduce barriers to make emergency contraception safe and affordable to all."

More information: Trends in Encounters for Emergency Contraception in US Emergency Departments, JAMA Network Open (2024). Journal information: JAMA Network Open
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Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In the U.S., cervical cancer is no longer a common cause of cancer death because of the use of a screening test called a Pap smear, which detects changes in cervical cells.

While the overall rate of cervical cancer in the U.S. is declining, the number of people diagnosed with late-stage cervical cancer is increasing, and rates among Black women are disproportionately high. Research also indicates that many women still are not being screened for cervical cancer.

Kristina Butler, M.D., a Mayo Clinic gynecologic oncologist, discusses the tools available to reduce your cervical cancer risk, including a trusted health care professional, the HPV vaccine and regular screening:

Tool No. 1: Find a health care professional you trust

Many people in the U.S. don't have a health care professional they see regularly. The causes are complicated and include being underinsured, barriers related to cost and transportation, and mistrust in the health care systemall of which can lead to late-stage cervical cancer diagnoses and poorer outcomes.

"People need to find a care professional they're comfortable with. Catching changes in the cervix and cancers early improves long-term outcomes," says Dr. Butler.

If you don't visit a health care professional regularly due to cost or lack of insurance, you may be eligible for free or low-cost screening through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program NBCCEDP). A program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the NBCCEDP helps people with low incomes who do not have adequate insurance gain access to breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment. Find a screening program near you.

Your local health department or women's clinic may also provide free or low-cost options for screening. The CDC website offers lists of health departments that you can search to find resources in your area.

Dr. Butler recommends establishing a relationship with a health care professional you see for a checkup once a yeara primary care provider or a gynecologist, a doctor who specializes in female reproductive health.

"During that visit, it's important to discuss symptoms and anything you think may be out of the ordinary related to the genital area. That discussion might prompt the need for a pelvic exam. A person should be comfortable requesting an exam because, in many instances, it's hard to define normal."

Tool No. 2: Get the HPV vaccine for yourself and your children

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by HPV (human papillomavirus) infection, which can also cause cancers of the vagina, vulva, anus, penis, and head and neck. Getting vaccinated against HPV is your best protection against HPV infection and cervical cancer.

"You can receive the vaccine at age nine, and you may still get some protection if you get it up to age 45. With this vaccine, we're hoping to eradicate cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers," says Dr. Butler.

The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for children aged 11 and those under age 26 who were not vaccinated. People younger than 15 can be vaccinated with two doses, six to 12 months apart. People who start the vaccine series later, after age 15, should get three vaccine doses over six months.

Adults 27 to 45 who were not vaccinated should talk to their health care professional about the HPV vaccine. Dr. Butler says the vaccine can provide benefits even after you have been diagnosed with changes to cells in your cervix that make them more likely to develop into cancer or you have been exposed to HPV.

"The HPV vaccine is exciting because it gives us an opportunity to prevent cancer," says Dr. Butler. "We can reduce the risk of several cancers with this vaccine."

Tool No. 3: Start cervical cancer screening at age 21 and follow a schedule

"At Mayo Clinic, we recommend that cervical cancer screening start at age 21 and continue every three to five years, depending on the type of screening performed," says Dr. Butler. "At the time of screening, we do a thorough examination to evaluate multiple areas. We are looking at the vulva, the vagina, the urethral area and the anal area for anything unusual."

In addition to a pelvic exam, your health care professional will conduct a Pap smear, which involves collecting cells from your cervix to detect any changes. Mayo Clinic recommends repeating Pap testing every three years for women ages 21 to 65.

Dr. Butler says you should continue screening following menopause, particularly if you have any bleeding. "At 65, if you have had normal screening test results for quite some time, you can have a discussion with your health care professional about discontinuing," she says. "But we know that 16% of cervical cancer happens in women over the age of 65."

Women age 30 or older can consider Pap testing every five years if the procedure is combined with an HPV test. Knowing whether you have a type of HPV that puts you at high risk of cervical cancer allows you and your care team to decide on the next steps, which may include monitoring or further testing.

Your health care professional may recommend a different screening schedule depending on your risk factors and history of screening results. "A patient may have high-risk factors that require more frequent screening. Examples include people with weakened immune systems or people with a history of cervical dysplasia," says Dr. Butler.

"Following hysterectomy, most people no longer need cervical cancer screening. But if they have high-risk factors, they should speak to their doctor because they might need screening with a Pap smear that can be performed in the vaginal area since there is no longer a cervix."

If you've been diagnosed with cervical cancer, Dr. Butler says new treatments are giving more people hope.

"For people with advanced and recurrent cervical cancer, we use chemotherapy and a targeted therapy drug called bevacizumab, which works by blocking a protein called VEGF," she says. "For some people whose cancer has markers for the protein PD-L1, we're able to use pembrolizumaban immunotherapy drug called an immune checkpoint inhibitor." Pembrolizumab works by binding to the protein PD-1 on the surface of T cells (a type of immune cell). This prevents the cancer cells from weakening the immune system, which can then kill the cancer cells.

"The development of these additional drugs has absolutely improved outcomes," says Dr. Butler.

2024 Mayo Clinic News Network. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Cook County Board voted to settle three cases with a taxpayer tab of more than $8 million Thursday, including awarding nearly $2 million to a former Chicago Public Schools band teacher convicted of criminal sexual assault of a minor.

That teacher, Eugene Westmoreland, was charged with five counts of sexual abuse and assault in 2019. He pleaded guilty to assaulting two young girls in September 2023.

But while detained at Cook County Jail in 2019, Westmoreland, who was using a cane due to balance issues, fell while trying to climb into a top bunk to sleep, according to court documents. He hit his neck on the edge of a metal desk in his cell and landed on the floor.

Westmoreland alleged, according to court documents, that the county did not follow its policy to assign him to a lower bunk. After the fall, he was confined to a wheelchair and alleged the sheriff violated his rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, and that the jail staff showed deliberate indifference to his medical needs.

Commissioners agreed to settle the allegation of a civil rights violation for $1.85 million.

They also approved a $2.4 million settlement to John Velez, who sued the city and county for his wrongful murder conviction related to the 2001 shooting of Anthony Huenaca.

Velezs conviction for Huenacas murder was thrown out in 2017 after Cook County prosecutors dropped charges, citing errors at his trial.

Among those errors: A damning statement from Velezs girlfriend was recanted, and lawyers argued it never should have been included at trial. She said police threatened to take away her daughter if she didnt attest to a statement implicating Velez.

Velezs lawyers sought redress in a 2018 lawsuit against the city of Chicago and the county for the states attorneys role in his prosecution.

The board also approved a $4 million settlement to Paxton Kennedy, the manager of the estate of Grant Bahr. The alleged medical negligence at Stroger Hospital, according to court documents, resulted in Bahr suffering chronic and incurable malnutrition and a terminal prognosis. He died in 2021, court records say.

aquig@chicagotribune.com
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A new toolkit to increase supervised toothbrushing for younger children aims to address health equalities caused by tooth decay.

Researchers from the University of Sheffield, University of Leeds and Bradford Improvement Academy, have developed free online resources for NHS organizations, local government, schools, nurseries and parents, as part of the BRUSH project to better support existing and new toothbrushing programs.

A quarter of 5-year-olds in England have tooth decay, this can rise up to 50% in deprived areas of the country. The burden of tooth decay is significant, causing pain, as well as affecting what children eat, their speech, sleep, quality of life and attendance at nursery or school.

Treatment of decay is the most common reason why young children are admitted to hospital (33,000 each year), costing the NHS more than 50 million annually.

Co-lead of the study, Professor Zoe Marshman, Professor in Dental Public Health at the University of Sheffield, said, "One of the key ways to prevent tooth decay is toothbrushing with a fluoride toothpaste. Toothbrushing programs in nurseries and early years at school are really important to complement toothbrushing at home.

"We already know supervised toothbrushing programs for young children are effective in reducing tooth decay, and easy for nurseries/schools to run. However, the uptake and maintenance of these programs has been fragmented.

"The new toolkit will make it easier for new toothbrushing programs to be set up, meaning more children will be able to benefit from the programs so less children suffer from tooth decay and its consequences."

The BRUSH project was conducted by researchers from the University of Sheffield, University of Leeds and Bradford Improvement Academy. The researchers worked with NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Yorkshire and Humber to understand how best to implement and evaluate supervised toothbrushing programs.

Co-lead of the BRUSH study, Dr. Kara Gray-Burrows Lecturer in Behavioral Science & Complex Intervention Methodology at the University of Leeds, said, "We know that there's good practice and excellent resources out there, so our project was about bringing together all that's already good and seeing what gaps there were.

"The toolkit is a central one-stop-shop sharing best practice and containing new materials we have developed to give organizations setting up these programs, nurseries, schools, parents and children the relevant information and resources easily."

Talking about the toothbrushing club at Tinsley Meadows Primary Academy in Sheffield, David Yates (Nursery Teacher ), said, "At first I did think, we're going to do toothbrushing now and we've got 60 children, what if it is chaos and they're all brushing each other's hair or things like that! But they are really good at it, seem to enjoy and engage with it."

Professor Claire Stevens CBE, Spokesperson from The British Society of Pediatric Dentistry, said, "BSPD welcomes the BRUSH initiative. We know that a targeted supervised toothbrushing approach is one of the priority solutions to tackling the oral health inequalities in our society.

"The fact that BRUSH will provide a new free access-to-all toolkit to help facilitate supervised toothbrushing will go a long way to making this simple but highly effective intervention get traction. It will improve young children's oral health in the short term while setting them on the path to a lifetime of good oral care practice for life.

"While BSPD believes that every child should have a 'dental home'an ongoing and preventively focused relationship with an NHS dentist, with children's dental services in crisis, we urgently need to take a creative approach to address the persistent and immoral inequalities we see in children's oral health. BRUSH provides a wonderful toolkit that will help everyone showing children how to clean their teeth."

Hayden Ridsdale, Strategy and Transformation Program Manager, NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, said, "As a commissioner of dental services in West Yorkshire I think the BRUSH toolkit is a fantastic resource to enable the implementation of supervised toothbrushing schemes. In West Yorkshire we've embedded it into our contracts with our five local authority partners to ensure good practice guides service delivery."
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Opening Up, a zine created by grassroots organization Tight Lipped, advocates for people with chronic vulvovaginal and pelvic pain. The 80-page zine, which was first published in 2020, is filled with art illustrations, Q&A interviews, handwritten letters and poems from people living with conditions including vulvodynia, vestibulodynia (a form of vulvodynia and a general term for pain in the vestibule), pelvic-floor dysfunction (when the pelvic floor muscles function abnormally) and vulvar lichen sclerosus (a skin condition that primarily affects the genital skin).

Up to 28% of women deal with these physical conditions, which affect people's daily lives when it comes activities such as having sex, using tampons and wearing pants, according to a 2013 study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology that polled nearly 20,000 women. (This study doesn't appear to be inclusive of all gender identities.)

Because these medical issues aren't required study in most residency programs, including those for gynecologists, many patients are misdiagnosed or aren't given a diagnosis at all from their doctor. Also, for some people, the shame and embarrassment related to having one of these conditions keeps them from seeking treatment altogether.

Opening Up features entries from more than 50 contributors of various ages and backgrounds who come from L.A., San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Brooklyn and Indianapolis as well Australia, Canada, France, the U.K. and Germany.

In Opening Up, there's an entry from a 78-year-old woman, who wrote about how vulvodynia affected her marriage. Another entry tells the story of a woman who added her conditionsvulvodynia and pelvic-floor painto her dating app profiles to inform potential suitors. Some of the entries are anonymous, and content warnings appear on stories that discuss sensitive topics such as sexual assault.

In 2022, Tight Lipped launched a campaign for OB-GYN residency programs to include vulvovaginal and pelvic pain curriculum. The organization's first major win was at Yale School of Medicine, which will offer this area of study as an elective for residents, according to Dr. Yonghee Cho, an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the school.

Fleischacker said Tight Lipped is hoping to work with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and USC on future curriculum.

Tight Lipped also wants to make change on a federal level. When President Biden announced the first White House initiative on women's health in November, the organization sent a letter with signatures from more than 800 patients, medical students and health care experts to call for chronic vulvovaginal and pelvic pain to be included as a priority area of focus.

In the zine's foreword, the creators make it clear that Opening Up isn't just for people who are coping with these conditions. Rather they encourage people to share the publication with everyone they know including their romantic partners, doctors, high-school sex education teachers, family and friends.

"It's going to take more than just all the patients," Poree said. "I think that the more the general public knows about these conditions, the easier it is for people to talk about them and get directed to the help that they need."

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
COTABATO CITY  A measure has been filed in the Bangsamoro Parliament seeking to rename the municipality of Sultan Mastura to Subpangen in M...
Maclay Bridge has been sidelined after Missoula County closed the historic bridge spanning the Bitterroot River on Friday because of structural concerns.

The Montana Department of Transportation recently said the bridge, on the western edge of the Target Range neighborhood, can no longer carry traffic safely or reliably. MDT is responsible for determining the safety of bridges around the state, but the county is responsible for determining what to do next with the failing structure.

Public Works staff will evaluate the feasibility and cost associated with temporarily repairing the (Maclay) bridge, but may ultimately decide to close the bridge permanently, a Jan. 25 release from the county said.

Though its possible the county can still restore the bridge, previously estimated at $3.6 million in 2022, state and county officials hope to build a new bridge from South Avenue to River Pines Road after approval through the National Environmental Policy Act.

The new bridge, known as the Bitterroot River Bridge, is currently in the design phase and awaiting environmental approval. If the federal government signs off on a categorical exclusion of the project, construction on the bridge is estimated to start in 2026.

Unlike the Maclay Bridge, which is the countys financial responsibility, the new bridge would be funded by federal and state gas tax funds through MDTs Off-System Bridge Program. The Bitterroot River Bridge was estimated to cost $15.4 million in 2022.

Maclay Bridge was built in 1953. The single-lane structure connected North Avenue West with the east end of River Pines Road. In 2016 the bridge was added onto the National Register of Historic Places. Despite its long-standing history, talks of removing the bridge have been ongoing for several years.

The Missoulian reported in 2022 that the Missoula County Commissioners unanimously recommended to the Federal Highway Administration that the historic bridge should be removed if the new bridge is approved nearby.

Commissioners previously said the addition of another bridge nearby would create negative hydrological impacts to the Bitterroot River. Commissioners also said building the new bridge and removing the Maclay Bridge would be the most cost-efficient path.

Some groups oppose the removal of Maclay Bridge, including the Maclay Bridge Alliance. The alliance said in 2022 that the county should rehabilitate the historic structure instead of building a new bridge.

Members of the group argued the county should have stayed neutral through the start of the environmental review process. A phone call and email to the alliance was not returned by press time.

Until a decision is reached, there will be no access through North Avenue to River Pines Road, including for pedestrians and cyclists. Those who use the bridge can take detours through Big Flat Road, Mullan Road, Reserve Street, Blue Mountain Road and Highway 93.

The county must replace several bridges in the region as aging infrastructure reaches the end of their lifespans. In November the county closed the Boy Scout Bridge in Seeley Lake because of structural concerns.

That bridge, which spans the Clearwater River, was built in the late 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. A new bridge there would cost $5.7 million and is expected to be reopened in 2027.

Two more bridges in Condon and one in Greenough also need repairs to stay in operation. The county has applied for multiple state and federal grants to pay for the four rural bridges, which together cost roughly $20 million.
For Skip Kowalski, the thought of snowmobiles riding the pristine backcountry of the Great Burn really gets his goat.

Hes worried they actually will.

As a board member of the Great Burn Conservation Alliance, Kowalski is raising alarm over a move by the U.S. Forest Service to allow motorized winter recreation in about 43,000 acres of remote, mountainous wildlife habitat where such activity has been banned since 2012. The group has long been worried about snowmobiles impact on mountain goats, and they attribute the goats sharp population drop on the south end of the Great Burn area, about 43 miles west of Missoula straddling the border with Idaho, to illegal snowmobile and snowbike riding there in 2017.

Others arent as sure. Stan Spencer, who formed Backcountry Sled Patriots in the wake of riders 2012 ouster from the area, contends that snowmobilers generally dont overlap with mountain goats winter or spring habitat in the Great Burn. Plus, he notes, snowmobile and snowbike tracks melt away each spring, leaving no further trace; they take their noise with them as they move, and many other popular riding locations are home to robust and growing goat populations.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the GBCA blamed snowmobiles for goats disappearance around Blacklead Mountain. Spencer contends there was no evidence actually linking the two.

To Kowalski and others opposed to the change, it appears even the Forest Service cant decide. The agency deemed mountain goats a species of conservation concern on the Montana side of the Great Burn, in the Lolo National Forest, citing the negative effect of snowmobiles and increasingly popular snowbikes  a motorcycle outfitted with a ski instead of a front wheel and a powered track instead of a rear wheel. But that decision came after the agency had decided motorized winter recreation was not a threat to goats on the Idaho side of the Great Burn. The agency didnt list mountain goats as a species of conservation concern on the Idaho side, in the Nez Perce-Clearwater forest (nicknamed the Nez-Clear).

How was it, many wondered, that the same agency could come to seemingly opposite conclusions about snowmobiles effect on the same populations of goats in the same area?

Its just written with different information and opposite conclusions for landscapes that are all connected, GBCA board member Sarah Bates said in a Jan. 8 interview. George Nickas, executive director of Wilderness Watch, also told the Missoulian he didnt understand the diverging decisions.

Studies have found that mountain goats avoid areas of concentrated winter recreation, such as developed ski areas or popular backcountry riding spots. The same is true for wolverines, another species GBCA worries about and one that was just listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. But Spencer points to different research showing the species arent as affected by dispersed or less frequent winter recreation, like the type of tough, remote riding he contends only a sliver of snowmobilers trek to the Great Burn to find.

Forest Service officials rejected the notion of opposite determinations. They explained that determining species of conservation concern is a process of examining an entire national forest and deciding which species lacking special protection, such as a listing under the Endangered Species Act, might not be able to persist on the forest in years to come unless additional conservation measures are taken. That analysis doesnt necessarily examine specific threats in specific places, they said, such as motorized activity in one small portion of a forest.

Apply that to mountain goats: The species was deemed one of conservation concern on Montanas Lolo National Forest because the species is at risk of not persisting across the entire national forest unless given extra attention. Meanwhile, the species is faring well overall across the breadth of adjacent Nez Perce-Clearwater in Idaho, so it wasnt one of additional conservation concern there.

And, Forest Service officials note, the agency is required to ensure the continued existence of all species found on land it manages, regardless of whether they have any sort of special conservation status.

The Lolo, as I understand it  theyre in a very different situation in terms of numbers and stability of populations, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest Supervisor Cheryl Probert said in a Jan. 11 interview.

Were not saying theres not potential conflicts between recreation and mountain goats, Nez-Clear Revision Team Lead Zach Peterson added. But the populations of mountain goat are not in those areas were opening up based on modeled habitat and Idaho Fish and Game data going back 50-60 years. Theres not a conflict with mountain goats because thats not where they are.

Across the state line, Lolo National Forest Supervisor Carolyn Upton said in a Jan. 19 interview that it would be incorrect to think that theyre not going to take care of mountain goats and we are. In fact, Lolo Revision Team Lead Amanda Milburn said, mountain goats originally werent going to be listed on the Lolo either, but public comments from individuals and groups like the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes changed the agencys mind.

A really important element of planning is listening to the public  and the SCC process incorporates that as well, Milburn said. In large part, on the information they brought forward, thats why mountain goats were added to the SCC list.

And it wasnt even Probert or Upton who decided the list of species of conservation concern on their respective forests. Those determinations were made at a higher level, by Region 1 Forester Leanne Marten.

Regional reasoning

Before he was a GBCA board member, Kowalski was a wildlife biologist who worked at the Forest Services Region 1 office in Missoula. The office oversees national forests and grasslands in Montana, Idahos northern panhandle and the Dakotas. That includes Montanas Lolo National Forest, which lines the states border with Idaho west of Missoula, and the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest on Idahos side of the border.

The two forests share the storied Great Burn area, a 252,000-acre jumble of peaks and lakes in both states, stretching roughly from Lolo Pass on the southeast to Lookout Pass on the northwest. The national forest boundary runs along the state line.

The heart of the Great Burn landscape is the Hoodoo Recommended Wilderness Area, spanning from west of Lolo Pass to Hoodoo Pass, southwest of Superior. The Hoodoo RWA, in the same shape since 1986, takes up most of the Hoodoo Roadless Area  the largest roadless area of Forest Service land in the Lower 48.

The looming change in snowmobile access comes as the Nez-Clear and Lolo national forests each revise their forest plans, which are somewhat like zoning codes for national forests. Neither has been revised since the late 1980s, and the forests are currently operating on those decades-old plans. The plan revision process requires reassessing recommended wilderness areas  decisions made at the forest level  and listing species of conservation concern, as determined by the regional forester.

The Nez-Clear plan, which is nearing finalization, would dramatically change the shape of the Hoodoo RWA on the Idaho side. An area around Blacklead Mountain on the southern end of the RWA, north of Lochsa Lodge and west of Lolo Pass, would be removed from the RWA. And the northern strip of the Idaho side of the RWA, from just south of Fish Lake all the way to Hoodoo Pass, would be entirely removed from the RWA.

The changes reflect comments submitted during the planning process by Backcountry Sled Patriots, the Idaho State Snowmobile Association and others seeking to regain access to the areas after losing it when a 2012 travel management plan on the forest banned motorized travel in the RWA. The changes would also reopen the Stateline Trail through the Great Burn to mountain bikes, which similarly lost access in 2012.

The mapping that we mostly agreed on, Spencer said, was almost identical to what came out in the (draft) record of decision.

Once the new forest plan is finalized, the Forest Service would revisit and could alter its 2012 travel plan to formally re-allow winter motorized access in areas removed from the RWA. Access would not change until the travel rule is changed for specific areas.

It was OK to ride snowmobiles in the recommended wilderness until 2012, until the Clearwater Travel Management Plan was made, Probert noted, adding that the areas proposed for removal from the RWA were some very important, unique in our general region, areas for motorized use.

Probert and Peterson said that rather than decide to re-allow motorized use in recommended wilderness  Region 1 forests generally manage RWAs as if they were already congressionally designated wilderness  they instead proposed changing the shape of the Hoodoo RWA to remove the key snowmobile areas from it.

Motorized winter use has been prohibited on the Lolos portion of the Hoodoo RWA since the late 90s.

Conservation concern

The regional office completed the species of conservation concern list for the Lolo last fall. The list included mountain goats.

Marten, the regional forester, wrote, Compared to other ungulates, the species appears particularly sensitive to human disturbance. Motorized and non-motorized recreation, as well as aerial vehicles, are well documented to affect the species, particularly during winter and kid-rearing season, with impacts ranging from permanent or seasonal (displacement), to changes in behavior and productivity.

But in declining to list mountain goats as a species of conservation concern on the adjacent Nez Perce-Clearwater, she wrote that there was some concern about unauthorized snowmobile use in an area where winter motorized use was prohibited, but that its effects hadnt been studied. She wrote that there was no substantial concern for the species persistence on that forest, despite past over-hunting reducing populations in some places, in part because over-hunting had been corrected and most habitat is in designated wilderness or Idaho roadless areas, removed from stressors associated with motorized use.

Timory Peel, the regional director for ecosystem planning at the Region 1 office, said in a Jan. 22 interview that she didnt see the different listing decisions as being in conflict with each other. Rather, she said, they reflect that mountains goats are doing better overall on one forest than the other.

Each unit identifies species of conservation concern specific to ecological conditions on their unit at a landscape scale, she said. Land-management planning is done on the landscape scale, its not like site-specific planning where were looking at specific effects.

She explained that the bar is very high to be identified as a species of conservation concern. Basically there needs to be evidence for substantial concern for the species persistence. And the different decisions on neighboring forests with a shared landscape didnt seem unusual to her: To me thats not an uncommon thing for us to do when youre looking at a landscape-level review.

Probert and Peterson stressed that the areas proposed for removal from the Hoodoo RWA were ones that didnt overlap with high concentrations of mountain goats.

Spillover

GBCA board members worry that changes to the shape of the Hoodoo RWA on the Nez Perce-Clearwater in Idaho could influence a change to the shape of the Hoodoo RWA in Montana as the Lolo revises its plan. Prior to the Nez Perce-Clearwaters proposal to change the RWA, the areas boundary lines matched together on both sides. Under the new plan, the bulk of the RWAs northern half, which sits in Montana, would no longer be matched by RWA on the Idaho side of the border.

The new shape of the RWA on the Idaho side, critics worry, would force the Lolo to make its part of the area match, too.

Its painting the Nez into a corner and also the Lolo as far as how this management is going to play out, Kowalski said, positing that one forest or the other would have to adjust, or readjust, its part of the RWA to match the other.

Probert and Peterson said they didnt see anything in their new plan that would force Upton and the Lolo plan into certain outcomes. And, they noted, opening or closing certain areas to motorized use is determined in travel management plans, not forest plans. The latter is the guide for the former, but other factors are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Upton pointed out that forest plans and travel management plans are continually updated and amended  the Nez Perce-Clearwater could keep making changes after its new plan is in place, possibly in response to the Lolo. And, she said, although she is striving to maintain cross-boundary continuity, it might not be perfect. How the Lolos new plan and recommended wilderness areas take shape would be informed by years of forthcoming public comment and analysis, she said.

Bates argued that the regional office should be pushing the parties toward compatibility with their plans. But Peel noted that changes contained in a 2012 Forest Service planning rule placed the plan revision process in the hands of forest supervisors, not the regional office. The regional office simply makes sure supervisors follow the law during plan revision, she said.

Spencer said he hadnt finalized his list of places on the Lolo side of the Great Burn that snowmobilers hope to regain access to, but that he would be heavily involved in the plan revision process, just as he was on the Idaho side. There, he said, he appreciated Proberts willingness to engage on the snowmobile access issue. He said he supports the area continuing to be managed for primitive backcountry experiences  no big parking lots or groomed trails  and conserved for wildlife habitat. But he thinks that could be better accomplished through something like a national protection area or national recreation area designation, rather than recommended wilderness or a formal wilderness designation that bans all but foot, horseback or ski travel.

These RWAs, theyre languishing in perpetuity (without congressional designation) and in Region 1 theyre basically de facto wilderness, he said. There has to be some multi-use, and that was one reason the snowmobilers were such a bad word with the wilderness folks, is because they see it as infringing on their property.

Probert echoed the multiple-use philosophy in explaining the new plan.

Its always been our goal to make sure people who were engaged in the process could see their fingerprints on the pieces of the decision, she said. Its not exactly how everybody wants it, but they could see their influence on the decision, because this is all of our public lands.
WASHINGTON  A man who stormed the U.S. Capitol with fellow Proud Boys extremist group members was sentenced on Wednesday to six years in prison after he berated and insulted the judge who punished him.

Marc Bru repeatedly interrupted Chief Judge James Boasberg before he handed down the sentence, calling him a "clown" and a "fraud" presiding over a "kangaroo court." The judge warned Bru that he could be kicked out of the courtroom if he continued to disrupt the proceedings.

"You can give me 100 years and I'd do it all over again," said Bru, who was handcuffed and shackled.

"That's the definition of no remorse in my book," the judge said.

Prosecutors described Bru as one of the least remorseful rioters who assaulted the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. They say Bru planned for an armed insurrection  a "January 6 2.0" attack  to take over the government in Portland, Oregon, several weeks after the deadly riot in Washington, D.C.

"He wanted a repeat of January 6, only he implied this time would be more violent," prosecutors wrote in a court filing ahead of his sentencing.

Bru has been representing himself with an attorney on standby. He has spewed anti-government rhetoric that appears to be inspired by the sovereign citizen movement. At the start of the hearing, Bru demanded that the judge and a prosecutor turn over five years of their financial records.

The judge gave him a 10-minute break to confer with his standby lawyer before the hearing resumed with more interruptions.

"I don't accept any of your terms and conditions," Bru said. "You're a clown and not a judge."

Prosecutors had warned the court that Bru intended to disrupt his sentencing. On Tuesday, he called in to a nightly vigil outside the jail where he and other rioters are being held. He told supporters of the detained Jan. 6 defendants that he would "try to put on a good show" at his sentencing.

Boasberg convicted Bru of seven charges, including two felonies, after hearing trial testimony without a jury in October.

Prosecutors recommended a prison sentence of seven years and three months for Bru, a resident of Washington state.

"Bru appears to have envisioned and been planning for a true armed insurrection, and from his post-conviction comments, he appears only to have become further radicalized and angry since then," they wrote.

Bru absconded before his trial, skipped two court hearings and "defiantly boasted via Twitter that the government would have to come get him if it wanted him."

"Approximately a month later, it did," prosecutors added.

Bru represented himself at his bench trial but didn't present a defense. Instead, he repeatedly proclaimed that he refused to "consent" to the trial and "showed nothing but contempt for the Court and the government," prosecutors wrote.

Bru flew from Portland, Oregon, to Washington a day before then-President Donald Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally near the White House. Before Trump's speech, he joined dozens of other Proud Boys in marching to the Capitol and was one of the first rioters to breach a restricted area near Peace Circle.

Bru grabbed a barricade and shoved it against police officers. He later joined other rioters inside the Capitol and entered the Senate gallery, where he flashed a hand gesture associated with the Proud Boys as he posed for selfie photos. He spent roughly 13 minutes inside the building.

Several weeks after the riot, Bru exchanged text messages with a friend about buying gas masks in bulk. He also texted a Proud Boys recruit and indicated that he wanted to "repeat the violence and lawlessness of January 6 in Portland in order to take over the local government," prosecutors said.

"In fact, those text messages indicate that Bru's chief takeaway from January 6 is that it was not violent enough or not sufficiently dedicated to overthrowing the government," prosecutors wrote. "In other words, in the aftermath of January 6, Bru was plotting an armed insurrection, not feeling remorseful."

The FBI initially arrested Bru in March 2021 in Vancouver, Washington. After his pretrial release, Bru was charged with separate drunken driving-related offenses in Idaho and Montana.

In July, Bru was secretly living in Montana when a drunken driver hit his car. Police officers who responded to the collision arrested Bru on a warrant stemming from his failure to appear in court before trial. He has "continued to spew disinformation" from jail since his re-arrest and trial, prosecutors said.

"If anything, he appears to be growing more defiant and radicalized," they wrote.

More than 1,200 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related crimes. About 900 have pleaded guilty or been convicted after trials. Over 750 have been sentenced, with roughly two-thirds receiving some term of imprisonment, according to data compiled by The Associated Press.
My recent column about North Carolinas First in Freedom claim established the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. But now, as legendary broadcaster Paul Harvey frequently said, youre going to hear the rest of the story.

North Carolinas prominence was due to a group of bold, visionary and patriotic leaders. None started with the intent of staging a revolution. All they wanted was for the citizens of the 13 colonies to be afforded the same rights as all British citizens, namely that they could not be taxed without representation. Parliament repeatedly ignored those rights, so these proud colonists rose in opposition, convinced Parliament would see the error of their actions. Parliament, however, was convinced the 13 colonies were so different they would never unite and fight, according to historian Nelson McDaniel. Were they ever wrong!

Lets examine a few of North Carolinas leaders you might recognize.

Samuel Johnston was served in the colonial assembly, headed the Provincial Congress and was the first non-royal governor, a delegate to the Continental Congress, was president of our convention to ratify the new constitution and our first US Senator. His brother-in-law, James Iredell, was also an Edenton lawyer who articulated in writing many principles contained in the Declaration of Independence. Iredell was influential in the formation of our state government, especially our judicial system. President Washington appointed him one of the first Associate Justices to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Richard Caswell was speaker of the Colonial Assembly, led the New Bern Minutemen at the battle of Moores Creek Bridge, was elected governor and chaired the committee to draft our first constitution. Cornelius Harnett was chairman of the Sons of Liberty protesting the Stamp Act. Dubbed the Samuel Adams of North Carolina. Harnett headed the Committee of Correspondence, was a member of the Continental Congress and signed the Articles of Confederation. Joseph Hewes, delegate to the first Continental Congress helped in the formation in the colonies first Navy and signed the Declaration of Independence, along with John Penn and William Hooper.

Hugh Williamson, a physician and scientist noted for his wisdom was called the Benjamin Franklin of North Carolina. Hugh was a delegate to the Constitutional Congress and signed the U.S. Constitution, along with Richard Dobbs Spaight and William Blount.

Other notable names included John Harvey, Thomas Burke, William R. Davie and Alexander Martin, but no list could exclude Penelope Barker.

Details are sketchy as to who organized and led the Edenton Tea Party, but Penelope Barker is most identified with the event where 51 Edenton ladies signed a petition protesting taxes on English tea. Barker sent that petition to newspapers throughout the colonies and in London, attaching a strongly worded letter of protest to King George. The Edenton Tea Party was the first recorded case of women asserting their political principles in writing and including their names to such a petition.

These bold, visionary leaders were willing to risk their families, futures, fortunes and freedom, not just for their own rights, but for the rights of others. Their lives were forever changed, but so was our future.

McDaniel concluded a recent talk on North Carolinas leadership calling what resulted a rebellion, not a revolution. Colonial leaders responded to Parliament with measure, reason and wisdom, finally resorting to armed conflict.

As I reflected on his remarks, I wondered who are the visionary, bold leaders of today? Im old enough to remember Bill Friday, Terry Sanford, Archie Davis, John Medlin, Sherwood Smith, Jim Hunt, Susie Sharp, Howard Lee, Bill Lee, Gordon and Copey Hanes, Frank Kenan, Jim Broyhill and other notables from business, education and politics from the 50s and beyond. It is not so easy to identify their likes today.

I recently conducted an informal survey of approximately 70 people I respect (from both parties, several disciplines and different philosophies) asking them to name North Carolinas current bold, visionary leaders. I was disappointed  but not surprised  when most reported having trouble naming current leaders who fit the description.

We currently face challenges in our homeland not seen since the Civil War. Our future success is dependent on unity, not division and to move forward together we desperately need visionary, bold, wise and unifying leadership.

McDaniel concluded his remarks by saying North Carolinas colonial leaders answered the threats and challenges they faced by starting a war with what was then the most powerful nation on earth, resulting in the founding of a new nation.

He reminded his audience of Benjamin Franklins response upon leaving a session of the Constitutional Convention. A woman asked him, What kind of government have you given us?

Franklins answer was direct, saying A democracy if you can keep it.

Todays challenge is whether we have the courage and wisdom to keep their creation?
A 14-year-old boy was a victim of a hit-and-run at 8:15 a.m. Friday at the intersection of Main and Porphyry streets.

According to Butte-Silver Bow County Sheriff Ed Lester, Butte police, Butte Fire Rescue and A-1 Ambulance responded.

The teenager was walking east across Main Street when he was hit by a car driving southbound on Main. Witnesses said the driver stopped briefly, then drove away from the scene.

Another witness followed the driver to Walgreens, 2611 Harrison Ave., where the 63-year-old suspect was taken into custody by Butte police. His name has not been released.

The victim was conscious and alert when he was transported to St. James Healthcare. No other information about his condition was available Friday afternoon.

The incident remains under investigation.
From the Board of Regents and legislative biennium meetings to school hallways and college classrooms, it seems like everyone is trying to predict how artificial intelligence will impact education in Montana and what to do about it. AI will be a fixture in the academic experience and professional future for every student in the state, and Montanas educators are trying to catch up.

We are hearing about it everywhere, said Todd Buchanan, vice chair of Montanas Board of Regents, the governing body for the states higher education institutions, at the January meeting in Helena. We understand that we need to get our arms around it. (We want) to be at the front edge of what we do and how we handle it.

Artificial intelligence  a rapidly growing form of technology that enables automated machines to think, learn and perform many of the same tasks as humans  became ubiquitous in what felt like a blink.

ChatGPT, a program that can answer questions or create images, texts or videos based on user prompts, was released in November 2022. Within two months, it had 100 million users, the fastest growing emerging technology in recent history, leapfrogging the likes of Facebook by a factor of years.

While the instinctual response of educators was to resist the infiltration of AI in the name of academic integrity, the tide has largely shifted. Words like inevitable, inflexion point and revolutionize were used by Montana policymakers to describe the technologys presence in just the last month.

Even creatures of academia, notorious skeptics of moving too fast or too soon, have started to recognize AI isnt some fleeting trend, but rather here to stay. Students of all ages are embracing it as a new normal, using tools like ChatGPT to solve math problems, write essays or conduct research.

Many experts say its best to assume nearly every student in a college classroom is using AI on assignments. One study concluded that 58% of high-school students surveyed had used the technology, with that number jumping to nearly 75% among students receiving special education, and 20% of teens have used it in schoolwork, according to PEW Research Center.

We have to get past the idea that theres something bad about AI, said Ron Yanosky, the Chief Information Officer of education consulting firm EAB during the University of Montanas AI Symposium on Jan. 16. We need to think about how we actually use it.

AI enthusiasts make a compelling case for the technologys potential as a tool for good.

K-12 teachers are experiencing record-high burnout, and schools are struggling with increasing vacancy rates and resignations. AI can ease the burden, according to Caitlin Byers from the Montana Digital Academy.

We think that AI can be an innovative solution for teachers, she told lawmakers during the joint Modernization & Risk Analysis and Education Interim Committee Meeting on Jan. 10. We want to keep good teachers in the classroom and support them.

With more students and fewer teachers, Byers said AI could make it easier to assess student proficiency, customize content for kids performing at different academic levels and connect with learners more efficiently outside the hours of direct instruction.

Laura Stanley, the director of the Human Interaction Lab at Montana State University, noted the technology can create more inclusive educational environments by identifying special learning needs and addressing them on an individual basis.

College campuses that incorporate AI into their curricula will set their students up for greater success in the workforce of the future, one thats highly digital.

As many as 2 million manufacturing workers will have their jobs replaced by AI, according to MIT and Boston University research. Another report from a global investment bank concluded that AI could eventually replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs, but it could also raise global GDP by 7%.

Schools can start integrating AI literacy  how to understand the technologys capabilities, limitations and ethical considerations  into college coursework to create a skilled labor force in this new economy as well as a generation of responsible AI practitioners and informed citizens, Stanley said.

UM is funding a number of $10,000 grants to support faculty projects dedicated to better understanding and leveraging AI on campus. The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education created an AI task force to discern how to use the technology effectively in higher education. Stanleys Human Interaction Lab at MSU is piloting technology to enhance the human experience such as remote health applications like wearable watches and virtual reality as a form of mental health therapy.

The hope is that investments from all education stakeholders in AI can help quell possible negative consequences of automation, and keep educators from falling too far behind.

Still, smart machines cant replace everything, some say, so educators should proceed with caution.

Somewhere along the way, you have to do the thing, said Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, said during the January committee meeting. I couldnt have learned to write without having to write. I couldnt have learned to do math without having to do math.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  Two little blue penguins just couldn't stay away from a New Zealand sushi store, returning to nest there even after police had captured them and escorted them back to the ocean.

Wellington police described them as "waddling vagrants," while the store's co-owner joked he had no idea that word of his tasty raw fish had reached as far as the subaquatic community.

But Jack Mace, an operations manager for the Department of Conservation, said the birds would have simply thought they had found a snug burrow underneath the store and wouldn't have taken note of what was being sold above them.

"They were within penguin commuting distance of the harbor, and they thought they'd found a nice spot," Mace said.

Police got the first call about a penguin loose in the city on Saturday night, after somebody reported spotting a grumpy bird under a parked car. Police said they managed to release it back into the ocean.

Then police starting taking more calls on Monday and found two penguins huddled under the Sushi Bi store near the capital's busy train station.

"The waddling vagrants were removed from their sushi stand refuge earlier today by Constable John Zhu," police wrote on their Facebook page. "Unsurprisingly, this was not the first report police had received about the fishy birds."

And it turned out it wouldn't be the last.

Within hours, the two penguins were back underneath the shop.

Co-owner Long Lin said he was tidying up the storage room when he heard a sound from near the water tank. He walked outside and peered underneath the store and thought he was looking at a pigeon.

"And then I was like, 'Oh my God, it's a penguin," he said. "I was panicked. I didn't know what to do."

He called authorities, but meanwhile the penguins waddled out. So he grabbed them one by one and put them inside the store. He said the second penguin pecked at him several times, leaving red welts on his chest.

"It was a bit wild," he said.

Inside the store, the birds strutted about seemingly without a care, to the amazement of worker Shawnee Kim.

"Really cute," she said.

Kim said she tried offering them some fresh salmon, but they didn't seem interested.

Mace said rangers managed to extract the birds from under the store's freezer and put them in a special nesting box on the harbor, which is about a 200-meter (660-foot) waddle from the store.

Mace said the penguins haven't been seen since and may be out at sea.

He said the population of little blue penguins has rebounded in Wellington thanks to the efforts of people who have removed predators from three islands in the harbor and have helped with other conservation efforts, like building artificial nest boxes.

Little blue penguins typically start looking for nesting spots in July and start laying eggs in August.

 By NICK PERRY Associated Press
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham on Thursday said race has been injected into the Democratic primary contest for a seat on the high court by her opponent, state Appellate Judge Jesse Reyes.

While I think its very interesting and distracting to inject race into the race, no pun intended, I think its really important to look at the credentials, to look at the experience, Cunningham said during a candidate forum hosted by the Union League Club of Chicago and the Chicago Bar Association.

And when it comes to experience, Cunningham said, I am the best candidate because Im already doing the job and doing it well.

But Reyes argued that ethnicity is important in the race because no Latino has ever sat on the states highest court.

I dont know if its so much race, Reyes said. I think what its about is about voice, diversity and inclusion.

Cunningham, who was appointed to a vacant Supreme Court seat in 2022, and Reyes, an appellate judge since 2012, are vying for their partys nomination for a 10-year term filling one of Cook Countys three seats on the court. No Republican candidates filed to run in the GOP primary, so the winner of the March 19 Democratic primary likely will be unopposed on the November general election.

The contest between Cunningham, who is Black and has the backing of the Cook County Democratic Party, and Reyes, who is Latino, has become a flashpoint in the long-smoldering tensions between those key blocs in the Democratic coalition, and it comes as the countys Latino population is on the rise and the Black population is declining.

Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham listens to her introduction during an Illinois Supreme Court justices candidates forum on Jan. 25, 2024, at The Union League Club of Chicago.

Beyond their disagreements over the role racial and ethnic identity should play in the contest, there were few major points of contention between the veteran jurists during the roughly hourlong forum, moderated by WGN-TV political analyst Paul Lisnek.

Both candidates spoke repeatedly of the role Illinois government has played in protecting access to abortion and other reproductive health services after the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 struck down the federal right to abortion conferred by its earlier ruling in Roe v. Wade.

Cunningham argued that state courts are more important than ever as the federal courts kick abortion and other contentious issues back to the states.

We have become the gatekeepers of all of the rights that we hold dear, she said.

Reyes said were very fortunate in Illinois to have a legislature and governor and court system that works to provide protection for peoples rights  reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights.

They were less forthcoming on another key issue, gun rights. Neither candidate would go into specifics when Lisnek asked what guidance they might offer the state legislatures Democratic supermajority about how far they could go in enacting restrictions on firearms without infringing on the right to bear arms.

If the legislature did attempt to push the envelope on a certain issue, like the Second Amendment, Reyes said, justices would communicate that through their rulings.

Wallace Gator Bradley who supports Appellate Court Judge Jesse Reyes wears a pin during an Illinois Supreme Court justices candidates forum between Democratic party candidates Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham and Appellate Court Judge Jesse Reyes on Jan. 25, 2024, at The Union League Club of Chicago.

For her part, Cunningham noted her vote with the majority in the high courts 4-3 ruling in August that upheld the states ban on certain high-powered guns and high-capacity ammunition magazines. But that opinion, written by fellow Democratic Justice Elizabeth Rochford, explicitly did not make any determination on whether the law violates the Second Amendment.

The U.S. Supreme Court earlier this month declined to take up the case on appeal.

Regardless of the outcome of the primary, the state Supreme Courts 5-2 Democratic advantage over Republicans is unlikely to change.

The only other Supreme Court race on ballot this year is in the 4th Judicial District, which encompasses 41 counties in central and northwest Illinois. Appointed Republican Justice Lisa Holder White is running unopposed in the GOP primary.

With the Cook County Democrats backing Cunningham, Reyes faces an uphill battle, which is reflected in the disparity between their two campaign funds.

Cunningham ended 2023 with nearly $286,000 in her campaign fund after raising more than $141,000 and spending nearly $167,000 from October through December, state campaign finance records show. Shes since raised another $76,000 in contributions of $1,000 or more.

Reyes enter the new year with more than $117,000 in his campaign fund, having raised more than $157,000 and spent more than $79,000 in the final three months of 2023, records show. Hes reported raising only $2,000 so far in 2024.

Appellate Court Judge Jesse Reyes listens to his introduction during an Illinois Supreme Court Justices Candidates Forum on Jan. 25, 2024, at The Union League Club of Chicago.

Reyes, whose father immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico City, worked in the city corporation counsels office in the 1980s under Mayor Harold Washington and then at Chicago Public Schools before becoming an associate judge in Cook County in 1997.

He was later elected to the circuit court bench and in 2012 to the 1st District Appellate Court, making him the first Latino justice elected to an Illinois appeals court.

He grew up in Pilsen and worked his way through college at the University of Illinois at Chicago and law school at John Marshall.

Reyes sought the backing of Cook County Democrats for a Supreme Court seat four years ago, when he was passed over in favor of another appointed incumbent, Justice P. Scott Neville Jr., who is Black. Reyes wound up finishing second, behind Neville, in a seven-person primary.

Cunningham, who was an appellate judge from 2006 until her elevation to the Supreme Court in 2022 to replace retiring Justice Anne Burke, previously was an associate judge in Cook County and an attorney in private practice, including a stint as general counsel for Northwestern Memorial Healthcare in the early 2000s.

She began her legal career in the Illinois attorney generals office after getting her law degree at John Marshall. She earned her undergraduate degree at the City University of New York.

In 2012, she ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for the state Supreme Court seat now held by Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis.

dpetrella@chicagotribune.com
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President William Ruto on Friday afternoon received his second blow.

Just hours after the court of appeal declared the housing levy unconstitutional, another court has halted yet another of his high profile programmes.

The high court in Nairobi has termed the deployment of police officers to Haiti as illegal.

Making the determination, Justice Chacha Mwita stated that the National Security Council, which includes President Ruto, lacks the authority to deploy regular police forces outside the country.

This puts a stop to a programme that catapulted Ruto to international acclaim, more so with the West, just months after he took office.

Last month, the head of Haitis national police visited Kenya to check on the preparations for the deployment, with abut 1000 officers expected to take part.

At least 300 Kenyan police officers would have left for Haiti this February.

Although not publicly specified, they were expected to take home several thousand US dollars a month, on top of their Kenyan salaries. The entire process was financed by the United States.

It remains to be seen whether the government will appeal.
It will not be a pleasant weekend for President Ruto and his administration, after the Court of Appeal dismissed a government application to keep collecting the housing levy for the affordable housing programme.

In November last year, a High Court declared the housing levy unconstitutional, but allowed the government to keep making the deductions until another determination was made.

This morning, a 3-justice bench comprising of Justices Lydia Achode, John Mativo and Mwaniki Gachoka, ruled that the housing levy will continue to remain suspended as declared by the high court. This means that the government cannot legally continue collecting the levy.

The state had a few weeks ago argued that failing to grant orders to stay the High Court decision would lead to chaos, but it appears that argument did not land.

The court further directed that the appeal be heard expeditiously, which may provide yet another lifeline to Ruto before a possible reintroduction of the levy in the next finance bill a few months from now.

Once again, one of the reasons provided by the court is that the levy was only targeting a section of Kenyans. The president has already hinted that this will be cured by incorporating all Kenyans from both formal and informal sector to pay the 1.5%.

In his December interview with various media houses, Ruto said that such a provision would in fact be beneficial, since there will be more money in the pot. That was interpreted to mean that his administration will keep reintroducing the levy until it meets all constitutional requirements.

Parliament is already working on a legal framework for the levy, which would clear a major constitutional hurdle should the government choose to reintroduce it.

The president has meanwhile this month gone on overdrive launching affordable housing projects all around the country. Just yesterday, he was in Timau to launch a 320-unit project.

It remains unclear what the fate of these projects is, pending a final determination.

As for Kenyans asking for refunds, the court has not pronounced itself on that, and it is highly unlikely that the government has any money to refund anyway.
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) has issued a caution against the infringement of the corporations exclusive broadcasting rights for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

In a statement, Acting Managing Director Paul Macharia of KBC declared that the broadcaster will not tolerate any unauthorized use or broadcast of AFCON content.

Please be advised that no other media or news outlet in Kenya has these exclusive free to air rights for live and recorded TV, radio and digital broadcasts and commentary, said Macharia.

Kindly note that any infringement or violation of Kenya Broadcasting Corporations license shall be detrimental to KBC and its global partners at large. Any such infringement or violation shall be addressed to you via prompt written notice to cease and desist, and where necessary through adequate legal action by KBC and all concerned parties.

KBC holds the exclusive Free to Air Broadcast Rights for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) across all its platforms.

Also Read  KBC Signs Ksh192million Deal as the Exclusive Free-to-Air Broadcaster for FKFPL
Rita Waeni was strangled to death and later decapitated, Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor said on Thursday.

This followed an autopsy on a severed head found on Sunday in Kiambaa Dam, Kiambu County. Earlier on Thursday, the 20-year-olds family positively identified the head, allowing Dr Oduor to proceed with the postmortem examination at City Mortuary, Nairobi.

Oduor, who also conducted a DNA analysis, said the identification was based on the hair, forehead, and formation of Waenis teeth.

In addition to strangulation, the pathologist established that Waeni was hit on the head with a blunt object.

The main findings were that the head had been chopped off from the neck at the level of C5 (vertebrae on the neck). There was bruising on the scalp caused by a blunt object. We also saw some fractures on bones, Oduor told reporters.

I can comfortably conclude that the cause of death was strangulation after which she was decapitated and her body dumped.

Never-Before-Seen Murder

The Thursday autopsy followed an earlier one conducted last week on other dismembered body parts. At the time, Oduor exclaimed; In my forensic life I have never come across such an incident.

Meanwhile, media reports indicate that detectives suspect the killing of Waeni is part of an ongoing occultism in the country. The Star reports that its part of the theories they are looking into as a motive for the gruesome murder.

It looks like a ritual which I think was motivated by a cult-like belief, said an officer as quoted by the daily.

Reportedly, the investigation team is aiming to ascertain if there are additional killings that resemble that of Waeni.

Currently, six individuals, comprising two Nigerian nationals, four Kenyans, and an individual holding a Mozambican passport, are in custody in connection with the murder.

Formal charges have not been filed against these suspects, and they have not been asked to enter a plea.

Among the detainees are two Nigerian suspects, William Ovie Opia and Johnbull Asibor, who were found in possession of various items, including a hatchet, a butcher knife, six mobile phones, three laptop computers, and multiple SIM cards.

Opias passport had expired, and Asibor claimed that he had lost his passport approximately a year ago.

The suspects are in police custody to facilitate the completion of the investigation.

Read More  Rita Waeni Murder Case: 10-Day Custody Ordered for Apartment Owner, 3 Suspects
There is a true story, so strange it sounds like a myth, about the creation of a song in the 1970 film M*A*S*H, one that later used as the theme song for the tragicomic television series of the same name.

Director Robert Altman told his composer that he only had two requirements. First, the song needed to be named Suicide is Painless, as it related to a plot point in the film, and, second, it had to be the stupidest song ever. Altman tried to write the lyrics himself, but gave up and gave the task to his song, Michael, who supposedly wrote it in 15 minutes.

The song  which, if youve ever seen the show or movie, is probably running through your head right now  is far from vapid to my ears, a mournful, melancholy melody in a minor key. Suicide, it is said, is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, which is why our society as a whole  and California in particular  has put numerous resources to help those who are in the nadir of depression or hopelessness.

All of us have invisible traumas, sorrows that we carry because of bad choices, bad luck, or challenging brain chemistry. Some of the most successful among us, the ones that appear the happiest from the outside, deal with almost the unfathomable depths of depression on a daily basis.

Knowing that, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt even when they are cruel, rude or cutting  maybe especially then. Im not always successful, of course, but whenever I get angry or frustrated by anothers behavior, I try to think about the fact they have wounds, as I do. Maybe with a little kindness, you can save a life.

A need for civility and kindness goes double during the election season  a season were directly in the middle of presently. We may disagree about the best way to move this county we all love forward, but working from the assumption that everyone involved truly wants the best is a good place to start.

I attended the supervisor candidates forum on Monday at the CIA at Copia. All six candidates  two from each of the three districts up for grabs  were there, as were about 250 people. It was an incredible turnout, and an indication of how much people here care about, and are interested in, the doings of elected officials.

Supervisors, in many other parts of the state, are somewhat invisible  though incredibly powerful  public servants. Each county in the state  except for San Francisco  only gets five of them, regardless of the population. This means in Los Angeles County, a single supervisor has more constituents than the governors of a good number of states.

Supervisors, here and anywhere, oversee a wide variety of county services: fire protection, health care, child welfare, rural planning, and pretty much anything that happens outside of municipal city limits. As Napa Countys main economy  vineyards and wineries  are mainly in unincorporated areas, our supervisors are more front of mind here than perhaps they might be otherwise.

Add in the fact that wildfires almost always spark in areas that are part of the Board of Supervisors jurisdiction, and you see why folks here might pay a bit closer attention to those officials.

At the forum Monday, sponsored by the Napa Valley Vintner and Napa Valley Grapegrowers, the candidates were peppered with questions on a wide variety of topics, an excellent way to give attendees a broad understanding of where they fall on the hot-button issues. The one-minute limit for answers also kept the candidates from straying too far from the topic  two things I very much appreciated.

And, I will say, there seemed to be a fair amount of respect each of the candidates had for their opponents  as well as for their potential, future colleagues. The only minor flare up happened during the candidates closing statements when Pete Mott  running for the District 4 position  took a potshot at his opponent, Amber Manfree, complaining that she had only spent a few years in the last two decades living in the county. (Manfree, who had preceded Mott with her own closing statement, was unable to respond, which looked tactical from my perspective.)

Mott touts that hes lived here for 31 years; Manfree notes her family has been here for generations. Is this relevant? Not really. The choice is between the two and their positions now, not between Mott circa 1995 and Manfrees great-great-grandmother.

I care more about positions than personality; I think thats how most voters feel.

To that end, reporter Barry Eberling is working on a series of profiles on each of the candidates, slated to come out in early February  around the time ballots are mailed out. Our editorial board will also be doing our endorsement interviews around the same time.

Im hopeful that a clear rundown of their opinions on the major issues facing the county will help voters dispassionately and civilly pick the candidate that best represents them. That benefits us all.
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

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)

Young man throws stone at Armenia government building window

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

Kazakhstan FM considers it necessary to increase trade with Armenia

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

Archaeologists find inscription of King Antiochus I of Armenian Yervanduni Dynasty, in Turkey

Kazakhstan FM is in Armenia (PHOTOS)

Rolls-Royce Ghost to be retired and replaced by new Alpina sedan

Ardshinbank cardholders can now enjoy a 10% cashback!

Withdrawal from lawsuits against Azerbaijan in international courts will cause irreparable damage to Armenia, Armenians

EU Council to discuss assistance to Armenia, Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization

7,825 Karabakh residents who left Armenia since September 2023 have not returned, new data say

Armenia to submit application for EU membership?

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

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

Shooting in Pennsylvania: at least three dead, gunman took hostages

MEPs appeal to EU leadership to protect cultural heritage of Artsakh Armenians

New talks between Israel and Hamas are scheduled in Qatar on Sunday

India's national elections will be held from 19 April to 1 June

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

Stoltenberg will meet in Yerevan with the President and Prime-minister of Armenia

Turkish Foreign Ministry issues anti-Russian statement on Crimea issue

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

Amazon and Microsoft suspend their cloud products in Russia

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

FM to reporters: You will be the first to know when Armenia intends to apply for EU membership

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
DailyMail: excessive smartphone use can lead to blindness in children

Apple may use Google's Gemini neural network in the next generation iPhone

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

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

Armenian national team training (live)

Netflix's new mini-series Supersex becomes target of criticism on social media

Young man throws stone at Armenia government building window

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)

"Urartu" defeated "Alashkert" (video)

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

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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

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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

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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
Azerbaijani media reported today that the term of detention of the illegally detained former presidents of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and several other military and state officials in captivity in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku has been extended for another four months. Armenian News-NEWS.am spoke with human rights advocate Siranush Sahakyan, a representative of the interests of Armenian prisoners of war at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Below is the text of this interview.

What do you think is the reason for such a decision?

The decision was predictable, because the judicial system in Azerbaijan does not independently respond to cases concerning Armenians. The former high-ranking officials of Artsakh illegally held in Baku are political prisoners and are being punished for the office they held and their legal activities. In the case of Ruben Vardanyan [i.e. the former Minister of State of Nagorno-Karabakh], his detention is also related to his humanitarian and charitable activity.

Just as in the case of prisoners of war, trumped-up charges were sent to the courts, and the latter ratified them, becoming the decision-making bodies of the executive power; therefore, inevitably, such trials were expected for these eight figures, given that international attention will be greater in the case of these eight. And since the cases are devoid of facts and evidence, the detention is extended for another four months in order to operate the forgery factory.

It should also be taken into account that this stage coincides with the pre-election period in Azerbaijan, and perhaps they did not consider it expedient to hold trials at this time. They are now using these cases for propaganda purposes, and a recent vivid example of this was the illegal distribution of photos of our compatriots with violations of personal data protection. Instead, their real situation and conditions are not covered in any way, and there is no proper public accountability, which implies ensuring access of independent bodies at certain intervals, with a deadline, etc.

How do you interpret the fact that the extension of Ruben Vardanyans detention was announced first, and then that of the remaining seven figures? Do you see a trend here?

First, I think they are trying to maintain the chronology of the arrests, because Ruben Vardanyan was the first to be arrested, and the term of his detention was going to end a few days earlier than the others.

The other reason, according to everyone, is Vardanyan being more famous. By doing so, they tried to give the issue a greater voice, to get greater political benefits, and also, why not, to put pressure on the entire Armenian community, because Vardanyan is famous not only in Armenia, but also in the Diaspora.

It turns out that Azerbaijan is unimpededly extending the detention period of illegally captured Republic of Armenia citizens, and there is no leverage to oppose it. What should Armenia and the international community do in this case? What should be done to draw the attention of the international community to these flagrant violations of international norms by Azerbaijan?

It should be taken into account that we are dealing with an authoritarian regime, where there is no judicial system. Therefore, we cannot legitimately expect that the judicial system will counterbalance the illegalities of the executive power. In this regard, unfortunately, there are no countermeasures in Azerbaijan: the violations of rights are large-scale here, democratic values are ignored, and this was also evident in the relations between Azerbaijan and European structures, which even led to the termination of the powers of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). This confirms that there are no mechanisms to counter human rights violations in this country. We see how even a human rights defender legitimizes these violations.

The main avenue remains international attention. Some partial problems have been solved through the European Court. The international community, however, should intensify its political pressure to force Azerbaijan to respect human rights. The Republic of Armenia, as an entity implementing diplomacy and foreign policy, should perform intensive diplomatic work. Human rights organizations are also important here, and by documenting, recording, and presenting violations to international organizations, they will demand that the reaction be quick and strict and that international organizations use all the tools at their disposal, including sanctions, because soft tools are useless in the case of authoritarian Azerbaijan.
About 300 people packed a Barrington youth community center Friday night to remember a Barrington High School student who died Thursday in a collision with a Metra train.

Marin Lacson, 17, was fatally struck Thursday morning by a commuter train approaching the Barrington station. She was a lacrosse player, Chinese immersion student and a high school junior, Barrington High School District 220 officials said.

I wish she wasnt taken because we talked a lot about our futures together, said the first of several teenagers to remember Marin as upbeat, friendly and outgoing  she occasionally asked her friends to marry her or go on a date with her. Her friends recalled hikes, bike rides, talks of road trips and planned trips to Italy.

We could always find a way to laugh together. I wish we had more time, said a girl who said Marin was her best friend.

Classmates of Marin Lacson hold candles during a vigil at a community center Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in Barrington. Marin, 17, was fatally struck by a Metra commuter train while walking to Barrington High School the previous morning.

The vigil in Marins memory was originally set to take place at a local park, but turnout to the event was so high that mourners filled a second location, the Barrington Campus Life Center, to its doors, with candles rattling in plastic cups. At the front of the room, We love you, Marin was projected on a stage while students took the microphone one by one.

A longtime lacrosse teammate said that Marin could always make you feel you were doing well, even when a pass went awry.

(Even though I was) worst person on her team, she still chose to do drills with me, even though she had to go and fetch the ball more often than Id like to admit, another teammate said.

She was always smiling  I never remember her complaining, even when we were on the line, doing sprints, a third player said.

They remembered how she would introduce herself to people, how shed volunteer to work together on class projects and how she set her friends at ease.

Classmates of Marin Lacson and community members hold candles during a vigil at a community center Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in Barrington. Marin, 17, was fatally struck by a Metra commuter train while walking to Barrington High School the previous morning.

One girl told a story of a trip to Colorado with Marin and her family and being afraid to take a particular hike. Marin had made her comfortable on the outing, she said.

When we reached the top, she convinced me to come out on this rock with her and look at the view, the teen said.

Metra spokesperson Michael Gillis said witnesses told Metra police officers that all of the rail crossing warning lights and gates were engaged at the time of the accident. Metra police are investigating the incident, he said.
Our agenda is peace, and we are going that way. Hayk Konjoryan, the head of the ruling majority Civil Contract Faction of the National Assembly, announced this on the air of the Public Television of Armeniaand responding to the remark that Armenia lowered its bar at the urging of the West, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) was de-Armenianized, but Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev did not sign a peace treaty under the Western auspices.

"Differences between Azerbaijan's declared and real agendas also cause us concerns, which we raise at all levels," said Konjoryan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced a few days ago that Azerbaijan is ready to sign the peace treaty in Moscow, but Armenia is not ready for it. When asked why Armenia does not agree to sign the peace treaty with the mediation of Russia, the leader of the ruling parliamentary faction of Armenia responded that there is still no agreed text of the treaty.

"The priority for Armenia is our interests, not the platforms themselves," added Konjoryan.

Regarding the remark that in the absence of an agreed text, Armenia nevertheless accepted the request to negotiate on Western platforms, and when asked what the is reason for not going to Moscow in that case, Konjoryan again insisted that the problem is the still-existing disagreements over some points of the peace treaty.

"At the moment, there is no treaty because there is no agreement on all issues; and after that, all technical and platform-related issues become secondary," Konjoryan noted.

And reacting to the criticism that the Armenian authorities, being guided by the concept of handing over Artsakh to Azerbaijan and getting a peace treaty in return, have failed, Konjoryan noted that they did not have such a concept.
Edmon Marukyan, Ambassador-at-Large of Armenia, slammed the pro-Azerbaijani speech by Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) session in Strasbourg, France, and accused him of double standards.

Back in 2021, as a member of PACE delegation, I had a speech about Azerbaijans disgraceful Trophy Park, where the Azerbaijani regime had placed mannequins of Armenian prisoners of war.

While presenting the war crimes carried out by Azerbaijan in my speech, this Ukrainian MP complained to the chairperson of the session for allowing me to make a speech with posters, and not allowing him to do the same. That protest ended with the PACE chair asking him out of the meeting room.

As a result of these double standards, it is very curious how this Ukrainian MP demands justice from the world for Ukraine, when he does not want to see the same justice for thousands of ethnically cleansed people of Nagorno Karabakh, prisoners of war illegally held in Azerbaijan. Shame on you, Goncharenko, when I come to Strasbourg make sure to stay out of my sight, your speech made me sick, Marukyan wrote on X, former Twitter.
The UN Security Council held a session regarding the downed Russian Il-76 military plane, in which there were Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Dmitry Polyanskiy, First Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, represented Russia in this meeting. He stated that the aforesaid plane could have been hit by the Ukrainian side using Western military equipment. Polyanskiy noted if this is confirmed, the Western countries will become accomplices of this crime.

Dmitry Polyanskiy concluded that Russia will do everything so that those responsible for the downing of this Il-76 receive the deserved punishment.

And Russian Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov, speaking about the position of the West regarding the downing of this plane, said that there is no decisive condemnation from the Western countries, and the situation requires a proper assessment by the world community.

The aforementioned Russian military aircraft had crashed Wednesday morning, near Yablonovo village in the Belgorod Region of Russia.
Arusyak Julhakyan a member of Armenias National Assembly (NA) delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), delivered an address at the PACE session in Strasbourg, France, the NA informed. The Armenian MP stated as follows:

Dear colleagues,

As Council of Europe member states, we have committed ourselves to upholding the principles of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. One fundamental aspect of these principles is the protection and promotion of freedom of expression as the cornerstone of democracy. It is not just a privilege but a right enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights, reflecting our shared commitment to a free and open society.

In an era where information is a powerful force, we must recognize the pivotal role that journalists play in preserving the foundations of our societies. Their work is supposed to be not only a beacon of truth but also a check on power, a guardian of democracy, and a voice for the voiceless.

The safety of journalists is not just a matter of individual rights, but a collective responsibility. Member states must enact and enforce laws that safeguard journalists, investigate and prosecute those who threaten or harm them, and create an atmosphere that encourages a vibrant and diverse media landscape. A free press is essential for a flourishing democracy, and its protection is incumbent upon each and every of us.

From this aspect one of the crucial steps to be taken is the decriminalization of insult and defamation by all the member states. Its weird to have defamation as criminal offense in the 21st century while being a part of the democratic world. But here not only good laws and regulations are important but also the judicial practice. Let me bring the Armenian example. When we decriminalized insult and defamation in 2010 this became another tool for the political and business elite to financially oppress the journalists and media outlets, as the courts during the first period after the decriminalization used to impose the highest fines as compensation for insult and defamation, thus making them to close down. Fortunately, shortly we received judgments from Constitutional and Cassation courts which significantly contributed to regulation of the judicial practice and explain how the civil code provisions concerning the compensations for insult and defamation should be interpreted by the judges.

Dear colleagues, in conclusion, safeguarding media freedom and ensuring the safety of journalists is not just an obligation - it is a cornerstone of our shared commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law within the Council of Europe. Let us stand together, resolute in our determination to protect those who hold power accountable, and who contribute to the flourishing of our democratic societies.

Thank you.
The High School District 230 Board voted Thursday to appoint Orland Park resident Nadine Scodro to the board, filling a vacancy created by the resignation in November of Melissa Gracias.

Scodro will serve out the remainder of Gracias term and be eligible to seek a full term in the April 2025 elections.

The board also approved Thursday the appointment of Charles Ovando as assistant superintendent of student support and development. He is now the district director of special programs.

Nadine Scodro

Scodro, a graduate of the districts Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, was a member of the Palos Elementary District 118 Board in Palos Park for 16 years, according to District 230. She works as government affairs manager for the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Scodro was a student in District 118 and was school board president. She stepped down from the board last April. Gracias was chair of the boards Student Services Committee and was the districts delegate for the Illinois Association of School Boards, according to District 230.

The district received 24 applications for the vacancy after Gracias announced her departure, which was effective at the end of November. The district had until the end of this month to name Gracias replacement.

Gracias was a board member for 10 years and was school board president.

I am a staunch advocate for schools, and I enjoy working with fellow board members, administrators, and staff to create a path that benefits district students and the community as a whole, Scodro said in a news release Friday from District 230.

Of the applicants, school board members narrowed the field to five and conducted interviews to select a finalist for the vacancy, according to the district.

Charles Ovando

Ovando has been the districts director of special programs for the last four years, overseeing areas such as the English Language Learners program and professional development, according to the district.

He joined District 230 in 2014 as the division chair for social studies, world languages and art and has worked at both Sandburg and the districts Stagg High School in Palos Hills. The district also includes Andrew High School in Tinley Park.

Ovando will take over the assistant superintendent position from Kim Dryier, who will leave District 230 at the end of June.

mnolan@tribpub.com
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, on Friday summed up the results of the meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between his country and Armenia.

During the statements for the press after this meeting, the Georgian PM said cooperation between the two countries in various domains were discussed at the meeting.

"We had a session of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, where we discussed important matters related to trade relations. It should be noted that trade relations between our countries are developingthe amount of trade has exceeded the $1 billion threshold. Armenia is the third [largest] trading partner and the second [biggest] investment country for Georgia, which is welcome for us. Last year, we had almost one million tourists from Armenia, which is important for the economic development of our country," Garibashvili said.

According to him, the two countries are not only neighbors, but historically very strong allies and friends.

"The governments of the two countries are called to further deepen our trade and economic relations," noted the Georgian premier.
08:38

India is set to celebrate its 75th Republic Day on Friday with an impressive display of its military might and rich cultural heritage at the Kartavya Path in the heart of the national capital.

The grand celebrations, with an overarching theme of projecting the nation's women power and democratic values, will be graced by French President Emmanuel Macron as the chief guest.





President Droupadi Murmu will lead the nation in celebrating Republic Day with a 90-minute parade on the ceremonial boulevard -- Kartavya Path.





The armed forces will display an array of home-grown weaponry and military equipment such as missiles, drone jammers, surveillance systems, vehicle-mounted mortars and BMP-II infantry combat vehicles at the parade.





For the first time, an all-women tri-services contingent will be part of the event.





Also, the parade will be heralded by over 100 women artistes playing Indian musical instruments such as Sankh, Naadswaram, and Nagada for the first time instead of the traditional military bands.





Around 15 women pilots will also enthral the audience during the Indian Air Force's fly-past, representing 'Nari Shakti'. The contingents of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will also consist of only women personnel.





The Republic Day parade is slated to commence at 10:30 am and will be held for around 90 minutes.





The ceremony will start with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the National War Memorial, where he will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath.





Minutes later, President Murmu and her French counterpart Macron will arrive in the 'traditional buggy', a practice that is making a comeback after a gap of 40 years, the defence ministry said.





The national flag will be unfurled followed by the national anthem with a 21-gun salute to be given with indigenous gun system 105-mm Indian Field Guns.





Four Mi-17 IV helicopters of the 105 Helicopter Unit will shower flower petals on the audience present at Kartavya Path. This will be followed by 'Aavaahan', a band performance by over 100 women artistes playing various types of percussion instruments. -- PTI
SRV Media New Delhi [India], January 26: The EPS Business Meet, held in conjunction with the Conference and Award Ceremony on January 24, 2024, has emerged as a resounding success, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and experts for a day of insightful discussions and recognition of excellence. Hosted by A and A Media Group (Industrial Outlook), Co-organised by International Federation of Electric Vehicle Association, Knowledge Partner- NET ZERO THINK and supported by MNRE, CEA and various associations, Sponsored by- DYMO, EMMVEE, iNVERGY, Janitza, Novasys, Adani Solar, Saatvik, Gautam Solar, Growatt, Deye, Aerem, Mtek Pro, GoodWe and more, products displayed by 34 companies, the event served as a pivotal platform for thought leaders to delve into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities surrounding renewable energy and power in the business landscape. Participants engaged in vibrant discussions, gaining valuable insights and strategic perspectives from renowned speakers. The EPS Business Meet also featured an Award Ceremony, spotlighting outstanding achievements in the realm of renewable and power. The ceremony celebrated excellence in various categories i.e. top 10 solar module manufacturer in India awarded to Adani Solar, WAAREE, Renewsys, Goldi Solar, Novasys, Vikram Solar, Gautam Solar, Saatvik Solar, EMMVEE, Young Innovator Award to Powertron, Innovation Excellence Award to Enerparc, CEO of the Year to Prashant Mathur, CEO, Saatvik Solar, Best Power Monitoring Solution Company to Janitza, Sustainability Leadership Award to Sungrow, Green Earthing Technology to INTER-TECH, etc. "We are thrilled with the success of the EPS Business Meet, Delhi. It was a day filled with knowledge-sharing, networking, and acknowledgment of the remarkable achievements within the Electrical, Power and Solar domain. This event has undoubtedly set a new standard for industry gatherings," said Pradeep Kumar (Amit), Head-BD of Industrial Outlook. The Industrial Outlook extends its gratitude to all participants, sponsors, and collaborators who played a crucial role in making this event a triumph. As the EPS Business Meet becomes a cornerstone for industry engagement, the organizers look forward to continuing this tradition of excellence in the years to come. For more information, please visit: https://industrialoutlook.in/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Actor Julianne Moore is all set to be seen alongside Tilda Swinton in 'The Room Next Door', the first English-language feature from acclaimed, Oscar-winning Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, his production company has confirmed, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Last year, Almodovar initially discussed Swinton's casting. 'The Human Voice', a 2021 Venice short film directed by Pedro Almodovar, marked the Scottish actress's maiden foray into the English-language feature film industry. The short film 'Strange Way of Life', starring Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke, was his follow-up and was screened at Cannes last year. Almodovar claimed that the shorts served as a trial run to help him become more at ease directing performers speaking in English. He was supposed to helm the English-language film 'A Manual for Cleaning Women', which was supposed to star and be produced by Cate Blanchett. However, he withdrew from the project in 2022. Almodovar is regarded as one of the best European directors of his generation. He has received praise from critics around the world for films like All About My Mother, which was nominated for two Oscars in 2003 for best original screenplay and best director, Talk to Her, which won the best international feature Oscar in 2000, and Pain and Glory, which earned nominations for a best international feature and best actor for Antonio Banderas. Almodovar's last feature was 2021's Parallel Mothers starring Penelope Cruz, who won Venice's Best Actress prize for her role. Julianne Moore was seen most recently alongside Natalie Portman in Todd Haynes' melodrama 'May December', which picked up an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay for co-writers Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik, reported The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI)
India is celebrating its 75th Republic Day. It is a great moment of pride for everyone across the nation. Actors Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, who are currently busy shooting for their film 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' celebrated this special day in their style. Akshay shared a video featuring both of them and has extended heartfelt wishes for the people across the country. Taking to X, he posted a video in which he can be seen along with his 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' co-star Tiger Shroff. While Akshay opted for an all-black outfit, including a black shirt and black trousers, the 'Heropanti' actor chose to wear a white shirt and brown trousers. With the song Vande Mataram playing in the background, this video evokes a feeling of patriotism https://x.com/akshaykumar/status/1750715772190748950?s=20 Akshay wrote along with the video, "New India, new confidence, new vision.. our time has come. Happy Republic Day. Jai Hind...Jai Bharat." Suniel Shetty also wished his fans on Republic Day, saying, "Saare jahan se acha Hindustan hamara.. #RepublicDay" https://www.instagram.com/p/C2jDSfPhj7i/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Talking about 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan', recently, the makers unveiled the teaser of Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff starrer film. Taking to Instagram, Akshay treated fans with a much-awaited teaser video and captioned it, "Soldier by heart, devil by brain. Beware of us, we are India!" The teaser showcased Akshay and Tiger in action pack mode as they battle with their enemy, who wants to destroy India. As soon as the teaser was released, fans flooded the comment section. One of the users wrote, "Baap of action and stunts is back." Another user commented, "Goosebumps." Helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film is all set to hit the theatres on the occasion of Eid 2024. Shot across stunning locations such as Mumbai, London, Abu Dhabi, Scotland, and Jordan, this pan-India film is creating buzz for its grand scale and Hollywood-style cinematic visuals. The film features Prithviraj Sukumaran in an intriguing villainous role, while also starring actors Sonakshi Sinha, Manushi Chhillar, and Alaya F in significant parts. Speaking about the teaser, Ali Abbas Zafar shared his thoughts, "Extreme hard work and commitment of shooting in multiple countries with the most talented crew from different parts of the world has gone behind bringing Bade Miyan Chote Miyan to the audiences and who better than Akshay Sir and Tiger, India's original action heroes who would translate the challenging sequences so effortlessly and yet root the film to its target mass audience. More than thrilled to bring this film for their fans and audiences on big screens on Eid April 2024." "The teaser tells its own story with larger-than-life action and the perfect portrayal of iconic roles by Akshay Sir and Tiger Shroff. Additionally, Prithviraj adds a surprising twist, making him the hidden gem. I am thrilled to have our action heroes on board; Ali's magic is evident once again. We hope audiences feel the dedication of our entire team and appreciate the efforts we've put into this project," producer Jackky Bhagnani added. The film will be released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. (ANI)
Taking to Instagram stories, Arjun shared a poster of 'Fighter' that he captioned, "Loved the film. Loved the spectacle. Loved everything about it. Top notch filmmaking with great performances from everyone & heart tuggling emotions...PS: My hrithik fan boy phase is clearly here to stay forevr 24 years and counting!!"

Helmed by Siddharth Anand, the film also stars Anil Kapoor, Karan Singh Grover and Akshay Oberoi in pivotal roles.

The film was released on Thursday and minted Rs 24.60 crore on its opening day.

'Fighter' received amazing reviews and positive word of mouth from the audiences.

The film features Hrithik as Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania aka Patty, Deepika as Squadron Leader Minal Rathore aka Minni, and Anil as Group Captain Rakesh Jai Singh aka Rocky fighting for the country.

It marks Hrithik and Deepika's first-ever on-screen collaboration.

It is produced by Viacom18 Studios in collaboration with Marflix Pictures. It is billed as a tribute to the valour, sacrifice and patriotism of the Indian armed forces.

Speaking about the film, Siddharth said earlier, "Mamta (Siddharth's wife) and I started our film company MARFLIX with #FIGHTER. A film that is ambitious in more ways than one. It's more than just a film for us. And we have given it all to this one. 2024 starts with the same feeling again of nervousness and anxiety. Here's hoping that you guys give the same love to FIGHTER that you showered on PATHAAN. Happy new year guys! See at the movies!! On 25th January." (ANI)
COD offering free tax filing help for residents, students

The College of DuPage is offering free assistance to community members who are electronically filing federal or state taxes.

Sessions will be available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from Feb. 10 to April 13 and on select weekday evenings at the Student Resource Center on the Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd. There will be no sessions available March 30.

Internal Revenue Service-certified accounting students at the College of DuPage will provide the assistance under IRS-certified instructor supervision.

Assistance is available to students, faculty, staff and community members. There is no income limit to receive the service.

Participants need to bring all 2023 pertinent tax documents, their 2022 returns and bank account information to receive their return via direct deposit. To schedule an appointment on the colleges website, go to www.cod.edu/academics/programs/accounting/tax-prep.html.

Boy Scouts to hold pancake breakfast at Naperville church

Naperville-based Boy Scout Troop 100 will host a pancake breakfast fundraiser from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 10, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 21 E. Franklin Ave. in Naperville.

In addition to all-you-can-eat pancakes, the meal will include sausage, coffee, milk and orange juice, a news release said. There also will be a bake sale and raffle prizes.

Tickets are $7 per person or $20 per family. They can be purchased at the door or in advance by emailing troop100naperville@googlegroups.com or going to www.facebook.com/BSATroop100Pancakes.

A new Pride, Honor, Tradition exhibit featuring artwork done by Naperville Art League members is on display at Naper Settlement.

Pride, Honor, Tradition exhibit runs through April 5

Naper Settlement and the Naperville Art League are presenting an exhibit featuring more than 35 artworks by league members through April 5 at the settlements Pre-Emption House Visitors Center, 523 S. Webster St.

The new exhibit, Pride, Honor, Tradition, is included with admission to Naper Settlement.

Local artists paintings, drawings, photos and other pieces focus on the themes of heroism, sacrifice and family, settlement officials said. Artwork in one gallery is inspired by the Naperville Fire Departments 150th anniversary while a second gallery contains works covering a variety of theme-based pieces, according to a Settlement news release.

The art exhibit kicks off Naper Settlements year-long celebration of the departments 150th anniversary. Another exhibit titled, A Strong Back and a Strong Mind: 150 Years of the Naperville Fire Department, will open in May.

For more information, go to www.napersettlement.org.
Taking to Instagram, Hema Malini shared a series of pictures of herself with the 'Jewel Thief' star.

Vyjayanthimala looked as evergreen as ever in a yellow saree. On the other hand, Hema Malini was dressed in a green suit.

"Most memorable day of my life - meeting my role model, the icon Vyjayanthimala along with her lovely family at her Chennai residence yesterday. She is so full of life, still so full of dance in her. She talks dance, lives dance and has a glow and aura around her. I was in as much awe as I was many years ago! Had a nostalgic discussion about her stint in films and her experiences in the industry. One has to learn a lot from her. It was a great moment for me to have been given so much love by this lovely lady - beautiful inside and out," Hema Malini captioned the post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2jSW3jol3m/?hl=en&img_index=1

The last frame of the post features Hema Malini with Vyjayanthimala's family.

Vyjayanthimala made her screen debut at the age of 16 with the Tamil film Vaazhkai (1949). 'Devdas', 'Sangam', 'Madhumanti' and 'Naya Daur' are some of her iconic films.

On the eve of Republic Day 2024, Padma Awards 2024 were announced. Vyjayanthimala was conferred the Padma Vibhushan, the nation's second-highest civilian award. (ANI)
As the nation celebrates the 75th Republic Day today, the parade at the Kartavya Path in the national capital will be 'women-centric', indicating the roles played by women in various sectors. This year, India is commemorating its 75th Republic Day, marking the adoption of the constitution on January 26, 1950, and the attainment of sovereignty. The constituent assembly held its first session in December 1946 and the last session in November 1949, following which the constitution was enacted a year later with Dr BR Ambedkar as the head of the drafting committee. Dr Ambedkar came to be known as the 'Father of Constitution'. The theme of this year's Republic Day is 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat: Loktantra ki Matruka', which symbolise the country's aspirations and its role as the nurturer of democracy. Earlier, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said women marching contingents will form the major chunk of the parade, with most of the tableaux of States and Union Territories (UTs) and Central Ministries and Organisations showcasing the country's rich cultural diversity, unity and progress. He reiterated that the themes have been selected in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's views that 'India is truly a mother of democracy'. The parade, which will commence at 10:30 a.m., will continue for around 90 minutes. For the first time, the parade will be heralded by 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments. The parade would commence with the music of Sankh, Naadswaram, Nagada, etc. to be played by women artists. The parade will also witness an all-women Tri-Service contingent marching down Kartavya Path for the first time. The CAPF contingent will also consist of women personnel. "The best representation of women will be seen in this year's Republic Day parade," the Defence Secretary said. For the third consecutive year, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Culture will present a cultural extravaganza 'Vande Bharatam' on the theme 'Cultural expression of women power- accomplishment through resolve'. Around 1,500 female dancers will mesmerise the audience with a colourful performance, giving the message of unity in diversity. The ceremony will start with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the National War Memorial, where he will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath. Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade. French President Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest at this year's Republic Day Parade. A 95-member marching contingent and a 33-member band contingent from France will also take part in the parade. Along with the aircraft of the Indian Air Force, one Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft and two Rafale aircraft of the French Air Force will participate in the fly-past. Around 13,000 special guests have also been invited to witness the parade this year, providing an opportunity for people from all walks of life to witness the diverse facets of the country. A total of 25 tableaux--16 states/UTs and nine ministries/departments--will roll down the Kartavya Path during the parade. The States/UTs are-- Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana. The ministries are-- Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of Culture, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Election Commission of India, and Central Public Works Department (CPWD). Like each year, the tableaux have been selected by an expert committee comprising eminent persons in the fields of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography, etc. The Ministry of Culture will be showcasing the 'Anant Sutra-- The Endless Thread' textile installation at Kartavya Path during the parade. It will be installed behind the spectators seated in the enclosures. The Anant Sutra is a visually stunning tribute to the saree, India's timeless gift to the world of fashion. This unique installation will showcase nearly 1,900 sarees and drapes from every corner of the country, mounted at a height with wooden frames along the Kartavya Path. It will have QR codes that can be scanned to know the details about the weaving and embroidery arts used in it. Several beneficiaries of the government schemes and the achievers in the Self-Help groups (SHGs) are being invited to attend the Republic Day celebrations and they will sit opposite to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "PM Street Vendor's, AtmaNirbhar Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana--there are around 30 such programmes benefiting various cross-sections of the people. They are the people at the grassroots level who represent India, who not only have benefited from the government but also come on top of it. Those are the people we are calling, giving them the main enclosure opposite the PM. They will watch the parade by sitting opposite PM," the Defence Secretary earlier said. Republic Day is celebrated with the President unfurling the national flag, followed by spectacular military and cultural pageantry. The Beating Retreat ceremony, which will be held at Vijay Chowk on January 29, 2024, will witness all Indian tunes to mark the culmination of the 75th Republic Day celebrations. The tunes will be played by bands of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and CAPFs before a distinguished audience comprising President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, other Union Ministers, senior officials and the general public. It is held annually on January 29 at Vijay Chowk and is a centuries-old tradition that dates back to the early 1950s, when Major Roberts of the Indian Army indigenously developed the unique ceremony of display by the massed bands. It marks a centuries-old military tradition when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms, withdrew from the battlefield, and returned to the camps at sunset at the sound of the retreat.(ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that IIT Indore's Ujjain satellite campus has received approval from the central government. This Satellite Campus is an important project, which will benefit the students, teachers and industrial workers and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has given in-principle approval to the satellite campus, the CM said. CM Sharma called on Union Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Pradhan at his residence in New Delhi on Thursday and discussed in detail issues related to education and skill development. CM Yadav said that a project for setting up a satellite campus in Ujjain was prepared by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore and sent to the Education Ministry for approval in 2023. During the meeting, the Chief Minister also informed Union Minister Pradhan that four future skill courses were being run by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, in Madhya Pradesh. "Augmented Reality-Virtual Reality (AR/VR) courses being taught in Mahila Polytechnic College, Bhopal, Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) courses being set up in Jabalpur Engineering College and Blockchain courses have been set up in Ujjain Engineering College, which provide skill development and are being run under the Sankalp Yojana of the Ministry of Entrepreneurship. 1000 youth of the state are being trained in each course," CM Yadav said. He has further said that a Center of Excellence is being established in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality by the IIT Delhi in Sant Shiromani Ravidas Global Skill Park set up by the state in Bhopal. He also informed that it was decided to appoint IIT Delhi as the technical advisor in place of ITE, Singapore for the course to be conducted at Sant Shiromani Ravidas Global Skill Park. (ANI)
Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said that he was "humbled" by the Padma Vibhushan conferred upon him. "Truly humbled by the honour of Padma Vibhushan award conferred upon me. As I continue to serve the people after my tenure as the Vice President of India, this honour makes me even more conscious of my role in the national endeavour to create a Shreshth Bharat," Naidu posted on X on Thursday. The former Vice President dedicated this honour to the farmers, women, youth and all my fellow citizens of India. "I dedicate this honour to the farmers, women, youth and all my fellow citizens of Bharat. Let us rededicate ourselves to the service of the motherland and strive to take Bharat to greater heights of glory," he added. Former Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, along with four other recipients, including the late social worker and founder of Sulabh International Bindeshwar Pathak, were honoured with the country's second highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, on the eve of Republic Day. Popular Indian actress Vyjayantimala Bali; actor, film producer, and former politician Konidela Chiranjeevi; and classical Bharata Natyam dancer Padma Subrahmanyam have also been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan on Thursday. There are 132 names on the list of Padma Awardees this year, including two duo cases (in a duo case, the award is counted as one), as per the list below. The list comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri Awards. 30 of the awardees are women, and the list also includes 8 persons from the categories of foreign non-resident Indian (NRI), person of Indian origin (PIO), overseas citizenship of India (OCI), and nine posthumous awardees. The Padma Awards, which were instituted in 1954, are one of the highest civilian honours of India and are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. The awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order), and Padma Shri (distinguished service). The award seeks to recognise achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved. The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. The Padma Awards Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes the Home Secretary, Secretary to the President, and four to six eminent persons as members. The recommendations of the committee are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President of India for approval. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended his greetings on the occasion of India's 75th Republic Day on Friday. Taking to the social media platform, X, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister posted a video with the caption, "Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all the people of the state on the 75th Republic Day! Jai Hind!" In the video, Dhami said that today is an opportunity for every Indian to be dedicated and proud of the country's Constitution. "Republic Day, a symbol of the unity, strength and diversity of the nation, is an opportunity for every Indian to be dedicated and proud of the country's Constitution. On this auspicious occasion of Republic Day, let us all take a pledge to discharge our basic duties with patriotism and spirit of service and take the country on the path of all-round development by creating a better India and a self-reliant India," Dhami said. He said, "Today, under the guidance of our illustrious Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, our country, along with becoming a self-reliant India, is creating its own unique identity by emerging as a world leader in the entire world, which is a matter of respect and pride for every Indian. Once again hearty congratulations and best wishes to all of you on Republic Day." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day. "Best wishes on the special occasion of the 75th Republic Day. Jai Hind!" PM Modi posted on X. The Republic Day parade will commence at 10.30 am in the national capital and run for approximately 90 minutes. President Droupadi Murmu will lead the country in the grand celebrations of its journey of Amrit Kaal that began post the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations to commemorate 75 years of the country's independence. Viksit Bharat's rich cultural diversity, the 'Aatmanirbhar' military prowess and the growing Nari Shakti are the dominating themes of the 90-minute parade that will be graced by French President Emmanuel Macron as Chief Guest. The ceremonial event will witness the classic display of the nation's defence forces with an exhilarating display of mighty cavalcades comprising mechanised columns state-of-the-art equipment, marches of contingents and a display of varied culture and unity in the diversity of the nation. Based on the twin themes of 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka', this year's parade will witness the participation of around 13,000 special Guests - an initiative that will provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life to take part in the celebrations and encourage Jan Bhagidari in this national festival. The ceremony will start with the visit of PM Modi to the National War Memorial, where he will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath. (ANI)
Amid the hectic political developments in Bihar, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan has postponed all his programmes scheduled for 75th Republic Day celebrations, party sources said. As the speculations ran rife over a rift in the ruling Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance), the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) went into a huddle at state headquarters. Taking to the social media platform, X, the LJP said that the office bearers of the party unanimously agreed to authorise Chirag Paswan to make decisions related to the alliance. "Today, in view of the current political situation in Bihar, an important meeting was held with the party's national officials and state officials under the leadership of National President Respected Shri @iChiragPaswan ji at the Bihar State Headquarters. All the officials from the party unanimously agreed to take decisions related to the alliance. The Chairman has been authorized to take decisions," the LJP said in the post. Earlier, Lalu's daughter Rohini Acharya took a swipe at RJD's ruling ally, JDS, on X posting that while the 'socialist party' (JDU) styles itself as progressive, its ideology shifts with the changing wind patterns.However, a few hours later, all three posts by Lalu's daughter were deleted. Earlier on Wednesday, on the occasion of Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur's birth centenary celebrations, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched a scathing attack on dynastic politics saying, "Karpoori Thakur never promoted his family. Taking inspiration from him, I too have never promoted any member of my family. After the death of Karpoori Thakur, only his son, Ramnath Thakur, was promoted. But today, people are promoting dynastic politics." However, ruling JD(U) leader KC Tyagi on Thursday affirmed that the party was still with the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in the state and the opposition bloc--INDIA. Speaking to ANI, Tyagi said, "JD(U) remains a part of the INDIA alliance." Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party national president JP Nadda cancelled his scheduled visit to Kerala. He was scheduled to participate in a Pad Yatra at Kasaragod on January 27. Further, in an intriguing development, the BJP's Bihar chief Samrat Chaudhary and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi arrived in the national capital on Thursday for a meeting with the party's top brass. (ANI)
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge extended his greetings on the occasion of India's 75th Republic Day on Friday. Taking to the social media platform, X, the Congress chief posted a video address emphasising justice, equality, fraternity, freedom, brotherhood, secularism, and socialism as India's foundational pillars. "I extend my good wishes to you on the 75th Republic Day. It is on this day 74 years back in 1950 that our Constitution came into effect, and we became a Republic breaking the chains of feudalism and colonialism," Kharge said. He said that the pillars of fundamental rights, social justice, and political rights, ensured to every citizen by the Constitution are under attack. "Our Constitution was based on the values of our Bharatiya civilisation, that is Nyaya (Justice), Maryada (dignity), Samata (equality), and Samabhaav (equanimity). This is the foundation for the social, economic, and political transformation of our country. Justice, equality, fraternity, freedom, brotherhood, secularism, and socialism are India's foundational pillars. The Constitution ensured fundamental rights, social justice, and political rights to every citizen. Today, these pillars are under attack from the government itself," the Congress chief said. He said, "The founding fathers of our Constitution Pandit Nehru, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Sardar Patel, Babu Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad and other giants of the Constituent Assembly would not have imagined that the Constitution would face such challenges." "Today, the fundamental and basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution to every Indian, are slowly being encroached upon and being eroded. We, the people of India who gave this Constitution to ourselves included Dalits, Tribals, Women, Farmers, and Labourers. Today they are facing assault by the government which is using emotional issues to divert attention and hide the Truth from citizens," Kharge added. He said that the Congress party has resolved to fight for the protection of the Constitution, democracy and Nyay. "The five pillars of Nyay, Yuva Nyay, Bhagidari Nyay, Nari Nyay, Kisan Nyay, and Shram Nyay will empower everyone and protect their rights. Today on Republic Day, let us all come together and make a pledge and join this mission of NYAY. Only then will we be able to secure the future of our youth. This will be the victory of our Constitution. This will be the victory of India. Once again, many good wishes on Republic Day. Jai Hind!" he said in the nearly five-and-a-half-minute video. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day. "Best wishes on the special occasion of the 75th Republic Day. Jai Hind!" PM Modi posted on X.The Republic Day parade will commence at 10.30 am in the national capital and run for approximately 90 minutes. President Droupadi Murmu will lead the country in the grand celebrations of its journey of Amrit Kaal that began post the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations to commemorate 75 years of the country's independence. (ANI)
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar came down from the stage and touched the feet of the actor playing the role of Lord Ram, while he was watching the dance presentation related to Lord Ram during the Republic Day celebrations in Karnal on Friday. "Hail to Sri Ramchandra who resides everywhere! On the occasion of Republic Day celebrations, I was overwhelmed with emotions after seeing the presentation related to Lord Shri Ram ji by child actors and got the privilege of touching his feet and receiving blessings," the Chief Minister said in a post on 'X'. The Chief Minister also announced a holiday for all schools in Haryana on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Republic Day 2024 tableau of Uttar Pradesh took part in the 75th Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path in Delhi. The theme of the tablueau was Ayodhya-Vikshit Bharat-Samradh Virasat. The Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla was held in Ayodhya on January 2022. The front of the tableau symbolised this event, showcasing the childhood image of Ram Lalla. The Haryana Chief Minister also unfurled the national flag and was present at a parade in Karnal on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day. "May every person of this Republic get 'equal rights' On the occasion of 75th Republic Day, I unfurled the national flag and took salute of a parade in Karnal today. Earlier, by offering flowers at the Martyr's Memorial, I paid tributes to the great freedom fighters and martyrs who sacrificed everything for the freedom of Mother India," the Chief Minister said in another post. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted fellow Indians on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day. "Best wishes on the special occasion of the 75th Republic Day. Jai Hind!" PM Modi posted on X. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unfurled the national flag in Lucknow, and extended his wishes on the 75th Republic Day and appealed to Indians to build a 'capable self-reliant India'. "Hearty congratulations and best wishes to the people of the state on the 75th Republic Day! This national festival not only remembers our immortal fighters but also provides us an opportunity to commit ourselves to the realization of the concept of 'Ek Bharat-Shrestha Bharat," CM Yogi said in a post on 'X'. (ANI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said protecting the fundamental principles of the Constitution is the true tribute to our freedom fighters. Wishing fellow citizens on Republic Day, he said the Constitution, which unites the dreams of the freedom fighters, is the soul of the Indian Republic. "Our great Constitution, which unites the dreams of the freedom movement, is the soul of the Indian Republic. Protection of the fundamental principles of the Constitution and loyalty to them is the true tribute to the immortal freedom fighters. Best wishes to all the countrymen on Republic Day. Jai Hind," Rahul Gandhi posted on X. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge extended his greetings on the occasion of India's 75th Republic Day on Friday. Taking to the social media platform, X, the Congress chief posted a video address emphasising justice, equality, fraternity, freedom, brotherhood, secularism, and socialism as India's foundational pillars. "I extend my good wishes to you on the 75th Republic Day. It is on this day 74 years back in 1950 that our Constitution came into effect, and we became a Republic breaking the chains of feudalism and colonialism," Kharge said. He said that the pillars of fundamental rights, social justice, and political rights, ensured to every citizen by the Constitution are under attack. "Our Constitution was based on the values of our Bharatiya civilisation, that is Nyaya (Justice), Maryada (dignity), Samata (equality), and Samabhaav (equanimity). This is the foundation for the social, economic, and political transformation of our country. Justice, equality, fraternity, freedom, brotherhood, secularism, and socialism are India's foundational pillars. The Constitution ensured fundamental rights, social justice, and political rights to every citizen. Today, these pillars are under attack from the government itself," the Congress chief said. He said, "The founding fathers of our Constitution Pandit Nehru, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Sardar Patel, Babu Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad and other giants of the Constituent Assembly would not have imagined that the Constitution would face such challenges." "Today, the fundamental and basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution to every Indian, are slowly being encroached upon and being eroded. We, the people of India who gave this Constitution to ourselves included Dalits, Tribals, Women, Farmers, and Labourers. Today they are facing assault by the government which is using emotional issues to divert attention and hide the Truth from citizens," Kharge added. Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day on Friday by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path. President Murmu on her arrival at Kartavya Path was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Simultaneously, the National Anthem was played and the 21 Gun Salute was presented to the President. President Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who is the chief guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations were escorted by the President's Bodyguard- 'Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak'. The two Presidents arrived at Kartavya Path in the 'Traditional Buggy', a practice which made a comeback after a gap of 40 years. The parade on India's 75th Republic Day parade concluded after a spectacular showcase of the country's military might and diverse culture at Kartavya Path. (ANI)
Amid the political turmoil in Bihar, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said that the biggest enemy is unemployment and his government has given more than 4.5 lakh jobs "...Today the biggest enemy is unemployment. Our government has done historic work on this. We have given more than 4.5 lakh jobs. No state government has done such work. This will not stop... we will fulfil all the promises we made and take Bihar and the country forward..." said Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav in Patna. Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav also took part in Republic Day celebrations in Patna' Meanwhile, Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD) president Upendra Kushwaha on Friday took a jibe at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar saying that even if the latter leaves the ruling Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance), what is the guarantee that he would stay with the Bharatiya Janata Party after the Lok Sabha elections. The former ally of Bihar Chief Minister told ANI that it is true Kumar is considering leaving his current alliance. "There is talk that he may join the NDA alliance. It is true that CM Nitish Kumar is considering leaving the (INDIA alliance). If he joins the NDA, the big question is whether he will stay with the NDA after the elections or not... What is the guarantee that he will not leave the NDA alliance after the Lok Sabha elections," Kushwaha said. Earlier, Lalu's daughter Rohini Acharya took a swipe at RJD's ruling ally, JDU, on X posting that while the 'socialist party' (JDU) styles itself as progressive, its ideology shifts with the changing wind patterns, a statement which triggered cracks within the ruling alliance. However, a few hours later, all three posts by Lalu's daughter were deleted. Earlier on Wednesday, on the occasion of Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur's birth centenary celebrations, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched a scathing attack on dynastic politics saying, "Karpoori Thakur never promoted his family. Taking inspiration from him, I too have never promoted any member of my family. But today, people are promoting dynastic politics." However, Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi on Thursday affirmed that the party was still with the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in the state and the opposition bloc--INDIA. Speaking to ANI, Tyagi said, "JD(U) remains a part of the INDIA alliance." Meanwhile, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi on Friday said that the ruling Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) government will not last for long. "Recently I had said that there would be a change in Bihar after January 20 and the basis of this was Nitish Kumar's statement. He has said many things against RJD...On this basis, we said that the alliance would not work. Their alliance will not last for long. Nitish Kumar's dream of becoming PM has been shattered... Therefore, after breaking the alliance, he may contest the Lok Sabha elections independently or join the other alliance," Manjhi said. The former Bihar Chief Minister said that if Kumar jumped ship again, he would not compromise with the top post. "For now, we cannot say when that will happen, but normally Nitish Kumar does not compromise on the Chief Ministeral post. Nothing can be said about whether the NDA alliance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will accept Kumar as the Chief Minister or not," he added. Notably, the BJP has convened a meeting with its local leaders on Saturday in the state capital Patna. The meeting, which would be attended by district presidents and district-level officials of the party has been called for a "confidence building" among the leaders of BJP's state unit before they take any decision regarding forming the government with Kumar's JD(U) in the state, sources said. Bihar BJP in-charge Vinod Tawde will also go to Bihar tomorrow morning, they said. (ANI)
The following items were taken from Naperville police reports and press releases. An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt:

A 22-year-old man from Naperville was arrested on a warrant at 11:34 a.m. Jan. 21 at South Route 59 and Ogden Avenue.

A 49-year-old man from Chicago was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and resisting or obstructing a police officer at 12:54 a.m. Jan. 22 at North Sleight Street and East Ogden Avenue.

A 32-year-old man from Willowbrook was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol at 1:06 a.m. Jan. 22 in the 1200 block of East Ogden Avenue.

A 45-year-old man from Chicago was arrested on charges of burglary and retail theft at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22 in the 2700 block of Aurora Avenue.

A 38-year-old man from Aurora was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol at 8:34 p.m. Jan. 22 in the 2700 block of Showplace Drive.

A 45-year-old man from Naperville was arrested on a warrant and on charges of illegal lane usage, driving on a revoked/suspended license, driving without insurance and leaving the scene of an accident with vehicle damage at 10:37 a.m. Jan. 20 at Fairway Drive and Campbell Drive.

A 31-year-old man from Naperville was arrested on charges of failure to reduce speed/driving too fast for conditions and driving under the influence of alcohol at 5:15 a.m. Jan. 21 in the 2700 block Cedar Glade Drive.

A 61-year-old man from Chicago was arrested on a warrant and a peace bond warrant at 8:51 a.m. Jan. 22 in the 800 block of South Washington Street.

A 29-year-old man from Aurora was arrested on a charge of possession of a controlled substance at 7:46 p.m. Jan. 23 at the police station, 1350 Aurora Ave.

A 41-year-old man from Nashville was arrested on a charge of battery at 12:05 a.m. Jan. 24 in the 1600 block of North Route 59.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday arrived at the Raj Bhavan in Patna to attend Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's 'At Home' reception event in Patna. Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader, skipped the event while RJD leader Alok Mehta, a cabinet minister was present at the event. The 'At Home' ceremony at Raj Bhawan serves as an occasion for dignitaries from various walks of life to come together and strengthen ties, celebrating unity and collaboration. Earlier in the day, Nitish Kumar unfurled the national flag at his residence in Patna, on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day. Currently, the ruling JD(U)-RJD-Congress alliance in Bihar is on the verge of collapse over the speculation that Nitish Kumar could cross over to the NDA again. Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD) president Upendra Kushwaha on Friday took a jibe at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar saying that even if the latter leaves the ruling Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance), what is the guarantee that he would stay with the Bharatiya Janata Party after the Lok Sabha elections. The former ally of Bihar Chief Minister told ANI that it is true Kumar is considering leaving his current alliance. "There is talk that he may join the NDA alliance. It is true that CM Nitish Kumar is considering leaving the (INDIA alliance). If he joins the NDA, the big question is whether he will stay with the NDA after the elections or not... What is the guarantee that he will not leave the NDA alliance after the Lok Sabha elections," Kushwaha said. "A change is certain. It is a matter of a short time now. In the BJP yesterday, the party has also taken a decision. Nitish ji is also ready. PM Modi also likes Nitish ji. NDA will win all 40 seats in Bihar if Nitish ji joins us....I think everything will get sorted in two days. There will be an NDA government in Bihar," BJP MLA Gyanendra Singh Gyanu told ANI. Earlier, Lalu's daughter Rohini Acharya took a swipe at RJD's ruling ally, JDU, on X posting that while the 'socialist party' (JDU) styles itself as progressive, its ideology shifts with the changing wind patterns, a statement which triggered cracks within the ruling alliance. However, a few hours later, all three posts by Lalu's daughter were deleted. Earlier on Wednesday, on the occasion of Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur's birth centenary celebrations, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched a scathing attack on Congress saying, "Karpoori Thakur never promoted his family. Taking inspiration from him, I too have never promoted any member of my family. But today, people are promoting dynastic politics." Giving more weight to the possible entry of Nitish Kumar into NDA, Bharatiya Janata Party MP and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Sushil Kumar Modi on Friday said that doors are never closed "permanently" in politics. "In yesterday's meeting, strategies for (the upcoming) Lok Sabha elections were discussed. But as far as Nitish Kumar and JD(U) are concerned, doors are never closed permanently in politics. Now our central leadership will decide whether the door will open or not," Sushil Modi told reporters before returning to Patna. Sushil Modi was Deputy Chief Minister in the NDA government in Bihar in 2022, before Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar severed ties with the ally BJP and partnered with the RJD and the Congress again.(ANI)
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Friday said that the door can be opened if needed, indicating a possible revival of ties between Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar -led JDU and his former ally, the BJP. Speaking to the reporters here, Sushil Kumar Modi, who once had stated that all the doors are closed even if Nitish Kumar wanted to return to NDA, said on Friday, 'no door is permanently closed in politics'. "We are keeping an eye on all the developments and if needed an appropriate decision will be taken. No door is permanently closed in politics and the door can be opened if needed..." Sushil Modi said. The statement came in the backdrop of speculations that Kumar, the JD(U) president, could pull out of the Mahagathbandhan and return to the NDA, led by the BJP, as his equations with INDIA bloc partners reportedly turned sour. The unity of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) appeared in jeopardy amid growing speculation that Nitish Kumar, a key figure in the bloc may exit the 28-party Opposition bloc, formed to take on the BJP-led Central government. It all started when Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD President Lalu's daughter Rohini Acharya took a swipe at RJD's ruling ally, JDU, on X posting that while the 'socialist party' (JDU) styles itself as progressive, its ideology shifts with the changing wind patterns, a statement which triggered cracks within the ruling alliance. However, a few hours later, all three posts by Lalu's daughter were deleted. The INDIA bloc is largely a creation of Nitish Kumar, who crisscrossed the country to pull together opposition parties, including those not always friendly with the Congress. If Nitish crosses over, this would be the fourth time he would be switching sides. In the Bihar Assembly of 243, the RJD has 79 MLAs; followed by the BJP's 78; the JD(U)'s 45' the Congress's 19, the CPI (M-L)'s 12, two each of the CPI(M) and CPI, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)'s four seats, and the AIMIM's one, plus one Independent legislator. Amid talk of a deepening rift, the RJD and JD(U), on Thursday, held separate meetings while BJP state president Samrat Choudhary left for Delhi to hold discussions with top BJP leaders. Sushil Modi was Deputy Chief Minister in the NDA government in Bihar in 2022, before Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar severed ties with the ally BJP and partnered with the RJD and the Congress again. Armed with the support of the 'Mahagathbandhan' (Grand Alliance) Kumar quit the BJP in August 2022 and stripped the party out of power. (ANI)
Amid the current political situation in Bihar, Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD) president Upendra Kushwaha on Friday said that there are enough indications that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is worried and disturbed in Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) and JDU chief might be thinking about exiting the bloc. "How can I tell what will happen in Bihar, I am not a future teller. But indications are coming out that there is JDU versus RJD going on. And there are indications that Nitish Kumar is worried and disturbed in Mahagathbandhan and wants to exit the alliance," Upendra Kushwaha told ANI. Downplaying his meeting with Union Minister of State Nityanand Rai, Upendra Kushwaha said that he frequently meets the BJP leader and there was no particular agenda for the meeting. "We frequently meet. We have met before quite a lot. Nityanand Rai has frequently visited my residence, when I go to Delhi, I also meet him. Yes, these are election times, so it is normal that discussions will happen on the current situation. But there was no particular agenda for the meeting," he said. A meeting between RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and his close aides is underway at the former's official residence in Patna. The meeting was called by the Bihar Deputy Chief Minister. Reacting to this development, Upendra Kushwaha said," It is his party he can call meetings of his own leaders whenever he wants." On rumours about RJD trying to persuade Jitan Ram Manjhi to come to its side, Upendra Kushwaha also said that the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief is a senior figure of NDA and will remain in it. "Jitan Ram Manjhi is in NDA and will remain with it. He is a senior figure in NDA. There is no confusion about this," he said. Earlier today, Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party Chief and ally of the INDIA bloc said that there is "no sign" of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a key figure in the opposition alliance returning to the NDA. Yadav also expressed his hope that Nitish will strengthen the INDIA alliance, formed to take on the BJP-led central government in the upcoming general elections. "There is no such sign. We hope that Nitish Kumar will not go to NDA. He will strengthen the INDIA alliance," Yadav said. Nitish Kumar defeated the BJP in the 2015 assembly elections, in alliance with the RJD. However, two years later, he dumped Lalu Yadav's party and joined the NDA. Sushil Modi was Deputy Chief Minister in the NDA government in Bihar in 2022, before Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar severed ties with the ally BJP and partnered with the RJD and the Congress again. Armed with the support of the 'Mahagathbandhan' (Grand Alliance) Kumar quit the BJP in August 2022 and stripped the party out of power. (ANI)
As part of the 75th Republic Day celebrations, a special event was organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to honour women change makers of Swachh Bharat Mission - Grameen in New Delhi. This landmark event was aimed at fostering collaboration and driving progress. It was planned not just for celebration but for meaningful policy discussions, according to a government release. As per the release, these interactions commemorated the achievements of the women change-makers in the sanitation sector and provided an opportunity for insightful exchanges that could influence future policy directions. This event brought together over 475 women from across the country in a vibrant dialogue with the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister of State of Jal Shakti, Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Jitendra Srivastava, Joint Secretary and Mission Director, SBM-G welcomed the participants and congratulated the women changers makers 'for being the change they want to see in the world.' He updated on the SBM progress across the country that shall soon witness more and more villages moving to the ODF Plus Model category, thanks to the zeal and motivation of the women leaders. An ODF Plus Model village sustains its ODF status, has arrangements for solid and liquid waste management and is visually clean. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, JJM set the context of the event which was for Nari Sashaktikaran as women have transformed themselves into leaders and changemakers across all sectors including SBM-G. Underlining the cleanliness journey, he said that we must 'improve our waste management systems, learn from different states and continue to focus on 'Jan Bhagidari for Sampoorn Swachhata'. The event also put a spotlight on "Swachhata Shakti: Stories of Women Transforming India's Sanitation at the Grassroots," a tribute to the exemplary work of these dedicated women. During his interaction, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat observed that the success of SBM is evident with the 'construction of more than 11 crore toilets, over 5 lakh villages declared as ODF plus and over 4 lakh villages with arrangement of liquid waste management. These achievements are no small feat, yet it is not big enough that we rest on our laurels.' He emphasized the mission of SBM-G being a 'long-term endeavour' and speaking with the women changemakers is special because often, women have always provided a new momentum, new energy and a new life to the journey forward on cleanliness. We must move forward on the SBM-G movement by the declaration of more villages as ODF Plus model for which he sought support from the women changemakers requesting them to help create 'a culture of sanitation and a sense of ownership in the community for the SBMG assets.' Applauding the women champions who were present at the event, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that all of you together 'inspire the diverse strengths of women hailing from various states, each with unique topographies and terrains, the common thread binding all of you is the unwavering commitment to the program and mission for cleanliness. The collective efforts transcend geographical boundaries, embodying the true spirit of unity in the pursuit of a cleaner nation.' He said that the unity in diversity makes my belief stronger that with your dedication and hard work, India will present an example to the world in sanitation. SBM is set in a revolution and has brought about the world's largest behavioural change drive that has helped avoid diarrheal deaths and improve nutrition and productivity. We should look at technology solutions and learn from each other. I urge you to remain steadfast in your commitment by engaging with your communities, collaborating with departments, and joining forces with SHGs to support women. All of you play a critical role in shaping the work we do, he added. In his concluding remarks, Union Minister of Jal Shakti said that all change makers who have shared their journey with us must go back to their village, and tell the people back home about the exemplary work being done in the field of sanitation and cleanliness across the country. Inspire them to follow environment-friendly and economically viable practices and follow our digital handles for cross-learning. "I am confident that the event has been engaging and one that has inspired you to continue working with more dedication and I am sure seeing the example set by you, other people will also learn and contribute to the making of 'Sampoorn Swachh Bharat'," he said. (ANI)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday took a swipe at the Centre for non-selection of the state's tableau for the Republic Day parade in the national capital. He recalled how several proud sons and daughters of the soil were at the forefront of the country's freedom struggle and contributed to the making of the Indian Republic, safeguarding its unity, integrity and sovereignty through countless sacrifices. "Addressing the gathering after unfurling the Tricolour in a function to mark 75th Republic Day, the chief minister said that this day assumes a lot of significance for us because Punjabis had brought it after enormous sacrifices," read a media release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The CM said in the pre-independence days, January 26 came and went every year but no one was allowed to unfurl the national flag. Taking a dig at the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for ignoring the state's tableau at the main Republic Day parade in the national capital, the Punjab CM added, "While today, we have the right to celebrate this day but it is unfortunate that the tableau of the state was deliberately kept out of the Republic Day parade." "The Chief Minister said that it is surprising how national festivals can be celebrated without Punjab, adding that those who had deliberately kept Punjab's tableau out of the parade must tell what is wrong in them," the release added. He said that the rich culture and heritage of the state were duly showcased in the tableaus of the state government because "we can't compromise with the pride" of Punjab. "Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the mockery of the supreme sacrifices made by the Punjabis by the Union government is intolerable and unwarranted, due to which the state has vehemently raised this issue," the release added. The CM accused the Centre of insulting the heroes of the country's freedom struggle, including Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Mai Bhago, Ghadri Baabe and others, by rejecting the state's tableau. "Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this cannot be tolerated as it is the grave insult of these great patriots and national leaders adding that the state government has now duly showcased this immense contribution in tableaus across the state," the release stated. The CM informed that the state government has decided to name the upcoming international airport at Indian Air Force Station Halwara, Ludhiana as Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha International Airport. He claimed that it was due to the efforts of his government that the Mohali International Airport was earlier named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh, adding that the naming of Halwara Airport after Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha would be a humble tribute to him. He added that naming airports, universities and other institutions after heroes of the freedom struggle was important to perpetuate their glorious legacies. "Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the parade led by parade commander Akarshi Jain, IPS. He also took a salute from an impressive march past by contingents of Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, Punjab Armed Police, NCC Girls and Boys, Bharat Scouts and Guides, besides the Punjab Police Brass Band," the release added. Meanwhile, on the 75th Republic Day, the students of various local schools presented a range of events including Bhangra, Gidha, group dance, PT show and group singing. The chief minister also felicitated surviving freedom fighters and their kin in recognition of their valuable contributions to the country's struggle for emancipation from colonial rule. (ANI)
Acknowledging the political pressure, Pawan conveyed his party's decision to contest two seats.

"Like Chandrababu, I am also under pressure. That is why it has been announced that the Jana Sena will contest two constituencies," the actor-turned-politician said, adding that the challenging political landscape prompted this strategic move.

However, stressing unity within the alliance, Pawan added, "Even if there is a word between the alliances, both the parties are going to the elections together", reaffirming the commitment of both Jana Sena and TDP to contest the upcoming elections together.

"Today, on the 75th Republic Day, I am happy to make this announcement," he said.

Andhra Pradesh is going to polls in a few months, along with the Lok Sabha polls this year. (ANI)
Dr Yazdi Maneksha Italia, who has been conferred the Padma Shri Award for his work on sickle cell disease, said on Friday that the country's highest civilian honour belongs to his team. Maneksha Italia from Gujarat, is a doctor who dedicated his life to fighting sickle cell anaemia among the Tribals of Gujarat. Speaking with ANI, Italia said, "It is a good thing. I believe that this award is only in my name but it belongs to the whole of my team. Whatever I have done, it is with the help of the Valsad blood donation team..." https://x.com/mygovindia/status/1750608414240055463?s=20 "Shri Yazdi Maneksha Italia from Gujarat is a doctor who dedicated his life to fighting sickle cell anaemia among the Tribals of Gujarat. He has been awarded Padma Shri for his contributions to the field of Medicine," MyGovIndia, a Citizen engagement platform of Government of India, posted on X 24 hours ago. There are 132 names on the list of Padma Awardees this year, including two duo cases (in a duo case, the award is counted as one), as per the list below. The list comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri Awards. Thirty of the awardees are women, and the list also includes eight persons from categories of foreign non-resident Indian (NRI), person of Indian origin (PIO), overseas citizenship of India (OCI), and nine posthumous awardees. The Padma Awards, which were instituted in 1954, are one of the highest civilian honours of India and are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. The awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order), and Padma Shri (distinguished service). The award seeks to recognise achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved. The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. The Awards Committee is headed by Cabinet Secretary and includes the Home Secretary, Secretary to the President and four to six eminent persons as members. The recommendations of the committee are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President of India for approval. Last year, the government announced 106 Padma Awards, including three duo cases. The list then comprised six Padma Vibhushans, nine Padma Bhushans, and 91 Padma Shri Awards. Nineteen of the awardees were women, and the list also included two persons from the category of foreigners: NRI, PIO, OCI, and seven posthumous awardees. (ANI)
The deceased has been identified as Pila Annapurna. Eight others have sustained minor injuries, they said.

The accident took place when a vehicle on its way from Araku Valley lost control while negotiating a bend near Katiki Falls.

The injured were shifted to Araku Valley Community Hospital, they added.

Police have registered a case and started a probe into the accident. (ANI)
She was also part of the Tangail formation of fighters during the flypast over the Kartavya Path on Friday.

She was piloting a Dornier aircraft of the formation which included one Dakota aircraft and two Dorniers.

Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day on Friday by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path.

The celebrations began after Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes at the National War Memorial to honour the fallen bravehearts of the Indian armed forces.

President Droupadi Murmu led the country in the grand celebrations of the nation's journey to the 'Amrit Kaal', which began after the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations commemorating 75 years of the country's independence.

Based on the twin themes of 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat-Loktantra ki Matruka', this year's parade witnessed the participation of around 13,000 special guests.

The special initiative was an opportunity for people from all walks of life to take part in the celebrations in the spirit of 'Jan Bhagidari' or public involvement. (ANI)
Taking to X, CM Yogi wrote: "The demise of Dr Shiv Pratap Yadav, the MLA from the Gainsari assembly of Uttar Pradesh, is extremely saddening. My condolences are with the grieving family. May Lord Shri Ram grant a place for the departed soul in His divine feet and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this loss. Om Shanti."

https://x.com/myogiadityanath/status/1750762169220899234?s=20

Shiv Pratap Yadav was undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. He breathed his last during the late-night hours of the treatment. (ANI)
A Will County judge is expected to rule next month on whether statements Barry Lee Whelpley made at a Minnesota police station about the 1972 murder of Naperville teenager Julie Ann Hanson can be used against him.

Whelpley, now 79, was arrested in 2021 after DNA evidence linked him to Hansons murder. Hanson, 15, disappeared while riding a bicycle on July 7, 1972, and her body was found the next day in a ditch along 87th Street, not far from Modaff Road.

Investigators said the teen had been stabbed 36 times and sexually assaulted.

At a court appearance Thursday, Whelpleys attorneys argued his Fifth Amendment rights were violated when police spoke to him for seven hours at his Mounds View, Minnesota, home without reading him his Miranda rights. They continued to be violated, they said, after he was taken into custody when results from a buccal swab test linked his DNA to a sample from Hanson, they said.

Barry Lee Whelpley, of Mounds View, Minnesota, was charged in 2021 with the July 1972 murder of 15-year-old Julie Ann Hanson, of Naperville.

Will County Judge David Carlson previously ruled that statements made at the home were inadmissible. Defense attorneys filed a motion last year to suppress all statements made by Whelpley at the police station.

Whelpleys attorney Tracy Stanker said police used an interrogation technique in which they asked questions first and then warn later.

She said that while Whelpley was read his Miranda rights when he was taken into custody, the same officers had been questioning him previously and referenced statements he made at the house. The interrogation at the police station came less than an hour after Whelpley was questioned at his home, and those statements should be suppressed, Stanker said.

Naperville police Sgt. John Reed testified Thursday that Whelpley was not in custody when Naperville and Minnesota police officers executed a search warrant in 2021 at his home.

Whelpley was never handcuffed, and he was allowed to get water and coffee, move about freely and was told he wasnt under arrest, Reed said.

Whelpley did not have to speak to officers if he didnt want to, Reed said, adding that whenever possible he uses a friendly, soft and genteel approach when interacting with possible suspects.

Whelpley was not going to be placed in custody until they had the lab results from the swab test, Reed said.

Once DNA evidence was confirmed, Whelpley was arrested and his rights read to him, Reed said.

Defense attorney Terry Ekl countered that Whelpley was always in custody, alleging police were trying to get a confession from him by interrogating him at his home. Whelpley likely wouldnt have been comfortable talking to police if his Miranda rights were given, Ekl said.

He added that Whelpley wasnt free to move about his home, noting he had to be escorted to the bathroom and was told to leave the door open.

Assistant States Attorney Christopher Koch said officers did not thwart Whelpleys Miranda rights.

Whelpley made voluntary statements, was not coerced or threatened, and acknowledged that he understood his rights, he said.

He was not in custody at his home, but statements Whelpley made at the police station should be admissible, Koch said.

The next court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 6.

Whelpley has been held at the Will County jail since being returned to the area following his arrest.

He grew up in Naperville, graduating from Naperville Community High School in 1964. Now a retired welder, Whelpley was 27 at the time of Hansons murder and lived in the 600 block of South Wehrli Drive, within a mile of Hansons residence.

The case was considered an unsolved murder until technological advancements in DNA and genetic genealogy analysis produced information that linked Whelpley to Hansons murder, police said.

Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
Amid the current political situation in Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Ritlal Yadav on Friday said that no one can betray party supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav adding that it does not matter whether RJD will remain in power or not. Ritlal Yadav said that work for the public will continue irrespective of the outcome of the current political scenario in Bihar. "No one has betrayed our Lalu Prasad Yadav nor can anyone betray him. Only the public can betray him, otherwise, no one has that power. It doesn't matter whether we are in the government or not, we will work for the people," RJD MLA said. Earlier today, a meeting was called by the RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav at his official residence in Patna. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister also skipped an 'At Home' event at the Governor's House. However, party leader Alok Mehta, a cabinet minister was present at the event. Coming back from the national capital after meeting with senior leadership of BJP, former Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi said that she went to New Delhi to discuss the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. "I have no idea about the current political situation in Bihar. I just went to Delhi to discuss about the strategy for Lok Sabha polls," Renu Devi said. Amid the possibility of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar making yet another switch to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the BJP has called its state executive meeting tomorrow and the day after, the sources said. The meeting is likely to be held on January 27 and 28. According to the sources, the party's Bihar in-charge Vinod Tawde will go to Patna tomorrow. If reports are to be believed, the stage seems to be set for Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar to return to the BJP-led NDA again. If Nitish switches sides, this will mark the fourth time in just over a decade that he would do it. Nitish's shift would deal a severe blow to the ruling Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Bihar as well as the Opposition INDIA bloc at the national level that was formed to take on the BJP-led Centre in 2024 Lok Sabha Polls. (ANI)
Bihar Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan said that the claims made by the media that there is a possibility of Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar joining hands with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) again are 'baseless'. "There is no confirmation regarding the reports that are floating in the media. The claims being made by the media reports are baseless. I condemn this behaviour. I would appeal the media not to promulgate the matter," Ahmad said in a video message. The unity of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) appeared in jeopardy amid growing speculation that Nitish Kumar, a key figure in the bloc may exit the 28-party opposition bloc formed to take on the BJP-led central government. Earlier, former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD President Lalu's daughter, Rohini Acharya, took a swipe at RJD's ruling ally, JDU, on X, posting that while the 'socialist party' (JDU) styles itself as progressive, its ideology shifts with the changing wind patterns, a statement that triggered cracks within the ruling alliance. However, a few hours later, all three posts by Lalu's daughter were deleted. If Nitish Kumar crosses over to the NDA, this would be the fourth time he would be switching sides. Amid talk of a deepening rift, the RJD and JD (U) held separate meetings on Thursday, while BJP state president Samrat Choudhary left for Delhi to hold discussions with top BJP leaders.Giving more weight to the possible entry of Nitish Kumar into the NDA, Bharatiya Janata Party MP and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Sushil Kumar Modi, said on Friday that doors are never closed "permanently" in politics. "In yesterday's meeting, strategies for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections were discussed. But as far as Nitish Kumar and JD (U) are concerned, doors are never permanently closed in politics. Now our central leadership will decide whether the door will open or not," Sushil Modi told reporters before returning to Patna. "A change is certain. It is a matter of a short time now. In the BJP yesterday, the party also took a decision. Nitish Ji is also ready. PM Modi also likes Nitish Ji. NDA will win all 40 seats in Bihar if Nitish ji joins us. I think everything will get sorted out in two days. There will be an NDA government in Bihar," BJP MLA Gyanendra Singh Gyanu told ANI. Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar on Friday arrived at the Raj Bhavan in Patna to attend Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's 'At Home' reception event in Patna.Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader, skipped the event, while RJD leader Alok Mehta, a cabinet minister was present at the event. At the event, Kumar and former Bihar CM and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi greeted each other. Kumar was also seen having interactions with Leader of Opposition (LoP) Vijay Sinha. (ANI)
Uncertainty has once again engulfed Bihar with the possibility of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar shifting to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation has accused the BJP of creating differences in Mahagathbandhan over seat sharing. Speaking to ANI on Friday, the CPI(ML) leader Mahboob Alam said that the BJP wants to win the Lok Sabha elections anyhow. "I had a word with Minister Vivek Kumar Choudhary around 11 am and he said there is no issue...you can't blame one person regarding seat sharing, did seat sharing happen in NDA? No, the BJP wants to create differences in Mahagathbandhan over seat sharing. BJP has gone crazy...they want to win the Lok Sabha elections anyhow..." Mahboob Alam said. Speculations are rife that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will possibly cross over to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) again, an alliance he left in 2022 to join hands with the Opposition and form 'mahagathbandhan'. If Nitish switches sides, this will mark the fourth time in just over a decade that he would do it. Nitish's shift would deal a severe blow to the ruling Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Bihar as well as the Opposition INDIA bloc at the national level that is formed to take on the BJP-led centre. In the Bihar Assembly of 243, the RJD has 79 MLAs; followed by the BJP's 78; the JD(U)'s 45' the Congress's 19, the CPI (M-L)'s 12, two each of the CPI(M) and CPI, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)'s four seats, and the AIMIM's one, plus one Independent legislator. Meanwhile, amid such reports, Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD) president Upendra Kushwaha said that there are enough indications that Kumar is worried and disturbed in Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) and JDU chief might be thinking about exiting the bloc. "How can I tell what will happen in Bihar, I am not a future teller. But indications are coming out that there is JDU versus RJD going on. And there are indications that Nitish Kumar is worried and disturbed in Mahagathbandhan and wants to exit the alliance," Upendra Kushwaha told ANI. On the other hand, Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party Chief and ally of the INDIA bloc on Friday said that there is "no sign" of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a key figure in the opposition alliance returning to the NDA. Speaking to the reporters here, Yadav also expressed his hope that Nitish will strengthen the INDIA alliance, formed to take on the BJP-led central government in the upcoming general elections. "There is no such sign. We hope that Nitish Kumar will not go to NDA. He will strengthen the INDIA alliance," Yadav said. The BJP, however has called its state executive meeting tomorrow and the day after, the sources said. The meeting is likely to be held on January 27 and 28. (ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday claimed that a conspiracy by some people helped the Britishers perpetuate their colonial rule in India, adding that some people continue to live off the toil of others. Speaking at an event to commemorate the death anniversary of Indian warrior and freedom fighter Rayanna on the 75th Republic Day on Friday, the Karnataka CM said, "There are still people among us who do not agree to any change in society, do not agree with equal opportunities, and want to nurture inequality. Such people are very dangerous. The CM gave a call to be careful about such people." "But those who want their aspirations to be destroyed, there should be no constitution, inequality should continue, and those who want to sit idle and live on someone else's hard work are still trying to change our constitution. We need to be extremely conscious about them," he said, in what was widely seen as a sly dig at the BJP. "Patriot and a freedom fighter Sangollirayanna was caught and handed over to the British by our own people's conspiracy. We do not respect him because he belongs to the Kuruba community, but because of Rayanna's patriotism and sacrifice, everyone should remember and respect him. He said that Rayanna should be born in every home," an official release quoted the CM as saying. "We have recommended to the Union Government to name Hubli Airport after Rayanna. Kempegowda Development Authority was established by us. We also recommended the name Kempegowda for Bangalore International Airport. Institutions are named after great people like Kempegowda, Rayanna, Basavanna, Kuvempu, Kanakadasa, Mahatma Gandhi, Vivekananda- to inspire people of their aspirations," he added. "Our kings hated each other and this opportunity was seized by Ghazji Muhammad and the British, French etc attacked us," the CM said, adding, "The country's opportunities must be disbursed amongst all class of the society. It is the aspiration of our constitution. Basavanna's and Kuvempu's aspiration was the same. He explained that the aspirations of all these people was included in Rayanna's struggle too", according to the release. The programme was also attended by Nirmalananda Swamiji, the Dharmaguru of Adi Chunchanagiri Maha Sansthan and the chief minister's political secretaries Govindaraju and Naseer Ahmed, and former minister HM Revanna. (ANI)
According to an official release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the annual NCC PM rally at the Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi at 4:30 PM."

The event will include a cultural programme on the theme 'Amrit Kaal Ki NCC' showcasing the contribution and empowerment of the Amrit Peedhi.

In the true Indian spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', more than 2,200 NCC cadets and young cadets from 24 foreign countries will be a part of this year's rally.

As special guests, more than 400 Sarpanches of the Vibrant Villages and more than 100 women belonging to various self-help groups from different parts of the country will also attend the NCC PM Rally. (ANI)
Speculations are rife that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will possibly cross over to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) again, an alliance he left in 2022 to join hands with the Opposition and form 'Mahagathbandhan'. Several NDA leaders including former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi have indicated an alliance breakdown between JD(U)-RJD. Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi said that the ruling Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) government will not last for long. The HAM president said that by seeing the statements of his former ally and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he had sensed earlier that there would be a change in the state. "Recently I had said that there would be a change in Bihar after January 20 and the basis of this was Nitish Kumar's statement. He has said many things against RJD...On this basis, we said that the alliance would not work. Their alliance will not last for long. Nitish Kumar's dream of becoming PM has been shattered... Therefore, after breaking the alliance, he may contest the Lok Sabha elections independently or join the other alliance," Manjhi said. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Friday said that the door can be opened if needed, indicating a possible revival of ties between Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar -led JDU and his former ally, the BJP. "We are keeping an eye on all the developments and if needed an appropriate decision will be taken. No door is permanently closed in politics and the door can be opened if needed..." Sushil Modi said. Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD) president Upendra Kushwaha on Friday said that there are enough indications that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is worried and disturbed in Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) and JDU chief might be thinking about exiting the bloc. "How can I tell what will happen in Bihar, I am not a future teller. But indications are coming out that there is JDU versus RJD going on. And there are indications that Nitish Kumar is worried and disturbed in Mahagathbandhan and wants to exit the alliance," Upendra Kushwaha told ANI MLA Gopal Mandal of the leading party JD(U) in the grand alliance alleged that Nitish Kumar was not being 'respected' in the 'Mahagathbandhan'. "Wherever our national president (Nitish Kumar) goes, we will follow him. People can do anything to save their existence. His existence was at the stake. He was not respected; he was being abused," Mandal said. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan said that there is definitely some stir in the state adding that it is a matter of time before the situation gets clear on whether Nitish Kumar led-JDU will realign with BJP-led-NDA. "LJP (Ram Vilas) is keeping a close eye on the current situation. There are a lot of possibilities. Not right to answer anything on a hypothetical basis. So need to wait and let the situation become clear. Afterwards, we can tell our stand," Chirag Paswan told ANI. When asked about the BJP leader's Gyanendra Singh remarks that "change is certain" and "PM Modi likes Nitish Kumar", Chirag Paswan said," I don't know if it is their' (BJP) official line. All I want to say is irrespective of that in the current situation NDA is very strong. Even today, NDA can win all 40 seats in Bihar. I don't know whether Nitish Kumar will rejoin NDA or not." Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation has accused the BJP of creating differences in Mahagathbandhan over seat sharing. "I had a word with Minister Vivek Kumar Choudhary around 11 am and he said there is no issue...you can't blame one person regarding seat sharing, did seat sharing happen in NDA? No, the BJP wants to create differences in Mahagathbandhan over seat sharing. BJP has gone crazy...they want to win the Lok Sabha elections anyhow..." Mahboob Alam said. However, in a curt response to media queries, RJD MP Manoj Jha said the Bihar chief minister must "clear the confusion" by evening. Manoj Jha also said the RJD is willing to continue the alliance and that it never played such games. "We can only request Nitish Kumar to clear the confusion by evening. This confusion about the alliance, which is affecting the normal lives of people... from our side it is very clear. So this confusion emanating from media reports is also confusing us. You will not see any comments from our side. So I will request, he clears the confusion and 'idhar-udhar'. The chief minister will also be watching media reports. RJD never did this khela (game)," he said. Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party Chief and ally of the INDIA bloc on Friday said that there is "no sign" of Nitish Kumar, a key figure in the opposition alliance returning to the NDA. "There is no such sign. We hope that Nitish Kumar will not go to NDA. He will strengthen the INDIA alliance," Yadav said. RJD leader Shivanand Tiwari said on Friday that it 'surprises' him how one's conscience allows one to go back to the place where one was reportedly 'insulted'. "We have seen what kind of language was used by the Bihar BJP chief for Nitish Kumar in the past. It surprises me how one's conscience allows one to go back there," Tiwari said. "Nothing is clear as yet. Let us wait for the details on why he (Nitish Kumar) went to the Raj Bhavan," the RJD veteran added. "I have sought time from the Chief Minister for today. He even said that he would call me," he said. Amid the report, the BJP has called its state executive meeting tomorrow and the day after, the sources said. The meeting is likely to be held on January 27 and 28. With the development taking place in the Media, the unity of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) appeared in jeopardy. Nitish Kumar, after parting ways with the BJP in 2022, took on the initiative of uniting all opposition forces to jointly take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling party in the national election. He hosted the first meeting of opposition parties in Patna, and it was widely believed that he would eventually be the coalition's Convenor. It all started when Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD President Lalu's daughter Rohini Acharya took a swipe at RJD's ruling ally, JDU, on X posting that while the 'socialist party' (JDU) styles itself as progressive, its ideology shifts with the changing wind patterns, a statement which triggered cracks within the ruling alliance. If Nitish crosses over, this would be the fourth time he would be switching sides. In the Bihar Assembly of 243, the RJD has 79 MLAs; followed by the BJP's 78; the JD(U)'s 45' the Congress's 19, the CPI (M-L)'s 12, two each of the CPI(M) and CPI, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)'s four seats, and the AIMIM's one, plus one Independent legislator. (ANI)
The state-level folk dance competition was organised at the "At Home" programme held at the Raj Bhavan in Agartala.

As part of the 75th Republic Day 2024 celebrations, a spectacular showcase of cultural performances was delivered at the event.

Earlier in the day, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha unfurled the national flag at his official residence in Agartala as the country celebrated Republic Day.

The chief minister greeted the citizens after the flag-unfurling ceremony.

This year, India is commemorating its 75th Republic Day, marking the adoption of the constitution on January 26, 1950, and the attainment of sovereignty.

Earlier in New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day on Friday by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path.

President Murmu, on her arrival at Kartavya Path, was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Simultaneously, the National Anthem was played and the 21-gun salute was presented to the President.

The two presidents arrived at Kartavya Path in the 'Traditional Buggy', a practice that made a comeback after a 40-year gap.

For the first time, an all-woman tri-service contingent participated in the parade. As many as 16 states and Union Territories also displayed their heritage diversity with the help of cultural performances and tableaux.

A French military contingent also participated in the parade earlier. This year, the parade has twin themes -- 'Visit Bharat' (developed India) and 'Bharat -- Loktantra Ki Matruka' (Mother of Democracy). (ANI)
The 'At Home' ceremony at Raj Bhawan serves as an occasion for dignitaries from various walks of life to come together and strengthen ties, celebrating unity and collaboration.

All the prominent leaders of the ruling BJP, including state president Ranib Bhattacharya, Chief Secretary JK Sinha, District Magistrate and Collector, Vishal Kumar, as well as MLAs and government executives, were present at the function.

Cultural dances and songs were performed by different 'Kaaryakartas' and high officials at the event to mark the Platinum Jubilee of the Indian Republic.

Earlier in the day, CM Saha unfurled the national flag at his official residence in Agartala.

The chief minister also greeted the citizens after the flag-unfurling ceremony.

India, on Friday, commemorated its 75th Republic Day, marking the adoption of the constitution on January 26, 1950, and the attainment of sovereignty.

Earlier in the day, President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path.

President Murmu, on her arrival at Kartavya Path, was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Simultaneously, the National Anthem was played and the traditional 21 gun salute was presented to the President.

The two Presidents arrived at Kartavya Path in the 'Traditional Buggy', which made a comeback after a gap of 40 years.

For the first time ever, an all-women tri-service contingent participated in the parade. As many as 16 states and Union Territories also displayed their heritage diversity with the help of cultural performances and tableaux.

A French military contingent also participated in the parade earlier. This year, the parade has twin themes -- 'Visit Bharat' (developed India) and 'Bharat -- Loktantra Ki Matruka' (Mother of Democracy). (ANI)
The island nation of Tuvalu is all set to head to polls today. The country will examine its ties with Taiwan and China if Finance Minister Seve Paeni becomes prime minister following the election. Tuvalu is one of the 12 countries that formally recognise Taiwan's government. Speculation that Tuvalu will cut ties with Taiwan rose after Nauru switched to China following Taiwan's presidential election. The elections in Tuvalu will be the deciding factor if the island nation will also walk in the footsteps of Nauru, which recently severed its diplomatic relationship with Taiwan. According to ABC Pacific, there will be a lot of attention on the outcome around the Pacific, especially since Australia signed a security agreement with the current government, known as the Falepili Union. However, despite considerable criticism in Tuvalu, the transaction may not be on voters' minds. Moreover, according to experts, if the agreement came into force, it would make it harder for Tuvalu to break ties with Taiwan in favour of China. Australia has been vocal and active in confronting China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. China - Australia ties were affected in 2018 after Canberra announced legislation to crack down on foreign interference, which was perceived to be aimed at China. The ties between the two nations were further affected after Australia joined the Western nations in their demand for independent investigations into the origins of Covid-19. The US, Japan, India, and Australia together formed Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD). Tuvalu was formerly known as the Ellice Islands. The official languages spoken there are Tuvaluan, and English. Enele Sopoaga, who is also running for prime minister of Tuvalu, has stated that if elected, he will continue to recognise Taiwan as a "sovereign and independent state and diplomatic friend," according to Taiwan News. Taiwan's ambassador to Tuvalu, Tung-heng Lin told CNA on Thursday that if the existing prime minister is re-elected, Taiwan-Tuvalu ties would remain strong. Tuvalu will elect new members to its 16-member parliament on Friday. Because there are no political parties in the country, elected MPs will negotiate to create factions following the vote, with the biggest group selecting the prime minister, according to Taiwan News. Tuvalu's election results are anticipated today evening, with a government and prime minister chosen in the coming days. Notably, the Pacific region has become a contesting point between China and other nations as its quest to emerge as a global power continues to irk countries. As a result of the Solomon Islands government's decision to move its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019 under Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, the Pacific region has become a flashpoint for Chinese-American conflict. In April 2022, the Solomon Islands inked a security agreement with China that alarmed the US and its allies, including Australia, who worry that it could open the door for a Chinese military presence in the area, Bangladesh-based The Daily Asian Age reported, citing a funding document and email examined by RFA-affiliated news organisation BenarNews. (ANI)
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to be the chief guest at India's 75th Republic Day celebrations today. This marks a unique reciprocal exchange following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France on its National Day in July 2023. This momentous visit by President Macron culminates the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the Strategic Partnership between India and France. The two leaders have engaged in a series of high-profile meetings throughout 2023, underscoring the strength and depth of the bilateral relationship. Their interactions have spanned various global platforms, including the COP 28 Summit in Dubai, the G20 Leaders' Summit, and the G7 Summit in Hiroshima. Notably, President Macron was also the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Celebrations in France in July 2023. This visit by President Macron marks the sixth time a French leader has been invited as the Chief Guest at India's Republic Day. This tradition began with President Jacques Chirac in 1976, followed by Valery Giscard d'Estaing in 1980, Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, and Francois Hollande in 2016. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's last visit to France for Bastille Day in July 2023 was a spectacle of symbolism and substance. The visit showcased the strong bonds between the two nations, with a tri-service Indian armed forces contingent marching at Champs-Elysees and a spectacular flypast by Rafale jets. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi was honoured with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, a prestigious recognition in France. A State Banquet at the Louvre Museum and a private dinner at Elysee highlighted the grandeur of the occasion. The Prime Minister also addressed the Indian community at La Seine Musicale. On the substantive front, two key roadmaps, namely the India-France Horizon 2047 Roadmap and the Indo-Pacific Roadmap, were adopted. A total of 12 crucial documents were signed, covering areas such as UPI on Eiffel, museum cooperation, digital technologies, civil aviation, space (Trishna IA), and MDA (STP). Furthermore, 11 announcements were made, including the establishment of the French Bureau in Hyderabad, cooperation in sports, increased CEFIPRA funding, a 5-year Schengen visa for Indian degree holders from French universities, visa exemption on official passports, and collaboration in launch services between NSIL and Arianespace. Upon his arrival at the Jaipur International Airport on Thursday, the French President was received by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. In Jaipur, the French President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed bilateral ties and exchanged perspectives on a wide-range of bilateral and global issues. "Taking India-France Strategic Partnership to greater heights! Productive discussions held between PM @narendramodi and President @EmmanuelMacron of France in Jaipur. The two leaders took stock of bilateral ties & exchanged perspectives on a wide-range of bilateral and global issues," Ministry of External Affiars (MEA) Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X. PM Modi said that it is a matter of great pride that the French President will be taking part in the 75th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on Friday. He said that Macron's presence not only strengthens the ties between the two nations but also adds a significant chapter to "our shared history of friendship and collaboration." PM Modi added that he is elated about the fact that Macron began his India visit from Jaipur. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Welcome to India, my friend President @EmmanuelMacron. I am happy that President Macron begins his India visit from Jaipur in Rajasthan, a land with rich culture, heritage and talented people." "It is a matter of great pride that he will be taking part in our Republic Day celebrations tomorrow, 26th January, in Delhi. His presence not only strengthens the ties between our nations but also adds a significant chapter to our shared history of friendship and collaboration," PM Modi added. PM Modi's offical handle on 'X' said: "Jaipur gave an enthusiastic welcome to PM @narendramodi and President @EmmanuelMacron. The leaders also stopped by for a cup of tea!" (ANI)
A study of voting behavior and civic participation published on Wednesday found that Indiana placed second to last among American states for voter turnout in 2022, even as voter registration and participation in the Hoosier State improved over previous years.

The fifth biennial Indiana Civic Health Index (INCHI) was a produced by a partnership that included Indiana University Northwest, the Indiana Bar Foundation and the Indiana Civics Coalition.

Though the Hoosier state has consistently ranked among the 10 worst states for voter turnout in midterm years since 2010, when it ranked 48th, the most recent midterm election saw it drop even further behind, outperforming only West Virginia. With the lowest overall 2022 voting rate of 41.9%, Indiana fell well short of the national voting rate of 52.2 %. Indiana ranked 36th in voting turnout during the 2012 presidential election but fell to 46th in 2020.

Volunteers Monice Lillie and Jerome Simmons campaign for mayoral candidates Eddie Melton and Jerome Prince, respectively, outside of a Gary polling place on Nov. 2, 2023. A new study found that Indiana placed second to last among American states for voter turnout in 2022.

To explain these gloomy statistic, the studys authors point to commonly cited factors: a dearth of competitive elections and election policies that limit turnout.

The reports authors stressed that there is good news as well; the study noted that some other indicators of civic health, including the percentage of Hoosiers who reported getting in touch with public officials, donating to political organizations, or discussing politics with family and neighbors, increased over previous years.

Ellen Szarleta, director of Indiana University Northwests Center for Urban and Regional Excellence and the studys primary author, noted that despite the damage done to Hoosiers social networks by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated declines in civic health indicators from 2020 to 2022, we still find ourselves trending in a positive direction on civic awareness and civic action.

Though the study notes a list of policies employed by the states with the highest voter turnout that are absent in Indiana  including automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration, unrestricted absentee voting and extended election day voting hours  using the INCHI to advocate for those policies in the Hoosier state right now would amount a waste of time, Bill Moreau, founder and president of the Indiana Citizen Education Foundation, told the Post-Tribune.

The GOP-dominated Indiana state legislature has shown little interest in enacting any of those reforms, and has taken steps to restrict ballot access in recent years. Last year, Gov. Eric Holcomb signed into law a Republican-authored bill adding a requirement that voters include a form of ID when submitting an absentee ballot application. The law, which went into effect in July, was framed by Republicans as a common-sense election security measure but was criticized by voting rights advocates who see it as a barrier to broader participation.

Im gonna sound really fatalistic here, but its like going through the stages of grief, Moreau said. You have to at one point reach sort of a state of acceptance, right?

Rather than reforms to election policy, the study focuses on civic education and engagement, an area where advocates have recently seen significant victories. In 2021, prompted in part by a recommendation made by an earlier version of the INCHI, the Indiana General Assembly passed a bipartisan bill requiring Indiana middle schools to teach one semester of civics to sixth graders. The current 2023-2024 school year is the first since the legislation took effect.

Katie Szczepanski and Geri Vogeler campaign for incumbent Clerk-Treasurer Beth Hernandez outside St. John Town Hall on May 2, 2023. A new study found that Indiana placed second to last among American states for voter turnout in 2022.

Weve made a difference in the process, Szarleta said. The focus is really on that registration piece, knowing that theres still policy level actions that need to take place to move that needle.

To boost voter registration and turnout for this years elections, the INCHI calls for an all-out effort in 2024 to register every eligible Hoosier, with special emphasis on our youngest citizens.

We propose setting the goal of registering every willing, eligible high school senior in the spring and fall semesters of 2024, thereby reaching the classes of 2024 and 2025, the authors write. INCHI continues to highlight Indianas registration and turnout rankings with the hope that the information will spur Hoosier policymakers, the political parties, and candidates to invest in increased voter registration, access to candidate information, and higher turnout.

adalton@chicagotribune.com
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday extended Republic Day wishes to India and said that the Constitution of India continues to provide an enduring framework for the world's largest democracy and a foundation of its global leadership. "On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of India on India's Republic Day. The Constitution of India continues to provide an enduring framework for the world's largest democracy and a foundation for its global leadership," he said in an official statement. The statement read, "As President Biden has said, our relationship with India is one of the most consequential in the world. " Blinken also highlighted India's successful G20 presidency and hoped for deepening ties with India. He said, "The past year has been marked by important milestones in our Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership, including our cooperation throughout India's successful G20 Presidency and at the G20 Leaders' Summit. In the year ahead, we look forward to further deepening the vibrant people-to-people ties between our countries and advancing our ambitious agenda for cooperation on our most vital priorities. I warmly extend my best wishes to the Indian people as they celebrate this special occasion." Earlier, US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said during a press briefing on Thursday (US local time) extended Republic Day wishes to India, calling the country a key strategic partner of the US. "I would just note that - would wish a happy Indian Republic Day to anybody tuning in. India is a country - it is a key strategic partner of the United States and one that we look forward to closening our collaboration in a number of key areas on. And this is - was quite indicative in - during Prime Minister Modi's state visit here to the United States this past summer," he said. India is meanwhile gearing up for a momentous platinum celebration of the country's Republic Day with an enthralling showcase of its military prowess and rich cultural heritage at the majestic 'Kartavya Path' in the national capital. President Droupadi Murmu will lead the country in the grand celebrations in its journey of Amrit Kaal that began post the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations to commemorate 75 years of the country's independence. Viksit Bharat's rich cultural diversity, the 'Aatmanirbhar' military prowess and the growing Nari Shakti are the dominating themes of the 90-minute parade that will be graced by French President Emmanuel Macron as Chief Guest. For the first time ever, an all-women Tri-Service contingent is marching down the Kartavya Path. Women pilots will also enthral the audience during the Indian Air Force's fly-past, representing Nari Shakti (women power). The contingents of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will also consist of only women personnel. The parade will be heralded by over 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments. The parade would commence with the music of Sankh, Naadswaram, Nagada, etc., to be played by the women artists. The ceremonial event will witness the classic display of the nation's defence forces with an exhilarating display of mighty cavalcades comprising of mechanised columns, state of the art equipment, marches of contingents and a display of varied culture and unity in diversity of the nation. Based on the twin themes of 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka', this year's parade will witness the participation of around 13,000 special guests, an initiative which will provide an opportunity to people from all walks of life to take part in the celebrations and encourage 'Jan Bhagidari' in this national festival. The ceremony will start with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the National War Memorial, where he will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath. Thereafter, Prime Minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade. After this President Murmu and her French counterpart Macron will be escorted by the President's Bodyguard, the senior most Regiment of the Indian Army. This Republic Day is special for this elite Regiment which has completed 250 years of service since its raising in 1773. The two Presidents will arrive in the 'traditional buggy', a practice which is making a comeback after a gap of 40 years, the Defence Ministry said. The National Flag will be unfurled, followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute given with indigenous gun system 105-mm Indian Field Guns. (ANI)
The Indian embassy in Japan celebrated the 75th Republic Day of India, and Indian envoy, Sibi George unfurled the national flag during the event. The Indian envoy also read the address of President Droupadi Murmu to the Nation. Taking to X, the Indian Embassy in Japan shared glimpses of the celebrations saying, "Glimpses of 75th Republic Day of India celebrations at @IndianEmbTokyo. Ambassador @AmbSibiGeorge unfurled the tricolour and read the address by Hon'ble Rashtrapati ji to the Nation." On the occasion, many world leaders including US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Australian PM Anthony Albanese, Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu, and Former Maldive President Ibrahim Solih extended Republic Day wishes to India. Iran also extended Republic Day wishes and reaffirmed the agenda to strengthen India-Iran ties. "The Islamic Republic of #Iran extends its sincere congratulations to the friendly nation and Government of the Republic of #India on Republic Day. The mutual agenda of the two nations is to strengthen all-out ties, including political and economic connectivity. #Iran_India," Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X. India is celebrating its Republic Day with an enthralling showcase of its military prowess and rich cultural heritage at the majestic 'Kartavya Path' in the national capital. Viksit Bharat's rich cultural diversity, the 'Aatmanirbhar' military prowess and the growing Nari Shakti are the dominating themes of the 90-minute parade that will be graced by French President Emmanuel Macron as Chief Guest. For the first time ever, an all-women Tri-Service contingent is marching down the Kartavya Path. Women pilots will also enthral the audience during the Indian Air Force's fly-past, representing Nari Shakti (women power). Based on the twin themes of 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka', this year's parade will witness the participation of around 13,000 special guests - an initiative that will provide an opportunity to people from all walks of life to take part in the celebrations and encourage Jan Bhagidari in this national festival. Tableaux of 16 States and nine ministries will also take part. The grand performance includes 30 folk dance styles uniquely prevalent in different states, as well as contemporary classical dance and Bollywood styles. The artists include tribal dancers, folk dancers, and classical dancers. As per officials, over 8,000 security personnel have been deployed and security has been increased with the help of technology and human intelligence surveillance in Delhi. (ANI)
During the conversation, they agreed on increasing cooperation in projects shared by both countries, among other things in the underwater electric cable that will connect Israel to Cyprus and from there to Greece and the Israel-Europe natural gas pipeline project.

In addition, they agreed that during the next few weeks Skylakakis will visit Israel, during which he will sign an agreement in the energy fields discussed in the conversation.

Minister Cohen: "We are connecting Israel to Europe through Greece, diversifying Europe's energy sources in the midst of the energy crisis and strengthening Israel's position in the region." (ANI/TPS)
Britain's King Charles III extended Republic Day wishes to India on Friday and expressed confidence in strengthening India-UK ties. In a congratulatory note addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, King Charles hailed India and the UK's close bond and shared values. Britain's King said, "On the special occasion of your National Day, my wife and I would like to convey our warmest congratulations to Your Excellency and the people of the Republic of India. I cherish the close bond shared between our nations and I am confident that our ties will continue to flourish in this very special seventy-fifth anniversary year of the Commonwealth a fitting reminder of the enduring values and aspirations that unite us." The note added, "I congratulate you on a successful G20 presidency last year and look forward to our countries continuing to work together to tackle the world's most pressing global challenges. I look forward to all Commonwealth members coming together in Samoa later in the year. My wife and I would like to take this opportunity to send you and the people of India our very best wishes for the coming year." Additionally, the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong congratulated Prime Minister Modi and the people of India on the 75th Republic Day and underscored bilateral relations based on trade, finance, defence and close people-to-people ties. "Please accept my warmest congratulations on the happy occasion of India's 75th Republic Day. Singapore and India enjoy a deep and longstanding friendship, underpinned by wide-ranging cooperation in trade, finance, defence, and close people-to-people ties. Through the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable, we are also exploring collaboration in new areas like food security, sustainability, upskilling, and digitalisation," Singapore PM said in an official statement. It added, "You will be pleased to know that the PayNow-Unified Payments Interface linkage that we jointly launched in February 2023 has seen a steady uptake of users. This has made cross-border transactions safer and faster for businesses and individuals on both sides." He also lauded India's G20 presidency and noted that India's skilfully navigated a multitude of contentious issues at the summit. He said, "I was glad to visit India to meet you and to attend the G20 Summit in September 2023. Under your leadership, India skilfully navigated a multitude of contentious issues to successfully conclude the G20 New Delhi Summit with a consensus Leaders Declaration." He said further, "As a country, coordinator for ASEAN-India relations, Singapore will maintain the momentum in ASEAN-India relations following its upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022. I look forward to continuing to work with you to further deepen and strengthen Singapore-India relations. I wish you good health, happiness, and every success." Moreover, Mauritius PM also extended wishes and posted on X, "Warmest congratulations to Prime Minister Shri Modi Ji @narendramodi and our Indian sisters and brothers on the glorious occasion of the 75th Republic Day of India." Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day on Friday by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path. President Murmu on her arrival at Kartavya Path was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Simultaneously, the National Anthem was played and the 21 Gun Salute was presented to the President. As per tradition, the National Flag was unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute given with indigenous gun system 105-mm Indian Field Guns. (ANI)
India Taipei Association congratulated Foxconn CEO Young Liu on being conferred with Padma Bhushan, in the field of trade and industry, stating that it is a testament to Foxconn's 'success story' in India and India's emergence as an 'electronics manufacturing hub'. Notably, Liu is the first person from Taiwan to have been conferred with the honour of Padma Bhushan. "India Taipei Association congratulates Chairman and CEO Mr Young Liu of Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) on being conferred one of India's highest civilian awards, Padma Bhushan, in the field of trade and industry. This is a testament to Foxconn's success story in India and India's emergence as an electronics manufacturing hub," the India Taipei Association said in a statement. https://x.com/ita_taipei/status/1750730070975758585?s=20 Foxconn is the world's largest electronics manufacturer and a leading global science and technology solutions provider. Notably, people without any distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards conferred by the government of India. India has periodically recognized contributions of non-Indian origin people towards Indian society. In recent past, John Chambers of Cisco, (2019) and Osamu Suzuki of Suzuki (2007) have been the recipients of the Padma Bhushan in trade and industry category. The awardees are chosen based on the contribution of the individual towards Indian society and have no bearing on their personal affiliations. Liu is a recognised entrepreneur and innovator with over four decades of industry experience, according to Foxconn's official website. He has founded three companies-- a motherboard company in 1988 known as Young Micro Systems; a northbridge and southbridge IC design company in 1995 focused on the PC chipset and an ITE Tech and an ADSL IC design company, ITeX in 1997. Liu earned an MS degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Southern California in 1986 and a BS degree in Electrophysics from Taiwan's National Chiao Tung University in 1978, as per Foxconn website. Foxconn has rapidly expanded its presence in India by investing as part of its supply chain diversification from China in an evolved post-pandemic world order. (ANI)
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal extended Republic Day wishes to India and expressed confidence over the strengthening of India-Nepal ties. Taking to X, Nepal PMO said, "On the occasion of the 75th Republic Day of India, I extend my best wishes to PM Shri @narendramodi ji, the government and friendly people of India for good health, peace and prosperity. I am confident that the ties of friendship between our countries will continue to grow further." Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on Friday celebrated the 75th Republic Day and unfurled the national flag. The Indian envoy to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava presided over the event and unfurled the flag. Organizing an event on the lawn of the Embassy, hundreds of Indian nationals living in Nepal attended the ceremony where the address by Indian President Droupadi Murmu was also screened. The Indian Ambassador referring to President Murmu's address stated that India in the next 25 years aims to be amongst the developed nations; while doing so, the neighbours also would be given priority, the Indian Chief of Mission reiterated. "We will not be becoming a developed nation or achieve our tasks unless we take our neighbours along and that is reflected in our neighbourhood first policy that Prime Minister Modi has been following for the last ten years. We see the fruits of that policy in our relations with Nepal. Last year was especially important- the visit of Prime Minister Prachanda in May-June of last year and earlier this month, the visit of the External Affairs Minister of India. These visits have embarked a new momentum and direction to our ties," Ambassador Srivastava said addressing the event. Indian envoy presented books to thirty educational institutions worth Nepal Rupee 19 lakhs (Rs 11 lakhs). On this occasion, the Ambassador felicitated widows and next of kin of deceased soldiers by disbursing their dues of NRs. 5.07 Crore (over Rs 3cr) and blankets. The Embassy also unveiled Bhu Puu-2024 magazine covering welfare initiatives of the Government of India for ex-servicemen domiciled in Nepal. The celebrations witnessed renditions of patriotic songs and performances by students of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the Embassy and Kendriya Vidyalaya School, Kathmandu. India is celebrating its momentous platinum celebrations of the country's Republic Day with an enthralling showcase of its military prowess and rich cultural heritage at the majestic 'Kartavya Path' in the national capital. Viksit Bharat's rich cultural diversity, the 'Aatmanirbhar' military prowess and the growing Nari Shakti are the dominating themes of the 90-minute parade that will be graced by French President Emmanuel Macron as Chief Guest. (ANI)
Calling the UK-India relationship a "force of good," British Home Secretary James Cleverly underscored the importance of the two countries working together for global peace, according to an official release. Speaking at India Global Forum's 6th annual UK-India Parliamentary Lunch at the House of Lords on Wednesday, Cleverly said, "The intellectual horsepower of India is enormous and getting bigger. Whether it is dealing with potential future pandemics or dealing with non-communicable diseases or dealing with the opportunities and risks of AI financial services or sustainable agriculture, I struggle to think of any sector where coordination and cooperation between the UK and India will not be a force for good in the world." Against the backdrop of major global conflicts, and following the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Britain in 22 years, the Home Secretary emphasised the vitality of the partnership in preventing conflict from "spilling over." "It was incredibly important that India's Defence Minister visited the UK because in a turbulent world, and a potentially turbulent region, having strong and long-standing partners, as we do with India, closely coordinating on security on the preservation of peace is incredibly important. Of course, the military relationship between India and the UK is very long-standing. I really hope that together, demonstrating the strength of purpose, demonstrating a commitment to democracy, and demonstrating a willingness to defend our values, the UK and India can work together to prevent the conflict from spilling over and engulfing other parts of the world," Cleverly stated, according to the release. The UK-India Parliamentary Lunch co-hosted by the Indian High Commission to the UK and Lord Jitesh Gadhia where key players from the world of politics, business and finance sit-down over a lunch at the House of Lords to celebrate the growing ties between the two democracies. Referring to British Foreign Secretary David Cameron's comments on the global conflict dashboard flashing red lights, India Global Forum Chairman and CEO Manoj Ladwa said, "As we have seen, approaches and responses can vary, even between the closest of partners. These divergences are more about nuance and emphasis, rather than the fundamental values of the rule of law, freedom of belief, diversity and inclusion, freer trade, and democracy, that we all so cherish. In such times, democracies must work harder to work together. Because we all know, democracies work best, when democracies work together." Highlighting the strides the Indian economy has made in recent years, Sujit Ghosh, India's Deputy High Commissioner said, "India is not just creating opportunities for its people but also for the rest of the globe. The UK is uniquely positioned to benefit from India's rise. The time has come for our friends in the UK to shed their old lenses and see India for what it is." "Though a significant element of the UK-India bilateral, agenda lies in the hands of political leaders and diplomats, especially the FTA negotiations, a lot of the activity flows from the two-way traffic of people, ideas, commerce and collaboration, which is such a defining characteristic of the UK-India axis", observed Lord Gadhia. Sponsored by Standard Chartered and Tata, the Parliamentary lunch was followed by peer-to-peer roundtable discussions on reforming governance with technology, pharmaceuticals and pandemic preparedness, the release also said. (ANI)
As French President Emmanuel Macron graced India as the Chief Guest for Republic Day, the profound ties between India and France have once again come to the forefront. In a testament to robust bilateral relations, four individuals from France are set to receive the prestigious Padma Awards this year. The four French individuals who are being honoured with Padma Shri are: Charlotte Chopin, Kiran Vyas, Pierre Sylvain Filliozat, and Fred Negrit. Charlotte Chopin, a 100-year-old yoga practitioner, will be felicitated with the Padma Award. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his France visit last year, met her. "In Paris, I had the opportunity to meet the remarkable Charlotte Chopin. She began practising Yoga at the age of 50. She's going to turn hundred soon but her passion towards Yoga and fitness has only increased over the years," PM Modi said in a post on X. The remaining two are Pierre Sylvain Filliozat (87), a Sanskrit scholar dedicated to advancing Indian culture studies, and Fred Negrit, an indologist promoting great awareness and appreciation of the culture of India. Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian awards in the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines / fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. 'Padma Vibhushan' is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service. 'Padma Bhushan' is awarded for distinguished service of high order and 'Padma Shri' for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions that are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, usually around March or April every year. For the year 2024, the President has approved the conferment of 132 Padma Awards. The list comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri Awards. 30 of the awardees are women, and the list also includes 8 persons from the categories of foreigners, NRIs, PIOs, and OCI, as well as 9 posthumous awardees. (ANI)
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait celebrated the 75th Republic Day of India. India's Ambassador to Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika, unfurled the National flag and read President Droupadi Murmu's address to the nation. More than 4000 Indians participated in the Republic Day celebrations. Indian Embassy in Kuwait shared glimpses of their celebrations on social media platform X. In a post shared on X, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait stated, "Glimpses of #RepublicDay2024 celebrations at Embassy of India, Kuwait. Amb @AdarshSwaika1 unfurled the National Flag and read out Hon'ble Rashtraptiji's address to the nation. Over 4000 Indians participated in the celebrations." This year, India is commemorating its 75th Republic Day, marking the adoption of the constitution on January 26, 1950, and the attainment of sovereignty. On the occasion, many world leaders including US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Australian PM Anthony Albanese, Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu, and Former Maldives President Ibrahim Solih extended Republic Day wishes to India. Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day on Friday by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path. President Murmu on her arrival at Kartavya Path was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Simultaneously, the National Anthem was played and the 21 Gun Salute was presented to the President. As per tradition, the National Flag was unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute given with indigenous gun system 105-mm Indian Field Guns. President Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who is the chief guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations were escorted by the President's Bodyguard- 'Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak'. The two Presidents arrived at Kartavya Path in the 'Traditional Buggy', a practice which made a comeback after a gap of 40 years. The Commandant of the President's Bodyguard Colonel Amit Berwal, rode to the right of the President's Buggy, leading this elite body of horsemen. To the left of the President's Buggy is the Second-in-Command of the Regiment Lt Col Ramakant Yadav. Four Mi-17 IV helicopters of the 105 Helicopter Unit showered flower petals on the audience present at Kartavya Path. This was followed by 'Aavaahan', a band performance by over 100 women artists playing various types of percussion instruments, symbolising Nari Shakti. The Gun Salute was presented by the Ceremonial Battery of 871 Field Regiment (SHINGO) ex HQ 36 Artillery Brigade. The Ceremonial Battery is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Vikas Kumar, SM. The Gun position officer is Subedar (AIG) Anoop Singh. The 21 Gun Salute was given with 105 mm Indian Field Guns, the indigenous gun system on Kartavya Path. 21 Gun Salute is the highest military honour presented to the National Flag from the Kartavya Path. The gun salute is synchronized with three simultaneous actions viz-a-viz, unfurling of the National Flag, Playing of the National Anthem by the Service bands and the national salute rendered by the President's Bodyguard. (ANI)
Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, unfurled the Tricolour at the Indian Embassy in London on the occasion of Republic Day. As the celebrations commenced, Doraiswami read the excerpts of President Droupadi Murmu's address to the nation. Indian actor Boman Irani was also present with his wife, Zenobia Irani, at the Republic Day celebrations at the London High Commission. Actor Irani had a joyous interaction with the India diaspora at the embassy, and he congratulated the two girls, named Lavisha and Dalisha, for singing 'Saare Jahan Se Achha Hindustan Humara' during the programme. This year, India is commemorating its 75th Republic Day, marking the adoption of the constitution on January 26, 1950, and the attainment of sovereignty. On the occasion, many world leaders including US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Australian PM Anthony Albanese, Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu, and Former Maldives President Ibrahim Solih extended Republic Day wishes to India. Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day on Friday by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path. President Murmu, on her arrival at Kartavya Path, was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Simultaneously, the National Anthem was played and the 21-gun salute was presented to the President. As per tradition, the National Flag was unfurled, followed by the National Anthem and a booming 21-gun salute given with indigenous gun systems and 105-mm Indian field guns. President Murmu and her French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, who is the chief guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations, were escorted by the president's bodyguard, 'Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak'. The two presidents arrived at Kartavya Path in the 'Traditional Buggy', a practice that made a comeback after a 40-year gap. The commandant of the president's bodyguard, Colonel Amit Berwal, rode to the right of the president's buggy, leading this elite body of horsemen. To the left of the President's Buggy is the Second-in-Command of the Regiment, Lt Col Ramakant Yadav. Four Mi-17 IV helicopters of the 105 Helicopter Unit showered flower petals on the audience present at Kartavya Path. This was followed by 'Aavaahan', a band performance by over 100 women artists playing various types of percussion instruments, symbolising Nari Shakti. The gun salute was presented by the Ceremonial Battery of 871 Field Regiment (SHINGO) ex HQ 36 Artillery Brigade. The Ceremonial Battery is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Vikas Kumar, SM. The Gun position officer is Subedar (AIG) Anoop Singh. The 21 Gun Salute was given with 105 mm Indian Field Guns, the indigenous gun system on Kartavya Path. 21 Gun Salute is the highest military honour presented to the National Flag from the Kartavya Path. The gun salute is synchronized with three simultaneous actions viz-a-viz, unfurling of the National Flag, Playing of the National Anthem by the Service bands and the national salute rendered by the President's Bodyguard. (ANI)
A bill establishing rules for allowing the sale of puppies by licensed breeders at retail locations across the state  including in those cities and towns that have previously banned such sales  is once again making its way through the Indiana legislature.

On Thursday, the Indiana House passed House Bill 1412  dubbed the puppy mill bill by opponents  on second reading. The canine standard of care bill was introduced by Rep. Beau Baird, R-Greencastle and co-authored by Reps. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron, and Robert Morris, R-Fort Wayne.

The measure was passed with an amendment identifying hobby breeders and holding them to the same standards as commercial breeders when selling pets through a pet store. The bill also establishes a series of fines for those hobby breeders who do not comply with licensing requirements passed.

Tito, a French bulldog who was one of 39 dogs rescued from a Crown point puppy mill in May 2023.

Baird said the approved amendment ties up the loopholes that would have allowed hobby breeders to avoid scrutiny. He described the legislation and a much better bill than what was previously presented.

He said he does not believe the bill as written unnecessarily impedes local control. Prohibiting puppy sales in some communities and not others does nothing to address the root cause of the problem which is demand for puppies, Baird said. The protections in the canine standard of care created by Purdue University and used in the legislation will provide for the welfare of animals while still allowing sales to continue to meet the demand.

Baird, who raises and breeds Quarter Horses, said he truly cares about animals. He believes in responsible breeding and responsible breeding practices.

To me this was a chance for us to try and address demand where it resides in a more human way, with higher standards, he said. I completely understand locals not wanting local ordinances to be undone. The entire premise is to address demand humanely in the state of Indiana.

Aylesworth said legislators are trying to create uniform regulations throughout the state through the canine standard of care bill for the protection of dog breeders, owners and purchasers.

We want to apply it uniformly, Aylesworth said.

He said the bills authors met repeatedly with stakeholders over the summer in an effort to iron out the best possible legislation that would allow for the sale of canines while keeping them safe.

I think I understand where (some) communities are coming from. I used to be a local government official. Its important for businesses who are in the business of selling animals to have that opportunity if they have adopted the standards of care to continue in that business and not be put out of business, Aylesworth said.

He described the bill as a consumer protection act that would prevent the use of puppy mills and other dogs that should not be sold.

We want whats best not only for the state of Indiana and all of the communities, we primarily want whats best for the animals involved, Aylesworth said.

An amendment, authored by State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster, that would have grandfathered in ordinances adopted before July 24, 2024 failed.

Upon approval on third reading, the measure will head to the Senate. When senators considered a similar bill in 2023, it included a measure grandfathering in existing ordinances.

We shouldnt legislate over our local units of government that have current ordinances or regulations across our state that ban the sale of pets in pet stores, Andrade said.

We the General Assembly should not be the big brother government. This bill would void 21 local ordinances across Indiana that ban the sale of pets in pet stores. I have three towns out of the 21 in my District: Munster, Highland and a portion of Schererville.

Communities across our state have acted under home rule to pass these bans because local matters should be decided at the local level. My amendment would grandfather the current ordinances to allow them to remain in place, aligning this bill with the same language the Senate passed in their version last year, SB 134, Andrade said.

Dawn Stokes, who was a Crown Point City Councilwoman in 2021 when the city passed its ordinance banning the sale of puppies in retail establishments, agrees with Andrade. Stokes was among those who testified against the bill during its first go around in the legislature in 2023.

Aside from the animal welfare issues, she said the bill is an overreach of state control.

We dont need the state telling us if we can or cant do. Its just all craziness. We should be able to decide as a community  we should be allowed to decide  whatever we want to come into our community, Stokes said.

If this bill becomes law, she said it would be possible for the state to require cities and towns to allow businesses such as strip clubs or gun shops. Locally elected officials would not have the control to implement the will of residents to shape the way the city or town develops.

Its a bad precedent if the state passes this  Where does it stop? Stokes said.

Crown Point Mayor Pete Land said the city is keeping an eye on the bill and will make adjustments to the local ordinance as needed once the final version is approved.

As we did in 2021, the City of Crown Point will continue to take steps to ensure the well-being of not only dogs and cats, but all animals who call Crown Point home, Land said.

Valparaiso was among the most recent Northwest Indiana community to pass an ordinance banning the sale of puppies after several contentious city council meetings in 2023.

The ordinance was passed in February 2023 after complaints about the opening of a new retail puppy store, City Council President Robert Cotton, R-2, said. Cotton said he agrees with the House majority that businesses should be allowed to sell puppies.

 I share concerns about unscrupulous breeding and the abandonment of maturing pets. I believe that banning honest players from operating in this space is antithetical to conservative principles of our free-market system, Cotton told the Post-Tribune.

He is convinced that banning versus sensible regulation will only empower dark players in the underground market.

If the House Bill becomes law as it is now written, it will likely invalidate the citys ordinance.

And Im OK with that as long as municipalities across the state are provided resources to police and enforce compliance, Cotton said.

cnapoleon@chicagotribune.com
Ahead of the general elections on February 8, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday said its websites were 'blocked' in Pakistan as it called for a response from the federal authorities, Dawn reported. Deprived of its 'bat' symbol for the upcoming elections, the PTI has fielded its leaders as independent candidates with different electoral symbols, according to the report. To tackle confusion among voters and to ease access to polls-related information, the PTI launched an online portal on its website and a backup site. The party has also introduced a feature whereby voters can message on Imran Khan's official Facebook account to get information about PTI-backed candidates, according to Dawn. PTI questioned why its websites have been blocked in Pakistan in a post shared on X. The party's official X account tagged the official handles of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Pakistan's Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi and interim IT minister Umar Saif. The party asked, "Can you explain why PTI's websites are blocked in Pakistan?" It further questioned, "People are still getting symbol information from Imran Khan's Facebook page so the question is what purpose is this block serving?" PTI's social media team member Jibran Ilyas also tagged Saif in his post and asked "Can you tell Pakistanis why the websites of [the] country's most popular political party [are] blocked by you?" Notably, multiple internet outages have been witnessed across Pakistan that coincided with the party's online events. On January 20, internet services were interrupted an hour before Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's "virtual power show," Dawn reported. Prior to that, similar internet disruptions were reported on December 17 and January 7 as well, which resulted in the party urging the Supreme Court to notice of the internet suspension. Pakistan's caretaker government had blamed "technical" issues and system installations for the disruptions. Earlier this week, information minister Solangi had said that there was "no guarantee" that such incidents would not occur in the future. In the same press conference, PTA Director General Ahmed Shamim Pirzada "technical glitches" and system upgrades for the outages. He had said, "You can face this for the next two to three months." On Wednesday, Imran Khan said the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to hamper the upcoming power show by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's candidates, Dawn reported. The former PM made the remarks after attending court proceedings of GBP 190 million, Toshakhana, and cypher cases. Accountability judge Mohammad Bashir deferred the indictment of Khan in the 190m reference as the defence counsel was absent. Khan said Pakistan's caretaker government, a few individuals in the establishment, and the Election Commission of Pakistan are united against his party, according to Dawn report. He stressed that PTI had an overwhelming vote bank within the armed forces, and the party will not be deterred whatever coercive measures were adopted to suppress its voice. Imran Khan said he never witnessed such pre-poll rigging in Pakistan's history, and they planned to rig elections set to be held on February 8. However, he added that they would see the public rage on election day. (ANI)
Macron also addressed the French community at the Resident of France here in the national capital, according to the Embassy of France in India.

The French President is in India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and was the Chief Guest at India's 75th Republic Day celebrations today.

The momentous visit by President Macron culminates the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the Strategic Partnership between India and France.

His visit marks a unique reciprocal exchange following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France on its National Day in July 2023.

The two leaders have engaged in a series of high-profile meetings throughout 2023, underscoring the strength and depth of the bilateral relationship.

Their interactions have spanned various global platforms, including the COP 28 Summit in Dubai, the G20 Leaders' Summit, and the G7 Summit in Hiroshima. Notably, President Macron was also the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Celebrations in France in July 2023.

This visit by President Macron marks the sixth time a French leader has been invited as the Chief Guest at India's Republic Day. This tradition began with President Jacques Chirac in 1976, followed by Valery Giscard d'Estaing in 1980, Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, and Francois Hollande in 2016.

PM Modi's last visit to France for Bastille Day in July 2023 was a spectacle of symbolism and substance. The visit showcased the strong bonds between the two nations, with a tri-service Indian armed forces contingent marching at Champs-Elysees and a spectacular flypast by Rafale jets.

During the visit, PM Modi was honoured with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, a prestigious recognition in France. A State Banquet at the Louvre Museum and a private dinner at Elysee highlighted the grandeur of the occasion. The Prime Minister also addressed the Indian community at La Seine Musicale.

Upon his arrival at the Jaipur International Airport earlier on Thursday, the French President was received by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

In Jaipur, the French President and PM Modi discussed bilateral ties and exchanged perspectives on a wide-range of bilateral and global issues. (ANI)
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday attended an at-home reception hosted by President Droupadi Murmu on the occasion of 75th Republic Day at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife Sudesh Dhankhar were also present. The visuals showed French President Macron interacting with several leaders and defence officials. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani, Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju, Former President Ram Nath Kovind and other leaders were present on the occasion. Earlier in the day, French President Macron participated as the Chief Guest in the 75th Republic Day parade. President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi warmly greeted him. French contingents marched alongside Indian forces on Kartavya Path. In a post shared on X, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "President @EmmanuelMacron of France participated as the Chief Guest in the 75th Republic Day parade. President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn & PM @narendramodi warmly greeted the honoured guest. French contingents marched alongside Indian forces in a show of mutual trust and friendship." President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day on Friday by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path. President Murmu on her arrival at Kartavya Path was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Simultaneously, the National Anthem was played and the 21 Gun Salute was presented to the President. The two Presidents arrived at Kartavya Path in the 'Traditional Buggy', a practice which made a comeback after a gap of 40 years. For the first time, an all-women triservice contingent participated in the parade. As many as 16 States and Union Territories also displayed their heritage diversity with the help of cultural performances and tableaux. This year, the parade has twin themes -- 'Visit Bharat' (developed India) and 'Bharat -- Loktantra Ki Matruka' (Mother of Democracy). Macron on Friday arrived in Delhi to participate as the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day parade here. On Thursday, Macron arrived in Jaipur and visited Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort and Jantar Mantar. He and PM Modi held a mega road show and held talks in Jaipur. "Taking India-France Strategic Partnership to greater heights! Productive discussions held between PM @narendramodi and President @EmmanuelMacron of France in Jaipur. The two leaders took stock of bilateral ties & exchanged perspectives on a wide-range of bilateral and global issues," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X. (ANI)
Bagchi also addressed members of the Indian community whom he called 'friends of India'.

Taking to his official handle on X, Bagchi posted, "@IndiaUNGeneva celebrates 75th Republic Day! PR @abagchimea unfurled the National Flag, paid tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar, and addressed the Indian community and friends of India."

Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in Geneva also wished the people of India on Republic Day.

In a post on X, India's Permanent Mission of India to the UN in Geneva, stated, "Happy 75th Republic Day! From the @IndiaUNGeneva family."

This year, India is commemorating its 75th Republic Day, marking the adoption of the constitution on January 26, 1950, and the attainment of sovereignty.

United Nations in India extended greetings to India on the occasion of India's 75th Republic Day. United Nations General Assembly President Dennis Francis participated in the 75th Republic Day celebrations in Mumbai.

In a post on X, the United Nations in India stated, "Happy 75th Republic Day Today & every day, we celebrate the shared values of peace, justice & equality reflected in the Indian constitution, the UN Charter & #UDHR. are proud partners in our commitment towards #SDGs & the common vision to #LeaveNoOneBehind."

During his visit to Mumbai, Dennis Francis met Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais.

In a post on X, the United Nations in India stated, "@UN_PGA participated in the 75th Republic Day celebrations in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He met Chief Minister @mieknathshinde & @maha_governor Shri Ramesh Bais. Mr Francis witnessed the rich & diverse culture & heritage of Maharashtra through performances & tableaux in the parade."

President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day on Friday by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path. French President Macron attended the 57th Republic Day parade as the chief guest.

President Murmu, on her arrival at Kartavya Path, was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A French military contingent also participated in the parade.

This year, the parade had twin themes--'Visit Bharat' (developed India) and 'Bharat-Loktantra Ki Matruka' (Mother of Democracy). (ANI)
On the occasion of the 75th Republic Day, India's Charge d'Affaires John Mai unfurled the Tricolour and read President Droupadi Murmu's address to the nation. Indian Embassy extended greetings to Indians in Iran and around the world on India's Republic Day. Indian Embassy in Iran shared glimpses of the Republic Day celebrations on social media platform X. In the picture, children can be seen performing cultural dance. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Iran stated, "On the 75th Republic Day of India, Cd'A a.i Shri John Mai unfurled tricolour and read out @rashtrapatibhvn's address to the Nation. We wish all Indians in Iran & around the world a very happy #75RepublicDay." This year, India is commemorating its 75th Republic Day, marking the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950, and the attainment of sovereignty. On the occasion, many world leaders including US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Australian PM Anthony Albanese, Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu, and Former Maldives President Ibrahim Solih extended Republic Day wishes to India. Iran extended wishes to the people of India on Republic Day. Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the mutual agenda of the two nations is to strengthen bilateral ties. In a post on X, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "The Islamic Republic of #Iran extends its sincere congratulations to the friendly nation and Government of the Republic of #India on Republic Day. The mutual agenda of the two nations is to strengthen all-out ties, including political and economic connectivity. #Iran_India." Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day on Friday by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path. President Murmu, on her arrival at Kartavya Path, was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Simultaneously, the National Anthem was played and the 21-gun salute was presented to the President. As per tradition, the National Flag was unfurled, followed by the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute given with indigenous gun systems and 105-mm Indian field guns. President Murmu and her French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, who was the chief guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations, were escorted by the president's bodyguard, 'Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak'. The two presidents arrived at Kartavya Path in the 'Traditional Buggy', a practice that made a comeback after a 40-year gap. The commandant of the president's bodyguard, Colonel Amit Berwal, rode to the right of the president's buggy, leading this elite body of horsemen. To the left of the President's Buggy is the Second-in-Command of the Regiment, Lt Col Ramakant Yadav. Four Mi-17 IV helicopters of the 105 Helicopter Unit showered flower petals on the audience present at Kartavya Path. This was followed by 'Aavaahan', a band performance by over 100 women artists playing various types of percussion instruments, symbolising Nari Shakti. The gun salute was presented by the Ceremonial Battery of 871 Field Regiment (SHINGO) ex HQ 36 Artillery Brigade. The Ceremonial Battery is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Vikas Kumar, SM. The Gun position officer is Subedar (AIG) Anoop Singh. The 21 Gun Salute was given with 105 mm Indian Field Guns, the indigenous gun system on the Kartavya Path. 21 Gun Salute is the highest military honour presented to the National Flag from the Kartavya Path. The gun salute is synchronized with three simultaneous actions viz-a-viz, unfurling of the National Flag, Playing of the National Anthem by the Service bands and the national salute rendered by the President's Bodyguard. (ANI)
The Indian Embassy in Russia on Friday celebrated India's Republic Day in Moscow. India's Ambassador to Russia Pavan Kapoor unfurled the National Flag and read President Droupadi Murmu's address to the nation. Pavan Kapoor also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora, including students. The Indian Embassy in Russia shared glimpses of the Republic Day celebrations on social media platform X. In a post shared on X, the Indian Embassy in Russia stated, "Flag unfurling ceremony on India's 75th #RepublicDay in Moscow and a vibrant cultural performance by @iccr_moscow and the Indian community. @AmbKapoor read the speech of the Hon'ble President and interacted with members of the Indian diaspora, including students." This year, India is commemorating its 75th Republic Day, marking the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950, and the attainment of sovereignty. Earlier in the day, Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov congratulated India wishing for a bright 'Amrit Kaal' and a strong 'Russia-Bharatiya Dosti.' "Warmest congratulations on the #RepublicDay, India! Wishing our Indian friends prosperity, well-being and very bright #AmritKaal! Long live #Bharat! Long live Rusi-Bharatiya Dosti!" he posted on X. Russian Embassy in India danced to the song of a Bollywood movie, Gadar, 'Mae Nikla Gaddi Leke'. In the video shared by the Russian Embassy in India, people were seen waving Indian flags and dancing on the hookstep of a Bollywood song. A Russian dance crew also joined them and performed dance steps with them. The celebrations were joined by children and young people. Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day on Friday by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path. President Murmu, on her arrival at Kartavya Path, was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Simultaneously, the National Anthem was played and the 21-gun salute was presented to the President. As per tradition, the National Flag was unfurled, followed by the National Anthem and a booming 21-gun salute given with indigenous gun systems and 105-mm Indian field guns. President Murmu and her French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, who is the chief guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations, were escorted by the president's bodyguard, 'Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak'. The two leaders arrived at Kartavya Path in the 'Traditional Buggy', a practice that made a comeback after a 40-year gap. The commandant of the president's bodyguard, Colonel Amit Berwal, rode to the right of the president's buggy, leading this elite body of horsemen. To the left of the President's Buggy is the Second-in-Command of the Regiment, Lt Col Ramakant Yadav. Four Mi-17 IV helicopters of the 105 Helicopter Unit showered flower petals on the audience present at Kartavya Path. This was followed by 'Aavaahan', a band performance by over 100 women artists playing various types of percussion instruments, symbolising Nari Shakti. The gun salute was presented by the Ceremonial Battery of 871 Field Regiment (SHINGO) ex HQ 36 Artillery Brigade. The Ceremonial Battery is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Vikas Kumar, SM. The Gun position officer is Subedar (AIG) Anoop Singh. The 21 Gun Salute was given with 105 mm Indian Field Guns, the indigenous gun system on the Kartavya Path. 21 Gun Salute is the highest military honour presented to the National Flag from the Kartavya Path. The gun salute is synchronized with three simultaneous actions viz-a-viz, unfurling of the National Flag, Playing of the National Anthem by the Service bands and the national salute rendered by the President's Bodyguard. (ANI)
Tel Aviv [Israel], January 26 (ANI/TPS): In a Friday ruling, the International Court of Justice in the Hague ordered Israel to 'take all measures' to prevent genocide in Gaza. However, the court did not order that a ceasefire be implemented. The ruling by the court was agreed upon by a 15 to 2 vote. Additionally, Israel was ordered to report back to the court in one month. Among diplomats, the provisional order against Israel is considered a diplomatic blow and is a step towards ruling in favor of South Africa's genocide claim. However, the ruling, while legally binding, is difficult to enforce. Commenting on the ruling, Israel Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir said, "The decision of the anti-Semitic court in The Hague proves what was known in advance: this court does not seek justice, but rather the persecution of the Jewish people. They were silent during the Holocaust and today they continue hypocritically and take another step. The Hague, Shamag! Decisions that endanger the continued existence of the State of Israel must not be listened to. And we must continue defeating the enemy until complete victory." At the beginning of the hearing, President of the International Court of Justice Judge Joan E. Donoghue announced that the court had rejected Israel's motion to declare the court had no jurisdiction in the matter. "In the court's view, at least some of the acts and omissions committed by Israel in Gaza appear to be capable of falling within the provisions of the genocide convention. In light of the following, the court concludes it has prima facie jurisdiction to entertain the case on the basis of Article 9 of the Genocide Convention.....The court cannot accede to Israel's request that it not entertain the application," said Donoghue. In the court's ruling, Donoghue noted comments made by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, then-Energy Minister Yisrael Katz and President Isaac Herzog, which she claimed could be read as seeking to kill civilians in Gaza. "The aforementioned facts and circumstances are sufficient to conclude that at least some rights of the Palestinians to be protected from acts of genocide and related prohibited acts in Article 3 of the Genocide Convention, and the rights of South Africa to seek protection of these rights," said Donoghue. Experts noted that the court's move gives legitimacy to South Africa's claim that the Palestinians need to be protected from genocide by Israel under the terms of the Genocide Convention. The court, however, did not rule that Israel must end its war in Gaza. The court restricted itself to only ordering provisional emergency restrictions on Israel's military activities in the Strip, which was requested by South Africa during hearings on January 11 and 12. Legal experts said it could take years for a final ruling on whether Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians. At least 1,200 people were killed in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Additionally, some 250 Israelis and foreigners were taken to Gaza as hostages. The number of men, women, children, and soldiers held captive is now believed to be 136. During the mid-January hearings, South Africa argued that Israel's military campaign was intended to cause "the destruction of the population" of the Gaza Strip. Israeli representatives, led by former Supreme Court president Aharon Barak, rejected the claims, arguing that Israel has a right to defend itself, respects international law, and that Palestinian casualties were the result of Hamas embedding its tunnels and military infrastructure in civilian areas. Israel, which is not a member of the ICJ, also argued that the court has no jurisdiction to issue a ruling. The ICJ describes itself as "the principal judicial organ of the United Nations." Any ruling issued by the court would have to be enforced by the UN Security Council. The council's five permanent members, the US, Russia, China, Britain, and France, have veto power over any measures ordered by the court. The 17-judge panel's ruling was only about ordering provisional emergency restrictions on Israel's military activities in the Strip, as requested by South Africa during hearings on January 11 and 12. A final ruling on the merits of South Africa's arguments -- that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians -- is expected to take years. Israel asked the court to reject the case outright. At least 1,200 people were killed in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Around 250 Israelis and foreigners were taken to Gaza as hostages. The number of men, women, children and soldiers held captive is now believed to be 136. During the mid-January hearings, South Africa argued that Israel's military campaign was intended to cause "the destruction of the population" of the Gaza Strip. Israeli representatives led by former Supreme Court president Aharon Barak rejected the claims, arguing that Israel has a right to defend itself, respects international law, and that Palestinian casualties were the result of Hamas embedding its tunnels and military infrastructure in civilian areas. Israel, which is not a member of the ICJ, also argued that the court has no jurisdiction to issue a ruling. The ICJ describes itself as "the principal judicial organ of the United Nations." Any ruling issued by the court would have to be enforced by the UN Security Council. The council's five permanent members, the US, Russia, China, Britain, and France, have veto power over any measures. (ANI/TPS)
Tel Aviv [Israel], January 26 (ANI/TPS): During a ceremony in Tel Aviv on Thursday evening, the Jewish National Fund-Canada, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund and Startup Nation Central awarded their USD 1 million Breakthrough Climate Solutions Prize (CSP) to three Israeli projects seeking to solve the issue of global warming. The award, said to be the largest incentive prize in the history of the Jewish state, is an initiative designed to "encourage and support groundbreaking research and development for climate solutions which will minimize greenhouse gas emissions," the organizations said. The award winners included Profs. Shanny Barath and Yechezkel Kashin from the Technion-Israel Institute for their CyanoCementation project, Prof. Brian Rosen from Tel Aviv University for his research into green ammonia as a clean fuel source, and Prof. Menny Shalom from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, who developed rechargeable Zinc Air Batteries. Dr. Doron Markel, KKL-JNF's chief scientist, oversaw the award's selection process, which was led by top academic experts in relevant fields. The winners "have the potential to significantly impact the reduction of carbon concentration in the atmosphere, either by enhancing the shift to renewable energies--hence reducing greenhouse gas emissions--or by carbon fixation, either through natural process or artificial one," Markel said. "Over the past few months, we received tens of submissions from Israel's top research institutions that vied to be recognized by The Breakthrough Climate Solutions Prize presented by JNF-Canada in collaboration with our partners - KKL-JNF and Start-Up Nation Central," said Jeff Hart, the executive chair of the Climate Solutions Prize. "Once again, we have been inspired by the vision and ingenuity of the Israeli scientific community and the remarkable innovations in various Climate Tech fields, and we congratulate our three winners for their exceptional vision," Hart added. According to Startup Nation Central, there are more than 850 climate change startups in Israel, allowing the nation to contribute to the global conversation on climate action. (ANI/TPS)
"Due to the current security situation, there has been a significant decrease in demand among Israeli travelers to various destinations, including Johannesburg in South Africa," the airline said.

"In light of this, starting at the end of March 2024, we will suspend the activity on the Johannesburg-Tel Aviv line, in order to adapt the target range to demands."

The move comes hours before the International Court of Justice is due to announce an interim ruling on Israel's military campaign in Gaza. South Africa petitioned the court to intervene, accusing Israel of committing "genocide" against the Palestinians in Gaza.

At least 1,200 people were killed in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Around 250 Israelis and foreigners were taken to Gaza as hostages. The number of men, women, children and soldiers held captive is now believed to be 136.

Israeli representatives rejected the charges as "baseless" and argued that Israel has a right to defend itself, respects international law, and that Palestinian casualties were the result of Hamas embedding its tunnels and military infrastructure in civilian areas.

Around 52,000 Jews live in South Africa. In December, the South African Foreign Ministry said that its nationals fighting for the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza may be committing war and could become "liable for prosecution" in South Africa.

El Al said all passengers whose flights will be cancelled will be notified and offered alternative travel arrangements. (ANI/TPS)
President Droupadi Murmu expressed confidence that the comfort of friendship and strength of partnership between India and France will illuminate the path forward. President Murmu made the remarks as she hosted a banquet in honour of the French President Emmanuel Macron at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and other dignitaries were present. In her address, President Murmu said India and France are on a shared journey to the future and added that the two nations are building a future that matters to the people of both nations, especially the youth. She said that the two nations are building a "strong and successful France" and a "secure and developed India." President Murmu said, "From handicrafts and space, India and France are on a shared journey to the future. Together we are building a future that matters to our people, especially our youth. A future of hope, of equal opportunities, of quality education, of research and innovation, and of a clean environment, we are building a strong and successful France, a secure and developed India, and a world at peace". "President Macron, along with our Prime Minister, you have outlined an ambitious vision of our partnership for India's Amrit Kaal 2047. Your presence with us today has strengthened our resolve to realize this vision. Today we stand together before the world two great nations, each with a distinct contribution to human progress, independent in our thought, responsible in our actions and sensitive to the needs of the world. I am confident that the comfort of our friendship and the strength of our partnership will illuminate the path forward," she added. She noted that both nations have influenced each other with specialities. She called the French language a "popular choice" for students in India. She recalled her visit to Puducherry in August and spoke about the union territory's unique confluence of diverse cultural streams. Calling Puducherry a "living bridge" between India and France, President Murmu noted that the architecture and lifestyle of people in the union territory showcase French influence. President Murmu said, "In matters of food and drink too, we have influenced each other with our specialities. Just as there are impressive scholars of ancient Indian languages and Vedic studies in France, the French language is a popular choice for students in India. If we look towards cinema, we again find ourselves connected, be it the influence of the French New Wave on our most eminent directors or the increasing presence of Indian films and film stars on the Cannes Red Carpet." "Last year in August, I had the opportunity to visit Puducherry, where I witnessed a unique confluence of diverse cultural streams. The architecture, festivals and lifestyle of the people of Puducherry are part of a vibrant heritage which also reflects the French influence. The people also have a close linkage to the Indian diaspora community of France. While I was there, I felt that indeed, Puducherry is a living bridge between France and India," she added. Highlighting the ties between India and France, President Murmu said, "This is a historic and memorable moment in many ways. It would rarely have happened that the leaders of two countries have been the guests of honours in each other's successive national day parade and celebrations. There can be no better symbol of the depth of our friendship and the strength of our partnership than 14 July 2023 and 26 January." She said the two nations have enriched each other through philosophy, literature, art, scriptures, languages, jewellery and textile art. She called Paris a "beloved destination" for Indian tourists. She stated, "If our troops marching on Champs-Elysees and Kartvaya Path are symbols of our solidarity, the International Day of Yoga at Eiffel Tower or a Dior Fashion show at Gateway of India equally reflect our deep connections. Paris is a beloved destination for Indian tourists. France, in turn, is among the top contributors to tourism earnings in India from abroad. Last year, four major Paris museums hosted Indian exhibitions." Speaking about the importance of India's Republic Day, She said, "Today is the 75th Republic Day of India. On this very day, India got into force the longest-written constitution of the world, just over two years after gaining independence, making India a Republic. For us Indians, this was not a new system of governance as we had known this concept since millennia ago." She stressed that the Constitution has shaped India's journey as an independent nation. She stressed that the Constitution has been a guiding beacon of India's social and economic progress. "This constitution has shaped our journey as an independent nation. It has united the world's largest and most diverse societies. It has knitted together the world's largest democracy and most diverse society. It has been a guiding beacon of our social and economic progress. Liberty, equality, fraternity, justice are at its very foundation. In a post on X, Rashtrapati Bhavan stated, "President Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet in honour of His Excellency Mr Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Murmu expressed satisfaction that both sides have outlined an ambitious vision of our partnership for India's Amrit Kaal and added that this visit has strengthened our resolve to realise this vision." Earlier in the day, French President Macron participated as the Chief Guest in the 75th Republic Day parade. President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi warmly greeted him. French contingents marched alongside Indian forces on the Kartavya Path. (ANI)
First phase of Beijing panda base expected to be completed by year end

People's Daily Online) 16:23, January 23, 2024

The first phase of the Beijing panda base under the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda is expected to be completed by the end of this year, Zou Jinsong, Party chief of Fangshan district, Beijing, told Beijing Daily during the local "two sessions" of the capital city.

An artist's rendition of the Beijing panda base under the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. (Beijing Daily)

The first phase of the Beijing panda base is located within the Qinglong Lake Forest Park in Qinglonghu township, Fangshan district. It aims to improve giant panda conservation and management, and will be turned into a world-class giant panda research and study base, as well as a platform for cultural exhibitions and public education.

Qinglonghu township is a suitable habitat for giant pandas in the Beijing area thanks to its superior ecology, which includes mountains, forests, a lake and grasslands, according to experts.

Dong Cuiping, director of the Zhoukoudian Site Museum, said that in 1934, prehistoric archaeologist and paleontologist Pei Wenzhong found a section of the humerus of a panda that was not significantly different from the present giant panda at the Zhoukoudian Site in the Fangshan district.

An artist's rendition of the Beijing panda base under the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. (Beijing Daily)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Thursday night, Michele Rubinos son woke her up to show her security cameras capturing footage of her boutique in downtown Wilmington. The parking lot outside her shop was completely flooded, she said.

It came in so quick. Within 40 minutes we were completely flooded, said Rubino, who owns Mystical Boutique On Rt. 66. They had all the emergency crews out there. They had a boat out there to do the rescue at the motel thats kitty-corner from us.

The National Weather Service warned of life-threatening flash flooding in parts of Grundy and Will counties due to an ice jam on the Kankakee River, including in downtown Wilmington, where officials reported the river rising 3 feet in an hour overnight. Water rescue teams evacuated 14 people to emergency shelters as of Friday morning.

Flooding in downtown Wilmington is currently isolated to the North and South Islands, the Will County Emergency Management Agency said in a news release. However, ice remains solid on the Kankakee River and water levels are steadily increasing due to water runoff and melting ice.

The agency added that the ice jam hasnt fully broken and theres a potential for flooding throughout the day as the ice breaks apart at a rapid pace.

Rubino estimated that there were at least 5 inches of water in her shop at about 10 a.m. Because her store is elevated, she doesnt think there will be much, if any, damage. But she said its very hard not knowing when the shop, which sells jewelry, candles and other handcrafted items, will be able to reopen.

Its (scary). Were just hopeful that everybody stays safe, and whoever needs to close, closes to keep everybody safe right now, the 52-year-old said.

Nearby, Tony McGann, who owns The Wine Cafe, said he met with rescue crews at about 1 a.m. and saw that the area around his downtown business was flooded. Customers at the restaurant and an employee had to evacuate last night, with water up to their calves, he said.

It came up very quickly, he said.

He said theres eight steps that come up off the parking lot into the cafe. He said water reached the fifth step, so while the basement will probably be flooded, the business is safe.

Its kind of sad. This has happened before with the ice. Its not an uncommon occurrence, he said of the flooding. Both of the parks are flooded. Its just bad that the roads are cut off and theres peripheral roads flooding too.

The fast moving Kankakee River floods the banks of Wilmingtons downtown area, affecting several business across the river, Jan. 26, 2024.

Police officers warn people as the Kankakee River floods the nearby banks and portions of Wilmingtons downtown area on Jan. 26, 2024.

The Will County Emergency Agency sent out an alert to residents advising them of rising water levels and the possibility of evacuating. Illinois Route 53 is also closed between 1st Street and Illinois Route 102 due to flash flooding, the agency said.

A flash flood warning is in effect until 9:15 a.m. Saturday in east central Grundy and southwestern Will Counties due to the continued shifting and instability of the ice jam. The weather service said a rapid break up of the jam is imminent.

Sudden shifting of the ice jam as it moves down the river could cause rapid rises of water and property along the banks, the weather service said. They expect water to rise 2 to 4 feet, moving downstream toward the mouth of the Kankakee and leading to damaged roads and structures along the river bank.

Scott Pelath, executive director of the Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission, told the Post-Tribune earlier this week that cold temperatures created deep frost in the ground that reduced the soils ability to retain water, which then flows more quickly into the creeks and ditches feeding the river.

When warmer temperatures and liquid precipitation follow such conditions, the risk of ice jams increases, a news release from the Kankakee River commission said. They can block the normal flow of water and pose flood risks to people and property.

dawilliams@chicagotribune.com

rjohnson@chicagotribune.com
Air Force fighter jets directed by the 98th Division carried out airstrikes against dozens of targets, including apartments used by terrorists, weapons warehouses, observation posts and gathering points for terrorists.

The fighters of the battlegroup (combined infantry and armoured forces) of the paratrooper brigade identified five terrorists entering a Hamas military structure. They directed an aircraft that attacked and eliminated the five terrorists who were in the building.

In Addition, fighters of the IDF's Maglan commando unit identified a squad of four terrorists that fired an anti-tank missile at the forces a few hours earlier. They directed a fighter jet and aircraft that attacked and eliminated the squad. In other battles in the area, the fighters eliminated several more terrorists.

The battlegroup of the Givati Infantry Brigade eliminated a squad of six terrorists who threatened the troops with the help of tank gunners and snipers.

In the north of the Gaza Strip, the battlegroup of the IDF's 5th Brigade, in cooperation with the Air Force, attacked Hamas targets. (ANI/TPS)
Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu will travel to India and Maldives from January 26 to 31, according to the US Department of State. In India, US diplomat Lu will "lead a US delegation's participation at the India-US Forum in New Delhi," the State Department's release said. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey R Pyatt will also participate in the forum. The delegation will engage with Indian government officials and members of the private sector, academia, and media to discuss and enhance opportunities for partnership between the United States and India, it also said. The Assistant Secretary and delegation will then travel to Maldives, where they will meet with senior Maldivian officials to build US-Maldives cooperation and to advance the establishment of a permanent US Embassy space in Male. The delegation will also engage with members of civil society and higher education officials, the release added. Lu's visit to the two Asian nations comes as New Delhi and Male have locked horns over President Mohammad Muizzu asking New Delhi to withdraw its troops from the Maldivian waters and the outrage and diplomatic sparring over disparaging remarks by junior ministers and government officials against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A recent Reuters report stated that a Chinese research vessel was heading to the Maldives, adding that the timing of the development was significant, coming close on the heels of Maldivian President Muizzu's recent state visit to China, during which the two leaders aimed at strengthening ties. Responding to the report, the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the island country has always been a welcoming destination for vessels of 'friendly nations' and continues to host both civilian and military vessels making port calls for peaceful purposes. The development, however, has raised concerns in New Delhi, as India has previously viewed the presence of such vessels near its shores, including in Sri Lanka in 2022, as problematic, Reuters added in its report. India and the Maldives on January 14 "agreed to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel" from the island nation, according to the Maldives' Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The removal of Indian troops in the Maldives was the main campaign plank of Muizzu's party during the Presidential elections. Currently, there are around 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, stationed On the second day of assuming office, Muizzu officially requested the Indian government to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives. Apart from the call for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, a massive row erupted after a Maldivian deputy minister, along with other cabinet members and government officials, made disparaging and unsavoury references to Primer Minister Narendra Modi's recent Lakshadweep visit and call to development the Indian archipelago as a global retreat for beach tourism. The Maldives government, however, distanced itself from the remarks. Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Moosa Zameer, said the remarks against foreign leaders are "unacceptable" and do not reflect the official position of the government. (ANI)
Thanking Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal for his Republic Day wishes to India, PM Modi on Friday said India cherishes the longstanding friendship with Nepal.

"Thank you @PM_nepal_ for your Republic Day wishes. India cherishes the longstanding friendship with Nepal," PM Modi wrote on 'X'.

The Nepal PM had said: "On the occasion of the 75th Republic Day of India, I extend my best wishes to PM Shri @narendramodi ji, the government and friendly people of India for good health, peace and prosperity. I am confident that the ties of friendship between our countries will continue to grow further."

In reply to Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth's wishes, PM Modi said he looks forward to the continued strengthening of the India-Mauritius bilateral partnership.

"Thank you Prime Minister @KumarJugnauth for your warm wishes. Looking forward to the continued strengthening of our robust bilateral partnership, this year and always," PM Modi said.

The Mauritian PM had said: "Warmest congratulations to Prime Minister Shri Modi Ji @narendramodi and our Indian sisters and brothers on the glorious occasion of the 75th Republic Day of India."

The PM also thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for joining India's Republic Day celebrations.

"Thank you to the President @EmmanuelMacron for joining our Republic Day celebrations. Your presence will add great impetus to Indo-French relations," the PM said.

The French President had said: "My dear friend @NarendraModi, Indian people, My warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you. Let's celebrate!"

PM Modi earlier said: "Thank you President @EmmanuelMacron for being a part of our Republic Day celebrations. Your presence will add great momentum to India-France ties."

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar also expressed his gratitude to world leaders for their Republic Day wishes.

The EAM thanked Tanzania's Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation January Makamba, Iran's Foreign Minister H.Amirabdollahian, and Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan among others. (ANI)
The US has temporarily paused additional funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in light of recent allegations that the agency's employees may have been involved in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Secretary of State Antony J Blinken spoke with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on January 25 to emphasize the necessity of a thorough and swift investigation of this matter, the US State Department said in a statement. Notably, on October 7, more than 3,000 women, children and men, ranging from the age of 9 months to 80 years in Israel were attacked by the terror group Hamas. Many women were brutally raped and killed. Around 1,405 people lost their lives, and over 200 were taken as hostages. US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said: "The United States is extremely troubled by the allegations that twelve UNRWA employees may have been involved in the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel." He said the State Department has temporarily paused additional funding for UNRWA "while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them." Miller said the US welcomes the UN's decision to investigate the matter. "We welcome the decision to conduct such an investigation and Secretary General Guterres' pledge to take decisive action to respond, should the allegations prove accurate. We also welcome the UN's announcement of a 'comprehensive and independent' review of UNRWA. There must be complete accountability for anyone who participated in the heinous attacks of October 7," the US State Department spokesperson said. Miller said UNRWA plays a critical role in providing lifesaving assistance to Palestinians, including essential food, medicine, shelter, and other vital humanitarian support. "Their work has saved lives, and it is important that UNRWA address these allegations and take any appropriate corrective measures, including reviewing its existing policies and procedures." The US has meanwhile reached out to the Israel government to seek more information about these allegations, and "we have briefed Members of Congress. We will remain in close contact with the United Nations and Israeli government regarding this matter," he added. (ANI)
Ask any travel expert why they got into the business, and theyll likely be quick to shout out a specific destination that stole their heart. Maybe it was the incredible food, the lively arts scene, or the picturesque views that won them over and made them think, Id like to do this for a living.

While the options are seemingly endless, especially for people who do it for a living, everyone secretly has that one spot that trumps the rest. We asked six travel experts to weigh in on the places that made them fall in love with travel.

Heres what they said:

Northern Italy

Sarah Marston Crocker, the founder and owner of Pathways Active Travel in Boulder, Colorado, grew up hiking hut to hut in the Swiss Alps with her family. But it wasnt until 2016, when she was between jobs, that a trip to Northern Italy propelled her into the travel industry.

The idea for her active travel company was born on a rocky, rugged hiking trail, the Alta Via 2, in the heart of the Dolomites, a mountain range in the northern Italian Alps.

We had just ascended up to the highest point on the Alta Via 2 and were enjoying a nice gentle traverse while taking in the panorama as we made our way towards Passo Pordoi and closer views of the Marmolada Glacier, Crocker told HuffPost.

Next, Crocker visited Madonna di Campiglio, a small ski town, and was blown away by how beautiful and accessible this area of the Dolomites was. The visit solidified her desire to create Pathways and share this type of memorable hiking experience with others.

I fell in love with this place and these mountains  and with the friendly, warm people, the culture and the incredible food, she said.

Costa Rica

Emma Lasiuk visited Costa Rica in her junior year of college to volunteer near Manuel Antonio. She fell in love with the countrys lush green fauna, deep blue sea and pink and orange sunsets. The local people, or Ticos as they proudly call themselves, won her heart next.

I had traveled extensively before visiting here but had never felt so warmly welcomed and safe, said Lasiuk, now a travel consultant with Costa Rican Vacations. She embraced the Pura Vida lifestyle, filling her days with hikes, early-morning beach swims and wildlife spotting.

When it was time to return to the United States, she was terrified that Costa Rica would fade to a memory  so much so that she instantly booked another trip and eventually moved there full-time.

There is something for everyone in Costa Rica, whether it be zip lining above the treetops in La Fortuna, swaying on hanging bridges in the dense cloud forest of Monteverde, jumping off waterfalls in the deep jungles of Manuel Antonio or diving off the Central Pacific coast at Cano Island, she said. I cannot see myself living anywhere else.

Mississippi

Madison Ned Butler, communications manager with the Rail Passengers Association, has seen most of the country through their long-distance train travels, but one destination in the South stood out.

Mississippi is beautiful, complicated, joyous, bold and friendly, they told HuffPost. In 2019, Butler spent a week and a half traversing the Gulf Coast and exploring the Delta, in awe of the states culture and communities.

The food, music, and art scenes are phenomenal right now. Ive seen brilliant emerging talent from the state that has already produced many of our most acclaimed artists, Butler said.

Perhaps their favorite part was visiting the various historical sites and museums, including the Mississippi Freedom Trail and the Civil Rights Museum in nearby Memphis, Tennessee.

There is a feeling of hopeful change with a recognition of historys tragedies that I think is very conscious and beautiful, Butler said. I think everyone that lives in the U.S. should visit these sites and take that history in for themselves.

Ireland

In 2006, Stephanie Chastain and her husband were looking for a destination for their honeymoon. Chastain had never traveled internationally. They chose Ireland because theyd heard great things about the scenery and history.

Chastain, now the founder of Infinite Ireland Travel Co., told HuffPost she was a goner from the moment she stepped off the plane. She was most looking forward to the iconic sites like the Cliffs of Moher and Killarney National Park  and while they were spectacular, it was the people and the local sites that wound up being the most memorable for her.

She and her husband spent their days weaving though mom-and-pop shops, visiting old, tiny pubs, and stumbling on hidden gems that werent in their guidebooks, such as the 300 A.D. stone fort sitting in the middle of a farmers field.

After that trip, and a few return visits, Chastain decided to help others experience authentic, local Ireland. People who travel to Ireland often try to zip around to all the iconic sites; Chastain encourages people to go at a slower pace so they have time to meet the local people, meander through lesser-known spots, and leave room for adventure.

Taiwan

Nick Kembel, a travel photographer and writer, first visited Taiwan because he was curious to learn about a new destination. He immediately felt welcomed  he said locals help people navigate around and provide tips on cheap eats.

Theyll insist you try their grandmas secret soup dumplings, or point you toward hidden night market stalls that only locals know about, Kembel said.

What sealed the deal for him, though, was the nature. From the peaceful Sun Moon Lake to the dramatic Taroko Gorge, every landscape told stories, and hiking was seeing more magic, Kembel said.

Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Years ago, Jim Pattiz, a nature filmmaker and co-founder of the organization More Than Just Parks, took a spur-of-the-moment summer road trip from his home in Atlanta to the Grand Canyon. It ended up changing the course of his life. Pattiz and his crew borrowed his grandmothers Prius and drove straight through to New Mexico, followed by a visit to Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.

Having grown up in Georgia, all I knew were woods and streams, but here you could see beautiful summer storms rolling in miles and miles off in the distance, Pattiz told HuffPost.

He recalls the blue mesas, the striped hills and, of course, the petrified wood. The vastness of it all awakened his senses, he says, and everything suddenly seemed so exciting and possible.

That feeling of enchantment and wide open possibilities is one Ive chased ever since in my travels all across Americas public lands, he said.

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One of two people who were rescued after an industrial accident in Providence Village died Thursday afternoon, Aubrey officials confirmed to Star-Telegram media partner, WFAA-TV.

One of the two rescued men was taken to a hospital in critical condition and the other was in stable condition, Aubrey fire chief Eric Schlotter told WFAA.

The Aubrey Police Department posted an update at 4:50 p.m. on Facebook stating that one of the victims did not survive his injuries.

The medical examiner identified him as 29-year-old Jesus Perez Vasquez, according to WFAA.

Providence Village is in Denton County and is about 51 miles northeast of Fort Worth.

The city of Providence Village said in a social media post Thursday that the town was experiencing issues at the water tower that will impact water availability.

Schlotter confirmed the city is without water service as a result of the incident and could not determine when services will be restored, WFAA reported.

A boil water notice was also issued for Providence Village.

Two workers for Acadia were contracted to make improvements to connecting a new water pipeline to their elevated tower in Providence Village, Upper Trinity River Regional Water Services told WFAA.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
You are here: Arts

Applause and cheers rang out as the audience thoroughly enjoyed the unique cinematic experience at the 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival, which was inaugurated on Saturday and will last until Sunday this week.

Seventeen Chinese films including "The Wandering Earth II" are screened at the film festival.

Bangladeshi cinephile Rezaul Islam told Xinhua after watching the Chinese movie "The Great Distance Delivers Crane" that the film is mesmerizing because of the feelings evoked by its wonderful story and exquisite images.

Ranjan Mallick, a local filmmaker, said the movies showed that the Chinese are wonderful in filmmaking.

"There is an independent spirit in Chinese culture, the attitude of working independently and self-reliance from childhood is beautifully presented by the director here," Mallick said.

The Dhaka International Film Festival is the first batch to join the Belt and Road Film Festival Alliance, which was launched by Shanghai International Film Festival in 2018.

Jin Yangguang, director of the forum department of Shanghai International Film Festival, told Xinhua that it's the first time a Chinese film delegation came to screen films and hold forums in Dhaka.

"We hope the two sides will conduct more fruitful cooperation in the future," Jin added.

The theme of the 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival is "Better Film, Better Audience, and Better Society."

The festival has been organized regularly by Rainbow Film Society, an organization dedicated to the promotion of a healthy cine culture in Bangladesh and celebrating the global mainstream in film and its social relevance since 1977.
A 19-year-old who could make anyone laugh was killed in a hit-and-run, a North Carolina family said.

Darrin Alston Swann died after a Penske box truck hit his vehicle Jan. 24 in Alamance County, North Carolina State Highway Patrol said, as reported by Fox 8. The driver suspected of ramming into Swanns car was arrested a day later in New Jersey, the outlet reported.

The box truck sideswiped Swanns car, which caused his vehicle to veer into a ditch, Fox 8 reported. He was pronounced dead at the scene, per the stations report.

The driver left the area, causing troopers to search for the suspect.

Swann was on his way to pick up medicine when he was hit, his cousin Kelsey McKinney said in a GoFundMe created for his funeral expenses.

Swanns interests included working on his truck, riding ATVs, hunting and fishing, according to the GoFundMe. Swann was a 2022 graduate of Southern Alamance High School in Graham who could make anyone laugh with the crack of a joke or make a room light up with a simple smile, his cousin wrote.

Darrin was always happy to lend a helping hand, McKinney said.

He was the eldest child in his family, according to his obituary. He was also engaged to Shelby Schnars, his obituary said.

He has treated my daughter with the most respect ever and spoiled her rotten, Schnars mother wrote in an obituary comment. It was very obvious how much he adored her.

One of his goals was to get a really good job so he could buy a house with Schnars and start a family, McKinney told WLTX. Now his family must plan his funeral instead.

Theres really no words that we can say except we dont understand why the person didnt just stop, his aunt Kimbe Ashby said in an interview with WLTX.

The driver suspected of hitting Swanns car was arrested in New Jersey on Jan. 25, according to North Carolina troopers, per WXII 12s reporting. State troopers noticed the box truck on the New Jersey Turnpike in Mercer County, so they pulled the vehicle over, WXII 12 reported.

The driver, a 45-year-old resident of Greenville, South Carolina, was then arrested, according to WXII 12. He was awaiting extradition, the outlet reported.

Alamance County borders Guilford County, which contains Greensboro.

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CLEVELAND (WJW)  The Cuyahoga County Crime Stoppers are offering up to a $2,500 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the man accused of breaking into multiple Cleveland Public Library locations.

According to a press release, the Cuyahoga County Crimes Stoppers are asking the public for help in identifying the person of interest in the multiple break-ins at the Cleveland Public Library facilities over the past six months.

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The break-ins caused significant damage to many of the buildings and valuable items were stolen, according to the release.

Surveillance photos of the suspect from the Crime Stoppers are shown below. View surveillance video of the suspect at the top of this page.

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Cuyahoga County Crime Stoppers ask that anyone with information call 216-252-7463.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  Cleveland police have arrested two people in connection to a homicide that happened on January 10.

Up to $2.5K reward offered for info about Cleveland library thief

Cleveland Division of Police sent a press release Friday announcing the arrest of two people in connection to the homicide of 29-year-old Alyson Appling-France, who was shot in the area of West 103rd Street and Detroit Avenue.

According to the release, 34-year-old Alontez Beasley and 49-year-old Jamar Skanes were both apprehended.

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This investigation remains ongoing. No additional information was made available at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Authorities are searching for a gunman who fired shots at a moving Metrolink train in the Antelope Valley, injuring two people Wednesday evening.

The shooting happened around 9:40 p.m. as the train was departing the Palmdale station and headed for Lancaster, Metrolink told KTLA.

Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, Palmdale Station responded and confirmed a shooting had taken place in the general vicinity, but not on board the train, the transit agency said.

LASD deputies inspect a Metrolink train in Palmdale that was struck by gunfire. Jan. 24, 2024. (Key News Network)

A bullet hole is seen in the side of a Metrolink train in Palmdale, California on Jan. 24, 2024. (Key News Network)

A bullet hole is seen in the side of a Metrolink train in Palmdale, California on Jan. 24, 2024. (Key News Network)

According to Key News Network, a male passenger suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and was transported to a local hospital.

Another victim suffered an apparent graze wound and was also hospitalized, a spokesperson for the sheriffs department said.

Video showed deputies examining multiple bullet holes in the side of a passenger car, which Metrolink says was taken out of service.

No description of the gunman was available and the motive for the shooting remains unknown.

The case is being investigated by LASDs gang unit, a spokesperson said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A Kern County judge on Thursday found sufficient evidence to order two people to stand trial in connection to the killing of two men last year at a Delano gas station, according to court records.

Bryan Heredia, 19, and Rito Castillo, 25, face life terms in prison if convicted on charges including two counts of first-degree murder. Theyre due back in court next month for a hearing at which a trial date is expected to be set.

RELATED: Surveillance video captured double homicide at Delano gas station: reports

Charges were dismissed against a third defendant, Saul Ochoa, records show.

Its alleged an argument involving gang members led to the shooting.

On July 14, Jose Juarez, 28, of Delano, and Joshua Pena, 28, of Bakersfield were killed at the Valero gas station on Girard Street. Surveillance footage captured the incident.

Heredia is the accused gunman, prosecutors say. He and others fled in a Dodge Ram, leading police on a high-speed chase that ended when a police vehicle rear-ended the pickup at Zachary and Woollomes Avenue, according to court documents.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
Hong Kong's value of total exports of goods increased by 3.3 percent quarter on quarter in December 2023, while the value of imports of goods rose 2.6 percent, official data showed Thursday.

The values of Hong Kong's total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases in December, at 11 percent and 11.6 percent, respectively, according to the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.

Exports to the Chinese mainland and the United States rose visibly, and those to the European Union registered a marginal increase, said a spokesperson for the HKSAR government.

For 2023 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods decreased by 7.8 percent over 2022. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods decreased by 5.7 percent.

Looking ahead, factors including heightened geopolitical tensions and slowing global economic growth will continue to weigh on Hong Kong's export performance in the near term, said the spokesperson.
OGDEN, Utah (ABC4)  Three Cold Stone Creamery locations across northern Utah have been fined after the U.S. Department of Labor found they violated child labor laws.

According to the Department of Labors Wage and Hour Division, Sweet Place LLC which operates the three locations was found allowing 14 and 15-year-old employees to work too late in the day and too many hours in the week while in school.

The Labor Standards Act restricts 14- and 15-year-old employees from working more than three hours on a school day, including Friday, and more than 18 hours per week when school is in session. When school is not in session, younger employees can then work no more than eight hours per day and 40 hours a week.

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Young employees also cannot work past 7 p.m. except during the summer between June 1 and Labor Day, when work hours are extended to 9 p.m.

The three Cold Stone Creamery locations that were found in violation of these laws were located in Ogden, Clinton and Layton. The employer reportedly told the Department of Labor that it was relying on erroneous legal guidance advising them to follow state guidelines.

In total, Sweet Place LLC was fined more than $42,000 in penalties.

The legal guidance the employer relied on was incorrect and ultimately resulted in federal child labor law violations, costing over $42,000 in penalities, said Salt Lake City Wage and Hour District Director Kevin Hunt. We encourage employers and employees to contact our office directly to get accurate information pertaining to federal labor laws and avoid an unfortunate situation like this one.

The fines levied against Sweet Place LLC mark the third such violation within the last year. In September 2023, two St. George Chick-fil-A locations were also found to violate federal child labor laws and were fined over $180,000. A few months prior, four Sodalicious locations were fined nearly $14,000 for their violations of the Labor Standards Act

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
SAN DIEGO (Border Report)  About 300,000 migrants are being deported or expelled from the U.S. into Mexico every month, according to Fuerza Migrante, a binational migrant advocacy group.

Avelino Meza, of Fuerza Migrante, describes it as Mexicans who live in the exterior of Mexico, but function as a web coordinating organizations, activists, business people and community liaisons.

Every month 300,000 people are being sent back, these are official numbers, Meza told Tijuanas El Sol newspaper.

Border Report has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security asking for the number of people deported to Mexico every month and will update this story if that information is received.

400,000 asylum-seekers have used CBP One app to secure an appointment

Meza told El Sol that many of the migrants who are being sent back decide to stay in border cities such as Tijuana, saturating shelters and tapping into public programs.

He also stated there is now a heavy concentration of migrants in Mexican southern states such as Chiapas, Puebla and Guanajuato.

These states are seeing undocumented migrants settling in their cities, and its creating social problems all over Mexico.

Over $20B spent resettling migrant families, unaccompanied children since 2022, report finds

Meza pointed out that the problems began during the Trump administration when large numbers of migrants were sent back or turned away at the border.

The number of undocumented Mexicans trying to cross into the United States had dropped. (Instead) you were seeing more Central Americans arriving in caravans, Meza said.

He says whats driving migration now is the violence and lack of opportunities in Caribbean nations and certain states within Mexico.

The number of Mexicans and Caribbeans attempting to get into the United States has steadily gone up, shelters in Tijuana are saturated due to heavy demand who cant access asylum interviews through the CBP One application.

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

And according to Meza, misinformation is also a problem. He insists education programs have to be coordinated to teach migrants how to navigate the asylum and immigration process.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  The city of Rogers approved to sell city-owned land to the Northwest Arkansas Councils subgroup Groundwork to develop and produce a 3D-printed home.

This will be the first 3D-printed home in the state of Arkansas and the first two-story printed homes in the entire country according to Duke McLarty, executive director of Groundwork Workforce Housing for Northwest Arkansas.

He says theres going to be a lot of people who are learning a lot through this process.

With the goal that if a developer identifies cost savings through using 3D printed concrete as opposed to a normal just lumber approach, a lot of the barriers and potential constraints of that construction will have already been identified and worked out through our demonstration process, McLarty said.

Renderings of 3D Printed concrete housing, provided by Duke McLarty, executive director of Groundwork Workforce Housing for Northwest Arkansas.

McLarty says Groundwork is the business communitys response to affordability. They are trying to raise awareness and work with municipalities, cities, and major employers and identify roles that each of them can play to try to bring some level of affordability back to the region.

We think about it a lot as bringing some level of affordability back to each community in our region, because right now, many communities are not affordable for much of our population, he said.

McLarty says the site is designed for four or five duplexes that are two stories located on 920 South 1st Street in Rogers.

He says he chose this location because it was close to downtown Rogers.

They each have their own appeal, but many of them are no longer affordable for a lot of people in our region.

There is also a bike path in front of the land, which McLarty sees as a huge advantage.

People who work in the downtown Rogers Restaurants and bars and coffee shops and retail establishments could easily live in one of these and get to and from work on a bicycle and really would lessen their reliance on an automobile, McLarty said.

Stormie Kuth is a renter in Downtown Rogers and she says for something new like this to come in would be amazing.

She says she would like to be a homeowner one day but renting might be her reality for the rest of her life because of unaffordable housing.

Kuth says she is happy that there will be more affordable housing in the area because it is an issue.

Im lucky that I am paying what I am paying. But I know a lot of people are struggling right now, Kuth said.

She says shes heard stories of local children having to stop going to school in the area and move into rural areas instead because it was more affordable for their families.

Which is absolutely terrible and traumatizing, she said.

Kuth says she would consider living in a 3D printed home but it would depend on the affordability and sustainability of it.

3D-printed homes have electrical and plumbing installed similarly to a traditional home but there are some differences.

McLarty says So instead of, you know, lumber and drywall or a printer comes on site, it has a robot arm and it layers concrete to build these walls.

He continues saying once the concrete dries, drywall can be put on the inside.

It would feel and look no different than most homes that were used to in northwest Arkansas. It can be painted, it can be, you know, a typical and normal roof can be put on it, he said.

He says 3D printed homes take a lot less manpower, less time to construct, and can be more affordable than traditional homes.

Theyre much stronger, you know, to say, extreme weather events, tornadoes, hurricanes. Theyre also much more energy efficient; theyre just a tighter seal, so theyre not as drafty. Studies have shown them to be as much as 30% more energy efficient, he said.

Theyre also more fire-resistant than a wood-built home and dont rot.

McLarty says, I think its likely to catch on in the US and Im doing my best to prepare at least our region to be in a good place, when that happens, were in a good place to capitalize.

3D-printed homes are a little cooler than traditional homes and have echoes.

I think folks will find ways to put rugs down and things like that to kind of dampen echoes, but Im excited about it as well, McLarty said.

He says their goal is to have eight to ten families who couldnt afford to live in Rogers, call it home one day.

Their second goal is to get the development community, municipal community, real estate community, fire inspectors, and building inspectors comfortable with this new approach.

So that when the next developer comes in and wants to use 3D printed concrete, all of those entities say, No problem, we know what this is. You know, weve experienced it. Weve seen it print. Weve been on-site when electrical was being run through the wires, he said.

He hopes this will give developers another tool to expedite development and keep growth going in Northwest Arkansas.

He says the sale price of the home is unknown but they are currently working on trying to find a builder to build the duplexes and theyre expecting some bids back in the upcoming weeks.

But they are targeting someone that makes around 80% of the areas median income which is about $75,000 or $80,000 a year.

McLarty says, We will income verify them to ensure that that the end product is going to the family that really needs it and its not someone who just thinks its cool and you know likes the location and likes the design it will have a mission focused buyer in the end.

McLarty says theyre also narrowing in on a developer and finalizing their land purchase from the city of Rogers.

There are a few things on the site that need to be done that we were hesitant to do until we had ownership of that land, he said.

He says this project should be underway in late spring or summer with dirt work, roads, parking spots, and then the homes.

He hopes everything will be completely finished by the end of the year or early 2025.

McLarty says, I mean thats one of the advantages of using this approach is once, you know, kind of the plumbing and the underground work is in place, the robot can show up and they can print a 2000 square foot home in 36 hours or so with as few as two people.

There will be an opportunity for the public to come by, look inside the walls, and get comfortable with this approach.

I think some residents, if asked, do you want a traditionally built home or a 3D printed home, they might, you know, just opt for the traditionally built home because they dont know. This will give them an opportunity, he said.

Kuth says she thanks the city of Rogers for doing this and hopes surrounding areas and towns would follow their lead.

Especially in lower-income towns, like Lowell especially, she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
While the rainy, overcast, unseasonably warm weather in Columbus this week more accurately resembles a winter in Seattle, this day in 1978, Ohio experienced one of the deadliest snow storms in recorded history.

Jan. 26 marked the beginning of the Blizzard of 1978 in Ohio, also known as the Storm of the Century. The storm killed 51 people in Ohio and caused at least $100 million in damage. It closed roads, tore roofs from houses and stranded drivers on impassable roads.

The severe storm brought peak wind gusts of around 70 mph and dumped over a foot of snow in some parts of Ohio, resulting in giant snowdrifts. Many people found themselves marooned in houses without heat or power with no way to access food or medical supplies.

A view of downtown Columbus during the 1978 Blizzard near the intersection of Broad Street and Third Street.

What caused the Blizzard of 1978?

A cold low-pressure area from North Dakota met a warm, moist low-pressure area from the Gulf of Mexico, causing atmospheric pressure to drop dramatically and white clouds to swirl over Ohio.

Temperatures dropped 21 degrees, from 34 to 13, between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Jan. 26. Temperatures remained around zero during the storm, but hurricane-force winds brought the wind chill to lows of 60 below.

The Akron-Canton Airport recorded peak gusts of 76 mph at 5:12 a.m., followed by sustained winds of 35-45 mph for the next 15 hours. Port Columbus  as John Glenn International Airport was called at the time  recorded peak winds of 69 mph.

How much snow fell during the blizzard?

Snowfall was difficult to measure due to the force of the wind. It also ranged widely throughout the state.

Columbus saw just 4.7 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Cincinnati received 6.9 inches, and Dayton was blanketed under 12.9 inches. The snow piled on top of old snow and ice deposited by another storm just days before.

The recent winter storm devastated this house under construction on Royalton Drive south of Galloway, Ohio. Neighbors said the owner, Joseph George, was building it himself. The wind lifted part of the large house, which had a roof but no windows, off its foundation and dumped it nearby.

Columbus totaled 34.4 inches of snow for the month, the highest snowfall on record for any month in the city.

The severe wind piled the snow into 10-foot drifts, nearly burying cars. Ohio residents spent days digging out from under the snow.

What was it like to weather the storm?

Ohio residents described shrieking winds that felled trees, destroyed roofs and shattered windows. Hundreds of thousands of people were without power, phone service or heat.

Mary Jo Anderson of Springfield Township said in a 2008 interview recounting the storm, "Nobody slept much that night. We had never heard that kind of noise. You know, how your house rattles and squeals."

A COTA supervisor answers questions about bus routes Monday as morning riders board a bus on Broad Street. just east of High Street in Columbus. Buses were back on the streets for the first time since late Wednesday but some routes were canceled or altered.

She said when her husband, Richard, tried to report to work in the morning, he only made it a mile up the road because of the wind. When he opened his car door to scrape ice from the window, the wind nearly ripped the door off, she said.

Motorists abandoned cars and trucks along impassable roads. The force of the wind made it impossible to clear snow from the streets. Schools, airports, stores, offices and other businesses all closed. Bags of trash flew away in the wind as soon as they were set down, eyewitnesses said.

Thousands of volunteers with snowmobiles and four-wheel-drive vehicles worked to deliver medical supplies to people in need and transport medical workers to hospitals, according to the NWS.

Truck driver James Truly is helped from the cab of his rig after spending most of five days buried in the truck beneath a huge snowdrift in Mansfield, Ohio, Jan. 31, 1978. Truly stopped his semi-tractor trailer along Ohio Route 13 north of Mansfield during a massive blizzard. The storm raged for several days and snow completely covered the big rig. No one knew for a couple of days that Truly and his truck were in the drift. He was finally discovered on Jan. 31 when Ohio Air National Guard personnel were opening the state highway with a big snowblower.

How did so many die during the storm?

Of Ohio deaths, 22 people died of exposure to the storm after abandoning stranded vehicles or their homes, according to the NWS. Another 13 died in their homes after losing heat and power.

Two died in buildings that collapsed under the weight of the snow, and falls and heart attacks shoveling snow accounted for some of the other deaths.

The storm also claimed 11 lives in Indiana and five in Kentucky.

bagallion@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 46 years ago today: Blizzard of '78, 'Storm of the Century,' killed 51
You are here: Business

This aerial photo taken on Nov. 16, 2023 shows the Dingdongpo wind power-photovoltaic project in Shiqian County of Tongren City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

A total of 510 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity was newly installed around the world in 2023 and China contributed over 50 percent of it, a National Energy Administration (NEA) official said Thursday.



China has grown into an indispensable force to drive the development of the world's clean energy, said the NEA's Pan Huimin at a press conference.

The briefing was held a day ahead of the first-ever International Day of Clean Energy created by the United Nations.

Clean energy investment abroad by Chinese enterprises has spread across major countries and regions, covering wind, photovoltaic and hydro power, which, on the basis of mutual benefit and win-win results, has assisted the locals in their low-carbon growth, Pan said.

Meanwhile, China continues to promote technological and product innovation, and actively integrates itself into the global clean-energy industrial chain, she added.

China's wind and photovoltaic power products have been exported to more than 200 countries and regions, helping in part to greatly reduce the costs of electricity generation over the past 10 years, according Pan.

China also welcomes foreign companies to invest and conduct business in the country, and is ready to join efforts to push ahead with the global clean energy transition, she said.
SiStar Society performs a dance during the Afro Hair Fair Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Poplar Hall in Appleton, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.

Celebrated throughout February, Black History Month is a time to honor and recognize the achievements made by Black Americans.

From soul food dinners to a celebration of textured hair, here are five events across northeast Wisconsin to celebrate Black History Month.

St. Norbert College's annual Soul Food Dinner

St. Norbert College is hosting its annual Soul Food Dinner to celebrate African American food and music.

The dinner  which is open to students and the public  is from 4:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Michels Commons ballroom, 409 Third St. in De Pere.

Tickets can be purchased on the university's event page and cost $14 for adults and $12 for students and children ages 5 to 12. Children under 5 can eat for free.

Food is served buffet style and consists of southern-style cuisine, including fried southern chicken, red rice, Southern mac and cheese, collard greens, cornbread, sweet potato pie and dessert.

Black History Month soul food dinner and discussion panel

A Black History Month soul food dinner and discussion panel will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Ferguson Family Y, 235 N. Jefferson St. in Green Bay.

Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. consisting of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens and caramel cake.

The panel, titled "Beyond the Dream: Modern Perspectives on Black Leadership in Communities," will discuss how Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream inspired modern Black activism and how local Black community leaders can continue his work. The panel will begin at 5:45 p.m.

The event is free to attend, but registration is required by Feb. 1 through the Y's website.

Mobile Black History Museum

A mobile museum exploring Black history will be stationed at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in February.

The mobile exhibit is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 8 in University Union in the Phoenix Rooms. It is free and open to students and the public.

Black History Month presentation with Alphonso Simpson

Alphonso Simpson

The Kaukauna Public Library will host a Black History Month presentation by University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Director of African American Studies Alphonso Simpson.

The presentation will take place from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Feb. 15 at the library on 207 Thilmany Road. The event is free to the public and open for all ages.

Afro-Hair Fair

Ashley Nelson, 14, of Manitowoc participates in a Black history quiz wearing braids with colorful extensions during the Afro Hair Fair Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Poplar Hall in Appleton, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.

Fox Valley community organization People of Progression and Taperz Barbershop are bringing back the Afro Hair Fair after a successful first run last year.

The second annual Afro Hair Fair will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 24 at Fox Valley Technical College, 1825 Bluemound Drive in Grand Chute.

Afro Hair Fair looks to bring education and resources on textured hair types for local salons, shelters, blended or adoptee families, cosmetology students, and community members.

The event costs $10 to attend and tickets can be purchased at the Afro Hair Fair's Zeffy page.

MORE: MLK celebration speaker encourages Fox Cities leaders to continue working for racial equality

College students can get a discounted ticket for $15 and children under 9 years old can attend for free. Tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event for $30.

Sophia Voight covers local government and politics in the Fox Valley for The Post-Crescent. She can be reached with feedback and story tips at svoight@postcrescent.com.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Black History Month 2024 events in northeast Wisconsin
UPDATE: Two sisters at the center of an Amber Alert in Florida have been found in Louisiana, and their biological mother was taken into custody, the Lake County Sheriffs Office told news outlets.

Dixie Williams, 41, was charged with kidnapping and is in the custody of Louisiana law enforcement, WESH reported.

Investigators believe the girls were taken from their bedroom window, WESH reported, and their biological mom had access to a neighborhood pass from when she previously borrowed the foster familys car.

The original story continues below.

An Amber Alert has been issued for two sisters who were kidnapped from their foster home, a Florida sheriffs office says.

Around 7 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, a foster home reported 1.5-year-old Natalia Williams and her older sister, 5-year-old Tillie Claire Williams, missing, according to a Jan. 25 news release from the Lake County Sheriffs Office.

The sisters were last seen the night before around 11 p.m., the sheriffs office said.

Deputies said they were not sure how the children were taken from the home or where they might be headed, but their biological mother or father was believed to/ be involved.

Later that night, an Amber Alert was issued for the state of Florida and the sheriffs office identified their biological mother, 41-year-old Dixie Stumpner Williams, as the person they believe to have the children.

Cody Williams, the girls biological father, said in an interview with WOFL the children had been taken by the Florida Department of Children and Families more than a year ago, and he believed their mother was taking them to the Bahamas where she had ties.

I dont know for a fact if she did it; it seems pretty probable, Williams told the outlet. I assume she just gave up hope in the system, maybe, and just decided that its better to take them.

Tilli is 3 foot, 5 inches tall, about 45 pounds, has long brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing gray or navy-blue pajamas with multi-colored hearts, the sheriffs office said.

Natalia, or Talli, is 2 foot, 5 inches tall, about 30 pounds, has short curly brown hair and was last seen wearing a pink pajama dress with pink pants covered in hearts, the sheriffs office said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Dixie Williams or her daughters should call the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at 1-888-356-4774 or the Lake County Sheriffs Office at 352-343-2101.

If you see Dixie Williams or her children, do not approach them and call 911.

The girls were last seen in Sorrento, about 35 miles north of Orlando.

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From hotdogs to gourmet dining, Georgias oldest restaurants have a variety of tastes for food lovers of all sorts.

While the Peach State was founded in 1788, Georgias older restaurant is a little younger, dating back to 1916.

After doing some research, this is what we found about five of the oldest food joints in the state.

The Plaza Restaurant & Oyster Bar:

Established in 1916, The Plaza Restaurant & Oyster Bar in Thomasville holds the title of Georgias oldest restaurant. The Plaza originally opened along North Broad Street in Thomasville with capacity to seat only 26 patrons. It eventually moved to its current location at the corner of Broad and Smith, and offers formal and casual dining to this day, as well as a cocktail lounge and outdoor seating.

Nu-Way Weiners:

This Macon standard has been serving up hotdogs since 1916 when James Mallis opened a hot dog stand Between Merkels Bakery and Hodges & Geeslin Produce. The original Cotton Avenue location had a bar with 11 stools and 28 booths for people to come in an enjoy everything from breakfast to dinner. The restaurant now has a total of 8 locations across Middle Georgia.

Fresh Air Barbecue:

Theres nothing better than some good southern barbecue, and Fresh Air Barbecue in Jackson is the oldest pit-cooked barbecue restaurant in the state.

Fresh Air Barbecue was established in 1929, originally owned by Dr. Joel Watkins, and later purchased in 1945 by Butts County native George W. Toots Caston.

Since then, four generations of Toots Castons family have either worked in or been directly involved with the history of Fresh Air Barbecue, adding their ideas and improvements to the business, the restaurant said on its website.

It has also been named among the best barbecue joints in the South.

TRENDING STORIES:

The Crystal Beer Parlor:

The Crystal has been a Savannah establishment since 1933 and is considered to be one of the first American eating establishments to serve alcohol after the repeal of Prohibition.

The building originally opened as the Gerken Family Grocery Store. It was sold in the early 1930s to William Blocko and Connie Manning.

Its rumored that Blocko ran illegal hooch and operated a speakeasy during Prohibition, the restaurant said on its website. The building and the interior are much as they were back when Blocko and Connie grilled burgers and poured draft beer here. Burgers were 30 cents, and draft beer was 10 cents a glass.

Luigis Restaurant:

Luigis has been serving up pizza and other great Italian favorites to the people of Augusta since 1949. The restaurants original owner, Nicholas Ballas, immigrated to the U.S. in the 1920s and eventually moved South to Augusta after living for a time in New England.

Because few were familiar with Greek cuisine, Nick created a menu with mostly Italian creations, despite his own Greek heritage. The small restaurant with a northern flare quickly became a hub for businessmen, soldiers, and families, Luigis website said.

When Nicks health began to fail in the mid-1950s, his son and daughter-in-law came to help with the business and fell in love with Augustas southern charm.

To this day, the restaurant remains owned by members of Ballas family and has remained an Augusta tradition.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Idaho prisoner Thomas Eugene Creech, 73, center, seated with attorney Chris Sanchez, left, and Federal Defender Services of Idaho investigator Christine Hanley. San Bernardino County Sheriffs officials recently announced they identified Creech as the suspect behind the shooting of Daniel Ashton Walker Jr. on Oct. 1, 1974 east of Barstow.

Daniel Ashton Walker Jr. was fatally shot by an unknown gunman as he and a passenger slept in a parked car along Interstate 40 in the Mojave Desert.

Nearly 50 years later, San Bernardino County Sheriffs officials announced they identified Thomas Eugene Creech as the suspect behind in the shooting that happened on Oct. 1, 1974 east of Barstow.

On Wednesday, sheriffs officials announced the cold case update, which included how they recently came to identify and locate the 73-year-old Creech as they suspect.

Good Samaritan

The day before the shooting, the 22-year-old Walker packed his van and left family in Santa Ana on his way back to Denver, the San Bernardino Sun County reported.

Traveling north through the Cajon Pass, Walker stopped and picked up an 18-year-old hitchhiker near Interstate 15 and Highway 138, and promised to drive the young man home to Texas.

Those who knew Walker said the Illinois native was a Good Samaritan, often going out of his way to do good deeds for others.

After traveling through Victorville and Barstow, the duo decided to park alongside I-40, about 62 miles west of Needles to get some rest, sheriffs officials reported.

The shooting

At about 6 a.m. the following day, Walker was awakened by an unknown suspect, later identified as Creech, who shot him multiple times, sheriff's officials said.

Asleep in the back of the van, the passenger was awakened by the sound of two shots, thats when he heard Walker beg the gunman not to be shot again, the Sun reported.

The passenger hid under a blanket when he heard two more shots ring out. He would later describe to police two white men who left the scene in a gold van.

After the passenger escaped, he flagged down a passing motorist for help. Walker was later transported to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries, sheriffs officials reported.

The delivery man

After the shooting, investigators spoke to a delivery man who said earlier that morning the suspects waved him down after their gold van was stuck in the sand.

One of the suspects told the delivery man they were heading to Indiana and that they carried a shotgun to shoot down posts and sagebrush to use for tire traction should they get stuck.

The delivery man helped tow the van and refused payment for his services.

After nearly 50 years, San Bernardino County Sheriff's investigators identified the suspect who killed a Good Samaritan in the Mojave Desert.

1974 investigation

Investigators at that time believed robbery was the motive in the shooting, although the suspects only took $80 from Walker and passed on the $600 in traveler's checks he was carrying.

The suspects did not take Walkers motorcycle, stereo system, or luggage that was stored in the back of his van.

Law enforcement officials in California, Nevada and Arizona were notified and stopped each van that matched the description of the suspects vehicle, the Sun reported.

Creech identified

The San Bernardino County Sheriffs homicide detail investigated and exhausted all leads at that time.

Over several years, the sheriffs departments homicide detail cold case team reviewed Walkers case but was unable to develop any workable leads to solve his murder, sheriffs officials stated.

On Nov. 15, the cold case team resumed the investigation and obtained additional information, which led to Creech being identified as the suspect in Walkers murder.

Creech was found incarcerated in an Idaho prison for several additional murders, where he was found guilty, sheriffs officials said.

While working with the Ada County District Attorneys Office in Idaho, cold case detectives were able to corroborate intimate details from statements Creech made regarding Walkers murder, sheriff's officials said.

The San Bernardino County District Attorneys Office reviewed the case and is in consultation with the Ada County District Attorneys Office.

For years, Creech claimed to have killed dozens of people but, as of a week ago, said the real number was fewer than 14, the Idaho Statesman reported.

Creech has been convicted of five murders. Idaho prosecutors last week detailed to the states parole board during a clemency hearing why they believed he committed no fewer than 11 murders and probably dozens more.

Creech is currently the longest-serving inmate on death row in Idaho, sheriffs officials said.

Creechs public defender

The Idaho Statesman reported that Creechs attorneys with the nonprofit Federal Defender Services of Idaho said Wednesday in a statement that the announcement that their client is a suspect in the Walker murder only underscores how false and irresponsible it was for the Ada County prosecutors to claim at last Fridays clemency hearing that the case was closed and Mr. Creech was guilty.

In the statement, Deborah Czuba, supervising attorney for the legal nonprofits death penalty unit, said the announcement lacks any real evidence against Creech and instead relies entirely on unspecified intimate details provided by Mr. Creech a long time ago yet revealed only now for unexplained reasons decades later.

These details somehow now make Mr. Creech a new suspect in a crime that has never been tied to him, Czuba said, despite several efforts to link it to him as far back as 1975, when teams of federal and local law enforcement officials were determined to prove the fantasy that he committed 50 murders.

Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to contact Detective Justin Carty with the specialized investigations division  homicide detail, cold case team, at 909- 890-4904. Callers can remain anonymous by contacting We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or wetip.com.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: After 50 years, investigators ID suspect who killed Good Samaritan
A heating planet and expanding commercial agriculture are putting increasing pressure on Americas vital aquifers  underground reservoirs that supply water to an estimated 145 million Americans, as well as supporting much of the nations food supply.

New research published Tuesday in Nature uncovered rapid and accelerating declines in underground water sources across the world, with some of the fastest and most significant collapses impacting aquifers that supply the American West.

Researchers told The Hill that declines arent inevitable, and that they can be reversed  but doing so requires a clear understanding of where the losses are happening, and what is driving them.

Based on the data gathered by the scientists behind the Nature study, here are six states where the collapse of groundwater supplies poses the biggest challenge.

California

The collapse of groundwater reserves beneath Californias Central Valley stands out as particularly severe  even among all the global losses.

The state, which has for years struggled with drought, depends more heavily on its underground water stores than any other in the country: Currently, California accounts for 21 percent of total groundwater usage in the U.S., and draws about 67 percent of its fresh water from its groundwater reserves.

That reliance is taking a toll: Of Californias 183 groundwater basins evaluated by the Nature team, three-quarters are in decline  and for many, that decline is occurring very quickly.

The most significant of the losses are hitting the states Central Valley  a result of 25 percent of the nations agriculture being concentrated in less than 1 percent of its area, in a region that combines near-desert aboveground conditions with rich reserves of underground water that have accumulated over thousands of years.

Or at least, once-rich reserves.

The Nature team considered groundwater deepening  or the dropping of groundwater levels further into the earth  to be rapid when it surpassed 0.5 meters, or 19 inches, per year.

The team found that 15 of Californias basins showed rapid decline  virtually all of which are beneath its Central Valley.

For five of these, decline was particularly fast: Water levels were dropping at more than a meter a year (36 inches) in the Cuyama Valley, White Wolf Basin, San Pasqual Valley, Chowchilla Basin and Northern Kern Basin.

Of these, the Cuyama Valley  where farms, homes and businesses alike must draw all their water from wells  is experiencing particularly quick losses of 1.45 meters (almost 5 feet) per year.

But all five of these rapidly depleted areas are part of the San Joaquin Valley, which accounts for half of Californias agricultural production.

That connection isnt a coincidence. Eighty percent of the groundwater California uses goes to agriculture, according to data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Both for Central Valley farms and for the rest of California, the states reliance on underground water stores poses a particular concern as its other water sources are becoming ever more scarce: The Colorado River, the source of 15 percent of the fresh water California doesnt get from groundwater, is declining, and a heating planet is pushing the states vital snowpack  a kind of water battery that slowly drips water down into the lowlands that would otherwise disappear into flash floods  higher and higher into the mountains.

Texas

While the aquifers beneath Texas dont face the level of critical collapse that Californias do, the hot, dry Southwestern state is also facing a thirsty century

According to the Nature researchers data, 82 percent of Texass aquifers are in some form of decline. Of these, one  Lobo Flat, the site of a ghost town that once thrived when the water did  is in rapid decline, losing 0.6 meters (23 inches) per year.

Another, the Edwards-Trinity or High Plains aquifer, is just below that threshold, with annual losses of 0.45 meters (just under 18 inches).

As The Hill reported in 2022, that region has faced the twin onslaughts of drought and a boom in water-hungry dairies  both of which have put added pressure on the already declining aquifers, and stirred fears about agriculture in the Texas High Plains coming to an end.

While the story for most state aquifers is a more protracted decline than punctuated drop-off, in more than a quarter of Texass underground basins  28 percent  groundwater loss is speeding up. Levels in those basins are receding at twice the rate in the 21st century as they did at the end of the 20th.

In some, the decline is accelerating even faster than that.

One example: the Edwards Aquifer, which supplies the expanding subdivisions sprouting up on the old cattle ranches in the hills west of the state capital of Austin  and its old colonial capital of San Antonio.

In the 1990s, that pumping was already taking its toll, with water levels dropping 0.06 meters (2 inches) per year. But in this century its expanded threefold to losses of 0.17 meters (about 7 inches) per year  enough that the regions beloved springs are beginning to go dry.

Idaho

This state has the dubious honor of hosting the fastest collapsing aquifer in the Nature researchers dataset: the Mill Creek Aquifer, which is losing 2.17 meters (more than 7 feet) of water per year  a serious concern for the 200,000 people who rely on it for drinking water.

While Mill Creek is the only aquifer in Idaho experiencing rapid decline, levels are falling in 60 percent of the states other groundwater stores, and in 11 percent of them that decline has more than doubled since the last century.

As elsewhere, this decline is driven by farming. Despite having a population of less than 2 million, Idaho accounts for 6 percent of the nations total groundwater usage, 92 percent of which it puts toward crops and livestock.

Arizona

The driving forces behind Arizonas water woes are a mix of those causing the losses in California and the Texas High Plains: declines in the Colorado River, which supplies Arizona with more than a third of its water, booming cities and an agriculture industry that is growing thirsty crops such as alfalfa using sparsely regulated groundwater.

With surface water supplies diminishing and rain famously scarce in the desert, 41 percent of Arizonas water supply comes from wells  and according to the Nature study, 70 percent of these are in decline across the state.

One farming region, the Gila Bend Basin, has become a top priority for state water managers due to the precipitous collapse in its aquifer levels, which have fallen nearly 300 feet since the 1990s.

According to the Nature researchers data, that basin has seen 1.21 meters (47 inches) of deepening per year  marking the most dramatic decline in any of the states basins, but far from the only one.

Another basin, the Ranegras Plain aquifer, is showing deepening rates just a bit under the rate of rapid decline, according to the Nature study.

While state water managers have attempted to create rural water management districts to regulate the pumping of groundwater, so far they havent been able to so much as get a committee hearing in Arizonas conservative Legislature  though they are trying again this week.

Utah

For now, Utahs big cities can rely on the snowmelt that comes off the Wasatch Front, which looms above the urban corridor that includes Salt Lake City  a metropolis that gets just 10 percent of its water from underground.

But the state as a whole depends on groundwater to meet 60 percent of its water needs  of which 80 percent is consumed by agriculture.

Under pressure from both growing cities and irrigation, 82 percent of Utahs aquifers are in a state of decline  11 of them at twice the rate of last century.

Two of these deepening aquifers, the Parowan and Goshen Valley, are declining at either just above or just below the rate the Nature researchers consider rapid.

Coincidentally, neighboring New Mexico has exactly the same share of declining aquifers  82 percent  though they are not failing at quite the same rate as in Utah.

These declines are concerning because like California, Utah can expect its patterns of precipitation to change as the climate heats up  and while more water may fall from the sky than does currently, a greater share will fall as easily lost rain, rather than the steady, reliable drip of snowpack.

Mississippi

Despite Mississippis position beside the enormous river that gives the state its name, groundwater provides its residents with 82 percent of their fresh water.

That level of dependence on underground water is unparalleled in the eastern U.S. And its exacerbated by the fact that farmers and cities in neighboring states  from the rice farmers of Arkansas to the city of Memphis, Tenn.  depend on many of the same subterranean reservoirs.

One of these in particular  the Middle Claiborne, which stretches in a vast rounded triangle from Jackson, Miss., to Memphis almost to Little Rock, Ark., but was owned by Mississippi  was the cause of a suit between Mississippi and Memphis that reached the Supreme Court in 2021.

In that case, Mississippi complained that Memphiss use of the Claiborne water beneath Tennessee was sucking its own resources dry  forcing the high court to determine whether aquifers were governed by the same rules as interstate surface river basins like the Colorado.

It ruled they were, and that the two states must share the water by equitable apportionment. But Mississippi has less and less to share.

According to the Nature researchers data, 57 percent of the states aquifers are in decline. The part of the Middle Claiborne that lies just outside Jackson, Miss., is dropping by 0.72 meters (28 inches, or a little more than two feet) per year.

That decline is sufficient to make the Jackson regions artesian wells  those that bubble forth on their own from water pressure beneath  stop flowing entirely, according to 2023 research by one of the Nature studys co-authors.

As agriculture is the primary driver of this decline, the U.S. Forest Service has proposed one possible solution for the region: turn marginal croplands back into forests.

A 2021 study found that areas with new forests on them lost groundwater at one-eighth the rate of croplands  which Forest Service scientists ascribed to the fact that after the trees were planted, no more groundwater pumping was being pumped to prop up less productive croplands.

Honorable mentions

While these states are facing particularly urgent water crises, many of their neighbors are experiencing widespread declines of their own.

In Oklahoma, where more than half of state water comes from underground, 82 percent of aquifers are in decline.

That share of decline is matched by New Mexico, where 7 state aquifers are dropping at more than twice the rate they were in the late 20th century.

And in Kansas, where 71 percent of water comes from groundwater, 65 percent of state aquifers are deepening.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MAYETTA (KSNT)  A Motown and R&B band with roots in the 60s will be coming to northeast Kansas for a performance at Prairie Band Casino & Resort.

The resort made the announcement on social media on Jan. 26 that The Commodores would be visiting Mayetta in a few months. The show will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 16 with tickets set to go on sale at noon on Friday, Feb. 16.

The Commodores got their start in 1968, picking up steam in the 1970s. They have since sold 75 million albums worldwide, among them are five number one albums, according to the groups website. Some of their hits include Machine Gun, Sail On and Nightshift.

Riley Green signs on to 2024 Country Stampede, tickets open

More information on this and other performances in Mayetta can be found on the resorts website.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
(COLORADO)  The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP), and other road safety agencies will hold a press conference to address fatalities on Colorado roads, after a record high number of fatal pedestrian and bicycle crashes.

According to CDOT, 712 people were killed on Colorado roads in 2023, a decrease of 7% from 2022, which CDOT said was a record-breaking year for fatalities. While overall traffic deaths decreased in 2023, a record high number of pedestrian and bicycle deaths occurred on Colorado roads.

State officials are sharing plans to counter the rising trend in vulnerable road user (VRU) fatalities and efforts to decrease all traffic fatalities. These plans include CDOTs new Shift into Safe campaign, the Advancing Transportation Safety initiative, Colorados 2023 VRU Safety Assessment, and continued collaboration with state agencies, law enforcement, local municipalities and safety advocates.

Planned projects include new safety campaigns and upcoming roadway improvements.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  An Abilene man has been sentenced to life in prison for a 2019 child sex crime.

Courtesy of the Taylor County Jail

Timothy Rhodes was found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child and two counts of indecency with a child by a jury on January 25, 2024.

Abilene man sentenced to life in prison for child sex crime

The jury took less than 30 minutes to find him guilty and less than 30 minutes to come back with a life sentence.

A complaint stated that Rhodes committed two or more counts of sexual abuse to a child younger than 14 between April 2019 and January 2021.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
A transport vehicle delivers the installed power battery system parts at a workshop of SAIC-CATL Motor Power Battery System Co., Ltd. in Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 16, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's top provincial economies  Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong, and Zhejiang  are taking the lead in ensuring stable and high-quality growth, shaping a promising trajectory for China's 2024 economic outlook, said experts.



They said the robust performance of the four provinces in 2023 showcases the strong resilience and vitality of the Chinese economy, while laying a solid foundation for sustained growth in 2024.

Looking ahead, experts and entrepreneurs said they expect the economy to pick up steadily in the current year, with strong policy support, continued recovery in consumer spending and the diminishing downward impact of real estate investment.

The southern coastal province of Guangdong became the first province in China to post a GDP of more than 13 trillion yuan ($1.81 trillion) last year, finishing as the top provincial economy in the country for the 35th consecutive year. The economic output of Shandong and Zhejiang also touched highs, exceeding 9 trillion yuan and 8 trillion yuan, respectively.

Eastern China's Jiangsu became the first Chinese province with five cities recording a GDP of over 1 trillion yuan each. The province as a whole reported a GDP of over 12 trillion yuan last year, ranking second.

Feng Jianlin, chief economist at Beijing FOST Economic Consulting Co, attributed the robust performances to solid economic foundations and robust internal dynamics, saying the provinces have made great strides in deepening reforms and opening-up, improving the business environment, fostering a relatively vibrant private sector and enhancing innovation capabilities.

"Economically strong provinces will continue to play a key role in supporting China's steady economic growth this year," he said.

Despite challenges and mounting uncertainties ahead, Feng said, the "around 5 percent" GDP growth is achievable this year. "We will see improvements in the services sector and employment, while household incomes and consumption are expected to maintain steady growth. Investment growth is expected to outpace that of 2023, with real estate development investment poised for improvement."

Safdar Parvez, the Asian Development Bank's country director for China, said the ADB forecasts that China's economic growth will remain solid at 4.5 percent in 2024, supported by a continuous recovery of the services sector and efforts to expand domestic demand, particularly consumption.

"There is room for continued accommodative monetary and fiscal policies to support this growth level."

China's central bank announced on Wednesday that it will cut the reserve requirement ratio by 0.5 percentage point on Feb 5 to provide liquidity of about 1 trillion yuan ($140 billion) in the market.

Ye Yindan, a researcher at the Bank of China Research Institute, said more financial policies are needed to strike a balance between ensuring stable growth, promoting reforms and preventing risks.

Looking into the future, Parvez from the ADB said he has "very little doubt" that China will be able to avoid the middle-income trap as the country has strong, sophisticated manufacturing and high-tech sectors.

The middle-income trap refers to economies stagnating at middle-income levels and failing to graduate to high-income economies.

Marc Horn, president of Merck China, said the science and technology company is optimistic that the ongoing implementation of measures to further open up the market indicates China's commitment to fostering a more transparent and accessible business environment.

Zhou Haijiang, chairman of garment giant Hodo Group in Wuxi, Jiangsu, said that the province's achievements in 2023 have been inspiring, and private enterprises should make full use of the good environment to embrace new opportunities and to expand to the global market.
Russia is trying to destabilize Finland by sending people  including criminals and war criminals  to the Finish border, Finlands Foreign Affairs Minister, Elina Valtonen, told RND on Jan. 25.

The Finnish government does not know what arrangements these people might have made with Russian officials, but some told Finnish refugee authorities that Russia would have sent them to war against Ukraine if they had not crossed the border, she said.



"So, if Russia allows these people to fight in Ukraine, they can fight elsewhere," the Minister said.

Moscow is believed to use Russians seeking asylum in Finland for espionage or sabotage.



Read also: Finnish FM confident Hungary will lift veto on EUR 50 billion EU aid for Ukraine

All border crossings with Russia are now closed, but the security situation remains serious: 15 migrants crossed the land border with Finland last week only, she said.

Finland has started to build a border fence, but it is impossible to cover all 1,300 kilometers, she said. The country is also working on new legislation to address the border issue.

Finland closed all checkpoints along its border with Russia on Nov. 30 in response to a significant increase in undocumented third-country nationals seeking asylum at the border with the help of Russian border guards.

More than 800 migrants from countries like Afghanistan, Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen entered Finland via Russia in recent weeks, the country's Border Guard Service reported earlier.

Read also: Moscow trying to recruit migrants seeking asylum in Finland for espionage

More than 800 migrants from countries like Afghanistan, Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen entered Finland via Russia in recent weeks, the country's Border Guard Service reported earlier.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Justus Robertson, 20, took the stand on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 in his murder trial in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

A Franklin County jury has convicted a young man of aggravated murder and other charges after his accomplices pleaded guilty  including his stepfather, who took a plea deal with prosecutors to get his stepson a better plea deal.

Justus Robertson, 20, would not take a plea deal and fought his charges at trial this week in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

Now, Robertson is facing more time in prison than he would have received had he taken a deal after a jury convicted him Friday of aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault, and other charges.

Judge Mark Serrott will sentence Robertson on Feb. 15. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison with his earliest opportunity for parole after 26 years. Serrott will decide when Robertson gets the opportunity for parole after at least 26 years.

The charges stem from the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Christopher Roberts Jr. during an exchange of gunfire on July 7, 2022, at the Cross Key apartment complex on the Southeast Side in Truro Township.

According to testimony at trial, Roberts was one of two who robbed Robertson and 21-year-old Andrew Jamar-Jennings earlier in the day of drugs and guns.

Robertson told Donte Adams, 44, his former stepfather, that they were robbed of drugs Adams gave them, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors said Adams, a lifelong criminal, was high on ecstasy that day, and he "flew off the handle."

Adams, Robertson, Jamar-Jennings and 23-year-old Xavier Colvin went to the apartment building where Roberts lived, according to testimony and video evidence.

But first, the four men met with 32-year-old Frederick Carr, who admitted in a December plea hearing to supplying them with guns and taking cellphones away so they could not be tracked, according to prosecutors.

The men, including Robertson, were captured on surveillance video at the apartment building exchanging gunfire.

Robertson's defense attorney, Christopher Signil, argued during the trial that then-19-year-old Robertson felt forced into participating by Adams, whom he feared.

Signil said Colvin was the one who fired the fatal shot.

Colvin was the first party involved in the shootout to take a plea deal and received the shortest prison sentence aside from Carr.

Taking the stand on Wednesday, Robertson said he didn't know what Adams was planning, and he didn't know at the time cellphones could be tracked or why Carr took them.

Franklin County Assistant Prosecutor Steven Schott tried to nail him down. Schott played video of Robertson in a mask shooting a gun and asked him if he was trying to hurt people with that gun.

"A bullet will hurt if it hits you, so I guess you could say that," Robertson said.

After the shooting, Justus Robertson's mother, Tashia Robertson, drove him to Indiana, where he stayed with his father for more than four months, according to Robertson's testimony.

Tashia Robertson, 47, of the Southeast Side, pleaded guilty in March 2023 to tampering with evidence. Serrott sentenced her to one year of probation.

Colvin, of the West Side, pleaded guilty in March 2023 to involuntary manslaughter and robbery. Serrott sentenced Colvin to 16 years to 21  years in prison, as recommended by prosecutors and his attorney in a plea deal.

Jamar-Jennings, of the Southeast Side, pleaded guilty in August to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated robbery. Serrott sentenced Jamar-Jennings to 18 years to 23  years in prison, as recommended in his plea agreement.

Adams, of Marion, pleaded guilty in November to aggravated murder in a deal with county prosecutors to get Robertson a better deal. Serrott sentenced Adams to life in prison with the opportunity for parole after 25 years.

Carr, of Lewis Center, pleaded guilty in December to involuntary manslaughter. Serrott sentenced him to 10 years to 15 years in prison at the request of prosecutors and his attorney as part of a plea agreement.

jlaird@dispatch.com

@LairdWrites

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Franklin County jury convicts man of murder after accomplices testify
Two men were indicted by a grand jury on Thursday for separate murder offenses.

Albert James Shell and Zy'wantre Si'cane Lester were the men indicted by the grand jury where prosecutors from the State Attorney's Office presented their cases in front of Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti. The murders occurred late last month within hours of each other.

Assistant State Attorneys Rich Buxman and Amy Berndt handled the grand jury cases, which began at 8:30 a.m. and concluded between 2:30 and 3 p.m.

Testimonies from grand jury indictments are sealed and therefore the contents are not available to the public.

Police beat: Fatal shooting in Marion Oaks: Suspect named; here's what we know about him.

First appearances

The men were in court on Friday morning in front of County Judge LeeAnn Mackey-Barnes for their first appearance hearings. Lester is charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Handcuffed, the men were called to the podium one at a time.

Lester, of Ocala, appeared confused about his charges. He told the judge he's a convicted felon and does not have a gun. He added he doesn't know anything about the case or why he's in custody.

The judge briefed him about the offense. Lester wanted to say more but was cut off by an assistant public defender who was present in the courtroom, along with the judge.

The 23-year-old told the judge he wants a speedy trial, to which the judge told him he needs to talk to his attorney about his wish.

The judge appointed the Public Defender's Office to represent him and he has no bond.

Ocala police officials said Lester was the triggerman in the shooting death of McKenzie Lebron Roundtree, 34, of Ocala, on Dec. 22. Ocala police officials said Lester chased and gunned down Roundtree in an open lot.

Ocala police officials believe one of Lester's relatives was robbed by Roundtree. Lester was told about the incident and saw the victim at an outdoor gathering. The two reportedly fought and Lester chased the victim in the vacant lot where Roundtree was shot multiple times.

Albert James Shell

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the Paddock Mall in Ocala on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, after a shooting.

Also handcuffed, Shell had Assistant Public Defender Amanda Sizemore representing him. The judge denied bond at his hearing.

Shell, the accused Paddock Mall shooter arrested for the shooting death of 40-year-old David Nathaniel Barron, was indicted for first-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

When Shell, 39, of Ocala, was taken into custody a few weeks ago, he was facing charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Since then, Ocala police detectives, who continued working the case, found a second person who was injured in the Dec. 23 shooting.

The first injury was a woman shot in the leg. The second victim is a man who authorities said had a bullet graze his leg.

For now, officials said it appears Shell's intention was to target Barron and no one else.

Police detectives said Shell chased, shot at and eventually killed Barron who authorities said had begged for his life before he was shot in the head. The victim had other gunshot wounds.

A convicted felon, Shell has multiple other unrelated charges that are being processed by prosecutors.

Murder: Fatal shooting in Marion Oaks: Suspect named; here's what we know about him.

A decision on whether or not to seek the death penalty is ongoing and no decision has been made.

 Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Marion County grand jury hands down murder indictments in Ocala
A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday slammed NATO as "a walking war machine that causes chaos wherever it goes."

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to media queries about the ongoing NATO military exercise, the largest one since the Cold War.

NATO, as a regional military organization, has initiated and taken part in global conflicts since its inception, Wu stated.

Furthermore, he said, in recent years, NATO has constantly expanded toward the Asia-Pacific region, employing the unfounded "China threat" narrative as a pretext for bloc confrontation, and posing a threat to regional security.

Wu urged NATO to stop fabricating lies and taking dangerous actions that cause chaos in the Asia-Pacific region, treat China and the development of the Chinese armed forces objectively and rationally, and do something beneficial to world peace, the spokesperson said.
An Akron man has been indicted in the November shooting death of a pregnant woman in Kent.

Michael Deshawn Lollar, 37, is held on a $1 million bond after appearing in Kent Municipal Court.

A Portage County grand jury indicted Lollar on four counts of complicity to aggravated murder and a first-degree felony count of complicity to aggravated burglary.

Lollar is accused of driving a vehicle that police say carried Arizona resident Dawan Rahman Wilson, 44, to and from a home in South Water Street's 1300 block where 35-year-old Cheretta Frierson was found shot to death Nov. 21.

Kent police say officers responded to the home after a neighbor called 911 and reported hearing screaming and what sounded like several gunshots about 2 p.m. Nov. 21. Frierson was found dead at the bottom of the basement stairs.

Police said Frierson had been living in Arizona prior to staying at the Kent home with a family member. However, a young girl and an infant boy were the only other occupants found at the home. Neither was reported injured, and Portage County Job and Family Services was contacted.

Wilson quickly was identified as an alleged accomplice, police said. He was arrested on a warrant Dec. 4 in the Houston area and was extradited to Ohio in early January.

A grand jury indicted Wilson on four counts of aggravated murder and a single count of aggravated burglary.

Two of the aggravated murder counts and the complicity count leveled against Wilson and Lollar stem from Frierson's shooting death; the others are tied to "unlawful termination" of her pregnancy.

All five counts against Wilson and Lollar carry a firearm specification.

Wilson has been held without bond in Portage County Jail. He is scheduled for a March 19 jury trial.

Police say Lollar was identified as an accomplice through subsequent investigation. With the aid of Akron police and the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, he was arrested Jan. 17.

Lollar is scheduled for arraignment Monday morning.

Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Michael Deshawn Lollar indicted in slaying of pregnant woman in Kent
ATMORE, Ala. (WDHN)  Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has confirmed that death row inmate, Kenneth Eugene Smiths execution was carried out tonight. Saying in a statement:

On March 18, 1988, 45-year-old Elizabeth Sennetts life was brutally taken from her by Kenneth Eugene Smith. After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes.

The execution was lawfully carried out by nitrogen hypoxia, the method previously requested by Mr. Smith as an alternative to lethal injection. At long last, Mr. Smith got what he asked for, and this case can finally be put to rest.

I pray that Elizabeth Sennetts family can receive closure after all these years dealing with that great loss.  Governor Kay Ivey

The Governors office says Smiths time of death was 8:25 p.m.

Smith was charged for the murder-for-hire-killing of Elizabeth Dorelene Sennett in Colbert County in 1988. Court records show Smith says he was paid $1,000 for the killing by the victims husband, Colbert County minister Charles Sennett Sr.

Documents say the county coroner testified that Elizabeth Sennett was stabbed eight times in the chest and once on each side of the neck. She also has numerous other abrasions and cuts.

Charles Sennett killed himself before facing charges.

Smith was initially convicted of capital murder in 1989 and the jury, at the time, recommended he be sentenced to death but that conviction was overturned on appeal. He was retried and convicted of capital murder again in 1996.

A jury recommended Smith be sentenced to life in prison in an 11-1 vote, but the judge in the case overrode the decision and sentenced him to death.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
Alabama on Thursday became the first state to execute a death row inmate using nitrogen gas.

Kenneth Smith was put to death by nitrogen hypoxia at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala., making his execution the first in the U.S. to be carried out using the previously untested method.

Smith was executed for his role in the murder-for-hire plot of Elizabeth Sennett in 1988.

Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm addressed reporters during a press conference later Thursday night, noting that the state began carrying out the execution at 7:53 p.m. CST. Smith was pronounced deceased at 8:25 p.m. CST.

Nitrogen gas was flowing for approximately 15 minutes during the execution, Hamm noted.

Smith reportedly shook for at least two minutes after the execution began and appeared conscious for several minutes, according to pool media witnesses. Hamm said Smith held his breath initially and that the movements were involuntary and were expected side effects of death by nitrogen gas based on their research. He also claimed he didnt notice Smith remaining conscious.

Nothing was out of the ordinary of what we were expecting, Hamm said in response to the claims.

Pool media witnesses report that Smiths final statement was Tonight, Alabama caused humanity to take a step backward.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) praised the execution, saying Justice has been served.

Tonight, Kenneth Smith was put to death for the heinous act he committed over 35 years ago: the murder-for-hire slaying of Elizabeth Sennett, an innocent woman who was by all accounts a godly wife, a loving mother and grandmother, and a beloved pillar of her community, he said in a written statement.

The victims family said it was a bittersweet day in remarks during the press conference, but that Sennett got justice.

The execution was carried out shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to stop the execution from taking place.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Alabama carried out the first-ever execution by nitrogen gas Thursday, killing 58-year-old Kenneth Smith just over a year after he survived a failed lethal injection.

Smith appeared to shake and writhe on the gurney, sometimes pulling on the restraints for at least two minutes, followed by several minutes of heavy breathing, according to The Associated Press. He was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m. local time.

Rev. Jeff Hood, Smiths spiritual adviser, described the execution as torture.

It was the most horrible thing I think Ive ever seen, said Hood, who has witnessed five execution in the past 13 months. I stood there and cried while I saw someone get suffocated.

Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards, Smith said in his final statement, according to media witnesses. Thank you for supporting me. Love you all.

In Smiths final days, his lawyers had asked the Supreme Court to block the execution. They argued that the second attempt to kill Smith  with an untested mechanism, before he had exhausted state court appeals, and while he was still experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder from the first attempt  would violate Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment.

The court denied the request, with the three liberal justices, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting. The conservative majority did not provide a written explanation for the decision.

Having failed to kill Smith on its first attempt, Alabama has selected him as its guinea pig to test a method of execution never attempted before, Sotomayor wrote in her dissent. The world is watching.

Twice now this Court has ignored Smiths warning that Alabama will subject him to an unconstitutional risk of pain. The first time, Smiths predictions came true, Sotomayor said. This time, he predicts that Alabamas protocol will cause him to suffocate and choke to death on his own vomit. I sincerely hope that he is not proven correct a second time.

As Smiths execution approached, he vomited continuously for several days in a row, his lawyers said in court filings, citing his post-traumatic stress disorder from his first execution date. In response, the Alabama Department of Corrections said it would deny Smith solid foods, starting at 10 a.m. Thursday, to minimize the risk that he would vomit into the gas mask.

Smith is the second person in U.S. history to face a second execution attempt after a failed effort, his lawyers said. The first was in 1946 in Louisiana, when an electric chair malfunctioned. Smiths death marked the first known nitrogen gas execution, referred to as nitrogen hypoxia, in the world.

The Alabama attorney generals office claimed without evidence in a court filing response that nitrogen is perhaps the most humane method of execution ever devised. The limited information that exists about nitrogen as a killing agent comes from euthanizing small animals as well as studying industrial accidents and suicides. The American Veterinary Medical Association said in its 2020 euthanasia guidelinesthat nitrogen hypoxia should not be used to kill most mammals and that rats who were exposed to nitrogen gas showed signs of panic and distress before they collapsed and died.

Alabama did not kill Smith with nitrogen because of a desire to make his death more pleasant. The state first authorized nitrogen executions in 2018 amid drug shortages and legal challenges to its existing lethal injection procedure. The decision to actually conduct an execution with nitrogen came after the state failed to execute Smith by lethal injection in November 2022  the third consecutive botched lethal injection in Alabama that year.

The eyes of the world are on this impending moral apocalypse, Smith and Hood, his spiritual adviser, said in a joint statement Thursday morning. Our prayer is that people will not turn their heads. We simply cannot normalize the suffocation of each other.

Hood, who was in the execution chamber with Smith to deliver last rites, was required to sign a waiver acknowledging the risk that he could be exposed to the odorless, tasteless nitrogen gas.

Smith was killed as punishment for participating in a 1988 murder-for-hire plot to kill a pastors wife. The pastor, Charles Sennett Sr., wanted his wife, Elizabeth Sennett, killed in an apparent robbery so he could collect an insurance payout. A jury recommended 11-1 that Smith, who confessed to helping plan the hit but denied stabbing the victim, be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The judge overrode the jury and imposed a death sentence.

Sennetts son Mike Sennett said at a news conference after the execution that his mother got her justice tonight and that evil deeds had been paid.

Had Smiths trial taken place today, he would not have been sentenced to death. In 2017, Alabama became the last state to ban judges from overriding jury recommendations to impose death sentences.

Smith, who survived a botched lethal injection in 2022, was killed on Thursday, in the first-ever lethal injection execution.

Smith, who survived a botched lethal injection in 2022, was killed on Thursday, in the first-ever lethal injection execution.

During Alabamas first attempt to kill Smith on Nov. 17, 2022, he lay strapped to the gurney, unable to move for nearly four hours. While on the gurney, he was unaware that a federal appellate court had issued a stay of execution, which the Supreme Court soon vacated. Once his appeals were exhausted, execution officials unsuccessfully tried to set two IV lines, sliding a needle in and out of his arms and hands and ignoring his complaints of pain, his lawyers wrote in a complaint filed in federal court shortly after the execution attempt.

Then, the IV team tilted the gurney back, forcing Smith into a reverse crucifixion position with his head below his feet, the complaint said. He was jabbed five or six times with a clear syringe and poked multiple times with a large-gauge needle in his collarbone. Smith was in so much pain that he resisted the restraints, injuring his shoulder and struggling to breathe.

They were just sticking me over and over, going in the same hole like a freaking sewing machine, Smith told NPR in an interview last year. I was absolutely alone in a room full of people, and not one of them tried to help me at all  and I was crying out for help.

When the execution was finally called off, Smith was unable to stand, walk or dress himself unassisted, the complaint said. He experienced severe post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, including nightmares, hypervigilance, hyperarousal and dissociation up until his death.

Before his first execution date, Smith sued Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm, alleging that the states lethal injection procedure violated the Eighth Amendment right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. The Supreme Court has previously held that for a challenge to an execution method to prevail, the prisoner must select an alternative method that is feasible, available and reduces the risk of pain.

Smith identified nitrogen hypoxia as an alternative, but the state argued it was not an available alternative.

Then, on the eve of being required to disclose information regarding its failed attempt to execute Mr. Smith by lethal injection, ADOC suddenly changed course, now claiming it is prepared to carry out executions using nitrogen hypoxia, Smiths lawyers wrote in the complaint.

The lawyers warned that the one-size-fits-all mask used to deliver the nitrogen gas may not form an adequate seal and could allow oxygen into the mask. If that occurred, they said, Smith could experience a prolonged, painful death, stroke or a persistent vegetative state.

The lawyers also cited concerns with the purity of the nitrogen and a lack of clarity around how it would be stored to prevent contamination. Airgas, a gas distributor in Alabama, previously said it would not supply nitrogen for executions, according to AL.com, a local news outlet.

Although Smith proposed nitrogen as an alternative to lethal injection, he did not agree to be killed under a process that was hastily introduced as a means to moot Mr. Smiths pending litigation about [the Alabama Department of Corrections] previous failed attempt to execute him by lethal injection and forestall discovery into it, his lawyers wrote.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) said in a statement that after more than 30 years, Smith got what he asked for, and this case can finally be put to rest.

United Nations experts warned earlier this month that nitrogen executions likely violate international prohibitions on torture.

We are all complicit as Alabama moves forward with a state-sponsored killing that evokes troubling memories of the Holocaust, said Miriam Krinsky, the executive director Fair and Just Prosecution, a group of progressive prosecutors.

As a civilized nation, our desire for retribution should never outweigh our humanity, she said in a statement. Today we fail that basic test. We unequivocally condemn this execution and once again urge policymakers across the country to abolish the barbaric use of capital punishment.

Taiyler S. Mitchell contributed reporting.

Related...
ALABAMA (WDHN)  Fresh fruit and vegetable benefit cards are once again available for seniors in Alabama.

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a federally funded program issued by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Farmers Market Authority Section.

The SFMNP allows qualified seniors to receive a $50 benefit card to buy fresh fruits and vegetables from certified farmers at farmers markets and farm stands across the state.

The SFMNP card allows senior citizens to purchase more local products. I want to encourage those who are eligible to apply and begin shopping local, said Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate. ADAI looks forward to another year of supporting Alabamas farmers and senior citizens through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

To be eligible, seniors must be 60 years of age or older on the day of application, and applicants gross household income must not exceed these limits:

$2,248 monthly for a household of 1

$3,041 monthly for a household of 2

If there are more than two people in the household, please visit https://agi.alabama.gov/ or https://agi.alabama.gov/farmersmarket/

At this time, applications cannot be taken over the phone or by mail. Applicants can apply online by clicking here.

If you have a benefit card from 2023, you will need the card number to renew that card and submit your application. If eligible and the application submission is completed, a benefit card will be mailed to new recipients at the address provided.

Applicants must reapply every year. It is important to keep the benefits card since new benefits will be loaded on the card each year after an application is received.

Benefits can be redeemed at State Sanctioned Farmers Markets, Farm Stands and U-Pick Operations for the purchase of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, honey and cut herbs from Wednesday, May 1 through Wednesday, November 27.

To view a list by county of locations that accept SFMNP benefit cards, please click here. Benefits cannot be used at grocery stores or any location not listed on the site.

When purchasing Alabama-grown fresh fruits or vegetables from authorized farmers, present the benefit card as you would a debit or credit card.

For more information about the SFMNP, visit https://agi.alabama.gov/ or call (334) 240-7247 or 1 (877) 774-9519.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
Alachua County Public Schools announced its Teacher of the Year winner Thursday evening during the annual Robert W. Hughes Teacher of the Year ceremony.

Dwynette Smith, a music teacher at Metcalfe Elementary School, was one of three finalists and was named Alachua Countys 2024 Teacher of the Year. She will represent the district in the Florida Teacher of the Year program.

When they said my name, I really was stunned to the point of not knowing what to do for a few moments, she said. I'm no stranger to performing. But this is very different  when you have been selected by your peers for something this huge, all of your anxiety that you never had when you're performing just finds its way to you.

Dwynette Smith, Alachua County's 2024 Teacher of the Year, shakes hands with Superintendent Shane Andrew.

She didnt think shed win, Smith said, as lately there hasnt been many elementary school teachers chosen for Teacher of the Year. She also just didnt feel 100% confident that shed be chosen.

In fact, Smith is so humble, said Metcalfe Principal Christiana Robbins, that she would've turned down the original school nomination for Teacher of the Year if her peers hadn't pushed her to accept the honor.

"She's just humble that way," Robbins said. "She doesn't look at herself as just, I guess, worthy. She's just that way. You know, you have to kind of make some people accept the honor."

Robbins said the new slogan amongst teachers at the school is that Smith "put Metcalfe on the map" and that it's a source of pride for the school to have one of its teachers win districtwide.

"She's always a very positive person," Robbins said of Smith. "She's just involved not just as the music teacher, but she  if she can take on other things and help out in any other way, she's all for it. She's very ambitious, so you have to kind of reel her back in so that she won't be overwhelmed because she has a lot of plans and things like that that she'll bring to my attention."

A picture of Dwynette Smith, Alachua County's 2024 Teacher of the Year, with a student.

Three finalists: Who will win? Alachua County Teacher of the Year to be announced this week

Last year's winner: Alachua County names Buchholz High's Karen Kearney 'Teacher of the Year'

A press release said that during the ceremony Smith spoke about hard times her family went through while she was in elementary school. School became her refuge, and her teachers encouraged her to excel. It was her music teacher, however, who inspired her career path.

As I grew, I knew that I wanted to learn as much about music as I could, said Smith in the press release. But that all started in a classroom with a teacher who loved what she taught and showed it. That feeling of being cared for and encouraged is what I try to impart to my students in music class.

A child of immigrants from Trinidad, Smith said cultural music surrounded her growing up. From Caribbean music to a gospel group from the West Indies, Smith said she never found music she didnt like.

I just had that in my system, Smith said. Then I went into school and met with this whole collection of really interesting teachers that I had that had different musical influences.

Smith has taught music in private settings and public schools since 1998. She has been at Metcalfe for almost four years now and taught for six years at Buchholz High School. Her education and teaching journey has taken her across the United States, from her hometown of Brooklyn, New York, to California, Massachusetts and Florida  with some back and forth in between.

Over the years I've tried to help the kids to see all sides of music, Smith said. Not just performing it and learning the theory, but also how it affects our world and how they are able to engage with it and not be afraid of it  to create their own music, to appreciate the music of others. And that's kind of what I've tried to do here at Metcalfe.

Smith said Metcalfe is a special place. She believes the specials team at the school is one of the best in the county and provides the kids with a great experience.

Teachers at the schools nominate and vote for the schools' Teacher of the Year. There were 39 teacher honorees chosen from each of the districts schools and each honoree received an award of $500 with the help of local donations.

The district selects a finalist from each education level: elementary, middle and high. The three finalists in the running for 2024 Teacher of the Year were elementary school finalist Smith; middle school finalist Sarah Rendek, a reading teacher at High Springs Community School, and high school finalist Jenifer Knowles, a science teacher at Professional Academies Magnet @ Loften High School.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Alachua County Teacher of the Year Dwynette Smith
You are here: China

Rescuers carry out rescue operations in Liangshui Village, Tangfang Town, Zhenxiong County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

As of 8:04 p.m. Thursday, all missing people in a landslide that struck a mountainous village in southwest China's Yunnan Province on Monday had been confirmed dead, bringing the death toll to 44, according to local authorities.

The landslide struck Liangshui Village, Zhenxiong County in the city of Zhaotong at approximately 6 a.m. on Monday.

On-site search and rescue operations have been basically concluded, according to a press briefing held by the local disaster relief headquarters on Thursday evening.

Yang Xuchun, head of Zhenxiong County, said that a total of 918 people from 223 households have been evacuated and relocated following the disaster.

Yang said that six-month transitional resettlement measures have been put in place in Zhenxiong, and plans for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction are in the making.

Local authorities of Zhaotong will enhance monitoring and early warning efforts to prevent secondary disasters.
TAYLOR COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  An Albany man accused of group organized criminal activity has been transferred from the Haskell County Jail to Taylor County where he awaits a trial.

According to court documents, Michael Cody was one in a group of four men who were accused of stealing more than $30,000 worth of weapons from an Abilene Army surplus store in 2022.

ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY: Group accused of stealing $30,000 from Abilene army surplus store indicted

Abilene group accused of 2022 Organized Crime: (Left to Right) Isaiah Carrillo, Michael Cody, Riley Pitcock, Malachi Jones

Court documents also include that the Abilene Police Department received a video of Codys group moments before a break-in at the surplus story in August 2022, where multiple firearms including an assault rifle were stolen. With a search warrant, the firearms were found in Codys home. His phone was also searched, finding a Google inquiry to the surplus store and a specific rifle stolen.

Upon his initial arrest, Cody allegedly wrote a letter from jail to his partners in crime with advice on where and where not to commit a break-in.

Codys transfer to the Taylor County Jail went through on Wednesday. He faces the following charges:

Taylor County

 Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, 2020

 Burglary of Habitation, 2020

 Engagement in Organized Criminal Activity, 2022

 Aggravated Assault, 2022

Callahan County

 Burglary of Vehicle

Shackelford County

 2nd degree Theft of Property

 Burglary of Habitation

 Theft of Property

Haskell County

 Engagement in Organized Criminal Activity

 Deadly Conduct

 Burglary of Vehicle

 Theft of Firearm

Codys bonds total $607,000 across the four counties listed above.

Accused coconspirators Riley Pitcock and Isiah Carillo are serving nine and six-year prison sentences, respectively.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Los Angeles Police Headquarters located at First and Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles on July 1, 2020. The department is investigating allegations that intimate photos of an LAPD employee have been shared on the internet. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating a claim that "intimate" photos of a department employee were being shared on the internet, possibly by a former LAPD employee.

The department confirmed Friday that an internal affairs investigation into the allegations has been launched and that the department is cooperating with an outside criminal probe into the matter.

"The Los Angeles Police Department does not tolerate sexual harassment of any kind and will take every action possible to protect our employee and hold accountable any individual responsible," LAPD Chief Michel Moore said in a statement. "Should the investigation reveal a Department employee participated in this serious misconduct, the employee will be subject to discipline including the possibility of removal and a criminal prosecution."

The news was first reported by the NBC4 I-Team. The department did not release any further details on the allegations.

The incident comes on the heels of three other troubling nude-photo scandals in the LAPD that have come to light in recent years.

Read more: Editorial: With Chief Moore on the way out, Mayor Bass should remake LAPD

Officer Brady Lamas was charged in December by the Los Angeles County district attorney with six counts of disorderly conduct for sending naked photos of his wife, who was also an officer, to other LAPD colleagues along with other men, according to a criminal complaint.

The LAPD said Lamas was on home assignment since January 2023, when the investigation began.

My own husband is a predator and he preyed on me, his wife wrote in court papers. I would have preferred that he punched me in the face.

In September, LAPD Capt. Lillian Carranza was awarded $4 million in damages over a nude photo that was doctored to look like it was taken of her and then was shared around the department.

In 2020, LAPD Det. Ysabel Villegas settled for $1.5 million with the city over claims that another officer assaulted her and blackmailed her, threatening to share explicit images of her if she ended their relationship.





Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The family of an 85-year-old woman who was dragged into a lake by a large alligator and drowned behind her home in Florida has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

One year ago, I received the phone call that every son dreads. My mother, Gloria, a healthy, vibrant and beautiful woman was dead, Bill Serge, the son of Gloria Serge, said in a statement.

I never could have imagined the agonizing way in which my mom spent her last minutes on this earth, he said.

When Gloria Serge was walking her dog named Trooper at Spanish Lakes Fairways, a retirement community in Fort Pierce, a 10-foot-long, 700-pound alligator attacked her on Feb. 20, 2023, according to a Jan. 25 news release from Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith PLLC, the law firm representing her family.

It grabbed her foot and dragged her into the nearby retention pond, where it disfigured her body and drowned her, the lawsuit filed Jan. 25 said.

Gloria Serges body was pulled from the water after authorities responded to multiple emergency calls dialed by witnesses, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission previously told the Miami Herald.

After the attack, the alligator was captured by a nuisance alligator trapper and euthanized the next day, according to FWC, the Miami Herald reported.

Gloria Serges family is suing real estate holding and management company Wynne Building Corporation, which owns and manages Spanish Lakes Fairways.

The lawsuit accuses the business of negligence  including by not warning residents of alligators  leading to the womans death

Joel Wynne, the president of Wynne Building Corporation, told McClatchy News on Jan. 26 that Gloria Serge was the first resident attacked by an alligator since the company developed the community 37 years ago.

We certainly understand the tragedy and the feelings of Mrs. Serges family, Wynne said.

However, he said Mrs. Serge was a longtime resident and certainly knew of the presence of Alligators and that they were inherently dangerous animals.

With the lawsuit, Glorias family is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.

Bill Serge said his mother, who never learned how to swim, drowned in the most violent and terrifying way possible.

Bill Serge stands next to a photo on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. of his 85-year-old mother, Gloria Serge, who was killed in an alligator attack on Feb. 20, 2023.

This could have been prevented  it should never have happened  and God willing it will NEVER happen to anyone again, he said.

Woman was encouraged, if not forced to walk near water with alligators

Gloria Serge was a mother of five children, a grandmother of 15 children and great-grandmother of nine children, according to her familys attorneys.

Gloria Serge and her great grandchildren.

She moved into the Spanish Lakes Fairways community nearly 30 years before she died and owned one of the propertys homes for 21 years, according to the lawsuit.

There, community residents and staff were allowed to feed wildlife, including alligators, the lawsuit said.

Before Gloria Serges death, maintenance workers fed the alligator that killed her chicken scraps and named it Henry, according to the familys attorneys.

Wynne Building Corporation knew multiple alligators that met the definition of a nuisance lived on the property but didnt warn residents of the potential dangers and didnt have the reptiles removed, the lawsuit said.

Nuisance alligators are at least 4 feet long and pose a potential threat, according to FWC, which can send nuisance trappers to remove them under these circumstances.

The alligator that killed Gloria met the agencys definition.

Gloria Serge was encouraged, if not forced, to walk her small dog near the water where alligators were, as she was threatened with eviction when she walked her pet elsewhere, according to the lawsuit.

In January 2020, she received an eviction warning from Spanish Lakes Fairways over complaints about her walking her dog in non-approved areas, a copy of the notice provided to McClatchy News said.

The propertys management allowed other residents to walk by the same retention pond she was killed in, allowed residents to use non-motorized watercrafts in the pond and allowed fishing there  without issuing warnings, according to the lawsuit.

There were no signs posted around the lake warning residents of the presence of an alligator, and the property managers encouraged people to sit near the lake by placing a bench along the shoreline, attorney Gary S. Lesser said in a statement.

This flies in the face of common sense and warnings from wildlife experts, he added.

With the lawsuit, Gloria Serges family demands a trial by jury.

The reality of losing our mom has really started to set in, Bill Serge said. She has missed the birth of 3 additional great grandchildren, and we are looking forward to 2 weddings where mom wont be with us. But its not the big events that will hurt the mostthose are certainly going to be hard.

She would talk to my sisters on the phone every day just to say hi  she would Facetime me all the time  to tell me what was going on in the neighborhood  or to tell me about the new pizza place shed been to  she was just simply a part of our lives every day  and missing this  knowing that it was completely unnecessary  thats what truly hurts the most, he added.

FWCs Nuisance Alligator Hotline can be reached by calling 866-392-4286.

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ILLINOIS (WCIA)  Ameren is warning customers of an increase in online scams targeting customers in Illinois.

Illinois Attorney General warns against scams cloning voices of loved ones

This comes after a growing number of fraudulent website listings mimicking the companys website. It includes fake contact phone numbers and email addresses. Once the customer uses the fake contact, a scammer posing as an Ameren representative will ask for account information or other additional information. They will then request immediate payment, usually through a cash payment app.

Unfortunately, these scammers continue to find new tactics to trick utility customers into providing payments to them or by obtaining their personal information, said Maria Gomez, security supervisor for Ameren. As new technology and the use of digital products increase, so do opportunities for these thieves to deceive our customers.

Ameren said they will never require immediate payment and advised people to look for misspelled words or web address links that dont appear legitimate. They encourage customers to go directly to Ameren.com or call Ameren Illinois at 1-800-755-5000 rather than use a search engine.

FBI reports Central IL surge in financially motivated sextortion

Here is further advice from Ameren to help protect against scammers:

Beware of false urgency. Scammers often push customers to act immediately. Ameren will never require immediate payment.

Look for errors in web listings. Search results that have misspelled words or web address links are likely not credible.

Dont buy prepaid cards and avoid payment apps. Never purchase a prepaid card or make a Zelle, Cash App or Venmo transfer to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. Ameren says customers can make payments online, by phone, electronic check, by mail or in-person.

If youre suspicious, end the conversation. If you feel someone is impersonating an Ameren employee, stop speaking to them and call Ameren Illinois at 1-800-755-5000.

Report to your local police. If you have given money to a scammer or if you feel unsafe from an in-person interaction with a scammer, call your local authorities immediately.

Visit Ameren.com/stop-scams for more information. To check your account status and ongoing account visibility, sign up to manage your account online at Ameren.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
New York Citys world-renowned American Museum of Natural History announced Friday it is closing two exhibition halls following new federal regulations on Native American artifacts and remains.

The museums Eastern Woodlands and Great Plains Halls will close on Saturday to the public and staff. Five display cases outside of these halls will also be covered from public view, museum president Sean Decatur said in a letter to staff.

The Halls we are closing are vestiges of an era when museums such as ours did not respect the values, perspectives, and indeed shared humanity of Indigenous peoples, said Decatur. Actions that may feel sudden to some may seem long overdue to others.

The American Museum of Natural History's entrance along Central Park West is pictured in New York City.

The American Museum of Natural History's entrance along Central Park West is pictured in New York City.

The announcement follows the Department of the Interior requiring museums, starting this month, to obtain consent from federally recognized tribes before displaying or allowing scientific study on the tribes cultural items or human remains. The move, which updates the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), is meant to address the legacy of colonial injustices imposed on Indigenous people.

Decatur said the decision to completely close the halls is due to the significant number of cultural objects that are on display and the exhibits being severely outdated.

Both Halls display artifacts that, under the new NAGPRA regulations, could require consent to exhibit, he said.

In an interview with The New York Times, Decatur said theres no timeline for when the exhibits may reopen and that some of the objects may never return to display.

Other museums have taken similar action.

Chicagos Field Museum has covered several display cases containing cultural items from Native American communities.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science also closed its North American Indian Cultures Hall last year after consulting with the Indigenous community. The museum said the hall, developed in the 1970s, perpetuated harmful stereotypes and centered the Museum and white, dominant culture.

Decatur has worked to improve how his museum, which was established in 1869, handles human remains and artifacts since his appointment early last year.

Last fall he said the museums osteology collection held the skeletal remains of approximately 12,000 individuals. Roughly a quarter of these belonged to Native Americans.

We must acknowledge that, with the small exception of those who bequeathed their bodies to medical schools for continued study, no individual consented to have their remains included in a museum collection. Human remains collections were made possible by extreme imbalances of power, he said in an open letter to the museum community.

Related...
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, right, is escorted from the Lefortovsky court in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who was detained on espionage charges, lost an appeal Friday against his arrest, meaning he will stay in jail until the end of March, Russian state news agencies reported. The hearing took place behind closed doors because authorities say details of the criminal case against the American journalist are classified. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

MOSCOW (AP)  A court in Moscow Friday extended the pretrial detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested on espionage charges, until the end of March, meaning the journalist will spend at least a year behind bars in Russia.

United States Consul General Stuart Wilson attended the hearing at Lefortovo District Court, which took place behind closed doors because authorities say details of the criminal case against the American journalist are classified.

In video shared by state news agency Ria Novosti, Gershkovich was shown listening to the ruling, standing in a court cage wearing a hooded top and light blue jeans. He was pictured a short time later walking towards a prison van to leave the court.

Gershkovich, 32, was detained in March while on a reporting trip to the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, about 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) east of Moscow.

Russias Federal Security Service alleged that the reporter, acting on the instructions of the American side, collected information constituting a state secret about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex.

Gershkovich and the Journal deny the allegations, and the U.S. government has declared him to be wrongfully detained. Russian authorities havent detailed any evidence to support the espionage charges.

During his end-of-year news conference in December, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow is in dialogue with the United States on bringing home both Gershkovich and jailed American Paul Whelan, and that the Kremlin hopes to find a solution even though its not easy.

Putin was replying to a question about an offer the Biden administration made to secure the two mens release. The U.S. State Department reported it in December, without offering details, and said Russia rejected it.

We have contacts on this matter with our American partners, theres a dialogue on this issue. Its not easy, I wont go into details right now. But in general, it seems to me that were speaking a language each of us understands, Putin said.

I hope we will find a solution, he continued. But, I repeat, the American side must hear us and make a decision that will satisfy the Russian side as well.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has said it will consider a swap for Gershkovich only after a verdict in his trial. In Russia, espionage trials can last for more than a year.

Gershkovich is the first American reporter to be charged with espionage in Russia since 1986, when Nicholas Daniloff, a Moscow correspondent for U.S. News and World Report, was arrested by the KGB. Gershkovich is being held at Moscows Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions.

Analysts have said that Moscow may be using jailed Americans as bargaining chips after U.S.-Russian tensions soared when Russia sent troops into Ukraine. At least two U.S. citizens arrested in Russia in recent years, including WNBA star Brittney Griner, have been exchanged for Russians jailed in the U.S.

___

A previous version of this story incorrectly described the court hearing as an appeal. It was a hearing on extending pretrial detention.
The boundary dispute is a legacy issue between China and India, but it does not represent the whole picture of bilateral relations, said Wu Qian, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference Thursday.

Wu made the remarks when asked to comment on a previous statement by Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who said that China violated the bilateral consensus in 2020 and assembled a large amount of military forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), thus triggering the conflict in the Galwan Valley.

Noting that the Galwan Valley lies on the Chinese side of the western sector along the LAC, Wu said that the relevant incident happened only because the Indian side violated the bilateral consensus and made unilateral provocations. Therefore, the responsibility lies entirely with the Indian side.

Over the past three years, China and India have maintained communication and coordination through military and diplomatic channels, according to Wu.

Up till now, the two militaries have had 20 rounds of Corps Commander Level Meetings, and agreed to disengage at four points, namely the Galwan Valley, the Pangong Lake, Hot Springs and Jianan Daban, contributing to the de-escalation of tensions along the border, Wu said.

"It is unwise and inappropriate for the Indian side to link the boundary issue with the overall relations. This approach is against the shared interests of the two countries," the spokesperson said.

"We hope the Indian side can work with the Chinese side towards the same goal, enhance strategic mutual trust, properly handle differences, and safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas," Wu added.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  American University (AU) announced that it is taking steps to combat antisemitism by banning protests from taking place inside university buildings.

The school said recent events have happened on campus that have made Jewish students feel unsafe and unwelcome.

Antisemitic graffiti found on Jewish students dorm doors at American University

As a result, AU implemented immediate actions for the spring semester on Thursday:

Protests will not be allowed to occur in university buildings, residence halls, dining facilities or indoor spaces used by the school to ensure it will not disrupt university activity. Anyone caught in violation will be subject to disciplinary action.

Student clubs and organizations must be welcoming to all students. Any clubs or organizations found in violation will result in loss of university recognition, loss of funding and ability to reserve university facilities.

All posters and university-sponsored events will be required to promote inclusivity. All posted materials will need to be related to the purpose of the advertised event. It must be limited to the event promotion and its purpose, the sponsoring organizations purpose or logistical details for the event. Posters found in violation will be removed and whoever is found putting them up will be subject to disciplinary action.

American University student assaulted at gunpoint

The university said in its statement that it will evaluate the actions at the end of the spring semester through community input and its policy review process. It will determine how the policies and actions will continue in the future.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  After 12 years, the Amigo Airsho is back in El Paso. The beloved event returns to the skies of the Borderland on Oct. 12-13 and this year, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds Air Demonstration Squadron will be in town.

We are thrilled to bring the Amigo Airsho back to the region. It has been a work in progress and very much behind the scenes, but today is a great stepping-off point in making it official, said Tresa Rockwell, CEO of the Amigo Airsho. We are most thankful to Mr. Paul Foster, Franklin Mountain Investments, and the Million Air FBO for hosting this launch event. The energy in the hangar today was infectious, and we are thrilled to get this news off the ground as we prepare for October.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds, one of the worlds finest military acrobatic flight teams, will appear at the 2024 Amigo Airsho, their final and 19th performance of the 2024 schedule in El Paso. Throughout the airshow season, they will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

















Following a 12-year hiatus due to Fort Bliss mission-related requirements, the Amigo Airsho is back, said Fort Bliss Garrison Commander Col. Brendan Gallagher. As was the case for past Airshos, Fort Bliss looks forward to co-hosting the event and welcoming the many visitors who stop by to meet not only members of our local Army units and the equipment they use but also that of our sister services. Attendees can expect to enjoy flight demonstrations, static displays, food vendors, music, and interacting with our young men and women in uniform.

The 2024 Amigo Airsho invites anyone interested in sponsorship, joining the organization as a volunteer, or receiving general news about the event to visit amigoairsho.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
On the back of a small truck parked along Gaza's southern border with Egypt, two families were crammed into an open-top shipping container. Originally from Beit Lahia in the north of Gaza, Mariam Abu Eida and her family fled to the south at the explicit urgence of the Israel Defense Forces to escape the fighting amid the IDF's offensive against Hamas.

"When we came, everybody else built tents, but we had nothing to build them with," Mariam told CBS News. "We put some plastic sheets over some wooden panels, but the place is still freezing."

"We couldn't find anywhere else to stay. There are tents everywhere and it's very crowded out there," she said.

Palestinian Mariam Abu Eida leads members of her family into the truck they're using as a shelter in the demilitarized zone known as the Philadelphi Corridor along the southern Gaza border with Egypt, Jan. 17, 2024. / Credit: CBS News

They've made their makeshift home in the Rafah region, along the border with Egypt. A previously barren strip of land on the Gaza side, all along the nine-mile frontier, has become a new settlement of tents and makeshift campsites, where many of the displaced Palestinians have been forced to seek shelter in squalid conditions.

According to the United Nations, an estimated 1.7 million of Gaza's roughly 2.3 million people had been displaced as of Jan. 20. As Israel's offensive has pushed further south, Rafah has become the main refuge for an estimated one million of those displaced people. With the city of Rafah and the existing camps and shelters in the area already overwhelmed, many have moved into a barren corridor that hugs the physical barrier between Gaza and Egypt.

When CBS News visited, there was little in the way of international assistance available to the people cowering in the so-called Philadelphi Corridor buffer zone, and no reliable assessment of how many were there. The grim conditions, however, were apparent.

Tents and other makeshift shelters set up by displaced Palestinians are seen in the Philadelphi Corridor, a demilitarized zone that extends 100 meters (109 yards) into southern Gaza from the border with Egypt, Jan. 17, 2024. / Credit: CBS News

"The cold here is unreal," Mariam told CBS News. "When I collect the bedsheets, they're as wet as if you poured water on them."

UNRWA, the U.N. agency tasked with helping Palestinians, has warned repeatedly that many displaced Gazans have no access to food, water, medicine or appropriate shelter. Despite the conditions, the border area with Egypt has been among those least impacted by the fighting in the war sparked by Hamas' brutal Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel, and Israeli officials have continued telling civilians to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Ahmed Salem, executive director of the Egyptian charity the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights, told CBS News many of the displaced feel safer along the border as they believe Israel is less likely to bombard the area.

He described desperate scenes at the boundary, with Gazan children begging Egyptian soldiers only a few yards away, but on the other side of the fence, for food and water. The soldiers, Salem said, are under strict orders to not respond to avoid fueling diplomatic tension with Israel.

But even the relative safety offered by the international border has been thrown into question.

The Philadelphi Corridor was established about four decades ago as a 100-meter-wide demilitarized zone all along the Gaza side of the border, as part of an agreement between Israel and Egypt. But in late December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his forces would, at some point during their operations in Gaza, have to occupy and control the corridor.

/ Credit: Getty/iStockphoto

"The Philadelphi Corridor  or to put it more correctly, the southern stoppage point [of the Gaza Strip]  must be in our hands. It must be shut," Netanyahu said during a December news conference.

Israeli officials have claimed that smuggling across that border has provided Gaza's Hamas rulers with weapons and other supplies, which Egypt vehemently denies.

The Head of Egypt's State Information Service (SIS), Diaa Rashwan, said this week that "Egypt is capable of defending its interests and sovereignty over its land and borders and will not leave it in the hands of a group of extremist Israeli leaders who seek to drag the region into a state of conflict and instability."

Palestinian Mariam Abu Eida sits with one of her children as she speaks with CBS News inside the truck her family is using as a shelter in the demilitarized zone known as the Philadelphi Corridor along the southern Gaza border with Egypt, Jan. 17, 2024. / Credit: CBS News

The suggestion that Israel will occupy the buffer zone now inhabited by so many displaced Palestinians has brought even more anxiety for people like Miriam and her family.

For now, however, with no other real options, Miriam said they would stay put.

"We will wait until they tell us that we have to go," she said. "Then we will leave."

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Revelers parade on wooden stilts during a pre-carnival street party rehearsal, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jan. 21, 2024. Brazilians are gearing up for this year's Carnival, scheduled from Feb. 9-17. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

Jan. 19-25, 2024

Brazilians began gearing up for the return of Carnival with street parties and samba school rehearsals. The world-famous event officially kicks off on Feb. 9th.

Efrus, a 4-year-old Jack Russell terrier, surfs the waves in the Pacific waters off Peru.

Argentinas largest labor union organized a one-day general strike protesting President Javier Mileis decree targeting unions as well as his proposals for economic and labor law changes. It was Argentinas first general strike in four years, and is also the quickest ever to be organized in a presidents term since the return of democracy in 1983.

A judge conditionally released U.S. rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine after he was arrested in the Dominican Republic on domestic violence charges.

Children in Chile were treated to a summer day activity where organizers blanketed a court with soap foam and handed out ice cream.

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The selection was curated by photo editor Anita Baca in Mexico City.

___

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AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com

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GRAND RAPIDS  The Michigan Court of Appeals has unanimously ruled that a Muskegon County circuit court judge didn't make a legal error when he dismissed a lawsuit against the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners alleging violations of the Open Meetings Act.

Attorney Mark Brewer argues before the Michigan Court of Appeals on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, as Ottawa County corporate counsel David Kallman, right, listens.

The lawsuit was filed in March 2023 and alleged that the commission's Ottawa Impact majority violated Michigan's OMA in its inaugural meeting in January 2023. During that meeting, commissioners added several items to the agenda and took what seemed to be pre-orchestrated actions against the county administrator, health officer, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department and corporation counsel.

The plaintiffs  four county residents  argued Ottawa Impact electees were a de facto public body subject to OMA beginning Nov. 9, 2022 (the day after the general election) because, during that period, they constituted a quorum of the board and exercised governmental authority over county employees, even though they were not yet sworn into office.

Mark Brewer, representing Peter Armstrong, Susan Hoekema, Jason Hunter and Jeffery Padnos, talks to media following an appearance in court Friday, June 16, 2023, at the Michigan 14th Circuit Court in Muskegon. Plaintiffs claim the Ottawa Impact majority board violated OMA during it's first meeting earlier this year.

Joe Moss founded the far-right fundamentalist group in 2021 after he took issue with pre-K-6 school mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. He launched the political action committee under the premise of "defending parental rights" and to "thwart tyranny" within the state and federal government.

The plaintiffs claim the commissioners "failed to inform the people of Ottawa County of the governmental decisions" they made between Nov. 8 and Jan. 3, their attorney Mark Brewer of Goodman Acker said early last year. "The people of Ottawa County were denied their right to petition the government."

OMA requires public bodies to make decisions in public, with some limited exceptions for closed sessions. Any meetings involving a "quorum" of the board, the minimum number of members required to vote, must be held in public, and notice and an agenda must be provided.

Ottawa County Board of Commissioners Chairman Joe Moss sits during the board's bi-weekly meeting Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, at the Ottawa County Offices in West Olive.

Supporters of Ottawa Impact argue the commissioners weren't technically office-holders before Jan. 3, and therefore couldn't have violated OMA, even if they met or made decisions prior to taking office  including naming a chairman and selecting new counsel.

"You don't take a position or hold the power until you take the oath of office," board counsel David Kallman, of Kallman Legal Group, said early last year. "There are no de facto legislators. You are either in the position, or you're not in the position. Our clients had no authority or power to act prior to Jan. 3. This is an absurd argument."

In a written opinion July 14, 14th Circuit Court Judge Matthew R. Kacel agreed, saying an individual or group becomes a public body for the purposes of OMA "only when it is 'empowered' to exercise government authority or perform a government function by 'a state constitution, statute, charter, ordinance, resolution or rule.'"

Brewer appealed on July 17.

He argued Wednesday, Jan. 3  exactly one year after the meeting in question took place  in front of the Michigan Court of Appeals, saying Kacel erred because he made "fact findings" in his written opinion with no evidence taken into the record for him to rule on.

More: Court of Appeals hears arguments in Open Meetings Act violation suit

Brewer said the lower court should have allowed discovery  the formal process of exchanging information between the parties about the witnesses and evidence they will present at trial  and then ruled on the county's motion to dismiss.

"The judge didn't have any evidence on record  only our pleadings," Brewer said in court Jan. 3.

The judges presiding  James Robert Redford, Michael J. Riordan and Kathleen J. Feeney  acknowledged Brewer had a novel legal theory, but ultimately didn't agree.

"We conclude that the trial court did not err by granting defendants motion for summary disposition of plaintiffs complaint without allowing an opportunity for discovery," a Jan. 25 written opinion said.

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"Not only did plaintiffs fail to allege in their complaint that a public body subject to the OMA delegated the exercise of governmental authority to the Ottawa 9, they also failed to identify how additional factual development would establish that such delegation had occurred," the opinion said. "We conclude that the trial court did not err by determining that the OMA did not apply to the Ottawa 9 before they were seated on January 3, 2023, because, up to that point, they did not constitute a public body for purposes of the OMA."

Brewer told The Sentinel on Friday that he was disappointed by the decision.

"They miss the forest for the trees. This was a massive evasion of the Open Meetings Act on a scale I've never seen by a group of incoming people," he said. "And the scale of the decisions they made  they fired people, they hired people, they abolished programs. Then they simply rubber-stamped all those secret decisions when they took office record. (The judges) ignored all of that  they ignored the reality of what occurred here, that all that business should have been done in public."

Brewer said he is discussing with his clients about the possibility of appealing to the Michigan Supreme Court. He said he has grave concerns over the precedent the ruling sets.

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"What we're very concerned about here is not only what is wrongdoing in Ottawa County, but if this is permitted, it's a blueprint for every other incoming group of elected officials to do exactly the same thing," he said. "It'll spread like wildfire across the state. It'll become the newest evasion of the Open Meetings Act, because this cannot be permitted."

He said case law has established that the OMA statute is intended to be "liberally construed" and that it's "designed to be construed to avoid evasions just like this. I mean, this was so blatant, and so open, and the court, unfortunately, has allowed them to get away with it."

 Sarah Leach is executive editor of The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter @SentinelLeach.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Appeals court rules Ottawa Impact didn't violate Open Meetings Act
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  For AR Kids resubmits its Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024 following what it calls a productive meeting with the office of Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin.

According to a press release from For AR Kids, the group withdrew its amendment submitted on January 18 and submitted a revised ballot title based on feedback from the meeting.

Committee resubmits education ballot proposal

In a letter to Griffins office, Bill Kopsky, the Arkansas Public Policy Panel Executive Director said Thank you to your staff for meeting with us yesterday to discuss our efforts to place the Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024 on the ballot in November of 2024. Both Ryan Owsley and Jodie Keener were very helpful. We greatly appreciate working with your office in a good faith effort to resolve all known concerns. Based on that discussion, we formally withdraw

our second attempt and wish to replace it with the attached proposed amendment.

The full letter can be read below.

forARKids-AG-Submission-01252024Download

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin rejects education ballot initiative

Griffin issued an opinion on January 9 rejecting a ballot proposal by For AR Kids.

Griffin cited the proposals unconstitutional provision, its lack of clarity on key terms, and its internal inconsistency as reasons for rejection.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Arab and Muslim voters and community leaders in Michigan rejected a listening session with President Joe Bidens campaign set for Friday afternoon, amid frustrations that the White House has taken their votes for granted as it continues to support the Israeli assault on Gaza.

Members of the Biden campaign reached out to local leaders in the metro Detroit area  home to the countrys largest Arabic-speaking population  to set up a meeting with Arab and Muslim community members so they could discuss voter concerns, mainly the war in Gaza, according to organizers.

Some Arab and Muslim leaders initially hoped to use the meeting, set at an undisclosed location, for participants to voice their misgivings about the White Houses support for Israels offensive, which has been ongoing since Oct. 7. They were also concerned about the presidents recent comments dismissing vowsby Arabs and Muslims to not vote for him.

But the plans were derailed after many members of Arab and Muslim communities hesitated or refused entirely to consider such a meeting, several Michigan residents told HuffPost.

Assad Turfe, the deputy county executive director for Wayne County  the most populous county in Michigan  told HuffPost that the campaign had reached out to him about the listening session. The meeting was supposed to bring together Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez and 10-15 Arab American elected officials and representatives from large community organizations, Turfe said.

Turfe said that he aimed to use the meeting to showcase the potential for significant Arab and Muslim voter turnout  and how dangerous it would be to depress those votes.

They really and truly dont have a grasp and understanding on the situation on the ground and the situation on the ground in the Arab American community, said Turfe, referring to the Biden campaign. The idea of the meeting was to lay the foundation to let them know they are in bigger trouble than the calculations that they have made.

But when Turfe, alongside Lexi Zeidan, a Palestinian American activist, began to make calls to local leaders, members of Arab and Muslim communities made their decisions clear: They didnt want to engage with the campaign, and they had no plans to vote for Biden.

Ultimately Turfe decided to cancel the meeting, saying it was in the communitys best interest.

A source familiar with the campaigns plans told HuffPost that Rodriguez was in the area to speak with a number of leaders  including local elected officials and leaders from Michigans Arab and Palestinian American, Hispanic, and Black communities  and those meetings have been in the works for weeks.

These would be among several similar meetings between core constituency groups and campaign staffers in key battleground states since last fall, the source added.

For the past few months, Arab and Muslim voters across the country have voiced their frustration with the White House, pledging not to vote for Biden. Several organizers from battleground stateslaunched their own campaign, #AbandonBiden, to urge voters to reject him.

In Michigan, those calls have manifested into anger ahead of the state primary, which is set for next month, and the November election.

In 2020, Biden won Michigan by 154,000 votes in the general election against then-President Donald Trump. Over 200,000 registered voters there are Muslim, while 300,000 trace their ancestry back to the Middle East and North Africa. Voters in largely Arab American counties went for Biden by around 70%.

But Muslim and Arab support for Biden has plummeted since then. Two-thirds of Arab and Muslim Democrats in the state said that they plan to vote against Biden, according to a poll released late last year.

Abdullah Hammoud, the mayor of Dearborn, a suburb of Detroit with one of the highest percentages of Arab Americans among U.S. cities, tweeted that he was also invited to attend the meeting.

Community engagement is powerful when it is used to shape policies that save lives - these conversations must be had with policy-makers, not campaign staff, he wrote. I will not entertain conversations about elections while we watch a live-streamed genocide backed by our government.

Members of Arab and Muslim communities said that by canceling the meeting, they hope to send a larger message to the White House.

It was an opportunity and a formal capacity to let the Democratic Party know that what they have feared for their entire life has become a reality, which is that Arab Americans have now become both a knight and a queen in their chess game of politics, said Zeidan.



Biden, youre losing Michigan whether you like it or not. And its because us Arab and Muslim voters have organized and mobilized to ensure that you dont win this the state come election time in November.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a video speech to a reception celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday delivered a video speech to a reception in Beijing celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France.

The establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and France 60 years ago was a major event in the history of international relations. With extraordinary wisdom and courage, Chairman Mao Zedong and General Charles de Gaulle opened the door for exchanges and cooperation between China and the West, bringing hope to the world amid the Cold War, Xi noted.

Over the past 60 years, China-France relations have always been at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries, bringing benefits to the two peoples and contributing to world peace, stability and development, Xi said.

The unique history of the China-France relations has shaped the "China-France spirit" featuring independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, Xi stressed, adding that in the face of the new era, China and France should uphold the original aspiration of the establishment of the diplomatic relations, look forward to the future, and dare to make greater progress.

The two sides should unswervingly develop bilateral relations and respond to world uncertainties with the stability of China-France relations. The two sides can take the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism and the Paris Olympic Games as opportunities to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges and promote closer people-to-people ties, Xi said.

He called on the two sides to jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and economic globalization that is inclusive and beneficial to all, and continue to contribute to maintaining world peace and stability and addressing global challenges.

While deepening traditional cooperation, the two sides need to actively tap the potential of cooperation in emerging areas such as green industries and clean energy, make the "pie" bigger for mutual benefit, and pool cooperation forces and share development opportunities through openness, Xi said.

Facing the next 60 years, China and France will work together to create greater glories, he added.

French President Emmanuel Macron also delivered a video speech.

Macron said that 60 years ago, General Charles de Gaulle went beyond the logic of camp confrontation and made the historic decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Today, the two sides have the responsibility to build on the ambitious goals set in 1964 and continue to work together to build a partnership that not only meets the needs of the two peoples, but also contributes to world peace and stability.

France is willing to join hands with China to address global challenges and promote the resolution of international crises, he said.

Noting that the year 2024 is the France-China Year of Culture and Tourism, and the two sides will hold a variety of activities, Macron said the two sides should take this opportunity to enhance the exchanges between the two peoples, especially the youth, and lay a more solid foundation for the future of France-China relations.

The two countries will also hold an event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of the Cultural Tourism Year at the Palace of Versailles in Paris on Jan. 31, and broadcast video speeches from the two heads of state.
Homeowners in Buncombe and Henderson counties should pay 21% more to insure homes, according to insurance companies that have submitted the rate request increase to the state's top regulator.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said he will decide before Feb. 22 whether to accept the proposed rate increases by insurers or negotiate for a reduced rate, as he has done three times prior. If Causey agrees to the rate hikes, the increases will go into effect in the summer.

A standard homeowners insurance policy covers repair or replacement of a home and its contents for losses caused by things such as fire, smoke, theft or a weather event, including hail or a falling tree branch.

The increase request varies across the state, averaging 42.2%. The highest rise would be 99.4% for properties in the beach areas of Brunswick, Carteret, New Hanover, Onslow and Pender counties.

The lowest proposed rate increases are for parts of Western North Carolina  Haywood, Madison, Swain and Transylvania counties  at 4.3%.

But for Buncombe, Alleghany, Ashe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Henderson, McDowell, Polk, Watauga and Yancey, insurers are asking for 21%.

Why the proposals were higher for those counties was not clear. The Citizen Times reached out Jan. 25 to Roszell Gadson, spokesperson for State Farm, one of N.C.'s largest insurers, as well as Joanna Biliouris, general manager for the N.C. Rate Bureau, which represents insurance companies.

The bureau  an entity created by the state thats not a part of state government  filed over 2,000 pages of documents that describe their rate requests, which vary by county and region. The bureau wants the rate changes to begin Aug. 1.

A 21% increase on a $1,500 annual premium would be $315, for a total of $1,815.

The Department of Insurance held an in-person public hearing Jan. 22 in Raleigh. Public comment on the proposal is being taken until Feb. 2 by ground mail or email.

Emailed public comments should be sent by Feb. 2 to: 2024Homeowners@ncdoi.gov.

Written public comments must be received by Kimberly W. Pearce, Paralegal III, by Feb. 2 and addressed to 1201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1201.

Should the Department of Insurance fail to agree to the proposals, the department will either deny the rates or negotiate with the bureau. Causey will call for a formal public hearing on the requests if a settlement can't be reached in 50 days of the filing, the department said. His decision on rate requests after the hearing can be appealed to court.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey talks to reporters about a bill that would let Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina reorganize, Monday, April 24, 2023, at the Albemarle Building in Raleigh.

Recent history has shown that final agreed-upon average rate increases can be significantly lower than what the bureau requested.

During the last round on homeowners' policies that began in November 2020, the bureau sought an overall average increase of 24.5%. But a settlement with the bureau signed by Causey in November 2021 resulted in a 7.9% average increase.

In a video released after the Jan. 22 hearing, Causey explained the rate increase approval process and noted his previous negotiations that produced increases much smaller than the requests.

"I am committed to fighting for lower rates for you, the consumer," Causey, a Republican elected commissioner in 2016, said. "That is exactly what I have done in the past and will continue to do this year."

While rate hikes are unpopular one consideration that must be made, department spokesperson Barry Smith said, is that insurers have enough funds to handle disasters.

"The insurance commissioner has the role, number one, of protecting consumers, making sure they're paying a fair rate and a fair premium," Smith said. "And, number two, ensuring the state has a vibrant competitive insurance market and if we do have a disaster that insurance companies are solvent enough to pay the claims."

David Wheeler, a Democrat running for commissioner this year, and the only candidate from WNC, said he would say no to the increase.

"When I'm elected insurance commissioner, we will have public hearings across N.C. and online for every rate hike request," said Wheeler of Mithcell County. "I'll lead those hearings and let the insurance companies explain to you why they need an increase. If the insurance companies don't have a good reason to hike rates when I'm commissioner, then they will get used to me saying, "no", and sometimes, "hell, no."

David Wheeler.

Wheeler said if insurance companies sued, he would lead a litigation team from the Attorney General's office "and beat them every time."

Wheeler also took a swipe at Causey's hiring of a friend to be his driver for $44 an hour, as reported by the Raleigh News and Observer, saying the commissioner should stop "taking 10-day road trips to New Mexico at taxpayer expense."

The Citizen Times reached out to Causey's campaign spokesperson Brad Crone.

Causey on Jan. 9 said the driver, Roger Blackwell is worth his weight in gold, but declined other comment, the News and Observer reported.

More: Will Hurricane Idalia head to Asheville with more rain, record temperatures? What we know

WNC wildfires: 90% containment on Poplar Fire, no growth for Collett Ridge Fire

Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville, Buncombe house owners should pay 21% more, insurers say
Tallahasseeans have a chance to get their hands on pieces of local history.

The old Ashmore Drug Store, located on Brevard Street in the heart of Frenchtown, is hosting a rummage sale this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to clear out the store, which has been vacant for years. Cash and cards will be accepted. The interior is quite dusty, so masks are recommended.

"What we heard from working with the community was to give people who have visited here a chance to own some of these treasures," said John Baker, policy and program development administrator for the city of Tallahassee.

The inside of Ashmore's as seen in 1946.

Glassware, vinyl records, tools, Florida license plates and political memorabilia are just some of the items available. Some items date to the 1950s.

This isn't the first time there has been a rummage sale at Ashmore's, but Saturday's will be the last.

The history of Ashmore

Tallahassee Democrat columnist and local historian Gerald Ensley wrote plenty about the old general store in Frenchtown.

Rob Roy Ashmore watches life pass by his little junk shop on West Brevard Street. "I've met royalty to the homeless on the street at my little shop and to me they are all the same," Ashmore said. "People have been good to me and they are the only reason I keep the doors open."

"Rob Roy Ashmore, a native of nearby Sopchoppy, founded the store at 509 W. Brevard St. in 1946 after serving in World War II," Ensley wrote. "He sold groceries, merchandise, ointments and potions such as the famed Red Rooster pill, the Viagra of its day."

The store also became well known for its pecans. Ashmore, who was white, became close with his predominantly Black clientele; pecans were of one of many reasons why.

The store was also a major political hub, becoming a frequent stop for politicians throughout the years.

Gov. Claude R. Kirk walking out of Ashmore's, in the Frenchtown section of Tallahassee, Florida. Next to him is owner Rob Roy Ashmore. This photo was taken in 1967.

"Located just five blocks from the Florida governor's mansion, Ashmore's was a touchstone for politicians. Governors LeRoy Collins and Claude Kirk were regular visitors," Ensley wrote.

"In 1968, presidential candidates Hubert Humphrey, Shirley Chisholm and George Wallace stopped by  as did England's Duke of Windsor in 1952."

Ashmore's also was a go-to for many dates, celebrations, and everyday errand runs. The sign that long hung over the front door read: "We are small but we have it all."

In December, "a gentleman came in who knew Mr. Ashmore, was friends with Mr. Ashmore and was going through what he would purchase, and he found a little notebook where Mr. Ashmore had his name and old phone number," Baker said, sharing a memory of a local resident.

Ashmore died at the age of 94, and the store finally closed in October 2008.

Ashmore's Drug Store, next to Sullivan's Food Store, in Tallahassee, Florida, as seen in September 1948.

Future of the site

Baker says Ashmore's will be renovated into a local cultural center and African American museum.

The city acquired the building in 2004. The Frenchtown Community Development Corp. had plans at the time to resurrect the store's original pharmacy counter, as well as its soda fountain. The president of the group helped broker the city's $250,000 appropriation to purchase the property from Ashmore as part of the ongoing project to revitalize the historically black Frenchtown neighborhood.

In 2022, the Tallahassee City Commission OK'd $717,000 in grants from the Florida Department of State towards the renovation. Baker said Saturday's proceeds also will go toward the renovations.

The designs and renderings for the buildings, designed by Lewis + Whitlock, have been completed and approved by the Tallahassee Trust for Historic Preservation. Baker says they're hoping "by maybe May, June or somewhere there, we will begin to mobilize for the renovation."

Tallahassee Trust for Historic Preservation approved the design renderings for the future renovations to the Ashmore store, which will be turned into a cultural center.

Not everything will be for sale on Saturday. Some items will be kept for the future museum there, and others will go to the John G. Riley House.

Baker says the community is ready for the building's future: "They are looking forward to the opportunity to have this corner on Brevard and Macomb renovated into a nice looking building they can be proud of."

The front of Ashmore's as seen at night. Photo was taken April 13, 1946.

Arianna Otero is the City Solutions Reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com and follow her on Twitter/X: @ari_v_otero.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Ashmore's in Frenchtown to hold final rummage sale before renovations
FILE - Ukrainian emergency workers and volunteers carry an injured pregnant woman from a maternity hospital damaged by an airstrike in Mariupol, Ukraine, on March 9, 2022. The image appears in a scene from the documentary film "20 Days in Mariupol," which has been nominated for best documentary at the Academy Awards. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  The Associated Press has won a prestigious broadcast journalism award for 20 Days in Mariupol, its documentary on the war in Ukraine produced with PBS Frontline.

The documentary was among 15 winners of the 2024 duPont-Columbia Awards announced at a ceremony at Columbia University in New York on Thursday. Founded in 1942, the awards highlight outstanding audio and video reporting in the public interest.

20 Days in Mariupol" chronicles Russia's siege of the Ukrainian port city and the international journalists who remained, including AP's team that documented Russia's atrocities and captured enduring images of the war.

The film has also been nominated for best documentary at the Academy Awards, marking the AP's first Oscar nomination in the 178-year-old news organizations history.

A co-production between the AP and PBS Frontline, it was shot during the first three weeks of the war in Ukraine in early 2022.

Mstyslav Chernov, a Ukrainian journalist and filmmaker, arrived in Mariupol one hour before Russia began bombarding the city. With him were photographer Evgeniy Maloletka and field producer Vasilisa Stepanenko.

The images and stories they captured  the death of a 4-year-old girl, freshly dug mass graves, the bombing of a maternity hospital  unflinchingly documented the grim, relentless realities of the unfolding siege.

During Thursday's awards ceremony in New York City, ABC News took home two awards and PBS won three.

Other award-winning investigations included Caught on Camera, Traced by Phone: The Russian Military Unit That Killed Dozens in Bucha from The New York Times.

The awards are administered by Columbia Universitys Graduate School of Journalism and are judged by a jury of industry veterans that selects 30 finalists and 15 winners.